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 82
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 82
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Iligginsville. the firm being Boyer & Asbury, but since that time he has carried on alone his business of building and contracting. At this place he has taken a prominent position in the affairs of the town,-was Alderman one term, was on the Dover School Board, and was a charter member of the Christian Church at Higginsville, of which he is a Trustee. In his political faith, he is a Prohibition- ist and is a man of known temperance and honor. Ile is also a Director of the llome Building and Loan Association.
Mr. Boyer married Miss Elizabeth Wainwright, who was born in Kentucky, a daughter of William D). Wainwright, a native of Maryland, of English descent, who removed to Kentucky but became an early settler in La Fayette County, having located here in 1818. IIe resided at Lexington and died at the age of eighty-five years. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Boyer, as follows: Will- iam; Leslie E., in business in St. Joseph, Mo .; Rob- ert I ... in partnership with his father; Jesse, an architect and contractor in Colorado; and Henry, a hardware clerk here,
William Boyer, the son of the above-named gentleman, is the junior member of the firm of Boyer & Son. Ile was born in Dover Township, September 21, 1857, and attended both primary and lligh Schools, and when a boy took a great in- terest in the work in his father's shop. At the age of sixteen, he went to learn the trade and particu. larly interested himself in architecture. In this Mr. Boyer appears to have great talent and draws up his own plans and those of others.
In 1878, our subject located here and in 1886 he formed his present partnership with his father. This firm has built almost all of the fine buildings in this city, among which may be mentioned the Brick Block. the American Bank Building, the Merchants' Hotel, Bunyan's Block and the Arcade. In these buildings may be found some of the finest work in the county. The firm employs a force of fifteen men and the business is on the highest tide of success. Mr. Boyer is a member of the Ilome Building & Loan Association. The home of Mr. Boyer, Sr., is a tasteful one on Fair Ground Ave- nue, while Mr. Boyer. Jr .. has a pleasant one on Russell Street.
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William Boyer was married in 1883 to Miss Lizzie A. Kinsley, born in Hillsboro, Montgomery County, Ill. She is a lady of culture, having been educated in Eastern schools. One chikl has been born to the family and is named William. Mr. Boyer is a member of the Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and is Council Commander of the Woodmen of the World, and is Vice-chancellor of the Knights of Pythias. He was a charter member of the Christian Church bere and is in that denom- ination a Deacon and Sunday-school Superintend- ent. Our subject is a member of the Democratic Club of this place and in every way is a young man of great promise.
C HARLES H. HAMMER during the late war was a valiant soldier, as were his forefathers for several generations, his paternal grand- father having served in the Revolutionary strug- gles of the Colonies, his father having risen to the rank of Major in the War of 1812, while his ma- ternal grandfather was also one of the heroes of the Revolution. Our subject resides on his well- kept and improved farm, situated on section 21, township 50. range 28, La Fayette County.
Ilis father, Henry Hammer, was born May 4, 1794, in Rockingham County, Va., being a son of Ilenry Hammer, a native of the Fatherland. Our subject's mother before her marriage was Miss Christina Gibbons, who was born August 10, 1801, in Woodstock, Va., and whose father, Isaac Gib- bons, was of Welsh descent. After his marriage Henry Hammer resided for a short time in the Shenandoah Valley, where he had been umted in marriage, and then, returning to his native county, there resided for a period of sixteen years. In 1813, he removed to the West, locating in Cooper County, Mo., where he carried on a farm and en- gaged in blacksmithing. At the expiration of five years he came to this county, living for a short time in Dover, and afterward purchasing a
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farm, which was partly improved, five miles south- west of Wellington. He was called to the Better Land March 18, 1864, while his wife was ( lled to her final rest October 7, 1858.
They were the parents of five children, four sons and one daughter, the record of whom is as fol- lows: Samuel G., born November 2, 1823; Charles Il., our subject; Benjamin F. married Elizabeth, daughter of Walker Stapp, an early settler here, and has two living children: Florence and Me- dora W .; Josephus, born December 17, 1831, mar- ried Letitia C., daughter of Dr. Nathaniel C. Mitchell, and of their union have been born six children: Emmitt M., Laura I., Clarence M., Bessie Irene, Henry Buford and Katie Myrtle. The daughter, who is now deceased, was Susan Ellen, wife of R. A. HI. Hill, of Bates City, and was the mother of three children, only one of whom is now living, Charles II., who married Miss Lutie Foster, and lives in Independence. Mrs. Hill, who was born in 1838, died March 5, 1864.
Henry Hammer, the father of these children, was a man of good education, one who took an active interest in politics, and at various times made speeches in favor of his party. Ile was always a Democrat, and both himself and wife were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, to which denomination his four sons also belong, Benjamin having been Steward and Superintend- ent of the Sunday-school; Joseph, a Class-leader and Superintendent of the school, also condnet- ing many public meetings in the church, and Charles, our subject, having served as Steward. In 1861. the father fell from a load of hay, and from the injury received was a cripple during the remainder of his life.
Charles II. Hammer, who was born August 21, 1825, on arriving at man's estate married Miss Susan Medora, a daughter of Dr. Nathaniel Coffey Mitchell, who was born in 1801, in Cook County. Tenn., emigrated to Cooper County, Mo., in 1816, and eight years later located in this county, where he engaged in the practice of his profession. He was a leading publie man, a member of the Legis- lature in 1832, and of the Second Constitutional Convention held in 1845. He was a County Judge and a Douglas Democrat. Mrs. Hammer, who was
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born November 2, 1846. is one of five brothers and sisters, who are living, and by her marriage became the mother of two children. One is deceased, and the other is Albert S., who lives in Sedalia, and who married Miss Gracie Whitsett. During the late war our subjeet and his brother, Benjamin F., were members of Company E. of the regiment which was known as Col. Elliott's, and were in service for one year. The Hammer family has long taken an important part in the history. growth and progress of the county, and are es- teemed among its most respected citizens.
ENRY C. EWING is a leading farmer and influential and wealthy citizen, his farm be- ing situated on section 24, township 49. range 27. La Fayette County. Ile is a na- tive of this county, born June 22. 1838, and is a son of Chatham S. and Mary B. (Young) Ewing, the former a native of Kentucky, and the mother of Tennessee. When a young man the father of our subject emigrated to Missouri with his parents, settling about the year 1821 in La Fayette County, four miles south of Lexington, being numbered among the early pioneers of this region. He later removed to a farm near Mt. Hebron Church, and there entered Government land. also purchasing a tract at private sale. The farm was undeveloped and entirely in a state of nature. He made many improvements upon it and there resided until his death in September, 1872. Ilis wife had died many years previously. in 1841, and of her chil- dren but two now survive, our subject and Mrs. W. A. Ewing, of this county. Previous to the war, the father was a Whig, and in his death his fellow-citizens suffered an irreparable loss. Ile had a wide acquaintance and was a typical repre- sentative of the old school of gentlemen. He held membership with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for many years.
Henry C. Ewing, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to man's estate in La Fayette County,
and on arriving at mature years was united in marriage with the daughter of Emsley M. and Julia A. (Graham) Handson. Mrs. Ewing is a na- tive of Henry County, Mo., her birth having oc- eurred October 15, 1815. Both of her parents were born and reared in Kentucky, emigrating to Missouri at an early day. Since his marriage. Mr. Ewing has been engaged in farming with good success. He uses the most approved modern methods in carrying on his farm work, and keeps well posted on all the leading subjects pertaining to agriculture.
John Monroe Ewing lived for over fifty years in this county, and was one of the honored early settlers. Like his brother, our subject, he was reared among the grand old pioneers of Western Missouri, men of strong minds and unswerving integrity. His many friends, as with one accord, testify to his sterling qualities as a neighbor and friend. He had been a member of the Mt. Hebron Congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church since its organization thirty-eight years ago. He made it his chief aim in life to follow the narrow path marked out by the Golden Rule. and when nearing the end of life's journey, with eyes doubtless fixed on the other shore, he repeated with faltering breath and feeble voice. " Though I pass through the valley and shadow of death, I will not fear, for I know He is with me." Ile was laid to rest by the side of his wife in Hebron Cem- etery, where but a little over two months previ- ously she was placed in the quiet grave.
P. TAYLOR is an extensive and progressive farmer of Middleton Township, La Fayette County, his farm being situated on section 36. Ile is also Vice-president of the Alma Creamery Company, and is a successful stock-raiser, owning a fine flock of pure-blood Shropshire Down sheep, and a herd of Shorthorn cattle. He was born in this county in 1850, and is a son of the Ion. Sam- uel F. Taylor, a native of Kentucky, who removed
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to this State in 1849, and made a settlement in this county. In 1858 he was elected to the House of Representatives of Missouri, and served for one term. He was a son of Samuel Taylor. a progress- ive farmer in Kentucky. The mother of our sub- ject before her marriage bore the name of Frances Simpson, her father being James Simpson, also of Kentucky.
Our subjeet spent his boyhood days in this county, attended the common schools of his dis- trict, and later entered the Winchester High School, where he pursued his studies for two years. In 1871 he went to the Rocky Mountains, where he remained for eight years, and while there saw much of the wonders and natural beauties of that region. In 1879 he returned to this county, and has since engaged in general farming and stock- raising. His farm, which has within its boundaries some six hundred acres, is all under fine cultiva- tion, and is a model one in every respect.
Soon after his return to Missouri in 1879, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Taylor and Miss Sallie, daughter of John W. Dean, a native of the Old Dominion. Three bright little ones have come to bless their home: Fannie J., Sarah D. and I. P., Jr. Both Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which the former holds the office of Deacon. Our subject casts his vote in favor of the Democratic- party, and is a member of Oriental Lodge No. 518, A. F. & A. M., and of Blackburn Lodge No. 267, A. O. U. W.
W ILLIAM TILLARD HAYS was born in Barnesville, Montgomery County, Md., in 1821, and was the second son of Abram S. and Elizabeth (Tillard) Hays. The family was of English origin, the father being a son of Leon- ard, and he a son of William Hays, who came to America in 1740 and settled in Montgomery County, Md. The mother of Mr. Hays was a daughter of Lieut .- C'ol. Edward Tillard, a native of Maryland, who also settled in Montgomery
County, and who equipped and commanded a regiment in the War of the Revolution. He was taken prisoner by the British, and confined on Staten Island.
Mr. Hays spent his boyhood in his native State and county, and employed his time in helping his father on the farm, where he remained until his majority. Commeneing in 1844, for five years he was engaged in transporting goods on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, whereby, by economy and strict attention to business, he was enabled to save sufficient money to purchase a tract of land in La Fayette County, Mo. He began farming for himself with the same vim and energy that he had displayed in his earlier life, and continued his busi- ness successfully until 1860, when he reluctantly suspended his farming operations to become an agent at Ft. Kearney, Neb., for the firm of Majors, Russell & Waddell, who had a contract for trans- portation of Government supplies. This position he satisfactorily filled until 1865, when he resumed the more congenial occupation of farming, in La Fayette County, continuing his agricultural pur- suits until the time of his death, which occurred January 3, 1887.
Mr. Hays was married in July, 1865, to Miss Alice Bell Ward, daughter of Allan Donaphan Ward, of Mason County, Ky., he being the youngest son of John Ward, who was also of Revolutionary fame, serving in Capt. Parson's company in the Third Virginia Regiment. By this marriage there were four children, whose names are as follows: William Tillard, now residing in New York City; Frank Ward, farming on his ancestral estate near Lexington, Mo .; Carl Wilson, a student of Went- worth Academy, of Lexington; and Catherine Theodosa, who is under the care of her mother.
Mr. Hays was always a consistent member of the Episcopal Church, it being bis choice as well as in- heritance, and in this he was encouraged and sup- ported by his wife. In politics, he was an earnest and ardent Democrat, although never having held office, yet always active in promoting what he con- sidered the best interests of his country and party. Although death has destroyed the personality of this good man, yet his name will endure as a synonym for all that is good and noble in charac-
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ter; his kindly words and manly deeds will ever be remembered by all who came in contact with him, and. may we hope, will have their influence in shaping the lives of many to follow him.
E DWARD S. BUTT, a leading citizen and representative farmer of La Fayette County, Mo., living on section 15, township 49, range 27, was born in Schuyler County, Mo., Feb- ruary 20. 1851, and is a son of Thomas and Mar- garet (Tadloek) Butt. llis father was a native of Greenbrier County. W. Va., and his mother was a native of East Tennessee. The grandfather of our subject is said to have been a worthy and brave soldier of the Revolutionary War. Ile died when his son Thomas, father of our subject, was but eleven years old, and two years later Thomas, with his mother and two brothers. left West Virginia for Ohio, thence moved to Illinois, and from there to Schuyler County, Mo. This was in the '10s, when Indians were still in Schuyler County, roaming where they pleased, as they were altogether peaceful.
Land was entered in Schuyler County, and Thomas remained there until the fall of 1865, when he came with his family to La Fayette County, Mo., and in the following spring settled upon the farm where our subject now lives. He died there in August, 1882, leaving a widow, who still lives at the age of nearly seventy-six. Of the children only two survive: Edward and Lydia V., the latter the widow of Mr. Green, liv- ing at Mayview. Mo. The deceased was a Demo- erat in politics, and favored everything calculated to advance the interests of the county and the State. He left a good estate, and passed away in the fold of the Christian Church, with which he had been connected for many years.
The subject of our sketch grew up to man's es- tate in this county, meanwhile attending the com- mon sehools first, and afterward the Normal School, working upon the farm during vacations. Sub-
sequently he taught school several terms, and after- ward engaged in merchandising for a short time at Mayview, Mo. Mr. Butt was married April 22, 1884, to Miss Della Ilarrelson, sister of Mrs. Il. C. Ewing, of this eounty. By this union there is one child, Lydia B. Our subject has a fine farm of two hundred and thirty acres, which he culti- vates with care and skill. Mr. Butt casts his vote uniformly for Democratic candidates. A firm be- liever in the teachings of the Gospel, he holds membership in the Christian Church at Mayview, Mo. Our subject is an eminently intelligent and highly respected gentleman, who enjoys the re- spect and confidence of the entire business eom- munity. Mrs. Butt is a member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church.
ILLIAM COOPER, deceased, was an early and respected settler of La Fayette County, owning and operating a farm on section 31, township 51, range 25. He was a native of the Old Dominion, his birth having occurred in Amelia County in 1792. Ilis ancestors were na- tives of Scotland who emigrated to the United States in the early Colonial days. The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed in the county where he was born and in the neighbor- ing one of Cumberland, his time being employed in the usual occupations of farmer boys. lle at- tended the common schools of the neighborhood and assisted his father in carrying on the farm un- til he reached manhood. In 1827 he came to this State, settling in La Fayette County, where he lo- cated on a farm, which he engaged in conducting until his death, which occurred in 1838. Politic- ally, he was a pronounced Democrat and was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church.
In the year 1813 Mr. Cooper was united in mar- riage with Miss Nancy Holt, a daughter of Rich- ard Holt, who was born in Virginia. The mother of Mrs. Cooper was before her marriage Miss Mary Failer, a native of Prince Edward County,
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Va. Our subjeet and his estimable lady were the parents of ten children, only three of whom are now living: Anna, wife of John D. Winter, of Jackson County, Mo .; Mary, wife of Richard M. Bailey; and Adeline, who became the wife of Will- iam T. Stark, of Dover Township, this county.
Mrs. Cooper, widow of our subject, is a consistent member of the Baptist Church, with which she has been connected almost a lifetime. She is now in her ninety-eighth year and still in the enjoyment of good health. It is certainly remarkable to find a lady of her age who is so active and robust and who, as she often does, takes great delight in rid- ing on horseback. She is making her home in her deelining days with her daughter, Mrs. William Stark, who with filial care and love endeavors in every way possible to make life pleasant and smooth for her aged mother.
AJ. HENRY A. PEED, editor of the Sweet Springs Herald, of Saline County, is an in- fluential politician and public-spirited cit- izen. Ile has been actively before the publie for a great many years in various positions of great responsibility and trust, the duties of which he has discharged most acceptably to his constituents and to all concerned.
The ancestors of our subject crossed the stormy seas from England in the famous "Mayflower" mn 1620. The father of our subject, Harrison Peed, was born in Virginia in 1820 and early in life fol- lowed the trade of briek-maker and brick-layer. About the year 1850 he emigrated to Southern Indiana, where he turned his attention to agrien ?- tural pursuits, and is now making his home on a farm in Davis County. Ile has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since his youth and is a much respected citizen. Ile has been twice married, his first wife, the mother of our subject, before her marriage being Miss Alice Pollard, a sister of Mr. E. A. Pollard, the well- known author of "The Lost Cause." After the
death of his first wife, Mr. Peed remarried and had a family of six children, four sons of whom are living.
The subject of this sketch received his educ tion largely in the district schools and passed his boy- hood days on his father's farm. Ile attended the High School at Richmond, Va., where he was at the time of the firing on Ft. Sumter, after which he immediately returned to Indiana, where he spent a year in Franklin College. On September 25, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-second Indiana Regiment, for a year's service and was actively engaged in the Atlanta Campaign, participating in a number of leading battles, such as Resaca, P'each Tree Creek, etc. Returning to Indiana at the expiration of his term of service, he assisted in raising the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment and received the com- mission of Sergeant-Major. In April, 1865, he was promoted to a Lieutenancy, and received a commission as Major September 22 of that year, at which date he was discharged. After the close of the conflict he returned to Columbus, Ind., and read law in the office of Ilill & Richardson for two years.
The Major soon after went to Dover Hill, Mar- tin County, and was admitted to the Bar, engaging in practice there. During that time he purchased the Martin County Herald and conducted it suc- cessfully. It was the first newspaper which had succeeded np to this time in the county. and this he continued to edit until 1870. At that time he was chosen County Superintendent of Schools, serving in that capacity for three years. In 1872 he was elected Joint Representative for the coun- ties of Martin and Dubois, and the following year was chosen State Senator for those counties, to- gether with Orange County, serving for four years and holding a prominent position in both Legislative bodies. In 1883 he was appointed Chief Clerk for the Committee of Invalid Pensions in the United States House of Representatives, and held the position until Mr. Cleveland was inaug- urated. Ile was then appointed Special Examiner in the Pension Office and was Supervising Officer for nine months, being subsequently assigned to (Inty in Missouri, with headquarters at Sedalia,
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where he remained from May, 1887, until the in- auguration of President Harrison, when he re- signed.
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On April 13, 1876, the Major and Miss Kate El- lis were married. She was reared at Montgomery City, in this State, and was graduated from the ITigh School, after which she studied eloention under private instructors and attended the Colum- bian Law School at Washington, where she pur- sued her studies through two sessions. Afterward she took private lessons in elocution in Boston, and became a very successful reader. She has traveled in several States giving recitations and readings and is at present one of the faculty of the Marmaduke Military Academy in this city.
In political circles Maj. Peed has ever been aet- ive; was a member of several State committees in Indiana, and in 1876 was a member of the Demo- cratie State Executive Committee in that State. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is a Knight Templar. Both he and his accom- plished wife are devoted members of the Christian Church.
IIRISTOPHER C. BOOTH, one of the lead- ing farmers and stock-raisers of Saline County, resides on his farm situated in township 50. He is the owner of a well-improved farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty aeres of valuable and arable land, situated only a short dis- tance from Marshall. For many years he has made a specialty of breeding fine Merino sheep and now has a number of line animals of the Shropshire grade. Though formerly interested in standard- bred horses, he does not at present own very many, but nevertheless has several of the Wilkes and Electioneer breeds.
Mr. Booth was born in Bourbon County, Ky., in 1832, and emigrated with his parents to Adams County, Ill., about 1831, and in that county passed his boyhood days. He acquired his primary education in the common schools and in the fall of
1818 entered Bethany (W. Va.) College, where he remained for two years, and there had the privi- lege of hearing the noted Christian preacher, Alex- ander Campbell, many times in sermons and lec- tures. lle returned to his home by way of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers as far as Quincy, as there were no railroads in the West at that time. For some years he continued to reside under the parental roof, assisting his father in caring for the homestead.
In 1856 Mr. Booth and Miss Hancock were united in wedlock. To them were born eight chil- dren, namely: William S., a resident of North Da- kota; Henry S., a prominent lawyer of Centralia, Mo .; George E., a practicing lawyer in Carthage; Robert, who is a book-keeper in Kansas City; Emma, a graduate of Lexington; Annie, who attended the Pritchard Institute at Glasgow; John M., who has just entered Columbia College; and one child who died in infancy. The four sons first named were all graduated from the Columbia College and have already made their mark in the world.
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