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 55
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 55
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 55
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 55
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 55
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Dr. Eaton has an interesting and valuable col- lection of geological specimens, many of which he gathered himself in the West and elsewhere in the United States. He has also an interesting cabinet of curios of various kinds, collected from different parts of the world. and one of the finest collections of ancient and rare coins in the coun- try. His collection of coins, in fact, is said to be the best, though not the largest, outside of Eu- rope, and received considerable attention at the Louisville Exposition in 1884, where they were exhibited.
June 6. 1872, Dr. Eaton was married at Liberty to Miss Mattie E. Lewright, a lady of superior ed- neation and refinement. She is the daughter of William P. Lewright, formerly of Virginia. and was born in Franklin County, Mo. Her educa- tion was obtained under the supervision of a pri- vate tutor, a gentleman who was a graduate of the ancient and famous I'niversity of Edinburgh. Scotland. Dr. and Mrs. Eaton are the parent- of
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two living children, Hubert L., born June 3. 1881, and Mabel Elsie, June 1, 1887. Two are deceased, namely: Lewright B., born August 1, 1876, and who died March 10. 1877; and Harold W., born April 13, 1878, who died August 31, 1882.
As a tribute to the memory of a well-known ed- ucator, we reproduce the following from the re- port of the Commissioners of Education of the United States for the year 1872:
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George W. Eaton, D. D., LL. D., late Presi- dent of Madison (now Colgate) I'niversity, and Hamilton Theological Seminary, in the State of New York, was born near Huntingdon. Pa .. July 3, 1801. When about one year old he was taken by his parents to Ohio, where he was afterward prepared for college and in 1822 matriculated at the Ohio I'niversity. After having remained at the university for two years, his father's financial circumstances rendered it necessary for him to re- linquish his college course for a time in order that he might procure funds for its completion.
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With that object in view, Mr. Eaton spent two years teaching in Prince Edward County, Va., at the end of which time he made, principally on foot, a tour of the seaboard States, as far north as Massachusetts, spending some time at Princeton, N. J., and at Andover. Mass. In 1827 he entered the Junior Class of Union College at Schenectady, N. Y., where under the Presidency of the late noted Eliphalet Nott. D.D., LL.D., in 1829. he was graduated with the highest honors of his class. In college he was associated with men who have since risen to places of the highest eminence in civil life. Among his college associates he was highly esteemed for his unselfish disposition, his keen sense of honor, and his generous bearing to- ward those whose scholarship and college honors did not equal his own.
Having won the personal regard of President Nott, our subject was immediately upon his grad- uation elected a Fellow and appointed a tutor in the college. In this position he remained one year, and then in 1830, much against the wishes of the President, who long years afterward spoke of the circumstances with regret, he left the col- lege and became the Principal of I'nion Academy, at Belleville, in the same State. Having been
elected to the Chair of Ancient Language- in Georgetown ( Ky.) College, in 1831, he removed to Georgetown, where he remained. during the latter part of the time acting as President. until 1833. He was at that time called to the Profess- orship of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in what was then known as Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution, located at Hamilton. N. Y., a school which had for its chief object the training of young men designed for the ministry in the Baptist denomination.
This institution was in 1846 chartered as Madi- son University, and by this action the theological seminary became so separated from the college that, although they occupied the same building .. and some members of the theological faculty gave instruction also in the college, yet the former was controlled by the New York Baptist Educational Society, and the latter became subject to regents appointed by the Legislature of the State. Prof. Eaton remained in the Chair of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy for four years. and at the end of that time. in 1837. was elected to that of Eccle- siastieal Ilistory in the theological school. In 1844 he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from his Alma Mater, and in 1850 was elected Professor of Systematic Theology. In 1856 he was elected to succeed Stephen W. Taylor, L.L.D .. deceased. as President of the university, still re- taining his professorship of Theology in the sem- inary. For twelve years he performed the double duty: as President giving instruction in Intellec- tual and Moral Philosophy, and at the same time continuing his lectures in Theology until 1861. when he exchanged Systematic Theology for Ilomileties.
These arduous labors were unremitting. except in the years 1863 and 1864. when, on account of failing health. Dr. Eaton sought relief in a Euro- pean tour. during which he labored earnestly and efficiently to give a true idea of the nature of the conflict then raging in our country. In that tour he formed the acquaintance and secured the per- sonal friendship of many of the most prominent men of Great Britain and the Continent, among whom were Caesar Malan, Merle D'Aubigne, JJohn Bright. Goldwin Smith, Prof. Farrar and Dr.
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MeCosh. In 1868, his physical powers having. been so severely taxed for years, he sought relief from a portion of his responsibilities and therefore re- signed the Presidency of the university, retaining simply that of the theological seminary, to which he had been elected several years before. There- fore he gave instruction only in Homileties until 1871, when he was forced to cease from all active labor. Ile died on the 3d of August. 1872.
It is fitting that we should speak of Dr. Eaton as a teacher and educator. While as a writer he was animated, classical and glowing; while as an orator he was elevated, fervid and eloquent; while as a preacher he was catholic, tender and convinc- ing; and while in command of fit expressions he had no superior and but few equals, yet it is as an educator that he deserves to be spoken of here. Perhaps his first and most prominent characteris- tic as a teacher was the enthusiastic zeal with which he entered every department of instruction to which he was called. It was his first business to make himself thoroughly familiar with the whole field of investigation, and he rested not until he had examined every cognate question,-encom- passed all that could be regarded as valuable in the literature of the subject. He could never rest while there was another author unread and un- weighed. The insatiate thirst for knowledge with which he began never left him through the whole forty-two years during which he occupied the po- sition of teacher; and even after retirement from active duty, he still seemed as anxious. as zealous - ! for new truth, as unremitting in his investigations and readings. as when he first began his splendid career. Though he occupied so many different Chairs and had occasion to pursue so many differ- ent courses of study. he yet seemed as much at home in any one of them as though that had been the one department to which he had given his life.
Another characteristic of the teacher was the en- thusiasin which he always carried in the class-room and infused into his pupils. When he taught mathematies, the mathematical spirit seemed to pervade the school. Other professors sometimes complained that the attention of the student was given too exclusively to mathematics. When he
taught history, then history seemed to be the prominent subject, and historical themes would be presented on public occasions. When he taught metaphysics, it was the same thing again; que :- tions in metaphysical science from Kant, Cousin, Reid, Hamilton and MeCosh came in for discuss- ion, criticism or approval. In theology he ad- hered to the milder type of the Calvinistie system. and as he unfolded to his classes the glorious and blessed doctrines of sin, redemption, atonement and intercession, his whole soul seemed infused into the subject, the tears would often stand in his eyes, and rising from his chair, he would pour out a flood of extemporaneous cloquence. which sent thrills of delight as well as admiration through the hearts of his pupils. The memory of the Doctor's lectures and gushes of eloquence lives in the hearts of hundreds of his pupils. as afford- ing some of the highest pleasures of their lives.
In his teaching, Dr. Eaton was at the furthest removed from dogmatism. Every point had to be carefully presented, with all the pros and cons. and then the conclusion was drawn from the whole. It was his delight to set his pupils to in- vestigations on their own account, and they sel- dom left the lecture room without being sent to the libraries to examine some author, with the in- struction to bring the result of their investigation at a future day. The consequence of this was that very few of his pupils ever found occasion to differ with him. fle treated their opinions and objections so courteously and presented the re- butting argument so kindly, that he disarmed op- position before it had ari-en, and the objector feit that his points were fairly met and completely de- molished.
Finally, we would mention, as further charac- teristics of Dr. Eaton, the strong personal attack- ment formed by the pupils for the teacher, and so warmly reciprocated on his part. It is probable that no man ever spent any considerable time under his instructions without becoming thu- bound to him by ties of affection. His apprecia- tion of what was meritorious in the effort of the pupil, and his criticism. so kind and so just. caused him who had most to bear to feel that he was hon- ored by the strictures of his teacher; and then the
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sympathy with which he opened his heart to the trials and hardships of those who were contending with poverty. his efforts at assistance where it was within his power, made the most desponding hope- ful and the weakest strong. So deep and reliable was this personal attachment that his government of the college was hardly known as such. He ruled by love. So seldom had he occasion to resort to other measures, that some even thought that dis- cipline"was a nulhty. and yet during his presidency he accomplished some of the most ditlieult feats of discipline which are known to college pre-idents. What has often shaken other colleges to their very centers and even sent away whole classes. was by him accomplished so quietly that some hardly knew what trouble existed. And it was because of the respect and love of the students, who would not wound the feelings of their presi- dent.
It was always counted among the felicities of the alunni of Madison I'niversity that they were permitted "a shake of the Doctor's hand." His memory will ever be blessed as long as one of them survives to tell of his love for his old teacher. His remains he in the college cemetery, in a spot over- looking the scenes of his life work and the land- scape which he ever regarded with the fondest de- light. lle was married September 15, 1830. to Miss Eliza Hanmer. daughter of George Boardman, the ceremony which united their lives being per- formed at Schenectady. N. Y. She died at the residence of her son. Prof. J. R. Eaton, in Liberty, Mo., January 18. 1893, in the eighty-sixth year of her age.
AMES M. HERSHEY is engaged in carrying on his farm of three hundred and forty acres situated on seetions 7 and S. township 54. range 18. Chariton County. He is a son of Ezra D. Hershey, who was an early settler of the county. Our subject was born August 27. 185%, on the old homestead, near which he now lives. Ilis grandparents were David and Mary
Magdalene Hershey, the former born in Washing- ton County, Md. In 1841, with his family, David Hershey started toward the setting sun, making a settlement in Howard County, Mo., where he had purchased land four miles west of Fayette. At the end of four years he sold out his property. re- moving to the forks of Chariton, where he lived for the same length of time, then buying half of section 31, Keytesville Township. In the year 1845 occurred the death of his wife, and after re- maining on the farm for two years longer he re- moved to section 8. where his death occurred in 1860. Of his six children, four are now living: Christina. widow of George Cravens, who lives in Keytesville Township; Josephus, who is a resident of this county; Isaac, who makes his home in Cal- ifornia; and Ezra D.
The father of our subject. Ezra D. Hershey. was born in Washington County. Md. September 14. 1827. When fourteen years of age he removed to Missouri with his parents and on reaching his ma- jority commenced to make his own way in the world. In 1851, he crossed the plains to Cali- fornia, where he followed mining and trading with fair success for some time, but on account of sickness was obliged to return home. lle then en- gaged in farming and teaching school. In 1831. he married Miss Amanda Guthridge, whose father was an old settler, who entered land in this county of the Government. Mrs. Hershey was born in the same township where she now resides. Soon after his marriage. Mr. Hershey purchased a farm, to which he devoted himself for several years. In 1859, going to Denver, he engaged in mining near that city, being gone from home for six months. Ile returned to Missouri, whence, after a short stay. he again returned to the mines of Colorado. In 1860 he permanently settled on the farm which he has since carried on, but has several times made the trip to Colorado. In 1883, he spent about a year in Kansas, where he pre-empted some land. This he linally sold, and in 1885 pre-empted land in Colorado, which he still owns. This farm, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres, is a desir- able piece of property. In addition to that, his farm in Missouri consists of two hundred and forty acres, which is highly improved, and there
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Mr. Hershey carries on general farming and stock- raising.
Eight children were born to Ezra and Amanda (Guthridge) Hershey. George died at the age of nine years. The surviving members of the family are as follows: May, wife of Charles Yancey, who resides on section 6. Keyte-ville Township; James M., a farmer on section 8, the same township; Walter, who resides two miles west of his father's farm; Mollie, wife of Lewis W. Wheeler, of this township; Ollie, who married Waiter Ilorton, a resident of Colorado: David. a resident of Macon County, and Ilarry, who is still under the parental roof.
In 1861, Mr. Hershey enlisted in the Confeder- ate army and in the fall of that year took part iu Price's raid. Ile is a Democrat, and socially, a member of Chariton Lodge No. 518, A. F. &. A. M .. at Guthridge Mills. He has held the office- of Senior Warden and Master of the Lodge, which latter office he has held for four years.
The following is a brief history of the gentle- man whose name opens this sketch. As we have be- fore mentioned. he is a native of Chariton County . and has spent his entire life in this neighborhood. Ile attended the public schools for some time. com- pleting his, education by a two-years course at the Missouri State Normal. He taught in the public schools for two terms, after which he carried on his father's farm until the spring of 1887. At that time he went to Kansas and Colorado, and in the former State took up Government land. a traet of one hundred and sixty acres, which he proved up and of which he is still the : owner. After his return to Missouri he rented the old homestead of his father, which he engaged in cul- tivating for three years, afterward removing to the farm which is now his present place of abode.
In February, 1889, Mr. Hershey was united in marriage with Miss Willie Slutterer, who was reared and educated in the public schools of Cen- tralia, Mo. Their union is graced with one child. a son, Lloyd, who is now three years old. Mr. Hershey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a zealous worker.
Our subject is at present the owner of tive hun- dred acres of land, three hundred and forty of
which from his homestead farm. It is fertile and highly cultivated, grain being the principal crop raised upon it. It is estimated that his land is worth aboat $25 per acre. Ile is quite largely en- gaged in raising live stock. Mr. Hershey is a Demcerat by birth and education. IIe is a mem- her of Chariton Lodge No. 513, A. F. & A. M., at Guthridge Mills.
OHN J. BURRUS. In all ages of the world industry, perseverance and energy, where in- telligently applied, have achieved a result which could only have been gained by having one object in view. and improving every opportunity to ultimately attain that object. MIr. Burrus is an example of what can be accomplished when the spirit of determination is exercised in connection with the every-day affairs of life. He comes of English stock, the family first setting foot on American soil in the old Colonial days. Michael Burrus, the grandfather, who lived in Virginia, assisted this country in her struggle for in- dependence during the War of the Revolution. but was in all probability born on British soil, a tradi- tion in the family being to the effeet that he and three brothers came to this country at the same time. Ile was a carpenter by trade and for many years followed that occupation in Culpeper County, Va., where he reared his family, but he was called from his life at the home of his son in Howard County, Mo., at the patriarchal age of ninety years.
John Burrus, son of Michael and father of John J., was born in Culpeper County, Va., August 5. 1779, and in the county of his birth his boyhood days were passed in acquiring an education and in also serving a seven years' appren- ticeship at the tanner's trade, which occupa- tion he followed in Henry County until his removal from the Old Dominion, being the owner of a tanning establishment of his own, in connee- tion with which he also carried on farming to some extent. He was married to Deborah Thomas,
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of Henry County, Va., about the year 1808, and in the spring of 1831 started on a pilgrimage Westward. Liking the looks of the country in Howard County, Mo., he purchased 2 farm two miles south of where Glasgow is now located, where he raised the various ecreals and also to- bacco. In the fall of 1864 he took up his residence in the town, where he died April 21, 1865. Upon coming to Missouri he brought a number of negroes with him from his oldl home in Virginia. and here used them to good advantage on his fine faim of four hundred acres, on which his wife died March 11, 1842. His second wife was Miss Julia Dicken, who died Angust 7, 1864. without issue. To his first union these children were given: Abigail, the deceased wife of Horatio Kallam; Nancy: Michael, who died in Carroll County, Mo .; Austin, deceased; Bartholomew; Ruth; Mary, who died at the age of fifteen year -; John J .. and Peter F. Of this family our subject is the only survivor. Austin was accidentally killed while out hunting in Missouri. Bartholomew was killed by a run- away team in Nebraska City. Neb. Peter F. was murdered near Vandalia, III., October 20, 1861, while on his way to St. Louis with four horses to sell, and his body was found buried a month and eight days later, $2,000 in money and three horses being missing. The Emancipation Proclamation crippled Mr. Burrus very severely financially, for much of his property was in slaves, and all be had at the close of the war was his bare land. Ile and his brother George were both in the War of 1812, stationed at Norfolk, Va. He was a member of the Christian Church, and politically a Demo- crat.
John J. Burrus was born in Henry County, Va., on the 23d of June, 1827, but at the time of his parents' removal Westward he came with them. being at that time about seven years of age. The journey was made overland by means of two four-horse wagons, and a one-horse wagon in which the mother rode, the whole being looked after by seven or eight negroes. Owing to the fact that the country was very thinly settled they camped out while on the journey. In 1819 John J. Burrus was taken with a severe case of gold fever. and on the 21st of April of that year left
Missouri, and reached Sacramento City on the 21-t of September. They took the old Oregon route north of Salt Lake City and made the entire journey with ox-teams. They were considerably troubled by the Indians stampeding their cattle. het on the whole the company with which Mr. Barrus made that long and toilsome journey was comparatively ineky. Ile mined while in Cali- tornia in company with his brother Peter, but they returned to the States in 1853 via the Isthmus of Panama and New Orleans with $3.000 more to their credit than when they started. They cach purchased land in the vicinity of where Mr. Burrus now lives, and on his land he continued to reside for two years. He was under contract with some parties in California to take over the plains a large drove of cattle, for which he was to receive $100 per month and have the privilege of taking one hundred head of his own cattle. This expedition was accomplished. but his brother Peter went in his stead. as the two were in partnership; this partnership however was dissolved after the lat- ter's return.
Mr. Burrus purchased a one-half scetion of land at old Mendon, where he lived until 1867. losing during the Civil War all his personal property. and at the end of the conflict he found himself with nothing but his bare land to call his own. This. however, he sold in 1867 for $10.000, with which he purchased one hundred and sixty acres where he now lives, some two or three years later purcha -- ing three hundred and twenty more near his home place, of which he is still the owner. His residence. which is a large and handsome frame building. is situated on a rising piece of ground and is sur- rounded by a beautiful lawn dotted with shade trees and shrubbery, while the outbuildings are all of a very substantial and useful character. For the past seven or eight years he has given consid- erable attention to the raising of cattle. hor-es and mules. Since the age of eighteen years he has made his own way in the world, and that he has made a success of his life is very plainly evi- dent. In June. 1856, he married Miss Elizabeth Martin, a daughter of Caleb and Frances Martin. she being the eldest child, born and reared with- in one mile of Old Mendon. To their umon
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these children were given: Deborah, wife of A. W. Gillam, of Carroll County; John C., at home; Frances, who died at the age of two years; Austin, who also died at about that age; Nannie, at home; and Elizabeth and Lulu, who are engaged in teach- ing school.
Although Mr. Burrus' early educational oppor- tunities were poor, his natural intelligence and quick native wit in a great measure made up for this deficiency. but he resolved that his children should never lack advantages, and all have re- ceived good practical educations, especially Eliza- beth and Lulu, who were students in Hardin Col- lege at Mexico, Mo .. and the Pritchett Insti- tute of Glasgow. Miss Nannie remains at the head of her father's household. for on the 21st of October, 1877, he sustained an irreparable loss in the death of his wife, she having lingered four years with consumption. She was a member of the Chris- tian Church, and an earnest believer in the Bible. Mr. Burrus has since remained a widower. never caring to replace the wife of his youth, and finds his chief enjoyment in the society of his children. Ile is a Democrat, and a member of the same church as was his wife. He dislikes very much to see a good and deserving enterprise fail for want of support and can always be relied upon to give substantial aid to the same.
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ELVIN FIELD. Asa man of business, Mr. Field's name and fame are co-extensive with Clay County, Mo. Every step of his financial and commercial career has been illustrated with acts of liberality. With each vital interest of his section and his people, he has been closely identified, and he is a proper representative of the live. energetic business man. He was born in Boone County. Ky .. four miles from Peters- burgh, November 19. 1828, a son of Henry W. S. Field, whose birth occurred in Virginia about 1800. lle became a resident of Howard County. Mo .. when the subject of this sketch was about one year old, but later took up his residence on a farm in
Liberty Township, Clay County, which is now owned by Mrs. Brady and on which he died. He was married to Miss Jane Percival, of Kentucky birth, whose parents were born in the New Eng- land States, and their union resulted in the birth of three sons, of whom the subject of this sketch was the eldest. Jasper died in St. Joseph, Tex., at the age of fifty-eight years, leaving a family. He was the owner of a stock farm and a large mer- cantile house, and after his death left a handsome property to be divided among his children. New- ton, the youngest brother, went from Clay County to Kansas, but after losing his wife in that State he returned to Clay County and some time later removed with his children to St. Joseph, Tex .. where he is engaged in the ministerial labors of the Christian Church, and also gives considerable attention to agriculture. These three brothers were very warmly attached to each other and !! weight differed only about two pounds.
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