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MAJ. LUTHER T. FORMAN

Maj. Luther T. Forman, a retired farmer of Brookfield, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., August 21, 1825. In 1830, he was taken to Monroe County, Mo., four miles west of Paris. His parents, Joseph and Margaret (Barbee) Forman, were natives of Kentucky, and their remains lie buried on the old farm, although they had lived for a time on the Grand River, northwest of Chillicothe. In 1846, our subject bought land in Linn County, four miles south of Meadville. At that time his nearest neighbor was five miles away, his postoffice was Linneus, and his trading point Brunswick, twenty miles distant. Deer and wild turkeys were numerous, and the usual hardships of pioneer life fell to his lot. For many years his house was an hotel for the accommodation of all who visited this neighborhood, and he possessed the genial hospitality so characteristic of early settlers. His land was a soldier claim, and he placed substantial improvements upon the six hundred acres comprising the farm. At one time he was the owner of twelve hundred acres of good land.

The business in which Maj. Forman engaged with greatest success was the buying, feeding and raising of hogs and cattle, and his dealings in stock have been very extensive. In 1870, he bought land two and one-half miles south of Linneus, and added to his first purchase until he now has a farm comprising two hundred acres of finely improved land. In 1883, he sold the old farm, and since April, 1892, has been a resident of Brookfield, where he has a pleasant home on North Main Street. Maj. Forman was reared a Whig, under the lead of Henry Clay, but in 1860 he cast his vote for Bell and Everett; in 1864 for Lincoln, later for Grant, and then became a member of the Greenback party, giving his vote for Peter Cooper. In later years public affairs have assumed for him a different aspect, and his vote has twice been cast for James B. Weaver, the candidate of the People’s party. With that party in the county our subject is closely connected, taking the greatest interest in the principles enunciated by it.

Our subject was married in 1847, in Livingston County, Mo., to Miss Eliza Hobbs, who died in 1853, leaving two children: Mary, who married William Tuffs, and died when nineteen years of age leaving two children: and Margaret Ann, wife of Henry Hill, of Monroe County, N.Y. Maj. Forman was married in Linn County, in 1854, to Araminta, the daughter of Judge Brown, a pioneer of that county. She died in 1862, leaving four children, namely: Barton, who died at the age of twenty – one; Charles H., who has a meat-market at Meadville, Mo.; Benjamin L., a farmer and stock-raiser of Oregon; and John E., who is in an eating house at Meadville.

Our subject was married a third time, January 25, 1853, in Linn County, his wife being Mrs. Emily D. (Johnson) Graham, the widow of John Graham. She was born in Saline County and reared in Howard County, Mo. Her father, Wesley Johnson, was a cooper by occupation and purchased a large tract of land south of Linneus. While en-route to Linn County, he became involved in an altercation with a man over a matter connected with the sale of the farm. In the dispute the man struck him with a sledge hammer, inflicting an injury from which he died of lockjaw at Keytesville, Mo. In company with her mother, Mrs. Forman proceeded to Linn County, where they settled on a part of the farm now owned by our subject. Her mother, now the widow of Harrison Sweeney, resides in Linneus and has attained to the age of eighty-two. The family consisted of four children at the time of coming here and the eldest son was ten years old, Emily being the only child who had reached maturity. After her marriage to Mr. Graham, at the age of twenty-two, they settled in Nevada, Grundy County, and later removed to Chillicothe, where he died in 1863. By this marriage, Maj. Forman has become the father of the following children: Kate Frances, the wife of P. B. Stanley, of Carrollton, Mo.; Joseph W., who recently returned from California; Lida, wife of William Archer, who lives on the old farm; Verga, un-married; Estella, Mrs. G. B. Garrett; William Ernest, who is usually called “Peter Cooper;” and Bessie Maud. Our subject has been identified with the Christian Church since 1848, and his wife is also a member of that religious organization.

In 1862, Maj. Forman raised a company with a Captain’s commission in the enrolled militia. After six months he was attached to the Sixty-second Missouri State Guards and was located at Brunswick, under Col. Moberly, for a time. He was promoted to the rank of Major in 1863, and served in that position until the close of the war, meanwhile engaging in skirmishes with the noted leaders Holtz and Jim Rider and other guerrillas. His headquarters were mainly at Laclede, so that he was able to make an occasional visit to the farm. At one time while at home, Jim Rider with eighteen men came there and Major being unsupported, slipped away, but Mrs. Forman, who was ill at the time, was so badly frightened that she died.

In a brush with Pointdexter’s men, the Major’s soldiers killed two of them. On another occasion while at home, two of Pointdexter’s men rode up to the house, and after some parleying they turned to run, when the Major shot, killing one outright and wounding the other, who escaped; the young man who was killed proved to be a Mr. Hart, whose father was a respected citizen of Randolph County. The latter when he came for the body exonerated the Major from blame. Some evil-minded persons circulated the report that young Hart was en route to McGee College, when he was enticed and ambushed by the Major, but firm action on the part of our subject soon put a quietus to this and similar slanders.

At one time a man from St. Louis, who was out recruiting for the Seventh Missouri Cavalry, came to Laclede, and the Major’s soldiers told him that if Maj. Forman would enlist they also would do so. When the recruiting officer reached the Major’s house, the latter told him of the many threats that had been made against his life, and that guerrillas were likely to approach him under the guise of militiamen and shoot him; hence he was always on guard. The recruiting officer started back to Laclede, four miles distant, but when about one-half mile from the house, saw a party of militia approaching with the intention of asking the Major to join them in an expedition. Recalling the Major’s words, he concluded that these men were guerrillas in disguise, and wheeling his horse around, rode madly back to the house, the militiamen firing upon him as he ran. The Major soon explained the situation, and the bold recruiting officer proceeded to Laclede, where he took the first train for St. Louis, - a sadder and a wiser man. The people of Linn County never saw him again. Maj. Forman possesses many of the admirable points of the soldier and no doubt would have become a distinguished officer had fortune cast his lost with the main armies. He is a brave, outspoken man, plain in speech and his language is not liable to be misunderstood. He has had some experience of life in the Far West. In 1850, he crossed the plains to the gold regions and twice since then he has enjoyed the excitement of buffalo hunting on Western plains.

-PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton and Linn Counties, Missouri CONTAINING Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Chicago: CHAPMAN Bros. 1893 Page 161 – 162 submitted by Lisa -2008

 

ADDISON HANNUM

Addison Hannum, a representative and leading agriculturist and prominent and highly respected citizen of Linn County, Mo., owns a fine farm of two hundred and fourteen acres, lying mostly upon section 19, township 57, range 19, and since his location within the borders of the State has materially assisted in the upward growth and progress of his home neighborhood and locality. Our subject was born near Springfield, Ill., July 1, 1826, and is the son of Asahel and Emily (Brown) Hannum, who were among the very early pioneers of the West. The father was a native of Massachusetts, and was remotely of English descent, his immediate ancestors having been among the prominent citizens of New England. His wife, born in the Empire State, had a sturdy line of forefathers, whose home was among the hills of “bonnie Scotland.” Mr. and Mrs. Asahel Hannum first came to Illinois in 1820, and when Addison was but three years of age removed to Putnam County, locating in what was then but little more than an unbroken wilderness.

The only instruction obtainable in those early days was received in the primitive subscription schools, held in rude little log structures, in which some of the most eminent men of the State were taught full many years ago. Addison Hannum received but very little schooling, having to walk three miles each way during his brief terms of study. Trained to sturdy, self-reliant manhood amid the pioneer scenes and privations shared unmurmuringly by the enterprising settlers – who in many instances had left luxury and ease to carve their own way upward in the broad West – our subject at a very tender age began the struggle of life. His parents needing his service, he assisted upon the homestead until he was twenty-three years old, and then entered into agricultural duties on his own account, locating in La Salle County. Mr. Hannum continued a resident of that county for nearly thirty years, and in the spring of 1882 came to Linn County, Mo., where he bought his present farm, now one of the most highly cultivated in this part of the State, and yielding annually a large and valuable crop of hay and grain.

For about one and a half years our subject resided in Brookfield, but he has now returned to the old homestead, leaving Brookfield in November, 1892. On the 22d of November, 1848, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Robertson, a daughter of John Robertson, a highly respected resident of Putnam County, Ill. Six children blessed the happy home: Samantha, Mrs. William Robertson, is the eldest; Anna, Mrs. G. W. Ulmer, was the second-born; James A married Miss Lena Michell; and Henry M. married Miss Rosa Buell, and has two children. Addison, his father’s namesake, and a young man of worth, ability and intelligence, died deeply mourned April 19, 1891. He had married Miss Lily Goode, and left a wife and one child. Mary M., Mrs. J. Burton, has one child, and completes the list of sisters and brothers who used to gather in the old homestead. Their mother, Mrs. Anna Hannum, died March 19, 1889, and on April 29, 1891, their father was married to Mrs. Lucinda Angeline Thorpe, of Brookfield, but a native of Murfreesboro, Tenn. She was first married to Austin D. Thorpe, a Kentuckian by birth.

Mrs. Hannum is the mother of four children; John B. Thorpe; Mattie, Mrs. F. A. Dimmick; S. Price; and Louise, Mrs. W. L. Burris. Robert is deceased. Mrs. Hannum also rejoices in three grandchildren. Our subject has a large progeny of immediate descendants, his family now numbering nineteen living grandchildren and one great grandchild. Politically, Mr. Hannum is an ardent Republican, and is deeply interested in both local and national issues. He has lived to witness the rapid growth and progress of the South and West, and, ever ready to aid in social, benevolent or business enterprises, and active in the advancement of the best interests of the community, he is widely known and highly esteemed as an honorable, earnest and public-spirited citizen.

-PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton and Linn Counties, Missouri CONTAINING Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Chicago: CHAPMAN Bros. 1893, Pages 163 - 164- submitted by Lisa -2008

 

JUDGE JACOB G. BARGAR

Judge Jacob G. Bargar, who owns and operates a farm on section 14, township 57, range 22, has for over a quarter of a century been prominently connected the the prosperity and advancement of Linn County. Coming here at the close of the war, he settled unpon a wild and unimproved tract of land, where he still makes his home. The passing years have witnessed great improvement in this vicinity, until it almost seems as though an enchanted wand had transformed the wilderness into its present condition of cultivated fields, thickly dotted with modern farm houses.
John Bargar, our subject's father, who was born in 1806 in Pennsylvania, was a blacksmith in early years and later became a farmer. He was descended from an old Pennsylvania Dutch family; his father, Jacob Bargar, removed to Ohio in 1812, settling on a farm near Cadiz, Harrison County, where he was among the early pioneers. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Eliza A. Gatchell. She was born in 1810 in Cester County, Pa., and with her father removed to Harrison County in its early history. There she was married, Mr. Bargar remaining in that vicinity for a number of years. In 1846 he located in Tuscarawas County, settling upon a partly improved farm. His death occurred in November, 1877, while his wife did not long survive him, being called to her final rest in the following year. Of their eight children, seven are living. They are as follows: Mary, Mrs. John Crom, living in Ohio; Jacob G.; Lydia, Mrs. H.R. Ripley, a resident of Ohio; Henry C., who lives in Linn County; Hiram K., also of this county; Jennie, Mrs. Irwin Wood, living in Idaho; and Willaim L. of Colorado. A daughter Ann, wife of Thomas Latto, died many years ago. The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the father until 1840 was a Democrat. He then became affiliated with the Whig party and on the organization of the Republican party became its supporter. He was a successful farmer, his property comprising two hundred and forty acres, and to each of his children he gave $1,000 in cash.
On December 11, 1837, in Harrison County, Ohio, occurred the birth of Judge Bargar, who was reared on a farm. He received a common-school education and learned the carpenter's trade about 1856, continuing in that line of occupation until the late war. On October 18, 1861, he enlisted as a private in the Sixth Light Battery of Ohio. He was soon after appointed in Artificer, with rank of a non-commissioned officer. The battery was organized at Mansfield, Ohio, by Senator John sherman as recruiting officer. They were placed under command of Cullen Bradley, who is living at the present time in Clay County, Ind. The battery was known as Bradley's and was sent to Kentucky, where at Louisville they went into camp for a short time. They were then sent to the Cumberland River to intercept Gen. Zollicoffer at Horseshoe Bend, and remained there that winter.
In the spring of the following year they proceeded by transport boats to Nashville, Tenn., being placed as reserve artillery in Buell's army. They marched to Shiloh to the assistance of Gen. Grant nad were soon assigned to Wood's division in Buell's army. They were present at the siege of Corinth, from where they went to Stephenson, Ala., there remaining until Bragg's invasion of Kentucky. By hard, enforced marches they started forLouisville, through Kentucky, and were present at the close of the battle of Perryville. Thence they went to Nashville and took a prominent part in the battle of Stone River, on which battlefield our subject was appointed Corporal 'for valiant service. The engagement began December 30, 1862, and was not closed until January 3, 1863. In April, 1864, Mr. Bargar was detailed on the recruiting service and sent to Ohio. In November of that year he was relieved, joining his battery at Chattanooga about the 22d of that month. He was present at the important battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, which occurred December 12. After a thirty-days furlough he re-enlisted as a veteran and returned to Chattanooga, where the battery was reorganized and he was appointed Sergeant, serving as such through the Atlanta campaign under Gen. Thomas, in which he took part in the following battles: Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station. The battery was a part of the Fourth Army Corps under Gen. O.O. Howard, but after Atlanta it was under command of Gen. Stanley. At Pulaski, Tenn., our subject was mustered out of the Sixth Ohio Battery Light Artillery on November 16, 1864, the reason being his promotion to the rank of Second Lieutenant in the Ninth Regiment United States Heavy Artillery. He had successfully passed an examination befoe the examing board at Nashville, Tenn., March 30, receiving his appointment and assignment after he had been mustered out. He reported to the commanding officer at Nashville and was assigned to duty there in Company C. February 3, 1865, he was sent on recruiting duty, in which he was employed for three months, then returning to his regiment at Nashville, was there finally mustered out August 2, 1865.
In a circular letter issued from the office of the Adjutant-General at Columbus, Ohio, dated June 1, 1866, which was directed to our subject, was enclosed a bronze medal with the following inscription: "State of Ohio to Jacob G. Barbar, Veteran Sixth Independent Battery, Ohio Volunteer Artillery." On the reverse side is a relief figure of the Goddess of Victory placing a wreath upon the head of a soldier, and the dates "1861 - 1865." In his possession are also the following testimonials to his valiant service and personal worth, which were to be used in connection with his application for a commission:
CHATTANOOGA, TENN., March 7, 1864.
Headquarters Sixth Ohio Light Battery.

Approved and most respectfully forwarded.
Sergeant Jacob G. Bargar has served in the Battery ever since its organization, A.D. 1861, most of the time in the capacity of a non-commissioned officer, always performing his duty well and to the entire satisfaction of his superior officers. He is a perfectly temperate man and worthy of any position he may be favored with. I therefore cheerfully recommend him to your considertion. O. H. P. Avres,
First Lieutenant Sixth Ohio Batter.
Headquarters office of Chief of Artillery, Third Division, Fourth Army Corps.

Another letter of the same date is as follows:

I have known Sergeant Bargar for over two years and during that time he has served as a non-commissioned officer in this battery, and from my own personal knowledge can fully endorse all that Lieut. Ayres says. The application is made in his own hand writing. He is as good a man as can be found in the service, and will fill any position in which he may be placed with credit to himself and his country. I therefore earnestly recommend him to the Board of Examiners.
CULLEN BRADLEY.
Captain and Chief of Artillery, Third Divison, Fourth Army Corps.

In 1864 Judge Bargar married Miss Harriet M. Vasbinder, a native of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, her birth occurring on May, 1837. They have three children, Stella, Adda and William Hayes. The last-named when but three years of age named himself Hayes. Some time after, our subject meeting President Hayes told him of this and the President laughingly offered to exchange photos with the young man, which was done.
The Judge is a charter member of C.G. Harper Post No. 88, of Meadville, and was its first Commander. Politically, he is a firm though liberal Republican, and for many years has been Clerk of Republican, and for many years has been Clerk of School District No. 6. In 1892 he was elected County Judge of the Western District of Linn County, to which he was nominated without his knowledge. He was elected in a district which has usually a Democratic majority of one hundred and twenty. As a farmer he has been more than ordinarily successful, now owning two hundred and eighty-one acres, on which he built a fine residence in 1876 at a cost of $1,500. He keeps a good grade of Shorthorn cattle and has a number of fine Norman horses.

Pages 125 to 127

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton and Linn Counties, Missouri CONTAINING
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Chicago: CHAPMAN Bros.1893
Submitted by a genealogy friend.

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