The History of Holt and Atchison Counties, Missouri, containing a history of these counties, their cities, towns, etc.; St Joseph, Mo.: National Historical Company, 1882.
Clark Township, Atchison County, Missouri Biographicals
(transcribed by Pat O'Dell: genpat@netins.net)
[page 730]
Henry R. Anderson, section 23, was born in Mercer County, New Jersey, August 21, 1817. Joshua Anderson, his father, and his mother, formerly Mary Clark, were also natives of that state. Henry R. was raised on a farm and received his education in the common schools and at Trenton Academy. He afterwards learned the carpenter's trade, at Princeton, New Jersey. In 1837 he came west, locating at Alton, Illinois, where he was engaged at the carpenter business for three years, and in the fall of 1841 he moved to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, working at his trade there for some six years. He was there married on the 12th of April, 1843, to Miss Eliza Jane McCord, daughter of William McCord. She was born in Kentucky, December 10, 1820. Mr and Mrs A. have three children: Mary I. (wife of A. Bigley), born August 27, 1847; Martha Virginia, born September 10, 1859; Lewis Wallace, born July 5, 1862. In 1848 the subject of this sketch moved from Mount Pleasant to Keokuk, Iowa, and resided there working at his trade, for about five years. In the spring of 1853 he left his family in Iowa and went overland to California, where he was interested in mining and carpentering for three years, after which he returned to Iowa, in the fall of 1856. In the spring of 1857 he moved to Cass County, Nebraska, and was there engaged in farming and working at his chosen calling until the fall of 1871, when he came to Atchison County, Missouri, settling in Clark Township. He has lived on his present place seven years and now has a farm of forty acres, all in cultivation, with a young bearing orchard of 200 apple trees, besides peach, cherry, plum and pear trees. Mrs Anderson is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
[page 731]
John W. Beck, section 5, one of the leading farmers of Clark Township, was born in Rowan County, North Carolina, January 5, 1815. His parents were Samuel and Mary (Wells) Beck, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Delaware. In 1815 the family moved to Indiana, settling in Wayne county. John W. Beck spent his youth on a farm, and attended the common district schools. He was married in Union County, Indiana in December, 1845, to Miss Elizabeth Rush, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Rush. She was born in Union County, Indiana, March 17, 1824. Mr and Mrs B. have raised ten children, nine of whom are living--Sarah E., (wife of Drury Roberts), born December 24, 1847; Mary W., born May 12, 1849; Lysander, born July 15, 1851; Harriet M., born January 24, 1853; died March 2, 1877; Elizabeth A., born September 6, 1854; Nicander M., born December 15, 1856; Hamlin P., born July 29, 1859; John L., born October 26, 1860; Emma J., born May 9, 1863; Martha H., born August 8, 1866. The subject of this sketch resided in Wayne County, Indiana, until 1864, when he moved to Missouri, locating in Clark Township, Atchison County, on his present farm, where he has since lived. He owns 320 acres of land, all fenced, good improvements and an orchard of apple, peach, cherry, plum and pear trees being upon the place. Mr Beck is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
[page 731]
William A. Bower is a native of Howard County, Indiana, and was born May 22, 1848. His father, H.A. Bower, was born March 4, 1821, in Clarke County, Indiana, as was also his mother, whose maiden name was Catherine B. Allhands, the date of her birth being August 29, 1822. In 1849 the family moved to Mason County, Illinois, where they resided until 1865, then going to Des Moines County, Iowa. They remained in Iowa five years, and then, in 1870, removed to Wayne County, where they made their home until they came to Atchison County, Missouri, in 1872, settling in Clark Township. The youth of William A.B. was spent in the common schools, and he afterwards attended the Havanna High School. After leaving school he engaged in farming. He was married in Wayne County, Iowa, September 8, 1870, to Miss Mary E. Lewis, who was born in Mason County, Illinois, August 7, 1851. They have a family of four children: Norvil O., born November 11, 1871; Cora O., born September 1, 1873; Lloyd F., born November 3, 1875; and Floyd M., born February 29, 1877. Mr B. has 120 acres of land, all improved, with a young orchard. He resides on section 35, township 64, range 40.
[page 731]
Christopher C. Blevins. Among the young men of worth and ability in Fairfax is C.C. Blevins, who was born in the vicinity of Fairfax, August 19, 1859, [page 732] Daniel M. Blevins, his father, was born in Jackson County, Missouri, and his mother, whose maiden name was Margaret C. Sandy, was a native of Indiana. Daniel Blevin, Sr., the grandfather of Christopher was one of the pioneers of this county, and settled in Clark Township in 1840 on the same farm where C.C. was afterwards born. The subject of this sketch was reared as a farmer and received some advantages for acquiring a common school education. When sixteen years old he entered the High School at Rock Port, where he attended for two years. In September, 1877, he engaged in teaching, which profession he followed for eight months. He then went into the employ of J.J. Denny, at Milton, in the summer of 1878 as clerk and bookkeeper. In September, 1881, he accompanied his employer to Fairfax. Mr Blevins is an excellent penman and bookkeeper besides being a practical druggist and pharmacist.
[page 732]
James A. Campbell, section 26, was born in Virginia, on the 10th of October, 1828, and was the son of John D. and Hardenia (Blunt) Campbell, who were both Virginians by birth. In 1833 the family removed to Missouri and settled in Cooper County, where they lived for three years, going thence to Morgan County, in the spring of 1837. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, but had limited opportunities for acquiring an education. In the fall of 1849 he moved from Morgan to Atchison County and settled in Clark Township and for thirteen years has lived on his present place. Mr C. is one of the leading farmers and stock feeders of this portion of the county and now owns 520 acres of land, all fenced, with good improvements and a young bearing orchard of 300 trees. He has some good graded stock and makes a specialty of handling and feeding cattle. He was married in this county, in February, 1859, to Miss Ann DeWitt, daughter of William DeWitt. They had by this union one daughter, Mary H., who was born February 1, 1860. Mrs Campbell died in November, 1877. Mr C. was again married May 14, 1878, to Mrs Nancy Jane Marshall, who was born in Bates county, Missouri, September 1, 1842. They have one child, James A., born October 3, 1879. Mrs Campbell has two children by a former marriage, Beulah, born September 13, 1869, and L.E. Marshall, born May 14, 1872. Mr and Mrs C. are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In the spring of 1852 Mr C. took a trip to California, where he remained two years. With this exception he has been in the county for thirty-two years.
[page 732]
Anthony C. Christian was born in East Tennessee, May 2, 1822. Charles E. Christian, his father, and mother, formerly Miss Mary Ann Doughty, were born in [page 733] Cocke County, Tennessee. In 1852, the family moved to Missouri, and located in Clark Township, Atchison County, being among the first settlers of the county. The subject of this sketch spent his youth on a farm, obtaining a limited education at the subscription schools. He was married in Tennessee in January, 1843, to Miss Sarah B. Walsh. Mr Christian has four children by this marriage: Adaline E., (wife of David Murphy) born December 27, 1843; John W., born December 15, 1845; Elizabeth M., (wife of Wm Edington) born September 13, 1848; Mary E., born April 20, 1852, and died April 5, 1875. Mrs Christian died in Tennessee, August 15, 1862. Mr Christian was again married in Tennessee, April 24, 1864, to Miss Martha J. Murphy, who was born in Carter County, Tennessee, August 15, 1841. In the spring of 1866, he settled in Clark Township. He moved upon his present farm in the spring of 1871, and now has 133 acres of land, with 90 acres improved, having a good house and small young bearing orchard. Mr and Mrs Christian have two children: Sarah A., born February 19, 1865; Gustus H., born April 21, 1872. He resides in section 27, township 64, range 40, and is one of the most enterprising farmers of the community.
[page 733]
Robert E. Christian, a leading man of this township, and one of the pioneers of the county, was born in Cocke county, East Tennessee, October 25, 1829, and was the son of Thomas E. and Mary Ann (Doughty) Christian, who were also natives of Tennessee. In 1852 the family moved to Missouri, locating in Atchison County, being among the early settlers of this county. Robert received a common school education, and grew to manhood on a farm. He was married in East Tennessee, January 9, 1861, to Miss Mary Jane Holdeway, daughter of William Holdeway. She was born in Cocke County, Tennessee. Mr Christian settled on his present farm in 1868, and has since been engaged in farming, though he is also interested in the stock and grain business. He has eighty acres of land, all improved, upon which is a good dwelling and a young orchard, his place being located on section 3, township 63, range 41. His residence is at Nishnebotna Station. Mr and Mrs Christian have seven children--William T., born October 8, 1861; Sarah E., born in 1867; Olive Maud, born February 6, 1869; Wayne S., born September 21, 1871; Elmer E., born February 5, 1872; Flora N., born March 20, 1876; Lulie E., born February 5, 1882. Mrs Christian is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr C. belongs to the I.O.O.F. fraternity.
[page 733]
Isaac N. Curry, section 18, was one of the early settlers, and has long been numbered among the prominent men of this township. He was born in Monroe [page 734] County, West Virginia, August 21, 1827, his parents, James and Elizabeth N. Curry, both being natives of the same locality. Isaac was reared in Greenbrier County, his youth being spent on a farm and in attending the subscription schools. He subsequently entered the High School at Blue Sulphur Springs. On the 1st of September, 1853, occurred the marriage of Mr Curry to Miss Mary K. Youel, a daughter of James G. W. Youel. She was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, April 30, 1849. Mr and Mrs C. have a family of five children: J.A. Youel, born January 16, 1857; Walter W., born August 3, 1858; Ida H. (wife of S.P. Jewell, of Fairfax), born August 23, 1860; Lillie N., born May 19, 1862, and I. Houston, born August 20, 1863. Mr Curry has one adopted son, A. Wallace Crawford, who was born January 16, 1858. In 1856 the subject of this brief narrative removed from Virginia to Missouri and located in Atchison County. He was one of the pioneers in this portion of the country, and now has in his possession 200 acres of land, all fenced and improved, and with a good orchard. Mr and Mrs. Curry are members of the Presbyterian Church, South.
[page 734]
William N. Curry, was born in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, August 16, 1838. James Curry, his father, and his mother, formerly Ruth Anderson, were born born in Virginia; the former died in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, May 8, 1880, in the eighty-first year of his age. William was brought up a farmer and was educated in the common subscription schools. In 1861, he entered into the Confederate army, enlisting in the Third Virginia Infantry. After serving in the regiment one year, he became a member of the Sixtieth Virginia Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He participated in numerous important engagements, among which were Mechanicsville, Cold Harbor, Frazier's Farm, Malvern Hill, Cedar Mountain, Piedmont, and others. After the war he returned to Greenbrier County, and until 1868, was engaged in farming and carpentering, at the expiration of which period he came to Missouri, locating in Tarkio Township, Atchison County, in 1870, and on his present farm in section 23, in the spring of 1872. Mr C. owns 160 acres of land in his home place, all improved, and upon it is a fair residence and young orchard of 200 apple trees, besides other varieties of fruit. He was married in Greenbrier County, Virginia, February 2, 1870, to Miss Julia M. Bright, daughter of Jesse and Margaret Bright. She was born in that county, February 20, 1848. They have five children: Arthur Lee, born November 30, 1870; Maggie Ruth, born September 30, 1873; Jennie May, born January 12, 1875; James Bright, born November 8, 1879, and Thomas Henry, born April 8, 1881. Mr and Mrs Curry are members of the Old School Presbyterian Church. Mr Curry has upon his place [page 735] some fine thoroughbred short horn cattle, and is greatly interested in handling and feeding stock.
[page 735]
J.J. Denny was born February 13, 1846, in Washington County, Indiana. His father, Christopher H. Denny, and also his mother, formerly Phoebe Wright, were natives of the same county. His grandfather, John Wright, was one of the pioneer preachers of Washington County, Indiana. His uncle, Jacob Wright, was one of the pioneer preachers of this county and one of the ablest debaters of his day. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm and received a common school education. At the age of eighteen years he went into military service, enlisting in the Fifth Indiana Cavalry in February, 1864, in which he serviced until the close of the war. While in the service he participated in numerous engagements among which were the important battles of Chattanooga, Ringgold, Dalton, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta and several others. After the war he returned to Indiana and remained there some two years, attending school at May's Seminary, located at Salem, Indiana. March, 1867, he came to Missouri and settled in Holt County, near Oregon, where he lived until the fall of 1870, engaged most of the time in teaching. In the spring Mr Denny entered the store of B.B. Frazer & Co., at Mound City, as clerk, and in the fall of the same year he was employed in the same business with Dr Taylor, who, at time was carrying on a mercantile trade at Graham, in Nodaway County. In March he formed a partnership with J.L. Gomel & Co., and was engaged in the general merchandise business at Graham until April, 1872. Shortly after leaving Graham he bought an interest in the firm of Denny Bros., at Corning, and was in business at this place two years. In May, 1874, he moved his stock of goods to Milton and has since been a resident of Atchison County. Mr Denny bought the first business lot offered for sale in Fairfax, erected a store building and has since been engaged in the drug business. He was married in Mound City, Missouri, March 23, 1871, to Miss Mary A. Hoover, daughter of Peter Hoover. Mrs Denny was born in Indiana April 29, 1851. They have five children: Iola Ethel, born February 7, 1872; Eula May, born June 30, 1874; Essie Beatrice, born September 4, 1876; Harry Hoover, born December 18, 1878, and Otto Clifton, born July 29, 1881. Mr and Mrs Denny are members of the Christian Church. Mr D. belongs to both the Odd Fellows and Masonic orders. He is a Republican in politics and was nominated and elected by his party as one of the county judges in the fall of 1878, serving for one term.
[page 736]
Christopher C. Dragoo, section 2, was born in Brown County, Ohio, October 28, 1840. Milton Dragoo, his father, was born in the same county, and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Parker, was a native of Adams County, Ohio. C.C. Dragoo was raised on a farm and was educated in the common schools. He enlisted in the army December 3, 1861, in Company F., Seventieth Ohio infantry, and was in the service nine months, being honorably discharged September 5, 1862. After being discharged, he returned to Brown County, where he remained till July, 1863, when he came to Atchison County, Missouri, settling in Clay Township. He bought a place with his brother, and engaged in farming, and in March, 1877, came on to his present farm in Clark Township. Mr D. has 240 acres of land, all fenced, with 160 acres improved. He has a young orchard of 130 apple, 100 peach and some cherry, pear and plum trees, besides small fruits. Mr Dragoo was married February 23, 1865, to Miss Needels, daughter of E.S. and Sarah Needels. She was born in Atchison County, Missouri, September 7, 1846. They have five children living--Edward S., born January 12, 1866; Una Belle, born November 21, 1867; John F., born December 15, 1869; Daniel C., born October 30, 1870; Etna M., born September 17, 1873. Two are deceased. Mr Dragoo makes a business of dealing in and feeding stock.
[page 736]
James M. Dunlap, one of Clark Township's pioneers, and a man highly respected, was born February 7, 1833, in Virginia, his parents, John and Isabella A. (North) Dunlap, both being Virginians by birth. James grew to manhood on a farm in Greenbrier County, receiving his primary education in the common schools, and afterwards attending the Lewisburg Academy. He first moved to Missouri in 1854, and settled on his present farm, where he lived for five years, after which, in 1859, he returned to Virginia. In that state he resided until the winter of 1874, when he returned to his farm in Clark Township, in this county. His place consists of 140 acres of land, all fenced, and upon it is a good orchard of all varieties of fruit. Mr. Dunlap's marriage to Miss Malinda E. Payne occurred April 14, 1854, in Bath County, Virginia. She is the daughter of Lewis Payne, of that locality, and was there born on the 19th of November, 1836. Mr and Mrs Dunlap have four children: Mary L.R. (Wife of B.W. Sedwick, of Fairfax) born October 3, 1856; Mildred I., born October 22, 1860; John N., born October 11, 1867, and Lewis P., born December 19, 1869. Mr and Mrs D. are members of the Old School Presbyterian Church and the former belongs to the Masonic order. He resides on section 29, township 64, range 40.
[page 739]
born January 31, 1872. In 1859 Mr Hawkins moved to Nebraska, and after living there some three years, he returned to Atchison County. He has been on his present place eight years, and now has eighty acres of land, improved, and an orchard of assorted fruit. Mr Hawkins is a member of the Masonic order. In his political preferences, he is a Democrat. Mrs H. is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
[page 739]
Daniel J. Hendrick was born in the state of Ohio, March 13, 1843. His father, Jabez Hendrick, was born in Massachusetts in 1813, and his mother, Amanda M. (Abbey) Hendrick, was born in the state of New York in 1818. In 1853 the family moved to Henry County, Illinois. D.J. Hendrick ws raised on a farm, attending the common schools. In 1863 he enlisted in the army and served as a soldier until the close of the war. He first enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry, and served five months, after which he was honorably discharged. He again enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry, and was afterwards transferred to Company A, Thirty-third Illinois Infantry. He was in the engagement of Spanish Fort, which lasted thirteen days and nights, and, after being disharged, he returned to Henry County, where he remained till the fall of 1869 engaged in farming. At that time he came to Missouri and located in Clark Township. Mr Hendrick has eighty acres of good land, all improved, with a fine young orchard. He resides on section 11, township 64, range 40. He was married in Knox County, Illinois, October 20, 1868, to Miss Mariah Cadwell, daughter of George and Sallie M. Cadwell. She was born in Knox County, Illinois, December 10, 1843. Mr and Mrs Hendrick have four children: Lucy M., born October 31, 1869; Carrie M., born October 11, 1871; Everett D., born October 21, 1878, and Ira, born December 23, 1880. Mr Hendrick is Republican in politics.
[page 739]
Peter A. Hill, section 1, was born January 12, 1836, in Prince Edward County, Virginia. His parents, James and Martha (Weston) Hll, were born in the same state. In 1837 the family moved to Missouri and settled in Saline County, from whence, after living ten years, they came to Atchison County, in 1847, and located in Clark Township. Peter A. Hill was married March 3, 1867, to Miss Grace W. Jones, who was born in Holt County, Missouri, February 9, 1849. Mr and Mrs Hill have had seven children, four of whom are now living: William A., born July 13, 1868; Herbert, born August 16, 1873; Izetta, born November 12, 1877; Lillie Myrta, born July 1, 1880. After his marriage Mr Hill settled in Clay Town- [page 740] ship, where he resided some eleven years, moving to Clark Township, on his present place, in 1878. He has 240 acres of land, nearly all fenced, with 160 acres in his home place, and 80 acres in another tract, in Clay Township. He has on his farm a young and thrifty orchard. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm and had very limited means for an education in youth. What he now owns has been obtained by his own industry. Mr and Mrs Hill are members of the Baptist Church.
[page 740]
James A. Hunter, M.D., a prominent practitioner of this county, was born in the vicinity of Rock Port, August 16, 1850. James Hunter, his father, and also his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth McKay, were born in Scotland, and his grandparents early emigrated from Scotland and settled in Nova Scotia, when his parents were children. In 1847 they came to the United States and settled in Atchison County, near Rock Port, being among the very first settlers of the county. James A. spent his youth on his father's farm and attended for a time the common schools. At the age of eighteen years he went to Macon County and entered the McGee College, where he spent three years. In the fall of 1871 he engaged in teaching, which profession he followed one year. In the fall of 1872 he began the study of medicinie, at Rock Port, with Dr. J.L. Tracy. In the winters of 1873 and 1874 he attended lectures at the St Louis Medical College, and also in the winters of 1874 and 1875, graduating from this institution in February, 1875. The doctor soon commenced the practice of his profession at Milton, Atchison County, and there he remained and practiced six years, moving to Fairfax in the fall of 1881, and the winter following attended lectures at the Bellevue Hospital College, and was also graduated from this institution. The subject of this sketch was married in Milton, February 29, 1876, to Miss Amanda Graves, daughter of J.P. and Ann Graves. She was born in Kentucky. Doctor and Mrs Hunter have three children: Owen, Zetta and James Don. Mrs Hunter is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The doctor belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
[page 740]
James T. Hurst, was born on the 2d of May, 1841, and is a native of Pickaway County, Ohio. His parents, William E. and Charlotte Hurst, nee Duvall, were also born in the same county. In 1843, the family left Pickaway for Fayette County, and there they made their home for thirteen years. In 1856, they moved to Clark county, Missouri, but after living there one year, came to Atchison County, and in 1857 or 1858, settled in Clark Township. The youthful days of James T. were passed on a [page 741]
[page 751]
county, May 12, 1832. In 1858, Mr Van Gundy moved to Missouri and settled on his present farm. He has 300 acres in his home place, and 600 acres elsewhere. About 600 acres are under fence and improved, and upon it is an orchard of 700 apple, besides other trees, including all varieties of fruit. He has some thoroughbred Cottswold sheep, and is greatly interested in feeding and dealing in stock. Mr and Mrs Van Gundy have six children--Rose Ann, (wife of John H. Hogrefe), William A., Emma, (now Mrs J.W. May), Jane, David S. and Eliza. Mrs Van Gundy is a member of the Methodist church. He belongs to the Masonic lodge.
[page 751]
Van Gundy, Alexander was born in Ross County, Ohio, February 9, 1850. James VanGundy, his father, and also his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Moore, were natives of the same county. In 1865 the family removed to Atchison County, Missouri, and located in this township. Alexander spent his youth in following agricultural pursuits, and for a time attended the common schools of this vicinity. March 16, 1871, his marriage to Miss Susan E. Scarlett occurred in this county. She was the daughter of James Scarlett and was born in Taylor County, Iowa, January 27, 1853. Mr and Mrs VanGundy have four children: Mamie Josephine, born June 2, 1872; Anna L., born August 11, 1874; Homer V., born October 1, 1878; Rubie Olive, born October 27, 1881. One son, James A., was born November 24, 1876, and died December 15, 1877. In March, 1878, Mr VanGundy settled on his present farm, in section 6, township 63, range 40. He owns 255 acres of land, improved, but gives his attention mostly to the raising of fruit. He has an orchard of 1,400 apple, 800 peach, 120 plum and some pear trees, besides 750 grape vines and other fruit. He is entitled to much credit for the attention which he has given to this important industry and is very successful in his undertaking. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
[page 751]
Van Gundy, William, a native of Ross County, Ohio, was born April 25, 1850, and is the son of John and Leah Van Gundy, nee Search, the former of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Ohio. The family moved to Clark Township, Atchison County, Missouri, in 1859, and are numbered among the pioneers of this locality. William grew to manhood on a farm in this county, and enjoyed the privileges of a common school education. He was here united in marriage on November 4, 1875, to Miss Elvina Baker, who was born in Ohio, April 6, 1858, and a daughter of Z.C. Baker. Mr and Mrs Van Gundy have two children: Terissa, born November 15, 1876, and [page 752] Monta Ray, born February 1, 1880. The subject of this sketch resides on the old farm which his father first settled when he came to the county. This is located on section 16, township 64, range 40, and consists of 640 acres of land, nearly all under fence, and well improved. He is a member of the Masonic order, and he and his wife belong to the Methodist Church.
[page 752]
Reason Waits was born on the 19th of November, 1819, and is a native of Brown County, Ohio. Charles Waits, his father, was born in Kentucky. He married Mary Goble. Reason passed his younger days on a farm and obtained common school privileges for acquiring an education. When nineteen years of age he went to Shelby County, where for two years he was engaged in working by the month on a farm. In 1840 he came to Missouri and located in Ray County, where he resided for about four years. In 1844 Mr W. was married in Ray County to Miss Susan Sipe, who died in 1855, leaving three children, two of whom are living: William F. and Asa Lewis. Shortly after this marriage he came to Atchison County, settling in Clark Township in 1844. In 1858 he was again married in this county to Miss Melissa Jane Clemons, daughter of David Clemons. She was born in Kentucky. Mr and Mrs Waits have six children, of whom three are now living: Mores, Lucinda, (wife of F. Hays), and Margaret. Mr W. made an overland trip to California in 1850 and remained there for nearly two years, occupied in mining. In 1852 he returned by way of the Isthmus and New York City. He resides on section 18, township 64, range 40. Being one of the pioneers of this county, Mr W. is widely and favorably known and has hosts of friends.
[page 752]
Benjamin F. Wakefield, a native of Otsego County, New York, was born July 19, 1827. His father, Samuel W. Wakefield, was born in Vermont, but was raised in New York, in which latter state his wife, formerly Polly Knight, was born. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on a farm, and was educated in the common schools. June 8, 1859, he was married to Miss Nellie A. Cornell, daughter of Stephen and Mary Cornell. She was born in Orleans County, New York, in October, 1834, and departed this life November 12, 1872, leaving three children: Bruce C., born July 20, 1860; Waldo E., born March 20, 1862, and Hattie E., born June 12, 1867. In February, 1872, Mr W. moved from New York to Missouri, and located in Holt County, where he was engaged in farming for eighteen months. In 1874, he came to Clark Township, Atchison County, and now owns eighty acres of land with fair improvements. He was married to his present wife, Miss Sarah S. Kendall, daughter of Edward and Emily [page 753] Kendall, in Atchison County, Missouri, September 16, 1874. Two children were the result of this union, one of whom is living, Mary E., born August 6, 1878. Nellie M. was born September 18, 1876, and died July 25, 1877. Mr and Mrs Wakefield are members of the Baptist church. The former was in service for nearly two years during the war, enlisting January 5, 1864, and discharged October 5, 1865, having served in the Eighth New York Heavy Artillery. He participated in several imporant engagements, among which were the battles of Cold Harbor, and three engagements in front of Petersburg--Reams' Station, Hatcher's Run and others.
[page 753]
Edward H. White. Among the prominent farmers and stock raisers and feeders of this township, the subject of this sketch will bear more than a passing notice. He was born in Henry County, Illinois, October 22, 1848, his parents being A.C. and Martha (Hubbard) White. His father was a native of Dutchess County, New York, and his mother was born near Hartford, Connecticut. Edward was reared in Henry County, Illinois, receiving a fair education at the Kewanee High School. In December, 1869, he came to Atchison County, Missouri, and settled in Clark Township, and since that time, has been a resident of this vicinity. He owns 760 acres of excellent land, all fenced, with about 380 acres in cultivation, and a good residence, orchard, etc. Mr. White was married December 21, 1872, in Atchison County, Missouri, to Miss Adeline Muinch, daughter of Frederick Muinch. She was born July 18, 1852. Mr and Mrs White have four children: Olive H., born October 14, 1873; Augusta, born October 11, 1875; Stella, February 3, 1878; Orvil J., August 28, 1880. Mr W. is Republican in politics, to the principles of which party he closely adheres.
[page 753]
Richard E. White, one of the respected pioneers of the county was born in Iredell County, North Carolina, June 11, 1831. Joseph White, his father, and his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah King, were natives of the same county. In 1845 the family removed from North Carolina and settled in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, where they lived for three years, after which, in 1848, they moved to Buchanan County. The early days of young White were passed on a farm, his education being received in the common schools. In January, 1856, he came to this county, locating near its southern boundary. Feruary 26, 1857, he was here married to Miss Nancy A. Parker, daughter of Robinson and Elizabeth Parker, and who was born in Platte County, Missouri, February 8, 1841. After his marriage Mr White settled in Clark Township, and in 1859 he removed to Nebraska, where he was engaged in farming until 1863, when he returned [page 754] to this county. Two years later he went to Nebraska City and was occupied in freighting. In 1866 he again returned here and has since continued to be a resident of Atchison County. In 1867 he engaged in the stock business, which he followed for twelve years. In the spring of 1873 he came to his present farm, in section 26, which consists of 140 acres of land, fairly improved. Mr and Mrs White have had ten children, of whom six are now living: George P., born August 30, 1867; Walter K., born December 4, 1869; Oscar E., born April 17, 1872; Celestia Belle, born February 28, 1874; Ann, born October 24, 1877, and Richard H., born December 20, 1880. Those deceased are: Charles Q., born October 20, 1858, died July 12, 1879; Elizabeth D., born October 26, 1864, died February 15, 1875; Otis R., born November 18, 1862, died March 21, 1875, and Rebecca, born June 20, 1863, died January 28, 1865. Mrs White is a member of the M.E. Church, South. Mr W. belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
[page 754]
David L. Williams, was born on the 9th of January, 1849, and is a native of Rushville, Ohio. He is the son of George and Minerva Williams nee Lunsford, who were born in the same state. The family, on leaving Ohio subsequently settled in De Kalb County, Indiana. The youth of the subject of this memoir was passed in a flour and saw mill and also in a store, he attending for a time the common schools. In 1868, he came to Atchison County, Missouri, and located at Milton, where he engaged in the milling business. In July, 1869, returned to Ohio, and after making a trip through Indiana and Iowa, he again came to Milton in 1873, and has since continued to make this county his home, most of the time being interested in a flour and saw mill. In November, 1881, he embarked in the mercantile business at Milton, and at present, (1882) has the only store in the place. He is doing a thriving business, as he well merits. September 28, 1875, Mr W. was married to a Mrs. Williams, a daughter of Joseph Ball. They have two children: Minnie E., born November 20, 1876, and an infant daughter born May 9, 1881. One child, Virgil O., who was born March 21, 1879, died May 28, 1880. Mr W. is a member of both Masonic and Odd Fellows orders.