USA > Missouri > Grundy County > The History of Grundy County, Missouri : an encyclopedia of useful information, and a compendium of actual facts > Part 77
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The first school-house was erected in the fall of 1844. The building was put up on section number twenty-nine, and built by George W. Tront, of hewn logs, and after the style of school-houses of those days, with mud and stick chimney, wide fire-place, split-log seats with no backs to them. This first structure dedicated to learning in the township of Jefferson cost the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars-whether in money or coon-skin currency, is not known.
MISCELLANEOUS.
From Brunswick, in Chariton county, and Glasgow, in Howard county, the settlers procured their supplies, and the great difficulty of traveling by wagon was overcome by going horseback, sometimes taking pack-horses. Like the housewives of other settlements, the good wife in Jefferson town- ship had to manufacture the clothing for the family while the husband tilled the field. The first domestic work of this kind was performed by Mrs. Mary Harris, in 1836 or 1837. Weaving and spinning wasn't a pleasant task by any means, especially when such raw materials as flax and hemp were used, with some wool and a little cotton.
Jefferson township grew and prospered. Her soil was rich, timber plenty, and a hardy, energetic class of citizens composed her population. She ranks fourth in that respect, the census of 1880 giving 1,189 as the popula- tion of the township. In 1870 the number was 874, an increase of thirty- three and one-third per cent. The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad passes through the township in rather a southeasterly course, and this town- ship furnishes a large number of ties for the road. The political complex- ion of Jefferson township is Republican, and its township officers are of that faith, but politics has little to do with local affairs. The present town- ship officers are named as follows: Trustee, Gilbert Evans; collector, Samuel H. Laird; clerk, John Roberts; constable, J. S. McCracken; jus- tice of the peace, J. B. Embry.
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
J. B. ANDERSON.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Canada, born April 14, 1823. He resided in the place of his birth until he completed his education, and then commenced farming, which he continued until the fall of 1860, when he removed to Michigan and remained there ten years, engaged on a farm. He then moved to Grundy county, where he has since resided. When he came to this county, in 1870, he selected a beautiful eighty-acre tract of land which he has developed into a fine home farm, and on which he has erected valuable buildings and made other permanent improvements. October 14, 1874, Mr. Anderson was married to Mrs. Julia Davis, a native of Virginia.
WILLIAM ASIIBROOK.
The subject of this sketch is among the oldest and most respected citi- zens of Grundy county. He was born in Kentucky, in February, 1802, and passed the early years of his life in his native State. At the age of twenty- one he went to Ohio where he became engaged in farming, and remained there over twenty years. In the year 1844 he moved from that State to Grundy county and has made his home in this county from that early period to the present time. He has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, giving the greater part of his time to the improvement and cultivation of his farm which contains three hundred acres of land. He has been content and prosperous in a fair degree, and by cheerful and honorable labor has se- cured a sufficient competence. He was married, November 13, 1827, to Miss Mary Kithby, of Ohio, by whom he has had six children, four of whom are living: Martha A., David P., William H. and John W. Swing. Sarah J. and Jemima, are deceased.
PRESLEY BOON
Was born in Madison county, Kentucky, July 13, 1820. His parents brought him to Howard county, Missouri, when he was about two years of age, and remained there only two years, when they moved to Sheridan county, remaining until 1831. At this time they went to Livingston county, where the subject of this sketch resided until his removal to Grundy county in 1850. Here he purchased land and became engaged in farming. He now owns one hundred and fifty-two acres of choice land, all under good cultiva- tion.
Mr. Boon was married, in Livingston county, April 7, 1847, to Miss 43
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
Saralı J. Rosson. They have had seven children; namely, Daniel, Sarah E., Mary H., Augustus, Tempy, Lydia and Perdida.
DAVID BRATTON.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born January 26, 1818, and resided in his native State until the spring of 1868, when he migrated to Grundy county. His education was received in the schools of Pennsylvania, and after leaving school he learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked until he moved from the State. When he came to Grundy county he purchased a farm and has since been engaged in farm- ing. He now owns one hundred ninety-eight and one-half acres of well- improved land and is chiefly occupied in its cultivation.
Mr. Bratton was married in December, 1842, to Miss Margaret Casher, of Pennsylvania. They have had ten children; named, respectively, Theophilus, Snsannah, Mary S., Eliza J., Nancy M., Hannah, Ellen and Alice; and Elizabeth C. and Harry, deceased.
J. A. BROWN
Was born in Nicholas county, Kentucky, March 1, 1824. His parents moved to Indiana when he was two years of age, and he remained in that State un- til he completed his education, and became engaged in farming. In the fall of 1843 he moved to Adair county, Missouri, where he lived until he came to Grundy county, in the spring of 1845, and has been a resident of this county since that time. His farm consists of two hundred and eighty-four and one-half acres of land, under good cultivation, and finely located, both for farming and stock-raising, and is improved with permanent and substan- tial buildings. Mr. Brown has managed his farm successfully, and during his residence in the county has earned the reputation of being energetic in business affairs and upright and honorable in all the relations of life. He was married in Grundy county, February 8, 1846, to Miss Amanda F. Bailey. Twelve children have been the result of this union, eight of whom are now living, seven sons and one daughter; namely, William E., Alexander M., Sarah E., John II., James L., Thomas J., Robert and Arthur J.
THOMAS BRUMIT
Is a native of Missouri, born in Livingston county, July 27, 1849. He was there reared and educated, and subsequently engaged in farming. After his removal to Grundy connty he still continued farming, and now owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of choice land. His farm is finely located and under good cultivation, and the building improvements are of a permanent kind. Mr. Brumit possesses good business qualifications and in the management of his affairs has displayed those characteristics which have won the confidence and esteem of all. He was married, in Grundy county, Jannary 9, 1881, to Miss Elizabeth Curtiss, a native of Missouri.
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IHISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
H. C. CALLISON
Was born in Daviess county, Missouri, April 7, 1850, and was reared in that county. After completing his education he became engaged in the mercan- tile business and followed this, in connection with stock-raising, until the spring of 1874, when he moved to Grundy county and confined his atten- tion chiefly to raising stock. He deals largely in cattle, sheep and hogs. He is a successful business man and one who has the reputation of being honorable and upright in all the relations of life.
Mr. Callison was married, in Daviess county, March 31, 1873, to Miss Fannie Livingstone, a native of Grundy county, born March 30, 1850. Three children have been born to them: Frank L., William H. and Susie.
WILLIAM E. COLLINS
Is a native of Franklin county, Ohio, born December 1, 1837. He received his education in his native county, and remained there until the fall of 1855, when he moved to Lee county, Iowa, and engaged in farming for several years. In March, 1869, he came to Grundy county, and has since made his home here. During the war he enlisted, November 1, 1861, in company D, Fourteenth Iowa infantry, and served three years and three months, when he was honorably discharged.
Mr. Collins now owns and cultivates a farm of one hundred and twenty acres of land, well located and well stocked, and improved by handsome and commodious buildings. His residence occupies a beautiful site commanding a fine view of the surrounding country.
September 13, 1860, Mr. Collins was united in marriage to Miss Susannah Doane, of Lee county, Iowa. They have seven children; viz., William E., Albert A., Estella K., Alta O., Guert O. S. L., Otto O. and Leota.
W. L. CURTIS.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Missouri, born in Livingston county, January 27, 1853. On completing his education he became en- gaged in farming and followed this occupation for a number of years in his native county. In 1879 he moved to Grundy county and purchased eighty acres of land, which he cultivates in connection with stock-raising. He oc- cupies a beautiful residence, and is surrounded with all the accessaries of comfortable living.
Mr. Curtis was married in Livingston county, October 15, 1874, to Miss Katie Black, of that county.
SAMUEL GAY
Is a native of Daviess county, Missouri, and was born in that county July 26, 1841. His parents were born in Pocahontas county, Virginia, but
734
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
moved to Howard county, Missouri, in 1838, and in the spring of 1839 went to Daviess county, where they still reside. The subject of this sketch became a resident of Grundy county in 1878, since which time he has been principally engaged in farming, cultivating one hundred and twenty-six acres of land which he owns, and on which he has made permanent building improvements.
July 20, 1865, Mr. Gay was married to Miss Mary A. Matthews, a native of Michigan, born November 14, 1847. They have four children: Robert A., Addie, Charles M. and William A.
GEORGE S. GOODRICHI
Is a native of Indiana, born June 15, 1840. When he was between three and four years of age his parents removed with him to Michigan, and he was there reared and educated. After completing his education his inclina- tion for a farmer's life led him to make that his choice, and he engaged in farming in Michigan until he moved to Missouri, in 1858. When he came to Grundy county he selected a finely located farm, and continued his labor as a farmer. At the present time he owns two hundred and seventy acres of land, all under improvement, well stocked, and has fine and commodious buildings.
Mr. Goodrich was married, February 20, 1863, to Miss Mary Prothew, of Macon, Missouri. They have two children, Clarissa A. and Jessie E.
A. J. GRIFFITH
Was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, September 17, 1848. When nine- teen years of age he went to Daviess county, Missouri, and was there engaged in farming for a number of years. In the fall of 1871 he moved to Grundy county, and remained until the spring of 1876, when he returned to Daviess county. After a residence of four years in that county he came back to Grundy county, and located on the farm he now owns. It is a fine stock farm of one hundred and sixty acres, well watered and otherwise adapted for stock-raising and farming.
Mr. Griffith married, November 13, 1871, Miss Alice Chenoweth, of Grundy county. They have one child, Harley O., born September 19, 1875.
SAMUEL H. LAIRD
Was born in Sheridan county, Missouri, January 10, 1844. He commenced farming in early life, and continued the same in his native county until the spring of 1876, when he removed to Grundy county and took up his former occupation. He now has a fine farm containing one hundred and seventy acres, which his industry has brought to a good state of cultivation. His time is principally spent in tilling the soil, but he is interested in county
735
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
and township affairs, and is now officiating as township collector, to which office he was elected in April, 1881.
Mr. Laird was married, in Grundy county, September 17, 1878, to Miss Mary Robinson. By this union they have two children, Rewaner and Alice.
C. H. LONGFELLOW
Is a native of Summit county, Ohio. He was born March 22, 1841, being reared and receiving a part of his education in his native county. After completing his education at Kendallville, Indiana, he was engaged in teach- ing and farming for several years, when he came to Grundy county and purchased his present farm, which he has continued to cultivate and im- prove. He owns one hundred and three acres of land under good cultiva- tion, has erected a handsome residence and otherwise improved his land by substantial buildings. He was united in marriage, October 31, 1865, to Miss Ella F. Robinson, a native of Wayne county, Ohio. They have four children; namely, Ellis E., Howard N., Nellie E., and Bertha.
Mr. Longfellow has held the office of township clerk and also that of township trustee.
SETH MACY.
The subject of this sketch was born in North Carolina, April 23, 1831, and was reared and educated in his native State. In the spring of 1852, he went to Marshall county, Iowa, and became engaged in farming, remaining there until 1861, when he moved to Indiana, and the ensuing year went to Daviess county, Missouri. In the fall of 1865, he came to Grundy county. He has been principally engaged in farming, and has purchased a farm con- taining three hundred and twenty acres of land, well adapted to grain and stock-raising, and finely located.
Mr. Macy was married, while a resident of Daviess county, to Miss Mary A. Froman, of that county. Three children are the fruits of this union; viz., Franklin, Alpheus and Amy F.
WM. II. MILLER,
Station agent of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, at Hickory Creek. The subject of this sketch was born in Livingston county, Missouri, May 23, 1855. When he was about four years of age his parents moved to Grundy county, and here he was reared and educated. In the fall of 1874, he went to Arkansas where he remained two years, then went to Texas, re- maining until 1881, when he returned to Grundy county and accepted the poistion he now holds, and which he has filled acceptably.
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
II. C. PARBERRY.
The subject of this sketch was born December 22, 1833, in Franklin county, Virginia. His parents moved to Barren county, Kentucky, when he was only one year old, and resided there until he had partly received his education. He then went to Macon county, Missouri, where he finished his education, and then engaged in farming for a number of years previous to his removal to Grundy county, in 1860. He has now been a resident of the county for over twenty years, and during that time has been principally engaged in farming. He owns nine hundred and twenty-three acres of land, which is under good cultivation and finely located.
Mr. Parberry was married, in Randolph county, Missouri, August 28, 1856, to Miss Mary E. Dunham, and by this union they have had one child, Mary E., now Mrs. Bleict. Mrs. Parberry died June 22, 1857. January 1, 1860, he married Miss Elizabeth A. Rowland, of Macon county, Missouri. Twelve children have been born to them, five of whom are living; viz., Kittie A., Nancy D., George L., Martha E. and Jerry F.
WILLIAM PARKER
Is a native of Franklin county, Ohio. He was born September 12, 1837, and when about.one year old his parents moved to Madison county, where he was reared and educated. In October, 1849, he went to Illinois, where he engaged in farming, and continued that occupation until the spring of 1860, when he came to Grundy county. Soon after coming to the county he enlisted in the United States Army, July 3, 1861, in company D, of Merrill's Horse, and served three years. At the end of that time he became disabled, and received an honorable discharge, when he returned home, and since that time has been a resident of the county. He now cultivates one hundred and twenty-one acres of land, and confines his attention mainly to farming and stock-raising.
Mr. Parker was married, in Livingston county, September 24, 1868, to. Miss Annie E. Bennett. They have four children: Charles E., Edgar B., William W. and Eliza A.
C. W. PRICE
Is a native of Virginia, having been born in that State June 18, 1836. When he was six months old his parents bronght him to Daviess county, Missouri, where he was reared and educated. After completing his educa- tion he decided to engage in farming, and commenced his labors in this direction in Daviess county, and remained there until March, 1863. He then moved from that county to Grundy county, and located upon his pres- ent farm. He now owns three hundred and fifty acres of choice farming land, which he has brought to a fine state of cultivation, and has improved
737
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
and beautified by a fine residence and other buildings, which give evidence of thrift and prosperity.
Mr. Price was married, March 12, 1863, to Miss Mary J. Smith, of Grundy county. Four children have been born to them; namely, John E., Dellie M., George S. and Harley E.
JOSEPHI REYNOLDS
Was born September 29, 1825, in the State of Ohio, where he spent the early part of his life. When nearly sixteen years of age he went to Indiana, where he completed his education and continued to reside, engaged in his chosen profession of farming, until the fall of 1856. At that time he left the State and moved to Missouri, settling in Grundy county, and continuing his labors as a farmer, where he has since resided, being principally en- gaged in cultivating his land and making permanent improvements upon his farm. He owns five hundred and five acres of land, which have the natural advantages of a fine location, etc., and have been highly improved and cultivated by years of labor, and which now afford a generous compe- tence. Mr. Reynolds was married, September 26, 1850, in the State of In- diana, to Miss Martha Cory, a native of that State. They have had three children; namely, Nancy E., now Mrs. Martin; William E .; and John W., deceased.
J. D. RICE
Was born in Massachusetts, September 13, 1844, and was there reared and educated. After finishing his studies he went to Black Hawk county, Iowa, remaining there one year and then went to California with an ox train, by the overland route, being one of the first trains that crossed the plains. He engaged in mining operations and working at the carpenter's trade. In the spring of 1866 he returned to his native place and remained six months, when he came to Missouri and located in Grundy county, following his trade for several years, and in 1878 commenced farming. Since that time he has been largely engaged in stock and sheep-raising. He now has two hundred head of sheep and deals largely in stock. His farm contains four hundred and forty acres of land, all under improvement and good cultiva- tion, and is in all respects one of the finest farms in the county. Mr. Rice was married in Grundy county, September 24, 1868, to Miss Amanda L. Simms. They have three children; viz., Lela A., Earl L. and Francis D.
WILLIAM RICHARSON
Was born April 15, 1825, in the State of Kentucky, and was there reared and educated. He first commenced work in a woolen factory in his native county, and afterward continued the same labor on removing to Indiana in 1853. On coming to Grundy county in 1865 he became engaged in farming
738
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
and now cultivates one hundred and ten acres of land. This farm is well situated and improved by substantial buildings. Mr. Richarson was mar- ried in Kentucky, in October, 1835, to Miss Martha J. Patterson. Nine children have been born to them, six of whom are living; named, respect- ively, Alphens M., Rufus A., Desdemona, Carfassia C., Alonzo O., and James A. William C., Nathaniel P. and Horace C., deceased.
IIIRAM SMITH
Was born in February, 1813, in Pike county, Ohio. He there received his. education, and after the completion of his studies began the labor of farm- ing, which he continued until his removal to Indiana, in 1834. He re- mained in that State about four years, and at the end of that time decided to make Missouri his future home, and, coming to the State, located in Grundy county, in the fall of 1838. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he has since cultivated and continued to improve, and his farm is now numbered among the finest of which the county can boast. Mr. Smith was married in Indiana, February 4, 1836, to Miss Hannah. Ellis. They have had fourteen children, ten of whom are living; viz., Mary E., Elinor, Samuel, William W., Lilburn R., Hester A. R., Missouri, Rebecca, Hannah M., Henry B., and Edward II. Emmeline, Rose Ann and Hiram, deceased.
J. B. THOMPSON.
The parents of Mr. Thompson were natives of Kentucky, and resided in that State until 1838, when they moved to Grundy county and followed farming. Our subject was born in this county, April 4, 1839, and was reared and educated here, and chose to follow farming when he reached his majority. He now owns one hundred and ten acres of well improved land, which is finely situated both for farming and stock-raising. He was mar- ried, September 25, 1862, to Miss Mary J. Embry, and by this union they have three children; namely, Robert, Mary A. and Elizabeth.
M. D. L. TONCRAY
Is a native of Kentucky, born January 22, 1844. He was there reared and educated, and after completing his studies commenced farming and dealing in stock, continuing in both until the spring of 1870, when he moved to Missouri and located in Grundy county. He owns two hundred and fifteen acres of land under good cultivation, and has a fine residence surrounded by shade trees and evergreens. Aside from the occupation of farming he deals largely in horses and mules, and possesses some of the best thorough- bred stock in the county. Mr. Toncray is a man of good business qualifica- tions, and manages his affairs in accordance with the strict rules of integrity. He was married in Daviess county, Missouri, May 21, 1872, to Miss Matilda . E. McBrayer, a native of that county.
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
ELIJAH TURNER.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Grundy county, born April 30, 1843. His early education was begun and completed here, and here among old and familiar friends he has tilled his farin and made his home. During the war he enlisted, in August, 1861, in the Second Missouri cavalry, and served three years, when he received an honorable discharge from service. Since that time he has continued to cultivate and improve his farm, and now has forty acres under good cultivation. July 27, 1862, Mr. Turner was united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. Long, of Livingston county, Missouri. Four children are the fruits of this union; namely, John H., James T., Newton E. and Lillie M.
HENRY WHORTON
Was born January 1, 1856, in Sheridan county, Missouri. His parents moved to Grundy county when he was about fifteen years old, and he has been a resident of the county since that time. He has followed mercantile pursuits in connection with stock dealing and farming. In 1881 he was appointed postmaster of Hickory Creek, which office he now holds. Mr. Whorton has been twice married: first to Miss S. A. Neff, of Grundy county, by whom he had three children: Thomas, Jerry, and Eddie. Mrs. Whorton died September 22, 1873. January 22, 1876, he married Miss B. E. Bratton, of the same county. By this union they have three chil- dren; viz., Henry C., Wetzal and Glancy.
MRS. NANCY WILLIAMS.
Mrs. Williams was born in Kentucky, February 11, 1829. Her parents immigrated to Sheridan county when she was about two years of age, and she lived in that county until 1844, when she came to Grundy county in company with her parents, and has been a resident of the county since that time. She was married April 3, 1858, and is the mother of three children, whose names are, Mary E., Elizabeth A., and William. Her husband died February 21, 1862.
JOHN WILLIAMS
Was born in the State of Tennessee, on the 12th day of May, 1830. In early infancy his parents moved to Indiana, where he was reared and edu- cated. When nineteen years of age he came to Grundy county, and has been a resident of the county since. He owns a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, which he has brought to a good state of cultivation. He has erected a handsome residence, nearly four miles southeast of Trenton, and has otherwise improved his farm. March 28, 1852, he married Miss Jane McAlpin, a native of Tennessee. By this marriage they had two chil- dren: Thomas A. and Sarah M. Mrs. Williams died February 22, 1879, after a short illness.
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