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 24
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 24
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man of superior ability and undoubted integrity of character. He was a native of Albemarble County, Va., but early removed from the home of his childhood to Cynthiana, Ky. His wife was Miss Elizabeth Cave, daughter of Elder Richard Cave, one of the pioneer preachers of Boone County, Mo. The Judge moved to Boone County in 1819, and was State Senator for the term 1840-42. Ile was County Judge at the time of his death, and had been the presiding Judge of Boone County for the past thirty years. Judge Phillips died at the age of seventy-six years, in 1869, universally lamented by the entire community, among whom he had dwelt so many years. Ilis beloved wife died in the same year, aged seventy-one years, while on a visit at the home of our subject. "In death they were not long divided."
James McClelland, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a Kentuckian by birth, and resided in Bourbon County. A veteran of the War of 1812, he was widely known and highly respected, and surrounded himself with a family of intelligent children. His sons and daughters were: James, William, Elizabeth, Arthur, Thomas, Elisha (the father of our subject), and JJoseph, all reared upon the Bourbon County farm, near Paris, Ky., where the only surviving son, James, now resides, aged ninety-three years. Elisha was born about 1808 and died in the fall of 1859. He had devoted his life to the pursuits of agriculture and stock-raising, for twenty years trading in mules and horses, buy- ing and feeding in Missouri, and shipping to Southern markets. When about twenty-two years of age he settled in Callaway County, and with him came his brother Thomas, and three of his sisters. He married, in 1833, Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Sarah West. Kentuckians by birth, and long-time residents of Missouri.
In 1847, Dr. McClelland's father removed to Howard County, and settled upon a farm near Fayette, where he lived until his death. Ilis ex- cellent wife died in 1851. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Dr. McClelland was the eldest. Elizabeth, the eldest daughter, now de- ceased, was married to II. B. Redmond; Louisa, de- ceased; Sarah was married to J. G. Wiseman, now in a mercantile business in Ashland, Mo .; Thomas C.,
engaged in the banking and mining business, in Joplin, Mo., resides in Kansas City ; Catherine, mar- ried to Mr. DeMoss, a lawyer of Keytesville, Mo .; Martha and James, both deceased.
Dr. McClelland is a prominent Democrat, and has been frequently solicited by his party to be- come a candidate for office, but he has invariably declined the honor, as he prefers to devote himself to the duties of his profession. Ile is deeply in- terested in the cause of education, and was for years one of the Trustees of Stephens' College, and was one of the members of the Board of Examiners, ap- pointed by the Governor, of the graduating elass in the medical department at Columbia, Mo. Aside from the practice of his profession, Dr. McClelland has an interest with his brother at Joplin in min- ing, and also owns four hundred acres of valuable land in Saline and Cooper Counties. Our subject and his wife and daughter belong to the Baptist Church, and are foremost in the good work of that religious organization. When Dr. A. L. Arnold, who had so long been connected with the State University, died, once again Dr. McClelland was urged to accept the vacant position, but he was firm in his denial, well knowing that with his large practice any additional duty could not be under- taken. Secure in the esteem and confidence which his earnest effortsand skill entitle him to, our sub- ject continues his professional rounds through storm or sunshine, and in the hearts of those whom he has faithfully attended. going almost down into the dark valley to bring them back to sorrowing friends, there can be but one grateful word spoken -"lle hath done what he could."
E RNST HADER is one of the enterprising German-American citizens who, having sworn allegiance to the flag of their adopted country, have brought here that energy and the test traits of character for which their countrymen are noted, infusing it into the new conditions of life here. Mr. Hader resides on seetion 12, town-
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ship 49. range 26, La Fayette County, and his farm is characterized by that neatness and thor- onghness of cultivation which almost always are noticed on a farm owned by a German. Mr. Ilader was born in Prussia, AAugust 28, 1819. Ile is a son of John G. and Wilhelmena Hader, both of whom were natives of Germany.
The family hegira was made to the United States in 1855. They took passage in a sailing- vessel and after a voyage of six weeks landed in New York, but proceeded almost immediately to La Fayette, Ind., which was their home for some time. Later they removed to Johnson County, Mo., where they remained until the close of the Civil War, when they came to La Fayette County and settled near the present site of Higginsville, though at that time the town had not been organ- ized. The decease of the head of the family oc- eurred December 6, 1881, the mother following him a few days later, her death taking place on the 18th of the same month.
Of the family of children born to our subject's parents, the following survive: John, Frederick, Henry, Ernst, August, Minnie ( the wife of W. W. llertman) and Emma (Mrs. Henry Kuhlmann). The children have been reared in the faith of the Baptist Church. Their home life was pleasant and they enjoyed many comforts, as their father was a successful farmer. He was much interested in the polities of his adopted land, favoring the Republican party.
Ernst Hader was reared to manhood's estate in Missouri, and has devoted his whole attention to farming. Ile has had very few educational advan- tages, having attended school only about six months during his life, but has managed to pick up a great deal of useful information and knowl- edge of business affairs. March 18, 1875, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Brand. The home which was then established has been blessed by the advent of five children, whose names are Lillie, William, Lanra, Wallie and Mamic. MI. Hlader is the owner of one hundred and ninety- six aeres of land, which he has fed with the ex- peetation that it would feed him in return. Hle is much respected in the community and has hekl several local offices. Ile is now serving as Direc-
tor of the School District, and while he himself has had but few advantages he knows better how to appreciate those which the younger generation are enjoying.
Our subject and his wife are worshipers with the Baptist denomination. Ile has served as Trustee of the church for a number of years and is a liberal contributor to the support of the same. In polities he is a Republican. Mr. Hader is one of the substantial men of the district, whose worth takes on a most practical aspect.
G USTAV HI. FREITAG, the etlicient manager and book-keeper for the lumber firm of Temple, Schoppenhorst & Co., is one of the best business men in the city of Higginsville, where he is an honored citizen. Mr. Freitag is a native son of the soil, having been born in Warren County, near Hopewell. August 9, 1861. llis fa- ther, Ilerman, was born in Lippe-Detmold, Ger- many, where he engaged in farming, as did his fa- ther, Henry.
In his native land, Herman Freitag married Miss Fredericka Starke, who was born in Germany. In 1857 he brought his family, consisting of his wife and three children, to Warren County, Mo., where he purchased a farm of eighty acres. That place he operated until 1871, when he sold it and located in lligginsville. Hle bought one hundred and seventy-four acres on section 21, two miles north- east of the city, and also purchased one hundred and sixty acres near Mayview, which he operated, until he retired from active life in 1889, and re- moved to Higginsville, where he is enjoying the fruits of his labors. Mr. and Mrs. Freitag are prominent members of the Evangelical Church. Seven children were born to the union of this worthy couple, six of whom are still living.
Our subject was reared in La Fayette County, where he received his primary education in the district school. In 1887, he entered the Wesleyan
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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J.P. Stouffer
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
University at Bloomington, Ill., where he remained one term, and then became a student at the Wes- leyan College at Warrenton, Mo., where he carried on his studies for two terms. His next place of learning was the Gem City Business College, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1889. After completing his studies, he began to utilize the knowledge thus acquired by acting as book- keeper for O. V. Thornton, of Higginsville. Mr. Freitag remained with Mr. Thornton until the Ist of January, 1890, when he started on a trip through Kansas and Nebraska, remaining four months. On his return, he entered the employ of Messrs. Ilawkins & Smith, with whom he remained until February, 1891, when he formed the present partnership and bought out his employer's lumber business.
The lumber yards of the present firm are located on Russell & Patrick Streets, with one hundred feet frontage on Russell Street. The firm carries the most complete stock of lumber and building material in the city, and the yards, which extend baek the entire block, are the most extensive here. Mr. Freitag is of a social nature and affiliates with the Knights of Pythias and the Uniformed Rank, in which he is an important member. Hle espouses the principles of the party that upheld the Union, abolished slavery and has brought the country to its present state of prosperity .- the great Republi- ean party. A young man of sterling traits of character, the success of the business is largely due to his efforts, and he also aids in whatever meas- ures will promote the welfare of the city.
ON. JOIIN T. STOUFFER, Judge of Saline County, combines agricultural pursuits with those of a professional nature, and owns a fine piece of property, consisting of one hundred and seventy-five aeres of land, on section 3, township 49, range 20, Saline County. He does an extensive business, having managed for a time the Smith and Wm. Berkeley estates in addi- tion to the supervision of his own farm.
Judge Stouffer was born in Frederick County. Md., June 27, 1838, and in his childhood accom- panied his parents to Augusta County, Va., where he resided up to the age of eighteen. Ile then came to Saline County, whither he was followed by his parents one year later. At that time he was a carpenter and builder, and after coming to Missouri worked at his trade until the date of his marriage, December 19, 1858, at which time he was married to Miss Elizabeth Jane Adkisson. Twelve children were born to them, six boys and six girls, all but one of whom reached mature years. They were as follows: Laura V., who mar- ried .J. M. Buntin, of this county; JJohn M., de- ceased, a graduate of the St. Louis Medical Col- lege; Sophia, who died in infancy; Ella, wife of Charles Clough; Katie D., Essie L., and Mary B., all three deceased; C. Lester, Robert W., Leon- ard T., George E. and Carroll C. W.
The Judge's parents, Daniel and Sophia (Derr) Stouffer, were both born in Frederick County, Md., in the year 1800. They reared eight chil- dren, of whom the Judge was the sixth, all but one of whom came to Missouri. They were: Ann, now the widow of Enos Dull, of Kansas City; Elizabeth; Jane R., of Virginia; Edward A., of Saline County; Freddie, who died in infancy; John T .; William H .; and Leah. Jolin T.'s pa- ternal grandfather, Jacob Stouffer, was born in Pennsylvania in 1755 and served in the Revolu- tion, afterward removing to Maryland. The fam- ily is of German descent, and has had representa- tives in America for several generations.
In the fall of 1888 our subject was elected to the otliee of County Judge and served two terms with such success that he was re-elected in 1892. This fact tells the story and proclaims him a pop- ular man. Ile is a stanch Democrat, and has been true to his party all his life. A man of clear insight and sound judgment, he fills with dignity and success the high position to which he has been called by the will of the people of his county. Socially, he is identified with the Masonic fraternity. In their religious connections he and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
In this connection it will be interesting to
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tonel more fully upon Mrs. Stouffer's family. ller parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walker Adkisson. reared seven children, all of whom lived to have families of their own, namely: William, who died in Henry County, Mo .: Warren, of Marshall; Sarah, wife of B. G. Doyle, of Shelbyville; Mary, who became the wife of J. M. Smith and is now deceased; Milton, of Lebanon, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in which he has labored since the fall of 1855; Mrs. Stouffer; and John, who is now President of the Methodist Episcopal School at Ft. Worth, Tex. Mr. Adkisson was a successful business man.
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Not only at Napton and throughont Saline County, but elsewhere in Missouri is Judge Stouffer well known as a man of ability. an enterprising farmer and a wise judge. It is interesting to trace the career of men who have made their way up. as he has done, from small beginnings to where they have a decisive voice in settling the affairs of their fellow-men, and it is axiomatic that those who have had the most to do for themselves are, as a rule, better fitted in later life to direet others. The latent power that makes possible an upward growth against difficulties, and the determination that presses forward to overcome all obstacles. are sure to result in the attainment of snecess.
ILMON A. H. CAMERON. The gift of life is so mysterious. that when that other mys- tery which we call death interrupts the current of human hopes and aspirations, we know not into what new channel the spirit may be turned; but if the life has been characterized by strength and vigor. everything that it has touched in its onward passage must have received a benefi- cent inspiration. Thus was it with the man whose history we shall attempt to sketch in outline, and whose every act in his everyday communication both with his family and the business community was characterized by honesty and uprightness that made him esteemed and loved by all. After a
long life of usefulness and growth in the most de- sirable directions, he died at his family residence on section 6, township 51 and range 20, Saline County, March 8, 1888. The honors that were paid him in those last sad rites showed that he held a firm hold on the affections of the people.
Mr. Cameron was born in Tennessee, October 14. 1822. He was the son of Joseph and Susannah ( Lowery) Cameron. His name suggests the heroic strain which for many generations tlowed through the ancestral veins. The American members of the Cameron family have never been slow in giving of their best to their adopted country in times of need. Our subjeet was one of a family of twelve children, in which there were four sisters, seven brothers and a half-brother. He received his edu- cation in Tennessee, and came to Saline County at the age of nineteen years. When twenty-two years of age he settled at Arrow Rock. November 7, 1811, Mr. Cameron married Miss Nancy Thornton, a na- tive of this county, who was born March 5, 1821. She was a daughter of Daniel Thornton, a native of East Tennessee. and one of the earliest settlers in Saline County, being indeed the first man that settled in Ridge Prairie. He brought his family up the Missouri River in boats, and for the first year they made their home at the fort. so protected because of the incursions of the Indians. Grand- father Thornton was a Revolutionary soldier.
Mrs. Cameron was one of a family of four brothers and eight sisters, of whom there are only five now living. Our subject soon after marriage purchased a traet of land from the Government, and thereafter bent every energy to improving it thoroughly. He added to it until at the time of his decease he owned one thousand acres of land. lle was a carpenter by trade, and built his own residence and outbuildings.
Mr. and Mrs. Cameron became the parents of seven children. tive boys and two girls, named as follows: Jerome HI., John, Daniel, Newton J., Robert E., Mary E. and Leona K. The eld- dest, Jerome 11., was born in the year 1845, and on reaching manhood married Mary Reynolds; they are residents of this county, and the parents of eight children, carrying on quite extensive farming interests. The natal year of John was 18-19.
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Ile married Miss Virginia Reynolds, and is now a farmer in Nebraska, and the father of four chil- dren. Daniel L., who was born in 1851, married Miss Cunningham. by whom he has four children; he is a farmer in Saline County. Newton J., born in 1853, married Miss Hawkins, and they have five children; they live in Slater, where he is a merchant. Robert, born in 1856, makes his home with his mother. The eldest daughter, born in 1858, is now Mrs. J. P. Brown, of Slater, and has five children. Leona K., who was born in 1861, lives with her mother. The children were educated for the most part in the common schools in the vicinity of home, although two of them were collegians of Jacksonville, 111 .. and Ilunts- ville, Mo., three sons were at Fairville, and the youngest finished his education at Sunnyside.
Mr. Cameron never united with a church, but was always a liberal supporter of Gospel teaching. His wife is a member of the Christian Church, of Slater. Fraternally, our subject was a Mason. Politically. he favored the views of the Democratic party, but had no aspirations to fill public office. Few, if any, men in the same county have lived a more reserved and honest life than he of whom we write. He was a kind and loving father and husband, and a tender and true friend, and in his decease the locality lost a good and upright man.
AMES R. EDWARDS is one of the most potent of the public educators in Saline County. The town of Slater is fortunate in possessing a sheet such as the Slater Rustler, edited by so pure-minded a man as Mr. Edwards. Before touching upon the paper with whose fortunes he is so closely associated, we will here give a short sketeli of the personal history of our subject. Ile is a son of the late Cornelius Ed- wards, who was born in Fauquier County, Va., in 1810, and removed to Missouri in 1833. He was a wagon and carriage maker by trade, which busi-
ness he followed until about thirty-seven years of age. Ile afterward devoted himself to farming in Missouri.
Soon after coming to Missouri, Cornelius Ed- wards went to old Mexico, where he remained for four years. At the end of that time he returned to Missouri, and married in Cooper County, in 1849, Miss Mary A., a daughter of Robert Scott. The young couple settled in Cooper County and en- gaged in farming, remaining there until the death of Mr. Edwards, which occurred July 5, 1887. Mrs. Cornelius Edwards still survives.
The family of seven children born to the couple whose history we have outlined consisted of three sons and four daughters. Our subjeet was the fourth in order of birth in the family, and he made his entrance into this world in Cooper County, Mo., November 5, 1859. He was reared on his father's farm, and was educated in the com- mon schools in the vicinity of the home. Later, he spent one year at the Pilot Grove Collegiate Institute, in Cooper County.
On returning after his boarding-school experi- enee, our subject contributed his labor to the farm development with his father, and remained with the family until 1885, when he came to Slater, in company with Mr. C. Whit Williams, and estab- lished the State Rustler. They continued together until the year 1887, when Mr. Williams sold out his interest to Ralord Layton. The partner- ship with Mr. Layton lasted for three months, when Mr. Edwards sold his interest and entered upon the duties of a elerkship in the State Legislature, to which he had been appointed in the spring of 1887. The session that followed was an extra session, and when the Legislature adjourned he returned to Slater and re-purchased the entire interest in the Rustler. Since that time he has been sole editor and proprietor, and the paper has greatly prospered under his manage- ment. It now has a circulation of very nearly one thousand, and receives only good words from its patrons. It is newsy, well written and contains a good digest of the political aspect of the country at large.
Mr. Edwards has always taken an interested and active part in the local affairs of the State. Frater-
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nally. he belongs to ('ambridge Post No. 63. G. A. R .: to the Blue Lodge of the Masons; and to Chap- ter No. 112, of Marshall, and Marion Commandery No. 36, and the Shrine of Kansas City. The Rust- ler was the first newspaper in Central Missouri run by electric power.
M RS. SUSANNAH MCELROY. The poet Wordsworth tells us of "an age serene and bright." and of this we are reminded when we meet the subject of the present notice. who is affectionately known as "Grandma" Me- Elroy. For seventy-six years she has battled cheer- fully with life. and now stands a representative pio- neer woman, commanding the respect due to a good and worthy wife and mother, as well as the reverence which beautiful old age inspires. She is the widow of John A. MeElroy, and a daughter of a Virginia planter of English descent. She was reared until her seventeenth year in the Old Do- minion, and is now passing her declining years amid relatives and dear friends.
Mrs. MeElroy, now residing . upon seetion 8, range 26, township 19, La Fayette County, Mo., was born in Grayson County, Va., July 25. 1816. She was the daughter of John and Eve (Houk) Pool, the former a native of North Carolina, who removed later in life into Virginia, where he mar- ried the mother of our subject, who was a lady of German descent. Mrs. McElroy was reared in her pleasant Virginia home until the death of her father in 1829. This enused many changes, and resulted in the removal of the family to Missouri, where they located in La Fayette County, in town- ship 19, upon the farm now occupied by Charles Pool.
At the place above named, the family resided for a number of years. Mrs. MeElroy had enjoyed limited educational advantages in a little log school- house in her native State, and after settlement in Missouri she attended school for a short time, but did not have the chance for advancement that
the children of the present time have. In 1845 she lost her mother, and, although at this time she had been a wife for ten years, the demise of this parent was no less a great grief. In 1835. our sub- jeet had married John A. MeElroy, a sturdy young Tennesseean, born June 12, 1811.
The family of Mr. MeElroy came originally from Ireland. When he was about seven years of age, the family came to the State of Missouri. and set- tled in La Fayette County. upon the farm in town- ship 19 which is now occupied by his grandson, Benjamin F. McElroy, and there he and his wife lived, and there their days ended, she having died in 1832. and he in 1853. He had been a prominent man in the county, one of the first settlers, and had become a successful farmer. John A., the husband of the subject of this sketch, was reared among the scenes of pioneer life. Like other youths reared in the far West. away from older civilizations, Mr. Me- Elroy early developed a practical knowledge which enabled him to provide for the needs of his family, and taught him how to combat the ditliculties of their surroundings. Ilis learning was not that oh- tained from books, but he became well posted upon general topies, and served acceptably for many years after his marriage as Instice of the Peace. Until 1816 the residence of Mr. and Mrs. McElroy was upon the old home farm, but at this time a removal was made to the place where she now lives.
Upon the fine farm which Mr. and Mrs. McElroy obtained. he passed the last days of his life, and died August 26. 1855, leaving a record of which his wife and children may well be proud. His pub- lic-spirited character was well known, and the ex- pressions of esteem at the time of his death were many and sincere. At his demise the Baptist Church lost one of its most devout members and the county one of her best eitizens. The family of five children. the survivors of the nine born to Mr. and Mrs. Mc Elroy, grieved with their mother over his loss. They are as follows: Benjamin F .; Elizabeth E., who is the wife of Morris Roche; llugh L .; Margaret A., who is the wife of James T. Jennings; and Mary A., who is the wife of William Klapp.
Mrs. McElroy owns sixty acres of land. which is
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