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 63
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 63
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 63
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 63
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 63
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soon after sold, and later purchased a ranch at. the mouth of Sand Creek, on the Solomon River, This fine place, located on section 4, he stocked and ran for two years. He then sold all but one and a-half sections, which he still owns and in which Mr. Scott is his partner.
In 1886, our subject returned to Carrollton and speculated for a time in the grain business and real estate, still in partnership with Mr. C. A. Scott. He owns a farm of several hundred acres on the bottoms. Mr. Blaksley engaged in the pack- ing business in 1890, having as partner Mr. John Hartaug. They also run a market.
G L. HARGRAVE, the courteous, popular and enterprising proprietor of the Excelsior Hotel, Excelsior Springs, Clay County, Mo., who for many years enjoyed an extended reputa- tion as one of the most successful commercial travelers of the Southwest, is a native Missourian and was born in Ray County, May 14, 1844. Our subject is the son of Samuel L. and Sarah R. (Poe) Hargrave, old-time residents of Missouri, and widely known in Ray County. Samuel Hargrave was a native of Lancashire, England, where his fa- ther invented the first cotton spindle. Ile em- barked with his parents for America at seven years of age, and during the voyage his father and mother died and were buried in the sea. Upon his arrival in the United States, the friendless little orphan was bound out to Burleigh Lee, a brother of the Governor of Virginia. The child was taken to the Lee homestead in North Carolina, and was there reared, educated and taught the trade of a tanner. Attaining to man- hood, he was successful in business and owned a tannery, which later he sold and came to Missouri.
Father Hargrave followed various occupations in life and is now residing in Clinton County, and, a pioneer citizen, ninety-three years of age, is be- loved by the community of his home locality, many of whom have known this venerable friend and neighbor from childhood. His beloved wife. who was a first consin of Edgar Poe, the poet,
died August 10, 1832. Mother Hargrave was a devotel Christian woman and had been reared a Quaker, but being far distant from any church of her erred she united with her husband in joining the Christian Union Church, and was warmly wel- comed within the fold. Nine children blessed the union and of the sons and daughters our subject was the youngest. The father re-married in 1860, selecting as bis second wife Mrs. Matilda Kennedy. by whom he has two sons: Charles K., residing in Chicago; and Jefferson, who lives upon the old homestead in Clinton County, Mo., and cares for his aged parents in their declining years. Our subject remained at home until nineteen years of age. when he left his father's store, where he was working, and entered into a partnership with Mr. Crowley in Vibbard, Ray County, managing a gen- era! store. where he continued for two years.
At the expiration of this time, he sold out and accepted a position as traveling salesman for Bailey, Kay & Co., a wholesale dry-goods bouse, in whose service he achieved a wonderful success for many years, remaining with the firm until they retired from business, seven years later. He next occupied a similar position with Tootle Hosey & Co., of St. Joseph, Mo., for five years, later en- gaging with the Ely Walker Company in the same line of business, with their headquarters in St. Louis. The health of Mr. Hargrave now began to fail him and he severed his connection with the firm, but afterward recuperating, opened his hotel in Excelsior Springs, where assisted by his good wife he welcomes the general public to the hospi- talities of an excellent table, supplied with most palatable food. Here the weary traveler may be sure of a comfortable bed, and can secure for the day or week at reasonable rates good rooms and the best of board. The Excelsior Hotel is in every sense of the word a home, not only to the travel- ing public, but as well to the numerous invalid- who come hither to try the noted virtues of the life-giving springs. The arrangements for the table, the cooking of the food and the care of the sleeping apartments are all under the personal su- pervision of Mrs. Hargrave, who is well adapted to the requirements demanded of a landlady. Our subject and his energetic and most estimable
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wife were united in marriage upon April 21, 1876. Mrs. Hargrave was born April 11. 1852, and was the daughter of Riley Holman. of Ray County, but Southern born. Grandfather Holman was the first Sheriff of Ray County, and later the father of Mrs. Hargrave filled most acceptably the same office. Of a family of eleven children, eight are now liv- ing, and in their several localities universally respected. Four children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Hargrave: Kay, the eldest child, was born on the 10th of August, 1878; Ola, the second son. December 1, 1880; and Edith was born February 14, 1881; Mattie Pearl, the eldest daughter. died at the age of eight years. The three living chil- dren receive the benefit of a good common-school education and are also well trained to assist in the practical, every-day duties of life, and are growing up energetic and self-reliant. They are much be- loved by Grandfather and Grandmother Holman. who, aged eighty and sixty-three years. respee- tively, now reside in Richmond. Ray County, and are both devout members of the Christian Church.
Mr. Hargrave is a worthy member of the Ma- sonic fraternity and for the protection of his fam- ily carries a good-sized life insurance, which he styles his "stock in trade. should other investments fail." Our subject is an upright citizen and a thoroughly practical business man of extended ex- perience, and in the various lines of occupation in which he has actively engaged, has won the esteem and confidence of many sincere friends. As a landlord, he is an assured success and has the best wishes of the many travelers and transient guests who have enjoyed the hospitality of his roof.
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+ RANK A. LEONARD, a rising young bust- ness man. is a partner with William P. Taylor in the People's Bank at Browning. Linn County. He was born in Linn County, Mo .. in 1866, and passed his boyhood days on his fa- ther's farm. Ile is a son of Morgan and Mary (Finson) Leonard, the former a native of West Virginia, and the latter of Maine. Our subject
was one of seven children. five sons and two daugh- ters, who are as follows: George. Clay, Frank. Ralph. Charles; Maude, who is the wife of Will- iam P. Taylor, partner of our subject in the bank of Browning, and of whom see sketch on another page of this volume; and Birdie, the youngest member of the family.
Frank A. Leonard is modest and unassuming in manner and disposition, and though still quite young in years. has had considerable experience in business, and bids fair to carve out for himself both fame and fortune in the battle of life. He i- a supporter of the Democratic party, and is much interested in the welfare and progress of the vicin- ity in which he makes his home.
E PHRAIM SANDUSKY. The occupation which for a number of years past has occupied the time and attention of Mr. Sandusky is one for which he seems by nature cs- pecially fitted, for it requires the soundest judg- ment and a thorough knowledge of horse-flesh in order to become proficient. He has become an expert trainer of fast horses, and many a horse which he has ridden on the race course has merely by his good riding succeeded in getting under the wire ahead of its competitor -. His superior jockey- ship has made him widely known to the patrons of the turf, and his services are in demand by breed- ers of fast horses. consequently he has made money and has been sufficiently prudent and far-seeing to lay up a competency. He is a product of a state that has become world-famous for its racers. for in Jessamine County. Ky .. he first saw the light. huily 6, 1841. Ilis parents, George and Eliza Sandusky. were also born in the Blue Grass Region, the death of the father occurring when the subject of thi- sketch was about ten years of age.
Ephraim Sandusky remained on his native heath until he was about fourteen years of age, when he came to Clay County, Mo., and after at- quiring a good common-school education. he com- pleted his studies in William Jewell College. taking the scientific course. After his college
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days were over he realized that he must depend upon his own exertions for a livelihood, and to this end he opened a grocery store in Liberty. Mo .. which was the first establishment of the kind in the place. AAfter conducting it very success- fully for three years he sold out to Maj. Gilles- pie, after which he acted as clerk in the Recorder's office under his brother, and at a later period, when the latter was elected Circuit Clerk. Ephraim acted as his deputy, in which capacity he very efficiently officiated for two and a-half years. Upon leaving this position he became a clerk in the grocery store of Martin Wyman, with whom he remamed as a trusted and capable employe for six years. From his earliest boyhood he had been a lover and admirer of horses, and he now deter- mined to indulge this fancy and began dealing in blooded stock, becoming the owner of some of the fastest running hore- ever introduced into the State of Missouri. . After a time he came to the decision that he could make more money as a grocer. and soon after again opened an establish- ment of that kind in Liberty, but the close con- finement within doors was detrimental to his health and he wa- compelled to give up that line of work. His thoughts were then very naturally turned to his former occupation and he entered the employ of David Waldo, whose horses he trained for the race course for three years. Dur- ing this time he trained some exceptionally speedy animals, with which he traveled throughout the country, winning some of the most noteworthy raees of the day and some heavy purses.
After Mr. Sandusky had left the employ of Mr. Waldo he began working in the same capacity for a Mr. Ross, and to his credit be it said that during the two years that he remained with this gentle- man he won every race he entered and large sums of money for his employer. Upon dissolving re- lations with Mr. Ross he entered the service of Mr. Blair, of Sedalia. Mo., who owns a large stock farm and is especially engaged in the breeding of thoroughbred race horses. ten of which Mr. San- dusky expects to handle during the coming season. In following his present occupation Mr. San- dusky has shown that he believes that ."what is worth doing at all is worth domy well," for he
is thoroughly competent and reliable, and this fact has become well known among reliable horse- 'men, with whom his services are in just demand.
Our subject was married to Miss Mary Morton. a daughter of Dr. William A. and Julia Morton, of Liberty, Mo., and his union with this intelligent and amiable lady has resulted in the birth of five children: Leila, born in 1867. is the wife of Ed II. Thomas, of Kansas City. formerly of St. Louis; Kate, born in 1871. is the wife of Campbell Stean. of St. Louis, and is the mother of a son, William B .: Anna E., born in 1875, is at home, as i- also Morton, who was born in 1877; and Harry M .. boru in 1869, died in infaney. Mr. Sandusky educated his daughters at Hawthorn Seminary, of Liberty. Mo., and his son is now attending the public schools of that place. The coming season he will com- mence a full course in William Jewell College.
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S M. JOHNSON, the prosperous and enter- prising proprietor of the well-known and extensive manufactory. the Johnson Handle Works, is one of the leading business men of Laclede, Linn County. Mo .. and since 1876, when he built his present factory, has found a ready market for a large variety of handles manufactured from the excellent hard woods easily obtainable in this locality. Our subject is a native of Albany County. N. Y., and was born December 11. 1835. His fa- ther, William Johnson, was also a native of Albany County and was born in Bethlehem. He died in Tioga County in 1859, after a long life of busy usefulness. For over two-score years he had been one of the most able and untiring of the carly pioneer preachers of the Empire State, devoting nearly his entire life to the service of the Moth- odist Episcopal Church. In his pastoral career he traveled almost entirely over the State of New York on horseback and was one of the most pow- erful in discourse and eloquent in delivery of the various riders of the cirenit.
During the War of 1812. Father John-ou bravely served his country, and for his gallant conduct upon the field was highly commended and received
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a grant of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Illinois. Ile was but sixty-six years of age at the time of his death. which was mourned by the gen- eral public as an irreparable loss to the cause which engrossed the best efforts of his later years. lis wife, the mother of our subjeet, was in youth Miss Sallie Osborn, of Albany County. N. Y., and a lady of superior character and many accomplishments. Mr. Johnson was reared in the Empire State, partly in Albany and partly in Tioga Counties, and en- joyed the educational advantages of the public schools of his home district. Trained in habits of industry and self-reliance, he reached mature years, and in 1860 was married to Miss Sarah. a daughter of Jonas Simmons, a brother of Daniel Simmons, the great ax manufacturer in Cohoes. Albany County. The two brothers worked to. gether and were the first manufacturers of axes by machinery in this county. Immediately following his marriage Mr. Johnson engaged in the practice of dentistry, but early in the spring of 1861 began the manufacture of axes and edge tools.
Most of the succeeding eleven years, however, our subject passed as a salesman upon the road, and in 1871 came to Missouri. Locating in Linn County; he first engaged in farming and was then appointed agent for the Turner estate of six hundred and forty acres. For four years, he was connected with the settling of the property. at the expiration of this time removing to Laclede. where he still resides. After making his home in Laclede Mr. Johnson traveled for a time for an e-tablish- ment in Indianapolis manufacturing edge tools. Ilaving in 1876 successfully entered into business in Laclede and there continuing, he has devoted \ himself the past seventeen years to the manufac- ture of handles, and has from season to season ex- tended the limits of hus trade. his goods now en- joying a wide and enviable reputation as to ma- terial and workmanship. The pleasant home of our subject and hi- estimable wife has been blessed with the presence of eight children, the eldest of whom are of adult age. George M. is now in business with his father; Ina M. is the wife of M. E. Shore, who resides in Califorma. where he is superintendent of a large ranch; Lizzie F. is the wife of Frank 11. Richardson. an engineer of Mo-
berly, Mo., and also a fruit-grower adjacent to the latter city; Sadie Edna married Ross Dalbey, of Hlastings. Neb., where he is engaged in the boot and shoe business; Daniel Boone Johnson re-ides with his parents; Lottie Gertrude, Edith Maude and Charies Waldron are all yet at home with the father and mother.
Mr. Johnson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and with his family, who are all attendants of the same church, is ever ready to aid in the good works and promote the so- cial and benevolent enterprises of that religious organization. Politically, our subjeet is a stalwart Republican, and while never a politician takes an earnest and abiding interest in local and national affairs. Financially, Mr. Johnson is winning the sure reward of persistent and industrious effort. In his business, he gives employment to about eighteen hands and sells almost altogether to job- bers. A practical business man, of sterling integ- rity of character, progressive in his ideas and lib- eral in sentiment, our subject is numbered among the substantial citizens who are prominent factors in the upbuilding of their home localities and wor- thily command the esteem and confidence of the general public.
E DWARD B. WELCH, a prosperous general farmer. successful stock-raiser and energetic merchant. efficiently and profitably running a first-class general store in the town of Pedee. is a native of Chariton County, Mo .. and was born April 8. 1838. Located upon section 25. town- ship 55, range 18, he conducts one of the best pay- ing farms in this section of the country. The land is all under a high state of improvement. and with its abundant harvests well repay'> the time and lahor expended in its culture. Receiving a rudi- mentary education in the common school of his native county, our subject attained manhood and began life for himself by purchasing eighty aore- of land.
Soon after reaching his majority Mr. Welch was
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married to Miss Julia A. Mott, who was born in Howard County. April 1, 1812. Four children blessed the pleasant home of our subject, Camelia B., Mrs. J. A. Jaco, being the eldest: she lives in Muscle Fork Township. Alonzo L. is married to Miss Milton Traey. He has just been elected for a term of two years to the responsible position of Treasurer of Chariton County, taking possession of his office the Ist of April. 1893. Edna, do- ceased, was the wife of I. II. MeKittrick: she made her home in Chariton County, where she passed away in 1891. Luther E. was shot by acci- dent while handling a revolver and changing the weapon from one pocket to another. This sad event occurred in November. 1892. and created general sorrow and deep sympathy for his be- reaved friends and relatives.
The parents of Mrs. Welch were Kentuckians. but, coming to Missouri in a very early day. were numbered among the pioneer settlers of the State. Stokley and Elizabeth Mott made their home in Howard County. and there reared their family of ten children. and, widely known. were universally respected and esteemed. Our subject has accumu- lated five hundred and eighty acres of excellent land in Chariton County. and. achieving success as a general merchant, is extending his sales and materially increasing the already well-paying line of business. lle has also occupied the office of Town Collector with faithful ability for four years, and is probably one of the busiest men in this section of the county. Mr. Welch leans toward the Baptist persuasion, and assists in the social and benevolent enterprises of his home locality. HIe is a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and has long been connected with that ancient and honorable order. During the Civil War he served two years in the Confederate army, and engaged bravely in the battle of Lexington. and. most of the time under the command of Gen. Price, actively participated in numerous skirmishes and fight-, and was daily exposed to great priva- tions and danger-, A native of Chariton County, spending his entire life amid the familiar scenes of boyhood, Mr. Welch has ever been closely asso- ciated with the growth and advancement of this part of the State. and, taking a deep interest in
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local improvement, has been a leading factor in the development of the best interests of the county. Widely known among an extended circle of friends and acquaintances scattered throughout the State of Missouri, our subject commands the confidence and sincere regard of a host of fellow-citizens. who thoroughly appreciate his business ability and undoubted integrity of character.
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AVID J. ROWLAND. the popular and en- terprising landlord of the Union Hotel at Brunswick, Chariton County, Mo .. is a genial and courteous host and furnishes to the traveling public and his transient guests most pleasant and comfortable accommodation .. Many regular boarders are also enjoying the hos- pitality of his well-known house. Mr. Rowland was born in Newark. Licking County, Ohio. July 2, 1828. and was the youngest of three sons in a family of nine children.
Our subject's father and mother. Henry and Hester (Jameson) Rowland, were united in mar- riage in the Buckeye State but were both of old Pennsylvania families and born near Pittsburgh. Previous to their marriage, however, they had re- moved with their parents to Ohio and located upon adjacent farms. Old acquaintances of many years and pioneer neighbors the friendship of their parents endured for life and became even stronger when the son of one family and the daughter of the other were husband and wife. The paternal and maternal grandparents of our subject were born in Ireland but emigrated in a very early day to America, making their homes for many years in the Quaker State, where with thrift and energetic industry they devoted themselves to the pursuit of agriculture. Winning the esteem and cordial good-will of all with whom they came in contact, they steadily made their way upward. enjoying in time a prosperous return for their labor. and in their declining years possessing a most comfortable competence.
Our subject had few educational advantages. his time for study being confined to the winter
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months, when he was obliged to walk four miles each way to school, beside doing a number of chores in early morning and evening. The jon- neys to and from the schoolhouse were terribly fatigning, especially in cold and stormy weather, but the perseverance and desire for knowledge which animated the farmer lad stimulated him to make heroie efforts to gain the coveted book learn- ing then nowhere else attainable. During hoy- hood when Mr. Rowland was not in school there was always, even in the winter, upon the Saturday half-holiday some work to be done, fuel to ent or land to be cleared of heavy underbrush or timber. And thus the time passed on and our subject grew up to man's estate. and still working away upon the old Ohio homestead had the satisfaction of seeing the land yield to per-istent culture and the fields blossom each year with an abundant harvest. It was not until Mr. Rowland was twenty- eight years of age that he left his parents' home. At this period in his career he married Miss Lavina E. James, born in Ross County, Ohio. De- comber 15, 1836. Mrs. Rowland's parents had a round dozen of sons and daughters, all of whom with one exception were strong Baptists and were baptized in the Tippecanoe River, a stream run- ning through that part of the State.
Mrs. Rowland's father was born in Maryland, her mother in Delaware, and the children claimed respectively as the States of their nativity Indiana, Delaware and Ohio. Two of the family were born in Indiana, three in Delaware and seven in Ohio. Six of the brothers served with brave fidelity in the Union army, each remaining in active duty the full time for which they enlisted and never receiving any serious wounds. Our subject also enlisted in Company G. One Hundred and Twenty- ninth Indiana Infantry, on the 11th of Feb- ruary, 1861, and remained in the service until the end of the war, when he was mustered out at Indianapolis September 27. 1865, having given over nineteen months to faithful performance of active duties at the front. sharing perils and pri- vations but escaping capture or death. Mr. Row- land is now a valued member of the David Hardin Post. G. A. R., of Wayne County, lowa. Our sub- jeet and his wife have made their home at various
times since their marriage in the State- of Indiana. Iowa, Kansas and Missouri, and now re-iding in Chariton County. have here enjoyed the conti- dence and esteem of a large circle of friend -. The seven children whose presence has blessed their home are with one exception yet living.
The eldest of the family, Rudolphus T., was born May 24, 1856; Ursula. November 18. 1858; Mary V. August 24, 1861; William Henry, June 21. 1862: Florence, March 10, 1866; Millie J., Feb- ruary 11, 1871; and Murry, December 20. 1875. These sons and daughters have all enjoyed the benefit of instruction, the best that their opportu- nities afforded. and are occupying positions in life commanding regard and high respect. Well known in church and social circles, they are prominently identified with the benevolent enterprises of then home and are numbered among the ready aids in all good work. A man of business ability mergy and intelligence, Mr. Rowland interests himself in local progress and reform and is an advocate of edu- cational advancement as the lever to elevate the masses and thus secure a nobler, higher citizenship for the nation which he has ever served with true, loyal and unswerving patriotism.
G EORGE M. LEONARD, who owns one of the finest farms of Linn County, and who is prominent in his neighborhood, residle- on section 21, township 60, range 19. He was born in Linn County, lowa, in 1859, and is a son of Morgan Leonard, a native of West Virginia, who was reared to manhood in Indianapolis. Ind. The latter married Miss Mary Finson, who was born in Maine, and of their union were born the following children: Clay, George, Frank. Ralph, Charles; Maud, wife of William P'. Taylor, of the People's Bank at Browning; and Birdie.
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