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 44
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 44
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 44
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Mr. Minch has made all the improvements of any importance on his place and now has the satisfaction of knowing that it is one of the most productive tracts in the township.
Two children have been granted him, of whom the eldest, Forest, was born June 15, 1891, and Eddie, April 20, 1892. He is a Democrat in politics and with his good wife belongs to the Baptist Church, in which they are both active workers, and in social circles they are highly esteemed.
A NSON BRADBURY, one of Pike County's most respected citizens, is a farmer residing in Township 53, N. Range 3 West, about four miles west of Bowling Green. He is a native of Pike County, Ill., and during his mature life has been engaged in agricultural pur- suits with great success.
In tracing the ancestry of Mr. Bradbury we find that he is a lineal descendant of Sir Thomas Bradbury, who was Lord Mayor of London in 1509, and died the following year while still hold-
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ing that honored office. Thomas Bradbury, ac- cording to the local parish register, was baptized on the last day of February in 1610, in Wicken Boanant, Essex County, England. He was the great-great-great-great-great-grandfather of our subject and was agent for Sir Ferdiendo Gorges, proprietor of the Province of Maine. . This Thomas Bradbury emigrated to America in 1634 to take charge of the land owned by Sir Ferdiendo Gorges, and is the common ancestor of the Amer- ican Bradburys. His son, William, who died in Massachusetts in December, 1628, was the father of Jacob Bradbury, whose death occurred in the Bay State in 1718. The latter's son, Thomas, was a resident of Biddeford, Mass., and his son in turn, Benjamin, was our subject's great-grand- father. The grandfather, Jacob, married Patience Rounds and of their twelve children Lemuel, our subject's father, was the second. Jacob Brad- bury was born in Maine in 1783 and was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was present at a family reunion held in 1848 in a grove on the farm of his son Lemuel in Pike County. On that occasion he was a guest of honor and beheld eighty-five per- sons bearing his name, representing four genera- tions, of whom he was their common ancestor. At this time he was only sixty-five years of age, but he lived to be ninety-six years old, dying in 1879.
Lemuel Bradbury was born April 18, 1805, being the second of twelve children born to Jacob and Patience (Rounds) Bradbury, the latter of whom was born in 1782. The other children are as follows: Thomas, who married Pamelia Cope- land; Sallie, wife of Vincent Gray; Ruth, wife of John Wadsworth; Lucy, Mrs. Cephas Simmons; Nathan B., who married Dorcas Boggs, and after her death married a cousin, Carthena Bradbury; Betsey, who died in infancy; Samuel, whose wife was, before her marriage, Julia Merris; Kate, Mrs. Francis A. Kirkpatrick; Eliza, who married Gideon W. Bradbury, a cousin; Jacob Gary, who wedded Susan Gould; and Jothan B., whose wife bore the maiden name of Mahala Hobbs.
On reaching man's estate Lemuel Bradbury married Mrs. Lydia (Repshere) Troy, their union being celebrated in 1827. She was previously
married to Charles Troy, by whom she liad the following children: John R., Edward, Daniel F., Mary Ann and Jerome L. To Mr. and Mrs. Bradbury were born seven children, namely: Har- riet, Eleanor, George, Nathan, Anson, Thomas and Charles. Harriet became the wife of James T. Linthicum and is now a widow with several children, her home being in Kansas. Eleanor married Samuel Kaylor and has seven children. George wedded Eliza Ann Mummey and has five children. Nathan married Frances Lindsay and is the father of three children. He and his family are now living in Kansas. Thomas chose for his wife Mary Derrah and had but one child. He served in the Union army from 1861 until the battle of Murfreesboro, in which his life was lost. Charles, the youngest, died in the spring of 1894, leaving a wife, whose maiden name was Elmira Balon, and three children.
Anson Bradbury was born in Pike County, Ill., April 22, 1837, and passed the first twenty years of his life on his parent's old homestead. When in his seventeenth year he took a course in Griggs- ville Academy, thus supplementing his district school education, and about three years later en- gaged in teaching for a year in McDonough County, Ill. Then for a like period he worked on the farm in company with his brother. During the gold craze he started for Pike's Peak with a few of his neighbors, traveling with oxen during the journey which lasted several months. Once, while on the State Claims in Kansas, our subject was deserted by his companions, who returned to their homes, but he was not to be thus daunted and patiently awaited the arrival of another train of emigrants. When such a party did come he found that they were bound for the Pacific Coast and therefore he accompanied them, spending one year in California. Then he wandered to Tucson, Ariz., and for four months was with an exploring party. Becoming homesick he started eastward, and went through Texas, where for several months he worked on a farm. The war coming on at this time he enlisted in the Con- federate Army under Capt. Guy and served for nine months, taking part in the battle of Pea Ridge and later engaging in numerous skir-
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mishes. At the battle of Corinth he was taken prisoner and was held for several weeks, then being transferred to Cairo where he was turned over to the Provost Marshal and was finally re- leased. Going home he resumed the peaceful avocation of farming and has since continued to give his attention to the · management of his homestead.
On February 15, 1865, Mr. Bradbury married Mary M., daughter of Asa and Sarah Elizabeth (Davis) Tedrow. Her grandfather, David Ted- row, was a native of Germany and was the father of twelve children. Her father was born Novem- ber 25, 1814. Her mother (Sarah E. Davis) was born June 21, 1819, and was married June 5, 1837. Her grandfather was John Davis, born in Virginia. He died in Trenton, Ind., in 1828. Her grandmother was born in Rutland County, Ohio, in 1803, and died in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1872. Benjamin Catter, Mrs. Bradbury's great- grandfather on her mother's side, was a Metho- dist Episcopal minister and a native of Virginia, who emigrated to Ohio in 1802. Mrs. Bradbury is one of six children, the others being William W., Martha, Asa W., Samuel and one who died in infancy. William entered the Union Army as a private soldier, was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant at Vicksburg and soon afterward was accidentally killed. Martha became the wife of Thomas B. Gray and was the mother of thirteen children. Asa chose for his helpmate in life Mellie Jeffries and four children were born of their union. Samuel wedded Gertrude Englesby by whom he had six children. Asa Tedrow died in 1852 and his widow subsequently married Daniel Troy June 15, 1853, and has twin chil- dren, Albert and Allie, born February 6, 1858, the former of whom married Jane Irick and had one child, while the latter became the wife of Jesse Irick and is the mother of three children.
The wife of our subject was born in Pike County, Ill., November 19, 1841, and attended a little district school a mile and a half from her home. By her marriage she has become tlie mother of four children, namely: Edward Ross, who married De Lu Tinker, daughter of William H. Tinker, and had two children, Mary Belle,
the elder, died at the age of eighteen months, and Eva is less than a year old; Lydia Iva, who mar- ried James. V. Davis, has one child, Berry, a little three-year-old; Lizzie wedded Andrew Sidle, and Ora Maude is now in her seventeenth year and lives at home with her parents.
Our subject has a farm of one hundred and twenty-four acres, where he is carrying on general farming. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Bowling Green. Mrs. Bradbury is also a member of the same church. The first ballot of Mr. Bradbury was deposited in 1860 for Lincoln, since which time he has used his franchise in favor of the nominees of the Democratic party. By all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance he is held in the highest re- spect and is fully worthy of their confidence.
G EORGE B. BENNETT is one of the most enterprising and successful farmers of Liberty Township, Marion County, and is entitled for his honorable and upright.life to a place among the best inhabitants of this region. He owns a beautiful and well-improved farm near Palmyra, his dwelling being a commodious one of brick, built according to modern principles and surrounded with all the comforts of life.
Mr. Bennett is a native of Westmoreland Coun- ty, Pa., his birth having occurred May 28, 1852. His father; the Hon. Joseph S. Bennett, was born in the same county May 17, 1822, and died (June 10, 1894) at the close of an honorable career, re- spected and loved by all who knew him. His parents were George and Mary (Smith) Bennett, who were lifelong residents of the Keystone State, the father being a prosperous farmer and a dis- tiller as well. Their only daughter, Mary, be- came the wife of a Mr. Bell, and George and Dav- id, the younger sons, are deceased. Joseph S. Bennett moved to Liberty Township from his na- tive State, arriving here January 2, 1866. At the time of his death he was the owner of four hun- dred and sixty acres of land upon which stood good improvements. In Democratic circles he
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was very prominent, and in 1878 was elected As- sociate Justice of the County Court, being re- elected at the close of his two years' term in 1880. In 1842 he was married in Pennsylvania to Mar- garet Newlon, whose parents died with the cholera when she was an infant. Her birth occurred in Westmoreland County, Pa., in February, 1822, and she was called to the better land December 27, 1886. Five children were born to Joseph S. Bennett and wife, namely: Mary and Kizzie, who died in infancy; Lizzie, born in June, 1848; George B., of this sketch; Anna R., born in 1854 and died May 25, 1884. Lizzie became the wife of J. W. Jackson (now deceased) and had one daughter, Maggie J., who was born in June, 1874, and died October 16, 1890. Mrs. Jackson de- parted this life June 26, 1885.
The boyhood of our subject passed quietly in the usual routine of farm life. When he was fourteen years of age he moved with his parents to Marion County and continued to dwell with them until 1880, when he was married and re- moved to an adjoining farm. July 5, 1894, he came to his present homestead, which formerly belonged to his father; the dwelling, which was built in 1882 by the senior Bennett at an expense of thirty-six hundred dollars, is one of the best to be found in this portion of the county. In his youth Mr. Bennett received a good education, his first years being spent in the public school, after which he was a student in the Methodist Seminary and the Baptist College. He is a man of much more than ordinary intelligence and in- formation and is a very interesting conversation- alist. From time to time he has increased the boundaries of his farm until it now numbers four hundred and sixty acres. He has never been de- sirous of holding public office, but is an unswerv- ing Democrat in his political views.
November 16, 1880, occurred the marriage of George B. Bennett and Nannie M. White. She was born in Marion County, December 1I, 1860, and was the daughter of Marcus C. and Elizabeth B. (Caldwell) White. Mrs. Bennett was sun- moned from her happy home by the angel of death February 25, 1895, and besides her immediate fam- ily left many sincere friends, who have deeply mourned her loss. Of the four sons and one
daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Bennett, Samuel W., whose birth occurred June II, 1884, died in infancy; the others are Joe C., born September 15, 1882; Georgia N., born August 28, 1888; Guy B., born November 12, 1890; Albert A., born June 13, 1893. Mr. Bennett is a member of the Presbyterian Church and always supports by his means and influence religious and benevolent work. His children .are all very bright and are making good progress in their studies.
R ICHARD M. DRAKE is a self-made man, having arrived at his present prosperous condition entirely through his own indus- trious and business-like qualities. When he first set foot in Marion County he commenced at the bottom round of the ladder and, being never dis- couraged, pressed steadily forward to the goal in view. He was among the first to locate in this township, the country being then in a wild, un- broken state; wild animals were numerous and on one occasion Mrs. Drake killed a deer near the house.
The original of this sketch was born in Rich- mond County, Va., September 23, 1826. He was the son of Richard F. and Nancy (Edmunds) Drake, also natives of that State, where his father was engaged in farming during his entire life. The latter departed this life when Richard was a lad of fourteen years and his mother died six years later. To them were born a family of six sons and daughters, of whom our subject was the fourth. The others were Martha C., George W., Mary Jane, Phidelia Ann and Susan Frances.
Our subject lived with his mother until her re- moval to Missouri and then began to do for him- self by working out on farms; later he became a sailor on the Rappahannock River, following this kind of life until his marriage-March 17, 1857. The lady of his choice was Miss Aretta Ann Rust, also born in Richmond County, Va., the date thereof being September 8, 1840. She was the daughter of James H. and Susan C. (Churchwell) Rust, farmers of the Old Dominion and people re- spected by all who knew them.
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After his marriage Mr. Drake engaged in farm- ing in his native county, remaining there thus ein- ployed until 1860; November 3 of that year he came to Missouri, joining his mother in this coun- ty. He first rented a farm in Township 58, Range 8, and was the occupant of this tract for eight years, when he was enabled to purchase forty acres of his present homestead. Later he bought a like amount and the entire eighty acres are now under an admirable state of improvement and are cul- tivated in such a manner as to bear large crops. Mr. Drake first erected a log house on his place and in this the family resided for several years, when a more substantial and commodious abid- ing-place was constructed. Mr. Drake is a self- made man as regards education and the position which he has attained among the farmers of his community, and he takes a great interest in polit- ical questions, voting for the best men, but has never aspired to office. In religious affairs he and his wife are devoted members of the Baptist Church.
F RANCIS B. STOUT, JR. This gentle- man, who holds the responsible position of Surveyor of Ralls County, is also one of its most prominent and prosperous farmers. He was born in this State and county February 16, 1851, and is the son of Francis B. and Anna MI. (Stowers) Stout. For a full history of this family we refer the reader to the sketch of the father. which appears on another page. The original of this sketch grew to manhood under the parental roof, and after completing a course in the com- mon schools became a student in the State Nor- mal, Kirksville, Mo. His career was begun as a teacher in the public schools, and two years there- after he was married to Miss Belle Simpson, the ceremony being performed February 16, 1876. Mr. Stout then settled down to farm life, working
at this in summer and engaged in teaching during the winter months.
In 1880 Mr. Stout became a candidate on the Democratic ticket for the office of County Sur- veyor, and was elected by a good majority, serv- ing for one term with honor, to himself and party. In 1892 he was again called upon to act in the same capacity, and is still the incumbent of that position. In the year 1888 our subject moved to his present place and two years later became the owner of the property. His farm, which is one of the largest and most valuable in this section, contains three hundred and ninety acres, which he cultivates in a most admirable manner. Mr. Stout is thoroughly in love with his business and ranks among the substantial residents of the county.
The maiden name of Mrs. Stout was Miss Belle Simpson, and her parents were Joseph and Amanda (Mitchell) Simpson, natives of Ken- tucky; they were born in 1818 and 1821, respect- ively. Mr. Simpson departed this life in his na- tive State about the year 1861 and some five years later his wife with her family emigrated to Mis- souri, locating in Lincoln County. Several years thereafter she moved to Pike County. Mo., where she made her home until about 1885, when she became an inmate of our subject's household. with whom she still resides. To Mr. and Mrs. Stout have been given five children, as follows: Charles A., born March 24. 1877; Daniel McIn- tyre, born November 16. 1878; Alma Forest, born September 20. 1881 ; William Francis, born Sep- tember 12, 1888; William's twin brother, deceased in infancy.
Mr. Stout is an agreeable and pleasant gentle- man, and in his official duties gives satisfaction by the able manner in which he discharges all calls upon him. He is a member of the Christian Church, and socially belongs to the A. O. U. W. As one of the most prominent residents of the county we are pleased to present his sketch here- with to his many friends and acquaintances.
Me B Bach
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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MOSES B. GASH. .
M OSES B. GASH. With the progress of Marion County, and more especially with the history of South River Town- ship, the subject of this sketch has been intimately associated throughout his entire life, having con- tributed materially to the development of its re- sources and the growth of its industries. His life occupation has been that of farming, in which, through industry and good judgment, he has met with success and gained prosperity. The farm which he owns consists of eight hundred acres of fine land, embellished with one of the most substantial brick dwellings in the county. This residence, which was erected by Mr. Gash in 1853, is not only handsome in its exterior ap- . pearance, but equally inviting on the interior, being furnished in a tasty manner indicative of the refinement and culture of the inmates.
It will be of interest to the reader to note a few facts concerning the history of the Gash family. The father of our subject, Martin, was born in Germany, June 16, 1773, and came to Marion County in 1818, settling upon a farm adjoining that now owned by our subject. There the grand- father died; the grandmother departed this life while the family were journeying through St. Louis County, en route to their new home. When Martin came to this county he purchased a tract of about eight hundred acres, for which he paid $1.25 per acre, but at the time of his death he owned only four hundred and eighty acres, hav- ing given the remainder of his property to his children. In early days he was a slaveholder. He was the first white settler is this locality, and for more than a year after he came here he had no neighbors. The old log cabin still stands which he erected near the site of our subject's present home. In 1819 he built the first brick structure
in the county, and so well was the work done that at the present day it is a much more substantial building than many that have been built of recent years. It is in South River Township, and is the property of Mrs. Ann Ellis, of Palmyra.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary Gudger, and was born in North Carolina, March 3, 1779, and died September 29, 1828. Her parents were natives of Ireland, where they continued to reside until death: By her marriage she became the mother of twelve children, namely: Joseph, William, Martin, Jef- ferson, Montreville, John, Moses B., Sallie, Mrs. Brandt; Martha, Mrs. Moses D. Bates, Nancy, wife of J. U. Boulware; Rebecca, and Elizabeth, Mrs. William Bates. Of this large family our subject is the youngest child and sole survivor. He was born in South River Township, May 28, 1823, and was early orphaned, his mother dying when he was four, and his father when he was ten years of age. From that time until 1849 he made his home with his brother, Martin, Jr., but during that year the latter went to California, where, after having engaged in mining for a short time, his death occurred. At the time he left for . the Pacific coast he gave Moses B. his farm of two hundred and forty acres, which was a portion of their father's old homestead. There was a debt on the place, but this our subject ultimately paid and at various times he invested in adjoining tracts of land, until he is now the owner of some eight hundred acres.
During the progress of the war with Mexico, Mr. Gash enlisted in the service, and for fourteen months was actively engaged at the front. When Capt. Henley was shot, at Moro, Mexico, he fell against Mr. Gash, and while the latter, with some comrades, was bearing him away, he died. On
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his return from the war, our subject resumed farın work, at which he has since been engaged. Fail- ing health induced him, about 1892, to turn his business interests over to others, and he has since lived retired from active cares. Though his edu- cation was meagre, he is a man of broad informa- tion, having gained a valuable education in the school of experience, and through habits of ob- servation and reading. His first Presidential bal- lot was cast for Martin Van Buren, and he has always supported the Democracy. For several years he was a School Director, and in that ca- pacity was instrumental in promoting the edu- cational interests of the district. In religious be- lief he is identified with the Baptist Church.
The record of the life of Mr. Gash shows that he has ever been kind, generous and whole-souled in word and deed, and his neighbors feel that they can call upon him for sympathy and help in hours of need. In his labors as a tiller of the soil, he dis- played practical common sense, discrimination and an ability to work to a good advantage, and the success that has followed his efforts proves that he was fortunate in the selection of an occu- pation. He enjoys the distinction of being the oldest surviving native-born resident of the county, and this fact, together with his useful and honorable life, entitle him to the esteem of all who know him.
In 1849 Moses B. Gash married Miss Catherine Nichols, who was born in this township, July 30, 1832. She is a daughter of John and Lucinda (Shropshire) Nichols, the former born in Mason County, Ky., June 4, 1810. "Colonel Jack," as he was familiarly known, was a man of splendid physique, and even to his last days retained his vigor and erect stature. In the fall of 1830, he came to Marion County, and in the spring of the following year settled in South River Township, upon the farm now owned by his son, John N., Jr. In 1834 he erected a house, the lumber for which was purchased in Pittsburg, Pa. At the time of his death his landed possessions aggre- gated six hundred and fifty acres of highly culti- vated land, while in addition to this he owned two hundred and forty acres of unimproved land, and two hundred and four acres of elmwood tim-
ber property. The value of his homestead was greatly enhanced by a beautiful spring, from which a clear stream flows across the entire breadth of the homestead. He was a devoted be- liever in the principles of Christianity, and was baptized at Paris, Ky., by a Christian preacher. He attained the advanced age of seventy-four, passing away September 4, 1884. Personally, he was a man of warm heart and generous impulses; one who was always ready and willing to assist the needy to the extent of his ability. His life was one of busy industry, and he witnessed the remarkable growth of Marion County from a poor and sparsely settled community to one of the foremost in the State.
Mrs. Gash was one of six children, the others being James, Huldah M., John N., William E., and Mary E. She is a woman of noble character, who has been the efficient counselor of her hus- band in all his undertakings, and by her ready sympathy has divided his sorrows and doubled his joys. Their union was blessed with three sons and four daughters, namely: John M., who was born January 6, 1851, married Sallie Nichols, and is a farmer of this township; William J., who was born February 22, 1853, and owns a farm in Liberty Township; James M., born February 26, 1855, and died May 17, 1892; Mary R., born Jan- uary 19, 1857, and residing at home; Lucinda M., born March 6, 1859, and the widow of Dr. D. White, of Liberty Township; Hilda C., born February 24, 1861, and wife of Isaac Barkley, a farmer of Liberty Township; and Martha E., born May 19, 1863, died in April, 1864.
William J., son of our subject, remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age, when, in company with one of his brothers, he purchased a farm. A few years later he sold out his interest and bought a homestead of three hundred and eighty acres in Liberty Township. He received a district school education, and completed his studies in St. Paul's College, Palmyra, where he took a two-years' course. He is a young man of practical ability, and will, undoubtedly, be one of the foremost farmers of the county at no dis- tant day. In the Baptist Church, of which he is a member, he takes an active interest, being one
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