USA > Missouri > A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III > Part 94
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On December 27, 1876, George L. Hobson married Eliza A. Johns.
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She was born in Madison County, Iowa, July 13, 1854, and came to Andrew County with her parents in 1863. She is a daughter of Andrew B. and Mary A. (Smith) Johns, both natives of Ohio. Mrs. Johns died in Iowa when Mrs. Hobson was eight years of age. Andrew Johns was born July 7, 1829, and his wife October 3, 1830, and she died in 1862. Mr. Johns married for his second wife Mahala Bradford. He died in Andrew County, January 8, 1895. By the first marriage there were eight children and eleven by the second union, and Mrs. Hobson is the oldest among the nineteen children of her father's family.
Mr. and Mrs. Hobson had five children, but two of them, Marshall Andrew and George Byron, died in infancy. The three living are : Homer F., who is a city mail carrier at Quincy, Illinois; Walter M., who occupies and operates a part of the homestead of his father; and Ethel M., wife of W. M. Lanning, they occupying another of the two groups of farm buildings on Mr. Hobson's estate.
WILLIAM HUTCHEON. The career of William Hutcheon, one of the substantial farmers and livestock raisers of Nodaway County, is illus- trative of the great rewards which are granted those who follow lives of industry and integrity. He was thrown upon his own resources when but fourteen years of age, and since then has worked his way to a substantial position among the men of the various communities in which he has been located, being principally known as the owner of Mapleton Stock Farm, where have been bred a number of national champions in White Faced cattle.
Mr. Hutcheon is a native of Scotland, born at Aberdeenshire, Novem- ber 19, 1862, a son of Alexander and Isabella (Brodie) Hutcheon. His father, who was a modest farm laborer, died in 1874, but the lad con- tinued at his studies in the public schools for two years more, at which time he entered upon a career of his own, from the outset of which he was connected in some way with the raising of thoroughbred cattle. When he was eighteen years of age, Mr. Hutcheon left his native land and emigrated to the Province of Quebec, Canada, where he arrived with something less than five dollars. He had energy, ability and am- bition, and soon found employment with a stockman, in whose employ he continued for nearly ten years. Mr. Hutcheon then emigrated to the United States and for two years was employed on a stock farm in Indiana, then coming to Jackson County, Missouri, where, in partnership with an Englishman, John J. Stewart, under the firm style of Stewart & Hutcheon, he engaged in the breeding of cattle. This association continued uninterruptedly until the fall of 1894, when Mr. Stewart died, and since that time Mr. Hutcheon has continued alone. In 1902 he came to his present property, Mapleton Stock Farm, a tract of 320 acres, located in sections 31 and 32, Grant Township, and half of which lies in Andrew County, the other half being in Nodaway County. This is one of the best farms in this part of the state and is exceptionally well im- proved, the greater number of improvements having been put on by Mr. Hutcheon.
In the raising of White Faced cattle, Mr. Hutcheon has had a grand success. Here was reared the famous "Mapleton," named after the farm, champion bull of the World's Fair at St. Louis in 1904. In 1905 at the Portland (Oregon) Exposition, Mr. Hutcheon was awarded the grand championship prize for the best herd of White Faced cattle, hav- ing four females and one male, the male being the son of "Mapleton." One year at the International, Mr. Hutcheon showed two animals from one cow, and was awarded first prize in each class, both senior and junior championships, joined together for grand championship, this never
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having been done before or since. Mr. Hutcheon exhibits annually in nine state fairs and the American Fair, at Kansas City, and for twelve years has exhibited annually at the International Stock Show, Chicago. Mr. Hutcheon keeps a herd of from seventy to one hundred animals on his place all the time, all thoroughbred stock, and these animals bring the highest prices in the markets and at sales. He also carries on general farming to some extent, and has met with a full measure of success in this department. In his business transactions he has always displayed straightforward dealing that has won him the confidence and respect of his associates, and as a citizen he is foremost in promoting beneficial measures. Mr. Hutcheon is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Bolckow, and also holds membership in the ,Masonic Lodge there. Since becoming a citizen of the United States, he has been a republican, his first presidential vote being cast for William McKinley.
In January, 1908, Mr. Hutcheon was married to Miss Margaret Lee, who died without issue in 1911.
SAMUEL EDWARD LEE began newspaper work at the age of twelve by setting type in the newspaper office of his mother, Mrs. Martina Christina Lee, who was editor and publisher of the Hasting (Iowa) Record for two years. Mr. Lee was a printer for several years in Iowa and went to Holton, Kansas, following the same work and later going to Chicago where he attended school. He came from there to Savannah and took up the foremanship of The Reporter in November, 1906. This he con- tinued until 1910 when he purchased a half interest in The Reporter printing plant, established by O. E. Paul in 1876. On January 4, 1912, he married Mrs. Lilah Townsend Paul, who purchased a third interest in the same plant in 1902 and in 1905 purchased a half interest. Mr. Lee's father was James Monroe Lee, who was the son of Henry Lee, who was a descendant of the Virginia Lees. He was born in Blount County, Tennessee, in September, 1821, and married Miss Mary Catherine McCon- nell, daughter of James and Peggy McConnell. Henry Lee moved to In- diana and then to Michigan for a short time, coming to Shelby County, Iowa, where he died September 8, 1890. His sons, Sam and Annon, yet live in that county but the father of the subject of this sketch, who was a carpenter and contractor, went to Texas, near Houston, during the land boom of 1897 and died in January, 1899. Mr. Lee's mother is yet living in College View, Nebraska. Her father was Lars Weien, born in Den- mark, February 4, 1827. He was a tailor by trade and he and his wife, Mette Petrine Christensen, who was born in 1831, came to America in 1861 and lived three years in Wisconsin, coming to Shelby County, Iowa, in 1864, when their daughter, Martina Christina, was nine years old. Samuel Edward Lee was born in Calhoun County, Iowa, on Feb- ruary 7, 1886. He and his wife continue to publish The Savannah Reporter, county seat weekly. Their only child, a daughter, died Sep- tember 21, 1914.
COL. ELIJAH GATES. A venerable and highly esteemed citizen of St. Joseph, Col. Elijah Gates served throughout the Civil war as one of the most brave and gallant soldiers of the Confederate army, and has since served the state in various capacities, in each position to which he has been elected performing the duties devolving upon him efficiently and satisfactorily. A son of John Gates, he was born, December 17, 1827, in Garrard County, Kentucky.
John Gates, a farmer, spent his last years in Garrard County, Ken- tucky, dying in 1829, while yet in manhood's prime. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Maupin. She was a native of Madison County,
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Kentucky. She survived him, married a second time, and spent her last days in Lexington, Kentucky.
Brought up and educated in Kentucky, Elijah Gates remained in his native state until 1848, when he followed the tide of emigration westward to Missouri. Purchasing a tract of wild land in Livingston County, he occupied it until 1857, when he sold, and bought a tract in Fremont Township, Buchanan County. In 1861 Colonel Gates enlisted for three months in the Confederate service, becoming captain of Com- pany A, State Militia, and took part in the engagements at Carthage, Dry Wood, Lexington, and Springfield. He subsequently organized a regiment of soldiers at Springfield, and was commissioned colonel of the regiment, which was assigned to General Price's army. At the head of his regiment, the Colonel was at the front in the engagement at Elkhorn, Arkansas, and was later with General Beauregard at Corinth. He afterwards took an active part in the Battle of Iuka, the second engagement at Corinth, and in those at Grand Gulf, Champion Hills, and Big Black River. At the latter battle he was captured, but two days later he made his escape, and joined his command. He assisted in the defense of Atlanta, and participated in the Battle of Jonesboro, after which he went with Hood's army to Franklin, Tennessee, where he was in the thickest of the fight. He was there severely wounded, cap- tured, and had his arm amputated. After remaining a prisoner twenty- four days, the Colonel escaped, and at Mobile again joined his command. In April, 1865, Colonel Gates was again captured by the enemy, and was held in confinement until the close of the war. Serving throughout the conflict, Colonel Gates was five times wounded, three times captured, twice making his escape, and had many narrow escapes from death, having had three horses shot from under him.
Soon after his return from the seat of war Colonel Gates embarked in business at St. Joseph, and continued until 1872, when he was elected sheriff, a position which he filled for five years. In 1876 he was elected state treasurer, and served for four years, from 1877 until 1881. He then bought an interest in an omnibus and transfer line, with which he was connected a few years. In December, 1885, Colonel Gates was appointed United States marshal for the Western District of Missouri, and served in that capacity for five years. The past few years the Colonel has lived retired from active business cares, having accomplished much work in his long and busy life.
Colonel Gates married, in 1852, Maria Stumper, who was born in Monroe County, Missouri, of pioneer ancestry, and to them twelve chil- dren have been born.
ANDREW FRANCIS MCCRAY. For many years A. F. McCray, by which initials he is best known, has been one of the prominent citizens of Caldwell County. A veteran of the war, in which he lost a leg, he has been for over forty years one of the busiest and most energetic men in the county, has an unusual reputation as a successful auctioneer, has been engaged in the grain, real estate and insurance business, and in public affairs has served as county assessor two terms and as county treasurer one term, and as postmaster of Cowgill for more than twenty years. Mr. McCray has known Caldwell County and this section of Northwest Missouri since pioneer times, and his own home has been in the county since 1848.
He was born in Millersburg in Callaway County, Missouri, July 1, 1843. His birthplace was a log house, and his father, William McCray, was a native of Bourbon County, Kentucky, and of an old Kentucky family that emigrated to Missouri in 1829 when he was only ten years old.
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William McCray married Nancy Carroll, a daughter of John Carroll, a descendant of that famous Carroll who affixed his name to the Declaration of Independence in 1776. William McCray was a man of strong char- acter, an influential pioneer of Caldwell County, a whig and republican in politics, and a great admirer of General Zachary Taylor. He died at the age of eighty-four, and his wife passed away in 1885, aged sixty- three. He was loved and respected by all who knew him, and for many years served as a justice of the peace, his decisions being invariably sustained by the higher courts. He possessed both the physical vigor and strength of character which well fitted him for life in a new country. In 1861 he took a strong stand for the preservation of the Union, and such a position in Caldwell County was attended with more difficulties and had to combat more opposition than a similar stand in the more northern state. He was also an ideal man for a new country in his work of organ- izing and maintaining public schools and in helping to build up the moral and educational interests. His own education had been limited to three months of school privileges, but among his associates he passed as one of the best informed men of his community. He was a great reader of books, kept himself informed on everyday affairs of the nation, and his reading and practical experience fortified him for the position of leadership which he long held. In earlier years he was a blacksmith, but gave that up for the farm and he was noted for the excellence of the fruits grown in his orchard. Like many Kentuckians his name was a synonym for openhanded hospitality. His home never closed its door to friend or stranger alike, and passing travelers always found a welcome entertainment with food and shelter. The living children of William McCray and wife are : A. F .; James C., of Leavenworth, Kansas, who was a soldier in the Forty-fourth Missouri Infantry ; Millard F., of Cowgill, Missouri; Warren, of Gurneville, California; David O., who is a well known newspaper correspondent and former publisher of many re- publican papers in Missouri and Kansas, and is now a resident of Topeka, Kansas; Charles C., of Redding, California, now a member of the Cali- fornia Legislature; and Mrs. G. B. Cowley, of Cowgill, Missouri.
A. F. McCray was reared on a farm in Caldwell County, attended the old time district schools but acquired most of his education from practical experience. When a young man in March, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Sixth M. S. M. Cavalry, and served until the battle of Lone Jack August 16, 1862, where he lost his left leg. He was removed to Lexington, Missouri, remained in the hospital until September 10, 1862, and was then taken to the old home by his father, who had been with the son while in the hospital, and received an honorable discharge November 25, 1862. After his return home Mr. MeCray busied himself with work in different lines. He taught school during the winter of 1865-1866, and in the summer of 1866 embarked in the cattle business, which he followed successfully for many years. In November, 1866, Gov. Thos. C. Fletcher issued an order for the enrollment of all of the Militia forces in Missouri to suppress the bushwhacking that pre- vailed in many parts of the state. A. F. McCray was appointed enroll- ing officer for Caldwell County, with the rank and pay of a first lieu- tenant in the army. He proceeded to enroll all of the men in the county and organized them into companies and a regiment for actual service, but the regiment was never called into service. In 1868 he was elected to his first public office, as county assessor. In 1872 came his election to the office of county treasurer, and in that office as in every other pub- lic relation he showed his efficiency, competence and honesty. He was postmaster at Cowgill during President Harrison's administration, and in 1897 President Mckinley appointed him postmaster again, and he
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served through the McKinley, Roosevelt and Taft administrations, until February 14, 1914. Mr. McCray had charge of the office during the institution of the various new departments of the postal service, including rural free delivery, and always administered the office beyond reason- able criticism. For forty years Mr. McCray has been engaged in busi- ness as auctioneer, and is one of the best known men in that profession over Northwest Missouri. His son, C. F. McCray, is now associated with his father, and his engagements call him to all parts of the country, frequently to Kansas City and Chicago to sell stock at the stock yards. Both father and son are known to all the prominent stock men in Northwest Missouri.
Mr. McCray married Miss Hortensia J. Rhoades, a prominent teacher in the public schools before her marriage, and born in Erie County, New York, but reared in Pennsylvania, her family being prominent in the Oil City district. By their marriage Mr. and Mrs. McCray are the parents of the following children : Harry B., who is connected with the Badger Lumber Company of Kansas City; Miss Merle; Mrs. J. O. Den- ton of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; William S., of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; and C. Frank, his father's partner.
Mr. McCray has prospered in business affairs and the competent ful- fillment of obligations during his long and active career constitute him one of the leading men of Northwest Missouri. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and for many years has been one of the leading republicans in his section of the state. For twenty years he served as commander and adjutant of the Grand Army Post at Cow- gill.
CLYDE SID JONES, editor of the Polo Missouri Weekly News, is one of Caldwell County's most popular citizens. Engaged in newspaper work since 1901, he has steadily advanced in the ranks of Missouri jour- nalism as well as in the esteem and confidence of the people with whom he has come into contact, and as a public-spirited and helpful citizen has done much to advance the interests of his chosen town.
Mr. Jones was born in Caldwell County, Missouri, in 1876, and is a son of J. M. Jones. His father, born in Coshocton County, Ohio, migrated to Missouri as a young man, and here enlisted for service during the Civil war, through which he served. When his military career was com- pleted he returned to his vocation of farmer, in Missouri, but at this time is a resident of Oklahoma and is retired from active pursuits. He is a republican in his political views, and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. There were seven children in the family : Eliza Jane Doug- lass, of Tulsa, Oklahoma ; William, a farmer of Caldwell County; M. G., a merchant of this county; Charles M., engaged in the hardware busi- ness at Polo; J. E., a farmer of Caldwell County; Clyde Sid, of this review ; and Fred, a farmer.
Clyde Sid Jones was educated in the public schools, and was reared to manhood on the home farm. From his early youth he displayed a predilection for newspaper work, and in 1901 embarked upon his real career in this field, being at that time connected with the Polo Post, with which he remained for two years. In 1903, when the Polo Missouri Weekly News was founded, Mr. Jones became its editor, and in this capac- ity has remained to the present time. This publication is issued every Thursday, and at the present time has a paid-up circulation of eight hundred readers. Since 1908 it has been consolidated with the Vindi- cator, and reaches a class of people that gives it its sub-title : "Read by Home Folks." The office equipment is of the best, including a complete job printing department, where work of the finest nature is done, this
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feature of the business having developed rapidly during the past several years. In his capacity of editor of this flourishing publication, Mr. Jones has done and is doing much for Polo, influencing the people along the lines of progress and good citizenship and supporting every measure for the advancement of education and morality. A man of pleasant person- ality, as fluent and ready a talker as he is a writer, he has made numer- ous friends since coming to Polo. Physically he is a strong, virile man, six feet tall, and weighing two hundred pounds. In political matters Mr. Jones is a republican, and while he has not sought public office on his own account, has done much for his party in Caldwell County.
Miss Nettie Maytum, the publisher of the News, is a lady of excep- tional business ability, with broad experience in newspaper work. She knows her public and her field, and during her residence at Polo has become widely and favorably known to the people of this thriving com- munity.
C. P. DORSEY. The name Dorsey has for many years been identified with the press of Northwest Missouri, and C. P. Dorsey is editor of the Braymer Bee, an influential newspaper of Caldwell County, which was for a number of years owned and edited by his father, the late Dr. Den- nis Dorsey, who was distinguished in Northwest Missouri as a success- ful physician, minister, orator, editor, and a keen and incisive writer, who was thoroughly informed not only in his individual profession, but on civic and social affairs generally.
Dr. Dennis B. Dorsey was a graduate of the Medical College at Keokuk, and for many years practiced his profession. During the Civil war he served as surgeon in the Union Army. He was born in Balti- more, Maryland, and represented a family which had been founded in America by three brothers of French Huguenot stock who located on this side of the Atlantic during the Colonial times. Doctor Dorsey was mar- ried in Center County, Pennsylvania, to Margaret Gray, daughter of Jacob Gray, who was a native of Pennsylvania. In 1868, Doctor Dorsey located at Chillicothe, Missouri, where he later became editor of the Tribune. For many years he was one of the most active members and ministers of the Missouri Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He stood strongly for the principles advocated by the republican party, and was a leader both for the economic policies advocated by that party, and also for the temperance movement. His death occurred September 2, 1901, at the age of seventy-one years. Personally he was a man of pro- fessional bearing, stood five feet ten inches, weighed 170 pounds, and was a man of accomplishments and a genial personality. His widow died in 1900, being then sixty-seven years of age. Their children were: Dr. F. B. Dorsey, who is a surgeon at Keokuk, Iowa; Dr. J. G. Dorsey, a physician at Wichita, Kansas; Luella Dorsey; Eva Dorsey, and C. P. Dorsey of Braymer, Missouri.
The Braymer Bee is a paper that has been read and quoted in North- west Missouri for a number of years, and has an individuality and influ- ence impressed upon it by the different members of the Dorsey family who have controlled its destiny. It is republican in politics, but has worked without partisanship for the upbuilding and welfare of Braymer and Caldwell County. It has a large circulation, the plant occupies a building of its own, and it is one of the rural newspapers of Northwest Missouri that represents a profitable business.
C. P. Dorsey was born in Chillicothe, Missouri, July 11, 1874, and has been in the newspaper business most of his active career after leav- ing school. From 1909 to 1911 he was editor of the Keokuk, Iowa, Con- stitution-Democrat, and then became identified with journalism in St.
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Louis. He resigned his work there in order to take charge of the Bray- mer Bee, the health of his sister, Miss Eva, who had edited the paper for two years, making it inadvisable for her to continue the full man- agement of the journal.
Mr. C. P. Dorsey was married June 7, 1911, at Kansas City, to Miss Mary Lankford, daughter of the late Thomas H. Lankford, for many years a prominent Chillicothe newspaper man. Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey have two children: Dennis B. and Florence Margaret. Mr. Dorsey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and active in its Sunday school, and he and his family stand high in local society.
JUDGE CHESLEY A. MOSMAN. An able and influential member of the Missouri bar and for nearly half a century a resident of St. Joseph, the late Judge Chesley A. Mosman won unmistakable prestige in his chosen profession, his scholarly attainments and comprehensive knowl- ยท edge of the law gaining him success in the legal world. He was born July 29, 1842, in Chester, Illinois, but was brought up and educated in St. Louis, Missouri, where his parents settled when he was an infant.
At the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Mosman, fired with patriotic zeal and enthusiasm, enlisted in a St. Louis company which was assigned to an Illinois regiment, and with his command went South to join the Union forces. Although he started with General Sherman's army on its march to the sea, his company did not go beyond Atlanta with the gallant hero, but he, with his command took an active part in the engage- ments at Murfreesboro and Chickamauga, and later, having joined Gen- eral Thomas, was at the front in the Battle of Nashville. After the surrender of Lee, on April 9, 1865, Mr. Mosman was ordered with his command to Texas to look after the Mexican situation, and after the execution of Maximilian, the French having been driven out, his regi- ment was discharged, he having in the meantime been promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. While in the army he was wounded twice, on one occasion his shoulder blade having been broken by a bullet.
On his return to Illinois, Mr. Mosman accepted a position as a elerk in a mercantile establishment, and while thus employed took up the study of law, and shortly after coming to St. Joseph, in 1868, was admitted to the bar. Subsequently, under Judge Albin, he served as clerk of the Circuit Court, and in 1870 was elected prosecuting attor- ney of Buchanan County. He later became junior attorney for the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad, now a part of the Burlington system, and held the position until 1875, when the senior attorneys, Hall & Oliver, retired. Mr. Mosman then formed a partner- ship with the late J. D. Strong, with whom he was associated sixteen years as senior attorneys for the Burlington Railroad. On the retire- ment of Mr. Strong, on account of ill health, in 1891, Judge Mosman became junior member of the firm of Spencer, Burnes & Mosman, which was continued until the election of Mr. Burnes to Congress. Messrs. Spencer & Mosman, however, continued as general solicitors for the Burlington until 1900, when Judge Mosman retired from the firm, and resumed private practice. In 1904 the Judge was elected judge of Division No. 1 of the Circuit Court, on the republican ticket, and served most acceptably for one term of six years.
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