USA > Missouri > Lafayette County > Portrait and biographical record of Lafayette and Saline counties, Missouri : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 14
USA > Missouri > Saline County > Portrait and biographical record of Lafayette and Saline counties, Missouri : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 14
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
The office is not of his own seeking, nor has he ever been a seeker for office in any place. Ile is interested in the well-being of the community as well as the State and country, and is ready to do his part toward advancing their interests, but he does not covet the high positions in the gift of the people. understanding well that they are places of trust to be entered upon with thoughts of self put aside. Ile is earnest and reliable, keeping step with the advancing thought of the day and hold- ing his convictions honestly and sincerely, yet with the broad charity that marks the most cul- tured minds.
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FERRY NORDYKE. a popular and repre- sentative citizen of Marshall, and the well- known dealer in harness and saddlery, is one of the leading young business men of Saline County. Earnest, energetic and ambitious, and withal courteons in his dealings, he has made rapid upward progress, and now controls a large and increasing trade. Although devoting his time closely to business, he is prominent in social circles, and affiliates with various benevolent and political organizations, and is ever ready to ex- tend a helping hand to any worthy enterprise connected with the interests of his locality.
The father of our subject was born in Mercer County, Mo., where the paternal grandfather came in an early day from Virginia and located on a farm. Grandfather Nordyke engaged in the gen- eral mercantile business in Mercer County for a time, and in October, 1866, came to Marshall, where he continued in general merchandising in partnership with his son, John W. Finally the elder partner, I. S. Nordyke, retired from active business duties, and is now a local preacher of the Baptist Church, and one of the most highly re- spected residents of Marshall. John W. continued handling merchandise until some time later, when he engaged in the drug business, but afterward disposed of his interest in the same, and accepted
a position as book-keeper in the Wood & Huston Bank. Having occupied a similar position in the Saline County Bank in 1877, he was well adapted for the efficient discharge of the duties entrusted to his care. He is now book-keeper for the Metropol- itan National Bank of Kansas City.
The mother of our subject was Miss Belle Rock- well, a native of Rochester, Mo., and daughter of Ferry Rockwell. an old settler of Missouri, born in Maryland. He engaged in the mercantile business in various parts of the State, and died in Calhoun, Mo. Our subject, the eldest of three sons, was born in Marshall, November 28, 1872, and was reared to manhood in this eity. Here he attended the public and High Schools, and in 1889 became an apprentice of T. P. Vawter & Co., and was rapidly initiated into the mysteries of his present business. In January, 1890, he bought ont II. A. Hardwell, and continued the business on La Fay- ette Street until he was burned out, in February, 1891. Ile soon located again on La Fayette Street, and has a finer store and larger accommoda- tions than before. In his commodious quarters he carries a full line of saddlery and a complete assortment of all goods pertaining to his busi- ness.
May 17, 1892. our subject married Miss Willie J. Corder, born in Alma, and the daughter of .l. P. Corder, formerly an extensive farmer in La Fayette County, until he retired from the active duties of agriculture and came to Marshall. Ile served in the Confederate army of Virginia, and is a gentleman of courage and undoubted integ- rity of character. Socially, Mr. Nordyke is iden- titied with the K. of M. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and with his estimable and at- tractive wife is an important factor in the religi- ons and social enterprises of that organization. Mr. and Mrs. Nordyke are widely known through- out the county, and all their carly associations bind them to the State of their birth. Their circle of friends is lige, and as yet no cloud dims the horizon of their future. Our subject is the young- est man in Marshall carrying on a business of his own, but naturally self-reliant and enterprising, he is steadily winning his way upward and to-day controls an excellent and profitable business, sec-
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ond to none in its line, considering the brief length of time since it was established. lle is a Democrat in sentiment, and, in common with all true American citizens, is deeply interested in the management of public affairs and is ever ready to assist in local improvements and reform.
RANK L. BLACKMAN. No more practi- cal and enterprising man is numbered among the Chicago & Alton engineers than he of whom we write. The heroic strain which should be in the character of every engineer is predominant in that of Mr. Blackman, and he : would not hesitate to stay by his engine, if there- by, in a moment of peril to himself, he could save the lives and property of others.
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Mr. Blackman was born in Scott County, lowa, five miles west of Davenport, his natal day being February 8, 1851. lle is a son of L. S. and Susan (Parker) Blackman, both parents being natives of Canada, where they married. They made the journey Westward in an early day and located a farm in Scott County, Iowa. The decease of the father took place in 1883, and that of the mother in 1854.
Of the eight children in the Blackman family our subject was next to the youngest. lle had three brothers who served in the Federal army. Reared on a farm. he received ordinary educational advantages, but longed toknow more of the out- side world, and with this end in view he took a position in 1871 as a fireman on the Chicago & Alton Road between Louisiana and Mexico, Mo. Five years later, he became an engineer on the same division. He was employed in the building of the track until it was completed to Kansas City, and after that was employed in pulling freight trains until 1882, when, on account of ill health, he laid off for two years.
Returning to Scott County, Iowa, our subject was engaged in farming, but it is a fact that it is difficult to content one's self with other business,
once having been on the road, and in 1885 Frank Blackman returned to the Chicago & Alton and loca- ted at Slater. Since then he has been steadily employ- ed and has a run between Slater and Roodhouse. lle has never had an accident, although some elose calls. lle takes as much pride in his engine, which is No. 169, as a model housewife does in her domes- tic domain. Mr. Blackman has secured a pleasant home for his family in the town of Slater, and this is presided over with great capability by his wife, who was Miss Julia M. Hughes. They were mar- ried in Cedar City, Callaway County, Mo., Feb- ruary 20, 1874. Mrs. Blackman is a native of the place in which she was married and is a daughter of Absolom Inghes, a native of Virginia and an early settler in Missouri. He was a soldier in the Mexican War, and at the age of eighty-two years is still a vigorous and hale citizen of Sioux City. The maiden name of Mrs. Blackman's mother was Parthenia Boles, and she was also a native of Vir- ginia. She died in Missouri in 1891. Mrs. Black- man was next to the youngest of a family of eleven children. She is herself the mother of two, whose names are Edna and Everette.
The original of this sketch is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to the Iron llall. Mrs. Blackman is a member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church. In politics, our sub- jeet is an ardent Independent. llis liking for rail- roading seems to be his natural bent, for he has had a longing from childhood to distinguish him- self in railroad work.
R UFUS YOUNG, a prominent agriculturist and stock-raiser of La Fayette County, owns a valuable farm of three hundred and thirty aeres in township 50, range 26. Born in Hawkins County, Tenn., July 2, 1825, our subject was but five years old when his parents re- moved to Missouri, and in 1833 he came to La
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Fayette County, which has ever since been his home. For over three-score years a well-known resident of this portion of the State, his life's his- tory has been intimately associated with the prog- ress and advancement of his immediate neighbor- hood. Energetic and industrious, he has steadily won his upward way, and, ever honorable and up- right in his business dealings, possesses the conti- dence of all who know him.
The paternal ancestors of Rufus Young were remotely of Scotch and British birth. His grand- father, John Young, made a home for himself and family in Tennessee, and there the father of our subject, Maj. A. G. Young, was born and educated. Maj. Young served bravely in the War of 1812, and was a man of courage and resolution. Ile was an important addition to the business community of La Fayette County, when, in the early days of 1833, he was warmly welcomed among the pioncer residents of the then sparsely settled district of Missouri. His wife, Mrs. Elizabeth (MeChesney) Young, was a native of Washington County, Va., and the danghter of Thomas McChesney. a promi- nent and honored citizen of the Old Dominion.
In common with other farmer boys, our subject in his youth assisted his father in the daily duties of the farm, and soon became an adept in the work of planting, sowing and reaping the abun- dant crops. Ilis habits of industry and thrift carly gave him self-reliance, and well titted him to cope with the labor of the coming years. At the age of twenty-one years he began to make his own way in the world, still continuing in the pur- suit of agriculture, whose various demands fully absorbed his time. His large farm is under a high state of improvement, and produces excellent crops, yielding a substantial income year by year. This farm has long been noted for its excellent stock, always in fine condition and superior in quality. the best of their kind to be found in the limits of the county. Mr. Young makes a specialty of raising Shorthorn cattle, and has also a choice variety of blooded hogs.
February 12, 1846, Mr. Young was united in marriage with Miss Pamelia A., daughter of Daniel and Ilulda C. Lankford. both natives of Tennessee. who settled in La Fayette County in a very early
day. Six children blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Young. Sarah, the eldest-born, is the wife of Jackson Bradley, a resident of La Fayette County; James B. is a successful farmer; Martha C. is the wife of David Rolston, and lives in La Fayette County; Arthur P., George R. and Henry A. complete the list of sous and daughters, who, with their father and mother, have all worthily filled positions of influence in La Fayette County, and who are all well known as enterprising and progressive citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Young are among the valued members of the Presbyterian Church, and have always been foremost in the pro- motion and extension of the good work of that religious organization. Our subjeet has never re- fused a helping hand in any worthy cause, and is earnest in his efforts for the improvement and lo- cal advancement of educational interests. In po- litical belief and affiliation, he is first and last a pronounced Democrat, and votes with his party, having cast his first ballot for President Pieree.
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IELDING T. NORRIS is one of the repre- sentative business men of Slater, Saline County, commanding the trade of the sur- rounding country as well as of the town in his business, which is that of a dealer in harness and saddlery. He has taken a front rank among the commercial men of this locality, and his name is to be found foremost in all enterprises that prom- ise the advancement of local interests.
Mr. Norris was born in Boone County, this State, March 20. 1850. Ile was reared on a farm until six years of age, when his parents removed to Rocheport, of the same county, where he grew to manhood. His hoyhood days were occupied in ae- quiring an education, which he secured in the pub- lie schools of that place. Ile was seventeen years of age on completing his school days, and then served an apprenticeship of two years in learning the harness-maker's and saddler's trade, serving his apprenticeship in the village of Rocheport.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
After completing his time of probation, he spent one year in working at the trade as journeyman, locating in Columbia and Baxter Springs, Kan. He was in the latter place for nine months and thence came to Arrow Rock, Saline County, in 1872. During the six months that he was there he was employed in the milling business, and the following five years he was in the same business at Frankfort, Saline County, carrying on his in- terests in company with A. W. Gilliam.
Our subject came to Slater in 1878 and at once entered the harness and saddlery business. After carrying this on for two years he sold out his in- terest, and the following three years he engaged in the hardware and furniture business. lle dis- posed of that and passed one year in rest from ac- tive participation in business, and then entered the employ of Striker & Stearn, holding a position as clerk three and a-half years.
In July of 1891, our subject again opened his present extensive house, and this has occupied his attention exclusively ever since. Ile carries a first-class stock of goods. His warerooms con- tain all goods pertaining in the least to his line of business. Hle enjoys the confidence and esteem of those with whom he has dealings, and consequent- ly commands their patronage.
In 1879 Mr. Norris was elected to the office of Mayor of the city. This position he filled accept- ably for one year, and since then has served as Alderman for seven successive years. He has never spared himself when the question of advantage to the town was concerned, but has thrown himself readily into whatever breech needed a personal sacrifice. lle has ever been an ardent advocate of all measures which tend to the growth and prosperity of the city. Fraternally he is a Mason and belongs to Cambridge Lodge No. 63, and to Slater Chapter No. 112. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
The original of this sketch was joined in mar- riage, on the 10th of December, 1874, in this county, with Miss E. C. Gilliam, a daughter of A. W. Gilliam, who lives near Frankfort. The lady is a native of Virginia. She has brightened his home with the most admirable feminine qualities. She and her husband are ardent workers in the
Baptist Church. Their two children are named Vera B. and Fielding T., Jr. Mr. Norris has erected a beautiful residence in Slater, which is one of the finest in the city. It is modern and attractive in its style of architecture and its interior finish is chaste and beautiful.
n P. BUCK, the hospitable and genial owner of the fine farm located on section 22, township 51, range 24, La Fayette County, is the subject of this sketch. llis birth occurred in the city of Lexington in this State, March 23, 1832. Ilis father, Dr. Perry G. Buck, a native of New York, was one of the pioneers of La Fayette County, and to him belongs the distinction of hav- ing built the first house in the city of Lexington. That was in the year 1819, and little did he think he was making a beginning that would prove so satisfactory years afterward. The mother of our subject was, in her maiden days, Miss Rebecca, the daughter of Anthony Thomas, a native of Mary- land, of Scotch ancestry, who became one of the pioneers of La Fayette County.
Our subjeet passed his boyhood days in Lexing- ton, attending the common schools, and at the age of eighteen he entered the Masonic College at Lex- ington, where he pursued his studies for one year. His studies ended, he learned the trade of carpen- ter, at which he worked for several years, but in 1862 he began farming in La Fayette County, where he has continued until the present time. Mr. Buck feeds stock extensively in connection with general farming, and has a fine farm of eigli- teen hundred and thirty acres, most of which is cultivated to a high degree, and all is under fenc- ing. He may properly be termed one of the landed men of the State.
Mr. Buck is a member of Waverly Lodge No. 61. F. & A. M., and is also identified with Mid- dleton Lodge No. 186, A. O. U. W. In 1869 he married Miss Margaret E., daughter of E. R. Pritchard, a native of Kentucky. Seven children,
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four sons and three daughters, have blessed this union, as follows: E. O., Nellie P., Mary E .. Lucy G., Dennis T., Grover C. and David F. Our sub- ject is a member of the Presbyterian Church; Mrs. Buck was reared in the faith of the Christian Church, to which she adheres. The family is one of the most highly regarded in this neighborhood.
E J. SANFORD is Superintendent of the Kan- sas City Division of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, having his headquarters at Slater, Saline County. Mr. Sanford was born in the vil- lage of Canton, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., .June 5, 1818. There the first ten years of his life were passed, and then his parents moved West and set- tled in Grundy County, INI., which was their home for one and a-half years. They then went to Liv- ingston County, and settled in the vicinity of Dwight.
Our subjeet remained at home until 1861, when he first entered the service of the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company as baggage-master at Dwight. lle was employed in this way only six months. The country was then in the fever of war, and in April of 1862, although but fourteen years of age, he enlisted in Company B, of the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois Infantry. It is claimed that he was the youngest enlisted soldier in the army of the Cumberland. He served continuously about three years. On account of his youth he was detached from his regiment and acted as AAide-de- Camp to Gen. Smith, of the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Ilinois Infantry, and to Col. Case, ot the First Brigade. Third Division, Twentieth Army Corps, and also to Gens. Ward and Hooker. For one hundred and five days he was under fire, and took part in the following engagements: Perrys- ville, Ky., Resaca, Snake Creek Gap, Buzzard's Roost, Estell Farms, Kenesaw Mountains, Lost Mountain, Big Shanty, Marietta, Chattanooga River, Peach Tree Creek, and in the siege of At- lanta.
At Dallas, Ga., the young soldier received a slight wound. In the engagements enumerated above he aeted as Orderly. Ile enlisted in the service with the consent of his parents, weighing eighty-seven pounds on entering the army. On his return home his weight was one hundred and fifteen pounds. His father, Lewis W. Sanford, was a regularly en- listed soldier, although he had but one arm, and in consequence of that was on detached duty. He was placed in charge of a hospital train, and while in the discharge of his duty was attacked with pneumonia, and died at Gallatin, Tenn. Father and son were together at that trying time, and our subject was called upon to pass through this ter- rible ordeal.
After his father's death Mr. Sanford was offered a furlough by the late Gen. Case, in order that he might visit his mother. The General showed his sympathy for the fatherless soldier boy by offering him the necessary funds for the journey. The lad. however, declined to accept the favor, and stuck to his post. When the general order was given for all enlisted soldiers to report to their regiments, Mr. Sanford was specially detailed by Gen. Thomas to remain at Nashville, Tenn., and take charge of the descriptive lists of the general fickl-hospital at that point.
On receiving his honorable discharge from mil- itary service, our subject returned to his widowed mother, and soon afterward entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company. He was employed as brakeman for two years, then as train baggage-master, and later as extra passenger eon- duetor. In the latter capacity he served for four years. He was then engaged as regular conductor until 1882, when he received the appointment of trainmaster at Kansas City. lle held this position until 1887, when he was appointed Assistant Su- perintendent in charge of the Kansas City Division of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, with headquarters at Slater.
Mr. Sanford has the honor of being the Seere- tary of the Association of Superintendents on the Kansas City Railroads. His military associations are kept fresh in memory by his membership with the George H. Thomas Post, G. A. R., at Kan- sas City. He also belongs to the Conductors' Mu-
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tual Aid and Benefit Association. In church rela- tions he is a Methodist. He has been President of the Railroad Young Men's Christian Association of Kansas City for four years, and during that time established a library in the Railroad Men's Reading and Social Rooms in the Union Depot at that place. Ile has been one of the 'members of the State Executive Board of the Young Men's Christian Association of Missouri.
As Mr. Sanford has been so intimately connected with religious work among railroad men, it will not be out of place to speak of it more fully. The reading and social rooms for the railroad men at Slater are supplied with a good library. They also have an organ, and the walls are adorned with some fine engravings and other pictures, many of which have been placed there by our subject. It is bright with electric lights, and has the addition of excellent bath-rooms.
Mr. Sanford was married in Mason City, Ill., June 26, 1871, to Miss Genevra, daughter of S. D. Swing, of Mason City, who is a relative of the noted divine of the same name in Chicago. Mrs. Sanford was born in Mason City. They have one daughter who is named Lulu M. Mr. Sanford is a man of recognized executive ability, highly re- spected and esteemed, and thoroughly liked be- cause of his genial and sunny temperament, and is the right man in the right place.
Le M. ALEXANDER, M. D., the successful and able physician and surgeon, whose extended practice of many years gives him a pre- eminent position as the pioneer among the medi- cal practitioners of Saline County, Mo., has also experienced the advantages arising from his pro- fessional duties as an army surgeon. Col. Alexan- der enjoyed in early youth the benefit of an excellent education, and being a cultured gentleman of literary attainments, has been an active and im- portant factor in the professional and social world of Marshall and the surrounding country.
In ancient times, a Scottish chief, McDonald, received from the Earl of Stirling the name of Alexander, which name he bequeathed to his de- scendants, of whom our subject is one. The Alex- anders came from Scotland in Colonial times, and received from the Government a large grant of land on the Potomac. Alexandria was named in honor of the paternal great-grandfather of our subject, John Alexander, who, together with his brother, erected a Christian Church there. Charles Alex- ander, the paternal grandfather, was educated in the practice of the law, and was a native of Vir- gima. The father of Col. Alexander was William B. Alexander, who was born in Alexandria, Va., and completed an excellent education by a course in the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated. Ile never practiced his profession, how- ever, but attended solely to agricultural duties. In 1842 he brought his family to Saline County. north of Slater, in Cambridge Township, where he had fifteen hundred acres of land, which he im- proved and remained upon until his death, which occurred when he was fifty-seven years of age. He had started to Virginia, but was taken ill and had to return, and died soon afterward from exposure.
The mother of our subject, Susan P. Browne, was born in Virginia in the vicinity of her husband's birthplace. She was a daughter of John Browne, a Virginia farmer, who went to Kentucky in the early days, and died in Breckenridge County.
The Browne family was of Scotch descent, and the mother died in Virginia. The father of our subject was an Episcopalian, and all the family were religiously inclined, and attendants at var- ious church organizations. Col. Alexander is a native of Alexandria, Va., and was born April 23, 1832. Of the original property owned by the Alexanders in Virginia, he still retains some lots. Of the eleven children born nuto his father and mother, he was the eighth in order of birth. Ten of the brothers and sisters who clustered about the family hearth lived to adult age, and six of them yet survive. During the Civil War two of the brothers enlisted, and were both surgeons in the Confederate army.
Our subject came to Missouri when only ten years old, traveling by way of Louisville to what
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was then Old Jefferson, the county seat of Saline County, now Cambridge. Soon after his arrival in the new home, he was sent to Mt. Marina, a Cath- olie school, which he attended for some years, af- terward finishing his course of study at Lex- ington. Mo., m the Masonie College. in the senior class. In 1819 he started overland to California, but only went as far as Kansas and then returned home. Col. Alexander at once began teaching school, and busied himself in this avocation for some time. He next studied medicine under the supervision. of Dr. J N. Dunlap, of Miami, and then read and studied with his brother. Dr. J. B. Alexan- der, of Lexington, Mo. Finally our subject entered the University of Virginia, at Charlottesville, and spent one year in the medical department.
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