Bates County Biographies
Bates County Biographies
FAY, Francis B.
Mt. Pleasant Township - Francis B. Fay, proprietor of Diamond mill, is a native
of Lorain County, Ohio, and was born August 2, 1835. Like many other boys of
that community, he devoted his time and energy early in life to tilling the soil
of the county of his birth. He was educated in common schools, and at the age of
nineteen years removed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he gave his attention to
the trade of carpentering. After making this point his home until 1857, he
removed to St. Joseph, Missouri, and one year later took a trip to Denver,
Colorado. In a short time he visited Montana Territory, where he was engaged in
mining and stock-raising until 1869, then coming to Butler, Missouri. He soon
erected the large stone mill which he now occupies, and where he does a
flourishing business. This mill is a massive structure and one of the best in
the county. The flour which it turns out is of a superior quality, and finds a
most ready sale. Mr. Fay has done much toward developing the resources of Butler
and promoting her interests, and is a man highly honored in the community. In
February, 1871, he was married to Miss Hannah Fairchild, an estimable lady.
Their family consists of five children, Frank F., Glenn, Bert, Harry and
Stewart. They are members of the Presbyterian Church. (History of Bates County,
Missouri, 1883)
FITZJERRELL, David R.
Spruce Township - David R. Fitzjerrell, section 20, was born in Macoupin County,
Illinois, May 18, 1852, and was the son of William Fitzjerrell, a native of New
Jersey, who was born in October, 1816. He moved to Illinois with his parents in
1831, and located in Macoupin County, being one of its early settlers. He
married Elizabeth Cortney. David R. Fitzjerrell accompanied his parents to
Montgomery County in the fall of 1855, where he grew to manhood. His youth was
spent on his father's farm and at the public schools. He was married in
Montgomery County, October 17, 1872, to Miss Rachel McGowen, a daughter of Brook
McGowen. She was born in Greene County, Illinois. After this, Mr. Fitzjerrell
was engaged in farming in Illinois for about eight years. In the spring of 1880
he came to Missouri and bought land and settled on his present farm in Bates
County. He has ninety acres, all fenced and in cultivation, upon which is a good
orchard of 120 bearing apple, 50 peach trees, and some small fruits. Mr. and
Mrs. F. have two children: James, born February 22, 1875, and Alice E., born
September 17, 1877. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
FLESHER, H.H.
Charlotte Township - H.H. Flesher, a prosperous merchant at Virginia, is a
native of Highland County, Virginia, where he was born in 1852, being a son of
Henry H. and Elizabeth Flesher nee Dettor, both Virginians by birth. The former
died in 1861, and the latter in 1856. The subject of this sketch was reared by
his grandparents, George and Martha Flesher, and with them he settled at
Virginia, Bates County, Missouri, in 1870. He married Miss Caroline Park, who
was born in Crawford County, Ohio, in 1850. Her parents were Alfred and Frances
(Fox) Park, her father a native of Virginia and her mother of Pennsylvania. Mr.
and Mrs. F. have three children: Milton, Rolla, and Charles H. (History of Bates
County, Missouri, 1883)
FLETCHER, James H.
Deepwater Township - James H. Fletcher, section 22, was born in Cooper County,
Missouri, August 13, 1844. His parents, James P. and Philadelphia (Menafee)
Fletcher, were natives of Virginia. The former was one of the pioneers of Cooper
County, and died in 1845, while on a trip home from Virginia, whither he had
gone on business. James H. subsequently moved with his mother to Saline County,
where she resided until 1849, then coming to Bates County. The subject of this
sketch spent his youth on a farm, and obtained his education principally through
his own efforts. He enlisted in the Confederate Army in the spring of 1861, in
the Missouri State service, Captain fewel's Company and O'Kane's Infantry
Batallion, in which he remained but about six months. In the summer of 1862 he
enlisted in the regular Confederate Army, in the Sixteenth Missouri Infantry,
and served until the close of the war, when he surrendered at Shreveport. He
participated in numerous important engagements, among which were the battles of
Lexington, Lone Jack, Missouri, Prairie Grove and Helena, Arkansas, Pleasant
Hill, Louisiana, and Jenkins' Ferry. After the close of the war he returned to
his home in Missouri. Mr. Fletcher was married in this county, in September,
1868, to Miss Mary E. Simpson, who was born in Cass County, Missouri, and a
daughter of James R. Simpson. He was again married here, October 2, 1873, to
Miss Mary S. Jarvis, a native of Madison County, Illinois. Her father was
Fletcher Jarvis, Esq. Mr. Fletcher moved to his present farm in February, 1882,
and now has 120 acres of land, all fenced, with a fair house and improvements,
and good orchard. He was appointed census enumerator in 1880, and took the
census of Mound and Elkhart Townships. He has three children: Waller, by his
first marriage; Juanita and James Henry. He and his wife are members of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The former belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
(History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
FLETCHER, W.E.
Spruce Township - W.E. Fletcher is an enterprising citizen of Johnstown. He is a
native of Missouri and was born in Monroe County, December 12, 1836. His
parents, James P. and Philiadelphia (Menifee) Fletcher, were Virginians by
birth. The former moved to Missouri in 1835 and located in Monroe County, of
which he was one of the pioneers. In 1842 they went west to Cooper County where
they resided about two years then going to Saline County in the fall of 1844.
After living there for about five years, in 1849 they came to Bates County. W.E.
was raised as a farmer and was educated in the common schools. He was married in
this county in October, 1855, to Miss Martha A. Bowen, a daughter of George
Bowen, after which he engaged in farming in Spruce Township. In 1862 he enlisted
in the Confederate army in the Sixteenth Missouri Infantry, and served until the
close of the war. He participated in the battles of Springfield and Lexington,
Missouri; Prairie Grove, Arkansas; Pleasant Hill, Louisiana; and Jenkins' Ferry,
Arkansas. After the close of the war he returned to Missouri. Mrs. Fletcher died
June 4, 1875, leaving six children: Georgia A., Saphronia, James P., Cora Lee,
Rovilla and Martha A. Mr. Fletcher was again married to Miss Susannah A.
Gutridge in April, 1879. She is a daughter of Peter and Angeline Gutridge. They
have one child, William E. Mr. F. came to Johnstown in 1867 and embarked in the
sawmill and lumber business. He is democratic in politics and has held various
offices of trust and responsibility in his township. He is a man of excellent
business qualifications, and in 1874 was elected justice of Spruce Township and
has since been re-elected and held the office for seven years in succession. He
was appointed postmaster of Johnstown in 1879, which position he filled for two
years. In 1874 he was appointed notary public and has held the office since that
time. At the election in 1880 Mr. Fletcher was elected township trustee and
treasurer. He and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and
he also belongs to the Masonic fraternity and has served as master for two terms
in his lodge. During the past season he has devoted his attention to
agricultural pursuits. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
FLINT, A.H.
West Point Township - A.H. Flint was born at Randolph, Orange County, Vermont,
May 19, 1829, and was the son of Samuel and Relief (Howard) Flint, both natives
of Vermont. The subject of this sketch was the youngest of seven children, only
two of whom are now living, Mary F. Keys in Vermont, and Sarah M. Thair, at
Paola, Kansas. He enjoyed more than ordinary educational facilities, having
attended the high school in his native town and the Stutson High School at
Randolph, Massachusetts. In 1850 he began to teach, and taught in graded schools
in various towns in Massachusetts and Vermont for four years, when he moved to
Wisconsin. He taught in the Racine public schools, and in 1855 he settled on a
farm near Johnstown, Rock County, with his parents. After living there for eight
years, in 1862 he came to St. Joseph, Missouri, and for five years gave his
attention to the stock trade in Northwest Missouri, and in connection freighted
to Denver. In 1868 he located in Kansas City and embarked in the lumber and
stock business. In 1871 he came to Bates County and settled on a tract of 356
acres near Vinton, in West Point Township, where he is occupied in farming
operations. In addition to this he is handling a number of horses. His mother is
living with him, his father having died in DeKalb County. (History of Bates
County, Missouri, 1883)
FORBES, David C.
West Point Township - David C. Forbes, a brother of S.Y. Forbes, of this
township, was born in Green County, Kentucky, March 12, 1831. When the family
came to Missouri he accompanied them, and was reared in Pettis County, where in
1851-2 and '53, he was occupied in merchandising. In 1854, he went to Bourbon
County, Kansas, and took part in the struggles of the following four years. He
was in John Brown's company until that old veteran started on his fool-hardy
attempt, which so signally failed. Mr. Forbes anticipated nothing but failure
for this attempt and wisely held aloof. He was married June 10, 1860, in Bourbon
County, Kansas, to Miss Hulda Loar, a native of Ohio. They have had eight
children, three of whom died in infancy. Flora Belle, Minnie May, David,
Cordelia and Robert are now living. Mr. Forbes has a small farm, and is devoting
some attention to horticulture, having about 300 apple trees of choice
selection. In politics he is a Republican. (History of Bates County, Missouri,
1883)
FORBES, Samuel Y.
West Point Township - Samuel Y. Forbes is a native of Green County, Kentucky,
where he was born December 31, 1829. His father, Yates Forbes, came originally
from Virginia, and his mother, Margaret (Jackson) Forbes, was born in North
Carolina. Samuel is the fourth of eleven children, five of whom are now living,
all but one, in Bates County. When about one year old he was brought to
Jefferson County, Illinois, where he grew to manhood, not receiving very good
educational advantages. In 1854 he came to Missouri, and was engaged in selling
goods for one year. He was married at Georgetown, July 24, 1855, to Miss Martha
Craghead, a native of Pettis County. In this same year he came to Bates County
and settled in West Point Township near where he now lives. His wife died
February 2, 1860, leaving two children, one of whom died in a short time. The
other child, Margaret Ann, known as "Daisy", married Henry Van Buskirk. In May,
1869, Mr. Forbes was married to Miss Betsy Ann Mills, daughter of Jacob Mills.
She lived but three years and at her death left one child, Cora May. Mr. Forbes
third marriage occured December 1, 1878, to Miss Jennie Willett, of Bourbon
County, Kansas. They have one child, Pearl Maud, aged two years. Mr. F. has a
farm of 550 acres near Vinton, and is quite extensively occupied in farming. He
is taking especial interest in improving the stock of his farm and neighborhood.
He is a member of the Baptist Church and belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
(History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
FRANCE, James W.
Grand River Township - James W. France, of the firm of Tucker & France, Altona,
is a native of Bates County, Missouri, where he was born May 8, 1855. His
parents, William D. and J.J. (Williams) France, came originally from Kentucky
and were among the pioneers of Bates County. His father was a farmer and
blacksmith by trade, and reared a family of three children, James being the
second. At the age of seven years he was taken to Texas, where he grew to
manhood on a stock ranch. His father died in 1865, but he remained in that
locality until 1881, when he returned to Bates County and entered into
partnership with his father-in-law, M.M. Tucker, in the mercantile business at
Altona. He owns his residence at this place and also has some property in Barry
County. December 18, 1876, Mr. France was married to Miss Nannie F. Tucker. They
have three children: Ada, Monroe M. and Eva. Mr. France and wife are connected
with the Christian Church, and he also belongs to the A.F. & A.M. fraternity.
(History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
FRIZELL, John H., M.D.
Mt. Pleasant Township - The subject of this sketch, a leading physician of
Butler and also of Bates County, is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, and was
born May 26, 1831. When nine years old he accompanied his father's family to
Edgar County, Illinois, where he was reared to manhood, receiving his education
from the seminary at Paris, Illinois. In 1853 he began the study of medicine
under Dr. S. York, with whom he reamined till the commencement of his practice.
During the terms of 1854-5 and 1855-6 he attended Rush Medical College of
Chicago, and at the close of the latter term became a graduate of that
institution. After leaving college (1856) he started to practice at Bloomfield,
Illinois, where he continued until 1861. In that year he enlisted in the Union
Army and became assistant surgeon of United States Volunteers, and was on
hospital duty at the post hospital at Columbus, Ohio. After a year's service at
that point he was removed to Park and Exchange Barracks, of which he had entire
charge; he was also medical examiner of recruits there, where he remained for
one year. Then for the following six months he was on duty at Lexington,
Kentucky, at the expiration of that time beign stationed at Cumberland Gap on
hospital duty. He was subsequently ordered to New Orleans, Louisiana, and served
as assistant surgeon at the Sedwick United States Army Hospital until mustered
out of service in May, 1866. Returning to Illinois, Dr. Frizell continued to
reside there till August, 1866, when he came to Bates County. He has since
devoted his attention to the practice of medicine with most satisfactory
results. He was married January 24, 1867, to Miss Melissa D. Moore, a daughter
of Nelson Moore, of Vermillion County, Illinois. They have four children:
Luella, Marion A., Anna and Lloyd N. - the latter two being twins. The doctor is
a member of the A.O.U.W. lodge of this city. (History of Bates County, Missouri,
1883)
FRY, Thomas J.
Summit Township - Thomas J. Fry, among the leading farmers of Bates County, was
born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, April 15, 1844, and was the son of
Martin H. and Maria (Pfantz) Fry. His father was born in 1812, and his mohter
February 15, 1815. Thomas J. spent his youth on his father's farm, and attended
the common schools. He came west with one of his brothers in 1867, and after
looking through Illinois and Iowa finally located in Bates County, Missouri,
where, in company with his brothers, he bought a large tract of land in June,
1869. They now have 2,020 acres, with 1,980 acres under fence, and some 900
acres in a good state of cultivation, two good substantial residences adorn
their farms and also a bearing orchard of apple, peach, plum and cherry trees.
The subject of this sketch was married in Bates County, to Miss M.J. Porter, a
daughter of Judge J.L. Porter, of Bates County. Mr. Fry resides on section 35.
(History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
FUDGE, Coleman J.
East Boone Township - Coleman J. Fudge was born January 1, 1845, in Ralls
County, Missouri, and was the son of Jacob Fudge, a native of Virginia, and
Elsie K. Hansborough, a Kentuckian by birth, both of whom came to Missouri about
1832, being married in Missouri. They had a family of five children, of whom
Coleman is the fourth. Three of these now live in Cass and Bates Counties, A.R.,
Mattie E. Jackson and the subject of this sketch. In 1850 the family came to
Cass County and settled five miles west of Harrisonville. On February 12, 1868,
Mr. Fudge married Miss Louisiana Stephens, daughter of Hiram Stephens. She was
born on South Fork, March 26, 1845. Mr. Fudge went to New Mexico in 1863, where
he remained one year, then visiting Missouri, where he stopped until 1865.
Subsequently he spent over one year in Shelby County. In 1870 he came to Bates
County and settled on section 13 of East Boone Township, where he has a farm of
160 acres. They have three children: Hattie May, Ben A. and William Stephen. Mr.
Fudge is a member of the Masonic order, and both he and his wife belong to the
Free Will Baptist Church of Grand River. (History of Bates County, Missouri,
1883)
FULTON, Alphonso J.
Mingo Township - Alphonso J. Fulton, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Wray
County, Tennessee, October 24, 1831, and is the eldest in a family of eleven
children. His parents were Fleming H. and Anna M. (Stacy) Fulton. When seven
years of age Alphonson came to Cass County, Missouri, with the family and lived
there on a farm until about sixteen, then going to Johnson County where he
remained the greater part of the time until 1867. Subsequently he returned to
Cass and in 1881 he came to Bates County, where he is engaged in farming and
raising stock. His residence is on section 29 and his farm contains 120 acres.
In 1856 Mr. Fulton lived for a time in Kansas City and assisted in building the
wharf, and for a while he was occupied in coal mining and hauling to Kansas
City. While a resident of Cass and Johnson Counties he was entrusted with the
duties pertaining to several of the minor township offices. Mr. Fulton was
married February 7, 1847, to Miss Marietta M. Beard who lived about five years,
dying in February, 1852. In the following December he married Miss Sarah A.
Anderson. They have six children living: Julia E., Russell J., Alexander C.,
Joseph G., Cora A. and Homer. Three are deceased: Weightman B., Cornelia and
Bertie. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)