USA > Missouri > Pike County > The history of Pike County, Missouri : an encyclopedia of useful information, and a compendium of actual facts > Part 32
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William W. Hedges, farmer, post-office Bowling Green, has a farm of one hundred acres, the most of which is under cultivation. His place is finely improved, with good house, barn, and other conveniences, all repre- seating good taste and thrift. Mr. Hedges is a native of Pike county, Mis- souri, born October 27, 1833. Ilis father, John F. Hedges, was by birth a Virginian, born in June, 1797, and moved to Kentucky with his parents at the age of eight years. He learned the cabinet making trade and then came to Pike county, Missouri, in 1819, stopping in that part of the county which is now Peno township. When about twenty-six years of age he was married to Miss Lucinda Tinsley. daughter of William Tinsley, who was also from Kentucky. Here he followed farming and stock-raising; he died in 1881. his wife having died in 187S. William W. Hedges, our subject, was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools, and when grown commenced life for himself as a farmer and stock raiser. He was married in 1857 to Miss Sarah M. Burks, of Pike county, daughter of Henry Burks, Esq. They had ten children, eight of whom are still living. Mrs. 51
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Hodges died in 1870. In 1873 Mr. Hedges married for his second wife Miss Martha E. Emerson, daughter of John Emerson, who came to Mis- souri from Virginia in 1840. By this marriage they have four children living. Mr. Hedges belongs to the Baptist Church.
: Joseph Henderson is the youngest of three brothers living: he was born May 25, 1810, in Caswell county, North Carolina. His father, Sam- uel Henderson, was a native of the same state, born July 11, 1780; his mother, Rebecca Henderson, was born March 2, 1757, the daughter of John Ware, Esq., of North Carolina. Samnel Henderson died in February, 1865; Mrs. Henderson died in 1863. They raised a family of ten children, six of whom are still living. He moved his family to Missouri in 1834, settling on the headwaters of Buffalo Creek, where he continued to reside until the time of his death; he was one of the heavy tobacco growers of that section; he was also a grower of grain and stock. He was a very kind. hospitable man, delighted in hunting, and has been known to kill as many as eight wild turkeys at a single shot in days when game was more abundant than it is now; he was a strong, healthy man, who never took a dose of medi- cine in his life. After being in Missouri some years he revisited his old home in North Carolina, and on his return walked all the way back, carrying his saddle-bags and his clothes, getting home ahead of other parties start- ing at the same time on horsbeack. He died in his eighty-seventh year in the full enjoyment of all his faculties. Joseph Henderson, the subject of our sketch, was principally reared in Pike county, receiving his education in the common schools. When he arrived at manhood he engaged in farm- ing, which he has successfully followed all his life. He was first married to Miss Mary E. Ware, daughter of John Ware, Esq .; she died March 22, 1851, leaving two children, John W. and Aryon. He married for his second wife Miss Catharine Anderson, daughter of James Anderson, Esq., of Pike connty; they have nine children, all living: Ida S., Mary E., Lonise C., Maggie J., Joseph C., William S., Lneinda, Pinkney A., and Laura: Mr. Henderson owns a landed estate of four hundred and forty acres of choice land, well improved; he has a fine two-story house, well finished and fur- nished throughout. Mr. Henderson and his wife are both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Antioch.
Valentine Hendrick, farmer, post-office Bowling Green, is a native of Pike county, Missouri, born February 13, 1846. His boyhood days were spent on a farm. When abont twenty-two years old he commenced busi- ness for himself, and has been very successful. He was married in 1866 to Miss Bettie B. Renner, daughter of F. Renner, one of the early settlers, and
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by birth a German. They have had five children: Anna L., Fannie Fern, Olga L., William J., and Frederick Renner. Ilis farm consists of 323 aeres of well improved land; he has a fine substantial dwelling, with a good barn and necessary out-buildings. Ile is a successful breeder of Short-Horn cattle, having some of the best in the county; he is also an extensive raiser of hogs, and has also dealt largely in mules south.
John W. Hendrick, farmer and stock dealer. This gentleman was born in the city of Bowling Green, this state, September 27, 1840. He was raised by William Clough of Boston, and had the advantages of a first-class educa- tion. In 1856 he was appointed deputy clerk, and also deputy recorder, holding these positions until 1860. At the outbreak of the war he entered the Federal army and served until it closed. Ife served a part of the time as second lientenant and was mustered out as captain. In April, 1865, he was present at the surrender of General Lee. He was in an engagement with General Price, and in the fight at Pilot Knob. From 1865 to 1867 he was an officer in the pay department of the government. He acted in the capacity of journal elerk from 1867 to 1870. He was also elected secretary of the Senate for the years 1871 and 1872. IIe then returned to Bowling Green, and turned his attention to farming and stock-raising. He has some of the finest Short-Horn cattle in the state. He was married in Jannary, 1873, to Miss Lizzie, daughter of Eli D. Emerson, Esq .. one of the old set- tlers. They have one son, Ernest. Mr. Hendrick is a member of the Knights of Honor and Legion of Honor.
William Klumpe is a native of Germany, born in 1830, where he was reared and educated. At the age of nineteen years he immigrated to Amer- ica, landing at New Orleans, where he stopped the first winter. He then came up to St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked in a brick-yard two sum- mers, and then went to California, where he engaged in mining for about three years, and was quite successful. Hle then returned to St. Louis, by way of New York, and engaged in the wood and brick business until 1870. when he came to Pike county and established, in connection with his part- ner, Mr. Grote, what is now known as Saint Clement, where they seenred eleven hundred acres of land. Mr. K. then engaged extensively in farming and stock-raising. Since his first coming to this country he has been instru- mental in attracting many other families to this county. Being the first settler himself, he has now about forty-four families of his countrymen around him, who all look to him for advice and counsel. Mr. K. was mar- ried, in St. Louis, to Miss Adeline Winkler. They have four children:
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Margaret. Mary, Annie, and Callie. Mr. K. gives much attention to the breeding of good grade cattle, and also raises many horses and mules. +
Henry Koch, farmer, post-office Bowling Green, was born in Ger- many in 1835, and lived in his native country until the age of nineteen, when he came to United States, embarking on a sailing vessel, and was for- ty-three days making the voyage. On landing at New York he came west to Indiana, then to Illinois, stopping in these states about four years. In 1861, at the outbreak of the war, on the call for 75,000 troops, he responded and entered the Forty-third Regiment Illinois Volunteers, and was marched to the front, serving three years and two months, and participating in ten battles, among the more memorable of which were Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, and others. After he was mustered out he came to St. Louis where he engaged in the bakery business for a time; selling this out he went to Benton county and purchased a farm; selling this he returned to St. Louis and remained in business there five years; he then went to Illinois and pur- chased a farm, and cultivated it three years, then selling out he went again to St. Louis and engaged for the second time in the grocery business for two and a half years, when he traded his stock of goods for his present farm, located one mile from Bowling Green, the place formerly known as the Her- ring farm. He was married in 1865 to Miss Catharine Foliade, who died at St. Louis in 1874, leaving three children: Origen, Amenia, and Henry. He was married the following year to Mrs. Elizabeth Rapp, a native of Germany. By this union they had two children, Fred S. and Jacob. His farm consists of 152 acres, 136 of which is in cultivation, and the balance in timber. He has an elegant residence and fine large barn.
Pike Linsey. post-office Cyrene, son of John Linsey, was born February 19, 1826, in Pike county, on the old homestead. Ilis early life was spent in working on the farm and attending the district school. In 1850 he went to California by overland, where he engaged in mining for a time, and re- turned home by ship. After his return home he bought a farm near Wat- son's Station. He was married April 6, 1853, to Miss Martha Scott. He removed to his present farm in the fall of 1857, where he has since made his home. He has 150 acres of good land. He is a member of the Baptist Church, holding the office of deacon. Mr. and Mrs. Linsey are the parents of seven children: James, Joseph I., Elizabeth A., Maggie B., John Price, Mary Florence, and W. C. Mr. Linsey has by his fair dealing gained the confi- dence of all who know him, and no man in the township has the respect of his neighbors more than he.
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William S. Lowry, farmer; post-office, Bowling Green; has a farin of 425 acres of choice land, all under cultivation, except eighty acres of tim- ber. Le settled on his present farm in 1855, since which time he has been extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has a herd of 142 innles. His residence is a fine two-story building, surrounded by orna- mental shade trees, and everything to make home pleasant. Mr. Lowry is a native of Harrison consty, Kentucky, born December 16, 1831. His father, Andrew Lowry, was also a native of Kentucky, born in 1807; he was a farmer by occupation, and came to Missouri in the spring of 1553, settling two miles south of Bowling Green, where he was an extensive land- owner, besides owning a number of slaves. He was an enterprising farmer and stock-raiser. Ile died in 1879. The mother of our subject was origi- nally Aun Giveus, a native of Kentucky, the daughter of James Givens, Esq .; she died in 1882. They raised a family of seven children, all now living except one. William S., the subject of our sketch, was raised on the farm, receiving his education in Kentucky before coming to this county. He was first married in 1834 to Miss Nancy J. Thompson, of Kentucky; she died in 1872 leaving one son, Samuel M. Mr. Lowry was married again in 1874 to Miss Martha McMillan, daughter of Kinza McMillan. They have had two children, one of whom died in infancy, and one son living. William R. In his early life Mr. L. worked at blacksmithing, but disliking the business abandoned it for the more pleasant life of a farmer. Mr. L. is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 136 at Bowling Green. He is a member of the Old School Presbyterian Churel. and his wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Harrison G. Mackey, retired farmer. He is a native of Pike county, Missouri, born November 17; 1833. Ilis father, Thomas J. Mackey, was -originally from Tennessee, born in August, 1809. His grandfather, Thomas Mackey, was a native of North Carolina, and died in 1858, at the age of eighty-two years, having come to what is now Pike county, in 1817; he was well known in this portion of Missouri. Thomas J. Mackey came to Missouri when about nine years of age; he was here raised and educated. He started in life as a farmer, having at an early day secured some of the best land in this part of the state. He was married in 1830 to Miss Sarah Griffith; they raised a family of five boys, all of whom are still living. Ile died in 1878, and his wife in 1879. Harrison G., our subject, was educated at the common schools of the county, spending his boyhood days on the farm. At the age of twenty-three he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daugh- ter of James Martin, Esq., of this county. They have four children, three
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sons and one daughter. He has been one of the active and enterprising stock dealers of his neighborhood. In 157S he was elected to the state legislature, and again in 1880. He is a member of the C. P. Church, and also of the Knights of Honor. His homestead consists of two hundred and sixty-five acres of choice land finely improved, with house and appurtenances neces- sary to make his home a pleasant and happy one.
Judge Alexander Phillips Miller was born in Nelson county, Ken- tueky, August 12, 1821; emigrated with his parents to Marion county, Mis- souri, in 1835, and after remaining there about nine months removed to Pike county, where he has since resided. His father. Alexander Miller, was a native of Virginia, having been born near Winchester in. April, 1784, and removed to Kentucky with his father in 1803. His mother, Sarah Phillips, was born in Kentucky in 1787, and married in 1809. There were five children, three of whom lived to attain their majority, but now the subject of our sketch is the only survivor. Judge Miller received only such education as the facilities of the times afforded. He was married in April, 1846, to Fanny Peay, a daughter of George W. Peay, an old and highly re- spected resident of Pike county. Although the attention of Judge Miller has been mostly directed to farming and stock-raising, in each of which he has large interests, he has, nevertheless, been several times called to dis- charge the duties of important political and judicial stations. He was com - missioned as justice of the county court by Governor John C. Edwards in 1847, and again commissioned by the Governor a few years after the expira- tion of his first term of service. He was a candidate before the people for the legislature in 1876 and was elected by a decided majority. Judge Mil- ler's landed estate consists of six hundred and fifty acres, five hundred of which is comprised in his homestead; his farm is all of the best quality of land, all well improved, and in a high state of cultivation; he has an ele- gant residence, finished and furnished in a style commensurate with his wealth and position, everything about the place being first class. Judge Miller became a member of the Baptist Church in 1857, joining the Mt. Pisgah Church, and has since held the' position of moderator of the Salt River association for five years, and acted as clerk of said association for a period of twenty years, and has attended forty-five out of forty-seven convo- cations or associations of his church. Judge Miller is the father of ten children, eight of whom are now living.
Jacob W. Pritchett, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Bowling Green. The subject of our sketch is a native of Pike county, being ushered into this life December 16, 1834. He was the son of Jacob and Kitty (Harbold)
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Pritchett, who were formerly of Kentucky. When our subject was six months old his parents died. He was then taken by his aunt, Mrs. R. Her- ring. for some three years; was then taken by William MePike until he was seven years of age, when by the death of Mr. MePike, he was taken to Kentucky by his uncle John Harbold, who resided in Jefferson county, where our subject was reared and where he received his education. He was married in February, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth Harbold, who died April 23, 1879. Mr. Pritchett is located four miles south of Bowling Green, where he has a good farm of one hundred acres of fine land which is under a good state of cultivation. He is a consistent member of the .C. P. Church; he is a genial, socible, Christian man, and has the respect of those who know him.
Benjamin Blackwell Reynolds, capitalist, post-office Bowling Green. IIc was born in the town of Winchester, Clark county, Kentucky, in April, 1810. His father, Michael Reynolds, was a native of Ireland. He was a surgeon in the British army, captured at the battle of New Orleans, and remained in this country after the war. He immigrated to Missouri in the fall of 1832; his wife's maiden name was Sallie Blackwell, a native of Ken- tucky. On coming to Missouri he settled at Bowling Green, where he had an extensive practice until his death, in August, 1838. Benjamin, the sub- ject of our sketch, at the death of his mother in 1821, was but two years old, and went to live with his grandfather at Little Orleans, in Indiana. IIe remained there about two years and then came west to his father, who was married, the second time, to Miss Lucy H. Winn, of Kentucky, who was the mother of the lamented Dr. Reynolds. Our subject was educated in the schools of Bowling Green; when about grown to manhood, in 1844, he engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed snecessfully until 1870, when he retired to his farm in 1875, where he lives in a large and stately brick mansion, surrounded with all the comforts and luxuries of life. Ile was married in 1844 to Miss Louisiana, daughter of Joseph IL. Pugh, Esq. They have seven children, three of whom are living: Hariett, Lucy, and Medora. Mr. Reynolds never aspired to office, but has always been active in politics in behalf of his friends; he is a staunch Democrat, as his father was before him.
William L. Robinson, farmer, post-office Bowling Green, has a farin of two hundred and seven acres, one hundred and forty seven in cultivation and sixty in timber. He devotes considerable attention to the raising of Short-Horn cattle and fine hogs, as well as grain. His farm is choice land, finely improved, with good buildings, and all the appointments in every re-
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speet necessary to make home attractive and comfortable. Mr. Robinson is a native of Kentucky, born in Mercer county, March 8, 1820. His father, Henry Robinson, was a native of Virginia, from where he moved to Ken. tueky iu 1807. In 1830 he immigrated to Missouri and settled near New London ia Ralls county, where he engaged in school teaching, which he followed until the Mexican War, during which he served as captain and participated in the battle of Buena Vista and others. He had previously served in the war with Great Britain, and was in the battle of New Or- Jeans. After the close of the Mexican War he returned to New London, and soon after died. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Sarah A. Fisher, a native of Kentucky; she died in 1874, aged seventy-three. William I., the subject of our sketch, was principally raised in Ralls county, but at the age of nineteen he came to Pike county, and with his three brothers entered a piece of land for their mother and put it in good shape, after which W. J. commenced business for himself. He engaged in farm- ing, and in the spring of 1852 he purchased his present farm. Starting without any means, he has by energy and industry acquired a fair share of this world's goods. He was married in August, 1852, to Miss Elizabeth F. Herring. They have raised seven children, six of whom are still living: Ella C., Wemas A., George Anna, Sarah C., deceased, Joseph R., Naney O., and Paulina L. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are both members of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Robinson is also a member of the Farmers' and Mechanics' M. A. A. .
George Royalty. Among the pioneers of Pike county is the subject of this sketch, who is a native of Virginia. He was born in 1SOS, and is the son of Isom Royalty. His early life was spent in attending school. He was for a number of years a foreman of a cotton factory; was also a super- intendent of a tobacco warehouse for some time. He was united in mar- riage to Miss Margaret B. Miles. They came to Pike county in the spring of 1835, first settling near Prairieville, where he lived until 1842, when he moved to the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Royalty reared a family of eight children: Madison, Cyrus C., George M., Mary S., Virginia E., Mar- tha, John J., and Benjamin. Mr. George Royalty is now living in Texas, although he owns the old homestead, which he still calls home.
Madison Royalty, section 21, farmer and stock-raiser; post-office, Cy- rene; was born January 1. 1835, in Virginia. When but a babe his parents came to this county. He was reared a farmer, and received his education in the common schools. He was married May 8, 1856, to Miss Sarah A. Hinton. He moved to his present home in 1866, where he has since re-
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ASHLEY TOWNSHIP.
sided. They are the parents of three daughters: Mary Jane, Virginia E. Ilenderson, and Anna Laura. Mr. Royalty is the owner of 111 acres of fine land, well improved. He is a number one farmer, and a sociable and hospitable gentleman, and has many friends. He is a member of the A. O. U. W.
CHAPTER XIX. ASIILEY TOWNSHIP.
Topography-Resources-Settlers and Citizens. ASHLEY-The Mill-Business Interests- Civic Societies-Churches-Watson Seminary. ST. CLEMENT-Church-School-Bus- iness-Biographies.
This is one of the smaller townships and is situated in the southern part of the county. It is bounded on the north and east by Cuivre township, on the south by Hartford township and Lincoln county, and on the west by Indian township. This township was located by, or under, the old Spanish grants. It was originally a wooded district, with no prairie, excepting a very small area in the extreme eastern portion. The lands are remarkably fertile, as indicated by the character of the growth of forest and other trees. Hickory, elm, ash. linden, and other varieties usually found on the best land, abound here. The surface can neither be said to be level nor abrupt. In most of the township the lands are somewhat rolling, but not sufficiently broken to interfere with their easy and successful cultivation. In the ex- treme southeastern portion the surface is more uneven, and in places might be regarded as precipitous, but this is more the result of the few gulches to be found in that locality than from the existence of any knobs or other marked elevations of the surface. The township, taken as a whole, may be regarded as unusually well adapted to agrienltural purposes, while the grasses which are here produced in luxmiance make it also well suited to the raising of different kinds of stock. The township is well watered, both by springs, which flow during the entire year, and also by several streams which pass through its several portions. In the eastern part Sulphur Creek flows from north to south through the whole width of the township, while both the western and southeastern parts are watered by the Cuivre River. Other streams of lesser note supply the water for other portions of the town- ship, and the citizens in no part of the township have lately suffered for this the greatest necessity of life. The township was early settled, although
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
it was not organized as a separate township until the year 1852, having been, previous to that time, a part of Cuivre township.
What has been said of some of the other townships applies with equal force to Ashley. Her citizens are generally industrious and orderly; their homes are comfortable and supplied with all the ordinary comforts of life; the people are intelligent, moral, and hospitable, and the whole faec of the country indicates energy, thrift, and enterprise. The roads are the ordinary dirt roads usually found in the country, except that from Ashley to Bow. ling Green, a distance of six miles, a good gravel road was several years ago . constracted.
ASHLEY.
The town of Ashley has about 400 inhabitants, and is located in the sontheastern part of the county, six miles from Bowling Green. It is sur- rounded by a fine farming community, noted for its industry and morality. Both the inhabitants of the village and the country surrounding it take great pride in promoting their educational facilities. This is attested by the manner in which they have supported and defended their cherished in- stitution, known as " Watson Seminary," which has been in operation for more than twenty-seven years.
While the town was named after General Ashley, of Arkansas, it was laid ont by William Kerr in 1836. His widow, who signed nearly all the deeds by which the lots in and about the town were originally conveyed, and who was known as Patsy, is still living in the town, at the age of seventy-seven. Barzel Riggs was one of the first, perhaps the very first, settler in the town, and had the honor of building the first hotel in the place. This house was continuously kept by him for the benefit of his many guests nntil within a few months. He is now a man of eighty, but still is seen fre- quently on the streets. The first store was kept by D. C. M. Parsons, an active politician, too, in his day, and who was running for congress at the time of his death. The ground on which the poor-house now stands, and many aeres round about it, were owned by him. The young and promising editor of the Louisiana Journal is his grandson. McCormick & Hesser had a store at an early day in the same place. S. N. Purse, who still lives at Frankford, was another of the early settlers. He ran a machine shop, and made and sold carding machines, and also manufactured the Manny reaper and mower. Afterwards he was connected in business with W. II. Purse, now postmaster at Louisiana. Another of the first settlers who engaged in merchandising, was H. C. Draper. He was a brother of Edwin Dra-
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