Nodaway County, Missouri History of 1882 Biographicals
(transcibed by Pat O'Dell: genpat@netins.net)
[page 798] Abinah W. McGinnis, farmer and stock raiser, section 27, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, September 5, 1823. His father, George McGinnis, was a boatsman, and was also a native of that county. His mother was born in New Jersey. Young McGinnis attended the common schools, and was brought up in his native county, principally following the occupation of his father. He commenced work for himself in 1843, and, on becoming of age, turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He removed to Muskingum County, Ohio, and then to Green County, Indiana, in 1845, and, in May, 1858, through Iowa to Missouri, locating in this county in the spring of 1859. He purchased a farm, and at once commenced its improvement, and is now the owner of 318 acres, well improved. Mr McG. is much interested in the raising of stock, and upon his farm are some good grades. There is also an orchard, containing the usual amount of small fruit. During the war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. He has served as school director for eight years. He has been twice married. First, in Ohio, February 8, 1844; this wife died November 19, 1864, leaving nine children, five of whom are living: James M., born December 16, 1847; Mary E. (now Mrs Jacob Ashford), born September 19, 1849; Abinah W., born April 19, 1854; William C., born December 14, 1858, and Daniel D., born April 25, 1861. His second marriage occurred March 27, 1866, when Miss Nancy A. Graham became his wife. There are five children by this union: Myra, born April 16, 1868; Dennis H., born September 5, 1870; Maria, born February 1, 1872; Milda C., born April 17, 1874, and Jonathan D., born December 15, 1879. Politically Mr McG. is a Greenbacker. He was brought up religiously in the Methodist Episcopal faith.
[page 798] Patrick McNellis, proprietor of billiard room, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, on the 25th day of September, 1845. His youth was spent in his native country. In 1866, he emigrated to the United States and settled in the coal regions of Pennsylvania, and for two years was engaged in mining. In 1872, he came to Maryville and engaged in his present business. He was married in 1874 to Miss Mary Doogan. They have four children: James, Mary Ellen, Sarah and Annie. One son, Barney, is deceased.
[page 799] Polk Township - Augustus F. Malott, blacksmith. He is a native of Miami County, Ohio, and was born January 29, 1844. At the age of five years he emigrated with the family to Marion County, Indiana, where he was reared to manhood and was educated. He attended college at Merom, Sullivan County, Indiana, for two years. In 1861, at the breaking out of the war, he enlisted in Company I, Twelfth Indiana Regiment, serving seven and a-half months. After obtaining his discharge from that regiment he re-enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and First Indiana Volunteers, and served till the close of the war, having participated in the well known battles of Crab Orchard, Chickamauga, siege of Atlanta, Georgia, Jonesboro, and was with Sherman in his famous march to the sea. At the close of the war Mr M. returned home, where he remained till 1866, then moving to Pontiac, Illinois, resided there, following blacksmithing for six years. After which, he removed to Bloomington, Illinois, and was engaged in his trade in that city and vicinity till 1878. At that period he emigrated to Hopkins, Missouri, and after one and a-half years, located in this city, where he has since resided. He was married January 24, 1878, to Miss Ida Jenaway, a native of Illinois. He is a member of the A.O.U.W., No 164, of Hopkins, Missouri. That Mr Malott is unquestionably a thorough master of his trade is conceded by all, and his large patronage only gives further evidence of his mechanical skill.
[page 801] Abraham Merrill, farmer and stock raiser, section 31, was born in Wolcott, Wayne County, New York, April 3, 1842, and was the son of Ripley and Maria (Valanstine) Merrill, both natives of New York. When six years of age he accompanied his parents to Wisconsin, where he was reared and educated, there remaining until the breaking out of the war. In August 1862 he enlisted in Company E, Twenty-second Wisconsin Infantry, and served about three years, holding the position of corporal. He participated in the battle of Brinkwood, Tennessee, where the regiment was captured and taken to Libby prison, there being confined for sixty days. At the end of this time they were paroled and then joined the main army at St Louis, next going to Tennessee. Mr M. was under General Sherman at the battles of Resaca, Burnt Hickory, New Hope Church, Rocky Force Ridge, and siege of Atlanta, then through to the sea, participating in the battles of Averysboro and Goldsboro, North Carolina. After Johnston's surrender he went through to Washington and participated in the grand review. Upon being mustered out of the United States service he returned to Milwaukee and was mustered out of the state service. In the fall of 1867 he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he now owns 120 acres of well improved and stocked land. He has been school director and road overseer of his district. Mr Merrill was married February 11, 1869, to Sarah E. Semans, a daughter of C.N. Semans, of New York. They have five children: Alice, born November 1, 1870; Carrie, born December 1, 1871; Cora, born Jun 23, 1875; Charles N., born December 24, 1877; Edward L., born September 5, 1881. Politically he is a Republican.