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 70
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 70
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 70
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 70
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 70
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Wirt Nelson Williamson, the father of our sub- jeet, spent his youthful days in the county of his birth, and after his marriage continued to reside at home for a year. On the 11th of September 1855. he started for Missouri with his family, the overland journey to Chariton County occupying about six weeks. Ile was accompanied by an uncle, an old bachelor, and they brought with them a number of slaves and several thousand dollars in gold. which were carried in a bureau drawer in a four-horse wagon. They camped out in tents during the journey, and while at Colum- bus, Mo .. all the members of the company. except the uncle, a brother of our subject and one negro man, were sick for some thirteen days with a fever peculiar to the country.
Mr. Williamson examined land in the vicinity of Brunswick and purchased four hundred and sixty-eight acres where he now lives. locating on the same in February. 1856. In the management of his estate he gave each detailed portion of his work his personal supervision, and the care thu- exercised contributed to place him among the foremost farmers of the county. as he was one of its most intelligent citizens. Upon venturing out
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upon the sea of matrimony the worldly possessions of himself and wife consisted of a span of horses and a cow. He lost his slave- as a result of the war, also all his stock and grain, but he did not sit down and uselessly repine: on the contrary he set energetically to work to repair his losses, and did so in a great measure. Prior to the war he was a Whig, but has since been a Democrat. For the past fifteen years he has been totally blind. Ile and his wife make their home with their son. Thomas J. The mother is a daughter of James Baber, a resident of Mercer County. Ky., of Eng- lish descent and a native of Virginia. Mrs. Will- iamson is now eighty-three years of age. The children born to this worthy couple were as follows: James P., who was accidentally shot by a friend while out hunting, January 30, 1857. at the age of twenty-six years; John A .. who died JJanuary 14, 1846. at the age of thirteen years: Augustine W .. who lives on a farm adjoining the old home place in Chariton County; and Thomas J .. our subject. The parents are members of the Cumberland Presby- 1 terian Church, in which the father was an Elder for several years.
Thomas Jefferson Williamson's advent into this world occurred in Logan County, Ky., June 20, 1843. and his boyhood days were spent on the farm and in the district schools of his native State. In the winter of 1862 he attended a com- mon school in Montgomery County. Ill., and two years later entered Hillsboro Academy, where his record as an industrious and intelligent pupil wa- excellent. In the fall of 1864 he was in the en- rolled militia of Missouri for three months. but was not in the regular service. October 13. 1870. he was united in marriage to Miss Pamela Mar- tin. daughter of Caleb and Louisa Martin, of Chariton County. but was called upon to mourn her untimely death October 10. 1883. She was buried at the Moore Cemetery beside an infant that had preceded her about six years. She left the children whose names are here given: Auby, who is a teacher of the Chickasaw Nation. Indian Territory. and JJohn IL .. who is at home. Charles died in infancy.
After his marriage Mr. Williamson and his wife resided on the old homestead for one year. then
purchased a farm near Rothville, where they lived for three years. On account of his father's fail- ing eyesight he disposed of that property and re- turned to his old home, where he still lives. With two hundred aeres which he owns of the old home- -tea l. he has in all four hundred and twelve avres of fine land, well adapted to the raising of the usual farm products or stock. The place is well improved and its management and appearance in- dicate the character of the owner to a noticeable extent. Politically. he is a Democrat. He ha, long been connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church South, of which his daughter Auby, who was educated in the Howard Female College. of Fayette, Mo .. and the Central Female College. of Lexington. Mo., is also a member.
P. BAUSERMAN, M. D. Integrity, intel- ligence and system are characteristics which will advance the interets of any man or any profession. and will tend to the prosperity to which all aspire. Dr. Bauserman's professional life was characterized by ability. a conscientious and faithful discharge of his duties, and by a care- ful study of causes and effects, and the result was readily seen in the large clientele which he gathered about him. He was born in Leavenworth County. Kan., March 31, 1866. but the father was born in Delaware. Ohio, where his birth occurred April 14. 1840. of American parents. After moving to Leavenworth. Kan .. he became a real-estate and mortgage broker. in which occupation he was rea- sonably successful. Ile was married to Laura E. Ehart, who was born in Buchanan County, Mo .. May 5, 1848. daughter of Christopher and Elien M. (Hart) Ehart, and to their union two children were born: M. P., and Mary Ellen, who married Oliver J. Snyder, of Leavenworth.
The youthful days of M. P. Bau-erman were spent after the usual style of city boys-in the pub- lic and High school until he was seventeen years of age, at the end of which time he went into a drug store with his father in his native city, where they conducted a successful business until Isst. at which
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time he left the establishment to pursue the study of medieine, his broad intelligence and natural kind- ness of heart instinctively turning to that broad field for the alleviation of human suffering for his life's work. He graduated from the American Medi- cal College of St. Louis, Mo., in the Class of '87. and later took a special course in surgery in the same institution. After the completion of his medical course, he entered upon the practice of his profes- sion in Kansas City. where he remained about one year. After that he made a short stay in Texas, whence he removed to Joplin. Mo., and accepted the office of superintendent of the Dia- mond Lead & Zine Company, of that city, which position he filled in a very satisfactory manner for two years. On the 13th of September. 1890, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, of Newton County, Mo., who was born on the 2d of June, 1868, be- ing the second of ten children born to her parents. eight of whom are living. Mr -. Bauserman is a highly refined and cultured lady, an excellent wife and mother and a true and devoted friend. Iler first union resulted in the birth of a daughter. Jessie Vern, born July 2, 1888, and Joseph P. Jr., is the fruit of her marriage with Dr. Bauserman, his birth occurring on the 28th of November. 1891.
The profession of the physician not proving congenial to Dr. Bauserman, he has for some time past devoted his time to traveling in the interests of a literary work, which calling has been one of both pleasure and profit. Politically, he is a Dem- ocrat, in which respect he follows in the footsteps of his father, who was an ardent supporter of the principles of that party, having honorably held the office of State Representative for four years, State Senator two years. and County Superintendent of Public Instruction twelve years. He was also super- intendent of the State Board of Charitable Insti- tutions for two years, but upon the expiration of his last term in office, owing to ill health. he re- tired from the political arena, in which he had met with a more than average degree of success. Ile is now living in retirement and is enjoying a competency which his own earnest efforts and intel- ligence won for him. Socially. he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. and is a de- vout member and liberal supporter of the Christian
Church, to which his wife also belongs. Dr. Bau- serman and his wife move in the highest circles of society, have numerous friends in Excelsior Spring- and their home has become noted for the cordial hospitality which is extended to all. The Doctor is a model American citizen, is very public spirited, and has always shown great liberality in assisting both personally and financially any enterprise that recommends itself to his excellent judgment.
ILLIAM M. JENNINGS, our subjeet. adds to husbandry an office designed to hold evil-doers in restraint, and to his credit it may truthfully be said that he meets very creditably his duties as a farmer and as constable. Ile resides on seetion 11, township 53. range 29. Ray County. He was born in Knox County, Ohio. April 29, 1837. His father, Cyrenus lenning -. was born and reared in Pennsylvania. After his marriage in Baltimore to Miss Elizabeth Warrick. he removed to Knox County, Ohio, where he fol- lowed agricultural pursuits and became a promi- nent citizen. Thence, in 1841, he removed to Mis- souri and settled in Livingston County, buying land and also entering some from the Government. After residing there for thirteen year-, he came to Ray County, locating two and one-half miles from Knoxville, and resided upon a farm there about fifteen years. Ile then returned to Livingston County, where he died in 1872. Ile was the fa- ther of ten children, several of whom are living. The Christian Church was very dear to him and not only was he a devoted member, but he fre- quently officiated as a preacher.
Our subject was reared in Living-ton and Ray Counties. where he attended school and gained such instruction as was then afforded in the com- mon schools. He remained at his home until his marriage, in 1859, to Miss Martha, daughter of Loms Lanier. After that important event. he lo- cated on the old homestead, near Knoxville, where he remained for one year. Later he made his home in Nebraska for one year and returned thence to the old home place, where he stayed until he
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settled upon his present farm in 1879. Ilere he has resided ever since, with the exception of two years spent in Law-on. Six children have been bom of his marriage, namely: Benjamin, a re-i- dent of this county; Levi, Lava, Annie and Wal- ter, who are in Texas, and Stella, who resides at home.
Our subject owns eighty acres of land and a comfortable home. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and at one time was an exten- sive trader and stock-dealer. In politics, he is a sturdy, old-school, JJeffersonian Democrat, and has no patience with "fence straddling," or "popping up," first on one side and then on the other. A number of appointive and elective offices have been held by him, and among them those of School Director. City Marshal and Deputy Sheriff. Ile is a very active member of the Christian Union Church, where his influence is felt for good.
R EV. J. W. HARDER. the subject of our sketeli, is an earnest, devoted minister, who for many years, in fact since he reached his manhood, has been an earnest worker in the cause of his Master. He resides on section 26, township 53. range 29, Ray County. His father, John N. Harder, was born in Alamance County, N. C., in November, 1799, and was reared in that county, where his father before him spent his days except for the time he was in the War of 1812.
John. N. Harder was married in North Carolina to Miss Margaret Garrison, a daughter of William Garrison, who engaged in farming in that State. After his marriage he removed to Tennessee and settled in Sumner County, where he bought land and resided for two years. Thence he came to Ray County, Mo., and located near Dallard, where for a year he operated as a renter. Hle then pur- chased land on section 25, upon which he settled, and remained until his death, May 17, 1888, aged eighty-nine years. Ihis wife had preceded him some few years, dying May 2. 1883. They had a family of five children. namely: Mary Ann. wife
of W. E. Hill, of Ray County; William J. and Joseph, deceased; John W., our subject; and Thomas B., living on the old homestead. The fa- ther was a member of the Christian Union Church and a very active worker in that organization. In politics he adhered through his life to the Demo- cratie party.
Our subjeet was born March 30. 1839, in Sum- ner County, Tenn. At the age of one year he was brought by his parents to Ray County, where he was educated in the public schools and reared on the home farm. Ile was married in 1862 to Miss Rachel Susan. daughter of Jonathan Postle- waite, who was born in Kentucky, and died in 1852, while on his way to California. Mrs. Ilar- der has one sister, Mrs. Sarah Munford, living at Excelsior and a brother, John. a farmer residing in Richmond Township, Ray County. Immedi- ately after his marriage Mr. Harder made a perma- nent home upon his present place of residence. During the war he served in the Fifty-first Regi- ment, Missouri State Militia, being a Sergeant in Company D. He was a strong Union man and unswerving in his devotion to the cause. Four children blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Harder, namely: Mary, who died when eigh- teen months old: John M .. living at home: Will- iam Robert, who resides at Vibbard; and George A., who is at home.
The farm belonging to our subject consists of one hundred and forty acres of well-improved land, devoted to general farming and the raising of stock. Mr. Harder is a minister in the Christian Union Church and has been a preacher for twenty years, serving the Central Missouri charge, under which he has four local churches. His wife and all the members of his family are also connected with this denomination. In his ministerial work he has organized six local churches, five of them with houses of worship, and all dedicated. During three terms he filled the office of State Evangelist. Mr. Harder united with the Christian I'nion Church in 1861. and has been very active in its work ever since. His conversion was brought about by attendance upon meetings hell by the great evangelist, John Walker, the first man to teach the principles of that church in Missouri.
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During the war the church declined somewhat. but afterward J. V. B. Flack labored among the people, reorgamzing and arousing the spirit of zeal, and soon placed the several charges upon solid footing -. The political views of our subject are in consonance with the platforms of the Dem- ocratie party, with which he always votes.
B ENJAMIN F. MOYER, the successful and enterprising agriculturist of Ray County, has contributed largely to its progress and borne a prominent part in its develop- ment. Among those who have promoted the wel- fare of their fellow-citizens, may be mentioned Mr. Moyer, who resides in township 50, range 27. Ile was born in Orleans. Orange County. Ind., in 1833, and is the son of P. N. and Sarah (Pippen ) Moyer. His father, a native of South Carolina. was born in 1799, and his mother was born near Paris, N. C., in 1802. Our subject's paternal grandfather was a native of Germany and at- tained to the venerable age of ninety-six. Ilis maternal grandfather was a native of England. and both grandsires served as soldiers in the Revo- lutionary War, and had sons in the War of 1812.
The father and mother of our subject were reared in Indiana. the former coming hither with his parents, and the latter accompanying her widowed mother. The father enjoyed the ad- vantages of a thorough English and German ed- ucation and was well informed in regard to cur- rent events as well as general history. He was a carpenter by trade, but from preference pursued the avocation of a farmer, especially during his latter years, In 1831 he married Sarah Pippen, and some time afterward removed to Paris, III., where he worked on the building of the court house, the first in Edgar County. His death oc- curred in 1850 near the above-named city. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. They reared a family of eight children, two of whom died young, the others being: Benjamin F .. our subject: Catharine E., wife of Moses DeCamp: Serilda Benett. now de-
ceased: John and James, who reside in Ray County; and William, deceased.
Our subject remained with his parents until he was twenty years old. when he came to Missouri. in 1853, and learned the trade of a carpenter and cabinet-maker. However, he has pursued mainly the occupation of farming. He entered the Con- federate army and served until the close of the war, being on detached duty in Texas during the latter part of the war. He then took the oath of allegiance to the Government of the United States and returned home. Three of his brothers were soldiers in the Union army. After the war he settled at Wellington, La Fayette County. whence in 1866 he moved to his present farm of two hundred and thirty aeres.
In November, 1857, our subject married Olive, daughter of Elijah and Jane (Crooks) Hull. She has borne him six children, three of whom died young, the survivor- being: Fanny, wife of Theo- dore Worthing; Alice, wife of George Stigall: and Josephine, wife of David Rider. Socially. Mr. Moyer is a member of Richmond Lodge No. 57. F. & A. M., and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Wellington. In politics, he is a Democrat. and uses his influence in behalf of the principles advocated by that party.
S. WATKINS. a successful agriculturist and industrious citizen, is among the highly es- teemed residents of Clay County. and pros- perously devotes himself to the cultivation of the old homestead located in township 52, range 32. Born upon this farm March 21, 1819, he is the son of James M. and Martha (Seearce ) Watkins, well- known carly settlers of the county. They were natives of Woodford County, Ky., where the fa- ther was born April 16. 1811. and the mother June 7, 1818. James M. Watkin- had but little oppor- tunity for schooling. as his father died leaving the care and maintenance of the family upon the sen, who was yet a mere boy. Dutifully working upon the Kentucky farm, James Watkins remained with his mother until he had reached the age of twenty-
RESIDENCE OF B. F. MOYER, SEC. 12. T. 50. R. 28. RAY CO. MO.
RESIDENCE OF L. S. WATKINS, SEC. 3 . T. 52. R. 32. CLAY CO. MO.
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seven years, when he married. and ten months later came to Missouri. His wife was the daughter of Laban and Jane ( Ashurst ) Scearce, and her grand- father, Robert Ashurst. was a Baptist preacher.
It was in the winter of 1837 that James Watkins came with his wife by river to Clay County. and here entered a portion of his land from the Gov- ernment and bought the remainder. His purchase was unimproved prairie land, and his first work was to build a log house. In the early spring he began the cultivation of the soil, which soon yielded abundant returns. He added to the origi- nal aeres in the homestead until his farm com- prised five hundred and twenty aeres in Clay County, and he also owned a farm of three hun- dred and forty acres in Clinton County. Polit- ically, this pioneer settler of Missouri was before the war an ardent Whig and afterward became a strong Demoerat. Ile and his excellent wife were the parents of eleven children, one of whom died in infancy. Benjamin R. was the eldest of the family: Parker II., who enlisted in the Confederate army, was killed in Arkansas; Anna is deceased: Jennie has been twice married, her first husband being E. C. Balch, and she is now the wife of George Fry; Amelia is Mrs. Michael Groom; our subject takes next place in the list; Susan is the wife of Joseph MeConnel; Alice married the Rev. W. A. Crouch: Laura is Mrs. W. W. Francis; and Edgar is the youngest member of the family, all of whom oc- cupy positions of respect and honor.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were Benjamin and Jane ( Minter) Watkins. Jane Min- ter was a daughter of Joseph and Jane (Trabne) Minter, and Jane Trabue was the daughter of John and Olymphia (Dupuy) Trabue, being of direct French descent. Our subject received his educa- tion in the distriet schools of Clay County and Spaulding's Commercial College at Kansas City. At twenty-three years of age. he began life for himself, without money or influence to aid him. Hle first rented land of his father. and then remov- ing to Northeast Plattsburgh there rented a farm for two years.
The first marriage of our subject united him with Miss Susie, daughter of Thomas Downing. The young wife soon died. and four years later our
subject married his present wife, Nannie, daughter of Je-se and Mary II. (JJohnson) Connell. The parents of Mrs Watkins were natives of Kentucky, but she was born in Kansas and was one of a fam- ily of ten children. Her father, who was born in 1818, died in 1892; her mother yet survives. The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Watkins has been brightened by the birth of live children: Susie D .. L. Arthur, JJames E., Jesse E. and Hugh Emerson.
At the death of his father. our subject received a few hundred dollars and this amount he applied toward the purchase of the old homestead. which was endeared to him by the memories of early youth. The four hundred acres of which he is now the owner are under a high state of eultiva- tion and the homestead is one of the best farms in this section of the country. Mr. Watkins is a val- ued member of the Baptist Church. Politieally. he is a firm Democrat and is deeply interested in local and national affairs, An earnest, intelligent and hard-working citizen, he is one of the factors in the progress and advancement of the American nation.
C APT. JAMES L. FARRIS. A due regard for the rights of others, a proper apprecia- tion of what is due himself, and a conscien- tions discharge of duty, have marked" the earper of our subject, a prominent citizen of Richmond. Born in Whitley County, Ky., May 7. 1833. he is the son of Joseph 1. Farris, a farmer by occupation. The father was born near Crab Orchard, Ky .. in 1800, and died in 1862. in Jefferson County, Tenn .. where he had settied when our subject was but two years old. Grandfather Isam Farris was born in Virginia, of Seoteh descent, and became a pioneer of Kentucky.
Our subject's mother, Jane W. ( Rogers) Farris. was a native of Jefferson County, Tenn. Iler fa- ther, George Rogers, was a native of Virginia,and her paternal grandfather was born in Ireland. She died in July, 1888, when eighty-four years oldl. Our subject was the oldest son and second child
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of nine children, two of whom survive, a sister and himself, the former being the wife of Col. D. M. Ray, of Woodson County, Kan. Capt. Farris passed the greater part of his life up to his vigh- teenth year in Jefferson County, Tenn. Ile at- tended the Burnsville High School. in Yancey County, N. C., remaining there for four years. In the spring of 1856 he removed to Ray County. Mo .. where he taught school for a time in the country, and continued in the profession until the spring of 1861. At that time he enlisted in the State service, in what is known as Reeve's regiment, and served for six months in the State Guards. He then enlisted in the Confederate State service, in the Second Missouri Battery, known as Clark's battery, and was chosen First Lieutenant, Church- hill Clark being Captain. The battery was on duty in Missouri, and took part in the engage- ments at Sugar Creek and Pea Ridge, where Capt. Clark was killed. Our subject then became Cap- tain, with which rank he served throughout the war, and was so paroled at Gainesville, Ala.
Afterward Capt. Farris located in Macoupin County, Ill., and there resided from 1865 to 1869. meanwhile teaching school for two years. In 1869 he returned to Ray County, Mo., and began the practice of his profession at Richmond, being asso- ciated with William A. Donaldson. The partner- ship was formed in the spring of 1869 and termi- nated in 1872, when Capt. Farris was elected Prose- cuting Attorney. In 1874, upon the expiration of his term, he resumed his law practice. In 1875 he was elected a member of the State Constitu- tional Convention. He was four times elected a member of the State Legislature, serving in ses- sions Twenty-nine, Thirty-two, Thirty-three and Thirty-six in the General Assembly. For two sessions he was Chairman of the Judiciary Com- mittec and the Committee on Retrenchment and Reform.
In 1859 Capt. Farris was united in marriage with Miss Amanda, daughter of William Tisdale. This lady died in 1862, leaving two sons: Don W. and James L. The present marriage of our sub- ject took place in 1873. and united him with Miss Olivia N. Gaultney, a native of Yazoo County, Miss., and a daughter of Joseph J. and Clara (Fri-
bie) Gaultney. One daughter, Jennie L., has been born of this marriage. Mr. Farris is a stanch Democrat in his political opinions, and is one of the prominent men of the party in this part of the State. Mrs. Farris is a valued member of the Episcopal Church. The family residence is pleas- antly located on Shaw Street, and is one of the most comfortable homes in the city.
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