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 61
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 61
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 61
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P ERRY H. BLOOMER is the proprietor of a well-kept farm, situated on Section 16, Township 56, Range 6, Marion County, his home having been thereon for the past nine- teen years. He has erected a good barn and made many other substantial improvements on the place, which comprises one hundred and twenty-seven and a half acres. He is a veteran of the late war, having enlisted in October, 1863, in Company H, Fifteenth Kansas Regiment, under Capt. Dunlap, Fort Leavenworth, and served alto- gether for two years and two months. He was sent to Fort Riley, thence returned with prisoners to Fort Leavenworth, and was then given the position of Orderly Messenger on the staff of Maj. Hunt up to the time of Price's Second Raid. He was then relieved and placed in the body- guard of Gen. Curtis, and participated in engage- ments in Missouri, among others those of Little Blue and Mine Creek. He received an honor- able discharge at Fort Leavenworth in December, 1865.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, William, Jr., was born in Alabama and emigrated thence to Ohio, and later to Wabash County, Ind. His children were: Benjamin, Nancy, Joseph E., Hinton and Coleman; the two last mentioned moved to Mankato, Minn., about 1855. Hinton died shortly afterward and Coleman enlisted in the Union Army, and never returned. The daughter Nancy became the wife of Ruder Willis. Our subject's father, Joseph, was born in 1818, and in 1842 married Susannah Eby, whose father, Henry Eby, was of old Dutch stock and a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Henry Eby was born in 1790 and his wife, Margaret Dague, on Decem- ber 4, 1788. Their children and the dates of their births are as follows: Fred, October 29, 1814; Catherine, August 25, 1815; Henry, June 20, 1819; Michael, March 24, 1821; Susannah, January 6, 1823; Margaret, March 4, 1825; David, March 5, 1827; Sarah, September 1, 1829; Jackson, Decem- ber 6, 1832; Samuel, June 23, 1834; Lydia, April 23, 1837. Every one of this large family lived to mature years.
Joseph E. Bloomer traded his farm in 1850 for a store in Liberty Mills, Ind., and was quite suc- cessful, but finally lost his entire possessions through speculating in wheat. He then con- cluded to go to California, where several of his wife's relatives were living, and in the fall of 1857 moved to Jefferson County, Iowa. In the spring of 1858 he went on to Jefferson County, Kan., but on account of the Mormon War found that it was considered unsafe to cross the plains. He therefore rented a farm, but died in the following February; his wife continued to reside on the homestead until her death:
P. H. Bloomer was born April 30, 1845, on a farm in Whitley County, Ind., and received the benefit of a good general education. When he was thirteen years old he removed with his parents to Jefferson County, Kan., and remained there until he enlisted in the army. When his war serv- ice closed he returned home and engaged in clerking for a year in a general store and then, feeling the need of a better business education, pursued a three months' course of study in the Topeka, Kan., Commercial College. In 1868 he came to Marion County and secured a
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position in a crockery establishment, continuing in that employment for two years, and afterward entering into partnership with a Mr. Rhodes. In 1876 he sold out and has since devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He is a true-blue Repub- lican, and has never been an aspirant for political honors. Although at one time an active member of the I. O. O. F., he is now non-affiliated with it, but belongs to the G. A. R.
April 25, 1872, Mr. Bloomer married Katie Rhodes, who was born December 13, 1845. Her parents were David and Candis Rhodes, the for- mer of whom died March 9, 1889, in his eighty- seventh year. Mr. and Mrs. Bloomer have three children: Edwin A., born December 28, 1872; Maude, born September 10, 1875; Hiram, born November 1, 1879. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and are liberal supporters of worthy charitable and relig- ious enterprises.
W ILLIAM W. KLING, stone-mason, and long a resident of Louisiana, is one of the industrious citizens of Pike County. He is a native of Missouri, having been born in St. Louis August 5, 1851. He was the fourth in order of birth of the family of ten children belonging to William and Eliza A. (Al- len) Kling, of whom only four now survive.
William Kling, the father of our subject, was born in Ulmstadt, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1808, and there grew to manhood and learned the trade of a ropemaker. He was an ambitious young man, and hearing much of the fortunes to be made in the New World, decided to emigrate and make his home among its people; so in 1836 he set sail from his native land, landing in New Orleans after a voyage of several weeks. He made his way up the Father of Waters to St. Louis, Mo., where he found employment at his trade, and where he continued to live for some four years, after which he removed to Louisiana, Mo., and established himself in business, manu- facturing ropes for a St. Louis firm. This con-
tinued very successfully for several years, when he disposed of his business and began the cul- ture of grapes, then a very profitable enterprise, following that industry for the remainder of his life. He was a man of upright character, honest in his every action, and his death, which occurred October 22, 1893, was regretted by all who knew him.
Grandfather Peter Kling was born in Germany, where he spent his entire life. He, too, was a ropemaker, following this business in connection with vine culture during his active years. His wife was, prior to her marriage, Margaret Von der Ahe, descended from the royal family. The mother of our subject, Eliza A. (Allen) Kling, was the daughter of Col. John Allen, an officer in the War of 1812, and also in the Blackhawk War. His wife was Parmelia Perry, whose fam- ily were old residents of Louisiana, and wealthy.
William W. Kling, of this sketch, grew to manhood under the watchful care of his parents and acquired a very fair education in the schools taught in the district. When ready to begin life for himself he was married to Miss Catherine Glock, the ceremony being performed December 31, 1871. This lady was also a native of the Fatherland, and was the daughter of Walter and Marie (Cornel) Glock. The parents of Mrs. Kling came to the United States in the '50's and settled in St. Louis County, Mo., where they died. The father was a farmer and a painter by trade. The young couple began housekeeping in a very modest manner, and by being economical and industrious are now enabled to surround theni- selves with all the comforts of life.
Mr. Kling first secured the position of Assist- ant Street Commissioner under Thomas Giffin, and for three years was employed in this capacity; at the end of that time he determined to learn the trade of a stone-mason, working at the same in this county for a twelvemonth. He then went to St. Louis, working as a stone-mason until go- ing to Louisiana, this county, four years later. He made that city his home until 1875, when he returned to Pike County, plying his trade when he could, and when there was no work in that line making himself useful in other lines of em-
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ployment. Some time thereafter he found work building bridges for the C. & A. R. R., this last- ing for two summers. In 1879 he hired out to Hart & Sheldon to superintend the operation of their large stone quarry and remained with them for some sixteen years, with the exception of one year. That time was spent with Kruse & Thur- mond, at Auxvasse, Mo., in the same capacity, but at the expiration of the twelvemonth he re- turned to his former employers and was their efficient manager until 1895.
To Mr. and Mrs. Kling have been born six children, of whom those living are: Daniel, liv- ing in Louisiana, stone-cutter at Alpha, Il1; Mary, wife of Lea Hellings; William A., in Lou- isiana; Augustus J .; Annie D., a bright, intelligent girl, now at school. In politics Mr. Kling is a Republican, tried and true; socially he is an Odd Fellow of good standing and also belongs to the order of Maccabees. As one of the leading and representative citizens of Pike County, we are pleased to be able to place his life history before our readers.
G EORGE CARTER (deceased) was one of the enterprising and prosperous farm- ers of Fabius Township, Marion County, his home being on Section 20. This was his dwelling-place for nearly forty-five years, during which long time he was closely associated with the upbuilding and developing of this locality. Among his old friends and neighbors he was highly and justly esteemed for his many worthy qualities, and when at the close of his busy and useful life he was summoned to his reward they felt that they had indeed suffercd a loss which was irreparable.
Mr. Carter was born in Cumberland County, Va., and as he was left an orphan in babyhood, never learned anything of his parents. He was adopted by an aunt and uncle, who treated hin cruelly, and therefore it was not strange that the poor boy ran away from home when sixteen years of age. He had learned of the opportunities afforded young men in the West, and proceeded
(much of the way on foot) to Shelby County, Mo., where he found employment on a farm owned by a Mr. Holmes. Subsequently he became a mcm- bcr of the household of Stephen Gupton, whose step-daughter he married, after which event he came to Marion County, and was employed at whatever he could find to do whereby he might gain an honest livelihood. His young wife died eighteen months after their marriage, leaving one child, James M., who is now a resident of Kansas.
August 6, 1850, Mr. Carter was united in mar- riage to Miss Susan Harsell, who was born in Virginia June 24, 1822. Her parents were Peter and Rachel (Flick) Harsell, who with their large family made the journey from Virginia to Mis- souri in 1847, taking up their abode in Marion County, where they rented a large tract of land. The same fall the faithful wife and mother de- parted this life, the date of her death being Decem- ber 31, 1847. She left twelve children to mourn her loss, namely: Elizabeth, born February 4, 1821; Susan, born June 24, 1822; Jacob, born November 1, 1824; Harriet, born May 22, 1827; Joshua, born March 1, 1829; Julian, born July 26, 1831; Peter, Jr., born February 24, 1833; Amanda, born February 14, 1835; John W., born March 31, 1837; Zimrie, born December 29, 1839; Elijah, born May 7, 1842; Henry H., born July 6, 1845. Two of the family have been summoned to the better land, namely: John and Julian. The father was born September 1, 1795, and his wife on August 31, 1802, and their marriage was cele- brated February 19, 1819. All the children were born in Hampshire County, Va.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. George Carter was blessed with two children: Richard, now dwell- ing in Palmyra; William Henry, now operating a farm in Marion County. For a year after his marriage Mr. Carter rented the farm now managed and owned by his widow, and succeeded very well from the start, scarcely twelve months elapsing ere he was able to purchase the place, which he operated up to the time of his demise (March 21, 1894). Although he prospered as a general farmer, his greatest success was in raising live- stock, principally hogs, which he disposed of to shippers.
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Mr. Carter and his wife were long identified with the M. E. Church South and prominent in all its departments of usefulness, and Mrs. Carter still holds her membership in the local congrega- tion. She is a lady of good business ability, and to her is due much of the credit of her husband's success in life. She aided and cheered him in his despondent moments, and was of material assist- ance to him at all times. As one of the old and honored settlers of Fabius Township she is justly entitled to a place in its history and among its representative citizens.
A LBERN M. TINSLEY, connected with the Tinsley Tobacco Company, was born June 26, 1821, in Bedford County, Va., where he remained until 1849. In the meantime he had been well educated and prepared to oc- cupy almost any position in life. (See biography of William N. Tinsley in another part of this work.)
When leaving the Old Dominion our subject came to Missouri, accompanied by his mother. He landed at Clarksville, and from there went to Dover, where he engaged in farming with his father, who had preceded them to the West. Soon after, however, he rented land, which he cultivated for himself, and so prosperous was he in this undertaking that he was soon enabled to become the owner of a good tract. This tract lay near Clarksville, in Calumet Township, and consists of two hundred and seventy-five acres, which he now rents to good advantage. He lived on the place until 1883, in which year he moved into Louisiana.
On coming here our subject became connected with the Tinsley Tobacco Company, with which he has been identified ever since, having an equal interest in the business. He was married May 13, 1854, at Buffalo Knob, to Miss Betsey M., daugh-
ter of Simpson and Eliza Edwards, natives of Vir -. ginia. Mrs. Tinsley was born in Missouri. They became the parents of two daughters : Mary Eliza, who married John Ellis, departed this life in Feb- ruary, 1881, and Emma, who is at home with her father. The son of Mary Eliza also makes his home with Mr. Tinsley, and bears the name of William Albern. Another son, Irvin, was born to her, but died young. Mrs. Betsey M. Tinsley departed this life January 26, 1856, and in July of the following year our subject was married, at Louisiana, to Miss Elizabeth Pendleton. Of the five children which were the result of this union, Hattie died when young; Lafayette is at home; Mattie is the wife of Ignes Glasir, of Springfield, Mo .; James is traveling for the com- pany; and Minnie died when thirteen years of age. Mrs. Tinsley departed this life April 24, 1893. She was a consistent member of the Bap- tist Church and greatly respected by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Our subject chose for his third wife Mrs. Sarah Ann, widow of William Norton, and their mar- riage occurred January 15, 1894. This lady was the daughter of Anthony and Rebecca (Toole) Colbert, who had four children: John, Sarah Ann, Mary and Ella. Of these John and Ella are de- ceased. Mrs. Toole passed to the land beyond when fifty-four years of age, and her husband followed her five years later. She was an Episco- palian in religion, while her husband was a Roman Catholic. The latter was born in Ireland and was married after coming to the United States to Rebecca Toole, who was born in Virginia.
By her union with William Norton Mrs. Tins- ley had three children: Arthur Lee, living in Pike County, Mo .; Henry H. makes his home with him, and Lena died when young. Our subject, together with his wife and all his children, is a member of the Baptist Church. . In politics he is Democratic. In disposition he is gentle, gener- ous and kind and is held in the highest regard by all who know him.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
491
RUFUS EASTON ANDERSON.
R UFUS EASTON ANDERSON is emi- nent as a member of the Marion County Bar, is famed as an orator and enjoys an enviable place in the Masonic order and in church and social circles. For many years he has been one of the most respected inhabitants of Hannibal, in which city and vicinity he has an exceptionally large clientage. His opponents recognize in him one who is worthy of their best efforts and his candor, sincerity and logical reasoning generally bring the verdict of the juries before whom he pleads, on his side of the argument.
The Judge's parents, Thomas L. and Russella (Easton) Anderson, are both now deceased. The father was one of the distinguished lawyers of Marion County, and was admitted to the bar in 1829, before he had arrived at his majority. He opened an office for practice at Franklin, Ky., and later pursued his profession for two years in St. Charles, Mo. In October, 1832, he moved to Palmyra, Mo., where he came in contact with some of the best legal minds of the State. Col. Anderson, as he was called from the fact that he once served on the Governor's staff, was elected to Congress in 1856, and was re-elected, serving in the House of Representatives until the out- break of the War. Afterwards he became a Democrat and still later was a Greenbacker. In his views he was a Free Thinker and carried his high sense of honor and belief in morality in his every day life. As early as 1846 he was elected on the Whig ticket to the Legislature and served for one term and in 1845 was a member of the Constitutional Convention, but with some others refused to sign the constitution when it was finally drawn up. During the best days of his profes- sional career he had no peer in Northeastern Missouri as a jury advocate and popular speaker.
His enthusiasm of manner was communicated to the public in such a way that his pleadings and arguments were almost irresistible. For over half a century he was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was an eloquent and effective speaker on the temperance question. Fraternally he was a Mason, belonging to the Royal Arch Degree. His death which occurred at Palmyra in 1886 was deeply regretted by a host of friends and acquaintances. The Colonel was born in Greene County, Ky., December 8, 1808, his parents being David and Jane (Bullock) Anderson. The latter's father, John Bullock, was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, in which he won the rank of Captain. David Anderson, a native of Virginia, was an industrious farmer and an upright, honor- able man.
In 1832 Colonel Anderson was married at St. Charles, Mo., to Russella, daughter of Col. Rufus Easton, who was born in Litchfield, Conn., May 4, 1774. He studied law and was admitted to the bar of that State, where he practiced for a time, but later moved to Rome, N. Y., where his ability attracted the attention of public men, among whom were Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson and De Witt Clinton. Leaving Rome he passed about a year in Washington and went westward with the intention of locating in Vincennes, Ind. (then a territory), but soon proceeded further toward the setting sun and took up his residence in St. Louis, afterwards settling in St. Charles. His popularity and influence increased and in 1814 he was elected as a delegate to Congress and on the expiration of his term was re-elected. When the State was organized in 1821, he was appointed Attorney General and as such served until 1826. He died at St. Charles, July 5, 1834, but not until his life work had been permanently
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engrafted on the laws and upbuilding of Missouri. Mrs. Russella Anderson died in 1840, leaving three children: William R., the only surviving brother of the Judge, is now practicing law at Palmyra. The second wife of Col. Anderson was Fannie M. Winchell of Palmyra, but a native of Massachusetts.
Judge R. E. Anderson was born Jan. 22, 1833, at Palmyra and was educated in the common schools of that place. His higher studies were pursued in the Masonic College at Philadelphia, Mo., and in the Illinois College at Jacksonville, Ill., where he remained for three years. Coming home he entered his father's office and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1852. He at once com- menced his career in partnership with his father but later was with Henry S. Lipscomb and W. M. Boulware. His connection with the last men- tioned gentleman continued in force until 1877 when he moved to Hannibal and here opened an office. From the first he rapidly rose in the estimation of all and has successfully maintained his high reputation. Eschewing political office he has devoted himself the more earnestly to his profession and may well be proud of the progress he has made. As a criminal lawyer, one of the cases which brought him to the front was the defense of Ambrose D. Coe, accused of the mur- der of Abbie Somers. This case was tried three times, and in one of his arguments to the jury Judge Anderson spoke earnestly, logically and eloquently for seven hours. This speech was regarded as one of the ablest ever made in this section of the country. He was elected prose- cuting attorney in 1888 and served for two years.
January II, 1854, Judge Anderson and Cor- nelia F. Thompson were married in Palmyra. Mrs. Anderson is the daughter of Thomas E. and Margaret (Williams) Thompson. To the Judge and wife nine children have been born, namely: Edwin L., now engaged in railroading in Cali- fornia; Maggie T., Mrs. H. H. Markell, of Palmyra; Nellie F., wife of A. R. Betts, Secretary and Treasurer of the Cincinnati Coffin Company; Russella, who is at home and Rufus E., Russell, Juliette M., Fannie C., and Annie Y., who are deceased.
Judge Anderson has taken great interest in the Masonic Order, has been Worshipful Master of the lodges at Palmyra or Hannibal for nearly twenty years, and at times has held the offices of High Priest and Eminent Commander at the same time. He has taken the Knights Templar degree and has attended as a delegate every ses- sion of the Grand Lodge of Missouri for thirty- five years, having served as chairman many times on important committees. In 1874 he was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge and the following year was Grand High Priest of the Grand Chap- ter. When the corner stone of the St. Louis Mer- chants Exchange was laid in June, 1874, under the auspices of the Masons, Judge Anderson being Grand Master officiated at the ceremonies. His address, with its graces of rhetoric, elevating moral sentiments and general brilliancy, marked the speaker as one of the eminent orators of the day. His speech may be found in full in the His- tory of the Bench and Bar of Missouri. In 1886 he was chosen Deputy Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templars. One of the incorporators of the Masonic Home in Missouri, organized in 1887, the Judge was made one of the directors and is still serving as such. Though he was brought up in the Presbyterian faith, his chivalry prompted him to adopt that of his wife, who was a Methodist. He has repre- sented his congregation in the general confer- ence in Louisville, Ky., and for a quarter of a century has been a frequent delegate to the con- ferences of his church. He is a great worker and was for years superintendent of the Sunday- school.
B ELFIELD V. M'ELROY has for the past five years been one of the honored resi- dents of Palmyra, where he owns a beauti- ful place of five acres, in addition to which he rents a tract of fifteen acres. Thereon he raises suffi- cient crops for his own needs and though, com- pared with those of former years, his cares and duties are limited, he has, nevertheless, plenty to
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occupy his attention and give him the necessary exercise and outdoor life which he enjoys. By long years of industry and persevering efforts he has succeeded in acquiring a competence, and even now prefers to continue his former vocation as an agriculturist rather than to subside into in- activity.
Mr. McElroy was born in Marion County, Ky., October 20, 1827, and is a son of James P. and Esta (Simpson) McElroy, natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively. The former received a good education, and was still a mere boy when his parents moved to the Blue Grass State, where the remainder of his youth was spent. A few years after ltis marriage he moved to Missouri, reaching this county about 1830, and immediately entered three hundred and fifty acres of Government land. He built a good home and made numerous improvements on the farm, where he passed his remaining years, his death occurring in 1851. He was followed to the grave a few years later by his devoted wife, who had proved a faithful com- panion and a loving mother to her ten children, three of whom preceded her to the silent land; four only of the number now survive, namely: our subject; Alvin, a farmer of Ralls County; Sidney, who resides on the old homestead, Marion County ; Milford, whose home is in Ralls County.
Mr. McElroy has no recollection of his birth- place, as he was but three years of age when the family moved to Missouri, and thus, to all prac- tical intents and purposes, he is a native of this locality. Here he received a good general educa- tion, and, as soon as he reached suitable years, assisted his father in the management of the home farm; he continued thus employed until his mar- riage, after which he embarked in agriculture on his own account, buying one hundred and five acres of land in South River Township. Subse- quently he added another farm, comprising forty acres, and this homestead he cultivated and im- proved for a period of about forty years. He was successful in most of his undertakings and, as the reward of his years of toil, now finds himself well off in this world's goods.
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