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 91

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, C. O. Owen & Co.
Number of Pages: 820

USA > Missouri > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion, Ralls and Pike counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties; together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the Unted States > Part 91
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 91
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 91

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tage and only kept a one hundred dollar bill as a souvenir.

April 3, 1873, the marriage of Mr. Stone and Salome P. Rodgers was celebrated. The lady was born in this county August 9, 1850, and is a daughter of Elder Timothy P. and Elizabeth (In- low) Rodgers. The father was born in Ray County, Ky., and died in 1874, at the good old age of seventy-four years. His parents were Jo- siah and Esther Rodgers, the latter of whom lived to attain nearly one hundred years. They were natives of Kentucky and passed their entire lives in that State. Elizabeth Rodgers, also a native of the Blue Grass State, died August 18, 1850, aged thirty-five years. She was a daughter of Abra- ham and Salome Inlow, whose early lives were spent in Kentucky, but who moved to Peno Township, Pike County, about 1830. They brought with them a large number of slaves and among their possessions was a very large box, containing gold. This box was placed in a well- built, strong wagon, but the gold was so weighty that the wagon broke down several times.

Mrs. Stone is one of several children, the others being: Elder Silas M., a minister of Grayson County, Texas; Martha A., widow of Wash Clay- ton, and now a resident of Richmond, Mo .; Mar- garet E., wife of Judge William B. Beshears, a banker and general broker of Vandalia, Mo. In 1852 Elder Timothy Rodgers married Sarah Mc- Leod, by whom he had two children, George W., since deceased, and one who died in infancy. Elder T. P. Rodgers was Pastor of the Primitive Baptist Church of Spencerburg, this township, for many years, but received no remuneration for his work in that direction. He was also a teacher of grammar for a number of years, having adults for his pupils.

The union of William H. and Salome Stone was blessed with three sons, who are all on the old homestead, and who are named respectively: Ho- mer L., Olie M. and Ira C. Homer L., the eldest son, was born April 20, 1875, received a good edu- cation and is a young man of good business abil- ity. He has traveled extensively and has specu- lated in stock of all kinds. At present he is much interested in raising high-grade trotting horses

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and is the owner of some fine animals. The sons are all bright and intelligent and bid fair to make a success in life. In his political relations our subject is a Democrat of no uncertain stripe and has always supported the principles of the party since first becoming a voter. The family enjoy the respect and high regard of their friends and neighbors and are numbered among the repre- sentative people of this district.

L EDGAR ESTES. The brilliant legal gentleman whose name heads this sketch is one of the most enterprising and successful lawyers of Clarksville, and is also Notary Public. He is a native of Shelby County, this State, and was born January 27, 1867, to James A. and Mary C. (Riggs) Estes, who now reside in Louisiana. James A. Estes is a miller by occupation and the son of Richard Estes, a native of Kentucky, and an early pioneer of Lin- coln County, Mo., where he reared his family.

Mary C. Riggs, our subject's mother, was the daughter of Dr. James and Matilda (Vandiver) Riggs, the former a native of the Old Dominion, who removed to Kentucky when quite young and later to this State. He was a man possessing wide experience as a physician, was a talented business man and withal a very pleasant gentle- man, highly esteemed by all. His widow died October 20, 1894, at the advanced age of ninety- four years.

To James A. and Mary C. Estes have been born four children: Virginia, wife of W. Wirt Parks, makes her home in Louisiana, Mo., where her husband is engaged in the music business; L. Edgar, the next born; Josie and Chester W. are at home.

The original of this sketch attended St. James' Academy, Macon City, and was later graduated from the Louisiana High School with the class of '84. Immediately on completing his literary education he began the study of law under the tutelage of W, H. Morrow, of Louisiana, and

when he had finished the desired course of read- ing was admitted to practice at the bar of Pike County by the Judge of the Circuit Court, March 13, 1888, and since that time he has given his undivided attention to his profession. He first located for practice in Louisiana, but, after a res- idence there of two years he removed to Clarks- ville, where he has gained for himself an en- viable place among the professional men of that city.

The marriage of our subject to Miss Beulah H. Knox took place October 8, 1890. The lady is the daughter of Dr. J. A. P. and Celia (Mc- Dannold) Knox, now residents of Memphis, Tenn., but prior to this time made their home in Clarksville. To our subject and his wife has been born a son, James A., named for his grand- father on the paternal side. Mr. Estes is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, while his wife worships with the congregation of Disciples in this city.

In politics our subject is a Republican and on one occasion was the candidate of his party for the office of Prosecuting Attorney, but as the Republicans in this section were in the minority he was defeated. He received his first notarial commission under Gov. Francis in 1888. Mr. Estes is one of the most prominent citizens of Pike County and enjoys the confidence of a host of friends in his community.

AMES OWEN ALLISON, attorney of New London, was born in Ralls County, Mo., July 23, 1855, and is a son of James W. and Catherine (Crigler) Allison, the former a native of Boone County, Mo., born June 22, 1826. He was a son of Alexander Allison, a native of Pennsyl- vania, of Scotch ancestry. Alexander Allison was a farmer by occupation and went to Missouri when a young man. He died in Maries County, Mo., some years ago. He had five children: James W., the father of our subject; John, who resides at Sturgeon, Boone County; Felix, of

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Shelbina, Mo .; Isabelle, the wife of Henry Holmes, died in 1875, and Elizabeth, who mar- ried Elijah Simms, now deceased.

James W. Allison is a farmer by occupation, and with his father removed to Monroe County, Mo., when he was a lad of eight years, his mother dying soon afterward. His father made a perma- nent settlement in Monroe County, and there James received his education in the public school. The home being broken up, he was early thrown on his own resources. His first venture away from home was in the pineries of Wisconsin, where he remained one year, and then returned to Jasper Township, Ralls County, and ran a saw- mill for a couple of years. He later bought a tract of land in the same township and went to farming, where he now lives. He has been suc- cessful in accumulating a handsome fortune and has now about nineteen hundred acres of land under improvement. He carries on general farm- ing and stock-raising. In politics he is a Demo- crat, and in religion a Methodist. A man of strong constitution, and energetic, it is no won- der that success has crowned his efforts. He is an old school gentleman of temperate habits, con- servative in thought, charitable and benevolent, giving liberally to worthy objects. He has been a hard worker, and has attended strictly to his business affairs. His wife is a native of Virginia, a daughter of Joel and Rosa (Fray) Crigler. Her parents moved to Missouri in 1837, settling near Florida, Monroe County. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Allison: Joel S., liv- ing in Mississippi; James O .; John W., deceased; Sarah J., wife of Charles H. Williamson, of Ralls County ; Jennie D. died in 1881; Thomas E., liv- ing in Ralls County, and Mary C., now the wife of C. S. Jackson, a farmer of Ralls County.

The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm, securing his primary education in the district schools. He then attended the State Nor- mal School at Kirksville, from which he was graduated in 1882. Later he took a course at the State University at Columbia. After he left the University he served one term as School Com- missioner of Ralls County. In 1884 he was elected a member of the Legislature, and was twice re-

elected, serving six years. He was Chairman of the Library Committee the first term, and during his second term was Chairman of the Committee on Education. The third term he was Chairman of the Committee on Corporations and member of the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence. He closed his Legislative career in 1891 with credit to himself and honor to his county. He studied law while teaching and while in the University, and was admitted to the bar by Judge Bacon in 1887. In the fall of 1890 he was elected Prosecut- ing Attorney of Ralls County and reelected in 1892, serving until January, 1895. He holds the reputation of being one of Ralls County's most successful attorneys. He was a vigorous and successful Prosecuting Attorney, and during his term of office prosecuted many important cases to conviction, one of the most important of which was that of State vs. John Nelson, charged .with murder. This case was ably and vigorously de- fended, but Mr. Allison secured a verdict of guilty and the prisoner was sentenced to be hung. In the short time given to his profession Mr. Alli- son has built up a fine practice, which is con- stantly increasing. His civil practice is growing, and he has lately had the adjustment of many large estates. He is a man of the people and very popular throughout the entire county. He is a member of the K. of P. and the Masonic order, and in politics he is a Democrat.

T HOMAS STARK. This prominent old resident and progressive farmer of Pike County is at present living in Township 54, Range 3 West. He is a native of Kentucky and was born in Bourbon County in 1815. His parents were Thomas and Susan (Shannon) Stark, natives of Kentucky, and he was their only child. His father died when he was an infant of nine months, after which event his mother re- turned to the home of her parents, John and Susan (Alexander) Shannon.

The maternal grandmother of our subject was

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a native of Ireland, and came to America with her parents when fifteen years of age. Here she met and married John Shannon, whose birth oc- curred in Kentucky, and to them were born the following children, namely: Susan, Isa- bella, Polly, Jennie, Margaret, Nancy, William and Jacob. Isabella married John Clark, and to them were granted a family of three sons and five daughters, namely: John, William, James, Nancy, Susan, Cynthia, Polly and Margaret C. Polly Shannon was married to John McCune, and to them were born three sons and four daugh- ters: William, John, Harvey, Betsey, Susan, Margaret and Polly. Jennie Shannon married Gilbert Thompson. Nancy Shannon married John Andrews, an Ohio man, and after their union they located in Illinois, where they reared a fam- ily of six children. William Shannon married a Miss Gray, and on her decease chose for his sec- ond companion a Miss Easton; their two children were John E. and Susan Ellen. Jacob Shannon married Miss Millie Hurst and their sons and daughters were John, James, Mary and Susan.

The original of this sketch was married July 8, 1841, to Miss Elizabeth Goldsberry. Mrs. Stark was born December 17, 1825, and is now in her sixty-ninth year, and enjoys excellent health. Our subject and wife have been granted a family of ten children, às follows: James G., John B., Thomas, William H., Susan R., Lois E., Lillie L., Minnie M., and two who died unnamed in infancy. The eldest son married Missouri Bailey, and to them have been born two children, Harry B. and Min- nie L. He is engaged in farming on property of his own adjoining the old homestead on the south. John B. Stark married Miss Susan Stark and their children are John T., Charles W. and Lillie S .; they all reside in Colorado. Thomas, the third son, married Ellen Whitney, and their one child bears the name of Roy; they, too, live in Colo- rado. William H. married Miss Katie Donovan, and of this union was born a daughter, Mattie E .; on his wife's death he was married to Dollie Emma Keith. Susan Stark is the wife of William Henry Waddell and has two sons and one daugh- ter; Arion H., Edward T. and Flora B. Lois E. was married to James L. Reading, and their fam-

ily comprise two children, John T. and James Lee. Lillian Lee married Thomas W. Shy, and is the mother of one son, Raymond D. Minnie M. married Thomas King; their one daughter bears the name of Marcie L.

W ILLIAM H. TINKER, Vice-President of the Bowling Green Bank, is a re- tired farmer and stock-raiser of Spen- cer Township, Pike County, of which he is one of the pioneers. He is a self-made man, and ac- quired the wealth which he now enjoys by years of persistent and ceaseless toil. For the last twenty years he has been a leading member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and las held the office of Elder. In everything tending to promote the interest of this community he has ever taken an active interest and has been a recog- nized factor in its success.

The parents of our subject were Charles W. and Lucella (Roberts) Tinker. The former was born in Vermont, August 21, 1815, being the son of Dr. Ralph and Relief (Whitney) Tinker, and died July 24, 1861. His parents were married in Vermont and moved to Kentucky, where they lived for some years and in 1827 came to Pike County. Dr. Tinker was a prominent practitioner and a man of influence in those early days. Our subject's mother was born in Kentucky Febru- ary 25, 1818, and is still living, being a resident of Curryville, Mo. Her parents, William and Eliza- beth (Caldwell) Roberts, were also natives of Kentucky, and, coming to this township in 1831, here passed the remainder of their lives. Charles W. and Lucella Tinker were united in marriage in Spencer Township in 1835 and became the par- ents of the following children: Relief, deceased; William H., of this sketch; Tasitha, deceased; Ralph H., a retired farmer of Bowling Green; Mary E., deceased; Annie, wife of William Down- ing, a retired farmer of Liberty, Clay County, Mo .; Lydia, deceased; Orwin C., Nancy J. and Margaret, who died in infancy; Katie B., wife of

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

T. A. Russell, a farmer and stock-raiser of King- inan County, Kan .; Laura, deceased; one who died in infancy unnamed. The father of these children was numbered among the progressive and substantial farmers of Pike County; he was a soldier in the late war, and in political faith was a Democrat.

W. H. Tinker was born in Spencer Township April 12, 1838, and lived on his father's home- stead until he was twenty years of age, when he started forth to seek his own livelihood. He first purchased eighty acres of wild prairie land, which proved the nucleus of his present large farm. At one time he owned five hundred acres, but he sold one hundred and sixty acres, the remainder being as much as he cared to superintend. Dur- ing the war he enlisted for three months' service, but was granted a furlough on account of illness; for three years he paid thirty dollars and one per cent of his money in order to keep out of the army. His first Presidential vote was cast for Breckenridge, and he has always been an ally of the Democracy.

Our subject has been twice married, his first union having been with Mary E., daughter of Presley and Delilah (Keathly) Neville, who were natives of Germany and early settlers of this county. Mrs. Tinker was born in Pike County January 10, 1840, and was married March 7, 1859. Ten children were born to herself and husband, namely: Edwin, Ada and Charles E., who are de- ceased; Joseph R., cashier in the Bowling Green Bank; Ernest L., who is in the woolen mill busi- ness in Bowling Green ; Homer, Assistant Cashier of the Hillsboro (Texas) Bank; Delue F., wife of E. R. Bradbury, a merchant of Bowling Green; Orpha B., at home; William H. and John, de- ceased. The mother of this family died Febru- ary 7, 1879, and on March 11, 1880, Mr. Tinker wedded Julia Connelly, formerly of Terre Haute, Ind. Her father, Timothy Connelly, was born in Ireland November 15, 1833, being the son of Patrick Connelly and wife, who died when Tim- othy was an infant. He was reared in Ohio and in 1874 moved from Indiana to Indian Township, Pike County, Mo., locating on a farm, where he is now leading a retired life. His wife, Julia A., was

born March II, 1834, and is a daughter of Asa and Zillah (Parker) Woodward, natives of Ten- nessee. They were married in that State and emi- grated to Clarke County, Ohio. The father was a miller by trade and was a soldier in the Mex- ican War.

Two children came to bless the home of Will- iam H. and Julia Tinker, namely: Cullen H., still at home; Carlos D. died in infancy. Mrs. Tinker is one of eight children; her brothers, William E. and Francis M., are farmers of this township; Robert L. is now operating the old homestead in Indian Township; Richard T. is a farmer in Cali- fornia; another brother, Ralph W., and the eldest sister, Mary A., are deceased; Katie W. (Mrs. Daniel W. House) resides on a farm in Indian Township. Our subject and his estimable wife have won hosts of sincere friends in this neighbor- hood during their many years of residence here. On February 1, 1895, Mr. Tinker moved to Bowl- ing Green, where he is living a retired life.

C OLUMBUS VERNON DAVIS, an en- terprising and prosperous merchant of Warren, is a native of Marion County, and has long been identified with whatever per- tains to its best interests. He established himself in business as a general merchant in 1877, in partnership with his brother, Leroy K., and the firm is well known as C. V. Davis & Bro. They carry a well-selected stock of dry goods, grocer- ies, tinware, hardware, boots, shoes, and, in short, everything usually found in a first-class general store. But a short time elapsed after they came to their present location before they had built up a truly enviable nanie for integrity, fair dealing and courtesy toward their customers.

Mr. Davis was born in this township, May 28, 1848, to Boulware D. and Lucinda (Keith) Da- vis, natives of Virginia. The father was born November 28, 1812, and departed this life in April, 1877, while his wife, whose birth occurred in 1818, was three score years and ten at the time

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of her demise in 1884. To them were born two sons and two daughters, namely: Catherine, who died in 1861; Annie, whose decease oc- curred in 1870; C. Vernon, our subject; and Le- roy K., who was born September 7, 1854, and was married in 1878 to Miss Sallie Yates, a na- tive of this county; they have one child, Miss Czar, who was born September 6, 1879.

Boulware Davis emigrated to this State and county July 4, 1831, in company with his parents. They purchased a farm and until the day of their decease were engaged in its cultivation. Boul- ware lived with them until attaining his majority, when he began to do for himself, his first en- ployment being as a farm hand. A year later, however, he entered a tract of forty acres from the Government, and so prosperous was he in its cul- tivation that he increased it from time to time, owning at date of his demise two hundred and eighty-five acres of some of the most valuable land in the county. He was a shrewd business man and he and his brother, Judge Davis, were the first two men in the township who expressed themselves for the Union party when the Civil War broke out. Before the war he voted for the Whig candidate, but after that time was a stanch supporter of Republican principles. He was re- garded as among the substantial citizens of the county and accounted a man of liberal spirit, ever ready to assist in all matters of mutual welfare.

Vernon C. Davis was married in 1881 to Miss Loretta Frederick, born in Boone County, Ill., August 27, 1858. She was the daughter of John and Sarah (Garbison) Frederick, natives of Ohio, whence they removed to the Prairie State and in 1865 became residents of Missouri, where the remaining years of their lives were spent. They were farmers by occupation and the owners of large tracts of land in Boone and Marion Counties, Mo. Mr. Frederick married twice and became the father of the following children: Lydia, the wife of E. Longacre, a farmer of this township; Alfred, deceased; William, a farmer in this township; John, who was also largely en- gaged in farming, is deceased; Mary, wife of Joe Northland, this township; Emily, deceased, was the wife of A. Tompkins of Jacksonville, Ill .;

Isaac, a farmer residing in Shelby County, Ill .; Scott, a farmer of this township; Frank, a Metho- dist preacher at Winchester, Ill .; Ellie, wife of James N. Green, a farmer at Jacksonville, Ill .; Charles R., a farmer of this township; Loretta, wife of our subject; and Katie, wife of Richard Thomas, formerly of Shelby County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are the parents of a son, DeWitt T., who was born December 16, 1883.

Our subject in 1877 left the parental roof and established in his present business with his brother as partner. They are now one of the old- est firms in the county and among the best known and most successful business men. They use great care and judgment in the selection of stock, choosing such as meet with the demands of the trade. The brothers still own the homestead, finding time to superintend its operation. Vernon C. has never held any city or county office as le prefers to give his attention to his business inter- ests and his family. He is a stanch Republican and devoted to the development and welfare of his community. In religious convictions he is a Baptist, in which faith he was reared. As a man he commands the respect and confidence of all who have any dealings with him, either in a social or commercial way.

M RS. MARY M. SPARKS, a lady of good business ability and much esteemed by a large circle of her acquaintances, dwells in a comfortable home located on Section 26, Township 57, Range 8, Marion County. This property was purchased by Mr. Gander, to whom she was married prior to becoming the wife of James Sparks. He was well and favorably known throughout this section, where he was one of the early settlers. Mrs. Sparks was born in Hagerstown, Md., December II, 1843, but left her native State when only five years of age, with her mother. She grew to womanhood in Pittsburgh, Pa., and in Illinois, having lived for five years in the former city, and for seven years

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in the Prairie State. Since that time her life his- tory has been interwoven with that of Johnson and Marion Counties, Mo., being greatly inter- ested in whatever pertains to the welfare and development of this section of the State.

Our subject's father, Wm. Avey, was born in Maryland, and was the son of Jacob and Már- garet Avey, also natives of that State. He was a tailor by occupation and lived at Sharpsburgh, Md. His wife, Ellen McMinn, was also born in Maryland, in 1830, and is the daughter of Charles and Sarah McMinn, who were natives, respectively, of Tennessee and Maryland. The brothers and sisters were: Joseph, residing in Lebanon, Pa .; Helen, wife of Franklin Sowders; Susan, widow of Solomon Mornaw, of Pitts- burgh, Pa .; and Ann, wife of James Riddle, also residing at Pittsburgh. William Avey died in 1845, when only twenty-three years old. Their marriage was celebrated in Hagerstown, and their only child is the subject of this biography. The mother afterward became the wife of Amos Joe, at Pittsburgh, and of their union three sons and three daughters were born, namely: Charles, a farmer in Johnson County, Mo .; William, who is also an agriculturist of that county ; Amos, Jr., a dealer in horses in Chicago; Emily, wife of William White, a farmer of this State; Theresa, Mrs. Cyrus Painter, of Chicago; and Susie, de- ceased. Amos Joe, Sr., died in 1866, aged fif- ty-five years, and his widow is now making her home with her children in Chicago. May she reach a ripe old age!

In .1860, Mrs. Sparks was married in Shelby County, Ill., to James White, who died Novem- ber 3, 1877, when in his forty-sixth year. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Alice, wife of Owen Cobbs, a farmer of this county; Mollie, widow of John Collins, of Mon- roe City; James and Thomas, who are at home; John, who operates a farm in Marion County; and Scottie, deceased. In 1879 Mrs. White wedded William F. Gander, and bore liim three sons and a daughter, namely: Robert, Harvey, Pauline and Isaac. The children are all living at home with their mother, the boys assisting in the management of the farm. May 1, 1888, our sub-

ject married James Sparks, who was born in Kentucky, in 1825.

In 1883, Mrs. Sparks moved to her present home, surrounding which are one hundred and thirty acres of alluvial farm land. During the past few years she has made numerous improve- ments on the place, which is kept up in a neat and thrifty manner. Mr. Gander was identified with the Masonic fraternity, and in his political affil- iations was a Democrat.

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Portrait and biographical record of Marion, Ralls and Pike counties, Missouri, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties; together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the Unted States, Part 91

Author: Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Chicago, C. O. Owen & Co. Number of Pages: 820

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, C. O. Owen & Co.
Number of Pages: 820