Bates County Biographies
Bates County Biographies
TALBOT, James H.
Deer Creek Township - James H. Talbot, farmer and stock raiser, section 23, was
born in Cass County, Missouri, July 19, 1854, and was a son of Joshua Talbot, a
farmer and stock raiser by occupation and a native of Pennsylvania. His mother,
Lucinda (Smith) Talbot, was a Virginian by birth. The former came to Cass County
in 1839 and located where he now resides. The subject of this sketch was reared
on the farm in Cass, receiving his education in the schools of Pleasant Hill. He
remained at home until 1877, when he removed to Bates County, Missouri, and
resumed agricultural pursuits. His farm embraces 250 acres, all under fence,
improved, well watered and well adapted to the purpose of stock farming. Mr. T.
is township treasurer. February 6, 1879, he was married to Miss Lou Funk, a
native of Virginia, born January 9, 1861. They have one child, Ernest, born
January 15, 1880. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
TAYLOR, Francis M.
Grand River Township - Francis M. Taylor, farmer, is a native of Georgia, having
been born in Lumpkin County, December 7, 1846. His parents, Osborn J. and
Margaret J. (Kennedy) Taylor, were both born in the Palmetto State. Francis is
the fourth in a family of eleven children. His early days were spent on a farm
and in acquiring an education in the inferior schools of his native state.
Toward the close of the war he enlisted in the Third Georgia Regiment, and was
made first lieutenant of Company B. He was on detached duty principally, but
participated in the battle of Athens. He surrendered at Kimpstown, Georgia, May
18, 1865. He then farmed in Georgia until September, 1867, on the 26th of which
month he was married to Miss Martha C. Cantrell, a native of the same state.
They then came to Platte County, Missouri, where Mr. T. farmed until 1873, when
he came to this county. He lives on a farm of fifty acres, which he has in good
condition. He is one of the most intelligent men of the township, and has held
the office of justice of the peace for upwards of six years. He is also township
collector, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. He has a family of four
children: Jefferson G., Lawrence L., William Ernest and James F. They have lost
three children: John H., Mary A., and one who died in infancy. (History of Bates
County, Missouri, 1883)
TEETER, Darius
Spruce Township - Darius Teeter, farmer and stock dealer, section 7, was born in
Cayuga County, New York, May 27, 1834. Conrad Teeter, his father, originally
from New Jersey, married Miss Mary Hall, who was born in the state of New York.
The former moved to New York with his parents when young, and settled in Cayuga
County, where he grew to manhood. Darius accompanied the family to Wisconsin in
1843, when they located in Dodge County, buying land and improving a farm. The
subject of this sketch spent his youth on the farm, and received a good common
school education. In the spring of 1860, he took a trip to Colorado, and was
engaged in the mines, prospecting, trading, &c., for some two years. He then
went to Idaho in the spring of 1862, where he was occupied in the mercantile
business and mining for three years. In the winter of 1865, Mr. Teeter returned
to Wisconsin and resumed farming for some three years. Selling hs property in
Wisconsin in the fall of 1869, in the spring of 1870, he came to Missouri,
bought land and located in Bates County, and improved his present farm. He has
about 200 acres, with 193 fenced, mostly with hedge and rock wall, and in a good
state of cultivation. He is engaged in the handling and feeding of stock to some
extent. Mr. T. was married in Portage County, Wisconsin, September 29, 1866, to
Miss Emma Abbott, a daughter of Nelson and Delila Abbott. She was born in DeKalb
County, Wisconsin. They have three children: George Dwight, born February 13,
1870; Cora May, born January 27, 1872, and Clarence Abbott, born May 8, 1876.
(History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
THOMPSON, David W.
Mt. Pleasant Township - David W. Thompson, farmer, stock feeder and dealer, is
the owner of 900 acres of land, and lives on his home farm of 220 acres in
section 14. Six hundred and eighy acres are in the corner of the township. Mr.
T. was born in Taylor County, Ohio, August 15, 1838. His father, Jason Thompson,
was born in Ross County, Ohio, and his mother, formerly Nancy A. Watson, came
originally from Adams County, Ohio. They had seven sons, of whom the subject of
this sketch is the third. He completed his education at the Bellfontaine High
School, and in 1855 he visited Iowa, remaining there one year, when he returned
to Ohio and attended school for two years. He then taught for two years. In
March, 1860, he went to Colorado and engaged in mining for two years, after
which he was occupied in freighting from the Missouri River to all points west
in the new territories. He commenced with one team of two yoke of cattle, and
after five years of hard work he closed up the business with twenty teams of
five yoke of cattle each. In December, 1868, he came back, leaving his teams and
350 cows and heifers on a good ranch on Huearnafa Creek (Wafana). In June, 1872,
he sold this stock to P.T. Barnum for $10,500 and drove 500 head back to
Missouri, where he fed and disposed of them. In 1869 he purchased a farm three
miles southeast of Butler and worked it until 1874, when he moved on to his
present place, where he had built a good residence, barns and made other
substantial improvements. Mr. Thompson's success from his boyhood has been most
remarkable. But it all has been achieved by the greatest effort, hard work and
good financiering. He is a man of great determination and puts forth much energy
in whatever he desires to accomplish. In his political principles he is among
the leaders of the Greenback party. He is an active member of the executive
committee of the State Grange and also belongs to the Presbyterian Church. He
was married in Henry County, Iowa, to Miss Annie K. McKee, December 22, 1868.
She was the daughter of James Johnson McKee, of Ohio, and Isabel (Fulton) McKee,
from Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. They have three children living: Anna
Belle, twelve years old; James Elbert, ten years of age, and Ora Ella, aged five
years. Nancy May died in 1877 when two years old. (History of Bates County,
Missouri, 1883)
TINSLEY, James H.
East Boone Township - James H. Tinsley, dealer in general merchandise, Burdett,
was born October 23, 1832, in Hopkins County, Kentucky, and is the second of
eight children. His parents were Boswell and Mary (Henry) Tinsley, his father
being a native of South Carolina and his mother of Kentucky. They are now living
in Livingston County, Missouri, as are also two sisters. In 1840 the family
removed to Grundy County, Missouri, locating near Trenton, where James lived
until 1869, then coming to Henry County. This was his home until 1881, and in
July of that year he came to Burdett and engaged in merchandising. He carries a
general stock of drugs, groceries, etc. August 26, 1862, Mr. Tinsley enlisted at
Macon City in "Merrill's Horse" and served two years, being discharged at St.
Louis December 9, 1864. At the battle near Little Rock, August 10, 1863, he was
wounded three times, once in the head, then through the shoulder and through the
hip, and was detained for some time at the hospital at Little Rock. He was
married in Grundy County, January 5, 1854, to Miss Emily M. Embrey, of
Washington County, Kentucky. They have five children: Matilda Jane, wife of
Robert Smith and living at Crab Orchard, Kentucky; Cecil Ann, wife of Harry
Marks, of Vernon County; Henry married Miss Mary Clarey and is living in Henry
County, Nancy Belle and James. Mr. Tinsley is a Republican in politics and is
the postmaster at Burdett. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
TRIMBLE, Francis M.
Mt. Pleasant Township - Francis M. Trimble, a native of Montgomery County,
Kentucky, was born February 4, 1843. His fahter, James H. Trimble, was also a
Kentuckian by birth, and was there brought up. He married Miss Harriet Brush,
and by this union they had ten chldren, of whom Francis was the oldest. The
latter was raised and educated at his birthplace, and passed his early life in
following the occupation of farming. In 1870 he removed to Bates County and here
tilled the soil until February, 1880, when he became a member of the firm of
F.M. Crumly & Co., dealers in drugs. Thus he continued to be occupied until he
entered upon the duties of county treasurer, to which office he had been elected
in 1880. He has made a most excellent official and has discharged his trust with
scrupulous care and fidelity and satisfactorily to his constituents. Mr. Trimble
has been three times married: first, September 4, 1864, to Miss Sarah Redmon,
who died, leaving two children, Jessie and Mollie. On November 17, 1874, he
married Miss Minerva Redmon, who also died. Mr. Trimble's third marriage
occurred December 18, 1877, to Mrs. Fannie Edwards (Redmon). They are members of
the Christian Church. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
TROWBRIDGE, Martin H.
East Boone Township - Martin H. Trowbridge was born July 12, 1841, at Delta,
Fulton County, Ohio, the son of John S. and Hannah (Hampton) Trowbridge, the
former a native of New York, and the latter originally from Ohio. Martin is the
eldest of eight children, four boys and four girls. He never enjoyed superior
school advantages, having received his education in the common schools. When
nine years of age he entered a store and continued therein until the outbreak of
the war, when he offered his services by enlisting on August 25, 1861, in
Company I, Thirty-eighth Ohio. He served under General Thomas, principally in
Tennessee and Kentucky, at Chattanooga and Stone River, and with Sherman on his
march toward the close of the war. In the fight at Jonesborough, September 1,
1864, he was wounded by receiving a revolver ball in his right fore arm. He has
just removed the ball, some six inches from the place of entrance, after
eighteen years time, it having been cut out September 11, 1882. In 1866 Mr.
Trowbridge came west to Omaha, where he remained one summer. He married, October
8, 1866, Miss Marcia E. Nichol, at Ottawa, Illinois. She is a native of Ohio,
and a sister of L.R. Nichol, of Boone Township. They lived in Nebraska until
1867, when they came to Bates County, Missouri, locating near Burdett, and in
1869 he secured his present farm, consisting of 170 acres on section 14. He and
his wife have five children living: Marcus Elmer, Florence R., William O., Edith
Alzira, and Herbert T. James A. died September 21, 1881. In politics Mr.
Trowbridge is Republican, and was the late candidate of his party for
representativ to the legislature. He favors prohibition. (History of Bates
County, Missouri, 1883)
TUCKER, M.M.
Grand River Township - M.M. Tucker, farmer, stock raiser and merchant, Altona,
was born in Warren County, Kentucky, December 6, 1834, and was the youngest of
four sons, of William F. Tucker, a farmer and tanner, and a native of Virginia;
his wife's maiden name was Nancy P. Wentlow, of Kentucky. The former died when
M.M. was six months old, and his mother soon after married Johnson Shobe, and in
1840 removed to Missouri, where the subject of this sketch grew to manhood,
receiving a good education in the common schools and at the State University, at
Columbia. In 1853, when eighteen years old, he went to California, traveling
overland with ox teams. He remained there engaged in mining, until 1857. In 1858
- March 18 - he was married to Miss Mary S. Quisenberry, a native of Missouri,
born July 16, 1837. He then settled in Pettis County, and farmed there one year,
when he removed to Bates County, where he has since resided. His farm contains
200 acres, well improved, with a fine barn, a large orchard of 450 apple trees,
100 peach and a number of plum, pear and other fruits; his house, costing
$1,500, was built in 1868. He also owns another tract of 800 acres of land. Mr.
T. is a senior member of the firm of Tucker & France, general merchants, who own
their own store building. They carry a stock of $11,000, and are doing an
excellent business. He has five children living: Nannie F., (wife of J.W.
France); William M.; Minnie; Clay; and Leland. They have lost five children:
James J., Nora, Lenora, Leonard and an infant. Mr. Tucker, his wife, and the
three eldest children are connected with the Christian Church. He is a member of
Altona lodge No. 315, A.F. and A.M., and is the present secretary of the lodge.
He also belongs to the I.O.O.F. Mr. Tucker is interested in educational matters
and often holds the position of school director. (History of Bates County,
Missouri, 1883)
TUCKER, William Edwin
Mt. Pleasant Township - William Edwin Tucker is the grandson of Jesse Tucker,
who was born in Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky, in 1791. He married Mary
Atherton, December 17, 1813, and subsequently moved to Charleston, Indiana,
where William Atherton Tucker, the father of the subject of this sketch, was
born November 8, 1814. The family of Jesse Tucker soon returned to Kentucky.
William A. at the early age of twelve years commenced learning the wool carding
business in Shelby County, and after working until twenty years of age, he took
charge of woolen mills in Jefferson County, which he afterwards purchased. He
was married in 1837, to Miss Mary Ann Leatherman, a native of Kentucky, who had
not attained her seventeenth year. She was noted as a remarkably handsome woman,
whose graces of mind and person drew around her as suitors the opulent and
talented. She died when W.E. was nearly three years of age, leaving three
daughters and one son, the latter of whom was born March 6, 1846, in
Jeffersontown, Kentucky. A faithful negress, called Aunt Easter, became the
housekeeper and cared for the family as tenderly as any but a mother could, and
she still calls them her children, and although eighty-one years old and infirm,
she makes annual visits to them for aid, to which they cheerfully respond. In
1855, his father married a Miss Rudy. By this marriage there were two daughters,
who are now living in Jefferson County. When William E. Tucker was ten years old
he commenced helping his father card wool, and scarcely missed a day until the
senior Tucker died. In 1849, the latter built a large mansion, in which the
family lived for a time, but owing to its size and desirable location it was
sold to the Christian Church in 1860, for an educational institution, now known
as Jefferson College. The present college building covers the spot where William
was born. It was under the tuition of O.A. Bartholomew, then president, that he
received a fair English education. His father removed to the country east of
town, on the Taylorsville Pike, and in connection with wool carding engaged in
farming until his death, which occurred September 7, 1864. William E. had at
this time become proficient in the wool business, and at the sale of the
property purchased the machinery for $400. He spent the winter of 1864 in
Louisville, working in a cracker factory, and the following season carried on
the woolen business. In the fall his uncle, Dr. Leatherman, induced him to study
dentistry. He sold the carding machine and agreed with the purchaser to manage
the business the coming season. Although it had become distasteful to him he
fulfilled his engagement, and then commenced his dental studies in the fall of
1865. He obtained means to purchase his machine and prosecute his studies from
an aunt. This he repaid subsequently. In the spring of 1866, he went to
Cincinnati, bought an instrument and practiced there a short time. In September,
1866, he came to Missouri, and spent the fall with his sisters in Pettis County.
In January, 1867, he opened an office in Otterville, Cooper County, where he did
a successful business. On November 22, 1871, he came to Butler, since which time
he has been actively engaged in the practice of dentistry. He is a close student
and takes great pride in his profession, availing himself of every opportunity
for improvement, and using the latest and best instruments. He was one of the
first in the state to try the electro-magnetic mallet, and one of the few who
now use it successfully. He has long been classed among the leading dentists of
the state, and the interest he has taken in the Missouri State Dental
Association, and the benefit derived from the clinics, conducted by the best
operators, have been of great benefit to him, as he never forgets the most
minute detail of any operation of which he was a witness. In his religious
preference he belongs to the Christian Society, and united with this church at
the age of sixteen, under the ministry of Benjamin Franklin, of Cincinnati. He
was instrumental in organizing a Christian Society in Otterville, and after he
came to Butler he assisted in the organization of the church here, June 22,
1873, and he has since been an active worker and among its liberal contributors.
He has from the organization, in 1873, been its treasurer, and has acted as
superintendent of the Sabbath School since its organization, July 26, 1871,
until the present time. In May, 1881, he was elected elder against his wishes,
but still holds this position. The following sketch of Dr. Tucker's early
Masonic history is furnished by Thomas J. Starke, Esq: "At a regular
communication of Pleasant Grove Lodge, No. 142, A.F. and A.M., held at the
Masonic Hall in the town of Otterville, on Saturday, the 26th day of December,
A.D., 1868, A.L. 5868, the petition of Dr. W.E. Tucker for initiation into the
mysteries of Masonry was read in open lodge, and referred to a committee
consisting of the following named brethren, to wit: Harrison Homan, T.C.
Cranmer, and A.M. Gibbs. On the 23d of January, 1869, the above named committee
having reported favorably, the ballot was spread upon his said petition, and he
was duly elected to the first degree. The lodge was then opened in form, and Dr.
Tucker was introduced and duly initiated into the mysteries of the order
appertaining to the degree of Entered Apprenticeship, the following officers
being at their resepective stations: Thomas J. Starke, W.M.; Thomas V. Ellis,
S.W.; A.M. Gibbs, J.W. pro tempore; A.L. Zollinger, Treasurer; H.W. Ferguson,
Secretary; T.C. Cranmer, S.D.; D.J. Shy, J.D.; and J.W. Howell, Tyler. Brother
Tucker having been examined in open lodge as to his proficiency in the first
degree, was on the 19th day of February, 1869, elected to the second degree,
introduced and duly passed to the degree of Fellow Craft. On the 27th of March,
1869, he was duly raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. At the regular
communication held June 19, 1869, for the election of officers, Brother Tucker
was duly elected as Junior Warden of Pleasant Grove Lodge, No. 142, and
faithfully and zealously discharged the duties of the office during that year.
He was sent by the lodge in November to represent them in the Grand Lodge, and
at the election held June 11, 1870, he was elected Senior Warden; and again on
the 3d of June, 1871, he was re-elected to the same position. As an officer he
was bright, intelligent and efficient, always at his post and universally held
in high esteem by all with whom he was associated, whether as a Mason or
otherwise." February 1, 1873, the Dr. affiliated with Butler Lodge, No. 254, one
of the most important in Missouri. At its annual election December 20, 1873, he
was elected Master of the lodge for the following year, at the expiration of
which time he was re-elected and served another year. On June 24, 1874, all the
lodges in Bates and Cass Counties united in a grand reunion, and he was selected
as the one to deliver an address, which he did. This address was a masterly
production, ably prepared and most excellently delivered, and showed deep
research as well as Masonic knowledge. Dr. Tucker, on this occasion, was the
recipient of flattering notices, from both people and press. October 26, 1874,
he was appointed by the grand master of the state D.D.G.M. of the forty-fifth
district, to which position he was re-appointed the three following years. In
January, 1876, he was appointed by Grand Lecturer Allen McDowell, as D.D. Grand
Lecturer, in which capacity he served two years, at that time resigning both
offices, as his professional duties required all his attention. During the years
1878 and 1879 he served the lodge as secretary, and was again elected Master for
1880. At a meeting of Butler Lodge No. 254, January 15, 1881, he was presented
with a handsome Past Master's jewel. He is a member of Miami R.A.C. No. 76,
having been exalted to the sublime degree of a R.A. Mason, April 10, 1873, and
for several years thereafter he was an active member, and served as Captain of
the Host and secretary most of the time, until, as before stated, he was
prevented from taking active part in either the lodge or chapter on account of
other duties. Dr. Tucker was married February 4, 1879, to Emily Rowena Williard,
who was born in Aztelan, Jefferson County, Wisconsin. Her parents were natives
of New York. Her maternal grandfather, J.F. Ostrander emigrated west at an early
day and was a pioneer preacher in Wisconsin, and preached the first sermon in
Madison, the capital of that state. He died in 1875 in Martinsville, Minnesota,
where his widow still lives at the age of eighty years. Hartzell Williard, her
father, went to Wisconsin when quite young, and there married Ellen Cornelia
Ostrander, October 2, 1855. Their family consisted of two sons and three
daughters, Mrs. Tucker being the eldest child. In 1872 the family moved to Bates
County, where they have since lived. At the age of sixteen, Mrs. T. began
teaching school, and after teaching three terms she entered Butler Academy, when
it was first opened, and attended it until she was offered a position in the
Butler public schools, where she taught until the spring of 1878. At the time of
her marriage she was a member of the Presbyterian Church, but has since united
with the Christian Church. Their family circle consists of Williard Edwin, born
November 29, 1879, Chester Lee, March 18, 1881, and Nellie Florence, August 16,
1882. Politically, he is a Democrat, and takes an active interest in the
prohibition movement of the present time. Dr. Tucker is most devoted to his wife
and children, and all of his time, outside of business hours is spent in company
with them. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)