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 50
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 50
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The schools of his native county afforded our subject his educational privileges. Ilis boyhood days were quietly passed in the usual manner of farmer lads. After attaining to mature years, he was united in marriage, on the 17th of October, 1858, with Miss Margaret, daughter of Joel Wilds, of La Fayette County. Their union has been blessed with four children: William, who is now living in Butte ('ity, Cal .; Elizabeth L ... wife of Willam Taylor, a farmer in Saline County: Mary, wife of Abram Hart, of Franklin County, Kan .; and Annie, wife of Charles Younger, of Slater, Mo.
After his marriage, Mr. Pfleger engaged in the sawmill business for fourteen years, after which he turned his attention to farming. He owned and operated two hundred and forty acres of land, which he improved and cultivated, making it a valuable and desirable tract. After carrying on agricultural pursuits for a number of years, he at length determined to sell out, and in February, 1890, removed to Grand Pass, where he has since resided. lle built a comfortable residence, pleas- antly situated on the bluff, with a charming back- ground of natural forest trees. lle invested part of
the proceeds of his land in bank stocks and a part he put out at interest. llis children have now all gone to homes of their own and he and his wife only are left. They are highly respected citizens. whose many excellencies of character have won them the high regard of all. Mr. Plleger votes the Democratic ticket but takes no active part in poli- tics. llis life has been well and worthily spent and his success is the just reward of his efforts.
W ILLIAM M. WILHITE, a prosperous farmer of Saline County, near Gilliam, is located on his fine farm of three hundred acres on section 13, township 51, range 19. He was born in this county in 1837, and is the son of James and Charity ( Hayes) Wilhite. His father was born in the year 1796, and was eighty-live years of age when he died. Ilis grandfather. Reuben Wilhite, was a Tennesseean by birth. The father of our subject-was in the War of 1812, through which he served. He became one of the first settlers in Saline County, coming here when it was wild land. He purchased from the Govern- ment a tract of land, which he at once began im- proving, and at one time he owned over one thou- sand acres. The family of children consisted of three brothers and live sisters, of whom the sisters are still living. They are well known in their neighborhoods and we give a brief mention of them as follows:
Mary was born in this county, married W. L. Ish, and they reside at Slater, where he is a farmer; Martha was born in Saline County, married Mr. Willard, and they reside in Colorado; Elizabeth, whose birth occurred in Saline County, married James Johnson, and they reside. in this county; Sarah B. was born here. became the wife of Charles Dennis, and they reside in Texas; Naomi F. was born in this county and married P. Duncan, a farmer of this locality. Onr subjeet was married in this county to Miss Mary F. Morrison in 1862; they have no family.
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Mr. Wilhite was educated in the common schools and later attended Mc Gee College. Ile left school at the age of twenty years to engage in farm- ing upon a fine three hundred aere farm, a portion of which was given him by his father. Ile has made many improvements here, among which may be mentioned a new barn that cost 8700, and the outbuildings compare very favorably with those in the surrounding country. Mr. Wilhite is an agriculturist of a high order, and his grain, hay and stock are the best in the market. lle thinks that the best always pays.
In local religious matters, Mr. Wilhite is al- ways interested, and he and his good wife are con- sistent members of the Baptist Church, in which they have been active for several years past. Po- litically, onr subject affiliates with the Democratic party, believing that in the success of it the coun- try will make its best progress. Both he and his wife are much esteemed in the neighborhood where they have so long resided.
HOMAS C. SAWYER, a progressive agricul- turist and extensive stock-raiser of Lexing- ton Township, La Fayette County, is one of the ambitious and enterprising citizens of the State, who, ever ready to assist in the march of improvement, are the important factors in all local enterprise-social, benevolent, religious, or purely business. Born in Lexington, Mo., in 1853, our subject is the descendant of an intelligent and prosperous ancestry. His paternal forefathers were Scotchmen, his maternal ancestors Scotch-Irish. Grandfather Locke Sawyer was born in New llampshire, and was a typical New England man, earnest and resolute.
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The father of our subject, llon. Samuel L. Saw- yer, was born in New Hampshire in 1813, and when a young man moved to La Fayette County, Mo., locating in his new home in 1838. Ile had received excellent educational advantages, and
having successfully prosecuted his legal studies. entered upon the practice of his profession. A popular and able citizen. he was elected to the honored position of Judge, and upon the bench so efficiently discharged the duties of his office, that he gained the confidence of the entire com- munity, and afterward ably represented the con- stituents of the Fifthi District in Congress. His wife, Mary (Callaway) Sawyer, was a daughter of Thomas Callaway, a native of Virginia, but an early resident of Missouri, having settled in La Fayette County in 1820. Mrs. Sawyer, like her father, was born in the Old Dominion, but was very young when her parents removed to the State destined to be her lifetime home.
Thomas C. spent the days of early boyhood in Lexington, and attended the common schools un- til twelve years old. At about this period of his life he entered the preparatory department of the Westminster College, at Fulton, Mo., and after some years of study, was graduated in 1872 with honors from the scientific course. ITe then made his home in Maryville, Nodaway County, and en- gaged in the grocery business for the succeeding five years. In 1882 Mr. Sawyer located in Lex- ington Township, La Fayette County, and upon his present farm has since successfully conducted the various duties of a general agriculturist, and has handled a large amount of stock most profit- ably.
In 1877 Mr. Sawyer married Miss Rena, daugh- ter of Granville D. Page, a native of Virginia, who was educated in the Old Dominion, and was there married, and partially reared a family be- fore coming to Jackson County, Mo., in the year 1860. The maiden name of Mrs. Sawyer's mother was Natildia Ashby; she was a lady of refinement and culture, born and educated in Virginia. The Page family is of English descent, and its mem- bers are among the honored citizens of the Amer- ican nation. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer are the parents of three children: Samuel P., the eldest of the family, is a manly lad; Fannie and Mary, the two sisters, complete the happy home circle. The fam- ily residence, located upon section 9, township 50, range 27, is a handsome and commodious brick structure, artistic in design and finish, and is at-
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tractively situated. The surrounding grounds, beautifully arranged, form an excellent setting to the fine dwelling, the abode of hospitality, where the large circle of friends linds ready welcome and cordial greeting.
Mr. Sawyer is not a politician or an office- seeker, but he is a true American citizen. and has always been deeply interested in the local and na- tional conduct of affairs. As was his father be- fore him, he is an ardent Democrat, and a firm believer in the principles and platform of the party. Widely known as a public-spirited and energetic citizen, he has ever been prominent in all enterprises of his locality, and is a special ad- voeate of the advancement of educational inter- ests. Ile and his wife are among the leading and influential members of the social world of the com- munity, and also posses, a large acquaintance throughout their portion of the State.
ILLIAM DAVIS. January 3, 1891, Mr. Davis entered upon his duties as Post- master at Slater, which responsible posi- tion he has filled with the greatest efficiency and success, aided in the work by his son and daugh- ter, James R. and L. Willie, the latter serving as clerk. Mr. Davis owns the largest apiary for many miles around, having eighty colonies of bees and all in fine condition. Previous to ac- cepting the position of Postmaster, he was engaged in gardening in connection with his apiary, and before that he had been a farmer for some years.
The subject of this sketch is one of the boys in blue that always have a claim upon our hearts. Ile was born near Fayette, in Howard County, November 26, 1839. His father, Edward S. Davis, a native of Kentucky, came with his father when eleven years old and settled nine miles east of Fayette. Ilis grandfather, Edward Davis, was a farmer in Kentucky, afterward moving to Missouri and taking up the same pursuit in Howard County, where he died. Edward S, was
also a farmer in this State, where he owned eighty acres of land. He died at the home of his son, in Chariton County.
The mother of our subject, Minerva ( Lawrence) Davis, came from Kentucky to Boone County when a child, and died in Howard County. She was the daughter of George Lawrence, a Kentucky farmer and millwright, who had a mill on his farm and operated that in connection with his other work. Mr. Davis is the third of seven chil- dren, four of whom are living. There were three boys in the family, all of whom were in the war. . Two of the brothers were in the State militia. William was reared on the farm, and attended a public school three miles away. lle learned the duties of farm work in connection with his school studies, and remained at home until he enlisted in the war, in February. 1862, as a volunteer in the Ninth Missouri Cavalry, Company A, under Gen. O. Don Guitar.
They were mustered at Columbia and served in the State of Missouri in the battles of Kirksville and Moor's Mill, as well as several skirmishes. Our subject served as bugler, and remained in service until February, 1865, when he was mus- tered out at St. Louis. After his discharge he stayed at home until March, when he raised a com- pany, of which he was made Second Lieutenant, this being in the Missouri militia. Ile remained till the close of the war, then returned home and engaged in farming on eighty acres of land in Howard County. This property he cultivated un- til 1869, when he sold it and located in Saline County. five miles east of Marshall, renting for some years, but eventually purchasing thirty-four aeres near Slater, which property he improved and worked till January, 1880, when he moved to Slater.
After coming to this city, Mr. Davis was en- gaged in running well angers and drills for eight years, and conducted a successful business in that line until 1888, when he changed to gardening and bee culture, which occupations he followed until January. 1801, when he was appointed Post- master, as before stated. Since his incumbency the old office was burned out and entirely new fixtures have been put in.
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R
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In December, 1864, Miss Cornelia C. Ross, of Howard County, became Mrs. Davis, the ceremony taking place in the above-mentioned county. Three children have blessed this marriage: James R., who is Assistant Postmaster, as mentioned be- fore; L. Willie, clerk in the postoffice; and Thomas M., who died at the age of twenty-one years. The residence is in East Slater, the grounds consisting of four lots. Mr. Davis is a member of the Gen. Geo. G. Crook Post No. 470. He is Past Com- mander and was First Commander and an organ- izer. Politically he is a Republican, and has been a delegate to county and State conventions. Ile is a member of the St. Louis Building and Loan Association. In his religious convictions he ad- heres to the doctrines of the Christian Church, of which he is an active member, and has served as Deacon.
ON. WILLIAM MORRISON. The life of this gentleman furnishes an excellent ex- ample of what may be accomplished by in- dustry and untiring energy. Without any aid but his own indomitable will, and with but lit- tle education, he has fought his way from obscurity and poverty to his present prominent position as one of the most solid and influential men of Lex- ington. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., August 7, 1817, being the elder of two children born to John and Naney ( Barns) Morrison. The Morrison fam- ily is of Scotch descent, the ancestors having set- tled in Wingham, N. H., in 1719, stanch repre- sentatives of the old Presbyterian faith. The grandfather of our subject was one of the first set- tlers of Columbiana County, Ohio, having gone there in 1798. The father was a tinner and cop- per-smith by trade. Ilis brother and himself served as good soldiers in the War of 1812, under Gen. Harrison.
Both the father and mother of our subject died when he was quite young, his mother when he was but two years old. When William was but a youth,
his father removed to New Lisbon, Ohio, where our subject attended school until he was twelve years of age, when he was compelled to leave; so that his education is chiefly a practical one, being what he has been able to pick up during a very busy life. The only legacy he received from his father was his expressed desire that the son should learn the trade of the father. In obedience thereto, the lad went to Steubenville, Ohio, where he ap- prenticed himself for five years as a tinner and copper-smith. Terminating his apprenticeship in 1836, he went South and worked at his trade in Mississippi, Tennessee and Louisiana until 1840, when he went to St. Louis. Once before he had started for the same place, but the steamer on which he sailed sank and he lost everything he had; returning to New Orleans, he worked dili- gently until the necessary funds for the trip had been again acquired.
The next move of our subject, after a brief stay in St. Louis, was to Lexington, Mo., where with another gentleman he began business, his savings supplying him with a start. The co-partnership thus formed continued four years, when he began business alone and continued thus engaged for two years. Then again taking a partner, the two did business together for seven years, when this con- nection was dissolved and our subject again con- ducted his business alone until the outbreak of the war. In the meantime demand for his goods be- came so great that he erected a foundry in 1858, operating it with very decided success until 1861. During the continuance of the war, he was a pro- nounced Union man, and a very generous contrib- utor to its support.
In early days, Mr. Morrison was accustomed to purchase his stock of goods in New York. To reach that city he traveled by steamer to Cairo, then to Pittsburgh. at which place he embarked in a stage and was thus conveyed to the east side of the Alleghany Mountains. A railroad journey via Philadelphia to New York completed the tedious trip. The goods purchased in the East were shipped on the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico to New Orleans, and from there up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, railroads in the West being then an unknown quantity.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
In 1852. our subjeet established a branch store in Kansas City for the sale of his goods. where for ten years he largely supplied Mexican traders with stoves. camp equipage, etc. During the war, huis foundry was destroyed by the Government of the I'nited States, in order to prevent its falling into the hands of the rebel forces. He rebuilt it in 1862 and it is still in operation. In 1865, Mr. Morrison sold out and turned his exelusive atten- tion to banking, in which he has been engaged ever since. In 1814, Gov. Austin A. King ap- pointed him a Director on the part of the State in a branch of the Bank of Missouri, located at Lex- ington, which position he held until the extinction of the bank. Immediately succeeding it was the Farmers' Bank of Missouri, with branches at Lib- erty and Paris, he having during his attendance on the Legislature rendered valuable aid in obtain- ing the charter. During the twelve years of its existence, Mr. Morrison was a stockholler and one of its Directors. Owing to the ten per cent. Gov- ernment tax, banking operations were terminated without the loss of a cent to any one.
Mr. Morrison then associated himself with Mr. Wentworth and opened a private bank in 1864. under the firm name of William Morrison & Co., he being Cashier. In February, 1875, the firm or- ganized under the State law as the Morrison-Went- worth Bank. From its beginning the bank has done a large and profitable business and is con- sidered one of the safest and most reliable in the distriet. Our subject was elected Mayor of the city soon after its charter was obtained, and in 1857 and 1858 he represented his county in the Legislature. He has been President of the Board of Curators of Central Female College since its or- ganization in 1868; he also assisted in organizing the company which furnishes coal for the Pacilie Railroad. being President of the Board; likewise Cashier of the Morrison-Wentworth Bank, as well as one of its principal stockholders. His travels have extended over most of the United States and Canada. Ile has been a Methodist for thirty years. Politically, he has always been a strong Democrat.
Our subject was married at Lexington, in 1844. to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Funk, of Illinois. Four children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Morrison, all living, one daughter and three sons. The daughter is the widow of Henry C. English, who was a teacher in the School for the Deaf at Fulton, Mo. The eldest son resides in Kansas City; the second and youngest are engaged in the coal business at Lexington. Mrs. Morrison died November 28. 1889, in the sixty-sixth year of her age. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. a good and faithful Christain mother and sympathetic wife, to whom Mr. Morrison aseribes much of his success in life. being profoundly grateful for her kind advice and interest in all his affairs.
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The city of Lexington owes more to Mr. Morri- son for its growth and prosperity than to any one person. He has conducted a large business ever since he settled there, and for nearly twenty years employed continually at his foundry from forty to sixty men. The building of the St. Louis & Lexington Railroad is due mainly to his efforts and he has shown himself to be a public-spirited and leading citizen in every enterprise of the city. A conscientious and reliable man in every respect. and upright and honorable in all his dealings. Mr. Morrison has the confidence and esteem of every one. lle has amassed a fortune in business by the most industrious, energetic and painstaking care.
Our subject is liberal in all his charities, his do- nations to churches and educational institutions being especially generous. In all benevolent schemes, he is the first to be called upon for advice, and his hand is always seen in the perfecting of such enterprises. Socially, he is amiable and agree- able. and his manners are easy and pleasing. In his home, a substantial brick house, well furnished and supplied with all needed comforts, he is seen at his best, being a model of affection, sympathy and liberality toward the members of his house- hold.
6 HOMAS M. CHINN, one of the leading stock-dealers of La Fayette County. and a resident of the pleasant little village of Mayview, was born in Shelby County. Ky .. March 8, 18-19. llis parents were among the well-known
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people of their locality in the State of Kentucky, Hector A. and Harriet (Wells) Chinn both being descendants of English ancestors.
In 1859 the family migrated to La Fayette County, Mo., where the mother died in 1860, the father surviving her until 1886, when his life closed in Higginsville, Mo. He had been twice married, his second wife having been Mrs. Sarah Barton, and the children that survive are as fol- lows: Mrs. Eliza Lindsay, Thomas M., George W., Benjamin S., Alice and Sallie. In Shelby County, Ky., Mr. Chinn served as Circuit Clerk for sixteen years; he was elected School Commissioner of La Fayette County, Mo., about 1867 but was disfran- chiised by the Fletcher administration of that year. For a number of years prior to his demise he en- gaged in the practice of law, and was a man of en- ergy and force of character, qualities which ad- mirably adapted him for the legal profession.
Our subject was reared upon the home farm in this county, where he attended the public schools and passed his time in much the usual manner of farmer boys until he became old enough to think of engaging in business for himself. The stock business presented to him opportunities of which he was not slow to take advantage. For three years he served as General Live-stock Agent of the Chicago & Alton Railroad for the State of Missouri, and for a short time carried on a busi- ness of this kind in Kansas City. At the present time he is the owner of two farms, besides being a stockholder and Director in the American Bank of Higginsville, and this prominence he has achieved for himself, having had little assistance in climb- ing the ladder of fortune.
In 1879 our subject married Miss Ottie V., a daughter of Mayor A. L. Benning and sister of T. B. Benning, a prominent citizen of Mayview, whose sketch appears in another part of this vol- ume. One child, Bessie Bell, has been born of this union, a bright and charming little girl. Mr. Chinn is a member of the Village Board of Trustees, having been Chairman of the same, and is consid- ered one of the staneh supporters of all measures for the public good. A Democrat in his political opinions, he is always willing to give his time and means to support that party, and has served on its
county committee. In his business ventures, Mr. Chinn has been unusually successful, and if a man's happiness depends upon his popularity in his home neighborhood, then he should be a very happy man indeed.
ILAS WRIGHT NORVELL was for many years one of the most energetic, able and_ successful business men of Saline County. An enterprising and self-reliant citizen, ever interested in matters of public interest and local improvements; a liberal supporter of relig- ious organizations, and always ready to assist the unfortunate; a kind father and devoted husband, our subject passed away lamented by the entire community, and most deeply mourned by his sor- rowing relatives and a large circle of friends. Few there be who can meet death as fearlessly as he, and dying leave behind them the lasting mon- ument of an unblemished reputation, and the spotless record of an upright Christian life.
Mr. Norvell was born in Saline County, Mo., in 1811, and at the time of his death was residing upon section 16, township 52. range 19. Ilis father was Daniel Norvell, an early resident of Missouri, and a man highly respected. Our sub- ject was one of a family of six children, four brothers and two sisters, all of whom are yet liv- ing, with the exception of Silas, the second-born, who was educated in the common schools of his home neighborhood, and in early life assisted his parents.
Having passed the twenty-first anniversary of his birth, and now master of his own time, Mr. Norvell was in 1866 united in marriage with Miss Wood, a native of Kentucky, and a most estimable and worthy lady, born in 1844. The marriage was a happy one, and the pleasant home was blessed by the birth of three children, all of whom are yet liv- ing: Joseph D., born in Saline County in 1868, married Miss Flora Barnes; Mary, born in 1869 and a native of Saline County, is also married; Ollie,
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born in Saline County in 1871, is married to James B. Hawkins, who is engaged in business in the town of Slater.
The son and two daughters were educated in the excellent schools of Saline County, and have well improved their educational advantages. They enjoy positions of influence and possess undoubted ability and integrity of character. Marrying carly in life. our subject entered ardently into the daily toil of agricultural duties, beginning his work upon a farm belonging to his father, and lo- cated in Saline County. Prospering from the first, he soon added forty acres to his property, and built for himself and wife a cozy little house. where they resided for three years.
At the expiration of this period of time, Mr. Norvell had an excellent opportunity to dispose of his land to advantage, and sold this property and purchased land near Gilliam, a valuable home- stead of two hundred and forty acres. Removing at once to his new possession, he immechately be- gan the improvement of the place, and his first care was to plan and commence the erection of a commodious and attractive residence, which was nearly completed when he was taken ill, never to be well again in this world. Mr. Norvell was a member of the Baptist Church of Good Hope, was one of its most liberal supporters and aided ma- terially in the extension and influence of its relig- ious and benevolent work.
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