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 80
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
timber in Green Township. Mr. Knabb was formerly a member of the Grange. Though often solicited to become a candidate for the various township offices, he has always refused. He was married December 16, 1855, to Miss Mary A. Kelly, daughter of David Kelly, a native of Jack- son County, Indiana. They have six children : Samuel F., born June 12, 1855 ; Elizabeth J., born February 4, 1857, (now Mrs. D. Taylor); Sarah L., born June 4, 1858 ; Mary C., born March 28, 1859 ; John J. and Willie B. (twins), born June 19, 1868. Two are deceased. Mr. K. polit- ically is a Republican.
CHARLES D. KOCH, M. D.,
was born in Clinton, East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, on the 14th day of April, 1849, and is the son of Gerard and Josephine Koch, natives of Germany. He was reared until seventeen years of age in his native town, receiving the benefits of an academical education. In 1867 he came to St. Joseph and secured a situation in a drug store, and at the same time commenced reading medicine, with Dr. Berghoff as tutor. He attended medical lectures at the St. Louis Medical College, and was graduated March 11, 1873. He then returned to St. Joseph, and for over one year was connected with his preceptor in the practice of his profes- sion. In September, 1874, he settled in Maryville, where he has been engaged in the practice of medicine. To his most thorough qualities as a physician, he adds promptness and energy in professional duty, and he enjoys a good reputation in the discharge of his duties to the sick and afflicted. Dr. Koch has a good practice, which is constantly increasing. He is a member of White Cloud Lodge of I. O. O. F. He married Miss Sophia Jensen, December 25, 1876. She was born in Copenhagen, Den- mark. They have one son, Charles Adolph.
GEORGE KRAUS,
shoemaker, is a native of Switzerland, and' was born October 5, 1835. He received the advantages of a fair education in his native town, and worked at the cooper's trade till eighteen years old, when he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for three years. He then traveled in different parts of that country till 1866, when he came to America, landing at New York, and locating where he now resides. He has since lived here, excepting one year, when he worked in St. Joseph. He now owns one business house and a residence in this place. Mr. Kraus was married June 21, 1861, to Miss Katie Graul. She was born in Saton, now a part of Prussia, March 22, 1842, and came to America in 1867. They have one child, Lena, born January 2, 1862.
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POLK TOWNSHIP.
G. KUENSTER,
wholesale dealer in coal oil, is among the prominent business men of Maryville. He is a native of Germany, and was born in County Cob- lenz, December 25, 1837. He was there reared to manhood, spending his youthful days in agricultural pursuits, and obtaining his education from the schools in that vicinity. At the age of nineteen years he immi- grated to America and settled in Monroe County, Illinois, where he resided three months, and then went to Quincy, Illinois. A short season afterwards he removed to Grant County, Wisconsin, and engaged in farming. He subsequently returned to Illinois and engaged in clerking at Liberty, where he remained one year. We next find him situated at New Orleans, Louisiana, where he resided six months, and from there he settled in Kansas City, Missouri, and embarked in mercantile pursuits until the breaking out of the war. In 1861 Mr. K. returned to Illinois and enlisted in Company B, Twenty-second Illinois Regiment, serving three months, and upon obtaining his discharge he re-enlisted in Com- pany E, Twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteers, serving three years and one month. He took an active part in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chickamauga, Tennessee, and others of lesser note. He was for three months steward of the hospital at Bowling Green, Kentucky, and had under his command a small body of troops for the defense of that insti- tution. After obtaining his discharge in 1864 he returned to Grant County, Wisconsin, and engaged in farming, and at the expiration of a four years' residence there he removed to this county, engaging in the grocery business in Maryville in 1868. Five months later he went to the county of his nativity on a visit, which lasted seven months. At the end of that time he again came to Maryville, and in 1870 established the business now conducted by Wray & Moore. Mr. K. was united in marriage, April 10, 1865, with Miss Elizabeth B. Hollauer, a native of Germany. They have six children : Joseph F., Mary E., Ferdinand T., Melie, Nettie and Chloe. They are members of the Catholic Church. He has been city tax collector one term, and was also for a like period county supervisor under the old system.
N. B. LAMAR,
was born in Anderson County, Tennesse, March 13, 1829. His father, John M. Lamar, was also a native of Tennessee, while his mother, whose maiden name was Miss Hannah Smith, was from Virginia. When ten years of age N. B. accompanied his parents to Hendricks County, Indiana, and after remaining there two years, they moved to Platte County, Missouri, arriving in 1841. One year later they came to Noda- way County, Missouri, and settled on the Nodaway River, in the north-
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
western part of the county, there taking up a claim. A log cabin was erected, there being not a nail nor a pane of glass in the house. It con- tained a puncheon floor, the cracks between the logs were daubed with mud, and the chimney was made of sod. N. B. was a good shot with his old flint-lock rifle, and spent many pleasant hours in hunting. Rov- ing bands of Indians infested the country on hunting expeditions. It was on this frontier that the subject of this sketch was reared. He received a common school education, and has taken a deep interest in the improvement of this county, having cultivated several fine farms. He now owns two, one in Nodaway and one in Atchison County. Dur- ing the war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. He has at pres- ent retired from active business life. Mr. Lamar is the owner of a handsome residence in Maryville, besides other town property. He was married in June, 1857, to Miss Martha A. Seevers, a native of Tennes- see, born November 18, 1835. They have two children : Sarah K., born March 27, 1858, (now Mrs. Virgil W. Teeme, of Mexico, Missouri), and John J., born November 13, 1860.
L. M. LANE,
of the firm of Lane & Newman, attorneys, is a native of Missouri, and was born in Andrew County, November 4, 1854. His father, Lemuel B. Lane, was one of the pioneers of that county. When the subject of this sketch was in his second year the family emigrated to Peoria County, Illinois, residing there until 1866, when they returned to Missouri, and located temporarily at Lexington and Kansas City, eventually taking up their abode in Bates County. There they remained until the autumn of 1869, when they removed to Gentry County, and in the spring of 1872 came to Nodaway. L. M. spent his youthful days in tilling the soil, his early educational advantages being very limited. After coming to Mary- ville, he attended school for a time, after which he turned his attention to teaching, and for two terms taught in the public school building in town. In the spring of 1875 he commenced the study of law in the office of Messrs. Johnson & Jackson. Previous to this he had not given the law any consideration, and in the unprecedented time of two months and twenty-seven days, he was prepared, passed a creditable examination, and was duly admitted to the bar. He did not engage actively in the practice of his profession until the spring of 1877, when he became the junior member of the firm of Beech & Lane. During his short career Mr. Lane has attained more than local celebrity, especially as a criminal lawyer. He was appointed by the court on the defense in the celebrated Otto Sharp murder trial, a history of which is given in this work. In 1878 the people of Maryville found in Mr. Lane an efficient mayor. In the spring of 1881 he was elected city attorney, the duties of which office
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POLK TOWNSHIP.
he is now discharging. He is favorably spoken of as being the next Democratic candidate for prosecuting attorney, and being eminently qualified for the position, will undoubtedly receive the hearty support of the masses. He is a member of Maryville Lodge, No. 165, of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to the M. E. Church. On the 25th of December, 1877, Miss Clara E. Howden became his wife. She is the daughter of Captain Howden, one of Nodaway's substantial citizens. They have by this union two children, Zella May and Milton Vern.
DR. J. M. LARRABEE,
is a native of Mississippi, and was born May 30, 1824. His father, Judge Aaron Larrabee, was a large planter and prominently known in that state, to which he had moved from France when a young man. The subject of this sketch received the benefits of a select school education in New Orleans, after which he took up the study of medicine under the tutorship of Dr. Stone. In due course of time he entered the Louisiana Medical University, in New Orleans, and graduated from that institution in the spring of 1846. In the autumn of the same year, he accompanied General Scott's army to Mexico as physician and surgeon, was at the battle of Vera Cruz, and served all through until the close, when he returned to the states. At the breaking out of the late rebellion, his sympathies being with the south, he entered the Confederate service as first regimental surgeon in the Army of the Tennessee. He was after- wards made division surgeon, serving through until the close. After the war, he located in Adams County, Illinois, and practiced his profession for over seven years, when he came to Missouri. After a temporary sojourn in different places, in January, 1879, he became a resident of Maryville. The doctor for twenty-five years adhered to the allopathic practice, but after mature deliberation, became convinced of the truth of the principle involved in the motto, similia, similibus, curantur, and adopted the homeopathic practice. He has been eminently successful during his professional career in Nodaway County, and has a large and increasing practice. He is conceded to be one of the best scholars and physicians in the place, pleasing in his address, kind in his manners, and an entertaining gentleman. He is a member of the Western Academic University of Homeopathy, and the Missouri Institute of Homeopathy. He is a Master Mason. In 1856, Miss Jane Dougherty, of Ohio, became his wife. By this union they have five children : Gomeo, Willie, Jennie, Woodrow and Cassius.
JOHN LIEBER,
merchant. No person in Maryville is more widely known or has been more closely identified with its growth and development than Mr. Lie-
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
ber. Commencing with the town when it was in its infancy, he has kept pace with its upbuilding and has become prosperous as civ- ilization advanced into the city. Mr. L. is a native of Switzerland and was born August 29, 1833. He was educated and resided in his native country until 1851, when he came to America with his parents. They sojourned for a time at Jefferson City, Missouri, after which they removed to Booneville, where the father still resides. John engaged in clerking in mercantile houses, pursuing that vocation for a considerable length of time at Lexington. In 1858 he came to Mary- ville, and after clerking one month, made his departure in trade, occupy- ing a building about four doors south of his present stand. His capital was in conformity with his store, rather small, but his sterling business qualifications had been observed by wholesale dealers who came for- ward with their assistance, knowing that he was destined to occupy a prominent position. He soon after took in a partner, and until the breaking out of the war was known as the firm of Lieber & Jester. When the rebellion began Mr. Lieber and V. Stephens engaged in the liquor trade, and after one year Mr. Bigget became interested, and they engaged in general merchandising, continuing for a time, when Mr. Lieber withdrew and bought a third interest in the establishment of Michau Brothers. The firm was styled J. Lieber & Co. This co-part- nership existed until 1876, when Mr. Alfred Michau withdrew. The business career of Mr. L. in Maryville has been characterized for square dealing. His success, his present and increasing patronage, is evidence sufficient to confirm the fact. He is unostentatious, and is among the first in endorsing enterprises that would advance the interests of Noda- way County. He married in 1859 Miss L. C. Thompson. They have by this union three children, Chloe, Mary and Georgie. Himself and family are members of the Catholic Church.
CHARLES LIPPMAN,
furniture dealer and undertaker, is a native of Germany, and was born July 6, 1847. He lived in his native country, where he was educated, until 1866, and then immigrated to the United States, and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he learned the cabinet maker's trade. After liv- ing there six years, he came to Maryville, Missouri, in 1872, and entered the employ of Stephens & Brother, the oldest house in the furniture line in Maryville. In 1876, he purchased one of the brother's interest, and became a partner, and, on the Ist of January, 1879, he purchased the other brother's interest, and became sold proprietor. Mr. L. is a good illustration of what industry and fair and honorable dealing can accom- plish. He was married in October, 1878, to Miss L. Nagel, a resident of Nodaway County, but born in Germany. They have two children,
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POLK TOWNSHIP.
Charles Frederick and Edmond. Mr. L. is a member of Nodaway Lodge, A. F. and A. M., Knights of Pythias, and of the Maryville Encampment, I. O. O. F.
THOMAS LOOKER,
farmer and stock raiser, section II, was born April 21, 1837, in Fairfield County, Ohio. His father, James W. Looker, was a native of Virginia. His mother, whose maiden name was Miss Sophia Sprinkler, was also born in Virginia. Thomas was brought up in Fairfield County, Ohio, on a farm, and received a common school education. In the fall of 1854 he accompanied his parents to Andrew County, Missouri, and lived there until 1863, when he came to Nodaway County and rented a farm on White Cloud Creek. He purchused his present farm in the fall of 1864, it then having some little improvement upon it. Since that time he has been an active worker in forwarding the interests of Nodaway County. During the war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia, and at the close of that struggle he again turned his attention to farming. His present landed estate comprises 120 acres of well improved land, upon which is a good residence, and one of the finest orchards, of some 200 bearing trees, in the county. His farm is well watered and well adapted to stock raising. Politically he is an Independent Democrat. Mr. Looker was married November 20, 1859, to Miss Catherine Taylor, a native of Illinois. There are two children living : James K., born December 13, 1860, and Sarah E., born January 28, 1868, a bright young lady, who acts the part of housekeeper for her father.
HOWARD McCOMMON,
stock dealer, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, November 21, 1848. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth McCommon, were both natives of Pennsylvania. Howard was brought up at his birthplace on a farm, and received a common school education. In February, 1868, he came west and settled in the southern part of Nodaway County, on the old Sixteen Mile or Half-way House, between Maryville and Savannah. There he remained a short time, when he came to Maryville in the spring of 1869 and has made this his home since. He has improved several farms in the neighborhood. He was also in the lumber business one year with Mr. Williams, under the firm name of Williams, McCommon & Co. Mr. McC. has been in the stock business more or less since he resided here, and at present gives his attention principally to that occupation. He is the owner of a residence in this city. He is a member of White Cloud Lodge, No. 92, I. O. O. F., of Maryville. He was married Octo- ber 16, 1876, to Miss Laura Jester, daughter of S. M. Jester, of Saline
798
BIOGRAPHICAL.
County, Missouri. She was born in Maryville, Nodaway County, Mis- souri, March 14, 1850. They have one child, Frank H., born May 22, 1878. Mrs. McCommon is a member of the Christian Church, of Mary- ville.
ABINAH W. MCGINNIS,
farmer and stock raiser, section 27, was born in Fayette County, Penn- sylvania, September 5, 1823. His father, George McGinnis, was a boats- man, and was also a native of that county. His mother was born in New Jersey. Young McGinnis attended the common schools, and was brought up in his native county, principally following the occupation of his father. He commenced work for himself in 1843, and, on becoming of age, turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He removed to Muskingum County, Ohio, and then to Green County, Indiana, in 1845, and, in May, 1858, through Iowa to Missouri, locating in this county in the spring of 1859. He purchased a farm, and at once com- menced its improvement, and is now the owner of 318 acres, well improved. Mr. McG. is much interested in the raising of stock, and upon his farm are some good grades. There is also an orchard, con- taining the usual amount of small fruit. During the 'war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. He has served as school director for eight years. He has been, twice married. First, in Ohio, February 8, 1844 ; this wife died November 19, 1864, leaving nine children, five of whom are living : James M., born December 16, 1847; Mary E. (now Mrs. Jacob Ashford), born September 19, 1849: Abinah W., born April 19, 1854; William C., born December 14, 1858, and Daniel D., born April 25, 1861. His second marriage occurred March 27, 1866, when Miss Nancy A. Graham became his wife. There are five children by this union : Myra, born April 16, 1868; Dennis H., born September 5, 1870; Maria, born February 1, 1872 ; Milda C., born April 17, 1874, and Jonathan D., born December 15, 1879. Politically Mr. McG. is a Greenbacker. He was brought up religiously in the Methodist Episcopal faith.
PATRICK MONELLIS,
proprietor of billiard room, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, on the 25th day of September, 1845. His youth was spent in his native country. In 1866, he emigrated to the United States and settled in the coal regions of Pennsylvania, and for two years was engaged in mining. In 1872, he came to Maryville and engaged in his present business. He was married in 1874 to Miss Mary Doogan. They have four children : James, Mary Ellen, Sarah and Annie. One son, Barney, is deceased.
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POLK TOWNSIIIP.
AUGUSTUS F. MALOTT,
blacksmith. He is a native of Miami County, Ohio, and was born Jan- uary 29, 1844. At the age of five years he emigrated with the family to Marion County, Indiana, where he was reared to manhood and was edu- cated. He attended college at Merom, Sullivan County, Indiana, for two years. In 1861, at the breaking out of the war, he enlisted in Company I, Twelfth Indiana Regiment, serving seven and a-half months. After obtaining his discharge from that regiment he re-enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and First Indiana Volunteers, and served till the close of the war, having participated in the well known battles of Crab Orchard, Chickamauga, siege of Atlanta, Georgia, Jonesboro, and was with Sher- man in his famous march to the sea. At the close of the war Mr. M. returned home, where he remained till 1866, then moving to Pontiac, Illinois, resided there, following blacksmithing for six years. After which, he removed to Bloomington, Illinois, and was engaged in his trade in that city and vicinity till 1878. At that period he emigrated to Hopkins, Missouri, and after one and a-half years, located in this city, where he has since resided. He was married January 24, 1878, to Miss Ida Jenaway, a native of Illinois. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., No. 164, of Hopkins, Missouri. That Mr. Malott is unquestionably a thorough master of his trade is conceded by all, and his large patronage only gives further evidence of his mechanical skill.
GEORGE W. MARTIN,
editor in chief, and one of the publishers and proprietors of the Noda- way Democrat, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1843. His father, Wanick Martin, who was a native of Ohio, was by profession a teacher and minister of the gospel. He was also for a considerable period successfully engaged in the banking business. His mother's maiden name was Rachel Harbaugh. She was also a native of Ohio. Young George spent the first six years of his life in his native state, about the end of which period, he moved with his parents to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he received the rudiments of his literary education. In 1859, he left his southern home, and returning north- ward, entered Henry and Eureka College, Illinois, where he completed his literary and scientific education, which latter included a competent knowledge of civil engineering. He subsequently spent five years on the western plains, a portion of which time he employed in the avoca- tion of his profession of civil engineer. In 1871, he settled in the city of Maryville, in Nodaway County, where, during the ensuing period of three years he was successfully engaged in the insurance business. In 1874, he became connected with the Nodaway Democrat, of which he
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
is now (1882), and has been for some years past, in partnership with James Todd, Esq., a proprietor and publisher, as well as its managing editor. His bold and uncompromising avowal of the principles of which the Democrat has long been the exponent in this county, no less than his independence of thought and expression in all matters per- taining to questions of public interest, combined with the general excel- lence of the Democrat as a newspaper, has won for George W. Martin, no less than for his able associate, James Todd, a reputation for ability in journalism which few similar enterprises in a corresponding period of time in this state have achieved for their originators. Mr. Martin was married in 1873, to Miss Mary Turner, a native of South Bend, Indiana. They have three children : Clarence, Flora, and Henry.
A. K. MARTIN,
was born in Connelsburg, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, on the 26th of December, 1817. His father, Alexander Martin, was a native of Ireland, and a contractor by occupation. The maiden name of his mother was Mary A. McCorcan, and she was born in Donegal, Ireland. Alexander accompanied his parents to Knox County, Ohio, where he was reared and received a common school education. When nineteen years of age he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, working for the small compensation of $4.00 per month for some two years. In the spring of 1839 he emigrated to Logan County, Illinois, where he was engaged in contracting, building, etc., and remained there until 1865, when he moved west and settled in Andrew County, Missouri. There he improved one of the finest farms in the county, but sold out in the fall of 1875, coming to Nodaway County in the spring of 1876. He then settled in Mary- ville, and has now retired from active business life. He takes a deep interest in educational matters, and has been a member of the school board ever since he resided here, and has also been a member of the town council. Politically he is a Republican. He took a trip across the plains to California in 1850, spent one year on the coast and returned by the Isthmus. Mr. Martin was married in Logan County, Illinois, on the 28th of January, 1841 to Miss M. Hablit, a native of Greene County, Ohio, born January 10, 1825. They have had ten children, five of whom are now living : Mary P., born April 8, 1842, (now Mrs. Henry Ogle, of Andrew County); Catherine A., born November 15, 1848, (now Mrs. M. E. Hocker, of Colorado); Lodema T., born September 28, 1850, (now Mrs. Elias McAllister, of Nodaway County); Flora E., born January 15, 1855, (now Mrs. J. J. Beam, of Nodaway County); and Nellie, born December 10, 1869. William, James L., Angeline, John H. and Sarah B. are deceased. Mrs. B. is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
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POLK TOWNSHIP.
ABRAHAM MERRILL,
farmer and stock raiser, section 31, was born in Wolcott, Wayne County, New York, April 3, 1842, and was the son of Ripley and Maria (Valan- stine) Merrill, both natives of New York. When six years of age he accompanied his parents to Wisconsin, where he was reared and edu- cated, there remaining until the breaking out of the war. In August 1862 he enlisted in Company E, Twenty-second Wisconsin Infantry, and served about three years, holding the position of corporal. He partici- pated in the battle of Brinkwood, Tennessee, where the regiment was captured and taken to Libby prison, there being confined for sixty days. At the end of this time they were paroled and then joined the main army at St. Louis, next going to Tennessee. Mr. M. was under General Sherman at the battles of Resaca, Burnt Hickory, New Hope Church, Rocky Force Ridge, and siege of Atlanta, then through to the sea, par- ticipating in the battles of Averysboro and Goldsboro, North Carolina. After Johnston's surrender he went through to Washington and partici- pated in the grand review. Upon being mustered out of the United States service he returned to Milwaukee and was mustered out of the state service. In the fall of 1867 he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he now owns 120 acres of well improved and stocked land. He has been school director and road overseer of his district. Mr. Merrill was married February 1I, 1869, to Sarah E. Semans, a daughter of C. N. Semans, of New York. They have five children: Alice, born Novem- ber 1, 1870; Carrie, born December 1, 1871; Cora, born June 23, 1875; Charles N., born December 24, 1877; Edward L., born September 5, 1881. Politically he is a Republican.
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