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 29
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 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
Jacob Knaus and Miss Sophia Prigmore were married in Pettis County, this state, in 1839, and the sons and daughters born to them were named, respectively, Benjamin P., Mary C., Jacob H., William C., Walter Y., George W. and Joseph. The latter died in infancy. The father of this famn- ily was at one time appointed by the County Court Magistrate of Washington Township, holding the office a short time. In 1840 he was elected Sher- iff, and so acceptably did he fulfill the duties of the office that he was retained for two terms, or eight years. In the general election of 1848 he was chosen one of the County Justices, and for four years held the office. He is still living, hav- ing attained the venerable age of eighty-five years. During his early years he was active and public-spirited, always faithful to the interests of his community.
Jacob H., of this sketch, attended the district schools in his boyhood days and when old enough aided in the work of carrying on the home farn. On attaining his majority he began the struggle of life for himself, choosing the vocation of a farmer, which he followed until his removal to Knobnoster, to discharge his duties as Justice of the Peace, to which office he was elected in 1876. Soon after locating in this place he began the study of law, and in 1878 was admitted to the
262
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Bar. As an attorney he has not his superior in this section and is meeting with the success which his devotion to his profession merits.
Jacob H. Knaus and Miss Lydia Wampler were married April 7, 1867. The lady was the daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (Stoner) Wampler, natives of Ohio, where Mrs. Knaus was born in 1851. To them has been born a son, Hen- ry Vernon, who is at present the efficient Mayor of Knobnoster. It had always been his ambition and desire to follow in the footsteps of his hon- ored father, and in February, 1895, he was admit- ted to the Bar, being well fitted by nature for the legal profession. Our subject has likewise occu- pied the honored office of Mayor of this city, and for many years has been prominent in its polit- ical and social life. He is at all times and under all conditions a Democrat and one of the influ- ential members of his party in Johnson County. He is widely known throughout the surrounding country, his practice often calling him far beyond the limits of the county.
Henry Vernon Knaus was married, in 1891, to Miss Lillie, daughter of John and Clarinda (Wells) Guihen, the latter of whom comes of all old and prominent family of this state. Mr. Knaus is active in the order of Knights of Pyth- ias, and, like his father, is a Democrat politically. His wife belongs to the Catholic Church. Mrs. Jacob H. Knaus departed this life in 1885, great- ly mourned by all who knew her.
C RNEST SHRIER is one of the self-made men of Center View, Johnson County, as he started out in life without capital and with his mother dependent upon him for support. In spite of all difficulties he was persevering in his determination to win success, and was a man of that stock which is not easily discouraged. Immediately after his marriage he leased a piece of land for seven years and then invested in forty acres lying in Macoupin County, Ill. This he
sold out in 1881, and, coming to this locality, pur- chased one hundred and five acres of the farm which he now owns and manages. The place was then entirely without improvements and the first building erected thereon stood in the center of a cornfield.
The parents of our subject were John and Cath- erine Shrier, natives of Germany, who crossed the Atlantic in the '50s and settled near Bunker Hill, Il1. The father, who was a gardener in his native land, after locating in the Prairie State rented a farm, but was preparing to buy a place when his career was cut short by death, while still a comparatively young man. His widow contin- ned to live at Bunker Hill until she departed this life in 1879, being then seventy-five years of age. She was for years a member of the German Methodist Church. Her children are as follows: William, a farmer of Macoupin County, Ill .; Hannah, widow of John Hoetker and a resident of Bunker Hill; Lena, whose home is in Carroll County, Mo .; Dora, widow of Rudolph Fisher, and now manager of the Bunker Hill Hotel; Henry, a farmer near that village; Sophia, of the same place, and widow of Fred Frederickson; August, a farmer of Macoupin County, Ill .; Er- nest, our subject; Otto, who lives in Bunker Hill; and John, a farmer of Grant County, Ore. The latter served during the last year and a-half of the war in the Ninety-seventh Regiment of Illinois Volunteers.
The birth of Ernest Shrier occurred May 9, 1845, in Germany, and he was a mere child when his parents removed to Illinois. He attended school to some extent prior to his eleventh year, after which, in order to help support his mother, he engaged in working for farmers by the month, and for four years was employed by Thomas Hil- ton, of Madison County, Il1. In August, 1862, he joined the Ninety-seventh Illinois Regiment, being assigned to Company A. His service led him into many of the most important battles of the war, among which we mention the following: Chickasaw Bayou, Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg, Port Gibson, Black River Bridge, siege of Fts. Jackson and Blakely, and Atcha- falaya. At Ft. Blakely he received a slight
263
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
wound from a musket-ball. The only battle in which his regiment was engaged and in which he did not participate was at Arkansas Post, he be- ing sick in the hospital with the measles. He was discharged at Galveston, Tex., July 29, 1865, and was mustered out at Springfield, Il1.
Returning home, Mr. Shrier was again engaged to work for Mr. Hilton, his former employer, and subsequently was hired by John Goodwin for nearly four years, and then by Thomas Wood for a year. October 27, 1870, Mr. Shrier mar- ried Henrietta Goodwin, who died November 25, 1892, being then forty years of age, as she was born July 18, 1852. She was the mother of six children, namely: Charles W., born September 15, 1871; Ida May, March 19, 1875; Albert Ma- rion, September 26, 1886; John, who was born July 10, 1873, and died March 23, 1879; George A., born February 26, 1878, and who died Janu- ary 8, 1880; and a child born May 4, 1880, who died before receiving a name. The mother was a noble Christian woman, who was beloved by all who knew her.
On first becoming a voter Mr. Shrier was an ally of the Democracy, but of late years he has been a stanch Republican. He is a Past Master Workman in the local lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Center View, and has repre- sented the same in the Grand Lodge of the state.
DAM RATHFON, a well known and re- spected agriculturist of Johnson County, is the owner of eighty acres of land in town- ship 44, range 25. He was born in Lancaster County, Pa., May 21, 1827, and is the son of David and Nancy (Warfel) Rathfon, who were also born in the above county, the former in 1797, and the latter in 1796. David Rathfon was a weaver in early manhood, but afterward became a farmer, following that occupation in the Keystone State until 1838, when he sold his possessions and moved to Wayne County, Ind.
There he lived on a farm for a number of years, and then, disposing of it, changed his location to White County, that state, where he purchased property. He is now living there, at the home of a granddaughter, and has attained the re- markable age of ninety-eight years. He pos- sesses a wonderful constitution, and, although having nearly reached the century mark, has never been sick two weeks in his life. His wife died in October, 1889, at the age of ninety-three years.
To David and Nancy Rathfon there were born eight children, two of whom are now living. The two eldest died in infancy. Adam, of this sketch, was the next in order of birth. Abram married Mary Custer, and both are now de- ceased. George married Rachel Davis, but she is deceased, and he lives in Monticello, Ind., where he is operating a planing-mill. Joseph, who married Catherine Downs, is deceased, and his wife makes her home in Logansport, Ind. Jacob became the husband of Amanda Wolf, and after his death his wife removed to Indianapolis, Ind. John died in infancy.
Adam Rathfon started out for himself at the age of twenty years His first money was earned by working out by the day, month or year on farms in the vicinity of his home. He continued to be thus employed for four years, and then, being ready to establish a home of his own, was married, September 4, 1851, to Miss Sarah Geb- hart, who was born in Centre County, Pa., No- vember 14, 1829. She was the daughter of John and Rachel (Shafer) Gebhart, also Pennsylvan- ians by birth. Her father was in early life a weaver, but, finding farming to be a more profit- able business, abandoned his trade in order to take up that vocation. In 1847 he removed to Indiana, and spent the remainder of his life in Wayne County, being a resident of that locality for about thirty-two years. His wife preceded him to the better land, dying seventeen years previously. They had the following children: Hannah, Margaret, Sarah (Mrs. Rathfon), Eliz- abeth, Rachel, Cornelius, Michael, Mary Ann, William and Susan Ann.
Soon after taking unto himself a wife and
264
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
helpmate, our subject moved to Fayette County, Ind., and for two years was engaged there in farming. He then became a resident of Wayne County, but after a twelvemonth changed his lo- cation, this time moving to Delaware County. He made that section his home for twelve years, when he returned to Wayne County, and for four years following rented property.
Our subject was induced to come to this local- ity through the influence of his brother Abran, who made his home near Carthage. In October, 1870, he landed in this state, having been twenty- eight days en route. In passing through Jolin- son County he made the acquaintance of some very friendly people, and concluded to cast his lot among them. In the spring of 1871, how- ever, he came to his present farin, renting the property for one year, and later purchased it. The farm includes about eighty-one acres, and is located on section 4. All the improvements to be found on the place were made by our subject, and indicate him to be a progressive and ener- getic man.
The family of our subject originally comprised ten children, five of whom are now deceased. We make the following mention of the entire family: Benjamin F. was born June 14, 1852; he married Josephine Still, and they now make their home in San Francisco, Cal. John D. was born October 3, 1853; he married Louella Bald- win, and lives in Richmond, Ind. Cornelius G., who was born December 11, 1855, married Clara Hazelrigg, and departed this life February 16, 1890; his widow now lives on the old home place in Henry County, Ind. William Walter was born January 7, 1857, and died in infancy. Dan- iel Webster was born February 25, 1859, and is now living in Montana, being employed in a mill in Marysville. Henrietta Alice was born October 24, 1860; she became the wife of H. M. Buford, and they make their home in Vernon County, this state. Rachel Ella was born March 23, 1862, and died October 11, 1875. Joel was born March 18, 1864, and died in infancy. Min- erva Jane, born November 27, 1865, is now liv- ing in San Francisco with her brother. Anna W., born February 1, 1869, died in October of
the following year. The living members of this family are all well educated, and while living in Indiana many of them taught school.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Rathfon are members of the German Baptist Church, attending the con- gregation near their home. In politics Mr. Rath- fon is a Democrat, but votes for the best man in- dependent of party. He is self-made, and all that he now has has been accumulated solely through his own efforts and the aid which has been given him by his good wife.
AMUEL D. BLAKE. With the development and progress of Johnson County Mr. Blake was for a number of years actively associat- ed. He was especially prominent in township 47, range 25, where he had a fine property of two hundred and forty acres. He later disposed of one- half of this tract, and at the time of his decease, which occurred February 6, 1884, was the owner of one hundred and twenty acres, well improved. This estate was acquired through persevering in- dustry and good management.
Mr. Blake was born in Gloucester County, N. J., November 4, 1811, to John and Eleanor Blake, who were also born in the above county in New Jersey. There John Blake was a boat- builder, and there he also ran on the river until his removal to Greene County, Ill. While in the Prairie State he studied medicine, and upon com- pleting the prescribed course began practice in the towns of Carlinville and Collinsville, Il1. He died in the latter place, while his wife departed this life in Greene County.
The family of John and Eleanor Blake includ- ed eight children. Samuel D. was the eldest; Ezra married Mary Moffat, and both died in Collins- ville, Ill .; Charles, who is deceased, married Let- tie Moffat, and after her death married Sarah Hadley, who now makes her home in Colorado; Daniel chose for his wife Nancy Newell, and they
265
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
now make their home in Warrensburg; Mary married James Hickman, and both are deceased; Rachel married James Metcalf, now deceased, while she makes her home with her sister-in-law in Colorado; Margaret married Jesse Thacker, and both are deceased; and John first married Lot- tie Farner, and after her death he married Laura McCluney.
The marriage of our subject with Elizabeth Davis occurred a short time after leaving the par- ental roof. Mrs. Blake survived her marriage about seven or eight years, and died at her home in Greene County, Ill., near White Hall. Mr. Blake then engaged in farming, and September 7, 1844, chose for his second companion Cather- ine Johnson, who was born April 2, 1827, in An- derson County, Tenn. She was the daughter of Benjamin and Asby (Farmer) Johnson, agricult- urists and natives of the last-mentioned county. In the year 1831 they took up the line of march to Illinois, locating in Greene County, where they became the owners of a good property and where they passed the remainder of their lives. To them were born six children, of whom Mrs. Blake was the fourth in order of birth. Mary died at the age of twenty years; Samantha mar- ried John Bigham, but both she and her husband are now deceased; Rosina and her husband, Al- exander Howard, are deceased; Rebecca Adams was two years old at the time of her demise; and Eliza Ann, the wife of Peter Johnson, makes her home in Oregon.
For one year after their marriage Mr. Blake farmed near Wilmington, Il1. He was then elect- ed Constable and Deputy Sheriff of Greene Coun- ty, and in addition to discharging the duties of these offices operated a hotel at Wilmington. . He was "mine host" of this house for seven years, when, going to Palmyra, Macoupin County, Il1., he established himself in general merchandis- ing business. He was identified with the prom- inent business men of that place for several years, when he moved his stock of goods to Gillespie, that county, where he was similarly employed un- til the outbreak of the late war. At that time he sold his interests in this line and invested his cap- ital in farming lands in that county, living there
until the establishment of peace. He then decid- ed to emigrate to Missouri, in which state one of his brothers was living. He accordingly sold his farm in Illinois, and, coming to Johnson Coun- ty, purchased a tract of two hundred and forty acres. This he cultivated for some time, but aft- erward sold one-half of it. His wife now lives on this place and gives her attention to its cultiva- tion.
By his first union Mr. Blake became the father of seven children, of whom those now living are Eleanor Fowler, Mrs. Boosinger; Libbie Davis, Mrs. Pearson; and Carrie D., Mrs. Wilson. The children of the second union of our subject were seven in number, four of whom are living: Annie E., Mrs. Granger; Maggie A., Mrs. Cummings; Douglas A .; and Corie C., Mrs. Adams. At the time of his decease, Mr. Blake was holding the office of Justice of the Peace of his township. He was a Democrat in politics, and with his good wife was a valued member of the Christian Church. As he was well and favorably known in this vicinity, his death was deeply regretted.
ILLIAM HENRY JAMES is one of the practical and successful young farmers who have been largely instrumental in the upbuilding and progress of Johnson County. His home is on section 35, township 47, range 27, a fine piece of land, comprising eighty acres, well adapted to general farming purposes. He became the owner of this homestead in the spring of 1893, and since that time has instituted many improvements.
Mr. James was born on a farm two miles and a-half east of his present residence, April 11, 1859. He is the elder of two children born to John N. and Aun (Claimich) James. The father was brought up to agricultural pursuits, but on reaching man's estate he concluded to learn the plasterer's trade, and served an apprenticeship to
266
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the same. Afterwards he resumed farming, and conducted a place in Crawford County, Kan., un- til 1876. At that time Kansas City appeared to be a good field of work for builders and trades- men, and, leaving the farm, he went thither. For some six years he had all that he could do and was greatly prospered, but in 1882 the dread disease smallpox broke out in the city, and he was one of the victims. He was twice married, his second wife being a Miss Clara Smith, who still survives him. William H. is the only sur- viving child of the first marriage, but three of the five children born of the second union are now living.
Meeting with the great misfortune of losing his mother when he was but two years and a-half old, W. H. James was early compelled to enter the struggle of life on his own responsibility. When he was in his seventh year he found a home with a Mr. Campbell, working for him in the summer and attending the district schools in the winter. Little did he think at that time, a poor and almost friendless boy, that he would later own the farm on which he was growing up. He possessed the right qualifications, and adversi- ty developed his inherent strength of character. After living with Mr. Campbell about three years he entered the employ of another man, and the rest of his youth was spent with different farmers in the neighborhood. When he was able to com- mand wages he had learned the value of money and carefully husbanded his resources. Renting a piece of land from Mr. Marr, he proceeded to cultivate the tract, and at intervals worked by the day or month for other parties.
October 8, 1882, Mr. James married Frances V. Larkerbrink, daughter of the honored old pioneers, Henry and Catherine (McMahon) Lark- erbrink. Mrs. James possesses an excellent edu- cation and unusual social ability and tact, and has been of material assistance to her husband in his efforts to obtain a competence. They have had two children, but have had the misfortune to lose both of them.
In his political affiliations Mr. James is a Re- publican and has always advocated the principles of his party. Upright and honorable in all of
his business dealings, he bears an enviable repu- tation among his neighbors and has many friends in this community. He and his good wife are identified with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
IGELOW D. BUZZARD has been engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 24, town- ship 45, range 29, Johnson County, for the past quarter of a century. He is a patriotic citi- zen, and one greatly interested in the prosperity of the country for which he fought during the War of the Rebellion. He was born in Holmes County, Ohio, September 29, 1830, and was reared to maturity on his father's farm. After re- ceiving ordinary educational privileges, and when twenty-two years of age, he went to a boarding- school for a few months, paying for his tuition with money he had earned himself.
The father of our subject, Daniel Buzzard, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., July 19, 1790, and served in the War of 1812, on the lake. Aft- erward he settled in Holmes County, Ohio, en- tering land from the Government, and resided there until 1850, when he sold out, locating near Odella Lake. In 1853 he went to Richland Coun- ty, where he purchased one hundred and thirty- five acres, and thereon spent the remainder of his life. He never received a pension nor land-war- rant, because there had not been proper records of his army service kept, but he bought a couple of land-warrants of a nephew, and located three hundred and twenty acres in Linn County, Iowa. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Nancy Drake, by whom he had fifteen children, all but five of whom lived to manhood and wo- manhood. A strong anti-slavery man, he rejoiced at the downfall of the system, and after the organ- ization of the Republican party became one of its supporters. His death occurred August 16, 1865.
B. D. Buzzard was reared on his father's farm, and continued to work on the place until 1860,
267
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
with the exception of a few short intervals. No- vember 15, 1860, he wedded Araminda Brown, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, Septem- ber 16, 1841, being a daughter of Caleb and Eliz- abeth (Johnston) Brown, natives of Butler Coun- ty, Pa., and Greene County, Ohio, respectively. The mother's parents, however, were also from the Keystone State. The Browus and Johnstons were of Scotch and Irish descent, but for many generations had lived in America. The Buzzard family is of German origin, and our subject's father could speak little English until after he was twelve years of age.
Before his marriage Bigelow Buzzard erected a large house on his father's farm, and both families lived together after that event. In September, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Twentieth Ohio Infantry, and took part in the battles of Arkansas Post, Milliken's Bend and the siege of Vicksburg. May 1, 1863, he was wounded in the right lung and fell prostrate, but as soon as he was able to stand he was led to the rear, where his wounds were dressed, and for about two months he was in the field hospital. He came very near death's door, and attributes his recovery partly to the fact that he was kept on a diet of boiled milk, which is nourishing and easily digested. June 29, 1863, he was taken to Benton Barracks, near St. Louis, and was there honorably discharged on the 17th of the following month. He went to the front under Captain Phelan, later served under Captain Taylor, and had as his Colonel a Mr. French, from his native county.
Returning home, Mr. Buzzard lived in Rich- land County, Ohio, until March, 1866, and there four of his children were born. Moving to Cooper County, Mo., he purchased one hundred and twenty acres, paying the amount required on the spot, and cultivated the farm for two years. In 1868, selling out, he moved to Johnson County and invested in a tract of one hundred and thirty- five acres. In 1870 he also sold this tract, buy- ing instead his present home of a quarter-section. Since then he has added another eighty acres, and thus has a valuable farm, comprising two hundred and forty acres within its boundaries.
The eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Buzzard, An- nie Violet, born July 14, 1861, married George Frary, and died January 7, 1895, leaving four children, one having previously died in infancy. Ulysses Grant, born June 19, 1864, and a resi- dent of Kingsville Township, is married and has one child. Jeanette F., born January 7, 1866, is clerking in Salida, Colo. Martha E., born in Cooper County, Mo., November 29, 1867, died December 18, 1871. Alice E., a native of this county, born June 16, 1869, married Albert Fra- ry, by whom she has one child, and is a resident of Linn County, Iowa. The younger children are Gilbert N., born January 31, 1870; Lizzie Pauline, February 11, 1873; Ethel Blanche, Sep- tember 27, 1874; Minnie L., January 9, 1878; Maude E., March 25, 1880; Guy Ashton, Decem- ber 5, 1881; Josie Olive, May 22, 1883; and Cora Augusta, August 30, 1886.
Politically Mr. Buzzard is a Republican, with strong prohibition proclivities. Both he and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church for many years, the former having become identified with the same in his early man- hood, and the latter having been a member since 1862. They are worthy people and well entitled to a place among the honored old residents of Johnson County.
M ATTHIAS HOUX, familiarly known as "Uncle Mat," is doubtless one of the best known pioneers of Johnson County, his home being in township 46, range 27. Though in his eighty-second year, he is still hale and hearty, and enjoys a fox chase as much as in his younger days, and can yet ride his horse over a six-rail fence. He has always been an enthusi- astic hunter, and keeps a pack of blooded hounds.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.