Liberty Missouri

Biographical Sketch of Benjamin Matchett Sr.

Benjamin Matchett was born in Stickney, England, May 24, 1812. He grew up and was educated in his native country, and began life as a railroad contractor, and assisted in building several roads in England. In 1855 he left the country of his birth and came to America, landing in New York. From there he went to Cornwall, Canada West, where he took a contract for laying track on the Grand Trunk Railway. In July, 1856, he went to LaPorte, Indiana, where he began farming, continuing there till the spring of 1868, and then coming to Missouri. He settled in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William P. Heyser

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is a native of Kentucky, born July 19, 1840. He was reared and educated in his native State, and left there in 1857, locating in DeKalb County, this State, where lie engaged in farming residing there until 1864. In the spring of that year he went overland with teams to Virginia City, Montana, and there engaged in teaming and cattle-herding until 1867, when lie returned to DeKalb County, Missouri. Mr. Heyser came to Daviess County in 1870, and has resided here ever since, engaged in the laudable occupation of farming. He has a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of H. T. Reid

Was born in Indiana, on the 25th of December, 1819. His parents removed to Kentucky when he was two years old, and in that State he was, ;reared, and received a good common school education. He was reared a farmer, and began following that avocation when lie started in business for himself. In the fall of 1849 Mr. Reid came to Daviess County, and here again engaged in farming. Few farmers of Liberty Township are more successful than he. His chief pride is that of stock-raising, principally of sheep and horses. The farm he owns contains 320 acres of fine … 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 George Brethard Thomas

George Brethard Thomas was born in Hancock, Washington county, Maryland, on the 29th of March, 1842. His father died when the subject of this sketch was twelve years old, and he continued to live with his mother at the old homestead until he reached the age of eighteen, and then migrated to Missouri, arriving in St. Joseph in the spring of 1860. He remained in that city some two months, then came to Gallatin, where he secured employment as clerk in the hotel owned by Thomas Clingan, and remained in that capacity until February, 1861, when he engaged in farming … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. S. Rogers

Was born in North Carolina, but came to Kentucky with his parents when bat an infant. In that State he grew to manhood, and resided there till 1849, then came to this State and County and has ever since resided here, engaged in farming. He owns a good farm of 103 acres, in Liberty Township, which he has improved into a comfortable home and put into a high state of cultivation. Mr. Rogers was married, in this County, to Miss May J. Oxford. They have eight children, seven of whom still survive. Charles, Theophilus, Levi B., Josephine, Arizona E., Robert … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jacob Kaufman

Was born in New York, on the 3d of November, 1847, and was reared and educated in the State of his nativity. He began life for himself by engaging in lumbering, which he followed till his coming to this State and County, in the spring of 1865. Here he engaged in farming, and owns a snug little farm of seventy-six acres in Liberty township, which affords ample support for himself and family. Mr. Kaufman was married, in New York, on January 3d, 1868, to Miss Elizabeth Weber, by which union they have four children; namely, Julia A., William H., Herbert … Read more

Biography of William M. Fitch

William M. Fitch was born in the year 1870, near Plattsburg, Clinton county, Missouri. His father, John G. Fitch, was born near Dayton, Ohio, and his grandfather, Humphrey F. Fitch, was born in New York. His mother, Elizabeth M. Johnson. was born near Maysville, Kentucky, near the place where her father, Milton Johnson. was born. John G. Fitch and Elizabeth M. Johnson were married in Clinton county, Missouri, during the year 1869. William M. Fitch was the only child. He obtained his education in the country schools; in the high school of Stewartsville, and in Stewartsviile Academy. In 1889 he … Read more

Biography of Hon. T. C. Shaw

HON. T.C. SHAW. – This honored pioneer of 1844 was born in Clay County, Missouri, near Liberty, the county-seat, February 23, 1823. On his father’s side the stock was Scotch-Irish, and on his mother’s Welsh and English. His father, Captain William Shaw, was born in Eastern Tennessee, and belonged to a large family of that name who settled in Maryland at an early date, whence they removed into Tennessee, North Carolina and Missouri; and from the latter state the Oregon branch of the family came in the year 1844. His mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Gilliam, was the sister … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Lafayette F. Myers

This gentleman is a native of this County and was born June 1, 1844. When about eleven years old he went with his brother to California, and there grew up and was educated. He went into the stock business there, and was also engaged in freighting till the fall of 1866. In that year he returned to his place of birth and has ever since resided here, engaged chiefly in farming and stock-raising. He owns a good farm of 280 acres in Liberty township, on which he has an elegant brick residence, beautifully located, .and a large orchard with other … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jacob Tingler

This highly esteemed resident of Daviess County was born in Guerusey County, Ohio, January 30, 1823. He received the usual education and on completing his studies served three years at the boot and shoe trade. Mr. Tingler at the end of that time went on a farm and remained in Ohio until the fall of 1849, when he removed with his wife to Steuben County, Indiana, having married in Hancock County, Ohio, two years before he left that State. His wife was Miss Elizabeth J. Sailor, and they were joined in wedlock October 14, 1847. They resided there seventeen years … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. William R. Samuel

(See Downing) Minnie L., daughter of Clement and Rebecca Caroline (Bryan) Hayden, was born at Chouteau April 5, 1879. She was educated in Liberty, Mo. Married on April 21, 1901, William Ruben Samuel, born February 2, 1869 in Calloway County, Missouri. He graduated May 28, 1902, from Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri. They are the parents of Rebecca Ann Samuel, born Oct. 3, 1917. Mr. Samuel is Secretary of the State Bankers Association, and is a Mason and Odd Fellow. He was for four years State Insurance Commissioner. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel are members of the Methodist church, and residents of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jesse A. Creekmore

Jesse A. Creekmore is a native of Daviess County, and was born March 21, 1834, and here grew up and received his education. He began life as a farmer, and is still engaged in the same worthy vocation. He owns a place of 160 acres in Liberty Township, which is well improved and arranged as a comfortable home. Mr. Creekmore is one of the earliest settlers in the township, and came to it when but three or four families lived within its limits, and they were miles apart. All kinds of wild game, such as deer, turkeys, etc., was abundant, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Lucien B. Noah

This subject is a native of Ohio, and was born August 23, 1829. At sixteen years old he came with his parents to Daviess County, Missouri, and lived here till he was grown and had completed his education. He then returned to his place of birth and there learned cabinet-making, at which he worked some four years. After this he began working at the carpenter’s trade, and continued in that calling till 1861, when lie commenced farming.. In 1866, he, in addition to his farm business, became engaged in milling operations and still continues to push these enterprises. He owns … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William H. Hartman

Is a native of Pennsylvania, born October 3, 1824. In the spring of 1844 he went to Chicago, Illinois, where he remained until the spring of 1854. He then went to California, where he engaged in teaming, continuing until 1863, when he went to the city of San Francisco, and was there employed in trucking for the Pacific Distillery Company. In 1868 he returned to Chicago and remained until the following year, when he went to Jackson County, Missouri, and lived at Kansas City until the spring of 1870. From there he came to this County and has resided here … Read more

Biographical Sketch of A. Fossinger

The above named farmer and stock-raiser, was born February 19, 1820, -and is a native of Pennsylvania. He enjoyed all the educational advantages then at hand in those early days, and remained in his native State until his twenty-second year. In the year 1842 he started out to seek his fortune and found a home in Ohio for eighteen years, learning and working at the basket-making business for a number of years. In the fall of 1860, Mr. Fossinger again changed his residence, giving his preference to the Wolverine State. The next seven years he remained in Michigan and prospered … Read more

Biographical Sketch of T. S. Eggers

The subject of this sketch was born in Johnson County, Tennessee, September 19, 1852. He continued to reside in the County of his birth till he was fourteen years old, when he went to Indiana, where he resided till the time of his coming to Missouri. His education was received in Indiana, and lie followed the occupation of tilling the soil after leaving school. On coining to Daviess County, Mr. Eggers again engaged in farming, in which he continued steadily until the spring of 1875. At that time he became possessed of a desire to see the great western country, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William P. Fisher

The subject of this sketch was born in Ripley, Brown County, Ohio, September 9, 1827. He remained at the place of his birth until thirteen years of age, when he accompanied his father, who-removed to Shelby County, Indiana. There lie finished his schooling, and, in the spring of 1851 came to Daviess County, where he has since made his home. He located in Liberty Township, within one and one-fourth miles of Gallatin, where he has a splendid farm of some 260 acres. His residence is pleasantly situated and, taken altogether, it is one of the best homesteads in Daviess County. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of A. M. Covington

This gentleman was born in North Carolina, March 17, 1807. His parents moved to Tennessee when lie was but six months old, and resided there two years. From there they moved to Christian County, Kentucky, and still later, moved to Hopkins County, where our subject grew to manhood. He began farming there, and continued till 1811, when he came to Daviess County, and entered the land on which he now resides, the place being located in Liberty township, and containing 250 acres of splendid land, which he long ago improved into a good and comfortable home. At the time of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William E. Brennon

This gentleman was born in Virginia, July 24, 1827. When he was ten years old his parents moved to Ohio and lived three years, and then came to Caldwell County, Missouri. There William grew up and resided till the fall of 1847, when he came to this County and has lived here ever since engaged in farming. He owns a fine farm of 280 acres in Liberty Township, 240 of which are under fence. His farm is well watered with four living wells, and is suitably improved in every way. Mr. Brennon was married, in Caldwell County, June 10, 1847, … Read more