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 54
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 54
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PATRICK MCENROE.
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there until 1873, when they came to Sedalia, Mo., he entering into business with his father, hand- ling grain, etc. His wife died August 13, 1880, while on a visit to her mother in Illinois. Mr. Sprague remained in Sedalia two years thereafter, and May 23, 1882, was married to Miss Mary J. Carpenter, the daughter of Thomas N. and Sa- rah (Howerton) Carpenter. She was born in Chilhowee Township, this county, December 17, 1860.
The year of his second marriage our subject came to his present farm, which is eighty acres in extent. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and in religious affairs is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, with which denomination his good wife is also connected. Socially he is a Mason of high standing, having joined that fra- ternity in Greenville, I11.
ATRICK MCENROE, one of the oldest resi- dents of East Sedalia, is engaged in the wholesale and retail liquor business, and is agent for the Schlitz Brewing Company of Mil- waukee. For six years he served as Democratic Alderman from the Second Ward, was Chairman of the Committee on Waterworks, and also served on other committees. He has been much inter- ested in real-estate matters here, and laid off the McEnroe & Hurley Addition to Sedalia, a tract of five acres lying east of the city. In 1882 he erected a building at the corner of Third and Engineer Streets, and afterwards put up a ware- house at Third Street and the railroad track, in addition to which he has also built a number of residences.
Mr. McEnroe was born in County Meath, Ire- land, in 1839, being a son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Donnohue) McEnroe, natives of Coun- ty Meath and Dublin, Ireland, respectively. The father was a stone contractor and builder, and was a man of good practical ability. Young Mc-
Enroe attended the schools of old Castletown, and while still a mere boy learned to "paddle his own canoe." In his nineteenth year he left Liver- pool in the sailing-vessel "Washington," and at the end of six weeks and three days arrived safe- ly in New York City. For a year he worked on a farm near Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and thence went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he found work on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. Later lie was made foreman of a section, and in 1867, go- ing to Jefferson, Mo., was given a position as foreman on the Missouri Pacific Railroad.
The year 1870 witnessed the arrival of Mr. McEnroe in Sedalia. At that time he was general foreman of the yards of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, which were in process of con- struction. Under his direction some thirty or forty men graded all the yards, placed the switches, etc. Next we find him roadmaster of the same railroad corporation, his territory lying between Sedalia and Parsons, Kan. At the end of two years he resigned that position in order to give attention to his own private business con- cerns. Mr. McEnroe is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, belongs to the Cath- olic Knights of America, and to the Irish Catho- lic Benevolent Society. Religiously he is a Cath- olic and attends St. Vincent's Church.
URNER C. HORNBUCKLE, a leading at- torney-at-law in Warrensburg, is a young man of superior ability and stands high as a member of the Bar. In January, 1887, he was elected Chief Clerk of the Thirty-fourth Missouri General Assembly, and has the honor of being the youngest man ever elected to that position. I11 1892 he was elected County Attorney, serving for two years, and was then once more honored with the nomination for the position in 1894. However, he was defeated, owing to the great Re- publican land-slide of that fall. He is a stalwart
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Democrat, and first voted for Grover Cleveland, in 1884. On numerous occasions he has served as delegate to district, state and congressional conventions of his party, and during a period of four years, when this county was in the Fifth Con- gressional District, served as Congressional Com- initteeman. He enjoys a good practice and is prospering financially.
Born in Hazle Hill Township, Johnson Coun- ty, April 12, 1861, our subject is the son of Will- iam Lewis and Malinda (Walker) Hornbuckle In 1874 the family moved to this city, and from the time he was fifteen years of age until his graduation in the Class of '80, Turner attended the normal school. After securing a certificate, he engaged in teaching a country school in this county, and later taught in a village in Pettis County. At length he was chosen to serve as Principal of Schools at Warsaw, Benton County, Mo., and during his career as a teacher devoted much time to the study of law. In the fall of 1883 he entered the law department of the State University at Columbia, and in one year covered the regular two-years course. Necessarily this required an unusual amount of hard work, but as his means were limited he was obliged to be as economical as possible. After graduating in 1884 he at once opened an office and began practice in this city.
December 8, 1886, Mr. Horubuckle married Virginia Lee Asbury, who was born in Lafayette County, Mo. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children. The first two, Louise and Louis, twins, were born at Lee Sum- mit, Jackson County, this state, February 24, 1890; Mary and David Francis were born in Warrensburg, the former April 7, 1892, and the latter August 12, 1894.
Mr. and Mrs. Hornbuckle are members of the Southern Methodist Church, and move in the best social circles of the city. Our subject is a member of the blue lodge and chapter of the Ma- sonic order, and is also a Knight Templar. He has served as Senior Deacon and Junior Warden in the blue lodge, and at present is Junior War- den of the commandery.
William Lewis Hornbuckle, father of our sub-
ject, was born near Fulton, Mo., December 31, 1823. His father, Rufus, was a native of Ken- tucky, while his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Turner, came from Virginia. They were married in the Blue Grass State in 1820, and soon afterwards moved to Missouri, taking up their abode in Callaway County, where Mr. Hornbuckle engaged in farming and in teaching. At the age of sixteen years William L. came to this region with his parents, his father purchas- ing a farm, in 1839, in Hazle Hill Township. The boy received good training in various branches, and when about twenty years of age returned to Callaway County, where he attended an academy near Fulton. On his return home his friends persuaded him to take a school, and as his health was not robust enough for farming he taught un- til the beginning of the war. For the same rea- son he was not able to enter the service, and on being drafted his eldest son, Alexander, took his place in the Federal ranks. At the end of ten months the latter received an honorable discharge, and is now living in Jefferson City. After the usual occupations of life had been resumed at the close of the war, Mr. Hornbuckle resumed teaching, but as he was ultimately obliged to discontinue this, concluded to try an out-of-door life. His father helped him to get a start by giving him a tract of land comprising forty acres, and a broth- er also gave him a like amount. Later he en- tered some land from the Government, selling his original farm, and now owns two hundred acres in Hazle Hill Township, in the mean time having owned two or three different places.
In 1874 W. L. Hornbuckle was elected Pro- bate Judge, and served as such for twelve years. About 1855 he was honored with the position of Justice of the Peace, and acted in that capacity until the war. For one term he was Township Trustee, for six years was a member of the Board of Education, and has also been Treasurer of that body. In 1844 he cast his vote for Clay, and of late years he has been a Democrat. About 1866 he became identified with the Masonic order and has taken the chapter degree. During the '40S he joined the Baptist Church, and has held the office of Deacon for many years. His marriage,
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which was celebrated on New Year's Day, 1846, proved a fortunate step in his life, for his wife has been a faithful companion and helpmate, cheer- ing and assisting him in his struggles and diffi- culties.
J UDGE BURKARD J. RAUCK is a native of Germany, and is one of the most popular citizens of Sedalia. For about thirteen years he has been before the eye of the public as an official, and has uniformly given thorough satis- faction. In the discharge of his many and varied duties he has always kept the welfare of his fel- lows foremost, and has made a point of advanc- ing their interest in every possible way. In a number of the local fraternities he ranks high, and in his business and social relations has won the esteem of one and all.
Our subject's father, Dr. Adolph Rauck, was born in Thuringia, Germany, and was a graduate of a medical college. His death occurred in the Fatherland, where he had been engaged in prac- tice for many years. His wife, whose maiden name was Josephine Fleck, was also born in the Fatherland, and by her marriage became the mother of five sons and two daughters, only three of whom are living. The Judge, the youngest of the family, was born in Weimar, Germany, October 11, 1843, and was educated in the com- mon schools and in Fulda Seminary, completing the course and pursuing musical studies. He then served for two years in the Ninety-fourth Regiment of German Infantry, rising to the rank of Second Lieutenant.
It was in the spring of 1866 that Judge Rauck left Bremen with the intention of making his future home in America. From New York City he proceeded to New Orleans, and after teaching vocal and instrumental music for a year and a-half in that city went to St. Louis, where he remained for a time, teaching school and continuing his musical work. After six years spent as a mem- ber of the faculty of the Hermann (Mo. ) English
and German School, he resigned on account of poor health, having been given up as incurable by the doctors. In 1873 he returned to Europe, visiting the old home, and also spending some time at the famous baths at Kissingen, and came back to the United States at the end of seven months much benefited. Hoping to further im- prove, he engaged in farming in Osage County, Mo., until 1875. Then he resumed teaching in the public schools at California, Mo., and in July, 1876, came to this city, where he embarked in journal- ism. The Sedalia Journal, which was published in the German language, was an eight-column folio, ably edited and conducted. The Judge con- tinued its management until 1881, when he sold out, and in the spring of the following year was nominated and elected on the Democratic tick- et to the office of City Register, Record and Clerk (the duties of these several offices devolv- ing upon one person). In 1883 he was re-elected and served altogether for two years, after which he went to St. Louis and for seven months was collector for a bank. For a short time afterward he traveled for the Germania Insurance Company of New York City, but soon returned to his old home in Sedalia. In 1891 he was appointed City Clerk by the Council, and at the end of his year's term was nominated and elected City Recorder. While he held that position it was changed by the Legislature to Police Judge, and Mr. Rauck continued in the office until the spring of 1894.
October 28, 1869, our subject was married, in Morrison, to Hannah Clarey, who was born in Fredericksburg, Mo .; and whose father, Hiram Clarey, was a native of Fredericktown, Md. The grandfather, Henry, was a miller in Zanes- ville, Ohio, at an early day, and was of French descent. About 1840 when Hiram Clarey was a young man, he moved to Gasconade County, Mo., and there engaged in farming. He was a member of the Home Guards at one time, and was identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. His death occurred in January, 1888, when he had attained the ripe old age of seventy- eight years. His wife, Jeanette (Dodds) Clarey, was born in Franklin County, Mo., and died in Morrison, aged fifty-four years. Of her six chil-
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dren, only one daughter, Hannah, survives. William Dodds, who was born in South Carolina, was a pioneer in Kentucky, and afterwards in Gasconade County. The Indians were so trouble- some that he was forced to move to Franklin County, Mo.
Judge Rauck is a past officer of Eintracht Lodge No. 176, A. O. U. W .; belongs to the Se- lect Knights, and is Vice-Commander and Re- corder of the Woodmen of the World, besides be- ing identified with the National Reserves and the Order of Mutual Protection. His family are members of the Broadway Presbyterian Church.
LBERT NATHAN is the proprietor of a clothing and gentlemen's furnishing goods store in Warrensburg, where he keeps a full line of ready-made suits, hats, caps, etc., and commands a large and increasing trade. He deserves great credit for the success which he has achieved, for he landed on the shores of the New World a few years since a stranger, unacquainted with the country and language, and possessing only a few dollars. Though he met with many difficulties in his upward struggle, he was indus- trious and not easily discouraged, and in time met with prosperity.
Mr. Nathan was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1848, his parents being Joseph and Sarah Na- than. The paternal grandfather bore the name of Nathan Nathan, and the eldest brother of our subject was so named in his honor. All of the brothers and sisters emigrated to the United States, and are now located in various parts of the country. The parents, however, never left their native land. The father survived until 1893, dying at the good old age of seventy-nine years.
In his early years Albert Nathan had meager school advantages, for as soon as possible he was obliged to make his own livelihood. In his youth
he learned the butcher's business and also bought and sold cattle for his employers. Believing that the New World afforded better opportunities for a young man of energy and good business abil- ity, he bade good-bye to his old home and friends in 1866. After arriving at New York City, he at once proceeded to Chicago, in which city he dwelt about two years. Not knowing what was best for him to do, he went to a merchant, and after telling him the situation, took a small sup- ply of goods and started out as a peddler. In this way he managed to make a comfortable liv- ing, and at length obtained a place as a clerk in a retail clothing store, where he remained for a few years. In1 1886 he went to Ipswich, S. Dak., and embarked in business for himself as a retail clothier. Five years later he sold out and moved to Warrensburg, where he has built up a good trade.
While a resident of the Garden City, Mr. Na- than was married, June 13, 1879, to Annie Brodia, who was born while her parents were on the ocean en route for America. Mr. and Mrs. Na- than have two children, a son and daughter, both born in Chicago, Charles, January 10, 1881, and Sadie September 29, 1883. Mr. Nathan was brought up in the faith of the Hebrew Church, and meets with the congregation twice a year. Soon after reaching Chicago he took out his naturalization' papers, and has since been a sup- porter of the Democratic party. He is kind, and often lends a helping hand to the poor and needy, for he has a vivid recollection of the days when he would have been glad of friendly aid. At Ipswich he became a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and on his removal here was transferred to the local lodge.
AMES J. WRIGHT, a merchant of Latour, Johnson County, is a native of this county, having been born in Chilhowee Township, September 10, 1842. His parents were George D. and Elizabeth P. (Cull) Wright, the former
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of whom was born in Virginia, whence he came with his widowed mother to this state when young. They located near Lexington, where Mrs. Wright was married to a man by the name of Cully.
George D. Wright was reared to farm work, and when his services were not needed at home attended the district school, thus gaining a fair knowledge of the common branches taught. He was married in this county to Miss Cull, and be- came the owner of a good tract of land in Chil- howee Township, where he was living at the time of his decease, in September, 1873. The mother of our subject lived until October 12, 1882, passing away in Butler, Bates County, this state. Three of the eight children born to her died in infancy, and Richard P. passed away at the age of nineteen years.
The subject of this sketch was given fair op- portunities for attending the common schools, and in 1862, one year prior to attaining his ma- jority, enlisted in Company D, Sixteenth Mis- souri Infantry. He was ordered to the front with his regiment, and in the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., which followed, he was wounded in the left leg, below the knee. He was laid up in the hospital for some time, and when partially re- covered was honorably discharged. Mr. Wright then made his way to Texas, and until 1866 was engaged in working by the month for a stock- man. On his return home he brought with him a Texas pony, which, together with a horse in this county, included all his possessions.
In 1867 our subject and his brother, John Wes- ley, purchased a small stock of general merchan- dise at Chilhowee, where they were located for about two years. Subsequently they moved their stock to Warrensburg, and later operated together at Holden for two or three years.
While in the latter place, Mr. Wright was married, October 12, 1876, to Miss Minnie, daugh- ter of H. J. and S. C. (Hults) Bates, a sketch of whom will appear on another page of this work. She was born in Burlington, Kan., May 2, 1858, and was educated in Holden. From that place she removed with her husband to Columbus, Mo., in 1881, where for three years he carried on
a thriving trade as a general merchant. He after- ward lived in Norris, Henry County, where he was located for about eight years, and in 1892 came to Latour, buying Mr. Plain's store. In addition to carrying on his business, he fills the office of Postmaster, to which he was appointed in July, 1893, and while in Holden he also filled that position for six years. In politics he is, a straightforward Democrat, as was his father be- fore him.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wright there have been born three children. Edgar P. was born September 8, 1877; Clarence Leslie, July 7, 1883; and Har- old B., February 19, 1891.
OHN R. SHEETS is the owner of a good farm of one hundred and thirty-six acres, lo- cated on section 8, township 45, range 28, Johnson County. He came to this region in the spring of 1867, and after renting land for some time, managed by industry and perseverance to lay up some money, and in time to purchase and make improvements on the homestead. At first he made slow progress and sometimes was almost discouraged, but he continued to hope and work, and at last won success.
Mr. Sheets is a native of Bedford Township, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, his birth occurring August 27, 1835. The great-grandfather, Yost Sheets, was born in Germany, and emigrated to the United States when a young man. The grandfather, George Sheets, emigrated from New Jersey to the Buckeye State in very early times, settling in Columbiana County. He followed the sea for a few years and was a soldier in the War of 1812. After clearing a farm in Cuyahoga County, he lived there until his death. Clement Sheets, the father of John R., was born in Col- umbiana County, Ohio, in 1813, and with his wife, whose birth occurred the previous Septem- ber, he is still living, their home being in Cleve-
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land, Ohio. They became the parents of eight children, all but two of whom are yet living. One of them, William, resides in Eaton County, Mich., and the others dwell in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Clement Sheets began his independent career on a tract of wild land, and his sons were put to work as soon as able to be of assistance. His wife, who was a faithful companion and help- mate to him in his struggles and difficulties, bore the maiden name of Mary Rinear.
When he was about thirteen years of age, John R. Sheets took his place at the plow, and in win- ter engaged in logging. He received only mea- ger school advantages, and continued to help his father until he was twenty-three years of age. In September, 1864, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Ohio Infantry, and served until the close of the war, being in the Army of the Cumberland. He took part in a number of skirmishes, and was mustered out June 24, 1865, at Greensboro, N. C. After the sur- render of Johnston's army he participated in the review at Raleigh, N. C.
November 17, 1859, Mr. Sheets married Jane A. Lockwood, of Bedford, Ohio, and a native of Saratoga County, N. Y., born April 25, 1837, to Alanson I. and Phœbe (Watkins) Lockwood. For eight years the young couple lived in Ohio, Mr. Sheets working in a chair factory, and by degrees he increased his bank account. One child was born to them while they were residents of Bedford Township, Adell, who died when in her nineteenth year, January 29, 1880.
For some time after coming to this portion of Missouri, Mr. Sheets was not very successful, and thought he would not like to remain here perma- nently, but has changed his opinion. His first purchase was a tract of forty acres, on which he erected a small box house. In 1877 he added forty acres more to his original farm, and in 1892 purchased an additional tract of fifty-six acres. He now has a good dwelling house, two large barns and two orchards. In 1856 he cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont, and has usually supported Republican candidates since that time. His father was an old-line Whig, and after the formation of the Republican party be-
came one of its stalwart defenders. For thirty- five years Mr. Sheets has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his wife has been identified with the denomination since she was thirteen years of age. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
OHN L. GOLD. This pleasant and accom- modating gentleman has held the responsible position of foreman of the freight-repair shops of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad in Se- dalia for many years. He was born in Hocking County, Ohio, July 23, 1850, and is the son of John Gold, whose birth occurred on the banks of the Schuylkill River, in Pennsylvania, in 1812. He was a tanner by trade, and many years ago located in Hocking County, Ohio, whence he later removed to Vinton County, that state, and engaged in the nursery business. During the later years of his life he was a resident of Indi- anapolis, where he lived retired for many years, and where also his death occurred.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Hannah Barnhart. She, too, was a Pennsylva- nian by birth, and was taken to Ohio by her par- ents when young. They were among the first to locate in Fairfield County, where Mr. Barnhart plied his trade of a millwright. She became the mother of eleven children, and died in Vinton County, that state.
Our subject attended school in his native coun- ty until a lad of twelve years, when the family re- moved to Vinton County, where his education was completed. Upon attaining his eighteenth year he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade, and in 1877 became car-builder for the Maryland & Cincinnati Road at Zaleski, Ohio. Four years later he came to Missouri, and, locat- ing at Sedalia, found work in the car-repair shops. His value as an executive was soon recognized by
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those over him, and two years later he was made foreman of a force of from twenty to thirty men. He now has charge of the freight-repair depart- ment, having held this position for the past twelve years.
Mr. Gold was married in Vinton County, Ohio, in 1871, to Miss Sarah A., daughter of C. B. Pilcher, a native of that portion of the state. To them four children have been born: Van Rensse- laer, who is also employed in the car shops in this city; and Linnie M., Burcie and Joseph S. The family occupy a pleasant residence at No. 417 Twenty-seventh Street. Mrs. Gold is a member in excellent standing of the Christian Church, and although our subject is not connected with any religious organization, he gives liberally of his means toward the support of all worthy causes. Socially he is a Modern Woodman, and is a stanch Democrat in politics, taking an active part in pub- lic affairs.
AMES P. SELSOR. Though his residence in Lamonte covers a period of comparative- ly few years only, Mr. Selsor has already be- come well and favorably known to the people of the locality, and as a business man he has estab- lished a reputation second to none for sound in- tegrity, fair dealing and the intelligent manage- ment of his affairs. He has a large establishment here, well stocked with a modern and varied as- sortment of furniture, wall paper, carpets and window shades. In addition thereto, he is en- gaged in the undertaking business.
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