Egypt Township (part 2 of 2)

Anthony Limbird

was born in Linconshire, England, on the 11th day of August, 1833. His father, James Limbird, was a farmer and Anthony was reared to the same occupation, and was occupied with its duties until his twenty-first year, when he emigrated to the United States. He stopped first at Sandusky, Ohio, and worked on a farm near that city for one year, and then went to Van Wert county, same state, and, after working on a farm for some time, he bought lands and commenced farming on his own account. In 1858 he moved to Allen county, Ohio, and was soon afterward married to Miss Ermina Chapel, of that county. In 1861 our subject left his farm in Allen county and enlisted for the defence of the union under Major McLaughlin, an old Mexican soldier, who had been commissioned to raise troops in Ohio. Mr. Limbird continued in the service until the end of the war, and participated in many hard-fought batiles. He was once. captured and held for seven months as a prisoner of war. After the close of the war Mr. Limbird spent only one year in Ohio, moving, with his family, to Carroll county, Missouri, and locating on a farm three miles south of Norborne. Upon this farm he lived eleven years and in 187T moved to the town of Norborne and commenced the grocery business which he has ever since continued, very profitably, at the same place. He carries a large stock of staple and fancy groceries and family supplies. The first Mrs. Limbird died in 1869, and our subject was subsequently married to Miss Cynthia Read, daughter of Alvin Read of Norborne. Eight children have been born, to Mr. JLimbird, four by each wife. Six of them are now living. Their names are as follows: Elizabeth, Josephine (now Mrs. Roselle'y, Ollie, Annie, Artie and Charles, Minnie, the third child by the first, and George, the first by the second marriage are dead. Mr. Limbird and wife are both members of the M. E. church, north, but have no connection with any church organization in their present locality. The subject of this sketch owns considerable property in Norborne, and is interested in the advancement and improvement of that town.

Orsa Elliott

Appomattox Court House, in Virginia, is the birth place of Orsa Elliott. He was born on the 8th day of October, 1858. His father, John W. Elliott, was killed in battle when Orsa was only five years of age and he was left to the care of his mother with whom he lived until he reached the years of manhood. In 1869 the family removed to Missouri and settled in Brunswick in Chariton county, where our subject attended school during four years. He then clerked for ' Messrs. Kennedy & Plunkett, dry goods merchants of that place. He afterward clerked W the same firm at DeWitt and had altogether, about six years experience in that calling. Mr. Elliott finished his education at Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri, in the spring of 1880 and in September of the same year came to Norborne, in this county, and opened a general merchandise store in partnership with John Von Arb, a young gentleman of about the same age as himself, who was reared and educated in Brunswick, Missouri. The style of the firm is Elliott & Von Arb, and though lately started in business, they have conducted themselves so well and dealt with all so fairly that they already enjoy a fair share of patronage, and their trade is constantly increasing.

James W. McFall was born in Wayne county, Ohio, June 9, 1833. John A. McFall, his father, moved to Richland county, Ohio, when James was but one year old and there the subject of this article was reared and educated. He graduated from Delaware College, in Ohio, in the fall of 1855, after having spent five years in close study at that' institution. After leaving college he came to Memphis in Scotland county, Missouri, and there began teaching school and reading law. After remaining in the office of Birch & Kays, at Memphis, during two years he passed his examination and was admitted to the practice of law and enrolled a member of the Memphis bar and practiced in the courts of Scotland county for two years. When the civil war broke out, Mr. McFall enlisted in the twenty-first regiment of Missouri volunteer infantry, and was at , once elected first lieutenant and soon afterward promoted to the captaincy -of company C. Partisan feeling ran high in Scotland county, at the commencement of the war and our subject was fired upon, by a cowardly assassin in ambush, as he was riding along the road one day, and so severely wounded as to confine, him , to his room for several months. After the war was over Mr. McFall entered the general merchandise business at Memphis, which he continued with one. interruption until 1875, when he removed to this county and settled, first at Miami station, where he sold goods and practiced law for two years. He then moved to the town of DeWitt, and engaged in the same business there. In the month of Ma)'^, 1880, Mr. McFall removed to Norborne and entered the store of J. E. Sinift in connection with the practice of his profession. One year afterwards in partnership with a Mr. Hays he bought out the business of Sinift and they have since continued it under the title of Hays & McFall. They do a general grocery business and carry also, a stock of glass and queensware. Capt. McFall was married in Memphis, Scotland county, Missouri, to Miss Elizabeth Ellen Gough, daughter of John F. Gough. The issue of this marriage has been four children: Francis Marion, John J., Lilly, (died in infancy) and Bessie. The captain is a member of the I. O. O. F. at Memphis, Missouri.

Robert N. Banister

The subject of this sketch was born in Ray county, Missouri, and spent eleven years in attendance upon Richmond College from which institution he graduated in 1873. He taught school during two years after leaving college and then began the study of law in the office of his father, Judge Nathaniel Banister, at Richmond. After devoting about two years to the study of his chosea profession, he was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1876, and the same year was elected to the office of city attorney of Richmond. In the spring Of the year 1877, our subject went to the state of Mississippi, with the design of entering the practice of law there, but the death of his father in May, following, caused his return to Richmond, and he never- again went south. In the fall of 1878, Mr. Banister came to

Joseph B. Bradley

Joseph B. Bradley was born in the city of St. Louis, Mo., April 4th, 1855, and was reared and educated there. His father, Gen. Joshua T. Bradley, was a lawyer by profession, and attained considerable prominence at the Illinois bar. He was a non-commissioned officer and U. S. Paymaster during the civil war. The family were living in St. Louis at the time of the birth of Joseph. His father lost all his property by the war and, in consequence could not give his son material assistance when commencing life. Joseph first engaged as bell boy at the Planters' House in his native city, and w'as, subsequently, cabin boy on different Mississippi river steamboats, and later in life he ran on the Ohio, Little Red, White, St. Francois and Missouri rivers, in almost ever}' capacity from decksweep to second mate. Mr. Bradley quit steamboating in 1874, and located at St. Charles, Mo., where he learned the business of sewingmachine repairing in all its details. Mr. Bradley was married at Wellsville. Mo., in April, 1878, to Miss Maggie A. Burkhalter. He went to Kansas soon after his marriage, and there his wife and infant child both died in 1879. The same year he returned to Missouri and located at Norborne, Carroll county, where he still conducts a music and sewingmachine store, and is also insurance agent. In politics Mr. Bradley is a democrat. He belongs to' the Christian church and is an active worker in the Sunday school.

Thomas Kenton

Thomas Kenton was born in Lafayette county. Mo., on the 24th day of September, 1837. His father, John Kenton, was one among the earliest settlers of this county. The family is connected with the famous Kentons who figured so prominently in the pioneer settlements of .Kentucky. The subject of this sketch, although born in Lafayette county, was reared in Carroll county, whither his father removed in Thomas' infancy. He was educated in the old log school-houses so common in the west at an early day, and worked upon his father's farm until he was grown. Farming has always been his chief occupation, and he now owns four good farms in Carroll county, including the one upon which he resides in the suburbs of Norborne. In the month of October, 1872, he removed to Norborne, in order to give his children the ^advantages of good schools in the acquisition of an education. He bought the only livery stable in the place, and has since conducted it in addition to buying and selling live stock, in which business he is engaged to a considerable extent. Mr. Kenton was married on the 11th day of June, 1863, to Miss Minerva Craig, daughter of John Craig, of Ray county. From this union eight children have been born, six of whom, four boys and two girls, are now living. Mr. Kenton is a member of the A. O. U. W., at Norborne, and is a highly respected and valuable citizen.

Henry H. Franken

Henry H. Franken is a native of Surinak, Prussia. He was born on the 15th day of August, in the year 1849. His father started with the family to America when Henry was but three years old, but was taken with sickness on the passage and died on ship board. The balance of the family reached the United States and came direct to Missouri, settling at Boonville, in Cooper county, where our subject was educated and learned the saddlery and harness making trade under John Durr, a leading saddler of that place. He completed his apprenticeship in 1868, and after being employed one year at journey work he opened a shop at Boonville on his own account, but, at the end of six months, removed his stock to Jamestown, in Moniteau county, and carried bn the business there during a year aud a half, when he sold out and returned to Boonville. He then engaged as clerk with Meistrell & Smith, in a dry goods and grocery store. In the month of March, 1874, he removed to Carroll county and opened a small saddler}' and harness shop at Norborne, where he has since lived and prospered in business. Mr. Franken was married on the 22d day of April, 1874, to Miss Sibylla A. Koenig, of Boonville. Four children have been born of this union ; three boys and one girl, all" now living. The subject of this article is a leading and active member of the Roman Catholic church at Norborne, and contributed liberally to the building fund of the church which has just been erected by that religious denomination at Norborne.

George W. Thomas

George W. Thomas was born near Carrollton, Carroll county, Missouri, on the third day.of November, 1847. ' His father died when George was quite young, and his mother removed soon after to Macoupin county, Illinois, where our subject was educated and grew up to manhood. Mr. Thomas entered a drug store at Scottville, Illinois, early in the year 1868, for the purpose of learning the art of compounding medicines, and remained in that position until June, 1869, when he came to Missouri and settled in Carroll county, where he has since resided with the exception of time spent in the adjoing county of Ray. He first began the drug business on his own account in the town of Hardin, Ray county, in 1875, but soon after sold out to R. V. Seward, and in 1880 he bought the stock of W. H. Clinton of Norborne, and has since conducted a good business there m drugs, medicines, paints and books, stationery, etc. Mr. Thomas was married at Norborne, on the 31st day of March, 1873, to Miss Louisa M.

Sibert, daupfhter of B. F. Sibert, who was killed in this county during the war. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have three children, all now living; viz., Charles A., George W. Jr. and Nellie May. The subject of this sketch is a member of the I. O. O. F. at Norborne. He is a live business man and a substantial property holder of that place.

Charles Beck

Charles Beck, the subject of this sketch, was born in the city of St. Louis, Missouri. When he was five years old he removed with his father's family to Columbia, Monroe county, Illinois, and lived there until the late civil war began. He was educated in the schools at Columbia, and then served an apprenticeship at the saddlery and harness making trade in the same town. By the time his apprenticeship was ended the war for the union commenced, and Mr. Beck enlisted in the 22d Illinois volunteer infantry, and thirty days afterward he was sworn into regular service for three years or until the war should end. He served faithfully and bravely through four long years, and participated in some of the hottest battles, of the war. He was three times wounded and once taken prisoner. He is still disabled from hard physical labor by wounds which he received in battle. After the war was over our subject worked at the harness making trade with his brother-in-law in Illinois, for two years, and then came to Missouri and located at Boonville, where some of his relatives resided* He worked on a farm in the - county near that town during 1869-70, but recemng a sunstroke in the summer of the latter year, was obliged to quit farming. He then came to this county and settled at Norborne^ where he worked in the harness shop of H. H. Franken, during four years. In 1877 he bought a stock of goods and began the saddlery business on his own account at Norborne. His business has prospered beyond his anticipations, and he is now the owner of some very desirable property in that place besides having a flourishing trade. Mr. Beck was first married in 1874, to Miss Mary Paulina Hoberecht of Boonville. They become the parents of one son, John William, who was born February 7, 1875. Mrs Beck died two years after her marriage, and our subject was afterward married to Miss Elizabeth Cash of Cooper county, Missouri. The issue of this marriage has been two children: Anna Carolina, born October 18, 1878; Clara Sophia, born April 21,1881. Both Mr. Beck 3nd his wife are members of the Lutheran church, and. he also belongs to ^be I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. at Norborne.

Geo. W. Cummings

ten years of age, and then his father removed with the family to the state of Indiana, and there George received his education and lived with his oarents until the beginning of the civil war. Mr. Cummings enlisted in the union army, at first in the 7th Indiana infantry and afterward in the 117th infantry, and the 9th cavalry regiments. He served throughout the entire war and was in a number of hard fought battles. He went back to Indiana after the war, and farmed there until the Autumn of 1867, when he came to this state and located at first in Ray county. After living in that county for ten years he removed to Carroll county and began a butchering business at the town of Norborne, which he continued for about three years. In April, 1880, he was elected city marshal of Norborne and discharged the duties of the office so acceptably that, one year later, he was re-elected by a handsome majority, for two years longer. Mr. Cummings was married in the- year 1864, to Miss Cassie Ma Coun. They became the parents of two children. Max and Julia. The latter died at the age of five years. Mr. and Mrs. Cummings are both members of the Christian church, and he also belonge to the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. fraternities.

The subject of this sketch was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, June 6, 1848. His father was George Wheeler, a farmer of that count\\ Henry was seven years old when the family removed to Missouri and settled in Platte county, and he received his education and grew up there. He began business for himself, in the year 1870, at Parkerville in Platte county, in partnership with R. P. Wood, in the general merchandise line. He only remained in Parkerville during one year, when he sold his interest in his business to his partner, and moved to Pomeroy, Kansas, and in company with J. T. Broadhurst, opened a general merchandise -business there. They conducted their store at Pomeroy for two years, and then come to Norborne in this county, where they still carry on the same line of business. Messrs. Wheeler & Broadhurst - are enterprising men, and they enjoy a fair proportion of the patronage of Norborne and vicinity. Henry M. Wheeler was married in September, 1869, to Miss Mary J. Williams, of Platte county. Three children were born of this union, two of whom, Claude Merlin and Floy Ella, still survive. Mr. Wheeler and his wife are members of the Christian church at Norborne.

Joseph Wheeler

Joseph Wheeler is a native of Bourbon county, Kentucky. He wayborn on the 5th day of April, 1811. Soon after his birth the family removed to the line dividing Nicholas and Mason counties, and there the subject of this sketch was.'reared and educated. After he grew up he engaged 'in farm-

Ing, and spent forty-five years of his life at that business, before he left his native state. In 1856 he came to Garroll county and settled on a farm in the western part of the county. After remaining there for four years he went to Illinois, and remained in that state occupied in farming until November, 1873, when he returned to this county and located at the town of Norbome. On the 20th day of November, 1873, he opened the first grocery store in that town. This enterprise proved successful, and he has since built up a large and profitable business. In addition to his store house and stock of goods, Mr. Wheeler owns very desirable property in Norborne. He was married in. Nicholas county, Kentucky, on the 2d day of February, 1832, to Miss Rebecca Dotson. They became the parents of seven children, six of whom are living at the present time. Their names are as lollows: Charlotte Mary, Valentine, John W., Sallie, Nancy, Samuel, Martha.. Valentinevthe eldest son, died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler are members of the church of United Brethren. They have lived together for more than half a century, having passed their " golden wedding ' on the 2d of February, 1881. Mr. Wheeler enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him, and is one of the good old pioneer citizens of Norborne.

William R. Hays

William R. Hays was born in Grayson county, Virginia, on the 15th day of July, 1821. His father, John Hays, a leading farmer of that county, sold his property in the " Old Dominion," and removed to Lexington, Missouri, Avhen William was nine years old, and our subject was educated and grew up in Lafayette county. He lived on his father's farm until eighteen years of age, and then commenced to learn the carpenter's trade at the town of Lexington, and lived there, engaged at his trade, until the year 1847, when he went across the plains with a wagon train carrying goods to Sante Fe and other Mexican trading points. He was absent on this trip from April until October. The train was several times attacked by the Comanches and other tribes of hostile Indians, by whom, the western plains were, at that time, thickly invested, After several narrow escapes from death by savages and much suffering from hunger, thirSt and diseases incident to camp life upon the great prairies of the route, the train reached its destination and disposed of its freight. Mr. Hays then returned to Lexington and engaged in business there during the next three years. He was married, in that city, on the 28th day of April, 1848, to Miss Margaret A. Craig, daughter of " old uncle Jack " Craig, a native of Kentucky, though then living in Ray county, this State. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.. Hays;.- four, only, of whom, two of each sex, are now living. In 1850 Mr. Hays removed to Ray county and bought a farm upon which he lived for twelve yeajs, and then removed to Richmond and entered the retail grocery business at that place. He remained there during sixteen years and until his children were educated at Richmond college. From Richmond he removed with his family to Norborne, in this county, and bought the hotel at that place which he repaired and refurnished. Mr. Hays has since given the management of this hotel into the hands of his eldest son, and, though he still makes his home there, he has retired from the business. He is a highly esteemed and respected old;^gentleman, and a great friend of young people.

William F. Montgomery

On the 2d day of September, 1833, William F. Montgomery was bom in Washington county, Kentucky. He was reared there on a farm, and received such educational advantages as the district schools at that period afforded. At the age of eighteen years he began to learn carpentering, and during his apprenticeship he also acquired a knowledge of the painter's trade. He remained in his native State until the year 1868, and then went to Iowa where he lived during two years engaged at his trade. In 1870 he came to Carroll county, stopping first near Bogardis Mound from which place he went to Carrollton and spent two years in the employ of G. W. Brasher, a stock dealer and grain merchant of that place. He then moved to Mandeville and worked at his trade there for two years, and then in 1876 removed to Norborne where he has since resided, following his joint occupation of carpentering and painting. Mr. Montgomery was first married, in Boyle county, Kentucky, in October, 1858, to Miss Agnes Moreman. The issue of this union was six children, four of whom are now living. His wife died in 1870, in this county, and our subject was again married. The lady becoming his wife this time was Miss Delia Lock, daughter of Dr. Lock, deceased, formerly of this county. Three children have been born of the second marriage, one of whom, a daughter, died in infancy. Mr. Montgomtiry owns property in Norborne, and^is so well pleased with the place that he intends to make his permanent residence there.

Benedict Stemple

Kreuznach, Prussia, is the birth' place of Benedict Stemple. He was bom on the 30th day of December 1828. He lived in his native land until his fifteenth year when his father, Andrew Stemple brought him with the rest of the family' to America. Landing at New York they made their way directly to Lexington, Missouri and? came from there soon after to Carroll county where the subject of this article has made his home ever since. About one year after the arrival of the family in this county the father killed himself by the acdidental discharge of a gun and the care of the family and management of the farm devolved' upon Benedict. HiS mother died in 1867. The subject of this article made a trip to California with the tide of emigration to that state in 1850, and spent about two years in mining for gold, there. He then returned to his home in this county and has since been engaged in farming here except the time he was in the state militia during the civil war. In 1877 Mr. Stemple visited his fatherland and spent some months amid the scenes of his childhood. This visit was something of a disappointment inasmuch as the old familiar faces he most desired to see were gone and their places filled by strangers. Mr. Stemple was first married, in Carrollton, on the 5th day of April, 18.53, to Miss Eva Schies.' The issue of this marriage was nine children, four of whom, all daughters are living now. Mrs. S. died in the month of May, 1870, and Mr. Stemple was subsequently married to Miss Lizzie Schenk a lady whom he met on the occasion of his last visit to his native land. The second Mrs. Stemple has borne her husband two children one. of whom, a daughter, is now living. Mr. Stemple's children are educated in both german and english and he designs giving his daughters a musical education. He belongs to the Trinity Lutheran church and Mrs. S. is a member of the catholic church at Norborne. Mr. Stemple is an agreeable, clever gentleman and a valuable citizen.

Samuel Higginbottom

The town of Oldham in England is the birth place of the subject of this sketch. He was born on the 8th day of May 1819. He was educated in his native place and reared to the trade of a cotton spinner which occupation he followed in England until he was twenty three years of age and then came to America and settled at Slatesville in the state of Rhode Island. Here he worked as a machinist during three years and then removed to Waltham, Massachusetts and after staying a year and a half there, to the county of Winnebago, Illinois, where Mr. Higgin bottom bought a farm and engaged in farming until 1861. He then engaged with the Cleveland and Pittsburg R. R. Co. as locomotive engineer and ran over their road during the succeeding five years. In 1869 the subj'ect of this sketch came to Carroll county and after farming for one year located at Norborne and began the manufacture of Wagons which business he has, ever since, continued with good success. Mr. Higginbottom was married, in 1857, to Miss Elizabeth Andrews of Winnebago county, Illinois. They became the parents of eleven children, eight of whom, three sons and five daughters are living. Mr. Higginbottom has been a member of I. O. O. F. fraternity since he was twenty one years old. He is one of the substantial and valuable citizens of the thriving little city in which he lives.