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 61
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 61
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 61
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 61
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 61
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brothers and sisters, once an unbroken band, nearly all have passed away, it now being nearly nine years since the father of our subject, the eighth of the grandfather's family, died.
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Henry C. Rowell is a member of the Congrega- tional Church, and a valued assistant in the social and benevolent work of that religions denomina- tion. Mrs. Rowell is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and gives her hearty support to the extension of the good work of that religious or- ganization. Fraternally. our subject is associated with the Independent Order of Good Templars, Farmers' and Labors' Union, and National Guard of Missouri. Politically. he is a Republican, and received the position of Enumerator of the town- ship south of the railroad for the tenth United States census. Ile is not an office-seeker. but takes an active interest in local and national issues, and in the public improvements of his home neighbor- hood, ever giving his hearty support in behalf of progress and reform.
ENRY B. M. MULLIN. The gentleman whose name is at the head of this sketch, although no longer upon earth, still holds a firm position in the memory and affec- tion of his family and friends, and his untimely and violent death will long be a source of the deepest regret to those who honored and respected him in life. Ile was born in Ray County. July 9, 1851, being a son of Dillard and Ann ( Regnold) MeMullin, both of whom were born in the Blue Grass Region of Kentucky, where they were reared. educated and married. They removed from the State of their nativity to Ray County, Mo .. dur- ing the early history of this section and first set- tled near Elkhorn, and about 1846 in the vicinity of Orriek, on a farm. where Mr. McMullin con- tinued to successfully till the soil until he was called upon to pay the last debt of nature, January 5, 1886, at which time he was seventy-one years of age. His widow continued to make her home near Orrick until she was called to her long home. February 16, 1892, at the advanced age of four-
score and four. The following are living of their nine children: Thomas, a resident of John- son County, Mo .; Lucinda, Mrs. Lloyd, of Ray County, Mo .; George W .. also of Ray County; Findlay D., of Cameron, Mo .; and Henry B., the youngest of the family living. The following are deceased: William; John, who left a family in Ray County; and two children who died in childhood.
Henry B. MeMullin. as a boy, attended the com- mon schools in the vicinity of his rural home, and there absorbed what learning was necessary to an intelligent management of business affairs. Ile remained on the home farm with his parents. and there learned the duties common to a farmer lad. In the year 1876 he began devoting his attention solely to his own interests, became the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and two acres, and was considered a well-to-do and -uc- eessful agriculturist. Hlis land was carefully cul- tivated and well stocked, and everything about the place indicated that a man of intelligent and progressive views, as well as one of great push and energy, had the management of affairs. Much of his attention was given to the raising of a good grade of stock, which enterprise he found to be not only pleasing, but profitable.
On the 11th of November, 1891. a team of mules ran away with him, throwing him to the ground, and. it is supposed. he was instantly killed. for life was extinct when he was found. which was not over twenty-five minutes after he had left home. In his political views he was a pro- nounced Demoerat. although he never sought po- litical preferment, much preferring to devote his attention to the cultivation of his fine farm. Ile was an active advocate of the Farmers' Alliance, and enterprises that commended themselves to his excellent judgment found a prompt and liberal supporter, so far as his means would allow. On the 17th of November, 1880, he was united in marriage with Miss Ellen. daughter of Bradford and Hila Loyd, who were originally from the State of Tennessee. Mrs. MeMullin was born May 10, 1859, being the next to the youngest of the children whose names are here given: Robbin -. Thomas R .. Jolm and David, in California; Sam-
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uel, in Idaho; Carrie, Mrs. Tacket, of Kansas; James, of California; Mrs. McMullin; and Ed- ward, a resident of Ray County.
Mr. MeMullin left a son, Bradford, who was born October 30, 1887, and a daughter, Lela, born February 16, 1891. Mrs. MeMullin has just com- pleted a fine farm residence, in the erection of which she simply carried out the expressed inten- tion of her husband, and also conduets her farm as he had often planned to do. She is proving her- self to be an excellent business woman. eminently capable of looking after the details of her farm, and rearing her children in a proper and praise- worthy manner. She is an active member of the Baptist Church.
C ASSWELL COURTNEY is engaged in farm- ing on section 18. township 51, range 18, Chariton County. His farm comprises three hundred and eighty acres, which are under good cultivation. Since purchasing this farm in 1869, he has made many improvements, and in addition to general farming, is much interested in raising fine stock, which he makes his principal busine-s.
Mr. Courtney was born in Clark County. Ky., December 1, 1812. Ilis parents, Lewis and Mar- garet (Reed) Courtney, were natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. Lewis Courtney was numbered among the early settlers of Kentucky, where he engaged in farming. He emigrated to Missouri at an early day, being among the pio- neers of Howard County, where he purchased land. Ile afterward sold his property in that county. re- moving to Pettis County, where he lived until called from this life. Of his seven children only three now survive: our subject: George, who re- sides in Texas; and Elizabeth, Mrs. Joseph Robin- son, of Pettis County, Mo.
When about eight years of age, the parents of our subjeet became residents of Howard County. and there he grew to manhood. Ilis education was limited, and when still quite young, he served an apprenticeship to a tanner. afterward working as a journeyman at that trade until after he was
married. He then purchased a small tanyard and engaged in business for himself for the suc- ceeding ten years. Going to Randolph County. for four years he engaged in buying and selling tobacco and smokers' articles, after which he came to this county and purchased a farm of three hun- dred and twenty aeres, the one on which he now makes his home, and which he has engaged in cul- tivating up to the present time. Since making hi- original purchase, he has added an additional sixty aeres, and has one of the best farms in the town- ship.
Mr. Courtney and Miss Martha Sears were united in marriage in October. 1840. Her father, Ivison Sears, was a well-known farmer of Randolph County. Mrs. Courtney's death occurred in 1870. Of her seven children three were daughters and four sons. Those who are living are as follows: Luther, a farmer of this county; Commodore C., who is making his home on the farm with our sub- ject; Millard, who hves in this township; and Levi, who resides near Keytesville. Lizzie, now de- ceased, was the wife of Judge Stacey; Martha, de- ceased, married James Lucas; and George died in infaney. Mr. Courtney is a member of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with the Democratic party.
S. WILLIAMS, a prominent man of this locality, is the popular Cashier of the Citi- zens' Bank of Tina, Carroll County. Ile is pre-eminently a self-made man, having been thrown upon his own resources at the age of sixteen years. By his industry, perseverance and courage. he has risen in spite of all obstacles, and is one of the intelligent, wide-awake business men of the county.
James Williams, the father of our subject. was of Dutch descent and a native of the Empire State. On arriving at his majority, he married Mi -- Nancy Shaffer, who was of English and Scotch extraction and who was likewise born in New York
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State. She was the mother of four children, of whom our subject was the only son.
In Columbia County, N. Y., occurred the birth of J. S. Williams, the date of that event being in February, 1835. His boyhood days were spent in his native county, where his education was also acquired. When quite young, he taught in the district schools of the neighborhood during a pe- riod of three years, and at the early age of nine- teen accepted a position as clerk in the bank at Kinderhook, where he remained for a like period of time. In 1858, he embarked in the manufac- ture of gloves and mittens in Gloversville, N. Y., in which enterprise he continued for some three years.
In 1862, Mr. Williams settled near Galesburg. Ill., and for seven years engaged in agricultural pursuits and general farming. In the fall of 1869 he made a settlement in Carroll County. within three miles of the present site of Tina, where he carried on a farm until 1884. Hle then drew up a petition for the establishment of a postoffice at this point, which was granted. He was made Postmaster, which position he held acceptably to all concerned until July, 1886. In the following year, he was elected Cashier of the Citizens' Bank of Tina, and is yet holding that situation. He still owns his farm property of one hundred and sixty acres, all of which is under cultivation and well improved.
The year 1850 witnessed the marriage of Mr. Williams and Miss Jane HI. Stanley, a native of New York. Their union has been blessed with six children, four sons and two daughters, who are all hving and respected citizens of the community in which they dwell. They are: Charles S., who is a farmer; James, residing in Galesburg, Ill .; Jennie, the wife of John Reader, of Galesburg; George, a rising young attorney at Tina, Mo .: Kate, a stu- dent in Avalon College: and Jacob L., who resides under the parental roof and is attending school. The devoted wife and mother was called hence in August, 1889, and the many friends whom she had won by her womanly and amiable qualities will ever hold her memory dear.
Mr. Williams is a member of the Presbyterian Church and is a man of upright character and
sterling worth. He is a thorough partisan of the Republican party and has ever been a strong Unionist. Personally, he is temperate in all his habits and a man whose courtesy and genial man- ser makes for hon many friends.
ILLIAM T. IRVIN. The family of which the subject of this sketch is a member. originated in Scotland, where the name was spelled Airvin, and so was always spelled by the father of William T., although his brothers, after the removal of the family to Illinois, began spelling it Irvin. When William T. was in the army. by some error the name was placed on the pay-roll as Irvin, although he had always spelled it as did his father. Afterward he began to sign his name Irvin, and has so continued to do ever since. The paternal great-grandfather was born in Scotland and upon crossing the ocean to Amer- ica during the Colonial period, he took up his residence in Virginia, from which State he enlisted as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and after- ward died on his Virginia plantation.
The grandfather, Stirling Airvin, was a native of the Old Dominion. and in 1811 became a rosi- dent of Schuyler County. Il., where he died five years later; his wife's death occurred in 1854. Like his father, Stirling Airvin was a farmer. His family consisted of ten children, two of whom were called from life in the State of Kentucky. Nathan, John. Henderson and Nancy preceded him to Illinois by about two years. Upon his ar- rival in the State he brought with him his young- est son, James, and his youngest daughter. Cassie. the eldest son. Alfred, remaining in Kentucky, where he spent the rest of his days. James how resides near Macomb, Ill .; John lives in Jowa: Naney died in Saline County, Mo .. where she had moved with her husband; the others died in Ilinois.
The father of our subject. Osbourn J. Airvin. was born in Lincoln County, Ky,, in I81l. and resided on a farm with his parents until his mar- riage to Martha, daughter of Thomas Ramsey. of
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Kentucky, after which he rented land for two or three years, and in 1839 removed to Schuyler County, Ill. Ile rented land until 1851. when he purchased a farm near Littleton, and there made his home until he was called from this life in 1859. lle was an earnest member of the Baptist Church, with which his wife was also identified. Their children were: William T .; JJames, a farmer of Iowa; Mary, Mrs. Richard Craeraft, who died in Ilinois; Angeline and Catherine, who died in infancy; Emma C., formerly a teacher in Sacramento, Cal., and now one of the proprietors of a college at San Jose, Cal .; Almira. the wife of C. Campbell, of Camden, III .; Jerome, who died at Memphis. Teun., while serving his country in the army of Tennes- see, being a member of the Sixteenth Corps; and Amanda, who is the wife of J. J. Miller, and re- sides in Topeka, Kan.
William T. Irvin was born in Lincoln County. Ky., in October, 1837. When two years of age he was taken by his parents to schuyler County. Ill., where he was reared to manhood. After the death of his father, he being the eldest of the family, in a great measure the burden of their support fell upon his shoulders. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Infantry, and in the following October, on a one hundred days' leave of absence. he returned home and was married to Miss Sarah Wilson, daughter of J. M. and Lucy Wilson, of Schuyler County. Ill. At the expiration of his furlough he rejoined his company at Quincy. Ill .. and upon reaching Jackson, Tenn .. went with Companies F and G to Toombs Station on picket duty. In February, 1863, when his regiment was at Humboldt, Tenn., he, with sixteen others, was taken sick with the measles, and for two months he was very low and entirely lost his speech. He finally recovered, and after that was in constant service until the war closed. For eight months thereafter he was on picket duty at Memphis. Hle participated in the engagement at Meridian, Miss .. and while endeavoring to reinforce Banks, met the enemy at Pleasant Hill, where a battle was fought, after which they succeeded in joining Banks and covering his retreat. being engaged in combat every day for twenty days. On the 9th
of April. at Old Oaks on Red River, while Bank- and his forces were crossing a pontoon bridge. the enemy was held in check by a large Federal force. of which Mr. Irvin's company formed a part. and when evening came they also crossed the river and then destroyed the bridge. Following this his company once more engaged Forrest in battle about twenty miles from Memphis, and being routed. they went to Nashville. In the spring of 1865. they assisted in the capture of the forts near Mobile, soon after which they received the welcome in- telligence that Lee had surrendered. Our subjeet. however, did not receive his discharge until Sep- temiber 5, 1865.
Soon after the return of Mr. Irvin from the war he went to Kan-a-, leaving his wife with her father in Illinois. and remained there for two years. At first he clerked in a mill, and later took con- traet- for grading on the Union Pacific Railroad. west of Kansas City. In November, 1867. he re- turned to Illinois, and for two years farmed on rented land. In October, 1869, he "pitched hi- tent" in Chariton County. Mo., and for three years leased and worked land in the vicinity of Triplett. In 1873 he bought one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land near Mendon, but two years later sold this and rented property for two years near Triplett. He then bought another farin near the same place, but three years later sold the property and bought another tract. which he also disposed of at the end of one year.
Ilaving traded some cattle for a stock of dry- goods in Triplett, Mr. Irvin conducted a mercan- tite establishment for about five months, after which he bought a small farm in the vicinity of Triplett. He also purchased a stock of goods which he put in charge of one his sons, but the es- tablishment was burned, without insurance. Fol- lowing this he purchased a half-interest in a lum- ber-yard, and after becoming sole proprietor at the end of one year, he placed it in charge of one of his sons, sold his farm and went to Excelsior Springs, where he kept an hotel for one year. In November, 1890, he bought the farm on which he is now living, and which consists of two hundred and eighty-nine aeres. Here he devotes his atten- tion to general farming, and makes a specialty of
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raising a good grade of horses. He has a fine young Hambletonian horse and expects soon to add some thoroughbred mares to his collection. It is his intention to raise fine trotters and road- sters, and as he is an excellent judge of fine horses he will without doubt be successful in this line of work.
Mr. Irvin is the Postmaster at Snyder. He was the candidate for County Judge on the Repro-li- can ticket at the last election. He has a remarka- ble memory for facts and dates and on all matters of public interest is well posted and intelligent. lle and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Socially, he belongs to Pinkart Post, G. A. R., and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His children are as fol- lows: Asa G., a hardware merchant and Postmaster at Triplett, who married Estella Maddock: Minnie. who died August 29, 1880, at the age of twelve years; Edward, Ida and Ray, who are at home.
OHN W. MOLING, furniture dealer and undertaker in Hale. Carroll County, is a native of Maryland, his birth having oc- eurred in Frederick County, July 1, 1847. Ile is a son of Singleton and Calmira ( Harris) Mo- ling, who were likewise born in Maryland. The paternal grandfather of our subjeet. Samuel Mo- ling, emigrated from England at an early day.
The boy hood days of John Moting were passed in the county of his birth, where he attended the common schools and afterward learned the trade of cabinet-making. He remained in Maryland. work- ing industriously at his trade, until 1865. In 1867. believing that the West afforded greater opportu- nities to a young man, of determination and en- ergy, he left the crowded East and journeyed to Missouri. He settled in Cameron. Clinton County, where he continued to reside for two years, after which he lived for a time in Hill County, Tex .. whither he went about 1869. In 1878 he engaged in the furniture business in Pattonsburgh, Davie-s County, this State, where he successfully conducted the same for a period of seven years, He finally
located in Hale in the fall of 1889, and up to the present time has carried on a retail furniture trade in connection with audertaking.
In 1872. Mr. Moling was united in marriage with Miss Jane Grantham, who is a daughter of Garrett Grantham. of South Carolina. Two children have blessed the union of our subject and wife, a daugh- 1er, Daisy, and a son, Claude. Both parents are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Moling is a populist in his political views, and as a citizen is progressive and public spirited.
ENRY . BERGHOFER, the present efficient Mayor of Hale, and President of the Peo- ple's Bank, is also a dealer in hardware. stoves and tinware in that village. Ile was born in Marion County, Mo., November 26. 1852, and is the second son of a family of six chil-Iren whose parents were Henry and Henrietta (Schaller) Berghofer, who were both natives of Germany. The father was an engineer by occu- pation and was one of the early settlers in Marion County, Mo.
In the usual duties incident to farm life our subject was early initiated, as his boyhood was spent on his father's farm in Marion County. Ilis primary education was that of the district schools of the neighborhood, which was afterward suppli- mented by a course in the High School at Palmyra. When eighteen years of age, he learned the tin- ner's trade, which calling he followed until 1878. At that time he embarked in the hardware busi- ness at Slater, Saline County, this State, where he remained for five years. In 1881 he settled in Hale, where he has since successfully conducted a hardware, stove and tinware trade.
The year 1880 witnessed an important event in the history of our subject, for he was then united in marriage with Miss Mollie Schoess. of Linn County. whose father, Christian Schoess, was a native of the Fatherland. Of their union was born a daugh- ter, Flora. In July, 1883, Mrs. Berghofer was called
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to the home beyond, leaving many friends to mourn her loss. In 1885, Mr. Berghofer married Miss Carrie Liborious, of Palmyra, Mo .. who died in 1889, leaving on son. Myrthen. The same year our subject married his present wife, who was formerly Miss Dora Nottrott, of Brookfield, Linn County. They have a daughter. Bertha, who is a bright and charming little one.
In 1891 Mr. Berghofer was elected Mayor of Hate and has proved himself able and efficient. Polit- ically, he is a stalwart Democrat and is considered a public-spirited man. lle and his estimable wife are members of the Lutheran Church.
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SAAC M. WISEMAN is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on seetion 36, towa- ship 54, range 19, of Chariton County. Ile is making a specialty of raising high-grade cattle. particularly Shorthorns. He was born in Estili County, Ky., February 20, 1837, his parents being Isaac and Frances (Daniel) Wiseman. The pater- nal grandfather of our subject served all through the Revolutionary War, participating in many of the hardest fought battles, in one of which he was wounded. Isaac Wiseman, Sr .. was born and reared in Virginia, emigrating to Kentucky when a young man. . Ilis wife's father, Beverly Daniel, was in active service and was wounded in the War of the Revolution. Ile lived to the great age of one hin- dred and four years, while his wife attained the age of ninety-eight years. After his marriage, Mr. Wise- man engaged in farming and stock-raising in Ken- tucky, where he resided until his death in March, 1852. llis wife had departed this life in 1811. leaving a family of five children to mourn her loss. Of these four grew to manhood and woman- hood: John A., who went West: Robert C., who is now deceased; our subject; and Mary J .. wife of C. D. Barnes, who lives in Brunswick Township, Chariton County.
Mr. Wiseman, of this sketch, was reared and educated in Estill County, Ky., and when sixteen years of age drove a wagon from that State to Jowa, whence after remaining about one year he
returned to the old home. He then engaged in farming for himself, and while a resident of Estill County was Deputy Sheriff under his uncle, H. B. Wiseman. In 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate army, becoming First Lieutenant of Company E. Fourth Kentucky Cavalry. At the expiration of Lis service ne went to lowa, where he worked at the cabinet-maker's trade for some years at Mon- terey.
fu that city occurred the marriage of our sub- jeet with Miss Martha J. Hockersmith in 1866. Mrs. Wiseman is a daughter of Jefferson Hocker- smith, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Davis County, Jowa. He is quite wealthy and is an extensive money-loaner. After his marriage. Mr. Wiseman remained in Jowa for two years. after which he removed to Saline County, Mo., which he made his home for one year. In 1871 he he- came a resident of Chariton County, living for one year at Mendon. from which place he came to his present farm, which he now owns. For the first five years he rented this property, and for the sue- ceeding two years lived on an adjoining farm. after which he bought the farm on section 36.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wiseman has been blessed with a family of six children, five of whom are still living: Isaac B .. Wedon M., Anna Laura. Mary F. and Mattie E. The son they lost was called John C. Breckenridge. Our subject is a strong Dem- ocrat and has always taken an active interest in politics and in all public affairs. .
h ENRY C. PREWITT, who for the past two terms of office has so efficiently discharged the responsible duties of Treasurer of Linn County. Mo., has long been a promment cit- izen of the State and intimately associated with the rapid advancement and upward progress of the best interests of his locality. Reared in Linn County and at home in Linneus from early childhood. our sub- jeet has an extended acquaintance in this part of Missouri, but is a native of Howard County and was born in Fayette June 29. 1835. His parents were David and Nancy (Turner) Prewitt. The
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father was born in Halifax County, Va., December 21, 1791, and was the son of Anthony Prewitt, a brave and gallant patriot who served with di -- tinction in the Revolutionary War. When Father David Prewitt was in his boyhood he removed from the Old Dominion to Richmond, Madison County. Ky., and there attaining manhood, married Miss Naney, daughter of Philip Turner, an old resident of the State.
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