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 35
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 35
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 35
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The father of our subject meeting with heavy losses in the mercantile business, the little son added his mite toward lessening the burden of caring for himself and the rest of the family, al- though he was at that time only nine years of age. Samuel Mayhall was a horseman of note in his early life, and our subject inherited a taste, in a marked degree, for fast horses. In his youth he became quite a good jockey, which business at that time was very remunerative during the rac- ing season. He also exhibited quite a decided musical talent, playing at first a gourd fiddle until his circumstances warranted his buying a violin. He was from that time on one of the best violin- ists of the county in which he lived, and his earn-
ings in this line were quite an item to the family's depleted purse. He afterward learned house and sign painting, following this business until the breaking out of the late war, always bringing his wages home to his mother up to the time of his first marriage.
Mr. Mayhall was a man very pronounced in his views on the civil conflict, and on several oc- casions was given notice to leave the State or suffer the consequences. When the state of pub- lic opinion became too warm for his safety, he deemed it expedient to decamp, and joined the Union army. He enlisted at Hannibal in 1861, in Company B, Second Iowa Infantry, under Col. James M. Tuttle, afterward Gen. Tuttle, and was soon after assigned to the regimental band, in which he served until, on account of disability, he was discharged and returned home the following December. Finding it impossible to remain in- active in those stirring times, he, the ensuing Feb- ruary, raised a company of cavalry in New Lon- don, and April 8th his men were consolidated with those of George L. Herring and J. M. Rob- erts, and formed Company E. Herring was elected Captain, Roberts First Lieutenant, and our subject Second Lieutenant. In December, 1862, he was appointed Provost Marshal at New London and there served until ordered to join his regiment in September, 1863. During the remainder of his service in the army he was ap- pointed Provost Marshal at Louisiana, and after- wards at Macon City, and Assistant Commander of the Gratiot Street prison at St. Louis, Mo. He was mustered out of service April 14, 1865, and returning home began farming. In May, 1865, he was made Lieutenant Colonel under Col. J. A. Lennan, in a militia company organized at New London under the State law, but which was never called into active service.
In the year 1869 Mr. Mayhall moved to St. Louis, where he spent some three years engaged in the dairy business. Then returning to the farm he spent two years, after which he took up his residence in New London, making that place his home for ten years, and where he was en- gaged in the music business. At the end of that time he again took up farming, in which he was
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occupied until the fall of 1895, when he returned to New London, where he now resides, living a retired life on account of affliction.
Our subject has been married three times, his first union being with Miss Ann E. Hawkins, by whom he had six children, four of whom are still living, namely: William F., editor of the Bowling Green Times; Eugene, editing the Center Cour- ier; Edwin S., in business with his brother Will- iam, and Jennie, the wife of Jeff D. B. Freeman. of Center.
For his second wife Mr. Mayhall chose Mrs. Mary Labaume, the daughter of James C. Beatty, and four children were the result of the marriage. Those now living are Vacie L. and Frederick A. The present companion of our subject was Miss Charlotte A. Taylor, the daughter of Esq. John W. Taylor, of Perry. They have had born to them six children, of whom Esther L., Harold S., Leslie B. and Chauncey I. are living. The eldest of the family is an accomplished young lady of fifteen years, who is now in Hannibal receiving musical instruction. Mrs. Mayhall is also an excellent musician, and the entire family are more or less gifted in that direction.
In politics our subject is a Republican, and a member of the Christian Church. He is a Mason of high standing and connected with the Grand Army Post of Center. As one of the most promi- nent men of Ralls County, it gives us pleasure to herewith present his sketch to our many readers.
R UDOLPH L. FALK, who conducts a jewelry establishment in Bowling Green, Pike County, has won a reputation for in- tegrity and correct business methods second to none in this locality. He is master of his trade in all its details, and by strict attention to the wants of his customers has enjoyed their patronage and accumulated a comfortable fortune. He is a na- tive of Groshausen, Germany, his birth having occurred February 14, 1851.
John A. Falk, our subject's father, received a classical education and in his native land was a
school teacher. In 1853 he came to the United States, and from New York City proceeded to Pittsburg, Pa., where relatives of his were living. He continued to dwell in the Smoky City for six years, being employed mainly as a teacher, and thence removed to Rochester, N. Y., still follow- ing his profession. He was a man of fine musical abilities, and taught the art for a number of years. In 1863 he moved to Chicago and was organist in the German Lutheran Church, at the corner of Ohio Street and La Salle Avenue until the great fire in 1871. Subsequently he was called to take a position as principal of the German and English High School at Sandusky, Ohio. When five years had passed he retired from his professional work and has since been engaged in the insurance busi- ness. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church, and in politics is a Republican. His wife, Wilhelmina F., was a native of the same locality in which he was born, and was a daughter of Charles Roessing, a Lutheran minister. The lat- ter, with his wife, never left the Fatherland, but their children, with the exception of one, all came to America. Their names are Albert, Charles, Otto, Florence, Wilhelmina and Bertha. Mrs. Falk died in Chicago in 1863, leaving five chil- dren. The family originally comprised seven, as follows: Theodore, a lithographer in Chicago; Louis, who has won world-wide celebrity as an organist and fills that position in the Chicago Union Park Church; Rudolph L., of this sketch; Catherine, who died in Rochester, N. Y .; as did also her younger sister, Bertha; John, who is employed in the Waltham Watch Factory, and Florenz, who is with the Illinois Central Railroad Company. After the death of his first wife, John A. Falk married Louisa Sandway, by whom he had four children: Charles, now deceased; Ed- ward, a traveling man; Bertha, Mrs. Oscar Maul, of Sandusky, Ohio, and Lulu.
R. L. Falk spent his boyhood with his parents and received his education in the schools where his father taught. When in his fifteenth year he commenced learning the jeweler's trade, first with Henry Oppenheimer & Company, and for three years was instructed by Herman Diedrich, who was an expert in the business. Afterwards his
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teacher was B. Hefner, who at one time was watchmaker to the royal family of Vienna. At the end of three years Mr. Falk worked as a jour- neyman with various jewelry houses of Chicago, and afterwards engaged in business for himself in that city. Selling out his store, he went to Esca- naba, Mich., where he remained three years, from there returning to the Garden City and entering the employ of a wholsale house, to whose inter- ests he was faithful for two years. About this time he came to Bowling Green and was em- ployed by S. E. Pugh for two years, when he opened an establishment for himself. His store is centrally located on the west side of the square, and in addition to a general line of jewelry, clocks and watches, he deals in sewing machines, with pianos, organs and other musical instruments.
October 6, 1873, Mr. Falk and Ada, daughter of Michael McNamara, were united in marriage. Mrs. Falk is a native of Chicago, Ill., and by her marriage has become the mother of two sons and two daughters, namely: Rudolph, Bertha M., Tillie and Otto, all of whom are deceased except the last mentioned. Mr. Falk, in his social rela- tions, is identified with Cuivre Lodge No. 242 I. O. O. F. He and his good wife are members of the Baptist Church of this city and take an active part in charitable and religious work. They are both greatly esteemed by all their ac- quaintances for their sterling qualities and gen- erous regard for the rights and feelings of others.
J I ACOB W. PRITCHETT, one of the hon- ored old settlers of Pike County, has made his home for several years' on Section 8, Township 52, Range 2 West. He is a native of Pike County, Mo., having been born December 16, 1834, to Jacob and Catherine (Harbold) Pritchett. His mother and father died when he was only eight months old, and his aunt, Tracy Herring, took care of him until she died, which event occurred when he was three years old. His uncle, Billy McPike, then took the boy and kept him four years. Then the uncle died and our
subject was sent to Kentucky to live with his uncle and aunt, John and Judy Harbold. Through all these various changes the child was singu- larly fortunate, for his relatives were extremely good to him and were kind Christian people.
Jacob Pritchett, Sr., was a native of Kentucky and a planter in that State. His first wife was a Miss Rogers, by whom he had four children: John, who married Miss Willbarger; Daven- port, who died in his youth; Sarah, who became the wife of John Mitchell and the mother of a son and two daughters; and Matilda, who wedded Robert Barnett and has three sons and three daughters. After the death of his first wife Jacob Pritchett married our subject's mother, who was a daughter of Leonard and Catherine Harbold.
February 28, 1855, Jacob W. Pritchett, Jr., mar- ried Elizabeth Frances Harbold, who was born January 15, 1832. In the spring of the following year the young couple, accompanied by the wife's mother, brothers and sisters, emigrated to this county, Mr. Pritchett riding from St. Charles on horseback. While living in Kentucky all of the wearing apparel of the household, table and bed linen, grain sacks, etc., were manufactured by hand, and everything was done by the hardest work, machinery for saving work not yet having come into general use in this section. In all of his labors our subject found an able and faithful assistant in his devoted wife, who was called to the home beyond April 23, 1879. Since then he has lived with his brother-in-law, Jacob W. Har- bold.
During the war Mr. Pritchett sympathized with the Southern movement, but took no active part on either side. On one occasion a Federal of- ficer came to him and demanded that he dig a quantity of sweet and Irish potatoes for him. Mr. Pritchett replied: "If you never eat any potatoes until I dig them, you will never eat any." The officer then asked for a basket and shovel and dug them himself. Our subject was present at Louisiana, Mo., May 12, 1866, when Frank P. Blair made a speech. Mob law prevailed, and the speaker laid revolvers down on either side of the stand before beginning his remarks, and though a few shots were fired in the outskirts of
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the crowd in order to intimidate Mr. Blair, it ap- parently made no impression upon him. At the present time no man is more loyal to the flag or a firmer partisan of the Government than is the worthy gentleman of whom we write. When twenty years of age he joined the Christian Church, and about 1868 united with the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church, in which he has been an Elder about twenty years, and has always been a faithful and consistent member of the same.
Jacob W. Harbold, the brother-in-law with whom Mr. Pritchett resides, is the owner of a beautiful farm of two hundred acres known as Hill Dale. He was born August 20, 1844, and is a son of Jacob H. and Mary A. (Tolar) Har- bold. His eldest sister was Elizabeth F., and his eldest brother, George L., was born August 27, 1834. John J., born February 20, 1835, died in 1856, and Lucy A. was born June 15, 1842.
- When seventeen years of age Jacob W. Har- bold enlisted in the Confederate Army, in Capt. Bankhead's Company of Missouri Militia. After serving for six months he reënlisted in February, 1862, in Company B, Second Missouri Infantry, and took part in the battles of Lexington and Pea Ridge, in the latter of which he was wounded. Subsequently he fought in the engagements at Iuka, Corinth, Vicksburg and many others of lesser note. In July, 1864, his commander sur- rendered to General Grant, and he was afterwards exchanged. Then joining the Confederate forces at Atlanta he was at length captured at Kenne- saw Mountain and sent to Camp Douglas, where he remained until the close of the war.
In October, 1865, Mr. Harbold and Belle Hen- ley, a native of Lynchburg, Va., were united in marriage. A little daughter, Belle H., was born to them August 24, 1866, and in the spring of the following year occurred the mother's death. Later Mr. Harbold married Agnes, daughter of Henry B. and Theodosia (Hudson) Yager, of this county. She died, leaving a daughter, Theo- dosia, born August 27, 1869. October 7, 1889, the latter became the wife of Charles A. Hutton, a farmer, and now has two children. The present wife of Mr. Harbold, was formerly Mrs. Minerva A. Welsh, daughter of Carey and Emily A. Hop-
son, natives of Virginia. Of their union the fol- lowing children have been born: Andrew W., October 4, 1876; Rice P., July 24, 1880; Edward G., June 10, 1882; Walter G., June 16, 1884; and Nanny E., May 15, 1887. The family are mem- bers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which the father is now officiating as an Elder. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order, be- ing identified with the lodge at Cyrene, Mo. By a former marriage with William Welch, Mrs. Harbold became the mother of two children, Myrtle, who now resides with our subject, and Cary, who died in 1872.
L EWIS H. TUTT, M. D., has been success- fully engaged in practice in Hannibal since January, 1892, and is a graduate of the celebrated Bellevue Hospital and Medical Col- lege, New York City. That he might better equip himself for his chosen life-work he went to Chi- cago in the fall of 1894 and entered the Chicago Homoeopathic Medical College for a post-grad- tate course of lectures under the famous Orificial Surgeon, Dr. Pratt. He is a great student and keeps posted on modern discoveries and modes of treatment.
The grandfather of Dr. Tutt was a wealthy planter in Virginia, where he owned many broad acres of land and numerous slaves. James R., our subject's father, was born in August, 1821, in the Old Dominion and on reaching man's es- tate married an old friend and schoolmate, Mary E. Glascock of the same locality. They became the parents of six children, as follows: Lina M., who married U. C. Hays of New London, Mo .; Annie E. (Mrs. H. C. Jones); Divilla M., wife of W. H. H. Cope of Aspen, Col .; Eliza V. W., wife of J. P. Watson, who is engaged in farming near New London, Mo .; Susie M. (Mrs. J. P. Holdsworth) of Paris; Lewis H.
Dr. Tutt, the youngest in. his parents' family, received a common-school education in Saverton Township, Ralls County, where his birth, occurred October 21, 1859. For a year he was a student
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at the Christian College, Danton, Mo., and in 1880 and 1881 attended the State University, Co- lumbus, Mo. Desiring to see something of the country and to gratify the adventurous spirit which is common to most ambitious and energetic young men, he went to Colorado and for two years engaged in mining in the vicinity of Ash- craft. However, he did not prosper financially and, returning home, he taught for two terms, after which he spent a year in agriculture. At the same time he utilized many a spare hour in read- ing medical works, thus fitting himself to enter college, which he did in the fall of 1886, and at the end of two years received the degree of Doctor of Medicine (the spring of 1888). He hung out his shingle at Frankfort, Pike County, Mo., where he practiced for two years, then taking a post-grad- uate course in the New York Polyclinic College (the summer of 1890).
March 4, 1891, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Tutt and Hattie E., daughter of F. M. Handy of Frankfort, Mo. The young couple have a pleasant and comfortable home, the hospitality of which is unbounded. Politically the doctor is a Democrat and socially he is identified with the Masonic Order, the I. O. O. F., the M. W. of A. and the K. of P.
J UDGE HERMON D. HOLLYMAN is the fortunate possessor of about four hundred acres of finely improved farm land, situate in Marion County. In 1893 he was elected to fill the unexpired term of Judge Nelson of Hannibal, and his wise course meeting with approval, he was reëlected in 1894 to serve the regular term of four years. He is a man of wide learning, clear and well-founded judgment, and his legal decis- ions rarely meet with adverse criticism.
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Judge Hollyman was born in Union County, Ky., November 27, 1821, and is a son of John and Grace (Neal) Hollyman, natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively. The Judge received the benefits of a common-school education and removed with his family to Missouri in 1827, the father locating in Liberty Township, Marion
County; the senior Hollyman had previously im- proved a farm which he owned in Union County, Ky. He cleared his new farm in this section en- tirely, save a small tract of timber, which he re- served for his own use; both he and his good wife passed their last years on this homestead. They were faithful members of the Baptist Church and were loved and respected by their neighbors. In his political belief Mr. Hollyman was a Demo- crat.
The family of John and Grace Hollyman com- prised thirteen children, of whom but two survive. In order of birth they are as follows: Catherine; Nancy, who married William Randolph, since de- ceased; Polly, who died in Macon County, Mo .; Charles, Jane, William and Thomas, who died in Shelby County, Mo .; John, who passed away in California; Franklin, Francis N. and Elizabeth, who died at the old homestead; James M., who resides in Macon County; the Judge is the tenth of the family. His brother Charles was for many years a resident of Shelby County, Mo., and had a family of three children. Jane became the wife of Ed Rutter and both died in Shelby County.
After coming to Missouri young Hollyman had but a meager chance for obtaining an education, but went to the district school for three months in the winter time, being taught by a traveling pedagogue. He was married October 13, 1846, to Sarah Jane, daughter of Louis and Saralı (Pogue) Van Landingham, natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively. Mrs. Hollyman was born March 8, 1817, and was one of eleven chil- dren, the others being: Nancy, Benjamin, Mary, Russell, Lewis, Sarah (the first of the name), Hollen, Alfred, William and one who died in in- fancy. Three children were born to our subject and wife, namely: John L., born February 13, 1848; James W., born October 9, 1856; Hermon A., born August 30, 1860. The eldest son mar- ried Belle McCloud and lives at home; James W. married Lulu McCloud; Hermon's wife was formerly Lizzie Gantz.
After his marriage Judge Hollyman continued to live on the old home farm until 1861, when he purchased one hundred and thirteen acres of his present farm and after erecting a comfortable house and commodious barns moved here in the
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fall of 1861; since that time he has made many improvements on the place, which is considered one of the best in this region. Politically he uses his right of franchise in favor of the Democratic party, with which he has long been connected. Religiously he is a member of the Baptist Church and one of its most valued workers; Mrs. Holly- man is a stanch member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church South.
J UDGE HENRY CLAY DAVIS is num- bered among the early settlers of Township 58, Range 8, Marion County. In 1866 he was elected Judge of the district without his con- sent and was made President of the court and presiding officer. He continued to serve in this capacity until 1874 and made a good record both for himself and for his constituents. The old home in which he has resided for so many years was partially built by himself in 1840, but prior to that time a wing of the structure had been put up by his father.
Born in Richmond County, Va., March 7, 1825. the Judge is a son of W. F. and Letty (Purcell) Davis, who were natives of the same county as himself. For several years they resided in Southı Carolina, whither they had removed, the father being engaged in a, mercantile business. Then going back to his old home in Virginia he en- gaged in farming there for some time, when he was taken with the western fever and started with his family in wagons, landing in this county July 5, 1831. He entered the farm now owned by our subject, improved the same and continued to reside here until his death, which occurred November 21, 1853. His first wife was Miss Bet- sey Dicky, who died in South Carolina; his sec- ond wife bore the maiden name of Ellen Ficklin. Her death occurred in Virginia, and subsequently the father married the Judge's mother, who died in February, 1869, leaving one child. By his marriage with Miss Ficklin Mr. Davis had three children: Frances Elizabeth, Boulware Davidson and Famous.
Judge Davis lived with his parents until he
was about sixteen years of age, when he began earning his own livelihood as a farmer. Soon after reaching his majority he began teaching school in his home district and taught successfully for twenty years. His own schooling comprised thirty-five days, but he was, through his own efforts and private study, a well-educated man. Soon after his marriage, which occurred in 1849, he moved to the farm which he has since been engaged in cultivating. His father and mother died on this homestead. He remembers when Indians were no unusual sight in this part of the country, but he never saw an Indian fight. Stand- ing in his cabin door he has often seen a herd of fifteen or twenty deer, and wolves, bears, wild turkeys, etc., were abundant. His present farm comprises three hundred and five acres, which are used mainly for raising corn and wheat ; however, the Judge is quite a stock-raiser and always keeps a great many horses and cattle.
June 21, 1849, Judge Davis and Martha Jane Ragar were united in marriage. The lady was born in Logan County, Ky., January 15, 1832, and is a daughter of John F. and Elizabeth G. (Simmons) Ragar, natives of Kentucky and North Carolina respectively. The former moved from the Blue Grass State to Marion County in 1833 and from that time until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-five years, lived on a farm in this township. His wife also died here when in her seventy-seventh year.
The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with twelve children, of whom the eighth, Emma, died in infancy; Josephine B. (Mrs. David S. Sharp) is also deceased. The living children are: Frances E., the eldest, born July 12, 1850, married Zachary Gupton and now lives at the old Wood Farm; Union J., born February 9, 1852, married Geraldine Durrett and lives on a farm south of his father's place; John R., born November 30, 1853, married Ollie Moreland and resides south of here; Frederick M., born Feb- ruary 4, 1858, wedded Mary Moreland and is a resident of this vicinity; William B., born August 31, 1860, resides at home; Henry C., born De- cember 4, 1862, married Rebecca Goodwin and dwells on a place west of the old homestead; Richard L., born April 17, 1865, lives with his
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brother, John R .; Hershall B., born April 21, 1868, operates a farm five miles from the old home; Samuel B., born March 20, 1872, married Sadie Ruth and is a farmer of this township; El- nora M., born December 21, 1874, is at home. All the children were well educated in the public schools and the sons support the Democratic par- ty, as does their father. During the late' war Judge Davis was not a participant, but sent a substitute. He and his estimable wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, with which they have been identified for fifteen years. In former years the Judge was a Mason, but is now non-affiliated.
J AMES S. MEGOWN. The name of Me- gown is one very familiar to the residents of Ralls County as belonging to some of its most popular and prominent citizens. Our subject, who is one of the leading dry goods merchants of New London, was born on his father's fine estate in this county, June 4, 1857. His parents were Judge John and Mary E. Me- gown, for a full history of whom the reader is referred to their biography elsewhere in this volume.
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