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 16

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 16
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 16
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 16

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In the fall of 1863 Mr. Schofield enlisted in Company D, Sixty-ninth Regiment of Missouri Militia, under Col. Reeding and Capt. Lewis. He was called into action on several occasions and was stationed at La Grange, where the company was finally disbanded in 1865. Since he reached his majority he has stood firmly by the Republi- can party and is well qualified to expound and de- fend his views on good government.

J® AMES W. HUNTER, whose home was for many years on a farm located in Township 54, Range 2, Pike County, was a man of up- right and sterling character. He was kind and indulgent to his family, a good friend and a re- spected member of the community. His hos- pitality and his liberal support of all worthy en- terprises were among his prominent qualities, and in numberless small ways he endeared him- self to all with whom he came in contact. For forty years he was the leading member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and for about half of that time was a Ruling Elder. His deatlı, which occurred December 27, 1888, was indi- rectly caused by injuries received in a runaway accident some two years before. His hosts of friends hold his memory in tender regard and feel that his death was a public loss.

Mr. Hunter was born about two and a half miles south of the homestead on which his widow resides, June 19, 1835. He was one of five chil- dren, three of whom are living, whose parents were William and America (Fry) Hunter. The father was born in Kentucky in 1811, and in early manhood moved with his parents to Mis- souri. Having learned the cooper's trade, he followed the business more or less during the re- mainder of his life. He was married in 1833, and after some years of happy life spent in this county he moved with his family to Ralls County, and for ten or twelve years resided near Madisonville. He died August 1, 1888, at the home where lie had lived for some time, situated on Noix Creek, this county.

After having acquired a good common-school education J. W. Hunter determined to give him- self to agricultural pursuits, and, as he had no capital, he hired out as a farm hand for a few years. In the meantime he carefully husbanded his resources, living frugally, and in the spring of 1869 he found himself in a position to own a farm of his own. This proved a turning point in his history, and thenceforward his success was assured.

Mr. Hunter was especially fortunate in his choice of a wife, who was Miss Edna Carroll, a lady of good education, refinement and womanly tact; they were married March 4, 1869, and eight children came to bless their union. Three of the number were summoned by the reaper, death, within the short space of three months, and those who remain to comfort the bereaved wife and mother comprise two sons and three daughters: Ena, wife of Homer Dudley, a progressive young farmer, who are the parents of one child; Howard C. and Hobart, promising young men, aged twenty-three and eighteen years respect- ively; Eva, now in her fourteenth year; Lizzie, a bright little girl of six years. The parents of Mrs. Hunter were Lewellen and Elizabeth (Stark) Car- roll. The former was a son of Joseph Carroll and brother of the Hon. Thomas M. Carroll, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Elizabeth was the daughter of James Stark, of Revolutionary fame.

ROBERT L. BOWLES.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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ROBERT L. BOWLES.

R OBERT L. BOWLES, President of the First National Bank, Palmyra, Mo., was born in Bourbon County, Ky., October 22, 1832. His father, Robert Bowles, was a native of Virginia, born in 1788, and was by trade a stone- mason, though usually occupied in farming. When our subject was but six years old the family removed to Kentucky, and the father died in Bourbon County when about sixty-eight years of age. The grandfather Bowles was born in Vir- ginia, and by occupation was a farmer. He moved to Kentucky in 1794 and located on a farm in Bourbon County, where he died at a good old age. He was of Scotch-Irish extraction. Our sub- ject's mother, Anna (Forman) Bowles, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., and died at her daugh- ter's, in Marion County, Mo., at the age of fifty- six years. Her father, William Forman, better known as "Lick" Forman, was born in Kentucky and moved to Marion County, Mo., in 1818, lo- cating in the western part. He was one of the first settlers of the county and died on a farm where he located on his arrival in the county. He was reputed to be one of the wealthiest farmers in Marion County.

Robert Bowles and Annie Forman were mar- ried in Kentucky. They came to Marion County, Mo., in 1819, but returned to Kentucky the same year, never unloading their wagon. They were the parents of eleven children, five sons and six daughters, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. William died at the age of twenty- six years; Elizabeth and Emerine are now de- ceased; Socrates, yet residing in Kentucky; Eleanor is the widow of Charles Taylor of Marion County; Zerilda and Mary Jane are deceased;

John M., of Marion County, Mo .; Frances, widow of Westley Forman, of Kentucky; Robert L., our subject; and David H., deceased.

Robert L. Bowles was reared on a farm in his native State and remained at home, assisting in the farm work and attending school as the oppor- tunity offered, until twenty years of age. He then started out for himself and engaged to drive stock to various markets, for which he received $15.00 per month. He continued in this employ- ment for five years, his wages being increased from time to time, until he received $150.00 per month and expenses. When about twenty-six years of age he commenced buying and shipping stock on his own account, in which business he continued until 1861. He was at Macon, Ga., when the first gun was fired at Fort Sumter. Re- turning home in 1862, he enlisted in Co. B. of W. C. P. Breckinridge's Battalion, which became at- tached to the command of John H. Morgan. In 1863 Breckinridge's Battalion was consolidated with R. G. Stoner's Battalion and formed the Ninth Kentucky Cavalry, under command of Col. W. C. P. Breckinridge. When the two Battalions were consolidated, the Company of our subject became Company C. Mr. Bowles, who was then Second Lieutenant, was promoted to be First Lieutenant, which position he held until his dis- charge in 1865.

On the close of the war, Lieut. Bowles engaged in his usual business, in Kentucky, and continued in the same in 1873, when he came direct to Pal- myra, Mo., where he had formerly bought land and has since resided here and been engaged in the stock and other business. He became one of the Directors of the First National Bank in 1885,

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and was elected President of the same in 1892. The bank has a capital stock of $60,000. J. W. Proctor is Cashier.

In December, 1888, Mr. Bowles was united in marriage with Miss Kate Stribling, born in Vir- ginia, Ill., and a daughter of Milton Stribling, of Cass County, in that State. Mr. Bowles is a member of Marion Lodge, No. 31, I. O. O. F., and has filled all the chairs in the same. He is the largest land owner in the county, and has now about five thousand acres of land in Marion County. He has about six hundred acres in corn at this time (the summer of 1895). He is still en- gaged in the stock business, handling from a hun- dred and fifty to two hundred head yearly. Suc- cess has crowned his efforts in life, and all that he has was secured by good management and careful attention to the details of his business. His credit has always been A No. I, and his word as good as his bond.

J AMES J. JARMAN. It is impossible in a brief biographical sketch to render full jus- tice to prominent men, and yet there are some who are so intimately connected and iden- tified with the county's welfare, and whose names are so familiar to all, that it is only justice to dwell upon what they have done and the influence of their career upon others, not as empty words of praise, but as the plain statement of a plain truth. To this class belongs Mr. Jarman, one of the large land owners of Ralls County, who is at present District Road Overseer. His estate is located on Section 35, Saline Township, and is four hundred acres in extent.

Our subject was born in Worcester County, Md., April 10, 1847, to Thomas and Sally (Jar- man) Jarman, who, although bearing the same name, were not relatives. The father was like- wise a native of Maryland and died in 1853 when forty-eight year old. His wife was born in the same state and passed away in 1865, when in her forty-fifth year. They passed their entire lives in Maryland, where they were well-to-do farmers

and prominent people of their locality. They were members in good standing of what was known as the Ironside Baptist Church. In poli- tics, the father was a Democrat, stanch and truc.

To Thomas and Sally Jarman there were born seven children. Among these were James J., of this sketch; Sally M., the wife of Garrison Nichols, a farmer and preacher of the Methodist Episcopal faith, of Worcester County, Md. He was also a talented musician and taught with suc- cess; Mary C., now deceased, was the wife of Minus Brettingham, who makes his home in Worcester County, Md., where he is a prominent merchant.

The original of this sketch was reared on the old homestead in Maryland, remaining there un- til attaining his majority, when he started out to make a name and fortune. He came West, and selecting Missouri as his location, settled first in Monroe County, where he worked out on farms by the month. After a year spent in this way he went to Paris and obtained employment working on the railroad. He was married about this tinie and renting a farm in Marion County, moved upon it and for two years was engaged in its cul- tivation. He was very prosperous from the first, and in that short time had saved a sufficient suni of money to enable him to become owner of land for himself. He then purchased a portion of his present estate, and, as he prospered, added to the same until to-day his estate includes four hundred broad and fertile acres. Although Mr. Jarman was permitted to attend school for only a short time, the training which he received in farm work was thoroughi and has proved to be very beneficial, for without that knowledge he could never have made the success which has been his in farming.

Our subject was married in this county, in 1870, to Miss Zena Timmons, who was born in Maryland, May : 1, 1850, and was the daughter of McKinnie and Mary C. (Griffin) Timmons, also natives of Maryland, where they lived until 1868. That year they came to Ralls County, Mo., and settling in Elizabethtown, made that place their home until 1870, when they went to Paris, Mon- roe County, where they resided until their de-

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cease, in the month of January, 1870, just three weeks apart. The father was aged sixty-seven and the mother forty-eight years. They were farmers and people of prominence, active in all good works in their community. After removing to Paris, however, they lived retired from active life. They were the parents of eleven children, as follows: Jenkins is a mechanic of Worcester County, Md.,; Mary A., married Benjamin Bas- sett, also of that state; Amelia became the wife of George Warren of Polk County, Mo .; Nancy is the widow of Campbell Massey, formerly of Wi- comico County, Md .; Laura married Thomas Timmons, a farmer of Wicomico County; Mattie, now deceased, was the wife of James Rane, also of that county; Belle married William Beshears, also of Maryland; John is a farmer of this county; Roda married Guy Beshears, a farmer of Mis- souri, and Zena, Mrs. Jarman, was the youngest.

To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born two sons and one daughter. William T., died when an infant; Annie is with her parents, and Hilleary L., is also at home. Mr. Jarman has been very prominent in public affairs and in 1891 was appointed Road Overseer, which office he still holds. He is a stanch supporter of Democratic principles and has ever been a loyal citizen, both in times of peace and war. Relig- iously, he is a devoted member of the Missionary Baptist Church, to the support of which he gives liberally of his means. He is well known throughout the community as a man honest, up- right and warm-hearted. Mr. Jarman is a man of fine physique, his standard weight being 380 pounds.

T HOMAS V. HUMMELL is a hero of the War of the Rebellion, having served for three months in the Iowa State Militia and for four years in the United States Army. He participated in many of the most important bat- tles of the war and fought valiantly for the preser- vation of the Union. He is one of the old settlers of Marion County, having arrived here in 1869, and for the past six years has dwelt on Section 12,

Township 59, Range 8, where he owns a desir- able homestead. He is a self-made man in the best sense of the word and in all his endeavors has been greatly assisted by his faithful wife.

Jacob Hummell, father of the above, was born in Pennsylvania and was married to Mary Bar- ton, a native of Ohio, while on his way westward with his parents. He was by trade a brickmaker and manufactured the brick used in the first build- ing of that material put up in Henry County, Iowa. He was one of the pioneers of that section and resided there until his death in 1850; his widow is still living in Henry County and is now eighty-three years of age. They have seven sons, namely: Dennis, John, William, Thomas, George, Joseph and Henry.

Thomas V. Hummell was born in Henry Coun- ty, Iowa, September 23, 1845, and in his youth had very limited school advantages, his studies being mainly pursued at home. Although only sixteen years of age when the war began he en- listed, in the spring of 1861, in Company I, Four- teenth Iowa Infantry, under Capt. Warren C. Jones and Col. Shaw, and took part in many minor engagements, skirmishes and in seventeen well-known battles, among which were those of Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River; Fort Don- elson, Shiloh, Iuka, Corinth, Pleasant Hill and Sa- bine Cross-Roads. In 1863 he was taken sick, but was never in the hospital with the exception of two weeks. He was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant and was honorably dis- charged, in August, 1865, at Davenport, Iowa. The only injury which he sustained during his service was a slight wound in the ear, a scar now marking the point.

On his return from southern battlefields Mr. Hummell assisted his mother on the farm for a year and in August, 1866, married Elizabeth Wright, who was born at Mount Sterling, Brown County, Ill., in March, 1847. Her parents, Carl- ton and Mary (Gibson) Wright, were natives of Illinois, but moved to Missouri in an early day, where the father died; the mother is now living in Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Hummell have been blessed with ten children: The eldest, Sadie, is the wife of Mick Durricks of St. Louis; Lillie Belle married John Claybrook and now lives in

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Lewis County, Mo .; Mattie, Pearl and Eva May are deceased; the others-Nellie Ann, Dora, Lizzie, Goldie G. and Jessie-are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Hummell are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and in their religious and social relations they endeavor con- stantly to put into practice their professions and to benefit others as far as lies in their power.

After his marriage Mr. Hummell bought fif- teen acres in Henry County, Iowa, and at the end of a year moved to Appanoose County, in the same State, engaging in farming for two years longer. In 1869 he moved to this county, first settling at Emerson and continuing to live there and in the Town of Benbow until six years ago. At that time he bought one hundred and five acres, his present farm, and now has sixty acres under cultivation, making corn, wheat and oats the principal products, in addition to which he raises stock sufficient for his own purposes. Since becoming a voter he has loyally supported the Republican party.

W ILLIAM CRANE is an example of what may be accomplished by a man who sets forth in life empty-handed but determined to win success, if perseverance and industry will accomplish that result. After years of toil he may well be proud of the prosper- ity which he now enjoys and of his beautiful farm, which is located in Township 58, Range 8, Marion County. Since 1857 the place has been in his possession, or at least a portion of it, for his original purchase comprised less than half of his present farm. The cause of education has ever found in him a warm friend and for several years he served as School Director in his home clistrict.

Talton L. Crane, the father of our subject, was born in Virginia and moved to Kentucky, where lie married Miss Polly Biggles, whose birth oc- curred in North Carolina. In 1839 Mr. Crane sold out his Kentucky possessions, as two of his children were then living in this county, and the same fall he started to make the journey with

teams. When nearly four weeks had elapsed he arrived here and settled near Philadelphia, where he rented the McCormick Farm, about one hun- dred and sixty acres; four years later he moved to the Dr. Anderson Farm, six miles east of Phila- delphia. His last years were spent on the Bark- ley Farm, where his demise occurred in June, 1849; his wife died in January, 1844.

William Crane is one of seventeen children, who are named as follows: George M., a farmer of this township, whose wife was formerly Frances Marshall; Betsey, who married Asa Bottoms in 1857 and died in August, 1879; Matilda, wife of Cyrus Powell of Union Township; Thomas J., who married Eliza Orange (he and his wife are now deceased); Theodocia (deceased), wife of James Marshall (also deceased); Taylor, who died in infancy; Robert, a farmer who married Susan Davidson; William C .; Calvin (deceased), whose widow, Catherine C., is now the wife of Mr. Webb of Palmyra; James, who first married Catherine Taylor and subsequently Martha Mor- gan and is now a farmer of Ray County, Mo .; Joel, of Sonoma County, Cal., whose wife, G. Davidson, is deceased; Richard, also of Sonoma County, Cal., who married Miss Nancy Patton; Cyrus, who wedded Matilda Pemberton (now de- ceased) and resides near Palmyra; Cary Allen, who died during the Siege of Vicksburg; John, the fourth child, who married Martha Crane (de- ceased) and is now a resident of Palmyra; Charles, who died about 1840, aged twelve years ; Nelson L., who married Clara Allen and now lives near Philadelphia, Mo.

The birth of William Crane occurred in Waslı- ington County, Ky., May 18, 1824. He lent his assistance to his father on the farm until he was twenty-six years old, when he went to Morgan County, Ill., and worked for a farmer about six months; returning to Marion County he operated a farm for himself in company with his brother- in-law until 1849. April 18 of that year he and William Muldro of Philadelphia started with a party of some thirty-two persons for the West. In the train were fourteen wagons, one being drawn by two horses, while one hundred and twelve oxen were used for the others. The party crossed the Missouri River at St. Joseph and

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stopped at Fort Kearney on the Platte River; at Fort Laraniie they took what was known as Fre- mont's Route. At Coal Springs, Cal., the con- pany broke up, selling out their possessions and everyone struck out for himself. William Crane with his brothers went to Peru, Cal., and there engaged in mining until 1851, when on account of poor health he started for home, taking the Pana- ma, Route. In crossing the isthmus he paid six- teen dollars for the privilege of riding a mule twenty miles, and then taking a skiff went down the Chagres River to its mouth; from there he took passage on a ship for New Orleans. When he arrived at home he found that his father had died during his absence, and for a year he worked near Palmyra. The following four years he and his brother Thomas worked a farm on shares and during this period the former made two visits to Kentucky and persuaded his sister, who was then living in Washington County, to move to Missouri.

January 18, 1859, William Crane married Hetty Frances Pettit, who was born March 21, 1837, in Washington County, Ky. Her parents, William H. and Ann (Marshall) Pettit, were natives of Kentucky and Virginia respectively, the former having been born in 1803 and the latter in 1808. The last year of Mr. Pettit's life was passed in Knox County, Mo., where he engaged in farming, his death occurring February 27, 1895; his wife died October 21, 1889. Of their twelve children seven are deceased, namely: Mary A., Thomas M., Eliza J., Harriet C., Mildred T., Robert R. and William H .; Martha Elizabeth married Jacob O'Brien, who was killed during the war, and her home is now in Texas; Sarah Margaret married Edward Priest and is a resident of Philadelphia, this county; Lucy M., wife of Julian Gibbons, lives in Topeka, Kan .; Susan E. married Madison Gupton, a farmer of Warren Township.

After his marriage William Crane rented sev- eral farms in this county during a period of eleven years, but in 1867 he purchased seventy-eight acres of his homestead and subsequently bought a tract of thirty-eight acres adjoining, now owning altogether one hundred and fifty-six acres; one hundred and sixteen acres are under cultivation, corn, wheat and oats being the chief products. Mr.

Crane has always used his influence in behalf of the Democratic party, and like a true citizen en- deavors to do his duty to his country and to his fellow-men.

Mr. and Mrs. Crane are the parents of seven children, namely: Annie Mary, wife of John W. Roy, a farmer of Ralls County, Mo .; William Lee (unmarried), a farmer of this township; John W., who married Nanny Simmons, rents a farm not far from his father's home; Thomas J., who mar- ried Bernie Gupton and lives in this neighbor- hood; Gertie C., Ora and Nellie D., who are at home. The children have received good com- mon-school educations and several of the older ones have taught successfully in the county schools. The family are all identified with the Baptist Church and are greatly interested in re- ligious work.

E DWIN B. HICKS, junior member of the firm of Fagg, Ball & Hicks, prominent lawyers of Louisiana, was born in Pike County, Mo., March 26, 1870. His parents were James N. and Cassandria (Elgin) Hicks, the for- mer of whom was born in Virginia. James N. Hicks spent the first twelve years of his life in his native State, when he came west to St. Louis, Mo., with his parents, and shortly afterward be- came interested in steamboating; he worked his way up from one post to another until he was Captain of a vessel which plied the Mississippi for several years. He later owned a ferry at Clarksville and was also engaged in merchandis- ing at that place. His death occurred in Febru- ary, 1880, and was a great blow to the community, for in him they lost one of their most progressive residents. In politics he was first a Whig and later joined the American party; in 1876 he sup- ported Tilden. He was prominent in politics, and at one time served the people as County Judge. In religious affairs he was a devoted member of the Christian Church.

Mrs. Cassandria Hicks was born in Pike County, Mo., and died at Clarksville in June,

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1879, at the age of forty-eight years. She also belonged to the Christian Church. By her union with Mr. Hicks she became the mother of a large family of children, thirteen in number, of whom only five grew to manhood and womanhood. They were: Mary V., wife of E. Gitthens, of St. Louis; Anna (Mrs. John A. Freed), of that city; Emett J., a prominent lawyer of Canyon City, Ore .; Edwin B., of this sketch; Nannie, of St. Louis.

Our subject first attended the district schools of his native county, making his home with an aunt until a lad of fifteen; he was then sent to McCune's College, Louisiana, where he was a student for one year, when he entered William Jewell College, Liberty, Mo. There he carried on his studies for two years, taking a part of the Senior course. Young Hicks then taught school at his old home in Pike County during the win- ter seasons of three years; the rest of the time was spent in the law office of Fagg & Ball, and, when admitted to the bar (March 7, 1892) before Judge Hughes, he opened an office in Louisiana, having for his partner Ras Pearson. During that same year he was elected City Attorney and re- elected in the spring of 1893, and was a candidate for the office in 1894 and 1895, but was defeated. February 26, 1895, he was taken into partnership with his former preceptors, the firm now doing business under the style of Fagg, Ball & Hicks. He is a very clever young attorney, well read, and gives promise of a brilliant future in the pro- fession. He is a member of the college fraternity, Ka-pa-alpha, and also belongs to the K. of P., No. 60.

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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 16

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