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 94
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 94
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 94
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Our subject was born in Clarke County, Va., November 27, 1837, and in his boyhood at- tended the old fashioned subscription schools in Clarke and Loudoun Counties. During the summer seasons he gave his services to his father on the farm, attending school only during the winter, but several of his brothers and sisters had better advantages. When he was twenty years of age young Beaver came to Missouri, whither a brother had come a short time before. They purchased a farm north of Frank- ford, but at the end of a year our sub- ject sold his interest and hired out to Abra- ham Liter. In 1859 he went south with his employer in charge of a shipment of one hundred and twenty mules which were sold at Vicksburg, Miss. The following spring he re- turned and for five years rented his present farm, of which he became the owner in 1874. The original purchase was a tract of one hundred and seventy-six acres and with this as a beginning he afterward added thereto until now he has three hundred and twenty-two acres, nearly all under cultivation. On his settlement in this locality his neighbors were few and far between, but year by year the land has been taken and increased activity manifested in all departments of agri- culture.
On March 8, 1860, was celebrated the mar- riage of our subject and Elizabeth E. Brice, who was born in this county, July 26, 1843. She is a daughter of Bennona and Levina (Lair) Brice, who were natives of Kentucky, and settled here at an early period, both dying in this county. Mrs. Beavers died August 11, 1881. The lady who now bears the name of our subject was united in marriage with him January 18, 1883. She was formerly the widow of John A. Hum- mell, who departed this life January 8, 1878. The fruit of this union is two children, as follows: Philip P., born July 12, 1873, and Iva M., born February 4, 1875. Both are teachers in the pub- lic schools. Mrs. Beavers is a native of Ohio and was born September 4, 1856. She is the daugh- ter of Thomas and Sarah (Gwinn) Cope, and with her mother came to Missouri in 1866. Her father died in 1857 in Ohio; and her mother de- parted this life in 1891 in Ralls County at a good old age. They were members of the M. E. Church.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Beavers has been blessed with three sons and a daughter, namely: Claude D., who was born January 10, 1884; Uva E., May 14, 1886; John A., June 9, 1887; and Cash C., June 9, 1892. The little daughter died July 31, 1886, and John died July 27, 1889. The parents are both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Madisonville, and are actively interested in religious progress.
J OHN H. WLECKE is one of the substan- tial and progressive farmers and stock- raisers of South River Township, Marion County, and is well worthy of being represented in the history of the enterprising citizens and worthy pioneers of this region. He is a native of Hanover, Germany, his birth having occurred August 18, 1837, but since reaching man's estate his lot has been cast with the inhabitants of this favored land. When he arrived on the shores of the New World he was very poor, but possessed
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those qualities which are sure to bring success. He was not easily discouraged, and little by little won his way until he is now both wealthy and in- fluential. .
Our subject's parents, Fred and Annie (Wich- meyer) Wlecke, were natives of Germany, where the father died in 1865, aged sixty-five years. His widow came to the United States in 1868 with her married daughter, Mrs. Ellen Shrader, and set- tled in Cleveland, Ohio. She was called to her final rest in 1880 at the good old age of seventy- three years. She was the mother of seven chil -. dren, of whom Clara, now deceased, was the wife of William Rabie, also deceased; Ellen married H. Shrader, and resides in Cleveland, and Lizzie is the widow of Joe Furtlage, of Cleveland.
In 1862 J. H. Wlecke married Maria Wich- meyer, who was born in Hanover, Germany, March 7, 1844, and whose parents were William and Elizabeth (Dearikur) Wichmeyer, the former of whom died in 1873 aged sixty-eight years, while the latter died in 1846 aged forty-four years. Of their children, the three eldest, Henrietta, El- len and Elizabeth, are deceased; Frederick is in Germany; Adora, widow of a Mr. Turnsing, lives in Cleveland, in which city William also resides; Annie is the wife of E. Benhoff, a farmer and blacksmith of this township, and Maria completes the.family.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Wlecke has been blessed by a family of six sons and three daugh- ters, namely: William, born April 7, 1863, and a druggist of Quincy, Ill .; Annie, born in 1865, and now the wife of William Urigans, a farmer of this county; Henry, born in 1867, and now engaged in managing a farm in this township; Minnie, born in 1869, and wife of Julius Stulman, who owns a carriage shop in Palmyra; Lizzie, born in 1873 and still at home; Theodore, born in 1875 and an agriculturist of this township; Charles, born in 1877; Martin, born in 1879, and Paul, born in 1881, are at home. The youngest son is now attending college at Concordia, Mo.
The subject of this memoir was reared on his father's homestead and continued to reside with his parents until 1858. Then setting his face west. ward he landed in New York City, after a seven
weeks' voyage on the Atlantic, and proceeded at once to Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked for four years as an apprentice to a cooper. Then he purchased a shop of his own, which he operated for twenty-one years, and at the time when he gave up the business was manufacturing one thousand coal oil barrels per week. Afterward he came to this township and purchased one hun- dred and twenty acres of land, to which he has since added one hundred and eighty acres. He has made many improvements on the place and has greatly increased its value since becoming its owner. He and his family are members of the Lutheran Church, and are always charitable to the poor and needy. Since becoming a voter Mr. Wlecke has used his ballot in behalf of the Democratic party.
W ILLIAM WOOD. Ranking among the wealthy and prosperous agricultur- ists of Ralls County is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, and he may well be proud of the fact that his present large estates are the result of his own well-directed business ability and good investments. He has been suc- cessful in general farming and is also very much interested in raising stock. He was the first to import horses in this county and imported two fine animals which cost him $1,600 each.
Our subject's father, Robert Wood, was born in Yorkshire, England, where he passed the first twenty-four years of his life. Then emigrating to Canada, he settled on a farm near Toronto, and there became acquainted with Sarah Arm- strong, who was born in County Monaghan, Ire- land. Their marriage took place in 1837 and six children came to brighten their home. Mary Jane is the widow of Joseph Porter, and is now living in Peterborough, Canada; Hannah mar- ried Joseph Smiley, now of Adams County, Ill .; Susan is the wife of Edward Emerson, and is a resident of Manitoba; George is also married and lives in the same country; Robert, youngest of the family, wedded Frankie Roblin, and is an at-
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
torney-at-law and Queen's Counselor in Peter- borough, Canada. The father of this family was a successful farmer, and continued actively en- gaged in the cultivation of his home place until just before his death, which occurred February 16, 1856. His widow is now in her eighty-sixth year and is living with her daughter in Peter- borough.
William Wood is a native of Canada, having been born in Northumberland County, April 9. 1840. It so happened that he was never enabled to attend school but seven days in his boyhood and therefore had to rely on his individual ef- forts in the acquisition of learning. He remained with his mother until reaching his majority, and then for four years operated a part of her farm. In 1865 he went to Adams County, Ill., and worked for S. M. Spencer at intervals at a fixed salary. October 25, 1865, he came to this sec- tion and until the following March worked by the month on the farm he now owns. He then went home to Canada on a visit, and from there proceeded to Portland, Me., and to Liverpool and Manchester, England. He renewed his ac- quaintanceship with his relatives and several weeks passed very pleasantly. Next he went to the Bay of Funschall and from there shipped on the East India vessel, Kate Kellock, bound for Bombay, where he remained a year and a half, being in the Government service. He then re- turned overland by way of Suez, Cairo and Alex- andria. Next he traveled to Malta, Gibraltar and at length reached Liverpool. He returned home by the same route he had formerly taken to Port- land, Me., and from there he went to Montreal and Toronto. A month subsequently he went to Lee County, Iowa, and then until August worked in Adams County, Ill. In 1868 he once more found himself in Ralls County, Mo., in the employ of Mr. Spencer, and the same year also raised a crop for himself.
In December, 1868, Mr. Wood married Miss L. I. Williamson, a native of Caldwell County, Mo., though reared in Adams County, Ill. Her parents were Thomas J. and Mary P. (Spencer) Williamson. After his marriage Mr. Wood con- tinued in the employ of Mr. Spencer, being over-
seer of his farm, which comprised forty-four hun- dred acres. His connection with this one man lasted some seven years. In 1889 Mr. Wood purchased a portion of his present farm, the boundaries of which he subsequently extended until they comprise thirteen hundred acres. He has made good improvements on the place and about eighteen years ago built the handsome res- idence he yet occupies.
Socially Mr. Wood is identified with the Ma- sonic Lodge No. 302 of Perry and also belongs ยท to the A. O. U. W. He is Vice-President of the Perry Bank and Chairman of the Finance Com- mittee. Politically his affiliations are with the Democratic party. He is a friend to education and is strongly in favor of obtaining the best teachers possible as well as affording good fa- cilities for the training of the young. He is one of the organizers of, and has fifty shares in, the electric light plant at Monroe City.
Eight children have been born to our subject and his estimable wife: The eldest died in infancy before receiving a name; Fern died when fif- teen years of age; Carl died at the age of five months; May and Ivy are attending school, the latter in Montgomery County and the three younger ones, Rex S., Roy S., and Glen, are at Mexico, Mo., attending school.
J AMES JEFFERSON PENIX is the old- est living representative of the Penix fam- ily of Pike County, and is one of her fore- most citizens. His home is on Section 15, Town- ship 54, Range 3 west, where he owns a well- improved farm. He is a practical and progres- sive agriculturist, a fact which is apparent to the person who passes by his thrifty and well-kept farm.
The parents of the above-named gentleman were William and Nancy Harrison (Thompson) Penix. The former was born near Sharpsburgh, Ky., February 18, 1801, and passed his boyhood with his parents on the old farm. When ninc-
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
teen years of age he immigrated from Missouri, becoming a resident of Buffalo Township, Pike County. He had very poor advantages for ob- taining an education, but by private study le managed to become well informed. His wife Nancy was also a native of Kentucky, born Oc- tober 3, 1813, near Lexington, Bourbon County. She was one of ten children born to Gilbert Thompson and wife.
William Penix was'a son of John, who fought in the War of the Revolution, serving in Gen. Green's Division. He was born in Virginia Sep- tember 2, 1857, and his father was a native of London, England. The marriage of William and Nancy Penix took place February 19, 1829, and their four children were as follows: John G., born February 27, 1830; Martha Jane, born Oc- tober 3, 1836; William H., born March I, 1839; James J., born October 12, 1841. John G. went to California when twenty years of age, and after remaining there four years re- turned to Pike County, where he engaged in the milling business and is now a resident of Wash- ington State. May 8, 1856, he married Mary J. Jones, by whom he has had five children: Wil- liam H., James M., Robert P., Nanny and Mat- tie L. Martha J. was married April 1, 1852, to William P. Tapley, now living two miles east of Frankford, and they have had six children: John H., Willian H., Nanny, Lulu, Hannah and Mattie. In December, 1869, William H. Penix married Iona Nalley, by whom he has had one child, Lena, and the family now reside in Appleton City, Mo.
November II, 1869, occurred the marriage of our subject and Cynthia A. Reading. Their old- est child, Nancy Ann, born September 25, 1870, became the wife of Joseph P. Gordon in 1889, and has one child, Cynthia B. William Edward, born February 9, 1876, is now attending Wil- liam Jewel College, Liberty, Mo. John Harvey, born December 7, 1879, is living with his father. The faithful wife and mother was called to her final rest September 26, 1892, and was buried in New Cemetery on Grassy Creek. January 30, 1895, our subject married Sallie, daughter of Benjamin and Rachel (McPike) King. Mrs.
Penix is one of ten children, the others being: Joseph, Pink, John, Annie, Mollie, Alexander, Daniel, Thomas and James.
During the late war Mr. Penix served in the State Militia for a short time. Politically his bal- lot is used in favor of Republican nominees. His parents were members of the Baptist Church and to the same denomination both he and his estimable wife adhere.
A NDREW KRAMER (deceased) was one of the well-known and prosperous farm- ers of Township 54, Range 3, Pike Coun- ty, his home being on Section 16. His widow is still living at the old farm and has now attained the venerable age of seventy-five years. She is surrounded by all necessary comforts and many of the luxuries of life, the result of her husband's and her own years of toil and thrift. She is be- loved by her friends and neighbors and is well entitled to a place in the history of the pio- neers and worthy citizens of Pike County.
Andrew Kramer was born in Russell, Ger- many; his parents passed their entire lives in the Fatherland. On reaching man's estate young Kramer determined to seek a fortune in America and arriving on its hospitable shores proceeded to St. Louis, where he engaged in blacksmith- ing. He was thus employed for a number of years, but about 1840 turned his attention to agricultural pursuits; about 1856 he purchased the farm which is now owned by his heirs. The farm is a valuable one, improved with good build- ings, fences, orchards, etc. Mr. Kramer was called to his final rest on January 8, 1886, and left many friends who deplored his death as one of public moment. His burial took place in the Waddell Cemetery in this vicinity.
In 1844 Mr. Kramer was united in marriage with Maggie Shaffer. Her parents were Henry and Elizabeth Shaffer, four of whose five chil- dren, Mrs. Kramer still living, died in early child- hood. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Kramer: One of the number, Caroline, died in infancy; Elizabeth married Oscar Freeman, and has three children, the home of the family be- ing in Portland, Ore .; Catherine married Robert Gerry, of this county, and has eight children ; Sarah became the wife of Richard Norton, but died in her twenty-ninth year; Louis died when thirty-two years of age, and left a wife (formerly Nancy Sparks) and one child, his widow having since married John South; Lucinda married Rol- ley Gooch, and has three children; John An- drew married Miss Mary Turnbeaugh, and has three children, and is now engaged in operating the old homestead; Edna married William Fisher and is the mother of ten children, two of whom died in infancy; Lena married Daniel Chandler, of Pike County, and has three chil- dren.
Of Mr. Kramer's own immediate family but two sisters and one nephew have come to Amer- ica, as far as known. Politically, he gave his al- legiance to the Democratic party, and was al- ways prompt in the discharge of his duties as a citizen. He won the good will and friendship of all who had dealings with him, whether in busi- ness or social intercourse.
S AMUEL W. GRIFFITH is closely identi- fied with the agricultural interests of Spen- cer Township, Pike County, and is justly regarded as one of its best citizens. He comes of pioneer parentage and has been a resident of this county for nearly all his life. His birth occurred in Marion County, this State, February 19, 1848.
Abel G. and Rebecca (Hayden) Griffith, the parents of our subject, were people of promi- nence in Pike County. The father was born in Bourbon County, Ky., February 23, 1819, and accompanied his parents hither on their removal in July of that year. The grandparents of our subject were William and Martha Griffith, also born in Bourbon County. After coming to Mis- souri the grandparents continued to live here the
remainder of their lives. Their occupation was that of the farmer and possessing much natural ability they prospered in this work. To them were born eight children, namely: Abel G., Hes- ter A., Eliza J., John N., James W., William W., Martha C. and Samuel.
Mrs. Rebecca Griffith was a Kentuckian by birth and parentage, her birth occurring Febru- ary 23, 1819, and her death April 6, 1875; her husband survived until April 14, 1879. She was the daughter of Benjamin Hayden, also a native of Bourbon County, whence he emigrated to Marion County, this State, and like the parents of Abel Griffith here passed his remaining years. Benjamin was a farmer and also practiced medi- cine with great success in his locality, having been thoroughly fitted for following that pro- fession.
To Abel and Rebecca Griffith were born six children, two of whom, William A. and Nimrod, were children of our subject's father's first mar- riage; William A. is a farmer and stock-raiser of Pike County; Nimrod is also tilling a portion of the soil in this section; Samuel W. is our subject; Mollie is the wife of C. W. Grant, an agriculturist of prominence in this locality; Martha is now Mrs. Thornton Burrows, who is engaged in farm pursuits in Pike County ; Doctor died in infancy.
In 1870 Samuel W. Griffith married Nancy A. Barnard, who was born in this county June 12, 1849, and was the daughter of Underwood and Missouri A. (McAdams) Barnard. Her parents were natives of the Blue Grass State and about the year 1827 took up the line of March for Mis- souri. Her father is still living, leading a re- tired life in Ralls County, this State, aged sev- enty-two years; his wife died in 1879, when in her fifty-sixth year.
To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Barnard were born the following named children: Harrison, John and Harvey, deceased; Nancy, wife of our subject; Martin, who married L. McGee, of Lewis County, Mo .; Rebecca, wife of William Ewing, now residing in Ralls County; Thomas B., a farmer of that county; Laura E. (Mrs. J. B. Epperson), engaged in running a hotel at Ashburn, this State; one who died unnamed.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
The only child born to our subject and wife was a daughter, Verna, who married Hugh P. Ayres, a merchant of Curryville. Samuel Grif- fith lived with his parents until 1887, and after being well established in a home of his own they spent their last days under his roof. When start ing out for himself he purchased his present homestead which includes a quarter section of land, subsequently selling the home place, which was given him by his parents as a reward for the loving manner in which he cared for them in their advanced years.
Our subject is a member of the Elm Grove Baptist Church and in politics is a stanch Demo- crat. He has been both Deacon and Clerk of his congregation and heartily aids in every good work. Personally he is one of the most genial, companionable men, strictly honorable in his dealings and therefore highly regarded by all with whom he has to do.
T HOMAS YOUNG, deceased, was one of the honored and respected residents of Marion County, and at the time of his death owned two hundred and seventy-five acres on Section 3, Liberty Township, where his widow is now making her home. In addition to this he and a nephew owned about three thousand acres of farm land in Texas. This represented many years of arduous toil and unremitting ef- fort, for he started to carve his own way unas- sisted by others and became prosperous only through his own perseverance. He was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church and al- ways took great interest in whatever tended to uplift and benefit humanity.
The parents of Thomas were James and Eliza- beth (Ryman) Young, natives of Kentucky. They removed to Marion County with their family in 1830, and here passed the remainder of their lives. The father was a carpenter by trade, and was a successful farmer as well. His family com- prised the following children: John R., now re-
tired and a resident of Palmyra; James and Law- son, deceased; William, a retired farmer living in Kansas; Mary, wife of Austin Hancock, both now deceased; Preston, a retired fruit-grower of California; Davis and Thomas, deceased; Joseph, a retired business man of Jackson County, Mo .; Rachel, wife of Mr. Parson, of Washington State, and Archibald, deceased.
In 1830 Thomas Young came to this county with his parents and continued to reside with them until 1849, when he went to California, and for two years engaged in mining operations. Re- turning home he purchased a farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres in South River Township and was active in its cultivation for four years, after which he moved to the farm on which Mrs. Young now resides. He was married in 1853 to Miss Mary M. Adams, who was born in Mercer County, Ky., February 24, 1835, and who proved a faithful companion and helpmate, cheering and assisting him when he was discouraged, and help- ing him to amass a fortune.
Mrs. Young is a daughter of Thomas and Eliza- beth (Wilson) Adams, the former born in Ken- tucky, February 9, 1801, and whose death oc- curred March 3, 1867, and the latter a native of the same State, born December 20, 1812, and who departed this life June 11, 1888. The par- ents of Thomas Adams were Joseph and Mary (McAfce) Adams, who passed their entire lives in Mercer County, Ky. Mrs. Elizabeth Adams was a daughter of Vance and Mary (Taylor) Wilson, who, like the Adams family, were numbered among the first settlers of Kentucky. The mar- riage of Thomas and Elizabeth Adams was cele- brated April 9, 1835, and of their union six chil- dren were born, namely: Mary Taylor, who was born September 18, 1836, and died November 19, 1842; Fanny G., born June 23, 1842, and widow of Charles Williams; Sophia, born May 28, 1845, and a school teacher in Chicago, Ill .; Elizabeth, born April 5, 1853, and wife of Timolian Carter, a farmer of this township; Joseph, born February 14, 1849, and now a merchant of Benbow, Mo., and Mrs. Mary Young.
Thirteen children came to bless the home of Thomas and Mary (McAfee) Young, namely:
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Elizabeth J., who was born July 14, 1854, and died when two years of age; Thomas, Jr., born January 7, 1856, and now engaged in merchan- dising in Illinois; James H., born February 13, 1858, and a merchant of Kansas; W. Scott, born January 17, 1860, and died April 5, 1890; Calvin, born June 5, 1861, and now engaged in farming in Lewis County, Mo .; Marion, of Paris, Mo., born June 22, 1863; Robert L., a farmer of West Ely, born May 23, 1865; Mary E., born February 23, 1867, and wife of E. W. Hendricks, a hard- ware merchant of Lewistown, Ill .; Minnie T., born September 6, 1868, and wife of Samuel Wil- son, a farmer of Monroe County, Mo .; Joseph, born February 16, 1870, and managing the home farm; Howard, born November 8, 1872, and a dry goods merchant of Lewistown, Ill .; Arthur, born July 10, 1874, and now living with his mother; and Pryor, born May 17, 1876, who died when in his third year.
In her girlhood Mrs. Young received a very good education, though she attended the old- fashioned district schools. She was brought up on a farm in Round Grove Township, this county, whither her parents had removed from Mercer County, Ky., in 1836. She has proved her business ability by her able management of her late husband's estate. After forty years of happy married life they were parted by death, Mr. Young being summoned to the silent land June I, 1893. Mrs. Young is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church and is a most estimable Christian woman.
E NOCH G. MATSON, bank director, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Mis- souri, and was born in Pike County, August 2, 1831. He is the eleventh of twelve children born to Enoch and Jane (Shobe) Mat- son, of whom five now survive. (See sketch of James T. Matson in this volume.) Enoch Mat- son was a native of Bourbon County, Ky., and was born in 1787. He removed with his parents to Kentucky.in his boyhood days, where he grew
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