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 32
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 32
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
to-day up to a higher standard of work and duty. The Adrance is an excellent weekly paper, a six- column quarto, and furnishes much bright, read- able matter, and is constantly gaining in popularity and circulation.
Mr. Kleinschmidt was married in St. Charles County, Mo., at New Melle, in August, 1885, to Miss Lizzie A. Riske, a native of Missouri, who was educated at the Central Wesleyan College, at Warrenton. Mr. and Mrs. Kleinschmidt are the parents of three children: Virgil, Edith M. and Leland. Mr. and Mrs. Kleinschmidt attend the German Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among the active workers of the organization, ever ready to assist in its benevolent or social enter- prises.
Mr. Kleinschmidt is a Knight of Pythias, Uni- formed Rank, and is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. When the General Con- ference was held at Omaha in 1892. our subject was the delegate of his church, and represented the organization with ability. Mr. Kleinschmidt is a straight Republican, is Chairman of the County Republican Central Committee, and has decided views with regard to the National and local con- duct of public affairs. Ile is a good citizen, and, thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the times, cannot fail to be an earnest and important factor in the uplifting and education of the masses.
G FORGE W. ROBERTS, a prominent grain merchant and leading citizen of Aullville, is the gentleman whose brief sketch we place before the public. His high character and business abilities have brought him prominently before the public, and he is considered one of the most enterprising citizens of the town. In this short notice we will be able to give but an ontline of his career as a man of business and as a brave Confederate soldier. Mr. Roberts is a native of JJohnson County, Mo., born November 22, 1839, and is the son of John and Sarah Roberts,
290
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
natives of Kentucky, who were among the early settlers of Johnson County. They had lived for a short time near Lexington, Mo., before locating in Johnson County.
Our subjeet was the fourth son in his father's family, and was reared upon a farm in his native county. There he was educated in the common schools, where he gained the necessary rudiments of an education, and from that groundwork he educated himself by systematic reading and ob- servation. When the call came for troops, he put aside his temporary duties and discontinued farmi- ing in order to do battle for his State. Joining Company F, First Missouri Cavalry, C. S. A., he took part in the battles of Cape Girardeau, Cane Ilill, and others of minor importanee, but which tried the courage of the volunteer as much as did the great struggles in which whole armies took part. At the battle of Springfield, Mo., he was wounded, and after a year and a-half of service was obliged to return home.
The first marriage of Mr. Roberts was celebrated in 1874, when Miss Nannie Littlejohn became his wife. Four children were added to the family circle, three of whom are now living: Robert A., Pearl and Forrest. After the death of his wife, Mr. Roberts again married, this time espousing Miss Jennie Littlejohn. a cultured and estimable lady. In the fall of 1874, the family removed from Johnson to La Fayette County, where they located upon a farm near the village of Aullville, and later moved into the town, Mr. Roberts en- gaging in the hardware business here.
Together with Messrs. Downing & Barnes, our subject embarked in the grain and hardware busi- ness, which he conducted for several months, rep- resen ting the company in the firm. After a short fime Mr. Downing withdrew, and the firm name was changed to Barnes, Roberts & Co., continuing thus for several years. Subsequently Mr. Roberts went into business for himself and is now engaged in a grain and mercantile trade. A stanch Demo- crat in his political convictions, he has been an ac- tive worker in the party, although he has not been desirous of office. His religious connection has been with the Christian Church, and there he is most highly regarded. Socially. he is connected
with the Masonie fraternity, and is much inter- ested in everything which promises to be of ad- vantage to his county or State. lle is the owner of ninety acres of fine land, and also a niee resi- dence property in Aullville, where he is esteemed very highly in all the relations of life.
ENRY C. DUNCAN, a prominent farmer of Saline County, Mo., resides upon his fine farm located in township 51, range 19, near the town of Gilliam. He is a native of Saline County, Mo., born here July 22, 1860, and his parents were George and Charlotte (Shu- mate) Duncan. The paternal side of the family came from Virginia. Our subjeet was one of a family of eight, all but one living: William, born in Saline County, Mo., in 1858; James and Charles, all residing at home; Lena, born in this county in 1866, married Mr. Cott, a farmer in the county; L. Aliee, born here in 1868, died at the age of five years; George, born here in 1870, is a pupil at Quincy, Ill .; and Ida, born in 1872 at this place, remains at home.
Our subject was reared in the county of Saline, Mo., and had the advantages of the country schools. At the age of eighteen years he left school and engaged in farming, having a fine op- portunity right at home. llere he continued until he was four years older, and then changed to the drug business. This he was very success- ful in, but was obliged to resign it as he found there was some trouble with his lungs which the confinement of the store would aggravate. Ilence he returned to his agricultural pursuits.
From the Government our subject obtained his first land seven years ago, consisting of a farm of one hundred and sixty aeres located in Kansas. Farming has agreed with him; the touch of the soil and the turning of the sod, with the fragrance of the growing grain, and the fresh air and exer- eise have restored him to health. The marriage of our subject to Miss A. Crosslin was celebrated Feb-
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
L
Jon H. Roberts
CC
Henrietta. S. W. Roberts.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LEVOY AND TILDEN P B
L
295
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ruary 22, 1883. She was a native of Missouri, born in Saline County in 1864. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Duncan, as fol- lows: G. C., born June 27, 1885; Lillian, born in Saline County, March 20, 1889; and Julia, born November 1, 1890.
Mr. Duncan is not a member of any religious body, but his wife and family belong to the Bap- tist Church. Politically, our subject is a Demo- crat. Ile was elected to the office of Constable in the First District in 1890, and in attendance on this he did a large collection business. In the contest our subject proved his popularity by re- ceiving a majority of two hundred and fifty votes.
ILLIAM H. ROBERTS, a prominent citizen not only of Saline County, but of Mis- souri, was born in Hartford, Conn., June 25, 1810. His grandfather and father, both of whom bore the name of John Roberts, were natives of England, and the latter emigrating to America settled in Hartford, Conn., and served in the Rev- olutionary War. He married Priscilla, daughter of John Henry, who was of Welsh descent. In 1811 they removed from Hartford to New York City. Mr. Roberts was a coach-maker and is said to have made the first coach that ran between New York and Philadelphia. He died at the age of sixty years, and his wife died at the age of sixty- five.
The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days in New York, and was educated in the schools of that city and Brooklyn. In 1835, he went to Mobile, Ala., where he did business as a contractor and builder. In 1813, he went to St. Louis, and for a short time engaged in carpentering, but aban- doned that work to become Superintendent of the city hospitals, which office he holl for nine years under the different political administrations, al- though he himself was a strong Democrat. Ile had charge of the hospitals during the cholera epi-
-
demic, and for his care extended to the children of the Orphans' Home during the prevalence of that disease was presented with a beautiful Bible, which he still has in his possession.
While in New York and Mobile, Mr. Roberts was an active member of the fire brigades, and in the Fifth Ward in St. Louis he organized a fire company, which was called the Franklin Fire Com- pany after his okl company in Mobile; of this he was made captain, and was prominently identified with it for some time. He now belongs to the veterans of the Volunteer Fire Department of St. Louis. He has been a Mason for nearly fifty years, and is now connected with Mathtali Lodge No. 25, A. F. & A. M., of St. Louis.
Mr. Roberts was married in Brooklyn, June 27, 1831, to Miss Ilenrietta E. W. Ilyde, of that city. She was born in Glencoe, L. 1., October 2, 1813, and was the eldest of twelve children. The Ilyde family is of English descent, and the family records trace the genealogy back to Dudley Ilyde, second son of the Earl of Clarendon, who was the great-great-grandfather of Mrs. Roberts. John Hyde emigrated from England to New York City, and built a fulling-mill at Glencoe. Of his seven children, William, the third son, was the grand- father of Mrs. Ilyde. He married a lady of South Carolina, of French descent, and they had eleven children, of whom Peter B. was the third son.
The father of Mrs. Roberts was born at Glencoe, and in 1812 married Cornelia, daughter of Jacob Brower, who was one of the first settlers on Long Island. They had twelve children, of whom four are yet living: Mrs. Roberts; Mary L., wife of Ed- ward Nilson, of Croton Lake, N. Y .; William; and Fannie, wife of Samuel Oser, of Croton Lake. Mr. llyde was a veteran of the War of 1812. In early life he followed milling, but at a later period owned and operated a vessel on the Hudson River.
After leaving the hospital in St. Louis, Mr. Roberts became general agent for the Mound City Fire and Marine Insurance Company, serving in that position for thirty years, when, in 1888, he and his wife came to Saline County in order to make their home with their daughter, Mrs. Thomas Edwards, the only surviving child, They had lost three children, one of whom, Cornelia Pris,
14
296
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
cilla, wife of Prof. Lewis H. Freligh, of St. Louis, died in 1881. Edwardanna, the surviving daugh- ter. was married on the 20th of May. 1850, in St. Louis, to Thomas J. Edwards, who was born in Northumberland County, Va., in 1823. llis fam- ily was of English and Welsh descent. The grand- father, Thomas Edwards, settled in Northumber- land County, at the mouth of the Potomac River, where was born Joseph C. Edwards, father of Thomas .I. He married Miss Elizabeth Harvey, and both died at an early age, leaving tive young children: Thomas J .; Amerieus A., who died in Baltimore; Marcellus Ball, who was resident phy- sician of the City Hospital in St. Louis in 1819, during the cholera epidemic, of which disease he died; Joseph D., who is now Postmaster of Fair- ville, Mo .; and Sarah Elizabeth, deceased wife of Granville Harvey.
In 1836. with his uncle, Maj. T. H. Harvey, Thomas Edwards came to Saline County. In 1846, he enlisted for the Mexican War, leaving Leaven- worth under Gen. Turney. At the capture of Santa Fe, his regiment was the first to enter the place. He participated in the battles of Brazito and Sacramento and the capture of Chihuahua, where the Mexican troops five times outnumbered the l'nited States troops. After his return he lo- cated on the land which is still his home, receiv- ing a warrant from the Government in recognition of his services during the Mexican War. During the late war he was in sympathy with the South, and joined the regiment which intended to unite with Price, but was captured at Black Water. The prisoners were sent to St. Louis, and in Deeem- ber, 1862, were transferred to Alton, Ill., where they were released the following March. Mr. Ed- wards then spent three years in St. Louis on ac- count of the dangerous condition of the country in his part of the State. He now votes the Peo- ple's ticket, and he is a well-known and prominent farmer of Saline County. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ed- wards was born a daughter, Isabel, who became the wife of (. W. M. Randall. of Boston, Mass., and died JJuly 1. 1887. in St. Louis, leaving three children: Clarence Walter, Lillian Irene. and an infant, who died at the age of live weeks.
1
Mr, and Mrs. Roberts of this sketch are now ad- -
vanced in years. They have witnessed much of the growth of this country. He has picked berries almost in the heart of New York City, and his wife remembers gathering flowers from her aunt's gar- den, opposite Trinity Church. They were present at the celebration of the opening of the Erie Canal, and Mr. Roberts saw Chicago in the days of its earliest infancy, in fact he has witnessed the greater part of the country's advancement. On the 27th of dune, 1891, Mr. and Mrs. Roberts cel- ebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary, and many friends participated in the happy festivities on that occasion. This worthy couple now reside with their daughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards. Removing from St. Louis, they erected a handsome and commodious residence in city style, and here, surrounded by the comforts of life and loving friends, they expect to spend their remaining days.
11. B. ISII, a resident of section 2, town- ship 51, range 20, near Slater, Saline County, Mo., is the subject of the present sketch. lle was born February 15, 1839, in Saline County, Mo., the son of William L. and Mary L. ( Wilhite) Ish. The father was born in Saline County, Mo .. which was also the birthplace of the mother, both born in the year 1819. The grandfathers on both sides were soldiers of the War of 1812 and drew pensions. The ancestors of the Ish family were of German descent, mixed with a French line when the great-grandfather married a lady from that country. This is the oldest family in Missouri, and Grandfather Jacob Ish was the first white man to cross the La Mine River, which he did in 1816 on a log raft, on his way to the rich bottom lands of the Missouri River.
The father of our subject was born in Saline County, on the farm which was known as the Morrison Farm, near Glasgow, the family having been driven out of the low lands along the Mis- souri during the great overflow of 1841. The
297
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPINCAL RECORD.
father came to what was then known as Santa Fe, now the town of Slater. Ilere he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and from other parties three hundred acres, and upon this fine farm he went into the business of stock-raising very extensively, making it profitable until the breaking out of the war.
In 1862, Mr. William Ish and our subject en- listed in Capt. Garrett's company under Comman- der Robertson. of Miami, and marched from Grand Pass south, camping on the Blackwater at Horse Shoe Bend, which was on the main road from Sedalia to Warrensburgh, where they were taken prisoners by the Union troops. They were taken to MeDowell College, and kept at St. Louis for six weeks, were then paroled and both came home, although the father was kept for some weeks longer because lie would not take the oath of allegiance to the Government. Later our subject was out as an assistant to Dr. Alexander, of Marshall, who was an army surgeon.
The education of our subjeet was obtained at McGee College, in Missouri, and after completing his collegiate course he took up the science of medicine under the wise guidance of Dr. L. M. Alexander, and completed his professional studies at the St. Louis Medical College in 1863. After this date, he practiced in Carroll County, Mo., and in Miami, this county, and continued until 1866. At that time occurred the marriage of Mr. Ish to Miss Margaret Ish, his half-cousin, and four chil- dren have been born into the family from this un- ion, three of whom are living.
The eldest child of the family was named Logan, born in Missouri .July 13, 1867, but died August 30, 1868. Margie was born August 30, 1868, upon the day of her brother's death. She grew to womanhood and married Allen B. Soper, and re- sides in Saline County, where he is a farmer. Ernest J. was born in Saline County in 1869, and resides at home; and Clarence, born in 1872, also lives at home. They were educated at the home schools. After marriage, our subject engaged in farming about two hundred acres of land given him by his father. Here he resided for a time, then sold out and purchased a tract south of Slater. Afterward he sold again and moved to Slater,
where he engaged in the agricultural implement business and remained at this a year or two and then went into the grocery business. Finding this not quite to his taste, he sold and moved upon a farm consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, which was turned over to him by his father.
Mr. Ish is a member of the Christian Church, as also is his estimable wife and two of the children. For years he has been an Elder in the church and has assisted it with his presence and means. In the Sunday-school, too, he has been an active worker. Socially, he belongs to the Masonic order, and in his politics he is a Democrat, although he has never souglit office.
C ONRAD OSER, one of the most popular and efficient officers of Saline County, is the subject of this brief notice. Since 1880 he has been Superintendent of the Poor Farm, and under his charge the place has improved, and he has gained the commendation of all. His life affords an illustration of the power of self-help, and the force of courage and industry in enabling a man to surmount early difficulties of no ordinary kind. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Germany, and near the beautiful city of Strasburg he first saw the light. There he married, and thence with his wife he came to America, and made settlement among the rich meadows of Pennsylvania, where people of his nationality have built up flourishing towns and prosperous industries. In the State where his parents found a home, Martin Oser, the father of our subject, was born; there also he met and mar- ried Miss Barbara Brown.
Our subjeet was born at Ripley, Ind., in 1845, and he was the fourth in a family of seven chil- dren. In his boyhood he gained a practical com- mon-school education, and when ready to choose an occupation learned the trade of a carpenter. In 1862 he went to Kentucky, and there remained
298
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
until 1869. when Miss Isadora Lowden, of that State, became his wife. After their marriage, the young couple came to Saline County, and there Mr. Oser engaged in farming and also followed his trade.
In 1880 the citizens of the county testified to their appreciation of Mr. Oser by making him the Superintendent of their Poor Farm. This is a position which requires many sterling traits of character, and in his wise administration of the affairs of the institution, Mr. Oser has shown that the confidence of his fellow-citizens has not been misplaced. He manages with good judgment the one hundred and eighty acres which are contained in the farm, and has the land cultivated to the best interests of the county and inmates of the Home.
In his religious convictions, our subjeet is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Politi- eally he is a firm Democrat. always ready and glad to uphold Jeffersonian principles. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Oser: Emma, who is the wife of George Collier; Susie, Mattie. Will- iam, Lucy and Alberta. The children have been all well educated, and two of them are graduates of the convent in Marshall, Mo.
EDGE ASHBURY F. BROWN. one of the prominent agriculturists of Saline County, has also served with ability as County Judge, and now retired from the bench, de- votes his time to agricultural pursuits. He owns a fine farm, located in township 51, range 22, near Malta Bend. Our subject was born in Bucking- ham County, Va., in August, 1829. His family is of English descent, Buckingham Brown having emigrated from England to Virginia in the early history of the colonies, and settled in what is now known as Buckingham County. Grandfather Brown was born and died in Virginia. The ma- ternal grandfather, Charles Palmore, was a Revo- Jutionary soldier and served in the Colonial army.
James Brown, the father of our subject, was born in Buckingham County, Va .. March 19, 1783, and died in Saline County, Mo., in 1875. his home being near Malta Bend. lle was married in Vir- ginia to Miss Mary R., a daughter of Charles and Jane (Caldwell) Palmore. Immediately following his marriage he settled in Cumberland County, later removed to Buckingham County, and in 1831 came to Saline County, Mo., making the long trip in wagons. They erossed into Ken- tucky at the mouth of the Big Sandy, at Louisville crossed the Ohio, and at St. Louis reached the Mis- sissippi. Soon afterward they crossed the Mis- souri at St. Charles, and finally located in 1832 on thirteen hundred acres of land near what is now Malta Bend.
Mr. Brown, Sr .. brought with him his negroes, and though they could have escaped there were no desertions. Hle and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and were up- right and conscientious Christian people. Their children were all born in Virginia, viz: Sarah, Elizabeth, W. J., Mary S .. Royal F., Spencer W., Addison P. and Ashbury F. Rev. W. J. Brown, who resides near Higginsville, Mo., has for fifty years been a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church South; Royal F. lives one and a-half miles southwest from Malta Bend. upon the old home- stead; Dr. Spencer Brown makes his home near Waverly, La Fayette County. The only other sur- vivor in the family is our subject, who resides upon his farm adjoining Malta Bend, his land ex- tending to the edge of the corporation. Addison P. Brown was in his life-time a practicing physi- cian of Malta Bend. These sons have all been dis- tinguished for lives of honor and usefulness, and well might it be written of each "Ile hath done what he could."
Our subject came with his parents to Missouri when quite young, and received his education in the primitive subscription schools of the county, which he attended during the winter months, while, in common with other farmer boys, he worked upon his father's farm during the busy time of summer. In 1855. he married Miss Ann Eliza- beth, daughter of Rev. John R. and Elizabeth (Langhornes) Bennett, of La Fayette County. Both
299
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.
the Bennetts and the Langhornes were old Vir- ginia famihes, and the Rev. John R. Bennett was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and for many years Presiding Elder. This worthy pastor and true Christian citizen spent his last days in Kansas and passed to his rest in 1883.
Judge Brown lived upon the old homestead until 1859, when his father divided up the land among the children, and in 1860 he moved upon that portion which was given to him, a fine farm of three hundred and forty acres, all under excel- lent cultivation and adjoining Malta Bend. In 1874, our subject was elected County Judge and served with fidelity and efficiency for one term. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat. He is a con- sistent and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and for the past twenty years has been' a Steward of the church, in all of whose good work he has ever liberally aided.
The pleasant home of Judge Brown has been blessed with the presence of children. The eldest son, Dr. J. R., is a practicing physician at Malta Bend; Elizabeth and Mary are twins, the former be- ing married to .J. F. Coleman, of Malta Bend; Wes- ley is the second son; Laura is a teacher in the Cen- tral Female College, at Lexington; Sarah, Addie, Anderson F. and Royal complete the list of the children who were wont to gather around the fam- ily table in days of yore. Active, energetic and intelligent, these sons and daughters take high place among their fellow-citizens, and self-reliantly win their way upward and onward.
W H. C. MOMAIIAN, a representative agri- culturist and large land-owner of Saline County, Mo., owns seven hundred and sixty acres of land located upon township 50, range 20, and all in one body, with the exception of about twenty acres. Ambitious and energetic, he has won his way steadily upward, and, a na- tive of the State, has been identified with the growth and rapid advancement of Missouri his
entire life. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Mc- Mahan was a native Virginian, who early removed to Kentucky, but finally settled in Cooper County, Mo. He was of Scotch descent, and-a wealthy man-was, in the early days, a slave-owner.
The paternal grandmother's name was Jones, and presumably of German deseent. Grandfather McMahan and his good wife were married in Kentucky and had six children. The eldest son, Samuel, was killed in the War of 1812 by the sav- age Indians. James, the second son, and Thomas, the father of our subject, were the other sons. There were also three daughters in the household. Thomas MeMahan was born in Virginia, later re- moved with his parents to Kentucky, and finally located, in 1810, in Missouri. Ile was an ardent and patriotic man who fought bravely in the War of 1812, and, engaging in various conflicts with the Indians, was present in the fort in Howard County when Col. Cooper was killed. Ile was married after coming to Missouri, and his wife, the mother of our subject, was also a native of Virginia.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.