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 82
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 82
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 82
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Washington Epperson, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Jessamine County, Ky., and at the age of seventeen came to Ralls County with his parents. His boyhood days were spent on the old Kentucky farm, and his education was re- ceived from his older brothers after he was twenty-one years old. He remained with his par- ents until February 8, 1838, when he married Nancy Jeffries, who was the first white child born in Ralls County, August 6, 1818, and conse- quently is the oldest living native born person in the county. Her father, Robert Jeffries, was born in Kentucky, while her mother, Elizabeth Jamer- son, was born in St. Louis County, Mo. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Epperson located in Jasper Township, near Madisonville, where he bought eighty acres of land which had been en- tered the year previously, and had five acres cleared. On this place he erected a huge log house, eighteen by eighteen feet, one and a half stories high. This was considered a fine residence at that time, being both better and larger than most of the houses in that section of country. Here he commenced housekeeping and spent the
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remainder of his life, dying December 21, 1885. His wife still survives him and until 1890 re- mained where she first commenced her wedded life, making a continuous residence there of over fifty years. Here, too, all her children were born and reared. Her husband was a man of quiet and domestic habits, and lived a peaceful home life, and by industry and good management acquired a competency. His upright and honorable char- acter gained the respect and confidence of all who knew him. For twenty years he held the office of Justice of the Peace, and was repeatedly chosen administrator of estates and guardian of children. Notwithstanding his Southern birth, and the fact that he had relatives in the Confederate Army, he adhered to the Union, and in 1862 enlisted in the Federal Army. In early life he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he re- mained until after his marriage, when both he and his wife united with the Salem Baptist Church, of which she is still a member. They were the parents of seven children: Annie E., born November 19, 1838, married William Chil- ton and died in Ralls County, March 12, 1876; Robert, born August 2, 1842, died November 9, 1844; John J., born August 23, 1846, married Rosanna Seely and died March 15, 1874; William W., our subject; Nancy E., born January 2, 1853, married H. C. Wooten and now resides on the homestead; Mary L., born February 9, 1857, died November 28, 1870.
Mrs. Epperson, the mother of our subject, as already stated, bears the distinction of being the oldest native white person in the county, and is probably the most sprightly and active lady of her age living here, as she still attends to all of her household affairs without assistance, living alone near her son William. Her father, Robert Jeff- ries, in company with his two brothers-in-law, Robert and William Jamerson, came from St. Louis County in 1817 on a flatboat, landing at Louisiana, which at that time had a mill and a few houses. William Jamerson entered lan 1 which is now the site of New London, and built the first house in the town. In this house Mrs. Epperson, the mother of our subject, was born, and in her uncle's house was held the first two ses-
sions of court after the organization of the county. Her father and two uncles were on the first grand jury.
William W. Epperson, of whom we now write, was educated in the common schools of Ralls County, and remained on the old .farm until of age. In 1872 he left the home roof and, being impressed with the idea that a large city was the proper place to commence in business, went to St. Louis, where he remained for a short time, and from there went to Petersburg, Ill., where he remained about eighteen months, engaged in mining. He then returned to the old home and February 6, 1873, was married in Pike County to Sarah A. Turley, a native of Pike County, born July 4, 1849, and a daughter of Harrison G. and Mary A. (Fowler) Turley, who were respectively natives of Ralls and Pike Counties, Mo. After his marriage he located first in Pike County, Mo., near Spencersburg, renting land and farming for about eight years. In 1882 he bought one hun- dred and twenty acres of land in Ralls County, three miles south of Center, where he made his home until 1889, in the meantime adding forty acres, making a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He followed general farming and stock- raising, but made a specialty of stock. In 1889 he concluded to give up farming and bought prop- erty adjoining the thriving village of Center. The same year he built his present fine residence and, in company with Mr. Osterhout, built the first livery stable in Center, conducted the business one year, then sold out, and, in company with William Utterback, engaged in the hardware and grocery business under the firm name of Utterback & Ep- person, continuing until 1892, when he sold out. Since his residence in Center he has helped to build the fine brick block south of the railroad. In 1891 he was appointed Postmaster of Center, which office he retained until he retired from busi- ness.
Mr. Epperson is one of the organizers of the Center Bank, of which he is a stockholder and director. He has twice been a delegate to the Re- publican State Convention, and has three times received the nomination for Sheriff on the Repub- lican ticket. For three years he has been a mem-
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ber of the Town Board, and is now City Treas- urer. In 1890 he was elected Marshal and Street Commissioner, and ever since coming to Center he has been one of the active and leading citizens of the place. He still owns his farm, which he rents to other parties and has one of the prettiest and most comfortable places in town, having in connection with his fine residence five acres of land. Both Mr. and Mrs. Epperson are members of the Christian Church. He is also a charter member of Center Lodge No. 230, K. of P., and is a member of Triple Alliance, Center Camp No. 322. They have but one child, Edward C., who was born December 30, 1873, and who still makes his home with his parents.
N ATHAN SMITH RICHARDSON, A. M., M. D., a prominent physician of Ma- con, Mo., was born August 24, 1830, near Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio. He is the son of Nathan and Rebecca Bears (Boosby) Rich- ardson, and the grandson of Asa Richardson, the latter of whom was a resident of Cincinnati and is supposed to have been murdered in 1802 while enroute on a flatboat to New Orleans, La. Na- than Richardson was a contractor and builder of the Buckeye State and a trustworthy and reliable workman.
Our subject received his primary education in the public schools of Warren County and entered Lebanon Academy in the fall of 1845. He was graduated from that institution with the class of 1850, receiving the degree of A. M., and in Sep- tember of that year entered Bacon's Commercial College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and was graduated therefrom in May of the following year. Mr. Richardson commenced the study of medicine in September, 1852, his preceptor being Dr. Charles Grant, of the Queen City. He afterward attended lectures at the Medical College of Ohio from 1853 to 1855, and located for practice at Omaha, Neb. This was in July, 1855, and he continued to reside in that city until 1859, when
he returned to Ohio and attended lectures at the Medical College of Ohio during the sessions of 1859-60 and 1860-61, and was graduated there- from with the degree of M. D. March 4, 1861.
Dr. Richardson was examined by the Army Medical Board at Columbus, Ohio, in June of the latter year, and entered the United States service as acting Assistant Surgeon, U. S. A., July 7 fol- lowing. December 26, 1862, he was commis- sioned First Assistant Surgeon of the One Hun- dred and Eighteenth Regiment, Ohio Infantry, and served with his regiment in Kentucky, Ten- nessee and Georgia up to the fall of Atlanta. He was surgeon in charge of the hospitals at Cynthi- ana, Paris and Lexington, Ky., and Loudon, Tenn. He was also chief operator in charge of the field hospital, Second Division, Twenty-Third Army Corps. November II, 1864, he was pro- moted to be surgeon of the Thirteenth Ohio Cav- alry, Second Division, Army of the Potomac, where he served until the close of the war. He was present and distinguished himself by bravery on the morning of Gen. Lee's surrender, and is so recorded in Whitelaw Reid's history of "Ohio in the War," Vol. 2, page 827. After the close of hostilities Dr. Richardson located in Macon, Mo., where he has since been engaged in the active practice of his profession.
In the year 1802 the father of our subject was engaged in hauling brick in Cincinnati, Ohio, for the first brick residence erected in that city. His team became stalled, whereupon Gen. Harrison, who was passing, said to a member of his staff who was with him, "Let us help the boy out," which they did. Nathan thanked him for his kindness and remarked that perhaps some day he could help Gen. Harrison out. The oppor- tunity was offered in 1840. Being a good Whig, he traveled through the State of Ohio making campaign speeches in favor of Harrison. Our subject, who was then a lad of ten years, was in- troduced as being the son of the man whom Har- rison had helped out of the mud. Nathan Rich- ardson departed this life in 1864. He was the father of nine children, of whom five are now liv- ing. Martha J. lives on the old homestead in Warren County, Ohio; Nancy G. is the wife of
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Dr. W. G. Bryant, of Springfield, Ohio; William also lives on the home farm; Frank D. is a resi- dent of Newton, Jasper County, Ill., and is a farmer and stock-breeder. Two of this family died in childhood, and Mary, Mrs. Dr. Charles Grant, departed this life in Oregon, and John R. died on the homestead.
In referring to Reid's account of the charge made by the rebels near Appomattox Courthouse, April 9th, we give the following: "In this en- gagement Lieut. E. F. Cooper fell mortally wounded. A most affecting spectacle presented itself in the rescue of this wounded soldier which will never be forgotten. When the young of- ficer fell from his horse his position was such that he must have fallen into the hands of the enemy. This danger caught the quick eye of the surgeon, Nathan S. Richardson, who rode through the lines, exposing himself to the fire of the enemy, reached the place where the Lieutenant lay bleed- ing, and assisted by his brave orderly, John Ruch, took the dying young hero upon his saddle and carried him off the field."
Dr. Richardson is a member of the Macon County Medical and Surgical Society, the Mis- souri State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the Wabash Railway Sur- geons' Association, and the National Association of Railway Surgeons. He is local surgeon for the Wabash road, and for a period of twenty-two years was a member of the Board of United States Examining Surgeons. He has been a continuous member of the Independent Order of Good Templars for forty-one years, and was Grand Worthy Chief Templar of the Grand Lodge of Missouri for five terms. He also belongs to F. A. Jones Post No. 23, Department of Missouri, G. A. R., was Commander of the post five terms, and Medical Director of the Department of Mis- souri, G. A. R., two terms. For three terms he has served as Mayor and ten years a member of the Council of Macon, and two years has been a member, and is now, of the Board of Education of Macon.
Dr. Nathan S. Richardson and Miss Rebecca Frances McFadden, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, were united in marriage July 1, 1856. Mrs. Rich-
ardson was the daughter of William and Eliza- beth McFadden, the former of whom was a na- tive of Lewisburg, Pa., although his daughter was born in Terre Haute, Ind. The doctor is a Republican in politics and cast his first Presi- dential vote for Winfield S. Scott.
T HOMAS FARMER OWEN, M. D., the subject of this sketch, is one of the most successful physicians and business men of Macon County, and for thirty years was a resident of Callao, but in 1894 came to Macon. He has always been a great worker and has ac- quired large property interests in various places, besides owning stock in the Brookfield Bank and in the First National Bank of Macon. He pos- sesses keen sympathy for the poor and suffering, and is large hearted and very generous in his contributions to benevolent purposes.
The doctor's grandfather, Thomas Owen, was born in Wales, but emigrated to America prior to the War of the Revolution, and took part in that struggle. He served in the Virginia campaign and after the cessation of hostilities was granted a pension. In company with two of his brothers, he afterward located in the famous Blue Grass region and died in Kentucky in 1838. His wife was a Miss Farmer, of Virginia. Their son, William, the doctor's father, was born in 1800 in the Old Dominion, and was reared in Kentucky, thence going to Indiana in 1854. To himself and wife, who was a Miss Fannie Driskell, were born eight children, Thomas being the 'eldest. Nancy Agnes is the widow of William Wise, of Tipton, Ind .; Elizabeth married A. M. Legg, an editor in Tipton; Rachel, deceased, was the wife of William Hornaday; William is a farmer of Winfall, Ind., and the others all died in early childhood. The father of these children was called to his final rest in 1872 at his home in Tipton, and his wife survived him but one year or so.
The subject of this article was born December I, 1831, in Carroll County, Ky., and was brought
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up on a farm. At the age of seventeen he coni- menced running on flatboats and steamers on the Ohio River, and was thus employed about three years. In the summer of 1852 lie com- menced the study of medicine and three years later located for the practice of his chosen pro- fession, at Laclede, Mo. Afterward he took a course in the American Eclectic College at Cin- cinnati, and then resumed his residence in La- clede, where he practiced until 1863. At that time. he went to Montana and remained in the gold fields for a short period, then entering the army of the frontier as a surgeon. In 1865 he opened an office in Callao and resumed his pro- fessional duties, to which he gave his attention for the next three years. Then for several years he conducted mercantile operations and also ran a hotel. In the meantime he invested money in the tobacco business, in which he was quite suc- cessful, and erected a number of buildings among the best in Callao and several of which he still owns, and which have proved to be paying in- vestments.
February 5, 1852, Dr. Owen married Melinda Batts of Kentucky, who proved a faithful com- panion and helpmate up to the time of her death, which occurred August 22, 1885. They were the parents of five children, two of whom are de- ceased. The others are: Nancy, who married W. F. Sawyer, of Chillicothe, Mo .; Mary, wife of J. B. Gates, of Brookfield, Mo .; and Alice, who was wedded to C. H. Marmaduke, a banker of Callao. May 5, 1886, Dr. Owen was married in Callao to Miss Addie, daughter of Isaac T. Rals- ton, and their two children are Thomas Taylor and William. Isaac T. and Charlotte (Temple) Ralston are natives of Pennsylvania and Mis- souri, respectively, and are now living at Callao, Mo. Mr. Ralston was for many years a woolen manufacturer, but is now retired from business. He and his wife are consistent members of the Christian Church. Their family consists of six children, as follows: Maggie, wife of Rhodes R. Davis, of Leadville, Col .; Mary F., wife of G. W. Mullen, of Neponset, Ill .; James F., residing in Callao, Mo .; Addie and Allie N. (twins), the former the wife of our subject, and the latter Mrs.
O. G. Newby, of California; Lue C., the wife of George W. Chinn, of Caldwell, Idaho.
Religiously, Dr. Owen and his good wife are members of the Christian Church. The former is very generous in his donations to church pur- poses, is one of the largest contributors to the congregation with which he is now identified, and the beautiful new edifice at Callao is largely a monument to his benefactions. Mrs. Owen aids her husband in every good work, and is a lady of many amiable characteristics. In 1852 he voted for Franklin Pierce though he lacked ten days of being twenty-one years of age. He had gone to the polls in a joking way, and, being unchal- lenged, and asked if he wished to vote, he did so. Since that time he has been a supporter of the Democratic party, and in 1872 was a candidate for Representative from this county, but was de- feated.
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L AWSON F. SISSON. That our subject is one of the shrewdest and most intelligent agriculturists of Pike County is shown by the success which has crowned his efforts, for he is now the possessor of one of the finest farms in this section, his landed property aggregating over fourteen hundred acres. Both in business success and the position which he occupies in the community Mr. Sisson is an example of what a man can accomplish, provided he possesses en- ergy, pluck and good judgment, coupled with a respect for the confidence of the people among whom he may live. Our subject possesses good business qualifications and excellent judgment, both of which are necessary for a successful and prosperous career. Mr. Sisson makes his home in Spencer Township, of which he is one of tlie pioneers.
He of whom we write was born in Warren County, Va., January 24, 1834, to John and Mary (Strother) Sisson. The history of our subject's parents will be found with Brother W. J. Sisson. The parents of the original of this sketch were married in the Old Dominion and to them were
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granted sons and daughters, the eldest of whom, Henry, is deceased; William J., is a retired farmer, residing in Bowling Green, this State; Margaret is the widow of H. Kelly and makes her home in Spencer Township, Pike County; John J. is a railroad man; George E. is deceased; Mary M. is the widow of Joseph McCune and makes her home in Peno Township, this county; Lawson F., of this sketch, was the next in order of birth; Elizabeth married William R. Brown, of Spencer Township, who is now deceased, and a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this vol- ume; Julia married B. Shellhorse, and to them were born a daughter, Maggie, who is now the wife of John Biggs, a resident of this township.
The father of subject was a second time mar- ried, the lady on this occasion being Mrs. Mary Nowel, by whom he became the parent of three children; Landrum, engaged in farm pursuits in Peno Township; Harriet, wife of Mr. Jones, and makes her home in California, where her hus- band is a well-to-do agriculturist; Barbara, also a resident of the Golden State. John Sisson was recognized as one of the worthy and representa- tive men of his community, and was respected by all who knew him. He was quiet and unas- suming and was an influence for much good in his neighborhood, where his every deed and act were guided by the highest principles of truth, in- tegrity and morality. He was a firm believer in the political doctrines of the Whig party, and therefore always cast his vote with that element. Although at all times interested in public affairs, he was in no sense of the word an office-seeker, as he preferred to give his time and attention entirely to his private affairs and let those hold public positions who desired to do so.
Our subject, a lad of four years, accompanied his parents on their removal to Missouri; two years later his mother died and seven years there- after he was doubly orphaned by the demise of his father. Thus, at thirteen years of age he was forced out into the world to earn his own living, with what success we have stated in our opening paragraph. Being deprived of a parental home young Lawson was taken into the family of John Crow, who was then living near Ashley, and re-
mained an inmate of his household until attain- ing his sixteenth year. Then, feeling that he must choose a vocation in life, he learned the trade of a machinist under the instruction of S. N. Purse, Ashley, Mo., with whom he served an ap- prenticeship of four years and eight months. After fully mastering this business our subject fol- lowed the same until 1859, when he thought to better his condition by working in the gold mines ; accordingly he made his way to Pike's Peak and after a year spent in seeking for gold returned to Pike County, but was content to remain here only a twelvemonth when we find him en route to Colorado. His stay in that State was of short duration, however, for in the fall of that year he retraced his steps to this county and spent the following two years dealing in stock.
In 1864 Lawson F. Sisson fitted out several large ox freight teams with groceries, and started overland for the mountains and located at Vir- ginia City, Mont., where he remained until the fall of 1865, when we find him again living in this county; but a short time thereafter he started on a prospecting tour through the State of Texas. While there he purchased a herd of three hundred and fifty cattle, which he drove to this State and marketed at a high price, thus making a hand- some profit of the venture. Soon after this spec- ulation he purchased a tract of two hundred acres of valuable land, to which he has added as his means would allow, until now he is one of the largest tax-payers in the State, having under his control over fourteen hundred productive acres.
The estimable lady to whom Mr. Sisson was married in 1866 bore the maiden name of Mary R. Wright. She is a native of this county, and was born November 22, 1848, to John A. and Rebecca McCune. She is the only daughter born to her parents and her brother is Daniel W., a wealthy farmer of Ralls County, Mo. The father of this family died in the year 1851, and his widow afterward married Samuel McCune, who, though bearing the same name, was no relation. To them was born a son, John A., who died when an infant of eleven months. Samuel McCune was Sheriff of Ralls County during the years 1865 and 1866.
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The five children born to our subject and his wife are as follows: Harvey W., who married Miss Clara James, of Colorado, and their house- hold includes three children: Joe Henry, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising in this township; Bertha, who is at home with her par- ents; Daniel, who is attending school at Bowl- ing Green; one who died unnamed in infancy.
In social affairs Mr. Sisson is a prominent Mason, and also belongs to the A. O. U. W .; in his religious faith he holds to the views of the Calvanistic doctrine, and is a member in excellent standing of the Presbyterian Church, and in his contributions to this particular denomination is very liberal. He has at heart the success of the Democratic party, which he always assists with his vote and his influence. The comfortable and hospitable home of Mr. and Mrs. Sisson is ever open to their many friends, among whom they number the best people in the county.
H ENRY B. GLAHN is deserving of great commendation for the success which he has achieved in his struggles to make a home and competence. Nevertheless he pos- sesses those sturdy characteristics of the sons of the Fatherland, untiring energy and fixedness of purpose, in whatever they undertake, and as a result he is now well-to-do, and is numbered among the substantial farmers of Marion County. He purchased his present homestead in 1890, it being situated on Section 3, Town- ship 56, Range 8.
Our subject was born in Prussia, August 19, 1845, and is a son of Bonnie and Catherine (Striker) Glahn, who were likewise natives of the same province. The father died in 1886 when in his sixty-ninth year, while his wife, whose death occurred three years previously, was then sixty-six years of age. Their eldest son, Henry, was killed by a runaway horse, and the third son, John E., is now an enterprising farmer of this township. Elizabeth, the only daughter, is
the wife of Frank Westlaw, a blacksmith of Mon- roe City. In 1849 the family sailed from Ger- many, and on landing in the United States came direct to this county, where the parents con- tinued to dwell as long as they lived.
In his boyhood Henry B. Glahn had very lit- tle chance for obtaining an education, as his services were required on his father's farm. How- ever, he obtained a practical knowledge which was of more benefit to him than any amount of schooling would have been. He continued to live under the parental roof until he was twenty- nine years of age, when he rented a farm in this township, and thus had his initial experience as an independent worker. From the start he was quite successful and for several years he con- tinued to rent land, carefully putting aside each year a certain sum of money, wherewith he might in time become the owner of a good farm. His homestead is a fine tract of eighty acres, which has been well improved and is very fertile, adapted equally well for raising crops or for a pasturage. In his political belief Mr. Glahn is a Democrat, having been identified with the party since becoming a voter. He was reared in the faith of the Catholic Church and still adheres to its teachings.
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