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 73
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 73
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At Montserrat, Mo., December 21, 1890, B. F. Summers and Miss Mattie T. Hull were united in marriage, and they have since made their home on the farm near Knobnoster, where they are surrounded by all the comforts of life. In relig- ious belief they are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Socially Mr. Summers is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. Asa Dem- ocrat he takes an active interest in political affairs and is prominent in his party, which he has rep- resented as a delegate to state and local conven-
tions. At the present time he is serving as a member of the Central Committee of Johnson County. In all matters tending to the advance- ment of the interests of the county and the welfare of the people he is actively interested, and his support may be relied upon for the promotion of progressive measures.
1@ PHRAIM HERRICK HALL. By his en- ergy and excellent judgment in the man- agement of his affairs, Mr. Hall has acquired the ownership of a valuable farm in Pettis Coun- ty. He came here in 1856, without means, but has succeeded in working his way to a position of influence among the progressive farmers of town- ship 44, range 22. Besides the farm on which he resides, he owns two farms of one hundred and twenty acres each, one in Pettis County one and one-half miles from his present farm, well improved, and one in Benton County, partly improved. His residence, situated on section 17, was erected by himself in 1873, and is a sub- stantial brick structure, conveniently arranged and tastily furnished. The brick for this he man- ufactured, and the foundation for the house he laid, doing the work so carefully and well that the walls have never cracked. The main portion is 20x40 feet in dimensions, two stories in height, and the remainder 20x40 feet, one and a-half stories high, the whole presenting an unusually attractive appearance.
In Erie County, N. Y., December 13, 1832, the subject of this notice was born to the union of Amos H. and Betsey (Adams) Hall. His father was a native of Erie County, and traced his an- cestry to one of four brothers who emigrated from Ireland to America in an early day. The mother was born in Genesee County, N. Y. Prior to the age of eleven years our subject spent his en- tire time upon the home farm, but after that he was often away from home, being in the employ of neighboring farmers. His education was thor-
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ongh in the common branches, but extended no further. Until he attained his majority his wages were turned over to his father, but after that he became independent.
Deciding to seek his fortune in California, Mr. Hall went to the city of New York for the pur- pose of taking ship, but the fare was so extreme- ly high, and his parents so greatly opposed to the trip, that, changing his intention, he went to Pe- oria, Ill., where he took charge of his cousin's farm of thirteen hundred acres. Two years were thus spent, and he then, with the money he had saved, came to Pettis County, Mo., in 1856, and purchased a half-section of land, for which he paid seventy-five cents per acre under the settle- ment and graduation act. Not having a sufficient amount of money to enable him to improve his property, he hired out to oversee the negroes on a plantation in Howard County, where he spent the winter. In the spring he entered the employ of a man who lived near his newly purchased land, and there he remained nine months. Later he worked at the trades of plastering, lathing and stone-edging, which he had learned in youth. In this way he made the money necessary for the improvement of his place. He also for a time worked at brick-making near Sedalia.
January 17, 1861, Mr. Hall married Miss Sallie Ann Moore, who was born in Cooper County, Mo., on Christmas Day of 1830, being the daugh- ter of Thomas and Lucinda (Durrill) Moore. Her ancestors were residents of North Carolina, whence her grandparents moved to Missouri and settled in Cooper County in an early day. Re- ceiving a common-school education, she has ad- ded to this by careful reading, and is intelligently conversant with the topics of the day. Her only living child, William Ira Hall, was born April 15, 1864, in the house first erected by our subject on the present farm. He attended the common -schools and Sedalia University, and is a well in- formed young man, a stanch Republican, and the frequent representative of his party in political conventions. Four sons and a daughter (includ- ing a set of triplets, two boys and a girl) died in infancy.
Soon after his marriage Mr. Hall settled upon
his present place, and here he was residing at the time of the Civil War. He was a strong Union man, and put in the first ticket for Abraham Lin- coln in his voting precinct. His home was often disturbed by raiders, and at one time he was taken prisoner by the Confederate State Guard, but was not held long, notwithstanding the fact that he did not yield to them in any particular. His second purchase of land was forty acres of timber, and he has added thereto until he now owns four hundred and forty acres.
As may be inferred from what has been said above, Mr. Hall is a Republican in politics, and is a man who always has the courage of his opin- ions, though at the same time he is sufficiently conservative to read and study both sides of the great issues of the day. Socially he is connected with the Masonic fraternity, and has held various offices in his lodge. He was made a Mason at Hickory Point, Pettis County, and has been an interested and active member of the order for many years. E. D. Baker Post No. 68, G. A. R., at Green Ridge, also claims Mr. Hall as one of its members.
ETER ROCKWELL, of Sedalia, is Road- master of the Hannibal Division of the Mis- souri, Kansas & Texas Railway. His ex- perience, which extends over forty-one years, gives him a practical acquaintance with the proper construction of roadbeds second to none in the country. During this time he has been in the employ of many railroad corporations and has had the supervision of many thousands of miles of railroad.
Talbott Rockwell, a native of England, settled in Virginia on a large plantation, and was a sol- dier in the War of 1812. One of his sons, J. J., father of our subject, was born in the Old Domin- ion, where he resided until 1866, then moving to McLean County, Ill. He died in 1894, at the good old age of eighty-two years. His wife,
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Nancy, was the daughter of John Potter, who was of German birth, and conducted a farm in Virginia for many years. Mrs. Rockwell, who, like her husband, was a member of the Christian Church, died in the Prairie State in 1867. Their family numbered seven sons and three daughters. William, a Lieutenant in the One Hundred and Fiftieth Illinois during the late war, is now a res- ident of McLean County, Ill .; and Thornton, who was also a member of his brother's regiment, is deceased.
Peter Rockwell was born near Bath, Morgan County, Va., May 29, 1834, and received his early education in the log schoolhouse. When seventeen years of age he became sectionman on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and soon was made foreman of an extra gang. In 1857 he ac- cepted the position of Roadmaster on the Illinois Central, and for twenty-three years made Bloom- ington his headquarters. For this long period he was in charge of the Amboy & Clinton Division, and for two years and four months was General Roadmaster of the four hundred and forty miles of track between Dubuque and Centralia. In 1881 he was offered the position of General Road- master of the Missouri Pacific between St. Louis and Atchison, a distance of one thousand miles. He accepted the post and held it for six years, during this time having seven roadmasters under his orders. When the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway went into the receiver's hands he was ap- pointed General Roadmaster of their lines north of Denison, Tex., comprising over nine hundred miles, and here also had seven roadmasters under him. In April, 1894, the office of General Road- master was abolished, and as he had become at- tached to Sedalia, he decided to take a position with the Hannibal Division, where he has one hun- dred and forty-three miles of track to superintend. There are twenty-six sections in the division and four yards. When he was General Roadmaster of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas, the old tracks were supplanted by steel rails on a number of lines. In the fall of 1894 he helped to organize the Sedalia Mattress Company, of which he is part owner.
In 1859, in Virginia, Mr. Rockwell was mar-
ried to Mary E. Cartney, a native of that state. Their only child, Charles H., who graduated from the Bloomington Business College, was for a time chief clerk for his father and now resides in this city. The family have a pleasant residence at the corner of Lafayette Avenue and Fifth Street, in addition to which Mr. Rockwell owns farm lands in Kansas. He is a member of the First Method- ist Episcopal Church, being one of its Trustees, and served on the Building Committee when the new edifice at the corner of Fourth Street and Osage Avenue was constructed.
For ten years Mr. Rockwell was an Alderman in Bloomington, and for two years was President of the Board. He was also Chairman of the Board of General Improvements, which built the water- works in Bloomington, they being considered the best in the state. He belongs to the National As- sociation of Roadmasters of America. Fraternally he is a Knight-Templar Mason, being a past offi- cer in the order; belongs to Evergreen City Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Bloomington; and is a charter mem- ber of the Royal Tribe of Joseph. In politics he is affiliated with the Republican party.
OHN L. JOHNSON, one of the largest land- owners of Pettis County, is a successful agri- culturist of township 45, range 23. He has hewed out his own way to prosperity and richly deserves what he has achieved. As his father died when he was two years of age, he was reared by his widowed mother, and for many years assisted in caring for her.
The subject of this sketch is the youngest son of Louis and Sarah (Peterson) Johnson, natives of Sweden, where their son was born March 29, 1834. The parents spent their entire lives in that country, the father owning and occupying a good farm. He died in 1836, and his wife was left to care for the family until her children were
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old enough to make their own way in the world. John L. was not permitted to attend school until after reaching his fourteenth year, but the course which he then took proved of more benefit to him than would an irregular attendance in his earlier years. His fortune has been made since attain- ing his twentieth year, for it was then he left his native land and embarked on a vessel bound for American shores. His mother died in 1854.
On landing on the shores of this country Mr. Johnson continued his westward journey to Illi- nois, locating in Knox County, where for two years and a-half he was employed as a farm la- borer for one man. The following eightcen months were given to the services of another farmer in that locality, and at the end of that time he was sufficiently acquainted with the American way of doing things to start out for himself. He rented a tract of land, engaging in its cultivation until 1876, in which year we find him living in Missouri, on the estate which he now occupies. This property represents years of unremitting industry, and the competence which he enjoys is only the just reward of his labor. Through the proper rotation of crops and judicious fertiliza- tion of the soil, every acre is made to produce the very best results, and each year abundant har- vests are gathered from the land. The residence which he occupies with his family is one of the pleasantest in Pettis County. It is built of brick, after the latest plan of architecture, and the fail- ily enjoys many of the conveniences which are only found in city households.
John L. Johnson was married, February 26, 1863, to Miss Christina, daughter of George and Catherine (Yellum) Erickson, natives of Sweden, who came to America some time in 1853. They chose for their permanent home a beautiful farm in Knox County, Ill., where they are yet liv- ing, at the respective ages of seventy-eight and seventy-seven years, in the enjoyment of excel- lent health.
Mrs. Johnson's birth occurred in Sweden in 1840. She was. therefore thirteen years of age at the time of crossing the Atlantic, and has gained most of her education in the district schools of the Prairie State. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson
there was born a large family of children, thirteen in number. Of these six are deceased. Those living are: Joseph A., Albert M., Nettie M., Ed- ward C., Clarence G., Arthur L. and Forest. Nettie is the wife of George Shelly, a substantial farmer of Pettis County. The parents and all their children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the work of which they take an active part.
In politics Mr. Johnson is a stanch supporter of Republican principles. He has never had time for holding office, his entire attention being given to the management of his large estate. The high and honored place which is accorded him by his friends and neighbors is well deserved, and we take pleasure in adding his history to those of the other representative farmers and pioneers of this locality.
EUBEN J. GENTRY. The farming com- munity of Pettis County lost one of its most valued residents October 5, 1881, when Mr. Gentry was called home. He was one of the largest land-owners in the state, having in his pos- session seventeen hundred acres, which tract is now managed by his widow, who lives in Cedar Township. Mr. Gentry was a practical, energet- ic and persevering farmer, using modern methods in agriculture and the latest improved machinery.
Our subject was the son of Richard and Alzira (Miller) Gentry, the latter of whom was a daugh- ter of William Miller, of Richmond, Ky. The father came to this locality from Kentucky in 1809, locating on a part of the ten thousand acres he owned at the time of his death, which oc- curred January 17, 1865, and a part of which is now owned by the widow of our subject.
Mr. Gentry was given a fair education in the common schools, and later attended Kemper School at Boonville, Mo., as did also his brother, William M. When ready to establish a home of his own, he married Miss Bettie Hughes, a native
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of this county, who was the fifth child in a family of seven born to Reece and Sarah A. (Burch) Hughes. After receiving instruction in the schools of her home locality, she attended Forest Grove Institute. Her marriage was solemnized April 5, 1871, and of her union with our subject there were born five children. Of these, Ruby is the wife of Dr. W. J. Ferguson; Sally married T. J. Sturges; and William H., Charles R. and Reuben J. are at home.
December 2, 1885, the widow of our subject was married to his brother, William M., who died May 1, 1889, leaving her in possession of sixteen hundred acres. He, too, was a farmer of prominence in this locality and a man greatly honored and respected for the upright manner in which he lived. Mrs. Gentry is a member in ex- excellent standing of the Christian Church, and nses her means where she can accomplish the most good.
J. ATKINSON, M. D., a prominent phy- sician of Sedalia, has charge of the Miner Institute for the cure of the liquor, mor- phine and tobacco habits. He has made a great study of various systems, and has brought to per- fection one of his own, known as the Electro- Hydric and Vitalized Tonic Gold Cure. Since October, 1886, he has been a member of the State Eclectic Medical Society, and has written articles for leading medical journals.
The great-grandfather of the Doctor was born in Scotland, and the grandfather, Frederick At- kinson, was a native of Virginia. In early days he moved to Kentucky and followed his trade as a shoemaker, and in 1827 moved to Moniteau Coun- ty, Mo., dying there about 1846. Our subject's father, James T., was born in Glasgow, Ky., No- vember 2, 1816, and became a resident of this state in 1826. He owned a valuable homestead of three hundred and sixty acres in Cooper Coun- ty, but in 1866 sold out, settling near Kingsville, Johnson County. In 1877 he went to Jefferson
City and a year later returned to Cooper County, locating on a farm near Tipton, but now resides in Clarksburg. He enlisted for the Mexican War, but was never called into service. For many years he has been a Democrat. He is a Deacon in the Baptist Church, and possesses the confidence and high regard of all his acquaint- ances. His wife, Elizabeth, is a daughter of Sol- omon Martin, a native of North Carolina and of English descent. He was one of the pioneers of Kentucky, settling there when the Indians were very troublesome, but at a later day moved to Cooper County, Mo., where he conducted a farm. Mrs. Atkinson, now over seventy-four years of age, was born near Tompkinsville, Ky., and by her marriage became the mother of twelve chil- dren, all but one of whom grew to maturity, though but four are now living.
W. J. Atkinson was born in Cooper County, Mo., near Pisgah, May 23, 1842, and attended the district and select schools. In 1860 he took up medical studies with Dr. McClanahan, near Tipton, and also practiced with him. In 1864 the Doctor enlisted in Company C, Forty-third Missouri Infantry, being mustered in at Clarks- burg, Mo., and was sent under Pleasanton to Jefferson City in pursuit of Price. Returning to Moniteau County, he took part in a number of skirmishes, and when his time of service had ex- pired re-enlisted as a Corporal in the Cooper County Platoon, acting as such until August, 1864, when he was honorably discharged.
In the spring of 1866 Dr. Atkinson engaged in practice at Kingsville, remaining there until the fall of 1870. The next nine years were spent in Pisgah, and then he entered the St. Louis Eclec- tic Medical College, taking two courses of lect- ures. In 1881 he became a resident of Clarks- burg, Mo., and in June, 1893, opened an office for general practice in Sedalia, but has made a specialty of chronic diseases.
July 7, 1872, the Doctor married Sarah C. Miller, who was born in Richland County, Ohio. Her father, John M. Miller, was born in Lan- caster County, Pa., and his father, Andrew, a fancy weaver by trade, was a native of Germany and an early settler in the Keystone State. John
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Miller, who was a man of superior education, graduated with the degree of Master of Arts, and was a professor in a Pennsylvania college. In Ohio he was married to Christine Grove, a na- tive of Lancaster County, Pa. Her maternal grandfather, whose name was Boyer, was a Ger- man earl. John M. Miller moved to Missouri and engaged in farming near California, but died in Pisgah. The Doctor and wife have two chil- dren: Elva A., who is attending Cooper Institute, and Sarah E.
In Clarksburg Dr. Atkinson served as Mayor five years altogether, and was also Deputy-Post- master at Kingsville. Formerly a Republican, he is now a supporter of the People's party. He is a Grand Army man, belonging to Henry Brown Post No. 276, at Clarksburg, and is an ex-member of the Odd Fellows' society. He is not connected with any church, but is a believer in spiritualism.
5 EV. JOSEPH RICHMOND, a retired min- ister of the Gospel, is at present residing in the pleasant village of Green Ridge. He was born in Virginia, March 7, 1817, and was the fourth in order of birth in the family of Joseph and Mary (Whorton) Richmond, both natives of Washington County, Pa. They were reared and married in the Keystone State and in 1816 took up their abode in Virginia.
Joseph Richmond, Sr., was a farmer and miller and followed these combined occupations in the Old Dominion very successfully until his decease, his good wife also dying in that state. In our subject's childhood there were very few schools in his neighborhood, and even these, which were conducted on the subscription plan, were taught by persons possessing inferior education. The greater part of his knowledge has been gained by his own efforts since attaining mature years.
The father of our subject was not a very wealthy man, and in order that he might do his
share toward the support of the family, young Joseph remained at home until the year prior to attaining his majority, when he made his way to Ohio and secured work as a farm hand for one season. The following winter was spent with a married sister in the Buckeye State. The next summer he worked out, and the ensuing year farmed a piece of property on shares. This was really his first venture in making money, for his work the two previous summers had netted him only $9 and $10 per month.
Mr. Richmond continued to do farm work in Ohio until 1843, when he returned to his native state and resumed farming, continuing thus en- gaged until 1853. That year he sold out his pos- sessions and emigrated to Illinois, being classed among the substantial agriculturists of that state for five years. For many years he liad been a close student, fitting himself for the ministry, and now abandoned farming in order to accept the pastorate of a church, having been ordained for the_ministry in 1858. In 1864, however, he severed his connection with this denomination and connected himself with the Christian Union Church, whose great plea is the union of Christ's people. He has been untiring in his efforts in saving souls and has been the efficient and well beloved pastor of many congregations.
Rev. Mr. Richmond came to Pettis County, this state, in 1881, locating near Dresden, where he became the owner of land. There he made his home until October, 1890, when he came with his estimable wife to Green Ridge and is now spend- ing his declining years in peace and happiness, surrounded by many old-time friends and ac- quaintances.
Mr. Richmond was married, in 1839, to Susan Chess, a native of Ohio. She departed this life in 1873, after having become the mother of seven children. Of this family, four are now living: Mary, the wife of Samuel McHurd, of Illinois; Catherine, Mrs. David Thompson, also of the Prairie State; Clara, Mrs. James Piatt, who re- sides in Colorado; and George B., living in Centralia, Waslı.
In 1875 our subject was married to Mary Copley, a native of Illinois, who departed this life
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some three and one-half years later, and the lady whom he chose as his companion in June, 1880, was Miss Sarah, daughter of John and Lucinda (Needles) Keyes, natives of Delaware and Ohio, respectively. They were married in Ohio, where their daughter Sarah was born and reared. She is a well educated lady and for many years prior to her marriage was a noted teacher both in Ohio and Illinois. Mr. Richmond has nineteen grand- children and six great-grandchildren.
Socially our subject has been a Mason for more than thirty-five years. He has never taken an active part in politics, other than to cast a vote in favor of Democratic candidates.
3 OHN W. HOUX, a successful and prosperous merchant of Sedalia, has been longer engaged in commercial pursuits in this city than any other business man. For many years he has been greatly interested in the upbuilding and develop- ment of the city, and under his supervision has had numerous residence and brick buildings erect- ed. His wholesale and retail business is located at No. 110 Main Street, where may be found a full line of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves, etc. The basement is used for storage purposes, the first floor for retail trade, and the second story for wholesale goods. In one department tinware and sheet-iron articles are manufactured, and in ad- dition to this Mr. Houx does an extensive busi- ness in iron and galvanized roofing.
Frederick Houx, the father of John W., was born in Frederickstown, Md., but his father was a native of Germany. Frederick Houx was married in Maryland to Miss Margaret Ware, a native of that state, and a lady of Scotch-Irish descent. She lived to reach the extreme old age of ninety-six years, enjoying good health until her last illness, which occurred in 1879. The father moved to Missouri in territorial days and was a pioneer near Boonville. There fell to his lot many thrilling frontier experiences, as he was
often obliged to take up arms against the Indians, and sometimes he was compelled to take refuge in forts. He became very wealthy, and died in 1866, in liis eighty-seventh year, leaving a large estate. Both he and his good wife were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Born in Boonville, Mo., May 13, 1831, our sub- ject is the youngest of twelve children, only four of whom are now living. He was reared in Cooper County on a farm, and attended an old- fashioned log schoolhouse, conducted on the sub- scription plan, about two months each year. Afterwards he was a student for two years in Kemper Academy. Living at home until he was in his twentieth year, he then embarked in busi- ness at Boonville as a hardware merchant, con- tinning there until the war broke out, when he closed up the business. In November, 1860, he came to Sedalia and built the second building erected in the place. January 18, 1861, he laid in a stock of goods, but in September, 1862, went to Plattsmouth, Neb., where he followed the same business about two years. In 1864 he returned to this city and became a member of the firm of Bixby & Houx. They conducted a very exten- sive wholesale and retail business, amounting to $50,000 a year, and selling goods all over the state. In 1868 they erected a brick block, 2212X100 feet, two stories and a basement, and here our subject has made his business head- quarters ever since. In 1876 he bought out Mr. Bixby's interest and has managed the trade alone from that time to the present. Formerly he traveled extensively with teams, going to various parts of Missouri, Arkansas, the Indian Territory and Texas, sometimes being gone for six weeks on one trip.
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