A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III, Part 108

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864-1935 editor
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 912

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is the owner of farming land in Buchanan County, Missouri, and in Kansas.

On May 29, 1894, Mr. Hillix was united in marriage with Miss Clara M. Nelson, who was born May 20, 1866, in Platte County, Missouri, a daughter of Nels P. and Entra T. (Hoverson) Nelson, natives of Nor- way, who came to Platte County, Missouri, in 1860 and later removed to Buchanan County. Mr. Nelson died in 1888, at the age of sixty years, while Mrs. Nelson still survives at the age of seventy-six years, and makes her home at St. Joseph. Four children have come to Mr. and Mrs. Hillix, born as follows: Charles Nelson, October 27, 1895; Minnie Christine, July 25, 1898; Catherine Rebecca, January 27, 1900, and Enger A., October 11, 1903.

It is within the province of this sketch to include a review of the life of the Bank of Weston, this being quoted verbatim from an article published in Weston's leading newspaper: "Weston's location as the commercial center for a large surrounding territory that is rich in nat- ural resources and thickly populated, has necessitated the establishing of reliable banking concerns to meet the demands of its trade, and because of its prominence and close connection with the business affairs of West Platte County, the sketch of the Bank of Weston will be given a leading position in this edition. The history of this institution is con- temporary with, and a part of, the history of Platte County for the past twenty-one years. It opened its doors for business April 1, 1893, and was at that time a private institution with a capital of $5,000. Success attended its efforts from the first, and, in order to adjust itself to the demands of its steadily growing business, its capital has since increased several times. In December, 1896, it was changed to $7,000, and on March 26, 1898, the bank was incorporated under the state laws with a capital stock of $10,000, and this continued until 1905 when it was still further increased to $25,000, its present amount. The officers and directors of this bank are: Allen A. Hillix, president; John U. Dale, vice president ; Charles H. Hillix, cashier; William C. Polk, assistant cashier, and Canby Hawkins.

"This bank owns its building, which is located at the southwest corner of Main and Thomas streets. It is a handsome, modern, two-story brick structure, with a frontage of 25 feet on Main street, and extending back along Thomas street 60 feet. The banking apartments have a full glass front, which gives excellent light, and the interior is divided into main lobby, counting room and private office, all beautifully finished in pleas- ing designs. The walls and ceiling are of steel paneling, the floor of the main lobby is of mosaic tiling in colors, and the counter extensions are finished in the natural wood with bases of polished marble, and are sur- mounted with rich panels of frosted glass. To the rear of the business apartments is a large, comfortable rest room, containing writing table and easy chairs, and open to the public at all times during business hours. The building is heated by natural gas and coal fires, is lighted by both gas and electricity, and is supplied with electric fans for use during hot weather. A full-sized basement beneath is used for storage purposes, for fuel, etc. The equipment still further embraces a massively-con- structed vault 12x14 feet in size, with double walls of heavy masonry having an air space in the center and a ventilating system, thus rendering it entirely fire and damp proof. The vault is closed with Mosler double- steel doors, secured with combination locks, and is used for the protec- tion of valuable papers and as a safe deposit for patrons. In addition to the vaults, the bank equipment includes a Mosler screw-door, triple- time lock of the latest design, which furnishes absolute protection for treasure. The routine work of the bank is facilitated by the necessary

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devices, including typewriters and a Burroughs adding machine. It is also supplied with a telephone.

"The Bank of Weston does a general banking business in all its · branches. It handles exchange, makes collections, receives deposits, and places loans, the latter being made principally on personal security and real estate, although it handles tobacco and live stock paper to some extent. Its deposits, in round numbers, range from $85,000 to $150,000, its loans at present about $100,000, and it now has a surplus of $6,500, and undivided profits $1,000. Its correspondents are the First National Bank, Kansas City; Burnes National Bank, St. Joseph; Mechanics American National Bank, St. Louis, and the National City Bank of New York. It is a member of the Missouri Bankers' Association, and is insured against burglary and daylight holdups in the Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation, of London, England. Ample fire insurance is also kept up.

"This bank is, without doubt, one of the foremost business institutions of Platte County. It has, from the first, exerted a large influence upon the commercial interests of this section of Missouri, and this influence has always been for the betterment and building up of this part of the state. Conservatism and careful transactions have always been promi- nent features of its management, consequently it has ever had the full confidence of the public, and its career has been a most honorable and successful one since it opened its doors for business."

EDWIN CLIFTON HILL, M. D. The senior member of the medical fra- ternity at Smithville, Doctor Hill claims Northwest Missouri as his native home, and has been in practice more than twenty years, his home having been in Smithville since 1898. One of his brothers is a physician, and by marriage the doctor is connected with a family which has given pro- fessional service in medicine to this part of Missouri for more than sev- enty years.

Edwin Clifton Hill was born near Plattsburg, Clinton County, Mis- souri, August 31, 1868. His father is Thomas R. Hill, now a venerable resident of Plattsburg, who was born in Henry County, Kentucky, August 29, 1837. He was married to Julia F. Sparks, who was born in Owen County, Kentucky, September 16, 1838, and died August 25, 1908. In 1857 they moved to Missouri, locating near St. Joseph, and in 1861 going to Clinton County, where he bought a farm 41/2 miles from Plattsburg. On that homestead the children were reared and the mother died. In 1913 the father left the farm and has since had his home in retirement at Plattsburg. He was very successful as a farmer. An ardent democrat, he has interested himself in politics and public affairs, and at one time served as presiding judge of the Clinton County Court. His wife and most of the family were of the Baptist faith. There was a large family of children, comprising eight sons and three daughters, named as follows: A. Henry, of El Reno, Oklahoma ; Dr. W. H., of St. Joseph ; Lou P., wife of J. D. Smith, of Knox County, Missouri ; Georgia L., wife of Robert Smithers, of Kansas City ; Dr. E. C., of Smithville; Molly F., wife of R. L. Eberts, of Plattsburg; H. W., of Liberty, Missouri; A. W., of Woodlake, Kentucky; Ben P., of Pomona, California ; T. Russ and A. Lester, both of whom are dentists in practice at St. Joseph and Kansas City, Missouri.

Edwin C. Hill reverts to the Clinton County farm as the scene of his early recollections and experiences, and while there he had the discipline and instruction of the common schools. Having made up his mind to prepare for medicine as a profession, he contrived the means and opportunity for attending college, and took his course in the Eclectic

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Medical College of Cincinnati, where he was graduated M. D. in 1891. His first location was at Gower, in Clinton County, and after seven years he moved to Smithville, in Clay County. He has enjoyed a large practice both in town and country, and with each year of experience his skill is more in demand and his position more securely established in the confidence of the people.

Doctor Hill has professional associations with the Clay County and Missouri State Medical societies, with the American Medical Association and the National Eclectic Association. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order and the Mystic Shrine, with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is a democrat.

September 2, 1891, Doctor Hill married Miss Annie E. May, and they are the parents of six children, two of whom, Edwin R. and George D., are deceased. The others are Julia May, Ben Lester, David W. and Howard W.

Mrs. Hill was born at Barry, in Clay County, March 4, 1870, a daughter of Dr. Ben L. and a granddaughter of Dr. Ware May, both prominent in their profession. Her grandfather came from Kentucky, being a graduate of the Lexington Medical College, and was for many years in practice at Liberty and in Platte County. He served as a sur- geon with Missouri troops in the Mexican war. He married Elizabeth Burnett, a sister of former Gov. Peter Burnett of California. Dr. Ben L. May, father of Mrs. Hill, was born in Platte County, Mis- souri, June 17, 1841, and died April 25, 1882. In 1865 he graduated from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York City, and had previously been a Confederate soldier under Gen. Sterling Price. He began his practice at Barry, in Clay County, and that was his home until his death. A man of large physical frame and broad mental capacity, equaled by a jovial temperament, he was beloved by everyone in that entire community. He was married September 28, 1865, to Mary A. Nicol. She was born near Platte City, Missouri, April 4, 1846, and is now living with her only daughter, Mrs. Hill. Her parents, David and Ellen (Peyton) Nicol, were born in Rappahannock County, Virginia, and settled in Platte County, Missouri, in the fall of 1846, and lived on a farm there the rest of their lives. Besides Mrs. Hill the other chil- dren of Dr. and Mrs. May were: George E., of Charles City, Iowa; David W., in Government service in Porto Rico; and B. Wood, of Charles City, Iowa.

W. B. HARRIS. The best small town paper in Clay County is the distinction given by its readers and the general public to the Democrat- Herald at Smithville. Its editor and proprietor, W. B. Harris, is a news- paper man from the ground up, and has had little experience in any other field since boyhood.

W. B. Harris was born in Corning, Kansas, January 6, 1877, a son of Robert A. and Lucy (Rucker) Harris. His father, who was born in Indiana, moved out to Kansas in 1867, and homesteaded land in that state, where he lived the life of a practical farmer until his death in 1890 at the age of thirty-nine. He was the father of four children : W. B .; Roscoe, of Corning, Kansas; Inez, wife of Earl R. Short, of Colo- rado; and Robert, of Corning. The mother is now living at Corning as the wife of D. B. Garver.

While on the Kansas farm Mr. Harris attended school in town, and in 1893 finished the course in the high school at Corning. Two years before, in 1891, he began his newspaper apprenticeship in all-round work in the office of the Corning Gazette. On May 11, 1896, he attained to

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the dignity of proprietor by the purchase of a half interest in the plant, but a year later sold out and bought the Times at Vermillion, Kansas. After publishing it 31/2 years, he moved the plant to Kelly, Kansas, and issued the Reporter, with which he was actively identified 31/2 years. Following this Mr. Harris came to Missouri, and from March, 1905, to December, 1912, was foreman on the Jeffersonian at Higgins- ville. Since December, 1912, his home has been in Smithville, where he bought the Democrat-Herald.

Mr. Harris was reared a republican, but is now of the democratic party. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Mystic Workers of the World. His church is the Presbyterian, while Mrs. Harris is a Baptist. He was married March 8, 1898, to Miss Gertrude Warner, of Kansas. She died June 19, 1905, leaving a daughter, Bernice. December 12, 1908, Mr. Har- ris married Anna Mount, of Higginsville. Her parents are Charles and Samantha (Carel) Mount, the former a native of Alabama and the latter of Indiana, and both now residents of Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Harris are the parents of one son, Howard.

H. M. MARSH. The Clear Creek Valley Stock Farm of 196 acres is one of the noteworthy country places of Clinton Township, in Clinton County. It has been the home of high class stoek and has illustrated practical farm management for many years. Its proprietor, H. M. Marsh, is a man who through his interest has done much to elevate the standards of general farming and stock husbandry in Clinton County. There are many attractive features about the place. One of the first to be noted is the fine modern residence of nine rooms standing well back from the road, with ample and enticing porches, surrounded by a fine and well shaded lawn. The farm also has another residence of six rooms, and there is every facility for convenience and comfort as well as for profitable business. The pastures are of blue grass, there are extensive fields of corn and other grain, and alfalfa is one of the crops upon which Mr. Marsh places his dependence. There is a fine barn 33x36 feet, granaries, and a number of large sheds for the drying and curing of tobacco. This is one of the few farms in Clinton County where tobacco is grown on a commercial scale. Mr. Marsh raises on the average about twelve thousand pounds of tobacco every year, and is an expert in its cultivation. As a stockman he gives special attention to Percheron horses and jacks. These are only a few of the things which make the Clear Creek Valley Stock Farm one of the best in Clinton County. Mr. Marsh is regarded as one of the most capable judges of stock in his section. One hundred and twenty acres of his farm lies in the fertile Valley of Clear Creek, and this is the land that yields the large erops of alfalfa. Mr. Marsh was one of the early alfalfa growers in Clinton County, and by his example has done much to popularize that crop.

H. M. Marsh was born on the old homestead in Clinton County May 23, 1868. He was reared in a home of substantial comfort, was educated in the public schools, and trained himself for his successful career by working on the farm, beginning at an early age. Mr. Marsh married Emma McFarland, a woman of culture and thorough education, who after finishing the public schools, was a student in the Ladies Col- lege at Liberty. Her father was W. C. McFarland, who was born in Cass County, Missouri, January 5, 1837, and died at the good old age of seventy-six. He was married in Platte County, Missouri, to Martha J. Robinson, who is still living, and was a native of Platte County. The late Mr. McFarland was a farmer and miller, and was long one of Clin-

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ton County's estimable citizens and useful workers. There were two children in the McFarland family, and the son, Frank McFarland, is now an official in the postal service, being superintendent of the Seventh Division of United States Railway Mail Service.

Mr. and Mrs. Marsh are the parents of three children: Clinton is eighteen years of age and a student in the high school; Albert, who is thirteen; and Wilma, aged seven. Mr. Marsh is an active member of the Baptist Church, and has served for a number of years as superin- tendent and teacher in the Sunday school. He is one of the frank and genial citizens of Clinton County, a man who commands respect wherever he goes, and has shown himself a friend of schools, community morality, and all improvements and institutions which make life better.

V. P. MARSH. The enterprise of the Marsh family is exhibited in two of the best known stock farms in Clinton County, and V. P. Marsh is proprietor of the Jersey Hill Dairy Farm. This comprises 183 acres, divided between hill and valley lands, with improvements that make it second to no similar estate in that vicinity. Mr. Marsh gets most of his profit from a fine herd of Jerseys, seventeen in number, with a thoroughbred pedigreed bull at the head. Seventy acres of his land lie in the bottoms, and is excellently adapted for alfalfa, of which he grows several crops a year, and that is a large part of his stock feed. He has the other advantages of a good stock farm, plenty of shade and water, and has a fine sanitary barn 28x34 feet. Mr. Marsh shipped his cream to the Blue River Creamery Company in Kansas City. His ship- ping station is Holt in Clay County, which is 21/2 miles from his farm. Mr. Marsh and family have an attractive and comfortable home, a seven- room house, well furnished, and with the delightful surroundings of a blue grass lawn and large shade trees.

V. P. Marsh was born in Clinton County July 15, 1878. His father is Hon. W. S. Marsh, a former member of the Legislature, who during his term at Jefferson City introduced the best banking bill ever brought forward for the regulation of Missouri banks, and one that provided for the rigid inspection of loans and for the guarantee of deposits. W. S. Marsh has long been one of the able democrats in this section, and as a farmer and stock man developed a large property. He retired from active affairs in 1903 and has since lived in Holt, being now seventy- eight years of age. He married Dulcina Alnutt. To their marriage were born thirteen children, and eight are still living: D. B., of Plattsburg; W. A., of Kansas, where he is a farmer and stock man; W. L., also of Kansas, and a farmer and stock man; Mrs. Fanny McComas, of Holt; H. M., proprietor of the Clear Creek Valley Stock Farm in Clinton County ; Grace Kennedy, of Lexington, Kentucky; Lizzie Brown, of Jackson Township; and Virgil P. The father is a prominent Mason, being affiliated with the Royal Arch Chapter of Lathrop.

Virgil P. Marsh was reared on the old farm, and received his edu- cation in the local public schools. He has been a practical business man and farmer since early manhood, and has been peculiarly successful as a dairyman. On September 21, 1902, he married Roxana Harris, who was one of six children, four sons and two daughters, born to Moses G. and Bell (McComas) Harris. Her family had long been identified with Clinton County. Mrs. Marsh was reared and educated at Holt and she is the mother of two children: Pearl, aged ten; and Perry, aged six. Mr. Marsh is a democrat, and his wife belongs to the Christian Church.

J. F. BRIDGMAN. One of the oldest families in Northwest Missouri is represented by J. F. Bridgman of Bigelow, Holt County. The Bridg-

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mans moved to Buchanan County in 1841, and J. F. Bridgman himself was born in Buchanan County May 7, 1841. His career since early man- hood has been that of a farmer and stock raiser, he owns and controls extensive interests in Bigelow Township of Holt County, and is one of the solid, enterprising and prosperous men of that section.

He was the second in a family of eight children born to John W. and Lucinda (Gibson) Bridgman. His father, a native of Tennessee, moved to Buchanan County, Missouri, in 1841, with an ox and horse team. He preempted land there aggregating 160 acres, and became extensively identified not only with agricultural operations but with the buying, raising and trading in live stock. In the early days he made a practice of driving his cattle from Buchanan County to the better pasturage found along the river bottoms in Holt County, around Bige- low. Some years after settling in Missouri he joined in the exodus to California, during the exciting days of 1849, and after investigating conditions in the far West returned to Missouri. Cattle were very cheap in the middle West at that time, but commanded high prices in Cali- fornia and his next venture was to drive a herd of cattle across the plains. It took from May until the following September to complete the trip, and after disposing of his cattle to an advantage in the mining districts of the Pacific coast he returned East by the water route. In 1852 John W. Bridgman located permanently in Holt County, establishing a farm on the river bottoms. Later he lived for a couple of years in Kansas, but Holt County was his home most of the years until death, and he gained a reputation as a successful farmer and cattle raiser.

J. F. Bridgman was schooled largely in the university of experience, since public schools hardly existed in his locality while a boy and his instruction so far as books were concerned was comparatively meager. He has been a practical, hard working and judicious manager of such resources as came to his hand, and has made a success in spite of the handicap of little book learning. His father's homestead was hardly sufficient to accommodate the energies of all the sons, and at the age of eighteen he and his brother engaged in partnership in working a farm. After a few years he had some capital of his own, and has since continued farming, investing his surplus in more land, and now owns a good estate.

Mr. Bridgman married for his first wife Sarah Catron, daughter of Christopher Catron. The one child of this union was Belle, wife of W. J. Schatz. There was also a son named William, who died at the age of three years. After the death of his first wife Mr. Bridgman married Mary Catron, the widow of Joseph E. Hoffman. By her first marriage there were four children: Martha, wife of Richard Utt; Anna, who married Bert Basinger; Carrie, who married W. S. Thompson ; and Fannie, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Bridgman have the follow- ing children by their marriage: Richard B., who is an attorney at . Oregon and married Mattie Groves; Thomas J., who married Stella Fike; John Britton, who married Blanche Caldwell; Edna, who married C. S. McKee. All these children are living, and all were born in Bigelow Township.

Mr. Bridgman still gives active superintendence to his farming interests. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity at Mound City, has since early boyhood been a member of the Christian Church and in politics is a democrat.

JOHN L. SCHMITZ. A member of the Missouri bar for more than a quarter of a century, John L. Schmitz of Chillicothe is not only one of the men of rank and standing in his profession, but has had associations

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with many of the distinguished men of the state and country, and to a large extent his time has been taken up with public duties. For twelve years Mr. Schmitz served as postmaster at Chillicothe and has filled a number of other offices in his home community and county.

John L. Schmitz was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, a son of George and Sarah Van Lehn Schmitz, both natives of Ohio. His father spent all his active life as a Tuscarawas County farmer. On the old farm in Northeastern Ohio Mr. Schmitz grew up to manhood, and developed a sound physical constitution at the same time he was train- ing his intellect in the country schools. Following a period spent as a teacher in the common schools he entered the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, graduating in 1878. He then was employed as a teacher in the Western Normal College at Ladoga, Indiana, one year, and for the following three years returned to his alma mater at Lebanon as a teacher. During his residence at Ladoga Mr. Schmitz became acquainted with Gen. Lew Wallace, the celebrated Indiana soldier, states- man and author, and also with Maurice Thompson, also distinguished as an author.

Mr. Schmitz removed to Chillicothe in 1884, having come here to become superintendent of the public schools, a position he filled two years. He then took up the study of law in the office of L. A. Chapman and in 1888 by examination before the court of Caldwell County was admitted to practice. He at once opened an office in Chillicothe, and has been as closely identified with the practice of law as his varied public responsibilities would permit. He has practiced not only in the state but in the federal courts.

In politics he has been a stanch republican all his life, and in 1888-89 served as mayor of Chillicothe, was police judge from 1889 to 1891, and city attorney during 1891-93. In 1894 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Livingston County. His early work as superintendent of the schools made his services and counsel useful to the school board, and he served on that board from 1887 to 1893. In 1902 Mr. Schmitz was candidate of his party for Congress, but unable to overcome the large democratic majority. On March 1, 1903, President Roosevelt appointed him postmaster at Chillicothe, and by reappointment he filled that office continuously until the expiration of his term under a demo- cratic administration on March 1, 1915. The relief from the duties of the postmastership gives Mr. Schmitz an opportunity to devote himself unreservedly to his profession. His appointment as Chillicothe post- master was a matter of surprise to him personally, since he had in no wise been a candidate for the position, and it came as a compliment to his popularity and high standing. Mr. Schmitz probably has as extensive an acquaintance with men of state and national prominence as almost any man in this section of Missouri. He has long been recognized as one of the republican leaders of the state.

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A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III, Part 108

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864-1935 editor Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 912

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864-1935 editor
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 912