Lincoln Township (part 2 of 2)

Joseph H. Eowoth

"Was born in Lincolnshire, England, December 3, 1841 ; is the only son of Robert and Ann Rowoth, nee Weldon. His mother died when he was but five weeks old, and he was left without a mother's tender care. He lived in his native place till he was about nine years of age, when his father came to America and settled in Erie county, New York; they lived there four years, then moved to Warren county, Illinois, and remained there two years; in 1857 they came to Missouri and located in Lincoln township, Grundy county. Our subject, then in his seventeenth year, walked from Brunswick with his father and carried all their earthly possessions. This country was then an unbroken wilderness, with very few white settlers, but plenty of wild game, occasionally a panther, and plenty of wolves. Here our subject started to make himself a home, and his father and himself kept "bach" in a log cabin till the beginning of the civil war. Then the love of his adopted country induced him to take up arms in her defense, and he enlisted in the renowned Thirty-third Missouri volunteer infantry, and served faithfully and well with them in all the trying and various engagements in which they participated. While he was serving his country and was rejoic-

He was united in marriage, October 21, 1866, to Miss Rebecca E, Scott^ a native of Ohio, born December 6, 1847, a daughter of Josepli and Elizabeth Scott, nee Herbert. Her parents came to Missouri when she was quite young, and settled in Grundy county, where her father died, January 4, 1868. Her mother is still living in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Rowoth have two children; viz., Annie Laurie, born March 6, 1868; and William Walter, born September 21, 1873. Mr. Rowoth is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of well cultivated land. All this he has made by thrift and care, and he stands a living example of what a young man of energy and perseverance can accomplish when he tries. When his father and himself lirst came to America they worked for a farmer for six dollars per month for two of them. This they did in order to pay borrowed money that they had to get from a fellow countryman to pay their passage. But of such nerve and will has been the subject of this sketch that he has overcome all obstacles and been successful.

Josiah Sibbit

Was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1846. He is a son of William and Lucinda Sibbit, nee Tuttle, the fornier a native of New Jersey and the latter of Pennsylvania. His father died in May, 1851, and his> mother in July, 1879. He lived in Fayette county till about six years of age, then with his parents moved to Washington county, Pennsylvania, and lived there four years, and thence to Wayne county, Iowa. In 1867 he moved to Grundy county, and located in Lincoln township, where he hassince resided. He learned the blacksmith trade in Corydon, Wayne county, Iowa, and worked at the trade about ten years. He was married October 10, 1866, to Miss Buena Yista Forest, of Muskingum county, Ohio. She was a daughter of John and Mary Forest, nee Hull, and a neice of General Forest. They had two children; viz.. Dexter C, born July 27, 1868, who was accidentally killed July 19, 1881, by being thrown from a horse that he was riding while driving stock on his father's premises; and Olive, born February 9, 1870. Mrs. Sibbit died September 10, 1872. Mr. Sibbit married, February 27, 1873, Miss Harriet E. Roberts, daughter of Al)ner and Nancy Roberts, nee McDonald. She was born in Marion count}^ Indiana, March 2, 1852. They have the following named children: Arthur, born December 26. 1873; Charles, born Deceml)er 15, 1875; Elmer, born December 30, 1877; and a babe, born May 27, 1881; and one died in infancy. He owns one hundred and ninety acres of fine land well improved and stocked. He takes a great interest in and devotes much of his time to horticulture, and has an orchard of fourteen hundred fruit trees of choice varieties. He is a very energetic business man and a line mechanic.

William Slater

"Was born in Lincolnshire, England, October 24, 1815. Ilis father and mother were both natives of Lincolnsliire, and both died there; his mother, Elizabeth, in 1867, and his father, William, in 1870. Here the subject of our sketch was educated and reared, and lived till thirty-nine years of aoje, when he emigrated to America. He was united in nuirriage to Miss Sarah Hull, June 13th, 1838. By this union they have had twelve children, six of whom are still living; viz., Joseph, born March 31, 1845; Mary A., born August 20, 1847; William A., born February 15, 1850; George, born December 23, 1853; Robert B., born April 8, 1856; and Anna, born October 6, 1861: Six others died in infancy. When Mr. Slater and wife started from England to America, in 1854, they had four children and were entirely without means, and had to borrow money to bring the family across the ocean, but he was a man of grit and enterprise, and determined to win and to secure for himself and family a home. When lie first arrived in America he worked for one Simon White seven years and at the end of that time had saved $1,800; he then came to Missouri and purchased a farm in Grundy county of eighty acres of finely located and fertile land; he takes the lead as the best hedge grower in this part of the State. Few men have succeeded so well under such adverse circumstances, and he blesses the day he left England and secured a home in America.

L. D. Spencer

The subject of this sketch, was born in Morgan county, Ohio, January 17, 1850. His father, David Spencer, and Angeline his wife, were both natives of Ohio and are still living there. Mr. Spencer received his education in the common schools of Morgan county, and at the Lebanon Normal School, where he qualified himself for the profession of teacher. When twenty years of age he began teaching in the State of Ohio, and has since followed that profession; he has been very successful and, as the patrons of the schools where he has taught say, he is a model teacher and stands in the front rank, among the leading educators. In 1875 he came to Missouri and located on a farm in Lincoln township. Although owning a farm, he still devotes himself to his chosen profession. He was married to Miss Nannie Hossom. December 21, 1871. She was also a native of Morgan county, Ohio, born August 26, 1854. They have one bright little daughter, named Edna L. Spencer, born August 3, 1880. His home consists of eighty acres of fine land, all accumulated by his own efforts and the aid of his worthy companion. They are both consistent members of the Baptist Church.

Jonathan Stone

Was born in Grayson county, Virginia, April 9, 1818, and is a son of Stephen and Mary Stone; his mother's maiden name being Cherry. He lived in

Yirginia till 1833, when his parents came to Howard county, Missouri, and he lived there about twenty years, then removed to Linn and Scotland counties and remained till 1871. In this latter year he moved to Grundy county, where he has since resided. He married Miss Elizabeth J. Schroek, June 24, 1849. She was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, in 1824; her parents were both natives of Yirginia, but moved to Missouri in 1845. The parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Stone died in Linn county, Missouri, at a very great age. Ten children have been born to them, eight of whom are still living; viz., James J., at Spanish Fort, Texas; Sarah C, wife of John Reese; Ann S., wife of Arthur Baxter; Margaret A., wife of A. Case; Kobert L., living at home; Lucy Belle, wife of C. Smith; Henrietta and Ella, both at home. John W., died in 1876, and Mary E., in 1878. Mr. Stone owns a farm of fifty acres, nicely located,

James T. Tracy

Was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, July 22, 1831, and was reared on a farm and educated at the common schools of that county. He married Miss Nancy Walter on the 28tli of May, 18.52. She was born in Jessamine county, Kentucky, April 26, 1832. In 1852 this young couple came west seeking a home, and located and began life on the same farm now occupied by the family. Here they reared a family of five children; viz., David Andrew Tracy, now owner of the Lindley Mills; Thomas Edward, a farmer in Grundy county; John W., Xathan E,., and Burdette, at home; Mary F., Sarah E., Charles W., and one infant, died when young. Mr. Tracy died January 30, 1873; was a member of the Presbyterian Church; left an estate of three hundred and twenty acres of good land, and also a large amount of personal property; was highly esteemed in his life as a publicspirited man. Mrs. Tracy, with the aid of the younger members of the family, carry on farming upon the old homestead, and are esteemed members of society.

Leonhart Trump

Is a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, born November 9, 1827. His parents were natives of the same place, but came to America in 1851, and settled in Pickaway county, Ohio. His father died in 1861, and his mother still lives in Ohio. The subject of this sketch received his education in Germany, and March 2, 1849, started for America. After his arrival he worked on a farm near Waterville, New York, and from there went to Pickaway county, Ohio, and where he learned the cooper's trade, and lived about six years. He then traveled over Indiana and Illinois for about three years. December 13, 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Eve E. Klaedar, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, September 27, 1832. Eight children have been the issue of this union; namely, Paulina, born September 8, 1858, now wife of John Yoegel; Martin, born January 22, 1860; Leonhart, born

November 24, 1801; Caroline, born December 30, 1803; Mary, born September 5, 1800; Rosa, born November 14, 1808; Richard, born February 7,1871; and Jolin E., wlio died in infancy. Mr. Trump owns a farm of two hundred and tliirty acres, with tine buildijigs, orchard, etc., all of wliicli have been gathered together by the united industry of himself and family. They are members of the Lutheran Church. -

Was born in Monroe county, Ohio, March 3, 1830, and lived there until eighteen years of age and then moved to Boone county, Indiana, where he became a verj^ successful school teacher during his residence there of fourteen years. At the expiration of that time he removed to Grundy county and engaged in farming for three years, since which time he has been in the employ of the Rock Island Railroad Company at Tindall, where lie is also postmaster. He was married, November 8, 1857, to Eliza J. Maxfield, of Belmont county, Ohio. She was born April 5, 1838. They have had four children; viz., Sarah E., born February 14-, 1859, now the wife of William Legg; Henry A., born April 4, 1800; Will. R., born December 18, 1861; and Eli C, born August 3, 1864. Mr. Ward has tilled the otiices of trustee, clerk and justice of the peace. He has also served as school director for eight years, and takes a deep interest in educational matters. Mr. and Mrs. Ward -are both members of the Christian Church.

Jackson Wilson

Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, July 21, 1828; son of James C. Wilson and Nellie Wilson, both natives of Virginia. They moved to Grundy county, Missouri, in 1836 and settled near Edinburg. His mother died in 1854 and his father in 1861. He attended school a short time in Virginia and in Missouri. Has always been engaged in farming and is a plasterer by trade. He lived at Edinburg tifteen years, then near Trenton seven years, and in Franklin township tive years, when he removed to his present location in 1876. He was nnited in marriage, January 5, 1854, to Lou Emma J. Wilson, a native of Tazewell county, Virginia, born October 20, 1833, a daughter of Aaron and Sallie Wilson, both natives of Virginia, but who came to Missouri in 1834 and were among the very tirst settlers of this part of the State. They have had tive children, four of whom are still living; viz., Frank, born November 28, 1854; William C, born October 2, 1856; Sallie, born June 20, 1865 ; John, born May 4, 1863 ; and Jessie, a daughter born July 1, 1876, and died when one year old. He enlisted in the Missouri State militia for three years, and then as a member of the Fifty-tirst regiment, Missouri cavalry, and served during the remainder of the war. He is one of those quiet men who think only of securing a comfortable home for his family and giving them a good education. His son Frank was educated at the Trenton high school and prepared himself for teaching, which profession he has followed very successfully.

James C. Wilson

"Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, April 17, 1831 ; son of Aaron and Sarah Wilson, nee Maxwell. They were both natives of Yirginia. When the subject of this sketch was about seven years of age his parents moved to Chariton county, Missouri, and there remained for about three years, then moved to Grundy county and located about one mile east of the present site of tlie city of Trenton. Here he lived till about nineteen years of age and then, on May 13th, 1850, started across the plains to California, driving an ox team, and was five months, lacking one day, on the journey. He remained in California till 1857, and on the 11th day of June of that year arrived in Trenton township and has since remained in the county, engaged in farming. Mr. Wilson married, December 24^ 1857, Miss Sarah A. Wisdom, who was born in Randolph county, Missouri, August 9, 1838, a daughter of Moses and Zilpali Wisdom; her father was a native of Kentucky, and her mother of Missouri. By this marriage eight children have been born, seven of whom are still living; viz., Lou Emma, born March 7, 1860; William T., born February 16, 1S63; Lora F., born February 2, 1866; Martha M., born September 17, 1869; Edley C, born January 24, 1871; Walter, born September 4, 1875; Lydia, born April 25,1879; Augustus, born May 4, 1873, and died April 6, 1880. They had no help but their own strong hands and willing hearts, yet they have succeeded in rearing a large family and gathering together a large amount of property.

Jarvis Woods

The subject of this brief sketch is entitled to all the honors belonging to the pioneers of Grundy county. He was born April 17, 1812, in Howard county, Missouri; his parents were Kentuckians by birth, but settled in the State of Missouri in 1808. When our subject was but seven days old, the Indians drove all the settlers, together witii his father's family, into Cooper's Fort, in Howard county. The family remained there four years not daring to move outside of the fort on account of Indians. After this they moved back on the original claim and remained there until he was seventeen years of age, then sold out and moved to Keytesville, Chariton county, where he remained until the spring of 1837, when he engaged with Lisbon Applegate, United States sni-veyor, to assist in the original survey of what was then called the Indian territory, but the most of the work being done in what is now Grundy county. lie continued this labor till February, 1838, and then returned to Keytesville, remained there a short time assistiuir his mother in caring for the farm, but soon returned to what is now the flourishing city of Trenton, where, during his arduous labors as assistant surveyor, he had not only found a delightful country for his future home, but the greater attraction of a beautiful and accomplished young lady by the name of Amanda Devanl, the daufyhter of Daniel and Sarah Devaul, the first settlers in Trenton. She was born in Cliariton county, Missouri, July 14, 1820, and came M'ith her parents to this county in 1835. February 2G, 1838, Mr. Woods led this fair uiaiden to the hymeneal altar, and 'Squire Tlirailkill (one of the first justices of the ])eace) united them as one, and for nearly half a century they liave lived together in lov^e and harmony, together have toiled aiid endured all the j^rivations of the ])ioneer life, and have seen the then unbroken wilderness con v^erted into beautiful and fertile fields, and thickly settled with an intelligent and thrifty class of inhabitants; yet with all the luxuries and conveniences of an old settled and prosperous country surrounding them, they say that they are no happier to-day than when on that early spring morning in 1838, they commenced the journey of married life together; when their first shelter was erected by felling a large tree and placing clapboards against it; this they occupied until Mr. Woods with his strong hands and the aid of his bride soon erected a commodious and convenieut log cabin near what is known as the Paint Lick settlement; here they lived about one year, then he sold his claim for $100, and moved on what is now known as the Belshe farm; in 1874 he purchased land in Lincoln township where he has since lived, and owns eighty acres of fine and well improved land. Eight children were the fruits of this marriage, six of whom are still living; named, respectively, Eliza Jane, wife of John Rallston, of Spickardsvillc; Mary Ann, wife of Tyler Martin, of Lincoln township; Cemira, wife of Bourter Legg, of Lincoln township; Henry B,, a railroad employe; B. F. and Jarvis G., both living at home. James 0., a soldier in the Union army, died at Nashville, in 1865; and one babe died in infancy. This aged couple have been life-long and consistent members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Woods says he is, and always has been, a staunch Republican and is proud of it. He was never out of the State of Missouri but once in his life, and that under the following circumstances, and for one night only: He had sold two pigs to a man on the edge of Iowa, by name of Jefferson Moore, and he was to pay for them with a barrel of honey. Mr. Moore came in the fall but did not bring the honey, and told Mr. Woods that as he had never been out of the State he would not pay him for the pigs till he went into the edge of Iowa, and so he went and got his honey and was one night out of the State. He is now in the seventieth year of his age and a man who with his entire family are highly respected by all.