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 65
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 65
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 65
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The original of this sketch was born in Arm- .strong County, Pa., September 20, 1836. He was there reared and received a common school education. When about twenty-one years of age he began the battle of life for himself. He journeyed westward until reaching the pine re- gion of Wisconsin, and remained there, working for three years. He then came to Hannibal, having secured a position in this city with a lumber firm. A year later he made a trip throughi the Southern States, returning to Hannibal in 1862. He then established himself in the grocery business, but he sold out two years thereafter and made a trip to Montana with a stock of goods, which he disposed of advantageously. He returned the following year and began the manufacture of plug tobacco, which he carried on until 1879, under the firm name of J. L. Brickey & Co. That year they suffered a heavy
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loss, their factory being burned to the ground. Mr. Dickason then began dealing in real estate and was also Secretary of the National Insurance Company of Hannibal. Two years later he formed a partnership with his brother William and William H. Oiorne, and engaged in general merchandising, supplying the markets with rail- road ties, hard wood, etc. This business they carried on extensively until about five years ago. He is still a partner of Mr. Oiorne, the firm being engaged in the shoe manufacturing business in St. Louis, also in the mercantile trade there and in Kansas City, Kan. He is the owner of large tracts of improved lands in both this State and Illinois, and devotes the greater part of his time and attention to their supervision. His posses- sions in Pike County, Ill., amount to about fifteen hundred broad acres and he also owns the same amount in Ralls County, this State.
Jacob H. Dickason was married in Hannibal, December 15, 1863, to Miss Harriet A. Conway. She was born in Marion County, this State, and was the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Hen- dricks) Conway, natives of Kentucky. To them were born two children-Samuel M. and Will- iam A., both at home. Mr. Dickason was called upon to part with his faithful wife, who died October 15, 1892, leaving a vacant place at the family fireside that never can be filled. She was a devoted Christian and a member of the Meth- odist Church.
Mr. Dickason is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to St. John's Lodge, No. 188, and Chapter, also the Knights Templar and Excalabar Commandery No. 5. He supports the principles of the Democratic party in politics. He has been a member of the City Council and has served two terms as Mayor of Hannibal.
Thus briefly has been given the life history of one of Hannibal's most prominent and beloved citizens, but the biographer's work would be un- finished without a few closing lines. His life is a daily carrying out of many of the command- ments. No poor person ever suffers for the ne- cessities of life if he is advised of the fact. During the severe winter weather when the cabins of the poorer inhabitants do not protect them from the
cold, and they lack the means even to purchase food, fuel from his bounteous and generous hand is quietly laid at their door. During the cold weather of last winter the writer saw many a load of wood being taken to the homes of the poor, directed by the watchful eye and benevo- lent hand of the subject of this sketch. Fortun- ate is it indeed that such a worthy man has been blessed with a goodly amount of this world's goods, that his labors have met with substantial results, for it seems that he accumulates money with the object and desire of being a benefit to others as well as his own family. Thus, living surrounded by affluence in the mellow years of his life, he does not forget the poor, nor Him who is the giver of all good gifts.
M ELVILLE WILLARD COBB, the lead- ing clothier of Hannibal, Mo., was born in Greensburg, Ind., March 14, 1842, and is a son of Royal P. and Ruth A. (Howard) Cobb. His father was a native of Vermont, born near Rutland, in 1815. He was a son of Wil- lard Cobb, a descendant of one of three broth- ers who sailed from Wales at an early day, locat- ing in New York. Later, one settled in Georgia, one in New York, and one in Vermont. Willard Cobb was a weaver by trade and left Vermont in the twenties, settling in the State of Indiana with his family. Later, in 1846, he removed to Iowa, settling in Oskaloosa where he died in 1857.
Royal P. Cobb was reared in Indiana and worked on a farm, going to school as opportun- ity was afforded him. Being of a studious na- ture, he fitted himself for teaching and engaged in that work for a time. While teaching, he pursued his law studies and in 1845 was admitted to the bar and opened an office in Greensburg, Ind. In 1852 he was elected Judge of the Cir- cuit Court. He was also engaged in the mer- cantile business and in real estate. In 1858, he closed out his business and moved to Missouri, settling in Hannibal, where he resumed his prac-
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tice. In 1860, he was elected to the office of City Attorney, and served one year. In politics he was a Union man, and in religion was a Meth- odist in early life, but before his death he be- came a Spiritualist. He died in 1878. Ruth, his wife, was a native of Ohio, and was a daughter of John and Anna (Tate) Howard. The latter was of German descent. Mrs. Cobb was a mem- ber of the M. E. Church and died in 1880, at Hannibal. They were the parents of four chil- dren: Melville W., our subject; Lois, who mar- ried Dr. John G. Gleason, of Hannibal; James S., deceased; Wilbert H., express agent at Han- nibal.
The subject of this sketch was reared at Greensburg, Ind., where he received his educa- tion in the public school. He was sixteen years of age when the family left Indiana for Hannibal, and to assist the family he went into a print- ing office for one year, and then went to Oska- loosa to complete his education. He returned to Hannibal and went to work in a tobacco fac- tory, and was in that employment until 1862, when he concluded to take a hand in the war, and enlisted in Company B, Thirty-eighth Mounted Infantry. He was detailed for secret service in Missouri under direction of Gen. Hal- leck, and was frequently in the camp of the enemy, and often had close calls for his life. After the war closed, he was mustered out, re- turned to Hannibal, and took a clerkship in a dry goods house, where he remained one year, and then took charge of the business of Bruck- man & Andrews until they retired. He was then associated with J. F. Burchard in the dry goods trade, and operated this business for one year. Mr. Burchard's property having been seized to satisfy a Government claim, Mr. Cobb bought the stock, and carried on the business in his own name until 1872, when Mr. Burchard com- promised with the Government, satisfying the indebtedness against him, and resumed business, buying back the stock. Subsequently, Mr. Cobb engaged in clerking for A. Shenker & Co., with whom he remained until March, 1874, when he engaged with a new firm, Worthington & Co., general merchandise and buyers of bankrupt
stock. He was manager for them for fourteen years, when the firm retired from business. Wil- liams & Co. bought the dry goods stock, Kauff- man & Smith the boot and shoe department, and Mr. Cobb, in company with his brother, Wilbert H., the clothing stock. On January I, 1886, C. Voorhis purchased W. H. Cobb's interest, and the business has since been continued under the name of Cobb & Co. The house is located on the corner of Center and Main Streets. They carry a full line of clothing, boots and shoes, and gents' furnishing goods. They have built up a large and flourishing business, which is constantly in- creasing.
Mr. Cobb was united in marriage August 10, 1866, with Susan M. Ness, daughter of Robert and Mary Ness, the former of Scotch and the latter of German descent. By this union are three children: Robert W., living in Hannibal; Frank H., deceased; Lois M., at home. Mrs. Cobb is a member of the Presbyterian Church and Mr. Cobb is a Spiritualist. In politics he is a Repub- lican. He has served as Alderman at different periods, for ten years, in the First ward. Socially he is a member of St. Julius Lodge No. 28, A. F. and A. M .; the Triple Alliance, the Knights of Pythias, of which he was one of the founders in Missouri, and the W. T. Sherman Post, of the G. A. R., of Hannibal.
Mr. Cobb at times is also interested in Gov- ernment contracts. He is one of the enterpris- ing, progressive men of Hannibal, and a man of social instincts, genial, open-hearted and broad-minded.
H ENRY C. WILSON is numbered among the wealthy and prosperous agricultur- ists of Ralls County. He is the architect of his own fortune, which has been accumulated since the war. Beginning at the bottom rounds of the ladder he steadily advanced step by step until he is now in a position of affluence as well as influence in the community. His valuable and fertile farm is located on Section 27, Clay Town-
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ship, that having been his place of abode for about thirty years.
The birth of Mr. Wilson took place January 27, 1838, in Saverton Township, Ralls County. His father, Hedgman Wilson, was born in Vir- ginia in 1806, and died May 10, 1867. On ar- riving at manhood he went to Kentucky, where he married Lovina Fuqua, a native of the Blue Grass State, who departed this life in 1880, when sixty-eight years of age. In 1821 this worthy couple moved to Missouri and became residents of Saverton Township, with whose development they were henceforth identified. Mr. Wilson was a thrifty farmer and a successful dealer in live stock, also being proprietor of a mill on Salt River. In his early years he was a Whig and upon the formation of the Republican party lie became one of its enthusiastic supporters. A man of noble and upright character he put into daily practice his religious faith and was a pillar in the Christian Church. To himself and wife were born the following children: Alexander, Ar- milda, Marilda, George and Adeline, all of whom are deceased; Lavina, wife of Elijah Jimmer- son, a farmer of this county; Francis M., who is engaged in the furniture and undertaking busi- ness at Monroe City; Eveline, wife of Charles Cannady, of New London, Mo .; Henry C .; Eliz- abeth, wife of L. Whittemore, formerly Deputy Sheriff and now Constable of Spencer Township, Ralls County; Francis and Harrison, deceased; John, a farmer of this county; and William, who also resides in this locality.
Until he was past twenty-one years of age Henry C. Wilson gave his services to his father, in the management of the farm, and for a few years engaged in business on his own account, this bringing his history up to the beginning of the war. In 1861 he enlisted in the Ralls County State Guards, and served under Gen. Marma- duke, Capt. Joe Higby, and other officers. His services altogether covered nearly four years,
and though he had numerous narrow escapes he was never captured nor wounded. On resuming the peaceful avocations of life he rented farms for several years, and for a short time operated one in connection with his brother George. In 1868 he made his first purchase of land, consist- ing of a tract of seventy acres, being a portion of his present farm. From time to time he has added to this until he now finds himself the owner of four hundred and forty-three acres. Politically Mr. Wilson is affiliated with the Democratic party, but has never been an office-seeker, pre- ferring to give his entire time to his business in- terests.
In 1866 the marriage of our subject and Emily Waters took place in Ralls County. She was born December 16, 1850, and died February 8, 1888. Her parents were George and Mary (Kuntz) Waters, natives of Tennessee and Vir- ginia respectively. The former died in 1868, aged eighty years, and his wife, who died ten years previously, was then but forty years old.
Mrs. Wilson was one of five children, her broth !- ers and sisters being Edwin, a merchant of Van- dalia, Mo .; Irene, wife of H. W. Ogle, a farmer of this township; Cornelia, deceased, formerly the wife of James Poore, of Ladonia, Mo., and Annie, Mrs. Harvey Cummings, of Beeville, Texas.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have had born to them thirteen children, of whom four died in infancy. Rev. Robert L. is a Christian minister of Miami, Mo .; Mary L., died young; Mellie I., and Dora M., are unmarried and live with their father; Al- meda B. is the wife of Frank Bowles, a farmer of Spencer Township; Edwin H .; one died in in- fancy; Marshall H .; George W .; Paul T. is de- ceased; Annie C .; Emma died in infancy; and Lula is with her father. For the past nine years Mr. Wilson has been a member of the Christian Church, and has been an elder for the entire period.
ANDREW T. STILL, M. D.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
519
ANDREW T. STILL, M. D.
A NDREW T. STILL, M. D. This promi- nent physician of Kirksville, Mo., is the originator of a new system of healing without the use of drugs, known as "Osteopathy." He is the founder and president of the "American School of Osteopathy," a regularly incorporated college in which pupils are received and in- structed in the new science.
The first question arising at this point will be "What is this new 'pathy' ?" Little information can be gained from any other source than the word of mouth of Dr. Still, his pupils and thou- sands of grateful patients who owe health and life to this wonderful discovery. There is practically nothing in print on the subject as yet. The word "Osteopathy" was chosen by Dr. Still as a name for his science because it was more appropriate than any other word, but is by no means suffi- ciently comprehensive; its name should mean all that is implied in the word "remedies," and should carry with it the idea that man is a machine, an en- gine, and the physician an engineer, whose duty it is to place the engine in order, by adjusting every part to its normal relation with every other part. Health will then follow as a result of natural laws implanted in the patient, illustrating the perfec- tion of Deity. The adjustment of the bones of the human body is one of the leading features of the system, and when they are not directly at fault they are used as levers and bases for the manip- ulation and adjustment of the softer parts.
You ask how they treat? They answer, just as the engineer "treats" his engine when it is out . of order. They must understand the anatomy and physiological use of every part, just as the engineer must know the engine; then they locate the cause of the trouble and remove it.
This is claimed to be a science as true as mathe-
matics, that will revolutionize the whole medical practice and place the same on a more rational basis. It teaches that better results can be se- cured in combating disease without drugs than with them; that many of the diseases and troubles of the human family are directly traceable to the use of drugs; that the use of the knife can be avoided in seventy-five per cent of the cases where it is now thought necessary; that many diseases heretofore pronounced incurable can be success- fully handled. And the Doctor and his associates have the results, secured in years of practice on tens of thousands of patients, proving the correct- ness of his theories.
In developing the science Dr. Still was aided in his many years of patient labor, by circuni- stances and forces that seemed to have been started centuries ago. His father, Abram Still, was of German and English descent, a physician and minister, and for many years, in an early day, missionary to the State of Missouri from the Ten- nessee Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His mother, Martha (Moore) Still, was pure Scotch. Thus he inherited the qualities that were cultivated and developed by pioneer sur- roundings, preparing him for just the work that became his to do. As a boy and a man he took nothing for granted, demanded proof for every- thing; would give volumes of theories for a line of truth, preferring results to resolves; to try to relieve suffering humanity was a passion with him as with both his parents. He received a good common school education, and when of proper age began the study of medicine under his father, completing the same at one of the older medical colleges at Kansas City, Mo. He practiced for many years with more than average success. He was for two terms (1857-1858) a member of the
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Kansas Legislature, and served his country dur- ing the Rebellion, part of the time as Army Sur- geon, and many are the arms and legs he saved from the knife by his skill. He was with John Brown in his famous stroke for the freedom of the negro, fitting him, as he says, for the work of aiding in freeing the white man from the curse of slavery to whiskey, opium and poisonous drugs.
At one time in his life Dr. Still owned an en- gine, which he learned to run, familiarizing him- self with its every part. That, as well as every other incident of his life, seemed to be for a pur- pose; as it was probably influential in causing him to reach the conclusion that man is an engine, and that all that is required is an engineer to properly handle the machine and it will run in a healthy manner. It was over twenty-one years ago that he reached this conclusion and estab- lished it as a basic principle upon which to build up a better method of handling disease than any in use. He worked and experimented, though it cost him fortune and friends, and gradually added principle upon principle until he developed a science that stands the test of a more scientific in- vestigation than the medical profession is pre- pared to make.
The principles of the science apply to the treat- ment of all forms of disease, acute as well as chronic, but circumstances have seemed to force its development with special reference to those ailments that are pronounced incurable, or are imperfectly treated by the ordinary practice. Ninety-five per cent of the cases treated come under this head, yet they cure about sixty per cent, and it is very seldom one is found that does not receive some benefit.
Dr. Still has lived in Kirksville about nineteen years, but it is only within the last ten years that he has grown famous by reason of the seemingly remarkable cures he has performed. He was first assisted in the work by his four sons, three of whom are yet living and helping him establish his science. Charles E., the oldest, and Herman T. are with him at Kirksville in the infirmary and college work. Harry M. is conducting an in- firmary practice at Evanston, near Chicago, Il1. They were the first in whom the doctor demon-
strated that he had a science that could be taught to others. Now at the age of sixty-seven he finds that his sons and other assistants can take the burden of labor from his tired shoulders and carry it forward. But they find that the "Old Doctor's" counsel is very valuable. Miss Blanche Still, his daughter, assists in the business department of the work at Kirksville.
A few years ago he was prevailed upon to open a school and teach his science to others. His first results in that line were not very promising, be- cause he did not hold his students with him long enough for them to understand and apply the science, but he is now securing better results and has about fifty students in his college, and a more intelligent, enthusiastic body of young nien and women would be hard to find.
On January 10, 1895, a handsome $20,000 in- firmary and college building was dedicated. It is a model of beauty and convenience, provided with every modern comfort. They have from three to six hundred patients all the time, representing almost every State in the Union.
C APT. DANIEL B. WEST, who obtained his title in the late war, is a prominent farmer of Ralls County. His estate, which is one of the best in this section, is located in Clay Township. Mr. West was born near Frederick City, Md., December 26, 1826, and was the son of Corbin and Ann (Buckles) West. The father, who was also a native of Maryland, was born in 1796 and died in 1883. Mrs. Ann West was born in Virginia and died in 1863 when in her sixtieth year.
Corbin West went to the Old Dominion, where he married Miss Buckles, then returned to his na- tive State and continued to live there until 1837, the year in which he came to Missouri and located at Saline, Ralls County. There the mother died, and the father lived in that section until 1867, when he made his home with his sons and daugh- ters who were married until his death occurred
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at Sweet Springs, Mo., while visiting his son, Dr. E. S. West. The father was formerly an extensive farmer and slave owner in Maryland, and also had his property in Missouri cultivated by ne- groes. He was very prominent in his community and for many years held the office of County Sur- veyor.
The parental family of our subject included eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom Capt. Daniel B. was the eldest; Ellen L. died in infancy ; Erasmus is deceased; William is a practicing physician at Geneseo, Ill .; Mary and Charles are deceased; Kate is the widow of James Shelby of Fulton, Callaway County, Mo., and Edwin S., formerly a prominent physician, is de- ceased.
The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's homestead in Saline Township, where he remained until eighteen years of age. He had taught school for two years after leaving home, and during his spare moments read medicine. He was prevented from attending lectures, for about this time he took a trip to California, remaining in the Golden State mining for two years. He returned home in the spring of 1852, when he was married and began farming in Clay township. He spent one season on that place, then purchased a farm near Sidney, in Saline Township, which he operated until 1869, the year in which he took possession of his present tract.
Mr. West was married in 1852 to Miss Jane Hays, who was born in Monroe County, Mo., and died in 1882, aged forty-nine years. To them were born five children: Fannie is now the wife of John Moore, engaged in railroading at Kirkwood, Mo .; Louise is the wife of Jason Al- ger, a merchant of Hannibal; John C. is farming in Saline Township; Jennie married James Mc- Glochlin, a merchant of Rensselaer; and Maud V. makes her home with him.
In 1885 our subject chose for his second com- panion Miss Louise Ayres, whose birth occurred in this county, March 26, 1844. She was the daughter of John M. and Mary (Cooke) Ayres, natives of Kentucky, where their marriage oc- curred and where they continued to make their home until 1834, the year in which they made the
journey to Missouri. They at once chose Ralls County and Clay Township for their future home and lived there until their death, the father pass- ing away in 1892, aged eighty years, and the mother dying in 1862, when in her forty-third year. Mr. Ayres was an extensive farmer and slave-owner and was prominent in public af- fairs. For many years he was Justice of the Peace of his township and in every position gave sat- isfaction by the efficient manner in which he discharged every duty. In religious matters he was a member in excellent standing of the Pres- byterian Church, and in him the Democratic party recognized one of its most prominent and active workers. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. West were Eugene, a prominent physician of Marion County, Mo .; Mariam, the wife of S. B. Smith, a merchant of Denver, Col .; George F., deceased; Frances, the wife of William Oldham, a farmer of Ralls County; Alice, the wife of J. J. Cochran, a traveling man living in this county ;. William, deceased; Ella, the wife of Edward Latham, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Monroe; Bell, Mrs. Thomas Robinson, whose husband is a merchant of Hannibal; Kate, who married the Rev. C. W. Latham, of Troy, Mo .; and Wilds, a decorator of Denver, Col.
On the outbreak of the late war, our subject enlisted as a member of the State troops, and was sent with his company to Lexington, but ar- rived too late to participate in the battle. From there they went to Arkansas, where Capt. West was taken sick, and on being honorably dis- charged returned home. He lived here until 1864, when he rented his farm, and going to Quincy, Ill., was there engaged in the mercan- tile business until the fall of the following year, when he moved his stock of goods to Shelbina, Mo. One year later, however, he returnel to his farm near Sidney, and in 1869 disposed of that place by sale and took possession of his present farm, which is one of the best improved in the county. Mr. West has been very prosperous in this department of work and ranks among the intelligent and substantial agriculturists of this section. He was the incumbent of the office of Justice of the Peace when the Civil War broke
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