Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn Counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 76

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 76
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 76
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 76
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 76
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 76

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

AMES G. GALLEMORE, one of the leading journalists of Chariton County, is the editor and proprietor of the Salisbury Press- Spectator, a paper where circulation exceed- that of any other newspaper in the county. He is a man of pleasant, genial manner. social and ac- commodating, and has made his paper a power in the county.

Mr. Gallemore was born in Howard, near Boons- borough, Mo., May 25, 1862. His father, William S. Gallemore, was born in Kentucky, near Lexing- ton, and his grandfather, John R., was born in Vir- ginia, where he learned and followed the trade of mechanical carpenter. Ile located in Howard County. Mo., where he opened and operated a wagon-making and blacksmith shop, and died in that county when seventy years of age.

The father of our subjeet is a farmer in Howard County, where he has a farm in Chariton Town- ship, on which he resides. The Christian Church is the denomination in which he claims member- ship. He was married to Mary M. Cloyd, born in Howard County, a daughter of Gilbert Cloyd. who was born in Tennessee, but became one of the early settlers of Howard County, Mo., where he pursued his trade of cooper in addition to farm- ing. He enlisted in Price's army when seventy years of age, but died during the raid. Mr. and Mrs. Gallemore had nine children, eight of whom are living, our subject being the eldest.

James Gallemore, like other farmer boys, was reared to an agricultural life, obtaining such an

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Dr. Javelock

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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education as was offered in the publie school of his district until sixteen years of age, when he at- tended the Warrensburgh State Normal School for two years. After this he engaged in teaching school, and continued at this for about three years. In 1881 he came to Salisbury and engaged in business, buying out the interest of his unele, J. M. Gallemore, of the Press-Spectator, and has con- tinued here ever since. In 1889 he took his brother, W. S., into partnership with him, and they conducted the paper together until July 1. 1892, when our subject bought his brother's inter- est, and now conducts the paper alone.

The Press-Spectator is a six-column quarto, all home print, and has a circulation of fifteen hundred, which is the largest of any paper in the county. The paper is conducted in the interests of the Demo- cratie party. The office is well equipped with the latest modern improvements, it has a steam press and folder, and a good job and book office. The paper is the oldest one in the city, having been established in 1871 by J. M. Gallemore. Our subject was married November 17, 1887, in this city, to Miss Ella Trent, born in Salisbury Town- ship, a daughter of J. W. Trent. a prominent farmer and stockman here. Mr. Gallemore is a member of the Christian Church, in which he was a Deacon until he resigned. Socially he affiliates with the Masonie order and the Knights of Pythias.

2 HOMAS N. LAVELOCK. Among the mem- bers of the legal profession in Ray County. no one is more deserving of his high repu- tation, that has been won by careful study and close attention to his duties. than the subject of this sketch, who is a prominent attorney of Rich- mond. A native of Sangamon County, Il .. he was born January 1. 1854. and is therefore now in the prime of his mental vigor and physical strength.

Thomas Lavelock, the father of our subject, was born in Ireland, whence about the year 1835 le emigrated to America, and settled in Sangamon County. When a youth he had but limited educa-

tional advantages, but being a man of strong nat- ural judgment and sterling common sense, he was enabled to overcome to a large extent his lack of early opportunities. As a stock-dealer and farmer. he was recognized as a shrewd and careful business man. and in every relation of life and under all circumstances, his character was distinguished by rectitude, fidelity, industry and enterprise.

In Sangamon County. IN .. occurred the marriage of Thomas Lavelock and Dorcas Shoup, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Downing) Shoup. Mr. Shoup was born in Huntingdon County. Pa., May 9, 1780, and married Miss Downing, of the same county, May 25, 1802. Some time afterward they removed to Pickaway County. Ohio, where they resided until the autumn of 1831. removing from there to Sangamon County. Ill. In the home they there established, both passed away. Mr. Shoup December 19. 1819. and his wife April 20. 1850. In 1858 the parents of our subject came to Ray County, Mo., and settled upon a farm located in the eastern part of the county, where the father conducted agricultural pursuits until his death in 1863. lle was successful. and at the time of his demise owned about eleven hundred acres of land, in addition to considerable personal property.

This sketch would be very unsatisfactory to the subject thereof, were not a tribute paid to the worth of his mother. Though a lady of very limited educational advantages. she possessed prac- tical common sense and excellent judgment. qual- ities which enabled her to assist her husband in the accumulation of his property. Left a widow with several small children dependent upon her for their training, she not only carried on the farm and succeeded in making money under ad- verse eireumstances, but also gave to her children the greatest care and devotion. A true and lov- ing mother, she has taken great pride in the sue- cess of her children, who have repaid her for the devotion of former years by their honorable and upright live -. All the surviving members of the family are married except the subject of this sketch, and all reside in Ray County. At the age of seventy-two. Mrs. Lavelock wears her years gracefully, and is a lady who is loved and re- spected by her neighbors and friends.

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The third in a family of six living children, our subject passed the day- of boyhood upon his fa- ther's farm, where he assisted in the daily round of duties, and during a portion of each year at- tended the district schools. Having completed his preparatory studies. he entered Richmond College, and after a course of instruction in that excellent institution, he enjoyed the further advantage of a full course in the law department of the State University of Mi -- ouri, at Columbia, from which he graduated in 1878. Admitted to the Bar. he im- mediately began the practice of his profession in Richmond. and for a time was in partnership with his brother. George W .. who is now Judge of the Probate Court of Ray County. The law firm of Lavelock & Lavelock was among the most promni- nent in this part of the State, and continued un- til the Judge took his seat upon the Bench to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge John T. Bannister. Afterward he was elected to the posi- tion for a term of four years.

In 1888 our subject was elected to the office of Prosecuting Attorney, in which he served for two terms, and devoted himself to his public duties with such energy and efficiency as to win the commenda- tion of all. Ile is not a master in the school of ora- tory, yet is fluent in argumentative discourse, apt in the choice of words. easy in manner and address, forcible in arraying facts and singularly cogent in analyzing decisions and applying elementary prin- ciples. Ile may be somewhat wanting in imagina- tion, but when his sympathies are in perfect accord with his subject, he not infrequently speaks with a zeal. pathos and persuasiveness peculiarly his own, and at times reaches the sublimest eloquence. He studies methods of presenting business proposi- tions in the manner best calculated to favorably impress the practical mind. In his preparation of a case he never depends upon intuition or inspira- tion, and in his arguments he never permits his main points to be lost in the maze of florid or re- (undant rhetoric. In business he never studies the law apart from the facts of his case. for he re- alize, that the facts determine the rule of law ap- plicable to and governing his case. He conduets an extensive practice in all the courts, and has been more than ordinarily successful in numerous

important cases which were hotly contested and carried to higher courts, the final decision almost invariably being made in favor of the clients of Mr. Lavelock. He has a large and well-selected law library, containing all the late standard re- ports. as well as the most complete set of books of reference to be found in the State. outside of the large cities.

In his political opinions, Mr. Lavelock is a firm believer in the principles advocated by the Demo- eratic party. and is a leader in the councils of his chosen party. He is prominently connected with the Masonie order. being a member of the Blue Lodge. Chapter and Commandery. With self-reli- ance and perseverance, Mr. Lavelock has won his way upward, and is now justly numbered among the most progressive and public-spirited citizens of Ray County, where almost his entire life ha- been passed.

D R. JAMES HENRY PORTER BAKER. one of the most prominent physicians in the county. and one who has had a long and prosperous practice, is the subject of this sketch. He was born at Columbus. Johnson County, Mo .. on the 18th of February. 1837. The parents of our subject, like many of the settlers of this State who came from Tennessee and Virginia, were of English de-cent. Ilis grandfather, Peter Baker, was born in Virginia but at an early day settled in Tennessee. where he became a farmer. Later he took part in the Ind- ian War, and then in the War of 1>12. Hle re- moved to this State after his son had located here. and here he died when almost one hundred year- old. Ile had been a member of the Baptist Church.

The father of Dr. Baker, W. C. Baker, was born in Knox County, Tenn .. and in that State he was married. In 1831 he located in Missouri, making the trip by team and wagon. and when he reached the State he entered a large tract of land near Col- umbus. in Johnson County. There were six hun- dred and forty aeres in the tract and here he built a log house and became a pioneer, carrying on a

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large farming business. He died in June. 1861, at the age of fifty-six years. after having long been a Deacon in the Baptist Church. While farming in the early pioneer days here he had to haul his produce to Lexington and to St. Louis.

The mother of our subjeet was Naney (McGin- nis) Baker, a native of Tennessee and a daughter of John MeGinnis, a Protestant Orangeman of Ire- land. He came to America and located in Ten- nessee, where he engaged in farming and the raising of stock, and there he died. The mother of our subject lived until 1863. Six children, three girls and three boys. were born of this union. Catherine. now Mrs. Atkinson. resides in Johnson County; William T. lives in Johnson County: Dr. Peter S. is a physician in Los Angeles: and our subject is the fourth one of those remaining in the family.

James Baker was reared on the farm in Johnson County, enjoyed good common-school advantages and later attended the academy at Murray Hill. From that place he went to the Masonic College at Lexington until it went down, when he entered William Jewell College, at Liberty, and there com- pleted the Junior year. At this time, he began the study of medicine under Drs. Dobbins & Goodwin, of Columbus, continuing with them for six months. when he entered the St. Louis Medical College and there remained until the spring of 1861.

In this year our subject joined the first company of Missouri State militia under Jackson, but his father being ill with typhoid fever he returned and took care of him until his death. The whole family had the fever and the Doctor, worn out with being constantly in the saddle, riding all over the country. had it also. Ile remained with his mother until her death in 1863 and then he felt that he had done his full duty and started South to join Price's army in Col. Perkins' regiment. Soon after his arrival he was made Surgeon of Shaw's battalion, but when this regiment crossed the Red River Dr. MePheeters was placed in charge and our subject was given the management of the general hospital at Clarksville, Tex .. and also the management of Shelby's division hospital. lle remained there in charge until the close of the

war and had a world of experience. In June. 1865, he surrendered at Shreveport, and coming to Ran- dolph County, located in Salt Spring Township. which now bears the name of Clifton. and settled seven miles west of Huntsville, where he began a practice. This was near the place of J. II. Hen- dlerson. who afterward became the father-in-law of our subject. At this time he had no money with which to continue his medienl studies. therefore practiced until 1867. when he was able to enter Rush Medical College at Chicago, from which he was graduated in March. 1868, with his degree of Doctor of Medicine.

After graduating, Dr. Baker returned to Clifton, where his practice rapidly extended, owing to the growth which the town made in consequence of the coming through it of the Wabash Railroad in 1867. llere he continued practicing both in Ran- dolph and Chariton Counties. thus becoming well known in Salisbury. In December, 1891, he lo- eated here. While in Clifton, for eight years he conducted a drug store. also acquired and improved a farm of two hundred and fifty-five aeres near that town. He still owns thirty acres of this. upon which he raises stock. As his location in Clifton was on the county line. he did as much practice in Chariton as in Randolph County.

Dr. Baker was married in Clifton, in 1865. to Miss Jennie W., a daughter of J. II. Henderson, a prominent farmer and a native of Virginia. Four children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Baker. as follows: Arthur G., now attending school at the St. Louis School of Pharmacy; Jennie B .; Wilfred Iand Mary W. The handsome residence of the family is on Weber Avenue, between Third and Fourth Street>. The religious connection of the family is with the Missionary Baptist Church.

Socially, Dr. Baker is a member of the Ancient. Free & Accepted Masons, being a Past Master, and is the examining physician of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a member of the State Medical Society, the Moberly District Medical So- ciety, of which he is ex-President. and is an active member of the Chariton County Medical Society. Ever since reaching his majority, he has been con- nected with the Democratic party and has been a delegate to the county, State and congressional

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conventions, and is an ex-member of the Demo- eratie county committee.

The career of our subject has been successful be- cause he is evidently one of those fortunate phy- sicians who are born. not made. Very often his best medicine has been his presence. and many are the families in his long experience who have in- trusted their troubles of mind as well as bodily ills to his tender care.

C OL. CASPER W. BELL, for many years a conspicuous member of the Chariton County Bar, and one of the most eloquent and accomplished lawyers of the State, was born in Welch's Tract, Prince Edward County, Va., Febru- ary 2, 1819. The grandfather of our subject was Col. George Bell. who was a native of County Cork, Ireland. Ile was a Major in the British army, but beeame connected with the Emmet re- bellion, and for this reason had to leave his native land. lle made his way to Virginia, where he lo- cated and later took an active part in the Revolu- tionary War as a Colonel in the American army. After settling down, he became an extensive planter and land-owner in the State and married Betsey Calhoun. a sister of Col. Pat Calhoun, the father of Hon. JJohn C. Calhoun. Ile lived to be one hundred and ten years old, having been a man of iron constitution.

The father of our subject was also a soldier. tak- ing part in the War of 1812. He too became a wealthy man, owning at the time of his death some four or tive fine farms in Lunenburg County, Va. lle lived to be seventy-nine years of age. The mother of our subject was Sarah Mont- fort Street, born in Lunenburg County, a daugh- ter of Col. Anthony Street, who was born in Vir- ginia and became a Colonel in the Revolutionary War. The latter married a sister of Gen. Mont- fort Stokes, and of Gen. John Stokes, in whose office President Andrew Jackson studied law. The mother died at the age of sixty-five years. The Streets were of English descent. the great-grand- father having come direct from England.

Col. Bell's parents were wealthy and influential. and he had the best educational advantages that the county afforded. In early youth, he wa- in- structed at a private school, held at the home of his father, and there in connection with the com- mon branches he studied both Greek and Latin. After this he entered William and Mary College. having for his classmates many who afterward distinguished themselves, and among these was Johh Tyler, Jr. Our subject graduated from there in 1837, with distinguished honor, and with the degree of A. B. After graduating, he went to Mississippi and read law under Hon. Henry >. Foote, at that time the Surveyor of the State. In 1838 he entered the l'niversity of Virginia. at Charlottesville. and graduated from these in 1839. with the degree of LL .. B .. in the same class with Henry Winter Davis. of Maryland: George W. Randolph, of Virginia. and Gen. Ayres, of South Carolina, all of whom subsequently became promi- nent in their respective States.

Thus equipped with a thorough education, our subject came to Missouri and located at Bruns- wiek, where he began the practice of law Decem- ber 10, 1813. Ilere he came intocompetition with such men as Judge Abiel Leonard, Gen. John B. Clark. Sr .. Hon. B. F. Stringfellow, Col. Robert Prewitt, Hon. William Slack, and others hardly less prominent. Such, however, were his qualifica- tions and ability, his address and industry. that he soon took a commanding position at the Bar with the very best lawyers of the Eleventh Judicial District. He continued in practice in this and neighboring circuits, comprising some nine differ- ent counties, and in the Superior Court, with in- ereasing success and growing influence until the breaking out of the Civil War.

Until the demise of the Whig party, our subject had been an earnest and consistent Whig. and al- though he had had but little taste for the life of the politician, preferring to devote his whole time and attention to the practice of his profession. yet he was looked upon as the leader of that party in his section of the State, and as one of it- ablest and brightest representatives. If he had been dis- posed to devote himself to politics. there was no office in the State for which the Whig party would .

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not have gladly supported him, and it is not im- probable that if, during the time under review, Missouri had been Whig instead of Democratic, no office in the gift of the people, whether State or Federal, would have been beyond his reach.

At an early period in the professional career of Col. Bell, he was nominated by the Whig party for the State Legislature, and although defeated at the polls, his defeat was a greater triumph for him personally than if he had had a majority party vote. At that time the average Democratic majority in the county was one thousand, yet such was his personal popularity that he was de- feated by only seventy-five votes. He was four times nominated for Congress by the Whig party, but each time declined the honor, not caring to make a useless race in an overwhelmingly Demo- eratie district.

At the outbreak of the war. Mr. Bell. being a Virginian and identified with the South by every consideration of sympathy and interest, warmly espoused the Southern cause. and was very active in raising volunteers for State and Confederate service. In the spring of 1861, he was commis- sioned Adjutant-General of Gen. Clark's division of Missouri State Guard-, and served in that posi- tion until the following fall, during which time the battles of Wilson's Creek, Dry Wood and Lex- ington were fought. At the meeting of the State Legislature at Bentonville, Clay County, Mo., in October, 1861, he was nominated for the Confed- erate Congress from this State and was unani- mously elected, being the only man who received every vote in the Legislature.

Col. Bell was nominated by Daniel Robbins, of Adair County, and he continued to represent this district until the close of the war. The other men connected with him at this time were John B. Clark, R. L. Y. Payton, G. G. Vest (now United States Senator), Aaron Conroe. William M. Cook, Thomas S. Harris and James Freeman. In Con- gress, our subject took high rank and his speeches were remarkable for eloquence and finish. While there he introduced and supported a bill in re- ference to guerrillas, who infested several States, Missouri in particular, and took the ground that they should be connected with some army division

or be treated as outlaws. He edited a column in the Richmond Ecaminer, called the - Missouri column" in which he advocated the appointment of Gen. Sterling Price as Major-General in the Confederate army and seeured his appointment. During his absence from Missouri, his property in Brunswick was all destroyed, and as his Virginia patrimony had all been invested in Confederate bonds, which were rendered worthless by the war, our subject suffered severe financial loss.

After the war, Col. Bell practiced in Danville. Va., until 1867. and remained there until the law was so changed that he could again resume prac- tice in Missouri. When he returned to this State, . he was practically without means and had to be- gin afresh. However, his abilities soon placed him upon a firm foundation agam, and in 1871, he was elected Prosecuting- Attorney of Chariton County and was re-elected until 1855, when he resigned to accept the appointment as special attorney for the adjustment of Indian depredation claims in the Interior Department at Washington, D. C., where he did valuable service in the settlement of over two thousand claims. In August, 1889, he re- signed and located in Salisbury, where he con- tinues the practice of law. Col. Bell is careful in the preparation of his cases and is quiek to see and take advantage of every favorable point. As an attorney, he ranks with the best in this section of the State. and is unanimously esteemed for his sterling integrity, and manly, generous impulses. A man of superior culture and attainments, he has the modesty which usually accompanies learn- ing,-indeed his excessive modesty is one of his leading characteristics.

Since the disintegration of the Whig party. our subject has been identified with the Democrats but has taken no very active part in politics. Ilis principal connection with political affairs has been to serve in the State and county conventions, of which he has always been a safe and able member. and to make speeches during the campaigns, he be- ing a ready and fluent speaker. The great zeal he always show- for his friends is one of the most marked traits in his character. No man in the State is capable of stronger and truer friendship, and his esteem and confidence once obtained he is

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as true as steel to those who gain them. and no" service or sacrifice. within the bounds of reason, is too great for him to undertake. Senator Vest once said of him, "Casper Bell is one of the truest and most unselfish men I ever knew." To this quality is largely due his great personal popularity, which has almost grown into reverence as he has advanced in years. Honorable in every impulse. those who know him know that they can trust him implicitly. From the beginning of his career, he has been regarded as a lawyer of a high order, and he has never been found prosecuting cases in which there were not strong evidences of guilt, but when he does call the aceused before the court he seldom fails to convict.

Col. Bell was married in Howard County, Mo., on the 6th of August. 1844. to Miss M. Owen. who was born in Iloward County, a daughter of Gen. Igna- tius Owen, who commanded a brigade in the Black Hawk War and was present at the surrender of that noted chief. Col. and Mrs. Bell had ten children, five sons and five daughters. only three of whom are still living, namely: Monfort Wistar. a prominent attorney in San Francisco. Cal .. and a member of the firm of Carnall. Hopkins & Co., large land-agents: Mary, Mrs. J. T. Fort. of Ran- dolph County, Mo .; and Fannie Street, who is at home. Col. Bell is a valued member of the Pres- byterian Church. and has long been connected with the Missouri State Bar Association. Ile is a man of commanding appearance and a typical rep- resentative of the courtly and self-respecting old- school gentleman of Virginia. His practice in this county has continued since December, 1812.

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Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn Counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 76

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

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