Person:Samuel Wonsetler (1)

Biography

Samuel Q. Wonsettler came to New York Township, Caldwell County, Missouri in 1864. His first move from Pennsylvania was to Boone County, Indiana. He next moved to and settled in Cass County, Missouri in 1860. He worked for Boland Brown and, later, a Chandler Smith. He bought a farm in Caldwell County in 1879.

Biography

History of Caldwell and Livingston Counties, Missouri (1886) p. 548-549 Samuel Q. Wonsetler (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 8, Post-office, Bonanza). The estate which is owned by the subject of this sketch is one of the finest in Lincoln township, and, indeed, in this portion of Caldwell county, and it is but the repetition of a truth well known to say that no man is more deserving of the possessions which he enjoys than Mr. Wonsetler. His land covers 320 acres, so located that mainly traveled roads run on the east, west and south sides of it. The place is situated seven miles from Kingston, twelve miles from Hamilton, and it all under improvement, his residence especially being worthy of mention, as it is hardly surpassed by any. An abundance of water furnishes a supply for stock. Mr. Wonsetler is not yet even a middle-aged man, for he was born August 10, 1850, the place of his birth being in Fayette county, Pa. When he was but two years old his father removed with his family to Boone county, Ind., from whence, in 1860, they came to Missouri, settling in Cass county. The father departed this life in 1855. Samuel was 17 years old when he began in life for himself. In 1864 he settled in this county and at first worked for Boland Brown by the month, then remaining in the employ of John McBride for two years. Subsequently he rented the James Cox farm on Shoal for some seven years, and was finally enabled to purchase a farm in New York township, which he disposed of in about two years to remove into Hamilton. There he engaged in buying and selling horses and also in the lumber business for four years. In 1879 he bought his present farm and moved upon it in 1882. Such has been a brief outline of his life history and its perusal may well give encouragement to other young men who are desirous of starting out for themselves. Mr. Wonsetler was married December 21, 1875, to Miss Rutha J. Edwards, a daughter of Isaac B. Edwards, a Virginian by birth. She was born May 24, 1852. They have two children: Ollie J., born January 22, 1876, and Samuel L., born November 22, 1878. Isaac B. Edwards was a farmer by occupation and was killed by falling from a load of hay January 15, 1873. His wife, formerly Nancy Moore, is still living. Their three sons survive, Solomon, Amos and Hayward, and their daughters, Rosamond Bowers, Ollie Peabody and Matilda Hawks; one sister, Celia, died in infancy.