USA > Missouri > Pettis County > The History of Pettis County, Missouri, including an authentic history of Sedalia, other towns and townships, together with biographical sketches > Part 102
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WILLIAM L. EMBREE.
Post-office, Beaman. Farmer. One of the pioneers of Pettis County, and was born Dec. 18, 1816, in Clark County, Ky., and when he was about sixteen years of age he came to this county, where he has since lived. His father was one of the pioneer preachers of this county. He was first married March 11, 1838, to Miss Martha Caroline Beaman, and this union was blessed with eleven children, William, Martha, Lucinda M., Marga- ret A., Frederick, James C., John C., Noah W. and Doctor A. Mrs. Embree died March, 1861, and he was again married Aug., 1861, to Miss J. F. Beaman, and this union has been blessed with six children, Alice, Olivia F., William W., Belle, Walter and Edgar. Mr. Embree owns a fine farm of 175 acres, and he is numbered among the successful men of the county.
REV. WILLIAM FERGUSON.
William Ferguson, son of Thomas and Hannah Ferguson, was born in
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Barren County, Ky., on Oct. 19th, 1806, (being of Scotch descent,) three miles southeast of Prewet's Knob, and six miles northeast of Glasgow, the county seat of the County of Barren, on a farm, in a grove known as Walter's Grove. In the twelfth year of his age his father sold his farm in Barren County and moved to Warren County, two and a half miles below the Dripping Springs, on the road leading from Lexington, Ky., to Nashville, Tenn., and bought a farm in the grove known as Smith's Grove, thirteen miles east of Bowling Green, the county seat of Warren County. He (William) remained with his father, raised up between the plow-han- dles until the age of twenty-two years, then married to Dorinda Wright, the daughter of Jacob and Miriam Wright, on the twenty-eighth day of Oct., 1828, by Elder Elijah Davidson. Mr. Wright lived on the road lead- ing from Glasgow to Bowling Green. In the early part of the winter both professed faith in Christ, and were baptized into the fellowship of the United Baptist Church, called Smith's Grove Church, by the Pastor, Elder Whitman. He remained there until the fall of 1841, when he moved to Pettis County, Mo., and entered land four miles east of Georgetown, made a farm on the prairie, and lived on it ten years. Shortly after com- ing to the county they joined the regular Baptist Church, called the Muddy Fork Church, near Georgetown, there being at that time no United Bap- tist Churches in the county. They remained members of that church five or six years, until Providence Church was constructed, when, on account of not agreeing in point of doctrine, left the old church, and together with two of their children, a son and daughter, again joined the United Baptist Church, he and his wife by letter, and their children by experience and baptism. He felt very much impressed that it was his duty to preach the Gospel. So great was this brought to bear on his mind, that in a short time after joining the church at Providence, having been exhorting to some extent before this, he was liceused to exhort, and very soon, by the desire of the church, was ordained to the full work of the Gospel Ministry on the fifteenth day of Dec., 1849, by Elders Elias George and Jesse G. Berkley. He, his wife and family remained with the Providence congregation until the twenty-eighth day of April, 1872, when they assisted in organizing what is known as Olive Branch Church. The membership numbered fourteen. It has now reached about ninety members. This church is situated about seven miles northeast of Sedalia. He has raised a family of seven children out of ten; two daughters and five sons, all married and settled. Three of his children died in infancy. Five of those living belong to the church. One of the deceased also was a consistent member of the church. He has solemnized 125 marriages. His age at this time (1882) is seventy-six years, and his wife is seventy-three.
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HON. JOHN C. FERGUSON. (Deceased.)
He died in the thirty-seventh year of his age. At the age of eighteen young Ferguson embraced faith in Christ, and was baptized in the fellow- ship of Providence Baptist Church, in Pettis County, by Rev. R. H. Har- ris. After leaving the public school of his neighborhood he attended col- lege at Jacksonville, Ill., for about one year, and in the spring of 1864 crossed the plains, returning the following fall. Soon after his return he commenced the study of law with Phillips & Vest, of Sedalia. He was always a close student, and his progress was wonderful. In 1868 he located in Osceola, Mo., and commenced the practice of law. He soon became a man of mark. In 1870 he secured the appointment of County Attorney, which position he filled with fidelity and credit. In 1872 he was elected to represent his county in the State Legislature, which place he filled with honor. In 1873 he was married to Miss Mary F. Anthwait, of Osceola, who has proved herself to be a zealous Christian, a constant companion, and a devoted mother. In 1876 he was chosen as the Presi- dential Elector for this district, and again distinguished himself by the brilliant canvass he made. As a man he was modest and retiring, self-for- getful, and generous almost to a fault. A little more than a year prior to his death he visited the principal health resorts of Missouri and Kansas, but it was all of no avail. He returned to his home to die, surrounded by his family and friends. Chistian activity and spiritual zeal characterized his entire life, and he died in the triumph of a living faith in Christ. He leaves a wife and two interesting children. a little boy and girl. The deceased was a son of Rev. William Ferguson, who now resides eight miles northeast of Sedalia, Mo. He died at his home in Osceola, Mo., Nov. 15, 1SS1.
M. O. GREEN.
He was born in England, August 13, 1839. His lineage composed the best families, ranking high in social and public life, and representing a vast amount of wealth, of which his father possessed quite a liberal share. After coming to America his father was the victim of misplaced confidence, which almost made a wreck of him financially, having allowed his name to be used as security for other parties for large sums of money, and which he was compelled to pay; in consequence of this the subject of our sketch, at the tender age of nine years, was forced to realize the fact that he would have to adopt a course from which to gain a sup- port for himself. With this stern reality deeply impressed upon his young mind, he immediately sought and found employment, and with that energy and ambition which has characterized his whole life, continued for eleven long years, fraught with many hardships and cares, as a common laborer. The first earned money was that which he obtained in three
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years of steady work as a farm hand, at the very meager sum of twenty dollars per year, and out of which he had to make an allowance for all his wearing apparel. Of this sixty dollars, earned in these three years, he saved some money, ten dollars of which he used in defraying the funeral expenses of his sister, and in the fourth year he purchased three yearling calves, paying eleven dollars per head for them. An incident of his life, showing forth his unbounded generosity-another prominent characteristic of his life-and meriting the highest commendation of all, is that of relin- quishing all his claim to that portion of his father's estate which he inher- ited, consisting of $700, and applying it to the education of a dearly loved sister, thereby bestowing the highest gift within his power to give. With an indomitable will, and an energy which surpasses all others, we find him slowly, but surely, climbing the rough and rugged hills of life, and laying the foundation upon which he is now building a structure, exposed to adverse winds, and tumultuous storms, which will continue to stand as a living monument of his useful life, and a beacon light to those who may follow after. Mr. Green was married March 1, 1860, to Miss Mary Bane. This union has been blessed with four bright and intelligent chil- dren, Martha J., George R., Mary E. and Frederick B., all of whom are approaching maturity. At the time of his marriage, all he possessed was two good teams, and some farming implements. He rented land for a short time, and then bought 160 acres at twenty dollars per acre, it having what was then called a " cut-throat " mortgage of $1,000 against it, to be paid in July following. Although not having a cent of his own, he assumed the burden, giving to Judge Purple fifty dollars to extend the time of payment until September, paying twenty per cent interest. Having engaged two assistants, he put out a large crop of barley, as well as eighty acres of wheat, from which he realized $1,000. In the year 1860 he put out a large corn crop, of which he gathered and sold 2,700 bushels at thirteen cents per bushel. The next year he sold 2,000 bushels at eleven cents per bushel. He had up to this time paid $1,600 on his place, together with the interest, when he concluded to sell eighty acres, which he did at twenty dollars per acre, and borrowed $600, with which he paid off the whole debt against his farm. He gave $700 to assist in educating his sister, and when she returned from school, she and another sister made their homes with him until they were married. Although being in delicate health he continued to work, buying and sell- ing, until he finally sold his farm, of 240 acres, in Illinois, for $9,000, and eighty acres and stock, to the amount of $3,000, and removed to the State of Missouri and purchased 400 acres of land, where he now lives, for $10,000, cash. In 1863, before coming to Missouri, he again put out a crop of corn, 500 bushels of which he sold and delivered at Wenona, Ill., to Joseph Warren at nine cents per bushel. About this time, it seems that
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fortune began to favor him, for with the assistance of his sister, he gath- ered and sold to a government contractor by the name of James Vansant, 2,700 bushels of corn, in the crib, at eighty cents per bushel. With innumerable difficulties to overcome, and hardships to endure, he continued to push bravely forward, until now we find him the owner of a superb and magnificent estate of about 1,800 acres of land, seven miles east and southeast of Sedalia, admirably improved, with good hedge, rail and wire fences, a good substantial brick residence, and a large, commodious barn, with a capacity of storing an immense quantity of the products of his farm, besides affording shelter for a large amount of stock. He is grow- ing 700 acres of corn, and has a thousand acres of blue grass pasture and meadow. He feeds from 300 to 500 steers, 200 to 400 hogs, forty to fifty mules, and keeps fifty good breeding cows, and a fine herd of high grade sheep, selling from $10,000 to $20,000 worth of stock every year. Mr. Green has here an estate and home, replete with cheerful and ele- gant furnishings, and made doubly inviting by the presence of its refined mistress and her two accomplished daughters, and from their ample halls dispenses hospitality to all. Mr. Green is every inch a gentleman; brave, generous, charitable and chivalrous to a fault, unsurpassed energy, lib- eral means, capital business sense, a devout and consistent member of the M. E. Church, and one of the foremost influential men of the County.
LEWIS GEBHARD.
Farmer and stock dealer. Post-office, Smithton. The subject of this sketch is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born on the 25th day of April, 1819, and when he was quite small his parents emigrated to Mason County, Ky., where our subject grew to manhood. He was there married Sept. 24, 1844, to Miss Mary Newdigate. She is a lady who devotes her time to making home happy. This union has blessed them with two children: Annie, who now lives in Cooper County, and is mar- ried to Charles McCarter, and Belle, who is married and living at home. Mr. Gebhard owned and run a large plow and wagon manufactory, having run the same for fifteen years in the State of Kentucky, and with a marked degree of success. In 1856 he came to Pettis County, Mo., locating where he now lives, where he owns a fine farm of 360 acres, 100 of which lies in Cooper County, and which he gave to his daughters. He is a much honored and esteemed citizen. He is a devoted member of the Christian Church and among its liberal supporters.
WILLIAM M. GENTRY.
Post-office, Sedalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Pettis County, Mo., Sept. 19, 1837, and is the son of Richard Gentry, deceased, whose biography and portrait appear in this volume. Mr. Gentry received
Goules suele, M. O. Green
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his primary education in the district schools, then attended Kemper's School, at Boonville, Mo., and finished his education at Westminster Col- lege, at Fulton, Mo. He has now in his charge his brother Reuben's estate, besides looking after his own extensive business. His home and farm is located about three miles northeast of Sedalia, and consists of 1,660 acres of well improved land, well watered and fenced. Part of the farm is cultivated in wheat and corn, and the remainder is in pastures, on which he has fine herds of Short-horn cattle, Merino and Southdown sheep, and other stock such as first-class stock-men handle. He has a herd of twelve deer in his park near his large and handsome residence, a view of which appears on page 507 of this volume. Mr. Gentry is a congenial gen- tleman, fond of hunting, and now has eight English fox hounds, which he keeps for the chase.
JOB HARNED.
Farmer. Post-office, Sedalia. One of the pioneers of Pettis County, and was born in December, 1818, in Christian County, Ky. He was there educated and grew to manhood. He was married in 1839 to Miss Martha Rich. This union was blessed with eight children. One of them, Alexander, is now living at home on the farm. The seven that are now dead are as follows: Enos, Mable, John W., Benjamin, James M., Jane and an infant. He came to Georgetown, Pettis County, Mo., in 1841, where he followed teaming for a livelihood for about five years. He drove a team over this county in early days, from Boonville to George- town. In 1846 he came to his present location, where he has since lived. He entered the eighty acres he now lives on, and since that time he has bought until he now owns 290 acres of fine land, and he is a much loved and honored citizen. He is a consistant member of the Christian Church, and among its liberal supporters.
W. T. HUTCHINSON.
Was born Sept. 3, 1828, in Fayette County, Ky. In 1845 he came to Lexington and remained there until the year 1849, when he came to Pet- tis County, Mo. He was married Sept. 20, 1849, to Martha E. Porter, who was born July 28, 1827, in the State of Virginia, her father being one of the pioneers of this county. Mr. Hutchinson has had nine children, one of whom is now dead: Robert W., born June 28, 1855, and died Sept. 15, 1875. Mr. Hutchinson owns a magnificent 520-acre farm, made up of rolling prairie, well watered and finely improved with good buildings, fences and splendid blue-grass pastures. He grazes a fine lot of stock and carries on farming quite extensively. Has taken quite an interest in the cause of education, giving his own family quite a liberal share, both at
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home and abroad. Has been connected with the banks of Sedalia for a number of years, and for the past eight years has been a member of the directory of the Citizens National Bank of Sedalia. Mr. Hutchinson is one of the leading, strong, clear-sighted and influential men of the county, and an honored and highly esteemed citizen of his community.
A. LOVELACE.
Farmer. Post-office, Clifton City. One of the pioneers of Pettis County and Bowling Green Township, and a noble citizen, and one of the charter members of the Providence Baptist Church. He is a zealous worker in the cause of the same, was one of the leading members in its organization, and among the cheerful givers to build the house. He is a native of Iredell County, N. C., and was born March 28, 1806. He was there educated and grew to manhood. He was married in 1827, to Miss Nancy Holman. She was a native of North Carolina, and this union has blessed them with ten children, all of whom are a credit to their parents, and whose names are as follows: David, Thomas, Elam, Elizabeth, James, Alfarth, Lucy, Lovie, William and Nannie now dead. The sub- ject of this sketch came to Pettis County about the year 1831, and then returned home to North Carolina, and moved to Pettis County, Mo., in 1838, locating where he has improved a fine farm of twenty-eight acres. He is numbered among the successful pioneers of Pettis County , Mo. His wife was killed by a horse running away and throwing her from the buggy, in 1867, and he was again married in 1868 to Miss Hannah Wheeler, who died, July 26, 1880. Although Mr. Lovelace has had much trouble and strife in this world, he is a stout and rugged man, and a much honored and esteemed citizen.
A. MATTHEWS.
Farmer. Post-office, Smithton. Among the many enterprising busi- ness men of Pettis County, no one is deserving of more special notice than the subject of this brief sketch, who is a native of Virginia, and was born Sept. 13, 1829. His parents moved to Muskingum County, Ohio and were among the pioneers of that county. The subject of this sketch was there educated and developed to manhood. He was there married Aug. 21, 1849, to Miss Eliza Beams, and this union has blessed them with five children: Lestie, Annie E., Ella, Ida and William, In 1860 he came to Pettis County, Mo., where he lived about six months, then moved to Cooper County. When our country was involved in war, he offered his services to the Union cause, and was promoted to an office, and while away defending his country he was elected to the Legislature to represent the west half of Cooper County in the years. 1865 and 1866. He then went to St. Louis and resigned his office in the army,
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and filled the office he was elected to in the Legislature for two years, 1865-66, with credit to himself and satisfaction to the people. He moved to Pettis County in the fall of 1866, where he now owns a nice farm of forty acres. He is a consistent member of the M. E. Church, South, and among its liberal contributors.
S. MATTHEWS.
Post-office, Beaman. One of the enterprising men of Pettis County is Mr. Matthews. He was born September 13, 1824, in Virginia, and when quite young his parents moved to Muskingum County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He was married in 1845 to Miss Mary A. Sperry, daughter of Rev. Joseph Sperry. This union has blessed them with ten children: Lee, Charles J., John F., H. L., S. G., Avilda, Auglin, Sarah, Lillie and Elman. In 1866 he came to Pettis County, Mo., where he has since lived. He now owns a fine farm of fifty acres, with good buildings, and everything looks as though it were under the direction of a skillful manager.
JAMES A. POLLARD.
Post-office, Beaman. Farmer. Among the many pioneers of Pettis County, is Mr. Pollard, who is one of Missouri's noble sons, and who was born in Madison County in 1833, and was there raised until 1845, when his parents emigrated to Pettis County and located near Flat Creek, where they lived for about one year, then they moved to section twenty- . one, township forty-six, range twenty, where the subject of this sketch grew to manhood. He has spent nearly all his life in this State, except a few years he was in Illinois. He was married Feb. 13, 1868, to Mrs. Mattie E. Claggett. She is a lady of refined tastes. This union has blessed them with one child, Nellie. Mr. Pollard and wife are consistent members of the M. E. Church, South, and always among its liberal con- tributors and supporters. He now owns a fine farm of 100 acres, and is numbered among the successful men of the township.
W. W. POLLARD.
Post-office, Beaman. Farmer. One of the pioneers of Pettis County, Mo., and was born July 2, 1829, in Bedford County, Va., and when he was about three years of age his parents emigrated to Madison County, Mo., and lived there until 1845, when they moved to Pettis County, locat- ing near Flat Creek, where they lived for about one year; then moved to Bowling Green Township, where his parents were called to their long home and he grew to manhood. In 1850, he went to California and engaged in mining, which he followed for sixteen years, and farmed one year. He kept a hotel one year, and in 1866 he returned to Pettis County, Mo. He was married December 25, 1849, to Miss Martha J. Wright, who died Sep-
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tember, 1850. He was again married Nov. 1, 1868, to Miss C. A. Walker, and this union was blessed with five children: Rosie E., Viola Belle, Mary V., Joseph N. and Jesse B., deceased. In 1870, he moved to his present location, where he owns a farm of seventy-six acres. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and a zealous worker for the cause. His father's sketch will also be found in this work.
BENJAMIN PORTER.
Post-office, Beamen. Farmer. The subject of this sketch is a native of Pettis County, born in 1846, and was here educated and grew to manhood. He is now on the old home and carrying on the farm of 420 acres. It has some fine buildings on it. His father was one of the pioneers of Pettis County. His name was B. J. Porter. He was born March 4, 1801, in Madison County, Va., and moved to Bedford County in the same State. He was there educated and attained his majority. He was joined in the holy bonds of wedlock Nov. 9, 1824, to Miss L. R. Joplin. She was born in 1804 and is now living at a good old age. This union was blessed with nine children, whose names are as follows: Martha G., William B., Thomas E., Benjamin, Annie E., Sarah F., Mary V., James J. and Jessie J. Mr. B. I. Porter left Virginia in 1832, and traveled with team to Madison County, Mo., and from there to Pettis County, in 1883, locating where the subject of this sketch now lives. He was one of the pioneers of this county, and the hungry and needy always found plenty at his table. He was a zealous worker for the advancement of the cause of the M. E. Church, South, and his house was called the home of the weary, and he gave liberally to all enterprises that he thought would enhance the welfare of the people. He entered five hundred acres of land and improved it. He was called to his long home, Jan. 7, 1877, leaving many friends to mourn his loss.
REV. E. K. PORTER.
Post-office, Beaman. The subject of this sketch is a pioneer and much hon- ored and esteemed citizen, who was born Jan. 24, 1814, in Bedford County, Va. When he was about nineteen years of age, or in 1832, he emigrated to Madison County, Mo., traveling all the way by land. He was joined in wedlock in 1835, to Miss S. O. Collins; she was a native of Kentucky. This union was blessed with two children, Martha E. and L. Mary. His wife died August, 1846. He was again married October, 1847, to Miss N. A. Bennett. This union has been blessed with eleven children whose names are as follows: William E., Rosie Lee, Amanda E., James P., Ellen J., Hannah P., Joseph, E. N., Ruth G., Cora B. and Samuel B. In May, 1852, he came to Pettis County, Mo., locating where he now lives on a fine farm of 238 acres. He is a zealous worker for the cause of
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humanity, and has been identified with the M. E. Church, South, since quite small, and is much respected by those who know him.
THOMAS P. POTTER.
Farmer; post-office, Clifton City. The subject of this sketch is one of Missouri's noble sons, and was born Jan. 1, 1828, in Cooper County. His father was one of the first settlers of this part of the county. John Potter, father of our subject, was born 1783, in Bedford County, Va., and when quite small he emigrated to Kentucky. He was married in 1811 to Miss Edgar, a native of Kentucky, and this union was blessed with eleven children, M. R., George, Mary, William, Jane, Samuel, Thomas P., Penola A., Martha A., Larkin D., Dolly P. His father came to Pettis County, and located on the line of Pettis and Cooper Counties in 1822, and was among the first settlers. He died in 1864, and the mother in 1864. The subject of this sketch went to California about the year 1850, and remained there a few years; then returned to Pettis County, and was married in 1869 to Miss Lucy M. Wear. This union was blessed with three children, Mary, Robert A. and James M. When our country was involved in war, he offered his services and was Captain of the home militia, and also for a short time in the State service. He began business for himself with quite limited capital, but through his good management, he now owns a fine farm of 569 acres of good land. He is a consistent member of the Baptist Church and among its liberal contributors and supporters.
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