John M. Caldwell, a prominent farmer and stock raiser, was born in Franklin County, Mo., June 22, 1833, and is the third in the family of six children born to M. C. and Lucretia (Daugherly) Caldwell. He was reared in his native county, and his education consisted of three months' attendance at the country school, but, being a good student, he has picked up a fair education. He is a strong advocate of schools and education, and always lends his hearty sup¬port to all such enterprises. At the age of eighteen he began doing for himself, and in 1853 he married Margaret, daughter of Samuel Hutton. They are the parents of five children: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Alfred Ficke; Emily J., wife of Delos Farrell; Mary M., wife of Herman Sinkle; Samuel and Daniel J. Mr. Caldwell rented a small farm when he was married, and by hard work and good management has been able to buy several farms, which he sold to an advantage. He now owns a farm of 186 acres, all in a good state of cultivation and well stocked. He served as second sergeant of Company I, Fiftieth Missouri Infantry, during the late war. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell are highly esteemed members of the Baptist Church, and have many friends. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Source: Goodspeed's Franklin County History, 1888, Goodspeed Publishing Co
Transcribed by Barb Z. -2008
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Angus A. Cantley is a farmer and stock raiser of Boeuf Township, where he was born in 1828, and is one of the thirteen children of John and Sarah (Gibson) Cantley, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. The father was born in 1788, and in 1807 came to what is now Franklin County, whither his father had preceded him. Here he married about 1810 and, lived for a short time on Berger Bottom, then settled on Boeuf Creek, near where Detmold now is, being the first to settle so far up the creek, which was several miles distant from any white settlement. Here, with the aid of the Indians, he built a horse mill, which for years supplied the people with meal for miles around. He reared a large family of children, who became useful and exemplary citizens, and died in 1352. He was a great hunter, and was frequently called upon to aid in defense against the Indians; during the War of 1812 he was called up the Mississippi River. His father, John Cantley, was of Irish descent, and was also a native of Virginia. The mother of our subject died about 1858. Both parents were devout members of the Baptist Church for many years. Angus A. Cantley was educated in the common schools. In 1850 he married Miss Mary, daughter of Caleb and Rachel Bailey, who were born in North Carolina, married in Kentucky, and settled in Franklin County about 1804 or 1805, where they reared thirteen children. Mrs. Cantley, the eleventh child, was born in 1833. Of this large family all lived to have homes of their own. and were among the esteemed families of the county. Seven children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Cantley, five of whom are living, viz.: James P., LaFayette, Amanda Alice, Livingston, and Angus A., Jr. Mr. Cantley settled about six miles west of New Haven, and in 1865 removed to two miles south of Dundee, where he has a farm of eighty-seven acres, the result of his own labor. He has led a quiet, industrious life and has long been known throughout the county as an honest and upright citizen. He served thirty days in Company F, under Col. Gague, of the Enrolled Missouri Militia, in 1862. Politically a life-long and consistent Democrat, Mr. Cantley cast his first presidential vote for Pierce, in 1852. Mrs. Cantley has long been a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Cantley's eldest brother, John Lewis, is one of the oldest men in Franklin County, being now over seventy-two years old, and is still living near where he was born.
Source: Goodspeed's Franklin County History, 1888, Goodspeed Publishing Co
Transcribed by Barb Z. -2008
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James N. Cardwell is a native of Claiborne County, Tenn., and was born in 1835. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of his native county. He began life for himself at the age of fifteen years, from which time, until her death, he supported his widowed mother. At the age of twenty he removed to Indiana, about one year later came to Pacific, Mo., where he remained one winter, then went to Jefferson County, and later to Washington County, where he remained until the fall of 1861, when he enlisted in the Missouri State Militia for a term of six months, and was mustered out January 8, 1862. March 8, 1862, he re-enlisted in Company G, Fifth Missouri Cavalry, was quartermaster sergeant of his company, which operated in Missouri and Arkansas, and was mustered out at Rolla, Mo., April 13, 1865. After the close of the war Mr. Cardwell returned to Franklin County, farmed one season, and then opened a store at Virginia Mines; four years later he went to Texas County, Mo., and ran a general store until the fall of 1874, when he removed to his present farm of 200 acres. He was married in 1873 to Miss Susan L. Worsham, a native of Texas County, Mo., and a daughter of Peter R. and Nancy (Scott) Worsham, natives of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Cardwell have four children: Oley S., Affie B., Nicholas and Roscoe. Mrs. Cardwell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Previous to the war Mr. Cardwell was a Democrat, but since then has been a radical Republican. He was appointed justice of the peace, and served about one and one-half years. He was the tenth of the eleven children of Rial and Annie (Claypool) Cardwell. Rial Cardwell, a son of John Cardwell, died about 1838; the grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution. Mrs. Annie Cardwell was a daughter of David Claypool, and died in 1856, aged sixty years.
Source: Goodspeed's Franklin County History, 1888, Goodspeed Publishing Co
Transcribed by Barb Z. -2008
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T. W. Chiles, county surveyor of Franklin County, Mo., with post office at St. Clair, was born in Greencastle, Putnam Co., Ind., April 18, 1834, and is the son of John 0. and Mary T. (Brooking) Chiles. The father was born in Virginia, in 1807, and was the son of Tarlton W. Chiles, who was a Virginian. John Chiles removed to Indiana in 1833, and located in Putnam County. He was a graduate of Transylvania University at Lexington, Ky., graduating in the same class with Henry Clay, in 1827, delivered the valedictory address, and his diploma is signed by Henry Clay. He was admitted to the bar at Lexington, Ky., in 1828, and practiced his profession there until he removed to Indiana. He attained considerable note as a lawyer and practitioner,and represented Putnam County in the Indiana Legislature a number of years. His death occurred January 6, 1847. The mother was born in Virginia, in 1805, and was the daughter of Robert E. Brooking, a native of Virginia, and a soldier of the War of 1812. She died December 20, 1847. After the death of his parents, our subject made his home in Clark County, Ky., with an uncle, Samuel W. Chiles, where he secured a limited education. In 1850 he removed to St. Louis, Mo., and entered a high school at that place. In the fall of 1852 he was connected with the civil engineering corps on the Iron Mountain Railroad. In November, 1853. he located in Franklin County, Mo., and was interested in the Moselle Iron Furnace Company, of which he was superintendent for five years. In 1858 he removed to Dent County, Mo., purchased a farm, and turned his attention to stock raising. April 14, 1858, he married Miss Judith W. Barnes, a native of Franklin County, Mo., born in 1838, and the daughter of James H. Barnes. To that union one son was born, who is now a citizen of St. Louis. Soon after re¬moving to Dent County, Mo., Mr. Chiles was appointed deputy surveyor.and in 1860 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the position of surveyor of Dent County, which position he held until the breaking out of the late war August 14, 1862, Mrs. Chiles died, and shortly afterwards Mr. Chiles moved to St. Louis, and entered the commission business with an uncle, under the firm title of Chiles & Co. In the fall of 1864 he went to New York City,thence to Havana, and then to the mouth of the Rio Grande River, Old Mexico. On July 4, 1865, he left there and returned to St. Louis and purchased a stock of goods, went to Mississippi and engaged in merchandising for about two years, after which he returned to St. Louis and took a position as book-keeper in a nail-mill company, at which he continued until 1870. December 15, of the same year he married Miss Fannie G. Cheatham, who was born in Franklin County, Mo., in 1851, and who is the daughter of John E. A. Cheatham, a native of Virginia. To this union a daughter and a son have been born. Soon after his second marriage Mr. Chiles returned to Franklin County, Mo., and, purchasing a farm, engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he has since continued. In 1872, he was the Democratic candidate for surveyor of Franklin County, was defeated and then served as deputy surveyor for four years under Francis Wilhelm, his successful opponent. In 1876 he made the race a second time against Mr. Wilhelm as an Independent and was elected. He held that position until 1880, and was then defeated as an Independent by Joseph Eckert, Democrat. After this he entered the collector's office and served as deputy collector through 1881 and 1882, under E. M. Armstrong. In 1884 he made the race for surveyor as an Independent, against Mr. Eckert, was elected, and is holding that position at present.
Source: Goodspeed's Franklin County History, 1888, Goodspeed Publishing Co
Transcribed by Barb Z. -2008
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Francis M. Clark, son of Ethan A. and Sarah S. (Pancost) Clark, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., December 13. 1842. His parents were both natives of Cayuga County, N. Y. The father was a farmer, and in 1861 he and family moved from New York and settled in Franklin County, Mo. He was colonel during the muster of the militia while in New York, and during the late war was captain of Company H, Fifty-fourth Regiment of the State Militia. The father died August 5, 1869, at the age of fifty-one. The mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in 1879, at the age of sixty-one. The result of their marriage was eight children, five now living. Our subject was the third child, and received his education at Ithaca Academy, where Cornell University now stands. At the age of eighteen he taught his first term of school, and after the war made school teaching his profession for the next fifteen years. Teaching in summer did not agree with him, so he gave it up and engaged in farming. For the last two years he has abandoned teaching altogether, and has turned his attention exclusively to farming, and owns a well-improved tract of land. During the war he served in his father's company of the militia. October 18, 1875, he married Nannie J. Hawkins, of St. Louis County, the daughter of William Hawkins, of St. Louis County. The fruits of this union were six children, four now living: Edna L., Clarence E., Grover A. and May. Those deceased are Ethel and Byron. Mr. Clark is a Democrat and a member of the A. F. and A. M. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church.
Source: Goodspeed's Franklin County History, 1888, Goodspeed Publishing Co
Transcribed by Barb Z. -2008
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H. W. Clark, a leading farmer and stock raiser of Franklin County, Mo., was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., November 9, 1854, and is the son of E. A. and Sarah (Pencost) Clark, both natives of Cayuga County, N. Y. (For further particulars of parents see sketch of F. M. Clark). Our subject came with his parents to Missouri in the spring of 1861, when he was but seven years of age, they locating at once in Franklin County, about four miles from Washington. He secured a fair education at the public schools, and attended for awhile the Washington High School. He remained with his mother (his father having died when H. W. was but fifteen years of age) until about twenty years of age, and then began life for himself as a school teacher, following that occupation for three years in the country schools. He next spent about six months in Southwestern Missouri, and then returned to Franklin County, where he married. February 25, 1876, Miss Bertha Vitt, only daughter of J. T. Vitt, of Union. The result of this marriage was the birth of four children, all living. After his union with Miss Vitt, Mr. Clark purchased a farm of 131 acres one mile west of Union, and there engaged in farming and stock raising, and has continued the same up to the present. On May 2, 1887, he began the dairy business, and since that time has run a daily milk wagon in Union, and is meeting with success. He has always contributed his mite to the advancement of all worthy enterprises, and has always taken an interest in schools and churches. He is now a school commissioner of his district, having been elected to that office in 1887.
Source: Goodspeed's Franklin County History, 1888, Goodspeed Publishing Co
Transcribed by Barb Z. -2008
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C. C. Close, real estate and insurance agent at Pacific, was born in Berks County, Penn., in 1849, and is the second of four children born to Henry W. and Lavina (Ringler) Close, natives of Berks County, Penn., who moved to Pacific, Mo., in 1857, where they died. Henry W. Close was a bridge-builder; he worked nine years on the Missouri Pacific, and nine years on the North Missouri (now Wabash) Railroad. His parents were Henry W. and Susan (Stout) Close. Mrs. Lavina Close was a daughter of Charles and Lavina Ringler, also natives of Berks County, Penn., the former a sergeant in the War of 1812; he was an auctioneer, and his wedding coat, now eighty-eight years old, is in the possession of Mr. Close. C. C. Close was but seven years of age when his parents moved to Pacific, where he has since resided. He was a stationary engineer for three years, and then engaged in the real estate and insurance business, at which he has since continued. He began life for himself when but fourteen years old, and what he is now worth is the result of his energy and practical business ability. He was married in October, 1878, to Miss Nellie Henry, a native of Pacific, and a daughter of Peter and Martha (Nobel) Henry. They have three children: Nellie B., Charles H. and Frank E. Mr. Close is a Republican in politics. November 4,1874, he was elected justice of the peace, and has been re-elected at each election since. He was appointed city" collector October 35, 1887. He is a Knight of Pythias.
Source: Goodspeed's Franklin County History, 1888, Goodspeed Publishing Co
Transcribed by Barb Z. -2008
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Judge Anderson J. Coleman, a prominent citizen of Franklin County, Mo., was born in that county September 20, 1823, and is the son of Anderson and Sarah S. (Barnes) Coleman, natives of Charlotte County, Va. They came to Missouri in December, 1822, and lived in Franklin County the remainder of their lives, which was but a short time, he dying the next year and she seven years later, or in 1829, and both when quite young. After the father's death the mother married Dr. Samuel Holland. Anderson Coleman was a farmer, and to his marriage were born three children, two sons and a daughter. To the second marriage of the mother were born two children, a son and daughter. Anderson J. is the only one of these five children now living. When about seven years of age he went to live with his grandfather Barnes, who was a resident of Franklin County, Mo., and here he remained until about fifteen years of age. when he began to learn the saddler's trade under his brother. After working at that a short time he began to farm, and has continued the same ever since. In the year 1845 he purchased the farm that he now owns, which consists of 270 acres of well-improved land. His educational advantages were limited, but, having been a student all his life, he is well informed on all subjects. In 1864 he joined the Confederate Army, and remained in the service until taken prisoner, near Sugar Creek, Ark., where he was retained over four months. During his service he was in several battles, and was in the' engagement when Gen. Marmaduke was taken prisoner. In 1878 he was elected to serve as judge in District No. 2, and served that term and the next, but would not be a candidate the third time, on account of the bad health of his wife. During his term of office the celebrated Bud and Decker bond suit was compromised, an account of which appears in another part of this volume. January 28, 1847, Mr. Coleman married Martha V. Wilkinson, a daughter of Samuel and Martha Wilkinson. She was born in Halifax County, Va., August 17, 1825, and to her marriage were born two children, only one now living, named Samuel W. The one deceased was named Sarah S., wife of Edward Beasley at the time of death. Politically, Judge Cole-man is a Democrat. Mrs. Coleman has long been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Source: Goodspeed's Franklin County History, 1888, Goodspeed Publishing Co
Transcribed by Barb Z. -2008
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M. A. Coleman, presiding judge of the Franklin County Court, was born in what is now Lyon Township, Franklin Co., Mo., October 9, 1843, and is the son of John G. and Harriet (Smithson) Coleman. The father was born in Virginia, in 1816, and learned the tanner's trade in Union, then the harness or saddle maker's trade. He then began tilling the soil and this continued until his death, which occurred in 1885. He was the son of Anderson Coleman, also a Virginian, who immigrated to Missouri at an early date. The mother of our subject was born in Virginia. Her death occurred in 1852. M. A. Coleman was reared on the farm, and secured a limited education in the country schools. He, being the only surviving child, remained on the farm with his father, and when about twenty-seven years of age his father gave him the farm and then lived with his son. The latter was married in 1868 to Amanda J. Hargess, a native of New Haven, Franklin Co., Mo., born in 1852, and the daughter of James Hargess (deceased). To this union five children have been born, all living. Mr. Coleman entered public life in 1882 as district judge of the second district of Franklin County, Mo., and was re-elected in 1884. Two years later he was elected by the county as presiding judge of the county court, which honorable position he holds at present.
Source: Goodspeed's Franklin County History, 1888, Goodspeed Publishing Co
Transcribed by Barb Z. -2008
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Robert Craig, farmer and stock dealer of Township 45, is the son of John and Margaret W. (Barkley) Craig. The father came to the United States from Ireland about 1847 or 1848, and died here in 1851. The mother and children did not come until 1853. Mrs. Craig is still living, and is over eighty years of age. She furnished three sons for the Union army, and now draws a pension for the eldest, who died while in service. The second son was a lawyer, and at one time was assistant United States district attorney, at Memphis, Tenn. He died about 1872. Robert was born in Ireland in 1840, and received but very meager educational advantages. In 1862 he enlisted in Company ft, Thirty-first Missouri Infantry, was at Vicksburg and all through the Georgia and Atlanta campaigns, etc. He was in active service for nearly three years, and was discharged at St. Louis in 1865. December, 1871, he married Miss Caroline Custer, who died in 1883, leaving four children: Anna, William, Henry and Mary. In 1884 Mr. Craig married Mrs. Mary D. Schulte, who bore him one child, Maggie. She had four children by her first husband. Mr. Craig has made his home in Franklin County since 1853, and on his present farm since 1867. He owns about 325 acres, all the result of his own labor. He is a self-made man in every sense of the word, as he was obliged to make his own living in early childhood. He is a member of the G. A. R., and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Source: Goodspeed's Franklin County History, 1888, Goodspeed Publishing Co
Transcribed by Barb Z. -2008
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John T. Crowe, a resident of Franklin County, living nine miles west from Union, the county seat, was born in that county, December 28, 1841, and is the son of Martin L. G. and Jane C. (Jump) Crowe. The father was born in Boles Township, Franklin Co., Mo., in 1818, and is now the oldest native-born citizen living in the county. He has filled various public offices, among which were those of county court clerk, judge of the county court, and assessor for one term. The mother was born in St. Louis County, Mo., November 5, 1822, and is the daughter of Samuel Jump, an early settler of the county. To the marriage of our subject's parents were born six children, three of whom are now living. Godfrey Crowe, great-grandfather of John T., was a native of Germany, who emigrated to the United States and settled in St. Charles County, Mo., in 1796. Michael Crowe, the grandfather, was a native of St. Charles County, and settled in Franklin County, Mo., in 1808. His father-in-law, James Green, was a prominent man in the early Indian troubles of Kentucky.and was a trusted comrade and companion of Daniel Boone, with whom he came from Virginia. He located in St. Charles County, Mo., in 1796, and was quite a prominent man. Young John received a fair education in the country schools, although his opportunities for doing so were limited. At the age of eighteen he became his father's deputy in the office of county clerk, where he worked until the breaking out of the war, when he was among the first to respond to the President's call for three months' volunteers, enlisting in 1861. In September, 1862, he was mustered into Company E, Twenty-sixth Missouri Infantry, as first sergeant, for a period of three years, and in April, 1862, was commissioned second lieu¬tenant of his company, in which capacity he acted as adjutant for one year. In May, 1863, while before Vicksburg, he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, and later was commissioned captain of Company I of the same regiment,for meritorious conduct, and as such was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., December 28, 1864. He returned home, and was appointed by the governor as adjutant for the Second Military District of State Troops. He was elected sheriff of Franklin County in 1872, and re-elected in 1874. In 1876 he was elected probate judge, and served until 1880. In 1881 he removed to the farm, and on December 1 of the same year he was commissioned deputy United States revenue collector of the First Missouri District, which position he held for four years, and then resumed farming, at which he is engaged at the present time. He was admitted to the bar in 1868, but devoted but little of his time and attention to the profession of law. January 16, 1866, ho married Miss Minerva E., daughter of Asa Breckenridge, an early settler of Franklin County, Mo., and a descendant of the famous Breckenridge family of Kentucky. To this marriage four children were born, all now living. Mrs. Crowe died in 1874, and in 1876 Mr. Crowe married Sarah E., daughter of Madison Hendrick, of Franklin County. To the last union were born three children, all living.
Source: Goodspeed's Franklin County History, 1888, Goodspeed Publishing Co
Transcribed by Barb Z. -2008
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John L. Criswell, a farmer of Franklin County, Mo., is a native of St. Louis County, Mo., and was born in 1817. He is the third of ten children of James and Elizabeth (Jump) Criswell, and was reared on the farm, receiving his education in the subscription schools of the county. He kept the ferry at Liletown, on the Osage River, farmed and worked at various occupations in different parts of Missouri until 1846. In the latter year he married Elizabeth, daughter of James Roack, and then settled on the Mackey claim, in a small log house surrounded by about twenty acres of land; here they lived about seven years, and accumulated considerable stock and personal property. In 1853 Mr. Criswell sold the farm, and entered eighty acres in Polk County, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for a short time, but was unsuccessful. He then returned to Crawford County, and in 1856 moved to Franklin County, where, for about five years, he was employed in the Spring Creek Mills, his wife keeping boarders. They were successful financially, and in 1859 Mr. Criswell bought eighty acres of land, to which he has since added eighty more. To Mr. and Mrs. Criswell there were born six children, three of whom arc deceased. Those living are James K. P., John, William and Kittie (the wife of E. D. Bray, a farmer of Crawford County). James is also married and away from home. William has never married, but owns a good farm, some stock, and some mining land near Stanton, and lives with his parents in Stanton; he has served as justice of the peace, and, like his father, is a Republican in politics. Mrs. Criswell is a consistent member of the Christian Church, and is one of the original members of the organization in Stanton. This worthy old couple are much honored and respected by all who know them, and their home is a favorite resort of the young people.
Source: Goodspeed's Franklin County History, 1888, Goodspeed Publishing Co
Transcribed by Barb Z. -2008
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