USA > Missouri > Pike County > The history of Pike County, Missouri : an encyclopedia of useful information, and a compendium of actual facts > Part 48
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Jacob Bowers, livery stable, post-office Curryville. He was born in Surrey county. Indiana, August 9, 1832, but when he was quite young his parents moved to Shelby county of that state, where he was reared and edu- cated. In 1855 he was married to Miss Mary A. Wright of Union county, Indiana. He lived in Shelby county until 1859, when he immigrated to Schuyler county, Missouri, where he lived on a farm for three years. In May, 1861, he, in company with his uncle and a man by the name of Smith, went to the Rocky Mountains. They founded the Colorado Salt Works. in which business he continued until 1864. when he returned to Schuyler connty where he remained for a short time. He then returned to the place of his birth, where he lived two years, after which he returned to Missouri and purchased a farm in Marion county, where he lived until the death of his wife which ocenrred December 6, 1871. IIe then sold his farm and moved to Palmyra in order to give his children the benefit of the schools at that place. They were the parents of six children: Fanny, Henry, Annic. Munroe, Silas, and James. In 1879 he came to Curryville and purchased the livery stable, and a residence where he has since lived. Mr. Bowers is a man of liberal views, and by his honest and upright dealing has won the respect and confidence of all who know him.
Simon U. Branstetter. fariner and stock-raiser. post-office Curryville. Among the enterprising and industrious men of Spencer township, there are none more worthy of notice in history than the subject of this sketch. He was born December 19. 1540, the son of Simon B., deceased, who was among the pioneers of the county. His father died when he was only seven years of age, and he remained at home until he arrived at the age of manhood. When the dark clouds of war hung like a pall over our country: he was among those brave men who went out in defense of the old flag. enlisting April 14, 1862, in Company I, Third Missouri Cavalry, participating in many
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hard-fought battles. While in a skirmish with Price's men, they were sur- rounded, and after a desperate fight the squad was surrendered, and our subject taken prisoner. After being relieved of all his clothing he was shot down in cold blood, and left on the field for dead, the ball passing through his right lung and coming out at his back. After the enemy had left and he had gained consciousness he walked for seven miles over the frozen ground, his feet being sore and bleeding. He came to a cabin where, with much difficulty, he obtained shelter, and through the kindness of the family, he got some cast-off garments, consisting of part of a shirt and pair of pants. Here he remained for ten days, his wound partially healing. He started out in the cold without coat or vest and traveled 120 miles, dodging the enemy, before he came to a place of safety. When he got to Cape Girar- dean he obtained admission to the hospital, where he received all the care possible for one week, and was then transferred to St. Louis, where he re- mained about a month, and then came home on a leave of absence, remain- ing until December 18, 1864, when he returned to his regiment at St. Joseph, and wa, honorably discharged at Macon City, June 10, 1865, and returned home. He has since been engaged in farming on the old home- stead, where he was born and reared. Ilis farm contains 212 acres of good land which he kept under a high state of cultivation. Mr. B. was married November 20, 1864, to Miss May J. Chamberlain, of Pike county. Their union has been blessed with eight children: Flora T., Artie L., Theron J., Hugh and Lou (twins), Daisy, Walter, and an infant. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the Christain Church.
James B. Brashear, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Spencerburg. He was born in Ralls county, Missouri, December 3. 1833, and is a son of Richard M. and Emily E. Brashear, one of the pioneers of Ralls county. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the subscription schools, living at home until he was twenty-four years of age. He was married No- vember 11, 1856, to Miss Jemima M., the daughter of John R. and Elizabeth James, who were among the pioneers of Pike county. She was born March 14, 1837. Our subject took 160 acres of unimproved land, upon which he built a residence and improved it in a manner so it was second to none in the county. He lived there until 1862. During the rebellion he moved with his family to the home place with his father, where he lived for seven years, after which he purchased the farm that he formerly lived on, where he lived until February, 1875. He soll that place and moved to Pike county, where he has since lived. His farm has eighty acres of good land under a high state of cultivation. . In connection with his farming pursuits
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he has an interest in a store at Spencerburg, consisting of drugs and gen- eral merchandise, under the firm name of Wieks & Brashear, where they carry a large stock of the above named articles. Hle and his wife are the parents of two daughters, Emma A., the wife of F. M. Wieks of Spencer. burg, born November 21, 1559; and Elizabeth T., the wife of William E. Keithley of Spencerburg, born August S, 1862. He and his wife and fain- ily are members of the Christian Church.
J. Cook Briggs, merchant, post-office Spencerburg, was born in Ralls county, March 1, 1848, where he was reared and received his early educa- tion, which was completed at the State Normal School at Kirksville, Mis- souri, graduating in the fall of 1876. In 1871 he went to Curryville and opened a drug store which he managed with good success for three years After he graduated at Kirksville he came to Spencerburg and organized a graded school which he managed with credit to himself and his patrons un. til 1880, when he, in company with Adam Ogle, purchased a large stock of goods of general merchandise and opened a store at Spencerburg, where, by honest and upright dealings with his patrons he has built up a large trade. He was married April 17, 1879, to Miss Alice Ogle, a danghter of George B. and Naney J. Ogle of Pike county. They are the parents of one child, Verta. He is a member of the Christian Church. Ile is also a member of A. F. & A. M., Pike Lodge 399.
T. W. Brown (deceased), was born in Caroline county, Virginia. Joue 2, 1803, where he grew to manhood. He was married July 15, 1834, to Miss Hillyard, of Granville county, North Carolina, and immigrated to Pike county, Missouri, in 1839, and settled near Bowling Green, where he lived until 1867, when he sold his farin and bought another in Spencer township, where he lived until his death, which occurred July 16, 1868, leaving an aged companion and a loving family to mourn his loss. They were the par- ents of eight children, five of whom still survive: Mary A., William R., Luey B., Thomas B., and Guilford C. Mrs. B. lives with her youngest son. and enjoys good health. She is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. B. was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
James HI. Caldwell, farmer and stock-raiser, post office Curryville. Among the enterprising young inen of Pike county probably there has been none more successful than the subject of this sketch. He is the youngest son of Judge Harmon and Mary Caldwell. He was born July 24, 1845, and was reared on a farm, and received his early education in the common schools, finishing his studies at Watson Seminary, at Ashley. Hle lived with his parents until his father retired from business, when our
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subject took charge of the homestead, which contained 800 acres of good land, under a high state of cultivation, to which he has added from time to time until his landed estate now amounts to 1,800 acres of as fine land as there is in the State of Missouri. Mr. C. probably has no superior in the connty as a judge of stock. Although a young man, he has been one of the most successful dealers to be found. Ilis sales average from 300 to 500 head of cattle annually. He has a fine brick residence, located one-half mile frome Curryville, and commands a beautiful view of the surrounding country. He was married November 14, 1870, to Miss Belle Hatwell, of Pike county, a lady of superior education, and one who is loved by all. ; They are the par- ents of four children: Anna May, Nellie, Jasper II., and Walter G. Mr. C. is a man of the most liberal views, and by upright and honest dealing has won a large circle of warm friends. Mr. C. and wife are earnest workers in the cause of Christianity, being members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is a deacon of the church at Curryville, and a member of the A. F. and A. M., Pike Lodge No. 399.
John W. Caldwell, fariner and stock-raiser, post-office Curryville. He was born in Pike county, July 28, 1840, and is the oldest son of Harmon and Mary Caldwell, who were prominent among the early settlers of Spen- cer township. Here he was reared and partially educated, finishing bis edu- cation at McGee College. In 1861 he purchased his present farm, consist- ing of 1,000 acres of nnimproved land. By strict attention to his farming pursuits he has made it one of the best stock farms in Pike county. It is di- vided into fourteen separate fields, with a large pond in each, so that it for- nishes water at all times of the year, and having the shade of a fine oak grove in nearly all the enclosures. llis farm is well fenced with about seven miles of osage orange ledge. His residence is a large two-story brick building, which he completed in 1882 at a cost of about $5,000, situated one mile west of Curryville, on an eminence commanding a beautiful view of the country for miles around. In 1874 he moved his family to Curry- ville, where he built a large brick store-house and a fine residence, and en- gaged in the mercantile business. He continued in that business until 1879, when he sold out and returned to his farm, where he has since lived. Mr. C. is a man of the broadest experience, and has won many warm and true friends. In 1875 he was ordained elder of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Curryville, which office he has since filled with honor to himself. He was married October 25, 1864, to Miss Addie G. Swelser, of Ralls county, a lady of rare refinement and culture, and who is loved by all who know her. They have been blessed with six children: Mollie E., Madora,
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Katie G., Addie, Harmon, and Henry. Mr. C. is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Pike Lodge No. 399.
James H. Cash, of the firm of Cash & Handy, blacksmiths, post of. fice Curryville, was born in Pike county, Missouri, October S, 1854, and is the son of John Cash, a pioneer of the county. His youth was spent in as. sisting his father on the farm and attending school. living at home until he was twenty-one years of age. He then began to learn the blacksmith's trade with Reed & Dooling. remaining with them until 1875, when he began busi- ness for himself in Curryville, where he has since been, attending strictly to business and doing his work in such a manner as to win the confidence of his many patrons. ile was married November 23, 1880, to Miss Clara Robinson, a native of Pike county, Ilivois. They have one child, Allic.
Perry A. Curry, surveyor, farmer, and stock-raiser, post-office Madi- sonville, Ralls county. Among the enterprising citizens who have been in- strumental in the advancement of public interests there are none more worthy of notice than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Harrison county, Kentneky, September 29, 1819, and was the son of John and Naney Curry. He was there reared and educated, living with his parents until he reached the age of manhood. Ilis youth was spent in assisting in the man- agement of the farin and attending the subscription school, and in hard study during his leisure hours. He came to Pike county in the fall of 1840 with limited means, nearly all of his capital consisting of strong arms and a willing heart. By hard study under very unfavorable circumstances he had in his younger days acquired a very superior education, and on ar- riving in this, then a comparatively new, country his great ambition was to impart his hard earned knowledge to others, and the first eight years after arriving here was spent in teaching school. He was married in November. 1877, to Mrs. Susan Duval, whose maiden name was Biggs, a daughter of the Hon. William Biggs, one of the pioneers of Pike county. In 1848 our subjeet was elected to the office of county surveyor, which office he held for two years, when he resigned. In 1850 he went to California, where he met with good success in mining for one and one half years. He then returned to the home of his adoption and purchased a farin on Sugar Creek, where he lived until 1854, when he sold out, and entered 320 acres of unimproved land in Spencer township, and on this traet the enterprising village of Cur- ryville now stands. In 1852 he was again elceted to the office of county surveyor, which he has filled with honor to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents for more than twenty years.
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Win. Crow, retired farmer, post-office Curryville, is a native of Mercer county, Kentucky, born February 11, 1800; he was there reared and re- ceived a limited education, living at that place until 1830, when he immi- grated to Pike county, Missouri, and located two miles south of Bowling Green, where he entered a small tract of land containing seventy acres, where be built a cabin and set about making a home for his family. From time to time he added to his place until he had one of the best farms in that part of the county. He was married in 1827 to Miss Lonisa Kenley, a native of Washington county, Kentucky. They had ten children. His wife died February 17, 1862, and he retired from business in 1872, moving to Bowling Green, where he lived until 1880, when he came to Curryville, where he has since lived.
James A. Crow, a son of William Crow, was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, January 3, 1830, and when an infant he came to Pike county with his parents, where he has since lived. His youth was spent in assist- ing his father on the farm and attending the subscription schools, until he was about twenty years of age, when he went to California, where he re- mained one year, after which he returned home and turned his attention to farming, which occupation he followed until 1880, when he retired from the business with the exception of dealing in stock. Ile was married in 1853 to Miss S. J. McMillen. They have three children. Mr. Crow and his wife were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Crow died November 8, 1878.
John Dean was born in Montgomery county. Pennsylvania, April 25, 1810, where he was reared and educated. When fourteen years of age his father died, leaving the care of a family and the support of his mother and six sisters to him, which duty he faithfully performed. He lived in Mont- gomery county until 1834, when, with the family, he moved to Pickaway, Ohio, where he purchased a farm and lived until 1848, when he purchased the land on which is now part of Cireleville, Ohio, which he sold to a good advantage and moved to Pike county, Missouri, where he has been promi- nently identified with the agricultural and business interests of the county for many years. He was married January 11, 1848, to Miss Maria MeLel- len, of Center county, Pennsylvania. By this union they had six children, three of whom still remain. He has been a local elder in the M. E. Church for many years. He and his wife now make their home in St. Louis, en- joying the accumulations of many years of hard work.
James Doolin, blacksmith and dealer in agricultural impliments, post- office Curryville. Among the self-made men who, by their energy and per-
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severance, have attained a high position among the business men of Curry. ville is the subject of this sketch; he was born in Pulaski county, Ken. tucky. February 24, 1826; when quite young he came with his father, Ben jamin, to Pike county, Missouri, locating near Clarksville. His youth wa, spent on a farm, living at home until he arrived at the age of twenty four years. During his youth he had no opportunity of attending school, and when he arrived at the age of manhood he could not write his name. Through the assistance of his wife he learned to write and developed the talents with which nature had endowed him, and which had previous to this time lain dormant for the lack of an opportunity to use them. He has since, by hard study and observation, attained a good practical education. He was married March 9, 1848, to Miss Nancy L. Sick, a native of Pope county, Illinois. They were the parents of eight children: Annie E., Mary C. (deceased), Amanda J., James T., William, John, Nancy, and Charles E. At the age of twenty-six years he purchased a set of tools and began to study and learn the art of gunsmithing, and by perseverance, which is a marked trait of his character, he succeeded in mastering the science until he has no superior as a gunsmith in the state. During the war he had charge of the government machine shops at Little Rock, Arkansas, which position he held until the close of the conflict, after which he located in Au- drain county, where he engaged in sinithing until the spring of 1873, when he came to Curryville and engaged in the same business, and has, by honest and upright dealing won many warm and true friends.
O. J. Edmonds, farmer and stock-raiser. Among the prominent busi- ness men of Pike county, probably none are more worthy of notice in this his- tory than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Orleans county, Ver- mont, May 12, 1836, and was there reared until he was eighteen years of age, and editcated. He then left his New England home to see what might be in store for him in the great west. Having no means he worked his way to Rock county, Wisconsin, where he obtained employment and remained two years, attending school for a short time in the winter. He then learned to pilot on the upper Mississippi, following that in summer and working in the pineries in the winter. In 1859 he went to St. Louis, where he was in the lumber office of. Wells and Dexter for six months, after which he caine to Pike county, and turned his attention to farming, first renting. By good management and economy he soon accumulated enough means to buy two hundred and fifty-six acres of land, which he successfully cultivated until 1868, when he began the contracting business, taking large contracts on the different railroads running through the county. He also engaged in mann-
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facturing lumber, still carrying on his farm. Mr. Edwards is an enterpris- ing man, who has perhaps furnished employment to more laboring men than any man in the county. He was married March 13, 1866, to Miss Mary E., daughter of John and Rachel Hawkins, and granddaughter of Judge W. Stevens. She was born July 18, 1840. They have ten children now living, and one deceased: James O., William M., Polly Susan, Charles, Guy II., Joseph D., Robert Lee (deceased), Peggie, Jessie N .. Sis, and George. Mr. Edwards has a landed estate of 1,238 acres of good land, the largest portion being under cultivation. His residence is a large two story frame building, handsomely located where it commands a fine view of the surrounding country.
Thornton Farnsworth, post-office Spencerburg. This gentleman was born in Clark county, Virginia, October 22. 1827, where he lived until he was nineteen years of age, when he went to learn the carpenter trade. In 1851 he went to Ross county, Ohio, where he followed farming and working at his trade for about four years; he then went to Pratt county, Illinois, where he lived for ten years, still following his avecations of carpenter and farmer. He came to Pike county, Missouri, in 1865, and purchased his present farm containing 110 acres of improved land under a high state of cultivation. He was married December 1, 1856, to Miss Hannah Jacobs, a native of Londonn county, Virginia. By this union there were ten children, seven living: Harmon, Mary, Townsend W., George W., H. Elenor. M. Hampton, and Grannel M., Mr. Farnsworth is a member of the M. E. Church, and is a class leader.
E. K. Gates, merchant. Curryville. The subject of this sketeh was born in Kentucky, in 1835; was reared on a farin and educated in the sub- scription schools. At the age of abont eighteen he had a desire to see something of the world, and turned his course toward the Pacific coast, where in the spring of 1854 he landed in San Francisco, California. From there he went into the mining reigons, where he worked with good snecess for four years; he then returned to Kentucky, where he remained a few months, after which he came to Pike county, and locating in Spencerburg engaged in the mercantile business, where he remained for about ten years; he then came to Carryville, and built a large store house and residence. He carries a large assortment of general merchandise, and by strict attention to business and honest and upright dealings with his patrons, he has built up a large trade and won a large circle of warm and true friends. He was married in 1861. to Miss Matilda Gathery of Munroe county. They had two children: William E. and Lydel!, the latter living only about three 61
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months. His wife died in 1865. He was again married March 6, 1869, to Miss Caroline Almond, of Pike county. By this union there were two children: De Lafette and Emma, the latter only about one year old.
Fielder Gentle (deceased), was born in Maryland, January 11, 1790, and when only two weeks old his mother died, when he was reared by his aunt, Phebe Peck. When he was twelve years of age she moved with him to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. In 1811 he went to Bourbon county, Kentucky, where, April 10, 1814. he was married to Miss Sarah Onstott, a native of that place. In the fall of 1816 he immigrated to Pike county, Missouri, being among the first settlers in Spencer town- ship, where he did much hard work in clearing out his farin and going through many privations subject to a frontier life. He lived on the farm he first located until his death, which occurred July 12, 1853, his wife living until February 7, 1881, when she departed this life at the venerable old age of eighty-four. They were ardent workers in the cause of Christ and were members of the Baptist Church. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, of whom five still survive: Elenor, Jarvis J., Elizabeth M., Jane, and E. E.
Jarvis J. Gentle. farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Spencerburg, was born in Fort Stout, Lincoln county, Missouri, January 12, 1817, and is a son of Fielder and Sarah Gentle, who were among the pioneers of the county. When two weeks of age he came with his parents to Pike county, Missouri, where he has since lived; he was reared on a farm and educated in the subscription schools, living with his parents until he grew to man- hood. He was married February 19, 1846, to Miss Susan A., a daughter of John and. Eliza Satton, who were among the pioneers of the county. They are the parents of six children, five of whom are living: John F., Laura, Delia, Hortense, William Henry, and Clara, who died November 3, 1871, when twenty-two years of age. When he was a young man he purchased 120 acres of unimproved land, which he improved, and then sold it, and purchased his present farm. It contains 440 acres of good land, under a high state of cultivation. lle has a fine residence, good barns and out- buildings, a good orchard of abont 400 trees, which yields large quantities of choice varieties of fruit: also a fine vineyard. Mr. Gentle and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. He is also a member of the A. F. & A. M. He was elected justice of the peace in 1861, and has been a mem- ber of the school board since the organization of the public school system.
F. M. Handy, of the firm of Cash & Handy, wagon and carriage manu- facturing and blacksmithing. Mr. Handy was born in Hardin connty,
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Kentucky, January 18, 1837, and was there reared and educated. At an early age he began to assist his father in his blacksmith shop, which he con- tinned nutil he was twenty-two years of age. In 1865 he came to Missouri, locating in St. Louis, where he followed his trade for two years, then moved to Polosi, Missouri, where he lived until 1870, when he came to Pike county, settling in Bowling Green, where he followed his occupation stead- ily for five years; he then moved to Ashley in order to give his children the advantage of the superior schools of that place, remaining there for four years. He then came to Curryville, where he has since been carrying on business. He was married March 7, 1861, to Miss Eliza J. Higgins, a na- tive of Indiana. They have had six children: William E., Harden, Ione, Mattie E., Eddie, and Lizzie (deceased ).
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