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 60
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 60
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 60
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 60
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 60
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RESIDENCE OF J. B. RALPH, SEC. 29. T. 51. R.28. RAY CO. MO.
RESIDENCE OF OSCAR WOOD, SEC. 14. T 53. R. 18. CHARITON CO. MO.
180€
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPINCAL RECORD.
erous in their contributions to causes they consider worthy of aid. Mrs. Ralph is not only a model wife and mother, but is also an excellent hou-e- keeper and is devoted to the interests of her fam- ily. Her energy and business talent have done much toward assisting them on the road to fortune, and on one occasion when her husband was absent for about three months in the spring, she managed the planting and sowing of the yearly crops, and. as Mr. Ralph says. did much better than he would have done. In addition to the above mentioned worthy qualities. she is also a consistent member of the Christian Church, and throughout her life has endeavored to do as she would be done by.
The political ideas expressed by the Democratic party in its declarations are those which have been endorsed by Mr. Ralph, and he is ever on the alert for an argument with those who oppose him in polities. At one time his name was presented as candidate for County Clerk, but upon being de- feated for the nomination he submitted with an excellent grace and contentedly returned to his farm, to which he has since given his attention. He has served as a delegate to county and judicial conventions, in which he takes a prominent part.
0 SCAR WOOD is an extensive farmer resid- ing on section 11. township 53, range 18, Chariton County. His grandparents, Ben- jamin and Ellen (Green) Wood, were born and reared in Kentucky, where their marriage was eele- brated. They emigrated West, becoming residents of Missouri not later than 1818, and located on what was then known as Foster's Prairie, m Ran- dolph County. where they remained but a short time. From that point they went to Chariton County, and settled in Keytesville Township, where Mr. Wood acquired considerable property. About the year 1835 they removed to Grundy County, where they purchased, land, and there the father's death occurred in 1855, after which his wife went to live with our subject. Her death or- eurred in 1862.
B. F. Wood, Jr., was one of ten children, and was reared to farm life. In 1813, coming to Chari- ton County, he worked by the month for about two years. August 7, 1845, he married Ann G. Trent, daughter of Alexander and Mary (Hicks) Trent. The former was a native of Virginia, born in Buckingham County in 1797. Soon after his marriage in 1819, he removed to Missouri, and en- tered Government land in Missouri Township. of this county. He had been there but a short time when the floods of 1827 drove him into Oldl Chari- ton. where he lived for some time. While residing there he was elected to the position of Sheriff. be- ing the first one in Chariton County. On the completion of his term of office he entered land of the Government in Missouri Township. After a number of removals, he settled on the forks of the Chariton, where he passed the remainder of his days. His death occurred in 1850. and that of his wife in 1813.
After Mr. Wood was married, he located on Bowling Green Prairie, where he engaged in farm- ing. In 1850, he went across the plains to Cali- fornia, where he remained for two years, and on his return located on the forks of the Chariton two or three years, after which he purchased the place on which his wife is now living. In the War of the Rebellion he served under Gen. Sterling Price. They had five children. as follows: Mary Ellen, wife of William Redding, of Carroll County: Eliza Franklin, wife of J. J. Moore, of Keytesville: our subject; Theodore P., who is engaged in the livery business; and Laura, wife of William II. Taylor, who resides on the old homestead. The father was called from this life JJanuary 1. 1889. lle was an active member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Politically. he was a Democrat. and socially was identified with Warren Lodge, A. F. . & A. M., at Keytesville, and the Grange, in which he held various offices. Ilis widow now resides on a farm of two hundred and forty acres, which was brought to its present state of improvement by her husband.
Oscar Wood, the subject of this sketch, was born May 21. 1852, in Keytesville Township, this county, and was reared on his father's homestead. He received a district-school education, and re-
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mained at home until twenty-four years of age. Ile was married October 11, 1875. to Mis- Eugenia Coleman, a native of the same township as our sub- ject. Her father, E. B. Coleman, is engaged in farming on seetion 15, Keyte-ville Township. Af- ter his marriage, Mr. Wood purchased a farm about one mile from his father's, and made that his home from 1876 to 1883. At the last-mentioned date he sold the place and bought a farm on section 14. It comprised but sixty-four acres, and to this from time to time he added land as opportunity offered. Ile has recently sold his original farm of sixty- four acres, and still owns three hundred and twenty acres, all of which is on section 14 and under good cultivation. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, keeping a good grade of horses and cattle.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wood have been born four children: Berly F .. Prella, Theodore P. and Mary Eliza. The family attend the Methodist Episco- pal Church South, Mr. Wood being one of the Stewards and leading men of the church. He was for some time Superintendent of the Sunday- school, and both he and his wife are liberal sup- porters of the church and Sunday-school. Mr. Wood is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Keytesville and the Masonie frater- nity. Ile affiliates with the Democratic party.
ILLIAM H. CAMPBELL, M. D. The pro- fession of the physician is a shining light for good and one that deserves the most thankful and appreciative consideration on the part of the public, for it very effectively operates in alleviating the pains and ailments to which the . human body is heir. Dr. Campbell has devoted the greater part of his life to the welfare of his fellow-beings and has gained the confidence and good-will of the leading citizens and of the most talented members of the medical profesion, who can not but acknowledge his ability to wrest many vietinis from the grasp of the Grim Destroyer.
Our subject was born in Liberty, Clay County, Mo., where he first saw the light in the year 1830.
His parents were James M. and Evelyn ( Pence) Campbell, the former of whom was a worthy tiller of the soil and died in 1831, leaving his widow with three children to rear and educate. Nobly - did this faithful mother di-charge her duties, lab- oring early and late in order to fit her children to bear the inevitable burden and heat of the day. James M., Jr., attained manhood, married, and reared a family, a widow and eight children sur- viving him. John s .. the youngest child, died in 1882 in California, of which State he had been a resident since 1859. The Doctor is the only sur- viving member of the family, for the mother departed this life in 1870. The early days of Dr. Campbell were marked by many hardships, but they only tended to strengthen him in his deter- mination to attain ultimate success; and the educa- tion which the force of circumstances did not per- mit him to obtain by attendance at school. at tir -! was secured by burning the midnight oil. and later by walking four miles daily to attend the academy at Richmond. where he made rapid strides in his studies and completed his course.
At the age of twenty-two years Dr. Campbell commenced his medical studies with Drs. Henry and Willis Hamilton, of Lathrop, Mo., remaining with them about fifteen months, when he entered the St. Louis Medical College, where he took a course of lectures. lle then returned to Ray County and for fifteen months practiced medicine in order to obtain means with which to complete a thorough course in surgery and medicine. after which he returned to college and there success- fully pursued his medical researches until he grad- uated in March, 1856. After one year's practice in his native State he went to Texas, but returned to Ray County at the end of two and a-half years and was at Lexington when the battle was fought during the Civil War. The Doctor was known to be a Confederate sympathizer and on these grounds was arrested by the Federals and taken to Rich- mond, from which point he was sent to Chillicothe and later paroled. Ile at onee recommenced the practice of medicine and has continued the same up to the present time, it being a familiar sight to see him astride his faithful horse answering the calls of his patients. His name is a familiar hout-e-
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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hold word throughout Ray County, and in nearly every instance when called in professionally he becomes a warm friend of the family, his genial presence and sound intelligence being a passport to popular favor. He is no respecter of caste, and answers the calls of rich and poor alike. irrespect- ive of means. Through the many days and nights of exposure to wind and weather he has to a certain degree impaired his once rugged consti- tution and cannot face the elements as he once could, but asserts that as long as he can ride he will care for afflicted humanity to the best of his ability.
In 1867 our subject was married to Miss Lucy Ralph, a daughter of Dr. A. B. Ralph, of Ray County. Mrs. Campbell is a lady of great worth and has reared her two children in an intelligent and sensible manner. A. L .. the eldest, was born January 3, 1868. and i- following in the footsteps of his venerable sire, having already commenced the practice of medicine and surgery in Columbia, Mo., in which he is meeting with extraordinary success. He graduated at the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons of St. Louis, and at Marion Simm's Medical College of St. Louis, and is des- tined to make his mark in the medical world, hav- ing already gained considerable notoriety by hav- ing performed a very delicate surgical operation upon the eye successfully, besides many other dif- ficult surgical operations. Gertrude, born April 22, 1879, is being given good educational advan- tages, being an attendant at Stephens' Female Col- lege. of Columbia, MIo.
Dr. Campbell has shown a decided talent for accumulating real estate and now owns thirteen hundred acres in the rich bottom land- of the Missouri River. as well as valuable property in Columbia and elsewhere. The Doctor says he never sold a foot of land in his life. but is still anxious to further increase his acreage, in order to leave his children well provided for. le manages his own property, and looks after his tenant-, who are ten in number. besides attending to his profes- sional duties, which are heavy. He is a most agree- able gentleman to meet, for he has a kind word for everyone, and has hosts of friends among "all sorts and conditions of men." He is a member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a charter member of Ada Lodge No. 114, A. F. & 1. M .. at Orrick, Mo., and politically is a Democrat. but has never aspired to political preferment. Although not a church member he is a believer in Christianity and is a strong observer of the Sab- bath, and respects and admires all church associa- tions, with the exception of the Mormon Church. for his father lost his life while fighting the fol- lowers of Joseph Smith, he being drowned by them in the Missouri River.
OSEPII PRYOR, a prosperous general agri- culturist and successful stock-raiser, resides upon a finely cultivated homestead of one hundred and thirty-live acres located in township 51, range 31, about two miles south of Liberty, Clay County. Mo. An intelligent. indus- trious and energetic citizen, self-reliantly winning his way upward in life. he is a truly representative farmer of the Southwest, and is widely known and highly respected by the entire community by whom he is surrounded. He is a native of Kentucky. and was born in Barren County. July 14th. 1830. Ilis paternal grandfather, Samuel Pryor, was born in Virginia, but came to Kentucky when very young. and married Mary Curd, also a native of Vir- ginia. Ile afterward located upon a farm in Henry County, where the venerable father of our subject was born, February 20. 1804. George M. Pryor was one of fourteen children, three of whom died in infancy, eleven arriving at mature age. Of the large family who once gathered about the fireside of the old Kentucky home, he is to-day the sole survivor.
The entire life of Father Pryor has been spent upon a farm. From his earliest boyhood trained to agricultural duties, his career has been one of honest and continued toil. When a little lad, he attended the district schools during the winter months, and gained a primary education which, combined with his natural ability and force of char- aeter, enabled him to acquire a comfortable compe- tence. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Lewis,
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of Barren County, Ky., in 1826. On his arrival in Clay County, Mo., nine years later, he purchased two hundred acres of land. then an unbroken wil- derness, and for which he paid $10 per acre. Enduring all the privations and discomforts of pio- neer life, he devoted himself unweariedly to clear- ing his farm and tilling the fertile soil, which has since rewarded him most abundantly by an annual and bounteous harvest. To his first purchase, Father Pryor afterward added two hundred and fifty acres more, the homestead now being one of the finest and most productive in Clay County. He gave to his three children a good publie-school education, and provided liberally for them when they left home.
In 1881 Death robbed the children and husband of the beloved mother and loving wife, the daily companion and patient and cheerful sharer in life's joys and sorrows, and took from the old home- stead the sunshine which had so long brightened it. Bereaved indeed, Father Pryor after eight years of loneliness decided to abandon housekeep- ing and spend his remaining years among his de- voted children. After a long life of busy useful- ness, he has now in the evening of his days aban- doned active pursuits, and finds much enjoyment in the congenial pages of a paper and the society of old-time friends. A pronounced Democrat, he is thoroughly posted in the affairs of the day. and for many years intimately associated with the best interests of Clay County. continues a progressive and public-spirited citizen of sterling integrity of character. Our subject, Joseph Pryor, married Miss Margaret E. Ewing, o daughter of John and Ruth Ewing, natives of Kentucky and North Caro- lina respectively, Mrs. Ewing having come to Missouri with her grandparents when but ten years of age.
The home of Mr. Pryor and his estimable wife has been blessed by the birth of three children, two of whom died in infancy. Chatham. the sur- viving son and only living child, was born No- vember 8, 1860, and receiving the best educationa! advantages afforded by the home locality, attained to manhood an earnest, enterprising and upright citizen, respected and esteemed by all who know him. Like his honored father and venerable
grandfather, he is a model farmer, and thoroughly posted in every detail of agricultural work. Emula- ting their worthy example, he is also a strong Dem- ocrat. clinging closely to the principles of the party of the people. Young in years, Chatham Pryor has already experienced the great and overwhelm- ing sorrow of his life. Ile was united in marriage with Miss Ruth Arnold, a daughter of W. B. Ar- nold, formerly of Clay County, but now residing in Kentucky. Mrs, Ruth Pryor was born March 15, 1865, and was a highly cultured and most at- tractive young lady, in whom were united charms of person and mind. She became a bride upon December 22, 1887. and survived her marriage until July 26, 1888, when after a brief illness of two weeks she passed away, leaving to her be- reaved young husband and sorrowing relatives and friends the memory of a beautiful life. whose sweet fragrance will linger many years within the hearts of all who knew and loved the pure spirit now departed. Chatham Pryor reside- with his parents upon the old homestead and the family, now numbering three generations, ever lend their firm support to the promotion of the grow- ing interests and rapid advancement of the home locality, endeared to each and all of them by the precious and sacred associations of the past.
E DWARD V. ADKINS. This, in brief. i- the sketch of a man whose present substan- tial position in life has been reached en- tirely through his own perseverance and good judgment, and the facts connected with his opera- tions and their results only show what a person with courage and enlightened views can accom- plish. Ilis reputation, honesty and integrity have been tried and not found wanting; his financial ability has been more than once put to the test. but never without credit to himself; his social qualities are well known and appreciated. and he has hosts of friends whose esteem and confidence are his highest eulogium. He was born in the county in which he now resides, May 19, Is 15. he-
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ing the eldest son of D. J. and Elizabeth ( Pence) Adkins, a sketch of whom appears in another part of this work.
Edward V. Adkins remained with his parents until his marriage, his school days commencing at the early age of four years, at which time he was carried to and from the " hall of learning " by an old negress. When he was a very small child and while his parents were living at Weston. Mo .. he was stolen by the Indians, but was recaptured while they were crossing the Missouri River. After the death of his mother, which occurred when he was six years of age, his father made a change of rest- dence, and he then attended school two and a-half miles west of Liberty in the old log schoolhouse in which his father had been initiated into the mysteries of learning. Ile later attended school in a substantial brick building in the same district, in which he fitted himself for entrance into Will- iam Jewell College, of which Prof. Thompson was at that time President, and which he attended for four years. About this time the school was broken up by Federal soldiers, who pitched their tents on the college campus; but as Edward V. was very anxious to continue his studies, his father gladly sent him to Mt. Gilead Academy, of which Prof. George Hughes and Prof. Bradley, assisted by Mrs. Hughes, formed the faculty. He remained in this institution one session. when the turbulent times of war also closed its doors, after which he and Prof. Thompson went to Sidney, Iowa, and assisted Prof. Bradley in organizing the Sidney College, but Prof. Thompson lived only two weeks after the opening session. Mr. Adkins remained in this institution until Lee's surrender, when he returned to his home at Liberty, and soon after went to Nebraska for his live stock, which he had taken there at the opening of the war.
In order to complete his education he entered the State University of Missouri, at Columbia, but after graduating from this institution he took a course in the I'nion Business College, of La Fay- ette. Ind., in which he completed a general book- 'keeping and banking course in 1882. From early boyhood he was of a very stirring nature, and when only fifteen years of age he took one hun- dred and ten head of mules to Lexington. Ky ..
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the journey to that place occupying but twenty- one days. During the trip he lost only one animal, that was drowned while swimming the Wabash River at Vincennes, Ind., this occurring during what was known as the " dry season." In 1867 he spent seven months at his father's old home in Kentucky, after which for two years he was engaged in raising cotton on rented land in Texas; afterward for five and a-half months he was with Col. James Gaines, a full-blood Indian. in the Indian Territory, three and a-half months being spent without seeing a white man's face. While in the Lone Star State, twenty-two months passed in which he never ate off of a table or slept in a bed, the entire time being spent in camping. At one time he shipped a large drove of cattle from MeKinney to New Orleans, and when he ar- rived in that city he found the yellow fever rag- ing, but he returned to MeKinney the following day in safety. While in that place he stopped with Gall Sercey, a noted ruflian and robber.
Upon the return of Mr. Adkins to Clay County. Mo., he began farming on three hundred and twenty acres of land east of Mt. Olive Church. and contentedly settled down to the uneventful life of *a farmer after he had traveled over seventeen different States. November 8, 1882, he was mar- ried to Miss Susie I1. Williams. daughter of John Williams, of Marshall. Calhoun County, Mich .. having formed her acquaintance while visiting the old Indian Academy, at Marion, Kan., where their marriage was celebrated. She only survived her marriage thirty-seven days, dying of malarial fever, and was buried at Liberty, Mo., where a mont- ment marks her last resting-place. She was a mem- ber of the Methodist Church. Mr. Adkins took for his second wife Miss Emmmna E. Pence, daugh- ter of Capt. W. II. Pence. her birth taking place in . Clay County, February 13, 1867. She is agree- able, entertaining and intelligent. a good house- keeper and a model wife and mother. She was the seventh of nine children, six sons and three daughters, and is herself the mother of one child. William D., who was born February 16, 1885, and is now attending school, where he is exceptionally advanced in his classes.
Mr. Adkins follows a general line of farming,
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and takes special interest in raising a good grade of stock. His farm comprises two hundred and twenty-eight acres of as fine land as there is in Clay County, the soil being exceptionally rich and the land well located. Near hi- beautiful resi- dence he can stand and see Kansas City, fourteen iniles distant. Politically. he is a Democrat. but is a strong supporter of the Grange movement.
YRUS ROWELL. a prosperous and enterpris_ ing agriculturist and old-time resident on section 20, township 57. range 19, Linn County. Mo., passed away at Brookfield. on the 24th of July, 1881, deeply regretted by a large cir- cle of friends. He was born in Loudon, Merrimack County, N. IL., April 14, 1811. and was educated in the common schools of his native State, enjoy- ing the advantage of one term of instruction in the Gilmanton Academy. Mr. Rowell was united in marriage July 1, 1838, with Miss Judith B. San- born, of Loudon. N. H. Mr .. Rowell survived her husband four years, and died upon the old home- stead farm near Brookfield. August 21, 1888. Mr .. and Mrs. Rowell were consistent and valued mem- bers of the Congregational Church for more than half a century. Their children were eight in num- ber. Moses P .. the eldest, died January 23. 1813. lle was a successful farmer of Brookfield Town- ship. Lyman B. is a gardener at Brookfield .; Geor- gie is the wife of J. R. Green. a merchant at Lincoln, Neb: Henry C .: Myra J. is Mr -. Dr. T. S. Huffaker, of Chicago. Three of the family are de -. ceased. John, Judith A. and Electa J. Mr. Rowell settled in Missouri in 1867 and purchased the farm, which then became his permanent home until his death. He was an upright man, and excellent friend and neighbor, and enjoyed the regard of the entire community by whom he was surrounded.
Henry Clay Rowell, named in honor of one of America's greatest statesmen, was born in Loudon, N. H., August 17, 1857, and was the third son of Cyrus and Judith B. Rowell. He was ten years of age when the family came to Linn County, and attended the district schools of his new home.
completing his studies at North Missouri Normal School, at Kirksville. Later he taught two term- in the country schools, and then devoted his time to the pursuit of agriculture, remaining with his parents upon the old farm. For several years previous to his father's death, he succe -- fully con- dueted the homestead. to the ownership of which he succeeded, his brothers and sisters having been previously provided for by their father. Henry C. now owns one hundred and eighty-five acres of excellent land, highly cultivated and improved with first-class buildings. Mr. Rowell gives much of his attention to handling of stock. feeding and selling. after fattening for market. Hle is also in- terested in the culture of fruit, and is increasing the value of the homestead by yearly additions to the orchard, now one of the most productive in this portion of the State.
Henry C. Rowell was married June 5, 1s>3, to Miss Alice Lenhart, daughter of Cyrus Lenhart, of Brookfield, a well-known citizen, formerly of Linn County, but now of Houston. Texas County. He is a native Ohio an, but an early settler of Missouri. Mrs. Rowell was born near Trenton. and has passed her entire life in her native State. Her mother. Mrs. Lydia (Splawn) Lenhart, was born in Ray County, her parents, William and Martha Splawn. having journeyed from near Nashville. Tenn .. to Missouri, becoming one of the very early pioneer families of the latter State. They were driven from their home in Daviess County by the Mor- mons, who came there and formed the Far West settlement before locating at Nauvoo, Ill. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Moses and Nancy ( Levett) Rowell. who spent their lives in New England. The Rowells were supposed to be descendants of those brothers who came from Wales to the American colonies at a very early day, and, settling in Massachusetts, there founded the family branch from which Henry Clay Rowell descended. His maternal grandfather, Sanborn. was of English ancestry. The family of Moses and Nancy Rowell. his paternal grandparents. was large in numbers, and comprised ten sons and daughters. They were John. Moses. Nancy. Mica- jah; Ruth, Mrs. J. Batchelor; Asa T .. Harris, Cy- rus, Rufu-, and Sally L., Mrs. B. Martin. Of these
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