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 90
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 90
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 90
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His father, Andres Staus, was also born near Bishopsell, Switzerland, about 1806, on the old homestead belonging to his father. After reach- ing his maturity he married Sophia Schuler, of Hohnzellar, Prussia, and to their union were born ten children, namely: Twins, who died in in- fancy; John, who died at the age of nine days; Annie, born in February, 1836; Harriet, born December 14, 1842, yet unmarried and a resident of Switzerland; Joseph; Ludwig, born May 18, 1847, died about 1887; twins, who died in in- fancy, and Mary, born in December, 1852, and
unmarried. For the greater part of her life Mary has resided in Paris, and is now engaged as a governess in a private family. Annie was mar- ried February 8, 1859, to Casper Beck, and their two children died in childhood. Mr. Beck died in 1869 and his widow is still living in Prussia. The father of these children was a thrifty farmer and provided well for those dependent upon him. He was much interested in growing grain and in grape culture. In 1846 he was induced by his wife to move to Prussia, her native land, and there he continued actively engaged in agricul- tural pursuits until his death, which resulted from an accident in February, 1866. His wife survived him twenty-six years, dying September 8, 1891, on the anniversary of the eighty-third year of her life. The father of Andres Staus was Joseph, who was born in Switzerland in 1769. On reach- ing manhood he served as coachman for the President of the Republic for ten years, during which time he married Miss Hattie Wolf. Later he settled on the farm, where he lived until his son Andres moved to Prussia, when he accom- panied him. Of his seven children, four died in early childhood, and only his son Andres reached maturity. He died in Prussia in 1868 at the ex- treme old age of ninety-eight years, and his wife died in 1860 aged about eighty-eight years. The maternal grandparents of Joseph Staus, our sub- ject, were John and Annie (Sick) Schuler, natives of Prussia, and who spent their entire lives in that country, both living more than four-score years.
For a year after his arrival in the United States Joseph Staus lived in Buffalo, and then, desiring to see something of the country in which he was to make his future home, he traveled extensively through the Southern and Western States. At length, near Lafayette, Ind., he settled down to work on a farm belonging to a Frenchnian, re- maining there for two years, after which he vis- ited a cousin in Quincy, Ill., and then for a year and a half worked on a farm owned by a Mr. Jackson in Chillicothe, Mo. Returning to Quincy he was employed in a livery stable for three months, and then worked in a rock quarry for a time. After being employed about six months
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on the farm of Henry Forquit, four miles northi- east of Palmyra, he was employed for a like period by John Walter.
February 14, 1870, Mr. Staus married Minnie, daughter of John and Nettie Walter, after which he managed the homestead for seven years on shares. In February, 1877, he bought the farm formerly owned by Alexander Gillespie, and this has since been his home. To his marriage there have been born five children: Sophia, January 10, 1872; John R., August 25, 1875; Emma A., May 6, 1879; Katie L., September 8, 1881, and Lulu C., May 30, 1889. The eldest daughter completed her education at the Centenary Col- lege of Palmyra, and the son received a commer- cial education in the Palmyra Business College.
The parents of Mrs. Staus were born in Ger- many, the father in Darmstadt in 1815, and the mother, who before her marriage was a Miss Hemmelman, in Waldeck. They crossed the ocean in 1847 on the same steamer by way of New Orleans. Continuing their journey to St. Louis they were there married December 4, 1847. Immediately afterward they settled on a farm three miles northwest of Palmyra, renting the same for two or three years, and in the spring of 1850 purchased the homestead where they dwelt during the remainder of their lives. Their fam- ily comprised the following: One child who died in infancy unnamed; Mrs. Staus, born Septent- ber 2, 1848; Lizzie, who died when about eiglit years old; Betty, born about 1852, and now de- ceased; Gustaff, who died in early childhood; Annie, wife of Fred Boger, of this county, and mother of four children; August, an invalid; Ma- tilda, who died in childhood, and Louisa, born November 19, 1864, and the wife of James Reeber, of this county, and the mother of two children. Betty married Peter Zimmerman, of Adams County, Ill., and had two children, one of whom died early in life, while the other, Ma- tilda, is still living. The mother died after the birth of her second child, and Mr. Zimmerman has since married again. John Walter departed this life in 1885, aged about seventy years, his wife having preceded him to the better land some twenty years.
The parents of Mr. Staus, and of his wife as well, were adherents of the Lutheran faith, and he and his own family are also members of that denomination. Politically he uses his ballot in favor of the Republican party, and fraternally is a member of Palmyra Lodge No. 24, A. O. U. W.
J OSEPH BOHON, JR., is known through- out Marion County as one of its most pro- gressive agriculturists. He is the possessor of two hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, eighty of which was included in the old home- stead. It is pleasantly located on Section 8, Township 59, Range 8, and is under the most ad- vanced methods of improvement.
Mr. Bohon is a native of Kentucky, having been born in Mercer County, January 20, 1833. His parents, who were likewise natives of the Blue Grass State, were George and Ann (Woods) Bohon, born respectively January 6, 1797, and September 12, 1793. They were married in the above county in Kentucky where the father en- gaged in farming and continued to reside until 1834. That year he started overland to Missouri, locating at once in Marion County on a tract of land of which our subject is now the owner. He was one of the first settlers in this portion of the county and the eighty acres of land which he en- tered from the Government were in a perfectly wild and uncultivated state. This he cleared from the timber and placed such improvements on it that it soon became very valuable and yielded him a fine income. He became one of the best known citizens of the county and in his death, which oc- curred December 29, 1870, the community lost one of its best residents and honored pioneers. His wife died May 16, 1856.
George and Ann Bohon became the parents of a family of ten children, of whom we make the following mention: James W. was born March 25, 1818, in Kentucky, and is now living near LaGrange, this State; Abraham was born Octo- ber 9, 1819, and died December 14, 1878; Mary
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W. was born August 30, 1821, and died January 3, 1843; Catherine was born October 8, 1823, and died in August, 1870; Jemima was born October 5, 1827, and died June 18, 1828; Nancy was born May 1, 1830, and has always made her home with our subject; Joseph was the next born; Isaac G. was born February 19, 1835, and married Miss Juanna Burk, their home is in this State; Georgia Ann was born March 18, 1839, and is now the wife of Jacob Taylor, a resident of Pittsburg, Kan .; Clark M. was born July 12, 1825, he mar- ried Prudence Floyd and their home is in Shelby County, this State.
The original of this sketch remained at home until attaining his majority, when he learned the trade of a stone mason, following this industry for four years. February 20, 1862, he married Miss Maria L. Smit, who was born in Ralls County, Mo., November 9, 1842. Her parents were Stephen and Susan (Flowerree) Smith, both na- tives of Virginia, whence they emigrated to this State in an early day and passed the remaining years of their life in Ralls County.
Soon after his marriage our subject abandoned the stone mason's trade and located for four years on a farm adjoining the place where he now lives. He afterward went to live with his aged father and on his decease he was left the old homestead of eighty acres. Although this was well improved he made many additions in the way of buildings and latest farming implements and purchased land from time to time until he owns at present two hundred and twenty acres of some of the most valuable land in the county.
The thirteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bohon are James R., born February 5, 1863, married Mary Vener and now lives near our sub- ject; Elizabeth was born May 25, 1864, and is now at home; Susan was born January 12, 1866, mar- ried Edward Bowles and departed this life Sep- tember 24, 1886; Homer was born March 31, 1867; he married Effie West and is living in Ben Bow, this State; Ella was born March 28, 1869, and is the wife of T. J. Dinwiddie of Steffenville, Mo .; Nannie E. was born July 28, 1871, and is the wife of Minor Vanarsdall of Ben Bow; Woodford was born April 10, 1873, and is now living in
Carroll County, Mo .; Oscar was born April 19, 1875, and died June 24, 1887; Katie, born August 25, 1877; Howard, March 31, 1879, and George W., October 21, 1881, are all at home; the next born died in infancy and Ira V., born February 14, 1887, is at home.
Our subject cast his first Presidential vote for James Buchanan and now votes for Republican candidates. He is a devoted member of the Pres- byterian Church, with which religious body his wife is also connected. He is self-made in the truest sense and is highly regarded by all who know him or have dealings with him.
M ILTON BIGGS is one of the early set- tlers of Ralls County, within whose boundaries he has dwelt for over a quar- ter of a century. In 1868 he purchased his pres- ent farm on Section 5, Township 54, Range 5, has since cleared off most of the timber and has erected good buildings and fences. He is a man of strong convictions, general learning and wide experience, and his opinion is often consulted on various matters of practical import by those who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. He is very active in the ranks of the Republican party, with which he has always been affiliated, and at one time ran for the Legislature, but was beaten on account of the overwhelming Democratic ma- jorities.
Mr. Biggs was born in Pike County, on the banks of Ramsey Creek, November 25, 1817, his parents being William and Elizabeth (McCune) Biggs, natives of Virginia and Kentucky re- spectively. Davis Biggs, father of William Biggs, was of Scotch descent, and one of the early settlers of Pike County, having located on Grassy Creek, about 1820. He operated a farm and also preached in the Baptist Church for many years. The parents of our subject's mother were John and Mary McCune, both of Kentucky and life-long farmers. Mr. McCune was one of the pioneers of Pike County, whither he emi-
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grated in 1817, and there passed his remaining years. William Biggs was married in Kentucky and came to Missouri with his father-in-law's family. He settled on Ramsey Creek, Pike County, buying a farm and operating the same for two years. He then moved to Peno Creek, in the same county, purchasing another farm. He was a prominent man and was well known in all parts of the State as he was a noted leader in the Whig party. He was the father of six sons and six daughters, namely: John D. and George K., deceased; Mrs. Mary Ann Tinker; Nancy H. Hutchinson, deceased; Milton; Mrs. Emily Briscoe, and Mrs. Susan Curry, deceased; Mar- ion; William; Mrs. Margaret Shannon; M. Rich- ard, and Mrs. Elizabeth Shottwell. The chil- dren were educated in the old-time log cabin schools, where their advantages, as may be imag- ined, were certainly limited; as for our subject, he only attended school three months at any one time in his entire life.
Milton Biggs worked on his father's farm in his youth and until he was twenty years of age, when he went to Clark County, Mo. There he was employed on farms until 1848, and in the meantime, March 9, 1843, married Jane Thomp- son, a native of Pike County, and daughter of Gilbert and Susan (Shannon) 'Thompson, na- tives of Kentucky, who came to Pike County at an early day. In 1848 Mr. Biggs removed to Travis County, Texas, and a year later went to Caldwell County in the same State. There he purchased two hundred and twenty-five acres of land, afterward buying one hundred acres more. In 1854 he sold out his property interests, in- vested in livestock, and going sixty miles north- west into Blanco County, bought a tract of land comprising eight hundred and forty-five acres. This place he continued to operate until the Civil War broke out in 1861, and was quite success- ful in stock-raising enterprises. On account of the war he and his family returned to Caldwell County, but afterward went again to their Blanco County farm, which Mr. Biggs disposed of in 1868. In September of that year he lost his wife and as one of his sons had been killed by the Indians and he had suffered much in other ways,
he decided to return again to Caldwell County, and a little later to his old home in Pike County. Having sold his stock to good advantage he pur- chased his present farm of two hundred and tell acres with a view to making it his permanent home.
By his first marriage Mr. Biggs had fourteen children, named as follows: Henry C., born Oc- tober 16, 1844, killed by the Indians; Elizabeth M. McCune, September 4, 1846; Susan M. Lawson, November 5, 1847; William G., No- vember 16, 1849; Mary L. Cowan, February 24, 1851; John O., May II, 1853; James M., Octo- ber 13, 1856, also killed by the Indians; Emily K. Hampton, November 3, 1858; Thomasann Thompson, November 10, 1860; Ruth Ann, April 7, 1862; Nancy J., January 26, 1865; Mar- tha E. Griggs, August 6, 1865; George K., August 29, 1867; Harriet M., August 29, 1867. Those deceased are as follows: Ruth. A., died April 8, 1862; Nancy J., October 25, 1865; George K., August 31, 1867; Henry C., Decem- ber II, 1867; Mollie L. Cowan, March 31, 1868; Harriet M., February 5, 1868; James M., Novem- ber 12, 1882.
July 26, 1869, Mr. Biggs married Elizabeth W. Eustace, a native of Philadelphia, Pa. The worthy couple both worship with the Baptist Church at Salem, and contribute of their means and time toward the support of religious and be- nevolent enterpises.
OHN W. TINSMAN, the popular ex-Mayor of Kirksville, is justly proud of the position which he occupies among the scenic artists of America. In the making of backgrounds to be used by photographers he is unexcelled and his reputation, earned by close application to his chosen field of labor, is more than national, as his backgrounds are sought by artists all through the Mississippi Valley and even beyond the boundaries of the United States. He is a native of Butler County, Pa., born July 31, 1842, and is
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a son of Martin and Susan (Coppas) Tinsman, also natives of that State. In 1855 the family came to Missouri, by river, landing at Canton, from which place they made their way almost im- mediately to Kirksville. The father of this family died when John was an infant of five weeks, and the mother came here with the hope of bettering her financial condition. Her children were J. A., now living a retired life in Kirksville; Mary A., the widow of W. E. Pannabaker, makes her home in Adair county; Fannie is the wife of Solomon Otto, of Sloan, Mo .; Sarah became the wife of J. D. Girard, and departed this life in the above place.
Our subject remained on the home farm, aid- ing in its cultivation, until the outbreak of the late war. He enlisted in November, 1861, in Company H, Seventh Missouri Cavalry, and on the expiration of his service, re-enlisted and be- came chief bugler. The Seventh was in the cam- paigns through Mississippi, Kansas, Arkansas and Texas. At the close of the war Mr. Tinsman returned home, and locating in Kirksville, began the manufacture of woolen goods. He contin- ued this business for five years, when, it not prov- ing profitable, he thought best to abandon this line of work and from that time until 1875, was the owner of a saw and grist mill. That year came a great flood, which swept away his mills and destroyed much of his household goods. Thus, losing his savings of years, he was obliged to begin again at the bottom round of the ladder.
Mr. Tinsman had always been desirous of try- ing his talent as a scenic artist and now was pre- sented an opportunity for him to do so. Estab- lishing a studio for himself, he gradually grew into popular favor, and as the years passed his business assumed large proportions. He located in Kirksville and up to the present time has painted over three thousand backgrounds which are in use all over the United States. In addi- tion to this business he carries on a photograph gallery, his purpose being to promote in every way possible his business as a scenic artist, and by using the backgrounds himself, his patrons can have the effect wanted.
In November, 1865, Mr, Tinsman married Miss
Dora Pannabaker, who departed this life in March, 1887, leaving two sons and two daugh- ters: Fred, a photographer of this city; and Cliff, bookkeeper in the First National Bank; Flossie, at home with her father; and Ida, who died at the age of twenty years.
Socially Mr. Tinsman is a member of Kirks- ville Lodge No. 72, K. of P., in which he has passed all the chairs; is Past Grand of the Odd Fellows, having membership in Lodge No. 96; he is Past Master Workman in Lodge No. 103, A. O. U. W .; Past Commander of Corporal Dix Post No. 22, G. A. R., and is Past Captain of Apollo Dix Division No. 12, U. R. K. of P., and is Past Captain of Select Knights, A. O. U. W. He is a valuable member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which he is a deacon, and also acts as Secretary of the Sunday school.
In politics Mr. Tinsman is a strong Repub- lican and cast his first Presidential vote for Abra- ham Lincoln, at Little Rock, Ark., while in the army. He was elected Mayor of Kirksville in 1890 and his popularity was so great that on the expiration of his term he was re-elected. His administration was very successful, and through his influence the city has now water works, ma- cadamized streets, many new sidewalks, and nu- merous public improvements.
T HOMAS A. SPAULDING is one of the representative residents of Saline Town- ship, Ralls County. 'He is the fortunate possessor of a handsome homestead comprising one hundred and sixty-two acres, situated on Section 21. Politically, he uses his ballot in be- half of the Democracy, and from 1873 until his father's death, was assistant constable, later being elected to that office, which he has since held. He is faithful in the performance of his duties and his friends and neighbors feel that they can place implicit confidence in him in every particular.
Our subject's parents were Benjamin A. and Matilda A, (Hager) Spaulding. The father was
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born in Kentucky and died in 1874, aged seven- ty-six years. He was married in his native State and in 1830 emigrated to Ralls County, living for a year at Spaulding's Springs. Later he removed to Saline Township, where he passed the re- mainder of his life. In his youth he learned the cooper's trade and followed the same until 1850, also operating a farm. Prior to that time the salt works were under full operation and his time was employed in making barrels in which this nec- essary commodity was packed. For nearly half a century Mr. Spaulding was Justice of the Peace and Constable, his character being above re- proach. His father was a hero of the War of 1812, and his ancestors were formerly residents of Maryland and pioneers of the Blue Grass State. Mrs. Spaulding was born in Kentucky in 1776 and died at the age of seventy-four. She was the mother of seven sons and four daugh- ters, named as follows: Robert, a retired farmer, of Spaulding's Springs; Thomas A., of this sketch; Varalda H., deceased, wife of George H. Whitcotton, a retired farmer of this county; Wil- liam, who is in the furniture business in Paris, Mo .; James, who was killed in the late war; Eme- line and Eliza J., deceased; John, whose death occurred in Texas; Benjamin, formerly a furni- ture dealer and broker in Texas, but now retired from active business; Ned and Katie, deceased, and one who died in infancy.
The birth of Thomas A. Spaulding occurred December 1, 1824, in Marion County, Ky., and when he was only six years old he came to this township. He worked on the farm and assisted his father until 1847, when he enlisted for the Mexican service, being at the front for a year and a half. He served in Company E, in a Mis- souri regiment under Gen. Price, and though he was a participant in many encounters with the enemy was never wounded nor captured. Re- turning home he resumed the peaceful avoca- tions of life until the gold fever seized him and in the spring of 1850 he started overland for Cali- fornia. He was on the Pacific slope for about twenty years, engaged in mining for fifteen years and five years in farming. He did well in a financial way and in 1870 purchased the farm of
one hundred and sixty-two acres where he has since resided.
In February, 1864, Mr. Spaulding was mar- ried in California to Mary Pollock, who was born in Texas. She died in December, 1864, leaving an infant son, Sterling P., now engaged in the furniture business in Texas. In 1876 our sub- ject married in this township, Nellie, daughter of P. O. and Louisa (Spaulding) Bresenhen1. She was born in Hannibal, Mo., March 26, 1856. Her father was a native of Ireland and died in 1860, aged thirty-seven years. His wife, Louisa, who was not related to our subject, was born in Clay Township, Ralls County, and died in 1864, aged twenty-eight years. Mr. Bresenhem came to the United States when very young and set- tled in Hannibal, where he learned the black- smith's trade. His widow became the wife of Ed- win Fuqua, who died in 1863, when in his thirty- first year. Mrs. Spaulding is an only daughter and has one brother, Robert, who is engaged in the livery business in Hannibal. To our subject and wife have been born five sons and two daugh- ters, namely: Myrtle, Louisa, Archie, Jay, Ros- coe, Thomas, and one who died in infancy. Jay died in childhood and the others are attending school in the vicinity of their home. The fam- ily are identified with the Catholic Church.
W ILLIAM H. STONE is a general farmer and stock-raiser of Spencer Township, Pike County, and for about thirty years has lived on his present homestead. His farm is finely improved and the dwelling of modern design is surrounded with a beautiful lawn and trees. During the late war he enlisted on the Confederate side, took part in many im- portant engagements and has interesting remi- niscences.
Edwin, father of our subject, was born in Flu- vanna County, Va., and died in 1887, aged eighty- four years. His parents were natives of the Old Dominion, the father being an extensive land and
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slave-owner. Edwin Stone married Harriet Bur- gess, of Virginia, who died in 1872, aged forty- five years. Her parents were William and Shie- lon Burgess, who passed their entire lives in Vir- ginia. One of their children, John, was a Captain of the Black Horse Cavalry during the late war and was killed while in the service. Our subject's parents were married in their native State, and to them were born three children: Cornelia, wife of Tom Dougherty, a farmer of Audrain County, Mo .; Maggie, twin sister of Cornelia and now de- ceased, was the wife of William Miller, a Texas farmer; William H., our subject. In 1856 Edwin Stone removed with his family to Pike County and engaged in farming, besides speculating and loaning money.
Like his father, William H. Stone was born in Fluvanna County, the date of his birth being September 7, 1840, and was sixteen years of age when he moved westward. He continued to dwell at home until reaching his majority, when he en- listed in Company E, Pike County Militia, and joined Gen. Price at Lexington. After the battle at that point his company retreated to the Osage River, where they remained in camp until March. Soon afterward they participated in the battle of Pea Ridge, thence going to Van Buren, Ark., where they were enlisted in the regular Confed- erate Army. Mr. Stone took part in many bat- tles, and though he had narrow escapes, was for- tunate in never receiving a wound. On one occa- sion, in company with a comrade, he was rolling a cotton bale when the other man peeped over the top of the bale and was shot through the head, dying instantly. Since the war our subject has been engaged in farming in Spencer Township. His first purchase was a tract of forty acres, to which he has added at different times until there are two hundred and eighty acres of land in the home place. His wife owns one hundred and fifty-three acres of valuable farming land near Frankford, this county. During his business ca- reer Mr. Stone has raised some very fine stock and has been extensively engaged in trading. During the war he speculated in various things and made plenty of money, but as it was Confed- erate currency he disposed of it to good advan-
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