USA > Missouri > Pike County > The history of Pike County, Missouri : an encyclopedia of useful information, and a compendium of actual facts > Part 50
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John C. Robison. liveryman, post-office Curryville, was born in Mer- cer county, Pennsylvania. April 27, 1844. When he was quite young his parents moved to Pike county, Illinois, where he was reared and educated. He lived at home until the Rebellion broke ont, when he went out in de- fense of the old flag, enlisting in August, 1862, in Company F, Ninety- ninth Illinois Infantry, in which company he served until the close of the war. At Spanish Fort he was wounded in the hip; where the ball still remains, and was disabled for life. He was a non-commissioned officer. After the close of the war he entered into the mercantile business, which ,he followed until recently. He is an exhorter in the M. E. Church. and has always been an ardent worker in the temperance cause. He was mar- ried January 1, 1866, to Miss S. A. Rollins, of Pike county, Illinois. They have had three children, two of whom are living: Luella M., born Decem- ber 4, 1868; Lorena M., born March 13, 1570; and Mary (deceased), born August 12, 1872, who died March 12, 187S. His wife is a member of
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the M. E. Church, and has been since she was a more child. Mr. Robison came to Pike county in 1872, near Bowling Green, and moved to Curry- . ville in 1875.
Thomas A. Russell, post-office Curryville, was born in Lynn county, Missouri. September 28, 1846. When he was quite young his parents moved to Pike county Missouri, where he was reared and edneated, attend- ing school at Louisiana. At the breaking ont of the Rebellion, though hardly yet in his teens, he enlisted in the defense of the stars and stripes, on the 25th day of March, 1862, in Company C, Third Missouri Cavalry, with which he participated in many hard-fought battles. After three years service with honor to himself and his country, being discharged on the 25th day of March, 1865, he cast his first vote for President Lincoln when he was only eighteen years of age, and has voted the Republican ticket ever since. After the war he went to Seott county, Illinois, where he remained for several years, being appointed deputy sheriff of that county in 1868, which office he held until 1870. After that he went to Keokuk, Iowa, where he engaged in the manufacture of tobacco for several years, with marked success. He was married in Curryville November 25, 1875. to Miss Kate, daughter of Charles and Lucella Tinker, of Pike county. By this union they have two children: Andon, boru December 27, 1877, and Hurbert, born Jannary 19, 1880.
L. F. Sisson, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Curryville, was born in Virgima January 24, 1834. When he was about four years of age his pa- rents eame to Pike county, Missouri, where his mother died when he was only six years of age, and seven years later his father died, leaving him an orphan at an early age. He found a home with John Cross, near Ashley, where he lived until he was sixteen years old, when he went to learn the machinist's trade with S. M. Pierce, of Ashiey, where he served and appren- ticeship of four years and eight months. He followed the business as a journeyman until 1859, when he went west and followed mining for about one year; then returned to Pike county, and remained until the spring of IS61, when he again went to Colorado and remained natil the fall, when he returned to Pike, and engaged in the stock business for about two years. In 1864 he fitted out several large freight teams, and started to the mountains, taking for a great portion of his load- Pike county productions. In the fall of 1865 he returned to Pike county, and after a short stay took a prosprecting trip to Texas, but again returned to the home of his adop- tion with a herd of 350 cattle, which he sold at a large protit. Mr. S. was married December 20, 1866, to Miss Mary R., daughter of John and Re-
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becca Wright. They have four children: William Harvey, Joe Henry, Bertha O., and Daniel Webster. After his marriage he turned his atten tion to farming and stock-raising, which he has since followed. He is the owner of 1.270 acres of fine land, which ranks among the best stock farms in the county. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., also of the A. O. U. W. Mrs. S. is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
George W. Smith. post-office Curryville, was born in Owen county, Ken- tucky, June 14, 1833. Left an orphan when he was eight years of age, he found a home with his elder sister, and at the age of ten years he came with her and her husband to Pike county, Missouri, where he lived nutil he was sixteen years of age, when he went to Texas with his brother-in-law, where he remained for nine years, and where he accumulated considerable property. Having a limited education, and having an ambition to obtain an education, he returned to Pike county and attended school for more than a year, and by hard study in his leisure hours fitted himself for a teacher, which occupa- tion he followed until 1867. He was married April 7, 1867, to Mrs. A. Scroggins, a native of Kentucky. After this he turned his attention to farm- ing and stock-raising, which he still follows. He has held the office of jus- tice of the peace for more than seven years, and is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Mr. Smith and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
William Saffell, Spencerburg, was born in Anderson county, Kentucky, December 4, 1842. When he was about two years old his parents immigra- ted to Ralls county, Missonri, where he lived until 1854. His father, Jacob Saffell, died in 1852, leaving his mother, Julia A., with a large family of small children to rear and educate, with very limited means. His mother moved to Pike county, Missouri. In March, 1861, our subject commenced to learn the blacksmith trade at Spencerburg, on the day of Lincoln's inaugu- ration. On learning his trade, Mr. Satiell went into business for himself, and by strict attention to business he has accumulated a handsome property. When only fifteen years old he identified himself with the cause of temperance, by joining the Old Sons of Temperance, and has never broken his pledge. Mr. Saffell is a member of the A. F. & A. M. He was married November 1, 1-66. to Miss Lucy, daughter of Adam and Emeranda Ogle, who was born August 20, 1847. They have four elldren: Allie May, Willimette, Emeranda, and Thomas R., deceased. Mr. Saffell and his wife are both members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Saffell has been a member of the school board and also of the town council.
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William II. Stone, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Curryville, was born in Fluvana county, Virginia, September 7th, 1840, where he lived until 1857, when he came with his parents to Pike county, Missouri, where he has since made his home. His youth was spent in assisting his father on the farm and attending school. When he was about twenty years of age he was seized with a desire to see something of the world and accordingly made a tour through many of the states. Returning home he settled on the farm where he has since lived; it contains 352 acres of good land, and ranks among the best farms in the county; his residence is a fine two-story build- ing which he completed in 1880, at a cost about $1,500. There is a large lawn in front of his house ornamented with fine shade trees and beautiful shrub- bery. Mr. Saffell was married in April, 1873, to Miss Saloma, daughter of Elder Rogers, one of the veteran preachers of Pike county. They have two children: Homer L. and Allie M.
N. B. Sutton, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Curryville, was the eldest son of John Sutton, one of Pike county's pioneers, and was born Feb- ruary 12, 1827. He was here reared on a farm and educated in the sub- scription schools. On December 17, 1850, he was married to Miss Polly Brice, of Pike county. They have eight children, four of whom are now living: Samuel P., Engene B., Jefferson Davis, and Robert Lee. His wife died March 13, 1865, and he was again married June 25, 1868, to Miss Dazarene, daughter of Lewis and Margaret Grafford. They have had cigbt children, four now living: Addie May, Georgie, Arby L., and Maud M. Mr. S. and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He has a fine farm, consisting of 340 acres of improved land under a high state of cultivation.
J. W. Tally, hotel proprietor, Curryville, is the oldest son of Wil- liam H. and Elizabeth Tally. He was born in Pike county Novemn. ber 2, 1835, and was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. His father died when he was only four years of age, and thus, when he was very young the duties of managing the farm fell on him, which he ful- filled faithfully for many years. April 7, 1859, he was married to Miss Mary E. Lewellen, a native of Pike county. When the Rebellion broke out our subject enlisted in Company E, Third Missouri Mounted Infantry, in which he served for three years and participated in many hard fought battles. At the close of the war he returned to his former pursuits of farin- ing and stock-raising, which he followed until the fall of 1981, when he came to Curryville and went into the hotel business, which promises to be
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successful. Mr. T. and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. They are the parents of three children: Maggie, Lelia, and Ella.
Hore Thompson, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Ralls county, Missouri, April 15, 1848. where he was reared and educated, living with his parents nntil he reached the age of manhood. After this he purchased a farm of 240 acres in Peno township, where he lived until 1874, when he sold out and purchased his present home in Spencer township. It con- tains 280 acres of good land under a high state of cultivation. He was mar- ried November 14, 1872, to Miss Emma Hutcherson, of Pike county. Mr. T. is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Presbyterian Church; his wife is a member of the Baptist Church.
William Jeff Thompson, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Vandalia, was born in Ralls county, Missouri, October 22. 1852, where he was reared and educated, living at home until he reached the age of manhood, his youth being spent in assisting on the farm and attending school, until 1872, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Frankford, which he followed for two years with good success, and then sold out his business and returned to the farm. where he remained for one year; then went to Texas where he engaged in the stock business for three years. Returning to Pike county, he purchased his present farm, containing 297 acres of good land, under a high state of cultivation, and one of the best stock farms in the county. Mr. T. was married October 4, 1880, to Miss Thomas A. Biggs, a daughter of Milton Biggs, of Ralls county. They have one child, Ethel. Mr. T. is a member of the I. O. O. F., and also of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Charles W. Tinker (deceased). This gentleman was born in Vermont. August 22, 1815, but when an infant his parents immigrated to Hardin county, Kentneky, where he was reared and educated, until 1831, when he came to Pike county, Missouri, where he lived until his death. He was mar- ried November 18. 1835, to Miss Lucetta C. Roberts, of Pike county. Our subject entered 160 acres of unimproved land, which he improved in such a manner that it ranks among the best farms in the county, and his widow still makes her home the same, and manages the place in a very successful man- ner. They were the parents of thirteen children, four of whom still survive: William H., Ralph II., Sarah A., wife of William R. Downing, a resi- dent of Pike county; and Katie L., wife of Thomas A. Russell, also a resi- dent of the county. Mr. and Mrs. T. were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Our subject died February 22, 1879.
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William H. Tinker, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Curryville, was born in Pike county, April 12, 1838, the son of Charles W. and Lucetta Tinker. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. When he was twenty years of age he purchased the farm where he has since lived. It contains 320 acres, and ranks among the best farms in the county. Mr. T. was married November 7, 1859, to Miss Mary E., a daughter of Pres- ley Newell, Esq., of Pike county. They have seven children: Jo- seph, Earnest L., Homer M., Delve, Orpha, William H., Jr., and John. On February 7, 1579, his wife died (she was a member of the Presbyterian Church), and he again married March 11, 1850, Miss Julia B. Connelly, a native of Virginia They have two children: Culla II., and Carlos D. Our subject was ordained elder of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1973, which office he has since held. Mrs. T. is a member of the Baptist Church.
Walter HI. Tinker, post-office Bowling Green. This gentleman was born in Pike county, Missouri, May 31, 1535, and is a son of Edwin B. and Elizabeth Tinker. Our subject was reared and educated in Bowling Green. In 1858 he began to learn the carpenter's trade, which occupation he followed until the breaking out of the rebellion, when he entered the state service, and the following September he was wounded by the accidental discharge of a gun in the hands of Amos Crossman, who was cleaning it. The ball struck our subject in the leg and split, and glancing, killed Lent. Martin and wounded Thomas Hunter, so that he died fiom the effects in a short time, and wounded Mr. T. so that his leg had to be amputated four inches below the right knee. This disabled him from further duty, although he remained in the service until his time expired. After receiving his dis- charge he attended school for a time. and then went into the mercantile busi- ness at Louisiana, which he followed about one year, and then obtained a position in the recorder's office. One year after that he engaged with two half-brothers in the livery business at Bowling Green, where he met with good snecess, after which he turned his attention to farming, purchasing the farm containing 187 acres known as the Ralph Tinker farm (grand- father of our subject); here he lived in bachelor quarters for abont eight years. ITe was married April 19, 1882, to Miss Lizzie Riggs, of Pike county.
William HI. Waddell, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Curryville. was born in Pike county, November 17, 1851, a son of G. R. Waddell, and a grandson of W. W. Waddell, who was one of the early settlers of the county. The subject of our sketch was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, living at home until he grew to manhood. In 1872 he purchased a farm in Peno township, where, by good management, he 62
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
met with marked success, but he sold it in 1882, and purchased the farm he now lives on in Spencer township, one mile west of Curryville. containing sixty acres of good land under a high state of cultivation. Mr. W. is a good trader and is accumulating property rapidly. He was married September 22, 1871, to Miss Lou Stark, of Pike county. They are the parents of three children: Marion, Edward, and Flora.
Joel Weatherford (deceased), was born in Virginia in 1781, where he grew to manhood. When a young man he immigrated to Kentucky, where he married Miss Margaret Day, a native of Kentucky. In 1829 they came to Pike county, Missouri, where they reared a family of seven children, four of whom still survive. He lived in Pike county, following the avocation of a farmer until his death, which occurred October 18, 1834, and three days later his wife followed him. She was an active member of the M. E. Church.
Joel M. Weatherford. the second son of Joel and Margaret Weather- ford, was born in Casey county, Kentucky, on the 27th day of September, 1816, and when he was thirteen years of age he came to Pike county, Mis- souri, with his parents, and was here reared and educated. His parents died when he was eighteen years of age, and the responsibility of rearing and edneating his younger brothers and sisters devolved upon him and his elder brother, which duty they performed in an exemplary manner. Our subject was married April 21, 1836. to Miss Mary B .. daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Stanford, who were among the pioneers of the county. They. are the parents of seven children: James M., born October 18, 1837; Mar- garet E., born June 24. 1840; Francis M., born April 13, 1846; John II .. born March 3. 1850; Joel T., born October 26, 1852: Mary O., born July 20, 1855: and Laura A., born December 17, 1859. When quite a young man he was disabled with rheumatism and was obliged to sell his farm and engage in some other occupation, so he purchased a carding machine and moved to Spencerburg in 1845, where he operated with marked success until 1852, when he engaged in the mercantile business until 1877, when he retired from active business, Mr. Weatherford is a man of the broadest experience, and by honest and upright dealings with his patrons he has won the confidence and respect of the entire community. He is a man of strong temperance principles, and never since a child has he tasted ardent spirits. Mr. Weatherford and wife have been members of the Baptist Church for many years. Ile is also a member of the A. F. & A. M.
James M. Weatherford, post-office Spencerburg, the oldest son of Joel M. and Mary B. Weatherford, born October 15, 1837, spent his youth in
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assisting his father in the store and attending school. When he was nine- teen years of age he married Miss Tabitha C. Tinker, February 27, 1856, daughter of Charles W. and Incetta C. Tinker. He early turned his atten- tion to stock dealing, which avocation he followed until 1966, when he en- gaged in farming, which he has since followed. Mr. and Mrs. Weatherford have had two children: Charles M. and William T. His wife died Febru- ary 24, 1×78; he was again married May 3, 1874, to Miss Emily Thompson. By this union they have four children: Annie D., Lena, Emma, and Ilarry L. Mr. Weatherford has for a long time hell the office of township constable, and is also deputy sheriff.
John HI. Weatherford. merchant, Spencerburg, was born in Pike county. Missouri. March 3. 1.850, and is the third son of Joel M. and Mary B. Weatherford. His youth was spent in assisting his father in the store and attending school. By strict attention to his studies he obtained a superior education, which fitted him to teach school. which occupation he followed for a time. Hle has traveled, selling goods for a woolen manufacturing company, in which occupation he met with good success. In 1878 he opened a drug store at Spencerburg, which he run alone for two years, at the end of which time he took a partner. Dr. F. M. Wicks. In 1880 he sold out to his partner and opened a store of general inerchan- dise. where he is meeting with good success. By honest and upright dealings he has won the respect and confidence of the entire comme :- nity. He was married March 20, 1879, to Miss Clara B. James, of Ralls county, a lady of rare refinement and superior education, and a leading member in society. By this union they had one child, Luke, who was born April 24, 1882, and died September 10, 1852. Mrs. Weath- erford died September 10, 18-2. She was a member of the Christian Church. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and also a member of the A. F. & A. M., Frankford Lodge No. 193.
Nathan Wheeler farmer, post-office Spencerburg, was born in Wilson county. Tennessee. January 17, 1817. where he was reared and educated. Jn 1837 he immigrated to Pike county, Missouri, where he has since fol- lowed the avocation of farming and stock-raising. He was married Decem- ber 27, 1540, to Miss Margaret Brice, a native of Kentucky, but who came to Pike county when she was a child. By this union were born ten chil- dren. nine of whom are still living: Catharine H., John H., Elizabeth .I., Minerva B., Sammel D .. Mary L., James F., Nathan D., and Romico L. Mrs. Wheeler is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
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L. J. Williamson, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Curryville. Among the enterprising and successful young men of Spencer township: who are deserving of notice in this history is the subject of our sketch. who is a native of Pickaway county, Ohio. He was born December 8, 1852, and is the son of William Williamson. Our subject's early life was spent in working on his father's farm and attending school. When he was six- teen years of age his parents came to Pike county, Missouri, settling in Indian: township, where his father still resides. Mr. Williamson lived at home with: his parents until he arrived at the age of maturity, since which time he has been engaged in farming and dealing in stock on his own account with good success. He moved ou his farm in ISS1, where he has one of the best residences in his neighborhood, a two-story frame, built in modern style, and furnished with good taste. He has a good barn and other ont-build- ings, everything about the farm showing the enterprise of its owner. Ile was married April 4, 1830, to Miss Mollie Marzolf, of this county, a young lady of culture and refinement, daughter of William Marzolf, one of the pioneers of this county. Mr. Williamson, though a young man, has gained a good position in society, both financially and socially, and is numbered among the best citizens of Spencer township.
T. R. Wilson, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Curryville, was born in Harrison county, West Virginia, September 22, 180S. He came to Pike county. Missouri. in 1528, where he engaged in teaching school, which oc- eupation he followed for nine years. He was married August 25, 1837, to Miss Rebecca A., daughter of William and Margaret Reading. They have eleven children, of whom five still survive: Margaret Elizabeth, Susan, John J., Nancy J., and Charles F. Our subject purchased a farm in But- falo township, where he lived about two years. He then sold out and went to Clark county, where he engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed for seven years, after which he turned his attention to farming, which he followed in that county for several years, but sold out and re- turned to Pike county, where he purchased his present farm. Mr. Wilson is a member of the I. O. O. F. His wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Harvey Wilson, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Curryville, was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, February 13, 1822. When he was but two years of age his parent- immigrated to Pike county and settled on what is now known as the old Wilson farm, near Bowling Green; here our subject was reared and educated. In his early life he was considered the champion hunter of the county. When the mining excitement first prevailed he went
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to the gold fields of California, where he remained for three years, inceting with good success as a miner. In 1833-he returned to Pike county and en- waged in the stock business, which he followed until 1857, when his father died, leaving our subject and his brother to settle up the estate, which took a portion of his time for the next three years. He was married May 22, 1859, to Miss Mary E. Braustetter, of Pike county. By this union there were five children, two now living: Eva and Edd (George, Victoria, and Walker, deceased). Mr. Wilson purchased the farin he new lives on in the fall of 1859; it contains 200 acres of good land, of which 150 acres are under a high state of cultivation. The balance is woodland pasture.
Daniel W. Wright, farmer and stock-dealer, post-office Curryville. Among those who were born and reared in Pike county, probably there are none who are better known than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Peno township, April 22, 1850, the son of John and Rebecca Wright, who were among the pioneers of the county. His father died when he was an infant, and when he was Int three years of age his mother died, thus at a very early age he was left an orphan. He found a home with his uncle Jo MeCane, who reared and educated him until he was eighteen years of age, when he went to Magee College, where he remained for three years. He then purchased the drug store at Curryville, where he remained for one year, then sold out and went to Frankford, where he engaged in the same business for three years more; selling out he engaged in the stock business. for which he had a natural talent, and which business he has since followed. He has excellent judgment on stock, and is considered one of the best stock men in the county. He is the owner of 1,100 acres of fine land, which makes a range for his stock, and enough under cultivation to raise his grain and hay. Mr. W. is a genial gentleman and a bachelor.
H. C. Wright, Curryville, was born in Pike county January 29. 1846, where he was reared and educated. Both his parents died when he was a child. He was married December 16, 1866, to Miss Annie J. Jones, of Pike county. They have seven children: Carson, Lucretia, Leonora, Waite, Orion B., Lorena, and Anna. Mr. W. has a fine farm of 480 acres of good land under a high state of cultivation, where he raises large quan- tities of blooded cattle and a great many mnles. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M., Pike Lodge No. 399.
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