USA > Missouri > Pike County > The history of Pike County, Missouri : an encyclopedia of useful information, and a compendium of actual facts > Part 36
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L. Summers, the daughter of W. B. Summers of Quincy, Illinois. They are the parents of two children: Gertrude and Ralph. He is a member of the C. P. Church, and Knights of Honor.
Thomas J. Elmore, of the firm of Elmore & Elmore, wool carding and saw-milling, is the son of Freeman P. Elmore and Martha (Orr) Elmore. Our subject was born March 31, 1850. He was reared in Ashley and received his education at Watson Seminary. At the age of twenty-one he com- menced to teach school and taught for some six terms. Ile then engaged in farming for some three years. He was married April 19, 1871, to Miss Mary E. Pritchett, daughter of William Pritchett, of this county. They are the parents of one child, Ethel May. The wool carding mill cards about 5,000 pounds of wool each season. The saw-mill does a good business, saw- ing the native logs into all kinds of Inmber. Mr. Elmore is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and of the Knights of Honor. Ile is a young man of good business qualities and has the respect and conti- deuce of those who know him.
John A. Ely. Among the stock dealers of Pike county none are, per- haps, better or more favorably known than the subject of this sketch. Mr. Ely is a native of Ralls county, Missouri, where he was born January 24, 1846. He is the son of John and Sarah (Fike) Ely, who were natives of Kentucky. His youth was spent on the farm and in attending the district schools of the county. Just before attaining his majority, on September 10, 1856, he was married to Miss Mary A. Lane, daughter of Frederick Lane, who was among · the first settlers of Pike county and who located near Frankford many years ago. Some years ago Mr. Ely moved upon the farm where he now resides, which is known as the William MePike farm, and which contains about 750 acres of most excellent land. Here he has devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising, producing about five thousand bushels of wheat per an- num and handling many mnules and cattle, his mule sales alone amounting last year to some twelve thousand five hundred dollars. Ile also handles great numbers of cattle, having abont 200 on hand at the present time. Mr. Ely is no doubt the largest dealer in mules in the county and he is always ready to buy any stock of this kind, while he is also prepared to put upon the market at any time such character of stock of this kind as the trade may seem to demand. Although Mr. Ely is living upon a rented fann he has no less than 386 acres of most excellent land of his own, 266 acres near Ashley and 120 acres not far from the town of Bowling Green. While Mr. Ely is recognized as one of the best, as well as one of the largest, traders in the county, his fair and honorable dealing has gained him the confidence of
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the public and the respect of all who are personally acquainted with him. He is a member of the Masonic order and also of the Knights of Honor.
Edward Dire Emerson (deceased!). This old settler was a native of Albemarle county, Virginia. His wife was Elizabeth Dows, raised in the same connty with her husband. They came to Missouri in 1819 and settled in Pike county. some six miles southwest of the town of Louisiana, where Mr. Emerson continued to reside until his death, at the age of seventy-three years. Mr. Emerson was thrice married. By his first wife he had eleven children, six sons and five daughters; by his second wife. Isabella Shields, one son and three daughters. His third wife was Mildred Peay; there were no children from this union. The subject of our sketch belonged to the pio- neers of the county and with their efforts he united his own energies in the development of this new and wonderful country. Hle bore his part of the hardships, incurred his proportion of the risks, and contributed his ratio of effort to the clearing away of the forests and the preparation of the country for the pleasant abode and comfortable homes of those who were to succeed him. To him and to others like him the present generation owe a debt of lasting gratitude for their Herculean efforts in our behalf and for the pros- perity which has come to us as the result of both their energy and their wisdom. Most of these old pioneers have passed away but their works have been left by which we can know them, and which will long continue to stand as enduring monuments to their worth and memory.
E. D. Emerson. This gentleman, a son of Edward Dire Emerson, was born in Buffalo township, Pike county, July 12, 1824. His youth was spent in assisting in the cultivation of his father's farm. During this period he attended the common country schools and received such limited education as they were capable of imparting. Mr. Emerson was married, September 27, 1849, to Miss Catharine Peay, daughter of George W. Peay, then of Buffalo township, but now of Bowling Green, Missouri. This union was blessed with eight children, four boys and four girls. Mr. Emerson had the misfortune to lose his wife a few years ago. She died, January 7, 1881. Mr. Emerson removed to the farm upon which he now resides in 1865. He has sixty-eight acres of excellent land in a high state of cultivation, with excellent improvements on the farm, including a splendid residence where he continues to reside with most of his children. Mr. Emerson has taken pains to give to his children the advantages of a good education and thus fit them for the right discharge of the duties of their future stations or posi- tions in life. He is an urbane and courteous gentleman, an excellent and deserving citizen, and possessed of that genuine hospitality which character-
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izes the Virginiaus from whom he is directly descended. He has a very in- telligent and interesting family of children about him, and his life appears to be one of gennine happiness and contentment.
N. Gibson. This gentleman is a native of Pratt county, Missouri, where he was born September 17, 1845. He is the son of Dr. J. N. Gibson, who was a native of Tennessee. Mr. Gibson's early life was spent attending school, and in March, 1866, he came to Pike county and settled near Paynes. ville where he was engaged in farming until March, 1881, when he removed to Ashley and commenced to sell dry goods. At this time he is selling drugs, of which he carries a very full stock, also dealing iu patent medi- cines, stationery, and other lines of goods in keeping with the best interests of himself and his customers. Mr. Gibson was married, October 25, 187!, to Miss Anna Eastin of Paynesville. They have but two children, both girls, Mary E. and Katie M. Gibson. Mr. Gibson is a good business man. and by his honest and upright dealing has made many firm friends among the people of his new home. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and highly esteemed by his brethren of the craft.
M. T. Griggs. This gentleman was born in Adams county, Kentucky, August 16, 1832. He is the son of Samuel N. Griggs, a native of North Carolina, and Rachel (McCarty) Griggs, a lady born and reared in Kentucky. He came with his father to Missouri when a mere child about the year 1833 or 1834. His life has been passed in Pike county. He followed the avoca- tion of a blacksmith for a period of fifteen years, when, in 1869, be engaged in mercantile pursuits having for a partner Mr. W. D. Orr, of Ashley. At the present time he is conducting the business alone, and has a large and lucrative trade. Mr. Griggs was married September 16, 1856, to Miss Amanthus E. Smith, daughter of Jesse R. and Eliza Ann Smith, of Ashley. The subject of our sketch has been constable of the township in which he resides, and for twelve years treasurer of Watson Seminary, the duties of which position he has discharged with great satisfaction to all the parties concerned. Mr. Griggs is a member of the Masonic order, and belongs to Chapter No. 15. He is also a Knight of Honor, and takes great interest in the welfare and prosperity of the orders of which he is a member. He is also a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and is specially at- tentive to the discharge of his religious duties. Mr. Griggs has long been identified with the business interests of Ashley, and has done much to ad- vance its material prosperity. He has the confidence and respect of the people of the community where he resides, and can always be relied upon to lend a helping hand to any worthy cause or an enterprise looking to the
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advantage of his town or community. He is a good citizen, and is well known in many portions of the county, and everywhere esteemed for his probity and uprightness of character.
J. F. Hanna. M. D. Dr. Hanna was born near Florida, Monroe county, Missouri, April 29, 1838, near the place where the noted. " Mark Twain " first saw the world whose denizens he has contributed so inneh to amuse. In 1855, when but seventeen years of age, he entered Watson Seminary, where he remained until July, 1857, when he went to Westminster College, at Fulton, Missouri, entering the junior class. He continued his academic studies until 1859. at which time he graduated. He now returned to Mon- roe county, and commenced the study of medicine with Dr. James Goodies, of Florida. Here he remained until October, when he went to Jefferson Medical College. Philadelphia, remaining until April, 1861, when he re- turned home and again read for a time with Dr. Goodies. In the fall of 1861 he entered St. Louis Medical College, from which institution he grad- uated in the month of February, 1862. Dr. Hanna now returned to Florida, Missouri, and practiced his profession with good success until August, 1863, when he removed to Asbley, where he has since resided, enjoying a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Hlauna was married Angust 19, 1862, to Miss Mary C. Matthews, of Mexico, Missouri. They have two children, George William and Charles Meigs Hauna, both residents of Ashley. Dr. Hanna is well known in Pike county, and stands well with his brethren of the pro- fession. He also has the confidence of the people, both as a man and a physician. He is comparatively a young man, and a long career of useful- ness is still open before him.
J. I. Harness, the son of Granville and Jane (Compton) Harness, was born in Wood county, Virginia, March 17, 1827. When bnt six years of age his parents removed to Washington county, Ohio, where he was reared and edneated. He was married July 3, 1849. to Eliza Beswick, daughter of James and Augusta Beswick, of Ohio. In March, 1850, our subject came with his family to Pike county, where he has since continned to reside. Mr. Harness has one of the best farms in Ashley township, embracing an area of 223 acres, all of which is in a high state of cultivation, and with other general and substantial improvements. Mr. Harness has reared a family of seven children, four of whom (George L., John L., James K .. and Edward M.) are still living. Mr. Harness has given his children the ad- vantages of a good education, and thus fitted them for their destined sta- tions in society. Besides following the avocation of a farmer, Mr. Harness devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, which has been a source of
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very considerable profit for some years past. Mr. Harness is well known and highly esteemed by the members of the community in which he re- sides.
M. Haught, farmer and stock-raiser. Among those of Ashley township who are worthy of notice in the history of the county, is the subject of this sketch who was born in Monougalia county, Virginia, son of Tobias and Abigail (Moore) llanght. When three years old his parents removed to Tyler county. He was reared a farmer and received a limited education. He enlisted in August, 1862, in the Fifteenth Virginia Infantry; was en- gaged in some thirteen battles, during one of which he was severely wounded in the hand. He was married February 25, 1868, to Miss Matilda Moore of Tyler county, Virginia. He came to Pike county in the fall of 1865, and settled in Ashley township. He has a fine farm of 385 acres of good land, under a high state of cultivation. He is engaged quite extensively in stock- raising, his farin being well adapted for that purpose. They are the parents of nine children: Melissa, Peter T., Sarah A., Hester A., Elizabeth E., Ollie, Ida, Lueindia, Michael, and James. Mr. Haught comes of large stock, the combined weight of his parents being 500 pounds. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812.
Elliott Holliday (deceased). This gentleman was a native of Virginia, but when quite young his parents removed to. Kentucky, and settled in Clarke county. Here our subject was partially raised, and at an early day he was married to Rachael Johnson of Fayette county. In the fall of 1834 Mr. Holliday moved with his family to Missouri, and settled near Ashley, in Pike county. There were eleven children: Eliza Ann, S. W., Polly, Sally, Nancy, Martha Jane, Emily T., James W., Lewis, Owen, and Marga- ret. Lewis and Owen Holliday are still living upon the old homestead- two jolly bachelors-dispensing a generous hospitality in a right royal manner. Ashley has no citizens who have more fully the confidence and re- spect of her people than the Holliday brothers, Their farm is a good one, containing 440 acres of land, and here they both farm and engage in stock- raising, as well as trade very largely in the same. They are active business men, good traders, and altogether responsible.
James Humphreys. Among the pioneer families of Ashley township, of whom our subject is a descendent, may be mentioned Mr. Humphreys, who was born in the state of North Carolina, in August, 1321. His father, Colman Humphreys, was a native of Virginia, and went with his parents to North Carolina in a very early day, where he was raised. In 1827 Mr. Humphreys moved his family to Missouri, and settled near the present town
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of Ashley, on the farm now owned and occupied by our subject, on which he reared a family of six children, fonr sons and two daughters, five of whom are still living, the father dying in 1867, the mother in August, 1845. James Humpreys' youth was past on the farm. His educational ad- vantages were those of the common school; being the youngest of four sons he remained at the old homestead, his present farm containing 185 acres of choice land, well watered, and plenty of timber. The soil is of a superior quality with red clay for a subsoil. This land is well adapted to the growing of all kinds of small grain, as well as grass. The earlier part of Mr. Hump- hreys' life has been devoted to the raising of grain, but in later years he has turned his attention to raising stock and trading in mules. Mr. Humphreys was married in 1850 to Rebecca King, daughter of James H. King, who was one among the early settlers of Ashley township. The result of this happy union has been three children: Mary E., James C., and Annie A. Person- ally Mr. Humphreys is a plain unassuming man; he is a good neighbor and well esteemed.
Robert Irvin (deceased). Prominent among the pioneers of Pike county was Robert Irvin. Hle was a native of Kentucky, and was born August 21, 1781. At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Irvin moved to Duck River, Tennessee, where he lived for a number of years, and where he was married to Miss Rachel Hill. In 1818 they started for Pike county, Missouri, with pack horses and bringing with them several slaves. Their route was through a poorly settled country, and frequently they camped at the tents or huts of the Indians, who invariably treated them with great kindness and hospitality. When Mr. Irvin first reached Missouri, he formed the acquaintance of an old hunter, named Charles Wells, who kindly offered to guide him to a good site for a home. The offer was accepted and the hunter conducted him to a splendid place, his old homestead, now occupied by his son, A. J. Irvin. At that time Indians were numerous, and bears and other wild animals were almost daily seen in the forests. Mr. Irvin bought the land shown him by Mr. Wells, at the first land sale held in the state, and at once commenced to improve it and to arrange conveniences for himself and neighbors. He had some money and much enterprise, and as soon as suitable honses for his family had been provided, he built a saw and grist-mill, a distillery, and a blacksmith shop. This mill is believed by many to have been the second one built in the county. The blacksmith shop was of nntold benefit to the early settlers, and the distillery, which supplied the hardy settlers with good whisky at twenty-five cents a gallon, was by some regarded as a sign of the special favor of divine providence. Mr. Irvin was one of the first extensive
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farmers of the county and did munch to stimulate others to efforts in the same direction. By his first wife Mr. Irvin had but one child, William Irvin, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Irvin was married the second time to Miss Nancy Smithers of Shawneetown, lili- nois, and this union was blessed with seven children; viz .. Josephus, Bedora, John, Naney, Robert. now deceased, Jesse, and A. J. Irvin, all of whom are active and worthy members of society. Mr. Irvin was justice of the peace for twenty years, bought and sold large quantities of land in the neighbor- hood where he resided, and did much to build up the material interests of the county. He died in October, 1863, and his last wife followed him to the tomb in March, 1870.
A. J. Irvin. Mr. Irvin is a son of Robert Irvin, a sketch of whose life has already been written. The subject of this sketch was born in Pike county, and upon the farm where he now lives, on February 4, 1837. He is a successful farmer and stock-raiser, to the duties of which he has been trained from his earliest boyhood. He was married February 13, 1867, to Miss Nancy D. Johnson of Lincoln county. This union has been blessed with three children, Jefferson C., Iona C., and Susan Irvin. Mr. Irvin owns a fine farm of 380 acres, upon which is an excellent two-story resi- dence splendidly furnished and with surroundings indicative of much taste. He devotes considerable attention to the raising of thorough-bred cattle and in his herd can be found many animals scarcely to be surpassed by any oth- ers in the county. Mr. Irvin is an energetic, driving business man, wide awake to his own interests but not unmindful of the rights and interests of others. He is a good trader and is rapidly accumulating. He is courteous, urbane, and hospitable, and the writer would here express his own obligations for the kindness and consideration shown him while stopping for a short time a: his delightful country home.
William G. Kerr. This gentleman was born on the old homestead, near Ashley, December 24, 1834. He is the son of Thomas G. Kerr, a na- tive of Augusta county, Virginia, born November 1, 1796, and of Margaret (Calbreath) Kerr, also of Virginia. Thomas G. Kerr, and wife were mar- ried April 22, 1823. They had five children, Elizabeth II., Sarah J .. John F., Thomas C., and William G. Kerr, the subject of this sketch. The old gentleman, Thomas G. Kerr, came to Pike county in the fall of 182S and settled upon the farm on which William G. Kerr now resides. He died August 31, 1834. He was a good citizen, well known in the county at that early day and had done much to advance the material interests of the peo- ple with whom he had cast his fortunes. Our subject, W. G. Kerr, was
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reared upon the place where he now resides, labored upon the farm the greater partion of the year, and attended the district school during a part of the winter season. Ile was married Jaunary 21, 1556, to Miss Hattie Cul- well, daughter of James C. Culwell, one of the pioneers of Pike county. They have reared a family of nine children. Mr. Kerr has an excellent farm of 326 acres, a splendid dwelling and a cominodions barn, and other necessary out-buildings to meet the general wants of both the farmer and stock-raiser. Mr. Kerr is a member of the church and an elder of the same.
W. H. Marzolf. The subject of this sketch is a native of Pike county, where he was born February 2, 1839. He is a son of George and Mary (Renner) Marzolf, and is the third child of a large family. He was reared on a farm and received his education at the common schools of the country. He was married January 8, 1871, to Miss Maria M. Mittleberger of St. Charles county. Their nion has been blessed with four children, all daughters. Mr. Marzolf owns a good farm of 181 acres and everything ap- pertaining to the same indicate the thrift and enterprise of its owner. Mr. Marzolf is a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and is an elder in the same. His wife and two eldest daughters are also connected with the same religious organization.
P. M. MeNelly. This gentleman was born in Randolph county, Illinois, August 30, 1834. When but five years of age his parents removed to St. Genevive, Missouri where our subject resided until he reached the age of eighteen years, when the family went to Monroe county, Illinois, where Mr. MeNelly lived for five years, then went to Calhoun county, Illinois, and thence to Pike county, Missouri. During the war he enlisted in Company B., Tenth Missouri Calvary, and after serving for three years, most of the time as orderly sergeant, he was honorably discharged, and returning settled in Pike county. He was married April 9th, 1857, to Miss Amelia Vancil, daughter of Daniel Vancil, one of the old settlers of this county. Mr. and . Mrs. McNelly have a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters. Mr. McNelly has for a number of years been the superintendent of the county farm, and so economic has been his administration and so successful his management that the per capita of cost has been merely nominal and the institution has proven alinost self-sustaining. His management has not only elicited the highest commendations from both the county court and the citizens generally, but has also attracted the attention of neighboring counties, who are anxious that their own officials might imitate so worthy and safe an example. Mr. MeNelly is a member of the Masonic order, also
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a Knight of Pythias, Knight of Honor, and a member of the order of Unite ... Workinen. He is a genial gentleman with many friends and has the respect and confidence of the general public.
John E. MePike. This gentleman is the son of B. H. MePike, one of the pioneers of Pike county. He was born September 28, 1854, on a farm near Bowling Green, and upon which his early life was spent. Mr. Melike was educated at Watson Seminary at Ashley, and at the Baptist College at Louisiana. Our subject was married October 1, 1878, to Miss Mary F. Bryant, daughter of W. S. Bryant, of Ashley. They have two children: Ben Bryant and Roberta M. McPike. In March, 1880, Mr. MePike en- gaged in the mercantile business, with his father-in-law as his partner, to which business he is at this time devoting his attention. Ile is regarded as a good business man, and the firm stands well in commercial eireles. Mr. MePike occupies a prominent social position, having the confidence of the business public, and the respect and esteem of those with whom be is brought into social contact.
J. A. Murphy. This gentleman, the son of John and Elizabeth (Lou- ther) Murphy, was born in Alton, Illinois, March 27, 1831. When quite young his parents went to Arkansas, where they resided for about four years when they moved to Newton county, Missouri, where our subjeet re- sided until 1562. He was reared in town, and received such education as the facilities of the place afforded. His father long carried ou a carriage shop, and his son worked in the same for many years. At the age of twen- ty-one he commenced to work at the carpenter's trade, which he continued to follow for about three years. In 1862 Mr. Murphy moved to Mattoon, Illinois, when, after a year's residence, he went to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he lived for two years, and in 1865 came to Pike county, Illinois. where he spent one year. In 1866 he located at Clarksville, Missouri, and the year succeeding he moved to Ashley, where he has since resided. He was married September 2, 1860, to Miss Mary Rebecca Price, of Pike county, Missouri. They have seven children, all of whom are living. Mr. Murphy is engaged in the carriage business; has a good shop, does about $2,000 worth of work per annum, and gives good satisfaction to his cu -- tomers. He is a member of the C. P. Church, and is esteemed as a consci- entious and worthy citizen.
D. A. Nally is a native of Culpepper county, Virginia, where he was born September 14, 1814. He is the son of Hezekiah and Susan (Bowie) Nally, who resided in Virginie, and raised a family of ten children, of whom our subject was the second. Mr. Nally was raised on a farm, and like other
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