USA > Missouri > Pike County > The history of Pike County, Missouri : an encyclopedia of useful information, and a compendium of actual facts > Part 23
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land Presbyterian Church of Lonisiana. He is a Master and Royal Arch Mason, and member of Perseverance Lodge No. 92, and of Bond Chapter No. 23, of Louisiana.
Henry Clay Rice was born in Strawsburg, Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania, April 10, 1845. When he was two years old his parents removed to Mount Sterling, Illinois, where he was raised. He began to maintain him- self when a lad by being variously employed. When fifteen he came with his parents to Lonisiana, where he began to work in the tobacco factory of Cash, Henderson, Strange & Co., and was so employed until 1861, when for a short time he served as a soldier in the Missouri State Militia. In the spring of 1862 he became associated with his brother in the photograph business, in the firm name of Rice Brothers, they traveling and doing busi- ness until 1874, when his brother retired from the business. In 1375 he gnit traveling and established a gallery in Lonisiana, which he sold ont in 1876 and abandoned the business. In that year he invented and had pat- ented a filter for druggists' and photographers' use; also to be used in making tea and coffee. Ile now devotes his time in introducing and selling rights to manufacture and sell the same. His invention has been patented in the United States, Canada. England, France, and Belgium. In October, 1875, he married Addie Hall, of Clarksville, Missouri, by whom he has two boys, six and four years old, Harvey and Claud.
Almon C. Robinson, D. S., was born near Buffalo, New York, April 28, 1828. When seven years old he was adopted by his uncle, Sunnel Pea- body, with whom he lived until manhood. He began life for himself teach- ing in a district school and also teaching penmanship. He came to Louisi- ana in 1850, where he followed teaching and working at the carpenter's trade until 1854, he having taught in one district in the vicinity of Louisi- ana nearly three years. In that year he learned the art of daguerreotyping under Samel O. Minor, following that business until 1855, when he went to St. Louis and learned the art of photographing under Mr. Fitzgibbon, when he returned to Louisiana and followed photographing until 1859, when he sold out and returned to New York and worked his uncle's farm until the fall of 1863, when he returned to Louisiana, and in the following March, he, with Edwin McQnie, went to Montana Territory, where they minedl and prospected, and after locating and selling several claims they located one near Bannock City, which they still own and are preparing to work in the near future, as it contains silver in a paying quantity. Returning to Louisi- ana in December, 1865, he was employed as pattern-maker in the Whitney Foundry until March, 1872, when lie entered the dental office of Dr. Ed-
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ward MeCune to study dentistry, and in October, 1873, he became asso- eiated with his preceptor in the practice of dentistry, in the firm style of Robinson & MeCune, but Mr. McCane dying one month after, he has since that time carried on the practice alone. In 1879-80 he made trips to Mon- tana and Colorado for pleasure and prospecting. October 13, 18544, he mar- ried Mary J., daughter of William McQuie, of near Louisiana. They have two children living: Flora Viola and Nettie May. Himself and wife are members of the M. E. Church South. , He is a member of Riverside Lodge No. 22, A. O. U. W.
J. C. Rose, mayor of Louisiana, was born in the village of Aldie, Loudoun county, Virginia, November 18, 1821, where he was raised and lived with his parents until he was sixteen, when he began the carpente:'s trade, which he followed thirty years. He came to Missouri and settled in Frankford. Pike county, in December, 1846, where he worked at his trade until 1848, when he came to Louisiana and carried on carpentering until 1858, when he began the manufacture of machinery for manufacturing tobacco, carrying on an extensive business up to 1868, when he engaged in butchering and run- ning a meat market in Louisiana, and so continues at the present writing. September 9, 1845, he married Mary Frances Stover, of Virginia, by whom he has eight children living: Azelia, wife of Henry Khulmann, of Lonisi- ana city; Robert A., of Hannibal, Missouri; John HI., Charles B., Ida C., Oscar, and Harry. In 1879 he was elected mayor of Louisiana and re- elected in 1881, and prior to that time he represented the third ward in the city council for five consecutive years.
John Thomas Rule, county treasurer of Pike county, Missouri, was born on the banks of the Lieking River near Falmouth, Pendleton county, Kentucky, October 16, 1819. He is the son of Edward B. and Mary (Eastin) Rule. When he was eight years of age his father died, and in the year 1828 his mother came to Missouri and settled on a farm in the western part of Pike county, on Peno Creek, where he was reared and lived with his mother until of age. IIe then went to Wisconsin and engaged in lead mining, in the Pigeon lead diggings for ten years, up to 1850, when he went to Cali- fornia and mined for gold on the Middle Fork of the American River until 1853, when meeting with success in his operations returned to Pike county and engaged in general merchandising at Louisiana, having associated with his brother as J. T. & E. B. Rule. They continued in the business until 1865, when they became associated with E. Carstarphen in the firin name of Rule & Company, they purchasing the May Flower flouring mills at Louisiana. His brother dying in 1869, the firm was changed to J. T. Rule
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& Co. Becoming financially involved they were forced to make an assign- ment for the benefit of their creditors in 1877. In 1878 he was elected one of the justices of Lopisana, and held the position until the fall of ISS2, when he was elected treasurer of Pike county. Jannary, 1855, he married Eliza Anu, daughter of Adrian Ogle, who died at Louisiana June 17, 1873, by whom he has four children living: Lanra E., wife of Dr. W. W. Birk- head of Louisiana; Samnel E., Adrian O., assistant librarian of the St. Louis Law Library of St. Louis; and Virgil R. He has lost two children : Willie, who died in infancy in 1863, and Mary E., who died August 10, 1881, at the age of twenty-five. For several years she had been a prominent teacher in the public school of Louisiana, and her death was deeply felt by the community, Possessing rare abilities, amiable and kind in her intercourse with others, a consistent Christian, and member of the Christian Church, she had drawn to her many friends. He is a member of the Christian Church of Louisiana, and has served as an elder since 1870.
Henry Schooler was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, July 26, 1798. He left Kentucky September 3. and settled in Pike county, Missouri, Septem- ber 30, 1828. Three children were born to him, two of whom are yet living, one, Mrs. J. E. Brown, having died since this report was received. When Mr. Schooler first came here P. H. MeBride was circuit judge: J. Lindsey, sheriff; Levi Pettibone, circuit clerk; and Uriel Griffith, constable of Cal- umet township. He has resided continuously ou the farm he purchased of William Biggs, on upper Calumet, until recently, when he removed to Clarksville. He is a farmer and carpenter.
John Seibert, senior member of Seibert & Co., c'gar manufacturers of Louisiana, was born at St. Goat, Germany, November 1, 1837. When he was eleven years of age he came to the United States with his parents, who first settled at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and lived there and at Cincin- nati, Ohio, until 1852, when they removed to Keokuk, Iowa. While living at Philadelphia and Cincinnati, his father being engaged in manufacturing cigars, he learned cigar-making. He lived with his parents at Keokuk, and worked in his father's cigar manufactory up to 1856, when he worked iu various places as journeyman cigar-maker until 1857, when he came to Lou- isiana and engaged in cigar manufacturing. In 1860 George Marzolf be- came associated with him, in the firm name of Marzolf & Co., and they are still together, but have changed the firm name to Siebert & Co. May 30, 1860, he married Anna M., daughter of George Marzolf, of Louisiana, Mis- souri. They have three children living: Anna, Susie, and John. He is a
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Catholic and member of St. Joseph's Church of Louisiana. He is a mem- ber of Unison Lodge No. 1875, K. of II., of Louisiana.
August C. Sheldon, attorney at law, abstracter, and examiner of land titles, was born in Willsborough, Essex county, New York, September 3, 1837. IIe is the son of Aiker E. and Phebe (Perry) Sheldon, with whom . he lived until manhood. He was educated at New Hampton College, Fair- fax, Vermont, graduating in 1860. Although living with his parents, he practically began to maintain himself at the age of seventeen by teaching school, which he followed a part of each year, and thus defraying the ex- pense of his education. In the spring of 1862 he began the study of law in the office of Palmer E. Havens, of Essex, New York, and was under his preceptorship until the following September when he entered the law de- partment of Albany University, Albany, New York, from which he grad- uated in May, 1873, when he returned to Essex and practiced in the office of his former preceptor until January, 1874, when he went to Albany and accepted an appointment under J. B. Cushna, chief of the New York As- sembly, and did service under him during the winters of 1864-65 and 1866, and during the summer of 1864 he compiled a digest of legislative claims by order of the legislature. In the fall of 1866 he came west, and after prospecting in Wisconsin a short time came to Missouri and settled at Lou- isiana and began the practice of law. In 1869 he began to prepare a set of abstract books, and in order to have access to the county records removed to Bowling Green, where he resided until February, 1873, when he returned to Louisiana where he resumed his law practice and with it opened an ab- stract office. With his law and abstract business, he is also one of the pro- jectors and stockholders of the Freeman Box and Wooden Ware Factory of Louisiana. In June, 1881, on account of impaired health, the result of overwork, he was obliged to suspend his office labor, and partially retired from business. Politically, Mr. Sheldon is an avowed Republican, and is ontspoken in his principles. He has been twice married. His first wife was Ellen, daughter of Palmner E. Havens, of Essex, New York, whom he married September 6, 1865, and who died at Louisiana March 1, 1872. By her he has one child, Perry. He married for his second wife, Emma E., daugh- ter of Deacon M. T. Cushing, of Barriston, Canada, February, 1876. They have three children; Benjamin C., Don G., and one unnamed. He is a member of Anchor Lodge No. 60, K. of P., and of Unison Lodge No. 1875, K. of H., of Louisiana. He is also a member of the Grand Lodge of K. of H. of the State of Missouri, of which he is now G. D.
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Alfred Slaughter, president of the MeOnne College of Louisiana city, was born near Woodville, Rappahannock county, Virginia, August 12, 1828. He is the son of William and Frances H. (Brown) Slaughter, and was raised a farmer at his birthplace. He was educated by attending private and pub- lie schools, but mostly by private study. At the age of twenty he began to teach in his native county and taught one year. He then went to, Fayette county, West Virginia, and purchased an improved farm, where he pursued farming until 1854, when he went to Louisville, Kentucky, and taught in the public schools of that city until 1857. During that time he was promoted from an assistant teacher to the position of principal of the third ward school, having an attendance of 1,000 pupils. After leaving Louisville he went to Johnson county, Kansas, and engaged in surveying, and was appointed county surveyor by the governor, and held that position until the fall of 1860, when he went to Westport, Missouri, and opened a school and taught it until 1862, when, by reason of the disturbed condition of the county on account of the war, he was obliged to discontinue it. He then went to Wellington, Lafayette county, Missouri, and opened another school and taught until 1867, when he accepted the position of principal of the public schools of Lexington, Missouri, which he organized under the new state law, and taught until 1870. He then went to Lafayette county and organized the Texas Prairie High School, and taught until 1871, when he was called to the presidency of the Home Institute of Cooper county, Missouri, filling that position until 1880. In 1871 the college building of the Home Institnte burned down, whereby he lost all he had accumulated during life, but by the aid of friends rebuilt a large and handsome edifice and reopened the school in 1873. He left that school, in 1880, in answer to a call to take charge of the Louisiana College, which under his management was reorganized and incorporated as the MeCune College in 1881, he be- coming president and manager. Under his management the success of the school is far beyond the expectations of its most ardent friends. December 19, 1850, he married Laura Wheaton Abbott, daughter of Isaac H. Abbot, of near Harrisonburgh, Rockingham county, Virginia, by whom he has three children: Laura A., relict of the late Dr. William HI. Letterman of Texas; Louisa F., wife of Dr. William E. Wiatt, of Pike county, Missouri; and Abbott W., a student of the St. Louis Medical College at St. Louis, Missouri. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church of Louisiana. He is a Master Mason and a member of Globe Lodge No. 495, of Louisiana.
Thomas Smith, carpenter and builder, of Lonisiana city, was born near Mount Sterling, Bath county, Kentucky, January 14. 1817. The same year
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of his birth his parents came to Missouri. They stopped at Troy, Lincoln county (then St. Charles), until the spring of 1818, when they came to Pike county (then St. Charles) and settled on a farm on Grassy Creek, six miles west of Louisiana, where he was raised. At the age of fifteen he began to learn the carpenter trade by working at intervals, he having to work on the farm. He followed faru.ing and carpentering on Grassy Creek until 1846, when he came to Louisiana and followed his trade exclusively to the present. Dur- ing 1864 and 1865 he was employed as ship carpenter on the Mississippi River, on board the steamer Mollie McPike. In the spring of 1879 he went to Colorado, where he worked on a stamp mill and mined at Silver Cliff, returning in the fall of that year. In the spring of 1581 he again went to Colorado and was employed as before, and again returned in the fall. During the season of 1882 he was employed as ship carpenter on the steamer Bald Eagle. September 9, 1841, he married Miss Frances A. Mc- Gary, of Pike county. They have four children living: James S., of Da- kota; Emma and Fanny, at home; Oscar M., of Texas, and Escue B., at home. Himself and wife are members of the First Baptist Church, and were among the original members when it was organized in 1853.
David Arthur Stewart, collector of United States internal revenue of the fourth district of Missouri. He is the son of Arthur C. and Sarah (Johnson) Stewart, and was born on a farm near Danville, Montgomery county, Missouri, September 26, 1846. He obtained the rudiments of his education in the schools of Danville. At the age of fifteen, in 1562, he, through the recommendation of Hon. James S. Rollins, received the ap. pointment of cadet at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. Having passed through the course with dne proficiency he grad- nated as midshipman. standing fourth in his class, in June, 1866, after which he served in the United States Navy three years, under Admiral David D. Porter in the West India squadron, and a short time under Rear Admiral Charles H. Davis in the South Atlantic squadron, and while un- der Admiral Davis he was promoted to ensign. In 1869 he resigned the position and returned home, and soon after accepted a position in the bank- ing house of B. N. Tracy & Son, of Macon City, Missouri, remaining there until October 10, 1871, when he resigned to accept the position of deputy United States revenue collector under his father, who was then the United States revenue collector of the fourth district of Missouri, the office being located at Louisiana. In April, 1880, he, with his father, was retired by reason of the appointment of R. E. Lawler as collector by Presi- dent Hayes. He then engaged in manufacturing tobacco, being associated 46
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with J. G. Myers and S. Carkener in the firm name of J. G. Myers & Co., they doing business part of 1880 and during 1881. July 1st, 1882, he re- ceived the appointment of collector of United States revenue in the fourth district of Missouri from President Arthur, and is supposed to be the young- est revenue collector in the United States. October 10, 1876, he wedded Lizzie, daughter of Benjamin F. Hershey, of Fort Smith. Arkansas, of whom he was soon bereaved. she dying at Louisiana April 23, 1580. Ile is a member of Calvary Protestant Episcopal Church, of Louisiana, of which he has been vestryman some ten years.
William Thomas Stewart. M. D., is a native of Kentucky, and the son of David and Margaret (Jamison) Stewart, and was born at Mount Sterling, March 14, 1828. In 1822 his parents removed to Missouri, and first settled on a farm near Palmyra, Marion county, subsequently moving to Lincoln county, and settled near Louisville, where he was raised a farnier, and re- ceived a common school education. On leaving home he began the study of medicine under Dr. J. H. Hughs, of Palmyra, studying some three years, and attending lectures at the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis in 1848 and 1849, and graduating as M. D. from the same college in 1856. He began his praetice at Louisville, Missouri, continuing there until 1865, when he came to Lonisiana, where he has practiced ever since without interruption, excepting in the winter of 1869-70 when he made a trip to Stockton. Cali- fornia, and again in the winter of 1879-80 to San Antonio, Texas, for the benefit of his health, spending four months each trip. December 20, 1849, he married Lydia J. Morris, of near Louisville, Missouri, who died June 30, 1878. He has three children living: George R., of Oakland, California, and Bettie and Davie, still at home. Ile is a member of Globe Lodge No. 495. A. F. & A. M., and of Riverside Lodge No. 22, A. O. U. W., of Louisiana, and of the Christian Church of Louisiana.
Thomason & Leffer. photographers, of Louisiana. The senior member, James A. Thomason, was born in Steeleville, Randolph county, Illinois, July 25, 1844, where he was raised. When nineteen, in 1864, he enlisted in Company E, Thirtieth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. Returning home, in 1865, he attended school. and was variously employed until 1867, when he went to Grand Glaize. Arkansas, and clerked in a store six months, when he returned to Illinois and engaged in farming, up to 1869, when he began to learn the art of pho- tographing under A. C. Moore, of Arcola, Illinois. He followed that bnsi- ness then, and traveled as an artist, up to 1877, when he located at Parsons, Kansas, and pursued the same business until 1879, when he sold out and
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returning to Illinois resumed farming, following it until 1882, when he be- came associated with B. F. Leffer in a photograph gallery at Louisiana. March 27, 1873, he married Martha A. Pyle, of St. Jacob's, Illinois, by whom he has four children: Naoma Alice, Jerald Massey, Blanche, and one not named. He is a dimitted Master and Royal Arch Mason. The junior member of the firm, Benjamin Franklin Lefler, was born near Zanes- ville, Ohio, September 17, 1851. At the age of twelve he went with his parents to Arcola, Illinois, where he lived with them until he was nineteen. In 1870, having learned the art of photographing, he traveled as an artist until 1875, when he took charge of a gallery in Burlington, Iowa, for J. H. Reynolds, and leaving there in August, 1882, he came to Louisiana, when the firm of Thomason & Lefler was formed. April 20, 1876, he mar- ried Clara E. Catlin, of Burlington. Iowa. He is a Master Mason, and is a member of Montgomery Lodge No. 270, Villisca, lowa. He is also an Odd Fellow, and a member of Washington Lodge No. 1, of Burlington, Iowa.
Lafayette Tinsley, general manager and one of the stockholders of the Tinsley Tobacco Company, of Louisiana, Missouri, is a son of Rodney and Mary (Whitten) Tinsley, and was born near Lynchburg, Virginia, July 2, 1814, where he kived with his parents until manhood. He began to do for himself as an overseer on the plantation of Roderick Davis, at a place called the Cove, near the James River, Virginia. He followed that occupation for three years, when he rented the same plantation and followed farming until 1843, when he purchased a farm on the James River, in Bedford county, Virginia, where he continued to farm until 1849, when he sold out and came to Missouri and located in Pike county, where he farmed as a renter until 1852, when he purchased a farm near Prairieville (which he still owns), and farmed there nutil 1864, when he came to Louisiana and engaged in dealing in leaf tobacco for one year, when be, became associated with his brother, Addison Tinsley, in the firm name of A. & L. Tinsley, and engaged in the manufacture of plug tobacco, and has been so engaged ever since, the firm making several changes. His brother, N. W. Tinsley, and E. C. Bright have been associated with him at different times. The Tinsley To- bacco Company was organized in January, 1853, he being a large stock- holder and geneal manager. May 13, 1840, he married Miss Henrietta E. Robinson, of near Liberty, the county seat of Bedford county, Virginia. They have two children: Walter G., cashier of the Mercantile Bank, of Louisiana city, and Thomas L., one of the stockholders and book-keeper of the Tinsley Tobacco Company. Himself and wife are members of the M.
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E. Church South and have been for over forty years, and has been one of ite trustees for many years.
William Nelson Tinsley, secretary of the Sam Reid Tobacco Manufac- ing Company, of Louisiana city, is a son of Rodney and Polly (Whitten) Tinsley. He was born near Lynchburg, Virginia, August 25, 1836, where he lived with his parents until 1849, when he came with them to Missouri, they settling in Pike county, near Louisiana, where they lived until 1852, when they went to Lincoln county, and settled on a farm near Louisville, where he lived nntil attaining his majority. He then took charge of his father's farm, which he superintended for ten years, when in the spring of 1867 he purchased a farm near Paynesville, Pike county, where he farined until 1869, when in the spring of that year he came to Louisiana and speeu- lated in leaf tobacco, with his brother, S. Tinsley, as S. Tinsley & Brother. until 1871, when C. Bright became associated with them, as Tinsley, Bright & Co., and engaged in manufacturing tobacco, he retiring from the firm the following year. He then became associated with his brother, A. Tinsley, and A. J. McCune, in the firm name of A. Tinsley & Co., and so continues. October 14, 1858, he married Margaret Jane Goodman, who died Angust 21, 1864. August 22, 1865, he married for his second wife Margaret H. Mor- ris, of Louisiana. who died June 26, 1872. His third wife was Allie S. Robinson, whom he married June 26, 1873, by whom he has five children: Maggie Helen, Edward Henry, Anna Luln, Mary Elizabeth, and one not named.
J. B. and B. F. Todd, comprising the firm of Todd Brothers, grocers, of Louisiana. The elder, John Bankhead Todd, was born in Prairieville, Pike county, Missouri, January 22, 1852. He lived with his parents until his eighteenth year, when, in 1870, he went to Tipton, California, and engaged in raising and dealing in sheep. In 1875, he, in connection with his sheep ranch, engaged in the mercantile business at the same place. In 1881 he discontinued the mercantile business. In 1882, leaving his sheep ranch in charge of a superintendent, he came to Louisiana, where, in September of that year, he became connected with his brother in the grocery business. Benjamin Franklin Todd was born near Ashley, Pike county, June 23, 1859. He lived with his parents until manhood, and remained with them until he was twenty-two and worked for wages. In October; 1881, he went to Tip- ton, California, and was employed by his brother until March, 1882, when he returned home. In May following, he became associated with B. F. Miller in the grocery business at Louisiana. His brother bought out Mr. Miller
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