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 47
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 47
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 47
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In 1891 Mr. Brown was brought forward as a candidate for the office of County Judge, and was elected by the largest majority ever awarded any man in the Western district. On the expira- tion of his termi he was retained in office, and would still be the incumbent had he not refused to further serve in that capacity.
Mrs. Brown is the daughter of Dr. Respino and Elizabeth (Nelson) Moore, and the grand-daugh- ter of Quinton and Mary J. (Fletcher) Moore. The Fletchers were originally from Scotland, while the Nelsons came from Ireland and the Moores from England. Grandfather Quinton Moore ran away from home when a lad of thir- teen years and came to America with friends, settling in Kentucky, where he afterward married. He came to Missouri in 1818 and farmed in Lin- coln County, where he died. The father of Mrs. Brown was reared on this tract, and when ready to begin his medical studies read in the office of Dr. Emerson, of Bowling Green. Later he at- tended the Lexington Medical College, at Lex- ington, Ky., and after obtaining a diploma began practice at New Hope, Lincoln County, Mo., in about 1839. He died December 1, 1878. His family included Mary J., Thomas Q., Narcissa B, America C., Helen, Elizabeth, and one who died in infancy.
The nine children born to our subject and his
wife are: John R., born August 13, 1860; Francis A., November 30, 1862; Mark, August 24, 1864; Eleazer, May 6, 1866; Thomas Q., July 13, 1868; Samuel, March 24, 1871; Mary E., October 4, 1875; Ira O., June 16, 1878; and Clarence W., May 13, 1881. - John R. married Frances L. Wil- son, and they reside in Knox County, Mo .; he is engaged in the grocery business at Hurdland. Frances A., widow of William H. Martin, resides with our subject; her husband was a blacksmith by trade, and was killed by a horse falling on him. Eleazer is still single and resides at home. Thomas Q., a farmer by occupation, married Mary Daw- son, and they reside in Pike County. Clarence W., the youngest, is still at home. John R. has three children: Robert O., Quinton, and Charity. Frances has a daughter, Dollie May, and Thomas Q. has one son, Opal V.
H ON. HARRISON G. MACKEY, one of the old and prominent citizens of Pike County, now residing in Bowling Green, was born in this portion of the State, near Clarks- ville, November 17, 1833. His father was Thomas J. Mackey, born in North Carolina, July 26, 1809. He in turn was the son of Thomas, Sr., also a native of the same State and of Irish an- cestry. The latter was born in 1774, and came to Missouri in 1814 from Tennessee, where he had made his home for about ten years. He located in what is now St. Charles County, farming there for about two years, when he moved to what is now Pike County and Calumet Township. He had made a claim of a quarter section of land, but being prospered in his farming interests he added to this acreage until he became the possessor of three hundred and twenty acres. Thomas, Sr., was a very public-spirited man, helping forward all movements calculated to aid in the develop- ment of his community, and among the enter- prises in which he was interested was the first grist mill in the section. He was an intimate friend of Gen. Jackson, and consequently was a strong Democrat in politics, He was a leader in the
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Cumberland Presbyterian Church in his locality, in the faith of which he died in November, 1858, at the home of his son-in-law in Marion County.
The grandfather of our subject was first mar- ried to a Miss Masters, and to them were born eleven children, of whom Thomas J. was the eldest son and sixth child. He was reared on the farm and educated in the old-time log school- house. When of sufficient age he received from his father one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which he began agricultural pursuits for himself. This farm was situated about three miles from the old homestead, and there he spent the remaining years of his life, dying when sixty- eight years of age. He was a very successful business man and acquired a valuable estate, leaving to each of his sons a good farm. He, too, was a Democrat in politics and connected by membership with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. At the time his father located in this section the houses of the early settlers were from five to ten miles apart. Their nearest neighbors were Indians, who often camped in the vicinity, but it was a very unusual thing that they gave trouble.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was: Sally Griffith,-a native of Bourbon County, Ky. Her parents were Abel and Hester Griffith, also born in the Blue Grass State, and of Irish an- cestry. They came to Missouri in an early day and settled near the Mackeys. Mrs. Mackey de- parted this life in 1868, leaving a family of five children. They were: John T., now living near Louisiana, this State, engaged in farming; Harri- son G., of this sketch; Francis M., the owner of a splendid farm near Clarksville; William W., also an agriculturist, located near the above city, and Samuel F., a farmer, who departed this life about five years ago.
The original of this sketch was brought up on the home farm and received his education in the log schoolhouse. Prior to reaching his majority he began farming on his own account, on land given him by his father, adjoining the old home- stead. This property was formerly owned by his uncle, who was foully murdered by one of his
slaves. The negro was found, convicted and hung. Harrison G. only lived on this place for one year when he exchanged it for land in Cuivre Township. He made this estate his home until 1880, having at that time two hundred and five broad acres, a part of which he has since given to his children. Although he raised grain in large quantities, he gave most of his attention to stock- raising, having on his place some very fine ani- mals.
In 1878 Harrison G. Mackey was elected to the State Legislature, and on the expiration of his term, two years later, became his own successor. While there he served on various important com- mittees, among them being the Committee on Internal Improvements, Constitutional Amend- ments and Claims. He was a very active and zeal- ous member of that body, and while there gave his attention largely to internal improvements and such matters as were of interest to his constitu- ents.
In 1880 Mr. Mackey moved to Bowling Green, where he has since resided, leading a somewhat retired life. He, however, finds his time very much occupied looking after his real estate in- terests in both the town and country. He is the owner of several houses in Bowling Green, and is greatly honored and respected by the residents of that city. Mr. Mackey was married November 12, 1856, to Elizabeth, daughter of Judge James and Catherine (Hume) Martin, natives of Ken- tucky and early settlers in Pike County. To them have been born four children: James T., who died in 1879; Jefferson O., living on the old home- stead; Homer F., who died at the age of nine years; and Cora E., now the wife of George W. Steding, who is living in Bowling Green.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Mackey are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which the former has been an Elder for twenty-five years. In politics he identifies himself with the Democrats, on which ticket he has been elected to the City Council. He has a fine residence in Bowling Green, and is there spending his declin- ing years surrounded by his happy family and many warm friends.
JAMES R. DUDLEY.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
387
JAMES R. DUDLEY.
J AMES R. DUDLEY is a retired farmer and stock raiser, whose home is in Palmyra. He is the owner of four hundred acres of very desirable land, from which he derives a good income. In the fall of 1892 he came to pass his declining years in his handsome brick residence, which is pleasantly situated in an at- tractive part of the city. He is one of the pioneers of Marion County, having come here as early as 1829 from Kentucky, and with the exception of a few years spent in California and in the Mexican War, has continued to dwell within its boundaries up to the present time. He has been a witness of the development of this region and has contributed his share toward its pros- perity.
Robert G., father of J. R. Dudley, was born in Kentucky, January 3, 1794, and died December 26, 1831. His parents were Col. William and Lucy (Smith) Dudley, who lived in the Blue Grass State. The former won his title while in command of a Kentucky regiment in the War of 1812 and was killed during that conflict at River Rasen. He was the father of seven children, namely: Robert G., Nelson, Jeptha, Albert, Letitia, Polly and Eliza. Letitia first married a Mr. Parish and subsequently a Mr. Hunt. Polly became the wife of a Mr. Smith and Eliza married Benjamin Dudley; March 26, 1822, R. G. Dud- ley married Sarah Waller Rogers, who was born January 14, 1800, in Kentucky and died in Marion County, Mo., March 4, 1851. Her parents were early pioneers in Kentucky. Their family comprised four children, namely: Sarah W., Willis, Clifton and Mary. James R. Dudley of this sketch, is one of four children. William, the only brother, was born March 1, 1823, died May 29, 1894. His sister, Ann R., was born February 8, 1827, and first married H. C.
Broaddus, an attorney, December 17, 1846. He was born June 13, 1825, in Bedford County, Va., and died in St. Louis of the cholera, August 9, 1850. His widow afterwards, on May 10, 1859, married Judge William P. G. Claybrook, who was Judge of the Marion County Court. He died June 7, 1888, and Mrs. Claybrook departed this life June 8, 1884. Sarah B.,' another sister, born January 4, 1831, married Dr. Andrew F. Jeter, December 20, 1849. He was born in Bed- ford County, Va., July 25, 1824, and died Feb- ruary 3, 1862. Afterwards Mrs. Jeter married W. S. Hirons January 21, 1876.
James R. Dudley is a native of Fayette County, Ky., his birth having occurred on Christmas Day, 1824. The first five years of his life were spent in Fayette County and from 1829 until 1849 he as- sisted in the cultivation of his father's farm in Marion County, Mo., obtaining a practical knowl- edge of agriculture.
In the public schools of Palmyra he obtained a good education and in 1844 went to the Masonic College at Philadelphia, Mo., where he pursued his studies for a year. The following year he at- tended the State University at Columbia in Boone County. While home on a visit in 1846 he volun- teered his services under Capt. D. Willock who was organizing a company for the Mexican War. Though Mr. Dudley enlisted but for a year he finally remained at the post of duty for fifteen months.
In the spring of 1849 he went to California, where he engaged in gold mining for two years. His mining speculations were quite satisfactory and on his return home he was enabled to purchase six hundred and fifty acres of fertile land in Miller Township, Marion County, Mo. This homestead he continued to cultivate in a practical and most assiduous man-
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ner until the fall of 1892, when, having an abundance for old age, he decided to take a well earned rest.
He has always been a believer in the principles of the Democratic party but has never been pre- vailed upon to accept official distinctions.
October 28, 1858, the marriage of J. R. Dudley and Sallie W. Rodes was celebrated. She was born February 8, 1835, in Kentucky, and was called to the silent land February 28, 1873. She was a faithful member of the Baptist Church, hon- ored and highly respected by all who knew her. Her parents, Walter and Lurenga (Rodgers) Rodes were natives of Fayette County, Ky., and lived on a large plantation. Mr. Rodes was a slave owner and for many years was Sheriff of his home county. Mrs. Dudley's brothers and sisters are as follows: Nancy, widow of Ed Eagle, of Fayette County, Ky .; Mary, James and John, deceased; Joseph, a farmer of Mercer County, Ky., Anna, who died unmarried, and Clifton, who was accidentally killed while hunting.
Four sons and a daughter came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. James R. Dudley. Walter R., born March 23, 1864, is engaged in the rail- road business at Hannibal; Lulu, born February 23, 1866, married Harry B. Owsley, April 18, 1894; Clifton R., born December 24, 1867, is a practicing physician in St. Louis; Claude C., born July 7, 1870, married Lena T. James, October 31, 1894, and is a farmer of this county; and James B., born February 9, 1873, died on the 15th of the following July. Mr. Owsley, a practical young business man, owns and carries on a livery in Palmyra. Mr. Dudley is a faithful member of the Baptist Church and an active supporter of worthy charities. He is an honored and respected pioneer citizen of Marion County.
R ICHARD FERGUSSON, now deceased, was one of the best-known farmers of Township 58, Range 8, wherein he was born February 24, 1836, on an estate one mile west of where his widow now resides. He lived upon this latter farm for sixteen years and
during that period placed it under admirable till- age, so that it now gives ample return for the labor bestowed upon it.
Our subject was the son of William and Isa- belle (Brown) Fergusson, both of whom were of Virginia, where they engaged in cultivating the soil until 1831, the year in which they made the overland journey to this State. Here the father entered land in this county and township and lived upon the same until he went to Texas, in which State his death occurred; his widow de- parted this life in Marion County, Mo. Their family included the following-named sons and daughters: William, Mary, Robert, Lizzie, Charles, Washington, Richard, Lucy and John. Of these Charles and Mary are the only survivors.
The original of this sketch lived at home until the outbreak of the late war, when he volunteered his services to the Southern Army, and being accepted, served for three years and six months. After the establishment of peace he went to Shel- by County, this State, and made his home for a short time with a sister living there and when coming back to this county settled on a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, now occupied by his widow.
April 18, 1867, Richard Fergusson was mar- ried to Miss America V. Calvert, who was born in Marion County, June 4, 1840. Her parents were Ziba and Mary E. (Fergusson) Calvert, natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky, who after their marriage came to Missouri, locating at Pal- myra at a time when there were but two or three stores in the place. Ziba Calvert worked at his trade, that of a brickmason, in that place and Hannibal, being employed in the erection of many of the first churches and residences in the county. He was very prominent in the affairs of his com- munity and worked at his trade until his decease, October II, 1886. His good wife, who died in September, 1875, bore him eight children, namely: James, Samuel, Ziba, Annie, Emily, John, Lizzie and America V.
To our subject and his wife were born five children, as follows: Josephine C., born June 16, 1868, married Stephen Lafoe, and resides in Cal- ifornia; Mary C., born August 13, 1870, became the wife of Emmet Martin, and their home is in
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this county; Ada V., born June 4, 1872, died De- cember 30, 1874; Emma F., born April 7, 1875, is at home; Anna, born July 8, 1878, is also with her mother. Mrs. Fergusson is a devoted mem- ber of the Baptist Church and takes a deep inter- est in the prosperity of the Church, giving liberally to the support of the sarne.
Politically Mr. Fergusson always voted the straight Democratic ticket. He was public-spir- ited and took a deep interest in the improvement and welfare of his home locality, being foremost in every enterprise tending to benefit in any way the community in which he lived.
G EORGE N. SHANNON is the proprietor of a good homestead situate on Section II, Township 59, Range 6, Marion Coun- ty. He has given much of his attention to the raising of wheat, for which his farm is well adapt- ed. He is a man of good education and by read- ing and private study, together with his experi- ence in the world, has become well posted on topics of current importance and many special lines of thought. His faithful companion and sharer of his joys and sorrows was called front his side by the angel of death February 6, 1894, and her many sincere friends in this community felt her loss to be one which deeply concerned them.
The great-grandfather of our subject was born in the vicinity of Cork, Ireland, and in early days emigrated to the United States. One of his sons, Jacob A. Shannon, was married in Kentucky to Amelia Hurst, her parents, of German origin, being natives of Pennsylvania. In 1834 Mr. and Mrs. Shannon moved to Missouri, making the journey by way of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and spending about three months on the trip. For a year they lived on a rented farm near Pal- myra and then purchased the place now owned by our subject. The former owned four hun- dred acres of land in one body, and when he came from Kentucky brought with him a number of slaves. At the time of his death, which occurred December 12, 1845, his extensive possessions
were divided among his heirs and our subject has the original Government deed to the land, signed by Martin Van Buren. Mr. Shannon, a Justice of the Peace for a number of years, was a man of sound judgment and his legal decisions were held in great respect. His faithful wife was called to her final rest March 10, 1822. Their son James was born in Kentucky in 1819 and was a physician of promise, dying in the early part of his career (May 22, 1837) in Missouri; Susan be- came the wife of William Kelley of Marion Coun- ty, Mo .; Mary A., born September 24, 1817, mar- ried W. C. Dingle of Kentucky, and died July 6, 1889.
John H., the father of our subject, was born December 14, 1815, in Fayette County, Ky., and was deprived of a mother's love and care when he was eight years of age. The father managed to keep his two sons and servants until his death, but the two daughters were taken by their Grand- mother Hurst at their mother's death, and she did as well by them as it was possible. On complet- ing his education John Shannon took charge of the old homestead and dutifully cared for his father until the latter was called to his last reward. June 2, 1836, John Shannon married Ailsey J. Nelson, of an old Kentucky family, her death oc- curring August 7, 1845. They had four children, namely: Elizabeth, born April 12, 1837, died July 18, 1845; Nancy J., born July 26, 1839, married James P. Turner and lives on a part of the old farm; James A., born October 28, 1841, died June 15, 1847; George N., born May 22, 1844. The father, a man respected and beloved by all who knew him, was a great reader and possessed un- dying love for his country. His death occurred September 12, 1858. He was married a second time (October 5, 1848), the lady being Sarah J. Smith, but she died a few months after marriage -- July 27, 1849.
George N. Shannon was an infant when his mother died and when fourteen years of age he left home to live with an uncle in Marion County, remaining there for two years. His sister Nancy about that time became the wife of James P. Tur- ner, who settled in La Grange, Mo., where he embarked in merchandising. Our subject went to live with them, remaining there until 1870, in
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the meantime attending La Grange College. In 1870 he returned to the home farm, which had been rented since the death of his father, and in company with Mr. Turner engaged in the culti- vation of the place; after his marriage he assumed full control of the place, which contains one hun- dred and ninety-eight acres, and has been very successful. The room he now occupies in the old family residence is the one in which he was born over half a century ago.
January 2, 1873, Mr. Shannon and Malvina L. Trotter were united in marriage. She was the daughter of Joseph and Martha (Dale) Trotter, natives of Kentucky, and was born in Lewis County, Mo., July 6, 1845. She became the mother of the following children: Nettie D., now a student in the State Normal of Kirksville, Mo .; John F., still at home, but expecting to enter the medical profession; Eugene T. and Virginia V. Mr. Shannon is a member of Faber Lodge No. 24, A. O. U. W., of Palmyra, and in politics is a Democrat.
J OSEPH J. KENDRICK is one of the pio- neers of Ralls County, and is justly entitled to a place in this volume, which records the early history of this region and the life work of the founders of her prosperity. He is the owner of a valuable homestead comprising two hundred acres of land, lying on Section 36, Saline Town- ship, and has dwelt thereon for the past forty-five years. In his early experience he was obliged to put up with the privations of frontier life, and received only limited advantages for obtaining an education in the old log schoolhouse of the period.
The father of our subject, Hon. Daniel B. Ken- drick, was born in Virginia in November, 1787, and later went to Scott County, Ky., where he married one of her native daughters, Mariah Jew- ett, whose birth occurred in June, 1790. In 1828 this worthy couple emigrated to Pike County, Mo., and the year afterward went to Marion County. Hearing of the advantages offered to newcomers in Ralls County, they came to this
township in 1829, and were thenceforth associated with the development of the community. Mr. Kendrick served efficiently as Judge of the county for twelve years, and for many years was Justice of the Peace. He owned large tracts of land and numerous slaves. He was the fatlier of a large family, of whom the following record is given: Daniel, Joseph J., William, deceased; Robert, a retired farmer of this township; Ann S., Mrs. William B. Broughton, now deceased; Winefred, widow of James Gough, of this county; Mariah L., wife of James H. Elliott, a retired farmer of this neighborhood; Susan, widow of Steven B. Elliott, of this township; Rosella, deceased; Je- rome, now retired and living on a farm in this township, and one who died in infancy. The father of these children departed this life June 27, 1867, and after surviving him a few years, his widow followed him to the silent land, dying July 4, 1872.
J. J. Kendrick was born in Scott County, Ky., February 10, 1819, and was reared on his father's farm in Saline Township, Ralls County, Mo. At twenty-seven years of age he was married and began housekeeping on a farm which he had pur- chased, not far from his father's home. This place he disposed of two years later and invested the proceeds in his present farm of two hundred acres. He is a successful agriculturist, and the lessons of his boyhood have served him in good stead. Being the second son, much of the re- sponsibility fell upon his shoulders at an early age, and industry and perseverance became en- grafted in his nature. Since becoming a voter, Mr. Kendrick has used his ballot in favor of Democratic nominees.
In 1847 occurred the marriage of J. J. Ken- drick and Isabel Mudd. Mrs. Kendrick was born in Ralls County, Mo., August 11, 1827, and was summoned to the home beyond April 24, 1857. By her marriage she became the mother of the following children, of whom Mariah and Francis are deceased; Rosella is the wife of John S. Bristo, County Clerk of Ralls County; William is an en- terprising agriculturist of this township. No- vember 3, 1863, our subject married Sarah J. Elliott, who was born in Ralls County, February
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25, 1844. Her parents were Steven E. and Anna S. (Manning) Elliott, natives of Scott County, Ky. In the fall of 1829 they emigrated to Ralls County, settling in Center Township. The journey was made with their respective families and their mar- riage was not celebrated until after they became residents of this State. Mr. Elliott owned exten- sive tracts of land and several slaves. His chil- dren were named as follows: Sarah J., John M., William H., James, Robert, Frances Alice, Mar- tha, and Stephen, who died in infancy. The sons are all farmers of this county, and John M. is a dealer in live stock; Frances married Robert Ha- gar, a farmer of Saline Township; Alice wedded Benjamin Whitecotton, and Martha became the wife of Thomas Hawkins, a farmer of Shelby County. Steven E. Elliott was born January 15, 1816, in Kentucky, and died April 26, 1863. His wife, who was born in June, 1824, is still living, making her home with her children.
The union of Mr. Kendrick and his wife has been blessed with seven children, Isabel J., wife of James C. Farrell, a railroad operator in Saline County, Mo .; Mary and Henry, deceased; Steven, who is at home with his parents; Anna S., de- ceased; Daniel B., still at home, and James is de- ceased. Religiously the family are members of the Catholic Church, and enjoy the respect and esteem of all who know them.
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