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 60
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 60
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 60
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The grandfather of our subject was a member of an honored and prominent family of the Blue Grass State. He was married to Edna Halloway, who was also a Kentuckian by birth, in 1829, and in 1836, moved to Marion County, Mo. He learned the trade of a bricklayer and followed that occupation for several years at Hannibal. He later moved to his farm, where he made his home until his decease, in 1860.
Our subject's father died when the former was twenty years of age and he therefore assumed the management of the home place, caring for it for three years. At the end of that time he pur- chased the interest of his mother, who moved into New London, and he has managed this prop- erty since that time. It is one hundred and six- ty-five acres in extent and is looked upon as one
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of the finest estates in the county, and its owner is one of the progressive and rising young men of the community. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, but takes no active part in public af- fairs, otherwise than to keep informed on the issues of the day and cast his ballot during elec- tions. He is a sincere Christian gentleman and a member in excellent standing of the Baptist Church.
S AMUEL ROLAND is a native of Ralls County, having been born in Saverton Township April 7, 1832. He has always lived in this section of the State and is well known to the old pioneers. Among them he bears an enviable reputation for uprightness of character, industry and perseverance in all his undertakings. His farm is situated on Section 26, Clay Town- ship, the place having come into his possession some twenty-six years since.
Our subject's parents, Jacob and Annie (Hos- tetter) Roland, were early settlers of Pike and later of Ralls County. They were witnesses of the great changes which have taken place in this region, and the mother is still living, her home being near New London, Ralls County. She has reached an extreme old age, being now in her ninety-first year, yet her mind is still active and her recollections of pioneer days make her an entertaining conversationalist. Her husband died forty-eight years ago, aged sixty years. They were both natives of Kentucky, and were mar- ried in Pike County, Mo., whither they had gone with their respective families in early days. Mr. Roland was a successful farmer and stock-raiser, owning a homestead in Madisonville, Mo. They were the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters: Enoch, deceased; Elizabeth, who married John Wilson, a farmer of this county; James M., a resident of Joplin, Mo .; Isaac, who is engaged in merchandising in Van- dalia; Samuel, of this sketch; Ennis, deceased; Polly, who is unmarried and resides in this county; William, a farmer of this vicinity; and Davilla, who married James K. Ely, an agricul-
turist of Ralls County. After the death of Jacob Roland his widow became the wife of the Rev. George Waters, who died in 1867.
Samuel Roland continued to live with his par- ents, assisting in the farm work, until long past his majority. After his marriage, which occurred when he was in his thirty-third year, he settled on a farm which he rented for two years. The war coming on at this time, he was drafted, but was finally released from service. At the close of hostilities he purchased eighty acres of land, and has since devoted himself exclusively to the man- agement and improvement of his farm, which is well adapted for raising a general line of crops common to this region.
In 1864 the marriage of our subject was cele- brated, Miss Susan M. Shulse being the lady of his choice. She was the daughter of William A. and Polly (Johnson) Shulse, who were early resi- dents of Ralls County. Mrs. Roland was born in Centre Township, Ralls County, December 18, 1845. Her father, William A., a native of Bour- bon County, Ky., was born October 20, 1818, and is still living, though retired from active busi- ness. His wife, Polly J. Johnson, as she was known in her maidenhood, was born in Kentucky and died in 1855, aged thirty-three years. Later Mr. Shulse married Polly A. Sears, who was born in the Blue Grass State in 1832. By his first union he had seven children, namely: Mark, deceased; Sallie A., wife of Albert Sears, a farmer of Ralls County; Susan M., Mrs. Roland; Nancy J., de- ceased, formerly Mrs. Robert J. K. McGowan, of Monroe City; William B., deceased; John M., a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, now in Oregon; and Martha E., deceased, who was the second wife of Robert McGowan. By his marriage with Miss Sears Mr. Shulse had eight children: Joseph Marion, a mer- chant and trader of Parnell, Kan .; Flora A., wife of John Hendricks, a farmer of this township; Annie, Mrs. S. Hendricks, of Kansas; Julia, wife of Hiram Spears, a farmer of this county; Theo- dosia, deceased; Ruth, wife of Elmer Ryan, a farmer in this locality; Leroy, deceased; and Bennie S., who is still living on the old home- stead.
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The union of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Roland has been blessed with four sons and four daughters: Isaac E., who is an enterprising young farmer of this vicinity; Laura E., wife of Melvin Norman, a farmer and stock-trader of Ralls County; Annie J., who married Thomas Bowling, a farmer of this county; Davilla E., wife of Early Gregory, who is a farmer and who runs a threshing machine; Henry C., Albert M., Ella E., and William M., who are all at home. Mr. Roland and the elder members of his family belong to the Christian Church, which he has served in the office of Elder for some ten years. In his political preferences he is a Democrat of the old school.
A MBROSE BECKNER. A prominent place among the agriculturists of Pike County is the just meed of the efforts of this gentleman, whose fine farm is located in Township 54, Range 2. He is a native of Ken- tucky, having been born January 2, 1834. He was the youngest of eight children, all sons, born to John and Polly (Parker) Beckner, of whom Alfred G. and Ambrose are the only survivors.
John Beckner, the father of our subject, was born in the year 1797 and was married in 1816, settling down to the life in which he had been reared-that of a farmer. He pursued this voca- tion until his death, which occurred in early life, as a result of injuries received while at work on the farm in 1837. He was a public spirited man and did much to advance the interests and wel- fare of his community. His kindly nature won for him the esteem and confidence of his friends and neighbors and in his death they lost one of their best citizens.
Frederick Beckner, the grandfather of our subject, was of German descent. He was a na- tive of Pennsylvania and one of the heroes of the Revolutionary War, fighting in the front ranks for his country's freedom and independence. About 1780 he with his family moved to Ken- tucky, where he spent his later years.
The original of this sketch grew to manhood under the parental roof and acquired a fair edu- cation in the primitive schools of that early day. Reaching that period in life in which he must choose a calling for himself he decided to follow an agricultural career. His father, meeting with serious financial difficulties during the great panic of 1837, was unable to assist his sons in any way, and this necessitated our subject's be- ginning at the foot of the ladder and climb up through his own exertions. He came to Missouri in 1856 and first secured employment as a farm hand in this county and for three years devoted himself to this work. In the meantime he had saved the greater portion of his earnings, so in 1859 was enabled to purchase land of his own, a modest little farm of forty acres, located about three miles west of his present home. Here he went to work in earnest and soon began to reap the benefits. From this period in life he began to gradually increase his acres and in 1870 he dis- posed of this place and purchased the farm where he now makes his home.
July 15, 1855, Mr. Beckner and Miss Lucretia Sapp were united in marriage. She was the daughter of Peter and Peggy Sapp, old and hon- ored residents of Kentucky. Mrs. Beckner is an intelligent lady and has greatly aided her hus- band in attaining his present high standing among the substantial residents of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Beckner have never had children of their own, but have taken into their hearts and home three children-Julia, Bertha and Charlie. The first named is now the wife of David Het- tick, a promising young farmer of this township; Bertha and Charlie are still at home.
Our subject is an affable and courteous gentle- man, one with whom it is a pleasure to converse. He is well informed on all subjects of interest and is sociable and kind to those about him, thus commanding the respect and esteem of both the rich and poor. He is a supporter of Democratic principles and candidates and in religion is a member of the Baptist Church, to which he is a liberal contributor and in the work of which he is deeply interested.
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B.G. Rector
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
481
BAYLIS G. RECTOR.
B AYLIS G. RECTOR, one of the esteemed citizens of Ralls County, holds the hon- ored position of President of the New London Bank, which is one of the reliable insti- tutions of that part of the State. Mr. Rector was born April 21, 1818, in Fauquier County, Va., and is the son of Vincent and Artemisia (Bowie) Rector, natives of the same State and county.
The father of our subject was a planter and came West in 1834, and located in Morgan County, Ill., in January, 1835, where he rented a tract of land and was engaged in its cultiva- tion until March 18, 1837, when he went to Pike County, Mo., making his home in Spencer Town- ship. There he became the proprietor of a tract of four hundred acres, which he purchased from Joe Holliday. He superintended the operation of this place until 1850, when he retired from business and thereafter made his home with his son, the subject of this sketch. He was a man of large stature, strong and active, and was great- ly respected, dying in 1855 without having an enemy. In politics he voted the Whig ticket. His wife preceded him to the land beyond, de- parting this life in 1849.
The parental household included twelve chil- dren, ten of whom grew to mature years, namely: John H .; Kittie Ann, the wife of John Glascock; Susan; Jesse H .; James S .; Baylis G .; Matilda, who married James Nally; Burr P .; Harriet, now Mrs. Ichabod Butler; Sally; Mary Jane, the wife of Jefferson Almond; and George W. (see sketch of Jesse Rector in this volume); all deceased but Baylis and Jesse.
The subject of this sketch was reared on the Virginia hills until sixteen years of age, in the meantime acquiring his education in the private schools. When attaining his majority he started
out in life for himself, being variously employed for six years. Then in 1845, having accumulated a snug little sum of money, he purchased a quar- ter section of land, located in Section 33, Town- ship 56, Range 4, Ralls County, which he still owns. He came to Missouri in 1837 and has made this State his home ever since. He later added eighty acres to his farm and built thereon a large and comfortable dwelling. Mr. Rector next became the owner of a small tract which he bought from the N. & St. J. R. R. Co., and subsequently purchased more property adjoin- ing the eighty acres; also one hundred and four- teen acres, which was included in the Tapley farm. He again bought in Section 32, adjoin- ing two forty-acre tracts, and next added an- other quarter section, from the Tapley farm. Mr. Rector then bought of Henry Van Pool in three different purchases one hundred and forty acres of improved lands. To this last estate he added one hundred and sixty acres more which he has since sold. The next property of which he became the owner was one hundred acres more of the Tapley tract. He has nearly all of this land at the present time, which aggregates upwards of eleven hundred acres, and which is under the best improvement. While he was acquiring and improving this vast property he purchased one thousand acres of raw land on the south line of the county, which he disposed of at a hand- some profit several years ago. Mr. Rector gave his attention particularly to stock-raising, making a specialty of breeding short-horns. His horses are of high grade, and he readily disposes of them both at the Chicago and St. Louis markets. He has handled stock extensively, being exceed- ingly successful in this business as in everything else in which he has engaged.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
In the year 1886 Mr. Rector moved to New London, where he occupies with his family one of the finest residences in the city. In October, 1845, he was married to Mrs. Dolly Matson, the daughter of Noah and Lucy (Greene) Glascock, natives of Virginia. Mrs. Rector died May 12, 1892, firm in the faith of the Christian Church, in which she had been an active worker. The subject of this biography chose for his second companion Agnes, daughter of Solomon Brash- ears, their marriage being celebrated October 30, 1894.
Mr. Rector aided in the organization of the New London Bank, which was granted its char- ter in the spring of 1894, and of which he was elected President. He is also a stockholder in the Bank of Hannibal, of which he was at one time a director. For some years he was a direc- tor of the Ralls County Bank. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He has traveled extensively through the South and West and is therefore well informed regarding their growth and the conditions essential to their con- tinued prosperity. Mr. Rector is still hale and hearty and active for one of his years. Starting in life with nothing but willing hands and an active, clear brain, he has acquired a handsome estate. This has been accumulated by honest conduct and fair dealing, and by strict adherence to the Golden Rule. He personally superintends his real estate interests and it is sincerely hoped by his many warm friends that he will be spared to see many more years of happiness and peace.
J AMES L. KEATHLY. This gentleman, who is descended from one of the oldest and most prominent families of the State, is a substantial agriculturist of Ralls County. The estate which he owns comprises one hundred acres of the home farm, which he purchased from his father in 1856. He has continued to make it his home ever since, and this fine property is now a standing monument to the energy which he has
put forth in life and the good judgment which has characterized his efforts, while his high stand- ing among his fellow men is an equally satisfac- tory proof of his worth as a neighbor and citizen.
The original of this sketch was born November 2, 1825, and was the son of Roland and Harriet (Shohoney) Keathly, who reared a family of eight children, six of whom are still living. Roland Keathly was a native of Kentucky and was born in the year 1791. He grew to manhood and was married in his native State, shortly after which he came to Missouri and located in Ralls County, where he was one of the very earliest settlers. To him was left the honor of building the first house between Frankford and Saverton, and the sur- rounding country has since been known as Keathly Prairie. Here Mrs. Keathly died, and he was married the second time to the mother of our subject. He was very successful in a business way and left at his death, January 12, 1878, an estate comprising four hundred and forty-two acres of excellent farming land.
The mother of our subject was born in Ohio, whence she was taken to Kentucky when young by her parents, who located near Lexington. There she was trained to a useful life and was well educated. Mr. and Mrs. Shohoney afterward emigrated to this State and, after spending some time in St. Louis, came to Pike County and made their home in Louisiana. Later they took up their abode in Frankford, where Harriet met and married Mr. Keathly. James Shohoney was of Irish extraction, and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
Our subject remained at home with his parents until completing his education in the common schools, when, his father giving him land, he lo- cated upon it and began its cultivation. In 1856, however, he was in a position to purchase more, and there being none better in the county than the Keathly estate, he bought one hundred acres of that tract, on which he erected a substantial resi- dence, which the family have occupied for about forty years.
May 7, 1856, James L. Keathly and Miss Jo- hanna E. Sutton were united in marriage. They at once took up their abode on the estate just
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mentioned and have made it their home ever since. The lady was the daughter of Amos Sut- ton, a native of Kentucky, who, on coming to this State many years ago, located in Pike County and was known as one of its pioneer residents.
Mr. and Mrs. Keathly became the parents of five children, who were named as follows: Phyanna (deceased), who was the wife of John A. Johnson, and the daughter of whom . now re- sides with our subject; Matilda A., Mary A., Henry C. B., and Virginia L. The latter mar- ried Claude Hayden and has one son, Lester B. In politics our subject supports the candidates of the Democratic party and has done so ever since attaining his majority. He is a gentleman in the truest sense of the term and occupies an influ- ential place among the members of the Christian Church, to which denomination his wife also be- longs.
R OBERT K. SMITH. A good standing among the agriculturists of Pike County is held by the gentleman above named, who is the possessor of a fine tract of land in Township 54, Range 2. It bears a full line of improvements, including a pleasing dwelling, adequate barns and outbuildings, and a sufficient number of fruit trees to furnish the family with an abundant supply in their season.
Mr. Smith is a native of this county, and was born January 26, 1841. To his parents, William H. and Polly (McCune) Smith, there were born three children, of whom he is the eldest. The father was a native of Virginia and was born in 1812. He was orphaned at an early age and was taken into the home of an uncle, by whom he was reared. He came with his relative to 'Missouri when a boy, settling in Pike County, where he attained his majority. When starting out in life for himself he chose the occupation of a farmer, to which he had been trained, and which he fol- lowed during his active years. He was three times married, his first companion being the mother of our subject. On her death he married
Mrs. Ann Shotwell, by whom he became the par- ent of four children, and by his third wife, Mrs. Sarah Hicks, he had born to him one child. He was a thoroughly wide-awake and progressive man, and during his prosperous career amassed a valuable property, while his kindly nature and genial disposition won for him the esteem of all who knew him.
The subject of our sketch grew to manhood under the parental roof, at the same time acquir- ing a fund of useful information by attending the common schools. On reaching the period in life when it became necessary for him to choose a calling, he decided to follow the career of a farmer, to which he had been reared. For two years he worked out as a farm hand, and during that time laid aside every dollar which was left after paying his expenses, which little sum of money enabled him to see something of life in the farther West for, prior to settling down to farm life, he determined to cross the plains to Cali- fornia. With this end in view he purchased a mule and began his travels to the Golden State. This was in 1863, and after a journey of ninety- nine days he landed in California and obtained employment at good wages. For one year he kept his eyes open for any inducement that might offer in order to make his future place of residence there, but none being presented he returned to Missouri.
In 1865 Mr. Robert K. Smith and Miss Eliza- beth Allison were united in marriage, the cere- mony taking place November 8. The lady was the daughter of Thomas and Cynthia (Edwards) Allison, old pioneers of this county. Mrs. Smith was born in Pike County, and grew to woman- hood under the care and guidance of loving par- ents. Soon after his marriage Mr. Smith pur- chased land of his own and soon thereafter be- gan reaping the benefits of his labors. He first located on Buffalo Creek, seven miles southwest of his present home, remaining there until 1875, when he became the owner of another farm two miles east of that place. He then removed his family to their new home, renting the property where he had lived for the past ten years. In 1881 he purchased his present farm and shortly
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after removed upon it, since which time he has made it his home.
To Mr. and Mrs. Smith there have been born a family of four children, all of whom are living, namely: Cora Belle, who was united in marriage November 21, 1888, to William Reading, a pro- gressive young farmer in this township; Homer C., Charles L. and Estelle. Mr. Smith is a pro- gressive and thoroughly practical farmer, and stands in the front rank among the substantial citizens of the township. His farm is one of the most desirably located in the county, and his resi- dence is a handsome and conveniently-arranged structure. In his political affiliation he supports the principles and candidates of the Democratic party. Religiously he is a consistent member of the Baptist Church and liberally contributes of his means toward all worthy charities. He is agree- able and companionable, possesses an upright character and evinces as great an interest in the welfare of humanity as anyone that can be met with.
E LDER EUGENE J. LAMPTON is pastor of the Christian Church of Louisi- ana, Pike County, Mo. During the last few years this congregation has prospered spirit- ually and financially under his guidance and as an evidence of their activity they are now having constructed a neat, new edifice in a favorable lo- cation in the city, the cost of the building to be about seven thousand dollars. . Mr. Lampton is an eloquent preacher, deep and wide in thought and commanding in argument. Although his health has not been of the best, he has rarely for over thirty years passed a Sunday without occupy- ing the pulpit and his influence for good has been felt in the several communities where he has dwelt.
Wharton Schooler Lampton, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky April 8, 1784, and was one of the eight sons of William Lampton, who came to this country from England, accom- panied by his brother Samuel. W. S. Lampton
was married near Winchester, Ky., in 1812 to Diana, daughter of Joseph Duncan, whose an- cestors were natives of Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Lampton reared a large family, of which our subject is the youngest son. He was born in Livingston County, Ky., August 24, 1835, and in the spring of 1836, his father settled on a farm three miles south of Florida, Monroe County, Mo., and lived in that vicinity for sixteen years.
On July 4, 1852, E. J. Lampton was baptized by Elder Alfred Wilson, becoming a member of the Christian Church. His parents were adher- ents of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomina- tion and were averse to his entering any other. He was thus led to a close study of the Scrip- tures in order to answer his parents' arguments and this in time resulted in a determination to devote his life to ministerial work. His parents dying before he was grown, he was to a certain extent forced to rely on himself for an education and after he had passed his twentieth birthday he entered a school in Madison, Mo., under Prof. S. S. Bessett. The latter resigned some five months later in order to take charge of an acad- emy for young men in Paris, Mo., and Mr. Lamp- ton, being tendered the vacant chair, accepted and taught for five months successfully ; the fol- lowing year he attended the Paris Academy and in 1860 commenced to preach the gospel. Dur- ing the war he was located at Huntsville and preached alternately there and at Glasgow, Mo. In 1864 he went to Illinois, where he spent two decades, the last two years being State Evangelist. In 1887 he became pastor of the church in Pal- myra, Mo., where he remained for five years, subsequently spending one year as pastor of the church at Canton, Mo. For over two years ile has held his present position and is now giving much of his attention to building the new church, this being the fourteenth house of worship built under his fostering care. He was for three years in Northern Texas and has held meetings in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Kentucky, as well as in Illinois and Missouri. Much of his work has been evangelical in character and under his teach- ings about three thousand persons have been brought into the fellowship of the Church.
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On May 3, 1864, Mr. Lampton was married to Miss Sallie E., daughter of Alexander and Fannie (Patton) Hall. Three children have been born to our subject and wife-two sons, who died in childhood, and a daughter, Fannie, a graduate of Eureka College, Illinois, and now wife of J. E. Craver of Minneapolis, who is Chief Night Train Dispatcher on the N. P. R. R. 'Mrs. Lampton was born in Lexington, Ky., August 9, 1839, and came to Missouri when quite young, settling in the eastern part of Randolph County. Her father was an Elder in the Christian Church, Antioch, Randolph County, Mo., and when she was twelve years old she obeyed the Gospel and became a member of the church. She was edu- cated in the country schools and pursued her higher studies in the Baptist College of Hunts- ville, Mo. For three years she was President of the Christian Women's Board of Missions of Missouri and has been a great help to her hus- band in his ministerial labors.
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