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 75
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 75
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 75
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The original of this sketch is the son of Josiah and Henrietta (Whitaker) Smoot, natives of Vir- ginia. The father was engaged in farming in his native State until coming West to this State, in 1836. The journey hither was made overland in a wagon, and when locating in this county he entered from the Government a tract of two hundred and ten acres. This he cleared of the thick growth of timber, improved and made of it
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one of the best estates in the county. He was well educated and taught school in his district during the winter months and gave his attention to his farm in the summer season. He died in 1858, while his wife survived him until 1883. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Susan married John McChristie; Mary is now Mrs. Jesse McChristie; Thomas married Louisa Shumate; Samuel married Matt Sweeny and now makes his home in Shelby County, Mo .; Lucinda married Sobeska Taylor, and they reside in Cali- fornia; Newton chose for his wife Miss Alma Walker, and they now live in Lewis County, where he is a general merchant; John R. was the next born; Josiah J. married Mollie Wilson, and they live in Shelby County, Mo., where he is en- gaged in the practice of medicine; Harriet mar- ried David Long, and both are deceased; Abbie lives in Shelby County, Mo., with her brother, Dr. J. J. Smoot. The family were all given good educations and some of them taught school very successfully.
At the age of twenty-two years our subject started out in life for himself by first renting a farm near Emerson. One year later he was mar- ried to Miss Summerill M. Shumate, a native of this county, and the daughter of Joseph and Jane (Moorehead) Shumate, both of whom were born in Virginia. They emigrated to Missouri in a very early day, and located on the place now owned by our subject. This was in 1836, and their home was on that farm until their decease.
After his marriage Mr. Smoot removed to Lewis County, where he became the proprietor of a farm of eighty acres, which he was engaged in cultivating for the following six years. He then returned to this county and made his home with his mother on Section 35, for five years. At the expiration of that time we find him the pos- sessor of his present estate, which is one of the oldest in the township. On this he has placed many valuable improvements since making it his home, and in return for his labor reaps a good income.
To Mr. and Mrs. Smoot there have been born the following named eight children: Robert, So- beska, Josiah J., Joseph S., Adella, Pocahontas,
Thomas E., and Mary, the latter of whom died in infancy. As has been shown, our subject is a self-made man, and the high position which he has attained in the farming community has been gained through his own unaided efforts. So- cially, he is a United Workman, belonging to Lodge No. 421, in Hester, this State. He has al- ways cast a vote for Democratic candidates. With his wife he belongs to the Baptist Church. They have a host of sincere friends, who esteem them for their upright lives and sterling characteris- tics as citizens and neighbors.
AMES D. BOWMAN, of Louisiana, Pike County, Mo., is a man of a genial character,
warm hearted and generous, and is very popular among his hosts of friends. He is very strong and vigorous for a veteran of the late war, but nevertheless the fact remains that he enlisted in Company H., Forty-ninth Missouri Infantry in December, 1864, in this place, and was sent to New Orleans and thence to Mobile Bay where he took part in the celebrated engagement at Spanish Fort. At the time he was under com- mand of General A. J. Smith, Colonel A. P. Dyer being in command of the regiment. Subsequently he marched to Montgomery, Ala., remaining in that vicinity until December, when he returned to Mobile and was mustered out December, 1865. He now belongs to Major Wilson Post No. 20, G. A. R. of Louisiana.
Our subject is a native of Bowling Green, Pike County, Mo., having been born December 19, 1845, and is a son of Robert and Nancy (Sloan) Bowman. The former, a native of Ten- nessee, emigrated to Bowling Green in the forties, settling in Louisiana in 1849. He was a carpenter by trade and followed this occupation indus- triously until his death, which occurred February 2, 1866. Politically he was a stanch Republican and a true patriot. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, to which his widow still belongs. She is now a resident of
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Louisiana, making her home with her children. To herself and husband were born three sons and three daughters, namely: George and John, who are deceased; Martha, wife of William T. Ferrell of Bowling Green; James D., Margaret, deceased, and Mary, who married B. F. Todd, of Louisiana.
The subject of this narrative received from his parents wise and judicious training and in youth obtained a district school education. On starting out to make his own way in the world he first opened a billiard hall and subsequently engaged in the liquor business. In 1874 he located at the corner of Georgia and Main Streets and still caters to the retail trade at the familiar old stand Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of Honor, besides, as formerly stated, being connected with the Grand Army.
January 2, 1883, Mr. Bowman married Eliza W., daughter of Theodore and Samantha (Wells) Purse, of Ashley, Mo. The mother was the daughter of L. M. Wells and a descendant of an old Virginia family. She, however, was born in Missouri, while her husband was a native of New York City. Mrs. Bowman was born and reared in Ashley, Mo., where her parents have been resi- dents for many years past.
Mr. Bowman is a member of the Bowling Green Hunting and Fishing Club, also the Louis- iana Hunting and Fishing Club, both of which have club houses in the "Sni Bottoms."
J OHN EASTIN SHANNON, who is one of the best-known citizens of Pike County, is a native of the Blue Grass State, having been born in Jessamine County, Ky., September 10, 1821. He was the younger of two children born to his parents, William and Margaret (Eastin) Shannon, and of whom he is the only survivor. His father was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1780, and was a lad of eight years when he made the trip to Kentucky with his par-
ents. There he grew to man's estate and selected his life companion in the person of Miss Eastin. He chose the occupation of an agriculturist, and continued to make his home in Kentucky until 1822, when with his family he came to Missouri, choosing a good location in Peno Township, some twelve miles west of where our subject is at present living.
William Shannon lived on this farm till 1845, when he removed to Buffalo Township, spending the remaining years of his life on the estate which his son, John E., now owns. He was a man of upright character and retiring disposition, which, with his liberal support of all worthy charities, his kindly nature and genial disposition, won for him the esteem of all who knew him. He was a vet- eran of the War of 1812 and departed this life in 1851.
Grandfather John Shannon was born in one of the Eastern States, and was of Irish descent. He, with five brothers, emigrated to Kentucky in 1780, where they married and became the heads of large families, who in after years were scattered throughout the Southern and Western States.
The original of this sketch grew to manhood under the parental roof and acquired his educa- tion in the primitive log schoolhouse of those early days. He was trained to a full knowledge of farm work, and when ready to establish a home of his own was fully competent to do so. He was married October 24, 1844, to Miss Margaret B. Biggs and as a tribute to his noble wife he dates his success in life from this time. Mrs. Shannon comes from one of the old and honored families of this State, several memebers of which have dis- tinguished themselves in the various walks of life in years gone by. Her father, William Biggs, was one of the most prominent and influential politicians of his day, being known as the "wheel horse" of the Whig party. He also served for a number of years as a member of the Legislature, and later two of his sons, John D. and George K., represented their district in the legislature, the first-named being from Ralls, and George from Clark County, this State. Another son, Marion, was a member of Congress for two terms while residing in California.
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After the marriage of our subject he and his young bride began housekeeping in the typical pioneer log cabin, and although their home was not furnished in modern style, they were con- tented and happy. Mr. Shannon went to work with energy and determination to clear his land, which was, with the exception of twelve acres, a dense forest. He remained there some six years, during which time he had made many improve- ments, when his father proposed to give the place to the children of his sister, promising to give him the old home farm.
In 1851 Mr. Shannon removed to his present home, which he has developed into one of the finest country homes in the county. The resi- dence is new and convenient in its arrangement and furnished in a manner which indicates its oc- cupants to be people of taste and means. He is a progressive agriculturist, and his life has been an unusually successful one. As the years rolled by he acquired more property and has had the satisfaction of giving his children good educations and a fine start in life. Six of the family survive, namely: Emma, the wife of William Salmond, M. D., a practicing physician of Edgewood, this county; they have one son named William Salmond. Mrs. Salmond had been previously married to Walter Gillum, by whom she became the mother of two children, James S. and Ruthie L. William O. Shannon is a progressive farmer and stock-raiser of Audrain County, his estate lying four miles south of Vandalia; his family in- cludes seven sons and daughters. Richard M. is also one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of Audrain County, his farm being located seven miles south of Vandalia; he is the father of six children. Minnie married M. B. Holliday, one of the representative farmers of this county, and they have three children. John B., the youngest son, still resides under the parental roof and su- perintends the management of the home farm. He married Miss Polly Edmunds, and they have a family of three children. Peggie is the wife of W. E. Holliday, whose sketch the reader will find on another page in this volume.
Mr. Shannon is a very interesting conversation- alist, and his pleasing reminiscences of the carly
days in the county, when hunting was a favorite pastime with the pioneers, are very entertaining. His hospitality is unbounded, and his good nature and cheerful disposition have endeared him to the hearts of all who know him.
October 20, 1894, was an interesting event in the life of Mr. and Mrs. Shannon, when they cele- brated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. On that occasion about five hundred of their friends and neighbors gathered at Bethany Bap- tist Church to extend congratulations and express the wish that they might live among them for many years to come.
Mr. Shannon in his political affiliation votes with the Democratic party, although in years past he was a Whig. In religion he is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church and his name may always be found among the donors to all worthy charities.
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H UGH A. BARR is the owner and occu- pant of a pleasant farm, located on Sec- tion 22, Township 54, Range 7, Ralls County. It comprises one hundred and eighty- five acres of well-improved land, 'a substantial and commodious residence and good barns be- ing included in the buildings which adorn it. It is devoted to the purpose of general farming and for several years has been the scene of the suc- cessful labors of its owner.
Mr. Barr was born in Greene County, Ohio, January 27, 1847, to Robert A. and Elizabeth (Crockett) Barr, natives of Pennsylvania. The parents met and were married in the Buckeye State, where Robert A. was engaged in his early life in operating a grist mill. Later, however, lie became a well-to-do farmer of that State and was well and favorably known to most of the resi- dents of his community. His death occurred in 1872. Mrs. Elizabeth Barr died when our sub- ject was a lad of five years. She became the mother of five children, of whom two died in in- fancy, the others being John A., William R. and Hugh A.
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About eighteen years after the death of his wife, the father of our subject was again married, the lady on this occasion being Miss Elizabeth Kirkley, of this county, who died here in 1872. To them were born seven children, namely: N. Howard, Robert A., Valearia J., Frank D., George E., Albert M., and Lilly B. Mr. Barr was a third time married, his last union being with Miss Elizabeth Shumyer, a native of Indiana, with whom he lived until his decease. One son was born to them, Robert O.
Robert A. Barr moved to the State of Indiana before the death of our subject's mother, locating in Hancock County, where his marriage with Miss Kirkley was celebrated in 1868. They then came to Ralls County, this State, where he pur- chased a farm. This tract he sold some years later and became the owner of a good estate west of Perry, where his death occurred.
Hugh A., of this sketch, remained at home until one year after attaining his majority, when he began for himself on a rented tract of land lo- cated near his present farm. He was engaged in its operation until his marriage, in 1874, to Miss Louella Alexander, a native of Ohio, and the daughter of Martin Alexander, whose sketch the reader will find on another page in this volume. Soon after his marriage Mr. Barr moved to Han- cock County, Ind., where for three years he lived on a rented farm. At the end of that time we find him to be a resident of Ralls County, also rent- ing land there for the same length of time. Octo- ber 27, 1880, his wife died, and after that sad event he again returned to the Hoosier State, settling up John D. Barr's estate, after which he made a permanent location in Missouri. For a time thereafter he worked at the blacksmith's trade, which he had learned in his earlier years, and after spending three years at this business purchased his present farm, containing one hun- dred and eighty-five acres. Of this, all is under advanced cultivation, with the exception of ten acres which is still in timber.
By his union with Miss Alexander our subject became the parent of two children: Martin L. and William R., the latter now deceased. De- cember 15, 1885, he was married to Miss Ellen,
daughter of Orrin Wells, a native of Iowa. For a full history of her parents we refer the reader to their biography elsewhere in this work.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Barr are members in ex- cellent standing of the Christian Church. In politics he is a Democrat, the principles and teach- ings of that party coinciding with his views. He is recognized as one of the substantial citizens of the community and is a generous and benevolent supporter of all worthy enterprises.
C HARLES O. JORDAN, a veteran of the late Civil War, is extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising in Warren Township, Marion County, having his home on Section II. He is a native of Alleghany County, Va., his birth having occurred January 19, 1840, and for the past twenty-five years has lived in Missouri. In many ways he has been identified with the development of this region and takes a lively interest in everything pertaining to the general welfare.
Our subject's parents, Edwin and Mary J. (Paxton) Jordan, were both natives of Rock- bridge County, Va., and by a strange co-inci- dence were born on the same day, November 29, 1802. The father died in December, 1864, while the mother departed this life December 2, 1856. Their marriage took place on August 2, 1827, in their native county, and the following children came to brighten home: John F., born January 7, 1829, died November 27, 1871; Hugh P., born July 11, 1830, is engaged in the cattle business in Texas; Edwin W., born August 22, 1832, is engaged in railroading in Virginia; Margaret E., born February 28, 1834, married Samuel Cole- man, a railroad man of the Old Dominion, and departed this life June 20, 1884; Isabella P., born April 23, 1838, died November 28, 1839; Hannah E., born May 1, 1839, married a cousin, J. F. Jor- dan, and both she and her husband are now de- ceased; our subject is next in order of birth; Mary L., born January II, 1842, is the widow of
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William H. Jordan, and a resident of Lynch- burg, Va .; Catherine E., born August 24, 1846, died in 1853; Thomas M., born April 11, 1844, is a machinist in Rhode Island; Joseph L., born April 22, 1848, is a merchant and ranchman of Brady, Texas; Georgie A., born March 14, 1851, died September 10, 1853; and Howe A., born Oc- tober 4, 1852, is a practicing physician of Bal- cona Falls, Va. The father of these children moved to Alleghany County, Va., in 1827, and was there in charge of an iron foundry and forge works for several years. He was also interested in a farm on which he passed his last years. Po- litically he was a Democrat, and though he never held public office was a man of prominence in his community. Both he and his faithful wife were members of the Baptist Church, and strove to inculcate high moral precepts in their chil- dren.
Charles O. Jordan was reared on his father's homestead until reaching his majority and at- tended the' old fashioned subscription schools kept in a log cabin of the most primitive design. In 1861 he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-sev- enth Virginia Regiment, under Capt. Thomas McAllister, this company being known as the Alleghany Rifles. After the battle of Manassas it was incorporated into an artillery company known as Carpenter's Battery of Stonewall's Bri- gade. He was made Second Lieutenant and served as such until the termination of the war. On one occasion he was wounded on the head, but was only away from his post of duty a week. For three years after his army life he lived on the old Virginia homestead, but in 1868 decided to move to Missouri. Settling in this township he continued to work for farmers at a salary, some ten years, but in the meanwhile was granted several tracts of land which he cultivated for himself. The farm which he is now engaged in operating comprises three hundred and eighty
acres, and was formerly the property of his wife's father, Dr. Moses McClintic. The latter settled upon the land just forty years ago, and since then it has never passed from the ownership of the family.
October 2, 1878, Mr. Jordan wedded Alice Henry McClintic, who was born in Marion County, January 5, 1850. Her father was a na- tive of Bath County, Va., his birth having oc- curred February 18, 1806, and her mother, who was a Miss Susan Inskepp before her marriage, was born in Romney, Hampshire County, Va., August 17, 1805. This worthy couple were mar- ried September 20, 1831, in Hampshire County, Va., and two sons and four daughters were the result of their union. John I., born December 25, 1833, is a farmer and stock-raiser of Audrain County, Mo., and William S., born October 2, 1838, is farming in this township. Annie C., whose birth occurred on Christmas Day of 1842, died in infancy and the two sisters, Sarah M. and Susan V., born September 4, 1848, and May 23, 1845, respectively, live on the old homestead with our subject. Dr. McClintic emigrated from Bath County, Va., to Marion County, in October, 1844, and for eleven years lived near Palmyra, but for the remaining thirty-five years of his life, dwelt on the old homestead where our subject now lives. His death occurred October 1, 1890, and that of his wife took place June 25, 1883.
Mr. and Mrs. Jordan have two daughters, namely: Mary L., born October II, 1879, and Anna M., who was born November 22, 1884. The parents are members of the Episcopal Church and are active in its various departments of usefulness. On questions of political im- portance Mr. Jordan is always to be found ad- vocating the measures of the Democracy. He is honorable and upright in all his dealings with his fellow-men and is sincerely respected by his neighbors.
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WILLIS GREEN.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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WILLIS GREEN ..
W ILLIS GREEN, now deceased, was formerly one of the most substantial residents of Pike County, in which sec- tion he was born March 30, 1834. He was a prac- tical agriculturist, having received thorough training in that industry, and at the time of his marriage, in 1856, made his first purchase of land. This tract consisted of eighty acres, to which he added as the years passed by until at his death he left an estate of one hundred and twenty acres, embracing some of the most fertile land in the county.
The parents of our subject were William D. and Elizabeth (Stanford) Green, natives of Ken- tucky. They left the Blue Grass region many years ago, and when crossing the line into Mis- souri were among its first settlers. They were farmers and became people of prominence in this locality.
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Willis Green lived at home until ready to estab- lish a home of his own. He had been fairly weil educated and was successful in almost all of his farming ventures. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary A. Moore, was born in Indian Town- ship, Pike County, this State, August 2, 1834. She is the daughter of Merriman and Parmelia E. (Farmer) Moore. Her father was born in the State of Virginia in 1797 and died in Pike County, Mo., in 1862. He was the son of Thomas and Nancy (Whaley) Moore, also born in the Old Do- minion, where Thomas died. His wife, however, came to Missouri in 1818 and spent the remaining years of her life in this township. To them were born a family of eight sons and four daughters, as follows: James, Levy, Whaley, Vincent, Thomas, Merriman, Jerry M., Matthew, Mary, Mrs. Ownes; Ella, Mrs. Hawkwood; Sarah, Mrs. Haines; Anna, all of whom are now deceased.
The father of our subject accompanied his mother on her removal to this Western State, where he engaged in farming, the work of the estate being carried on by means of slave labor. He became prominent in the affairs of his town- ship, and was well known and highly regarded for his upright manner of life. Parmelia E. (Farmer) Moore was a native of Pittsylvania County, Va., having been born there February 2, 1813. She died November 8, 1879. Her parents were Mar- tin and Elizabeth (Ackles) Farmer, also natives of the above State and county, where they passed all their lives. They were extensive farmers of that locality and people of prominence and wealth. To them were born ten children, as follows: Sarah, Lucy, Roddie, Mary, John, William, James, Moses, Parmelia and Nancy.
The parents of Mrs. Green were married in this county in 1831. To them were born five children : Osborne J., born in 1832, died while a soldier in the Civil War, in 1862; Mary A. married our sub- ject; Austin C., born in 1836, is engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising in Audrain County, Mo .; Ozias O., born in 1840, is a shoe merchant at Moberly, Randolph County, this State, and the youngest member of the family died in infancy.
The brothers and sisters of our subject were as follows: Elizabeth is the wife of James Tombs, a farmer of prominence in Cuivre Township, this county; George is engaged in farming in this township; Martha is now Mrs. John Kerr and is living on a farm in California; Willis is the sub- ject of this memoir; Wesley is an agriculturist of this county; Duff is a retired merchant living in Louisiana, Mo .; William is a citizen of California; John is farming in Montgomery County, Mo .; Samuel is engaged in the mercantile business at Olney, Lincoln County, this State; Matilda, now
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deceased, married Thomas Jones, who now makes his home in California.
Willis and Mary A. Green located upon the fine estate which the latter is now occupying, in 1862. It is the old homestead of Mrs. Green, which they purchased from the other heirs six years after taking possession of it. Mrs. Green is a member in excellent standing of the Baptist Church. In politics Mr. Green was a strong supporter of Democratic principles. Mrs. Green is a very pleasant and worthy lady and numbers the best people of the county among her friends. Since the death of her husband, which occurred March 20, 1891, she has superintended the operation of her farm in a most praiseworthy and businesslike manner. As before stated, her parents were pio- neers of Pike County, her father being a minis- ter of the Hard-Shell Baptist Church, filling the pulpit for many years in connection with his labors as a farmer.
J OHN W. SPENCER. One of the men in this part of Ralls County who can look with pride on an honest and industrious past, which has been crowned with success, is the owner of the fine farm of two hundred acres of fertile land situated on Section 22, Perry Town- ship. This property is beautifully located near the village of Perry and is one of the best man- aged in the county. Mr. Spencer also deserves mention as one of the oldest residents of the town- ship, and he is now in his eighty-fifth year, hale and hearty.
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