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 81
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 81
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 81
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The family of which our subject was a member
consisted of the following eight children: Win- nie, Mrs. William Roy; Nancy, Mrs. Jefferson Bright; Serena, who married James Kelley, a farmer of this county; Emily, widow of John Anderson of Texas; Lydia, Mrs. August Rickett; George W .; John, who died unmarried at an ad- vanced age; and William, a retired farmer of this county. All are deceased excepting Emily and William.
The subject of this sketch was born in Ken- tucky March 29, 1812. He accompanied his father to Marion County in 1833, and soon after married Miss Mary Jane, daughter of William and Elizabeth Martin, natives of Virginia. This lady died some seven years later, leaving no chil- dren. The second marriage of Mr. Peak united him with Mrs. Sedonia Simmons, who was born in Louisiana, Mo., and died September 7, 1874. By her first marriage she had one son, Frank Simmons. By her union with our subject three children were born, one of whom died in infancy. George W., the son, is represented elsewhere in this volume. Mary N., the daughter, was born October 18, 1870, grew to womanhood in her native county, and March 7, 1895, was married to Richard Barber, a native of Edgar County, Ill., born October 25, 1868. They are now residing on the old Peak homestead which consists of two hundred and twenty acres. Mrs. Barber is a lady of refined tastes and estimable character, and is popular in the social circles of the township.
After his first marriage, George W. Peak, Sr., located on the homestead where Mrs. Barber now resides, and there he remained until his death, September 15, 1885. While he made general farming his life work, he also devoted consider- able attention to stock-raising, in which he was
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very successful. Politically he advocated Demo- cratic doctrines, but never cared for official dis- tinction. At the close of an honorable life he passed quietly from earth, leaving a record of good deeds as a legacy to his children and a well- spent life as an example to the world.
J AMES SCOTT. This prominent old resi- dent of Marion County has lived for about fifty years on his present farm, which is lo- cated on Section 32, Township 59, Range 7. During his early years he cleared it of the heavy timber with which it was covered, and now keeps upward of ninety acres under cultivation.
A native of Kentucky, our subject was born in Henry County, near Cambridge, June 1, 1819. He is the son of John and Mary (Campbell) Scott, also natives of the Blue Grass State, whence they came to Missouri in 1845, locating on Section 32, this township. Here the father purchased a quarter section of land, and made it his home until his decease, which occurred in 1848. His wife survived him forty years, pass- ing away in 1888. To them was born a family of six children, of whom Samuel, the eldest, mar- ried Mary J. McChristie, and lives in Sheridan, Mo .; John married Fanny Hughbank, and is a resident of Knox County; William chose for his wife Lucinda Bowles, and both are now de- ceased; Lucinda became the wife of Simon John- son, and is engaged in farming in this township; Grace (Mrs. Medley Ward) is deceased, and our subject was the youngest of the household. The father of this family was a farmer throughout life and was fairly successful in his undertakings. He was a Whig in politics and a devoted member of the Reformed Church, in which body he was an active and influential worker.
The original of this sketch was fairly well edu- cated in his native county, being permitted to at- tend school only a short period of each year, as his services were in demand on the farm. When ready to establish in life for himself he was mar-
ried, in Henry County, Ky., April 15, 1840, to Miss Martha Johnson. She was born in that County, October 22, 1825. The young couple spent one year after their marriage in Henry County, Ky., when they crossed the line into Missouri and settled on rented land in Round Grove Township, Marion County. This they operated for several years, when Mr. Scott was enabled to invest in property of his own. It con- sisted of eighty-two acres, on which there were scarcely any improvements. He is now, how- ever, engaged in general farming on one hun- dred and eight acres of valuable land, which has been made so by hard work on his part. He raises the usual amount of grain and horses, cat- tle and swine of good breeds. He has made this place his home ever since locating upon it, and has therefore been an eye-witness of the marvel- ous changes and growth which this township has passed through. In the early days the in- habitants were few and far between, and the most frequent visitors to the home of this old pioneer was wild game, which could be had for the shooting. He aided in laying out roads, building bridges and indeed took a part in pre- paring the region for settlement by a later gen- eration.
To Mr. and Mrs. Scott there have been born eleven children, seven of whom are now living. They are: Henrietta, now the wife of Stephen Terrick, who lives in Round Grove Township, where he is engaged as a farmer and carpenter ; Emily, the wife of Gilbert Dunn, who makes his home in the same locality; Priscilla is now Mrs. Joseph Burts, and her home is on a farm in Shelby County, this State; Jennie is the wife of William Myers, of Hannibal, Mo .; Annie was Mrs. William P. Bowles, and is now deceased: Ella married Gabriel Marksbury; Simon married Jennie Stovall, and is farming in Round Grove Township; George R., better known in the county as "Moses," married Mett Hickman. The eldest of the family, John, served as a soldier in the late war, and died while confined in prison in St. Louis. The two youngest of the family de- parted this life in infancy.
In politics our subject is a stanch supporter of
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Democratic principles and measures. He has never had any desire to hold office and has steadily refrained from accepting such honor. He is an active worker in the Baptist Church, with which he has been connected for many years, and as one of the oldest residents of the township, he is highly respected and honored.
H ENRY C. GIBBS, M. D. This prominent resident of Curryville, in addition to prac- ticing the profession for which he seems to be rarely adapted by nature and temperament, is also the proprietor of a reliable drug store in that place. He is a native of Pike County and was born in Hartford Township, April 29, 1856. His parents were John L. and Martha J. (Long) Gibbs, the former of whom was born near Louis- ville, Ky., and died in January, 1887, aged sixty- nine years. His father bore the name of Wil- liam L. Gibbs, native of Kentucky, and by two marriages became the father of seven children. The mother of John L. was likewise a Kentuck- ian by birth and with her husband emigrated to Lewis County, Mo., in 1847, making their home in that locality for the remaining years of their lives. Like many of its best residents, they were farmers and became well-to-do.
Mrs. Martha J. Gibbs was born in Hartford Township, this-county, January 13, 1829, and was the daughter of Levi and Sally (Trower) Long, natives of the Blue Grass State, whence they came to Pike County two years prior to the re- moval hither of her husband's parents. They, too, were farmers and were prospered greatly in all their undertakings. Their family included three daughters and one son. The latter, named John, is farming in Montgomery County, Mo .; Mary is the wife of James Stephen, a farmer of Hartford Township, this county; Martha J., sub- ject's mother, makes her home in Curryville; Susan is deceased.
John L. and Martha J. Gibbs were married in Hartford Township, Pike County, Mo., and their
four sons and one daughter are named: William L., who is pastor of the Christian Church, Abi- lene, Taylor County, Tex .; Annie S., who is de- ceased; John L., who is a farmer of Hartford Township; Cornelius V., who is deceased, Dr. Henry C., of this sketch.
Dr. Gibbs and Miss Hermena T. Wernecke were married May 23, 1883. The lady was born at Middletown, Montgomery County, Mo., March 22, 1863, and is the daughter of Detrich H. and Annie T. (Meyer) Wernecke. Her par- ents were born in Germany, and Detrich H., on emigrating to this country in 1855, continued his way westward to Missouri, and passed the re- maining years of his life in St. Louis. He was fol- lowed thither a few years later by his wife. They became the parents of the following named chil- dren: Gergena, wife of B. F. Braustetter, a car- penter of Kansas City, Mo .; Sarah L., widow of William L. Suggett, of Curryville; Katie A., widow of J. H. Rice, who makes her home in Montgomery County, Mo .; Hermena T., now Mrs. Gibbs; Lydia B., who married M. E. Sut- ton, and lives at Middletown; Otto W., a retired druggist of Bowling Green.
The father of our subject was a prominent farmer of Hartford Township, and owned one of the best farms in the section. He brought to the consideration of all subjects presented to his mind the shrewdness and cautious judgment which characterized his agricultural career. Dur- ing the Civil War he served as a soldier in the ranks of the Union Army but, though participat- ing in many hard-fought engagements, was never wounded or taken prisoner.
Our subject lived at home on the farm until twenty-six years of age. During these years he worked on the place in summer and the winter months found him a student in the district school. In the fall of 1880 he spent ten months in at- tendance at the Columbian State University of this State, and in the fall of the following year began the study of his profession in the St. Louis Medical College, where he remained for three terms. In the spring of 1884 he was graduated from that institution and immediately located at Middletown, where he remained for a year in
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partnership with Dr. B. W. Ford. In March of the next year we find him living in Curryville, actively pursuing his calling. He has a large practice, extending even beyond the limits of the county. He soon became noted for his rare skill in the treatment of different cases and is con- sidered one of the finest physicians in this section of country.
The year after locating here he purchased the drug store which he has sold and bought back on several occasions; now, however, he is con- ducting this in connection with his practice. He is also one of the large land-owners of Pike and surrounding counties, owning one hundred acres in Spencer Township, this county, which he bought in 1883. The previous year he became the proprietor of a tract of eighty acres in Hart- ford Township. Besides this he has one hundred and six acres in Audrain County and forty acres in Indian Township, this county, making in all four hundred and twenty-six acres.
Although a quiet and unassuming man the doc- tor is an influence for much good in the commu- nity where he lives and where his every deed and act are guided by the highest principles of truth, integrity and morality. He is one of the lead- ing members of the Christian Church and fore- most in every good work. Politically he is a Democrat and cast his first Presidential vote for Hancock. The Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs are the par- ents of two sons: Harry Wernecke, born June 22, 1886; Freddy Leonard, born January 20, 1891.
D AVID DUBACH, one of the old and prominent citizens of Hannibal, was born in Switzerland County, Ind., Jan. 15, 1826, and with his good wife is happily pass- ing his declining years in the attractive residence which he planned and erected for himself. He is surrounded by many friends who have long ap- preciated his noble qualities of mind and heart, and thoroughly enjoys life. He is a Director in the Hannibal Bank and is President of the Delles
Lumber Company of Eau Claire, Wis., and occu- pies a like position with the Empire or Hannibal Milling Company. Besides the companies men- tioned he is interested financially in many other important local enterprises and his influence is always given to the upbuilding of the city in every way.
Our subject's father, John Dubach, was born in Switzerland, and in 1821, with his family, started with a colony for the New World. The party was in the charge of Lord Selkirk and un- der the auspices of the Hudson Bay Company who had planned that these people should locate at Pembina, on the Red River of the North. The Dubach family left Canton Neufchatel, but the other colonists came from different parts of Switzerland. They landed at the mouth of Nel- son River, and on their way to Hudson Bay they passed within three leagues of Greenland. They ascended the Nelson River nine hundred miles, and located at Ft. Selkirk, on the Pembina River. They found that the country had been very much misrepresented to them and tiring of waiting for their goods, which had been delayed at the mouth of the river, for nearly a year, started without them across the plains, to Ft. Snelling, some six hundred miles. They used wooden carts as a means of transportation on land and floated down St. Peters River in canoes of their own con- struction, landing at Ft. St. Peters, now Ft. Snell- ing, where they were kindly received. Governor Snelling, who was then in charge of the territory of Minnesota, took great interest in them, and secured barges for their transportation down the Mississippi. In September, 1823, they arrived in St. Louis, the party having been diminished by this time to about fifty persons. The Du- bachs remained in St. Louis about a year, but later they started for Ohio. On the way they stopped at a ranch in Switzerland County, Ind., where they found people from their own country, and there they decided to make a permanent resi- dence. However, though the father bought a pre-emption claim, he was dissatisfied, and at the end of two years, disposing of it, moved to Mad- ison, Jefferson County, Ind., where he went into business. He continued successfully in trade
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until his death, which occurred in 1837. His parents, Aaron and Elizabeth Dubach, were members of the party who came from Switzer- land. The former died at Pembina, his death re- sulting from eating what he believed an arti- choke, but which proved to be a wild parsnip. His wife died at Madison, Ind., in 1841, aged seventy years. John Dubach was a Democrat politically, and with his wife, whose maiden name was Maria C. Van Gunten, was a member of the Lutheran Church from childhood. The latter died at Hannibal, May 11, 1880.
David Dubach is one of seven children, the eldest of whom, John A., died in his twenty- fourth year; Mary Ann, who became the wife of Edmond P. Gillette, died in this city in 1874; Frederick L. and Charlotte M. are residents of Hannibal; Rachel died in infancy, and George W. departed this life in Hannibal, in 1873. The early life of our subject was passed in Madison, where he attended the village schools. At the age of fifteen years he was apprenticed to the car- penter's trade and after becoming thoroughly ac- quainted with the business found plenty of em- ployment. Going to Philadelphia he studied ar- chitecture for a season and then, returning to Madison, engaged in contracting and building for three years.
In 1850 David Dubach went to Davenport, Iowa, where for a year and a half he carried on a flouring mill. Selling out his interest in the same he came to Hannibal in the spring of 1858, built a planing mill and embarked in the lumber business, also operating a brick yard. His mills were closed when the war came on, but in 1862 Mr. Dubach secured a contract for making to- bacco boxes, and was thus kept busy during the remainder of the time. He was then in partner- ship with Robert Kauffman and Richard Pin- dell, whom he afterwards bought out and carried on the planing mill and wholesale lumber busi- ness alone. In 1866, in company with his broth- er Frederick, he erected the Magnolia Flour mill, but two years later the plant was sold. Again in 1875, he and S. M. Carter erected the Empire Mills, which they carried on for some time, when it was incorporated as the Hannibal Milling
Company, our subject and his brother becoming stockholders, and the former, President of the concern. The mill was closed for several years, but was opened for business again in 1891, the company being reorganized with Mr. Dubach as President. In 1879, he and his brother Fred- erick, in conjunction with J. B. Price, built the Park Hotel, the finest one in this city. In 1890, Mr. Dubach closed out his lumber business and sold the planing mill to the Herriman & Curd Company. Nine years previous he, with his brother and son, secured an interest in the Delles Lumber Company, which now has a capital stock of $100,000 and has a capacity of one hundred and fifty thousand feet of lumber during ten hours. The Empire Mills can turn out four hun- dred barrels of flour per day. Their products are shipped to many points in the South and West, and even to Glasgow and Liverpool. For the past forty years our subject has owned a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Boone County, Iowa.
December 12, 1855, the marriage of Mr. Du- bach and Emeline W. Bennett, took place at. Brattleboro, Vt. The lady's parents, Albert and Mary (Saulisbury) Bennett, were both natives of the Green Mountain State, and were always en- gaged in farming. Mrs. Dubach is one of seven children, the others being Edmund, Elizabeth, James, Simeon S., John N. and Albert A., all de- ceased. Albert, who was serving under Gen. Blunt, in the late war, was shot by some of Quan- trell's gang, near Baxter Springs. John, also a soldier of the war, was in the siege of Vicksburg, was sent home on account of disability, and died at Hannibal in 1863. James, who had been a prisoner in Libby, died from the effects of his privations. Simeon, also a veteran of the war, died in 1895, in Iowa. Mrs. Dubach met her future husband when she was teaching school in Madison, Ind. They have two children, Fred- erick B., who has charge of the sales department of the Delles Lumber Company, at Eau Claire, Wis., and Jennie May.
Mr. Dubach was the chief promoter in build- ing the Opera House in Hannibal, was active in the selection of its site, supervised its construc-
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tion, and rendered invaluable services in obtain- ing the capital required. The result is greatly to the credit of the founder and for the purposes to which it is devoted, is one of the handsomest and most suitable halls in this section of the country. In politics Mr. Dubach is a Republican. His good wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Both stand high in the community where they have so long lived and to which they contributed so much, and are greatly beloved by all who know them. 1
J OSEPH MORRIS MORTHLAND, one of the extensive and prosperous farmers of Marion County, has long been a resident of Warren Township. His homestead is located on Section 2, Township 57, Range 8, and consists of about four hundred and twenty-eight acres of finely improved land, all of which has been ac- quired by his industry and frugality. Since set- tling here, he has from time to time made val- uable improvements on the place, the appear- ance of which reflects credit upon his energy and thrift.
Mr. Morthland was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, September 8, 1833, and is the son of Solomon and Sarah (Morrison) Morthland. His father was born in York County, Pa., and died in 1848, when forty-one years of age. Sarah, his wife, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, and lived to be sixty-five years of age. She was married in her native county on July 4, 1831, and became the parent of six children. three sons and three daughters. Of these, Hugh is a farmer and stock-raiser, and resides in Aud- rain County, Mo .; our subject was the second born; Catherine; Elizabeth; Sarah J., and David are deceased. Elizabeth married J .T. Long- acre, who is also deceased, and Sarah was Mrs. E. Longacre. The father of this family was liv- ing on a farm in Marion County, Ohio, at the time of his death. He was an estimable and hon- orable gentleman and enjoyed the confidence and
friendship of all who knew him. In politics he was a Democrat.
Joseph M., of this sketch, was deprived of liis father's care when fifteen years of age. His mother being in limited circumstances, he began to do for himself by working out on neighbor- ing farms by the month. He continued in this manner until twenty-six years of age, when he rented a tract of land and was engaged in its cultivation until 1865. That year he moved into the City of Warren and invested his means in thirty-two acres of land. This he held for four years and then, selling out at a good advance in price, purchased eighty acres, included in his present estate. He was very prosperous from the first and continued to increase his property until he is now the proud possessor of one of the largest and most valuable farms in all Marion County. He makes a specialty of raising sheep, although he keeps large numbers of horses and cattle on his farm.
In the year 1863 Joseph M. Morthland was married to Miss Mary E. Frederick, who was born in Marion County, Ohio, November 19, 1839. Her parents were John and Mary (Laufer) Frederick, the former of whom died in this town- ship, July 25, 1876, while his good wife passed away in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. They had born to them three sons and two daughters: Al- fred, deceased; William H., a farmer of this county; John, deceased; Lydia, the wife of E. Longacre, a farmer of Marion County; Mary E., Mrs. Morthland.
Mr. Frederick was a second time married, the lady on this occasion being Miss Sarah Garbison. To them were granted sons and daughters, as fol- lows: Emily, the widow of Dr. Abraham Tomp- kins, a prominent physician of Jacksonville, Ill .; Isaac N., a farmer and dealer in live stock of Shelby County, Mo .; Winfield Scott, a farmer of the above section; Lydia, the wife of Vernon C. Davis, an agriculturist of this county; Etta, now Mrs. Joseph Green, of Jacksonville, Ill .; Benja- min F., minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Macon, Ill., and Katie, the wife of Richard Thomas, a farmer and stock-raiser of prominence in Shelby County.
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To Mr. and Mrs. Morthland there have been born a family of seven children. Of these, Wil- liam A. is a farmer in good standing of this town- ship; Katie is the wife of R. T. Christian, also the owner of good property in this section; Jose- phine, Mrs. James Rager, is living on a farm in this locality, while Joseph E., Boyd E., Vernon D., and Annie W. are at home.
A man of advanced ideas, Mr. Morthland is a practical agriculturist, and is meeting with re- markable success in his ventures in this line. Po- litically he is an ally of the Republican party. We are well pleased to give him a conspicuous place among the representative citizens of the county, for he well deserves the honor.
W ILLIAM W. EPPERSON is a native of Ralls County, born January 4, 1850. His grandfather, Richard Epperson, was born in Virginia October 2, 1772, and there married Rebecca H. Headen, and moved to Jes- samine County, Ky., where he acquired a large tract of land and a number of slaves. In 1829 he moved to Ralls County, Mo., being accompanied by his children, some of whom were married. The first year of his residence here he rented a farm in Spencer Township. The following year he entered Government land in the same town- ship, the farm now known as the Ardery place being a portion of the tract. Here he spent the remainder of his life and died August 30, 1841, his wife having died November 21, 1838. Both were for many years members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their children were: John H., born July 15, 1799, married in Kentucky, moved with his family to Missouri and located in Ralls County, and later moved to Macon County, Mo., where he died in 1866; Joel H., born February 3, 1801, married in Kentucky and removed to Ralls County, where he died; James and Richard, twins, born November 22, 1803, James locating in Ralls County and for years hav- ing charge of a toll bridge on the gravel road be-
tween Hannibal and New London, where he died before the late war; Richard never came to Mis- souri, but engaged in boating on the Mississippi River and was killed at New Orleans while load- ing a boat; Little Berry, born August 22, 1805, married in Kentucky and located in Ralls County, at the mouth of Salt River, which was his home until his death; Samuel, born January 5, 1808, lo- cated in Ralls County, near his brother, L. B., and has since died; Dock Anthony, born April 10, 1810, located on a part of the old homestead in Ralls County, moved to California during the gold fever and there died; Washington, born July 4, 1812, was the father of our subject; Par- thenia, born October II, 1815, married Richard Chickwood, and moved to Southwest Missouri, where she died; Harrison, born May 20, 1818, died December 21, 1821, in Kentucky; Rebecca, born January 12, 1821, married Richard Chick- wood after the death of her sister; William, born November 12, 1823, located first in Ralls County, Mo., and later moved to Macon County, Mo., where he died in 1889.
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