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 41
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 41
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Marshall, and are universally respected and es- teemed. Mr. Vance has always taken an active part in the national and local conduct of political affairs. Ile has represented his constituents at State and county conventions, as well as at the National Convention of 1892, and in all the duties of each position has clearly demonstrated his ability, energy, intelligence and integrity of character.
S AMUEL MOMAHAN, an enterprising and energetic citizen and well-known and pros- perous business man of Arrow Rock, Sa- line County, Mo., has, during his entire lifetime, identified himself with the prominent in- terests of the State. Born in La Mine Township, Cooper County, February 4, 1833, our subject has been successfully engaged in various pursuits, boat- ing, merchandising and farming, and, possessing the confidence of all his friends and neighbors, received his elective appointment as Justice of the Peace in Cooper County, an office whose duties he discharged for many years with signal ability.
The paternal grandfather, Samuel McMahan, was born in Kentucky, and in 1810, with his wife and family, removed to Missouri, and in 1811 loeated in Cooper County, and went into the fort built in those early days for protection from the Indians. The paternal grandmother was Miss Sarah Clark, daughter of Daniel Clark, a Kentuckian, who lo- cated in Boone County, Mo. The paternal grand- parents were married in Kentucky and journeyed from that State to Missouri, traveling by wagon, and consuming many weeks on the way. After about one year's residence in Missouri, Grand- father McMahan was killed by the savage Indians on his return home from Boonville, whither he had gone on important business. Ile was shot down by the Indians concealed in ambush. His body was found the next day faithfully guarded from the wild beasts by his two noble dogs, who kept their lonely vigil until the remains were discovered. It was supposed the Indians were
creeping toward two men who were eutting honey ont of the trees, and who ran for their lives when they heard the report of the shots.
A widow and five sons were left by his death without their nearest protector and friend. The sons were William, Thomas, Samuel W., John W. and Jesse. Twice had their home been reduced to ashes by the barbarous Indians, and each time the family had escaped to Cooper's Fort, and there taken refuge. The grandmother remained upon the old homestead until her death, and many times assisted in preparing the buckskins, which in those pioneer days were dressed largely for cloth- ing. The father of our subject, Thomas McMa- han, was born June 15, 1805, in the State of Ken- tueky, and, when only five years old, came with his parents to Missouri. He died in Cooper County in the spring of 1890, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. His wife was Miss Lucy, a daughter of Samuel Ridle, of Maryland. IIe resided upon the place where his father had lo- cated early in the history of the Territory of Mis- souri.
The extensive farm, constantly increasing in valne, is still in the possession of the MeMahans, and was held by father and son from 1811 until the death of the father of our subject, who, after living upon the old homestead nearly his entire lifetime, was buried there. Ilis faithful and de- voted wife passed away in May, 1867, and was in- terred beside her beloved husband. The farm is five miles below Arrow Rock and well known to ail the residents of the county. The children of this pioneer couple were Erasmus, who died at the age of six years; Samuel, our subject; Sarah, who married William J. Harris, of Cooper County, and died in 1861; Margaret, married to Edward Brown, of Cooper County, La Mine Township; Robert, residing in Cooper County, three miles from Arrow Rock; and Benjamin, steam-boating on the Missouri River, owner and pilot, who lives in Cooper County.
Samnel McMahan, our subject, was married May 16, 1866, to Miss Alice J., a daughter of William and Edmonia (Turley) Tyler, of Cooper County. Mr. McMahan's early life was passed upon the old farm and boating upon the Missouri River. Our
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subjeet was in the wood and boating business for a number of years, nearly a score. The buying of land and cutting wood and selling it for fuel were then most profitable, and a business in which Mr. McMahan largely engaged. For about ten years of his early life, he farmed upon the old homestead and aided in caring for the large fam- ily of his parents until he was twenty-four years of age. lle then built flat-boats and ran them. Our subject now owns shares in a gasoline ferry boat, at Arrow Rock, the first of its kind in existence.
In 1882, he engaged in the mereantile business also in Arrow Rock, to which place he moved from his farm. Mr. McMahan sells dry goods, clothes, notions and fancy goods. During the war he enlisted with two of his brothers in Price's command; they were all captured in the southwest part of Missouri, and were imprisoned at Rock Island for six or seven months. Released in the spring of 1865, they made their way home. Mr. McMahan was with Price in his raid through Mis- souri, and was in Wood's Battalion, Marmaduke's Division. After the war he again resumed the handling and sale of wood. Mr. McMahan and all of his family are members of the Christian Church, of which . he has been an honored Deacon for twenty years.
In political affiliations, our subject is an ardent Democrat, and has always been an active advocate of his party, ever taking a deep interest in local and national affairs. He was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace upon the Democratic ticket, and he was almost the unanimous choice of his fellow-citizens. The children of Mr. and Mrs. McMahan are Lena and Nora B., who, with their parents, are widely known and highly esteemed.
The McMahans were among the very early pio- neers of the Territory of Missouri, and their his- tory is interwoven with the history of the State and nation. Grandfather McMahan was engaged in the Indian War of 1812, and was in Ft. Cooper when Cooper himself was killed. Thomas Me- Mahan was a skillful veterinary surgeon, and had an extensive practice, and his services were sorely missed after his death. No family in this region can
point with more pride to their record than the MeMahans. But for such pioneer men as were the father and grandfather of Samuel MeMahan, America now would not be inhabitable. For their children and their descendants they shared un- complainingły toil and privations, and we to-day reap the glorious harvest sown by brave ancestors amid sacrifice and death at the hands of the mer- ciless savage.
ILTON DRUMMOND, editor of the Odessa Democrat, was born in Dover Township, La Fayette County, this State, September 15, 1834, and is a son of James and Sarah (Farrar) Drummond, the former a native of Ken- lucky, born in 1795. Ile came to La Fayette County in 1819 or 1820, and located where Lex- ington now stands, taking up a tract of land from the Government. He was one of the earliest set- tlers in the county. Hle was married in Kentucky, in 1816, to our subject's motber, who was a Vir- ginian by birth, but reared in the Blue Grass State. Grandfather John Drummond was one of the pio- neers of Kentucky, and was of Scotch descent. His death occurred in the French and Indian War while in Canada.
Our subject's father died in 1852. His wife passed away in 1864. They were the parents of eight children, there being five sons and three daughters, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, but only three of whom are now liv- ing: William S., who is a resident of Brookston, Tex .; Jane, who is the wife of Edmund Joslyn, of Newton County, Mo .; and our subject.
Milton Drummond was the seventh in order of birth of his father's family. He was reared in his native county and received his education in the subscription schools, that were maintained by the people. Ile remained at home until twenty-one years of age, assisting his father on the farm. Ilis first marriage occurred in 1855, when he was united in marriage to Mary T. Graves. ller com-
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panionship was granted him, however, for only two years. The one son to whom she gave birth died in infancy.
December 7, 1859, our subject again married, his bride being Miss Millie A. Lyon, a native of Cass County, this State, and a daughter of John Lyon, one of the earliest settlers of that county. By this marriage there have been born eight children: James, who is in the office of the Democrat; Robert L., a clerk in a hardware store in Odessa; William F., residing in Colorado; Walter W., in the Demo- crat office; Beattie, at home; Jolin Milton, Nellie, and Mattie R., who died at the age of four years.
In his first domestic experience Mr. Drummond located at Monegaw Springs, St. Clair County, and engaged in merchandising. Ile then located in Cass County, and served in the Confederate army for three years, being under the command of Em- mett McDonald. After the war he returned to La Fayette County, and settled on a farm, where he remained until 1891, when he removed to Odessa to take charge of the Democrat. Mr. Drum- mond is a Democrat in polities, as the name of his paper will indicate. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church.
T. SYDENSTRICKER, an energetic, en- terprising and highly respected citizen, and for several years one of the most suc- cessful farmers of the State, now retired from agricultural duties and engaged in other business, resides in Frankfort, Saline County, Mo. A native of Missouri, and born in the county where he still makes his home, the entire life of our subject is interwoven with the history and growth of his native State. As a School Director he served faithfully two years, promoting educa- tional advancement and aiding materially in the betterment of all the leading interests of his neigli- borhood and vicinity.
Mr. Sydenstricker was born not far from his
present home in the year 1862, and is therefore yet in early manhood. lle is the son of T. L. and Sallie Sydenstricker, both native Virginians. The paternal grandfather served bravely in the War of the Revolution as a Hessian soldier, and was cap- tured by Washington at Trenton. The maternal grandfather, Page, was also a heroie veteran of the early wars, and for his gallantry upon the field received deserved promotion to the office of Cap- tain. The mother of our subject, a most worthy and highly esteemed lady, died in 1871.
Mr. Sydenstricker's father, born in 1830, sur- vives, and is living at Henleyville, Cal. He de- voted much of his early life to agricultural pur- suits, and was prospered in general farming and stock-raising, and also succeeded in the business of merchandising, his various ventures bringing him excellent returns. Ile enlisted in the Civil War under the command of Capt. Robinson, and remained in active service upon the field during the entire period of the struggle. He was taken prisoner and sent to St. Louis to the Gratiot Street Prison, and later to Alton, Ill. Our subject is one of a family of nine brothers and one sister, all of whom are yet living.
Mr. Sydenstricker was, in 1888, united in mar- riage with Miss Minnie E. Hawkins, a native of Saline County, Mo., born in 1857. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Sydenstricker has been blessed by the birth of one bright and promising child, Thomas A. Their commodious and pleasant home is delightfully located, and is the scene of many a happy gathering of the large cirele of friends and acquaintances with whom they are great favor- ites. Our subject and his estimable wife are ever ready to aid in social or benevolent enterprises of their locality, and are known to be progressive and liberal in thought and action. Mr. Syden- stricker is essentially a self-made man. Educated in the schools of the county, he began at a very early age to rely entirely upon his own exertions, and upon starting out in life first engaged in farming, having previously served an apprentice- ship to agricultural duties. Intelligent, hard working and a shrewd observer, profiting by the experience of others, our subject was prospered from the beginning of his labors as a tiller of the
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soil, and has accumulated a handsome property. Continuing unweariedly in the same line of busi- ness, he remained until the Ist of October, 1891, upon the profitable farm which year after year yielded him so abundant a harvest. When he left his farming property in the fall of 1891, he en- gaged in merchandising.
Mr. Sydenstricker is now in business, and in whatever line of work he may engage, it is safe to predict him successful in his ventures. Our sub- ject is a strong Democrat and believes in its party principles and platform, but while taking an ae- tive interest in all matters of the day, has no de- sire to hold political otliee. He served for two years most acceptably upon the School Board, and it is to be hoped may be induced in the near future to again aid as a publie-spirited and up- right eitizen in behalf of educational progress. Positions of trust and honor will undoubtedly claim much of his attention in the coming years, and in the discharge of such duties he eannot fail to give most valuable and efficient service.
AMES GILMER, a representative, prosperous farmer. and well-known and highly-respected citizen of Saline County, Mo., owns a fine farm of two hundred and five aeres located upon section 15, township 50, range 20. near Mar- shall. Our subject was born in Kentucky, August 14, 1824. Ilis paternal grandfather was a native Virginian, of Irish descent, and later in life re- moved to Kentucky, in which latter State he died. Ile and his good wife were the parents of eight children, six sons and two daughters: Thomas: James; John, the father of our subject; Campbell, who engaged in the War of 1812; Alexander; Robert; and the two daughters, Esther and Martha.
John Gilmer was born in Virginia in 1792, and when a boy went to Kentucky with his parents, remaining there until 1833, when he came to Mis- souri, and in 1834 settled upon the land where our subject has resided since he was ten years old.
Ilis wife, whom he married in Green County, Ky., was Miss Elizabeth Phillips, a lady well adapted to the pioneer life which she bravely shared with her family. The sons and daughters who came into the primitive home of those early days were eleven in number and comprised seven boys and four girls. The eldest of this large family was William T., deceased; the second-born was our subjeet. James; Campbell is living in Montana; Maj. A. died in California, in 1871; Robert in Cal- ifornia; Squire A. resides in Arizona; Mary Jane married Benjamin Steele, of Salme County; Sarah Ann is deceased; Martha S. is the wife of Peter T. Reynolds; Bettie P. lives in Montana.
Mr. Gilmer was but a little lad when he jour- neved to Missouri with his parents and their family, who, together with a few other families, traveled by wagons, eamping out on the way, and consuming several weeks in the trip. Crossing the Missis- sippi at St. Louis, and the Missouri at St. Charles, they finally reached their destination, Arrow Rock. Arrived in the then almost wilderness of the State, the children old enough to go received a brief education in the little subscription sehools of their immediate neighborhood. The father of Mr. Gil- mer was a lifelong farmer, and upon the old home- stead where he has passed his life our subject was early trained in the duties of agriculture. llis mother, who was of English deseent, died in 1866, and the father, who survived her, passed away in 1872, both remaining upon the farm until the day of their deaths.
Our subject was married in 1855 to Miss Cather- ine A., daughter of James Francis Harvey, of Sa- line County. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Gilmer was brightened by the presence of eight chil- dren, six sons and two daughters: Elizabeth Frances married E. D. Haynie, of Saline County; William T. is the oldest born and is married; Wal- ter J. resides in Montana; Mary Jane is the wife of Edward Peterson, of Saline County; James W., John M., Robert and Wade Hampton; all oc- eupy positions of respeet and honor among their fellow-citizens. Mrs. Gilmer died July 23, 1880.
Mr. Gilmer belongs to no secret society, nor has he been a member of any religious denomination, but as an earnest and law-abiding citizen, liberally
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aids in the march of progress and improvement, and has worthily won and firmly holds the respect and esteem of all who know him. In political affiliations, he is a Democrat, and is actively inter- ested in the national and local conduct of offices of trust, but has been content to do bis duty as a private citizen, never seeking political preferment.
G EORGE A. CHAMBLIN, Chairman of the City Council, and County Judge of the District Court of La Fayette County, is well adapted by character and attainments to fill with dignity and ability any position of trust to which he may be called. His past relations to his fellow- citizens, and his hearty interest and ready aid in public progress and local improvement, made him long ago one of the most prominent and influen- tial citizens of Iligginsville, La Fayette County, Mo. Born in Rose Hill, Johnson County, Mo., March 2. 1844, our subject has been a resident of. the State for nearly a half-century. His grand- father Chamblin was a merebant of Lexington, Ky., and died in that city. He was from one of the oldest and most honored Virginia families.
Coleman Chamblin, the father of our subject, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., but was reared in Lexington. He came to Missouri when a young man, and was an early settler in La Fayette County, locating in Dover, then Warrensburgh. Ile handled general merchandise in Dover, and afterward in Rose Hill, continuing in the mercantile business until his death in 1861. In politics, he was a Whig, and in religious affiliations he was a mem- ber of the Christian Church. llis wife, Eliza Lov- ering, was a native of St. Charles, Mo., and did not long survive her husband, passing away in 1861. ller father was a farmer of St. Charles County, and died there. Coleman Chamblin was twice married, his first wife being Miss Vivian. She was the mother of five children of whom only one is now living, Anna, Mrs. J. B. Pemberton, whose husband is County Reeorder of Johnson County.
Seven children, of whom our subject was the eldest, blessed the second marriage of Mr. Cole- man Chamblin. George was reared in Johnson County, and during the war assisted about the store. His first schooling was in a little log school- house in the farming neighborhood, and after- ward he attended the schools of Rose Hill. Im- mediately following his father's death, he went to a select school in Pleasant Hill, Cass County, and remained there until in 1862 the annoyance from jayhawkers became unbearable and he went home. He started South; and enlisting in a company of two hundred, reached St. Charles County, Mo., and had a skirmish with a party of Union sol- diers. The company got scattered, and with oth- ers Mr. Chamblin was captured by an Iowa regi- ment and taken to Clinton, Mo.
lle was well treated by the Iowa men, and after a week was removed to Sedalia, and in a few days was sent to Jefferson City, remaining there three weeks. He was next removed to St. Louis, Gratiot Street Prison; then was sent to Alton, im- prisoned there and afterward lodged in Indianap- olis, Ind., one night; he was taken thence to Jomm- son Island, Lake Erie, where he arrived in December and met some of Morgan's men, who like himself were prisoners. Our subject's journeyings were not yet over. He was again removed, first to San- dusky City, afterward to Cairo, Ill., and from there, after three days' sojourn, to Vicksburg on a boat, at which time the poor worn-out prisoner, our subject, was siek unto death, but recovered suf- ticiently to land with the other prisoners at Milli- ken's Bend, where the exchange of the captured was made. Mr. Chamblin was then forwarded to Jackson, Miss., where Jefferson Davis talked with the prisoners, with some of whom our subject went back to Vicksburg Landing, and then walked to Delhi to take the train. The train started two hours early, and thus evaded a reception. The soldiers, released from confinement, then journeyed by boat to Camden, on the Onachita River, then proceeded to Little Rock, where he again joined the Confederate forces.
Mr. Chamblin then enlisted in the Sixteenth Missouri Infantry, C. S. A., and remained in the vicinity through the winter until the spring of
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1863. Upon July 4, 1863, he engaged in the bat- tle of Ilelena, Ark., fell back to Little Rock, fight- ing gallantly all the way, and, still retreating, reached Camden, where the command wintered. Our subject was made Orderly-Sergeant at Ilelena, and, in constant service. next fought at the battle of Pleasant Hill, La., in which engagement a num- ber of the Federals were taken prisoner, and with them the regiment marehed back to Arkansas. Again the forces fought near Camden, in the battle of Saline River, the Northern troops commanded by Gen. Steele. Here again the Confederates eap- tured a number of the enemy and returned to Camden, then went to Shreveport, La., where Sergeant Chamblin was granted a furlough, which he spent in Northern Louisiana. When the time of his leave had expired, he heard of Lee's surren- der, and returning to his command at Shreveport, surrendered with them and immediately came home via St. Louis.
The war ended, our subject located in Dover, La Fayette County, and for a time was employed in a mill. IIe learned his trade with the Flavel Vivian Mills at Dover, and within two years had charge of the mills. In 1871 Mr. Chamblin bought the Iligginsville Mill and settled here, op- erating the establishment for some time, and then sold it. One year later our subject and the man to whom he had disposed of his interest became partners and built the City Mills. In 1878 or 1879, Mr. Chamblin and Mr. Smiley started the Roller Process, which business in 1881 was conducted by a stock company, called the Higginsville Milling Company, and was incorporated with a capital stock of 830,000, and is still running most success- fully, but Mr. Chamblin closed ont his interest in the business about four years ago. The mill, which is the largest in the county, has a capacity of two hundred barrels per day.
Our subject owns a large amount of real estate, and has successfully handled an immense acreage. lle laid out Chamblin's Addition to Higginsville, one block, and then laid out Chamblin's Exten- sion, four acres, west of the addition previously surveyed. lle resides in a handsome residence in the city, a valuable piece of property, and has twenty acres in the city limits; aside from his own
home he owns a number of houses and lots in llig- ginsville. Six hundred and eighty aeres of exeel- lent farming land, two adjoining farms in Dover Township, six miles south of Higginsville, have been until lately used by Mr. Chamblin in raising cattle, full-blooded and grade Shorthorns. Ile is one of the charter members and a Director of the old Farmers' Association, and was connected with the organization until it was sold out. Mr. Chamblin and his wife own five hundred and twenty acres of land in this county, and have in all over twelve hundred acres. Among the other publie enterprises in which our subject engaged was the organization of the Bank of Higginsville, in which institution he continues a stockholder and Director. At one time he was a stockholder in the Chicago & Alton Railroad.
Mr. Chamblin was married near Dover, in 1870, to Miss Nannie, daughter of George W. and Mary E. Vivian, old settlers here, and originally from Kentucky. The father was a farmer, but now re- sides in the city, although he still continues his in- terest in Texas County. where he is in the milling business. Mrs. Chamblin was partially reared in Texas, but completed her education here. She be- came the mother of eight children, of whom five are living: Frank E., educated at Warrensburgh; Neli- son, a daughter; Coleman, Katie and Osborne, the three latter yet at home, and among the bright young people of the city. lligginsville had but two or three houses when the Missouri Paeifie Rail- road was completed the year after Mr. Chamblin eame here, and he was among the first to go over the line. Ile assisted in the incorporation of the city, and was one of the first Aldermen of Hig; ginsville. Ile was re-elected in 1890, and again in 1892 without opposition, being the unanimous choice of the people. Ile has served on the Street and Finance Committees, and since 1890 has been Chairman of the Council, always actively and efficiently engaged in advancing the interests of Higginsville. One of the substantial brick blocks on Main Street was ereeted and owned by Chamb- lin & Smiley, but they have since disposed of it.
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