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 90
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
WILLIAM T. DONE.
Lives about ten miles north of Sedalia, owns a splendid farm of 180 acres, formerly owned by J. S. Ritenour, all under a good and substantial rail fence, 140 acres in cultivation, and forty acres of good timber. He has a fine forty-acre field of wheat which promises a rich yield. He has a fine flock of 170 head of sheep, as well as a good line of cattle and horses. Mr. D. is from Indiana, although his parents were natives of Kentucky. He served as a soldier in the late war, having enlisted in the year 1864, at the age of fifteen years, in the Seventieth Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, commanded by Col. Merrell, and assigned to Company D, Capt. Tansy, commanding. Was with Sherman's army on its march to the Sea, passing through Atlanta down to Savannah, Columbia, S. C., through Virginia, and continued with his regiment until mustered out. He was married in the year 1878, and has one child, Georgiana, born July 30, 1880. His wife is the daughter of Mrs. Emily A. Smith, who was born in the State of New York in 1830. Mrs. Smith's parents were natives of the same State. Her father died at the age of fifty years, and her mother at the age of seventy-seven. Mrs. S. removed to the State of Illinois in 1855, and was married the following year to Mr. J. B. Smith, and is mother of four daughters, all of whom are dead except Mrs. Done, with whom she now resides. They emigrated to Kansas in the year 1859, and her husband died May 15, 1868. She is a lady of high culture, of genial temperament, and a lady of much taste and refinement.
DAVID DULY.
Farmer. Post-office, Hughesville. The subject of this sketch is a native of the Banner State, Ohio, and was born in 1845, and when he was about six years of age ,moved with his parents to Allen County, Ind.,
844
HISTORY OF LONGWOOD TOWNSHIP.
where he was developed to manhood. He was married in 1870, to Miss Rebecca Stirlen, daughter of W. C. Stirlen, a prominent farmer of this county, who died Jan. 14, 1882. This union has been blessed with two children, one boy and one girl, Elizabeth and David. In 1872 he emigra- ted to Missouri, locating in St. Charles county, where he remained one year, then moved to his present location, where he owns a fine farm of 185 acres of fine land, and good improvements on the same. He is a much honored and esteemed citizen.
NATHAN V. GORRELL.
Farmer and stock dealer. Post-office, Thornleigh. He is one of Pettis County's noble citizens, and was born in Todd County, Kentucky, in 1848, and when he was about four years of age he moved with his parents to Pettis County, Mo., where he has since lived. He was married Novem- ber 28, 1872. This union has blessed them with one child. His sister has one child, named Van Sterling, born March 26, 1880. In 1879 he moved to his present location where he owns a fine farm of 120 acres, and has one of the deepest wells in the county, which is 243 feet deep. The subject of this sketch is a son of Captain J. B. Gorrell, who was one of the leading citizens of Pettis County in his day, and who was born Feb. 14, 1815, in Todd County, Kentucky. He was there educated and developed to manhood. He was married in his native county in 1837 to Miss Mary H. Tebb. She was a native of Vir- ginia. This union was blessed with eleven children, two now dead, Ben- jamin and Jennie. The nine living are as follows: William, James T., Nancy E., John B., Nathan V., Abraham H., Jacob H., Joseph B. and Susan F. In 1852 Mr. Gorrell came to Pettis County, Mo., and in 1855 moved to the old homestead, where he and his faithful wife spent their days. He then bought 350 acres of fine land, all of which he left in a good state of cultivation. When our country was involved in war he offered his service, and was elected Captain of Militia, and in which capacity he did good service. His wife was called to her long home April 20, 1880, and soon after he was called to his long home, Sept. 13, 1881.
T. T. GORRELL.
Farmer and stock dealer; post-office, Thornleigh. One of the enter- prising business men of Pettis County is Mr. Gorrell, who was born Feb. 15, 1818, in Todd County, Kentucky. He was there educated and grew to manhood. He was married in his native county in 1837 to Miss Sarah E. Miller, and this union has blessed them with ten children: Clay R., William, Renenom, Charles, Taylor, Annie Nancy, Mary F., George A., Mandy B. and Pernal H. In 1852 he came to Pettis County, Mo.,
.
845
HISTORY OF LONGWOOD TOWNSHIP.
and settled on what was, at that time, wild prairie, with quite limited means, but through his good habits and continued industry, he has become one of Pettis County's honored citizens. He now owns a fine farm of 640 acres, as fine land as there is in Pettis County and in first class trim. He is a worthy member of the M. E. Church, and is one of its liberal contributors and supporters.
DANIEL M. GRAY.
Was born in Middlesex County, Ontario, Jan. 27, 1838. His father, John Gray, was a native of Scotland, born near Inverness, and who moved to Canada in 1819, and is still living in Middlesex County, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. His mother, whose maiden name was Jeannette McCall, was also a native of Scotland, born in 1796, at Inverness; she died in 1879. Daniel remained in his native county until he was fourteen years of age, when he started out in the world to make a home for him- self, coming to Port Huron, Michigan, where he learned the blacksmith trade. In the fall of 1855 he came to Iowa, settling in Decorah, Winne- shiek County, where he worked at his trade for three years, when he came to Missouri, stopping in La Plata, Macon County, until the spring of 1859, when he made an extended tour of the State, finally stopping at Longwood, where he worked at his trade until 1863. He has since made it his home, with the exception of a few months spent in Illinois, and a year or two in Texas, where he traded extensively in cattle. He engaged in manufacturing and shipping tobacco at Longwood, sending it to Texas and other parts of the country, realizing handsome profits. He was mar- ried April 27, 1864, to Miss F. M. Martin, of Pettis County, Mo., a daughter of Hon. Thompson G. Martin, of Virginia. They have five children, viz: Addie J., born Feb. 22, 1865; Sidney T., born Jan. 18, 1867; John W., born Feb. 27, 1869; Martin Porter, born April 30, 1872, and Mary, born March 27, 1875. Mr. Gray is a member of the A. F. & A. M. order, and also of the I. O. O. F. He is at present Secretary of the former, and N. G. of the latter. He is an enterprising, progressive farmer, and as pleasant and agreeable a gentleman as one would wish to meet.
B. L. GREER.
Farmer, section 25. Among the many pioneers of Pettis County, none is deserving of more special notice than the subject of this brief sketch, who was born May 4, 1822, in Franklin County, Virginia, and when he was about sixteen years of age he emigrated with his brother to Pettis County, Mo., 1838, where the subject of this sketch remained until 1841; he then returned to Franklin County, Va., and returned to Missouri in 1842, and was married in St. Charles County, Mo., April 15, 1842, to
41
846
HISTORY OF LONGWOOD TOWNSHIP.
Miss Lucy Pasley. She is a native of Franklin County, Va., and a lad y who devotes her time to make home happy. This union has blessed them with eight children, all of whom are now living, and whose names are as follows: J. R., Betsy B., now Mrs. R. J. Bradley; John T., now in Sedalia; Berry, Daniel G., now in Mexico; Lucy M., now Mrs. C. Goodsby; Rodes D. and William, now at home. Mr. Greer entered part of his land, 280 acres, in 1844, and has lived on it since 1861. Mr. Greer has seen many changes come and go to Pettis County, but he has always kept pace with its progress. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and has been for some years among its liberal contributors and supporters.
JOHN W. GREER.
The subject of this sketch was born in 1830 in Franklin County, Va., of which State his parents were natives. His father died at the age of eighty-five years, and his mother at the age of eighty-three years. Mr. Greer was married in March, 1869, to Miss E. M. Head, whose father was a native of Virginia and mother a native of Missouri. She has one sister living in Pettis County. They have one son and five daughters, viz .: Ida J., born April 29, 1870; Claude, born Sept. 4, 1871; Pearl Lelia, born Sept. 12, 1872; Katie, born Sept. 22, 1874; Oliver, born Feb. 1, 1878, and Jane born March 13, 1880. He owns a fine farm twelve miles north of Sedalia, consisting of 136 acres, admirably improved, with good fences, buildings, and well watered, grows from forty to fifty acres of corn, as well as wheat, oats and rye. Feeds from 200 to 300 sheep, 150 head of cattle, and from forty to fifty head of hogs, and is continually buying and selling stock of all kinds; has a good line of horses and mules, led by the famous Jack, " Joe Marshall." He is a discreet and successful farmer and stock dealer, and is rendering invaluable service to the live stock industry of the community, and a gentleman of good business sense, liberal views and an influential man.
A. J. HARVEY.
Post-office, Thornleigh. Farmer and stock dealer and one of the enter- prising business men of Pettis County. Was born in the year 1835, in Saline County, Mo., and when he was about eighteen years of age he came to Pettis County, where he has since lived. He then located on his present farm, which consists of 240 acres of fine land with first class buildings. He is a member of the Methodist Church, South, and is a faithful member. He was married in April, 1863, to Miss Nancy J. Gorrell. This union was blessed with four children, all of whom are now living, viz .: Mary J. F., Sylvester E., Arthur W., Seluda V. It may be said of Mr. Harvey, that he is one of the leading men of his township.
S47
HISTORY OF LONGWOOD TOWNSHIP.
WILLIAM HOFFMAN.
The subject of this sketch was born in the State of Tennessee, and emigrated to Pettis County, Mo., in the year of 1858. His father is a native of Virginia, and his mother of Tennessee, both of whom are still living, although quite aged, his father being seventy-eight and his mother seventy-four. Mr. H. on arriving in the State identified himself with the teachers of the county, and zealously engaged in that profession in Heath's Creek Township, meriting the highest praise and commendations of his patrons. He continued teaching until the war came on, when he donned the suit of gray, and was regularly mustered into the service as a fully equipped Confederate soldier, and faithfully discharged the duties of such, with a consciousness of the justness of the cause, until the close of the war. After his return, he again engaged in teaching until the year 1875, when he entered upon the duties of clerk in the mercantile establishment of S. B. Sale of Longwood, Pettis County, Mo., in which capacity he continued until Jan. 1, 1882, when he was accorded an interest in the business under the present firm name of Sale & Hoffman, the senior member of which, Mr. Isaac Sale, is now a resident of St. Louis. They have a first class custom and a large stock of goods, consisting of dry goods, groceries, clothing, boots and shoes, hats and caps, hardware, queensware, tin- ware, clocks, saddlery, notions, &c., all of which are carefully arranged in the very best of order, and present a neat and tidy appearance in every respect. Mr. H. was married in 1869 to Miss Sallie L. Martin, who is a native of Virginia; her mother, aged about seventy years, residing with her. Mr. H. is a man of high culture and first class business capacity, ener- getic and ambitious, of unbounded generosity, one of the leading influential men of the community, standing high in the respect and esteem of all who know him.
CHARLES O. JONES.
The subject of this sketch was born in Henry County, Ky., March 9, 1814. His parents were natives of Virginia. His father died at an early age; but his mother lived to the ripe old age of seventy years. He was married in Kentucky in the year 1839 to Sarah Bacon, whose parents were both natives of Virginia. He has two sons and one daughter, all grown and living in Pettis County. He emigrated to this county in 1845 and settled on the farm owned by Nathan Nubles, consisting of 144 acres, well improved, with good hedge and rail fences, good building, well watered by " Green's Branch" running through it, and in a good state of cultivation, grows wheat, corn and oats, and handles a good line of cattle, hogs, horses and mules. Mr. J. is a consistent member of the Christian Church, with which church he has been connected for a number of years as a leading and useful member of great popularity ; is a gentleman of gen-
848
HISTORY OF LONGWOOD TOWNSHIP.
erous culture, large heart, boundless public spirit, and a social nature that has always and everywhere made him "a prince among men."
J. R. KEMP.
Born Oct. 13, 1839, on the farm which his father entered in Longwood Township, Pettis County, Mo., about the year 1834, ten miles north of Sedalia, on the Sedalia and Arrow Rock road. His father and mother were natives of Franklin County, Ky. His mother died Dec. 20, 1858, aged fifty-nine, and his father died Aug. 13, 1868, aged seventy-four years. They were both buried in the family graveyard on the old place. Mr. Kemp was married in July, 1863, to Miss Susan Phillips, whose par- ents resided in Saline County, Mo. Her parents were natives of Green County, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Kemp have four children, two sons and two daughters: Mary Lee, born May 24, 1864; Austin M., born Sept. 19, 1866; Laura A., born Sept. 1, 1870; and Pearly E., born Aug. 16, 1876. He has a fine farm of 130 acres, 120 acres under fence, in a good state of cultivation, and fine pasture; ten acres of good timber; well improved with fences and buildings, with fine, thrifty young orchard of apple and peach trees; grows from thirty to forty acres of corn, twenty to thirty acres of wheat, and keeps a good supply of stock continually on hands. He is a man of close application, liberal intelligence and first-class manag- ing ability.
WILLIAM LOWRY.
Stock-raiser and farmer. Prominent among many enterprising citizens of this county should be mentioned the name of the subject of this brief sketch, who is a native of Virginia; was born in Prince William County, on the 3d of November, 1814. His father, Joseph Lowry, was also a native of that State. His paternal grandfather, George Lowry, was born in Castle Lowry, Ireland, and was a member of one of the old feudal fam- ilies of that age. In 1818 Mr. Joseph Lowry, the father of our subject, moved to the southern part of Kentucky, where he made his home many years. When our subject attained his fifteenth year, he engaged in river life on the Mississippi, and was for many years captain, actively engaged in trad- ing in Western products in Southern cities and towns. In 1852 he located at Louisville, Ky., and engaged in the manufacture of tobacco, and soon became the largest manufacturer of that staple in the Southwest. During five years in that business he accumulated a profit amounting to $100,000, when his factory was destroyed by fire in 1858. He then con- ceived an idea of coming to Missouri to retrieve his losses, and in 1858 he came to Pettis County, bringing with him a family of forty slaves and $45,000 in money. He purchased a large tract of land and continued to make extensive improvements until. 1863, when, owing to the disturbed
849
HISTORY OF LONGWOOD TOWNSHIP.
state of business, he conceived the idea of an extensive trade in produce and freighting in the Rocky Mountains, in which he was engaged about four years. Since then Mr. Lowry has given his entire attention to the pursuits of an extensive stock and farming business, and has built up an immense industry in this line. He has been closely identified with the development of the county, and has done much in supporting all enter- prises that would enhance the welfare of its people. He was one of the active workers in securing railroad facilities to the people of this district, and was among the first and most persistent workers for the roads. He always took an active part in encouraging emigration, and has been the means of bringing many good citizens to the county. Politically he is a Greenbacker, and an able advocate of its true principles, frequently nomi- nated by that party for high offices. He was married in 1838, in Coving- ton, Ky., to Miss E. Hardin, a native of that State. She is the daughter of Jacob Hardin, one of the founders of Covington. They have raised eight children: John J .; Elizabeth H., now Mrs. W. S. Deardoff, of this county; William; Jeanette, wife of J. B. Mockabee; Anna Belle; Clayton F .; Allie, wife of Dr. O. A. Jones, and Jefferson D. They lost two in infancy. Mr. Lowry and sons are now conducting a large stock business. Their farm consists of upwards of 1,000 acres, and is well improved, with large comfortable dwelling, commodious barns and sheds, six wells of never failing water, two windmills, steam engine, and in fact everything bespeaks the man of enterprise and industry. For a detailed description of his business operations and farm, see sketch in Chapter XII, page 366. Mr. Lowry is a man virtually self-made and self-educated, a man of great financial ability, strong intellect, a deep and profound thinker, and an extraordinary business capacity. The whole course of his life has been turned in one channel-the pursuits of legitimate and honorable trade. He has accomplished much, and it can be truthfully said that no man in Pettis County is held in higher esteem by honorable people than the sub- ject of this sketch.
J. W. MARSHALL.
Post-office, Hughesville. Farmer and stock raiser. The subject of this sketch is a native of Nelson County, Ky. He was there educated and raised to majority. His father, Joseph B., was a native of Kentucky, and a prominent farmer in that State. The subject of this sketch came to Pettis County, Mo., in 1869, and in 1871 he bought his present farm of 120 acres of first-class land. In 1881 he gave two acres of land to build the M. E. Church, which was erected in the same year. He is a devoted member of the same. He now deals in cattle and sheep mostly. He goes southwest and purchases stock and brings them to the county and sells them to men who feed stock.
S50
HISTORY OF LONGWOOD TOWNSHIP.
WINSTON MCCLURE.
Stock dealer and feeder. Hughesville. Prominent among the many enterprising citizens of Pettis County who have won a reputation for integrity of character and business capacity should be mentioned the name of W. McClure and sons, who are among the largest and most exten- sive stock feeders and dealers in the county. The subject of this sketch, W. McClure, is a native of Rockbridge County, Va .; was born near Lex- ington, on the 16th day of June, 1818. There his early days were spent until he attained his 17th year, when he went to Ross County, Ohio, locating near Chillicothe. From there he went to New Orleans, La., and thence to Oldham County, Ky., where he was married in 1840 to Miss Lucinda Bohanan, a daughter of Rev. Abraham Bohanan, an eminent minister of that county. In 1841 he came to Missouri, locating in St. Louis County with his young wife, where he remained a few years, when he moved to Montgomery County, and was there largely engaged in farming and stock trading for several years. He was at that time the leading stock dealer in Northern Missouri. During the late civil war he suffered the loss of a large amount of property and means. Since then has been doing business in Cooper and Saline Counties, and in 1876 he came to Pettis County. Since coming to the county Mr. McClure has brought about a great change in the stock interests here. He has done a business of great magnitude which ranked among the most extensive stock trades in Western Missouri. During those seasons he has fed from five hundred to seven hundred head of beef cattle, as well as dealing exten- sively in mules and horses. During the past year he has employed about one thousand acres of corn and blue grass pasture, a good portion of which has been cultivated by himself and sons. Their sales for the present season will aggregate upwards of $55,000, which is in striking contrast with the stock business of this locality at the commencement of the past decade. He is associated with his three enterprising sons, John, D. W. and Ben F., all of whom inherit their father's sound business judg- ment and stirring disposition. Although quite advanced in years, Mr. McClure is still actively engaged in the duties of his business. And it can be truthfully said that no citizen of Pettis County is held in higher estima- tion as a business man and citizen for his many sterling qualities. He is closely identified with the interests of the county, and has done much for the advancement of its business interests. He is now located on a farm adjoining the town of Hughesville, where can be seen a. part of his large herds. His home is well appointed, and is among the most comfortable in his locality. Surrounded by commodious barns, extensive feed lots and pastures; and in fact, everything about his place is indicative of the man of enterprise and industry.
851
HISTORY OF LONGWOOD TOWNSHIP.
ROBERT B. McCORMICK.
Was born in Warren County, Ill., in the year 1853, his parents being natives of Pennsylvania. His father is still living in the State of Illinois, and is about sixty-eight years of age. His mother died Feb. 21, 1882, at the age of sixty-two years. His father's family consisted of six children, four sons and two daughters, one of the sons living in Iowa, and the rest in Illinois, except the subject of this sketch, who was married, Oct. 1, 1878, in Logan County, Ohio, to Miss Mary J. Bower, whose mother was born, Dec. 13, 1822, and is still living in Ohio. He has one daughter, Maida M. L., born, July 8, 1879. He settled in Pettis County, Mo., during the year of 1881, ten miles north of Sedalia, on a fine farm of eighty-two acres, all of which is under fence, sixty acres in cultivation and twenty acres of good timber. Good fences and good buildings, first class out buildings and a magnificent cellar, which he has made there since his coming to the place, has a fine orchard, and is one of our most enterprising young men of the county, a man of candor, manliness, strong sense and high mental gifts, and is in the best sense an acquisition to the county, of which he speaks in the highest praise. He is a devout member of the Baptist Church, and his wife is an exemplary member of the Christian Church, both being highly esteemed for their piety and unlimited charity.
REV. JOHN MONTGOMERY.
Was born in Danville, Boyle County, Kentucky, in the year 1810. His father was a native of Maryland, and his mother of England. His father died at the age of forty-five, and his mother, at the age of sixty-six years. In the family there were three sons and four daughters, all of whom are dead, except the subject of this sketch. . Mr. M. was married at Frank- fort, Ky., in the year 1844, to Miss Kate Rennick, who was the daughter of Col. Alex. Rennick. Her grandmother was the first white child that was born in the State of Kentucky, at Harrod's Station, where the first settlement was made; her name being McAfee, and was the wife of Willis A. Lee, of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. M. have a family of nine children, four sons and five daughters, all of whom are now grown, one being married. He emigrated to Pettis County, Mo., in the year 1857, and located thirteen miles north of Sedalia, on a farm formerly owned by Mr. L. Baker, near what is known as the Independence and Boonville trail. He owns two hundred and thirty acres of fine land, one hundred and ninety of which is under fence and in cultivation, forty acres of timber, well watered by a magnificent spring, two good wells, and Heath's Creek running through the northern part. Has a good orchard of apple, peach, pear and plum trees, the pear trees bearing a crop for twenty-five years in succession. He grows from seventy to eighty acres of corn, the balance of his farm devoted to small grain, timothy and clover. His farm is well
852
HISTORY OF LONGWOOD TOWNSHIP.
fenced with rails, and is 'divided into fields of twenty acres. He handles quite a number of cattle and hogs. He disposes of thirty to forty head of cattle every year, all of his own raising, having brought a good line of breeding cows with him from the State of Kentucky. Mr. M. was edu- cated at Center College, in Danville, Ky., and pursued the study of theology, at Princeton, New Jersey. He entered upon his pastoral work at Har- rodsburg, Ky., where he remained for twenty years, when he was called to Missouri. He was the first Old School Presbyterian minister in the county, and organized every church in the county belonging to that denomination. During the war he was President of Westminster Col- lege, located at Fulton, in Callaway County, Mo. He has been an active, working minister, of generous culture and fine ability, and although he has retired from active duties, yet continues to preach, as occasion demands. He is a live, progressive man, has a well stored mind, broad views, genial nature and always and everywhere is a polished and affable gentleman.
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.