USA > Missouri > Carroll County > Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn Counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 32
USA > Missouri > Chariton County > Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn Counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 32
USA > Missouri > Clay County > Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn Counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 32
USA > Missouri > Linn County > Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn Counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 32
USA > Missouri > Ray County > Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn Counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 32
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" Many persons had gathered about the building congratulating one another upon the fact that one of the finest business bioeks had been saved. when suddenly, and without a moment's warning. the west wall of the burned building toppled and fell with a deafening crash which shook the very earth. striking the west wall of the building on the east. owned by W. R. Jackson and occupied by M. F. McDonald & Son. dealers in dry goods. com-
E LWOOD M. JACKSON. The heritage of a good name is better than riches, while re- spect for one's parents is not only an in- junction of the Divine law. but also a proof of , pletely demolishing the building and burying those true manhood. The subject of this sketch is de- scended from a sturdy stock of which he may well he proud. A prominent business man of Rich- mond, he is a dealer in lumber, sach. doors, blinds, cement. and builder's hardware in that city. He was born in Richmond. JJanuary 31. 1868, and is the only living son of William Rice Jack-on. also a native of Ray County, Mo.
within under a mass of crumbling walls and chat- tered timbers. A deathlike silence followed for a moment, and when the dust and smoke had cleared away the people began to realize the awful situa- tion. Knowing that many persons were in the building when it collapsed and fell. a search was soon made and the lifeless bodies of William R. Jackson and M. F. McDonaldl. Sr., were dug out beneath the pile of bricks and timber that Had fallen upon them. Mr -. Jackson and her son Elwood and
The mother of our subject. Lucy G. (Holman ) Jackson, was born in Kentucky, the daughter of William R. Holman, and is still living in the fine others were in the building, but escaped without
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any serious hurt. The bodies of Mesers. Jackson and McDonald were terribly crushed and mangled, giving evidence that each met his death suddenly."
Elwood M. Jackson. the subject of this sketch. was reared and educated in his native city. his training in the public schools being followed by an extended course in the old Richmond College. After this he went to St. Louis. Mo .. and entered the Bryant and Stratton Commercial College, from which he was graduated in 1887. Then returning to Richmond, he assisted his father at the place of business known as the Jackson Lumber Yard. and succeeded to the management upon the death of his father. Ile was married lune 3. 1891. to Miss Allie Jacobs, daughter of Dr. II. P. Jacobs, of Rich- mond, Mo .. and they have one son. William R. Politically, Mr. Jackson is a Democrat.
AMUEL HARDWICKE. For more than twenty-five year- Mr. Hardwicke has been engaged in active practice of the legal profession at Liberty, and in the courts of Missouri. A man of thorough education. and for a time a teacher of the classics. he subsequently qualified for the Bar by a regular and exhaustive course of study under Judge Norton (then one of the leading practicing lawyers of West Missouri, and since 1876 a distinguished member of the Su- preme Court). He entered upon his career as an attorney at Liberty immediately following his ad- mission in 1857. with every prospect of a success- ful and honorable future. Nor has hi- record in the practice di-appointed the ju-t expectations that were formed of him in the beginning. For years he has held a prominent position among the leading attorneys of his judicial circuit. and he has long been recognized as one of the first law- vers in point of ability and success at the Liberty Bar.
Close habits of studiousness have always been one of the most prominent characteristics of Mr. Hardwicke. and while he is thoroughly wedded to his profession, and a constant student of the science
of law, by which he has become one of the best-read lawyers in this part of the State, he has at the same time found leisare to gratify his taste for general literature and the classics. His knowledge of the law and bis judgment upon legal questions com- mand respectful consideration from the Court and Bar wherever his duties call him, while his culture. eloquence and ability as an advocate, and his in- tegrity. professionally and in private life. are recognized by all. Though an active. successful attorney, he is a man of unusually quiet manner -. and of a retiring disposition, more given to the study of his books and to reflection than to the en- joyment of society or the pleasure of conver-a- tion. He has a fine law library, where his time is usually spent when not in the court-room or at home with his family. His library is by far the best in the county, and one of the best in the cir- euit.
Samuel Ilardwicke was born in Clay County, Mo .. September 3. 1833. Ilis father was Capt. Philip Allen Hardwicke. from Brook> County. Va .. and his mother, Miss Margaret (usually called Peggy) Gregg, was born in Tennessee. but was reared in Howard County. Mo. She was the daughter of Harmon Gregg, whom Gen. A. W. Doniphan pronounced one of the strongest men in native intellect he ever met. Her brother. Josiah Gregg. was distinguished in science and as an author. Mrs. Hardwicke accompanied her parents to this State in childhood, and for a time they lived in Cooper's Furt for protection against the Indians. She witnessed the death of Capt. Cooper. who was shot by the Indians in the fort.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was a gallant Revolutionary soldier from Virginia, and received a grant of land from the State for his services in the struggle for independence. An in- cident in this connection is worth mentioning. as it gave rise to the two ways of spelling the family name. In the instrument of grant, or patent. the name was speiled "Hardwick." instead of "Hard- wicke." the proper orthography. Since then some of the descendants have continued the former way of spelling the name. In a very early day Grand- father Hardwicke died in Virginia. Hisson Philip. who was then quite young. was bound out to learn
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the trade of a cabinet-maker. However, before he attained to manhood, he went to Logan County, Ky., where he helped to build the first bouse in Lebanon.
About the time of attaining his majority, Philip Hardwicke came to Missouri and located in low- ard County, where he met and married Miss Mar- garet Gregg. In the early Indian Wars, Capt. Hardwicke took a prominent part and commanded a company of volunteers through several cans- paigns. In 1824, he removed to Clay County, and improved a large and valuable farm five miles north of Kansas City, where he remained until shortly before his death. He was a very success. ful farmer and a man of great influence in his county. Though often urged to accept nomina- tion for official position. he uniformly refused, be- ing thoroughly averse to the life of a politician .. Hle had no taste for the turmoil. confusion. slander, insincerity and double-dealing incident to politics. and serupulously avoided everything of the kind. though he believed earnestly in the principles of the old Whig party, and never failed to vote his honest convictions. In 1819, he joined the gen- eral movement of Argonauts to the Pacific Coast, and on the return trip the following year. died on the ocean and was buried at Acapulco. The mother of our subject died November 29, 1892. Samuel Hardwicke was reared on his father's farm in Clay County, and received a classical education at the Sugartree Grove Academy. then an institu- tion of more than local repute, which he attended for a period of three years. Afterward he was Professor of Greek and Latin in that institution for a year, at the close of which he resigned his professorship to engage in the study of law. As above stated, he read law under Judge Norton at Platte City, and was admitted to the Bar in the spring of 1857. Hle at once opened an office in ! Liberty, and has been in this city continuously since, except eighteen months spent at St. Paul, Minn.
The professional career of Mr. Hardwicke hasal- ready been spoken of. It is only necessary to add here that there has scarcely been a case of any im- portance in the county for years past with which he has not iv en identified as one of the counsel. He
has given little attention to politics, except to vote bis honest convictions, or at times to help hi- friends. He has therefore neither held nor de- sired any strictly political position. When a young man he was City Attorney at Liberty for a time, and in 187! his name wa- canvassed by bi- friends for the Democratie nomination for Circuit Inlige. His candidacy was very favorably re- ceived, and but for political trickery he would have been declared the regular nominee, for he fairly and honorably won the nomination.
On the 27th of December, 1860. Mr. Hardwicke was united in marriage with Mi -- Ada Hall. the refined and accomplished daughter of the late John D. Hall, formerly a leading and wealthy citi- zen of Clay County. Mrs. Hardwicke was edu- cated at Clay Seminary. from which she was grad- vated in 1859. Mir. and Mrs. Hardwicke have four children: Mande. now the wife of Dr. John Il. Rothwell. is a graduate of the Baptist Female Col- lege at Lexington, where she won six medals for superiority in various departments, and afterward taught music in that institution; Claude, who at- tended William Jewell College for six years. is now the law partner of his father under the firm name of Hardwicke & Hardwicke; Philip and Norton are at home. and still attend school. In their religious connections, Mr. and Mrs. Hard- wicke are members respectively of the Cumberland Presbyterian and Christian Churches. Mr. Hard- wicke is a prominent member of the Masonic order. and founded the Commandery at this place.
AMES F. ADAMS, a leading and highly respected citizen of Smithville. Clay County. Mo., has now retired from active business duties, but for twelve years successfully conducted a harness and saddlery shop. and was ranked among the prominent merchants of the county. Mr. Adams was born in 1819. in Wilson County, Tenn .. and was the son of James and Sallie (Bernard) Adams, The father and mother
W. H. Pence
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
were natives of Virginia, and were there educated and married, and soon after emigrated to Ken- tucks, thence removing a few years later to Tonn- eser, where they purchased land at Wilson's Creek, and remained until 1812. Abont this lat- ter date the family came to Platte County. No .. where the parents resided upon a farm until the death of the wife, in 1852, after which bereave- ment the lonely father spent the remainder of his days with his children. dying in 1868. Politically,. he was connected with the old Whig party.
The brothers and sisters who gathered in the home of the Tennessee pioneers were: Lucinda, who became the wife of Dr. C. W. sayle; Mary. now deceased. was the wife of J. L. DeBerry: Araminta is Mrs. G. C. Clardy; James F. is our subject; Martha E .. deceased. was Mrs. Smith Adams: Sarah A .. also deceased, was married to Preston Aker. At eighteen years of age, our sub- ject served a short apprenticeship at his future oe- cupation as a maker of harness and saddles. In 1811. he came with his father to Missouri and set- tled upon a farm, and in 1818 married Miss Mary Owens, daughter of Nicholas and Mary (Myers) Owens. For one year succeeding his marriage Mr. Adams farmed rented ground, and at the expira- tion of the twelve months went to Ridgeley, Platte County, and for about fourteen years engaged ac- tively in the duties of his trade. Ile then invested in a farm in Platte County, and for a score of years labored in agricultural pursuits, and finally, disposing of his property. came to Smithville, and profitably entered into business, until his retire- ment from the active work of life.
Mr. and Mrs. Adam- have been blessed by the birth of eight children, and those who survive are among the most highly respected residents of their various localities. Elizabeth is the eldest-born, and is the wife of Robert Reed. of St. Joseph: Sarah .1. was the second daughter: Lou married W. L. De Berry; Maggie is the wife of Dr. J. L. Misener; James A., the father's namesake; Julia May. the wife of E. P. Wilkerson; and two died in infancy. In early life. our subject was a Whig, but is now a strong Democrat. Remembering his school days. which were spent in a little log schoolhouse in Tennessee. Mr. Adams rejoices in the increased
educational facilities which his bright and intelli- gent grandchildren and his descendants may liber- ally enjoy, and is ever ready to aid in the ad- vancement of all enterprise- tending to local prog- ress and improvement. Passing his life among pioneer scones, he has been an eye-witness of the growth and increased prosperity which have been the portion of Missouri. and has himself materialy assisted in the promotion and organization of prominent interests of his home neighborhood and vicinity, and, an upright and honored citizen. has . a host of true friends. the acquaintances of a life- time. Mr. Adams was the first Postmaster at Ridgeley, having received the appointment from President Polk, and he also served six month, un- der President Cleveland at Smithville, Mo.
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C APT. WILLIAM H. PENCE, one of the most prominent of the old settlers of Clay County, and a wealthy and influential farmer residing on section 16. Kearney Town-hip. was born in Seott County, Ky .. March 20. 1825. The grandfather of our subject. Adam. was born in Virginia. whither his father had emigrated from Germany in Colonial times, and there married a young woman from his native country. after which they removed to Kentucky to find their fortune. About that time the great Daniel Boone. dear to all Kentuckians, was playing destruction among the savages and wild animals of the Blue Grass State, and in Scott County the famous pioneer and the great-grandfather of our subject because well acquainted. The latter died in Scott County at an advanced age.
In the industrious pursuit of his calling of a farmer. Adam Pence was quite successful. and he- came the owner of a large tract of land. In 1>25. he came to Clay County. Mo. where he entered from the Government nearly one thousand acres. and settled four miles west of Liberty. There he died at the age of seventy-nine years. The father of our subject married in Scott County. Ks .. and come to Clay County when William was a habe of six months. The journey was made with a wagen
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and tive horses, and had its pleasures and hard- ships. Camping out at night, fording streams, breaking through forests where no roads had been cut, and avoiding the Indians, were some of the experiences which our pioneer ancestors went through with in order to leave to the present gen- eration the comforts which now surround us.
Mr. Pence settled four mile- west of Liberty, and in his new home was often visited by the In- dians, with whom he became well acquainted. His first work was the building of a log cabin. which. although primitive in construction, served as a shelter for the family. That was the day of in- dividual and isolated effort, and there were no la. bor-saving processes or appliances, Milling had to be done with horse-mills, there were no markets near, and no roads through the wilderness except. the Indian trails. Deer and wolves were numer- ous, and black bear meat sometimes hung in the larder, but for a long time there was great scarcity of the luxuries, so called then. but which we now name as necessities of civilized life.
About 1835, Mr. Pence removed to Kearney Township, and there bought and entered four hundred acres of land, which he partially im- proved. He died when he had reached the eighty- sixth anniversary of his birth, lacking one day. An intelligent and enterprising man. he occupied a prominent position in his community, and his honor and integrity were unquestioned. For fifty years he was a devoted member of the Baptist
Church. From his youth he was an ardent sup- . siah. Robert 1. Harrison. Lucinda and America porter of the principles of Democracy. During the days of the gold excitement he went to Cali- fornia, and while there served a- County Judge for two years. The mother of our subject was Anna Snell, a native of Scott County. Ky .. and of her marriage were born seven sonsand five daugh- ters, namely: William H .. Josiah. Jackson. Robert, Adam, Thomas, Alexander D., Margaret A .. Sallie, Eliza, Lurania, and Catherine, who died in in- fancy. The mother attained to the eighty-fifth anniversary of her birth when she passed away. She was a consistent member of the Baptist Church. This branch of the family was of English extrae- tion.
As before stated. our subject was brought to
Ciny County at the age of six months. His early edvention was received at a subscription school held in a pioneer log schoolhouse, with punchen floor, open fireplace and -lab benches. He remained of the home farm, attending to the duties that usually devolve upon boys of his age. until his eighteenth year. AAfter farming a short time for himself, he left these peaceful pursuits, and in May. 1846. enlisted for the Mexican War. in Moss' company, and Donathan's regiment. During his service of fourteen month -. he participated in three heavy battles and many smaller engagements. traveled six thousand miles on horseback. and for eight months was without enough to cat. In June. 1817, he was mustered out at New Orleans and re- turned home. He preceded the gold miners to California some two years. going overland with six yoke of oxen in company with fourteen men. For four years he a mained in the Golden state. and meanwhile mined. but mostly engaged in pack- ing on mules to the mines. Ilis train of twenty- seven mules was at one time covered under fifteen feet of snow. and this catastrophe entailed a loss of $7,000. By making snow shoes and walking fifteen miles. he was able to ave himself. but he lost everything. As soon as he had earned enough money to pay his expenses. he returned to Mis- souri, making the trip by water.
October 20, 1851. Capt. Pence married Dinitia Estes, who was born here: their nine children all grew to maturity and were: Jefferson. William. Jo- (deceased). Eliza E. and Adam. After his marriage he located on his present farm. where be built a log house and out the first tree. Now he own- two hundred and seventy acres of improved land. on which he raises large crops of grain. and also engages extensively in stock-raising. The log house burned and he built his present large frame residence in 1570. He still superintend- hi- farm.
In 1862. our subject enlisted in Company C. Thompson's regiment. and served one year and a-half, at the expiration of which time he was made Captain of his company. Mrs. Pence died October 19. 1871, aged thirty-one years. Feb- mary 3. 1550, Capt. Pence married Miss America Smith, who was born in Kentucky, and came to
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this county in 1856. Our subject and his wife are members of the Christian Church, in which they take an active interest. In politics, Capt. Pence is a Democrat. He has never held any office. prefer- ring private hfe. For thirty years he has been identified with the Masonie fraternity, and was a charter member of the lodge at Kearney. He is a Director and stockholder in the Kearney Bank, and a stockholder in the Holt Bank. In all measures originated to promote the welfare of the county, he has been foremost, and through the long period of his residence here he has main- tained a reputation for honor and probity.
ILLIAM R. HAARDER. Ray County in the past has furnished many examples of the success attendant upon persistent indus- try, accompanied by that intelligence which impels to the improvement of every opportunity. Among the number of those who are successfully conduct- ing operations along chosen lines of business. may be mentioned the name of Mr. Harder, who. although still a young man. has already achieved success. He is now engaged in the livery business in the village of Vibbard. in the vicinity of which place almost his entire life has been passed.
For particulars with reference to the parentage and ancestry of our subject. the reader is referred to the biographical sketch of Rev. John W. Har- der. which is presented on another page of this volume .. William R. was born.on the old home- stead, one and one-fourth miles cast of Vibbard. and the date of his birth was February 5. 1868. His boyhood years were passed in a comparatively un- eventful manner, attendance at the district school bring varied with work on the home farm during the summer months. He acquired a practical common-school education. which litted him for the successful proscention of business affair -.
After leaving school. Mr. Harder entered upon the career of a farmer and for a time carried on agricultural pursuits. He was married January 21. 1891. to Mi -- Ellen Duffett. daughter of the well-
known farmer and stock-raiser. Henry Duffett. Their union has proved a congenial one and their home is brightened by the presence of their daugh- ter, Emma A. Mr. Harder continued as a farmer for one year following his marriage. and then came to Vibbard and embarked in the livery bu-i- nos, which he has since conducted with ability and success.
All these measures which have for their object the development of the resources of Ray County find in Mr. Harder a stanch friend and supporter. He believes that wonderful as has been the ad- vancement of his community in the past, there is no indication that the climax has been reached. but the future years will bring as great progress as the past has shown. In his political belief he is a Democrat, loyal to every principle of his party. In his religious connection. he is identi- tied with the Christian Union Church, of which he and his wife are active members.
V
ILLIAM J. COURTNEY. The subject of this sketch is a gentleman in the prime of life. who by patient application has won for himself distinction at the Bar and the conti- dence and respect of his fellow-citizens. He was born in Kearney Township. Clay County, Mo .. May 12, 1843. being the son of Archibald C. Court- ney. a native of Kentucky. and a farmer by oc- enpation. Grandfather John Courtney, who was a native of Pennsylvania. served as a soldier of the Revolutionary War. and became an early -et- tler of Kentucky. The Courtney family is of English descent and has a number of branches. The mother of our subject. Elvann Este-, was born in Clay County. Mo. and was a daughter of Henry and Lucinda Estes. The father of our subject was a farmer and stock-raiser and also followed mer- cantile pursuit -. Of his twelve children. eight at- tained to maturity and seven are now living, our subject being the eldest.
William J. Courtney passed his youth upon the farin and attended the common school. In 1863.
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when about twenty years of age. he enlisted in the Confederate army as a member of Company B. Shanks' regiment, Shelby'- brigade, and tien. Price's army. Ile remained in service until the close of the war and participated in a number of battles and engagement -. Entering a private, he retired in June. 1865. as First Lieutenant. having served faithfully to the close of the war.
Once more resuming the necugation of rivie life, Mr. Courtney was employed as clerk by the firm of Moss & Armstrong for a period of about two years, and at the expiration of that time he bought out the business, which he conducted for two years and then sold. Afterward he became proprietor of the Arthur House. the leading hotel of Liberty. Ile studied law with Henry L. Routt and Thomas MeCarty, of Liberty: was admitted to the Bar at this place in 1874. JJudge George W. Dann presiding. and practiced law et Liberty for several years. Removing to Kearney, he followed his profession there for some time, and then came back to Liberty, where he has since resided. prac- ticing in all the courts.
Our subject was married. in 1865. to Mi-, Maria E., daughter of Judge Ninian Letton. of Lexing- ton, Mo., she being a native of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Courtney are the parents of two chil- dren: William Malcolm and Thomas M .. editors of the Clay County Progress. In politics. Mr. Courtney is a Democrat, his convictions being embodied in the platform of that party.
RVING GILMER. A successful newspaper is generally representative of the people of the place in which it is located and its value to a community is beyond estimate. The American press, like the American people, is vigorous, tire- less in its defence of the principles of justice, and frank in the expression of opinions. Such. in brief, is the character of the liberty Tribune, of which Mr. Gilmer is editor and proprietor.
Among the early residents of Clay County may be mentioned the father of our subject. Robert G.
Gilmer, who was born in Guilford County. N. ( .. February 22. 1811. There he grew to manhond and remained until 1836. when, imbued with the pioneer spirit and de-iron- of -ecking a home in what was then considered the Far West. he came to Missouri on horseback. in company with a friend. and settled in Clay County. For a few sears he engaged in teaching school and later clerked in various stores in Liberty. About Bolt he removed to the country and built the front part of the house owned at present by MIrs. Ze- relda Samuels. mother of the JJames boy-, and which place gained considerable notoriety in after years as being their home.
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