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 84
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" But, O! what a storm of persecution did rage, For the cause of old Babylon so many engage."
Mr. S. says he never saw the doctor after that, the latter soon mov- ing to Kansas. Upon returning to Mt. Morris, Illinois, he preached his " denominational funeral sermon" from Romans xii., 5, all claiming at the time that his position was according to God's revealed will. Hence from that time to the present he has not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God, asking his congregations east and west to forgive him for receiving them into the Lutheran Society. Since then he has been laboring in ten different states, showing to all that
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'. The lime is soon coming, by the prophets foretold, When Zion, in purity, the world shall behold, When Jesus' pure testimony will gain the day- Denominations, selfishness, will vanish away."
Mr. Smith's first tour to Missouri was about 1869, when he went to St. Louis, then to Raleigh, and thence south on horseback to near the Arkansas line, where he held some very important meetings. Deeming this a very undesirable portion of the state, he advised his eldest son, Fayette, not to move there, as he had previously arranged to do. Soon after, he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and being pleased with the country, he bought a half section of land in the southwest corner of the county, intending for Fayette to work and improve it. Upon the removal of the latter to Nodaway County, he imagined the land was too far from timber, consequently Mr. Smith purchased some timber land with prairie adjoining, selling the original half section. After erecting a dwelling and making some needed improvements, the son then urged his father to hire money and buy prairie near him, that he might culti- vate as his own, thinking thereby that he might soon make him a farm. Fayette was born in Morristown, St. Lawrence County, New York, April 11, 1845. On account of his moving off of the land which was furnished by his father, the latter decided to locate here, which he did soon after. He lived in that neighborhood until the year 1875, when he move to Maryville, having but two children living, Fayette and Arthur. The last named was born at Janesville, Wisconsin, October 22, 1857. When in his eleventh year he had an attack of the spinal fever, from which he has suffered more or less until within the last few years. Mr. Smith's wife died June 1, 1880, in great peace, having been a com- fort and helpmate indeed, for thirty-seven years. On the 18th day of August following, he and his youngest son, Arthur R., started on their mission, preaching from state to state, and, in Ohio, Arthur, like Isaac of old, found a companion, as he believes, selected of the Lord, by the name of Rosa Thornton, whom he married in Monroe, October 9, 1880. Her mother with herself were left alone, all of their dear family having died in the Lord. Upon their return to Maryville, after a few weeks, it was made manifest to Mr. Smith that it was God's will that Rosa's mother should take the place of Arthur's mother. Accordingly they were united in marriage December, 11th, 1880, he finding that the companion given him in his declining years supplies the place given him in his youth, with the additional gift of laboring with him in the gospel. On the 13th of December, 1881, Arthur was called to mourn the loss of his companion, who was so self-sacrificing, and to him and her parents such a comfort. Her death was a triumphant one. The elder, in speaking of the goodness of God to him, in supplying all his temporal wants, in giving him houses, lands, money and friends, with persecutions,
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and in showing him from his youth more and more clearly the oneness of the Church of Christ, and now a companion to labor with him in the gospel, as Aquilla and Prescilla of old, and providentially to be ordained by men on the gospel plan, so that he may now perform outside of sec- tarianism all ministerial duties, by preaching the truth as it is in Christ, in the fullness of his soul he exclaims : "Goodness and mercy have fol- lowed us all the days of our lives, and, by the grace of God, we will dwell in His house, which is His church forever. AMEN !"
GEORGE W. SMITH,
of the firm of Vaughn & Smith, grocers, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Lancaster County, December 2, 1833. He was reared and educated in the town of Holland, and when sixteen years of age he learned the shoemaker's trade with his father, which he followed for twelve years. In March, 1865, he moved to Whiteside County, Illinois, and located on a farm, and with the exception of one year was engaged in farming till March, 1879, when he came to Nodaway County. He set- tled on a farm one and a-half miles southeast of Maryville, where he was engaged in farming and conducting a dairy till the spring of 1881, when he and his son, J. J. Smith, started the creamery of Maryville, J. J. being the inventor of Smith's Portable Creamery. G. W. sold his interest in this in July, 1881, and in October he began in his present business as one of the firm of Vaughn & Smith. He is a son of William and Mary (Shaffer) Smith, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. S. was married August 4, 1854, to Miss Mary A. Tyson. She was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1832. They had eleven children, seven of whom are now living : Wil- liam F., John J., Amos E., Augustus, Ida, Mary E. and Laura J. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the M. E. Church.
SMITH BROS.,
dealers in dry goods and boots and shoes, are numbered among the leading merchants of Northwestern Missouri. The firm is composed of C. Q. and J. W. Smith, who are the sons of Spotswood D. and Mary A. Smith, natives of Virginia. C. Q. was born in Cooper County, Mis- souri, April 21, 1842. His youth was spent on his father's farm and in acquiring an education. In 1868 he commenced his mercantile experi- ence, and in 1869 he went to Kansas City, and afterwards sold goods at Clinton and at Arrow Rock, in Saline County. In March, 1875, he came to Maryville. Mr. S. married Miss Ella Jones, May 17, 1877. She was born in Hinds County, Mississippi. Their family circle consists of two children, Marry E., and Stella Q. J. W. Smith was also born in
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Cooper County, Missouri, December 10, 1844. and, like his brother, spent his boyhood days on his father's farm. He commenced selling goods at Arrow Rock in 1866, and came with his brother to this county in 1875. He was married in 1869 to Miss Mary Hustin, a lady whose graces of mind and person endeared her to all who enjoyed her acquaintance. Mrs. Smith died April 30, 1879, leaving two children, Charles Leon, and Mary V. The Smith Bros. thoroughly understand the wants of their customers, and their patronage extends not only throughout this and adjoining counties, but also into Iowa, and their liberal treatment and honorable dealing has secured for them an enviable reputation wherever the firm of Smith Bros. is known.
FAYETTE SMITH,
of the firm of Eddy & Smith, is a native of St. Lawrence County, New York, and was born April 11, 1845. His father's name is Rufus Smith, and his mother's maiden name was Eliza Reese. The former removed to Wisconsin when he was young, and he was principally reared in Janes- ville. During the late war he enlisted in the army in Company F, Thir- teenth Wisconsin Infantry, and after serving two years he was discharged. on account of disability. After his return from the army he was for some years engaged in the real estate business and farming. He is at the present time, in company with his partner, Mr. Eddy, purchasing grain at Blanchard, Bingham, Shenandoah, Imogene, Solomon, Strahan, Law- rence, Silver City and Miniola, with headquarters at Maryville. He ranks as one of the leading business men of the county. While it is true that some men inherit greatness, others have greatness thrust upon them, a large number are the "architects of their own fortunes." The man of this stamp, self-reliant and courageous, building on principle and not pedigree, starts out with the idea God helps those who help themselves. He who has faith in his own powers, who is diligent in his calling and has his heart in his work, is on the road to success. He was married in 1865, to Miss Emma Hill, of Ogle County, Illinois. Their family consists of seven children : Mary E., Martha E., Estella, Carrie E., Bessie, Lucy Ethel and an infant son.
J. A. SMITH,
dealer in gents' furnishing goods, hats and caps, boots and shoes, was born in a log cabin in Andrew County, Missouri, on the 17th of June, 1848, his parents being pioneers in that county. His father, John Smith, was born near the river Rhine, in Germany, while his mother, whose maiden name was Emeline Stokes, was from Virginia. Her parents were pioneers in the Platte Purchase. J. A. spent his boyhood days on the farm, and attended the old subscription schools of that period.
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During the first part of the war, he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia, and in February, 1865, enlisted in Company B, Fifty-first Mis- souri Volunteers. When the war was over, he resumed farming. In 1866-7, he attended school at Clarinda, Iowa, under the instruction of Professor Wood, and once more returned to the farm. In the fall of 1869, he embarked in the mercantile business with August Schuster, of Savannah, continuing some six years. He came to Maryville March 22, 1876, and purchased the stock of Signs & Clellan, and engaged in busi- ness on his own account. In the fall of 1876, J. J. Bean became a part- ner, and continued in the business until February 1, 1882, since which time he has conducted the business alone. He has a large and complete stock, and does a lucrative business. He is a member of White Cloud Lodge, No. 92, I. O. O. F. He is a sterling business man and an enter- prising citizen. Mr. Smith was married September 4, 1876, to Miss Sarah E. Walker. She was born in Canterbury, England, December 11, 1853, and was principally raised in Canada. They have two children : Alfred E., born May 22, 1877, and Grace E., born on the 25th of July, 1881. He is a member of the First M. E. Church.
JUDGE FREDRICK D. SNYDER
is a leader among the administrators of justice in Northwest Missouri, and a man who is noted for his sensibility of honor, fidelity and princi- ple. He is the youngest child of George S. and Elizabeth Snyder, and was born in Washington Township, Darke County, Ohio, August 21, 1838. His paternal great-grandfather was Anthony Snyder, a soldier of the Revolution, and his grandfather was, John Snyder, a soldier of 1812. His father, George S. Snyder, was born July 4, 1804, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. He was a member of Company I, Thirty-seventh Iowa Infantry, in the rebellion. His regiment was known as the "Gray- beards of Iowa," being all old men, and was stationed most of the time at St. Louis on guard duty. He was a farmer in his younger days, and died at St. Louis in 1876. The maternal great-grandfather of Judge Sny- der was John Jacob Diveley (Dueble), of Wurtemburg, Germany, the records at Stuttgart containing the names of the Diveley family for five hundred years previous to 1874, during which year they were examined by Hon. Michael Diveley, of Kansas City, and from which records it appears that John Jacob Diveley was a soldier in the king's service, and after serving his time left Stuttgart, with his family, in 1763, and settled in Baltimore County, Maryland, in 1770. About the year 1783 he removed to Berlin, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Frederick Diveley, the maternal grand-father of Judge Snyder, was born at Hagerstown, Maryland, about 1772, and died near Fort Greenville, Darke County, Ohio, August 11, 1857. Frederick Diveley's brother
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Martin was the grand-father of Michael Diveley, of Kansas City, above mentioned, and the father of General Michael Diveley, who was lieuten- ant colonel of the One Hundred and Ninth. Pennsylvania State Militia in 18II, by appointment of Governor Simon Snyder, and on August 3, 1817, was appointed Brigadier General of the Militia for Bedford, Som- erset and Cambria Counties, Pennsylvania, by Governor Heister Judge Snyder's mother died September 13, 1839, when he was but little more than a year old, and his home from that date until October 13, 1856, was in the family of his grandfather Diveley, on the George Diveley farm, where he was born, at which latter date he commenced teaching school in his native township. He continued teaching in Darke County, Ohio, until in the spring of 1860, when he went west and commenced reading law in the office of John Mitchell, Esq., at Marion, Linn County, Iowa, May 7, 1860, and at a term of the district court held at Marion, May 15, 1861, Hon. William E. Miller, (since Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Iowa), presiding, he was admitted to the bar. On the 11th of April, 1861, the day the war of the great rebellion commenced, he was mar- ried to Julia Anna Maria Kellogg, a daughter of the late Elder A. S. Kellogg, M. D., of Marion, Iowa. He continued in the teacher's pro- fession and practiced law as occasion offered until February 6, 1865, when he became one of the publishers and editors of the Jackson County Sentinel at Maquoketa, Iowa, which he disposed of in about four months thereafter, and after teaching in the winter of 1865-6, he entered regularly on the practice of law at Le Claire, Scott County, Iowa, April 1, 1866, where he continued in the profession until April 22, . 1870, when he removed to Maryville, Missouri, where he now resides, and resumed the law practice. On April 25, 1871, he was elected Secretary of the Board of Education of Maryville, Mis- souri, and held that office for four years and a half in succession, being re-elected annually. On June 4, 1872, he was elected justice of the peace for Polk Township, and served in that office for ten months. On April 6, 1875, he was elected Township Clerk of Polk Township, and re-elected April 4, 1876. On November 7, 1876, he was elected Public Administrator of Nodaway County, and served until December 23, 1879. He was elected judge of the probate court Novem- ber 5, 1875, took charge of that office January 1, 1879, and is still acting in that position. In addition to the otherwise busy life of Judge Snyder, for the past twenty years, he was local editor of the Union Campaigner, published by Dr. Barwell, at Marion, Iowa, in the fall of 1862; corres- ponding editor of the Constitutionalist, published at Lyons, Iowa, in the summer of 1864, during which year he resided at DeWitt, Iowa, and was secretary of the board of education of that city ; was the LeClaire correspondent of the Davenport Daily Gazette from November, 1866, to June, 1868, and correspondent of the Davenport Democrat from June 9,
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1868, to March, 1870, and Maryville correspondent of the St. Joseph Gazette from June, 1870, to May, 1881. He has been secretary of twenty different literary and other societies, including the State Convention of the Christian Churches of Missouri, at St. Joseph, in August, 1872. He has held every office in the Good Templars' and Odd Fellows' Lodges, and representative to the grand lodges of both, having represented the Odd Fellows' lodges at Maryville, Graham, Quitman, Hopkins and Pick- ering, in the Grand Lodge of Missouri, at St. Louis, in May, 1879, and held a commission as special deputy grand master for the state, under Grand Master Gregory, for the year ending May, 1880. He has been one of the trustees of White Cloud Lodge, No. 92, I. O. O. F., from October, 1873, to the present time, and secretary of the Odd Fellows' Mutual Benefit Society, of Maryville, from December, 1875, to the present time. He is also the master (October, 1881,) of Industry Lodge, No. 78, A. O. U. W., and a steward in Nodaway. Lodge, No. 470, A. F. and A. M.
AMOS SPRECHER,
of the firm of Sprecher & Smith, proprietors of livery, feed and sale stable, was born in Ogle County, Illinois, November 28, 18.45. His father, Daniel S., was born in Maryland, and his mother, whose maiden name was Barbara Kaufman, was also a native of the same place. Amos was reared to manhood on a farm at his birthplace, receiving the prin- cipal part of his education at Rock River Seminary. Upon arriving at maturity, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. In the fall of 1869 he came west and settled in Atchison County, Missouri, where he engaged in farming, and in 1873 he located in Nodaway County, settling five miles west of Maryville .. This land he improved, but afterwards sold and moved to Maryville, November 1, 1875, there engaging in the clothing business with R. P. Weaver, in the spring of 1876. After con- tinuing some eleven months, he sold out and went into partnership with Walters & Bender, under the firm name of A. W. Walters & Co. They moved their machinery from the Quitman Woolen Mills to Maryville and erected a large building at this point, here starting the mills. After remaining one year with the company, Mr. S. retired and embarked in the livery business with Mr. McCommon, under the firm name of McCommon & Sprecher. Two months later his brother purchased Mr. McCommon's interest, and the firm became A. Sprecher & Bro. In February, 1881, the brother retired, and Mr. T. Smith entered as a part- ner, constituting the present firm name of Sprecher & Smith. They have the largest barn in the city, and keep it well stocked, and are always ready to tend to the wants of the traveling public. Their tall windmill can be seen for miles, and is about the first object that meets the eye of the stranger on approaching the city. Mr. S. is an active
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member of the Ancient Order of United Workman, in which he holds the office of General Foreman. Politically, he is a Greenbacker. He was married January 14, 1869, to Miss Sylvania C. Wertz, daughter of Henry Wertz, of Illinois. She was born in Ogle County, Illinois, in July, 1845. They have five children : Lilly M., born November 25, 1871; Henry F., born May 4, 1873 ; Eva E., born October 4, 1874 ; Susan V., born March 4, 1876, and Clyde, born January 29, 1881.
EDWARD S. STEPHENSON.
(PREPARED BY HON. LAFAYETTE DAWSON.) .
It is not expected that the writer of a biographical sketch should indulge in hyperbole or in fulsome panegyric, but that he should accu- rately outline the traits and characteristics of his subject. If I shall in this article transcend the rule indicated, I trust I will receive immunity, from the fact that the deceased was my firm and unflinching friend. In writing of the dead, years after the sad event of their departure, their moral worth and business qualifications ought not to be measured by the change of systems, the wild notion of peculation, the greed for spoils and the laxity of honesty which the mutations of time have brought. When we analyze the leading characteristics of this subject, we must of necessity let our minds revert to the days of his business activity and measure his motives, his manner of business, his integrity and his capacity by the rule then prevailing for estimating character and probity. It is well known that what was considered downright dishonesty in his day is now looked upon by too many as a slick business transaction. Edward S. Stephenson was born in Madison County, Kentucky, June 27, 1822. In the autumn of 1844 he came with his father to Nodaway County, which was then comparatively a wilderness. Here he remained with the family until 1849. Being of a restless, active disposition, he quickly became a victim of the gold fever, and in the spring of 1849 turned his youthful eyes toward the setting sun and took up his line of march for the golden sands of California. He succeeded admirably in his enterprise there, and in 1852 returned to Nodaway County, bringing with him sufficient means to start into business. In September, 1854, he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Swearengen, whose tastes and ways were congenial, and whose combination of good sense and indus- try made their union a happy one and rendered their home a very attractive place for all who came within its hospitable doors. Mrs. S. was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, October 15, 1825. She lived there until the age of sixteen or seventeen years, when she came to Maryville. She has resided in Nodaway County for twenty-two years. Three chil- dren were born of this marriage: Rachel E., the eldest, nicknamed
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"Cub," who is now the wife of John M. Holt; Mary A., nicknamed "Coon," the wife of H. M. Turner ; and Minerva S., nicknamed "Pig," who is unmarried and lives with her mother. These pet names were given to the three daughters by their father when they were babes, and strange to say, cling to them to this day. None of their intimate acquaintances think of calling them by any other names than these. In his domestic affairs Mr. Stephenson was happily situated, and his home, without show or pretention, was a center of social enjoyment and domes- tic refinement. His love and tenderness for his family knew no bounds, and they in turn, received the gospel only from him. He was eminently successful in his business transactions, and passed the great financial crash of 1873 unscathed, although he afterwards met with serious financial reverses. He, in connection with George S. Baker, Joseph E. Alexander, W. C. Orear and James B. Prather, in 1868, founded the first bank that Maryville ever had. It was then known as the bank of George S. Baker & Co., Mr. Baker being the cashier. The paid up stock was only five thousand dollars at that time, but from that small beginning, and the energy of the proprietors, large financial results have followed. In 1873, the above named banking institution was succeeded by the Nod- away Valley Bank, where Mr. Stephenson continued to be a stockholder . until 1875, when he sold his interest. Prior to his banking enterprise, he had been alternately engaged in handling live stock and in mercan- tile pursuits. It was proverbial of him, that he could weigh a drove of hogs, or herd of cattle, and keep the weight of each draft, the rate per pound, and the general amount, in his head, seldom making a mistake. Many of the early stock dealers of Nodaway County preferred his accu- rate memory to their own book accounts. His judgment of the weight and size of animals was remarkable. Being innately honest himself, he acted upon the principle that those with whom he dealt were honest, and this accounts for his partial failure in business. That the financial embarrassments with which he met in 1875-6, saddened his spirits, none who knew him can deny, but in no way lessened his love for his friends, or his readiness to contribute to their enjoyment. He had the confi- dence of all with whom he dealt, and his word was to them his bond. The storm was never so blinding, nor the wind so fierce, as to deter or prevent him from meeting his obligations with the farmers. He was one of those who believed that the soil was the primary source of all wealth, and that his obligations to those who tilled it should be scrupu- lously observed. Neither did the decline in prices, however great, offer an inducement to him to violate a contract, although it rested entirely on parol. But to properly appreciate his sterling honesty and inherent goodness, we must look back to the days of 1861 and 1865.
He who undertakes to recite the events of twenty years ago, cover- ing the dark and bloody midnight of our National existence, can but be
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conscious of making mistakes. But I will be sustained, I feel sure, by those who knew him best, in asserting that while he remained true to the cause of the Union, and that while he approved of and encouraged the act of his father in manumitting and providing for his slaves, yet he deplored the rapacity and cruelty consequent upon civil war. Still, not the despondent anticipations of the wisest could then realize the dark and sorrowful tragedies which were crowding thick and fast upon the people of Missouri. Dark and threatening as was the cloud then hover- ing over the country, none anticipated the appalling fury with which it burst-none anticipated that it would deluge a nation in blood. Here in Nodaway County, neighbor was arrayed against neighbor ; the frame- work of society was wrecked, distorted and shattered ; a condition of peace had been supplanted by the bloody crest of war ; confusion pre- vailed everywhere; a feeling of distrust and uncertainty seized the people, still he moved among them advising forbearance and peace. It is not extravagant to say that his extensive acquaintance, his knowledge of the people, their confidence in him, and his goodness of heart, enabled him to do more than any other one man to prevent the people of Nodaway County from imbruing their hands in each other's blood. It was during the calami- tous days alluded to that his greatness shone brightest. Some men achieve fame at the forum ; some in the halls of legislation : some on the field of battle, and some while wearing the ermine, and still others while in the sacred desk, but it was in the walks of private life, in the wholesome advice he gave in the distribution of his boundless charity, that he achieved a fame that will not die while his cotemporaries live. Though the inducements were great, he invariably and under all cir- cumstances refused to profit by the calamities and misfortunes of others, but would and did, when in his power, build up and assist in restoring their lost fortunes. By his impartiality, his urbanity and his goodness of heart, at a time when there was a premium on veniality, villainy and dishonesty by those in authority, he established himself in the confidence of the people, which confidence he held until the day of his death. His mind was impartial and eminently just. His quickness of perception, his sagacity, and his remarkable knowledge of character, were intuitive. With great but simple dignity that nothing could dis- turb, (although at times excitable), he was a man of warm heart, of boundless sympathy, and withal, a keen sense of humor, in which he would at times indulge. His simplicity of manners and his freedom from .ostentation, encouraged the poorest and most destitute to appeal to and confide in him, and he was not unworthily regarded by his fellow citizens as the very embodiment of charity. It is said that no one with poverty and destitution depicted on their person ever appealed to him in vain. He was not a member of any church, though he had a strong leaning toward the Presbyterian denomination. He believed that true
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