USA > Missouri > Linn County > The history of Linn county, Missouri. An encyclopedia of useful information > Part 43
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
Judge Easley has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1848. Politically, he is a Republican, though formerly an old line Whig, and subsequently took a prominent stand among the "Know-Nothings." He made the race for representative of the county in 1854 on the Whig ticket, but was defeated by John Botts, Democrat, by forty-nine votes. Judge Easley has been in Linn county long enough to learn that it is one of the best counties in the world, all things considered, and will doubtless end his days in the county of his adoption.
GEORGE ENGLAND.
This gentleman has certainly a right to be considered' "a true-born Englishman," since he is a native of the " bright little, tight little island," whose name is his surname, and whose patron saint (he who killed the dragon) furnished him with his Christian name. He was born near Yar- mouth, Norfolkshire, April 6, 1838. At the age of eleven he came with his father to America, coming to Orleans county, New York. Here he worked with his parent and earned money to bring over his mother and the other members of the family. Mr. England continued to reside in Orleans county until in 1864, when he removed to Niagara county, New York. November 27, 1867, he came to this county and located where he now lives, on the south half of section six, township fifty-eight, range nineteen. When he first settled here the country was all new and unbroken; there was not even a fence in sight. The land even abounded in plenty of game,
439
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
and often deer bounded over the prairie in plain view of Mr. England's door. At once he set about reclaiming the wilderness and making it to bring forth abundantly-" blossoming as the rose." At first he met with ill luck and disaster. Crops failed and other circumstances were harmful. He lost his land; and was once more without a home. But he did not lose heart, and set bravely to work. His native English pluck, combined with his acquired Yankee shrewdness, stood him in good hand, and enabled him not only to redeem and recover his land, but to improve it until there is not a more comfortable or valuable farm home of its extent in Linn county. Last fall Mr. England completed a handsome and commodious residence, beautifully situated and elegantly finished, making a model farmer's home. At the same time he built a substantial barn, with ample room for his grain and stock. His situation is now one to be envied-even by many of his neighbors, who have been in the county and owned their farms much longer than he, but who are content to live in the old fashion and follow generally in the worn-out ruts of old fogyism. In all of his fortunes, good or bad, Mr. England has had the sympathy and support of his excellent wife, nee Jane Bradshaw, like her husband a native of "merrie England," born in Lincolnshire, March 5, 1838. Mr. and Mrs. England were married in Orleans county, New York, November 7, 1860. They are the proud parents of two promising children: Harry Lincoln England, born Feb- ruary 6, 1864, now a bright manly young fellow, and Allie Mary England, born July 16, 1866, now a handsome, matured, and accomplished young lady beyond her years. The two young people are general favorites in the community, and their residence is quite often the scene of social parties and receptions. The England family is one of enterprise, spirit, culture, and refinement, as well as of hospitality and generosity. In politics Mr. England is a "perpendicular " Republican; his first vote was given for Abraham Lincoln, in 1860. He held the office of road overseer in his dis- trict for five or six years, very acceptably. He is a member of the order of Patrons of Husbandry. Mr. and Mrs. England are not members of any church organization, but believe in religion, especially in that kind which practices good works instead of following blind unreasoning faith.
THOMAS H. FLOOD.
Mr. Flood is a native Missourian, and was born near Glasgow, in How- ard county, on the tenth of January, 1835. His father was Mr. John G. Flood, a gentleman who came to Linn county in 1833, and was the first as- sessor the county ever had. He was also judge of the County Court long before the war, and was subsequently clerk of the Circuit Court, as may be seen by reference to the official history of the county, elsewhere published in this work. Mr. Flood's mother was Frances H. Russell, a daughter of Mr. Thomas Russell formerly of Linn county, now deceased, a Virginian who came to Missouri in 1831, and to Linn county in about 1836.
440
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
There were five children of the Flood family, of which Thomas H. was the oldest. He was raised and educated in Linn county, and at fourteen years of age entered the general merchandise house of Moberly & Hallibur- ton, at Brunswick. He was with this house about three years, his father having bought the interest of Halliburton.
In 1852, he clerked for a general merchandise and drug house at Carrollton, remaining there till January, 1856, when he came to Linneus, and engaged with Griller & Hoyle as book-keeper, and was with them till 1860. While doing business for this firm, he was elected county treasurer in 1856, then in his twenty-second year. He ran on the Democratic ticket, and held the office while still keeping the books of the firm with which he was en- gaged. He was, in 1858, elected as his own successor on the same ticket, without opposition, and went out of office at the close of his second term. He was again elected, in 1878 to the same office, by the same party, and reëlected in 1880, which makes his present term unexpired at this writ- ing
In 1872, he went into the banking-house of Combs, Wilkerson & Co., as teller and book-keeper and has been with them ever since.
Mr. Flood was married on the twelfth of November, 1857, to Miss Ade- lia J. Goslin, daughter of Mr. Harrison Goslin, of Mason county, Ken- tucky, now a citizen of Linn county, Missouri. They have had three sons and four daughters; two sons and one daughter are dead.
Mr. and Mrs. Flood are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South; and he also belongs to the A. O. U. W.
Mr. Flood owns a good farm of 240 acres, a few miles south of Linneus. He also owns property in the county seat.
Mr. Flood has made an efficient officer, and is thoroughly conversant with the duties of his office. Having lived in Linn from his infancy, he is iden- tified in sentiment with her best interests every way, and expects always to live here.
Politically, Mr. Flood is a Democrat, and has always affiliated with that party, and never with any other.
MAJOR LUTHER THOMAS FORMAN.
Maj. L. T. Forman is a native of "old Kentucky," born in Bourbon county, August 21, 1825. The Christian names of his parents were Joseph and Margaret. His mother's maiden name was Barbee. About the year 1831 Joseph Forman removed to Marion county, Missouri; from thence to Monroe county, and from thence to Spring Hill, Livingston county, his son Luther accompanying him. In 1846 the latter came to Linn county, set- tling on section thirty-two, township fifty seven, range twenty one. (See early history of Parson Creek township.) In April of the same year he married Miss Eliza Hobbs, who died in the fall of 1852. In the early days
441
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
of California Major Forman made a trip thereto, but did not better his for- tunes to any considerable extent. He has engaged in different avocations in life, but farming and stock-raising have been his chief occupations, and since his settlement therein Linn county has been his permanent home.
Major Forman has been thrice married. His second wife was Miss Araminta Brown, daughter of Colonel Meredith Brown, one of the most prominent of the early pioneers of this county. His second marriage oc- curred in the spring of 1853. Nine years thereafter, in 1862, his wife died, and in 1863 he was united to Mrs. Emily Graham, who is still living. The Major is the father of eleven children living; viz., Charles H., Benjamin L., and John by his second wife, and Joseph W., William Ernest (alias Peter Cooper), Maggie, Katie Frances, Lida E., Virginia, Estella, and Lilian . Maude. Three are married, Charles H., Benjamin L., and Maggie, the latter now Mrs. Hill.
Upon the breaking out of the civil war Major Forman avowed himself an unconditional Union man, ready to fight for his opinions if necessary .. His Union neighbors were scarce, but they all looked to him for counsel and advice and regarded him as their leader. He assisted in defending their property from the predatory incursions of certain Confederates, and on one occasion at least pursued and chastised a party of the latter. In August, 1862, he entered the Federal service as captain of "Forman's company" of Missouri Militia, composed mostly of men from Parson Creek and Clay townships, and afterwards known as Company F, Sixty-second Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia. Of this regiment Captain Forman was pro- moted to be major, January 26, 1863. In the fall of the same year he was compelled to resign. While in the service, both as captain or major, he did a great deal of work. His company and a portion of the regiment un- der his command made several scouting expeditions through this, Chariton, Carroll, and Livingston counties after the irregular Confederate organiza- tions of Jim Jackson, Clifton Holtzclaw, Logan Ballew, and others, and did much toward suppressing and dispersing their bands. In August, 1862, shortly after he had received his commission as captain in the militia, occurred the memorable raid and dispersion of a large body of newly-re- cruited Confederate Missourians under Colonel Poindexter. After the dis- persion two stragglers came to the Major's residence, and refusing to come in and surrender, or to halt when ordered, but on the contrary attempting to escape, he fired on and killed one of them, named Frank Hart. There were witnesses to this affair, and upon their testimony and taking all the facts into consideration, even the father of young Hart justified the Major's action in the premises. (See war history of Parson Creek township.)
Prior to the civil war Mr. Forman was an old line Whig. After the war he acted for many years with the Republican party, and was at different times the candidate of that organization for important offices. Once he
442
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
was the nominee of his party for representative, against Hon. A. W. Myers, of Brookfield, the successful candidate, and had the Republicans of that township laid aside local pride and voted the straight ticket he would have been elected; but, as it was, there being three candidates in the field, he was defeated. At another time he was the Republican nominee for pro- bate judge, and again defeated, the Democratic candidate being elected by a small majority. Of late years Major Forman has been an active, zealous member of the National Greenback party.
Mr. and Mrs. Forman are both members of the Christian Church. They have a neat little home in this township on a small farm of about one hun- dred acres, and have a farm of six hundred and fourteen acres in Parson Creek township, which is rented. They are also rich in the possession of a family of five interesting children, who promise to be not only the props and stays of their parents in future years, but honorable and useful mem- bers of society as well. Although not compelled to, the Major does work hard almost every day. He accommodated his friends some years since by becoming their indorser, and had to pay some thousands of dollars for his generous disposition. He has been a great hunter, killing scores of deer in this county, besides other game, and twice visiting the great plains of Nebraska on buffalo hunts. Of late years he has not been able to indulge in his favorite sport.
CHARLES A. FORE (DECEASED).
The thirteenth bona fide settler in Linn county was the gentleman above named, who came to the county in the year 1839 with his brother Silas, and located in Locust Creek township. Charles Anderson Fore was born in Prince Edward county, Virginia, September 9, 1814. In 1831 he came to Chariton county and eight years later, as before stated, removed to Linn. By the provisions of the act of the legislature organizing this county the first term of the County Court was held at Silas Fore's and met in Mr. F.'s blacksmith shop. Charles A. Fore took a prominent part in the early set- tlement of the county and was well known throughout its borders till the day of his death. When he first came he was twenty-five years of age, and an admirable specimen of strong and vigorous manhood. The country was full of game and he was a great hunter.
Mr. Fore's adventures as a hunter and a pioneer would fill a volume. Two of his adventures are given as samples of his experiences. On one occasion he and his brother Silas went bee hunting over on Turkey Creek. Mr. Fore had with him a bull-dog, a savage animal, but one that obeyed him implicitly. On the flat along Turkey Creek the dog started a large panther. The animal ran past Mr. Fore and a few yards away sprang up a tree some feet from the ground. The dog pursued the panther and caught it by one of its hams, preventing it from ascending the tree any higher. Mr. Fore
443
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
caught up a heavy walnut club and, running up, dealt it a few powerful blows, felling the ferocious animal to the ground and killed it. Fearful that the panther's mate was in the vicinity, and not caring to risk another en- counter he called to his brother to come with his gun. The latter came but no other panther, and the bee hunt was soon resumed. The panther measured nine feet in length.
At another time Mr. Fore was hunting down on Elk Branch in the vicin- ity of where the city of Brookfield now stands. He sighted a large bull elk. Hiding in the tall grass he leveled his rifle at the huge monster and fired. The ball hit its mark but did not fatally wound the animal, which started toward the point from whence the hunter had fired. Mr. F. hastily retreated, keeping hid in the grass, loading his gun as he ran, and gained a position behind a gopher hill. He again fired and hit the animal. Again the elk charged and again Mr. Fore retreated, gained another cover and fired. After repeating this operation two or three times he at last had the satisfaction of seeing his game stagger and fall to the earth dead. Only the high grass and his coolness and courage saved Mr. Fore's life, for had the elk caught him it would either have impaled him with its formidable ant- lers or crushed him to death under its powerful hoofs.
Mr. Fore took part in an expedition to the north part of the county to rescue Holland's daughter from the Indians (as was supposed). This inci- dent is given elsewhere in this volume, and narrates how the young lady was terrified at the sight of some friendly Indians sharpening their hunting knives on her father's grindstone. She fled to the woods to save her life, as she thought, was found by the Indians, who took her to their camp and re- stored her safe and sound to her friends.
September 18, 1839, Mr. Fore married Miss Mary Lane; she died Decem- ber 3, 1859. He married Mrs. Minerva Baker, May 3, 1860. By his first marriage Mr. Fore became the father of five children; viz., Mary Catharine, now the wife of William Ashbrook; David William, James Henry, Susan Jane, and Ann Eliza. Susan Jane died April 23, 1854. No children were born of the second marriage.
Mr. Fore did a great deal of business for the public during his lifetime. For about twenty years he officiated as a magistrate; was deputy sheriff for a number of years and filled various other positions, all with credit to him- self and to the general satisfaction of the people. He was a man univers- ally esteemed-genial, warm-hearted, hospitable, and public spirited. He was of fine imposing appearance, and of commanding presence, of dignified demeanor in his latter days, and always a choice specimen of noble man- hood.
On the ninth of August, 1881, Charles A. Fore departed this life full of years and not afraid to die. His remains were laid away in the Fore bury- ing-ground where they rest well. He was a consistent member of the Bap-
444
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
tist Church and belonged to the order of Odd Fellows. The latter organi- zation passed appropriate and highly eulogistic resolutions as a tribute to his memory, and the entire community deplored his loss, although he had lived out nearly the allotted time to good men.
WILLIAM H. GARRETT.
The subject of this sketch is the son of Murdoch T. and Ann (Smith) Garrett, and was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, on the twenty- fourth day of June, 1820. His father was a native Virginian, and came, when a small boy, to Kentucky, in the early settlement days of that State. The mother was born in Kentucky, and was the daughter of Enoch Smith, one of the early settlers of that country. William H. was reared on the farm, and received his education in Mount Sterling graded schools, located at the county seat of Montgomery. He began farming with his father on coming of age, and never left his parents till he was thirty-five years old. The whole family emigrated to this State in the spring of 1844, and settled in Boone county, where they lived till 1856, when they moved to Linn county. Mr. Garrett was first married, March 1, 1849, to Miss Missouri F. Hickman, daughter of John Hickman, Esq., of Boone county. About that time the whole country was in a turmoil of excitement over the dis- covery of gold in California, and bright visions of wealth and opulence began to dazzle the minds of the adventurous spirits of Missouri. Mr. Garrett was caught in the whirlpool, and leaving his young wife in the care of a family named Estis, he crossed the plains to the gold fields of Cali- fornia. He arrived at Sacramento August 5, 1850, and made that city his headquarters while he remained in the State. He spent two years in the Golden State, during which he was chiefly engaged in freighting, stock- dealing, and running a " hay yard." Success attended his efforts in Cali- fornia. On arriving there he had but ten dollars, and on his return to this State in 1852 he brought back about twenty-five hundred dollars. With this he bought a farm in Linn county, and that investment became the nucleus of his present possessions. His first wife died in Linneus, in Jan- uary, 1867, and he was subsequently married to Miss Mary E. Dinwiddie, a native of Kentucky, and daughter of Samuel and Pattie Dinwiddie, of Boone county. No children have been born of this last union, though by the first marriage Mr. Garrett is the father of six children, five of whom, two sons and three daughters, still survive, the daughters being all married. Mr. Garrett has been a citizen of Linn county since 1852, and at this writ- ing resides on his farm one mile north of Linneus. The place contains 367 acres of well.improved land, with good residence, barn, and out-houses. He has a new steam saw-mill on his farm, erected with a design, chiefly, of working up his own timber. He has on his farm one of the finest quarries of hard sandstone in the county, the first stratum being about thirty inches
445
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
thick and only about two feet below the surface. Below this is another stratum, and perhaps thicker than the first. Mr. Garrett and wife both belong to the Christian Church, and his three daughters belong to the same. The first Mrs. Garrett was also a member of that church. Mr. Garrett belongs to the I. O. O. F. lodge at Linneus. He is a man of varied experience, with a mind practically expanded by long contact with men. An old settler and substantial citizen, Mr. Garrett is a worthy member of society and an important factor in the community.
JACOB GARTNER
was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 15, 1837. His parents were John and Barbara Gartner, the latter being still alive and now a resident of St. Louis. Jacob was reared and educated in his native country, and came to America with his parents in 1833. After a brief stay in Philadelphia, the family located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where they resided for sev- eral years. There Jacob learned the trade of jeweler and watchmaker, the gentleman to whom he was apprenticed being a French artizan named Mueh, a very skillful and accomplished workman. After three and a half years of close application as an apprentice, Mr. G. set out for himself, hav- ing thoroughly mastered the details of his trade. He went to Canada and there traveled as a provincial workman, spending five years. He estab- lished a shop in Liberty, Illinois, in 1864, remaining there for two years. He managed to escape serving in the war by paying a substitute to go in his place. This was done by a club of the citizens of Liberty township,. Adams county, Illinois. After leaving Liberty Mr. Gartner came to Linneus in 1866, and again established himself in business, opening a shop and jewelry store. Since that time he has been a citizen of Linn county. Mr. G. was married April 4, 1867, to Miss Jane A. Ross, daughter of Jacob Ross, of Benton township, Linn county. They have had seven children, three of whom are living: Allie, Charlie F., and Rosie. The deceased were Mary, Birdie, Clara, and Herman. Mr. and Mrs. Gartner are members of the German Lutheran Church. He is also a member of the Masonic order, and belongs to Jackson Lodge No. 82, at Linneus, where he owns property and has settled permanently. Mr. Gartner has lived in Linneus about six- teen years, and has become greatly attached to the people. .
ABRAHAM HINES.
was born in Virginia, October 12, 1818. His parents came to Missouri when he was an infant and settled on a farm in Howard county. Young Hines remained on the farm, receiving few educational advantages at the early day school. He came to Linn county in 1841, and purchased eighty acres of wild land four miles east of where Brookfield now is and where he still lives. By subse: quent purchases Mr. Hines has increased the size of his farm to six hun-
446
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
dred acres, all of which is improved. In 1850 he with an ox team crossed the plains to California, where he mined on the American River some six years, when having realized enough to pay him for his venture, in 1856 re- returned to Missouri, via Panama and New York City, where he resumed farming and with farming he also engaged extensively in stock-raising, breeding and selling improved blooded stock.
In February, 1836, he married Miss Susan Shifflett of Howard county, Missouri. They have had but one child, Anna Eliza, who died in Linn county, in 1853, at the age of nine years. Mr. Hines and wife are mem- bers of the old Primitive Baptist Church of Liberty, Linn county.
BARTON A. JONES.
The subject of this sketch was born in Henry county, Kentucky, two miles from New Castle on the 12th of July, 1837. His father, Mr. M. M. Jones, was a farmer in that county and Barton A., or Alexander as the family called him, lived on the farm till he was of age. When he was sixteen years old his father moved with his family and slaves to Missouri, and settled near Marshall, in Saline county. Mr. Jones re- ceived his education partly at Newcastle, Kentucky, and partly at Univer- sity of Missouri, at Columbia. He entered college in the fall of 1857, and remained three years, till the civil war put a quietus on that institution. Mr. Jones first began life for himself as a teacher in Boone county, Mis- souri. During the war he spent his time partly in Saline county, at his home and partly in Illinois and Kentucky. He went to Kentucky in the spring of 1863, and taught school in his old district where he first attended school. He taught several months in that State and then returned to Illi- nois, where his parents had removed to escape the war troubles of Missouri. They were both old and decrepit, and Alexander remained with them till their death. The mother died first, in the fall of 1866, and the father in the spring of 1867. Mr. Jones taught a term or two in Illinois in 1869, and in 1870 was elected principal of the Winchester public school in Pike county, Illinois-a position requiring the assistance of nine teachers. After that he returned to Missouri, and in the spring of 1870 began farming in Boone county. He raised one crop and sold out in the fall, and then came to Linneus, Linn county. He had met Mr. W. H. Garrett of Linneus, who visited Boone county, and through his solicitation, Mr. Jones was induced to come to Linneus and take charge of the public school, which he con- .ducted for five years. This biographer had the honor to be Mr. Jones's suc- cessor in that school, and can bear witness to his success as a teacher, as judged from the advanced condition of the school when Mr. Jones left.
Brookfield had begun to lead Linneus, and being unwilling that the lat- ter should outstrip her even in school facilities, negotiations were opened by which he was induced to take charge of the school at Brookfield.
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.