CHAPTER XXVII (Part 68)
BIOGRAPHICAL
Charles William Gaines - In the passing of Charles William Gaines, the city of Clinton and Henry County lost one of its most worthy citizens, judged by every standard of worth. Mr. Gaines was a man of strong and vigorous mind; a citizen who had the courage of his convictions and was ever ready to defend his expressed convictions which were usually of a decisive character. While modest, reserved to a considerable degree in his character and demeanor, he permitted his chosen friends to occasionally cross the threshold of his inner soul and they, the few who were admitted to this inner sanctuary, saw inherent, noble qualities which were generally hidden from the world. The real Charles W. Gaines possessed a fund of quiet humor, a wealth of good fellowship and made an ideal companion, joining good humor and good sense. In the bosom of his family, he was a well read companion endowed with a literary taste, which led him to accumulate a store of literary knowledge and to fill his home with good books and literary treasures. He was possessed of a strong and practical mind, his logic and experience enabling him to make quick decisions and right conclusions. In every gathering of men, Mr. Gaines was esteemed and welcomed for his manly qualities and sterling worth.
His life was a success from practically every point of view with which we are apt to judge successful citizenship. A leader among the capitalists of Henry County and western Missouri, a diligent and practical agriculturist who tilled his broad acres so as to bring forth the acme of production, his life labors were of decided benefit to the community in which he was reared to manhood and where his life was spent.
Charles William Gaines, a late resident of Clinton, was the owner of valuable farming property in Henry County, his holdings aggregating two thousand acres. He was born in Henry County January 16, 1864, a son of Richard F. and Margaret (Stone) Gaines. The father, a native of Cumberland County, Kentucky, was born in 1839, while the mother's birth occurred in Henry County, Missouri, in 1841. She was a daughter of Judge John Stone, one of the antebellum pioneers, a member of the famous Stone family, who removed to Henry County in 1839 from North Carolina. The Stone family were very prominent in the early history of Henry County. In early life, Richard F. Gaines became a farmer and stockdealer. About 1854, he removed to Missouri, settling in Saline County, and in 1860, came to Henry County, where the grandfather of our subject purchased the farm which was owned by Charles W. Gaines. Richard F. Gaines was largely reared in this State and became an extensive land owner and stock dealer. His father had been a large slave owner in the South. After the war, Richard F. Gaines took charge of the estate and continued thereon until his death in 1891. He dealt extensively in cattle and also in mules during the Civil War. His father owned eight hundred acres of land, to which Richard F. Gaines kept adding from time to time, as his financial resources permitted, until he had about three thousand acres in Henry and St. Clair Counties, the extensive tract being devoted to general farming. He was a man of excellent business ability, energetic and far-sighted, and carrying forward to a successful completion whatever he undertook. He lost his first wife in 1868 and was married again to Emily D. Merritt, a daughter of Judge M. B. Merritt of Henry County. Mr. Gaines' death occurred in March, 1891.
Charles W. Gaines was a pupil in the district schools of Henry County and afterward attended the Fayette Central College. He was twenty-seven years of age when his father died and was made administrator of the estate, which was settled up two years later. He then engaged in the live stock business, feeding, shipping and selling stock, and, like his father, won substantial success. His business affairs prospered under his capable direction and in matters of business judgment he was seldom if ever at fault. He became owner of two thousand acres of valuable farm land and gave his personal supervision to its cultivation and management. He resided upon the old family estate until his marriage in 1899, when he purchased one of the most commodious and beautiful residences in Clinton. There he made his home while giving supervision to his agricultural and live stock interests. His death occurred May 24, 1918.
It was on the nineteenth day of July, 1899, that Mr. Gaines was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Josephine Hannah, who was born in Davidson County, North Carolina, near Salisbury, a daughter of J. P. and Nancy (Covington) Hannah, both of whom are deceased. To this marriage were born two children: Charles W. and Richard Pinckney, both attending school. The parents attended the Presbyterian Church, yet Mr. Gaines contributed to the support of all other churches. He was prominent in Masonic circles, and was a past commander of Boaneges Commandery of Clinton and a member of the Mystic Shrine at Kansas City. He was also identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In politics, Mr. Gaines was a Democrat and received in 1898 his party's nomination for representative of Henry County, but declined.
He was his party's candidate for the same office in 1914. Mr. Gaines represented one of the old and prominent families of this section of the State and his lines of life were cast in harmony with this tradition. The work instituted by his grandfather and continued by his father had been carried on still further by him until his death, were of a character that had contributed to the general progress and prosperity of the community as well as to his individual success. At the same time, he gained a place among the capitalists of Henry County and was recognized as a man of splendid business ability, whose enterprise found expression in his growing success. While Mr. Gaines sought no leadership in community activities, men naturally turned to him for guidance. His influence and his purse were ever at the command of the community for every worthy purpose. He was no passive patriot, but an American of vigorous assertiveness, and every call of his country found him answering promptly to her requests, whether for bond issues, the Red Cross or kindred war activities, in all of which he was greatly interested and liberal to a high degree. Mr. Gaines was charitably inclined and never allowed a call upon his purse to go unheeded when the object was worthy of help. As a valued member of the Elks Lodge, he was always active in the usual holiday charity offerings made by this lodge. The Masonic fraternity held a strong place in his affections, the spirit of fraternalism and good fellowship being manifest in his relations not only upon the floor of these lodges but in his every day life. In the bosom of his family, he was a kind and loving husband and father and had plans for the upbringing of his sons which will be carried to completion by the widowed mother. This community will long miss and mourn him as one of its best citizens.
Among the many tributes which came from men who were friends of Mr. Gaines and who sorrowed with his family in their bereavement, the following extract from a letter from Congressman Dickinson, best portrays the man himself as he appeared to his friends. It says: "He had so many friends and his strong qualities and high character made him more than worthy of their friendship and esteem. He was a high type of citizen, and loved right and justice and truth. He was generous and warmhearted and high minded."
Karl Wittig, a successful farmer of Fairview township, is a native of Wittenburg, Germany, born April 20, 1858. He is a son of Frederick Wittig, who was a native of the home land and spent his life in her environs. Karl Wittig received his education under the parental room and in the schools of his native land. In his early manhood, he learned the blacksmith trade and upon his arrival in Seneca County, Ohio, in 1880, he was employed in this trade. He also worked as a farm hand, and thus prepared himself for his work as an owner of his own land. In 1883, he homesteaded 160 acres in Morton County, North Dakota, proving up on the same and made the necessary improvements. In 1889, he sold his homestead and moved to Cowley County, Kansas, where he rented land until he came to Henry County, Missouri. He purchased 120 acres of land in 1894 and has added to his land holdings as he was able, and now owns 239 acres of valuable land.
The marriage of Karl Wittig and Katherine Staib was solemnized in Seneca County, Ohio, September 9, 1883. Mrs. Wittig was born in Seneca County, Ohio, March 24, 1852, the daughter of Jacob and Katherine (Hauck) Staib, who were natives of Germany and came to America in 1836. Mr. Staib was employed in the clearing of the timber and brush in the natural timber of Seneca County. He spent his life in that county and he and his wife both died and are buried there.
Mr. and Mrs. Wittig are the parents of seven children, as follows: Theodore, lives in California; Fred, of Mansfield, Washington; Nettie, at home; Robert, a soldier in the National Army in France; Alma, wife of Lloyd Sanders of Fairfield township; Anna, deceased (Alma and Anna were twins); Albert, at home.
Mr. Wittig is a breeder of the Aberdeen Angus cattle and the Poland China hogs. His herd of pure bred hogs is favorably known in his locality and he raises them in great numbers. He is a stockholder of the Farmers Bank of Deepwater, Missouri. Mr. Wittig votes the Democratic ticket and has served on the township board two terms. He has also been school director for fifteen years of district No. 89. He and his family are members of the Reformed Lutheran Church.
George W. Walker - The descendants of Calvin E. Walker, the first homesteader of Walker township, are scattered all through that township, and George Walker, whose name introduces this review, is a member of this family and a descendant of this hardy pioneer. George Walker was born October 19, 1883, in Walker township, Henry County, the son of Calvin Edward Walker and Emma (Moore) Walker, both of whom are from representative families of Walker township, their birthplace.
George Walker was united in marriage with Miss Pearl Steel in 1908, a native of Henry County and a member of one of the pioneer families of this county. She inherited ninety acres of land from her father's estate which she and her husband are now farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Walker have been born four children as follows: Lillie M., May O., Claude and Ralph.
Mr. Walker carries on a general farming business and raises wheat and corn and also raises stock. In politics, he is a Republican and one of Henry County's progressive and public spirited citizens. He takes a keen interest in local affairs. As a citizen of this county and State, he stands ever ready to do his duty.
Calvin Edward Walker - The late Calvin Edward Walker was born March 16, 1858, in Walker township, Henry County, the son of Calvin E. and Martha Walker. Calvin E. Walker was born in North Carolina, and in the days when men were coming from the southern and eastern States to homestead Missouri land, Mr. Walker located in what is now Walker township, Henry County. The township was named in his honor, as he was the first homesteader that entered land upon the Government's list. His wife, Mrs. Martha Walker, was a native of North Carolina and she was the mother of eight children, who have made their homes in Henry County and have added to the moral and financial welfare of the county.
Calvin Edward Walker gained his education upon the old homestead and in the meager schools of his day. While they were not advanced as far as our educational institutions of today, still they learned the three R's and the practical work of the farm to earn a livelihood. Mr. Walker married Emily Moore, August 1, 1880. She was born March 19, 1861, in Walker township, Henry County. Her parents were among the early settlers of the township and are now deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Walker are the parents of six children, all living in Walker township with the exception of Earl, who is serving in the National Army in Camp Funston, Kansas. They are as follows: Lillie M., deceased; George, whose sketch appears in this volume; Earl, in the service of the United States; Calvin P., twin to Earl, at home; Charles C, Walker township; Addie M., wife of Claude Jenkins, Lucas, Missouri.
C. Edward Walker passed away April 20, 1900, and since his demise, Mrs. Walker has continued to operate the home farm with the help of her sons, who are filling the places of their respected father and grandfather in Walker township.
Willis M. Stevens, who is engaged in the real estate and loan business at Clinton, has been prominently identified with Clinton and Henry County for a number of years. Mr. Stevens is a native of Indiana, born in 1859 and is a son of James and Hannah B. (Pierce) Stevens, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of New York. The Stevens family came to Missouri in 1869 and settled in Springfield township, Henry County, where the father bought 240 acres of land and here spent the remainder of his life engaged in farming and stock raising. He and his wife are now deceased and their remains are buried in Mt. Olive Cemetery. They were the parents of twelve children, only two of whom are now living, Willis M., the subject of this sketch, and Mrs. Sarah Pickord, who resides in Laclede County, Missouri.
Willis M. Stevens received his education in the public schools in Springfield township and Clinton High School, and shortly after leaving school, he came to Clinton and entered the employ of Bledsoe and Lane as clerk, remaining with them about two years. He then was appointed city weigher and served in that capacity six years. He was then elected county treasurer of Henry County, serving for four years. At the expiration of his term of office as county treasurer, he was elected county recorded and served four years. In 1899, he engaged in the real estate and loan business, succeeding M. C. Land, and since that time has been successfully engaged in that line, and during the course of his career in the real estate business, he has handled many important transactions. He has served as a member of the city council of Clinton and is the present treasurer of Clinton township.
Mr. Stevens was married December 31, 1884, to Miss Bettie N. Wray, daughter of Tillman and Hannah Wray of Clinton, Missouri. Her parents were Virginians and came to Henry County prior to the Civil War. To Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have been born one child, Bertia A., the wife of Lieut. M. J. Sonnebeck, who is now serving in the National Army. To Lieutenant and Mrs. Sonnebeck have been born two children, Elizabeth K. and Willis R.
Mr. Stevens has rendered invaluable service to the city of Clinton in the capacity of president of the Commercial Club, a position which he has filled for the past five years. This organization is recognized as one of the live commercial clubs of the State, and Mr. Stevens is entitled to no small amount of credit for the many good results obtained by the progressive and aggressive work of the organization. Among the accomplishments of the Clinton Commercial Club within the past five years, might be mentioned the obtaining of a $6,000 bridge across the Grand River, south of Clinton, inducing the Overman Overall Factory to locate here, which gives employment to a large number of people, and the installing of the Clinton White Way. Of their work in connection with this accomplishment, the Daily Democrat of June 17, 1915, had the following to say: "Mr. Stevens may be said very accurately to be the man who put it across, for while the credit is shared by every friend and subscriber to the movement, it was his untiring efforts that would not permit discouragement, that the White Way has been brought about.
He had the Commercial Club loyally back of him and especially an executive, soliciting and ways and means committee consisting of Doctor Neill, Doctor Marseilles, J. S. Spore, G. S. Holliday, S. Degan, B. G. Phillips and Carl Jiacomini." The work of the Commercial Club in which Mr. Stevens has taken an active part has been far reaching in the building up and the betterment of Clinton. He is a live wire and the results of his efforts are to be seen on every side.
In addition to his other interests, Mr. Stevens has been a director of the Citizens Bank of Clinton for the past ten years. He is a Democrat and has been active in politics since boyhood. He is one of the substantial citizens of Henry County, who is able to get results when he devotes his time and ability to measures. Mr. Stevens has been very active in furthering patriotic work, serving as chairman of the organization committee having charge of the Liberty Bond campaign, and has been active in promoting Liberty Bond sales, as well as Red Cross and Y. M. C. A. work and promotion of the raising of funds for each organization in Henry County.
