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 68

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, C. O. Owen & Co.
Number of Pages: 820

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 68
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 68
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 68

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His father, James Powell, was born in Old- ham County, Ky., September 28, 1826, and with his sister, Susan Taylor, moved from his native State to Missouri. He was then a poor man and was obliged to turn his hand to whatever he could find to do whereby to earn an honest livelihood. He was very industrious and perse- vering, and was at last rewarded by becoming the owner of two hundred acres of land, as fine a tract as one could wish for. His wife, Mary F., to whom he was married in 1872, was a Miss Buzzard in her girlhood. She first became the

wife of Daniel Pinkston, but after a brief honey- moon he was obliged to go to the war and never returned. Later his widow married John Taylor, who died at the end of five years, leaving her with two sons, Joseph B., who is a farmer of this township, and William E., now living in Illinois. Mrs. Taylor then married our subject's father and bore him one son. After Mr. Powell's death she was united in marriage with William Shaw, who died in 1891. Mrs. Shaw was called to her final rest in January, 1890, at the age of forty-three years.

Our subject was born September 10, 1873, on his present farm, where he grew to man's estate. He chose as a partner in the voyage of life Ollie May Chitwood, their marriage being cele- brated January 18, 1893. The lady was born in Ralls County, Mo., March 10, 1873, and is a daughter of Amos and Mary E. (Spaulding) Chitwood, both likewise natives of Ralls County, the former born in 1839. He moved to this county in 1887 and has since made his home within its limits. He was married to Miss Spauld- ing in Ralls County in 1864, and became the father of two sons and three daughters, namely: Ida C., wife of Charles Dodd, a farmer of Ralls County; Martha J., wife of Thomas Casey, a painter in the railroad shops at Hannibal; Rich- ard T., who is engaged in farming in this county; Olive M .; and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Chitwood died February 3, 1874, aged only twenty-seven years. Her father was a native of Kentucky, while her mother was from Mary- land. To Mr. and Mrs. Powell has been born a little daughter, Essie May, who came to brighten their home January 15, 1894.

During two years, 1890-91 inclusive, our sub- ject worked for a salary in Shelby County, Mo., but with this exception has never been absent to any extent from the old farm where he was born and reared. He obtained a district school educa- tion and is a young man of good general infor- mation. In his political faith he is a Democrat. Among his friends and neighbors he bears a good reputation as a young man of sterling prin- ciples and upright character,

ARLINGTON M. GUPTON.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

537

ARLINGTON MADISON GUPTON.

A RLINGTON MADISON GUPTON, whose death occurred May 26, 1895, was one of the leading farmers of Marion County, and was the owner of a beautiful home- stead on Section 31, Warren Township. His life was an illustration of what may be accom- plished by a young man who possesses strong and willing hands and is not afraid of honest work. Though he used his ballot in favor of the Democratic party, he was not one of the kind who aspired to official distinction, but, instead, devoted his whole time and energy to his own domestic affairs and business interests.

Mr. Gupton was born in Warren Township, Marion County, October 7, 1830. His father, Stephen Gupton, was a native of North Caro- lina, while his mother, who was Mrs. Betsey (Barnett) Montgomery, was a Kentuckian. Stephen Gupton left his native State at the age of twelve years, went to Tennessee and thence to Kentucky, and in 1823 came to Missouri, but remained here only a year, then returned to his Kentucky home, disposed of his real estate, and in a few months settled permanently in Shelby County, Mo. He entered one hundred and sixty acres of timber land and built a log cabin, to which he took his bride. He subsequently came to this county, where he purchased about five hundred acres of land, besides entering tracts in Shelby and Knox Counties, Mo. He died on his farm in Marion County in 1863, his wife hav- ing preceded him to the silent land about fifteen years previously. Before their marriage she was the widow of Green Simmons, of Kentucky, and the mother of three children, namely: Patty,

Mrs. Jim Carter; Alexander, who died in Sulli- van County, when in his sixty-sixth year; and Johnny, who died in infancy. By her second union she became the mother of the following named children: Cothper, born December 3, 1826, is still living in this county; Judah, born April 27, 1828, is deceased; Arlington M. is the next in order of birth; Stephen, born April 2, 1831, resides in Shelby County; William, born February 14, 1832, died when six years old; Re- becca, born October 16, 1833, married John Le Foe, since deceased; Jackson, born September · 7, 1836, has passed away; Kindred, born June 2, 1838, is a farmer in Texas; Alfred, born May I, 1840, is in California; Lorenzo, born September 2, 1842, is also in California; and Cager I., born March 29, 1845, is in Iowa. The first child, born April 14, 1825, died in infancy.

The subject of this sketch obtained a common- school education and even in his very early years helped his father in the farm work. In 1850 lie went to California, where he remained for two years, making besides his expenses about thirteen hundred dollars. Returning to his old home, he worked for a year for neighbors, and in 1854 purchased forty acres of land on which he built a log cabin. This homestead is situated in the midst of the wilderness of Grundy County, and here he and his bride began housekeeping. Three years later he sold the place and bought another of one hundred and sixty acres in the same county. Four years passed and he then re- turned to Marion County, where he occupied leased land for some years. In 1868, he became the owner of a part of the present homestead,

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which now numbers six hundred and sixty-six acres within its boundaries. For many years he was a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Christian Church.

On April 28, 1853, Mr. Gupton and Jane Ralls, daughter of William Ralls, of Kentucky, were united in marriage. Eight children came to brighten their home, namely: Stephen, who died in infancy; William C., born September 14, 1855, is now a farmer of this county; John, who died in infancy; Jackson D., born December 4, 1858, is now the proprietor of a good farm in California; Lorenzo D., born January 4, 1862, is now at home; Eliza J., born March 1, 1864, is deceased; Morgan L., born October 17, 1867, died in California; and Benjamin S., born April 2, 1873. The faithful wife and mother was sum- moned to the home beyond February 7, 1879. In 1880 Mr. Gupton married Mrs. Josephine Lamb- kins, a widow, and their only child died in in- fancy, the mother also passing away January I, 1881. The lady who now bears our subject's name became his wife November 15, 1882. She was formerly Miss Susie Petti, a native of Knox County, Mo., and a daughter of William H. and Annie B. (Marshall) Petti, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Kentucky. They were the parents of the following children: Mary A., who married Dr. Edmiston, both are now de- ceased; Elizabeth, deceased; Thomas M., killed in battle; Eliza J., deceased; Hethy, the wife of William Crane, a farmer of Union Township, whose sketch appears on another page of this work; Sarah M., the wife of Edward Priest, a re- tired farmer, living in Philadelphia, Mo .; Lucy M., the wife of Julian Gibbon, of Topeka, Kan .; Catharine, who died in infancy; Mildred B., who died at the age of eight years; William H. and Robert, twins, now deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Petti were devoted members of the Baptist Church, and in politics Mr. Petti was a Democrat. He died in February, 1895, at the age of ninety-two years, and his wife in 1887, in her eighty-first year. To Arlington M. and Susie Gupton one child was born, Josephine, who was born August 12, 1886, and who is the pride and joy of the household. Mr. Gupton was honorable

in all his dealings and well thought of by all who knew him; he left a handsome estate. Mrs. Gup- ton is also well and favorably known throughout the county and is a lady of refinement.

D AVID MONTGOMERY PROCTOR is an extensive farmer and stock raiser of Union Township, Marion County, Mo., where he was born April 26, 1842. He is a son of Columbus S. and Eleanor J. (Woods) Proctor. The father was a native of Jessamine County, Ky., born in 1810. His parents were George W. and Elizabeth Proctor, whose chil- dren were Columbus S., Washington, Montgom- ery M., and Unah. Columbus S. came to this county in 1831 and settled in this township, where he remained until his death, July 4, 1865. His first purchase was eighty acres of land, and to this he added from time to time, until he was the possessor of thirteen hundred acres. In his native State he served an apprenticeship as a tanner and followed the trade about ten years. When he came to Missouri he had five hundred dollars which he invested in eighty acres of land, a cow and a horse. On his land he built his house and a bark mill. He was a man of influ- ence, but never aspired to office. In politics he was originally a Whig and subsequently a Dem- ocrat. Religiously he was a Baptist. He was an extensive land owner and also the owner of many slaves. His wife, Eleanor Woods, was a native of Tennessee, born in 1815, and died in the spring of 1876. She was the daughter of Hazzard Woods, and came to this county with her parents, who settled on the North River, where they remained the balance of their days. To Columbus S. and Eleanor J. Proctor were given the following children: George W., born March 14, 1835, died December 11, 1889; James M., born March 3, 1837, a farmer in Mon- roe County, Mo .; Thomas, born May 26, 1839, Cashier in the Monroe County Bank: David M., our subject; Martha B., born March 26, 1851, wife of James S. Scott, a farmer and stock dealer

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in Monroe City; Sarah, born April 11, 1844, died November 1, 1850; Margarette, born December 30, 1852, died Sept. 30, 1853; Columbus, born November 25, 1849, died January 9, 1850; Mary E., born April 26, 1846, died Nov. 26, 1846.

The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm adjoining his present homestead. On the original farm he remained, however, only until thirteen years of age, when he came to his present farm. On the 12th day of Decem- ber, 1865, he was married at Palmyra, Mo., to Miss Emma J. Redd, who was born at Palmyra, April 14, 1845. She is the daughter of Hon. John T. and Elizabeth (Francis) Redd. Her father was a native of Jessamine County, Ky., born Septem- ber 7, 1816, and who died December 5, 1884. John T. Redd came to this county with his parents in 1834. They settled north of Palmyra where they purchased a tract of land. He read law, was admitted to practice, and was elected Judge of the Thirteenth Judicial District, in 1858, which position he held for many years, except when the iron-clad oath, as it was termed, de- barred him from that privilege. Elizabeth Redd, his wife, was also born in Kentucky, October 2, 1823. They were the parents of eleven children, three sons and eight daughters, as follows: Ann F., wife of Alphonso Hill, a traveling salesman; Sarah V., wife of Jacob Earhart, a farmer of this county; Emily J., the wife of our subject; Mary V., wife of John R. Larkin, a contractor and builder of New Haven, Conn .; Kate F., of Dan- bury, Conn .; John T., deceased; James Miner, deceased; Edward B., a minister of the Christian Church at Lathrop, Mo .; Minnie P., wife of John Jayne, an attorney of Memphis, Mo .; Penelope, wife of Augustus Jayne of Monroe City; Fannie T., of Danbury, Conn.

Some two years after his marriage, our sub- ject removed to a farm adjoining the one that he occupied at that time, and there remained ten years, when he came to his present homestead, which he then purchased, and where he has since continued to reside. At the age twenty- one he commenced teaching school, and taught one term in this county, and then went to Ken- tucky where he also taught one term. On his

return from Kentucky, he married and began the life of a farmer. At present he is the owner of six hundred and twenty acres of land, and is also interested in a cattle ranch in Texas, the corpo- ration being known as the Monroe Cattle Com- pany. To our subject and his wife there have been born eleven children, seven sons and four daughters: Alice B., wife of Francis W. Mc- Pike, a farmer in this county; Columbus S., a lumber merchant at Stuttgartt, Ark .; John T., a minister, now in the university at Chicago; Ed- ward M., a farmer in this township; Willie W., deceased; Elizabeth E., wife of B. J. Underwood, a hardware dealer at Stuttgartt, Ark .; David M., at home; Mabel, also at home; Jacob, deceased; George, at home; James R., deceased.

In politics, Mr. Proctor is a Democrat and is a member of the Baptist Church, of which he has been deacon for the past twenty-five years.

J OSEPH R. BIGGERS, now engaged in op- erating seventy-five acres of the home farm, is one of the most energetic and progressive young agriculturists of Ralls County. The es- tate is located on Section 28, Township 54, Range 7, and on it Mr. Biggers was born, March II, 1866.

Joseph R., Sr., and Caroline M. (Lipp) Big- gers, the parents of our subject, were born, re- spectively, in Kentucky and Virginia. They were brought to Ralls County when quite young and were here reared and married. After their union they took up their abode on the place where their son is now living and where the father carried on farming until his death, which oc- curred in 1892. Their union was blest by the birth of six children, namely: Eveline, Gilson, Louisa, George H., Sarah, and Joseph R., Jr. Of these Sarah died in infancy and Gilson was accidentally killed by a falling tree in 1874.

The education of our subject was conducted in the common schools of this county, after which he continued to reside at home, assisting in car-

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

rying on the old farm, until twenty years of age. He was then seized with the Western fever and, joining a party bound for California, crossed the plains and after one year spent on a ranch re- turned home and has been contented to remain there ever since.

The marriage of Joseph R. Biggers with Miss Ada Brooks took place in Ralls County October I, 1892. Mrs. Biggers was born in 1876 near Centralia, Mo., and is the daughter of Mack B. and Gabe S. (Sweeney) Brooks, for many years residents on an estate near the above city, but who are now living in California, where the fath- er is engaged in teaching school.

Mr. Biggers has continued to make his home with his mother, and after his marriage purchased seventy-five acres of the old farm, which he is cultivating in a most admirable manner. By his union with Miss Brooks there has been born a son, Adolphus M., born May 5, 1893.

Corn, wheat, and oats form the principal prod- ucts of Mr. Biggers' farm, although he has on his place several head of fine blooded stock. In politics he has always voted the Democratic ticket. Upright and honorable in all his busi- ness transactions, he bears a most enviable name for fairness and justice, and stands high in the affections of a wide circle of friends and ac- quaintances.

J AMES W. INLOW, a well-to-do agricultur- ist of Ralls County, owns an improved farm on Section 33, Township 54, Range 5. He has been the architect of his own fortune as he commenced life empty handed and gradually, by the exercise of good business management, thrift and inlustry, has accumulated a competency.

Mr. Inlow is one of the native sons of this county, having been born in Jasper Township, March 14, 1833. His father, James Inlow, was born and grew to manhood in Kentucky. There he married Miss Ann Briscoe, likewise of the Blue Grass State, and in 1828 they made the jour- ney to Missouri, their first location being near

Frankford, Pike County. There they purchased a farm which they cultivated for about three years, when, as a good opportunity to sell pre- sented itself, they disposed of the farm and in- vested the proceeds in a quarter section of land in Ralls County. Mr. Inlow subsequently en- tered a homestead of the Government, and at one time was the proprietor of two hundred and eighty acres. He improved a portion of the land on which he continued to dwell until the Civil War broke out, when he came to live with our subject, continuing to dwell under his roof until death claimed him, July 2, 1877. His faithful companion and helpmate had died many years before, when our subject was but a child. The family numbered eight children, namely: Jane D .; Sevelia B .; John, who died in infancy; James IV .; one who died unnamed; Abraham A., now a resident of New London; Artemescia and John, the second of the same name.

The early years of our subject passed in the usual manner of farmer boys in a new country, his schooling being rather limited. He contin- ued to live at home until reaching his majority, when for two or three years he worked at the carpenter's trade and in this way managed to get a start in the business world. In 1857 he pur- chased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres and from that time onward devoted himself industriously to its development and cultivation. At present his estate comprises five hundred and twenty acres and is a valuable property. His principal crops consist of corn and fruit, and such stock as he raises is mainly for his own use.

In August, 1858, Mr. Inlow married Mary Jane Hostetter, a native of Pike County, Mo., who was born in 1838. Her parents were Am- mon and Matilda (Jackson) Hostetter, who were numbered among the early settlers of Pike County and who have long since been summoned to their reward. Mr. and Mrs. Inlow have had born to them ten children, of whom five are de- ceased: William Henry, Luther, Fannie Jane, Galvin, and one who died in infancy. Those living are James A., Matilda Ann, Charles-Ed- ward, Cora E., and Jesse Edward. They have all had good educational advantages and Charles is

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

now taking his fourth course at the college at Chillicothe. Mr. and Mrs. Inlow, with their elder children, are devoted members of the Cuni- berland Presbyterian Church.

Politically Mr. Inlow uses his right of fran- chise on behalf of Democratic nominees and measures, having been an ally of the party since reaching his majority. During the war he en- listed in a recruiting company in August, 1863, his Captain being Benjamin Ely, and his com- pany under charge of Col. Porter. He was pres- ent and took part in several skirmishes, at Kirks- ville, Walnut Creek, Charitan River, and others, and was taken prisoner in Ralls County, Mo. From October 12, until December 17, he was confined in the prisons at Hannibal and St. Louis and on being released returned home. He is known to be a man of upright and honorable character, just in his dealings, and unselfish in his motives.

J AMES H. CUNNINGHAM, the proprietor of a fine grocery at Macon, is a native of this State, having been born in Lincoln County, December 17, 1840. His parents were Andrew and Esther (Cooper) Cunningham, both of whom were born in Shelby County, Ky .; they became residents of this State as early as 1830, lo- cating at once in Lincoln County, where the father owned and managed a fine farm. Of the eleven children born to Andrew and Esther Cun- ningham, five are now living, those besides our subject being: Margaret A., wife of Daniel W. Miller, of Lincoln County, Mo .; Joel B., engaged as a carpenter in Macon; John N., a farmer near Moscow, Idaho; Andrew Milton, manages a part of the old homestead in Lincoln County. Of the six deceased, four died in early childhood; Nancy J. passed away after her marriage with George Dryden; Winnifred was seventeen years of age at the time of her demise.

The Cunninghams are of Scotch origin and early settlers in Virginia. Grandfather William Cunningham was born in Rockbridge County,

Va., as was also his wife, Margaret Taylor. This family was represented in the Revolutionary War. He was the owner of a large tract of land in the Old Dominion, which was carried on by slave labor; he also owned a distillery in that State, but lost most of his property before moving to Kentucky.

On the mother's side the grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the War of 1812. He bore the name of William L. Cooper, and in 1803 made a trip to New Orleans on a flatboat. Both parents of our subject are living, the father born June 4, 1818, and his wife born January 25, same year. A great aunt of the former was scalped by the Indians when a small child and cast aside for dead; she recovered, however, and lived to be thirty years of age. Her family were shown the scalp many years afterward by the Indians.

Our subject was at home working on the farm on the outbreak of the war; he entered the serv- ice of the Confederate Army September 9, 1861, as a member of the State Guards. Subsequently he was mustered into Company F, Second Mis- souri Infantry, under Capt. William Carter, of Louisiana, and served in what became Cockrell's Brigade. The first engagement in which he par- ticipated was at Lexington, September 6. Some time during that engagement, while rolling hemp, he was wounded and laid up in the hospital for several weeks. On recovering he rejoined his regiment and fought in the engagements at Pea Ridge, Ark., Iuka and Corinth; in the last-named conflict he lost his left leg. Although this oc- curred October 4, 1862, he did not return home until the close of the war.

In July, 1865, Mr. Cunningham again took up his abode in Lincoln County, and was variously employed until his marriage, September 1, 1868, the lady of his choice having been Miss Anna L. Cooper. Soon after their union they went to Terre Haute, Ind., where our subject was en- gaged for six years, dealing in new and second- hand goods. In October, 1876, he came to Ma- con, where he has lived ever since. For a time after taking up his abode here he lived on a farm; in 1880 was made Collector of Revenue at Macon, and six years later he was elected Re-

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

corder of Deeds, serving in this capacity for two terms.

January 26, 1895, Mr. Cunningham started in the grocery business, and by fair dealing and courteous treatment of customers has built up a good and paying business. His union with Miss Cooper has resulted in the birth of ten children, only one of whom, Esther, is deceased; Harry Lee lives in Macon ; Walter Andrew is engaged in the grocery business at Macon, Mo .; James Franklin, Esther Maude Amanda, Mary Winni- fred, William J., Jefferson Parker, Annie Laurie and Tennie Omega are the younger members of the family. Socially our subject is a member of the Confederate Association of Missouri, and in politics is an active worker in the Democratic ranks.

J I OHN WILLIAM RULE, SR., one of the progressive farmers and stockraisers of this locality, is a native of Pike County, having been born in Spencer Township, November 13, 1846. To his parents, William Griffin and Sarah M. (Attkisson) Rule, were born four children, of whom he was the eldest.

William G. Rule was born in Pendleton County, Ky., Bebruary II, 1822. His father died while he was a child and shortly after that event his mother removed to Missouri with her family, locating in Pike County, where she lived for some forty-seven years, her death occurred in 1875. On the arrival of the family here William G. was a boy six years of age and as he approached man's estate, he chose for his future career the occupation of a farmer. In 1846 he was married and with his young wife began life for themselves in Spencer Township. Here they remained until 1856 when he removed with his family to Audrain County, this State, in which section he was recog- nized as a public spirited citizen. Shortly after his removal there he was placed in nomination by the Democratic party for the office of Assessor, to which position he was elected by a handsome majority. During his incumbency of the office he

devoted himself zealously to the discharge of each duty, serving with honor to himself and satisfac- tion to those concerned.

In 1865 the father of our subject left Audrain County, and went to Pike County, Ill. His stay there was very short, however, for six months later we find him living in Ralls County, on land near New London, where it was his determina- tion to pass the remainder of his life. He was a very progressive man and interested in any and all movements set on foot for the improvement and elevation of the community in which he lived. He was genial and kindly in disposition and very liberal in his gifts to charitable causes.

Hon. Edward B. Rule, grandfather of our sub- ject, was born November 23, 1783, and passed the greater portion of his life in Kentucky. He was one of the veterans of the War of 1812, serv- ing in that conflict under General Winchester. At the time of the defeat of that general at the battle of River Raisin he was captured and held a prisoner for some time. In later years he repre- sented the Democratic party in the Kentucky Legislature and was a very prominent man in that body.

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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 68

Author: Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Chicago, C. O. Owen & Co. Number of Pages: 820

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, C. O. Owen & Co.
Number of Pages: 820