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 62
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 62
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ciated, having been one of its most valued mem- bers. Liberal in their various beliefs, Mr, and Mrs. Lankford are ever ready to assist in the en- terprises of either organization. In political atlil- iation our subjeet is a strong Democrat, and takes an active interest in the issues of the day. lle is an ardent advocate of educational advance- ment, and as a member and Director of the School Board is an efficient and able worker, and during his term of office will prove an invaluable pro- moter in the upward progress of the already ex -. cellent public schools of La Fayette County.
H
RCHIBALD A. JONES, President of Cen- tral College, at Lexington, Mo., was born in Tuscaloosa. Ala., September 22, 1860. llis parents were John A. and Mary V. (Scott) Jones, the former a native of North Caro- lina, but reared in Alabama, and the mother a na- tive of the latter State. Our subject was reared in an intellectual atmosphere, his father having been an educator for a number of years, teaching in the State of Alabama, and later becoming Professor of Latin and Greek in the State University. In 1889 he came to Lexington, Mo., and accepted a posi- tion in Central College, which he still holds.
Our subject passed his youth in his native State and at an early age became a pupil in the private schools of his town. The knowledge then acquired was sufficiently extensive to enable him to enter Webb's School at Culleoka, Tenn., and afterward he became a student in the University of Ala- bama, from which institution he was graduated in 1882. As soon as practicable after graduation, he hastened to put his store of knowledge to the test, first in New Jersey, where he remained for a space of three years. At that time the Dalton Female College called the distinguished father of our sub- ject to become its President, and Prof. A. A. JJones accompanied him as Assistant, which position he acceptably filled for several years.
In 1889 the Trustees of Central College looked about them for a progressive and energetic young man to become the presiding officer of their insti- tution. Choice fell upon the subject of the present sketch: accepting the offer, he became President of the college in the same year. Since then, this place of learning has made rapid strides upward, and the active young President has made numer- ous advantageous changes. The buildings are now arranged to accommodate one hundred and fifty boarders, and a late registration discloses the gratifying fact that the list of pupils includes students from fourteen States.
The corps of teachers and special professors is a fine one, President Jones having determined to surround himself with an able faculty. The musi- cal department is under the direction of Prof. A. O. Bauer, who is one of the most gifted pianists in America, and the art department as well as all others is filled with the best available talent. The pupils from this college are graduated from both classical and scientific courses, In 1888 President Jones was united in marriage with Miss Kate Har- ben, of Dalton, Ga., a daughter of Nathan Harben, of that city. The President and his wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and are important factors in Lexington society. His scholarly attainments and broad knowledge entitle him to a position among the foremost educators of the State. and future years will un- doubtedly add fresh lamels to the distinguished name he bears,
RED II. BARTMAN, one of the popular and well-liked merchants of Concordia, Mo., is a member of the firm of Bartman Bros., dealers in general merchandise in that city. Cord Bartman, the father of the subject of this no- tice, was born in Prussia, and came to America in 1844, but his wife, Sophia ( Blotevogel) Bartman, did not come with the children until 1857; but the father, who had so faithfully worked as a
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laborer in St. Louis, lived only six months to en- joy their companionship. Mrs. Bartman came to America on a sailing ship, and was nine long and weary weeks on the way. The family resided in St. Louis, and there our subject went to both Ger- man and English schools, and as soon as he was of sufficient age learned the trade of a stove-molder, and then elerked for three years in that city.
In March, 1870. Mr. Bartman opened a store in Concordia, and in 1874 built his present two- story brick building, 42x70 feet, and a double store. Ilis stock consists of dry goods, clothing, hats. caps, groceries, queensware and notions, and he carries $15,000 worth of goods, and does a large and profitable trade, there being but one other merchant who has been longer in the place. October 17, 1871, our subject became the husband of Miss Anna Meinecke, who was born in St. Louis, and eight children have been born into the family, as follows: William. Rosa, Fred, Alvin, Theodore, Nora, Laura and Edgar. Our subject and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.
Mr. Bartman has seen life under many phases. In 1863 he enlisted in the Missouri Enrolled Mili- tia, and did guard duty on railroads and bridges in Missouri until he was mustered out in 1865. In polities, he is a Republican, and his efforts for his party have been appreciated by the people of his city, as is shown by their having elected him to the honorable position of City Alderman, and a member of the School Board, as well as Treasurer of the town. Ever since his settlement in the place in 1870, his influence has been directed in favor of those enterprises which have seemed to promise most for the prosperons town in which he has made his home. Ile is an active and valued member of the Grand Army Post of Concordia. Although he did not incur as much hardship in the service as did some of his comrades, yet his work was just as valuable and necessary, and often qinte as dangerous as if it had been in the front line of battle.
Mr. Bartman has seen almost the entire growth of the town since he located here. This growth has been almost phenomenal, and the name of the town suits it well, for while there are no doubt op- posing opinions, still upon the whole there are
few places of its size which contain so much kind- ness and good feeling. Mr. Bartman came here with very little means, but he adopted the rule of paying cash for everything, therefore he had no debts, no interest to pay, and has built up a fine business and is a very popular and prosperous man. Mr. Bartman is a stockholder in the C'on- cordia Savings Bank.
W ILLIAM AULL, a prominent citizen of Lexington, holding the position of Prose- cuting Attorney of La Fayette County, Mo., is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Ault was born in this place, August 17, 1857, a son of John and Mary ( Mateer ) Aull, now of this city. Mr. Aull, Sr., was born in Ireland, but came in early life to this country, and finally located in La Fayette County, Mo., where he became a prominent merchant and a very successful business man. For many years he was connected with railroad corporations in the transportation line, and later was engaged in banking in Lexington, accumulating a handsome property. Mr. and Mrs. Aull, Sr., were the parents of nine children, of whom our subject is the sec- ond son and third child.
William Aull passed his boyhood and early youth in La Fayette County, where he attended the public and private schools, evineing before his majority a desire to study the intricacies of the law, and spend his succeeding years in unraveling the knotty points of Coke and Blackstone; so in 1880 he entered the University of Virginia, where he attended the regular and several special courses in law, and in 188t the school of history, literature and rhetoric, and the German language and litera- ture, graduating from that institution in 1882, in the law department. Returning to Lexington, our subjeet opened a law office, and soon after formed a partnership with a Mr. Graves, under the firm name of Graves & Anll, which continued until June, 1891.
Politically, Mr. Aull has become prominent in
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the county, having been a member of the Demo- cratic Congressional Committee from 1888 to 1892. In 1890 he was elected Prosecuting Attor- ney for La Fayette County for the term of two years, and received the nomination, and was elected for the succeeding two years. In 1885, Mr. Aull married Miss Annie Q .. daughter of Col. George A. and Margaret (Chandler) Goodman, of Gordonsville, Va. Mr. Aull and his excellent wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and the former is a member of the Board of Trustees of. the Elizabeth Aull Seminary. Mr. Aull has been a very successful man in his practice, is considered a rising man in the city, and possesses the esteem of his fellow-citizens.
HARLES S. MITCHELL. Few men are busier than is the well-known gentleman who bears the above name. Beside exten- sive individual interests pertaining to his farm and stock-raising business, he is ex-Sheriff of La Fay- ette County. Mr. Mitchell was born in Mason County, Ky., November 19, 1833, a son of Charles 1J. and Elizabeth (Fowhe) Mitchell. He is the fourth in order of birth in their family of thirteen children.
Our subject's grandfather, Ignatius Mitehell, was a hero of the Revolutionary War, and his father was a Colonel in the War of 1812. Charles Mitch- ell remained in his native State and county until his twenty-third year. He attended an excellent private school and had exceptional advantages. His father was a farmer, which means in Kentucky that he belonged to the aristocracy of the land.
In 1856, Mr. Mitchell came by water to Cald- well County, this State. Ile remained there for two years, and in 1858 removed to Ray County, where he was successfully engaged in farming. In 1862, he again moved, and settled on a farm in Clay Township, La Fayette County. He remained there until 1888, and then removed to the city of
Lexington, being at the same time elected County Sheriff for a term of two years. At the expiration of that time he was re-elected and served two years morc.
In politics, our subject is a pronounced Demo- crat. Ile is a member of Wellington Lodge No. 81, 1. O. O. F. March 10, 1857, Mr. Mitchell mar- ried Miss Frances, a daughter of William Norris, of Mason County, Ky. By her he became the fa- ther of four children, there being two boys and two girls. Of these, Joseph N. lives in Clay Township, La Fayette County; Charles W. is at Napoleon, La Fayette County; and Nannie F. is the wife of Crosby Goodloe, of Lexington Township. Mrs. Frances Mitchell died in March, 1866.
The present Mrs. Mitchell was before her mar- riage Miss Martha P. Benton, and her union with our subject was solemnized September 15, 1868. She is a daughter of William Benton, a na- tive of Kentucky, who is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-five years. By this second mar- riage Mr. Mitchell has been the father of eleven children, nine of whom are living, there being six sons and three daughters. Of these Richard W. lives in Clay Township, while David R., Elizabeth D .. Laura A., Harry W., Lloyd B., Virgil, Cathleen M. and Charles are all still at home.
Mr. Mitchell is the owner of a fine farm, com- prising two hundred acres, which is located in Clay Township. La Fayette County. It is well im- proved and upon it our subject has quite a large amount of fine stock.
AVID C. REED, a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser, and a lifetime resident of La Fayette County, Mo., is one of the most enterprising and progressive citizens of his locality, and justly commands the high regard of a large eirele of friends and acquaintances. Our subject was born January 6, 1855, in Sniabar Township, near Odessa. His parents, David M. and Eliza (Summers) Reed, were long known and
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highly esteemed settlers of Missouri. The paternal grandfather, Charles Reed, engaged in the duties of agriculture, and was also a minister of the Gospel and a leader in the " hard-shell " Baptist Church. He was an energetie and progressive man, and came to Missouri in 1833 and entered land in the southeastern part of Sniabar, which he improved. Ile is remembered as an industrious and earnest pioneer of the early days, and passed away many years ago.
The father of our subject was born in Grainger County, Tenn., in 1816, and came to Missouri in 1839. He first settled in Jackson County, then moved to Cass County, and in 1843 to this county, where he settled on one hundred and sixty acres and improved them. He was prosperous in his farm- ing. and added to his possessions until at the time of his death, in May, 1888, he owned over two hundred acres, and had given to varions mem- bers of his family another two hundred aeres. In common with many of the residents of Missouri, he lost heavily during the Civil War. In political affiliations, Father Reed was a strong Republican and an earnest advocate of the party. He was twice married, and became by his first umon the father of seven children, six of whom lived to adult age. The sisters and brothers were: Ari V., James I., who died in infancy; Mary M., Cornelius II., Sydney E., David C. and Caleb S. The mo- ther of our subjeet died in 1858. She was a most excellent woman and a devout member of the Christian Church. She was born in La Fayette County, and was the daughter of Caleb and Mary (Whitsitt) Summers. The second wife was Cynthia Turner, nee Meador.
David C. Reed was brought up on a farm, and was edneated in the district school of the neigh- borhood. At twenty-five years of age he began life for himself on rented land, and in 1879 set- tled on one hundred and twenty aeres near Mt. Ilope, with his wife, who now owns three hundred acres in the same body of land. In the fall of 1888, Mr. Reed loeated upon one hundred and fifty acres in section 7, township 48, range 27, this last property now yielding an abundant harvest in return for his patient and intelligent cultiva- tion. The wife of our subject was Harriet Lee
Gann, born near Mt. Hope in 1863, a daughter of Oliver and Susannah (Green) Gann, who were early pioneers, having come from the State of Tennessee in 1834.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Reed has been blessed by the birth of three children, Eliza M., David C. and Opie Lee. Mrs. Reed has been a valued member of the Christian Church for the past ten years, and is among the workers of that religious organization. Mr. Reed is politically an earnest Republiean, and ever aiding in all good work, is an advocate of local progress and improvement, and is esteemed by all his friends and neighbors as an honest, liberal-minded and progressive citizen.
Le ARKIN NORFLEET, a prominent agri- culturist and stock-raiser of La Fayette County, owns a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres of cultivated land. The place, which under his eare has been brought to a high state of improvement, is pleasantly located on section 20, township 49, range 26. It contains a substantial set of farm buildings and is embel- lished by the numerous convenienees which so largely increase the value of farming property.
The parents of our subject were James and Elizabeth Norfleet, natives of Virginia, who re- moved to Kentucky at an early day. In Wayne County, in the latter State, our subjeet was born September 30, 1815. His youth was spent in his native State, and he grew to manhood upon his father's farm, meanwhile attending the subscrip- tion schools of the period. When old enough to be entrusted with the management of business, he engaged in stock-raising, and, with his brother Ivy, he carried on an extensive and profitable business for many years. As there were no rail- roads at that time, the two brothers would drive their stock overland to Montgomery, Ala., a dis- tance of five hundred miles, and this was con- tinued for a period covering twelve years.
One of the wisest steps which Mr. Norfleet ever
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took was his marriage, in 1839, with Miss Frances, the estimable daughter of Thomas and Frances Gann. natives of North Carolina, who had settled in Kentucky at an early day. The maternal grandfather Richardson was a well-known man in his own State, and was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War. His wife lived to the advanced age of one hundred and fifteen years. Mrs. Nor- fleet was born in Wayne County. Ky., October 21, 1818, and was reared in her native State. From this happy union Mr. and Mrs. Norfleet hecame the parents of ten children, many of whom have gone out into the world and made respected names for themselves.
The family of our subject and his good wife was as follows: Elizabeth E., the widow of F. M. Wheat- Icy, and now residing with our subject; Julia A., the wife of J. M. Bell, a resident of Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory; Rosa, the wife of the Rev. La Fayette Blevins, of the Methodist Epis- copal Church South; in Couneil Grove, Kan .; James, residing in Independence, Mo .; Frances J., deceased; Rev. Levin P., Pastor of the Brook- lyn Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church South, at Kansas City; Verlinda B .. the wife of the Rev. L. M. Phillips, Pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. at Gum City, Mo .; Thomas I., re- siding upon his father's farm; Dr. Abram L., of Kearney. Mo .; and Leona, the wife of Walter White, residing in Kansas. James was a soldier in the Confederate army with Gen. Price during the entire war, and fought in many battles, at one time receiving a very serious wound.
In 1852, with his family, our subject removed into Miller County, Mo .. and there accumulated a very comfortable fortune, but the war caused him to have great losses. About the close of the war he removed into Johnson County, and in 1869 came to good old La Fayette, where he has made his home ever since. Ilis farm is a splendid piece of ground, and in acquiring it Mr. Norlleet had the adviec and counsel of the good woman who for over half a century has been Ins helpmate. They are both devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in which connection our subject has been a licensed exhorter for years, and has served as Class-leader. The Prohibition-
ist party seems to him to be the one which prom- ises the best Government for the country, and with this party he casts his vote. Both he and his wife have passed long lives filled with good deeds and kindly acts, and together they are con- tentedly waiting the Master's call.
ASCHIAAL II. CHAMBERS, M. D., a sue- cessful physician and skillful surgeon, en joying an extended practice in Lexington, La Fayette County, is also widely known throughout Missouri. Dr. Chambers is a native of Kentucky, and was born in the city of Louis- ville, February 6, 1824. Ilis father, Gen. George W. Chambers, also a native Kentuckian, was a prominent lawyer of the State, and a man of un- usual ability and extended legal knowledge. The paternal grandfather of our subjeet, Dr. James Chambers, was born in Ireland and enjoyed the benefit of an excellent education, and afterward became an eminent physician, practicing for many years in Bardstown, Ky.
The mother of our subject was Sarah Hickman, a daughter of Paschal Hickman, of Revolutionary renown, a brave and daring man, who was killed at the battle of River Raisin. Dr. Paschal 11. Chambers spent the greater part of his youthful days in Louisville, Ky., and there attended a pri- vate school conducted under military discipline, and, having completed his preparatory studies. entered llanover (Ind.) College, and from there went to Miami University, of Oxford, Ohio, from which institution of learning he was graduated with honor in 1815. During the same year our subjeet came to La Fayette County, Mo., and taught school, at the same time pursuing his medical studies with Dr. Alexander. He afterward at- tended the lectures of the medical department of the University of Louisville, Ky., graduating in the spring of 1850 with the degree of M. D. He then located in Camden, Mo., but soon afterward made his home for a brief time in Lexington,
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finally settling in Waverly, where he successfully engaged in practice for two years, and was num- bered among the leading physicians of that city.
Dr. Chambers was offered inducements to re- move to Dover, La Fayette County, and after dne consideration located there, and, warmly wel- comed by the citizens, entered at once upon a lucrative practice, in which he continued for seventeen years. At the expiration of this time, our subject sundered the many ties of friendship which bound him to Dover, and removed to Lex- ington, where he entered into partnership with Dr. A. V. Small, now of Sedalia, Mo. Later, Small & Chambers took into partnership Drs. . J. B. Alexander and G. W. Young, which partner- ship continued several years, and was only dis- solved by the departure of Dr. Small, who went to Trinidad, Colo. Since this dissolution of part- nership, which was by mutual consent, Dr. Cham- bers has been alone, with the exception of the brief time when he was associated with Dr. P. S. Fulkerson.
Dr. Chambers has been one of the corps of sur- geons of the Missouri Pacific Railroad for the past ten years. lle is also a member of the United States Bureau of Pensions and one of the Surgeons of Lexington District. Our subject held the po- sition of President of the Kansas City District Medical Society from September, 1890, to Septem- ber, 1892. The Doctor has been thrice married, his first wife having been Miss Margaret, a daugh- ter of Ilenry Wallace. This estimable lady died much regretted, and left to the care of her hus- band four children, three of whom are now living: Paschal H. is a leading dentist of Denver, Colo .; Caleb W., Pastor of a Presbyterian Church at Troup, Tex .; and Kent Kane, a commercial trav- eler for the firm of Zeigler Bros., dealers in boots and shoes at Philadelphia. The eldest. George W. Chambers, is deceased. The second union of our subject was with Miss Antoinette Shewalter, who survived her marriage but a few months.
The present wife of Dr. Chambers was Miss Au- gusta Stokes, of Dunklin County, Mo. Dr. and Mrs. Chambers are the parents of three children: Sara Il., a missionary, now in Brazil; Lucretia Childs, at home; and James Q., Professor of Matli-
ematics in Wentworth Military Academy. Dr. Chambers and his wife are members of the Old- school Presbyterian Church, in which religious organization the Doctor has been an Elder for many years, ably assisting in the influence and ex- tension of its good work. In political belief and affiliations our subject is a Democrat and ever in- terested in the local and national issues.
Though absorbed mainly in his professional duties, to which he has prosperously devoted his life, Dr. Chambers has also found time to aid in local enterprises of merit, and is an ardent advo- cate of local progress and improvement. Rank- ing among the leading physicians of to-day. he is ever mindful of the duties of a true American citizen, and by his sterling integrity of character has won the esteem and confidence of the general public. He has been an active Mason for many years, having at different times held all the im- portant offices in the lodge, chapter and com- mandery, and is now Secretary of the lodge and chapter, and Recorder of the commandery.
ENRY B. CORSE is a man who has the confidence of the entire community be- cause of his probity and upright dealing, and is President of the Wellington Bank, of Wellington, Mo. He is a son of William Corse, a native of Delaware, born December 24, 1809, a son of Ilanson Corse, also a native of Delaware and a brother of Capt. Jack Corse, of Revolution- ary War fame. The great-grandfather of our sub- ject was Seth Corse, a native of France, who set- tled in Delaware.
The mother of our subject was Cornelia ( Black- iston) Corse, a native of Delaware, born August 20. 1810. She married in Delaware in 1833, and in 1836 came to Missouri, resided in St. Louis seven years, and in 1843 removed to Wellington. ller husband was a printer by trade, but after reaching this place engaged in mercantile pursuits,
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and built up a good trade and remained in the business until his death, forty years afterward, September 19, 1887. The widow still lives, aged eighty-three, in good health and with faculties unimpaired. They were the parents of five chil- dren, our subject being the only survivor. These parents were members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church South, both being very active in it, and the husband holding the office of Steward. He was a finely educated man, a clever historian, and an admiring student of Shakespeare and' Macaulay. Ile enjoyed the distinction of being Assistant Clerk in the Legislature of Delaware when but nineteen years of age.
Our subject was born December 8, 18.13, at Well- ington, soon after the arrival of his parents at that place. Here lie attended the public schools, but completed his education at St. Louis. His career opened as a merchant, and he was associ- ated with his father for twenty-seven years. The Bank of Wellington. which he aided in organiz- ing in September, 1888, has had him for its Presi- dent since that date. The bank has a capital of $10,000, and does a general banking business under the laws of Missouri. Our subjeet was married in June, 1868, to Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of Thomas W. Ridings, who was the founder of Chapel Hill, this county. She was born Decem- ber 19, 1817, at Chapel Ilill, went to school there, and finished her education at Elizabeth Aull Semi- nary, at Lexington.
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