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 49
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 49
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mrs. Nancy Byler died March 21, 1856, aged thirty-nine years.
J. M. Byler is one of fifteen children, ten of whom are living. Eleven of the number were of his father's first marriage, and the others were the result of his second union. The birth of our subject occurred in Boonville, Mo., June 2, 1833, and his education was completed in Kemper's School, after which he became a teacher. For five years he remained in one locality, and then, going to Clinton, established the first high school there. In September, 1860, he went into the stationery and drug business at Warrensburg, but closed out his interest when the war broke out. He then resumed teaching, and for nine months conducted a school in Warrensburg, after which, in 1862, he taught in an academy in Boon- ville. In company with Rev. X. X. Buckner, he organized and incorporated the Cooper Insti- tute at Boonville, and operated the same until he saw fit to resign, but the institution is still in ex- istence. In April, 1865, he came to this city as a lecturer on commercial science, and was thus employed about one year. For over three dec- ades he was a great student in all of the scientific and philosophical branches, including medicine, psychology, phrenology, etc. In 1859 he was made a charter member of the Missouri State Teachers' Association, which was formed in St. Louis, and continued an active member of the same for many years. At their twenty-first anni- versary he was called upon to deliver an address on "Reminiscences of the Past," the meeting hav- ing convened at Sweet Springs, Mo.
In December, 1858, Mr. Byler was married, in Clinton, Mo., to Emma Shumway, who was born on the Connecticut River, in New Hampshire. Her father, Royal Shumway, was Postmaster and a merchant in the village of Langdon for thirty- seven years. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Byler, namely: Homer E., who is traveling agent for the Equitable Life Association, and is a resident of Trinidad, Colo .; Lilly W., wife of Dr. G. W. Robinson, also of Trinidad; James William, a graduate of the Columbia Law School, from which he received the degrees of LL. B. and LL. M .; and General Lee, now a prom-
inent railroad man of Denver. James W. was, until recently, a law clerk in the Judge Advocate's office in the General War Department of Washı- ington, D. C., but is now engaged in general practice at Sedalia. Mr. Byler has always been a stanch supporter of the Democracy, and has in- culcated his ideas in the training of his sons.
12 R. MARION LEE SMITH, a well known oculist of Sedalia, has his office at No. 111 Ohio Street. He has been very successful in his chosen work, and has performed many won- derful operations, even from a professional point of view. He is a great student, and devotes all his time and attention to study and practice. In 1891 he graduated with honors from the Chicago Ophthalmic College, and after traveling for a year located in this city, in 1892.
The Doctor's grandfather, John Smith, a hero of the War of 1812, was born in Tennessee, but at an early day moved with his family to Illinois, first settling in Hancock County, and in the '30S moving to the vicinity of Troy, Davis County, Iowa. He built a mill on the Fox River and en- gaged in farming in that locality. Our subject's father, John P., was also born in Tennessee, and learned the milling business in his early manhood. For some years he ran a mill and dealt in grain in Davis County, but in 1879 moved to Downing, Mo., where he also bought and sold grain ex- tensively. He is now Mayor of the city, hav- ing been elected on the Democratic ticket. His wife, Sarah, was born in Pennsylvania, being a daughter of Jacob Kinney, also a native of that state, but who moved to Davis County, Iowa, with his family and engaged in cultivating a farm. His wife died in 1892, at the extreme age of ninety-two years. Mrs. Sarah Smith was called to her final rest in 1875, when in her forty- sixth year. Her eldest son, Jesse, is engaged in the harness business in Ft. Kearney, Neb.,
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and another son, Hamilton C., graduated fromn a medical college and is now a ranchman near Billings, Mont. At one time he was a mem- ber of the Grain Exchange in St. Louis, and is now quite wealthy.
The birth of our subject occurred in Davis County, Iowa, in 1856, and in 1875 he graduated from the high school at Centerville. He learned the watchmaker's trade, and, going to Elgin, ob- tained employment in the factory there, later be- ing with the Illinois Watch Company at Spring- field. He took up the study of medicine with Dr. Babcock and Dr. Hubbard, of Springfield, burning the midnight oil in the search for knowledge. Aft- er learning the fundamental principles of medical science he entered the Chicago Ophthalmic College with the intention of becoming a specialist, and that he has been successful in his endeavors goes without saying. Probably one secret of his success as an oculist and surgeon is the mechanical knowl- edge which he gained in his former occupation as a watchmaker.
In Centerville, Iowa, our subject was married, in May, 1884, to Miss Sadie Lane, who was born in Pennsylvania, and who became a resident of Iowa about 1865. The young couple have a pleasant home and have made many sincere friends since coming to this city. The Doctor is a Knight of Pythias, and in his political affilia- tions is a Democrat.
INCKNEY M. MAY is quietly passing his declining days in his pleasant home at Knob- noster, Johnson County, where he recently built a cottage according to the most modern plans of architecture. For a number of years he was engaged in business of various kinds and was quite successful, but is now retired from active life. He is a self-made and self-educated man, and obtained what learning he possesses after reaching his majority, when he attended school at
his own expense. He is a Democrat of no un- certain stamp, but has never cared for political office. However, while a resident of Hamlin, Kan., he served as Postmaster of the place for a period of four years, to everyone's entire satisfac- tion.
Charles P. May, the father of our subject, was a native of North Carolina, and spent the early portion of his life in that state. He fought in the War of 1812, and participated in the battle of New Orleans under General Jackson. Late in life he removed to Nashville, Tenn., where he lived for a year, and then settled in St. Charles County, Mo., where his death occurred in 1856. To himself and wife, Ursula (Johnson) May, were born nine children, of whom Pinckney M. is the fifth in order of birth. Mrs. May survived her husband several years, her death also occurring in St. Charles County.
Our subject is also a native of North Caro- lina, and was born November 10, 1818. He was brought up on a farm, where he obtained a prac- tical knowledge of agricultural pursuits. When in his twentieth year he started out in life for him- self by operating a farm in St. Charles County. Subsequently he engaged in the manufacture of leaf tobacco in addition to running his homestead, and for more than twenty years he was success- fully employed in that business. During this time he invested large sums of money in land, which he bought and sold to good advantage. In1 1872 he came to this county, where he engaged in farming for a year, and then became a resident of Knobnoster, where he purchased a home and carried on the manufacture of tobacco for some time. For the next four and a-half years he lived in Kiowa County, Kan., where he had pre-empted a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Since then he has made his home in this place.
The first marriage of Mr. May was celebrated in 1837, with Ellen Chambers, who was born in St. Charles County, and who was called to the home beyond in 1856. Six children were born of this marriage. A daughter, Ruth M., is de- ceased, and those living are as follows: Mary, Mrs. A. J. Whitehead, of Eureka Springs, Ark .; John A., whose home is in Nevada, Mo .; Hattie,
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wife of James Ray, of St. Charles County; Susie, Mrs. William Muzzy, of Gilman, Colo .; and Fall- nie, the wife of Joseph Whitehead, of Colorado Springs, Col.
The lady who now bears the name of our sub- ject was in her girlhood days Maggie E. Ham- miett, and their union was celebrated May 25, 1858. She is a daughter of John and Frances (Saunders) Hammett, who, like herself, were na- tives of Virginia. They left the East early in the '30s, and for a time lived in the western part of the state. Mr. Hammett died in 1834, but his faithful wife survived him some twenty years, reaching the good old age of seventy-two years. The eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. May, Charles Hammett, died when in his tenth year. William M. is engaged in the nursery business in Knob noster; Edward E. and Pinckney A. are also resi- dents of this place, and are interested in the same business as is their elder brother. Annie Maud, the only daughter, is a well educated and cultured young lady, now living with her parents. Mrs. May, who is a true type of the Southern woman, is courteous to all and a very entertaining hostess.
Since their early years, Mr. and Mrs. May have been members of the Methodist Church South and liberal contributors to its success. Socially Mr. May belongs to Lodge No. 245, A. F. & A. M., and his three sons belong to the Knights of Pythias.
OHN C. WALKER, who resides in Flat Creek Township, Pettis County, and is em- ployed as engineer in tlie Sedalia waterworks, was born in Lehigh County, Pa., May 12, 1862. The family of which he is a member was honora- bly and long associated with the history of Scot- land, and his father, Robert, was the first of the name to emigrate to America. The latter was born in the "land of thistles," and there spent the first seventeen years of his life, learning in his labors on the home farm the lessons of perse- verance, honesty and energy that stood him in
good stead in after years. The exact date of his birth is not known, but it was probably in the year 1835.
At the age of about eighteen years Robert Walker crossed the Atlantic and, landing in New York, made a short sojourn in that state, where he married Miss Elizabeth Creamer. For a few years after that event he continued to reside in the Empire State, but after the birth of two chil- dren he moved to Pennsylvania. He had been an overseer of a farm in New York, but after set- tling in Lehigh County, Pa., he became the own- er of a farm, to the cultivation of which he de- voted himself assiduously. In 1868 he came West to Missouri and established his home in Pettis County, where he bought eighty acres of land. Some years later he sold that property and bought the place now owned by our subject. There his death occurred October 10, 1880. His inclinations were toward the Republican party, but he was not a partisan nor a politician. In religious faith he was of the old-school Presbyte- rian belief, as is also his wife, who is still living, and makes her home with our subject.
In many respects the father of our subject was a man of more than ordinary ability. He was handy with tools and, although he never learned the carpenter's trade, he did all his own work in that line. In mechanics he was a genius, and his sons inherited this trait from him. Our subject was reared upon the home farm, and received a common-school education. At the age of sev- enteen he began to work in the waterworks at Sedalia, where he was employed as fireman. Such was the aptitude that he displayed for the business, that at the age of eighteen he was pro- moted to the position of engineer, alternating with his brother twelve hours each day. Since taking this position he has carefully saved his earnings, and is now the owner of one hundred acres of land, comprising the old homestead in Flat Creek Township.
The marriage of John C. Walker and Miss Jennie Licklider was solemnized February 17, 1892. This lady was born in Cooper County, Mo., June 16, 1872, and is the daughter of F. M. and Sarah E. (DeWitt) Licklider, residents
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of Sedalia. For some years she was a pupil in the Broadway School at Sedalia, and her life has been passed principally in this city. She belongs to the Baptist Church in this place, and is well known and popular in the best social circles. One child has been born of the union, John Lee, who died at the age of six months. In political belief Mr. Walker is a stanch Republican, and his first Presidential ballot was cast for James G. Blaine, since which time he has never failed to vote for the men and measures of that party.
HARLES T. MYERS, who owns a good farm in township 46, range 26, is one of the enterprising and industrious farmers of John- son County. To just such men as he are due the development of our newer states and the ad- vancement of our western civilization, and among the men who have so faithfully and successfully endeavored to carry forward the agricultural in- terests of Missouri he takes first rank.
Our subject is a native of the "sunny South- land," for his birth occurred in Carroll County, Md., September 15, 1861. His parents were Ephraim and Lydia Ann (Strawsburg) Myers, the former of whom was also a native of Mary- land. In the parental family were ten children, and the circle is yet unbroken. The sons and daughters occupy useful positions in life, and look back with gratitude to the early home training which made possible the success of their mature years.
Ephraim Myers was reared to manhood in the old home, where his birth occurred April 8, 1836, and where he remained throughout his entire life, dying in September, 1894. A man of more than ordinary business ability, he was unusually suc- cessful in the various enterprises in which he en- gaged, and early in life became the owner of a comfortable competence, enabling him to spend his declining years in rest and quiet. He was a public-spirited citizen, and ever deeply interested
in all projects for the advancement of liis com- munity's interests, and his early demise was deep- ly regretted in his home locality.
Until attaining his eighteenth year, our sub- ject remained at home, where, as has been said, he received careful training for the battles of life, its discouragements and its possibilities. He re- ceived a common-school education, to which he has since added by reading and association with educated men, and in 1879 started out for himself, coming at once to Missouri. Going to work with a will, he was employed for about four years at whatever he could find to do that promised the greatest remuneration. By careful economy, he was enabled at the end of that time to rent land, and commenced farming on his own account. He also bought some stock and farming implements, and for the succeeding six years continued to rent. During this time he met with great suc- cess, and in March, 1889, he bought his present valuable farın of seventy acres. Beside manag- ing his own estate, he has, during the greater part of the time, rented and cultivated from two to three hundred acres of the land surrounding him, in the management of which he has ever shown capability and good judgment. He is also a successful stock-raiser and gives special atten- tion to the breeding of hogs, his Poland-China stock being the boast of the neighborhood.
September 12, 1883, occurred the marriage of our subject and Miss Ida Larrimer, daughter of Hugh and Mary (Core) Larrimer. She was one in a family of five children, of whom four sur- vive. Mr. Myers has been greatly blessed in se- curing for a wife a woman of such noble character and intellectual attainments. She has in the truest sense of the word been a helpmate to him, and to her must be given much of the credit for their success. To Mr. and Mrs. Myers have been born two children, both of whom are still living. Hugh, the elder, is ten years of age, while George has passed his eighth birthday.
Politically Mr. Myers is affiliated with the Re- publican party, in whose principles he is a firm believer. The Presbyterian Church finds in him an active and influential member, one who is al- ways first in all charitable projects, and one of
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her most liberal contributors to all benevolences. His home is one of great hospitality, where friend and stranger are alike welcome, and he is prop- erly called one of the prominent men of the county.
ILLIAM C. TAYLOR, Conveyancer and Notary Public of Holden, was born in what is now Pleasant County, W. Va., March 18, 1822, and is a son of Joseph and Phœbe (Cochran) Taylor, both of whom were na- tives of Virginia. He remained at home, engaged in farm work, until seventeen years of age, when he went to Marietta, Ohio, and there was em- ployed as a clerk in the Cominon Pleas Court. He remained in official position for about twelve years, part of which time he served as deputy and the remainder by election as clerk.
While residing in Marietta, Ohio, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Y. Mc- Cracken, daughter of Dr. John McCracken, of Pittsburg, Pa. When she became acquainted with Mr. Taylor, she was a student at the seminary in Marietta, from which institution she was gradu- ated. By this marriage there were two chil- dren. The eldest, born in Marietta, died in in- fancy; the other, John M., was born in West Vir- ginia, to which state our subject liad moved on account of poor health, which required him to give up his occupation, it being too confining, and engaged in farming. He was under the treatment of Dr. Robert Hunter, now of Chicago, then of New York. He in a measure regained his health and returned to Marietta, where he lived a number of years, and then removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, and there engaged in the flour business for one year. While in Marietta he studied law and was admitted to the Bar, but on account of being hard of hearing he continued to practice but a short time. In 1867 he came to Holden, Mo., where he has since continued to reside.
Mrs. Taylor died in Virginia soon after their re-
moval to that state, leaving a child of seven months. The boy came to Holden with his father and received his education in the public schools of this city, but also attended school a short time at Columbia, Mo. He is now engaged in the hardware business in Bowlder, Colo. He is mar- ried and has two children.
In 1869 our subject was again married, Miss Sarah Saxton becoming his bride. She was born and reared in Brighton, Canada. There are no children by this marriage.
Mr. Taylor started in life for himself without any means whatever, and while not being as fort- unate as many others he has yet been enabled to lay by a little in store for old age. He has always lived well and has a good library of books of solid merit. He has been quite a reader and is well informed on all topics of the times. In early life he was a Whig and cast his first presidential bal- lot for Henry Clay. At the death of the Whig party lie became a Democrat, and has since affil- iated with that party. For twelve years continu- ously he served as a member of the School Board of Holden, and has also been a member of the Town Council. As a citizen he is held in high esteem by all who know him.
HARLES L. STRANGE is numbered among the progressive young farmers of Johnson County, and makes his home on section 29, township 45, range 28. He is a son of a worthy old pioneer of Madison Township, and has passed his entire life in Missouri. His birth occurred February 4, 1860, in Columbus Township, and when he was only nine months old death deprived him of a mother's love and care.
In 1861 Jesse C. Strange, our subject's father, enlisted in the army, and Charles L. was taken by his maternal grandfather, Richard Lee, of Howard County, making his home with him un- til he was about seven years of age. When his . father was again married, he returned to the old
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home and continued to dwell in Madison Town- ship until reaching his majority. He received a good common-school education and a practical training in the proper management of a farm.
On New Year's Day, 1885, C. L. Strange and Anna E. Haggard were united in marriage. The lady was born January 8, 1862, in Clark County, Ky., and is a daughter of John T. and Margaret J. (Morris) Haggard. The young couple are members of the Baptist Church, and enjoy the friendship of all who know them. After their marriage they went to housekeeping on a farm east of Holden, the place belonging to our sub- ject's father. In 1887 they moved to their pres- ent home, which is in every respect a comfortable and happy one. In political matters Mr. Strange is a Democrat, as was his father before him.
Jesse C. Strange was born in Lafayette County, Mo., December 25, 1833, being a son of Elkanah and Sarah C. (Lowrey) Strange, natives of Mad- ison County, Ky. The father was born in 1810, and was inarried, at the age of twenty years, in his native state. He moved to Missouri prior to the birth of his son, J. C., who was his eldest child. He passed the site of Lexington while it was still a wilderness, and, pre-empting a tract of land, there passed the remainder of his life. At the same time that he emigrated to this state, both his own and his wife's parents came in the company. In 1834 the family moved to this county and became inhabitants of Rose Hill Township.
The boyhood of Jesse C. Strange was spent largely with his maternal grandparents. He at- tended school more or less until he was about eighteen years of age, and then started on an overland trip to California, driving stock. It was in 1852 that he left home, going from Westport, Kan., to Sonora, Cal., the trip taking exactly six months. Though he had never known what hard work meant, he hired out to dig potatoes at $75 a month. In the midst of his rough surround- ings he became very homesick, but would not give up, and so well pleased his employer that he was promoted to take charge of his feed-yard at a salary of $125 a month and his board. During the year of his employment for this man, he man-
aged to lay aside a large share of his wages, and as the result of his next three years' work in the mines also made large sums of money. Return- ing to Missouri, he invested in cattle, buying and selling for several years. After his marriage he purchased a farm of eighty acres in Columbus Township, Johnson County.
February 8, 1858, Mr. Strange wedded Dorothy J. Lee, of Howard County, Mo., who died in De- cember, 1860, leaving one child, Charles L. June 8, 1861, Mr. Strange enlisted in a Missouri regi- ment and served under General Price. He was first under fire at Carthage, Mo., and next at Wilson's Creek, near Springfield, where General Lyon was killed. On the way to Lexington he was engaged in battle with the forces commanded by Lane; then followed the battle of Lexington and the Arkansas campaign, where fighting was an every-day occurrence. In August, 1862, he took part in the battle of Lone Jack, a fierce coll- flict, and afterward, on the way South, was over- taken by the Federals at Taboisville. His horse was shot from under him, and he himself was wounded in the left side. In 1863 he participated in the battle of Perry Grove, and at Little Rock, Ark., where a large portion of the Confederate army died from various kinds of sickness, he was in the hospital, and for some time his life trem- bled in the balance. On his recovery he met Banks in Louisiana, and drove him back to Alex- andria. After the engagement with General Steele, at Jenkins' Ferry, Ark., the winter of 1864-65 was spent at Shreveport, and there they surrendered in June, 1865. He could have been appointed to an office in his company had he so desired, but declined the honor.
During Mr. Strange's absence his land had been sold to the Government for taxes, and he was virtually destitute. Borrowing about $500, he redeemed his farm and also bought a mule, which, by the way, is still in his possession. Needing a horse to get in his crops, he borrowed one from a neighbor, and in this way made his second start in a business career. In 1867 he raised a crop of corn, he and his wife shelling it by hand, and after hauling it to Warrensburg, eight- een miles away, he sold it at fifty cents a bushel.
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In June, 1868, he sold his land and bought one hundred and twenty acres of his present home- stead. Soon afterward he built a house in a hazel patch, and instituted other improvements. Prosperity attended him, and he is now the owl1- er of eleven hundred acres, nearly all in this county.
November 8, 1866, Mr. Strange married Mrs. Sarah C. Carmichael, of this county, but a native of Kentucky, having come to this state with her parents in 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Strange have had two children. John W., born January 14, 1868, attended Holden College for two years, and is still at home. Tippie D., born March 26, 1870, died January 26, 1894. The parents are mem- bers of the Christian Church, and contribute lib- erally to all good causes. The first vote cast by Jesse C. Strange was for James Buchanan, and he is an ardent Democrat. His mother, who was born March 12, 1812, is still living with him.
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