A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III, Part 85

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

USA > Missouri > A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III > Part 85

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The Davis home is one of the attractive estates of Davis Township, and the residence is a comfortable seven-room house, surrounded with barns, and with all the conveniences and facilities of a model country . home. Mr. Davis has made a specialty of the raising of high-grade Nor- man horses, and keeps good grades of cattle and hogs. He annually feeds about a hundred head of cattle and three hundred hogs. Mr. Davis is a member of the Methodist Church, and in his community has always stood for good schools and churches, good roads, and everything that will make country life more attractive and lighten the economic

1862

HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI

burdens. Mr. Davis is a popular member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

CATHERINE (KENNISH) BISSETT, whose husband was the late William Henry Bissett, was born in the Isle of Man, December 7, 1851, being the third child of William Kennish, who was the fifth heir of the Cor- roney and of Catherine Callow, his wife. William Kennish, on the side of his paternal grandmother, was a descendant of the Lewellyn family, a family distinguished throughout all the British Isles. His great-aunt, Belle Lewellyn, was the lady chosen on one occasion to open the ball in her father's house with the Duke of Atholl, "King in Man." William Kennish identified himself with the early Methodists, and with the Temperance and Rechabite Order. He was agreat student of re- ligious history and read his Bible in three languages. He was earnestly solicited to represent the people in the House of Keys, but upon his refusal the people offered to meet his expenses, if that would be any inducement to him to accept the honor. He still refused, believing he could not afford to be away from his home duties during the long sessions of the Legislature. It is a matter of interest to note that this position in the "House of Keys" was for several years filled by the celebrated novelist, Hall Caine, and at the present time by a cousin of Mrs. Bissett, Robert Kerruish. Shortly after his declination of this honor, having' met with some losses, William Kennish decided to sell his home and embark with his wife and twelve children to America. Thus, about forty-five years ago, the family was established in Missouri.

The children of William Kennish and wife were: William, the first born, was laid away in the family cemetery at Kirk Manghold, Isle of Man, at the age of eight years. The second, Annie, was married to J. W. Cairns near Greeley, Colorado. Margaret married Charles Allen in Denver, Colorado. Christian married David Kelly of Greeley, Col- orado. Robert married Dora Skeels. John married Nellie Offutt. Ellen married William Tyson. Janie married Frederick Wrench. James marred Gertrude Saunders. Alice is single. Edward married Alice Collison. Thomas married Jessie Lawrence.

Catherine Kennish was educated in the parochial school of the Church of England and in a ladies' seminary in Douglas, Isle of Man. She was married to William Henry Bissett on September 9, 1883. On August 2, 1884, was born to them a daughter, who died shortly after birth. William Edward was born July 20, 1885. John Haken was born February 28, 1887.

William Henry Bissett, who died January 12, 1888, was born in Nova Scotia, April 9, 1846, and came from Kewanee, Illinois, to Holt County, Missouri, in February, 1883. His father was Edward Bissett, of French Huguenot descent, and by occupation a farmer and miller. The name originally was spelled Bizet in France, but after the family came to Canada the form was anglicized. In 1674 a record tells that Clara Bissot became the wife of one of America's greatest soldiers of fortune, Louis Joliet, who received a title to the Island of Anticosta. Some time later the English swooped down upon this island home in 1690, captured it, destroyed the fort and the houses erected by Joliet, seized his entire fortune and took his wife a prisoner. William H. Bis- sett's mother was Mary Cummins, who came with her parents to Nova Scotia when a child from Glasgow, Scotland. They were strict adher- ents of the Presbyterian Church.

The older of Mrs. Bissett's two living sons, William Edward Bis- sett, was educated at Ross Grove School, the Mound City High School and the State University at Columbia. His education was interrupted

1863

HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI

at different periods in order to carry on the work of the home farm. He passed the state bar examinations in Jefferson City in December, 1912. John Haken Bissett, the younger son, was married to Nellie Criswell, September 20, 1904. To their union were born Harold C. Bissett on June 20, 1905, and Catherine Bissett on October 19, 1910.

HON. FRANCIS M. WELLS. Among the venerable men of Northwest Missouri who have stepped aside from the paths of labor to let pass the members of the younger generation, with their hopes and ambitions, may be mentioned Judge Francis M. Wells, an honored veteran of the great Civil war, a pioneer settler of Andrew County, and a man who for a long period of years has been identified with the life of this locality both as a private citizen and a public official. Judge Wells was born in Morgan County, Illinois, September 14, 1835, and is a son of Jonathan and Letitia (Way) Wells, natives of Orange County, North Carolina.

Jonathan Wells was born in Orange County, North Carolina, Jan- uary 4, 1800, and was fifteen years of age when he was taken by his parents to Orange County, Indiana. There he was married to Letitia Way, who was born September 1, 1806, in Orange County, North Car- olina, and was a child when taken to Indiana. Some time after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wells moved to Morgan County, Illinois, where they resided until 1842, then moving to Monroe County, Iowa. In 1857 they came to Andrew County, Missouri, and settled at Lower Neely Grove, midway between Bolckow and Rosendale, and there the father died April 18, 1883, the mother following him to the grave May 2, 1884. Mr. Wells was a farmer all of his life, and a pioneer in four states, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. He and his brother-in-law, Enoch Way, were the first two settlers in Monroe County, Iowa, where Mr. Wells' land, in the southeastern corner of the county, a quarter section, was known as Wells Prairie. This he divided among his children. They were as follows: Peter H., who died in September, 1914, at Topeka, Kansas, having reached the advanced age of eighty-nine years; Mar- garet Ellsworth, who died September 24, 1896; Joseph, who was cap- tain of the Missouri State Militia for a time, and later entered the Fifty-first Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Infantry, for service during the Civil war as a lieutenant, and is now living at an advanced age at Spearfish, South Dakota; Enoch, who died February 8, 1894; Francis M., of this review; George, who died June 24, 1904, served in Captain Johnson's Light Artillery and later in the Fifty-first Infantry during the Civil war; Martha Jane, who is the widow. of Charles Wheeler of Appleton City, Saint Clair County; Nancy Louisa, the widow of Wil- liam Wilson, of Oakley, Kansas; Mary Lavina, who died in childhood, in 1847; and Zachary Taylor, of Springfield, Missouri.

Francis M. Wells received ordinary educational advantages in the public schools of Morgan County, Illinois, and Monroe County, Iowa, and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-five years of age, at which time he established a home of his own by marrying, and at that time began farming for himself. He continued to be thus engaged until 1862, when he joined Captain Johnson's Light Artillery, and after seeing some active, arduous and dangerous service, was taken ill and was eventually honorably discharged because of disability. Re- turning to his farm, Mr. Wells continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1889, when he retired and moved to Bolckow, where he has since continued to make his home. A republican in politics, he served four years as postmaster of Bolckow, under Benjamin Harrison. For two terms of four years each, Judge Wells served as county judge

1864

HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI

of the First, or Eastern District. He is a deacon in the Baptist Church at Bolckow, is a Master Mason, and until its disbandment was a mem- ber of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic. A man of the strictest integrity and probity of character, in his dealings with his fellow men he has been guided by high ideals, and his name is one that is honored in business, political and social circles.

In 1860 Mr. Wells was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Richard, who was born in Macoupin County, Illinois, May 13, 1838, and when three years of age was brought to Andrew County, Missouri, by her parents, Zachary and Mary (Field) Richard. The father was born in Western Tennessee and the mother in Alabama, and following their marriage they removed to Macoupin County, Illinois, coming to Andrew County, Missouri, May 10, 1841, where both passed away after spend- ing years in agricultural pursuits. Mrs. Wells remembers when there were only Indian trails to follow instead of the excellent roads of today, and on one occasion about 500 of the red men stopped at the Richard farm. She can relate many interesting experiences of the early days, and remembers distinctly the laying out of St. Joseph, Savannah and other places which have since grown to importance. To Mr. and Mrs. Wells there have been born the following children: Mar- garet Ellen, who is the wife of Israel Knuppenberger of Bolckow, and was born June 18, 1861; Lavina Jane, born February 18, 1868, who is the wife of John M. Townsend, residing two and one-half miles south of Bolekow; Samuel E., born in 1864, who died in infancy; Alzina A., born in 1865, in Putnam County, Missouri, married Charles G. Town- send, and died January 14, 1908; William H., born February 17, 1867, who died in infancy; and Emma Izella, born June 29, 1869, wife of John W. Montgomery, of Bolckow.

In 1874 Judge Wells purchased a quarter section of land in Ben- ton Township at $30 an acre, and this land he still owns, it being valued today at $100 an acre more than he paid for it. He also has a number of good pieces of land in Bolckow, and, on the whole, has been emi- nently successful. His substantial position in life has been attained through the medium of his own efforts, and he is worthily entitled to be called one of the self-made men of his community.

OTTO GEHLBACH. Located four miles north of Trenton, in Lincoln Township, is found Good View Farm, which is known as one of the finest agricultural properties in Grundy County. Its owner, Otto Gehl- bach, has been a resident of this community since a time when the present site of Trenton was but a cow pasture, with one building, a primitive school, standing on the property now occupied by the Farmers Store, and during the years that have passed since his arrival he has fostered this locality's interests, grown with their growth and prospered with their prosperity.

Mr. Gehlbach was born at Zweibrucken, Germany, June 18, 1848, and is a son of Jacob and Anna Mary (Mueller) Gehlbach, natives of the same place. He was granted good educational advantages in his youth, first attending the country school while assisting his father in the work of the homestead farm, and then going to an agricultural college for one and one-half years. Thus prepared, in 1867 he turned his face toward America and on his arrival here spent a short time in Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1867 he moved to Illinois, but after a short stay in that state decided to come still further west, and accordingly journeyed to Grundy County, in 1868, where he purchased 100 acres of land at a cost of $18 an acre. On this property was located a small log house, in which he made his home during the earlier years, while he was improving his

1865

HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI

property, and in 1875 added to his original purchase 721/2 acres, which cost him $28 an acre. . In 1883 he added 871/2 acres and in 1891 bought and added to the land 320 acres, a part of this property being located in township 62, range 24, known as Lincoln Township. Subsequently Mr. Gehlbach sold twenty acres of this land which was in timber, but still retains 560 acres, this being considered one of the finest improved farms in Grundy County, and comparing favorably with any in the state. In addition to general farming, Mr. Gehlbach has been much interested in stock raising, specializing in the very best breeds, including thorough- bred Shorthorn cattle and Percheron horses, and even in his poultry has only the best and purest bred chickens. In his operations he has shown himself as a man of the utmost capacity, both as an agriculturist and a business man, and the honorable manner in which he has always carried on his operations has given him a high standing in the esteem of his fellow-men. He is a democrat in politics, and at various times has been called upon to serve his community in official position. In 1892 he was elected a trustee of Lincoln Township, which is nominally a republican stronghold, and was re-elected to that office in 1894, also serving on the school board for a number of years. With his family he is identified with the Presbyterian Church, and has given that body his support in its various movements.

Mr. Gehlbach was married in 1873 to Miss Elizabeth Wolz, a daughter of George C. and Mary Ann (Fischer) Wolz, the father born in Wurt- temburg, and the mother in Baden, Germany, while Mrs. Gehlbach is a native of Missouri. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gehlbach are as follows : Emma, who married Frank F. Butler, of Grundy County, and has one daughter-Emma F .; Mary, who married Ray Jackson, a mer- chant at Garden City, Kansas; Nora ; Lula, who married Charles Pennell, of Trenton, Missouri; Albert R., who is assisting his father in the work of the homestead, and has a diploma from the Trenton Business College ; Gustav S., a farmer and stockraiser of Howard County, Missouri, and the owner of 220 acres of land, married Emma Lowery, and graduated last year from the agricultural college at Columbia, Missouri; Florence, who resides with her parents; and Charles H., who is attending the agricultural school at the University at Columbia, Missouri, and will graduate next year. Mr. Gehlbach is a popular member of the local lodge of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

J. W. ZIMMERMAN. A traveler through Andrew County, Missouri, cannot fail being impressed with the signs of thrift and prosperity pre- sented all through the agricultural sections, together with the genial and hearty hospitality of the people. He may be fortunate enough to be- come acquainted withi J. W. Zimmerman, one of the prominent and sub- stantial citizens of Rochester Township, who owns a finely improved farm of 166 acres, situated in section 16, which through his own efforts has been developed from its original unproductive state. Mr. Zimmerman is not only a successful farmer and stockraiser, but he is also a veteran of the great Civil war, and has been a resident of Andrew County for forty-six years.

J. W. Zimmerman was born in Highland County, Ohio, April 2, 1846, and is a son of Samuel and Maria (Smith) Zimmerman, and a grandson of Jacob Zimmerman, who was born in Germany and was brought to the United States by his parents. They settled first in Maryland, moved

· then to Virginia and later to Ohio, the grandfather dying in Fayette County, that state, in his sixty-sixth year. Of his thirteen children, eleven grew to maturity. One son, Joseph, left home to serve in the Mexican war and was never afterward heard from. Samuel Zimmerman

1866

HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI

was born in Virginia, November 2, 1819, and lived mainly in Ohio until he came to Andrew County, Missouri, in 1869. He lived upon his farm until 1901, after which he resided with his son, J. W., until his death, which occurred January 21, 1905. He was twice married, first to Maria Smith, and second to Mrs. Angeline (Binegar) Wilson, a widow. Mrs. Maria Zimmerman was born in Ohio, December 2, 1822, and died in that state in July, 1859. Her mother belonged to the Woodson fam- ily and married Rev. Adam Smith, a Methodist preacher, of the Ken- tucky Smiths, who later removed to Ohio. To the first marriage of Samuel Zimmerman, the following children were born: Alsina, who mar- ried Irving McVey, left ten children when she died; Sally, who married Elmer Welchmermer, and they now live at Washington. Court House, Fayette County, Ohio; J. W .; Jacob, who is a farmer in Ohio; A. C., who is a resident of Rochester Township, Missouri; Lyda Jane, who died in 1871, was the wife of Joseph Ellis, of Fayette County, Ohio; Lizzie, who is the wife of John Aber, a blacksmith at Linden, Ohio; Charles Emery, who died in childhood; and Martha, who died in infancy. Three children were born to his second union: Effie, who is the wife of Lewis Castle, of Avenue City, Andrew County; Ettie, who is the wife of Joseph Castle, of Andrew County; and Emma, who died in infancy. . Angeline Zimmerman, the second wife, died in July, 1908, at the resi- dence of J. W. Zimmerman.

J. W. Zimmerman attended the district schools in boyhood and re- mained with his father on the Ohio farm until 1863, when he enlisted for service in the Civil war, entering Company G, Seventy-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in active service until the close of hostilities. He took part in all the battles and marches of his regiment, fought at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, was with Sherman's forces on the memorable march to the sea and can vividly recall the long tramp back through the Carolinas and the splendors of the great final review of the home-coming victorious troops at Washington, District of Colum- bia. Although he never consented to leave the regiment to be cared for, Mr. Zimmerman three times suffered bullet wounds, and no doubt a less courageous man would have considered them serious enough for hospital care. After the close of his military life he returned to Ohio.

On January 1, 1866, Mr. Zimmerman was married to Miss Mary M. Wilson, who was born in Indiana, August 14, 1850. In girlhood she had accompanied her parents to St. Clair County, Missouri, but after the death of her father, she and her mother returned East and located in Fayette County, Ohio, where she married. Following marriage, Mr. Zimmerman and wife, with the former's brother, Jacob Zimmerman, started for Missouri, driving over the prairies and finally locating near Oregon, in this state. As everything was not satisfactory, in the spring of 1868, Mr. Zimmerman and family went back to Ohio and remained there one year, in 1869 returning to Missouri and locating on the present farm in Andrew County. He recognized the value of this land and as he had no fear of not being able to develop it if given time, he borrowed the money with which to make his first payment, of $35 per acre, and it has proved a wise investment as he would not at present accept $150 an acre for any of it. He bought the farm from Samuel Ensworth, a well- known character, who subsequently died on this place, having been cared for in his old age by Mr. Zimmerman and family. General farming is carried on here, Mr. Zimmerman devoting himself to his industries very closely and making them profitable through his good judgment and prac- tical methods. He has greatly improved his property and has every reasonable comfort and convenience.

Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman have had seven children born to them:

1867

HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI

Elisha, whose death, at the age of twenty-two years, was a crushing blow to the family, was a young man of bright promise and a successful school teacher; Emma Estella, who is the wife of Harry McElwain, of Helena, Andrew County; Elmer, who died at the age of four years; Arthur, who is a meat inspector for the United States Government, at St. Joseph, Missouri; Emelius and Gamelius, twins, who did not sur- vive infancy; and a babe that also died.

Mr. Zimmerman is a well-balanced, thoughful man and keeps thor- oughly posted on public questions. Until 1896 he cast his votes with the republican party, but in that year voted for Hon. William Jennings Bryan for President, and since then has used his own judgment in sup- porting candidates. He is a representative citizen of Andrew County.

FRANK A. JOHNSON. A resident of Andrew County since 1903, Frank A. Johnson has been engaged in agricultural pursuits in Benton Township with a full measure of success since that time, and as the owner of Maple Hill Farm has one of the nicest properties in this locality. That men of broad and varied experience are best fitted for the vocation of farming is doubted by no one familiar with the intellectual and gen- eral demands placed upon present day exponents of scientific agriculture, and especially is a knowledge of general business an important item in the equipment of those who conduct farming operations. The possession of this advantage has contributed largely to Mr. Johnson's success.

Frank A. Johnson was born in Henry County, Illinois, September 21, 1859, and is a son of Hans and Eliza (Nord) Johnson, natives of Sweden. The father, who came to the United States alone, located on a farm in Henry County, Illinois, where he was married, and there continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his life, passing away about the year 1865, when he was forty-two years of age. Mrs. Johnson, who survived her husband until June, 1910, and was seventy years of age at the time of her demise, came to the United States and to Illinois with her parents, when she was eleven years of age. She was a daughter of John Nord, who located in Henry County, and who was twice married, having three children by each wife. One of Mrs. Johnson's brothers, John M. Nord, served as a Union soldier during the Civil war and is now retired and a resident of Nebraska, while a step- brother, Charles Johnson, was also a soldier in that struggle and is now a resident of California. Mrs. Johnson was married a second time, after the death of her first husband, to Charles Peterson, and by each union had six children, Frank A. being the third child by her first mar- riage. Charles Peterson served in the Civil war three years.

Frank A. Johnson was something more than five years of age when his father died, and he was largely reared by his stepfather who sent him to the public schools of Henry County, Illinois. There he assisted Mr. Peterson in the work of the homestead until 1889, in which year he went to Wayne County, Nebraska, where he spent some fifteen years. Mr. Johnson came to Andrew County, Missouri, in March, 1903, selling his 240-acre Nebraska farm, and here purchasing a property of 445 acres, on which he has put three separate sets of modern farm improvements, of the most highly approved character. He has devoted himself to the raising of grain and the growing of livestock, and each year feeds three cars of cattle and two cars of hogs. Maple Hill Farm is named from the maple grove about the home, which is situated on an elevation, giving an excellent view of the country for miles around. This is mostly valley or bottom land, a rich sandy loam which yields bumper crops. Mr. John- son keeps fully abreast of the times in his calling, and is skilled in the use of the most modern methods and machinery. He has established a

1868

HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI

reputation not only as a good and practical agriculturist, but as a man of the highest integrity, whose fidelity to engagements and straightfor- ward dealing have won the confidence of his associates. A democrat in his political views, he has not been an office seeker, but has always been anxious to do his part as a good citizen. He is a Master Mason and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and his religious connec- tion is with the Christian Church at Bolekow.

On August 15, 1889, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Classman, who was born at McGregor, Clayton County, Iowa, May 9, 1871, a daughter of Henry and Caroline (Helming) Classman, natives of Germany, who were born near Hanover. Mrs. Classman came to the United States at the age of eighteen years, while her husband was twenty-five years old at the time of his arrival, and they were mar- ried at Clinton, Iowa. After a long career passed in agricultural pur- suits, Mr. Classman died June 21, 1908, at Wayne, Nebraska, at the age of seventy years, and Mrs. Classman still makes her home there, being now seventy years old.

Three sons and six daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, all of whom are living except one : Frank E., who is the proprietor of an automobile garage at Bolckow, Missouri, Blanche R., who is the wife of Lyle Chamberlain, of Dwyer, Wyoming; Grace E., who resides with her parents; Laverne; Mary; Sadie; Loren; Royal and Jennie. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one granddaughter : Mary Louise Johnson.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III, Part 85

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