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 20
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 20
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Dr. Hall is a member of the Mt. Olive Presby- terian Church, of which he is an Elder. His post- office address is Marshall, while his farm is located on section 7, township 49, range 20. It is a fine place, and furnishes plenty of interesting occupa- tion for all the time and strength that the Doctor feels able or inclined to put upon it, and he him- self, after a long life of usefulness, has carned the right to take the part now of an interested looker-on and adviser, living over again in the lives of his children, and especially, perhaps, in those of his sons who are following his own pro- fession, the years of his own youth and middle age. Respected in the community, and esteemed by many friends. he is going pleasantly down the slope of this existence toward a new and larger one. Mrs. Hall departed this life at her home, September 17, 1883.
ON. LEONIDAS H. TUCKER, the Presid- ing Judge of the County Court of Saline. is one of the most prominent and influen- tial citizens of the State, and for many years has been constantly identified with every interest of importance in his immediate locality. Ile is one of the leading factors in the upward growth and progress of various useful and benevo- lent associations which have gathered into their
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membership the most cultivated and intelligent citizens in the country, and he is distinguished by the ability with which he conducts the daily busi- ness of life.
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The paternal grandfather of our subject was a farmer in Virginia, of English descent. ITis son, Joshua G., removed with his family to the South- west, traveling all the way by team and arriving in Missouri in 1838. At that time the family consisted of husband, wife and one child. They first located in Saline County, on the Pinnacles in Miami Township. The next year they moved to Cooper County, where the father suffered heavy losses from the great floods of 1814. Becoming discouraged, he left the place, and in t814 came to Miami Township, Saline County, and bought a farm, where he was prospered exceedingly. A man of resolution and energy, he also thoroughly understood agricultural duties and was exceed- ingly practical in thought and action. Ile was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a consistent Christian man. lle died when about sixty-three years of age.
The mother of our subject, Elizabeth A. (Har- per) Tucker, was born in Nodaway County, Va., and died in Miami Township. Her father died when she was an infant, and she was reared by an uncle, Dr. Harper, of Virginia. She was the mother of three daughters and two sons, the eldest child in the family being Leonidas, our subject. His first residence in Missouri was in Cooper County, but from 1844 he has lived in Saline County. Judge Tucker was born December 13, 1837, in Dinwid- die County, Va. He attended the common schools of Saline County, but as his father's farm was new and required much cultivation to make it profit- able, he was obliged to assist in the daily cares, and sometimes was not able to go to the little log schoolhouse. Subsequently he had the advantage of instruction in Fairview Academy. Ilis studies there completed, he returned home and again en- gaged in farming.
In 1861, at the first call, our subject enlisted in the Confederate army under Gen. Parson. Ile was also under Gen. Price for about two years. During the war he was in various parts of Mis- souri, and was Orderly-Sergeant in Capt. Brown's
Company of Fairville. In about two years he re- turned home, and was married in Miami, June 7, 1862, to Miss Sarah B. Mercereau, who was born in ITion, Broome County, N. Y. Mrs. Tucker is the daughter of Job L. Mercereau, a native of New York, and a farmer in Broome County. She is a graduate in music and taught seven years in the South, and has also followed that profession here. Judge Tucker and his estimable wife became the parents of three sons and two daughters: Layton G. was educated at Central College, in Fayette. Mo., and is a farmer in Marshall Township; Frank W. was also educated at Central College, and fol- lows farming pursuits in Miami Township; Har- vey E. and Minnie I. are at home. Ettie L. died in infancy.
When Judge Tucker located on his farm he first cultivated one hundred acres and engaged in rais- ing hemp. Later, he devoted more time to stock- raising and feeding cattle, in which he was so suc- cessful that he increased his acreage, and now owns a farm of four hundred acres, all finely im- proved. The magnificent home farm is in Miami Township, upon section 7. Judge Tucker has in- creased his landed estate, until he controls fully $50,000 worth of farming property. He had six hundred acres all improved, but has given two hun- dred to his sons. The home farm is all fenced and is improved with a handsome residence and well- built and commodious barns. Aside from general agriculture our subject is raising full-blooded and grade Shorthorns, and feeds a large number of cattle. He was in the Saline County Fair Asso- ciation from its formation until its close, having served as Dircetor constantly, and for one year was President. He has some fine roadsters in his barn, and the entire appearance of the farm de- notes the energy , thrift and good management of the owner.
Judge Tucker is very properly a member of the Old Settlers' Association. Alway interested in educational advancement, he was a school official, and in 1886 was elected Presiding County Judge and re-elected in 1890. Ile is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has been a Trus- tee. Politically, he has frequently enjoyed the distinction of representing his constituents in State
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and county conventions, and in every instance has conducted his official duties in a manner most satisfying to all concerned. Conscientious and upright. he has worthily won the good-will and confidence of the general public.
UDGE B. D. WEEDIN, the popular and enterprising County Surveyor, and for- merly Judge of the County Court, is a prosperous agriculturist, possessing an ex- tended experience in farming, chiefly upon section 18, township 50, range 26, La Fayette County. Our subjeet engaged in military life, both in the State militia of Missouri and as a brave and fear- less officer in the late war. In the discharge of the various official duties intrusted to his care he has exhibited the clear judgment and faithfulness which have ever distinguished his conduct upon the bench and in the daily affairs of life. A eiti- zen of undoubted integrity of character, he has worthily won the confidence of the general public, and commands the esteem of all who know him.
Judge Weedin is a native of Glasgow. Ky., and was born in 1831. His father, Caleb Weedin, was a native of South Carolina, and when a boy re- moved to Kentucky; afterward he came to Mis- souri, when it was a Territory, and sojourned here for some time, and then returned to Kentucky and married Miss Eliza S. Moore, who was born in that State.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Ben- jamin Weedin, was a veteran of the Revolutionary War, a brave and patriotic man, ardent in the defense of the Colonies, and a believer in the Government of a republic. The youthful days of Judge Weedin were passed in Kentucky, where he attended the common schools and aided his fa- ther upon the farm until 1819, when he entered Centre College at Danville, and, having completed the classical course with honor, was graduated in 1853 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts.
Immediately following the completion of his college course, our subject eame to La Fayette County and settled in Lexington, where he en- gaged in surveying and civil engineering. He served in the State Militia of Missouri, and in 1861 enlisted as Lieutenant in Ruffner's Battery, remaining at the front until the close of the war. Courageous and fearless. he participated in the battles of Prairie Grove and Little Rock, and nu- merous skirmishes. He was in the thick of the conflict almost continuously, sharing perils and daily privations year after year until the close of the war. Returning then to La Fayette County, he once more resumed the peaceful avocation of earlier life, and, locating upon his present farm. became again a tiller of the soil.
The farm of one hundred and seventy acres is under a fine state of cultivation, annually yield- ing a bounteous harvest, and yearly increasing in value. An adept in civil engineering and ac- counted an expert surveyor, Judge Weedin has most ellleiently conducted the duties of County Surveyor, being elected to the position in 1880, and holding the office continuously ever since. It is now nearly twenty-three years since our sub- ject took his seat upon the bench as JJudge of La Fayette County, and for a term of two years he presided with honor and ability, his rulings, ever in aceord with law and evidence, displaying the aequirements of a scholar and the legal knowl- edge of a thorough jurist.
In the month of August, 1865, Judge Weedin was united in marriage with Miss Martha A., daughter of Daniel Lankford, an old and highly respected resident of the county. The pleasant home of Judge Weedin and his wife was blessed by the birth of three children, two sons and one daughter. Kirby, the eldest of the family, is a civil engineer in Denver, Colo. William B. is a medieal student in Maxwell, Tenn. Katie S. is a promising student in Elizabeth Aull Seminary, at Lexington, Mo. The mother of this family died in 1879. She was a faithful member of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church, and an estimable lady. Judge Weedin is an active supporter of social, religious and benevolent enterprises, and is identified with the Cumberland Presbyterian
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS B
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Dohr B. Jones
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Church. Possessing an extended acquaintance, he has long been recognized as an important factor in local progress and improvement. lle has al- ways taken an abiding interest in political affairs, : and is a thorough and consistent Democrat.
OHIN B. JONES. In presenting to our read- ers the salient features connected with the life of this prominent citizen of Aullville, it may be well to first briefly revert to his ancestry, which on both sides is admirable. It united the traits of thrift, sagacity, enterprise, in- dustry, patriotism, and, indeed, all the qualities of the best manhood and womanhood. On the pa- ternal side, Mr. Jones is descended from Welsh and German ancestors, while on the maternal side he is of Scotch-Irish and English descent.
During the Revolutionary War the grandfather of our subject joined the Colonial army in its struggle for liberty. Again, when patriots were called for, in the War of 1812, both paternal and maternal grandfathers were among those who en- tered the ranks as soldiers. Great-grandfather Boyd was for five years a prisoner with the In- dians at Ft. Du Quesne, and was there at the time of Gen. Braddock's defeat by the French.
Our subject was born in Brooke County, W. Va., September 27, 1833, the son of Ellis and Ilester C. (Boyd) Jones, natives of West Virginia and of Washington County, Pa., respectively. Ile was reared upon his father's farm, and for a time at- tended the common schools; he later entered Beth- any College, where he completed his education. For a short time he taught school in West Virginia, and as he has always been a very extensive reader, is well informed upon almost every topie. In 1858, he came to La Fayette County, Mo., and in 1860 began farming upon land which he had rented. Later lie bought a fine tract of land a short dis- tance south of Aullville, and upon that and an ad- joining farm he remained until 1888.
During the late war onr subject was a member first
of the enrolled militia, then of the provisional militia, and later of the United States troops. While with the latter he was First Sergeant of Company E, Forty-fifth Missouri Infantry, and was appointed to duty principally in this State, although he also served some time in Tennessee. About 1888, Mr. Jones came into the town of Aull- ville, where he has remained ever since. Ile was married June 15, 1871, to Mrs. O. P. Twiss, a na- tive of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is serving as Steward, which office he has held since 1868.
For many years our subject has been a stanch Republican. Ile has served his party on the County Committee, and at present he is a member of the State Central Committee for the Fifth District. llis connection with the Masonic order is of long standing; he has served as Master of the lodge in Aullville, and he is very active in all matters con- nected with the order. lle was a charter member of the James A. Mulligan Post No. 11, G. A. R., at Lexington, and later became a charter member of the Jolm P. McCluney Post No. 331, G. A. R., Iligginsville, Mo., of which he has been three times honored by being made Commander, and at present holds that position.
Mr. Jones has been much interested in the de- velopment of this county, and has assisted with his means and influence to aid its progress. Al- though he has retired from active work on the farm, he remembers the trials through which he has passed and by which he has attained to his present state of peace and plenty.
B. ROBERTSON is one of the leading and influential young farmers and stock- raisers of Saline County and well deserves representation in this volume. Ile re- sides on township 51, range 23. He was born in Knox County, Mo., April 16, 1859, and is of Scotch-Irish descent, the family having been
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founded in America by ancestors who settled in Virginia in Colonial days, His grandfather, do- siah Robertson, was born in that State, from where he removed to Ohio, but in the year 1810 became a resident of Marion County, Mo., where he en- tered a considerable tract of land. His family numbered two sons and three daughters: John M., a lawyer and real-estate dealer of Kansas City; Al- bert G., living near Mt. Leonard; Isabel, widow of W. Moreland, who resides on the old home- stead in Marion County, Mo .; Jane, wife of Robert Ilall; and Caroline, wife of Daniel Black.
A. G. Robertson, the father of our subject, was born in Ohio in 1822, and with his parents came to Missouri at the age of seventeen years. He has followed farming throughout his entire life and is still engaged in that pursuit. lle remained at home until his marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of Randall and Rosa Black. both of whom are na- tives of Ireland. Their daughter was born in the Buckeye State. Mr. and Mrs. Robertson began their domestic life upon a farm in Knox County, Mo., which he had entered only a few months be- fore their marriage. He at one time owned six- teen hundred acres of land, but has sold to his sons all but about five hundred acres. In 1865 he removed to Hancock County, IN., where he rented land for a short time, and then came to Sa- line County, where he has since made his home. While in Knox County he served as Judge of the County Court. In politics he supports the Demo- cratic principles, and during the war his sympa- thies were with the South. The Robertson family numbered eight children, but George M. and Annie are now deccased. Those still living are: Josiah, John M., Dorothea J., Daniel B., Thomas .J. and Minnie.
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The subject of this sketch acquired his educa- tion in the public schools and was reared to man- hood upon his father's farm. In 1887 he took a trip to the Southwest, visiting New Mexico and Colorado, and on his return he was joined in mar- riage with Miss May, daughter of Jesse Van Winkle, of Saline County, who is of German de- scent. Two children grace their union, Minnie and George.
Mr. Robertson purchased his present farm in
1882. In company with his father he bought four hundred and forty acres of land, but has since purchased his father's share and recently has be- come owner of a tract of one hundred aeres not far distant. Ile is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and feeds cattle, hogs and sheep quite extensively. He also breeds mules and horses, and handles each year between three and four hundred hogs and between two and three hundred cattle. His landed possessions aggregate five hundred and forty acres, and the well-tilled fields and neat appearance of the place indicate the thrift and enterprise of the owner. Ihis home is a commodious and handsome residence, beauti- fully located, and stands as a monument to the progressive spirit of the owner. Mr. Robertson is acknowledged one of the active, prosperous and progressive farmers of Saline County.
AMES II. STARR, a representative agricul- turist and a highly respected citizen of La Fayette County. Mo., resides upon his finely cultivated homestead located in section 16. township 48, range 27, and is widely known as a man of sterling integrity of character. Earnest. energetic and self-reliant, he has made his own way in the world, and, successful in the pur- suit of agriculture, is also an important factor in local improvements and progress. Our subject was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., near MeFar- lan Post Office, February 13, 1810, and is a son of Sampson and Anna M. (Scaggs) Starr.
Sampson Starr, born near Bull Gap, Tenn., was long an honest. hard-working and intelligent far- mer of his native State, but finally he determined to try his fortunes in Missouri, and in the fall of 1853, with team and wagon, slowly made the journey hither, being six weeks upon the way. At last reaching his destination, December 21, he set- tled in Sniabar Township, and two years later lo- cated on one hundred and twenty acres in section
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5, township 18, range 27. where he lived many years, an industrious tiller of the soil, and after a life of busy usefulness passed away in 1882.
Sampson Starr was twice married, and by his first wife became the father of five children, all of whom lived to adult age. The sisters and brothers were William, James 11., Ellen, Marian and Eme- line. The sceond wife was Mary Simpson, a lady well known and highly respected in the home neighborhood and locality. The parents of our subject were both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and were consistent Christian people. In political atliliation, Sampson Starr was in carly life a Whig, and later a strong Republican, The Starrs are of German ancestry, but numerous members of the family have long been among the honest, upright and law-abiding citizens of the United States.
James II. Starr, reared upon a farm, was trained into habits of energetie industry, and with but a limited education, grew up manly and self-reliant, and at nineteen years of age, enlisted in October, 1862, in Company A, First Missouri Cavalry, and served bravely as Second Sergeant. The first bat- tle in which he participated was at Kirksville, and following that he took an active part in all the engagements in which the regiment was called into action. He was severely wounded in the left leg at Lexington, and after facing perils and priva- tions courageously, was honorably discharged from the service in St. Louis, July 7, 1865, and returned at once to agricultural duties. Upon September 2, 1868, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Martin, who was born in Johnson County, Mo., the daughter of Joseph and Fizzy (llunter) Martin, who came from North Carolina to Mis- souri, and were among the early settlers of the State. They became the father and mother of ten children.
Mr. and Mrs. James II. Starr became the parents of six children, five of whom are now surviving. They were as follows: Charles, who is married; Fannie, the wife of John Edwards; George S., Merrit A., Lillie E. and Fred M. Our subject and his esteemed wife are Baptists, to which denomina- tion Mrs. Starr has belonged since childhood, but Mr. Starr, who formerly was a communicant of the
Cumberland Church ( Presbyterian ), has only been a member of the Baptist Church the past twelve years. The husband and wife are both active in all good works and benevolent enterprises of their church, and are liberal supporters in the extension of its good work. Politically, Mr. Starr is an ac- tive Republican, and an ardent advocate of the party. Immediately upon his return from the scenes of war, our subject rented land, and later bought ninety acres adjoining his father's farm, which he improved, and in April, 1885, profitably disposed of, and then located upon the one hun- dred and eighty acres of valuable land which now comprise his fine homestead. Mr. Starr has won success in life by honest effort, and is well worthy of the regard which he receives from friends and fellow-citizens.
S. McDANIEL, M. D., one of the oldest physicians and also one of the most influ- ential of the residents of Saline County Mo., is the subject of this sketch. His location is upon section 19, township 52, range 20, and he is a native of the State and county, having first seen the light here in 1847.
The parents of Dr. MeDaniel were R. E. and Delia (Richerson) MeDaniel, both of whom were natives of the State of Virginia. The family was formed, before coming to America, by the union of Scotch and Irish elements, but of their exact Joeation at that time we have no data. The family home was in Virginia, and there the father of our subjeet was educated in the common schools and passed a part of his early life. In 1841, we find him located in the county of Saline, one of its most prominent citizens. At different times he engaged in the mercantile business in Missouri- at Boonville, and also at Miami, at which lat- ter place he was located at the time of his death.
Mr. MeDaniel had acquired a large amount of property, having purchased some five thousand acres in Saline County, the greater part of which
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he retained at the time of his decease. This land has since been divided between the heirs, and by the terms of his father's will our subject was found to be one of the executors. The father is still well remembered in the county. as he had iden- tilied himself with all matters concerning his State and county. He was elected to and filled with credit the office of Judge of the County Court, and was also one of the organizers and builders of the Bethel Church. His convictions were firm. and his adherence to the principles of Democracy unwavering. and he was always warm in his feel- ings for the cause of the Confederacy.
Our subject was one of a family of twelve children, mne brothers and three sisters. At pres- ent four of the brothers are living and two sisters. The eldest of the family was Reuben McDaniel (see sketch); Giles R. married Laura Garnett, and resides in Kansas City, where he carries on a real- estate business; B. F. married Martha Brown, and at present practices law in the city of Pueblo. Colo .. near which city he is engaged in extensive cattle and land interests; Mary married Mr. Bell. a minister of the Gospel at Miami; and Flora E. is the widow of Quincy Thomson, and now lives north of Slater.
Our subject was reared on the home place, and his early education was obtained at what is com- monly known as the Bethel Schoolhouse. After finishing here, he attended school at Fairville, completing the English branches of his education at Huntsville. Mo .. at the age of nineteen. This had necessitated close application and a brilliant understanding. lle then commenced a course of medical studies with Dr. Dunlap, a Miami phy- sician, and remained with him for one year as a student; he then went to the Medical Univer- sity of Virginia, thence going to Bellevue College, in New York City, from which institution he was graduated in 1870.
At the death of his beloved father, our subject, with two brothers. took charge of the estate, to which business he attended until the year 1873. when he began the practice of medicine in Saline County. Here he remained until his marriage with Miss Hebe Seott. She was born in the town of Miami, in Saline County, in 1855, and was the
daughter of John P. Scott. The marriage took place in 1886. and one child was born of this union, Mary, born in 1887. At this time Dr. MeDaniel removed to Kansas City. where he again resumed the practice of medicine and remained three years, when he returned to Miami.
Our subject is the owner of the old MeDaniel homestead and the surrounding tract of land of four hundred and twenty-five acres, all improved, and which is at present valued at $65 per acre. Ile is a valued member of the Baptist Church in Miami, and is a liberal supporter of the same. As may be imagined, Dr. McDaniel is a Democrat in his political belief, both from training and con- viction.
OSEPHI H. PAGE, the progressive and en- terprising founder of Page City, La Fay- ette County, Mo., is numbered among the early pioneer citizens of this State who laid the broad foundation of the advancement and up- ward growth of their localities, and has aided in all the improvements that have been important factors in the rapid settlement and development of this portion of the United States. Our subject, always ambitious, energetic, and withal possessing excellent judgment, has accomplished results most gratifying in retrospeet. A self-reliant man, over- coming obstacles with apparent ease, he was well adapted to the requirements of the almost wilder- ness into which he came in early boyhood.
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