Grundy County, Missouri - Biographical sketches (5 of 8 so headed), 1881

Biographical sketches

Was born in Jefferson county, Missouri, July 7, 1844; son of Z, B., :andEuth(Amsbury) Booran,both were natives of West Virginia and came to Missouri in the year 1839, and settled in Jefferson county, and in 1848 moved to Grundy county and located in Madison township. He made his home with his parents till nearly twenty-eight years of age, then on May 9th, 18Y2, married Miss Mary E. Brown, a native of Daviess county, and a daughter of Moses and Elizabeth Brown, nee Miles. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Booran; viz., Mindora Ann, December 10, 1873, a bright and intelligent girl; and Moses Y., January 3, 1876, died July 18, 1878. He moved on his farm in Taylor township in 1872, and owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, ninety of which are well improved, K% the age of twenty years lie enlisted as a member of the Forty-fourth Missouri volunteer infantry and served till the close of the war; was with the regiment in many engagements; was taken sick and sent to the hospital, in February, 1865, and remained there till discharged, July 15, 1865. lie has often served his township as school director. Mr. and Mrs. Booran are members of the Missionary J>aptist Church.

Henry Duskin

Son of Daniel and Margaret Duskin, nee Cesco, was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, March 23, 1820. His parents had a family of thirteen children and all lived to be married and have families; the parents died in Tazewell county, Virginia, at a very advanced age. Mr. Duskin was married, October 12, 1843, to MissRissa Harper, a native of Tazewell county, Virginia, born March 29, 1826. She was a daughter of Leonard and Polly Harper, nee Folin. The])arents of Mrs. Duskin came to Missouri with the family of Mr. Duskin; her father died in January, 1864, and her mother in March, 1881. When Mr. Duskin and wife were married they began farming, but had so little to start with that it was slow work. They remained in Tazewell county till 1857, then came to Missouri, and when they arrived in Grundy county had only seventy-live cents left, but now they have a nice home and forty acres of land. Seven childi'en have been the issue of this marriage, three of whom are living; viz., Amanda, born November 13, 1854, now the wife of Henry Cheeny; Harvey, born August 6, 1859; and Margaret born January 31, 1862. The four dead were named as follows: Thomas, born December 17, 1844; Leonard, born June 13, 1847; Wilkson, born January 25, 1850; and Polly, April 2, 1852.

The subject of this sketch stands in the front rank of the pioneers of Grundy county, and located upon the farm now occupied by him March 4, 1838. He was born in Washington county, Virginia, December 15, 1812; a son of George N. and Amelia Grubbe, nee Keys. His father was a native of Maryland, but reared and educated in Pennsjdvania, and was General Jackson's chief clerk during the War of 1812. His mother was bornin Tennessee, and tirst married a man by the name of Meek and, after becoming a widow, became the wife of George JST. Grubbe, the father of the subject of our sketch. In the year 1822 his parents moved to Missouri and settled in Ray county; there the father died in 1825. The family continued to live there till 1830, then became scattered and settled in various parts of the State, and his mother lived in various places with her children till she died, in 1842. On March 3d, 1834, he was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Keys, a native of Virginia born March 19, 1816. She was a daughter of Francis and Polly Keys, nee Meek. Her parents died in Eay county, Missouri. After i^etting married Mr. Grubbe worked at liis trade, as a cabinet-maker, in Richmond, Ray county, for about three years, then mov^ed to Daviess county and, in the spring of 1838, to Grundy county, where he still lives. Here he commenced to open a farm in what was then a vast wilderness with but few settlers within a radius of twenty miles. He also started a cabinet-shop, and had to split out lumber and dress it with a broad-ax. After a time he was able to buy a whip-saw, and with that he sawed out the finishing for quite a number of houses. He says he often split two hundred and tifty rails in one day and then at night would work in his shop and make a set of window sash. The lirst window sash used in this county were of his manufacture.

By his first marriage nine children were born; viz., John Quincy, Mary Elizabeth, Amelia Jestin, William Francis, Thomas Nelson, Alpheus Jackson, and three who died when quite young, Jeannette Ann, George Washington, Charles Preston. His first wife died in 1858, and he was again married. May 10, 1860, to Mrs. Phoebe A. Stephenson, widow of Washington Stephenson. Her maiden name was Husted. She was a native of Ohio, a daughter of Moses Husted, a soldier of 1812, and Elizabeth Stanley Husted, sister of General Stanley, of the War of 1812. Eleven children have been born by this second marriage: James Henry, Eliza Ann, Henry W., Beatrice B., Benjamin T., Martha E., Minnie W., Fannie E., Robert R., Charlotte, and John F. Mr. Grubbe has done much towards the development of Grundy county. Always active and public spirited, he is a man universally beloved by his great circle of friends. He owns two hundred and fifty acres of land and has given to each of his children, as they became of age, a good home. He rendered valuable services to his country as an ofiicer in the Union army during the war. As a soldier of the Cross he has worked as a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for nearly one-half a century.

Son of Rev. Thomas H. and Sidney Hudson, nee Elliott,, was born in Monroe county, Ohio, May 1, 1854, His parents were both natives of Pennsylvania, but moved to Oliio at an early day, and from there to Missouri in the year 1866, Here his father died, September 15, 1873, He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and had been an active laborer in the church and sabbath-school during his entire life, and by his death the church lost a faithful worker, society a useful and honored citizen, and the famil}'^ a kind and loving husband and father. His mother is still living, with the subject of our sketch. A. L, Hudson attended the commercial schools of St. Joe and there obtained a fine business education. He married, August 29, 1878, Miss Bessie Weldon, a native of Harrison county, Missouri, born June 23, 1859. She is a daughter of Washington and Mary

Weldon, who yet live in Harrison county. She received lier education at Grand Iviver College and hecanie a very successful teacher. Their marriage has been blest with two children; viz., Clara L., born Decembers, 18T9, and Carrie, born July 8, 1881. Mr. Hudson is at ])resent acceptably miing the office of clerk and assessor. He is a young man of more than ordinary business ability, and owns a fine farm, well improved. Mr. and Mrs. Hudson are consistent members of the church.

Henky S. Lewis

Is a native of Allegany county, New York, born March 10, 1830, and is a son of Charles and Catharine Lewis, nee Knight. His father was born in New Jersey, and his mother in Massachusetts. His grandfather, on liis father's side, was one of the Hessians captured at Trenton, New Jersey, and was there paroled and made that his permanent home. His grandfather, on his mothers side, was a well known and valiant soldier in the Revolutionary War. At about the age of nine years the subject of our sketch accompanied his parents from New York to Pennsylvania and remained about two years, and then came to Missouri in 184:0. His father was a very fine mechanic and followed that business mostly during his lifetime. In 1850 he went to California, in company with his father, and there, in 1851, his father died; he then returned to Scotland county, Missouri. In 1856 he came to Grundy county and located near where he still lives. On October 23d, 1853, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane McClure, a na- *tive of Logan county, Ohio, and a daughter of Jacob and Martha McClure, nee Williams." Three children were the issue of their wedded life; namely, Charles B., born July 28, 1854; Jacob W., born October 5, 1856; and Martha C, born May 8, 1858. Mrs. Lewis died February 28, 1865. November 29, 1868, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Elvira McClure, the widow of John McClure. She was a native of Virginia, born April 3, 1840. Her parents, William M. and Jane Ford, came to Missouri in 1855. Her father died in 1856, and her mother is still living in Harrison county. When Mr. Lewis first came to Grundy county he, in connection wnth Mr. McClure, erected the first steam saw-mill in the western part of the county, and operated it till the beginning of the civil war. He enlisted in company K, First Missouri cavalry, and served about four years. After the close of the war he returned to Taylor township, di'undy county, and encased in farming. Here he owns two hundred acres of choice land, well improved and stocked. He has served, for a great many years, as justice of the peace, and almost continuously in some township office. He is a leading spirit in the township, a staunch Ilepublican, and quite a power in a political campaign.

Q66 History Of Geundy County

Son of Jacob and Martha McOlure, 7iee Williams, was born in Logan county^ Ohio, January 30, 1834. His parents caino to Missouri and located in Scotland county; after living there four years moved to Yan Buren county, Iowa, and, when the subject of this sketch was about sixteen years of age,, they returned to Scotland county, and there resided till the year 1856, when he settled in Taylor township, Grundy count}^ where he now lives. The parents still live in Harrison county, at an advanced age. Mr. McClure was united in marriage, December 24, 1856, to Miss Sarah Ramsey, wha was born in Ray county, Missouri, May 25, 1833. She was a daughter of Josiah and Mary Ramsey, nee Butcher, both natives of Tennessee. Her father died in 1833 and her mother in 1881. They became the parents of nine children, eight of whom are living, as follows: Josiah, born November 18, 1857;- Commodore, born November 19, 1859; Dennis, born July 20, 1862; Adella, born August 13, 1864; Enoch, born April IT, 1866; Mary, born January 27, 1868; Martha, born January 17, 1870; and Dora, born August 12, 1872; and one died in infancy. Mr. McClure had but little opportunity of obtaining an education, but is anxious to educate hi& childreii well. He started in life poor, but he and his worthy companion have through many adverse circumstances worked, struggled and saved, and now have a fine home of one hundred and seventy acres, well improved and stocked. Twice in his life he has been burned out, once his house and his barn, leaving them at one time with nothing but their lives and land. , He has been a useful man in his township. One of the foremost in everything for the development of his county. Mr. and Mrs. McClure are members of the Methodist Church.

James H. Meek

Was born in Boone county, Missouri, in the fall of 1829. He is a son of John B. and Jane Meek, nee Flemming, both natives of Washington county, Yirginia. They came to Missouri in 1825; first stopped in Boone county, but soon afterwards located in Ray county. His -father died when the subject of this sketch was an infant, and his mother died in 1838. At the age of nine years, after his mother's death, he was obliged to look for a home for himself. He first went to live with a stranger to learn the tailor's trade, but his employer ran away, leaving him again homeless and penniless. He then went to live with* his uncle, James H. Meek, one of the first settlers in Grundy county, and continued to live with him till twentyone years of age. In 1850 he went across the plains to California and remained there two and one-half years, then returned to Grundy county and took charge of his uncle's estate for three years. September 4, 1856, he married Miss Elizabeth McGowan, a native of Wayne county, Kentucky, born October 3, 1830, daughter of David and Mary McGowan, 7iee

Gibbs. They came to Missouri in 1834. Her motlier died August 16, 1837, and her father August 12, 1865. They became tlie ])arents of six children, all still living: William David, born June 22,1857; Luther E., born February 11, 1859; John B., born August 7,1861; Sarah F., born January 10, 1864; Harvey E., born August 30, 1866; and Horace V., born November 3, 1870. Mr. M. has served as trustee of the school in his district and takes a lively interest in good schools. He served as a member of the militia during the war. He owns one hundred and eighty-four acres of good land well improved and stocked.

Mrs. Eliza J. Nichols

Widow of Joseph Nichols, was born in La Fayette county, Missouri, May 31, 1844, the daughter of Isham and Athaliah Manion, nee Finch. Her father was born in Kentuckv, and her mother in Virg^inia. Thev came to Missouri in 1817, and settled in La Fayette county. Her mother died in 1840, and her father in 1852. She was married October 20, 1853, to James L. Painter, a native of La Fayette count}'-, born in January, 1831; his parents were from Kentucky, but settled in Jackson county, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Painter had four children; viz., John R., born Nov^ember 13, 1856; Milton Y., born November 7, 1858; Lewis E., born September 18, 1861; and William Henry, born August 20, 1854, died January 6, 1860. At the beginning of the w^ar Mr. Painter enlisted as a member of the Seventy-first Missouri State militia, and was shortly afterward killed by bushwhackers at Wellington, September 19, 1862. He was a member of the Methodist Church, a kind husband and father, and left a wife and three helpless children to mourn his loss, and with but little to support them during those trying times. April 20, 1864, she married Joseph Nichols, a native of Ohio. They first lived in Daviess county, but in 1865 located in Taylor township, Grundy county. Mr. Nichols was also a Union soldier, being a member of the First Missouri cavalry, and during his term of service contracted a disease that finally ended in his death, which occurred February 8, 1879. He was an active member of the United Brethren Church, and died a man respected by all.

There were seven children born of this second marriage; viz., Athaliah, born January 30, 1865; Leetha E., born May 13, 1868; Isham E., born April 15, 1870; Minnie and Millettei, twins, born March 13, 1872; Lillie M., born March 15, 1874; and Stella J., born August 26, 1877.

Mrs. Nichols carries on her farm of one hundred acres with the aid of her children. She is a member of the United Brethren Church, and a lady of energy and will, and although she has seen much trouble, is still in the enjoyment of much physical and mental power.

Isaac Splawn

Was born in Bedford county, Tennessee, March 7, 1812; a son of John and Eleanor Sphivvn, nee Leighton, both natives of South Carolina, but who came to Missouri in 1816, and became the first settlers in Carroll county, their nearest neighbor, except a brother, being forty miles distant. Here our subject was reared from the time he was four years of age till he was eighteen, then, in 1830, his parents came to Daviess county, and died there, his father March 1, 1837, and his mother September 4, 1843. He was married, August 31, 1835, to Miss Isabel Atkinson, who was born July 18, 1812, in Ray county, Missouri, and was a daughter of Thomas and Sarah Atkinson, nee McCarroll. They were natives of Tennessee, but came to Missouri at a very early day. Her father died January 24, 1837, and her mother March 21, 1843. Five children have been the issue of Mr. and Mrs. Splawn's marriage, all living; viz., John W., born September 6, 1836, now living in Harrison county; Joseph Watson, born March 10, 1839, now at home; Beththena A., born JSTovember 15, 1840, wife of Lewis F. Shores; Mary E., born January 17, 1843; and Martha W., born April 12, 1845. Mrs. Splawn died August 28, 1850, after a jirotracted illness of five years. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and passed to her reward mourned by a large circle of friends and relatives. Mr. Splawn continued to live in Daviess county till the year 1855, then moved to Grundy county and located near where he now lives. This was then a sparsely settled neighborhood, and here he brought his family of small children and Beththena, the eldest daughter, took charge of the family till she was married, October 20,1872. Mr. Splawn owns two hundred and eighty acres of land, well improved and stocked. During his younger days he was known as the best marksman, with his flint-lock rifle, in Grundy county, and to-day owns the old gun with which he helped drive out the Mormons; few Mnth our more improved guns can compete with him at target practice. He is well and favorably known by a large circle of friends in Grundy and adjoining counties and everyone has a kind word to say of " Uncle Isaac" and his pleasant family. There is, also, in the family a young man, Monroe Riggs by name, a nephew, whom he has reared since he was two years of age and who is now in his twenty-seventh year; also John M. White, whom he has reared since four years of age. Mr. Splawn is a staunch Republican and glories in the name. Mr. Shores, his son-in-law, served for three years as a member of company K, Third Missouri cavalry.

Was born in Yorkshire, England, February 16, 1817, a son of Davison and Elizabeth Ward, both natives of Yorkshire. In April, 1837, he was united in marriage to Hannah Willis, a native of Yorkshire, born June 13, 1811.

Her parents, John and Alice Willis, were both born in Yorkshire and are both deceased. This 3'onn^ conple immediately after marriage started for America to find for themselves a home, and iirst settled in Morgan county, Illinois, and farmed for eight years. They had l)nt little means when they landed in America, were soon prostrated with sickness, suffered much and had to pay ont the last ])cnny for medicines and doctors. They remained in Illinois till 1846, then having raised a little money and a team, they came to Lee county, Iowa, and there engaged in farming for ten years. In 1856 they came to Grundy county, Mo., and settled in Taylor township, where lie now lives and lias a fine farm of three hundred acres finely improved and well stocked. Mr. and Mrs. Ward have had seven children, six of whom are living; viz., Alice E., born September 6, 1838, now^ the wife of Charles Knight; Margaret Ann, born August 23, 1840, died August 8, 1877; John, born September 20, 1842, now druggist in Edinburg, this county; Mary Jane, born June 2, 1845, wife of A. McCune; Hannah R., born January 13, 1848; Sarah C, born April 14, 1850; and Henrietta, born April 12, 1853, now the M'ife of Mr. Shepherd. Mrs. Ward died October 11, 1875, since which time he has lived a widower. He cleared the greater part of his farm out of woods and brush by his own labor, and has succeeded beyond his own expectations since he came to America. He is well and favorably known as a public spirited man, a kind neighbor and good citizen. His son, John, enlisted in company H, Twenty-third Missouri volunteer infantry, and served for over three years; was captured at Sliiloh and kept a prisoner for some time. Mr. Ward lost several valuable horses during the war, they having been taken by the bushwhackers.