USA > Oklahoma > Portrait and biographical record of Oklahoma; commemorating the achievements of citizens who have contributed to the progress of Oklahoma and the development of its resources, V. 2 > Part 51
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D IAS ANCROM SHRIVER. Few more desirable homesteads in Oklahoma county are to be found than that owned by the subject of this narrative. He has dwelt here only five years, but has become well known and thoroughly respected, and by well-directed en- ergy is accumulating a snug fortune. His record is above reproach, and to his posterity he will leave the heritage of a blameless name.
Mr. Shriver is a worthy representative of the old South, his ancestors having been inhabitants of Virginia for several generations. His paternal grandfather, his father, Baswell G. Shriver, and himself were natives of Monongalia county, Va. (now W. Va.), and his mother, Mary A., and her father, James Wise, also were born in the Old Dominion, though the latter had a strain of New England blood in his veins. As a matter of course, they were adherents of the Democratic faith, and had strong convictions on the "state's rights" question. B. G. Shriver removed to Mis- souri with his family in 1864, and, buying a farm in Scotland county, was actively occupied in its cultivation for a period of thirty-three years. Three years ago he and his estimable wife came to Oklahoma. Though he is advanced in years, he is so hale and well that he really enjoys taking
part in the actual development of this new coun- try.
The birth of D. A. Shriver occurred March 4. 1859, and he was five years old when he accom- panied the family to Scotland county, Mo. There he grew to manhood, and chose for his life's companion Miss Martha J. Baker, daughter of Franklin and Rosanna (Sodorus) Baker, who were natives of Ohio. Five children blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Shriver, but one of the number departed this life in infancy. The others, Hugh H., Beulah J., Arthur G. and Eliza V., are yet with their parents, and are great assistants in the general and varied work of the home- stead.
The early years of his married life our subject passed in Scotland county, Mo., where he carried on a farm and made a good livelihood for his family. He was succeeding so well that he had small disposition to join the great multitudes rushing, like a mighty flood, into their land of promise, at its opening, and it was not until af- fairs here had settled into a quiet routine that he determined to cast in his lot with these energetic people. In January, 1895, he bought the prop- erty which he has since owned and managed. It is located on section 25, Council Grove town- ship, and is doubly valuable because it is but a mile and a half from the limits of Oklahoma City. The commodious house is situated beau- tifully upon an eminence, commanding a fine view of the surrounding country. Good barns, fences, an orchard and excellent water render this an extremely desirable place, and the land, which is slightly rolling, is fertile and highly productive. Every comfort of the modern, pro- gressive farmer thus is enjoyed by the house- hold of Mr. Shriver, and, in addition to the general farming and stock-raising carried on by him, he owns a threshing machine, and does the greater part of the threshing done in this locality each year. Unquestionably he is a man of enter- prise and keen business talent, and, though often urged by his friends and neighbors to allow his name to appear as a candidate for different of- fices, he has declined, preferring to devote his entire time to the manifold duties already resting upon his shoulders. He is connected with the Methodist Church, and, with the other members of his family, has a high standard of conduct toward his fellow-men.
W. C. MYERS, junior member of the firm of Myers & Son, of Perry, is one of the best-known citizens of Noble county, and, wherever known, is esteemed. He is a na- tive of Clermont county, Ohio, and is in the prime of carly manhood, as his birth occurred February 5, 1870. He is a son of Lewis and
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Sarah (Metzger) Myers, who were engaged in carrying on a farm in the Buckeye state until ISSo, when they removed to Winfield, Kans. For two years the father conducted a farm in that vicinity, then selling the place and leasing farms in the neighborhood for several years. He then became a citizen of Winfield, and devoted his at- tention to the management of a livery business there from 1887 until Oklahoma was opened. Going to Guthrie, Mr. Myers secured three lots, which he subsequently sold at a good price. He returned to Winfield, and, in his stead, our sub- ject came to the territory, believing that he would have better opportunities for advancement here.
Settling in Stillwater, Payne county, in the fall of 1889, W. C. Myers laid claim to some lots, and then proceeded to embark in business, run- ning a stage line to Wharton, himself driving a coach, and having charge of government mails. He then took the contract for delivering mail to Orlando, Logan county, being the first one to ·establish a regular route to that point, and for nine years he continued this enterprise. He was one of the first business men of Stillwater, where he had a livery, of which his father is the present manager, and he also maintained a livery at Or- lando until two years ago. When he disposed of that business he opened a similar establishment at Perry, and is in charge of the same. The firm of Myers & Son owns the two liveries at Still- water and Perry, and both branches are flourish- ing financially. W. C. Myers developed excel- lent business ability at an early age, and has steadily grown in the regard of his fellow-citi- zens.
An important step in the life of Mr. Myers was his marriage June 26, 1892, to Miss Stella Nich- olas, of Stillwater. She is a daughter of C. K. and Prudence (Copeland) Nicholas, and is a na- tive of Kansas. Two children bless their union, Hershel, who was born in Stillwater, and Ruth, whose birth occurred in Orlando.
Fraternally Mr. Myers is associated with the Modern Woodmen of America, and is a member of Perry Lodge No. 9, K. of P. In his political faith he is a strong believer in the platform of the Republican party, and in 1900 cast his ballot for William Mckinley.
R OBERT I. BOYINGTON. Not without justice, Mr. Boyington is conceded to hold an enviable position among the farmers of Garfield county. The place which he owns and occupies comprises the southwest quarter of section 11, Hobart township, which he acquired at the opening of the strip. September 16, 1803. On this farm he is engaged in stock-raising and general farming, having eighty acres under the
plow, and raising wheat and the other cereals to which the soil is adapted. In addition to the management of his stock and crops, he gives considerable attention to his vineyard and or- chard, both of which are in bearing condition and bid fair to become valuable accessories to the farm.
In reviewing the ancestry of the Boyington family, we find that the great-great-grandfather of Mr. Boyington came from England before the Revolutionary war and settled near Boston, Mass. Some members of his family participated in the war, and one of them, a resident of South Carolina, was a Tory, who supported the British cause. All were agriculturists. Andrew Boy- ington, the grandfather of Robert I., was born in Vermont. The father, David D. Boyington, also a native of Vermont, removed in early manhood to the western part of New York, and there married Belinda G. Jackson, in 1831. In 1848 he removed to Jefferson county, near the oil regions of Pennsylvania, and cleared a farm from the dense forests, becoming, after some years, a prosperous and successful farmer. Though he had learned the trades of tanner and shoemaker, his later years were devoted largely to agricultural pursuits. A man of deep reli- gious nature, he was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and established many Sunday-schools in his locality when it was a new and undeveloped country. By his earnest Christian spirit and work, he gained an enviable reputation throughout his section of the state. At the time of his death he was eighty-nine years, of age.
The family of David D. and Belinda G. Boy- ington consisted of ten children, as follows: Lyman J., of Osawatomie, Kans .; Maria, widow of W. M. Lang, of Ligonier, Pa .; Rob- ert I., of this sketch; Myron L., who enlisted in Company K, Eleventh Pennsylvania Infan- try, and lost his life in the battle of Gaines' Mill; Araminta V., wife of Rev. William Linsenbigler ; Persis P .; David D., Jr., of Marshall county. Iowa; Eveline, wife of Lewis Postlethwart. of Jefferson county, Pa .; Carrie, who married James Shields, of Brockway, Pa .; and Andrew A., of Randolph county, Ill. Mrs. Belinda Boy- ington died in Pennsylvania at the age of eighty- two years. She was a daughter of Andrew Jack- son, who was one of the most extensive farmers of his day in Allegany county, N. Y., and the family homestead is known as Jackson Hill to this day.
Boru in Olean, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., in 1836, Robert I. Boyington spent the first twelve years of his life at and near Olean, N. Y .. after which he accompanied his parents to Jef- ferson county. Pa. His education was carried on in the public schools of Jefferson and Arm-
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· strong counties, supplemented by academic courses. At the opening of the Civil war he was engaged in teaching school, but he at once left the schoolroom and enlisted, October 5, 1861, as a private in Company I, One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Infantry. July 14, 1862, he was appointed sergeant-major; February 6, 1863, became second lieutenant; and June 7, 1863, was promoted to be first lieutenant. At the battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, he was wounded by a minie ball that crushed the bone just above the left knee, and the injury was so serious as to necessitate his retirement from the service. Gettysburg was the thirteenth battle in which he had participated, his previous im- portant engagements having been those of Wil- liamsburg, Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, Glendale, second battle of Bull Run, Fredericksburg. Chancellorsville and Chantilla. At Malvern Hill he was detailed to provost duty and placed in charge of General Robinson's baggage. He was the only commissioned officer left in his company, which he commanded from the date of his first commission until he was wounded. By special order, he was mustered out at Little York, Pa., November 10, 1863, and about the same time was removed from the hospital al Get- tysburgto that at Little York, where he remained until March 5, 1864, and was then discharged. However, he did not fully recover from his in- juries until the fall of 1865, and has never been able since to walk far without the aid of a cane.
Returning to civic pursuits, in 1864 Mr. Boy- ington embarked in merchandising and lumber- ing at Langville, Pa., where he remained for four years. Removing from that place to Knoxdale, Jefferson county, he embarked in the same lines of business. In 1873 he sold out there and moved to Steam Corners, Morrow county, Ohio, where he purchased a saw and planing mill and carried on a lumber business for six years. In 1879 he bought a farm near Pulaskiville, Mor- row county, and gave his attention to its culti- vation until 1884, when he moved to Washing- ton county, Kans., and purchased farm prop- erty. There he remained until the opening of the Cherokee strip in 1893. At that time he came to Kingfisher to visit a daughter and wit- ness the race. However, he, too, fell a victim to the prevailing fever and determined to make the run. At noon, September 16, 1893, he started on horseback from South Line, near Hennessey, and, after riding thirty-one miles, staked out his present land about 3:30 in the afternoon, he being among the first to secure a claim in this locality. After filing his claim, he returned to his family in Kansas, whom he brought to their new home in March, 1804. In the spring of that year he built a. house, which was one of the first frame dwellings
erected in the vicinity. Since then he has given his attention to the cultivation of his land. Each year witnesses the introduction of valuable ini- provements, which enhance the worth of the farm.
Politically Mr. Boyington has always taken an active part in the Republican party, whose principles he supports. During his residence in Pennsylvania he was nominated for county treasurer, and since coming to Oklahoma he has served for two terms as justice of the peace. In 1898 he was elected county commissioner and is now serving in that capacity. He was elected the first director of the school board and assisted in organizing district No. 36. Fraternally he is connected with Lodge No. 41, A. F. & A. M., at Alvaretta, Okla .; George A. Custer Post, G. A. R., also at Alvaretta; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is past grand; and has also been a prominent member of the Grange. In the capacity of deputy or- ganizer, he organized twenty-eight Farmers' Al- liances or Industrial Unions, but when it became a political order, known as the Populists, he withdrew his membership from the organization. He and his wife have been active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church ever since they were married, but since they came to Oklahoma they have been associated with the Congrega- tional Church. Mr. Boyington was one of the originators and builders of the Northwestern Academy, at Carrier, Garfield county, Okla., where he yet lives.
October 23, 1861, occurred the marriage of Mr. Boyington to Mary K., daughter of Robert McFarland, of Ringgold, Pa. They are the par- ents of five children, namely: Elmer I., who re- sides at Grand Junction, Colo .; Mary E., wife of Henry C. George, of Colorado; Belle E., a graduate of the Keokuk (Iowa) Medical College, and now the wife of Oscar N. Thompson, M. D., of Lock Springs, Mo .; Kate S. and Charles A .. who are with their parents.
Four days after Mr. Boyington received his wound at Gettysburg, his young wife (to whom he was married just before his enlistment) joined him on the battlefield, in the field hos- pital, and dressed his wounds, caring for him constantly until he could be removed, on a bed, to his home the following March. All of her spare time, after attending to his wants, was devoted to caring for and dressing the wounds of other wounded soldiers, very many of whom suffered greatly at first for that attention they so. much needed, but which, for want of neces- sary help, could not be given. Among the in- teresting experiences of his army career was one connected with the second battle of Buli Run, where he served as sergeant-major of his regiment. A squad of men of the Eighty-
R. C. RIDLEY, M. D., Neal.
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seventh New York (among them the since noted Grand Army orator, "Corporal James Tanner") was placed temporarily under his command, and while they were lying on the ground, side by side, the corporal had both his feet torn off by a bursting shell. Sergeant-Major Boyington helped to remove him from the field. Twenty- four years afterward they met and became known to each other as comrades of that sad hour.
Mr. Boyington was never off duty one hour while in the service until wounded. He had the good-will and respect of his men and the con- fidence of his fellow-officers.
The record of his service, as given in the his- tory of his regiment, is one of which any man might well be proud.
R OBERT COURTS RIDLEY, M. D. The profession of medicine at Neal, Pottawat- omie county, is materially augmented by the skill and erudition of Dr. Ridley, who, though practically a newcomer, is receiving the extended patronage and appreciation due his painstaking and conscientious methods. In addi- tion to his, practice he has mercantile interests, and also acts as postmaster at Neal.
The Ridley family have distinguished them- selves in their various vocations, and in uphold- ing the honor of their country have fought with courage and distinction. The paternal great- grandfather, George Ridley, was a captain under George Washington during the Revolutionary war, and his son, James, the grandfather of Dr. Ridley, was a commissary under Jackson during the war of 1812. A native of Rutherford county, Tenn., Dr. Ridley was born June 7, 1844, and is a son of James and Hannah H. (Williams) Ridley, natives, respectively, of East Tennessee and North Carolina. Mrs. Ridley was a niece of Daniel Courts, for many years supreme judge of North Carolina. When quite young, R. C. Rid- ley went with his parents to Carroll county, where he practically became an orphan when about eleven years of age. Soon after he went to Callaway county, Ky., and engaged in the to- bacco business, beginning at the bottom and working up to a minute knowledge of every de- partment of the trade. When the war broke out he had attained to considerable prominence as a tobacco trader in southern Mississippi, his oper- ations being interfered with on account of the unsettled condition of the country.
The war record of Dr. Ridley is prolific of ad- venture and interest above the average. He first offered his services to his country by enlisting in Company A, Fourth Mississippi Infantry, under Captain Hale, and was at the siege of Fort
Henry, and at Fort Donelson received a scalp wound, and, upon being taken prisoner, was sent to Camp Morton, Indianapolis, Ind., for an eight months' respite. Upon being exchanged and rejoining the service he went to Vicksburg, and, with others, charged and captured a battery at Chickasaw Bayou, in December of 1862. Under the able leadership of Pemberton they were suc- cessful. During April, 1863, the company made a forced march of sixty miles to Fort Gibson in forty-eight hours, and at the end of their journey participated in a battle. May 7 they fought at Big Black, and fell back to Vicksburg May IS, at which time Dr. Ridley had charge of a squad, and was the last to enter the breastworks. After the surrender of Vicksburg he was paroled and went into parole camp at Enterprise, Miss., and, upon being exchanged, was assigned to various kinds of duty until the surrender of Johnston. April 30 he was among those who fought Sher- man at Rome, Ga., on the way to join Johnston's main army, and were under continual fire until July 5, 1864. Mr. Ridley was badly wounded through the right knee, and narrowly escaped bleeding to death on the battle-field. After this he spent three months in a hospital at LaGrange, and was then taken to Columbus, Ga., where he succeeded in getting a furlough. After a visit to a brother in southern Mississippi he rode on horseback from that point to Kentucky, his old home, and on the way was attacked by guerrilla bands. He returned to the original command at Mobile, Ala., March I, and April 9 was one of three hundred and seventy-two who, at Blake- ley, killed between three and four thousand ne- groes. They were finally overpowered by the su- perior force and taken to Ship Island and held until May I, when they were sent to Vicksburg and discharged.
After the restoration of peace Mr. Ridley re- sorted to the peaceful operation of farming for a few years, and then began to read medicine in 1868. His knowledge of the profession was dearly bought, for he had not the means to se- cure the requisite knowledge. While studying by himself he made his way by working for his brother-in-law in 1871-72. and in 1873 began to practice in Kentucky. His work, however, was purely gratuitous, for, not having a diploma, he was not allowed to charge for his services. In the pursuit of a more accommodating locality he removed to Texas county, Mo., but met with the same results, and not until he had reached Bax- ter county, Ark., did he succeed in making any headway. Here he practiced for four years, and in 1880 entered the Vanderbilt University, from which he was graduated in 1885, having prac- ticed medicine during the whole course at the university. In 1887 he was graduated from the Nashville University. In 1885 he had removed
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to Washington county, Ark., and remained there in active practice until the fall of 1897.
The doctor's first association with Oklahoma began in 1897, when he located in Dale, Potta- watomie county. In 1899 he removed to Belle- mont, and came to Neal November 26, 1900, which has since been his home. He was united in marriage, in Callaway county, Ky., December 20, 1866, with Louisa A. Coleman, who died in Texas county, Mo., March 25, 1876. December 31, 1876, Dr. Ridley married Nannie J. Gulledge, of Henry county, Tenn. Of the first union there is one child, now Mrs. Ella Courts Mooney, who lives at McLoud, Okla. The result of the second union is two children, William Robert and Charles A. In national politics Dr. Ridley is independent, and believes in voting for the man best qualified to fill the position.
Since coming to Neal Dr. Ridley has opened a mercantile business, taking as partners his two sons. In addition he has been appointed post- master. On previous occasions, under Harrison and Cleveland, he held two like commissions.
OHN H. ALLEN. It is doubtful if Mr. Allen could find a field prolific of greater possibilities along the lines of his chosen work than that provided him as superintendent of schools of Pottawatomie county. As an edu- cator of extended experience, and with com- prehensive and ever-broadening views as to the best means of disseminating knowledge, he has made a perceptible impression upon the practical intellectual development of the localities in which he has elected to reside. Among the many wise changes in the administration of edu- cational affairs in the territory, he instituted, as an inducement to the best efforts of the teach- ers under his direction, a system of issuing special certificates to those who have accom- plished especially meritorious work. The stand- ard has been raised to a plane occupied by the older centers of education in the east, and the promise of the future is revealed by the success of the present. From a half-dozen members, the reading circle has widened its influence and usefulness to fifty members, and, whereas in 1899 there were nine diplomas for the comple- tion of the common-school course issued. in 1900 there were thirty-three.
A native of Monroe county, Ky., Mr. Allen was born February 9, 1850, and is a son of Wil- liam M. and Lucy A. (Maynard) Allen. His carly life was turned from the anticipated groove by the death of his mother, which occurred when he was but six years of age. He soon after left his father's farm, and found employ- ment with Prof. C. W. Sewell, whose school he also attended for three terms. Subsequently
he went to Cumberland county, Ky., and at the age of nineteen had qualified for work as a teacher. As a means to the further acquisition of knowledge, he entered Burkesville College, where he remained for three years. In 1866 he had become identified with the Christian Church and for a time, after leaving school, preached in the pulpits of that church. In 1876 he re- moved to Collin county, Tex., where he com- bined his occupation of teaching with the duties of a clergyman, and for many years exerted a wide influence upon the moral and intellectual community in which he lived.
In 1891 Mr. Allen sought the larger possibil- ities of Oklahoma, and settled in Pottawatomie county, upon the southeast quarter of section 9, township 9, range 4 east, two and a half miles from Tecumseh. He here followed his previous occupation as a teacher for two terms, at Te- cumseh and Earlsboro. In 1893 he was ap- pointed deputy postmaster under John W. Moyle, and for two years assumed the responsi- bility of the affairs of the postoffice at Tecum- seh. In 1898 he was elected county superin- tendent of schools, and has since discharged the duties incident to this position in a manner creditable to himself and to the location which he seeks to benefit.
The marriage of Mr. Allen and Laura Cul- lom occurred in Tennessee in 1876. Mrs. Allen is a daughter of Gen. Alvan Cullom, who was quartermaster in the Mexican war, and she is also a grandniece of Senator Cullom, of Illinois. Of the six children born to this couple, William A. is principal of schools at Noble, Cleveland county, and married Laura Williams, the first graduate of the school of Lexington, Okla., and who is a teacher; Edwin C. is a student at the Philadelphia School of Pharmacy, class of 1901. The other children are Carl C., Ary Maynard, Laura Belle and Minnie May. At the present time Mr. Allen is the county president of the Inter-Denominational Sunday-school Associa- tion, which is the largest institution of the kind in the world, and he is a member of the terri- torial executive committee of the same organi- zation.
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D. B. JONES. One of the pioneers of Perry, has been actively interested in a number of local enterprises, and has contributed materially to the upbuilding of the place. In all of his varied business transactions he has been noted for absolute integrity and fairness, and his acquaintances, without exception, speak of him in high terms.
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