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 54
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 54
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AMES W. GOODWIN, a farmer and stock- raiser of Middleton Township, La Fayette County. Mo., born in Rappahannock County, Va., in the year 1831, is the son of James Goodwin, a native of Virginia, who settled in Missouri in the year 1839. The father of our subject, a retired farmer and a venerable and highly respected citizen of Waverly, La Fay-
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ette County, Mo., was born in Prince William County, Va., January 9, 1804. He was a son of John Goodwin, a native of Virginia, and Eliza- beth (Adams) Goodwin, a daughter of Goven Adams, a native of Scotland. The Goodwins who emigrated to this country in the eighteenth cen- tury were originally from England.
James Goodwin at the age of two years re- moved with his parents to Fauquier County, Va., where he attended the common schools and as- sisted his father on the farm In the year 1828 he began merchandising at Flint Ilill, Rappahannock County, Va., in which business he continued until 1839, when he came to La Fayette County, Mo., where he settled upon a farm, and continued the vocation of an agriculturist until the year 1868. Mr. Goodwin then returned to the mercantile trade in Waverly, and remained in it twenty years, when he retired.
James Goodwin was united in marriage in the year 1828 with Miss Elizabeth J., daughter of Vincent Corder, a native of Virginia, who came to Missouri in 1839. By this marriage there were five children, namely: John T., George E., Eliza J., Elizabeth H. and James W. The second wife of Mr. Goodwin was Miss Evaline, daughter of Martin Corder, of Virginia, whom he married in 1837, and by whom he had five children, namely: Robert Russell, Martin C., Calvin, Virginia and Henry H. On the 10th of January, 1848, he was wedded to his present wife, whose maiden name was Martha Marshall, and who is a daughter of Louden Marshall, of Virginia. She has borne him seven children, four of whom are living, namely: Alice, Walter, Albert and Birdie. In politics, Mr. Goodwin is a very pronounced Democrat, taking a hvely interest in all matters relating to the National and State administration of affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin are devoted members of the Presbyterian Church.
James W. Goodwin, the subject of our sketch, was but a little child when his mother, Elizabeth (Corder) Goodwin, died. Ile came to Missouri with the family in the year 1839, when but five years old. His boyhood and youth were spent in going to school and in assisting his father upon the farm. When he attained his majority, he
went to farming upon his own account. Our sub- ject is an extensive breeder of high-grade cattle, and also buys and feeds extensively. llis resi- dence is located on section 15, township 50, range 24, Middleton Township, upon a splendid tract of sixteen hundred and twenty-five acres of good land, all of which is under cultivation or in pasture. Besides caring for his extensive farm- ing interests, Mr. Goodwin gives strict atten- tion to the business of the Bank of Saline County, of which he is President. He married in the year 1857 Miss Lucy Corder, daughter of John Corder, a native of Virginia, who came to Missouri in 1839. By this union there are three children, namely: John G .; Minnie, wife of Cam- illus Barnett, Jr .; and Sarah E., wife of R. E. L. Smith. As all good citizens should, Mr. Goodwin takes a lively interest in governmental affairs, and from honest conviction is a pronounced Demo- erat. Both himself and wife are devoted members of the Presbyterian Church.
F. GARRETT, an enterprising and promi- nent business man, and the well-known proprietor of the Waverly Livery Stables, came from the Southland to Missouri more than a quarter of a century ago, and, engaging since in various occupations, has for some time past re- sided in La Fayette County, where his integrity of character and honorable methods of business have won him many friends and well-wishers. Our sub- ject was born in Loudoun County, Va., February 23, 1850. The Garrett family is of English anees- try, but some of its members located in the Col- onies of America prior to the struggle for indepen- dence and figured in the War of the Revolution, and many of their descendants are numbered among the useful and law-abiding citizens of the United States.
The father of our subject was Joseph Garrett, who was born and educated in the Old Dominion.
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llis wife. Elizabeth Hardin, was connected with the Hardin family, which has been well and favor- ably known these many years in the South. The name of Hardin has been perpetuated in the United States in the naming of five counties in as many States, Hardin County, Ill., was named in honor of that brave and gallant soldier. John J. Hardin, who was killed when courageously facing the enemy at the battle of Buena Vista. Mr. Garrett passed his boyhood among the familiar scenes of his early life. and attended the common schools of Loudoun County, also assisting his father. At sixteen years of age, he removed with his parents to Missouri, locating in his new home in 1866.
For twenty years our subject unweariedly tilled the soil of Missouri, and from a comparatively unbroken acreage brought his farm under a high state of cultivation. He also raised some excellent stock and continued to successfully conduet the duties of general agriculture until 1886. when he embarked in mercantile pursuits. He entered into partnership with W. E. Fry, which connection lasted four years and a-half. At the expiration of this time. Mr. Garrett sold out and began in his present business, which has been an assured success from its opening, supplying a ready and reasona- ble service to the residents of Waverly and enjoy- ing an extensive transient custom.
In 1879, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Mollie E., daughter of Joseph Woolfskill. a native of Missouri. By this marriage, Mr. Garrett became the father of four children, of whom but one child, a daughter. Mary L .. survives. Our subject contracted a second marriage in 1889, his present wife having been Miss Anna De Moss, a lady highly esteemed and possessing a large cir- cle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. and Mrs. Garrett are the parents of two children, James F., Jr., and Milnor, bright little ones whose presence gladdens the pleasant home of their father and mother. Mr. and Mrs. Garrett are devoted mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and are active in the social and benevolent work of their denomination. In political affiliations our subject is an earnest Democrat, and while never anxious for political office is deeply interested in national and local issues, and in common with all
good and loyal American citizens desires that the reins of Government shall be placed in worthy and able hands, thus forever insuring our national prosperity.
G
AMUEL M. AYRES. For very nearly two years our subject has been Sheriff of Sa- line County, to which ofliee he was elected in November, 1890. and qualified January 1, 1891. Mr. Ayres is a native-born Missourian, bis birthplace being near Slater, and the day of his nativity November 27. 1857. Ile is a son of Ben- jamin F. and Martha J. ( Woolbridge) Ayres, the father being a farmer and stockman, and a native of Buckingham County, Va., as was also his wife, but their marriage took place in Missouri.
Benjamin F. Ayres came to Sahne County when nineteen years of age, and his father, with whom he came, who was born February 27, 1821, was one of the earliest pioneers. He died February 6, 1889, leaving a family of three sons. Hle and his son had improved their farm until it was one of the best cultivated tracts about Slater. Our sub- ject's father held the office of Constable for twenty years. His farm comprised six hundred acres of land.
Samuel M. acquired his education in the public schools of Saline County, and then gave his time to the development of the farm until he was twenty-one years of age. At the age of twenty- two, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of the county, and at the age of twenty-three ran for the office of Sheriff and was known as the "hoy candidate." Although he failed in securing the first office he ran for, the vote was very much of a compliment to him. He served as Deputy until 1890, and then, although there were five other nominees in the field, he was elected over them all by a majority of five hundred. The duties of the office were familiar to him by virtue of his work as Deputy, and since enjoying the full honors of the office he has in no wise ceased his careful and pains-
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R
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J. W. Brenizer. A.D.
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taking policy, and has filled the office with great credit to himself. Ile devotes his whole attention to the affairs of his official appointment, allowing no ontside interest to distract him, and has the municipal welfare thoroughly at heart. Mr. Ayres was re-elected November 8, 1892.
Sheriff Ayres was married to Miss Allie Winning, whose home was near Miami. She is a daughter of Thomas J. Winning, a prominent farmer of that locality. Their marriage was solemnized February 24, 1886, when they inaugurated a happy home. It now contains two children, whose names are Lester Lageal and Nevore M. Mr. Ayres belongs to the fraternity of the Knights of Pythias.
G EORGE W. BRENIZER, M. D., an early and successful physician and surgeon of Saline County, has returned to Slater after an extended absence. Ilis departure from the county in 1883 was felt by his fellow-citizens to be an irreparable loss, and numerous friends of other days as well as a large circle of new acquaint- ances welcomed back this most trusted and effici- ent medical practitioner when he returned in 1891.
A native of Pennsylvania, our subject was born in Silver Springs Township, Cumberland County, March 10, 1834. He is of German descent. ITis great-grandfather, who was born in Germany, emi- grated to America in an early day and settled in the good old Quaker State, where the family re- mained and prospered. The grandfather, George, and the father, David. were born and reared in Pennsylvania, and there received such educations as were possible in their locality. David Brenizer for a long time followed the pursuit of agriculture and was also a contractor and builder. In politi- cal affiliations, he was a Democrat and was a most worthy and respected citizen.
The mother of our subject, Mary (Trimble) Brenizer, was born in Pennsylvania and now re- sides in Cumberland County, that State. Her fa- ther, who was of Irish descent, was born in the
Keystone State, where he followed the calling of a farmer. Our subject is one of six children, namely: Mrs. Elcetta llemp, of Cumberland County, Pa .; Emily, Mrs. Shawl, deceased; Oliver, who was a wagon-master in the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War and now resides in Decatur County, lowa; Theophilus, a physician, and Winfield, a farmer, both of whom served as teamsters under their brother Oliver in the war; and our subject.
George W. Brenizer was reared on his father's farm, and there learned the carpenter's trade. In early boyhood, he attended the primitive log schoolhouse of the neighborhood. In 1852. he went to Dayton, Ohio, and after working there at his trade for a short time returned home. Sub- sequently, he again went to Dayton, where he pur- sued the study of medicine under one of the best physicians of the city, and afterward studied un- der Dr. Frieze, of Mechanicsburgh, Pa. Later, he entered the old Homeopathic College in Phila- delphia, from which he was graduated, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and at once began the practice of his profession in Cumberland County, Pa. In 1865, he located in Wapello County. lowa. and made that place his home for nine months. He then settled in Decatur County of the same State, and engaged in successful practice there for three years.
In 1869, the Doctor journeyed to the South, and when the legal examination was passed in Mis- souri, he became a registered physician, and opened an office in Marshall, Saline County. In 1874, he located on a farm near Orearville, and still con- tinued his practice. In 1878, he began to practice his profession in Slater, where he built one of the first dwelling houses. ITis professional duties were very wearing here and he had but little rest. At one time he worked nine days and nights without removing his clothes for the sleep which seemed so necessary for the preservation of his own health. In 1883, his greatly over-taxed strength failed him, and he went to Vernon County, thence to Ilume, Bates County, afterward to St. Clair County, then to Deepwater, Henry County, and finally, in 1888, located in Kansas City and started a prac- tice at Centropolis, Fifteenth Street.
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During the month of June. 1891, Dr. Brenizer was called to Slater to see a patient, and was pro- vailed upon to again resume practice here among the many friends who thoroughly appreciated his skill and excellent professional judgment. llis office is located over the Savings Bank and his time is closely occupied with his practice. Dr. Bremzer was married in Cumberland County, Pa .. in the year 1859. to Miss Ann Catherine Beck, a native of Maryland. Our subject and his wife are the parents of eight children: Loamma A .. a car- penter and builder; Lovell T., also a carpenter by trade; Clara L., Mrs. Nolen, who resides at home; George, Grace, Zinnie, Mary, and Annie, who are at home. The Doctor and his family are among the important social and religious factors of Slater. They are attendants at and members of the Meth- odist Church, and are active in the benevolent and social enterprises of that organization. Never an office-seeker, our subjeet yet takes an interest in the local and national conduet of public affairs, and votes the Democratic ticket. Faithful in profes- sional duties, an able and intelligent citizen, Dr. Brenizer has a high place in the esteem and respect of the entire community.
E DWIN THEODORE GUERIN, well known for many years as a prominent money- loaner of Saline County, was a citizen of unusual honor and integrity of character. For four years he served the public faithfully as Jus- tice of the Peace, and was ever wise and just in his legal decisions, discharging the official duties of the position with satisfaction to the commu- nity and with credit to his efficient and able con- duct of the numerous cases intrusted to his care. Interested in public improvement and progress, a kind friend and generous benefactor and a devoted husband and father, his death was an an irrepar- able loss to the family and the general public. Born in Lexington, Ky., January 22, 1823, Mr.
Guerin was long a resident of Saline County. and passed away July 20, 1880. upon section 33. township 52. range 19, his home for many years.
Our subject was the son of Gen. Bertrand A. and Frances ( Hickey) Guerin. The mother was a daughter of Judge Hickey. a well-known jurist of Kentucky. The father was a native of France and did service in the army of Napoleon Bona- parte. Their family consisted of four children. the others beside our subject being Bertrand, who was born in 1831; Thomas; and Maggie, now Mrs. Nise. Edwin Theodore Guerin was a grad- uate of St. Mary's (Ky.) College. After complet- ing his studies there, he became a dealer in mer- chandise in Huntsville, Mo .. and remained in business there from 1845 to 1855. About this time he met Miss Gilliam, and after their union, in the spring of 1855, they immediately removed to Glasgow. He there engaged in the merean- tile business until the breaking out of the war in 1861, when he removed to Cambridge, Saline County, and made this latter place his home until 1865.
Our subject then settled upon a traet of land which now forms a part of the town of Slater, and actively engaged in agricultural pursuits for three years, at the expiration of which time he embarked in business at Cambridge as a private banker and money-loaner. For four years he re- sided in Cambridge, and then located upon a farm of eighty acres adjoining the place given to him and his wife by his father-in-law. William Taylor Gilliam. To this gift Mr. Guerin added other tracts of land until he had increased his acreage to four hundred. lle also continued to act as a private banker and money-loaner, as his capital enabled him to conduct a safe and profit- able business. He was noted for his generosity and justice in business dealings. In the thirty- three years of his life devoted to mercantile trans- actions, he was never sued, nor did he ever have to resort to law with any of his numerous debtors. Although not a church member. he was ever ready to assist in the support of religious organizations, and encouraged all aids for the betterment of his fellow-men.
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Mrs. Guerin, formerly Judith Elizabeth Gilliam, and daughter of that enterprising and pioneer settler of Missouri, William Taylor Gilliam, and his wife, Mary (Stewart) Gilliam, was a native of the good old State of Virginia, and was born in the year 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Guerin were blessed with a large family, eleven children gathering around the hearth of their pleasant home. Six of the sons and daughters are yet living, namely: Fannie, Lucian, Rollie, Ilarry, Gustine and Aubrey. These children, bright, intelligent, and already oc- cupying positions of usefulness and honor, were, with two exceptions, educated in the excellent pub- lie schools of their home and immediate vicinity. Fannie is a graduate of a female college, and is an accomplished and attractive lady.
Few faces could have been missed out of the community more than was the kindly one of Edwin Guerin. He was an acknowledged just arbitrator in matters of dispute in his section of the country, and many a young and ardent man to-day blesses his memory for assistance given him in an hour of boyish trouble. To aid. comfort and relieve others of sorrow and suffering was for him one of the most precious privileges of life, and it may be truthfully said that none knew him but to love him for his grand and noble traits of character.
S EVERIIART. Each man is the builder of his own fortune, and our subject clearly built his, for he started out in the world with nothing but his head and his hands. He is a farmer, living on seetion 10, township 49, range 29, La Fayette County, and is the son of William and Catherine (Axline) Everhart, both natives of Virginia and who lived and died there. The Everharts are of German deseent, the grand- father having come over from that country. The father of our subject was a farmer and a soldier in the War of 1812. He died in 1835, and his wife in. 1815. They were the parents of five children,
three of whom are now living, the eldest eighty- four years of age, the next eighty-two, and our subjeet seventy-nine. Lawrence Everhart, an un- cle of our subject, was a prominent soldier in the Revolutionary War.
Our subject was born December 19, 1813, in Loudoun County, Va., where he was reared and re- ceived his schooling, but left there when seventeen years of age to learn the earpenter's trade, which he followed nearly all his life. In 1835, he was married to Mary A. Wenner, a native of Loudoun County, Va., and daughter of William and Eliza- beth (Short) Wenner, both natives of Virginia. The father was a farmer and a soldier in the War of 1812. They were the parents of eight children, two of them yet living. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Everhart remained in the county of their nativity until 1857, when they came to this county and settled at Napoleon, remaining for six years and then going to their present home. The farm was wild land, and Mr. Everhart has placed the improvements on the one hundred and sixty acres which are now all under cultivation. lle worked hard, conducting the farm and working at his trade as well. The wife during his absence at work carried on the farm industriously and satis- factorily.
The residence of our subject is a very neat one, costing 8900, and the barns and other outbuildings are ample for their requirements. The wife, who was born January 9, 1814, became the mother of nine children, six living: Betty, Marietta, Jennie, George R., Adelaide B. and Sallie. One son, W. B., an inspector of public buildings at Kansas City, Mo., died in July, 1892, leaving a widow with seven children. Our subject and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Chureli and have been for a great many years, he being an Elder in the same; the children likewise are mem- bers of that church. He is a Democrat, having cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren, and from that time forward has un waveringly stood by his tieket through good and evil report. It has been his good fortune to see many of the older Presi- dents of the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Ever- hart started in life poor and have had to work hard, but they have given their children good educations
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and now have ample means for their wants. They lived on their farm during the war. but Mr. Ever- hart took no part in the great struggle. The golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Everhart was celebrated seven years ago, and it is the wish of their hosts of friends that they may be spared for many years in health and happiness.
C HARLES STRASBURG, a prominent German-American citizen of La Fayette County, Mo., resides upon his farm of one hundred and forty-five acres of land located in township 49, section 7, range 26. His birth took place in Prussia April 16, 1838, he being a son of Charles and Minnie Strasburg, both of whom were natives of Germany. In that country he passed a happy boyhood and youth, and in 1857 aecom- panied his parents to America. The great city of Hamburg is a favorite place of embarkation, and from Cuxhaven, its port, Mr. Strasburg and fam- ily took passage in a sailing-vessel for their new home. After landing at New York City, having passed eight weeks upon the ocean, they went across the country until they reached Jefferson County, Wis. Oftentimes while traversing the broad green prairies of Illinois or lowa were they reminded of their own country, near Hamburg, and possibly the owners of many of the familiar looking farm houses had been former residents of the Fatherland.
In the State of Wisconsin, our subject remained until 1861, when, by enlisting for her defense. he proved most forcibly his affection for his adopted country. In September of that year. he became a member of the Thirteenth Wisconsin In- fantry, and subsequently re-enlisted in the same regiment, taking part in the battle of Nashville and several others of minor importance. He was sent to Texas after the surrender of Richmond and re- mained from July, 1865, to the following January, when he went to Minnesota, where he resided until 1873. Since that time, Mr. Strasburg has been a
resident of La Fayette County, Mo., where he owns the fine farm mentioned at the opening of this ar- ticle. As Mr. Strasburg is a self-made man. hay- ing had no wealthy or powerful relatives to push him up the ladder of life, he may well be proud of the position of influence and prominence he has gained by his own efforts.
One of the most judicious ventures of the life of our subject was his marriage, March 13, 1864, with Miss Henrietta Drager, a native of Germany. She has been a careful. worthy helpmate, and has become the good and faithful mother of nine chil- dren, who will ever remember her love and care. . They are as follows: Charles, Ilenry, Edward. George; Lizzie, who is now the wife of Charles Dagg>; William, Herman. Albert and Arthur. This is a noble array of sons, and if they make as fine men as their excellent father, the county of their residence may well be proud of them. As far as possible, Mr. Strasburg will bring them up to follow the principles of the Republican party, for in that party our subject has been an active member for many years. As Road Commissioner, Mr. Stras- burg has given his township the utmost satisfac- tion and has shown himself one of the intelligent and progressive citizens of the place. Both Mr. and Mrs. Strasburg are connected by membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church, where they are very highly esteemed. The war record of our subject is an honorable one, he having entered the rank> as a private; he was promoted two years later to be a Corporal, serving as such until the close of the strife.
NDREW M. DICKERSON. an energetie and successful general agriculturist and stock-raiser, is located in township 51. range 20, near Orearville. Self-reliant and industrious, he has won his way upward and commands the esteem of all who know him. Mr. Dickerson was born in Jessamine County, Ky., in 1841, and is of Scotch descent. His paternal grand-
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father, John Dickerson, was also born in Jessamine County, and spent his boyhood and youth in his na- tive State, where he married Miss Mary Sisson, also a native Kentuckian. Ile was a lifelong farmer, and died in the State of his nativity in 1811.
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