Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn Counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 84

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 84
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 84
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 84
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 84
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 84

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).

During the winter our subject did some pros- peeting, and early in the spring he discovered a claim at the top of one of the mountains called Lost Canyon Mine. He went up on snowshoes and worked there until the middle of July. when. the water failed. Then he worked at Cash Creek. where he realized $200. Selling out. he proceeded to Montana, leaving Denver September 20, 1861. with two yoke of cattle and journeying to Vir- ginia City, and thence to Bevins' Gulch. where he remained during the winter. In the spring he be- gan prospecting on the Yellowstone, and there he remained until July. While there he fell in with

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a tribe of Crow Indians, with whom he became friendly and remained all winter. llis were the first wagons they had ever seen. He and his four companions found the Indian disposed to be kind and helpful, notwithstanding their reputation for cruelty.

Later, Mr. Baier went to Big Horn and Little Big Horn. Making his way far up on the divide, he could see where the streams of water which made fertile the valleys below formed on the top of Bald Mountains. Snow was on the ground, and the party made its way back to Virginia City almost starved. For a time our subjeet worked in the mines there, receiving 86 a day, and later was employed in a butcher shop for one month, receiv- ing $100 for his services. At Bevins' Gulch he opened a butcher shop and made $1,000 in six months. but the desertion of the mines caused a failure in trade. Ile then returned to Virginia City, where he bought out a claim for $3,000, and opening it with another man went to work. Often the outlook was very discouraging, but he perse- vered until his receipts amounted to $ 10,000. when he quit.

At that time there was great excitement farther north, and with his partner our subject proceeded thither. They bought a claim for $3.000 but lost it and returned to the old place, bare-footed and ragged. They began to work in an okl mine near Helena, and with the start there obtained went to Utah to speculate. There they bought stock, which they drove to Montana, but the business was not a success, as they bought too many head. Then the partner- returned by coach to Colorado, which they reached with difficulty. After an absence of nearly twelve years our subject returned to Glas- gow in 1872. Many of his experiences in the West had been thrilling. and at one time he shot a grizzly bear.

After locating again in Glasgow, Mr. Baier formed a partnership with William Meyers in the grocery business, which continued for four years. In 1876 he came to Salisbury. At that time the present city contained but one small butcher shop, and as the proprietor of this died soon afterward, our subject bought the business and has conducted it ever since. His capital then was $800. In 1886

he formed the partnership with Mr. Haysler which still continues. Twice he has been visited by fire. but now has a fine brick building 25x70, with out- buildings for ice and storage. He isalso the owner of eighty acres of well-improved land and is in- terested in farming. The firm raises and feeds cattle, and in this way seenres the very choicest quality of beef.

In 1891 our subject laid out the Baier & Hays- ler Addition to the city. This contains five acres and has been sold and built upon. He bought it for $300 and sold for $20,000. The marriage of Mr. Baier took place in Boonville, Mo., in 1873. to Miss Theresa Haysler, who was a native of Sax- ony, and came with her brothers to Glasgow. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Baier, as follows: Minnie. now Mrs. Auspurger, of Salis- bury; Arnold, Edward, Ernest, Dorinda. Joseph. .Jr., Leonard. Martie and Flossie (twins). Our subject was Treasurer of salisbury for eight years. and was also Alderman for the same time, being one of the first Aldermen of the city. Ile was reared a Catholic, and is a whole-souled Christian gentleman. In his political opinions he is a Dem- ocrat.

R EV. ROBERT JAMES MANSFIELD. If even the most uneventful of lives contains some lesson of instruction or some ray of comfort. which if known might lead an- other through some thorny way, or lift a burden from some toiling brother, how much more does the life of a man like the subject of this sketch throw light in many directions.

Robert James Mansfield, the beloved pastor of the Baptist Churches at Dalton, Brunswick. Prairie Valley and New Hope, was born in Orange County. Va., near Ruckersville. April 8, 1823. The English ancestors of our subject belonged to the nobility of England, Lord Mansfield, an English peer. be- ing & relative. Grandfather Robert Mansfield was born in Virginia, of English parent -. He was a planter in his native State. and served with dis- tinction in the Revolutionary War, and at his

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

death left a record behind him which eanses his family to refer to him with pride.

The father of our subject was named William H. Mansfield and was born in Albemarle County, Va., where he became a planter. He entered the War of 1812 and was in the engagement at Ilampton Roads. In 1831 he determined to seek a new lo- cation in the hope of helping the family fortunes, and accordingly started for the Great West. "Westward the course of empire takes it- way," we are told, and surely Westward the tide of civ- ilization moved in 1831. John Quincy Adams was President of the United States, and we smile at the descriptions of the gaieties and conveniences of the life of that day in the Capitol City. as told in the records of the times, but these conveniences had not yet been introduced to the old Virginia planters, and when our subject's father sought to move to the Westward. the change was made in very primitive fashion, and with as much serious preparation as the modern traveler would make to take a journey to the interior of Africa.

Two months were consumed in the trip, the party traveling with teams and wagons, but finally Missouri was reached and here Mr. Mansfield lo- cated in Randolph County, one mile north of Roanoke, where he bought four hundred acres of land and engaged in farming. In Randolph County he departed this life after attaining the great age of ninety years. For a long time he had ministered to the members of the Baptist faith, he having been one of the first preachers of that de- nomination in the State, and a truly good and holy man. The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Salina Eddins, and was born in Orange County. Va., the daughter of Thomas Eddins, a planter of Virginia, who in 1831 came to Missouri and located in Howard County, five miles from Glasgow, where he lived. engaged in farming, un- til he was an old man. The mother died at the age of eighty-seven.

Our subject was one of ten children, three of whom are still living. He was reared until the age of eight years in Virginia, his educational advan- tages being of a limited description. He remained at home until he was twenty years of age and taught school off and on all this time, the educa-

tion necessary to do this having been almost alte- gethier self-obtained. Ilis was a studious and ser- ious turn of mind. and at as early an age as fifteen years he professed religion, being licensed to preach when he was only seventeen years old; he. how- ever, did not engage regularly in preaching until he was forty-five years old.

In 1844 our subject engaged as traveling sales- man for Dr. John Sappington, of Arrow Rock, Ma- line County, and for five years he traveled through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa, and became a well-known and favorite -ales- man. June 6. 1849, he married Miss Lucy 1. Maupin, who was born in Salisbury Township, Chariton County. She was the daughter of Gab- riel Maupin, who was born in Albemarle County. Va., but was of French descent. He had followed the life of a planter, but in 1830 he came to this State and settled in Chariton County and became one of the most prosperous farmers of this section. Ilere he died at the age of sixty-four year -. Through life he had adhered to the principles of the Democratic party.

The mother of Mrs. Mansfield was Virginia Bur- ton in her maidenhood, having been named for her native State. She was the daughter of Will- iam Burton, also a Virginian, and well known asa soldier of the War of 1812. After the close of that struggle he moved to Missouri, where hi- wife, Sarah, died, aged ninety-four years. He lived to be over eighty. The mother belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was the mother of eight children, of whom Mrs. Mansfield was the fourth.

After his marriage, our subject continued to teach school and also became the owner of a farm of two hundred acres near Thoma- Ilill. Here his health gave out and to benefit it he took another trip to the Lakes and for four months again be- came the agent of Dr. Sappington. After his re- turn he taught school for a season and then en- gaged in mercantile business for four years at Thomas Hill. At the close of this period he returned to near Roanoke, where he located on a farm. and during 1860-61 was made Assessor for Randolph County. He would not take the iron-clad oath. and in consequence was turned out of office and

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forced into the State Militia. in which he served six months. After this experience he continued farming until 1868. when he was ordained a minis- ter of the Baptist Church by the Roanoke Church of Mt. Pleasant. From this time forth he pro- ceeded to different places, wherever duty seemed to call him. The churches of Pleasant Hope and Thomas Hill called him to be their pastor, but at this time he had entered actively into mission work and so continued for fifteen years in the churches of Missouri. For ten years of this time he was connected with the Macon County Associa- tion. Near Roanoke he owned a farm of one hun- dred and forty acres, which his sons managed.

In 1881 Mr. Mansfield made a visit of five months to California and located near san Jose, preaching every Sunday while there. After his return to Salisbury he re-entered mission work. at which he continued until 1891. when he became pastor of the four charges mentioned in the open- ing of this article. He is probably the oldest missionary connected with this association, and the amount of good he has done cannot be estimated. Untiring in zeal, self-sacrificing and earnest. he has left every place in which he has resided much better than he found it. Ile has organized many churches, has encouraged the building of others and has been an example to the younger genera- tion. He has also performed a very great num- ber of marriage ceremonies during his ininisterial work. It is very interesting to hear the stories which this pleasant and entertaining man ean re- late of the old times, and the experience of those days in the regions where duty called him. ITis travels took him over the different . States when civilization was not far advanced, and many and frequent were the difficulties encountered. In the sparsely settled regions every locality existed for and by itself, and to these he came as a visitor from another world. and was warmly welcomed and sheltered.

Eight of the children of Mr. Mansfield grew to maturity. Charles C. is in the employ of the State at Jefferson City: Emma V. was a teacher for thir- teen years and married T. Henderson, of Salisbury; Kate S. became Mrs. Ilite and died in California. leaving two children: Theodosja is at home: Wil- 1

bur E. is a mechanic in Denver. Colo .: Jame- O. is a farmer in Santa Clara Valley. Cal .; William S. is also in California; and Robert T. is at home en- gaged at teaching. Mr. Mansfield is a member of the Independent toorder of Odd Fellow, and is also a Master Mason. For years his name was on the Board of Trustees of the Mt. Pleasant College. In polities he is a believer and follower of the Demo- crany.

P ROF. JOHN F. PRATT, Principal of the Salisbury Public Schools, is one of the prominent educators of Chariton County. and under his able management the schools of Salisbury have attained an excellence never be- fore attained in this city. Prof. Pratt is a native son of the soil, having been born in Linn County. near Linneus. March 4, 1860. His father. Henry Pratt, was born in Greenville. Greene County. Tenn. The grandfather, Jerre, was born in Scot- land, and emigrated to Tennessee, where he was a planter and slave-holder until his death. The father of our subject came to Missouri in his sev- enteenth year and located in Linn County, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was a poor man at the time of his arrival here. but prosperity rewarded his industrious exertions. 1t the time of his death he was the owner of six hundred and forty acres of land. and was a wealthy and respected citizen. Ile was a Demo- erat in politics, and belonged to the old school of Southern gentlemen. Socially he was a prominent Mason, and in religion adhered to the faith of the Baptist Church. He died June 30, 1>91, aged sixty-six years.

The mother of our subject, Ibiline Connelly. was born in Shelbyville. Ky,, and came with her parents to Missouri when twelve years old. Her father, John Rice Connelly, was born in Ken- tucky, of Scotch-Irish descent. He engaged in the War of 1812, and participated in the battle of New Orleans under Jackson. In 1811 he came to Howard County, and two years later removed to Linn County, where he carried on farming pursuit-

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and resided until his death. in 1862. Ilis wife, lbil- ine (Basket) Connelly, was born October 19, 1800. in Shelbyville, Ky. Her mother, the great-grand- mother of our subject, was brought from Dublin to America on a sailing-vessel. The mother of our subject is still living and resides in Linneus, Linn County, Mo.

Seven of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Pratt are yet living, as follows: JJ. A., who is a student in the Missouri Medical College; Alice, now Mrs. D. Il. Manard, a resident of Meadville; William 11., Deputy Circuit Clerk of Linn County; John F., our subject; Arthur L., Circuit Clerk of Linn County: Susan E., now Mrs. Thorne, who re- sides in Linneus, Linn County; and Oscar H., who is still on the old home place. Our subject was reared on the farm, receiving his early education in the pioneer schools of that time, which were held in log houses. These same little. rude schoolhouses have been made famous by the pen and pencil of many celebrated men. The seats were invariably of home manufacture and the room was heated by a large fireplace at one end. Ventilation was good, as the large cracks m the walls admitted a free circulation of air. At one time Prof. Pratt taught school for a term in just · such a schoolhouse, and his mind often reverts to his difficulties in teaching with no books. or any of the modern appliances.

At the age of nineteen. our subject engaged in teaching during the winter months and worked on the farm in summer. So successful was he in his methods of imparting instruction to the young that he was offered the school every winter until he was called to the city schools. Ile then taught in St. Clair, Franklin County, for one year. and attended the Normal School at Kirk-ville at different times, graduating from that institution in 1886, with the degree of B. S. D. Ilis next ap- pointment was in Utica, Livingston County, where he was Principal of the public schools for one year, but at the end of that time, in spite of the urgent request of the Board of Directors for him to remain, he went to Breckenridge, Caldwell County, on account of a larger salary being offered him. After remaining two years, he declined an appointment for the third year, and removed to

Hamilton, the same county. where he took charge of the schools at a higher salary. He remained in Hamilton until 1891, when he received his present appointment, and is now serving his second year as Principal of the Public Schools of Salisbury. Upon taking charge he regraded the schools, and now has the work thoroughly systematized. The Iligh School is also graded. The ability of Prof. Pratt as an instructor has been recognized in the County Institute. where he was appointed a teacher.

Prof. Pratt's pleasant home, which he built on Third Street, is graced by the lady whom he mar- ried November 7, 1886. Miss Nora Larkins was born in Linn County, the daughter of John

B. and Phoebe A. (Dewitt) Larkins, natives of Liy- erpool, Ohio, and Virginia, respectively. After the war, Mr. and Mrs. Larkins settled in North Salem. Lin County, where the former engaged in farm- ing and merchandising, but later removed to Kirks- ville and engaged in the nursery busmess. Mrs. Pratt has borne her husband two children, Carl and Leah. Prof. Pratt is a member of the Ma- sonic order, also the Chapter and the Com- mandery at Moberly, and the State Teachers' As- sociation. He is a stanch adherent of the doc- trines of the Baptist Church, in which he is Clerk. Ile is a prominent Democrat, and served as a delegate to the convention held in St. Louis in 1886, which nominated Judge Brace. A well-in- formed and cultured gentleman, he thoroughly understands his chosen profession and devotes his entire attention to it.

OIN H. HUME, physician, is engaged in practice in Chariton County, making his home in Brunswick, where he has been lo- cated only since 1891, but has already been very successful in making friends and in securing a good share of patronage. He was born in Wash- ington County, Ind., November 28. 1851. llis father, John Hume, was of Scotch extraction, and on both sides of the family our subject can feel a just pride in recalling his ancestry. Ihs mother,

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whose maiden name was Mary Campbell. was a descendant of the great Campbell clan of Scotland. In October. 1856. our subject's parents removed to Iowa, in which State they are still making their home, though both now quite advanced in years. They have three living children: Joseph. Elizabeth and our subject.

Up to the age of sixteen years Jolm HI. Hume lived the uneventful life of the average youth, but then was placed by his parents at a seminary in Mitchellville, lowa, where he pursued his studies until reaching his majority. This was a great improvement upon his early school days, when he was oftentimes obliged to walk three miles through deep snow and drenching storms in order to enjoy the seant privileges of the district school. On leaving the afore-mentioned Seminary our subject began his medical studies, putting in a part of his time in surveying and teaching. He studied in the office of Dr. Seems, an lowa physi- cian of good local reputation and practice. After- ward Dr. Hume took a course of lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Keokuk, lowa, and after completing two terms in that justly renowned medical college he returned home. In the following August he went to Reno, Cass County, Iowa, where he began his practice. A year later he returned to college and finished the required course, securing a diploma from his Alma Mater, on March 2, 1880, when he immediately resumed the practice of his profession at Reno.

In that village the Doctor was united in wed- loek with Miss Mary E. Chidester, a Pennsylvania lady. who at the time was engaged in filling the position of Principal of the Reno schools. She was born in 1855, was reared at Uniontown in the Keystone State and came West to obtain a position as teacher. She became the wife of our subject. August 17, 1880, and is a lady of much culture, education and amiable qualities. The Doctor and wife have three children: Blanche. Ethel. and Lelah.

Dr. Hume has been active in his profession, but as there is a streak of more business and financial ability in him than is n-naily found in professional men, he has a number of times sought to better his pecuniary position by a change in location.

Therefore in following his history we find him at one time a surgeon at a large mining camp, and again running a pharmacy at Laurel, Marshall County. lowa, at which time he was also railroad physician. This practice and business he sold in 1890, after a residence there of seven years. His health having been somewhat impaired. he believed it better to go further South, and therefore in 1891 came to this portion of Missouri. He is a young man of more than ordinary ability and is rapidly working his way upward in the practice of his profession.

I'GH C. WARREN, SR., is a retired mer- chant residing in Browning, Linn County. Ile i- a native of East Tennessee. his birth having occurred June 15. 1810, in Blount County. His parents were William B. and Eliza- beth (Kennedy) Warren. the former a native of Virginia and a farmer by occupation, the latter born in Pennsylvania. Their family comprised four boys and five girls. The seven following are those living: Robert. William, James. IIngh. Naney M., Minnie. and Eliza, who is married and resides on a farm in Linn County.

When ten years of age Mr. Warren came with his parents to Missouri, settling in Howard County. He then engaged in farming until twenty-five years of age, at which time he commenced business on his own account. For sixteen years he fol- lowed agricultural pursuits in Sullivan County. selling his farm in 1851. Ile next engaged in merchandising at Scottsville. Sullivan County. Mo., continuing for sixteen years in that line of business. Both as a farmer and merchant he was very successful. Ile owns a farm of two hundred and eighty acres, which is well improved and for which he could easily obtain $30 an acre at the present time. At the time of his purchase thi- property cost him but &7 per acre and its increase in value is almost wholly owing to the improve- ments he has placed upon it.

In 1836 Mr. Warren was married to Miss Min- erva Morris, of Howard County. and of their

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union were born six sons who are all engaged in farming. They are: Thomas B .. James JJackson. William G., Presly, Robert H., and I. C. The wife and mother was called from this life, and Mr .. Warren was again married, in 1867. this time to Miss Arminta Darmer, of Canton. Fulton County. III.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Warren are members of the Baptist Church in Browning and the former holds membership with Fairview Lodge No. 127, A. F. & A. M., of Scottsville, Mo. He is affiliated with the Democratic party. having cast his first Presi- dential ballot for Gen. Andrew Jackson. Ile is a worthy citizen and one highly thought of by his many friends and neighbor-, and is numbered among the worthy early pioneers, having done much to forward the best interests and develop the counties in which he has made his home. He has been a witness of vast changes in this portion of the State and can well remember when the country was sparsely settled and little better than a wilderness. By the process of time all this has been transformed until Missouri ranks among the leading Western States.

ILLIAM WATSON i- a well-known minis- ter of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Browning. Linn County. Ile is a native of the Blue Grass Region. his birth having oc- curred August 10, 1835. Ilis father, Henry Wat- son, also a native of Kentucky, was married in that State to Lovina Harmon. To them were born ton children: James is a bridge-keeper at Sherburne. Ky .; William is the next in order of birth: Daniel is a farmer of Fleming County, Kys: Samuel and Dawson are the fourth and fifth sons: Charles is a railroad man; Minerva, and Matilda, who mar- George Rice, a farmer in Fleming County. com- plete the family. Two of the children are de- ceased. These brother and sister- are all married. having comfortable homes, and are doing well.

Mr. Watson left his native State in his twenty- first year, having passed his boyhood on a farm. and continued to follow agricultural pursuits un-

til the late war. He enlisted as a member of the Fifty-fourth Mineis Infantry in Piatt County. Ill .. and was in active service for two years. Hle took part in the siege af Vicksburg and was hon- oraidly discharged from the army in Hickorytown. Ark .. April 16, 1865, after which he took up stud- ies preparatory to entering the ministry. He be- been twice married, his first union being celebrated in 1836 with Miss Margaret Fuqua, who was also born & Kentucky; she became the mother of five children. One son, G. W .. is engaged in the mail- road business: F. Farrell is located in Indiana. and The other living son is William. Our subject's second wife was formerly Miss Ella Wright. a na- tive of Hendricks County, Ind.

For about a quarter of a century Mr. Watson has been an active worker as a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church and has endeavored most conscientiously to discharge the duties inci- dent to that important position and in a manner befitting a servant of the Master. He has made the Golden Rule his motto through life and by fol- lowing this and the other teaching of the Good Book, has succeeded in doing a world of good to his fellow-men. Ilis personal life has been above reproach, being like an open book. to be seen and read of all men. Mr. Watson is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and also belong- to the Independent Order of Redmen. of Hudson- ville, Ill. In political faith he is a supporter of and believer in the principles of the Democratic platform.

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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 84

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