USA > Missouri > Johnson County > Portrait and biographical record of Johnson and Pettis counties, Missouri ; containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 20
USA > Missouri > Pettis County > Portrait and biographical record of Johnson and Pettis counties, Missouri ; containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 20
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years of severe and unremitting study, his health failed and he was obliged to change his plans. Returning home, he continued to preach for a country congregation for a number of years. Though he kept no record of the number of con- versions under his teaching, he has married about one hundred couples.
June 14, 1877, Rev. Mr. Whitsett and Jennie Duff were united in marriage in Lincoln, I11. They became acquainted while he was a student in the college there. The lady was born in San- gamon County, Il1., February 14, 1851, and re- ceived a college education. She also was brought up in the faith of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and has been of great assistance to her husband in his arduous labors. Since 1890 their home has been in Warrensburg, prior to which time they lived in various places, or wherever Mr. Whitsett happened to have a pastoral charge. Their six children are as follows: Annie, born in Henry County, Mo., August 7, 1878; Julian, born in Jackson County, November 5, 1879; Harry L., born in Cass County, Mo., September 3, 1881; George Ray, born in Center View, this county, October 7, 1883, Thomas G., born in the same village, September 6, 1885; and William Sloan, at Knobnoster, August 21, 1890.
OSEPH J. FULKS. Among the agricultur- ists of Johnson County who through inde- fatigable energy and indomitable persever- ance have achieved considerable success in life, we make mention of Mr. Fulks, who is one of the prominent residents of township 45, range 25, where he owns one hundred acres of finely im- proved land. He located in this county over twenty-five years ago and in its improvement and development has been no unimportant factor.
Mr. Fulks was born in York County, Pa., eighteen miles from Lancaster, August 4, 1842. He is the son of Benjamin G. and Sarah (Mc-
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Sherry) Fulks, natives, respectively, of Ohio and Pennsylvania, the father's birth occurring near the city of Zanesville, March 4, 1804. The ma- ternal grandparents of our subject were of Scotch and Irish descent, and on his father's side lie is of German ancestry. Mr. McSherry, who was the proprietor of a hotel in York County, Pa., had ten children, of whom Joseph J. is the only one living in this county. He resides in War- rensburg.
The father of our subject removed from his na- tive state to Pennsylvania when a young man and there met and married Miss McSherry. Soon after that event he purchased a farm here and was engaged in its operation until his sons were old enough to assume the responsibility of its man- agement, when he left it in their charge and went to work in the lumber camps. He was thus en- gaged for a number of years, when he returned to the old homestead, where he is now living with his aged wife. He is eighty-seven years old and she seventy-nine. He was successful in life and has plenty to supply them both with comforts during the remainder of their lives. Mr. Fulks was Collector of his county for one year, and in various ways took an active part in local affairs.
The parental family of our subject included thirteen children, seven of whom are now living. Of those deceased two died in infancy, and the others were named, respectively, Fred, Susan, Alvin and Amy. Those living besides Joseph J. are Lysander, who married Annie Norris, and now lives with his father; Annie, who married J. E. Lightner, and is a resident of Warrensburg; Sarah Martha, Mrs. William Barton, who makes her home near her father; John, who married Frances Torbid, the latter of whom is now de- ceased; Tolitha, Mrs. John Adkins, who lives on a farm near her father; and William E., who married Janet Finley, and makes his home in York County, Pa. They all were given good ed- ucations in the common schools of Pennsylvania, and some members of the family are now engaged in teaching.
The original of this sketch was only thirteen years of age when he began to make his own way in the world. His first employment was on the
Pennsylvania Canal, where he held a position for over six years. About this time the war broke out, and in February, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany B, Ninth Pennsylvania Artillery, for a pe- riod of one year. On the expiration of his term he re-enlisted, this time being assigned to the same company in the One Hundred and Ninety- fifth Infantry. He remained in the service until February 13, 1866, when he was mustered out at Lancaster, Pa., having been on the field of battle for four years to a day.
After his army experience our subject remained at home for a time, working for his father, when he again went on the canal, this time being em- ployed for two years. His next occupation was that of a hunter on the Alleghany Mountains, and as smallpox prevailed in that region he was compelled to remain for seven months at one time.
April 7, 1870, Mr. Fulks came to Johnson County, where a sister was living, and went to work on a farm for a Mr. Lightner. He re- mained in his employ for two years, and then was married, on Washington's birthday, 1872, to Miss Mary J., daughter of Ebenezer Jones, whose sketch will appear on another page in this volume. Soon after establishing a home of his own, Mr. Fulks rented a tract of land west of Warrensburg and lived upon it for seven months, when he pur- chased forty acres of land three miles east of where he now lives. On this he made improve- ments and lived for seven years. At the expira- tion of that time, in 1881, he sold out at a good profit and purchased his present farm. He has made all the improvements on the land, and in addition to this tract of one hundred acres is the proprietor of nine acres of timber. He is entirely a self-made man, for when he landed in Johnson County he had but $20 in money.
To Mr. and Mrs. Fulks there were born five children. Mamie, the eldest, married Jacob Neidler, and is living on a farm north of Warrens- burg; Cora married William Primm, and their home is near that of our subject; Bessie and Ethel are at home; and the youngest member of the household died in infancy.
Mr. Fulks has never desired to hold office, nor
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has he done so, with the exception of serving on the School Board. He is a Republican in poli- tics, and with his wife belongs to the Baptist Church. He has been the witness of the devel- opment of this section, and by his enterprise has done much to promote its progress.
A NTHONY BROWNING, an energetic and enterprising agriculturist of Johnson Coun- ty, was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, May 21, 1847. He is now living on section 2, town- ship 46, range 25, where is located his one hun- dred and thirty acre tract of land.
Gavin and Margaret (Mair) Browning, the parents of our subject, were also born in the above shire in Scotland, where the father was a coal miner. The maternal grandparents were An- thony and Jeanette Mair, also born in Scotland, where they lived and died. Their occupation in life was that of farmers. Gavin and Annie Brown- ing, the paternal grandparents of Anthony, were also born in that country, where the former was employed as a weaver all his life; they both died in Lanarkshire. Their eldest son, Andrew, when last heard from, was still living in his native land; Alexander was accidentally killed in that coun- try; and Gavin, Jr., the father of our subject, passed his entire life in Scotland. He remained at home until eighteen or nineteen years of age, and then, finding it necessary to earn his own living, worked at the weaver's trade, which he had already learned from his father. Upon aban- doning this vocation, he followed farming for a time, but as this business did not prove as profit- able as he had expected, entered the coal mines in Scotland, which is one of the finest coal re- gions in the world. He continued to be thus em- ployed for thirty years.
While working in the mines, Gavin Browning, Jr., was married to the mother of our subject. He died in February, 1869, while his good wife
survived him until 1890. He was ardently inter- ested in all good work, giving regularly to the support of the church, and lending a helping hand to the needy. To himself and wife there were born seven children. Of these Gavin, who was born in September, 1843, married Elizabeth Watson, and is engaged in mining in Scotland; Jennie, who was born in 1845, married Jolın Rus- sell, and also makes her home in Scotland; An- thony was the next-born; Alexander was born in 1849, and died when six years of age; Annie, who was born in 1851, married John Forrest, and with her husband lives in Scotland; Margaret, who was born in 1858, became the wife of Robert Coates, and is also a resident of that country; Robert was born in 1864, and died when two years of age.
Our subject remained at home, aiding in the work about the place and also working in the mines to some extent, until attaining his majority. After this he was allowed to keep all the money which he earned, and for one year continued mining. While at work there he was married, October 23, 1868, to Miss Ellen Gillespie, who was born in the same shire, June 21, 1845. She was the daughter of Thomas and Annie ( Adams) Gillespie, both natives of that country, where Mr. Gillespie was a miner. He is living retired there at the age of seventy-three years. His life has been successful and has resulted in the accumula- tion of a snug amount of money, which enables him to pass his last days in comfort.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gillespie were the par- ents of eleven children, of whom six are now liv- ing. Maggie, the eldest of the household, mar- ried James Adams, now deceased; she makes her home in Luzerne County, Pa. Mrs. Browning was the next-born. The third, fourth and fifth children are deceased. Agnes, who married John Rodgers, is also deceased, and her husband is living in Scotland. James married Grace Rus- sell, and is at present living in New Zealand. David is engaged in mining in Birmingham, Ala. Thomas died in infancy. Elizabeth is Mrs. R. Richardson, and with her husband is living in New Zealand. Janet is single and lives with her father in Scotland.
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Soon after his marriage our subject started for America with the hope of regaining his health. The vessel on which he took passage was the "Columbia," and fourteen days after leaving Glasgow he was landed on the shores of the New World, arriving in New York September 3, 1869. His destination was the mining regions of Penn- sylvania, and accordingly he journeyed to Pitts- ton, Luzerne County. While there he worked for the Pennsylvania Coal Company for two years, and then removed to Columbiana County, Ohio, where he was similarly employed by the Chauncy Andrews Company. He worked for this corpo- ration for the same length of time, and then made his way to Trumbull County, Ohio, where Mr. Andrews had other mining interests. For the following two years he was engaged in the mines, but about this time heard glowing accounts of the wonderful farming region of Missouri, and accordingly packed his goods and went to Maries County, making a purchase of eighty acres. After raising one crop he disposed of this tract by sale and came to Johnson County, arriving here in November, 1876. His means at this time were very limited, consisting of only $5 in money. He succeeded, however, in obtaining possession of rented property, settling upon a farmi owned by W. J. Mayes. In order that he might have ready money with which to carry on his farm work more successfully, he worked for a portion of the time for the Gallagher Mining Company at Mont- serrat for one year, and then hired out to the Co- operative Coal Company of that place. During the six years in which he was employed by this company he did not do farin work, but in 1886 turned his attention to it exclusively. In the above year our subject purchased ninety acres of his present homestead, which he has increased until it now includes one hundred and thirty acres, on which he has placed many valuable im- provements.
Mr. and Mrs. Browning are the parents of ten children, one having died. Annie was born in Scotland in 1869; she married George Himsinger, and makes her home in this township on a farm. Maggie, born July 30, 1871, is living at home. Guy, who was born June 4, 1873, married Elvira
Painroad, and is engaged in farming and mining in Macon County, this state. Ella, who was born July 30, 1877, is now the wife of George Pain- road, a farmer near Montserrat. Nanettie was born April 1, 1878, and died September 6, 1893. Jessie was born July 10, 1880; Lillie, February 28, 1883; Thomas, June 11, 1884; Robert, Sep- tember 24, 1887; and Effie, March 24, 1890. For some time past Mr. Browning has been School Director in his district. Socially he is a Mason, having belonged to that order since 1867, and also belongs to Eureka Lodge No. 88, I. O. O. F., at Warrensburg. In politics he is a Democrat. Both himself and wife are members in good stand- ing of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
ILLIAM WAMPLER, one of the prosper- ous agriculturists and extensive land-own- ers of Johnson County, is the fortunate possessor of a beautiful homestead, situated on section 34, Grover Township, where he has four hundred and fifty. acres, all in one body. His residence is a substantial and commodious one of brick, constructed on modern lines of architecture. Few farms in this county are kept up in more thrifty manner or are more inviting and pleasant in appearance than is this one. A life-long resi- dent of the county, Mr. Wampler is well known among his neighbors as a practical business man, and is noted for his industrious and energetic qualities, and also for his uniformly fair treat- ment of his fellows.
The parents of our subject were Edward and Elizabeth (Stoner) Wampler, both natives of Maryland. When they were mere children, they removed with their parents to Ohio, where they grew up and were married. Until 1856 Edward Wampler carried on a farm in the Buckeye State with fair success, but believing that the West af- forded greater opportunities, he removed hither, and, settling in Johnson County, continued to be a resident here until 1874. The remaining four-
R. H. HOWERTON, M. D.
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teen years of his life were passed in Fulton Coun- ty, Ill., his demise occurring in 1888. His faitli- ful companion and helpmate in the battle of life had been called from his side several years before, about 1873.
William Wampler's birth occurred on the farm where he is still making his home in 1857, he be- ing the youngest child in his father's family. He received only a district-school education, and continued to live under the parental roof until reaching his majority, when he embarked in farm- ing on his own account. In 1879 occurred his marriage with Sarah Sprenkle, by whom he has six children. The family circle is still unbroken, and the children are living at the old home. They are named as follows: Mary E., Annie B., Jacob William, Elizabeth, Leona G. and George Ernest. Mrs. Wampler is a daughter of Daniel and Rebecca (Wolf) Sprenkle, who were natives of Pennsylvania, but later moved to Illinois. There the former's death occurred, and the latter is still living in Astoria, Il1.
For several years our subject has been a mem- ber of Twin Mound Lodge No. 174, K. of P., at Knobnoster. He has never been an aspirant for official positions of trust and honor, and always deposits his ballot in favor of Republican nomin- ees. His wife is a member of the Dunkard Church, and both are esteemed and respected by all who know them.
ICHARD HERITAGE HOWERTON, M. D., a retired physician of Chilhowee Township, Johnson County, dwells on sec- tion 5, township 44, range 27. This valuable homestead, which includes one hundred and sixty acres, is improved with good buildings and is kept up in a thrifty condition. Altogether the
Doctor is the fortunate possessor of over seven hundred acres of land, for he has always been a firm believer in the stability of real estate and has invested his means in this way. He has risen from poverty to a position of affluence entirely through his own efforts and financial enterprise, for by inheritance and training he acquired hab- its of industry and indomitable perseverance.
The birth of our subject occurred in Rocking- ham County, N. C., October 8, 1823, his parents being William and Frances P. (Wall) Howerton. The former started for the West in 1839, in com- pany with several friends and neighbors, driving a team across the country. The Doctor was placed in charge of a four-horse team and wagon, which he drove through from the western side of the Blue Ridge Mountains to Henry County, Mo. His father, who was fairly well off in this world's goods, brought with him several slaves, and en- tered land from the Government near what is now Calhoun, Henry County, where his wife's father, Richard Wall, had previously settled.
Dr. R. H. Howerton managed to pick up a good general education, though the schools of his boyhood were far from reaching the excel- lence of those of the present day. He lived with his father until reaching man's estate, and after learning the carpenter's trade worked as a jour- neyman. In 1849 he started for the Pacific Slope, with a company of some fifty or sixty persons, · and was about three months in crossing the plains. He went at once to the mines, where he made some money, but his expenses were high and he rerurned home in 1850 with small returns. He had intended to cross the Isthmus, but a storm drove the ship ashore and they landed in Central America. Taking a ship from the mouth of the Nicaragua River, the young man went to Havan- na, from there to New Orleans, and then went up the Mississippi River. In 1852 he entered the office of his uncle, Dr. R. Z. R. Wall, with whom he pursued medical studies for five years, and in the winter of 1854-55 took one course of lectures in the Cincinnati Medical Eclectic Institute.
In 1856 Dr. Howerton went to Cass County, Mo., and engaged in practice near the village of Everett, where he remained until the Civil War
6
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broke out. July 18, 1857, he married Nancy Hughes, of Chilhowee Township, but a native of Adair County Ky., and daughter of John and Polly (Diddle) Hughes. The young couple had been acquainted with each other before the Doc- tor's removal to Cass County. The troubles which preceded the war so disturbed the peaceful security of the inhabitants of Cass County, that our subject and his wife returned to Johnson County, and subsequently were for two years res- idents of Lebanon, Cooper County, where the Doctor built up a good practice. Thence, going to Carlinville, Ill., they remained there until the close of the war. From that time until 1876 their home was again in Lebanon, Mo., and then for a few years they dwelt in Rose Hill Township, where the Doctor owned one hundred and fifty acres of land. Subsequently selling that place, he invested the proceeds in his present homestead. In 1887 he went to Eldorado Springs, with the hope of benefiting his wife's health, and did not return here until 1894, in the mean time renting his farm.
Of the eight children born to Dr. Howerton and wife, the three eldest died in infancy, and the others are as follows: James B., who married Fannie Carpenter, and has one child, and whose sketch follows; Fannie, Robert, Benjamin and Annie C. They are all natives of Chilhowee Township, have all received good educations, and are qualified to embark in life's duties.
Fannie, who married William Finley and has one child, is now living at the home of her father. Robert is married and has one child, and is also a resident of this township. Benjamin, whose birth occurred September 25, 1875, assists in the cultivation of the home farm; and Annie C., the youngest, is now pursuing her studies at Eldor- ado, Mo.
Fraternally the Doctor is a Mason, having be- come identified with the order at Agricola, Henry County, Mo. His first Presidential ballot was cast for Henry Clay in 1844; in 1856 he voted for Buchanan, and four years later for Stephen A. Douglas. Since the war he has adhered to the Democracy, but has never been desirous of hold- ing public office.
AMES BLACKMORE HOWERTON is an enterprising young agriculturist of Chilhowee Township, and is one of Missouri's native sons. From his earliest years he has been iden- tified with her prosperity, and has always taken a great interest in whatever has proved bene- ficial to the upbuilding of this community. At the present time he is engaged in farming on his father's homestead, and has assumed much of the responsibility.
The parents of the above-named gentleman are Dr. Richard H. and Nancy (Hughes) How- erton, the former born in North Carolina, and the latter a native of Kentucky. (For a fuller ac- count of the parents see the preceding sketch. ) The birth of our subject occurred in Cooper County, Mo., September 21, 1861, but his boy- hood was mainly passed in Chilhowee Township. He received a good education in the common schools, and, being an apt student, made rapid progress. From his father he received practical training in habits of industry, and to this doubt- less he owes much of his success in life.
November 4, 1884, occurred the marriage of J. B. Howerton and Miss Fannie Carpenter, then a resident of this township, but a native of Ma- rion County, Ill. The young couple have one child, a son, born January 6, 1887, whom they have named William Richard. Mr. Howerton belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, while his wife is identified with the Methodist denomination.
In his political faith Mr. Howerton adheres to the principles in which he was reared, and is a firm believer in the Democracy. He cast his first ballot for Grover Cleveland in the election of 1884.
ILLIAM P. HISEY was manager of the Johnson County Poor Farm at the time of his death, which occurred January 8, 1892. His personal worth and his good business ability had raised him to that post of honor and re-
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sponsibility, and he discharged the duties devolv- ing upon him to his own credit and to the satis- faction of all for about thirteen years. He was a practical farmer, and during his life time operated several homesteads in this county. He left his widow well provided for, as in the well improved home farm alone there are one hundred acres of valuable land. Mrs. Hisey is entitled to much praise for the able manner in which she filled the unexpired term of her husband in directing the affairs of the County Poor Farm, and for the aid and counsel which she always gave her husband in their journey of life together.
A native of Saline County, Mo., born Septem- ber 10, 1845, William P. Hisey was a son of John and Elenor (Starkey) Hisey. The former, who was a Virginian by birth, went from his na- tive state to Ohio, thence to Illinois, and finally returned to Missouri. His first home here was in Saline County, but about 1855 he became an in- habitant of this county. Later he went to Iowa, but not liking it there returned to this state. His death occurred in Kansas, at a ripe old age. By trade he was a carpenter, but he also followed farming to a considerable extent. The early years of William P. Hisey were passed in Saline and Johnson Counties, and here he received his education. In 1861 he joined Nugent's Inde- pendent Regiment, which was disbanded in Feb- ruary, 1862, after a campaign against Quantrell's men. In the spring of 1862 our subject became a member of Company G, Seventh Missouri In- fantry, and served until receiving his discharge in St. Louis, in 1865. Thereupon he joined an- other independent company, commanded by Cap- tain Chester, and was elected to the Lieutenancy, serving in Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas. Re- suming the peaceful avocations of life, our subject rented land in Post Oak Township, and after cul- tivating the place for three years removed to a farm which was owned by his wife, and which is now the property of Mr. Campbell. A few years later he became a resident of Warrensburg, where he made his home until March 18, 1879, when he took charge of the Poor Farm, as before stated. He was a member of the Masonic order, in which he had taken one of the degrees, but died before
he was made a Master Mason. Colonel Grover Post, G. A. R., at Warrensburg, classed him as one of its members, and in politics he was a Re- publican.
January 28, 1866, Mr. Hisey was united in marriage with Fannie A. Guinn, whose parents, John N. and Elizabeth Guinn, are mentioned at the close of this sketch. To our subject and wife were born ten children, only six of whom 110W survive. John W. was his father's successor at the County Farm. The others are as follows: O. Frank, Valeria Elizabeth, Charles M., Rufus D. and Carrie H. Elmer and Emma died in in- fancy, and Laura Belle and Katie are also de- ceased. Mrs. Hisey is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal denomination, belonging to Houts' Chapel, and takes deep interest in Sunday-school work, and other departments of the congregation's usefulness.
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