Daviess County MO

Biographical Sketch of A. Reed

Abraham Reed was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, June 6, 1814. His parents died when he was seven years old, which threw him on his own resources at an early age, and when he was fourteen he began to learn the blacksmith trade, and was employed in that business for five years. When he was twenty-three years old he moved to Coshocton county, Ohio, to Brown county, Illinois in 1863, and in 1865 to this county and settled where he now lives. He has a fine farm, and is engaged largely in stock-raising. Mr. Reed was married, in 1837, to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jacob Mettel

Jacob Mettel was born in Hesse, Hamburg, Germany, August 12, 1845. His parents removed from the “Faderland” while he was an infant, and crossed the broad ocean to the “Land of the free,” settling in Franklin county, Indiana, where he was reared and attended school. When eighteen years of age he left home and went to Harrison, Ohio, where he learned the shoemaking trade with Frederick Fisher, remaining with him two years and nine months. In 1866 he went to Cincinnati, worked for Paul Shauner for two years and a half, and, at the expiration of that time, was employed … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. H. Deskin

W. H. Deskin is a native of Pike county, Kentucky, born June 5, 1854. His parents, W. H. and Louisa Deskin, nee Atkins, were natives of Kentucky and are now both dead. January 26, 1863, his father was commissioned lieutenant of cavalry to rank from October 4, 1862, by Governor John Letcher of Virginia; served till the close of the war, and participated in many memorable battles; was taken prisoner at Alexandria and while in prison contracted a disease that ended in his death, August 8, 1866. His wife, the mother of the subject of our sketch, only survived him … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Henry Briggs

Henry Briggs is a native of Scioto county, Ohio, born June 30, 1834. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Ohio. In 1868 he came to this county and settled where he now lives-then in the country where the wild grass grew high around his house, but now on the business street of Jameson. He has been street commissioner for three years, and was appointed marshal of Jameson in April, 1881. Mr. Briggs was united in marriage, February 25, 1857, to Miss Annie E. Noble, of Scioto county, Ohio, born September 7, 1836. They … Read more

Biography of William C. Gillihan

William C. Gillihan was born near McComb, McDonough county, Illinois, April 1, 1841. When he had reached the age of four years his parents removed to Arkansas, and settled near Crawfordsville, Crawford county, and there his father died after a two years residence. In 1847 his mother removed to Iowa, and after several changes, finally settled in Warren county, near Indianola, where they lived until 1855, when (his mother having become Mrs. M. R. Richardson) they removed to Daviess county, seven miles south of Gallatin, and here he lived until 1858. He then left home and began the struggle of … Read more

Biography of Gabriel Feurt, Judge

Gabriel Feurt was born in Scioto county, Ohio, July 3, 1827. His father, Thomas Feurt, was a native of New Jersey, and his mother, Mary, was born in Pennsylvania. His grandfather, George Bowers, served seven years in the Revolutionary War, and settled in Scioto county, Ohio, when there were but three other families in that county. Our subject received his education in the common schools of Ohio, and came to this county in 1845, in company with his mother and others of the family, and settled where he now lives-never having resided in any other than his birthplace, and where … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. R. H. Robertson

R. H. Robertson was born in Augusta county, Virginia, September 15, 1819. His parents were also natives of Virginia. He was educated at the University of Virginia, located in Albemarle county, and received his medical education at the Richmond Medical College, of Richmond, Virginia, under Professors John Cullin, R. E. Bohannon, and Dr. Chamberlain. He began the practice of his profession in his native county in 1842, and removed to this county in 1857, began practice, and has continued ever since. In 1861 he went to Texas, returning in 1869. Dr. Robertson was married, August 22, 1839, to Miss Elizabeth … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Philip Shaw

Was born in Clay County, Missouri, March 10, 1848. His parents, A. L. and Hannah Shaw, nee Kearns, were both natives of Kentucky, and early settlers in Missouri. When Philip was five years of age his parents moved to DeKalb County, and he was there reared and educated. In 1864 he enlisted as a member of Company C, Forty-third Missouri Volunteer Infantry and served until the close of the war. After his return home he began farming on his own account, and on November 19th, 1868, was married to Miss Orilla A. England, who was born in Jackson County, Indiana, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Herman E. Retzlaff

Herman E. Retzlaff was born in Germany, August 28, 1857. He is the son of Michael Retzlaff, who came to this country in 1861. His father was in business in Akron, Ohio, eleven years; came to Daviess County in 1874, and died here in 1878. Herman received his education at Akron, and after his parents came to Daviess County remained with them until he attained his majority, when he turned his attention to farming. He now resides on a farm in Sheridan Township, engaged in agricultural pursuits.

Biography of William F. Flint

William F. Flint was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, April 4, 1828. His father, George Flint, was a native of Maryland, and William Flint, his grandfather, was a-soldier in the Revolutionary War. William F. Flint moved to Franklin county, Indiana, with his parents, when he was six years old, and then accompanied them to this county in 1841, where he has lived since, excepting-four years that he resided in Harrison county, returning to this county in March, 1881. He received most of his education by home study, and began teaching school when he had reached the age of eighteen years, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James A. Meadows

James A. Meadows, the subject of this sketch, is a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Daviess county. Over forty years ago his parents, John and Nancy Meadows, settled in the neighborhood known as the “Virginia Settlement.”‘ They reared a family of eight children: Mary E., Sylvester S., Joseph T., Martha B., Hudson C., James A., Susan P. and. William J. His father died in 1880; his mother is now living on the old homestead. James A. Meadows was born in Benton township, Daviess county, Missouri, February 26, 1843. He lived with his parents until May 24, 1863, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas J. Wood

Thomas J. Wood was born in Fountain county, Indiana, March 15, 1836. His parents were natives of Scott county, Kentucky, but migrated to Indiana, and from thence to Caldwell county, Missouri, when he was about three years of age, and soon moved to Daviess county. Mr. Wood has resided in this county since 1839. He was enrolled in the State Militia in 1862, and served two. years as one of the home guards. Since that time he has been engaged in farming and now lives on a well improved farm near Winston. Mr. Wood was married, January 1, 1869, to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of E. Chamberlin

E. Chamberlin was born in Windham county, Vermont, November 18, 1821. His father, Nathaniel Chamberlin, was a native of Worcester, Massachusetts. When he was eleven years old his parents moved to Bureau county, Illinois, where he was reared upon a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1852 he engaged in the grocery business, together with butchering and shipping stock. He was among the first settlers of Northern Illinois, and was in Chicago when there were but six houses in the town. In 1867 he came to Daviess county, and is now one of the leading farmers of this … 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 James C. Harrah

James C. Harrah was born in Daviess county, Missouri, November 29, 1844. He is the son of Robert H. Harrah a native of Greenbrier county, West Virginia. His father came to Missouri in 1840, and died in Holt county in February, 1865. His mother’s maiden name was Elizabeth Nation, and she was a native of East Tennessee. Our subject was reared and educated in his native county and has spent his life thus far here. He began farming on his own account at an early age and continued (except during the war) in that avocation until the winter of 1872 … Read more

Biographical Sketch of S. B. Guthery

S. B. Guthery was born in Pike county, Ohio, October 27, 1817. His grandfather was a colonel in the Revolutionary War, and in 1800 immigrated to the then far West – now the State of Ohio. When our subject was a boy he was employed by William Parmer, of Bourbon county, Kentucky; in keeping training and running fast horses. In 1837 he turned his attention to farming and has followed that business ever since, together with handling stock; with the exception of a short time he was engaged in grading on the Portsmouth & Columbus turnpike in 1840, and conducted … Read more

Biography of Chester I. Long

Definite distinction and assured prestige have been gained by Chester I. Long as one of the representative member of the Kansas bar, and his influence in public affairs had been wide and potent, as indicated by the fact that he was elected to the United States Senate from Kansas and had been a recognized leader in the councils of the republican party in the Sunflower State. He is engaged in the practice of his profession in the City of Wichita, had honored Kansas by his character and achievement, and is eminently entitled to recognition in this history. Mr. Long was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Levi Slone

Was born in Clermont county, Ohio, November 7, 1818, and was educated in the common schools of Ohio. In 1838 he moved to Boone county, Indiana, where he learned the blacksmith trade, which has been his principal occupation since. He came to this county in 1866, settled near Bancroft, and in 1880 abandoned his trade and settled on a farm, where he now re-sides. Mr. Slone was married, October 10, 1839, to Miss Maria J. Jolley. By this union they have six children: Ann E., born July 4, 1840; John D., born December 15, 1842; Mary E., born March 21, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Allen Conner

Was born in Greene county, West Virginia, July 10, 1824. His parents, William and Mary Conner, were both natives of Virginia. Our subject was educated in the common schools of his native county, and when young learned millwright work, which he followed for five years, then learned carpentering and cabinet-making, which he followed until 1851, when he migrated to this county, and now owns a farm of 200 acres, well equipped with necessary implements. Mr. Conner was united in marriage October 9, 1850, to Miss Margaret Warren, the date of whose birth was January 4, 1830. They were blessed with … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Milton F. Woodward

Milton F. Woodward. This subject was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, May 1, 1832, and there grew up and received his education. He learned the wood-carver’s and cabinet-maker’s trades in his youth and worked at them till August, 1861. Then the war came like a hurricane on the land, and Mr. Woodward enlisted in Company H, of a Pennsylvania regiment known as the “Bucktails,” serving till December, 1863, when he was discharged. In. November, 1864, he again entered the service, this time in the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served in his company as sergeant. In February, 1865, he was detailed … Read more