The history of Nodaway county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens, Part 62

Author: National historical company, St. Joseph, Mo. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: St. Joseph, Mo., National historical co.
Number of Pages: 1064


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 62


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).


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he did on his return, at St. Joseph, having delegates from the different leagues. At this meeting he was appointed Grand Lecturer for the state, and besides filling his appointment organized leagues in the counties above named. In 1864 he was appointed to the Bethany and Edinburg Circuit, including all of Harrison and parts of Daviess and Grundy Counties. In 1865 he received the Bethany Circuit, or Harrison County, and worked in the county that fall in the interest of the new state con- stitution. In 1866 he was appointed Presiding Elder of the Le Grand District, embracing Lewis, Clark, Knox, Schuyler, Adair, Scotland. Shelby, and a part of Marion Counties. He served the regular term of four years. In 1870 and 1871 he was stationed at Kirksville, Adair County. In 1872 he received Olvester and Glenwood, and in 1872 Beth- any, Harrison County, and the years 1874-5-6 he passed on the Albany Circuit, of Gentry County ; 1877-8 on the Barnard Circuit, in Nodaway County : 1879-80-81 on the Hopkin's Circuit. Mr. Moorhead, during his roamings, has met with many thrilling and miraculous escapes. He is an active member of the Good Templars' Lodge, of Hopkins. His family consists of three children living : William Lincoln, born May 16, 1866 ; John L., born March 16, 1870; Mary L., born June 19, 1875. One is deceased.


WILLIAM MOREHOUSE,


farmer and stock raiser, section 16, post office Hopkins, was born in Essex County, New Jersey, near the city of Newark, September 20, 1806. He spent his boyhood days on a farm at his birthplace, receiving a common school education, and when sixteen years of age he accompan- ied his parents to Morrow (then Delaware) County, Ohio. They settled in the timber, and there William assisted his father and brothers in clearing a farm, and then improved one for himself. He was also engaged in the saw milling business twenty years, and being skilled in the use of tools, also worked some at the carpenter's trade. He came west in 1856 on a pleasure tour, and returned home and sold his farm, moving with his family in 1858 to Nodaway County, settling here in July of the same year. He purchased the land where he now resides in 1859. Mr. M. has since given his attention to agricultural pursuits. The county was very thinly settled at that time, and he entered upon his second pioneer expe- rience. His farm now contains eighty acres of improved land and sixty- eight acres of timber. He is a sturdy, honest and industrious citizen, and has seen many a hard day's work, but is still well preserved and well posted on the topics of the day. Mr. M. was married about the year 1830, to Miss Elizabeth Aldridge, a native of York State. By this union they have five children living : Susan, (now Mrs. John Goodman), Caro- line, (widow of Luther Riley), Smith, Cynthia, (now Mrs. Samuel Wood) and Percilla. Three are deceased.


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HARVEY MOREHOUSE,


farmer and stock raiser, section 16, post office Hopkins, was born in Morrow (then Deleware) County, Ohio, July 28, 1831, and was there reared, spending his boyhood days on a farm, and receiving an educa- tion in the schools of the neighborhood. His father worked at the car- penter trade, and Harvey also learned to use the tools when quite young, and being of an ingenious turn of mind, took quite a liking to the busi- ness, and has followed it more or less through life. He emigrated west and settled in this county in 1858, when it was almost a wilderness, and has been identified with its growth and prosperity since. He has filled the offices of road overseer and school director several terms. He owns a nice farm of 120 acres, all of which is in cultivation and pasture lands. He has a small orchard and keeps a fair amount of stock. The tornado which passed through this region in June, 1881, swept the fence clear from forty acres of his land and damaged his crops to a considerable extent. Mr. M. was an eye witness to the scene and assisted in caring for those injured. He was married in the fall of 1854, to Miss Adeline Wood, a native of Cataraugus County, New York. They have a family of eight children : Charles, Lillian (now Mrs. Cyrus White), Lucina (now Mrs. H. C. Butts), Albert, Timothy, Alice A., Lemars and Ethie M. Mrs. M. is a member of the M. E. denomination.


S. A. MOREHOUSE,


farmer and stock raiser, section 16, post office Hopkins, was born in Morrow County, Ohio, December 12, 1833. He was reared at his birth- place, spending his boyhood days on a farm and receiving an education in the schools of the neighborhood. He also worked some at the car- penter's trade. Coming west in 1858, he settled in Nodaway County, and has since been identified with the growth and prosperity of this county. During the war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. Mr. M. has devoted his attention chiefly to agricultural pursuits, and now owns a fine farm of 100 acres, well improved. He has filled most all of the township offices. He is a member of Xenia Lodge No. 50, A. F. and A. M. of Hopkins, and stands among the leading citizens of the county. Mr. M. was married December 31, 1853, to Miss Alice Wood, an estimable lady. She was born in Erie County, New York, January 17, 1834. They have had six children, five of whom are now living- Edward, Madora, (now Mrs. Wesley Gray,) Nelson, Frank and Marlo.


FRANCIS M. MOREHOUSE,


farmer and stock raiser, section 9, post office Hopkins, is the second son of Judge Stephen Morehouse, of Maryville, and was born in Mor-


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row County, Ohio, May 19, 1843. He was reared at his birthplace until thirteen years of age, spending his boyhood days on the farm, and receiving the benefits of an education in the schools of the neighborhood. In the spring of 1856, he accompanied his parents westward, they set- tling in Union Township, Nodaway County, where they commenced the improvement of a farm in the then wild and thinly settled county. Since that time they have been identified with the advancement and interests of Nodaway County. During the war, Francis served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. He has given his attention to agricultural pursuits through life, and now owns a fine farm of eighty acres, well improved, besides twenty acres of timber. He has good buildings for the accommodation of his stock. His farm is watered by three good wells, and he also has a good young orchard. Mr. M. has filled the office of road supervisor five years and school director two years. He was married, in 1870, to Miss Sarah E. Huls, a native of Kentucky. They have been blessed with three children, two of whom are living : Mattie M. and Luna V.


G. A. MOREHOUSE,


farmer and fine stock raiser, section 17, post office Hopkins, was born in Morrow County, Ohio, March 26, 1845, and was there reared, spend- ing his youth on a farm and receiving a common school education. Arriving at maturity he commenced farming on his own account, and in the spring of 1869 came west, settling in Nodaway County, Missouri. He has given his attention to agricultural pursuits through life, and now owns 40 acres of improved land and 10 acres of timber. He is largely interested in raising fine horses, roadsters of the famous Black Hawk and Hamiltonian stock, some of the best in the west. One of these animals took two premiums in Morrow County, Ohio. Mr. M. also keeps three varieties of hogs-Berkshire, Poland-China and Jersey Reds, the last named being imported direct from New Jersey. Ile is also largely engaged in sheep raising, and in partnership with his brother owns about 300 head. Mr. M. was married in 1868 to Miss Mattie Strawn, who was born in Perry County, Ohio, in October, 1842. They. have three children Minnie M., John H. and Florence M.


JOHN NIXON,


grain and stock dealer, was born in Butler County, Ohio, November 13, 1836, and at the age of five years was taken to Fountain County, Indi- ana, by his parents, where he was principally raised as a farmer, receiv- ing his education in the schools of the vicinity. In 1854, he removed to Page County, Iowa, and resided there for about twenty-three years,


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being engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock dealing, his attention having been more particularly devoted to the latter business during the last twelve years. In 1877, he sold out and went to the Walla-Walla Valley, Washington Territory, where he remained eighteen months, engaged in farming. From there he came to Hopkins, Missouri, and engaged in the grain and stock business. He now ships a large portion of the grain which goes from this point, and being a live, energetic busi- ness man, is deserving of his success. Mr. Nixon at present holds the position of township collector of this township. He has been twice married. First, on the 19th of March, 1854, to Miss Mary Dennison, a native of Perry County, Ohio. She died February 26, 1855, leaving one child : William M. He married for his second wife Miss Elizabeth A. Davison, a native of Page County, Iowa, on the 30th of December, 1855. By this union they have seven children : Mary (now Mrs. O. McFarland), S. W., Emily J. (now Mrs. G. W. Shearer), Victoria E., John S., Martha B., and Alma A. Mr. Nixon is a member of the Masonic fraternity.


D. A. NORTHOVER,


section 13, post office Hopkins, was born on the Island of Jersey, (one of the channel islands), on the coast of England, December 6, 1843, and was reared at his birthplace, receiving a common school education. In 1867 he crossed the ocean and landed at Quebec, first settling in the Province of Ontario, Canada, where he remained until May, 1870, when he came to St. Joseph, Missouri. From there he went to Barnard, Nod- away County, where he made his home for nine months, working on the railroad. In December, 1870, he came to Hopkins, and has continued the railroad business since. In 1874 he purchased his farm and moved his family thereon. It is situated one mile south of town, and contains 160 acres of fine land, being well watered and having a large quantity of timber upon it. Mr. N. has about sixty-five acres of land under cultiva- tion, a handsome residence and an excellent barn. He now holds the position of section foreman on the section south of Hopkins, and attends very closely to the duties of his position. Mr. N. is a member of the A. O. U. W., of Hopkins. He was married to Miss Anna McCrea. She was born in the Province of Ontario, Canada, in 1839. They have three chil- dren : Alice, Edward and Charles. They worship with the Presbyterian denomination.


JOHN WARREN OLMSTEAD,


stock dealer, was born in Branch County, Michigan, November 26, 1835. When nine years of age he accompanied his parents to Wisconsin, where they resided for nine months, and then moved to Putnam County, Indi- ana, remaining three years. Emigrating west, they settled in Decatur


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HOPKINS TOWNSHIP.


County, Iowa, where John made his home until September, 1856, when he moved to Mills County, Iowa. Nine years afterwards he located in Dallas County, Iowa, and remained there for seven years, thence coming to Nodaway County, Missouri, in the spring of 1872. He purchased a farm in section 35, Atchison Township, upon which he settled, contain- ing 160 acres, of fine land, moderately improved, well watered, and adapted to stock raising. He also owns two blocks in Hopkins, one lot lying on Third Street, the rest is residence property, on which he has three residences. Mr. O. has filled the office of town collector for some time with credit to himself and his constituents. He was married June 22, 1856, to Miss Angeline Runkles. She was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, June 18, 1836, but was principally raised in Mercer County of that state. In September, 1877, Mrs. Olmstead commenced the millinery and dress making business at her residence in Hopkins. In September, 1880, she rented a building on Third Street and moved her stock there, and in the fall of 1881 erected a neat building on the same street. She keeps a full assortment in this line, and has the patronage of a large circle of acquaintances. Mr. and Mrs. Olmstead moved to Hopkins in November, 1875, and Mr. O. engaged in the mercantile business, following it for some three years. His health being poor he partially retired from active business life, although he deals in stock to some extent.


MERRILL OTIS.


Among the oldest and most respected citizens of Nodaway County may be mentioned the subject of this sketch, who was born in Tusca- rawas County, Ohio, April 1, 1825. He was reared at his birthplace, spending his boyhood days on a farm and receiving his education in the schools of the neighborhood. Upon arriving at maturity he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and has devoted himself to this branch of business through life. Moving westward to Missouri in 1858, he settled in Nodaway County, near Xenia. The county was then almost a wilderness, and the task of making a home and improving a farm was not an easy one. Mr. Otis purchased a tract of 800 acres of land, and commenced its cultivation. From that time until the present he has been identified with the growth and prosperity of Nodaway County, and it is to such energetic citizens as he that this county is indebted for the position she occupies as one of the foremost in the state. Mr. O. has divided his land among his children, and has but forty acres at present. This land is well improved, and upon it is a good orchard. He takes quite an interest in educational matters, and has several times filled the position of school director. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was married in 1851 to Miss Tamer Myers, who was born and raised in the same place as himself. She died on the


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19th of August, 1877, leaving seven children : Reason, Sarah A. (now Mrs. Oliver Rumzy), George W., Edward, Jasper N., Absalom, and Mary F.


GEORGE W. PISTOLE,


farmer and stock raiser, section 23, post office Hopkins, was born in DeKalb County, Tennessee, April 24, 1837, and accompanied his parents to Missouri in the fall of 1842, first settling below St. Joseph. There they remained that winter, and in April, 1843, came to Nodaway County, which was then called Andrew County. The country, a vast wilderness, was inhabited by roving bands of Indians and wild animals, and many were the trials and hardships experienced by these hardy sons of toil. George remembers of accompanying his father to St. Joseph for sup- plies and on milling expeditions, and of having to pay ten cents per bushel for grinding, besides the toll, and of being seven days on the trip. Savannah was their nearest post office. He also relates a story of immigrants taking their wagons to pieces and ferrying them across the river in a dug-out. George received a primary education in the sub- scription schools of pioneer days. During the war he enlisted in Com- pany K, Ninth Missouri Cavalry, in the fall of 1862, and served two years, when he was discharged on account of disability. He returned to this county and remained here until the fall of 1875, when he moved to Olathe, Johnson County, Kansas, for the purpose of educating his children. He returned to this county in March, 1881, and now owns a fine farm of 200 acres, well improved. Mr. Pistole held the position of tax collector in 1872, being the first one for the township. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, and formerly belonged to Xenia Lodge, but now holds his membership at Olathe, Kansas. He was married in 1858 to Miss Cynthia Wyatt, a native of Tennessee. By this union they have four children : Sarah L., Tilatha A., George E. and Nellie J. The three eldest are at present in Olathe, Kansas. Mr. P. and his wife are members of the Christian Church.


T. W. PORTER,


postmaster, was born June 22, 1843, in Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan, and spent his boyhood days on a farm in that vicinity. After receiving a preparatory education in the common schools, he attended the State Normal. After arriving at maturity, he first engaged his attention to farming, for some five years. In 1865, he immigrated west, and spent two years in freighting in the Rocky Mountains. He then located in Bates County, Missouri, where he again engaged in farming, and, in 1868, he returned to his old home, in Michigan, residing there until April, 1870. He then came west, and settled near Xenia, Noda-


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way County, Missouri, and resumed his agricultural pursuits. Mr. P. came to Hopkins with the first settlement of the place, and assisted in building Donlin Brothers' store, the first business house erected in the place, and, during the process of erection he had to go to Xenia, six miles distant, to obtain board and lodging. In April, 1871, he opened a drug store, which was the second store of any consequence here. This store he continued to conduct until 1878. Mr. Porter received the appointment of postmaster of Hopkins, April 2, 1873, and has since continued to fill this position. The length of time during which he has held the office is ample evidence of the satisfaction he has given to all parties interested. In 1877, he moved into his present quarters. He owns two store buildings and property, also half a block of residence property, with two residences. The one in which he resided is one of the finest in town, and an ornament to the place. Mr. P. is a member of Xenia Lodge, No. 50, A. F. and A. M., inwhich he holds the office of treasurer. He held the position of secretary for several years. He was married on New Years day, 1872, to Miss Dallas S. Johnston, a native of Maryland.


JOSEPH F. RANDOLPH & CO.,


undertakers, and dealers in furniture and hardware, and manufacturers of tinware. Joseph F. Randolph was born July 22, 1843, in Delaware County, Ohio. His parents died while he was young, and he was adopted by a merchant, and literally raised to the mercantile business. He received an education in the schools of that place. His foster father died when Joseph was thirteen years old, and he was thrown upon his own resources. He first gave his attention to agricultural pursuits until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in the Eigthy-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry in September, 1862, and on the 12th of Novem- ber, of the same year, was transferred to the One Hundred and Twenty- fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served for three years, being mus- tered out November 21, 1865, after having taken part in the battles of Spring Hill, first battle of Franklin, Chickamagua, and many others. He was wounded at the last named battle, September 20, 1863, and remained in the hospital until March 24, 1864, when he recovered and was trans- ferred to the Forty-third Regiment, Second Battalion, V. R. C., and was then attached to the Camp Denison Band. In April, 1865, the company was disbanded, and he accepted the position of descriptive roll clerk at the hospital headquarters at Camp Denison. He was discharged from ser- vice November 21, 1865, as above stated. Returning to his former home in Ohio, he started a general merchandise store at West Liberty, and six months later sold out and moved to Wyandot County, Ohio. After he had attained the age of twenty-four years he attended school one year at Audubon University. He was engaged in teaching during the


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winter of 1868, and then came west and settled in Maryville in the fall of 1869. Here he was employed in teaching during the winter, and in the following spring purchased forty acres of land in the Holt district. On this he settled in July, 1870, and remained there until April, 1872, when he rented his farm and entered the employ of J. E. Hudson & Co., of Maryville. Some eight months later he purchased the hardware store of Lindell & Dobbs, of Hopkins, and commenced business on his own account. On the 25th of September, 1876, he became associated with Goodsill Bros., and they erected a substantial brick building dur- ing the summer of 1876, twenty-two by eighty feet, two stories high, which they have filled with a complete stock in their line. Mr. R. is genial and kind in manners, and has the respect of a large circle of friends. He is a member of Lodge No. 333, of the I. O. O. F., of Hop- kins, of which he is one of the charter members. He is also a member of the Good Templars' Lodge, of this place, in which he has lately been elected Worthy Chief Templar. He was married September 2, 1869, to Miss Mary E. Little, a native of Wyandot County, Ohio. She was born March 5; 1845: They have adopted a boy, now seven years of age, Harry Lewis. They attend the Presbyterian Church of Hopkins, and are liberal contributors thereto.


A. J. REED,


farmer and stock raiser, section 17, post office Hopkins, was born in Sharpsburg, Bath County, Kentucky, April 18, 1833, and with his parents moved to Menard County, Illinois, in the fall of 1833. There he was raised to manhood, spending his boyhood days on a farm, and receiving his education in the old log school houses of pioneer days. When six- teen years of age he commenced life on his own account, first engaging to work with a farmer for $10 per month during the summer seasons. He attended school during the winter. In 1851 he formed a partnership with his brother, they purchasing a piece of unbroken prairie land, which they commenced to improve. In 1863 A. J. sold out his interest in the farm and purchased one of his own in the same neighborhood in which he resided until he decided to move west in 1879. He again disposed of his property, and on the 16th of September, 1879, packed his household goods and started for Nodaway County, Missouri, by the overland route, arriving at Maryville October 16th of that year. There he remained for four months, and then settled on the farm which he now occupies, it con- taining 240 acres of well improved land, with a neat and comfortable residence, etc. Mr. R. is largely interested in the raising of both hogs and cattle, and is an industrious citizen He is a member of Myrtle Lodge, No. 470, I. O. O. F., of Middletown, Logan County, Illinois, of which he was one of the charter members. Mr. Reed was marrie


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November 12, 1857, to Miss Sarah J. Shenneman. She was born in Wayne County, Ohio, October 7, 1838. They have had five children : Charlie L., Laura J., William I., Frank C. and Lulu A. Mr. Reed, his wife and two eldest children are members of the Cumberland Presbyte- rian Church.


DANA A. SARGENT,


physician and surgeon, Hopkins, is prominent among the successful practitioners of Nodaway County. He was born in Ontario, La Grange County, Indiana, May 18, 1854, and in 1859, accompanied his parents to Montgomery County, Illinois. There he resided three years, when he moved to Morgan, Ashtabula County, Ohio, remaining there one winter. Thence to Warren County, Illlinois, and after one year he went to Boonesboro, Boone County, Iowa, remaining there some three years. Mr. S. then came to Nodaway County, Missouri, in the fall of 1866, and settled at Xenia. His father was a doctor, and Dana after receiving a preparatory education in the common schools and studying under his father, took his first course of lectures at the Keokuk College of Physi- cians and Surgeons, of Keokuk, Iowa, entering in October, 1877, and graduating from that institution June 18, 1878. Dr. S. then returned to Nodaway County, and commenced the practice of his profession, coming to Hopkins June 2, 1880. Here he continued his practice, and at present has a large and lucrative business. To the most thorough qualifications as a physician, he adds promptness and politeness in attention to calls. He makes a specialty of surgery, and has met with excellent success. He is a member of Xenia Lodge,. No. 50, A. F. and A. M., and also of the I. O. O. F. of Hopkins. During the summer of 1880, he was appointed city physician of Hopkins, which position he still holds. Dr. Sargent was married October 23, 1881, to Miss Carrie E. Wallace. She was born in Nodaway County, Missouri, October 24, 1860.


REV. R. M. SIMMONS,


section 7, post office Hopkins. The subject of this sketch is a native of Madsion County, Illinois, where he was born, November 7, 1819. At an early age the family removed to Warren County, where R. M. passed the greater part of his life. When starting in life, he chose as his call- ing the ministry, and, after a due course of study, was ordained in 1861, in the Baptist faith. He has preached the word of God for the past twenty years. In 1875, he emigrated to this state, and settled in this county, where he has since resided. In 1876, he moved to his pres- ent place, where he owns 200 acres of land, that will compare favorably with any in the county, most of which is under cultivation. Mr. Sim- mons was married October 5, 1845, to Miss Diana W. Stice. They have


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from this marriage twelve children : Azelia C., Julius C., Mary E., Sarah M., Jane C., Clara E. (deceased), Roland M., Francis T., Phebe E., Andrew W. (deceased), George F. and Grace. Doctor S. is president of the Board of Education of Hopkins Independent School District, and has always taken an active part in everything pertaining to the advance- ment and progress of the moral and educational interests of this county.




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