CHAPTER XXVII (Part 79)
BIOGRAPHICAL
Harry A. Stewart - Great enterprises and conceptions of projects for the benefit of future generations, as well as those who are here today, require self-sacrifice, and while it may not be considered an important event in the progress of general civilization and the stride of the world's events, the reclamation of a large portion of the most fertile part of Henry County is and has been an important question, locally. When men conceive the possibilities of even a thousand percent dividends return upon an investment, and offer a plan to bring about such a condition, scoffers and the pessimistic doubters always question the possibility of success in such a project. The reclamation of the overflow district of Henry County has met with this opposition, but it has had behind it the best men in this locality, men of broad visions, men capable of foresight, and it would appear that the matter of reclaiming the overflow land of Henry County has been like that of reclaiming the district of the Nile in Egypt. It seems that men who have favored this project and given to it their best endeavor, have been students of the world's ancient history, but at all times, they have had their troubles in impressing upon their short-sighted neighbors the value and the immensity of the project at hand. Mr. Stewart early recognized the value of reclamation in Henry County and has devoted much time to this work, which was begun in 1909. The plan was to furnish suitable drainage to an area of seven thousand acres. The main ditch is nine miles long with laterals of about two and one-half miles, the expense of the entire project being about $90,000. Mr. Stewart has been one of the hard workers for the successful carrying out of this project, serving as secretary and treasurer of the drainage district, and has devoted much time, energy and financial assistance, and with great gratification, he has seen the reward of his efforts in Henry County.
H. A. Stewart is a native son of Henry County. He was born about eight miles south of Clinton, August 27, 1860, and is a son of Dr. John W. Stewart and Caroline (Sanders) Stewart. The father was a native of Mississippi and was one of the pioneer physicians of Henry County. He read medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and practiced medicine in this county for over twenty years. He was a veteran of the Mexican War and came to Missouri in the early sixties. He and his wife are now deceased, and their remains are interred in the Englewood Cemetery at Clinton, Missouri. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Blanche Mitchell, now deceased; H. A., the subject of this sketch; John W., deceased; Mary, married B. N. Stewart; Naomi, married B. L. Tisdale, Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. Harry Nelson, who lives in Oklahoma; G. L., Urich, Missouri, and Mrs. Kate Sigel, Clinton, Missouri.
Harry A. Stewart was united in marriage to Miss Margaret E. Mullins, a daughter of William Mullins, a pioneer of White Oak township, now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Stewart have been born the following children: John B., who enlisted in the United States army in 1917 and is now in the service in France; William L., who enlisted in the United States Navy in 1912 and is now in the service in Navy hospital department; Mildred, married Harry Allen, Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Stewart is one of the progressive and patriotic citizens of Henry County, and is devoting much time and labor to war work. He has much to his credit in the great world struggle for democracy, and is one of Henry County's .citizens who can be counted on all the time in furthering the interest of his Uncle Samuel, regardless of the cost to himself. He is a member of the time honored Masonic Lodge and also holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America. Henry County has many good citizens of whom it is justly proud, but none stands higher than H. A. Stewart.
Harry P. Smith, of the firm of Smith & Graham, leading furniture dealers and undertakers of Urich, Missouri, and mayor of Urich, is a native son of Henry County. He was born in Bogard township, this county, December 21, 1871, and is a son of William L. and Selina (Dewberry) Smith. The father was a native of western New York, born in 1823, and his wife was a native of England, who came to America with her uncle and Rasho Black when she was fifteen years of age. The father died in March, 1881, and the mother died in January, 1911, and the father is buried in Grant Cemetery in Cass County, Missouri. Mrs. Smith's remains were interred in Urich Cemetery. The Smith family settled in Henry County shortly after the Civil War, locating in Bogard township. The father was a plasterer by trade and after coming to this county, he worked at his trade at intervals. He served for six years in the United States Navy and during the Civil War, he served in the Union Army, being a member of Company F, 78th Regiment Illinois Infantry. During the course of his military service, he participated in many important battles and campaigns, among which might be mentioned Sherman's march to the sea.
After the close of the war, he was mustered out of service by general order of the war department, June 7, 1865. To William L. and Salina (Dewberry) Smith were born the following children: Mrs. Maria Helms, Creighton, Missouri; G. R., Greencastle, Indiana; Edward C, deceased; C. F., farmer in Bogard township; Mrs. Susie Depew, Urich, Missouri; Harry P., the subject of this sketch; Albert E., died in 1896, and Mark D., farmer in Bogard township.
Harry P. Smith was reared to manhood on the home farm in Henry County and received his education in the public schools. He began his mercantile career in Urich in the confectionary business, which he followed for three years. He was then clerk in a dry goods store about three years in Urich, and then in partnership with Charles L. Graham, he bought out the furniture and undertaking business of Ray & Clarey. This was in 1911, and he has successfully been engaged in that business since that time.
Mr. Smith was united in marriage March 8, 1896, with Miss Amanda E. Graham, a daughter of James L. and Irene (Brooks) Graham. A sketch of Mr. Graham appears in this volume. Mr. Smith is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights and Ladies of Security. He is one of the substantial and progressive business men of Henry County and stands high in the community. Mr. Smith has served as alderman of Urich for two terms and is now filling the post of mayor of the city, serving his second term in this office.
Charles L. Graham, well known real estate dealer of Urich, and a member of the firm of Smith & Graham, furniture dealers and undertaking, is a native of Henry County and a member of one of the well-known pioneer families of this section of Missouri. Mr. Graham was born in Bogard township, Henry County, February 17, 1872, and is a son of James L. and Irene (Brooks) Graham, both natives of Missouri. The father was one of the pioneer settlers of Henry County, locating in Bogard township at a very early day. He was prominent in local affairs and during his time was considered one of the successful farmers and stockmen of this county. To James L. and Irene (Brooks) Graham were born the following children: Mrs. Mary Lawrence, resides on the home place; B. S., Urich, Missouri; Charles L., the subject of this sketch; Amanda, now wife of H. B. Smith, Urich, Missouri.
Charles L. Graham was reared in Henry County and spent his early life on the farm. He received his early education in the public schools and for a number of years, followed farming and stock raising, later he engaged in clerking in a store in Urich. He then entered the real estate, loan and insurance business and for a number of years has been successfully identified in that line of industry. In 1912 he entered the furniture and undertaking business in partnership with H. P. Smith and since that time he has successfully been engaged in that line of endeavor, in addition to his real estate, loan and insurance operations.
Mr. Graham was united in marriage July 20, 1903, with Miss Nannie Sadler, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Terrill) Sadler, natives of Appleton City, Missouri. Her father now resides at Urich, Missouri, and the mother is dead, having passed away in 1904, and her remains are interred in the cemetery at Appleton City, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Graham have been born the following children: Leonard, Rolla, Scott and Henry E. Mr. Graham is one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of Urich, a man who does things and his citizenship is worthwhile to Henry County. He always stands ready to co-operate with and support any commendable enterprise, having for its object the development or betterment of his town or county.
George C. Herrold, owner and proprietor of the George C. Herrold Hardware Company at Urich, Missouri, is one of the progressive business men of Henry County. Mr. Herrold was born in Knoxville, Illinois, in 1877 and is a son of T. C. and Violetta (Biggerstoff ) Herrold. The father was a native of Indiana and during the excitement attending the discovery of gold in California, he made the trip overland. In 1872, he settled in Illinois and some years later, removed to Iowa. In 1899, he came to Missouri, settling in Bogard township, Henry County. He now resides at Urich at the advanced age of eighty-six years.
To C. C. and Violetta (Biggerstoff) Herrold were born the following children: Mrs. J. B. Hollister, whose husband is now a first lieutenant in the United States Army; George C, the subject of this sketch. By a former marriage to Melvina Cherrington there were born to C. C. Herrold the following children: Henry, deceased; Daniel, John, Emma, Rachel, Marshall, Ida, Ada and Nettie.
George C. Herrold was educated in the public schools at Afton, Iowa, and when a boy, began working in a hardware store at Altona, Iowa, and later worked in the hardware store at Larimer, Iowa. He came to Urich, Missouri, in 1899. He was engaged in farming for some years and in 1913, engaged in the hardware business at Urich, where he has since been engaged in business. Mr. Herrold carries a complete line of hardware, and is one of the leading dealers in Henry County.
Mr. Herrold was united in marriage September 20, 1902, with Mrs. Sallie M. Cheek, a daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Bradford) Winkler, of Creighton, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Herrold has been born one son, Harold C. Mr. Herrold is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
