USA > Missouri > Pike County > The history of Pike County, Missouri : an encyclopedia of useful information, and a compendium of actual facts > Part 9
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zens of Pike county have great reason to be proud. Although Mr. Wirick commenced business in meager circumstances he has by judicions manage- meut, as well as purchases, accumulated a considerable amount of property, and has at the same time proved himself a great public benefactor. In 1871 he was married to Miss Mary J., the only daughter of L. M. Smith of Clarksville, a lady possessed of many accomplishments and womanly quali- ties. Mr. Wiriek is a quiet, nnassuming man, honorable in his dealings, and is warmly esteemed by all who know him.
PAYNESVILLE.
Capt. John W. Bankhead. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is a native of Albemarle county, Virginia. He was born at Monti- cello, the home of his great-grandfather, Thomas Jefferson, on the 1st day of December, 1811. He is the son of Charles L. Bankhead and Ann Cary Randolph, whose father was Thomas Mann Randolph, once Governor of Virginia, and whose mother was Martha Jefferson, the oldest daughter of the "Sage of Monticello." Capt. Bankhead is the oldest great-grandchild of President Jefferson, and much of his early youth was spent at the home of his illustrious ancestor. The subject of our sketch was educated at the University of Virginia, which was founded by the efforts of Mr. Jefferson, and which as fully attests his wisdom as many of the other important pub- lic aets of his long official and useful life. Mr. Bankhead was married to Miss Elizabeth Christian, a lady of intelligence and culture, of New Kent county, Virginia, on November 3d, 1832. Four children have been born to them, Archie C., Cary R., Martha Jefferson, now Mrs. Norris; and Thomas Randolph Bankhead. The first three still survive and are all residents of Pike county. In the month of October, 1842, Captain Bankhead moved with his family to Pike county, Missouri, and settled on the farm in Cui- vre township which he still owns, and where for many years he followed the honorable avocation of a farmer. He succeeded in accumulating consider- able wealth, which was in part expended in the entertainment of his friends and the thorough and classical education of his children. Capt. Bankhead is a perfect specimen of physical manhood, a gentleman of fine powers of mind. and of great vivacity of spirit and disposition. He is particularly fond of field sports and devotes a part of every fall and spring to hunting and fish- ing. He is hospitable, kind, and considerate of the feelings of others, and hence has the respect and esteem of all who have the pleasure of his agree- able acquaintance. For almost thirty-five years both he and his wife have been consistent members of the Episcopal Church, to the advancement of
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whose interests he has devoted much thought and contributed great assist- ance. During the last thirteen years Mr. and Mrs. Bankhead have residled at Paynesville with their son, Dr. Cary R. Bankhead, who, with his estima- ble wife, have found their chief pleasure in making pleasant and happy the declining years of their dear and aged parents.
Judge Andrew Forgey (deceased). The subject of our sketch was one of the oldest and best known citizens of Pike county; was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, on the Sth day of November, 1799, but in early life removed with his parents to Bourbon county, Kentucky, where he attained his majority; in the fall of 1820 he came to Pike county, Missouri, and af- ter remaining abont thirteen months returned to Kentucky and remained for a period of two years, when he again removed to Missouri, leaving his Kentucky home on the 3d day of October, 1823, and settled on the farm at Paynesville where he resided during the remainder of his life. Judge Por- gey was first married to Mrs. Mary A. Lindsay, whose maiden name was Mary A. Gaines, September 3d, 1823, just one month previous to his departure for his new and distant western home. With his wife he continued, in the language of his own diary, to live contentedly and happily for a period of over forty seven years. From this union were three children, all sons: William A., John E., and Thomas J. Forgey, all of whom still survive. Two of them still live in the township where their father so long resided, and the other, T. J., has for several years been actively engaged in business in the city of St. Louis. Having lost his wife, in July, 1570, Judge For- gey was subsequently married to Mrs. Margaret Stone, whose maiden name was Margaret Philips, a daughter of Judge Gabriel Philips, of Pike county. Mrs. Forgey still resides on the premises which were left her by her affec- tionate and considerate hosband. As early as 1838 Mr. Forgey received the appointment of magistrate, which position he held during a term of two years, and in 1842 he was elected judge of the county courts for four years and was afterwards twice re-elected with increasing majorities, thus holding the important position for a period of twelve years, when he refused the use of his naine as a candidate, although pressed by many friends to again accept their proffered suffrages. After his official service he retired to his farm, though he continued merchandising, in which business he had been engaged for many years, until about the year 1868. In 1861 he met with a heavy loss by fire, losing his store-house and goods to the amount of ten thousand dollars. Judge Forgey was a man of powerful physical con- stitution, of prompt and ready action. of great prudence and personal and moral courage, and these qualities well fitted him for the ardnous duties of
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a frontiersman, while his industrons and temperate habits, together with his systematic economy, contributed very largely in the accumulation of the large means he was afterwards able to control. As may be inferred from the above Judge Forgey was strictly a self-made man, with limited common school education. He was enabled, by the exercise of a sound and consum- mate judgment, to fill places of trust and responsibility. Without assist- ance he was enabled, by his own persistence and self-reliance, to carve his own fortune out of his surroundings. Judge Forgey became a member of the M. E. Church on the 11th of October, 1818, and was, for a period of al- most sixty-four years, and until his death, an exemplary and consistent member. He died June 7, 1882, monrned by his own family as a tender and generous husband and a kind and affectionate father, and by the peo. ple of the village, the township, and the county, as an upright and enter- prising citizen, a conscientious and dignified Christian gentleman, and as a generous and cheerful contributor to every deserving enterprise; gave freely of his own personal means to every object deserving assistance and to every deserving object of charity. To furnish a school for the education of the children of the community he contributed liberally to the building of the Forgey Seminary, which, from his liberality took his name. He gave freely to all church enterprises, and few houses of worship have been erected within a large area of Pike county to which he has not largely contributed. Un- biased and courteous in his treatment of his fellow men, upright and con- scientions in the discharge of every duty, Judge Forgey- always received and maintained the confidence and esteem of all who knew him, and when he passed away he left behind a memory fragrant with the esteem of the entire community.
Judge John E. Forgey, Paynesville, is the second son of Judge An- drew Forgey. He was born in Pike county, Missouri, on the 15th day of October, 3827, and was here reared and educated. After completing his edu- cation he engaged in teaching school for a time, after which he went into the milling business for a short period; he then turned his attention to the mer- cantile business in company with his father, which avocation he followed until 1857; then he turned his attention to farming, which he followed exclui- sively for three years, when he again associated himself in the mercantile business with his father at Paynesville, which he continued in connection with his farming pursuits until 1868. In 1861 they had the misfortune to lose by fire their store-honse and goods to the amount of ten thousand dol- lars. In 1868 he retired from the business and returned to his farm and attending to public business. He commenced public life when very young,
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being elected to the office of justice of the peace in 1855, which office he held for seven years, being re-elected in 1859. In 1862 he resigned on ac- count of the stringent oath which he refused to take. He was a director of the public roads for many years. He was a candidate before the conven- tion of 1871 for the office of county collector but was defeated. Not being discouraged he again allowed his name to be used for the office of judge of the county courts. but was again defeated in 1875. In 1871 he was appointed by Governor Brown to the position of notary public, and in 1875 was re- appointed by Gov. Hardin, and in 1879 he was again reappointed by Gov. Phelps, each term for four years, which office he has faithfully filled. He has settled more estates for deceased neighbors, propably, than any man in the county. In the fall of 1882 he was elected by a large majority to the office of judge at large of the county courts, although the ticket was closely contested. He was married, February 27, 1851, to Miss Susanna Glass- cock, a native of Fauquier county, Virginia, a lady of rare refinement and culture, and a leading member of society, loved and honored by all who know her. They are the parents of three children: Mollie Lina, who lived only about four months, and two sons, Edwin Marvin and Arthur, He and his wife have been active members of the M. E. Church for more than twenty-seven years. He was elected recording steward in 1862, which office he has since held. He has a fine residence at Paynesville and a farm of 380 acres of good land under a high state of cultivation. Judge Forgey is a genial, hospitable gentleman, who has a kind word for all. By honest and upright dealings he has won the confidence of the entire community.
Henry H. Ganding, harness manufacturer, Paynesville, was born in St. Louis county, Missouri. June 14, 1855, where he was reared and educated. He went to learn the harness trade in 1871, serving four years as an ap- prentice, and then worked as a journeyman for seven years. In the summer of 1882 he came to Paynesville and opened a shop, where he is engaged in the manufacture of harness and does a thriving business. He was mar- ried, March 19, 1880, to Miss Anna Fielder, daughter of John Fielder of Clarksville, and granddaughter of the venerable George Fielder who was one of the pioneers of the county. By this union they have one child, Carrie E. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and his wife is a mem- ber of the Christian Church.
Jacob B. Garner, Paynesville, blacksmith. The subject of this brief sketch was born in Lancaster county, Penn., on the 6th day of November, 1833, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Garner, who were natives of Pennsyl- vania. He was reared in Maytown, Pennsylvania, and received a limited
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education in the common schools of the county. At the age of twenty years he went into the Alleghany Mountains and engaged in bridge building for one year; then engaged in steamboating on the Ohio River, which he foi- lowed for five years. He then went to Pittsfield, Illinois, where he worked at blacksinithing for six years, after which he came to Pike county, Mis- souri, locating at Clarksville where he followed his trade for two years; he then came to Paynesville where he has since resided, and where he carries on a thriving business. He was married in March, 1860, to Mrs. Mary Wil- liamson, of St. Louis county, Missouri. They have eight children: Charles A., Louis W., Harry B., Clarence, Ernest, Mattie E., Lucy E., and Byron. Mr. Garner and his wife are members of the Christian Church.
John P. Gass, principal of the Paynesville Academy, was born in Au- drain county, Missouri, August 1, 1848. He received his education in the schools of the county and at Monroe City, and finished his course at the Kirksville State Normal School. He commenced teaching, in 1871, in the public schools of Audrain county, and afterwards was appointed principal of the high school at Mexico, and one year he taught in Sedalia. In 1879 he took charge of the Paynesville Academy, where he has since been en- gaged, meeting with remarkably good success. He was married, April 22, 1875, to Miss Emma W. Shell, a native of Andrain county. They have two children, Edna and Johnnie. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., also of the Baptist Church. His wife is a member of the M. E. Church South.
John R. Guy, merchant, Paynesville. Among the old settlers who have made their home in Calumet township for more than half a century, is the sub- ject of this sketch. He was born in Jessamine county, Kentucky, December 3, 1815; is a son of Robert and Elizabeth Guy, who immigrated to Pike county. Missouri, in the year 1817, when our subject was less than two years of age. He was here reared on a farm and educated in the subscription schools, and although many of the instructors were possessed of inferior education, our subject by hard study in his leisure hours acquired a thorough knowledge of the English branches, and by observation has acquired a good practical education. He resided with his parents until he was nineteen years of age, when he went to the lead mines of Wisconsin, where he remained for four years. Here be practiced strict economy and was able to save a great por- tion of his earnings, and when he returned to Pike county in 1837 he had enough means to purchase 250 acres of unimproved land, which by hard work he improved in a manner that enabled him to sell at a large ad- vance in price. After this he purchased a large tract of 1,000 acres of un- improved land, from which he has accumulated the large means he is now
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able to control. In 1972 he engaged in the mercantile business at Paynes- ville with his son James E., where he has since been engaged in connection with his former pursuits. Mr. Guy was first married, February 1, 1837, to Miss Lucy A. Dameron, a native of Virginia. By this union were born five children, four of whom still survive: Susanna, William Me., James E., and John W. Robert, the oldest, died Angust 1, 1850, and Mrs. Lucy Guy, the wife of our subject, died December 1, 1850. He was again mar- ried, June 3, 1852, to Miss Elizabeth Richards, a native of Nelson county, Virginia. By this union they had one child, who died in infancy. He and his wife are consistent members of the Christian Church, and in 1853 he was ordained elder of the church, which office he has since held with honor to himself and the church.
John W. Juett, Paynesville, was born in Pike county, Missouri, February, 1839; a son of John and Phebe Jnett, who were natives of Kentucky, and came to Pike county at an early day. He was reared on a farm and edu- cated in the common schools at Paynesville. He was married December 24, 1862, to Miss Mary E. Squires of this county. Our subject commenced the study of dentistry with Dr. MeCuen of Louisiana, in 1859, remaining with him for one year, when he commenced practicing and followed the pro- fession for seven years, and then turned his attention to farming, which he followed exclusively for a period of ten years. In 1871 he went into the employ of the Gravel Road Company, where he has since been; and in 1881 he associated himself with J. A. Greene, and purchased the mill at Paynes- ville, which is doing a thriving business. He and his wife are the parents of four children, Anna May, Mary A., Walter H., and William D. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church.
Dr. Notley H. Laird. Dr. Laird was born in Ralls county, June 18, 1845, but while he was yet an infant his parents moved to Pike county, and here our subject was reared and received his early education in the common schools, after which he attended the high school at Milton, Illinois, spend- ing his vacations in teaching school. In 1870 he began the study of medi- cine with Dr. Herd Smith of Frankford, this county. He spent three years with Dr. Smith and took his first course of lectures the winter of 1572 and 1873, and gradnated at the Keokuk Medical College, and received his diploma in the spring of 1875. In the fall of 1875 he commenced practie- ing at his present location, where he has a large and successful practice. He was married December 1, 1881, to Miss Ida Hites of St. Louis. He is a member of the Masonic order and of the Baptist Church.
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Andrew Meloan, deceased, was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky; a son of Andrew and Jane Meloan, who were formerly from Pennsylvania. Our subject immigrated to Missouri in the year 1829, and settled in Paynesville, where he continued to live the remainder of his life. He was married to Miss Mary Long of Kentucky. They were the parents of eight children, six sons and two daughters, all of whom lived to be grown men and women; viz., Joseph, Perry and John (twins), Edgar, Jane and Thomas, Caroline and Elizabeth. Mr. Meloan departed this life in 184-, and his wife followed him in 1852. They were members of the Christian Church.
Joseph Meloan. Mr. Meloan was born in Montgomery county, Ken- tucky, on the 27th day of December, 1817. He came to Missouri in 1829, when but twelve years of age and after attending the common country schools for a short time, while yet on the farm, he entered the store of Dr. J. II. Hughes, where he continued to act as clerk for two or three years when, having attained his majority, he went to the lead mines of Wisconsin. Here he remained for less than a year when he again returned to Pike county and resumed the avocation of a clerk, this time entering the store of Judge Andrew Forgey, where he continued to do business to the entire satisfaction of his employer, until he entered the mercantile business on his own account. This business Mr. Meloan continued until his death, which occurred at Paynesville, always his home, on December 11, 1872. Mr. Meloan was thrice married, first to Mahala Clark in June, 1843. From this union there was but one child, William, now a minister of the Christ- ian Church, and located in the state of California. Mr. Meloan was again married to Susan Patton, in December, 1850. To them two children were born. In 1853 he was married the third time to Margaret Patton, who still survives. From this last union there were five children. Mr. Meloan was a man of great energy and perseverance, and at the same time possesed of wonderful probity and uprightness of character. He wronged no man and was above the suspicion of all who knew him; his word was his bond, given with deliberation but readily accepted by every one. He joined the Christian Church when a mere boy, and during a long and eventful carcer, he lived a Christian life and died at last with the Christian's faith and hope. It can be safely said that no man ever lived in Pike county who did more good and Jess evil than the subject of our sketch, or whose memory is more sacredly cherished by those whose long and intimate acquaintance gave them a thorough knowledge of the life and character of the man.
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Francis W. Patton, merchant, Paynesville. Among the prominent bus- iness men of Pike county, there are none more worthy of notice, in history, than the subject of our sketch, third son of Thomas D. and Julia A. Pat- ton. IIe was born in Pike county, on the 21st day of April, 1842; his youth was spent in assisting his father on the farm and attending school until he was seventeen years of age, when he was employed as clerk in the store of Joseph Meloan, a prominent merchant in Paynesville, in whose employ he remained until 1863-where by striet attention to his pursuits he acquired a thorough knowledge of the business. At that time he embarked in the same business for himself, which he carried on with marked success for a period of one year, when his brother J. H. Patton became associated with him and the firm was long known as Patton Brothers. In connection with their mercantile business they dealt largely in live stock, and by close attention to business and careful management they have steadily added to their accumulations umtil they have now orer 1,700 acres of valuable land. Messrs. Patton continued in the mercantile business until 1867, when they sold ont and our subject turned his attention to farming, which he followed exclusively for three years, after which time he moved his family back to Paynesville and again engaged in merchandising, which business in connec- tion with his farming pursuits he has since followed. Mr. Patton was united in marriage December 24, 1867, to Miss Bettie, oldest daughter of Wm. A. and Nancy A. Forgey, of this county, a lady of culture and refinement, and a lead- ing member in society. Their union has been blest with five children, four of whom still survive; viz., Willie F., Hendley K., Nannie, Emma, and Howard W. Mr. Patton was appointed notary public in 1873 by Governor Hardin, and has been twice reappointed, in 1877 and in 1881; was elected magistrate in ISTS for four years; he is a Master Mason, being a member of the Paynes- ville Lodge No. 499. Mr. Patton and his lady are ardent workers in the Christian Church, he having united with that organization in 1858. He is a generous, hospitable Christian gentlemen and among the foremost to lend his influence. or donate from his private funds, to any enterprise that will benefit the community in which he has lived since his birth. By honest and upright dealings be has won the confidence and respect of not only the people of his own village but the entire county.
M. P. Pryor, druggist, Paynesville. Among the prominent business men of Paynesville is the subject of this sketch, who was born in Pike county, November 14, 1856; a son of Thomas and Mary Pryor, who were natives of Virginia. Our subject was reared at Paynesville, his youth being spent in attending school until he was sixteen years of age, when he began
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eaching, which he followed for about four years. He then accepted a posi- tion with 1 .. M. Smith, as agent for the steamboat line that plied the Mis- sissippi River, where he remained one year. In ISTS he purchased the drug store at Paynesville, and by strict attention to business, and honest dealings with his patrons, he has won the confidence and respect of the entire com- munity. He does a flourishing business, is an enterprising gentleman, and among the foremost in any enterprise that will benefit the public. He was elected justice of the peace in 1882 by almost a nnanimons vote of the peo- ple. He was married September 19, 1578, to Miss Kate Eastin, of Pike county. They have two children, Herbert and Hettic. He is a member of , the M. E. Church, and holds the office of steward of the church. llis wife is a member of the Christian Church.
James 'T. Scott, M. D., Paynesville. Our subject was born in St. Charles county, Missouri, January 25, 1833. His early education was obtained in the common schools, and finished at Danville, Missouri, under the super- vision of the Rev. C. W. Prichett. He began the study of medicine in 1851, and attended lectures at the McDowell College and graduated in 1854; also, at the St. Louis Medical College, in 1876, taking his third degree, and soon after coming to Paynesville. where he has since lived. " He was married December 21, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Dammon, a native of Lincoln county, Missouri. By this union were born six children, of whom three still sur- vive: Mollie, Engenia, and Laforest. His wife died in 1868, and he was again married, to Mrs. Malvina Thurnett, a native of Calvert county, Mary- land. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
John W. Turpin, deceased, was born in Bedford county, Virginia, No- vember 25, 1815, where he grew to manhood. In 1847 he immigrated to Missouri, and settled in Pike county. He was married December 28, 1837. to Miss Mildred A. Mosby, of Bedford county, Virginia. They were the parents of three children, all of whom still survive: Anna J., Woodson P., and John P. Mr. Turpin and wife were members of the Mission Baptist Church. His death occurred September 7, 1860, and January 5, 1861, fol- lowing, his wife died.
John P. Turpin was born in Bedford county, Virginia, November 4. 1846, and when abont a year old his parents came to Pike county, where he was reared and educated. When he was only thirteen years of age his par- ents died, and he was thrown upon his own resources. He was married December 24, 1871 to Miss Adda Bell, a native of Pike county. They are the parents of two children, Loa Boll and Leinuel. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife is a member of the Christian Church.
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