A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III, Part 112

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

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While riding on duty near Parkville his horse stumbled and threw him, breaking his neck.

The late William C. Wells, who was born in Madison County, Ken- tucky, September 12, 1834, and died at Platte City, Missouri, March 21, 1898, was nine years old when his parents moved to this state. Although his regular schooling was all compressed within portions of two years, he always passed among his associates as a man of education, due to his wide reading and keen knowledge of men and affairs. His career began as a merchant in the inland village of New Market. His store was burned during the war. At the close of hostilities he was appointed deputy sheriff, and while engaged in those duties took up the study of law and was qualified and admitted to practice in the Platte County courts. His best service as a lawyer was in keeping his clients and neighbors out of court. As arbiter and adviser he practiced the rule of getting the litigants together and settling their difficulties without resort to legal procedure. In 1879 he started the Exchange Bank of Wells & Company, and six months later bought the other bank then existing in Platte City. From January 1 to December 1 of 1887 he was out of business, and at the latter date organized the Wells Banking Company, of which he was president until his death, and which has been success- fully carried on by his sons for the last fifteen years. Besides his service in business and the law, he occupied a prominent place in public affairs, and represented Platte County in the twenty-ninth and thirtieth assemblies and was state senator at the time of his death. By his mar- riage to Eliza Jane Strother, who was born at Richmond, Kentucky, December 25, 1837, and died December 28, 1890, there were six children. The three now living are William S., Campbell and Samuel Rollyn, the last being a resident of Leavenworth, Kansas.

Campbell Wells was liberally educated, first in the public schools of Platte City, then in the Gaylord Institute and finally in the old school established by Alexander Campbell, the Bethany College of West Virginia, where he was graduated in June, 1884. From a college boy he soon turned himself to practical affairs, becoming assistant cashier of the Exchange Bank of Wells & Company, and has been cashier of the Wells Banking Company since its organization in 1887.

While never a seeker for official honors, he has worked on the board of education in Platte City and gives much time to the local schools. His most important service began with his appointment in 1897 as one of the curators of the state university. Governor Stephens first selected him for this position, and he continued on the board during the adminis- trations of Governors Dockery and Folk. It was partly through the efforts of Mr. Wells that the school of journalism was organized, the first among American universities requiring a four years course. He is also the head of a happy household. November 11, 1891, he married Mattie Callahan, who was born in Platte County, a daughter of H. T. Callahan. Their two children are: Catherine Jane, who was born in May, 1893, and graduated from the University of Missouri in June, 1913; and William C., born December 14, 1896, and now a student in the state university.

WILLIAM STROTHER WELLS. It has been frequently remarked that no stronger booster for Platte County interests lives than this prominent Platte City banker, William S. Wells, now president of the Wells Bank- ing Company. While his active career of more than thirty years has been devoted to banking, through all the grades from clerk to president, he has in countless ways given practical direction and effect to his

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public spirit, and his name has been associated with the principal under- takings of the last two decades for the advancement of his home county.

William S. Wells was born at New Market, Platte County, August 6, 1862, but was reared in Platte City, where his father was a lawyer and banker. After leaving the public schools he became a student in what was then known as Gaylord Institute, spent two years in Woodland College at Independence, Missouri, and finished his education in Bethany College, West Virginia, where he was graduated in June, 1882.

Beginning October 1, 1882, he was clerk in the Exchange Bank of Wells & Company at Platte City for one year, and on October 1, 1883, became cashier of the Bank of Edgerton, Missouri, and filled that office exactly two years. In March, 1886, Mr. Wells became bookkeeper in the Citizens National Bank of Kansas City, where his knowledge and train- ing in his chosen vocation were broadened under metropolitan conditions. On January 1, 1887, he was elected cashier of the Bank of Independence, and remained in that city until March 4, 1891, when he returned to his home town to accept the vice presidency of the Wells Banking Company. With the death of his father in 1898 he succeeded to the presidency of a bank which, for soundness and service, is one of the strongest institutions in Platte County.

Mr. Wells was married October 18, 1893, to Miss Maud Gates, who was born at Port Byron, Illinois, but from the age of two years was reared in Independence, Missouri. They are the parents of four chil- dren : Louise Elizabeth, William Gates, Oscar and Strother.

Mr. Wells comes of good old southern and Kentucky stock. His grandparents were William and Elizabeth (Thorp) Wells. His grand- father, a physician, was a prosperous man in Kentucky, but as a result of business reverses was unwilling to remain in his home county a poor man, and in 1843 sought a new country and located in Platte County, Missouri. During the cholera epidemic in this section of Missouri his incessant efforts to attend the stricken people caused him to contract the disease, and had not regained his strength when he was again in the saddle endeavoring to relieve the suffering all around him. While riding near Parkville his horse stumbled and threw him, breaking his neck.

William C. Wells, father of William S., was born in Madison County, Kentucky, September 12, 1834, and died at Platte City, March 21, 1898, after a long and successful career. He was nine years old when he came to Missouri, and his regular schooling was confined to portions of two years. By self study he became a well educated man, and stood among the foremost men of Platte County. His career began as a merchant in the inland village of New Market. His store was burned during the war. A little later he was appointed deputy sheriff and while engaged in those duties took up the study of law and was admitted and began practice in the Platte County courts. His best service as a lawyer was in keeping his clients and neighbors out of court. As arbiter and adviser he used his influence to get the litigants together and settle their difficulties without resort to legal procedure. In 1879 he started the Exchange Bank of Wells & Company, and six months later bought the other bank in the town. From January 1 to December 1 of 1887 he was out of business, and at the latter date organized the Wells Banking Company, of which he was president until his death.

Besides his service in business and law he occupied a prominent place in public affairs, and represented Platte County in the Twenty- ninth and Thirtieth General Assemblies and was state senator at the time of his death. William C. Wells married Eliza Jane Strother. She was born at Richmond, Kentucky, December 25, 1837, and died December Vol. III-48

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28, 1890. Of the six children three are still living : William S .; Camp- bell, cashier of the Wells Banking Company; and Samuel Rollyn, of Leavenworth, Kansas.

HENRY L. DILLINGHAM. No name is spoken with more respect in Platte County than that of Dillingham. The family have lived in this locality about half a century, and as farmers, business men and public officials have been factors in making the county what it is. Henry L. Dillingham is a prosperous young business leader in Platte City, and is a son of the late John H. Dillingham, whose tragic end while engaged in the performance of his official duties is an event in local history that will not soon be forgotten.

The grandparents came from Kentucky to Clay County some years before the war, settling near Mosby, but four years later moved to Platte County and located on a farm five miles east of Platte City. The grandfather was both a farmer and, like many Kentuckians, a fancier of fine stock.

The late John H. Dillingham was born at Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky, September 29, 1853, and was brought to Missouri when a baby. He grew up to manhood in this state and from an early age was noted for physical and moral courage and a readiness to engage in any undertaking promising adventure. Soon after reaching his majority he went out to Nevada in charge of some fine stock for his father, and remained in the West for some time. While at Butte, Montana, he was appointed an officer and for several months assisted in keeping law and order in that new and wild country. Following his return to Missouri he married and turned his attention to the quiet vocation of farmer, which he continued until the failing health of his wife caused to leave Missouri. Starting in a wagon, they made a health trip to Colorado, but soon after their return to Platte City Mrs. Dillingham died. He then engaged in the livery business at the county seat, and was soon appointed city marshal, a post he held until April, 1896. He resigned to begin an active campaign for the sheriff's office, and was elected in the following fall, taking office January 1, 1897. In 1898 he was unanimously reelected. In his capacity of sheriff, while engaged in making an arrest, he was shot and killed on August 20, 1900. His death was quickly avenged by his own son, Henry, who after a hand to hand struggle killed his father's slayer. John H. Dillingham was a man with- out fear and without reproach, and his courage was tempered by the kindliness and tenderness which have so often marked heroic natures. No death was more widely and sincerely mourned in Platte County. At the time of his sudden passing, he was also serving as manager of the Platte County Agriculture and Live Stock Association, and was the owner of some of the finest saddle horses and mules in Missouri. Prior to his terms as sheriff he had served as deputy under Sheriffs Synamon and Berry. One incident is related as showing his persistence in the performance of duty. A valuable horse was stolen in Platte City. Deputy Dillingham started in pursuit, and stopping only to eat, snatch a few hours' sleep and change horses, he followed the trail across the country to Indian Territory, where he caught his man and brought him and the stolen horse home without extradition papers. The prisoner made his escape from the local jail, and again Mr. Dillingham took up the chase, and finally caught the fugitive at Vicksburg, Mississippi, and this time had the satisfaction of seeing him convicted and sent to the penitentiary.

John H. Dillingham married Anna L. Oldham, who was of a pioneer family, originally from Kentucky. Their six children were: Henry

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L .; W. W., of Platte City; John C., deceased; Joseph B., E. S., and Bessie A., all of Platte City.

While growing up in Platte City Henry L. Dillingham attended both the public schools and the Gaylor Institute. In 1898 he built and in- stalled the first telephone exchange at Platte City, starting with fifty subscribers, and at the end of two years sold the plant. After his father's death he was appointed to fill out the unexpired term of sheriff, although at the time only twenty-three years old. His next venture was the purchase of a drug store, and he studied pharmacy and passed the examination for a registered pharmacist. After selling his business in 1909, he was engaged in handling real estate and farming until May 1, 1913, when he again acquired his former business as a druggist and now has one of the best stores in that line in the county.

No citizen takes a more public spirited interest in his home com- munity. He is a member of the city council, has served as a justice of the peace, and in 1914 was president of the Platte County Fair Associa- tion and has been elected to the same post for 1915. The Platte County Fair is the oldest institution of its kind in the state, having been estab- lished fifty-one years. For twelve years Mr. Dillingham served as chair- man of the Platte County Democratic Committee, and represented for a time the Fourth Congressional District in the state committee. He is a member and treasurer of the Presbyterian Church, while his wife belongs to the Christian Church. In July, 1901, he married June C. Cockrill, a native of Platte County and daughter of Thomas G. Cockrill, one of the county's leading farmers. Their two children are named Bessie Lucile and Mary Wanda.

ALVA NAYLOR, M. D. In addition to building up and looking after an excellent practice at Platte City, Doctor Naylor has been fully responsive to the duties and privileges of citizenship, and is one of that active group of men who stand for material and civic betterment in one of the best communities of Northwest Missouri. Doctor Naylor is of a family that has been identified with Platte County for sixty-five years.

His grandparents, Ignatius and Elizabeth (Arsmith) Naylor, left Kentucky and by means of wagon and team crossed the intervening country and located in Platte County in 1850. Their settlement was near Waldron in the timber, which had to be cleared off before cultivation was possible. The grandfather lived there and made a home and reared his family.

Abner Naylor, father of Doctor Naylor, was born in Bath County, Kentucky, August 12, 1843, and was a boy of seven when brought to Platte County, where he was educated in the old-fashioned subscription schools. After his marriage he bought a tract of land near his father, and remained there, a prospering farmer and good neighbor, until his death in April, 1902. For several years he served as a justice of the peace, was a democrat in politics, and with his wife worshiped in the Methodist Church South. He married Elizabeth Brink, who was born in Missouri March 17, 1857, and is now living with her son, Doctor Naylor. Her family comprised six sons and one daughter, and the five now living are: A. J., of Kansas City ; Mary, wife of C. W. Babcock, of Hickman Mills, Missouri ; Alva ; W. W. and Chester, both of Waldron.

Dr. Alva Naylor had a youth surrounded with the usual conditions of a farm, and when its duties did not demand his presence he attended the neighboring country school. His ambition was for other things than farming, and after a course in the Stanberry Normal College he began clerking in a drug store at Waldron and at the same time studied phar-

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macy both in books and practical experience, and passed the examina- tion before the state board. After some years as a druggist, in 1901 he entered the University Medical College at Kansas City, and was graduated M. D. in 1905. Since then he has found his field of practice in Platte City, and has also served as county physician. His profes- sional associations are with the Platte County and the Missouri State Medical societies and the American Medical Association.

Doctor Naylor is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. In his home city he was member of the school board. During his service on the school board he took the lead in the campaign for the erection of the present modern schoolhouse, and its establishment is credited largely to his vigorous efforts.

November 11, 1894, Doctor Naylor married Flora Grey. She was born in Platte County, and her parents, Henry H. and Eliza (Gargus) Grey, are both natives of Missouri and Mrs. Grey lives in Kansas City ; Mr. Grey died in August, 1905. Doctor Naylor and wife have two chil- dren, Leota and O. A., both at home.

COL. W. T. JENKINS. For nearly a quarter of a century Col. William Talliaferro Jenkins has been editor and publisher of that influential Platte City journal, the Landmark, a paper read in the majority of Platte County homes and frequently quoted by the Missouri press for the keen paragraphs and incisive editorials that brighten its pages. Colonel Jenkins represents a "first family" in this section of Missouri, and his own career has been notable for varied activities and honors out- side of his useful sphere as a newspaper man.

Born near Platte City, August 12, 1853, he is the son of Howell and Charlotte (Evans) Jenkins, and the only one of their four sons and two daughters still living. His father was born in Merthyr Tydvil, Wales, July 17, 1812, and was married in London, England, June 30, 1838, to Charlotte Evans. In 1841 they embarked on a sailing vessel in the Thames, and were two months in crossing the Atlantic, one of their children dying in the meantime and being buried at sea. From New York City they came West, following the slow routes of river and canal to St. Louis, and thence by steamboat up the Missouri to Platte County, where they landed in the fall of 1842. Howell Jenkins was a marble cutter by trade, having served his apprenticeship in his native land. Today are standing monuments in the Platte City Cemetery which were cut by his hands from the native stone. Later he became a Cali- fornia '49er, crossing the plains with a party of gold seekers. His skill at his trade got him a position as gang boss in blasting operations in the mines. One day a charge exploded prematurely, and in consequence of his injury he returned to the states in 1851, coming by sea and across the Isthmus of Panama. He then engaged in the mercantile business at Platte City until the late '60s. He also owned a drug store, and for twelve years was postmaster. During the war he turned his business over to his sons. He voted with the democratic party, and was a charter member of Nebraska Lodge No. 12, I. O. O. F.

Colonel Jenkins grew up in Platte City, and his acquaintance with the people, with politics and general business affairs is based on close personal experience covering nearly half a century. For his education he attended the public schools, the Gaylord Institute and for a time the Washington and Lee University in Virginia. Leaving school in 1872, he returned home and spent eleven years with his brother Thomas in the mercantile business. Then followed his election to the office of

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county collector of Platte County, and his two terms covered eight years.

In October, 1890, the ownership of the Platte City Landmark passed into the hands of Colonel Jenkins, and he has been at his desk and directing the policies and writing the leading articles ever since. A number of times the people of the community have sought his services for public duty, and he has been one of the democratic leaders and interested in both county and state party affairs. He has been a county and state committeeman, and has gone to several national conventions as a delegate and his name has appeared on the tickets as presidential elector.

Colonel Jenkins is well known in the Masonic fraternity, having affiliation with the York bodies of Royal Arch and Knights Templar and for twenty-seven consecutive years has been prelate in the commandery. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a former president of the Northwest Missouri Press Association and has been its historian for many years ; he is also a member of Missouri State Press Association and a member of several clubs.

On May 1, 1888, he married Sallie Guthrie, who was born in Callaway County, Missouri, at New Bloomfield, a daughter of Ewing and Mary Jane (Chalfant) Guthrie, early settlers in that section of Missouri. Colonel Jenkins has one daughter, Ruth Mary, living at home.

GUY B. PARK. One of the able and learned members of the legal profession of Northwest Missouri during the past fifteen years, Guy B. Park has taken a forceful and stirring participation in the affairs of Platte City, both as professional man and private citizen. He is a legist by inheritance, inclination, training and experience, for his father was a lawyer, and he was brought up amid surroundings that tended to train his thoughts along professional lines, having been born at Gaylord Institute, Platte City, July 10, 1872.

Mr. Park's father, Thomas Woodson Park, was born in Madison County, Kentucky, October 12, 1842, and died December 8, 1908, at Platte City, Missouri. He was a son of Elihu and Mary (Ballou) Park, natives of Kentucky, the former of whom died when Thomas W. Park was a child. Mrs. Park subsequently married Prof. F. G. . Gaylord, who was from the Empire State and a school teacher by pro- fession, being the principal of a private school at Irvine, Estill County, Kentucky. In 1857 the family migrated to Platte City, Missouri, where Professor Gaylord established the Platte City Academy for. Boys, and afterwards, for years, he conducted what was known as Daughters' College at Platte City. Professor Gaylord and his wife passed away at Platte City, universally respected and esteemed.

Thomas Woodson Park was fifteen years of age when he accompanied his mother and stepfather to Platte City, and here he completed his excellent training under the tutelage of his father. When the Civil war broke out, his sympathies were with the cause of the South, and this caused him to enlist as a private under the flag of the Confederacy. He was in the army of Gen. Sterling Price, and his brave and faithful services gained him promotion to the rank of lieutenant, but illness forced his retirement from service before the close of the war. On his return home he took up the study of law, and after being graduated from the law department of the University of Louisville, Kentucky, was admitted to practice, November 16, 1867. However, Mr. Park never gave his active attention to practicing his profession, although his knowl- edge thereof was a great help to him in succeeding years when he held numerous positions of high trust.

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The rank of major, to which Mr. Park was entitled, was acquired by service on the staff of Governor Woodson. In 1868 he entered the newspaper field, at Platte City, Missouri, when he founded the Reveille, one of the first democratic newspapers to be published in Northwest Missouri. On June 2, 1871, this paper was consolidated with the Land- mark, and Mr. Park continued its editor and owner until February, 1881. He was a fine and forceful writer, supporting the measures which he believed just with fire and energy, and attacking what he believed to be bad movements with courage and a trenchant pen. As a finished orator he was also well and widely known, and as president of the State Edi- torial Association of Missouri, in the session at Fredericktown, where Eugene Field was the guest of honor, he was presented, by Mr. Field, with the humorous poem entitled, "Tom Park at Fredericktown."

In 1870 Thomas W. Park was elected county clerk of Platte County, and in 1874 received the reelection, but resigned March 27, 1877. From 1881 to 1890 he was chief clerk of the labor commission at Jefferson City under Governor Marmaduke; in the latter year was appointed chief clerk to Secretary of State Alex Leasuer, and in 1903 became assistant to Secretary Stevens of the St. Louis World's Fair, continuing in this position until about one year after the close of that exposition. At that time he retired from the active affairs of life, and so lived until his death.

On November 15, 1866, Major Park was united with Miss Maggie E. Baxter, who was born at Liberty Landing, Clay County, Missouri, in 1849, and is still living at Platte City. Two children were born to this union: Fred G., born March 21, 1868, a resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, who held the same position as his father, that of chief clerk, under Secretary of State Roach, and after five years of service resigned ; and Guy B.

Mrs. Thomas W. Park is a daughter of John and Sarah (Wallis) Baxter, pioneers of Clay County, Missouri, the latter of whom was born in 1812 and died January 12, 1879. The father was for some years well known among the business men at Liberty Landing, where he was the proprietor of a hotel and owner of a hemp warehouse. Mrs. Park was finely educated in art, music and literature, at Professor Love's girls' seminary at Liberty. Subsequently she went to teach in Professor Gaylord's Academy at Platte City, and there became ac- quainted with Mr. Park, whom she subsequently married. In 1892 Mrs. Park opened Gaylord Institute, at Platte City, primarily known as Daughters College, and this she continued to conduct until 1909, when, because of advancing years, she abandoned her educational labors. She is widely known not only in her own city, but throughout this part of the state in educational circles, and her friends are many in social life.

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A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III, Part 112

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