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ROBINSON, J. F.
Tebo Township
1883 History of Henry County Missouri, National Historical Co pg 652
Dr. J. F. Robinson was born February 15, 1847, in Johnson County, Missouri, his parents being Jehu and Julia Ann Robinson, nee Oglesby. The former was born in 1812, in Tennessee, and the latter in 1822 in Kentucky, she having accompanied her parents to Cooper County, Missouri, in an early day. They, were married about the year 1840, and had four sons and three daughters: Mary M., John E., Louisa, Jeremiah T., Sallie B. and James L., and of these our subject was the second son. Jehu Robinson was one of the first judges of Johnson County, and with his wife is now residing at Warrensburg. Joseph F. entered. the Missouri State University at the age of sixteen years, and was a student there for five years, graduating in the class of 1870. In the fall of 1871 Ike entered the medical college at St. Louis, remained until July following, and upon leaving that institution commenced the practice of his profession with Dr. J. W. Wall, an old and skilled physician and surgeon of this county. In two years Dr. R. entered the Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduating with honor therefrom in the class of 1875. Coming again to Henry County, he resumed his practice, and has since had a most successful and uninterrupted patronage with the exception of the winter of 1878-9, which he spent in New York City, attending a course of medical lectures. Dr. Robinson was married November 14, 1878, to Miss Linnie A., daughter of Dr. Jacob and Harriet E. Sipe, of Warrensburg. She is a lady of culture and refinement, and presides over the household affairs in a most worthy manner. The doctor is the owner of the extensive estate of 736 acres located six miles north of Calhoun, known as "Meadow Farm." He has also 210 acres in this county, and 358 acres in Johnson County, He is now occupied in conducting his large farm together with his practice. He belongs to Coldspring Lodge, No. 274, A. F. & A. M. of Henrietta, Johnson County, and is also a member of the Baptist Church at High Point. In politics he is a Democrat.
ROBINSON, John W.
Bogard Township
1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 632
Photos: John W. Robinson Family
John W. Robinson, now deceased, was a prominent pioneer of Henry County and a Union veteran of the Civil War. He was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in 1834, a son of James and Sarah (Johnson) Robinson. When John W. Robinson was a child his parents removed from Pennsylvania to Wayne County, Ohio, where they both lived until 1869 and then moved to Henry County, making a permanent settlement in Bogard township on the present Robinson homestead. When the Civil War broke out John W. Robinson enlisted in the 102nd Ohio Infantry and served until the close of the war. He was mustered out of service and honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, by general order of the war department. On July 1, 1868, John W. Robinson was united in marriage with Miss Matilda E. VanKirk, a native of Wayne County, Ohio, and a daughter of Reuben and Agnes VanKirk, natives of Washington County, Pennsylvania, who removed to Ohio and spent the latter part of their lives in Wayne County. Mr. and Mrs. John W. Robinson came to Henry County, Missouri, the same year that they were married and on October 24, 1868, settled on a small place in Bogard township. Their first home was a small cabin fourteen by sixteen feet. This was their home for two years and their eldest daughter, Clara, was born in this pioneer home. Later they built a more modern and commodious residence which is now the Robinson home. The Robinson family endured the many inconveniences incident to pioneer life, and for a number of years after being discharged from the army Mr. Robinson's health was poor. However, they managed to get along very well and made a comfortable home in the new country. Mrs. Robinson now has eighty-seven acres of land and a very comfortable borne. John W. Robinson died in 1904. To John W. Robinson and wife were born three children: Mrs. Clara Single, Bogard township; Nellie, a prominent Henry County teacher, who makes her home with her mother, and Vernon V., who married Eunice Gourley of Webster County, Missouri, and operates the home place. Mrs. Robinson has eight grandchildren: Lowell, Curtis, Harley, Robert, Paul, Mary Matilda, all single, and John Gourley and Frances Matilda Robinson. Mrs. Robinson has seen much of the development of Henry County from the uninhabited plains to the present well cultivated fields and busy towns. She and her late husband, John W. Robinson, are entitled to enrollment among the honored pioneers of Henry County, who did their duty nobly and well.
ROBISON, S. W.
Honey Creek Township
1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 633
S. W. Robison, the veteran agent of the Frisco Railway Company at Harvey Station, is a Henry County pioneer. Mr. Robinson was born in Windsor township, Shelby County, Illinois, in 1849. His parents were David and Elizabeth Ann (Warren) Robison, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Tennessee. The father died in 1872 and the mother departed this life in 1889. They were the parents of four children: Peter, Lakewood, Illinois; David, Butler, Missouri; John, Johnstown, Missouri; and S. W., the subject of this sketch. S. W. Robison was reared and educated in his native state. In 1882 he came to Missouri, and located in Honey Creek township, Henry County, where he was engaged in farming and stock raising for four years. Before coming to Missouri, Mr. Robison taught school in Illinois for a number of years, and also was engaged in teaching after coming to this county and was a very successful educator. On April 7, 1900, he was appointed agent for the Frisco railroad, and since that time has held that position. During the course of his career, in dealing with the public as a representative of the railroad company, Mr. Robison has acquired an extensive acquaintance and by his courteous manner and accommodating methods in dealing with the public, has made many friends. He not only has won the good will and esteem of the public, but the confidence of his employers in the carrying out of the trust and responsibilities imposed in him. Mr. Robison was united in marriage in 1882 with Miss Anna Miller of Honey Creek, a daughter of John and Rebecca Miller, and to this union have been born five children: George M., an electrician; D. B., employed by the Western Electric Company, Chicago, Illinois; Edgar S., State agent for the Westinghouse Electric Company, located at Dallas, Texas; Mary, resides at home with her parents, and Margaret, Clinton, Missouri. Mr. Robison has seen much development in the county since he settled here thirty-six years ago. He has seen the town of Garland grow up from the beginning. He is now in his sixty-ninth year and as active in the affairs of every-day life as the average man many years his junior. He is a representative citizen of Honey Creek township and one of the substantial men of his community.
ROCK, Edward F.
Montrose, Henry Co, MO
1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 436
Edward F. Rock, buyer and salesman of the grocery department of the Kahn Commercial Company of Montrose, Missouri, was born in Franklin County, Missouri, May 1, 1880. He is the son of Fred and Rosina (Bauer) Rock, natives of Switzerland. Both parents of Edward F. Rock came from their native land to America when young with their respective parents. They were reared to maturity in Illinois and were married at Herman, Missouri. He removed to a farm in Montgomery County, Missouri, in 1887, where he died in 1915 at the age of sixty-seven years. Mrs. Rosina Rock was born in 1845 and still resides upon the farm in Montgomery County. They were parents of eleven children, six of whom are living: Edward F., Victor, Walter and Rosina, at Big Springs, Montgomery County, Missouri; Herbert, McKittrick, Missouri; Henry Rock, a farmer in Davis township, Henry County. Edward F. Rock was educated in the public schools and the college at Warrenton, Missouri. After completing a business course at Warrenton, he was employed in a store at McKittrick, Missouri, until his removal to Montrose, in 1908. He became a member of the firm upon its organization in 1909 and is now of the grocery department of this large establishment. February 3, 1911, Edward F. Rock and Miss Nell Faulk of Montrose, Missouri, were united in marriage. This marriage has been blessed with a son, Edward F., Jr., aged three years. Mrs. Nell Rock is a daughter of Samuel Faulk. Mr. Rock is a Democrat and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a good, thorough business man who has made good in his chosen vocation and his place among the leading citizens of Montrose is established as one of the leaders of the community.
ROCK, George F.
Davis Township
1883 History of Henry County Missouri, National Historical Co pg 741
George F. Rock, dealer in general merchandise at LaDue, was born in Quincy, Illinois, July 19, 1851. His father, George Rock was an Italian by birth, and coming to America when a young man, married and had a family of seven children, of whom none are living but George, who was the youngest. His mother dying when he was four weeks old, he was taken by a family living in Belleville, where he was kept one year. Then he was adopted by a man named Adam Gaupp, with whom he lived until twenty-three years of age. In 1865 they came to Henry County and lived three miles south of Clinton. Since the age of twenty-three, Mr. Rock has been at work steadily. He worked for $15 per month as farm hand for several months, and in 1876 went to Illinois, where he was running with a steam thresher one fall, and for several seasons he has been hunting during the winter time. In the summer time he has worked on a farm and hunted and shipped small game in winter. He also learned the carpenter's trade and worked for Woodruff & Fuqua, contractors until December, 1881. He then entered the dry goods store of Dennis Kehoe, and when his business was closed, he carried on the business of T. P. Bolis for three months. In May, 1882, Mr. Rock began his present business at LaDue, where he carries a stock of $1,200, and is enjoying a good trade. On June 14, 1882, he was married to Miss Julia P. Ramsey, daughter of Elijah Ramsey, of Clinton. She was born at Warsaw, Missouri. December 11, 1861. She is a member of the Baptist Church. In politics, Mr. Rock is a Democrat. He has the push and energy that characterizes a live go-ahead business man, and ere long will doubtless receive the patronage that he deserves.
ROGERS, J. A.
Clinton Township
1883 History of Henry County Missouri, National Historical Co pg 538
J. A. Rogers, M.D., was born in Winchester, Kentucky, March 29, 1818, being the son of Dr. Henry Rogers, a prominent physician, also a native of Kentucky. The maiden name of his mother was Betsy Reed, born in the same state. J. A. was reared in Kentucky until sixteen years of age, then removing with his Parents to Indiana. Having decided on the profession of his father as his occupation during life, he at once commenced preparing himself for the practice of medicine under the care of his father. He attended lectures at the Lexington Medical College and began the active duties of his profession at Parkersburg, Indiana, and there married Miss Catherine A. Gorman April 3, 1839; she is a sister of General Willis Gorman. Dr. R. lived here until 1842, when he came to Missouri and settled in Henry County southeast of Clinton in what was then known as the Parks neighborhood. After a short time he located in Clinton and continued to practice medicine until his death, which occurred April 22, 1861. He left six children: Betty, who married George Royston, since deceased; Willis G.; Irene, now Mrs. B. G. Boone; Dora, now Mrs. P. F. Thornton, of Nevada; John A., Jr., and Alice, now Mrs. Burton, of Nevada.
ROGERS, James R.
Brownington, Osage Township
1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 750
Dr. James R. Rogers, a prominent Henry County physician, engaged in the practice of his profession at Brownington, is a native son of Henry County, and a descendant of pioneer parents of this section. Doctor Rogers was born in White Oak township, Henry County, September 12, 1885, and is a son of A. W. and Dona C. (Claggett) Rogers, of Lucas, Missouri. The father came to White Oak township, Henry County, in 1877, and opened a drug store there the same year, which he still conducts. He was one of the pioneer business men of that section and for forty-two consecutive years has been engaged in business there. He was born in Warren County, Missouri, May 19, 1844. His wife, the mother of Doctor Rogers, departed this life July 2, 1914, and her remains are buried in Mullin Cemetery, White Oak township. They were the parents of the following children: Eugene, died in infancy; T. J., a druggist in Brownington, Missouri; William E. died in infancy; Fannie, married C. C. Helms, Kansas City, Missouri; Marvin, Lucas, Missouri; Walter C. Kimball, Texas; Dr. James R., the subject of this sketch, and A. M., Manhattan, Kansas. Dr. Rogers was reared in Henry County and received his elementary education in the public schools and later entered the University Medical College of Kansas City, Missouri, where he was graduated with a degree of Doctor of Medicine in the class of 1909. The same year he came to Brownington, Missouri, and engaged in the practice of his profession. Doctor Rogers has met with success in his chosen profession from the beginning of his professional career. He is a student of the great progressive strides which have been made in the field of medicine and surgery and what success has come to him has not been of the chance or accidental variety. A town of the size of Brownington should congratulate itself upon having a physician of the capability of Doctor Rogers. Doctor Rogers was united in marriage July 6, 1911 with Miss Dorthy V. Tullis, a daughter of M. C. and Mary (Munson) Tullis of Brownington, Missouri. Doctor Rogers is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge No.516, Brownington, Missouri. He is a progressive and public spirited citizen as well as a leading member of his profession.
ROGERS, Thomas J.
Brownington, Osage Township
1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 753
Thomas J. Rogers, a progressive druggist engaged in business at Brownington, Missouri, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Marion County, October 17, 1871, and is a son of A. W., and Dona C. Rogers. His father was engaged in the drug business for many years at Lucas and Thomas J. Rogers was practically reared in a drug store. He was educated in the public schools and entered the drug business at Brownington, Missouri, with W. H. Delavergne in 1902 and continued in that connection until the death of Mr. Delavergne in October, 1915, when Mr. Rogers bought the interest of the Delavergne store, and since that time has conducted the business alone. The Rogers drug store is up to date in every particular and Mr. Rogers not only carries a complete line of drugs but in his stock is well represented druggist sundries and the numerous articles usually found in a modern drug store. Thomas J. Rogers was united in marriage in 1898 with Miss Bessie Peelor of Brownington, Missouri, a daughter of James L. and Martha Peelor. The father is now deceased and after his death the mother married Jason W. Newell, and now reside at Eldorado Springs, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have an adopted daughter, Lillian Martha. Mr. Rogers is recognized as one of the leading business men of Henry County. He owns his store building and is one of the valued citizens of Brownington. He takes an interest in local affairs and is one of the boosters of Brownington's enterprise. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Clinton, Missouri, and the Modern Woodmen of America of Brownington.
ROSS, Edgar A.
Fairview Township
1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 873
Edgar A. Ross - One of the neatest and best-kept farmsteads in Fairview township is that of Edgar A. Ross, which consists of 120 acres, just enough to keep one energetic farmer busily employed the year round. This farm is well improved with a good residence, and a silo to supplement the feeding of live stock in winter. Edgar A. Ross was born November 11, 1862, in Wisconsin, the son of George H. and Carolina (Wilson) Ross, the former of whom was a native of Vermont and the latter a native of Michigan. George H. Ross was the son of Arad and Hannah (Batchelor) Ross, both of whom were natives of Vermont and descended from old New England families. Mrs. Caroline (Wilson) Ross was the daughter of Solomon and Harriet (Robinson) Wilson, who lived to great ages. It is an actuality that Edgar A. Ross recalls seeing both of his grandfathers and grandmothers and his great-grandfather and his great-grandmother in one room of his father's home in Wisconsin. Few men are given to see so many generations of one family, and that family his own people. Edgar A. Ross is the oldest of nine children born to his parents as follow: Edgar A.; Albert, and Frank, deceased; David lives in Iowa; Jesse lives in Iowa; Mrs. Annie Lanning resides in Canada; Clare lives in Washington; Ernest lives in North Dakota; Mrs. Grace Brooks lives in Iowa. George H. Ross left Wisconsin in 1867 and settled in Hardin County, Iowa, where he became well to do. During the Civil War he served as volunteer in the 48th Wisconsin Infantry, for one year. He is now living comfortably in Hardin County, Iowa, after a successful career. Mrs. Caroline Ross was born in 1838 and departed this life in 1895. Longevity is one of the characteristics of the members of the Ross family, the grandfather of Edgar A. Ross having lived to attain the great age of 97 years. Edgar A. Ross was reared and educated in Wisconsin and Hardin County, Iowa. His parents were in poor circumstances and his life has been made up largely of hard work and grinding toil until of late years. When the family located in Iowa, George H. Ross had but three horses and $50 in money. He earned money enough to provide sustenance for his family by quarrying rock at 75 cents per cord and for a long time the family subsisted on corn which cost them $1.25 per bushel. In time, Mr. Ross prospered as Hardin County was developed and he became owner of 320 acres of rich Hardin County corn land valued at $250 an acre. Being the oldest of the family, Edgar A. Ross bore a great part of the burden of supporting the family during the lean years when times were hard. All of the other children of the family received a good education. When Edgar A. Ross had attained the age of twenty-one years (1883) he went to Wisconsin, there married and resided in that State until 1890. He was engaged in railroad work and held the position of section foreman and had charge of a gravel train. In 1890 he returned to Iowa and purchased a farm. On account of poor health engendered by the severe winter weather of his home county in Iowa, he sold out his Iowa farm in 1903 and came to Missouri and purchased his farm in Fairview township. Mr. Ross has never regretted the change and states that Henry County is a far healthier section in which to live and a much easier place in which to make a living and accumulate a sufficiency of this world's goods than in Iowa, where land is much higher in price and consequently harder to obtain. He is well content with his location and would not swap farms with one of his relatives in Iowa if compelled to reside there. Mr. Ross was married in 1888 to Miss Phoebe Ann Smith, who was born in Vermont, the daughter of Aaron and Amarillas (Reck) Smith. No children have been born of this marriage, but Mr. and Mrs. Ross have reared five adopted children, all of whom were orphans whom they took when young and raised to upright manhood and womanhood, namely: Grace, wife of John Robbins, Fairview township; Benjamin, operating a creamery at Lincoln, Nebraska; Miss Myrtle Speck, now in Oklahoma; and Mytle, at home. Mr. Ross is a Republican. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and is one of the leading and substantial citizens of the Deepwater neighborhood, who is intelligent, well read and popular with all who know him.
ROSS, Joseph Adam
Big Creek Township
1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 711
Joe A. Ross, a progressive farmer and leading citizen of Big Creek township, is a native son of Henry County. He was born in the township where he now resides April 28, 1875, and is a son of William H. and Eliza Jane (Norris) Ross. William H. Ross was born in Illinois in 1843, a son of Samuel and Margaret (Gray) Ross. Samuel Ross came to Henry County, Missouri, with his family and settled in Shawnee township in 1844, when William H. was about one year old. They spent the remainder of their lives in this county. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom William H. is the only one living. The others were: Freeman, Alfred, Lee, James C., Alvin, Robert, Catharine, Almeda, Sarah and Sophronia. To William H. and Eliza Jane (Norris) Ross were born the following children: Mrs. Julia Ann Rochester, Big Creek township; Joseph Adam, the subject of this sketch, and Ida Belle. The mother died in July, 1904, and the father now resides on his farm in Big Creek township. Joe A. Ross was educated in the public schools of Henry County and the Iowa Business College at Des Moines, Iowa. He then engaged in farming and for ten years followed that vocation, when he entered the employ of the Frisco Railroad Company as station agent and telegraph operator. In 1915 he returned to the home farm in Big Creek township and since that time has been engaged in general farming and stock raising. Mr. Ross was married January 14, 1904, to Miss Anna Davis, a daughter of Benjamin and Mollie Davis of Saline County, Missouri. Mrs. Ross's father died in 1913 and her mother now lives near Miami, Missouri. Mrs. Ross has one brother, John Davis, who resides in Saline County, and a sister, Cora, who resides at home. Mr. Ross is a Democrat and is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons Lodge No.343, Agricola, Missouri, and is the present master of that lodge.
ROUNTREE, Lafayette M.
Davis Township
1883 History of Henry County Missouri, National Historical Co pg 741
Lafayette M. Rountree was born in Greene County, Missouri, April 18, 1840, his parents being J. M. and Martha J. (Miller) Rountree, the former originally from North Carolina and the latter from Tennessee. They were married in Missouri in 1830. He is still living in Greene County but she died in 1872. Of twelve children Lafayette is the fifth and the eldest now alive. He stayed on his father's farm until of age, and soon after entered the county service of the Missouri State Militia. He was in the battles of Springfield, Wilson Creek, etc., being for some time in the sanguinary guerrilla warfare of Western Missouri. He entered the service as a private but soon rose to first duty sergeant and afterward to captain. He returned to Greene County and remained there until 1872, engaged in a store for two years, and was for some time deputy county clerk under his father, who was clerk. In 1872 he came to Henry County, and March 23, of the following year he married Mrs. Diana Armstrong, widow of William J. Armstrong, who died in 1869. Her maiden name was Diana Blevins and she is the sister of R. P. Blevins. She had four children left her at Mr. Armstrong's death: Luellen, Thomas J., Matilda A. and Robert J. Luellen married T. M. Long and died at the age of twenty-two. Only one child survives to grace the home of Mr. Rountree and wife, James Lestie. They have lost two: Oscar, a boy of two years, and an infant. In 1877 Mr. Rountree came to his present farm which contains 120 acres. He is handling some cattle, having at present about eighty head, and 100 hogs. Mrs. Rountree is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. R. has been a Mason for several years.
ROYSTON, E. C.
Shawnee Township
1883 History of Henry County Missouri, National Historical Co pg 672
E. C. Royston, physician and surgeon, Huntingdale, was born in Caroline County, Virginia, March 4, 1830, being a son of Thomas and Susanna (Thornton) Royston, natives of Virginia. The subject of this sketch was the seventh of a family of twelve children. In November, 1839, his parents removed to Marion County, Missouri, where his mother died in 1841. The same year his father came to Henry County, Missouri. E. C. received his education in the common schools of Missouri, and when nineteen years old he began the study of medicine with Dr. R. T. Thornton, of Jackson County, Missouri. He read with him until 1850; then visited California and followed mining until 1852, when he returned to Missouri. He clerked in a store in Clinton until March, 1853, and at that time again took up the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Salmon. He continued this until 1854, when he entered the St. Louis Medical College. In March, 1855, he located southwest of Clinton and practiced until November of the same year, when he settled near Huntingdale. In 1868 he moved into that place. In October, 1872, he returned to the St. Louis Medical College, and was graduated in March, 1873. The doctor has a very fine frame residence here, built in 1878 at a cost of $2,000. He was assistant surgeon in the Missouri State Guard for six months during the war and surgeon in the First Regiment of Missouri Rovers for twelve months. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. July 24, 1854, Dr. Royston was married to Mrs. Eliza J. Drake, a daughter of F. A. and Sallie (McCarty) Pernell. She was born in Virginia November 15, 1827, and came to Henry County, Missouri, with her parents in 1834. There she married Jesse Drake August 16, 1845. His death occurred October 23, 1850. They had two children, Harriet and Charles W. The doctor and his wife have four children: Ida Belle, Eddie A., William P. and Sallie. William Royston is a graduate of the St. Louis Medical College.
ROYSTON, John H.
Clinton Township
1883 History of Henry County Missouri, National Historical Co pg 539
John H. Royston is the present popular county assessor, and no one among the old settlers and prominent citizens of this county is more worthy of mention in its history than he. A native of Caroline County, Virginia, he was born May 12, 1827, his parents, Thomas and Susanna (Thornton) Royston, also being Virginians by birth. They were there reared and married, and in September, 1839, removed to Monroe County, Missouri, where John was engaged with his father in farming till April, 1841. They then came to Henry County, subsequently locating on a farm. Mr. Royston's death occurred in this county in 1851, his wife died in Monroe County in June, 1841. The subject of this sketch continued to till the soil here till 1847, when he went to Lexington, Missouri. Here for two years he worked at the carpenter's trade. In the spring of 1849 he took a trip to California, and was occupied in mining and prospecting till May, 1852. Arriving here again July, 1852, he resumed farming, which he continued (with the exception of short periods when occupied at carpentering), till elected to the office of county assessor. In 1882 he was re-elected to fill that office for the present term. Mr. R.'s family still reside on a farm which he owns in Deer Creek Township. He was married September 5 1855, to Miss Rachael E. Harris, of Missouri. They have seven children living: Mollie S., George H., J. Anna, Grace D., Thomas W., John H., and Mora L. Mr. and Mr. Royston are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
ROYSTON, John Henry
Deer Creek Township
1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 591
John H. Royston - "Uncle John Henry" Royston, as he was lovingly called by his friends, was one of the upright and conscientious men who make for the betterment of mankind. He was a devout member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and always active in religious work. His friends and relatives who honor his memory say that he was never known to use profanity. Such a man was the late John H. Royston, who was born May 12, 1827, and departed this life February 2, 1898. John Royston left his birthplace, Caroline County, Virginia, with his parents, Thomas W. and Susannah Royston, when a very young child. They first located in Monroe County, Missouri, and remained there until 1841, when they came to Henry County, Missouri, locating on the Grand River in the southeastern part of the county. They were God-fearing people who put their whole trust in His care, knowing that He cared for them among the wild and uninhabited lands of Missouri, as well as the more thickly settled part of their native State. They impressed their lives upon their son, who followed so faithfully his early training. John Royston was one of those "forty-niners" who left their homes and families and crossed the plains to California. He left Clinton April 16, 1849, and arrived in California August 8, 1849. Many never returned, but Mr. Royston came back to his old home and was married to Rachel Harris September 5, 1855. She was born June 29, 1836, in Charitan County, Missouri, and was reared by Major Daniel Ashby of Mexican and Indian War fame. Major Ashby was one of the early men in the county and won for himself, through his bravery and uprightness, a name honored by Henry County people. Mr. and Mrs. Royston set up their home on the present farm in Deer Creek township and reared their sons and daughters, as follow: Mollie, at home; George, manager of the old home place, was born December 28, 1857, in Deer Creek township, educated in the district school and has devoted his best energies to the farming business, knowing Nature in all of her moods and how best to woo the crops from her unwilling hand. He owns 160 acres of land in partnership with his brother, John E., the farm being known as the Royston Brothers farm. The other children are Grace D., deceased; Samuel and Susan, deceased; Anna, at home; Thomas W., in Oklahoma; John E. and Mora at home. Mrs. Royston, at the advanced age of eighty-two years, is still active in her home and a blessing to her children. Politically Mr. Royston was a staunch Democrat and served as county assessor two terms in the eighties. In every capacity that Mr. Royston served, he lent the color of his upright life, doing things in such a manner that while they were unobtrusive, still they lingered in the hearts of his friends and acquaintances.
RUNNER, Warren T.
Clinton, Henry Co, MO
1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 297
W. T. Runner, the well known and popular sheriff of Henry County, is a native of Illinois. He was born in Peru, Illinois, November 20, 1865, and is a son of William and Helen (Epperson) Runner, the former a native of that part of Virginia which is now West Virginia and the latter of Missouri. The Runner family were early settlers in western Missouri. Michael Runner, grandfather of Sheriff Runner, settled in Post Oak township, Johnson County, on Mineral Creek several years prior to the Civil War. He was a Virginian and came to this State with his family and followed farming in Johnson County until his death. He was a victim of bushwhackers during the days of the border war. He was an old man at the time when the Civil War broke out, and on account of his advanced age, he believed that he would be unharmed and remained on his place, but subsequent events proved that he was mistaken, for his blood-thirsty assassins were no respectors of gray hairs. They murdered him the next day after they had murdered his son, Isaac, who was a cripple, having lost a leg in an accident some years previous. The father and son were killed while they with the assistance of their women folks were preparing for the burial of an uncle of Sheriff Runner, a brother of his father, whom the bushwhackers had previously killed. After murdering the three members of the family, the marauders robbed the house of everything of value and took the horses with them. Sheriff Runner's grandmother spent her life on the old home place in Johnson County, which is still owned by her descendants. William Runner, father of Sheriff Runner, went to Illinois, where he remained during the Civil War and at its close returned to Johnson County, where he was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising during the remainder of his life. He died January 26, 1892. His wife departed this life November 15, 1903. She was born in Pettis County, and her parents were early settlers in that section of Missouri. They were Kentuckians. Sheriff Runner is one of a family of six children born to his parents as follows: James, Joplin, Missouri; W. T., the subject of this sketch; Walter, Memphis, Tennessee; Joseph, died at the age of twenty-one years; Leota, now the wife of Thomas Garnett, a railroad contractor residing at Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Maud, the wife of J. B. Thompson, Lake Charles, Louisiana. W. T. Runner was reared to manhood in Johnson County, Missouri, and received his education in the public schools. He followed farming there until 1889, when he came to Henry County and bought a farm in Shawnee township. Here he was engaged in farming and stock raising until 1916, when he was elected sheriff of Henry County, and since that time has resided in Clinton and devoted himself to the duties of that office. He is a capable and conscientious public official and has a broad acquaintance in Henry County and friends without number. He has a valuable farm of 160 acres in Shawnee township which he has rented since he assumed the duties of the office of sheriff. Sheriff Runner is a Democrat and has been identified with that party since boyhood. In 1887 W. T. Runner was united in marriage with Miss Blanche Cameron, a native of Henry County, and a daughter of James Cameron, a Henry County pioneer, now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Runner have been born three children: Rolla, now a member of the One Hundred Twenty-ninth Field Artillery, National Army, in service on the western front in France; Glenn, and Earl, who reside at home. Mrs. Blanche Runner, mother of the foregoing children, died in 1907. Mr. Runner married Mrs. Carrie Cochrane, a widow, in 1909. Mrs. Carrie Runner has one daughter by a former marriage, Jessie, at home. Sheriff Runner is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Baptist Church.
RUSH, John A.
Blairstown, Bogard Township
1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 608
John A. Rush, late of Blairstown, Missouri, was a Union veteran of the Civil War and one of the interesting pioneer settlers of Henry County. He was born in Greene County, Ohio, January 12, 1842, the only child of Alvah and Mary A. (Roberts) Rush, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Maryland. The father died in Big Creek township in 1874, the mother having passed away in Ohio in 1863. John A. Rush was reared and educated in Ohio and spent his early life in the uneventful way of the average boy of his time. In 1863 he enlisted at London, Ohio, in the 154th Ohio National Guard and served about one year, being mustered out of service September 27, 1864, at Camp Denison. In 1866 he came to Missouri and first settled at Independence, where he remained two years. In 1868 he came to Henry County and settled on the present site of Blairstown in Bogard township. Here he built a log cabin in February, 1869. He lived in a tent for a time until his cabin was completed. Mr. Rush recalled that his log cabin was located about fifty feet southwest of where Shepperd's garage now stands. This log house was his home until 1875, when he built a frame house which was destroyed by fire, and he built his present residence in 1886. Mr. Rush remembered among the pioneer residents who helped him raise his first log cabin the names of Conrad Fisher, Jesse Fisher, Henry Lotspeich, Boone McCarty, Conrad McCarty, K. Elliott, John Cox, Wilson Redford, Elias Gilkner, James Jenkins, Thomas Jenkins, Ira Dunham and his brother and Daniel Quick. They are all dead now except Elias Gilkner. Mr. Rush had been successfully engaged in farming and stock raising and was the owner of one of the valuable farms of Henry County. It consists of four hundred eighty-one acres of well improved and productive land. Mr. Rush was one of the first to sow blue grass in Bogard township. He departed this life June 3, 1918. Mr. Rush was united in marriage in 1874 to Miss Mary A. Wall, a daughter of Dr. Z. R. Wall, a Johnson County pioneer and a native of South Carolina, who was one of the very early settlers in the southern part of Johnson County, now deceased. Mrs. Rush has one brother now living, Robert Wall, who resides at Denton, Missouri. She has three sisters, Mrs. Fannie Hughes, Mrs. Margaret Simpson and Mrs. Cornelia Hubbard, all residing at Denton, Missouri. To John A. Rush and wife have been born the following children: Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Wright, Kansas City; Mrs. Maudie Alice Urton, Kansas City, Missouri; John W., Blairstown, Missouri; Mrs. Lillie Eva Gilliam, Johnson County, Missouri; Mrs. Glennie Anderson, Johnson County, Missouri; Mrs. Maggie Hunt, Blairstown, Missouri, and Cliffie, who resides at home. Mr. Rush always took an active part in local public affairs and was deeply interested in any movement for the improvement and up-building of the community. He was the original promoter of Drainage District No.2 and was president of that company. This drainage system is thirteen miles long, running from the Judge Guyer farm in Johnson County southeast through Bogard township in Henry County to the W. S. Ward farm in Big Creek township. This drainage movement met with strong opposition at first but Mr. Rush with the assistance of some others who had the foresight to see the benefits to be derived from such a project, succeeded in overcoming the reactionary element. It is now universally conceded that the project was the proper thing. Mr. Rush saw practically all of the development of Henry County and played an important part in the progress in this, the banner county of Missouri. He was a man who always lived a clean and upright life and cultivated simple habits. He lived to be seventy-six years of age and physically and mentally was equal to the average man a score of years his junior. He was one of the substantial and highly respected citizens of Henry County. Mr. Rush was a member of the Christian Church for over thirty years and was affiliated with the Grand Army Post of Blairstown.
RUSK, William H.
Fairview Township
1883 History of Henry County Missouri, National Historical Co pg 762
William Rusk was born in Morgan County, Ohio, January 10, 1834. Humphrey Rusk, his father was a native of Belmont County, Ohio, while his mother whose maiden name was Margaret McDonald, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania. William spent his early youth on a farm, and upon moving to Illinois with his parents in 1855, located in DeWitt County, where he grew up. He was married there, September 19, 1862, to Miss Rebecca Ann Farhner, of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Jacob Farhner. Mr. Rusk, after his marriage farmed in DeWitt County for four years and in the fall of 1866, he went to Iowa, and settling in Linn County. After two years he came to Henry County, Missouri, in the fall of 1868, and bought land and improved the farm which he now occupies. He has 160 acres in a fair state of cultivation, and upon it is a good apple and peach orchard. He is devoting considerable attention to the cultivation of broom corn, and had raised the past year fifty acres of this product which averaged 500 pounds of brush to the acre. Mrs. Rusk died November 1, 1872, leaving five children. The oldest, Jacob H. met with a runaway accident which caused his death at the age of twelve years. He died May 15, 1873. Horatio S., Lizzie M., James M., and Otha P. Mr. Rusk was afterwards married in Champaign County, Illinois, April 13, 1878, to Mrs. Mary S. Swayze, a daughter of Samuel Harnit. She is a native of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and was reared and educated there and in Ohio. She is a lady of culture, and was a teacher for two years previous to her marriage with James Swayze, Mr. Swayze was originally of Ohio, but resided in Illinois at the time of his death, which occurred August 18, 1871. They had two children: Ira T. and James M. Swayze. Mr. and Mrs. Rusk have one son by their marriage, Willie H. C. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. R. is an Odd Fellow.
RUSK, William H.
Fairview Township
1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 376
Photos: William & Mary Rusk
William Rusk. The oldest settler in the southwestern part of Fairview township is William Rusk, who for over fifty years has resided upon his quarter section farm. He was the first settler in his neighborhood who located upon the prairie. William Rusk was born at McConnellsville, Ohio, January 10, 1834, on the Muskingum River. He is the son of Humphrey and Margaret (McDonald) Rusk, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. Until he was twenty-two years of age, William Rusk resided in his native county. In the fall of 1855 he went to Illinois, and after a residence of ten years in De Witt County, that State, he went to Iowa. Two years later, in November of 1868, he located on a tract of prairie land in Fairview township. He improved this farm and has mined coal on the place since 1884. The entire tract is underlaid with coal. Mr. Rusk sold eighty acres of the farm to his son, who has erected improvements thereon, and is farming the entire tract. April 13, 1878, William Rusk and Mrs. Mary S. Sweazy were united in marriage. Mrs. Rusk was the widow of James Sweazy. Two sons were born of this marriage: Ira T., living in Kansas City, Missouri; James M., Harris, Kansas. Mrs. Mary S. (Harnett) Rusk was born in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, on September 9, 1846, and is the daughter of Samuel and Sarah Walker (Corey) Harnett, natives of Pennsylvania. The mother of Samuel Harnett was Barbara Lutzenheizer prior to her marriage. The great-great-grandfather of Mrs. Rusk was James Harnett, who served in the American Revolution and whose wife was a girlhood friend of Martha Washington, nee Custis, and it is a matter of family tradition that one time when the women were doing a washing down by the sea coast they covered their heads with a large kettle and a clothes basket and ran from hostile Indians on the banks of the Potomac. The Harnett historical kettle is still preserved as an interesting relic by members of the Harnett family. Samuel Harnett, father of Mrs. Rusk, located in Ohio in 1855, and in 1866 removed to Illinois, where a brother of Mrs. Rusk, named Joseph M. Harnett, became very prominent in Champaign County, was a soldier of the Union and served as special pension examiner for the United States Government, with offices in Washington. He was high in Masonic circles. Mary S. Harnett was first married in Illinois to James Sweazy, who died. Later William Rusk came on from his new home in Missouri and wooed and won her for a wife. The town of Enon Valley was built upon the farm owned by Samuel Harnett in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and upon his farm is located the famous spring which furnished water for the Pittsburg and Fort Wayne railroad for many years. The first train which Mrs. Rusk saw passed over this road and it was the first train to go over the road. The Harnett children were all well educated. Mrs. Elizabeth Frederick, Mrs. Rusk's oldest sister, who lived in Henry County, was a classmate of Mrs. James A. Garfield, nee Rudolph, at Hiram College, Ohio. John and Ezra, her two oldest brothers, were classmates of James A. Garfield and completed their classical education at Bethany College, West Virginia. They taught in the South for a number of years. The children of William and Mary S. Rusk are as follow: William Harnett Garfield Rusk, born March 4, 1881, married Daisy Barker, and has three children, Gladys Dimple, aged fourteen, William Wilson, twelve years old, and Ethel Gertrude, aged ten years; Sarah Corey, born October 7, 1885, married Robert Arthur Fans and lives at Cimmarron, New Mexico, mother of four children, William Theodore, eight years old, Barbara Evelyn, aged seven, Harry Arthur, four years of age, Robert Leonard, an infant of four months. Robert Arthur Fans volunteered for service in the National Army for overseas service, enlisting in the 115th Regiment Regular United States Army, the Engineering Corps, and is located at Camp Kearney, California. William Rusk's first marriage was with Rebecca A. Farhner in Illinois and took place in 1862. The first Mrs. Rusk died in 1876, leaving five children: Jacob Humphrey, accidentally killed at the age of fourteen years; Horatio Seymour, Norwood, Colorado; Margaret Elizabeth, wife of Alfred Dunham, Colorado; James McDonald, California; Otha Perley, Norwood, Colorado. Since 1880 William Rusk has been allied heart and soul with the Prohibition party and has devoted many years of his life to the cause of prohibition. For years he stood alone as the only Prohibitionist in his township but has lived to see actual prohibition in Henry County became an accomplished fact. If he is spared for a few more months or years longer he will see his heartfelt wish realized-national prohibition. He was one of the charter members of the Westfield Presbyterian Church at its organization in 1870 and has been a ruling elder of this church for nearly fifty years, a record of which any citizen can well be proud. Mr. and Mrs. Rusk are kindly, intelligent and hospitable people who are highly regarded in Henry County.
RUSSELL, Richard
Clinton Township
1883 History of Henry County Missouri, National Historical Co pg 539
Richard Russell, farmer, section 5, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, July 7, 1838, being a son of William and Rebecca (Gifford) Russell, also natives of England. The former was born in 1817, and died in 1872, while the latter was born in 1817, and died in 1844. They had a family of four children. Richard Russell immigrated to America when about nineteen years of age, and became located in Painesville, Ohio, subsequently coming to Sedalia, Missouri, at that time being in possession of only five dollars. He remained in that city about one and a half years, occupied in contracting, and from there came to his present location September 15, 1867. He is now the owner of about 500 acres of fine land, well improved. February 17, 1867, Mr. Russell was married to Miss Rebecca Bailey, a native of Putnam County, Indiana, born August 9, 1844. Her parents were S. S. and Eliza Bailey, Kentuckians by birth. Her father was born in 1817, and her mother in 1816. They had a family of ten children. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have four children: George S., born November 4, 1871; Franklin J., born September 27, 1873; William T., born January 15, 1874, and Rosa May, born March 3, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. R. are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The former is a Mason in good standing, belonging to Tebo Lodge, at Clinton. Mr. Russell's brother, Gifford Russell, a farmer of this township, was also born in Cambridgeshire, England, August 21, 1841, and in 1859, immigrated to America, settling at Painesville, Ohio. In 1867, he came to Missouri, and afterwards took up his residence in Henry County.
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