Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn Counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 41

Author: Chapman Brothers (Chicago), pub
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman bros.
Number of Pages: 1316


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 41
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 41
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 41
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 41
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 41


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


B. F. Williams was born and reared in Baltimore, and his wife was also a native of Maryland. The Williams are of English ancestry. John Williams. the father of B. F., being a native of Great Britain, who early in the eighteenth century. emigrating to America, settled in Maryland. probably engaging in farming, as he owned one hundred and sixty


acres of land where the city of Baltimore now stands. He reared but two children. Benjamin F. and John. Benjamin F. Williams, the great- grandfather of the two sons of our subject. re- ceived a very limited education, and at eighteen years of age fought in the Revolutionary War with heroic ardor, and later in life engaged in the service of 1812 as Captain of a company detailed to carry supplies to the soldiers. He married in Maryland but immediately made his home in Ken- tueky. where his four children, James. Elie, Mary. and Nancy. wife of John Elkshire. were born. The carly home of the family was in Bourbon County, then thickly inhabited by the Indians. After a lifetime devoted to agricultural pursuits in Bourbon County, B. F. Williams spent his last days in Ihighland County, Ohio, where he passed away at the age of ninety-eight years. Almost a cen- tenarian. he had witnessed the firm establishment of our national independence and lived to see the rapid progress of the early part of the present century. Ilis son James, the father of Mrs Will- i:ums' husband, improved the very scanty opportu- nities he enjoyed to obtain book-knowledge. and could read and write. His boyhood was also rich in pioneer experiences and he grew up courageous and resolute. At eighteen years of age he enlisted in the War of 1812, and was in Ft. Mauldon when peace was declared. Hle then served a brief ap- prenticeship at the carpenter's bench and followed the trade until 1836. when he bought a farm in Kentucky and resided upon the one hundred and fifty-two aeres until his death. Ilis wife, the daughter of Robert Wright, bore him nine chil- dren: Julia, deceased. the wife of John T. Purdy; John, deceased, the husband of our subject: Mar- tha, deceased, the second wife of lohn T. Purdy; James; Elizabeth, deceased. the wife of William Sconce: William: Horace, deceased: Susan. wife of William Hamilton: and Mary. James Williams was a Whig in politics, and having lived a life of honest industry passed peacefully away in 1sót. His wife, who survived him. reached minety-two years.


Our subject, having spent almost her entire life within a stone's-throw of her present home, is in- timately associated with the growth and improve-


352


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


ment of her immediate neighborhood and county. . In the pioneer experiences of the State the wives and mothers played no unimportant part. It was the elicering word and the helping hand of women. the daily presence that brightened the home, which made it possible for the husband- and fathers to face the hard-hips and privations of a new coun- try. Mrs. Williams has been an eye-witness of the development and steady march of progress in her locality, and, active in social, benevolent or relig- ious enterprises and also an excellent business woman, has been a prominent factor in the pro- motion of many of the leading interests of her home and is widely known and highly esteemed by a host of friends.


OHN R. HILL .. a farmer and stock-raiser of Richmond, resides in his comfortable home on North Main Street. His accumulations are ample for all his wants and he has a family of which he may well be proud. Ile was born within two and one-half miles of Richmond, November 12, 1817. His father. James Hill, was born in Jefferson County. Tenn. September 18. 1795, and was reared in the county of his birth, receiving his education in the common district schools.


The paternal grandparents of our subject re- moved to Missouri about the year 1819. and the various members of the family took up Govern- ment land in this county. The mother of our subject, Charlotte (MeGangh) Hill. was a native of Tennessee and the daughter of John and Char- lotte MeGaugh. She bore her husband seven | children, of whom our subject is the youngest. Two of the number died young. Monroe and Thomas are deceased. The others are Levina, widow of Stephen Catron: Mais: and John R., our subject. The father was a farmer throughout hi- entire life, beginning that occupation without much capital, yet accumulating before his death four hundred acres of land. He was a member of


the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, as was also his wife. Ifis death occurred in 1869 and his wife followed hun the next year.


Our subject remained with his parents until their death, but, began life for himself at the age of twenty, when he took charge of the farmn. Uis education was limited to the schools of Ray County, in which he received a fairly good Eng- lish course of instruction. The farm of which he is owner contains one hundred and ninety acres of land and lies two and one-half miles east of Rich- mond. Upon that place he remained until a few months since. when he came to Richmond, where he also owns property on North Main Street. In October, 1880. he married Miss Isabel. daughter of John T. and Margaret Patton. who has borne him two children: Della and Jennie T. Mrs. Hill is a member of the Christian Church. while our subject is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is also a member of the lodge of Knights of Pythias. The Democratic party is the organization of his choice and he has always sup- ported its nominees.


-


S. GOSLIN. a prosperous general agri- culturist and extensive stockraiser. resides upon the finely cultivated and well-im- proved homestead located upon section 30, town- ship 58, range 20 west. Lin County, Mo .. and i- widely known as an able, energetic and excellent citizen, every ready to aid in local enterprise and improvement. Our subject is a native Kentuckian. and was born upon the 25th of February. 1:32. in Fleming County. The family were originally from New Jersey, but Grandfather Nathan Golin was among the early settlers of Kentucky, and located in Mason County, where the father of our subject. Harrison Go-lin, was born October 30, 1804. Father Goslin was reared a farmer. and having attained to carly manhood was married to Miss Lucy B. Quinn. a daughter of James Quinn, a prominent agriculturist of Fleming County. After his mar- riage, Harrison Goslin made his home near Flett-


353


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


ingsburg, Ky., until 1856, when he removed with his family of four children to Missouri. Of the son- and daughters there are now surviving Adelia .... Lucy P., Amanda W. and our subject, W. S. After his arrival in Missouri. Harrison Goslin bought a four hundred aere tract. part of the land being im- proved. Two hundred acres of this purchase now comprise the valuable home farm of our subject.


At that time (1856) the land was bought for $1 1 per acre, but is now worth fully $35. Father Gos- lin continued to reside upon his farm until hi- death in 1890, at a good old age. His wife had passed away in Kentucky in 1866. about thirty- four years before his death. Our subject was reared in Fleming County, Ky., and received but limited advantages for an education. He was early trained in the duties of a tiller of the soil, and arriving at mature age was well fitted to begin life for him- -elf. In 1868 3. Goslin was married to Miss Anna E. Brown, daughter of William C. Brown. of Kentucky, in which State Mrs. Goslin was born. . This estimable lady passed away in 1873, deeply regretted by her family and a large circles of friend -. She was the mother of two children, of whom Mag- gie is now living. but Minnie died in early infancy. Immediately succeeding his marriage Mr. Goslin settled upon his present homestead, which he has improved with substantial and commodious build- ings, indicating the excellent and thrifty manage- ment of the owner of the farm. The acres yield an abundant harvest annually, and aside from the cultivation of the fertile soil. our subject has prof- itably engaged in stock-raising. handling only a good grade of horses, cattle and hogs. Trained from his earliest youth into the practical and every- day duties of farming experience. he is thorough- ly at home in all the details of agriculture. the busi- ness of his life.


For many years a valued and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Go -- lin has liberally aided in the support and exten- sion of the religious work of that denomination. and is ever mindful of the suffering and needs. Politically he is a strong Democrat, and interested in local and national issues. For three months he served in the Missouri Provisional Militia, but has never been an office-seeker. although ever ready


to do his full duty as a true and public-spirited citizen. Arriving within the borders of Missouri thirty-seven years ago, he has since materially aided in the upward progress and ultimate pro -- perity of his adopted State. and has long possessed the high regard of the general public.


ILLIAM R. RENICK is a man of intelli- genee. devoted to his chosen calling. in which he displays an apt and practical knowledge. He is surrounded by comforts that have come of his industry. His farm is located in township 52, range 27, Ray County , Mo., aud is well improved and carefully cultivated. Among his neighbors he is highly esteemed for his manly and sociable qualities and for his integrity and up- rightness. He was born in La Fayette County. Mo .. January 2. 1857, being a son of James W. Renick, born November s, 1506, who was a son of Robert Renick. a native of Virginia, and of Scotch descent. The latter reached manhood in his na- tive State. and then emigrated to Clarke County. Ohio, where he lived the remainder of his life. carrying on the occupation of a miller as well as farmer.


The father of our subject was born in Clarke County. Ohio, and remained with his parents on the farm until he was of age. His education was a very liberal one, he improving upon the instruction of the district and county schools by much after reading and study, so that he became a man well informed upon all the living issues of the day. Going to La Fayette County when a young man. he was married there to Willie A .. daughter of John and Keziah Warder, who bore him seven children, one of whom died when young, a- fol- low>: Sarah A .. wife of S. A. Hill: Keziah, wife of L. B. Wright: Robert W .; John: William R .. our subject: and Fannie E., wife of ( yrus Wright. The father began life for himself on a farm, and subsequently learned the trade of a tanner, follow- ing it for ten years. when he engaged in the work of freighting and the stock business. after which he


354


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


came, in 1866, to Ray County. where he had pre- viously invested in land. At the time of the out- break of the war he had accumulated twelve hun- dred acres of land and owned thirty-six slaves. Ile remained on the home farm, where our subject now resides, until his death, March 17, 1890.


The mother of our subject is still living at the age of seventy-two years, and is in the po-session of good health and spirits. The father was a zeal- ous Democrat and took an active part in political campaigns. For a number of years he was Cattle Inspector of La Fayette County, Mo. Our subject never left his parents. although he began life for himself at the age of twenty, renting the farm from his father and engaging in the stock business. lle owns about two hundred acres of land and feeds a large number of cattle each winter. He was married December 27, 1882. to Miss Amanda S. Wright, daughter of James V. and Arabella Wright, who has horne him five children, but one of whom, Elizabeth, is now living. Like his father. our subject is a Democrat, and while not taking a very active part in clections, is none the less in- terested in the result.


UGO JJ. M. ELLIS. The editor and reporter are the historians of the present, and their work is done with a fidelity to the truth that finds no parallel in any gener- ation preceding the introduction of the newspaper. The country editor. while exercising a close sern- tiny upon the world immediately about him. is in turn an object of close observation to his neigh- bors; hence is held to much closer reckoning than his confrere of the city press, who. as a rule, main- tains an impenetrable incognito. It is not possible to estimate the incalenable benefit to a community of a newspaper whose editor is abreast with the times, and who is alive to the interests of the vi- cinity.


Our subject i- a man fond of his profession and impressed with its importance to civilization. In addition to his connection with the Weekly


Leader, of Lawson. Ray County, he is also a mem- ber of the mercantile firm of Ellis & Rogers. Mr. Ellis was born in Goa, India. August 21, 1865, the eldest son of Nicholas M. Ellis, an Englishman, who married Mi- Fanny J. Major, a resident of Carroll County, Mo. The father of our subject was a coffee planter in India, and died when Hugo was quite young. The widow then married Col. d'Albuquerque. a lineal descendant of Alfonse d'Albuquerque, the conqueror of India, and is liv- ing with her husband at Lisbon. Portugal, where he holds an important official position under the government of that country.


When Hugo was but seven years old. he went to England, where he remained until he was twenty-one years of age, and there received a su- perior education, obtaining the degree of Associate of Arts at Oxford University. Then he became quite a traveler. visiting the various points of in- terest on the Continent of Europe, and abo the Canary Islands, Cape Colony, Mauritius, Malacca. and the interesting places along the Mediterranean and the North Sea. After completing his travels in the Old World, Mr. Ellis came to the United States, and finally located in Carroll County. but four months later removed to Kansas City, where he connected himself with the Excelsior Springs Company, and remained with it four years, rising from the position of book-keeper to that of general manager.


The next movement of our subject was to take a position with the Armour Packing Company: but this he was compelled to surrender on account of ill health. After this. he went to Lawson, Mo .. and engaged in the business which now employs his time and energie -. Mr. Ellis was married in June. 1891, to Miss Lily B .. daughter of Rev. G. W. Rogers, a prominent Baptist mini-ter of Missouri. at one time President of the Baptist College at Columbia. Our subject is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and sometime- preaches in that body. Total abstinence is prae- ticed by him, and he is a warm friend to temper- ance.


Mr. Ellis has a great-unele. Harold Major. nearly eighty years of age, who is a retired Judge of the Supreme Court of Norway, and who divides his


.


335


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


time between Rome and Paris. Ilis father, who was prominent in the great Irish Rebellion at the close of the eighteenth century. escaped from that country in a fishing-boat, and proceeded to Nor- way. where he settled and married into the noble family of Wiedemann.


EV. A. B. JONES. our subject, has spent his life in doing good to his fellow-men, and after years of devoted service in the cause of humanity, none would deny to him the rest he is now taking. Now a retired minister re- siding at Liberty, he was born January 5, 1832, in Montgomery County. Mo .. near the village of Middletown. His father. Sandy E. Jones, was born in Kentucky, December 7, 1801, and became a minister of the Christian Church, his death occur- ring May 29. 1878, aged abont seventy-four years. Ile was a faithful preacher for upwards of fifty years. His father. John Jones, was a minister. and the latter's father was also a preacher in the Baptist Church. John Jones was a native of Virginia, and an early settler of Kentucky. The Jones family is descended from Welsh ancestor -. The mother of our subject. Sophia ( Crutcher) Jones, was born in Lincoln County. Ky .. the daughter of Samuel Crutcher. Shortly before the birth of our subject, his parents removed to Montgomery County, Mo .. where his mother died when he was three years old. His father removed to Tennessee. locating at Nashville, where he married Mr -. Catharine Briggs. of Alabama, a native of Tennessee.


Rev. A. B. Jones was educated at Franklin Col- lege. near Nashville. Tenn .. from which he was graduated in 1552. with the honors of his class. Hle then taught in a county academy, in sumner County, Tenn .. one year, after which he became an instructor in an academy in Lincoln County, Ky., where he remained for two years. He was ordained as a minister in 1855, after which he served as an evangelist for six months, and then accepted a call to the Main Street Church. at Lex- ington. Ky. After serving as pastor of that church


for one year, he resigned and visited several point- in Missouri, following which he accepted a call to the church at Fulton, Callaway County. Mo .. re- maining there for two years. While at Fulton in 1857, he married Miss Sarah B. Stewart, a sister of A. P. Stewart, who, subsequent to this date. won decided fame and the stars of a general in the Confederate army.


In the year 1858, Rev. Mr. Jones received a call to the church at Liberty, where he filled the pulpit for about two years. About six month: after coming to this city, his wife died, leav- ing an infant, Mattie Belle, who is now the wife of William M. Burris, a prominent attorney of Liberty. In 1860, Mr. Jones was united in mar- riage with Miss Catharine M., daughter of Hon. Thomas C. Gordon, a prominent citizen of Clay County. She was born. reared, and educated in Clay County. Mr. Jones removed to Platte City in 1860. where he took charge of a female semi- mary and also became pastor of the church, con- tinning in the dual capacity for four years. Thence he accepted a call to the Presidency of a female college at Richmond, Ky .. where he remained in that position, and also as pastor of the Christian Church, for three years.


The resignation of the last charge was caused by the feeble health of Mrs. Jones, which induced our subject to return to Liberty. After preaching here for four years. he was persuaded by the citi- zens of Richmond to again become president of their college and minister of the church, which re- sponsible positions he filled with the greatest etti- cieney and success for three years. For the live ensuing years. he had charge of Clay Seminary. a female school at Liberty. at the end of which time the school building burned and the college closed. Ile then served as pa-tor of the Christian Church for six years, when he resigned on account of failing health and retired from active ministerial work. al- though he still preaches occasionally. For a long time he was connected closely with the missionary operations of the Christian Church in Missouri, and was the Corresponding Secretary of the Missouri Christian Convention for a number of years. By the members of that Church throughout the I'nited States, he is well known. and he possesses great in-


356


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


fluence, it being univer-ally conceded that he is one of the ablest expounders of their plea, both in the pulpit and through the press.


1


In 1887, Mr. Jones removed to Lathrop, Mo., and engaged in the banking business with his sons. remaining in that city until February, 1890. when he returned to Liberty. However. he is still Presi- dent of the Lathrop Bank. of which his son Gor- don is Cashier. Six children were born of the sec- ond marriage of Mr. Jones, two of whom are de- ceased: Doniphan. who died in early childhood; and Charles P., who was Cashier of the Lathrop Bank, and died June 18. 1892, in his thirtieth year. The others are Gordon. Cashier of the above-named bank; K. Allene and May D., who are still at home; and James W., book-keeper in the Lathrop Bank. The family residence is a handsome structure, sit- uated near the Baptist Church.


R OBERT J. CLARK. A man who has tray- eled much and observed a great deal, our subject has stored his mind with rich and varied information. pleasurable for reflec- tion and good for the practical uses of life. Ile is Cashier of the Lawson Bank, located in Lawson. Ray County, and a widely and very favorably known man. Mr. Clark was born in Giles County, Tenn., August 17, 1811. a son of John B. Clark. a native of the same county and State, who died when our subject was a baby. The father served in ser- eral Indian wars, acting the part of a brave and true soldier. He married Rachel. daughter of Aaron Reynolds, a soldier of the Revolutionary War. Our subject is the only survivor of the three children of his father. after whose death the widow con- tinued to live upon the farm her husband had cul- tivated many years. Finally, when our subject was twelve years old. she removed with him to Ray County, Mo., where they lived for a while. and then settled in Clay County. the same State.


Our subject in 1859. or thereabouts, went to California and Oregon, walking across the plain- 1


1


as he drove an ox-team. . Going first to California he mined with varying success: then trudged to Oregon, trying his Inck for a time there. After this he enlisted as a soldier in the I'nited State- army, and for three year- engaged in campaigns against the Indian. Leaving the army, he came East and was a merchant at Claysville, Mo .. for two years: he then went to Lawson. being a pioneer in that place. and was a merchant there for ten years. He later became a merchant at Eureka Springs, Ark .. and afterward at Polo, Mo., but in February, 1886, returned to Lawson. at which place he accepted a position as Cashier of the bank, and has held it ever since.


Mr. Clark was married in 1870 to Miss Sallie, a daughter of David Moore. a prominent farmer of Clay County, Mo., and an early settler of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are the parent- of five children. all boys, namely: Orren. Frank, Robert Albert and James. Mr. Clark is Secretary of Bec llive Lodge No. 393. A. F. & A. M., at Lawson. Politically he is a Democrat. and takes a lively in- terest in the great questions at issue between the national parties. For ten years he held the po- sition of Postmaster at Lawson; held the same of- fice at Polo. Mo .. four years, and was acting Post- master at Clay-ville two years. He is a member of the Board of Education of Lawson, and is See- retary of that body. A snug farm of one hundred and twenty aeres is the property of Mr. Clark, and he has it stocked with a fine variety of horses. eat- tle, sheep and hogs. An extensive traveler. there are very few of the States or Territories that he has failed to visit.


R EV. MARSHALL M. SPURLOCK. Our subject. after having spent a long and use- ful life in active work. is now retired. and Presides at Richmond. Mo .. on East Main Street. He was born in Cabell County, . W. Va .. February 1. 1826. the eldest son of William and Frances ( Morris) Spurlock. both natives of Vir- ginia. The latter was the daughter of Levi Morris.


357


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPINCAL RECORD.


who was of Scotch descent. The father of our subject was a merchant throughout life, and died in 1833, his wife surviving him but one weck, both having been taken off by cholera.


The subject of our sketch was left an orphan at seven years of age. and remained in his native State until thirteen years old, when he vecom. panied his brother-in-law, S. M. Harrimen, to Mis- souri, locating in Ray County. He attended the private schools of the neighborhood, and worked on the farm at intervals until of age. At that time he started in life on his own account. engag- ing in general farming, at which occupation he was employed until 1888. His farm was located in Crooked River Township. near Morton, and consisted of two hundred and thirty acres. This farm was well improved and admirably adapted for grain-growing and stock-raising. both of which he carried on successfully. During his life upon the farm he exercised the office of the ministry, preaching at various points in Ray County. In : November of the year last named, 1888. he left the farm and settled in Richmond. Mo., and has been preaching occasionally since that time in the Missionary Baptist Churches, with which body he connected himself when eighteen years of age.


Our subject has been twice married : to his first wife, Miss Eliza Bates, of Ray County. August 26. 1815. She was a daughter of James Bates, and her parents were early settlers of Hay County, having come to Missouri from Kentucky in 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Spurlock had four children born to them, namely: John W., who died April 17. 1881. and who was Chenit Clerk of Ray County at the time of his death; Oniska. wife of J. J. Yates, living in Kentucky; Ermine E., wife of John Remek, of Carroll County, Mo .; and James IL .. a farmer in La Fayette County.


Mr. Spurlock married his present wife, who was Miss Margaret Morris, March 6. 1>56. She was a daughter of Benjamin and Amanda Morris. By his second wife Mr. Spurlock has five living chil- dren : Kate, wife of John Harrimon. lives in Idaho; Mattic, wife of J. C. Bowen. lives in Cali- fornia; Jennie. married to George Key-, resides in Kansas; Lucy, living at home; and George B. also at home. The political associations of our subject




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.