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 79
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 79
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C OL. WILLIAM BROWN was for many years an honored settler of Saline County, Mo., living on his farm, situated on section 30, township 52, range 26. His career in life was marked by honorable conduct, and his genial warm-hearted way made him friends of one and all. Ilis birth occurred February 5, 1828, at Elk Hill, Fayette County, Ky., his father, Samuel S. Brown, being a prominent lawyer and honored
citizen of that State. His mother before her mar- riage was Miss Anna Harrison, daughter of Robert C. Ilarrison, who was one of the Revolutionary heroes.
The education of our subject was obtained in the public schools near the place of his birth, and at the age of sixteen years he commenced studying sur- veying with Capt. Liotz. The article which was written by Col. Fremont at that time fired his en- .thusiasm, and in 1816 he joined the company of Col. W. Russell at Independence, Mo. In this company were Capt. A. J. Cobbs, of Louisville, Bryant, the author of "What I saw in California," Messrs. Nothall and Brookley, of Kentucky, Currey and Hoblin, of St. Louis, McClary, of New Orleans, and Capt. Wells, formerly of the army. They traveled by way of the Southern end of the great Salt Lake, arriving at their destination on the 1st of September. The exposure and hardship inci- dent to such a trip overland brought on a severe fit of sickness and our subjeet was advised to re- enperate his health in the Sandwich Islands. He went on the steamship ",James" with Capt. Givens, who was very kind to him and took him to his home in Honolulu, where he remained until fully restored to his usual robust health. For two months after his recovery he visited the different points of interest on the islands, which contain many picturesque and rare sights.
In February, 1847, Mr. Brown returned to the United States, only to find the country in a turbu- lent condition, and immediately on his arrival he was appointed Second Lieutenant of Company A, California Battalion, of which Capt. Owens was in command. Mr. Brown was detailed with six men as escort to Col. W. H. Russell, who was sent with a dispatch to Washington, and for thirty-five days this little band of men lived upon the meat of the broken-down mules. They arrived safely in Washington in October, 1847. where Mr. Brown was promoted to the rank of Colonel. While in Wash- ington he improved every opportunity of storing his mind with useful knowledge, and returned to his native State in February, 1848, being again ready to start to the Golden State in the following month. Nine young men were his companions on this trip, which was made on pack mules. This
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made his third trip across the plains before he was twenty-one years of age. Upon arriving in Cali- fornia he took up a claim and was associated in mining and farming with two young men from Lexington, Ky. Mr. Brown was afterward elected Surveyor, in which capacity he served for two years.
In February, 1852, the Colonel came to Missouri, as his mother and brother had settled upon a farm here. In the spring of the following year, in com- pany with his mother, he returned to Kentucky on a visit, where they spent the summer. In February, 1853, our subject was married to Miss Leora V., daughter of Robert .J. Thompson, of Saline County, this State. The latter was a large farmer and took great interest in the development of his extensive farm and the raising of fine stock. In the fall of 1856 Mr. Brown purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land near Leaven worth, Kan., which he highly improved and cultivated until 1860. Ile then sold his farm, and returned to make his home with his mother, to whom he was a devoted son; to his amiable wife he was a loving husband, and to his three children was a truly affectionate and considerate father.
In 1861, when the Government called for troops, Col. Brown responded and was at once elected as Captain of the Missouri State Guards. He partici- pated in the first battle of Boonville, and the en- gagements at Carthage and Wilson Creek. In the latter part of April, 1861, he returned home and remained for about one week on a flying visit. One and a-half miles south of his farm was an en- eampment of three hundred men under Col. Bucher, who implored him to join them on the expedition to Boonville. Ile complied with their request most unfortunately, for there, September 13, 1861, he met his death. He was a devoted Christian, his last words being, "Rear my children for Christ. Teach them that religion is a pearl above price." Many were the expressions of heartfelt sympathy which his family received in this hour of their deep affliction.
The brother of our subject, Mason, was born in 1824, and in the Mexican War was a valiant and faithful soldier, taking part in many of the most prominent battles. While at Buena Vista, during the progress of the battles, his Captain was taken
prisoner and the command fell on him as he was Second Lieutenant of the company and the First- Lieutenant was absent. He was highly compl. mented for his daring and gallantry. He returned to Kentucky, where he engaged in farming and where he was married to Miss Sallie A. Alexander. In 1850 he located in Saline County, Mo., where he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and raising tine stock.
OHIN WELBORN, a prominent attorney-at- law and enterprising business man of Lex- ington, is a loyal Republican, and has been called upon to fill various important posi- tions in this city during the past ten years. In 1882 he was elected City Recorder for a term of two years, was re-elected in 1884 and again in 1886 without opposition. In 1888 he was elected Mayor of the city, which important place he held for two years, discharging its duties with prompt- ness, fidelity and zeal. He has ever had the best interests of the city at heart, and for that reason and his many worthy qualities is held in the highest esteem and respect by all who have the good fortune to know him.
Mr. Welborn was born in La Fayette County, Mo., November 20, 1856, and is the son of David N. and Catherine (Bodenhammer) Welborn, being the youngest son in a family of twelve children. Ilis paternal grandfather, whose Christian name was David, was a native of North Carolina. David N. Welborn was a prominent and leading farmer of Freedom Township, La Fayette County, and there were spent the boyhood days of our subjeet. HIe assisted his father in cultivating the home farm during a portion of the year, and attended the district schools of the neighborhood up to the age of seventeen years. In 1875 he entered the Nor- mal School at Warrensburgh, in this State, grad- uating from the Normal course two years later.
In 1877 our subject commenced the study of law, reading under the tutorage of John J. Cock-
32
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rell, of Warrensburgh, and was admitted to the Bar under William T. Wood, August 9, 1879. Ile at once began the practice of his profession in Lex- ington, before all the courts. Though much of the time since he commenced practice has been spent in public offices, he has nevertheless ac- quired a large and lerative practice and an en- viable reputation as a lawyer. Hle possesses to an eminent degree the necessary qualities for success in a gentleman of the legal profession, as he is an able advocate and possesses an excellent memory, being able to cite examples and precedents in every given case. Hle is intelligent and widely read, keeping thoroughly posted on all decisions rendered by courts in various parts of the coun- try, and in various ways keeping himself thor- oughly abreast of the times.
In 1879, soon after being admitted to the Bar, Mr. Welborn was united in marriage with Miss Georgia A. Littlejohn, who is a daughter of Robert T. Littlejohn, a prosperous farmer of Freedom Township. Our subject and his accomplished and charming wife have a pleasant residence on Main Street, where it is their special pleasure to welcome and entertain their many friends. During the time Mr. Welborn was Mayor many important im- provements and wise measures were enacted for the benefit of the city, which was duly prospered under his regime.
LOHN II. PEACOCK, a prosperous agricul- turist, large land-owner and enterprising citizen of lligginsville, La Fayette County, Mo., is one of the most public-spirited and liberal residents of the State. His efforts in behalf of local improvements have been notable, and he has also been an important factor in the prosperity of various religions and benevolent enterprises. A constant dweller within the borders of Missouri since 1847, her upward progress and rapid advance- ment are intimately associated with the history of
his life. Few there are of the immediate neighbor- hood or surrounding country who do not know our subject well, and all who know him give him their full respect and utmost confidence.
Mr. Peacock is a Virginian, and was born No- vember 16, 1816, in Loudoun County, about nine miles from Leesburgh. Ilis paternal grandfather, John, was also a native of Virginia. and in early days a settler of Springfield, Ohio, where he indus- triously tilled the soil, but finally returned to the Old Dominion, and died there. He was of English ancestry, a man of courage, resolution and will, and was highly esteemed. Elijah Peacock, the father of our subject, was also a native of Loudon County, Va., and with other patriotic sons of the Old Dominion served in the War of 1812. He was at Baltimore under Gen. Douglas, and was one of the defenders of Washington. when that city was at- tacked by the enemy. He was an extensive agri- culturist and noted stock-raiser of Virginia, and owned a gristmill located on the Potomac, beside which he also successfully handled merchandise, doing a large business in a general store. When the bankrupt law was passed many people repudi- ated their debts, and he was almost financially ruined.
A courageous and self-reliant man, Elijah Pea- cock began again to build up his business interests, and prospered, erecting both a saw and grist mill, and, engaged in other enterprises, was ever actively employed up to his last illness. Energetic, industri- ous and upright in character, he passed to his rest, lamented by all who knew him. Nancy, his wife, born in Virginia, was a daughter of John Huff, an Englishman, who built the first house in Waterford, Va., and who afterward became very wealthy. Ile dealt in merchandise, engaged in milling, and bought and sold real estate. He owned large bodies of land in Ohio, beside valuable property in Alex- andria; and was greatly prospered. He was a Quaker, and died in Waterford at a good old age. This maternal grandfather was a man widely known and greatly respected, and devoted much of his time to the pursuit of agriculture.
Mrs. Peacock, the mother of our subject, died in her native State. Eight sons and three daughters survived her, and ten of these children are now
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living. John was the eldest-born, and was reared upon the farm, where he was early trained into habits of industry. He assisted in running the store, and was soon able to manage the sawmill upon the Potomac River. Ile also enjoyed the educational advantages of most excellent public schools, but overworked himself by severe mental labor and hard study, so tried clerking, but his health was so impaired, he was obliged to recuper- ate upon the farm. Active and energetic, our sub- ject sought work in a blacksmith shop, and soon regained his former vigor and strength. For the next two years he sold goods in East Loudon, but such work was too confining, and he once again engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, this time buying a farm of four hundred acres, which he im- proved successfully, until, in 1847, he came to Mis- souri, traveling by train to Parkersburgh, and from there by boat to Lexington.
Mr. Peacock spent one year in Odessa, and then settled here, buying one hundred and sixty acres of land, about half a mile from Higginsville, and located upon section 29, range 25, township 50. The land was in Dover Township, and was entirely unimproved, but with characteristic energy, our subjeet began its cultivation. He engaged in raising hemp, and was among the first residents of that vicinity who ploughed with horses. As he pros- pered he added to his landed interests until he had about one thousand acres. After the war he raised. fed, bought and sold an excellent grade of cattle, and became an extensive shipper of stock. In . 1884 he removed to Higginsville, settled here permanently, and erected a handsome home. Our subject has of late sold quite a number of valuable properties, but still retains ten hundred and forty acres of land, all in Dover Township.
Eight hundred and forty acres are all in one huge farm, which is well arranged for three tenants, having besides one commodious residenee, three houses and three good barns. The large acreage is all under line cultivation, the soil watered by springs, the ground thoroughly drained by tiling, and much of the land well shaded by cottonwood trees. Everywhere one may look, thrift and wise management are plainly indicated upon this valu- able property. Mr. Peacock has seldom failed to
succeed in any enterprise, and has won a compe- tence, but during the war was plundered by both parties. He was a Director in the Bank of Higgi >- ville, and also occupied the same position in the Milling Company, but retired from active partici- pation in those business enterprises.
Our subject gave the right of way through his farm to the Chicago & Alton Railroad. The right of way covered three-quarters of a mile and was worth two thousand dollars. Mr. Peacock also gave a quarter of a mile right of way to the Missouri Pa- eifie Railroad. The first coal shaft sunk in the county on the Chicago & Alton Railroad was on the farm of our subject, which contains valuable deposits, and has been mined, but not to any great extent. Mr. Peacock owns twelve acres of land and four lots in and adjoining Higginsville, this property being finely located and increasing in value. Mr. Peacock was married in Virginia to Miss Sarah Burr, born in that State. where she died, leaving a family of three sons and four daughters. Mary E., Mrs. Hagood resides here upon a farm; Rose, Mrs. Mitchell, died here; Frank lives on one of his father's farms; Virginia is at home; John is on the home farm; Sally, Mrs. Burr, resides in Vir- ginia; Robert is a citizen of Higginsville.
Our subject married for his second wife Miss Rachael Furr, who was born in North Carolina and who died in Marshall. Again marrying, Mr. Pea- coek was nited in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Margaret J., a daughter of Jolin Wolford, born in Virginia, also the birthplace of Mrs. Pea- cock and the scene of her marriage, which was solemnized in May, 1886. Her paternal grandfather, William, was born in Pennsylvania, and fought bravely in the War of 1812. Ile settled in Virginia, and was a prominent farmer of the State, as was also Mrs. Peacock's father, who died in the Old Domin- ion. His wife, Jane Huff, was a native of Virginia, and a daughter of John Huff, previously mentioned in this sketch. Mrs. Peacock was next to the eldest of four children. Our subject has always been in- terested in educational advancement, and was for many years a School Director, and built the first schoolhouse in the neighborhood on his land, and afterward erected other buildings for the same purpose. Ile gave the land upon which the school
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building was erected, and this first temple of learn- ing is still employed as a place of instruction. Mr. Peacock has served on both petit and grand juries. and is ever ready to do his duty as a good Amer- ican citizen, but has never aspired to political of- fiee. Ile is. however. a strong Democrat, as was his father betore him. Our subject is a valued member of the Baptist Church, and is one of its most ear- nest and efficient aids and supporters. Having en- gaged ardently in a long life of usefulness, Mr. Peacock, now retired from active duty, may con- template the result of his life-work with satisfac- tion. Honored and regarded by all as a faithful friend and true Christian citizen. his days are blest in the consciousness of a well-spent lite.
S. WEBB, the well-known editor and pro- prietor of the Waverly Times. one of the leading newspapers of La Fayette County, was born June 5, 1832, and in the follow- ing year removed with his parents to this State. They settled near the eastern boundary line of this county, within two and one-half miles of Webb's Landing, then a shipping point on the Missouri River. Our subject's father was .John V. Webb, form- erly of Georgetown, Scott County, Ky., while his mother, who bore the maiden name of Almira M. G. Buford. was the daughter of Maj. Simeon Bu- ford, and was from Woodford County, near the town of Versailles in the same State.
The education of J. S. Webb was acquired in the county schools of the vicinity and in the Masonic College, of Lexington. Mo., where he continued his studies for three and one-half years. His mar- riage was celebrated February 6, 186t, in the last- mentioned city, at which time Miss Lucy J. Webb became his wife. She was formerly of Lexington. Ky .. and by her marriage became the mother of seven children, three sons and four daughters. John W., Maurice L. and Frank V. are all practical printers. Maurice L. being at present engaged with the Gazette, a paper published at Corder, this
State, while his two brothers are able assistants to our subject in editing and carrying on the Times. The second daughter, Margaret, died in infancy. Jennie Il. married H. L. Tucker, a druggist of Butler, Bates County. in this State; and Daisy C., the youngest child of the family. is attending school.
The Times, which is recognized as one of the influential papers of the county, was established in 1877 and has constantly increased in circula- tion. It is one of the best advertising mediums in La Fayette County, which is the banner agricul- tural and coal-producing county of the State. The town of Waverly is located upon a bed of coal four and one-half feet in thickness and within ninety feet of the surface. Mr. Webb is an able editor and has made a marked success in carrying on the paper, devoting his energies to making it one which will be a potent factor in the upbuild- ing of city and county. Though he has so re- cently taken hold of it the journal takes the lead in advocating whatever may be for the highest good of the community, and his efforts have been abundantly blessed. In all matters pertaining to the advancement of society, education and politics our subject takes a keen and discriminating inter- est, and through the columns of his paper, which has a wide circulation both in this and surround- ing counties, he has many times been instrumental in securing for this locality various advantages of a nature more or less important.
6 IIOMAS A. YANCEY, M. D., deceased, for about thirty years was engaged in the prac- tice of his profession in Saline County, and at the same time managed and resided on a farm which was given to his wife by her father, and on which she is still living. He was a native of Buckingham County, Va .. his birth having oc- curred November 10, 1831. His grandfather, Lay- ton Yancey, and his wife were both natives of that county in the Old Dominion, and his old home-
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stead, which is picturesquely located on the Shen- andoah River, is still in possession of the family. The Yanceys are of French descent, the original founder of the family in the United States having located in Virginia in Colonial days, and at that time erected the rambling old Virginian style of residence which is still standing.
The father of our subject, Charles L. Yancey, married in Madison County, Va., Miss Lucinda Graves, the ceremony being performed October 15, 1820. The former was an extensive farmer in his native county, where his death occurred in 1851, at which time he was fifty-two years of age. Ilis wife's family were of Scotch descent.
Dr. Yancey passed his boyhood days in Virginia, receiving his education mainly at home under the tutorage of a private teacher, and being graduated from Jefferson College, Philadelphia, in 1853. Af- ter practicing for about seven years in Harrison- burgh, Va., he came to Missouri in the latter part of the '50s. On October 19, 1859, was celebrated the Doctor's marriage with Mary C. Snoddy, daughter of Daniel F. and Elizabeth J. (Brown) Snoddy. The latter was a sister of Judge A. F. Brown, of Malta Bend. The father of Mrs. Yancey entered land in Saline County at an early day, and at his death in 1849 left about seven hundred acres of land, which was divided between his four chil- dren: John .I., William C., Calvin P. and Mary C. lle was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and an influential man in this locality. He was of Irish descent, was born in Buckingham County, Va., and came to this State when a young man of twenty-five years.
To the Doctor and his estimable wife were born five children : Charles F .; Elizabeth G., who died February 17, 1886; Mary A., wife of Samuel Bar- nett, of La Fayette County; Thomas C. and Daniel L. Thomas C. is a practicing physician of Malta Bend. Ile was graduated in 1890 from the Mis- souri Medical College of St. Louis, and though so young in his profession, has already acquired a large and lucrative practice.
Dr. Yancey was a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, and politically, was a Democrat. Ile was possessed of great firmness of character and strong convictions of right and duty. An affectionate
husband, a kind and considerate father, he was also friendly and benevolent to all. His death occurred June 11, 1888, his loss being sincerely deplored by the many friends and acquaintances whom he had made during the long years of his residence in this county.
HIOMAS LYNE. At the time of his death, our subject resided on section 3, township 51, range 20, Saline County, where he was a successful farmer, and became known outside of his own neighborhood as an intelligent writer on religious subjects and other matters. He was born in Woodford County, Ky., in 1821, a son of Thomas and Mary (Connelly) Lyne, and the grandson of Thomas and Mary (Padgett) Lyne. lle was one of twelve children, of whom only three sisters are still living, namely: Mary, now a widow, born in 1810, married Rev. Elijah Neal; Martha, born in 1823, married Joseph A. Games; and Frances, born in 1837, married George Goode. These were all born and now reside in Kentucky. The eldest brother, Judge Sandford Lyne, was a volunteer in the late war.
Thomas Lyne was reared in his native county, and attended the common schools there. Early in life he engaged in the business of farming, but resided with his father, a well-to-do farmer, manag- ing his busmess affairs until his marriage with Miss Eliza G. Garnett, who was born in Boone County, Ky., in 1828, a daughter of Maj. Joel and Catherine B. Garnett. The marriage took place in Kentucky in 1848, and the union was blessed with twelve children. After spending five years of their married life in Boone County, Ky., they moved to Saline County, Mo., in the spring of 1853, and settled on what is now a portion of the old homestead. Possessing great energy and per- severance of character, onr subject put forth every honest effort to secure a good home, and by hard work and good management was soon able to procure one of the most desirable homes to be found in the county. He continued adding to his
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Jand until at the time of his death he was the owner of a well-cultivated and finely improved farm of nearly one thousand acres, probably one of the best in Saline County. It would readily sell for from $75 to $100 per acre, as it is situated on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, is well tilled, and has abont eight miles of good hedge fenee; all its improvements are of a good character, and it is kept in good repair.
The children of Thomas Lyne were as follows: Alphous G., educated at William Jewell College, of Liberty, Mo., and the l'niversity of Virginia, a fine student, and of strict moral habits and good busi- ness ability, died in Washington, D. C., October 19, 1884; Mary E. died April 15, 1851; Luella B., widow of Thomas M. Fleet, of King and Queen County, Va., now resides at Slater, Mo .: Catherine B. resides at the old home, as does also Martha A .; Thomas S. died January 1, 1862; Eliza S. married Dr. F. A. Howard, and resides at Slater, Mo .; Sandford T. married Miss Franky Purdom, and resides at Slater. Mo., where he has been engaged in the banking business since quite a youth; Carrie A. married Robert L. Bernard, and resides at Kansas City. Mo .; Leonard L. resides at the old home, giving the farm his personal supervision, and car- ing for his mother and sisters; and Mabel C. mar- ried John G. Reynolds, and resides at Slater, Mo. These children were educated principally at Lib- erty. Mo .: Stephens' College, Columbia, Mo .; and the Baptist Female College, Lexington, Mo., two having graduated from the latter mstitution. The youngest of the children possesses a fine musical talent, and graduated in that department.
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