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 44
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 44
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 44
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 44
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 44
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Mr. Woods married Miss Liille M., the Oldest daughter of William T. Wiglesworth. After mar- riage, he remained at the home of his father and took charge of his farm, comprising two thousand acres near Smithville. While residing here. he was elected Justice of the Peace. Notary Public and President of the School Board. He removed for a short time to Bates County. Mo., but returned to Clay County. where he engaged in the real- estate business and also carried on farn.ing until March. Isst. at which time he came to Liberty.
Soon after reaching this city. our subject organ- ized the bank of Kemp M. Woods, .fr. & Co .. . which he became President and I. tr. Mint
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Cashier. He devotes the greater portion of bis time to a general banking business, occasionally looking after his farming interests. He has pre- pared to set out an orchard of five thousand five hundred apple-trees in the spring of 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Woods have three children: Phineas, Froncie and William W. Our subject is a promi- nent man in Clay County and has held the post- tion of President of the Clay County Mutual Building and Loan Association for the past three years. He organized what is known as the Far- mers' Bank at Smithville. where he is building a fine two-story business block. the upper story be- ing intended for hotel purposes. He is the kind of man a progressive town needs, one who looks far into the future and with a clear eye discerns what will benefit his home and county. In his political opinions, he is a Democrat and has been active in the party rank- for many years. Soc- ally, he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and at present holds the position of Representative in District No. 28. in the Grand Lodge of the State of Missouri. He is also Captain Commandant of St. Elmo Canton recently organ- ized at Liberty.
IRAMI K. BARGAR is one of Linn County's leading farmers, his residence being on section 14. township 57, range 22. Linn County. He has risen from the lowest rounds in the ladder of life by his firm determina- tion to succeed and his practical business methods. combined with his native qualities of industry and perseverance. He has nearly seven hundred acres of land, three hundred of which are comprised in his home farm. It is all improved and fenced into fields of convenient size.
were extremely slim in the acquisition of an edu- ention. As His two brothers were in the service. a great deal of responsibility and work fell upon his young shoulders. He remained at home until he reached his majority. when. in company with his brother, Judge I. G. Bargar (see sketch ), who had just returned from the war, he came to Missouri. They settled on section 11, township 57. which was then all wild land, and continued together for six years, working on a tract of one hundred and sixty geres. They then divided the property and dissolved partnership.
In 1868, Mr. Bargar married Miss Esther. daugh- ter of Andrew and Margaret ( Baird) Sproull. both deceased. and who were former residents and carly settlers in Tuscarawas County. Ohio. Mrs. Bargar was born in July. 1817. in that county, where she received her education. As they have no children of their own. our subject and his wife are htx- ing a home for the two children of his deceased sister. They are Laura E. and Harry C. Latto. whom they intend giving the best advantages in the way of an education.
In the spring of 1870, Mr. Bargar erected a resi- dence on his present farm, which was then unim- proved and comprised but one hundred and forty acres. This house, which cost about $300. and was but 16x24 feet in dimensions, is still standing. This barn. a structure of 11x20 feet, cost $150. His present home, built in 1873. is 16x32 feet. with an additional 11 foot "1" and cost upward of $1.500. His large horse barn is 32x56 feet, while one bain used for cattle is 26x10, and one for sheep 12x11. He has also a number of other necessary farm build- · ings. Ile has an orchard of one hundred trees. in which can be found several varieties of apple. peach and pear trees. He also cultivates small fruits largely. llis farm is all well fenced. with the exception of twenty acres, and on a portion of his farm located on section 22 there is also a good house and barn. He raises one hundred acres of corn, about forty acres of oats, and the remainder in grass. He is also an extensive stock-raiser. hav- ingseven hundred and fifty head of sheep of high- head of cattle. ninety hous and thirty-two Popes. In 1800, in company with L. M. Goodale (ot
Hiram K. Bargar was born January 21. 1815, in Harrison County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Eliza A. (Gatehell) Bargar. He was reared on a farm, receiving a limited district-school education. : grade American Merinos. He has seventy-five He attended school only three months in the year. and after the breaking out of the war his chances
Cul Zillman.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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whom see sketch), Mr. Bargar organized the Pio- neer Bank of Meadville, with a capital stock of $5,000, the firm being known as Goodale. Borgar & Co. Our subject is also a stockholler and one of the Board of Directors in the Meadville Milling Co. In local affairs, he has always been active. and has served as Director of District No. 6. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias: of the Ancient Order of United Workmen; and is Treasurer of the Anti-llorse Thief Association. He has al- ways been a supporter of the Republican party. and has been much interested in its welfare. He believes that the average farmer makes it pay bet- ter to handle line high-grade stock. and attributes his success to hard work and close attention to business. Hle always helps in building churches and other public improvements. His wife is a i member of the Christian Church.
UGUST WILLIAM ZILLMAN, M. D., a medical practitioner of Indien Grove, Chariton County, is rapidly extending his field of professional work throughout the surrounding country and achieving an. enviable reputation as a successful family physician and surgeon. Our subject is a native of Germany. . and was born in the province of Brandenburg, near Berlin, December 3, 1859. lle was the third in a family of eight children, and was trained in the correct observance of polite life, and taught to cultivate intelligent habits of observation as an efficient aid to the ordinary education of life. His parents, William and Dorathea (Maas) Zillman, were natives of the province of Brandenburg. The mother was of French-German de-cent. and the ancestry of the father, who was born in 1830. was traced to old German families who had given the Government faithful military service, from which he himself had been excused on account of physical di-ability.
three eklest of his children were born. In 1861. August being then about two years of age, the family arrived in. America, and soon located upon the prairies of Illinois. There the father, who had been a farmer in Germany. at once entered upon agricultural duties and operated as a renter ortal 1870. At that time he removed with las family to Missouri, and purchased a homestead. now owning a magnificent farm, whose four hun- dred acres fully attest the thrift. industry and excellent management of its possessor. One of the main objeets in life with the father and mother of Dr. Zillman was to give to their children every possible opportunity for an extended education. When William Zillman became one of the Trustees of the district schools he rendered valuable aid in raising the grade of instruction, and materially benefited the youth of the neighborhood.
Cur subject was reared until eleven years of age upon the tenant farm in Illinois, and there at- tended the common schools. Afterward in Mis- souri he completed a preparatory education in the home schools. When eighteen years of age he entered the State University of Missouri at Colum- bia, and commenced a five-years course. inter- rupted only by the vacations, in which time he was employed mostly in hard work upon his fa- ther's farm. One winter term. however. he taught in the Allen district of his county. Returning to Columbia with his purse replenished by his own efforts as bread-winner. he studied for one more year in the classical course, and then decided to enter the medical department, in which he remained for one year. and then matriculated at Rush Medical College, Chicago, joining the Class of 1885-86. De- voting himself closely to his studies. Dr. Zilhaan was graduated with honor, and immediately after began the active practice of his profession at In- dian Grove, where his medical ability and excellent judgment soon won for him many friends and patients. llis is largely a country practice. and as he is located in a rich farming district, among an intelligent class of people. his future outlook is very promising.
June 11, 1889. Dr. Zillman married Miss Flor- ence Bogard. a daughter of one of the oldest fan-
Married when he was about twenty- live years of age, William Zillman remained for some years af- ter in his native land, and in the Old Country the | ilies in the State. Her father was a native Ich-
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nessecan, but an early settler in Missouri, and is still hale and hearty. Her mother was a member of the well-known family of Mullins, of Saline County, and died in 1878. Mrs. Zillman is an ac- complished and most estimabie lady, and is the mother of one child, a bright little son, William .J., who was born April 3. 1890. Our subject and his wife are actively interested in the social and be- nevolent enterprises of their locality, and are ever ready to do their share in all good work. Oecu- pying a position of usefulness and honor, Dr. Zill- man is an important factor in the development of the best interests of Chariton County. Energetic and faithful in the discharge of every duty. pro- gressive in his ideas and liberal in sentiment, he is numbered among the leading and substantial citizens of this part of the State.
R. EV. GILBERT T. THOMPSON. The sneer of the scoffer cannot lower the dignity, importance and sanctity of the sacred office of the ministry. The exalted character of clergymen. and the immortal truths they teach, dear as they are to mankind, invoke interest, re- spect and reverence. The subject of this sketch is one who, wherever he goes, commands the confi- denee and esteem of all who may know him. At present the pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Lawson, Ray County, he was born in what is now Bartow County, Ga .. April 15. 1817. His father was Mathew Thompson. a highly respected planter of the State above named.
Our subject was reared in Bartow County, and completed his literary education at Sonora Masonic Institute, of Gordon County. Ga. Afterward he took a course of private study in theology, and entered the ministry. taking a charge at Tunnell Ilill, Ga. Ile was married in 1865 to Josephine A., daughter of Judge David King, of Calhoun. Gordon County, Ga., an able lawyer and noted jurist of Northern Georgia. Our subject remained at Tunnell Hill for three years, when he accepted a call to Maury County. Tenn., and remained there for six years. Following that he resided at
Franklin. Tenn .. for two years; thence removed to Tahlequah, Indian Territory, and staid one year. Ile supplied the puipit of the Westminster Church at Springfiell. and at the same time preached at Ash Grove. For two years he was at MeKinney, Tex., and at Sherman, that State, for the same length of time. In the latter place he was con- nected with Austin College in the absence of the President. teaching and having the responsibility of the management of the college. From Sher- man he came to Lawson, in which place he has since remained.
Our subject is the father of seven children, namely: Prof. Allison Thompson, who occupies the chair of Latin in Austin College, Tex .; Rev. Ernest Thompson, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Texarkana. Tex .: Prof. Milton Thompson. Chief of the Department of Ancient Languages, and Commander of Cadets in the Presbyterian College. of Upper Missouri; J. Kid Thompson, who has charge of the preparatory military department of the Central University of Kentucky; Cleo, who is attending school and will finish her course in music and literature in the summer of 1893; Gil- bert T., who is in the junior class at school; and Mathew, also at school.
Dr. Thompson is a Trustee. and one of the first to be appointed, of the college at Lawson, and is also Chairman of the Executive Committee. The college was founded in 1891. and the prospect is flattering for itscontinued success. $20.000 having been expended in new buildings and grounds. The wife of our subject is a most estimable lady. to whom he ascribes most of his succes as a minister and in the rearing of their children for positions of honor. In her veins is the blood of one of the first familie- of Georgia. Dr. Thompson is a Mas- ter and a Royal Arch Mason, and is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with which organization he is prominently connected. He was a soldier in Company I. Fortieth Georgia Regiment. C. S. A .. and participated in the siege of Vicksburg. and the campaign from Dalton, Ga., to the close of the war. He was captured and paroled twice, and finally surrendered in Georgia. At the close of the war he was Sergeant-Major of Col. Baker's regi- ment, operating in South Georgia under Wheeler.
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In his ministerial work Dr. Thompson has been most successful. and has promoted the welfare of the churches wherever he has gone. Indeed. he may be properly termed a builder of churches, and an Evangelist. A man of powerful physique, never having been confined to his bed by sickness a day in his life, he is capable of doing hard work, and has done it. Ilis children are members of the church, and none of them are tobacco or ligner. lle is, a strong advocate of temperance, and lends his hearty co-operation to all movements looking to reform in this direction, Democratie principles best reflect his political views, and he casts his vote for the candidates of that party.
E DWIN WITHERS. Our subject is an intel .. ligent farmer and stock-raiser of Clay County, and has gained prominence as a public-spirited citizen. He resides in a handsome residence at Liberty, and is the owner of a splen- did farm of seven hundred acres, well improved and cultivated, located near Liberty. Ile was born in Liberty, Clay County, Mo., January 15, 1812, his father being Abijah Withers, a farmer and a native of Virginia. The mother of our subject, Prudence B. (White) Withers, was born in Kentucky in 1810, the daughter of William White. The family of Withers, an honored one in Virginia, had its origin in Ireland.
In 1839 Abijah Withers removed from Wood- ford County. Ky., with his family to Clay County, Mo., and settled upon a farm of one thousand seven hundred acres. At the time of his death the farm contained one thousand acres. This highly esteemed old gentleman died in 1879, in his eighty-first year, he having been born in 1799. His demise occurred at Kansas City, while on a visit to his sons. He had six boys and as many girls, our subject being the youngest son. Three song and two daughters now survive.
ing this institution he directed his energies to farming and stock-raising, and soon began to trade in stock with decided success. shipping to various markets Lirge consigninents of hogs and cattle. He also devoted his attention to the feed- ing of cattle, bis farm being located in one of the fines: corn belts in Missouri, and consisting. as stated, of seven hundred acres, with improved stock and substantial buildings.
Ja 1888 our subject removed to Liberty, al- though he continues to give his attention to his farm and his stock interests. His residence, which was erected under his immediate supervision. is a large and imposing structure. of latest design and Saish and well furnished throughout. Mr. With- ers was married February 3, 1874, to Miss Julia Miller, danghter of Robert II. and Enna (Peters) Miller, her father having formerly been the editor of the Liberty Tovar and a very prominent oul settler of Liberty. Mr. and Mrs. Withers are the parents of one child, Edna Irene.
Mr. Withers is a Democrat, and while not tak- ing as prominent and active part in political affairs as some others, contributes no small part to the work of the party by his influence and his words. He is a man of sterling character. true to bis word, honest in his convictions, and a just man in his dealings with his fellow-men. The influence for good ol such a man in his community cannot be fully measured, nor is it ever fully appreciated.
B YRON O. MASON. A man of industrious habits, sociable. of pleasant manners, kind and neighborly, our subject has many friends and well-wishers in Ray County. Ilis farm is located in township 52. range 27. 1 where he resides with his family and dispeuses hospitality with characteristic liberality. lle i- a young and prosperous grower of grain and I maiser of stock. born in Isto, on the farm adjoin- ing that upon which he now lives. His parents
Edwin Withers attended the common schools of Clay County, after which he spent six years in study in William Jewell College. Upon leav- were Samuel O. and Georgia A. (Delaney) Marin,
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natives of Kentucky, the father having been born May 31, 1835, in Mason County, Ky. The father emigrated when quite young, and came with his parents to La Fayette County, Mo .. where he ro- ceived a good common-school education, after which he began farming.
During the war Samuel Mason enlisted from La Fayette County with Gen. Joe Shelby and served for some time in the Confederate army, being fin . ally discharged at Baton Rouge, La .. after which he returned to Missouri and resumed farming. io- cating in Ray County. He had married Septem- ber 23, 1856. Miss Georgia Ann Delaney, a resi- dent of Lexington. La Fayette County, Mo., but a native of Kentucky, who bore him eight children, two of whom died in infancy. The other children are: Robert W., deceased: Ida J .. the widow of George W. Braden; Flora J., wife of R. J. Clark; Alvin C., decea-ed: Byron O .. our subject: and Georgia A., at home. The father was called upon to mourn an excellent wife and his children a devoted mother, August 9. 1878, when Mrs. Ma- son passed away.
During his lifetime the father traveled exten- sively throughout the United States. but never saw any region he liked better than Ray County. Hle arrived in this county with empty hands. but soon purchased two hundred and twenty-five acres of raw land, which he afterward exchanged for a farm of three hundred and thirty-seven acres. where our subject now resides. lle and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. being ear- nest and devoted believers in its doctrines and faith. In polities he was a Democrat and always took a lively interest in public matters. Death claimed him for its own and he passed away quietly after a life spent honestly and honorably in every way.
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The education of our subject was obtained in . the public schools of Ray County. After the death of his father one of the brothers took charge of the farm, but at the age of sixteen years our subject succeeded him in the management of affairs, and has continued in that position ever since. He is industrions, progressive and a de- eidedly successful young farmer, who i- liked by every one. With the advantages he now enjoy-
and his thoroughly established habits of industry and economy. he cannot fail to attain success in his business of stock-raising and feeding stock during the winters.
S. PETTY is a level-headed man of bust- ness. at the head of a very important indus- try in the village of Vibbard, Ray County. Mo.,-the well-known Vibbard Mills. Ile was born in Ray County, Mo., May 7. 1814. a son of Joseph Petty, who was born in Virginia. where he was reared and educated. In that State the fa- ther married Miss Fanny Noulan, and then. in 1832. came to Ray County where he bought land near Albany. Hle engaged in farming, and con- finned at that occupation until 1862, when he en- listed in Price's army, and died in 1863. His widow is living, at the age of eighty-two, in California.
The father of our subject had nine children. of whom seven are living. The children were as fol- lows: Mary Ann Bates, living at the old place; David T. living in Kansas; John living in In- dian Territory; Susanna Tolle, living in Califor- nia: Napoleon B., who was killed by the bush- whackers; our subject: Nanme Willis, deceased: Richard, living in California: and Martha Cora Powell. also living in California. The father of these children was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Ile was a successful farmer, and would no doubt have greatly added to hi- earnings but for his untimely death.
Our subject was educated in the country schools of his district, and profited by the instruction he there received. In 1861, he enlisted in Company D. First Missouri Cavalry, under command of Col. Gates. He was in the army three years; was wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, where he lost an eye, and was taken prisoner at the same time, but was soon exchanged, and went to Little Rock. where he remained until he recovered, and joined his command at Corinth. Miss. He was again taken prisoner at Big Black Run, the day before the bat- tle of Vicksburg. and was taken to Indianapolis for
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a time, then transferred to Ft. Delaware, and later to Point Lookout. Md. There. in 1864. he took the oath of allegiance to the United States Goy- ernment, was released and returned home, but was compelled to go to Salt Lake City, where he re- mained until 1869.
When Mr. Petty returned home, he went to farming on his mother's place, but two years after- ward bought a farm, which he occupied for three years, and then sold it to go upon the Grace place, a portion of which he afterward bought, and re- mained upon it for four years. Ile then went to Kansas, where he spent three years. The mill was bought two years after his return from Kansas, and he has managed it ever since. He was married in 1872 to Miss Mary, daughter of Mr. Batts, an old settler of the county. Our subject is a member of the Masonic order, and takes much interest in it- affairs. He is a member of the Missionary Bay- tist Church, and is a valued member of that body. Politically, he is a Democrat. The Vibbard Mill is building up an enviable reputation for the qual- ity of the flour it is turning out, it being the aim of Mr. Petty to get out the best product possible.
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UDGE JAMES A. HOWE, a merchant for the past thirteen years in Bucklin. is one of the prominent and influential men of the county. He has held various offices of re- sponsibility and honor, was Justice of the Peace for four years, and was elected County Judge in 1883, serving his full term. after which he was re- elected for another four years in 1887. The last four years he was presiding Judge.
William Ilowe, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky, March 23, 1811. He emigrated to Missouri about the year 1830. settling in How- ard County, where he married Miss Nancy Dorrell. also a native of Kentucky, who was born August 7, 1811. At the end of a few years Mr. Howe re- moved to Monroe County, where he carried on a farm for some five or six years. Thence he went to Clarke Township, Chariton County, where he
was numbered among the carly pioneers. In that county he remained until April 23. 1852. when he became a resident of Linn County, here making his home for a number of years, after which he settled in Macon County, where his death occurred in 1883. Ilis devoted wife and companion had been called to the home beyond many years prev- iously, her death taking place in June. 1859. They were both active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and by their many amia- ble qualities endeared themselves to all.
Wilham and Nancy Howe were the parents of twelve children, seven of whom are now deceased. Of the remaining five our subject is the elde-t. Ile had two brothers in the army: John M .. who served for five years in the Twenty-third Missouri Infantry, and George W., who was a member of Company 1. Forty-second Missouri Infantry. The living brothers and sisters are: Agnes J .. now Mrs. Montgomery; Mary F., now Mrs. Metcalf; and Jo- seph J.
Judge llowe was born July 5, 1837, and was reared on a farm in his native county, Monroe. Ile received a good common-school education and as- sisted his father on the farm until nearly twenty- two years of age. lle commenced the business of life for himself as a farmer in Macon County, where he resided until 1876, at which time he re- moved to Linn County and settled on a farm five miles southeast of Bucklin. This was an improved piece of property, and there he remained, engaged in agricultural pursuits, until 1880, when he re- moved to Bneklin and has since been engaged in the mercantile business.
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