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 88
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WILLIAM T. ROBERTS.
Stock raiser and farmer; post-office, Lamonte. He is a prominent old settler of this county, and was born in Cooper County, Mo., on the 18th day of August, 1818. His father, Edward Roberts, was a native of Ken- tucky, and came to Cooper County at an early date in its history. In 1838, Wm. T. Roberts came to Pettis County, locating in what is now town- ship No. four, about six miles northeast of his present farm, where he remained about two years. His father soon afterwards came to this county, and died here, Oct. 7, 1846. In 1840, Mr. Roberts made a trip to Texas, remaining one winter in Collin County, and in the spring of 1841, returned to Pettis County, locating on a farm now owned by Mr. J. C. Higgins, and after a lapse of a few years he again went to Texas, remaining one winter, and once more came back to Pettis County. Soon after this he purchased his present farm, and in the autumn of 1858 he disposed of it and again sought the wild prairies of the Lone Star State, where he purchased a farm in Denton County, on which he remained one year; then returned to this county, and has since made it. his home. He bought back his original farm and has since extended it until now it consists of 220 acres. It is well improved, with a handsome and commodious dwelling, comfortable barn, grand old orchard, and in fact his entire surroundings are suggestive of the man of enterprise and industry. He was married Feb. 7, 1839, to Miss Minerva Edwards, a daughter of Samuel Edwards, one of the pioneer settlers. She was born in North Carolina, and is a lady of estimable character. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have long been associated with the Regular Baptist Church, and
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were among its pioneer workers. They have reared a family of eight children, and lost three. Mr. Roberts is now giving his attention to the duties of a large stock raising business and the management of his farm, and although advanced in years, is still engaged in active business life.
ZACHARIAH ROBERTS.
Farmer. Post-office, Lamonte. A native of Blackwater Township, Pettis County. Was born in 1841, and is a son of William T. Roberts, one of the pioneers of the county. He was twice married: first in September, 1863, to Miss Minerva Coats, who died in 1869; and in 1873 he was again married, this time to Miss Julia E. Ramey. This last union has brought them three children who are still living, Estella, Millie and Daisy. Mr. Roberts owns a nice farm in Blackwater, which he has recently purchased. He has seen nearly the entire growth of Pettis County. Is a member of the Regular Baptist Church.
WM. H. RISSLER.
Post-office, Lamonte, Lamonte Township. Among the worthy young bachelors of Blackwater Township, none stand higher in the esti- mation of the citizens as a worthy, straight forward business young man, than the subject of this sketch. Wm. H. Rissler is the son of J. G. Rissler, who was a native of Jefferson County, Va., but who emigrated to Missouri in an early dav. Wm. H. was born in Cooper County, Mo., July 17, 1853, and is the fifth child in a family of ten children. He received a good practical education from the schools of his native county. Since Mr. Rissler has been a man grown he has been engaged in farming and stock raising. He owns a fine farm of 290 acres, situated on the beautiful rolling prairie of the northwestern part of Pettis County; and for productiveness of soil, this farm is not excelled by any in the county.
FIRMIN SEBRING.
Post-office, Rowletta, Blackwater Tp. Where there are so many good citizens and worthy men as this township contains, it would be hardly probable in our brief sketches that full justice would be done, but we should feel our task was not complete without mention of this quiet and retired citizen, Firmin Sebring. He is the son of Jacob Sebring of New Jersey, and was born in Sussex County, N. J., Aug. 28, 1811, and was the fifth child in a family of seven children. When Mr. Sebring was about four years old, his father moved his family to Ohio, settling at Cincinnati, where he remained a short time; then he moved to Butler County, Ohio, from Butler County to Darke County, where he died, July 9, 1858. In the summer of 1866, Mr. Sebring moved his family
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from Ohio to Missouri, settling in the northwestern part of Pettis County, where he has since resided. He was married Nov. 24, 1831, to Miss Sarah A. Lourimore, a daughter of Hugh Lourimore, a native of Pennsylvania. From this union there are seven children living, viz: Martha, Hugh, John B., Isaac W., Mary E., Christopher C. and Catharine. Mrs. Sebring dying, he was again married, Aug. 22, 1860, to Mrs. E. Martin. From this marriage there are no children. Since Mr. Sebring's residence in Pettis County he has been engaged in farming and raising stock. He owns a nice little farm of 160 acres well improved.
JOHN GRADISON SENIOR.
Post-office, Knobnoster. Of the worthy and well-to-do citizens of Blackwater township, there is none more worthy of mention than J. G.
P CHỈ.
RESIDENCE OF J. G. SENIOR.
Senior. He is the son of Samuel Senior, who was a native of Virginia, but who emigrated to Boone County, Mo., in the spring of 1817, remain- ing in Boone County until the spring of 1834, when he moved to Johnson County, settling near the Pettis County line. Here he remained until his death, which occurred May 15, 1860. The subject of this sketch was born in Johnson County, June 4, 1840. He was educated in the common schools of his native county. Mr. Senior was a soldier in the Confed- erate army for almost four years, and participated in some of the hard fought battles of the late war. He was engaged in the battles of Pea Ridge, Corinth, Champion Hill, siege of Vicksburg, Alexandria, Salem River. and a number of smaller engagements. He received a slight wound at the battle of Corinth. After peace had been declared Mr. S. returned to his father's old homestead in Johnson County, having not only lost his
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four years' time, but also his earnings. Here he had to begin life anew, and it was at this time he laid that firm foundation upon which he has, by his industry and economy, built up so handsome a fortune. In the spring of 1869 Mr. Senior moved to northwestern Pettis County, where he has since resided. He was married Feb. 22, 1870, to Miss Josie Honey, a step-daughter of the Rev. A. F. Scruggs, she being a native of Kentucky. From this union there were six children, four of whom are now living, viz: Minnie L., Lizzie, Allie D. and Franklin L. Since Mr. Senior's resi- dence in Pettis County, he has been engaged in farming, raising and feed- ing of live stock. He owns a fine farm, " Highland," of 420 acres, with a handsome dwelling and other out-buildings. A view of the residence appears on the preceding page. He raises on this farm 140 to 170 acres of wheat, and from 100 to 120 acres of corn. In politics, Mr. S. is a Democrat, and in religion a member of the Christian Church. He is a man of fine business qualifications, highly esteemed and honored by all who know him.
J. L. SHEPHERD.
Post-office, Lamonte. Among the self-made young men of Black- water township is J. L. Shepherd. He is the son of Umphrey Shepherd, who was a native of Virginia, but emigrated to Missouri about the year 1828, and settled close to Old Franklin, in Howard County, where he remained two years, then returned to Virginia. Then, in Nov., 1855, the father again moved his family to Missouri, settling this time in Pettis County, on what is known as Heath's Creek, where he remained until his death, which occurred Jan. 18, 1874. The subject of this sketch was born in Loudoun County, Va., July 4, 1848, and is the youngest child in a family of fourteen children, all of whom lived to be men and women grown, excepting one. Mr. S. received a primary education in the com- mon schools of this county. He was married Jan. 12, 1871, to Miss Millie H. Benton, of Lafayette County, Mo., a daughter of Levi T. Benton, who emigrated to Missouri from Harrison County, Ky., in 1854; from this union there were five children, four of whom are now living, viz: Annie C., Rosa M., Hattie D. and Josie I. Since Nr. L. has been a man grown he has been engaged in farming. He owns a fine little farm of 100 acres, which, to his credit, it can be said, is the product of his own industry and economy.
SAMUEL SHANKS.
Post-office, Brownsville. One of Pettis County's most honored citizens is the subject of this sketch. He is what may be strictly termed a self-made man. His father, Jacob Shanks, was a native of Virginia, but died in a few years after emigrating to Missouri. Samuel was the
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fourth child in a family of eight children. He received a practical educa- tion from the common subscription schools of this State. When he was thirteen years old he was taken with his father's family to Osage County, where he remained until the year 1846, when he enlisted as a soldier in the Mexican War, remaining until its close. He then returned to his home in Missouri. In 1849, Mr. S., like many others of that day, caught the gold fever, which took him to California, but he only remained in the golden State about eighteen months, when he returned to his native State, and in the spring of 1850 he moved to Pettis County, locating in the northwest- ern part of the county, where he has since resided. Mr. Shanks was married March, 1852, to Miss Bobbitt, a daughter of John Bobbitt, of
"PRAIRIE HOME," RESIDENCE OF SAMUEL SHANKS.
Johnson County. From this union there were four children, three of whom are now living, viz: Emma, now the wife of Will D. Carpenter; Florence, now wife of Dr. Seaton Tyler, and David, at home. Mrs. Shanks dying, he was again married to Miss Lucy B. Tate, of Texas. From this union there were four children, three of whom are now living, viz: Fox, Wilford and Daisy. Mr. Sharks owns one of those model farms, " the Prairie Home," for which the northwestern part of the county is noted, 640 acres in extent, and like the other farms of this section, it is well watered, has a handsome residence and fine out-buildings, fences, etc., a fine view of which produced on this page. Mr. Shank farms exten-
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sively, though keeping many acres of his farm in meadow and blue grass, upon which he has a choice herd of twenty-five Short-horns, representing the Young Mary and Rose of Sharon families, led by the Second Duke of the Roses, an animal of great merit. He also has in his barns a fine selection of brood mares, among them one sired by old St. Lewis Den- mark, that has carried off many prizes. Mr. Shanks is a thorough stock man, and has been for years President of the Brownsville District Fair. He is a man of influence and character, one of whom his county can justly feel proud.
SOLOMON SPURGIN.
Post-office, Sigel. One of the early settlers of Blackwater township is Solomon Spurgin, a son of the Rev. I. Spurgin, who was a native of North Carolina, and a preacher for many years. Solomon was the oldest child in a family of seven children, and was born in Davidson County, N. C., Oct. 10, 1822. In the fall of 1843 Mr. Spurgin, with his father, moved to Missouri, settling first in Henry County, near Calhoun, where the family remained one year. Then the father moved to Pettis County, where he died Aug. 4, 1877. Mr. Spurgin remained on the farm he entered in the winter of 1849, excepting the time he was in the United States service during the late rebellion. Mr. Spurgin was married July 7, 1842, to Miss Eliza M. Haines, a daughter of George Haines, and a native of Davidson County, N. C. From this union there were ten children, only five of whom are now living, viz: Sarah A., Mary J., Phoebe L., Mary A. and Carrie. Mr. Spurgin has been very unfortunate, losing two of his daugh- ters, viz: Nannie H. and Clara E., who had just grown to womanhood- kind and affectionate, beloved by all. The children living are all married excepting Carrie, the youngest. Mr. Spurgin owns a beautiful farm of 160 acres.
J. R. SPURGIN.
Post-office, Houstonia. One among the most successful farmers of Blackwater township is J. R. Spurgin, a son of William Spurgin and a native of North Carolina. Mr. Spurgin is also a native of North Carolina, he being born in Davidson County of that State on Nov. 14, 1825. He received his education from the common subscription schools of his native State. In the fall of 1848, Mr. S. with a brother and two sisters emigra- ted to Missouri, settling in the northwestern part of Pettis County, upon the farm where he now resides, he buying about 120 acres, and entering some, about the same time. Mr. Spurgin was married Oct. 22, 1852, to Miss Mary A. Clinard, a daughter of Henry Clinard, also a native of North Carolina. From this union there are four children, all of whom are living, viz .: Larkin H. S., Jennie, Emma E., and Samuel J. Jennie is married
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to the Rev. W. T. Campbell of Kansas City. Mr. S. has just met with the sad misfortune of losing his estimable wife, who died March 8, 1882; she was a kind wife, a loving and an affectionate mother. Since Mr. Spur- gin's residence in Pettis County, he has been engaged in farming and the raising of stock. He owns a fine farm situated on the beautiful rolling prai- rie of this section. His home farm consists of 490 acres, with fine sub- stantial improvements under a high state of cultivation. On this farm there are 8 miles of hedge fence, and there has been raised in one season over 5000 bushels of wheat, and there is in wheat at the present time 320 acres.
T. M. TRIPLETT.
Son of William Triplett," who was a native of Loudoun County, Va. The subject of this sketch was born in Fauquier County, Va., May 18, 1828, and was the fourth child in a family of five children. He received a lib- eral education from the common subscription schools of his native county. Mr. Triplett, in the fall of 1868, emigrated with his family to Missouri, settling in the north-western part of Pettis County, where he has since resided. He was married in the spring of 1852 to Miss V. R. Silcott, a daughter of Jacob Silcott, who was also a native of Fauquier County, Va. From this union there were nine children, eight of whom are now living, viz .: Henry F., John T., William A., Ida M., Jacob, Thomas M., Howard L. and Mollie E. Since Mr. Triplett's residence in Pettis County he has been engaged in farming, raising and the feeding of live stock. He owns a fine farm of 385 acres, situated on the beautiful rolling prairie in the northwestern part of the county. This farm is finely improved, having a large dwelling house, barn and other out-buildings. Mr. T. is spoken of by his neighbors as an upright and straight-forward man and a worthy citizen.
MILTON W. TYLER, JR.
Post-office; Sigel. Among the representative young men of Pettis County there are none who stand higher with the people than M. W. Tyler, of Black water Township. He is the son of M. W. Tyler, Sr., who was a native of Jefferson County, Ky. The subject of this sketch was born in Jefferson County, Ky., March 2, 1850, and was the sixth child in a fam- ily of seven children. When he was about two years old his father moved his family from Kentucky to Johnson County, Ind., where he remained eighteen years; here he received the rudiments of his education. In the fall of 1869 his father moved to Missouri, settling in Johnson County, where he still lives. In the winter of 1876 Mr. Tyler moved to Pettis County, settling in the northwestern part of the county, where he still resides. Mr. Tyler was married Nov. 9, 1875, to Miss Kate Hall, a
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daughter of Sylvester Hall, a native of Bourbon County, Ky., who was born in the year 1811 and moved to Cooper County, Mo., in the year 1819; then in the year 1824 he moved to what is now Pettis County, before it was organized. Mr. Hall was one of the gold seekers of 1849 who went to California, and since that time he has crossed the plains ten times. Mr. Hall was married to Miss Nancy E. Gallagher in 1853, and from this marriage there were four children, viz .: Kate, Victoria, George and Charles, three of whom are living-Victoria having died in the year 1873. Mr. Hall moved to Johnson County in 1865, then back to Pettis County, February, 1882, where he resides at the present time. He owns fine tracts of land in Johnson and Pettis counties to the amount of 1,600 acres, and a salmon fishery on the Columbia River, W. T. From the marriage of Mr. Tyler and Miss Hall there are three children, all of whom are now living, viz .: Victoria J., Seaton and Viola E. Since Mr. Tyler's residence in Pettis County he has been engaged in farming, raising and feeding of stock. Mr. Tyler owns a fine farm of 333 acres, well im- proved. In business matters Mr. Tyler is honorable and just, command- ing the respect of all who know him.
J. E. WHITFIELD.
Post-office, Lamonte. The world furnishes men of every type and character. Some have breadth and liberality of mind; others never per- ceive that which is beyond their own narrow sphere of operations, and they never go beyond the neighborhood in which they were born. To the mind that never experiences the educating influences of new and strange surroundings, a great part of life's joy and satisfaction is lost. Few men, indeed, among the quiet farmers of our rural districts have had the varied experiences, the success and adversity which have fallen to the lot of J. E. Whitfield. He is the son of Wm. Whitfield, who was a native of North Carolina, and served as a soldier in the War of 1812. The . grandfather, John Whitfield, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and the musket the old grandsire carried in that struggle is now in the possession of the grandson, J. E. The subject of this sketch was born in Granville County, N. C., Aug. 9, 1817, and emigrated to Missouri in the spring of 1849, settling in Blackwater Township, where he has since resided, except the time he was in the south during the late war. Mr. Whitfield was married June 12, 1844, to Miss H. H. Winston, a daughter of Jesse Winston, of Franklin County, N. C. From this union there were seven children, only three of whom are now living, viz .: Lucy F., Wm. H. and J. Ella. Lucy is married to Mr. B. Delap. William is also married and living near the father, and Ella is the wife of W. T Morris. For many years Mr. Whitfield has been engaged in farming, feeding, and the raising of stock. He owned before dividing with his
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children, 1,040 acres of land. These lands are situated on the beautiful rolling prairie of western Pettis County. The home farm where Mr. Whitfield resides is finely improved with dwelling, barns and other out buildings. Mr. Whitfield has near his residence a family burying ground, in which are buried his father, who died in the spring of 1861, and his chil- dren. This little burial place is beautifully enclosed with a solid wall of . masonry 50x50 feet, and is seven feet high from foundation, and the wall is furnished with a cap projecting two inches.
W. H. WHITFIELD.
Post-office, Lamonte. Among the young men of Blackwater Town- ship, we find none more highly esteemed than W. H. Whitfield. He is the son of J. E. Whitfield, and was born, March 9, 1849, in Franklin County, N. C. When he was quite young his father emigrated to Missouri, set- tling in Pettis County, near where he resides at the present time; here he has ever since lived. Mr. W. received a liberal education from the com- mon schools of this county. He was married, Feb. 16, 1871, to Miss Nancy E. Scott, a daughter of Adam Scott, who was a native of Missouri, but has been dead about twenty-three years, from this union there are three children, all of whom are yet living, viz: James E., Della and Arthur. Since Mr. Whitfield has been doing business for himself he has been engaged in farming. He owns a beautiful farm of two hundred and forty acres, finely improved and under a high state of cultivation.
CHARLES T. WIDNEY, M. D.
Post-office, Rowletta. Dr. Charles T. Widney is the son of James H. Widney, who was a native of Pennsylvania. The Dr. was born in Muhlen- burg County, Ky., Dec. 2, 1841, and was the youngest child in a family of four children. He was educated partly at Hart's Seminary, Owensboro, Ky., and completing his literary education at Franklin College, Lancaster, Penn. Dr. Widney attended a course of lectures at the Kentucky School of Medicine, and graduated at the University of Louisville. After receiving his diploma he practiced his profession a few months in Ken- tucky. There, joining Olcorn's Brigade, where he was made a Surgeon of a battalion, which afterwards became the Eighth Kentucky. Then he was made Surgeon of the Cumberland Artillery, three companies that were formed on the Cumberland River. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Fort Donelson, Feb. 16, 1862, and was imprisoned at Camp Chase for five months, when he was exchanged. He was then assigned to Gen. Albert G. Jenkins' staff of Lee's Army of Virginia. Here he served nine months; then he was elected Major of a calvary battalion, which was almost destroyed at the battle of Gettysburg. He was then appointed Surgeon of the Fourteenth Virginia Cavalry, serving here until
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nearly the close of the war. The Dr. was wounded in the foot. Near the close of the war he was assigned to Gov. Milton's staff of Florida. After the close of the war he returned to his Kentucky home where he was for a short time a member of the Kentucky Conference. Owing to ill-health he abandoned his ministerial labors, and accepted a position in the female department of the Louisville City Hospital. From here he went to Shelbyville, where he continued in the practice of his profession for three years. Then he moved to St. Louis, and after engaging in his profession for sometime he was made physician of the St. Louis Sanita- rium, a hospital for diseases of the brain and nervous system, and for six years he acted in the capacity of one of the experts on insanity in the courts of St. Louis, continuing at the same time the practice of his profes- sion. In March. 1881, he was made Medical Superintendent at the Sweet Springs. In Feb., 1882, the Dr. moved his family to Pettis County, where he is at present engaged in the practice of his profession. The Dr. was married, June 20, 1869, to Miss Alice C. Wise. From this union there are five children. The Dr. owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, well improved and under a high state of cultivation.
L. H. WILLIAMS.
Post-office, Houstonia. Is the son of Absalom Williams, a native of North Carolina, but who emigrated to Missouri in the fall of 1845, and settled in Blackwater Township, where he remained until his death, which occurred in April, 1867. The subject of our sketch was born in Davidson County, N. C., Nov. 14, 1830. And in the fall of 1846 he came to Missouri, and located with his father in Pettis County. His advantages for an early education were very poor, he having to go from three to four miles to school, and the school term only being from two to three months in the year. In the spring of 1850 Mr. Williams, like many other young men of his day, took the California fever, to which State he made a trip, hoping to increase his wordly possessions in the shape of glittering gold; however, he remained only one year, when he returned to his home in Pettis County, where he remained until the war. Mr. Williams was married, Oct. 5, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Daniel, a daughter of Wm. Daniel, who was a native of North Carolina. From this union there were six children, four of whom are now living, viz: Effie A., Jane B., Wm. P. and Joseph A. Since Mr. W. has been a resident of Pettis County he has been engaged in farming and stock raising; he has also engaged extensively in stock feeding and shipping. He owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres, situated on the rolling prairie of Blackwater Township. The farm is finely improved, with dwelling and other out-buildings.
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HISTORY OF BLACKWATER TOWNSHIP.
WILLIAM WINSTON.
Post-office, Rowletta. Is the youngest child in a large family of children. His father, Jesse Winston, was a native of North Carolina. William was born in Franklin County, N. C., Feb. 18, 1833. He received a limited education from the common subscription schools of his native State. His father dying when he was about fourteen years old, he went to Tennessee, and made his home with one of his brothers, where he remained about six years; then he moved to Missouri, settling in the north- western part of Pettis County, where he has since resided. Mr. Winston was married Oct. 16, 1856, to Miss Eliza J. Siceloff, a daughter of Andrew D. Siceloff of this county. From this union there were eight children, six of whom are yet living, viz: Sarah F., Verbena, Agnes, Charley, Josie and George. Mrs. Winston dying, Mr. W. was again married April 15, 1873, to Miss Maggie E. Wade. From this union there are four children, all of whom are living, viz: Stella, May, Ernest and Forrest. Since Mr. Winston's residence in Pettis County, he has been engaged in farming and stock raising. He owns a fine farm of 316 acres. Its improvements are in keeping with that of the neighborhood. A fine dwelling, a barn, out- buildings and other improvements. Mr. Winston also owns a fine farm in the southern part of the county, consisting of 116 acres.
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