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 74

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 74
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 74
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 74

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On the night of December 31, 1888, while peacefully reposing in his beautiful home in the heart of the city he had helped to create, knowing not that he had an enemy in the world, and un- conscious of his impending danger, the assassin, with stealthy, noiseless tread, entered his cham- ber, and raising a heavy axe above his head struck out his life. Thus, in the prime of mental and physical vigor and usefulness, without a moment's warning, he was taken away from home, from friends, and the community wherein he was beloved. Years have passed, and yet the guilty party is still outside the law.

Mr. Stillwell was one of the strong characters of Hannibal; he was a man of great energy and executive ability, deliberate in thought and firm in resolution. His word was never broken, and his promise to pay was considered as good as a note at hand. He was always ready to take up any measure for the advancement of Hannibal that appealed to his judgment. He left a large estate, which, at the time of his death, was rap- idly accumulating. He was eminently a domes- tic man, a devoted husband and a kind father; large in his benevolence and charities, freely giv- ing of his means to every worthy cause. As such he passed to a better land, deeply lamented by the people who had known and loved him.

Richard H. Stillwell, of Hannibal, son of the late Amos J. Stillwell, was born in Boonville, Mo., June 9, 1856. He was educated at Kemper's school, Boonville, Mo., and when of sufficient

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age entered the business house of his father and soon took an active part in its affairs. It was not long before he became the right hand man of his father in his extensive business.

Two years after the demise of the latter the business was incorporated under the name of The A. J. Stillwell Meat Company, with a capital stock of eighty thousand dollars. Richard H. Stillwell became President, C. F. Hodgdon, Vice-President, and L. E. Turner, Secretary and Treasurer. In 1890 the company erected their first ice plant and two years later business had increased to such proportions that they found it necessary to erect a larger one to meet the de- mands of their large and increasing trade. The two plants have now a capacity of thirty tons per day. They ship their meats to Illinois, In- dian Territory, Kansas, Texas, and all parts of Missouri, and do a business amounting to over half a million dollars annually. It is now one of the great industries of Hannibal and worthy the attention of visitors to that city.

Richard H. Stillwell was united in marriage at Hannibal, April 28, 1886, to Lulu, the accom- plished daughter of Cornelius and Elizabeth A. (Gordon) Voorhis. (See sketch of Mr. Voorh's in another part of this volume.) Mrs. Stillwell was born at St. Louis, Mo., Sept. 16, 1861, and was educated at Mary Institute of that city, and at Jacksonville, Ill. To this union have been born three children: Voorhis, Amos J., and Mar- garet. Mrs. Stillwell is a member of the Epis- copal Church, and takes an active part in church affairs as well as in literary societies.

In addition to his packing and ice business, Mr. Stillwell has other large interests to con- mand his attention. He is president of the Han- nibal Pressed Brick Company, which was es- tablished in 1894. This company has a fine clay bed and turns out as good a quality of brick as is made in the State. Mr. Stillwell, like his father, also takes a good deal of pleasure in looking after his large farm across the river in Chenal Ecarte, or Sni Cartee, or Sni Bottoms, as it is commonly called. He has one of the finest resi- dences in the city, overlooking the broad Missis- sippi, where he and his good wife dwell happily

in domestic enjoyment, and where they delight in the entertainment of their host of friends.

In politics, Mr. Stillwell affiliates with the Re- publican party, and takes an active interest in the success of its principles.

Mr. Stillwell is like his father in many respects. He has good executive ability, and is an organ- izer and leader in business circles. He is strong in his convictions, likes and dislikes, and is broad-minded, progressive and cosmopolitan. He is liberal, generous, genial of heart and com- panionable, popular and highly esteemed by the people.

W ILLIAM A. MOSS is proprietor of the "Moss Rose" stock farm, situated on Section 25, Township 57, Range 7, and is one of the most prominent and widely known farmers and breeders of fine stock in Marion County. He may well be proud of the fact that he has never had a lawsuit, though his business transactions have been very extensive, and he is now well off in this world's goods.

Mr. Moss is one of the pioneers of this county, his birth having occurred here, February II, 1842. His parents were John A. and Hester A. (Griffith) Moss. The former was a son of Luke and Hannah (Mackey) Moss, natives of Ken- tucky and South Carolina respectively. They were married in Pike County, Mo., and were among the earliest settlers of this county, where Mr. Moss passed the remainder of his life, his wife subsequently moving to Pike County, where she died. They were large slave holders and owned several tracts of land. Of their four chil- dren Harrison W. is dead; Louisa is the widow of Benjamin Thresher, of Madison, Monroe County, Mo .; and Mary A. is the wife of John A. Stevenson, of Monroe City, Mo. Our sub- ject's father died April 20, 1891, in Marion County, at the good old age of seventy-one years. The mother, who was born in Bourbon County, Ky., in 1821, was the daughter of Major and Saralı (Hayden) Griffith, who moved to Marion

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County in 1830. Mrs. Moss is one of eight chil- dren, the three eldest of whom, Frank, Enoch, and Hayden, are deceased; Caroline, widow of Daniel McCloud, resides in Palmyra; Betsey is the wife of Robert Colbert, a farmer of La Fay- ette County, Mo .; Beckie is deceased; and Jen- nie became the wife of William Barger, a farmer and stock-dealer of this county. Mrs. Hester Moss is now making her home with her son, William A.

The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's homestead, and received good common school advantages. When he was twenty-four years of age he left home to seek his own live- lihood, and soon moved to his present farm, one hundred and twenty acres of which was given to him by his father for past services. He has increased the boundaries of the homestead until it now numbers two hundred and forty acres. In 1889 he purchased the famous stallion "Rose Berry," and at the present time is the owner of "Tube Rose," the pedigreed number being 327, and also of the famous "Blossom Second," a Kentucky-bred animal sixteen hands in height. In 1890 the owner gave his farm its present title of "Moss Rose."

In 1867 Mr. Moss married Jennie C. Earhart, a native of Palmyra, Marion County, born April 13, 1838. Her father, Philip M., born in Virginia in 1812, was a son of Philip and Mary Earhart, and died May 9, 1892. His brother, Jacob, is a resident of California, and his two sisters, Eliza- beth and Mary, are deceased. His father subse- quently married the widow of a Mr. Drake, but had no children by that union. The mother of Mrs. Moss, residing with our subject and wife, was a Miss Leeanna Graham, of Virginia. Her parents died when she was only two years old, and her only sister, Levina, is the wife of W. A. Brewster, a retired farmer of Baraboo, Wis. Philip M. and Leeanna Earhart were the parents of the following children: Newton, who died when young; William H., deceased; Jacob, a farmer of this county; Jennie C., wife of our subject; Annie G., wife of Cal Crane, a farmer of this county; Benjamin F., who is farming in Arkansas; Thomas E., a druggist of Palmyra;

Philip, deceased; and one who died in infancy. The father of this family settled in Palmyra in very early days and worked at his trade as a blacksmith, and was also extensively interested in farming. He was the owner of several slaves, as was the custom in the section of country from which he came. In 1857 he removed to this township and here passed the rest of his life.

William A. Moss and wife have had five sons and three daughters, namely: Madison G., de- ceased; Thomas A., a farmer in this county; Anna L. and Willina, who are residing with their parents; an infant son, deceased; Philip E., William A., and Lutie. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church, and rank among the most influential people of this section. Mr. Moss has never aspired to political office, but votes with the Democratic party.

J ASPER S. CASH. The life of this gentle- man, of which we give a brief outline, af- fords an illustration of the power of courage and industry in enabling a man to overcome early difficulties of no ordinary kind. Mr. Cash embarked in life with no means, but, undaunted by obstacles, he labored untiringly, displayed good judgment in the investment of his earnings, and now, as the reward of his efforts, has gained prosperity and is living retired in Frankford, Pike County, four and one-half miles from which place he was born, January 15, 1837.

The parents of our subject were John and Ann (Shotwell) Cash, the former of whom was born in Mason County, Ky., where he was a farmer. He made the trip to this State by wagon in 1830 or 1831, and entering from the Government two hun- dred and thirty-four acres of land, had this large tract partially improved at the time of his decease, in 1840. He was a Whig in politics, but aside from casting a ballot during election times never mixed in public life. He was one of the earliest members of the Christian Church in this locality, and aided very materially in the support of the

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congregation. Of the seven children comprised in his household, Mary E. died when young; John passed away in 1890; William was the next born, and at present he lives in Peno Township, Pike County; Rachel married John Nichols and died at Perry, Mo., in 1892; Benjamin was a young man of twenty-one years at the time of his decease; Cornelia E. is the widow of Garret S. Thornton, of Henrietta, Texas, and Jasper S., of this sketch, who was the youngest but one of the family.

Mrs. Ann Cash, mother of our subject, was also a native of Mason County, Ky., and died while living in Perry, this State, in 1892, at the age of eighty-five years. She had been three times married, and was the daughter of John and Sarah (Boroughs) Shotwell. Grandfather John Shotwell came to America from Ireland and died in Mason County, Ky., where he was a farmer. He was born January 29, 1777, and died July 4, 1824. He was first married to Rachel Dyke, who was born September 16, 1785, and died October I, 1808, leaving two children, Anna, the mother of our subject, and Laura. His second wife bore him five children.

The education of our subject was limited to a few years' attendance in the primitive log school house, as, when fourteen years old, he began working out by the month. He was thus en- ployed for the following four years, when he rented a piece of land, which he operated for him- self until 1867. He had so managed affairs that in that year he was enabled to make his first pur- chase of land, which consisted of eighty, acres, lo- cated four and one-half miles east of Frankford, for which he paid thirty-five dollars per acre. To this he later added another tract of eighty acres, which was mostly covered with timber, and for this he paid thirty-one dollars per acre. As the years passed by he continued to prosper in his every venture, and the next addition to his estate embraced two hundred and sixteen acres. This latter tract he afterward sold for a goodly sum of money and became the possessor of seventy-six acres adjoining his other property. Land in the vicinity of his home rapidly advanced in value,

and when Mr. Cash desired to purchase a tract of two hundred and forty acres he was obliged to pay forty-six dollars for a portion of it. He made a specialty of stock-raising, having on his place the best grades of Hereford cattle, Poland-China and Cheshire-White hogs and Shropshire sheep. In this department of agriculture he was very suc- cessful, and in 1890 decided to take life easy, and removed to Frankford, where he has a pleasant home, surrounded with everything which will in any way add to his comfort and that of his family.

Miss Emarine Porter became the wife of our subject October 24, 1862. She, too, was born near Frankford and was the daughter of Nathaniel and Lucinda (Bailey) Porter. Her father was a native of Harrison County, Ky., whence he came to Missouri about 1825. Here he was married, and afterwards entered and improved two hun- dred acres of land. This tract he sold and became the owner of three hundred and sixty acres on Salt River, where he died, aged eighty-five years. His wife, who was born in Kanawha County, W. Va., passed away several years before his deatlı.

Mrs. Cash had nine brothers and sisters, all of whom were reared to mature years, with one ex- ception. They were Armilla, Mrs. Emitt Steel; Ann, who married a Mr. Dunkham, and on his death became the wife of Thomas Ford; John died when an infant; Elizabeth became Mrs. La Bome, and is now deceased; Parthena, Mrs. Summers, is deceased, as are James, George, Na- thaniel and Alice. The Porters are of Scotch- Irish descent and the Baileys of French origin.

The four children comprised in the household of our subject and his wife are William R., liv- ing on the home place; Lou Ann, the wife of James Pritchett; George, who died at the age of six years, and Etha Bell, who lives at home. They have all been given good educations and fitted to occupy useful positions in life. Mrs. Cash is a devoted member of the Christian Church. In politics our subject was in early life a Whig, but for a number of years he has voted the Demo- cratic ticket. He has many warm friends through- out this section, and in every respect is deserving of the high esteem in which he is held.

(yours Truly 9. 76, Rector

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

585

HON. JESSE H. RECTOR.

H ON. JESSE H. RECTOR is the proprie- tor of Elk Lick Springs, which is one of the most pleasant summer resorts in the State of Missouri, and which is located in Pike County, and where he is also holding the respon- sible office of Postmaster. He is widely and fa- vorably known throughout this section as a prom- inent and wealthy agriculturist, and we know that the reader will take interest in learning the details of his business career and private interests connected with his busy life.

Mr. Rector is a native of Fauquier County, Va., and was born January 21, 1815. His parents were Vincent and Artimesia (Bowie) Rector. The for- mer was also a Virginian by birth and died in 1855 in the seventy-fourth year of his age. In 1836 Vincent Rector moved to Morgan County, Ill., from his native State, and after a residence there of two years went to Spencer Township, Pike County, Mo., which was his place of resi- dence until 1850. That year he removed to Ralls County, where he was residing at the time of his decease. He was a patriot in the War of 1812, and during the years in which he lived in Mis- souri gained an enviable reputation as an agri- culturist and citizen. He was one in a family of six children: Joseph, Thomas, Kittie, who was married to William Tripplett; Vincent, and two other sisters, who were married to two brothers, Miller by name.

The mother of our subject was likewise born in the Old Dominion, being a native of Culpeper County, where her birth occurred September 25, 1784. She passed away in 1849, aged sixty-five years. She was married to Vincent Rector in Fauquier County, Va., December 25, 1809, and to them were born a family of eleven children, as

follows: John H., deceased; Katie, now de- ceased, the wife of John Glassock, who during his life followed the occupation of farmer and shoe- maker; Susan, also deceased; Jesse H. was the next born; James S., deceased; Bayless, an ex- tensive farmer of Ralls County, living in New London, of whom see sketch in another part of this volume; Matilda, married to James Nally, both deceased; Burr P. departed this life in 1884; Harriet married Ichabod Butler, formerly a farmer of Pike County, and both are deceased, as are also Mary J., who married D. J. Almond, and George W.

Jesse H. Rector took unto himself a wife in 1840, in the person of Miss Cynthia Strother, who was born in Fauquier County, Va. She was the daughter of French Strother, of Virginia, where the mother lived and died. 'Later Mr. Strother, in company with his son Elijah, visited Illinois, where he was taken sick and died. His family of four children included the following: Elijah and Cynthia, deceased; Reuben, a retired farmer of Pike County, Mo., and Robert, also deceased.

Mrs. - Rector became the mother of two sons and four daughters. She departed this life in 1870, aged sixty-two years. Her children were Elizabeth B., the widow of Joseph Merritt, a cat- tle dealer of California, and now living with her father; Lucinda Jane was married to Jefferson G. James, the owner of large landed interests in California and the President of the Bank of Fresno; his possessions in that State in lands ag- gregate fifty thousand acres; Elijah Rector is the proprietor of a hotel in Nevada City, Cal., where he also does a good business as a money broker; Bayless S. is the partner of Elijah in his hotel enterprise; Martha A. is deceased; Jennie was

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married to John D. James; both are dead; the latter was a farmer and banker of Ralls County, Mo., and one of its wealthiest citizens.

Our subject continued to reside on the farm in Fauquier County until a year after reaching his majority, when he left home and began the battle of life for himself. His first employment was in making rails, for which he received about twelve dollars per month. Not being at all satisfied with his employer he remained with him only two months, when his services were secured by an- other farmer who paid him better wages. Mr. Rector was very economical and industrious, and about 1840 paid down in silver five hundred dol- lars for one hundred and twenty acres of land in Spencer Township, Pike County, Mo., whither he had removed. The tract cost him eight hundred dollars when it was all paid for, and after improv- ing the same he disposed of it for fifteen hundred dollars, thus making a snug little sum out of the transaction, which he divided with a partner whom he had associated with him. In 1856 he purchased the interest of this second party in all their enterprises and became the proprietor of eighty acres of his present farm of two hundred acres in Pike County. In addition to this he has four farms in Ralls County, which aggregate four hundred and twenty acres. As has already been shown he is a man of push and energy, and it is to such residents that Spencer Township owes its present good financial standing among its sister townships in the county. He is a resolute, wide- awake man, whose forcible character has placed him in the front rank of the wealthy residents of the State.

From 1848 to 1852 he served efficiently as Jus- tice of the Peace. In 1873 he was appointed Post- master and has been retained in office with each change of administration, which speaks well for his faithful discharge of the duties of this respon- sible position. He is not connected with any re- ligious denomination, but takes a leading part in all worthy movements, and by trying to follow out the teachings of the Golden Rule has made many warm friends in the county. In politics he is a strong Democrat, although prior to the outbreak of the war he was a Whig and an admirer of Henry

Clay. As has already been stated, Elk Lick Springs is visited each summer by many people seeking rest and health. The water at this noted resort possesses peculiar health-giving powers, which makes it mnuch desired by those who are ailing. Mr. Rector has built here a large house containing twenty-six rooms, elegantly furnished, besides two cottages of five rooms each, which will accommodate many visitors. He has on his farm two hundred and twenty-five hogs and about seventy head of cattle, and has found the stock- raising business to be a profitable one. He is truly self-made, and notwithstanding the many reverses which almost invariably attend the career of bread-winners, he has come boldly to the front and is now one of the wealthy and influential citi- zens of Pike County.

W ILLIAM MADISON HAWKER, one of the prominent and progressive citi- zens of Marion County, is a resident of Section 6, Township 56, Range 8. He com- menced his career at the bottom of the ladder and has ascended step by step until he is now wealthy and correspondingly influential. He is one of those men who press forward in one direc- tion toward a destined goal, turning aside neither to the right or left, and not discouraged by ad- verse circumstances. With the exception of serving as School Director, which he has done efficiently for the past four years, he has never been induced to hold office, though he has dis- charged his duties as a citizen according to his convictions.

Frederick Hawker, father of William M., was born in Germany and died in 1870, when sixty years of age. On arriving at maturity he mar- ried Louisa Heinter, who was born in the same place and who died in 1872, when in her sixty- first year. They were the parents of the follow- ing children: William M .; Charles died in the army; Mary is the wife of Finley Mitchel, who is a farmer in Missouri; Lizzie was twice mar-

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ried, first to John Mitchell, and after his death to William Barnett, who operates a farm in this township; Fannie is the wife of Joe Freland, who owns a farm, and is a school teacher in Kansas; Etta married Ed Eddings, a farmer of Lewis County; John is the proprietor of a farm in Bit- ter Root Valley, Mont .; Frederick Hawker emi- grated from the Fatherland to the Island of Ja- maica in 1836, and resided there for six years. In 1842 he settled near See's Creek, Warren Township, this county, and continued to dwell in that section until 1855, when he moved to Newmarket to pass his declining years. He was well educated in his mother tongue and was fairly conversant with the English language.

The birth of William M. Hawker took place on the Island of Jamaica, December 1, 1842, and he was brought to this county in infancy, by his parents. He lived at home, being of such as- sistance as was in his power, until arriving at his majority, when he decided to embark on the independent journey of life. Having rented a farm near Newmarket, in this township, he dili- gently set to work to cultivate the same and for the next five years leased various tracts of land in the county. At length he had saved sufficient money by his careful and thrifty methods to en- able him to possess land in his own right and ac- cordingly he invested a certain amount in one hundred acres, a portion of his present farm. From time to time, as his resources permitted, he increased the boundaries of the farm until at present it numbers four hundred and forty acres.

In all his undertakings Mr. Hawker has been ably seconded by his faithful companion and helpmate, who was before her marriage Sarah F. Couch. She was born February II, 1848, be- ing a daughter of Marshall and Alvira (Turner) Couch, natives of Virginia, and who at an early day came to Marion County. The father went to California in 1849 and was successfully en- gaged in mining operations until he was killed in a snow-slide. His wife survived him several years, passing to her rest in 1869, aged sixty- five years. Mrs. Hawker is one of eight chil- dren, of whom Jane and Luther are deceased; John is a resident of this State; Margarett E. is

now in Montana, and the wife of John Burch; William is a farmer of this county; Henry lives in Shelby County; and Martha C. dwells in this township. The union of our subject and wife was celebrated February 11, 1861, and eight chil- dren have come to grace their home. They are as follows: Mollie E., now the wife of Harry Huggins, of Lakenan, Shelby County; Charles, who farms in Monroe County; Martha, wife of Thomas Burditt, an agriculturist of this locality ; Fleming T., deceased; Fred; Vernie and the twins, Myrtie and Gertie, are all at home.

Mr. Hawker received only a district school education, but has increased his knowledge by general reading and keen observation. He uses his right of franchise in favor of the Democratic party. He and his good wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, of which he is at present acting in the capacity of Clerk. He enjoys the confidence of all with whom he comes in contact and is widely known for his kind and unostentatious acts of charity.

J OHN R. SMOOT, who owns one hundred and ninety-eight acres of land in Township 59, Range 7, Marion County, is a native of this township, having been born here January 12, 1842. He is considered one of the enterpris- ing and practical farmers of the locality and has succeeded in his various undertakings and en- terprises far beyond his expectations. The place which he occupies was formerly known as the Shumate farm, and is one of the first entered in the township.

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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 74

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