CHAPTER XXVII (Part 92)
BIOGRAPHICAL
J.E.A. Hornbarger, an extensive farmer and stock raiser of Big Creek township, is a native of Tennessee. He was born in 1851 and is a son of William M. and Mary J. (Lotspiech) Hornbarger, natives of Tennessee. William M. Hornbarger came to Henry County in 1854 and settled in Big Creek township, where he bought 120 acres of land, which is now a part of J. E. A. Hornbarger's place. He remained here until 1880, when he went to Arkansas and settled near Alma, Crawford County. Later, he sold that and moved to Paris, Arkansas, where he died. His wife died in Henry County. They were the parents of the following children: Josephine, deceased; J. E. A., the subject of this sketch; Roten L., deceased; Mrs. Fannie Millen, deceased; Maggie, deceased, and Mock, was in Oklahoma when last heard from.
J.E.A. Hornbarger received his education in the pioneer schools of Henry County, attending school in the Victor district, which was then conducted on the subscription plan. The school building was a primitive log structure and he recalls his first teacher as being Miss Mollie Lotspiech, a sister of his mother. Samuel Victor, a Baptist preacher, was also one of the pioneer teachers in this district. Mr. Hornbarger was reared amidst the pioneer surroundings of Henry County and his early life was spent under conditions that develop self-reliance, and he has made his own way in the world practically since boyhood. He began farming on his own account in Big Creek township in 1873. In 1877, he bought forty acres, which was the first land that he ever owned. He has added to that from time to time and now owns 240 acres of some of the most valuable and productive land in Henry County. All the improvements on this place have been placed there by Mr. Hornbarger. The farm is located two miles southeast of Maurme, and is crossed by the Frisco railroad. Mr. Hornbarger carries on general farming and is also quite extensively interested in stock raising.
In 1875, Mr. Hornbarger was married to Exony Thomas, a daughter of Cornelius and Sally Thomas, Henry County pioneers, who settled in the vicinity of where Lewis Station now stands. To Mr. and Mrs. Hornbarger have been born the following children: Sally, married Charles Jagerman of Honey Creek township; Mrs. Pinkie Yount, deceased; Ruth, married Bud Harrington of Honey Creek township, and Ruby, married William Wolf of Honey Creek township.
Mr. Hornbarger has seen Henry County pass through all the stages from the primitive pioneer days to its present high state of development. In the early days, he broke prairie with ox teams with the old fashioned plow and later with the steel improved plow. He was here many years in advance of the corn planter and he recalls that the first corn planter owned in this vicinity was purchased by Elijah George in the early seventies. It was a wooden structure with the exception of the tires on the wheels. Mr. Hornbarger has contributed his part to all this development that has made Henry County the banner county of the State, and is entitled to classification as one of its honored pioneers.
Walter S. Waugh, a prominent farmer and stockman of Big Creek township, is a native son of Henry County and a descendant of a prominent pioneer family of Missouri. Mr. Waugh was born in Big Creek township on the place where he now resides March 23, 1877, and is a son of John W. and Julia A. (Hamilton) Waugh, natives of Indiana and pioneers of Henry County, Missouri. A more complete sketch of the Waugh family history appears in this volume in the sketch of James H. Waugh, a brother of the subject of this sketch.
Walter S. Waugh was educated in the public schools of Henry County and was reared on the farm where he now resides. He has always been engaged in farming and stock raising and is one of the successful farmers and well known stockmen of Big Creek township. He purchased the home place in 1910. It is a splendid farm, containing 355 acres, situated two miles southwest of Norris. The place is well improved and is one of the attractive places in the township. The residence was destroyed by fire December 26, 1917. It was considered one of the finest residences in the western part of the county. Mr. Waugh is now building a residence that will be modern in every particular when completed.
Mr. Waugh was united in marriage March 20, 1902, with Miss Jessie May Anderson, daughter of J. M. Anderson of Big Creek township, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Waugh have been born the following children: Thelma Agnes, John M., Claud A., Walter W., and Joe, who died in infancy.
Mr. Waugh is one of the progressive and hustling representatives of Henry County's prosperous citizens.
William S. Swart, who with his son, G. L. Swart, are proprietors of the "Elmland Stock Farm" in Big Creek township, is a native of Kentucky. He was born in Mason County, September 20, 1862, a son of M. and Mary C. Swart. William S. Swart came to Henry County March 22, 1878, when he was about sixteen years of age, with his parents. He remained at home until he was about twenty-five years of age, when he engaged in farming for himself on the farm which his son, G. L., now owns. He improved this place, adding all modern farm conveniences, until it is one of the best farms in Henry County. "Elmland Stock Farm" contains 406 acres and is located one mile east of Maurine.
William S. and G. L. Swart are extensively engaged in breeding Pole Angus cattle and at this writing (1918) have on hand about 114 head. They are also recognized among the most successful hog breeders of Henry County, specializing in pure blood, big boned Poland China hogs. They added the hog industry to their stock business in 1917 and have some very high class registered stock.
On October 5, 1887, William S. Swart was united in marriage with Miss Julia Ann Ross, a daughter of W. H. Ross of Big Creek township. The mother is now deceased and the father resides on his home farm in Big Creek township. To William S. Swart and wife have been born the following children: Grady L., who is in partnership with his father in the "Elmland Stock Farm;" Verlie B., married Carl Beatty of Shawnee township, and Eliza K., who resides at home with her parents.
Mr. Swart is a progressive and public spirited citizen and takes a keen interest in the welfare of his township and county. He is now spending his third term as treasurer of Big Creek township. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World of Norris, and one of Henry County's valued citizens.
Joe A. Ross, a progressive farmer and leading citizen of Big Creek township, is a native son of Henry County. He was born in the township where he now resides April 28, 1875, and is a son of William H. and Eliza Jane (Norris) Ross. William H. Ross was born in Illinois in 1843, a son of Samuel and Margaret (Gray) Ross. Samuel Ross came to Henry County, Missouri, with his family and settled in Shawnee township in 1844, when William H. was about one year old. They spent the remainder of their lives in this county. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom William H. is the only one living. The others were: Freeman, Alfred, Lee, James C, Alvin, Robert, Catharine, Almeda, Sarah and Sophronia. To William H. and Eliza Jane (Norris) Ross were born the following children: Mrs. Julia Ann Rochester, Big Creek township; Joseph Adam, the subject of this sketch, and Ida Belle. The mother died in July, 1904, and the father now resides on his farm in Big Creek township.
Joe A. Ross was educated in the public schools of Henry County and the Iowa Business College at Des Moines, Iowa. He then engaged in farming and for ten years, followed that vocation, when he entered the employ of the Frisco Railroad Company as station agent and telegraph operator. In 1915, he returned to the home farm in Big Creek township and since that time, has been engaged in general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Ross was married January 14, 1904, to Miss Anna Davis, a daughter of Benjamin and Mollie Davis of Saline County, Missouri. Mrs. Ross's father died in 1913 and her mother now lives near Miami, Missouri. Mrs. Ross has one brother, John Davis, who resides in Saline County, and a sister, Cora, who resides at home.
Mr. Ross is a Democrat and is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons Lodge No. 343, Argicola, Missouri, and is the present master of that lodge.
George F. Smith - The first home of George F. Smith, widely known "old settler" of Leesville township, living south of the village of Coal, was a log cabin. Forty-seven years ago he settled upon his first forty acres in Leesville township, cleared the land of timber, suffered from chills and fever, worked hard and planned ahead for a beautiful home.
He has realized his ambitions and now owns one of the most attractive farm residences in Henry County, combining the old time ideas of a Virginia home with modernity and occupying a beautiful setting in the timbered country from which Mr. Smith has created his fine farm. The first "forty" has grown to four "forties," or a total of 160 acres of well tilled land. The Smith farm is well improved with a fine farm residence of seven rooms, erected in 1880 and remodeled in 1890.
George F. Smith was born in Patrick County, Virginia, September 17, 1847, and is the son of Foulks and Mary Ann (Handy) Smith, both members of old Virginia families. For further particulars, the reader is referred to the sketch of Joseph H. Smith, brother of the subject of this review. George F. Smith was reared and educated in Virginia and came to Missouri in 1868. He was first employed as a hired hand at monthly wages for one year. He made rails at a wage of $1.25 to $1.50 per hundred and became an expert rail splitter, able to cut and split from 100 to 130 fence rails per day. Mr. Smith, in his younger days, was an expert at both axe wielding and at "the table." Strong in body and very active, he was an expert with the old fashioned cradle and his services were in demand during the wheat harvest season. He received $18 to $20 per month and his board for this work. In the meantime, he enjoyed life while working hard and after a hard days work in the field, he would follow the hounds in an exciting fox hunt all night long. For years, he kept a pack of fox hounds and also treed and caught many "coons." He made his first purchase of land in 1871, when he bought forty acres, which was only partly cleared of timber. He has cleared and improved this tract as well as three others of the same size, and went in debt for land each time when he made a purchase, believing that the best plan is to let the land help pay for itself.
January 7, 1869, George F. Smith and Susanna C. Nichols were united in marriage. This marriage was blessed with children as follows: William F., the successful merchant at Coal, Missouri; George Henderson, accidentally killed, was born December 14, 1873, and died January 27, 1896; Mrs. Kate Trollinger, Oklahoma; Lenney, a farmer of the neighborhood; Finis Frances, died at the age of one year; Mrs. Adella McCowan, a former teacher now living at Malvern, Iowa; Mrs. Lillie D. Randalls, living near Tightwad, Henry County; Cora Edith, a successful teacher for the past four years, and a student of the Warrensburg State Normal School; Jennie, died in 1905 at the age of thirteen years.
Mr. Smith is a Democrat and loyal to his party and its principles. He is a deacon in the Presbyterian Church at Coal and is, one of the best known of the substantial and well to do old settlers of Henry County.
