Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn Counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 91

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 91
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 91
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 91
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 91
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 91


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In 1857, Mr. Ford married Miss Ann Maria. daughter of John Story. of Clay County. The following children were the result of this union: William Ezra, Mary Jane, Georgiana, John H .. Edwin and Luther. The two latter are at home. while John Il. is at Lawson attending school. In September, 1887, Georgiana, a most amiable young lady, was taken ill with pneumonia and, though no efforts were spared by her parents for her re- covery, she passed away October 7. Her death was deeply mourned by her many friends, and her place in the home circle can never be filled.


In the late Civil War Mr. Ford took little part, but joined the State militia under Capt. Garth. However, he lost heavily on account of the de- struction of personal property during these times


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of discord and trouble. From that atfiction he has recovered and has succeeded in accumulating a valuable estate. Ilis farm is especially valuable for grazing purposes, and he therefore is a large feeder of cattle and hogs. Mr. and Mrs. Ford are members of the Old Presbyterian Church, and in regard to the question of politics, the former is a strong Democrat.


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P 1. MOORE, a prosperous and enterprising agriculturist and well-known breeder of a high grade of Shorthorn cattle, has resided in the State of Missouri for over a score of years, and is now located in township 51, range 2, section 2, Liberty Township, Clay County. Both the paternal and maternal ancestors of our su'- ject have been important factors in the upbuilding and advancement of our country. The grand- father was one of the heroes of the Revolutionary War and served bravely in the struggles of the American nation. Mr. Moore is the husband of Anna (Vance) Moore, and they have a family of two children.


Our subject was born in 1812, and was many years the senior of his estimable wife, who was born in the year 1810. Mrs. Moore survived until 1880. Our subject is a native of Kentucky and was born in Lewis County. Mrs. Moore's father, Mr. Vance, was a public-spirited and progressive citizen and held various official positions of trust, and was prominent in local politics. For many years he presided with ability as Circuit Judge in Ohio, and was widely known as a man of unswerv- ing integrity and honor. He was an accomplished and thorough scholar, and after an excellent pre- paratory education. completed in Ohio a course of study in law.


Mr. Moore came from his Kentucky home to Mis- souri in 1870, and first locating in Warrensburgh. Johnson County, finally settled in Clay County. where he now lives. His farm. "Woodeneath." of two hundred and forty acres is finely improved and yields an abundant harvest. In the handling of Shorthorn cattle our subject has been especially


successful. and has engaged extensively in this profitable department of agricultural business. Hle was married in the year 1856 to Miss Eliza Steph- enson. who survived her marriage but five year -. passing away univer-ally regretted in the year 1850. He afterward married his present wife, who was a Miss Anaa Eliza Vance. Mr. and Mrs. Moore were the parents of two children, E. D. and Anna Belle. Anna Belle Moore, a bright and intelligent lady, was born in 1862, and arriving at early womanhood was united in marriage to D. J. M. Adkins, a well-known and prosperous citizen. Mrs. Adkins lived to become the mother of one child. a daughter. Hazel. and died in 1890 when but twenty-four years of age.


Our subject is a member of the order of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons. in good and regular standing. In his political affiliations. he is an ardent Democrat, and a very firm believer in the true Jeffersonian principles. Although never aspiring to political promotion, Mr. Moore is always interested in the local and national management of affairs. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church, and have ever been foremost in the good work of that re- ligious organization. A citizen, useful. upright and efficient in all the duties of life, a friend true and steadfast, and a neighbor kind and obliging. our subject has deservedly won the esteem and confidence of the community among whom he has made his home for so many years.


UTHER LOGAN, a manufacturer of boot- and shoes at Salisbury, and also a Notary Public, is one of the prominent old settlers of the city. Ile was born in Greenfield, Ihighland County, Ohio, March 28, 1836. His grandfather. George Logan, was born in Ireland and emigrated to this country with his parents, settling in Penn- sylvania. During the Revolutionary War he served with valor. For a time he resided in Ohio. but spent his last days in Kosciusko. Ind.


After the Revolutionary War was ended,


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Grandfather Logan had a visitor who was a fellow- countryman and a Tory. In talking of the great struggle just ended, the Tory said, "If King George should return to this country, I would be the first man to help him retake the United States," This remark was too much for the man who had fought for seven years to gain the independence of the States, and forgetting the duties to a guest. which are generally dear to an Irish heart, he un- ceremoniously picked up the Tory and pitched him into the fire. This cleansing process was wit- nessed by his wife, and the unlucky Tory was rescued by the good lady, or things might have been serious for him. He probably learned, how- ever, what American patriotism meant.


The father of our subject came to Ohio when a young man, and engaged in his trade of engraver at Greenfield. Ohio. He passed the last fifteen years of his life on a farm in Old Frankfort, where he died at the age of eighty-eight years. In 1840 he was the only man in the township who voted for James G. Birney. and during his entire life he was a strong Republican. Anyone knowing his strong, earnest character would not be surprised to learn that he belonged to the Old-school Presby- terian Church, in which he was an honored Deacon. Ilis name has been a favored one in the State of Illinois, for there his cousin John was the idol of the people.


The mother of our subject, Maria ( Blaine) Lo- gan, was married at the age of lifteen years to her wooer of twenty. and lived to be thirty-eight years old. She was born in Pennsylvania, and was the daughter of John Blaine, a native of Ire- land, and a descendant of the same branch as that to which lames G. Blaine belonged. John became a farmer in Pennsylvania, later in Ohio, and still later he located near La Fayette, Tippecanoe County. Ind., where he died when about seventy- five years old. There were five children born of this union. but two of whom grew to maturity. Dr. John M., who was a Surgeon in the One Hun- dred and Eleventh Ohio Infantry from 1862 to the close of the war. was a graduate of Ann Arbor and now practices his profession at Grand Haven.


Our subject was reared at Greenfield until he reached the age of thirteen years. He was edu-


cated in the Greenfield schools, and at that carly age was reading Latin. The family then located on a farm in Ross County, and since that time the education of our subject has been self-obtained. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to a shoe- maker in Greenfield and later at Good Hope, in Fayette County. After he had thoroughly learned the trade, he started a shop on his father's farm and continued there until he married.


July 1, 1859, was the date of the marriage of our subject to Miss Mary J. Barkley, who was born in Fayette County, the daughter of Henry Barkley, a farmer and stockman of Ross County. After his marriage Mr. Logan went to Danville. Ohio, where he kept an hotel, and later removed to George- ville in Franklin County, where he worked at his trade until in March, 1867, when he came to this State. In the northeastern part of Chariton County. in Bor Branch, he bought a farm comprising eighty acres of wild land, which he improved and there en- gaged in farming and stock-raising.


For seven years our subject taught school in Bee Branch. Ile has been a Notary Public since 1872 and served as Justice of the Peace for sev- eral years. When the township was organized he was a leader, with his colleagues, in all of the im- provements, such as grading roads and building bridges, etc. A lawyer, so far as knowledge of legal technicalities was concerned, he found his professional information most valuable, and con- dueted some important cases. In 1890 he was ap- pointed to take the census, and in December of that year he sold his farm and moved into the city. Here he has since attended to his business as a Notary and has also superintended the manage- ment of his boot and shoe establishment. His res- idence is located on the corner of Lusher Street and East Broadway and beside this he owns some eighteen lots.


Nine children have been added to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Logan, all of whom are well and favorably known in their respective neighbor- hoods. Laura, who was educated at Kirk-ville. became the wife of Wilham P. Davis, who is a merchant and farmer of Bynumville. Chariton County; Stronder M .. who is a graduate of Kirk -- ville, is a prominent lawyer of Grand Junction,


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Colo .; Lavenia M. is now Mrs. J. II. Perrin, of Marceline, Mo .: Flora 1. is the wife of D. Brown, a farmer near llamden in Chariton County; Minnie J. married W. J. Billeter, of By- numville, Chariton County; Olive is the wife of a teacher, E. J. Hlayes, who resides in this place; Gertie, the wife of Joseph Ferguson, resides here: Charles T. is an engineer of the Model Mills; and Edna is at home. Mr. Logan is a member of the Pres- byterian Church, an Elder in the same. and while he resided in Bee Branch he was the Sunday- school Superintendent. In his political preference he is a true-blue Republican, outspoken in his views, and is one of the prominent members of his party at Salisbury.


P ROF. G. C. BRIGGS. Principal in charge of North Missouri Institute, one of the most prominent and successful educators in the State, is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Madison County, N. C., on the 25th of May, 1857. His grandfather. John, was an early settler in the Old North State, and there car- ried on agricultural pursuits successfully before the War of the Revolution came on. At that time the State was sparsely settled. but before his death he had a large cultivated estate there. In his relig- jous connection he was a member of the Baptist denomination. The father was named W. K. Briggs and was also a native of North Carolina. where he became an eminently useful Baptist min- ister. and also carried on a successful farm. on which he still re-ides, at nearly seventy years of age, beloved and respected by all.


reach. At the age of seventeen years he entered the printing-office of the Bakersville Independent and continued there for a short time, when he went a- clerk to Asheville.


In the latter place our subjeet became a clerk and book-keeper and later entered the post-office as assistant, and there he was employed for two years. In 1879 he entered Wake Forest College, the State Baptist.institution, which is one of the leading col- leges of the South. Winle here he was several times honored by the Library Society to which he belonged. Ile held successively the positions of business manager, associate and senior editor on the editorial staff of The Student. published by the two societies and acknowledged to be one of the best college magazines North or South. He was grad- uated in 1883 with the degree of 1. B.


At this time our subject took charge of the classes in Greek, French and chemistry in Judson College, a Baptist institution of western North Carolina and held this position until 1888. when he was called here to open and take charge of the Salisbury Academy. For three years he had charge of this school, having opened with forty-eight students, and the third year the number was inereas- ed to one hundred and eleven. The success of the school was so marked, and publie appreciation so manifest, that patrons and students got up separ- ate petitions to the Board of Directors of the academy, asking that he be retained at the head of the school. The majority of the Board, through blind prejudice, ignored the petitions and voted against his retention. Steps were taken immedi- ately to found North Missouri Institute. about which the Salisbury Press-Spectator of March 24. 1893, has the following to say:


"This prosperous institution of learning has just entered upon the spring term, which closes its see- ond year under this name, and the fifth of its exist- ence. still the same in purpose, spirit and effort, and under the same regime.


The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Lovada Shepherd, and was a native of North Carolina, and a daughter of James shepherd, who 1 was a descendant of English ancestors. This beloved woman became the mother of twelve children, ten "It seemed fitting, and the urgency of the time- demanded, that the metropolis of so large and flourishing a county as Chariton should found an institution for the higher education of her sons and daughters. The enterprise of her citizens com- of whom are still living. Our subjeet is the fifth child of the family, was reared on the farmand was sent to the public schools. His early advantages for education were limited, but as he was ambitious and of studious mind he absorbed all that came within : passed the initial arrangements, and called Prof.


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G. C. Briggs, a graduate of Wake Forest (N. C.) College, with an experience of five years as pro- fessor in Judson College, who, with his accom- plished young wife, began the work here Septem- ber 10. 1888.


"All similar enterprises have to meet their trials and reverses. These are the necessary concomi- tants of all life and existence. Some succumb. others rise toughened and trained by the experi- ence. This institution has had hers. Under all these she has advanced steadily each year. Suffice it to say. after three years of success, three things were demonstrated: her right to live. work, and grot. The first was profoundly appreciated by her friends: the second was seized by the Principal. faculty and students; the third was an inevitable result.


"To-day the status of the North Missouri Insti- tute is stable. her work more thorough, and her future redolent with brighter hopes and more invit- ing possibilities than ever before in all her history. Her friends are united and intensely enthusiastic. One hundred and twenty-six pupil- for this session stand enrolled to date, twelve of whom are teachers, eight from Chariton, two from Linu. and two from Randolph; so the patronage is larger, of more intelligent character. and from a wider field than ever.


"The departments have been wisely arranged to insure liberal, thorough and practical education. The music, art and elocution departments are crowded; forty-six in music and fifty-six in elo- cution evince the efficiency and popularity of these departments.


"The salutary discipline has shown that the co- education of the sexes is not only feasible, but the fittest for the times and community. The homelike arrangement for the boarding department for young ladies insures protection, happy society. ex- ceptional opportunities for systematic study. and rare advantage- for culture in polite manners un- der Mrs. Briggs. It is but fair to say that this school has drawn to Salisbury a large number of valuable citizens; this it will continue to do as the school progresses. and as the students go out to represent the work and act as agents for the school.


"The Principal carly chose his life work. gave


to it thorough preparation, looked Westward for a field. found one in Salisbury, has stuck to his work with characteristic pertinacity, better understand- ing the people and their needs, and with "good-will toward all and malice toward none." take- hold of h's work with firmer grip, and with his coadju- fors wishes to provide for the institute more and better buildings, to increase the apparatus, extend the library, meet the wants and demands for a normal department, and perfect the curriculum."


In North Carolina in 1887 our subject was mar- ried to the accomplished daughter of A. P. Ilines. Rosa D)., to whom he attributes much of his success. She is a graduate of the oldest female college of her native State and is Directress of the musical department of the North Missouri Institute.


Prof. Briggs is a member of the Baptist Church. a Democrat in his political opinions, belongs to the order of Knights of Pythias, and is highly re- garded in the community.


G GEORGE B. OLDIIAM is one of the promi- nent and representative citizens of Chari- ton County, and has served as a county official at various times. He has been prominently identified with laying out the subdivisions adjoin- ing Salisbury, and as Secretary of the corporation attended to everything. Mr. Oldham is Cashier of the People's Bank. and Secretary of the Board of Directors of Salisbury Academy. He comes of an old and respected family, whose reputation for generation> has been stainless. Mr. Oldham was horn in Muscle Fork Township, this county. Feb- rnary 19, 1818. Ilis paternal grandfather. G.o .- man Oldham, a native of Kentucky. was a promi- nent attorney and also followed agricultural pursuits in the Blue Grass Region. About the year 1831 he went to Howard County, Mo. and his murder on the 5th of April. 1885, was the see- ond one perpetrated in Chariton County, to which. he had come. having purchased some land from Mordecai Lane. The payments had all been made with the exception of the last, and he was to re- ceive a warranty deed for the property, but when


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he demanded it Mr. Lane could give him only a tax deed, as that was all the title he had. Mr. Oldham then brought suit against him for recov- ery of the money, and because of this litigation it was thought at the time that Mr. Lane was the murderer, though it was not an assured fact. Mr. Oldham was in Keytesville, quietly sitting by the fire in the hotel, when the door was opened and some one shot him in the back. killing him is- stantly. Though Mr. Lane was arrested and con- fined in jail, two or three years passed before his trial, and he was then acquitted. Upon his death- bed, however, he confessed to having killed him. The wife of Goodman Oldham was formerly a Miss Jackson, and her brother George having set- tled here in 1810, she rode out on horseback to visit him, and then returned the same way to Ken- tucky, which was her home. She lived to the ad- vaneed age of ninety years, dying in 18 3.


Richard G., our subject's father, was born in Kentucky, and on removing to Missouri engaged in farming near Keytesville, afterward locating in Muscle Fork Township, where he operated & large farm. In 1861 he joined the Confederate cause, and was for one year in Shelby's brigade; he then returned to his farm, which he is still operating, though now over seventy years of age. He is and has been for years a hearty supporter of the Bap- tist denomination. The mother of our subject. who was born in Chariton County, was in her girl- hood Laura Sportsman, daughter of John sports- man, of Kentucky. When only nineteen years old her father removed to this State. first locating in lloward County and later removing to this local- ity, engaging in farming and stock-raising in Keytesville Township for many years.


Our subjeet is one in a family of five sons and five daughters. Ilis elde-t brother. John G., was in Price's raid in 1861 with our subject, and was made a prisoner of war at the same time. He is now superintendent of a lumber company in Kan- sas City. George B. of this sketch received but limited school advantages until past his fourteenth year, but a few years after that he attended the McGee College. in Macon County, Mo. In the late war he was, as before stated, in the Confederate service under Gen. Price, taking peut in the battle-


of Carrollton. Lexington, Westport, Newtonia and other engagements. When near Osage River with his brother and father, he was captured by the Federals and sent to St. Louis.


In the fall of 1865 our subjeet engaged in freighting with his own team, making four trips from Nebroka City to Ft. Kearney. He then re- turned bome and went to college for a year, and at the age of twenty began teaching in the north- ern part of the county, continuing as a teacher tor nine years. a part of the time in the home dis- trict. During the summer he engaged in farming, and in the year 1887 was appointed Deputy Sher- iff under B. B. Davis, serving two years. In 1878 he was nominated and elected on the Democratie ticket as County Collector, assuming the duties of that office January 1. 1879. He was re-elected in 1880, on the expiration of his term. serving until the change in the township organization.


In the fall of 1882 Mr. Oldham located at Salis- bury, engaging in general merchandising, and two years later erected a brick store. 22x80. Since that time he has been much interested in real es- tate and the insurance business. With a few other citizens he organized a corporation. laying out College Place Addition. Hereford Addition (where the academy is built), and Hedgepeth's Ad- dition, all of which have been built up largely. and most of the property sold. He was the finan- cial agent and secretary of the association. The Salisbury Academy was ereeted by them. About one hundred pupils attend this institute at this time. and in 1892 the capacity of the building was in- creased. In January, 1889, Mr. Oldham organized the People's Bank with a capital stock of about 820,000, and was made Cashier. having held that position ever since. In January. 1892. the capital stock was increased to $50.000, the President being J. B. Ilyde.


In Keytesville Township. January 6, 1869. Mr. Oldham married Helena II .. daughter of T. F. Chrane, a Confederate soldier and a prominent farmer of this county. He was born in Copen- hagen, Denmark, and was only about eight years old when he came here with his parents. He wa- reared in Missouri, and was married in this county. Mr. Oldham and wife are the parent- of thee


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children: Charles B., who is editor of the Salis- bury Democrat; Georgia, now Mrs. Paisley, resid- ing in Lincoln. Ill .; and Viola, who is attending the academy and lives at home. Our subject is fraternally a member of the Ancient Free & Ac- cepted Masons, and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and religiously is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Ile casts his ballot in favor of the Democratic party.


AMES R. HOLMAN is a resident of Vibbard, Ray County, where for the past eight years he has been engaged in general merchan- dising. For many years previous to this he was an extensive buyer and shipper of live stock. and while in that occupation was considered one of the most enterprising commercial men in the northern part of Missouri. He comes of an old and respected family of this State. his father hay- ing been one of the earliest settlers of this county. Our subject was born on August 15, 1849, in Ray County, his father, David, being a native of Ten- essee. Ile came to this vicinity in 1828, settling on land which he entered of the Government three miles east of Vibbard. After his arrival here he married Miss Eliza, daughter of John Stone, who was also one of the pioneers of the county. Mr. lolman resided on the old homestead upon which he first located until the time of his death, about 1881, or for over half a century, and his widow is still living at the old home. He was a member of the Christian Union Church, being actively inter- ested in its welfare, and politically. he used his right of franchise in favor of the Democratic party.


James R. Hlolman is the eighth child in a family of nine, of whom -ix are now living. Ilis boy- hood was passed in the home which was hi- birth- place, and his education was that afforded by the common schools. He later attended the Univer- sity at Columbia, Mo. After completing his stud- ies he engaged in farming up to the time of his marriage, in 1879, with Miss Eliza Lanite, who was the daughter of Louis Lanite. By that union was born one child, a daughter. Ada. the wife of


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John Hill, who resides north of Richmond. in Ray County. Some years later Mr. Holman was united in marriage for the second time, when Mis- Fannie. daughter of E. P. Tiffen, a well-known farmer of this county, became his wife. One child. James N., who is attending school, has been born of this union. Mr. Ilolman is a member of Harmony Lodge No. 383. A. F. & A. M., and has always taken a great interest in the work of the fraternity. In every worthy enterprise he has been a worker and a liberal supporter. He uses his right of fran- chise in favor of the Democracy, and is as active a partisan as can be often found in the ranks. On May 28, 1892, he was nominated for Sheriff of the county. and in the following November was elected to that important position, the duties of which he is filling to his own credit and to the satisfaction of his constituents. Mr. Holman is numbered among the live business men of this community. and has met with signal success in whatever line or commercial calling he has adopted. In former years he often shipped for many successive months as high as one hundred carloads of live stock per month. Having passed his entire life in this county he is well known and thoroughly respected in all portions of the same. as he has used in allof his relations. whether financial or social. the ut- most integrity and straightforwardnes, of purpose and action.




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