My Genealogy Hound

WIILLIAM T. and ANDREW G. DEWEESE. Farming and stock-raising form the chief occupation of these gentlemen, and the progressive manner in which they have taken advantage of every method and idea tending toward the enhanced value of their property has had considerable to do with their success. Through thrift and enterprise they have accumulated a goodly amount of land, and are large real-estate owners. The farm owned by William T. lies on section 6, township 43, range 21, and the estate of the younger brother is situated in the same township.

The elder of the Deweese brothers came to Pettis County in October, 1890, and settled on his present place in September, 1893. The farm consists of one hundred and nine acres, upon which have been placed all modern improvements, and which, through a systematic rotation of crops, has been rendered exceptionally fertile. The situation of the farm is excellent, it being within three miles of Sedalia, so that the owner can combine the advantages offered by close proximity to the city with all the opportunities afforded by rural life.

The father of our subjects, John D. Deweese, was born in Ohio, May 5, 1823, and was by occupation a farmer and stock-raiser. His entire life was spent in the Buckeye State, where his death occurred September 7, 1886, and he was laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery, in Miami County. Possessing a stalwart physique and being a man of great enterprise, he aided in the settlement of his part of the county. He was of Welsh ancestry, his progenitors having made their home in Virginia on leaving their native land. Grandfather Thomas Deweese was a well-to-do farmer in the Old Dominion.

John D. Deweese was united in marriage to Martha L. Ruth, the daughter of William and Eliza (West) Ruth. She was born in Lancaster County, Pa., September 22, 1822, and is still living. Her father was a farmer by occupation, but in early life was a blacksmith and wagon-maker. In the parental family were four sons and one daughter. William Thomas was the eldest; Mathias D., the second-born, is deceased; Andrew G. is spoken of more fully later on in this biography; Perry L. is next in order of birth; and Ruth E. died when two years old.

William Thomas Deweese, who was born October 2, 1845, near Troy, Miami County, Ohio, was brought up to farm work, and early in life trained to habits of industry and economy. He had good opportunities for obtaining an education, having attended the high school at Troy, and was later graduated from the Dayton Commercial College. He remained in his native state until about four years ago, when he came West to Missouri and located in Pettis County. Beside being a successful farmer, he is a good business man and has intelligent views on all subjects of general importance. Soon after taking possession of his present farm he erected thereon a substantial dwelling, conveniently arranged and occupying a good location. While in Ohio he owned an excellent estate, which was finely improved and well stocked. He is a good judge of animals, and devotes much time to breeding good grades of cattle and horses. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious affairs is connected by membership with the Episcopal Church, in which religious body his father was very prominent and influential.

William Deweese aided in organizing the first grange in Miami County, Ohio, of which he was a charter member and in the work of which he was greatly interested. Since coming to Pettis County he has identified himself with Maplewood Grange. He was instrumental in organizing the Sedalia Horse Collar Manufacturing Company, which was started in September, 1894, and in which he has stock. At the organization of the latter company he was elected its Treasurer. In the establishment of the Central Missouri Hedge Company he was also the prime mover, and is General Manager of the concern.

Andrew G. Deweese was born in Miami County, Ohio, January 9, 1850, and was there brought up to a full knowledge of farm life. His education, which was commenced in the common school, was completed in the high school of Troy. His advent into Pettis County took place in December, 1878, but one year prior to this time, however, he was engaged in handling stock in Dent County, Mo. His brother Perry L. came here with him and is engaged in farming in Cedar Township. The estate of Andrew Deweese is one of the finest in the county and comprises two hundred and two fertile, well cultivated acres. His place is adorned with a good residence, barns and other buildings used by a first-class farmer, one and all of which are neat and well constructed. Mr. Deweese raises cattle, horses and hogs in large numbers, besides devoting a considerable portion of his land to grain raising.

Andrew G. Deweese was married in Ohio, January 28, 1874, to Miss Clara, daughter of Captain and Emily Counts, old pioneers of the Buckeye State, where her father was one of the most prominent citizens, and where he died in 1871. In politics our subject does not differ from other members of the family, and is a true-blue Republican. He is a prominent Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter at Troy, Ohio, and is at present Master of Maplewood Grange No. 654. With his good wife, he is a member in excellent standing of the Presbyterian Church, with which he has been connected since nineteen years of age, and is greatly interested in Sunday-school work, being Superintendent of the school held in Grange Hall.