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 22
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 22
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Our subject affiliates with and has been an officer of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is now a most valued associate of the fra-
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ternity. He is also a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and as one of the efficient building committee did great service in the erec- tion of two houses of worship in Marshall, and has ever been foremost in promoting religious work. He and his family are important factors in the social and religious life of the church, and have personally many true and faithful friends both in the religious world and among the general pub- lic. Our subject is no oflice-seeker, but he takes an active interest in the management of local and national affairs, and in common with all good citizens emphasizes his opinion with his vote, cast- ing his for the Democratic candidates on the party ticket. Honest, energetic and upright in his daily life and character, Mr. Althouse has fairly won success in the country of his adoption and has the best wishes of all his fellow-townsmen.
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R ICHARD BASTIN THORP, one of the carly teachers of Missouri, and a successful agri- culturist, has held important official pos- itions in Saline County, where he is highly respected as a man of sterling integrity of character, possessing undoubted ability and self-reliant energy. Born October 17, 1824, in Howard County, Mo .. he has for many years been an important factor in the progress and rapid advancement of the best in- terests of his lifetime home. Grandfather Thomas Thorp was a native of Virginia, his father and two elder brothers having come from England at a very early date. Ile died in Kentucky, to which State he had removed with a portion of his family.
By Grandfather Thorp's second marriage, which united him with Eleanor Jackson, a native of Virginia, he became the father of the following children: Thomas; Jackson, the father of our sub- ject; Dorcas, who married John Warden, of Ken- tucky; Mrs. Lucy Morris; Mrs. Wells: and Mrs. Swift, of Madison County, Ky. Jackson Thorp, the father of Richard Bastin Thorp, was born in Madison
County, Ky., in 1799, and having passed the days of his boyhood in Kentucky, removed to Missouri. After his father's death, he returned to Kentucky to settle the estate, and remained there a little over two years, engaged meanwhile in teaching school. He returned to Howard County in 1823, and in July of that year married Miss Harriet Bastin, who was born in Lancaster, Ky., the daughter of Rich- ard and Polly Bastin, who were Virginians, Mr. Thorp had bought land in Howard County, Mo., in 1820, and with his wife located upon that as yet uncultivated farm.
Jackson Thorp was taught in the schools of those early days in Kentucky, and was well informed, his education surpassing that of the average man who has never attended college. With industry and energy, he acquired about four hundred acres of land. He was prominent in religious affairs, and was long a Clerk in the church which he liberally assisted in supporting. Until his death in November, 1849, he retained his official position in the house of wor- ship which he attended for so many years.
Both the father and mother of our subject were buried on the old homestead. Their chil- dren in order of birth were Richard Bastin; Thomas J., living in Texas; Jesse R., residing in Quanah City, Tex .; Mary A., the wife of Reuben T. Briggs, of Armstrong, Howard County; Matilda Ellen, wife of Dr. W. B. Glover, of Marshall; Mar- garet L., deceased; and Henry Clay, who resides upon the home farm. Our subject remained at home until twenty years of age. His father was injured by falling into the mouth of a coal mine, and from its effects afterward died of paralysis, the elder sons being therefore obliged to aid in the support of the family. Our subject taught school in Clay and Platte Counties, and also was em- ployed collecting for others. Returning to How- ard County in 1846, he attended school, and after- ward taught two terms in Sheridan County.
Our subject then taught in Pettis County for two sessions, and in 1848 came to Saline County. where he engaged in teaching for a short time. Oc- tober 17, 1848. he married Miss Julia A., danghter of Richard Marshall, of Saline County, Mrs. Julia Thorp died in February, 1867. She was the mother of these sons and daugters: Mary Louise, who mar-
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ried George T. Menefee; Joseph M., now of Ilol- lister. Cal; Richard J., of Saline County: Susan .J .. who married Theodore Piper, of Marshall; John B .. a resident of Miami. Mo .; and Minnie, who mar- ried Robert Clough, of Saline County.
In 1870, Mr. Thorp was elected Sheriff of Saline County, and served with ability for two years. During that time, he also conducted prosperously a good farm, about six miles from the county seat. lle is an active member of the Baptist Church, and has assisted in its social and benevolent enterprises. In early times he was a Whig, and during the war was a Union man. For a short time he was en- rolled in the militia, but was exempted on account of physical disability. Ile and his father and his grandfather were all slave-owners until the slaves were emancipated.
After the war. Mr. Thorp voted with the Repub- lican party for the new constitution for the State of Missouri, believing it then to be necessary. In 1870 he co-operated with the Liberal party which favored the removal of the legal disabilities of the people. These sentiments accorded with his views. for in fact before the movement gained force he had advocated the removal of all disabilities. and had prophesied that disabilities incurred by beliefs or actions during the war must be removed. In business matters he has prospered, and now owns seven hundred acres of fine land, mostly under a high state of cultivation, and has given much at- tention to stock-raising, handling only the best of its kind. As an instructor he was justly very pop- ular and taught uninterruptedly until 1851, when he purchased a farm. In 1860 he was elected School Commissioner for Saline County, and held the office until it was abolished in 1861. He was appointed by the Probate Court as Publie Admin- istrator in 1864, and from the County Court re- ceived the position of Road and Bridge Commis- sioner for Saline County, but resigned these offices upon the death of his wife. In 1869, Mr. Thorp was married to Mrs. Mary A. Marshall, widow of Will- iam B. Marshall, a half-brother of Mr. Thorp's first wife. One son blessed this marriage, Richard B .. Jr. Our subject and his excellent wife are widely known and highly respected as valued mem- bers of the social circles of their community. In
all the various positions of trust which he has held, he has discharged the duties with energetic fidel- ity, and well deserves the confidence awarded him by all his fellow-citizens.
HARLES II. BRADFORD, a prosperous general agriculturist and successful stock- raiser, now located upon section 35. town- ship 50. range 20. Saline County, cultivates a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres situated near the Hourishing town of Napton. He is a na- tive of the State, having been born on the 13th of lune. 1845, m Arrow Rock, Saline County. Stan- dish Bradford, who came from England to America in the " Mayflower," and who afterward became Governor of Massachusetts, was one of the early an- cestors of Mr. Bradford. The Governor married Miss Louisa Slaughter, a lady noted in those early days for her beauty and worth.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Joel Bradford, was born in New York State in 1753, and died in 1836. He was a lawyer of eloquence and prominence. and was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Stockin, who became the mother of three sons and two daughters. The uncles and father of Mr. Bradford were, in the order of their birth. as follows: Hezekiah, George, and Charles M., the latter our subjeet's father. Their two sis- ters were Louisa and Helen. The three brothers engaged in mining in Pennsylvania, and at length George and Charles sold out to Hezekiah. George locating in Cuba, where he became a planter, and Charles M. coming West, where in later days he became an eminent physician.
Dr. Charles M. Bradford was born February 27, 1817, in East Haddam. Conn. His parents moved to New York and there he received an excellent education, subsequently pursuing his medical studies in Pennsylvania, graduating in 1838 with the degree of M. D. from the University of Penn- sylvania. In March, 1839, with all the ambitious ardor of an energetic and enterprising young man,
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he joined an emigrant train bound West from Pennsylvania, and traveled by wagon, camping out on the way.
Large game was plentiful, and the rifles of the emigrants supplied them with venison and bear meat, and after crossing the Missouri River buf- falo were often seen. The party reached the Mis- sissippi at Alton, and now for the first time the eyes of the venturesome young men were glad- dened by the sight of the broad Western prairies, toward which they had for so many weeks been steadily journeying. The new scenes were viewed with special interest by the young physician, who was destined to carve out his future fame and for- tune in the Western wilds. The party, still con- tinning upon their way, crossed the river on rafts made of split logs, and upon these rude but sub- stantial conveyances the household goods and people were safely transported, the stock swim- ming across.
Dr. Bradford came to Howard County, where he engaged in teaching school, and in 1840 opened an office in Arrow Rock and began the practice of medicine, succeeding from the first beyond his early expectations. During his entire life he re- mained among the people, who, when he passed away, August 21, 1862, lamented him as a true friend and public benefactor. Dr. Bradford was married, October 26, 1841, to Miss Lavinia M., the daughter of John and Eliza (Sappington) Pear- son. She was born in Howard County, August 23, 1825, and was the granddaughter of John Sap- pington, and the step-daughter of Governor C. F. Jackson. Dr. Bradford and his highly esteemed wife were the parents of seven children, namely: Ilelen, Charles M., Sadie, Isabelle, Ida, Louise and George. Of these, George, Helen and Sadie are dead. Ilelen was married to Thomas W. Russell, and Sadie was the wife of Col. Thomas Price. Ida is married to W. H. Shaw, a Presbyterian minis- ter. Isabelle is Mrs. Jesse T. Baker, and Louise is married to Lewis Nelson, President of the First National Bank of St. Louis, Mo.
Our subject was educated in the schools of Arrow Rock, St. Louis University, St. John's College, at Fordham, N. Y., and also received instructions in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Ilis education and early
training fitted him well for the battle of life, and materially advanced his upward progress. In 1864, Mr. Bradford crossed the plains to Virginia City, Mont., returning to his home in the fall of 1865. January 1, 1867, he was married to Miss Sue Smith, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Smith, of Cooper County, Mo. The wife of our subject was born in 1845, and educated in the schools of Cooper County, and in Paris, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Brad- ford have three children, Charles Ernest, Thomas G. and Helen Louise. After his marriage, Mr. Bradford settled near Arrow Rock, where he con- tinued to reside for fifteen consecutive years. At the termination of this length of time, he removed to his present home near Napton. His valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres is under a high state of improvement, and annually yields a most abundant harvest. As have been the ances- tors of our subject, so is he numbered among the upright and progressive citizens, who by word and deed worthily identify themselves with the ad- vancement of our great Republic. No name has commanded greater respect and confidence of the general public than the illustrious name of Brad- ford, which is associated with the early history of the triumphs and struggles of the American nation.
G RANVILLE ALLEN RICHART, M. D., of Elmwood, Saline County, is a very pol- ished and well-educated young man, and a physician who thoroughly understands his business. He has been in this county ouly a short time, but has already made for himself a place in the confi- dence of the people.
Dr. Richart was born at Sharpsburg, Bath County, Ky., June 21, 1860. His father was Dr. D. M. Richart, born in Bourbon County, Ky., July 27, 1832. llis grandfather, Oliphant Richart, was from Pennsylvania. His great-grandfather was a Scotchman and came to America in Colonial times, being one of Gen. Washington's spies. He settled in Pennsylvania. The grandfather emigrated to
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Kentucky in early days and was a farmer there, ending his days in the State at a ripe old age, in 1862.
Dr. Richart, Sr., became a physician, having been graduated from the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville. His practice was largely at Sharpsburg, and during the war he was a sur- geon with Gen. John II. Morgan. He practiced about thirty years and died in 1882, at Sharpsburg. Ile was a Baptist in faith and was a prominent man, having a good local reputation.
The wife of Dr. D. M. Richart and the mother of our Dr. Richart was Mary J. Allen, of Bath County, Ky. ller death occurred in 1890. She was a sister of Lieut. II. T. Allen, who made extensive explor- ations in Alaska in 1888. Hle is now a military attache at St. Petersburg and is one of only two Americans who have enjoyed the personal friend- ship of the Czar of Russia. Mrs. Richart's father, Sanford Allen, of Bourbon County, Ky., was a son of Judge Allen, the first judge in that county. The Allens are an old Virginia family of Culpeper County. Mrs. Richart's father was a wealthy banker of Sharpsburg. Ile died in 1875.
Dr. Richart is the eldest of five children, all of whom are living. lle received his preliminary education in the common schools and academy at Sharpsburg, entered the Georgetown College in 1878, where he remained until 1880. In 1882 he entered the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louis- ville, and graduated from the University of Louis- ville in 1886. He took post-graduate courses in the New York Polyclinic in 1888 and 1889. His first practice was near Mt. Sterling, Ky., and after- ward in that place. He came to Elmwood, this county, m April, 1892. Dr. Richart is ex-Presi- dent of the Montgomery County (Ky.) Medical Society, and is a Knight Templar.
The Doctor was married in 1886, his bride being Miss Ella Grant, of Louisville, Ky., dangh- ter of Capt. II. B. Grant, of that city, author of "Grant's Knight Templar Tactics," de., &c. This gentleman is now Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Masons of Kentucky. He was formerly custodian of the Masonic Savings Bank, of Louisville. Mr. Grant also served four years in the Federal army during the war, that is,
all through the struggle. Mrs. Richart's mother was Mallie Richardson, daughter of Samuel Rich- ardson, a prominent contractor of Louisville and very wealthy. Mrs. Richart received her educa- tion in the High School of Louisville and Miss Ilampton's school for young ladies.
The Doctor suffered a great loss, September 25, 1892, when his wife was called from this earth, and in his affliction has the sincere sympathy of all his friends and neighbors. Dr. Richart is a Democrat but is not actively engaged in politics. Hle is thoroughly interested in his work and no one can doubt that he will win a high position in the front ranks of the profession, as he has already made some long strides upon the chosen way. The Doctor is a welcome addition to the citizens of Saline County and Elmwood, and although we do not wish to invoke any new causes for work of the nature that he is interested in, yet we do cor- dially wish him a goodly share in the practice that must inevitably be needed.
ACKSON LONG, a resident on seetion 36, township 52, range 21, Saline County, near the Postoffice of Slater, is the subject of this sketch. He is the owner of one of the good farms in this eounty, and a man umversally re- spected and esteemed. The birthplace of Mr. Long was in West Virginia, where in 1827 he was born to Alexander Long, who was the son of Philip Long, a native of Eastern Virginia. The family came from Scoteh ancestors and were among the earliest settlers of the Old Dominion. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Catharine Yager, and she became the mother of fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters, of whom four sons are still living. One of these was a soldier in the Confederate army.
Our subject grew up in an early pioneer home of Virginia, and took advantage of all the opportun- ities which were offered in the schools of that day.
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He remembers the log schoolhouse, with its split-log seats, with holes in the wall in lieu of windows. This accompanied the crude form of education of the day. These same localities are better equipped in these days, but perhaps they do not send out any better men, nor those who will more thoroughly perform the duties of life, than those who gradu- ated from the log cabin. There are few shrewder men and better financiers in his line in the country than the subject of this notice.
The first business venture of our subject was that of condueting a small grocery store in his na- tive place, but he abandoned this in a few months, and in 1852, left his native State and came to Missouri, where he sttled in Knox County in a wilderness. ITere he purchased four hundred acres of land from "Uncle Sam" at 81.25 per acre, and with an ax upon his shoulder he started out to be- gin the making of a home. With his own hands he cut and split, and also built, eleven miles of fencing. His first house was one constructed of logs, the doors of which were made by him out of such material as the forest furnished. The only cash expended in the construction of this house was $1, which went for nails with which to weather- board the roof.
Mr. Long continued to improve his farm and afterward added a modern frame house and a barn. At this place he remained until 1869, when he sold his farm for $20 per acre, thereby realizing, in the advance of the real estate, over $7,000 for his fif- teen years of work. Following this he moved to Saline County, Mo., purchasing there three hun- dred and forty-five acres of partially improved land for which he paid $35 per acre. One can scarcely believe upon visiting the farm of "Uncle Jack," as he is famiharly called, that when he bought the place in 1869 there was scarcely a shrub upon it. Now the beautiful lawn surrounding the home of our subject is filled with trees of every kind, from the graceful maple to the smallest of flower- ing shrubs. Nature has here blossomed like the rose for its kindly owner. Ilis residence is a con- venient and modern structure, containing seven rooms, and cost him $2,200 to construet, a striking contrast to his first residence both in appearance and price. He is a man of means, for besides his
homestead he owns three tenement houses and four well-kept barns. His purchases of land have eon- tinned until now he has seven hundred and fifty aeres, which, at a rough estimate, would be valued at from $65 to 870 per acre.
The marriage of our subject took place in 1854, with Miss Jane Ann Summerville, who was born in Mason County, Va., in 1836, and their union was celebrated in the old State of Virginia, and has been blessed with seven children, all but one of whom have been spared to cheer the declining years of their parents. The eldest son, William E., was born in Knox County, Mo., in 1855, and he married Miss Van Winkle, of Saline County, Mo., where they reside with their three children. Alex- ander was born in 1857, in Knox County, and mar- ried Miss Keffer, and is a farmer: James was born in 1859 and is a farmer by occupation; Eliza was born in 1869 and married Ed Hawkins, and they reside in Saline County; George was born in 1873, and Robert in 1876. Mr. Long has given his chil- dren the best of educational advantages, three sons having graduated at Kirksville, one daughter at Fulton and another at Marshall.
Although not a member of any denomination, Mr. Long is a good man and sets an example of virtue to the younger generation. There is no man in the community who is more universally respected, nor one whose integrity is less questioned than that of our subjeet, He has never aspired to office, but has upheld the principles of Democracy upon all oceasions. The late eleetion of Mr. Cleve- land as Chief Magistrate wreathed his face with smiles.
WINTE WADDELL, a prosperous farmer and highly respected citizen of La Fayette County, comes of old heroic Revolutionary stock, his grandsire having fought in that great struggle. Ile resides on section 15, town- ship 48, range 26, where he has a finely improved farm of four hundred and thirty-one acres, all
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under cultivation. John T. Waddell, a native of Mason County, Ky., born in 1798, was his father, and his grandfather was William Waddell, a native of Virginia and a soldier of '76, who gave an eye to the cause of liberty. The mother of our subject was Nellie (Triplett) Waddell, a native of Mason County, Ky .. born in 1801, her ancestors being from Kentucky. She was married to John T. Waddell in Mason County, he being a farmer and a manufacturer of plows. They came to Lexington Township, La Fayette County, Mo., in 1836, where they made a permanent home, and at the time of his demise in 1842 he was engaged in erecting a mill; his wife died ten years later, in 1852. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom, except our subject, are dead. Alexander Campbell, the founder of the Christian Church, converted them to acceptance of his doctrines, and both of them lived and died in that church, the husband being a very active member. A brother of John T., Maj. James W., served with distinction in the War of 1812.
Our subject was born January 19, 1836, and was brought by his parents to La Fayette County in September of that year, and afterward educated in the Masonic College at Lexington, which he was finally compelled, to leave on account of ill health. The tinning business was followed for a short time, or until the outbreak of the war, when he was appointed Sergeant-Major of the Seventy- first Missouri Enrolled Militia, under Col. Neill, serving for a time under Gen. Vaughan. In the year 1862 he was made Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff Jacob A. Price and served until 1865, and in the following spring moved to the farm where he now lives, then in a wild and rough state. Resolutely he took hold, and by energy and indus- try has brought the property to its present con- dition of excellence. The residence was built in 1888 at a cost of $900 and a cozy barn is now be- ing completed at a cost of $150. lle gives his best energies to the growing of grain and the raising of stock, being especially interested in Shorthorn cattle, and he is most careful that his Ε‚and shall be kept in a high state of cultivation.
This very early settler was married November 1, 1857. to Miss Betty M. Feree, a native of Ohio,
who died in May, 1859. lle was again married. January 31, 1861, taking as his second wife Miss Mattie G. Waddell, a native of Missouri, daughter of John J. Waddell; she died September 22, 1885, leaving her husband one child, Hannah L., wife of Frank S. Groves, of Kansas City, Mo., who has one ehild. Miss Belle Hunter became his third wife, July 19, 1887. a native of Davis County, Mo., who has borne him one child, James White, Ir. The fellowship of our subject was with the Christian Church at Lexington, until his removal to the farm. His daughter is a graduate of the Baptist Female Seminary at Lexington, she having taken the full course m music. Our subject votes with the Democratie party.
R OBERT J. BROWN. To the restless, ad- venture-loving American who seldom stays long in one place, there is a wonder- ing admiration for the man who is content to spend his life in or near the place where he was born. Such an admiration is awakened by our sub- ject, who was born in Franklin County, this State, near Marion, his natal day having been November 23, 1853. lle is a son of the late .James Brown, who was numbered among the pioneer settlers of that portion of the State. His mother was in her maiden days a Miss Sarah Bridges, an estimable woman, who reared her children to be loyal citi- zens and men of sterling character. James Brown died at his home in 1855. The family included five children, there being three sons and two daughters, and of these our subject is the fourth in order of birth and the youngest son. He spent the early years of his life up to sixteen in his na- tive county. At that time he came to Saline County and has ever since been a resident of the town or vicinity.
Robert Brown received the advantages of a common-school education. When the time came for him to choose an occupation, he first engaged in farming, which he followed until 1880. He then
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