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 64
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 64
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EV. JOHN I. ORRISON. For a number of years Mr. Orrison has been engaged in min- isterial work, and he is now pastor of the Christian Church of Ionia City, though he is a resident of Sedalia. His life has been devoted to the preaching of the Gospel, and while he has at times been employed in other capacities, every- thing else has been subsidiary to his chosen profes- sion. As a speaker he is fluent and interesting, and in his Scriptural explanations few excel him. In his sermons it is his aim to make the Gospel
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truths so simple and clear that even a child may grasp their beauty, and his discourses are full of forcible remarks, tersely and concisely stated.
In addition to holding the pastorate of the Io- nia City church, where he has been for three years, Mr. Orrison has been for two years in Lin- coln, Benton County, one year at Hayden's Grove, and three years at Cloverdale. By birth an Ohioan, he was born in the city of Belmont, October 14, 1850, and is a member of a Quaker family, of Scotch-Irish descent. His grandfather, Israel Orrison, who served in the War of 1812, was a native of Loudoun County, Va., whence he removed to Belmont County, Ohio, in an early day, and there purchased an improved farm. Amos, our subject's father, was also a farmer, and still resides on the old homestead in Belmont County, where he was born. He is an active member of the Christian Church, and in politics is a Democrat.
The mother of our subject, Elizabeth Ann, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, to which point her father, John Kinney, had removed from Bel- fast, County Down, Ireland. He was for some years engaged in the hotel business, and was a prominent Orangeman. Mrs. Elizabeth Orrison is still living, and is now (1895) sixty-six years of age. Her family consisted of five sons and two daughters, and all but two survive, John I. being the eldest. He was reared in Belmont County, Ohio, where the rudiments of his educa- tion were gained. Later he attended Bethany (W. Va.) College for two terms, and then began to teach in the neighborhood of his home. Five years were devoted to that profession in Ohio, aft- er which he went to Nebraska and taught at West Point, Cuming County. On his return to the Buckeye State he taught school for three years in Belmont County.
Retiring from the teacher's profession, Mr. Or- rison engaged in the general mercantile business in Belmont, and later went to Mt. Vernon, Ky., where he spent two years, 1884-85. Coming to Sedalia in 1886, he entered the Missouri Pacific shops, and was employed in the boiler depart- ment for two years. After two years in the mer- cantile business he entered the ministry. In
1869 he was ordained an Elder in the Christian Church, and the following years preached at ir- regular intervals until 1890, when he accepted the pastorate at Walnut. He continued there for five years, and meantime preached at Green Ridge for two years, El Dorado for two years, and at Gilead for one year. As above stated, he now has charge of the churches of Ionia City, Lincoln, Hayden's Grove and Cloverdale. Since 1893 he has been employed in the grocery store of Brandt & Cruse, at No. 608 Ohio Street, from which it will be seen that he is a very busy man.
The first marriage of Mr. Orrison took place at Belmont, Ohio, his wife being Susan Kemp, who was born in that place, but who died in Sedalia. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Jennie, a member of the Class of '97, of the Seda- lia High School; Kemp, who belongs to the Class of '96; Burt; Willie; Lowell; Annie G., who died in childhood; and Granville. In Sedalia, May 25, 1892, Mr. Orrison married Miss Alice G. Hockaday, who was born in Mexico, Audrain County, Mo. Her grandfather, Isaac Hockaday, was a pioneer of Kentucky, and participated in the early Indian Wars. Her father, Isaac N., was born in Winchester, Clark County, Ky., and was orphaned in boyhood. He assisted his brother in laying out the town of Fulton, and afterward engaged in farming, then conducted an hotel bus- iness, and later became a pioneer of Mexico, Mo., where he traded in real estate. Some years were spent in Colorado, then a short time in Cass County, Mo., and in 1884 he came to Sedalia, where he died the following year, aged seventy- four. Politically he was a Democrat, and during the war was a stanch Union man. His religious connections were with the Christian Church.
The mother of Mrs. Orrison, Sarah Catherine Shortridge, was born in Scott County, Ky., and had three children, with the youngest of whom, Mrs. Orrison, she now makes her home. Her fa- ther, William Shortridge, was an early settler of Fulton, and there remained until death; he had gone thither from Scott County, Ky. Mrs. Or- rison received good advantages in girlhood, and for two years was a student in the normal at War- rensburg. For eight years she taught in the Se-
SAMUEL P. JOHNS, SR.
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dalia schools, for two years was Principal of the schools at Green Ridge, and in all was engaged in school teaching for about twenty years. She is the mother of one son, named Irvine Newton.
To such an extent has Mr. Orrison been en- grossed by his personal duties, that he has had little time for public matters. However, he is a thoughtful reader of current literature, and keeps well posted upon topics of national importance. His affiliations, politically, are with the Demo- cratic party, and he supports its principles when- ever an opportunity is afforded. Socially he be- longs to the Masonic fraternity and to Crescent Tent No. 4, K. O. T. M.
AMUEL P. JOHNS, SR., of Sedalia, has been engaged in the lumber business unin- terruptedly since the close of the war, and was interested in the same for a few years prior to the outbreak of the Rebellion. He has been very successful, is a thorough and practical business man, and has acquired a competency in strictly legitimate channels. Since 1880 he has con- ducted a retail lumber trade in this city, with yards located at No. 321 West Main Street, and extending through to Second Street and the rail- road tracks. A large area of enclosed sheds pro- vides a dry place for all kinds of lumber and building materials. The firm is known under the style of S. P. Johns & Sons, the partners being William M. and S. P., Jr.
The progenitors of the Johns family in the United States emigrated from Devonshire, Eng- land, with William Penn to Pennsylvania, and from that state the descendants have scattered to all portions of the country. The great-grandfather of our subject, James Johns, a member of the So- ciety of Friends, was born in the Keystone State, and lived there and in Virginia. The next in the
line of descent, John Johns, was born near Rich- mond, Va., and in his early manhood moved to Fayette, Pa. In 1815 he located near Brookfield, Ind., but soon afterwards inoved to Warren Coun- ty, engaging in farming near Lebanon. In1 1840 he moved to Brazil, Ind., taking up a farm where that village is now situated. In 1869 his death occurred in Parke County, Ind., at the age of seventy-eight years. Like his father, he was a Quaker. He was drafted for service in the War of 1812.
The father of our subject, Stephen M., was born in Fayette County, Pa., in 1809, and on ar- riving at man's estate engaged in farming in Preble County, Ohio, continuing there until 1849, when he moved to a place near Greencastle, Put- nam County, Ind. Operating that farm until 1853, he moved to a farmi near Waveland, Mont- gomery County. In 1860, however, he sold this farm and bought the flouring and saw mills at Mansfield, that state, which he carried on until 1868, and about 1870 moved to Christian Coun- ty, Ill., settling on a farm near Pana. His death occurred in February, 1870, at the age of sixty years, as the result of a fracture of the knee, which he had sustained about ten years previously. The limb had been amputated, but blood poisoning set in. He was a Democrat until the war broke out, then became a Republican. While living in Ohio he served several years as Justice of the Peace. His wife, Sarah, a native of Preble County, Ohio, was a daughter of Samuel Parks, who was born in North Carolina. In territorial days he became a resident of Preble County, Ohio, and died on his farm, when in his seventy- ninth year. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was of Holland-Dutch descent. Mrs. Sarah Johns died in Pana, Ill., in 1893, aged seventy eight years. She and her husband were members of the Presbyterian Church. Of their twelve children, all but one lived to mature years, and ten of the number are still living. Samuel Parks is the subject of this article; Catherine died in infancy; John served throughout the war as Sergeant of the Eight- eenth Indiana Battery, and died in Nokomis, Ill., in 1873; Emanuel, residing in the state of
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Washington, was during the war a member of an Indiana regiment, and was captured by John Morgan, at Uniontown, Ky., but was later pa- roled; Lemuel is living near Greencastle, Ind., on a farm; Martha, Mrs. Tunnison, lives in Pana, Ill .; Thomas is a physician of Taylorville, Ill .; Robert is a lumberman of Pana; Owen is a gro- cer in Washington; Stephen M. is in the lumber business in Hutchinson, Kan .; Sarah A., Mrs. Wallace, lives in Kansas City, Kan .; and Joseph is a lumber merchant of Washington.
Born in Preble County, Ohio, September 1, 1835, Samuel P. Johns continued to dwell in that neighborhood until fifteen years of age, being a student in the district schools. Later he lived near Waveland, and attended Waveland (Ind.) Academy. After teaching district school for some time, in 1856 he moved to Terre Haute, and be- came a bookkeeper in a lumber office. Subse- quently he was a clerk until 1860, when he lo- cated in Litchfield, Ill., and started in business for himself under the firm name of Jolins & Co., having the entire management of the same. About this time he was made First Lieutenant in an in- dependent company of State Militia, known as the Young American Rangers, and was once called to Mattoon, but otherwise was not in action. In 1865 he sold out his business and located in Pana, Ill., where he carried on the same trade until 1879, then disposing of his interest to his brother Robert, who is still in the business there. He has frequently owned sawmills in various places for the purpose of getting out hardwood lumber, and was an organizer of the Sedalia Planing Mill and Lumber Company on Second Street. This concern has a capital stock of $10,000, and Mr. Johns is now President of the corporation. For- merly he owned a branch lumber-yard at Warsaw, Mo., and one at Lexington, and at the present time has a yard at Hughesville, Mo., his man- ager there being Louis Manning. Mr. Johns is a Director in the Citizens' National Bank, and is a stockholder and Treasurer of the Sedalia Build- ing and Loan Association.
The pleasant residence of the Johns family is situated at No. 704 West Seventh Street. In Waveland, Ind., Mr. Johns and Margaret A.
White were united in marriage, February 1, 1859. The lady is a daughter of William White, an In- diana farmer, and is a native of the Keystone State. The eldest child of our subject and wife, Laura A., died when in her nineteenth year; William M. is referred to elsewhere in this volume; Samuel P., Jr., was educated in the high school and at Wabash (Ind. ) College, and is in business with his father and next elder brother; Robert graduated from the Wabash College in the Class of '94, with the Degree of B. S., and is now studying law with Judge W. S. Shirk, of Se- dalia; Margaret completes the family. Mr. and Mrs. Johns are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Johns is a Ruling Elder. He is an active Republican, has twice been elected Alderman from the Third Ward, and was Chair- man of the Finance Committee.
ON. JOHN A. COLLINS, ex-Mayor and ex-Postmaster of Washington, Franklin County, Mo., is now proprietor of the finest and largest livery stable in Sedalia. He is a lead- er in the Democratic party, has been a delegate to numerous conventions of late years, a member of the County Committee, and was an Alternate to the National Convention which met in St. Louis in 1884. He served for six years as May- or of Washington, Mo., having been elected in spite of the strong Republican forces in that place, and was also Alderman for several terms.
The grandfather of our subject, Capt. William Collins, won his title in the War of the Revolu- tion, and was twice wounded while fighting for liberty. He was born in Kentucky, and was a farmer near Bowling Green, but later in life moved to Missouri, becoming one of the early set- tlers in the vicinity of Lexington, his deathi oc- curring on his farm in that region. In politics he was a Whig and brought up his sons to be firm believers in the party. Thomas Collins, fa- ther of John A., was born on a farm near Bow-
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ling Green, Ky. He was married in that state, and later became a pioneer of Higginsville, Mo. There he owned from three hundred and fifty to four hundred acres of land and gave much atten- tion to the raising of hemp. For many years he was a Justice of the Peace, and religiously was a member of the Christian Church, in which he held the office of Deacon. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in Kentucky, being a daughter of Will- iam Dyer, whose death occurred in that state. Mrs. Collins' death occurred before the demise of her husband, and of her seven children all but one survive.
The birth of John A. Collins occurred near Higginsville, Lafayette County, Mo., August 12, 1843. His boyhood was passed in the unevent- ful manner common to farmer boys, his education being acquired in an old log schoolhouse. In 1860 he went to Warrensburg Mo., obtaining a clerkship in a general store, and there remained until the out break of the war. On the first tap of the drum he enlisted in the Confederate serv- ice, under Captain Cockrell (now General), in General Stock's brigade. His service was main- ly in Missouri, where he participated in the bat- tles of Carthage, Wilson Creek and Lexington. Being taken prisoner, he was exchanged soon afterwards and returned to his company. Six months later he was again taken captive, in the southern part of the state, but on being released on parole returned to Warrensburg. The two years following he resided in Lincoln County, aft- er which, in 1866, he went to Washington, Mo., and for three years was engaged in the manufact- ure of tobacco. Later he embarked in the liv- ery business, and operated stables there for about fourteen years, but sold out in 1883, upon his ap- pointment to the position of Postmaster by Cleve- land. At the end of his four-years term he re- signed, and in 1889 located in Sedalia, where he had previously purchased property. He succeed- ed Louis Dietz in the livery business at Nos. 213 and 215 West Fourth Street. The location is central and the stables have a frontage of ninety feet and a depth of one hundred and twenty feet, with stalls for fifty-two horses. Here may be found a fine line of roadsters and riding horses
and all kinds of landaus, carriages, coaches, sur- reys, etc. The plant is fitted out with a system of water supply, electric lights and all modern equipments.
While a resident of Washington, Mo., Mr. Col- lins married one of her fair daughters, Miss Ella McDonald, the date of that event being Decem- ber 6, 1882. Of their union there have been born four children, namely: Ethel, John A., Jr., James I. and Ella M. Mr. and Mrs. Collins are members of the Presbyterian Church and have hosts of warm friends in this city and in Wash- ington, their former home. Our subject is a mem- ber of the Knights of the Maccabees, holding the office of Finance-keeper, and is a Trustee in the local lodge of the Woodmen of the World.
R. L. M. HORN, of Holden, is a native of Logan County, Ky., born April 25, 1831, and is a son of Wiley and Elizabeth ( Mor- gan) Horn, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, where they were married and whence they removed to Kentucky at an early day. His father was a farmer, and our subject's boyhood days were therefore spent on a farm, having but a poor opportunity for acquiring an education until he was about eighteen years of age, when he en- tered the academy at Franklin, Ky. He had to earn the money to pay his way through school there. For the next two years he engaged alter- nately in teaching and farm work, after which he attended Slauce's Institute for a year and a- half in Simpson County, Ky. In 1848 he was married, and by that union there are now four living children.
When twenty-five years of age our subject be- gan the study of medicine, reading for a number of years before taking a course of lectures, which he took both in Nashville, Tenn., and Louisville, . Ky. In 1865 he began the practice of his profes- sion in Simpson County, Ky., where he remained
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until 1870, when he came to Johnson County, Mo. Seven years later he removed to Jackson County, this state, where he engaged in practice at Sni Mills, and was very successful. Just before his removal to that place, in December. 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Kirkpat- rick, of Johnson County. She was born in Wil- son County, Tenn., and when but seven years of age came to Johnson County with her parents, James and Olivia (Ray) Kirkpatrick. She re- ceived a good education in Holden, and taught school for two or three years.
In early life Dr. Horn was politically a Whig, afterward an American, voting for Bell and Ev- erett in 1860. During the war his sympathy was with the Union cause, but he did not vote for a President again until Cleveland ran for his first term. At one time he was Assessor of his conn- ty in Kentucky, retaining the office for about four years. While living at Sni Mills he was ap- pointed Postmaster under Cleveland and served four years. In addition to that office he engaged in the drug business, and was also a physician and a minister of the Gospel.
At the age of twenty-three years Dr. Horn was converted and became a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Soon afterward he began to speak publicly, and when about twenty-eight was licensed as a minister and was regularly ordained. For many years he practiced the profession of medicine in addition to regularly preaching the Gospel. From 1871 to 1875 he preached for four different churches, one of which was in Holden, which he was instrumental in organizing. He had twenty-five miles to ride between the churches, and at the same time he conducted a three hun- dred and twenty acre farm and built up a large country practice as a physician and surgeon. Often on Saturday night he traveled until mid- night to make his appointment, and home again Sunday night and out again early Monday morn- ing.
While residing at Sni Mills Dr. Horn had ac- cess to a large library, and was often called upon to review books. But here came in the help of his wife. In addition to her household duties she wrote many of the reviews, and thus was of great
assistance to her husband. The Doctor started in life as a poor man, and as he was inclined to be too liberal he did not accumulate much until after his second marriage, when through the care and watchfulness of his wife he began laying up some money and has now a competence which will last them through life. They have two farms in Jack- son County, in addition to some other property. They are very generous to the worthy poor and have always expended with a liberal hand.
AMUEL G. BRAINERD was formerly a worthy representative of the intelligence, in- tegrity and moral worth of the people of Pettis County. He was born in Rome, N. Y., November 27, 1835, and was the eldest son and second child born to Jeremiah B. and Laura (Gates) Brainerd, also natives of the Empire State, and of English ancestry.
The paternal grandfather, Samuel G. Brain- erd, was a contractor on the Erie Canal during its construction, and rode on the first boat that plied those waters. His namesake, our subject, received his education in the public schools of his native city, and during vacations spent his time on his father's farm near that city. In 1870 he came to Missouri, engaging in the boot and shoe business in St. Louis, and becoming one of the most valued traveling salesmen of the renowned firm of Claflin & Allen. He then left the road and became general manager of their factory, now known as the Peters' Shoe Company, remaining in their employ until the time of his decease, which occurred December 6, 1892. In the mean time he had purchased a fine tract of land in Pet- tis County, on which his widow is residing at the present time.
S. G. Brainerd was joined in marriage, Febru- ary 3, 1864, to Miss Azubah, daughter of Ives and Juline (Humestine) Gates, also natives of New York State. They trace their ancestry back to
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prominent people in England, and were also well connected in the Empire State. Mrs. Brainerd was born in Rome,. N. Y., and was there educat- ed. By her marriage with our subject there was born one son, Charles W., who is now one of the leading salesmen in the store in which his hon- ored father was engaged, but which is now known as the Peters' Shoe Company. This young gen- tleman, who has a rich and well cultivated voice, has an enviable reputation as a noted vocalist, having studied under some of the best teachers. His musical education was completed in the Wal- don Conservatory of Music of St. Louis, in which city he is well known socially.
Mrs. Brainerd has under her control one hun- dred and seventy acres, well cultivated and bear- ing a good line of substantial and necessary build- ings of modern construction. She is a very busi- ness-like and progressive lady, and under her su- pervision there has been planted an apple orchard of fifty-five acres. By observation and practical experience in farming she has become well in- formed on all subjects relating to her business and is meeting with remarkable success in this vocation. She is very highily esteemed by all who are so fortunate as to make her acquaintance, and is a devoted member of the Congregational Church, attending the church at Green Ridge.
In social affairs our subject was a Mason of high standing, being a member of Occidental Chapter No. 185, of St. Louis. Mrs. Brainerd is a charter member of Occidental Chapter No. 185 of the Eastern Star, of St. Louis.
HEODORE YOUNGS, Mayor of Warrens- burg, was elected to this honorable position in 1891, was re-elected in1 1893, on the Re- publican ticket, and was for two years a member of the City Council. In February, 1884, he be- came a bookkeeper in the Johnson County Bank,
acting as such until November, 1888, when he was elevated to the position of Cashier, in which capacity he still continues. He is one of the en- terprising and progressive young business men of this community, and comes from an old and re- spected family of Missouri.
The parents of Theodore Youngs are Edgar and Mary (Mock) Youngs. The former, who was born December 29, 1848, in New Jersey, is still living, his home being in Lafayette County, Mo. He was about eight years of age when he came to this state with his father, Joseph L., who was of Scotch descent, and a carriage-maker by trade. For some time the family lived in St. Louis, but afterwards moved to Lafayette County. In 1849 Joseph L. and Edgar Youngs started across the plains with ox-teams for California, while the rest of the family remained on the farm in1 Lafayette County. When three years had passed the travelers returned, and Edgar Youngs invested his savings in a small farm. Since that time he has lived in Lafayette County, devoting himself to the improvement of his farm, in which he has been very successful, and is now the owner of about twelve hundred acres. Though a good Republican, he has never held office, but takes great interest in the success of his party. Dur- ing the war he served in a State Militia com- pany, on the Union side, and took part in the bat- tle of Lexington, Mo.
Born in Lafayette County, Mo., June 29, 1860, Theodore Youngs is one of ten children, all but two of whom are still living. He received a fair common-school education in his boyhood, and en- tering the normal at Warrensburg completed tlie two-years course in 1879. The next year lie en- gaged in farming, and then went to Spaulding's Commercial College at Kansas City, from which he was graduated in February, 1881. He then returned home and resumed agricultural pursuits until April, 1883, when he obtained a position as a clerk in a dry-goods store at Higginsville, Mo., and served in that capacity until February of the following year. It was then that he was given a position in the Jolinson County Bank, with which he has since been connected.
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