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 36
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 36
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 36
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James S. Megown was a lad of eight years when his parents took up their abode in the city. Here his education was finished in the common schools and when ready to begin work for him- self he first clerked in a store belonging to C. V. Wellman. He remained in his employ for about six years and then went to farming on his father's estate. After spending about four years in the country he returned to town in the summer of 1888 and was employed as clerk for his brother, Preston W. Affairs continued thus until 1891, when in August of that year he was taken in as a partner and given a half interest in the business. They carried on an extensive trade under the firm name of Megown & Megown until Septem- ber 6, 1894, when our subject purchased the en- tire stock of goods and since that time has con- ducted the business alone. The store is stocked
with a general line of dry goods, groceries, crock- ery, etc., and is conveniently located on Main Street. The goods are arranged so as to show off to the best advantage and everything about it is neat and in order.
Mr. Megown was married November 25, 1880, in New London, to Miss Blanche A., daughter of Squire R. and Mary A. (Carstarphen) Nichols, the former of whom was born in Madison County, Ky. He came to Missouri in 1856, settling in New London. His parents were Rawson and Elizabeth (Overstreet) Nichols, his father being a native of North Carolina. Mr. Nichols was married in this county in 1856 to Miss Mary A., daughter of Robert and Mary (Bennett) Car- starphen. To them were born five children: Blanche; Cora B., Mrs. E. M. Strode, of New London; Bettie G., Mrs. William H. Gentry, of Vernon County; Robert E. and Frank S. Mr. Nichols makes his home in New London, while his wife died in October, 1878. She was a mem- ber of the Baptist Church.
To our subject and his excellent wife there have been born four children, namely: Mary Bell, born January 7, 1882; Robert E., June 30, 1884; Willie A., October 28, 1888; John N., June 27, 1893. Mrs. Megown is a Baptist in religion. Her husband is a staunch adherent of the Demo- cratic party. He is in command of a large trade in the city and is well known to the people of the surrounding country by his fair and upright meth- ods of doing business.
D R. WHITLEY GRAY HENDRIX, one of the leading physicians of New Lon- don, was born in what is now Callaway County, Mo., January 1, 1843, and is a son of William and Judith Ann (Bowen) Hendrix. His father was a native of Kentucky, and came with his step-father, William Rodman, to Missouri at an early day, settling in Callaway County. He became a farmer in that county and remained there about twelve years, when he removed to Audrain County and purchased a farm on Skull
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Lick, near Mexico. He removed to the City of Mexico in 1858, when our subject was about fif- teen years of age, he having been elected Sheriff and Collector of Audrain County. He was re- elected and served two terms. He moved back to his son's farm in 1868, where he died December 15, 1873, at the age of sixty-nine years. In poli- tics he was a Democrat, and religionsly was a member of the Christian Church. There were ten children in the family that grew to maturity: James D., Richard, Frank M., Thomas B., Law- rence M., Whitley G., Ellen, Mary W., Affra and Lizzie. Of the girls, Ellen became the wife of D. M. Ward, of Kansas City, Mo .; Mary W., the wife of C. Wisdom, of Marshall, Mo. Judith Bowen was a native of Kentucky, where she met and married Mr. Hendrix. She was a member of the Christian Church, and died March 22, 1880, at the age of seventy-four years.
The subject of this sketch was reared in Mex- ico, Mo., where he attended the common schools. He began the study of medicine in that city in the office of Dr. R. W. Bowen, and later read in the office of Dr. Davis, of Boone County, where he remained one year. In 1867 he entered the Medical School of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, where he remained one term. He then practiced for a time, and afterwards returned to the college and was graduated therefrom in the spring of 1871. On graduating, he removed to St. Brain's Mill, Jasper Township, Ralls County, where he opened an office, and there re- mained five years, building up quite an extensive practice. He then removed to Madisonville, Ralls County, where he practiced three years, and in 1876 established himself in New London. He has there built up a large practice and has been very successful in the treatment of cases.
Dr. Hendrix was united in marriage October 18, 1868, to Mary E. Boaz, daughter of David and Mary (Brown) Boaz, who were natives of Virginia, and who came to Missouri at an early day, locating in Callaway County, where their daughter, Mary E., was born. Dr. and Mrs. Hen- drix have three children: Logie, now the wife of Charles T. Weaver, the present Sheriff of Ralls County; Rosa L., the wife of Dr. Floyd Walters,
of Kansas City, Mo .; John W., now reading ined- icine with his father.
Dr. and Mrs. Hendrix are members of the Christian Church, and in politics the Doctor is a Democrat. He is also a member of the New London Lodge No. 168, A. F. and A. M., and is a stockholder in the Ralls County Bank. He also owns a farm of one hundred and forty acres, in Spencer Township, which is cultivated under his direction. The Doctor is a man of generous im- pulses, kind and benevolent, and is highly esteemed by the people.
The grandfather of our subject, Rudy Hen- drix, was born in South Carolina, went to Ken- tucky when a young man, and there married Miss Jemima Button, of Oldham County, by whom eight children were born: James, Jackson, Will- iam, Thomas, Rudy, Sallie, Susan and Polly.
J I OHN F. M. FARMER. This prominent resident of Pike County, besides being en- gaged in farming, is proprietor of a general merchandise establishment located at Estes, in Indian Township. He is one of the old residents of this section, in which locality he was born Jan- uary 15, 1834, to John and Jane (Woodson) Farmer. For a full history of the parents the reader is referred to the sketch of Moses Farmer, which appears on another page in this volume.
Our subject never knew his father, as the latter died before his birth. He continued to make his home with his widowed mother for two years after attaining his majority, and when beginning in life for himself first purchased a tract of sixty acres, which he worked for three years. Finding a good opportunity to dispose of it at the end of that time, he did so, and became the owner of two hundred acres, where he now resides, and which he has continued to increase from time to time until his possessions now aggregate over five hun- dred broad and well cultivated acres.
John F. M. Farmer has been twice married, his first union being celebrated January 2, 1857, at which time Miss Sarah C. Irby became his wife.
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She was a native of this county and died Febru- ary 27, 1886. Her parents were John C. and Mary (Willheight) Irby, natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky, but who were married in Pike County, this State, having come here with their parents many years ago. There were two children born to them: Sarah C., and a son who died in infancy.
By her union with our subject Mrs. Sarah C. Farmer became the mother of two children: Will- iam G. R., who died in January, 1886, aged twenty-two years, and Laura, now the wife of James Chamberlain, a prominent farmer living near Marysville, this State. In March, 1887, Mr. Farmer chose for his second companion Miss Minnie Butler, whose birth occurred in Lewis County, Mo., March 4, 1861. Her parents, A. J. and Sallie C. (Jackson) Butler, were likewise na- tives of this State and born in Pike County. Mrs. Farmer was the eldest of their eight children, her brothers and sisters being: Carrie, now the wife of William Jones, of this township; Martha, wife of Warren Spencer; Katie and Annie are single and living in this township; Luta, now Mrs. Lemon McMasters, makes her home on a farm in Pike County; Joseph and Marvin are agriculturists of prominence in this locality.
Sallie E. (Jackson) Butler, prior to her mar- riage with Mr. Butler, was the widow of John R. Gregory, who died in this county in 1855. He was a native of Kentucky and came hither early in the history of Missouri. His marriage resulted in the birth of a son, Robert, who now resides near New Harmony and follows the life of a farmer. The daughter born of our subject's union with Miss Butler was John Della, who still resides at home.
Mr. Farmer has been very active in the public life of his community, and for twelve years was Justice of the Peace, eight years occupied the of- fice of Road Supervisor, and for the same length of time has had charge of the Postoffice, although he was never officially appointed until 1895. In 1887 he established himself in the mercantile business in Estes, and since that time has carried on a flourishing trade, being patronized by the best residents of the township, who find him to
be honest and courteous to all and pleasant to deal with. In politics he is a staunch Democrat, and at all times gives his influence and ballot in favor of its candidates. He is self-made as re- gards education and finances, and by honorably fulfilling the duties devolving upon him, has gained the respect of all with whom he comes in contact.
S AMUEL C. JAMISON is one of the old residents of Pike County, his home being on Section 29, Township 52, Range 2 West. He was born September 29, 1835, and has passed nearly his entire life within the limits of this county, his attention being given to agri- cultural pursuits. During the war he was a meni- ber of Capt. Hinton's Company of Missouri State Militia, and served for three months on guard duty. He has always strived to promote what he believes to be the best measures for the public good, and is highly respected as a citizen and neighbor.
James C. Jamison, father of our subject, and best known as "Uncle Carson" among his numer- ous friends, was a native of North Carolina, and was the owner of an extensive plantation, con- prising six hundred acres. He was also owner of a number of slaves, according to the custom of his native State, but always treated them with marked consideration. In 1828 he came to this county and entered land three and a half miles east of Paynesville, on Guin Creek. This tract was covered with heavy forests, and Saltpetre Bluff stood on the boundary line, and in early days a large quantity of this article was taken therefrom annually. The only white man living in the vicinity at that period was William Rich- ards. James C. Jamison married Mary Johnson, who bore him four children. Ephraim M. mar- ried Harriet D. Hinton, and to them were born the following children: Martha E., who married Henry Stewart; Jesse L., who was killed by a runaway team; Thomas B., who married Nellie Steel; and Ephraim C., who died May 28, 1872.
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Samuel C. Jamison grew to manhood in this locality, and received such meager educational advantages as the schools of his boyhood af- forded. March 2, 1854, he chose as his future companion and helpmate in life's journey, Ellen E., daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Hughes) Hin- ton. She was born in July 1836, and became the mother of the following children: Sallie N., born March 10, 1856; Mary J., September 18, 1858; Melinda H., September 27, 1860; Rhoda F., August 10, 1863; Annie L., February 8, 1869; Bettie S., August 20, 1874; and Mertie L., Sep- tember 19, 1877. The eldest daughter married William W. Gillum and their only child died in infancy. Mary J., became the wife of C. E. Ogden and their family numbers six children namely: Jesse E., Annie B., John S., James C., Guy E. and Camp M. Melinda is the wife of the Rev. I. N. B. Hepler, by whom she has five children : Howard M., Ella May, Grace Loyd, Reuben L., and Roy J. Mr. Hepler is now in charge of the Baptist congregation at Goshen, Rockbridge County, Va. Rhoda, who married John Hanson, had two children; Mary E., who died in 1891 and Chloe. Annie is at home and the two young- est children are attending school at Bowling Green.
The grandfather of Mrs. Jamison, Jesse Hin- ton, was born in Yorkshire, England, and emi- grated to America in 1775. In 1827 he removed from Kentucky to Pike County, arriving here in December of that year. His oldest son, John, who was born August 16, 1816, left home when he was in his nineteenth year and going to the lead mines of Wisconsin was employed in mining for eleven years. During the gold fever he fitted out an ox team and in company with two hun- dred men, a few women and children and forty teams started from St. Joseph, Mo., over the plains to California. Landing in Placer County in 1850, he at once set to work and the first three months washed out over $700 in gold dust. He met with varied success during the succeeding twelve years and at one time found in one nugget a fraction over eight and a half ounces of the pure metal. This he still keeps as a relic of his mining operations. For a time he was in Sacra-
mento City on account of poor health, but re- turning to the mines continued there until 1862. Thence he went to Vancouver's Island and from there to North British Columbia, engaging in prospecting at Caribou for three years. Return- ing to Vancouver's, he next worked in the timber for four years and a half and then started in the dairy business, supplying milk for the Naval Hospital and also shipping the products of his farm to Victoria. In the twelve years which he devoted to this enterprise he was quite successful, but at length he became homesick and in Novem- ber, 1890, started back to his old home in Pike County, and is now living with our subject. Ben- jamin Hinton was Captain of a company in the Union Army and belonged to the Missouri State Militia during the War of the Rebellion. His wife was formerly Miss Alcinda Jamison. For some time he conducted a general store but at present is engaged in raising cattle and sheep on a ranch near Brady City, Texas.
In his political relations S. C. Jamison is affil- iated with the Democratic party. He is a man of upright and honorable character and enjoys the friendship of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. He is therefore well deserving of an honored place in the records of the pioneers of Pike County, with whose welfare his own has been identified for some sixty years.
W ILLIAM SEYMOUR, a prominent resident of Township 58, Range 6, is the owner of a fine estate located on Section 14. He makes a specialty of stock-raising and has constantly on hand a large number of horses, cattle and swine of the best breeds. Like many of the best residents of Marion County, our subject was born in Kentucky, Jefferson County being his native place, and the date of his birth July 13, 1831.
Philip and Caroline (Williams) Seymour, the parents of our subject, were natives of Virginia, in which State Philip was well educated and when quite young assumed the management of the home
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farm. In 1858 he emigrated with his family to Ralls County, Mo., where he purchased a quar- ter section of land, and there passed the remainder of his life. His widow later removed to Monroe City, where her demise occurred.
William Seymour is one of a family of ten children, of whom the eldest, Amelia, is living in Indiana; Richard died in Kentucky; Alfred makes his home in Monroe City; Edward is de- ceased; our subject was the fifth in order of birth; Eugene is a resident of Hannibal, Mo .; George died young; Jennie is living in Monroe City; Edward is deceased.
The original of this sketch when old enough spent his winters in attending school and during the summer months was employed in working on the home farm until attaining his sixteenth year, when he entered Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Ind., and was a student there for two years. In 1852 he joined the company of twenty men en route to California; the trip was made overland with ox teams and consumed a period of eight months. They were landed at Hangtown in due time and our subject entered a mining claim and at once began his search for gold. In 1853, not having been very successful, he went to Stockton and while there was employed in teaming.
September 11, 1860, Mr. Seymour started on the home journey, embarking on the vessel "John L. Stephens," which met with an accident before the trip was completed. The passengers were then transferred to "Uncle Sam," later to the "North Star," which vessel landed them in New York City, whence they came by railroad to Ralls County. Mr. Seymour gave his attention to cul- tivating the quarter section of land which his father owned and remained at home until his mar- riage. That event, celebrated June 16, 1864, united him with Miss Susan Shacklett, a native of this county and the daughter of Harry and Elizabeth Shacklett. To them have been born three children, namely: Clara, born September 26, 1867; Harry, born November 28, 1869; one died in infancy. In politics he is a stanch sup- porter of Democratic principles; socially he be- longs to the Masonic Lodge of Palmyra and Chapter No. 2. He took possession of his present farm in 1892 and is well deserving of the prosper-
ity which he now enjoys, for he has risen en- tirely through his own well-directed efforts and sterling characteristics and become one of the sub- stantial residents of the county. In 1881 he was elected Superintendent of the County Poor Farm and for a period of fourteen years discharged efficiently and faithfully the duties of that respon- sible position.
H ENRY C. JONES, a member of one of the oldest families of Ralls County, was born within its boundaries April 20, 1834. He was the eldest of five children included in the family of Taylor and Cynthia A. (Trabue) Jones, three of whom are still living.
Taylor Jones was born in Goochland County, Va., in 1805, and came to this State when a boy of twelve years. He grew to manhood in Mis- souri, and when twenty years of age was mar- ried, and the following year, 1826, settled upon the fine farm now occupied by his son, our sub- ject. There he resided for the remainder of a long and useful life. In 1849, in company with two of his brothers, he crossed the plains bound for the gold fields of California, where he spent one year in search of the yellow ore, and was handsomely rewarded for the time thus em- ployed.
In the year 1859 the subject of this sketch joined a party and journeyed to Denver, Col., prospecting, all returning home at the close of the same year. Father Jones was a very ven- turesome man, and that his courage was unques- tioned an incident will serve to illustrate. He and his neighbors had been losing sheep by the ravages of the wolves, and they consequently re- solved to hunt them down, and starting out early one morning they soon came in sight of one. Following it they were led to a cave which proved to be the home of a family of wolves. After a consultation, Mr. Jones volunteered to go in, although his companions tried to dissuade hin1. He was determined, however, and fastening a
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candle to the end of a long stick, by lying flat on the ground he was enabled to work himself through the small opening. He had proceeded but a short distance when he came to the mother and her young. She attacked his light so sav- agely that it went out before he could get an op- portunity to shoot with his pistol. Returning to the opening he relit his candle, but met with no better success, and was compelled to repeat his first attempt several times before he could dis- patch the mother. He finally succeeded, and one by one brought the young wolves out, and for a long time one of them was a household pet, but was finally killed by a vicious horse. Mr. Jones was of a very generous nature. His benefactions were not bounded by any sect or creed, but em- braced the whole race. He was ever ready to aid the needy, to extend a helping hand to the op- pressed, and to speak words of cheer and comfort to the sick and sorrowful. March 7, 1885, they laid him lovingly to rest, under the green sod of the old farm that was so dear to him.
Cynthia A. Jones, the mother of our subject, was of Huguenot ancestry and was a member of one of the oldest and most honored families of Woodford County, Ky., where she was born in 1805. She was, on her mother's side, the grand- daughter of the Rev. Eleazer Clay, who was one of the few Virginians who survived Braddock's defeat. When nineteen years old Cynthia was married to Taylor Jones, and a tranquil union blessed the sixty years of their life. As to the character of Mrs. Jones, it was a familiar remark with those who knew her that she was as good a woman as ever lived. In 1849 she, with her hus- band, was baptized into the Christian Church, and a year after the latter's death occurred. His loss was such a blow to her gentle nature that she slowly declined until death came to her relief, and she sank sweetly to sleep. Three children sur- vive her: Henry, of this sketch; Mrs. Margaret Watson, and Mrs. Susan Glasscock.
Grandfather Dabney Jones was born in Vir- ginia and came to Missouri in 1817, settling on Spencer Creek, Ralls County. The old house is
still standing which he built on his arrival here, and is probably the oldest dwelling in the county. Grandfather Trabue was twice married, his sec- ond wife being the mother of Cynthia (Trabue) Jones. In her maidenhood she was a Miss Jane Clay, and a schoolmate and cousin of Henry Clay.
Henry C. Jones, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood under the parental roof, and acquired his education in the subscription schoois and in the University of Missouri, at Columbia. He was at home assisting in the management of the farm on the outbreak of the late war. He on- listed in the Confederate service under Col. Por- ter, who was the recruiting officer of North Mis- souri. Later he was transferred to Col. Bur- bridge's regiment of Gen. Price's division. After peace was established he visited Mexico and re- mained there one year. Returning to this county he once more took up his home with his parents, and December 5, 1872, was married to Miss Ann E. Tutt, the daughter of James R. and Mary (Glasscock) Tutt, and who was born in Ralls County October 12, 1847. Mrs. Jones' parents were natives of Culpeper County, Va., and reared a family of eight children. Her mother died March 20, 1871, at the age of fifty-two years. The father, James R. Tutt, was born August 30, 1821, and came to Missouri in the fall of 1845, settling in Ralls County, where he has continued to re- side, engaged in general farming and stock-rais- ing. In 1890 he gave up active business, and has since made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Jones, where he is enjoying the results of a busy, useful life. Mr. Tutt is a member of the Christian Church, and in politics is a Democrat.
About six years after this marriage Mr. Jones purchased the farm where he at present resides. He has given, in years past, a great deal of at- tention to the breeding of fine stock, and is one of the well-known men of the county. Politically he is a Democrat, and a liberal supporter of all worthy charities. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Christian Church, in the work of which she always takes an active part.
yours Truly A.P. Looking
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
315
FREDERICK R. LOCKLING.
F REDERICK R. LOCKLING, of Hanni- bal, Mo., was born in Lyndon, Vt., Marclı 31, 1829. Soon afterward his father, David, moved to West Charleston, Vt., and settled on a farm. There his boyhood years were passed, alternating attendance at the district school in the winter with work on the home place during the summer months. In 1844 he left West Charleston and went to Penfield, N. Y., where he worked with his oldest brother, Levi L., for two years. From that date until 1848 he made his home with an uncle, Nathan Lockling, at Dansville, Livingston County, N. Y., meantime carrying on his studies in the high school of that place.
In 1848 Mr. Lockling secured a position on the Watertown & Rome Railroad, with his brother, Levi L., and the intervals of leisure he devoted assiduously to the study of surveying, algebra, geometry and trigonometry, also learn- ing to use engineering instruments. In 1850 he purchased a set of instruments and found em- ployment, as assistant engineer, on what is now. called the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, also on the Air Line Railroad, from Toledo, Ohio, to Chicago, being thus engaged until 1854. The following year he was employed in locating a portion of the Peoria & Wabash Railroad. In 1856, with his brother, Levi L., he assisted in locating what was then called the Terre Haute & Alton Railroad. During the ensuing year he was engaged on the Rock River Valley Union, now called the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. In 1858-59 he was in partnership with his brother, Levi L., who was appointed City Engineer of Hannibal, Mo.
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