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 52
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 52
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 52
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 52
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 52
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he uniformly votes. At one time he was elected Constable and seeved acceptably in that capacity. The Vibbard House is a quiet, homelike place. where the traveling public is cordially welcome. and the most earnest efforts are put forth to make comfortable all who may stop there. It is a clean, nest and attractive hotel. and the food is pre- pared and served in such a manner as to make it most tempting to the appetite.
S AMUEL C. DAVIS. A worthy man who has filled the station of life to which he has been called with earnestness. our subject has gathered to himself a large number of attached friends, who have confidence in his honesty and uprightness. Mr. Davis was born November 26, 1836, near Richmond. Mo .. a son of Edward R. and Martha P. ( Haynes) Davis. beth pioneers of Ray County, the father a son of Samuel Davis. a native of Wales who came to the I'nited States, settled in Tennessee and married there.
In the-last named State, the father of our sub- jeet was born and received a common-school edu- cation. Ile was reared to the occupation of a farmer and remained at home until of age. When about twenty-two years of age he came to Ray County and taught school. he having been a stu- dious youth and possessed of qualities which fitted him for that profession. Soon after settling in Missouri he was married, his wife being a daugh- ter of Joseph and Sarah Haynes. His first invest- ment of land was a small tract, followed by a pur- chase of Government land, and accumulations from time to time until he had acquired three hundred and eighty acres in all. At the time of his death in 1845, he was an old-line Whig. as he had been since the origin of that party. Ilis wife is living in Texas, a widow, having twice been married since his death.
Our subject is the only survivor of three sons, his two brothers. James and John, having both been killed in the Confederate army, the former in
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Georgia and the latter at Vicksburg. Our subject began farming for himself at the age of eighteen, going out by the month. At the age of twenty, he married and rented a farm for one year. when he came into possession of the farm left him by his father, located in township 32. range 27. His wife was Sophronia, daughter of Nathan and Ann ( Me- Christian) Schooler, and a native of Ray County. Mrs. Davis' father was a native of Virginia. and her mother of Tennessee. and both were pioneers of Ray County. The mother of Mrs. Davis died when she was only eleven years of age.
Six children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Davis, viz: Belle, wife of Millard Hill; Ed- ward R., who married Alma Frazier: Martha A., Bennie, Maggie and Foster. all of whom have re- ceived educational advantages in Ray County. Maggie is a teacher in an adjoining county. and Foster is attending the schools of Richmond. In polities our subjeet is a Democrat and has always been attached to that party. In 1888 he was chosen to take charge of the Ray County Poor Farm, which position he has filled ever since. and much credit is due him for the business methods he has introduced in its management and for the Christian kindness he displays in the treatment of the unfortunates confided to his keeping.
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B ENJAMIN H. SMITH is the Recorder of Chariton County, and a resident of Keytes- ville. the county seat. He was born in Car- roll County. Mo., January 21. 1853, and is the son of Dr. E. B. Smith, now of Triplett. this county. The latter was born in Kentucky and when a small boy removed with his parents to In- diana. On reaching mature years, he removed to Howard County. Mo .. where he engaged in the study of medicine under the tutorship of his fa- ther. Hle there married Miss Frances, daughter of Howard Shipp, a prominent farmer and early set- tler of Howard County. After his marriage. the Doctor went to Carroll County, where he engaged
in farming in connection with professional prae- tice. In the spring of 1865, going to Illinois, he engaged in practice for one year in that State. About the year 1867. he returned to this State, lo- cating at Triplett. Chariton County, where he still resides. Ilis family comprised four children, three of whom are living: James A. and Mrs. J. Hooper, who both reside at Triplett, and our sub- ject. Virginia Beall, now deceased, was the wife of Clark Harper.
Until twelve years of age, Benjamin II. Smith lived on his father's farm in Carroll County. after which he spent one year in Illinois, returning to this State with his parents. He received a good education and was for two years a student in the Kirksville Normal, in the city of that name. On leaving school, he engaged in teaching in Ray and Chariton Counties for six successive years. and was very successful in that calling.
On the 13th of October, 1880, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Anna Lizzie Crockett. Her father. A. J. Crockett, is a prominent farmer of this county. Mrs. Smith departed this life October 26, 1881. Some time later, in 1890, Mr. Smith mar- ried his present wife, who was Miss Mattie Bartow. By this union our subject and his wife are blessed with a daughter, Bennetta F., born January 11. 1892. Mrs. Smith's father. J. G. Bartow, is a farmer and stock-raiser, and is now the President of the Farmers' Bank at Triplett, Mo. In 1880. Mr. Smith embarked in the sawmill business, which he ran for three years. He then entered the hardware trade at Triplett. Mo. In 1886, he ran for the office of Recorder of Chariton County and was defeated by seventy -- even votes in the Democratie primary convention. B. F. Crowley being the successful candidate. Four years later, Mr. Smith again en- tered the race for the same office. receiving the nomination by three hundred majority, and being elected by sixteen hundred majority. He entered upon his official duties January 1, 1891. and has proven himself- to be efficient and thoroughly reli- able.
A member of the Christian Church, our subjeet has been very active in its various departments of work. He was Deacon in the church and Superin- tendent of the Sunday-school at Triplett, where he
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formerly resided. He is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Free & Accepted Ma-ons, and is a Knight of Pythias. lle is a loyal supporter of the Democratic party and takes a leading part in forwarding its inter- ests.
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S. BRUNER. Prominent in the social and agricultural circles of Chariton County, Mo., and eminently worthy of mention, is L. S. Bruner, who is of English descent, and who has inherited many of the worthy characteristics of that people, among which may be mentioned sturdy perseverance. Although the county has its full quota of vigorous, enterprising and thorough-going business men, whose popularity is based upon their social qualities and their well-known integrity and business activity, none of these is better liked by those who have business dealings with him than Mr. Bruner. His father, Jacob Bruner, was a Vir- ginian, who became a resident of saline County, Mo., in early life, where he purchased a tract of land, which he subsequently sold. Later he re- moved to Boone County. and about 1839 to Chari- ton County, settling in the vicinity of Brunswick. While in Boone County, he took For his compan- ion through life Miss Sarah Colvin. whose father was John Colvin, and to their union the following children were given: Sarah (deceased) became the wife of T. P. Knight, of this county: John, who resides on the old homestead east of Brunswick; L. S., whose name heads this sketch: Eliza (de- eeased) married T. P. Knight; Mildred is the widow of Charles Fleetwood, of this county: Jacob resides near Brunswick; and Calhoun is a resident of Johnson County, Mo. The father of these chil- dren was called from life in 1816. but his widow survives him at the age of seventy-seven years, and makes her home with her son, L. S. Bruner.
The subject of this sketch was born two miles east of Brunswick. in this county. February 16. 1810, his early life being spent in the usual manner of the farmer's boy-that is, he assisted his father on the farm during the summer months and at-
tended the district schools in the winter. At the age of about seventeen or eighteen years he left home and began to fight the battle of life for him- self, and for six months thereafter worked as a farm laborer, receiving a> compensation about $12 per month. At the end of this time he returned home, and after a short attendance at school he be- gan working for others at farm labor. his compen- sation being a portion of the crops he raised. In this manner he continued to labor until his mar- riage, in 1862. Ile was a Southern sympathizer during the war, and when Gen. Price made his last raid through Missouri he joined the ranks of that dashing cavalry leader and was subsequently cap- tured by the Federals on White River. Ark., and sent as a prisoner to Rock Island. where he wa- detained four months, being released just before Lee's surrender.
Soon after the celebration of his nuptials, he purchased and moved upon a tract of eighty acres. which he has since greatly improved in every way, and especially in the way of comfortable and nec- essary farm buildings, and to which he has added one hundred and sixty acres on the north and sixty-five acres of bottom land six miles away. Everything about his place indicates that a man of intelligence is at the helm, and that he thor- oughly understands every detail of his ealling can but be acknowledged. Like many other boys, he was an ambitious youth and left home to make his own way in the world, and owing to his own in- dustry, frugality and push accumulated his present property and has a pleasant and pretty home in sight of the village of Triplett. In addition to his farming operations, he has for many years been engaged in feeding and selling stock, which has proved to be a profitable source of revenue.
Although our subject has always voted the Dem- peratie ticket. the pohtical arena has had no charms for him and. like a sensible man as he is. he has given his undivided attention to his farm. Miss Gertrude McAllister. a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Me Allister, of this county. became his wife, and to their union these children have been given: Joseph, a resident of Oklahoma: Montford. a resident of the State of Washington: Lillie: Lo- gan; Maud and Grover Cleveland. the last two be-
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ing still at home. William died in 1881, at the age of twenty-one years; and Charlotte. September 12. 1890, at the age of twenty-four years. The mother of these children was called from life November 11, 1889. She had been ill for some time prior to her death, her sickness finally resulting in consump- tion. Under the care of her daughter Charlotte, Mr. Bruner sent her from home to see if change of air and locality would not benefit her, but in spite of all the medical skill, and the loving care that was lavished upon her by her husband and chil- dren, she succumbed to the Grim Destroyer, and in compliance with her wish she was brought home, where she breathed her last five days later. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church! South, which she had joined at the age of seven- teen, and throughout her life she "kept the faith." In disposition, she was amiable, kind and affection- ate, a noble wife and mother. and her loss was deeply mourned by her sorrowing family. On the 12th of the following September (1890) another affliction fell upon the family in the loss of Char- lotte, who had been the faithful companion of her mother's last days, her death also resulting from consumption. They now sleep side by side in the Mccullough burying-ground near Triplett. The daughter was also a worthy member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church South. as is Mr. Bruner.
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J. VAUGHIN. In tracing the origin of architecture, the student soon finds that there is no art more nearly founded upon and emanating from nature in its highest and no- blest forms than this branch. Ruskin has told us that even the leaded windows in the grand Gothic cathedrals of Central Europe were suggested to their originator by interlaced branches of trees laid against a glowing >ky. It is so noble an art that he who masters it must rise to noble heights, displaying the best elements of a rich and tal- ented nature. Among these noblemen artists is numbered Mr. W. J. Vaughn, who. located at Car- rollton, Carroll County. prosecutes his calling and
has more business in this direction than any other man in this bpe. He is an Easterner and charae- terized by energy.
Mr. Vaugum was born in Otsego, Steuben County. Ind., October 11, 1853. lle is a son of Lorin and Mary (Isles) Vaughn. The former was born in Batavia, N. Y .. at the same place where his father Lewis was born. Lewis Vaughn was a millwright by trede. and he and his, son Lorin, who was al-o a millwright, built the flourmill at Rochester. which was at that time the largest in the United States. He was a Major in the War of 1812. Ile lived to the good old age of eighty-six years. The great-grandfather, the Rev. Mr. Vaughn, was a native of London, England, and a clergyman in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Coming to the United States he took part in the Revolutionary War and served as a minute-man.
Our subject's father was engaged in building flourmills, and in 1851 he located in Williams- ville, Cass County. Mich. He built two sawmills in Van Buren County, and in 1864 he removed to Bloomingdale, Mich. There he died January 8, 1880, at the age of eighty-four years. He was a Republican in polities and a noble man. Mrs. Vaughn, our subjeet's mother. was born in Mun- son, Ohio. Her parents came from the Isle of Man and located in the Buckeye State at an early day. She died December 14, 1875. She was the mother of two children: George W., who resides in Bloomingdale, Mich., and our subject.
W. J. Vaughn was reared in Michigan after his first birthday was passed. He attended school at Williamsville, and in 1864 went to Bloomingdale. and after a thorough course in the High school graduated from that institution at the age of six- teen years. He was then apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade. He served for four years at Bloomingdale and worked at the trade two years longer there. In 1880 he went to Cleveland as a journeyman, and in 1881 he took contracts for buildings. continuing in that business until Iser. While in Cleveland he took up the study of archi- tecture under JJ. S. Allen. who is considered the finest architect in that city. May 23, lass. Mr. Vaughn was approached on the subject of coming to Carrollton in order to design and superintend
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the buildings to be occupied by the Davis Manu- facturing Company. He continued with them as designer until they were burnt out.
In the spring of 1892 Mr. Vaughn commenced building and doing architectural work for him- self, and the finest buildings in the city and viein- ity are the conceptions of his fertile- brain, and have materialized under his able superintenderce. He is now engaged in the erection of the Carrollton Planing Mills, which is a large and important con- traet. Our subject was married in Bangor, Mich., July 19, 1875, to Miss Maggie Cottier, who was born in North Eaton. Lorain County, Ohio. They have a charming home located at West First Street. The family includes one daughter, whose name is Ellie. Fraternally, Mr. Vaughn belongs to the Free & Accepted Masons. Ile and his wife find great pleasure as well as spiritual profit in their membership with the Christian Church, in which he is the leader of the choir. He is a fine musician and a member of the Carrollton Cornet Band, playing the E Flat cornet. Politically, Mr. Vaughn is a Republican.
P. BRADLEY, the energetie and enterpris- ing junior partner of the well-known firm of Flournoy & Bradley. retail grocers of Linnens, Mo., and dealers in general mer- chandise, carrying one of the most complete stock of goods in their line in Linn County, is regarded by the general public as a man of fine business ability and sterling integrity of character. Mr. Bradley also has an interest in the live-stock firm of Westgate & Flournoy, a nephew of our subject keeping the books of both firms in the store of Flournoy & Brad- ley. J. P. Bradley, a native Missourian, born in Platte County in 1815. has been a lifelong wit- ness of the rapid growth of his native State. and. occupying various high official positions in Lin- neus, has been intimately associated with the best interests of Linn County. James F. Bradley. the father of our subject. came from Lexington. Ky ..
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in 1840 and settled in Clay County. Mo .. and a year or two later removed to Platte County. Ile was a practical farmer and, a man of good educa- tion. also taught school. As a stock-raiser he was successful. and wa, at home in every detail of the tilling of the soil. He served as a drummer boy in the War of 1812 and was a Drum Major in the Mexican War.
The mother of our subject. Mrs. Nancy ( Keller) Bradley, was the daughter of Jacob Keller, an early resident of Kentucky and well known in Bourbon and L'ayette Counties, in one of which Mrs. Bradley was born. Father and Mother Bradley both died in 1869, after lives of usefulness, and were mourned by a large circle of friends. The father passed away in September, and his wife only survived him until December. They were the parents of thirteen children. of whom our subject was the seventh son and twelfth child in order of birth. The brothers and sisters all enjoyed the benefit of as thorough an education as their opportunities afforded, and om subject, reared in Platte County. attended the common schools. At seventeen years. of age he enlisted in Shelby's command. C. S. A. He remained in the Confederate service from Sep- tember, 1863. until the close of the war, and was wounded in a fight in Platte County, while on- gaged in the recruiting service. After the war was ended. Mr. Bradley went to Mexico, there de- voted himself to the pursuits of agriculture and stock-raising, and from Mexico next removed to California, which he made his home from 1867 until 1870. also profitably farming in the Golden State. In 1870, returning to Platte County. Mo .. our subject there resumed farming duties, but in 1873 came to Linneus and engaged in the grocery business. In 1879, he tried the meat business, but in 1880. in company with Mr. Flournoy. entered into his present business relations, and with his partner conducts the largest grocery house in Lin- nens.
In 1874, J. P. Bradley and Miss Mattie D. San- dusky, daughter of an old settler of Linnous. Sam- uel Sandusky, were united in marriage. Mr -. Bradley. an estimable and accomplished lady, was reared in Linn County. She is the mother of one child. a bright young daughter now attending the
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Central Female College, at Lexington. Mo. Fra- ternally. our subject is a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows and is also connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mr. Bradley has oc- cupied with fidelity and honor various important positions of trust. As Mayor of Linneus and a long-time City Father and Allerman. he was ac- tive in the promotion and advancement of local improvements and liberally aided in the pro- gressive enterprises of his locality. A prominent worker in the ranks of the Democratie party, he has ably represented his constituents as a member of the Democratie County Committee, and from his earliest manhood has been an ardent advocate of the principles of true Democracy. As a private citizen and as a publie official. the career of Mr. Bradley has ever been distinguished by energetic efficiency and the upright conduct of daily affair- which has so abundantly won him the esteem and . thorough confidence of hosts of friends.
ENRY C. BAILEY is the genial and efli- cient Postmaster of Browning. Linn County, in which village he has made his home since 1881. Ilis father. Eli B. Bailey, who was born in the Key-tone State. was married about 1833, and had a family of twelve children, four sons and eight daughters. Those living are as follows: Il. C .. the subject of this sketch: Joab, John M., Eli. Nellie. Maggie, Lida and Hattie. John is married and resides on a farm north of Browning; Nellie is the wife of J. S. Hammers. a farmer in Woodford County, Ill .; Maggie. who is married, resides at French Grove; Lida, wife of David Burk. makes her home on a farm northwest of Browning: Hattie has been a teacher in Illinois for many years.
The subject of this notice, who is a native of Greene County. Pa .. and was born in 1814. re- moved to Peoria County, III .. in 1818. For twenty years he was there engaged. principally in farming. until 1868, when he decided to try his fortune-
further West. Going to Sullivan County , Mo .. he there engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1881, after which he carried on the mercantile business for several years in Browning. In addition to his duties as Postmaster, he is at present largely en- graged in buying poultry, game and live stock, be- ing the largest shipper in the county in this par- tieular branch. Ile is also a large shipper of eggs and country produce. in which business he has met with marked success, due to the care and attention he has devoted to the proper methods of carrying on that line.
Mr. Bailey, like a true patriot, came to the de- fense of his country during the civil conflict, en- listing in Company G, One Hundred and Eighth Illinois Infantry, on March 6, 1865. At the end of a year's service he received an honorable dis- charge at Springfield, 111., February 6, 1866. He participated with his regiment at the battles of Spanish Fort and the siege of Mobile, in the latter being attached to the Sixteenth Army Corps un- der A. J. Smith. He is a Republican and a mem- ber of the Baptist Church, to which his wife also belongs. Ile owns a good farm in this county, on which he has made many improvements. It is now in a fine condition and is considered one of the choice tracts in Sullivan County. He also owns a nice home and other real estate in Browning.
In 1869 Mr. Bailey and Miss Minnie Clark. formerly of Waynesburgh. Pa., were united in mar- riage. They have two sons and three daughters. all living and residing at home. They are: Ed- ward C., Raymond C., Jessie M., Bertha J. and Clara.
OHN GEORGE DONNENWERTH is a dealer in furniture and carries on an un- dertaking business in Browning, Linn County. His father, who bore the name of Jacob Donnenwerth. was a native of Switzerland. one of the oldest republies, and one which ha- stood the test longer than any in the civilized world. He emigrated to America in an early day. living for six years in Buffalo, N. Y., after which
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he went to Canada, where he engaged in farming. Hle married a French lady by the name of Cather- ine Merelin, in Alsace. Her grandfather was a Captain under Bonaparte and died in Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Donnenwerth had a family of five boys and five girls, seven of whom are living.
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The subject of this -ketch was born in Berlin. Waterloo County, Canada. May 15, 1812, and re- mained at home until twenty-eight years of age. 1 In 1875 he came to Browning, where he engaged as a carpenter and builder for ten years. For the past few years our subject, in connection with his 1 son, has been carrying on his present business. keeping a fine line of furniture and general house- furnishings. Ile is quite an inventor, having been recently granted United States letters patent for a new and ingenious device for oiling eylinders of steam engines. Experts, and machinists as well. have pronounced this to be an article of great value and one which will be of great use in all branches of machinery.
: In 1869 Mr. Donnenwerth was married to Miss Magdelene Berkholder, of Canada. They have two children, a son and daughter, William J. and Lena Lee. The former is engaged in partnership with his father, as before mentioned. and is a ris- ing young business man of this locality. Our sub- jeet is in sympathy with the Farmers' Alliance. and is held in high regard by his fellow-townsmen and many friends in this locality.
S TEWART HENDERSON. In the prepara- tion of this brief outline of the life history of one of the best men of Chariton County appear facts which are greatly to his credit. Ilis intelligence, enterprise and integrity. as well as many other estimable qualities, have acquired for him a popularity not derived from any facti- tious circumstances, but a spontaneous tribute to his merit. Probably there is no man within the limits of the county that is a better judge of fine horse-flesh than is Mr. Henderson, in the breeding of which he is extensively engaged. The example
that he has set in this respect has served as an im- petus for others to follow him in this industry. and now many speedy, as well as draught. animals may be seen on the surrounding farms. He is an enthusiastic horseman, and while engaged in gen- eral farming, this branch of agriculture receives special attention at his hands. He is the owner of some very fine animals, among them a thorough- bred imported English draught horse. an imported thoroughbred French Percheron, and a fine road- ster. a Cleveland Bay. besides a number of others of less importance, but all exceptionally fine ani- mals. Many years were spent in connection with this line of work in the State of his birth, which he also followed in other States, and this alone is sufficient to ensure him success in the State of his adoption.
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