USA > Missouri > Linn County > The history of Linn county, Missouri. An encyclopedia of useful information > Part 75
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
which time he has never had a decision reversed by any higher court. At present he holds the offices of township clerk, assessor and notary public. The latter office was tendered him in 1869 by Governor Fletcher, in 1873 by Governor McClurg, in 1877 by Governor Phelps, and again in 1881 by Governor Crittenden. Mr. Marks was married October 11, 1871, to Miss Minnie·Geren, daughter of Lewis and Celia Geren, of Meadville, natives of Tennessee. By this union there are five children : Helen, Edwin C., Paul T., Harold, and Abe. Mr. Marks is just in the prime of a vigorous man- hood, and, judging by his past, he may reasonably look forward to a useful, happy, and brilliant future.
URIAS L. MADDEN,
Is a son of Silas and Sebelah (Johnson) Madden, and was born in Monroe county, New York, September 1, 1840. He grew up in his native county, receiving a common school education, and there engaged in farming, to which vocation he had been reared. In 1868 he came to Linn county and farmed for the first three years. He then began selling nursery stock, in which he continued five years, or till he began merchandizing at Meadville in 1876. On coming to this county Mr. Madden had but two dollars in the world, though he is now one of the leading merchants of Meadville, carrying a grocery stock averaging $10,000 per year. He owns three store buildings, two residences, and thirty-five acres of land, twenty acres of which is laid out in town lots at Meadville. Mr. Madden was married September 19, 1860, to Miss Eliza Hinton, daughter of Simeon and Sarah Hinton, formerly of Monroe county, New York. Three sons have been born of this union, all of whom still survive, named William E., Arthur F., and Frank L. Mr. Madden is a member of the A. O. U. W., and is one of the livest citizens of Meadville, and he is liberal in donating to all charitable measures and to public improvements.
REV. GEORGE W. MYERS ..
The subject of this sketch was born in Harrison county, Ohio, February 27, 1840. He is the son of Samuel and Mary E. (nee Connell) Myers, and was reared on a farm in his native county, receiving a common school edu- cation. In 1864 he moved to Champaign county, Illinois, and in 1865 re- moved to this State, coming to Linn county and locating near Meadville in Parsons Creek township. He bought 80 acres of land, but did not at once begin farming, but worked for wages one year as a farm la- borer. In 1866 he began farming on his own land, and is still so engaged. April 16, 1868, he married Miss Sarah A. Neal, daughter of James and Elizabeth Neal. They have had three children by this union, one of whom, Mary E., is still living. Mr. Myers joined the Meth- odist Episcopal Church when sixteen years of age, and being an
732
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
.
earnest and sincere Christian and greatly concerned for the welfare of his: fellow men, felt it his duty to preach the gospel of the "Meek Nazarine." Accordingly, he rented his farm in 1874, and moved to Glasgow, Missouri. To better prepare himself for his new field of labor, he attended Lewis Col- lege at that place for two years, and in 1876 was assigned to a circuit in Chariton county. But the low lands of the bottoms gave him the fever and ague, so impairing his health that he was forced to abandon his work and' retire to his farm in Parsons Creek township. He has increased his origi-
nal purchase, till he now owns 160 acres of good land, which he has well improved. On coming to Linn he had a cash capital of only $200, but he has thrived by prudence and industry till he now owns good property. His wife is also a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and they both labor faithfully in the vineyard of the Lord, looking cheerfully forward. to the time when the Master shall say: "Come up higher."
WILLIAM ROBBINS, DECEASED,
son of William and Nancy (nee Sloan) Robbins was born in West- morland county, Pennsylvania, June 24, 1834. He was raised in his native county and in addition to the educational facilities afforded by his county, he received the benefit of a course at Duff's Mercantile College at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1853. In 1854 he went to California, where he was engaged in teaching school for two years. He re- turned in 1856 and in 1858 moved to Linn county, Missouri, to the place where his widow now resides. After moving to Missouri he was engaged in farming and teaching school. He was a strong Union man, and in 1860 cast- the only vote for Abraham Lincoln for President that was cast in Parsons. Creek township. During the war he served as first lieutenant of one of Linn. county's companies of Missouri State Militia. He was a man of intelligence, an estimable and worthy citizen, enjoying the respect and confidence of his fellow men. He was married February 4, 1858, to Miss Martha C. Christy,. daughter of Andrew and Eliza (nee Ekin) Christy, of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Robbins died October 31, 1868, leaving seven children, six of whom are still living: Elizabeth E., Nannie A., Charles F., Margaret C., William C., and Birdie M. The oldest at the time of his death being less than ten years of age. His widow certainly deserves great credit for her care and management in the raising of so many children left in their tender years without the aid of a father's protecting hand. Mr. Robbins, by his energy and industry had acquired 240 acres of land, which he left for a home to his bereaved family.
JOHN W. RUDDER,
son of Samuel and Mary (nee Williams) Rudder, was born in St. Louis county, Missouri, September 3, 1822. He was reared on a farm and edu-
733
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
cated there in the common schools. He followed farming in that county until 1851, when he located at Linneus, Linn county, and was engaged chiefly in merchandizing until 1869. From 1856 to 1860 he filled the office of deputy 'sheriff of Linn county; was also constable for nine years and township assessor two terms. In 1870 he removed to his farm south of Meadville and was engaged upon it until 1881, when he located at Mead- ville, and went into the grocery business in partnership with A. P. Barton. Mr. Rudder owns a well improved farm of 255 acres, besides his merchandizing, and has made all by his energy, honesty, and economy. Mr. Rudder was married April 12, 1857, to Miss Elizabeth Goldman, daughter of Jacob and Susan Goldman, of Linn county, Missouri, formerly of Ken- tucky. By this union there were four children, three of whom are living: Elizabeth, Clara and Samuel. Mr. and Mrs. Rudder are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and are popular with all who know them.
LEWIS H. RODGERS, M. D.,
son of Francis and Nancy (nee Collins) Rodgers, was born in Boone county, Missouri, June 26, 1840; was reared on a farm and received his education at the common schools. His father died when he was but two months old and his mother sometime afterward, he being thus early in life left an or- phan and without any resources. In 1859 he commenced the study of medicine, but the war breaking out he left his books and joined the army, enlisting first in Kinney's battalion, in the State Guards, under Governor Jackson's call. He afterwards enlisted in the Sixteenth Confed- erate Missouri Infantry, General Parson's division, and was in the battles of Boonville, Fulton, Lexington, and Dry Wood. He served till the cloes of the war, having been captured three times. He escaped from the Fed- eral prison at Columbia, Missouri, and St. Louis, Missouri, after being there three months; and also made his escape from a train of cars, by leaping through a window, after having been captured at Paris, Illinois; this time he made his way through Kentucky, back to his command. After the war Dr. Rogers returned to Boone county and resumed his medical studies, re- ceiving his education mostly at the St. Louis Medical College. In 1867 he commenced the practice of his profession at Brown's Station, Boone county, Missouri, and in 1869 located at Meadville, Linn county, where he has since resided and enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Rogers is a popu- lar and public spirited citizen, and is a member of the A. O. U. W. lodge.
LEONARD W. REYNOLDS
was born in Monroe county, Michigan, June 16, 1833. He is the son of Walter and Catharine Reynolds, and was reared and educated in his native
734
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
county. At the age of twenty-one, he began running on the Rock Island Railroad as engineer, remaining in the service of the road for five years. In the spring of 1861, he came to Brookfield, this county, and ran on the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad as engineer for four years. He was freight conductor on the same line for the succeeding ten years. In 1877 and 1878, he was engineer on the Central Branch of the Pacific Railroad, running between Atchison and Greenleaf. During the years 1879 and 1880, he was engineer on the Union Pacific, having spent twenty-six years in railroading. He then retired to a farm he had bought in Parsons Creek township, and is still engaged in that quiet vocation. Mr. Reynolds was married in 1859 to Miss Elizabeth Matthews, daughter of James and Catharine (nee Draper) Matthews, of Washington, Iowa. He owns a neat, well improved little farm of eighty acres, where he expects to end his days in quietude. The long and exciting life of railroading that he has led, will furnish food for reflection, and many pleasant reminiscences will recur to his memory as he grows old, of the days when he sped through space on the back of the "steam dragon."
JOHN A. SMILEY,
son of John and Jane Smiley, was born in Augusta county, Virginia, September 13, 1823. His mother's name before marriage was Steel. When a small boy, his parents moved to Rockbridge county, Virginia, where he lived until eighteen years of age. He then started out in life for himself. He went to Franklin county, Ohio, having on his arrival but fifty cents in pocket. Here he remained two years. He then moved to Adams county, Ohio, where he married and lived till 1854, when he moved to Louisa county, Iowa. In 1867, he moved to Putnam county, Missouri, and in 1875 to Linn county, Missouri, the place where he now lives. He held the office of township trustee in Adams county, Ohio, and was school director and secretary of the school board for three years in Louisa county, Iowa. Mr. Smiley is a highly respected and valuable citizen. He owns three hundred and ten acres of land, which he has acquired by his own in- dustry. He was married in 1843 to Miss Nancy Ann Cornelius, daughter of James and Jane (nee Campbell) Cornelius, of Adams county, Ohio. Her father was a native of Virginia, and a soldier in the War of 1812. By this union, he had thirteen children, twelve of whom are living: Jane E., James N., Mary M., John A., William A., Hadaca M., Sarah V., Louisa A., George W., Robert B., Henry S., Frank L., all of whom, except four, are married.
MICHAEL D. SMITH,
son of Michael and Sarah Smith, was born in Rowan county, North Caro- lina, December 10, 1830, where he lived until he was twenty-six years old.
735
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
His father died before the son was born, and his mother died when he was fourteen years old, he being thrown out into the world upon his own re- sources. Learning the carpenter's trade, he worked at it until 1856, when he removed to Wayne county, Iowa, and in 1860 came to Linn county, Missouri, where he has since been a resident. He followed his trade and farming until 1881, when he and his son, James M., engaged in the gro- cery business, and constitute one of the leading firms of Meadville, carry- ing a fine stock and doing an extensive business. Mr. Smith has filled the office of school director, constable, and justice of the peace, and has been a member of the Masonic order since 1854. He was married in 1854 to Miss Sarah E. Hendricks, of Randolph county, North Carolina. By this union there were seven children, six of whom are living: James M., Emmerett, William M., Sarah L., George and Elmore. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are con- sistent and active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
WILLIAM W. STURGES,
son of John K. and Eleanor (nee Davidson) Sturges, was born in Mon- mouth, Warren county, Illinois, December 22, 1848. In 1859 bis parents removed to Cass county, Missouri, and in 1863 returned to Warren county, Illinois, having lost all their property in the war. Three years later they came to Linn county, Missouri, where the subject of this sketch has since resided, having been reared on a farm and educated in the commnon schools. At the age of nineteen years he went to clerking in a store at Meadville for Thomas Evans one year, then for H. Black four years, and in the spring of 1873 went to Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and clerked in the county treasurers' office. He then went to Summit, Macon county, Missouri, and engaged in merchandizing. In 1874 Mr. Sturges returned to Meadville and bought out Edward Campbell, of the firm of W. R. Spoffen & Co., and continued merchandizing. In 1876 he became sole owner of the establishment and has since carried on the business, being one of the leading merchants of Meadville. He carries a large stock of dry goods, clothing and millinery, and does a trade of about $20,000 per year. He owns his store building and a fine residence, notwithstanding he began life as a clerk, without a dollar. Mr. Sturges was married, May 29, 1876, to Miss Hattie R. Black, daughter of A. D. and Eliza M. Black, of Linn county, Missouri, but for- merly of Pennsylvania. By this union there are three children, Clyde A., Ethel E. and Charles H. Mr. Sturges is a member of the Congregational Church, and is a charter member of the A. O. U. W. and I. O. G. T.
WILLIAM C. SHEPHERD,
is a son of William L. and Matilda (nee Genen) Shepherd, and was born in Parke county, Indiana, August 23, 1839. When he was six years old his parents moved to Hancock county, Illinois, where William grew to man-
736
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
hood and received his education in the common schools. In 1860, he took. the " silver fever" and made a trip west to Pike's Peak, then supposed to- be the El Dorado of that much coveted metal. He returned, however, the. same year, and engaged in farming in Hancock county, Illinois, till Sep- tember, 1869, when he moved to Meadville, Missouri, and engaged in buy- ing and shipping cattle, continuing in that business till 1879. He then moved out to the farm on which he now resides, and engaged in farming and feeding cattle. His place in l'arsons Creek township contains one hundred and fifty-eight acres adjoining Meadville, on which he has a fine residence,
and other improvements to correspond. Mr. Shepherd was married, Au- gust 14, 1862, to Miss Jemima Harding, daughter of Philip and Rachel (nee Stillwell) Harding of Hancock county, Illinois. Eight children have been born of this union, five of whom, Stanley, Lottie B., Milo E., Homer and' Virgil, (twins) are still living. Mr. Shepherd is an active, energetic citi- zen, and has made all he possesses by his own exertion:
JOSHUA W. TURNER,
son of Edwin E. and Mary (nee Bailey) Turner, was born in Robertson county, Tennessee, July 23, 1831. At the age of twenty-one years, having been reared on a farm and educated at subscription schools, he was ap- prenticed to the carpenter's trade in Keysburgh, Kentucky. In 1860 he purchased a farm in his native county, and was engaged upon it when the war broke out. In 1861 he enlisted in company C, Forty-ninth Tennessee. Confederate Regiment, as orderly sergeant. Mr. Turner was captured at the battle of Fort Donelson in February, 1862, was taken to Camp Doug- lass, Chicago, and held prisoner there seven months. In September, 1862, he was exchanged at Vicksburg, and was sent out as a recruiting officer for the Confederate service, but, finding the people of his part of the State not inclined to enlist, they being within the Federal lines, and being captured again, he gave up army life, took the oath of allegiance and went to Chi- cago. Mr. Turner worked at his trade in that city until 1872, when he re- moved to Linn county, Missouri, and engaged in farming. In 1875 he re- moved to Meadville, where he now resides, owning a beautiful residence ad- joining the town, and engaged in culture of small fruits. Mr. Turner is a very energetic and esteemed gentleman. He was married, November 6,. 1856, to Miss Martha M. Bell, daughter of John and Elizabeth (nee Gunn). Bell, of Robertson county, Tennessee. She died April 20, 1863, leaving two. children, George B. and John B. The former owns fifty-eight acres of land, is a carpenter, and a young man of great energy and promise. Mr. Turner was again married, December 25, 1864, to Miss Carrie McDonald, daughter of James and Isabel (nee Alexander) McDonald, of Chicago, Illinois.
737
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
JOHN M. THOMPSON, M. D.,
son of John and Susanna Thompson, was born in Jefferson county, Indiana, July 6, 1831. In 1840 his parents removed to Washington county, Indi- ana, and in 1843 to Danville, Kentucky. There young Thompson lived seven years, the greater part of the time attending school at Lexington and Frankfort. In 1850 the family removed to Jackson county, Indiana, and there he attended the Bloomington College two terms. In 1858 he attended the Louisville Medical College, and commenced the practice of medicine in 1859 in Jackson county, Indiana. The war breaking out, Dr. Thomp- -son, in 1862, enlisted in the Seventh Confederate Kentucky Regiment, and served as assistant surgeon in the same until the close of the war. He then returned to Washington county, Indiana, and resumed the practice of his profession. In 1866 Dr. Thompson attended a course of lectures at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, and graduated at that institu- tion the same year. In 1868 he located at Meadville, Linn county, Missouri, and has since resided there, having established himself in a large prac- tice and enjoying the confidence and high regard of the community. Dr. Thompson was married in 1865 to Miss Elizabeth Cooprider, of Madison City, Indiana. She died in 1867, leaving one child. Dr. Thompson was again married, in 1872, to Miss Nancy E. Hersiman, daughter of Charles and Martha Hersiman, of Linn county, Missouri. By this union two chil- dren, Mattie E. and Jansen E. are living. Two are dead.
ALFRED WARD,
son of Hardy and Mary Ann (nee Jones) Ward, was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, September 12, 1826. His parents were both na- tives of the same State. Mr. Ward was raised on a farm and lived in his native county till 1857, receiving his education in the common schools around him. In 1857 he moved to Wayne county, Iowa, where he lived till 1861, when he moved to Linn county, Missouri, where he has ever since resided, excepting about a year during 1866-7, when he lived in Mercer .county, Missouri. In 1867 he moved to the farm where he now resides and has been successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. He is a prom- inent, highly esteemed, and popular citizen. He has been a Mason for thirty-five years. He has held the office of justice of the peace for four years, and it is needless to add he has discharged the duties of the position with credit to himself and satisfactorily to his constituents. He owns a fine improved farm of eighty acres, which he has acquired by his own exertions. In 1847 he married Miss Eliza Brower, daughter of Adam and Charity (nee Faust) Brower, of Randolph county, North Carolina. Her parents were natives of the same State. He has had by this union ten children, seven of whom are living: James F., Eli H., Alfred M., Dennis C., Oscar H., Eliza J. and Ella C.
738
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
ASA P. WOLVERTON,
son of Isaac and Elizabeth (nee Demorest) Wolverton, was born in Oswego, Tioga county, New York, October 21, 1839, and in 1851 he, with his par- ents, removed to Boone county, Illinois, where he grew to manhood, and at the age of twenty years engaged in the commission business, buying and shipping produce in the town of Belvidere. In 1865 he went to Greenville, Alabama, and engaged in the hardware business, following it until 1868, when he removed to Meadville, Linn county, Missouri, bought eighty acres of land adjoing the town, the land being nothing but a wild prairie tract. Mr. Wolverton has now forty-two acres in fruit trees, being the finest fruit farm in Linn county or this part of the State. There are 4,000 apple trees. This farm was set out in 1873, and in 1881 sold over $3,000 worth of fruit. In this orchard there are four different kinds of winter apples, one hundred peach trees and various other kinds of fruit. Mr. Wolverton is a man of great energy, and this shows what can be done in a few years on wild prairie land. Besides this magnificent fruit farm, Mr. W. owns a store building in Meadville. He was married in January, 1878, to Miss Elizabeth A. Cundiff, daughter of Jerry and Lucy B. (nee Ashbrook) Cundiff, of Mead- ville, Missouri, and native of Linn county. There are two children, Luther P. and Thomas L. Cundiff, by this union.
SPENCER A. WILLBARGER
was born in Meigs county, Ohio, February 22, 1836. His parents were Henry and Catharine (nee Roush) Willbarger, who moved with their fam- ily to Randolph county, Missouri, in 1841. Mr. Willbarger's maternal grandfather was in the Revolutionary War, and his paternal grand ances- . tor was a soldier of the War of 1812. The Willbargers only lived a few months in Randolph county, when they moved to Chariton county, and settled near Cunningham. There they were flooded out by the high waters of 1844, and had to move to higher ground. Spencer received but a limited education, as he only attended school for twelve months. At the age of fifteen, Mr. Willbarger started out in life for himself, to seek his own fortune. He had as cash $4.50, and nothing else but the clothing he wore. He has, however, battled successfully with time and tide, and now owns a fine farm of two hundred and twenty acres, which is well improved, and has one of the largest barns in the county. Mr. Willbarger has always been a farmer and stock-raiser. He moved to Linn county in 1860, and located on the farm he now owns. During the civil war, he was eight. months in the State Militia service, in the company commanded by Cap- tain Thomas. He and wife have been members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church for fifteen years, and he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for twelve years. Mr. Willbarger was first married June 30,
739
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
1854, to Miss Mary Ann Harmon, daughter of Lindsley and Mary Har- mon, of Carroll county, Missouri. She died September 14, 1856, and he was again married February 12, 1862, to Mrs. Susan R. Legate (nee Grant), daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Grant. She was first married to John- Legate, June 25, 1854. He died January 12, 1862, leaving his widow with two children living, named Daniel M., and Eliza A. By the present union, Mr. and Mrs. Willbarger have had ten children, seven of whom are still living: Harvey H., Henry S., Charles D., Vallie M., Allen S., Fred, and Victor. Mr. Willbarger is one of the most substantial and successful citizens of the county, and by his upright course has won that esteem due to all deserving men.
CHAPTER XXVII.
BENTON TOWNSHIP.
Metes and Bounds-Territory Curtailed-Cereals, Stocks and Grapes-Fruits and the Vine- yard-Coal, Stone, and Brick Clay-Old Settlers-The First Store-Schools, Churches, and Graveyards-Marriages, Births and Deaths-Items of Interest-Wolf Hunts and Election Yarns-Railroad Subscription-Accidents-Valuation and Township Officers- Browning-When Incorporated-The First House and Store-The Town, its Rise and Progress-Schools-Societies and Newspapers-Purdin-What it Was and Is-Liberal Offers-Biographies.
After Linn county had been divided originally into three townships, it remained so for a few years, when the settlements becoming more numer- erous, the original divisions were found too cumbersome. Among the first townships formed out of the three was that of Benton. It covered part of Sullivan county when first formed, but in 1845 when the seven municipalities which formed Linn county were defined, Benton's north boundary was the south line of Sullivan county; west, the line was Lo- cust Creek; south, Locust Creek township; and east, Baker township. At that time Benton was nine miles east and west and six and a-half miles north and south. It was taken from Locust Creek township and was set- tled in 1836. Who really was the first settler in the township is hard to say. Captain John W. Minnis, who found himself in Sullivan county when the county was organized, settled in the winter of 1836-37, and many be- lieve him to have been the first settler. William F. Gibson, originally from South Carolina, but direct from Tennessee, came to the township Novem- ber 27, 1837, and settled in the northwest quarter, section thirty-two, town- ship sixty, range twenty; and while there were quite a number of settlers around when he came, they did not seem to be permanent, but would sell their claim and strike out anew.
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.