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 60
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 60
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
489
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
worked there until the fall of the year, when he erected a rude log cabin on his four hundred acres and began the arduous task of clearing off the timber and preparing the primeval soil for cultivation. Success attended his efforts from the first, and to the management of this property he devoted himself energetically during the remain- der of his life. The land was well adapted for raising grain of all kinds, and in return for the labor and care which he bestowed upon it Mr. Hamilton reaped a handsome sum in addition to the living expenses of the family. He was a strong, robust man, and at the time of settling here was one of the first farmers to make his home on the side of Blackwater Creek. He departed this life September 18, 1878, aged seventy years.
Mrs. Elizabeth (Alexander) Hamilton, the mother of our subject, was also born in Tennes- see, and was reared to mature years in Sumner County. She died in 1854, at the age of forty years. Her marriage with Mr. Hamilton result- ed in the birth of eleven children. Martha and Robert reside in Johnson County; Mary, James, Stokley and Amanda are deceased; Elizabeth is the wife of S. F. Davidson, and makes her home in Hickory County, this state; William M. is a resident of Warrensburg; David E. is deceased; Azell B. makes his home in Merced County, Cal .; and Albert, of this sketch, was the youngest of the household. The parents of this family were members in good standing of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
The original of this sketch was born in John- son County, December 10, 1853. His education was obtained in the common schools, but he never neglected an opportunity for advancing himself in knowledge of a practical nature, and is conse- quently well informed on the general topics of the day. When twenty-two years of age he went west to Merced County, Cal., and there spent eight years in farming. In the fall of 1884 he returned home and engaged in agricultural pur- suits in Johnson County for three years, at the end of which time we again find him in the Gold- en State, this time working as a carpenter in Fresno County. He had never served an ap- prenticeship at this trade, but, being apt in the
use of tools, found no difficulty in obtaining em- ployment. While there he also farmed to some extent, and January 4, 1895, he returned home again, intending to make this section his perma- nent place of residence.
Albert F. Hamilton was married, in 1876, to Mary J. Sage, a native of Iowa, and the daugh- ter of John A. and Amanda (Molke) Sage. Her father, who was a farmer, died some years ago, while the mother is still living in California. She reared a family of six children.
Mrs. Hamilton accompanied her husband on his various removals to and from California, and al- though the journey was oftentimes wearisome, she enjoyed seeing the beautiful country through which they passed. They are bothi content, how- ever, to pass the remaining years of their life in Johnson County. Their three children bear the respective names of Edwin, Alberta and Mabel. Viola is deceased. Our subject is a Democrat in politics, and socially belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He is a devoted member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in the faith of which he was trained by his honored parents.
OHN W. CLUTTER, who for the past six years has been a resident of a good farm on section 27, township 44, range 27, Johnson County, is one of the substantial farmers and stock-raisers of this community. He inherited qualities of industry and perseverance, and in whatever he has undertaken has succeeded.
Mr. Clutter was born in McLean County, Ill., February 13, 1859, to Isaac J. and Mary A. (Rosencrans) Clutter, the former of whom was born in Ohio. After making his home in the Prairie State for a number of years, he went to Marion County, Ohio, where his decease occurred about 1881. His good wife, who is still living there, was born in 1830. She became the mother
490
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of five children, of whom her eldest son, Alfred Ezra, lives in Marion County, Ohio; David Frank- lin is a resident of McLean County, Ill .; James Oscar is also living in that portion of the state; and Charles Sanford is living upon a good farm in Marion County, Ohio.
The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm in McLean County, Ill., and at the time of the removal of the family to Marion County he went with them and remained an in- mate of the household until attaining his twentieth year. He then began to do for himself, his father having given him his time and a horse. He first secured the rental of a suitable piece of property, and so well did he succeed in this venture that at the end of three years he possessed $500 clear.
Mr. Clutter and Miss Flora J. Quay were married March 22, 1882, and continued to make their home on rented property in the Buckeye State until 1886, when they concluded to try their fortunes in Johnson County, this state. On com- ing hither Mr. Clutter had in his possession about $3,000 in cash, including the amount received from the sale of his wife's property. This he in- vested in one hundred and twenty-one and one- half acres of land, paying cash for the greater amount of it. He lived on this place two years, when he came to his present home. Although not so large a farm, it is well tilled and fertile, and by the admirable manner in which it is improved, is made to yield a good increase.
Mrs. Clutter was born in Marion County, Ohio, October 2, 1863, to Joseph F. and Mary J. (Walton) Quay. She was deprived of the care of her mother when she was very young, and was then taken into the home of lier grandparents. When she reached the age of eleven years her grandmother died, after which she lived with an aunt, Mrs. Lovina Robinson, until two years previous to her marriage. Her father is still liv- ing, making his home in Morrow County.
The five children who have come to bless the union of our subject and his wife are Mamie Belle, born July 1, 1883; Maude Lovina, Septem- ber 25, 1885 ; Lewis Fern, January 26, 1889; Ethel J., July 18, 1892; and Galen Ondo, January 10, 1895. Mr. Clutter is a straightforward Dem-
ocrat in politics, having voted for the candidates of that party since 1880. Although reared in the faith of the Christian Church, he is now identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church South, to which his wife also belongs. They occupy a high place in the friendship and good-will of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
.
OHN W. SPENCE owns and carries on the farm known as the Captain Peake Place, one mile south of Center View, Johnson County. He first purchased one hundred and sixty-five acres, to which he has twice added more land, un- til his farm now comprises within its boundaries some two hundred and five acres. Mr. Spence is a School Director of his district, and is always interested in educational affairs.
A son of James Hamilton and Roxanna (Kens- ler) Spence, our subject was born in Madison County, Ill., August 11, 1852. His father was a native of the Buckeye State, while the mother was a Virginian by birth. The parents moved to Illi- nois when young, and were there married. They continued to make their home in the Prairie State until 1881, when they moved to this county. The mother died when about seventy-one years of age, in 1887. The father, who is now seventy years old, and a resident of Warrensburg, married Miss Mary Brown after the death of his first wife.
Of the four children born to James and Rox- anna Spence, our subject and his sister Catherine (who is the wife of Philip Braden) are the only survivors. Mr. and Mrs. Braden are residents of Madison County, Il1. John W. Spence attended school during his boyhood and youth, when not employed on his father's farm. About 1874 he engaged in farming on his own account in his na- tive county, and continued to dwell there for the next seven years. In 1881 he moved to this county, where he is now well known as a success- ful and practical business man and farmer.
February 6, 1873, a marriage ceremony united
RESIDENCE AND STOCK FARM OF J. W. SPENCE, SECTION 1, TOWNSHIP 45, RANGE 27, JOHNSON COUNTY, MO.
H
493
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the fortunes of Mr. Spence and Laura Matthews, who was born in Bond County, Il1., in 1859. She is a daughter of Solomon and Abigail Matth- ews, old settlers in the Prairie State. To Mr. and Mrs. Spence were born eleven children: John H., Roxie Abigail, William J., Charles S. (who died in childhood), James Andrew, Edgar Wil- so11, Gentry Baker, Laura Eveline, Lucinda Eth- el, Irene Adelaide and Jesse J.
Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Spence are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The former is Trustee of Lodge No. 359, A. O. U. W., and in politics was a Republican.
HOMAS B. ALBIN. The career of this gentleman has been marked by enterprise and industry, and his well directed efforts have been rewarded by the accumulation of a large amount of land and the machinery and stock necessary to carry on a first-class farm. He is one of those citizens of whom we have reason to be proud on account of the example they pre- sent of industry, morality and good citizenship. His estate lies on section 2, township 44, range 27, Johnson County.
Mr. Albin was born in Noble County, Ohio, November 28, 1849, to James and Julia A. (Cramblitt) Albin. The father was born Jan11- ary 15, 1821, in Morgan County, Ohio, and de- parted this life in Ross County, that state, April 12, 1895. He was married, March 8, 1849, to Miss Cramblitt, whose birth occurred in 1831, in Guernsey County, that state. They continued to make their home in Noble County until after the birth of our subject, and when he was an infant of six weeks moved to Clinton County. There James Albin purchased a quarter-section of land, on which he resided for eight years, during that time placing it under excellent tillage. At the end of that time he sold out and removed to Hock- ing County, that state, where he became the pro-
prietor of a well improved farm and lived for a few years. Again disposing of his landed inter- ests, he purchased a large estate in that county, whence he afterward removed to Ross County, and there lived until his decease. He was the father of twelve children, of whom Thomas B. was the eldest; John Wesley died at the age of nine years; Louisa married W. W. Sayler, and is now living in Hocking County, Ohio; Martha became the wife of James McNeil, and died in Ross County, Ohio; Daniel L. is a resident of Chilhowee Township, this county; Martin Henry is a resident of Halltown, Ross County, Ohio; Missouri married William Miller, and makes her home in Henry County, Mo .; Francis Marion re- sides near Chilhowee, this county; Mary is now Mrs. Samuel Cully, and occupies a good farm near Hazle Hill, Johnson County; William died at the age of four years; Joseph lives in Ross County; Hattie married Charles Ortman, and is also a res- ident of that portion of Ohio.
In politics the father of our subject was a Dem- ocrat. During the late war he was drafted into the service, but paid $1,000 for a substitute. Al- though reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church, after moving to Ross County, Ohio, he identified himself with the Society of Friends.
His parents being in limited circumstances when he was young, our subject was not given the best advantages for obtaining an education. Determined, however, to become well informed, he borrowed the money with which to pay his tuition in the normal school, and after some time spent as a student there, was qualified to teachı, which vocation he followed very successfully.
The marriage of our subject occurred in 1871, at which time Miss Eliza A. Flaningham became his wife. She was born in Hocking County, Ohio, May 14, 1850, to Hiram and Mary (Strouse) Flaningham. She, too, is well edu1- cated, and it is the desire of both herself and hus- band to give their sons and daughters the best advantages in an educational way. After their marriage Mr. Albin erected a house on property which his wife owned in Hocking County, but in 1875 they sold it and, moving into Lowellville, es- tablished himself in the mercantile business, fol-
494
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
lowing the same for a period of five years. In March, 1881, he sold his stock of goods and, com- ing to Johnson County, determined to try his fortunes in farming. He accordingly purchased a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, includ- ing his present farm, and to this lie added as he was prospered, until now he is the proud possessor of three hundred and forty acres.
A family of nine children was born to Mr. and Mrs. Albin. Charles was born in Hocking County, Ohio, February 3, 1873; Rosa Lee, March 26, 1874; Fred and Eddie, twins, Febru- ary 7, 1876; James Marshall, November 29, 1881; Flora Belle, June 4, 1883; Otto C., February 14, 1887; Stella May, March 26, 1888; and Robert Earl, October 4, 1891.
Mr. Albin cast his first Presidential vote for Horace Greeley in 1872, and has ever since con- tinued to vote for Democratic candidates. To- gether with his wife and two of his children, lie is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He takes great interest in Sunday- school work, and is a teacher and assistant chor- ister in that department of church work. So- cially he is identified with the Junior Order of American Mechanics.
HOMAS C. CARTER, one of the enterpris- ing and wide-awake business men of Hol- den, was born in Bradley County, Tenn., January 11, 1859, and is a son of George W. and Rebecca (Wise) Carter .. His mother died when our subject was but three years old, and a year later his father, who was serving as a soldier in the Union army, was killed at the battle of Chick- amauga. Thus at the tender age of four years he was left an orphan and was bound out to W. C. Johnson, a farmer of east Tennessee, with whom he lived until he was about sixteen years old. He then left his employer and took the train for Kall- sas City, but running out of funds was obliged to stop at Holden, Mo. He arrived at this place in
1875 and in order to earn his living began sawing wood, but after being thus employed for a week, was hired by S. J. Sullivan, of Holden, to drive a wagon used in putting up lightning-rods. For the first month he received only $12, then his wages were raised to $15, the following month to $20, and at the end of the third month he was of- fered $25, for which salary he worked for six months. For a year and a-half he then received $50 per month, at the end of which time he was offered $100, but instead of accepting formed a partnership with his employer. This connection continued for about a year, when our subject sold out.
Mr. Carter then joined Jacob Bosky in busi- ness, buying and selling horses and mules. They bought a lot of horses which they took to Empo- ria, Kan., but lost everything they had and our subject found himself penniless. On meeting his former employer, S. J. Sullivan, that gentleman paid his way back to Holden, being glad to receive him again in his service. He then began work for $75 a month, continuing thus employed from January until April. He then concluded to start in business for himself, but not having sufficient funds he applied to William Steele, President of the Farmers' and Commercial Bank of Holden, who furnished the money to buy a team and wag- on, taking only Mr. Carter's personal obligation for the same. There was an attempt made to prevent his getting rods shipped him by sending word to the wholesale men that he had no money. On the firm writing him, he took the letter to Mr. Steele, who wrote the wholesale house to ship the rods to any points that our subject desired, and draw on the bank of which he was President for the money. He then started out and ever since has conducted a successful and lucrative.business. When his benefactor later needed his assistance, Mr. Carter came to his rescue, furnishing him with $400 to start again in life, and he later be- came worth $75,000. Our subject had also gone his security and was obliged to pay $3,000.
On the 25th of December, 1880, Mr. Carter was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie C. Rudolph, of Holden. She was born in Milton County, Mo., and is a daughter of Charles William and Minnie
-
495
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
(Fricke) Rudolph. To our worthy subject and his wife have been born three children, Minnie Belle, John Doran and Clarence Rudolph. The parents hold membership with the Baptist Church, and take an active part in the work of the same.
Besides his well established business in Holden, Mr. Carter owns a pleasant residence at the cor- ner of Pine and Third Streets, and two hundred and forty acres of land in Bates County, Mo., which is well improved and highly cultivated. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' and Com- mercial Bank of Holden. Though starting out in business life on debt, he accumulated enough for the purchase of his land, and has become a well- to-do citizen. All his business is transacted in a straightforward and honorable manner, and his patrons are numbered among his warmest friends. He is well liked by all with whom he comes in contact, and is held in the highest regard through- out Johnson County. In political sentiment he is a Democrat, and cast his first Presidential ballot for Grover Cleveland in 1884. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has filled the various offices in the same. He also be- longs to the Encampment. He has never been an office-seeker, but served for two years as Deputy- Sheriff under H. H. Russell.
C DMUND A. BROWNE. Near the city of Lamonte, in the township of that name, lies one of the finest farms of Pettis County. This place consists of two hundred and eighty acres, upon which the various cereals and good grades of stock are raised. It is the property of Mr. Browne, who came to Lamonte in the fall of 1894, and purchased the farm on which he has since made his home. While he devotes some attention to the raising of grain, he makes a speci- alty of stock-raising, and has on his place a num- ber of fine Hereford cattle.
Mr. Browne is scarcely yet in the prime of life, having been born April 14, 1869. He is a native
of Perryville, Ky., and a son of Stephen E. and Maggie C. (Meyer) Browne, who were born in the Blue Grass State. The parental family con- sisted of two sons and five daughters, and five of the number are living, namely: Anna, Ardis, Edmund A., Eleanor and William C. The father followed general agricultural pursuits, combining the raising of cereals with the stock business. In 1879 he came to Missouri and made settlement in Pleasant Hill, embarking at once in the buy- ing and selling of stock. He still makes his home in that place, and is well known as one of the most efficient business men and genial compan- ions, as well as public-spirited citizens, for many miles around. In religious belief he and his es- timable wife are Presbyterians, and their children are also connected with that church.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Ste- phen C. Browne, was a native of Virginia, whence he removed to Kentucky and engaged in general farm work there. In public affairs he was deeply interested and well informed, and he took a prom- inent part in local politics. His death occurred about 1864, when he was sixty-eight years of age. Possessing fixed principles of honesty, Christian piety and industry, he reared his fain- ily of ten children to habits of scrupulous integri- ty, fitting them for places of honor in the world.
Maj. A. D. Meyer, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of South Carolina, but removed from there to Kentucky, where he married and spent his remaining years, engaged in farm work and the stock business. His death occurred at the age of seventy-two years, about 1878. He was a leading and influential man in his community, a man of deep religious spirit, and for some years a Ruling Elder in the Presbyte- rian Church of Danville, Ky.
When a lad of ten years, the subject of this sketch was brought by his parents to Missouri, and for the fourteen ensuing years made his home in Pleasant Hill, where his education was principally received. After finishing the com- mon-school studies he took a short collegiate course. At the age of seventeen years he started out for himself as a clerk in a grocery store, and was thus engaged for five years or more, after
496
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
which for two and one-half years he was book- keeper in the Citizens' Bank at Pleasant Hill. He then took a trip to New Mexico, and after- ward was bookkeeper for the firm of Crutcher & Welsh, of Kansas City, for one year.
On the 27th of June, 1894, Mr. Browne was united in marriage with Miss Hattie L., daugh- ter of Charles B. and Mary L. (Donnelson) Nel- son, and an accomplished young lady, who with hier husband enjoys the esteem of a large circle of acquaintances. In religious belief they are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. The political opinions of Mr. Browne bring him into active co- operation with the Republican party, the princi- ples of which he supports with his ballot and in- fluence. He has already gained prosperity un- usual for one so young, and without doubt the coming years will bring him increasing honors and an enlarged field of usefulness.
ARY ATKINS is one of the most enterpris- ing of the young agriculturists of Johnson County, within whose confines he was born December 26, 1859. He devotes his entire time to farming and stock-raising, being the possessor of one of the best cultivated tracts in township 44, range 27. It is pleasantly located on section 17 and is eighty acres in extent.
Mr. Atkins is the son of James G. and Eliza- beth (Elliott) Atkins, natives of Kentucky. He was thoroughly trained to farm work by his honored father, who was a practical agriculturist, and when his services were not needed on the home place he attended school, thus gaining a good education in the common branches. His father encouraged him in his desire to acquire property, and while yet a boy gave him an interest in all the stock and grain raised on the estate. When ready to embark in life on his own account he had a snug little sum of money earned in this manner.
In the year 1881 Cary went to St. Clair County,
where for one year he farmed rented land, after which he returned home and spent the years in- tervening until 1884 in working the home place. In 1885 he again left home, this time going to Vernon County, where he was engaged in farm pursuits for a twelvemonth. He met with good success in these various undertakings, and after his marriage, which occurred May 6, 1885, rented a tract of land for three years in the neighbor- hood in which he now makes his home. The lady to whom he was married was Miss Cora Roberts, whose birth occurred in Chilhowee Township, in 1867. Her parents were William T. and Louisa Wilmore Roberts, whose sketch will appear on another page in this volume.
Mr. Atkins became the owner of his present farm in the fall of 1888, but did not move upon it until the following year. He erected thereon a substantial residence and then gave his undivided attention to cultivating and improving the land. He attends industriously to all departments of farın work and keeps everything up in a thrifty manner. He has never been a politician, in the sense of an office-seeker, but has made it the rule of his life to vote for Democratic candidates. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church of this township numbers himself and wife among its most valued members, and he has held the offices of Deacon and Sunday-school Superintendent. Honorable and upright in his dealings with all, he has won many warm friends, who hold him in high esteem.
ILLIAM THOMAS ROBERTS, one of the substantial and well-to-do agricultur- ists of Johnson County, is the owner of a magnificent estate located on section 20, township 44, range 27. He is a native of Virginia, and was born in Bedford County, October 26, 1827, to Benjamin and Susan (Grissom) Roberts. The parents emigrated to Adair County, Ky., when William, of this sketch, was a lad of eight years.
497
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
There he was reared to man's estate on his fa- ther's farm, in the mean time having acquired a fair education in the schools of the district.
Benjamin Roberts, besides cultivating land of his own in the Old Dominion, hired out as an overseer on the estates of others, and in this way derived a good income. He became the father of nine children, of whom our subject was the third in order of birth, and two died in infancy. Sev- en lived to have families of their own, but only three now survive. The two besides our subject still make their home in the Blue Grass State.
The subject of this sketch being the eldest son of the family, he was obliged to work very hard for his father until attaining his majority, when he began the battle of life on his own account. His first situation brought him $6 per month, and during the year in which he was thus employed he lost but three days, Christmas, election and muster days. He was very economical, and al- though his wages were small, managed to save a small amount each month. The following year he began working in a wagon and blacksmith shop, but continued this only one year, when he was variously employed in Greene County, Il1., where he was taken sick, later returning to his home in Kentucky.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.