Goodspeed biographies filename H.txt contributed by Mary Collins USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *************************************************************************** JOSIAH HARPER, another successful and prominent farmer of Poplar Bluff Township, and the son of Joseph and Polly Ann (Stitt) Harper, was born in Hamilton County, Ind., in 1833. Joseph Harper was born in Virginia, and when a young man went to Indiana, where he was married to the mother of Josiah Harper, who was about five years old at the time of his mother’s death. The father was again married, in 1843, and removed to Clinton County, Ill., but removed from there to Butler County, Mo., in 1851, where he died, six years later, at the age of fifty-two years. He was a farmer by occupation, and reared a large family. Josiah Harper received very limited educational advantages, and came with his father to Butler County. He was married, in 1866, to Mrs. Louisa Price, daughter of James Branham, and a native of Missouri. Mr. Harper, since his marriage, has lived in and near Poplar Bluff, and has over 400 acres of good land. In 1876 he was appointed county treasurer, and has been twice elected to the same position. He served until 1882. A Democrat, politically, his first presidential vote was for Douglas, in 1860. Mrs. Harper is a worthy member of the Baptist Church. Page 1076. G.W. HILL, farmer of Black River Township, was born in Washington County, Ark., December 14, 1838, and is the son of James W. and Margaret J. (West) Hill. Mr. Hill was born in Tennessee, about 1809, and went with his stepfather and mother to Washington County, Ark., where he was married at the age of twenty-six. He was a farmer by occupation, and died in 1849. The mother was born in Macoupin County, Ill., about 1813; then she went with her parents to Washington County, Ark., where she married. After the death of her first husband she married John W. Robbins, who removed to Greene County, Ill., in 1850, and in 1851 to Franklin County, Mo., and from there to Butler County, Mo. in 1854. He removed to Howell County, in 1858, where the mother died in 1863. Her father, James West, was born in North Carolina, but was an early settler of Macoupin County, Ill. He died in Arkansas. Thomas Hill, father of James W., was a native Virginian, and of Scotch-Irish descent. He was a soldier in two Indian wars, and died in Tennessee. G.W. Hill was the second of five children. He received but little education, and moved with his parents from place to place until he came to Butler County, where he worked by the month until the war. In July, 1861, he joined Company H, Sixth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, United States army, with Gen. Grant, in Missouri; was at the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, all through the siege of Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, Jackson, Miss., Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, and all through the Georgia and Atlanta campaign. He was mustered out at Gen Howard’s headquarters, near Atlanta, Ga., August 1, 1864, and after three years and eleven days’ hard service, he was the only man in the company not arrested not in the guard-house. And out of about 108 he was one of twenty-seven to come out able for duty. He was never captured or wounded. He returned to Cape Girardeau County, and was there married, September 29, 1864, to Mrs. Mary J. Holt, nee Northcut. To them were born four children, one now living, named Rudolph. Mrs. Hill died in Butler County, April 1, 1876, and October 4, 1877, Mr. Hill married Miss Susan Agee, who died April 2, 1884, leaving three children: James W., Margaret F., and Sarah B. Mr. Hill was married the third time September 12, 1886, to Mrs. Sophronia A. Mosley, a native of Tennessee and daughter of John Dillyard, formerly of North Carolina. In 1866 Mr. Hill returned to Cape Girardeau County, where he lived two years. Since 1869 he has lived where Hillard now stands, the town being named for him, as he ran a woodyard at that place. He has 195 acres of as good land as is to be found in the vicinity, all the result of his energy and good management. Soon after marriage he was appointed registering officer, but declined to serve. He was reared a Democrat, and his first presidential vote was for Douglas, in 1860. Since the war Mr. Hill has been a conservative Republican. He is a member of the Farmers’ Alliance, of the G.A.R., and of the Baptist Church. He is one of the county’s best citizens, and has the respect of all. His parents were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Page 1077. LEVI HILLIS. Prominent among the early settlers of Butler County, who suffered all the privations incident to pioneer days stands the name of Levi Hillis. He was born near Nashville, Tenn., in 1823 and is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Osborne) Hillis. The father was reared in Tennessee, and lived there until about 1827, when he removed to near Albion, Ill., and in about 1832 came to what is now Butler County, where he made his future home. He died about 1860. He was a farmer and served in two campaigns under Gen. Jackson. He was twice married, the second time in Butler County. His first wife died in Illinois. His father, Samuel Hillis, was a native of Ireland. Levi Hillis was the third of seven children. He received no education, and was nine years of age when he came to Butler County, then a wilderness, with no schools, and when wild game of all kinds abounded. Here he was reared, and has lived in this county for about fifty-six years, perhaps the oldest settler now in the county. In 1842 he married Sallie Huskey, a native of Indiana, whose people were early settlers of Butler County. She died about 1851, and the two children born to this union are both deceased. Mrs. Hillis was again married, in 1852, to Mrs. Narcissus Duff, nee Talton, who died in 1862, leaving two children, only one now living, Thomas. Since 1856 Mr. Hillis has lived on his present farm of 169 acres, which is situated one mile north of Hillard. He is one of the county’s best citizens and an honest, upright man. He has always been an earnest worker for the cause of education, and for the general upbuilding of the country. He has been a member of the school board for some years, and has been a Democrat in politics all his life. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Page 1077. CHARLES F. HINRICHS, dealer in real estate at Poplar Bluff, has had a life more eventful than the generality of men, the details of which can but be briefly referred to in a sketch of this nature. He was born in Warin, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, February 15, 1828, and is the eldest of two living children of a family of six born to his parents, C.D. and Louise (Priester) Hinrichs, the former of whom died soon after coming to America, in 1847. He was a butcher by trade. His widow died in 1861. Young Hinrichs received a good education in the fatherland, and at the early age of sixteen his independent spirit manifested itself in a particularly strong manner. Having determined to start for America, and making several fruitless attempts to go, he was favored with a letter of recommendation from the burgonmaster of his native city, to the minister at the capital, Schwerin. A minute account of the meeting with that official, the experience through which he passed, his embarrassment, etc. cannot be justly treated in the space to which this sketch is limited, but suffice it to say that with such earnestness did he plead his cause, that, shortly after returning home, news was sent him that he had been declared of age and that consent had been given him to emigrate to America. He started, and after thirteen weeks of ocean travel, landed in Galveston, Tex., without means, and a stranger in a strange land. It was a darkness before dawn, however, for he was soon employed by a butcher. He was enabled to return home, in 1847, by working his way as ship boy, and bring back his parents. They settled in Cape Girardeau County, Mo., where, owing to the father’s death, the care of the family fell upon Charles. In 1861 he enlisted in the Missouri State Militia, and the following year joined Company L, of the Tenth Missouri Cavalry, United States army, as first lieutenant. In August, 1863, he was promoted captain, and served to the close, having participated in over sixty engagements. After the war he kept a country store in Cape Girardeau County, until he moved to southern Butler County, in 1867. He also shipped stock, and made money rapidly. His prosperity was interrupted by a great misfortune, in 1879, when a band of robbers entered his house, killed his nephew, and stole all his money they found. He then came to Poplar Bluff, where he has since resided. Mr. Hinrichs is a Republican, and a member of the G.A.R. In 1861 he married Malinda Moye, a native of Cape Girardeau County, Mo., and of the two children born to them, the son lives. His wife died in 1879, and the following year he married Miss Belle Cook. Two of their four children are living. He and his wife are Seventh-Day Adventists. During the war, and while marching through some southern mineral countries, the information obtained by him concerning the Indian silver mines situated in Butler County, Mo., determined him to hunt them up if his life was spared. This he did, finding them and now owning them; and it is his intention to work them at the earliest possible moment. Page 1076. EMLEN W. HOAG, the editor of The Citizen, at Poplar Bluff, is a native of the Empire State, born in Chatauqua County, May 26, 1852. Isaac Hoag, his father, was a farmer in his native State, New York, and was one of those earnest Republicans of the abolitionist branch. He had first married a lady named Sarah Badgley, by whom he had one son, but after her death another New York lady, Miss Nancy Ballard, became his wife, and the mother of Emlen. She is now sixty-one years of age, surviving her husband, who died in 1881 at the age of sixty-six. She is an esteemed member of the Baptist Church. Young Hoag showed his journalistic inclinations and abilities before he had scarcely completed his education at the high school of Jamestown, N.Y., when he became connected with The Warren County Press, in Pennsylvania, and proved so accomplished in that line that he was soon the sole proprietor. His experience of two years in that enterprise led to his establishing the Chautauqua News, and four years later he became the founder of The Sunday News-Letter (now) The Sunday World, of Titusville, Penn. It was about this time that he sold out and took a vacation from his editorial toil, by selling out and dealing in stock in the west for about two years. Mr. Hoag resumed newspaper life in 1883, when he came to Poplar Bluff and became the editor of the newsy sheet which he has since controlled with so much success. In 1872 Miss Stella Whitaker, a native of New York, became his wife, and the union has been blessed with two children. Mrs. Hoag is a Presbyterian. Mr. Hoag is a thorough supporter and able advocate of Democratic principles, and served in the capacity of alderman during the years 1885-86. He is a member of the Masonic Relief Association. Page 1078. JAMES R. HOGG, dealer in meats, country produce, etc., was born in Jennings County, Ind., January 4, 1863, and is the son of Marion and Mary B. (Winslow) Hogg, natives on Indiana and South Carolina respectively. They were married in Indiana, and in 1868 moved to Missouri, and to this county in 1870, where they have since resided, the father engaged in farming. He is Democratic in his politics, and a good citizen. To their union were born four children—two sons and two daughters. James R. was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1884 he abandoned the farm and engaged in his present business, at which he has been quite successful. In 1880 he chose for his companion for life, Miss Ida Dillard, who is the daughter of J.L. Dillard. This union resulted in the birth of two children, only one now living, Marion L. In connection with his store Mr. Hogg is opening up a farm with a view to stock raising. He is a member of the K. of P., is also a member of the I.O.O.F., and in politics affiliates with the Democratic party. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church. Page 1078. JUDGE ANDREW HOLT, present judge of Butler County, brickmaker and farmer, was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1829, being the son of Philemon E. and Permelia (Parsons) Holt, and grandson of Jerome Holt, who was born at Tolland, Conn., and who, when a young man, went west with a Mr. Simms, who made a large purchase of land in Ohio, which Jerome Holt, assisted in surveying. Jerome was a man of education, and an officer with Gen. Anthony Wayne during the Indian War and War of 1812. He was also with Gens. St. Clair and Harrison, and was wounded at Fort Recovery, Ohio. He was married in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was one of the first settlers of Dayton, being there before there was any settlement. He was of English descent, and his people came to America soon after the first settlement of the Northeast. He was for some years sheriff of Dayton, Ohio, and was postmaster at the same place for perhaps twenty years. He also organized the first Masonic lodge west of the Allegheny Mountains, in Gen. Wayne’s army. He was known as Gen. Holt. Philemon E. Holt, whose birth occurred in 1804, was the third child in Dayton. He was a brickmaker, contractor and builder, and spent his entire life in his native city. He died in 1848. His wife was born in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1813, and was the daughter of Andrew Parsons, a Virginian, and an early settler of Harrison County. He was of English descent, and a farmer by occupation. Judge Andrew Holt was their eldest child. He secured a fair education in the Dayton schools, and by his own efforts and at the age of twenty began taking charge of his father’s business. In 1852 he married Miss Hannah Reed, who died in 1877. Six children were born to this marriage, all now deceased. In 1878 Mr. Holt married Eliza Pilcher, who bore him three children, only one now living, Pearl. For many years Mr. Holt was engaged in the brickmaking, contracting and building business at Dayton, Ohio, and was for several years traveling salesman for the Dayton Nursery. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as lieutenant, in the army of West Virginia, and in January, when the two regiments consolidated, he resigned and went to recruiting. He joined Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Ohio Volunteers, as sergeant, and the last eight months commanded the company, but was not commissioned. He operated in nearly all the engagements of the Army of the Cumberland, and was twice severely wounded, at Resaca, Ga., and at Nashville, Tenn. He was with Sherman in his march to Atlanta, and returned with Thomas to Tennessee. He was mustered out at Nashville in July, 1865, and returned home. His colonel was O.H. Payne, now treasurer of the Standard Oil Company. He remained in Ohio until 1882, when he removed to Butler County, and settled on Black River. He has a good farm within two miles of the city. In 1886 he was elected county judge from the Eastern district, and has since held the office. He is a Republican in his political views, and his first presidential vote was cast for Gen. Scott in 1852. Although Butler County is largely Democratic he was popular enough to be elected. He is a member of the G.A.R. and also the Farmers’ Alliance. Pages 1078- 1079. DR. J.L. HORN, physician and druggist at Keener, was born in St. Francois County, Mo., in 1863, and is the son of Josiah and Jane (Sutherland) Horn, natives of Tennessee and Virginia, respectively. They were married in St. Francois County, and there the mother died in 1882. The father is living at Farmington, and is engaged in agricultural pursuits. He served in the United States army during the late war and participated in a great many battles. Dr. J. L. Horn was the youngest of eight children. He was educated at Carleton Institute at Farmington, and grew to manhood on the farm. In 1882 he began the study of medicine with his brother, Dr. A.J. Horn, of Farmington, and graduated from the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis in 1885. He practiced in the vicinity of Farmington until 1888, when he came to Keener and there he has since remained. He is engaged in the drug business in connection with his practice and is a promising young physician. He is a Democrat in his political views, and his first presidential vote was cast for Grover Cleveland in 1884. He is a member of the Christian Church. Page 1079. MILTON C. HORTON, cashier and a director of the bank of Poplar Bluff, was born at Ridgeway, Penn., August 6, 1857. His parents, Isaac and Sarah (Sherwood) Horton, lived in the State until the death of the former in 1887, and it is still the mother’s home. She was born in New York, but spent the most of her life in the native State of her husband. His occupation was dealing in lumber. Milton C. was the second of their eight children. His education was gained by first taking a daily walk of six miles to the district school, and later in attending the Lake Shore Seminary. Mr. Horton has grown up in the banking business, and is familiar with every branch of it from the duties of an errand boy, where he began at the age of sixteen, to the chief management of the whole scheme. His first experience was with a banking house called the People’s Saving Institution, in which he worked up form messenger to the position of secretary. He came to Poplar Bluff in 1886, and set on foot the banking house with which he has since been connected as a director and cashier. His success as a financier has been so marked that the institution has not lost a dollar through bad debts. Mr. Horton is a member of three fraternities, the Masonic, the A.O.U.W. and K. of P., while his political affiliations are with the Democracy. Page 1079. Use your "BACK BUTTON" to Goodspeed Index