USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > The history of Nodaway county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens > Part 59
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JUDGE PHILIP DALE,
of the firm of Dale & Jeffers, dealers in lumber and all kinds of building material, is one of the most enterprising citizens of Hopkins. He was born in Crawford County, Ohio, near the county seat, Bucyrus, on the 3d of August, 1832, and at the age of eight years he accompanied his parents to Iowa, where he remained for thirty-one years, engaged in farming. In 1870 he removed to California, and after spending about three months in the mountains he came to Missouri, settling in Nodaway County, where he continued to follow agricultural pursuits for four years. Mr. Dale then settled in Hopkins, and in 1875 established his present business. In 1877 Mr. Jeffers became associated with Mr. Dale, forming the firm of
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Dale & Jeffers. This firm is well known, and by principles of strict hon- esty in business transactions has gained an enviable reputation. The business of Dale & Jeffers at the present time is very large, amounting to $30,000 per year. In November, 1880, Mr. D. was the choice of the people for the office of county judge, to which position he was elected and which he has since continued to fill with credit to all concerned. He has ever taken a deep interest in educational matters, and at present fills the position of school director of the independent school district of Hop- kins. He is a member of Lodge No. 333, I` O. O. F., of Hopkins, and has held all the offices within the gift of the order, and at present fills the position of treasurer. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of Hopkins, in which lodge he has held the office of master workman for the past two years. Judge Dale is a very active worker in the cause of temperance, and is a member of Hopkins Lodge. He has always been opposed to the license law, against which he has ever voted. During the war he was elected captain of a company of Iowa State militia, and was commissioned by Governor Stone. Captain Dale was married July 8, 1857, to Miss Margaret A. Church. By this union they have four children: Freddie E., Martha E., Sarah J. and Frances M.
HENRY DEMOTT,
farmer and stock raiser, section 23, post office Hopkins, was born in Preble County, Ohio, December 4, 1836, and remained at his birthplace until thirteen years of age, spending his boyhood days on a farm, and receiving the benefits of a common school education. He accompanied his parents to Morgan County, Indiana, in 1849, and made that his home until he came west. On the 6th day of June, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany B, Twenty-first Indiana, and served for three years, filling the position of corporal most of the time. He took part in the battles of Baton Rouge, Teche, Siege of Port Hudson, and many minor engage- ments, being mustered out of service at New Orleans. He then returned to his old home in Indiana, arriving there July 24, 1864, and in the fall of that year took a trip west, visiting Nodaway County, where he purchased the farm on which he now resides. He returned again to Indiana, and afterwards came to reside permanently in the fall of 1865. He soon commenced to improve his farm, and has given his attention to agricultural pursuits since, now owning 212 acres of fine land, about 125 acres of which is under cultivation, the remainder being pasture and timber lands. His farm is on the edge of the One Hundred and Two River, sheltered by timber, and is well adapted for stock purposes, in the raising of which he is largely interested. Mr. D. also has a neat and comfortable residence. He is a member of Xenia Lodge, No. 50, A. F. and A. M. of Hopkins. On the 30th of November, 1868, he was married
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to Miss Catherine Johnston. She was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, April 10, 1850. They have a family of five children : John W., George W., Frederick B., Mageline, and Edna.
DONLIN BROS.,
dealers in general merchandise. This firm was established in 1870, and was the first to erect a business house and to open the first stock of goods in Hopkins. They carry one of the largest stocks of goods in in the city, and are crowded for room, although occupying a double store. Being well known in this vicinity for honesty and fair dealing, they merit the success that has attended their career. They are also interested in the Bank of Hopkins, and are owners of their store prop- erty, besides some residence lots. The firm is composed of John and Edward Donlin. John Donlin, the elder member of the firm, was born in December, 1834, in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. His father was a merchant, and John was raised in that business, receiving excel- lent educational advantages. He fitted himself for the profession of a civil engineer, and when nineteen years of age he commenced as such for the Peoria and Oquaka Railroad. This business he followed for about five years, and then settled in Mason County, Illinois, where he engaged in the mercantile business with his brother. Moving from there to Iowa, he afterward came to Xenia, Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1858, and to Hopkins in 1870. He is a member of Xenia Lodge No. 50, A. F. and A. M., and has been Master of the lodge for some five years. Mr. D. is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
EDWARD DONLIN,
the younger member of the firm, was born March 15, 1838, in New Orleans, and was reared there, receiving excellent educational advan- tages, and being raised to the mercantile business. When fifteen years of age, he entered the general land office of Riggs & Merriman, of Peoria, Illinois, as book keeper, and there made the first set of abstract books of the city. After remaining for two years, he returned to New Orleans, and assisted his father in his civil engineering, moving to Rock Island, Illinois, in 1857. He there resided two years, during this time being engaged as book keeper with Birl & Walker. Upon locating in Union County, Iowa, he engaged in farming for eight years, meeting with marked success. In 1868, Mr. D. settled at Xenia, Nodaway County, Missouri, and in partnership with his brother John, engaged in the gen- eral merchandise business, then coming to Hopkins in 1870. He is a member of Xenia Lodge, No. 50, A. F. and A. M. Mr. Doulin was mar- ried in 1858, to Miss Mary Harsh, a native of Ohio. They have had
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four children : Mary, William, Cora and Hattie. Donlin Brothers stand among the leading and most respected citizens of Hopkins.
JOHN DORAN,
farmer and stock raiser, section 20, post office Hopkins, was born near the city of St. Johns, New Brunswick, March 19, 1831. He spent his boyhood days on a farm on the banks of the St. Johns River, receiving the benefits of an education in the schools of the neighborhood. In 1850 he accompanied his parents to Marshall County, Illinois, where he resided until he came to Missouri, and since then he has given his attention prin- cipally to agricultural pursuits. He has also worked some at the car- penters' trade. When twenty-four years of age he embarked in business for himself, and made a nice farm in Illinois, which he sold in the spring of 1881, and immigrated west to Missouri, arriving in Nodaway County in March following. He then purchased his present farm of 120 acres, which is being improved, and upon it is a comfortable residence and good buildings for the accommodation of his stock. He has a fair orchard, and his place is well watered and well adapted to stock raising. Mr. P. was married December 25, 1855. to Miss Sarah A. White. She was born in Marshall County, Illinois, November 11, 1838. They have seven children living : Lucy E., (now Mrs. J. M. Gillfillen), William H., Phebe A., Elsie N. R., James C., Sarah A. and Beatrice C.
MICHAEL DOUGHERTY,
farmer and stock raiser, section 16, post office Hopkins, was born in Lawrence County, Indiana, May 8, 1834, and afterwards accompanied his parents to Knox County, Illinois, where he was principally raised as a farmer, receiving the benefits of a common school education. Upon arriving at maturity he started out in life on his own account, by first .working by the day. On the IIth of August, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany B, One Hundred and Second Illinois Infantry, and served until the close of the war, holding the position of sergeant. He took part in the battle of Resaca, Georgia, and was with General Sherman on his famous march to the sea and around to Washington, where he took part in the grand review. Mr. D. then returned to his old home in Knox County, Illinois, and from there came to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he purchased a farm. Most of the land was then in its primitive state. He moved to the place he now occupies in 1881 ; it contains 150 acres of fine land, well watered and well adapted to stock raising. Mr. Dougherty has filled most of the township offices. He was married May 24, 1855, to Miss Nancy Muck, who was born in Harrison County, Indiana, Sep- tember 6, 1838. They have raised an adopted child, Emma Dougherty,
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now Mrs. J. P. St. Clair. Mr. and Mrs. D. are members of the United - Brethren Church. J. P. St. Clair has found a home with Mr. D. since he was fourteen years of age. He was born in Benton County, Arkansas, August 31, 1855. In 1859, his parents moved to Mercer County, Illinois, and there he remained on a farm until the winter of 1869, when he came to Nodaway County and settled with Mr. Dougherty. During the winter of 1872, he attended school at Aulond Academy, in Livingston County, Missouri. He was married September 21, 1880, to Miss Emma Dough- erty. She was born in Worth County, Missouri, October 14, 1863. They have one child : Ethelbert M. Mrs. St. Clair is a member of the United Brethren Church.
W. DOWNING,
president of the Bank of Hopkins, was born February 18, 1825, in Wash- ington County, Indiana. His father was a native of New York State, and his mother was from Germany. The latter died while the son was about three years of age. At the age of ten years young Downing accom- panied his father to Fulton County, Illinois, where he remained until about eighteen years of age. He spent his boyhood days on a farm, and by self-application obtained a fair education, although never having the privileges of attending school a day in his life. He immigrated west with a brother in 1843, and they settled in Andrew County, Missouri, being among the pioneers of that section. Savannah had only been laid off, during the year previous. Mr. Downing soon commenced working out by the month, and subsequently came to Nodaway County, settling permanently about the year 1850. Here he commenced improving a farm, and has made agricultural pursuits and stock dealing his principal business since that time. During the war he served for about three months in the enrolled Missouri militia. He was engaged in the mer- cantile business one year at Xenia, and then came to Hopkins, when the place was in its infancy, commencing to deal in grain and stock. This he continued until he became interested in the banking business in July, 1877. In 1878 he became president of the bank, which position he still continues to occupy. His landed estate consists of some 920 acres, 240 of which lay in Kansas. Having left home at fourteen years of age bareheaded and barefooted, he has worked his own way through life, and is now numbered among the most successful and enterprising citizens of the county. Mr. D. has suffered much from the effects of a serious illness at the age of eighteen, and at present is in poor health. He was married in June, 1849, to Miss Martha A. Broyles, a native of East Tennessee. She was born about the year 1819. They have reared several adopted children. Mr. and Mrs. D. are members of the Free Will Baptist Church. Mr. D. also belongs to Xenia Lodge, No. 50, A. F. and A. M.
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WILLIAM H. DRUMM,
farmer and stock raiser, section 12, post office Hopkins, was born in Licking County, Ohio, January 6, 1834. His parents emigrated to Fulton County, Illinois, when he was about four years of age, remaining there for about eight years, when they moved to Knox County of the same state. William spent his boyhood days on a farm, and received the benefits of a common school education. Upon reaching his majority he commenced farming, and has followed that occupation since. During later years he owned a fine farm adjoining that of his father, and was interested in stock raising. Coming west in 1875, he purchased his farm and to it moved his family in the spring of 1877. This farm consists of 160 acres of well improved land, well watered, upon which is a good orchard. He has fair accommodations for stock raising, in which indus- try he is interested, two head of his stock being full bloods, brought from Indiana. Mr. D. has a good situation for his residence, which gives him an excellent view of the surrounding country. He was married November 11, 1858, to Miss Mary A. Spurlock, a native of Wayne County, Virginia. She was born October 31, 1835. They have four children living : Clara (now Mrs. David White, of Hopkins), Frank, Henry and Eddie. Mr. and Mrs. D. are active and substantial members of the M. E. Church of Hopkins.
B. G. EATON,
proprietor of the Ridge Farm, on section 8, and breeder of fine sheep. Among the most enterprising farmers of this township may be men- tioned the subject of this sketch. He was born in Sullivan County, New Hampshire, June 29, 1829, and was reared at his birth-place, spending his boyhood days on a farm and receiving the benefits of a com- mon education. He immigrated to Kane County, Illinois, in April, 1853, where he opened a farm and engaged in stock raising, remaining until 1869. During the war he served with the Home Guards at Camp Douglas, although not subject to military duty. In 1869 he removed to Taylor County, Iowa, where he made his home for two years, and then came to Hopkins, Nodaway county, Missouri. Here he was engaged in the lumber business for one year, principally for the purpose of giving his eldest son an experience in the business, and is now doing a thriving business in the same line at Conway, Iowa. Mr. Eaton moved to the Ridge Farm in the fall of 1871. It consists of 250 acres of choice land, well watered, with excellent pasture lands-making it one of the finest stock farms in the county. He is largely interested in sheep raising, and at present has about six hundred head, some of them being high grade Cotswold, imported from England. Mr. E. always carries away
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his share of the premiums at the county fairs. He is also largely inter- ested in poultry raising, and spares no pains in keeping his farm fitted up in good condition. He is an energetic, self-made man, and his moral standing is without reproach. Mr. Eaton has been three times married. First, March 4, 1853, to Miss Rhoda T. Fifield, a native of the same county and state as himself. She died in 1863, leaving one child, William B. His second marriage occurred September 12, 1863, to Miss Jane Olm- stead, a native of York state. She died in July, 1870, and left four children: Bessie J., Mary T., Rhoda T. and Emeline T. His present wife was M. V. Campbell, whom he married in 1871. She was born in Keo- kuk, Iowa, March 22, 1846. By this union they have one child, Byron P. Mr. and Mrs. E. are active members of the M. E. Church, of Hopkins. Mr. E. formerly held the position of superintendent of the Sabbath School.
H. C. FLEMING,
stock dealer, was born in Preble County, Ohio, November 6, 1843, and remained at his birthplace until about eleven years of age, attending the school of the neighborhood. He accompanied his parents to Mis- souri in 1854, and first settled in Savannah, Andrew County, when it was in its infancy. After remaining there about four years, they moved to Taylor County, Iowa, also being among the pioneers of that vicinity. H. C. returned to Missouri in 1863, and engaged in teaching, first in Gentry County, and afterwards in Daviess, Nodaway, and Andrew Coun- ties. In 1864 he took a trip through Jackson County, Missouri, and wit- nessed many of the battles fought during General Price's raid through the state. He was married April 8, 1866, to Miss Nancy Jones, a native of Buchanan County, Missouri. After his marriage he turned his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits, and purchased a farm one mile south of Hopkins, in section 14. He now owns 240 acres of improved land, well watered, and one of the finest stock farms in the county. Mr. F. is a member of Xenia Lodge, No. 50, A. F. and A. M. of Hopkins, in which he formerly held the position of secretary. He takes a deep interest in educational matters, and has filled the position of school director most of the time since a resident of the county. His wife died on the 22d of June, 1876, leaving three children living : Anna B., Mary, and Rosa M. Soon after the death of his companion, Mr. F. rented his farm and moved to Hopkins for the purpose of educating his children. There he was engaged in mercantile pursuits a short time, but latterly has par- tially retired from active business life.
A. W. FLOREA,
farmer and stock raiser, section 4, post office Hopkins, is one among the many prominent men of this district. He is a native of Ohio and was
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born June 30, 1848. There he resided till he obtained his majority, receiving the advantages of an excellent education. He is a graduate of North Liberty, Ohio, Acadamy, having completed his studies there in 1870. In 1872 he emigrated to this state and settled in Hopkins, where he remained four years, during the most of which time he was principal of the Hopkins schools. While a resident there he was one of that city's prominent and active men, and was looked upon as among the leaders of all movements pertaining to the advancement of the city and the elevation of society generally. He moved on his present place in 1876, and there he has since resided. He owns 200 acres of good land, all of which is under cultivation. Mr. Florea was married August 10, 1871, to Miss Anna Reid, an estimable lady. They have three chil- dren : Oscar V., Clarence R. and Roy. Mr. F. is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He and his wife belong to the M. E. Church.
FRAYNE & JEFFERS.
This firm is composed of William S. Frayne and D. Jeffers. The former is a native of Palmyra, Wisconsin, and was born November 6, 1853. He was reared at his birth-place, and after receiving a prepara- tory education in the common schools he attended Milton College, of Milton, Wisconsin. In 1870 he commenced to learn the tinner's trade, at Whitewater, Wisconsin, working for about three years in that locality, and then immigrated west and settled in Steamboat Rock, Hardin County, Iowa, where he was engaged in the hardware business. After remaining there one year he moved to Marshalltown, Iowa, where he was interested in the wholesale hardware business, and one year later he came to Missouri, and located in Hopkins in November, 1877. Here he formed a partnership with C. S. Martin, and opened a hardware and fur- niture store. They carried on a thriving business until the fall of 1880, when they dissolved partnership, and Mr. Frayne associated with him Mr. D. Jeffers, and erected the two story brick which they now occupy. They carry a $10,000 stock of hardware, furniture, glassware, etc., one of the largest and most complete in town, and have a good tin shop in con- nection with the business, also a stock of undertakers' goods. Mr. Frayne has worked his own way through life, and has won the respect of a large circle of friends. He is a member of Palmyra Lodge, No. 68, A. F. and A. M. He was married December 24, 1878, to Miss Nellie Crinklaw, a native of Marengo, Illinois, born in 1861.
R. A. GEORGE,
farmer and stock raiser, section 33, post office Hopkins. The subject of this sketch is a native of Ohio, and was born December 11, 1831. He there resided till in his eighteenth year, when, with his father's family,
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he emigrated to Missouri, and settled in Andrew County, where he remained till 1868, then came to this county and located where he now resides, he being the owner of seventy-seven acres of average land, all of which he cultivates. Mr. G. was married October 20, 1853, to Miss Mary J. Hobson. They have to bless this union seven children : Louisa L., Charles T., William H., James N., Margaret E., Walter R., and Nancy P. Mrs. G. is a member of the Baptist Church. The subject of this sketch was one of the first settlers in his district, and is a man who has the esteem and confidence of all who know him.
S. W. GERARD.
druggist and physician, was born January 22, 1832, in the village of Lon- don, Madison County, Ohio. He was reared at his birthplace, and received his education in the schools of that place. Having made choice of the study of medicine as a profession, he commenced its study in 1855, beginning to practice in 1858. About this time he removed west, and settled in Dallas County, Iowa, where he remained for one year, then going to Mt. Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa. After making his home there for six months, he came to Maryville, Nodaway County, Missouri, and remained there one year, afterwards locating at Xenia, where he remained until 1870. The country was then new and the settlements so scattered that he often rode thirty or forty miles to see half a dozen patients. He met with many thrilling adventures in his pioneer life. At the founding of Hopkins, in 1870, he was among the first to commence the drug business, and has since continued to carry it on, at the same time practicing his profession, in which he has met with marked suc- cess. Dr. G. carries a complete stock in his line, and has the patronage of a large circle of acquaintances. He owns his store property, and also one at Burlington Junction, besides his residence property at Hopkins. He is a member of Xenia Lodge No. 50, A. F. and A. M., in which he formerly held the positions of Senior Warden and Secretary. Dr. Gerard was married in 1860 to Miss Melvina Hatfield, a native of Illinois. They have had three children : Cora, Jennie and Lilly.
GOODSILL BROTHERS,
dealers in lumber, hardware, wagons, coal, etc., at Hopkins, Missouri, and also at Bedford, Conway, Gravity and Redding, Iowa, and at Grant City, Missouri. This firm name is familiar to almost every family in Southern Iowa and Northwest Missouri. Many are the persons they have helped, as they have stood in the front rank of liberal public spir- ited men, and are known as earnest, live, energetic business men, and are an honor to any town or good society. They do a very large busi-
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ness. Their aggregate sales for 1881 will amount to over $350,000, and is constantly increasing. They have sold over $45,000 worth of barb wire during the season of 1881. They erected one of the first business houses in Hopkins, about the time the rails were laid on the K. C., St. J. & C. B. R. R., and shipped their first bill of lumber from lowa around by St. Joseph, and paid for it at Maryville, for thirty days before any agent was stationed here, and as soon as the rails were laid to Hopkins they had their lumber here. They may truly be termed the pioneer business firm of Hopkins. They assisted in organizing the Bank of Hopkins, and are the owners of a large share of the stock. They are also interested in the Citizens' Bank of Bedford, Iowa. The men composing this firm, who have done so much toward forwarding all interests of the country round and about, is composed of Alexander and N. Goodsill. The former was born November 1, 1833, in Lower Canada, near Montreal, his parents being residents there for a time. They were natives of the Green Moun- tain State, and Alexander was taken there when quite young. He spent his boyhood days on a farm, and received the benefits of an academic education, making choice of agricultural pursuits as an occupation in life. In 1845 he immigrated to McHenry County, Illinois, and engaged in farming, and from there he moved to Taylor County, Iowa, where he made his home until 1875, when he came to Hopkins, and in partnership with his brother, N. Goodsill, engaged in the lumber business. As a business man, Mr. G. is thoroughly honest and reliable, and well merits the esteem in which he is held by a host of friends. He has been a self- made man, and owes his success in life only to his sterling principles of honesty, toil and fair dealing. He is a member of Taylor Lodge, of Bed- ford, Iowa, in which he is a Master Mason. He has been twice married- first in 1864, to Miss Mary J. Hill, a native of Charlotte, Vermont. She died in 1874, and left four children : Sarah U., Helen M., John R. and Mary. Mr. Goodsill was married again in 1876, to Miss Elizabeth Wil- liamson, a native of Meadville, Pennsylvania. By this union they have one child : Albert H.
B. F. GOODSON, M. D.
Among the successful practitioners of Nodaway County, the subject of this sketch occupies a prominent position. He was born in Clinton County, Ohio, September 27, 1851, and remained at his birthplace until about sixteen years of age, when he accompanied his parents to Lewis County, Missouri, and resided there until 1877. He spent his youth on a farm, and received his literary education partly at Monticello and partly at the State Normal, at Kirksville, Missouri. Commencing the study of medicine in 1873, under a preceptor, he subsequently attended courses of lectures in 1876 7, at the Keokuk College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Keokuk, Iowa, from which institution he was graduated in
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