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 41
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 41
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County, Mr. and Mrs. Russell returned to this county and again engaged in farming. Here they had to undergo many hardships incident to pi- oneer life, but strong armns and light hearts con- quered all difficulties, and made of the desert a blooming garden. At the time of their arrival there were no buildings on the place, and the first one erected was a smokehouse. During the course of its erection Mr. Russell slept in his wagon, and when nearly completed he brought his family to their new home. He tells many amusing incidents that occurred at that time, and says they were obliged to use nail kegs for chairs.
As the years passed by our subject found that prosperity attended his efforts, and added to his real estate until he became the possessor of six hundred acres of fine land, one of the best im- proved farms of the county. The residence erect- ed was an imposing one, and, unlike many coun- try houses, has all modern improvements. It is supplied with hot and cold water, the water being pumped into the house by means of a large wind-mill. For nine years Mr. Russell devoted the greater part of his time and attention to stock- raising, but has found his greatest success in the raising of wheat.
Mr. and Mrs. Russell became the parents of eight children, of whom six, five sons and a daughter, survive. Wyan S., the eldest son, was engaged for three years in the hardware business at Independence, Mo., and then returned to one of the home farms, the work of which he is now superintending. Louis N. married Miss Belle Eppright, and is also engaged in managing one of the home farms; he has one child Robert Lee, a promising young man of St. Louis, Mo., about three years ago entered the employ of the St. Louis National Bank, being one of twenty-seven clerks; two years later he resigned the advanced position of paying teller to accept a Government position as Chief Clerk of the postoffice annex. His rapid advancement speaks for itself, and con- sidering the number of clerks, many of whom are his seniors, his rapid promotion can be due to no other cause than his recognized ability. May, the only surviving daughter, is living at home. She is highly accomplished and much beloved by
all who know her. James H., Jr., a young man of about sixteen years of age, is a bright and prom- ising student, attending the State Normal School at Warrensburg. George L. is a bright little fellow of eight years, and is the life and sunshine of the household.
Mr. Russell's new home at Center View is a center of hospitality and good cheer. The host is a generous, whole-souled man and a brilliant con- versationalist, and a visitor never forgets the cordial welcome and kind treatment received at his hands. A member of the Democratic party, our subject is actively interested in its advance- ment and firmly upholds its principles. Relig- iously he is identified with the Southern Method- ist Church, with which he has been connected for a period of over twenty-eight years, and with whose benevolences he is ever in sympathy.
W. R. WALL, who is one of the progressive and enterprising farmers of Johnson County, was born on the farm on which he is at pres- ent residing, July 20, 1858. It is a well im- proved tract, and the manner in which he is cul- tivating it shows him to be a man thoroughly ac- quainted with his vocation.
The paternal great-grandfather of our subject was born in Scotland, and on his emigration to America settled in Maryland, where his son Rich- ard was born. The latter, on attaining mature years, left his native state and made his home in Virginia, and later took up his abode in North Carolina, where Richard Zachariah Robert Wall, the father of our subject, was born March 29, 1810.
Richard Z. R. Wall grew to man's estate in North Carolina, and in addition to the knowledge gained in the subscription schools near his home studied in the State University, located at Chapel Hill. He there completed his literary education, after which he went to Philadelphia and carried on his medical studies in the University of Penn-
MAJ. JAMES M. HUBBARD.
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sylvania, from which institution he was also grad- uated. Returning to North Carolina, he at once began the practice of his profession, in which he was very successful and became widely known for his skill in the treatment of difficult cases.
The father of our subject married Miss Mary Jane Covington. October 2, 1838. The following year, accompanied by his wife and father, he emi- grated to Missouri and located in Henry County. The next year we find them living on Bear Creek, in Johnson County, where he practiced his pro- fession and also carried on a farm. He soon es- tablished a large patronage as a physician, and so successful was he in all that he undertook, that in later years he became the owner of fifty-six hun- dred acres of land.
The parents of our subject had born to them a family of thirteen children, of whom all grew to mature years with the exception of three, and nine are still living. They were all given good edu- cations, and when ready to embark in life received as their inheritance five hundred acres of land. In early life the father was a Whig and an influential supporter of that party during its existence, but afterward he became a Democrat. He was so well liked that during the troublous times of the Civil War he was not molested, although many of his neighbors and friends were subjected to the most cruel treatment at the hands of the enemy. He was one of the valued members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in the faith of which he . died, January 1, 1894, greatly mourned by all who knew him.
Our subject has spent his entire life on the old homestead. Although his father was amply able and willing to give him a collegiate education, he refused to accept the offer and has been content with the knowledge which he gained in the common schools. Mr. Wall was married, July 14, 1881, to Miss Laura E. Whetherholt, who was born in West Virginia in 1864, although at the time of her marriage she was living in Calhoun Town- ship, this county. She is a well educated lady and the daughter of Jacob and Minerva Whether- holt, the latter of whom died when she was quite young.
To Mr. and Mrs. R. W. R. Wall there have
been born six children, namely: Lennie Edith, Dessie Atchafalia, Grover, Frances, Blanche and Ira. Following in the footsteps of his father, our subject is a supporter of Democratic principles, casting his first Presidential vote for Hancock. Socially he is a Mason of high standing, and in the work of this organization is greatly interest- ed. Among his many friends and neighbors he is known as a man of most exemplary life and honorable principles.
AJ. JAMES MONROE HUBBARD, who for about five years was one of the old resi- dents of Holden, departed this life Decem- ber 2, 1871. He came to this section in October, 1865, from Madison County, I11. Although he had little knowledge of books, he was a man of excellent business qualifications, and gained a practical education by actual experience in life.
Philip Hubbard, the father of our subject, was a fariner of Bond County, I11., nearly all his life, but was a native of North Carolina, whence he removed to Tennessee, and later to Bond Coun- ty, where he died when about sixty-five years of age. He married Millie Smithwick, who de- parted this life in the summer of 1894, at the advanced age of ninety years. To Philip Hub- bard and his wife there were born ten children, of whom we make the following mention: Ann married John Smith, and is now living in Green- ville, Ill .; our subject was the next-born; Eliza- beth married Henry Gary, and at the present time lives in Macoupin County, Ill .; John, Mel- vina and Albert are deceased; Simeon is a resi- dent of Greenville, Il1 .; Emily is now Mrs. Jona- than Dewey, and makes her home in Shell City, this state; Henry and Franklin are deceased.
Maj. James Hubbard was born near Nashville, Tenn., September 20, 1824, and the removal to the Prairie State was undertaken when he was
14
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only six months old. He was brought up on a farın near Greenville, Il1., which his father had entered, and, although his educational privileges were limited, he became a well informed and well read man. Besides being a close observer of men and things, he was a clear reasoner and possessed those business qualifications which make a suc- cess of life. He was courteous and genial in manner, and his friends were numerous and de- voted. In politics he was a stanch Republican.
Our subject remained at home until attaining his majority, when he was married to Susan Etz- ler, who was born in Virginia, June 8, 1825. Her parents were natives of Maryland, whence they removed to the Old Dominion, and died at the respective ages of eighty and fifty years. They were the parents of nine sons and daugh- ters, of whom two are now living, the widow of our subject, and Elizabeth, Mrs. McNeill, of Greenville, Ill.
After his marriage Mr. Hubbard purchased a farm joining his father's estate, and was en- gaged in its cultivation until 1857. In April of that year he changed his location to Madison County, locating seven miles from St. Louis, where he kept a hotel, and where he carried on a farm for a period of three years. He came to Johnson County after the war, where he was liv- ing at the time of his decease.
When twenty-two years old, Mr. Hubbard served in the Mexican War. After six months of service he was honorably discharged on ac- count of disability, and returned home. He was a true patriot, however, and when the call for volunteers to enter the Union service during the late war resounded throughout the country, he was one of the first to enlist. He raised a com- pany in Madison County, and enlisted for three years in the First Missouri Cavalry. Having recruited the company, he was elected Captain, and was subsequently commissioned Major, dur- ing the rest of his army life and ever afterward being known as "Major" Hubbard. A brave, fearless soldier, he possessed executive ability of a rare order, and was in the thickest of many conflicts. At Prairie Grove he was taken pris- oner, and on being paroled went to St. Louis. He
then resigned his commission, and, becoming in- terested in the marine fleet, went with the same to Vicksburg in May. After the surrender of that city, he joined the Twelfth Missouri Regiment as Major, which commission he held until the close of the war, and had charge of the pontoon corps connected with Sherman's army in the march to the sea.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard there were born ten children, of whom the eldest died in infancy. Addie married Dwight Child, and lives in Hol- den; Chloe died when eight years of age; Deedie is the widow of Thomas Gollady, and has one son, Edgar; Cassius, Helen, Eugene, Dora, Henry and Belle are deceased. Mrs. Gollady now makes her home with her widowed mother. Mrs. Hub- bard's present delightful home was purchased in 1889, and comprises two hundred well improved acres. The premises show the good taste and refinement of the owner, and the house, which is a modern structure, built in 1891, is nicely fin- ished and furnished.
AMES ELDREDGE has been a resident of Johnson County for fifteen years, making his home on section 9, township 45, range 28, where he owns sixty acres. He has improved the place by erecting a good house and substantial barns, and in many other ways has added to its appearance. He is well known and is held in the highest respect by a large circle of friends and neighbors. As a farmer he is succeeding finan- cially, being a practical man of business and an able manager.
The Eldredge family emigrated from Scotland, settling in Connecticut at an early day. Our sub- ject's grandfather, Charles Eldredge, was born at Brookline, Conn., July 31, 1784, and after at- tending medical lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, for a year was resident physician in the Pennsylvania Hospital. October 10, 1810, he went to East Greenwich, intending to stay only
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a year or two while enjoying sailing, fishing, hunting and a general rest. His reputation as a practitioner followed him, and he soon had more than he could well attend to, with the result that he rarely had a day to devote to recreation. He became an active member of society, and did much for the upbuilding of the community in which he dwelt. He was one of the first members of the Rhode Island Medical Society and helped to ob- tain its charter. In 1834 he was chosen its Pres- ident and served for three years. An honorary member of the Connecticut Medical Society, he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1835 from Yale College. Three years later, September 15, 1838, he passed to his final reward.
The father of our subject, Charles Eldredge, Jr., was at one time a miller, using an old-fashioned Dutch windmill for grinding grain. His last years were spent on his large farm in Rhode Island and there his death occurred when his son James was only six years of age. Among other things, the Eldredge family is noted for the number of dis- tinguished physicians bearing the name. Charles Eldredge took for his wife Sarah Peirce, a native of Rhode Island. She was a lineal descendant of one of the Pilgrims of the " Mayflower," and her father was a soldier in the Colonial navy during the War of 1812. The vessel on which he was stationed was captured by the British and turned over to a crew who on one occasion became intox- icated, with the result that the ship was driven ashore in a gale, Mr. Peirce among others being drowned. Many of his relatives were sea-faring men, and his son Charles was captain on a ves- sel plying between New York and New Orleans for many years.
James Eldredge was born in Kent County, R. I., October 12, 1838, and was named for his paternal great-grandfather, who lived at Pomfret, Conn., on a farm, which our subject has visited, and which is still in the hands of a direct descendant of the senior Mr. Eldredge. Ellen, the eldest sis- ter of James Eldredge, is unmarried and a resi- dent of Greenwich, R. I., and the youngest sister, Lucy, also single, resides in the same locality. Charles is married and a resident of Cooper Coun- ty, Mo., and Henry, the youngest of the family,
is a wholesale grocer in Providence, R. I., thoughi his home is in Greenwich. When fifteen years of age young Eldredge, of this sketch, started as a cabin-boy on the vessel commanded by his uncle. Captain Peirce, and during the year that followed made many a trip between New York and the Crescent City. He received $12 a month as a cabin-boy and was then promoted to be a member of the crew at $15 a month, later becoming an ex- pert seaman. During his ocean life he took one trip across the Atlantic to Havre, returning to New Orleans. Subsequently he sailed on Lake Michigan one summer, this ending his life before the mast. Going to McLean County, Il1., he hired out as a farin hand at good wages and soon purchased an interest in a team of oxen, making money breaking prairie. He also rented a farmi and tried to raise a crop, but was not successful, and in 1860 he proceeded to Cooper County, Mo .. where he worked as a farm hand. In 1861 he joined Price's army and took part in the battle of Lexington, but was not regularly enlisted, and. did not remain with the army long. When at Boonville, Mo., he was captured by an Illinois regiment and was sent to the St. Louis prison, but was afterwards transferred to Alton. At the end of about six months of captivity he took the oath of allegiance and was released. From that time until the close of the war he lived in Cooper County, excepting eighteen months spent in Rhode Island and Connecticut. He worked at whatever he could find to do whereby he might earn an honest livelihood, and after saving up a little capital rented land for a few years. How- ever, he finally bought eighty acres, of which only about one-fourth was suitable for farm purposes. He rented an adjoining tract and managed botlı farms for five years. Later he purchased forty acres of better land and improved the same until 1880, when he sold out and came to this section.
March 20, 1866, James Eldredge and Eliza J. Hawkins, of Cooper County, Mo., were united in marriage. The lady was born May 25, 1843, and is the daughter of Benjamin S. and Nancy M. (Johnston) Hawkins, natives of Kentucky and North Carolina, respectively. They were mar- ried in Cooper County, where the father of Mrs.
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Hawkins was one of the earliest settlers. The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with five children, the eldest of whoin, Sarah P., is a graduate of Holden College; she also attend- ed the State Normal, and is now successfully en- gaged in teaching in Howard County. Henry P. is a harness-maker in Holden. Mary Johnston, a graduate of the Holden High School, is now a student at the State Normal. Eli E. and James, Jr., are living at home with their parents. The latter are members of the Christian Church, with which they have been identified for the past thir- ty-five years. Mr. Eldredge is one of the Elders and has been a teacher and Superintendent in the Sunday-school. Politically he is a Democrat, but is not very radical in his views.
LABE J. REEVES, one of the influential and enterprising business men of Kingsville, is junior member of the firm of Harris & Reeves, in whose large warehouse in the city are exhibited carriages, wagons and plows. They also do a large business in the line of repairing, horse-shoeing, gas-fitting, etc. They established themselves in business here in October, 1888, our subject coming from central Iowa.
John H. Reeves, father of our subject, who is now living retired in Strasburg, this state, was born in North Carolina, and during the active years of his life always followed farming. He married Sarah Frances Harris, a native of North Carolina, who is now in the fifty-second year of her age, while he is fifty-eight years old. Of their family of eight children, the original of this sketch is the eldest. Jennie is living in Cass County, this state; Charles has a good position in Kansas City; Mollie is living in Strasburg; Nannie is deceased; Alpheus lives with his par- ents; Harvey D. and Elsie May are also at home.
Clabe J. Reeves was born in Johnson County, January 10, 1861. He was brought up to farm
life, but being a natural mechanic abandoned this vocation after attaining his majority. Upon leav- ing home he went to Iowa, where he worked at the blacksmith's trade for eighteen months, and as he was then able to do all kinds of ordinary work, returned to Johnson County and located in Kingsville, at which town he entered into part- nership with Mr. Harris. Being young men of push and energy, their trade rapidly increased, until at the present time they do the most exten- sive business as manufacturers of carriages, wag- ons and various kinds of machinery in the coun- ty. They also own a similar establishment in Warrensburg, the county seat.
Mr. Reeves was married in 1889 to Miss Laura T. Collins, and their three children are named, respectively, John Robert, George Thomas and Lou Bell. Appreciating the value of an educa- tion, Mr. Reeves intends to give his children the best advantages for being well informed. Al- though a good workman and business inan, yet he feels at times that he could succeed better had he a more extended knowledge. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, and socially belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is a Woodman of the World. Mrs. Reeves is a devoted member of the Christian Church, and is endeavoring to train her children in such a way that they may enter upon useful and honorable careers when they leave the home roof. Mr. Reeves has not only established his business on a sound basis, but is highly re- garded by all with whom he has dealings, as a thoroughly honest and upright man in whom they have confidence.
ILLIAM MCKENDRIE MINSHALL is the owner and manager of a farm compris- ing one hundred acres in township 47, range 27, Johnson County. The place is a model one in every respect, and its general air of thrift and neatness convinces the beholder that the pro- prietor gives it his constant care and attention.
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He is one of the representative men of this lo- cality, and it is but just to give him a place in the record of Johnson County, and this we take great pleasure in doing.
The father of the above gentleman, Richard Minshall, was born in Logan County, Ohio, Jan- llary 10, 1813. He had the misfortune to lose botlı of his parents when he was only four years of age, and he was reared in the home of Peter Kelly. Shortly after reaching his majority he married Rebecca Smith, the date of the event being March 4, 1834. Six children were born to them, and all are still living. For five years after his marriage Mr. Minshall helped conduct his fa- ther-in-law's farm, but in the fall of 1839 he started for Missouri, making the trip overland in a wagon. At the end of a seven-weeks journey he arrived in Grundy County, bought land and started to develop a farm. Soon afterwards he took up the study of theology, and for a few years was a local preacher. In the year 1847 he joined the Southern Methodist Conference, and later was regularly ordained, from that time on- ward devoting himself to the ministry. When the war broke out he enlisted in the Missouri State Guards, his regiment being commanded by John Turner Hughes. In 1861 he was mustered into the regular Confederate service, having the same colonel and general. In the fall of 1862 he was transferred to General Shelby's division, and was appointed Chaplain of Colonel Gordon's regiment, serving in that capacity until the close of the war. Returning home, he joined liis faill- ily in this county, where they had moved in his absence, and, becoming a member of the South- western Missouri Conference, devoted himself zealously to his work. From 1878 until his death, which occurred July 13, 1889, he dwelt in Vernon County, where he was beloved and hon- ored by all. His parents were natives of Vir- ginia, and were early settlers first in Kentucky, and later in Logan County, Ohio. Grandfather Minshall was a man of superior education, and fol- lowed teaching as well as farming. Both he and his wife died while still young and within a short time of each other. The parents of Mrs. Rebecca Minshall were John and Rebecca (Carrick) Smith,
pioneers of the Buckeye State, whither they moved from their native Virginia in 1813.
William M. Minshall was born in Grundy County, Mo., May 22, 1845, and up to his six- teenth year lived under the parental roof, a part of the time attending the common school. At that time the war broke out, and although he was young for service, he shouldered the musket and went to the front, serving in the same command in the State Guards in which his father was serv- ing when the re-organization of the troops oc- curred. Young Minshall was in the thickest part of many battles, and among others were those of Lexington, Elk Horn, Prairie Grove, Iron Moun- tain, West Port, Mine Creek, Newtonia, and in the engagement with General Steele at Spoon- ville. At West Port he was in close quarters, General Blunt attacking his company in front, and General Smith closing in behind them. They were entirely surrounded and their situa- tion was a serious one. With sabers grasped in their hands, they started forward when the com- mand was given and daslied on the enemy with one accord, cutting their way through to safety. At Spoonville Mr. Minshall was acting Orderly for Colonel Smith, and during the fierce contest had his horse shot from under him on the battle- field, and for the rest of the day had to be content as a foot soldier.
In the spring of 1867 our subject left home on horseback and started for Texas. For the next year he worked on a ranch, and then returned to Missouri, and, taking charge of his father's farm, remained there until the spring of 1874. Feb- ruary 23, 1870, he had married Sarah E. Will- coxen, and on the 3d of August, 1874, she was summoned by the Death Angel. The following day their only surviving child was stricken down, and both were laid to rest in the same grave. After this sad event Mr. Minshall had but little heart to continue his work and the following spring started for Kansas. For two seasons he engaged in the cattle business in Barber County.
November 27, 1879, Mr. Minshall married Miss Mary Katie Ramsey, a lady of very amiable dis- position, and one who has been a true companion and assistant to her respected husband. For three
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years after their union was celebrated they lived on a rented place in Vernon County, but at the expiration of that time settled permanently on the valuable farm which has since been superintended by Mr. Minshall. In his political principles he is an ardent supporter of the Democracy. Dur- ing his residence here he has made inany friends by his uniform courtesy and sterling qualities.
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