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 30
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 30
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 30
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In tracing the ancestry of Prof. Coburn we find that one Edward Coleborne, as the name was then spelled, sailed from Plymouth, England, August 10, 1635, on the good ship "Defense" under Capt. Bostwick and landed, after a tem- pestuous voyage of fifty-four days, in Boston Harbor. Later Mr. Coleborne settled at Eps- wick, Mass., where in 1647 his son Robert was born. The latter died in Concord, Mass., in 1701. His wife, who was a Miss Mary Bishop, bore him a son Daniel, who kept a tavern in Dudley, Mass., where he died in 1750. The celebrated mathe-
maticians Warren and Zera Colburn and Gov- ernor Coburn, are supposed to be his descend- ants. His third son, Andrew Coburn was born at Beverly, Mass., November 7, 1708, and fol- lowed the weaver's trade the greater part of his life. By his marriage with Jane Allen, he had three sons; the eldest, Andrew, was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill and the youngest, Abraham, lost his life in the second battle of Saratoga. The second son, Maj. Asa Coburn, was born at Dud- ley, September 14, 1741, and died at Waterford, Ohio, in 1793. He was married at Brookfield, Mass., April 8, 1762, to Mary, daughter of James and Mary McClure. In the War of the Revolu- tion he served from beginning to end and fre- quently distinguished himself by his remarkable bravery, and on this account was promoted to the rank of Major. In 1788 his family, with five others, went overland to Wellsburgh, Va., and from there descended the Ohio River in the "May- flower" which had been sent there for that pur- pose. They arrived in due time at Marietta on the nineteenth of August. Phineas, the eldest son of the Major, had reached that place in the pre- ceding April. This son was one of five children, the others being Asa, who married Rhoda Baker; Mary, who became the wife of Gilbert Devol; Susannah, wife of William Mason, and Nicholas. The wife of Phineas was a Miss Patience Olney.
Nicholas Coburn was born at Worcester, Mass., October 12, 1772, and became the owner of land near Lowell Ohio, but on account of the Indian Wars which began in 1791, was kept from im- proving the same. In 1795 he traded the prop- erty for land situated in what is now Morgan County, Ohio. The deed for this place bears the (late of September 8, 1795, and the farm has never been out of the hands of the family, at present being owned by Richmond L., grandson of the original settler. In 1795 Nicholas Coburn mar- ried Rosa Olney, who had emigrated from Ohio to Nova Scotia. She died November 25. 1828, and her husband survived her until April 18, 1848. Their family comprised the following children: Mary, became the wife of Adelphus Webster in 1814: Barzilla married Anna Cudington and moved to Missouri in 1839; Susan became the
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wife of Harry Stull; Louisiana married John Seeley in 1835, (Dr. Wallace Seeley, a graduate of Harvard University, and now Dean in the Cincinnati Medical College, is their son); Lucy married Victor Craig and Elvira, Louisa, Chloe and an infant died when young.
Nicholas, the other son of Nicholas and Rosa- mond Coburn, was born March 24, 1804, on the old homestead where his death occurred August 18, 1867. He was a Whig and Republican politi- cally and for two terms was Commissioner of Morgan County. He married Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Richard Cheadle, February 3, 1831. She was born March 23, 1808, and died October 30, 1877. Three children were born of this union, Leonidas J., Louisa and Richmond L. The first named was born in 1832 and for many years has been actively connected with the Republican party and for three successive terms has been Commissioner of Morgan County. He married Susan Swift, January 29, 1855, and has six chil- dren living, two of whom are Methodist minis- ters. Louisa Coburn was born in 1835 and mar- ried the Rev. Edward Ellison, January 1, 1861. The latter (now deceased) was a graduate of Washington College of Pennsylvania and for several years was President of Scio (Ohio) Col- lege.
The father of our subject, Richmond L. Co- burn, was born June 28, 1839, and was educated in the common schools and at Beverly College, Ohio. September 1, 1861, he enlisted as a Cor- poral in Company E, Second Regiment of West Virginia Cavalry and re-enlisted in February, 1864. November 8, of the same year, he was transferred to Company F, and was finally mus- tered out of service July 1, 1865. During his army life he had participated in the following battles among others: Charleston, Lewisburg, Lynch- burg, Winchester, Fishers' Hill, Cedar Creek and Appomattox. He owns one of the most beauti- ful farms in Southern Ohio, and has been very successful in business affairs. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic. Politically he has always been an ar- dent Rpublican and both he and his good wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
His marriage with Patience A. Hill was celebrated January 1, 1867. She was born September 22, 1846, and is the eldest daughter of Alexander Hill of Waterford, Ohio. Her father was born February 6, 1818, in Washington County, Pa., and moved to Washington County, Ohio, in 1839. His death occurred December 18, 1892. His wife was a Miss Patty Preston, and five of their eight children are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Rich- mond Coburn have had four children, Nicholas Roscoe, born October 20, 1867; Alexander R., our subject; Raymond Clinton, born November 12, 1875; and now a student in Marietta College, and Richmond Walter Dean, born December 9, 1884, and still at home.
A brief history of Watson's Seminary may be interesting to those who believe in the promotion of education and mental advancement. As early as 1833 the plans for founding this institution were first formulated by Samuel Watson, who be- queathed to the county court of Pike County $300 to be given to a public free school, and the interest thereof to be devoted to the education of any in- digent youths who might desire to attend this school. According to the above provisions the Missouri State Legislature established the Wat- son Free School in 1843, but in a few years it was found that the resources of the same were too limited to carry out the original plan. It was therefore conceived by the far-seeing minds of a number of noble men that the grandest way for educating the coming generations would be by using money which had been levied upon crimi- nals and all persons who had violated the laws of the State, for it is a matter of note that the largest number of law breakers come from the poorer classes and that the best way for the elevation of these people lies along the line of education. Ac- tuated by these motives, a charter was received by the men who had arrived at these conclusions January 25, 1847. According to the terms of this charter no portion of the fund could be used until the principal and interest of such fines and for- feitures in addition to the original donation of Mr. Watson, had amounted to $2,000. In 1853 this sum was realized and the county court gave public notice that the seminary would be estab-
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lished at such a place in the county as would pro- cure the largest donations in money, real estate for the erection of buildings, etc. Ashley came forward with about $5,000 and four acres of ground, almost a half more than the amount sub- scribed at any other place and therefore in 1855 a large brick building was erected, and the school opened under the management of John A. Poage, a graduate of Marietta College, Ohio. The Semi- nary Hall was erected in 1889 and is a very pretty and commodious building. The Watson fund now amounts to about $13,000 and will provide for about thirty beneficiaries. Although the col- lege is non-sectarian, a high grade of morals is inculcated and many men who afterwards have become eminent ministers have passed from its doors. A remarkable fact in regard to its flourish- ing condition is that notwithstanding the financial panic of 1892 to 1894 inclusive, which has seri- ously affected all educational institutions, its en- rollment of students has been much greater than for years past. Prof. Coburn is assisted by an able faculty and in addition to holding the Principal- ship is also Professor of Mathematics and His- tory. Both he and Prof. Thomas Coleman, Vice- Principal, are scholarly young men and have bright futures in store for them.
W ILLIAM M. KEITH comes from an old and respected Missouri family and for the past thirty years has been en- gaged in general farming and stock raising in Hartford Township, Pike County. During this time he has owned the valuable farm where he is now living and which comprises two hundred and twenty-four acres. He is a practical agricul- turist and has developed his place into what it is to-day, one of the most desirable to be found in this region.
The paternal great-grandfather of our subject, William Keith, was born in Scotland and in young manhood crossed the Atlantic, settling in Vir- ginia. From there he went to Kentucky where he married Elizabeth LaRew, by whom he had
eight children, namely: Jacob, Jessie, Jolin, Henry, Isaac, William, Priscilla and Sallie. John Keith, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Kentucky in 1779 and on arriving at mature ycars wedded Elizabeth Rogers. He died on the old farm in Kentucky but his wife afterwards came to this State and here passed away. They had a family of eight children, as follows: Sallie, James, Melvina, Eliza, William, Polly Ann, Ellen and Stephen.
James R. father of William M. Keith, was born in Kentucky in 1805 and with his parents emi- grated to Missouri, in 1824. He entered one hundred and sixty acres of land near what is now New Hartford, and as his father died in Ken- tucky, whither he had returned on business. James, being the eldest son, took charge of the farm and managed it until he was married. May 20, 1834, he wedded Permelia, daughter of Reuben and Sarah (Parks) Pew. The young couple settled on a farm which the husband en- tered, but which he soon afterwards sold, and buying the place belonging to his mother con- tinued to dwell there until 1854. He then pur- chased a homestead west of Hartford and lived thereon for many years, or until his death, which occurred April 5, 1888. To himself and wife were born the following children : William M., May 24, 1836; Enos H., January 23. 1838; Sarah M., August 29, 1840; Stephen R., July 2, 1844; Jolin J., August 14, 1849; and Darthula E., March 30, 1858. Sarah M., who died May 7, 1863, was the wife of T. J. Oden, and lived in this township un- til 1861. Stephen died June 15, 1846,. Darthula became the wife of James C. Umphrey of this township. Mrs. Permelia Keith's father, Reuben Pew, was born in North Carolina and emigrated to Kentucky in pioneer days. He enlisted in the War of 1812 and was captured by the Indians who took him to Detroit, Mich., and held him a pris- oner for three months, when he was exchanged. During this time he had the measles, and as he was not properly taken care of he caught cold, which resulted in his hair coming out and when it grew in again it was white as snow. On re- turning to Kentucky he continued to work at his trade of blacksmithing until he lost his first wife
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in 1816, and soon afterwards he moved to this State and entered about three hundred acres of land in Montgomery County. Thereon he con- tinued to live until his death which took place in 1859.
William M. Keith, in his boyhood, attended school in the old fashioned log schoolhouses of the day, with their puncheon floors, stone chim- neys and other paraphernalia. He continued to live with his parents until about fifteen years of age when he started on his business career. His grandmother gave him the money to buy a calf which he sold for $25. Investing this amount he continued to buy, sell and trade until when he was twenty-one years old he had about $400 clear. Then, in company with his father, he bought, fed and sold stock until 1866. However, at the breaking out of the war they both enlisted in the Home Guards and the father going to St. Louis, with General Henderson, brought back guns and ammunition for the defense of this county. At the end of three months' service our subject and his brother, Enos H., enlisted in Company E, First Enrolled Missouri Militia and served until September, 1864, when the company was re-organized and assigned to the Sixty- seventh Regiment. There Mr. Keith remained until the close of the war. He was First Sergeant in the Home Guards Company and held a like position in both the other companies, but served in all capacities from that of cook to captain. His first battle was at Brush Creek and though he was in no very important engagement he was constantly on duty and fought in many skir- mishes.
In December, 1865, W. M. Keith married Jennie Cox, by whom he has had six children, namely: Eva M., Reuben P., Stella, Will Ella, Sadie I., and Madie E. Eva supplemented her common school education by a course at McCune College, of which she is a graduate, and is now a music teacher. Reuben P., married Ann Copen- haven and having purchased a farm near his father's homestead, is engaged in its manage- ment. Stella is the wife of D. A. Hamlett, a far- mer of Audrain County, Mo. Sadie J., finished her education in Hardin College of Mexico, Mo.,
and all of the daughters have been given good musical advantages. Mr. Keith is a Grand Army man and has always been very active as a Repub- lican.
J OHN R. YOUNG is one of the oldest and most-honored pioneers of Marion County and is now passing his declining days in Palmyra. He came to this locality in 1835 and during his active life was thenceforward princi- pally engaged in agricultural pursuits and owned farms in several townships. He has disposed of his outside financial interests and has a goodly competence as the result of his years of honest toil.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was born in Ireland and after coming to America served in the War of the Revolution under Gen. Washington. When peace was restored he re- moved from Virginia to Ohio, where he passed his last days. His son, James R., father of our subject, was born in Augusta County, Va., and died at the age of sixty years; his wife, who was Miss Eliza Ryman, was a native of Fayette Coun -. ty, Ky., and was in her ninety-fourth year at the time of her death. After their marriage they re- sided in Lexington for some time and in 1830 emigrated to Marion County, where the father bought a small tract of land and worked at his trade. They were the parents of twelve children, only five of whom survive. They were named as follows: John R., Lawson, James, Mary, Preston, William, Robert, Davis, Thomas, Joe, Archibald and Rachel.
The birth of the subject occurred in Lexing- ton, Ky., June 9, 1810, and until he was sixteen years of age his time was devoted to assisting his father in the work of the farm, which was necessary, owing to the fact that he was the eldest in a large family. In 1826 he went to Nicholas- ville, Ky., and began serving an apprenticeship at the hatter's trade; when he had completed the three years agreed upon he worked as a journey- man for two years and then entered into partner- ship with his Uncle Robert, this connection exist- ing for two years. January 26, 1831, Mr. Young
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married Lucinda, daughter of Henry and Cath- arine (Jordan) Burch. In 1835 the young couple moved to Marion County, Mo., and a short time afterward entered two hundred and forty acres of land in Knox County, Mo. This property was sold to pay a security debt, whereupon Mr. Young took up his abode in Palmyra and for five years conducted a hatter's establishment. Then for two years he engaged in farming in Knox County, at the end of which time he bought one hundred and sixty acres in Liberty Township, Marion County. For fifteen or twenty years he lived on this one farm, giving much of his time to buying and selling mules and cattle. Having a good oppor- tunity to sell the place, he did so and invested the sum in a quarter section of land lying in Fabius Township and cultivated the tract up to ten years ago, since which time he has lived in Palmyra and two years ago sold the farm to his son. He owns a good house and two lots and has a sub- stantial bank account.
The wife of our subject was a native of Jessa- mine County, Ky., and there grew to woman- hood. By the above union she became the mother of the following children: James, born January . 2, 1833. now a resident of Audrain County, Mo .; Mary E., born February 23, 1835, now deceased; Catherine, born July 21, 1836, now widow of Sanford Bryant; John T., born October 22, 1839, now living in Audrain County; Henry Clay, born December 25, 1841, now a resident of this county ; Luey L., born December 12, 1844, now wife of Frank Hamilton of Audrain County; Albert D., born October 20, 1847, now the owner of the old homestead: Barton S., born September 10, 1860, died in July, 1893, in this county; Jessa- mine, born March 12, 1863, now wife of J. B. Taylor of Lewis County, Mo .; an infant, born in 1856, who died before receiving a name.
Mr. Young is one of the oldest members of the Christian Church in this section, having been one of its valued workers for fifty-five years, prior to which time he was a member of the Presby- terian denomination for many years. Formerly he was a Whig, but now uses his ballot in favor of the Democracy. He had insufficient educational advantages in his youth, but made the best of his opportunities and has long been considered
a man of good, general knowledge and wide ex- perience. He has always been opposed to resort- ing to law in order to settle differences and has managed to adjust his affairs in a peaceable man- ner. He may justly be proud of the fact that he has never been sued, nor, on the other hand, has he ever sued any one. Mrs. Young, who died December 6, 1888, was a faithful member of the Christian Church for forty-eight years and a woman honored by all who knew her.
1 AMES H. SETTLES. This prominent resi- dent of Marion County, who was elected to the responsible position of Superintendent of the Poor Farm in 1895, is a native of this State and county, having been born in Liberty Town- ship October 10, 1850. His parents were Abram B. and Perdilla (Fowler) Settles, the former of whom was born in Marion County January 7, 1820, while Mrs. Settles was born in Kentucky July 14, 1823.
The father of our subject was reared to a full understanding of farm work, his early life being passed on the farm where his birth occurred and which was located within four miles of Palmyra. After obtaining a common-school education he devoted his time and energies to farm work until 1873, the year in which he moved into the City of Palmyra to assume the duties of his position as Street Commissioner. He was well and favorably known in this section and departed this life No- vember 2, 1891; his wife followed him to the better land the next year, passing away January Ioth.
The household of our subject included five chil- dren, namely: Sarah, born April 20, 1848, now the wife of Alex. Crane; Mary, born July 12, 1849, married L. C. Farnum of Springfield, Ill .; J. H., of this sketch, next born; Edward I., born August 22, 1855, now living in Pueblo, Col .; Emma, born July 29, 1858, died August 10, 1881.
The original of this sketch is well educated and remained at work on the home farm until attain- ing his majority. He was married December 24, 1872, to Miss Belle, the daughter of Miller Crane,
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an old resident of this county. The lady was of a family of twelve children and after her mar- riage located with her husband on rented prop- erty. For eight years they labored and saved each year a portion of their income and at the end of that time abandoned farm work and moved into Palmyra, where Mr. Settles was given em- ployment in the flour-mills, working eight years for one firm. He was always very popular in his community and during the campaign of 1894 was brought prominently forward and appointed by the County Court to the office of Superintendent of the Poor Farm. He was elected by a large majority and in the discharge of his responsible duties gives entire satisfaction. He is connected with the Baptist Church and socially is a member of Faber Lodge No. 24, A. O. U. W. Mr. Settles was for two years a member of the City Council and prominent in all matters which tend to ele- vate his community. He is the possessor of a fine dairy farm, which is stocked with the best grade of Jersey cows; this place is located within one mile of Palmyra and from this industry he rcaps a handsome income. Mr. Settles has one adopted son, Bertram, who was born May 18, 1875.
P ERRY B. MOORE is a retired agricult- urist, occupying one of the most beautiful homes in Palmyra. He was born Novem- ber 23, 1809, near Laurel, Del., and is the son of Levin and Margaret (Gray) Moore. The mother departed this life in 1815, while the father lived for many years afterward.
Perry B. of this sketch was one in a family of three children, of whom the eldest, Patience, died when young and his brother, Leven, died in Delaware. Perry lived with an aunt from the age of six until fifteen years of age. He received only a common-school education and in 1824 went to Salisbury, Md., where he learned the trade of a tanner and currier. He remained there until Oc- tober 20, 1831, when he started for the State of Missouri. He took a sail-boat at Norfolk, whence he went by way of the Gulf of Mexico to the mouth of the Mississippi River, the trip consum-
ing two months. He sailed up the "Father of Waters" in a steamer for St. Louis and from there to the mouth of the Ohio River, from which place he walked to Palmyra. He at once secured a position in a tannery at Palmyra, in which he worked for two years.
In the spring of 1834 young Moore was given charge of the tannery and out of the three hundred and sixty-five dollars which he received saved three hundred dollars of the sum. This was for one year and in 1835 he established a business for himself, operating a tannery for a period of nine- teen years. In 1854 he invested a part of his capi- tal in farming land, purchasing at that time three hundred and forty acres of timber, and on this place erected a brick residence, which was one of the best in this portion of the county. He cleared the land, placed it under excellent tillage and made it his home for thirty-five years, or until 1871. That year he retired from farm life and moved with his family into the City of Palmyra, where he purchased a residence for five thousand dol- lars; this he afterward sold and occupied another dwelling; the latter was destroyed by fire July 23, 1894. He lost no time, however, in erecting an- other, on which he made many improvements, and he is now the owner of one of the finest places in the city. It is conveniently arranged, con- modious and substantially built.
Mr. Moore was married January 24, 1834, to Miss Cornelia, daughter of James M. Kendrick, a native of Kentucky. To them were born twelve children, of whom we make the following men- tion: Augusta, James, William G., Rufus and the four youngest members of the family are de- ceased, James meeting his death in the Civil War and William G. having been killed in New Mex- ico; Virginius is a resident of Carroll County, Mo .: Edward is living in Fabius Township, Mar- ion County, Mo .; Rosa married Jefferson Mc- Pike and makes her home in Knox County; Perry is living in Fabius Township, Marion County, Mo. The wife and mother died in 1852 and July 20, 1853, Mr. Moore was married to Elton L., daughter of Benjamin and Nancy (Cochran) Allen. She was born in Henry County, Ky., March 10, 1831, and became the mother of a family of twelve children. Of these Benjamin
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F. is a resident of this county; Annie died in 1880; George lives on the old homestead; Effie is the wife of Lewis C. Hardman; Jessie married William E. Berry of Palmyra; Albert R. and the remaining members of the household are deceased.
Prior to the outbreak of the late war our sub- ject was a Whig, but of late years he has always voted for Democratic candidates. In religious affairs he is a consistent member of the Baptist Church. He has been Road Overseer and served on the School Board for a number of years.
M EN. MAYHALL, Editor and Proprietor of the New London Record, was born in New London, Mo., April 15, 1839, and is a son of Samuel W. and Louisiana B. (Alsop) Mayhall. His father was a native of Franklin County, Ky., born Dec. 4, 1804, and was a son of William Mayhall, of Irish ancestry.
William Mayhall was a son of one of three brothers who emigrated to America from Ire- land in early Colonial days, the father of William settling finally in Kentucky. William served in the War of 1812, and lived and died in Franklin County, Ky. He was a farmer by occupation and had a family of nine children by his wife Eugenie, who also was of Irish ancestry and who was with Ann Cook in her log cabin when the Indians made their attack on the settlement of Boonesborough. She assisted in the defense of the cabin when the Indians were making their way down the chimney, by putting a feather bed in the fire place, while Ann Cook stood ready with an ax to brain the savages. Samuel was the eld- est of those children. He was reared on the farm and learned the trade of brick masonry. In 1826 he came to Missouri and located in New London, where he followed farming and brick- making. He died in April, 1875. In politics, he was a Whig, and then a Union man. He was a member of the Christian Church. His wife, Louisiana, was a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of George and Ann (Bartlett) Alsop, who were natives of Franklin County, Ky. She
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