USA > Missouri > Linn County > The history of Linn county, Missouri. An encyclopedia of useful information > Part 89
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soon after their return to the last named county, their deaths occurring in the year 1853, and only three months apart. Thus deprived of parental care, Smith was taken into the family of Mr. Isaiah Curtis, a farmer, with whom he lived four years. He then came to live with his brother-in-law in Linn county, and farmed with him till the fall of 1861, when he enlisted and served six months in the civil war, under General Sterling Price. Re- turning to Linn, he remained a few months and then went to Sangamon ·county, Illinois, where he farmed for one year. The political sentiment in that State was all one way, and "patriotism " ran high. Mr. Hubbard caught the spirit, and enlisted (this time on the Union side) in Company L of the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry. From this time forth he made a gallant soldier, and was in a number of battles and skirmishes. Discharged at Houston, Texas, and mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, he returned to Sullivan county, Missouri. His stay here was but a few months, when he went westward, stopping a short time in St. Joseph, and then proceed- ing to Salt Lake City, and thence to Boise City, Idaho. At the latter place he was engaged in farming for eighteen months. In 1869 he went to Elko, Nevada, where he was engaged in freighting for nearly two years. From there he returned to Sullivan county, this State, where he was married on the twentieth day of March, 1871, to Miss Clementine Creacy, a lady who was born near Nashville, Tennessee. Four children, all living, have been the result of this marriage, whose names are the following: Martha E., Henry E., Creacy D., and Bertha. In the spring of 1872, about a year af- ter his marriage, Mr. Hubbard emigrated to Elko, Nevada, where he gave his attention to stock dealing for seven years. In December, 1878, he re- turned to Missouri, and spent one winter in Brookfield. He then purchased a farm in Grantsville township, on which he moved, and where he has ever since been laboring in the ranks of those who are the bone and sinew of our great country-namely, the producers, the result of whose toil goes to feed the hungry millions who constitute our vast population.
JEPTHA S. MILLER.
The subject of this sketch was born in Knox county, Ohio, on the seven- teenth day of May, 1836. When Jeptha was quite small, his father, Mr. Samuel Miller, started from Ohio to find a location in the west, but as the family never afterwards heard of him, the presumption is that he is dead. This sad event, of course, deprived our subject of ever knowing much of his father. When he was two years old, he was adopted into the family of Josiah D. Minton, a well-to do Ohio farmer. A year later Mr. Minton and family emigrated to Van Buren county, Iowa. Miller remained with the Mintons till he was eighteen years old, working on the farm and occasion- ally going to school. He then began doing for himself, working as a la- borer on a farm in Iowa for two years, and then going to Adams county,
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
Illinois, where he again worked on a farm two years longer. His next ap- pearance was further west in Kansas and Jackson county, Missouri, but he only made short stops. He did, however, stay three months in Chariton county, Missouri, where he drove on a stage line. Returning to Illinois via Iowa, he spent a short time and again came to Missouri, staying this time for a short period in Boonville, where he worked on a ferry boat. Af- ter this Mr. Miller went to Carroll county and was engaged in teaming. From thence he went to Livingston county, and worked on a farm.
On the twenty-fifth of December, 1859, he was married to Miss Julia G. Page, a lady born August 9, 1844. They have six children, all living, named: Nancy, Laura E., Minnie, Josiah, Allie J., and George J. Soon after his marriage Mr. Miller returned to Van Buren county, Iowa, taking his family with him. He was there when the civil war broke out, and in August, 1861, enlisted in Company G of the Third Iowa Cavalry. He only served till February, 1862, when he was discharged on account of physical disability. Returning to his family in Iowa, he soon removed to Scotland county, this State, and stopped for a few months. Going back to Iowa, Mr. Miller went South with the Forty-fifth Iowa Regiment, and was campaigning with them for some time in several different States. Return- ing to Iowa before the war closed, our subject in course of time turned up again in northeast Missouri, where he read medicine under Dr. Barnett of Knox county. He studied closely for some time and then removed to Adair county, where he practiced medicine for about four years. In the spring of 1878, Dr. Miller came to Linn county, and for the first three years prac- ticed in the village of Grantsville. He then purchased a small farm in Grantsville township, and at this writing is residing there, having perma- nently settled in Linn county.
ABNER MOYER.
The old and worthy citizen who is the subject of this sketch was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, on the twenty-fourth day of May, 1821. Abner is the son of Joseph Moyer, also a native of Rockingham county, and in his younger days a tanner by trade, but later in life became a farmer, which occupation he followed till his death, in 1878. The mother of our subject was Mary Sellers by maiden name, and was born in Virginia in 1798, and died in 1876.
Mr. Moyer lived with his parents until after he was of age. Being a great lover of learning, he made the best possible use of all available means for acquiring knowledge, and, even after attaining his majority, attended school for six months. Soon after this he engaged in teaching in Virginia, and followed that calling several years. In 1843 he came out to Missouri to take a look at the new country, of whose resources he had heard so much. After spending a few months here, he returned to his native State, and
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there remained, engaged in teaching and farming till the spring of 1857. While thus engaged, he was married on October 1st, 1846, to Miss Virinda Baugher, daughter of George W: and Anna C. Baugher, both of the latter being native Virginians. After his marriage, Mr. Moyer only taught one term of school, and from that time forth gave his attention to farming. In the spring of 1857, he left Virginia and came to Linn county, Missouri; stopping temporarily in Baker township. He purchased land, subse- quently, in Grantsville, township, on which he settled and has resided there ever since. Mr. Moyer has increased the original purchase, from time to- time, till now he is possessed of seven hundred and sixty acres of good. land. He has served as justice of the peace and collector of Grantsville- township, and, in 1874, was elected representative of Linn county, and served one term in the General Assembly, making one of the best repre- - sentatives the county ever had.
Mr. Moyer and wife are the parents of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, five of whom are still living at time of this writing. They are both members of the Baptist Church, and have taken due pains to rear- their children in good morals, and to give them such an education as would fit them for all the requirements of intelligent citizenship.
After the expiration of his legislative term, Mr. Moyer retired to his farm, giving his attention to agricultural pursuits, and the buying and ship- ping of live stock. Fully identified with all that pertains to the interest, growth and prosperity of Linn county, full of progressive energy and the spirit of thrift, Mr. Moyer stands in the front rank of the county's most. 'useful and honorable citizens. i
ABNER L. MONROE.
Mr. Monroe was born in Washington county, Ohio, May 13, 1844. His: father was John Monroe, who was born in that State in 1805. He was a! farmer and stock-raiser. In 1874 he removed to this county, but after a sojourn of two years returned to Ohio. His wife was Matilda Lambert, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, December 4, 1808; she died April 3, 1859. The subject hereof remained with his parents until the age of seventeen, working in summer and attending the public schools of his neighborhood, in which he obtained his education. Upon the breaking out of the civil war, he enlisted in Company B, Fifty-third Ohio Infantry, un- der Capt. J. I. Parrill: During his term of service he participated in eighteen regular engagements, among which were Shiloh, Corinth, Vicks- burg, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw, and all of the other import- ant battles in General Sherman's campaign through Georgia and the Caro- linas, in all of which Mr. Monroe did his full duty as a soldier. Soon after General Sherman had captured Raleigh, North Carolina, and General Joseph E. Johnston had surrendered, he ordered his corps commanders to
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
take their commands by easy marches to Washington City, via Richmond; but the march proved not to be an easy one, as the corps commanders "ran a race " for their destination. Mr. Monroe was with his regiment in the famous grand review at Washington, in May, 1865. In a short time the Fifty-third Ohio, now a veteran regiment, it having reënlisted after the expiration of its three years of service, was ordered to Louisville, Ken- tucky, from whence it went to Little Rock, Arkansas, where it was mus- tered out of service August 28, 1865. Upon the conclusion of his four years' service Mr. Monroe returned to Washington county, Ohio, where he was married November 10, 1865, to Nancy J. Wilson, a native of West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, born June 22, 1847. They are the parents of five children, all of whom are living, three boys and two girls. Soon after his marriage Mr. Monroe came to Linn county and purchased the farm where he now lives. In 1874 he was elected justice of the peace of Grantsville township, which office he has filled ever since, and is still filling to the satisfaction of all concerned. February 11, 1880, the devoted wife of Mr. Monroe died after a painful illness of three months. In 1873 he was appointed postmaster at Bear Branch, in this county, being the first . and present incumbent of that office. Mr. Monroe is a consistent member of the United Brethren Church, as was his wife. He has always been an active, progressive citizen; a warm believer in and a strong friend of edu- cation, and everything else that he believes tends to better the condition of society and his fellow men. He is well known and looked upon as one of the most influential citizens of this township. He lives comfortably on an excellent farm which he has acquired by his own industry and manage- ment, and it is now and promises to be well with him and his.
REV. ALTON F. MARTIN
was born in St. Louis county, Missouri, April 1, 1812. His father was Louis Martin, who was born in Augusta county, Virginia, in 1777, and was a farmer; he died March 18, 1853. A. F. Martin's mother was Mary (Jones) Martin, born in North Carolina, November, 1789. Mr. Martin re- mained in St. Louis county at work on a farm and attending school until the age of fifteen, when he was sent to Rock Spring Seminary, St. Clair county, Illinois, in which institution he was afterwards engaged as tutor and was a general favorite with students and faculty. In 1831 he returned to St. Louis county and engaged in teaching for four years, with occasional labors in the ministry. In 1835 he removed to Chariton county, near Keytesville, where he purchased a farm and engaged in farming (occasion- ally preaching) for three years. He then removed to Keytesville and en- gaged in teaching for about two years. In 1839 he removed to this county, purchasing the farm where he now lives. During his residence in Linn county Mr. Martin has performed a great deal of ministerial work. He
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
has been one of the missionaries of the Baptist Church; pastor of the church at Trenton for a number of years; first pastor of the Linneus church; and has preached in different parts of the county and country. His work in this direction has been of great value to the cause of Christi- anity in this part of Missouri. Mr. Martin has been twice married. Sep- tember 5, 1833, he married Mary A. Walton, a native of Kentucky, born in 1813. They have had six children, only two of whom are now living. In 1845 Mrs. Martin died of consumption, and the same year he was again married to Miss Anna M. Ely, a native of Frankfort, Kentucky, born Sep- tember 29, 1823. Her father was Benjamin Ely, a native of New Jersey; her mother was Elizabeth (Bell) Ely, born in Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have had born to them eleven children; nine living. Two of these are Louis and John, both of whom graduated with the highest honors at William Jewell College, Liberty, and are now in the ministry. Mr. Mar- tin took no part in the civil war, being exempt from military service and not willing to engage in the service voluntarily. No man stands higher in the estimation of the community in which he resides than Mr. Martin. Surrounded by hosts of friends and living with a most estimable family of children, all of whom are ornaments of society, and possessing the con- sciousness of ever having tried to better the world he lived in, he can and does view the approaching sunset of his well spent life without remorse or apprehension, but with satisfaction and confidence. Having fought a good fight, and finished his course, besides zealously keeping the faith, he can but be sure that there ultimately awaits him a crown of righteousness.
WILLIAM H. MELLON.
Mr. Mellon is a native of County Antrim, Ireland, where he was born in April, 1829. He was the first son of a family of seven children. His father was Felix Mellon, born in 1803, and still living a paver and stone- cutter. The mother of Mr. H. was Mary (Gilmore) Mellon, who was born in 1804, and died in 1838. Mr. Mellon was educated in the parish schools of his native county, which he attended from the age of seven years until he was seventeen; then he engaged in different kinds of labor peculiar to his country. For two years he worked as a linen-warper. In 1849 he left the Emerald Isle and removed to Canada. Here he learned blacksmith- ing, at which trade he worked in the town of Pickering for eight years, and in the town of West McGilvery until 1867. In 1854 he married Mar- garet Fike, a native of Pickering, Canada. They had ten children, six of whom are living. Mrs. Mellon died June 23, 1873, and October 17, 1874, Mr. M. was again married to Mary E. Palmer, of Spencer county, Indiana daughter of Jesse and Susan E. (Allen) Spratlin, born July 5, 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Spratlin were both natives of Tennessee, the former born in 1816 and Mrs. S. in 1821; they are both yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Mellon are
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the parents of three children, two girls and one boy, all living. In 1867, Mr. Mellon came to Linn county, where he has resided ever since, a portion of the time in Grantsville. In 1870 he purchased the farm on which he now lives. For three times he has been elected and once appointed to the office of justice of the peace, which office he has filled acceptably to all. By his industry and good management he has secured for himself a com- fortable home in which he lives, enjoying the respect and esteem of all who know him.
REV. AMBROSE NICKELL.
Rev. Nickell was born in Morgan county, Kentucky, March 6, 1833. He is a son of John J. and Malinda (Fugitt) Nickell. His father was a native Kentuckian, born in 1807, and a farmer by vocation. He was a member of the Church of Christ, and died in the triumph of his faith May 26, 1881. Mrs. Malinda Nickell is still living. Ambrose Nickell remained with his parents until he was twenty years of age, dividing his time be- tween attending school and working upon his father's farm. March 15, 1843, he married Miss Elenor Kirk, born in Morgan county, Kentucky, May 4, 1822, a daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth Kirk, the former a native of Montgomery and the latter of Fleming county, Kentucky. Soon after his marriage Mr. Nickell removed to Rowan county, Kentucky, where he lived for five years, engaging in farming, and serving two years as jus- tice of the peace. In October, 1857, he came to Linn county and pur- chased the farm where he now lives. In 1874 he was ordained by the Church of Christ as a preacher of the Gospel, in which calling he has la- bored faithfully and zealously, winning golden opinions from all with whom he has worked. He has preached for several different churches, and has also officiated in the organization of one. At present he has charge of the church at Grantsville. During the civil war, in 1864, Mr. N. was en- rolled in the Federal militia, and served three and a half months. Mr. and Mrs. Nickell are the parents of six children, four living; viz., William A., born March 17, 1854; James A., born July 24, 1856; Queen E., born January 12. 1861; John A., born November 25, 1862. Two are dead; viz., Robert R., born May 6, 1858, died September 27, 1879; and Henry D., born April 27, 1864, died October 9, 1865. In 1873 Mr. Nickell was elected assessor of Grantsville township and served four years. He was reelected on two occasions. In 1872 he was elected justice of the peace. William A., the oldest son of Mr. Nickell, graduated at the Kirksville Normal school in 1876, and had been a teacher prior to that. He was set apart for the ministry by the Church of Christ in November, 1881. He was married in December, 1876. James A., the second son of Mr. Nickell, was married in December, 1875. Mr. Nickell has always been an exemplary citizen, one whom his fellowmen have looked to as an example and for counsel. If
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earnestness and fidelity in every good work and faithful service in the cause of the Master meet with recompense, he may well expect to hear in the end the " well done, thou good and faithful servant " of him in whose service he has so zealously striven.
WILLIAM ORMITSON
is a native of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was born June 25, 1824. His father was David Ormiston, who was born April 11, 1800, and died in Edgar county, Illinois, June 4, 1880; and his mother was Jane (Bell) Ormiston, who was born in " Auld Scotia " February, 1802, and died in 1840. . When William Ormiston was five years of age his parents removed to the United States, landing in Philadelphia, and proceeding. from there to Washington county, Ohio, where the subject of this sketch remained until he was twenty years of age, when he purchased his "time " from his father for fifty dollars, with the view of learning the trade of a blacksmith. Before engaging in this vocation, however, the gentleman under whom he expected to work died, and young Ormiston then worked with his brother in learning to be a carpenter. March 13, 1847, he mar- ried Harriet Louthan, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, October 21, 1818. Her father was Edmond Hayes, a Virginian, who served with the rank of captain in the American army during the War of 1812; he died in 1854. The maiden name of her mother was Sarah Whitticar. She was born in Virginia, in 1778, and died in August, 1861. After his marriage Mr. O. worked at his trade until 1865, except a period in 1864, when he served in Company F, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Ohio National Guards. In 1865 he came to this county and purchased a farm in section one, Grantsville township, which he owned for one year, and then sold and pur- chased the farm where he now lives. For several years : he worked at his trade, but is now engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Ormiston have had born to them eight children, six of whom still live. One of his sons, David B., has an excellent education and is now engaged in school teaching. January 7, 1868. he was appointed a justice of the peace of Grantsville township, and at the ensuing November election was elected by the people to the office, which he filled for six years; at the same time he was a mem- ber of the township board. He has taken an active part in public affairs, and is one of the most prominent and influential citizens of his township.
ANTHONY H. SHIFFLETT.
This gentleman was born in Howard county, this State, on the twentieth day of July, 1840. He is the oldest son of a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters. His father, Mr. George T. Shifflett, who was born in Kentucky in 1819, moved to Linn county when our subject was but one- year old, and settled three miles from Linneus. Anthony spent his youth
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on the farm, attending school in the proper season, and remained with his parents till he was twenty-two years old. At that age he quit the paternal roof and began life for himself, being engaged chiefly in farm work. In the winter of 1863 he went to Audrain county and attended school there. for two years. In the spring of 1865 he made a trip to Salt Lake City, but returned to Linn county after a short sojourn, and again engaged in farm- ing
In September, 1871, Mr. Shifflett was united in matrimony with Miss Mary M. Hines, a lady who was born in Linneus. She is the daughter of William and Elenor (Hackley) Hines, the former born in Virginia in 1801, and the latter in Kentucky in 1808. Her father died November 28, 1869, and her mother on the sixteenth of August, 1875.
The wedding ceremony was performed by the Rev. Mr. Martin. The issue of this marriage is four children; namely, James S. (deceased), Ed- ward E., Eva R., and George T. Before his marriage, Mr. Shifflett had be- come possessed of a farm in Grantsville township, on which he moved shortly after marrying, and has ever since resided. He has been constantly in this county, engaged in farming, ever since his first coming, except the Salt Lake trip, previously mentioned, and a trip to Texas, which he made in 1859. Mr. Shifflett, by economy and good management, has become pos- sessed of a good comfortable home, and is one of the substantial citizens of growing and prosperous Linn.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
EARLY HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY BAR. .
Introductory-Riding the Circuit-Early Resident Lawyers-Additions to the Linn County Bar-The Bar in 1860 and During the War-At the Close of the War-Some Recollec- tions-Early Brookfield Bar-Lawyers at Other Towns-Going back to Brookfield and Linneus-Younger Members of the Linn County Bar-General Remarks.
INTRODUCTORY.
Following the first tide of immigration to this section of the country, the early members of the Linn county bar came generally from Howard, Chariton, and other river counties; or from the States of Kentucky and Virginia.
The history of the Linn county bench and bar naturally begins with the organization of the county, which was done by an act of the General Assembly, approved January 6, 1837. At that time there was only one resident lawyer in the county, Judge James A. Clark. It cannot be said that his law practice was large. His standing in the county was that of a
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
" well posted " man. He drew deeds, gave legal advice, attended to differ- ences among neighbors, prescribed medicine, hunted game and bee-trees, and watched the farming as it went on around. Ten years before, he had been admitted to the bar of Howard county, at Fayette, during a session of the State Supreme Court, after an examination in open court. He had practiced at Boonville, Missouri; at Galena, Illinois; moved back to Mis- souri in 1831; married in 1833, and settled on the farm in present Linn county limits, in 1834. He was elected the first representative to the legis- lature from Linn county in 1838.
In December, 1839, Judge Burch died and Judge Clark was appointed as his successor, who held this position uninterruptedly from date until ousted, in 1861, from the office, for refusing to take the "Gamble Test. Oath."
He moved from Linn county to Monticello, Chariton county, after his appointment as judge of the circuit, and did not return to Linn to reside until August, 1878; but he may be considered the father of the Linn county bar. He is now drawing toward the close of a long and eventful life, which has been filled with honor, if not with due reward. His biography will be found complete in the proper chapter of this volume.
RIDING THE CIRCUIT.
In those early years, the members of the bar regularly "rode the circuit." The more prominent were Philip L. Edwards and Amos Rees, of Rich. mond, Ray county; Benjamin F. Farr and William Y. Slack, of Chilli- cothe, Livingston county; Anderson S. Harris, of Brunswick, Chariton county ; Ebenezer H. Wood, of Trenton, Grundy county. These, in con- nection with the judge and circuit attorney, managed the principal legal affairs of the entire circuit up to 1841.
It has become customary to look back upon those pioneer lawyers as be- ing men of more than ordinary ability and superior legal attainments. They doubtless were of a somewhat different texture to their modern suc- cessors. Their constant association in the tours of the circuit and their almost daily court practice developed quick legal acumen, and thoroughly drilled them in all the arts of successfully attacking or resisting a legal adversary. Their long horseback rides together through the backwoods and across the bare prairies, their crowded accommodations at the hotels of the various court towns, and the bon homme of their profession, developed among them very social, if not always convivial, habits. And the stories. they could tell! Volumes of them might be written, and are written, in fact. The present Linn county lawyer's stock of "anecdotes" is largely composed of the "old roarers" of his early predecessors, coupled with the more or less garnished reminiscences of the times, places, and circumstances. of their former rehearsals ..
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