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 51
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 51
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 51
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 51
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 51
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
Our subject received a good education in an academy at Mexicoville. N. Y., and when about fourteen years of age went to Syracuse and eu- gaged as a clerk in a dry-goods store. Before at- taining his majority, he enterprisingly embarked in business for himself, and prosperously con- tinued in the same until 1811. when he removed to New York City, there conducting a wholesale clothing and diy-goods business until 1876. In the meantime Mr. Blossom made frequent trips through the South and West, visiting Missouri. Arkansas, Iowa. Wisconsin and other States. and in sparsely settled localities was often obliged to camp out of doors all night. In 1876 our subject came to Brookfield, and the next year settled upon a farm about one mile north of the city. In 1886 he purchased his present fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, to which he has since given his undi- vided attention, engaging in mixed husbandry. and has profitably and extensively handled a high grade of stock.
Mr. Blossom was married in 1810 to Miss Ma- tilda King, a native of Onondaga County. N. Y. This union was blessed by the birth of one child. Daisy C .. Mrs. F. F. Lewis, of South Evanston. In. Mrs. Matilda Blossom died in New York City in 1861, and upon December 18. 1862. our subject contracted a second marriage. this time with Miss Angeline Bunn, of New York City, and a daughter of Martin Y. Bunn, a well-known citizen of the Em- pire State. Five children have been born unto Mr. and Mr -. Blossom: Martin. the eldest, deceased; Thomas B .; Renben S. Jr .: George N. and Horace M. Thomas B. is a business man of Chicago. and Reuben S., Jr .. is a resident of Kansas City. The family are members of the Episcopal Church. and are all in their various localities numbered among the influential and leading citizens. Mr. Blossom
425
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
has been connected with the Episcopal Church for fully a half-century, and has occupied the position of Warden of the Brookfield Church ever since he made his home here. Fraternally he is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. and is a member of Mt. Nebo Encampment. Ile is also a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Ma- sons.
Politieally our subject is a strong Democrat, and while never an office-seeker, has filled various important local positions of trust with efficient fi- delity, and is widely known as a man of high prin- ciple and sterling integrity of character. Ilis life has been one of busy usefulness, and in his daily round of officialand business cares his native kind- liness and genuine worth have won him the hearty good-will and best wishes of a large circle of old friends and acquaintances.
i
C OL. THADDEUS J. STAUBER, now retired from the active business duties of life, long since made for himself a record as an agri- culturist, enterprising superintendent of a large mining company, and efficient Legislator, and in the entire conduct of a long and honorable career, he has always been distinguished for his ardent patriotism and love of his native land. Bom in Bellefonte. Centre County. Pa .. on the 17th of April, 1825, our subject is the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth ( McCord) Stauber. The father was born in Salem, Stokes County, N. C., where the paternal grandfather, Godfrey Stauber, and his brother Christian had located soon after their arrival from Berlin, Germany. The Stauber brothers, three in number, came to America as soldier- under Baron Steuben. Christian Stauber and brother tell mor- tally wounded at the siege of Charleston. S. C .. in which battle as well as other engagement. Godfrey Stauber took part.
After the Revolutionary War, Grandfather Sti- ber became Principal of a Moravian German Acad- emy, at Salem. N. C. Benjamin Stauber settled in
1
1
Linn Coonty, Mo., in 1869, but some time after died in Topeka. Kan. Mrs. Elizabeth Stauber. the estimable mother of our subject, died in Kirksville. Mo. She was born near Lewistown, Pa .. and was the daughter of Thomas McCord, a brave and thrifty Scotchman of high integrity of character. This maternal grandfather of our subject and his brother James fought with gallantry in the battles of the Revolution, actively participating in the engagements ot Cowpens and Brandywine, and was present in numerous fights and skirmishes. and shared in the privations and personal sacrifices which the bardships of the campaign entailed. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Stauber were the parents of the following sons and daughters: Christian G., wbo died in infancy; Thaddeus J., our subject; Mary A., deceased; Joseph A .. now a resident of Linn County; Emma Catherine. Mrs. Smith: John- athan M., a druggist of St. Joseph, Mo .: Rachel, Mrs. Bobb; Bettie, Mrs. J. Markham; Margaret C .. Mrs. Hlause; and Robert HI .. the two latter de- ceased.
Thaddeus J. Stauber may well be ranked among the self-made men of his time and century. lle attended the Lewistown Academy, clerking in wholesale and retail hardware and drug houses to earn means to further pursue his studies. His par- ents had destined him for another line of business. but at his earnest solicitation his father, when he was fourteen years old. granted him his time, and he at once began to pursue his studies, and at twenty-one years of age became the acting Post- master of the town. Our subject also taught school several terms, and when twenty-three years old went to Martinsburgh, Va .. where he engaged in farming. In 1858, Col. Stauber located in Mis- souri, settling at first in Lincoln County, and the next year bought the National Citizen. at Troy. which he continued to publish until the breaking out of the Civil War. when he enlisted in Hender- son's Brigade. and served six months as Commi -- sary. Col. Stauber then enlisted in the Tinel Mis- souri Cavalry, and had charge of the Secret Service. He was mustered out by special order as Provost- Marshal. His daily duties in this capacity often led him into extreme danger, often averted by his clear judgment and presence of mind.
126
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
In 1861, our subject aided in organizing the Forty-second Missouri Infantry, and was commis- sioned Lieutenant-Colonel, and had command of the regiment until the close of the war. He was engaged most of the time in the dangerous task of fighting the bushwhackers in Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama, and at Paint Rock Valley, Tenn., was thrown from the saddle in leaping a ditch, receiving injuries from which he has never en- tirely recovered. After the war he alinost imme- diately settled upon his present homestead, located on section 21, township 58, range 19, where he has since continuously resided. This property, when it came into the possession of Col. Stauber, was wild land, but now is one of the well-improved farms in this part of the State. Ile and his sons own two hundred and forty acres here, and receive an excellent income from the productive soil, but mainly give their attention to stock-raising. In 1890, Col. Stauber's residence was destroyed by fire, together with most of its valuable con- tents, including a library of five hundred vol- umes, many of which can never be replaced. Ile has since built a handsome residence on the site of the old one, the new house being one of the at- tractive and commodious country dwellings in the township. The sons of our subject have profitably managed the home farm for some length of time. For a long period Col. Stauber traveled for a Bos- ton coal-mining syndicate, and was for a number of years the able Superintendent of the Ft. Scott Coal Mining Company. After many years of busy usefulness, he has retired from the wearing round of care, and finds much enjoyment in the swwiety of old friends and neighbors.
In political affiliations, Col. Stauber is a straight Republican, and in 1869-70 represented his county in the House of Representatives. Missouri Legi-la- ture. As an active, energetic and efficient member of important committees, he gave great satisfac- tion to his constituents, and distinguished him- self by an unvarying course of conscientious fidel- ity to the duties intrusted to his care. Fraternally, our subject is a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and has a fund of interesting and thrilling experiences of life during the Civil War. when Missouri was the border land and was ravaged
by not only the opposing parties, but invaded hy hordes of unprincipled ruffian-, who took this op- portunity of securing spoils, in many instances comparatively unmolested. Col. Stauber is yet an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. and is one of the liberal supporters of that relig- ious organization. It is almost two-score of years since, upon October 26, 1851, our subject and Miss Margaret A. Burwell were united in marriage. Mrs. Stauber is a daughter of James and Nancy Burwell, of Bunker Hill, Va. Five children blessed the pleasant home with their presence: Ralph O. is an attorney of St. Joseph; Edward B. is the sec- ond son; Nannie is Mrs. Maddox; Mary is a teacher at Brookfield; Thomas M. resides at home. Edward B. married Miss Della Warren, of Knapp, Wis .; they have one child, Ethel May. and reside upon the old homestead. Thus with his family within easy distance. and all ocempying positions of usefulness and influence, Col. Stauber enjoys the satisfaction of knowing that he not only devoted himself to his country's service. but gives to her best citizenship sons and daughters who will worthily maintain the dignity and honor of the true American citizen.
ICKMAN J. WIGGINTON, one of the editors and proprietors of the Linnens Bulletin, was born in Boone County, Mo .. January 17. 1863. He is the only surviv- ing son of Rev. William R. Wigginton, one of the best known and most highly esteemed pioneer min- isters of Northern Missouri. More than fifty years have come and gone since the Rev. Mr. Wigginton first entered upon his ministrations among the -cat- tered population of Missouri, and un weariedly went his rounds in storm and sunshine, ever the same faithful friend and pastor.
Our subject received his primary education in the district schools of his home neighborhood in Audrain County, Mo. At the age of sixteen he moved with his father to Mexico. Mo .. where he entered the High school, then under the manage-
.
127
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ment of Prof. J. P. Blanton. At the completion of his course he was awarded the " Orator's Medal." In February of 1888, in partnership with E. . I. Conger, he assumed the management of the Linneus Bulletin, which popular sheet has rapidly increased in circulation and has enjoyed a continuous pros- perity seldom the lot of a county newspaper. For five years it has been the official organ of the county. It is attractive in typographical appear- anee, and aside from its spicy and comprehensive editorials, contains much miscellaneous reading matter of local and general interest.
Besides his newspaper work, Mr. Wigginton has taken an active part in the local councils of the Democratic party. Three times he has been elected Chairman of the Linn County Democratic Cen- tral Committee, and twice has been made Seere- tary of the Congressional Committee of the dis- triet, which positions he still holds. He has also . served upon the Senatorial Committee and was the recent Chairman of the Local Democratie Club of Linneus. Constantly engaged in duties which necessarily bring him before the public, and with a record untarnished by dishonorable word or deed, the future lies before him rich in promise, and it is safe to predict that in the years to come. as m the past, he will at all times and under all cireum- stances be an earnest and faithful representative of true American citizenship.
AMES PRYOR. a retired agriculturist and prominent citizen of Liberty, is a native Missourian and was born in Clay County September 3. 1817. An ellicient. energetie and resolute man of fine business attainments, his career as an agriculturist was most successful. and by his thoroughly upright course of unvarying integrity, he has worthily won the confidence and esteem of many friends. His aged father, George W. Pryor, was born in Kentucky February 20, 1804, and emigrating with his wife and large fam- ily to Missouri in 1855, became one of the enter- prising pioneer settlers of Clay County, where he
1
entered with ambitions industry into the pursuit of farming and was a prominent factor in the pro- motion of the growing interests of his home local- ity. Deprived in later years by the death of his beloved wife, he now resides with his children, who give to him the tender eare needed in his declin- ing years. Our subject was reared upon his fa- ther's farm and early entered into the daily round of duties entailed by agricultural life. Ile worked upon the farm during the busy seasons, and during the winter months attended the district school of the neighborhood.
Mr. Pryor remained upon the family homestead until twenty years of age and then began to work for himself. About the date he attained his mna- jority he was united in marriage with Miss Ruth, a daughter of Logan and Malinda Darby. of Clay County, a lady of superior worth and accomplish- ments, who as a wife and mother ha- devoted her- self to the comfort and happiness of her husband and the children who have blessed her home. Our subject and his estimable wife -oon after their mar- riage located upon a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, but after spending a few years there removed to the present homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, which have been brought under a high state of cultivation and are finely improved with a comfortable and commodious residence. good barns and sheds, and taken all in all. this is one of the most attractive country home- in the county. Upon this pleasant place the family have resided until recently, when they settled in a tine home in Liberty, where the father and mother on- joy the rest from the actual supervision the vari- ous duties of daily life have so long demanded. Mr. and Mrs. Pryor are the parents of two chil- dren, bright, ambitious and enterprising sons.
Walter Pryor, the eldest born of the brothers, has received an excellent education, and fully armed for the battle of life enters with zeal into the duties of agriculture. He now manage- the homestead, which our subject from affection and force of habit visit- almost every day, assisting with his advice and not infrequently actively par- ticipating in the labors of the hour. Mr. Walter Pryor has an excellent housekeeper and a delight- ful companion who shares his joys and sorrow.
428
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mrs. Artie (Groom) Pryor, a native of Clay County and a timely educated lady. It is but comparatively a brief time since Walter Pryor took unto himself this young and charming wife, who with himself is the recipient of the best wishes of a host of friends. Eugene, the second son of our subject, is completing his education in the Normal School at Winchester, Tenn. and. a manly youth of high intelligence and sterling integrity, has a future of influence and usefulness before him. Financially prospered, and happy in his domestic relations, Mr. Pryor does not forget the duty he owes his country as a true and loyal citizen. but gives his earnest consideration to the questions of the day, and, well posted in local and national af- fairs, supports the principles of Democracy and votes in the interest of the party which since the days of the great statesman. Thomas Jefferson. has held fast to the precepts then instilled into the hearts and souls of the American opponents of an un-American aristocracy.
ALVIN C. BINGHAM, who resides in his beautiful home one and a-half miles east of Browning, on seetion 29, township 60, range 20, is one of the carly settlers and repre- sentative men of Lmn County. Besides general farming he takes special interest in the breeding of fine-grade Aberdeen cattle.
Mr. Bingham was born in Tennessee March 7. 1831, and is a son of William and Mary (Hoover) Bingham, natives of Tennessee. The father emi- grated to Missouri in 1840, and for many years en- gaged in farming in Sullivan County. Our sub- ject is one of fifteen children, of whom twelve are sons. Those living are as follows: Jacob, Samuel. William and James, the two latter of whom are farmers in Sullivan County: Benjamin, Thomas, Leonard, and Elizabeth, who is married and is a resident of Carroll County. When twenty-two years of age our subject entered land. the identical tract he now occupies, at seventy-five cents per acre, which he has since improved until its value is estimated to be from $35 to $40 per acre.
In 1856 Mr. Bingham was married to Miss Sarah Jones, a native of the Buckeye State. Their union has been blessed with three children, a son and two daughters. as follows: Cecil A .; Elaxina, who married I. E. Winters, and is now making her home in Winigan, Sullivan County; and Orissa, the oldest of the family, now the wife of Dr. J. B. Robinson, of Harris, Sullivan County. Mr. Bing- ham is a member of Christ Church, as is also his wife and children. Politically, he is a stanch ally of the Democratic party. and. though taking an active interest in local and political affairs. has never desired official recognition, preferring to give his exclusive time to his business interests.
OSEPH S. HUGHES, banker and the enter- prising and prosperous President of the Richmond Coal Company, is a representa- tive American citizen, able. energetic and progressive, and has been one of the material fac- tors in the development of the varied resources of the State and county. Our subject is a native of Jessamine County, Ky., and was born January 11, 1820. Great-grandfather Hughes was of Welsh descent and early in the history of our country settled in the eastern part of Maryland. Grand- father Joseph Hughes married Miss sarah Swann before the War of the Revolution, and afterward engaged bravely in the struggle for independence. In 1777, he removed to Pennsylvania and settled in the old Redstone Fort, now Brownsville. on the Monongahela River. where John Hughes, the father of our subject, was born November 26. 1777. In 1779 the family removed to Bryant's Station. Ky., and remained there some years.
During the War of 1812 both the father and maternal grandfather, samuel Berry. fought under Gen. Harrison. and after the troubles with the In- dians were at an end. John Hughes and his family located in Jessamine County. Ky,, and in 1822 re- moved to Missouri. At this time our subject was but two years old and grew up on his father's
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
farm, meantime attending the primitive district ; six hundred men. In 1887, the Richmond Coal school of those early days. When he was eighteen Company was organized, and as one of it- chief promoters and in acknowledgment of his valuable executive ability. Mr. Hughes was elected Presi- dent of the prosperous organization. years old he came to Richmond and in 1838 en- gaged as a salesman in a dry-goods house and re- mained in the capacity of a clerk until 1811. when he started in the mercantile busmess for himself. Active, energetic and industrious, he successfulis conducted the business alone until 1849, when he 1 received into partnership George 1. Wasson, the widely known firm of Hughes & Wasson profitably continuing in the handling of merchandise until 1859.
1
March 1, 1856, Mr. Hughes was elected Serve- tary of the Richmond Insurance Company and efficiently engaged in the responsible daties of the position until June 23. 1859. when he was made Cashier of the branch of the Union Bank located in Richmond and continued to serve in this ofii- cial capacity until the national banking law sup- . planted the State banks. The parent bank, or- ganized under the national banking law, virtually closed the branches, and on the 1st of January. 1866, our subjeet and George I. Wasson became the purchasers of the assets of the Richmond Branch Bank and organized a private banking house under the name of Hughes & Wasson. which partnership prosperously continued for a half-score of years, when. in 1877, Mr. Wasson sold his inter- est to James Hughes and his son Burnett Hughes. Joseph S. Hughes is the President of the flourish- ing banking house of J. S. Hughes & Co., incor- porated under the laws of the State of Missouri.
In 1869, when the St. Louis & St. Joseph Rail- road, afterward the St. Joseph Branch of the Wa- bash, St. Louis & Pacific, now owned by the Santa Fe, was completed to Richmond. Joseph S. Hughes. John Gibson and William Wilson commeneed sinking a shaft for the purpose of developing the coal interests in the vicinity of Richmond. The mining venture was a successful one and the hard work and determined energy of the owners of the valuable mines have rapidly extended the business until it has assumed a magnitude ranking it among the most prominent coal-mining enterprises of Missouri. The name was subsequently changed to the Richmond Coal Company. and it now operate- six mines and employ- constantly from four to
October 2, 1844. our subject and Miss An Latra Hughes were united in marriage. Mr -. Hughes was the step-daughter of the late Maj. John H. Morehead. of Richmond, Mo, Mr. and Mrs. Hughes are the parents of six children. four sons and two daughters. Their eldest son. George A., is book-keeper in the banking house of J. S. Hughes & Co., and is interested with his father in the Richmond Coal Mines; Charles B. isalso finan- cially interested in the bank and mines; Martha S. is the wife of James MI. Ferguson, business manager of the coal company; Mary E. was a student at Christian College, Columbia, Mo .. and is the wife of W. W. Knight, of St. Joseph. Mo .: Robert B. died October 5, 1890; and John assists in the bank and coal office. Mr. Hughes has long been num- bered among the most prominent and influential citizens of Missouri and having ever been associated with the progress and advancement of the best in- terests of the State. is widely known and highly respected. In the advancing evening of his day- our subject has the assured consciousness that he has almost unaided won his upward way. and that both he and his children occupy position- of re- spect and influence. Mr. Hughes and his wife and daughters are members of the Christian Church. and in politics he has always been a stanch Demo- crat.
OSEPH SCOTT CARLYLE. To provide for the wants of the inner man is to get close to his better nature. Mucha- human- ity is inclined to carp at the weakness of the flesh, it is none the less true that a wife who is a good evok is in no danger of having her husband desert her, as good cookery conduces to long life and good health, as well as to creature comfort. Our subject is a typical host, who cares for the stomachs of travelers and provides them with
430
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
lodgings, and the good name of the Vibbard Ilouse is extended over considerable territory. He is a good provider and his guests are his warm friends.
Mr. Carlyle was born in Hampshire County, W. Va., January 9. 1833. At the age of eleven. he came to Missouri with his parents. Ihis father. Robert Carlyle, located in La Fayette County. where he engaged in farming upon a tract of land he purchased, and there he died nine years after- ward. His wife was Elizabeth ( MeCauley) Carlyle, and she was born and reared in West Virginia. She bore her husband twelve children. four of whom are living, namely: Ellen. wife of Ira Green, of Johnson County, Tex .; Margaret, wife of Henry Campbell, of La Fayette County, Mo .; Marv, widow of Addison Hook. living in Cass County: and our subject. The father followed farming all his life. and was a Captain in the Florida War.
.
Our subject remained on the farm until the death of his mother, who survived the father but eight months, when he drove a team across the plains to Salt Lake City in 1853-54. Upon his return he engaged in farming in La Fayette County, Mo., for two years, then removed to Jackson County, Mo. January 8, 1857. he married Miss Plenella, daughter of flames Page, a farmer of Ray County. She bore him several children. as follows: Emma, wife of Dr. William Harwood, of Vibbard; and Jenny. who isat home. Three are dead: Eliza- beth. who married Robert Lee, and died January 26, 1891, leaving three children to console her hus- band; and two who died in infancy. After mar- riage, our subject remained where he was two years, and then he removed to Ray County and bought a farm, upon which he settled and remained for about twenty years. at the expiration of which time, in March, 1881. he came to Villard and en- gaged in the business which he has followed ever since.
For years Mr. Carlyle has been a Steward and an Elder in the Christian I'nion Church, of which. he has been a member for years in the church of Pleasant Valley. Ile has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellow-, but is not now actively connected with that society. Politically. he affiliates with the Democratic party, with which
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.