CHAPTER XXVII (Part 110)
BIOGRAPHICAL
William Tubessing, one of the well-known and progressive farmers and stockmen of Shawnee township, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Franklin County, Missouri, in 1875, and his parents were William and Anna (Broder) Tubessing, both natives of Germany. They were married in Franklin County, Missouri, and died in Jefferson county, where they spent the greater part of their lives. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Katie Cordes, Jefferson County, Missouri; Henry, resides in Shawnee township, Henry County; Mrs. Anna Saurhogen; John, who resides in Tebo township; Mrs. Emma Thies, St. Louis, Missouri; Mrs. Lizzie Bohle, Bond County, Illinois; William, the subject of this sketch, and Mrs. Mary Ficker, Jefferson County, Missouri.
William Tubessing was reared and educated at Cedar Hill, Jefferson County, Missouri. In early life, he engaged in farming and stock raising in Jefferson County, which he followed there until 1906, when he came to Henry County and purchased the Robert Wiley farm and settled eight miles north of Clinton, in Shawnee township. He has added a number of improvements to the place since coming here, including a new barn, silo and other buildings as well as remodeling the residence. The place presents an attractive appearance and is one of the valuable and well-kept farms of the county. Mr. Tubessing is engaged in general farming and stock raising and also quite extensively interested in the dairy business, keeping a small herd of high grade Durham cows.
William Tubessing was united in marriage in November, 1898, to Miss Lizzie Ludemann of Jefferson County, Missouri. She is a daughter of Fred and Helena Ludemann, both of whom now reside in Jefferson County, Missouri. Mrs. Tubessing is one of the following children born to her parents: John, resides in St. Louis, Missouri; Henry, Jefferson County, Missouri; Lizzie, wife of William Tubessing, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Katie Bowers, Jefferson County, Missouri; Lena, the eldest is deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Tubessing have been born the following children: Lena, Hulda, Fred, Mamie, Tillie, Bertha, Lora, Viola, Mary, and Margaret, all of whom reside at home with their parents.
Mr. Tubessing is one of the progressive citizens of Shawnee township and through his own efforts, he has succeeded and is one of the substantial men of the community.
J. W. Scherff, owner of "Locust Crest Farm" and an enterprising and prosperous farmer and stockman of Fields Creek township, is a native son of Henry County; who has made good. He was born September 26, 1875, and is a son of J. H. and Caroline (Lichte) Scherff, natives of Germany, both coming to this country when they were young. They were married in Iowa and came to Henry County in 1869. The father is a tailor and still follows that line of work in Clinton, Missouri. The mother departed this life in 1913 and her remains are buried in Englewood Cemetery. They were the parents of the following children: Dora, deceased; J. W., the subject of this sketch; Lena C., Clinton, Missouri; and Henry, who is engaged in the coal and ice business in St. Louis.
J. W. Scherff was reared in Clinton and educated in the public schools there. He began life without capital and for five years, worked as a farm laborer by the month. He was industrious and frugal. He worked hard and saved his money and in 1896, bought a farm of eighty acres, near Huntingdale, which he later sold and bought his present place in Fields Creek township, two miles north of Clinton, in 1910, which he named "Locust Crest Farm." His place is well improved and since coming here, he has built a residence which adds much to the beauty of the place. It is a five-room structure twenty-six by thirty-six feet in dimension. The barn and other farm buildings are in accord with the residence, and the place is well improved, fenced, cross-fenced, and hog tight. Mr. Scherff carries on general farming and stock raising. He raises a good grade of Duroc Jersey hogs, usually having on hand from fifty to seventy-five, and a number of head of cattle.
Mr. Scherff was married in 1897 to Miss Lizzie A. Kemper of Clinton, Missouri, a daughter of William and Jennie Kemper, both of whom are now deceased, and their remains are buried in the Cemetery at Holden, Missouri. Mrs. Scherff is one of five children born to her parents as follows: William, who resides in Clinton, Missouri; Mrs. Frank Russell, Clinton, Missouri; Mrs. Stella Lyon; Watson, deceased, and Lizzie A., the wife of J. W. Scherff, the subject of this sketch.
Mr. and Mrs. Scherff reared and educated an orphan boy, W. E. Cannon, who is now serving in the United States Army. He enlisted in August, 1917, at Des Moines, Iowa, and is now a member of the 109th Ammunition Train.
J. W. Scherff is one of the substantial citizens of Henry County and he and Mrs. Scherff are well-known and highly respected.
William T. McQuitty - The farmer of today is quite a contrast to the one of fifty years ago. His home now is equipped with all modern conveniences and in touch with all of his neighbors and the neighboring cities by the telephone and automobile. The home of William McQuitty of Big Creek township is an example of one of the modern farmer's homes where comfort and beauty are combined in its appointments. Fifty years ago, when George McQuitty, sire of William McQuitty, established his home upon these same rolling prairies, the scene presented quite a different view. Among such surroundings, was William McQuitty, born November 7, 1875, to his parents, George and Martha (Johnson) McQuitty.
George W. McQuitty was born September 16, 1839, in Boone County, Missouri, and was a soldier of the Civil War, serving under Gen. Sterling Price, enlisting in February, 1862, in Company C, Sixth Missouri Infantry, under Colonel Irvin. Mr. McQuitty was captured by the Northern forces and, for some time, was interned in Alton, Illinois, prison, at Grand Gulf. Afterwards, he was paroled and returned home. In 1867, he came from Boone County, Missouri, to Henry County, and purchased the farm on which his son, William, now resides, and he made his home here until his death, October 20, 1914. January 25, 1875, he married Martha Johnson, a daughter of Robert R. Johnson, and a native of Kentucky. The following children were born to them: William T., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Edith Butcher, Big Creek township; George, farming a portion of the home place, whose sketch appears in this volume; Alice of Blairstown, Missouri; Martha, wife of C. F. Crews, Big Creek township; Maude, wife of Leonard Maizze of Shawnee township. Mrs. Martha McQuitty died December 19, 1909.
G. W. McQuitty and wife had three children: John, residing at Welch, Oklahoma; Elizabeth and George, twins, the former dying in infancy and the latter at 36 years of age. She married J. J. Stansberry and at her death, left a daughter, Mrs. Beulah Julian.
William T. McQuitty received his early education in the schools of Big Creek township. For many years, he has been farming his portion of the estate and raising great numbers of hogs and cattle. His place is equipped with two large barns, one 58x72 feet with a basement for the stock and a feeder 20x80 feet. A well, 372 feet deep, supplies water in sufficient quantities the year around for his large herd of cattle.
On October 2, 1901, Mr. McQuitty was united in marriage with Hattie Freeman, who died April 10, 1903. They had one son, William Howard, who is at home with his father. His second marriage took place December 26, 1905, to Lucy Hazard. This marriage has been blessed with the following children: George H., Hildreth A. and Helen, twins; Sarah Margaret, James T., and David W., all of whom are at home attending the public schools. Mrs. Lucy McQuitty was born April 3, 1883, near Campbellsville, Kentucky, the daughter of William M. and Sarah Catherine (Sacra) Hazard. They removed from Kentucky to Henry County in 1884, and for some time, farmed near Clinton, but are now located at Vernon, Texas. They are the parents of the following children: Mrs. Jessie Cameron, Lewis Station, Missouri; Mrs. Lucy McQuitty, wife of wife of William McQuitty; Irene, wife of J. R. Huie, Odell, Texas; Theresa and Robert, with their parents at Vernon, Texas.
William McQuitty is a member of the Agricola Lodge, Ancient Free and accepted Masons and the Modern Woodmen of America at Chilhowee, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. McQuitty are members of the Baptist church.
James M. Freeman - The story of the Freeman family is interwoven with the history of the county and nation, as well. James M. Freeman, who is the owner of "Walnut Grove Stock Farm" of 360 acres in Shawnee township, was born upon the land which he owns, March 11, 1844, a son of Judge James and Elizabeth (Elkins) Freeman. Judge James Freeman, the son of Garrett and Nancy (Compton) Freeman, was born April 18, 1806, in Culpeper County, Virginia. His parents had settled in Virginia in the very early days, being natives of Maryland. Judge James Freeman was reared in Culpeper County, Virginia, and after his marriage, he, with his young bride started on the great adventure of building for themselves a home in the Far West. At first, they settled in Howard County, Missouri, remaining there until 1839, when they came to Shawnee township, Henry County, and built their log cabin. They allied themselves with all of the good things of the county, helping in all ways for the advancement of civic progress. James Freeman was county judge for two terms. His wife, Elizabeth Elkins, was the daughter of Philip B. Elkins, who was a veteran of the Mexican War, and a farmer in Virginia. Judge Freeman died in 1887.
James M. Freeman, Jr., was born in the log cabin in the clearing which his father built. When the Civil War rent the nation in twain, James M. Freeman was too young to go to the front, but he joined the State Militia and the last two years of the war, he was a member of the Missouri Provisional Militia. In 1867, Mr. Freeman married Harriet Drake, who died in 1877, leaving four children, as follows: James W., of Clinton; William R., deceased; Anna Bell, now Mrs. J. S. Barnett of Huntingdale, Missouri; and Hattie A., deceased. She was Mrs. William McQuitty, a sketch of whom is in this volume.
February 9, 1882, James M. Freeman and Lucy Howard were united in marriage. She was born in St. Clair County, Missouri, October 28, 1854, a daughter of John G. and Amanda (Cock) Howard, natives of Kentucky and Virginia, respectively. Two children have been born to this marriage, as follows: Ethel, wife of R. B. Covington of Post Oak, Missouri; and Howard, who rents his father's farm.
Howard Freeman was born January 3, 1890, and educated in the public and high school at Clinton. He also took a business course at the Clinton Business College. Since 1912, he has taken an active part in his father's farming business, relieving him of many of the duties. He is a great stockman, and is very successful in his work of feeding large numbers of cattle and hogs for the market each year. Howard Freeman is owner of eighty acres of land. He has made a specialty of the Duroc Jersey hogs which are eligible for registry, while his father has been a breeder of the Shorthorn cattle for many years and has shipped to other States.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Freeman was built in 1881 and is an eleven-room house, in which they enjoy the comforts of their old age.
Mr. and Mrs. Freeman are members of the Christian Church. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for over forty years. He is a Republican, as is his son, Howard.
Howard Freeman entered the National Service July 22, 1918, and is a member of the 10th Division now in training at Camp Funston, Kansas.
Aaron L. Stone, one of the well-known and prosperous farmers and stockmen of Henry County, leases and operates a valuable farm of two hundred eighty-nine acres in Shawnee township. Mr. Stone is a native Missourian, born in Dallas County in 1881. He is a son of James and Margaret (Drum) Stone. The father was a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War, entering the service when quite young. He now resides at Norris, Missouri, where he and his wife are well known and rank among the leading and representative families of this vicinity. To James and Margaret (Drum) Stone were born the following children: Irwin, who resides at Norris, Missouri; Mrs. Edna Runner, deceased; Joseph, Kansas City, Missouri; Ethel, married John Cook and resides in Arkansas; Aaron, the subject of this review; Martha, married Earl Townsmen, Sedalia, Missouri; Ralph, resides near Petersburg, Missouri; Robert died when three years of age, and Charles died in infancy.
Aaron Stone received his education in the public schools of Agricola, Missouri, and in early life engaged in farming for himself. He has leased and operated his present place for the past ten years. He carries on stock raising on an extensive scale as well as general farming. At times, he has as many as two carloads of cattle ready for the market. He is also one of the well-known and successful hog raisers of Henry County. He specializes in red hogs and at this writing, has on hand about one hundred head. Mr. Stone owns a farm of one hundred forty-two and one-half acres in Shawnee township which he rents.
In February, 1902, Aaron Stone was united in marriage with Miss Alice Baldrock, a daughter of Richard and Margaret (Richards) Baldrock, natives of Missouri. Mrs. Stone was born in Cooper County, and reared and educated in Clinton, where her father was engaged in the livery business for a number of years, and where he and his wife now reside. He was the first man to operate a sprinkling wagon on the streets of Clinton. To Mr. and Mrs. Stone have been born one daughter, Margaret. A son died in infancy.
Mr. Stone is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Chilhowee, Missouri. He takes a commendable interest in public affairs and is now serving as a member of the school board of District No. 17. He is one of the progressive and substantial men of the younger generation in Henry County.
