USA > Missouri > Grundy County > The History of Grundy County, Missouri : an encyclopedia of useful information, and a compendium of actual facts > Part 65
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J. R. CUSTARD
Was born in Vigo county, Indiana, September 2, 1837. When he was but an infant his parents moved to Delaware county, Ohio, where he was reared, and educated at a select school. He is the son Anthony Custard, who was
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
the second white child born in Trumbull county, Ohio. His grandfather, Jacob Custard, was a commissioned officer in the Black Hawk War and lived to be over one hundred years of age. J. R. Custard lived in Delaware county until twenty-six years of age, then moved to Grundy county, Mis- souri, and located where he now lives in Lincoln township. Was married July 25, 1857, to Elizabeth M. Lloyd, a native of Cincinnati, born August 8, 1840. Ten children are the result of this union, nine of whom are living; to-wit, William H., born September 25, 1858; Mary A., born September 29, 1862; Charles R., born August 13, 1864; Mande, born November 1, 1866; Harvey, born August 11, 1868; Carrie W., born April 15, 1870; Gay, born October 20, 1871; Guy, born November 16, 1873; Bertie L., born September 22, 1875; and Bessie M., born September 11, 1877. Carrie W. died August 18, 1873. He controls three hundred and forty acres of fine land located in the best part of Grundy county. He makes a speciality of Cotswold sheep, of which he has a fine flock, and also a few thorough-bred cattle, and two good orchards of choice fruits on his farms. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and of the Knights of Pythias. The family are highly esteemed for their social qualities.
HENRY K. DAVIS,
Eldest son of Henry Davis and Charlotte Davis, nee Dodge, was born in Macomb county, Michigan, June 30, 1834. He engaged in farming with his father, and sailed on the lakes about five or six years. In 1862 he joined the Fifth Michigan cavalry and went from Detroit to Washington, then to Fairfax, Virginia, and helped to drive the enemy out of Warrington Junc- tion; was there detailed to go to Centerville as sergeant to General Hayes; was engaged in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg; after the latter he assisted to bury the dead. Had a brush with the enemy, under General Lee, at Hagerstown; was captured and made prisoner while on the picket-line at Blackman's Ford, Bull Run; in the fall of 1863 was sent to Libby Prison, and was exchanged in March, 1864. Joined his regiment at Falmouth in April, and in May was present at the battle of the Wilderness and at Spottsylvania Court-house, where he was wounded, his ankle fractured, and shot in the leg, the bullet being there still; was sent to the hospitals at Washington and Philadelphia, and was discharged February 22, 1865. November 14, 1868, Mr. Davis married Miss Sarah Wells, daughter of John and Elizabeth Wells. Three children were the result of this union, two are living, Agnes, born November 5, 1870; and Lana, born July 22, 1875; one is dead. He moved to Grundy county in 1870, and bought the farm he now lives on in 1876.
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
GEORGE W. DENNIS
Is a native of Burlington county, New Jersey, and was born February 13, 1830. Is a son of Aaron and Mary Dennis, both natives of New Jersey. He lived there till twenty-five years of age, and there received his educa- tion. In 1855 he went to Lapeer county, Michigan, and lived there until 1867, then came to Grundy county, Missouri, where he has ever since lived, and engaged in farming. He was married, September 21, 1857, to Anna Rainier, a native of Burlington county, New Jersey, born July 6, 1839. She was a danghter of John and Lydia A. Rainier, both natives of New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis have five children living; viz., Ada M., born September 13, 1860; Lydia E., born March 31, 1862; Josephine, born March 26, 1864; Aaron, born March 28, 1870; and Dick, born August 17, 1873. Two died in infancy. This couple started in life without any finan- cial assistance, but they have labored earnestly, reared a family, and have secured to themselves a pleasant home in one of the most delightful loca- tions in Lincoln township. They are consistent members of the Presby- terian Church.
CYRUS GATES,
A native of Union county, Ohio, was born April 23, 1825. His father and mother were natives of New York; his mother died in 1845, and his father in 1854. He lived in Union county till his sixteenth year, then moved with his parents to Winnebago county, Illinois; lived there till 1853, then moved to Texas and located in Hunt county. After living there about three years he returned to Winnebago county, Illinois, and lived there till 1865, when he came to Grundy county, Missouri, and located upon land that he had purchased in 1860. He was married on December 12th, 1847, to Miss Lydia B. Butcher, a native of Ohio, born July 20, 1826. She was a daugh- ter of Jesse and Sarah Butcher, both natives of West Virginia. By this marriage eight children were born, five of whom are living; viz., Calvin, born May 27, 1851; Sarah Jane, born May 9, 1853; Emily, born Septem- ber 15, 1861; Frank, born February 9, 1864; and James, born September 12, 1865; Orange L., born October 1, 1869, died October 19, 1850; Lucy, born September 25, 1855, died August 24, 1880; and Martha V., born Sep- tember 11, 1859, died April 4, 1862. Mrs. Gates died September 27, 1865.
Mr. Gates was united in marriage, on April 19, 1866, to Mrs. Louisa King, widow of Thomas King, who died while in the Union service at Springfield, Missouri, December 18, 1862. Thomas King was born in Vir- ginia, February 28, 1813, and was married November 11, 1847, to the pres- ent Mrs. Gates, her maiden name being Louisa Ellis. She was born in Switzerland county, Indiana, April 24, 1826. Her father, Enos Ellis, died in 1843, and her mother, whose maiden name was Statira Sprague, died in August, 1878. By the marriage with Mr. King, four children were born;
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
viz., Francis M. King, born November 21, 1848; Sarah J., born September 18, 1851; Mary A., born July 21, 1855, died May 1, 1872; and Wesley E., born July 1, 1861. By the marriage of Mr. Gates and Mrs. King, two children were born, and both died in infancy.
Mr. Gates owns one of the most beautiful homes in Grundy county, known as "The Elms," from the grove of elm trees about his house. This home of ninety-two acres he, since 1865, converted out of a wilderness. It is now under a fine state of cultivation, with good buildings, a fine orchard, etc., etc.
CALVIN GATES
Was born in Winnebago county, Illinois, May 27, 1851. He is a son of Cyrus and Lydia Gates, both natives of Ohio. His father is now a resi- dent of Grundy county, Missonri, and his mother died September 27, 1865. He was reared on a farm, and although only having the opportunity of at- tending the district school, yet received a good English education. He came to Grundy county when fourteen years of age. Mr. Gates was united in marriage to Miss Celia Hulse, November 25, 1878. She was born in Hunt county, Texas, in 1860. Her parents, Jacob and Lydia Hulse, now reside in Winnebago county, Illinois, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of New York. One child has been born to this couple; to-wit, Wal- ter, a bright little boy, born July 8, 1879. Mr. Gates spent two years in California and Washington Territory. He has worked faithfully and hus- banded his earnings and now owns a nice farm, improved and stocked, also good buildings and orchard.
AARON HAYNES.
The subject of this sketch was born in Licking county, Ohio, February 18, 1842; is a son of Eli and Mary Haynes; his father being a native of Vir- ginia and his mother of Ohio. His father died in 1856 and his mother in 1860. He lived in Licking county, Ohio, till October, 1868, when he moved to Missouri, and in March, 1869, located in Grundy county. He was edu- cated in Ohio at the district schools and also at the Hartford Academy. October 29, 1867, Mr. Haynes married Miss Philena Biggs, who was born in Licking county, Ohio, April 17, 1846. She was a daughter of James and Susan Biggs, both natives of Virginia. Her father died in May, 1863, and her mother is still living in Ohio. They have had three children; named, respectively, Myrtle M., born January 31, 1869; Charles, born August 15, 1872; and Eli S., born July 12, 1880. Mr. Haynes, by hard labor and good management, has secured to himself a fine farm, consisting of two hundred and eighty acres, two hundred of which are well improved and stocked. He makes sheep husbandry a specialty, and has four hundred head of fine Spanish Merinos. He has been very successful in the sheep business, and is now one of the leading sheep men in Grundy county.
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
T. J. HENDRICKSON
Was born in Knox county, Ohio, February 29, 1820, and is a son of Ezekiel and Susannah Hendrickson, the first a native of North Carolina, and the lat- ter of Virginia. His father died August 7, 1877, and his mother February 9, 1851. When about two years of age he went with his parents to Mon- roe county, Indiana, and lived there until 1863, then came to Missouri and located in Lincoln township, Grundy county. He was married February 13, 1845, to Sarah Jane Fleener, who was born in Monroe county, Indiana, February 26, 1826. By this union eleven children have been born, eight of whom are still living: Martha Jane, wife of L. Evans: William N., min- ister of the Christian Church; James F., a farmer; E. D., a farmer; P. J., studying medicine; Leander, John and George A. at home; Mary Ellen died in 1875 at the age of twenty-five years; Thomas P., killed October 14, 1879, when about twenty years of age, by a train of cars in Morgan county, this State; and Louisa, died in infancy. He has a fine farm of five hundred acres all improved and stocked, and makes a specialty of graded cattle and horses. He has, for a long time, been township trustee and takes. the lead as a practical farmer and business man. The family are all mem- bers of the Christian Church and highly respected citizens.
JAMES F. HENDRICKSON,
A native of Monroe county, Indiana, was born Mareh 5, 1853, and lived in Monroe county till he was eleven years of age, then moved with his parents to Grundy county, Missouri. He received his education at the district schools of this county, and was brought up on a farm and now makes farming his business. James F. Hendrickson was married September 6, 1874, to Miss Mollie J. Houts, a native of Coles county, Illinois, born December 11, 1857. She is a daughter of John and Irene Houts, old residents of Grundy county. Three children have been the issue of this union; viz., Eugenia E., born July 7, 1875; Samuel D., born March 28, 1877; and Jesse B., born January 5, 1879. Mr. Hendrickson has control of a part of his father's farm, and is a hard-working, industrious man, and self-made financially, as the fine personal property of which he is possessed has been accumulated by the care and good management of himself and excellent wife. They are both consistent members of the Christian Church, of which his brother, the Rev. W. N. Hendrickson, is pastor, and makes his home with this family.
J. S. HERBERT.
One of the old pioneers of Grundy county, and one who has spent his- best days in converting the wilderness into a beautiful and fertile home, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, July 18, 1818, and is a son of Wil-
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
liam and Elizabeth Herbert, who were both natives of the same county. They moved to Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1822, and there the subject of our sketch lived till 1845, when he came to Grundy county. His father died when he was about ten years of age, and his mother came to Missouri in 1847, and lived with him till she died, in 1866. He received a common school education, and when eighteen years of age learned the blacksmith trade, and has spent the best part of his life at that business. He was mar- ried December 9, 1841, to Rebecca J. Crawford, who was born in Mus- kingum county, Ohio, April 20, 1822. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert have had ten children, eight of whom are living; viz., Henry C., born January 31, 1843; Thomas J., born January 15, 1845; Mary E., born November 9, 1846; William V., born January 24, 1849; Sarah, born July 28, 1851; Salome, born December 25, 1855; Alice, born February 15, 1858; Rebecca A., born May 22, 1860; Martha, born June 1, 1854, died September 26, 1874; and Ulysses, born . April 17, 1862, died February 11, 1864.
Mr. Herbert takes great interest in educational matters and has done more than most men to establish good schools. His son, William V., has been a successful teacher in the public schools. Mr. Herbert owns six hun- dred and sixty acres of as fertile and well cultivated land as can be found in the county; it is well stocked and has fine orchards and good buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert have literally carved their present possessions out of the soil which, when they began, was covered with a dense forest. They are members of the Baptist Church.
R. W. HOSSOM.
Our subject is a native of Morgan county, Ohio, born December 13, 1839, . and a son of A. J. and Mary E. (Berkley) Hossom, both natives of Ohio. His mother was a daughter of Reuben Berkley, a noted Baptist minister of southern Ohio; his parents now reside in this county. Mr. Hossom was educated at the common schools, and afterward at the high school in Mc- Connelsville, Ohio; lived in Morgan county until 1866, then removed to Grant county, Wisconsin, and remained there two years, speculating in lands, and was quite successful. In June, 1866, came to Caldwell county, Missouri, and located on a farm, and also dealt in lands; sold out, after visit- ing Ohio, returned to Missouri, and went into the mercantile business at Trenton, and remained there until he located on his present farm, in Lincoln township, in 1878; owns eighty acres of fine land, well improved and nicely located, good buildings and a young orchard of the choicest varieties of fruits. Mr. Hossom was married March 4, 1875, to Mary E. Mc Veigh, who was born in Washington county, Ohio, March 4, 1855; she is a daugh- ter of Asa and Eunice Mc Veigh, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Maine. By this union two children have been born; viz., Vernie A., April 5, 1877, and Nannie S., November 3, 1880.
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
Mr. Hossom enlisted as a member of the First Ohio artillery, remained one year, and was discharged on account of sickness; was engaged as clerk at the general's headquarters. He has served his township and is now serv- ing as clerk and assessor. He is also the clerk of the Baptist Church, of which he and his wife are earnest members.
R. A. ISRAEL,
A native of Belmont county, Ohio, was born March 22, 1826, and son of Clary Israel and Mary (Moore) Israel, both of Ohio birth. His father was killed accidentally by the falling of a tree, in 1855, and his mother died in 1869. When he was seven years of age his parents moved to Morgan county, Ohio, and he remained there till 1871, when he came to Grundy county. October 9, 1856, he married Miss Lomira Vaughn, a native of Morgan county, Ohio, who was born September 22, 1835. They had one child, Clary, born July 22, 1857, now living in Iowa. Mrs. Israel died May 1, 1860; and March 10, 1870, Mr. Israel married Miss Maggie Cherry, a native of Morgan county, Ohio, born February 5, 1841; her father died in 1863, while in the Union army, and her mother is now living in Warren county, Iowa. By this union two children have been born; viz., Lottie A., July 9, 1871; and another daughter, July 5, 1881. Mr. Israel has worked his own way through life, and with the assistance of his worthy wife has secured for his family a fine home. Mr. and Mrs. Israel are consistent members of the Baptist Church.
MRS. MARY JONES.
Mary Wooley was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, January 24, 1810. Her father, William Wooley, came to Kentucky from Virginia at a very early day; he died in February, 1830. Her mother's maiden name was Mary Sutton, and she was also a native of Virginia, and became the wife of William Wooley on May 26, 1807. They had a family of nine children, the subject of this sketch being next to the eldest daughter. On April 2, 1829, Miss Mary Wooley became the wife of James Simpson, a na- tive of Kentucky, born in 1807. In the fall of 1838 this young couple, together with his mother, five sisters and one brother, came to Missouri; they remained one winter in Chariton county, and in March, 1839, landed and made a permanent settlement in Grundy county, and this venerable old lady still lives there, never having moved from that now beautiful location, which on that dreary March morning in 1839 was an unbroken wilderness. Her husband died July 23, 1857. She was married December 15, 1858, to John H. Jones, a native of Virginia, born in September, 1807. He died February 16, 1872. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Baptist Church and a very intelligent lady; although now in the seventy-second year of her age, is remarkably well preserved both mentally and physically. She has passed
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
through the many stages of development of Grundy county from its first beginning up to its present prosperity. She settled here when this was a wilderness inhabited only by Indians and wild animals. As an incident of courage and the realities of pioneer life we give the following: One morn- ing in 1839, while Mr. Simpson, her husband, was attending the land sales she treed a catamonnt and kept it treed until her sister went after "Uncle Billy Cornwell " to come and shout it, which was successfully done. This Christian lady is certainly entitled to stand in the front rank of the old pioneers. Her sister Elizabeth was born in Kentucky in 1821, and married O. P. White, a native of Illinois, born in 1819. The family of Mr. White have long kept house for Mrs. Jones, and she still resides with them. Mr. and Mrs. White have five children; namely, William, born September 8, 1841; Sophia, born Angust 3, 1844; Sarah E., born Novem- ber 8, 1847, died January 8, 1861; James O., born October 4, 1850; Eliza C., born July 22, 1855; and Georgia A., born October 9, 1861.
HIRAM A. II. KELSO.
The subject of this brief sketch is entitled to be called one of the pioneers of Grundy county, for, upon the 16th of May, 1840, he was born upon the very spot upon which he has ever since resided. He is a son of Col. Samuel Kelso, who was the first settler in Lincoln township, Grundy county. He was reared upon the farm now owned by him and received his schooling in what he says were the very common schools of the country at that time. He was a member (during the war) of the enrolled militia. On March 8, 1866, he married Miss Marietta Proctor, a native of Mercer county, Ken- tneky, born November 16, 1845. To this couple have been born four chil- dren; viz., Samnel J., July 3, 1867; Mary D., December 5, 1869; J. W. S., December 14, 1871; and Lulu, July 10, 1874.
Mr. Kelso has served his township in an official capacity for a number of years and is now filling the position of collector and constable. He and his wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and are active sab- bath-school workers.
He has a fine farm of two hundred acres and is comfortably fixed. He never was one hundred miles from home and expects to live and die upon the same farm upon which he was born.
S. J. KELSO
Is a native of Dubois county, Indiana, born May 2, 1831. When he was about six years of age his parents moved to Grundy county, and in the fall of 1837 located near where the subject of our sketch has ever since lived. They were one of the first families locating in Lincoln township and at that time there were no white people living between them and the Des Moines River, and but few west as far as the Missouri, but there were plenty of
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
Indians and game, and vast tracts of undisturbed prairie and timber land. Here the subject of this sketch was reared, and assisted in clearing one of the first farms opened in Grundy county. He had but little opportunity of attending school, but still is a man of well stored mind and of good bus- iness qualifications. His father and mother both lived here till their death; his mother dying June 18, 1863, and his father September 8, 1863.
In 1850 he went to California and remained two years, and at the begin- ning of the civil war enlisted as a member of the Third Missouri cavalry, commanded by Col. King, and afterward consolidated with the Seventh Missouri cavalry, commanded by Col. Phillips; with this regiment he re- mained till the close of the war, and with them participated in the many battles, raids and skirmishes in which they were engaged. Since then he has devoted himself to farming and stock-raising. January 5, 1855, Mr. Kelso married Miss Sarah Ann Traey, who was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, Jannary 10, 1835. They have had eight children, five of whom are still living; to-wit, David L., born November 23, 1859; Samnel S., born October 10, 1862; Sarah F., born September 25, 1865; George W., born Jannary 28, 1868; and Flora L., born September 5, 1874. Mr. Kelso has served his township as a school trustee for several terms. Ile and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church and esteemed members of society. He is the owner of three hundred acres of fine land with good im- provements.
CHARLES LONG
Was born in Seneca county, Ohio, November 12, 1840; a son of J. N. and Maria Long, nee Shank, both natives of Maryland. His father died in 1840, before the subject of this sketch was born, and his mother is still liv- ing, in Sandusky county, Ohio. He lived in Seneca county, till about twelve years of age, and then went to live with his grandfather, Samuel Long, in Cedar county, Iowa. His grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812 and one of the first settlers of Cedar county, Iowa, having located there in 1837. Here our subject was educated in the high school at Tipton, and then fol- lowed farming. In 1869 he went to Peoria county, Illinois, and remained till 1861. He enlisted in company C, Thirty-third regiment, Illinois volun- teer infantry, and served for two years; was then discharged on account of sick- ness; came to Iowa, and regaining his health enlisted in company A, Twenty- fourth Iowa volunteer infantry and served till the close of the war. Returning, he lived in Iowa till 1867, then came to Grundy county, where he has since lived, and engaged in farming. He was married January 29, 1868, to Annie Tillery, a native of Jackson county, Kentucky, born January 27, 1853. Her parents moved to Grundy county in 1859 and still live here. Four chil- dren have blessed this union; viz., Sarah O., born November 14, 1869; Clande, born April 26, 1872; C. W., born July 22, 1874; and Fred., born April 14, 1880. He owns a fine home of forty acres improved and stocked. Mr. and Mrs. Long are members of the Christian Church.
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
J. L. LOWEN
Was born in Knox county, Missouri, October 28, 1841, and lived there till thirteen years of age, then came to Grundy county and located where he now lives. He is a son of Hamilton and Sally A. Lowen, both natives of Ken- tucky. His father died in 1852, and his mother is a resident of Trenton. He lived on the farm till the beginning of the civil war, then enlisted in the Third regiment, Missouri State militia; was afterward transferred to the Seventh regiment, and served with them till the close of the war; was never wounded, sick or taken prisoner, and was always able, willing and ready for duty. After the war he devoted himself to acquiring an education and soon became a very successful teacher. He was elected mayor of Trenton for the years 1873 and 1874; served there as justice of the peace for seven years; at the same time read law, and in 1868 was admitted to the bar. In 1878 he returned to his farm where he has since remained. On the 24th of Sep- tember, 1871, he married Miss Keturah A. Stombangh, who was born in Indiana, August 28, 1850. They have had three children; namely, Nellie A., born July 10, 1872; Archer H., born November 7, 1874; and Lettie M., born May 7, 1878. Nellie, the eldest, although not yet nine years of age, has carried off the palm as being the best scholar in the school. She passed through a five months' term as a member of the highest class in spelling and never missed a word. Mr. Lowen had no financial help to start with, but now by his industry and strict integrity has accumulated considerable prop- erty, owning two fine residences in Trenton and a half interest in the farm on which he is located. He is still serving his township as justice of the peace and school director. Is a member of the I. O. O. F., and both himself and wife are members of the Christian Church.
BOURTER LEGG,
A native of Pickaway county, Ohio, was born Jannary 29, 1834, and is a son of Seldon and Rachel Legg, both natives of Virginia. In 1839 his parents moved to Edgar county, Illinois, and he remained till 1855. He was brought up on a farm and educated in the common schools of the county. When twenty-one years of age he moved to Gentry county and remained one year, then came to Grundy county and located upon the farm where he now resides. Mr. Legg was married January 3, 1864, to Miss Cemira Woods, who was born in Grundy county, April 27, 1844. She is a daughter of Jarvis Woods and Malvina Woods, who were among the very first settlers of the county. By this union they have had the following named children: Rachel M., born January 14, 1866; Marion, born November 27, 1869; Annie Belle, born February 19, 1872; Jennie Lee, born February 11, 1876; and a baby, born February 9, 1881. George E. died when ten months old, and another died in infancy. Mr. Legg had no financial help but what he has made has been by the hard, earnest labor of himself and wife. They own three hun-
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