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 56
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 56
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AMES A. METCALF, a successful and enter- prising general agriculturist and stock-raiser of Saline County, is located near Slater and is well known in that flourishing town as an energetic and intelligent citizen interested in the affairs of the day and ever ready to aid in the advancement of any good cause. Born August . 25, 1858, in Adams County, III., our subject was but ten years of age when he came to the State of Missouri with his parents and settled in Saline County. Ilis father and mother, George and Ma- rinda Caroline (Nichols) Metcalf, were native Kentuckians, born and bred in the Blue Grass Re- gion of that famous old State.
George Metcalf was from early youth an excel- lent judge of the qualities and speed of horses, and when a young man became a horse dealer and trader. Leaving his native State, he sojourned with his family for a time in Illinois, removing thence to Missouri, where he arrived in 1870, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, for which he paid $20 per acre. Working indus- triously and investing all that he could spare of Ins income in real estate, the father of our subject soon increased his possessions until he owned a valuable tract of land, three hundred and fifty acres in extent. Until his death, which occurred in July, 1890, he continued to improve his prop-
erty, gradually bringing his farm up to a high state of cultivation. Prior to his death he dis- posed of a portion of his land, and when he died owned but one hundred and thirty acres.
Father Metcalf never aspired to political office but was an ardent Democrat and always interested in the outeome of local and national issues. He was a most excellent citizen and a kind husband and father. Married in Bourbon County, Ky., to Miss Marinda Caroline Nichols in 1846, they first lived upon a Kentucky farm, but in 1849 located in Illinois, where they were blessed by the birth of their son, the subject of this sketch. Their en- tire family was composed of but two sons and two daughters. David Metcalf was born in Adams County, Ill., and died at the age of six years. Jane Metcalf was born in Kentucky and was mar- ried to an excellent business man, G. N. Nichols, and now resides with her husband in Kansas City. Melissa Metealf was also a native of Adams County, Ill., and lived to become a wife but died in 1881. Iler husband, who survives her, is Lowis Miller, a farmer of Saline County, Mo.
The home farm in Saline County, Mo., was soon cleared and in a brief time one hundred and forty acres were transformed from a wilderness into a productive and sightly farm. Our subject attended the common schools of his new home in Saline County, and at the age of eighteen devoted his entire time to agricultural pursuits, remaining upon his father's farm until the death of this par- ent. Ile now owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, all finely improved, and raises principally wheat and corn and also engages most profitably in stoek-raising. He is an experienced horse trader and at present owns ten fine head of horses. llis farm has materially increased in value, now being worth at least $60 per acre. Mr. Met-, calf's first wife was Miss Lillie Lawson, the mar- rage taking place September 18, 1881. They had one daughter, Gertie, who resides at home with her father and is receiving a good education. The widowed mother of Mr. Metcalf lives with him and his family. Mrs. Metcalf, an attractive and most estimable lady, was Mrs. Allie ( Hatfield) Monroe. and was married to Mr. Metcalf in 1886. She was born in Missouri in 1860 and is the daughter of a
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well-known citizen, Thornsbury Hatfield. Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf have a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances and are important factors in the social element of their neighborhood and immediate vicinity and are held in esteem and high respect by the entire community which surrounds them.
OHN HYLAND. The gentleman whose bi- ography it is our pleasure to present to the readers of this volume was one of the sons that England has contributed to aid in the upward progress of the United States and to pro- mote its welfare by their upright lives and enter- prising disposition. Mr. Hyland was born in Rye, Sussex County, England, in 1802. In his native land, he grew to man's estate and there married Ruth Hunt. Two children were born to them in England before they left their native country to make a new home in Virginia in 1833 or 1834. Mrs. Hyland was not destined to enjoy her new home very long, for death claimed her for its own soon after arrival. MIr. Hyland afterward married Isabella Denison, and soon after marriage, in 1837, came to Saline County.
Although a poor man when he came to this county, by hard and determined labor Mr. Hyland secured enough of this world's goods to enable him to rear his children in comfort and provide for his declining years. Mr. Hyland was blessed with three sons: William A. S., John II. and Washing- ton D. The children born to him in England were: Mary A., who became the wife of Mr. Wood- worth; and Ruth II., Mrs. Samuel Perry, who now resides in Vernon County, Mo. William enlisted in the State militia in 1862 and served for a little more than a year under Gen. Neal; JJohn Il. served three years in the Missouri State Volunteer Regi- ment; and Washington D. died during the war soon after enlistment.
William A. S. grew to mature years in this county and received a common-school education.
In 1863, he married Mary F., daughter of Samuel Sullivan, one of the old settlers of the county. To this happy union were born four children, only one of whom still survives, John W. In political matters Mr. Ilyland continues to adhere to the principles of the party for which he fought so gallantly during the late war and is an ardent and prominent Republican. He owns a farm of four hundred and ten aeres, most of which has been accumulated by his arduous efforts, aided by the cheerful co-operation of his wife. He and his family are members of the Cumberland Presbyte- rian Church. His father was in early life a Baptist, and later became a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.
Mr. Hyland, Sr., wasa man of sterling worth and his decease was greatly lamented, not only by his immediate family but by all who knew him. This event occurred in 1888, and the sad gap his death left in the family circle has not been filled nor will it be for many years to come. The family Mr. Hy- land left behind him is one of which any father might well have been proud; the sons upright, honest business men: the daughters faithful, loving wives and mothers.
AMES J. BOARD. Among the many farm- ers in Dover Township, La Fayette County, none are more favorably known than the original of this sketch. He has done much in making the aggregate of farming rise to a high level, in that he has perfected his individual inter- ests to the greatest possible degree. Mr. Board was born in Clarke County, Va., October 1, 1827. His father, William, was a native of the same State, as was also his mother, who prior to her marriage was Miss Matilda, a daughter of James Oliver.
John Board, who was our subject's grandfather, was a native of England and emigrated to America in 1812. Our subjeet's maternal grandsire came to this country about the same time and took part in the Patriots' War. James Board spent his boy-
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hood days in his native county and acquired his education in the common schools near his home and helped his father with the farm work. At the age of twenty-one he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for a number of years, and in April of 1857 he came to Missouri and settled on his present farm. Before the war, he engaged quite extensively in raising hemp, but since then has found labor to be so unreliable and expensive as to make this industry less profitable. Mr. Board is the owner of a good farm comprising two hun- dred and eighty acres, all of which is under culti- vation and bearing excellent improvements.
March 4, 1851, our subject married Miss Mary A., daughter of Mason Oliver, of Virginia. She has since been his faithful companion through weal and woe. They are the parents of four sons: John M., James Clay, Thomas F. and Walter L., all vigorous young men who are bound to make a name and fame in the world. The family still oc- cupies the home in which they settled on first com- ing to the place. It has undergone changes but is a lapted to the needs of its occupants. It is hardly necessary to state, considering the latitude in which our subject was born and that in which he has spent the greater portion of his life, that he is a Democrat.
OHN PERRIE, M. D. Emerson has said, "I would know how the other half of the world lives, although I cannot and would not live with them," but the family physi- cian learns not only how the different classes live, but also has often the necessity of so sharing the griefs and joys of his patients that the result is al- most the same as if he were one of the family. The tried and trusted family doctor becomes the friend as well as the physician, and in no part of the land more so than in the country localities, where his daily or weekly visit becomes an event of the greatest importance. The subject of this sketch, Dr. John Perrie, was born in Montgomery
County, Md., June 19, 1840, a son of Dr. John and Catherine V. Perrie, both natives of Maryland, to which State the paternal ancestors had come from France.
Our subject was about eight years of age when his parents removed from their old home into the State of Missouri, and, selecting La Fayette County as their place of residence, began the founding of a home in the town of Lexington. Shortly after this, Dr. Perrie, Sr., took his family out of the town to a farm, but later returned to Lexington, that he might the better educate his children. At this place his death occurred in 1854, after a long season of successful practice. The children who survive are as follows: Mrs. J. W. White, of May- view; Mrs. C. R. Wolf, of Bates County, Mo .; Mrs. R. D. Bledsoe, of Lexington, Mo .; and the subject of this sketch.
John Perrie bears his father's name, and upon him seems to have fallen his father's mantle, in- heriting as he does the taste and talent for the profession of medicine. llis first education was received at the old Masonic College at Lexington, Mo .; later he attended Jones' Commercial College at St. Louis, from which he was graduated. His reading and study were all in the direction of medical science, and his first lectures were taken at Columbia College, in Washington, D. C. Whether his life would have been materially changed ex- cept for the breaking out of the late war, is a ques- tion which we may not solve, but when our sub- ject was prepared for his final leetures, the call came for State troops.
To the call for soldiers, our subject responded, became a member of the State troops for six months, and then enlisted in the Ninth Missouri Infantry, C. S. A., which was in Col. Clark's old brigade, well known to all Missourians, and this connection was kept through three and one-half years. Six months of this time were spent as a Union prisoner at St. Louis and Alton, THI. When Dr. Perrie first enlisted, he held the office of Or- derly-Sergeant; but soon afterward his ability as an embryo physician was recognized, and he was transformed into a Hospital Steward, remaining thus until the close of the war. In 1866, our sub- ject married Miss Mollie, the accomplished daugh-
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ter of Dr. J. M. Keith, deceased, a resident of this county, and by this union became the father of three children: Eva. Claude K. and Bettie B.
In 1867, Dr. Perrie was graduated from St. Louis Medical College, and was located for several years at Mt. Hope. Mo .. practicing his profesion, but subsequently removed to Butler. Bates County. where he remained one year and two months, then came to the village of Mayview. Since May. 1883, our subject has enjoyed a lucrative practice in this vicinity, although his old patients in other neighborhoods so value his skill that they still re- quire his care and advice in serious cases. Dr. Perrie has been one of the members of the Village Board of Trustees, and ever since his residence here has taken a prominent part in the life of the town. His political views are in harmony with the principles of the Democratic party, and in the deliberations of the Solons of that organization he is always to be found." Dr. Perrie is a member of the Episcopal Church, of Lexington, and is a good and consistent Christian, well deserving the snecess he has attained, having proven himself the friend of rich and poor, as his skill has been re- quired.
n ATHAN CORDER, a leading and represent- ative agriculturist and extensive stoek- raiser, has been a highly-respected resident of La Fayette County, Mo., for the past forty-nine years. Born in Rappahannock County, Va., July 15, 1839. our subjeet was but a little boy five years of age when his parents removed from the Old Dominion and located in Missouri. The Corder family was originally of English birth, but in a very early day settled in the colony of Virginia, which for many years after the adoption of the Federal Constitution retained its supremacy as one of the original States of the Union, and was the predominating influence in the affairs of the nation for many long years.
Nathan Corder. the father of our subject, was a
native of Virginia, was there educated and married, and was well along toward middle life when he came with his family to Missouri and settled in La Fayette County upon a farm. Ilis good wife was Naney Halloway, also a native of Virginia, and who, like her husband, had passed her entire life within the boundaries of her native State until she accompanied her family to Missouri. The pa- ternal grandfather, an upright and hard-working man, lived to the extreme old age of ninety-one years, and had a store of interesting reminiscences . and experiences, having been an eye-witness and active participant in many thrilling scenes and ad- ventures of pioneer life. He was also a contempo- rary of many eminent men in the early history of our country, and lived to see the wonderful growth and national advancement of nearly a century.
Our subjeet enjoyed superior educational ad- vantages. Having first obtained the benefit of a preparatory education in the public schools of La Fayette County, he next, at the age of sixteen years, entered the Masonic College at Lexington. Mr. Corder spent two years of study in that well- known institution of learning, and afterward at- tended the Sweet Springs College. at Sweet Springs, Mo. Completing in two years his course of study there, he returned home and soon after engaged extensively in farming and, prosperously adding to his original homestead, now owns and controls nine hundred acres of fine land, all under high cultivation. Our subject successfully handled a superior grade of Shorthorn cattle for years, rais- ing, feeding and selling large numbers of this favorite breed of live stock.
Mr. Corder has assisted in the organization of various prominent and leading interests of his lo- cality and vicinity and is a stockholder of the Farmers' Savings Bank, at Marshall, Mo. He also hasstock in the Middleton Bank, located in Way- . erly, Mo. In 1857, our subject married Octavia, a daughter of Henry Hill, a native of Kentucky, but of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Corder have lived to bury a number of their family of children. Of the eight sons and daughters whose presenee brightened the homestead, but three now survive: Nannie, the eldest, is the wife of William B. Steele; Arrenah is the wife of Logan B. Chapel, of Saline
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County; while Loula is a promising student at the Central College, situated in Lexington, Mo. These daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Corder are bright, intelligent ladies and enjoy the confidence and friendship of a host of lifetime friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Corder are both devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and have always aided in the social and benevolent enterprises of that denomination. The commo- dious and pleasant home in Waverly is fre- quently the scene of gatherings of old friends and acquaintances and is the abode of hospitality. Our subject is actively engaged in politics only to the extent of casting his vote. Ile has never desired a political office, but is always interested in the lo- eal and national conduct of affairs, and casts his vote with the Democratic party.
E RVIN G. UTZ, a popular and enterprising citizen of Marshall, and well known as the proprietor of the Saline County Carriage Works, is prominently connected with many of the leading benevolent and social organizations of the community. A native of the county, he has from earliest childhood been a witness of the growthi and progress of the State, and long since became a most important factor in local interests and im- provements. Our subject was born near Blackburn, September 14, 1861. Ilis paternal grandfather was a native of Germany, whenee he emigrated to America and became a planter in the Old Domin- ion.
John H. Utz, father of our subject, was born in Madison County, Va., where he learned the trade of an architect and builder. About 1853, having determined to try his fortunes in a new field, he came to Marshall, Saline County, Mo., and was one of this enterprising city's earliest pioneers. Ile followed his profession of architect and builder here with great success, and was a partner of Mr. Buckner, and at various times associated with others in busi- ness relations. He went South to do contracting,
and died in Shreveport, La., in 1887. lle was an ardent Democrat, and an honored and useful citi- zen. The mother of our subject, Anna M. ( Erwin) Utz, was a native of La Fayette County. and the daughter of William B. Erwin, who was born in Tennessee. For a time he followed the occupation of a farmer in La Fayette County, near Blackburn. but afterward removed to Jackson County, and then, moving from the State of Missouri, settled in Linn County, Kan., and finally went with a son to Oklahoma, where he died. Ile was of Scotch- Irish descent, and a man of excellent character and business attainments. llis wife resides in Ok- laloma.
There were eight children in the family, and five are now living, Ervin G. being the eldest-born. Adah E. is Mrs. Green, of Kansas City; Della, Mrs. Yowelle, resides in Saline County; Elmo D. and John H. are in business with our subject. Ervin G. Utz was reared in Marshall and received the benefit of the city's excellent public schools. In 1875 he began an apprenticeship to his present trade with Ransberger & Lantz, and remained in their employ for one year. Later he followed his trade in different places in the county, and also spent one season in Kansas City as foreman in the gear department of the Calvin Toomy Carriage Works. He then returned home and worked two years for the Saline County Carriage Company, in which he purchased a half-interest January 1, 1888. In 1889 he purchased the entire interest, and be- came sole proprietor and manager of this prosperous enterprise. The business establishment is located two hundred and twenty feet south of Jefferson Avenue, is two stories in height, has a frontage of twenty-two feet, and is one hundred and twenty- tive feet in depth, with a side building, 20x50.
The first floor is the carriage repository, wood department, shop and blacksmith shop. The store- room is in the side building and repository. The second floor is oceupied with the finishing, pol- ishing, drying and trimming rooms, and also con- tains a storeroom. This is the largest and most complete carriage shop in the county, and the largest manufacturing establishment located in this section of the State. Eight men are furnished with steady employment, and others are fre-
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quently employed during busy seasons. They average fifty jobs a year, and turn out most sub- stantially built and finely finished surreys, spring wagons, buggies and road carts. Mr. Utz has been prospered in his business from the first. A skilled workman himself, he is thoroughly competent to direct the labors of his employes, and sends out from his house only the best of its kind, guaran- teeing quality of material and workmanship in every instance. His energy and business applica- tion are bringing him excellent returns, and he is prosperously situated.
Our subject was married in Cooper County, in May. 1889, to Miss Emma Tucker, a native of Cooper County, who was educated in Marshall. Mrs. Utz is an attractive young lady, and enjoys the personal regard of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. She is the mother of one child, Win- field Roy. Mr. Utz is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is Past Chancellor of the Subordinate Lodge, I'niformed Rank. He is also fraternally associated with the Knights of the Maceabees. He and his wife are members of the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church, and he is a Deacon of that relig- ious body. Although not an office-seeker, he takes an interest in the conduct of political affairs, and affiliates with the Democrats, voting the ticket of that party.
M ASON FRYE, an energetie and representa- tive agriculturist of La Fayette County, and for many years a highly respected citizen of the State, resides upon sec- tion 28, township 19, range 27, where he has since 1880 successfully devoted himself to the improvement of his fine farm of one hundred and eighty-twoacres. The Frye family were Virginians, and the immediate ancestors were in the carly days large land-holders and slave-owners, the grand- parents, both maternal and paternal, being among the most highly esteemed of the old families of the State.
Our subject was born in Hardy County, W. Va., in June. 1841, and was the son of Isaac L. and Mary (Frye) Frye, natives of West Virginia. The sons and daughters who brought sunshine into the pleasant Southern home were George Benjamin Mason, of this sketch; Gertrude, Rachael, Jemima, Jennie, Aliee, Sallie, Martha, Mollie, Willie, Min- nie and Lulu. Isaae Frye was one of a family of eight children, four sisters and four brothers. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, and a thor- oughly upright Christian man. He was but sixty- five years of age when he died in 1889. Ilis faithful helpmate still survives him. During the Civil War his sympathies were naturally with the South, and he served in the Confederate State Militia for about one year, participating in sev- eral engagements.
Upon a farm, and amid rural environments, our subject passed his boyhood and youth. Ile re- mained at home until February. 1870, when with 885 capital, he left his native State to make his own way in the world. He came to La Fayette County, and worked by the month for five years, when he rented a farm of Sam Smith, and with his newly wedded wife located thereon, and en- gaged profitably in the duties of agriculture. In 1880, he bought his homestead, which is one of the most highly cultivated farms in this section of the country. Aside from the pursuit of general agriculture and stock-raising, he has given much time to the cultivation of fruit, and has an exten- sive orchard of twenty acres bearing a large va- riety of native fruits.
In 1864, our subject enlisted in the regular Confederate army and served with brave fidelity for one year, taking an active part in the battles of Strasburg and Manfield, in which latter engage- ment he was wounded in the thigh, and was obliged to retire from the field. Recovering from this wound, he returned to martial duty and par- ticipated in the battle of New Town. Ile was married in November. 1875, to Miss Emma, daugh- ter of Henry Morrison. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Frye was blessed by the birth of four children, bright and promising little ones, but one son is now the only survivor, Mason, the namesake of his father. Samuel lived to be five years old.
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The wife of our subject, an earnest Christian woman, died September 20, 1883, deeply regretted by sorrowing relatives and friends. She was a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyte- rian Church, and with her husband was numbered among the liberal supporters of that religous or- ganization. Mr. Frye has been connected with this denomination since 1870, and is an active worker in the church. Ile is essentially a self- made man, and with honest industry amassed a comfortable competence. Ile is a citizen of un- blemished reputation and high integrity, and com- mands the confidence of the entire community.
C HARLES M. NEET. Entrusted with the city records, Mr. Neet is one of the well- known and popular residents of Lexing- ton, La Fayette County, Mo. He was born in the heart of the Blue Grass Region of Kentucky, Jes- samine County having been his first home. Ile was born October 20. 1828, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Robb) Neet. Ilis first remembrance is of life on the home farm, a blissful remembrance to most natives of the aristocratic Blue Grass sec- tion. Mr. Neet's grandfather was John Neet, sup- posedly also a farmer.
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