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 115
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118
55
1070
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
then lived. In the summer of that year he was appointed Deputy Sur- veyor, with W. H. Hewitt. This position he held until the fall of 1871. Then, in the spring of 1872, Mr. Denny embarked in the mercantile busi- ness at Green Ridge, which business he followed until the fall of 1873, when he sold out his stock of merchant's goods and engaged in farming and surveying, in which business he is still engaged. Mr. Denny enjoys the untrammeled fetters of a bachelor's life, and is held in high esteem by his friends and associates for the many qualities of his generous spirit. He makes his home on one of his father's farms, near the home place. The father has in the home farm 400 acres, and other lands to the amount of 150 acres. Charles has held the official position of Township Clerk of Green Ridge Township, he being the first elected under the townsihp organization. In the spring of 1874 he was elected Township Clerk of Washington Township, which position he held until the repealing of the act providing for said organization.
J. M. DURRELL.
Post-office, Ionia City. Among the representative young men of south- western Pettis County, we find J. M. Durrell. He is the son of Milton Durrell. The son was born in Pettis County, Nov. 9, 1845, and is the fourth child in a family of ten children. He received a liberal education from the schools of his native county. Mr. Durrell was married Sept. 16, 1869, to Miss Anna E. Ramey, a most estimable lady, the daughter of Daniel Ramey, who was a native of Kentucky, but emigrated to Missouri at an early day. Mrs. D. is also a native of Pettis County. Through this marriage they have three children, all of whom are living, viz: Allie B., Rubie M. and John C. Mr. Durrell has been engaged in farm- ing and raising stock. He has also engaged extensively in feeding, buying and selling of live-stock. He owns a fine farm of 480 acres of well improved land. His residence is one of the finest in Washington Town- ship, with out-buildings, barns, &c. Mr. Durrell stands high among his neighbors, as an honorable business man, respected and esteemed wher- ever he is known.
JOHN ELLIOTT.
A successful farmer of Washington Township. He is the son of Isaac Elliott, who was a native of Kentucky. The grandfather, John Elliott, a native of Virginia, was one of the first settlers of Kentucky. The subject of this sketch was born in Woodford County, Ky., Mar. 9, 1822, and is the second child in a family of five children. Mr. Elliott emigrated to Mis- souri in the fall of 1835, settling in Pettis County, on what is known as Flat Creek, where he has since resided. He was married March 22, 1842, to' Miss Malinda Mitchell, a worthy lady and daughter of Wm.
1071
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Mitchell, a native of Kentucky. From this union there were four children, three of whom are living, viz: Elender, Isaac H., William M. Mrs. Elliott dying he was again married Aug. 22, 1848, to Mrs. Sarah L. Owens, a daughter of Daniel Ramey, a native of Kentucky. From this union there are eight children, all of whom are living, viz: Jane, Eliza- beth, James R., Daniel, Jaile, John, Gertrude and Sarah A. Since Mr. Elliott has been a resident of Pettis County he has been engaged in farming and stock raising. He owns a fine farm of four hundred acres, located in section twenty; it extends to the rich fertile lands of Flat Creek. His home farm is well improved; and should he so desire he possesses enough of this world's goods to pass the remainder of his days in ease and retirement.
E. H. HALL.
We could not write the biographical sketches of the prominent citi- zens of Washington Township and do justice to her worthy men without mentioning E. H. Hall. He is the son of Amos H. Hall, who was a native of New York, and a soldier in the Mexican war. And the grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was made a prisoner by the Mother Country. After peace had been declared between the Mother Country and the Colonies the grandfather returned to his home in New York, and was a practitioner of medicine for many years. The subject of this sketch was born in Greene County, N. Y., Dec. 13, 1823. He received a good education from the schools of his native State. In the spring of 1854 Mr. Hall'moved to Illinois. Here he remained for about two years, then moved to Missouri, settling in the southwestern part of Pettis County, where he has since resided. Mr. Hall was married Jan. 17, 1861, to Miss Sallie A. Moore, a native of Cooper County, Mo. From this union there were six children, only one of whom is now living, viz: Willie. Since Mr. Hall's residence in Pettis County he has principally been engaged in farming, and the raising of stock. He is a man of perserverance and energy, and in business has been very successful. Like many other good men, he has had some reverses; one of his was the payment of a large security debt of a worthless neighbor. Notwithstanding these reverses he is yet a man of ample means, and owns a fine farm where he resides of three hundred and twenty-six acres, and other lands to the amount of one hundred and forty acres. His home farm is well improved, the dwelling is a large substantial brick, one of the finest dwellings in the township. His barns are also of the largest and best to be found in this part of the county.
HARVEY HAND, SR.
Post-office, Ionia City. Is the son of Gideon Hand, a native of New
1072
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
York, but who moved to Ohio at an early day, settling in Butler County, where he lived until his death. The subject of this sketch was born in Butler County, Ohio, Nov. 4, 1826, and is the fourth child in a family of six children. He received his education in the schools of his native county. In the fall of 1849 Mr. Hand moved to Missouri, settling in Benton County, and the year following he went to California, as many others did at that time, in search of glittering gold. He remained in California about one and a half years, when he returned to his former home in Benton County, where he remained until the spring of 1879, when he moved his family into the adjoining County-Pettis. He was married in the year 1848 to Miss Narcissus Berry, a native of Kentucky. From this union there were ten children, six of whom are living, viz: Wm. E., Isabella, Asa, Harvey, Joseph and Jennie. Mrs. Hand dying, he was again married Sept. 3, 1865, to Miss Frances E. Cook, an accomplished and most esti- mable lady, the daughter of Capt. A. H. W. Cook, who organized one of the first companies of home guards that were formed in this part of the State. This company was stationed two miles east of Cole Camp, when an assault was made upon them and between thirty and forty of their number were wounded and slain, and the remainder dispersed. Then on the 7th day of November, Capt. Cook was made a prisoner by a squad of bushwhackers and killed, near Leesville, in Henry County. From this marriage between Mr. Hand and Miss Cook there were eight children, six of whom are now living, viz: Fredrick H., Edward A., Arthur J. and Anson E. (twins), Robert L. and the baby. Since Mr. Hand's resi- dence in Pettis County, he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He owns a fine farm of 200 acres, well improved, with a fine residence and other buildings. This farm is beautifully located on the southern boundary of Pettis County.
R. I. HATTON.
Post-office, Green Ridge. One of the most prosperous young men of Southern Pettis County is the subject of this sketch, R. I. Hatton. He is the son of J. C. Hatton, a native of Tennessee, but who moved to Mis- souri in an early day. R. I. is a native of Pettis County, and was born March 20, 1859, in the southern part of this county. He received a prac- tical education from the schools of his native county. Mr. Hatton was married Feb. 19, 1877, to Miss Rebecca Warren, a native of Kentucky. From this union there is one child, Casper. Since Mr. Hatton has been a man doing business for himself, he has been engaged in farming and the raising of stock. He owns a fine farm of 330 acres, with a fine dwelling, a large barn and other out-buildings. Mr. Hatton, by his straight-forward, upright dealing, has many friends, who speak of him in the highest terms
1073
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
and we prophesy for him a high position among the leading men of the county.
JESSE F. HOWE.
Post-office, Ionia City. Among the young men of this township none are more worthy of mention than Jesse F. Howe. He is the son of John Howe, a native of Kentucky. The grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. The subject of this sketch was born in Shelby County, Mo., Sept, 30, 1848, and is the oldest child in a family of eight children. He received a primary education in the common schools of his native county, completing his education in the High School of Shelbina, Mo. In the spring of 1873, Mr. Howe moved his family from Shelby County to Pettis County, locating in the southern part of the county where he has since resided. He was married Sept. 24, 1872, to Miss Mary Rogers, a daughter of Jonathan Rogers, a native of Pennsyl- vania. From this union there are four children, viz: George W., Minta E., Mary B. and Charles O. Since Mr. Howe has been grown, he has been engaged principally during the winter seasons teaching in the public schools of Shelby and Pettis Counties, and during the summer, he is engaged on his farm. He owns a farm of 400 acres, and a finer one is not found in southern Pettis County. It is well improved, with residence, barn and other buildings. This farm is excellently adapted to agriculture or grazing. Mr. H. has on his farm from 100 to 125 head of cattle, and other stock in proportion. Mr. Howe is popular with his fellow citizens, having filled the office of justice for four years. In politics Mr. Howe is a Democrat, and in religion he and his estimable lady are members of the Methodist Protestant Church.
ISAAC HECK.
Post-office, Green Ridge. Is the son of Jacob Heck, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and with his two brothers and father fought on the side of the colonies during the Revolutionary war. The subject of this sketch was born in Shelby County, Ind., Feb 7, 1832, and is the tenth child in a family of eleven children, all of whom are living at the present time. He received a liberal education from the common schools of his native State. In the fall of 1869, Mr. Heck moved his family to White County, Ind., where he remained seven years; then in the fall of 1875 Mr. Heck emi- grated to Missouri, settling in the southern part of Pettis County, where he has since resided. Mr. Heck was married March 1, 1855, to Miss Margaret Yoe, a daughter of John Yoe, a native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. H. is a native of Ohio. From this union there were nine children, four of whom are now living, viz: James A., Joseph H., Malinda and Nina C. Since Mr. H.'s residence in Pettis County, he has been engaged in farm-
1074
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
ing and the raising of stock. He owns a fine farm of 276 acres, well improved, with a fine large residence, barn and other out buildings. Mr. Heck is a whole souled, liberal hearted man. In business he is strictly honorable, enjoying the confidence of all.
F. H. LAUGING.
Post-office, Sedalia. No farmer of Washington Township is more deserving a notice in this work than the subject of this sketch. He is the son of Earnest H. Lauging, a native of Germany, but who emigrated to the United States in the year 1845, settling in St. Charles County, Mo., where he lived until his death which occurred in Oct., 1847. The subject of this sketch was born in Hanover, Germany, Dec. 22, 1826. He received his education in the schools of his native country. Mr. Lauging came to the United States with his father's family in 1845, and with them settled in St. Charles County. In the winter of 1854, Mr. L. moved his family to Bates County, where he remained until the spring of 1862, when he moved to Pettis County, settling near where he now resides. He enlisted in the cause of the Union in the fall of 1861, but owing to disabilities he only remained in the service about one year. Mr. Lauging was married Jan. 10, 1852, to Miss Elizabeth Klostermeier, a native of Germany. From this marriage there are three children, viz: John H., Caroline and Mary, all of whom are living at home with their father. Since Mr. L. has been living in Pettis County, he has been engaged in farming. He owns a large farm of 825 acres, under a high state of cultivation. To Mr. Lauging's credit, it can be truthfully said that this large farm is the fruit of his own industry and economy.
C. L. MORRIS.
Post-office, Green Ridge. One of the old settlers of Washington Township is the subject of this sketch. He is the son of Chastine L. Morris, who was a native of Tennessee, His grandfather, Thomas Mor- ris, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The subject of this sketch was born in Grainger County, Tenn., Feb. 24, 1818, and is the only child of his father's family. His advantages for an education were limited, there being but few schools at that early day. In December, 1841, Mr. Morris emigrated to Missouri, settling in Vernon County, where he remained until the spring of 1865, when he moved to Pettis County, set- tling in the southwestern part of the county, where he has since resided. Mr. Morris was married July 29, 1851, to Miss Jane Summers, a daughter of Jesse Summers, a native of Kentucky. From this union there are seven children, all of whom are living, viz: Helen M., William W., Newton J., Jasper N., Chastine L., Lucy L. and Jennie J. Since Mr. Morris' resi- dence in Pettis County, he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising.
1075
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
He owns a fine farm of 360 acres, well improved, with a commodious residence, barn and other out-buildings. Mr. Morris, as a man, is highly spoken of by his neighbors as being honorable and upright in all his dealings.
T. A. NELSON.
Another of the township's old and worthy citizens is the subject of this sketch, Mr. T. A. Nelson. He is the son of Thomas H. Nelson, a native of Fauquier County, Va. T. A. was born in Fauquier County, Va., Dec. 22, 1835. He received a practical education in the schools of his native county. In the fall of 1871, Mr. Nelson emigrated to 'Missouri, settling in Pettis County, and in the spring of the next year he moved his family to this township, where he has since resided. In the spring of 1862, Mr. Nelson enlisted as a soldier in the cause of the Confederacy, serving until the close of the war in the Sixth Virginia Cavalry, under Colonel Flournoy. Mr. N. was in some of the hard fought battles of the war. He was at the battle of Brandon Station, the second battle of Manassas, Gettys- burg, and he was wounded in a saber fight at Fairfield, Penn. He was taken prisoner on the 19th day of July, and was held for nineteen months, when peace was declared. Mr. N. returned to his home in Virginia where he remained until he came to Missouri. He was married Sept. 19, 1857, to Miss Fannie E. Frances, a daughter of R. H. Frances, of Fau- quier County, Va. From this union there are eight children living, viz: Henry H., Quincy M., Thomas J., Hugh R., Norman L., Julian F., Vir- gin and Marmaduke. Since Mr. Nelson's residence in Pettis County, he has been engaged in stock raising. He owns a beautiful little farm of 102 acres, with new dwelling, and other improvements.
JAMES M. PURCELL.
Post-office, Ionia City. Is the son of Andrew Purcell, who is a native of Indiana. The grandfather on the mother's side was a soldier in the War of 1812. The subject of this sketch was born in Marion County, Ill., Oct. 26, 1842, and is the second child in a family of three children. He received his education principally from the schools of Iowa. In the spring of 1847 Mr. Purcell's father moved his family to Ft. Madison, Iowa, ยท where they remained for about three years, when the father moved to Benton County, Mo. Then, in the spring of 1878, the family moved to Pettis County, locating near Windsor, where the family has since resided. The son moved to Washington Township in the spring of 1878, where he has since resided. He was married Jan. 29, 1864, to Miss Lucinda Fer- gurson, a daughter of Isaac Fergurson, a native of Missouri, and from this union there are seven children, three of whom are now living, viz: Mary M., Isaac S. and George. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in the
1076
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
cause of the Union, under Col. Philips, remaining for about seven months. He afterwards re-enlisted, in 1864, in the Forty-fifth Missouri, under Col. Weer, of Boonville. He, with his regiment, participated in the battle at Jefferson City. Since Mr. Purcell's residence in Pettis County he has been engaged in farming and the raising of stock. He owns a fine farm of 245 acres, well improved. He has upon his farm from fifty to sixty head of cattle, and other stock in proportion. In politics Mr. Purcell is a Republican, and in religion he and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church.
WILLIAM RIDENOUR.
Post-office, Green Ridge. Is the son of Daniel Ridenour, who was a native of Pennsylvania, but who was taken to Ohio when he was quite young. Mr. Wm. Ridenour was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, March 22, 1822. His advantages for an education were limited. In those days schools in Ohio were very sparsely located, and many of the children had to trudge through mud and snow three and four milles to reach them. Indeed Mr. Ridenour lived so remote from schools that he was about fif- teen years old before he saw such a building, and when that pleasure was granted him he only saw a log hut, which was in every respect in keeping with the pioneer days of 1830. It was in the spring of 1843 that Mr. Ridenour and wife, then young people, started on their journey west- ward. They stopped in Indiana, where they remained until the summer of 1869, when he moved to Missouri, settling in the southwestern part of Pettis County, where he has since resided. Mr. Ridenour was married Dec. 15, 1842, to Miss Elizabeth J. Murphy, a daughter of Phillip Mur- phy, a native of Pennsylvania and a soldier of the War of 1812. Mrs. Ridenour is also a native of Pennsylvania. From this union there were nine children, seven of whom are now living, viz: Daniel M., Margaret R., John P., David S., Elizabeth M., Joseph F. and Eliza E., all of whom are now married, excepting the youngest son, Joseph, and living near the father. Since Mr. Ridenour's residence in Pettis County he has been engaged in farming and the raising of stock. He owns a fine farm of 148 acres, well improved and under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Ride- nour is a man highly respected among his neighbors, and sustains an hon- orable name.
ADOLPH RIECKE.
Post-office, Ionia City. One of the most prosperous business men of southern Pettis County is Adolph Riecke, who is the son of Gottlieb Riecke, a native of Germany. The subject of our present writing was born in Germany, April 8, 1847, and is the seventh child in a family of ten children. He received his education in the schools of his native country.
1077
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
In June, 1867, Mr. Riecke emigrated to America, landing at New York, but soon afterwards settling in Philadelphia, where he remained until the spring of 1870, when he moved to Missouri, settling at Sedalia, where he engaged in the meat business until the spring of 1880, when he moved to the southern part of the county, where he bought a fine farm, engaging in farming and the stock business. Mr. Riecke was married May 18, 1875, to Miss Charlotte Knaak, a daughter of August Knaak, a native of Ger- many. Mrs. Riecke is also a native of Germany. From this union there were four children, three of whom are yet living, viz: Amanda, Olga and Ella. Mr. Riecke owns a beautiful farm of 540 acres, well improved and well adapted for the purposes of farming and grazing.
JOSEPH UPTON.
Among the worthy citizens of Washington Township we find the sub- ject of this sketch, Joseph Upton, an Englishman by birth, and educated in the schools of his native country. He was born December 1, 1841, and is the fourth child in a family of eight children, all of whom are living in the United States. Mr. Upton emigrated to this country in April, 1872, landing at New York, where he remained but a short time, then started for the great west, where he expected to make his home. He settled in Pettis County, buying land in the southwestern part of the county, where he has since resided. Mr. Upton was married first in his native country to Miss Sarah A. Upton. From this union there are four children, all of whom are living, viz: William J., Joseph, Albert J. and Sarah A. Mrs. Upton dying, he was again married Sept. 11, 1877, to Miss Margaret R. Ridenour, daughter of William Ridenour, of Pettis County. From this marriage there are no children. Since Mr. Upton's residence in Pettis County he has been engaged in farming, and by his own industry and frugality he is becoming wealthy. He is already the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and twenty-eight acres, on which farm Mr. Upton raises as fine crops as there are in Pettis County.
WILLIAM WARREN.
Is the son of Thomas Warren, a native of Kentucky. The subject of this sketch was born in Clark County, Ky., April 21, 1826, and is the third child in a family of seven children. He received a liberal education from the schools of his native county. In the fall of 1856 Mr. Warren emigrated to Missouri, settling in the southwestern part of Pettis County, where he has since resided. He was married May 8, 1849, to Miss Malinda J. Tribble, daughter of John Tribble, a native of Kentucky. Mrs. Warren is also a native of Kentucky. From this union there were eight children, seven of whom are now living, viz: James T., William F., John C., Geo. W., Langdon, Almeta and Annie D. During the earlier years
1078
HISTORY OF FLAT CREEK TOWNSHIP.
of Mr. Warren's residence in Pettis County he was engaged in teaching in the public schools. After which he embarked in the mercantile busi- ness, continuing in this until the spring of 1882. He has also been engaged in farming. He owns a fine farm of two hundred acres, where he resides; also a small tract of land in Benton County.
SAMUEL J. WILSON.
Is the son of Wm. Wilson, who was a native of Indiana. The grand- father, James Wilson, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and also a soldier in the war of 1812. Samuel was born in Hancock County, Ind., Sept. 19, 1839, and is the eldest child in a family of five children. His advantages for an education were limited. In the fall of 1847 Mr. Wilson moved to Illinois, settling in Bond County ot that State, where he remained until 1867, when he moved to Missouri, settling in Pettis County, where he has since resided. He was married first to Miss Rachel Boyd, a native of Illinois, Dec. 4, 1856. From this union there were four children, only two of whom are now living, viz: Lorinda and Delia. Mrs. Wilson dying, Mr. Wilson was again married Feb. 20, 1878, to Mrs. Martha Wright, a native of Missouri. From this union there are two children, viz: Minnie and Arthur. Since he has been a resident of Pettis County he has been engaged in farming and the raising of stock. He owns a fine farm of one hundred and eighty acres, well improved and under a good state of cultivation. In religion, Mr. Wilson and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.
CHAPTER XXV .- FLAT CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Introduction-Name-Celebrity of Name-Organization-Physical Features-Streams of Water - Railroad - Early Settlers -- Early Schools and Meetings-Agriculture- Churches-Schools-Incidents-Biographical.
From the beauties and grandeurs of nature to the curiosities and won- ders of art, we see everywhere that the tooth of time has torn away some fragment of what some one has once admired. Many a splint from a curious noted tree that stands no longer is preserved in some cabinet. The wild grasses that once supplied the deer, buffalo, antelope and elk, as they fed and wandered over nature's unmolested pasture have changed, and perhaps never more take the form of its wild nature. The animals that once grazed on these boundless prairies have given place to those of a domestic nature. Where once the tall grass grew and the fiery flames annually visited, now 'is the dense grove of beautiful slim saplings whose bark shines like silver. The sturdy pioneers who first set their tent stake here, silently sleep where their sons and daughters breathe
1079
HISTORY OF FLAT CREEK TOWNSHIP.
above them a different atmosphere. A change in politics, religion and the government of the home circle now pervades their homes. Perhaps there are but few who have lived half a century, but can note great changes; and often the spirit of the age advances with the individual. To keep pace with progress requires considerable diligence.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.