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 77
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COLONEL AMOS GRAHAM.
No history of Nodaway County would be complete without a short sketch of the life of Colonel Amos Graham. He was born in Washing- ton County, Kentucky, on the 14th of March, 1816. In his boyhood days he taught school and went to school, thus gaining a fair common school education in the English branches. In the year 1836 he went to Han- cock County, Illinois, and resided there for some time, engaged in teach- ing school, after which he returned to his native state and county. At the age of twenty-three or twenty-four years he was a candidate for rep- resentative, and was only defeated by an old and experienced politician by some fifteen or twenty votes. After his defeat he came west, having
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in the meantime been united in marriage with Mary J. House, in Janu- ary, 1842. Upon his arrival in the state of Missouri he located in Savannah, Andrew County, April 17, 1842. There he began again to teach, being wholly without means. He received the appointment of deputy clerk under Edwin Toole. In the year 1845, upon the organiza- tion of Nodaway County, he received the appointment of clerk of the circuit and county courts, and ex-officio recorder. We also believe he was the first postmaster of Maryville. He continued to be elected to the office of clerk until the year 1858, when the office of county and circuit clerk were separated, and James B. Braton was elected circuit, and B. G. Ford county clerk. Mr. Graham was a man in every sense qualified for the positions he occupied, and discharged his duties to the satisfaction of the people, as is shown by his continual re-election. Mrs. Mary J. Graham, his wife, was the first white female that resided on the present site of Maryville. The Colonel was well fitted for western life, and had the power of adapting himself to all grades of society and making himself at home to all. In the year 1860 he ran for representa- tives on the Breckenridge ticket, against Dr. P. H. Talbott, on the Doug- las ticket, and was elected by a handsome majority, although the Doug- las ticket carried the county. By his skillfulness as a politician he suc- ceeded in securing the Lincoln vote of the county. He was a member of the Missouri Legislature of 1860-61, and took a leading part in the pro- ceedings of that stormy session, as the records and votes of that General Assembly will show. After his return home he ceased to take any active part in politics, his sympathies being with the South, and the county on the side of the Union. Colonel Graham had a kind heart, and was full of kind words for every one, and from the organization of the county until his death was esteemed for his many good traits of character, and in Maryville no social party was considered complete without his pres- ence. He was a leader, and the life of all such gatherings, and his home was open to all. Of the marriage of himself and wife but one child, Charles C. Graham, blessed them. Colonel Graham practiced law dur- ing the war. In the year 1865 he was stricken down with typhoid fever, and after lingering some two weeks he passed beyond the vail. His widow still lives in the town of Maryville. To write in detail the history of Colonel Graham's life, from the year 1845 to 1858, would be simply to write a history of Nodaway County for that period, so intimately was his public life connected with every act and movement of the people.
R. O. GRAVES,
capitalist, is a son of James and Ruth (Sherrel) Graves, who were both natives of Kentucky. R. O. was born in Washington County, Decem- ber 2, 1830. He was reared and educated in his native county, and in
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the year 1851, he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, making this his home till 1865. From that date till 1871 he was in Holt and Saline Counties, and at the expiration of that time he located in Forest City, where he had also previously spent considerable of his time. In 1877, he came to Maryville, where he has since resided. He has not for many years been engaged in any active business, yet he has been interested financially in different enterprises and is at the present time. Mr. Graves was married June 1, 1871, to Miss Bettie Gilham, a daughter of Woodson and Susan (Burks) Gilham, who were both natives of Virgina. Mrs. G. was also born in Virginia, and came to Missouri when six or seven years of age. She was reared in Saline County. Mr. and Mrs. Graves have two children : Kate D., born July 18, 1873, and Charley C., born October 3, 1876.
W. B. GRAVES,
of the firm of T. F. Hood & Co., manufacturers of and dealers in harness and saddles. Among the sterling business men of Maryville, and one who has been closely identified with its growth and prosperity, is W. B. Graves. He is a native of Delaware County, New York, and was born June 15. 1844. When eight years of age, his father, Lewis, emigrated to Indiana with his family, locating in Johnson County. There W. B. was raised, receiving a limited education in the common schools. When thirteen years of age, he went to Morgantown, and commenced to learn the harness and saddlery trade, and, after completing it, he worked at various points as journeyman. In 1862, he tendered his services to the Union cause, enlisting at Rushville, Indiana, in Company C, Sixteenth Indiana Infantry, under Captain P. J. Beachbard. He was in the Department of the Gulf, and participated in many prominent engagements ; was at Richmond, Kentucky, Arkansas Post, the attack on Vicksburg, and was taken prisoner while scouting near Greenville, Mississippi, but was not long retained, being exchanged with others. He was also with Banks, on the Red River expedition, and served through until the close, being honorably discharged at New Orleans and mustered out at Indianapolis. In November, 1865, Mr. Graves came to Maryville, and engaged in the present business, which has sub- stantially increased, and is one of the largest in Northwest Missouri. He is a man of strict integrity, and decided character, has never been a political aspirant, neither is he a candidate for popularity or public fame. All enterprises 'to the upbuilding of Maryville have always received his hearty support. He married, in 1866, Miss Nancy Ellen Kelly, of Indiana. They have seven children: Willie, George, Hattie, Fannie, Gertie, Luella and Kate. Himself and wife are members of the Chris- tian Church.
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agent of the American Express Company, was born near Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, February 25, 1843. His father, Daniel, was born in Rome, New York, and by occupation was a farmer. His mother, formerly Miss Rachel Pool, was born in Johnstown, New York. J. G. accompanied his parents to La Fayette County, Wisconsin, in 1849. They remained there until 1856, when they moved to Dodge County, Minnesota, where they still reside. J. G. spent his boyhood days on the farm, and after receiving the benefits of a common school education he entered the Seminary at Mantorville, Minnesota. In August, 1862, he enlisted in company B, Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. Previous to enlisting he served in the Home Guards, in which he held the position of captain. He filled the position of first duty sergeant in the regular army. The years 1862-3 he spent on the plains under General Shelby fighting the Sioux Indians. He took part in the battles of Big Stone Lake, Buffalo Lake and two on the Missouri River near where Fort Rice now stands. During the summer of 1863 they traveled some 1,600 miles on one continuous march, and during the winter of 1863-4 did provost duty in St. Louis. In the spring of 1864 they joined Gen. A. J. Smith's army corps, taking part in the battle of Tapelo, Mississippi, and in the campaign to Holly Springs and Tallahatchie ; thence to Independence, Missouri, from whence they marched back to Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. G. was taken sick and was left at McPherson General Hospital at Vicksburg. He remained there some three months, and after partially recovering he acted as clerk for Major White, surgeon in charge. In June, 1865, he was granted a fur- lough by a special letter from Secretary Stanton, and was afterwards mustered out at St. Paul, Minnesota. His health being in an impaired condition he engaged as clerk in a hotel at Owatonna, Minnesota. In 1867, he moved to Missouri and spent the winter at Savannah, coming to Maryville in the spring of 1868. He bought the National Hotel and kept it until the fall of 1871, when he subsequently acted as host at the Central Hotel. He was appointed American Express Agent in the spring of 1872, which position he has since filled. The first six years he kept the office in R. K. Townsend's store, and assisted as clerk. He then commenced the grocery business with Mr. Dooley and kept the office in the store. They carried on the business until January, 1882. During his residence here Mr. Grems has filled the positions of justice of the peace and chairman of the town council two terms, and is at present a member from the Fourth Ward. He is a member of Nodaway Lodge No. 470, A. F. and A. M., of which he has been Master. Politically he is a staunch Republican. He was married in July, 1867, to Miss Emma Sanborn, of Owatonna, Minnesota. She was born in New Hampshire.
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They have two children : Adella, twelve years of age, and Lewis M., two years old.
OLIVER GRETTON,
bricklayer and plasterer. The subject of this sketch is a native of Washtenaw County, Michigan, and was born December 1, 1842. He was there reared to manhood, and received a good common school edu- cation. At an early day he began working at the trade of which he is now master, with his father, who also followed that occupation. He con- tinued the same in his native county till 1866, when he immigrated to Mexico, Missouri, and engaged in contracting and building. He there resided till 1868, when he removed to Sedalia, Missouri, and after a resi- dence there of one year, he returned to Ypsilanti, Michigan, staying for one year. Mr. G. next came west and settled in Maryville, and since his arrival has been doing a very profitable business. He is a clever mechanic, a good financier, and a man well calculated to win success in any undertaking. Besides this business, he is interested in Harmon's brickyard, and uses all the brick made in that yard. Mr. Gretton was united in marriage February 2, 1869, to Miss Jennie Haynes, a native of Virginia. They have three children : Alta B., Ethel R. and Bessie M.
L. J. GROWNEY,
circuit clerk, is a native of Ireland, and was born in County Meath, May 1, 1847. In 1849, his father, Patrick Growney, with his family, including L. J., came to America, locating in the state of New York, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits and resided until 1858. In that year Messrs. Felix & Mclaughlin, of the east, purchased a large tract of land in the Platte Purchase, with a view of establishing an Irish Colony. Among others who came with their families and settled on this body of land, in 1858, was Mr. Patrick Growney, who took up his abode in the northwest part of Jefferson Township, in Nodaway County. He was one of the pioneers in that portion of the county, and was promi- nently identified with its growth and development up to the time of his demise, which occurred in June, 1879. His wife, now well advanced in years, is still a resident of the county. The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood and educated in Nodaway County, his boyhood days being spent in tilling the soil. With the exception of about six months he has been a constant resident of the county since 1858. He had never mingled in public affairs, or come before the people in any official capac- ity until 1877, when he was appointed by the court county assessor. In 1879, he was the choice of the Democratic party for circuit clerk, and was elected by a handsome majority. Mr. Growney is a gentleman possessing fine social qualities and abilities of a superior order. He adheres closely
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to the Democratic doctrine, but being of a decided and independent spirit, does not allow party fealty to bias his judgment. In 1867, Miss Josephine Protzman, of Nodaway County, became his wife. By this union they have one daughter, Mary. Himself and family are mem- bers of the Catholic Church.
PETER GROSS,
proprietor of the Maryville Bottling Works, is a native of Prussia, Ger- many, and was born January 6, 1839. He was reared and educated in his native county, and, in 1868, he immigrated to the United States, and settled in Wisconsin, living in different sections of that state. In 1872, he removed to Dakota Territory, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1874, he came to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he remained one year, and, in 1876, came to Maryville, and opened a saloon, and put up ice. In 1879, he began the bottling of beer, ale, porter, cider and mineral waters, and the demand for his goods is large and his trade constantly increasing. He is well and favorably known as an enterprising and suc- cessful business man.
GRUNDY & TERHUNE,
dealers in agricultural implements. This firm was organized January 15, 1881. They have a large and complete stock of agricultural imple- ments ; handle the Hapgood Sulky Combined Lister and Drill, and have all Northwestern Missouri as territory. J. Israel Grundy was born in Ballard County, Kentucky, the 27th of August, 1845. His father, Samuel H. Grundy, was a native of Kentucky, and his mother, formerly Miss Sarah Gettings, was born in Baltimore, Maryland. When Israel was about one year old his parents moved to Washington County, Iowa, and after remaining there four years went to Adair County, Missouri, where they stayed some two years ; thence to Osawatomie, Kansas, and were there at the time of the John Brown troubles. After a short time they moved to Marion County, Iowa, and thence to Clinton County, Missouri, in 1855. Israel spent his boyhood days on a farm and received the benefits of an education in the neighborhood schools. Upon arriving at maturity he engaged in teaching, and followed it some ten years. In the fall of 1876 he went to the Indian Nation and remained some four years there and in Southern Kansas. He first visited Nodaway County in 1870, and three years after he returned to Clinton County. He set- tled here again in the spring of 1879 and engaged in the agricultural implement business, forming his present partnership in January, 1881. He is an excellent salesman and an enterprising citizen. Mr. G. was married November 29, 1869, to Miss Mary E. Weakley, daughter of Granville Weakley, of Clinton County, Missouri. She was born in
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Shelby County, Kentucky, in 1844. They have two children : Anna S., born July 11, 1876, and Ruth A., born November 23, 1878. Him- self and wife are active members of the United Brethren Church. C. W. Terhune was born in Andrew County, Missouri, on the 9th of Decem- ber, 1853. His father, Adam Terhune, and his mother, whose maiden name was Miss Betsy Cary, were pioneers of Northwestern Missouri. C. W. was brought to Nodaway County, Missouri, by his parents when some two years of age. He was reared to manhood, spending his boyhood days partly on a farm and partly in Maryville. He received the benefits of a common school education, and after arriving at maturity he first engaged in farming for some two years, then went to Bridgewater and operated a flouring mill for his father about eigh- teen months. In the spring of 1880 he commenced the grocery busi- ness at Maryville, and in January, 1881, he became associated with Mr. Grundy in the implement business, in which he owns a two-third inter- est. He is a member of Nodaway Lodge, No. 470, A. F.and A. M., of Maryville, in which he holds the position of Junior Deacon. He is also a member of White Cloud Lodge, No. 92, I. O. O. F., of Maryville. He belongs to the Baptist Church. Politically he is a Republican.
M. R. HACKEDORN, M. D.,
is a native of Ohio, and was born in Morrow County, in 1848. When young he removed to Crawford County. His father, Dr. N. E. Hacke- dorn, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio when a young man, and for many years has been one of the able and well known prac- titioners of Crawford County. M. R. was raised in Crawford County, receiving the benefits of the common schools, after which he attended and graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. He commenced the study of medicine under the tutorship of his father, and after a time entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, in New York, from which he graduated in 1870. For three years he was asso- ciated in practice with his father, after which he practiced in Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1874 he came to Maryville. The doctor possesses consid- erable professional pride and courtesy, and is highly esteemed by his brother practitioners for his ability as a physician. Since 1875 he has been United States Examining Surgeon for Nodaway County. He is at present a member of the city council from the Third Ward. He is a Royal Arch Mason and Master of Nodaway Lodge, No. 470. In 1874 Dr. Hack- edorn married Miss Alenia Duck, of Ohio. They have two children, Marion and Bertha.
PETER HAMILL.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Ireland, and was born August 12, 1846. He was there reared to manhood, following the occu-
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pation of farming, and received his education from the schools of that vicinity. At the age of eighteen years, he went to Scotland, and was engaged for three years in railroading. After that time he immigrated to America, and settled in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, where he was occupied in mining for about six months. He next moved to Des Moines, Iowa, and was in the employ of the Des Moines Valley Railroad till 1868, when he began peddling through Missouri. In 1869, he took a trip to Montana Territory, where he was a resident for fifteen months, after which time he returned to Missouri, and resided in St. Joseph for three months. He then went to Tennessee, and engaged in peddling, passing through most of the Southern States in his travels, and for three years made Texas his place of operation. He continued this business till 1875, when he came to this city and engaged in business. He has a billiard hall in connection with his saloon. Mr. H. is a man who has had a varied and checkered life, and in everything he has undertaken, has been unusually successful. He has large real estate interests in this city, besides a good farm in the county, and is a wealthy citizen. Mr. H. was married January 23, 1877, to Miss Nancy Penny, a native of Illinois. They have two children : Lillie and Clara. They are members of the Catholic Church.
HENRY HANNA,
farmer and stock raiser, section 27, one of the early settlers of Noda- way County, was born in County Down, Ireland, January 13, 1818. He was brought to America by his parents in 1822, landing at Quebec. They settled in Glen Garey County, Canada, and there he was principally raised, spending his boyhood days on a farm and receiving the benefits of a com- mon school education. When about seventeen years of age he accom- panied his parents to Center County, Pennsylvania, where he commenced to learn the wagon-makers' trade. He married Miss Margaret Gold- man on the 13th of February, 1844. They moved to Clarion County, Pennsylvania, where he commenced working at his trade. In 1848, Mrs. Hanna died, leaving three small children : Marietta, born Decem- ber 6, 1844, (now Mrs. Leander Pistole); Margaret, born April 14, 1846, and Mary R., now deceased. Mr. H. moved to Lawrence County, Ohio, and on the 5th of June, 1851, he married Miss Mary J. T. Neal, a native of Gallia County, Ohio, born April 22, 1832. They remained there until the spring of 1854, when he emigrated west and located in Nodaway County, Missouri, on his present farm. Since that time he has been an active citizen of Nodaway County. During the war he was a strong Union man. He takes a deep interest in educational matters, and has been a member of the school board almost continuously since he came to the county. Politically he stands Independent. Mr. H. has made what he has by honesty and attention to business. His landed estate
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consists of 540 acres of fine bottom land, a good barn, orchard, etc., and has his farm well stocked. Mr. and Mrs. Hanna have nine children : Charles O., born April 16, 1852 ; William B., born October 12, 1858; Ella L., born November 21, 1860, (now Mrs. George B. Branum); James F., born March 9, 1862 ; George N., born February 21, 1864 ; Alexander J., born March 9, 1866 ; Effie E., born December 8, 1867 ; Albert S., born June 15, 1870 ; lost one, Martha B. He is a member of the M. E. Church.
A. HARDISTY.
farmer and stock raiser, section 33, was born in McDonough County, III- inois, January 21, 1841, the son of John Hardisty, a physician and farmer by occupation, and a native of Maryland, and Elizabeth (Hungate) Hardisty, a Kentuckian by birth. Young Hardisty spent his youth on a farm, at his birthplace, receiving an education in the common schools. In 1863, he removed to Henderson County, Illinois, where he made his home for nine years, then coming to this county. He located where he now resides, in January, 1872, the land then being in an unimproved condition. He commenced its cultivation, and is now the owner of 360 acres, besides fifteen acres of timber. There are two maple groves, and two orchards, of ten acres in extent, on the place, which is well adapted for stock raising. Mr. H. is well thought of by all. He has filled the posi- tion of school director and road overseer several terms. His marriage occurred on the 6th of March, 1862, to Miss Virginia Penny, daughter of George W. Penny, of this county. They have six children : William H., born December 18, 1862 ; Elsie J., born November 26, 1864; Nancy E., born December 31, 1866 ; Lucy M., born September 14, 1871; Henry A., born October 21, 1873, and Mary E., born May 20, 1876. Besides owning some high graded cattle, Mr. Hardisty has some, full blooded Merino sheep, and is largely interested in the sheep business. He is a Greenbacker in politics. They were formerly members of the Christian Church.
H. G. HARMON,
proprietor of the Maryville Planing Mill, is a native of Massachusetts, and was born in 1834. While an infant he was taken by his parents to Winnebago County, Illinois. His early life was spent on a farm, and he afterwards learned the carpenter's trade, and in 1852 came to Dubuque County, Iowa. In 1856 he located in Nebraska, remaining there until 1859, when he came to this county. He engaged in his present business in 1875. Mr. Harmon was married November 17, 1864, to Miss Eliza Allertson, a native of Indiana, born November 4, 1844. They have four children : Mary J., born August 26, 1865; Emma, born December 8, 1867; Laura, born February 23, 1876; and George W., born September 6, 1878.
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DANIEL HARRIGAN,
grocer and dealer in wines and liquors, is a native of Ireland, and was born February 9. 1815. He was reared in his native land, and was there engaged in various branches of business till 1845, when he came to America, landing at Montreal He went to Michigan, where he resided one year, and next located in Beardstown, Cass County, Illinois, remain- ing for six years, then taking up his home in La Salle, Illinois. He was there occupied in the grocery business for one year, when he moved to Muscatine, Iowa, and continued the same business for fourteen years. In the year 1863, he went to California. After having taken a trip by water from San Francisco to New York and return, he went to Nevada, and from there to Omaha, Nebraska, where he was for a part of the time engaged in the grocery business. In 1869, he came to Maryville, where he has since been in his present business. Mr. Harrigan was married June 16, 1853, to Miss Mary McQuirk, of Ireland. They have three children : Jeremiah D., Cornelius B. and Mary A.
JOHN HAM,
who for over twenty-five years has been identified with the growth and development of Nodaway County, is a native of New Hampshire, and was born February 14, 1828. When six years of age, his parents removed to the State of New York, and, in 1836, to St. Joseph County, Michigan, near South Bend. His father was a farmer, and his early life was that of a farmer boy. He received the advantages of a good com- mon school education, and had recourse to the occupation of all aspir- ing youth-school teaching. In 1851, he removed to Jackson County, Iowa, and, in 1856, came to Nodaway County, where, for years, he fol- lowed the occupation of farming and teaching. Politically he has always been a Radical Republican. He voted for John C. Fremont, and was one of the few of the minority, at that time, whose banner hung on the outer wall. In 1868, he was elected sheriff and collector of Nodaway County, and held the office until 1873. Mr. H. was married May 9, 1853, to Miss Justina Pool, who was born in Summit County, Ohio, in 1836. They have a family of nine children : Joseph (now engaged in agricul- tural pursuits), Ellen, Emmett (who has recently graduated as an M. D. at Rush Medical College, Chicago), Amelia, Ida, Alice, John, Fred and Frank.
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