Polk County Biographies by Goodspeed

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FRANCIS M. PITTS

Francis M. Pitts is a native of Trigg County, Ky., born in 1842, and is a son of Barney and Catharine Pitts, who were natives of Kentucky and North Carolina respectively. The father died in Hickory County, Mo., in 1876, when seventy years of age, and the mother in March, 1888, when extremely old. They came from Kentucky to Missouri about 1848, and located near the southern border of Hickory County, where they spent their days, having been among the wealthy farmers of the locality, being the second heaviest tax-payers of the county. Mr. Pitts was a Republican in politics, and he and his wife became the parents of thirteen children, three sons and two daughters of whom are now living: Francis M.; James Monroe, a prominent farmer of Hickory County; Barney, a farmer of Kansas; Mary, widow of Sandy Richards, lives in Hickory County; and Jane, wife of Michael Dorman, a farmer of Hickory County. Francis M. Pitts made his home with his parents until 1861, when early in the spring of that year he enlisted in the Home Guards, and afterward in the Eighth Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, in which he served until discharged in 1865, a portion of the time being sergeant of his company. After the war he bought the farm on which he now resides, and has become one of the successful farmers and stock-raisers of the county. He is a member of the Agricultural Wheel, a Republican in politics; and he and his wife, whom he married March 5, 1866, are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Her maiden name was Mahala Ann Zumwalt, a daughter of Adam and Loretta Zumwalt, and she was born in Polk County, Mo., March 17, 1843. She and Mr. Pitts are the parents of three children: Elizabeth, wife of W. H. Roberts; James M., and Oliver C., all of whom are farmers. Barney Pitts, father of our subject, was a son of Burrell Pitts, who was a soldier in the Black Hawk War, and was also in the War of 1812, and at the battle of New Orleans. He died in Hickory County, Mo., when very old, and his wife died at the age of 104.
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William M. Potts, of the Fair Play Mercantile Company, was born in Polk County, Mo., in 1863, and is the son of William A. and Polly (Underwood) Potts. William A. Potts came to Missouri when five years of age, and has been a resident of this State ever since. He is a farmer by occupation. His wife was born in Tennessee, and came with her parents to Missouri when four years of age. By her union to Mr. Potts she became the mother of seven children, five living. William M. Potts obtained a good practical education in the common schools, and supplemented the same by a term in Southwest Baptist College. In 1883 he engaged in merchandising, but sustained considerable loss by fire. After this he clerked for a number of months, and then became a member of the firm of Fox, Potts & Company, which title was afterward changed to Fair Play Mercantile Company. This company is doing a good business on account of their fair dealing and prompt attention to their patrons, and from the fact that they are pleasant, social gentlemen to deal with. Mr. Potts is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the I. O. O. F., and is master of finances in the Knight of Pythias. In his political views he affiliates with the Republican party. His paternal grandfather was born in Tennessee, but went to Illinois, and from there to Missouri, where he passed his declining years.
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Alexander Ralph, a well-known and highly esteemed resident of Polk County,, Mo., was born near Gallatin, Sumner County, Tenn., on the 18th of February, 1825, and is a son of Lewis and Mary (Smith) Ralph, who were born, reared, and spent their lives in Sumner County, Tenn., the mother dying when our subject was quite young, and the father in 1877, at the age of seventy- seven years. Both were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and, in early life, he was a Whig in politics, and afterward became a Republican. Alexander Ralph is one of three surviving members of their family of nine children, eight of whom lived to be grown. He received his education in the common schools of Sumner County, and there made his home until 1848, when he came to Missouri, and located in Polk County, and rented land west of Bolivar for about one year. He then spent two years on Twenty-five Mile Prairie, after which he came to his present farm, which consists of 320 acres of as good land as there is in the county. October 15, 1848, he was married to Sarah Ann Kizor, a daughter of John and Fanny Kizor, who spent their lives in Sumner County, Tenn. Mrs. Ralph was born there on the 8th of March, 1827, and she and Mr. Ralph are the parents of eight children: William B., at home; James A., a ranchman of Nevada; Marcus B., at home; Frances C., wife of John Wilson, a farmer of Polk County, Mo., are living: and John L., Robert P., Mary T., who died in 1886, at the age of twenty-seven years, the wife of David Rogers, of Greene County; and Finis Lee, are deceased. Mr. Ralph has been an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for over thirty years, and in his political views is a stanch Republican. During the late war he served as second lieutenant of Company E of the Enrolled Militia, in Col. Johnson's regiment.
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Henegar Roberts, a prominent old resident of Polk County, Mo., was born in Anderson County, Tenn., April 11, 1831, and is a son of Moses and Maria Roberts, who were Virginians. They both died in Illinois when their son Henegar was a small lad. The latter was then taken by an uncle, Stephen Porter, back to Tennessee, but he only remained with him one year, and then made his home with his grandfather a short time. He continued to make his home with his relations until twenty-two years of age, and then began depending on his own resources to obtain a livelihood, and engaged in farming, which occupation he has followed in connection with stock-raising up to the present time. In 1856 he came to Polk County, Mo., and was engaged in tilling the soil on rented land until 1865, when he came to his present location, which is one of the most fertile and well-tilled farms in the county. He is a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and is a stanch Republican in politics. He at all times supports the cause of education, religion, as well as all public enterprises of worth, and commands the respect and confidence of his neighbors and acquaintances. In 1855 he was married to Miss Martha Rule, a daughter of Henry Rule. She was born in Knox County, Tenn., November 17, 1838, and is the mother of eight children: William H., a farmer and school teacher; Leroy, also a farmer and school teacher; Nancy J., wife of Henry Rusk; Sarah Ann, wife of Columbus Williamson; Adaline, wife of Henry Vest; Joseph M., Orlie O. and Arthur J. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
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Joseph F. Roberts, M. D., was born in McMinn County, Tenn., December 13, 1850, being the fourth child of William S. and Catherine (Walker) Roberts, both natives of Tennessee. In 1854 they located in this county, where they have since lived, their family consisting of eight children, four sons and four daughters. Mr. Roberts has been a farmer all his life. Joseph F. was raised on the farm, receiving a good education in the public schools and at Bolivar Academy. At the age of nineteen years he began the study of medicine under Dr. J. W. Farmer, in 1871 and 1872 taking his first course of lectures in St. Louis Medical College, whence he went to Texas and practiced there till 1876, when he returned. He then took a second course of lectures in Missouri Medical College, graduating in 1877, after which he located in Bolivar, where he has since practiced. Dr. Roberts is a member of the Southwest Missouri Medical Society, Missouri State Medical Association, and of the Examining Board of Surgeons for the Pension Department. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a Democrat and a member of the Presbyterian Church. In 1880 he married Cornelia E. Simpson, a native of South Carolina, by whom he has had four children: Nellie C., William W., Sue, and Lydie. Dr. Roberts owns a farm of about 200 acres.    ~~>TOP<~~

Sebern Sallee, Sr., a member of the firm of Sallee & Cowden, proprietors of the Roller Mills at Pleasant Hope, Mo., was born in Marion County, Ark., near Yellville, on the 14th of October, 1854, and is a son of John K. and Permelia (Hudson) Sallee, the former being a native of Schuyler County, Ill., and the latter of Tennessee. The mother died in 1867, and the father afterward married Sarah Looney, and is now living in Greene County, Mo.  He has been a farmer all his life, but was a heavy loser during the late Civil War. He served two years and six months in the Federal army, and took an active part in the battles of Wilson's Creek, Prairie Grove and others. His first union resulted in the birth of eight children, seven of whom are living. Sebern Sallee was the fourth child, and received his education in Greene and Polk Counties, and after attaining his seventeenth year began working for Robertson & Bedell, near Ebenezer, Greene County, and, after learning the trade of engineer, followed that calling for five years.  During this time he was in the saw-mill business in different places in those counties. In 1881 he came to Pleasant Hope and purchased and operated the mills up to the present time, they being among the best in the county. In November, 1878, he was married to Miss Mary Violet Crockett, a daughter of David Crockett, who was a relative of Davy Crockett, of Tennessee. She was born in Hickory County, and died on the 26th of September, 1888, having borne a family of six children, four of whom are living: Allie, Mayland, Zoe and Louis. Anna and Albert are deceased. The mother of these children was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Sallee is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, a Mason, a member of the Wheel, and in his political views is a Republican. ~~>TOP<~~

JAMES P. SLAGLE

History Of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade And Barton Counties,
Missouri; 1889, published by Goodspeed, Pgs. 695, 696
Polk County Biographies Section

James P. Slagle, judge from the Eastern district of the Polk County Court, and who now resides a short distance from Slagle, Looney Township, was born November 22, 1828, in Henry County, West Tenn., and is the son of Jacob and Frances (Dunlap) Slagle. The paternal grandparents were originally from Virginia, but emigrated to Polk County, Mo., where they passed their last days, he dying some time in this forties, and she three years previous to his death. The maternal grandparents were originally from Virginia, lived for some time in Kentucky, and afterward moved to Henry County, Tenn., where they passed their last days. The parents of our subject were both natives of Kentucky, born in 1796 and 1801 respectively, were married in their native State about 1818, and soon afterward moved to Mississippi (1820). Here they remained a short time, and then moved to Henry County, Tenn., where the father followed farming for twelve years. In in 1832 he emigrated to what is now Polk County, Mo., locating eight miles south of Bolivar, and soon after served in a company engaged in fighting the Indians. He died on the old homestead in 1851, and the mother died in 1856. James P. Slagle is the sixth of eight children, six now living, and grew to manhood in Polk County, where he received an ordinary common school education.  Miss Barbara L. Barham, a native of Kentucky, born in 1833, became his wife in 1855, and to them were born nine children, eight now living: William F., Alice E,. Benjamin P., Fannie B., Charles C., Wade H., Ella C. and Emma V. (twins). Mrs. Slagle is the daughter of James F. and Margaret (Holbrook) Barham, and emigratd to Greene County, Mo., with her parents at an early day. She is a member of the Baptist Church. Under the township organization Judge Slagle was elected judge of Looney Township in 1872, but before taking his seat the Legislature repealed the township organization system. At the general election of 1888 he was elected an associate judge from the Eastern district of Polk County on the Democratic ticket, in which capacity he is now serving. He is a member of the Baptist Church also.
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In Memory: Barbara Lavina (Barham) Slagle

Barbara Lavina (Barham) Slagle was born in North Carolina, July 3, 1833 and came to Missouri with her parents when she was about five years of age.  She was the youngest and last of thirteen children, all the others having passed on before. 

She was married to James P. Slagle, September 6, 1855.  To them were given nine children, one dying in infancy.  Two others, Fannie and Emma, also the husband and father were called home several years ago. 

She was converted when she was about twenty-four years of age and united with the Slagle Creek Baptist church.  She remained one of its most faithful members until death claimed her October 20, 1919, at the age of eighty-six years, three months and seventeen days. 

Permission to submit to the Polk County, MOGenWeb Site is granted.

Submitted by Evelyn M. Sell O’Dell  [Relationship:  Great Grandmother through Verna C. Slagle Sell]     <EODELL @kc.rr.com>

Wade Hampton Slagle 

Wade Hampton Slagle, son of James P. and Barbara L. Slagle, was born in Polk County, Mo., December 9,1868.  He departed this life May 30, 1944, at the age of 75 years, 5 months and 21 days.
                He was married to Ida M. Scroggins, June 29, 1902.  To them were born five children – Dennis Leon of Oildale, Calif., Willis Benjamin, who died in infancy James Frank, now in overseas service, Keith Burton, in training at Ft. Leonard Wood, and Verna Cordelia of Springfield.  Besides the children, he leaves his wife, four grandchildren Arthur Leon and Esther May Sell, Charles Lee and Jerry Allan Slagle; a brother, Charles C., and a number of nieces and nephews, besides many other relative and friends.
                He was converted when about 18 years of age and later united with the Slagle Creek Baptist church, remaining a member until his death.  He was faithful in attendance at church services as long as his health permitted, and believed in and practiced clean living, truthfulness and honest dealings.  He loved his family and especially fond of little children.
                He lost his eyesight about eighteen years ago and had been a great sufferer with asthma about the same length of time.  So it is a great comfort to know he has gone to a home where all afflictions, pain and sorrow are unknown.  While there is a vacant place in the home, the church, and the community, there is another tie in heaven, where some day we shall meet again.

                Funeral services were conducted at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon, June 2, in the Slagle Creek Baptist Church by the Rev. W.P. Pringle, pastor.  Interment was in the Slagle cemetery under direction of the Erwin & Blue Funeral Home of Bolivar.

Ida May Scroggins Slagle Pringle 

Ida May Scroggins, daughter of James Franklin and Annetta (Hatler) Scroggins, was born in Polk County, Missouri, March 27, 1883.  She departed this life at her home in the Slagle community, south of Bolivar, Mo., Tuesday, October 21, 1952, at the age of 69 years, 6 months, and 24 days. 
                She was married to Wade H. Slagle June 29, 1902, who preceded her in death May 30, 1944.  To this union were born five children – Dennis of Bakersfield, Calif., Willis, who died in infancy, Frank of Peoria, Ill., Verna (Mrs. Arthur Sell) of Independence, Mo., and Keith of Walnut Grove, Mo.   On September 16, 1946, she was married to the Rev. W. P. Pringle.
                She was converted when about 13 years of age.  She united with the Slagle Creek Baptist Church where she was an active member for many years.  At the time of her death, she was a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Greene County, where her husband is the pastor.
                She leaves to mourn her departure, her husband, the Rev. W. P. Pringle; the three sons and one daughter named above; ten grandchildren; ten stepchildren; one brother, Ben F. Scroggins, a number of nephews, nieces, other relatives, and friends.
                While there is a vacant place in the home, church, and community, there is another tie to Heaven, where some day we shall meet again.

                Funeral services were held at the Slagle Creek Baptist Church at 1:30 o’clock Friday afternoon, October 24, preached by the Rev. Dwain Pringle, assisted by the Rev. Marvin Pringle.  Duet music was furnished by Mr. & Mrs. Tom Butcher.  The pallbearers were Bob Pringle, C.W. Pringle, Lloyd Pringle, Paul Pringle, Bill Pringle and Albert Pringle.  Burial was in Slagle Cemetery under the direction of Brim & Daniel of Walnut Grove.

Evelyn Sell O’Dell  <EODELL @kc.rr.com>     Relation:  Grandfather and Grandmother 

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