Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn Counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 74

Author: Chapman Brothers (Chicago), pub
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman bros.
Number of Pages: 1316


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 74
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 74
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 74
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 74
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 74


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In May, 1856, our subject landed on these shores. He had left Liverpool on the sailing-ves- sel "Star of the West," and after a pa -- age of six weeks reached New York, proceeding at once to St. Louis. A stranger in a strange land though he was, he had pluck and energy. and as he was master of his trade. he soon found work in a mill in Troy. Ill., where he remained for a few months. Then he was employed in the Empire Mill at St. Louis, for four years, and after this he managed the mill at Lebanon, St. Clair County. III .. for two years. By this time he was ready to purchase a business of his own, and the mill at Mo-cow, Lin- coln County, Mo., being for sale. he bought it. and for three years did a good business there.


In 1869 our subject sold his purchase and bought a mill property near Huntsville. Randolph


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County, and located on the east fork, the mills be- ing called the Randolph Star Mills. In 1876 these mills burned down, and as our subject was unfor- tunate in having no insurance. he discontinued work there, came into Salisbury and there ran the old mill for seven years. At the expiration of that time he began to buy grain, which business he has continued up to the present day, showing so much good judgment that he has been enabled to make it very profitable. During 1891 he shipped two hundred and sixty-four cars of wheat from this place. This year, in about two months, he shipped one hundred and ten cars of wheat. ship- ping to St. Louis and Chicago markets. He is not only the largest shipper. but also buys gram on the branch roads. the Shannondale and Forest Green. Ilis location for business is fortunate, his warehouse being on Second Street and Wabash. Mr. Foster is a stockholder in the Northern Mis- souri Institute and is a member of the Board of Directors of the same; he also holds stock in the academy. Ile was one of the organizers of the building of the Opera House and is a member of the Salisbury Opera House Company.


Mr. Foster displayed his usual good judgment in the selection of a life companion. lle was mar- ried in St. Louis in 1856, to Miss Elmore Leach, a native of Yorkshire, England. and a daughter of Timothy Leach, who passed his last years in Amer- ica. Of the three children born to this excellent couple, only one, Dixie. is living, but Mr. and Mrs. Leach have been like parents to the four chil- dren of Mrs. Leach's brother. Timothy Leach lives in this county, and is engaged in buying grain for our subject; the second adopted child is now Mrs. Wheeland, of Moberly, Mo .; and Frances M. and Stonewall .1. are at home.


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Socially, Mr. Foster affiliates with the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is Past Noble. For four years he served on the County Council and was President of the Board for one term and a member of important committees. While in Huntsville, he was a member of the School Board. His residence is on Second Street. where he is pleased to see his friends and where all are sure of a pleasant greeting. Always a Democrat in politics, he is too genial and agree-


able a man io force his opinions upon any one differing with bum. In his religious belief, the grand old ebureis, t'ie home of so many of the best of the land, claims bis dutiful allegiance, and he is prond to proclaim that he is an Episcopalian.


HARLES R. UOLMAN. To receive the ap- proval of the public in an unqualified man- ner and to be faithful to the trust assigned are marks of worthy manhood. Such may truth- fuily be said of Charles R. Ilolman, Collector of Ray County. He was born in the city of Rich- mond, Ray County. Mo., April 15. 1860, being the third son among eleven children in the family of Wilson R. and Maria E. (January) Holman. The father of our subject is a merchant of Richmond. who came from his native State, Tennessee, when a young man and settled on a farm in Ray County, Mo., there remaining for several years, when he re- moved to Richmond, to enter the hardware and furniture business, which he continues to manage. The mother of our subject is the daughter of Ephraim J. January.


Our subject was reared and educated in the city of Richmond, tirst attending a private school. and later the Richmond High School. Subsequently. he was employed as stock clerk and salesman for two years in the wholesale house of Tootle, Hosea & Co., St. Joseph, Mo. In the spring of 1883 the went to St. Louis, where he was employed as trav- eling saleman by the Bryan Brown Shoe Company, with which he remained until the fall of 1885. when he returned to Richmond. He accepted the position of Deputy to John R. Green, Circuit Clerk. and served in that capacity until March 1, 1887. when he was appointed Deputy County Collector under his uncle. William A. Holman. then the County Collector of Ray. Elected County Collec- tor on the Democratic ticket in 1889. he was re- elected without opposition upon the expiration of his term in 1882.


In October, 1889, Mr. Holman married Miss Beatrice Craven, of Ray County, daughter of the late Jolm N. Craven. and one child, Lillian. i- the


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result of this union. Our subject is a member of Richmond Lodge No. 57. A. F. & A. M. He and his wife are worthy members of the Christian Church. Their residence. a pleasant, homelike place, is situated on Shaw Street.


RS. MAGGIE E. SOMERVILLE, A. B., one of the most popular and prosperous citizens of the city of Salisbury, Mo., is the subject of this notice. Not among women of the ability of Mrs. Somerville will be found those who complain of the present position of the sex. ller success has been in a measure due to the fact that she has understood her business, and has so conducted it that no one could seeuse her of want of judgment. por of being lacking in those commercial qualities in which the sterner sex is supposed to excel.


On both sides of her family Mrs. Somerville traces her descent from English stock. Her pater- nal grandfather was descended from English par- ents, and was born in Virginia, near the city of Richmond, where he became a carriage-maker. Ils son, Robert Sidney Robinson, was born in Virginia also, in the beautiful city of Richmond. a city which touches the Southern heart more than any other. It bears a name dear also to the English race, a name which was bestowed by them on this stately city at its birth as the most honored one they could give. Once it was the Mecca of the South, the center of fashion, of amusement, of ed- ucation and aristocracy.


In this goodly city the father of our subject was born, and under the care of his father became ac- quainted with his trade of carriage-making, but later took up the study of law and practiced in the State. When the Mexican War broke out he entered the service, and while on duty on the ship "Congress" was wounded in the head. He was made a Captain of Militia in Virginia. but in 1856 he moved into Missouri. located in Shelby ville and there practiced law. Later he changed his location to Columbia. and practiced there until his death. He had gone back to Virginia on a visit


in 1859, and died while there. His political opin- ions were those of the Whig party. In religion. he belonged to the Baptist Church.


The mother of our subject was in her maiden- hood Miss Margaret Bowen, and was born within seven iniles of Winchester. Clarke County. Va. She was the daughter of Phineas Bowen. a native of Virginia, whose father was a native of England. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth. a tract of land in Maryland was granted to the Bowen family. Grandfather Bowen came to this country and went to Virginia, where he bought a plantation seven miles from Winchester, called the Limestone. Here he married Jane Sowers, a native of Virginia. and a danghter of John Sowers, a large planter. of Ger- man descent.


After the death of her husband, the mother of Mrs. Somerville went to Huntsville, Mo .. where she educated the two eldest children. In Novem- ber. 1868, she came to Salisbury. where her son Joseph was then engaged in. the drug business. but later became a dry-goods man. In March. 1869. she opened the Robinson House, on the corner of Second Street and Grand Avenue, and in 1871 she bought the place and added to it. Her land was the present site of the Opera House, and at that time her hotel was the principal one. She re- mained at this place until it burned. in January. 1887, and conducted the best house of the kind ever kept in this place. She is now living a re- tired life. Mrs. Robinson has been the mother of five children, as follows: Joseph, who died here in 1888; Ida ... now Mrs. Branhour. of this city; our subject; Sidney B., who was accidentally shot here. in 1872; and Emily, who is now Mrs. Harshe.


Our subject was born in Luray. Page County. Va., but was reared in Missouri, and was gradu- ated at Mt. Pleasant College, at Hunt-ville, wien only fourteen years of age. She was graduated in June. 1868. and received the degree of 1. B .. a very unusual degree of scholarship for one - young. Immediately after this she came to salis- bury to assist her mother in attending to the finan- cial affairs of the hotel. On September 19. 1576. she was united in marriage with Bellingham Brooke Somerville, a native of Brooklyn, N. Y. His par- ents were natives of Ireland, from near Duldin.


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although their ancestors were English. They can trace a line baek to Lords Somerville and Brooke, of the Irish nobility. The Somerville family were located on the Isle of Trinidad, where they were planters until the time of the freeing of the slaves. when they removed to St. Louis.


The husband of Mrs. Somerville was reared in St. Louis, where he was engaged as a salesman for a Missouri glass company, and for some time her residence was in that enty. During the seasons of 1891-92. she kept the Randolph Springs Summer Resort, and had a nice class of trade there. In October, 1892. she opened the Robinson House here. It has a fine location, near the Wabash depot. on Broadway between First and Second Streets, and is fitted up with all the modern im- provements-steam-heat, electric light and bells -- and the charges are very moderate, being only $2 per day. She is the mother of one child. Joseph R. Our subject is a Democrat, seeing no reason why a woman should not have a political prefer- ence. She is a member of the Baptist Church, and in every way a lady calculated to make a success of anything she undertakes.


2 THOMAS MU GINNIS, our subject, is a man with an extended circle of acquaintances. and can boast of as many friends as any one in Ray County. . Possessed of sterling quali- ties, sincere in his convictions and true to his word. he commands the respect of all who know him. Ile was born September 26. 1827, at Harrods- burgh. Ky., and is the son of John and Sarah (Rylyn) MeGinnis.


The father of our subjeet was born in Harrods- burgh. Ky., in 1790, and the mother in Anderson County, Ky., about 1795. The former was reared on a farm, the quiet life of which was broken in upon by the War of 1812, m which he took an active part, and served under Gens. Jackson and Harrison in that eventful struggle. le partici- pated in the battle of New Orleans, which, as is known, was fought after the treaty of peace had been signed. Returning to private life, he had


nothing but his hands and head with which to earn a livelihood, but by industry and economy he nequired a small farm near Harrodsburgh. Ky. Af- ter remaining there a few years, he sold his prop- erty and removed to Anderson County, in the same State. There he bought one hundred acres, upon which he made a permanent home, and re- mained until his death. When about twenty-five years of age he married the daughter of Edward and Elizabeth ( Webb) Rylyn. Their union proved a very happy one and was sundered only by death. winch removed the husband in 1851. the wife having preceded him by four years. The grand- father of our subject was Thomas MeGinnis, a native of Ireland, who emigrated to the United States prior to the War of the Revolution, in which he served as a brave soldier.


Our subject embarked upon the sea of active life at the age of twenty years, and soon thereaf- ter married Miss Rebecca, daughter of Vincent and Rebecca (Walker) Boggess. Of their three children, only one survives, Sarah F., wife of J. E. Wood, the two others dying when young. After his marriage Mr. MeGinnis came to Missouri, in 1818, and settled in Montgomery County, where his father purchased and gave to him one hundred and sixty aeres of land. This he sold in 1851, and came to Ray County. where he has lived ever since, although he has changed his residence many times. Ile came of a sturdy and vigorous stock. having had six brothers and sisters who lived to man's and woman's estate. His first wife was called from him by death. and he again married. his wife being Laura I. Shaw. a native of Ray County. Mo., and the daughter of T. L. D. W. and Elizabeth Shaw. Their union was blessed by the birth of five children: James T .; Anna M .. wife of Marion Pettus; Cora T .. wife of James E. Lee; William C .. and one who died in infancy.


After the death of his second wife. Mr. MeGin- ni- married again, his choice being Mrs. Lucinda M. Duncan. daughter of Bennett and Eliza A. ( Palmer) Stratten, who bore him ten children: John B .. Eva M .. Eliza L., Adenia. Nanna S .. Amanda M., Edna C .. Ellen D .. Lillian and Charles E. Our subject is an influential member of the Christian Church, He is a member of the


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Lodge of Master Masons, the Royal Arch Masons, - in agricultural pursints, which he followed for one the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Encampment, and wa- also at one time a member of the Knights of Pythias. Ile takes great inter- est in politics and is a Democrat. Ilis fellow-citi- zens have frequently attested their appreciation of his merits by electing him to offices of trust. They first made him a Justice of the Peace in 1869, in which capacity he served for six years. Ile was elected Sheriff in 1876 and again in 1878, and was elected Presiding Judge of the County Court in 1886, which position he held for four years. A man of clear judgment, keen observation and wide experience, the combination of these and other superior qualities eminently qualifies him for any position of honor and trust to which his fellow- citizens may call him.


R OBERT R. SMITHI, the able, energetic and popular Treasurer of Linn County, Mo., is a man of tine business attainments and sterling integrity of character. From his early eluldhood a constant resident of Linneus and its immediate vicinity, our subject is widely known and fully enjoys the confidence and high regard of the entire communities of Linn County. Mr. Smith is a native of Hancock County. Ohlin. . and was born near Findlay. Ilis .parents. Reu- ben and Christina Smith. made their home in Ohio until the death of the father, which occurred when our subject was about one year old. In 1866, when Robert R. was a little lad of three years, the widowed mother and the maternal grand- father. Mr. Boyles. emigrated to Missouri, and with our subject settled near Linnens. Here he was early trained in the habits of industrions thrift and stern self-relance which have -o materially aided him in hi- upward progress.


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In his childhood Mr. Smith enjoyed the advan- tages of instruction attainable in the nearest public school. At about eleven years of age he became a bread-winner, then working fora twelvemonth in a grocery, and at the expiration of that time engaging


year; later he was employed by the Chicago, Bur- lington & Kansas City Railroad for one year, and then was employed by J. F. Lash for seven months in the lumber business. Ile was next employed by the dry-goods and clothing house of Phillips. Myer & Brenkley, and clerked for this well-known firm for five and one-half years, and since then has been continuously with the large establishment of J. C. Phillips & Sons. Our subject is considered by the general public one of the most successful dry-goods and clothing men of the country, being thoroughly at home in every detail of the business and well posted in the requirements of the trade. Mr. Sinith was married in January, 1888, to Miss Sallie E. Phillips, daughter of John C. Phillips. of Linneus, a prominent citizen and early resident of Linn County.


Our subject has long been a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is ever ready to assist in the good works and social and benevolent enterprises of that religions organ- ization. Fraternally. Mr. smith is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politi- cally, he is an ardent Republican. and an earnest supporter of the party. A genial and courteous man, and a thoroughly progressive and public- spirited citizen. straightforward and upright in the daily conduct of both his public and private life. he has justly earned the popularity he enjoys among the ranks of the opposing political parties. Republican and Democratic. Our subject ha- held the position of Alderman. Faithfully discharging the duties of that. office to the great satisfaction of his constituents. Nominated upon the Republican ticket September 5. 1892. for County Treasurer. Robert R. Smith was elected to the honored and responsible position by a majority of two hundred and four votes, a victory gained in a Democratic County. Young in years, but ripe in the experi- ence which is gained only by a practical business education, and also possessing the attributes which materially aid in the continued usefulness and prosperity of an official career, our subject has a bright future before him, and carries with him into the coming duties of life the hearty good


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Yours Truly Dr. Andrew J& Bass


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wishes and sincere regards of hosts of true friends, many of whom have with pride and affection watched his upward course from early boyhood to the full fruition of honored and vigorous man- hood.


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NDREW J. BERRY, M. D., the successful medical practitioner and skillful surgeon of Purdin, Linn County, is a native of Montgomery County, Ky., and was born April 11, 1865. Our subject is the son of John F. Berry, who was born in Pennsylvania, but was reared mainly in Kentucky, of which latter State Grandfather Berry was an early settler. Arriving at mature age. Jolm F. Berry engaged in business as a stoek-shipper, and remained a constant resident of Kentucky. He married Miss Elizabeth Hanks, an accomplished young lady, who died when our subjeet was but five months old. Her father. An- drew J. llanks, was a stock-shipper of Kentucky, and was in partnership with her husband.


Andrew J. Berry was the second of his father's ten children, and was reared in Montgomery County, Ky., until he was nine years old, when he removed to La Fayette County, Mo., where he at- tained to manhood. lle acquired a primary edu- cation in the common schools of his native State, and afterward enjoyed a course of instruction in the High School at Moorefield, Ky. Having com- pleted his studies in the higher Enghsh branches he began to read medicine with Drs. Abbott & Ford, of Milo. He also studied medicine one year with Dr. Mairs, of Browning, Mo., and after- ward entered the Medical College of Louisville. Ky. Graduating in 1890, he at onee made his home in Purdin and here actively entered into the practice of his profession.


October 10, 1888, Dr. Berry was united in mar- riage with Miss Edith Brown, daughter of James Brown, one of the oldest settlers of Linn County, Mo. Mrs. Berry received her primary education in the common schools, but completed her studies in Springfield, Ill., and, enjoying superior advan- tages for instruction, is a cultured lady of fine at- tainment -. Our subject is the only physician in


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Purdin. and practices the regular school of medi- cine. Able, intelligent and well versed in the var- ious forms and treatments of disease, he has met with success, his daily rounds embracing a large ter- ritory, and his practice already being one of the best in Linn County. Some of his regular patients re- side within six miles of Brookfield, and the calls in different directions not infrequently detain him many hours. He has also an excellent office prac- tice, and occupies a handsomely furnished suite of rooms on one of the principal streets of Purdin, adjoining his pleasant residence.


Fraternally our subject i- a valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. being No- ble Grand of the lodge of Purdin, and he also be- longs to the Masonic fraternity. Politically he is a strong Democrat, and'in 1890 was elected Coro- ner of Linn County. a position which he still hold -. lle is a member of the Grand River Valley Medi- eal Society. He keeps himself thoroughly abreast of the times, and is a close student of scientific re- search and discovery. Devoted untiringly to the duties of a profession exacting in its demands, he yet finds time to interest himself in the local en- terprises of Purdin and is regarded as a progress- ive and public-spirited citizen, thoroughly in sym- pathy with the advancement of the best interests of his home locality.


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AMES M. MORROW, our subject, is a man with a clear understanding of business and a very good knowledge of iumber and its products. Hle is engaged at Lawson. Ray County, in the sale of lumber. lath, shingles, doors, blinds and all kinds of builder's materials. He is the son of Josiah Morrow, who was born in North Caro- lina and was there reared and educated. His mar- riage united him with Miss Diey Mebane and later. in 1812, he removed to Missouri. where he bought land about four miles east of Lawson, in Ray County, and later entered Government land in the same county. Ten years after he sold his property and went to Clinton County, Mo., where he re-


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sided until his death in 1877. Ilis wife passed away in the same year. He was the father of seven children, six of whom are living, namely: our subject; Sarah F .. wife of William Reed, of Clin- ton County, Mo .; Mary Ann. wife of John Estill, of Kansas; Lou J., wife of Sam Wharton. of Clay County; Wilham, who was killed at the age of twelve by a horse; Maggie, hving at Arkansas City, Kan .; and Mary Elizabeth, who makes her home with our subject.


Our subject was born April 13. 1843. ITis edu- cation, which was commenced in Ray County, was completed in Clinton County. and at the age of eighteen he started out in life for himself. Hle traveled across the plains to Denver. thence to Carson City, Nev., and engaged in mining at va- rious points. After about a year he journeyed to Salt Lake City and a short time later traveled to Montana. whence he floated down the river in a flatboat from Ft. Benton to Omaha. In 1866. he returned to Missouri and engaged in farming in Clinton County. where he remained until 1873. Ile then went to Lawson and embarked in the mercantile business in that place. remaining thus engaged for two or three years. In 1877. he re- sumed life upon the farm. During that year he was married in Lawson to Miss Rose, a daughter of Richard Warren who was a native of England. Until the spring of 1887 Mr. Morrow followed ag- ricultural pursuits upon his farm, but at the above- mentioned date he went to Eureka Springs, Ark .. where he remained for a short time. Returning thence to Lawson. Mo., he purchased the business of Grizzle & Waggey. Since that time he has been " one of the prominent business men of Lawson and through the exercise of energy and good judgment has been rewarded with prosperity and the pos- session of a comfortable amount of this world's goods.


Six children bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mor- row, namely: Alva W .. Myrtie F .. Richard J .. Ma- bel, Joseph S. and Roy E. One child. Mary J .. died at the age of four months. In his social connec- tions, Mr. Morrow is identified with Bee Hive Lodge No. 393. F. & A. M .. and is Master of the Lodge, also a member of the Chapter. In his re- ligious belief he is in sympathy with the doctrines


of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is a faith- ful and active member. All local measures calcu- lated to enhance the material welfare of the com- munity receive his hearty co-operation. and as an earnest advocate of the principles of the Demo- cratie party he takes a deep interest in the success of his chosen party, to which he gives the support of his ballot and influence.


G EORGE W. WALDON, M. D., of Tina, Car- roll County, has been engaged in the prac- tice of his profession for over a quarter of a century. He was born in Cumberland County. Va., September 14, 1830. llis paternal grand- father. John Waldon, wa- a native of the Em- erald Isle. while on the maternal side our subject is of French descent. Ile is the son of William and Elizabeth ( Foster) Waldon, the former born in Virginia. The family comprised eight chil- dren, of whom our subjeet is next to the young- est. In 1850 they removed Westward. making a settlement in Saline County, of this State.




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