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 59
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 59
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Our subject is a native of this county, and was born in Chilhowee Township, August 18, 1869. His parents were Rich H. and Nancy A. (Hughes) Howerton, of whom a full history will appear on another page in this volume. Their son, our subject, attended the common schools until attaining his eighteenth year, when he went to Boonville and became a student in Kem- per's Family School, remaining in that institution
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for two years. The following twelve months were spent in farming on his own account, after which he engaged in the grocery business at Blairstown, in partnership with his brother-in- law, W. R. Finley. This continued for three years, when Mr. Howerton carried on the busi- ness one year alone. While in the latter place he was married, March 2, 1892, to Miss Delilah Jimmison Farnsworth, who was born in Rose Hill Township, this county, February 27, 1875. Her parents were B. J. and Rebecca E. Faris- worth, natives of Tennessee and Missouri, respect- ively, but both are now deceased.
Mrs. Howerton, who is a well educated lady, carried on her studies at El Dorado Springs, this state, and for two years was a student in the schools at Warrensburg. In 1893 our subject disposed of his grocery business and began farm- ing, having in the mean time purchased his pres- ent place of eighty acres. The tract which he operates for his father adjoins his place, while his wife's farm is located in Rose Hill Township. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hower- ton, Nina, her birth occurring February 11, 1894.
In politics the original of this sketch is a Dem- ocrat. Socially he stands high in the Odd Fel- lows' lodge, with which he has been connected since attaining his majority. He has filled nearly all the chairs in Laurel Lodge No. 402, at Blairs- town, and is at present Noble Grand. By those who are well acquainted with him, Mr. Howerton is held to be a man of sterling worth and strict integrity
G. CRAWFORD, M. D., who is successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Sedalia, Mo., is a physician of prominence, one whose skill and ability have won him a foremost place in the ranks of the medic- al fraternity. He was born in Hartford, Ohio County, Ky., July 27, 1842, and is a son of Hugh C. Crawford, who was born in Bardstown, Ky. The grandfather, Hugh Crawford, was a native of
Virginia, and was of English and Scotch descent. He served in the Revolutionary War, and was with Washington during the ever memorable winter at Valley Forge. In the Old Dominion he was married, in 1788, to Jane Gray, and soon afterward removed to Kentucky, becoming one of the first settlers of the state. He located at Bards- town, Nelson County, on Wilson Creek, and aided in the erection of the first court house in the state. Subsequently he removed to Ohio Coun- ty, where he died in 1848, at the age of eighty-two years. He was an old-school Presbyterian.
The Doctor's father was reared on the old home farm, and in 1828 married Rebecca Foreman, who was born in Nelson County, as was her father, Thomas Foreman. Her grandfather, Abraham Foreman, was born in Madison County, Va., and in that state was married. He, too, was one of the heroes of the Revolution and later, traveling over · the mountains, became one of the pioneer settlers of Kentucky. He kept a hotel and stage station on the turnpike, was the owner of three mills, four farins, inany slaves, and was a very success- ful man. Thomas Foreman was a soldier in the War of 1812, and served as Lieutenant at the bat- tle of New Orleans. He engaged extensively in milling and farming, and died in Kentucky at the age of sixty-two. The Foreman family was of English lineage. In 1833 Hugh C. Crawford re- moved with his family to Hartford, Ohio County, where he carried on farming on an extensive scale and also built and operated a distillery on Hall's Creek. On the 10th of March, 1850, he removed to Grayson County, where he carried on agricult- ural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1875, at the age of sixty-five years, five months and twenty-nine days. In politics he was a Dem- ocrat, and in his younger years was Captain of the State Militia. His wife died May 15, 1880, at the age of sixty-five years and six months.
The Doctor was the eighth in order of birth in a family of four sons and five daughters, of whom two sons and three daughters are yet living. He attended the public schools of Hartford and spent the greater part of his childhood and youth upon the farm. With the blood of Revolutionary fore- fathers flowing in his veins, it is not strange that
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the young man of nineteen, on the breaking out of the Civil War, was roused by a spirit of patriot- ism and enlisted in the service, becoming a mem- ber of Company C, Forty-fifth Kentucky State Militia, of which he was elected Second Lieuten- ant. He soon after volunteered in the regular service, and July 22, 1863, was made United States Marshal of Leitchfield, Grayson County, and stationed at Camp Calloway, with the rank of Captain. On the 9th of November, 1863, he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the Forty-fifth Kentucky State Militia by Governor Thomas E. Bramlette, and remained at that camp until the spring of 1864, when he was sent to Louisville, where he continued until the close of the war, at which time he was mustered out.
During the succeeding year Dr. Crawford en- gaged in merchandising in Ohio County, and then returned to the old homestead, where he carried on farming and also bought and shipped tobacco. He was also interested in the lumber business un- til 1872, when he took up the study of medicine, to which his tastes had always inclined. He had read medicine to some extent in his youth, but later entered the medical department of the Col- lege of Kentucky at Louisville. Subsequently he engaged in practice for a time, but later again re- turned to college, and finally opened an office in Hardin, Ky. In 1879 he resumed his studies in the Kentucky Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1880 with the degree of M. D., at the same time graduating in chemistry. Lo- cating in Russellville, Mo., he there practiced for four months, after which he removed to Syracuse, Morgan County, this state, where he continued for two years. In 1884 he located in Smithton, where he practiced until July 2, 1888, the date of his arrival in Sedalia.
The Doctor was married in Grayson County, Ky., in 1862, to Miss Sultana Stinson, a native of that state, and a daughter of Col. William Stin- son, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, and removed from South Carolina to Kentucky, where he was extensively engaged in farming. The Doctor and Mrs. Crawford have three children: Mrs. Mary R. Carpenter, of Syracuse, Mo .; Alice and Ada, at home.
The Doctor, takes considerable interest in civic societies, belonging to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of the Maccabees, Woodmen of the World, Select Knights of Ohio, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and was a member of the Independent Order of Good Tem- plars while living in his native state. He has filled various offices in these organizations, being an honored and esteemed member. In politics lie is a Republican, and his duties of citizenship are discharged with the same loyalty which he mani- fested when he gave his services for the cause of the Union. In connection with his profession he belongs to the Kentucky Alumni Association and the Missouri State Pharmaceutical Association.
OHN S. WOODS. In every locality reside those who have successfully accomplished their life work and have earned a season of rest. This is the case with Mr. Woods, who is now over seventy-five years of age: He has been before the public as Assessor of Pettis County, to which position he was elected in 1886, on the Republican ticket. He is now living in Cedar Township, on a fine estate which he has operated for the past ten years.
A native of Pennsylvania, our subject was born in Cumberland County, July 1, 1819. There his father, Joseph Woods, was a well-to-do farmer. The latter was also a Pennsylvanian by birth, as was likewise the mother, whose maiden name was Agnes Crosson. In the year 1828 Joseph Woods, with his family, left the old homestead and moved to Richland County, Ohio, locating on land near Lexington. There he prosecuted his chosen vo- cation, but his life was cut short in the spring of 1844, when he was ont working on his estate, be- ing killed by a falling tree. His widow died near
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Bellevue, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Sarah J. Bell, at the remarkable age of ninety- five years.
John S. remained an inmate of the parental household until the time of his marriage, which important event was solemnized April 23, 1844, at the home of his bride, Miss Sarah Ann Bowles, near Bellevue, Ohio, near which place he owned a good farm. Soon after establishing a home of his own he engaged in the stock business on his own account, but four years later he removed from that locality to Erie County, Ohio. There he continued his operations for fourteen years, or until the spring of 1865, when he sold his property and went to Dubuque County, Iowa. There he became interested in the stock business and lived for two years. In the fall of 1867 lie sold out his stock farin, and coming to Pettis County engaged in the dairy business, follow- ing this branch of agriculture for some ten years. During this decade, however, he was raising stock in large quantities, making a specialty of Merino sheep. He later on disposed of his farın, and in the fall of 1886 was elected Assessor of Pettis County, on the Republican ticket. He filled the position acceptably for one term, but during the next campaign was defeated by his Democratic opponent. After returning to private life he again took up stock-raising and now oper- ates one of the finest farms in Cedar Township. It is well adapted to the purpose for which it is used, and is conveniently located four miles north of Sedalia.
Mrs. Sarah Ann Woods, who was born Au- gust 12, 1826, was the daughter of Nathaniel Bowles, who was born in one of the New England States, and who died at the home of our subject. Mrs. Woods, who died of heart disease May 8, 1 894, was a devoted member of the Congregational Church for nearly half a century, and the good which this kind woman accomplished in her neighborhood is incalculable. By her union with our subject there were born nine children, seven of whom are living at the present time. They are Porter B .; Harriet E., the wife of William Griggs; Sarah A., now Mrs. George Gaskell; Maria L., the wife of Cook Duncan; Martha E.,
the wife of Nathan G. Norton; John M. and Fred B., all of whom are now living in this county. One son and one daughter died in infancy. Mr. Woods, besides filling the office of County Assess- or, has held many other offices of honor and trust, and is very prominent in local politics. He is a member of the First Congregational Church at Sedalia, in the work of which he is greatly in- terested, and is also an active Sunday-school worker.
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HARLES LEONIDAS CARTER, M. D., is one of the influential citizens of Warrens- burg, and been retired from practice, except office and consultation practice, for the past four years on account of poor health. From time to time in his career he has contributed notable and brilliant articles on medical science, and on liter- ary and scientific subjects. For some four years he was a regular contributor to the "Phrenolog- ical Journal," published in New York. He has also written for the "Free-thinkers' Magazine," of Chicago, and for a year was editor of the St. Louis Clinical Record. The last-named position was held while he was living at Holden, Mo., and on account of the inconvenience occasioned thereby he found it best to resign. In 1866 he wrote a work on pathology, which has received general commendation from the medical fraternity and is now in its second edition. It has been much used as a textbook, and is remarkable for its clearness, conciseness and beauty of language.
Dr. Carter was born at Smith's Crossroads (now Dayton), Tenn., March 1, 1832, and is a son of William and Ruth (McFarland) Carter. His grandfather, James Carter, was of English ancestry and a native of Virginia. Mrs. Ruth Carter was of Scotch origin, her birth having oc- curred in Scotland in 1808, and witli her parents she came to America in girlhood. She was a rel- ative of the Calhoun family, which is noted in the history of this country. Her early years were passed in Abbeville, S. C., and later she moved
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to Tennessee, where she was married at the age of eighteen years. William Carter bought and sold horses and mules extensively, and though his father had formerly been in very affluent cir- cumstances his estate went to pay security debts, and thus he was obliged to start anew. William Carter moved to Bradley County, Tenn., where he was elected Sheriff, and where he died soon afterward, in the fall of 1836. One of his depu- ties was appointed administrator of the estate and appropriated everything he could lay his hands on.
On account of the circumstances just ment- tioned, Dr. Carter and other members of the fam- ily were left comparatively destitute. When he was in his nineteenth year he moved to Cass County, Mo., there obtaining a position as assist- ant to the County Assessor. From the time he was nine years of age he had been obliged to earn whatever he could, and thus did not have much opportunity to gain an education. He was a natural student and always took his books with him wherever he went, in order to employ his spare moments. For three years he taught school at Pleasant Hill and then for two years more was thus engaged in other places. He was but four- teen years of age when he formed a resolution to become a physician, and studied medical works with that end in view. In 1857 he entered the St. Louis Medical College, and after passing a successful examination began practicing at Pleas- ant Hill. In 1859 he moved to Holden, a town which had just been laid out, and in 1862 re- ceived a diploma for post-graduate work at the St. Louis Medical College. In April, 1863, he was made Assistant Surgeon of the Sixth Mis- souri State Militia, after passing the army exanı- ination twenty-four points higher than the regu- lation required. In nine months he was pro- moted and put in charge of Branch B of Clay General Hospital at Louisville, Ky., and a short time afterwards was called to the front and put in charge of the sick and wounded of the Seven- teenth Army Corps at Marietta, Ga. When At- lanta fell he went there, his services being in great demand, and finally, in November, 1864, he resigned on account of failing health, and re- turned to Holden. October 4, 1863, while with
the cavalry at Neosho, Mo., he was captured and held until the next morning, in the mean while treating the enemy's wounded men.
From 1867 until 1888 the Doctor practiced un- interruptedly at Holden, when, in order to have a much needed rest, he went to El Dorado Springs. While there he was placed on the Board of Pension Examiners and officiated as such dur- ing the three years of his stay at that point. He was married, February 24, 1875, to Virginia Haynes, of Holden. The latter was born in this county in February, 1853, and is a daughter of James and Anna Haynes, of Tennessee, descend- ants of old Carolina families. The Doctor's only son, Charles, was born in Holden May 7, 1876, and the daughter, Cora Lee, a native of the same place, was born September 27, 1877.
Reared in the faith of the Democracy, Dr. Car- ter cast his first ballot for Franklin Pierce, and though a strong Union man during the war ad- hered to the Democracy until 1876, since which time he has been a Republican. He has never been desirous of public office, but in 1882 was nominated for the Legislature. Although he had no expectation of being elected, he cut down a usual majority of four hundred to one hundred and eighty-three votes. Socially he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a Mason of the Knight- Templar degree. Religiously he is a Free-thinker, being notably honorable, truthful and temperate, and is devoted to home, humanity and science. .
ON. WILLIAM D. STEELE, who is said to be the best posted and most successful criminal attorney-at-law in Pettis County, was honored by being elected to serve as a Rep- resentative from the Sedalia District in 1884 in the State Legislature, on the Democratic ticket, and was made Chairman of the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence. He has always been
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one of the strongest supporters of Sedalia enter- prises, and made a sturdy fight to have the capi- tol removed to this city, only lacking three votes of having the measure pass the House at that time.
Mr. Steele was born in Windsor, this county, April 24, 1855, being a son of William Steele and grandson of Robert M. Steele. The latter was born 111 Charleston, Kanawha County, Va., and was the owner of large salt works, shipping the products of his mine down the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers to Cincinnati. He died in the faith of the Presbyterian Church at a good old age. His father, Richard Steele, of English descent, was born in Richmond, Va. William Steele, who, like his father, was a native of Charleston, Va., was educated in the college at Marietta, Ohio, from which he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Subsequently he studied law and was admitted to the Bar in Missouri. He commenced practice in St. Clair County, Mo., afterwards moved to Henry County, and died in Windsor, Mo., October 7, 1872, aged fifty-four years. His wife, Frances E., was born in Mor- ganfield, Ky., and was a daughter of Dr. Fortun- atus F. Du Laney, who was a graduate in medi- cine and practiced in Kentucky. He was of Eng- lish descent, and was a faithful member of the church to which his wife belongs. The latter is now living with her daughter. Mrs. Du Laney was a daughter of Capt. William Bayliss, who was born in Virginia, and who won his title in the Revolutionary War. Under General Wash- ington he fought at the siege of Yorktown, wit- nessing the surrender of Cornwallis, and during the service was wounded several times. Later in life he became a resident of Morganfield, Ky., where he was an early settler. Mrs. Steele, who was an only child, was only twelve years of age when she was left an orphan. She was reared by her grandfather, Captain Bayliss, who lived to attain the good old age of eighty-five years. Mrs. Steele resided in Windsor until 1879, when she came to Sedalia.
In his youth our subject read law with Gen. B. G. Boone, ex-Attorney-General of Missouri, and was admitted to the Bar in Clinton, Mo., after studying in the St. Louis law department of
Washington University. Coming to Sedalia, he opened an office for practice, and has met with gratifying success. November 28, 1894, he was united in marriage in this city with Helen Gallie, one of Sedalia's most accomplished daughters. She received her education in the Wesleyan Col- lege and afterwards attended Bartholomew School of Music in Cincinnati. Her father, John B. Gallie, is a well known citizen of Sedalia.
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AMES GILMER ATKINS is one of the early settlers of Johnson County, having ar- rived here in 1852. His first stopping-place was in Chilhowee Township, near the farm now owned by Mr. Carrington, and in the fall of the next year he entered eighty acres of land where his house now stands, and where he has since re- sided. His homestead is situated on section 6, township 44, range 27, and is considered one of the best in this portion of the county. The old log cabin of former days has been supplanted by a comfortable residence, and many other improve- ments, costing much time and money, have in- creased the desirability of the farm.
A native of Darke County, Ky., born Septem- ber 22, 1828, our subject is a son of Jackson and Esther (Gilmer) Atkins, whose family comprised six children. The former's father was a native of Virginia, but had moved to central Tennessee before the War of 1812 and was drafted for the service; but Jackson Atkins, who was then about seventeen years of age, went instead and fought valiantly at the battle of New Orleans. Return- ing home, he remained there for a few years, but afterwards went to Kentucky, where he married one of her fair daughters, a Miss Patterson, by whom he had two children, who with their mother have long since passed away. Grand- father Atkins died in Montgomery County, Tenn., and our subject's father departed this life in Darke County, Ky., about 1847. His plantation was used for raising corn and tobacco principally, and
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numbered some three hundred acres. The owner had no slaves, with the exception of one woman, but when he needed help in the farm work hired those belonging to his neighbors.
On the farm in Kentucky the boyhood of our subject was passed pleasantly, his education be- ing obtained in the old-fashioned schoolhouse of the day. On reaching man's estate he married Elizabeth Elliott, the ceremony being performed July 28, 1850. The lady was born November 21, 1832, in Darke County, Ky., her parents being Capt. George C. and Patty (Hughes) Elliott. The fall after their marriage the young couple left Kentucky, and with a team and wagon drove to Missouri. For a short time they resided in Mon- iteau County, where Mr. Atkins raised a crop in the summer of 1851, and in March, 1852, they proceeded onward to this county. Soon after en- tering his homestead in the fall of 1853, Mr. At- kins had ten acres planted in corn and wheat, spending his spare time in preparing material for a double hewn-log house, which he finally put up in the fall of 1854. For that period the house was a very comfortable one, and at one end there was an immense chimney, constructed of stone. In the fall of 1860 Mr. Atkins erected a part of his present dwelling, which he afterward enlarged. From time to time, as he could spare the money, he entered more land, until his broad fields now number some five hundred acres.
During the Civil War Mr. Atkins did not take any part in the struggle, though his sympathies were with the South. Aside from having three or four horses confiscated, and a few slaves freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, he suffered no losses, his property being left alone. For three generations bis ancestors were adherents of the Democracy, and his first ballot was cast for Pierce in 1852. In 1860 he voted for Bell and Everett, since which time he has voted the straight Dem- ocratic ticket.
Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Atkins. Patty J., born February 17, 1854, in Rose Hill Township, married Richard M. Raker, by whom she has eight children, and is a resident of this vicinity. George W., born September 12, 1855, and a resident of this township, is married
and has three children. William Jackson, born September 3, 1857, died November 7, 1884, leav- ing a wife and three children. James Carey, born December 26, 1859, and a resident of Chil- howee Township, is married and has one child. Robert Oliver, born February 22, 1862, is the fa- ther of four children and is now living in Henry County, this state. Charles C., born April 7, 1864, and a resident of Rose Hill Township, is married and has one child. Richard T., born March 27, 1866, is married and has one child. Sallie S., born December 7, 1868, and the wife of Benjamin Gill, makes her home in this locality. John H., whose birth occurred January 24, 1870, has a wife and two children. Samuel E., born March 18, 1872, married Maude J. Wall February 13, 1895; and Porter H. was born September 15, 1875. With the exception of the eldest, they are all natives of Chilhowee Township. For many years Mr. Atkins and his household have been members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and for a long period the former has served as an Elder in the congregation. He is beloved and respected by a large circle of friends and acquaint- ances, and his upright and honorable life is above reproach. .
LBERT F. HAMILTON. Among the na- tive sons of Jolinson County is this worthy
- gentleman, who owns a valuable farm on section 28, township 46, range 28. It is consid- ered one of the best tracts of land in the county and comprises fifty acres. The owner may be called a self-made man, for although he has pos- session of the old homestead, his present degree of prosperity has been reached mainly through his own exertions and unremitting toil.
A. B. Hamilton, the father of our subject, was born in middle Tennessee, whence he made the journey to this state in a wagon in the spring of 1837, in company with his brother-in-law. He made it his first duty to enter a tract of land from the Government, and then, going to Lexington,
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