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 15
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 15
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 15
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He was of a kindly, genial nature, and these qualities endeared him to all. The mother was born in 1798 in the same State in which hier hus- band's birth occurred, and grew up a noble, amiable Christian woman. She was called to the better land in 1863.
Our subject attended the primitive log school of the period, obtaining a limited education, which he has since supplemented by experience and study. Having concluded to follow luis father's example in the matter of a life calling, he left home and worked for neighbors for some three years; then returning home he assumed the management of the place, which he cultivated even after buying his own farm. From 1866 until 1870 he resided on this homestead, then going back to his father's farm. It was not until re- cently that he returned to the old farm which he had purchased over forty years ago. *
February 22, 1866, Mr. Givens married Mar- garet Bryan, who was claimed by death four years later. This sad event was the occasion of Mr. Givens leaving his home and again taking up his abode in that of his boyhood. After his fatlier's death liis sister and her husband lived with him on the farm, and now his only child, Clelia, keeps house for him, while her husband, Joseph Russell, assists in operating the farm.
When the war broke out our subject enlisted in the Pike County Home Guards, serving until the troops were reorganized in 1862, when he be- came a member of the Fifth Missouri State Mi- litia and remained therein up to the spring of 1864. Since becoming a voter he has always rendered his allegiance to the Democratic party.
S AMUEL H. ELZEA, one of the old resi- (lents of Saline Township, Ralls County, is the proprietor of a valuable farm, located on Section 28, and also owns land elsewhere. For many years lic has met with good success in buying and selling live stock, from which source he lias derived much of his wealtlı.
Our subject's father, Samuel Elzea, was a sol- dier in the war of 1812, and died in 1851, aged sixty-five years. Both he and his wife, who was a Miss Frances Self in her girlhood, were natives of Shenandoah County, Va., and were married in that State. Mrs. Elzea died in August, 1871, aged eighty-four years. They had moved to Marion County, Mo., in 1837, and lived on a farm near Hannibal for many years. Their family com- prised the following children: John, since de- ceased; Sallie A., who married William J. Smith, both now deceased; Samuel H., of this sketch; James A., who is a farmer of Ralls County; Mary J., living near Hannibal; Kennedy A., who was killed by a horse in 1849; Henry S., a retired busi- ness man of Marion County; Marcus U., who runs a hotel in St. Louis; Martha C., twin sister of Marcus, and wife of Dr. Nathan Foster, of Ralls County; Virginia, deceased; Amanda, de- ceased, wife of James Clark, also now deceased; Frances J., who married Woodson Johnson, and with her husband has been called to the better land.
The birth of S. H. Elzea took place in Shenan- doah .County, Va., May 12, 1818, and there his youthful days were passed uneventfully. In 1837 he emigrated to Missouri with his parents, and after his marriage settled in this township, con- tinuing to cultivate one farm until 1851, when he moved to his present homestead of three hundred and twenty acres. He also owns a fine farm of three hundred acres in Marion County, and prop- erty in Monroe City, this representing his own energetic business ways, and his good wife's able assistance in his various enterprises. He received a public school education, and is a man of more than ordinary intelligence and liberality of ideas. His first purchase of land was a tract of one lun- dred and twenty acres of timber, and he was the first man in this region to break the prairie. In 1849 he went on horseback to California in search of gold, but returned home at the end of twelve months. This trip was made in a vessel which carried about five hundred passengers, among whom the dread scourge, cholera, broke out and carried away all but thirty-seven of the number. Mr. Elzea himself had a siege with the disease,
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but finally recovered, and, to his knowledge, was the only one that recovered. In 1869 he made a second journey to California, going there with the intention of entering land, but was unable to do so, and came back to Missouri when but little more than four weeks had elapsed.
In 1843 S. H. Elzea and Catherine M. Wood were married in this county. She was born in South Carolina, February II, 1827, being one of twelve children, whose parents were James and Susan (Burnett) Wood. The father, a native of Virginia, died April 9, 1866, aged eighty-eight years, and the mother, a native of South Caro- lina, died in 1872 when in her ninetieth year. Their union was celebrated in South Carolina, and in 1827 they settled near New London, Ralls County. Later they came to pass their remain- ing years in Saline Township. The father was not identified with any church organization, but the mother was a faithful member of the Meth- odist Church. Their children were as follows: Jane, widow of John Alexander, of South Caro- lina; Harry, deceased; Ona, deceased, wife of Pleasant Alberson, also deceased; James, de- ceased; Rosa, widow of William Bashear, of Adair County, Mo .; William and Alexander, de- ceased; Cynthia, widow of a Mr. Dale, of Ne- braska; John O., an extensive land owner and retired business man of Canton, Mo .; Mary, de- ceased, who first married James Wilson and sub- sequently John Milton, both now deceased; Han- ilton, who has passed from this life; Catherine M., Mrs. Elzea, and Frances, who married Stephen Schoby, and with her husband is now deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Elzea have had born to them four sons and two daughters. Susan F. is the widow of Overton Gentry, of Monroe City, and Mary E. is the wife of J. L. Evans, a merchant of the same town. James S. is an enterprising young farmer of this county, and Willie, the youngest, is in the commission business in New York City. John H. and Charles L., the other sons, are at home, and assist in the cultivation of the farm. The former owns four hundred and fifty-three acres and the latter eighty acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Elzea are members of the Baptist Church,the former having been connected
with the same for fifty-three years, and is the only surviving person among the organizers of the first church in Hannibal. Mrs. Elzea has been a member of the organization for fifty years.
OSEPH THOMAS SIMMONS is one of the enterprising and leading farmers of Marion County, having his home on Sec- tion 8, Township 58, Range 8. For thirteen years he was a School Director of the district and has always given his influence toward the promo- tion of better educational privileges for the rising generation. He is public-spirited in every re- spect and is always on the side of progress. To his own industrious efforts and years of unremit- ting toil he owes his present condition of prosper- ity and the enviable place he holds in the estima- tion of all.
Robert W. Simmons, father of the above, was born in North Carolina and at an early day moved with his father to Kentucky. His parents died in that State, but it was not until some time after this event that Robert came to Missouri and set- tled in Shelby County. His main occupations in life were farming and hunting, of the latter of which he was particularly fond. His home in Shelby County was near the Marion County line, and in 1842 he moved to the old Jones Farm in this township, which is now better known as the Simmons Place. He entered forty acres and afterward bought more until his farm comprised one hundred and twenty acres. In his later years he sold out and, moving to Texas, dwelt for two years in that State; as he did not like it, however, he returned to Marion County and passed his re- maining days at the home of our subject, death occurring in August, 1877. His wife, who was Miss Mary Phelps, was born in Kentucky and died when her son Joseph was young. Her children were named as follows: Ephraim, John, Henry, George, Joseph, Julia, Mary, Cooper and Zach- ary; the two eldest, Julia and Cooper, are de- ceased.
J. T. Simmons was born in Shelby County, Mo.,
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June 21, 1841, and was reared to farm labor, giv- ing his assistance to his father until he arrived at mature years. June 21, 1864, he married Sa- lina Young, born September 14, 1846. She is the daughter of Burdette and Mildred (Carter) Young, natives of North Carolina and Kentucky respectively. They were married in Missouri, whither Mr. Young had emigrated with his par- ents at the age of four years, this being (1818), before the Territory had been admitted to State- hood. He settled near Hannibal, where he passed the remainder of his life. Seven children were born to our subject and wife, namely: Charles M., born April 26, 1865; Mary Ann, born Sep- tember 12, 1866; Joseph W., born April 12, 1868; Fannie, born March 2, 1871; Nanny H., born August 16, 1873; Burdette Y., born August 18, 1875; Lizzie J., born September 9, 1888. Joseph WV. married Saralı Jane Wood and is now living on the old Wood Homestead, this county; Fan- nie died July 24, 1872; Nanny is the wife of John WV. Crane of this county. The other children are still at home with their parents.
Mr. Simmons purchased forty acres of his pres- ent farm and from time to time invested in more land until he now owns one hundred and twenty acres, all but fifteen of which are under cultiva- tion. The owner has made nearly all of the im- provements on the place and has cleared away the timber with which it was formerly encum- bered. On political questions he is always to be found supporting the Democracy. He and his good wife are members of the Baptist Church which stands near their home and are always ready to aid the poor and needy and to lend a helping hand to their fellow-men.
J AMES H. ELLIOTT is a retired farmer cf Saline Township, Ralls County, his home being on Section 14. He is one of the pio- neers of this region, as was also his father and paternal grandfather. The former came here in the fall of 1828, settling near Salt River, and thenceforward was closely associated with the history of that district.
Our subject's grandfather, Elliott, was a na- tive of Maryland, but his son, John, father of James H., was born in Kentucky. He died March 31, 1840, while still in the prime of life, being but thirty-five years of age. In his native State he had married Mrs. Mary (Clarvoe) Manning, a native of Maryland. She also died in early life, being but thirty-six years old at the time of her demise, which occurred in 1836. Their union was blessed with six children, four sons and two daughters, namely: James H., William H., John C., Stephen B., Ann C., and Sarah E., and our subject is the only survivor. Prior to her mar- riage with John Elliott, our subject's mother had been the wife of John Manning, by whom she had one daughter, Ann S. The latter married Stephen E. Elliott (not a relative, however), and as her husband is deceased is now living with her children in this township.
James H. Elliott is a native of Scott County, Ky., his birth having occurred December 13, 1826. He was reared at his father's homestead in Center Township, and was fourteen years of age when death deprived him of that thoughtful and affectionate parent. He was thrown upon his own responsibility and served an apprenticeship at the cabinet-maker's trade, to which business he gave his attention until reaching his twenty- seventh year. About this time he was married and began housekeeping on a rented farm, which he operated for a year. In 1857 he purchased his present homestead, which was a tract of wild land. As the years passed a gradual transforma- tion took place, and to-day Mr. Elliott's home- stead of one hundred and sixty acres is one of the most fertile and well-cultivated farms in the county. He is a man who attends strictly to his own business affairs, and though'he votes at elections for Democratic candidates, has never himself aspired for office.
In 1852 occurred the marriage of Mr. Elliott and Mariah L. Kendrick, who was born in Pike County, Mo., January 25, 1830, and whose father was Daniel B. Kendrick. Seven children, four sons and three daughters, have come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Elliott. John D. is engaged in the flour and grain business in Mon-
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roe City; William H. and Edward F. are de- ceased, and Robert, the other son, is engaged in commercial pursuits in Clay Township, Ralls County; Mary C., the eldest daughter, married William H. Elliott, her third cousin, and a farmer of this township, and Cordie C. also married a third cousin, Robert F. Elliott, who owns a farm in Ralls County; Sarah J., the youngest daughter, is still living with her parents. Our subject was reared in the Catholic Church, and has been a regular attendant on its services since boyhood. He is noted for his sterling honesty and integrity of character, and is worthy of being accorded a place among the respected residents and pioneers of the county.
W ILLIAM F. SUITT. The subject of this biography is an enterprising young farmer of Marion County and one of the leading and representative citizens of Township 58, Range 8, where is located his es- tate of two hundred and nineteen acres.
Our subject is a native of this county, having been born in Mason Township, October 16, 1864, to Samuel and Mary (Kelly) Suitt, also natives of this county. The father was a farmer and when in the very prime of life was called hence. His wife died at the age of twenty-two years. She became the mother of three children: William F. was the eldest; Mary married Daniel Herns and is now residing on a farm in this township; John departed this life in infancy.
Being deprived when young of the care of his parents our subject made his home with his uncle, with whom he remained until attaining his nine- teenth year. He was then of sufficient age to be- gin the battle of life for himself, and his first work was as a farm-hand in the community in which he lived. Two years later, however, he purchased a tract of land in Liberty Township, which was eighty acres in extent and had been the property of his sister, and on this place he lived for five years; while there (February 9, 1887) he was mar- ried to Miss Maggie Young, born in Quincy, Ill., January 22, 1868. She was the daughter of
James W. and Lucy (Wash) Young. Her father was for thirty years one of the substantial agri- culturists of Marion County, this State, and for many years was a pilot and later a captain on the Mississippi River, owning the boat "Harry Reed." He is now living retired with his good wife in Hannibal.
Four years after his marriage our subject dis- posed of his first tract of land and invested the proceeds in his present estate of two hundred and nineteen acres, one hundred and seventy-five acres of which are under excellent tillage and bear the best of improvements in the way of machinery and buildings, all of which have been placed there by the enterprising and ambitious owner.
To Mr. and Mrs. Suitt have been born two chil- dren: Blanche, born June 30, 1888; Grace, born April 3, 1891. Mrs. Suitt is a member of the Baptist Church, worshiping with the Ebenezer Congregation near her farm. Our subject's life has been unmarked by any startling events, but has been one of diligent effort and untiring labor and of such a character that he has won and holds the esteem and confidence of his community. He is a Democrat in politics.
S TEPHEN THOMAS ELLIOTT is a re- tired farmer, residing in Hassard, Ralls County, and was appointed mail agent of the place in 1887, his estimable wife being ap- pointed Postmistress the same year, and still act- ing in that capacity. Our subject is one of the pioneers of this region, and from boyhood has been closely associated with its upbuilding and development.
Stephen T. Elliott, Sr., was born in Washing- ton County, Ky., in 1804, and was married in Ralls County, August 20, 1831, to Mary A. T. Hill. She is a native of Nelson County, Ky., born September 16, 1816, and her death occurred June 12, 1878. Her husband, who survived her a num- ber of years, departed this life in November, 1890. He settled in Saline Township, on the Salt River, in 1828, and remained there until 1850, when he moved to this section of the township. In 1881
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he went to Monroe City, where he lived retired from active care during the remainder of his life. His children numbered ten, of whom our sub- ject is the eldest; John C., the next younger, died in infancy; Mary A., is the wife of Joshua H. Gentry, a farmer of Vernon County, Mo .; Susan is the wife of Dennis Crowley, a carriage manu- facturer at Ely Station, Marion County; Maria W., married John P. Knott, a farmer and carpen- ter of the last mentioned county; John R., and Mary, died in infancy; Martha A., wedded Isaac P. Myers, a gardener and nurseryman of Wichita, Kan., and Francis K., is a farmer of Marion County. The parents of these children were members of the Catholic Church and brought up their family to observe its teachings.
S. T. Elliott was born June 3, 1832, and in his youth obtained practical instructions in the proper management of a farm under his father's guid- ance. His education was limited to such as was afforded by the district school, but after reaching maturity he added thereto by private study, read- ing and extended observation. He left home when twenty-five years of age, to seek his own livelihood and soon afterwards located on the farm which had been given him by his father for his service after attaining his majority. This tract of land, which is located on Sections 2, 3 and II, Township 56, Range 7, he continued to cultivate for thirty years, but for the past eight years has resided at Hassard. His wife owns a good tract of land, two hundred and eighty acres in extent, lying in Morgan County, and in addition to this they own eighteen lots located in the town. They are consequently comfortably well-off and have ample means to meet all the needs of their declining years.
On January 12, 1858, Mr. Elliott married Matilda C. Moore, who was born in Paris, Monroe County, April 25, 1842. Her parents, James C. and Delia A. (Mitchell) Moore, were natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively and were married in Paris, Mo. Their eldest child, Susan R., deceased, joined the Sisters in Loretta, Ky., Mary E., deceased, was the wife of Dennis E. Crowley, Station agent of Ely, Marion County, Mo .; Henry F., is an attorney and ex- |
tensive land owner in Trinidad, Col., and James W., died in infancy. After the death of Mrs. Delia Moore, the father married Caroline McAtee of Clinton, Mo., who is now living in Denver, Col. Her two eldest children, Eudora and Eugene, were twins; the former is the wife of James Hannigan of Denver, Col., and the latter died in infancy. James E., the next in the family, is deceased and Augustus M., is an attorney-at- law in Emporia, Kan. James C. Moore, a native of Virginia, was for forty years a resident in Monroe County. Then for eight years he lived in Hunnewell, Shelby County, and then settled in Marshall, Saline County, where his death oc- curred in March, 1870. For many years he carried on a drug store and became quite well-to- do. His first wife died in Paris, Mo., in 1851, aged forty years.
Mr. and Mrs. Elliott have a family of six chil- dren, namely: Mary V., who is the wife of J. E. Glahn, a farmer of Marion County; James T., who operates a farm in Shelby County; Agnes, wife of Herbert Donnelly, a school teacher of Shelby County; Henry E., an agriculturist, liv- ing in the vicinity of Monroe City; Eva W., Mrs. William Ketsingberg of this county, and Elmer T., who is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott are members of the Catholic Church. The former is affiliated with the Democratic party and is very active in his championship of its platform and nominees.
AMES BEATTY is an enterprising farmer of Section 7, Township 59, Range 8, Mar- ion County, and is highly deserving of a place among the best citizens of this locality. A man of upright and honorable life, his record has never been tarnished by unmanly or selfish ac- tion; he is one of those who consider the inter- ests of others paramount to their own and he has thus won the respect and friendship of all who have come in contact with him.
Our subject's parents, George and Mary (Mc- Kelvey) Beatty, were both natives of County
.
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Fermanagh, Ireland. The father was born in the Emerald Isle, and was married in that country upon reaching man's estate. When he was thirty-five years of age he crossed the Atlantic, landing in New York City and remaining there for a short time. He then proceeded to the West and arrived in Lewis County, Mo., where he bought forty acres of land and engaged in farming until 1876, when he sold out. Moving to the tract of ninety-one acres on which our subject now lives, he made a number of improvements on the place and engaged in general farming until a short time prior to his death, which occurred September 26, 1894. During the late war he en- listed under Joe Porter and on the expiration of the service was honorably discharged. He died at a ripe old age, being eighty-seven years, ten months and eleven days old. His wife is still living, her home being in La Belle, Lewis Coun- ty. She and her husband united with the Episco- pal Church in 1867 and have since been faithful members. They had four children: Catherine married George Wells and lives in Lewis County; Sarah became the wife of Solomon Gedney of Macon County, Mo .; David died near Newtown, Ill., in 1865.
James Beatty was born May 20, 1846, in Lewis County and continued to dwell under his father's roof up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated in 1882, the lady of his choice being Miss Annie Waters. She was born April 4, 1865, in this county and is a daughter of John and Bar- bara (Ihler) Waters, natives of Kentucky and Illi- nois respectively and early settlers of this region, their home being still in this neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Beatty have become the parents of three children, namely: George, born in June, 1884; Elsie, born in October, 1886; Estus, born in July, 1893.
After his marriage Mr. Beatty moved to this farm, where his father was then living, and a year later went to Shelby County, Mo., where he made his home for about twelve months. Returning to Marion County he operated a farm for a year, after which he dwelt in Knox County for a like period. Then returning to the old homestead he took charge of the place and, after his father's death, became proprietor of the farm. The land
is all under cultivation with the exception of ten acres and everything shows the careful attention and thrifty methods of the owner. He is a man of liberal education, being well posted on the cur- rent topics of the day. Politically he votes for Democratic principles and nominees.
M ARTIN V. SCHOFIELD is one of the native sons of Marion County and has long been numbered among its leading farmers. He owns a well-improved homestead on Section 4, Township 59, Range 8, on which he has made most of the valuable improvements. There is probably no family better known in this county than the one to which he belongs, for members of the same have been closely associated with its history and development. Martin's par- ents, Thomas and Margaret (Reed) Schofield, were natives of Kentucky, where they lived un- til they came to Missouri.
Our subject was born February 20, 1845, and in his boyhood received good instruction in the duties pertaining to farm life and to citizenship. Soon after reaching his majority he left home and, deciding to follow his father's vocation, he purchased a farm of forty acres not far from his present one, but sold out a year later and invested the amount realized in eighty acres northeast of his present home; he improved this farm and dwelt thereon for some thirteen years. A favor- able opportunity of selling the place caused him, to dispose of it and in its stead he bought what is known as the old Bowman Farm, a place of two hundred and forty acres. On the expiration of two years he again sold out and rented the Shackleford Homestead for two years. When he had decided where to make his future location he purchased one hundred acres, on which he has since made his home.
February 1, 1872, the marriage of Mr. Scho- field and Rebecca J. Brest, a native of Pennsyl- vania, was celebrated in this county. She was born March 27, 1847, and is a daughter of John and Sarah Brest, likewise natives of the Keystone State, who came to this section some thirty years
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ago and are still honored residents of this com- munity. The home of our subject has been graced by nine children, as follows: Roza, born January 30, 1874, died October 28, 1887; Sarah Lena, born March 6, 1876, married W. B. Ingraham and lives near the old home; Ira T., born June 27, 1878, assists in the management of his father's farm; one died in infancy (unnamed); John R., born October 11, 1882, died November 8, 1887; Alma, born May 18, 1885; Bessie, born October 3, 1887; Lotta E., born September 3, 1891; Charles, born September 1, 1892. The elder chil- dren have received good common-school educa- tions and are thus better fitted for the future than was their father when he set out to fight life's bat- tles. Both he and his good wife are members of the Baptist Church.
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