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 49
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 49
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 49
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 49
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 49
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The birth of our subject occurred September 8, 1837, in Orleans County, N. Y., his boyhood days being passed on his father's farm. Ilis educational privileges were limited, as there were but few dis- trict schools at that early day. Leaving home when eighteen years of age, he went to Ohio. ob- taining employment as an engineer in a sawmill in Ashtabula County.
Mr. Stearns was one of the first to enlist under the Stars and Stripes, becoming a member of Com- pany HI, Eighty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, un- der Col. MeLean, on April 10, 1861. Ilis enlist- ment was for three months' service, at the expira- tion of which he was discharged at Pittsburgh. From that city he returned to his home at Con- neaut, Ohio, where on August 28, 1861. he entered the Second Ohio Light Artillery, Independent. Of this company, which was a six-gun battery under Capt. Carlin, Mr. Stearns was made Corporal. They were sent first to St. Louis. thence to Springfield. Mo., and from there were sent to Rolla. remain- ing in that city until February, 1862, when they were again sent to Springfield. Mr. Stearns helped to run Gen. Price out of Missouri and followed him up until the battle of Pea Ridge. The com- pany was then ordered to Helena, Ark., where they participated in an important battle. Then under Gen. Grant they fought two battles at Port Gibson and Champion Hill, both being desperate conflicts. in which half of their corps was destroyed. They also participated in the battle and siege of Vicks- burg, from which city they were ordered to JJack- son, Miss .. which they captured. They were again ordered back to Vicksburg, a week later being sent to New Orleans, taking part in the Red River ex- pedition under Gen. Banks. In New Orleans they
iloil
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- received their final discharge after a service of three years and three mouth. Few indeed of the number which started out two hundred and sixty strong were left to return to their homes, but zeven men responding to the roll call when they were finally released from their service in the Union cause. Mr. Stearns was never in the hospital. and though he did not miss a battle in which Carlin's battery took part, he seemed to lead & charmed life, for he was never wounded.
On leaving the South, Mr. Stearns went to the Pennsylvania oil regions, which at that time were so noted throughout the world. and settled upon Oil Creek, where he remained for two years. While there, in the spring of 1867, Mr. Stearns became ac- quainted with and won for his bride Mrs. Anna B. (Ryan) O'Connell, who was born in the Emerald Isle, December 24. 1810. Their union has been graced with six children, who are in order of birth as fol- lows: Walter E., who is a farmer of Linn County, and who married Miss Lizzie Ilollenburg; Charles O .; Julia; Mary: Roy M., deceased; and Agnes. They have received good educational privileges, and have all attended college as they became of proper age. By a former marriage with James O'Connell, Mrs. Stearns had been the mother of two sons, one deceased and Thomas O'Connell.
In 1867, Mr. Stearns removed to Missouri lo- eating on his present farm, to which he has since given his care and attention. The farm now comprises three hundred and eighty acres. which are divided into forty-aere fields, and which are all well improved. Soon after his arrival. he erected a frame house, dug a well and put up a barn. Ile broke three hundred acres of prairie during the first ten years of his residence in Missouri. ITis present home, which was finished last year. was erec- ted at a cost of $1.600, and is in every respect a model. substantial and commodious farm house. It is nicely furnished and is the abode of hospital- ity and good cheer. A number of substantial barns and outbuildings are on this farm. also two large orchards, which our subject set out himself. and which contain upwards of one thousand trees. 1Ie is engaged in general farming and in raising grain and tine live stock of the best grade -.
Mr -. Stearns is a member of the Catholic Church,
while our subject is an agnostie. Ile is a member of the Grand Atmy of the Republic at Mead- ville, of which he has been Commander. le is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workinen, and until 1891 affiliated with the Re- publican Party, since which time he has been a member of the People's party. During the last election he was a candidate on that ticket for the office of County Treasurer. He is connected with the Farmers' and Labors Umon, having been Presi- dlent of the county union and President of the local lodge. He has been for many years Trustce of Schools. lle is also a member of the Anti- Horse Thief Association.
b C. WOOLLEN. the energetic and enterpris- ing proprietor of the well-kept and excel. lently managed livery stables of Laelede Linn County, Mo., is a business man of line ability, and aims to furnish the local and traveling public with the best accommodations desired. and to that end has a fully-equipped establishment. and owns an excellent variety of good teams and ve- hieles. For a full seore of years the residence of Mr. Woollen has been within the boundaries of the State of Missouri, but he is a native of Illinois. and was born May 5. 1851, in Adams County. where he was reared and educated in the public schools. Ilis father. James A. Woollen. from early times a leading citizen and prosperous farmer of Arling- ton Township, Adams County, is widely known as a successful stock-raiser.
At twenty-one years of age our subject began working for his father by the month. and having been trained into the full knowledge of the tilling of the soil. was a most capable hand. and continued to labor upon the old homestead for two years, at the expiration of that time farming upon his own account for a twelvemonth. In 1871 Me. Woollen removed to Marion County, Mo., there engaging actively in agricultural pursuits for the succeed- ing eight years. During this period our subject
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was, in 1876. in Adams County, III .. married to Miss Eva Hulse, daughter of Richard Hulse, a printer of Adams County. Making his home pros- perously for a number of years in Marion County, Mr. Woollen finally settled in the flourishing town of Brookfield, settling in Linn County October 15. 1887.
After a brief time he was enabled to secure s well-improved farm northeast of Laclede, where he removed and for four years devoted himself to the cultivation of the fertile aeres. In the meantime a favorable opportunity presented itself to our subject for the purchase of his pre-ent business, and upon the 15th of October. 1891. he bought out James Willard. then proprietor of the livery stables of Laclede, the only establishment of the kind. in town. Since then the business has in- creased materially, and now enjoys amo-t excellent patronage. Our subject is a member of Laclede Lodge No. 221, K. P. In political affiliations he is a stalwart Republican, and although not an aet- ive politician is deeply interested in the outcome of local and national issues. Socially Mr. Woollen is a favorite, and is widely known and highly re- spected. His father and mother are residents of their old farm in Illinois. The pleasant home of our subject and his estimable wife has been brightened by the presence of three attractive and intelligent children, manly, promising sons, Frank C .. Fred Il. and Howard T.
These sons will be given every opportunity to fit themselves worthily for the positions of influence and usefulness which will undoubtedly be their portion in life. Grandfather and Grandmother Woollen are now intending soon to make a change of residence, and that they may in their declining years enjoy the society of their son and his fam- ily, are about to locate upon a farm two miles and a-half south of Laclede. Arriving in their new home in the evening of their days. they will be warmly welcomed, and cannot long remain stran- gers in a land which has so long held their nearest and dearest. Busily occupied with the daily cares of business, Mr. Woollen is actively interested in local enterprise and improvement, and has ever since his residence within the State been an im- portant factor in the advancement of the best in-
terests of his locality. He is a man of to-day. ear- nest, intelligent and progressive, and as a substan- tial and leading citizen commands the confidence of the entire social and business community at La- ciede.
HARLES P. VANDIVER is the editor and proprietor of the Chariton Courier. published at Keytesville, the county seat. In 1883 our subject's father.A. C. Vandiver, and his brother- in-law, J. M. Collins, purchased the paper of .I. A. Hledson, and at that time Charles P. was made ioeal editor, in which position he continued for three years. In 1886 he assumed permanent con- trol of the paper and became junior partner of the firm, Mr. Collins having retired. At the expira- tion of three years the latter returned to the part- nership, buying out the elder Mr. Vandiver. The new firm was known as Vandiver & Collins until June 1. 1892, when the former bought his partner's interest and has since operated the paper alone. This is the only newspaper published at the county seat, and is first-class in every respect. The owner is building a new office and is striving to make the Courier rank with the best newspapers of the State. It contains all home print, over three pages being devoted to local news, one page to border county notes. one page to editorials. and the remainder to general reading matter. Mr. Vandiver is enter- prising and his editorials on the latest general questions of importance are intelligent and com- prehensive.
Mr. Vandiver was born in Howard. Mo .. on Christmas Day, 1858. and removed to this county with his parents in early childhood. He was reared on a farm until 1871. when he became a resident of Keytesville. since which time he has here made his home. He received an early district-school education, which was supplemented with a course of study in the public schools, from which he was graduated in 1878. He was an apt scholar and graduated with the honors of Ins class. He very early concluded to adopt his present profession
yours Truly Mos as Dificul
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and in 1883 made Ins first venture in this line as a local editor.
In February, 1890, our subject married Mrs. S. E. Vaughan, daughter of James M. Smith, a promi- nent pioneer of Carroll County. By her former marriage Mrs. Vandiver is the mother of one child. a daughter, Saminie. Mr. Vandiver is a member of the Knights of Pythias and holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Politically, he is affiliated with the Democratic party, being strongly in favor of free trade.
R EV. MOSES FIFIELD. the subject of this sketch, was born at Salisbury. Merrimac County. N. H .. June 25. 1826. and resided in his native place until twenty-three years old, when he removed to Manchester. The grandfather of our subject was one of the heroes at the battle of Bunker Hill, and while confined by a wound received in that historic conflict, made a cane, which our subject now has in his possession. The grandfather lived. at Salisbury, Mass., and was attending church one Sunday morning. when news eame of the entrance of the British into Boston. soon after which he went to the front in his country's defense. The wound he received, while a serions one, soon healed and no bad effect followed, as he lived to the great age of ninety.
Our subject was an engineer at Manchester for four years. In 1852 he established Ins home in Washtenaw County, Mich., where he remained for several years, dealing in farm property. During the nineteen years of his residence in that county, he owned and resided upon eleven different farms. In April, 1866, he came to Linn County, Mo .. and located two and one-half miles southwest of Brookfield on a farm which he purchased. consist- . ing of three hundred and twenty acres of new land. Selling this place, he bought and improved two farms in turn and then went to Forest River, Walsh County. N. Dak., where he secured a farm and resided for four years. He returned thence to
Missouri, where he settled at Brookfield, and es- tablished an oil route, which he recently di -- posed of.
At the age of twenty, our subject married Har- riet E. Harvey, who was born in Grantham, N. II .. and died in August. 1890, having been the mother of the following-named children: Lydia W .. wife of Theodore Wood, of Northville. Mich .; Amos D., a stockman, of Wayne, Mich .; Frank ( .. who died at the age of forty, at Brookfield: and Susan L., who died in childhood. Mr. Filield married a second time. March 23, 1892, his wife being Miss Maria Ware, who was born in Linn County. Mo. Iler father, William Ware, a native of Vir- ginia, became one of the first settlers of Linn County, and located on a farm ten miles from Brookfield. Ile reached the county as early as 1837, and died in 1861. His son Robert ocen- pies the old homestead. Mr. Fifield is a Demo- crat, as were his grandfather and father; however. he cast his vote for Jolm C. Fremont and Abra- ham Lincoln. In principle, our subject is an out- and-out Prohibitionist, and has never taken a drink of liquor and never uses tobacco. He and his wife are devoted members of the United Broth- ren Church. to which he has contributed with the greatest generosity. He has met with decided financial success, and is liberal-minded in relig- ious, business, social and political matters.
At the age of eighteen. Mr. Fifield began to teach school and followed that profession for sex- eral years. He had been a student at Strafford. and burnt many tallow candles and pine kuots while pursuing his studies. At the tender age of four he was left alone, his mother having died and his father having gone to New York. Friends. however, took care of him in his childhood. When thirty-five years old, he began to preach. while living in Michigan. He was never ordained as a minister. but held the relation of probationer with the Conference. having refused to be or- dained because he did not agree on the subject of baptism with his church, which he joined at fif- teen. About one year ago he became a member of the United Brethren Church, and was very active in the building of a new editice at Brook- field, to which he subscribed $500. He was a
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strong and stirring evangelist in Michigan. He has always been able to express himself in vigorous English, but is not a Latin scholar, and not at all in sympathy with the aristocratie tendencies of modern churches. The following letter will be of interest to our readers. The present spoken of is a fine gold watch, of the giver of which Mr. Fifield has no knowledge.
""Whosoever will be my disciple, let him deny himself. take up his cross and follow me. ' -- Luke ix., 23.
"NEW YORK Crrr, June 20, 1881. " MR. FuiEn :
" DEAR SIR :- Seventeen years ago I heard you preach a discourse at smith's Corners. Salisbury, N. II. By giving heed to your instruction, I have been saved from being an inebriate, hell. and a drumkard's grave, for which I can not repay you. Last week I learned your postoffice address. Please call at your express office and expect a present, as a token of my love for you; value $150, gold. Soon after this event. I engaged in the jewelry business at No. 26 Third Street, New York City. If you come near here. call and see me, please. Your- truly,
"A FRIEND."
The sermon mentioned by the writer of the let- ter was preached under the following circum- stances: After some years of hard ministerial labor in Michigan, Mr. Fifield's health broke down, and with his family he visited the home of his child- hood, stopping with an aunt of his wife's, ten miles from Salisbury. He accepted an invitation to preach in the church where he had experienced religion. Selecting his texts for the morning and evening discourses with great care, he jotted his thoughts down on paper and rehearsed his ser- mons many times. When the time arrived, he walked ten miles to a friend's house, suffering from his lungs too much to ride. It being too early for the meeting-hour, be lay down, fell asleep and dreamed he would fail unless he changed his subject, and preached from a text which appeared to bim vividly in his dream. When he awoke he tried to recall the text and ser- mon as he had prepared them, but they had gone utterly. He could not recall the text from the morning even. As may be supposed, he was most anxious to preach well to his old friends, and as
he walked toward church he seemed to be in de- spair. However, after a solitary walk, he found the points coming back, and after constructing his headings and jotting them down on paper, he felt much easier. Once in the pulpit. he announced a hymn. read a chapter, led in prayer, placed his notes at random in the Bible unseen by the con- gregation, then gave out a second hymn and opened the Bible, when to his intense surprise there stood out before him, in letters apparently six inches long, the text of his dream. In a moment he saw that it was intended that he should preach from the text quoted at the head of the letter above. Without a second's hesita- tion he entered upon his subject. It was a warm day in June, and he soon pulled off his coat and hammered out the genuine Gospel as never before. and after more than an hour's talk was completely exhausted. The large audience was deeply af- fected, and the sermon led to the reformation of the young man mentioned above.
n A. JAMISON is the popular and well- known editor of the Jeffersonian, which is one of the leading Democratie papers of Carroll County. Ile is a native of Missouri, hi- birth having occurred in June, 1852, in Saline County. His parents were J. N. and Edmonia (Houston) „Jamison. The former was a native of Virginia and was a farmer by occupation.
Our subjeet was reared to manhood in Saline County, Mo., where he attended the common di -- triet schools. le afterward took a course in sur- veying, in which line he was employed for several years. In 1881 he located in Noiborne. Carroll County, where he embarked in the real-estate and insurance business, which be carried on success- fully for some time. In 1887 he formed a part- nership with S. J. Montgomery, of this county. for the establishment and carrying ou of a news- paper. which they called the Jeffersonian, and which is published in Norborne. The paper is
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ably conducted, and is one of the leading organs of the Democratic party in this section of the State. As might be inferred from the preceding, Mr. Jamison is an ardent supporter of the Demo- cratie party.
In the year 1886. a marriage ceremony per- formed in this county united the fortunes of Mr. Jamison and Miss Jennie Spotts, who is a na- tive of this county. Both our subject and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. and are active in its support and interests.
G EORGE T. HOPSON, a dealer in staple and fancy groceries in Browning, Linn County. removed to Missouri when eight years of age, and has since been a resident of this State. Ile was born in La Prairie, Hancock County. Ill .. on March 22, 1862. Ilis father, Nathaniel Clark Hopson, is a native of the Buckeye State, and has made farming his life occupation. Hle married Miss Delia Sutlive, a native of Tennessee. and to them were born five sons and three daughters. of whom our subject was the fifth in order of birth. The other members of the family are: Henry, a farmer near Meadville, Linn County: Alfred. re- siding in Coryell County, Tex., where he carries on a farm; James, who is an agent for a sewing- machine company; Nathan, who is carrying on the homestead for his father; Mary, the wife of J. P. Turner, a farmer by oceupation; and Etta. now the wife of Luther Thomas, who resides near Linneus, Linn County. After engaging in agricultural pursuits in Illinois for many years, Nathaniel Hopson removed to Missouri in 1870. He en- gaged in farming in Linn County for some time, after which he sold out his property there and located on his present land, which is situated two miles north of Meadville. Linn County. His farm comprises one hundred and twenty acres, and is valued at $40 an aere at the present time.
in Canada. They have two daughters, Minnie Opal and Vivian Gladys. They are bright little girls. and are receiving the advantages of a good education in the public schools of this city.
After coming to Missouri, Mr. Hop-on taught school for a period of two years successfully. Ile then learned telegraphy, and was in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Kansas City Railroad for three years. He severed his connection with that company by his own desire. though espe- cially solicited to again resume his relations with them, and so satisfactory were his services that he eould at any time obtain a position with them again, if he so desired. After leaving them. he engaged in the jewelry and stationery business for two years. and later accepted a position as trav- eling salesman for a millinery house in Keokuk. Iowa. for which concern he traveled for seven years. lle then settled in Browning, Liun County. which he expects to make his home in the future. He has a good location, and keeps a first-class line of goods in stock.
Our subject is a member of Lain Lodge No. 153, K. P., and of Biswell Lodge No. 510, A. F. & A. M. Ile is senior Deacon in the latter order. In his political beliefs, Mr. Hopson is a thorough Democrat, as was his father before him.
. .
D R. CHARLES EVERSOLE. a prominent and rising medical practitioner, has for a num- ber of years devoted his life to that calling which. although extremely arduous, is one of the noblest to which a man can devote his life. llis cheery presence and encouraging words have al- most as much to do with the convalescence of his patients as has his medicine, and where once he enters a house in his professional capacity he leaves it as a friend. Ile is a product of the Buck- eve State. his birth occurring in Fairfield County August 25, 1852, where his father also was bern. April 27, 1827. The latter. John Eversole, was a farmer, and. although he was uneducated. yet he
The subject of this sketch was married in 1882 1 to Miss Anna C. Burkhold, whose birthplace was, was sufficiently intelligent to do busines of all
--
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kinds pertaining to his calling. and Succeeded in amassing a comfortable competency. During the Civil War he was drafted, but had a large family of children depending upon him for support and deemed it his duty to remain at home to care for them, but sent a man to take his place. He was devoted to his family and friends, and his death, which took place in June, 1883. was universally mourned. Politically. he was a Democrat, and as a citizen was loyal and patriotic to the core. Ilis wife was Sylvia Smethers, who was also born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1825, her father being Daniel Smethers, who was a Pennsylvanian by birth. To Mr. and Mrs. Eversole a family of six children were born: Charles. Henry. John, Del- bert, Jane and Laura, all of whom are married and reside either in Ohio or Indiana.
Dr. Charles Eversole grew to manhood on the old farm. performed his full share of the manual labor which feli to the average country youth. and obtained a sufficiently good education in the common schools in the vicinity of his rural home to entitle him to a first-grade certificate to teaeli school in Ohio, to which occupation he devoted his attention with remarkable success for about nine years. Determining then to adopt a profes- sion, he went to Indianapolis, Ind .. and began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. II. F. Barnes. and rounded out his preparatory study by a course in the Medical College of Indiana, from which he was graduated with honor and distinction March 1, 1883. Ile immediately turned his attention to professional work in Huntington County. Ind .. and there practiced with a good degree of success until July, 1888. when he came to Excelsior Springs, Mo., and opened a drug store, at the same time doing an office practice. his attention being given to these occupations up to the pres- ent time. He is an intelligent and conscientious practitioner, and to his natural talent and ability, to his liberal and comprehensive education. and to his untiring energy and keen foresight is at- tributed the remarkable and gratifying success which has attended his generous efforts in behalf of suffering humanity. His patronage is large, and the confidence which the public has in him is unbounded. Politically. the Doctor has always
been a straight ont-and-out Democrat, and is ever found ready to substantiate his belief with con- vineing arguments. yet in this respect is not the least argumentative and disputations, but shows the utmost respect to the views and opinions of those who differ with him
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