"The Old Settlers' History of Bates County" Tathwell & Maxey, Amsterdam, Missouri, 1900
DAVID A. DeARMOND was born in Blair County, Pa., March 18, 1844. He was educated in the common and high schools of his county, and at Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport. He worked on a farm and taught school during the winters until 1869. He was admitted to the bar in Davenport, Iowa, in 1867. Located in Greenfield, Dade county, Mo., in 1860, and began the practice of his profession. In 1878 he was elected to the State Senate by a fusion of Democrats and Greenbackers, and served four years. He removed to Rich Hill, Bates county, in 1883, and about a year afterward came to Butler, where he has since resided. He was a Democratic elector in 1884 and voted for Grover Cleveland for President. In 1885 he was appointed a member of Missouri Supreme Court Commission, and served about a year. He was elected Circuit Judge of the 22nd Judicial Circuit, composed of Bates, Henry and St. Clair counties in 1886, and served about four years, when he resigned to take his seat in the 52nd congress to which he had been elected at the general election of 1890. He has since been re-elected to the 53d, 54th, 55th and 56th Congresses of the United States. Recently he was a prominent candidate for leader of the minority in the lower house of congress but after a spirited contest was defeated. Congressman DeArmond has a commodious home in this city, and leads a quiet, home life when at home. He has a wife and four children, three sons and one daughter, who is the wife of Gen. H. C. Clark, present Prosecuting Attorney of Bates county. The people of Bates and the 6th congressional district take reasonable pride in the success which has characterized Judge DeArmond's career on the bench and in congress, and he possesses the confidence of all our people to a marked degree. Quiet, unobtrusive, even distant and reserved in his relations with the people; yet he is a genial companion and a cordial friend to those who know him best. He is a careful, hard student, and in all his speeches and writings the evidence of scholarship and classical acquirements are everywhere shown. In private conversation and in public speech he is one of the most accurate talkers in the country.
was born in Adams County, Illinois, September 25, 1854. His father's name is E. P. Denton, a farmer of Hancock County, Illinois; his mother's maiden name was Jemima Whitney, and both were natives of Kentucky. Charles led the average uneventful life of a boy on a farm. He was educated at the Carthage Lutheran College, and the Industrial University at Champaign. He taught school be several terms. He read law with the firm of McCrary, Hagerman & McCrary at Keokuk, Iowa, and was admitted to the bar February 28, 1880, and began the practice of his profession at Keokuk, but shortly afterwards removed his family to Rich Hill,Mo. In 1888 he moved to Butler where he now resides,and is devoted to his professional duties, being the junior member of the firm of Smith & Denton, one of the strongest law firms in the city. He has a wife and two children, lives in a commodious home and enjoys the confidence and respect of the people. Politically Mr. Denton has always affiliated with the Republican party, and has been repeatedly honored by his party with important offices, and although defeated he has always run ahead of his ticket. In 1898 he was nominated for Judge of the 29th Judicial Circuit, and made a creditable race against overwhelming odds. He is a member of the Republican State Central Committee for this congressional district, and is in the way of political preferment. He is a clean, conservative man; and in his profession careful, faithful and successful.
The subject of this sketch was born in Rush county. Indiana, in 1843; was the third child of William and Elizabeth (Ernest) Drysdale. The former was born in Montgomery county. Kentucky, in 1815, and was of Scotch descent, and the latter was born in Severe county, Tennessee, in 1821, and was of German decent. They immigrated to Rush county, Ind., in 1835, became acquainted and were married in 1837. James was brought up on a farm, and in a mill which his father was engaged in at that time. Was educated principally at country and select, or subscription schools. Entered the army in 1862, serving in the 22nd Battery of Light Artillery. Was a non-commissioned officer as line surgeon. Was with Sherman on the Atlanta campaign, and with Thomas at Franklin and Nashville. Was discharged at the end of the war in 1865. Moved to Morgan county, Mo., in 1867. and to Bates county in 1868. Settled in Charlotte township on sec. 34, improved farm of 120 acres, taught school at No. 6, New Home township, during the fall and winters of '72, '73 and '74. In 1876 was elected clerk and assessor of the township, and also was appointed and took the census of the township for '76, which was the Centennial year. Was twice again elected and filled the office of Clerk and Assessor of the township. In 1890 he was elected County Clerk by the Union Labor party, and filled that office for the term of four years. In 1895 was appointed City Clerk for the city of Butler and filled that office until the next city election. In 1898 he was nominated for Mayor on the Citizen's Ticket, but was defeated by a small majority. In 1898 he was nominated by the People's party for Presiding Judge of the County Court, and was defeated by Samuel West, Democrat, by a few votes. Is at present time treasurer of the Old Settler's organization and engaged in the real estate business. He has been a ruling elder in the C. P. church for many years. In 1874 was married to Elmira M. Elswick, daughter of Oliver Elswick. She was born in Monroe county, Iowa, in 1852, and moved with her father's family to Bates county, Mo., in 1858, where she has since resided, except in time of the war. They have three children, Charles Harlen, Cora Myrtle and Mary Estella, who are all now grown.
Judge W. W. Graves, the subject of this sketch, was born in Lafayette County, Mo., December 17, 1860; was educated in the public schools and State University. He was appointed School Commissioner of Bates County by Governor Marmaduke and was elected for a full term. The only other public office he has held was city attorney for the city of Butler. He was nominated for Circuit Judge by the Democratic convention in 1898, after a protracted struggle, and was triumphantly elected at the following election. Judge Graves has now been on the bench about one year, and he has established a reputation for judicial acumen and fairness, and is undoubtedly one of the ablest circuit judges in Missouri, as well as one of the youngest. He has had a phenomenal career at the bar since he abandoned the teacher's birch and the editorial tripod in a country village. Hard work and close application has earned for him deserved success in the profession, and a bright future is before him.
The subject of this sketch was born at Wedel, near Hamburg, province of Holstein, Germany, May 30. 1852. Educated in the national schools at Hamburg. He was engaged in photography from his 13th year, and until his removal to America, just prior to the Franco-German war. Soon after landing in this country he joined a U. S. surveying corps, and served as photographer in the service for about one year and nine months, and traveled through the Southwest before the building of the Santa Fe railroad, and covered nine states and territories. Was naturalized at Emporia, Kansas, in 1871. He then returned to Germany, and was arrested on arrival at his old home as a deserter from the German army, and had he not been a U. S. citizen he would have landed in prison at Spandau, and would have been put to hard labor. He says that he still feels proud that he was and is still a United States citizen. The Consul of the U. S. told him that his room of 24x28 was the United States, and to make himself at home there, which he did. He remained in the old country two years, and returned to America in 1880. Worked at his profession in New York, and also in St. Louis; and established himself in business in Jefferson City in the latter part of 1880, and came to Butler in 1881,and established his art studio and gallery where it still remains. He is recognized as one of the leading artists in his line in the state, and has been honored by the State Photograph Association. He was Vice-President of the association tor several years. He has twice served the people of this city as councilman from the First Ward, elected in 1892, and re-elected in 1894. He is a scholarly gentleman, and speaks and writes three languages: low Dutch, German and English. He is fond of out-door sports, likes fine dogs, a good gun, and quail, jack snipe and duck hunting, and no season is allowed to pass without his enjoyment of these sports in company with a few congenial companions. His art studio is one of the finest in the state.
was born in Syracuse, N. Y., Dec. 7, 1833, and removed to La Salle County, Ill., in 1859, and in 1861, to McLean County, Ill. He lived there until the fall of 1871, and came to Cass County, Mo., in 1872, and settled on a farm near where Drexel is now. In 1887 he came to Butler where he has since resided. He has been engaged in the grocery business; and in the Elevator with Bryant & McDaniel; and in the spring of 1893 was elected Justice of the Peace and member of the township board for Mt. Pleasant, which offices he still fills to the general satisfaction of the people. In 1892 he was elected Police Judge of the City of Butler. Judge Hemstreet is an active member of the Christian church, and has been one of the elders for many years. He lost his first wife in 1888, leaving three children, two sons and one daughter, all of whom are married and reside in this vicinity. His mother is still living in Chicago, now 92 years of age, but enjoying good health. She lives with her daughter, Mrs. Gardner. Judge Hemstreet married his present wife about a year ago, a most estimable woman, and they live in a commodious home on South High street in the enjoyment of the confidence and esteem of a large circle of acquaintances.
was born near Vinton, Gallia County, Ohio, on April 26, 1841. His father was John E. Holcomb and his mother Mary, a daughter of Capt. Phineas Matthews, after whom the subject of this sketch was named. Phineas enjoyed the advantages of the good public schools of Ohio and was a student of a neighboring academy until he entered the Ohio University at Athens in 1861. where he remained until 1863, only excepting the time he served as private soldier in the 60th Ohio Infantry in 1862. This regiment was a part of the command that surrendered to the confederate army under Jackson at the battle of Harper's Ferry September, 1862, and was disbanded the following December at Camp Douglas, Chicago, owing to the termination of its enlistment. He then resumed his studies in the Ohio University, where he remained during the year 1863, when he commenced the study of law under the the direction of his uncle, A. T. Holcomb. He taught at intervals in the public schools and the academy where he had formerly been a student. He also engaged in teaching for nearly a year near Carlisle, Ky. This was in 1864 and 1865. The following winter of '65 and '66 he spent in the Ann Arbor Law School. In 1867 he was admitted to the Ohio bar at Jackson and shortly after moved to Missouri. He arrived in St. Louis in April, 1867, where he was admitted to practice law by the Supreme Court then in session. Hon. David Wagner, presiding judge, gave him his certificate of admission. He went to Greenfield, Mo., and remained there a year practicing law, coming to Butler in June, 1868, where he has ever since resided, engaged in the practice of his profession. He served as county attorney from the year 1869 to 1872, and was appointed postmaster by President Grant, which position he held from 1876 to 1880. He was elected prosecuting attorney in 1894 on the Populist ticket, but was largely supported by both Republicans and Democrats. This position he filled acceptably for two years. Always taking a deep interest in public instruction and in the general advancement of learning and morality, he has done the public good service in that direction. He served the city upon the school board, and as alderman for a number of years; also was one of the Board of Regents of the Warrensburg Normal School for over six years. He has been a member of the Presbyterian church since 1878, and is now an elder in that church, Married to Miss Mary L. Henry in 1876, and he and his wife enjoy a comfortable and pleasant home in Butler.
was born in the town of Rome, in Perry county, Indiana, May 7th, 1841. His early life,like that of most boys brought up on a farm, was uneventful. He worked on the farm during the summer and went to school in the winter after the crops were "laid by." His school days were so well improved that at the age of seventeen he was admitted to the Freshman Class at Hanover College, Ind., and graduated at the age of 21. In July, 1861,he enlisted in Co. D., 1st Indiana Vol. Cav., and served until the following January when he was discharged because of disability, the result of typhoid fever. His army service was mostly in Southeastern Missouri. He began the reading of law in the fall of 1863 and was admitted to the bar in New Albany, Ind., and began the practice of his profession in 1865. He continued the practice until the fall of 1879, when he removed to Butler, Bates county, Mo. His first business in this county being that of a school teacher. When the town of Rich Hill was founded in 1880, Mr. Huckeby removed to the new town and established the first newspaper. In May, 1881. he was appointed Postmaster and held the office until October, 1885. At the close of his term he went into the law and real estate business, and spent one year (1887) in the booming city of Wichita, Kansas. His success was not remarkable in Wichita, as the collapse caught him as it caught many more. After returning to Rich Hill he again took up the newspaper business and was quite active in the presidential campaign of 1888. In the fall of 1890 he was again appointed Postmaster and held the office until October, 1894, and retired with the approval of all his fellow citizens as a faithful and obliging official. Since retiring from his second term as Postmaster he has been engaged in the practice of his profession and conducting a very safe and successful office business. Always interested in everything that tends to benefit mankind, Mr. Huckeby has taken great interest in all political, moral and social questions. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity ever since his majority. He is an active member of the Methodist church and has been ever since a mere youth. He is a good lawyer, a quiet, courteous gentleman, and has the confidence and respect of all who know him.
The subject of this sketch is the second child and only son of Wesley and Margarette Kipp, and was born in LaFayette, Ind., January 16, 1860. Wesley Kipp was born in Schaghticoke, N. Y., January 11, 1832. Moved to Lafayette, Ind., in 1848, and was there connected with the Toledo, Wabash & Western Railway until 1868 when he moved to Sedalia, Mo. During his residence in Sedalia he ran several hack lines south and one through Bates County to Fort Scott, Kan., when Bates County was in her infancy and prior to the building of the M., K. & T. railway. He is now a resident of Butler. Elmer D. was educated in the Sedalia public schools, at Hooper Institute and Holden College. His business career began as an employee in the general offices of the Missouri Pacific railway at Sedalia in 1880. He came to Butler, July 20, 1883, and engaged in the furniture business. In 1884 he sold out and accepted a clerkship in the Butler National Bank. After a few months service there he accepted a position in the Bates County National Bank and remained with that institution until the Farmers' Bank was established in 1888. He was elected cashier of the Farmers' Bank, and has been continuously re-elected every year since. He has seen this bank grow from a small beginning to a place in the front rank among banking institutions in Southwest Missouri. He is a methodical tireless worker, and takes pardonable pride in the great success and business standing of the Farmers' Bank. Always a republican in politics, he does not allow that fact to affect or influence his business relations. As a citizen he is progressive and liberal, always ready with energy and means to further any public enterprise for the general welfare. He is it 32nd degree Mason, Odd Fellow, M. W. of A. and is Past Em. Com., Past High Priest and the present W. M. of Butler Lodge No. 254, hence his wide influence for good. He was married in 1891 to Mary Myrtle McBride of Butler, to which union one child was born, it dying in infancy.
Samuel Levy was born in Germany in 1846, and emigrated to America in September, 1863. He started in business in New Madrid, Mo., in 1868, and came to Butler, Bates County, Mo., in 1876. He has been continuously in business there ever since under the firm name of Samuel Levy & Co., and his dry goods house has always been one of the leading establishments of the kind in this section of the state. He has won and retained the confidence of the general public to a marked degree. He is a conservative citizen and a successful business man. As an evidence of the high esteem in which he is held, in 1888, when Associate Judge Boswell was killed by lightning, a numerously signed petition went to Gov. A. P. Morehouse praying for the appointment of Mr. Levy as successor. The governor appointed him and Judge Levy served out the unexpired term with credit to himself and satisfaction to the general public.
Born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, February 21st, 1855. Came to Missouri in 1858, went to Illinois in 1863 and lived there until 1870 when his family located in Vernon County. Came to Bates County in April, 1877,and took charge of the Rich Hill School (old Rich Hill). Was the Rich Hill correspondent of the Bates County Record in 1877, at which time the coal fields were beginning to attract the attention of capital and: the papers were using their best efforts to attract the attention of railroad people to the advantages of a railroad through Bates County. Farmed in summer and taught school in winter until twenty five years old. Was principal of the East side school at Rich Hill in 1882-3 and soon after the close of that school year, engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Rich Hill and is still engaged in that business. Vice-President of the Farmers and Manufacturers' Bank and Secretary of the Rich Hill Fair.
The subject of this sketch enjoys the distinction of being the youngest and most successful editor of a country paper in Missouri, having commenced his career as proprietor and editor of the Hume Telephone at the age of 16 years. Mr. Moore is a native Missourian. From the extreme tenderness of his youth he bears the euphonious title of "The Kid," but his sober and intelligent editorials make the appellation respectable. The motto at the head of his paper, viz: "A live, independent journal devoted to spreading the news and earning a few dollars in cash," embodies the warp and woof of his life's effort. Through manly foresight, judicious advertising and a ready pen, his paper has been rescued from the quicksands of disaster, while in other hands, and placed among the substantial newspapers of the state. His quaint aphorisms, unique questions, scientific deductions, sarcastic and cutting paragraphs are now being copied by leading papers everywhere. In addition to the business of his own office he does special or detail work for several well known eastern publishing houses. In a social way Mr. Moore is something of a curiosity. Sedate as a preacher and comical as a clown, never forgetting the maxim that evil communications corrupt good manners. He is widely known and pleasantly spoken of by a respectable number of the fraternity, and nothing but a misfortune will prevent him from reaching the peaks longed for by the journalistic world.
The subject of this sketch was born in Larue County, Ky., on March 27, 1852. Was educated in the common schools, and attended the Hodgensville Academy. Came to Bates County, Mo., in 1873 and settled near Burdette. Went to Pacific coast in 1883, returned in 1885, and went out again in 1888 and returned in 1891. While out there he was engaged in contracting on railroads and other public works. Was married to Miss Amanda Stillwell in 1874. Has always been a democrat. In 1896 was nominated and elected sheriff by the democracy. Was re-elected in 1898, and is at this time Sheriff of Bates County. As a public official "Shelt" Mudd, as he is familiarly called, is popular with the people, and as a man and citizen he has a a large circle of admirers and friends. He is fearless in the discharge of his public duties, companionable and generous in the private relations of life. Faithful to his friends, respectful to every body, it is not remarkable that he is popular as a public officer. His term of office will expire January 1st, 1901. |
