USA > Missouri > Grundy County > The History of Grundy County, Missouri : an encyclopedia of useful information, and a compendium of actual facts > Part 75
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The skin of the deer, coon and wildcat was brought into active use for clothing, and the early loom and spinning-wheel found plenty to do in turn- ing the raw hemp and flax into cloth. Venison, turkey and wild honey were common every day articles of food, while flour and sugar were among the luxuries. Bacon was plentiful and the market price was one cent per pound, while corn brought as much as ten cents per bushel. Plowing was done al -.
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
together by oxen, horses were almost unknown. The old Keery plow, with wooden mould-board, was the leading implement of agriculture. Breaking ground with an ox team and a Keery plow wasn't any fun worth speaking of. It savored a great deal of work.
As early as 1841 preaching was held in the township. Rev. Thomas Thompson officiated in the neighborhood, holding services for the Christian denomination. Rev. William Reid, also of the Christian Church, was among the pioneer preachers. Rev. Washington Warmoth was a Baptist minister and services for that denomination were held at his home, and also at the home of James Drinkard. These were the earlier churches-the homes of the settlers in fall and winter, and the shady groves in spring and summer.
In 1843 or thereabouts, the first school-house was erected in the township. It was built of round logs and was fitted up with rude benches. The erec- tion was the work of the neighbors, and was situated on ground belonging to John McHargue. Irving Drinkard was the first teacher to officiate in this primitive structure. Pupils were few and the salary lacked considera- ble of being large.
There were two early marriages, both occurring in the same year, about 1843 or 1844, maybe earlier, possibly later. The exact date could not be learned. Mr. Lee Spencer led Miss Nancy Woods, a danghter of Henry Woods, a blushing bride to the altar. The ceremony was performed at the residence of the bride's father. The couple are still alive, respected citizens of Washington township. Next came the happy union of Mr. Solomon Spear and Miss Elizabeth J. Hobbs. They, also, are said to be living.
Mrs. Darnaby, the aged mother of John and Cornelius Darnaby, occupied the first grave made in the township. Hers was a long life well spent, and freely she laid down her burdens to take up the glory of a better world.
Harrison township has always been fortunate in the selection of its town- ship officers. It was not organized until 1872 and therefore its list is not very long. The township, politically, has generally given a small Republican majority, perhaps its portion of the vote of from five to eight hundred Re- publican, which is the political complexion of Grundy county. The present township officers for the year 1881, are, C. H. Cullers, trustee; Marcellus Rat- liff, clerk and assessor; George H. Moore, collector; O. G. Witten, constable; A. H. Buchanan and J. C. Sheppard, justices of the peace, and Martin John- son and Joseph Scott, road overseers.
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
AARON BIGGS
Was born in Shelby county, Indiana, March 8, 1835; a son of Ephraim and Rhoda Biggs; his father was born in Ohio, and died in 1865; his mother was a native of New York, and died in 1881. He lived in Shelby county, till 1855, and then moved to Warren county, Iowa. In 1874 he moved to Mercer county, Missouri, and remained nine months, then permanently lo- cated in Harrison township, Grundy county. He married, February 8, 1868, Miss Mary Jane Crow, a native of Warren county, Iowa, born Janu- ary 13, 1849, and a daughter of Samuel and Cyrena Crow, who located in Warren county in 1845 and are still living there. Six children have been the fruits of this union; viz., Minnie Ellen, born August 21, 1869; Henry Ward, born May 14, 1871; Bertha C., born October 5, 1872; Mary Alice, born, April 13, 1875; Samuel C., born May 18, 1878; and Winfield S., born August 1, 1880. He enlisted in company D, First Iowa cavalry, and served about two years. He has accumulated considerable property, all by his hard work and strict business integrity, and owns one hundred and seventy-five acres of a choice stock farm, well improved, good buildings, and orchard, etc. He also is owner of, and runs a saw-mill in the same township.
R. P. BOYCE,
A native of Livingston county, Missouri, born September 29, 1842, is a son of Jesse and Doundy Boyce, nee Peery. His father was a native of Ken- tucky; came to Missouri in 1819 and settled in Boone county, and died July 9, 1878. His mother was born in Virginia, and died August 18, 1878. Our subject lived in Livingston county till about two years of age, then came with his parents to Daviess county, and lived there about eleven years, and in 1855 located in Harrison township, this county, where he has since lived. He was educated in the district schools and at Grand River College. He enlisted in the First Missouri cavalry, served during the war, and at the close of it returned to Grundy county. December 4, 1880, Mr. Boyce, married Miss Emma Roberts, a native of Mercer county, born April 26, 1855, and a daughter of Oswald and Elizabeth Roberts. He owns eighty acres of fine land, well improved, good buildings and plenty of stock. Mr. and Mrs. Boyce are members of the Methodist Church and are highly re- spected and esteemed citizens. .
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
J. II. BROWN
Was born in Kentucky, October 14, 1840. His parents, Andrew and Jane Brown, nee McDowell, were both natives of Virginia. They left Kentucky to move to Missouri in 1840, and the subject of this sketch was born while they were on the way, near Louisville, Kentucky. They first located in Chariton county, and lived there till 1852, then moved to Grundy county and settled in Madison township, and lived there till their deaths-that of his mother November 20, 1854, and of his father, February 26, 1866. Mr. B. was brought up on a farm and educated in the common schools and at Grand River College. He married, April 9, 1863, Miss Louisa E. Witten, a native of Grundy county, born September 24, 1844. Her parents, S. K. and Nancy Witten, nee Peery, were both born in Virginia, but were very early settlers in Grundy county. Her mother died in 1855, and her father is still living in the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had five children, three of whom are still living. The names and dates of births are as follows: Eugene E., born April 21, 1864; Nancy J., born September 10, 1866; Andrew K., born October 19, 1868; Ella Ann, born May 6, 1871, died March 31, 1879; and Zuleka, born April 19, 1876, died September 23, 1879.
Mr. Brown is the owner of a farm of eighty acres, and is one of Harrison township's representative men, wide awake in everything for the public good.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown are consistent members of the Methodist Church. He is a man enjoying the confidence of all the people, and his family are highly respected citizens.
REV. D. C. BROWN.
D. C. Brown was born in Harrison county, Missouri, August 21, 1841. His father, Jacob A. Brown, and his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah P. Clanton, were both born in North Carolina, but came to Missouri in 1839, and settled in Harrison county. His father was of English and his mother of Irish descent, and were pillars in the Baptist Church, and his father was deacon of the same for thirty years. Jacob A. Brown was elected one of the first justices of the peace in Harrison county, and was a member of the organization of the West Fork Association of Baptists, and assisted in drafting the constitution and by-laws for that association. His father died in 1875, and his mother in 1879. They had lived for many years as consistent members of the church, and passed peacefully to their reward, their loss from earth being mourned by many true friends.
The subject of our sketch lived at home till eighteen years of age, then, on October 4, 1859, was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Cole, who was born October 4, 1839, in Monroe county, Missouri. She was a daugh- ter of William and Mary Ann Cole, nee Kellums. Her parents settled in
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
Monroe county, in the year 1837, and her mother died in 1861, and her father in 1875.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living; viz., Louisa A., born July 6, 1860, now the wife of John Dowell; Jacob J., born September 15, 1866: Sarah E., born August 23, 1868; Mary, born March 16, 1872; Nancy E., born February 27, 1874; Thomas, born March 18, 1876; Henry A., born August 7, 1878; D. C., born February 18, 1881; and John, who died when thirteen months old, and one in infancy.
During the war Mr. B. was a member of company F, Second Missouri cavalry; served three and a half years, and was with the regiment in all its various engagements. While in the line of duty he was taken prisoner in Arkansas, and compelled to travel five hundred miles barefooted, and is yet badly crippled from the effects of that march. After the close of the war he farmed in Daviess county until 1876, and then located in Grundy county, where he owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, besides two hundred and eighty acres in Taylor township.
He began laboring as a minister in 1870, and in 1871 was ordained. He is still an active worker in Harrison county. After the war he employed every leisure hour in study, and thus qualified himself for the responsible position he now holds.
JOHN AND MARK BUSHONG
Are natives of Augusta county, Virginia. John was born February 22, 1819, and Mark, March 27, 1823. They are the sons of Abraham and Mary C. Bushong, nee Toland, both natives of Virginia, the former of French de- scent, and the latter of German extraction. Their father died in 1835, and their mother in 1860. John and Mark were reared upon a farm. In 1838 John learned the carpenter's trade and worked at the business for eight years, then they came to Parke county, Indiana, and there Jolin married, February 18, 1847, Miss Elizabeth Noel, a native of Indiana, born October 10, 1831, and a daughter of Matthew and Mira Noel, nee Puett. Her father was a native of Kentucky, and her mother of North Carolina; the former died in 1851, and the latter in 1861. After his marriage Mr. Bushong continued to work at his trade, in Indiana, till 1857, when he and his brother moved to Livingston county, Missouri, and farmed till 1869, when they removed to Grundy county and purchased a beautiful farm of two hundred acres of choice and fertile land. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bush- ong; namely, Nathan N., dead; Minerva, now wife of J. T. Selby; Mary A., wife of R. R. Mans; Mark, dead; Martha, now wife of James Renfro; Alice V., John A., Eliza J., Henrietta, Lucy L., and Peter S. J., now dead. The brothers have succeeded well since living in Missouri and rank among our best farmers. They have lived together and done business together for over
44
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
thirty-three years, and so far there has never been a word of difference be- tween them. They are active and energetic men and alive to everything for the public good. They are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
A. II. BUCHANAN
Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, September 5, 1844, and is the son of James R. and Nancy Buchanan, nee Hull; both natives of Virginia. His parents moved to Taylor county, Kentucky, in 1851, when the subject of this sketch was seven years of age, and lived there till 1856, then came to Missouri and located in Montgomery county, and thence, in 1859, to Calla- way county, where his father has since lived, engaged in farming. His mother died in March, 1878. Mr. Buchanan was reared upon a farm and received his education in the common schools. At the age of twenty-one years he commenced business for himself. In 1872 he moved from Calla- way to Grundy county and located where he now lives. He married Miss Nancy P. Hale on the 13th of December, 1866. She was born December 22, 1848, in Mercer county, Virginia; her parents, C. P. and M. M. Hale, nee Witten, were both natives of the same State, but came to Missouri in 1853 and settled in Livingston county. They are now living in Callaway county. Mr. and Mrs. B. have become the parents of seven children; namely, Lulu L., born July 12, 1868; John W., born November 21, 1870; James H., born September 22, 1875; Lizzie, born December 29, 1877; Nancy, born June 13, 1880; Margaret, born June 10, 1873, died September 28, 1874; and one died in infancy. Mr. B. is serving as justice of the peace. He was a member of Colonel Williams' regiment during the civil war, and served one year. He owns one hundred and thirty acres of fine farm land, and is a man that en- joys the esteem and confidence of all his neighbors.
BENJAMIN P. CRAWFORD
Was born in Mason county, Kentucky, January 18, 1819, and when but a few days old was taken by his parents to Lewis county and lived there till thirty-three years of age. His father, Crozard Crawford, and his mother, Lavina Crawford, nee Reynolds, were both natives of Kentucky, and are both long since dead. He married Miss A. Swearingen, a native of Lewis county, Kentucky, and a daughter of Charles and Catherine Swearingen, nee Rich- ards. By this marriage they have had nine children, seven of whom are still living; viz., William, born September 10, 1847; Daniel R., born August 22, 1849; Benjamin F., born July 25, 1851; John T., born February 14, 1856; Martha E., born January 6, 1858; Charles W., born February 28, 1861; James H., born December 10, 1863; Mahala J., born February 1, 1845, died May 5, 1870; and Lavina C., born February 17, 1854, died March 18, 1873. Mrs. Crawford died December 1, 1868. March 3, 1869, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Caroline P. Wilkerson, nee McKray, a native of Tennessee,
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
born October 31, 1833, and the widow of Joseph Wilkerson. The issue of this marriage was two children; namely, Cora A., born May 15, 1871, and Iva H., born February 22, 1873. In 1852 he migrated to Illinois and lived in Peoria county five years, then came to Grundy county, Missouri, where he has since lived. He owns a very choice farm of three hundred and sixty acres, well improved and stocked, and all earned by his own industry and good management. He is known as one of our leading fariners and every- one speaks of " Uncle Perry Crawford" as a good neighbor and genial gen- tleman.
C. H. CULLERS
Was born in Frederick county, Virginia, February 26, 1844. His parents, John and Julia A. Cullers, were natives of Virginia. They moved to Somerset county, Pennsylvania, when he was about four years old, lived there two years, removed to Crawford county, Illinois, where they resided six years, then to Grundy county, Missouri, in 1855, and located in Harri- son township. Here his father purchased a large tract of land, and here died June 19, 1869. His mother is still living and makes her home with him. He was married, in Gentry county, to Miss Cornelia A. Adkinson, a native of Kentucky, born April 15, 1852. The marriage ceremony was performed on November 18, 1875. Her parents were from Kentucky and' came to Missouri in 1852, and are still living in Gentry county. Two chil- dren have been the fruits of this union; viz., Woodson, born February 4, 1877, died March 6. 1878; and Nora S., born May 31, 1879. Mr. Cullers has served as township clerk and is now trustee. He is a very active busi- ness man and is known as one of the heaviest stock dealers in the county, and has been very successful in his business. He owns eight hundred and ninety acres of land under good improvement.
WILLIAM D. GOSE
Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, April 11, 1845. His father was a native of Virginia and died when the subject of this sketch was only a few weeks old. His mother, whose maiden name was Rebecca Witten, married James A. Goodwin, and in 1853 they came to Missouri and located near Edinburg, Grundy county. He was educated at Grand River College and at Canton, Illinois. He qualified himself for the profession of teaching and has been one of the leading as well as most earnest and successful teachers in the county. He married, September 24, 1868, Miss Martha J. Witten, who was born in Grundy county, Missouri, October 15, 184S. Her parents, Samuel K. and Nancy Witten, nee Peery, were both from Vir- ginia, and among the first settlers in Grundy county. Mr. and Mrs. Gose had eight children, only three of whom are living; viz., Samuel D., born August 2, 1870; Fannie R., born April 30, 1873; and Louisa H., born
-
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
February 26, 1874. The others died in infancy. In 1869 he located in Harrison township and engaged in farming and school teaching. When he came here he says he only had twenty-five cents in money, but now has a farm of eighty acres, and all accumulated by himself and worthy compan- ion. She is a lady of fine education as well as taste and refinement. She received her education at Hannibal, Glasgow, and Canton, Illinois. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
WILLIAM V. HOISINGTON
Was born in Athens county, Ohio, January 12, 1842. His parents, James W. and Lydia Hoisington, nee Eddy, were also natives of Athens county. His mother was related to General Nathaniel Greene. The family moved from Athens, Ohio, to Iowa, and lived there the season of 1865, then located in Grundy county, Missouri. The family consisted of four children; viz., James E., William V., Mary and Charles A. Mr. James W. Hoisington died December 26, 1866; he had been a useful and honored member of society wherever he had lived. Mrs. H. died September 4, 1872; she too had lived a life of usefulness and left many warm friends to mourn her de- parture from life. When the subject of our sketch was four years of age he left Ohio with his parents and came to Iowa and lived with them until 1862, when he enlisted in company F, Thirty-third Iowa volunteer infantry, served till the close of the war, and was with them in all their various en- gagements and marches. After the close of the war he came to Grundy county and located near where he now lives. He married, June 19, 1873, Miss Margaret E. Witten, a native of Gentry county, Missouri, born De- cember 10, 1853. They have had four children; named, respectively, Lydia M., born May 24, 1874; Mary E., born February 26, 1876; Earl, born January 18, 1881; and James W., born August 1, 1878, died May 5. 1880. Mr. Hoisington owns one hundred and sixty acres of fine land, well improved and stocked.
MRS. MARGARET LEE.
Margaret Scott was born in Pike county, Missouri, January 1, 1837. She was a daughter of Andrew and Jane Scott, the former a native of Ken- tucky, and the latter of Virginia. They came to Missouri in 1822, settled in Pike county and lived there till they migrated to Grundy county in 1856, and located in Harrison township where Mrs. Lee now lives. Her father died August 24, 1867, and her mother, February 27, 1870. Miss Scott was nineteen years of age when she came to Grundy county. She was united in marriage, April 30, 1861, to William Lee, who was a native of Clinton county, Missouri, born November 13, 1836. His parents were originally from Virginia, and his father died August 6, 1856, and his mother, in Feb- ruary, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Lee became the parents of five children, three
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
of whom are living; viz., Benjamin L., born February 17, 1862; Joseph A., born January 24, 1864; and Ada, born September 4, 1871. Victoria died when four years of age, and Hettie when six. Mr. Lee died August 30, 1872. He was a man universally beloved by all who knew him, and es- teemed for his social qualities. Mrs. Lee lives upon the homestead, and her sons, Benjamin and Joseph, are carrying on the farm. They deserve great credit for their industry and the affection shown their mother, and sister Ada. Mrs. Lee is a member of the Methodist Church, and the family are highly respected.
J. E. MAXSON
Was born in Lewis county, Virginia, December 18, 1841. His parents, Herman and Drusilla Maxson, were both natives of Virginia. They came to Missouri in 1865 and located at Alexandria, in Clarke county, and re- mained there till 1869, then came to Grundy county, where they still reside. Our subject was reared upon a farm and received his education in Virginia. He came to Missouri with his parents in 1865 and returned to Virginia in 1866 and, on the 19th day of April, of said year, was united in marriage to Miss Doretha Clemans, who was born in Harrison county, but reared in Lewis county. She was born March 24, 1845; her father was a native of Germany, and her mother of Virginia. Her father died in 1857, and her mother, in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Maxson became the parents of six children: Mattie, born October 1, 1869; Carrie, born November 16, 1871; Henry F., born April 14, 1874; Gracie, born September 11, 1877; Walter R., born October 1, 1879; and Minnie, born September 8, 1868, died No- vember 29, 1868.
Mr. Maxson, enlisted in company C, of the Tenth West Virginia volun- teer infantry and served for nearly four years. He was wounded in the Shenandoah Valley. (shot through the leg), and still suffers greatly from the effects of this wound, which was inflicted July 17, 1864, and although a very severe one, November 15 of same year he reported for duty, and served faithfully and well till the close of the war. He enlisted as a private, but was promoted from one office to another, till he attained that of first lieu- tenant. He was taken prisoner, November 6, 1862, at Sutton, Virginia, taken to Libby Prison, and kept three months, and endured all manner of hardships. When he came to Missouri with his young wife, he had but five dollars, but they unitedly fought the battle bravely and conquered, and now have a beautiful farm of one hundred and twenty acres, well improved and stocked, and located in a fine neighborhood.
LEVI MOORE
Was born in Howard county, Missouri, May 22, 1844, and is a son of Josiah and Nancy Moore, nee Montgomery. They were natives of Kentucky, but came to Missouri at an early day. His mother died when he was about three
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IIISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
months old, and his father four years later. Being left an orphan at this early age he was taken care of by his uncle, Levi Moore, who lived in Grundy county, and by him was reared till he was eighteen years of age, when he enlisted in company H, Twenty-third Missouri volunteer infantry, and served with them over three years. He relates the following incident as a part of his life in the army: About the first of November, 1864, near Atlanta, Georgia, while detailed on a foraging expedition he was in the upper story of a tobacco warehouse, about four and one-half miles from camp. Looking out at the gable-end of the building he saw thirteen mounted Con- federates coming toward him and where his horse was hitched. He knew it was time to leave, and climbing and falling through the tobacco racks for thirty feet to the floor he quickly picked himself up and made for his horse with all speed, but by the time he was mounted the Confederates were within one hundred and seventy-five yards and opened fire upon him; then began a race for life. Luckily for him his horse was a good one, and he kept his distance but still under fire, and the chase was thus kept up for about four miles, when he came to a ditch about fourteen feet deep and twelve feet across, which his horse successfully cleared, but it stayed his pursuers, and turning in his saddle he called to them to come on. They only answered with oaths, that he was a d -- d Yankee, and hastily beat their retreat. A few days after the occurrence above related he, with several of his com- rades, was taken prisoner and held at Andersonville and other places, during which time he suffered much from fevers and the hardships of a prisoner's life. After the war he returned to Grundy county, and on the 22d of February, 1867, was married to Miss Martha Ann Boyce, who was born October 14, 1845, in Daviess county, Missouri. They have had three children; namely, James E., born December 17, 1868; William Harley, born February 18, 1870; and Ida, born March 19, 1871. Mr. Moore had but little opportunity of obtaining an education, but now, by diligence in study at home, has become a well informed man, and has secured to him- self and family a fine home of forty acres, where he lives a happy and con- tented life.
REES B. T. PEERY
Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, November 13, 1828. His parents, George and Jane Peery, were natives of Virginia. They migrated to Mis- souri in the year 1835, remained in Daviess county during the winter, and in the spring of 1836 located in Grundy county, one mile east of Edinburg, and lived there till the subject of this sketch was about twenty-five years of age. The family consisted of about thirteen grown sons and daughters, who were by this time all established in business for themselves, and the subject of our sketch settled upon section fourteen, in Harrison township. His father died in 1874, and his mother in 1872. He was educated iu the
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