Greene County, Missouri - Biographical sketches (3 of 6 so headed), 1883

John J. Campbell

'Squire Campbell is the son of Robert and Sarah (Mills) Campbell, and was born in Maury county, Tennessee, May, 1818. His parents were natives of South Carolina, and his grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He lived in his native county, engaged in farming until 1850, when he moved to Texas, and in 1853 he moved to Greene county, Missouri, where he has since resided and followed farming. During the war he served in the Home Guards. His oldest son, William, was killed at the battle of Springfield, January 8, 1863, when it was attacked by Gen. Marmaduke. His son John R. served through the war. Mr. Campbell has been a justice of the peace for seventeen years, and has never had a decision reversed by a higher court. He was married in 1839 to Miss Julia J., daughter of William and Mary (Blair) Mack, of Maury county, Tennessee. Her parents were from Virginia, and her grandfather was also a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Squire and Mrs. Campbell were blest with nine children, six of whom are living, John R. M., Mary R., Margaret E., lantha A., George W. and Ida, all of whom are married. No man in the county is more highly regarded than 'Squire Campbell.

Calvin M. Cloud

This gentleman is the son of AVilliam and Rebecca (Mitchell) Cloud, and was born in Hawkins county, Tennessee, June 24, 1820. His father was a native of Virginia, and a soldier of the war of 1812. His mother was a native of South Carolina. In 1887 his parents moved to Jefferson county, Mo., and in 1838 to this county, and settled at the Hunt Spring, where they took a large tract of land. Mr. Cloud, Sr., lived there until 1856, and then moved to California, where he died in 1857. Calvin M, has lived in Clay township since 1838, and consequently is one of the oldest settlers in that part of the county. He was badly wounded by bushwhackers during the war. They were trying to steal some of his horses, and shot him while he was in his own yard. He carries the bullet in his body to this daj'. Mr. Cloud has held the office of justice of the peace for eight years, and only one of his cases has ever been reversed by a higher court. 'Squire Cloud is one of the prosperous, reliable citizens of the count}', and one in whom all have implicit confidence. He was married April 8, 1847, to Miss Kershner, daughter of John and Martha (Amos) Kershner, of Greene count}', Missouri. Their union has been blest with ten children, all living, viz. : Susanna F., John J., Mary E., Martha M., Thomas H., Sarah E., Lucy A., William B., Harriet E. and Edward C. Squire Cloud has had twenty-seven grand-children, twenty-five of whom are living.

Daniel B. Gates

This gentleman is the son of Zebediah and Betsy (Maxon) Gates, and was born in Courtland county N. Y., March 11th, 1836. His mother is the daughter of General Maxon of Revolutionary fame, and his great-grandfather was General Gates, whose name and deeds ar« familiar to every schoolboy. Mr. Gates' grandfather enlisted in the Continental army at the age of fourteen, and his father was a soldier in the Black Hawk war. Daniel lived at home until he was seventeen years of age and then went to Chicago where he was engaged in railroading for several years. He speculated largely in Missouri lands by buying and laying land warrants, owning at one time twenty thousand acres of land. He raised a company for the 111th 111. Volunteers, but resigned the captaincj' and was appointed by General Yates assistant provost marshal for the 11th 111. congressional district, where he remained until the close of the war. In 1866 he went to Kansas City and Fort Scott, and in 1867 purchased the place where he now resides. He owns a finely improved farm of eight hundred acres, besides other lands in difi'erent parts of the State. He is one of the most substantial citizens of Greene count}', and is regarded as a thorough gentleman. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for twenty-five years. Mr. Gates was married December 28,

Col. Charles A. Haden

This gentleman is the son of Joel H. and Marth. (Smith) Haden, and was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, May 9, 1813. His mother was a native of that State and his father of Virginia. His grandfather was a captain in the Revolutionary war. His father, the Rev. Joel Haden, was a Christian minister and organized nearly all the older churches of that denomination in Southwest Missouri. In 1824 he moved to Howard county Missouri, and in 1835 he and his son Charles came to Springfield, where he was appointed register of the land office, which position he held several years, and also carried on the work of organization of Christian churches. He returned to Howard county, where he died in 1862. Charles worked here in his father's office until 1841, when he removed to the farm upon which he now resides, where he has been farming and dealing extensively in stock. He now owns a fine farm of five hundred acres, besides giving to his children some three hundred. Mr. Haden is one of the pioneers of Greene county, and was a colonel of militia in the early days of the county. He has been a member of the Christian church since a young man, and a Mason since 1842. He was married May 6, 1841, to Miss Louisiana, daughter of Major Joseph and Judith Weaver, Their union was blest with eight children, six living, Martha H., Judith M., Gabrella S., Joel H., John S. and Mollie E. Mrs. Haden died August 18,

Henry B. Hill

This young gentleman was born in Tioga county, New York, February 22d, 1856, where he grew to manhood and received a good education. In 1877 he came to Christian county, Missouri, where he engaged in teaching and farming. In 1881 he embarked in the mercantile business at Ponce De Leon Springs, and in 1883 he located at Galoway Station, in this county, where he and Mr. Ethan Miller are doing a general merchandising business. They are building up quite a trade, and deserve the success they meet.

Rev. Joseph W. Langston

This gentleman is the son of R. N. and Martha A. (Gallon) Langston, and was born in Logan county, Kentucky, October 5th, 1829. He is of Scotch descent, and his grandfather was a colonel in the Revolutionary war. Joseph's parents moved to Greene county, Missouri, in 1831, and settled first upon what is now known as the Turner place, on the Rockbridge road, upon the James. In 1859 they moved to Howell county, Missouri, where Mr. Langston, Sr., was killed in 1863, by "rebel" bushwhackers. Joseph W. grew to manhood in this county, and in 1859 removed to Howell county. He returned to Greene county in 1862, where, as a Union man, he was much safer. He represented Greene county in the Legislature in 1872 and 1873, and was one of the most intelligent men of that body. He is a minister of the Methodist church, and has preached for twenty-seven years, and organized churches all over the Southwest. He owns a fine farm of two hundred acres. Mr. Langston was married in 1853, to Miss Mary A., daughter of Joel and Elizabeth (Collins) Cargile, of this county, formerly of Alabama. Their union has been blest with ten children, eight of whom are living, William M., Thomas H., Willis J,, Martha A., Mary E., James H., Edward A., and Robert R.

Asa Lyman

This gentleman is the son of Asa and Sarah (Davis) Lyman, and was born in New Hampshire April 25, 1811. Hisgrandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. When Mr. Lyman was a small boy his parents moved to St. Lawrence county. New York, where he grew to manhood. At the age of sixteen he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he has followed until a few years ago. In 1834 he moved to near Cleveland, Ohio. In 1840 to Parke county, Indiana, from there to Arkansas, and in 1844 he came to Greene county, Missouri, where he has since resided. He had the first shop in that part of the county. He owns a good farm, and spends most of his time reading at home. He was postmaster for about eighteen years, and has been a consistent member of the Christian church for forty years. He enjoys fine health, which he attributes to his temperate habits. Mr. Lyman was married in 1831 to Miss Rhoda, daughter of Ezra and Nancy Young, of St. Lawrence county. New York. She died in 1839. He was married the second time in 1840 to Miss Margaret K., daughter of Peter and Isabella Myers, of Parke county, Indiana. By his first marriage there were three children, Calvin, John, and Mary. Five children bless the last union, viz. : William, Lawson, Susan, Isabella, and Margaret.

Judge John W. D. L. F. Mack

This gentleman is the son of John and Sarah V. (Mack) Mack, and was born in Maurj^ county, Tennessee, January 15, 1821. His great grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution, and his great uncle was one of the men killed at the battle of New Orleans. His father was a native of North Carolina, and his mother of Virginia. He grew to manhood in his native count}* and lived there until 1852, when he moved to Greene county, Missouri, and located at Springfield. In 1855 he accepted the position of deputy circuit clerk, which position he held until 1859, when he was elected circuit clerk and served until 1861. He read law before and during his clerkship and was admitted to the bar in 1856. From 1863 to 1866 inclusive, he was a member of the State Senate, and for some time was adjutant of the 46th Missouri regiment, U. S. A. He was editor of the Springfield Journal from 1862 to 1865, and from 1867 to 1870 he was prosecuting attorney for Greene county. He then practiced his profession until 1875, when he retired from law and politics and moved out to his farm in Clay township where he has since given his time and attention to farming. He has a fine farm of tliree hundred and forty acres. He is a Eoyal Arch Mason, and has been a member of the Christian church since the age of twenty-two. He is a selfeducated, self-made man, never having gone to school a daj' in his life. He was married in 1842 in Maury county, Tennessee, to Miss Sarah E., daughter of Nathaniel G., and Charlotta Murphy. She died in 1849 leaving three children, Francis J. E., Sarah R., and .John D. L. W. Judge Mack was married the second time in 1850, to Mary J. Murphy, a sister of his former wife. Their marriage was blest with nine children, seven of whom are now living, Nathaniel C, James B., Mary M., Robert A., Charles L., Minnie L., and William F.

This gentleman was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Holmes) McCracken, and was born in Williamson county, Tennessee, Jan. 28, 1823. His parents were natives of North Carolina, but were reared in Tennessee. Albert was one of a family of thirteen children, and the ninth son in rotation. His grandfather a was soldier in the war of the Revolution, and his father in the war of 1812. When Albert was twelve years of age he hurt one of his legs, and as it gradually grew worse he had it amputated after he came to Polk county, Missouri, in 1844. He came to this county in 1845. He went to school after he lost his leg and fitted himself for business. In 1854 he was elected clerk of the circuit court, which oflSce he held until 1860. In 1855 he bought out W. H, Anderson, in the nursery business, then the only nursery in the Southwest, and carried on that business until 1875, having branches in Kansas and Arkansas. In 1859 he went into partnership with S. M. Ingram in the milling business, upon the James river, and so continued until his death, Sept. 28, 1878. The last fifteen years of his life he was a devoted Spiritualist, and died in that belief. He left a handsome estate. Commencing life a poor boy and a cripple, he rose to wealth and honor by his energy and good management. Mr. McCracken was married Jan. 23, 1855, to Miss Jane, daughter of Martin and Annie (Howard) Ingram, of this county. Their union has been blest with six children, all living, William F., James S. R., Laura E., Edward E., Benton H. J. and Albert G.

Ethan Miller

Mr. Miller is the son of David and Susan (Warner) Miller, and was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Dec. 2d, 1850. His grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Ethan grew to manhood in his native county, and was educated at the South western Normal College. He then taught school for a short time, and in 1872 he came to Greene county. Mo., and followed teaching and farming. In 1883 he, in partnership with Mr. H. B. Hill, engaged in general merchandising business at Galoway Station in Clay township. They are deserving young men and enjoy the confidence of the people.

John W. Plank

Mr. Plank is the son of Jacob and Barbara (Zook) Plank, and was born in Wayne county, Ohio, January 27th, 1824. His parents were originally from Pennsylvania. John W. grew to manhood in his native county, and learned the cabinet-maker's trade with his brother-inlaw, but worked for a number of years at the carpenter's trade. In 1847 he moved to Elkhart county, Indiana, where he lived until 1868. He then came to Greene county, Missouri, and purchased the farm upon which he now resides. It is a splendid place of four hundred and eighty acres, and he is also the owner of an improved farm in Cedar county, containing two hundred and eighty acres, all of which was made by his industry and perseverance. He is one of Greene's most substantial citizens, and enjoys the confidence of all. Mr. Plank was married March 30th, 1848, to Miss Mary, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Blough)

Stutzman, of Elkhart county, Indiana. Their union was blest with eleven children, nine of whom are living, Chancy, M.., Lavinia A., Amanda J., Lucy A., Milo J., James M., Harvey A., Leander D., and Jerome N. 0.

William L. Thompson

Mr. Thompson is a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Dollison) Thompson, and was born in Henry county, Tennessee, December 13, 1822. His father was a native of Maryland and his mother of Kentucky. After their marriage they moved to Henry county, Tennessee, where they lived until 1829, when they came to Greene county, Missouri. He purchased a claim, but soon sold it and in 1831 moved to what is now known as the Crabtree Price farm, where he lived until 1841, when he moved to Clay township and settled upon the farm where he died in 1850. "William was reared and educated in this county, where he has lived, except from 1863 to 1868, he resided in Kentucky. When the war began he owned a farm of five hundred acres, but owing a few hundred dollars his land was sold to pay his debts in his absence. He returned a poor man and has since endeavored to recuperate his fallen fortunes. He has now a good farm of one hundred and sixty-seven acres, and is regarded as one of Greene's best citizens. Mr. Thompson was married March 27, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth P., daughter of John M. and Elizabeth (Blakley) Hagan. She was a native of Logan county, Kentucky, and was married while upon a visit to this county. They are blest with five children, M. E., Mary A., Edward R., Georgia Ann and Willie Douglas.

Jacob R. D. Thompson John E. Tisdell

This gentleman is the son of Burrell and Elizabeth (Barrett) Tisdell, and was born in Sumner county, Tenn., Nov. 30, 1836. In 1840 his parents moved to Arkansas and in 1843 to Greene county, Missouri, where he grew to manhood and has since resided. From 1852 to 1860 he was engaged in dealing in cattle, and selling principally to the government. Since then he hag given his entire attention to farming. Mr. Tisdell was married May 12,

1862, to Miss Jennie, daughter of Crawford and Francis (Bagby) Crenshaw, of this county formerly of Tennessee, to which State her father went from Virginia, They are blest with five children, Allie, Frank E., John T., Hannah B. and Fannie. Mr. Tisdell is one of the substantial citizens of the county.

This gentleman is the son of Philander and Harriet (Page) Vaughan, and was born in Vermont, Feb. 9, 1843. In 1847 his parents moved to Summit county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He was educated at Hiram College, when James A. Garfield held a professorship there. In 1862 he enlisted in company G, 42d Ohio, Col. Jas. A. Garfield, and was at the battles of Chickasaw Bayou and the seige of Vicksburg. He served until the three years men were mustered out and then went into the Pennsylvania oil regions, where he remained until 1878. He then moved to Springfield, Mo., and in the spring of 1879 engaged in the well-drilling business. He has been eminently successful in obtaining water, knowing all the time that it was only a question of depth. The drilling outfit is of his own design and construction. Some of the deepest wells in the State are here, in Southwest Missouri, and drilled by Mr. Vaughan. In 1881, he bought the farm upon which is the celebrated Fisher cave, and moved out to the place in the spring of 1883. Mr. Vaughan intends fixing it up as a pleasant resort. He was married in* 1871, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Sarah McCunkey, of Warren county. Pa. Their union is blest with two children, Clarence and Florence. Mr. Vaughan has been been a member of the Christian church since seventeen years of age, and is one of the substantial citizens of the county of ' his adoption.

Dr. Watts is the son of James and Delilah (Tabor) Watts, and was born in Tennessee* Aug. 10, 1837. His parents were natives of North Carolina. His great grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his grandfather of the war of 1812. His parents moved to Greene county, Missouri, and settled on the James river, near the Webster county line. Thomas grew to manhood here, and was educated at the Ozark High School. He taught school for some time, and in 1858 commenced the study of medicine under Drs. Robinson and Barrett, and took lectures at the St. Louis Medical College. In 1861 he commenced the practice in Webster county, and in 1864 he removed to where he now lives. He enjoys a large and lucrative practice, and is one of the leading physicians of the county. He owns a fine farm of four hundred acres, and deals extensively in stock. He began life poor and has arisen to dignity and wealth by his own exertions. Dr. Watts was married in 1863 to Miss Martha A., daughter of Wiley and Charlotta (Edwards) Hedgheth, of Christian county. Mo., formerly of Tennessee. Their union has been blest with two children, James W. and Lula T., deceased.

James G. Wood

Mr. Wood is the son of John and Elizabeth (Morris) Wood, and was born in Madison county, Alabama, February 24, 1832. In 1834 his parents moved to Illinois and took up a claim where the city of Rockford now stands. In 1836 they moved to Lawrence county, Tennessee, where James grew to manhood and learned the trade of tanner and shoemaker. He moved to Greene county, Missouri, in 1852 where he was engaged in farming and stockrearing until 1861. He then went to Arkansas where he followed tanning and shoemaking until 1864, when he came back to this county, and has since been engaged in the rearing of stock and farming. He owns a farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres, finely improved. He was married in 1857 to Miss Susan, daughter of Henderson and Sallie J. (Hail) Dishough. Her father was a native of North Carolina and her mother of Tejinessee. Her grandfather was a native of France, and herself of Lawrence county, Tennessee. Her father was killed by lightning in 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have had two children, one living, Susan J. Mr. Wood's parents came from England to the United States in 1827. His father was a skilled mechanic and cotton-spinner. He operated the first cotton mill in Tennessee, and became quite wealthy.

Chaptek Xxvi Description

Washington is the southeast township of Greene county, and comprises the north thirty sections in township 28, range 20. It is considered the least important township in the county. For the most part its soil is poor and unproductive, and its people are not of the most thrifty and enterprising, having little taste for books and newspapers and but a meager acquaintance with the outside world.

Pioneer life, in many respects, is lived by the people of Washington. The old log cabins, with the mud-and-stick chimneys, the carpetless floors, the rough interiors and rougher exteriors ; the homespun and home-made clothing, the guns, and dogs, and other adjuncts of frontier life are still to be seen here. There is no progress or desire for any improvement. The people are mostly uncommunicative, suspicious of strangers, and seemingly desire nothing but to be let alone. Their motto is " laissez faire,'' and while in obeying it they are singularly persistent and consistent, they are often ridiculous. Perhaps the best thing a large majority of the old fogies of this township could do would be to die and go straight to heaven, and give room on earth to others who would not become mere cumberers of the ground.

But it must not be supposed that thirty sections of land can be found in Green county whereon live none but Yahoos. A few men of intelligence and enterprise abide in Washington township, have comfortable homes, pleasant surroundings and are hospitable, and generous. There is also one church reported.

Washington township was early settled. One of the first settlers was James Thompson, from Tennessee who came to the county in 1836, settled in Taylor township a few months, and then moved to a place on the James. A man named Phillips was also an early resident, and made a settlement in the southwest corner of the township, afterward moved to Wester county and is said to be now living at the head of the James. John Gwin settled in the southeast corner of the townshij) in 1836. Robert Beattie arrived from Middle Tennessee in the spring of 1837, and settled on section eleven. William Dillard has been mentioned as one of the early settlers of Taylor township. His son, R. D. Dillard, came to this township in 1849. William Sawyers, since deceased, came to the township in 1840 from Virginia, and settled in the northeast corner. D. M. Logan, lived on section eight since 1847, although he came to the county from Tennessee in 1836, and first settled in Campbell township, five miles northeast of Springfield.

The Church

Kelley Chapel. - The church congregation at Kelley chapel belongs to the M. E. Church South and was first organized in 1847. The first members were Jessy Evans, Peggy Evans, Dennis Evans, James Gray, W. M. Rogers, E. B. Garrison and wife, John Refar and wife, and David Cosby and wife. The first church building was a log, built* in 1847. The second was a frame, completed in 1872. It stands on section 23. The present membership of the organization is reported at 18.

Jacob E. Bodenhamer

This gentleman is the son of Jacob and Nettie Bodenhamer, and was born in Giles county, Tennessee, November 20th, 1834. His father came to Greene county, Missouri, when Jacob was six months old. He grew to manhood and received his education in this county. He began teaching at the age of seventeen, and has taught nearly ever since, farming part of the time. During the war he was in the Home Guards for three weeks, but was always called a " rebel," He was married September 3d, 1867, to Mrs. Sarah A. Neaves, widow of Abel J. Neaves, whose sketch also appears in this work. Since his marriage, Mr. Bodenhamer has been engaged in farming and teaching. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Patrons of Husbandry, Brothers of Freedom, and Good Templars. Politically he is a Democrat.

Mr. Neaves was a native of Kentucky, born October 12th, 1833. His parents brought him to Missouri when he was an infant. His father, Thomas B. Neaves, was sheritf and representative of this county. Abel grew to manhood and was educated in this county. He was a farmer and stockdealer, and one of Greene's best citizens. The farm he owned is the one his surviving wife, now Mrs. S. A. Bodenhamer, resides upon. He was married in Arkansas, January 29th, 1854, to Miss Sarah A., daughter of Philip C. Holledger, of Pope county, Arkansas. They were blest with four children, three of whom still survive, all daughters. Mr. Neaves was a Southern man during the war, and was a recruiting captain for Waldo P. Johnson, He was killed at Yellville, Arkansas, in October, 1863, During his lifetime he was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.