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St. Clair County Missouri Biographies
SECTION W
WAGNER, George
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1209
--- GEORGE WAGNER, farmer and stock raiser, section 17. The subject of this
sketch is one of the prominent men of Speedwell Township and one worthy of
mention in the history of this county. He is a native of Germany and was born
January 28, 1826. When but four years old he was brought to America by his
parents, who located at Petersburg, Virginia. George there received the
benefits of the common schools, and in 1842 he went back to Germany, where he
entered the Heidelberg University of Baden-Baden. There he took a thorough
course in surveying, engineering and jurisprudence, learning the Greek, Latin
and Hebrew languages. He was graduated from that institution in 1847. Returning
to Petersburg, Virginia, he was engaged in ornamental gardening, at which he
accumulated a large amount of wealth. This was all lost during the war. In 1861
he enlisted in the Confederate service and was made regimental quartermaster of
Roger A. Pryor's regiment, and after a short time was promoted to brigade
quartermaster, which position he filled for eight months. After that time he
filled the position of first assistant chief quartermaster of General
Longstreet's corps until the surrender of General Lee. After the close of the
war he remained in Petersburg, Virginia, for eighteen months, when he went to
Kingman County, Kansas. He was occupied in farming and raising stock till 1878,
when he came to St. Clair County, Missouri. Here he now has 320 acres of land,
eighty acres in Vernon County and 320 acres of good farming land in Kansas, and
he is one of the most practical farmers of this county. In 1874 he was elected
probate judge of Kingman County, Kansas, which office he held four years. Mr.
W. is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In February, 1849, he was married to
Miss Caroline Bloom, a native of Virginia. She died in 1878, leaving five
children: George, Herman, William, Caroline and Louisa. He was married again in
July, 1881, to Mrs. Mary J. Price, of Ohio. Her maiden name was Russell. Mr.
and Mrs. W. are members of the Baptist Church.
WALKER, David
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1187
--- DAVID WALKER, farmer, section 17, a native of Darke County, Ohio, was born
January 7, 1842, being the son of Alexander and Catherine (Sheppard) Walker,
natives of Virginia. David was the fourth child of a family of ten children. In
1856 his parents moved to St. Clair County, Missouri, where he arrived at
manhood, engaging in farming and stock raising. His farm is well improved and
contains 120 acres. His fine residence was built in 1881. Mr. W. was in the
Missouri State Militia during the late war. February 23, 1864, he married Miss
Frances Kellerinan, who was born in Indiana May 9, 1842. They have seven
children: William, Anna B., James P., Mary E., Charles, Minnie A. and Cora.
WALKER, John
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1187
--- JOHN WALKER, farmer, section 21, was born in Miami County, Ohio, May 12,
1834. His father, Alexander Walker, a native of West Virginia, was a son of
James Walker, a Virginian by birth and a soldier in the war of 1812. The maiden
name of John's mother was Catherine Sheppard, originally from Maryland. John
was reared in Ohio and was educated in the common schools. In 1856 he came to
St. Clair County, Missouri, where he has since followed farming, now owning
eighty acres of good land, well watered, etc. Mr. W. has held a number of
township offices, among which are those of trustee and constable. September 18,
1856, he was married to Miss Mary Riegel, a native of Ohio. They have nine
children: Sarah A., Jacob A., Nehemian, Lydia, John L., James M., Oliver S.,
Rudolph and Nellie M.
WALLACE, P.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1223
--- P. WALLACE, farmer, section 7, was born in Hancock County, Indiana,
November 22, 1850. His father, John J. Wallace, a native of North Carolina, was
married to Miss Eliza Sergeant, of Indiana, who now lives in Bates County, her
husband being deceased. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in
the county of his birth. When about seventeen years old he came to Missouri and
located in Bates County, where he lived until 1875, then coming to his present
location. Here he now has a farm of 160 acres. He was married February 5, 1873,
to Miss Naomi F. Fleemer, who was born in Monroe County, Indiana, July 30,
1853. She was a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Hendricks) Fleemer, the former of
Indiana, and the latter of Kentucky. The family of Mr. W. consists of two
children, Minnie and Eva. They are members of the Christian Church.
WARDEN, Samuel
Adams
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1100
--- SAMUEL ADAMS WARDEN, attorney at law, is the fourth of a family of nine
children born to Samuel and Loretta (Richards) Warden, natives of Pennsylvania.
Samuel was born in Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, July 27, 1838. He received a
practical education in youth and when seventeen years of age was employed as a
clerk in a store, where he remained two years, and during his leisure hours
read law. He subsequently took a commercial course in bookkeeping and was
employed as a bookkeeper in Chicago and St. Louis, but the business being too
confining he went to Cooper County, Missouri, in 1866. The following three years
he was interested in agricultural pursuits. Having early formed a desire to
become a lawyer, he resumed the study of law, and in 1869 was admitted to the
bar by Judge Rice in Cooper County. In 1871 he opened an office in Sedalia and
lived there ten years. In May, 1881, he removed to Osceola. Mr. W. was married
June 4, 1862, in St. Louis to Miss Virginia E. Fisher, a daughter of W. P.
Fisher, a native of Virginia. Mrs. Warden died December 22, 1882, leaving two
children: William Fisher and Beverly S. Mr. W. is a prominent member of the
Greenback party and he started the Labor Greenback Advocate in Sedalia, the
first paper of its kind in the state. He has rendered his party efficient
service as a forcible and effective speaker. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
and the A. O. U. W. lodges.
WARNER, Philip
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1141
--- PHILIP WARNER, section 11, a native of Washtenaw County, Michigan, was born
February 28, 1858, and is a son of Abraham and Barbara (Layer) Warner, who were
natives of Germany. Philip spent his youth on the farm at his birthplace,
receiving a common school education. In the fall of 1870 he came to Missouri
and bought land and settled in St. Clair County. Here he has a farm of eighty
acres. Mr. Warner was married in this county September 17, 1878, to Mrs. Mollie
Ruebush, a widow of Joseph Ruebush, and a daughter of Henry R. Holden. She has
one child by her former marriage, Thomas Ruebush. Mr. and Mrs. W. have two
children, Birdie B. and Harry T. He and his wife are members of the
Presbyterian Church.
WARREN, William
Wilcox
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1100
--- ELDER WILLIAM WILCOX WARREN was born in Boyle County, Kentucky, June 25,
1837, and was the son of Dr. William W. Warren, who was born in Kentucky, in
1808, he being of English ancestry. He received a liberal education, and was
graduated at the Transylvania University of Kentucky. After practicing for some
time he went to Mississippi, and in 1843 came to Missouri and settled in
Lafayette County. He died in 1876. He married Miss Maria S. Speed, of Kentucky,
who was of Scotch descent. They had nine children, of whom William was the third.
He received an academic education, and in 1859, he came to St. Clair County and
taught school, and he has been engaged in this occupation for many years. In
1867 he commenced preaching and in 1868, he was ordained by the Christian
Church and since that date has been an active minister. He owns 700 acres of
land and lives on section 14. Mr. W. married Miss Mary E. Coonce, in March,
1862. She was the daughter of Jacob Coonce, the first settler to make a home in
St. Clair County in 1831. They have five children: Bailey and Wirt (twins),
Mary P., Willis K., and Henry Jacob. In politics he is a Democrat. He has held
the office of county school commissioner. He is a Mason and a member of the A.
O. U. W. fraternity.
WAYMIRE, Andrew
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1205
--- ANDREW WAYMIRE, blacksmith at Roscoe, is a native of Warren County,
Indiana, and was born October 29, 1828. He is a son of Isaac and Rachel
Waymire, who were natives of Ohio. Andrew was the fourth of a family of nine
children. When ten years of age he accompanied his parents to Buchanan County,
Missouri, where he was reared to manhood, and he was engaged in farming in
Missouri and Iowa till 1859. Then he worked at the gunsmith's trade in Iowa
till 1868, when he removed to Arkansas, becoming occupied at the trade of
blacksmith for three years. He worked in Lawrence County, Missouri, till 1874,
when he came to Roscoe, and has since been interested in blacksmithing. Mr.
Waymire was married December 1, 1846, to Miss Malissa Barrow, of Kentucky. They
have five children living: Huldah, Maria, John, Charles and Albert.
WEBER, H.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1101
--- H. WEBER, the son of Anton and Catherine G. Weber, natives of Baden,
Germany, was born in Alsace, Germany, January 9, 1851. He received a good
practical education in his youth, and learned the trade of shoemaking. In 1873
he emigrated to the United States and settled in St. Louis, working at his
trade in that city three years. Then he went to Clinton, Henry County, from
whence, after working two years, he removed to Osceola and opened a shop. He
owns a good business building, carries a complete stock of goods and is doing a
successful business. Mr. Weber married Miss Louisa Morelly March 10, 1878. She
is the daughter of Charles Morelly. They have two children, Charles and
Florence. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Politically he is a Republican, and
in his religious preferences a Catholic.
WELLS, John E.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1206
--- JOHN E. WELLS, hardware merchant at Roscoe, was born in Carroll County,
Missouri, September 22, 1857. His parents were Daniel W. and Margaret (Craven)
Wells, the former a native of Illinois, and the latter of Missouri. When John
E. was an infant he was taken by his grandfather to Clay County, Missouri,
where he was reared and educated. In 1875 he removed to Harrison County,
Missouri and clerked in a store there, and then in Gentry County till 1878,
when he came to St. Clair County, Missouri. Here he followed school teaching
till the spring of 1883, when he engaged in the hardware business. He is a
member of the M. E. Church, South, and belongs to the I. O. G. T.
WHALEY, John Calvin
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1101
--- JOHN CALVIN WHALEY, M.D., comes of old revolutionary stock. His great
grandfather, James Whaley, born in Virginia, removed to Kentucky at an early
day. He served in the revolutionary war, and furnished his hired man with a
horse and paid him a salary for service in the same cause. Edward Whaley, the
son of James, came to Kentucky with his father when thirteen years old. He
married and settled in Bourbon County, Kentucky. In 1819 he located lands in
what is now Marion County, Missouri. He entered these lands at the first land
sales in St. Louis in 1821. Albert Whaley, the father of John C., and Polly
Bird were married December 21, 1826. The doctor's grandfather came to Missouri
with his family and slaves in 1821 and improved the lands he had previously
located. He was the first county surveyor of Marion County and a member of the
first grand jury. The subject of this sketch was born in Marion County,
Missouri, December 16, 1838, and was the seventh of a family of thirteen
children. He was reared on a farm, and received a good practical education at
McGee and St. Paul Colleges. After leaving school he taught for seven years in
Texas. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army at the call of Governor
Jackson and was commissioned a first lieutenant. After the battle of Lexington
he was appointed adjutant to Colonel Franklin with the rank of captain, and he
served in that capacity until wounded and captured near Bragg's School House in
Shelby County. He was confined at Palmyra, St. Louis and Alton and succeeded in
making his escape. He rejoined Price's army in Mississippi and became a
volunteer aid to General Green in the Iuka Springs expedition. He went to Texas
on important duty, and after the surrender he went to New Mexico and the
mountains. In 1866 he was at Waco, where he engaged in teaching school and
pursuing his medical studies. He commenced his professional career in Clernard
County. In 1869 he removed to Arkansas, near Fayetteville, and practiced there
until 1875, when he came to Osceola, where he has since been actively pursuing
his chosen profession. In connection with Mr. G. W. O'Conner he is largely
interested in stock raising. Dr. W. was married in September, 1867, to Mrs. B.
Deckerd, widow of B. Deckerd, who was killed in a battle in the Red River
expedition. Mrs. W. has three children by her former marriage: Hugh, Ben and
Bettie. Dr. and Mrs. W. have one son. Politically, the doctor is a Democrat,
and he is also a Mason.
WHEELER, J. W.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1141
--- DR. J. W. WHEELER, merchant at Johnson City, was born in Dearborn County,
Indiana, September 7, 1844, his parents being Captain Piercy and Jerusha Ann
(Holiday) Wheeler. In July, 1862, when in his eighteenth year, J. W. enlisted
in the Ninety-first Indiana volunteer infantry, and after nine months service
he re-enlisted in the 105th regiment. After four months in this regiment he
again re-enlisted in the 147th, and served till discharged in June, 1865. After
his discharge he returned home and attended school at Moors' Hill College for
two years and received a good education in the English branches. In the fall
and winter of 1867 and 1868 he took a course of lectures at the Cincinnati
Eclectic Medical College. Coming to Missouri in the spring of 1868, he
commenced the practice of his profession at Hudson, Bates County. The following
year he came to St. Clair County and located at Johnson City, and has since
continued in the practice at this place. The Doctor has built up a large
patronage and is accounted one of the most successful physicians in the county.
He engaged in the drug business in 1870, and in 1878 he added a complete stock
of general merchandise. He is identified with the Republican party; was elected
township collector and collected the tax for two years. He owns about 1,300
acres of land in St. Clair County, about 600 acres of which are improved,
besides considerable town property and land in Cedar County. He is extensively
occupied in feeding cattle and hogs for the market. The doctor is a man of good
business habits and qualifications, and has made what property he owns since
coming to the county. He was married here December 8, 1870, to Miss Ariadnah
Isabelle Peck, a daughter of John W.. Peck, of Greencastle, Indiana. They have
two children: Glennie F. and Harry P. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
WHITE, Charles
M.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1125
--- CHARLES M. WHITE, of the firm of White Bros., druggists, is a native of
Cedar County, Missouri, and was born April 15, 1855. When he was four years old
the family removed to Morgan County, Missouri, where he was reared to manhood
there also receiving his education. When seventeen years old he engaged in the
drug business as clerk at Versailles, Missouri, where he remained one year.
Then he held a like position at Otterville, Missouri, for two years. He
subsequently went to Bonham, Texas, and after residing there one year, returned
to Missouri and for two years made his home at Pilot Grove. Then he embarked in
the drug trade at Houstonia, where he carried on business two years. The
following year he spent as a commercial traveler for a Sedalia house. He
removed to Colorado and was engaged in mining from the spring of 1879 to the
spring of 188i, when he came to Appleton City, and with his brother purchased
their present stock of drugs. They are now doing an excellent business.
WHITE, Robertson
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1150
--- ROBERTSON WHITE, farmer and stock dealer and the owner of 500 acres of
land, was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, June 13, 1813. He was the son of
John White, of New Jersey, and his grandfather was born in Scotland, His mother
was formerly Jane Robertson, daughter of Robert Robertson, of New Jersey. John
White was in the war of 1812. He had a family of twelve children, of whom four
sons and two daughters are now living. In 1815 the family moved to Guernsey
County, Ohio, and thence to Muskingum County, where they remained for many
years. In 1836 Robertson went to Knox County, Illinois, entered a farm and
improved 160 acres. In 1850 he took a trip to California, working in the mines
while there. In 1861 he moved to California with his family, and after
remaining two years, the climate not agreeing with his wife's health, he sold
out and returned by way of New York, arriving in Knox County May 1, 1864. In
1866 Mrs. W. died, leaving five children: Aaron, Henry, George, Francis and
Hattie. In 1867 he married Charlotte Ramboe, of Pennsylvania, a daughter of
George Ramboe. By this union they have five children: John, Stella, Elizabeth,
Theodore and Stephen A. Douglas. Politically he is a Democrat. Mrs. White is a
Presbyterian. He is a Mason. He now resides on section 32.
WILKINSON, T.
E.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1187
--- T. E. WILKINSON, farmer, section 11, was born in Warren County, Tennessee,
February 28, 1836. His parents, Charles and Malissa (Cantrell) Wilkinson, were
natives of South Carolina, and his great grandfather was a general in the
Revolutionary war. When T. E. was about two years old the family moved to
Missouri and located in Crawford County where they resided until he was sixteen
years old, then going to Gasconade County. There he grew to manhood, receiving
his education in the common schools. He followed farming in that county until
1870, when he came to St. Clair County. His present farm contains 170 acres of
land. Mr. W. is a member of the Baptist Church and also belongs to the Masonic
fraternity. November 25, 1860, he was married to Miss Sarah Walton, a native of
Missouri. They have five children: Elizabeth M., George W., Mary M., Eliza B.
and John T. They have lost two children.
WILSON, John S.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1151
--- JOHN S. WILSON, dealer in general merchandise at Chalk Level, was born in
Warsaw, Benton County, Missouri, January 26, 1848. and was a son of Dr. Joel Y.
Wilson, a native of Kentucky, whose father, John D. Wilson, was a Virginian by
birth and of Irish ancestry. The mother of John S. was formerly Mary Burch, a
native of Virginia. John S. was the eldest of a family of six children. He grew
to manhood in his native county and was there educated, being for many years
engaged as clerk in different localities. He was for three years conductor on
the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. In 1880 he located in Chalk Level,
having previously been engaged in business at Appleton City for two years. He
now carries a stock of drugs and other articles of merchandise and is doing a
good business. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. Wilson was first married to
Miss Fannie Campbell, a native of Missouri, who died August 4, 1870, leaving
two children: Annie and William Y. He was again married February 8, 1873, to
Miss Annie Van Allen, originally from New York.
WINCHESTER,
Josephus
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1142
--- JOSEPHUS WINCHESTER, section 4, was born August 4, 1815, in Guilford
County, North Carolina, his parents being William and Margaret (Witty)
Winchester, natives of the same state. In 1830 the family removed to Kentucky
and located in Callaway County. Josephus, the second son of five sons and seven
daughters, spent his youth on a farm in that county, and was married May 14,
1839, to Miss Nancy Ann Rayburn, a daughter of John Rayburn. She was a native
of Stewart County, Tennessee, but removed to Kentucky when a child and there
grew to maturity. Mr. Winchester, after his marriage, resided in Kentucky about
eleven years, coming to Missouri in 1850, and locating in St. Clair County.
Here he bought land and improved the farm where he now resides, it containing
300 acres with about 100 under fence. He has nine children: Newton L., Eliza J.
(widow of S. Hoover), Melinda (wife of C. Weir), Emily (wife of Lee Carroll),
Rebecca (wife of D. L. Herndon), James J., Margaret (wife of C. S. Reding),
William W. and E. C. Mr. and Mrs. Winchester are members of the Baptist Church.
The former belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
WINGFIELD, John
S.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1178
--- JOHN S. WINGFIELD, was born in March, 1816, in Virginia, his parents being
Christopher and Nancy (Stockton) Wingfield, also Virginians by birth, who were
married in 1814. The former was born in 1788, and the latter in 1793. John S.
the eldest of ten children, was brought up in the county of his birth, and
lived at home principally until his marriage, in 1847, to Miss Harriet M.
Bondurant. They have had ten children: Mary F, Christopher T., Millard F.,
Nancy J., Sarah E., Susan L., Charles P., Harriet M., and James M., and of this
number three have died. In 1859 Mr. W. came to St. Clair County, locating in
Collins Township, where he has since lived, gaining for himself an enviable
reputation. The Republican party, recognizing his ability, nominated him for the
position of county judge, but the Democratic party being in the majority, he
failed to be elected. Mr. Wingfield's farm, one of the best to be found in the
eastern part of the county, consists of 210 acres on the Weaubleau Creek.
WINTERS, Alonzo
C.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1188
--- ALONZO C. WINTERS, plasterer at Lowry City, was born in Pike County,
Illinois, March 20, 1858, and was the son of Benjamin B. and Emeline (Cobb)
Winters, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of New York. Alonzo was
reared in his native state and was there educated. His father was a plasterer
by trade and the son worked with him in Illinois until 1877, when he came to
St. Clair County, Missouri. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity. March
13, 1881, Mr. Winters was married to Miss Lula Gracy, a native of Indiana. They
have one child, Irving B. Mr. and Mrs. Winters belong to the M. E. Church.
WISNER, John A.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1164
--- JOHN A. WISNER was born May 3, 1837, and was a native of Canton Basel,
Switzerland, where his parents, Adam and Catharine Wisner, were also born, the
former in October, 1811, and the latter March 23, 1817. They were married April
6, 1836, and had seven sons and six daughters. and of this number two sons and
three daughters have died. Emigrating to America in 1843, they first settled in
Virginia, purchasing 100 acres of land and remaining upon it for four years. In
1847 Mr. W. sold this property, went to Sciota County, Ohio, and three years
later removed to Van Buren County, Iowa, where he bought a forty acre tract.
After residing in Iowa about six years, he came to Cooper County, Missouri, in
the spring of 1859, and in 1860 to St. Clair County. He bought 160 acres of
land in this township, but in two years exchanging places. secured one of 170
acres in Osceola Township, where he lived until his death, July 30, 1871. His
widow now resides with one of her sons in this township. John A. Wisner, our
subject, was married April 1, 1860, to Miss Lora Clark, of Van Buren County,
Iowa. They have eight children: Joseph, born January 29, 1861; Sarah, born
September 1, 1862, (wife of George W. Garrison, of this county); Martha A.,
born March 20, 1864; Laura and Lora, (twins) born April 29, 1867; Jessie, born
December 17, 1869; Jeremiah, born May 16, 1872, and Adam Clark, born January
30, 1875. In 1866 Mr. Wisner purchased a farm of eighty-two acres in Polk
Township, upon which he still resides. In 1876 he was nominated and elected to
the position of magistrate, and was re-elected in 1878 and again in 1880, still
holding that office. Mrs. W. and five children are members of the M. E. Church.
He is a Democrat.
WONACOTT, P. B.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1198
--- P. B. WONACOTT, school teacher, was born in Cass County, Illinois, in 1853,
and was the son of K. B. Wonacott, who was married in 1841 to Margaret Bell, of
Virginia. They were the parents of eight children, of whom the subject of this
sketch was the eighth in number. He remained at home until at the age of
twenty-three years, when he entered school at Weaubleau Institute, remaining
there for two years, and then left thoroughly prepared for the duties of
teaching. On May 9, 1848, Mr. W. married Miss Nannie J. McConnell, daughter of
Joseph McConnell. They have two children, Maggie and Lawson. He is a
Greenbacker in his political faith and a member of the M. E. Church. He is at
present teaching school in this township.
WOODALL, I. M.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1102
--- I. M. WOODALL, county treasurer and one of the most worthy and popular
officials of St. Clair County, was born in St. Clair County, Missouri, in May,
1845, and was the son of Christopher Woodall, of Virginia, who came to this
state in 1840. The mother of I. M. was formerly Margaret Simms, who was born in
Virginia, and died in 1847. Mr. W. died in 1858. They left six children, of
whom our subject is the youngest. He made the best use of his limited
opportunities for acquiring an education in youth. He now owns a farm of 265
acres on section 21, in Collins Township. He was collector under the township
organization, and has been a leading citizen in the township and county for
many years. In 1882 he was elected county treasurer, and entered upon the
duties of his office January 1, 1883. He enlisted in the Fifteenth Missouri
Cavalry, Company M. for two years, and was mustered out at Springfield, Missouri,
July 17, 1865. Mr. Woodall married Miss Minnie Fletcher in 1867. She was the
daughter of Nathan and Sarah (Barnett) Fletcher, of Georgia. They have four
children: John D., William, Sarah Margaret and James Francis. Mr. W. is a
Democrat and a member of the Baptist Church.
WOOLF, John J.
C.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1171
--- JOHN J. C. WOOLF was born in Caldwell County, Kentucky, on the 20th of
June, 1817, his father being Alfred Woolf, of the same county, born July 26,
1784. He was married in 1812, his wife, a Kentuckian by birth, having been born
in 1786. John J. C. Woolf was united in marriage in 1836 to Miss Ellen Bigs, a
daughter of Elisha Bigs, of the same county as himself. Soon after emigrating to
Missouri, he located near Warsaw, Benton County, and upon living there for two
or three years, in 1840 came to St. Clair County and settled, where he now
resides, upon Weaubleau Creek. By his first marriage he had one child, a son,
Henry Clay, now living in Livingston County. He was married a second time, in
St. Clair County. to Miss Elizabeth Stealy, daughter of Jack Stealy, July 20,
1840. His third wife was Sealy M. Wade, to whom he was married in 1876. In 1856
Mr. Woolf purchased a mill on Weaubleau, known as Woolf's Mill, and
successfully operated it during the war and after for twenty years. During the
course of the civil war he remained neutral, taking no part on either side, and
by his uniform courtesy and gentlemanly bearing was unmolested. He is now the
owner of 1,080 acres of very fine land situated in the bottoms of Weaubleau.
WRIGHT, C. W.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1157
--- C. W. WRIGHT, merchant at Iconium, is a native of Washington County, Kentucky,
and was born August 14, 1851, being the son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Wright,
who were married October 11, 1831. The former was born October 14, 1806, and
the latter October 11, 1813, and they were the parents of twelve children, six
sons and six daughters, of whom all but one son are living. C. W. Wright
attended the State Normal Institution at Warrensburg, Johnson County, Missouri,
where he received a good education, and after leaving the school was engaged in
teaching for a few terms. In 1877 he accepted a situation as salesman at Lowry
City, the style of the firm being J. P. Wright & Co., in which capacity he
served for three years. Being desirous of engaging in business on his own
account, he selected a site, and for eighteen months has been enjoying a fine
general merchandise trade, in the southern part of this township. His present
place of business was opened January 6, 1882. His stock is a complete one, and
he richly merits the success which has thus far attended his career. He is
acting as magistrate and is very popular in this community.
WRIGHT, Edwin
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1210
--- EDWIN WRIGHT, farmer and stock deafer, section 5, was born in Licking
County, Ohio, June 10, 1840. His parents were William S. and Samantha (Stedman)
Wright, natives of Massachusetts. A colony had emigrated from Granville,
Massachusetts, and located in Licking County, Ohio, when William Wright was
about six years of age, hence the name of Granville, Ohio. Edwin was reared and
educated in his native county, and there engaged in farming till 1859, when he
came to St. Clair County, Missouri, where he resided till 1861, then returning
to Ohio. He went from there with a number of men and enlisted in Company D,
Thirteenth Missouri, which was afterward changed to the Twenty-second Ohio. He
remained in service fourteen months, holding the position of corporal. In the
fall of 1863 he went to Coles County, Illinois, and in the summer of 1865 came
to St. Clair County, Missouri, where he has since followed his present
occupation, having a landed estate of 880 acres. His farm is one of the best
improved in this vicinity, and upon it is located a commodious and convenient
residence, and one of the best barns in the county. On his farm is a number of
medical springs, equal to those of Eldorado, his nearest trading point. He has
also a very fine stone quarry equal to any in the state. July 27, 1864, Mr.
Wright was married to Miss Fannie Bartlett, a native of Indiana. She was born in
February, 1843, being a daughter of Charles and Emeline Bartlett, the former of
New Hampshire and the latter of Kentucky. The family of Mr. and Mrs. W.
consists of three children, Charles E., Maud and George S.
WRIGHT, George
W.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1188
--- GEORGE W. WRIGHT, merchant at Lowry City, is a native of Washington County,
Kentucky, and was born July 4, 1844, being the son of Morgan Wright, a
Kentuckian by birth, whose father, William P. Wright, was one of the pioneers
of Kentucky, and a revolutionary soldier. The mother of George W., formerly
Elizabeth Hickerson, was also born in Kentucky. The subject of this sketch was
the sixth of a family of nine children. He grew to manhood on his father's
farm, and was educated in the common schools. In October, 1861, he enlisted in
Morgan's company, and was in the service until 1863. After this he returned to
Kentucky and followed farming until 1865, when he began the study of medicine
with Dr. J W Wright. He read with him one year, and then attended one course of
lectures at Miami Medical College at Cincinnati. Returning to Kentucky he
remained until 1870, when he came to St. Clair County, Missouri. In 1871 he
built the first business house in Lowry City, and engaged in trade. He carries
a full stock of drugs, groceries, etc., and is doing a good business. He is
also proprietor of tile Wright House, an excellent hotel. Mr. W. was township
clerk six years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity. November 21,
1872, he married Miss Jennie G. Shinn, of this county. They have three
children, Lillia, Minnie M. and Franklin P.
WRIGHT, James
Polk
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1188
--- JAMES POLK WRIGHT, M.D., was born in Washington County, Kentucky, December
23, 1844. His parents were Nathaniel and Matilda (Moore) Wright, natives of
Virginia. James Polk grew to manhood in his native county and there received
the advantages of the common schools. He was engaged in farming till 1866, when
he embarked in merchandising in High Grove, Kentucky, and at the same time was
occupied in reading medicine with his brother, Dr. J. W. Wright. After this he
was graduated from the medical department of the University of Louisville,
Kentucky. In 1871 he located at Lowry City, where he has since been interested
in the practice of his profession, and he is recognized as being one of the
leading citizens of that vicinity. He Is also the senior member of the firm of
J. P. Wright & Co., merchants of Lowry City. He belongs to the Baptist
Church, and also to the Masonic fraternity. December 14, 1879, Dr. W. was
married to Miss Emma Hubner, a native of Ohio. They have one child: Walter E.
WRIGHT, John W.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1157
--- DR. JOHN W. WRIGHT, was born December 20, 1836, in Washington County,
Kentucky. His father, Nathaniel Wright, was born October 14, 1806, and on
October 11, 1831, married Miss Elizabeth Parker, daughter of Richard and
Elizabeth Parker, she was born October 11, 1813, in Culpeper County, Virginia.
John W., the second child and oldest son in the family, received a good
education in youth, attending the Georgetown College at Georgetown, Kentucky,
where he graduated in the class of 1861. Entering the Medical College of
Kentucky at Louisville, he graduated in 1863, and in 1864 was a graduate from
the Louisville University, having been a member of the College of Physicians
and Surgeons of that institution. He first commenced the practice of his
profession at Louisville, but after remaining there one year, went to High
Grove in 1865, where he had an extensive patronage for four years. April 1,
1868, he married Miss Amanda Rouse, a daughter of William A. and Amanda Rouse,
of Bullitt County, Kentucky, and they have two daughters: Nancy A., born April
19, 1869, and Matilda B., born August 28, 1875. In 1870 Dr. W. purchased a
tract of eighty acres of land in Jackson Township, St. Clair County, Missouri,
and devoted some attention to agricultural pursuits and the raising of stock.
He added, from time to time to his original purchase until he is now the owner
of 1,200 acres of excellent land, several hundred acres of which are under
fence and well adapted for fine stock raising to which he is giving
considerable interest. In 1880 he represented this county in the state
legislature and since his return has resumed his practice, which is very
extensive and constantly on the increase. The doctor is a man well versed in
his profession, kind and gentle to the sick and affable in his manners. He
belongs to both the A. F. & A. M. and A. O. U. W. fraternities. Politically
he is Democratic.
WRIGHT,
Nathaniel P.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1165
--- NATHANIEL P. WRIGHT, M.D., a native of Washington County, Kentucky, was
born May 1, 1849, and was the son of Nathaniel Wright of the same county. born
October 14, 1806, who on October 11, 1831, married Miss Elizabeth Parker, who
was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, October 11, 1813. Of their original
family of twelve children eleven are now living: Elizabeth V., John W., Amanda
F., Missouri, James K. P., Kitty H., C. W., Alice A., Anna E., Albert S., and
of this number the subject of this sketch was the fifth son and eighth child.
One son, Thomas J., a graduate of the medical college at Louisville, died in
his native state. Nathaniel P., was educated at his birthplace, and also an
attended the medical college at Louisville, where he graduated in the class of
1875-76. In 1868 the senior Wright, with his family, emigrated to St. Clair
County, Missouri, settling first in Jackson and later in Polk Township. The
Doctor was married November 1, 1876, to Marietta Sheldon, daughter of Albert B.
and Eliza (Gardner) Sheldon, of this township, They have three children: Leo
S., born December 6, 1877; Julia, born August 27, 1879; and Ethel, born January
9, 1882. Though commencing his practice against a strong and well established
competition. Dr. Wright has met with flattering success, and to a patronage
which he richly deserves, it extending beyond the limits of St. Clair County,
into Hickory and Benton. The first mill in this locality was erected on a part
of his present farm. He owns 350 acres of land and has had great success in the
raising of wheat. He is a member of the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Henry
County, and also belongs to the A. F. & A. M., and A. O. U. W.
fraternities. Politically he is a Democrat. His wife is connected with the M.
E. Church, South, of Bear Creek.
WRIGHT, William
P.
source: 1883 History
of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg: 1156
--- REV. WILLIAM P. WRIGHT, pastor of the Wright Creek Baptist Church, was born
in Lincoln County, Missouri December 15, 1830, his parents being William
Wright, originally of Washington County, Kentucky, born in 1808, and Ann
(Thomas) Wright, also a Kentuckian by birth, born in 1812. They were married in
1830, and have seven children living: William P., Elizabeth P., Morgan, Martin
V., Nancy J., Milton F., and Henry F. One son, Thomas J., died in June, 1875.
Coming to Missouri the senior Wright settled in Lincoln County in 1830, and
after remaining there four years moved to this county (then Rives) and located
in Jackson Township, where he entered eighty acres of land from the government.
In 1840 selling out he bought 160 acres in Butler Township, but disposed of
this in 1849 and purchased eighty acres in this township, where he remained
until his death, February 15, 1854. Mrs. Wright, after being a widow for two
years, married James Addington, of this county, and died in 1867. The subject
of this sketch when a boy had limited advantages for acquiring an education,
and being a great lover of books he was determined to prepare himself for a
life of usefulness. While applying his mind to mathematics and somewhat to the
sciences, he took a deep interest in the study of the Bible, and later became
well versed in its truths and doctrines, which he at once put in practice. He
was licensed to preach in 1854, and in 1855 was ordained a Baptist preacher by
Revs. Peter Brown and James Cole, of this county. Since his ordination he has
been pastor of different churches, and has been occupied in missionary work, in
the old path association. His farm in section 8 contains 160 acres. He is
actively engaged in farming and has done much surveying, being well learned in
the principles of that science. His wife and five of his children are members
of Wright Creek Church. Mr. W. married Miss Elizabeth Crabtree, of Benton County,
December 18, 1850. They have eight children living: Columbus born October 24,
1851, and died August 31, 1852, Missouri A., Andrew E., W.