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 73
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 73
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At this time Mr. Schwartz was made Principal of the Higginsville publie schools. In 1882 he entered the Bank of Higginsville as Assistant Cashier and continued there until August, 1884. At that time he purchased the Missouri Thalbote at Concordia, which he published for three years. In 1888 he returned to Iligginsville and resumed the study of law, but in July, 1889, he was appointed Postmaster of the city by President Harrison and immediately took charge of the office. Ile owns a one-half interest in the Higginsville Advance, a weekly Republican paper. llis residence is in North Higginsville.
At Concordia in 1888, Mr. Schwartz married Miss Charlotte Mueller, who was born in La Fay- ette County, and is a daughter of Adam Mueller, a prominent farmer. One child, Herbert, is the re- sult of this union. In political matters our subject is a true-blue Republican and has been very active
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in political affairs in the county. For the past seven or eight years he has been Secretary of the Republican County Committee, both in county and State Conventions. In 1888 he was Republican nominee for Representative from La Fayette County, and although he was not elected he ran considerably ahead of his ticket. le has also been nominated for other county offices. Since he be- came Postmaster the business of the office has in- creased to a large extent. He is one of the most accommodating officials in the county and is well liked by all who know him.
ENRY HADER is an old settler and a prominent agriculturist, living in town- ship 49, range 26, La Fayette County. Ile is a native of Prussia, and was born April 2, 1811, his parents being John G. and Wil- helmena llader, both natives of the Fatherland. The Hader family emigrated to the United States in 1855, taking passage at Bremen on a sailing- vessel, and after a tedious voyage, such as one usually had to endure on a sailing-vessel, landed in New York City and thence proceeded to La Fayette. Ind., later coming to this county. They first located south of Concordia and there lived for a number of years, and then moved to the farm which our subject now occupies, coming here in 1866. Both parents died in 1885. Of their children the following survive: JJohn, Frederick, Henry, Ernest, August; Wilhelmena, wife of Will- iam Ertmann; and Emma, wife of Henry Kulh- mann.
Our subject's father was a member of the Baptist Church, and he and his wife were both devoted workers in the same. Their decease was greatly mourned among the best people here. for both were esteemed for their sterling traits of character. They were very successful in their business affairs and brought up their children in comfort.
Our subject received a fair education while still a resident of his native land. Since coming to
America he has picked up a fair knowledge of English and a good practical knowledge of busi- ness methods. He has been a lifelong farmer. whose methods in his work are dominated by in- telligence and a broad study of the best systems employed by others.
llenry llader was married October 20, 1866. to Miss Caroline Breipohl, and by her he has become the father of the following children: Minnie, who is the wife of Lewis Johnson; Lewis, Martha, August, Bertha, Otto, Paulina. Theodore and Wal- ter. Mr. Hader is the owner of two hundred and lifty-seven acres of good land. He has placed upon it excellent improvements and has made of it a valuable tract. During the war he served about ten months in the Union army, being a member of the State Militia. In politics, he is a Republican, and is a member of the Baptist Church, in which he has served as Clerk. As a citizen our subject is highly esteemed, and his opinions are held in respect by his friends and neighbors.
J. SLUSIER, a large land-owner and a prosperous agriculturist, located upon sec- tion 22, township 51, range 26, Lexington Township, La Fayette County, Mo., is num- bered among the prominent and influential citizens of the State. Born March 5, 1829, in the same township and county where he now resides, he is thoroughly familiar with the history and detail of the growth and upward progress of his portion of the State, and always publie-spirited and energetic, has materially aided in the advancement of local improvements and valuable enterprise. Our sub- ject is the son of Christopher and Anne (Miles) Slusher, both of his parents being of German de- scent.
Christopher Slusher was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and when eleven years of age removed to Virginia, where he received his education and early training, settling in La Fayette County, Mo., Oc- tober 8, 1828, and, afterward dying in his new
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home, was deeply regretted by all who knew him. An upright and useful citizen, he always com- manded the respeet and esteem of old friends and new, and was ever a kind husband and father. His wife was a faithful companion and devoted mother, and was also a native of the Quaker State. Our subject passed his youthful years upon his father's farm, and busily worked in the fields during the spring and summer months, in winter attending the subscription schools of the neighborhood. The old homestead was blessed with the presence of eleven children, of whom A. J. was the youngest. Five of the brothers and sisters yet survive, and all are filling positions of respect and honor.
Mr. Slusher, at the age of twenty-three years, began to work for himself, and has made a life- long business of farming. Ile now owns twelve hundred and ten acres of valuable land, eight hun- dred and fifty of which are under a high state of cultivation, yielding an abundant harvest year by year. Our subject has profitably devoted much of his attention to handling and raising stock, and has been successful in his various ventures, adding to his real estate from time to time. Mr. Slusher was married to Miss Susan J. Woods in the month of December, 1851. Mrs. Slusher is the daughter of Archibald Woods, an old-time resident and na- tive of La Fayette County, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Slusher have been the parents of ten children, of whom seven are yet living, two sons and five daughters. Anna E. is the wife of John Jones, of Davis County, Mo. Lily JJane, the second daugh- ter, is the widow of Robert Mason; Martha mar- ried James Styvers, and resides in Saline County; Lee J. is a citizen of La Fayette County; John D. is still a member of the home circle; Nancy C. and Bertie are both residing in the home of their par- ents in La Fayette County.
Widely known and highly respected, Mr. and Mrs. Slusher and their family are prominently connected with local improvements, and actively engage in social, benevolent and religious enter- prises of their various homes and localities. political affiliations our subject was with the Dem- ocratie party for many years, but now from prin- ciple and conviction votes with the People's party. and believes that the day will come when the party
he now advocates will be the coming power in both State and national government. Never a politician in the common acceptation of the term, and never desirous to hold public positions of trust, our sub- ject, in common with all good citizens, realizes the importance of entrusting great responsibilities only in the hands of worthy and upright men, who shall so conduct affairs of state that we may ever be assured of peaceful, prosperous and constantly advancing national existence.
6 RAVIS BUFORD, of the firm of Buford & Dysart, proprietors of the Mammoth Liv- ery Stable of Lexington, is a native of La Fayette County, and was born October 1, 1817. He is a son of Manvil T. and Elizabeth (Shelby) Buford. The aneestry on both sides of the house were Englishmen, who first settled in Virginia. Our subject's grandfather, Simeon Buford, was the first native Kentuckian in the family. His son, who is also our subject's father, came from Woodford County, Ky., and located in La Fayette County among the first settlers in this locality.
The original of this sketch spent his boyhood days on the farm in La Fayette County, and there attended the district school up to the age of eigh- teen. Hle contributed his quota to the develop- ment of the farm and remained with his father until twenty years of age, when he began farming on his own account, also raising stock quite extensively.
Our subjeet was employed as above stated until 1880, when he came to Lexington and engaged in the grocery business for three years. He then sold out his business and returned to the farm, upon which he lived until March, 1891, when he again returned to Lexington and launched into the busi- ness which he now conducts. The firm does a general livery business, also furnishes teams, haeks and hearses for funerals. Their barn is a roomy building, 50x140 feet in dimensions, and in it they keep forty head of horses.
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In polities, our subject is a stanch Democrat. lle is a member of Dover Lodge No. 122, A. F. & A. M. He is also a member of the Royal Arch Chapter, and a member of Orion Lodge No. 45. 1. O. O. F. In the winter of 1867, Mr. Buford was married to Miss Alice Shelby. daughter of Thomas Shelby, of this county. They had one son, William B .. now a resident of Richmond, Ray County, this State. In 1871 Mrs. Alice Buford died, and two years later Mr. Buford married his present wife, who was a Miss Mattie E. Gordon, of this city. They are the parents of two sons. Linn B., who is a student of Wentworth Academy in this city, and Manvil T., an interesting and mis- chievous school boy as yet. The family residence is a pleasant place, located on Franklin Avenue.
B D. RAGLAND, M. D., has been engaged in active practice for forty-four years and. as he says, "expects to die in the harness." lle was born in llanover County, Va., No- vember 3, 1826, and is a son of Evan O. Ragland, who was also born in that county, August 17, 1799. Our subject's grandfather, Evan Ragland, was a native of South Wales, and the latter's wife, who was before her marriage Judith Turner, was born in Scotland. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Calvary Hope, was a daughter of Benjamin B. Hope, a native of Wales, while her mother was born in England.
Evan O. Ragland participated in the War of 1812, and was with Gen. Jackson at New Orleans. He was married in Virginia and emigrated to Tennessee in 1835, settling on a farm in Wilson County, where he resided until his death in 1850. llis wife survived him several years, departing this life in 1865. To this worthy couple was born a family of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters. Three sons and a daughter are now living, and during the Civil War four sons were in the service. Luther was killed at the battle of Franklin, and Evan O., Jr., met his death in the
battle of Lookout Mountain. The parents were faithful members of the Christian Church. in which the father held the office of Elder. He was aet- ively interested in politics, being a Jeffersonian and Jackson Democrat of the deepest dye.
Dr. Ragland, whose name heads this sketch, is the eldest child of his father's family, and removed from his native State to Tennessee at the age of eleven years. He received superior educational advantages. his primary schooling being that of the district. He afterward attended Irving College near MeMinnville, Warren County, Tenn. In the winter of 1846 and 1847 he took a course of lec- tures at the Louisville Medical College, from which institution he graduated in the spring of 1848, and at once began practice at Gallatin, Sumner County, Tenn. In 1852 he landed in Missouri, coming at onee to La Fayette County, where he located six miles southwest of Wellington, and from there. in November, 1860, removed to this place, having made this city his home up to the present time. He is the oldest doctor and has a more extensive practice than any member of his profession in this portion of the county.
In 1817 the Doctor was married to Miss Laura Ann Buler, who was born in Jefferson County, Ky., November 9, 1829, and was the daughter of Charles D. Buler. To the Doctor and his wife nine children were born, only two of whom are now living, Charles Dryden and John Edwin. The mother of these children was called to her final abode in April, 1869. In 1872 Dr. Ragland married Miss White Embree, a native of Cooper County, Mo., and daughter of George W. Embree. Mrs. Ragland was born in May, 1853. and is the mother of one daughter. Georgie Hope. Our subject has given his children good educations, his son, Charles D., being at present County School Commissioner, and said to be the most efficient one this county has ever had, and John Edwin was educated at the Warrensburgh State Normal School.
On the breaking out of the Civil War our subject was Assistant Surgeon in Joe Shelby's regiment and after the battle of Carthage remained with the wounded till the battle of Wilson Creek. He then proceeded with the army to Lexington and was
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Assistant Hospital Surgeon at that point. He con- tinued with his regiment until after the battle of .Jackson and bore the rank of Major. He has al- ways been much interested in politics, having been a Democrat since attaming his majority and hav- ing served as delegate to many conventions, county, State and congressional. lle has made many public speeches and is an orator of no small ability. Ile is President of the Cleveland Stone Democratie Club of Wellington, and also Vice- president of the Ratification Club at Lexington.
LVIN KENSLER, a representative and ex- tensive agriculturist and energetic and successful business man, now residing upon a highly improved farm of five hundred and thirty-five acres located on section 27, town- ship 51, range 26, Lexington Township, La Fayette County, Mo., is numbered among the progressive and enterprising citizens of the State. Our sub- jeet was born in Knox County, Ind., November 30, 1840, and is the son of David and Anna (King) Kensler, both natives of Virginia and born in Wythe County. Alvin passed the first eleven years of his life in his birthplace and then removed with the family to Lawrence County, IH., making his home in the latter State, where he remained until twenty-five years of age.
The boyhood days of our subjeet were spent upon his father's farm and in attending the district school of the neighborhood. In the year 1870, Mr. Kensler went to Montana for change of elimate, and having materially improved in health, at the expiration of one year located in La Fayette County, Mo., which had immediately previous to his departure been his home. July 22, 1871, he began work in a sawmill conducted by W. Il. Robnett and remained in this employ- ment four years. Our subject next devoted his time to buying grain for L. W. Womwag, of Berlin, La Fayette County, one of the largest shippers in that portion of the State. At the expiration of
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four years as a grain buyer, Mr. Kensler, in the fall of 1878, took a contract for all the timber within ten miles of the Chicago & Alton Railroad. Our subject also engaged in the grocery business, and for a time kept a saloon at Higginsville, La Fay- ette County. In the fall of 1881, he removed to Odessa, where he then had an interest in a saloon. In June, 1883, he engaged in a partnership with Grove Young in the dry-goods business in Odessa for one year.
In 1884, Mr. Kensler entered into business rela- tions with James Petticord, which continued for some time, and in 1886 engaged in the milling busi- ness, which he profitably conducted the succeeding four years. Among the interesting events in the life of our subject occurring prior to this period was his purchase of a lottery ticket January 9, 1882, which subsequently drew from the Lonisiana Lot- tery the magnificent sum of 875,000. In 1891. Mr. Kensler removed to his present home and has been devoting himself since to the improvement and culture of his valuable and extensive farm, one of the best located and most productive in the vieinity. The pleasant and commodious home was shared by his estimable wife and one son. The wife died July 12, 1885. Our subject was married January 22, 1884, to Miss Belle Jane, a daughter of Thomas Slusher, one of the early residents and most highly respected citizens of La Fayette County. Mrs. Kensler was reared and educated near her present home and has a wide acquaint- ance and many earnest friends. The young son, Thomas Earl, was born October 6. 1884, and is now a bright and promising lad of eight years.
Although Mr. Kensler is mostly engaged in the pursuit of general agriculture, some very fine stock can be found upon his large and linely conducted farm, which in every part shows excellent and thrifty management. Onr subject affiliates with the Masons and is a member of Odessa Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and is widely known among the order. In political association he is a Democrat, having always been connected with the party, and although never aspiring to political distinction is interested in the national and local issues of the day. Always a law-abiding, industrious and able citizen, Mr. Kensler is ever ready to assist in enter-
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prises benevolent, social or business of bis imme- diate neighborhood and vicinity. and is an im- portant factor in local progress and improvement.
P. MILNOR, a prominent business man and dealer in lumber, building materials, lime, cement, blinds, and various minor articles used for constructive purposes, has been a resident of Waverly for nearly twenty years and is now one of the most popular "City Fathers" of this enterprising town. Since the location of our subject in La Fayette County he has been prosper- ously connected with many of the leading inter- ests of Missouri, and is widely known as an ener- getic and progressive citizen. The place of his nativity was Washington County. Va., where he was born in 18448. His father, W. P. Milnor, was born in Pennsylvania and received his early edu- eation in the staid old Quaker State. llis wife was Miss Laura A. White, a daughter of Joseph White, of Virginia. The paternal grandfather, John P. Milnor, was a native of New York, an excellent man and worthy citizen.
The Milnors were of Scotch-Irish descent, and combining the characteristics of both nationalities have ever been among the law-abiding and highly esteemed citizens of this great Republic. Mr. Mil- nor spent the days of his boyhood in the Old Dominion and received his primary education in the subscription schools of Washington County. After leaving school he fitted himself for business, and in 1867 accepted a position as foreman of a corps of hands engaged in the construction of bridges in Virginia. Possessing indomitable en- ergy, ability and determination to succeed in all work in which he might engage, our subjeet re- tained this position four years.
In 1874, Mr. Milnor came to Missouri and finally settling in Waverly, operated a sawmill, continuing in this business for eight years. Our subject then entered into the business of con-
traeting, and prospering in this line of work added to liis other interests in the year 1890 by open- ing an extensive lumber-yard. llis trade, large from the first, is rapidly increasing, and as he car- ries an immense stock he is able to fill all orders without loss of time, a fact highly appreciated by his many customers. Mr. Milnor has a commodi- ous and attractive home in the eity, and has been twice married. The first wife of our subject was Miss Susan M. Fulcher, to whom he was united in marriage in 1874. Mrs. Susan M. (Fulcher) Mil- nor was the daughter of William Fulcher, a native of Kentucky.
Mr. Milnor was united to his present wife in 1883. This estimable lady was Miss Virginia. a daughter of William R. White, a well-known resi- dent of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Milnor are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and are among the active aids in the vari- ous benevolent and social enterprises of that re- ligious denomination. Mr. Milnor is a member of Waverly Lodge No. 61, A. F. & A. M., and is also connected with Middleton Lodge, A. O. U. W. Our subject has been prominently associated with the Democratic party, and, possessing the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, was elected Alderman from the Second Ward, and discharges the various duties of his official position with etli- ciency, distinguishing himself in behalf of local improvement and reform. Progressive in his ideas and business methods, our subject is prompt in action, publie-spirited and reliable and justly deserves the sincere regard awarded him by a host of friends and acquaintances.
E LIJAH TRUE, an honored and prominent citizen, familiarly known throughout the State of Missouri as Maj. True, has been a resident of Marshall, Saline County, for many years, and numbers his true and earnest friends by the score. In early days our subjeet was a success- ful agriculturist, and through excellent manage-
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ment acquired a competence, and now retired from active business duties enjoys the pleasing con- sciousness of a well-spent life. Maj. True was born in Fayette County, Ky., near Chilesburgh, January 17, 1827. llis paternal grandfather was a native of Virginia, and a prosperous farmer in the Old Dominion. Ile was of English descent, and early removed to La Fayette County, Mo., and died there.
Grandfather James True was the father of a large family, one of whom, the father of our subject, William, was born in Albemarle County, Va. Ile was reared in Kentucky, and served in the War of 1812, and was wounded in the arm while defend- ing himself from the attack of an Indian. Ile was a strong Whig in polities, and followed the pur- suit of farming up to the time of his death, in 1835. His wife, Ellen White, was born in Fayette County, Ky., and was a daughter, of John White, a farmer of Kentucky, but a native of Virginia. lle passed away in Kentucky, and his wife died in 1856. The parents of Maj. True were the father and mother of five children, of whom but two sur- vive.
Our subject is the third child of the family, and was reared on the homestead, and attended private and boarding schools for several years. In 1845 Maj. True first came to Missouri to invest, and traveled throughout the State, and this time made the trip from Kentucky by water. Ile then re- turned home and remained there until 1851, when he again journeyed to Missouri and spent one year in this State, trading in large bodies of land. Among the property he then owned was some in the vicinity of Slater, but there was no evidence of the future town then. In 1852, in company with a partner from Marshall, he took a drove of cattle and mules to California. Twenty or thirty men were in the party, and they journeyed slowly to Laramie, Salt Lake City and South Pass to Marysville, and were three months on the way.
Maj. True did not at once dispose of his cattle and mules, but kept them about seven months, and then sold out, and returned by the way of Santa Fe and Panama and New Orleans to Missouri, and thence back to Kentucky. Our subject now remained some time in Kentucky with his
mother, and farmed there in the Blue Grass Re- gion. In 1862 he entered the Confederate service under the command of John Morgan, Eighth Ken- tucky Cavalry, acting as Sergeant-Major for a time, and was in a number of raids. lle was taken sick and on the advance at Owensville was made prisoner and paroled and sent to John- son Island. He remained there several months, being on the sick list, then went to Virginia, and soon rejomed the men, who were reorgan- ized under Gen. Morgan. There were some of the Eighth Cavalry in the command, and our subject was soon in the thick of the battle again, and was on the field at Greenfield when Morgan, mortally wounded, breathed his last. In one day alone Maj. True was engaged three times in battle and was wounded at Bull's Gap. Ile was shot in the head, badly hurt in the right arm, and lacerated in the muscles, and was now obliged to remain in the hospital for some time.
Soon after this the Confederate army surren- dered and our subject was paroled and sent home, arriving in 1865. Ilis mother had died in the meantime, and Maj. True now had nothing to keep him in Kentucky, and soon found his way to Missouri and located near Slater, on a farm he owned there. At the close of three years, he rented his farm and came to Marshall, and since then has bought several different places. Ilis farm contains about five hundred acres, and is situated close to the river, near Old Cambridge. It is highly improved and has excellent and com- modious buildings upon it. The Major rents the farm on shares and stocks it himself. His revi- dence on Odell Avenue is one of the most attrac- tive in Marshall. Our subject was married in Saline County, near Slater, on December 20, 1867, to Miss Fannie D. Richardson, born in Saline County, and a daughter of R. D. Richardson, a native of Virginia, and an early settler and farmer in Missouri. Maj. True and his accom- plished and highly esteemed wife have one child, a daughter, Mary J.
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