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Judge
Daniel J Stamper
Judge
Stamper, the eldest son of 'Squire' Hiram Stamper, whose sketch
precedes this, was born in Owen County, Kentucky, November 24,
1834 and was reared in his native county.
His
boyhood and youth up to the age of 15 were spent on the farm
of his father in that county, but in 1829 the family removed
to Owenton, the county seat, where his father took charge of
a mill; and from that time forward the young Stamper had the
benefit of the excellent local schools of Owenton. Having a taste
for study, he made a zealous student and advanced rapidly in
the acquisition of the knowledge to be had from study in a common
English course.
Before
reaching his majority, he became well fitted for school teaching
and being requested to take charge of a school in the county,
he accepted the position and was quite successful as a teacher.
Industrious, faithful and as anxious to inspire in his pupils
a love of knowledge as he himself was zealous in its pursuit,
he became a most efficient teacher and being a constant student
himself, he steadily advanced in position in that calling and
became a teacher of considerable prominence in Kentucky.
In
1854 he went to Iowa and taught for about a year; and from Iowa
came to Missouri, where he taught for two years more. Prior to
this, however, Judge Stamper had married, that is on the 3rd
of September, 1856 when Miss Mary A Holbrook became his wife.
She was the daughter of martin and Eliza 'Cobb' Holbrook, originally
of North Carolina, but was herself born and reared in Owen County,
and in girlhood was a pupil of Judge Stamper. Two years after
his marriage, Judge Stamper located on a farm in Clifton Township
of Randolph County, and has since devoted himself to agricultural
pursuits or rather except when occupied with public affairs.
Judge
Stamper to begin with was a young gentleman of superior intelligence
and spirit, possessing many of the stronger and better attributes
of sterling manhood and useful citizenship. Added to this, he
obtained quite an excellent general education both by study and
by long experience as a teacher. It is therefore only as was
to have been expected that he would take prominent place as a
citizen of the county. As a farmer, he has ever been a man of
industry and enterprise, with an intelligent grasp of the conditions
and influence necessary to be brought to bear to achieve success
and to advance the general interest of agriculture in his community.
He has a fine farm and by his own energy and good management
has long since succeeded in establishing himself comfortably
in life.
The
year after coming to Randolph County, he was appointed Justice
of the Peace of Salt Spring, now Clifton Township. Such was the
readiness with which his character, ability and business qualifications
were recognized at his new home.
At
the following election, he was elected to the same office by
a majority, highly complimentary to his personal popularity.
Following this, he filled the office in all; some eight years,
and was thereupon advanced by the whole people of the county
to the honorable and responsible position of Judge of the County
Court. Judge Stamper continued to hold that office until a year
ago, nearly fifteen years. |
