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 69
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D. M. TURNEY,
farmer and stock raiser, section 20, post office Perrin, was born June 4, 1833, in Cynthiana, Harrison County, Kentucky, and was taken to Shel- byville, Illinois, when about four years of age. There he was raised and educated. He entered into the mercantile business when fourteen years of age, and followed it while he remained there. Coming west in 1853, he settled in St. Joseph, and entered the store of Donald, Saxton & Co. He removed from there to Plattsburg in the spring of 1855, and was employed for ten months with Thomas E. Birch. He then entered the land and law office with his brother, Thomas E. Turney, and remained there until 1857, at which time he sold some of the finest land in the county for twenty-five cents per acre. They handled about twenty thousand acres in this and adjoining counties, and he is well known among the early pioneers of this section. He married and moved to Ray County in 1857, and engaged in farming and merchandising. During the war he moved to St. Louis, and engaged in buying horses and mules for the govenment, and purchased the first car load from this vicinity. He returned to Clinton County in 1864, and engaged in farming. From
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here he moved to Stewartsville, DeKalb County, and engaged in the practice of law. After making that his home till 1869, he returned to Plattsburg and entered the office with his brother. He purchased the land on which he now resides in 1870, and immediately settled upon it. It contains 160 acres, well improved, and watered by springs. He helped organize the first company of Federal soldiers in the county, and did it under cover of night, as the other party was the strongest, and would not allow the Federals to organize. He has never been an office-seeker, but has always given his attention to his business. Mr. T. has been twice married. First, in 1857, to Miss Euphemia Burgess, a daugh- ter of one of the oldest citizens of Ray County. She died in the fall of 1869, and left four children : Samuel T., Daniel M., Thomas E., Try- phosa I. He was married again in September, 1874, to Miss Ella Smith, a daughter of one of the oldest pioneers of Clinton County. She was born February 20, 1852, in Mason County, Kentucky .. By this union they have three children : Milton S., Charles B. and Mattie L. Mrs. T. is a member of the M. E. Church, South.
JAMES VAN SANT,
farmer and millwright, section 21, post office Osborn, was born May 12, 1826, in Howard County, Maryland, and was raised at his birthplace. His father died while he was quite young, and his mother moved to Maconsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1838. When James became fourteen years of age, he commenced to learn pattern making for cutlers' machinery. He removed to Cincinnati, in 1846, and, in 1847, took a trip around the lakes to Chicago, thence to St. Louis, and back to Cincinnati, where he resided until 1849, engaged at the millwright busi- ness. Returning to St. Louis, in the fall of 1849, he engaged in that business there, and assisted in building several mills near that city, and many in Southern Illinois. He continued at his trade until the fall of 1879, his long experience, aptness and skill having given him a thorough knowledge of the business. He came to Clinton County in the fall of 1879, and purchased an eighty acre tract of improved land, and intends giving his time chiefly to tilling the soil. Mr. Van Sant was married, in the spring of 1869, to Mrs. Mellissa Parker, a native of Montgomery County, Missouri, born April 15, 1828. She has four children living, by her former husband: Louisa, Clara, Washington and Francis. Mrs. Van S. is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are among the leading and respected citizens of the county.
GEORGE W. WHITE,
carpenter and contractor, Osborn, was born on the 28th day of August, 1834. in Wayne County, New York, and grew to manhood and was edu-
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cated there, and, after becoming of age, he was engaged in teaching. This profession he followed for some nine years, in the winter seasons, working at the carpenter trade during the summer months. He came west, in the spring of 1868, and settled at Osborn, where he continued his calling until 1874. then turning his attention to farming, which he followed until 1880. At that time he gave the care of the farm to his son, and again commenced working at his trade. He owns eighty acres of fine land within one mile of town, which is well improved and stocked. He also owns some property in Osborn, on which he resides. Mr. W. has filled the position of justice of the peace for two years, and chair- man of the board of directors for about eight years. Being a public spirited man, he has always contributed his full share toward the build- ing up and improving of the town. He was married, in 1858, to Miss Elizabeth VanMarter, a native of the same place as himself. She was born in 1839. They have had three children : Florence A., Frank V. and Nettie M. Himself and wife are active members of the M. E. Church, in which he holds the position of Trustee, and he has also been identified with the interests of the Union Sunday School, of Osborn, for some time, having held the position of superintendent for three years.
A. B. WILLIAMS,
farmer and stock raiser, section 23, post office Turney. Among the many foremost stock raisers of this district, the subject of this sketch, is worthy special mention. He is a native of Missouri, and was born Sep- tember 4, 1837. His father was one of the old pioneers of this county, and was among the first ministers to preach the Gospel here. He was by faith a Baptist. His death occurred in November, 1849. A. B. moved to his present place in 1862. He has 400 acres of land, all of which is under cultivation. He is one of our practical and progressive farmers, and is closely identified with the farming and stock raising interests of this district. He has a splendid residence and good sub- stantial barn, and his farm improvements generally show him to be a successful man. He has been twice married ; first to Matilda McBeath, May 5, 1861. After a few years of married life she passed away April 29, 1872. Mr. W. subsequently married Miss Belle Daniels. There are by the first marriage five children : Luke, Oliver P., Moses, Frank P. and Nellie, and by the second union his family consists of Ida, Alice, Cyrus and Hattie. They are members of the Baptist church, and with their liberality help the cause not a little.
WALTER WILSON.
farmer and stock raiser, section 22, post office Turney, was born April 23, 1839, in Kane County, Illinois, and was taken to Whiteside County,
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Illinois, by his parents when six months old. He was there reared, pass- ing his youth on a farm, and received the benefits of a good education. He commenced life on his own account when 21 years of age, and has made farming his occupation through life. Coming west in the spring of 1876, he purchased the fine farm he now occupies, consisting of 300 acres of fine land, well improved, and with an orchard of four acres in extent. He also has one thoroughbred, "Louan's Airdrie," and several high graded cattle. He is largely engaged in sheep raising, and has at present about four hundred head. He takes a live interest in educa- tional matters, and has held the position of school director some three years. During the time that the grange was in existence he acted as co-operative agent for the granges in this vicinity. He is an industrious and energetic citizen, and in his dealings with his fellow-men is upright and honorable. He was married in January, 1877, to Miss Harriet Mc- Beath, a native of this county. She was born in 1855. They have had one child, Mary M. Mr. W. is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and his wife worships with the Christian Church.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
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JAMES C. BERNARD, M. D.,
was born in Franklin, Howard County, Missouri, October 7, 1821. He received a good common school education, and afterward attended the Georgetown College, of Kentucky. In 1840, having resolved upon the practice of medicine as a profession, he commenced its study with J. H. Ellison, M. D., an able physician in Kentucky, and after a thorough preparation and course in college, he was graduated, in 1843-4, with honors. He commenced practicing in Howard County, Missouri, and then went to Clay County, locating near Liberty, when, after two years, or in 1848, he came to Hainesville. February 1, 1842, Dr. B. was mar- ried to Miss Susan F. Major, a daughter of Rev. John S. Major, a dis- tinguished and well known Baptist clergyman. The doctor's father was raised in Richmond, Virginia, and came to Howard County, Missouri, in 1820. He was the first man in the state to start the manufacture of cordage, in old Franklin, where he manufactured it very largely. After
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being burned out, he erected a factory in Boonville, Cooper County. The doctor has been an active Royal Arch Mason since 1860. He has been a resident of Hainesville for thirty-three years, and, during this time, has had an extensive and successful practice. He is a man of good . judgment, well read, and a gentleman in every sense of the term. In connection with his practice he has a drug store. Dr. B. was one of the leading business men when Hainesville was in her brightest days; but after the railroad passed by, its decline commenced, until he is now the most prominent business man in the place. He will live in the hearts and recollection of the people of Clinton County a long time after he is numbered with the dead.
JACOB N. BRAWNER
was born in Jessamine County, Kentucky, August 29, 1813, and came to Missouri in 1831, settling in Clay County, where he remained eight years. In 1840, he came to this county and bought from Mr. Ledgwood 260 acres of land, which he improved and there made a fine home. Upon selling out he bought 260 acres in section 24, where the family now live, and which they have occupied for twenty-three years. Here the judge improved the farm, building a fine residence, and enjoyed it until his death, which occurred May 2, 1877, he being 64 years of age. He was a thorough farmer, and was interested in improved stock. He was also an active politician, feeling it his duty as well as pleasure to aid the Demo- cratic party. He was elected county judge, and served so faithfully that he was several times re-elected, and served altogether eight years. He was emphatically a man of the people, never deceiving or disappointing them, but in the discharge of his duties he reflected honor and credit upon his county, as well as upon himself. He was a zealous member of the Christian Church, and did much towards building it up, contributing liberally to its treasury. Judge B. married Miss Eliza Jane Miller, of Clay County, Missouri, in September, 1840. Her parents were from Kentucky. They had as a result of this union twelve children : Susan E. B., Sarah M., Frances C., Clara J., Thomas M., David Oliver, John Henry, Clifton M., Nannie M., Bird Smith, George Neet and Rosalie. Clifton M. lives with his mother and works the farm. Three unmarried daughters, Clara J., Nannie M. and Rosalie, also live at home. Mrs. B. is very energetic in taking care of the estate, in which she has been suc- cessful.
JAMES R. COFFMAN,
was born in Kentucky June 10, 1820, and came to the present site of Hainesville, Clinton County, Missouri, with his mother and grandmother in 1828. The latter was a native of Germany, and lived to be 107 years
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old, dying in Hainesville in 1844. His mother lived to the advanced age of 93, and died in the spring of 1877. Mr. C. was married to Mary Richardson, who was born February 22, 1825. She died July 10, 1860, leaving five children : David R. A., James K. P., Mary C., Samuel P. and George W. Judge C. was one of the first children to be brought to this county. He here grew to manhood, and early became a leading and influential member of the Democratic party. He was elected county judge in 1857, and with him were associated Judges Scott and Willis. Their weights were respectively, 240, 360 and 260 pounds, and they were known as the heaviest court ever in the county. The judge's early edu- cational advantages were limited, yet he was possessed of remarkable energy and perseverance. His opinion on all common law questions was eagerly sought after and carefully adhered to among the citizens of Hainesville. He had a large farm adjoining the village, consisting of 366 acres, with one of the best, if not the best, orchard in the county. He also had 109 acres in an adjoining section, 640 acres in Arkansas, and 1,100 acres in Kansas. Successful in his land speculations, he was never fortunate as a farmer, his especial point being in trading, buying and selling, or dealing in stock. This was his principal business for many years. The judge was a friend to the poor, and was spoken of by all as one of the most liberal of men, notably so when circumstances required it. Judge C. came to his death by being thrown from a wagon, living only a few hours. He died August 3, 1881, at the Lathrop House.
NEWTON DENNY,
farmer and stock raiser, is the owner of 120 acres of land on sections 2 and 11. He was born in Guilford County, North Carolina, January 21, 1817, and, with his father, George Denny, came to Clay County, Mis- souri, in October, 1835, locating on section 21, Jackson Township, in 1837. Newton Denny improved a farm in Clay County, which he after- wards sold, and then bought land in Clinton County. He married Miss Patsy Clark, in 1848, in Clay County. She died in 1849. In 1852, he opened a store in Liberty, and sold goods for two years, when he moved his store to Gosneyville. There he continued in trade for two years, and sold out and went to Hainesville, in 1856. He built a steam saw and grist mill, the first of the kind erected in this section of the county, and carried it on until 1862, doing an excellent business. During the war, he moved to Illinois, and remained until the fall of 1865. He then sold out his mill, bought a farm in Clay County, and improved it and exchanged it for the farm on which he now lives, moving upon it in 1873. Mr. D. married, for his second wife, Miss Mary Ella Ellington, of Clay County, in 1866. They have three children, Thomas Jefferson, Charles E. B. and Annie L. Mr. Denny is a member of the Presbyterian
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Church, an upright citizen, and is respected by all who know him. His life has been an active one, and, though having met with the usual cares and perplexities of business life, he has been successful, and is possessed of a finely improved farm.
GEORGE DENNY,
farmer and stock raiser, is the owner of 266 acres, on sections 21 and 22. He was born in North Carolina, in 1826, and came to Missouri, with his father, in 1835, settling in Clay County, where he remained for two years. In 1837, the family moved into Clinton County. In 1850, with Judge Coffman and John Douglass, George Denny went to California, where he remained two years, being successful in his business. He then returned home, bought a drove of cattle, took them to California in 1854, and again remained two years. Returning in 1856, he bought the old homestead, and has lived on it since. He married Miss Virginia Snoddy, of this county, in 1868. They have four children : Rufus A., Ralph K., Nancy Jane and Virginia Susan. Mrs. Denny died January 1, 1875. Mr. Denny is one of the best stock men in the county ; has a farm well adapted to raising and feeding stock. He spent two years in Montana and Salt Lake City, and has been successful in all his speculations, making good use of his means. George Denny, Sr., the father of the subject of this sketch, died at the residence of the latter, March 24, 1879, in his ninety-sixth year. Father Denny, as he used to be called, was born February 15, 1784, in Guilford County, North Carolina. His ancestors were originally a part of a Presbyterian colony, which settled in that county in the days of his grandfather, and organized the Buffalo Presbyterian Church, noted as being under the pastoral care of Rev. David Caldwell, D. D., for a period of sixty years. Mr. Denny was mar- ried, January 14, 1808, to Jane Kennedy, who died January 10, 1866, in the seventy-seventh year of her age. Shortly after their marriage, they united with the Buffalo Church. Mr. D. emigrated to Missouri, with his family, in 1835. In 1837, he settled on the farm, in Clinton County, where he died, four sons and three daughters surviving him. His funeral service was held in the Old Bethel Church. His remains were tenderly laid away in the church yard, by the side of his beloved wife. His children, and his childrens' children, to the fourth generation, were pres- ent at the solemn service. Through nearly a century his quiet, happy and useful life flowed on. Almost to the last he was free from the infirmities of age. His form was erect, he never walked with a canc, and his eyes had but a little of the dimness of years. Always bright, sunny and cheerful, he calmly waited for the change, and then passed away. The children who survive are : Levi, William M., John A., New- ton, Nancy, Mary Jane, Nitha and George.
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DEVER & ADKINSON,
farmers, stock raisers and dealers, section 2. This firm is composed of Salem Dever, and R. Adkinson. The former was born in Madison County, Kentucky, in 1835, and came to this county with his father in 1857. He commenced his business career by purchasing a small portion of the farm which he and his brother-in-law, Mr. Adkinson, now occupy. They went to work with a will, and have been fortunate in their business, adding, from time to time, to their farm, so that, now, they own 165 acres of choice land. They have a fine farm, well improved, and upon which is a good house. Mr. R. Adkinson married to Miss L. Dever in 1865. William Dever, the father of Salem, was born in Madison County, Kentucky, March 9, 1808, and came with his family to Clinton County in 1857, settling in Hainesville; as he was a stone mason he did much of the mason work in that vicinity for many years ; he married Miss Jane Clark, in Kentucky, 1829; they have had seven children : Nancy Jane, George, John Campbell, Salem, Sarah, and Ludica. He is an excel- lent workman and citizen, his judgment often being sought and adhered to; his home is with his son and daughter. Mrs. Dever, his aged and faithful companion, died August 19, 1872, leaving besides her aged husband, many relatives and acquaintances to mourn her loss.
THOMAS J. HUBBARD,
farmer, section 17, was born in Garrard County, Kentucky, November 3, 1821, and came to Clinton County, in 1849, soon buying the farm where he now lives, which now contains 180 acres. He married Miss Eliza- beth J. Reynolds, a daughter of David W. Reynolds, of this township, July 12, 1849. She was a native of Madison County, Kentucky. They have two children, Wm. B. and Thomas G. Wm. B. married Lovina E. Tutton, and they have one son, fifteen months old. Mr. Hubbard early conceived the idea of making stock raising his principal business, con- sequently, was eager to improve his stock. He bought the first blooded male which was brought into the county, and which has proven to be one of the best in the country. He also put in place the first set of farm scales in Clinton County, and was one of the first to feed stock for market. Mr. H. has done much in improving Clinton County, and bring- ing her into notice as one of the best in the state, and is worthy the esteem in which he is held by many.
R. T. KELLY,
farmer and dealer and shipper of stock, section 7, was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, April 22, 1820. In 1832 his father came to Highland County, Ohio, where the family grew up and received their education. R.
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T. learned the tanner's trade of his father, and worked at it until he came to Clinton County in 1856, when he bought his farm, now containing 566 acres. He early commenced feeding and dealing in stock, and has made it his principal business through life. He has a fine farm, well adapted to his avocation, and has one of the best residences in this part of the county. His long experience in buying stock and his extensive acquaintance and honorable dealing have given him the advantage over many others. Mr. K. has some 1,300 head of cattle, which were bought in Washington Territory and driven to Wyoming Territory, where they are being fattened. He married Miss Mellissa Pavey, of Ohio, Decem- ber 18, 1843. The result of this union was eight children : Lettie (wife of James Y. Whitsitt), Charles T., Henry H., Thomas C., Fannie, Lizzie, Leroy and Emma. Thomas C. married Miss Eva Dillon, of Ohio. Mr. Kelly has taken great interest in giving his children the best advan- tages for an education. Fannie has received a thorough course in school, and is now one of the teachers of the Central College, at Lexington, Missouri.
J. T. KIMSEY, M. D.,
was born in Platte County, Missouri, in 1852, and received a good educa- tion, chiefly by self application. Resolving on the practice of medicine as his profession, he commenced its study at Walden, Missouri, and subsequently learned the drug business thoroughly. He attended lec- tures at the American Medical College, of St. Louis, in 1877-8, but practiced two years in Platte County before attending lectures. He then located in Holt, where, by his skill and strict attention to business, he has gained an enviable reputation. Several young men who have studied with him have since graduated with high honors, and are becom- ing successful in their practice. The doctor is a close student and is ever seeking to further qualify himself, by study and practice, to cope with all the diseases of the human family, and become more perfectly skilled in the departments of surgery.
AUSTIN R. KING,
farmer, was born in Orange County, North Carolina, May 8th, 1800. In 1835, he came to Clinton County, Missouri, and settled in Jackson Township, on section 25, buying eighty acres of land. He located forty acres, and commenced raising hemp, and was successful in that business. After having received a very thorough education, he had four years experience in a large store in Huntsville, Alabama, where he became a leading salesman. He married Miss Susan McRorry, in Orange County, North Carolina, February 27, 1827. She was a schoolmate of his, and they grew up in the company of each other. Mrs. K. was a
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devoted christian worker, the church, the poor and sick, being the first objects of her charities. Mr. King served as justice of the peace for many years, and has been an active Democrat through life. He is a noble gentleman, belonging, as did his wife, to the Christian Church. Uncle King, as he is familiarly called, is one of the earliest and oldest settlers of the county, and has made many friends, and always retained them. His beloved companion died June 9, 1875.
JAMES C. MADDEN,
farmer and stock raiser, sections 21 and 28, was born in Tennessee, June 23, 1828, and came with his father to Clay County, Missouri, in 1847. In 1850, he went to California, remaining two years, working in the mines, at which he was quite successful. Upon returning to Clay County, after looking about for awhile, he bought a farm in Ray County, where he remained until 1861, when he bought the farm on which he has since lived. He has one of the finest in Clinton County, and it contains 235 acres. He has a beautiful residence, and everything about betokens thrift and refinement. The farm was originally owned by William Ledg- wood. A. M. Streeter was a squatter on it fifty years ago. Mr. M. is greatly interested in blooded stock, and has a number of excellent ani- mals. He is a prominent member of society, and does much for the advancement of education in the way of erecting school houses, etc. Mr. Madden was married to Miss Nancy Jane Hardwick, of Clay County, January 5. 1854. They have ten children : Fannie, George A., James T., Fleaty J., Nancy Ann, Sophronia Isabella, Minerva, Lela, Myrtle and Orpha. Mr. M. has earned his own way through life, having commenced with nothing, and now, surrounded by his family, can enjoy the fruits of his own industry. Mr. and Mrs. Madden and part of the family are members of the Christian Union Church. Mr. M. also belongs to the Masonic lodge at Holt, and is one of its active members.
VINCENT MORROW,
farmer, section 23, was born in Orange County, North Carolina, Novem- ber 18, 1808. He was raised a farmer, and received but limited educa- tional advantages, although making the best use of what he had. He married Miss Sarah Jane Morrow, of Orange County, North Carolina, in 1835. They have, as the result of this union, six children : Robert S., Joseph M., Wm. V., Annie, Mary Jane, and Susan Emily. Mr. M. came to Ray County, Missouri, in 1842, and remained there until the spring of 1860, when he came to Clinton County, and bought his present farm. He commenced in life with very little means, and has moved quietly along, and has been moderately successful. His finely improved farm
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