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 34
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 34
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 34
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 34
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 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95
Mrs. Murray F. MeDonald was the daughter of Dr. Nathaniel Davis, an early pioneer of Missouri. and a long-time resident of Richmon 1. where he successfully practiced medicine from 1820 mtil 1850, and was widely known as an able and skill- ful physician. Mrs. McDonald, who died in ISSs. was the mother of three sons and one daughter. J. Allen, our subject, was primarily educated in the public schools of his home. and afterward re- ceived a course of instruction in Richmond Col- lege. Ile then went into his father's store and began his mercantile career as a clerk. and upon his father's death succeeded to the charge of the business. The firm carries a complete line of goods in caeh department. exhibiting an especially line assortment of dress-good -. The carpet- and oil- cloths, which are shown in the second -tory of their extensive and tastily arranged store, are first-class in every particular, and the stock is one of the largest in this portion of the State. The long e- tablished custom of the firm is constantly increas- ing it- limits, the trade now extending through- out the surrounding country.
JJ. Allen MeDonald was married February 1s. 1585. to Miss Isabel, daughter of Charles and Emma Sevier, prominent residents of the city. The happy home of our subject and his wife has been blessed by the birth of three children: Mar- garet. Charles A. and Sue. bright and promising little ones. Mr. McDonald has discharged with energetic efficiency the public duties of various
·
301
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
official positions of trust, and wa- for ten years the popular City Treasurer. He has been the able secretary of the Board of Education for several years and has ever been active in the promotion of educational interests. Politically, he is a Dem- oerat. Hle and his excellent wife are valued mem- bers of the Old-school Presbyterian Church and are foremost in the extension of the good works of that religiott- organization. The family resi- denee upon Main Street is the scene of many a pleasant social gathering of the friends of Mr. and Mrs. McDonald, who have passed their entire lives among the associations of childhood, and who have ever been important factors in the success of local, social and religious enterprise. As a busi- ness man of undoubted integrity of character, and as a public-spirited citizen assisting in the growth and progress of his home and county, our subject ha- worthily won and firmly holds the high regard of the general public.
ICHAEL W. CRISPIN. an able. leading and influential citizen of Richmond. Ray County, Mo., for many years President of the Ray County Savings Bank. and at the same time connected with the Richmond Company. has for more than a quarter of a century been one of the busiest and most enterprising men in the State, and until February. 1893. was actively en- gaged in milling in one of the most complete establishments of its kind in the country. Our sub- jeet was born in Fayette County. Ohio, near the Highland County line. September 1. 1811. His father, Abel Crispin. was a native of Washington County, Pa., and was a farmer. The paternal grandfather Crispin was of Scotch descent. and was a man of intelligence, thrift and keen sagacity.
The mother of our subject was Mary Wilson. a daughter of Michael Wilson, and was a native of Mason County. Ky .. where she was reared and mar- ried. The father and mother of Michael Crispin both died when he was but an infant. Five chil- dien were left to face the trials and sorrows of the
world. but the inheritance of energetic self-reliance wa- a capital in life for the orphaned family. The family consisted of one daughter and three cons. and two sons and the daughter are now living. Michael W. Crispin passed he boyhood upon a farm in Highland County, where his parents bad moved. He attended the district -chool. and was reared a farmer boy and remained upon the home- stead until the outbreak of the Civil War. when be enlisted in Company A. Second Olio Regiment Heavy Artillery, and was sent South. pa -- ing through Alabama and Georgia, and wa- detailed to guard prisons. forts. and cities. and thus faith- fully passed three years. He served with bravery and courage and was mustered out at Nashville. Tenn .. August 23. 1865.
Once more a private citizen, Mr. Crispin re- turned to Ohio and engaged in farming and stock- raising until 1-47. when be located in Ray County. Mo .. and again devoted hirek to the duties of general agriculture and stock-raising. It wa- not long before our energetic and progressive subject learned the milling business, and became a stock- holder and Director in the large and flourishing steam flourmill in Richmond. The mill is a four- story brick structure. furnished with the best and most modern machinery, and is one of the leading and substantial interests of Richmond. AAside from his various banking and other interests. Mr. Crispin owns a magnificent stock-farm. of about five hon- dred acres, all under a high state of cultivation. Our subject buy- and sells cattle and hogs, shil is fortunate in his various venture- and ha- ama-ed a comfortable competence. In every respect a thorough business man. our subject is also guided by principles of honor and integrity, and holts the respect and regard of the entire community among whom he leads his busy life.
Upon February 11. 1867. Michael W. Cri-pin wa- married to Mis- Eliza E. WInte. of Highland County. Ohio. Mr. Crispin was the daughter of Joseph and Cynthia White. the mother being a na- tive of Ohio. Mr. and Mr -. Crispin have a family of seven children. who are Lulu. the wife of Robert E. Bates, of Richmond: fora L .. at home; Charles E .. Anna B .. Meine W .. James E. and Silas R. These light and enterprising son- and
302
PORTRAI. AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
daughters are most of them at home and enjoy the beautiful grounds and attractive family residence. Mr. and Mrs. Crispin are valued members of the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church. and are numbered among the cheerful givers and firm sup- porters of social and benevolent enterprise. Win- ning his own way self-rebantly upward, our sub- jeet has reached a position of affluence and honor and now generously shares with others less for- tunate some of the abundance with which his car- nest efforts have been crowned. In politics. he is a Demoerat.
ULIU'S C. HUGHES. Our subject resides upon an excellent farm, to which he de- votes his entire attention. and his success demonstrates the fact that one may be a student of books and at the same time a practical farmer. Failing health compelled him to with- draw from the practice of the law. for which he had equipped himself by hard study, but he has not permitted his disappointment to interfere in the slightest with the discharge of the duties of his present position. Mr. Hughes is a good neigh- bor and kind friend. He was born in Lewis County, Mo., in 1852, being the son of John M. and Catherine (Muirdock) Hughes.
The father of our subject. a native of Kentucky, came to Missouri with his parents in his youth and settled in Boone County, having previous to that time received a good education in the di -- triet schools of Kentucky. When he reached his majority he began life for himself. being given by his father a start in the mercantile line at Monti- cello, Lewis County. Mo. Later, he engaged in a similar business at Canton, the sune county. and the town last named became his place of residence and continued so throughout his life. Ile reared a family of three children. namely: William. Laura B. and our subject. The mother of our subject died when he was a habe of but six weeks old: hi- father died in 1868.
Julius C. Hughes was reared by relatives and
was educated at Richmond, and in the university at Canton. Life in earnest began with him at the early age of sixteen, and he commeneed to work with his hands without a penny of capital. In October. 1878, he married Marie, daughter of Dr. II. W. King. of Excelsior Springs, Mo .. she being a native of Johnson County. Mo. The law en- gaged his attention. and while he taught school in Ray County be studied the intricacies of Black- Stone. In 1875 he published the Ray County Chronicle, at Richmond. continuing it for two years, after which he located at Kansas City and engaged in the practice of the law. Ile remained there until 1885. when he discontinued legal prac- tiee on account of the poor health of himself and wife and returned to Ray County, where he was Deputy County Clerk for eighteen months. Hle then turned his attention exclusively to farming. having a fine tract of two hundred and thirty acres in township 51. range 27. Ray County.
Mr. Hughes is a member of the Christian Church. while his wife is a Baptist. Ile is identified with the Prohibition party and believes that its plat- form should be university adopted. A man of liberal education and a student. he reaches his con- clusions after mature deliberation and is not easily changed. once his mind is made up on any ques- tion. llis neighbors respect him highly because of his honesty and sincerity and entertain a very good opinion of his scholastic attainment -.
h M. GRACE. a practicing physician and surgeon of Lawson, was born in Ray County, Mo., January 12. 1866. lle be- longs to a family which for several genera- tions has been identified with the progress and de- velopment of the State, and in his own life and character reflects the sturdy principle- which are his by inheritance, no less than by training. His grandfather. John Grave. emigrated from Cocke County. Tenn .. to Ray County, No. at a very early day, and here he successfully engaged in
303
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
farming pursuits and abo in the manufacture of chairs, accumulating in that way a considerable amount of property.
The father of our subject, William N., was born in Ray County, Mo., where he afterward became a prominent farmer on township 52, range 29. He married Miss Mary Alice, daughter of Haynie Thompson. an early settler of Ray County, who came hither from Kentucky in his boyhood and was successfully engaged in merchandising and farming until his death. which was caused by the explosion of a boiler in a new mill in 1861. Our subjeet is one of three living children, the others being George W., who lives on the old home place, and Cornelia J .. wife of Arthur James. Commis- sioner of Schools of Ray County. Another son. William N .. Jr., died in February. 1822. at the age of nineteen years and ten months. The father of this family passed away February 23. 1872. His widow is living on the old homestead with her son George.
The early education of our subject was gained in the public schools of the county. after which he entered Spaulding - Commercial College at Kansas City, Mo., and there took a literary course. For some time after leaving college. he engaged in teaching in Ray County, which be abandoned in order to commence the study of medicine under Dr. W. G. Harwood, of Vibbard. Mo. In 1888. he entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis. from which he was graduated in March. 1891. After graduating, he opened an office for the prac- tice of his profession at Lawson and has since been engaged in active practice at this place. Although he is young in the profession, he is already well and favorably known as a practitioner, and enjoys the confidence of his fellow-citizens. Its office is lo- cated in the Law-on Bank Building, where he has a pleasant suite of rooms. It is his aim to keep abreast with the latest discoveries in the medical world, and he expects during the winter of 1892-93 to take a course of lectures at the Polyclinic College of New York.
The marriage of Dr. Grace to Miss Annie E. Hunt took place December 29, 1286, and they are the parents of three children: Mabel. Clarence and Pearl. Mis. Grave is the daughter of the Rev.
William Hunt. a prominent minister in the Mis sionary Baptist Church. Socially, Dr. Grace is a member of the Order of Knights of Py thias and at the present time is Chancellor Commander of Lodge No. 129. in which he takes an active interest. Hle is also a member of the Ancient Free & Ae- cepted Masons. In his religious behef, he is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church and is serving as Superintendent of the Sunday-school. Ile is a Democrat in his politics, believing the principles of that party best adapted to the wel- fare and progress of our Government.
HOMAS J. DAVIS, our subject is now re- compensing himself for a life of arduous work by spending his days in enjoyable rest at his pleasant home in Richmond. Mo. He was born in Hart County, Ky., April 12, 1836. and was the third of the eight children born to James and Elizabeth ( Bate>) Davis. natives of Kentucky, the father a farmer. Grandfathers James Davis and Bates were both natives of Vir- ginia. the mother a daughter of James Bates. The marriage of the parents was celebrated in Kon- tucky. and in 1853 they removed to Ray County. and located on a farm near Morton. where the father carried on general farming. He died in Ray County, Mo .. in January. 1854. but his wife survived him twenty-four years, and finally passed away in 1878. also in this county.
Our subject passed his youth in Kentucky, where he attended school. and when seventeen years of age accompanied his parents to Ray County. He continued to work on the farm with his father until the death of the latter, when the business and the care of the family fell upon him and his elder brother. Benjamin F. there being at that time four boys and one girl. with the mother. in the family. two sons and one daughter having died. Our subject was married June 3. 1971, to Mis- Nannie Bohannon. of Ray County. the fourth daughter of 1 .. C. and Cynthia (Haddixy Bohan- non. After his marriage Mr. Davis located on a
301
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
farm in Crooked River Township, and carried on a general business of growing grain and mi-ing stock in partnership with his brother. the tract consisting of two hundred and twenty acres owned by the brothers. Hle soon soid his interest and purchased another farm in Jackson County, Mo .. but subsequently sold this and returned to Ray County, where he remained until March. 1892, when he left the form and settled at Richmond. in order to secure better facilities for educating his children.
Mr. Davis now devotes his attention to looking after his general business interests. There are four children. one son and three daughters, in the family: Bates, Mary. Kate and Fannie, the last two being twins. He is a Democrat and firmly be- lieves that the future hope of the country he- in the success of the party to which he is attached. He was an active participant in the late war. hay- ing first served as a private in the State Guards and subsequently assisted in the organization of a company, which he joined. entering the Confeder- ate army. and was stationed for a time at Mar- shall, Tex. He took part in the following bat- tles: Carthage, Lexington. Helena ( Ark.), Pea Ridge. Oak Hill. Prairie Grove, and a number of minor engagements. being twenty in all; and yet he escaped without a scratch and was never taken prisoner. During the greater part of his service he was in the command of Gen. Price.
;
5
APT. JOHN P. QUESENBERY. a prosper- ous, energetic and leading retail grocer and hardware merchant of Richmond. takes a high place among the important factors in the growth and upbuilding of the best interests of this portion of Missouri, and is widely known as an earnest and progressive man. Our subject was born in Glasgow, Barron County. Ky. September 18, 1818. His father. Zaceus Quesenbery, was a native of Fauquier County. Va .. and engaged in the handling of merchandise for years. He was the son of James Quesenbery, who was of direct
English descent. The mother of Capt. John P. was Mary Warder. a native of Virginia, and the daughter of Joseph Warder. also born in the Old Dominion.
In 1810, the Que-enbery family removed from Kentucky to Ray County, Mo .. and settled near Richmond, where the father and mother lived to a good old age. They were the parents of six chil- dren. three sons and three daughters. of whom our subject is the youngest. Capt. Que-enbery passed the days of boyhood and early life upon his fa- ther's farm, and attended a private school. after which he began his business career as a clerk for Josiah Parott. of Rushville, Ill. In 1811. our sub- jeet came to Richmond. where he engaged as a clerk in the well-known store of James Hughes & Co .. and remained in the employ of this firm until 1813. In company with Robert McGee. he opened a general merchandise house in 1818. under the firm name of Quesenbery & Metiee. Meeting with their full share of succes-, they continued in the busmess for two years, when Capt. Que-enbery sold out and immediately bought another stock of groceries, and continued actively in business until 1861.
Upon the breaking out of the Civil War. our subject immediately enlisted under Capt. Ben Reeves, and in June. 1>61, joined the Confederate army. being one of the first to enter the service from Ray County. Entering the ranks as a private soldier in the State service, he acted as charter- master from May until June, 1862. when he was ordered by Gov. Jackson to Ft. Smith. Ark .. with the supplies belonging to the State. At Ft. Smith these supplies were turned over to the Post Quar- termaster. At that place in June. 1862. a company was organized. of which our subject was made Lieutenant, and in December following, the Capdain having fallen in battle, he -neceeded to that position, which he filled until May. 1865. when he resigned on account of ill health. The company formed a part of the Eleventh Regiment. assigned to l'ar- son's brigade. Capt. Quesenhory was at the Bat- tles of Carthage. Mansfield, Pleasant Hill. Jenkin' Ferry. Springfield. Wilson Creek. Pea Ridge. Helena. and numerous other battles and skimiche -.
At the love of the war, Capt. Queseghers it-
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
turned to Richmond. where he diligently devoted . ris ancestors were Thighland Scotchmen and their himself to the mercantile business, and in time was descendants ir the early part of the century who located in America were distinguished by all the national strength of Abre and sturdiness. Our subject's mother died at the age of thirty-five vents. She lend been reared as a Baptist. while her husband was a Catholic. able to accumulate property. Hli- store, located at the corner of Camden Avenue and Franklin Street, is well stocked with general groceries and builder's hardware. The Captain still looks after his business as of yore, and is respected as an hon- orable and successful business man. The gallant Captain is unmarried. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in all his business dealings is over a true and sincere Chris- tian gentleman. In politics, he was originally a Whig, but since the war has acted with the Demo- cratic party.
UDGE CHARLES R. SHREWSBURY, who nearly four-score years ago made his advent into his father's family. is the same courteous gentleman as in the days of his youth, when he was a distinguished beau among the Virginian maidens, and the dread of the rougher element among the young men. who feared the strength of his strong right arm. Judge Shrewsbury was born in Kanawha County, W. Va., February 17, 1811. and is a son of JJohn D. and Naney ( Morris) Shrewsbury, both natives of good old Virginia. His grandfather. Samuel, was an early settler, and his great-grandfather emigrated from England at an early day and located in Queen Bess's State. A man then had to fight for even the right of a peaceful habitation in the country, for the Indians were not as friendly as they were in ear lier day -.
John Shrewsbury was a alt manufacturer and operated large furnaces for that day. On going to Kansas, he served as Sheriff for several years. He died at a ripe old age after a useful and enter- prising life. Our subject's maternal grandsire was Leonard Morris, a pioneer and Indian fighter in Virginia. He was the owner of a large plantation which was sold after his death for the sum of Shit,- 000, a large fortune in that carly day. The Mor-
Judge shrewsbury is the oldest of a family of nine. four -ons and five daughters, of whom three are now living. fle was reared on a farm and at- tended a private school. At the age of thirteen. he left home to take a eleikshop in Charleston. W. Va. He gave hi- mornings and evenings to that work for eighteen months, attending the academy during the day tone. He remained with that firm until twenty years old and also did outside trad- ing for them. fle remembers being sent to New .Orleans in charge of slaves who were to be sold in the market. The firm for which he worked owned seven steamers, and Charles was frequently called upon to take the place of one of the clerks on board these steamers for a short time. In 1-34 he had a boat built and began trading on his own account. continuing on the river for two years.
February 19. 1836. the Judge arrived in Ray County, Mo .. having traveled all the way hither from Virginia on horseback. He bought some land in Crooked River Township which had been partially improved, but the country was very new and there was no settlement within several miles. Wild game was abundant and deer could be seen grazing in every direction. Our subject was exceedingly fond of hunting and his meat house was never without venison. His first home was a log house, and he gave his attention to farm- ing. In 1º19. he joined the army of gold-seekers for California and spent a memorable tive month- on the way out. During that trip he killed many deer and buffalo. After spending seventeen months in mining. he returned home by the water way. While in California his prowess as a hunter was worth more to him than the gold he found. Venison sold for forty cents a pound and he cleared Slow per day by supplying this to the miner -.
Again. in IS51. Judge Shrewsbury took a drove of cattle to California for the firm of Horses .
306
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAFIICAL RECORD.
Watkins, of Richmond, Mo., he himself having some interest in the firm. The drove comprised three hundred and seventy-five head, beside sev- enteen head of mules and horses. Successful in his journey, he sold his interest and returned home in thirteen month. Ile then settled down to farm- ing and has ever since been so employed.
The original of this sketch has been married twiee. His first marriage. which took place in 1810. was to Mary Morris, who died March 16. 1867. All but one of the children of whom she was the mother also died. Ile was again married. October 16, 1872, to Elizabeth A. Ralston, who was a native of Hart County, Ky., and came to Mis- souri with her mother. They are the parents of two children. Aden L. and Fannie Belle. Judge Shrewsbury was reared a Whig and is now a stanch Democrat. Ile has been Justice of the Peace for twenty-seven year -. and from 1872 to 1871 served as County Judge. Before the war he was a large land-owner and also owned seven valuable slaves. In 1840 he joined the Texas Rangers for the pur- pose of subduing the Indians and Mexicans. He was under the command of Cols. Shively and Chandler and served in seven hard-fought battles. For four months he saw hard service. With only one hundred and sixty-five men in the regiment. they met on one occasion ten thousand Indians. the engagement lasting from twelve o'clock until after dark. On another occasion they repelled a body of eight thousand Indians. It is a commen- tary upon the extraordinary endurance of the man that for four months he lived on meat alone.
OIN C. WILKERSON, an energetic and successful agriculturist, now residing upon his fine homestead located in township 32. range 32. Clay County. Mo .. devotes most of his time to general farming, but is also known as a stock-raiser. profitably handling an excellent variety of graded stock. Mr. Wilkerson is a na- tive of the State and was born in Platte County in 1813, and during his entire lifetime has been
associated with the growth and progress of Mis- souri. Our subject is the son of Thomas I. and Margaret C. (Young) Wilkerson. The Wilk- erson- ate remotely of English birth. the paternal great-grandfather having been a subject of the Queen, but later was an officer in the Revolution- ary War. lighting for American independence. Grandfather John Wilkerson wa- a native of Ken- tucky. where he followed the occupation of : farmer and distiller. He ran one of the first di -- tilleries in Clay County, and also operated the first carding-machine ever brought to this part of the country. He was an energetic and enterpris- ing man and is well remembered by the early settlers.
The father of our subject and his good wife were both natives of Kentucky. the husband having been born in the year 1817 and the wife in ISIS. Thomas Wilkerson came to Missouri with his parents in 1822, and in this latter State re- ceived his early education and training. He re- mained at home until he had attained his major- ity. when he went to Platte County and entered land. In 1819 he crossed the plains to California in company with a large party. and made the long journey by ox-team. Mining four years in the Golden State, he gained financially but injured hi- health. and returning by the Cape was nearly shipwrecked in a violent storm. Thomas Wilker- son survived his return home but a short time. and died in 1857. The mother of our subject died when he was but two years old. and left four sons. Benjamin F., Wilham Y., Thomas J. and John C. She had passed away in 1817. and previous to hi- departure for California the father had married Miss Dodson, who became the mother of two sons and one daughter: Henry D .. George W .. and Mary C., wife of James Masoner.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.