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 82
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JOHN O'CONNOR,
dealer in agricultural implements, wagons and farm machinery, one of Maryville's leading business men, is a native of County Kerry, Ireland, and is the son of Michael O'Connor and Mary nce Shay. He was born on the 4th day of May, 1845, and emigrated to America with his mother
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in 1848, his father having preceded them the year previous. The family first settled in Massachusetts, and after remaining two years removed to Virginia, where they lived five years, and in 1856 changed their resi- dence to Wisconsin. There the subject of this sketch remained until the breaking out of the war. In response to the calls for troops to assist in putting down the rebellion in the south, he enlisted in August, 1861, in the Twelfth Wisconsin Infantry, and for meritorious services was promoted and commissioned second lieutenant. He remained in the service four years and participated in some of the most severe engage- ments of the campaign, among them the siege of Vicksburg and battle of Atlanta. He was with Sherman in his march to the sea, and partici- pated in the grand review at Washington. After he was mustered out he returned to his home and engaged in the agricultural implement bus- iness. In 1871 he came to Missouri, and to Nodaway County in 1875, and established his present business. He is recognized as an upright, straightforward business man, and by his fair and honorable dealing has secured a large patronage and richly merits the esteem in which he is held in the community. He has shown a commendable public spirited- ness, and everything calculated to permanently benefit the city receives his support. He has served the city efficiently as a member of its coun- cil for two years. He was married to Miss Margaret Hyland, Novem- ber 19, 1869. She was born in New York City. Their family consists of five children: Anna E., born October 2, 1870; James Charles, Octo- ber 6, 1872; Margaret N., November 1, 1874; John, May 10, 1877; Patri- cia L., October 4, 1879. Mr. O'Connor is one of the organizers of the I. A. C. B. Society of Maryville, and holds the office of president.
JAMES S. ONSTOT,
farmer and stock raiser, section 35, was born in Garrett County, Ken- tucky, December 24, 1837, and is the son of Levi and Judith (Ball) Onstot, both Kentuckians by birth. The former was born in the year 1808. In 1844 James accompanied his parents to Buchanan County, Missouri, where his youth was passed in helping to clear a farm. His limited education was obtained in the common schools. He followed agricultural pursuits until August, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company H, Thirty-fifth Missouri Infantry, and was mustered out in June, 1865. He filled various positions until he was promoted first lieu- tenant, and participated in the battles of Arkansas Post, Helena, Duvall's Bluff, and many minor engagements. At the close of the war he returned to Buchanan County, Missouri, where he remained engaged in tilling the soil till he came to this county in 1876. The land which he then purchased was unimproved, but he now owns ninety acres, mostly under cultivation, well stocked and watered. He has held the
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office of school director. Mr. Onstot was married October 15, 1873, to Lucretia J. Williams, daughter of Evan and Louisa Williams. They have five children : Floyd, born December 2, 1874 ; Levi, born July 2, 1876 ; Robert H., born January 18, 1878 ; Edward, born August I, 1880, and Charles, born May 14, 1881. Politically he is a Republican, and worships with the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination.
W. C. OREAR,
for twenty-seven years a resident of Nodaway County, was born Sep- tember 20, 1816, in Henry County, Virginia. His father, John Orear, was a native of Frederick County, Virginia. W. C. was reared until seventeen years of age in his native state, and then accompanied his parents to Ralls County, Missouri, settling on a farm. From there he went to Iowa, and for twelve years was engaged in farming and mining. He returned to Missouri, and lived in Carroll County for seven years, and in 1855, came to Nodaway County, locating three miles east of Maryville, on a farm. The following year he moved in town, and embarked-in general merchandise, and continued in business until 1870, when he sold out, and has since devoted himself to his real estate and other interests. He was married in 1844, to Miss Mary A. Wilcox, a native of New York. They have two children : Laura A. (now Mrs. Beale), and Elias D.
JOSEPH T. PAQUIN,
county surveyor, is a native of Virginia, and was born in Loudoun County, December 25, 1837. His father, Joseph, was a native of Old Virginia. His grand-father was a Frenchman, and came to America with General LaFayette, participating in the Revolutionary war. In 1854 the subject of this memoir came to Missouri with his parents, locat- ing temporarily in Jackson County, and from there went to Platte County. He received the benefits of a common school education, and took a four year's course at St. Mary's School, near Montreal, Canada, where he became proficient in civil engineering. In 1861 he went to Nebraska, following railroad surveying for a time, and was also asso- ciated with Captain Bryant on the topography of Western Nebraska. In 1868 he was elected county surveyor of Saline County, Nebraska. In 1874 he came to Nodaway County, locating at Graham, and in 1876 was" elected county surveyor, and again in 1880. Mr. Paquin is a thoroughly experienced civil engineer, and is very conversant with the topography of Nodaway County. To him we are indebted for much information pertaining to the physical features of the county. He was married in Platte County, Missouri, in 1860, to Miss Barbara Staley. By this union they have three children : Joseph, William and Annie. He is a Master Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias.
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CAPTAIN LYMAN PARCHER,
farmer, section 19. This popular citizen is a native of Ohio, and was born in Crawford County, January 18, 1835. His father, Samuel, was among the early settlers of Northeastern Ohio. Lyman was educated and reared in the Buckeye State. In 1856, he came to Iowa, remained a short time, returned to Ohio, and came to Iowa again in 1857. At the breaking out of the rebellion, he was among the first to tender his services to the Union cause, enlisting, in 1861, in the Fourth Iowa Infantry, as second lieutenant of Company H. He was severely wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, and, after recuperating in the hos- pital, secured a recruiting officer's commission, and organized Company E, of the One Hundred and First Ohio, and, as captain of this company, yet undrilled, participated at the engagements of Knob's Gap, Stone River, and other battles. In 1863, he was obliged to leave the service, on account of his wound, and, after convalescing, in 1864, he recruited Company B, of the One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Ohio, and with them participated at the last battle of Nashville. He served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. In 1866, in com- pany with others, Captain Parcher engaged in the manufacturing of wagon material at Bucyrus, Ohio. In this industry he continued until 1868, when he sold out. In January, 1869, he was appointed mail agent on the Pittsburgh & Fort Wayne Railroad, between Crestline and Chi- cago, which position he held until the spring of 1871, when he resigned, and came to Iowa, locating in Adams County. There he resided until the spring of 1872, when he took up his abode where he now resides. His estate consists of ninety acres, adjoining the corporate limits of Maryville, on which is situated a residence, indicating comfort and pros- perity. He is also owner of valuable town property, besides land in Adams County, Iowa. The captain manifests a live interest in the progress of Nodaway County, and takes an active part in all enterprises that will further its developments. In 1878, he was elected to the office of justice of the peace. He is numbered among Nodaway's most sub- stantial men. In 1867, Miss Mary F. Tunison, a native of Springfield, Illinois, became his wife. They have five children by this union : Fred, Josephine, Charles L., Edmond K. and Jessie M. He is a Master Mason.
L. W. PATTERSON,
agent of the Wabash Railroad, Maryville, is a native of New York City, and was born August 17, 1834. He lived there until eighteen years of age, receiving the advantages of a good education. In 1853 he came to Illinois and was employed as a civil engineer, and was for some time on the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, and afterwards accepted the position
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of bookkeeper for the banking firm of J. H. Lucas & Co., in St. Louis .. In 1857 he was engaged in the pork packing business. In 1880 he came to Maryville in connection with the company with which he is now employed. He was married in 1869 to Miss Lizzie Hunt, of St. Louis. They have five children : Charles L., Bessie, Katie, Phebe and Mary.
JAMES A. PEDIGO,
section 34. The subject of this sketch is a native of Barren County, Kentucky, and was born February 24, 1842. At the age of ten years he emigrated with the family to Hendricks County, Indiana, where he was raised to manhood as a farmer, and received his education. In 1864, he removed to Missouri, and settled in this county. He has forty acres of land, above the average, most of which is under cultivation. Mr. Pedigo has been twice married. First, to Miss Sarah Foster, a native of Indi- ana. They had two children : Olinda and Minerva J. Mrs. P.'s death occurred April 18, 1871. He was again married December 18, 1872, to Miss Jemima Jamieson, a native of Missouri. They have four children : James W., Oscar O., Alexander and John B. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. They are members of the Adventist Church. In 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Seventy-ninth Missouri Regiment, and served one year, when he was discharged on account of disability.
GEORGE W. PENNY,
farmer and stock raiser, section 33, was born twelve miles west of Bal- timore, Maryland, on the 12th of July, 1814. His parents, Alexander and Susan (Ford) Penny, who were both natives of Maryland, died while George was quite young, and he was thrown to some extent upon his own resources. He was reared at his birthplace, attending the com- mon schools, and about the year 1830 removed to Louisville, Kentucky. While in that city he learned the carpenter and joiners' trade with his brother, and after remaining for five years, he went to St. Louis, where he made his home for eighteen months. After living in Schuyler County, Illinois, for one year, he located in what is now Henderson County. There he was engaged in farming for thirty-five years. On the 24th of January, 1871, he settled in Nodaway County, Missouri, and here he has since resided. There was not a particle of land improved in section 33, and for a man of his age to commence clearing and culti- vating a farm, was not an easy task. However, he did succeed in doing it, and now owns 160 acres, upon which is a residence built from mate- rial which was shipped by Mr. P. from Burlington, Iowa. An abund- ance of water and other facilities make it an excellent stock farm. His location is right at the head of Elkhorn Creek. While in Illinois he
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filled the position of associate judge for four years, and justice of the peace for sixteen years. He served in the Black Hawk war, being a member of the First Battalion, Fourth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, and took part in many battles, serving under General Whiteside. Mr. Penny is a member of the Masonic fraternity. On the 22d of Decem- ber, 1837, Miss P. Huston became his wife. She was the daughter of Walter Huston, a native of Rockingham County, Virginia. Their fam- ily consists of Walter H., born May 29, 1841; Virginia, born July 3, 1843, (now Mrs. Hardisty); Archibald W., born November 12, 1848 ; William A., born March 12, 1853, and Nancy (now Mrs. Peter Hamill), born May 30, 1857. Mr. P. is an old Jeffersonian Democrat. He was raised in the Church of England.
J. A. PEOPLES,
editor of the Maryville Times, is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was born October 6, 1852, and is the son of John Peoples and Mary nee Bersford. His parents moved to Henderson County, Illinois, while he was young, and there he spent his boyhood days, attending school and working on his father's farm. He received the benefit of a good Eng- lish education. In 1878 he moved to Iowa, and in 1879 came to Mis- souri. In 1880 he edited and published the Barnard Times, which he continued until 1881, and then located in Maryville, where he has since been engaged in publishing the Maryville Times, satisfactorily. At first it was an independent paper, but it has since become an avowed advo- cate of Democratic principles, and it has recently been declared by the central committee of the party its official organ, and Mr. Peoples has reason to feel that his lot has been cast in a pleasant place, and that the result of his labors have been so successful.
DR. S. N. PIKE
is one who has become prominent in many states for the treatment of chronic diseases, cancers, etc. A number of cases which have been suc- cessfully treated by him might be mentioned in this connection if that should be necessary to prove his prominence as a specialist. He is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Nichols) Pike, who were both natives of New York. The Doctor is also a native of the same state, and was born March 12, 1817. He resided in Schuyler County till eleven years of age. His father being afflicted with a chronic disease, was at that time being treated by one Dr. Wodroth, an Indian physician of the Digger tribe, the medicine chief of the United States. When S. N. was eleven years of age he was chosen by the Indian chief to help hunt herbs, roots, etc., for medicine, after which he traveled for sixteen years in the wil-
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derness with that chief, thereby becoming acquainted with his mode of practice. During these long sixteen years he traveled over the southern states, also a number of the western states and territories, being for a while in California. He then located in Chemung County, New York, near the town of Elmira, where he now owns a fine farm, and has since considered that locality his home, yet he has been engaged in his pro- fession in different states and territories, also in Canada. He came to Missouri and in 1878 located in Maryville, where he has since resided. Here he has gained the friendship and confidence of many, and has relieved many suffering ones who are now enjoying life. He was married March, 1846, to Miss Catherine Debit, a lady of Holland ancestry. She was born in Pennsylvania, February 14, 1828, and died in September, 1866, leaving a family of five children, Lorenzo, Hiram, Alonzo, Devilla and James. The Doctor was again married March 18, 1877, to Miss Mollie Breeden who was born in Daviess County, Missouri, December 22, 1851. She was reared in Clinton County. The Doctor is a member of the I. O. O. F. During the war he was surgeon in Chemung County for the government.
THOMAS PHILLIPS,
Coroner of Nodaway County. The subject of this sketch is a native of Monroe County, Indiana, where he was born December 22, 1822. He was there reared to manhood, and received his education, following farming as an occupation. In 1852, he removed to Henderson County, Illinois, and there remained twenty-two years, being an old settler of that county. He then came west, and settled in this city, and was engaged in the grocery business for three years, when he retired from active business life. In 1878, he was elected to the office of coroner. which position he has since continued to hold. While an incumbent of this office, he has held inquests in over twenty cases, besides attending . to other duties of that office. His parents, Solomon and Rebecca (Booth) Phillips, were old pioneers of Indiana, his father being closely identified with the interests of Monroe County from an early date. His death occurred July 9, 1849. Mr. Thomas Phillips and wife have had three children : Thomas M., Martha J. (deceased), and James D. They are members of the Christian Church.
DAVID PHILLIPS,
farmer and stock raiser, section 35, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, in December, 1835, and was the son of David and Mary A (Bates) Phil- lips, both natives of Ohio. David was brought up principally on a farm in Sandusky County, attending for a time the common schools. He learned the painter's trade, then the trade of carpentering, and fin-
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ally the stone mason's trade. When nineteen years of age, he left home with fifty cents in his pocket and a suit of homespun clothes, first com- mencing work at thirteen dollars per month. He soon bought a piece of land, in partnership with his brother, and began its improvement, but afterwards was engaged in teaching, for two terms, in Ohio. Dur- ing the John Brown raid, he started for Kansas, and took up a claim, but, after remaining a short time, left and came to Missouri, having ten dollars in money. He settled near Cameron, and made that locality his home for two years, working at teaching and various occupations, until he had accumulated $250 in gold. Mr. Phillips next took a trip to Texas, over which state he traveled 300 miles on foot. Not being suited with the country or habits and customs of the people, he returned to Ohio, where he improved a farm. After his marriage he remained in that state for some time, and, in 1865, located in Michigan, from whence he returned to Ohio, and thence to Missouri, in the spring of 1867. He then became a citizen of Nodaway County, and now owns 200 acres of land, well improved, and making an excellent farm for stock purposes, having an abundance of running water. He also owns 280 acres of well cultivated land in Johnston County, Nebraska. He was formerly a member of the Bellgrove Grange; has held the office of road overseer, and helped to locate all the roads in the vicinity of where he now resides. Mr. Phil- lips was married February 21, 1861, to Miss Sarah M. Battenfield, daughter of Solomon Battenfield, a native of Pennsylvania. They have five children : Ella (now Mrs. David Angell) born March 17, 1862; Wilburn, born December 5, 1865 ; Mattie, born February 14, 1871; Ada B., born September 27, 1875, and Rutherford B., born October 4, 1879. One, Ulysses, is deceased. Mr. P. is Republican in politics, and a mem- ber of the United Brethren Church.
JOHN H. PHIPPS,
farmer and stock raiser, section 22, was born near Salem, Washington County, Indiana, December 14, 1838. His father, Jesse Phipps, a farmer by occupation, was born in Floyd County, Indiana, November 11, 1810 while his mother was a Tennesseean by birth. In 1840 John was taken by his parents to Adams County, Illinois, where he grew to manhood on a farm. May 24, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Sixteenth Illinois. Infan- try, and served for three years with the Army of the Cumberland. He was mustered out in June, 1864. His father was married April 15, 1830, to Miss Rhoda Crotts, and they have five children : Cornelius, born Feb- ruary 19, 1831 ; William S., born October 30, 1832 ; Elijah J., born Octo- ber 22, 1834 ; John H., born December 14, 1838, and Logan S., born July 8, 1854. Mr. John Phipps and his brother, Logan S., are conducting the farm in partnership. It embraces 100 acres of improved land, with
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an average amount of stock upon it. Logan was married June 10, 1877, to Miss A. Roberts, a native of Ohio. They have two children : . Clar- ence, born May 21, 1878, and Ezra, born November 7, 1879. The parents of these brothers are living with them, and though well advanced in years, are in the enjoyment of good health.
L. S. PHILLIPS,
freight agent of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway Company, at Wilcox, is a native of Lewis County, New York, and was born January 28, 1842, being the son of Adam and Betsy (Sherman) Phillips. The former was a native of Orange County, New York, born in 1793, and the mother was born in Chatauqua County, New York, in 1804. Some time after their marriage they moved to Lewis County, New York, being pioneers of that county. Here the mother died, in December, 1866. Lyman S. spent his boyhood days and received a good education in his native county, and when at the age of nineteen years, he enlisted August 5, 1862, as a private in Company I, Fifth New York Heavy Artillery, and was stationed at Fort Carroll, near Washington, District of Columbia, and Arlington Heights. In 1863 he was placed at Maryland Heights, near Harper's Ferry, Virginia, and remained in service till July, 1865, when he was mustered out as second lieutenant of Company I. He was discharged at New York City, July 31, 1865. Returning to the old homestead he entered the employ of J. H. Sheldon, general merchant, at Martinsburg, New York, where he remained till the fall of 1865. He was then in the employ of Boyce & Co., at Lowville, of the same county, working at the harness trade. Mr. Phillips married May 15, 1867, Miss Lydia O. Peebles, the daughter of Charles and Lydia (Allen) Peebles. She is a native of Lewis County, New York, and was born August 14, 1843. Mr. P. opened a harness shop at Martinsburg in 1868, but was burned out in 1869, losing the entire stock. He again began business, and continued till September, 1879, when he moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, and entered the employ of the Wabash Railway as freight agent at Wilcox. He is also agent for N. J. Stratton, grain merchant, at Maryville, Missouri. He was postmaster at Wilcox from April, 1880, till January 25, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. P. are members of the M. E. Church. They have one child : Henrietta, born January 1, 1870.
JAMES B. PRATHER
is the son of Colonel Isaac N. Prather, one of the earliest and most respected .citizens of Nodaway County. He was a native of Kentucky, and was born in Mercer County, July 2, 1802. He married Miss Maria C. Prather, also a native of Kentucky. In 1841 they came to Nodaway
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County and settled in White Cloud Township, where he owned a large tract of land. He was prominently identified with the interests of the county from the time he came until his death, which occurred in September, 1859. James B., his son, was born in Mercer County, Ken- tucky, on the 6th day of April, 1834, and accompanied his parents to this county, where for over forty years he has made his home and been closely identified with the county's interest. In 1856, although only twenty-two years of age, he was elected sheriff of the county, and in 1859 he was honored by promotion to the office of circuit clerk. In 1866 he commenced his mercantile experience, and he and his partner were the first to engage exclusively in the drug trade in the city, and they have richly earned and merit the reputation they enjoy, of being the leading druggists in Northwestern Missouri. November 16, 1873, he led to the marriage altar Miss Emma Holt, a native of Nodaway County. By this union they have had three children, of whom two are living, Ben- jamin V., aged six years ; Mary E., aged two years ; Basil Holt, deceased. Mr. Prather was one of the organizers of the Nodaway Valley Bank, and holds the position of president. He is greatly interested in fine stock, and his efforts and enterprise in this direction have done much to stimulate the rapid strides the county has made in this direction, and entitles him to the gratitude of all interested in the county's advance- ment, reputation, and substantial benefit. In a business point his life has been a grand success, and by his unflinching rectitude and upright dealings, he has secured the confidence, respect, and esteem of all with whom he has had to do. He has been inflexible and unswerving in the discharge of his duty. As a citizen he has always shown a worthy pub- lic spiritedness and symphatized with every local improvement and enterprise calculated to benefit the city. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is connected with Maryville Lodge, No. 165. and Nodaway Chapter.
RICHARD P. ROBINSON,
capitalist, is a son of Cuthbert and Mary (Pullen) Robinson, who were both natives of England, and there Richard was also born on the 2d of October, 1816. In 1818 the family emigrated to America, landed at Philadelphia and traveled over the mountains by team to Pittsburgh, and down the Ohio River to Washington County, Ohio, where he was reared. He also resided in that locality till 1872, having the greater part of the time lived in the town of Marietta. When fifteen years of age he learned the carpenter's trade, and followed it till 1850, after which time until 1853 he was engaged in a planing mill, sash and door factory, being a member of the firm and having the supervision of the entire establishment. He then located on a farm and was occupied in agri-
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cultural pursuits till 1865, when he moved to the village of Belpre, where he was engaged in speculating till 1872, when he came to Missouri. May 23, of the same year he located in Maryville, and since that time has been giving his attention to speculations and dealing in real estate. He is a member of White Cloud Lodge No. 92, I. O. O. F. Mr. Robinson was married December 10, 1840, to Miss Sarah A. White, a daughter of William and Anna (Ellis) White, both natives of New York. Mrs. R. was born in Steuben County, New York, November 4, 1813. When she was about four years of age her parents moved to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and three years later to Washington County, Ohio, where she was married. They have had seven children, two of whom are liv- ing : William .C., born January 22, 1844; Mary A., born March 1, 1850. The latter was married March 9, 1871, to Rev. Thomas Ilift, a minister of the M. E. Church. He is a native of Ohio. He has traveled over the different territories, and also made a tour with his wife in Europe for fifteen months.
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