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 87
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 87
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 87
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107
When locating in this State in 1839, Woodson and Lucy Brown took up land and passed the remainder of their lives engaged in farm pursuits. The father made a success of his chosen vocation by giving his entire attention to it, and although beginning in life without means, became one of the prominent and substantial agriculturists of Pike County. He was widely and favorably known as one of the earliest settlers, who for many years witnessed its progress and aided in its upbuilding. Although in no sense of the word an office-seeker, yet he took an active part in all municipal elections as well as Presidential canı- paigns, standing loyally by the Democratic party, and aiding its nominees to the best possible inter- ests of the country.
Our subject was a resident of this township from the age of five years until the day of his decease. He was reared on his father's fine es- tate and during his younger years conned his lessons in the rude log cabin of the district. This temple of learning bore little resemblance to the
673
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
magnificent structures which the youth of to-day attend, nor did the branches taught equal in any respect the advantages which every boy and girl of the present time enjoy. He was quick to learn, however, and not being satisfied with this meager education, by systematic and judicious reading, became one of the best-informed men, on all subjects of importance and interest, in the locality.
When a lad of fifteen years William Brown made a profession of religion, joining the Baptist Church. In 1860, however, after his marriage, he united, with his wife, with the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church, and to the day of his death was known as a strong exponent of its teachings. He was a Christian man in every sense of the term and his place in the church, where his name was the synonym of love and charity, can never be filled. He was one of its leading members, was foremost in its every good work and for years held the office of deacon. We cannot think that such a life can come to naught, but we reverently believe that he has now entered "upon broader fields of action and duty, where nobler struggles shall task the strength and more precious crowns award the victor, where the hopes and dreams of earth shall be turned to realities and the broken circles of life be rounded to the perfect orb."
The marriage of our subject with Miss Jane E. Sisson was celebrated December 23, 1855. The lady was born in Fauquier County, W. Va., June 30, 1836, and is the daughter of John and Mary (Strother) Sisson. Her father, who was also a native of the above State, was born Janu- ary 25, 1794, and died September 16, 1845. His wife was likewise a Virginian by birth, and was thirty-three years of age at the time of her de- cease, October 2, 1840. She was the daughter of Louis and Mary Strother, who spent their entire lives in the Old Dominion, where they were ex -. tensive farmers and slave-owners.
The parental household of Mrs. Brown in- cluded nine children, five sons and four daugh- ters, as follows: William J., the eldest, was born August 2, 1822, and was a miller by occupation, but is now living retired at Bowling Green, this State; Henry L., born January 12, 1824, is de-
ceased; Margaret A. was born August 14, 1824, and is now the widow of Henry Kelly, formerly a well-to-do farmer of this county; John J., born March 10, 1827, is now retired from the mercan- tile business and living in Colorado; George E. was born December 28, 1829, and died on his way to California; Mary C., who is now the widow of J. O. McCune, of Peno Township, Pike County, was born January 18, 1832; Lawson F., a prominent farmer of Spencer Township, was born in 1834, and for his full history the reader is referred to his biography on another page in this volume; Jane E., the wife of our subject, was the next in order of birth; Julia V., born March 26, 1839, died in October, 1860. The latter mar- ried Bamia Shellhorse, and to them was born a daughter, Maggie, who is now the wife of John Biggs, a resident of this township.
On the death of his wife, the father of Mrs. Brown chose for his second companion, Mrs. Mary (DeMuth) Nowell, a widow, and their union was solemnized December 23, 1841. This marriage resulted in the birth of three children, of whom Samuel L., born December 20, 1842, is a substantial farmer of Pike County; Harriet N., born August 4, 1844, is now the wife of J. Jones, and makes her home in California; and Barbara F., born February 4, 1846, makes her home with her brother, Samuel. The father of this family so conducted himself throughout life as to honor the citizenship of this township. He was well known and much respected by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance and always attended strictly to his own affairs. He begrudged happiness to no one, was no man's enemy, and had no enemies of his own, but on the contrary had many friends.
To our subject and his estimable wife there were born a large family, numbering six sons and six daughters. Of these we make the fol- lowing mention: Mary L. was born September 20, 1856, married Hiram C. Brown, who although bearing the same name, was no relative, and makes her home on a fine estate in Spencer Township, this county; William J., born March 27, 1858, is engaged in farm pursuits in Ralls County, this State; Margaret E. married Horace
674
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Neville, a well-to-do farmer of Pike County; Ida B., born September 21, 1861, is the wife of John T. Reading, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser residing in Curryville, Mo .; Thomas T. was born March 8, 1863, and is farming in Spencer Town- ship; Eugene E., born January 24, 1865, is en- gaged as a general merchant at Curryville; James K., born November 12, 1866, is a farmer of this section; John L., born September 19, 1868, is managing the home place for his widowed mother; Leona, born October 8, 1870, resides under the parental roof; Maude W., born April II, 1876, died in infancy; Birdie B., born on Christmas Day, 1878, is at home, as is also Rob- ert E., whose birth occurred July 23, 1880.
On his death, in 1892, William R. Brown was mourned by many far beyond his sorrowing home circle. Though he was a quiet and unassuming man, he was an influence for good in the com- munity where so much of his life had been passed, as his every deed and act were guided by the highest principles of truth, integrity and morality. He built up one of the most beautiful and at- tractive homes in the county and left to his wife and family a handsome fortune. Mrs. Brown is a true, generous-hearted woman and holds a warm place in the affections of those about her. She is one of the valued members of the same church with which her husband's name is indis- solubly connected.
H ENRY CLAY HEATHER, Prosecuting Attorney of Marion County, was born February 8, 1867, in Liberty Township, Marion County, Mo. His parents were Perry C. and Mary E. (Taylor) Heather, the former of whom was also born in this county, the date thereof being November 14, 1834. He was the son of Michael B. Heather, a native of Maryland, who emigrated to Missouri many years ago and became one of the earliest settlers of Marion County. He was a farmer and stock-dealer and died in this section in 1854.
Perry Heather received a common school edu-
cation in Marion County, and when embarking in life on his own account chose farming as his vocation. His valuable tract of land, which was three hundred acres in extent, was situated in Miller Township. The home place in Liberty Township was also three hundred acres in ex- tent and well cultivated. He died August 18, 1889. He was a Democrat in politics and a de- voted member of the Christian Church. His wife was a native of Missouri and the daughter of Wes- ley L. and Emeline (Bowles) Taylor, old families of Kentucky, who came to Missouri during the early settlement of the State and engaged in farm- ing. The mother is now living in Palmyra.
To the parents of the subject of this biography there were born six children, of whom Anna B. died in infancy; Henry Clay was the next in or- der of birth; Emma is the wife of R. L. Brown, of Shelby County, Mo .; Charles B. died at the age of twenty years; Ottie M. is at home, and Eddie B. died when an infant.
Our subject was reared on the home farm in Miller Township, acquiring his preliminary edu- cation in the common schools. Later he attended the Ingleside College and the Centenary High School at Palmyra. He then entered the Mis- souri State University at Columbia, from which he was graduated with the class of 1888, taking a full course in the law department. He then en- tered the office of Rufus E. Anderson, in order to familiarize himself with the practice, Mr. Ander- son being at that time Prosecuting Attorney. He remained there until his father's death, when he removed with the family to the home farm, hav- ing been appointed administrator of the estate. They lived there until in August, 1890, when they took up their abode in Palmyra, where they now reside.
In January, 1891, our subject was appointed Deputy County Clerk under W. E. Sites, and also Assistant Prosecuting Attorney with J. T. Ray. In 1892 he announced himself as a can- didate for the office of Prosecuting Attorney, and after a hot contest he received the Demo- cratic nomination at the primary, with a plurality of six hundred and thirty votes over Col. R. E. Anderson and James T. Ray, the latter being then
675
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the incumbent of the position. He was elected and duly installed in office January II, 1893. On the expiration of his term he was renominated and reëlected without opposition on the Demo- cratic ticket, and is now serving his second term. In both elections he led the ticket, which is evi- dence of his ability and popularity as a Prosecut- ing Attorney.
During the first two years as Prosecuting At- torney Mr. Heather tried fifty felony cases and over two hundred misdemeanors. Among the cases in which he secured conviction of murder in the first degree is that of Adam Young, accused of killing his father. During his second term in- dictments for murder in the first degree were found against Dr. J. C. Hearne and wife for the murder of Amos J. Stillwell, at Hannibal., Mo., in December, 1889, which case at this writing is before the courts for trial.
Socially Mr. Heather is a member of the K. of P., belonging to Amicitia Lodge No. 32, of Pal- myra.
Mr. Heather is very popular with the bar and the people. He is a good advocate, an uncom- promising, vigorous prosecutor and one of the rising lawyers of the State.
S AMUEL P. M'ELROY, who is one of the respected pioneers of Marion County, was born in Warren Township, on the home- stead where he now resides, June 26, 1838. He is one of the practical and influential agricultur- ists of the township, of which he has been a resi- dent for over a half-century. His possessions are located on Section 6, Township 57, Range 8, and comprise one hundred and sixty acres.
Hugh and Catherine C. (McAfee) McElroy, the parents of our subject, were born in Kent- tucky, the father's birth occurring in Marion County, February 25, 1802, while his wife was born March 29, 1807. The paternal grand- parents of our subject were Samuel P. and Mary (Wilson) McElroy, also Kentuckians, in which
State the grandfather died. His wife afterward came to this county, where she departed this life in 1859, at the age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of five sons and five daughters, namely: William, Esther, James, Nancy, Hugh, Margaret, Wilson, Eliza, Ann and Andrew. Of these all are deceased, with the exception of Ann, who is the widow of George Edelin and lives in Shelbyville, Mo.
Hugh and Catherine McElroy were married in Warren Township, this county, October 15, 1835, and to them were born five sons and daugh- ters, as follows: John is a farmer of Shelby County; Samuel P. is the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth is deceased; Nancy A. is unmarried, and makes her home on a portion of the old homestead, in this township, and Mary M. is de- · ceased.
The father of our subject, with his brother Andrew, came to this portion of Missouri in 1831 from their native State. They at once entered land from the Government and lived together until Andrew, in 1861, went to Texas, where his death occurred. Hugh, in 1836, established a store of general merchandise at Warren, which he conducted for many years with signal success. He was a fairly well educated man and honored and respected by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He was actively interested in the good work of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics always voted the Whig ticket.
The original of this sketch was reared on the homestead which he is at present cultivating, and secured a good education in the schools of the district. At the same time he learned the prac- tical manner of conducting a farm, and when ar- riving at man's estate continued to follow this line of business, and has met with good success in his vocation. He is an industrious, hard- working man, noted for his honesty and upright- ness.
Mr. McElroy was married June 8, 1876, to Miss Sallie J. Mitchell, who was born in Shelby County, Mo., in 1849. She was the daughter of William C. and Alice (Bell) Mitchell, natives of Virginia, whence they emigrated to the above county many years ago and where the mother
676
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
died. The father with his family then removed to Saline County, this State, where he was living at the time of his decease. He was a well-to-do farmer, and also taught school with success. To them were born the following-named sons and daughters: Liddleton, now deceased, as is also Thomas; William is engaged in the elevator business in St. Louis, Mo .; Maria married Dr. John N. Dunlap, a prominent physician and druggist of Miami, Mo., and is now deceased; Ellen, now deceased, was the wife of Wilson Cal- hune, a carpenter of Saline County, and James is a farmer of Shelby County.
To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born seven children: William C., at home; Katie B., deceased, and Annie M., Hugh D., Mary A., Mattie I., and Ruth E., at home.
In political affairs, Mr. McElroy affiliates with the Democratic party, and socially is a member in good standing of the Masonic fraternity. Since the death of his father he has carried on the home place, and under his able supervision the farm is kept under the best improvements and in a high state of cultivation.
E A. WOOD, a worthy resident of Warren Township, Marion County, is one of the wealthy and influential men of this re- gion. He commenced life empty-handed, but by indomitable will and business ability has wrought out for himself a comfortable mainte- nance and a high reputation for honorable char- acter among those who know him.
A native of Kentucky, Mr. Wood was born in Bourbon County, August 1, 1826. He is the son of David and Sarah (Ashgraft) Wood, also na- tives of the Blue Grass State, the father born in 1804, and the mother in 1803. They died in 1878 and 1847, respectively. They were united in marriage in Kentucky in 1825, and to them were born the following-named sons and daugh- ters: E. A., subject of this sketch; Margaret, now deceased, was the wife of Eli Taylor, of Texas; Sallie A. married William Carnehan and both are
deceased; John T. is a retired farmer, living in Colorado; Mary J. and her husband, John Wil- kins, are deceased, as are also Stephen, William, who was killed on the railroad, Sophia and Mar- tha. The latter was the wife of Silas Hendricks, a blacksmith of Kansas.
David Wood was a second time married, the lady on this occasion being Mrs. Fanny Tim- mons, the mother of two daughters, Martha and Emily, and one son. By her union with Mr. Wood there were born five children, as follows: Agnus, the wife of John Jurde, resides in Kansas City, Mo .; Milton, Robert R. and George are farmers of Shelby County, this State; Malcome M. is a physician of Palmyra.
In 1830 our subject was brought by his parents to Monroe County, this State, where they made their home for six years. Their next change found them living in Shelby County, where they passed the remainder of their lives. His father was a well-to-do farmer and for many years was Justice of the Peace of his township.
Our subject lived at home until his twenty- sixth year. He then began doing for himself, his first work being to learn the blacksmith's trade. This he followed for about thirty-five years, and even at the present time does all his own work in that line. In 1865 he purchased two acres of land, on which he erected a shop and carried on a business as blacksmith for two years. He then became the proprietor of his present estate, comprising one hundred and forty-five acres of excellent land, and although giving the greater portion of his time to its cultivation, he still did work for his neighbors.
Mr. Wood was married October 26, 1856, to Miss Sarah J. Hughtower, who was born in Ken- tucky. She survived her marriage only two years when she was called hence, passing away at the age of thirty-one. To them was born a son, William R., who is now deceased. Mr. Wood was married in 1860 to Jane E. Bragg, whose birth occurred March 23, 1837, in Virginia. She was the daughter of Elias and Margaret Bragg, Virginians, who emigrated to this county in 1832, and thereafter were engaged in farm pur- suits in this locality. They became prominent in
677
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the affairs of their community and were respected by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. To them was born a large family of sons and daughters, of whom we mention the following: Margaret, deceased; William, residing in Cali- fornia; Sarah, deceased; Mary, the wife of Sam- uel Harrison of Shelby County, Mo .; Lucy, de- ceased; Jane E. and Virginia, twins; Nancy, the widow of Daniel Birds, of Monroe City, and Wil- liam S., Agnus and Roddie, who died young.
The following children were born to our sub- ject by his union with Miss Bragg. They were Charles B. and William S., farmers of Shelby County, this State; Sallie, the wife of Robert Smith, a farmer also of the above county; Lizzie, whose husband, John P. Snider, is the owner of a farm there; Leonora, Samuel H. and Edwin Y., at home.
In using his right of franchise, Mr. Wood has always supported Democratic nominees, and is an. active worker in the ranks of his party. He is upright and conscientious in every position in life to which he is called, and is a man of patriotic and public spirit. He is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and, socially, is a Mason of high standing.
J OSEPH E. WRIGHT. Among the most prominent agriculturists of Ralls County is Mr. Wright, who is also one of its oldest residents, having made his home here for the past eighteen years. He is a man whose high repu- tation and material prosperity have come as the reward of unusual natural abilities industriously applied. He makes his home in Perry Town- ship, on Section 27, where he has ninety-six and one-half acres of nicely improved and highly pro- ductive land.
James and Sallie (Gilkison) Wright, the par- ents of our subject, were both natives of Virginia where they were reared and married. The father was a farmer by occupation, which industry he carried on in connection with his trade of a blacksmith until his death, July 22, 1876. His
wife departed this life January 19, 1863. They became the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom the eldest, Sarah, was born October 9, 1814; Joseph E., March 9, 1816; William. G., December 2, 1817; Samuel, October 11, 1820; James D., February 16, 1823; Ruth A. E., May 1, 1825; Nancy, October 12, 1827; and Henry, July 16, 1829. They were all well educated in the common schools of Virginia and became good and useful citizens of their respective communities.
The original of this sketch remained under the parental roof until a year before attaining his ma- jority. He then went to live with his uncle near Staunton, Va., becoming manager of his farmi and remaining with him for a period of twelve years. In 1852, however, desirous of seeing something of the Western country, he emigrated to Missouri and became the proprietor of a quar- ter section of land in Saline County. He found a good tenant for the place and then removed to Monroe County, settling on a tract of three hun- dred and sixty acres near South Fork Creek. He made this locality his home for a period of twenty years.
February 8, 1855, Mr. Wright was married to Nancy D. Yewell, who was born in Rockbridge County, Va., January 24, 1832. In 1870 they took up their abode in Perry, this State, having disposed of their three hundred and sixty acre tract, and made their home there for the fol- lowing two years. During this time Mr. Wright made numerous improvements in the town, and at the end of that time traded his property there for his present farm, receiving in addition one thousand dollars in cash.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of eight children: Nancy, born October 12, 1855, is now deceased; Millard F., born March 14, 1858, is also deceased; John Y., born September 19, 1859, is now living in Perry, Mo .; James W., born July 23, 1865, is deceased, as is also Maggie Belle, born September 7, 1867; Samuel B. was born September 6, 1875, and now makes his home with his parents. The other two children died in in- fancy. They were all given good educations and the eldest is now attending high school.
678
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
In politics Mr. Wright is a strong supporter of Democratic principles and candidates. He is a man who attends strictly to his own affairs and, although seventy-nine years old, he as yet shows but little of the ravages of time. With his family he is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a self-made man, and is now enjoying a good competence, the result of his early well-directed efforts, and is one of the substantial citizens of the county.
W ILLIAM EDWIN HOLLIDAY. It affords us pleasure to place before our readers an outline of the history of this young gentleman, who is one of the progressive and enterprising farmers of Pike County. His estate is located on Section 18, Township 54 North, Range 2 West, is under admirable tillage and, in fact, is one of the best to be found in the township. Mr. Holliday was born in this section about one mile east of where he is now living, January II, 1864. He was the youngest of three children born to William A. and Jaily A. (Finley) Holliday. The father was born in the Blue Grass State in January, 1811, whence he came to Mis- souri with his parents in his boyhood days. They located at once in Pike County, where he grew to manhood and embarked in life for himself as an agriculturist. He was later married to Miss Fin- ley, and for seven years enjoyed the blessings of a happy home. In December, 1863, his death oc- curred, leaving his stricken family to mourn his loss. He was a man of sterling character, and during his years of residence in this county his kindly nature, genial disposition and generous support of all worthy enterprises endeared him to all who knew him.
Mrs. Jaily Holliday was the daughter of Mil- ton and Sally (Grant) Finley. She is a native of this State and county, having been born January II, 1838. Growing to noble womanhood, she met and married Mr. Holliday, into whose home she brought sunshine and contentment. After the death of her husband she was again married to
William B. Smith, by whom she has become the mother of three sons and one daughter. Mr. Smith is a prosperous farmer and stockman of this county.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were William and Rebecca (Reading) Holliday, na- tives of Kentucky. They grew to manhood and womanhood in that State, and in about 1818, after their marriage, came with their family to Missouri, settling in Pike County. There their seven sons and daughters grew to mature years, while the grandparents spent the remainder of their lives in this section.
The grandparents of our subject on his mother's side were Milton and Sally (Grant) Finley. They, too, were Kentuckians by birth, and at the time of their removal to this State were classed among its pioneers. After a number of years' residence on Buffalo Creek they removed to Montgomery County, where they were living at the time of their decease.
The original of our sketch grew to manhood under the care and guidance of a loving mother, his father having died prior to his birth. He ac- quired a good education in the common schools, completing his course with one term at the State University at Columbia, Mo. When attaining his eighteenth year he began his career as an agriculturist. He was a very ambitious young man, and five years later, when his marriage oc- curred, he was the owner of a fine farm.
William Edwin Holliday and Miss Peggie L. Shannon were united in marriage February 17, 1887. After his union with this lady he continued his farm labors, locating in Ralls County, work- ing with renewed zeal and energy until 1891, when he sold this place and became the proprietor of his present fine farm, locating upon it in the spring of that year.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.