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 67
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ROBERT GARTEN,
farmer and stock raiser, section 16, post office Pickering, was born in Putnam County, Indiana, March 11, 1833. He was raised there until fourteen years of age, spending his boyhood days on a farm, receiving a common school education in the log school houses of pioneer days. In 1847, he accompanied his parents to Knox County, Indiana, where he resided four years, and then moved to Bureau County, Illinois, where he made his home for five years. His next move was to Missouri, settling in Platte County, and he has resided in the west since that time. He spent some five years on the plains, engaged in freighting, and during that time made two trips to New Mexico, having had some narrow
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escapes from being massacred by the Indians. Being a crack shot, with both rifle and revolver, he has killed many buffalo, antelope, and other game, and has met with many thrilling incidents in his western experi- ence. In 1863, he enlisted in the Enrolled Missouri Militia, and served about six months. He then enlisted in the regular service, in Company C, Fifty-first Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, when he came to Nodaway County, and purchased the land on which he now resides. It was then wild, and he commenced to improve it. He now owns 120 acres improved and sixty acres of timber and pasture lands. He has a neat and comfortable residence, situated about one-half mile south of Pickering, and has a good view of the town and the surrounding country. He also has an orchard and vineyard, and keeps his farm well stocked. Mr. G. was married, in 1866, to Mrs. Han- nah Binnum, a widow with two children, H. E. and George P. Binnum. By the latter union there are four children : James S., William S., Car- rie and Arthur M. Mr. and Mrs. Garten are active members of the M. E. Church of Pickering, in which he holds the position of church trustee, and formerly held the office of steward. He has been a member of the denomination for twenty years.
EDWARD S. GODSEY,
farmer and stock raiser, section 25, post office Hopkins, was born in Chesterfield County, Virginia, June 8, 1822. His father was of Irish lineage and his mother of English origin Edward spent his boyhood days on a farm at his birthplace, and when sixteen years of age accom- panied his parents to Laurel County, Kentucky, in the fall of 1839. He remained in that state until the fall of 1850, when he emigrated to Tay- lor County, Iowa, which was almost a wilderness at that time, there being but about twenty families in the county. He came when the inhabitants were wolves and Indians, and may be considered a pioneer. He has the honor of having held the first office of constable in the county, and also of assisting in building the first house in Bedford. This was a log building erected for a drug store. Mr. G. remained there some twelve years, engaged in farming. He then came to Nodaway County, and settled on his present place March 20, 1862. During the war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. In 1863 he opened a general merchandise store at Xenia, and carried on the business two years. Since that time he has devoted his attention exclusively to agri- cultural pursuits. His landed estate consists of 354 acres, the home farm of 160 acres being well watered and improved. He has a good orchard, a neat and comfortable residence, barn, etc., and has his place well stocked. He takes an interest in educational matters, and has filled the office of school director several terms. Mr. Godsey commenced life a
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poor boy and has made what he now has by honesty and industry. He was married December 11, 1845, to Miss Elizabeth Dowis, a native of Knox County, Kentucky. She was born March 5, 1825. They have been blessed with eleven children, six of whom are living: Jessie T., John F., Judy S. (now Mrs. George M. Ringold), Ella D., George, and Cora T. They are active members of the Missionary Baptist Church of Hopkins.
WILLIAM GRAY, JR.
farmer and stock raiser, section 5, was among the early pioneers of Nod- away County. He was born in Ash County, North Carolina, March IO, 1831, and was taken to Campbell County, Tennessee, when two years of age. From there he went to Carroll County, Missouri, in the fall of 1841, and thence to Nodaway County in the spring of 1842. The family set- tled in what is now Union Township, the country then being something of a wilderness and the Indian tribes still roaming over the county. Mr. Gray purchased a claim and commenced improving a farm. The place was called Gray's Grove, the two brothers, John and Martin Gray, residing there. There was but one store in Maryville at that time, and that was kept in a log house. William relates an incident of going to mill to the Platte City Mills, below St. Joseph, when a boy, in company with two others. They were six weeks making the trip, and he came near freez- ing to death on his return. In the meantime the folks at home were subsisting on corn meal made on a hominy block. The hardships endured by the pioneers seemed enough to discourage and intimidate the most courageous. Mr. Gray has made this township his home since that time, and has taken an active part in improving it. During the war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. In March, 1853, he set- tled where he now resides ; he had taken it as a claim previous to this and made some improvements. He now owns 270 acres of well improved land, has a good orchard, a neat and comfortable residence, a barn and excellent feed lot with a never-failing spring in it. He has filled most of the district offices often. Mr. Gray has been twice married : First, April 13, 1852, to Miss Nancy Ingalls, who died September 21, 1869, and left nine children, eight of whom are now living: James T., Wes- ley F., Martha E., (now Mrs. Wilson Hadley), John S., Mahala J., (now Mrs. George Loch), Austin S., Samuel G. and William T. He was married again to Mrs. Mary Shelton. She was born in Harrison County, Ohio, September 17, 1838. They have had five children, two of whom are now living : Edgar F. and Emmett O. Mrs. Gray has three children living by her former husband : Eva B., William R. and Albert L. Shelton. Mr. and Mrs. Gray are members of the M. E. Church.
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LIEUTENANT COLONEL M. B. W. HARMAN,
farmer and stock raiser, section 15, post office Pickering. Among the enterprising and well to do citizens of Nodaway County, may be men- tioned the subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears elsewhere. He was born in York County, Pennsylvania, March 26, 1834, and when twelve years of age he entered a counting house, in which he remained some three years. He then accompanied his parents to Deleware County, Ohio, and obtained a position in a large salaratus factory, where after working for some four years, he became cashier and book keeper. He held this position two years, when he purchased a farm and com- menced improving it. In 1857, he became engaged as traveling agent with Henry Miller & Brothers, publishers, of Columbus, Ohio, and trav- eled for about four years through the Southern States. He was in Geor- gia when the war broke out, but soon returned to Deleware County, Ohio, and on the 28th of August, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Com- pany E, Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at Camp Chase, Ohio, under Colonel Moses B. Walker. He was soon promoted to sergeant major and assistant drill master. He served with the fourteenth army corps, and for gallant services rendered he was brevetted second, and afterwards first lieutenant and assistant quartermaster. At the battle of Chickamauga he saved the wagon train of the fourteenth army corps by his self possession and calmness. After this battle he was brevetted captain. At the battle of Altoona his regiment arrived in time to save the day, and he proved to be the ranking officer, the others having been killed or wounded. After this engagement he was brevetted major. Major Harman went through with General Sherman on his famous march to the sea, thence through the Carolinas to Washington, where he took part in the grand review. His regiment-the Thirty-first Ohio-was mus- tered out at Camp Chase, Ohio, July 26, 1865. Out of 1,492 that went to the field, only 712 returned. They took part in twenty-two principal battles. When mustered out he held the position of lieutenant colonel and assistant quartermaster of the Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. At the battle of Trinity Station, Alabama, fought July 26, 1863, Mr. H. was wounded three times, and had eleven bullet holes through his cloth- ing. He carries one of the balls in his head at present. He served on the staffs of the following generals : Moses B. Walker, John M. Connell, George H. Thomas, Albin Schoepf, John D. Schofield, A. Baird, Carl Turchin and Jeff. C. Davis. At the close of the war he came west and purchased the land where he now resides, one mile and a-half south of Pickering. Since that time he has been improving his place, and now owns 400 acres, with a handsome residence and two excellent barns, the largest of which was erected to hold three hundred tons of hay. He also has a large orchard of some 900 trees. His farm is situated on the
B. D. Harman
LT. COL 31ST OHIO. VET. VOLS. & A. Q.M.3RP DIV. 14TH ARMY CORPS.
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bank of the One Hundred and Two River, and is well adapted to stock raising, in which branch he is largely interested, dealing in short horn Durham cattle, Jersey Red hogs and American Merino sheep. He has some of the finest stock in the county, three head of his cattle being from the noted Thorndale family. He has some imported geese and some fine chickens, and, taking all in all, possesses one of the best and most complete stock farms in the county. He represented his district in the Twenty-sixth General Assembly of Missouri, and assisted in pass- ing some very important measures. He is a member of Pickering Lodge, . No. 472, A. F. and A. M., and also belongs to the Odd Fellows, Knights of Honor, and Good Templars' Lodges. In character, as well as in purse, he is one of the solid men of the county. Mr. Harman was married January 1, 1866, to Miss Rosana Baker. She was born in Law- rence County, Ohio, March 26, 1840. They have four children living : Cal., Lee, Nellie and Alice. Lost one : Linn.
J. W. HARMAN,
station agent and grain dealer, was born in York County, Pennsylvania, December 6, 1842. In 1853 he accompanied his parents to Delaware County, Ohio, where he was raised to manhood, spending his boyhood day's on a farm and obtaining a good business education. When seven- teen he commenced traveling for Abbott Loomis & Co., of Columbus, Ohio, through the South, visiting all of the Southern states. He was at Washington City at the breaking out of the war, and heard Jeff. Davis' farewell address to the Senate. He was in Montgomery, Alabama, when Fort Sumter was fired on, but returned home and enlisted in Company E, Thirty-first Ohio, in 1862. He was taken sick with typhoid fever in the spring of 1863, and was discharged and sent home. Mr. H. then engaged in shipping stock until he regained his health. In December, 1863, he received the appointment of assistant quartermaster of the third division of the fourteenth army corps, under General Thomas. He remained with General Thomas until the taking of Atlanta, when he accompanied General Sherman on his famous march to the sea and through the Carolinas to Richmond. He has the honor of being the first of Sherman's men to reach that place. He and four others were sent ahead with dispatches, but the four failed to make the crossing at the Appomatox River, Mr. Harman's horse swimming it and carrying him through safely. He also took part in the grand review at Washington. After being mustered out at that place, he returned to his old home, and in the fall of 1865 immigrated to Nodaway County, Missouri, settling some six miles west of Hopkins. There he purchased 320 acres of wild land, and partially improved it. In 1867 he traded his land for a store in Xenia, and carried on the mercantile business two years, when he sold
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out to Donlin Brothers, and in 1872 accepted the position as station agent at Pickering with the K. C., St. J. & C. B. R. R. The town had just been established, and since that time he has been identified with the growth and prosperity of the place. He has been quite extensively engaged in the grain business, and during the year 1880 shipped some 400 cars. He owns a tract of twenty acres adjoining the town of Picker- ing, and has a handsome residence. Mr. Harman is largely interested in raising thorough bred Jerseys, and has the best herd in the county. He has filled his present position of notary public for some twelve years, and has also held the offices of justice of the peace and school director. At present he is township trustee. For four years he was the post master of Pickering, and is at present secretary and librarian of the circulating library of this place. He is a member of Pickering Lodge, No. 472, A. F. and A. M., in which he holds the office of senior warden. Mr. Harman was married January 1, 1866, to Miss Lydia E. Lytle. She was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in June, 1846. Two of his brothers and a sister were also married at the same house on the same day. Mr. and Mrs. H. have had two children : Minnie and Dale. Mrs. H. is a member of the M. E. Church of Pickering.
BENJAMIN W. KINNEY,
farmer and millwright, section 3, was born in Genesee County, New York, on the Ist day of January, 1820. His father, Alexander, who was born in Connecticut, was a farmer by occupation. His mother, Sophrona (Bannister) Kinney, was a native of Vermont. Benjamin passed his youthful days on a farm, in Genesee County, New York, obtaining his education in the common schools. When twenty-two years of age, he commenced to learn the millwright's trade, which he has followed more or less through life. In May, 1862, he came to Missouri, locating in Nodaway County, where he now owns a farm of seventy-two acres, well watered, and upon the same is a handsome residence. He has some graded cattle, and keeps his farm well stocked. His orchard is an excellent one. This farm was one of the first settled in this vicinity, and was known as the Ingall's farm, in White Oak Grove. About the time Pickering was founded, Mr. Kinney, in company with others, started a wagon and farm implement factory in Pickering. He became one of the managers and a member of the executive committee, and, after run- ning for one year, he bought his other partners' interest, continuing the business for about three years. He then moved the tools to his farm, where he is still engaged in the wagon business. Mr. Kinney is Demo- cratic in politics. He was raised a Presbyterian in religious faith. In September, 1843. Miss Achsah Carson became his wife. She was a daughter of Andrew Carson, of New Jessey. They have two children.
-
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Annie R. (now Mrs. James Coleman), born November 8, 1848, and James A., born in April, 1851. Mr. K. has held the office of justice of the peace.
W. R. McKEE,
farmer and stock raiser, section 4, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, April 12, 1839, and was reared at his birthplace until about thirteen years of age, spending his boyhood days on a farm and attending the neighborhood schools. In 1853 he accompanied his parents to Pike County, Ohio, where he resided twenty years. When nineteen he com- menced improving a farm of his own, and has since given his attention to agricultural pursuits. He was largely interested in stock raising while in Ohio. In the fall of 1871 he emigrated to Missouri, settling some six miles below Maryville, and has been identified with the inter- ests of Nodaway County since that time. He located where he now resides in the spring of 1875, and is the owner of 160 acres of well improved land. It is watered by an excellent spring, and is one of the finest stock farms in the county. He has an excellent orchard, a good barn, residence, etc. Mr. McKee keeps a good deal of stock, and is largely interested in the business. He is an enterprising citizen, and holds the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends. He has filled most of the township offices, with satisfaction to all parties interested. He is a member of Pickering Lodge, No. 472, A. F. and A. M. Mr. McKee was married August 6, 1857, to Miss Cynthiana Roberts, a native of Pike County, Ohio. She was born March 6, 1839. They have six children living : Mary J. (now Mrs. W. I. Loch), William R., Margaret A., Samuel H., Nancy A., and Norton O. One is deceased.
WILLIAM McVEY,
farmer and stock raiser, section 35, was born in Henry County, Indiana, on the 9th day of July, 1843, and was a son of John and Ann Eliza (Rhodes) McVey. The father was a farmer and millwright, and a native of Ohio. The mother was born in New Jersey. William resided on the home farm until seven years of age, when he moved to Henry County, Iowa. There he was principally reared, and educated in the common schools. When seventeen years old he concluded to begin in life for himself, but finding it more difficult than he imagined, he returned home, where he remained until he was twenty-one. His first investment was to buy eighty acres of land in Page County, Iowa, for $100, afterwards selling the same' for $1,000. During the war Mr. McVey served about nine months in the commissary department in Tennessee, and for about three months in Colorado. In 1875 he removed to Missouri, locating in this county in March of that year. He now owns 210 acres of land, upor
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which is a young orchard and a good vineyard. There is also a neat residence on the place. He keeps his farm well stocked, and is one of the go-ahead and industrious agriculturists of the township. Mr. Mc Vey was married July 6, 1871, to Miss Emma Cook, a worthy lady, daughter of Isaac Cook, of Henry County, Iowa. Their family consists of Dexter, born April 16, 1872 ; Roscoe, born August 1, 1874 ; and Lelia, born April 13, 1878. Mr. McVey has been school director about five years, and road overseer several terms. In his political views he is liberal.
GEORGE W. NASH,
farmer and stock raiser, section 13, was born on the IIth of December, 1823, in Wayne County, Indiana. His father, Samuel C. Nash, a native of North Carolina, was a farmer and sailor. His mother, whose maiden name was Nancy Gray, was also born in North Carolina. George spent his youth upon a farm in Madison County, Indiana, attending the schools of those early times. In 1843, he came to Missouri, and on the 8th of July, 1843, located in Nodaway County, near the town of Xenia. In the fall of that year he cast his first ballot, voting the straight Whig ticket. At the age of twenty-one years he began life for himself, his capital consisting only of his willing hands and brave heart. That he made good use of this capital is shown by the position he occupies to-day. The early struggles of these pioneers can never by imagined by those who have never passed such an ordeal. The nearest trading point of Mr. Nash was at Savannah, Andrew County. He remembers an instance of himself and brother going to Andrew County to split rails in order to obtain corn to eat. A friend, William Ingalls, took the corn to mill, and from there home to the boy's parents. When they returned they found the corn had been eaten or loaned to the neighbors, and they were obliged to earn more. In 1846 a report came to the set- tlers that the Mormons and Indians were contemplating an attack upon them. The citizens hurried to the towns for protection, among these being Mrs. Nash-George's mother-who shouldered her musket and marched to the front, determined to die game. The enemies, however, failed to put in an appearance. In the spring of 1862 Mr. N. moved to Taylor County, Iowa, where he remained thirteen years. In the fall of 1864 he enlisted in Company C, Fourth Iowa Infantry, and marched through with Sherman to the sea, taking part in the grand review at Washington. He now owns 235 acres of land, with an orchard of 300 trees and fine residence. He is engaged in stock raising, having one thoroughbred and some graded cattle, but gives his attention principally to sheep interests. He has held the offices of road overseer and school director. Mr. Nash was married on March 26, 1846, to Miss P. Pistole, daughter of Thomas J. Pistole, Esq. They have seven children : Elvina
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(now Mrs. D. Boyer), born April 2, 1849 ; William T., born December 28, 1851 ; John H., born February 7, 1854 ; Austin L., born November 5, 1858 ; Timothy G., born February 23, 1863 ; Nora B., born August 18, 1866, and Alta, born August 6, 1871. Mr. N. belongs to Pickering Lodge, No. 472, A. F. and A. M. He is Democratic in politics, and belongs to the Christian Church.
A. H. PATTERSON,
dealer in harness, saddles and saddlery hardware, was born in Seneca County, New York, October 28, 1848, and is of Scottish-English origin. He was reared at his birthplace, spending his boyhood days on a farm and attending the neighborhood schools, cempleting his education at the Union Schools of Newark, Wayne County, New York, under Prof. Steel, the celebrated chemist. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G, Fiftieth New York Engineering Corps, when only thirteen years of age, as a drummer boy, and served until the close of the war. He was at the following battles: Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, second evacuation of Harper's Ferry, Petersburg, Battle of the Wilderness, and all the impor- tant engagements in which the Army of the Potomac were engaged. His drum corps took part in the grand review at Washington, in which they took the first premium, and were called back to be reviewed the second time. Mr. P. held the position of first drummer next to the drum-major. In 1866 he commenced to learn the harness-maker's trade, at Geneva, New York, under Charles H. Mead. At the expiration of the first year he was made foreman of the shops, and in 1869 he purchased the shops and carried on a large business until August 7, 1875, when he sold out and moved west. He remained a season at Albia, Monroe County, Iowa, engaged in mercantile pursuits, after which he took a trip through Nebraska, then coming to Nodaway County, Missouri. He settled at Pickering, where he started a harness shop, and has since carried on a thriving business, though having had to commence with a limited amount of capital. He has a neat and handily arranged shop, and being an excel- lent workman, finds plenty of employment. Mr. P. is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 347, of Pickering, in which he holds the office of right scene supporter. He has been a member of the G. A. R. since 1865.
JAMES C. PISTOLE,
farmer and stock raiser, section 12, was born on his present farm in Nod- away County, Missouri, on the 20th day of March, 1850, and is the son of Thomas J. and Lucinda (Long) Pistole. The former was born in Vir- ginia, and was an agriculturist. The latter was a native of Tennessee. James passed his youth on the place where he now resides, attending the
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old log school house. In 1870 he started out in business for himself, having 160 acres of land, one horse and cow, and about $700 in money. He has kept steadily at work, making no stir, but moving on quietly and industriously, until his present landed estate consists of 450 acres, upon which is an excellent residence, barn, orchard, etc. He has considerable graded stock and one thoroughbred, and raises quite an amount. Mr. P. held the office of township assessor, and when his term expired, the people, He was elected in the fall of 1878 for a two year's term. He is Demo-
recognizing his ability, honored him with the position of county assessor. cratic in politics. His marriage occurred on November 1, 1874, to Miss Margaret M. Garten, daughter of Thomas N. Garten, of this township. They have three children : Ada E., born September 23, 1875 ; Walter T., born June 16, 1878 ; and Joseph, born September 29, 1880. Mr. Pistole is a member of Pickering Lodge, No. 472, A. F. and A. M., in which he holds the position of master of the lodge.
PETER A. SARE,
dealer in agricultural implements, furniture, etc., was born in Monroe County, Indiana, on the IIth day of September, 1837, and is the son of L. B. and Jennie (Carmichael) Sare. The former was born in Kentucky, and was engaged in farming. The latter was a native of North Carolina. Peter was educated in the common schools, spending his younger days on a farm in Monroe County, Indiana. In 1856 he came to Missouri, set- tling some distance south of Maryville, where he remained five years, then returning to Indiana. In 1867 he again came to this county, and located about four miles west of Pickering. Mr. Sare may almost be called a pioneer, coming here, as he did and becoming so familiar with the early settlement of the county-his return after his long absence only tended to strengthen his interest for his old acquaintances. He is doing a good business in this town, and besides those above mentioned, is conducting a butcher shop. He owns the most of one block, three residences and a store building in Pickering, besides seven acres adjoin- ing the corporation. He is most decidedly an enterprising citizen, and contributes his full share towards building up and improving the place. He has held the position of treasurer of the town. In politics he is a Democrat, and is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Sare was mar- ried March 22, 1855, to Miss Mary A. Storm, a daughter of Peter Storm, of Greene County, Indiana. They have nine. children : James F., born December 14, 1856; John I., born February 6, 1859; L. J., (now Mrs. James Knowles), born May 20, 1861 ; Margaret A., born August 1, 1863 ; Mary E., born September 26, 1865 ; Bonaparte S., born May 15, 1868; Martha A., born July 26, 1870; Cora E., born June 30, 1874 ; and Ira E., born November 8, 1878. Mr. Sare is a member of Nodaway Lodge, No. 347, I. O. O. F., of Pickering.
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