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 76
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 76
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 76
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A native of Ohio, our subject was born in But- ler County, October 10, 1810. His father was Anderson and his mother Mary (Bentley) Spen- cer, natives of Kentucky, whence they removed in an early day to Ohio and became pioneers of Butler County. Later they moved to the City of Hamilton, that county, where our subject's birth occurred. The father was a hatter by trade and in the latter city owned the largest factory in that part of the State. He made that section his home until his decease, which occurred in 1812,
his wife surviving him several years, and passing away in 1820.
The parental family of our subject included four children, of whom Hannah, Nancy and Ellen are deceased. After the demise of his parents John W., of this history, went to live with a friend, John D. Garrison, of Hamilton, and was afterward apprenticed to learn the tailor's trade, at which he worked seven years for this gen- tleman. He then traveled as a journeyman at his trade through the county and afterward located in Gallatin County, Ind., where he was employed for three years.
In the year 1831 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Delia Fall, who was born in Kentucky, July 2, 1810, and who was the daugh- ter of Thomas Fall. Soon after his union he moved to Gallatin County, Ky., and continued to work at his trade for two years, when, thinking farming to be a more profitable business, he abandoned tailoring in order to give his undi- vided attention to that industry. In 1836 he started for Missouri, purchasing eighty acres of land in Cincinnati County, this State, on which he farmed for eight years. He sold out at the ex- piration of that time and bought one hundred and forty acres near Center, Ralls County, which he occupied for a quarter of a century. In 1867 he disposed of the land by sale and moved upon his present estate, which is one of the most beautifully located in the community. It contains, as stated above, two hundred acres, on which Mr. Spencer has made first-class improvements, it being his desire and ambition to own a property second to none in the county. On this place his wife, who had been his companion for so many years, died, the date thereof being August 15, 1892.
To our subject and his excellent wife there were born seven children, of whom Charles died in infancy; Belle was born February 14, 1835; she married William Ellis, and both are now liv- ing with our subject; Angeline married Clinton McGrew, and since his decease she has lived in Macon County; Susan married Samuel North, and they make their home in Monroe City; Mary died at the age of nine years; Julia became the
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wife of George W. Judy, and their home is in this township; Anderson married Miss Bettie Griffin, and resides in California.
Politically, Mr. Spencer is a strong Democrat and has always voted that ticket, although never aspiring to official positions. In religious af- fairs he is a devoted member of the Christian Church, and his qualities of mind and heart are duly appreciated by his fellow-citizens, who ac- cord him his just measure of respect. He is num- bered among the substantial residents of the com- munity, and his example as a man of energy, in- dustry and business ability may be emulated to advantage.
J AMES M. COLLINS, proprietor of the Col- lins House at Clarksville, is an able and effi- cient manager, and has made his hotel a veritable symbol of all that constitutes the com- fort and pleasure of his guests. Mr. Collins was born in Miami County, Ohio, near Dayton, March 6, 1851. His parents were Augustus and Hannah R. (Duke) Collins, the former of whom was a carpenter by trade and was born March 22, 1821, in Montgomery County, Va. When he was two years of age his parents removed to Giles County, the same State, and there he remained until a lad of fourteen years, when, with the rest of the family, he became a resident of Cable County, W. Va.
In the year 1848 Augustus Collins emigrated to Miami County, Ohio, where his son James was born. Five years later we find him en route for this State and locating at once in Lincoln County, he made that section his home for eight years. At that time he removed with his family to Mont- gomery County, where were centered his business interests until October 7, 1864, the date of his ar- rival in Pike County. He made his home within a mile of Clarksville, where he has resided ever since.
Our subject's paternal grandfather was Charles A. Collins, a native of Virginia, and a farmer by occupation. He lived in Giles County until 1835,
when, as has already been mentioned, he removed to Cable County, where his death occurred in 1862. On his mother's side, our subject's grand- father was James Duke, a native of Pennsylvania, and also a tiller of the soil. In 1835 he removed to the Old Dominion, and there made his home until 1866, when he became a resident of Pike County, Mo. Here his death occurred in the year 1868.
The six children comprised in the household of Augustus and Hannah R. Collins were Julius W., carpenter, now farming in Clarksville; Mar- garet, deceased; Elizabeth, the wife of William Chapman, also a resident of Clarksville; Charles A., deceased; James M., of this sketch, and Mary A. F., also deceased. James M. was only two years of age when the family came to Missouri, hence he was educated in the district schools of Pike County. When attaining his fourteenth year he entered the blacksmith shop of J. C. Johnson in order to learn the business, and was instructed in the trade by the foreman, Thomas Nicholson, a good workman.
Not finding the blacksmith's trade to be con- genial employment, Mr. Collins abandoned it in 1872 and, in company with his mother, estab- lished an hotel in Clarksville. This partnership existed until 1881, when Mr. Collins became the sole proprietor and continued for himself until 1884. That year he entered the hardware busi- ness, also in Clarksville, which business was re- moved to Hannibal a year later. Mr. Collins took up his residence in that city and lived there for three years. In 1888 he returned to Clarksville and was engaged in farming for the ensuing year. In 1889 he went to St. Louis, having accepted a position with the St. James Hotel. In the fall of 1889 we find him en route for Nevada, Mo., where he took charge of the Rockwood House, which hotel he conducted for three years.
May 10, 1892, Mr. Collins bought a two-thirds interest in the Carroll House of Clarksville and changed its name to the Collins House, which he is now conducting. The establishment is fur- nished in a tasteful manner, well suited to the needs of his patrons, and his tables are always spread with the delicacies of the season. His
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rates are reasonable and he is an attentive and courteous host.
Mr. Collins was married January 19, 1881, to Leonora E. Drake, daughter of Samuel A. and Lucinda D. (Denny) Drake. Mrs. Collins is a native of Pike County, and was born in February, 1862. They have one child, Leah, born Decem- ber 7, 1890. Our subject is a member of Clarks- ville Lodge No. 17, A. F. and A. M., and with his good wife belongs to the Christian Church.
J OHN M. ROBERTS. Among the well- known and representative farmers of Pike County is this leading agriculturist, to whom we are glad to accord a prominent place in the history of the inhabitants of this section. He owns a well-improved homestead on Section 23, Township 54, Range 2, which he conducts in a thoroughly practical and progressive manner. He has been the owner of the estate only four years, but during that brief time has greatly increased its value by judicious investments.
The fourth of a family of eight children born to Kirtley and Jane (Reading) Roberts, our subject was born in Marion County, Mo., June 2, 1845. His father, a native of Kentucky, came to Mis- souri in early manhood, settling in Marion County, on a farm which he cultivated till 1854. He was, however, for a time a resident of Lin- coln County, and two years prior to his death moved to Callaway County. He was a man of great public spirit and shortly after locating in Marion County was elected to be Justice of the Peace, the duties of which office he faithfully per- formed until he left the county. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Isaac Reading, was a cabinet-maker and carpenter by occupation. He emigrated from Pennsylvania to Missouri at an early day and lived to be over seventy years of age.
J. M. Roberts, owing to the death of his father, was early thrown upon the world to fight the battle of life, and left the parental roof at the age of
thirteen years, taking up his residence with his uncle, Elliott Roberts, whose home he made his headquarters until he was twenty-two years old. For some years he worked for neighboring farmers at a fixed salary, and at length rented a farm, which he managed until a few years ago. He is interested in whatever pertains to the public welfare and uses his ballot in favor of Democratic candidates. He is kind and genial by nature and his courteous manner wins for him friends wher .. ever he goes.
October 25, 1883, Mr. Roberts married Mattie B. Irby, whose father, John Irby, is an honored old resident of this county, having come here from Tennessee prior to the war. Mrs. Roberts is a lady possessing many personal and intellec- tual charms, and presides over her husband's household with rare tact. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have one child, Nellie G., a bright little girl of some nine years.
J OHN MASTON. Among the wealthy and influential agriculturists of Warren Town- ship, and indeed of Marion County, is the gentleman above mentioned, whose home is on Section 3, and who is a native of Kentucky. His land is rich and productive, and each year abund- ant harvests are reaped therefrom, which yield to the fortunate possessor a large and increasing in- come. For over forty years he has made his home within the limits of this county, and has been identified with its development. He is now liv- ing retired and enjoying to the fullest extent the result of his earlier labors.
The birth of our subject occurred January 8, 1822. He is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Wright) Maston, the former of whom was a na- tive of Virginia. After emigrating to the Blue Grass State he was waylaid and killed in 1821, just three months prior to the birth of John. His wife, who was also a Virginian, died in 1849, at the age of forty years. She became the mother of six children, those besides our subject being Polly, Sallie, James, Jefferson and Martha. The
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father was fairly well-educated in the Old Do- minion, and was a well-to-do farmer and stock- raiser at the time of his demise.
The original of this sketch was married, De- cember 23, 1846, to Miss Emily N. Carman, who was born in Kentucky, September 3, 1827, and departed this life January 9, 1869. The following record is given of their children: Alice J. was born August 25, 1847; she died July 4, 1849; Laura J. was born August 20, 1849, and died September 25, 1880; she was at that time the wife of W. H. Dinwiddie, who is also deceased. Josephine was born July 24, 1854, and is the wife of William H. Hibbert, a farmer of this township. Eudora and Eugene, twins, were born May 2, 1857; the for- mer is the wife of M. Lear, a farmer of Monroe County, Mo., and Eugene is an agriculturist of this county. William S. was born August 15, 1860, and died while in Mexico. Emily A. was born June 9, 1863; she is now Mrs. William Gar- ret and lives on a farm in Monroe County, Mo. John L. was born March 5, 1867, and is a resi- dent of Marion County.
The lady to whom our subject was married, April 3, 1872, was Mrs. Elizabeth (Coons) Will- ian, whose birth occurred in Fayette County, Ky., December 19, 1832. She was the widow of Jacob Willian, who died in May, 1868. Her par- ents were Joseph and Elizabeth (Nelson) Coons, also natives of Fayette County, Ky., whence they came to Missouri in the fall of 1841, the father hav- ing made three trips to this State before finding a suitable location. To them were born nine children, as follows: Mary, the wife of L. Mays, lives at Palmyra; Dr. James N. is practicing medi- cine in that city; Elizabeth C. is the wife of our subject; Georgie A., Martha L. and William M. are deceased; Sarah married D. Young, a farmer of California; Rebecca is the wife of A. Hurst, a farmer of this county, and Robert H. is engaged in the butcher business at Hannibal.
Our subject was adopted by Charles M. Asher, of Scott County, Ky., when four years of age. He was reared in his family as one of his children, and with him came to Missouri, settling in Ralls County. He was trained to a thorough knowl- edge of farm work, and in 1851, after having
made a trip to California on a mining venture, came to Marion County, where he rented and operated a tract of land for three years. This he sold in 1865, and became the possessor of his present fine estate, on which he has resided since that time, with the exception of two years spent in Monroe City. He is a man of prominence in his community and is held in the highest esteem by his neighbors for his uniform uprightness and integrity of word and deed. In politics he has always voted the straight Democratic ticket, with the exception of casting a ballot in favor of a Re- publican School Director. Like a true citizen and patriot he takes an interest in everything which affects the good of his country and neighborhood. Although never an aspirant for office, his friends have recognized his efficiency for public life and elected him to the position of Road Overseer and School Director. He holds membership with the Presbyterian Church, and is an active worker in the same. Together with his wife, he extends a gracious hospitality to his many friends, who delight to meet in their pleasant home.
J UDGE ADAM C. HELTON, who lives on Section 2, Miller Township, Marion County, has been engaged in many enter- prises during his active career, but for the main part has followed agricultural pursuits. He has raised stock extensively for the market and for a number of years was largely engaged in buying cattle for packing houses in this vicinity. He has also been very successful in real estate ventures, having sold and bought a number of farms in Illinois and Missouri and has purchased and in- proved property at Hannibal and at other points. He was one of the incorporators of the Farmers and Merchants' Bank of Monroe City, Mo., and owns stock in the First National Bank and the German-American Bank of Hannibal, of which he was one of the original incorporators. He is very prominent in his community, yet his busy life has kept him out of politics. In spite of his own in-
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clinations, however, he has sometimes been com- pelled to serve as School Trustee, Road Overseer, etc., and in 1891 was elected Judge of the County Court for the Eastern District of Marion County, and was reelected in 1893.
The Judge's grandfather, Arnold Helton, was born in Germany and emigrated to the United States about 1790, settling near Nashville, Tenn. At the same time that he crossed the ocean among his fellow passengers were James Robinson and family, of Ireland. Mr. Robinson was intended by his parents to enter the Catholic priesthood, but disappointed their expectations, and after his arrival in the United States his family became identified to some extent with the Heltons. They purchased extensive plantations in the same neighborhood and, following the usual custom, kept slaves for operating the land. Several years later the two families removed to Shelby County, Ky., and three years afterward moved to Law- rence County, Ind., where they preempted land. Arnold Helton was married in Germany to Cath- erine Erwine, and became the father of eight children, namely: Adam, James, Andrew, Ab- salom, Sallie, Elizabeth, Catherine and John.
John Helton, father of our subject, was born in 1797, near Nashville, Tenn., and was married in 1819 to Nancy, daughter of James Robinson. The young couple moved with the two families of which they were representatives from State to State, and in Indiana John Helton preëmpted three hundred and twenty acres of Government land. Entering into partnership with his brother Andrew he built a store and carried a general line of merchandise, also putting up a grist and card- ing mill and had a tan-yard in the town of Helton- ville, named in honor of their father, Arnold Hel- ton. For many years prior to his death, which occurred in 1844, he was identified with the Bap- tist Church. His two eldest children, Louisa, who married James Pennington, and John, are residents of Monroe County, Ind .; Mary is the wife of R. A. Fulk, of Bloomington, Ind .; Han- nah married Columbus Christnan, of Monroe County, and Catherine, Mrs. Michael Deckard, is also a resident of that county. Mr. Fulk has represented his district for two terms in the Lower
House of the State Legislature, and has served for two terms in the Senate.
Adam C. Helton was born April 15, 1833, in Lawrence County, Ind., and received such edu- cation as the schools of that day afforded. He had arranged his plans to pursue more advanced studies, but on account of his father's death gave them up. Up to that time he had been of much assistance to his father, and then engaged in work for his uncle, with whom he was connected in a business way until 1849. About this time he set out to make his fortune, and went to Marion County, where for four years he was employed in farm labor or in whatever he could find to do whereby he might gain an honest living. In 1856 he puchased forty acres of land, on which now stands Helton, a station on the C., B. & Q. R R., named in his honor. He had carefully saved his money and had previously conducted a farm on shares for a short time. By good management he increased his possessions and invested in addi- tional tracts of land. In 1863 he purchased a sawmill and turned his attention to sawing lum- ber from the abundance of fine hardwood timber which was on his farm. He obtained contracts from the H. & St. J., then a new railroad, and found the business quite profitable. During the six years which he devoted to this business he bought up much of the timber land in the vicinity, and finally disposed of his mill. For the past twelve years, in partnership with J. Logan, he has conducted an ice establishment, cutting and ship- ping annually from five hundred to one thousand carloads, and having a storage building with a capacity of twelve hundred tons, situated at Bay de Charles. In 1883 he opened a grocery store in Hannibal, this being now conducted by his son-in-law. J. J. McDonald. At the present time he owns seventeen hundred acres of very desir- able farm land and still carries out his life-long principle of independence, supplying as far as is practicable his own needs from his farm, and saw- ing from his own timber all of the lumber used for building and fencing purposes on his home- stead. He also has a threshing machine and a mill used in threshing and grinding the grain raised on the place.
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February 8, 1854, Judge Helton was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Caleb and Julia (Howe) Clark. They have had five children, a son and four daughters, who are named as fol- lows: Laura, Mrs. J. J. McDonald of Hannibal; Julia, wife of W. E. Sherman, of Monroe City, Mo .; Lulu, wife of Price Griffith, also of Monroe City; Dollie B., Mrs. Thomas Arnold, of Hanni- bal, and Virgil, who is in the mercantile business in Hannibal. For twenty years the Judge has been a consistent church member, and though formerly connected with the Methodist denomi- nation is now a member of the Christian Church.
During the late war Mr. Helton witnessed the execution of ten citizens of Palmyra, who were shot by order of Gen. McNeal on account of their supposed connection with the killing of Andrew Alsman, who mysteriously disappeared, and it is thought was made away with by Con- federate soldiers. Since 1861, the Judge has been identified with the Masonic Order and has taken the Royal Arch Degree. He is noted for his uniform kindness to those less fortunate than himself and has helped many a poor person to a better position in life. In his history is presented a worthy example of what may be accomplished by individual effort and industry when intelli- gently applied to the problems which confront a young man who has his own way to make in the world.
J OHN K. HEATH is one of the native sons of Marion County, his birth having occurred in Warren Township, on Section 9, No- vember 21, 1839. He is one of the progressive farmers and stock-raisers here and his well-con- ducted and finely-improved farm is situated on Section 8 and is well-adapted for general agricul- ture.
Mr. Heath is the son of Richard F. and Rachel (Kincaid) Heath, natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky. The father was born in Locust Grove, Prince William County, December 21, 1804, and died June 18, 1846. Mrs. Heath's birth
occurred in the State of Kentucky September I, 1801, and she departed this life in November, 1855. Their union resulted in the birth of three children: John K., of this sketch; Betsey A., born May 2, 1841, deceased, and Samuel F., born Oc- tober 13, 1843, now engaged in farming and stock-raising in Texas.
The original of this sketch was deprived of the care of his father when a lad of seven years. He continued to make his home with his mother until her decease, when he was taken into the house- hold of his maternal uncle, Jim D. Kincaid. He attended the subscription school for some time, and when ready to commence life for himself worked at various things until 1859, when he was possessed of a sufficient sum of money to enable him to become the owner of land. He accord- ingly purchased one hundred and sixty acres, the same on which he is at present residing, and which has been his home ever since. It was at that time covered with brush and required much hard work on his part to clear it and prepare the soil for cultivation. . In addition to raising the usual amount of cereals, he gives considerable attention to breeding stock, having on his farm now eight head of Durham cattle, fifty head of sheep, and over fifty head of hogs.
The lady to whom our subject was married in March, 1863, was Mrs. Mildred (Hilleary) Tulley, whose birth occurred in Fauquier County, Va., in 1820. Her parents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Keith) Hilleary, who are mentioned in the sketch of her brother, William C., a subscriber to this work. Richard F., their only son, is now clerking in a grocery store in Monroe City. Mrs. Heath was formerly married to Joshua Tulley, who died, leaving her with one son, William, a farmer of this county.
Richard F. Heath, the father of our subject, came to this State from Virginia and was among the earliest to locate in this section. He was a man of patriotic and public spirit, and aided greatly in the development and upbuilding of his portion of the county.
Religiously Mrs. Heath is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while her husband, although not connected with
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any organization of a religious character, gives liberally toward the support of all. He cast his first vote for a Democratic President, and since that time has supported that party, men and measures. He has never desired to hold office and has steadily refrained from accepting such honor.
J OHN R. QUINN, whose home is on Sec- tion 7, Township 54, Range 6, Ralls County, is one of our representative and self-made men. In his youth he left home with but thirty cents in his pocket and started out to conquer, if he might, in life's battles. By indus- trious perseverance he has come out victor and now enjoys the respect and high regard of all who know his history.
Our subject is a native of Ralls County, hav- ing been born on the old Quinn homestead on Section 10, Township 53, Range 7, August 20, 1849. His father, James Quinn, was born in County Down, Ireland, and when young crossed the Atlantic with his parents, settling in Penn- sylvania, where he grew to manhood. Then go- ing to Scott County, Ky., he there married Miss Nancy Clifford, a native of that locality, and a year or two later the young couple came to Ralls County, settling on the farm where their son John was born. Mr. Quinn purchased three hundred and forty acres of wild and unimproved land, which he cleared and developed. His death occurred on this place in the spring of 1876; his wife had preceded him to the silent land, dying some ten years before. Their family numbered nine children, namely: Arthur, James, Mary, Catherine, John, Frank, Huglı, Martha, and Henry. The only ones who survive are Mary, John, Hugh, and Henry.
Our subject received a common school edu- cation and when in his eighteenth year left home, going to Clay County, Mo., where he worked on a farm for two years. In this way he made a start, and, being careful of his earnings, on con- ing back to this county, rented a farm near his
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