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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
History of Buchanan County, Missouri
Containing
A History of its Citizens, Buchanan County in the Late War,
General and Local Statistics, Portraits of Early Settlers
and Prominent men, History of Missouri,
Map of Buchanan County, Etc., Etc.
- ILLUSTRATED -
Publ. St. Joseph MO
Union Historical Company.
1881
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Tremont Twp.
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CHARLES McCRAY,
farmer and stock raiser, section 19, postoffice Frazer,
was born Jan. 6, 1819, in Illinois, and is the eldest
son of Daniel McCray, one of the earliest pioneers in
the county. Charles accompanied his parents
to Howard County, Missouri, in 1821, and to Buchanan
County in the spring of 1838, and has made this his home
since, having been engaged in farming all his life.
Assisted in redeeming this county from a wilderness, and
has had his full share of the hardships of pioneer life.
In his manners he is kind and genial, and is widely and
favorably known, and has won the respect of a large
circle of friends. During the late war he enlisted
and served for six months in the noted Pawpaw militia.
Owns eighty acres of fine land, partly improved.
He has filled the office of road overseer several terms.
Was married to Miss Eliza Horton, a native
Kentucky. They have had a family of seven
children, six of whom are living - Benjamin, Sarah,
(now Mrs. B. Riddle), Henry, Martha J., (now
Mrs. B. Tadlock), Samuel D. and Oscar.
Mrs. McCray and five of the children are members of
the Baptist Church.
Source: History of Buchanan County, Missouri,
Published 1881 - Page 970 |
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Tremont Twp. -
DANIEL McCRAY,
was born on the 30th of February, 1798, in Washington
County, East Tennessee, where he was raised on a farm.
In 1821, he removed to Howard County, Missouri, from
there to Ray County, and thence to this county, in the
spring of 1838. He bought a claim, and commenced
pioneer life; here he earnestly worked for the
upbuilding of his adopted county, until June 4, 1881,
when he died. His marriage occurred Feb. 14, 1818,
to Miss Sally Bogart, they had a family of
ten children, for of whom are now living:
Charles, Polly (now Mrs. Elijah Jenkins, of
Andrew County), Nancy, (wife of James Christy,
of Andrew County), and Salenia (now Mrs. E.
Miller, of Kansas).
Source: History of Buchanan County, Missouri,
Published 1881 - Page 969 |
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Tremont Twp.
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GEORGE McKINNIS,
was born Oct. 16, 1848, in Jackson County, Ohio, and
came to Missouri with his parents when about seven years
of age. They settled in Caldwell County, and
remained there until 1854, when they came to this
county, and George made this his home since,
having been engaged in various occupations.
Assisted in organizing and is one of the energetic men
of the place.
Source: History of Buchanan County, Missouri,
Published 1881 - Page 1014 |
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Center Twp.
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JOHN MONTGOMERY,
farmer and stock raiser, section 10, postoffice St.
Joseph, was born Dec. 3, 1823, in Green County,
Kentucky, and lived there until sixteen years of age.
He was brought up on a farm, received a common school
education, and came West with his parents, in the spring
of 1838, by the overland route, and arrived in the
county on the 8th of June. The country then was
very thinly settled, and the Indian wigwams were the
only evidence left of the race that once inhabited
this vicinity. Discouragements beset the new
comers on every hand, and it was no uncommon occurrence
for whole families to be sick at once. During the
late war Mr. M. served two months in the Enrolled
Missouri Militia. He has filled the position of
school director and road supervisor several terms.
His landed estate consists of 31 acres, 243, of which he
cultivates. His farm is well improved. He
assisted in building the first court house in Sparta,
and has also lent a hand in erecting other county
buildings, besides the First Baptist Church of St.
Joseph. He was married to Miss Julia A. White a
native of Madison County, Kentucky. She was born
Feb. 2 1829. They have one child, Martha J.
now Mrs. H. C. Register, of St. Joseph.
Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of the Missionary
Baptist Church.
Source: History of Buchanan County, Missouri,
Published 1881 - Page 993 |
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Agency
Twp. -
BENJAMIN MOORE,
farmer, section 20, post office Agency, was born in West
Virginia, Oct. 19, 1818. At the age of
twenty-four, he left his native state, and located in
Buchanan County, Missouri, where he has resided ever
since. Jan. 12, 1842, he was married to Lucinda
C. Gibson. She was born in West Tennessee.
They have had six children: Robert M. G., born
Dec. 5, 1842; Margaret A., born July 26, 1844,
died Sept. 14, 1845; Martha J., born Apr. 3,
1846; Eliza C., born Apr. 4, 1848; William R.,
born Oct. 10, 1849, died Oct. 4, 1850; and Samuel H.
v., born Sept. 30, 1858. When he came to
Buchanan County there were only two houses in St. Joseph
- those of Joseph Robidoux and Fred.
Smith. He had to go fourteen miles to a tread
mill. He has followed farming all his life.
when he landed in Missouri he had nothing but a small
horse and eighty dollars in money. By hard work he
has accumulated 225 acres of land; has owned more, but
has given a portion to his children. Nearly all
his land is well improved. He has on his farm a
good orchard. He has been justice of the peace
four and one-half years, school director and
administrator in several instances. He was also
postmaster for many years. He is a member of the
M. E. Church South. During the war he suffered
heavily from the depredations of the soldiers. His
sympathies were with the South. Robert M. G.
Moore, son of the subject of this sketch, was a
member of the militia. Afterwards, to avoid the
draft, he went out on the plains, and remained there
until after the war closed. Mr. Moore has long
been known for his liberality, never refusing to lend a
helping hand to the poor and needy.
Source: History of Buchanan
County, Missouri, Published 1881 - Page 980 |
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Center
Twp. -
SAMUEL MONTGOMERY,
farmer and stock raiser, section 15, post office St.
Joseph, was born Mar. 2, 1828, in Green County,
Kentucky, and came to Buchanan County, Missouri, in 1838
with his parents. The county was then a vast
wilderness, and the hardships and privations which they
endured were enough to intimidate the hearts of the most
courageous. The senior Montgomery settled
on Contrary Creek, and Samuel assisted in
clearing up a farm. Soon after becoming of age, he
commenced farming on his own account, and has made
agricultural pursuits his occupation through life.
During the late war he enlisted in the Enrolled Missouri
Militia, serving for twelve weeks. He has filled
the offices of school trustee and road supervisor for
several terms and is widely and favorably known for his
honesty, integrity and attention to business.
Mr. M. owns a farm of 240 acres, well improved.
He was married in 1849 to Miss Nancy J. Parker, a
native of Surry County, North Carolina, born in 1834.
They have had thirteen children, twelve of whom are
living, Zachariah, Thomas E., John L., Emily A.
(now Mrs. George Gunn) Irena, George, Cynthia,
Samuel, Marion, Ulysses G., Nancy, and Walter.
Two of the daughters at home are members of the
Missionary Baptist Church.
Source: History of Buchanan County, Missouri,
Published 1881 - Page 993 |
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Tremont Twp. -
K. F. MOORE,
farmer and stock raiser, section 13, postoffice Frazer.
His parents were residents of Bath County, Kentucky, and
K. F. was born while they were on a visit to
Brown County, Ohio, Sept. 22, 1832. He spent his
boyhood days on a farm and received his education in the
schools of Bath County. Commenced business for
himself when about sixteen years of age. Came west
in 1861, and settled in Easton, this county, where he
engaged in farming. Purchased the place he now
occupies in 1865, and moved upon and has since been
improving it. Owns 650 acres of fine land, all
improved, with a handsome residence. He purchased
the old John Bretz farm at the beginning of the
crisis of 1873. He has filled the positions of
road overseer and school director several terms, and is
prominent among the leading citizens of the county.
Mr. M. was married in January, 1861, to Miss
Lucretia Robinson, a native of Gallatin County,
Kentucky, born Set. 22, 1839. They have had eight
children: Laura, William N., Annie L., Virginia,
Charlie, Nellie, John M. and Benjamin F.
Himself and wife are members of the Christian Church.
Source: History of Buchanan County, Missouri,
Published 1881 - Page 970 |
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City of St.
Joseph and Washington Township -
RICHARD MOORE,
farmer, section 20, postoffice Agency, was born in West
Virginia, Oct. 19, 1818. At the age of
twenty-four, he left his native state, and located in
Buchanan County, Missouri, where he has resided ever
since. Jan. 12, 1842, he was married to Lucinda
C. Gibson. She was born in West Tennessee.
They have had six children: Robert M. G., born
Dec. 5, 1842; Margaret A., born July 26, 1844,
died Sept. 14, 1845; Martha J., born Apr.
3, 1846; Eliza C., born Apr. 4, 1848; William
R., born Oct. 10, 1849, died Oct. 4, 1850; and
Susan H. V., born Sept. 30, 1858. When he came
to Buchanan County there were only two houses in St.
Joseph - those of Joseph Robidoux and
Fred. Smith. He had to go fourteen
miles to a tread mill. He has followed farming all
his life. When he landed in Missouri he had
nothing but a small horse and eighty dollars in money.
By hard work he has accumulated 225 acres of land; has
owned more, but has given a portion to his children.
Nearly all his land is well improved. He has on
his farm a good orchard. He has been justice of
the peace four and one-half years, school director and
administrator in several instances. He was also
postmaster for many years. He is a member of the
M. E. Church South. During the war he suffered
heavily from the depredations of the soldiers. His
sympathies were with the South. Robert M. G.
Moore, son of the subject of this sketch, was a
member of the militia. Afterwards, to avoid the
draft, he went out on the plains, and remained there
until after the war closed. Mr. Moore has
long been known for his liberality, never refusing to
lend a helping hand to the poor and needy.
Source: History of
Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881 - Page |
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Agency Twp. -
ROBERT M. MOORE,
farmer, section 17, postoffice Agency, was born Dec. 5,
1842, in Buchanan County, Missouri. He was married
Feb. 17, 1865, to Elizabeth Reynolds, a
native of Missouri, born Jan. 5, 1846. They have
had four children - one son died in infancy; Robert
L., born Aug. 22, 1871; Hettie E., born July
4, 1874; and Melvin M., born Aug. 20, 1877.
Mr. M. served six months in the Pawpaw Militia,
after which he went out on the plains. He has been
engaged in farming principally all his life. He
has eighty acres of land, mostly under fence and in a
good state of cultivation. There is on this place
a fine young orchard. Mr. Moore is a member
of the Grange.
Source: History of
Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881 - Page 980 |
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City of St. Joseph and Washington
Township -
THOMAS D. MOORE,
proprietor of sale and feed stable, is a native of
Jefferson County, West Virginia, and was born Mar. 18,
1830. In 1856, he came to Missouri, locating on
Grand River, Daviess County, and engaged in farming
until 1869. From that time resided at different
points until 1880, when he became a resident of St.
Joseph. Mr. Moore is a steady going,
unassuming man, and is respected by all who have his
acquaintance. In 1858, he was married to Miss
A. B. Terrill. They have one son, William
F.
Source: History of
Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881 - Page 835 |
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City of St. Joseph and Washington
Township -
CHARLES MOREHEAD,
engineer on the St. Joseph & Western Railway, is a
native of Campbell County, Kentucky, and was born Apr.
8, 1842. His father, W. C., was a cooper by
trade, and immigrated, with his family, to Quincy,
Illinois, when Charles was quite young.
When twelve years of age he commenced to learn
engineering on the Mississippi River, in which he became
quite proficient, and this he followed for a number of
years. In 1865, he came to St. Joseph, and was
engineer on the ferry for a time. In 1867, he was
on the packet line between St. Joseph and Omaha.
In 1868, was captain on the ferry at Brownsville,
Nebraska, and in 1869 was on the steamer Thompson Dean,
as engineer, plying between St. Louis and New Orleans.
Mr. M. commenced railroading in 1870 on the
J. I. & M., at Alexandria, Missouri, and in 1872,
returned to St. Joseph and was on the transfer until
1873, when he went in the employ of the St. Joseph &
Denver Railroad. He is an accomplished and
experienced engineer, and is held in high esteem by his
employers. In 1868, Miss Gertude
Spalsbury became his wife. They have one son,
Harry. Mr. M. is a member of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
Source: History of
Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881 - Page 835 |
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City of St. Joseph and Washington
Township -
GEORGE W. MORRIS,
contractor and builder, is a native of Ohio, and was
born Mar. 25, 1833. Was there reared, educated and
became proficient in brick masonry. He lived in
Illinois for a few years, and in 1856, came to St.
Joseph, and has since been a resident, with the
exception of four years spent in the far West.
Mr. Morris has erected many of the attractive and
substantial buildings in St. Joseph, and has a good
record as a contractor and builder. He was married
in 1860, to Miss Maggie Dillan. They have
three children, Charlie, Allie and Harry.
Mr. M. is an Encampment member of the I. O. O. F.
Source: History of
Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881 - Page 835 |
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City of St.
Joseph and Washington Township -
WILLIAM MORRISON,
of the firm of Fredericks & Morrison,
contractors and builders, was born in Wilmington,
Delaware, Nov. 24, 1833, and was reared on a farm.
When sixteen years of age commenced to learn the
bricklayer's trade in Philadelphia, remaining there
several years, after which he went to St. Paul,
Minnesota, and there made his home for two years.
In the spring of 1858 he took up his residence in St.
Joseph. His first work in the town was on the
old Court House; also worked on the Patee House.
During the war he was engaged in railroading, and for a
time was located at Denver, Colorado. He has been
contractor of many leading buildings in this city, and
also done a large amount of building in Iowa, Nebraska,
and other States. Mr. Morrison has
been twice married; first, in 1860, to Miss
Mary Turner. By this union they had two
children, Mary Agnes and John.
Mrs. Morrison died in 1867. In 1872
Mrs. Liddie Southerland became his
wife. Mr. M. is a Master Mason.
Source: History of Buchanan
County, Missouri, Published 1881 - Page 835 |
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Crawford
Twp. -
JOHN MURPHY,
farmer, section 18, postoffice Halleck, was born in
Kentucky Feb. 9, 1849, and came to Missouri in the fall
of 1849 with his parents. His educational
advantages were very poor. He married, Jan. 18,
1872, Miss Annie J. Willis, a native of
Missouri. They have had three children: William,
born Apr. 20, 1874 (died July 6, 1874); Charles,
born Mar. 7, 1876, and Otho, born Jan. 7, 1878.
He has secured 154 acres of land, acquired principally
by his own efforts. He has a good house and barn,
and his land is in a good state of cultivation.
From 1874 to 1878 Mr. Murphy was engaged
in general merchandise at Halleck doing a successful
business. He has been a friend to popular
advancement, aiding liberally in the establishment of
churches and school houses. The subject of the
above sketch is young and ambitious and if misfortune
does not overtake him, will make his mark, ranking among
the most prosperous farmers of his township and county.
Source: History of Buchanan County, Missouri,
Published 1881 - Page 1050 |
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City of St. Joseph and Washington
Township -
CHARLES MURRAY,
engineer on the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council
Bluffs Railroad, is a native of Zanesville, Ohio, and
was Dec. 9th, 1849; was there reared and educated and
commenced railroading on the Baltimore and Ohio, in the
capacity of fireman in 1867. In 1868, he went on
the western division of the Chicago and Northwestern,
remaining for a time; thence on the Hannibal and St.
Joseph, as fireman, after which we find him in the same
position on the Missouri River, Fort Scott and Gulf;
here he remained five months, and served as fireman
until April 3rd, 1872. April 17th, 1872, he
accepted the situation of fireman on the Iron Mountain
Road, remaining until October 10th, 1874, the latter
part of this time being engineer. He next was on
the Cairo and Fulton; thence on the Mississippi Central,
after which, for a few years, was on the Texas,
International and Great Northern, and on the 28th of
March, 1878, accepted his present position. He has
had a wide experience in railroading, and is among the
most trusted employees of the road. He is a member
of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen.
Source: History of
Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881 - Page 837 |
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