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 11

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, C. O. Owen & Co.
Number of Pages: 820

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 11
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 11
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 11

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William L., Polly, Martha and Ketie. The latter married Thomas Rowe, an uncle of Judge Rowe; Polly married William Sizer; Martha, as above stated, was married to Robert Rowe.

Martha Rowe, the mother of Judge Rowe, was born in 1780, in King William County, Va., and died in 1856, in the full belief of the saving grace of the Baptist Church. To Robert and Martha Rowe were born seven children: Agnes L., who married William McGeorge; Susanna Henrietta, who was married to William Thomas; Robert B., who settled near Helena, Miss .; Joseph, the sub- ject of this memoir; Catherine, Mordecai and Francis W., who died in early life.

The subject of this sketch, Joseph Rowe, was reared at home and received a common school education, being required to walk, during the last two years of his schooling, seven miles to the school-house. At the age of eighteen he started for the Great West, stopping first at Cincinnati, where he remained one year, and then went to St. Louis, Mo. He began to learn the carpen- ter's trade while in Cincinnati, and continued to work at the same while in St. Louis. When the Black Hawk war broke out, he enlisted as a pri- vate in Capt. Nathan Boone's company of United States Mounted Rangers, and served until the close of that war, when he was honorably dis- charged. Nathan Boone was a son of Daniel Boone, and after the Black Hawk war became a Colonel in the regular army of the United States. It was only the last year, after the lapse of nearly sixty-five years, that Judge Rowe received from the United States a pensioner's certificate, which was signed by Hon. Hoke Smith. Secretary of the Interior, and dated November 7, 1894. The

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Judge values this document higher than a certifi- cate of election to the United States Congress.

On receiving his discharge as a soldier in the Black Hawk war, Judge Rowe returned to St. Louis and engaged in the undertaking business for a couple of years. It was at this period that he became acquainted with Miss Boyce, to whom he was married October 8, 1835. Having ac- cumulated a few thousand dollars, Mr. Rowe in- vested it in the lumber business in company with his wife's father. He continued in that business about six years, when he was advised, on account of poor health, to go to farming. Accordingly, he purchased a farm in St. Louis County, Mo., where he remained five years and then returned to the city and re-engaged in the lumber business under the firm name of Whitehill & Rowe. Five years later he sold his interest to Mr. Whitehill, and a year later engaged in the same business in his own name, which he continued until the breaking out of the war, when he deemed it ad- visable to sell out. Under the Mayoralty of Hon. Daniel G. Taylor, Judge Rowe held the position of President of the Board of Assessors for one year, declining a re-appointment on account of his poor health. He removed to Marion County, Mo., settling on what is known as the College Tract, in South River Township, consisting of four hundred and seventy-two acres. Here he engaged in agriculture until 1866, when, leaving his family on the farm, he went to Hannibal and there engaged in the lumber business under the firm name of Rowe & Toll. This firm continued until 1873, when Mr. Toll sold his interest to the Badger State Lumber Company, which was doing business at Eau Claire, Wis., and at Hannibal, Mo. Mr. Rowe retained his half of this business until the following year, when, becoming inter- ested in the Badger State Lumber Company, he sold to that corporation his stock and became one of its stockholders.

In 1870, Judge Rowe removed his family from the farm to a home he had built on the corner of Fifth and North Streets, Hannibal, which he gave to his daughter in 1884, expecting at the time to move away from Hannibal. He visited St. Louis, together with his wife, for the purpose of select-

ing a home for his future residence. He found no place that his wife was satisfied with, and came to the conclusion, after much talk with her, that she would rather live in a log hut in Hannibal than a palace in St. Louis. The two following winters the Judge spent in Florida, and in the meantime had erected for his future home a commodious residence in Hannibal, on Sixth Street, to which he moved, and where he has since resided. It is a beautiful residence, ar- ranged for comfort and quiet enjoyment.

Judge Rowe was an original stockholder in the Old First National Bank of Hannibal, of which later he was a Director, succeeding Alfred Warner. At the death of Moses P. Green, Judge Rowe became Vice-President, which position he held until the closing of the Bank. He then bought the old bank building, and in 1879 went into the private banking business, associated with Jesse M. Armstrong. He continued in the busi- ness about three years and then sold out his in- terest.

In 1876 Judge Rowe was chosen Justice of the County Court for a term of six years, which car- ried with it ex-officially the Probate jurisdiction of the Townships of Mason and Miller, with court at Hannibal. Two years later, the Probate Court was established by an act of the Legisla- ture, providing for one court at Hannibal and one at Palmyra. Later, Judge Rowe was elected by the Democratic party, Probate Judge for Marion County. He was the first Probate Judge elected by the county and held this position for four years, declining to serve a second term. He discharged the duties of the office with ability and to the satisfaction of the people, leaving behind him the reputation of having been one of the most efficient officers in this department of the county government. He also served as Mayor of the City of Hannibal for one term in 1881.

As already stated, Judge Rowe was married in 1835, in St. Louis, to Margaret Eliza Boyce. She is the daughter of Capt. William H. and Mary E. (Harrow) Boyce, and is a native of Bertie County, North Carolina. Her parents were also natives of that County, but later removed to St. Louis, the father going into the lumber business. He died

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in St. Louis, in 1839, his wife surviving him and departing this life in Hannibal, in 1880. They were members of the Methodist Church.

To Mr. and Mrs. Rowe twelve children were born, five of whom reached the age of maturity and are still living: Joseph E., now living on the old Marion County farm; Mary W., who married Col. Robert Buchanan, of St. Louis; Charles H., now at Santa Anna, Cal .; Clara Belle, who mar- ried Eugene D. Brewington, of the Standard Printing Company, Hannibal, Mo., and Wallace H., now residing at Pittsburg, Pa., and manager of the Consolidated Steel and Wire Company.

Judge Rowe and his good wife are active and influential members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, freely giving of their time and money in its aid. In the fall of 1831, the Judge became a member of this church in Cincinnati under the eloquent preaching of Rev. Samuel Morris, who later became 'a distinguished Bishop of that church. After his return from the Black Hawk war, Mr. Rowe revived his membership by join- ing the same denomination in St. Louis. It was then that he met Margaret Eliza Boyce, now his wife, both of whom have held membership in the Methodist Church from that time to the present.

Politically, Judge Rowe is a Democrat; he is a member of the Masonic Order, a Royal Arch Mason and Knight Templar. He is the oldest member of the St. Louis Encampment now liv- ing, and was a charter member of the same. He is also a charter member of the Excaliber Com- mandery, of Hannibal.

Judge Rowe's life has been one of success in all its phases ; successful in a financial way, while following the lines of strictest integrity; success- ful in rearing a family of honorable and worthy sons and daughters; successful in the honorable and able discharge of important public functions intrusted to him by the people, and successful in securing and retaining the confidence, friendship and love of his fellow man. From his beautiful home he can now take a retrospective view of the past, and with his beloved and faithful companion can enjoy the fruits of a well-spent life with the satisfaction that he has done his part toward the building up of the commonwealth and toward the

advancement of civilization; that he has been an honor to the State and a credit to a long line of honorable ancestry.

G I EORGE H. BOMBEEK. Among the worthy German-American citizens of Ralls County, this gentleman is one of the most prominent. He has been a witness of the vast changes which have taken place in the county in the past forty years, and has contrib- uted not a little to the prosperity and peace which it now enjoys. He is a man of excellent educa- tion and wide intelligence, and is thoroughily posted on the important affairs taking place in the world at large. His place of abodie is on Section 31, Saline Township, Ralls County, where he owns an improved farm of some eighty-eight acres.

Born in the Village of Rinteley, Prussia, Ger- many, April 14, 1824, Mr. Bombeek is a son of Daniel and Fredericka (Birker) Bombeek, like- wise natives of Germany. The mother died in 1838, aged forty-two years, and subsequently the father married Minnie Wilhelm, also of German birth. Her death occurred in 1853. George H. is one of ten sons born to Daniel and Fredericka Bombeek. His brother, Daniel F., is a boiler manufacturer in St. Joseph, Mo .; John W. died in Colorado; William also died in that State, and the other brothers died in infancy. By his second marriage Daniel Bombeek had three sons and two daughters, as follows: Augustus, a retired capitalist and horseman of Kansas City; Julius, deceased, formerly of the same place: Louisa, a resident of Carroll County, Mo .: Minnie, widow of Garrett Dorsey, of Carrolton, Mo .; Charles re- sides with our subject. Charles was born in Prus- sia, July 2, 1848, and was married in St. Joseph, Mo., to Emma Hausding, a native of that city, born August 9, 1855. Her parents, Charles and Cornelia (Borngesser) Hausding, were natives of Germany, and came to the United States about 1848, passing the remainder of their lives in St.

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Joseph. For some time Mr. Hausding was City Engineer and County Surveyor, and he was a man of prominence and ability.

According to the laws of his native land, Mr. Bombeek was a student in its excellent schools for eiglit years, and also received private instruc- tion. He was only twelve years of age when lie began to make himself useful to his father by keep- ing his books, and in other ways assisting him. In 1847 young Bombeek set sail from his native land, and after forty-two days on the briny deep reached New York City. There he was variously employed for seven months, but finally set his face westward, and for five years was foreman of a shoe factory in St. Louis. Thence going to Hannibal, he conducted a boot and shoe store with fair success for ten years and a half. In 1863 lie invested a part of liis fortune in the homestead which he now operates, and has made good im- provements on the place. Though taking interest in political matters, and being a stalwart supporter of the Republican party, he has never cared for official distinction. In 1861 and the year follow- ing, he was a member of the Missouri State Mili- tia, and was on one occasion taken prisoner with several others, seven of the party being killed. Subsequently, for a year, Mr. Bombeek was a member of the Thirty-Ninth Missouri Infantry, thiis being the last year of the war. In his fra- ternal relations lie is an Odd Fellow, having been associated with that body for the past ten years.

The first marriage of Mr. Bombeek took place in 1851 with Mary Vrehman, who was born in the Town of Neuss, Prussia, Germany, and who died February 16, 1867. April 7, 1870, our subject married Sarah A. Bell, who was born in Scott County, Ky., October 27, 1831, being a daughter of James and Susan (Green) Bell. The father died in 1843, aged forty-three years, and his wife departed this life in 1872, when in her seventy- second year. They were both natives of the Blue Grass State, and were married in Cincinnati. Ohio, in 1830. Mrs. Bell was then living with her parents, her father being a successful black- smith. Mr. Bell's first wife, Sarah Pullian, of Kentucky, died in 1828, and of hier three children, William is a farmer of Saline Township; Robert

J. and Mary C., died in youth. By his marriage with Miss Green, Mr. Bell had the following children: Sarah A., the only survivor of the family; John H., James T., Eliza J., Samuel, Peter R. and Robert. In 1833 James Bell and his family emigrated to this county, settling six miles west of New London, and in 1839 they permanently located near Cincinnati, Ralls County. Mrs. Bombeek is a lady of much more than ordinary learning and intelligence. She was determined to have a good education, and by private study managed to so far advance herself as to obtain a certificate as a teacher. For several terms she had charge of schools, and in this way earned enough money to take up the study of medicine. Going to New York City, she attended a course of lectures in 1861 and received a diploma.

G EORGE T. WHITE is the owner of a desirable homestead on Section 30, Un- ion Township, Lewis County. During his five years' residence here he has made many improvements of value, and has been extensively interested in buying and selling live-stock. He feeds about four carloads of cattle each year, be- sides a number of hogs. Mr. White is well known for his genial kindliness, his integrity and uprightness of character and the true Christian spirit which he manifests toward his fellows.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Ed- ward White, was of English descent and born near Cincinnati, Ohio. He practiced law for many years and was interested in ferry-boats at. Cincinnati. He owned also the land where Can- ton now stands, which is the largest town in this county. He was married in the Buckeye State to Isabella Trotter, who was born in Kentucky, and at an early day they emigrated to Missouri. Their children were as follows: Edward M .; Josina, who married George W. Mathews, supposed to have been the first white child born in Marion County north of North River; Bolivar, who died near Dubuque, Iowa, where he had resided for some years; Margaret, who married James Lath-

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am and moved to California, soon after which the latter died; Gabriella, who is the only survivor of the family. She married James Longmire and for years lived on the farm now owned by Thomas Sutter. Mr. Longmire was at one time the larg- est cattle-dealer in the county, but a few years ago moved to Florida, where his widow is still living.

Edward M., the father of our subject, was born July 3, 1826, in Marion County, Mo. The sup- port of his brothers and sisters fell upon his shoulders at an early age owing to the death of his father, and soon after that event the family moved from near Dubuque, Iowa, where the grandfather died, to Missouri; some time later our subject's father returned to Marion County. In 1849 Mr. White went to California overland, and at the end of twelve months returned home by way of New Orleans and the Mississippi River. He was for fifty-four days on the ocean during a calm, in consequence of which he and his fellow- passengers were nearly starved, as they were obliged to be content with quarter rations. After he returned home his mother told him that if he would pay off the mortgage on the farm he might have the place; Edward concluded to accept the offer. He erected a log house and soon after- ward (1853) married Savannah Evans, an orphan. She was born in Indiana, was reared by an uncle, and came to Missouri with the family of James Worthington. During her visit here she made the acquaintance of Mr. White, and after a cor- respondence he returned to Indiana for her, their marriage being celebrated in that State. Their wedding tour was by way of the Ohio and Mis- sissippi Rivers to Missouri, and in St. Louis they made purchases of furniture, etc., for their new home, coming the remainder of the journey by boat as far as La Grange.

Mr. White added cighty acres to the original tract, thus making the farm a quarter section of land; his widow is still living thercon. He was a leading farmer and stock-raiser and won the admiration and respect of a large circle of friends. He served as Justice of the Peace, Notary Public and was administrator of many estates. Politi- cally he was a Democrat. For years he and his wife were members of the old Bethel Church, with which the latter is still identified. Their

seven children are: Commorh, wife of Jerry Hansbrough of Marion County; George T., of this sketch; Ella, unmarried and at home; Paul, who was born in Marion County; Edward, who lives in Burnham, Howell County, Mo., and is the proprietor of a fruit farm; Lee, who assists in managing his mother's farm; Ivan, of Marion County.

The birth of George T. White occurred in Mar- ion County August 13. 1855, on the old White Homestead, in Fabius Township. He received a good common-school education and when he was nearly of age his father was obliged to pay a security debt of five thousand dollars, and the young man, in order to save the old home, helped his father for two years, and thus assisted in pay- ing off the debt. In his twenty-fourth year he took charge of the farm at a fixed salary of two hundred dollars and a share of the profits; he continued to operate the place for two years after his father's death, but after his marriage he moved to the old Thompson Farm, where he remained as a renter until 1890. That year he purchased the farm where he now resides and which was for- merly owned by Thomas Barr. There are two hundred and sixty acres on the place, in addition to which Mrs. White inherited eighty acres from her father's estate.

October 10, 1882, Mr. White married Sallie E., daughter of Peter P. and Artie (Lillard) Pulliam of Lewis County. Mrs. White was born Decem- ber 8, 1856, in Lewis County, and is a lady of exceptional ability. Mr. and Mrs. White have no children of their own, but have given a home and place in their hearts to three adopted chil- dren. The eldest, Willie, is a son of Thomas A. and Lucy E. Brinkley, born May 14, 1876, in this county. The child's father died when the former was five years old and the mother being in poor health and unable to take care of her son, gave him to Mr. and Mrs. White. Later they adopted Anna Belle, sister of Willie, born May 5. 1878, in Marion County, and two years afterward took the remaining child, Amanda, who was born Feb- ruary 27, 1880. The most perfect harmony, love and respect exist between the children and their foster parents. Mrs. White is prominent in church missionary work and is correspondent for

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the Baptist Woman's Missionary Society of the Wynaconda Association, which was organized in 1891, and now includes thirty-two churches. Both Mr. White and his wife are leading members in the Baptist Church and possess the true mis- sionary spirit, giving much time and attention to the subject. Politically Mr. White is a Democrat.

E LIJAH WEBSTER CAMPBELL is one of the prominent citizens and farmers of Ralls County, his residence being on Sec- tion 14, Saline Township. He is a man who has been the architect of his own fortunes, and year by year has proceeded toward his goal, a com- fortable fortune and a good landed estate. His homestead comprises two hundred and forty acres of as fertile land as heart could wish, and each season abundant harvests are garnered in return for the care and cultivation of the thrifty owner.

Our subject is a native of Marion County, Ky .. born July 3. 1843. He is one of eleven children, whose parents were William and Elsie (Richards) Campbell, who were natives of Virginia and Ken- tucky, respectively. The father was born in March, 1818, and the mother about ten years later. They were married in Kentucky, where they continued to dwell until 1850, thence moving to Hancock County, Ill. They had intended to proceed to lowa, but the father was overtaken by sickness and died in September. 1868. His widow, with her children, afterwards went to Sa- line County, Mo., and settled on a farm, where she died in 1875. Both parents were members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and were highly respected by all who had the pleasure of tlicir acquaintance. Politically, Mr. Campbell was a Whig until the great campaign of Lincoln and Douglas, when he voted the Know Nothing ticket, and from that time onward used his fran- cliise in favor of the Democracy. Six of the eleven children of William and Elsie Campbell are deceased, namely: Abraham, William, John,

Josephine, Letitia, and Uriah. Richard is a farmer in Saline County; James, a painter by trade, is a resident of Marshall, Saline County, and David is a hunter and trapper whose home is in Saline County. Josephine was the wife of Alonzo Treast, of California, and is now deceased.

On arriving at man's estate, E. W. Campbell chose as his future companion and helpmate along life's journey, Emily, daughter of William and Mary (Cain) Griffith. She was born in Han- cock County, Ill., November 2, 1840, and was married at her old home in 1863. Her father was born in Georgia in January, 1800, and departed this life March 1, 1871, while her mother, a native of Kentucky, died but a few months later, in August of the same year. This worthy old couple were married in Kentucky, and in 1828 becanic pioneers of Morgan County, Ill., and three years later of Hancock County, where they resided until death. They were members of the old school Baptist Church. Mr. Griffith was a Demo- crat, as were all his relations, with the exception of one nephew, who was a Republican. Mrs. Campbell is one of twelve children, of whom Daniel and Susannah, twins, are deceased, as is also Rachel, who was the wife of John A. Riston, an Illinois farmer; John, Elizabeth and Annie have been summoned to the home beyond; James is a farmer in Oklahoma; Martha married Amos James; Thomas owns a farm in Texas; Mary is the wife of Sylvester Van Horn, a railroad en- gincer; and Harmon is deceased.

Seven children graced the home of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, but three of the number have been gathered by the reaper, Death, namely: Willian A., Giles L., and Wassie. Rennie is the wife of John Brown, who owns a farm and is a broom manufacturer of this county, and the three younger daughters, Jennie, Abbie and Nel- vina, are at home. They have all received good educational advantages, and are fitted to adorn any society. The early years of our subject were passed on his father's farm, and with his parents he removed from Kentucky to Illinois. When fourteen years of age he left home to seek his own livelihood, and after remaining for a few months in Bureau County, Ill., went to Chicago.

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From there he proceeded to Canada, thence to St. Paul, and becoming homesick returned to his parents, and that winter attended school. In the spring he went to Iowa and engaged in herd- ing sheep until fall, when he purchased a thresh- ing machine and went into business on his own account in the nighborhood of his early home. In 1856 he went across the plains to Pike's Peak, but on account of lack of provisions and funds, turned back at the end of two months. For a sea- son or two he worked on a farm with his father, and then commenced dealing in cattle. In the fall of 1859, going to Augusta, Ill., he embarked in the grain business in company with a Mr. Har- ris, with whom he was associated for about a year. From 1860 until the fall of 1861 he was in charge of a livery stable, and in 1862 came to Missouri in the interest of Thomas & Cumpton Company, packers and shippers. He purchased cattle and corn for this firm, and remamed in this State until 1863, receiving many favorable ac- counts of the advantages offered to settlers. How- ever, he rented a farm in Illinois for four years, but ultimately returned to Missouri and located in Ralls County. For five years he rented a farm in Saline Township, and at the end of a year and a half rented another tract of three hundred acres in the same township. This he continued to lease and cultivate for fourteen years, when he purchased his present well-equipped homestead, comprising two hundred acres. Like his father, he is affiliated with the Democratic party.

J OHN F. FREDERICK. Few citizens of Marion County are more deserving of spe- cial notice or a prominent place in the his- tory of the honored and representative settlers within her boundaries than the gentleman whose name heads this biography, who, though now de- ceased, still lives in the hearts of all who knew him in this section. He was a resident here for many years, and at the time of his death left an estate comprising two hundred and thirty-three acres.

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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 11

Author: Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Chicago, C. O. Owen & Co. Number of Pages: 820

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, C. O. Owen & Co.
Number of Pages: 820