USA > Missouri > Pike County > The history of Pike County, Missouri : an encyclopedia of useful information, and a compendium of actual facts > Part 49
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J. Will Hawkins, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Curryville, is a son of William G. Hawkins, one of the pioneers of Pike county. He was born March 14, 1847. His youth was spent in assisting on the farm and attending school, living with his parents until he was twenty-six years of age; he then purchased his present farm, consisting of 120 acres of good land under a high state of cultivation, well supplied with shade and water for pasturing purposes. He was married in November, 1872, to Miss Re- becca S. Biggs, of Pike county. By this union they have two children: Anna E. and Ollie B. Mr. Hawkins and his wife are members of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church, and he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Pike Lodge No. 399.
John J. Kincaid, M. D., Spencerburg, was born in Pike county, Angust 30. 1852, a son of Captain J. D. Kincaid, who was one of the pio- neers of the county. His early education was obtained in this county and at college. Ile graduated in medicine at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1872. He commenced the study of medicine with Dr. F. Smith, of Frankford, Pike county, Missouri. where he remained until 1870, and then attended lectures at the Louisville, Kentucky, Medieal College. He began to prac- tice in New Hartford, Pike county, in the fall of 1872, where he remained about four years, building up a large and successful practice. Ile then came to Spencerburg, where he now has a large practice. He was married May 30, 1878, to Maggie J. Reeds, of Pike county.
Abraham Lacv, post-office Curryville, was born in Hawkins county, Tennessee, July 3, 1826. When he was eight years of age his parents im- migrated to Pike county, Missouri, where our subject was reared and edu- cated, living with his parents until he grew to manhood. He was married October 4, 1860, to Miss Agnes Ayres, of Shelby county, Kentucky. By
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this union they had four children, three of whom are still living: Fanny A., John A., and Joseph B. In 1878 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which office he still holds. Mr. Laey has a fine farm of ninety- six acres of good land, under a high state of cultivation.
James Lewellen (deceased), was born in. Mason county, Virginia. May 16, 1798. When he was a child his parents moved to Grayson county, Ken- tucky, where he grew to manhood. He was married in Logan county, Kentucky, in 1816, to Miss Mary D. Wilie. In 1818 he immigrated to Pike county, Missouri, and settled on the farm where New Hartford is now situated, where he lived a year and a half. He then moved to Crooked Creek and opened up another farm, and lived at that place ten or twelve years, when he sold out and went to Ralls county, when he purchased a farm then known as the General Steven Cleaver farm, living on that place abont fourteen years, after which he returned to Pike county, where he pur- chased the farm where he lived until his death, which occurred February 18, 1867. His wife died October 2, 1881. They were the parents of nine children: Zephlinder, William, John W., Charlotte, Napoleon B., Caturah, Mary A., James, and Dollie. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for sixty- eight years.
John W. Lewellen, son of James and Mary Lewellen, was born in Pike county March 9, 1823; was reared on a farm and educated in the subserip- tion schools. When he was twenty years of age he left home and went to Clark county and remained one year, then returned to his native county and purchased the farm where he has since lived. His original purchase was eighty acres of improved land, but by hard work and good management he has accumulated until he has a landed estate of 1,200 acres of fine land, a large portion of which is under a high state of cultivation. He has a large brick residence, built in 1860, surrounded by fine groves, and his lawns are ornamented with beautiful forest trees and shrubbery. He was married Jaunary 27, 1852, to Miss Mary M. Sisson, of Pike county. By this union they have four children: James, Elizabeth, W. B., and Mildred A.
N. B. Lewellen is a son of James and Mary Lewellen. He was born in Pike county, December 29, 1827. He lived with his parents until 1853, when he purchased the farm where he now lives. It contained 160 acres of timber land, and by hard work and good management he has added to it until he now has a fine farm of 640 aeres. Mr. S. has been an industrious, hard-working man, and has accumulated what he has by his own exertions. He was married October 27, 1852, to Miss Agnes T. Lewellen, of Pike
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county. By this union they have had ten children, nine of whom still sur- vive: John H., Rollie B., Frank A., James D., Laura, A. J., Eddie L., The- odore C., and Florana P. Mr. L. and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
Luke Lewis (retired), Curryville, a son of Jesse and Rhoda Lewis, was born September 26, 1810, in Shelby county Kentucky. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Ann Peavy, in January, 1832, and immigrated to Missouri the same year with three elder brothers John. Jesse, and Samuel, who were among the pioneers of Spencer township. Of the four our subject is the only one now living. In 1835 he moved to Munroe county, where he lived until 1878, when he returned to Pike county, to spend the balance of his days in Curryville He lost his wife in May, 1863, and again married. He lost his second wife in 1876, and is now living with his third wife. By his union with his first wife he had six children, who lived to be grown; five are. still living. He reared his family on a farm, and at a day when educational facilities were limited, but he managed to give his children a superior edu- cation. Luke Lewis is a man of good judgment and has always been re- markable for his firmness through life. He has always been honored and respected by all who knew him. He nnited with the neighboring Baptist Church in 1841, and in 1842 he was ordained deacon of the church, which office he has since held.
H. P. Lewis, M. D., Curryville, was born in Monroe county Missouri, in November, 188s, where he was reared and partially educated. He attended college at Shelbyville, and graduated at Palinyra. He commenced the study of medicine in 1862, with Drs. Wick & Tucker of Spencerburg, where he remained for two years, attending lectures at Rush College, Chicago. Ile began to practice in the spring of 1864, at Madison, Munroe county, Mis- souri, where he remained for two years; he then went to Frankford, Pike county, remaining there one year; he then moved to Curryville, where he has since lived. He was the first physician in that town. Dr. Lewis is one of the most successful practitioners in the county, and he has built up a large practice, and won a large circle of warm and true friends. He is one of the most enterprising men in Curryville. Ile was married in 1863 to Miss Lon Givens, of Pike county. They have three children: Ernest, Samuel, and Nannic.
Herny H. Laird, farmer, post-office Spencerburg, was born in Ralls county, Missouri, April s, 1827, a son of Isaac and Nancy Laird, who were prominent among the pioneers of Pike county. Here our subject was reared and educated, living with his parents until he reached his majority. He
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was married August 16, 1549, to Miss Ineinda Phears, a native of Pike county. By this union there were seven children, four of whom still survive: William II., Freeman, Elijah, and Thomas. Mr. Laird and his wife are members of the Christian Church. He has a fine farm of 120 acres of good land, under a high state of cultivation; their residence is the same house his wife was born in.
J. H. McDowell, post-office Curryville, was born May 28, 1836. ITe was left an orphan when a little more than an infant, working around at any place he could find a home until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to learn the wagon and carriage trade. Being ambitious to get an education, he worked at his trade days and studied nights, until he had earned enough money to attend school. He then entered the Thornton Academy where he completed his education in 1860. When the late rebellion broke ont he was among the first to go out in defense of his country. He enlisted in 1861 in Company B. Seventeenth Indiana Mounted Infantry, where he served with honor to himself and his country, until the close of the war. He was mustered out of the service August 22, 1565. Hle then returned to his place of birth, where he remained a short time, and then came to Pike county, where he has since lived. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
Thomas J. MePike, farmer and stock-raiser post-office Curryville, was born in Pike county, November 15, 1857, and was here reared and educated, living at home until he was married, which was in January, 1877, to Miss Annie Laird, of Audrain county. By this union they have three children: Myrtle L., Willie II., and Mattie. He has a fine farm of 840 acres of good land, under a high state of cultivation, situated three and a half miles from: Curryville, where he raises a great deal of stock, consisting of horses, mules, cattle and swine.
James E. McPike, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Curryville, was born in Pike county, Missouri, August 20, 1853, where his youth was spent in assisting in the management of the farm and attending school until he was twenty-two years of age, when his father gave him the farm where he now lives, containing 900 acres of land, improved and under a high state of cultivation. Ile is extensively engaged in raising stock, and, although a young man, he is considered one of the leading stock dealers in the county. He is a man of excellent judgment, and meets with marked success in all his undertakings. By his honest and npright dealings he has won many warm and true friends. His home is a large two-story house, which is situated in a beautiful location, commanding a fine view of the surrounding country.
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Ile was married June 26, 1875, to Miss Mattie MeOnen, a daughter of HI. G. McCuen, of Pike county.
Wilburn Neal. This gentleman is a native of Tennessee, born in Wil- son county, November 28, 1811. He was there roared and edneated. In the fall of 1830 he immigrated to Pike county, Missouri. with his father, Charles Neal, with whom he lived until he was twenty-three years of age. Hle was married October 2, 1834, to Miss Susan Butler, a native of Bourbon county, Kentucky. They are the parents of thirteen children, ten of whom still survive: Nancy J., Ichabod B., Charles R., Wilburn, Jr., Isaac and Abraham, twins; Frances R., Fanny M., Mary, and Virginia. In 1830 our subject went to California, where he engaged in mining for a period of one and a half years. He then returned to Pike county and settled on his present farm, which contains 404 acres of land, under a high state of enlti- vation. Mr. and Mrs. Neal have both been members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for more than forty years.
Isaac Neal. Spencerburg, was born in Pike county, Missouri, Septem- ber 12, 1845, and was a son of Wilburn and Susan Neal. He was educated in the common schools and reared ou a farm, which avocation he has since followed, living with his parents until he was married, July 7, 1872, to Miss Annie Roland, a native of Ralis county, Missouri. He purchased the farm he now lives on in 1874, containing 160 acres of good land, and under a high state of cultivation. He has a fine residence, which he completed in 1882 at a cost of $500, beautifully located and surrounded by a fine oak grove. Mr. and Mrs. Neal are the parents of three children: Nora, Nettie, and Mamie. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church.
J. M. Offitt, Curryville, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, May 3, 1846. When he was three years of age his parents immigrated to Missouri, settling in Platte county, where he lived on a farm until he was eleven years of age, when he left home and went to California, where he engaged in herding stock, remaining there four years, after which he returned home. At the breaking out of the late war he enlisted in the army, where he served for five years and fifteen days, with honor and credit to himself. At the close of the war he returned to Pike county, and soon after went to Texas. Again he came to Pike county, where he was married March 22, 1870, to Miss Margaret D. Downing, of Pike county. They have one child, Susie. Mr. O. and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
George B. Ogle (deceased). The subject of our sketch was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, June 25, 1529, and was the son of AAdam and
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Polly Ogle, who immigrated to Pike county, Missouri. when he was an in fant. lle was here reared and educated, living with his parents until he grew to manhood. In 1550 he went to California, where he engaged in mining for four years with good success. He returned to his adopted hous in 1854 and, purchased an interest in a saw and grist-mill, which ocenpa- tion he followed for two years. He then went to Ralls county and pur- chased 500 acres of unimproved land, on which he lived about eight years, when he again'returned to Pike county, where he continued to reside until his death. He was married December 6, 1854, to Miss Nancy J. Rose. of Pike county. By this mion there were seven children: Sara A., Alice W .. Adrian, Euna C., Ingh L., Clyde R .. and George B. Mr. Ogle died in June 8, 1875. The family resides on the old homestead where the father settled in 1829; it contains 285 acres of improved land under a high state of cultiva- tion.
F Nuson Pace, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Curryville. was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, February 28, 1825. When he was nine years of age he came with his mother to Pike county, Missouri, his father having died when he was an infant, and settled on a farm in Buffalo township near where his mother now lives. He was there reared and educated. His mother purchased eighty acres of unimproved land, and after three years his elder brother returned to Kentucky, leaving the management of the farm and support of his mother and younger brother to the subject of this sketch. By hard work and good management he performed his duty in an exemplary manner. educating his younger brother so as to prepare him to fill a position as a leading physician in the state, and who, in after years. re- lieved our subject of the support of his mother. Mr. Pace was married September 19, 1848, to Miss Eliza J. Rogers, of Shelby county, Kentucky. By this union there were eight children, of whom there are five living: Naney A., Joseph, John W., Alice B., James N; three are deceased. Ilis wife died June 9. 1864, and he has since made his home among his chil- dren. Mr. Pace and his wife and children are and were members of the Baptist Church.
J. Pharr (deceased), a native of Sumner county, Tennessee, was born June 9, 1791. Reared on a farm, his youth was spent in assisting on the farin and acquiring an education, which he did with great credit, as oppor- tunities at that early day were few, acquiring a much better than an aver- age one. He went to Kentucky and there married Eleanor Boyd, a native of Kentucky. By this union there were seven children. In 1819 he immi- grated to Pike county, Missouri, being one of the first settlers in the county,
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and located at Scotia Springs along with A. Boyd, T. Scott and his sons, and R. Fullerton, organizing a colony there, all living in the same yard for a time, after which they selected their homes, taking a pre-emption, then adding to it. On this early home which he made attractive and where he prospered by his thrift and industry he lived until his death.
William Phears (deceased), was born in Virginia, September 22, 1800, and when he was eighteen years of age he immigrated to Pike county, Mis- souri, where he lived until his death. Hle was married December 29, 1824, to Miss Polly Harper, of Pike county, Missouri. They had seven children. Mr. P. died December 3. 1852, and his wife died July 12, 1872. She was a member of the Baptist Church.
Elijah Phears, second son of William and Polly Pheare, was born in Pike county, Missouri, December 24, 1:31. Hle was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He lived on the homestead until the death of his mother, when he took possession of a portion of the same, where he now lives. He was married September 12, 1878, to Mrs. Horn, whose maiden name was Martha F. Moore. They have two children: Homer and Pearley Lee. His wife had one son by her former marriage, William J. Horn. Ile and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
W. F. Pritchett, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Curryville, was born in Pike county, Missouri, April 29, 1837, where he was reared and edneated, living with his parents until he grew to manhood. In 1960 he purchased 120 acres of muimproved land, which he improved and made one of the best small farms in the county. He was married November 25, 1859, to Miss Sarah Wil- son of Pike county. By this union they had six children, five now living: Isaac N., Marion, William F., John, James, and Mary A. In 1863 he sold his farm and went with his family to California, where he remained seven years, then returned to the place of his birth, and purchased his present farin con- taining 120 acres of improved land under a high state of cultivation. His wife died April 1, 1876.
Lafayette Reading, farmer and stock-raiser, Buffalo township, post- office Louisiana, youngest son of William and Margaret Reading, born Sep- tember 18, 1842, in Pike county. He was here reared and educated. IIis youth was spent in assisting on his father's farm and attending school, living with the family until his father retired from business, when he took the homestead where he has since lived. It consists of $28 acres of go d land under a high state of cultivation. He was married November 12, 1565,
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to Miss Madora A. Smith of Pike county. By this union there were seven children, six now living: Lucy, William M., Ida J., Martha M .. Charley L .. Ollie E., and Mary. Mr. Reading is a member of the Cumberland Presby. terian Church. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church. He is a menfber of the A. F. & A. M.
William Reading (deceased, whose portrait appears in this work). Among the pioneers of Pike county who by their own energy and strict attention to business won a high position in society, there are none more worthy of space in history than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Bourbon conuty, Kentucky, October 9, 1792, where he was reared on a farm and edueated in the subscription schools of the time. He was mar- ried January 11, 1816, to Miss Margaret Shawhan, a native of Bourbon county, Kentucky, born February 11, 1787. In 1820 he immigrated to Pike county, Missouri, where he settled in Buffalo township, on the farm where his youngest son (Lafayette) now lives. He purchased the claim of a man by the name of Yedder. and afterwards entered the land. He, from time to time, purchased other lands until he became one of the largest land-owners in the county, having a landed estate of over 2,000 acres. He was a man of liberal views, and by honest and upright dealing won a large circle of warm and true friends. After living in Pike county about four- teen years he persuaded his father and mother to leave their home in Ken- tucky and come and settle in this new and prosperous young country. George Reading, his father, was born December 8, 1761, and Nancy, the mother, was born November 25, 1771. Settling on a part of our subject's farm, where he lived until the death of his wife, which occurred in 1842, he then went to Clark county, Missouri, where he died at a ripe old age. W.Iliam and Margaret Reading were the parents of eight children, all of whom have grown up and held high positions in society. Probably no family in the county are held in higher esteem than the Reading family. He and his wife were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He always took an interest in educational matters, and gave his children all the ad- vantages possible in that early day. His wife died in 1830, and our subject followed eight years later.
John Reading, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Reading, Buffalo township, the eldest son of William and Margaret Reading, was born in Pike county, Missouri, February 18, 1821. He was here reared and edu- cated. His youth was spent in assisting his father in the management of the farm, and attending the subscription schools in the winter, living with his parents until he was twenty years of age, when he was married, October
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28, 1841, to Miss Mahala A. Nalley, a native of Virginia. They had six children, five now living: William (deceased), T. E., James L., Susan, Cynthia, and N. T. In 1842 his father gave him 160 acres of land, there being only about twelve acres cleared. the balance being timber. He built a house and set abont improving his farm, which he did in a most energetic manner, and has now a fine farm of 300 acres of good land under a high state of cultivation, in fact one of the best farms in the township. His residence is a large two-story brick-house, built in 1877, forty by fifty-four feet in size, at a cost of $3,300, and is beautifully located on an eminence, commanding a fine view of the country for miles around. He and his wife have been members of the M. E. Church for more than forty years. He has been postinaster of Reading since 1868.
William Reading, Jr., farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Curryville, is the second son of William and Margaret Reading. He was born in Pike county, Missouri, June 19, 1829. His youth was spent in assisting his father on the farm and attending school. He was married November 7, 1850, to Miss Martha S. Coun, a native of Ralls county, Missouri. When he was twenty-one years of age his father gave him 240 acres of unim- proved land in Spencer township, which, by strict attention to his farming pursuits and good management, he has converted into one of the best farms in the county. As his means would perunit, he purchased more land un- til he has an estate of 760 acres. He has a beautiful residence on Spencer Creek, two miles north of Curryville, built in 1870, being a large two-story frame building, surrounded on two sides by fine oak groves, and in front he has a large lawn ornamented with beautiful shade trees and shrubbery. Mr. Reading is one of the most enterprising men in the community, and con- tributes liberally to all enterprises for the public good. He has been a member of the school board for many years. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Pike Lodge No. 399. They are the parents of seven chil- dren, five of whom are living: John S., Margaret B., Nancy, George Ward, and May E.
Jay Reading, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Curryville, is the third son of William and Margaret Reading, and was born in Pike county, Mis- sonri, July 5, 1837. His youth was spent in assisting on his father's farin and attending school, living with his parents until the spring of 1861 when he settled on his present farm, but owing to the breaking out of the rebel- lion he did very little towards improving it until 1866, as he enlisted in the fall of 1861, and served for four years as a soldier. He was married April
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12, 1866, to Miss Mary H. Wilson, a native of Pike county, Missouri. He then moved to his farm, where he has since lived. His farm contains 76s acres of good land under a high state of cultivation. He is one of the largest stock growers and dealers in Pike county, and he has the confidence and respect of all who know him. He is always foremost in any enterprise that tends to the public good, and contributes liberally to all charitable ch- jects. Mr. Reading and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presby. terian Church. They are the parents of two children, William II. and Francis I ..
Samuel C. Reed, of the firm of Reed & Hughlett, druggists, post-of- fice Curryville, was born in Pike county, Missouri, May 5, 1839, where he was reared and educated. After leaving school he engaged in the black- smith business with his brother at Ashley, for one year, and then went to Lincoln county, where he continued the business for himself until 1861. The war breaking oni, he enlisted in Company A, Second Missomi In- fantry, where he remained until the close of the war, when he was honora- bly discharged. He participated in some of the most hard fought battles of the Rebellion. After the war he went to Otoe county, Nebraska, where he continued his trade about one year, when he got a position with the U. P. R. R. Co. in their shops, and worked until 1868, when he returned to Lincoln county, where he remained five years. He then came to Curry- ville and entered the drug business, which he has since followed. He was married October 8, 1879, to Miss E. A. Branstetter, of Pike county. They have two children: Hugh C. and Mertie L.
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