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 45
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 45
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The birth of the present Mrs. Hader took place March 22. 1859, in Warren County, Mo. She was the daughter of Henry and Christiana Wagner, of Warren County. By her first marriage Mrs. Ilader became the mother of two children, only one of whom, William, is living. Mr. Hader was a man of great energy and soon won the confidence of his neighbors and friends. lle was always in favor of any measures which he felt convinced would advance the interests of township or county, and held with great good judgment the office of School Director for a long time. In his politics he was a stanch supporter of Republican principles.
Mr. Hader was for many years a good and de- vout member of the Baptist Church, to which he contributed as liberally as he felt his means per- mitted. In this connection he was well known
and highly esteemed. Ilis death occurred July 1, 1891, lamented by the whole community. Ilis widow resides on the home farm, which she directs with care, showing her capability in this direction. She, too, is a member of the Baptist Church, and with her children makes a pleasant and hospitable country home for their friends. The memory of the kind husband and father is kept green, and this slight memorial is a testimonial to the esteem and affection in which he was held by them.
CLIFF KAPP. The name of the paper of which our subject is proprietor and editor, the Slater Weekly Index, is very significant of its character, being truly an index to the local and general news of the country. Mr. Kapp, although one of the younger editors of the county, ranks among the foremost in his work as a public and popular educator. All homes into which his weekly sheet finds its way are benefited thereby, the news being written up in a thoroughly agreeable and entertaining manner.
Mr. Kapp was born in Clarion County, Pa., De- cember 5, 1867. This father is A. W. Kapp, and his mother was in her maidenhood Lydon A. Mahl. They are both natives of Pennsylvania, but of German ancestry. Our subject was but six months old when his parents went to Livingston County, Mo., and there he grew to manhood. Until the age of fifteen the intervals from his school duties were passed on a farm. He later went to Avalon Coi- lege, at Avalon, Mo., whenee he graduated in 1887. About 1883 Mr. Kapp went to Alabama and se- cured a position in the Birmingham Business Col- lege, where he taught book-keeping and penman- ship for two years. He was recognized as a first- class master and a highly accomplished cultured gentleman. Afterward he made arrangements to perfect lumself in the art of printing, and was em- ployed until June, 1890, on the Chillicothe Con- stitution.
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In 1890, he purchased the State Weekly Inder. its former proprietor having been Mr. Hez Purdom. Since that time his whole attention has been given to the sheet for which he is responsible. It has a very good circulation, its subscription list num- bering between eight and nine hundred names. It is Democratic in its political conceptions, and terse and spicy. Mr. Kapp was married in Moulton, lowa. March 21, 1891, to Miss Ella Singley, who is a native of that town.
0 LIVER J. STALEY, an energetic, able and popular young attorney of Marshall, Saline County, Mo., is a native of the Empire State, but for half a score of years has resided in Marshall, and all the interests of his early man- hood are interwoven with the progress and ad- vancement of his present home. Identified with a religious organization, and a prominent member of the Young Men's Christian Association, act- ively engaged in lending a helping hand to the less fortunate, our subject has made a good start. in the religious, benevolent and professional works of life, and possesses the esteem of many friends.
Mr. Staley was born near Pattersonville, Schen- cetady, County, N. Y., March 8, 1869. Ilis father. Jacob, and his paternal grandfather, Oliver, were both natives of New York, and born in the same county as our subject, but his great-grandfather, George Staley, was a native of Switzerland and was brought to America by his father. Hendrick. before the War of the Revolution was declared. They located in Schenectady County and this patriotic great-grandfather fought bravely in the battle of Saratoga, under Gen. Gates. He served as a private in that struggle for independence, and was a protector and friend of the Oncida Indians, who respected him and always aided him whenever it was in their power to do so. He did the Government great service as a scout, and was fearless and un- tiring in the discharge of duty.
was named, was a farmer, and also owned and op- erated a sawmill. The family were all Protest- ants, and in the Old Country Lutherans. The father of Oliver JJ. was a well-to-do farmer, and pursued the peaceful business of agriculture in his native State until 1880, when he came West and located in Missouri. at Chillicothe. then Blackburn Ilill. Here he was in the insurance business. but has now retired from active duty. In politics he is a strong Democrat. and is an upright man and an honored citizen. The mother of our subject before her marriage was Miss Sarah M., a daughter of John Hoffman, and was born in the same county where she married. Her father, when about twenty-one years of age, engaged in land speculation, and handled the Mohawk Ditch Stock, and established a ferry across the Mohawk River, and ran it for some years. Mr. Staley's mother now resides here in Marshall.
Our subjeet was one of two brothers who com- prised the family of their parents. Silas Il. is a resident of Marshall, and is a well-known business man, and a book-keeper in a store. Oliver JJ, was reared upon the farm in the Empire State until eleven years of age. and then came to Missouri, locating in Marshall in 1882, in the month of February. He continued his studies in the public schools of his new home, and finally entered a dry-goods house, and clerked there one year. Ile then obtained employment in a telegraph office, and at the age of nineteen years began the study of law, under the tutelage of the well-known Judge Strother, now of California. In 1890, Mr. Staley was admitted to the Bar of Missouri, and at once opened up an office, and has been very suc- cessful in his practice of law, being an excellent pleader at the Bar, and also learned in the techni- calities of the profession. Although but compara- tively a brief time in the round of professional duty, our subject has won the confidence and es- teem of many clients, whose cases he has con- ducted with skill and judgment.
Mr. Staley is a regular attendant at the Old- school Presbyterian Church, and is a consistent member of the same. Always efficient and faith- ful m church work, and a most carnest aid in the Our subject's grandfather. Oliver, for whom he ; Young Men's Christian Association, he finds em-
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R
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Susannah Carmean
John Carmean
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ANTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R
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ployment for the ability he has ever shown in the management of any duty entrusted to his care. A Democrat in political affiliations, he is alive to the needs of the hour, and is an earnest advocate for progress and reform, fighting the good fight of a true American citizen.
OIN CARMEAN. Prominent among the farmers of township 49, range 23, Saline County, is the successful agriculturist and influential citizen with whose name this sketch is introduced. The owner of five hundred and fifty acres, Mr. Carmean has brought his land to a good state of cultivation, and in his work of general farming and stock-raising has met with more than ordinary success.
Born in Green Township, Ross County, Ohio, January 1, 1813, our subject is a son of John Car- mean, a native of Holland, who came to America an orphan boy, settling in the eastern part of Maryland, and in time becoming a farmer. Ile removed to Ross County, Ohio, in 1805, and be- came an early settler of Green Township, his home being near Kingston. There he lived up to the date of liis death in 1847, at which time he was seventy-six years old. He served in the War of 1812. In religion he and his wife were mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother of our subject was known in maidenhood as Nancy Grayless, and belonged to an old Mary- land family. Her death occurred in 1837.
Our subject was the youngest son, and is now the only survivor, in a family which consisted of six sons and three daughters. His childhood days were passed in the log cabin where he was born, and which was situated just west of Adelphi, Ohio. His educational advantages were limited, consist- ing of about two months' schooling each winter. The schoolhouses (which were also utilized as churches) were built of logs, and contained slab seats and other primitive furnishings. The boy- hood days of our subject were passed upon the
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farm, which was located in a section where deer, bear and other wild animals were to be found. He remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-two, when he began working out by the month, earning about fifty eents a day and some- times 812 per month. He continued to work out for about five years, part of the time at the carpen- ter's trade.
October 6, 1840, Mr. Carmean married Miss Susannah Dehaven, whose home was one mile east of Kingston. Mrs. Carmean was born December 26, 1819, and was a daughter of Harman and Mag- daline (Gerhart) Dehaven, of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio soon after their marriage in 1804, becoming early settlers of Ross County. The father died at the age of forty-three; the mother lived to the advanced age of eighty-two. There were six children in the family, four daughters and two sons, but Mrs. Carmean is the only one now living. After his marriage Mr. Carmean rented a farm for five years, and subsequently purchased the place on which his wife was born and reared. In the spring of 1866 he sold his property in Ohio and came to Missouri, making the long journey by water from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Waverly, Mo.
Mr. Carmean arrived in Elmwood Township April 1, 1866. He had been here during the fall of the preceding year and purchased two hundred and sixty-eight acres on section 8 of this town- ship. The land had formerly been the property of a slave-owner and contained very few improve- ments, but through his efforts has been brought to a high cultivation. On buying the farm he paid $25 per acre, but its valuation has since materially increased as the result of the embellishments and improvements it now contains.
Mr. and Mrs. Carmean have had six children: Liza Ellen, wife of John H. Coulter, whose life is sketched elsewhere in this volume; Magdaline. wife of Samuel 11. Clinard, a farmer of Sumner County, Kan .; Baxter, who died November 15, 1874; Millard F., who is married, and resides in Elmwood Township; Flora J., wife of Rev. W. Ar- nold, who is a Baptist minister, and also engages in farming near Grand Pass, this county; Lester, a blacksmith by trade, who is married, and resides in
19
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Idaho. Mr. Carmean was a Henry Clay Whig, voted for William Henry Harrison in 1836 and 1810, and is now a Republican. Both Mr. Car- mean and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which they have been con- nected for many years. The children have homes of their own, and altogether the record is that of a very prosperous family.
OHIN I. PEAVLER combines several branches of agricultural life. Not only is he known as a successful farmer and stock- raiser, but he also has been fortunate in the management of fruit and apiaries. He was born in Knox County, Ky., and there in his childhood and youth attended the district schools. His memory earries him back, when the subject is men- tioned, to the log cabin, with its dirt floor and słab benches, to which he trudged in those primi- tive times. At the age of nineteen. the influence of the Westward tide was felt in the quiet old county of Knox, and his parents decided to join with others who were also turning their faces to the fertile lands beyond the Mississippi River, and he accompanied them to Sullivan County, Mo.
The father of our subject was Lewis Peavler, a native of Tennessee, who married a Virginia lady by the name of Kate Head. From the union with this excellent woman were born eight chil- dren, of whom but six are living. Elizabeth is the wife of Thomas Standiford, of Oklahoma. Matilda became the wife and is now the widow of John Stuffelbean. Isaac died during the war, hav- ing been in service for some time before his death. William now resides in Texas: James, in California. and Thomas resided in Oklahoma, while another is deceased. Our subject was third in order of birth. Although sixty years of age, Mr. Lewis Peavler would not allow a younger man to take his place, but went into the ranks himself, and was flischarged for disability during the war.
John 1. Peavler enlisted, in August, 1861, in
Company Il. Seventh Kentucky Infantry, and took part in the battles at Wild Cat, Ky., Vicksburg, Champion Hill, Arkansas Post, and Big Black Water; he also had the satisfaction of seeing the surrender of Vicksburg. Although he took part in some of the severest battles of the war, Mr. Peavler was fortunate enough to escape without wound or having served imprisonment.
The marriage of our subject took place in 1864, when he was united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Louisa, the daughter of William Bull, of Kentucky. To this union were born three chil- dren: Alice, who became Mrs. John Logan, of Montana; Florida lane, who became the wife of Douglass Logan, and resides at Durham, Ill .; and Pascal L. After the death of his wife, Mi. Peavler married Miss Mary, the daughter of George Davis, and to them have come three children, but only one of these, Della, is living.
Politically, Mr. Peavler is a Republican of the stanchest kind, and lives up to his convictions. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Marshall. In 1878, he began to give at- tention to bee culture, and has made the same very profitable. There never seems to be an over- crowded market for honey, and Mr. Peavler may be laying the foundations of an immense income in this business. The farm of our subject consists of forty acres, and his fruit ventures take up a great portion of his time. He is an honest, pleasant gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet.
OHN FREDERICK RITTER, the leading hardware merchant of the city of Higgins_ ville, La Fayette County, is but another example of what hard, persistent labor will accomplish, inasmuch as he started out a very poor boy and worked his way to his present position by his own unaided efforts.
Mr. Ritter was born near Hopewell, Warren County, Mo .. June 4, 1863. His father, Simon
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1
Ritter, was born in Germany, in Lippe-Detmold, while the grandfather of our subject was a brick- maker, who came with his family to Missouri and located in Warren County, where he died. Ilis son, father of our subject, came to Missouri in 1857, and engaged in farming, by which means he amassed a large quantity of land in Warren County. In 1887 he sold his property and located in La Fayette County, three miles east of Higginsville, where he bought two hundred and eighty-six acres of land for $35 per acre. This land he im- proved and operated until he sold it for $75 per aere and removed to Higginsville. lle is a local preacher of the German Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican, and has always advocated the principles of that party. His wife, Sophia Brinkmeyer, was born in Ilillen- throp. Germany, and was married in the same conn- try. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Simon Ritter, six of whom grew to maturity, viz .: Gust, a farmer of Dover; John F., our subject; Sam, clerk of our subjeet; Gerhord, attending Central Wesleyan College, at Warrenton, Mo .; Lonisa and Martin at home.
Our subject was reared on a farm, but, unlike many other farmer boys, he enjoyed the advan- tage of a good education, for, in addition to the learning he obtained at the distriet schools, he attended the Central Wesleyan College, at Warrenton, Mo., for three years, graduating in 1886. After graduating, he formed a partnership with S. W. Brondon, and they started a hardware and implement business. This partnership con- tinued until 1887, when our subject bought him out and added stoves to his other supplies. Later he bought the place he now occupies and built a fine store and improved the adjoining property. He now owns two stores, 423x80 feet, and a ware- house one hundred and twenty feet long. Here he carries on an extensive business in buggies, harness, hardware and implements of all kinds. He commands the leading and best trade of the eity, and is very successful.
Mr. Ritter was a member of the corporation that built the Merchants' Hotel, but afterward sold his interest. Ile also was a stockholder in the Grangers' store. Mr. Ritter married in York, Neb., Decem-
ber 31, 1890, Miss Amelia Klineselum, who was born in Marthasville, Mo., a daughter of the Rev. William Klineselum, a minister of the German Methodist Episcopal Church. Two children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ritter, namely: Atlanta and Minnette. Mr. Ritter is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all the chairs. Ile is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is the Banker of the Modern Woodmen of the World. Mr. Ritter is a member of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, and is Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday-school. In politics he takes an im- portant part in the councils of the Republican party. Mr. Ritter has been very successful in his business affairs, and is a very pleasant young man. By his own endeavors he has built up his present large patronage, and for that and his many ster- ling traits of character he enjoys the esteem and respect of all who know him.
S ILAS A. WRIGIST, a prominent business Ir an, and one of the largest dealers in pianos, organs, and sewing-machines in Central Missouri, and a long-time and highly re- spected resident of Marshall, Saline County, isalso a popular member of the People's Party, and Chair- man of the County Central Committee of that live political body. Our subject is a progressive citizen and keenly interested in all that pertains to Na- tional and local Government, and has been identi- fied with the cause of progress and reform since his early manhood.
Mr. Wright was born in Jerseyville, Jersey County, Il., March 5, 1850. His father, Silas W. Wright, was born near Buffalo, N. Y., and was reared on a farm. Ile afterward lived a short time in Kentucky, but went to Ilinois in 1812, and located on prairie land near Jacksonville, and later farmed the homestead. In 1851 he journeyed to Wiscon- sin, and settled in Pierce County, on Lake St. Croix, and there engaged in agriculture until 1867, when
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he located in Johnson County, Mo. Here he bought a farm, and remained adjacent to Knobnos- ter for many years, finally going to Clackamas Commy, Ore., and there farming until his death in 1887. Ile was a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and a most excellent man and a good citizen.
The mother of our subject, Mary ( Redmond) Wright, was a native of Ohio, and came with her parents to linois when very young. She became the mother of a family of twelve children, of whom Siias A. was the sixth. Seven of the brothers and sisters yet survive. Silas enjoyed the advantages of public school instruction mainly in Prescott, Wis., where the family resided for a time until, in 1860, the farm was rented. In 1868 our subject went to St. Louis County, Mo., and there operated a sewing-machine business for one year; then re- moving to Springfield, Greene County, conducted the same line of business there for five years. Hle handled sewing-machines in Johnson County for a time, and did business all through Southwest Missouri, locating at Sedalia. Pettis County, on Ohio Street.
With Sedalia for headquarters, Mr. Wright spent several years on the road, wholesaling, but still ran the home business. lle represented the Domestic machines, widely known throughout the United States, and achieved success as their agent and as proprietor of his store. In 1884 he settled in Sa- line County, and in 1885 removed his family to Marshall, and opened a sewing-machine establish- ment here. During 1886 and 1887 he devoted much of his time to selling at wholesale through- out Missouri, and visited every county in Western Missouri. In 1886 he also went to Nebraska. and journeyed throughout the length and breadth of that Western State. At this time our subject in- terested himself in and handled the Howe machine, and now represents all first-class sewing-machines.
In 1890 Mr. Wright included pianos and organs in his stock of merchandise, and handles the fol- lowing various makes: Schumacher, Bradbury. Sterling. Beohning, and the Mason & Hamlin pianos and organs, in five or six different styles; he also is well stocked with numerous makes of organs. Our subject does the largest business in sewing-
machines, pianos and organs of any house in Cen- tral Missouri, and the sales are constantly inereas- ing, and in the last eight years the business has prospered beyond all early expectation.
In the year 1871 Mr. Wright was united in mar- riage with Miss Ella Heckendorn. a native of Penn- sylvania. The marriage was solemnized in Webster County, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are the parents of three children, Una. Ora and Baby, bright and promising from the little one to the eldest of the sisters. The family resides near the West School Building and enjoys all the comforts and pleasures of a happy and prosperous home.
Our subject is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, Triple Alliance, and is a Master Mason. In politics a member of the People's Party, Mr. Wright has served as delegate to various conven- tions. Successful in his business, our subjeet has exhibited his goods at the various fairs and cap- tured coveted prizes and premiums. He is an ex- pert operator on machines of every make, and does embroidery, faney stitches and name-writing in the most attractive styles. He also thoroughly under- stands repairing of the machines, and makes a specialty of the work. Take it all in all, few States can show a more energetic and enterprising busi- ness man and thoroughly good citizen than Silas A. Wright.
2 ENRY L. STARKEBAUM, of the firm of Bear & Starkebaum, is one of the leading citizens of Higginsville, and is regarded as one of the most enterprising young busi- ness men of the place. He was born in Warren County, Mo., September 3, 1867. His father, Fritz Starkebaum, was born in Lippe-Detmold, where he engaged in farming until he came to America and located in Warren County, Mo., where he pur- chased a farm of two hundred acres. In 1876, he came to La Fayette County and located on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, one and one-half miles south of Higginsville, that he improved and
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on which he still resides. In religious matters, he inclines toward the Evangelical Church of his country. His wife, Wilhelmina Biesemier, was also born in Germany. She bore her husband eight children, of whom our subject is the fifth.
Henry L. was reared in Warren County until nine years of age, when he came to La Fayette County, and remained on the farm until he had attained his twentieth year. His education was received in the common schools of that section. In 1888, he accepted a position as elerk in the furniture store of Mr. Wade, where he remained for two years, and then engaged with Mr. Molling for one year. His next departure was at La Crosse, where he engaged in the lumber business for one year; he then returned to Higginsville and formed his present partnership, under the firm name of Bear & Starkebaum. They commenced business in a one-room store, 22×80 feet, but soon the stock became too large for that and they rented their present place, where they have a double store, 40x133 feet, in which they carry on an extensive furniture, draping, decorating, upholstering and undertaking business. They also carry the Mason & Hamlin pianos and organs, Standard and White sewing-machines and leading bicycles. The high grade of their goods and work has convinced the people that this firm is one that can be trusted to the fullest extent, and in consequence Messrs. Bear & Starkebaum do a flourishing business.
Our subjeet was married, October 22, 1891, to Miss Louisa Iloelin, who was born in Franklin. Mo., but reared in this city, a daughter of J. P'. Hoehn, a retired farmer of Higginsville, and a stockholder and Director of the Bank of Higgins- ville. Like his father, our subjeet is an earnest member of the Evangelical Church. In politics, he votes with the Republican party upon occasion. Mr. Starkebaum is a born musician and plays both the piano and organ as only an artist can. So thoroughly does he understand these instruments, that his and is invaluable in tuning and repairing either pianos or organs. When young and at home, he built himself a blacksmith shop and manu- factured all the tools and did all the work of that nature required on his father's large farm.
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