Pike County, Missouri - The whole text, 1883 (part 13 of 13)

Ricliai'd D. Tonq)!:ins is one among the oldest and most successful farmers of hi;; neighborhood. lie was l)orn in St. Louis couuty, Missouri, September 11, 1815. His father, William Tomj)kins, was a native of \'irginia, born in tlu^ year 1V90. He came to Missouri when a yuung man, in 1810, and stop]K'd foi' some time at St. Louis, where he acted as sutler. He served two years in the \\'ar of 1S12, and while in fort on the bank of the Mississi}>pi River, at Cape (i-ray, he married Martha Gilbert, daughter of Samuel Cilliei-t. Et-ij. Alter peace was declared he moved to St. Louis county, where lie remained until the fall of ISIS, wdieu he removed to Salt Kiver township, and settled on a tract of land near what is now Tompkins Station, on rliC Jveckuk. St. Louis iS: Northv.estcr!) Ilaihvay, where he erected a small log-house in a derisc forest, which at that time might be termed a howling wilderness. There he Oj3ened out a farm and reared a family of six childien, living to see them all grown and married. He was popular with his neighbors. Lie was elected justice of the peace of his township, and held the office for a period of tv.-enty years, lie was a member of the Episcopalian Church, and the pjrayer book given him by his mother was at his death turned over to our subject, who has it yet in his possession. He died in Api-il, J 875, at a very advanced age. Kichard "W. Tompkins, our subject, spent his youth on a farm. His school days, all told, did not exceed nine months. He remained with his parents until attaining the age of tv/enty-five years, when he married Mary A. Howland, a native 01 Massachusetts. Daring the same year Mr. Touipkins moved to his present farm, consisting of 318 acres, a larger porti'>!i of which at that time was in timber. In Jamuiry, 1857, he lost liis wife, leaving him a widower with seven children. In the following year (185S) he married his present wile, Mnry A., daughter of J. H. and Zv'ancy Stout, who came to Pike county in 1835. The result of this union has been three childi'en. two of whom are living, James D. an<i Kasander. In politics Mr. Tompkins is a staunch Ilepublican. In n^.attc's of reliirion lie is a stronir believer in the faith known as Holiness.

Keiiry V. Tompkijis, the principal merchant of Asld)urn, is the descendant of one of the oldest families of Salt River tov.nshi}', and was burn on the loth day of Marcli, IS5L His father, Chrisropher W. Tompkitis, v/as by birth a Virginian, immigrating to Missouri in the year IS 19, pur- ebasiiicr ^ tract ot'lniid near what is now the iowu of Ashlnnu. Here lie opened out a I'nnn, and has heoonic an active trader in nniles and cattle. In the absence of lailr.nids Mr. Tompkins proved himself to be a public benefactor. He was married to Polly Ashburn, daughter of George T. Aehburn, Esq., one of tlie j-ioncers of his neigliborliood. They were the pareats of thirteen children, four bovb and eight girls, eig'ht of whom are still living. Mr, Tompkins served four terms a;; justice of the peace. Ilit> landed estate nutnbcred some eight hundred acres. He died in lSTO,-havino' led a moral and useful life. He was loved and esteemed by all who knew him. The motlier is still living, making her home in Halls county, this state, enjoying reasonably good health. Henry V. Tompkins, our subject, spent his youth upon the farm, receiving such advantages as ^vere atforded by the schools of that day. Un arriving at his majority he engaged in agricultural pmsiiits, vrhich ho followed until 1SS2, when he quit the farm aiid embarked in the mercantile business, his store consisting of a general fctock. Mr. TLMnpkins v^'as married in ISTS to Laura Brothers, a native of Eall? county, this state. Tlicy have two children: Ethel O. and Bartie. Mr. 'J'onipkins and wife are members of tlie Christian (Church.

Andrew A. WilliailiS. This outline^ a skotcli of one of the descendants of the first families who settled in Salt Hiver township. His fatlier, John Williams, was a native of Kentucky, and was born in Xelson county. In 1815 he emigrated to the state of Indiana, v/here, on the ISth day of February, ISIS, our sulject was born. During the same year the father immio-rated to Missouri and settled one and one-half miles south of what is now Ashburn Station, in Salt River township, and here, in the dense forest, picked out a spot on which to erect a small log-honse, which should be his futiive lioine. He entered a tract of land consisting of some 500 acres, and then engaged in farming. In 18-20. while at St. Louis, Missouri, on business, he was t;iken sick veiw suddenly, and died after a short illness. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Kebecca McAllister. She came to Mi^-souri with, her husband and died in ISIO. leaving four children living, three of whom were by her second husband, Canada Tr^\ar, who died about the year 1S31. Aiidrew A. was reared on the farm. His father dying in his infancy had much to do with changing hi? course. Having a mother and three sisters to supp'»rt tiirew him wholly upon liis own resour-ces. Aside from a few acres .of land let't him by his father he carved out his own tVutune, and now owns a good farm with a comfortable duelling. In ISTi he was united in marriage to -Miss C. Ixiiley, daughter ot" James Bailev. In 1^55 she died, Icnvinu: two children, one of whom is still living. Rebecca J., who was married lo Mr. Taylor. ^Mr. AVilliam;^ was married to his present wife in JS5S; tlicy iiave one child, William Andrew. In politics aTt. W. is a staunch Democrat, believing in the old Jackson ian doctrine that the majority should rule. In ISi I he was elected to tiie ollice of justice of the peace, serving some three years.

C. E. Wayilidv i^ one ot'thc most active, shrewd, and persevering citizens of Pike county; one who has had many successes and reverses, but is possessed of a large amount of ]>luck and energy, which will, before long, enable him to attain tlie summit of his ambition. Mr. Waynick is a native of Korth Carolina, born May 4, 1S23. He lived in his native state until fourteen years of age, when, in company with his uncle, he went to Indiana, where he remained until tlic fall of ISil, when he went to Iowa and stopped at Iowa City. There he remained until 1S15, when he came to Missouri. DuriuiT the ijold excitement of 1810 and ISoO he went to California, returning in 1854, and fintiliy settling in Salt River township. In 1^G2 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which he held continuously for a period of over twenty years. He also taught school several terms, and ranked among the best teachers. Mr. AVaynick has been twice married, first to Matilda M^-ers, who died in 1S50, leaving one child. In 1800 he was again married to Margaret Cherry, by whom he had nine children. Mr. Waynick is an active politician, and is one of the staunch Democrats of Salt Iliver township.