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 39
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 39
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Our subject attended the subscription schools of those early days in his boybood. and assisted his father in the work of the farm. Ambitious and energetic, he desired a more extended education, and in 1825 entered the university at Charlottes- ville, Va., being the first student to matrieulate at the now time-honored institution. Ilis father, widely known as the Hon. Thomas Starke, repre- sented Ilanover County in the Legislature for a number of years, and was a man of more than ordinary ability and unusual integrity of charac- ter. Our subject came to La Fayette County in 1817, and, engaging in the pursuit of general ag- riculture, prospered, and identifying himself with the growing interests of his new home has ever actively aided in local progress and improve- ments.
In 1828, Mr. Starke was, at the age of twenty- two. united in marriage with Miss Amanda True- heart, a native Virginian, and a daughter of Will- iam Trueheart, a well-known citizen of the Old Dominion. By this wife Mr. Starke became the father of six children, two of whom are now liv- ing: Elizabeth, the wife of William White, of La Fayette County, Mo., and Benjamin F., who re- sides in La Fayette County. Mrs. Amanda (True- heart) Starke died in 1837, and our subject again married, in 1839, the lady of his second choice be- ing Miss Anna B., a daughter of Rev. William Hatchett, of Virginia, a minister of eloquence and natural ability. The second wife was the mother of six children, three of the sons and one daugh- ter yet surviving. E. T. Starke is a business man of Memphis, Tenn. Virginia is the widow of C. V. Voorheis, of West Virginia. Rev. J. B. Starke is well known throughout La Fayette County, his present residence. Edward B. makes his home in Springfield, Mo. In 1851 our subject was again left alone with the care of his children.
In 1853, Mr. Starke married the sister of his second wife, Miss Fannie L. Hatchett, and into their pleasant home came seven little ones, and of these three are now living: Lewis N., R. Lee, and Lucy G., the wife of William Fleet. The third wife of our subject, widely known and highly re- spected. passed away in 1891, mourned by a large circle of friends and relatives. The sons and
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daughters of Mr. Starke all occupy positions of influence, and in their several localities are among the important social and business factors of the communities in which they make their homes. Mr. William Fleet, who married Lucy G., the youngest daughter of our subject, is a native of Virginia, born in 1862, a son of William Fleet, of the same State. Mr. Fleet came to La Fayette County in 1880, and settled upon a farm which he has prosperonsly conducted ever sinee.
Our subject has been a member of the Baptist Church for many years, having united with that denomination in 1835. Always active in the good work of that religions organization, he has officiated as Deacon with great usefulness, and aided in the extension of its influence and minis- try. Mr. Starke has never been troubled with po- litical aspirations, but does his duty at the polls, and as his ancestors believed, so does lie support the principles of the Democratic party. Upright and honorable in the daily walks of life, our sub- jeet has won the esteem and confidence of count- less friends and neighbors, and in the evening of his days enjoys the consciousness of a life well spent.
NDREW J. BLACKMAN is a veteran in the railroad service, being the oldest en- gineer on the Chicago & Alton Road in Missouri. He has been in service with this company since 1864, taking his present posi- tion two years later. Mr. Blackman is a native of Davenport, lowa, and was born May 11, 1843. Ile is a son of L. S. and Susan (Parker) Blackman. The former was born in Vermont, but was reared in London, Canada, his father being a farmer near that city. In 1831, L. S. Blackman went West to Scott County, Iowa, making the journey by wagon, and two years afterward he took his family there. He followed farming until the time of his de- cease, and owned three hundred and twenty acres of good land, now in and adjoining the city. This
was handsomely improved and made him a com- fortable home until his death. which occurred in 1881, he being then seventy-four years of age.
Our subject's mother was the daughter of Ethan Parker, who did gallant service in the War of 1812. For a time he followed the occupation of a farmer in New York State, but later removed to Canada and settled near London. Susan Parker was born in New York, and was reared, educated and married in Canada, and died in Iowa in 1855. Our subject is one of eight children born of his father's marriage. Two of his brothers served in the war. The elder, lliram, who was in the Second lowa Cavalry, died while in the service. Andrew Blackman was the second eldest son and third child. lle remained on his father's farm until eigliteen years of age, enjoying the ordinary school advantages, which meant at that time that for three months ont of the winter he conned what studies he chose to take in a log schoolhouse, which was located at one corner of his father's farm.
In the spring of 1862, the original of this sketch enlisted in Company C, of the Twentieth lowa Infantry, having been mustered in at Clinton, Iowa. His regiment was at once sent South, and they engaged in the battles at Springfield, Mo., Prairie Grove, and took part in many skirmishes through Kansas and Missouri. On being sent down to Mobile he contracted a serious sickness, and in February, 1864, was mustered out of ser- vice because of general disability.
On returning home Mr. Blackman accepted a position with the Chicago & Alton Road in the fall of 1864. His work was first that of braking from Bloomington to Chicago. He then became fire- man and later was promoted to the engineer's posi- tion. lIe has been on the road constantly, with the exception of eight months when he was ac- corded leave of absence to recuperate his healthi.
It would be strange if in so long an experience in railroading Mr. Blackman had escaped all acci- dents. lIe has had three collisions, and in the first one he went through the side of a freight train, his own train going at the rate of forty miles an hour. His engine was entirely demolished, but although he was in it at the time of the collision,
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he was not injured. The second collision occur- red at Higginsville. In January of 1885, his en- gine ran into another train, and in this accident Mr. Blackman broke an arm and leg. In the third accident. which occurred in May. 1885, at Camp. Mo .. he sprained both ankles.
In October of 1871. om subject entered upon his duties in the Missouri Division, his run being between this point and Louisiana. He was also engaged in building the road from Louisiana to Mexico. Mr. Blackman has been of a provident disposition, and his earnings have been invested in three good residences which bring him in a com- fortable income. Ile located in Slater in 1883 and owns a pleasant home here.
Our subject was married in Mexico, Mo., in 1882. the lady of his choice being Miss Maggie Bartlett. who was born at Shackleford, this county, but was reared in Mexico. They are the prond and happy parents of six children, who are named as follows: Susie, Estella, Levi, Robert. Ward and Alice. Both parents spare no exertion or self- denial in giving these young people ali the ad- vantages that will enable them to take a promi- nent position in social and business life. Fra- ternally, Mr. Blackman is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He also belongs to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and that of the Loco- motive Firemen. He has been much interested in and an active member of the Iron Hall League. Po- litically. he is a follower of that party which has guided the ship of State so successfully for the past thirty years.
ESLIE A. MOMEEKIN. The number of citizens in La Fayette County who are na- tives of Kentucky is noticeable, and they nearly all belong to the agricultural elass, who make stock-raising and breeding a specialty. This indeed speaks well for their adopted county and would almost indicate that it rivals the noted Blue- Grass region in its agricultural advantages. Among
this class is our subject, who is a prominent and representative resident on section 11, township 49, range 26. He was born in Scott County. Ky., April 23, 1816, and is a son of John and Margaret A. (Graves) MeMeekin. The family has long been identified with the history and growth of Ken- tucky, although the first American representa- tive on the paternal side was of Scotch ancestry. Our subject's grandsire on the maternal side was a soldier in the War of 1812.
Mr. MeMeekin was reared to manhood's estate in his native place, and from his earliest youth he has been brought up to a practical knowledge of agricultural pursuits. He was educated at the Georgetown College in Seott County, an institu- tion that is notable for having turned out many prominent young men. and as that in which the late James (. Blaine first began his career as a teacher.
Like most Kentuckians, our subject married young, his bride being Miss Florence Rees, of Car- roll County, Ky., a daughter of the Rev. Farmer Rees, formerly a Baptist minister. Their marriage was solemnized January 2, 1868. They have been the parents of eight children, five of whom are living. They are: Anna M., who is the wife of George Schooling; William C .. Joseph M., Florence and Leslie. The three who are deceased were named as follows: Charlie, Laura B., and Edmonia A. In the fall of 1868, our subject with his family migrated to Missouri and settled in La Fayette County, where they still live.
In his youth Mr. McMeekin had imprinted upon his mind high ideals of a farm life and comforts, the country about his home in Scott County, Ky., being noted for its aristocratie old homes, built in the Colonial style, and with farms improved to the highest possible degree. Such a place as those he has reproduced in his Missouri home, developing it in every direction, and at the same time preserv- ing every pleasing feature of home life and com- fort. The place reminds one of the purse of For- tunatus. for having developed it in an agricultual way, it was discovered to have a rich coal vein, and this proved so valuable that in 1888 he leased it to the Rocky Branch Coal Company and it has ever since been quite productive.
Mr. McMeekin is one of the progressive men of
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this locality who seeks to extend every resource in the county as far as possible. He is himself a pub- lie-spirited man, generous toward all worthy causes, He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church and are workers for the cause of religion, contrib- uting both of their time and means.
LBERT R. GREGSBY is a member of the same political party as were Rufus Choate, Abraham Lincoln, Grant, Foster, Mckinley, Blaine and Harrison, and having the strength of his convictions that under the guid- ance of such men as these, Republicanism, with its protective tariff platform, its honest money and clean record, is the policy for the country, he has the temerity to promulgate its theories in his localty through the medium of a sheet known as the Saline County Republican, of which he is sole proprietor and editor. The Republican has a good circulation, as it deserves to have, and is a clean, bright and newsy sheet, which the head of a household need not fear to place in the hands of his children. Before enlarging more up- on this journal, let us consider briefly the personal history of the man who makes the paper.
Albert Gregsby is a son of Alpheus O. and Amanda Gregsby, the former a native of New York and the latter of Louisville, Ky. The decease of the father occurred in Logan, Kan., in 1878, after an extended career of usefulness. The mother died in Minnesota in 1888. They had six children, and of these our subject is the eldest. He was born in Noble, Richland County, Ill., June 21. 1865, and enjoyed the privileges and advantages to be obtained in the public schools which our Federal Government has placed within the reach of every child in the Union, He learned the printer's trade in Nebraska.
Ilaving acquired this key to the treasure house of knowledge and fortune, our subject applied it at various places in Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri. When a lad of seventeen he precociously estab-
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lished a paper at Holdrege, Neb., which was known as the Equity, and it was a well-printed and credit- able sheet in spite of the youth of the editor. This he continued for a year, and was then taken in on the Alma Times as assistant editor. After remain- ing on that paper for two years he followed his trade in various places in Kansas until 1888, when he came to Missouri. For three and a-half years he was employed in the various branches of work known in a printing-office. Ile then located at Slater and founded the Saline County Republican. It now has a circulation of eight hundred and is accorded a hearty welcome in all the homes of its patrons.
Mr. Gregshy was married in Slater, March 29, 1888, to Miss Minnie E. Teter, a daughter of John A. Teter, of this county, where the lady was born and reared. Mr. and Mrs. Gregsby are the parents of two children whose names are Clara A. and Claude R. Our subject is a progressive and wide-awake young man to whom the future is full of promise.
M ARTIN HEILER. The rapid and sub- stantial growth of the city of Slater has brought out the best and most original and artistic tastes of that class of artisans who build our houses and public buildings. Among these Mr. Heiler is one of the largest and most successful contractors, and a builder noted for his thoroughness and faithfulness. He is also a good architect and does a really high grade of work, and has erected the majority of the most notable buildings in town. Personally, he is a man who is thoroughly agreeable, pleasant and affable, and has, as he deserves, the cordial liking of all.
Mr. Heiler was born at Mannheim, Baden, Germany, February 9, 1843. Ihis father, Robert Ileiler, was born in the same town and was also a carpenter and builder. His grandfather Heiler was a participant in Napoleon's famous but disas-
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
trous march to Russia. Robert Heiler spent three years in Australia in mining during the gold ex- citement. His business in Mannheim was of im- portance and he was very successful. Ihis wife, our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Katherine Heilich, a daughter of George Heilich. also a contractor and builder, was a native of the same place as was her husband. She was the mother of tive children. four of whom are now living, and of these Martin was next to the young- est.
Our subject spent his youth on the banks of the beautiful Rhine, gaining his education first in the common schools and later becoming a student at the gymnasium. From the time he was old enough to stand at the bench until . sixteen. he spent his spare hours working under the direction of his father. lle then went to Switzerland and was employed at his trade in various eantons. spending much of his time in Zurich, the cele- brated seat of the old university. There he as- sisted in the building of the large polytechnic school. and during the winter time he went to Munchen, giving his attention to the study of architecture. For three years he studied drafting and all branches of his chosen profession, remain- ing in Switzerland until twenty, and while there experienced the satisfaction of an Alpine exeur- sionist. At the age of twenty he took up the millwright's trade at Bruchsal, Baden, remaining there two years, after which he came to America, in the fall of 1865. In the trans-Atlantic voyage he took the steamer "Limerick" from Liverpool to New York, and on landing went to Highland, Madison County, III. He there worked at the millwright's trade until 1868, when he came to Salisbury, where he began contracting and build- ing for himself. His business prospects were very satisfactory and he erected mills, business blocks, etc., his high-grade work always giving the great- est satisfaction to his patrons.
In 1880. the subject of this sketch came to Slater. which was then a new town, and at once began contracting and building, and superintended the setting up of the machinery in the first mill that was built here, and when it was burned lie erected the second. MIr, Heiler has a great sense of fit-
ness. as is seen from the many classes of buildings which he has put up. All the churches in the town, with the exception of one, were raised un- der his superintendence, and all the large brick blocks, save about three. are the work of his brain and design, and of his superintendence in erection. Ile has at the same time done considerable con- tracting in other cities. Ilis own residence is a tasteful and attractive home of his own construc- tion and he also owns three other residences in this eity. He started the Slater brick-yard, which is located two miles southeast of the city and which supplies most of the brick used in the city and vicinity. This is run under the firm name of Bruckman & Heiler. They turn out about one million bricks a year.
Mr. Weiler was married in Maseontah. St. Clair County. Ill., in 1869. Miss Carrie Ietter becoming his wife. She is a native of Prussia, having come to this country four years prior to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Ileiler are the parents of five chil- dren: Lucy, now Mrs. Manaker, of Slater; Katie, Lena. Gust and Deno, who are at home. Our subject served as City Alderman for three terms, and was on the committee which put the electric lights in the city. He is a Republican in politics, of the true-bine sort, and has been sent as a dele- gate to county and State conventions.
OHN T. GOODWIN, one of the prominent business men of Alma, La Fayette County. Mo .. is the subject of the present sketch. Ilere he carries on an extensive trade in lumber, hardware. wagons, buggies, and farm im- plements, filling the demands of the trade in this section very successfully in his line. The birth of our subject took place in Rappahannock County, Va., in 1829. a son of James and Elizabeth .J. (Cor- der) Goodwin, natives of Virginia. When but ten years of age, he accompanied his parents to Missouri and became a pupil at the public school, continuing at intervals there until the age of
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twenty-one years, when he began farming upon his own account and continued at this vocation until 1852.
In the latter year, our subject removed to Cali- fornia to enter the gold diggings, where he re- mained for two years, and in 1854 he returned and rccommenced farming. which he continued until 1881, when he embarked in the dry-goods business and in general merchandising, including lumber, which he carried on until 1889. At that time he sold his stock of general merchandise and then embarked in the hardware and implement business. At the same time he is conducting an extensive lumber business at Alma. Mr. Goodwin is also a stockholder in the Alma Creamery Company, one of the growing interests of this place. In politics, he is a pronounced Demoerat, active in the party ranks.
Our subject married, in 1859, Miss A. J. Gog- gins, a daughter of Christopher Goggins, a native of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin have become the parents of eight children, but only three of these are living, as follows: Lily, Elizabeth M., and James C. Their handsome residence is in this pleasant little city, where they are well known and most highly respected. Their religious connec- tion is with the Presbyterian Church, and they are active in all good works, Mr. Goodwin always favoring everything looking toward the improve- ment of the city or county.
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quired honors from the public, not by inheritance nor through compliment, but because of his own unquestioned merit.
The affable and courtly subject of this sketch was born in Jefferson Township, Saline County, October 3, 1865. Ile is a son of Reuben B. Eu- bank, a native of Kentucky, who is a farmer in Jefferson Township. His mother, prior to her marriage was Miss Elizabeth Whittaker, who died when our subjeet was about eight years old. After completing his course in the common schools, Jerome Eubank entered the High School of Slater, and finished his course there with great credit to himself. He was reared on his father's farm, which continued to be his home until about 1885.
At the date above mentioned, the original of this sketch came to Slater, and here he has lived ever since. Since that time. he has been engaged in the live-stock business and is at present con- nected with the Chieago Live Stock Commission Company. Ile has taken a prominent part in all local affairs and is enthusiastic in political work. He was elected to the Missouri Legislature on the Democratie ticket in the fall of 1890, and has the honor of being the youngest member of the pres- ent house, and probably the youngest who has ever served in the house. Ile was Chairman of the Committee on Banks and Banking, also a member of the Committee on Municipal Corpora- tions.
Mr. Eubank is a member of the State Breed- ers' Association, and was also Secretary for a year of the Missouri State Farmers', Shippers' and Busi- ness Men's Association. Mr. Eubank has found that his fraternal associations have been of great service to him in his business connections and he takes great pride in his membership with the Ma- sons. He is a member of Blue Lodge No. 63, and Saline Royal Arch Chapter and Missouri Com- mandery of Marshall No. 36, and Ararat Temple, of Kansas City. Ile reflects great credit in his line of conduct not only upon his home training but the State to which he owes allegiance.
Mr. Eubank was married November 13, 1890, to Miss Zudie P. Purdom, a native of Macon, Macon County, Mo., who is the daughter of Heze-
ON. JEROME D. EUBANK. The flower of Southern chivalry is not by any means in the sere and yellow leaf, although the vast domains, with their regiments of dusky at- tendants, are things of the past. The old-time chivalry has taken upon itself a higher and more earnest ideal of the good that the future will develop. As a token of this we present to the reader a sketch in outline of the gentleman whose name is quoted above, who, although still in the first enthusiasm of carly youth, has already ac- | kiah Purdom, a Missourian by birth, and a jour-
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nalist by profession but now retired from business. Mrs. Eubank's mother was formerly Miss Theo- dosia Hudson, a native of Pike County, Mo.
ARCUS L. BEET, JR. The firm of Belt & Hendricks is composed of our subject and his mother-in-law, and they conduct a very profitable livery and transfer busi- ness in Higginsville. Mr. Belt was born in St. Louis, Mo., June 6, 1863, and is the son of Capt. Marcus 1. Belt (see his sketch). He was reared in Dover, La Fayette County, until eleven years of age, and then moved to Carrollton, Carroll County, Mo., where he remained until he was fifteen. At. that age he was sent to St. Louis and there at- tended the city High Schools.
In 1882 Mr. Belt went back to Carrollton with J. B. Smith and there started a drug store, which he conducted for two years. In 1881 he removed to Marshall and there engaged for a short time as a clerk with his father in the grocery business. During the above-mentioned year he went to Texas, and for three years was Superintendent on a ranch there. His work was of such a nature that it required the most arduous exertion on hus part, for the ranch was large and was stocked with an immense number of cattle. In his wanderings he traveled throughout the entire State of Texas.
In 1887 our subject returned to La Fayette County and became book-keeper for the Rocky Branch Coal Co., located in Higginsville. A year later he engaged in farming, and in 1890 embarked in the livery business, which he now conducts in addition to his farm labors. July 1, 1891, he bought his present barn, which is 50x110 feet and is the most commodious in the city, containing everything needed in a first-class enterprise of this kind.
In shipping horses Mr. Belt conduets a very prof- itable business. He has sixty head of tine horses and owns some of the finest stallions in the State. We may mention in this connection "Fashion,"
No. 1149, by "Stranger," the only son of "Gold- smith Maid;" "Norton." a bay stallion, sired by "Idle Wilkes," first dam by "Clark Chief;""George Vest" is a bay stallion sired by "Steele," first dam "Dame Parradeen," by "Al West;" "Florence Ba- shaw," a four year old mare, sired by "Beemer's Bashaw," being standard bred; "Calula," by "Jay Gould," first dam "May Day," by the great sire "Aberdeen."
Mr. Belt was united in marriage December 24. 1890. to Miss Clara Hendricks, who was born in La Fayette County, the daughter of the late JJames P. Hendricks, a prominent farmer, Our subjeet is a member of the order of the Knights of Pythias and the Uniformed Rank. He is a stockholder and Director in the Rocky Branch Coal Company, which has proved a very profitable investment. In polities he is a Democrat, and takes an active interest in the advancement of that party. So- cially he is very popular in his neighborhood.
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