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 88
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 88
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 88
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 88
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 88
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. PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
On his return John End-ley stopped in Missouri, and was so delighted with the prospects of aequir- ing a competency in this great State that he went back to North Carolina and returned with his mother to Missouri, settling in Ray County in 1824. Ile bought a tract of forty aeres of land within a few miles of the present home of our subjeet. At the age of thirty-five years, he mar- ried the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Ilunter) Wells, who came to Missouri with her parents when a child and was reared near the old village of Bluff- ton. Of their union were born eleven children, all of whom reached maturity. The father was the first member of the family who died in the old home and his demise oceurred September 26, 1874, his wife surviving him until March 6, 1880. The father was a Demoerat, and while a resident of North Carolina was elected Sheriff of his native county. He was strictly a farmer and devoted his attention chiefly to the growing of tobacco, iu which he was very successful.
Our subject began to work for himself at the age of seventeen, hiring out upon a farm for from $11 to $13 per month. In 1852, he ero-sed the plains with an emigrant train. consuming six months on the journey, and spent nearly five years in mining on his own account, chiefly in Calaveras County. llis efforts were fairly successful and he finally re- turned home by ocean and isthmus, reaching New York in 1857. Returning to his home, he invested his earnings in land, and in the spring of the fol- lowing year bought his present home, which now consists of four hundred acres, one-half of which is bottom land.
In December, 1857, Mr. Endsley married Eliza. daughter of Nathaniel and Chloe (Odem) Vance, who bore him the following children: Amadore, who married Mollie Klosel: E. M .. Jr .. deceased; Alice, Mrs. Frank Williams: Everett, who married Jennie Block; John N .. deceased; Fannie, wife of Jack Dudgeons; and Eliza, wife of Arthur Thur- man. After the death of his first wife, Mr. End -- ley married Miss Maria, daughter of James F. and Emily (Paul) Owen. They became the parents of five children. three of whom are living. namely: Arthur, Walter and Callie M. Some time after the death of Mr. Maria Endsley, our subject again
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married, his third wife being Miss Sarah L. Wood- ruff. Our subjeet is a consistent member of the Church of the Disciples, Socially, he is connected with the Master's Lodge No. III, A. F. K. A. M .. at Orrick. Politically. his preference is marked In favor of the Democratic party. with which he votes and in the success of which he always re- joiees. In 1864 he took a second trip West and spent some time in the mining districts of 1'ta! and Montana, but since that time has been well satisfied to remain upon his attractive farm.
IMEON R. RICE. This prominent busi- ness man of Lawson has for some years been closely connected with the progress of Ray County, and is one of its best known residents. He conducts an extensive busi- ness as a dealer in grain, feed, wood. and coal. He also conducts a livery, and in the management of his two enterprises his sound judgment and excel- lent business capacity are often called into requi- sition. Although not a native of this State. he cherishes the utmost devotion to its interests and maintains a deep interest in its progress.
Mr. Rice was born in Maeoupin County, Ill .. June 19, 1850, and is the son of Thomas J. and Elizabeth JI. Rice, natives of Kentucky. On hi- father's farm our subjeet grew to manhood, mean- while receiving a good practical education in the common-schools of the district. After Ins school days were ended he engaged in farming pursuits in his native county and met with gratifying sue- cess in his labors. However. he did not feel satis- fied to remain permanently in Illinois, and in 1>75 went West to California, where he became con- ductor on a street car in Los Angeles, and for one and one-half years remained in that position.
Returning as far East as Independence. Kan .. Mr. Rice there located on a farm, and for eighteen months followed the life of a farmer. From that place. in 1878, he came to Lawson. and has since made this village lus home. For about four years after coming here he engaged in agricultural pur- suits on a farm near this place. Later. he was in
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business as a butcher for about three months, sub- sequent to which he embarked in his present en- terprise. He feeds a large number of hogs and has a steammill for the grinding of meal and feed.
The lady who became the wife of Mr. Riee bore the maiden name of Laura E. Smith, and is a na- tive of the same county as himself. She has proved a most efficient helpmate to her husband and is a lady of amiable disposition. There are no measures proposed for the benefit of the eom- munity which do not receive the active support of Mr. Rice. A devoted adherent of the principles of the Democratic party, he believes that from its ranks must come the men and measures which will bring our nation its highest glory and greatest prosperity.
12 INIAN W. LETTON, Sheriff of Clay County, was born April 24. 1837, in Nich- olas County, Ky .. near Carlisle, the first county seat. Ile belongs to a family whose repre- sentatives in various generations have been known as publie-spirited and enterprising citizens in their various communities. His father, John HI. Letton was a native of Maryland, and in his boyhood ae- companied his parents to Kentucky, in which State he grew to manhood. In Nicholas County he mar- ried Miss Sarah Howes, who was born in Maryland and came to Kentucky with her parents when a little girl.
After their marriage. John II. and Sarah Letton began housekeeping on a farm and through indus- try and thrift accumulated a competency. While he devoted considerable attention to general farming. his specialty was stock-raising and he kept on his place a large number of mules and cat- tle. In the prime of his manhood he was removed by death, in 1843, leaving his widow with three small children dependent upon her care. She has been married three times and now. a widow, makes her home with our subject. Notwithstanding her advanced years. seventy-eight. she is in the pos- session of her mental faculties unimpaired and i-
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in the enjoyment of good health. Ninian W. i. the second son by her first marriage. Logan, hi- brother, enlisted during the late war as a member of Col. Winston's regiment, Gen. Steen's division. Gen. Price's army, and was killed in 1862. while in the service.
In the private schools of his native county our subject received a good education, which he has since supplemented by reading and observation. and he is now a man of broad information. In 1857, at the age of twenty years, he came to Liberty, Mo., and for a time was employed on his mother's farm. In 1858 he worked on a farm in l'latte Township, and the following year was married to one of the young ladies of that township, Miss Ruth J., daughter of John Gosnery, who was orig- inally from Bourbon County, Ky. After his mar- riage Mr. Letton pursued agricultural duties until the outbreak of the war, when he enlisted as a member of Whitaker's company. Thompson's reg- iment, Steen's division, Gen. Price's army. He served for four years with bravery and fidelity to the cause with which he was in sympathy, and at the close of the war went to Kentucky, where he remained for five months. Thence he went to Illinois and for two years made his home in Ful- ton County, following the occupation of milling. From there he returned to his former home. Mis- souri, with the progress of which he has since been connected.
Recognizing the fitness of Mr. Letton for post- tions of responsibility, his fellow-citizens at vari- ous times have called him to serve them in an official capacity. For some time he served as Jus- tice of the Peace and for a considerable period was Constable. Since coming to Liberty he has served as City Marshal and Township Constable for four years. In 1891, he was elected Sheriff of Clay County by a majority of two hundred and fifty- six votes. and after having served for one term he was re-elected in 1892. As an official he was prompt in the discharge of his duty and genial in his intercourse with others.
In 1875, Mr. Letton removed to Smithville, where he embarked in the mercantile business, but after two years occupied in this way he sold his stock of goods and returned to the farm, where he
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engaged in raising Shorthorn cattle. Ile came to Liberty in 1882 in order to give his children good educational facilities. Ilis first wife died in 1890, leaving four children, namely: John F., Ninian S., Sarah and May A. His present wife hore the maiden name of U. Belle Letton and is the daugh- ter of ex-Judge N. W. Letton, of Lexington. Mo. She is a devoted member of the Christian Church. with which Mr. Letton is also identified. The family residence is a handsome structure and the grounds comprise fifteen acres within the city limits. Socially, Mr. Letton is a member of Smith- ville Lodge No. 289, I. O. O. F.
ON. M. R. WILLIAMS. one of the promi- nent men of Chariton County. Mo .. a suc- ces-fil business man, a social factor. and a political bulwark, is the subject of this sketch. He is descended from pioneer ances- try, his grandfather, Edward Williams, who was of Welsh descent. having been one of the earli- est settlers of the State of Kentucky, emigra- ting from Maryland, in which State he became one of the brave defenders of American indepen- denee in the Revolutionary War. In that strug- gle he became a Sergeant and was a messmate of William Washington. Hle endured the privations of the Continental army for seven years, and at the end of that time he went to Kentucky, later moved on into Tennessee, and as early as 1819 became a pioneer in Howard County, Mo. There he entered land and resided until a few years before his death at the age of eighty-tive.
Our subject was born at Bluff Port, Howard County, Mo .. January 23, 1837. His parents. Thomas and Susan (Wasson) Williams, were both natives of Madison County. Ky., the former being born in the beginning of the century, and the latter one year later. The father was reared in Kentucky and Tennessee until he was nineteen years of age. and when his father moved into Missouri, in 1819. he assisted in the removal, which was made by team and wagon. His marriage took place in Missouri andthe first located near Glasgow on a
farm, but in 1839 he removed to the site near Sal- isbury, although at that time there was no town here. The nearest market was Glasgow and here Le traded the products of his farm-hemp, tobacco and general produce-for the necessities of life. Then the luxuries were not much thought of. IF :- land comprised eight hundred acres, and here he remained until death elaimed him, a good and conscientious man.
The mother of Mr. Williams was an estimable woman, Susan Wasson by name. Her father was Joseph Wasson, a native of Kentucky who came with his family to Howard County in 1810. when they were so annoyed by the Indians that they were for a time obliged to remain at Ft. Cooper at night. Later they located on a farm in Howard County. The family was of Irish descent. M.s. Williams lived until 1866 and left at death two sons: Edward, who was a soldier in the Confed- erate army, and resides here; and our subject. A daughter Mary, who married a Mr. Foster, died in Lancaster, Mo .. in 1857, and a son Thomas was accidentally killed in 1861 while hunting.
Since the year 1839 our subject has lived in Salisbury Township, and here is well known. Ilis carly days were passed in a pioneer home, and hence his educational advantages were limited. In 1859, in order to repair deficiencies, our subject went to Pittsburgh. Pa., and there attended Duff's Business College; he graduated from there and af- ter his return home was employed in public office- for a time and then went on his farm in Salisbury. where he remained engaged until 1877.
At this date our subject was recognized a- a man of ability and was appointed as Assessor of Char- iton County by ex-Governor Phelps. For two years he served the people acceptably. and four years later he was elected Township Assessor, and since that time he has been re-elected every year: he also holds the office of Township Clerk.
Though very busy in attendance upon the du- ties of the public. our subject became engaged in real-estate interests, and in conducting this business he has shown good judgment and has been reasonably prosperous, dealing in both farm- and town lots. He laid out ten acres in the Will- iams' Addition to the city, and later became inter-
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ested with Oldham, Finks & Slaughter in a divi- sion now called the College Place Addition. To our distinguished subjeet belongs the honor of starting the "Spectator," in about the year 1880, which he made a success, and after conducting it for a year he sold it to Mr. Gallemore, who changed the name to that of Press-Spectator. Mr. Will- iams tries lus reportorial wings for two of the leading daily papers of St. Louis.
For two years our subject was a member of the City Council and displayed there great executive ability. In Salisbury Township, in 1866, occurred his marriage with Frances E. Wilhams, who was born here, a daughter of Samuel Williams, a farmer of this locality, and two bright young men have grown up at the hearthstone of our subject and ocenpy positions of their own. Edward M. is the publisher of the Arkansas City Enterprise; Clay holds a position in the office of the Press-Specta- tor; and Thomas, nine years old, is at home with his father.
Mr. Williams is a charter member of Eneamp- ment No. 81. 1. O. O. F., at Moberly, Mo.also a char- ter member of Salisbury Lodge No. 236. I. O. O. F. In 1892 he was nominated as Representative on the Democratie ticket, and was elected by a handsome majority. As a member of the Democratic party he has long been an active worker. and deserves well at the hands of his fellow-citizens. In his social relations Mr. Williams is an important fac- tor, and from his appearance it is difficult to re- member that he is the father of the young men who are very proud to call him so.
R EV. JONATHAN PALMER FINLEY, the distinguished subject of this sketch. liter_ ally gave his life for the cause of eduea- tion. the tax upon his strength in the pro- motion of Brookfield College, which he founded, proving fatal. The life of this eminently good man is a sermon that should be read by all men for their instruction and profit. He was born at Hayesville, Ohio. September 9. 1822, and at this place he attended school for several years; he then
became a sindent at Ashland Academy, prov- ing an apt scholar for his years. Later, he re- turned to his native place and entered Vermillion Institute. from which he was graduated with dis- tinction in the Clash of '48. Long before this he had been strongly impelled by the inward moni- tor to consecrate bis life to humanity; and in obe- Cienee to this call, he went to Princeton, entered the theological seminary there, and was gradu- ated in May, 1851.
The inauguration of our subject's devoted. un- selfish life work took place at Big Creck. Ralls County, Mo .. where he founded, in the fall of 1851, Van Rensselaer Academy, and was its good genius for five years. The next six years, from 1856 to 1862, were devoted to mission work, after which the synod of Missouri, in appreciation of his genius for teaching and his executive force, made him President of Westminster College, at Fulton, which position he filled for two years to the great benefit of that institution. The Presby- terian Church at Palmyra, Marion County, Mo., at this juncture made such an insistent call for his services that he did not feel justified in refusing to heed it, and for two years he ministered to the flock of that fold. Subsequent to this, Noveni- ber 18, 1866. he organized the Presbyterian Church of Brookfield, and shortly after that of Laelede.
Through the efforts of our subject the ercetion of the Brookfield Presbyterian house of worship was begun in 1869, and pressed forward to com- pletion. Soon after coming to Brookfield. he opened an academy in what was then known as Keenan's Hall, continuing it until the destruction of the building by fire in February, 1878. Al- though he could not at onee reopen the school. hi- interest in education did not diminish, for he continued to serve on the Public School Board, to which he had been chosen before, and he otherwise did what he could to make popular the great cause. Finally, by aid of personal friends and citizens generally, he erected a building upon his own premises, and Brookfield Academy was re- opened September 13, 1880, and from this enter- prise resulted the successful founding of Brook- field College. The present large and substantial building was erected in 1888, and the fall term
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of that year opened with more than one hun- dred students, a number of them preparing for the ministry. When the academy was merged into the college Mr. Finley resigned the pastoral charge of the church and gave his undivided time to the school, with the sad ending named above. He gave all his work and all his strength. for a fever set in, the result of overwork, and after a brief ill- ness of six days he died, January 25, 1889, ani- versally mourned.
ON AARON II. CONROW was born June 19, 1824, near Cincinnati, Ohio. He spent part of his boyhood days at or near Pekin, Ill., and from that place. with his parents. moved to Missouri, and settled in Ray County. Ilere, by dint of his own energy, he obtained a good education. teaching school part of the time in order to get means to complete the same. In this he was very successful. He then chose the law as a profession, and by rigid economy and sedulous application. became an eminent lawyer.
On the 17th of May. 1848, Mr. Conrow mar- ried Miss Mary Ann Quesenberry, a daughter of David HI. and Lucinda Quesenberry, of Richmond, Mo. From this union resulted the following chil- dren: David _1., Benjamin, William S. and Mamie. Ile was appointed by the Governor Judge of the Probate Court established in Ray County. From January, 1857, to January, 1861, he was Circuit At- torney of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Missouri, an office that had previously been filled by such emi- nent lawyers as Hamilton R. Gamble, Abiel Leon- ard, Charles French, Robert W. Wells, Amos Rees, Thomas C. Burch, Peter HI. Burnett, George W. Dunn, and others, but by none of them more zeal- ously and efficiently than by the subject of this sketch. He was a brilliant and successful advo- cate, a fine judge of the law, and never descended to even the slightest artifice to gam the advantage of an opposing brother lawyer.
In the year 1860 our subject was elected to the State General Assembly, where he was serv- ing at the beginning of the war. Hle sided 1
will. the South, and was instrumental in re- cruiting and equipping the first company organ- ized in Ray County for the defense of what he believed to be right. Ile ranked as Colonel in the Missouri State Guards, a military organization he had helped to create by his vote in the General Assembly. Ife was, by a majority of his comrade -. clected to represent his district in the Confederate Congress, and in that capacity. as in all others. served with singular zeal and promptness. Ile was present at the first meeting and at the final adjournment of that body. At the close of the war, the amnesty agreed upon did not extend to members of the Confederate Congress. and fear- ing that if he fell into the hands of the succes -- ful party his life would be taken. he went to Mex- ico, but soon after arriving in that country, was brutally murdered by a band of Mexican soldier- on or about the 25th of August, 1865.
HOMAS MORGAN. Among the enterpri -- ing and prominent farmers of Ray County. is the gentleman of whom we write. and who for a number of years past has devoted him-elf to the cultivation of his well-improved farm. which comprises four hundred and twenty acres in Fish- ing River Township. He is a most worthy man. a citizen of worth and merit. one who is much re- spected in the neighborhood of his home and who is always kind to the poor and needy.
Mr. Morgan was born July 10, 1810, in Tente -- see. of English parentage, and was reared to the occupation of a farmer, after the custom of the English, who do everything in a methodical and sometimes old-fashioned way. Though he had not the usual advantages of those of his day in the way of educational privileges. he was always a student and reader and managed to store his mnot with useful knowledge derived from such howi and newspapers as came within his reach. Il. youthful days were spent in assisting his fatta : in his farm work and in the support of his family. On reaching his majority, Mr. Morgan conel: 3d to branch out for himself, and therefore left t .
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parental roof, his parents and his three brothers and two sisters, he being the eldest of the family. For the following two years. he worked by the month at farm labor, and then on account of the Western fever and gold excitement he drifted Westward to the mountains. After a stay of six years, he found that only moderate success had erowned his efforts and industry and that he was longing to return to the old homestead. Ile ao- cordingly returned, and after a short stay went to Kentucky, where he invested some of the pro- ceeds of his mining experience in stock, principally horses, continuing in the business of buying and selling cattle and horses for the following five years.
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Having disposed of all of his effects, Mr. Mor- gan then came to Ray County and purchased a farm, which he yet owns and carries on success- fully. He lives alone. having never married, and it is to his credit that in view of this fact his home is kept as neat and tidy as though a woman's pres- ence was manifest therein. Our subject is a wide- awake politician of the old Democratic order and is ready at all times to sustain his position in an argument with anyone who will venture to enter the field against him. Socially, he is a man of the highest order, kind. courteous and obliging to all, and fraternally. is a very energetic member of the Masonic order. Though not a church member, he attends the Christian Union Church.
E DGAR M. COWLES is the popular and en- terprising editor of the News, published in Hardin. Ray County. This journal is bright, newsy, and in politics is Democratie. It is a six- column quarto and aims to give interesting in- formation in regard to local affairs, as well as gen- eral news from the outside world. It is essen- tially the representative paper of the party in the county and its influence is felt in all National questions on the side of the Democracy. Mr. Cowles is an intelligent man. one who is possessed of good ability. and is making a thorough success
of the paper which he had the honor of estab- lishing. The News, which was established in March, 1888, is on a solid financial basis, and in addition to the journal Mr. Cowles has a well- equipped job printing-office in connection with it and gives considerable attention to that depart- ment. Our subject was born in Lee County. lowa. May 18, 1862. Both of his parents having died before he was three years of age, he was taken by an uncle to Carrollton, remaining with him un- til reaching his seventeenth year. Ile attended the public schools until nearly that age, and then entered the office of the Carrollton Journal to learn the printer's trade. A year later he entered the office of the Record, where he remained for three years, and by this time having reached his seventeenth year, he left his boyhood home and started out to make his fortunes unassisted. Go- ing to Kansas City he worked in the Times office for several months and then went to Kearney, Neb., where he arrived in 1880. Working at his trade in that city for some time, he then went to Shelton in the same county, staying there until 1883. when he returned to Carrollton, and was there for the following two years. For the next three years he was located at Bogard, Mo., and in these various places working under different man- agements and on so many lines of work , he ac- quired a practical knowledge of all the details of printing and newspaper work which have proved invaluable to him in conducting his own office.
On May 5. 1888. Mr. Cowles married Miss Alma C. Clevenger, of MeDonough County, Ill. Her parents removed from the Prairie State to Bogard, Mo., whence after residing for a time they returned to Illinois and are now residents of Macomb. Ill. A little daughter. Jessie M., was born to our sub- jeet and wife but they were soon deprived of her sweet presence in their home as the angel of death took her from their midst. Mrs. Cowles is a con- sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is an amiable and well-educated lady. Both she and her husband have many warm friends in this vicinity, whom they have endeared to them by their worthy and estimable qualities.
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