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Clair County MO Homepage
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St. Clair County Missouri Biographies
SECTION E
EDWARDS, D. N.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1181
--- D. N. EDWARDS, section 3, was born in Casey County, Kentucky, March 10,
1837, being the son of William and Maria (Bledsoe) Edwards. When D. N. was
about six years old his father moved to Johnson County Missouri, where the
family remained four years. After this they went to Benton County, where our
subject was reared and educated. In 1854 he settled in Henry County, and was
engaged in farming until 1860, when he came to St. Clair County. His farm
contains 400 acres of as good land as there is in the township. In 1861 he
enlisted in Company C, Missouri State Militia, and served until the close of the
war. Mr. E. is a member of the Christian Church. December 3, 1859, he married
Miss Mary Rothgib, a native of Ohio. They have six children: Carrie E., William
B., Lewis, Laura E., Elsa and Cora.
EGGER, Fredolin
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1108
--- FREDOLIN EGGER, was born June 5, 1827, in canton of Glarus, Switzerland,
being the oldest of five children. born to John B. Egger and his wife, formerly
Anna Elmer. During the persecution of the followers of Martin Luther in 1530,
the Egger family emigrated from Austria to Switzerland, where for many years
they occupied a prominent position in the history of that country. Fredolin
Egger, grandfather of Fredolin was a leading citizen of the canton of Glarus,
one of the first manufacturers of Switzerland, and very prominent in the state
until his accidental death in 1817 in the fifty-sixth year of his age. his son,
John Balthasar Egger was born June 5, 1794. in the canton of Glarus, where he
was a manufacturer of paper. He died in 1870. The maternal grandfather of
Fredolin was John Henry Elmer, a well known politician of Switzerland, and at
one time ambassador to Sardinia, and representative of his canton in the Swiss
Congress. His son, Jacob Elmer also represented the canton of Glarus in
council. Fredolin Egger attended the high schools of his Canton until sixteen
years old, when he was sent to the university of Lausanne, Switzerland. On
leaving college he traveled for one year through France. Returning home he
became salesman and traveling agent for his father, and was thus engaged until
1850. In that year he came to America, traveled through the Mississippi valley,
and located in the Swiss colony of New Glarus, Wisconsin. At that place he was
occupied in merchandising until 1853, when he returned to Switzerland. In the
spring of 1854, having been appointed agent for the colony he returned to
Wisconsin and for two years performed duties pertaining to his position. He
received high commendation from his employers in the form of a written
certificate, as follows: The undersigned emigrant committee certify by these
presents that Messrs., Fredolin Egger and Frederick Streiff, of New Glarus,
Wisconsin, appointed by power of attorney, dated 1854, as our representatives,
have as such affected a complete liquidation of the interests of our society in
the colony of New Glarus, to our entire satisfaction, and that we have found
their accounts with us in perfect conformity, as well as duly received the
ultimate balance in favor of this society. The undersigned regard it further as
their duty to testify their sincere thanks to said Messrs. Egger and Streiff,
for the intelligent and energetic manner in which they have conducted our
affairs in the colony, relieving them herewith of all and every responsibility
in this matter. At the same time, and in conclusion, the undersigned cannot
help expressing their deep regret at the ungrateful behavior on the part of our
former countrymen who have enjoyed our protection have blamed themselves by the
continual vexation of ourselves and of our said representatives. Done in
Schwanden, Canton of Glarus, Switzerland. To the President of the Emigration
Committee. [SEAL] PETER JENNY, Counselor and Member of Government. Mr. E. acted
as agent for the colony for two years and at the end of that time started in
the mercantile and private banking business. He also served as postmaster and
justice of the peace until 1874 when not being suited with the condition of the
country and wishing to change his business he settled at Appleton City, St.
Clair County, Missouri, and engaged in the banking business. He is a member of
the Swiss Reformed Church and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He was
married April 22, 1854, to Miss Anna Streiff, daughter of Thomas and Anna
(Elmer) Streiff, of the Canton of Glarus, of Switzerland. They had eleven
children, six of whom are living: John B., Thomas, Fredolin, Catherine, Fannie
and Anna. Mrs. Egger died December 21, 1865, and Mr. E. was married June 10,
1866, to his second wife, Mrs. Catharine (Zweife) Walcher.
ELGAN, J. J.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1191
--- J. J. ELGAN, farmer, section 15, was born in Greene County, Indiana,
September 10, 1855, and is the son of James M. and Leah (Guthrie) Elgan. The
subject of this sketch came to this county in 1876 and now owns a farm of 300
acres. He married Miss Rebecca J. Doyal in 1878. They have a family of three
children. Mrs. Elgan's father was H. L. M. Doyal, a native of Illinois, who moved
to this county in 1866, and he became one of the large farmers of St. Clair
County. In 1882 he moved to Texas, where he now resides. He married a Miss L.
Copeland, of Tennessee. To them were born seven children.
ELLIOTT, James
source: 1883 History of
St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1192
--- JAMES ELLIOTT, who for a period of twenty-five years has been a resident of
St. Clair County, owes his nativity to Ireland, from which country he emigrated
at an early day and settled in Carroll County, Ohio. In 1855 he removed to Linn
County, Iowa, and lived there until 1858, when he came to this county. During
the late war he served three years in the state militia. He owns nearly 1,500
acres of land and is one of the large tax payers of the county. His homestead
on section 22 is noted as being the place where the first county court was
held, it then being in the possession of Ebenezer Gash. Mr. Elliott holds the
office of justice of the peace. He was married in 1855 to Miss Mary Scott, of
Linn County, Iowa. By this union there are eleven children living: Jane, John,
Josey, James, Abraham L., Sarah, Richard, Scott, Millie, Celia and Rebecca.
Three are deceased.
EMERSON, Thomas
Addison
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1079
--- THOMAS ADDISON EMERSON, blacksmith and wagonmaker, was born in Cumberland
County, Kentucky, in 1849. His father, Samuel R. Emerson was born in Green
County, Kentucky, in 1801. His grandfather came from Ireland. Thomas' mother,
Elizabeth H. Bledsoe was born in Cumberland County, Kentucky. Her father was
Benjamin B. Bledsoe, of England. Samuel Emerson came to Missouri, and settled
in Georgetown, Pettis County, in 1851, making a claim on the land where Sedalia
now stands. He was an attorney for many years, and after living in Taney,
Benton, and Johnson Counties, he finally located in Bolivar, Polk County, and
bought a farm, and for a while divided his time between farming and his
profession. He subsequently devoted his time to the farm until his death in
1865. His widow died in 1871. He was the third son of a family of seven, all of
whom were attorneys. The subject of this sketch is the eighth of nine children,
of whom but three sons survive: Samuel F., W. B., and Thomas A., and all are blacksmiths.
In 1869, Mr. E. came to this city and is now doing a good business at his
trade. He married Miss Sally E. Prock, October 26, 1874. She is the daughter of
Ambrose Prock. They have two children: Ralph, and Rosa Bell. Politically he is
a Greenbacker. He was deputy sheriff of this county and jailor for five years.
ENGLISH, Joseph
L.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1080
--- JOSEPH L. ENGLISH, was born in St. Louis, February 12, 1830. His father, E.
English, who was born in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1788, was a carpenter by trade,
and came to St. Louis in 1816. He married Miss Catherine Foulks, born in
Pennsylvania, March 18, 1800. Her father was Christopher Foulks, originally
from Germany, and a tobacconist by calling. Mr. English died in St. Louis,
August 14, 1866, and his wife died November 28, 1882. They raised a family of
twenty-one children, twelve boys and nine girls, Joseph L. being the seventh.
He learned the tinner's trade at his birth place, and when twenty-one years of
age went to Chester, Illinois, and open a tin and stove store. In one year he
sold out, and returned to St. Louis, and commenced the brewing business, which
he continued for four years. In 1853, he came to Warsaw, and resumed the tin
and stove business. In 1860, he came to Osceola, and conducted a drug business
with Washington Dorrell. In 1862, Osceola was burned, and his stock shared the
fate of the city. After remaining here for a year, he returned to St. Louis,
entering into work for the government at his trade, and continuing it until the
close of the war. After one year's residence in Sedalia, he came to Osceola,
and in 1867, formed a partnership with William Shelton, and they, built the
first tin and stove store in town, and one of the first buildings erected in
the town. Since 1870, he has been alone, doing a very successful business. In
1883, on account of poor health, he disposed of his stock of goods and stoves
and retired from business. In 1855, he married Miss Mary Dorrell, the daughter
of Dr. W. Dorrell. She died in 1870, leaving two children, Alonzo and Lillie.
His second wife was Sarah M. Stovall, of Franklin County, whom he married in
1873. Her father was Thomas Stovall. They have two children, Thomas and Maud.
Mr. English votes the Democratic ticket. Mrs.E. is a member of the Baptist
Church. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W. fraternities.
ESTES, Bird
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1213
--- BIRD ESTES, farmer, section 10, was born in St. Clair County, Illinois,
September 6, 1841. His father, Jackson Estes, was a Kentuckian by birth, while
his mother, whose maiden name was Abigail Jackson, was a native of Illinois.
When Bird was but a child his parents moved to Benton County, Missouri, where
he grew to manhood, there being engaged in farming till 1867, when he went to
Henry County. In 1869 he came to St. Clair County. and here has since resided.
His farm contains 120 acres. In August, 1862, he joined the Enrolled Militia,
and in December, 1863, he re-enlisted in the state militia under Colonel
Philips, being mustered out July 11, 1865, as sergeant. September 3, 1865, he
was married to Miss Lucy A. Bradley, of Henry County, Missouri, born December
15, 1845. They have four children: Eugenie B., Nellie D.. Agnes D., and Harry
C. Mr. and Mrs. E. are members of the Baptist Church.
EVANS, S. M.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1181
--- S. M. EVANS, farmer and stock raiser, section 3, was born in Pickaway
County, Ohio, December 11, 1834. His father, James Evans, a native of
Pennsylvania, married Miss Hulda Morris, who was born in New Jersey. When S. M.
was two years old his parents moved to Hancock County, Illinois, where he was
brought up and educated. He followed farming there until 1857, when he came to
St. Clair County, Missouri. His present farm contains 110 acres. In 1874 Mr. E.
was elected justice of the peace. He is a member of the Christian Church,
October 21, 1859, he married Miss Margaret Hilliges, a native of Ohio. They
have six children: Sarah P., David W., Joseph H., Michael H., Christina and
Ella May.
EVERETT, John
Nathaniel
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1081
--- JOHN NATHANIEL EVERETT was born in Henry County, Missouri, February 28,
1858, his parents being Simeon and Ann Rebecca (Thornton) Everett, Virginians
by birth. The father of the former was Nathaniel Everett, also of Virginia, his
wife being a daughter of J. F. Thornton, of Virginia, born in 1800. Simeon
Everett came to Missouri and settled in Henry County in 1842, John T. Thornton
having located there in 1839. He owned the ferry across Grand River in Osage
Township. Mr. Thornton is now eighty-three years of age and has been deaf for
thirty years. He now lives with his daughter, Mrs. A. R. Everett, in
Brownington. The subject of this sketch worked hard on the farm from the time
he was a small boy until 1870, when the family moved to Clinton, and he entered
the Democrat office and learned the printer's trade. He worked in that office
eleven years. He came to this city in October, 1882, and is now foreman of the
Voice printing office. Mr. Everett married Miss Maggie Schrewsberry April 3,
1881. They have one child, Nellie May, born September 14, 1882. Politically, he
is a Democrat. He belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
EYE, Jacob J.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1109
--- JACOB J. EYE, section 4, is a native of Pendleton County, West Virginia,
and was born October 20, 1840. he was brought up in the occupation of farming,
and continued it at his birthplace till March, 1870, when he came to Missouri,
locating in Henry County, near the St. Clair County line. In 1872, he settled on
his present farm. He has a fine tract of 282 acres, well improved. Mr. Eye was
married May 10, 1862, to Miss F. Davis, who came originally from West Virginia.
They have eight children: Mary P., Floyd D., Ulra C., Jacob F., Robert L.,
James V., Gertie M., and an infant. Mr. E. was a soldier in Company K,
Twenty-fifth Virginia Regiment, and served through the war.