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 80
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tion. In 1828, Mr. Summers united with the Baptist Church at May's Lick, Kentucky. Ile was among the earliest to unite with the Christian Church, of which he has ever since continued to be an active and zealous member, and a prominent and liberal supporter. In his generation one of the wealthiest men in this section of country, in the closing days of his advanced age he bears the reverses of fortune with a cheerful resignation.
JOHN THOMAS SUMMERS
was born in Clay County, Missouri, November 24, 1842. At the age of eight years he came to Clinton County, Missouri, with his father, Mason Summers. He obtained a good business education, chiefly by his own exertions, and at the age of seventeen he enlisted in the Confederate army, serving until the close of the war. He participated in several hard fought battles ; was promoted to lieutenant for meritorious conduct ; afterwards commanded a company, and was a general favorite with all the men of his regiment. He received a wound at the battle of Blakely. Mr. S. is entitled to great credit for the care with which he has watched over his aged parents, his father now being in his eighty-first year. John remains unmarried.
OLIVER B. SWEAT,
saddle and harness maker, was born in Ray County, Missouri, June 19, 1849, and when four years of age his father moved to Hainesville, Clin- ton County. At the age of fourteen, he was apprenticed to James W. Evans, of Hainesville, to learn the saddle and harness trade, with whom he remained for six years, learning the business thoroughly. In 1871 and 1872, he worked for Israel Landis, proprietor of the oldest establish- ment of that kind in St. Joseph, and in 1879, started his shop in Lathrop, where he has founded his business on a firm basis. His great success in life is due to his industry, integrity and economy. His is a good illus- tration for young men to study, who are just starting out in life with limited means. He has accumulated a good house, and recently pur- chased a fine business lot. Mr. S. is an exemplary member of the Chris- tian Church, and also belongs to the Masonic Lodge. He married Miss Lizzie Reed, January 28, 1875. She was from Pike County, Missouri. They have two children, Allie and Fred.
HARLAN P. THOMPSON
was born in Chenango County, New York, September 29, 1841. Ile was brought up on a farm, receiving a good education, and in 1861, at the breaking out of the rebellion, he enlisted as a private, in September, in
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Company A, Tenth New York Cavalry, and served under Sheridan ; he was promoted to lieutenant, and for meritorious conduct was brevetted captain. In a terrible engagement on the 24th of June, 1864, he received a severe wound in his hip, which has since troubled him more or less. He received an honorable discharge, after which, in 1869, he came to Kidder, Caldwell County, Missouri, where he settled and engaged in farming and the nursery business. In the spring of 1877, Mr. T. came to Lathrop and engaged in working with George Patch, who was station agent at this city. After being employed in the depot for three years, he commenced business with Messrs. Muat & Benton, livery and sale stable, as their superintendent, having full charge of their livery busi- ness. His well known business qualities and his familiarity with this calling renders him a desirable man for the position he occupies.
JAMES TILLERY,
farmer and stock grower, section 26, was born in Woodford County, Kentucky, July 3d, 1818, and came to Clay County, Missouri, in 1821, with his father, James Tillery, they settling in that locality. In 1844, young James came to Clinton County, and bought his claim on which he has since resided, and which contains 180 acres of land. He married Miss Julia Ann Carter, of this county, but formerly of Kentucky, in 1846. They have three children living : Mary, John P. and William. When Mr. T. commenced business his property consisted of nothing but a pony. Pos- sessed of a determination and will that knew no failing, he worked hard, made needed improvements, and soon was blessed with the necessary comforts of life. He now has a good farm, raises considerable grain and some stock. He was brought up in the faith of a Baptist, and now has two brothers Baptist preachers, and one a Methodist preacher. Mr. T. is universally respected, and has always endeavored to make himself useful and set before the young a good example. The years 1842 and 1843 he spent in the Rocky Mountains, for his health, hunting most of the time. Having regained his health, he returned, and is as active as most young men. His daughter is married, and his two sons are living on the home farm.
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THOMAS H. BENTON TURNER,
attorney at law, was born in Sumner County, Tennessee, October 14, 1833. His father, Samuel R. Turner, was a native of Virginia, and moved to Clay County, Missouri, in 1833, settling near Liberty, where he bought a large farm, and also 700 acres in Jackson County. Young Thomas was there raised and received a common education, after which he took a regular course at the William Jewell College. This he com-
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pleted in 1855 and then came to Clinton County, opening the first school taught in the Dale school house. He has followed teaching in this county for eighteen years, and has had experience for about eight years in the mercantile trade in Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky. In 1869, he returned to this locality and resumed teaching. He studied law while at college and was admitted to practice in 1867 at Owenton, Kentucky. He was there engaged in the practice of his profession for two years. Since 1872, he has taught school, practiced law, etc., in Lathrop, and is now (1881) agent for the Racine School Furniture Company, of Chicago. Mr. T. has been twice married. His first wife died in 1858, leaving two sons, Samuel R. and Thomas J. His second wife was Laura B. Brook- ing, to whom he was married in July, 1859. They had three daughters, Lizzie, Gertrude, and Rosie. Mrs. Turner died July 15, 1879. Mr. T. is an active member of the Christian Church. In his law practice he has an enviable record. Ilis arguments are sharp and to the point, and he occupies a prominent position among his fellow practitioners.
SHERMAN J. WAFUL,
farmer, stock raiser and dealer, is the owner of 500 acres of land, a por- tion of which, together with his residence, is on section 26. He was born in Jefferson County, New York, August 25, 1830, and came west in 1852, stopping at Kansas City and Westport for two years. He then removed to Kansas, being one of the early settlers of that state, and was a resident at Coon Point in 1854, and of Lecompton in 1855. During this time he was in various branches of business, his health not permit- ting him to engage actively in any one calling. In 1858, he came to Plattsburg, although he had previously been there in 1855, with the inten- tion of making it his home. In 1861, he started in the livery business on a large scale, which he continued until 1868, when he sold out. Mr. Waful was the first one to run a hack, and to carry the mail and express from Plattsburg to Lathrop. This business he followed until the railroad was finished in 1861. In 1860, he went to Colorado for his health, rough- ing it for six months, when he returned. He was county assessor of Clinton County for the years 1871-2, discharging the duties of that office with ability, and to the satisfaction of all. In 1868, he bought his pres- ent farm of Jack Summers, of Clay County, which he immediately commenced cultivating, making needed improvements, such as buying stock, farming implements, etc. He has farmed on an extensive scale, has fed large herds of cattle and hogs, and in all his undertakings he has been very fortunate. His residence is one of the best in the county. He is a democrat in politics, but has never been an office seeker. He has been a Mason and Odd Fellow for many years. Mr. W. married Miss Emeline Powell, January 18, 1866. They have eight children :
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Charles C., James H., Elizabeth E., Sherman J., Jr., Mary B., Mordecai Oliver, John and Josie E.
A. WATSON,
farmer and stock raiser, section 25, post office Mirabile. The subject of this sketch, was born on the 5th day of July, 1835, on a farm. After completing his common school studies, he received the advantages of a good academical education, at Republic. He afterwards taught for a number of years, and, during that time, earned an excellent reputation as a thorough and competent instructor. In 1878, he purchased his present farm of 220 acres of land, which is well improved. He was mar- ried on the 20th day of November, 1862, to Miss Mary E. Wilhite, a daughter of Samuel Whilhite, an old pioneer of Clinton County. Their family consists of Mamie E., Mary B., Carrie D., William O., Clinton E., Evellyn S., Blanche and Christina L.
BRYANT WELSH,
farmer and cattle feeder, section 29, post office Lathrop, is a native of Crawford County, Ohio, and was born on a farm, on the 15th day of March, 1834. He received a good education, and spent his early life in assisting his father to drive cattle over the mountains to Philadelphia markets. At the age of twenty-one years he began business for himself by engaging in farming and stock speculations. In 1858, he closed out his affairs in Ohio, and moved to Knox County, Illinois, locating near Galesburg, where he purchased 160 acres of unimproved land. This he continued to cultivate, in connection with the stock business, until 1868, when he disposed of his property, and came to Clinton County, Missouri. He settled where he now resides, and is the owner of about 400 acres of well improved land. He is popular and agreeable with all ; is quiet and unostentatious, and in business matters he stands prominent for his unswerving integrity and stability. Mr. Welsh was married on the Ist day of March, 1853, to Miss Margaret Stuckey, a native of Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Their family consists of Anna, George S., Harry M., Albert and Margaret, living, and Alice E., Jane and Emma, deceased.
J. S. WILSON,
lumber merchant, was born in Logan County, Illinois, in 1833. The elder Wilson came to Grundy County, Missouri, while his family were young, and bought a farm on which they were reared and educated. After receiving an excellent education, J. S. Wilson entered a store, as clerk, where he received a good business experience. He opened an establishment at Spring Hill, Livingston County, where he remained for
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six years. In the spring of 1869, he came to this city, engaging in the lumber business, and has built up a trade which, though constantly increasing, has kept pace with the growth of the town, and the demands of the people. Mr. W. has been a member of the school board for two years, and has been greatly interested in building up the schools of the city. To him much credit is due for the erection of the beautiful school building, which is the pride of the city. Having been an early settler, he has done much to shape the enterprises of the city. His business has grown till it is one of the largest and most important in Lathrop. By his straightforward dealing, he has gained the confidence of the community, and has become one of its honored citizens. He married Miss Mary E. Miller, in Livingston County, in 1858. They have five children : Walter Scott, Lizzie, Leon, Mollie and Lena.
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ADDENDA.
CONCORD TOWNSHIP.
THOMAS G. BARTON.
Thomas G. Barton, the fourth son of Dennis and Catherine Barton, was born in Listowel, Ireland, on the 2d day of December, 1843. His father emigrated to America, in 1848, and located in Bourbon County, Kentucky. He resided there till November, 1854, when he moved to La Salle County, Illinois. Thomas attended the public school at La Salle until the age of eighteen years, when he entered St. Vincent's College, at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where he remained three years. Upon leaving college, his intention was to go to Kansas and follow agri- cultural pursuits, but, visiting Clinton County, in the spring of 1868, he concluded to sojourn, for a time, with friends. He was finally persuaded to become a resident of the county, and, soon after his arrival, taught one of the public schools for a period of nine months. In 1870, he became a candidate for circuit clerk, which position he filled for four years in a creditable manner to himself, and with great acceptance to the people. In October, 1874, he married Miss Clara A., daughter of David Holladay, of Weston, Platte County, Missouri. By this union they have had three children, two of whom, Maud Anna and Benjamin, are now living, David Dennis dying when about eighteen months old. After his marriage, Mr. Barton turned his attention to speculating in real estate. In October, 1878, he opened a grocery store in Plattsburg, and continued in that business until April, 1880. In January, 1880, he began the publication of the Purifier, a weekly newspaper, at Plattsburg, with C. J. Nesbitt, withdrawing from the firm about August following. In May, 1881, he accepted a position as traveling salesman for James Walsh & Co., wholesale liquor dealers, at St. Joseph, Missouri. He is at this time (1881) still in their employ. Mr. Barton is a genial, liberal-hearted man, his unsuspecting and confiding nature sometimes causing him to lose sight of his own interest, in his desire to assist friends.
SHOAL TOWNSHIP.
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JAMES H. FRAME,
third of a family of seven . children, is a son of James and Mary Frame. Ile was born near Paisley, Scotland, January 17, 1856. When less than a year old he came with his parents to the United States, settling first near Burlington, Iowa. After a year's residence there, he moved with his parents to Hannibal, Missouri, where he resided till 1867, when he moved to Cameron, Missouri, where he received his education chiefly. At the age of twelve years he entered the printing office of the Cam- cron Observer, then edited by J. S. Hake, and here acquired a knowl- edge of the art of printing. He continued to pursue this calling, work- ing on different papers in Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois. In 1876, he returned to Cameron and started the Vindicator, which he now (1881) publishes as a daily and weekly. He married in St. Louis, Missouri, June 2, 1879, Miss Emma C. Caldwell, of Vemillion County, Illinois. Her parents are George I .. and Matilda Caldwell. Mr. Frame has dis- played unusual enterprise in his business, and is now the successful pub- lisher of the first and only daily newspaper ever started in Cameron.
JUDGE ELIJAH THOMAS WALKER,
a representative citizen of the town of Cameron, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, January 1, 1844. He is the only child of Elijah Walker. and was born after the death of his father. His mother's maiden name was Nancy J. Rannels. She died in New Antioch, Ohio, in 1860. The carly opportunities enjoyed by her only son were such as were afforded in the common schools of his neighborhood. He soon, however, dis- played that spirit of enterprise and power of application which has resulted in ranking him with the successful business men of his county. At the carly age of thirteen years, he took his first step in the active battle of life, and engaged as a clerk in a country store, at a salary of eight and one-third dollars per month. He then attended the high school of Martinsville, Ohio, and, subsequently, took a course in Barlett's Commercial College, Cincinnati. During the following winter he taught a district school in his own state. Teaching, however, was not destined to be the business of his life. The taste for mercantile pursuits, fostered in early youth, soon developed a success which determined his future
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course. Tempted by the voice of rumor, which early proclaimed in his hearing the vast and varied resources of the distant west, and more espe- cially the growing importance of Western Missouri, he determined to try his fortune in the great land of promise and on the 12th day of April, 1865, landed in Cameron, Missouri. Soon after his arrival, he entered the service of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad Company, in the capacity of tele- graph operator, agent, etc. Here he remained three years. During that period he held an interest in the lumber and agricultural implement business as a member of the firm of C. E. Packard & Co. The business of this firm soon increased to such an extent that Mr. Walker was forced to relinquish his railroad agency, and devote his entire attention to his mercantile business. Shortly after, the firm changed, becoming Walker & Shaw, dealers in lumber, building material and agricultural imple- ments, and doing the largest business of the kind in the city. His accuracy as a business man, coupled with his ever sustained reputation for integrity, no less than his frank address and unassuming demeanor, have secured Mr. Walker friends among men of all classes, and achieved for him a success which few, with his otherwise unaided opportunities, have succeeded in accomplishing. In the summer of 1869, he visited Danville, Illinois, where, on the 15th of June of the same year, he mar- ried Miss Cornelia A. Caldwell, daughter of George L. Caldwell, Esq., of that city. He soon after returned with his bride to Cameron. June 14, 1871, their only child, Jennie R. Walker, was born. On the resigna- tion of Judge Cooper, Mr. Walker was, unsolicited by himself, appointed April 5, 1870, by Governor McClurg, to the vacancy thus occasioned on the county bench. The same popularity which marked his private life characterized his official career. In April, 1875, Judge Walker was elected a member of the town board of trustees. He was re-elected to the same position four times, serving uninterruptedly a period of five years. He also filled the position of city treasurer. January 1, 1875, Judge Walker purchased of his present partner, Captain J. S. Rogers, a half interest in the Park Bank, of Cameron, one of the reliable institu- tions of this county, and has since devoted his attention to this interest. He is a prominent and active member of the Masonic order in Cameron, and has filled successively the positions of Worshipful Master of Cam- eron Lodge No. 296, A. F. and A. M., High Priest of Cameron Royal Arch Chapter No. 67, and Thrice Illustrious Master of a Council of Royal and Select Masters. He has also been Junior Warden of Kadosh Com- mandery of Knights Templar, which was originally established in Hamil- ton, Caldwell County, and moved thence to Cameron. Judge Walker is also a member of the convention of Annointed High Priests of the state.
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