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 21
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 21
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John Guinn, the father of Mrs. Hisey, was born in Saline County, Mo., in 1818, and died January 14, 1892, being a son of Almnon and Leona (Marr) Guinn. When he was a youth of sixteen years, his father having died, it became necessary for him to earn his own livelihood. He started for Mississippi with a mule-drover, and settled in Adams County, where for twenty-one years he operated a plantation. During this time his relatives in Missouri thought that he was dead, but in March, 1856, he returned. While in Mis- sissippi he married Elizabeth Enlow, who was born there about 1814, and died in 1862. She became the mother of fourteen children, only one of whom, Mrs. Hisey, is now living. Almon died in his fourteenth year, in November, 1861. Mrs. Guinn had been previously married to Abram Enloe, and bore him two sons, William W. and Andrew J. The former died just before the war, and the latter, who was a member of the Mis- souri State Militia, and afterwards was in a vol- unteer regiment in the regular Federal service, died in this neighborhood, June 23, 1893. March 1, 1863, John Guinn married Minerva Lynde, who was born in Tennessee. They had four chil- dren, namely: Mattie, who was the widow of Thomas McFarland; Allen M., a resident of War- rensburg; Joseph, Principal of the schools at Ash-
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land, Mo .; and Nettie, wife of Fred Houts, of this township. Mrs. Guinn is still living on the old homestead. Both she and her husband have long been identified with the Methodist denomi- nation, and assisted in building Houts' Chapel. In politics Mr. Guinn was a Republican.
YLVENIS LOCKARD, who resides in township 46, range 26, Johnson County, is a native of Ohio, born in Perry County, July, 15, 1846. He isa son of Hugh and Ann (Zuby) Lockard, and is one of thirteen children, of whom ten survive. His father, who was also a na- tive of Ohio, was born in Steubenville, and was reared to the life of a farmer. He engaged in farming in Ohio for a number of years, and in 1870 moved to Kansas, where he continued in the same occupation, and where he resided until his death.
The subject of this sketch was reared at home, and until his sixteenth year attended the public schools of his native state and assisted in the work of the farm, when he enlisted in the army as a member of Company D, Fifty-third Ohio In- fantry. The regiment was organized at Jackson, Ohio, February 16, 1862, and left Portsmouth for Paducah, Ky., where it was assigned to the Third Brigade, Sherman's Division. It was then removed to Savannah, Tenn., and thence to Pitts- burg Landing, participating in the Shiloh cam- paign and movement on to Corinth. On the 2d of June it left Corinth on an expedition to vari- ous points in Mississippi and Tennessee, arriving at Memphis July 21. On the 26th of November it engaged in the campaign through Mississippi and thence went to La Grange, Tenn., in Janu- ry, 1863. On the 7th of March of that year it moved to Moscow, Tenn., where it was mounted and engaged in the campaign against guerrillas. On the 9th of June it went to Young's Point and participated in the Vicksburg campaign, being
assigned to the Third Brigade, First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps. On the surrender of Vicksburg, it was moved up the Yazoo River to Snider's Bluff, thence to Oak Ridge and then against Jackson, Miss. On the Ist of October it left Vicksburg for Memphis, and on the 15th be- gan a campaign in Mississippi and Alabama to Trenton, Ga., and then participated in the Chat- tanooga campaign, being in the Third Brigade, Fourth Division of the Fifteenth Army Corps. On the 26th of November it moved to the relief of Knoxville, returning to Chattanooga in De- cember; and then moved to Scottsboro, Ala., January 1, 1864. The most important actions in which Mr. Lockard participated were Shiloh, Tenn., April 6 and 7, 1862; Monterey, April 8; Corinth, April 20 to May 20; Black River, Miss., July 4 and 5, 1863; Jackson, July 9 to 16; and Mission Ridge, November 25. He was honora- bly mustered out March 5, 1864, on the sur- geon's certificate of disability.
On receiving his discharge, Mr. Lockard went to Ross County, Ohio, and engaged in farming on his own account. He was a young man of nerve and industry, and succeeded reasonably well in his first venture. In 1867, with but a few dollars in his pocket, he came to Missouri, locating in Johnson County, and after a year's work for others purchased sixty acres of land near his present home, which he farmed success- fully for a few years and then purchased one hundred acres, which he began to improve. It was about this time that success seemed to crown his every effort, and from year to year he added to his farm until he now has six hundred and fifty-nine acres under a good state of cultivation. He is a thoroughly practical farmer and stock- raiser on a large scale, having now on his place some one hundred and sixty head of cattle, which he is feeding for market, together with much other live stock.
Returning to Ohio, January 1, 1869, Mr. Lock- ard was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Hier, the daughter of Michael Hier. Bringing his young wife to his Western home, they settled down to what they thought would be a life of future happiness, but unfortunately Mrs. Lock-
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ard was called to her final rest. After about three years Mr. Lockard married Miss Evaline Shackelford, daughter of James Shackelford, an old pioneer resident of Johnson County. The marriage took place April 2, 1872. Mr. Lock- ard was fortunate in the selection of a worthy woman, with many personal and intellectual charms, and his home is a happy one. Seven children came to bless their union, of whom five still survive. They are Mary Ada, Ivory Ann, Sylvenis Hayes, Memphis and Josephine.
Mr. Lockard's political affiliations are with the Republican party, and religiously he espouses the Methodist belief. His home is a most hos- pitable one, and we are pleased to accord him a prominent place among the worthy and repre- sentative citizens of Johnson County.
2 AVID GIBSON has for over a quarter of a century been identified with the develop- ment of Johnson County. He is now the owner of a quarter-section of land in township 47, range 25, and although over seventy years of age, gives his personal attention to overseeing the farm work. He is a native of Ohio, and was born in Morgan County, May 13, 1824. His parents were John S. and Catherine (Been) Gib- son, natives, respectively, of Virginia and Penn- sylvania.
John N. and Elizabeth ( Harrison) Gibson, the grandparents, were also born in Virginia, where the father, in addition to carrying on a good farm, worked at his trade, that of a tanner. They continued to make their home in their na- tive state until advanced in years, when they re- moved to Morgan County, Ohio, where their death occurred. The grandmother was a sister of William Henry Harrison.
John S. Gibson remained at home in the Buck- eye State until the date of his marriage, when he purchased land and began farming for himself. Many years thereafter he removed to Athens
County, that state, becoming the owner of a splendid estate there, on which he resided until his death, which occurred in 1855. His good wife survived him some twenty years, dying in 1875. Of their large family of thirteen children, David, of this sketch, is the third in order of birth. Elizabeth married Rufus Severens, and when last heard from was living on a farm in Wisconsin; William married Jane Swift, and both are deceased; Solomon chose for his wife Priscilla Robison, who since his death has continued to live in Linn County, this state; Nancy married William Embers; Isaiah married Mary Rathburn, and since his death his widow has lived in Hol- den, Mo .; John married a Miss Herrington, and both died in this state; Susan married John Lord, and both departed this life in Logan County, Ohio; Sarah married John Stores, and they are now living in Athens, Ohio, engaged in running an hotel; Salina also makes her home in that city with her husband, Samuel Tanner, who is a shoemaker; Charles married Elizabeth Beverage, and they live on a farm in Tennessee; Lucinda died in the West, together with her husband, William Simpson; and Mary is also deceased.
Upon attaining his majority, our subject went to Athens County, Ohio, and there became the owner of a tract of eighty acres of land and began farming for himself. He made his home in that locality for about eight years, and in the mean time was married to Miss Elizabeth Allison. The ceremony which made them one was performed in March, 1847. Mrs. Gibson was born March 21, 1823, in Maryland, and was the daughter of Samuel and Mary Allison, also natives of that state, where her father was a tailor by trade. He later, however, abandoned this business in order to engage in farming, following that industry until his decease, which occurred in Athens County, Ohio. His wife survived him for a num- ber of years and passed away while a member of her daughter's household, in Warrensburg, this state.
To Mr. and Mrs. Allison there were born elev- en children, six daughters and five sons. They were George, Henry, Susan, James, John Wes- ley and May, deceased; and Elizabeth, Harriet,
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Adeline, Thomas and Huldah. Harriet married John Parks, and they make their home on a farm in Jackson County, Ohio; Adeline became Mrs. George Barth, and since the decease of her hus- band resides in Topeka, Kan .; and Huldah mar- ried John Rice and both live in Camden County, this state.
Mr. Gibson lived on his first purchase of land for several years, in the mean time making vari- ous improvements. After disposing of it he bought another tract in the same county, and there lived for sixteen years. He had visited the state of Missouri prior to the Civil War, but thought it best to remain in his native state until the troubles between the North and South had been settled. In 1865, however, he sold his pos- sessions in Ohio and started for this state, com- ing directly to Warrensburg. Here he rented a tract of two hundred acres from Judge Harrison, five miles from Warrensburg, making that his home for the following two years. He then be- came a renter of property just north of his pres- ent estate, and was engaged in its cultivation for four years. At the expiration of that time he bought this place on section 18, Simpson Town- ship, where he has made his home ever since. For the one hundred and sixty acres which he owns he paid $22 per acre. A schoolhouse stood 011 the place, and this Mr. Gibson converted into a good dwelling, in which he resides at the pres- ent time. May 11, 1884, his property was dam- aged to the extent of $1,000 by a storm. The buildings then laid low were rapidly rebuilt, and to-day the estate presents to the passer-by a neat and inviting appearance, as it is kept in good re- pair and under the best methods of improvement by the owner.
Seven children were born to our subject and his wife. John M., whose birth occurred Decem- ber 21, 1847, married Maria Boone, and departed this life at Colorado Springs, September 27, 1880; his wife is also deceased. Samuel V. was born August 12, 1851; he married Ellen Stewart, and they now live near Fayetteville, Mo. Amanda S., who was born September 6, 1849, became the wife of John Smith, a carpenter in Kansas City. Mary Ann was born October 28, 1853, and was
first married to Samuel Boone, after whose de- cease she became the wife of William Goin; her death occurred May 10, 1891. William Henry was born September 15, 1855; he chose for his companion Bertha Zillmer, and now resides in Denver, Colo., where he owns mines. Francis Marion was born February 19, 1858, and with his wife, formerly Mollie Myers, lives on a farm east of our subject. James Madison, who was born September 15, 1864, has always lived at home.
Mr. Gibson is truly a self-made man, for when he left home he possessed but $50 in cash and a horse. He made a good investment of this small capital, and his fortunes increased, until to-day he is well-to-do. Besides being Road Overseer of his township, for several terms he occupied the position of School Director. Although a Repub- lican in his native state, he has voted the Demo- cratic ticket since coming to Missouri. Mrs. Gibson is a member of the Baptist Church at Fay- etteville. Our subject was formerly of the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but since leaving that denomination has not identified him- self with any other. He has in his possession an old Bible belonging to his grandmother, which he keeps as a relic of the William Henry Harrison family. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson have taken into their home their granddaughter, Lottie Goin, who was born September 6, 1885.
HRISTOPHER H. W. HELT. Prominent among the capable and efficient agricultur- ists of Johnson County stands Mr. Helt, who located upon a tract of land in October, 1882, which bore no improvement whatever. This pur- chase lies on section 27, township 48, range 25, and under his management is made to yield good returns.
Our subject was born in Jennings County, Ind., on the Ioth of November, 1854, being the son of
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Charles H. and Martha E. (Hollenbeck) Helt, both natives of Germany. The father was born on Christmas Day, 1830, and the mother, March 2, six years later. The grandparents on the mother's side were Jacob and Martha E. Hollen- beck, who were farmers in the Fatherland. They crossed the Atlantic to the New World very many years ago, and, settling in Wisconsin, there en- gaged in farming until the death of the grand- father. His wife was again married, and is now living in Montana. The paternal grandparents of Christopher H. were Charles H. and Anna Isa- belle Helt, also of German birth. The grand- father worked at his trade of shoemaking in the Old Country, but after coming to the United States, in the '50s, gave his attention to farming, owning property in Jennings County, Ind. In 1867 he removed to Lafayette County, Mo., where both he and his good wife passed away. They were the parents of six children, all of whom are still living, and of these the father of our subject was the eldest. The next in order of birth is Christina, who married Fred Schultz, and lives on a farm in Grover Township, this county; Christopher chose for his companion Rachel Backley, and they now reside in Jackson County, Ind .; Caroline married William Stigdon, and since his death, which occurred in March, 1892, has resided with her parents; Henry married Jane Couten, and they occupy property in Red Willow County, Neb .; Harman H. married Julia Meahl, and their home is in Lafayette County.
The father of the above family had been called upon to serve in the German army, but not wish- ing to do so took refuge in this country, coming hither when twenty years of age. After land- ing in New York he went to Pennsylvania and for one year thereafter was engaged in farm work, his duties being to attend to the stock. From that state he then made his way to Columbus, Ind., and for the following twelvemonth also hired out as a farm hand. His marriage occurred about this time, and he established a home of his own on rented property in the vicinity of that city, two years later removing to Wisconsin, where the parents of his wife were living. His stay there was short, however, and after one year
the young couple returned to Indiana and for eight years farmed in Jennings County. At the expiration of that period we again find them re- siding in the State, making it their home for two years.
In 1866 the father crossed the line into Mis- souri, renting a farm for two years in Lafayette County. About this time he invested money in a forty-acre tract near Concordia, and being pros- pered in his undertakings from the first, added to his purchase from year to year until his possess- ions number one hundred and twenty-five well im- proved acres, on which he at present resides. To himself and wife were born eleven children, sev- en of whom are now living: Christopher H. W., of this sketch; Martha, the wife of John Freich- ley, a farmer near Valley City; Jennie, Mrs. David Bratton, living near the Johnson County line in Lafayette County; James, unmarried, and engaged in farming in this township; George, who married Minnie Walkup, and is also an ag- 'riculturist of this locality; Annie, who makes her home with her parents in Lafayette County; and Sarah, who is now Mrs. S. L. Canoy, and lives at Simpson. The deceased members of the family are Nora E., Charles H., Henry and Caroline.
The original of this sketch remained at home aiding in the work of carrying on the farm until his marriage, February 25, 1879, with Miss Saralı B. Wyre, a native of North Carolina, who was born October 19, 1858. Her parents were David and Rachel (Collett) Wyre, also natives of that state, and farmers by occupation. They came to Lafayette County, Mo., in the year 1868, locating on property situated near Aullville, which is their present place of residence. Mr. Wyre was for three terms a member of the School Board, being a portion of this time President of that body. Of their children, eight in number, one is deceased. Mrs. Helt was the eldest, then came Luan, Sam- uel Lee, Noville, Jacob, George and Eliza. The three last named are still at home.
After his marriage our subject rented a farm near Valley City, and after living there for six months moved to Lafayette County and for two years farmed on rented property. He then re- turned to this county and for the following year
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cultivated the soil of a good farm near Fayette- ville. In October, 1882, he purchased forty acres of land, which at that time was covered with timber. This he has cleared off and placed the land under good cultivation.
To Mr. and Mrs. Helt were born four children. Jennie Lee was born April 30, 1881; Martha Ra- chel, May 16, 1885; Phebe was born January 5, 1887, and died April 17, 1889; and Charles Har- man was born August 28, 1889, and died March 16 of the following year. The parents are men- bers in good standing of the Methodist Epis- copal Church South and take great interest in the work of Zion Hill Congregation. In politics our subject is a strong Democrat, but has never as- pired to office holding.
ENRY LOYD. For about thirty-five years this gentleman has been a resident of John- son County, and has therefore witnessed the wonderful transformation wrought in the locality, and he himself has been one of the prominent fac- tors in its development. He is now living in township 45, range 25, on a tract of sixty acres which he owns.
Our subject was born in West Virginia, near Parkersburg, Wood County, October 25, 1811. His parents, Thomas and Annie (Richmond) Loyd, were born in the Old Dominion. . The father of the latter, who bore the name of Will- iam Richmond, was a native of Scotland, and came to America in a very early day, serving all through the Revolutionary War. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Elijah Loyd, was also a Revolutionary soldier, serving under the com- mand of General Washington. He lived and died in Virginia, and became the father of seven children, all of whom are deceased.
Thomas Loyd was born and reared in Hamp- shire County Virginia, but soon after his mar- riage moved to Wood County, where he was en-
gaged in farming for many years, and where he lived until his decease, at the remarkable age of one hundred and four years. There also his wife died, aged ninety-five years. To them were granted six daughters and four sons. Of this large family all are deceased with the exception of William, and Henry, our subject. The for- mer lives in Jackson County, W. Va., and is en- gaged in farming.
Henry Loyd remained at home until his mar- riage, February 27, 1840, with Miss Elizabeth Hughes, a native of Jackson County, Va. She was the daughter of Thomas Hughes, also a Vir- ginian by birth, whose father in turn also bore the name of Thomas and was a farmer.
Our subject continued to live in Jackson Coun- ty until the year 1858, when he came by boat to Lexington, this state, thence making his way to Johnson County. This section was not new to him, as he had visited it previously with the hope of some day making this county his home. He bought one hundred and twenty acres of land within three and a-half miles of Hazle Hill, and after improving the place made it his home until November, 1891. That year he sold the old home place and came to his present farm, which includes sixty acres. It is all under the best methods of improvement and is as large a place as Mr. Loyd cares to have, as he is quite advanced in years.
About 1845 Mrs. Elizabeth Loyd died in Vir- ginia, and March 5, 1858, our subject chose as his second companion Mrs. Isabel (Crutcher) Moore, who was born in Hardin County, Ky., January 31, 1832. Her parents were Robert and Elizabeth (McQuie) Crutcher. The former died when she was seven years of age, and four years later she accompanied her mother to Jefferson County, Ky. Some time thereafter Mrs. Crutch- er returned to the old home farm, where she died. Mrs. Loyd continued to live in Jefferson County with a married sister until her union with John Moore, who died in the Blue Grass State, leav- ing a daughter, Katie, who later married Harvey Harrison and is living in Henry County, Mo.
By his union with Elizabeth Hughes, Mr. Loyd became the father of three children. Thomas, a
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soldier in the late war, met his death at the bat- tle of Perryville; William married Sarah Will- iamson, and lives in Jackson County, W. Va .; Henry C. married Sarina Williamson, and is now deceased; his wife is living in Jackson County, W. Va. By his second marriage Mr. Loyd reared a family of six children. Mary was born December 15, 1858; she married Douglas A. Blake and is now living in Texas. Emma, who was born August 28, 1861, became the wife of James Colburn, and died August 27, 1884. Gussie, who was born February 21, 1864, married John Cox, and makes her home in Hazle Hill Township. Annie was born February 9, 1866; and Birdie, January 24, 1869. They are both at home, as is also Gideon R., who was born October 17, 1876.
Mr. Loyd has never held any of the township offices, but has served efficiently as a member of the School Board of his district. He has voted the Republican ticket since attaining his majority, for it was through the Democratic vote in his na- tive state that the free-school system was abol- ished, just at the time he should have attended school. He enlisted, July 4, 1861, in the Union army, taking part in the battle of Lexington, and was mustered out the same year on the expi- ration of his term of enlistment. Mr. Loyd is one of the oldest residents of the county and as such we are pleased to herewith present his bi- ography.
OHN M. CALDWELL, the Circuit Clerk of Johnson County, has been twice elected to this responsible and trustworthy position, the first time in 1890, and again in 1894. He also served as Township Assessor for two years, but has never been a great aspirant for political honors, though always endeavoring to advance the success of the Democratic party, with which he has been allied since casting his first Presiden- tial ballot for Seymour, in 1868.
The father of John M., William P. C. Cald-
well, was born in Russellville, Logan County, Ky., August 22, 1810, being a son of Samuel and Anna Caldwell, of Scotch-Irish descent. Samuel Caldwell, who was a Brigadier-General under General Jackson in the War of 1812, was a lawyer by profession, and in his honor Cald- well County, Ky., was named. His eldest child, Dr. Robert, became an eminent physician in Kentucky, and afterwards in Cass County, Mo. He was killed by a locomotive about 1880, at Pleasant Hill. The second son, Aaron Burr, was a dry-goods merchant during his entire life, and died in Caldwell County, Ky. James was a life-long invalid. Mary Ann married a Mr. Mor- gan and died, leaving five children; and Julia A., the youngest daughter, married Jonathan Keedy. Rev. W. P. C. was the fifth of the fam- ily. He received a common-school education and learned the tanner's trade in Russellville. Afterwards, going to Caldwell County, he estab- lished a tannery of his own, and while there mar- ried Jane A. Jackson, a native of Kentucky and his senior by two years. He was a very dissipat- ed and bad man until his conversion, which took place when he was about twenty-eight years of age. His good wife induced him to attend church, and at length her prayers were rewarded, for he turned over a new leaf and from that time forward was not only a good man, a faithful worker in the church, but also preached more or less until his death. He had been a member of the militia and had a great influence for good with his comrades. In a few years he sold out his tannery in order to devote his whole time to ministerial labors, and in 1845 he moved to John- son County, Mo., and bought a farm sixteen miles southeast of Warrensburg. The Sunday preceding his death, which occurred December 19, 1874, he occupied the pulpit, and for the very Sunday of his demise had an appointment to preach. He was a pioneer in the Missionary Baptist Church in this region and did great good. His wife died a year before, in 1873. His broth- er Samuel was a very influential minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Macon Coun- ty, Mo.
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