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 68
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679
UNION TOWNSHIP.
DR. AMOS D. SARGENT,
physician and surgeon, also farmer on section 32, is among the early settlers and well known citizens of Nodaway County. He was born in Hudson, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, February 3, 1814, and was taken by his parents to Troy, New York, and thence to Auburn, of the same state, where he remained some eight years. His father ran a boat on the canal, and when Amos became nine years of age he com- menced to accompany him on his trips. The father was afterward taken sick, and died. Amos run the boat one season, and then returned to Hudson, New Hampshire, with his mother. Soon afterwards, he went on board a vessel, and remained for one year, when he was taken sick, and sent to New York, and thence to his old home in New Hampshire. He next took a trip up the lakes, on board of the same vessel with Gen- eral Scott, who was conducting the Black Hawk War, in 1838. He visited Chicago, St. Louis and many other places in the Great Missis- sippi Valley, and finally settled in Aurora, Illinois, going from there to La Porte, Indiana, where he commenced the study of medicine. He began the practice of his profession at Edwardsborough, Indiana, then moved to Lima, and thence to Ontario. He remained in Indiana until November, 1860, when he located in Southern Missouri, subsequently, went to Butler, Illinois, and then to Ashtabula, Ohio. After residing in Galesburg, Illinois, for a time, he moved to Boonesboro, Iowa, where he remained three years, then came overland to Xenia, Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1866. He has been engaged in the practice of his profes- sion here since. In 1869, he settled on the farm where he now resides, owning 100 acres in all-eighty acres in the home farm. He has a neat and comfortable residence, and other out-buildings, and a small orchard and vineyard. Dr. S. has partially retired from the practice, on account of his age and the inconveniences of getting around. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was married April 22, 1838, to Miss Lizzie Worthing. She was born at New Hampton, New Hampshire, January 4, 1818. They were married in Concord, New Hampshire, and the next morning after their marriage, started west over the Green Mountains by coach. Mr. and Mrs. Sargent have four children living : Ann L. (now Mrs. Titus R. DeWolf, of this county), Franciva A. (now Mrs. B. C. Willey, of Ashtabula County, Ohio), Dana A. (a leading physi- cian of Hopkins), and Grace.
MARTIN SHELMAN,
farmer and stock raiser, section 12, post office Pickering, was born in Breckenridge County, Kentucky, in November, 1817, and was the son of Adam and Mary (Hays) Shelman. The former, a farmer by occupation,
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
was a native of Virginia, and the latter also of that state. Martin passed his youth on a farm at his birthplace, receiving an education from the old common schools of that day. In 1842 he settled in Van Buren County, Ohio, and remained there until he came to this county in the spring of 1856. He was an early settler, is now widely known throughout the county, and has the respect of many acquaintances. He has done much toward building up and making his adopted county one of the best in the state, and has never been behind in any good work. He owns 215 acres of land, well watered, and upon it is a good orchard and comfortable residence. He keeps some stock on the place. His youngest son, Lysander, runs the farm, and under his management nothing is left undone. During the war, Mr. Shelman, unable himself to go into the field, assisted in caring for the widows of soldiers and in other good causes. He is Democratic in politics, and stands high for his morality. He was married January 7, 1838, to Miss Melinda Bar- low, a daughter of Wilber Barlow, who was a native of one of the New England states. Their family consists of Nancy (now Mrs. Julius Wheeler), born April 17, 1839 ; John M., aged thirty-five ; Marion A., aged thirty-three ; Franklin P., aged twenty-nine ; Acy A. (now Mrs. W. Thompson), aged twenty-five ; Margaret (now Mrs. G. W. Jackson), aged twenty-three ; Amezette, aged twenty-three, and Lysander, aged twenty-one. Mr. Shelman has filled most of the township offices.
CHARLES P. SHROYER,
farmer and stock raiser, section 33, post office Hopkins, was born in Mercer County, Illinois, on the IIth day of July, 1844, being the son of John and Mary (Meadows) Shroyer. His father, who was an agricultur- ist, was a native of Dayton, Ohio, and his mother was born in Indiana. Charles passed his youth on a farm in Mercer County, Illinois, obtaining an education in the common schools of the neighborhood. In January, 1874, he became a resident of Missouri, locating in Nodaway County, where he now owns 260 acres of land, upon which is an excellent barn and a neat, comfortable house. A wind pump supplies the place with water. He is quite largely interested in stock raising, and has graded stock and some thoroughbred sheep. Mr. Shroyer has held the posi- tions of school director and road overseer. He was married March 16, 1866, to Miss L. B. West, a daughter of H. R. West, a native of Ken- tucky. They have six children : Clara A., born February 8, 1867 ; Joseph R., born May 7, 1868 ; Effie, born August 4, 1870; Charles W., born December 18, 1871 ; Laura, born August 21, 1876, and Sarah A., born February 14, 1878. Mr. Shroyer is a member of the M. E. Church. He is Democratic in politics, and has done his share towards developing the richness of Nodaway County.
68 I
UNION TOWNSHIP.
J. F. SIMMONS,
farmer and stock raiser, section 30, was born on the 22d of January, 1855, and is a native of Warren County, Illinois. His father, John Simmons, was a farmer by occupation, and was born in Kentucky. His mother, whose maiden name was Ruth Jarred, was a native of Virginia. J. F. passed his early years on a farm in Illinois, receiving the benefits of a common school education. In the fall of 1873 he came to Missouri, locating in Nodaway County, and is now the owner of 120 acres of improved land, watered, and upon which is a good orchard and dwelling. He raises considerable stock. Mr. Simmons commenced in life without means, and has worked his own way to his present position only by persever- ance and industry. He has held the position of road overseer and school director. He was married on the 5th of March, 1875, to Sarah Simmons, daughter of James Simmons, of Illinois. They have one child, Pearly, born November 5, 1881. Two are deceased. Mr. Simmons is Demo- cratic in politics.
EDWARD VAN BUREN,
farmer and stock raiser, section 8, a pioneer of Nodaway County, was born in Leicester, Livingston County, New York, on February 1, 1819, and was a son of Barnard and Barbara (Wood) Van Buren. The former was born in New York in 1780, and was engaged in agricultural pur- suits. Edward's mother was a native of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Young Van Buren was brought up on a farm, in New York State, until nineteen years of age, obtaining an education in the common schools. In 1838, he removed to Warren County, Illinois, and on the Ist of · March, 1853, located in Nodaway County, Missouri. At that time there was but one house on the road between his place and Maryville, and no buildings north to the state line. He entered the land on which he now resides, and at present owns :59 acres, upon it there being a good resi- dence and. barn, and an orchard of over 200 trees. Mr. Van Buren is
largely interested in stock raising, having given this his principal atten- tion. The first school house in this vicinity was erected on a part of his land, in 1859. The ground is now used for a cemetery. He attended the first lot sale in the City of St. Joseph. Having been among the early settlers here, he numbers his friends and acquaintances by the score, and possesses the respect and esteem of many. In politics he is a Republican, and has filled the positions of school director and road overseer. During the war, he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. Mr. Van Buren was married, December 3, 1843, to Miss Polly Ann Farris, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of Charles Farris. Their family consists of : William, born January 15, 1846; Lydia (now Mrs. Thomas Taylor), born December 8, 1847; James J., born November 23,
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
1849; Eliza E. (now Mrs. M. Shelman), born January 26, 1852; Belinda (now Mrs. M. Coleman), born April 24, 1854 ; Mary C., born May 2, 1857; Martin, born September 22, 1859; Sarah E., born February 22, 1862, (now Mrs. Jasper Wakefield) ; John F., born June 10, 1864 ; Charles H., born April 17, 1866, and Cora, born June 12, 1872. Mr. Van Buren is a member of Nodaway Lodge, No. 470, A. F. and A. M, of Maryville, and also belongs to Nodaway Lodge, No. 347, I. O. O. F., of Pickering. He has been a member of the Odd Fellow fraternity since 1856, and of the Masonic lodge since 1858. He assisted in organizing two Masonic and one Odd Fellow lodges.
MILES WALLIS,
proprietor of the Pickering Hotel, was born in Steuben County, New York, March 8, 1810, and was there reared to manhood, receiving fair educational advantages. In 1831 he took a trip to Michigan, and trav- eled about 1,200 miles, having but $27 when he started. Returning to his native county with $250, he settled on a tract of unbroken land, which he afterwards sold, then moved to Erie County, New York, where he purchased another farm, but soon disposed of that at an advance of $500. He subsequently bought more property, and upon selling made $200, after which he became the owner of a set of mills. These he dis- posed of, making a profit of $300. Mr. Wallis was also engaged in the mercantile business for two years, in Cataraugus County, New York. In 1837 he served in what was known as the Canada Patriot War, hold- ing the position of captain of a company of state militia. In 1842 he exchanged some property for a farm of 320 acres in Genesee County. New York, on which he settled. He was elected magistrate in 1843, filling the position for sixteen years. He also held the office of judge, discharging the duties thereof for one year. Immigrating west in the spring of 1877, he landed at Pickering June 24th of the same year, and subsequently purchased the hotel at this place, fitting it up in excellent condition. He is now the owner of 1,000 acres of land in Shannon County, Missouri, and some property in this town. He has filled the position of mayor, and acted as president of the library association, hav- ing been one of the founders of that institution, to which he gave forty volumes of standard works. He is a member of Pickering Lodge No. 472, A. F. and A. M., also of Pickering Lodge No. 347, I. O. O. F. He has always contributed liberally toward the support of the gospel. He has been twice married : First, January 9, 1838, to Miss Lavina Tullar, of Penfield, Monroe County, New York, born October 4, 1815. She died in May, 1855, leaving six children, three of whom are now living : Louisa M., William M. and Frank M. Mr. W. was married again in November, 1856. to Mrs. Jane E. Wilkey. She died on the 19th of August, 1874.
683
UNION TOWNSHIP.
WILLIAM M. WALLIS,
physician and surgeon, was born in Genesee County, New York, Janu- ary 12, 1848, and was reared at his birthplace, receiving his literary education in the schools of his native county, principally at Alexander. Making choice of the practice of medicine as his profession, he com- menced its study in the fall of 1867, and took three courses of lectures at the University of Buffalo, New York, during the winters of 1868-9 and 1870, receiving his diploma in February, 1871. At the close of the last course, he began the practice of his profession at Alabama, Genesee County, New York, where he remained some three months. He then took the western fever and immigrated to Nodaway County, Missouri, settling at Xenia in September, 1871. There he stopped until June, 1872, when he moved to Pickering, and is one of the pioneers of the place. In his manners he is much of a gentleman, and possesses the most thorough qualifications as a physician. He has an extensive practice, as he well deserves, and owns a neat office and a handsome residence in Pickering. He also owns a fine farm of 220 acres, and in partnership with his brother is largely interested in sheep raising, dealing in thoroughbred Cotswold. He was one of the first members of the board of trustees of this place, and has since held some of the offices on the board. He is an active member of Pickering Lodge, No. 472, A. F. and A. M., and has filled the position as master of the lodge for some four years. Dr. Wallis is an enterprising, energetic citizen, and is always found ready to assist in elevating the interests of the county. He was married April 28, 1875, to Miss Augusta Leach. She was born in Cayuga County, New York, September 11, 1847. They have two children : Frank C. and William M.
JAMES A. WILEY,
farmer and stock raiser, section 6, was born on the 7th of October, 1838, in Noble County, Ohio, being the son of Jacob Wiley, a farmer, and a native of Ohio, and Mary (Woodford) Wiley, who was born in Tennes- see. James passed his youth on the farm in Ohio, and attended the common schools until fifteen years of age, when he removed to Warren County, Iowa. During the war he enlisted in company H, Thirty-fourth Iowa, and participated in Sherman's raid on Vicksburg and at the battle of Arkansas Post. In 1868, he removed from Warren County to Mis- souri, locating in Nodaway County in October of that year. Here he owns 320 acres of land well improved, with orchard, residence, barn, etc., all in good condition. He raises quite an amount of stock. Mr. Wiley commenced in business on his own account when twenty years of age, and that he has been industrious and persevering is shown by the position he at present occupies. This was not attained by the help
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
of others, but through his own exertions, and he merits his success. He is Democratic in politics, and belongs to the M. E. Church. Mr. Wiley was married October 21, 1857, to Miss L. J. Allen, daughter of William Allen, a native of Harrison County, Missouri. Their family consists of eight children : William F., born August 18, 1858 : Mary M., born July 20, 1860 ; Andrew J., born April 18, 1864; Lurinda A., born May 21, 1866 ; Jonathan E., born November 14, 1868 ; Arthur, born July 1, 1871; Jacob, born June 1, 1874 ; Luella, born October 1, 1876. Mr. Wiley has held the positions of road overseer and school director.
CHARLES A. WOLFERS,
dealer in general merchandise, hardware, etc., was born in Chautauqua County, New York, July 21, 1846, and remained at the place of his nativ- ity until twenty-two years of age, spending his boyhood days in the villages of Centerville and Fredonia, and receiving excellent educational advantages. He commenced to learn the cigarmaker's trade when thir- teen, and followed it for four years. During the late war he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Eighty-seventh New York Volunteer Infantry, in the spring of 1864, and served until the close of the war, some thirteen months, and during this time held the position of sergeant. He took part in many of the hard fought battles, among which were Hatchez Run and the engagement before Petersburg, and assisted in the capture of General Lee's army. He also participated in the grand review
at Washington. After being mustered out at Buffalo, New York, he returned to his home at Dunkirk, New York, and commenced railroad- ing in the employ of the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, with whom he remained some five years. In 1870, he immigrated west to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he accepted a position with the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad, continuing in the employ of this company six years, after which he engaged in the hotel business. For one year he kept the Hopkins House, and then came to Pickering, where he opened a general merchandise store. He now carries the largest and most com- plete stock of goods in the village, and has the patronage of many acquaintances. In his business capacity, he is an excellent salesman. Mr. Wolfers also holds the position of postmaster in the place. Besides his store and property, he owns a neat residence in Pickering. He has been entirely a self-made man, and has worked his way through life by honesty, integrity and fair dealing. He takes an interest in educational matters, and at present fills the position of school director. Mr. W. was married July 5, 1867, to Miss Eliza A. Crandall, a native of Belmont, Allegany County, New York. She was born October 27, 1849. They have a family of three children living : Edward C., Annice E. and Mary. Two are deceased.
685
UNION TOWNSHIP.
WILLIAM W. WRAY,
farmer and stock raiser, section 28, another old settler of this county, was born in Gallia County, Ohio, on the 4th of February, 1836, and was the son of John and Sarah F. (Wiseman) Wray. The former, a farmer by occupation, was a native of Virginia, and in that state was William's mother also born. Young Wray spent his youth on a farm at his birth- place, and attended the common schools until about eighteen years of age, when in the fall of 1853 he removed to Missouri. In November of that year he came to Nodaway County. His parents first settled seven miles from Maryville, then a small village, and when saloons were the prominent business houses. The first fall after locating here he and his father killed twenty-five deer, game of all kinds being very plentiful. A large dressed turkey was worth but twenty-five cents. Mr. Wray occa- sionally indulged in hunting, but the most of his spare time was passed in splitting rails. When about twenty-two years old he commenced in business for himself, by teaching and working by the month. He has risen to his present condition through his own habits of industry, econ- omy, etc. Is now the owner of 415 acres of land, in 200 of which his mother has an interest. His farm is well adapted to stock raising, in which he is largely interested. The place is supplied with good water facilities, and there is also an orchard, barn, etc. Mr. Wray has held the position of township supervisor, and for some nine months acted as ex-officio county judge. He has been township treasurer and clerk for five years, and during his term of office the township erected four school houses. He is Republican in politics, and a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. W: was married March 31, 1861, to Miss Sarah E., a daughter of J. and Nancy Shelman. They have ten children : Bayard T., born January 10, 1862 ; Edward P., born November 15, 1863 ; John B., born March 14, 1865; William, born February 19, 1867 ; Henry H., born June 28, 1869; Wilbur W., born April 17, 1871 ; George Thomas, born May 21, 1874 ; Clara E. M., born February 1, 1876; Fred. A., born September 3, 1877 ; and Irene, born April 28, 1881. The mother of Mrs. Wray lives with her son and daughter. She is in her seventy-sixth year, and enjoys good health.
NODAWAY TOWNSHIP.
JOSEPH T. ANDERSON,
proprietor of Park Livery Stable and dealer in stock, was born in Marion County, Missouri, November 24, 1844, and, when eleven years old, with his parents, he moved to Lewis County. His father being a miller, Joseph was brought up to learn that business, which he followed, till the beginning of the war, in Lewis County, at the point now known as Hall's Mill. In 1862, he enlisted in the Federal cause, in Company F. Sixty-ninth Missouri Mounted Infantry, remaining in service till the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He then went west, to the mountains, visiting a number of the territories, and spend- ing the greater part of his time in Utah, where he was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad Company to oversee in the work on the road for two years. He returned to Lewis County, Missouri, in the fall of 1870, and in the following spring he came to Nodaway County, locating on a farm, where he was for some time engaged in agricultural pursuits and dealing in stock. In the summer of 1879, he erected his present livery barn, which was opened to the public in June of the same year. It is so arranged as to accommodate the stabling of eighty horses, and is considered one of the best liveries in Northwest Missouri. Mr. Ander- son's main pride is in keeping fine horses and the best of buggies. He was, for some time in the early history of the town, engaged in business as one of the firm of Hotaling & Co. During the past year he erected a fine residence, which is unsurpassed by any within the township. He is the owner and founder of Anderson's Mineral Well, the water of which is very pure, yet possessing all the essential minerals. An analy- sis and notice of this is made elsewhere. Mr. A. is a member of the Masonic, I. O. O. F., I. O. G. T. and A. O. U. W. orders. He was married April 4, 1865, to Miss Margeret J. McGee, of Lewis County, Missouri. She was born in February, 1850, and died in March, 1868. They had two children, one of whom is now living, William E., born May 2, 1866. He was married, the second time, March 29, 1870, to Miss Mary L. Fisher, who was born in Lewis County, Missouri, February 8, 1851. They have had seven children, but four of whom survive : Verdie M., John F., George N. and an infant.
687
NODAWAY TOWNSHIP.
J. F. BAINUM,
farmer and stock dealer, section 7, post office Burlington Junction, was born July 15, 1844, in Noble County, Ohio. In 1858 he came to Noda- way County, Missouri, where he has since been recognized as one of her leading agriculturists. He received the advantage of a good school edu- cation, and during life has taught school, in all seventy-two months. While in his native county he was engaged in working in a tobacco packing house. In March, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Fourth Mis- souri State Militia, and remained in service till April, 1865, when he returned to Nodaway County. Since the war he has improved three farms, and now is living on the one last opened, and which contains 350 acres. The appearance of things around his place denotes the energy and enterprise of the owner. Mr. Bainum is a member of the A. O. U. W. He was married November 25, 1869, to Miss Paulina A. Walker, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, August 20, 1853. They have six child- ren : Olive, Jesse, James S., Herbert L., Eliza E., and an infant. Mr. and Mrs. B. are both members of the M. E. Church. John Bainum, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Delaware, and a pio- neer of Nodaway County. He was killed during the war while lieuten- ant of the Eleventh Missouri Cavalry. The mother of Mr. John Bainum, Mrs. Jane Bainum, whose maiden name was Scott, is a native of Ohio, and is now residing with her son. She is over eighty years of age.
RICHARD M. BLACK,
farmer, section 28, post office Burlington Junction, was born in Warren County, Illinois, March 12, 1842, and was truly a pioneer of that county, as it was then in an unimproved condition. He was reared in his native county, and in the year 1861 he went to Burlington, Iowa, where he enlisted in the First Iowa Battery. After taking part in many of the important battles of the war, he was mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, on September 12, 1864. After this he returned to Warren County, Illi- nois, where he remained till February, 1869, when he sought to find a home further west. For a short time he stopped in Montgomery County, Iowa, and from there went to Linn County, Kansas. In Octo- ber, of the same year, he located in Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has since continued to reside, his farm containing eighty acres. Mr. Black was married November 23, 1865, to Miss Eliza J. Gibson, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio. She was born November 29, 1841. They have had five children, four of whom are living : Minnie A., Lillie V., Samuel A., and Sherman E. Mr. B.'s parents, Samuel J. and Phœbe (Paddock) Black, who were natives of Kentucky, were among the first settlers of Illinois.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
ABRAHAM BOOHER,
farmer and stock raiser, section 35, is a native of Switzerland, and was born November 12, 1834. He was reared in the town of Burney,, where he received a fair education, and in 1852 he came to America, landing in New Orleans on the Ist of January, 1853. He soon located in Greene County, Indiana, where he was engaged in working by the month on a farm till 1857. In April of the same year he was married to Miss Lydia Overman. They then located on a farm where Mr. B. was engaged in tilling the soil till 1861, when he moved to Macon County, Illinois, and in 1865 he came to Nodaway County, Missouri. He resided in or near Maryville till 1872, when he located on the farm which he now occupies. His farm now contains 250 acres, all of which is the saving of his own labor and judicious management. Mrs. Booher was born in August, 1835, in Greene County, Indiana. The family of Mr. and Mrs. B. consists of five children living : Isaac, Benjamin, Abraham, Maggie and Ellen, all at home. Two are deceased.
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