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 28
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 28
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Until the age of twenty-five, William Calvert, whose name introduces this sketch, remained at home with his mother, assisting in the labors of the farm. In 1861 he made a trip to Arkansas, helping move a family to Washington County, that state. On returning home he started for Iowa, making part of the journey by boat and the remainder on foot, trying to keep out of the reach of the war. From that state he proceeded to Ne- braska City, Neb., and then went up the Missouri River, where he lived among the Indians. He made his home with certain tribes in western Ne-
braska until the surrender of General Lee, wlien, in 1865, he returned to his home in Cooper County. In 1870, however, he made a trip to Texas, where for two seasons he lierded cattle, meeting with excellent success, and then for eighteen months worked on the home farm.
Mr. Calvert was married on the 26th of Febru- ary, 1874, Miss Sarah Jane Cooper becoming his wife. The lady was born in this county, August 20, 1844, on the farm where she still resides. Aft- er his marriage our subject lived for one year at High Point Church, when he removed to a farm near his present home, which belonged to the Cooper estate, and consisted of a tract of one hun- dred acres, which he placed under a high state of cultivation, there residing for ten years. On the expiration of that time, in 1885, he removed to his present farm, and now owns altogether two hundred and eighty acres, about two hundred of which are under cultivation, and on which he carries on general farming and stock-raising.
Unto our subject and his worthy wife have been born five children: Lena, born March 9, 1875; Bessie, October 8, 1876; Owen, November 18, 1878; Sarah Frances, August 27, 1880; and Ur- sula, March 25, 1884. All of the children have received good educational privileges, being able to attend the normal and high schools of War- rensburg. The parents hold membership with the Baptist Church, and in politics Mr. Calvert formerly was a Democrat, but now supports the best men, independent of party.
B ENJAMIN F. WALLACE, one of the well- to-do and successful farmers of township 45, range 25, has hewed out his own way to prosperity and richly deserves what he has achieved. He was born in Tennessee, January 19, 1855, and for many years dutifully assisted his parents, Thomas and Hannah (Hibbs) Wal- lace. The father and mother were also born in Tennessee, where they were reared and married. In the spring of 1861 Thomas Wallace came
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with wagon and team to Nodaway County, this state, and for six months lived there on rented land. Not being satisfied with the locality, he came to Johnson County in the fall of the year, first settling on Clear Fork Creek. There he rented a house, but as the winter was quite ad- vanced he waited until spring before putting in a crop of grain. For three years he lived upon this place, each year laying aside a goodly sum of money, with which it was his intention to pur- chase a tract of land. He made a selection of one hundred acres in Post Oak Township, to which he afterward added a like amount, and upon this fine estate he resides with his estimable wife. Mr. Wallace never had any desire to hold office, but as a farmer he achieved an enviable reputation. His interest in school affairs, how- ever, led to his being elected Director of the dis- trict where his family of sons and daughters at- tended school.
To Thomas and Hannah Wallace there were granted twelve children, of whom we make the following mention: Amelia married David Widbee and resides in Henry County, this state; Elizabeth became the wife of William Keeney; Nancy married James Warnick, and they reside near Knobnoster; William never married, and is at present residing in Montana; Joseph married Nannie Briscoe, and their home is near Center View; Hanie married Thomas Marshall, a resi- dent of this township; Fannie was formerly the wife of Thomas J. Rogers, and at the time of her death lived in Nodaway County, Mo .; Benjamin F. was next in order of birth; Louisa is now the wife of Thomas J. Rogers; Thomas married Evelyn Lindell, and makes his home near the farm of our subject; Siotha A. is the wife of Howard Clark, and their home is in Henry County; and Tabitha died, aged thirteen years.
One year prior to attaining his majority our subject went to Nodaway County, and there worked on a farm for one year. He then made his way to Montana, and after one summer spent in similar employment returned to the old home, where he remained until his marriage, October 20, 1881. His union was with Miss Annie Van- blarcum, a native of Henry County, Ill., where
her birth occurred November 4, 1862. Her par- ents were David and Bridget (Thornhill) Van- blarcum, natives, respectively, of New Jersey and England. Her parents were farmers in Henry County, whence they came to Cass County, this state, in 1869, and later moved to Johnson Coun- ty, where the mother of Mrs. Wallace died No- vember 11, 1886. Her father now makes his home with our subject.
When ready to establish a home of his own, our subject purchased ninety acres across the road from where he now lives and which at that time belonged to his father. To this he later added thirty acres, and as the years passed by and he became more prosperous, he erected thereon a suitable residence and other buildings. He later became the owner of thirty acres on the east side of the road, to which tract he moved his dwell- ing, and there he has since lived. He gives his attention to general farming, raising, besides the various cereals, a good breed of stock.
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace became the parents of five children. The eldest died unnamed; Thomas H. departed this life when six months old; Will- iam Carl, was born April 14, 1886; Nora, April 16, 1889; and Laura, November 26, 1891. Our subject has been School Director in his district for several years, and as the incumbent of this office gives satisfaction. He is a Republican in politics and takes great interest in the success of his party. He is a self-made man, and the prop- erty of which he is now the proud possessor has been acquired by diligent labor and good judg- ment in the expenditure of money. Mrs. Wal- lace is a devoted member of the Baptist Church, and a faithful worker in the Harmony Church.
EORGE W. THOMAS. Since March, 1859, this gentleman has been a resident of John- son County. He is a native of Virginia, and was born in Halifax County, February 21, 1833, being the sixth in order of birth of ten children
L. F. MURRAY, M. D.
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born to Henry and Sallie (Thomas) Thomas, also Virginians. There the parents lived for many years after their marriage, and when ready to make a change in their location moved to North Carolina, where the father was engaged in farm- ing and operating a distillery for six years. He then emigrated to Henderson County, Ky., and for eight years was one of the substantial citizens and progressive farmers of that particular locality. His call to the better land came very suddenly, he dying of the cholera in 1847. His wife de- parted this life in the Blue Grass State in 1841.
In the parental family there were ten children. Susan, who married Jacob Glasby, died in Indi- ana. John departed this life aged twenty-five years. Sarah married James Cole, and after his decease became the wife of a Mr. Roe, who is also deceased; she makes her home in Union County, Ky. Henry was two years old at the time of his death. Elizabeth passed away at the age of fif- teen years. James married a Miss Marcus, who since his death resides in Kentucky. Martha Jane died when seven years old. Mary Ann is now Mrs. Russell Comer, and they reside in South Water, Kan. Jacob O. was six years old when called hence.
Our subject was a lad of fourteen years when his father died, and, being then doubly orphaned and unfitted to care for himself, he went to live with William Martin, a resident of Henderson County, Ky. He remained an inmate of his household until attaining his majority, and then, meeting his uncle, Joel Thomas, who was passing through that county on his way to Missouri, he joined the little company and traveled on horse- back five hundred miles in ten days. This was in 1853, and the destination of the party was Pettis County. Our subject hired out on reach- ing there, and was engaged as a farm hand until his marriage, March 11, 1857. On that date he was united to Lucy A. Divers, who was born January 30, 1837, in Franklin County, Va. She was the daughter of Bailey and Nancy D. Divers, also natives of the Old Dominion, where they were farmers. Several years after the birth of Mrs. Thomas they joined the line of emigration westward, and, reaching Pettis County, made that
section their home until the decease of the mother. Mr. Divers died in Johnson County.
For two years after his marriage our subject lived on a farm in Pettis County, and in 1859 crossed the line into Johnson County, first rent- ing in this township for two years. At that time there were very few people living in this part of the county, and Mr. Thomas had his choice of land. He inade a good selection, and the tract of one hundred and thirty acres of which he is now the owner is classed among the best culti- vated farms in the township. Only forty-five acres of this were under tillage when he purchased the place.
During the late war Mr. Thomas enlisted, in 1862, in the Union service, joining Company B, Forty-third State Militia Cavalry, under Capt. William Ramey and Colonel Spadden. On the expiration of his term of enlisment he was hon- orably discharged at Georgetown, Pettis County, this state, in February, 1863. After his return home he was again called upon to volunteer his services, this time as a member of the Home Guards.
Mrs. Thomas passed away on the home farm, November 26, 1894. Mr .. Thomas, owing to ad- vancing years, is not able to do much farm work, and consequently rents the greater portion of his estate, giving his attention to the cultivation of a few acres on which his residence stands. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics is, and always has been, a Republican.
F. MURRAY, M. D., one of the worthy and esteemed citizens of Holden, Johnson County, has been engaged in practice here since May, 1876. During nearly two decades that have since elapsed, his popularity as a family practitioner and surgeon has constantly increased. In order to keep in touch with new discoveries in medical science, he studies the leading journals of his profession, and is a member of the Hodgen Medical Society, the State Medical Society and the National Association of Railway Surgeons.
9
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For a number of years he has been local surgeon for the Missouri Pacific Railway. His library is an extensive and valuable one, and the papers which he has been called upon to give on fre- quent occasions before the societies to which he belongs have invariably received favorable com- ment.
The parents of the Doctor, J. D. and Mary A. (Reese) Murray, were natives of North Carolina and South Carolina, respectively, and were mar- ried May 10, 1832. In 1839 the family, consist- ing of the parents, two sons and a daughter, drove across the country in a wagon, which also con- tained their few household effects. They were quite poor, and after arriving here met with a stroke of bad luck, as the horses died, and Mr. Murray was obliged to borrow one of a neighbor in order to plant his first crop. In time he be- came well-to-do, his possessions numbering some six hundred or seven hundred acres of land. A Democrat in politics, he voted for President Polk, but was opposed to secession, though his sym- pathies were to some extent with the South. His family was divided on the question, two of his sons enlisting in the Federal army and another son in the Confederate service. He was called to his final rest July 19, 1872.
Dr. Murray was born in Morgan County, Mo., May 2, 1847, and had but meager privileges in an educational way. While yet a mere boy he had a strong ambition to enter the medical prac- tice, but, the war coming on, he abandoned the idea for a time. Remaining on the home farm until arriving at his majority, in 1869, he went to Nebraska and for a year and a-half engaged in farming there. This change was made in the hope of benefiting his health, and after roughing it he returned home much improved. During the summer of 1874 and 1875 he read medicine, and in the fall of the latter year taught school for a four-months term. In 1874 he took a course at the St. Louis Medical College, and in the sum- mer of the following year practiced in Morgan County. In the fall of 1875 he entered the Louis- ville (Ky.) Medical College, and February 26 fol- lowing was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine.
In Morgan County, Dr. Murray and Elizabeth A. Ball, one of his boyhood playmates, were mar- ried on Christmas Day, 1877. To them have been born two sons: Samuel Astley, May 21, 1882; and Francis Agnew, January 6, 1889.
For two terms Dr. Murray has served as Coun- ty Coroner, having been elected on the Demo- cratic ticket. He is a worker in the ranks of that party and takes great interest in its prosperity. Personally he is well liked by all who know him, and enjoys the friendship of hosts of acquaintances in this locality.
EWTON MURPHY was formerly one of the thrifty and enterprising farmers of Johnson County, owning a well improved estate of eighty acres in township 45, range 25. He was born in Geauga County, Ohio, July 22, 1822, and was the son of Thomas and Ruby Murphy. The father was born in Berkshire County, Mass., while the mother was a native of Tolland Coun- ty, Conn. They were married September 13, 1813, and many years thereafter removed to Geauga County, Ohio, where they were engaged in farming for the remaining years of the fa- ther's life. Mrs. Murphy died in Trumbull County, that state. To Thomas and Ruby Mur- phy there were born six children, viz .: John, Wil- liston, Clarinda, Newton, Flora and Ella. The second son is the only member of the family now living, and he makes his home in the Buckeye State.
Newton Murphy lived with his parents in his native county until his marriage, which took place when he was twenty-six years old, the lady of his choice being Miss Elizabeth Mallory, also a na- tive of that county. They continued to live in Geauga County for some time, when they moved to Port Huron, Mich., where Newton obtained employment in the shipyard. After a residence there of about four years he returned to his native
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place bereft of his wife, who had died in the Wol- verine State. To them was born a son, Elbert, who departed this life at the age of six years.
After the death of his wife Mr. Murphy lived for a time in Geauga County, engaged in farm- ing, but as he desired to make a change, removed to Ashtabula County, that state, which was his place of residence for several years. We next find him farming on a quarter-section of land in Jewell County, Kan., which he improved and lived upon for six years. While there he was married to Mrs. E. M. Murphy, the widow of James Murphy. She was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, February 22, 1836, and was the daughter of Allen and Nancy (Glancy) Ames, the former born in New York State and the latter in Pennsylvania. Mr. Ames was a carpenter, following that trade all his active life. He lived in Ashtabula County, Ohio, many years, but on attaining his sixty-eighth year removed with his wife to Allegan County, Mich., where he lived retired for some time prior to his death. Mrs. Ames also died in that state.
The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Murphy were eight in number, and of them we make the fol- lowing mention: Lucinda married Varanes Cole, and upon his demise she became the wife of George Freeman; both are now deceased. Jesse married Mary Ann West, and they are also de- ceased. Madison and his wife, formerly Miss Dexter Starkey, have passed from the scenes of earth. Thankful married Crandall Hopkins, and they make their home on a farm in Antelope County, Neb. John died at the age of twenty- two years. Selden married Sophia Havens, and their home is in Ft. Collins, Colo. Willard is living with his wife, formerly Mary Carnes, in Van Buren County, Mich. Fiesco was killed in battle during the late war.
The wife of our subject was married, in 1849, to James Murphy, who although bearing the same name was not a relation. He was a native of New York State, and after removing to Ashtabula County, Ohio, made his home there until his de- cease. To them were born three children. Ida, who married Charles Forbes, is living in San Jose, Cal .; Ardell married Dora Reed, and they live in
Perry, Lake County, Ohio; James Clayton was born October 6, 1860. He has never married, and continues to make his home with his mother.
Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Murphy came to Warrensburg, Mo., near which city they purchased a farm of eighty acres. The estate is stocked with a good grade of animals and is so managed as to produce a goodly amount of grain each year. Mrs. Murphy continues to live on this farm, which she cultivates with the aid of her son. Our subject was a Republican in politics, greatly interested in the success of the party, al- though he always preferred attending to his pri- vate interests rather than holding office. His death occurred August 25, 1893, at which time the community lost one of its most valued citi- zens. Mrs. Murphy is a member of the Christian Church, having joined that denomination in Ohio.
APT. JEHU H. SMITH is the proprietor of a feed stable at Warrensburg, in which busi- ness he has been interested for the past ten or twelve years. He has made his home in this city since the termination of his war service, and in 1865 was elected to the position of Mayor, serving as such for two years, and for five years was a member of the City Council. In 1866 he became a member of the first school board organized here, which erected the first public schoolhouse, in spite of strong prejudice against the enterprise. Alto- gether he has served fifteen years as a School Di- rector and has had the satisfaction of seeing sev- eral modern buildings put up for the education of the rising generation.
A native of Monroe County, W. Va., Captain Smith was born April 29, 1832, being the son of Christopher and Mary (Hanks) Smith. The mother came from the same family as did the mother of Abraham Lincoln, Nancy Hanks, she being her aunt. Christopher Smith was a tobacco manufacturer at Danville, Va., until he was about
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forty-five years of age, when he moved to Ohio, where he died two years later. When J. H. Smith was two years old his parents removed to North Carolina and lived in Raleigh about ten years, though during this time the father continued to do business in Danville, Va.
His father having died in 1850, our subject was thrown upon his own resources, and the manage- ment of his father's farm fell upon his shoulders. He continued to live with his mother until he was married, and it was not until 1859 that he moved to Missouri. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Harrison County, and cultivated the place until the outbreak of the war. In 1861 he organized a company of home guards, of which he was made Captain. During the winter of 1861-62 he was stationed at Gallatin, Mo., and was instrumental in driving out a regiment of Confederates. In the following February he was made Adjutant of the regiment, and his company all re-enlisted, becoming the First Missouri Cav- alry, Missouri State Militia. Their headquarters were at Breckenridge for some time, but in Au- gust, 1862, they were engaged in battle with General Porter at Kirksville. Captain Smith was wounded in the leg during the skirmish near Lexington, Mo., but otherwise was never injured. In 1863 their headquarters were changed to War- rensburg, and in October of that year Mr. Smith was appointed Provost-Marshal by General Scho- field. Subsequently he was Provost-Marshal at Kansas City until the death of Lincoln, when he was appointed on the staff of General McNeal and took charge of the arsenal at Jefferson City. He was finally mustered out of the service, Au- gust 25, 1865, and rejoined his family, who had lived during the war in Harrison County, but whom he then brought to Warrensburg, their permanent home.
December 24, 1854, Captain Smith married Margaret J. Mckibben, who was born in Colum- biana County, Ohio, in July, 1833. To them were born six children, of whom the eldest, Oscar, died at the age of six years, during the war; Sa- rah, wife of C. S. McCarty, has two children, and is now living in New Mexico; Josephine married W. E. Anderson, by whom she has three children,
and makes her home in Colorado; Joseph H., whose wife died leaving him two children, is now living with his parents; Laura also resides at home; and Maude died at the age of six years.
In 1866 Captain Smith was elected County Treasurer, and served two years in that capacity, after which he was made Deputy-Sheriff, and at the end of two years was elected Sheriff and Col- lector. He had bought land in Johnson County amounting to about four hundred acres, and this he looked after for two years. When he was a boy he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, but is now a member of the First Presby- terian Church of this city. In 1866 he joined Cor- inthian Lodge No. 261, A. F. & A. M., of War- rensburg, with which he has since been identified. He also belongs to the Royal Arch Masons, the Knights Templar, Col. Grover Post, G. A. R., and is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
ILLIAM L. HUGHES, an industrious and thrifty farmer, owns a valuable homestead on section 13. township 47, range 24, Johnson County. Altogether his property com- prises some three hundred and seventy-eight acres of superior and well improved land in this and Pettis Counties. He makes a specialty of raising grain and live stock, and for a young man has made rapid strides toward wealth and influ- ence in the community where he dwells.
The parents of our subject, J. P. and Holly W. (Porter) Hughes, natives of Smith County, Tenn., were among the early settlers and respected in- habitants of this county. The grandparents died in Tennessee, and the father made the trip west- ward with some relatives. On reaching man's estate he embarked in farming, and continued in that line of business until his death, which oc- curred January 11, 1890. His wife survives him and is hale and hearty, and has now reached her sixty-seventh year.
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William L. Hughes is the second child and eldest son of his parents, and was born in this county March 23, 1862. He continued to dwell at the old home until past his majority, obtaining prior to that time a fair education in the district schools. He was early inured to the duties per- taining to farm life, thus being fitted for his fu- ture career. Industrious and thrifty by nature, he has been the main architect of his own fort- unes, and is recognized as a young man of pro- gressive ideas and one who is fully abreast of the times. In his political views he is a true-blue Republican, and has an abiding faith in the wis- dom of his party's doctrines.
April 24, 1890, a marriage ceremony united the fortunes of Mr. Hughes and Lizzie, daughter of Thomas S. and Elizabeth (Carroll) Foster. The former, a native of Kentucky, is still living, but his wife, whose birth occurred in Illinois, has been dead for several years. To Mr. and Mrs. Hughes were born three children, the eldest of whom died in infancy. Those living are Mary Foster and Wallace Ward, both of whom are extremely bright and interesting little ones. Mr. Hughes is a member of the Methodist denomination, while his good wife is identified with the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church.
ACOB H. KNAUS, attorney-at-law of Knobnoster, has gained an enviable reputa- tion for his legal ability, good judgment and sound integrity. During the years in which he has practiced before the Bar of Missouri, he has become eminent as a counselor, and has acquired more than a local renown on account of his schol- arly attainments, his thorough knowledge of the law, and his devotion to the interests of his cli- ents.
Mr. Knaus is a native of this county, and was born in Washington Township, October 23, 1845.
He was the third in order of birth in the family of six comprised in the household of Jacob and Sophia (Prigmore) Kuaus. The father was a native of Mason County, Ky., his birth occurring October 27, 1810. His parents were in turn Pennsylvanians, in which state they were mar- ried in 1791. Soon after this event they removed to Kentucky, later to Ohio, and about 1817 we find them living in this state, residents of Howard County. There the grandmother of our subject died. Her son, Jacob, Sr., lived in that section for a year, when he came to Knobnoster, John- son County, where he still makes his home. When quite young in years he learned the trade of a blacksmith, and when twenty-two years of age established a home of his own and was mar- ried to Miss Catherine Maxwell. She survived her marriage two years, dying in October, 1834, after becoming the mother of one child, John.
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