Bates County Biographies
Bates County Biographies
DANIELS, Ralph W.
Mt. Pleasant Township - Ralph W. Daniels, of the firm of D. Dubach & Co.,
dealers in lumber and building material, is a native of Morgan County, Ohio, and
was born April 12, 1857. While an infant he was taken by the family to Niagra
County, New York, where he grew up and obtained his education. In 1875 he was
employed as clerk by P.M. Ranney, at Lockport, New York, where he was engaged in
the lumber trade until 1879, then removing to Kansas City, Missouri. After
stopping at that point for six months he visited Hannibal, Missouri, and was
with Dulany & McVeigh, lumber dealers, for about eight months; was then admitted
as a member of that firm, and under the new partnership embarked in the lumber
trade at Archie, Missouri, of which yard Mr. Daniels was manager. At the
expiration of one year of business there he became connected with the present
firm, as manager, at Butler. Their lumber yard is a large one, and contains a
full stock necessary to the maintenance of such a business. Their patronage is
constantly increasing. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
DAVIDSON, Captain Isaac N.
Mt. Pleasant Township - Among the business men of Butler worthy of mention in
the history of the county, is this gentleman, who is an extensive dealer in dry
goods, notions, etc. He is a native of the Buckeye state, and was born in
Madison County, May 10, 1837. His parents were William and Elizabeth (Day)
Davidson. Isaac was reared and educated in Ohio, and when fourteen years of age
began work at the carpenter's trade, which he continued to follow till the
beginning of the war. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Company C,
Seventeenth Ohio Infantry, remaining in thta company for four months. In July,
1862, he enlisted as first lieutenant in Company B, Ninety-fifth Ohio, for three
years. December 9, 1864, he was commissioned to the office of captain, which he
held till the close of the war, when he was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio,
having participated in many important battles of the southwest. June 21, 1864,
he was captured at Guntown, Mississippi, and held as prisoner till November 3,
1864, when he escaped. It may be mentioned here that the notorious guerrilla of
West Virginia, Samuel B. Singleton, was killed by Mr. Davidson while the latter
was on scout duty with a party of eight. After the close of the war he returned
to Ohio, and was engaged in merchandising till 1868, when he came to Butler,
importing with him over 300 sheep from Ohio, one of the great wool growing
states of the Union. For two years after locating in Butler he was occupied at
his trade, since which time he has devoted his attention to merchandising. Mr.
Davidson was married October 24, 1865, to Miss Bell Cortwell, a native of the
same county as himself. She was born January 4, 1841, and was a daughter of John
C. and Sarah A. (Black) Cortwell, the former of Kentucky, and the latter of
Virginia. The family of Mr. and Mrs. D. consists of two children: Lorena B. and
Lou Eda. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
DAVIS, W.R.
Mingo Township - W.R. Davis, section 20, was born in Bates County, Missouri,
January 5, 1844. His father, Aaron Davis, was a native of Illinois, and his
mother was a Kentuckian by birth. Her maiden name was Ann Ruby. When W.R. was
five years old his parents removed to Henry County, Missouri, where he remained
on a farm until 1862, then enlisting in Captain Spangler's company and Colonel
Cockrell's regiment. He served with them until the close of the war, when he
surrendered at Jackson, Mississippi. He was in some of the most important
battles of the war, among which were those of Vicksburg and Corinth. At the
battle of Corinth he was wounded and was taken to the hospital at LaGrange,
Georgia, and Canton, Mississippi. After the close of hostilities, Mr. D. spent
two years at Memphis, Tennessee, when he returned to Henry County, where he
followed farming and stock raising until 1872. In that year he came again to the
county of his birth. His farm now contains 280 acres of choice land, all in
cultivation, and is well adapted for stock purposes. He is a successful stock
raiser and dealer. Mr. Davis is a member of Altona Lodge No. 315, A.F. & A.M.
January 15, 1868, he married Miss Mary Kinsey. She is a native of Henry County,
Missouri, and was born April 4, 1837. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
DEACON, R.R.
Mt. Pleasant Township - R.R. Deacon, dealer in hardware, buggies, wagons, farm
machinery and implements, was born in Canada, January 2, 1821. His youth and
early manhood were passed in that country and his primary education was
supplemented by attendance at the Oneida Institute, of Whitestown, New York,
where he was a student during the years 1836, 1837, 1838 and 1839. In 1846 upon
removing to Tiffin, Ohio, he embarked in the hardware business, which he
continued at that point for one year. For two years he gave his attention to the
same calling at Newark, Ohio, and for the succeeding two years was located in
New York City. Upon going to Fon-du-lac, Wisconsin, he resumed the same business
and for twenty-seven years he was prominently identified with the interests of
that city. He then came to Butler, Missouri, and established himself in his
present trade in November, 1880. This has since materially increased and he is
now enjoying a liberal patronage. Mr. Deacon was married November 2, 1853, to
Miss Harriet Cochran, also a native of Canada. They have six children: Daniel
O., Julia, Robert, Hattie, Harry and Andrew. They are members of the
Presbyterian Church. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
DECKER, Charles
Shawnee Township - Charles Decker, stone mason and farmer, is one of the best
citizens of this township. He is a native of Germany, having been born in Baden,
September 29, 1836. His father, Joseph Decker, was a stone cutter by trade. His
mother's maiden name was Presket Kneblar. Both were natives of Baden. Charles
received his education in Germany, and at an early age learned the trade of
stone-cutting and stone masonry. At this he worked until 1854, when he emigrated
to America and followed his trade until 1872, laboring for ten years in
Philadelphia, and afterward at Charleston, New York, Milwaukee, Quincy and St.
Joseph. In 1861 Mr. Decker enlisted in Company H, Tenth Missouri Infantry, and
served until 1864. He participated in the battles of Corinth and at the siege of
Vicksburg. Soon after the expiration of his term of service he was married,
January 29, 1865, to Miss Mary A. Smith, a native of Canada. In 1872 he came to
Bates County, Missouri, and has since been engaged in farming. His farm now
contains 240 acres, well improved. Mr. Decker is as Catholic in religious
belief. He and his wife have four children: Lewis, Carrol, Walter and Pauline.
They have also lost two, Bertie and Joseph. (History of Bates County, Missouri,
1883)
DEERWESTER, John
Shawnee Township - John Deerwester is a native of Germany, and was born in
Wurtemburg, June 24, 1842. When about fifteen years of age he emigrated to
America, and having been reared in and about a mill, he soon secured a good
situation in a mill in Philadelphia, where he worked until 1860. Then he came to
Bond County, Illinois, and continued milling until toward the close of the war,
when he enlisted March 2, 1864, in the Third Illinois Cavalry, and served in
Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi, until the close of hostilities. His
regiment was then sent to Dakota, to quell the Indian troubles, where he was
kept until October, 1865. After his enlistment, and previous to his departure,
he was married March 4, 1864, to Miss Mahala Gunn, a native of Illinois. On his
return from the war, Mr. Deerwester began to farm, and in 1868 located in Bates
County. He has succeeded in acquiring a splendid farm on section 26 of this
township, now consisting of 320 acres, well stocked and improved. He handles
quite a number of cattle and hogs each year, and is making an effort to improve
the quality of his stock. Mr. Deerwester is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
He is a Republican politically, and is religiously identified with the Reformed
Lutheran Church. He has two children: Frank, now attending the Normal School at
Warrensburg, and Alva. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
DE JARNATT, William H.
East Boone Township - William H. De Jarnatt was born July 8, 1840, in Lincoln
County, Missouri, where his parents had settled in an early day. He was the son
of Greenop H. and Mary A. (Owen) De Jarnatt, natives of Kentucky. When William
was about six years of age they returned from Lincoln County to Bourbon County,
Kentucky, where he was reared to manhood. He received a good common school
edcuation, and, in addition, attended the Gundy Commercial College at
Cincinnati, from which institution he graduated in 1859. He was engaged in the
mercantile business for two years in Kentucky, and February 21. 1861, he was
married to Miss Mollie Raney, daughter of James Raney, who was born in Mercer
County, Kentucky. Her father is now living with her, and for some time has been
in a helpless condition, suffering from a stroke of paralysis. In 1876 Mr. De
Jarnatt came to Bates County, purchasing the east half of section 12 in this
township. He is now comfortably situated and devotes his attention to his
farming operations. He and his wife have five children: James L., Bettie Lee,
Mary Agnes, William W. and Joseph B. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
DORE, Henry W.
Deer Creek Township - Henry W. Dore, railroad agent, was born in Chickasaw
County, Iowa, July 14, 1857, and is a son of C.H. Dore, of Harrisonville,
Missouri, who was county clerk of Cass County at one time. Young Dore lived with
his parents in Iowa until eight years old, when they removed to Missouri,
locating at Wadesburg, Cass County. There they resided for four years, going
thence to Harrisonville. Henry was educated in the public schools of that place,
and after completing his education he went to East Lynne, where he worked for
the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad Company. Five weeks later he visited
Freeman, Missouri, where he had charge of the office for the same company
eighteen months. He then worked for the Missouri Pacific at Harrisonville,
Paola, Louisburg, and other places until October 1, 1880, when he took charge of
the company business at Adrian. This position he now holds to the satisfaction
of all. He is one of the most accommodating and obliging agents on the entire
line of this railroad.
DOUGLASS, John H.
Mingo Township - John H. Douglass, farmer, was born in Clay County, Missouri,
July 25, 1839. His parents, Jesse and Sarah A. (McCrudy) Douglass, came
originally from Kentucky. The former was one of the pioneers of Clay County.
John is the eldest of three children. When he was eleven years old the family
moved to Bates County, Missouri, and settled on Cove Creek, where he grew to
manhood. He remained at home until twenty-four years old, when, on March 9,
1864, he was married to Miss Eliza C. Hutchinson, who was born in Missouri. Soon
after this event he went to Henry County and farmed until 1866, then returning
to Bates, and here he has since lived. The farm consists of sixty acres and is
in section 34. Mr. Douglass is constable and road overseer of this township. He
is connected with the I.O.O.F. fraternity. Five children are the fruits of the
marriage: Annie Belle, Jesse R., Thomas E., William and Jimmie. (History of
Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
DRENNAN, Francis N.
Deepwater Township - The subject of this sketch owes his nativity to Sangamon
County, Illinois, where he was born July 5, 1845. His father came originally
from South Carolina, and his mother, whose maiden name was Margaret L. Anderson,
was born in Virginia. The youthful days of Francis N. were passed on his
father's farm, his primary education being received at the common schools. He
afterward attended the State University and obtained a good education. Mr.
Drennan was married in his native county, February 8, 1872, to Miss Sarah E.
Graham, also of Sangamon County, and a daughter of John Graham. In the following
August he moved to Missouri, and located in Bates County, where he purchased
land and improved his present farm. His estate embraces 280 acres, all in
cultivation, with a substantial dwelling, barn and outbuildings. Mr. Drennan is
a thrifty farmer and one of the leading men of his township. He resides on
section six. He and his wife have one child, Francis A., born December 28, 1878.
Mr. D. is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Drennan belongs to the
Episcopal Church. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
DUKE, C.C.
Mt. Pleasant Township - C.C. Duke, assistant cashier of the Butler National
Bank, is a son of James A. and Elizabeth (Pennabaker) Duke, Kentuckians by
birth, and was born in Nelson County, Kentucky, June 9, 1844. In 1845 he was
brought to Missouri by his parents, who first located in Morgan County, where
Elizabeth P. Duke died in 1852. In 1861 James A. Duke moved the family to Barton
County, Missouri, and in 1863 to Moniteau County. In 1866 they came to Bates
County, where James A. died in 1874. The subject of this sketch was reared on a
farm and received an education in the common schools of the different localities
where he resided. He was engaged in farming until 1875 when he accepted the
position of deputy treasurer under Luther Shobe. After serving as deputy for two
terms, in 1866 he was elected to that office, and was re-elected in 1868,
discharging his duties with scrupulous care for two terms, and to the
satisfaction of the people. Then with a Mr. Tucker he wrote a system of
abstracts of Bates County, and embarked in the real estate and abstract
business, continuing till August, 1881, when he was appointed to his present
position. He is a member of Butler Lodge No. 254, A.F. and A.M., and Miami
R.A.C. No. 30. December 31, 1868, Mr. D. was married to Miss Anna Wells, a
native of Pettis County, Missouri and a daughter of John P. and Martha (Hughes)
Wells, originally from Kentucky. Mr. Duke has one child, Joan. (History of Bates
County, Missouri, 1883)
DUNCAN, William H.
East Boone Township - William H. Duncan was born March 12, 1854, in Stokes
County, North Carolina, and is the second son of Charles and Martha J. (Flint)
Duncan, who were originally from Stokes County. His father was born April 24,
1824, and his mother March 6, 1826. They were married August 23, 1849, and until
1854 lived in that locality, then coming to Missouri and settling on the line
between Cass and Bates Counties. Mr. Duncan, senior, entered a tract of 280
acres on section 1, of East Boone Township, upon which the family now reside. He
was killed November 18, 1862, within a half mile of his own door, by five Kansas
men who rode up to the house and took him prisoner, and against the appeals of
his wife and children, carried him about one-half mile and shot him, where he
was found soon after. The only allegation against him was that he had
accompanied Price upon his raid to Lexington in the capacity of teamster. He
left five children, all of whom are living. Sallie B. born August 27, 1850,
married Percy Campbell, and is now living in Rich Hill; Joseph M. born October
2, 1851, married Miss Mary Davis, and is living near the homestead; Jasper, born
February 9, 1859, is at home; Nannie A. born May 20, 1861, married George
Limpus. William H. Duncan, our subject, is unmarried, and lives on the homestead
with his mother. He is one of the leading young men in his section of the
county, and his abilites are recognized by his neighbors, who have elected him
their township clerk and assessor. This latter position he is now filling.
(History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
DUNHAM, John U.
Deer Creek Township - John U. Dunham, farmer and stock raiser, was born in
Randolph County, Missouri, September 29, 1836, his parents being Henry and Sarah
(Cunningham) Dunham, both natives of Tennessee. John U. was the seventh of ten
children. While he was young his parents died, leaving him amongst strangers. He
was brought up on a farm in Randolph County and in 1849 removed to Moniteau
County where he engaged in farming. This he followed there and in Cooper and
Lafayette Counties until 1880, when he came to Bates County. His farm now
contains 169 acres all in cultivation and well improved with a good orchard of
300 apple trees. Mr. Dunham handles stock quite extensively and feeds hogs and
sheep. He is a member of Altona Lodge, No. 315, A.F. & A.M. February 28, 1858,
he married Miss Nancy Hines, a daughter of Walter T. Hines. She was born in
Missouri, March 25, 1850. They have six children living: Margaret M., William
R., Mary C., Leoma, Walter and G. Alford. They have lost two: Sarah E. and John
H. Mr. and Mrs. D. belong to the Baptist Church. (History of Bates County,
Missouri, 1883)
DURRETT, C.H. and J.D.
Charlotte Township - During the colonial period three brothers, ancestors of
C.H. and J.D. Durrett, emigrated from England to America. In 1805 the
grandfather of the latter named brothers settled in Spottsylvania County,
Virginia. He was in the war of 1812. William H. Durrett, their father, was born
February 27, 1807. He was married near Charlottesville, in Albermarle County,
Virginia, in 1831, and in 1833 removed to the then thinly settled portion of
country lying in Lewis County, Missouri, at which time he purchased the land
upon which he now lives. There were no settlements north or west at that period,
and he was obliged to go sixty miles to a mill. At one time he had to parch corn
and grind it in a coffee mill. His family numbered ten children, five boys and
five girls. The names of his sons were: William J., O.H., C.H., J.D. and C.D.
His daughters were named: E.H., M.E., S.P., J.R. and A.A. All are married but
C.H. and A.A. In February, 1870, Messrs. C.H. and J.D. Durrett removed to Bates
County and purchased the property which they now occupy, comprising superior
land for agricultural purposes. J.D. Durrett was married in October, 1872, to
Miss Aza Hickman. They have two children, Mary and Bennie. One is deceased, C.E.
(History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)