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 77
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 77
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 77
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 77
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 77
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OHN R. HAMILTON. The office of Prose- euting AAttorney is universally admitted to be an exalted as well as a most necessary one-the righting of wrongs and the protec- tion of society constantly demanding the services of that official. It is well that the sen-e of honor is high in the profession, since trickery. evasion and knavery could work great evil. Our subject maintains a proud rank at the Bar. commanding
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the respeet and confidence of his legal associate- as well as of the public. He and his family reside. in a pleasant house on Camden Avenue. Rich- mond, in which city he has built up a good prac- tice.
Mr. Hamilton was born in Fishing River Town- ship, Ray County, Mo., on the 2d of September. 1856. being the son of Thomas and Rebecca (Shackelford) Hamilton. The father was born in Garrard County. Ky., and followed the or- cupation of a farmer. He was married in Clay County. Mo., and died in June, 1886, in DeKalb County, Mo., to which county he had removed in the year 1880. The mother of our sub- ject was the daughter of Ryland Shackelford. who was of Scotch-Irish descent. and an old settler of Clay County. She died in Ray County, in the year 1861. The paternal grandfather of our -uh- ject, Thomas Hamilton, was a native of Virginia. of Scotch-Irish descent.
Our subject is the eldest of three living children in the parental family, and resided upon the home farm until seventeen years old, meanwhile carry- ing on his studies in the district school. At the age named he began teaching in country school- near his home district, and continued thus engaged for four years, after which he attended the state University of Missouri, at Columbia, for two terms. He conducted his legal studies with C. T. Garner & Son. and was admitted to the Bar at Plattsburgh, Mo .. in 1880. He began the practice of his profession at Richmond with James W. Gar- ner, and while that gentleman filled the position of Prosecuting Attornes. Mr. Hamilton acted as Assistant until 1884, when he was elected to the office of Public Administrator of Ray County. serving for four years.
In January, 1889, a partnership was formed for the practice of law with James E. Ball. under the firm name of Ball & Hamilton. which continued up to December. 1822, at which time the same was dissolved. Our subject was nominated on the Democratie ticket as a party candidate for the office of Prosecuting Attorney of Ray County in May, 1892. and was elected to said office the fol- lowing November. Mr. Hamilton was married December 1, 1885, to Miss Annie Jackson, of
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Westport. Mo .. the daughter of C. R. Jackson, of the same place, and three children have been born to bless their union. Mr. Hamilton takes a deep interest in politics, and is an ardent advo- cate of the Democratic principles. His good judg- ment in party matters is generally admitted. He is a member of Richmond Lodge No. 57. A. F. d. A. M., and Richmond Chapter No. 36, R. A. M.
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G EORGE WASHINGTON WILLIAMS, one of the very oldest resident settlers of Char- iton County, and of the city of Salisbury, one who has seen and taken part in the develop- ment of the whole of this section, is the subject of this present sketch. Ile is the President of the Model Milling Company. and a Dircetor and Stockholder in the Salisbury Canning Company.
George W. Williams was born near Fayette, Howard County, January 22. 1833. His grandfa- ther, Edward Williams, was a Revolutionary sol- dier and a farmer. Somewhere about the year 1819 he came to Missouri and located near Fay- ette, in lloward County, where he engaged in suc- cessful farming for many years. He then sold his property there and located in Salisbury Township, in Chariton County, where he died about 1846. The father of our subject was named Samuel Will- iams; he was born in Madison County, Ky .. and was about sixteen when the family came to Missouri. In 1835 he located in Salisbury Town- ship, and here he had over six hundred acres of land. well improved. At this place he died in 1860, when but fifty-five years of age. mourned by a large family of children. In his polities he was an adherent of the Democratic party, and for long years was a consistent member of the "Hardshell" Baptist denomination. In his younger manhood he had taken a part in the Black Hawk War.
The mother of our subject is Martha ( Morri-) Williams, who was born in Jessamine County. Ky., a daughter of Nathaniel Morris. a farmer in Kentucky, who became a resident of Missouri about 1818 and died there. She resides on the old home farm, which now is owned by E. M.
Williams, and here she finds a pleasant home in her declining days. She is now eighty-two years old. Iler family of nine children have grown up. many of them having homes of their own. Nancy J .. now Mrs. Collison, resides in Salisbury Town- ship; George W. is the subject of this sketch; Sa- rah. Mrs. Wright, resides in Salisbury; E. M. is a farmer here; Paulina. Mrs. Bonning, resides in Salisbury; Su-an. Mr -. Dy-art, resides in Maeon County, Mo .; Ellen. Mrs. Williams, resides in Sal- isbury; and M. Josephine. Mrs. Donaldson, resides in Salisbury, as does also the youngest of the fam- ily, Minnie, Mrs. Copeland.
Our subject was the second oldest in the family of children that gathered around the hearth of the two excellent people above mentioned. Since 1835 he has been a resident of Chariton County. In his youth he had but limited school advantages. and his earliest recollections of the "temple of learning" is of a log schoolhouse in a little clear- ing in the woods, and in it the most conspicuous object was the huge chimney built of mud and sticks in quite as artistic a manner as the nests of the Denmark storks. The seats upon which the little lads and lassies rested their tired bodies after their tramps of from three to five miles through the snow, were made of rough-hewn slabs. Ilere they sat studying their elementary spelling books, and "doing the sums" in the old Smiley & Ray arithmetic. The big boys and girls sat in the back part of the rooms and had a nice slab fastened against the wall, where the writing was done in foolscap writing-books, with quill pens. Three months in winter was the limit of time given to the cultivation of the intellect in those days, for work was pressing, many mouths were to be filled. and in many cases the pedagogue in winter be- came the farmer in summer and the school could not be continued.
The land which was entered by the father of our subject consisted of one hundred and twenty-five acres, and he remained at home until 1851, when he came to his present place. At that time there were plenty of deer and game over the country, but no buildings had been erected where this thriving little city now stands. Soon his log cabin. consisting of a room one story high, 16x 16, with
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an oak floor, arose in the woods, and beside it a little log stable, and in this primitive home he lived, improving his farm, fencing it, and working hard, but all the time seeing with his own eyes the progress he was making.
At first our subjeet was contented with a faim of eighty seres, but he grew ambitious and now has a place of one hundred and ten in one farm, with forty acres in another, and thirty-seven in timber. This he cultivate-, raising grain and to- bacco. When the proposed line of the Wabash Railroad, then called the Northern Missouri, was surveyed, it was found that the line ran through om subject's farm, and he generously gave a quar- ter of a mile right of way to the company. In [860 he laid out the Williams' Addition of twenty acres to the city. The real growth of the city be-
1 gan in 1865, when the "boom" regebed these reg- ions so lately resounding with the whoop of the savage, and lots were eagerly purchased. Mr. Will- iams soon selling all of his land.
In 1873 our subject became the owner of the Salisbury Mills, and these he continued to run un- til 1890, when he sold them, and the present cor- poration, known as the Model Rolling Mill Com- pany, was formed. A new brick mill was built with a capacity of sixty barrels a day. It has steam power and full roller process. Our subject is President of this company, which has a capital of $12,000. They have sold the old mill and or- ganized the Salisbury Canning Company, an in- dustry which promises to become one of the most important in this flourishing city.
Mr. Williams has shown a rare business talent, which displayed itself early in life, as before he was fifteen years of age he was the owner of one or two horses. He did the breaking of the colts on the farm and when twenty-one he began bny- ing and selling stock for himself and has done much of this ever since. In 1863 he began the shipping of stock to St. Louis and has fed cattle for over twenty years. He now owns some tine cattle, three thoroughbred hofses. and two hundred and seventy acres of farm land which is watered by Puzzle Creek. At the time of In- settlement in the county, it was a day of individual and ist- lated efort. Au industrious family had all that it
could grow, such ciothing as the loom of the housegold could produce, such furniture as could be made upon the place, and little else. But times of this kind have produced brave men and noble women, who have performed well their tasks in life.
February 10, 1893, our subject suffered an irrep- avable loss in the death of his wife, whom he had married in 1864. She was in her maidentiond Miss Margaret L. Wright, and was born in Howard County and there reared until 1850; when the family located here. She was the daughter of William Wright, a successful farmer. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, samuel, now residing on the home farm. Mr. Williams is a sturdy Democrat and many times has been a dele- gate to the county and congressional convention -. and three times to the State convention. He is a liberal. publie-spirited man, well and favorably known throughout the county.
UDGE GAVON D. BURGESS, elected in November, 1892. to the honored position of Judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri. has during a long career of usefulness oc- cupied various official positions of trust. and by an unvarying course of sterling integrity and faith- ful fidelity to the interest- intrusted to his care, has won the thorough confidence of every resident of Missouri. The home of our subject has been for more than twenty-seven years in Linnens, Linn County, and within this time, aside from other ac- tive work of life. he was three times returned to the Judicial Bench of the Circuit Court. No more popular man to-day lives within the limits of Lin County than our subject, whose characteristics of energy and enterprise are supplemented by lin- erality of sentiment and broad and generous jude- ment.
Judge Burgess was born in Mason County, Ky .. November 5. 1831, and is the son of Henry D. Burgess, who was a native of Maryland but carly settled in Mason County. Ky., and there married Mis Eveline Die, the daughter of William Die.
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Respectfully O. G. Stapp
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Henry D. Burgess was a farmer and spent some years in Mason County, engaging in the tilling of the soil. Later removing to Fleming County, Ky .. he was there elected to the State Legislature and so satisfactorily performed the duties of his office that he was returned a second time to his seat in the legislative halls. He was a strong and life-long Democrat and a warm supporter of the party. Henry D. Burgess was the father of seven children, of whom our subject was the fourth in order of birth. Three daughters yet survive, two residing in Missouri and one in Kansas. Gavon D. is the only son now living.
Our subject was reared and educated in the schools of Fleming County, and remained in Ken- tueky until twenty-two years of age. Hle read law with William Il. Cord, the author of "Law on the Rights of Married Women." After Judge Burgess had pursued his studies for some time he was admitted to the Bar and practiced for one year. lle then came to Missouri, and in the spring of 1856 located at Milan, where he remained suc- cessfully engaged in the practice of his profession for ten years. During 1858 and 1859, he repre- sented Sullivan County in the State Legislature, and as a member of some of the most important committees did excellent service in behalf of his constituents. In 1866 he made his permanent home in Linneus, and in 1874 was elected upon the Democratic ticket to the Bench of the Circuit Court, which, acceding to the popular vote of the people, hie occupied three successive terms. The elevation of Judge Burgess to the Supreme Bench was a well-deserved honor and a sincere tribute to his legal knowledge and superior ability.
Our subject was married in March, 1855. to Miss Cordelia, daughter of Robert Trimble. a prominent agriculturist and stock-raiser of Fleming-burgh. Ky. Mrs. Burgess is a native of Fleming County, Ky., and was there reared and educated. Judge Burgess and his estimable wife became the parents of one child, who passed away in infancy. Fra- ternally, our subject is a member of the Ancient OH ler of I'nited Workmen and is a Master Mason. Pe itically, he is first and last a Democrat and an enthusiastic supporter of the principles of true Democracy. Judge John 1. Thomas and Judge
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Madill, of St. Louis, and Judge ilall, of St. Joseph. were the competitors of Judge Burgess for the Supreme Benei:, and while each of these three dis- tinguished gentleman would have undoubtedly given excellent service in this high position, the choice of our subject aforded unbounded satisfac- tion io the citizens of Linn County, who regard Judge Burgess ss a friend, old neighbor and fel- low-citizen apon whose record there is neither blot nor shadow of stain.
ILLIAM G. STAPP. When Benjamin Franklin appeared before the gay court of Louis XVI., he wore a suit of jeans, yet potentates bowed down to do him honor. for they recognized beneath his humble habiliments a wise and sagacious man. This points its own moral and strengthens one in the conviction that "worth makes the man, the want of it the fellow." Among the many worthy citizens of Ray County, there is none that occupies a higher place in the estimation of his fellows than William G. Stapp, for his kind- ness of heart is proverbial, his intelligence sound and at all times to be relied upon, and his honor unimpeachable. He is a native of Howard County, Mo., and was born on the 7th of March. 1849, a son of Ehjah and Elizabeth ( Bradley ) Stapp, who were also born on Missouri soil. The paternal grandparents were Kentuckians, who became re-i- dents of Howard County during the early history of that section, and there died.
The early days of William G. Stapp were devoted to the calling of a farmer. but during this time he unfortunately received no opportunities for ob- taining an education. and this was a source of much regret to one of his aspiring and ambitious nature. Ile labored faithfully to remedy this deficiency. allowed nothing to stand in his way in his efforts to obtain an education, and to say that his labors have been crowned with success would be but stat- ing what all know to be a faet. for he is regarded as one of the brightest stars in the business firma- i ment of his town. He not only poresses much
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native tact and energy, but has the valuable facuity of making work progre -- rapidly and of directing his affairs in a business-like way.
At the age of twenty years Mr. Stapp left home for the purpose of making his own way in die world, and for six months thereafter ne worked in a spoke and handle factory in the State of New Jersey. At the end of that time be returned te Missouri and entered the employ of an undle who was operating a saw mill. While with that gen- tleman he obtained a clear insight into the details of the work, and has since made milling and Jum- bering his chief occupation, with the exception of four years, when his attention was directed to farming.
July 12. 1870. Miss Martha Jane, daughter of Elijah Broaddus, a farmer of Howard County, be- came the wife of our subject. She was one of six children, and was a refined lady. a faithful wife, # devoted mother and a kind neighbor, whose many noble traits of character and true Christianity made her beloved by all. She fell a victim to consump- tion and on the 5th of January, 1873, was called to that bourne whence no traveler returns, ber un- timely death being deeply mourned by al! who knew her. She left a son. Lullian .1., and an intant daughter, Mary Elizabeth. The latter was immedi- ately taken and cared for by our subject's sister. while Lullian A. remained with his father.
For his second wife Mr. Stapp chose Miss Susan Jane Ayres, who was born september 8. 1856. a daughter of Matthew and Sarah MI. Ayres, both of whom were members of well-known Virginian families. At the time of his death. which occurred October 12, 1892. the father was seventy-five years of age. The mother survives at the age of seventy- three years and resides in Saline County, Mo .. on the old home place. To Mr. and Mrs. Stapp five children were born. but two died in infancy. Ola Bell was born May 25. 1880; William Edgar, March 28, 1882, and Everett, October 31, 1886. The children are now attending chool. After his marriage to his second wife Mr. Stapp brought his two eldest children to his home, and to them Mr -. Stapp has been a kind and indulgent mother. car- ing for them as her own children. and at all times giving them good and disinterested advice. She
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has been rewarded with their warm regard and by seeing them grow to honorable manhood and wo- manhood Lillian is now attending a business col- lege in Kansas City, and Mary E. is the wife of Luke Dorton, whom she married September 15, 1.02. Mr. Dorton is a son of J. W. Dorton. of Orrick, and he was born September 16, 1861. By occupa- tion he is a iniller and carries on that business in Orrick with his father, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work.
After his second marriage Mr. Stapp erected a steam sawmill in the town of Orrick. where he does all kinds of work in his line and keeps on hand a large stock of soft and hard wood lumber and building material. May 1, 1891, in partner- ship with Dr. George E. Hamilton. he opened a drug store in Orriek, which they conducted suc- cessfully for one year. Mr. Stapp then sold his in- terest to W. R. Vanhoozer and has since devoted his entire time and attention to his extensive lum- ber interests. llis facilities for transacting business are unusually complete, enabling him to offer special advantages to customers, and to fill all orders in the most satisfactory manner.
The principles of Democracy are actively sup- ported by Mr. Stapp, who has successfully filled the offices of Clerk, Mayor and Councilman of this city. His career while in office was marked by faithfulness to duty, intelligence and a worthy de- sire to improve and benefit the town. In personal appearance he is prepossessing, and his genial man- ners and pleasant word of welcome to rich and poor alike have been the means of winning him many friends and have made him popular with all classes.
R. UFUS E. TOWER is one of the most exten- sive land-owners of Linn County. and makes his home on section 22, township 5. 58, range 21. llis paternal grandfather. A-ahel Tower, was a valiant patriot in the War of the Revolution, while his father, Asahel Tower. a native of Massachusetts, participated in the War of 1812. The latter married Mary Palmer, and of
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their family of eight children three were sons and five daughters, as follows: Henry 1., who is a farmer in Winchester, N. Il .; George F.e a mant- faeturer of candles and glycerine in St. Louis; Mary E., wife of S. W. Buffam. residing in Win- chester, N. II .; Julia, wife of Henry Gould. also of Winchester; Sarah M., now Mrs. Harry Bliss, liv- ing in New Haven; and Fannie E., a resident of New York City, as is also Hannah S.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Massa- chusetts, his birth having occurred in Lancaster. Woreester County, February 26, 1830. Upon his arrival in Missouri in 1856, he located at St. Louis, where he established himself and was en- gaged in the grocery business for twenty years. In 1876 Mr. Tower settled upon the farm which he has since made his home. He owns eleven hun- dred and eighty aeres. which are situated in Clay and Parsons Townships. He has made a specialty of raising fine horses. eattle, mules and sheep. The land, which cost him from $5 to $15 per acre, has been so extensively improved by him that its value is now estimated at $30 per aere. Ile uses the latest machinery and modern ideas in the de- velopment and cultivation of his property, which is a model farm of the last decade of the nine- teenth century.
In Worcester, in 1855. Mr. Tower and Miss Sarah J. Chapin were united in marriage. The father of Mrs. Tower, Joseph Chapin, was born in Massa- chusetts, where he was a large manufacturer of woolen goods in after life, but later removed to New York City, where he engaged in commercial pursuits up to the time of his death. Ile was a son of Col. Chapin, who was an active participant in Shay's rebellion in the Revolutionary War, and who was raised to his rank on account of marked bravery and faithful service. Mrs. Tower was born in the same town in Worcester County as was her husband. and by her marriage became the mother of two children, both of whom died and were buried in St. Louis.
As a business man and farmer, Mr. Tower has mode a signal success in life. and has manifested h , ability in all departments. Ile is a member of t e Masonic society, belonging to the Blue Lodge No. S. R. A. M., to the St. Louis Chapter No. S.
and also to the Blue Lodge No. 82, at Linnens, Mo. Hle is a loyal Republican, though he is not desirous of obtaining official positions. Hle is a member of the Horse Thief Protective Associa- tion.
R OBERT W. RENICK. The name of Renick is a familiar one in Ray County. not only because there are many of the family, but also because that name is synonymous with energy, thrift and moral qualities. As a neighbor truthfully said in speaking of the family, "It is real good stock all around." Robert W. Renick is no exception to the rule and is an honest. straight- forward, industrious and enterprising man. lle resides in township 52, range 27. Ray County, and is a native of Missouri, having been born in La Fayette County in 1817.
The father of our subjeet, James W. Reniek, was a son of Robert, who in turn was a son of Thomas Renick. The latter was probably born in Green- brier County, Va., and was of Welsh ancestry. By occupation he was a farmer, as were nearly all of the first families of Virginia. In 1812 he and his family and two sisters were captured by the In- dians, but all of them escaped exeept one son. who was carried off and reared by the Indians. In time he married and became one of their tribe and so thoroughly had he become acenstomed to the wild life of the forest that although he was induced to return home for a time he soon wearied of the re- straints of civilization and returned to his dusky wife and ended his days among his adopted people. It was especially lonely for him when he returned to his parents from the fact that he could eou verse only in the language of the tribe with which he had remained so many years.
Thomas Renick participated in the War of 1812 and afterward removed his family to Kentucky, being one of the pioneer- of that State. Ile resided on the frontier and was twice captured by the In- dians. Robert, the grandfather of our subject. was born in Virginia, where he grew to manhood on a farm and married Mary Hamilton. After his mar- riage he emigrated to Clarke County, Ohio, where
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he purchased land and followed farming and mil! ing. Eight children were born to himself and wife, namely: Sarah. William, Isabella, Heury. John, James ( father of our subject), Andrew and Robert, all of whom are now deceased. The grand- father was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church. James W. Renick. the father of our sub- jeet, was born in 1816. His father died when be was yet quite young and he made his home with an older sister. When she became a widow he ac- companied her to La Fayette County, Mo., making the trip in 1830.
Unlike many of his neighbors, the above named gentleman had money enough to buy one hundred acres of land. which he cultivated. Nine years after his advent into the county he married Willie Warden. who was born in Boone County, Ky., and was the daughter of Rev. John Warden, a Baptist preacher, who migrated to La Fayette County, Mo. In 1811 the father of our subject began freighting for the Government to Western points. embracing Salt Lake City, Colorado. New Mexico and Cali- fornia, and continued in this business for sixteen years, during which time he was also engaged in conducting his farm. He was very successful and acemulated twelve hundred acres of land, to which he devoted his entire attention after he retired from the freighting business. The war deprived him of everything he possessed except his land, and that was greatly depreciated in value owing to the ravages of both armies. In 1869 he came to Ray County. Mo., where he bought six hundred and forty acres of land and remained here until his death, which occurred in 1892. Politi- cally, he was a Whig before the war out after that great struggle became a Demo at. Like many others in his section his sympathies were with the South during the late war. He was appointed Stock Inspector of Texas cattle in La Fayette County, which position he filled with credit.
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