Nodaway County, Missouri History of 1882 Biographicals
(transcibed by Pat O'Dell: genpat@netins.net)
[page 648] Davis, J., farmer and stock raiser, section 25, post office Gaynor City, Although not an old settler of this county, is nevertheless one of our representative farmers. He is a native of Pike county, Ohio, and was born in 1811. He was there raised to manhood and remained in that vicinity till 1856, when he emigrated to Iowa, and settled in Decatur County. After a long residence there he removed to this state and county, locating where he now resides. He has 160 acres of land that will compare favorably with any in the county, all of which is under cultivation. Mr Davis has been twice married; first, to Miss Elizabeth Holton. They had by this union eight children: Jacob, Joshua, John, Mary A., Rachel, Isaac, Julia, and Jane. Mrs Davis' death occurred in 1867. After a [page 649] lapse of two years, or in 1869, Mr D. married Miss J. Jewett. They have four children: Branson, Miranda, Adel, Alice.
[page 650] Independence Township - Mathias Erickson, farmer and stock raiser, section 24, post office Gaynor City, a leading farmer and stock raiser of this district, who has gained prominence as a successful and progressive man, is a native of Sweden, in which country [page 651] he was born March 23, 1839. He was there raised to manhood, learning the trade of blacksmith. At the age of seventeen, he immigrated to America, settling near Galesburg, Illinois, where he followed the occupation of farming. After a residence there of sixteen years, he removed to this state and settled where he now resides. He has 320 acres of average land, most of which he cultivates. Mr Erickson was married in 1866, to Miss Mary S. Holmberg. They have four children: Charles T., Minnie E., Nellie A., and Gracie B. During the late war Mr E. enlisted in the Union cause, and served in Company D, Seventh Illinois Cavalry Regiment, being chief bugler of that regiment. He was discharged from service November 9, 1865. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also belongs to the M.E. Church, to which he is liberal in contributing toward its support.
[page 653] Independence Township - G.C. Jewett, physician and surgeon, Gaynor City, is among the professional men of this district, and is worthy of special mention. He is a native of Ohio, in which state he was born November 5, 1826. His father, David, was a physician, and also a D.D., and was presiding elder of the M.E. Church of his district. The subject of this sketch at the early age of fourteen, began the study of his chosen profession under the direction of his father, with whom he continued till he attained his twenty-first year. He then attended a course of studies at Race Medical College, of Columbus, Ohio, three years, and after finishing this course, he emigrated to Iowa, and settled in Decatur County. There he commenced the practice of his profession. After a successful career of ten years, he removed to Clarke [page 654] County, where he also practiced his profession. Ten years later, or in 1881, he moved to this state, and settled in Gaynor City. Although a late addition to this county, he has gained by his successful practice hosts of friends and a lucrative business. Dr Jewett has been twice married. First, in 1852, to Miss C. Logan. They had six children: Lizzie, Milder J., Marion, William M., Josephine and Laura. Dr J. was married the second time in 1866, to Miss Martha Irwin, a native of Clarke County, Iowa. The doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
[page 654] Independence Twp - Jacob Lindeman [sic, Linderman], farmer and stock raiser, section 26, post office Gaynor City. Among the successful and progressive farmers of this vicinity, is the subject of this sketch, who was born in Germany on September 1, 1827. He was reared to manhood in his native country, learning the machinist trade. In 1847 he emigrated to America and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in following his trade, there residing for [page 655] five years. From that place he went to Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he continued the same occupation and lived for five years, going next to Stephenson County, Illinois. Owing to ill health he abandoned his trade and followed the occupation of farming. After a space of sixteen years, he took up his location in Decatur County, Iowa, remaining there eight years, at the end of which time he came to Missouri and settled in this county where he now resides. He has ninety acres of good land, all of which is under cultivation. Mr Lindeman was married in 1850 to Miss Josephine Woster. They have six children: Charlie, Jacob, Emma, Alfred, Maria, and Carrie. Mr L. is a member of the I.O.O.F., and also belongs to the Lutheran Church. He was road commissioner one term, and has been school director of his district for one term.
[page 656] Independence Township - M. Murdoch, section 2, post office Hopkins, is one of the successful young farmers of this county who owe their standing in society and success in life to their own endeavors. Mr Murdoch, is a native of Louisiana, and, at an early day, with the family, he emigrated to Peoria County, Illinois, where he was raised to manhood, and educated. After a residence there of twenty years, he removed to Missouri, and settled in this county, where he has since resided. He has 160 acres of well improved land. In 1871, Mr Murdoch married Miss Eliza White, a lady of noble qualities and genial habits. They had by this happy union three children: Harry, Annie and Mary. After a period of ten years, she passed away from earth, in June, 1881. Mr M. is a member of the United Workmen.
[page 666] Robinson Coleman, farmer and stock raiser, section 14, was born on the 8th of January, 1843, and is a native of Adams County, Illinois. His father, Dr Josiah Coleman, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother--whose maiden name was Jane Hill--was born in Ireland. Robinson obtained his education in the common schools, spending his youth until twelve years of age at his birthplace. He then came to Missouri with his parents, locating in Nodaway County on the 15th of April, 1855. The country was wild and unsettled, and he has passed through innumerable struggles peculiar only to pioneers. His father was well known and universally respected by the early settlers, and laid off the town of Pickering. In June, 1861, the subject of this sketch enlisted in the Enrolled Missouri Militia, and July 15, 1863, he re-enlisted in Company M, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry. He was mustered out July 27, 1865, at New Orleans, having participated in the battles of Jacksonport, Augusta, Brownsville, Arkansas, and many others. He is Republican in politics, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. Mr Coleman has been twice married--first in the fall of 1866, to Minerva Awalt, who died, leaving one child: Mary D., born September 6, 1867. His second marriage was to Lydia M. Livesy, daughter of Simpson Livesy. They have four children: Adolphus, born May 10, 1874; Oliver, born February 27, 1876; Esthas, born March 3, 1878; and Walter, born February 17, 1880. Mr Coleman owns eighty acres of land, well watered and stocked, some of his cattle being graded.
[page 671] William Gray, Jr. farmer and stock raiser, section 5, was among the early pioneers of Nodaway County. He was born in Ash [sic]County, North Carolina, March 10, 1831, and was taken to Campbell County, Tennessee, when two years of age. From there he went to Carroll County, Missouri, in the fall of 1841, and thence to Nodaway County in the spring of 1842. The family settled in what is now Union Township, the country then being something of a wilderness and the Indian tribes still roaming over the county. Mr Gray purchased a claim and commenced improving a farm. The place was called Gray's Grove, the two brothers, John and Martin Gray, residing there. There was but one store in Maryville at that time, and that was kept in a log house. William relates an incident of going to mill to the Platte City Mills, below St Joseph, when a boy, in company with two others. They were six weeks making the trip, and he came near freezing to death on his return. In the meantime the folks at home were subsisting on cornmeal made on a hominy block. The hardships endured by the pioneers seemed enough to discourage and intimidate the most courageous. Mr Gray has made this township his home since that time, and has taken an active part in improving it. During the war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. In March, 1853, he settled where he now resides; he had taken it as a claim previous to this and made some improvements. He now owns 270 acres of well improved land, has a good orchard, a neat and comfortable residence, a barn and excellent feed lot with a never-failing spring in it. He has filled most of the district offices often. Mr Gray has been twice married: First, April 13, 1852, to Miss Nancy Ingalls, who died September 21, 1869, and left nine children, eight of whom are now living: James T., Wesley F., Martha E., (now Mrs Wilson Hadley), John S., Mahala J., (now Mrs George Loch), Austin S., Samuel G. and William T. He was married again to Mrs Mary Shelton. She was born in Harrison County, Ohio, September 17, 1838. They have had five children two of whom are now living: Edgar F. and Emmett O. Mrs Gray has three children living by her former husband: Eva B., William R. and Albert L. Shelton. Mr and Mrs Gray are members of the M.E. Church.
[page 688] M.C. Bramblet, of the firm of Bramblet & Castlaw, hardware merchants, was born in Ross County, Ohio, September 7, 1843. He was reared in his native county, and received an excellent education. When but eighteen years of age, on the 4th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, First Ohio Heavy Artillery, entering as private. He was mustered out as second lieutenant July 20, 1865. Returning to Ross County, Ohio, he was engaged in working at the carpenter's trade till the fall of 1867, when he emigrated to Nebraska, and in the following spring came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and continued his chosen calling for some length of time. He subsequently purchased a farm, and was engaged in farming and dealing in stock till the summer of 1879, but remained in the stock business till recently. At the time Burlington Junction was established, he former a partnership with J.T. Anderson and was engaged in the livery business till October, 1880. He was also connected with the firm of Hotaling & Co., in the lumber business. In July, 1881, Mr B. began in his present business. He was elected to the office of township collector, and at present is a member of the A.O.U.W. His father, William, and his mother, Mary (Barbara) Bramblet, were natives of Ohio.
[page 692] Nodaway Township - Nathan Jackson Charter, farmer, section 34, post office Burlington Junction, was born in Washington County, Kentucky, November 7, 1826. In 1832, his parents moved to McDonough County, Illinois, where he grew to manhood, receiving a [page 693] fair education. His occupation during life has been that of a farmer. In 1869, he moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has since resided. His farm contains 105 acres, on which he located in 1872. October 31, 1851, Mr C. was married to Miss Sarah R. Hardesty. She was born in McDonough County, Illinois, February 22, 1836, and died March 24, 1875. They had a family of ten children, of whom eight are living: Nancy E., Lourena I., Mary E., John L., Ida M., Charles W., Olive J. and Perry H. Jonathan Charter and Nancy (Ward) were the parents of N.J. Charter. The former was a native of Tennessee, and the latter of Kentucky.