Dade County Biographies by Goodspeed

HISTORY OF HICKORY, POLK, CEDAR, DADE AND BARTON COUNTIES, MISSOURI, 1889; Published by Goodspeed.

Pgs. 813, 814

John Harrison, postmaster at Greenfield, Mo., was born in Boone Co., Mo., May 22, 1825, and is the son of George and Malinda (Lynes) Harrison, and the grandson of John and Elizabeth (Harris) Harrison. George Harrison was born in Alexander, Va., September 3, 1800, and was left an orphan when but a small boy. After the death of his parents he was taken by his uncle, a Mr. Dennis, who removed to Woodford County, Ky., and here George learned the saddler’s trade. When a young man he went to Old Franklin, Howard County, Mo., and shortly afterward to Columbia, Boone County, of the same State, where he was married, March 24, 1824, to Miss Malinda Lynes. Mr. Harrison died in Hempstead County, Ark., September 22, 1859. His wife was born in Madison County, Ky., August 12, 1803, and when five years of age her parents, Joseph and Mary Lynes, moved to St. Louis, and thence to Boone County, Mo., being among the pioneer settlers. Since 1851 Mrs. Harrison has lived with her daughter, Elmira Meng, of Dover, Mo. Mrs. Harrison is the mother of four children. John Harrison attained his growth in Boone County, Mo., and received a fair education in the schools of that county. After leaving home he commenced working at the harness-maker’s trade, but a few years later took up merchandising at Walnut Grove, Greene County. May 18, 1853, he married Miss Mary E. Foushee, daughter of William and Narcissa (Hunt) Foushee, of St. Charles County, Mo., and a native of Claiborne County, Tenn., born in 1833. William Foushee was a native Virginian. To Mr. and Mrs. Harrison were born nine children: Roger H., a physician near Gainesville, Texas; Charles, deputy postmaster of Greenfield, and a harness-maker by trade; Mark E., a dentist of Nevada, Mo.; Edwin, assistant cashier in Dade County Bank; Ralph, cadet at West Point; William, in Victoria, New Mexico, manager of a broom factory; Ruth (deceased), Hugh and Elmira. After marriage Mr. Harrison located in Bolivar, where he established a harness and saddlery shop, and where he remained until after the war. In 1866 he became a citizen of Greenfield, and established a harness and saddle shop, which he conducted until May 19, 1885, when he was appointed by William F. Vilas as postmaster of Greenfield, which position he filled to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is a Democrat in political views, casting his first presidential vote for Gen. Taylor in 1848. He was a member of the school board of Greenfield for a number of years, and was one of the initial members. He was also a member of the city council for some time. Mrs. Harrison is a member of the Christian Church.

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William T. Hastings, farmer and notary public of rock Prairie Township, was born in Jackson County, Ala., in 1826. His father was John H. Hastings, born in North Carolina I 1793, who married Margaret Gentry, a native of Tennessee, who died when the subject of this sketch was three weeks old. Mr. John H. Hastings married the second time in Tennessee, and in 1846 came to Greene County, Mo. He was of a roving nature, and lived in Texas at the breaking out of the war, and afterwards went to Kansas, where he died in 1866. He was a son of John Hastings, who was born in England, and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, dying in Tennessee about 1831. William T. was the last of four sons and one daughter. He was raised by an aunt in Tennessee till he was twelve years of age, and received but little education. He afterward lived with his father in Alabama and Mississippi. He was married in 1844 to Isabella Massengale, who was born in Madison County, Ala., and died in 1874 in Dade County. They had a family of ten children, of whom four sons and one daughter are living. He married the second time, December 8, 1874, Serena C. Cotner, daughter of Daniel and Minta Cotner, early settlers of Dade County, where Mr. Cotner, a saddler, lived till his death, Mrs. Cotner dying in Newton County. By this wife he had two children. Mr. Hastings came to Greene County, Mo., in 1851, and in 1853 to Dade County, where he has 240 acres of land near Everton, and where he has since lived. He has acquired this land by his own efforts and hard work. He served about twelve months, in 1862 and 1863, in Company L, Seventy-second Enrolled Missouri Militia, then twenty months in Company I, Fifteenth United States Missouri Cavalry, traveling all over Southwest Missouri as commissary sergeant, employing many scouts. He served as justice of the peace from 1874 to 1886, with satisfaction, with but two appeals to higher courts, and they were compromised before trial. He has been notary public since 1886. He has been a Democrat in politics all his life, the first president he voted for being Polk, in 1844. He is a member of Washington Lodge No. 87, A. F. & A. M., at Greenfield, having been made a Mason in 1850, in Mississippi. He is, and for about fifty years has been, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, both his wives also being members. When quite young Mr. Hastings learned the trades of Blacksmith and stonemason, following them many years in connection with farming.
Contact: Bobbi Ingram igo4u24 @yahoo.com

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Amos Helphenstine, hardware merchant of Greenfield, and one of the prominent business men of the city, was born in Greene County, Penn., in 1837, and is the son of William Alexander and Elizabeth (Piatt) Helphenstine, and the grandson of William Henry Helphenstine. The grandfather was a native of Holland, and come to the United States long before the Colonial period, and the family took active part in the Revolution. He was merchant at Winchester, Va., and died in 1852, at the age of 87 years. William Alexander Helphenstein was a native of Winchester, Va., born April 1, 1808, and was a coppersmith and tinner by trade. He is now living at Waynesburgh, Penn., where he has made his home since 1834. His wife, Elizabeth Piatt, was born near Waynesburgh, Penn., in 1818, and was the daughter of Amos, who was a native of Paris, France, and Julia Ann (Engle) Piatt, who was a native of Maryland, born near Frederick. Julia Engle Piatt’s father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was on Gen. Washington’s staff. Amos Piatt was expelled from France during the Hugenot rebellion. Mrs. Helphenstine is still living, and is the mother of eight children, six sons and two daughters. Of these children Amos Helphenstein, the subject of this sketch, was the eldest. He was educated in Waynesburgh College, and, in 1851, he commenced learning the coppersmith and tinner’s trade, and where he also took up the study of music; was an apt pupil, and soon became a skillful Eb bugle player. In August, 1858, he returned to his birthplace to attend college, but the war came on before he graduated, and in July, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Eighth Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. He was in the seven days fight in front of Richmond, and was in service until August, 1864, when he was discharged at Baltimore, Md. After the war Mr. Helphenstine went west to Oskaloosa, Iowa, and in 1867 came to Greenfield, Mo., where he has since remained, engaged in the hardware business. March 10, 1868, he married at Crawfordsville, Ind., Miss Sarah Jane Newton, who was born in Farmington, Iowa, in 1842. Two children were the fruits of this union, Mary E. and Annie E. Mr. Helphenstine has done considerable teaching of band music, having been the instructor of one of the best bands in the State. He thoroughly understands both the science and art of the profession. He is a member of the G. A. R., post commander of Greenfield Post, and has been counsel of administration of the State for two years. In his religious views Mr. Helphenstein is a Spiritualist in belief, and his wife is a Presbyterian. He is one of the prominent citizens of the county, is a man who assists in all laudable and public enterprises, and is an ardent supporter of free public schools, and a strong Republican on all occasions.

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Joel T. Hembree, ex-county judge and proprietor of the Challenge Mills at Greenfield, Mo., purchased one half interest in the mills in 1881. The mill was erected in 1880, at a cost of $3,000, with two sets of buhrs, and in 1887 it was changed to eight sets of rollers, with a capacity of forty barrels per day. Mr. Hembree started in partnership with C. Depee, but in 1883 he bought Mr. Depee’s interest. Mr. Hembree was born in Roane County, Tenn., in 1824, and is the son of Isaac and Mary (Blake) Hembree, and is the grandson of Joel Hembree, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and who emigrated to Roane County, Tenn., in 1806. The old homestead is yet in the Hembree family, and is owned by his cousin, Joel Hembree. Isaac Hembree was born in Spartanburg District, S. C. in 1796, and was of Welsh extraction. He was but ten years of age when he went with his parents to Tennessee, and in that State he grew to manhood. He was married in Roane County in 1823, and in 1852 came to Cedar County, Mo., location one-half mile east of Stockton. He died in 1864. He was a prominent man and judge of the county court of Cedar County for some time. He was also a soldier in the War of 1812. He was twice married, his second wife being Miss Salissa S. Price, a native of Tennessee, who died in 1883. Mr. Hembree’s first wife, Mary Blake, was born in Roane County, Tenn., in 1803, and died in 1836. Two children were born to them: Marietta V., wife of W. K. Marcum, and Charles C. The same year of his marriage, Mr. Hembree left his native State, moved to Dade County, Mo., and located six miles northeast of the county seat. He was the owner of 1,200 acres of land, and was a successful farmer. August 20, 1862, he enlisted in the Enrolled Militia, and November of the following year he enlisted in Company E. Fifteenth Regiment Missouri Cavalry, serving until July 1, 1865, when he was discharged at Springfield, Mo. He was a brave and gallant soldier, and was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. Mr. Hembree was a Democrat in his political views up to the war, and his first presidential vote was for Gen. Cass, in 1848. Since and during the war he has affiliated with the Republican party. After the war he returned to farming, which he continued up to 1887, since which time he has been engaged in the milling business. In 1854 he lost his wife, and in April of the subsequent year he married Miss Nancy Hayes, a native of Indiana, born in 1834. Four children were the result of this union: Lewis J.; Hugh A., who is with his father in the mill; Isaac A., and Harriet C. (deceased). Mrs. Hembree died in January, 1864, and March of the same year Mr. Hembree married Miss Sarah J. Marcum, who was born in Tennessee, in 1844, and who bore him ten children: Mollie; Ida, wife of Robert Brockman; Annis, Ottis, Maud, Joel, Susan, Grant, Garfield and Bird. Mr. Hembree is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Greenfield Lodge No. 446, and is also a member of Greenfield Post No. 75, G. A. R. He and wife and three children are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Hembree and son do business under the firm title of Hembree & Son.
Contact: Steve Adamson - steve.a at Home.com

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W. C. Holman is a native of Dade County, having been born here in 1851. His parents are Giles and Louisa (Hayter) Holman, of Tennessee, where they were married, and, in 1850, came to Dade County; they have since lived near the boundary in Polk County. Mr. Holman has a good farm, and is a successful farmer and stock-raiser. His wife died in 1876. W. C. Holman is the oldest of eight children, four sons and four daughters, and was educated in the common country schools. In 1872 he was married to Elizabeth J., daughter of James Moore, born in Missouri. Her parents dying when she was a few months old, she was reared by an uncle. In 1875 they removed to Barton County, and in 1879 to Kansas, where they lived till 1882 or 1883, when they returned to Dade County. Mr. Holman is a liveryman and stock and grain dealer, being engaged extensively in the latter business, at which he has served since he was fifteen years old. Since 1887 he has been in the livery business, having good horses and accommodations. In politics he is a Democrat, and voted for Tilden in 1876. He is the present constable at Everton, and a member of the A. F. & A. M., Everton Lodge, of which he is past master. He is also a Knight Templar and Royal Arch Mason---a member of Constantine Commandery at Greenfield, and in religion is a Cumberland Presbyterian. Mr. Holman is a thorough-going business man, and an active worker for the general good of the community.

Pgs. 818, 819

Seymour Hoyt, attorney-at-law, real estate agent and abstracter, of Greenfield, Mo., was born in Marshall County, Ill., in 1844, and is one of the successful legal practitioners of Dade County. He is the son of James and Maria (Hitchcock) Hoyt, and the grandson of Benjamin Hoyt, who was a native of Connecticut. James Hoyt was born in Stanford, Conn., September 19, 1807, and is the seventh child of the seventh generation of that family in the United States, Simon Hoyt having emigrated from England to the United States in 1628 or 1629. In his youthful days James Hoyt was a tailor by trade, but later in life he followed farming, and paid for his first forty acres of land by following his trade. He was married in New York City, but soon moved to Ohio, where he remained until 1831, when he removed to Springfield, Ill., and after remaining there a short time located in Marshall County, Ill., where he resides at the present time. For the past twenty years he has resided at Lacon, the county seat; was township treasurer for about twenty years, and justice of the peace a number of years. He is still living, and is one of the county’s best citizens. His wife, Maria Hitchcock, was born in Connecticut in 1811, and died in 1848. After her death he married Eliza Jane Mathis, who is yet living. Mr. Hoyt was the father of nine children by his first wife, and Seymour Hoyt is the youngest child of the nine now living. He was educated in the public schools, also two terms at Lombard University, Galesburg, Ill., and took a full course at the commercial business college of Bryant & Stratton, Chicago, Ill., receiving his diploma in August, 1865. At the age of nineteen he entered the teacher’s profession, and this continued until May, 1864, when he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-Second Illinois Infantry, for 100 days, and was under the command of Capt. Hugh Shepherd, of Mendota, Ill. Mr. Hoyt was on post duty for five months at Paducah, Ky., and was discharged at Chicago, Ill., April 9, 1867. He became a resident of Greenfield, Mo., and in the fall of the same year he commenced teaching, and this continued for four terms in Missouri. While in Greenfield he was deputy circuit clerk two years, justice of the peace four years, and in 1878 he was elected probate judge of Dade County, and served four years. In 1882 he commenced the study of law, and in April, 1884, was admitted to the bar. Since then he has practiced his profession. In 1881 he engaged in real estate business, and in 1883 in abstracting. From March, 1883, to 1887, he was notary public. Mary 26, 1868, he married Miss Mattie McDowell, a native of Greenfield, Mo., born in 1850, and the daughter of Nelson and Catherine (Casebier) McDowell. Mr. McDowell was a member of the first county court of Dade County, and was one of her pioneer citizens. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt were born seven children, five now living: Allen, Kate, Nellie, Mary and James L. In his political views Mr. Hoyt is a stanch Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant in 1868. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, Greenfield Lodge No. 466, Royal Arch Chapter No. 38, Constantine Commandery No. 7. He is also a member of the G. A. R., Greenfield Post No. 75; and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church, he being clerk of the same.

Pgs. 819, 820

Monroe Ingraham, proprietor of the Dadeville Roller Mill, is a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y., born November 16, 1825, and the son of Thomas and Julia (Balis) Ingraham, both natives of Dutchess County, N. Y., the former born June 20, 1802, and the latter September 19, 1803. Thomas Ingraham was of English descent, and was a farmer by occupation. He emigrated to Chautauqua County, N. Y., about 1823, and from ther to Washtenaw County, Mich., in 1832, where he passed the remainder of his days, dying March 17, 1865. He was one of the pioneers of that county. The mother died at the home of her son, Monroe Ingraham, August 24, 1872, the same year she came to Missouri. They were the parents of five children, who grew to maturity, Monroe being the eldest child. He remained with his parents until twenty-fie years of age, and August 7, 1850, he married Miss Mary Abbott, who was born in the town of Bath, N. H., September 25, 1825, and who is the daughter of William and Patience (Burbank) Abbott, Mr. and Mrs. Abbott were both natives of New Hampshire, and emigrated from their native State to Michigan, in 1827. Here they both died, the mother in 1829, and the father in 1861. To Mr. and Mrs. Ingraham were born four children, all living: Carlton A., Delia B., wife of Daniel J. Blakemore; John C., and Julia Patience. Mr. and Mrs. Ingraham, after marriage, which occurred in Michigan, moved to Missouri, settling at Springfield in 1857, and there Mr. Ingraham started a foundry and machine shop and made the first casting in Southwest Missouri. He resided there until 1870, when they moved to Dadeville, Mo., and started a saw-mill the same year, and in connection built a grist-mill in 1872, which he operated until 1877. He then sold the saw-mill, but still continued to operate the grist-mill until 1886. He then completed the roller-mill, which he still owns, and which is considered the best mill in Dade County. It cost about $10,000, and was the first roller-mill in that county. It has a capacity for fifty barrels of flour per day, and Mr. Ingraham is doing a successful business. He was at first a Free Soil man in his politics, then a Whig, and afterward a Republican, but is now a Prohibitionist. His first presidential vote was cast for Gen. Scott. He is an earnest worker for the cause of temperance, and he and wife and two children belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Pg. 820

Col. Benjamin S. Jones, farmer and stock-raiser, of Rock Prairie Township, was born in Putnam County, Ind., in 1832, his parents being the Rev. Benjamin and Hester (Alexander) Jones, born in Maryland in 1779 and 1796, respectively. They were married in Kentucky in 1822, and the same year moved to Indiana, where he died in January, 1845, the mother dying in April of the same year. Mr. Jones was a Methodist minister for twenty-five years. He was of Welsh descent, a son of Benjamin Jones, who was born in Wales, and came when a young man to America, settling in Virginia, where he died when his son Benjamin was four years old. Grandfather Peter Alexander was a Revolutionary soldier, and died in Kentucky. The subject of this sketch, the eighth of a family of ten children, was left an orphan at the age of twelve years; he then lived with an elder brother till he was eighteen years of age. He was educated at the common schools till the age of seventeen, when he attended one year at Asbury, now De Paw University, Indiana, after which he went to Iowa and taught school about ten years. At the breaking out of the war he was clerk in a bank, but enlisted in Company M, Third Iowa Cavalry, and on organization of the regiment was made first lieutenant. He held the offices of captain, major and lieutenant-colonel, and September, 1864, was made colonel of the regiment, which he commanded till the close of the war, when he was mustered out at Atlanta, Ga., August 9, 1865, after nearly four years of hard service. He was at the battles of Pea Ridge, Hartsville, Mo.; Little Rock; Tupelo, Miss.; Tallahatchee, Miss.; Montevallo, Ala.; and many others. In 1864 he married Mrs. Kate Newcomb, daughter of James McCashen, of Pennsylvania, she having been born in Ohio. Mr. McCashen died in Lee County, Iowa. They have one daughter, Cora F. The Colonel now lives one and a half miles east of Everton, where he has a fine farm of 280 acres, which he himself has well improved. He is a genial, sociable and esteemed gentleman. From 1868 to 1870 Col. Jones was treasurer of Wayne County, Iowa; he then served four years as auditor of the same county, when he assumed the editorship of the Wayne County Republican, which he ably edited for eight years, when he was compelled to resign on account of ill health, and after spending some time in Kansas looking for a suitable location, finally settled near Greenfield, Dade County, Mo., where he lived a few years. In politics he has been a life-long, earnest Republican, casting his first vote for Fillmore, in 1856; he has been an earnest worker for the party. He is the present commander of Everton Post No. 359, G. A. R., and is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife died in 1883.

Pg. 821

R. N. Killingsworth, who resides in North Township, nine miles northwest of county seat, and who is one of the prominent agriculturists and stock-raisers of Dade County, is a native of Greene County, Mo., born January 12, 1840, and is the son of Joseph and Melinda (Barnett) Killingsworth. Joseph Killingsworth was born in McMinn County, E. Tenn., May 12, 1813, and died October 16, 1888, in Dade County, Mo. He was of Scotch descent. In 1838 he came to Greene County, Mo., followed agricultural pursuits, and was one of the early settlers of that county. His wife was born in Tennessee, in 1817, and died October 6, 1886. They were the parents of twelve children, eleven of whom grew to maturity, and nine now living. R. N. Killingsworth is the second child born to his parents. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, and in July 1861, enlisted in the Federal Army, in Company D, Sixth Missouri Cavalry, and served six months. In 1863 he married Miss Martha P. Martin, who was born in Tennessee in 1843, and who is the daughter of Isaac and Margaret Martin. Mr. Martin came to Missouri about 1850, and is yet living. Mrs. Martin died about 1855. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Killingsworth: Lewis R., Della and Dora (twins), Berry, Halla N., William, Burton L., Leslie and Lois B. Mr. Killingsworth has resided on the farm he now owns since 1880; he has 120 acres in the home farm, eighty acres in another, and forty in still another tract. He is a Democrat in his political views, and he and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. His grandfather, Reuben Killingsworth, was born in Tennessee about 1788, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died in Greene County, Mo., about 1857. His wife, Anna (McClain) Killingsworth, died in Greene County, Mo., about 1862.

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James M. Kirby, a farmer and prominent stock-raiser of Morgan Township, who is located then miles northeast of Greenfield, is a native of Kentucky, born December 1, 1830, and the son of Tully C. and Nancy (Hernington) Kirby. (For further particulars of parents, see sketch of Fred W. Kirby, which appears elsewhere in these pages.) James M. Kirby was the fourth of eleven children born to his parents and remained with them until nineteen years, of age, when he enlisted for the Mexican War, and was a soldier under Capt. McNair, in Company A, Third Regiment Mounted Infantry of Missouri, and served nine months. He had two older brothers in the same war, one serving eighteen months in Old Mexico, and the other in New Mexico until the close of the war. James M. Kirby was discharged at Independence, Mo., and returned to Dade County, of the same State. In 1861, he joined the Home Guards of Missouri, and a short time after enlisted in the Enrolled Militia, being elected first lieutenant of Company E, Seventy-sixth regiment a short time after enlisting, in which capacity he remained for eight months, when he was promoted to the rank of captain, and held this until the close of the war. He was at Springfield in 1864, when that city was attacked by Gen. Marmaduke, and was in a severe skirmish at Greenfield also in 1863. Previous to the Civil War, in 1850, he married Miss Mary J. Grisham, a native of Tennessee, born February 24, 1830, and the daughter of John and Mary Grisham, both deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Kirby were born twelve children, eight living: John T., Joseph D., William M., Nancy F., wife of John A. McConnell; Elnora, wife of John B. McConnell; Cora; Lula, wife of Alfred Smith; and Carrie. Mr. Kirby has resided on his present property, which consists of 250 acres of land, since 1877, and aside from this is the owner of 120 acres in another tract. He is a good citizen, and an influential and well-to-do farmer. He is a Republican in politics, and was appointed register of veterans of Dade County soon after the close of the war; was also appointed assessor of the county at one time. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Dadeville, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
Contact: Becky Pyland Davis becdavis (at) fidnet.com

Pg. 822

Frederick Kirby, another prominent agriculturist of Morgan Township, was born in Dade County, Mo., September 16, 1848, and is the son of Tully C. and Nancy (Hernington) Kirby. Mr. Kirby was born in Kentucky in 1802, and was of English-Welsh descent. He was a farmer by occupation, and emigrated from his native State to what is now Dade County, Mo., in 1837. He was one of the first settlers, locating in the county before the village of Dadeville was laid out for a town. His wife was born in Kentucky in 1805, and they were married in that State. Their family consisted of eleven children, five now living, four in Dade County, and one in Cedar County. Both parents are living, and make their home with their son, Frederick Kirby, who is the youngest member of the family. He received his education in the county schools of Dade County, and in 1864 he enlisted in Company A, Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry, served about ten months, and partly lost his eyesight during service. March 7, 1882, he married Miss Lauraetta Walker, who was born in Ohio in 1863, and who is the daughter of Amos J. and Martha Walker. Mr. and Mrs. Walker came to Dade County, Mo., from Illinois in 1878, and both are living. After marriage Frederick Kirby located on the old homestead where he was born, resided there one year, and then moved to Dadeville, where he now resides. The homestead contains 300 acres of land, but has since been divided among the children. Four children, three sons and one daughter, were the result of his marriage. He is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the Baptist Church.

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