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 70
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 70
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 70
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On September 28, 1852, Nimrod Waters was united in marriage with Mary E. Alford, a native of Kentucky, who was born in 1834; she is the daughter of Payton and Lucy (Haley) Alford, both of whom were natives of the same State. ·Three children have been born unto them: Timo- thy, living in Ralls County; Stephen A., also of Ralls County, and Secretary of the Ralls County Fire Insurance Company, and William C., who is still at home. The latter is completing the study of medicine. He was educated in the common schools of the county and in the Academy at Van- dalia. He then took up the study of medicine, but subsequently entered the Lexington, Ky., University, where he remained five years and
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from whence he was graduated. He has attended two terms at the Rush Medical College of Chi- cago, and will complete the course in one more term. Connected with this family are five pro- fessors: Robert Wilson and Baxter Waters are ministers of the Gospel; Joseph White and W. T. Waters are physicians; George W. Waters is connected with the Missouri State Agricultural Association, and Henry J. Waters.
In 1847 Mr. Waters purchased one hundred and forty acres of Government land, which he im- proved, and where he has continued to reside. At one time Mr. Waters was the possessor of eight hundred acres, which he divided among his chil- dren. The place was never mortgaged and the original patent is yet in his possession. His first house was a log cabin, the logs of which he cut and hewed himself, and his present residence was erected in 1864. He was the first to venture out on the prairie land, the early settlers locating in the timber and near springs of water. In 1866 he was elected Judge of the County Court, was re- elected in 1870, and has served ten years. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1856 and served four years. Religiously he is a member of the Christian Church, which he has attended for nearly fifty years, the greater part of the time hold- ing some office in the church, such as Deacon, Elder and Clerk. Mrs. Waters is also a member of the same church, first uniting in 1849. There has never been a death in the family, and Mr. Waters has had very few doctor's bills to pay.
H ON. SAMUEL MEGOWN, who for six- teen years has been Justice of the Peace of his township, has also held the hon- ored office of Judge of his county. For many years he was actively interested in agricultural pursuits, but at present he is living retired from work of any kind on his fine estate, located on Section 27, Township 56, Range 6, Ralls County.
Mr. Megown is a native of Pennsylvania, hav- ing been born in the City of Pittsburgh, January I, 18II, to John and Sarah (Addie) Megown.
His father was a native of County Down, Ireland, his birth occurring in the year 1778 and his death July 30, 1826. His wife was born in a block house among the wilds of Steubenville, Ohio, in 1786 and was eighty-four years of age at the time of her decease.
The parents of our subject were united in mar- riage in Allegheny County, Pa., in which State the father died many years thereafter. He was an extensive farmer and also owned a large grist and saw mill, which he operated with splendid success. He was very prominent in the affairs of his county and well and favorably known to its residents. He departed this life in Butler County, Pa., and his wife died while living in Beaver County. John Megown came to Amer- ica with his parents in the year 1782.
Our subject was their eldest child; Elizabeth, now deceased, was first the wife of a Mr. Phil- lips who was killed in the Florida war, and sev- eral years later she was again married; Sarah J. is deceased, as is also Alexander, who died in 1874; Mary J. is the wife of John Shepler, a man- ufacturer of Brighton, Pa .; Hugh L. died in Mis- souri in 1836; Robert J. is also deceased, and Ellen is the wife of Alexander Gray of Kentucky.
The original of this sketch was five years of age when his parents removed to Butler County, Pa. There he made his home until sixteen years old when he returned to his native city, Pitts- burgh, and lived there for nine years. While a resident of these places he attended the public schools and in Pittsburgh became acquainted with the business of brickmaking, which he fol- lowed until coming to Ralls County, in the year 1836. He at once made location in Clay Town- ship, Ralls County, and for two years lived there engaged in making brick. He then changed his location to Saline Township, Ralls County, and later became a resident of Spencer Township, living there until 1882, in the meantime combin- ing with his former business that of farming.
In 1882 Mr. Megown located on his present estate, which comprises a quarter section of some of the finest and most productive land in Ralls County. He has been remarkably successful in its cultivation and derives a handsome income
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therefrom. He has always been actively inter- ested in public affairs and during the years 1862- 63-64 was County Assessor. From 1865 to 1868 he was Deputy Assessor under Thomas C. Rice. In 1870 he was elected Judge of Ralls County and during his term very efficiently filled this re- sponsible office. He has been Justice of the Peace for a period of sixteen years and has long taken a very prominent part in the civic and po- litical life of the county and town and has filled with ability many offices, being Supervisor of Registration in 1866, and Postmaster in Spencer Township in 1881.
Mr. Megown was married April 22, 1832, to Miss Julia A. McCrady, who was born in Alle- gheny County, Pa., September 5, 1815. She was the daughter of Stewart and Margaret (McCoy) McCrady, also Pennsylvanians by birth, in which State the father died in 1889 at the advanced age of ninety-three years. The mother came to this county in 1862 and for the remainder of her life lived with our subject, her death occurring in 1867, when in her seventy-eighth year. To Mr. and Mrs. McCrady there were born the follow- ing-named children: Julia A., Mrs. Megown ; Henry, now deceased; Margaret married Wil- liam Johnson and died in Kentucky; Agnes is the widow of Thomas Scott, who was a large manufacturer of St. Louis; she now makes her home in Philadelphia, Pa .; George is a resident of Beaver County, Pa., where he is engaged in the mercantile business.
To Mr. and Mrs. Megown there has been born a family of ten children, six sons and four daugh- ters, as follows: John, a prominent attorney and ex-Judge of New London, Mo .; George A., a farmer of Morgan County, this State; Samuel, an enterprising miller of Monroe City, Mo .; Robert K., veterinary surgeon of Monroe City; Margaret J., deceased; Sarah A., the wife of Wil- liam A. Couch, a farmer of this township: Agnes, deceased; Julia, Mrs. John K. Longwell, lives on a beautiful estate in this township; James H. runs a grain elevator at Elsbery, Mo., and Thomas S. resides with his father.
In religious affairs Mr. Megown is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in the work of which
he takes an active part. He is an Odd Fellow in good standing, and in politics never fails to cast a vote in favor of Republican candidates. He is a man of many pleasant social qualities and of sterling habits, and is well liked by the entire community.
J OHN B. CARROLL. The worthy subject of this sketch is one of the leading farmers of Pike County, of which he is a native. His birth occurred one and one-half miles from where he is now living, September 4, 1848. The chil- dren born to Elias L. and Elizabeth (Stark) Car- roll were ten in number, of whom John B. was the fourth in order of birth.
The father of our subject is also a native of this State, his birth occurring (1817) about one mile south of where his son, John B., now resides. There Grandfather Joseph Carroll located in 1816 and reared a large family, including eleven sons and daughters. Elias L., when approaching man- hood, chose the life of a farmer, following this vo- cation during his entire life. On the outbreak of the late war he enlisted in the State Militia and, as the result of exposures and hardships to which he was subjected, lost his life. He was an ardent Republican in politics and honored by all who knew him for his fine character and business ability, and was well liked by reason of his pleas- ing qualities. His demise occurred October 20, 1862.
The mother of our subject was also a native of this State, having been born about the year 1823, six miles south of Louisiana, where she grew to womanhood and met and married Mr. Carroll. She was a woman possessing a sunny disposition, and well-fitted in every way to become the com- panion of her worthy husband. After the death of Elias Carroll she continued to reside on the home place until her sons and daughters were grown and established in homes of their own, when she divided the property and, through the solicitude of her daughters, has ever since made her home with them.
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The original of this sketch remained at home until attaining his majority, during the meantime gaining a good education in the common schools. From the age of fourteen years he assisted in the management of the home farm, and when at that age his father died, the greater part of the re- sponsibility of keeping up the place fell upon his young shoulders. This early experience in life instilled in him the qualities of independence and self-reliance which stood him in good stead later in life. At the age of twenty-five years he was married to Miss Mildred F. Varnon, the date thereof being December 5, 1872. After their union the young couple moved upon a small place of their own and began life for themselves. Mr. Carroll gradually prospered in his various undertakings, until today he is one of the well- to-do and leading farmers of the county.
To our subject and his estimable wife have been born eight children, all of whom are living: Ora E., an accomplished and educated young lady, is now teaching in the public schools of Louisiana, this State; Emma E., J. Merle, Clay- ton, Ruth, Malcolm, Anna and John are with their parents. Politically Mr. Carroll affiliates with the Republican party, in whose success he is greatly interested. He is a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, with which he has been connected since 1868. His name will always be found on the donators' list to worthy charities; as one of the prosperous farmers of Pike County we are pleased to be able to publish this brief sketch of his life among its best citizens.
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· B. AYRES, M. D., is one of the foremost physicians of Louisiana, where he has dwelt for over a quarter of a century. He enjoys an extensive practice, and is very popular as a neighbor, friend and citizen. Unlike many members of the medical profession, he is a close student and devotes much of his time to research and reading.
The doctor was born in Pike County, Mo., Jan-
uary 5, 1839, being the son of Thomas J. and Elizabeth (Lewis) Ayres. The former, a native of Shelby County, Ky., was born in 1810, and was a son of John Ayres, of Virginia. The latter and his wife, who was a Miss Bondurant, were of French descent. They made the journey to Ken- tucky on horseback about the first of this cen- tury, and settled on a farm in the wilderness. Of their large family but three children grew to maturity, namely: Thomas J., Joseph and Betsey. The daughter married Peter F. Gates and came to reside in Pike County, Mo., where her death occurred. The parents of these children were de- voted members of the Baptist Church, and were most estimable people. Thomas J. Ayres was also an agriculturist, and from the fall of 1830 until the time of his death was a resident of Spen- cer Township, this county. In the early days of his residence here he was very fond of hunting and fishing, and game was in abundance. Po- litically he was a Whig, and in later life a Demo- crat. For years he was identified with the old- school Baptist denomination, and died in that faith in June, 1871, at his old home. His wife, Elizabeth, was a native of Kentucky, in which State her parents, who were farmers, died. Mr. and Mrs. Ayres had ten children, as follows: Mar- tha J., now the widow of Jack Cash, of New Lon- don; Rebecca, widow of F. M. Read, now living at Farber, Audrain County ; Agnes (deceased), for merly the wife of John B. Brown, also deceased; John H., who owns a farm near Curreyville; Elizabeth A. Rose (deceased); Eliza, widow of John A. Gates; Joseph S., who operates the old homestead; S. B., Amos B., of St. Louis; Thomas J., of Bowling Green, whose sketch appears in this volume.
The early life of the doctor was passed on the farm, where he remained until in his eighteenth year. In the meantime he obtained a fair general education, and when in his nineteenth year had made such good progress in his studies that he was admitted to Bethel College, Palmyra. He continued there until reaching his majority, a part of the time being employed in teaching, and in 1861 took up medical work in Palmyra. Sub- sequently he entered Rush Medical College, Chi-
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cago, from which well-known institution he grad- uated in 1864. On beginning practice he decided to locate at Spencerburgh, Pike County, but on the expiration of two years became a permanent resident of Louisiana. From the first he has been very successful, and has been particularly fortunate in his treatment of chronic cases. In order to keep in touch with the spirit of the times more fully, he belongs to the Tri-State Medical Association, and studies with interest everything relating to modern discovery in his chosen work.
October 24, 1864, the doctor was married, at Spencerburgh, to Susan E., daughter of Thomas P. and Sarah (Thomas) Woodson, all natives of Virginia. The family emigrated to this county when Mrs. Ayres was a girl of twelve years. Her mother, now eighty-six years of age, enjoys good healtlı and activity of body and mind. Both the doctor and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Politically our subject is a Democrat, and socially he is identified with Perseverance Lodge No. 192, A. F. and A. M.
J OHN D. M'GEE is engaged with a Mr. O'Donnell in operating a fine tract of land in Township 54, Range 7, Ralls County. He was born in that county and township Sep- tember 5, 1865, to Conrad and Mary McGee, also natives of that county. The father, who in early life was a blacksmith, followed that trade for many years, but during his later years engaged in agricultural pursuits and was working at this in- dustry at the time of his decease, July 27, 1892. His wife's demise occurred June 13, 1880.
To Conrad McGee and wife there were born five children, of whom the eldest son, Martin, married Belle Shear, and is now engaged in farm- ing in Monroe County, this State; Robert is a resident of the home place: John D., of this
sketch, was the third born; Nannie married Rob- ert Carter and is now living on a good tract of land near our subject; Mary, deceased, was the wife of Alfred Cox, who now resides in Monroe.
The subject of this sketch was eighteen years of age when he began life's battle for himself. His first business was as a general merchant at Green Lawn, this State, but after two years he found his venture was not a paying one, and dis- posing of his stock of goods turned his attention to farming, near Perry. This tract of land he rented for a year, after which he rented the old McGee farm and was engaged in its cultivation until April 15, 1895, when he moved to his pres- ent estate, and since that time has been conduct- ing the same with Mr. O'Donnell, who is the owner of the place.
March 20, 1895, Mr. McGee and Miss Mary L. Clary were united in marriage. Mrs. McGee was born in Henry County, Mo., February 23. 1872, and is the daughter of William and Martha J. (Colson) Clary. Her parents were natives of Tennessee, where they were married. They afterward removed to Henry County, Mo., and in 1878 to Ralls County, where the father died in 1888 at the age of forty-two years. The mother, who was born in 1846, now resides in Monroe County, Mo., with her son, John R. The chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Clary were John R .; David G .; Alice L., the wife of J. Craft, now residing in Ralls County; Mary L., wife of our subject; and Stella M. Mr. Clary was an extensive farmer and stock raiser. Mrs. Clary is a member of the Christian Church.
In politics our subject is a Democrat, which ticket he has voted since attaining his majority, with one exception, when his ballot was cast in favor of a Republican nominee. Mrs. McGee is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is an active worker in the same. They are both highly thought of in the com- munity and well deserve the respect and esteem in which they are held.
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JAMES H. KEITH.
MRS. SARAH A. KEITH.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
557
JAMES H. KEITH.
J AMES H. KEITH, now deceased, was one of the progressive and well-known farmers and stock-raisers of Ralls County. He was a native of this State, born in Marion County, February 29, 1828. He was the third of a family of eight children born to Zepheniah and Barbara (Hornbach) Keith, of whom two now survive. Zepheniah Keith was a native of Bourbon County, Ky., where he grew to manhood, was married, and in 1827 came to Marion County, Mo., with his family, becoming one of the earliest settlers of that county. After a short residence there he moved across the line into Ralls County, and settled where he was destined to remain the rest of his life. His death occurred in August, 1844. He was a devout member of the Methodist Church for many years, and was a warm friend to all charitable and educational movements.
James H. Keith, of this sketch, grew to man- hood on his father's farm in Ralls County, and acquired his education in the primitive schools of his locality. In 1850, shortly after attaining his majority, he decided to seek his fortune in the gold fields of California. Joining a wagon train, after a three months' journey he arrived at Pla- cerville, where for one year he sought the precious metal with fair success only. In 1851 he em- barked on board a vessel bound for the Isthmus of Panama; on arriving there, he went down the Chagres River some distance in an old dug-out canoe, and there took a steamer for Hannibal. The ocean voyage was anything but a joyous one, as the dread disease, cholera, had fastened itself on the vessel's passengers and many a loving fatlier, husband and son were destined never to
return home. Our subject's traveling companion was taken ill after returning to Hannibal, and was cared for and attended to by Mr. Keith dur- ing his last days on earth.
The mother of our subject having died during his absence, he returned home and took charge of the farm, buying out the interest of the other heirs, and until 1859 he cultivated that prop- erty. He then sold the place and moved to Aud- rain County, where he remained four years, when he came back to Ralls County and settled where the family now resides. His marriage to Miss Sarah A. LeFever occurred on September 25, 1855. She was born in Marion County, Mo., on January 22, 1835, and is a daughter of Samuel and Rebecca R. (Kelsey) LeFever, natives re- spectively of Pennsylvania and Maryland. The former was born in the Keystone State on Janu- ary 26, 1793, and there grew to manhood, four years after which (April 23, 1818) he was married to his wife in Ohio. The latter was born in Mary- land on July 30, 1795. The union of Mr. and Mrs. LeFever was blessed with the following- named eight children: Mary J., born February 27, 1819, is the wife of Franklin Pepper, and they reside in Marion County; Elizabeth, born April 29, 1821, and died August 21, 1891, was the wife of Deskin Elzea (also deceased); Rebecca A., born October 2, 1824, is the wife of James A. Elzea, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Emily, born November 12, 1828, never married, residing on the old homestead in Marion County; Samuel V., born July 22, 1832, is sketched elsewhere in this volume; Sarah A., born January 22, 1835, is the widow of our subject;
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
David N., born January 4, 1837, died October 7, 1864-killed a prisoner after the war; Victoria, born January 10, 1841, is the wife of Thomas Smith.
In 1820 Samuel LeFever immigrated with his wife and child from Ohio to Marion County, Mo., and settled near Palmyra, where he re- mained for several years; then he moved with his little family to near Hannibal, Mo., where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives, be- coming people of much prominence long ere they passed from earth. The father of our subject's wife was of an unusually hardy nature and lived to see his ninety-fifth birthday, dying on Febru- ary 22, 1888 (aged ninety-five years and twenty- six days). Her mother lived to see as many years as the husband to whom she was devoted, her death taking place on March 13, 1891 (aged ninety-five years, seven months and fourteen days).
Mrs. Sarah A. Keith, the daughter of the foregoing couple, grew to womanhood, and coming into our subject's life made his home, through her cheerful nature and housewifely traits, one of happiness and contentment, and to this he owes, to a great extent, his success in life. To this union were born eight children, all of whom are still living: Americus Z. is married and engaged in farming in Pike County; James Samuel is married and engaged in farming in Ralls County ; David O. is single and lives on the home farm; Rebecca A. married George Wilson, a farmer of Ralls County ; Joseph H. is a farmer of Pike County; Robert K. is married and a farmer in Ralls County; Emma P. married William Stark, a farmer in Pike County; Byron H. lives on the home farm.
Mr. Keith was a progressive man, a thoroughly practical farmer, and during his life acquired some six hundred and forty acres of valuable land in the vicinity of his home farm. He arrayed him- self on the right side of any movement appertain- ing to the public welfare. He was a member of the Triple Alliance, and in his political belief was a Democrat. His public spirit won for him the esteem and confidence of the community. His death occurred April 26, 1895.
A LFRED POND, a wealthy and thrifty farmer of Marion County, is now living retired from the active duties of life on Section 30, Warren Township. Among the solid and influential men of this county he takes front rank, and by all who know him is held in high esteem. He is one of the largest tax-payers in this section, being the proud possessor of three hundred and sixty acres of some of the most valuable land in this portion of the State.
Like many of the best residents of Missouri, our subject came from Kentucky, having been born in Bourbon County, October 27, 18II. His parents were David and Sarah A. Pond, the former of whom was born in the State of New York and died in Illinois in 1845 at the age of seventy-five years. His wife was a Ken- tuckian by birth and departed this life in 1863, in her seventy-fourth year.
To David W. and Sarah Pond there were born the following children: Alfred, of this sketch; Lucinda, who married Samuel Vance, and died in Shelby County, Mo., where her husband is now living; and Joseph, a retired fruit-grower of Mississippi. The father of this family passed away on his farm in Adams County, Ill., while his wife passed her last days with our subject.
The original of this sketch was united in mar- riage in the spring of 1853 with Miss Mary A. Palmer, who was born in Bourbon County, Ky., December 27, 1824. She was his companion and helpmate until 1892, when in December of that year she was called hence. Her parents were William and Cassandre (McCarty) Palmer, who spent all their lives in their native State, Ken- tucky. There her father was a merchant and also was well known as a great horseman, being the owner of several fine animals. To them were born the following named sons and daughters: Jane, John, Sarah, Angeline, Malvina, Cynthia, America, Mary A., Amanda, and Cassandre, the only survivor.
To Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Pond there have been born five children, two sons and three daughters. Of these, William is a farmer of this county, in good circumstances; John is deceased; Sarah married Price Young, who is a farmer of Mon-
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roe County, Mo .; Luttie is now Mrs. Kinney, whose husband is an agriculturist of Montana, and Cassandre, who died while young.
The original of this sketch was reared in his native county on his father's farm and resided under the parental roof until attaining the age of twenty-one. He then began in life for himself, and thinking to make a fortune in the West, went to Adams County, Ill. He remained but one year, however, when he returned home and a twelvemonth later went to Kentucky and there- after made a visit to Mississippi. His next trip to this State was in 1850, when he went south in order to settle up his mother's estate. He was well pleased with the outlook there and remained for several years. On his return he took up his abode on his present farm, which at first com- prised one hundred and sixty acres. He is a practical agriculturist and so well has he pros- pered in his various undertakings that he is now the proprietor of three hundred and sixty acres, containing all the improvements noticeable on a first-class estate.
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