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 79

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 79
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 79
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 79

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Henry A. Pribe received a good education in his mother tongue, and attended school until he was fourteen years of age. He then learned the blacksmith's trade and worked at the business about six years. When he was nearly twenty he bought his time of his employer and left for the

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United States in a sailing vessel, reaching New York in 1856. Thence he proceeded to Chicago and, not finding employment, went to Milwaukee. That winter he passed the time on a farm, and the following spring went to St. Louis, where the first day after his arrival he found work at his trade. He remained there for a year and then went to Ashley, Pike County, where he opened a blacksmith and wagon repairing shop.

When the war broke out Mr. Pribe enlisted in the State Guards and took part in the noted figlit with the bushwhackers at Ashley, in which fight a number of the enemy were killed, and also one of the Union soldiers. Later he was called to Louisiana to assist in protecting the people and property. He was favorably impressed with this section, and in December, 1864, opened a shop in partnership with Frank Mike. At the end of two years he bought out the other's interest and continued the business alone. He located on Georgia Street, and from that time until the pres- ent has continued to do business in this locality, having moved but once and then only across the street. From year to year his trade increased, and at length he took up the manufacture of var- ious kinds of rolling gear. He turns out buggies, sulkies, light spring wagons, surreys, etc., and though his market is principally in this vicinity, he occasionally ships goods as far as Montana. His work has a wide reputation in Missouri for fine finish, excellent style and durability. In ad- dition to his regular line of light vehicles he al- ways keeps on hand a full line of coaches and coupes and at times employs twenty or more men.

May 16, 1867, Mr. Pribe was married in Lou- isiana to Nancy A., daughter of George and Mary A. (Remmer) Marzalf. The former was born in Alsace, France, September 24, 1812, and died in Louisiana at the age of eighty-two years. Mary A. was born in Wurtemberg, December 25, 181I, and died April 30, 1877. Mrs. Pribe was born in Pike County, and by her marriage with our sub- ject has become the mother of the following chil- dren: George and Henry, who are engaged in business with their father; Lotta, who married John Morton, a farmer of this county; Maggie,

Rosa and Luella, who are at home; Albert, who is a pupil in the local schools; Cleveland, and Ross Mr. and Mrs. Pribe are members of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church. Politically the former affiliates with the Democracy.

A LONZO S. CHENEY, one of the enter- prising farmers of Township 59, Range 7, Marion County, has given his energies and industry to agriculture since his boyhood, and is therefore thoroughly practical and well in- formed on everything pertaining to the best methods of conducting a farm. At the present time he is managing seventy-seven acres which are under a high state of cultivation.

Our subject was born in Erie County, Pa., July 30, 1842. He is the son of Luke and Polly (Beardsley) Cheney, natives respectively of Ver- mont and Pennsylvania. They were united in marriage in the Keystone State, and engaged in farming there until 1843, the date of their advent into Rock Island County, Ill. There Mr. Cheney engaged in working at the cooper's trade, of which he had a fair knowledge, and also conducted a drug store. Later he went to Clinton County, Iowa, where he established himself in the drug trade and lived for seven years. He departed this life in 1870, while his good wife died in 1855.

To Luke and Polly Cheney there were born seven children, namely: Caroline, Alonzo, Iola, Phebe, Eugene, Albert, and Mary. After the death of our subject's mother Luke Cheney was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Nottingham, of Iowa, and to them was born a son, Loren. Alonzo of this sketch left home at the age of fifteen years and began to make his own way in the world. He worked at farming for one year, then went to Vicksburg, Miss., where he spent a twelve- month. On his return to this County he worked out by the month until his marriage, March 30, 1862. The lady he chose for his wife was Miss Malvina Darr, a native of Kentucky, who was

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brought to Marion County by her parents, Clin- ton and Matilda (Clubb) Darr, when two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Darr were likewise Ken- tuckians, and both died in Marion County, Mo.

After his marriage our subject farmed rented land in Lewis County for one year, then returned to this locality and occupied several different places until having saved a sufficient sum of money to enable him to become the owner of a farm. This desire was consummated in 1867, for that year he bought thirty-eight and one-half acres, included in his present place. He pros- pered as the years passed by, and is now the owner of seventy-seven acres, finely improved.

To Mr. and Mrs. Cheney there have been born four children, namely: Capitola was born Jan- uary 13, 1863, and is now the wife of Thomas J. Beckett, residing near Hester, in Marion County, Mo .; Emmett was born December 17, 1866, and now lives in Arkansas; Relleu was born January 8, 1869, married Susan Leach, and is farming in this township; Odilla was born November 24, 1870. The family have all been well educated and trained by their excellent mother to occupy good and useful positions in life.

Mr. Cheney, socially, is a member of Faber Lodge, No. 24, A. O. U. W. of Palmyra. In politics he is a believer in and supporter of Den- ocratic principles, although in no sense of the term an office-seeker.

C APT. WILLIAM H. PURSE, City Treas- urer and Collector of Louisiana, Mo., de- serves special mention in this volume for the prominent part which he took in the late war. He was born in New York City, September 6, 1824, and was the son of John and Susan (De Grove) Purse. The father was a native of County Antrim, Ireland, where his father, who also bore the name of John, served in the Rebellion of 1798. He was taken prisoner by the English Government at that time and sent to Botany Bay, from which place he made his escape and came to

the United States, settling in Philadelphia, Pa. He then sent for his family, who joined him in this country. It was while he was held a prisoner at Botany Bay that John, our subject's father, was born.

Later the above family moved to Virginia, where the grandparents died. John then went to New York City in order to learn the tanner's trade, serving his apprenticeship with David Bry- son, for whom he worked for several years after being pronounced an efficient workman. It was in New York that he met and married Miss De Grove. He left the metropolis, bound for the West, about 1855, and when reaching Missouri located at Ashley, where he went into business with his son William and brother Samuel N., manufacturing reapers and farm inplements. This they carried on with success until the outbreak of the late war, when they were compelled to cease operations. They manufactured the first reaper ever made in the State of Missouri. It was known as the Pillsmanny reaper. During the war they suspended the work in the factory and only ran a repair shop. The father died in 1882. He was a Union man and a supporter of Democratic principles. In religious affairs he was a member and active worker in the Presbyterian Church. While living in New York he served as letter- carrier of the city for many years. His wife was born in that city and was of French parentage. She died there in 1842.

The children born to John and Susan Purse were nine in number, of whom four lived to ma- ture years: Our subject; Theodore, also a resi- dent of Louisiana; Ann Eliza, the wife of A. D. Riggs, of Ashley, Mo .; Susan F., the wife of John Kerr, of California. On the death of his wife the father of our subject was a second time married, the lady on this occasion being Miss Eliza Wright, of New York, who is also deceased.

William H. Purse acquired his education chiefly in the private schools of New York City, and at the age of sixteen years started out in life for him- self. At that time he came West with a relative, William Stewart, and located at Payson, Adams County, Ill. Here he remained for about four years engaged in farming, saw-milling, and oc-

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casionally in teaching school. Leaving Adams County at the end of that time he looked up his uncle Samuel, who was a resident of Ashley, Mo., and there engaged in the manufacture of carding machines. He made his home with him, learning the machinist's trade and subsequently bought the right to manufacture reapers, which he placed on the market, together with threshing machines, carding machines, etc. As stated above, this busi- ness continued until the war caused them to sus- pend operations for the time. Mr. Samuel Purse departed this life some ten years ago in Kansas City.

On the outbreak of the war our subject en- listed in the State Militia, becoming a member of Company F, Forty-Ninth Missouri Infantry, of which he was elected Captain and placed in com- mand of the post at Ashley. Posts were at that time established throughout the State for the pur- pose of protecting the citizens from the raids of bushwhackers. Capt. Purse remained in charge at Ashley for two years, during which time he met Gen. Porter's forces in battle. At the end of that encounter his forces were greatly depleted, hav- ing been placed at different points throughout the State. The conflict resulted in his losing only two men out of the seventeen with which he met and repulsed one hundred and thirty.

In 1864 our subject was commissioned Assist- ant Quartermaster of the United States Volunteer Army, serving chiefly in Missouri. He remained in the service until honorably discharged in June, 1865. He continued to make his home in Ashley for the five years following, when he came to Louisiana and subsequently was appointed postal clerk on the C. & A. road. He remained in the service for three years, when he resigned in order to assume the superintendency of the gas works at Louisiana.

Capt. Purse was appointed Postmaster in 1875 by President Grant, holding the office through four administrations, or for a period of about twelve years. When Cleveland was elected he re- signed his post in favor of the Democratic can- didate. 'Since that time he was variously engaged until elected Mayor of the city in 1890. In 1894 he was brought before the public as a candidate

for City Treasurer and Collector and was elected by a large majority, and on the expiration of his term, so efficiently did he discharge the duties of the respective offices, that he was made his own successor.

The marriage of our subject, in May, 1852, was with Miss Mary C., daughter of William and Martha (Draper) Kerr. Three children have been born to them, Henry, John and Lizzie K., all of whom are deceased. Mrs. Purse is a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, as the reader doubtless knows, the Captain is a stanch supporter of Republican principles. He belongs to Wilson Post No. 20, G. A. R., which he is serving as Commander. He is still pos- sessed of much old-time vigor and energy and is a very popular and influential citizen of Lou- isiana.

J OHN WALTER CALDWELL, Collector of Pike County, is a native of Pike County, Mo., and was born July 8, 1840, to Harmon and Mary D. (Caldwell) Caldwell. The father was born in Bath County, Ky., March 10, 181I, and was the son of John Caldwell, of Scotch de- scent, whose birth occurred in Bath County, Ky., in January, 1789. He participated in the War of 1812, and was influential in public affairs of his community.

Harmon Caldwell was a farmer by occupation and came to Pike County in 1827, locating in Peno Township, where he was engaged in tilling the soil until November, 1849, then moved to Curryville, in Spencer Township, where he is now living. He was prosperous in all his undertakings and is the possessor of a fine estate. He was a man active in public affairs and in 1868 was elected County Judge, which position he held continuously for twelve years. He was in early life a Whig, but later became a Democrat, al- though during the war he was a Unionist. He joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1850, and ever since has been an active meni- ber of that body.

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Mary Caldwell, the mother of our subject, was a native of Bourbon County, Ky., whence she came to Missouri with her parents in 1825. at which time they settled in Ralls County, near New London. Her father was a farmer and bore the name of Watt Caldwell, while his wife, prior to her marriage was Eliza Duke. To them were born four children: John W .; Ann Matilda, now the wife of H. G. McCune, of Curryville; James H., living in Kansas City, where he is engaged in the stock commission business; and an infant who died when young.

The early life of our subject was passed on the home farm, during which time he attended the common schools. He later became a student in the Watson Seminary, and two years afterward entered the McGee College, where he completed his literary studies. When leaving school he again took up the vocation of a farmer, which he has followed successfully ever since. He has one farm located in Buffalo Township, where hc makes his permanent home, besides a well-culti- vated estate in Calumet Township. For some two years he was interested in the mercantile busi- ness at Curryville, in partnership with T. J. Ayres. He still carries on the stock business, raising fine animals and also buying throughout the county.

Mr. Caldwell has held various local township positions from time to time, and in November, 1889, was elected County Collector for a term of two years. His election was without opposition, an unusual occurrence. On the expiration of this term he was re-elected by a large majority. He discharged the duties of this responsible of- fice to the entire satisfaction of the people, and inade a very popular and efficient official.

Mr. Caldwell was married October 25, 1864, to Addie, daughter of Henry and Eliza (Brandon) Smelser, who was born in Ralls County, and whose parents, now deceased, were natives of Kentucky. To them have been born eight chil- dren: Mary, Eliza, Dora, Katie, Guy, Addie, James, Harmon, Joseph, Henry, Maggie B. and John Walter, the latter two twins. Mary was her father's assistant while he held the Collectorship and was his main support in that office. Septem- ber 4, 1895, the weddings of Mary and Dora were

celebrated at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church by Rev. T. D. Pearson. Mary became the wife of Dr. Frank S. Love, a native of Mis- souri, and now in charge of the West End Sani- tarium at San Antonio, Texas. Dora was.mar- ried to Henry H. Murphy, a native of Missouri, and also of San Antonio.

Mrs. Caldwell is a member of the Christian Church. Her husband joined the Presbyterian Church in 1858 and has been an active member of that body ever since, holding the office of Elder for nearly thirty years. In politics he is Demo- cratic and socially belongs to the Bluc Lodge, Chapter and Commandery of the Masonic order. He is a man who has always taken an active in- terest in all that pertains to the welfare of the community and uses his influence for its benefit.

L EWIS C. BURDITT is successfully en- gaged in general farming and stock rais- ing on Section 24, Township 57, Range 8, Marion County, which place he purchased in 1855. In the many years which have since elapscd he has been the author of important changes on the farm, which is now considered one of the best in this locality. At the present time it comprises one hundred and sixty acres, most of which is under a high state of cultivation. The owner ranks high among his neighbors and fellow citi- zens, being esteemed for his uniform courtesy, his absolute integrity of word and action, and his successful career.

The parents of the above-named gentleman, Tompkins and Lucy (Burditt) Burditt, were cou- sins, the former born in Virginia in 1783 and the latter in Kentucky in 1802. They were married in Spencer County, Ky., and became the parents of the following children: Amanda, who was the wife of Henry See, died May 27, 1847; Mary J. married James A. Burditt, a cousin, and a farmer of this township; Sarah E., the youngest of the family, married John R. Sharp, and both are de- ceased. The mother of these children died in

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March, 1884, having survived her husband nearly thirty years, as his death occurred in November, 1855. He had been previously married in Ken- tucky to a Miss Thrasher, who bore him four chil- dren, of whom John died in 1840; Melinda is the widow of Gillerson Pinkston, a farmer of Knox County, this State; Thomas, who died in. 1885; and Malisa. In the fall of 1832 Tompkins Burditt entered land in this township, and here made a permanent location. He was a devoted member of the Baptist Church, and was never absent from the service if it was within the limits of possibility to be present, though the church was situated seven miles from his home. His son, John, had come to Missouri on a prospecting tour and had raised one crop before the rest of the family canie west. The senior Burditt had received a fair edu- cation and was a man of wide intelligence. In his political belief he was a Democrat.

The subject of this sketch was born in Spencer County, Ky., July 29, 1826, and was but seven years of age when his parents came to this sec- tion. He remained under the home roof until 1856, when he moved to his present residence, which he had purchased the previous year. On this tract of eighty acres he built a cabin and kept bachelor's hall for a few months, but after his father's death lived with his mother until 1866. Since that time he has had his residence on his own farm, which now comprises one hundred and sixty acres.

He adopted the same political creed as his father, and like him, was a Baptist in his religious preferences, his father, however, belonging to the branch known as the "Ironsides," while his son is a member of the "Missionary" Baptists. Lewis C. has always been active in church work and has served as Clerk and Deacon. He is public- spirited and gives freely to all enterprises having for their object the growth and prosperity of the county.

In 1852 Mr. Burditt was married in Knox County, Mo., to Lucy A., daughter of Will- iam and Permilia (McGlocklin) Musgrove, na- tives of Kentucky. The parents came to this county in 1834 and in a short time went to Knox County, where they entered land and thenceforth

made their home. Mrs. Burditt was born in Jef- ferson County, Ky., January 16, 1831, and her brothers and sisters are as follows: Elizabeth, who married J. Roberts, and, with her husband, has since passed away ; Armilda, deceased; Mary J., also deceased; Sarah M., wife of William Mar- tin, a farmer of Knox County. William Mus- grove, Sr., died in the fall of 1857, after which his widow made her home with her daughter Lucy, and died in 1890, at the ripe old age of eighty-four years.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Burditt has been blessed with four sons and four daughters, of whom three have been called to the better land, namely: William T., Joshua, and one who died in infancy. Mary D. is the wife of William Tulley, an enterprising farmer of this township; James B., residing at home; Elizabeth married William Musgrove, a farmer of this township; Ed is man- aging the farm, and Millie is residing with her parents. The children have all received good edu- cational advantages, and are well qualified to enter the battle of life.

W ILLIAM B. CURD, junior member of of the firm of Herriman & Curd Com- pany, is one of the substantial business men of Hannibal. He is a dealer in lumber and building materials and enjoys an extensive trade in this section. The company to which he belongs is an incorporated one and has a capital stock of $70,000.

The parents of the above named gentleman are Benjamin P. and Mary A. (Bryan) Curd. The father was born in Jessamine County, Ky., April 10, 1810, and was the son of James Curd, who was of Scotch ancestry. Benjamin Curd was a farmer by occupation and in 1833 moved to Lewis County, Mo., where he established a timber and flouring mill on Fabius Creek. His mill was about the first building erected in that part of the country and he was often visited by the Indians. His house was used as a church and when he

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needed medicine or other supplies he was obliged to go to Palmyra for them. The first pair of boots he wore were made by his own hands and from a dog's skin which he had tanned. Afterward he moved to the vicinity of that city engaging in farming in Marion County. He became well-to- do and at the time of his death, which occurred November 19, 1888, he had accumulated four hundred acres of improved land. In early life he was a member of the Christian Church, but later became identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In his later years he was a firm advocate of the Prohibition party. He laid out what is now Montgomery City in the county of the same name, at an early day. His wife, Mary, was a native of Kentucky and a daughter of Lewis and Mary (Cartmill) Bryan. They moved to Marion County, Mo., in early times and lived on a farm near Palmyra. Mrs. Curd was born August 18, 1812, and died December 22, 1887. She was the mother of seven children, namely: Louis B., deceased; James, a farmer and dairy- man of Palmyra; Eliza B., now Mrs. Dr. Hubbard K. Hinde, of Columbia, Mo .; Nancy P. and Mary, deceased; Thomas E., of Palmyra, and owner of the old homestead, and William B.

The birth of our subject occurred December 3, 1849, in Marion County, Mo. His first years were spent on the old farm where he obtained a practical knowledge of agricultural life. Upon completing his district school education he went to Palmyra Seminary where he remained for five terms. In 1874 he came to Hannibal and en- barked in the retail grocery business, but fifteen months later engaged with Hearne, Herriman & Company, first as a clerk and later as a book- keeper. Mr. Curd then went to Texas, locating at Texarkana, and engaged in the sawmill busi- ness under the firm name of Kizer, Curd & Com- pany, where he remained until 1879, when he re- turned to Hannibal and entered the office of Herriman & Curd, first as clerk, then as book- keeper. He remained in this capacity until the company was incorporated, when he became a member of the same. The company was founded by John Ure & Company in 1865, later it was known as Hearne, Herriman & Company, then as

Herriman & Waples. When John Herriman died April 7,1883, the company was incorporated under the style of the Herriman & Curd Company, with E. W. Herriman, President, and W. B. Curd, Secretary and Treasurer, and as such it remains to the present day. The firm have a.planing mill in addition to the lumber yards and are the man!1- facturers of the K. D. boxes and the only ones in this branch of the business in the city. At the planing mill they turn out doors, sashes, mold- ings, etc., and their trade in boxes extends to Inany of the Eastern, Western and Southern States. Their lumber is obtained chiefly in Wis- consin and Minnesota. The firm handles about 20,000,000 feet of lumber a year, and their trade is constantly increasing.

December 3, 1873, occurred the union of Mr. Curd and Celeste B., daughter of John and Har- riet E. (Rowland) Herriman. The father was born in New Jersey, December 7, 1818, and learned the carpenter's trade. At an early day he located in Chillicothe, Mo., where he resided for a number of years. He was a leading Demo- crat and a public spirited man in every particular. November 2, 1874, the only son of our subject and wife, namely: Edward U., was born. His death occurred less than a year later, August 21, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Curd are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church South and contribute liberally of their means to its support. Mr. Curd has passed all the chairs of Mystic Lodge No. 17, I. O. O. F., and is a charter member of Hannibal Camp No. 2129, M. W. of A., which was organ- ized in December, 1893. He is now serving his second term as Venerable Consul. In his political faith he is an unswerving supporter of the Democracy.

O LIVER OVIATT. This worthy resident of Marion County is the owner of a pro- ductive farm on Section 3, Township 59, Range 8. He is a native of Ohio, having been born in Trumbull County, March 12, 1849, to Loren and Mary (Thompson) Oviatt, also born

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in the Buckeye State. The father was a black- smith by trade, which occupation he followed all his life. During the later years of his life he was a resident of Ottawa County, Mich., where his death occurred July 4, 1888. His good wife departed this life in Henry County, Iowa, in 1869.

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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 79

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