Bates County Biographies

 

BALLARD, Hon. J.N.
Spruce Township - Hon. J.N. Ballard, a native of Missouri, was born in Cooper County March 20, 1842. His parents were Newton and Sarah E. Ballard, nee Hutchinson, the former a native of Georgia, and his mother of Knox County, Tennessee. Newton Ballard was married in Tennessee, and moved from there to Missouri in 1836, when he located in Cooper County, among the first to settle there. J.N. spent his youth on a farm and was educated in the common schools. Early in 1863 he took a trip to Montana, where he embarked in the lumber business at Deer Lodge City, continuing it for five years. He married in Cooper County, January 8, 1868, Miss Josephine Stark, a daughter of Dryden Stark, of that county. Some time after he came to Bates County, where he bought land and improved his present farm. He has 600 acres, with 560 fenced, 160 acres of which are in pasture, and 400 acres in corn. There is a good residence and a fine orchard upon this place, which is located upon section 11. He is a thrifty farmer, and has his large farm all well fenced, and in good condition. He makes a specialty of handling and feeding stock for the market. Mr. Ballard is a Democrat in politics and is one of the best informed men, on the political issues of the day, in the county. He was appointed one of the county judges by Governor Hardin in 1876, and after serving two years, was elected to the same position, and acted in that capacity for four years. At the general election in 1880, the judge was elected representative of Bates County, and discharged the duties of that position with credit to himself and his constituents. Mr. and Mrs. Ballard have five children: Lewis B., Emmet S., Josephine, Jasper, and an infant son. Mrs. B. is a member of the M.E. Church, South. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BARKER, Commodore P.
Spruce Township - Commodore P. Barker is one of the leading merchants of Johnstown. He was born in Logan County, Kentucky. His father, C.P. Barker, was born in Virginia and served in the war of 1812. He died in Logan County, Kentucky in 1862. His mother's maiden name was Nancy M. Ragdale, a Kentuckian by birth. Commodore spent his youth in Logan County on a farm and received a common school education. He enlisted in the fall of 1861 in the Eighth Kentucky Cavalry and served for about thirteen months in the Union Army, participating in a number of engagements. After his discharge he returned to his home in Kentucky, and in the fall of 1866 he came to Missouri and located in Henry County, where he was engaged in farming for some three years. Mr. Barker was married there May 29, 1868, to Miss Isabelle Hull, a daughter of Thomas Hull, of Henry County. In 1869 he moved to Bates County, and after tilling the soil in Deepwater Township for about ten years, in June, 1879, he came to Johnstown and embarked in his present business. He has a well selected stock of general merchandise, has built up a good trade and is enjoying a successful patronage. Mr. and Mrs. Barker have three children: James Lee, Nancy S. and Charles. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BASKERVILLE, William
Deepwater Township - William Baskerville, a substantial farmer of the county, was born in Montgomery County, Virginia, May 20, 1828. His parents, William B. and Mary (Ferguson) Baskerville, were also Virginians by birth. In 1837, the family moved to Missouri, and first located in Cooper County, where they were among the pioneers. They resided there for about twelve years. William spent his youth on a farm and acquired a common school education. At the age of twenty-three he joined a merchant train in the capacity of teamster, and went to New Mexico. After driving for twelve months he was promoted to wagon-master, and in 1852 took a train through to California, where he arrived the following spring. He then returned to New Mexico and took a drove of 20,000 sheep through to California. Coming home in the fall of 1854, he spent the winter, and in the spring of 1855 made another trip to California, where he was taken sick. He was sick for about one year, and in the fall of 1856 he visited the West Indies, and from there came home by way of New Orleans, where he arrived late in the same year. Mr. B. then became engaged in the mercantile business with his father in Henry County, and continued this business until the breaking out of the war in 1861. From 1861 to 1865 he was occupied in farming. William B. Baskerville died February 3, 1882, at the age of ninety-two. Mr. B. was maried October 31, 1870, in Henry County, to Miss Mary Caldwell, daughter of James and Mary Caldwell. She is a native of Kentucky. They have five children: Benoni, Virginia, Martha, Judy, and Lucien M. Mr. Baskerville moved to his present farm, in section 25, in 1869. He has over 337 acres of land, nearly all fenced and in fair cultivation, with a good bearing orchard of apple and peach trees, and some small fruits. Mrs. B. is a member of the Presbyterian Church. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BATEMAN, Lorenzo
Charlotte Township - Lorenzo Bateman, farmer, section 32, was born in Logan County, Ohio, January 18, 1832, and was a son of William and Susan (Rowe) Bateman. His father was born near Louisville, Kentucky, in 1808, and while a young man went to Ohio, where his marriage occurred, his wife having been born in that state in 1812. About the year 1844, the family settled on the Fox River, in Illinois, and remained there until 1849, then going to Texas, where the mother soon after died. In 1853, the senior Bateman returned with his children to Illinois, where he resided until his death, in 1873. Lorenzo first started in life for himself as a farmer, and in February, 1861, he married Mrs. Caroline Fuller (whose maiden name was Stone), and at that time the widow of Charles Fuller. She was born in New Hampshire, September 12, 1834, her parents being Samuel and Deborah Stone. The former was born in 1801, and died in 1861, and her mother was born in 1806. They were married in 1822, and when Caroline was eight years old removed to Massachusetts, where she grew up, subsequently locating in Illinois. She is a sister of Captain George N. Stone, of Cincinnati, Ohio, the first purchaser of the celebrated trotter Maud S. During the late war Mr. Bateman served some three years in the Seventeenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. In the fall of 1866, he removed from Woodford County, Illinois, to this county and settled where he now resides. His farm consists of 200 acres of improved land. Mr. and Mrs. B. have three children: William W., Harper J., Guy L. There are living with them two young ladies: Lillie E. Fuller and Lizzie Sharp. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BEACH, E.R.
Mt. Pleasant Township - E.R. Beach, editor of the Bates County Republican, is a native of Fulton County, Illinois, and was born May 12, 1841. His father, Cyrus W. Beach, was a native of Massachusetts, and an extensive carriage manufacturer. The maiden name of his mother was Mary Sloan, born in New York. E.R. was principally reared in Bureau and Peoria Counties, Illinois, and educated at the Mosely High School of Chicago, Illinois. After leaving school he went to Tennessee and taught for one year, when he returned north. Soon after the war commenced he became connected with the quartermaster's department, and again went south. In 1863 he enlisted in the regular army, and was appointed first sergeant and placed on detached service in West Tennessee. In 1864 he was in the Sturgis raid and was captured at the battle of Guntown, June 11, 1864. He was taken to Andersonville, and confined until September 19, 1864, when he was exchanged at Atlanta, Georgia. While in prison he was an eye witness to the atrocities there perpetrated on the Federal prisoners, and of which "the half has never been told". After his exchange he was commissioned first lieutenant and adjutant, for meritorious services at Guntown, and owing to impaired health was again placed on detached service in West Tennessee, serving until mustered out on the first day of January, 1866. He then came north as far as St. Louis, still suffering from his confinement, and without application or solicitation on his part, he received the appointment of mail agent on the Indianapolis and St. Louis Railroad. The following year he received the appointment of local special agent of the post office department at St. Louis and confidential agent for that district. This position he resigned in 1869, and took a trip to Colorado, and for one year was engaged in mining and mine speculation. He then returned to St. Louis, and accepted a position of press reporter. He remained in St. Louis, connected with the papers on local and editorial work, until 1871, when he visited Philidelphia, and was employed on papers in that city until 1878, when he came west and worked on most of the Chicago papers as "paragrapher". Iin 1880 he moved to Sedalia, Missouri, and purchased the Sedalia Evening News, and published it during the presidential campaign of that year. Selling his interest he went on the Eagle and did editorial work a few months before coming to Butler, June 26, 1882. Since taking charge of the Republican he has largely increased both its subscription list and advertising patronage. Mr. Beach is a Republican in politics, with a large experience in political manners for a man of his years. He was married, December 12, 1871, to Miss Francis E. White, a native of Port Byron, New York. Their family consists of three children: Duane, Alice, and Chester. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BEEGLE, D.F.
Mt. Pleasant Township - D.F. Beegle, of the firm A.L. McBride & Co., dealers in groceries, hardware, tinware, stoves, etc., is a son of Solomon and Sarah (Shaffer) Beegle, natives of Pennsylvania, and was born in the same house as his father, in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1835. He was reared in his native county, and was educated there in seminaries and common schools. During his boyhood days he was engaged in clerking, and when eighteen he began the mercantile trade for himself. In 1859 he went to Atchison, Kansas, where he was occupied in clerking till June, 1861, when he returned to his native home. There he organized Company D, 101st Pennsylvania, and was mustered in as first lieutenant, remaining in service till April, 1865. He served on General Wessell's staff at Plymouth, South Carolina, and on April 20, 1864, he was captured and placed in the Libby Prison, subsequently being transferred to different prisons. He was released March 1, 1865. After being mustered out he returned to Bedford County, Pennsylvania, where he married May 10, 1865, to Miss Eliza J. Williams. Shortly afterward, the same year, he came west, locating at Pleasant Hill, Cass County, Missouri, where he was interested in the lumber business more or less for eight years. In the meantime he built the factory of the Pleasant Hill Woolen Manufacturing Company. For two years he gave his attention to the manufacturing business at Covington, Kentucky, after which he was engaged in the grocery and milling business till 1879. Going to Colorado, he mined for two years, and in February, 1882, he came to Butler and became a partner in the firm of A.L. McBride & Co. Mrs. Beegle was born in teh same county as her husband in August, 1841. They have five children: Harry W., Anna B., Laura W., James G. and Mary. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BENNETT, Robert S., Dr.
West Boone Township - Dr. Robert S. Bennett was born in Upshur County, West Virginia, May 24, 1851, and is the son of Stewart and Margaret M. (Swisher) Bennett, both Virginians by birth. Robert is the fifth of eleven children, of whom six are now living: James F., Andrew J., Maggie, (a teacher in Freeman), Mary Walker and Clara Fullerton, both in Nodaway County. In 1863, the family moved westward and settled in McDonough County, Illinois, living there until 1868, when they came to Cass County. They bought a farm near Pleasant Hill, where Mrs. B. is still living. The father died in Illinois in 1864. During his residence in Illinois the subject of this sketch attended Hedding Seminary, at Abingdon, Illinois. Soon after coming to Missouri he began to teach in Cass and Johnson Counties, and until 1875, his time was mostly spent in the school room. He then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Kansas City, from which institution he graduated in the spring of 1876. Soon after he located at Aubrey, Johnson County, Kansas, for the purpose of practicing his profession, and after remaining there five years he returned to Missouri, and resided for one year at Freeman. When the village of Rosier was laid out he determined to locate there, having a farm near the town. Though residing at this place but a short time, he has gained quite an extensive practice, and is recognized as being well versed in his profession. Dr. Bennett was married April 24, 1875, to Miss Nannie Guilliam, daughter of Tazewell Guilliam, of Austin, Cass County. They have two children: Ada May and Edgar Poe.  (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BIRD, F.J.
Charlotte Township - F.J. Bird, farmer, section 22, was born within four miles of Springfield, in Clark County, Ohio, his father being H.H. Bird, a native of Virginia, born August 8, 1809. He died April 9, 1875. He had early accompanied his parents to Ohio, locating in Clark County, where he grew to manhood. There he married Miss Catherine Tittle, of that county, born November 27, 1824. She is still living in her native county. F.J. was the second of a family of six children. He was reared and educated at his birthplace, and in 1864 enlisted in Company K, 152d Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served for about six months in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, and at the close of the war returned to Clark County, where he continued agricultural pursuits until 1869. Then he came to Bates County, Missouri, and purchased his present farm of 220 acres of improved land, though it was then uncultivated. Retracing his steps to Ohio, he was married on February 9, 1871, to Maggie M. Snodgrass, originally from Kosciusko County, Indiana, where she was born November 26, 1844. She was a daughter of William and Sarah K. (Edgar) Snodgrass, the former born in Ohio, January 12, 1812, and died September 28, 1844. Her mother was also born in Ohio, May 9, 1817. They were married in 1838. Maggie M. was the youngest of a family of four children, and was brought up and educated in Clark County. After his marriage Mr. Bird settled in Missouri and remained here until 1874, when he returned to Ohio. In 1882 he again came to this state. He and his wife have three children living: Della, born April 23, 1874; William, born August 20, 1878; and Freddie, born July 12, 1881. Their eldest child, Harry, was born January 8, 1872, and died July 24, 1878. They are both church members. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BLACK, A.H.
Deer Creek Township - A.H. Black, farmer, section 10, was born in Warren County, Indiana, March 6, 1856, and was the son of William Black, a native of Ohio. A.H. was the eldest of three children. When ten years old his parents removed to Illinois and remained there one year, when they came to Cass County, Missouri, and engaged in farming. In 1872, Bates County became their home. The mother died in 1875 and the father in 1879. His brother is a resident of Idaho. The subject of this sketch resides with his sister, Mary E., and conducts the farm which contains 180 acres of land, 100 acres in cultivation. This is above the average and is well improved, with a good house and orchard. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BLOUNT, Allen
Deer Creek Township - Allen Blount, farmer, section 20, was born in Smith County, Tennessee, March 29, 1835. His father, John M. Blount, was a native of North Carolina, and in 1832 married Miss Sallie Thornton, of Tennessee. They had three children, Allen being the second. When he was thirteen years old his parents went to Illinois, where they remained until the winter of 1852, then removing to Cass County, Missouri. In a short time they came to Bates County. The subject of this sketch received his education in the schools of Tennessee and Illinois. In 1853 he began working in a mill at Harrisonville, where he continued seven years. Returning to Bates County, he engaged in farming. His farm contains 115 acres of average land, with good house and orchard. He is a member of the Baptist Church, as is also his wife. October 7, 1855, Mr. Blount married Miss Eliza Jane Atkinson, who was born in Orange County, Indiana, August 27, 1833. They have five children living: John W., Eliza M., James A., Walter and Mable C. They have lost five: George W., Henry A., Albert B., Mary E. and Reuben A. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BORLAND, George W.
Deepwater Township - George W. Borland, section 17, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Allegheny County, October 22, 1841. James Borland, his father, and also his mother, formerly Margaret Barr, were natives of Pennsylvania. George W. was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. He enlisted in the summer of 1863 in Company K, Sixty-first Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, participating in a number of important encounters, some of the most important of which were the battles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor and the engagements of the Shenandoah Valley, in all about twenty-five different engagements. After the war he returned to Pennsylvania. In April, 1866, Mr. Borland came west and located in St. Louis County, where he was engaged in farming for some thirteen years. Moving from there to Bates County, in February, 1879, he bought land and improved his present farm. He has 200 acres, all fenced, with good improvements and a young orchard. Mr. B. was married in St. Louis County, October 21, 1869, to Miss Doretta Puellman, a native of that county and a daughter of Lewis Puellman. They have four children: Joseph A., George W., Jr., Margaret Jane and Cora Belle. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BOSLEY, Andrew M.
Deer Creek Township - Andrew M. Bosley, farmer, section 22, was born in Orange County, Indiana, May 23, 1853, his parents being James W. and Sarah J. (Vance) Bosley. They had one son and two daughters, of whom Andrew was the second child. He was reared on his father's farm and was partly educated in the public schools, but owing to failing health left before completing his course. After this he engaged in the huckster business, continuing that occupation two years. He then gave his attention to farming in Indiana until 1880, when he came to Bates County, Missouri, where he resumed agricultural pursuits for a short time. Coming to Adrian he clerked in a hardware store from August, 1880, until July, 1881, when he accepted a situation as salesman with H.L. Fair. This position he held until March, 1882, at which time he again became interested in farming. His farm contains eighty acres, under fence, with good improvements. He is a member of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Bosley was married July 2, 1882, to Miss Ella B. Ward, a native of Minnesota. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BOSWELL, John H.
West Boone Township - John H. Boswell was born June 20, 1821, in Muskingum County, Virginia, on Roanoke River and is the fourth of eight children of whom four are living. His parents, George W. Boswell adn Mildred nee West were of English origin. They emigrated to Kentucky when our subject was quite young, and where his father died in 1849. In 1856 John came to Missouri, settling in Cooper County and here he was engaged in farming until 1859, when in company with his brother he entered the mercantile business at California. He had an extensive trade until the outbreak of the civil war, at which time he disposed of the stock of goods at a great sacrifice, and then entered Jackson's State Troops and was with them for some months. He subsequently dealt in cattle for some years, spending one year in Chariton County and was in Pettis County in 1856. In 1866 he went to Texas on a business venture; having secured a supply of side saddles he traded them to Texans for mules and ponies. After spending one year in Pettis County he returned to Texas and bought a drove of beef cattle which he packed at Kansas City and sold in New York the following spring. In May, 1869, he came to Bates County and began to improve land for which he had traded in 1861. Mr. Boswell was married at Dover, Lafayette County, Missouri, February 17, 1859, to Miss Sallie Rucker a native of Kentucky. She lived but a short time thereafter, dying on August 11, following. Ten years after, December 7, 1869, Mr. Boswell married Mrs. Eliza Jane Bevin, widow of James Bevin. They have two children, both boys: George Vest and John H. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BOULWARE, T.C., M.D.
Mt. Pleasant Township - This prominent member of the medical fraternity has been engaged in the practice of medicine at his present location, since 1868, and as a practitioner, has gained an enviable reputation in this community. His grandfather Boulware emigrated with his parents from Virginia to Kentucky in an early day, where Stephen G. Boulware, his son was born. He came to Missouri with his parents and located in Callaway County, where he grew to manhood, and was married to Miss Mary Ratekin, a native of Kentucky. T.C. Boulware was born in Callaway County, Missouri, February 4, 1843. He was reared to habits of industry on a farm in his native county, and there received a primary education in the common schools, completing his literary education under S.S. Laws, of Westminster College, at which institution he took a scientific course. Leaving school in 1861, he enlisted in the state service, and was then under General Price as one of his body guards, remaining as such during the war, after which he returned to Callaway County, Missouri. Previous to the war he had chosen the practice of medicine for his profession and had studied sufficiently to have acquired such a knowledge of it as rendered him capable of assisting in hospital duties during the first of his war service. He completed his studies at Fulton, and was graduated from the Missouri Medical College, of St. Louis in 1868. He then located in Marvel, Bates County, and one year later came to Butler, where he has since resided. On June 20, 1877, Dr. Boulware was married to Miss Ida J. Humphrey, a daughter of A.H. Humphrey. Mrs. B. was born in Johnson County, Iowa, February 9, 1855, and died August 2, 1882. The doctor is a most agreeable man socially, and has many warm friends among his professional brethren. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BOWDEN, John H.
Spruce Township - John H. Bowden is among the prominent farmers and stock men of Bates County. He is a native of North Carolina, and was born in Caswell County, February 22, 1830. Benjamin Bowden, his father, was a native of North Carolina, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Anna Combs, also of that state. John H. moved with his father to Missouri in the spring of 1843, and located in Callaway County. He spent his early days on a farm, obtaining his education principally through his own efforts. In the spring of 1850, in company with Captain McCulloch and others, he made the trip overland to California, where they arrived in July. After passing about two years in the gold mines prospecting and mining, he returned to Missouri in the fall of 1852. Mr. Bowden was married in Callaway County, October 11, 1854, to Miss Emarine Wayne, a daughter of John W. Wayne. She is a native of Callaway County, where she was raised and educated. Directly after this event he came to Bates County, purchased land and improved his present farm. He has 700 acres, 400 acres in his home place, all fenced and improved, upon which is a fair house and barn and a good orchard, with 300 apple trees and an abundance of peach, etc. He resides on section 24, and is quite extensively engaged in feeding and handling stock. Mr. and Mrs. Bowden have seven children: Margara R., a teacher in the Butler school; Georgia Ann (now Mrs. William Herrel); Elizabeth W. (now Mrs. John Allison); Susie E., Ella, Charles P. and Emma J. Mr. B. is a member of the M.E. Church and his wife of the Christian Church. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BOWDEN, William A.
Spruce Township - William A. Bowden, farmer and stock dealer, section 23, was born in Caswell County, North Carolina, June 21, 1828, and was the son of Benjamin and Anna (Combs) Bowden, both natives of North Carolina. William A. moved to Missouri with his parents in 1843, and located in Callaway County. His youth was passed on the farm, and he was educated in the public schools. He was married in Callaway County, May 11, 1853, to Miss Mary A. Chaney, a daughter of John L. Chaney, and who was born in Tennessee. After his marriage he was engaged in wagon making and carpentering in Fulton, Bloomfield and Jefferson City; coming thence to Bates County in the spring of 1868, when he located on land which he had previously bought, in the southern part of the county, and what is now Rockville Township. Here he improved a farm and lived upon it for ten years. In the spring of 1878 he settled on his present farm in Spruce Township. He has 110 acres nearly all fenced, with a fine large house and a good orchard. Mr. Bowden is a supporter of the principles of the Democratic party and has been selected by his party and elected to several positions of honor. He filled the office of assessor of Rockville Township two terms in succession, and also the office of township trustee and treasurer. He was elected justice of the peace of Spruce Township in 1881, and now holds this position. He takes great interest in educational matters, and has held the office of director of his school district for three years. Mr. B. and his wife have four children: James W., now in New Mexico, Walter S., now in Butler, Missouri, in the drug business, Laura Belle and John L. They are members of the Baptist church. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BOYD, John F.
Mt. Pleasant Township - John F. Boyd is of the firm of Wyatt & Boyd, a lumber establishment of eight years standing, they having a yard at Butler, Appleton City and Rich Hill. They started the first lumber business in Rich Hill when the city was in its infancy. At each of the points named they have an extensive stock connected with their line of trade, and are having an immense patronage in Bates, St. Clair, Hickory and Cedar Counties. They also have at Butler one of the finest planing mills in Southwest Missouri. John F. Boyd, a son of John D. and Carrie boyd, natives of Harrison County, Ohio, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, May 10, 1846. In 1856 his parents moved to McLean County, Illinois, where he grew to manhood. He was educated in the common schools of the vicinity where he resided, engaging in farming till 1864, when he accepted a position as clerk in the mercantile business at Centralia, Illinois. This he continued till 1870, when he came to Butler, where he was interested in different branches of business till he embarked in his present occupation. Mr. Boyd was married November 13, 1872, to Miss Mary Cullar, a native of Virginia. They have three children: Cora C., Eddie E. and Lee S. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BOYER, Joseph A.
West Point Township - Joseph A. Boyer was born in Centre County, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1830. His father, John Boyer, and also his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Krouse, were natives of Pennsylvania. Joseph is the second of seven children, all of whom are living, four in Illinois, one in Iowa and one in Colorado. In 1847 he moved to Kendall County, Illinois, where he learned the carpenter trade, at which he worked for ten years. In 1859 he came to Bates County, and on September 18 of that year he married Miss Almira Wolley, daughter of Elizabeth Wolley. In 1861 he went to Kansas, where he served at different times in the Home Guards. In 1865 he returned to Bates and secured the tract of land upon which he now lives. He has a farm of 420 acres near the village of West Point. Mr. and Mrs. Boyer have six children: Elizabeth Alice, who was married October 4, 1882, to Edwin Cryder, of Grundy County, Illinois; Rachael Ann, John Lincoln, Jennie Ettie, George W. and Frank Gideon. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BRICKER, C.
Mt. Pleasant Township - C. Bricker, proprietor of livery, feed and sale stable, was born in Knox County, Ohio, January 18, 1846. At the age of nine years he was taken by the family to Madison County, Ohio, where he was brought up and educated, following from boyhood his present business. In 1865, he removed to Champaign County, Illinois, where he resided for five years, then going to Vermillion County, of that state. After making his home in this vicinity for five years, he came to Butler, Missouri, in 1875, and engaged in the livery business for six months. He gave his attention to the same calling in Shell City, Missouri, until September, 1882, when he returned to Butler, purchasing the stable of T. Berryhill. He immediately opened his present barn, and now has a stock of seventeen excellent horses and eleven buggies, and is doing a good business. He was married, March 15, 1865, to Miss Cordelia Watson. They have four children, George, Alonzo, Leonard and Bert. In 1862, Mr. Bricker enlisted in Company C, 110th Ohio Regiment, serving three years. He was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness in the left shoulder and lower limb, and at Cold Harbor he was wounded in the right leg. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BRICKER, John N.
Deer Creek Township - John N. Bricker, druggist at Adrian. The subject of this sketch was born in Henry County, Missouri, August 10, 1848, and was the son of William Bricker, a farmer and carpenter by calling, and Sarah (Ainsworth) Bricker, both of whom were natives of Tennessee. John grew up on his father's farm and was educated in the common schools of the county of his birth. In 1867 he engaged in the occupation of a miller, two miles west of Calhoun, which he continued seven years. In 1874 he removed to Bates County where he followed farming two years, after which he went to Crescent Hill and embarked in the drug trade. He remained in business there until 1880 when he came to Adrian. Mr. B. carries a large stock of drugs and enjoys a good patronage. In 1875 he was elected justice of the peace which office he has held until the present time. He is a member of Cresent Hill Lodge, No. 368, A.F. & A.M. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Whitley of Linn County, Missouri, September 25, 1868. They have lost one child, Sallie J., who was born May 30, 1872, and died July 19, 1875. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BRIXNER, Adam
Summit Township - Adam Brixner, section 20, is a native of Germany and was born in Wurtemberg January 30, 1826. His father, J. Brixner, and also his mother, whose maiden name was Catherine Mickels, were both born in Wurtemberg. The youth of Adam, from six to fourteen years, was spent in school, where he received a good common education. From the time he was fourteen until twenty-three he was engaged on a farm. In the spring of 1849 he emigrated to the United States, landing at New Orleans in April of that year with his brother and his wife. He then went to Cincinnati, and afterwards located at New Richmond, Ohio, where he learned the cooper's trade, working at the business for two years. Mr. B. was married at New Richmond, May 6, 1851, to Miss Caroline Beiswinger, also a native of Germany. In the fall of 1852 he moved to Aurora, Indiana, where he worked at coopering for four years. Going from there to Patriot, Indiana, in 1856, he carried on a large cooper shop and employed from twenty-five to thirty men. After four years there, in the winter of 1860, he sold out and returned to Aurora, and was occupied in the grocery and whiskey rectifying business, which he continued two years. In the winter of 1862 he went to Lawrenceburg, bought a brewery and operated it four years. In the spring of 1866 he disposed of his Indiana property and moved to Missouri and settled in Bates County, where he bought land and improved his present farm. He has 240 acres of land, with 200 under fence and 180 in cultivation. His orchard contains 300 apple, 150 peach trees and some other fruits. Mr. and Mrs. Brixner have a family of eight children: Amelia, Henry, Rosie, Carrie, Ada, Adam, Adolphus and R. Hayes. Mr. B. is a member of the Odd Fellow's order. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BROADDUS, Thomas M.
Shawnee Township - Thomas M. Broaddus, teacher and farmer, was born in Madison County, Kentucky, May 21, 1848, and is the son of George W. Broaddus, one of the early Baptist ministers of that portion of Kentucky, who married Elvira Hocker, a descendant of a Maryland family, but born in Madison County, Kentucky. They were the parents of nine children, of whom Thomas is the youngest; six of the entire number are living, all in Madison County, but himself and one sister, Mary A., (the wife of L.C. Haggard). Young Broaddus received a good education, having attended the Georgetown College for some time, but not long enough to entitle him to graduation. After leaving school he entered a store and for four years was engaged in selling goods. In 1870 he embarked in merchandising at Rob Roy, Arkansas, where he continued for three years, then coming to Missouri. He followed the calling of teacher in the public schools of Bates County for two years. June 15, 1875, he was married to Miss Alice R. De Jarnett, daughter of Richard J. De Jarnett. Since that time he has been farming and occasionally teaching school. He has four children: Nicholas C., Richard D., Harriet E. and Claude. Mr. Broaddus is a Democrat in politics, and holds advanced views in regard to prohibition and compulsory education. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BROWN, Judge David V.
Mt. Pleasant Township - The subject of this sketch - a native of Fairfield County, Ohio - was born December 16, 1855, and was the son of William Brown, originally from Ohio, who married Miss Rebecca Wyle of the same state. They had a family of eleven children, of whom David was the eldest. He passed his youthful days in tilling the soil of his birthplace, and for some time attended school, where he received a common English education. In 1864 he removed to Shelby County, Illinois, and it was while resideing here that he was township clerk of Holland Township from 866 to 1868. For the succeeding two years he was a member of the county board of supervisors from that township, and in 1871, he was appointed deputy sheriff of the county. In the spring of 1872, Mr. Brown came to Bates County, Missouri, and continued to farm and teach school until 1880, when the people of the county, recognizing his peculiar fitness for the position, elected him probate judge of Bates. The judge was married on the 27th of March, 1862, to Miss Olive Wilson, who was born in Ohio. They have five children living: Penelope B., Cosbi I., William W., Clara N., and Ollie A. They hold their membership in the United Brethren Church. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BROWN, Rev. Sanford M.
Mt. Pleasant Township - Rev. Sanford M. Brown, pastor of the Baptist Church at Butler, was born in Yadkin County, North Carolina, July 12, 1856. His parents were Rev. W.G. and Priscilla (Eldridge) Brown, both of whom came originally from North Carolina. Sanford completed his education at the Suphur Springs Academy, North Carolina, and at the same school he took a thorough course of study in theology preparatory to preaching. While there he commenced to preach and continued to do so through the course. In 1876 he accepted a call to the Baptist Church in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, where he remained for three years. He then resigned in order to travel with his brother, Rev. W.J. Brown, of the Baptist Church of Nevada, who resigned his charge on account of poor health. After traveling for about a year his brother returned to Nevada and died October 4, 1881. In March, 1881, the subject of this sketch accepted a call to the Baptist Church in Butler, where he has since been located. He found the church with eighty-seven members, and his zealous labors, with the hearty co-operation of the members, have been richly rewarded by an addition to the church of 143 members. The church is being revived and additions made from time to time under his able ministrations. He is a young man of much originality of thought and great earnestness in his pulpit exercises. His father has been pastor of the same Baptist Church for twenty-six years. He has raised ten children, four of whom have died and three of whom are Baptist preachers: Solomon D., William J. and Sanford M. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BROWN, Samuel T.
Elkhart Township - Samuel T. Brown was born in Madison County, Illinois, February 25, 1828, his parents being Thomas S. and Adalaide (Gillim) Brown. The former is a native of Illinois, his father having settled in that state in 1800. The mother was born in North Carolina. When our subject was but a few days old she died and he was put in care of his grandfather, with whom he lived in Scott County, Illinois, until the age of eighteen years. Then he began working for himself, first by the month and having acquired a fair education, mainly by home study, he commenced to teach school. At this he has occasionally been engaged ever since. In 1863 Mr. Brown bought a tract of forty acres of land in Piatt County, Illinois, and here improved his first farm. In 1868 he came to Bates County, Missouri, and secured his present home farm consisting of 120 acres in section 19. He has been married three times, his first wife being Miss Mary Ann Keller, to whom he was married in Scott County, Illinois, October 9, 1856. She died May 3, 1861, leaving one child, Eliza Adelaide, who died two years after. Mr. Brown's second marriage was on December 17, 1861, to Miss Margaret P. Conway. Her death occurred in Bates County April 8, 1872. She left three children: Orville T., Elva M. and Elbert D. He was married to Mrs. Mary E. Melsie, widow of James F. Melsie, April 3, 1873. She had one child by a former marriage, Luella J. Melsie. Mr. Brown is Republican in politics, and takes an advanced ground on subjects of education and temperance. He is a member of the M.E. Church. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BROWNING, Eli
Shawnee Township - Eli Browning, farmer and stock grower, was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, May 22, 1830, and is the eldest of fourteen children. His parents were of Kentucky birth. His father was John M.S. Browning, and his mother's maiden name was Octavia Kennedy. Eli was reared on a farm and was educated in the common schools. He married a few months prior to his twenty-first birthday, on February 20, 1851, to Miss Amasetta Thompson, also a native of Kentucky. Soon fter he began to conduct a farm, at which he continued three years, when he removed to Saline County, Missouri, where he continued his farming operations for nine years. Retracing his steps to the home of his youth he purchased a portion of his old home farm. Three years sufficed to satisfy him that Missouri presented superior advantages to the man striving to secure a suitable home, and accordingly he returned to his adopted state and located in Bates County, where he has since resided. His farm consists of 180 acres, of which 160 are in cultivation. Mr. Browning has held the office of justice of the peace in this county and also in Saline. He has had nine children, of whom two, Amelia and Frank, have died. The eldest, John A., is a traveling salesman for a medical house; Richard H. is occupied farming; Eli, Jr., is traveling for Collins Bros., St. Louis; Mary B. is the wife of E.O. Haggard; Katie, William and Amanda. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BRUMBACH, J.J.
Deer Creek Township - J.J. Brumbach, attorney at law, is a representative citizen of Adrian. He was born May 30, 1851, in LaSalle County, Illinois. His father, Joseph Brumbach was a farmer and mechanic by trade, and a native of Virginia. His mother, (formerly Comfort Springstead) came originally from New York. J.J. was the sixth child of ten children. He was reared on the home farm, attending the district schools until 1865, when he taught school one year. He then attended college for two years, and in 1868 graduated at the Detroit Commercial College. The same year he came to Bates County, Missouri, and taught school till August 1869, when he entered the law department of the state university, at Ann Arbor, Michigan, graduating from there in 1872. Returning to Butler, he practiced law for five years. Since that time Mr. B. has been engaged in practicing law and teaching school in the northern part of the county. In 1880 he located in Adrian where he has since resided. He was elected justice of the peace in 1878, and held the office for two years. He is now a notary public. He was deputy county surveyor in Illinois for some years, during vacation. On September 15, 1874, occurred his marriage to Miss Mattie E. Misley, a daughter of William H. Misley. She was born in the state of Illinois, September 15, 1855. They have one child living, William C., born December 12, 1876. Nettie L., who was born November 15, 1879, died December 23, 1879. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BRUNDIGE, George
Deer Creek Township - George Brundige, farmer and stock raiser, section 34, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, October 19, 1842. John Brundige, his father, a native of Ohio, married Miss Mary Kirkwood, of Fairfield County, same state. George was the eldest of six children, two sons and four daughters. He remained on the home farm, receiving his education in the public schools, until sixteen years old, when his father removed to Illinois. He resided with his parents until the spring of 1861, then enlisting in Company C, Seventy-ninth Illinois Infantry. At the battle of Chickamauga he was wounded and was taken to the hospitals at Nashville, Louisville and Quincy. He was sergeant of the company for a time. After the war he returned to Illinois, where he remained until 1869, then coming to Bates County, Missouri. He soon engaged in farming, and now owns a farm containing 320 acres, all in cultivatioin and well improved. This place is near the town of Adrian, which makes it quite valuable. Mr. B. handles a quantity of stock. October 5, 1869, he married Miss Emma Rush, a native of Ohio. They have one  son living, John. They lost one child, Aquilla. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BRYANT, Reuben
West Boone Township - Reuben Bryant was born in Jackson County, Missouri, June 29, 1857. His parents, Isaac and Annie E. (Edmond) Bryant, settled in Missouri about 1850, having come from Kentucky, their native state. Reuben received a fair education in youth, and took a course in book-keeping at Spalding's Commercial College of Kansas City in 1875. In 1873 he, in partnership with his brother, James M. Bryant, began business at Brosley and continued there until 1879. He then spent three months with Christopher Bros. at Harrisonville, and in the latter part of 1879 he entered into business in Kansas. He sold out at the end of nine months and then traveled  for Horner & Bond, of Kansas City, for six months, in Western Kansas. Not liking the commercial business, he entered the firm of Bryant Bros. & McDaniel at Freeman, and in September, 1881, started the branch house at Rosier. Mr. Bryant is a man well liked in this community and is building up a good trade. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BUCHNER, Emil
Mt. Pleasant Township - Emil Buchner, of the firm of Buchner & Joseph, manufacturers of cigars, was born in Alsace, Germany, (formerly France), August 19, 1856. His father, George Buchner, came to this country, settling in Quincy, Illinois, about the year 1873. He is still located there, employed at the railroad shops, being a machinist by trade. His wife was formerly Miss Catharine Daul. They had four children, George Adolph, Mary, Leonie and Emil. The three former all grew up and died within three months of each other, with typhoid fever. The subject of this sketch received a good education in Germany, and when sixteen years of age he emigrated to America, locating in Quincy, Illinois. There he learned the cigar making business, at which he worked until the spring of 1882, when he established factory No. 33, Fifth District of Missouri, at Butler, where he is having a good trade. He earned the money himself with which to start in life, and by his straightforward conduct has gained an enviable reputation. The family are all Catholics. Theodore Joseph, junior member of this firm, was born in Quincy, Illinois, in 1858. His father, Stephen Joseph, was born in Baden, Germany, and came to this country in 1844, soon establishing himself in business in Quincy, Illinois. The son learned the cigar trade in Quincy, and removed to Butler in 1882, engaging in business with Emil Buchner, where they are succeeding beyond their expectations. After receiving a common education Mr. Joseph attended teh St. Francis College, from which institution he graduated in 1872, with honor. He is a good business man and an excellent workman and has gained the respect and esteem of all who know him. His parents as well as himself are Catholics. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BUCK, Thomas
Mingo Township - Thomas Buck, farmer, was born in the city of London, England, May 5, 1844, being the seventh in a family of nine children. His father, George Buck, was by occupation a manufacturer of edged tools. His mother's maiden name was Mary Fullagan. Thomas received his educatiion in Kent and also in France, and when about fifteen years old, having a desire to become a sailor, he secured a position on a ship and followed the ocean for two years, visiting all the principal ports of the world. Tiring of a sailor's life and hearing of the wonders of America, he emigrated to New York and obtained a position as shipping clerk with Sweet, Brow & Co., with whom he remained one year. He then worked on a farm and in a factory until 1865, when he moved westward, coming to Bates County in June of that year. The following spring, February 15, 1866, he married Miss Mary Marchall, a native of France. They have since continued to live on a farm, and now have a home on section 35. Their house is a model of taste and neatness, and was built two years ago at a cost of $1,200. The farm contains 900 acres, nearly all under fence and in a fair state of cultivation. There is a vein of good coal underlying the farm, which can be worked to good advantage. Mr. Buck handles about 100 head of cattle and feeds a number of them. He has Poland-China hogs, and takes some interest in keeping the best of stock. He was elected justice of the peace at the last township election. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the M.E. Church South. They have seven children: Mary E., Fannie H., Alice M., Royal DeWitt, Annie L., Leon de Lesseps, Louis Dore. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BULLOCK, R.N.
Spruce Township - R.N. Bullock, farmer and stock dealer, section 16, is a native of Missouri and was born in Clay County, February 16, 1842. A.L. Bullock, his father, was born in Culpepper County, Virginia, in 1818, while his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Harrington, came from Clay County, Missouri. The former moved to Missouri in 1836 and located in Clay County, near Kansas City, being one of the pioneers there. He was a tanner by trade and at an early day furnished Kansas City and St. Joseph with all the stock they could use from his tan yard. R.N. Bullock spent his youth on the farm and in the tan yard, having limited opportunities for acquiring an education at the common schools. In 1871 he came from Clay to Bates County where he bought land and improved his present farm. He has seventy-nine acres all improved. He was engaged in the sheep business previous to coming to this county and brought with him a flock of 1,000 head and continued the business until 1874, when he disposed of them, and has since been occupied in dealing in and feeding cattle and hogs. Mr. Bullock was married in Bolivar, Polk County, October 25, 1877, to Miss Sarah Covington, a daughter of William Covington, one of the leading business men of Boliver. She was born and educated in the town where she was married. They have two children: William L., born August 30, 1878, and Maud A., born June 11, 1880. Mr. B. and wife are members of the Christian Church. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

BURNES, C.F.
Mt. Pleasant Township - C.F. Burnes, of the firm of Burnes & Co., dealers in dry goods, notions, hats, caps, etc., was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, September 14, 1850. He grew to manhood in that vicinity, and in 1868-69-70, was a student of the Ohio Wesleyan University, located at Delaware. In 1870, he became connected with his father in the dry goods business at Roscoe, which he continued until 1877, when he embarked in milling. To this occupation he gave his attention till 1881, when he came to Butler, Missouri, and for a short time was in the employ of McClintock & Son as clerk. In November, 1881, he was admitted as a member of that firm, the style then becoming McClintock & Burnes, which in August, 1882, was changed to the present firm name of Burnes  & Co. The stock of goods is very complete, and the remunerative patronage which they are receiving from the people enables them to conduct a fine store. Mr. Burnes is a member of hte Masonic fraternity. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)

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