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 33
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 33
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Our subject was the fifth child of the numerous sons and daughters, who were named in the order of their births as follows: Amelia, Jeannetta, La- menda, Samuel G., our subject, Susan, James, Louisa, Jesse N. and Jane. Mr. McMahan is a na- tive of Cooper County, and was born in 1825. 1le received his education in the subscription schools of his early home, but when a young man was at- tracted by the glittering stories of the fabulous wealth easily attainable upon the Pacific Coast, and was among the thousands who, in 1852, journeyed to California, going overland and consuming four months upon the way. In 1856, he returned by the peninsula route, after a four-year absence from the familiar scenes.
In 1858, he married Martha Ellen, a daughter of Rudolph and Ellen Hlawpe, of Saline County, Mo. The father of Mrs. McMahan was born in Pennsylvania, while her mother was a native of Virginia. Mrs. McMahan was born in Saline County, and enjoys the friendship of a host of old acquaintances. The happy home of our subject and his highly esteemed wife has been blessed by the birth of nine children, two of whom have
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passed away. The seven living sons and daugh- ters are Adelia, the widow of John Lawless; Har- vey. Edward, Hawpe, Margaret Lillian, Mattie Kate and Mary L. James and Cora are the two little ones who died in infancy. The bright and earnest children of Mr. and Mrs. McMahan have lives of honored usefulness before them, and are universally respected by all who know them. Our subjeet is not an aspirant for public office, but he takes an active interest in all the national and lo- cal political events, and affiliates with the Demo- cratie party. For nearly two-score years a resi- dent of his present home, Mr. McMahan has been actively identified with the many important inter- ests of his locality, and. ever ready to aid in local progress and improvements, is justly numbered among the leading and progressive citizens of Saline County.
R OBERT E. LEE SMITHI, the affable and pop- ular druggist of Marshall, Saline County, Mo., is senior member in the firm of Smith & Hardin, proprietors of the largest and most finely appointed pharmacy in this section of the State. Refined, courteous, and thoroughly skilled in the duties of his profession, our subjeet has made a success of business, and always actively interested in the current events of the day, and ever ready to assist in church, social and religious enterprise, has won the esteem and confidence of the general public.
Our subject was born in Leesburg, Va., January 6, 1863. His grandfather Burke was a merchant in Virginia, and died in his native State. His father, William P. Smith, was a native of Warren County, and was a mechanic, and engaged in the manufac- ture of wagons, and articles requiring similar skill, during the war in Leesburg. Afterward he held official positions of trust, serving as assessor, con- stable and public officer in discharge of various duties, and in the daily business of life was ever
upright, energetic and efficient. In politics he was a Democrat, strong in his belief in Jacksonian principles, while in religious faith he clung firmly to the tenets and doctrines of the Methodist Epis- eopal Church South. Ile passed away peacefully after a long and useful life. He was of English descent, and clearly traced his ancestry back to the famous John Smith of Pocahontas fame.
The mother of Robert E. Lee Smith was Annie V. Burke, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Rich- ard S. Burke, who was of English descent, and who lived and died in Leesburg. Mrs. Smith died when our subject was young. She was the mother of nine children, of whom five are yet living. Rob- ert, the third in the large family, was raised in Lees- burg, and attended the excellent public schools of his native place. Having decided upon his future course in life, he entered a drug store at the age of sixteen years, and after four years' training in the practical duties of the profession, entered the Maryland College of Pharmacy in 1884, from which he graduated in 1885, with the degree of Ph. G. Our subject continued to clerk in the drug- house in Warrenton, Va., until 1886, when he came to Marshall.
Arrived in his new home, Mr. Smith found em- ployment with P. H. Franklin, and handled drugs there until 1888, in which year he started in busi- ness for himself in a new store with R. L. Bernard. This partnership lasted until February, 1891, when Dr. S. S. Hardin succeeded Mr. Bernard. The pres- ent firm are located in the finest business portion of the town, and, aside from drugs, carry a complete line of paints, oils, glass, ete., also perfumeries, and a variety of handsome toilet articles. Upon Oc- tober 5, 1887, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Sallie E. Goodwin, a charming lady, who was born in La Fayette County, Mo., and a daugh- ter of J. W. Goodwin, a large farmer and land-owner near Alma, La Fayette County, and President of the Bank of Saline. Mrs. Smith was educated in Lexington, Mo., and possessing many accomplish- ments and a genial disposition, is a favorite in the society of Marshall. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of three bright children : Robert Lee, James Goodwin, and Virginia Lee.
Mr. Smith is a member of the Ancient Free and
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Accepted Masons, and Past Master of his lodge, and is also King of the Chapter of Royal Arch Ma- sons and Generalissimo of the Commandery. K. T. lle is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and an officer in that religions organization, holding the position of Deacon, and discharging the duties which pertain to his office with the same ability which distinguishes his secular work. Mr. Smith is also an active member of the Missouri Pharma- ceutical Association. His political affiliations are with the party that is Democratie in both principle and name, and he is a firm believer in the justice of the broad platform reared by the patriots of the olden days. Liberal in sentiment, and gen- erous in thought and judgment, our subject is a fair-minded and progressive Christian citizen.
AMES E. BRUCE, one of the most successful farmers and stock-raisers of Saline County, Mo., is the pleasant gentleman to whom we call attention in this brief article. Mr. Bruce was born in Fredericksburg, Spottsylvania County, Va., in 1831, but was reared to maturity in Carolina County, the same State. His parents were William II. and Ilarriet (Gravatt) Bruce, both natives of Virginia, although the Bruce fam- ily in this country is descended from the old royal family of Scotland. This family is worthy of the good blood in its veins, and all the members of it have ever proved themselves true and good eiti- zens, faithfully fullilling all obligations to State and society.
Our subject left the State of his nativity upon reaching manhood, and emigrated Westward to Platte County, Mo., making the trip in 1851. Here he remained for one year, when, in the fall of 1855, he again traveled Westward, and this time made a settlement in Leavenworth County, Kan., and re- mained in that county and in Wyandotte County, the same State, until the fall of 1869, when he re- turned to Missouri and located on the farm where lie now resides. llis farm was mostly covered
with brush when he located upon it, but he has now developed it into a fine farm, and at present he is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of good land, on which he has carried on general farming and cattle and hog raising to a large ex- tent. It affords him much pleasure to look over the acres of fine land that his own unaided efforts have brought to such a state of perfection. Ile has worked very hard to bring about such a state of things, but is amply rewarded by the returns from his acres.
In 1856, Mr. Bruce decided that the married es- tate was the happiest, and that no man's home is complete without a wife, and therefore married Miss Sarah E., daughter of George Brawner, of Brunswick, Sheridan County, Mo. Eight chil- dren were the result of their union, only two of whom are now living: Charles and Mollie, both of whom are at home with their parents. Politically, Mr. Bruce is a stanch Democrat, and in polities, as in business matters, is a straightfor- ward, honorable gentleman, who scorns to do any thing unworthy of a descendant of the noble family of Bruce. He and his interesting family are prominent members of the Christian Church of Marshall.
b ENRY F. KLEINSCHMIDT is a dealer in hardware, stoves, tinware and agricultural implements at Corder, and is an active and energetie business man. lle was born in St. Louis, December 3, 1856, and is a son of Frank and Mary (Moeller) Kleinschmidt, both natives of Prussia.
Our subject is the eldest son of five children. Ile spent his boyhood in the cosmopolitan city of St. Louis and attended the common schools. After acquiring a good practical education, he learned the tinner's trade, at which he worked for eight years. Ambitious to become something more than a journeyman workman, in 1878 he embarked for himself in the hardware business at lligginsville,
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having formed a partnership with II. L. Klein- schmidt, his cousin. The firm continned doing business until 1880, when our subject removed to Corder and launched into the business of which he is now the head, and which is conducted with much ability and to the satisfaction of a large class of patrons.
Our subject's marriage took place October 6, 1880, when he united himself to Miss Louisa, a daughter of Henry Rosengarn, a native of St. Louis. The institution of a pleasant home imme- diately followed their marriage, and into this has been welcomed four children, three sons and one daughter, as follows: Oliver H. Leila Lillian, Charles G. and Alvin A. Mr. Kleinschmidt is a Republican in polities and is ever loyal to the prin- ciples of his chosen party. In business his stock oc- cupies a large building which is 22x80 feet in dimen- sions and two stories in height, with a wareroom 22×60 feet. The stock is carefully selected with a view to the needs of his patrons. Mr. Kleinschmidt is in his religious belief a member of the German Methodist Episcopal Church. The family residence is a comfortable and attractive place, centrally lo- cated in the town of Corder. '
C OL. JOHN BROWN was one of the most prominent men of Saline County, noted for his ability, kindness of heart, and interest in every worthy enterprise. He was just the kind of man needed to help build up a community, to interest others in its growth and prosperity, and to give it a basis of general solidity. 1Je was ever ready to extend a helping hand to those in need, and justly stood high in the respect and re- gard of a host of friends and acquaintances.
Col. Brown was a native of Bath County, Va., having been born there in the year 1788. Ile was a soldier in the War of 1812, his rank showing that then, as later, he was true to the duties devolving upon him, and that he fought for his country as a
brave man should. There is ever an added inter- est attaching to the life of a soldier, if he has given himself freely for the saving of a cause in which he honestly believes, and all who have risked their lives for the salvation of Columbia have a warm place in the heart of every true American.
Col. Brown came to Saline County, Mo., some time in the '30s, and entered and purchased land until at one time he owned several sections, all of which he had accumulated himself. He had been a lawyer in Virginia, and after coming to Missouri served as County Judge, and also repre- sented the district in which he resided.
The Colonel was twice married, having three children by his first wife. and four by the second. In this second marriage, he espoused Mrs. Julia A. Carthrae, widow of Charles Carthrae and daughter of Tyre Brown, of Virginia. The children of this marriage were: Kate, wife of Arthur C. Baldwin, of Sedalia; Charles D., Joe M., and May, deceased.
Charles D. was born in 1854. in this county, and has resided here all his life. Ile received a com- mon school education, and in 1883 married Miss Lillie Graves, daughter of T. C. Graves. Mr. Brown owns a good farm of seventy aeres, where he does a general farming business. Ilis post-office is Fairville, this county. Mr. Brown is a man who understands his business and is successful in it. He is pleasant to converse with, and holds the memory of his father in reverence, which of itself is much in his favor, however justly it is held in these days of rapid and perhaps necessarily some- what selfish living. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Baptist Church.
Col. Brown was a Whig before the war, and, in- deed, up to the time of his death, the latter event occurring in 186t. He was earnest in politics, as in everything else, but was willing to allow every man his honest belief, knowing that others, al- though they differed with him, might be true at heart. He was a Royal Arch Mason, and perhaps no higher compliment can be paid him than to say that he endeavored faithfully to live up to the re- quirements and vows of that order; for all who are at all familiar with Masonry know that it re- quires a high manhood and strict observance of those virtues that are the foundation of a Christian
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life. Purity, charity, and faith in God,-these virtues lie at the foundation of all others, and when a man has pledged himself to these, and hon- estly tries to keep that pledge, he is on the broad road to the highest manhood possible in this exist- enee.
ARTIN ZIMMERMAN, a successful far- mer and stock-raiser of Saline County, re- sides on section 36, township 51, range 21. Ile was born in Beuren, Baden, Ger- many, November 8, 1831, and grew to manhood in his native land. His parents, Wendall and Chriscentia Zimmerman, were natives of Germany, and the father was a farmer and an honored citi- zen of that country.
When Baden rebelled in 1816, our subject took part in the strife. At the age of twenty-three, he emigrated to America and made his first loca- tion in Kentucky, where he remained about three years. In the spring of 1857, he came to Saline County, Mo., and engaged in farming for a Mr. Willis. He was industrious and economical, and in 1859 felt justified in asking Rosetta Suppie to share his fortunes. The following spring, he rented land and engaged in farming for himself, which occupation he has successfully followed ever since.
During the war, our subject, like many others, lost all he had accumulated, and at the close of hostilities had to begin over again. He now owns three hundred and seventy-three acres on sections 25 and 26, beside nine hundred and sixty acres in Texas, which are managed by his son Frank W. Ten children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman, namely: George W., who married Laura Scarrett; Thomas H., who married Emma Sheldon; Frank W .; Annie M., wife of Jolin Sheer, residing near Slater; Wendall M., a resident of Riverside, Cal .; Willie F., Minnie C., Ernest R., Eddie H. and Lizzie N. All are industrious young people, of whom their parents may be justly proud. Mrs. Zimmerman is a kind-hearted, ami-
able lady, and is the daughter of German parents, her father, William Suppie, having been born in Saxony, as was also his wife.
In politics, our subject embraces the platform advanced by the Republican party and upholds it upon every occasion. His wife and children are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, but he is a Roman Catholic in religion. Upon his fine farm he carries on general farming, but not- withstanding his extensive agricultural interests, he assists in all public enterprises and takes a deep interest in school matters, having been instru- mental in securing the establishment of the school near his home. His district is two miles square, and through his efforts is one of the best in the county. No one else has done more than he to- ward building up the school system in this county.
LEXANDER CHAPMAN CAMPBELL, 1 our subjeet, is a man with an inflexible sense of right, strong in his convictions of duty, fearless in the expression of his opin- ions, and upright in all his dealings. He is a farmer hving on section 18, township 49, range 28, La Fayette County. Ilis father, Aaron Campbell, a native of Virginia, was a son of Moses Camp- bell, who was a soldier in the French and Indian Wars.
The mother of our subject was Grace (William- son) Campbell, a native of Virginia and danghter of James Williamson, who was likewise born in the Old Dominion. The father of our subject was an overseer in the iron works of Col. Callaway, of that State, for a number of years, and afterward removed to Logan County, Ky., where the mother died in 1833. In the following year Aaron Camp- bell removed to Missouri and bought over eight hundred acres of land, but lived with his sons, Henry, James and Joshua, who had come hither at a very early day. He was a faithful member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and an honor- able man. Here he died five years afterward. Our
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subject had ten brothers and sisters, three of whom are living. he being the youngest of the family.
Our subject was born in Logan County. Ky .. November 8. 1816. There he received a common- school education and remained until 1836, when he came to La Fayette County and lived with his brother-in-law, Robert Ewing. near Lexington, and there attended school. Some time after this he went to Louisiana, Mo., and entered the mer- cantile store of his brother, remaining thus em- ployed for seven years, when he returned to his father's place, and managed the slaves and large farm for one year. In 1847, he migrated to Texas. where he was a clerk for two and one-half years for another brother, who owned a store there. On his return to Missouri he became a merchant at Wellington. Some time later he took in a partner, William Ward, but sold out after two and one- half years thus spent.
We next find Mr. Campbell engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. For twelve years he operated a farm, which he sold, and then purchased his pres- ent farm of two hundred and seven aeres. At present he has one hundred and fifty-seven acres of improved land, on which there may be noticed a nice residence, substantial barns, an orchard. good fencing, etc., all the improvements having been made by himself. Formerly he engaged ex- tensively in sheep-raising, but now devotes his at- tention to the raising of wheat and corn, although he has some very fine cattle.
October 2. 18-19, Mr. Campbell married Margaret F .. daughter of Thomas Il. Gleas, an early settler of Saline County. Mrs. Campbell died January 1, 1859, having been the mother of four children, namely: lone, Louisa S., Thomas H. and Nancy Eleanor. Mr. Campbell married again. Aprit 26, 1868, the maiden name of this wife being Lonisa M. Bratton. Her parents, David and Charlotte Matilda (Cobb) Bratton, were natives of Tennes- see and South Carolina respectively, and her father was a soldier in the War of 1812. After his mar- riage, Mr. Bratton lived first in Tennessee, later in Kentucky for four years, then removed to Mis- souri in 1839, and settled in Sniabar Township, where he died in 1863. His wife was called hence in 1876. Of the eleven children of that marriage,
Mrs. Campbell is the only survivor. She was born in Sniabar Township June 28, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are the parents of six children, namely: Matilda Grace, Eugene 1 ... Charles Alexander, Mary Elizabeth, David Bratton and Patrick Henry.
In their religious belief, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, in which he is an active worker. and was at one time a teacher in the Sunday-school. Ile is a warm friend of education, has served upon the School Board, and is giving his children efficient school instruction, his two eldest sons being students at Odessa College. In the old days he was a Whig, and afterward a Democrat in the time of Clay and Webster. He was much opposed to the Civil War, being outspoken in his denunciation of it; yet he continued to live in La Fayette County during its progress, when it was dangerous for anyone to re- main who held similar opinions.
Il. W. SULLIVAN, M. D. The County of Saline, State of Missouri, numbers among her most honored and eminent citizens many whose ancestors either first saw the light in the Land of the Shamrock, or are di- rectly descended from ancestors who emigrated from the green shores of Ireland. In this number belongs Dr. Sullivan, who traces his lineage to the Emerald Isle.
The grandfather of our subject, Samuel Sullivan, was born in Pennsylvania, and he and his nine brothers entered the Colonial army, serving through the Revolutionary War. At a later day he mar- ried Miss Mary Mayfield, who was a native of Virginia. Of this marriage, in 1820, was born the father of our subject, S. W., in Virginia. In 1829 he was brought to the State of Missouri, and in early life he identified himself with the progress of the country and township in which he found a home.
For eight years S. W. Sullivan has held the office of Justice of the Peace, and for a long time
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he was active in religious affairs. Now, although advanced in years, he is still hale and hearty. Ile married Elizabeth Keifer, a native of Virginia, born September 30, 1822, and they became the parents of thirteen children, six of whom are yet living. B. F. was born in Saline County, Mo., in 1844, married Miss Elizabeth Witt, and they re- side in Miami Township, where he is engaged in farming; S. J. was born in Saline County, married Miss Mary McLain, and they reside in Saline County, where he is a farmer; T. W. was born m Saline County, married Miss Mary Millsap, and engages in farming in Saline County; P. G. was born in this county, and resides with his father; Jane Hannah S. was born in this county in 1861 and married John Witt.
The birth of our subject took place in Saline County, Mo., in 1841. Ile was educated in the schools of that place, and then engaged in the study of medicine. He was not permitted at that time to continue his study, on account of the dis- turbed condition of the country. In 1862 he joined the State militia, remaining with them a year, and in the spring of 1863 he volunteered in the Ninth Missouri Regiment of cavalry under Col. Oden Guitar and Capt. H. S. Glaze. His company was reported at Mitchell and Lexington, and they remained a year engaged in the different skirmishes around the country, among which was the battle of Fayette.
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Until 1865 our subject served his country in the field, and was then detailed to the hospital to practice. After the close of the war he practiced medieine for five years in Saline County, and at the expiration of that time he attended a course of medical studies at the University of Iowa at Keokuk; he was graduated in 1871, when he again returned to his native place, and engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1883 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at St. Louis, and there remained six months, when he again re- sumed practice at his old home.
Dr. Sullivan is President of the Board of United States Pension Examiners at Marshall, and a mem- ber of the Society of Physicians and Surgeons. In addition to the practice of medicine, he devotes considerable attention to the management of his
large and well-improved farm of twelve hundred aeres. Ile is a member of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church, as are also his wife and four chil- dren. Dr. Sullivan is a liberal supporter of all charitable institutions, and a man who stands well with all classes. Socially he is a member of the Masonic order, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in the latter he has filled all of the chairs. Politically he is an earnest Republican, and while never an aspirant for office, he has taken an active part in the political affairs of the county of Saline.
July 20, 1866, Dr. Sullivan married Miss Mary Cooper, a native of Saline County, Mo., and the daughter of Tobias and Mary (Woolscale) Cooper, early residents of this State, Cooper Fort being named in honor of his grandfather. Mrs. Mary Sullivan died August 13, 1866. The Doctor took for his second wife Miss Mary Andsley, to whom he was married on the 23d of December, 1866. This lady was born in Saline County, April 13, 1851, the daughter of Joseph and Mary (White- head) Andsley, natives of England. Of this union nine children were born, as follows: Tempest E. J. born September 28, 1867; Amos W., March 21, 1870; Frank II., June 2, 1872; Belladonna, Feb- ruary 17, 1875; Mary E., October 25, 1876; Bertha G., September 25, 1880; Hazzard, February 25. 1884; Boyd L., December 16, 1886; and Lloyd W. March 18, 1889. All the children are living with the exeeption of Belladonna, who died at her birth.
G EORGE A. CAMPBELL is a prominent farmer in Washington Township, LaFay- ette County. A native of Washington County, Va., he was born September 10, 1843, and eame to LaFayette County in company with his father in 1854. The elder Mr. Campbell was a man of considerable note and influence in Virginia, so much so that in 1890, many years after leaving
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