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 42
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 42
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AMES J. GRAHAM, a native of Virginia, is one of the old and honored inhabitants of Johnson County. In 1850 he bought eighty acres of his home farm, which is situated in town- ship 45, range 27. A few years later he added forty acres more, and has since added to his pur- chase until he now owns two hundred and thirty- eight acres, in addition to one hundred and thirty-five acres lying in Chilhowee Township. He has been the architect of his own fortunes, and has worked hard and perseveringly in order to acquire a competence. He was one of the charter members of Peace Lodge No. 280, A. F. & A. M., in Chilhowee Township, and was the first Secretary of the same. During the war he was on the side of the Union, but politically has always been an adherent of the Democracy.
A son of Robert and Catherine (Crockett) Gra- ham, natives of Virginia, our subject was born December 18, 1819, in the same state. When he was fourteen years of age he came across the country with his parents and the other members of the family to Missouri. He continued to live with his father, and to give him his services on his new farm, until 1850, with the exception of the two years from 1846 to 1848, when he was absent at his old home in Wythe County, Va. In 1850 he married Louisa A., daughter of Will- iam Stockton, who had settled near Hazle Hill, prior to the arrival of the Graham family in Mis- souri. Mrs. Graham was born in Wayne Coun- ty, Ky., May 16, 1827, and by her marriage be- came the mother of ten children, two of whom
are deceased, namely: Sarah Catherine, who died in her fourth year; and George W., who was nearly nineteen years old at the time of his death, December 13, 1882. Those who are living are: Nancy J., wife of J. F. Wyrick, of Grenola, Kan .; Margaret A., Mrs. W. L. Bell, of Warrensburg; Mary C., wife of J. T. Marr, of Post Oak Town- ship, this county; Robert F., a farmer of Chil- howee Township; Frances V., Mrs. C. O. Mor- rison, of Eddy, N. M .; Susie, wife of E. A. Williams, of Warrensburg; James W., a farmer of Chilhowee Township; and Andrew, who helps his father on the farm.
In his early manhood Mr. Graham was for a number of years successfully engaged in teaching in the Johnson County schools, and among his pupils were many people who have since become prominent and respected citizens of the county. He has never been desirous of holding public office, and if possible has always refused to serve in such capacities. Since before their marriage he and his wife have been members of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church, to which they have always been liberal contributors. Without ex- ception those who know them are their friends and well-wishers, and we are glad to give them a place among the worthy and honored settlers of this county.
HOMAS ANTHONY CONRAD is num- bered among the best farmers and citizens of Johnson County. His well improved and thrifty homestead is situated on section 23, town- ship 45, range 29, and here he has a place of one hundred and twenty acres, on which he has erected good buildings, and neat hedges divide the fields into convenient size. He is a good Republican, and cast his first Presidential ballot in 1864 for Abraham Lincoln, while in the army. In 1875 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and held the office acceptably for six years. In 1886 he was a candidate for the office of Presiding
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Judge of the County Court, but, as the Demo- crats were in the majority, he was defeated, al- though he lacked only thirty-four votes. Con- trary to his will, his friends again insisted on his running for the Probate Judgeship in 1890, with the result which he had anticipated - defeat. Nevertheless, he is personally very popular, and has many strong friends among those of his own political faitlı.
Our subject was born in Cambria County, Pa., February 19, 1840, being a son of James and Susan (Coons) Conrad, both of German descent, and probably natives of the Keystone State. James Conrad was a miller by trade, and also carried on a good farm, on which he had fine water power, a saw and grist mill. His entire life was passed in Cambria County, and, though he commenced his busines career with but twenty- five cents, he became quite well-to-do, and at the time of his death, in 1879, his estate was valued at about $20,000. At first an old-line Whig, he later became a stanch Republican and voted for Fremont. A strong friend of the Union, he fur- nished two sons for the service, Thomas A. and his elder brother, Francis Jerome, the latter of whom was in the army about three years, and is low a resident of Jewell County, Kan. The family comprised eleven children, three of whom died in childhood and two others after reaching mature years. The father, who was a man of much prominence, in 1865 was nominated for County Commissioner, and at one time was a candidate for the State Legislature, though he was defeated, as his party was in the minority. Religiously he was an adherent of the Catholic Church, as is also the subject of this sketch.
When he was quite young, Thomas A. Conrad began working in his father's mill, and before he was twenty-one he had charge of the grinding. He received an ordinary education, and a few months after attaining his majority determined to go to the aid of the Old Flag. July 4, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Twenty-eighth Pennsyl- vania Regiment, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He took part in a number of important battles, among which were Cedar Mountain and Antietam, and was in many minor
skirmishes. For three or four months he was very sick, being confined in the hospital with chronic disease, contracted by exposure and priva- tion, and in February, 1863, was discharged on this account. He returned home, and after re- gaining a fair measure of health again entered the fray, in June, 1863, as a private in the Fifty- fourth Pennsylvania Emergency Regiment, which went out for three months, just before the battle of Gettysburg. At the end of six weeks he was again obliged to be discharged, but once more, in February, 1864, he re-enlisted, and served from that time until November 11, 1865, in Com- pany L, Third Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, stationed at Fortress Monroe.
September 10, 1867, Mr. Conrad married Car- oline Tiley, a native of England, who came to the United States with her parents, William and Mary Tiley, when she was quite small, and grew to womanhood in Cambria County. By her mar- riage she became the mother of nine children. Agnes Frances, whose birth occurred April 25, 1868, died August 14, 1871; Adeline Maria, born December 9, 1869, died August 30, 1871; Will- iam James, born November 26, 1871, died Au- gust 6, 1878; Dessa, born September 15, 1873, was confirmed at the age of fifteen years; Thomas Edward, born October 17, 1875, is attending the normal school at Ft. Scott, Kan .; Luvena Ag- nes, born April 29, 1877, was confirmed when she was thirteen years old; George Francis was born July 24, 1879; Loretta Christina was born April 29, 1881; and Caroline Elizabeth, born May 25, 1883, died August 8, 1884.
In 1869 Thomas A. Conrad and two of his brothers came to this section and bought eighty acres of land. Later our subject purchased his brothers' interest, and has since given his atten- tion to the improvement of the place on which he yet resides, which now includes one hundred and twenty acres. Though his permanent disabilities would justly entitle him to a pension, he has never applied for one, as he is very independent, preferring to be self-reliant as long as possible. Though his own educational advantages were rather limited, he is determined to give his chil- dren a better chance than fell to his lot, and keeps
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in touch with all measures for advancement. His many friends respect him for his honorable ways and for his uprightness of character, and he is well and favorably known in this community.
ILLIAM H. BROWN, the owner of a val- uable farm located on section 28, township 46, range 28, Johnson County, comes of a good old pioneer family in this section, his fa- ther, Isaiah J. Brown, having emigrated hither from Tennessee in the fall of 1848. He had made a visit to Missouri two years prior to his settle- ment, and, being pleased with the outlook, de- termined to make it his future home. As soon as he could dispose of his land in his native state, he started for this county with his family, the journey being made in a two-horse wagon, in which the household goods were packed.
Isaiah Brown first entered one hundred and eighty acres of land from the Government, and, as the years passed by and he prospered in his farming ventures, he purchased more real estate, until he was the owner of some three hundred and twenty acres. This he improved, erecting thereon good buildings, and here he lived until he entered the service of his country as a soldier in the Mexican War. When that conflict was over, he returned home and busied himself in looking after his property until 1862, when he enlisted in the Union army, becoming a member of Company A, Thirty-third Missouri Infantry. He was a very enthusiastic soldier, but after be- ing on the field of battle for eleven months his services were cut short by illness. Being unfit for further duty, he was sent to the hospital at St. Louis, where he died July 12, 1863, when in the fortieth year of his age.
At the time the father of our subject came to Missouri the state was mostly in its primitive condition, its inhabitants were few and scattering,
and the now beautiful farms, in Johnson County particularly, were dense timber-lands and vast prairies. Game was plentiful, and the redman had not not entirely disappeared from the locality. As one of the early pioneers, the father was called upon to show his bravery in many ways, as was also his devoted wife. But they were strong, courageous and persevering, and to their labor and untiring energies are due the beautiful fields, cozy home and fine orchards which are found on the farm of our subject.
Isaiah and Susannah (Hornsby ) Brown were married in 1848, the latter also being a native of Tennessee. Her father passed away when eighty- two years old, while her mother was about fifty years of age at the time of her decease. The parents of Mrs. Brown had born to them seven children. Richard is deceased; James resides at Athens, Tenn .; Susannah is the mother of our subject; Elizabeth A makes her home at Pin Hook Landing; Benjamin M. is a resident of Kingston, Tenn .; William Jackson makes his home in Knoxville, that state; and Phebe Eme- line is the wife of Thomas J. Hornsby, and lives in California. The parental family of our sub- ject included seven children. Sarah Emeline passed away in 1869; Rachel E. married Riley M. Rose; Mary M. is the wife of William M. Hamilton; James H. died in infancy; William H. is the subject of this sketch; and Benjamin J. and Susannah are deceased.
When ready to establish a home of his own, our subject was married to Miss Lillian Kintzley, who was born in Boonesboro, Boone County, Iowa, in 1862. She is a lady of refinement, and is well educated. They have become the parents of three children: Curtis A., Edna M. and Su- sannah L. The father of Mrs. Brown, James S. Kintzley, was born in Bowling Green, Clay Coun- ty, Ind., November 9, 1837, and moved with his parents to Boone County, Iowa, in 1855. There he continued to reside until his death, October 7, 1882, in his forty-fourth year. In 1861 he mar- ried Sarah F. P. Soule, who was born in Albany, N. Y., July 29, 1844, and moved with her mother to Boone County, Iowa, in 1856. They were the parents of ten children, namely: Lillian, wife of
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our subject; William H., who resides in King- fisher, Okla .; Luella May, who died in 1886; Caroline S., wife of John O. Shaw; of El Reno, Okla .; Joseph, James C. and Eugene S., who re- side in Boone County, Iowa; Therlow W., who died in 1877; Luticia, who lives in Holden, Mo .; and an infant son who died July 12, 1880.
William H., of this sketch, makes his home on the old homestead, on which he has been en1- gaged in general farming since the death of his honored father. He was born February 11, 1856, and has done much since reaching man's estate to develop and improve his immediate vicinity. His father in early life was a Whig, but later be- came a Republican, with which party our subject is identified. Although not a politician, yet he takes an active interest in the success of this party, and is willing at all times to contribute of his means toward the support of all good measures in his neighborhood.
A LFRED L. STIRLEN. Progressive agricult- urists throughout the country have learned that there is a profitable source of revenue in the raising of fine stock, and to this occupa- tion, therefore, a constantly increasing amount of attention is being devoted. Among the residents of Pettis County who have made a specialty of this line of work, we mention the name of Mr. Stirlen, the owner of a finely improved farm ly- ing on section 3, township 45, range 21. Upon his place may be noticed as fine stock as is to be found in the state, his specialties being Short- horn and Durham cattle, Poland-China hogs and Denmark horses.
Nine miles from Ft. Wayne, in Allen County, Ind., the subject of this notice was born, August 17, 1857, being the son of Wilson R. and Cynthia (Gradless) Stirlen. His father, who was born in Ohio, July 26, 1826, married his first wife there, and after her death removed to Indiana. Set- tling in Allen County, he pre-empted one hun-
dred and sixty acres, which he cleared and placed under good cultivation, and upon which he still makes his home. After coming to Indiana, he married Miss Gradless, and they became the par- ents of three children. At the birth of the young- est, Alfred L., the mother died, and subsequently the father again married, becoming by this union the father of six children, of whom four still sur- vive.
The eldest son in the family, Josiah, is a resi- dent of Hughesville Township, Pettis County; he is married and has three children. Allen, next in order of birth, is a farmer of Allen Coun- ty, Ind., and also has three children. Mary Flor- ence, the eldest child of the third union of Mr. Stirlen, became the wife of Samuel Stophlett, of Ft Wayne, Ind., but now Auditor of the Mis- souri Pacific Railroad, with headquarters at Kan- sas City, Mo. Hattie E. is the wife of Allen Metsker, baggage master in the employ of a rail- road at Ft. Wayne. John and Clara reside with their parents.
In the log cabin erected by his father soon after coming to Indiana, our subject first opened his eyes to the light. The first twenty years of his life were spent upon the home farm, in the culti- vation of which he assisted. From there he went to Sedalia, and for eighteen months was in the employ of his uncle near that city. As soon as able, he bought a horse, for which he paid cash, and purchased another with the privilege of pay- ing for it later. With this start, he rented a tract of land in Pettis County, and at once began the active life of an agriculturist.
As a helpmate on life's journey, Mr. Stirlen chose Miss Fannie Gorrell, with whom he was united in marriage February 28, 1883. Mrs. Stir- len was born ten miles north of Sedalia, Decem- ber 7, 1861, being the daughter of Capt. John B. and Mary H. (Tabb) Gorrell, the former born in Todd County, Ky., February 14, 1817, and the latter a native of Virginia, born February 7, 1815. In 1889 our subject bought his present homestead of one hundred and seventy acres, upon which he has erected a comfortable residence, built good fences and made desirable improvements. Both as a general farmer and as a stock-raiser he has
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been very successful, and is recognized as one of the efficient farmers and shrewd business men of the county.
Four children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Stirlen, namely: Nannie Maude, who was born in Heatlı's Creek Township, Pettis County, April 13, 1884; Lura Blanche, born in Prairie Township, this county, October 4, 1886; Wilson Robert, whose birth occurred in Prairie Town- ship, October 30, 1888 ; and Walter Wayne, who passed away at the age of six months. In politics Mr. Stirlen is a Republican, but is not active in public affairs. His first Presidential ballot was cast for James Garfield, and he has since supported the candidates of the Republican party. With his wife, he holds membership in the Baptist Church.
2 AVID W. GUINN is engaged in general stock-raising on section 22, township 45, range 25, Johnson County, coming here from Jasper County, Mo., in 1878, and purchas- ing one hundred and forty acres. He has placed substantial improvements on the farm, consisting of good buildings, fences, etc., and keeps every- thing up in a thrifty and creditable manner.
The parents of the gentleman above mentioned were Peter Robinson and Lucy (Sharp) Guinn. The former was born in Wayne County, Tenn., and his father was a member of the Legislature of that state, his death occurring while he was at- tending session. He owned a large place known as the old College Farm, from the fact that there was an institution of learning established there. The homestead, which is situated eight miles south of Greenville, is now the property of Joe Williams, whose wife carried the word as to Mor- gan's whereabouts. The noted Confederate was at the house of Mr. Williams' mother in Green- ville, and was soon after killed by his pursuers. Peter R. Guinn received a medical education, but did not practice, as he preferred teaching. In
this line he was very successful and never had any trouble in obtaining a school. He was three times married, having six children by his first union, four by the second, and three by the third mar- riage. During the war he lived in Chattanooga, and was employed by the Government as a watch- man over army supplies. Five of his sons were in the Union army, and one of these, the eldest half-brother of our subject, George, also served in the Mexican War under General Taylor. At the close of the war the senior Mr. Guinn returned to Greene County, where he died in 1867.
David W. Guinn was born in Greene County, Tenn., July 18, 1843, and as his mother died when he was quite young, he was taken by some of her relatives to bring up. He had to work hard at farın labor in his boyhood and at the time he was eighteen could spell and read only a very little. With three of his older brothers he was conscript- ed into the Confederate army, and on one occa- sion, while he was stationed at Tupelo, Miss., was on picket duty with orders to let no one pass without a written note from General Bragg. That official, with a few others, came along, and as Mr. Guinn demanded a pass, the General produced one, but said that he believed he could not read it, which was true. After this incident our sub- ject determined to learn to read and write, and his Orderly at once began teaching him. He was at the siege of Corinth and in the battle of Perryville, and was finally discharged in the fall of 1862. Returning to Greene County, he enlisted in Com- pany F, Fourth Tennessee Infantry, on the Union side, in April, 1863. He was captured that year and soon afterwards paroled. He later went to Knoxville, and from there to Camp Nelson, Ky., taking the first supply train from the latter point to Knoxville after the siege was relieved. His final discharge was dated August, 1865.
While living in Tennessee, in 1867, Mr. Guinn was united in marriage with Jane Smelser, who died in 1876, leaving two children, Ida May and Robert W. In 1870 he moved to Texas, but after sojourning there a few months, he came to Mis- souri and settled in Jasper County. There he married Mrs. Weaver, who was called to her final rest in February, 1892. The lady who now bears
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his name was formerly Mary L. Russell, and be- came his wife in November, 1892. Ida May, his only daughter, is attending school in Greene County, Tenn., and is a very bright and promis- ing young lady.
Fraternally Mr. Guinn is identified with the Odd Fellows' lodge at Gun City, Mo., and he belongs to Winfield Scott Post No. 63, G. A. R., of Holden. For many years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is actively interested in the prosperity and good accomplished by his denomination. He is a Re- publican and served as School Director for eight years, whereupon he refused to act longer in that capacity. He bears a good reputation among his neighbors and friends for his integrity of word and deed, and for his business-like methods.
EORGE H. D. SPECKER is one of the worthy German-American citizens of John- son County, and has been a factor in its de- velopment and prosperity. For the past four years he has been engaged in the cultivation of his farm on section 3, township 47, range 27. Frederick Specker, the father of our subject, was born in Germany about 1796, and succeeded to the old homestead, where he lived during his entire career, his death taking place about 1880. To himself and wife, whose maiden name was Mary Pachman, were born seven children, of whom George was the fourth.
The birth of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch occurred March 14, 1854, in Hanover, Germany. He received a good education in the excellent schools of the Fatherland, and was em- ployed at farming until he was about eighteen years of age. Desiring to see something of the world, he secured a position on the "Uncle," a sailing-vessel, but did not like the life, and at the end of eleven months, on the vessel's arriving at Philadelphia, he obtained permission to go into the city for the purpose of purchasing a suit of oil
clothing, and did not return. The ship was com- manded by Captain Heitmeier, and had gone from Bremen to the West Indies, where they took a cargo of sugar, returned to Queenstown, then shipped to Liverpool, where the boat was unload- ed, and after laying in a supply of salt started for the Quaker City.
Young Specker entered the employ of a con- fectioner with the determination of learning the trade. Being ambitious and an apt pupil, he was soon qualified to fill an important position, and for several years commanded excellent wages. In 1881 he set his face westward and stopped in Lou- isville, Ky., for a few months. Then, proceeding to Lexington, Mo., he continued to work at his trade until 1883, when he opened a shop of his own in Odessa. For nearly four years he enjoyed a good trade and was fast acquiring a fortune, but his fancy led him back to the pursuits of his boy- hood and he became desirous of leading the inde- pendent life of a farmer. Purchasing eighty acres of his present homestead, he soon succeeded in ob- taining a foothold, and his farm to-day shows that its management is in master hands.
March 27, 1883, Mr. Specker married Dora Schuessler, of Lexington, Mo., and they have be- come the parents of seven children. The family circle is yet unbroken by death and the household is a very happy one. The children are named as follows: Anna, Fred, George H., John E., Willie A., Otto F. and Almer C. Mr. Specker is a member of the Reformed Church. Politically he uses his ballot in favor of the Republican par- ty. By all who know him he is held in the high- est respect, and he well deserves the confidence of his fellows.
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AMUEL DAY, M. D., has made his home in Holden for the past fifteen years. In 1883 he purchased a stock of drugs and has since conducted a drug and stationery store, keeping also a full line of wall paper, paints, oils, etc., in
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which he has a good trade. He is a member of the Missouri Eclectic Medical Society, and fre- quently meets with them at their conventions at St. Louis. His first Presidential vote was cast in 1868 for the Democratic candidate, and he has ever adhered stanchly to that party.
The Doctor was born in Licking County, Ohio, November 10, 1846, being a son of John and Nancy (Claypoole) Day. The father was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, and moved to Licking County in his boyhood, there engaging in agri- cultural pursuits on attaining his maturity. Our subject received a good common-school education and passed his early years in the usual manner of farmer lads.
Shortly after reaching majority Dr. Day took 11p the study of medicine under the instruction of H. C. Dicus, of Martinsburg, Knox County, Ohio, doing work in the office and practicing to some extent for two years. In 1870 he located in Pitts- ville, Johnson County, Mo., and though he had no funds and was somewhat in debt, soon had a good country practice. Thus prospered, he paid off his indebtedness, and, going to Cincinnati, took a course in a physio-medico institute, graduating in March, 1875. Returning to his home in Pitts- ville, he resumed his practice and continued to live there until 1880, when he sold out and came to Holden. He has been quite successful as a family practitioner and is investing, from time to time, in numerous local enterprises and industries. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Commercial Bank, of which he has been a Director for several years. He formerly owned his father's old farnı of one hundred and ninety acres, but he has sold all but thirty-six acres. Besides this tract he owns one hundred and sixty-six acres in Madison Township.
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