USA > Missouri > A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III > Part 96
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119
At Excelsior Springs, in 1883, Mr. Hyder began the publication of a six-column weekly paper called the Sentinel of Truth, which was con- tinued until 1887. Mr. Hyder then inaugurated the Daily Phunn, a spicy, newsy and entertaining paper, printed four columns on a page 12 by 17 inches and issued daily. Though Excelsior Springs at that time was a restricted rural community, the success of the paper is evidenced by its circulation of over five hundred copies daily. For thirty years or more Mr. Hyder has been an energetic Clay County busi- ness man, and always ready to lend a helping hand to any worthy
1936
HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI
enterprise. He has been connected with every newspaper in the city, and in connection with Doctor Flack is the founder of the Christian Union Herald, a non-sectarian weekly, and since 1906 has been sole editor and publisher of this religious journal.
Having sold the Daily Phunn in 1893, Mr. Hyder in 1894 established the Daily Call and conducted it until selling out his interest in 1903. Later a partnership was formed with the purchaser, and they also acquired the Journal, a weekly publication. Mr. Hyder's partner played a one-handed game and the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Hyder re- tained the Journal plant, to which, in the meantime, he had added a standard linotype, one of the first one-machine plants in the West.
Mr. Hyder now devotes his entire time to the publication of his own papers, to his literary work, and to a large book and job trade. In 1889 he began writing short stories and sketches for eastern papers, and his productions were soon accepted and published by such leading journals as the Boston Globe, New Orleans Times-Democrat, Epoch, Comfort, San Francisco Wasp, West Shore and others. He has written a few serial stories, one of which, "The Fair Enchantress," was published in book form in 1893.
In politics Mr. Hyder is a stanch prohibitionist, with strong progres- sive republican tendencies. For a number of years he has been an active member and supporter of the Christian Union Church, and has been identified with church work since 1878. In 1890 he was appointed a delegate to the general council of the church held at Crawfordsville, Indiana, and proved one of the most useful and influential members of the council. In 1898 he was again a delegate to the general council at Holt, Missouri, in 1906 was sent as a delegate to Homer, Indiana, again in 1910 at the council in Excelsior Springs, and in 1914 at West Union, Ohio, was elected assistant secretary of the general council. During the past twelve years Mr. Hyder has been regularly elected secretary of the Missouri Council, and in eight years has visited nine different state councils each year, serving as secretary of several of these.
Personally Mr. Hyder possesses a suave and polite manner, is modest, unselfish and careful of the feelings and opinions of others, is a pleasant conversationalist, always approachable and of prepossessing appearance. He has long been one of the most useful and best known citizens of Clay County.
GEORGE EDWIN GIRDNER. Among the families whose activities and lives have been distinctive contributions to the communities of Harrison and Mercer counties, probably none deserve more credit than that of Girdner. It has been established in this section of Northwest Missouri for fully sixty-five years, and from that time to the present the name has been associated with the best virtues of manhood and social character. They came into the country in time to do their share of the hard work involved in the clearing of the forests and the laying of substantial foundations of civilization. To an unusual degree material success has been their lot, and they have also stood in important relations with the civic affairs of the locality.
George Edwin Girdner, who represents the third generation of the family residence in this section of Missouri, has lived in the Mount Moriah community since childhood, and he grew up on the farm he now owns, situated on Rural Free Delivery Route No. 3 out of Ridgeway. His birth occurred in Mercer County, near Princeton. June 23, 1874. His grandfather was James Girdner, who came from Kentucky to Mis- souri, and spent his life as a farmer. He was one of the men of extensive interests in Mercer County and widely known as a good citizen. His
1937
HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI
death occurred at the age of seventy-six. He married a Miss Prichard, who died about six years before him. Their children were : James Brit- tan; Polly Ann, the wife of Morris Perry; Andrew Jackson; Frank, who was killed during the war; Joseph, who died in Oklahoma; John R .; Sarah, who is the wife of John Boyd and lives on the old Girdner home near Princeton.
John R. Girdner, the father of George E., was born November 28, 1848, and it was about that time that the grandfather settled near Prince- ton. John R. Girdner is now a resident of Princeton, but was brought up on a farm near there and has spent all his active life as a farmer. He was successful, did a large business as a stock man and was able to provide liberally for his children. He was too young to serve in the army during the war, has been little identified with politics except as a demo- cratic voter, and was brought up in the Christian Church, though his tendencies are now toward the Methodists. John R. Girdner married Miss . Maria Isabel Granlee. Her father, Joseph B. Granlee, came to Missouri about the close of the war from near Spraggs, Pennsylvania, and was distantly related to the numerous Spragg family of that locality, many representatives of which are found in Northwest Missouri. The children of John R. Girdner and wife are: George Edwin ; Jennie A., the wife of Stoton Boxley, of Princeton ; Charles, of Cainesville, Missouri ; Bessie M., wife of Fred Clemands, of Princeton ; and Cleo L., of Princeton.
George Edwin Girdner while growing up on his present farm acquired an education in the country schools, also attended school at Cainesville and Edinburg, Missouri, and finally at the old Stanberry Normal. From school he graduated at once into the work of the farm, and continued at home with his parents until past his majority. He was married February 26, 1899, to Miss Elizabeth Leazenby. Her father is William V. Leazenby, of Ridgeway, Missouri, a nephew of Wesley Leazenby, one of the pioneers of Harrison County. William V. Leazenby was reared in Pickaway County, Ohio, and came to Missouri in the '80s. He married Sarah Keys, and their children were: Mrs. Girdner, who was born January 29, 1880; Etta, who died at the age of fifteen; Ethel, wife of William Nor- wood, near Ridgeway; Minnie, wife of Max Burgin, of Maryville, Missouri; Ola, who died at the age of four years; Wilda, wife of Herman Waswo, of Ridgeway; and Miss Laura. William V. Leazenby by his second wife, whose maiden name was Mary Harrison, has two children : Truman and Ray. Mr. George E. Girdner and wife have four children : Forrest W., Charles Dorrell, Lois May and Elizabeth Lee.
Recently Mr. Girdner has engaged in the lumber business at Caines- ville, Missouri, having joined his brother Charles in purchasing the prin- cipal lumber yard at that place, that of C. F. Fransham & Son. Both as a farmer and a citizen Mr. Girdner has had an important part in local affairs. He is now serving as township trustee and has held that office to the benefit of the community for five years. A democrat, he cast his first vote for William J. Bryan in 1896, and has voted for all the demo- cratic candidates in the past eighteen years. As a delegate he was present at the judicial convention in St. Joseph in 1904. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is a past Noble Grand in his local lodge, and his household centers its religious interests in the Methodist Church.
As a man of affairs Mr. Girdner owns a farm of 368 acres, and like most successful farmers in Missouri he obtained his profits from stock. His progressive enterprise is shown in the various improvements of his farm. He is also known in local banking, and was one of the original stockholders of the First National Bank of Cainesville, but has since with- drawn his connection with the institution.
1938
HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI
JONATHAN TOWNSEND. Andrew County has its full quota of men who have stepped aside from participation in active affairs to let pass the younger generation with its hopes and ambitions, and in this class is found Jonathan Townsend, who is now living in retirement after many years passed in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Townsend was born in Morgan County, Indiana, June 17, 1827, and is a son of William and Mary (Voyles) Townsend, born within fourteen days of each other, in February, 1797, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. William Townsend, the grandfather of Jonathan, was also born in that county, and was about seventeen years of age at the outbreak of the Revolutionary war. Although he belonged to an old English family, his heart was with the colonists, and during the entire period of the war he served as a private under General Greene. He died in Indiana about the year 1837.
William Townsend was ten years of age when he accompanied his parents to Morgan County, Indiana, and there he was living at the time of the outbreak of the War of 1812, in which he fought valiantly as a soldier. Both he and his wife attained advanced years, and passed away in Indiana, after a long period passed in farming. They were the parents of fourteen children, namely: Elison; Alfred; William C .; Lucy, who died young; Jesse; Joseph, who died young ; Jonathan ; Rachel Simmons ; Elizabeth Elliott; Andrew Jackson; Catherine; Thomas Jefferson ; Lafayette ; and Benjamin Franklin.
Jonathan Townsend received his education in the public schools of Indiana, and remained on the homestead farm there until he reached the age of nineteen years, at that time, in 1847, coming to Andrew County, Missouri. Locating on a property two miles north of Savannah, he continued to reside thereon and to add thereto until his retirement, February 24, 1894, at which time he was the owner of 190 acres of land, of which he disposed, and since. then has made his home at Savannah. During the period of the Civil war Mr. Townsend served as a private in the Missouri State Militia, under Col. William Herrin, and the last year under Capt. John Majors of Savannah. He sustained the family reputation for courage and military prowess, discharging his duties in a manner that has always been characteristic, whether in war or peace. At the age of eighty-seven years he is still in the enjoyment of perfect health and has all his faculties, it even being unnecessary for him to wear glasses. He attributes his long and healthy life to the fact that he has always lived sensibly, has never been intoxicated and has never used tobacco. He has been a great lover of home and simple things, and has never played cards or danced. He has been a consistent democrat since the time he cast his first vote for General Cass, but has never sought public preferment. Fraternally, he is connected with the Masons, which he joined before the Civil war. He has been a member of the Baptist Church for sixty-seven years, and at this time is serving as deacon thereof.
On January 24, 1849, Mr. Townsend was married to Miss Katie Ann Landers, who was born in Platt County, Missouri, and died in Andrew County in 1861. Their children were as follows: William Burnett, a resident of Andrew County ; Francis Marion, living at Whitesville, Mis- souri ; James S., who is the owner of a large farm in the vicinity of Cawood, Missouri ; Hamilton Smith, an undertaker and monument dealer at Warrensburg; and Louisa Jane, who died as Mrs. Ephraim Todd, leaving four children. Mr. Townsend was again married April 5, 1863, to Miss Amanda J. Parker, who was born February 28, 1839, in Bartholomew County, Indiana, and came West with her parents in 1855, the family settling first in Nodaway County, Missouri, and three years later removing to a farm west of Savannah. She was a daughter of William and Miriam
1939
HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI
(Critchfield) Parker, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Tennessee, and the parents of nine children. Three of Mrs. Townsend's brothers, Reuben, Nathaniel and John, served as soldiers during the Civil war, the first two in the Missouri State Militia, and the last-named in the United States service. Reuben met a soldier's death in battle at Spring- field, Missouri. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Townsend : Nathaniel, who died as a child; one infant which died unnamed; Elison Eugene, who is a resident of Savannah; and Laura Nettie, who is the wife of John Rowe, living one and one-half miles north of Savannah. Mr and Mrs. Townsend celebrated their golden wedding anniversary April 5, 1913.
THE XCIX CLUB, TRENTON. A women's club with a record of notable accomplishment and influence since its establishment is that known as the XCIX Club in Trenton. While the club was originally in purpose a study club, its aim and scope were soon broadened to bring it into more vital relations with the life of the community. It is now not only the medium through which its members work for their individual advancement and culture, but also turn their united efforts to the improvement and betterment of their home city.
The club was organized in February, 1899, and its name is derived from the year of its establishment. The first president was Mrs. George Hall. At first the membership was limited to fifteen, but later to twenty- five, and in 1906 the study club feature was broadened to a department club, comprising three departments: Home and education, art and literature, history and music. At that time the membership was made unlimited.
At the present time the chief object of achievement before the club is to aid in the establishment of a Y. M. C. A. The first hundred dollars subscribed to the fund was given by this club some years ago, and the club's contributions have since been increased until they now aggregate four hundred dollars. Besides this, much philanthropic and civic work has been accomplished by the home and education department. This includes the establishment of a children's reading room at the Jewett Norris Library at a cost of $300; a contribution of fifty dollars to the White Way; the annual gift to the Missouri Loan Scholarship Fund which assists poor girls to secure a college education; an annual gift to the Charity Union; the contribution to the Monument to the Civil War Veterans; the inspection of dairies, bakeries, meat markets and groceries, and the censoring of picture shows and pool halls.
The club has also done some effectual work in connection with the public schools, and has conducted parents' and teachers' meetings which have served to bring into closer relations the schools and the homes. The Trenton Clean City Club, an outgrowth of the XCIX Club, provided a public playground and installed drinking fountains in the public schools. The club members on one Arbor Day visited the schools and made talks on the planting of trees and the conservation of nature's resources, and at another time they observed the Safety First day.
The other departments of the club have studied the history, music, art and literature of the United States and of most of the European countries. Many of the musical programs have been worthy of mention, including the "Evening with American Composers," and "Selections from Grand Opera." The art and literature department secured the Turner Art Exhibit and has given dramas by authors whose countries were being studied. Guest day is the first of May and has been celebrated by many unique social affairs; notably the May Day breakfast at the
1940
HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI
Riverside Country Club and the Commercial Club Banquet at which Governor Hadley was the guest of honor.
The motto of the club is: "Slumber not in the tents of your fathers; the world is advancing, advance with it." The club flower is the carna- tion and the club colors red and white. A list of the past presidents of the club is as follows: Mrs. Rachel Hall, Mrs. Nettie Hoffman, Mrs. Ida Austin, Mrs. Sarah Steckman, Mrs. Lida M. Cook, Mrs. Sallie M. Asher, Mrs. Sallie B. Patton, Mrs. Rachel Hall, Mrs. Bessie S. Witten, Mrs. Carrie Rogers Clark, Mrs. Eva M. Wright, Mrs. Rose H. McGrath, Dr. Lulu Herbert, Dr. Erie Herbert, Mrs. Sallie M. Asher, Mrs. Carrie Rogers Clark, Mrs. Bessie S. Witten, Mrs. Rose Preston, Mrs. Sarah Steckman, Mrs. Pansy Prewitt McCollom and Mrs. Mae Brandt.
The club now has 100 members and is affiliated with the Missouri State Federation and the General Federation of Women's Clubs.
HOMER CROCKETT. A representative of that class who have been most efficient in bringing prosperity and in creating the modern twentieth century conditions in Northwest Missouri, Homer Crockett has spent his active career as a farmer, merchant and horseman, his chief reputa- tion outside the county being due to the successful enterprise which he conducts in partnership with his brother Nathan W. in the breeding and raising of thoroughbred imported horses, jacks, jennets and mules. In Platte Township of Andrew County is a community where the name Crockett has been synonymous with enterprise and successful ability since the early days. In section 14, in the same neighborhood as are located other Crockett farms, is the home place of Homer Crockett.
Homer Crockett is the second of five children born to Milton and Sarah (West) Crockett, who came out to Northwest Missouri in 1857 and were among the early settlers of Andrew County. Milton Crockett was a fine character among the older settlers, and the chief facts in his life and his lineage will be found in the sketch of Le Roy Crockett. Homer Crockett was born in Seneca County, Ohio, August 2, 1855, and has spent most of his life in Andrew County. During the war his parents returned to Ohio, where his father enlisted and served in the Union army. Homer Crockett lived on the old home farm until his marriage, and has since been actively identified with farming with the exception of four years during the '80s when he and his brother Wallace A. were in partnership in merchandising at Whitesville. Homer Crockett occupies a farm of 120 acres, and owns another eighty acres nearby, also 320 acres in Hartley County, Texas. The home farm is the old Rodkey Place, formerly owned by Mrs. Crockett's father. Since 1890 Mr. Crockett and his brother Nathan have been engaged jointly in the business of breeding Percheron horses, jacks and jennets, also high grade Tennessee and Ken- tucky stock. Their enterprise has brought them a considerable reputa- tion, and their animals have been exhibited as prize winners in a number of shows and fairs. Homer Crockett has been a stockholder in the Farmers Bank of Whitesville since its organization. He is known all over this community as a capable man of affairs and an alert and public spirited citizen, and a hard worker in any cause which he enlists. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Walnut Grove, in which he is a trustee, and in politics is a republican.
On September 1, 1878, Homer Crockett married Jennie Rodkey, who was born in Carroll County, Indiana, July 17, 1855, and came with her parents to Andrew County in the spring of 1866. Her life since that time has been spent on the home farm where she now lives with the exception of four years in Whitesville while her husband was engaged in merchan- dising there. Mrs. Crockett is a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Eller)
1941
HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI
Rodkey, her father a native of Pennsylvania and her mother near Dayton, Ohio. They were married in Ohio, from there moving to Carroll County, Indiana, and her father came to Andrew County in 1865 and brought his family in the following spring. Mrs. Crockett's mother died in 1879, at the age of fifty-eight, and her father in 1883, at the age of sixty-two. Mr. Rodkey was a carpenter by trade, an occupation he followed for a number of years, but later engaged successfully in farming. He also conducted a nursery, and supplied the young trees for a large number of the early orchards in Andrew County. The five children in the Rodkey family were: Lodiska, widow of J. A. Williams, of Kokomo, Indiana, and she now resides in Bolckow, Missouri; Newton, deceased ; Wirt, deceased ; Mrs. Crockett; and Esther, wife of Lyman Stingley, of King City. Mr. and Mrs. Stingley formerly owned a 160 acre farm in this neighborhood, just east of the Homer Crockett place, and he was a successful farmer and stock raiser, handling a good many fine mules. In January, 1913, however, he sold his farm and moved to King City, where he is now living retired.
Mr. and Mrs. Crockett have three children : Maggie, the wife of C. O. Townsend, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and they have one child, Gladys; the second child, a son, died in infancy ; Lena is the wife of Ewing D. Clark. of Omaha, Nebraska, and has one son, Edwin D. Mrs. Clark graduated from the Savannah high school and was one of Andrew County's successful school teachers. She attended the Maclean School of Expression and Dramatic Art in Chicago, Illinois, in 1912, and she has won high honors for her ability. She was awarded the silver medal at the W. C. T. U. contest, and she afterward won the gold medal at the contest held at Albany, Missouri. Mrs. Crockett takes much interest and is an active worker in the Walnut Grove Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been president of the Ladies Aid Society since its organization.
JOHN W. GRESHAM. Many years of steady industry, growing pros- perity and influential citizenship have marked the career of John W. Gresham in Holt County. Mr. Gresham owns fine farming property in Bigelow Township, and for a man who began life with little education and who gave the benefit of his early struggling years to paying off debts and supporting a family, he has well earned all the comforts and the esteem which the world can bestow.
John W. Gresham was born in Johnson County, Missouri, July 13, 1857, but has lived in Holt County since infancy. His parents, John J. and Elizabeth (Catron) Gresham, were the parents of seven children, one of whom is now deceased. John J. Gresham, a farmer, came to Holt County about 1858 and settled on land about two miles southwest of Bigelow. It was an unimproved place, and for a number of years his labors were directed to the clearing up of the land and to the establishment of a home. About 1876 John J. Gresham made a trip to Wyoming, leaving his wife and children on the farm. It was a disastrous expedition, and the party with which he traveled turned back before reaching its destina- tion, but they were overtaken by Indians and in the fight which ensued John J. Gresham was killed, and his body never recovered. This calamity befell when John W. Gresham was about nineteen years of age. At once there devolved upon his shoulders the responsibilities of managing the farm and assisting his mother and brothers and sisters in making a living and paying off the debt which incumbered the homestead. Mr. Gresham thus remained at home until his marriage, and afterwards his mother lived with her younger sons.
After his marriage in 1879 Mr. Gresham began as a renter, worked in that way for three years, and then bought seventy-seven acres com-
1942
HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI
prising his present farm and also the forty acres on which his son Earl now lives. It was improved land, but all the building has been done since he took possession thirty-five years ago.
Mr. John W. Gresham is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World and the Fraternal Union of America, and his course in both public and private affairs has always identified him with the betterment and advancement of his com- munity. He has served on the home school board, and is a democrat in politics, with which party his father was also affiliated. As a farmer Mr. Gresham is successful in the raising of stock and the staples of Holt County. Mr. Gresham credits the success that he has won largely to the possession of good health, industrious habits and honorable dealings with his fellow men. His father was a man of exemplary habits, and never used tobacco in all his life.
John W. Gresham married Belle Bridgeman, daughter of John W. Bridgeman. They have one son, Allen Earl Gresham, who was born in the village of Bigelow, Holt County, October 6, 1884. He was reared and educated in his native county, obtained his schooling at Mound City and Bigelow, and continued at home with his parents until his marriage. He married Virginia Flowers, daughter of W. L. and Martha Ellen (Dawson) Flowers. After his marriage he was located on the Frank Sauer farm until 1914, and then moved to his present place of forty acres, comprising a part of his father's estate in Bigelow Township. He does a general farming business. Mr. and Mrs. Allen Earl Gresham are the parents of three children, Farell F., Rex F. and Forest B., all of whom were born in Holt County.
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.