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 78
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J. O. DANIELS,
proprietor of the Lathrop House, was born in Grafton County, New Hampshire, May 17, 1829. When he was twenty-one years old he went to Boston, Massachusetts, and obtained the position of baggage master on the Boston and Fitchburg Railroad, where he remained three years, discharging the duties in a satisfactory manner. He then came to Indianapolis, Indiana, and accepted the position of conduetor on the Indianapolis and Lafayette Railroad, and remained with them for five years, when he accepted a similar position on the Illinois Central, and remained eight years. In 1863, he started a lu m) yard at Odin, Illi- nois, and lived there three years. After the completion of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, in November, 1867, he came to Lathrop and opened a lumber yard, and was the first settler in the town. (See His- tory of Lathrop.) He has been engaged in many enterprises here, all having an influence to build up Lathrop: He purchased several lots and improved them with good substantial residences. He had the contract for building the brick school building, which is an ornament to the eity. He published the Lathrop Monitor, which did much to bring the east- ern part of Clinton County into the notice of actual settlers. In 1877, he purchased the Lathrop House, which he has sinee kept, and it is not saying too much to state that no hotel in the county is more favorably known or more deserving of popular favor, it being the cheerful home of the weary traveler. - In 1880, he was appointed land agent of the Han- nibal and St. Joseph Railroad, having charge of their lands and lots. He represents several of the best insurance companies, and does a large amount of the insurance business. He has always taken a deep interest in educational enterprises, and has been and is now one of the school board. Has been liberal in contributing to every enterprise which goes to build up the city. He married Miss Julia H. Nowland, in St. Louis, Missouri, in March, 1866. They have six children : Frank Nowland, Ann May, Kate Raymond, Hattie Bell, Charles B. and John Newton.
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JOHN DOUGLASS,
extensive farmer, stock raiser and dealer, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, August 23, 1823, and, in 1837, came to Clinton County, Missouri, settling where he now lives. He received no education to speak of, and worked for a brother five years, but received no compensation, and, at the age of nineteen years, he bought 120 acres of land on credit. He then commenced life's struggles alone, first engaging in the raising of hemp and tobacco. Having been blessed with good crops, and receiving good prices for them, he was soon able to pay for his land. In 1850, he went to California, and remained two years, when he returned home and con- tinued his farming. He bought land as opportunity presented itself, near him, until he now has one of the largest, and among the best, farms in the county. His estate embraces 1,000 acres of land, which is contained in sections 27, 28, 33, 34 and 35. In 1866, he made a kiln of bricks, and built a fine residence in the center of his farm. He has about 300 head of horses, mules and cattle, the raising of which he makes a specialty. He is a leading and active member of the Christian Church, and has contributed largely towards building a fine house of worship, on the corner of his farm, called the Bethel Church. This was erected in 1878. The society had previously made use of the Brooking school house, for twenty years. Mr. D.'s great success in life is due to his untiring energy, economy and honesty in his dealings, and the care with which he has watched over his transactions. He married Mary Ann Brown, of this county, October, 1846. They have had ten children : Jessie B., John William, Jemima Ellen, James A., Thomson McGee, Stephen A., George B. and Doc. Sherman ; Anna and Mollie died while young.
JOHN W. DOUGLASS,
farmer, stock feeder and dealer, is the owner of 320 acres of land in section 35. He was born in Lathrop Township, Clinton County, Mis- souri, December, 1849, and there received a good common school educa- tion. He then attended the State University at Columbia, Missouri, where he prepared himself for a useful business life. He was married to Miss Susan Cooper in June, 1874. She was the daughter of E. W. Cooper, Esq., a pioneer and a respected citizen of Lathrop. They have three children, Dorsey, Elgi, and William. The subject of this sketch is a son of John Douglass, among the earliest and now one of the most prosperous farmers in the county. The early training which he received at home has greatly enabled him to conduct his large farm and stock business in a profitable and economical manner. His land is stocked with good herds, he having from fifty to 150 head of cattle, besides a large number of hogs. He bought his farm of the railroad company, it
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then being a part of the company's addition to the city of Lathrop. Mr. Douglass first settled on eighty acres just south of the city, where he set out one of the most beautiful orchards in the county. Both of the railroads ran through the farm, and on that account he sold it.
EDWARD DUDLEY,
grain dealer, was born in Burlington County, New Jersey, in 1834, and came to Missouri in 1853. He obtained an excellent education, and was engaged in teaching school for several years. He commenced the study of medicine and continued it for a time, but never practiced it with the idea of making it a profession. Having a great desire for commercial pursuits, he learned telegraphy in 1859, and was soon engaged by the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad Company. He was the first telegraph operator and agent at Hamilton station east of Cameron, and was con- nected with that road in various positions for eighteen years. He built a store and elevator, and was the first man to start business at Turney, and for several years did a very large business. In 1879, Mr. D. moved to Lathrop, transferred his grain business and built a large elevator there. Since that time he has been doing an extended business, hav- ing handled during the past year 120,000 bushels of grain for himself, besides 50,000 bushels for other parties. Dr. Dudley was married to Miss Clementine Langdon, of Caldwell County, Missouri, in 1859. By this union they have eight children, Charles E., Wm. C., Walter H., Daniel Drew, Tolman, Flora, Ada, and Birta. Among the enterprising and leading business men of Lathrop Mr. D. ranks as one of the first. He is thoroughly posted upon all the leading topics of the day, is a fluent conversationalist and an honored member of society.
HON. JACOB ESTEP,
section 26, post office Cameron, a farmer by calling, a blacksmith by trade, and, although without political aspiration, he has nevertheless been fre- quently honored with preferment to places of public trust. Mr. Estep is a native of Maryland, and was born in Frederick (now Carroll) County, November 23, 1823. In 1834, his parents moved to Seneca County, Ohio, where the youth of the subject of this notice was spent, his time being divided between attending school, in winter, and assisting his father, in the summer, in clearing and making a farm. At the age of nineteen, he apprenticed himself to a blacksmith, with whom he remained for nine years. In 1850, he commenced business for himself, in the same county, as a carriage and wagon manufacturer, conducting the same suc- cessfully for seven years. July 25, 1850, Miss M. J. Culver became his wife. She was born in Seneca County, Ohio, June 14, 1829. In 1857,
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Mr. E. left Ohio, came to Missouri, and settled where he now lives, having purchased the land the year previous, through Governor Smith. He now owns 950 acres of land. After his coming here, he opened a shop, and, at the same time, carried on his farming operations. During the late war his sympathies were with the Federal cause, and he was commissioned by Governor Hall a lieutenant, participating in many of the engagements connected with the campaign in Missouri. In 1864, he was honored by Governor Fletcher with the appointment of county judge, serving with Judges Estes and Cooper. In 1865, he was selected by the Republicans as their standard bearer for the State Legis- lature. Resigning his position as judge, he made a thorough canvass of his district, and was elected by a large majority. His course at the capi- tal fully sustained the expectation of his friends, and as a representative he has, aside from his active participation in matters of general legis- lation, been a watchful and conscientious guardian of the interests of his immediate constituency, whose claim to consideration he has never failed to present. Through his labors and instrumentality largely, was the change made in the school bill, whereby six months of school instead of three, were held, although Mr. E. was an advocate of seven months. His family consists of six children : Emmet H., born May 18, 1851 ; Ida E., born January 31, 1855 ; Clara B., born April 29, 1858; Minnie E., born February 16, 1863; Nettie M., born October 12, 1868 ; Charles S., born April 18, 1874.
JAMES T. ESTILL, M. D.,
was born in Clinton County, Missouri, October 12, 1849. He early man- ifested a desire for a profession, and with this end in view, went to the common school of his district for a while, after which he entered West- minster College, at Fulton, Callaway County, Missouri. He spent six years of hard study, and was graduated with honor from that institution in 1875. Dr. E. afterwards taught two years, but was obliged to give up that profession on account of failing health. On this account he took a trip to Colorado, spending some time in that vicinity, and after regaining his health, he returned home and entered the office of Dr. June, of Law- son, where he took a thorough course of study in medicine. He then took the prescribed course at the Missouri Medical College, of St. Louis, graduating in the spring of 1879. He immediately located at Turney, Clinton County, where he erected a house and settled down perma- nently. He married Miss Maggie Green, a daughter of Cyrus Green, of Jackson, in September, 1879. The result of this marriage was Forest Leon, born July 8, 1880. The Doctor is a great scholar, deeply investi- gating things of importance which come under his observation, and endeavors to the best of his ability to discover and understand cause
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and effect. He is well aware that he represents an ancient and honora- ble profession, and his ambition is to make himself a proficient follower thereof and to give dignity to his position. He has devoted much of his time and thought to surgery, and in his practice is very successful. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. William H, Estill, father of Dr. Estill, came from Kentucky at a very early day, and settled in Jack- son Township, near Barnesville. His first wife was Elizabeth Hubbard, daughter of Colonel Hubbard, of Clay County, whom he married in 1838. They had seven children : John, Mary, Moses, James T., Erasmus, Alice and Lucy. Mrs. E. died in 1856. His second wife was Miss Mary Jane Denny, and to her he was married in 1858. By this union there were two children : Willie and Rufus. Mr. E. is one of the founders of the Presbyterian Church in Barnesville, in which he is very active. Having been among the first settlers here, he has always taken an interest in enterprises which were calculated to advance its growth.
JAMES W. EVANS,
farmer, section 20, was born September 7, 1814, in Dorchester County, Maryland. After receiving a limited education he learned the carriage trimmers' trade, and worked at it in several different States. In 1837 he was located at Charleston, South Carolina, when the city was nearly destroyed by fire. In the fall of 1844, he came to Clinton County, Missouri, where he bought a farm near Hainesville, and worked it for five years. Then sold out and lived for a time in the states of Maryland and North Carolina. Upon coming again to Haines- ville Mr. E. hired out at seventy-five cents a day for a year. He also worked at his trade for several years, and then opened a boot and shoe store. Subsequently he acted as a clerk for a dry goods house. In 1855, he resumed his trade, and was engaged in operating a saddle and harness shop until 1875, having been very successful. In 1869, he bought 270 acres of land, where his son now lives. He also has 480 acres in Arkansas, near the Capital. In September, 1880, Mr. E. moved to his beautiful farm near Lathrop, where he had previously built and made substantial improvements. He owns 480 acres of choice land in his home farm. He has set out ten miles of hedge on the farm, and this divides his three-quarters of a section into forty acre lots. Mr. Evans married Mary Eliza Hoggard, of North Carolina, February 8, 1844. They have three children: Mary Frances, (who married Mr. Frank Collins, a son of J. W. Collins, Register of Clay County, Missouri, and they live with Mr. Evans on the farm) ; John Henry, (was married August 11, 1877, at Hainesville) ; and William James, (who was born August 29, 1848, and married Caroline Gow, a daughter of Arthur Gow, of Clay County, in November, 1875). Mr. Evans was among the first settlers of
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Hainesville, and was one of its most substantial business men. He operated a carding machine, bought stock, and was a general dealer for a long time. He is one of the respected citizens of Clinton County ; is an honored member of the Christian Church, and is fully alive to its spiritual and temporal interests.
OSCAR D. FITZGERALD, M. D.,
the subject of this sketch, was born in Scott County, Kentucky, Septem- ber 15, 1839, and in 1844 he came to Clay County, Missouri, where he received a good education. Having long cherished a desire to become a physician, with that end in view, he entered the office of Dr. Ber- nard, of Hainesville, one of the most able physicians of the county, and pursued a thorough course of study, and in 1872 he graduated at the St. Louis Medical College. He at once commenced the practice of his pro- fession in Lathrop, where he has gained an enviable reputation, not only as a successful practitioner, but as one of the most enterprising and intelligent citizens of the city. He married Miss Sarah Belle Baker, of Clay County, in April, 1859, and by this union they have one daughter, Lizzie M., a cultured and refined young lady, who graduated at the Cen- tral Female College, at Lexington, Missouri, in the spring of 1881. The doctor is a leading and exemplary member of the M. E. Church, south. He is the president of the school board, and is foremost in promoting the interests of education and in the general improvements of the city. He has a fine residence, and has erected a good brick store building, in which he has his office and a well selected library. He is the counseling physician for miles around, is an eminent and successful surgeon, and his natural instinct and love for his profession render him an able prac- titioner. In 1881, he was elected president of the District Medical Society at Kansas City.
HERMAN HECK,
farmer and dealer in stock, was born in Baden, Germany, November 8, 1829, and came to this country in 1848, settling in New York, where he remained until 1851. He then started for California, but abandoned that idea upon reaching St. Joseph, Missouri, and there went to work at the carpenter's trade. After following this trade for awhile, he came to Hainesville, and there helped to build a house, continuing his chosen calling, buying and selling stock and land, until the war broke out. Mr. II. then enlisted in the Sixth Missouri Infantry, and remained in the service one year and a half, when he was wounded, and in consequence thereof was discharged, and returned to Leavenworth, Kansas. After the war closed, he came to Clinton County, and again resumed his former business, which he has followed principally all his life, and in which he
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has been very successful. Mr. Heck has, by his own energy and perse- verance, made a good competency, having a splendid farm, large herds of fine cattle and hogs, and is building a fine brick store in Lathrop. His great success is due to his fair dealing, economy and good judgment. He married Miss Molly M. Cooper, daughter of E. W. Cooper, of this township, May 1, 1870. They have five children : William Henry and Herman B., twins, born January 14, 1872 ; Orland O., born in 1874; Elmer C., born January, 1876, and Adrienne A. His landed interests embrace 455 acres of land in sections 35 and 36, in this township, and 160 acres in section 9, of Jackson Township.
JOHN C. HOLLAND,
farmer and stock raiser, section 33, post office Turney, is a native of Sevier County, Tennessee, and was born near Sevierville on the 28th day of June, 1820, is the son and fifth child of Benjamin Holland, a native of Tennessee, who was born in Cocke County, in the year 1794. He emigrated to Clay County, Missouri, in 1832, and, with his family, in 1835, moved to Platte County. He was a resident of Andrew County at the time of his death, having been murdered on account of his religious principles, on the 8th day of June, 1856. John C. began business for him- self when twenty-one years of age. In 1841, he entered eighty acres of land in Platte County, which he improved, and, in 1846, enlisted in Com- pany F., Second Regiment Missouri Volunteers, under Sterling Price. He served for fifteen months, then returned, commenced farming, and, in 1850, came to Clinton County, settling where he now resides. He owns a farm of 120 acres, well improved. Mr. Holland is a kind and generous citizen, and has always been actuated by the best and purest of motives. He is an active church member, and his heart and hand are in all good works, and his name is greatly revered by all. He has reared his family about a family altar, and made a pleasant and happy home amid the companionship of others, and is known by old and young, throughout the county, as "Uncle John." As a business man, begin- ning without capital, other than his own native abilities, and prompted by the ambition to become known as an upright, honorable and influen- tial man, he has gradually risen to his present position. Mr. H. was married, August 4, 1848, to Miss Jane St. John. Their family consists of Mary C., Margaret L., Ben F., William T., Andrew J., John H., Min- nie A., living, and Lyda J. and Tyafena B., deceased. They worship with the M. E. denomination.
A. W. HOLLAND,
farmer, section 14, was born in East Tennessee, in 1833. His father, Benjamin Holland, moved to Clay County, Missouri, in 1835, and in
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1837 located a claim of 200 acres in Platte County, and thus became one of the original settlers of the Platte Purchase. He was a Methodist in his religious preferences, and his home was often the abode of the carly ministers ; the first preaching in the Platte Purchase was held in his house, and also the first quarterly meeting. He was a leader in religious matters, always outspoken and honest, and loved the old flag of his forefathers. After the M. E. Church South was formed, he still con- tinued his connection and love for the old church, and on that account was persecuted on every hand ; in like manner was his pastor, the Rev. Wm. Sellers, now of the Missouri conference of the M. E. Church treated. In March, 1856, in the village of Rochester, near his home, the latter was tarred by a mob and insulted in various ways, and Mr. Hol- land was shot and killed while sitting on the counter of a store. From these circumstances his son, the subject of this sketch, received his early impressions of right and wrong. The treatment and death of his sainted father will be something never to be forgotten by him. So he has grown to be a man positive in his conviction, doing what he knows to be right with all his might, and opposing wrong with the same earnest zeal. Mr. Holland received a good common school education in his youth, has always been a great reader, and now is among the best informed men of the county. His mother was the daughter of Colonel Warner, of Ten- nessee, who fought so nobly in the Revolutionary war. Mr. H. taught school one year in Andrew County, and in 1855 he settled in Nebraska City, where he engaged in trade. In 1859, he returned to Rock Port, Atchison County, Missouri, there buying a home. He remained there for two years, and in the fall of 1860 came to this county and located in Shoal Township. He bought a good farm, paying $3,000 for it, com- menced work, and at once took a front rank among our best farmers. In 1861, the Union men of his community formed a company of home guards in Mirabile, Caldwell County, remaining organized for six months. He then enlisted in the Sixth Missouri State Cavalry of the United States service, of which he was a member for over three years. On the 7th of April, 1864, on account of sickness he was mus- tered out, receiving an honorable discharge. He sold his farm and moved to Plattsburg, where he was engaged in trade until 1867, when he bought the farm on which he has since resided, and which embraces 160 acres of land. He has made many valuable improvements, and now has one of the most desirable homes in the vicinity. Mr. Holland is a lead- ing Republican, and in 1869 was one of the eleven voters in the county for Lincoln-Mr. H. and his brother, Judge Estep, N. Potter, John R. Stevens and others. He has never been an office seeker, but has fre- quently been a delegate to conventions, and is a member of the county central committee. He was active in organizing the Garfield Club, which did so much for the Republican cause in the campaign. He mar-
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ried Miss Sarah Hendix, of Iowa, in March, 1859. They have eight children, Florence, Winn, George F., Willis Z., Eddie J., Albert Kings- ley, Rosa Mary, and Burk. Four are deceased.
JESSE LONGFIELD, M. D.
The subject of this sketch was born in Pennsylvania, in September, 1838, and came to Missouri, with his father, in 1846. Upon resolving on the practice of medicine as his profession, he commenced reading in Jaynesville, and, at the same time, taught school to pay his way. He graduated from Milton College in 1861, aad, after becoming a thorough student, he attended the Bennett Medical College, of Chicago, from which institution he was graduated in 1867. After practicing three years, in Illinois, he came to Turney, Clinton County, Missouri, in 1870, and here has built up an excellent practice. He is of the eclectic school, a good student, and keeps pace with the progress of the eclectical world, and is a liberal subscriber to the leading journals. He is constantly making himself familiar with new and progressive ideas. He is the oldest physician of the town, and has gained the confidence of a large cir- cle of acquaintances. Dr. L. married Miss Mary Eliza Alloway, of Clin- ton County, May 18, 1871. They have had three children : Jim Forscutt, John Fred and Alice Lenor. The doctor is a member of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, and a gentleman whom one meets only to wish for a more extended acquaintance.
NIMROD LORD,
farmer, section 24, was born in South Carolina, September 15, 1814, and came to this county in 1866. He married Miss Nancy McCuller, in South Carolina, October 13, 1835. Ten children, the result of this mar- riage, are now living : Celia, Anne Elizabeth, John T., Benjamin B., Mary Eliza, William J., Nimrod S., Samuel A., Nancy J. and Mattie. Mr. Lord located on his farm when it was almost a prairie. He has worked hard to make the good improvements which it now contains, and now has a beautiful home, his estate embracing 160 acres adjoining the city corpor- ation. Upon it is a fine old orchard of 200 trees, and two living springs. Mrs. Lord, his loving Christian companion, died February 16, 1880. Mr. L., now at an advanced age in life, is an active and industrious man, and has long been a faithful and efficient overseer of highways. He is a leading and consistent member of the M. E. Church, and takes an active interest in its meetings, contributing liberally to its support.
WILLIAM McK. LOWE
was born in York County, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1833. He was reared a farmer, and received his education at the Allegheny College, in
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Meadville, Pennsylvania. At the age of twenty-two he came west, and spent two years in teaching and traveling. His first school was at Breckenridge, Caldwell County, Missouri. He bought the first lot in that town after it was surveyed, and in 1861, entered the Twelfth Penn- sylvania Reserves, under Colonel Taggart. They were assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and participated in many of its battles. Mr. L. received a commission, which he honored, always discharging his duties promptly and to the great satisfaction of his superior officers. At the close of the war he returned home, bought a farm and worked it until 1869, when, having business in California, he went there and remained for six months. He then returned to Pennsylvania, sold his farm, and came to Lathrop, January 1, 1870, here purchasing a drug store, which he continued to conduct until February, 1871. He then received an offer of a position in the railway postal service, which he accepted, and by his faithfulness, honesty and strict attention to its requirements and duties, has performed since. He has had many escapes, having been wrecked, turned over, and smashed up, but has always come out unharmed. Mr. L. is the owner of a fine farm of 200 acres, one mile from town. He also has some excellent city property, a good residence, and business houses. His resources were limited when he came here, but having been judicious in his transactions and economical, has now laid the foundation of a competency. He married Miss Hattie E. Lowe, of Bal- timore, Maryland, in 1858. They have five children : Clyde B. and Guy B., (who are mining in Colorado, and doing well), Roy E., Blanche E. and Fred. Mc.
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