USA > Missouri > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion, Ralls and Pike counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties; together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the Unted States > Part 10
USA > Missouri > Pike County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion, Ralls and Pike counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties; together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the Unted States > Part 10
USA > Missouri > Ralls County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion, Ralls and Pike counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties; together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the Unted States > Part 10
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became a Democrat. He died July 10, 1880. His wife died in 1865.
William Ellis, of whom we now write, was born September 13, 1834, in Marion County, and spent his boyhood engaged in farm work and attending the public schools. When fifteen years of age he entered St. Paul's College in Palmyra, and was within one year of graduation when he was called from college. His brother Robert went to Cuba. hoping to regain his health thereby, as he was threatened with consumption. He grew worse, however, and started home, getting as far as New Orleans. There William was sent to meet him and escort him home. Soon after he reached home Robert passed to the better land. Thus our sub- ject's studies were interrupted and he never fin- ished his last year's course at the college.
Having previously taught in country schools, Mr. Ellis soon resumed that occupation, which he continued off and on for twenty-five years. He was President of La Grange College from 1858 to 1862, when the college was closed on account of the war. He then went to Kentucky for a time and subsequently returned to Missouri, and in 1865 went on the farm owned by his father and began farming. This farm was bequeathed to him and his brother Fleming. Later he pur- chased his brother's interest and has now two hundred and forty acres of excellent land. He carries on general farming and has been reason- ably successful in that occupation. Since he be- gan farming, however, he has frequently had charge of schools, having taught at Chillicothe, Shelbina, Hannibal, New London and other places.
The subject of this sketch has been twice mar- ried. His first marriage was in Boyle, Ky., near Harrodsburg, when in 1859 he united with Martha E. Davis, a native of that county, born January 8, 1838, and who died in April, 1873. She was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Davis, who were also natives of Kentucky. By this marriage four children were born: Mary, now residing at home; Edwin, who died in infancy; William C., one of the firm of the Hixon Hardware Company of Hannibal, Mo .; Lizzie G., wife of Orion Turner, a farmer and stock-dealer in Miller Township. The second marriage occurred May 25, 1875,
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when Mr. Ellis was wedded to Mary J. James, born in Ralls County, March 8, 1852. She is a daughter of Maj. Asa and Susan (Clayton) James, who are natives of Loudoun County, Va. Her mother came with her parents to this State in 1837, when Hannibal was but a village. They rented a farm in Clay Township, Ralls County, where they remained one year and then went to Pike County. The farm on which they first re- sided is still in the family, being owned by James Clayton, a grandson. Maj. James now resides in this township, living a retired life. He was an extensive farmer in Pike County, where he lived from 1851 to 1865, when he came to Marion County and settled on a farm, where he now re- sides. He was Major under Gen. Price, and was in several engagements, but never wounded. Asa and Susan Clayton are the parents of six daughters and one son: Mary J., now the wife of our sub- ject; Emma E., wife of Clifton C. Ellis, a dairy- man at Hannibal, Mo .; Kate C., wife of Charles R. Gentry, who is Judge of the County Court in this county; Hattie C., wife of Harvey Williams, a farmer of this township; Sallie H., wife of George T. Hawkins, Government Civil Engineer, residing in Washington, D. C .; Charles R., en- gaged in the dairy business; Lena T., wife of Claude C. Dudley, a farmer of this township. By the second marriage of Mr. Ellis three children have been born: James R., born November 10, 1877, now with his uncle in the Indian Territory Survey; Roy C., born April 4, 1881; Susan V., born January 3, 1885. The two last remain at home.
In politics Mr. Ellis is a Democrat, and relig- iously he is a member of the Baptist Church, in which he has been a Deacon for some fifteen years.
O TTO MINCH is one of the well-known pioneers of Marion County. His estate, comprising one hundred and forty-four acres, is pleasantly located on Section 15, Town- ship 59, Range 7, and is among the best cultivated in that locality. He was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, August 24, 1829, and is the son of George
and Margaret (Hoffman) Minch, also natives of the Fatherland. Their father was a stonemason by trade, and lived to be very old. Mrs. Mincli also departed this life in her native land (1851).
Our subject had seven brothers and sisters, namely: George, Eve, Lena, Charlie, Mary, John and Katie. He had several relatives living in the New World, and during the troubles in Germany (1848) he came alone to America. He embarked on a vessel at a French port in April, 1849, and, after being on the Atlantic for forty-two days, was landed in New York City July II. He remained in that city for three years, working at the cabinet- maker's trade, and then traveled westward to Dav- enport, Iowa. Failing to obtain work at his trade in the latter city he secured a position on a boat plying the Mississippi River, and after nine months went to Louisville, Ky., where for four years he was a cabinetmaker, doing a good busi- ness. While in the Blue Grass region he was married to Mary, daughter of F. W. and Maria C. (Fratz) Rickert, also born in the Fatherland, whence they came to this country in 1853. They are still living and residents of Quincy, Ill.
After his marriage Mr. Minch moved to the Gem City, and was there for two years employed at his trade, when he changed his location, this time taking up his abode in Palmyra, Mo. One year thereafter he decided to try his fortunes in farming, and so well did he succeed that in 1868 he purchased his present place, which at that time embraced eighty acres. To this he has added from time to time until his possessions now aggregate one hundred and forty-four acres. The land was in a wild state when he took possession, but by years of hard work he has made it one of the most productive tracts in the entire county. Mrs. Minch departed this life here in January, 1892.
Of the large family of thirteen children born to our subject and his wife, seven are living, name- ly: Joseph married Lena Fishner and is now liv- ing near his father; Mary married Joseph Yabrow and their home is near our subject's estate; Rosa married Samuel Yabrow and their farm is seven miles west of that of Mr. Minch; Edward chose Annie Jeffries for his wife and lives with his father; Emma became the wife of Richard Berry, and their place is located two and one-half
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miles west of Hester; William married Nettie Stephen and lives on the old homestead; Anna Belle is now Mrs. Louis Ther and their place is two miles distant. John and Otto are deceased, as are four others of the family, who died in in- fancy. The sons and daughters who lived to ma- ture years were given good educations and fitted to occupy useful positions in life.
Mr. Minch, though reared in the Catholic Church, is not identified with any religious organi- zation. He has always voted for Democratic can- didates and takes great interest in the success of his party, though he is in no sense of the word an office-seeker. He is self-made, and among his friends and neighbors is known as a man of most exemplary life and honorable principles.
C HARLES WILLIAM HENRY SCHRO- DER is one of the worthy sons and repre- sentatives of the German Empire, and for about forty years has lived in Missouri. His present estate, on which he has made his home for many years, consists of two hundred acres, located on Section 28, Township 59, Range 7. He has always been a man of more than ordinary business ability and sagacity and from a humble beginning he has risen step by step, until he now stands on an equal footing with the best and most progressive agriculturists of the county.
Mr. Schroder was born in the Fatherland No- vember 4, 1831. He is the son of John and Mary (Mureschenburg) Schroder, who were also na- tives of Germany. The father was a dairy farmer and operated a cheese factory in his native land. He departed this life when our subject was a lad of six years, and two years later the boy was also deprived of the care of his mother. They were the parents of six children, those besides Charles being: Wilhelmina, Fritz, Otto, Louisa and William.
The original of this sketch made his home with a brother-in-law until attaining mature years, when he apprenticed himself to learn the tailor's trade. After becoming fully acquainted with this
business he visited all the principal cities of Eu- rope, spending two years in travel and working at his trade in the various places, including Lon- don, England. He then returned to his native city, and after a stay of six months went to Ham- burg and again made a tour of Europe, gaining all the information possible in his line of business. About this time he determined to try his fortunes in America, and accordingly set sail on the vessel "Rhine," which landed him on the shores of the New World in August, 1855. He continued his westward way until he reached the World's Fair City, whence he later went to Rock Island, Il1. While in that city he learned the trade of a potter, and had worked at this just one year when he came to Marion County, and, purchasing the old pottery north of Palmyra, engaged in running the same for thirteen years, making jugs, crocks and all articles manufactured out of clay.
While in Rock Island (1856) our subject was married to Nancy McPeck, a native of Ohio, who departed this life in 1872, leaving three children, namely: Daniel married Minnie Lovelow and is now living in this township, west of Emerson; William is at home; Louisa is the wife of Sherman Rhodes of Quincy, Ill.
In 1871 Mr. Schroder located upon his present farm, which then included two hundred and ten acres. Of this he has sold ten acres and now has under his control and supervision the remaining two hundred. He is engaged in general agricul- ture, and gives considerable attention to breeding a fine grade of horses, cattle and swine, keeping constantly on his place large numbers of each kind of stock.
December 11, 1872, our subject was married to Miss Catherine Breidenthal, whose birth oc- curred in Pennsylvania, July 4, 1847. She is the daughter of John and Sarah (Lafferty) Breiden- thal, both of whom were born in Maryland, where they were farmers. They came to Missouri in 1868, where the father died in 1887. His wife is still living in Emerson, this county, and is over eighty-six years of age. By this union with his second companion there have been born a family of nine sons and daughters, of whom Manora, the eldest, is deceased; the second and third children died in infancy; Cecil is also deceased, and Ger-
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aldine, Henry, Charles, Carrie and Harold are at home. Mr. Schroder takes great interest in school affairs, and it is his desire to give his chil- dren good educations. He served two years as Director of his district. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, but has never found time among his various duties to engage in office-seeking. He attends the Lutheran Church, while his children are members of the Baptist denomination. As a true, honorable, upright and progressive gentle- man, his life is an example to all young men who desire to succeed in their undertakings.
W ILLIAM EDWIN CUNNINGHAM is superintendent of the St. L., K. & N .- W. R. R. and the C., B. & K. C. Ry., Hannibal. This very prominent position he has held since May, 1889, and though great re- sponsibilities rest upon his shoulders, he is amply' qualified for the work by years of experience and faithful attention to duty. The officers of the roads mentioned place the fullest confidence in his in- tegrity and capability, for he is and ever has been keenly alert to their best interests.
A native of Burlington, lowa, Mr. Cunning- ham was born September 13, 1857, and is a son of Timothy Cunningham, a native of Ireland. The latter emigrated to the United States when he was about twenty years of age, locating first at St. Louis, where le clerked nearly five years. Then going to Burlington, he obtained a clerkship in a steamboat office and continued a resident of that city for five years. He removed next to Alexan- dria, Mo., where he purchased a farm near the city and conducted the same for several years. Then settling in Alexandria, he engaged in a general comunission business in company with a brother for about two years. Going back to his former home in Burlington, he became City Contractor, holding the position for several years, and was afterward City Weiglumaster for a long time, dur- ing which period he took sub-contracts. In 1891 lie came to Hannibal and is now living retired Fraternally Mr. Cunningham is a member of from active business. Patrick, his elder brother, | Hannibal Lodge No. 210, B. and P. O. of E. His
is a resident of Keokuk, and James, another brother, lives in New York City. Mr. Cunning- ham is a Democrat in politics and has been quite a leader in his party. Religiously he holds mem- bership with the Catholic Church. His wife Frances was Miss Leahy before her marriage, which occurred in 1855. She was born in Kil- kenny, Ireland, and, her father dying when she was quite young, she emigrated with her mother and the other members of the family to New Foundland, and from there to St. Louis.
In a family of eight children William E. Cun- ningham is the eldest and the others are: Edward, of Hannibal; Josephine, who died at the age of four years; George, railroading in California; James, a railroad engineer in Galesburg, Ill .; Emmett L., also a railroad man; Annette and Antoinette.
The early life of our subject was spent in Bur- lington, and while his family resided in Alexan- dria he went to a private school. Afterward he attended one in Burlington, the principal being R. J. Graff, and was a student there for about five years. During his vacations he clerked in a china store kept by Mr. A. A. Perkins, and upon leaving school he stayed with his former employer for a year. Then entering the office of the T., P. & W. R. R., he was there for one and a half years, taking up telegraphy in the meantime. At length he was given a position as an operator at Carthage Junction, Ill., on the "Q" road. In 1876 he was made Train Dispatcher for the same rail- road, being situated at Burlington, and in this em- ployment seven years passed. In January, 1883, he was given the position of Chief Train Dispatch- er and Superintendent of Telegraph Lines at Keo- kuk with the St. L., K. & N .- W. R. R. and the C., B. & K. C. Ry. (a part of the Burlington system), which he held three years. His next promotion was to the place of Trainmaster at Keokuk and three years later he was made Assistant Superin- tendent, serving as such two years. For the past six years he has held the position which he is now ably filling. Step by step he has 'mounted from a humble capacity by carnest attention to his duties and deserves the honor which he now enjoys.
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ballot is given in favor of Democratic nominees, though he has but little time or inclination to take part in political affairs. He is a member of the Catholic Church, in which faith he was reared.
C HARLES H. SPRATT is a worthy rep- resentative of an old and respected Ken- tucky family. He also stands as an ex- ample of the American self-made man, having been the architect of his own fortune, and having risen to an enviable position in the estimation of all by the exercise of inherent talents and hon- est toil. His home has been for some years on Section 14, Township 59, Range 8, Marion Coun- ty, where he owns one of the best farms in this region.
Thomas Spratt was a native of Garrard County, Ky., and in his early life followed the tailor's trade, in which he was quite skillful, but after- ward turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and was thus employed until shortly before his death, which occurred in 1830. His wife survived him over half a century, her death occurring in Kentucky in 1888. Before her marriage she was Miss Nancy Brown and a native of the same county as her husband. She was the mother of eight children, named as follows: Napoleon, Pau- lina, Charles H., Sophia, Desha, James, Stephen and Mary. With the exception of the eldest they received very little educational privileges, as their father's death removed from them a protector and provider, and they were early obliged to seek their own living.
C. H. Spratt, who was born in Garrard County, Ky., January 21, 1821, remained at home until he was eighteen years of age, when he married Nancy Hutchinson, a native of the same county. She came from an old and respected family of that locality, being a daughter of John and Ruth (Brown) Hutchinson, the former of whom died in Kentucky, while the latter, who, with others of her family moved to Missouri, died here. After his marriage Mr. Spratt engaged in farming and also worked to some extent as a stonemason for twelve years.
It was in 1852 that Mr. Spratt with his wife and household effects started from the old home in Kentucky in wagons and journeyed to this coun- ty. For three years our subject rented land on the present site of Benbow and then moved to his present farm, having bought eighty acres. Later he added eighty acres more to the original tract, and, as it was all covered with timber, he had plen- ty to occupy his time for a number of years in clearing it for agricultural purposes. He has al- ways preferred to give his time to his home and business interests, and has never held any office in the county, though he votes the Democratic ticket. He has been particularly successful in raising wheat and corn, his land being especially adapted for producing these cereals.
Mr. Spratt's wife, Nancy, died August 8, 1871, and three of their eight children (Elizabeth, Will- iam and James) are deceased. The others are: John T., who married D. Dunn, and now lives in this neighborhood; Willis B., who married Mary Bonta, and moved to Nebraska; Robert, a resident of Peoria County, Ill .; Price, whose home is in this vicinity and whose wife was Effie Luck- enbaugh; Ella, wife of Scott Ellington of Mon- roe City, this county. April 9, 1874, Mr. Spratt married Nancy, widow of William Rhoades. She was born April 11, 1851, in this county, being a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Price) Tolley. Mr. and Mrs. Spratt have had nine children, of whom Bradley, Sophia and one who died in in- fancy have been called to the better land. Those living are: Winfield, Fannie, Charlie, Belle, Vic- toria and Edna.
W ILLIAM L. NELSON of Township 59, Range 6, Marion County, is a strik- ing example of the American self-made He started out empty-handed to make his man. own way in the world, and by perseverance, in- dustry and strict attention to business he has be- come wealthy and influential; at the same time he is a man whose word is considered as good as his bond and his sterling integrity is unques- tioned. From time to time he has been called
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upon to serve as administrator on estates, this fact showing the confidence his friends place in his good judgment, executive ability and abso- lute honor.
Our subject was born April 5, 1837, in Marion County, while his father, John F., was a native of Fauquier County, Va., born in 1798. The lat- ter married Susan Lowin, who was born in 1799, their union being celebrated in 1829. The father of John F. Nelson was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, following which example he himself served in the War of 1812. He moved to Ken- tucky when he was but seven years of age and came to Missouri about 1830. For several years he resided on what is known as the Bryant Farm, ' but after selling this tract of eighty acres he en- tered three hundred and twenty acres, where his son, our subject, now lives. By trade he was a wheelwright, having served his apprenticeship in Kentucky, and continued to work at the same to some extent after taking up agricultural pur- suits. The old brick house, which was the second built in the neighborhood, is still standing, though now fallen into disuse. Mr. Nelson was a mem- ber of the Christian Church nearly all of his life- time and his wife was identified with the same denomination. He was a slave-owner and brought a number of his slaves with him from Kentucky; kind and indulgent to the negroes, he gave them good clothing and the same care that he bestowed upon his family. He was an excellent shot and was very fond of hunting, finding an abundance of large game during his pioneer days, and for years kept his table thus supplied. His hospitality was a matter of public comment and his acquaintances speedily became warm friends. His nine children were as follows : Francis, died in California; James M. (doceased); John, a retired farmer of Lewis County; George H., owner of a farm in this county; Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Pollock of La Grange; Lucy J., widow of Archibald Young and now a resident of Kirksville; William L., subject of this sketch; Thomas, died in early manhood; Susan, wife of Abbott G. Williams, postmaster of Lewiston.
William L. Nelson received a good common-
school education, supplemented by a course in the Baptist Seminary at Palmyra under Prof. J. T. Williams, then for a year he went to a select school in La Grange and afterward attended the Christian University, Canton, Mo., in the win- ter of 1858-59. The next three years he engaged in teaching school in Warren County, after which he joined the militia, but was not called into serv- ice. In 1861 he commenced operating his fath- er's farm, which he conducted until 1869; then going to the western part of the county, he pur- chased three hundred and sixty acres of land, tak- ing possession of the same on the 4th of March, the day of Gen. Grant's first inauguration.
On March 4, 1869, Mr. Nelson married Anna M., daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Singleton) Johnston, who were from Virginia and came to Missouri in 1828. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have had three children, of whom the eldest, Ernest, was born October 8, 1872. On completing the con- mon-school course the latter entered Canton Uni- versity and in 1892 went to Kirksville Seminary, finishing with a commercial course at the Gem City Business College, Quincy, Ill. At present he is a member of the Tilton Manufacturing Com- pany of Quincy. Eugene W., born September 21, 1874, was for two years a student at Kirks- ville and is now taking his second term of study in the Warrensburgh Normal; Bertrude, born December 16, 1876, is at home.
After three years spent in managing his three- hundred-and-sixty-acre farm Mr. Nelson sold out and bought the old homestead, upon which he located in April, 1872, his father's death in 1871 having placed the property on the market. In 1892 he purchased eighty acres more and on various occasions invested in other tracts until at present he is the owner of four hundred and forty acres of fine land, the result of his years of toil and well-directed energies. Since 1858 he has been a valued worker in the Christian Church and for a quarter of a century has been a deacon. For the past ten years he has belonged to Palmy- ra Lodge No. 24, A. O. U. W. Although mar- ried twenty-six years, Mr. Nelson has never run up a bill, always paying cash.
C
Respectfully
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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JUDGE JOSEPH ROWE.
J UDGE JOSEPH ROWE. Among the re- spected and worthy citizens of Hannibal, Mo., there are none who stand higher or are more beloved than the one whose name heads this memoir. Judge Rowe was born in King. William County, Va., January 15, 1812, and is the son of Robert and Martha (Abrahams) Rowe. Robert Rowe was also a native of King William County and was the son of Thomas Rowe, of English ancestry, who was by occupation a planter and who served in the Revolutionary Army under Washington. Robert Rowe was also engaged in agricultural pursuits, and when the war between the United States and Great Britain broke out in 1812 he enlisted and took part in that successful struggle, assisting by his valor to maintain the Republic which his father had fought to establish.
When the subject of this sketch was about seven years old, his father moved with a portion of his effects to Kentucky, with the intention of lo- cating there, but his health was so poor that he concluded to return to Virginia. His brother-in- law, William Abrahams, was sent to Kentucky and brought back to Virginia the slaves which Robert had left there, and other property. He died in 1819, in King William County, on the old homestead, much respected by all who knew hin. Mordecai Abrahams, the maternal great-grand- father of the subject of this biography, removed to King William County as a British subject, hav- ing a grant of land there from the King. He married Sari Levy, of London, England. Mor- decai, his son, and grandfather of Judge Rowe, married Susana Lawrence, a native of Virginia, by whom he had five children: Mordecai, Jr.,
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