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 93
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 93
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 93
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Again our subject returned to Nebraska, but this time he selected Omaha as a likely city wherein to procure employment. He was suc- cessful in his quest and clerked for the Union Depot Hotel for three months, when he engaged with the Big Four Opera Company in the ca-
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pacity of Billing Agent, his duties being to pro- ceed ahead of the organization and make dates for its appearance in the various towns along a planned-out route. He remained with the coni- pany for about one month until it stranded in Lincoln, Neb., when necessity drove him to ac- cept work as a waiter in a restaurant in that city. This uncongenial labor he followed for two weeks and then once more returned to his father's home.
Previous to the foregoing young O'Donnell had taken a trip with an artist for the purpose of sketching, etc., in the far Northwest and their way lay through Grand Pass in Oregon. They were absent for about three months and on the road thither they made three stops of some length. It could not have been otherwise than a thoroughly enjoyable outing for the unset- tled young man. After he went back home in 1894 his father gave up his own active life and placed the care of the farm on the shoulders of his returned son, and since then the latter himseif has been operating the one hundred and sixty acres that constitute the old home place.
A self-made man in the sense that what he now owns was acquired by hard though intermittent toil, Cal. S. O'Donnell is well liked through- out the county by all who know him. Although the elder O'Donnell affiliates with the new party called Populist, our subject is independent in pol- itics and votes for the best man. Religiously he is a member of the Catholic Church.
C YRUS ALBERTSON, Mayor of Hanni- bal, is one of the popular officials who have occupied this office. He possesses the confidence of the people and has striven in every possible way to promote their welfare. He has now served his third term, his first election having been in 1889, the second in 1891 and his third term closed in June, 1895. Many improve- ments have been made during his administration, among the most useful and necessary ones being
the establishment of the sewerage system and street paving.
The Albertson family is of Holland ancestry, and our subject's grandfather was a resident of North Carolina. His father, Nathan Albertson, was a native of that State, and was a blacksmith by trade. At an early day he moved to Hendricks County, Ind., and was killed at the State Fair in 1871, while contesting the speed of two engines, by an explosion. He was a Republican and was a Quaker in religious belief. His wife, who was Miss Elizabeth Hackett, was also a native of North Carolina and died in Plainfield, Hendricks County, in 1859. She was the mother of seven children, namely: Calvin, of Indiana; Hannah, deceased; Cyrus; Eli T., of Hannibal; Lena, widow of Kidder Kidd; Elizabeth and Carrie, both deceased.
Cyrus Albertson was born in Randolph County, N. C., July 8, 1848. His early years were spent in Plainfield and Indianapolis, Ind., his education being obtained in the public schools of those places. When eighteen years of age he obtained a clerkship in a dry goods store, but two years later came to Hannibal. Here he was also en1- ployed as a clerk for the dry goods firm of Cohn Bros., remaining with them for three years. Then embarking in business for himself he opened a store on the west side of Market Street and carried it on successfully for about a decade. Then removing his stock to Broadway, he en- larged his business which he continued to con- duct until 1894, when he sold out, and retired from all except his public duties.
July 8, 1869, Mr. Albertson was married in Hannibal to Augusta, daughter of Charles and Adelia (Spencer) Wentworth, natives of New York State, who removed to that city about 1866. The father was a cabinet maker by trade and is still living, though his wife has passed to the silent land. He was a distant relative of the late Hon. John Wentworth of Chicago. To Mr. and Mrs. Albertson have been born three daughters, Lulu, Mabel and Lizzie, the last mentioned now deceased. The parents are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.
In the ranks of the Republican party Mr. Al-
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bertson has been very prominent and an active worker. He was elected Alderman in 1888 and served as such to the satisfaction of all for two years, after which his name was brought forward for the Mayoralty. He has frequently been sent as a delegate to District and County Conventions. He is President of the First National Bank of Hannibal, in which he is a stock-holder and Di- rector, and is Vice-President of the German- American Bank of Hannibal. He is President of the Workingmen's Building and Loan Asso- ciation, which was incorporated in 1889, and which is now on a firm financial basis. Mr. Al- bertson has made good investments in city real estate and has been unusually successful in his business operations. Though he has acquired a handsome fortune he has strictly adhered to principles of honesty and justice.
C ONRAD C. LEHENBAUER is the pro- prietor of a good homestead on Section 21, South River Township, Marion County, which he has owned just a quarter of a century. He is a native of Germany, and re- ceived his education in that country and in Ken- tucky. Later he pursued higher studies in Con- cordia College, of St. Louis, Mo., but though his school days ended there he has never ceased his researches and takes great enjoyment in reading and study. It is now thirty-five years since he came to this county and he is there- fore one of its pioneers. During his long resi- dence here he has won the good will and friend- ship of his neighbors and numerous acquaint- ances, who consider him well worthy of their re- gard.
The parents of our subject, Matins A. and Mar- garet M. (Hagenberger) Lehenbauer, were like- wise natives of the Fatherland. The former died in January, 1853, aged seventy-one years. He was a linen-weaver by trade, and owned an es- tablishment which he carried on until his death. After that event his widow emigrated to the
United States accompanied by four of her chil- dren, including our subject. Two others had made the journey a year or so previously. On landing in New York City, at the end of a forty days' voyage, Mrs. Lehenbauer and her fanı- ily proceeded to Campbell County, Ky., where she bought a small farm of thirty acres, which was used for garden purposes. Seven years aft- erward they sold out and located in this town- ship, bought two hundred and forty acres. There the mother dwelt some fourteen years when she sold the place to two of her sons and came to dwell with our subject, at whose home she died March 12, 1876, aged seventy-four years.
C. C. Lehenbauer was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, November 20, 1841, and is one of eleven children, of whom Charles and Christ are de- ceased; Frederick is represented elsewhere in this volume; William is engaged in farming in Ralls County, Mo .; Ferdinand is a farmer of this township; John owns a farm in Oklahoma; George died in this county, and the others died in infancy.
In March, 1860, our subject came with his mother from Kentucky to Marion County, and continued to live with her until he was twenty- four years of age, when he set out to paddle his own canoe. Going to St. Louis he found work as a gardener for about two years, and then re- turning home assisted in the cultivation of a farm some four years. In 1870 he purchased the farm on which he now resides, but did not move here until four years later, when he built a sub- stantial dwelling on the homestead. His farm comprises one hundred acres, improved with good buildings, fences, etc., and this is all paid for. Politically, Mr. Lehenbauer is affiliated with the Democratic party, but has never been per- suaded to accept any local office.
On April 5, 1874, the marriage of C. C. Lehen- bauer and Katie L. Preusser was celebrated. The lady was born in St. Clair County, Ill., Sep- tember 15, 1851. Her parents were natives of Prussia, Germany, and were early residents of Marion County, to which they removed in 1849. They were married in St. Louis and had born to them seven children: William is a wagon manu-
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facturer and is engaged in the coal mining busi- ness in St. Clair County, Ill .; Charles, the twin brother of Mrs. Lehenbauer, is deceased. The mother, Mrs. Kate Preusser, was married after the death of her first husband to Philip Frank- enback, who is an enterprising farmer of this township. Five children were born of this mar- riage. The sons, Godfrey, Frederick and George, are all farmers in this locality; Christina is the wife of E. Greenbigen, of South Dakota, and Louisa is the wife of Henry Pider, a farmer of this section.
The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with nine children: Louisa, born in 1875, died the following year; Charles, born in 1877, is now attending a theological seminary in Concordia, Mo .; Annie, born in 1879, is at home; Godfrey, whose birth occurred in 1881, died when he was in his third year; and Katie, born in 1883; Conrad, Jr., in 1885; George, in 1887; Albert, in 1889; and Liddie, in 1892, are still under the parental roof. The family are members of the Lutheran Church, and contrib- ute liberally of their means to the support of worthy religious and charitable enterprises.
W ILLIAM HENRY DE WITT, Train- master of the St. L., K. & N. W. R. R. Co., is located at Hannibal, Mo. He is a native of Pennsylvania and was born at Mil- ford, Pike County, Pa., August 6, 1860, to Henry and Elizabeth Jane (Greggs) De Witt. The father was also a native of the Keystone State and was the son of John and Hattie De Witt, of English ancestry.
Henry De Witt emigrated to Missouri in 1861, locating in Knox County, where he was engaged in farming for about three years, when he re- moved to Palmyra, Mo., and engaged in the milling business. This he carried on for a period of five years, when he abandoned it in order to give his attention to railroading, having been appointed yardmaster at Palmyra Junction for
the H. & St. J. Road. He filled that position for about ten years when he retired from the active duties of life. His death occurred at Palmyra in January, 1887. He was a stanch Republican in politics and in religious affairs, a devoted mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. He left at his death one brother, who is now residing in Jer- sey City, N. J.
Elizabeth De Witt, the mother of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania, and the daughter of Reuben Greggs. She, too, was a member in excellent standing of the Presbyterian Church, and died in Hannibal, in 1889. She became the mother of eleven children, seven of whom grew to mature years. Orilla is now the wife of W. A. Thomas, of Fairfax, Mo .; Catherine married Richard Key, of Philadelphia, Mo .; Hattie G. is now the widow of Herman Suppe; William Henry was the next in order of birth; Alice L., living in Chicago; Sophia is now the wife of Joseph Wallay, of Hannibal; Reuben M. met his death in a horrible manner in 1885. He was engaged in braking on the H. & St. J. Road, and while stepping from one car to another, fell and was run over.
The early life of our subject was spent in Knox County, Mo. Later, when his parents removed to Palmyra, he was sent to the common schools. When completing his education he was engaged with his father for three years in the yards at Palmyra, but in 1883 he left that city, went to Hannibal and secured a position as brakeman on the H. & St. J. Road, his run being from the former city to Brookfield. He continued thus for one year, when he was promoted to be con- ductor over the same route. Five years later he was again promoted, taking the position of As- sistant Trainmaster for the St. L., K. & N. W. Road, which he held for over one year. In July, 1892, however, he was made Trainmaster and has jurisdiction over the lines from St. Louis to Burlington, and from Keokuk to Mt. Pleas- ant, Iowa.
Mr. De Witt was united in marriage at Pal- myra, June 5. 1879, to Miss Anna K., daughter of Andrew J. and Malvina (Parks) Shrapshire. Mrs. De Witt was born in Palmyra, while her
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parents were natives of Kentucky. Her father was a farmer by occupation and both her par- ents are deceased. To our subject and his wife there have been born three children: Ethel, Ruby and Bessie Lee. Mrs. De Witt is a meni- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and is interested in all good work in her neigh- borhood.
Our subject is a stanch supporter of Repub- lican principles. Socially, he is a Mason of high standing, belonging to St. John Lodge No. 28, of Hannibal, and is also connected with the Royal Arch Lodge No. 7. He is a member of the Universal Savings and Loan Company of St. Louis, and is a director of the same. He seems to be a typical railroad man, as his rapid promo- tion from one position to another would indicate. He is careful, painstaking and methodical in all that he does, giving his entire attention to the duties of his responsible position, and is held in high estimation by the officials of his road.
E DWARD WALLER ELGIN. One of the prominent and influential men of Pike County, is this gentleman, who re- sides in Calumet Township, of which section he is the oldest living settler, with one exception. He is living retired from the active duties of life on his excellent estate, located on Section 19.
Mr. Elgin is a native of Bourbon County, Ky., and was born one and one-half miles from Center- ville, February 7, 1813. His parents were Will- iam and Nancy (Kellis) Elgin, the former a na- tive of Virginia and the latter of the Blue Grass State. William was a farmer both in Kentucky and Missouri, to which State he emigrated in the fall of 1817, settling in Calumet Township; there he lived and died when advanced in years, De- cember 17, 1865. His birth occurred January 14, 1784. His wife departed this life when in the eighty-fourth year of her age, July 3, 1877.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, by name Samuel Elgin, was an early pioneer of Ken-
tucky, whence he removed from Virginia, and afterward made farming the vocation of his life. He came to Missouri in his old age, lived a while with his son William, and finally made his home with his daughter in Boone County, where his decease occurred when he was a very old man. There were born to William and Nancy Elgin the following-named sons and daughters: The eldest son died unnamed; Francis C., also deceased; Edward Waller, the third born; Agnes, deceased; Margaret, deceased; Hezekiah S., who lives in Fulton, this State; Harrison and William, de- ceased; Joseph, who makes his home in Bowling Green, Mo .; John, who died while serving his country in the Mexican War; Casandra, deceased.
When the family came to Pike County in 1817 our subject was four years of age and was here reared, and received in the early schools what book-learning he possesses. His parents settled on the land now owned by Edward W. before it was placed in the market, and as soon as he was old enough his services were made use of in pre- paring the land for cultivation. In that early day Clarksville was the nearest trading-post for the pioneers of this vicinity, and this now flourishing city was nothing more than a hamlet of a few houses.
Our subject remained at home until 1837, when he began farming for himself; during that year he built the dwelling, which is still standing on the old place. It was originally constructed of logs, but later on was weatherboarded. Mr. El- gin got out the timber, scored and hewed it and hauled it to the desired spot alone. Neighbors aided him in raising the cabin in which he lived all his life, with the exception of the first three years.
Mr. Elgin has been twice married. His first union, which occurred January 4, 1838, was with Miss Elizabeth Sinkle, by whom he had one child, who died in infancy. Mrs. Elgin passed away in April, 1840, and our subject was again married, this time on December 18, 1845, to Polly B., daughter of Robert Estes, who emigrated hither from Kentucky that year and made settlement in Calumet Township. To them were born a son and daughter: Charles C., November 22, 1851;
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Alice, February 9, 1856. The daughter died Sep- tember 6, 1883. The wife and mother departed this life August 10, 1860. The son grew to man- hood on the old homestead and was well edu- cated in the schools of his home township. He was married December 9, 1875, to Miss Ella Cothron, who was born October 9, 1857. This lady was the daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Todd) Cothron, both natives of Calumet Town- ship, this county. Thomas Cothron was born De- cember 24, 1835, and his wife's birth occurred March 22, 1834; she died February 2, 1891. Thomas was a son of Granville Cothron, a na- tive of Virginia, who emigrated to Missouri and Pike County prior to 1812. To Charles C. and Ella Elgin were born the following-named chil- dren: William, March 12, 1877; Ola, July 20, 1881; Ernest, October 8, 1884; Alice and Albert, twins, May 9, 1893. The latter died October 5 of the year of their birth.
Our subject is a Democrat in politics and cast his first Presidential vote for Martin Van Buren. Seventy years' residence in Pike County makes him one of the oldest living settlers. Hale and hearty in his eighty-second year, he bids fair to live for many years to come. Charles C. Elgin, following in the footsteps of his honored father, also casts a vote for Democratic candidates.
A RTHUR W. KINCAID, a young man of superior ability and pleasing address, holds the responsible position of Car In- spector for the Wab. R. R. Co., with which he has been connected for several years. He is a thor- ough, wide-awake business man, and by giving his undivided attention to his duties as Inspector meets with the approbation of his employers.
Our subject is a native of Marion County, hav- ing been born on the old homestead of his father November 22, 1871. He remained under the parental roof until one year prior to attaining his majority, when he started out to make a name for himself. Entering the shops of the Wab.
R. R., Moberly, Mo., he was there but a year when he was promoted to his present position. He is studious in his business and has made it a habit to do thorough and systematic reading, both relating to his business and miscellaneously, in consequence of which he is well informed upon all current topics.
Arthur W. Kincaid is the son of Andrew W. and Letha R. (Newton) Kincaid, the former of whom is deceased. His mother is living, how- ever, and makes her home on the old home- stead in Warren Township. They were promi- nent in this locality and counted their friends among the oldest and best residents of the county. A full history of this worthy couple may be found on another page in this volume, under the name of Andrew H. Kincaid.
H ARRY M. STROTHER, a well-known merchant of Bowling Green, Pike County, has a finely equipped grocery, carries a high grade of queensware and enjoys the largest patronage in town. He is ever on the side of progressive movements and whatever will advance the best interests of this community.
Dr. Churchill Strother, father of our subject, was born in Virginia, August 3, 1829, being a son of Capt. Reuben M. Strother, also a native of the Old Dominion. At an early day he came to the West and was Captain on a Mississippi River steamboat. August 22, 1855, while in command of the steamer "Toledo," he was shot by Capt. Harris, of the "Michigan," the contents of both barrels of the gun entering his body. The sole occasion for this outrage was that Capt. Strother requested the other officer to get out of the way of the crew at work on the capstan, en- deavoring to lift the vessel off the bar. Though a reward of two hundred and fifty dollars was of- fered for the purpose of bringing the murderer to justice, he was never apprehended. The Cap- tain's second wife is still living in St. Louis.
Our subject's father practiced his profession
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in Perry, Ill .; Towanda, Ill., and later in Warren- ton, Warren County, Mo., where his death took place April 12, 1864. During the war he was a Surgeon of Missouri Infantry, and participated in the siege of Vicksburg, and many other import- ant campaigns. At last he was forced to resign, owing to absolute disability, and not being able to resume his practice became Agent for the Wab. Ry., Warrenton, Mo., which position he held until his death. At one time he was a Whig, but afterward became affiliated with the Democratic party. Both he and his wife, Mary (Reynolds) Strother, were members of the Presbyterian Church. She was a daughter of N. W. Rey- nolds, a saddler and harnessmaker by trade. He died in Perry, in his eighty-third year, his wife having been previously called to the home be- yond. Mrs. Strother is now living at the resi- dence of her daughter Laura, wife of F. W. Schwindt, lawyer of Lincoln, Neb. Her son Charles died at the age of five years; another child died before receiving a name; Clara V. is also deceased; Carrie died in childhood.
H. M. Strother was born in Perry, Pike County, Ill., September 16, 1855, and his boyhood passed uneventfully until the war came on, when he went with his father to Danville, Mo. Afterward he attended school and finished his education in Central Western College, Warrenton. Then for three years he was employed by the St. Charles Bridge Company, and following that went to Montgomery City, where he worked in a mer- cantile establishment first as a clerk and later as a bookkeeper. At the end of six years of faith- ful service he became connected with a commis- sion firm in the capacity of bookkeeper, remain- ing there some twelve months, after which he worked for the East St. Louis Stockyard Com- pany for about three years. In May, 1885, he came to Bowling Green and opened a grocery, which he has since successfully managed. His present location is very central, as it is at the southwest corner of the public square.
September 14, 1882, a marriage ceremony united the destinies of Mr. Strother and Lizzie L. Thornton, a native of Lincoln County, Mo. Her parents are Sim and Margaret Thornton, who
were married in Troy, Mo. The one daughter and one son of Mr. and Mrs. Strother are: Grace T., born September 4, 1883; Harry, born Sep- ~ tember 1, 1885. The parents are worthy mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church.
In politics Mr. Strother supports the Demo- cratic party. A Mason, he belongs to Phoenix Lodge No. 36, to Pike Chapter No. 80, and to Cyrene Commandery No. 15. In the Blue Lodge he is Senior Deacon, and in the Chapter holds the office of Chaplain. Moreover, he is identi- fied with Lodge No. 64, A. O. U. W., now serv- ing as its Financier. He is also a member of the Council and is President of the board of direc- tors of Pike College. By all who have the pleas- ure of his acquaintance he is held in the highest respect, for his estimable qualities are well known and merit the approval of his fellows.
S QUIRE ABRAHAM V. BEAVERS oc- cupies the responsible position of Justice of the Peace, which office he has capably held for the past sixteen years. There has never been an appeal taken from his court to the Court of Appeals in which the decision has been re- versed. Formerly he was Assistant Assessor of Township 54, Ralls County, having been elected on the Democratic ticket with which party he has always been identified. He possesses the confidence and high regard of his fellow-citizens and has proved a most trustworthy and zealous public official. He is a stockholder in the Farm- ers' and Merchants' Bank of Vandalia, was for- nerly Vice-President and Director of Center Bank, and is a stockholder in that organization. Since 1865 he has been associated with the Ma- sonic Order and has passed all the chairs in Ralls Lodge No. 33, of Center. Squire Beavers also has a diploma which he received in 1886 from the Palm and Shell Order, S. A. N. D. and S. In Ralls Chapter No. 55, of the same village, he has served in two or three official positions, always acquitting himself with credit. His dwell-
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ing place is on Section 21, Township 54, where he has a valuable homestead, a portion of which he purchased in 1874.
Our subject's father, Capt. A. H. Beavers, was born in Loudoun County, Va., and won his title while in command of a local militia company. He was very active in political and public mat- ters in Virginia, where he remained all his life. His principal occupation was that of farming, his home being on an extensive plantation. His wife was a Miss Pleasant Barton, likewise a na- tive of Loudoun County. She died in 1868, pre- ceding her husband to the grave by a few years, as his death occurred in Clarke County, Va., in June, 1876. Their family comprised twelve chil- dren, who in order of birth were as follows: An- nie E., Richard F., Mordecai T., John W., Rachel Frances, Sarah E., Joseph W., Abraham V., Ben- jamin E., Mary C., Martha N., and Virginia C.
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