Biographical Sketch of John W. Wood

John W. Wood is the son of John B. Wood, a native of Kentucky, and one of the early pioneer ministers, of the Methodist denomination, who came to Daviess county and endured the hardships incident to western life during the Mormon War: The subject of this sketch was born in Ray county, Missouri, February 10, 1833. He was brought, in his infancy, to Daviess county, by his parents, where his father died when he was but three years old. Until he reached the age of eighteen he attended school and worked on a farm, then left school, farmed for three … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John W. Sawyer

John W. Sawyer is a native of Daviess county. His parents migrated from Tennessee to this county in 1847. John W. was born December 9, 1851, near Gallatin, and passed his early years with his parents on the farm. At the age of twenty-two he commenced farming for himself, but still made his home with his parents. In 1876 he purchased land in the northern part of Monroe township, where he remained three years, and then moved to the farm he now occupies, which is finely cultivated and well situated for farming. Mr. Sawyer was married, March 12, 1876, to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John W. Clark

John W. Clark was born in Chillicothe, Missouri, September 4, 1853. He is the son of Dr. John K. Clark, a native of Kentucky, who is practicing his profession at present in Farmersville, Missouri. Mr. Clark was educated at Spring Hill, Livingston county, Missouri. He commenced life for himself on, the North Missouri Railway, and continued that business for two years, then served an apprenticeship, learning the watch-making trade at St. Joseph, Missouri, under August Wetteroth, who is regarded as one of the best workmen in the country. After finishing his apprenticeship he went to Denver and thence to Deadwood, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John W. Burge

Was born in Patrick County, Virginia, September 21, 1838. He is the son of Woody Burge, now living in Daviess. County; his mother died in Virginia in 1836. Our subject was reared principally upon his father’s farm in Virginia. September 10, 1836, he left Virginia for Platte County, Missouri, where he made his home until 1857, at which time he came to Daviess County, where he has been ever since. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army under General Sterling Price, and was in the battles of Carthage, Pea Ridge, Sugar Creek, Pleasant Hill, and finally surrendered at Shreveport. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Terry

John Terry was born in this county March 10, 1850. His parents moved to Grundy county when he was five years old, and there John was reared and educated. He began life as a farmer and has been engaged in farming and stock-dealing ever since. In the fall of 1874, he went to Texas and there engaged in stock-raising, remaining till the fall of 1878, when he returned to Missouri and settled in Daviess county, where he has ever since resided. He owns a good farm of 160 acres in Lincoln township which he has especially adapted to stock-raising and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Rorabaugh

John Rorabaugh was born in Stark County, Ohio, August 19, 1835. He is the son of Henry and Elizabeth Shaffer Rorabaugh, both natives of Pennsylvania. His father’s occupation was that of a farmer, during a long and useful life, and both parents attained the full time allotted to man-the father reaching the age of four score years, and the mother four score and one. The subject of this sketch remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, and then engaged in farming in his native County until he came to Daviess County and purchased the farm in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Milton Bickel

John Milton Bickel was born in Elkhart, Indiana, December 18, 1847, and is the son of Benjamin and Catharine Bickel. His mother dying when he was six years old he was taken by his grandparents, with whom he lived until he was eight years old, when his father having married again he returned home and lived until he became of age. He was educated in the Seminary of South Bend, Indiana, and the Collegiate Institute of Goshen, Indiana. He began teaching at the age of eighteen and followed it seven consecutive years. In the fall of 1871 he came to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John McDougall

Is a native of Scotland and was born in Isla, April 17, 1824. He was reared and educated in the land of his birth, and began farming for a livelihood after leaving school. In the summer of 1847 he gave up farming to take a position in the custom-house office under the United Kingdom. Mr. McDougall served in that capacity till 1853, when he resigned his position and decided ‘to better his fortunes in the land on the sunset side of the Atlantic. Accordingly, he sailed for America and landed in due time in the city of New York. From … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Markey

John Markey. This gentleman, who ranks among the largest farmers of the county, is a Dative of Pennsylvania, born June 18, 1846. While he was but a child his parents moved west and settled in Illinois, where John grew to manhood and was educated. On leaving school, he commenced farming as his calling in life, and is still engaged in the same essential occupation. In the-spring of 1867 he came to Daviess county, Missouri, where he has ever since-resided, giving his attention to farming and stock-raising. Mr. Markey-owns a large farm of 900 acres in Lincoln township, well watered and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John M. Miller

John M. Miller was born in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, May 31, 1834. His parents, Robert and Rachel Miller, both natives of Virginia, when he was six years old moved to this county, where he was reared and educated in the common schools. In 1859 he crossed the plains to California, came back the same year and crossed again in 1860 and returned in time to serve one year in the Enrolled State Militia during the war. He is a farmer by profession. Mr. Miller was united in marriage, in October, 1863, to Miss Elizabeth C. Foster, who was born … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John M. Hunter

John M. Hunter was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, May 2, 1842. His parents died when he was five years old, and he lived with Mr. Jacob Hershbarger until he reached his eleventh year, then with his brother-in-law, Rev. William Baldwin. He was educated in the common schools of Indiana, and came to this county in 1857, and early in 1861 went to Clark county, Iowa. July 4, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Sixth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry. His regiment participated in the battle of Shiloh, and there he was wounded in the foot; he was in the battles … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John L. Netherton, Elder

John L. Netherton is a native of Daviess county; and was the first male child born in Grand River township, the date of his birth being September 20, 1836. He is a son of James and Nancy Netherton, who were among the early settlers of this county, and also sufferers at the hands of the Mormons, having had their house plundered and burned by them. Our subject, was reared upon the home farm, and has since given his attention to agricultural pursuits. His early education was received in the common schools, which he has supplemented with a private course of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John L. Gooding

John L. Gooding. This gentleman was born in St. Clair county, Illinois, July 21, 1839. His parents moved with him to Adams county when he was three years old, and there be grew up and acquired his education. He started in life as a farmer, and. has ever since been engaged in the same calling. In November, 1868, he came to Missouri and located in Lincoln township this county, where he has ever since resided, engaged in farming and stock-dealing. He has a well improved and well adapted farm of 162 acres of good land, on which he has a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Kincaid

John Kincaid was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, April 25, 1848, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Kincaid, both natives of Ohio; the father is now living in Grundy county, this State, but his mother died in Morgan county, Ohio. Our subject accompanied his father to Grundy county in 1865 and. lived upon the farm there until January 19, 1878, when he was united in marriage to Miss Maria Vandalson, of Mercer county, Illinois, the Rev. Charles Atherton, officiating. Shortly after his marriage he removed to this county .and rented a farm in Jefferson township, and one year … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John J. Wample

The subject of this sketch was born in Virginia, in February, 1829, and was reared and educated in the same State. He began farming for himself do coming of suitable age, and continued there till the spring of 1848, when he went to Tennessee. He remained there till 1851, when he came to Daviess County, this State, and has lived here ever since, engaged in farming. He owns a place of eighty acres in Liberty Township, on which he has a good residence and corresponding general improvements. Mr. Wample was married, in Virginia, August 25, 1850, to Miss Elizabeth Hudle. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John J. Caster

John J. Caster was born in Homer County, Ohio, July 9, 1822, near the city of Fredericksburgh. He is the son of McDonnell and Sarah Haley Caster, natives of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. His boyhood was spent on his father’s farm and at school, and after reaching manhood he turned his attention to stock-raising in connection with farming, and also pursued the trade of a carpenter. In 1856 he went to Gentry County, Missouri, and entered 200 acres of land, which he soon sold, and then gave his whole time to his trade for a few years. In 1861 he enlisted … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John H. Searcy

John H. Searcy is a native of Illinois, and was born November 9, 1844. He was partly educated in his native State and completed his education in Daviess county, this State, to which his parents moved when he was about twelve years old. On arriving at an age to transact his own business, Mr. Searcy began farming and stock-raising, and is still so engaged at this writing. He owns a farm of 181 acres of land in Jefferson township, which he has well improved, having one of the finest residences in the township. He is a man of large experience … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John H. Kemp

John H. Kemp was born in Daviess county, June 24, 1847, and is a son of John and Ellen Kemp, the former a native of Indiana, and the latter of Virginia, who came to this county in 1838. They had six children, as follows: John H., the subject of this sketch, Francis M., Mary J., Martha E., and Martin L. John H. Kemp lives on the old homestead, and his mother lives with him; his father died in March, 1865. John H. Kemp was married, November 22, 1877, to Miss Amelia J. Brown, who was born in this county March … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John H. Jones

John H. Jones is a native of Halifax county, Virginia, born near the city of Danville, April 15, 1848. His father was born in Campbell county, Virginia, and his mother in Pittsylvania county, the same State. Until he reached the age ‘ of nineteen he was with his parents in his native county, farming and attending school, and also in learning the trade which he followed after his removal to Kentucky in 1867. From this State he went to New Orleans, where he was engaged as signal master on a boat, going from thence to St. Louis, and then to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Gagan

John Gagan is a native of County Kings, Ireland, born June 24, 1819. His parents, John and Catherine Gagan, emigrated to America and landed in Baltimore county, Maryland, in the year 1835. John lived there till fifteen years of age then went to Pennsylvania and worked as a stone-cutter and contractor till 1846. On November 1st of that year, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah D. Williams, a native of Greenup county, Kentucky, born February 17, 1826. She was a daughter of Lewis and Roxie Williams. Her father. was born in Kentucky, and her mother in Virginia; the … Read more