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 24

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 24
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 24
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 24


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Moyers, deceased; Mary E., wife of J. W. Lew- ellen, of Monroe City; Mary A., who married Daniel Haffner, of Hannibal; Jane F., Mrs. Will- iam M. Leake, of Center, Ralls County; and Joshua E., a painter and decorator, of The Dalles, Ore.


George L. Hardy was a youth of seventeen years when his parents moved from Kentucky to this county, where, for the first three years, they resided in Salt River Township. About 1835 they moved to the vicinity of Cincinnati, in Saline Township, and continued to dwell there for the following seven years. In 1857 our subject pur- chased eighty acres of land in this township, and later, selling the same, entered a homestead of two hundred acres near Cincinnati. At one time he owned six hundred and forty acres and bought and sold land extensively, but at the pres- ent time reserves but two hundred acres, which is as much as he cares to superintend, and which more than furnishes the means for all his' needs. He received a good common school education, which he has increased by private study and reading. Since he was fifteen years of age he has depended on himself for a livelihood, and is consequently thoroughly self-made. Though he has passed four score years he is exceedingly well preserved in mind and body, and is as straight as an arrow. In all his dealings with his fellow men his record has been most honorable and marked with unusual fairness and justice. Like his father before him, he has given his alle- giance to the Democratic party since becoming a voter.


Our subject has been twice married, his first union being with Thresa Leake, January 18, 1833. She was born in Scott County, Ky., and died April 29, 1854, aged forty-one years. Five


7


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sons and four daughters came to bless this mar- riage, of whom William I. is deceased; James L. is a farmer and money broker in Shelby County; Marcus is a farmer and Commissioner for the Levee Company of Pike County, Ill .; Ann E., deceased, married William B. Norton, also de- ceased; Susan C. is the wife of E. Hampton, a farmer and stock-raiser of this township; Hilera R. is a painter by trade, and a resident of Monroe City, Mo .; George E. is engaged in farming in Pike County, Ill .; Thresa J. is Mrs. A. H. Coy, of Hollister, Sanbenito County, Cal., and Infanta, died in infancy.


On February 13, 1855, Mr. Hardy married Miss Mary Demaris Redman, a native of Nelson County, Ky., born January 5, 1825. She was a daughter of Richard and Annie (Mitchell) Red- man, who were of Maryland birth, but became acquainted and were married in Nelson County, Ky., and in 1831 came to Ralls County, where they passed their remaining years. Their two eldest sons, Tom and Dr. Elias, are deceased; Lloyd H. is engaged in the hotel business in Monroe City, Mo .; Francis K. is a retired farmer and fruit-grower of California; and Evoda is the widow of Christie Gentry, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Hardy became the parents of six children, namely: Mary A., deceased; Joseph, a physician residing in St. Louis; Harriet T., wife of A. Bell, an attorney of Monroe City; John C., who resides with his parents; Virginia L., now a resident of a convent in Loretta, Ky .; and Victoria F., who is the wife of John Kendrick, a farmer of this township.


E NOCH HANSBROUGH is one of the methodical and enterprising farmers in his neighborhood, or at least such is the repu- tation he bears in this section. His handsome and well-ordered homestead gives evidence of the truth of this statement, for it would be hard to find a more thrifty farm in the county. The home of Mr. Hansbrough is situated on Section 26, Fabius Township, Marion County, where he has resided for the past twenty-five years,


Our subject's father, Enoch H., was a son of Enoch and Mary (Lane) Hansbrough and was born in Shelby County, Ky., June 1, 1815. When he was only fifteen years of age he emigrated to Marion County, Mo., and about the time of reach- ing his majority married Emily, daughter of Jere- miah McCoy. After that event he went to Scotland County, Mo., where he engaged in farming on a quarter section of land he purchased; in 1852 he sold out and, returning to Marion County, bought one hundred and sixty acres of land seven miles north of Palmyra. In 1859 he disposed of this place by sale and invested the proceeds in an- other quarter-section farm, lying about six miles north of the county seat. He was Justice of the Peace for twelve or fifteen years and was a stanch Democrat. A devoted Christian, he was a mem- ber of the Baptist Church nearly all of his life and for many years held the office of Deacon, being also Clerk of the Board. After his first wife's death he married Mary A. Wash, a widow, who is still living, her home being in this town- ship. By the first marriage there were born the following children: James and William, the two eldest, died in early manhood; Edwin died in Marion County; Mary is the wife of James Mase, a real-estate dealer of Quincy, Ill .; Enoch is the next in order of birth; Jeremiah lives in Marion County; Oscar died in childhood; Emma is de- ceased. Four children were born of the second union, namely: Lydia, the wife of A. G. Ingman of Durham, Mo .; Belle, the wife of Charles Alex- ander, a Baptist minister now in Oklahoma; Anna, unmarried and living in Oklahoma; Amos D. died in infancy.


Enoch Hansbrough was born June 1, 1846, in Scotland County and received a practical training in agricultural duties. He continued to dwell under the parental roof until sixteen years of age, and after his father's death took charge of the old farm, living with his step-mother. In 1870 he purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he now owns and cultivates and has since been engaged in raising a general line of crops and feeding cattle for the market. He has been very successful as an agriculturist and per- sonally looks after everything about the place.


November 19, 1879, Mr. Hansbrough married


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Lena Young, who was born in this county Jan- uary 7, 1851, daughter of Malony and Angelica (Carter) Young. Four children have come to bless their hearthstone, named in order of birth as follows: Frank, Clyde, Ray E. (deceased) and Gladys. Mr. Hansbrough takes great interest in educational affairs and has served as School Di- rector for several terms. Politically he sides with the Democratic party.


P ROF. ROBERT B. D. SIMONSON, Superintendent of Schools of the City of Hannibal, was born March 14, 1848, in Somerset County, N. J. His parents were Garret and Martha M. (Dunham) Simonson, of whom the former was born in the above county Novem- ber 1, 1819, his father being Dennis Simonson, likewise a native of Somerset County, N. J. Den- nis was the son of John, who was of Hollandish ancestry. This grandfather was a farmer by occu- pation and lived in New Jersey. He became the father of three children by his first marriage: Rev. John, Simonson, Garret and one who died (un- named) in infancy.


Garret Simonson was reared in Somerset County, N. J., acquiring his primary education in the common schools, the knowledge gained therein being supplemented later by an academical course at Sommerville. Subsequently he engaged in teaching in the winters, working on the farm during the summer months. After his marriage, however, he gave his entire attention to farming. In 1857 he moved with his family to Henderson County, where he became the owner of a good property and followed the life of an agriculturist. That was then an unsettled region, but he made his home there until 1883, when, his health hav- ing failed, he took up his abode in Troy, Lincoln County, where he is now living retired. In early life he was a Whig in politics, but of late years has voted for Republican candidates. In religious matters he is a devoted member of the Presby- terian Church.


The mother of our subject was the daughter


of R. B. and Catherine (Nevins) Dunham, natives respectively of Somerset and Hunterdon Coun- ties, N. J. She too is a Presbyterian in religion and a regular attendant at the Presbyterian Church of Troy, Mo. By her union with Garret Simon- son she became the parent of two children: Robert B. D. and Gertrude E., now the wife of Abraham Cortelyou, living near Troy, this State.


The first nine years of our subject's life were passed in his native State, where he attended school for a short time; in removing with the family to Henderson County, he passed his days in about the same manner, securing meager school advantages. He prepared himself for teaching by home study and taught for two winters and one summer. While preparing for college he was under the instruction of a private teacher, so, when entering Holland Academy, Holland, Mich., he became a student of the "third year." May it be said to his credit that he earned the means to defray the expense of this course and graduated from that institution two years later. After one year passed in teaching he en- tered Hope College in Michigan, in 1871, where he took the full four years' course and was grad- uated in 1875.


After leaving college Mr. Simonson secured the principalship of the Dolton School in Cook County, Ill., of which he had charge for three years. He then went to Hebron, Porter County, Ind., where he organized a township high school. The following year we find him in Riverdale, Ill., where he had charge of the school, remaining there for one year. He then returned to Hebron, Ind., assuming charge of the high school. In 1881 he came to Missouri, having accepted the position of Superintendent of Schools at Troy. After this he taught Latin, chemistry and pedagogy at the Bowling Green College (Mo.), remaining there until the fall of 1886, when he was engaged to take charge of the Louisiana High School. Two years later he was elected Superintendent of Schools in that city, holding the office until No- vember, 1892, when he was elected to his present position as Superintendent of Schools, in Hanni- bal. He has thoroughly organized the work of the schools, which are of the graded system. There are under his charge nine school buildings


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and about sixty teachers, besides two thousand, seven hundred pupils.


Prof. Simonson was united in marriage at Raritan, Ill., August, 1874, to Miss Emma E., daughter of William H. and Elizabeth (Fields) Cortelyou, natives of Hunterdon County, N. J. Mrs. Simonson, who is also a native of that State, was born in Somerset County in 1853, the family several years thereafter moving west and locating in Henderson County, Ill., where her father has since carried on farming on a large scale, being one of the most extensive tillers of the soil in that county.


To Mr. and Mrs. Simonson have been born a son, Clarence, a young man of nineteen years, who is now in the senior class of the high school. The Professor and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is an Elder. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the National Union and Triple Alliance Socie- ties, also a member of the Executive Committee of the University Extension and Secretary and Director of the Hannibal Free Public Library Association. As an educator Prof. Simonson is efficient, broad of view and thorough in method. He is very popular with his pupils and occupies a high place in the estimation of the people.


S AMUEL K. FLOWERREE, Director of the Ralls County Bank, and a leading farmer and stock-raiser of Ralls County, is a native of this State and county, born on the place where he now resides, January 15, 1838. He was the third of twelve children born to Wm. K. and Matilda A. (Caldwell) Flowerree, of whom eight are now living.


William K. Flowerree, the father of our subject, was a native of Virginia; born in Fauquier County, October 9, 1808. He tlere grew to manhood, and in 1833, while still a single man, came to Missouri, and for three years stopped in Pike County, near Frankford, and then went to New London, and remained until his marriage, about two years later. In company with his


young bride he then removed to the old Caldwell farm, some two and one-half miles southeast from New London, where he lived two years, moving from there to the present farm of our subject, where he died November 20, 1881. He was an enthusiastic hunter, and on coming to Missouri brought with him a pack of twenty-five fox- hounds. He was a man of upright, sterling char- acter, and his kindly genial nature endeared him to all who knew him. His wife, the inother of our subject, was a native of Bath County, Ky., born October 8, 1813, and came to Missouri with her parents when a girl eight years of age. They located in New London, where she grew to a noble womanhood. Mr. and Mrs. Flowerrce were both members of the Baptist Church for more than half a century, among the first members of the Bethel Church. Her death occurred May 21, 1889. The paternal grandparents were Will- iam K. and Nancy (Smith) Flowerree, the former a native of England, and the latter of Virginia, but of German descent. The maternal grandpar- ents were William Walter and Mary Ann (Brack- enridge) Caldwell, both being of Scotch-Irish descent.


The subject of this. sketch grew to manliood on the home farm, and was educated in the com- mon school. When but a lad of twelve years he commenced cutting hoop poles for wages, and as he grew up adopted a farmer's life. Prior to settling down, however, he decided to see a little of the world, and when the gold fever at Pike's Peak broke out he turned his face westward, but after some five or six months spent there, and some five or six months at the lead mines in Southwest Missouri, he returned to Ralls County and began his career as assistant manager of the home farm, the management of which some years later fell entirely on his shoulders. He was an ex- tensive stock-raiser, buying and shipping to the Chicago market, and for years found this a profit- able business. In later years, when the business degenerated, he gave it up and now ships only such stock as he feeds on his own farm. Putting his surplus money into land in the early days, he had accumulated some three hundred and eighty acres adjoining his father's farm, and at that par-


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ent's death he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the home farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and now owns five hundred and forty acres of Ralls County's most productive land.


The marriage of Mr. Flowerree to Miss Em- errin Hostetter occurred October 20, 1886. She is a daughter of William and Mary E. (Breshears) Hostetter, natives of Pike County, this State. To this marriage have been born three children, all of whom are living: Anna, William K. and Vir- ginia. In politics Mr. Flowerree is a Democrat, and in religion a Baptist. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the K. of P. For a number of years he has been a school director, and takes great interest in educational matters. He is a stockholder and director in the Ralls County Bank, and is considered a safe and con- servative business man.


R OBERT £ BRECKENRIDGE CALD- WELL, one of the old pioneers and his- torical characters of Ralls County, was born in Bath County, Ky., March 12, 1810, and is a son of Walter and Mary (Breckenridge) Cald- well. The father was a native of Virginia, but removed to Kentucky with his parents when but a boy. Walter's father was a native of Virginia, but of Irish ancestry, and by occupation was a farmer, which calling his son Walter also pur- sued. He was one of ten children. In 1827 he re- moved to Missouri, settling in New London, where he preempted about three hundred acres of land and purchased about the same amount, which he improved, and where he subsequently died. He had one brother named Walter, who was killed in the Revolutionary war, and for whom the father of our subject was named. In politics he was a Democrat, and was a leading man in his day. For some years he was a Justice of the Peace, and also held the office of County Judge. He died in September, 1843. His wife, Mary B., was a native of Bath County, Ky., and was a daughter of Robert and Mary (Dake) Breckenridge, also natives of Kentucky. She


died in 1842. Of their children, Laura married John Helms; Matilda Ann married William K. Floweree; Mary married Harmon Caldwell. The sons were James D., Robert B., Samuel, William and John P. All are now deceased except John P., of Lewis County, Mo., and our subject.


Robert B. Caldwell was reared on the old plan- tation, and received a limited education in the sub- scription schools. In 1826 he went to Missouri to settle on land owned by his father, bringing out the slaves. His father had, with one elder son, visited this country in 1818. He lived on the farm until his children all left home but our sub- ject, when he moved into town. In October, 1838, our subject purchased land in Spencer Township, which he began cultivating in 1841. He continued there until 1893, when he moved to New London, where he now lives. The first purchase of land that he made was of one hun- dred and eighty-five acres, and to this he added from time to time until he owned about three hundred and fifty acres, on which he carried on general farming. The first official position that he held was that of Deputy Sheriff, about 1829. Later he served again in the same position for four years, and also again, at a still later period. In 1843 he was elected Sheriff and Collector, which office he held four years. After an inter- mission, in 1853, he was again elected Sheriff and reelected in 1855, serving four years. In 1861 he was elected a member of the Legislature on the Democratic ticket and served one term. In 1874 he was again elected Sheriff and Collector and reelected in 1876, serving four years. This was the last time he would give his consent to run for office. While on the farm he was School Con- missioner for about twenty years.


Mr. Caldwell was married June 3, 1841, to Ro- sanna Splawn, a daughter of William and Eliza- beth (Cockrell) Splawn, who were natives of Ken- tucky, in which State their daughter was born. By this union the following named children were born: Mary, who married James M. Smith, of Ralls County, now deceased; Juliet, who married Samuel L. Strode, a farmer in Spencer Township; Green, a farmer of Spencer Township; James, of New London, also engaged in farming; Sarah,


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who married Reuben Garrett, of Saline Town- ship; and Samuel, engaged in farming in Jasper Township. The mother of these children died in September, 1857, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church.


Mr. Caldwell's second marriage was with Catlı- erine Flowerree, a daughter of Joseph and Cather- ine Flowerree, who were natives of Fauquier County, Va. The marriage ceremony occurred June 15, 1858. Mrs. Flowerree was also a native of Fauquier County, and was on a visit to Ralls County when she met and married Mr. Caldwell. The Flowerrees were an old Virginia family of English ancestry. By this second union the following children were born: Ann E., who died young; Medora B., who married John Russell, of Spencer Township; Dixie D., who died in young womanhood; Susan V., who died in in- fancy; Matilda D., who married John Breashears, a farmer of Jasper Township; Alice Lee, and Lena L., who died in infancy.


Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell are members of the Bap- tist Church. He is a member of New London Lodge No. 168, A. F. and A. M., and also of the Chapter of Center. Mr. Caldwell carries his four score and odd years very well, and bids fair to pass another decade. During his long life in the county he has made a host of friends, many of whom have long since passed away. He still has many left, who like to meet his familiar face and have greetings from his kind heart.


F RANCIS E. TRIPLETT. One of the men of this part of Pike County who can look with pride on an honest and industrious past, which has been crowned with success, is Mr. Triplett, a retired farmer living in Clarksville. He is a native of Bourbon County, Ky., and was born February 15, 1814, to James and Nancy (Oli- ver) Triplett, natives of Virginia, who early in life emigrated to the Blue Grass State.


William Triplett, the grandfather, was a large planter in Virginia, where he spent his entire life, dying at the remarkable age of one hundred and


three years. To James and Mary Triplett there were born twelve children, as follows: Sallie, Hedgman, James, Ann, John, Betsey, Nathaniel, Thomas, George W., all deceased; Francis E., of this sketch; Catherine and Andrew J., the latter two also deceased.


The education of our subject was very limited, consisting of but a few months' attendance at the subscription schools of Bourbon County, Ky., and a short time in Pike County, after the removal of the family hither. This event occurred about 1823, on Christmas Day, at which time James Triplett crossed the line which brought him into this county. Young Francis walked all the way from Kentucky, with the exception of the dis- tance covered in a half day of the journey, when he was sick. His father entered two hundred and forty acres of land in Calumet Township, where he lived and died. This purchase our subject helped to clear, and aided in its further improve- ment until attaining his majority, when he began farming for himself on a tract in the same town- ship. This pursuit he followed until his removal to Clarksville, among whose residents he occu- pies a high place. Mr. Triplett and Louisa A. Hall were united in marriage in 1838. The lady was the daughter of John and James (Kim- brough) Hall, and departed this life in April, 1874. The children which she bore her husband were ten in number, named respectively: John J. and Francis M., deceased; Nancy J., now the widow of James H. Worsham; Andrew J., living in Lincoln County, this State; Sarah A., deceased; the next in order of birth died unnamed; William R., Susan E., and Mary Etta are deceased, and Charles, the twin of Mary E., is living in Lincoln County.


In religious affairs, Mr. Triplett is a member of the Christian Church, with which he has been identified for many years. He is a Republican in politics. The daughter of our subject, Nancy J., was born in this county February 19, 1843. May 13, 1858, she married James H. Worsham, who was also born in Pike County, December 30, 1830, and died January 6, 1877. Their seven chil- dren were: Louisa T. and William I., who died in infancy; James F., born April 22, 1864, is a well-


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to-do farmer of Calumet Township; John H. is deceased; Sallie married John B. Beacham, an agriculturist of this township; and George and Charles are deceased. Mr. Worsham during his life time was a farmer, owning one hundred and six acres in Calumet Township. He was a de- voted and active member of the Christian Church, and in politics always supported Republican can- didates with his influence and ballot.


W ILLIAM H. CARROLL is one of the most venerable residents of Pike County, and is highly esteemed by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. Not- withstanding the fact that he is in his eighty- second year, he is tall and straight as an Indian, possesses a splendid physique, and has scarcely a gray hair. He bears a striking appearance to the lamented President Lincoln, and has the same fund of humor, generosity and human kindness. He has made his home in Louisiana for some four years, and has grown to be one of the landmarks of that place.


Joseph Carroll, grandfather of our subject, was born in North Carolina, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He won fame and honors in the war of the Revolution, and was a true and patriotic citi- zen, and his descendants have inherited this qual- ity. Our subject's father, Joseph, Jr., is one of a large family of children, the others being, Elias, Martha, Elizabeth, Isabella and Henry. He learned the blacksmith's trade, and in the fall of 1816 emigrated westward, settling in Ten- nessee, and early in the following spring reached Illinois, where he remained for a time. His ob- jective point, however, was Pike County, Mo., but going through St. Charles County, he pur- chased a tract of land in Buffalo Township and cultivated it during the prime of his life. He finally moved to Louisiana, where he died in 1860, at the close of a well-rounded and useful career. He had been very successful in a financial way, and had accumulated several hundred acres of farm land. In his political belief he was a Demo-


crat, and religiously, was a Presbyterian. He was married in North Carolina to Isabel Henry, daughter of William and Rosana Henry. Mr. and Mrs. Carroll became the parents of eleven children, as follows: Louisa, Cynthia, William H., Rosana, Llewellyn, John, Byers, Thomas, Isabella, Elizabeth and Joseph, Jr. John, Lllew- ellyn, Joseph, Louisa and Cynthia are deceased, and the mother of the family departed this life in 1840.


William H. Carroll was born in York County, N. C., November 17, 1813, and experienced the hardships incident to a new country, as he was brought up on a pioneer farm. The only educa- tion which he received was such as his parents and friends could give him. Shortly before at- taining his majority he purchased a tract of land, and with this as a nucleus his fortune gradually increased. At one time he owned two hundred and fifty acres, and altogether for fifty-four years was an honest hard-working tiller of the soil. In 1891 his house was burned down, and as there was none other convenient he concluded to re- move to Louisiana, where he has since resided.




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