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 50
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 50
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 50
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 50
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 50
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On the 27th of September. 1879. the marriage of Dr. Eversole was celebrated, his wife being Miss Ludella H .. daughter of Thomas J. and Re- becca J. Hamilton, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, where she was born. When quite a young girl her mother died, and she was compelled to leave school and assume the household cares for her father, which she did in a capable and efficient way, but her educational advantages were thus cut short. The family consisted of nine children, one sister being an invalid. but she performed her duties faith- fully and uncomplainingly. and brought up her Younger brothers and sisters to be honorable men and women. Her union with Dr. Eversole has re- sulted in the birth of four children: Nellie V., born October 9, 1880; Edgar C .. April 23. 1883: Wilbert 11., May 1, 1890; and an infant yet un- named. October 6, 1892. all of whom are bright and promising children. Dr. Eversole and his amiable wife move in the highest circles, and in their hospitable home they gladly welcome their numerous friends.
LONZO P. BENSON is an old and promi- nent resident of Clay County, Mo .. whose walk through life has been characterized by energy and strict integrity. Liberal, generous and high-minded, his good deeds have been many, and it can be truly said of him that he never violated a friendship or forgot a kind action done him. His birth occurred in Washing- ton County, Vt., July 13. 1835. and as he was the eldest scion of his father's house, he was taken from school at a very early age and put to work on the home farm. where he soon became an ex- pert wickler of the hoe and follower of the plow. Upon attaining manhood he was married to Miss
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Delia Emerson, whose parents were natives of the Green Mountain State, and to their union three children were born: Frank A., born in Vermont July 16, 1868; Nettie C., born January 21, 1362, who is now living in Indiana; and Alice, who was born July 17, 1875, and is a resident of Excel- sior Springs. In March. 1878, Mr. Benson went to Davis County, Mo., and seven years later came to Clay County, settling at Excelsior Springs. He owns some fine city property, and having an abundance of means is now living retired from the active duties of life, enjoying the fruits of many a hard day's labor during his early life. As a farmer he was shrewd and practical. always tilled his farm in an intelligent and progressive manner. and now deserves his rest after bearing the bur- den and heat of the day. He came to this State in search of health. is very much pleased with the country, and expects to end his days in Missouri.
In 1862 Mr. Benson joined the Eleventh Ver. mont Infantry, but was later transferred to the heavy artillery, with which he served in the Civil War for three years. The first year or so he was located in different forts at Washington. D. C .. io protect that city, but on the 12th of May, 1861, they were placed in the field. going by boat to Belle Plain Landing, Va., after which they marched to Spottsylvania Court House, where they met Gen. Grant's army. and immediately thereafter en- gaged the Confederates in battle, his command being in the hottest of the fray. He was in the long and bloody engagement at Cold Harbor, af- terward at Petersburgh, where the Federal loss was very heavy, and then has command was ordered back to Washington to rout the Confederates, who threatened the Capitol City, a bloody engage- ment taking place at Ft. Stevens, in which the Union troops lost forty-three men, who were buried on the battlefield. Although but little is known of this engagement. it took place JJuly 13, 1864. and was hotly contested. They pursued the Con- federates into the Shenandoah Valley. then made a forced march back to Washington. D. C .. being followed by Gen. Early, whom they eventually drove back into the valley. skirmishing all the way. September 19. 1861. the battle of Winches- ter was fought, a bayonet charge being made at
twelve o'clock in a sort of ravine, where the U'n- ionisis were exposed to a galling fire from the enemy. Mr. Benson received a severe gunshot wound, the scar of which he will carry to hi- grave. ile was wounded at the commencement of the en- gagement and was left lying senseless on the field of battle until nightfall, when he was carried to the field hospital, where he remained from Mon- day night antil Thursday night, during which time he say but one man. Ile was then placed in an ambalance. his wound remaining undressed. and taken to Winchester, where he was placed in a captured rebel hospital and received his first tood after the battle. From there he went to Harper's Terry, thence to Baltimore, then to Philadelphia. next to Brattleboro, Vt., and thence to Montpelier. where he remained until June 28. 1865, when he was discharged and returned to his home to re- some farming, but owing to the severity of the wounds he had received he was unable to do manual labor. He now receives a pension of $30 per month.
He is a candid, earnest Republican, battling firmly for his party's principles at all times. He is very modest in speaking of his exploits on the field of battle, but every trait of his character would show that he kept his " back to the field and his face to the foe." Until November. Iss9. the bullet with which he was wounded still re- rained in his head and formed an abscess, from which physicians could give him no relief. He then went to All Saints' Hospital of Kansas City. and with the assistance of Dr. Lewis the bullet was extracted. It had entered in front of the right ear, lodging next to the brain, and was removed from behind the car. At the end of one week he returned home and was attended by Dr. Fraker. The following spring he had to submit to a second operation in order to remove decayed bone. and from thi- he has only partially recovered. for the wound has never thoroughly heated. Such a man. loyal to the core, honest in his convictions. up- right in life and a model citizen in every way. de- serves the respect and the highest honor that can be bestowed upon him.
Frank A. Benson received a good common- school education, which he completed in Spanid-
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ing's Commercial College of Kansas City. In the fall of 1887 he embarked in business in Excelsior Springs, opening a book and stationery establish- ment, and earries one of the finest stocks of goods in his line in the county. Ile also keeps a fine line of cigars and tobacco. He is a most agreeable gentleman with whom to have business dealings and is very courteous and obliging to his patrons. the result being a large patronage. He has a branch store in the postoffice building, which is presided over by a courteous and intelligent elerk. Hle is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and. like his father, is a stanch Republican politically. The latter is a member of Isaac Clevenger Post No. 311, G. A. R.
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AMES D. TAYLOR, M. D., was for more than twenty-two years a successful practi- tioner in Richmond and vicinity, but is now retired owing to ill-health. For a seore of years he has been a prominent druggist in this city. Born July 30. 1834, in Ray County, Mo .. he is the son of Daniel Taylor. whose birth occurred in 1802, in Pittsylvania County, Va., and who was a successful farmer and a worthy citizen of the Old Dominion. The paternal grandfather was Obadiah Taylor, also a native of Virginia.
The mother of Dr. Taylor was Lucinda ( Shack- elford) Taylor. . She was a native of the same county and State as her husband, and the daughter of David Shackelford. She removed with her hus- band from Virginia to Ray County, Mo., where she died in 1835. Hle survived her until the fall of 1886. This couple made for themselves many friends in their Western home, who joined the dear ones in the old Virginia home in mourning their demise.
The subject of this sketch was reared in Ray County, and there attended the public school, in which he manifested at that carly period that love of investigation and thirst for knowledge which are such marked qualities of the man. Afterward
he attended Richmond College, and on leaving that institution he read medicine with Dr. Joseph Chew, of Richmond. Later he entered the st. Louis Medical College, from which he graduated in 1800. Without loss of any time, he entered upon the practice of medieine and opened an office at Albany, Ray County. Mo.
Less than two years passed before the Doctor's omet lite was disturbed by the breaking out of the rebellion and he was transferred to places of dan- ger and scenes of carnage. He became Assistant Surgeon of the First Missouri Cavalry, commanded by Col. Gates. On his return to Richmond he again engaged in professional duties and soon es- tablished himself in a good practice, from which. however, he retired in 1881.
February 10, 1861, Dr. Taylor married Miss Fannie, daughter of Isaac Duvall. The Doctor and his wife have one -on. Carl D., who was born April 16, 1872, and is engaged in the mercantile business. The Doctor is a prominent Mason of the Blue Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter. In pol- ities, he is a stanch Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, in which he is a Deacon as a testimonial to his worthy mem- bership in that body. His residence, located on Thornton Avenue, is a neat and attractive struc- ture, and the Doctor's good taste, as well as that of his wife, is apparent in the arrangement and adorn- ment of their home.
OIN DOUGHERTY. The young man who is the subject of this sketch has won for himself the confidence of the people of Clay County by diligence, integrity and sociability. united to a broad and liberal view of things, and the possession of intellectual endow- ments that place him far above the average man. He was born at latan, Platte County. Mo .. Feb- ruary 25, 1857, a son of Dr. William Wallace Dougherty, a native of Lawrence County, Ind .. born September 2. 1820, the representative of an old and well-known Kentucky family. The Dough-
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
erty family went to Kentucky from Virginia', tive part in all the discussions of public questions. away back in the time when the great Blue Grass State was known as the "dark and bloody ground," a name given it on account of the stubborn resist- ance the Indians made to the encroachments of the settlers, when most terrible massacres took place upon its soil. The names of the grandpar- ents of our subject were William and Ellen Dough- erty, and when the grandmother died. little Will- iam, who afterward became the father of our subject, was taken to Trimble County, and was there reared by relatives. In 1831. these relatives removed to Pike County, Mo. and here he at- tended a district school for some years.
When sixteen years of age, William accompanied his uncle, Maj. John Dougherty, to the mountains, as the latter was much interested in Indian trad- ing; this resulted in young Dougherty spending four years with the savages of the Far West. Hle returned to Pike County. Mo .. in 1840. and in 1814 he began the study of medicine under Drs, Lane and Rodman. of Trimble County, Ky .; after which he returned to Pike County, where he fin- ally completed his private studies. subsequently entering the medical department of the University of Louisville. Ky., where he took a regular medi- cal course. In the spring of 1845. he located at Madison. Ind., and there engaged in the practice of his profession for some years. Ile married Miss Hannah C. Dougherty, daughter of Col. Robert S. Dougherty, a second cousin of his father. Two years later Dr. Dougherty removed to Orange County, Ind., where he remained three years; and at this place Mrs. Dougherty died, leaving one child, which survived its mother only a few months. In 1850 he married Miss Mary 1., daugh- ter of John Frazer.
In the same year Dr. Dougherty and wife re- moved to Missouri, stopping a short time at St. lo- seph, but later moving to Liberty, where the Doc- tor entered into his practice, and soon became weil known and successful. During the administration of James Buchanan he was Postmaster at latan. Platte County, and in later years served as Mayor of the city of Liberty. In 1878. he was nomina- ted for the Legislature; and this was followed by his election by a huge majority. He took an ae-
and worked hard to establish a State Board of Health, besides doing good service on several im- portant committees of which he was a member. By his second wife he reared a family of five chil- dren, as follows: Ella, wife of John D. Share, of Wellington. Kan .: Mattie, wife of William 11. Mar- tin, a successful lawyer of Bedford, Ind .; William W .. Jr., a prominent merchant; Charles L., an at- torney-at-law: and Minnie, who died in 1-73. The death of Dr. Dougherty occurred December 27. 1890. and was attended with some sad circum- stances. lle had been in attendance upon a Ma- sonic banquet, which was held in celebration of the liftieth anniversary of the Masonie lodge in Liberty, and expired suddenly of heart trouble while on his way home. He was a member of the Clay County Medical Society. of the Missouri State Medical Association, and Vice-President of the Clay County Board of Health. Mrs. Dough- erty is still living and makes her home in the city of Liberty. Both she and the Doctor had long been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and she continues her relations with that body.
John Dougherty is the third child of the family. He passed his youth in Liberty, attending the pub- lie school -. later entering William Jewell College. at Liberty. After finishing his course here, he be- gan the study of law with William Il. Martin, of Paoli, Ind., and was admitted to the Bar in 1879. In 1880, he returned to Liberty, was admitted to practice, and was here made City Attorney, which office he held tive years by re-elections. During this time he was al-o engaged in literary pursuits. for three year- being the editor of the Liberty Trib- une. However, hi- law practice began to demand all of his attention, and resulted in his selling his interest in the Tribune in order to devote his en- tire time to his practice. Soon after, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney by the Democratic party. for a term of two years. In 1890, he was re- elected. and in July, 1892. was nominated and elected for the third term to the same office. Al! these years he has kept up a large civil practice. May 21. 1552. Mr. Dougherty was married to Mis- Annie D. Park, of Liberty, Mo., daughter of .. ..
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Park, of Platte County, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser. Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty have two little daughters. M. Be -- ie and Flora. Mrs. Dough- erty is a devout member of the Presbyterian Church, and a prominent and active worker in ro- ligiou> organization, and is a talented and ac- complished musician. Mr. Dougherty is a prominent member of the Masonic order. being a Knight Templar, and also belongs to the Kmghts of Pyth- ias. He takes an active part in local, count; and State polities, affiliating with the Democrats. His fine residence on Water Street is modern in archi- tecture, with beautiful and well-arranged sur- roundings.
ILLIAM CHRISMAN, our subjeet, is the only survivor of his father's family. and the sole heir to a very large estate. Quite a young man. he has therefore not passed through many experiences, as have many pioneers of Mis. souri; yet he has in him the elements of worthy manhood and the promise of a bright future. Mr. Chrisman, who lives at Liberty, was born in Clay County, Mo .. seven miles north of Liberty. in Kearney Township, November 1. 1861, the eldest son of John Chrisman, a native of Ken- tucky, who was born at Frankfort in 1825. The latter, who died in Kansas City in 1889. leaving a large estate, was a son of Joseph Chrisman, also a native of Kentucky.
The mother of our subject was Maria Petty. a native of Virginia. and a daughter of James Petty. In 1818 John Chrisman, the father of our subject, removed his family to Clay County, where he settled upon a farm and invested largely in mules, which he found a very profitable occupa- tion. Ile removed to Liberty in 1862. where he lived and looked after his business interests until 1883, when he went to Kansas City and invested a very large amount of money, and there spent the remainder of his days.
John Chrisman was a man of acute judgment and displayed rare skill in making investments. in
none of which did he ever fail to realize profit. Ilis wife, who died at Liberty in 1872. was a woman of excellent taste and was possessed of noble qualities that won her hosts of friends Of the four children she bore her husband, our sub- ject alone survives. The deceased children were: Hattie who died when twenty-three years old: Kate, who married Frank Warnall, of Kan-a- City. and died in 1888; and Leon, who passed away in 1889, in his sixth: year.
The youth of our subject was passed in Liberty. in attendance upon the common schools; after which he pursued his studies in William Jew- ell College for a period of five years. On leaving college he bought an interest in the cattle business in Indian Territory. Returning to Lib- erty, he assisted his father, who was then do- ing a real-estate business. and afterward took an interest with him. and later with Henry smith, of Kansas City. Our subjeet was married in June, 1889, to Miss Anna, daughter of Ambrose and Louisa Pescia, of Clay County, Mo., her parents being of French descent.
G FORGE C. HILL. the present City Clerk of Meadville, Linn County, is editor and proprietor of the Messenger, published at that point. Since his early youth, he has been ambitious to occupy a prominent place in news- paper work and it is only just to him to say that be has amply accomplished his resolution in that respeet. Though born since the close of the war, he has already acquired an enviable position among the leading editors of the county and State, and his future is one of great promise.
Mr. Iliff is a son of the Rev. E. C. and Jennie (Delamater) Hill, who are both natives of Cat- taragus County. N. Y. On the paternal side, Mrs. Hill is descended from the old French Delamater family. During the Civil War. Mr. Hill was a niet .- her of the medical department. in which he served during the entire conflict. At present he is a
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SAMUEL TARWATER.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
pharmacist and Postmaster in Kendrick, Idaho. For seven years he was a minister of the English Church, preaching for some years in Linn County. At the age of seventeen years, he commenced teaching and held the principalship in several schools in Illinois, lowa and Nebraska. He is still actively engaged in church work and is much in- terested in educational matters. Our subject is one of nine children. only five of whom survive. The others are William E., Bertha May, Arthur D. and Orange Kingsley.
George C. Ilill was born on the 15th of July. 1865, in Memphis, Tenn., where his father was en- gaged in the drug business. lle received a good common-school education and was assisted in his studies by his father, who had been a teacher. When quite young, he started out in the world to make his way. commencing in 1880 as a printer in a small office of his own at Brighton. Ill. Later he went to Talmage, Neb., where he took a place on the Tribune. He worked in that office and with the Omaha Herald, in the job department, where he received a thorough and practical experience. For a time he took a case at Syracuse, Neb., and in 1886 arrived in Kidder, where he started a paper called the Kidder Optic, which is still in existence. He then operated the Caldwell County Sentinel. af- ter which he purchased the Messenger, which he is still conducting. This paper is published weekly, consists of six pages. of five columns each. which is all home print, and contains the latest local news and foreign intelligence. The editorials are bright and intellectual reviews of important occurrences and questions of moment. Mr. Hill has a very fine job office for general and faney printing and has a pleasant, homelike sanetum.
In 1888, Mr. Hill and Miss Lizzie Rodgers were united in marriage. The lady was born in Kidder. Mo., and is a daughter of William Rodgers, now deceased. Mrs. Hill was graduated from the Kid- der Institute, formerly known as Thayer College. She is a musician, being particularly proficient upon the organ. To our subject and wife have been born two daughters, bright and charming lit- tle girls, who are Eva May and Sarah.
Mr. Hill is a Republican, politically, but his paper is independent. He feels the responsibility
devolving upon him as an editor in moukling public sentiment and opinion, and tries con-cienti- ously to make the Messenger an oracle of truth and wisdom. Mr. Hill takes an active part in all that pertains to the prosperity of the town and has served his fellow-citizens as Alderman. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. in which he is Noble Grand. He is also a mem- her of the Knights of Pythias. Both he and his estimable wife are members of the Congregational Church and in the Sunday-school they are both teachers.
AMUEL TARWATER, residing on section 15, township 51. range 22. Ray County. was born in Tennessee in 1806. Ilis father, Jacob Tarwater, was a native of Germany and emigrated to America at an early day. He was & farmer by occupation and wedded Miss Sa- rah Rowland, of Tennessee, by whom he had eight children. Our subject is the fifth in order of birth and is the only surviving member of the family with the exception of two sisters. Nancy. Mrs. Clack, is now nearly one hundred years old; Jemi- mah, wife of Alfred Jack-on. residing in Rosedale. Atchison County, Mo., has also attained a good old agc.
The educational privileges of Samuel Tarwater were very limited. flis father entered the tract of land now owned by Rife & Stoffard, and both worked hard to clear and improve the property. Ile assisted his father until arriving at mature yeale, when he married Miss Polly Broadhurst, by whom he had eight children. two only now living: John; and Rebecca, wife of John Moore. Losing his wife. Mr. Tarwater afterward married Betsey (Lewis) Offatt, widow of Samuel Offatt, a member of an old Southern family, and by their union were born three children, as follows: Willis, born April 9. 1831: Millie M. now Mrs. Hawk, whose birth occurred February 9, 1859; and Harriet C .. now Mis. Scott, born February 7. 1861. The mother of these children died soon after the close of the war.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Later Mr. Tarwater espoused Mis. Sarah Ann (Kinsey) Mills, of Tennessee. To her was born a son, Chesley K., November 9. 1874, and in that same year the mother was called from this life.
After the death of Mrs. Sarah Tarwater, our subject was married to Malinda Brown, who sur- vived but a few years. Ile then married Mary Ann, the widow of Henry Scott, who has also de- parted this life. Willis F., the son of his second marriage, is now carrying on his father's farm and has for a number of years assumed the responsibil- ity of the place. January 14. 1877. he was united in marriage with Miss Emma, daughter of Joseph Ray. Their union has been blessed with five chil- dren, three of whom died in infancy. Those living are: Ernest D., born October 10, 1881; and Luther F., born September 1, 1883. Our subjeet has thirty- seven grandehildren and a number of great-grand- children.
Politically, Mr. Tarwater is a Democrat. as is also his son Willis. They are also both members of the Missionary Baptist Church. In the Mormon War our subject took an active part and with a Mr. Clark was left for dead on the field of battle. lle bears a number of sears, having had his throat eut from car to ear and sustaining severe scalp wounds, as well as having had his lower jaw broken and several teeth. Although the snows of many winters have fallen upon his venerable head. yet he retains to a wonderful degree his mental and physical faculties and truly says, "God has been good to me."
R EUBEN S. BLOSSOM, a prominent agri- culturistand successful stock-raiser, resides on one of the best farms of Lin County, Mo .. and for seventeen years has been lo- cated upon section 30. township 57, range 19. im- mediately adjacent to the flourishing town of Brook- field. Our subject was born at Cato, Cayuga County, N. Y., October 26, 1819. His parents. Reuben A. and Lydia ( Ingram ) Blossom, were both natives of Massachusetts, and descendants of the
best families of the Old Bay State. The paternal grandfather was a prominent citizen of New Eng- land. and Enos Ingram. the maternal grandfather. was at one time the honored Secretary of State. Reuben Blossom, after a life of busy usefulness. passed away near Oswego, N. Y., in March, 1857. Mrs. Lydia Blossom came to Brookfield, Mo .. in 1865, and resided with her son. G. N. Blossom. until her death, March 20, 1877.
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