Jamesport Missouri

Biography of Robert C. Williams

Robert C. Williams, born December 21, 1817, in Surry County, North Carolina, pursued education after leaving his family’s farm at nineteen. He moved to Missouri in 1839, teaching in Ray County before settling in Daviess County. In 1844, he married Eleanor Gillilan and had seven children. A successful farmer and later a capitalist, he was active in public service, holding various offices, including justice of the peace for twenty years. Known for his integrity, he also supported local education and church initiatives.

Biographical Sketch of Wesley Thurlow

Wesley Thurlow, born June 10, 1822, in Ohio, was the son of Silas Thurlow and Susannah Swett. He began his career in tailoring before transitioning to the hotel business. After moving to Missouri, he engaged in farming and merchandising, settling in Jamesport in 1880 to manage the Sherman House. Thurlow married Sarah J. Hill, and they had four children. A Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he fostered family connections through his daughter’s marriage to Robert L. Schrock.

Biographical Sketch of Orville M. Shanklin

Orville M. Shanklin was born on September 16, 1854, in Trenton, Missouri, to Colonel John H. and Kitty Shanklin. He studied law with his father, was admitted to the bar in 1877, and practiced in Jamesport before teaching in Grundy County. In 1881, he entered the life insurance industry as a district manager. He married Dora A. Newton in 1877, and they had two daughters, Alice and Floy. Shanklin was the Democratic nominee for county attorney in 1880 but was narrowly defeated.

Biographical Sketch of George Washington Schaffer

George Washington Schaffer, born on July 4, 1847, in St. Louis, Missouri, had a diverse career in the butcher business, working in various cities including Galesburg, Kansas City, and Chicago. He faced challenges, including a serious injury while handling cattle. Eventually, Schaffer settled in Jamesport, Missouri, where he established himself as a respected businessman in the meat market and confectionery industries. His strong reputation earned him the trust of the local community, aligning with his patriotic name reflecting American independence.

Biography of Seth H. Powers

Seth H. Powers, born June 26, 1843, in Canada, was the son of Vermont farmer Richard Powers. Orphaned young, he moved to the U.S., where he trained as a blacksmith and machinist. Powers served in the Civil War with the Illinois Volunteers, participating in key battles before returning to his trade. He established a successful manufacturing partnership in Jamesport in 1880 with J.H. Higdon. Married in 1865, he and Anna Crawford raised five children and were active in their church and community organizations.

Biographical Sketch of Francis M. Parker

Francis M. Parker, born on May 23, 1852, in Howard County, Indiana, received his early education there before moving to Washington Township, Missouri, with his family in 1866. After completing his education, he farmed until 1873, when he ventured to Kansas. Following a challenging year plagued by grasshoppers, he returned to Missouri. Parker later opened a restaurant and boarding house in Jamesport. He married Martha Melton on November 10, 1878, in a union that further rooted him in Missouri.

Biographical Sketch of Charles E. Orcutt

Charles E. Orcutt was born on February 15, 1845, in Vermont and later moved with his family to Allegany County, New York, and Massachusetts. He educated at Deerfield Academy before working on a farm. In his twenties, he relocated to Chillicothe, Missouri, where he initially clerked in a store. In 1871, he established a drug business in Jamesport and was appointed postmaster in 1873. Active in local governance, he is a Republican and married Tillia Keener, with whom he had two children.

Biography of James C. Murray

James C. Murray, born on April 8, 1847, in Belmont County, Ohio, distinguished himself as a businessman in Jamesport. He enlisted in the Ninety-eighth Ohio Infantry at sixteen, participating in significant battles and serving in hospitals during the Civil War. After various travels across the United States and Mexico, he co-founded a successful mercantile business in Jamesport with his brother. Murray married Ada M. Snell in 1877 and has one daughter, Grace. He is involved in several fraternal organizations and maintains a strong Democratic political affiliation.

Biographical Sketch of Robert Y. Miller

Robert Y. Miller was born on June 27, 1838, in Greenbrier County, Virginia, and moved to Daviess County at age two. He began his career as a farmer before operating a hotel in Jamesport for three years. Married on December 31, 1863, to Elizabeth E. Hill, they had four children, with one surviving. A Democrat, he holds positions as justice of the peace and town treasurer. In 1879, he became a senior member of a firm that specializes in hardware and agricultural implements.

Biography of James W. Miller

James W. Miller was born on May 14, 1823, in Augusta County, Virginia. He worked as a clerk in various stores before becoming a partner in a mercantile firm in Greenbrier County. In 1854, he moved to Missouri, where he farmed and served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. After the war, he focused on farming and later became a salesman in Gallatin. He married Harriet P. Allen in 1847 and had six children. Miller was active in the Old School Presbyterian Church and local Masonic organizations.

Biographical Sketch of Dr. John Martin

Dr. John Martin, born on February 15, 1819, in Morgan County, Kentucky, moved to Tennessee as a child, where he received most of his education. After relocating to Illinois and marrying in 1839, he settled in Missouri in 1845, engaging in medicine and business, particularly in grain and lumber in Jamesport. A Civil War surgeon, he was elected to the State Senate in 1865 but denied his seat due to electoral irregularities. He and his wife have eight children and are active in the Baptist Church and local Masonry.

Biography of Independence Mann

Independence Mann was born on July 4, 1843, in Maryland and later moved to Missouri, where he began his career as a dry goods clerk. He enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1861, serving valiantly through key Civil War battles until he was wounded and captured at Pea Ridge. After the war, he resumed his merchant career, establishing a successful business in Jamesport. Mann married Tobie Taylor in 1868, and they had two children. He was an esteemed community member, active in church and civic organizations.

Biography of John F. Jordin

John F. Jordin was born on September 8, 1851, in Daviess County, Missouri. The son of early settlers Franklin and Nancy J. Jordin, he faced challenges after his father’s death when he was four. He moved to Illinois to live with his maternal grandfather before returning to Missouri amid the Civil War. Limited schooling did not deter him, as he gained knowledge with his mother’s help. After her death in 1875, he ventured to Jamesport, worked in retail, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1880, marrying Sallie E. Chenoweth in 1881.

Biography of Isaiah H. Jones

Isaiah H. Jones, born on July 27, 1837, in Hardin County, Ohio, was the son of Jonathan and Eleanor Jones. He began his career as a clerk before moving to Nebraska and then teaching in Missouri. In 1859, he participated in the migration to Colorado, later engaging in mining and freighting. In 1872, he founded the Great Western Flouring Mill in Jamesport, which he expanded significantly. Married to Amelia C. Jenkins, they had two children. A Democrat and active in local organizations, Jones was a prominent figure in North Missouri’s milling industry.

Biographical Sketch of George Hutchison M.D.

George Hutchison, M.D., born on April 11, 1834, in Casey County, Kentucky, moved to Missouri as a child. He began studying medicine in 1861 and graduated from the Missouri Medical College in 1867. Practicing in Jamesport, he built a successful medical practice and a drugstore. Married to Mary E. Callison in 1871, they had three children. A community leader, Dr. Hutchison is active in several fraternal organizations and the Christian Church, known for his public spirit and amiable character.

Biographical Sketch of Charles M. Hutchison

Charles M. Hutchison, born on October 15, 1837, in Casey County, Kentucky, was the son of Thomas Hutchison. He grew up in Livingston County, Missouri, where he began his career as a schoolteacher at twenty-three, continuing for thirteen years. Moving to Jamesport in 1870, he established himself in merchandising. On January 1, 1870, he married Annie Lindsay, with whom he had three children. A respected Democrat and merchant, Hutchison’s wife is a member of the Christian Church.

Biographical Sketch of Henry Holloway

Henry Holloway, born in Berkshire, England, to Philip and Charlotte Holloway, was educated in London and trained as a cabinet-maker. He emigrated to America in March 1854 after marrying Ellen Castleman in December 1849. The couple had six children and were active members of the Episcopal Church for over forty years. Holloway settled in Jamesport in 1875, where he established himself as a capable and industrious businessman, contributing to the community throughout his residency.

Biographical Sketch of Joshua H. Higdon

Joshua H. Higdon, born June 25, 1845, in Franklin County, Indiana, learned blacksmithing and farming before enlisting in the Union Army in 1863. He fought in significant battles such as Chattahoochie and Nashville, being discharged in 1865. After moving to Chillicothe, Missouri, in 1869, he farmed for eight years and then established a successful blacksmithing and agricultural implement business in Jamesport in 1880. He married Emma J. Humphrey, with whom he had two children, and she is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Biographical Sketch of James C. Harrah

James C. Harrah, born on November 29, 1844, in Daviess County, Missouri, is the son of Robert H. and Elizabeth Harrah. He began farming early in life, later transitioning to a nursery stock business in 1872. Harrah served three years with the First Regiment Missouri State Militia during the Civil War. Married in 1867 to Cornelia B. Scott, they have five children. A respected member of the Baptist Church, he moved to Jamesport in 1878, where he has continued to reside.

Biographical Sketch of William J. Gillilan

William J. Gillilan was born on May 6, 1849, in Daviess County, Missouri. He is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Gillilan, who moved to the area from Virginia in 1839. After receiving an education in his hometown, Gillilan became a blacksmith at eighteen before co-founding a successful mercantile business with George W. Miller in 1877. He married Melissa King in 1872, and they had two children. Gillilan is also affiliated with multiple fraternal organizations, including the A.O.U.W. and I.O.O.F.