St. Clair County Missouri
Biographies

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RAY, Alonzo
Alonzo Ray, merchant, was born in Portage County, Ohio, May 10, 1823. His parents were John and Elmira (Root) Ray, the former a native of West Virginia, and the latter of Vermont. They reared six children, of whom Alonzo was the second child. He was brought up and educated in his native state, and in 1843 he went to Chicago, where he worked two years at the harness trade. He then located at Lafayette, Indiana, and was occupied at his chosen calling two years, and also at various places till 1849, when he emigrated to California. There he was interested in mining till 1851. Returning to Kansas, where he was engaged in farming till 1867. Then he came to Roscoe and has since been engaged in merchandising. He has held the office of justice of the peace for some years, and he was postmaster of this place for seven years. Mr. Ray has been three times married, first to Miss Fannie Eyemer, of New York, November 26, 1853. Her death occurred June 14, 1855. He was again married February 5, 1856, to Mrs. Caroline Kinyon, a daughter of James Lee. She died August 23, 1876. He was married to his present wife January 8, 1878, her name being Mrs. Mary L. Barr. He has two children by his second wife, Restory and Willis H. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

RAYMOND, Ransom M.
Ransom M. Raymond, of the Appleton City Carriage Works, came originally from Orleans County, New York, where he was born April 30, 1838. When four years old he was taken by the family to Benton County, Missouri, where he was reared on his father's farm. In 1858 he moved to Quincy, Hickory County. In 1861 he enlisted in Company A, Eighth Missouri Cavalry, and served until discharged, January 25, 1865. Returning to Quincy, he worked at the blacksmith trade until 1868. when he went to Greenfield, Dade County, where he lived until 1876. Then he established his present business in Appleton City. Mr. Raymond was married June 1, 1865, to Miss Harriet B. J. Long, of Dade County, Missouri. They have six children: Lulu, Ottie, Helen, Frank, Alice and Robert. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

RECHOW, Theodore Gustave
Theodore Gustave Rechow, Bolivar. Theodore Gustave Rechow was born December 8, 1847 in Polish Prussia, and is the oldest of three children born to Frederick Rechow and Wilhelmina Pufahl. His father emigrated from Polish Prussia in 1852, settled first in St. Louis and afterward in Guttenberg, Clayton County, Iowa where in 1858 he came to his death by drowning in the Mississippi River. He was a stone man by trade. Theodore G. Rechow attended the public schools of St. Louis and Guttenberg prior to his 12th year at which age he was apprenticed to the shoemaker’s trade; but meeting with unkind treatment he ran away from Cassville, Grant County, Wisconsin, and went to Sparta, Monroe County. Here he worked at his trade during evenings and spare moments, and by this means paid his board while attending school. This was continued until he was fifteen years old. At that time he enlisted as a teamster in the service of the quartermaster of the Missouri Department. This service he continued until July 14, 1863, when he enlisted as a private soldier in a company of the 2nd Kansas Cavalry and participated in the different campaigns in Missouri and Arkansas until the close of the war. The Regiment was mustered out of service at Lawrence, Kansas August 17, 1865. He remained in Lawrence a few months, then located in Bolivar, Polk County, Missouri where he opened a shop and carried on his trade, employing his leisure hours for the study of law. He was admitted to practice January 4, 1870. He opened an office in Bolivar where he has acquired a good practice as well as throughout the 14th Judicial District. He has taken little interest in politics except of a local nature but has devoted his entire time and energies to the requirements of his profession. He was a delegate to the Democratic congressional convention in 1874, and also to the state convention of 1876. He is a liberal in his religious views; is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.  He was married May 21, 1866 to Miss Lydia James, daughter of Hugh and Mary F. James, of Osceola, St. Clair County. They have three children. -- Missouri Biography Dictionary

REESE, Louis M.
Louis M. Reese, dealer in lumber, etc., was born in Osceola, Missouri, in 1850, and was the son of Lewis M. Reese, originally from Tennessee. In 1866 Louis commenced working at the printing business, which he followed as compositor, and editor and publisher until 1881, having been connected with the Herald at Osceola, the Courier at Appleton City, and the Sun in Osceola. In the winter of 1881 he embarked in the lumber trade, and he is now doing a successful,business. He married Miss Emma J. Lewis in 1881, a daughter of Dr. L. Lewis, who was born in Virginia December 15, 1813. Dr. Lewis was a son of Howell Lewis and a grandson of Fielding Lewis, who married Bettie Washington, sister of George Washington. Dr. Lewis was a prominent physician. He came to Osceola in 1839, and for many years was county treasurer. Dr. Lewis died December 20, 1878. He was twice married, first to Mary Ferguson February 8, 1843. She died December 24, 1845. His second marriage occurred March 14, 1853, to Mary E. Reynolds. Politically Mr. R. is a Republican. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. fraternity. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

RICE, Alexander M.
Alexander M. Rice is a native of Sumner County, Tennessee, and was born July 30, 1845. His parents, William and Lena Rice, nee Cotton, were born in the same county, and they had a family of six daughters and four sons, of whom there are now living Henry S., Mary M., Sassandre Alice, and Alexander M. Rice. The latter was married in 1865 to Miss Ellen Hooper, daughter of Claybourne and Mary Hooper, of this county. They have had eight children, but only five survive: James A., Mary M., Anna, William E. and Estella. Mr. Rice commenced life for himself at the age of eighteen years, and in 1880 he purchased his first farm, of 100 acres, located on section 8 of this township, about eight or nine miles northeast of Osceola. Since that time he has been improving this place. He is very industrious and energetic, and is rapidly assuming a place among the enterprising agriculturists of the vicinity. His farm is well adapted for stock raising. Mr. Rice and his wife are identified with the M. E. Church, which meets at Sheldon's school house, this township. His political views are Democratic. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

RICKMAN, N. L.
N. L. Rickman is the son of Joshua Rickman, who was born in the state of Tennessee, August 9, 1801. He came to St. Clair County, Missouri, in 1840, and located in Chalk Level Township, where he was married to Miss Mary B. Terry in 1844. She was born in Tennessee November 4, 1819. Joshua Rickman died April 28, 1879. N. L. was born in St. Clair County, Missouri, January 21, 1850, and has since lived here. He learned the blacksmiths' trade with his father, which he followed till 1878, since which time he has been occupied in farming. The landed estate of the Rickman family consists of 240 acres. Mr. R. is considered to be one of the most respected citizens of Chalk Level and was township clerk one term. He is a member of the Christian Church. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

RIDGWAY, John T.
John T. Ridgway, section 17, is a native of Howard County, Missouri, and was born January 11, 1838. his parents being Jesse and Anna (Wiley) Ridgway, Kentuckians by birth. The former came to Missouri in 1819 with his parents who were among the pioneer settlers of Howard County. Jesse Ridgway removed to St. Clair County, in 1840. John F. spent his youth on the farm in this county, and was married October 16, 1866, to Miss Ophelia Catherine Thompson, a daughter of John F. Thompson. She was born in this county and was here reared. She died June 2, 1875, leaving three children: Mattie Ann Lee, Robert F. and Ettie F. Mr. Ridgway was then married August 15, 1875, to Mrs. Ann Mains, widow of James Mains. She had two children by her former marriage: William T. and George H. Mains. There are three children by this latter union: James H. H., John Ed. and Mary Ann. Mr. R. now owns 240 acres of land, of which 150 are in good cultivation. He also owns 160 acres in another tract. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D., General Coffey's Regiment, Missouri State Guards, and served about six months, then re-enlisting in the regular Confederate service, under General Cockerel. He served three months in this regiment and was transferred to Young's Cavalry Battalion and served about one year. He participated in the fights of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, Springfield, Missouri, and others. He received a wound below the knee at Springfield and was disabled about two months. He was taken a prisoner at this time and held thirteen months, then escaping. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

ROBERTS, Thomas
Thomas Roberts was born in Rutherford County, Tennessee, in 1841, and was the son of Jesse Roberts, originally of South Carolina, born in 1778. About the year 1798 he was married, but his wife subsequently dying, he removed to Tennessee, where In 1833 (or thereabouts) he married for his second wife Miss Rachel McChristian, a Tennesseean by birth. They had seven children, of whom our subject was the fifth child. Four years after the birth of Thomas his father, leaving Rutherford County, emigrated to Kentucky, and four years later, or in 1849, came to Missouri and settled in Benton County, about ten miles above Warsaw on the Osage River. In the spring of 1854 he brought his family to St. Clair County, locating at Tyler's Bend. A few years later he died, leaving the family in straightened circumstances. His widow dying soon afterwards, the care and support of the family fell upon Thomas and his brother Joseph. They were equal to the emergency, however, and being possessed of an indomitable will and energy, succeeded admirably in their undertaking. After encountering many obstacles and privations brought about by the late civil war they now own 250 acres of as valuable rolling land as is in the county, it being located in section 13. On September 6, 1866, Thomas Roberts was married to Miss Martha I. Graham, and they have two sons and three daughters: William, Mary E., Lucy Belle, Marian F. and Emily Lucretia. Joseph Roberts was born February 15, 1842, in Rutherford County Tennessee, and also accompanied his father to this county. The education of these brothers has been obtained entirely through their own efforts and by the light of the fire at night, no one having taught them even the alphabet. They are both identified with the Greenback movement and are numbered among the prominent citizens of this county. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

ROBINSON, Abram W.
Abram W. Robinson, was born in Peoria County, Illinois, October, 18, 1841. His father, William Robinson, was born in Jefferson County, Virginia, November 27, 1805. He came to Peoria County, Illinois, in 1827, and remained there until his death, which occurred at his home in Medina Township, September 14, 1881. He was married in 1833 to Catharine Wiedman who was born in Champaign County, Ohio. They had a family of six children, four sons and two daughters. The subject of this sketch was the third son and was brought tip on his father's farm, receiving his education at the common schools during the winter. He lost his mother at the age of eight years. With the outburst of the civil strife in 1861, he responded to the nation's call for troops and enlisted in the three months' service, returning at the expiration of that time. For several years after that be was employed by the government in buying cattle and shipping them to the armies in the South, until ill health obliged him to discontinue the business. After the war he spent about a year in St. Louis and in traveling. He then returned to Macoupin County, Illinois, and worked as a farm hand. He then rented a farm for awhile, and in October, 1871, with what he had accumulated, he came to St. Clair County and bought 160 acres in section 15. The 14th day of January, 1872, he commenced its improvement, and by hard labor, toiling in a way utterly detrimental to his health, earned and built up a home. October 22, 1873, he married Miss Cora H. Clark, who was born in DuPage County, Illinois, October 9, 1848. Her father, David H. Clark, was struck dead by lightning March 17, 1850. (Mr. Robinson's mother died the next day, the 18th of March, 1850). He was born in Ohio and was one of the first settlers in Illinois. He married Mary Jarvis, who was born in New York. Her parents were among the first settlers in Illinois and her father built the first frame house in Chicago. She died in St. Clair County, Missouri, May 2, 1872. Mr. Robinson bought in 1875, 160 acres of land in section 23. In 1878 he purchased eighty acres more, and in 1879, five acres in section 1, also owning forty acres in section 16. He was a great worker and a warm friend to the poor and those in need of assistance. He was the father of three children: Frank C., born April 19, 1875; Roy D., born June 25, 1876, and Harry E., born July 13, 1879. The summer of 1881 he bought a steam threshing machine and went with that part of the summer and fall. November, 5 he was injured by slipping from the step of a wagon box and this terminated in pneumonia fever. He died December 1, 1881. He was a member of the A. F. & A. M. fraternity for twelve years and his burial was conducted by them the following Sunday. A large concourse of friends followed him to his last resting place - the Appleton cemetery. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

ROBINSON, G. Wilse, M.D.
Dr. G. Wilse Robinson, who is accorded a position of distinction as one of the eminent members of the medical fraternity in Missouri and is now serving as superintendent of the Insane Hospital at Nevada, this state, is widely known as a specialist in neurology and mental diseases. His birth occurred in St. Clair County, Missouri, August 1, 1871, his parents being George W. and Cornelia (Beckwith) Robinson, the former a farmer and stock raiser. In boyhood a student in the public schools, Dr. Robinson acquired his literary education in Appleton City Academy and in the State University of Missouri, which he entered in 1893. Subsequently he attended Beaumont Medical College, of St. Louis, and was graduated with the class of 1896, the degree of M.D. being at that time conferred upon him. Dr. Robinson immediately entered upon the active practice of his profession in Bates county, Missouri, where he remained for eighteen months, and for four years was located in Joplin, Missouri. In January, 1892, he came to Kansas City, where he practiced the superintendency of the Insane Hospital at Nevada, Missouri, to which position he was chosen by its board of managers on the 3d of May, 1907. He was a professor of physiology in the University Medical College of Kansas City for a term of five years, is still a member of the faculty, and thus continues in active relation with the medical fraternity here. He belongs to the American Medical Association, the Medical Association of the Southwest, the Missouri Medical Association, the Jackson County Medical Society and the Kansas City Academy of Medicine. Robinson has also gained prominence in his profession, building up a very lucrative practice here. He has made a specialty of neurology and psychiatry, and because of this specialization he accepted the proffered position of superintendent at the Insane Hospital to enlarge his knowledge through the study of mental and nervous disorders as manifest there. -- Kansas City, Missouri: It's History and It's People, 1808-1908



ROBINSON, William T.
William T. Robinson, postmaster and merchant at Chalk Level, was born in Lawrence County, Illinois, October 1, 1839. His parents were Alexander and Mary A. (Gibbon) Robinson, both natives of Kentucky. W. T. was reared in the county of his birth, and in 1855 came to St. Clair County, Missouri, where he followed farming till 1881. Then he began his present business, in which he has met with good success. He was married January 3, 1868, to Miss Elsie J. Landon. They have one child, Edmond Landon, and have lost two: Ida and Eddie. Mr. and Mrs. R. are active members of the Christian Church. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

ROTEN, Thompson
A Memorial and Biographical Record of Kansas City and Jackson Co., Missouri -- Thomas Roten. Success is not a matter of genius, but a sound judgment, ability and perseverance, and that Dr. Roten is numbered among the leading physicians of Kansas City is due to his possession of these characteristics. The record of his life is deserving of a place in the history of his adopted state, and we gladly give it a place in this volume. The Doctor was born near Scottsville, Kentucky, 10 August 1828, and is a son of John and Anna (McReynolds) Roten. His father was a farmer by occupation, and was also a native of Kentucky, his birth having occurred in Allen County, 27 November 1800. In 1830 he removed with his family to Putnam County, Indiana and located on a farm. In 1843 he removed to Platte County, Missouri where he made his home until 1851. He died in 1887 at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years. His wife passed away some years previously. Their family numbered seven children, but only two are now living, the other besides himself being Mrs. Elizabeth C. Ferrill, a resident of Dayton, Missouri, and the widow of Milton Ferrill, who died in 1895. The Doctor’s paternal grandfather was Nehemiah Roten, a native of South Carolina, who removed to Kentucky when a young man. In that state he died at the extreme old age of one hundred and ten years. The maternal grandfather, James McReynolds, was also a Kentuckian, and died at the age of sixty-five years. The Doctor was reared in Putnam and Hendricks Counties, Indiana and took advantage of the opportunities offered by the public schools to acquire an education. After his removal to Missouri he taught school for five years, and in 1848 took up the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Hunn, of Platte County, Missouri. After his admission to practice he opened an office in Oxford, Missouri where he remained until 1862, when he attended medical lectures in the St. Louis Medical College, and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1859-60. The following year he removed to Barry, Clay County, Missouri and from Clay County them moved to Bates County. In 1876 the Doctor moved to Appleton City, St. Clair County, Missouri and practiced there until 1882, when he moved to Odessa in La Fayette County, where he remained four months, and purchased property at Garden City, Cass County, where he practiced until November 1889, when he removed to Kansas City, his present home. Here he soon built up an excellent practice and has always enjoyed a lucrative business. The Doctor has been married twice. In 1849 he was joined in wedlock with Miss Ruth E. Nevill, of Wellington, Missouri, and to them were born eight children, but only three are now living: Mrs. Julia A. Burch, of Bates County, Missouri; Mrs. Elizabeth F. Lytle, of Kansas City; and Mrs. Emma Nolan, of St. Joseph, Missouri. In 1878 the Doctor was united in marriage with his present wife, Mrs. Lourenna M. Bowling, nee Turner, formerly of Appleton City, Missouri. They have a pleasant home at No. 906 Independence Avenue, where the Doctor also has his office. He and his family attended the First Christian church, and he is deeply interested in all that pertains to the moral, educational and material welfare of the community. -- Kansas City and Jackson County, Missouri Biographical Record, 1896

RUSSELL, Buckner
Buckner Russell, farmer and stock dealer, section 21, was born in Moniteau County, Missouri, May 13, 1837. His father, John Russell, was a native of Kentucky, and married Miss Nancy Alley, of the same state. They had nine children, the subject of this sketch being the fourth child. He was reared to manhood in his native county, and was there educated, also following farming in the locality till 1866, when he came to St. Clair County, Missouri. His landed estate consists of 600 acres. During the war the greater part of his time was occupied in the Confederate service. Mr. R. is a member of the Masonic fraternity. November 8, 1866, he was married to Miss Matilda Harriman, of Illinois. By this union they have four children: John W., Geneva, Elsie G. and Myrtie. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

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