USA > Missouri > A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III > Part 113
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Guy B. Park received his early education in Gaylord Institute, from whence he went to enter the law department of the University of Mis- souri. He was graduated therefrom in June, 1896, and for 21/2 years held a position in a law office at Denver, Colorado, but in 1899 returned to Platte City, where he has since continued successfully in the practice of his profession. His practice is broad and general in character and includes the best kind of business that a lawyer can enjoy, and he holds a high place in the esteem of his fellow practitioners here. He has been successful in a number of cases of importance, and is generally accounted a capable, painstaking and conscientious legist. In official life he has served two terms as prosecuting attorney of Platte County, and at the present time is attorney for Platte City. In addition to the organizations of his profession, Mr. Park is an Odd Fellow and has
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attained high rank in the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the various orders up to and including the Mystic Shrine at St. Joseph.
Mr. Park was married November 16, 1909, to Miss Eleanora Gabbert, who was born July 27, 1889, in the vicinity of Weston, Platte County, Missouri, a daughter of M. H. and Henrietta (Cox) Gabbert, natives of Missouri who are still living near Weston. To this union there has come one daughter, Henrietta, who was born December 26, 1910. Mr. Park and his mother are members of the Christian Church. Mrs. Guy B. Park is affiliated with the Baptist denomination.
HON. ALONZO D. BURNES. A member of the bar of Northwest Mis- souri during a period of thirty years, and for more than half that time judge of the Circuit Court of the Fifth Judicial District, including the counties of Platte, Clinton, DeKalb, Andrew and Holt, Hon. Alonzo D. Burnes occupies a conspicuous and distinguished position in his com- munity. Possessed of a mind of the judicial order, it would seem that Nature had intended him for service upon the bench, to which he would have probably been sent in any locality in which he prosecuted his legal labors. In his reelections to office Judge Burnes had no opponent, either republican or democratic, and received the endorsement of every attorney in all the counties comprising his district. This high esteem in which he is held as a jurist among the entire profession is the result of a rare combination of fine legal ability and culture, and incorruptible integrity, with the dignified presence, absolute courage, and graceful urbanity which have characterized all his official acts.
Judge Burnes was born near Platte City, Missouri, October 27, 1864, . and is a son of Fielding and Elizabeth (Summers) Burnes. His father was a native of Indiana and his mother of Kentucky, and they were married in Platte County, Missouri, the father having come here with his parents in 1836, when he was seventeen years of age. When he entered upon a career of his own he adopted the vocation of his father, that of agriculturist, and continued to be so engaged during a long, active and useful life, which was characterized by honesty, integrity and fidelity to high principles, and which terminated in 1897, when he was seventy-five years of age. Mrs. Burnes passed away in 1892, at the age of sixty-five years. Mr. Burnes was well known in fraternal circles, being a Knight Templar Mason, and in his political views was a democrat He and Mrs. Burnes were devout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to the teachings of which they were always faithful. Of their children, two are living: Judge Alonzo D., of this review, and Alice, who is the wife of H. A. Koster, of Kansas City, Missouri.
Alonzo D. Burnes was reared amid the surroundings of the farm and received his primary education in the district schools, but as a lad he had decided upon a professional career, and when he had completed the course of the country schools his father sent him to Gaylord Insti- tute, at Platte City. Later he became a student at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, being graduated from the academic department in 1881. Returning to Missouri, he entered the law department of the state university, from which he received his degree in 1885, was admitted to practice that same year, and returned to Platte City to enter upon the duties of his calling. Here he was soon recognized as an able lawyer and took a prominent position at the bar. He served as city attorney of Platte City for a period of eight years, and as prosecuting attorney four years, and in the fall of 1898 came his call to the bench, reelections fol- lowing in 1904 and 1910. Judge Burnes is said to be one of the most capable and popular jurists in Northwest Missouri. To occupy a position on the bench worthily, it is not enough that one be learned in the prin-
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ciples of jurisprudence, familiar with precedents and thoroughly honest, and possess legal acumen. The majority of individuals are unable to entirely divest themselves of prejudice, even when acting with conscien- tious fidelity, their own mental characteristics unconsciously warping their judgments. This unconscious influence is a variable factor, a dis- turbing power, and it is because this factor is not discernible and prac- tically does not exist in the nature of Judge Burnes that he has attained such high standing in the esteem of the bench and bar throughout this part of the state. In political matters he is a democrat, but because he holds that a judge should not be partisan in anything and not lower the dignity of his office, or render himself subject to a charge of favorit- ism or prejudice, he has refrained from taking any active part in politics. In fraternal circles he is well and favorably known, being a Shriner Mason at St. Joseph, a Pythian Knight and a member of the Odd Fellows. Since 1881 he has been a member of the Christian Church and has en- deavored to live up to its teachings.
Judge Burnes was married to Miss Rowena Boone, a native of Howard County, Missouri.
W. Z. JONES. Of the industries allied with agriculture, the develop- ing of fine livestock is one of the most interesting and profitable, and particularly, in these days, is the breeding of superior horses carried on, to meet the demand for standard animals. Partly by environment and partly by science, has the present magnificent saddle horse been developed from the primitive type, and with its fine, glossy skin and clean limbs it is beautiful to look at and it does not require a horseman to recognize its superiority to the common type, its graceful movements and its look of intelligence proving to anyone that it is thoroughbred. For a number of years W. Z. Jones, a representative citizen of Platte County, has devoted much attention to livestock, and since 1908 has been in the busi- ness of breeding saddle horses and jacks at Platte City.
W. Z. Jones was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky, November 14, 1861, and is a son of James H. and Fannie (Ragan) Jones. James H. Jones was born January 27, 1835, and died April 4, 1894. He was reared on a farm and attended the country schools. At the outbreak of the war between the states, he entered the Confederate service and served under General Morgan. In the Ohio raid he was captured and was taken first to Camp Chase, Ohio, and from there to Lexington, Kentucky, and was held there until the close of the war. In 1869 he came to Platte County and located six miles southeast of Platte City, where he bought 160 acres of improved land and made that place his permanent home, occupying himself in agricultural pursuits. He was a strong democrat all his life, but desired no political rewards. From the age of eighteen years he was a member of the Christian Church. He was a man of sterling character and of strong convictions and, believing them right, had the courage to uphold them. In Kentucky he married Fannie Ragan, who was born November 17, 1840, and died June 26, 1911, in the faith of the Christian Church. They had but one child.
W. Z. Jones spent boyhood and youth assisting his father on the farm and attending the country schools. Afterward he had collegiate advantages for three years at Platte City, later spent one year at the University of Kentucky, at Lexington, and in 1881 returned home to give his father assistance again and soon decided to seek no further for a congenial occupation. After his father's death, his mother bought more land and Mr. Jones now owns 560 acres of some of the most pro- ductive land in Platte County. He bred and dealt heavily in livestock while on the farm, owning a fine herd of shorthorn cattle and success-
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fully breeding French coach horses. In 1908 Mr. Jones left the farm and came to Platte City, where he has accommodations for continuing in the horse business, as mentioned.
On April 17, 1884, Mr. Jones was married to Miss Junie E. Oldham, who was born at Mount Sterling, Montgomery County, Kentucky, and is a daughter of F. M. and Sarah E. (Reynold) Oldham. The parents of Mrs. Jones were both born in Montgomery County, the father on September 22, 1830, and the mother on July 24, 1835. The latter resides with Mr. and Mrs. Jones, but the former died December 18, 1907. They came from Kentucky to Platte County in 1873, settling on a farm south- east of Platte City. They belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church and in that faith Mrs. Jones was reared. In politics Mr. Jones has always been identified with the democratic party, supporting it from principle and not for political favor. Like his parents before him, he is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Jones is not only one of the substantial men of Platte County, but one of the most dependable and reliable, his fellow citizens always knowing his attitude on public questions will be in favor of peace, justice, morality and temperance.
J. F. SEXTON. As county superintendent of schools of Platte County, Missouri, J. F. Sexton occupies a position of importance and responsi- bility, secured through his scholarly attainments and further justified by his executive ability. He is a native of the great State of Missouri, born in Platte County, four miles north of Platte City. His parents were Joseph E. and Jennie (Brown) Sexton, and they had two sons: James H. and J. F.
Joseph E. Sexton was born in Mason County, Kentucky, July 8, 1836, and died on his farm in Platte County, Missouri, November 28, 1904. In 1860 he came to Platte County and on the outbreak of war between the states in the following year, enlisted for service in the Confederate army as a private in the command of General Marmaduke. He was a gallant soldier, was twice wounded and was promoted for his valor, and at the close of the war held rank as captain. Shortly after- ward he married Miss Jennie Brown, who was born in Platte County, October 25, 1846, and still resides on the home farm. Her father, James L. Brown, came early to Platte County from Tennessee and preempted land and made the tract his permanent home. After marriage, Joseph E. Sexton followed farming successfully for many years. He was zealous in his support of the democratic party and was a man honest and upright in thought and action. During the greater part of his life he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and his influence was bene- ficial in his community.
J. F. Sexton has practically resided on the home farm all his life. After his preliminary training in the country schools he attended Gay- lord Institute, Platte City, and later the Missouri State Normal School, at Warrensburg. He started to teach in the country schools in 1892 and finding this a congenial profession, has continued in educational work until the present. For two years he taught at Platte City and also taught at Tracy. In 1909 he was elected and qualified as county school commissioner, and in 1911 was elected county superintendent of schools for a term of four years and reelected in 1915 for another term of four years. Mr. Sexton is an earnest, conscientious official who cherishes the ambition to see the public schools of Platte County the best in the state. He maintains a high standard and expects his teachers to live up to it, being ever ready to advise with them and give encouragement, his appre- ciation of their efforts being one reason for the high esteem they all feel for him, both personally and officially.
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Mr. Sexton belongs to various educational bodies and is fraternally identified with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. He is unmarried and resides on the farm with his mother.
A. C. HAMILTON. Among the old and substantial banking institu- tions of Platte County is the Park Bank of Parkville, founded more than a quarter of a century ago, and whose continuous existence and prac- tically uninterrupted prosperity are due to the business integrity and financial judgment of the Hamilton family. A. C. Hamilton, who has been cashier of this bank almost since it was founded, is a most capable bank official, and his father before him was founder and long the presi- dent of the Park Bank.
A. C. Hamilton was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in April, 1869, a son of the late A. J. Hamilton. His father was also a native of Cleveland, born in January, 1834, and died at Parkville, Missouri, March 31, 1896. He was reared in Cleveland, educated in the common schools, and in his young manhood, in 1861, enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventy- seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served two years as a defender of the Union cause. He was in the real estate business until 1888, and then came to Parkville, Missouri, and established the Park Bank. He was its first president, with J. P. Tucker vice president, and A. C. Hamilton soon became cashier. A. J. Hamilton was a splendid citizen, gave his entire attention to banking, and outside of his own place of business was noted for his quiet and retiring disposition, but was keen and efficient in business matters. A. J. Hamilton was married in Cleveland to Miss Emma C. Brooks, a native of the same city. Mrs. Hamilton succeeded her husband in the office of president of the Park Bank, and is still living at Parkville. Their three sons are: A. C. Hamilton; H. A. Hamilton of Springfield, Missouri; and H. B. Hamilton, assistant cashier of the Park Bank.
A. C. Hamilton grew up in Cleveland, attended the common and high schools of that city, and was about twenty years of age when his parents came to Parkville. In April, 1889, he entered his father's bank as cashier, and with growing experience has gradually accepted the chief responsibilities of its management. Like his father, he has no dispo- sition to indulge in politics and other conspicuous events of the com- munity, and does his best public service as a banker. He is a republican, as was his father.
Mr. Hamilton was married in February, 1894, to Miss Kate Clark, a native of Chariton County, Missouri. They are the parents of two daughters, Helen and Irene, both at home.
JOHN T. MCCORMICK. A prominent distiller and business man of Platte County and Kansas City, John T. McCormick is one of the youngest veterans of the Confederate army, has lived in Northwest Missouri since the war, and has been a farmer, merchant, banker and manufacturer during the course of his progressive career.
John T. McCormick was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, August 4, 1847. His grandfather's brother was Cyrus McCormick, whose name will always be associated with the invention and perfection of the har- vesting machinery. His father was Randall McCormick, also a native of Virginia.
The period of the Civil war thrust itself into the early youth of John T. McCormick, interrupted his work in the common schools and at the age of fifteen turned him into a soldier. He was with the armies of the South during the last three years of the war. After his service he came out West in 1866 and began farming in Platte County near Camden
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Point. That was his regular vocation until 1879, when he sold his place and came into Waldron. There he established and operated a general mercantile enterprise until 1884. With Cleveland's election to the presi- dency he was appointed collector of internal revenue for the Sixth Dis- trict, and held that office four years until a change of administration. In 1888 Mr. McCormick established the McCormick Mercantile and Dis- tilling Company at Waldron, and his active management and business energy have built that up to an important industry, with an output of 2,000 barrels of distilled products per year.
In August, 1909, he established the Waldron State Bank, and has owned the controlling interest and is president of that institution. Since 1909 Mr. McCormick has had his home in Kansas City, from which city he manages his various interests, with occasional visits to Waldron, where the business is under the direction of his sons, E. R. and W. T.
Mr. McCormick first married Miss Mary Stallard, who was born in Platte County, Missouri, of Virginia parents. She died in 1882 leaving four children : Miss Lou J., assistant cashier of the Waldron State Bank; E. R., who manages the Kansas City office of the distilling com- pany ; J. R., deceased; and W. T., at Waldron. The second wife was Jennie Miller. The present Mrs. McCormick was Elizabeth Burdette. Of three children born to this union, two are living, Louis B. and Helen, both at home. Mr. McCormick has always been identified with democratie politics.
C. H. ATCHISON, M. D. A physician at Waldron and formerly engaged in practice for a number of years at St. Joseph, Doctor Atchison bears an honored name in Northwest Missouri, and is related to those Atchisons who stood as foremost leaders in thought and action in the early days.
Dr. C. H. Atchison was born in Clinton County, Missouri, February 2, 1873. His father, the late David R. Atchison, was namesake of his noted uncle, General Atchison, Missouri lawyer, soldier and statesman, who was, as will be recalled, a bachelor and introduced his namesake into the comforts and luxuries of his home and made him part heir to his estate. Gen. David R. Atchison spent twelve years as speaker of Con- gress and for one day was acting President of the United States. He was educated for the Presbyterian ministry, and afterwards said he had the education but not the religion, though he died in the Presbyterian faith.
The grandfather of Doctor Atchison, and hence a brother to General Atchison, was William Atchison, who also came to Missouri and settled in Clay County near Kearney. David R. Atchison, Jr., who was born near Lexington, Kentucky, August 9, 1840, and died on his farm De- cember 4, 1904, came to his uncle's home in Clinton County in 1849, and afterwards while living on his father's place in Clay County went to school with the subsequently notorious Jesse James of that neighborhood. He was also given the advantages of an academy, but did not take kindly to learning, and never took up a profession, perhaps to the disappoint- ment of his uncle. During the war he enlisted for the Confederate service at Liberty, and was with the troops under General Price until wounded at Carthage, Missouri. He was a man of no little influence and power in his community, and for three terms, twelve years in all, was a judge of the County Court of Clinton County. After his marriage he devoted himself to farming, and thereafter lived plain and unadorned, making his fields and his home his primary interest. He and his wife were members of the Christian Church. Her maiden name was Laura Screace, who was born in Clinton County near Plattsburg, October 21, 1842, and died September 17, 1902.
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Doctor Atchison, the only one now living of the four children of his parents, grew up on the Clinton County farm, attended local schools and in 1893 graduated from the Military School at Mexico, Missouri. The following four years were spent at home, in the routine of farm duties. In that time he had taken definite stock of his inclinations, and in 1897 entered the Ensworth Medical College at St. Joseph, where he was graduated M. D. in 1901. He was attracted to the opening of the Kiowa and Comanche reservations in Southwestern Oklahoma that year, and was the second physician to hang out his shingle at Lawton, the metropolis of the new country, his rival having anticipated that action by about two hours. After eight months of experience as a prac- titioner and in the varied life of the new Southwest, Doctor Atchison returned to civilization, and for ten years was located at St. Joseph with growing rank in his profession. In February, 1913, Doctor Atchison removed to Rushville, Missouri, and October 21, 1914, bought a drug store and located at Waldron.
December 10, 1910, he married Beatrice York, who was born in Harrison County, Missouri, January 31, 1879. Dr. and Mrs. Atchison are members of the Christian Church, and in politics he adheres to the democratic faith of his fathers.
D. A. COLVIN. One of Atchison County's oldest and most honored citizens is D. A. Colvin, who in the course of a long and useful life has been a soldier, clerk, several years was a public official and freighter in the northwestern mining countries of the early days, has filled a number of county offices in Atchison with ability and efficiency, and for more than thirty years has been identified with the Citizens Bank of Atchison County at Rockport.
D. A. Colvin is a native of New York State, born in Chautauqua County, February 24, 1840. His parents, Welcome and Elmira (Munn) Colvin, were also born in New York, and in 1847 the family removed west to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, lived there six years, then located in Brookfield in the same state, and in 1859 came to Missouri and located at Hemme's Landing in Holt County. D. A. Colvin acquired his educa- tion chiefly in Wisconsin, and after his arrival in Holt County worked as a clerk until the beginning of the war, being employed by F. N. Thompson and another merchant. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in the Missouri State Militia for six months, after which he helped recruit Company C for the Fifth Missouri Regiment, became first lieutenant in his company, and continued in active service with that command about eighteen months. At the expiration of that time he assisted in the recruiting of another company for the Twelfth Missouri United States Cavalry, but on account of his father's death was compelled to resign his commission and remain at home and give his work for the support of his mother and family at Rockport.
In 1864 Mr. Colvin went to the newly opened mining region of the Northwest, in Montana and Idaho, and participated in the stirring activities of that time and place. He was a freighter, a miner, a trader, and came into close contact with the people and interests and activities of the country. In the summer of 1865, owing to his qualities as a leader he was elected the first county recorder at Helena, Montana. In 1867 he located at Fort C. F. Smith on the Big Horn River, and was engaged in contracting to furnish hay and wood for that post.
After nearly four years of life in the mountainous country of the Northwest, Mr. Colvin returned to Atchison County, Missouri, in 1868, and in the fall of the same year was elected sheriff and collector of the county, an office he held until 1872. He then engaged in the livery
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business, and in that connection ran a transfer line between Rockport and Phelps. He was in that business until the spring of 1882, and in the meantime, in 1880, had been elected to the office of county collector.
Since 1883 Mr. Colvin has been continuously identified with the banking business at Rockport. He was one of the officers and organizers of the private bank of Durfee, Smith & Colvin, which in 1883 was in- corporated under a state charter, with a capital stock of $15,000. The Citizens Bank of Atchison County has a continuous record of sound financial management and business service in this community of more than thirty years, and has always been located in the same place. At the present time its capital stock is $20,000, with a large sum representing surplus and undivided profits.
On February 22, 1872, Mr. Colvin married Ella Bennett, who was born in New York State in March, 1848, and was educated in the states of Mississippi and Illinois. Her father and mother were natives of New York, the maiden name of her mother being Diana Howard. Mr. Colvin had two children. His oldest son, Welcome R. Colvin, died when about thirty-three or thirty-four years of age, and was at that time at the outset of a promising career and serving as assistant cashier of the Citizens Bank. He married Miss Gertrude Kurtz of Marion, Iowa, and left one son, Roy Welcome. The other son, still living, is Don M. Colvin, who married Miss Hazel Bunting, daughter of William Bunting, and they have two children, Margie and Don M., Jr.
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