USA > Missouri > Clinton County > The History of Clinton County, Missouri : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens, Clinton County in the late war, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc > Part 55
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thinking, at the time, that it would be his last poetical effusion. Not so, however. He was too deeply attached to his early love, to thus rudely and so suddenly cast it off, and during the long years that have followed, he has occasionally turned aside from the stern and solemn duties of the bench, to delight his friends with the mystic notes of his lyre. His poem, entitled " Death of President Garfield," is his last production, and being replete with the spirit and sentiment which filled all hearts at the sad announcement of the death of the President, we here reproduce it.
DEATH OF PRESIDENT GARFIELD.
O, God ! Our bleeding hearts are turned to Thee ; Our streaming eyes are raised to heaven above ; In this dark hour, O may our country be Shielded from peril, in Thine arms of love.
We weep, because our chosen chief is gone ; O, look in pity on a nation's grief ! No hand can heal our wounds save Thine alone ; None else can bring our burdened souls relief .
Dark is Ibe cloud that now obscures our sky ; O, arch it with the rainbow of Thy love, And write upon it : Man, alas, must die, But God still sits upon His throne above.
And does this Christian patriot die? O, no, He only passes to a happier spbere ; Hle rests from all his labors here below. And lives in bliss without a sorrowing tear
He wears a crown of glory on his brow, And in his hand he holds a golden lyre ; The radiant "summits " charm his vision now, And his voice mingles with the heavenly choil .
ALFRED EATON,
liveryman, a leading horse fancier of Clinton County, is a native of Canada, and was born November 5, 1842. He came to the United States, with his parents, when six years of age, his father, John Clement, who was a millright, locating with his family at New Santa Fe, Jackson County, Missouri. Here Alfred was raised and educated. In November, 1862, Mr. Eaton enlisted in the Confederate army, in Company A, Sixth Mis- souri Volunteer Infantry, participating in many of the notable events of the war. Ile was wounded at the battle of Corinth, also at Vicksburg, and taken prisoner, and was captured again at Fort Blakeley ; served until the close of the rebellion, when he was honorably discharged. Returning to Missouri, he located in Plattsburg, his parents having removed to this place during the war, where they eventually died. He was engaged in various pursuits until July, 1877, when he embarked
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in the livery business. In 1874, he was married to Miss Jennie Tillery, daughter of Mr. W. W. Tillery, one of Clinton County's well known pio- neers. The have had three children, only one of whom survives- Hettie. The two deceased were Edgar II. and Beulah.
J. W. ELLIS, A. M.,
President of the Plattsburg College, and an educator of much experience and eminence, is a native of Illinois, and was born in Carthage, Han- cock County, Illinois, December 29, 1839. His father, Timothy, when the subject of this sketch was two years of age, removed with his family to Ghent, Carroll County, Kentucky, where J. W. received his primary education. He determined to secure a good schooling, but owing to the large family of his father, he was obliged to work his own way. When fourteen years of age he commenced to work at various pursuits suitable for a boy of his age, and was often remunerated for the same at the rate of 25 cents per day. But he had placed his mark high, and with a light heart and willing hands, to him labor was a pleasure. His success is a good example for the youth of our land, who are struggling to possess themselves of a share of the world's knowledge under adverse circumstances. In due time he was sufficiently fitted and prepared to enter the Georgetown College, and was graduated in the class of 1860. Many prominent and well known citizens were graduates of the same class, among whom were the Hon. Jas. F. Clay, Rev. W. H. Felix, pastor of the Baptist Church of Covington, Kentucky, E. J. Hamilton, R. M. Dudly, D. D., the present President of the Georgetown College, and other distinguished and notable men. After graduating, he returned to Ghent, Kentucky, and for one year taught school; thence moved to Warsaw, Kentucky, where he secured a charter in the Ken- tucky Legislature for the establishment of a college, and was President of the same for six years. He took up the study of law in Kentucky and was admitted to the bar on the 24th of February, 1862, in the Court of Appeals before Judge Alvin Duvall. After leaving the college at Wasaw, he came to St. Louis, Missouri, and for a number of years was prominent among the leading attorneys of the city, and was solicited to become a candidate for the judgeship of the Criminal Court, which he declined. He had carly become devoted to teaching, and the city prov- ing unhealthy for his family he removed to Independence, Missouri, where he became manager and teacher of the Woodland College, contin- uing two years. On the 31st of July, 1880, he purchased the Plattsburg Col- lege, which had previously been conducted under the auspices of the M. E. Church South. The college, under the present management, has become one of the great educational institutions of the state, as it embraces a full college course, together with an able faculty, an excel-
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
lent library, chemical and philosophical apparatuses, the various depart- ments being complete in all of their appointments. Prof. Ellis is an impressive and logical speaker, conversant with a number of languages, and as a mathematician he is pre-eminent, having but few equals and no superiors in the state. As a literary writer he has attained to no small degree of celebrity. For some years he was a constant contribu- tor to our leading journals. He wrote the "Short E. A. Lectures" in the Pomeroy Democrat under the soubriquet of Henry C. Blount. His writings have been scanned by the thousands of the Masonic fraternity. In poetry, verses from his pen when placed beside the productions of many of our renowned American and English poets of the age, will compare favorably. He is prominently identified with the order of Masons, and belongs to its Chapter and Council. He is a member of the Christian Church. His wife's maiden name was Miss Sallie Brecken- ridge, whom he married December 29, 1863, in Boone County, Kentucky. She is a native of Kentucky, and a cousin of General John C. Brecken- ridge. By this union they have had two children : Perry C. and Breck- enridge. Mrs. E. is a lady of refinement and culture, and is in the college as principal of the primary department, Christian Ethics, Polit- ical Economy, Civil Government and the first steps in Science. She is a graduate, and of superior mental endowments.
WILLIAM EVANS, M. D.,
was born on a farm in Deleware County, Ohio, November 14, 1816, and there received a good education in the common schools. He spent his early manhood on a farm, and subsequently commenced the study of medicine, reading under Dr. John Evans, and was graduated from the Louisville Branch Transylvania University in March, 1853. Since that time he has practiced more or less. In 1851 he had been engaged in the drug business, which he continued until 1853, then selling out. Two years afterwards, he again became connected with it and thus remained for eleven years, when he retired from that business. Dr. Evans lived in Ohio until May, 1839, when he left for the mountains. He shortly returned to Rock Island, Illinois, and after four months went to Ohio, coming to Missouri in 1842. He located at Kingston, Caldwell County, and remained two years, and in 1846 removed to Clinton County, arriv- ing on the 26th of July. During the war (at which time he suffered con- siderable loss) he was assistant surgeon, in the Forty-fifth Battalion, composed of the Second Missouri Regiment, State Militia. Also, for two years after the war, was examining surgeon. He was post surgeon at Plattsburg for four years previous. In 1874, Dr. Evans com- menced a specialty of removing cancers, without the use of a knife, in which he has been very successful. His marriage occurred February 13,
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1845, to Miss Margaret C. Gill, a native of Bath County, Kentucky. They had a family of eight children, all of whom have since died. Mrs. Evans died July 23, 1859, and the Doctor was married again in March, 1867, to Mrs. Nancy A. Harvey, daughter of Robert Ray, who was born in Kentucky. Mrs. Evans is a native of Indiana. They had two chil- dren, both now deceased. Mrs. Evans' son, Robert C. Harvey, is en- gaged in the jewelry business in Plattsburg. Dr. E. is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He has always been an carnest supporter of churches, and there is probably not a church in Clinton County but what has received donations from him.
W. L. FERGUSON,
express agent, is a native of Kentucky, and was born in Fayette County September 9, 1826. His father, John B., was an old resident of that state, and his grandfather, Gabriel, was a native of Virginia. The Fer- gusons are of Scotch ancestry. W. L. was raised to manhood in Ken- tucky, his boyhood days being spent in tilling the soil. In 1853, he came to Missouri, locating in Plattsburg, where he engaged in the drug trade, in which capacity he continued until 1858, when he removed to Osborn, DeKalb County. There he became occupied in merchandising, and was also postmaster, and railroad agent for the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad Company. Here he remained until August, 1860, when he took up his abode in Plattsburg, having been elected to the office of Sheriff, which position he held for two consecutive terms, discharging the duties creditably to himself and to the satisfaction of his constitu- ents. During his term the rebellion was at its height, and the office of sheriff was an unenviable position. In 1866, he embarked in the livery business, and in this continued until 1870, when he became express agent. Few men have been more closely associated with the general interests of the place than Mr. F., and he is favorably known by a large circle of acquaintances. In 1848, Miss F. A. Carpenter, of Kentucky, became his wife. By: this union they have had six children : Mary F., wife of M. B. Riley, of Nodaway County, John L., Adelia M., Kate, Charles W. and Louis. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
SAMUEL M. FROMAN.
merchant, is one of the well known citizens of Clinton County, and a gentleman who has been closely associated with its progress. He is a native of Clinton County, and was born November 15, 1836. His father who was a native of Hardin County, Kentucky, was born in 1810, and migrated to Clay County, Missouri, in 1828, and a few years later to Clinton County. Previous to his coming he married Miss Cecil Gist,
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
and the result of this union was ten children, Samuel M. being the third. Mr. Froman was one of the pioneers of Hardin Township, and was in- strumental in developing an ample share towards the banner county of the state. He was one of the early county judges, and as a public citi- zen was noted for his good judgment and the live interest manifested in the advancement of education and religion. His death occured in this county in 1877. His wife, who was born in Andrew County, Kentucky, is still living. The subject of this sketch has always resided in Clinton County, with the exception of a time spent in Colorado, and a few years spent in Hardin County, Kentucky, where he engaged in trade in 1865. In 1867 he commenced business in Plattsburg, and now stands high in commercial circles. He is largely interested in the Plattsburg Mineral Springs, and has done much towards making Plattsburg a popular sum- mer resort. In 1858 he married Miss Artheusa Froman. They have four children : Mollie, Ella, Bayes and Gracie. Mr. and Mrs. F. are members of th . Baptist Church.
HENRY S. FOREE,
justice of the peace, is a native of Kentucky, and was born in Henry County, December 16, 1815. His father, Silas, was a native of Prince Edward County, Virginia, and emigrated to Kentucky. During the Revolutionary War, when quite young, he was made a captive by the Indians, and taken to Canada, and retained four years. The Forees are of French ancestry. The great grandfather of the subject was one of the Huguenots who were obliged to flee from France, on account of their religious views. Henry spent his early days in Kentucky, and was principally educated at the Miami University, Ohio. In 1860, he came to Missouri, locating in Caldwell County, engaging in agricultural pursuits, continuing until 1865, when he moved to Plattsburg. He was elected justice of the peace in 1874, and again in 1878. Mr. Foree is a man of mature judgment, and has a well balanced mind, which eminently fits him for his official position. He is generous and public spirited, and is numbered among the substantial citizens of the county. He has been twice married, first, in 1839, to Miss Mary C. McDonald. They have had five children, four of whom are living : Robert E., William, Marion T. and Silas H. ; lost one, Sallie. Mrs. F. died in 1846. In 1850, Miss Mary M. Carpenter became his wife. Thay have had one daughter by this marriage, Fannie T. Mr. F. is a member of the Masonic fraternity also of the missionary Baptist Church.
GEORGE FUNKHOUSER,
merchant, is one who has figured conspicuously in Clinton County as an official and busines man, and is one of the pioneers of Plattsburg. He
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is a native of Virginia, and was born in Shenandoah County, September 16, 1814. His father, George Funkhouser, was an agriculturist in that statc. The subject of this sketch was there raised to manhood and edu- cated. After attaining his majority he located temporarily in Indiana, and then removed to Ohio where he resided for a time, and from there came to Missouri, arriving in Plattsburg August 27, 1837. He embarked in merchandising, which he continued for eighteen months, and after- wards was elected county assessor. In 1842, he was elected sheriff, and acted in that capacity until 1846. He was engaged in different pursuits until 1850, when he went to California by the overland route, returning by water in 1851. He was engaged in selling goods at Maysville, DeKalb County, until 1855, when he again became a resident of Platts- burg, forming a partnership with Thomas McMichael, in the mercantile business. The firm was better known as Funkhouser Brothers, Mr. Abraham Funkhouser becoming his partner. In this business he was interested until the breaking out of the war, when it was discontinued. In 1865, Mr. F. was again elected sheriff, but was thrown out of office temporarily, by the state militia, on account of political views, and was re-instated by Governor Smith. For a number of years he has been engaged in the stock trade and in this branch does a large business. In 1874, the house of Foreman & Funkhouser was established. During his sojourn in this county he has been deputy sheriff the greater portion of the time, when not sheriff, and there are few people, young or old, within the boundry lines of Clinton County, who do not know Uncle George, as he is familiarly called. Mr. F. has been twice married : first in 1844, to Miss Mary Young. They have had four children, two of whom are living-John and Louisa. Mrs. F. died in 1854. His second marriage was to Mrs. Melvina Biggerstaff, by whom he has had seven children : Elma (deceased), Cora, Thomas, Annie, Laura, George, Jr., and Minnie. Mr. F. is a Master Mason. Politically he has been a life long Democrat, and has been recognized as a staunch supporter of that party.
JOEL FUNKHOUSER,
of the firm of Clay & Funkhouser, bankers, is one of Clinton County's most substantial citizens and successful financiers. He was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, November 16, 1822, and reared and edu- cated in the state of his birth. In 1856, he located in Plattsburg, and for several years was engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1866, in con- nection with James M. Clay, he engaged in the banking business, and for some years was custodian of the funds of Clinton County. He has long been identified with the stock interests of his county, as well as in real estate matters, being one of the largest land owners and taxpayers of the vicinity. In his business transactions he is peculiarly clear and
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
transparent, and he has the unlimited confidence of every one with whom he has any intercourse. In character, as well as in purse, he is one of the solid men of the county.
A. FUNKHOUSER,
retired farmer, section 22, post office Plattsburg. One of the oldest and most valued citizens of the Northwest, and a man universally esteemed in Clinton County, is the subject of this sketch. He is a native of Virginia, and was born in Shenandoah County, August 28, 1812. He was there raised and educated, and, for a number of years, followed clerking. Also, for a time, was engaged in trade, at Mount Jackson. In 1836, he emigrated to Ohio, residing two years at Xenia, and, in 1838, came to Clinton County, Missouri, where, until 1848, he was engaged in business at Hainesville. After this, he became associated with the business interests of Plattsburg. For a number of years prior to retir- ing from active life, Mr. F. gave the stock trade his attention, and in that branch, as in all his enterprises, made a success. He uses excellent judgment, is a good financier, and weighs well all undertakings. He has a fine homestead, a short distance west of of Plattsburg, where, in his declining years, he enjoys the fruits of his earlier exertions. He was married, in Virginia, to Miss L. A. Morgan. They have had a family of seven children : Mary E., Louisa A .. George P., Treasurer of Clinton County, James A., William T., Morgan and C. S. Himself and family are members of the M. E. Church South.
GEORGE P. FUNKHOUSER,
county treasurer and banker, is a native of Clinton County, Missouri, and has since made his home in this vicinity. He received a common school education, and in 1866, commenced general merchandising, con- tinuing until 1871, when he was elected county treasurer. The same year he also engaged in the banking business, and was made cashier. Since 1871, he has been re-elected county treasurer for five terms. He has served the city as councilman two terms. The Plattsburg Bank, of which Mr. George P. Funkhouser is the cashier, was organized with the following officers : Charles W. Porter, President ; W. T. Funkhouser, Assistant Cashier.
MICHAEL GUYER,
nurseryman and farmer, section 14, post office Plattsburg, one of the leading nurserymen of the northwest, and one who has attained a wide and well merited reputation for producing varieties adapted to the western country, is the name that heads this sketch. His
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nursery is conveniently located, adjoining the corporate limits of Platts- burg on a high, rolling prairie, so situated as to be exposed on all sides, whereby the trees are hardened and well suited for transportation to his patrons, who are not confined to Missouri alone, but extend into Kan- sas, Nebraska, Iowa, and to some extent in Illinois. He has an excel- lent orchard that will compare with any in the country, and thousands of apple ยท trees of the various varieties : pears, cherries, plums, peaches, currants, grapes, strawberries, ornamental trees, and shrubs, roses, plants, bulbs, evergreens, etc., in fact everything that is to be found in a first-class nursery, and all in a healthy and promising condition. The superior railroad facilities Mr. Guyer enjoys is an advantage not easily overestimated, and is highly appreciated by his patrons, as they can receive their trees in a short time after they are taken from the nursery, it being only a few hundred yards from the depots of Rock Island, and the Wabash, St. Lous & Pacific railroads. He is a proficient nursery- man, and it may be said of him, was literally bred to the business. He believes in combining the practical with the theoretical. He is a native of Ohio, and was born in Carroll County, July 17, 1826. His father Henry, was an agriculturist in that state and the subject of this sketch, when thirteen years of age, turned his attention to the nursery business to which he has since been devoted. He resided in the Buckeye State until 1867, when he became a resident of Clinton County, purchasing his present farm, which consists of 200 acres. He married, in 1847, Miss Sarah J. Thomas, of Ohio. They have five children : Annie, wife of Geo. Essig, Florence, wife of C. W. Shepherd, Jennie, Edwin, and Michael, Jr. Mr. G. is a member of the Good Templars, and himself and family are members of the M. E. Church.
REV. W. A. HANNA
was born in Callaway County, Missouri, on the first day of November, 1844. He was the second son of Samuel and Susan Hanna, who came to Callaway County from Virginia, at an early day ; attended school at Fulton, Missouri, and afterward Central College, at Lafayette, Missouri. He began to study for the ministry in 1864, with the Rev. H. A. Bore- land of the Missouri Conference. He was admitted into the traveling connection, in the Missouri Conference, of the M. E. Church, South, at Weston, Missouri, in 1867. His first charge was Irving, Missouri, embrac- ing a large territory on the Big and Little Blue Rivers, in Kansas, where he remained one year. His next charge was the Oskaloosa Circuit, Kan- sas. At the close of the second year, the Western Conference was organ- ized at Leavenworth, Mr. Hanna being a member of that conference, was appointed to the charge of the Leavenworth Circuit. His succeeding charges were Atchison Station, Holton Circuit, Council Groves Station,
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BIOGRAPHICAL ..
Kansas, then at Nebraska City, Nebraska, and in September, 1878, was transferred to the Missouri Conference, and given charge of Pla tsburg Station, where he remained for three years, and has recently been appoint- ed by the Missouri Conference, to the Osborn Circuit, which embraces four churches. Mr. Hanna is a member of the Good Templars, and was made a Free Mason in Atchison, Kansas, in 1874. He was married to Miss Mollie Endler of Virginia, in 1872. By this union they have had one child, Annie E., who is now five years of age. Mr. Hanna is a man of fine physique, and like the ministers of his church generally, is entire- ly devoted to his calling, being willing and ready to work in any field of labor, where he can accomplish the greatest good. His ministerial labors at Plattsburg have been crowned with great success, having added to the church at Plattsburg, and the church at Lathrop (which latter was included in his charge), one hundred and forty members.
R. W. HOCKADAY,
of the firm of R. W. Hockaday & Brother, the leading hardware and agricultural implement dealers of Plattsburg, was born in Liberty, Clay County, Missouri, February 6th, 1845. His father, Isaac N. Hockaday, was a native of Greenup County, Kentucky, and was among the pioneers of Clay County, settling in Liberty, Missouri, in 1842. His mother's maiden name was Fannie Lincoln. Isaac N. moved to Clinton County in 1845. where he engaged in farming, and afterwards, in 1856, in mer- chandising in Plattsburg. He also at one time, sold goods in Atchison, Kansas. He died in April, 1873. R. W. Hockaday is the oldest of a surviving family of five sons and two daughters. He received his edu- cation partly in Plattsburg, and afterwards, in William Jewell College, Liberty, Clay County, Missouri. He was reared to mercantile pursuits, and for the past seventeen years has been engaged in the same, From the fall of 1864 to the fall of 1867, he sold goods in Atchison, Kansas. He then returned to Plattsburg, where he employed himself in the grocery, hardware and lumber trade. In January, 1880, in partnership with his brother, William D. Hockaday, he opened a stock of hardware, stoves and agricultural implements in the same town. The firm has prospered abundantly, and they now do an annual business of thirty- five thousand dollars. R. W. Hockaday was married, in 1869, to Miss Bettie Whittington, daughter of Hervey Whittington, a pioneer of the county, and a representative merchant of Plattsburg. They have (1881) three children, Claude, Anna and Muggy. Politically, Mr. Hockaday has always been a Democrat.
WILLIAM DONIPHAN HOCKADAY,
of the firm of R. W. Hockaday & Brother, son of Isaac N. and Fannie L. Hockaday, above referred to, was born in Clinton County, Missouri,
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in 1856, and educated in Plattsburg. Reared to commercial pursuits, for the first three years of his experience in that character of employ- ment, he clerked in his brother's store. He then entered the banking house of Clay & Funkhouser, where he filled the position of bookkeeper during a period of three years, ending January, 1880, when he associated himself in the agricultural implement, stove and hardware business, with his brother, R. W. Hockaday, as above stated. In early youth, hc united with the Christian Church, in Plattsburg. Politically, he is a Democrat. The place of business of R. W. Hockaday & Brother is a spacious and well appcaring two-story brick building, thirty feet front, by ninety deep, and constitutes a handsome feature of the business quarter of l'lattsburg.
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