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 43
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 43
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From this place our subject went to Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa., and there engaged in farm- ing for one year. Next he moved to Connells- ville, and became fireman on the Pittsburgh, Washington & Baltimore Railroad. While thus engaged he suffered from an active experience of several wrecks, and at one time received a deep wound in the chest, while at another time he had to save his life by jumping off his engine into the river. In 1872, he came West to Kansas City, when it had but thirty-two thousand inhabitants. lle was employed by the Missouri River, Ft. Scott & Gulf Railroad as a fireman, and later became fireman on the Missouri Pacific Railroad and after- ward on the Sedaha Division. Still later he was employed on the main line, and was engineer and switch engineer until the panic of 1873.
After that unhappy and unsettled period, our subject assisted in building the addition of 100x 100 feet to the Plankinton & Armour Packing-
house in Kansas City. In 1874, he came to La Fayette County, and in Dover Township engaged in farming and also operated a threshing-machine, his being one 'of the first in use in the county. In the summer of 1876 he went to Weeping Water, Neb., to recuperate his health. The following winter was spent in Lawrence, Kan., putting up ice, and in Napoleon, this county, rafting logs and running them down the river to Lexington. IIe was successful in this business until, on account of a collision, the raft was broken, and he lost over ten thousand feet of lumber.
After that disaster our subject located near Dover and engaged with .J. 11. Campbell to oper- ate a threshing-machine, which he did until 1879. lIe then went on the Atchison. Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad as brakeman, and two years later became conductor, remaining thus employed without a single accident until 1882. In that year he ac- cepted the position of engineer of the City Mills at Higginsville, Mo., and in the fall of 1883 be- came engineer of the Excelsior Mines. Later, he superintended the putting in of the boiler, the hoisting and weighing machinery, and the large boiler and air compressor of eighty-horse power.
Mr. Robinson is a member of the Iligginsville Building and Loan Association, and is a Director in the same. Ile is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Uniformed Rank, and in his political be- lief he votes as he thinks best, preferring men to party. His connection in religious affairs is with the Baptist Church. He is a popular and promi- nent young man of this city, genial and good na- tured, and the friend of every one.
ILLIAM T. SWINNEY, the able and en- ergetic Superintendent of the Gilliam Mill and Elevator, and also a Director of the Gilliam Exchange Bank, is an enterprising and leading citizen of Saline County, Mo., and makes his home in Gilliam, where he holds a high place in the confidence and esteem of the entire com-
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munity. Accustomed to handling important and extended business interests. our subject is also ready to aid in local enterprise. and is ever ready to assist in social, benevolent and religious work. especially interesting himself in behalf of educa- tional progress and the betterment of the world at large. Mr. Swinney is a native of the State, and was born in Howard County, October 13, 1853.
The paternal grandfather of our subject served in the War of 1812, and died when Mr. Swinney was very young. The maternal grandfather, Will- iam Jones, was a Virginian by birth, and a most excellent man. The father and mother of our sub- jeet were lames E. and Mary A. (Jones) Swinney. Mrs. Swinney was born in 1830, and is now resid- ing in Gilliam. Her husband was a tobacco raiser and shipper, and passed away in 1868. Mrs. Swin- ney became the mother of nine children, but of all this large family who once gathered in the happy househoid only three survive. John Swinney, born in Howard County, Mo., in 1860, lives in Kansas, where he is in the employ of a railroad company. Kate, born in floward County, Mo., in 1867, is the wife of B. HI. Cheatham, and resides in Gilliam, where her husband is engaged in mercan- tile business. Mr. and Mrs. Cheatham are the happy parents of two bright and promising chil- dren.
Our subject received excellent educational ad- vantages in the public schools and college of Glas- gow, and after completing a course of instruction, engaged in the tobacco business in Howard County, shipping extensively, with profitable results. In 1881 Mr. Swinney entered into the same line of business in Gilliam and continued in the shipping of tobacco until 1888, when he sold out, and then devoted his time to the grain business and man- agement of the mills and elevator, of which he is the superintendent. Success has generously erowned the self-reliant efforts of our subject, and he has the consciousness that it is well deserved. He was married in 1883, to Miss Anna Hawkins, a native of Satine County. born in 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Swinney became the parents of two little ones. Edward died at the age of four months and Bessic. the young daughter, was born in 1886 and gives promise of a noble character.
Our subject is among the most valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but he is not a rigid sectarian in doctrine, and his wife being a member of the Baptist denomination. he is a liberal supporter of both churches. Politically, Mr. Swinney is a Democrat, but he has neither desire nor time to give to official positions, and is absorbed in his business pursuits, although, in common with all good citizens, he is interested in the public con- duct of positions of trust and office. In matters of local interest and advancement our subject is numbered among the leading and influential citi- zens, who are always ready to aid in the march of improvement, and assist in the growth of prog- ress and reform. He was an efficient member of the Town Board, and an important factor in the planning and completion of much needed work beneficial to the city of Gilliam and its immediate vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Swinney are widely known, and have a host of warm and devoted friends and well-wishers, who appreciate the sterling qualities of our subject and his excellent wife.
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ANIEL PERRY ALDRICH. One of the most popular among the men on the Chi- cago & Alton Road is the genial engin- eer whose name is given above. Aside from his profession, he has financial interests that have brought him in handsome returns. lle is very active in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and in May, 1892, aeted as delegate to the National Convention, which was held at At- lanta, Ga. Mr. Aldrich, who is on the Kansas City & St. Louis Division of the Chicago & Alton Road, resides in Slater, Saline County, where he has a pleasant home and a charming family.
Our subject was born in Adrian, Mich., June 23, 1849, a son of Amos and Mary (Force) Aldrich. His father was a native of Massachusetts, born near Lawrence. The paternal grandfather, also named Amos, was a manufacturer of cotton goods in Massachusetts. It was he who brought his family to
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Michigan and entered a large tract of land. which he improved and a part of which is now within the limits of Adrian. The family was a large and a busy one. Our subjeet's father learned the cab- inet-maker's trade and was engaged in the manu- facture of furniture at Jonesville, Mich., being in partnership with his father and a brother, until he retired from active business to the city of Jackson, where he died at the early age of forty years. Our subjeet's mother, who was born in Adrian, now resides with her son, Daniel Perry, and is sixty-four years of age. Of the two children that she brought up, our subject is the elder, while the other, Luey S., now Mrs. C. S. Keen, lives in Boston.
Mr. Aldrich was reared in Adrian. He attended the public schools of that town and graduated from the Iligh School at the age of twenty-one. In 1870 he began work as a machinist under J. K. Taylor, superintendent of the machine shops of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Road. Ile remained there until he was conversant with all the branches of mechanical engineering, and then became a fireman on the road between Adrian and Elkhart and between Adrian and Toledo. He was later promoted to a position as engineer on the same road. Ile then went to Sturgis and was en- gaged in the construction of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad. He then engineered the laying of ties and rails, and in that summer by his capital management effected the completion of one hun- dred miles of road. He remained on this road until 1879, and was then transferred to the Chieago & Alton Division, having a run between Rood- house and Mexico and between Roodhouse and Bloomington. After eighteen months with this road he took a run on the Chicago, Minneapolis & St. Panl River Division from La Crosse to Min- neapolis, remaining there for two years and after- ward going upon the Northern Pacific.
In 1884, Mr. Aldrich returned to the Chicago & Alton Division with his headquarters at Slater, and Engine No. 189 has been his charge sinee coming here. He has always been fortunate, both in the discharge of his duties as a railroad man and in financial directions. Ile has dealt quite exten- sively in real estate in Grand Rapids, Mich., and owns considerable fine property. Mr. Aldrich was
married in Grand Rapids in 1877. Ilis bride was Miss Etta Phillips, a native of that city and a daughter of J. W. Phillips, an old settler there. The Aldrich home is a very pleasant one and his wife is a most estimable and popular lady. Fra- ternally our subject belongs to the Free & Accepted Masons, is a Royal Arch Mason, and also belongs to the Knights Templar. Ile belongs to Division 8 of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
ON. WILLIAM M. WALKER, the enter- prising and energetic ex-County Collector, having served three terms, and a member of the Legislature in 1885 and 1886, Thirty- third General Assembly, has not only been a prom- inent factor in the business world of Marshall and Saline County, in furnishing the finest bituminons and eannel coal in the State of Missouri, but is preparing for public use Blue Lick Springs, eight miles south of Marshall, as an attractive summer resort. The eight health-giving springs, entirely different in the composition of their sparkling water, will eventually draw thousands of invalids and pleasure-seekers thither, and at no very distant day matchless accommodations will be offered all guests who tarry in this beautiful resort. At pres- ent some substantial buildings have been erected and more will soon follow.
The Hon. William M. Walker resides in one of the most attractive homes in Marshall, Addition 18, within the city limits. The highly improved farm of three hundred and twenty acres recently owned by him is seven miles northeast of the city. Our subject was born October 22, 1833, near Car- thage, Smith County, Tenn. His paternal grandfa- ther, Samuel, was a native of Virginia, and be longed to the F. F. Vs. of the Old Dominion Locating in North Carolina, he became a planter there, but emigrating to Tennessee in an early day, tilled the soil of that fertile State, and after many years of care and usefulness, died there.
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The father of our subjeet, named after his fa- ther. Sammel, was born October 20, 1799, in Wilson County. N. C .. and was a farmer engaged in the duties of agriculture in Smith County, Tenn. He married in the latter State a North Carolina lady, and in 1836 journeyed to Missouri. traveling to that State by team and wagon, and, slowly mov- ing forward, were several weeks on the way. Their destination was Moniteau County, and there the father entered five hundred acres from the Government, and devoted the rest of his life to general farming and stock-raising. When almost four-score years of age he passed away, dying in his seventy-seventh year, June 16, 1865. In poli- ties, this early pioneer was a Democrat, and in re- ligious affiliation a prominent Baptist, a Deacon and active worker in the organization. He held with great honor the official position of Justice of the Peace in Moniteau County, where he was familiarly known in the latter years of his life as "old Squire Walker."
The mother of our subjeet was Miss Agnes Brad- ford, born in Wilson County, N. C., a daughter of Booker Bradford, a native of old Virginia, and an early pioneer of North Carolina, and afterward a settler of Tennessee, Mrs. Agnes (Bradford) Walker died in 1857. She was the mother of four sons and four daughters, all of whom grew up to mature years, but of whom only two broth- ers and three sisters now survive. Brother Bird, now deceased, served in the war, also his three sons; Thomas Walker died in the Civil War; Sam- nel was engaged in the conflict, and now resides in Texas. The brothers fought in the Confederate army.
Mr. Walker was reared upon his father's farm, and at the tender age of ten years worked side by side with the hired men, working steadily in the field, and assisting in the cultivation of corn, wheat and tobacco. Occasionally he was spared to at- tend the log schoolhouse of the district, and seated upon the rude slabs would carefully con his lessons over. Three winter months were given the young boys for schooling and study, and the memory of the greased-paper windows, and the puncheon desk below, where our subject industriously learned to write with a goose-quill, are yet as fresh in his
mind as though they were of yesterday. The schools gradually improved in character, and slowly made their upward way into broader fields of edu- cation and progress.
Mr. Walker remained at home until the elose of the war to attend to his father's business, and at the age of twenty-two years began teaching school in the fall and winter months, raising a crop on the home farm in the summer, and thus employed himself for live years. In 1864, making a new de- parture, our subject went to Virginia City, Mont., and engaged in mining there. He made the trip with an ox-team via Ft. Laramie, Bridger's Cut-off, and had the charge and management of the train, which he brought through safe and sound. After mining and working hard until the fall of 1864, he started on his return trip home. He traveled by mule train via Salt Lake City to Nebraska City, and suffered mueh from the intense cold and severe storms he encountered; when he arrived at Nebraska City at Christmas time, on his return, he was detained there two weeks, when he came directly baek to Saline County. Mr. Walker and his wife liked the country and the people, and as Mrs. Walker's relatives were settled here, they de- cided to make this locality their future home, and upon our subjeet's arrival from the West, he sent for his family, and soon they were united once more.
In those days there were no railroads in this seetion of the country, and few improvements, but the people, many of them, moved about as though journeying were an easy task. The Walkers lived first in Marshall Township, remained one year, and then located in Jefferson Township; they next set- tled in Arrow Rock, sojourning there two years, and, finally taking possession of the three hundred and twenty acres now so finely improved, made that portion of the State their permanent home. At one time Mr. Walker had four hundred acres, raising wheat, corn, cattle and hogs. In the year 1877 the farm was rented out, and the family re- moved to the comfortable and commodious home in Marshall, which Mr. Walker bought and im- proved. The handsome grounds about the family residence occupy eighteen and one-half acres. In the same year our subject took charge of the
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county collections, and has been twice re-elected. He made collections in every part of the county, and gave $250,000 bonds. While Mr. Walker was serving in the State Legislature, he was a member of the important Committees on Ways and Means, Roads and Highways, and also of the Committee | on Accounts.
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In 1891 our subject sold his farm, and has since beautified the home acres, adorning them vari- ously, and planting some of the land to choice varieties of fruit, so that to-day an orchard in full bearing is the result of well-planned improvement. During the existence of the County Agricultural Society, Mr. Walker was among the members, and with all his old-time interest engaged in raising Shorthorns, taking numerous premiums at the fairs. The old farm was the school district of the vicinity, and Mr. Walker always interested himself in educational advancement. Fraternally, he is a prominent Mason, being a Free and Accepted Ma- son, a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar, all in the lodges of Marshall. In religious connec- tions, he is a Baptist, and in pohties a straight Democrat, and has been a member of the County Democratie Central Committee, and attended the Grand Council in June.
The Ion. William Walker was married in Saline County, Jefferson Township, in 1855, to Miss Mary I. Garrett, a native of the county, a daughter of Col. Laban Garrett, who was born in Virginia, and was an early settler of Saline County, having arrived here in 1818. He was a Colonel in the militia, and taught the first school here. He was also a large farmer and a very successful tiller of the soil. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are the parents of seven children: Narcissa, Mrs. J. P. Pemberton, re- sides in Marshall Township; Mary Il., now Mrs. Rose, lives in this eity, engaged in the boot and shoe business; Samuel, at home, is Superintendent of the Blue Lick Springs Resort; William M., Jr., is Deputy Collector; Viola B., Thomas B. and Nannie S. are at home. The entire family hold a high place in the regard and esteem of the entire community.
Coal Mountain, owned by Mr. Walker, is a most valuable piece of property. The quality of the coal is unsurpassed, and there is a deposit of over
fifty feet. The fine Blue Lick Springs will be the continued care of our subject, and in the develop- ment of their resources, Mr. Walker will not only benefit himself and the city of Marshall, but will confer health, life and pleasure upon the general public. Always a true and earnest American citi- zen, our subject knows no disappointments or dis- couragements, but, persevering, has conquered ob- stacles and won success.
H. ALEXANDER. In the days of the Ptolemies the office of embalmer was con- sidered as sacred as that of the priest, and no unsanctified hand might touch the body in which the spirit should be re-incarnated. To- day only science enters into the profession, and he who has best mastered the art is most regarded. Mr. Alexander has certainly acquired a high repu- tation in this respect, and in the sad but necessary capacity of a funeral director he has shown him- self to have great tact and all regard for the pro- prieties. Aside from this, he is the owner of large sale stables at the corner of La Fayette and Morgan Streets. His business connections in this city be- gan ten years ago.
The original of this sketch was born in Augusta County, Va., July 9, 1857. Ile is a son of William and Sarah ( Maxwell) Alexander, the former being by calling a manufacturer of furniture and an undertaker. M. HI. received his education at his home town, Waynesboro, and after that he learned the trade with his father, who still remains in his native place, although retired from active business affairs, having sold out to two of his sons, who now carry on the business in Waynesboro. He is a na- tive Virginian, and for many years has been a member of the City Council. His wife died in 1864, leaving a family of nine children, who had been brought up in the teachings of the Presby- terian Church.
Our subjeet remained with his father for some time, finally going on the road as a commercial
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traveler for a Richmond firm. Ile then entered the mercantile business, which he conducted for a year, when he decided to come West, and after prospecting through various cities determined to locate here. lle first established the undertaking business. later adding the livery to it. He is an expert embalmer, having been graduated in the art under Prof. J. Clark, of Kansas City. As he is the only one in Saline County who is familiar with the business, he is naturally kept constantly em- ployed. lle began his livery business in 1885, and keeps a full line of vehicles, ranking from the ordin- any cart to the finest coupe and 'bus. He also has fine riding and driving horses. Aside from these interests Mr. Alexander is the owner of the County Agricultural Fair Grounds, upon which is a very fine track. lle uses this for training his own horses, and has some thoroughbred animals in his stables whose blood is of the best, while in this sec- tion he is a well-known breeder, and has a number of fine trotting horses. lle has a farm of two hun- dred and forty acres on seetion 21, township 52.
Mr. Alexander possesses a beautiful home, which was built to his own order and design at No. 514 North Jefferson Street. This is presided over very graciously by his wife, who was Miss Eliza Guthrey and to whom he was married October 10, 1883. She is a daughter of John G. Guthrey, of Miami, which is her former home, although she is a native of Yonkers, N. Y. Their family numbers four chil- dren: William G., Sarah S., Mary G. and M. Har- vey. Both Mr. and Mrs. Alexander are members of the Episcopal Church.
C. JOHNSTON, proprietor of the feed, corn-meal and mixing mill of this city, has been a resident of the county from the time that he was a boy, having been engaged in farming and threshing up to the year 1891, when he located in Slater. He is doing an excel- lent business here and is a man who has many friends.
Mr. Johnston's birthplace was near Chillicothe. Ross County, Ohio, and the date of his birth was June 17. 1858. He is a son of Thomas Johnston, a native of Northport, Ireland, and his Grand- father Johnston, who was also named Thomas, was a farmer in Ireland, where he ended his days. The father owned an interest in a bleaching mill in the Old Country. He was married in Ireland and eame to this country about 1844, locating in Ross County, Ohio. Ile was a wheelwright at Kingston, working at his trade two years, and was a thorough workman who could make anything in wood.
In 1872, Mr. Johnston, Sr., came to Miami Township, Saline County, Mo., having retired from business, and lived with his sons until his death, March 29, 1889. He belonged to the old Whig and Republican parties in Ohio, and was an at- tendant at the Presbyterian Church. His wife, Eliza (Anderson) Johnston, was born in Ireland. and was a daughter of James Anderson. a farmer, who died in the home country. The mother is liv- ing in Miami Township. There were nine children, eight of whom are still living, three sons and five daughters. The eldest son, James A., was in the Civil War, in an Ohio regiment. He is now living on a farm in Miami Township.
The subject of this sketch was the youngest son of the family and the third of the children. Until the age of fourteen his home was in Ohio and he lived on a farm. He attended good district schools until the year 1872, when he came to Laynesville, Mo., by boat from Cincinnati. The family located on a farm near Malta Bend, remain- ing there for five years. They rented for two years in Miami Township, then W. C. and his brother, J. A .. bought a farm of three hundred and eighty-six acres of good improved land. Here they resided, farming and stock-raising, until Sep- tember, 1891, when the younger brother sold his share and, in the spring of 1892, came to Slater. The brothers had been running engines for thresh- ing-machines for fifteen years and had done some- thing in the milling business. Mr. Johnston built the mill here, which is run by steam, with fourteen- horse power, and was the first to introduce a mixed feed for cattle, consisting of ground cotton-
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
L
Yours Truly Thomas Shelly
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seed, bran and ship stuff, making an excellent feed. It had never before been made in this county. The mill has a capacity of ten tons per day. Mr. Johnston sold an interest in the mill in 1892, and it is now operated by R. J. Brown & Co.
Mr. Johnston chose for his wife Miss Mary, daughter of I. N. Graves, an old settler and real- estate man of Miami Township. The marriage occurred November 1, 1881, in the township mentioned. Mrs. Johnston was born in Illinois. ller father died in Cedar County. The gentle- man of whom we write is a Republican of the kind that the party can rely upon, and has been a delegate to county conventions. He is a good business man, owns some property in West Slater, and is reliable and accommodating, the latter being a noteworthy characteristic in these days of rush and hurry after the wealth which to many seems the great desideratum of existence. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston lost their only child, a daughter named May, who died at the age of seven years.
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