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 48
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 48
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 48
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J OSEPH BERRY BOARMAN, who ranks among the most prominent agriculturists of Ralls County, is a native of Virginia, having been born at Martinsburg, February 8, 1836. His parents were "Commodore" Charles and Nancy (Able) Boarman, the former of whom won the title of Admiral in the War of 1812.
The father of subject was born in St. Charles County, Md., December 27, 1795, and departed this life at Martinsburg, Va., September 13, 1879. He received the appointment to attend the Naval School at Washington, from the District of Co- lumbia, January 9, 1811, when sixteen years of
age. He was there but a short time when he was sent on the sloop "Erie" to Baltimore, Md., and as a midshipman he served aboard the brig "Jef- ferson," on Lake Ontario during the War of 1812, thus rendering his country noble service.
When but sixteen years of age Commodore C. Boarman was commissioned Lieutenant, March 5, 1817, while with the West India Squad- ron in the Mediterranean. On his return to Washington he wa's stationed for a time in the naval yards, and from 1821 to 1828 was given his first command, having charge of the sloop "Wea- sel." He was afterward transferred to the frigate "Java," then the flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron, and in 1830 served as executive officer of the flagship "Hudson" of the Brazil Squadron. He afterward commanded the sloop "Vandalia" and the schooner "Grampus" of the West India Squadron, and February 9, 1837, was commis- sioned Commodore. In 1840 he had charge of the United States sloop "Fairfield" of the Brazil- ian coast and from 1844 to 1850 commanded the frigate "Brandywine," a flagship of the Brazilian Squadron. From 1852 to 1855 he was in com- mand of the naval yard at Brooklyn, and while there superintended the fitting out of the Japan Expedition which was attended with such fruit- ful results. From 1861 to 1865 he was detailed on special duty, his rare executive capacities pe- culiarly fitting him for this service.
In July, 1862, the father of our subject received his commission as Commodore and was retired as Rear Admiral in such honorable company as that of Commodore Stewart, on August 13, 1876, in accordance with the act of February, 1855. Although a large slave owner at the break- ing out of the war, he remained loyal to the peo- ple who had so honored him. It is seen from the foregoing data that the father of our subject held many important positions in the United States Navy, in whose service he remained for threescore years and ten. He was charitable and kind to all who came to him for help, often carry- ing out the Scriptural injunction of not letting his right hand know what his left hand accom- plished. Even in his last hours he remembered that the poor we have always with us, and they
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were not forgotten. He was a devout Catholic in religion and a regular attendant at all its serv- ices. The day he died the flags at the naval yards were at half-mast, and at noon thirteen minute guns were fired out of respect to the mem- ory of the late Rear Admiral Boarman. This was a signal to all the various stations and ves- sels, who in turn repeated the firing.
Mrs. Nancy (Able) Boarman was born in Jef- ferson County, Va., and died in 1878, when sev- enty years of age. She was married to Mr. Boar- man in her native county and to them were born thirteen children, as follows: Eliza is the widow of Thomas Brown, who for many years was Sher- iff of Berkeley County, W. Va .; she is now living in Dakota. John is a farmer near Martinsburg. Sallie E. married R. P. Bryarley, and both are de- ceased. Dr. Charles died while a resident of California. Susan M. is the widow of Jerry M. Harris of Dakota. Mary J. is the widow of Wil- liam Broom of New York City; she now makes her home in Dakota. Joseph B. is the subject of this sketch. Miss Annie is living in Martins- burg, Va. Laura, Emma, and Florence are de- ceased. Nora is in the Old Dominion, and Frank is a farmer of Saline Township, this county.
The original of this sketch was reared at the old home in Martinsburg and obtained his lit- erary education in Berkeley Academy. In 1852 he went with his father to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he was appointed Receiving Clerk under Capt. Calhoun on a receiving ship, "North Carolina." He held this position for three years, when he re- turned home with his parent, remaining until the following spring, when he came to this State and county. He lived the first year with friends and spent his time in hunting. Deciding then to make permanent location here, he purchased eighty acres of land, which is now included in his present fine estate. He is now the owner of one hundred acres which he has placed under ad- vanced cultivation.
Mr. Boarman was married at Hannibal, Mo., in 1857, to Louisa Meyers, who was born in Eng- land, in August, 1879. To them were born six children: Anna D .; Charles, a merchant of Ne- . braska; Walter, farming in Marion County; John,
an agriculturist of this county; Harry, residing with his parents, and two died in infancy. In re- ligious affairs, Mr. Boarman is a Catholic, and in politics never fails to vote the Democratic ticket. He is well and favorably known through- out the county, and we are pleased to herewith present his sketch.
J OHN T. BURRIS is the owner and occupant of a well-developed and well-regulated farm in Buffalo Township, Pike County. The improvements which have been made upon his estate stamp it as the home of a man of enter- prise and good judgment. Our subject was born in Mason County, W. Va., June 22, 1844, and is the son of George Burris, whose birth occurred in 1817 in Eastern Virginia. The father married Miss Nancy, daughter of Thomas Kincade, a na- tive of Ireland, who on coming to America took up his abode in the Old Dominion. Mrs. Burris was born in the latter State.
John T. Burris on reaching mature years was married to Virginia Lemasters, who died in 1876. He was afterwards united in marriage with Nancy, daughter of John and Frances (Jett) Bailey, of whom the latter was born in Lincoln County, Ky. The father was a farmer, working his estate with slave labor, and departed this life in 1863. The mother was the daughter of Stephen and Nancy Jett and was born February 7, 1823. Mrs. Burris was one in a family of eight children, and was born May 19, 1849, in Lincoln County, Ky., coming with her parents to Mis- souri in 1864, where she was married to our sub- ject October 25, 1877.
In addition to carrying on farming Mr. Burris, in 1879, purchased a threshing machine and, with the exception of two years, has been engaged in threshing the crops of the farmers of this sec- tion. During the last season fire, caused by fric- tion in the straw carrier, entirely destroyed the machine, but he immediately replaced it with another bearing later improvements and con-
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tinues to follow this business. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, with which denomination his wife is also connected.
To Mr. and Mrs. Burris there have been born seven children, namely: William C., whose birth occurred December 10, 1878; Edward T., born March 12, 1880; Lillian M., April 2, 1882; Evert B., October 19, 1883; Esther Virginia, October 9, 1885; Francis L., August 26, 1887; and one who died in infancy.
August 3, 1863, Mr. Burris enlisted in Com- pany C, Thirteenth Virginia Infantry, which was joined to the Eighth Army Corps. In May, 1864, he participated in the battle of Lynchburg, in August fought at Halltown, and the following month engaged in the battle of Perryville, Va., which was followed by the engagements at Win- chester and Cedar Creek. The regiment re- mained in the valley during the winter and in the spring of 1865 was sent to Wheeling, W. Va., where its members were discharged and mustered out June 22. Mr. Burris made an honorable record as a brave soldier, and won the confidence of his superior officers by his patriotism and de- votion to the cause for which he fought. The father of our subject was also a soldier in the same regiment and company, serving until the close of the war. His place of residence during this time was in Mason County, W. Va.
J I AMES LOVE. This name will be at once recognized as that of one of the representa- tive farmers and stock-raisers of Pike County. He was born in South Carolina Deceni- ber 26, 1830, and was the eldest of three children born to William and Polly (Scoggins) Love, of whom he is the only survivor.
William Love was also born in South Caro- lina, his parents coming to Missouri when he was eighteen years of age. They at once made loca- tion in Pike County and soon became classed among its most respected and honored residents. A year thereafter William returned to his native
State and was married. He remained for the fol- lowing two or three years in the East, and then with his young wife and her brothers made the trip to Missouri, also locating on property in this county, where they passed the remaining years of their life in agricultural pursuits.
The original of this sketch grew to manhood under the parental roof and acquired a fair edu- cation in the schools of the old pioneer days. Several years before attaining his majority he be- gan to think of a future for himself and his start in life, at about eighteen years of age, was made with less than twenty-five cents in his pocket. For his first work he received eight dollars per month, a portion of which he saved; he continued his employment in the wood-yard for some six years, his wages being increased from year to year until he drew fifteen dollars per month. Dur- ing this time he lived economically, and at the time of his marriage, which occurred November 2, 1854, was enabled to "set up" housekeeping in a very comfortable manner.
Leaving his old employer shortly after his mar- riage, our subject determined to reap the benefits of his own labor, and his career as an agricultur- ist was begun. Securing a lease on a tract of land for five years, he worked diligently and at the ex- piration of that time was in a position to become the owner of property. After securing a foothold in life his advancement was gradual and sure ånd his present valuable farm is the reward of his ef- ficient management; it comprises one hundred and forty acres of the home place and three hun- dred and fifty acres of fine land in Salt River Bottoms.
Mrs. Love, prior to her marriage, was Miss Elizabeth Myers, the daughter of John M. and Mary (Voras) Myers, natives of Ohio. To our subject and his wife have been born a family of nine children, five of whom survive, namely: Eoline Eudora, wife of Charles Hochens, a pro- gressive young farmer of this county, and they have five children; William M., who married Miss Lena Smith, and on her decease chose for his wife Miss Lillie Fisher; Stephen V., who married Annie O'Hara (the latter now deceased); Archi- bald and James P., enterprising and progressive
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young men, cultivating one of their father's farms.
Mr. Love is an affable and courteous old gen- tleman, and his kindly nature makes for him friends of all with whom he comes in contact. He has provided well for himself and wife in their declining years; by their upright and neigh- borly ways of living they have endeared then- selves to all who know them. In political affairs our subject affiliates with the Democratic party on all national issues; in religion he is a member of the Baptist Church, in which he has been Dea- con for the last twenty years. He gives liberally and cheerfully of his means toward the support of all worthy enterprises and we are pleased to give him a place among the prominent and lead- ing citizens of Pike County.
B ENJAMIN F. WILLIS has been a resident of Maywood, Lewis County, for the past five years. In 1890 he purchased a stock of goods and business of Albert Cardwell and has since increased the trade to its present large pro- portions. He keeps a general line of dry goods and articles usually kept in a store of the kind, and makes frequent trips to Quincy and purchases merchandise in the East, thus always showing new and attractive supplies. Fraternally he belongs to Fabius Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Maywood, and still retains his membership with Preux Chevalier Lodge No. 18, K. of P., of Quincy, in which he filled many offices from the floor to Chancellor, Commander, etc .; he also belongs to Quincy Lodge No. 175, National Union.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Henry Willis, was a native of Kentucky. Henry, Jr., father of our subject, was born in Mercer County, Ky., in 1782. He was reared on a farm and soon after becoming of age wedded Miss Tadlock, by whom he had several children. After the death of his first wife he married Miss Mary Fegette, a native of Kentucky. His third union was with Jeannette Seeber, by whom he had three sons and two daughters, as follows: Alexander H., a mer-
chant in Monroe City ; Benjamin F., of this sketch; Arthur C., now a farmer near Lake Butler, Fla .; Inez, wife of Orville Scott, of Rensselaer, Mo .; Laura, wife of Jacob Icenhower, who operates the old Willis Homestead, near Philadelphia, Mo.
B. F. Willis was born August 31, 1841, on the farm just mentioned and received a common- school education, finishing his studies at the boys' and girls' seminary, Philadelphia. In May, 1861, he entered the Confederate service in Capt. Rob- ert Dunn's Company, which was raised in that vicinity. His first engagement was at Carthage, Mo., and not long afterward he was taken sick and returned home. Upon his recovery he en- tered Capt. Priest's Company, Gen. Porter's Reg- iment. When in Arkansas his health gave way once more and for six weeks he was prostrated with typhoid fever at the home of O. P. Anderson, near Bentonville. As soon as possible he re- turned to his company and obtained permission to go back to the old home on account of his weak condition. His nephew, F. M. Anderson, accompanied him, but Mr. Willis was arrested and imprisoned at Palmyra; fortunately he had been released on bond just before the execution of the ten men at the county seat. He concluded to work on the farm until the close of the war, when he went to St. Louis, where he became watchman for the Wiggins Ferry Company. Three years later his faithful service was rewarded by his being promoted to the position of Captain, in which capacity he served for a year. Again he was taken sick and was obliged to give up his place; after his recovery he entered the service of the Pac. R. R. as Receiving Clerk in the office. Eighteen months later he took charge of the old homestead, which he operated for three years. .
About the year 1873 Mr. Willis went to Quincy, 111., and became an employé of the drygoods firm of Henry Ruff & Co. He was with this concern for three years, and for six months of the time was employed in the clothing store. Afterward he worked for J. Kespohl, a drygoods merchant, for some two years and subsequently was for a like period employed by T. L. Fox in the same business. His next venture was as a traveling man for the Turner Tobacco Co., with which he remained five months, when the firm discontinued
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doing business; he then worked in the house for Burnheimer Bros., dry goods. The following six years he was employed by the J. D. Levy Clothing House and in 1890 he decided to embark in busi- ness on his own account. The wisdom of his de- cision is now apparent.
In 1873 Mr. Willis married Fannie, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Rogers) Boldridge, na- tives of Kentucky; Mrs. Willis was, however, a native of Marion County. For two years after his marriage our subject engaged in farming and then for a year worked for his brother-in-law, William Boldridge, in Philadelphia. Mrs. Willis died in January, 1872, leaving one child, Joseph- ine, who died at the age of two years. January 5, 1881, occurred the union of Mr. Willis and Em- ma Dearing, whose parents, Alfred and Elizabeth (Holmes) Dearing, were old and respected resi- dents of Marion County. Charles F., the elder son of our subject, was born September 30, 1882, and the younger, Raymond B., was born June 13, 1888. Mr. Willis has been for the past two years a . faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and enjoys the friendship and high regard of all who know him; Mrs. Willis also has been a member of the same church since her child- hood.
F RANCIS A. BARR, an enterprising mer- chant of Maywood, Lewis County, handles all kinds of farm implements, windmills and pumps, as well as various kinds of seeds. He also buys, sells and ships grain and flour exten- sively, and enjoys the patronage of most of the people of this region. He is a self-made man and deserves great credit for the manner in which he has arisen to a position of prominence in the community.
- Our subject's Grandfather Barr, a soldier in the War of 1812, was born in Kentucky and operated a farm in Breckinridge County. His family were as follows: John, still a resident of the Blue Grass State; Jerry B., born and married in Kentucky, his wife being Miss Eliza Dowell, of Virginia par- entage; Hamilton, a resident of Illinois; William,
living in Peoria, Ill .; Daniel, of Southern Mis- souri; Harrison, now in California; Sarah, wife of Aquilla Claycomb of La Harpe, Ill .; Mary (Mrs. John Harland), also of La Harpe; Nancy (Mrs. Joseph St. Clair), a resident of the same village; Letishá (Mrs. Frank Hurdle), of Adams County, iowa; Nelson, a resident of Dallas, Ill.
Our subject's father, J. B. Barr, was born Jan- uary 15, 1819, and died June 9, 1891. He re- mained in Kentucky for about twelve years after his marriage, his time being employed in agricult- ural enterprises; moving thence to Scotland County, Mo., he lived there for a year and then purchased a large tract of choice land in Han- cock County, Ill., near La Harpe, which property he afterward lost through a dishonest agent, who had been left in charge of the business. In 1861 Mr. Barr came to this county, and buying some land, located thereon a sawmill. The first year that he owned the mill he was unfortunate in losing his left hand, which was injured in the machinery. He continued to operate the old Blake Mill, as it was called, for three years, and then disposing of it, bought one hundred and sev- enty acres on the border line of Marion County, where he continued to dwell until 1883, when, going to Adams County, Iowa, he operated a farm there for five years. Returning at the end of that time to Lewis County with his youngest son, Albert, he and his wife resided with N. R. Cason, a son-in-law, for several years. The first wife of Mr. Barr died in Illinois and was buried in the La Harpe cemetery. Later he married, in the Prairie State, Sarah Cochran, a native of Penn- sylvania. The following children were born of the first union: Thomas A., now of California; James M., a resident of Lewis County; Francis A., subject of this sketch; Zachary T., now in Cal- ifornia; Elizabeth, wife of F. Johnston of Marion County; Josephine (Mrs. Albert Dudley), of Cali- fornia; Eliza, wife of Milton Scott.
The birth of our subject occurred in Breckin- ridge County, Ky., August 15, 1844. When he was eight years old he came to this State with his parents and the greater part of his education was obtained in Hancock County, Ill. On reach- ing man's estate he worked on his father's farm and in the sawmill, taking charge of the latter
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after his father's accident, and continued to super- intend it and the home place until 1882, when he moved to Maywood. Here he was placed at the head of the new mill that had been erected, and for two years leased and carried on the same on his own account, during which time he embarked also in the agricultural implement business and became interested in buying and shipping grain. He kept on hand a large stock of fine patent and winter-wheat flour, which he exchanged for un- ground wheat. He has gradually built up a large" trade and is now prospering beyond his former expectations.
November 4, 1870, Mr. Barr married Amanda Johnston, who was born in Marion County, Mo. They have four children, namely: Oscar, Leona, Otis and Thomas E. The eldest son has been well educated, having attended Chaddoc College and finished with a course at the Gem-City Busi- ness College. He is a young man of promise and in the spring of 1895 his father took him into the firm as a member, the style now being F. A. Barr & Son. Leona is now attending the St. Charles College, St. Charles, Mo., and the young- er boys are students in the local schools. Mr. and Mrs. Barr are devoted members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Politically the former uses his franchise on behalf of the Democratic party.
G EORGE WEATHERLY is one of the prosperous and enterprising agricultur- ists of Lewis County, his home being in Highland Township, just over the Marion County line. His residence was erected by him in 1873 and he has since dwelt within its walls. He owns three hundred and fifty acres, all but forty of which ' lie in Lewis County. Beginning his career as a farm hand, he has risen by degrees to his present enviable place in the estimation of his wide circle of acquaintances. He has always been an indus- trious and thrifty farmer and everything about his place is kept up in a careful manner.
The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch is supposed to have been born in Maryland,
where he passed the majority of his years, and where his death occurred. Of his four children Ralston moved to Louisiana, where he resided until his death; Lee P., born August 10, 1810, near Baltimore, is our subject's father; Willianı died in Mississippi, where he had dwelt for several years; Mary, whereabouts unknown.
Lee P. Weatherly was reared on the old plan- tation and received an excellent education in the Baltimore schools. On arriving at man's estate he embarked in a mercantile business in that city and was thus occupied until 1836, when he decided to go west. Coming to Marion County he pur- chased Government land in Round Grove Town- ship, Marion County, and remained on the place, which is now owned by B. Kirkham, for a num- ber of years. He then sold out and moved across the line into Lewis County, but later returned to Round Grove Township and operated the farm now owned by John Lindsay. About 1856 his wife died and soon after that sad event he sold out, and from that time until his death, which occurred in August, 1888, at the home of our subject, lived with his children. Both he and his faithful wife were members of the Baptist Church for a great many years and were very active in church affairs. Mr. Weatherly held official positions in the con- gregation, being Deacon, etc. In his political faith he was a Jeffersonian Democrat.
The brothers and sisters of George Weatherly were: Mary F. (deceased), first married Homer Pritchard of this county and after his death be- came the wife of Alonzo Turner, now of Marion County; Susan, wife of Allen Hibler of Lewis County; William, a resident of Sheridan County, Mo .; Aretta, who died in childhood; Ezekiel H., of Marion County; Anna, who married Willis Walters of Lewis County, Mo., now a farmer of Macon County.
George Weatherly was born October 24, 1841, and spent his boyhood on his father's farm, ob- taining a common-school education. On reach- ing his majority he began working by the month and was thus employed when he was twenty-six years old, when he rented land in Marion County and embarked in agriculture on his own account. After his marriage he began housekeeping on the old Jonathan Clough Place, which he rented
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for two years and then moved to the farm known as the Charles Lewis Homestead, operating the same for two years. In 1872 he purchased the farm he now owns and conducts, in which his wife had an interest, as her father had made some payments on the land before his death. Our sub- ject has made important improvements on the farm, now one of the best in this district.
February 4, 1869, occurred the marriage of Mr. Weatherly and Nancy C., daughter of James and Sarah (Wiseman) McKenney. They have had a family of five sons and three daughters, namely: James P., who died in childhood; Cora L., now the wife of Alpheus Raines of Emerson, Mo., and to them a daughter was born on June 26, 1895; Allen and Clarence, who died in childhood; Laura, Lena M., Ada F. and George C. Mr. and Mrs. Weatherly are members of the Baptist Church, Maywood, and the former is affiliated with the A. O. U. W., belonging to Fabius Lodge No. 421 of Hester.
J OE BURNETT. There are few more re- sponsible positions in society than that of a journalist. He is not only the channel through which news is disseminated and public opinion expressed, but is often called upon to mould public sentiment and champion measures of public utility. In a large measure he, through his paper, becomes the organ of the people; the exponent of the product of their deliberations. This being the case, how important it is that edi- tors should be men of ability, integrity and of high character; that they should be conscien- tious, painstaking, and imbued with a deep sense of their responsibility. Such is the character of the man who now has charge of the Ralls County "Record," the leading paper of the county. He is a Virginian by birth and first saw the light of day in Harrisonburg, January 8, 1847. His parents were Charles A. and Susan J. (Dougherty) Bur- nett, natives of the Old Dominion. Charles was the son of William, born in the same State, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. The latter was a farni- er, a man of large means and prominence, and
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