USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > A memorial and biographical record of Kansas City and Jackson County Mo. > Part 12
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taking up his residence in Jackson county, Michigan, where he built a log cabin, in which Kansas City's present postmaster first opened his eyes to the light of day. The father soon afterward embarked in the mer- cantile business at Leslie, which he carried on continuously until his death, which oc- curred in 1866. In this enterprise he achieved moderate success and his entire attention was devoted to his business interests. His wife died in 1893.
Mr. Reed of this review was reared in the rural districts of Michigan, taking advan- tage of such opportunities as came in his way; but these were somewhat meager. He attended a country school, preparing him- self for college as well as he could, and in 1864 entered the University of Michigan. He was, however, unable to pursue a con- tinuous course. On his father's death he was obliged to lay aside his text-books and care for the business interests of his mother. Subsequently he re-entered school and was graduated with the class of 1872. He then studied law for a year, and in 1873 came to Kansas City and was admitted to the bar, where he practiced his profession, very suc- cessfully, for some time. He was and is a close student and possesses the keen dis- cernment, analytical mind and sound judg- ment which insure success to a member of the bar. While practicing his business lay largely in the direction of real-estate law, and he invested considerable sums of money for both eastern and western capitalists in real estate. This led to a familiarity with the real-estate market, and from time to time Mr. Reed made judicious investments and now owns and controls extensive property interests in Kansas City. He has been very successful in his business endeavors and has accumulated a competence.
Jose a Dadds
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Mr. Reed has taken an active part in politics, though never seeking office. In May, 1894, he was appointed to the position which he now fills, and has discharged his duties with a promptness and fidelity that has won him high commendation. He is connected with various benevolent, charit- able, literary and social organizations. He was a charter member of the Humane Society, and is a member of the Kansas City Benevolent Trust association, and the Children's Free hospital. He is a man of broad sympathies and quick to respond to a story of distress or need.
In 1869 Mr. Reed was united in marriage with Miss Laura Coates, daughter of the late Colonel Kersey Coates. Since the lat- ter's death, Mr. Reed has been associated with J. L. and A. C. Coates in the manage- ment of the extensive property interests of the estate, including the erection of the new Coates house, one of the most renowned hotels of the west. He has always been an officer of the Coates House Management Company, the Coates Estate Hotel Com- pany, and the Coates Opera House Com- pany, and is also president of the Forest Hill Cemetery, entirely directing and controlling its policy.
HOMAS A. DODDS. - In the sub- ject of this sketch is found an enter- prising and thoroughgoing man, and one who, as superintendent of the streets of Kansas City, has proved him- self to be the right man in the right place. In this connection some personal mention of him will be of interest, and a brief sketch of his life is as follows:
Thomas A. Dodds was born in Mont- 6
gomery county, Ohio, February 15, 1855, son of Thomas and Nancy (Stewart) Dodds. Both the Stewart and the Dodds families have long been residents of America, their arrival here being prior to the Revolutionary period. Some of the ancestors of our sub- ject were soldiers in the Revolution. Thomas Dodds was a farmer and tobacco-buyer, passed his life in Ohio, and died in that state about the year 1857. His widow sur- vives and is now a resident of Kansas City. Thomas A. Dodds, our immediate subject, is one of their family of two children, the other being deceased. In his native county he spent the first seventeen years of his life, receiving a limited education in the com- mon schools and learning the trade of harness-maker. This trade, however, he never followed. In 1871 he and his mother removed to Osage City, Kansas, where he was employed as superintendent and gen- eral manager for the Carbon Coal & Min- ing Company, at Scranton, Kansas. Sub- sequently he became manager of a hardware store, where he remained thus occupied until 1883, when the company removed to Kansas City. On taking up his abode here Mr. Dodds turned his attention to the real- estate business, which he carried on success- fully several years. He was for one year in the employ of the Armour Packing Company. In April, 1894, he was ap- pointed to his present position, that of superintendent of streets, by Mayor Webster Davis. The push and enterprise which characterized his labor in other lines stands him in good stead here, and in this responsi- ble position he is rendering a high degree of satisfaction. Politically, Mr. Dodds has all his life been a stanch Republican and has taken enthusiastic interest in public affairs, but has never been an office-seeker. He
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maintains a membership in the Elks and the National Union.
Mr. Dodds was married May 5, 1881, to Miss Mary Bethel, a native of Newburg, Indiana. But their happy married life was of brief duration, ending with her death in 1884. She left a little daughter, Eva B.
ILLIAM D. STROTHER, M. D., who is successfully engaged in the practice of medicine at Lees Summit, is one of the worthy citizens that Kentucky has furnished to this county. He was born near Bardstown, Kentucky, March 10, 1827, and is the seventh in order of birth in a family of eleven children. His paternal grandfather, Robert Strother, was a native of Virginia, and re- moved to Kentucky before the beginning of the nineteenth century. He located near the present site of Louisville, which at that time, however, was little more than a frog- pond. Subsequently he removed to Barren county, where he spent his remaining days. Two of his sons were soldiers in the war of 1812.
The father of our subject, John Dabney Strother, was a native of Culpeper county, Virginia, but was reared a farmer in Ken- tucky. He was a self-educated man and the success of his life was the reward of his own labor. He started out for himself as a farm hand, working for $8 a month, and while thus employed he was one day ac- costed by General Lucas, who asked him if he would accept a position as deputy sheriff. Mr. Strother answered in the affirmative and served in that capacity and as high sheriff of Nelson county for twelve years. He was also offered an excellent position by the governor of the state, but declined.
He married Nancy Ann Slaughter, a native of Virginia and a daughter of Robert and Catherine (Pendleton) Slaughter. In the eighteenth century they removed to Kentucky and became pioneer settlers of Nelson county, making there a permanent location. Mrs. Strother was reared and married there, and they began their domestic life in Bards- town. An aunt of our subject became the wife of Judge Carpenter, and another mar- ried Captain Matthew Duncan, of the United States army, both gentleman of con- siderable prominence. The Doctor's parents continued their residence in Bardstown until called to the home beyond. ' In politics the father was an old-line Whig, and in religious belief he was an Episcopalian. His death occurred in 1850, and his wife passed away in 1839. To his children he gave good edu- cational privileges, and of the family of eleven sons and daughters all reached years of maturity. Elizabeth became the wife of Enoch Hinton-both deceased-and had two children. Mary became the wife of Henry Glasscock, of Paris, Missouri, and had five children. The parents are both de- ceased. Margaret, living in La Rue county, Kentucky, is the widow of William Slaugh- ter, and has five children. Sarah is the wife of Frank Bealmean, of Lees Summit. Robert is a physician of Kentucky. Maria D. is the deceased wife of William B. Howard. Dr. William is the next younger. Emily is the widow of Charles Cowherd, of Kansas City, and has three children. Ben H., of Kansas City, married Miss Frances McCawley, of Washington, D. C., and they have four children. Catherine is now de- ceased. Dr. John D., now deceased, married Miss Esther Elliott, of Kentucky, and they have two children. Two sons served in the civil war, Dr. Robert Strother having been
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a surgeon in General Bragg's command, while Dr. John D. was surgeon of the first Arkansas regiment, and was at the first battle of Manassas.
Dr. Strother of this review completed his literary education in St. Joseph's college, of Bardstown, and afterward read medicine with his brother Robert. He was graduated in the medical department of the University of New York city with the class of 1851, and began practice in his native city, where he remained for a year. During the follow- ing quarter of a century he was a prominent and successful physician of Bullitt county, and the year 1876 he spent in practice in Texas. He then returned to Bullitt county, and in 1882 came to Jackson county, having since made his home at Lees Summit, where he is engaged in the practice as a member of the regular profession. He served for five years as visiting physician of the Jackson county asylum and poor farm, and for one year was the resident physician there.
In May, 1855, the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Julia Sanders, a native of Bullitt county, Kentucky, and a daughter of Joseph and Susan (Sommers) 'Sanders, both of whom are deceased. The lady was born August 29, 1836, and died July 9, 1885. The Doctor and his wife had become the parents of ten children, nine of whom reached adult age. Mary Elizabeth is the wife of J. C. Fields, of Lees Summit. Dr. Joseph S. married Miss Mattie Cowherd, of Lees Summit, Missouri, and they have two children, Edmund and Julia. John D. is an attorney at Blue Springs, Missouri. Lill- ian is now deceased. George B. married Miss Nannie Parks, an attorney of Belton, and has two children, Bessie and George. William Howard married Miss Mussie Parks, lives at Wakefield, Kansas, and has one
child, Duvall. Ben Slaughter, who is en- gaged in the real-estate and insurance busi- ness in Kansas City, married Nellie Whit- ing. Samuel B. is an attorney at Kansas City. Juliette completes the family.
The Doctor is a stalwart democrat, un- swerving in his support of the principles of the party, and doing all in his power to pro- mote its growth and insure its success. His skill and ability in his profession have brought to him a liberal patronage, while the social qualities of his nature have gained him many friends.
ILLIAM S. JONES is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Jackson county, dating his resi- dence here from 1854. For many years he was connected with the agri- cultural interest, but is now living retired.
He was born in Mercer county, Ken- tucky, October, 3, 1820, and belongs to one of the old Virginia families. His grand- father, William Jones, was a native of the Old Dominion, and in pioneer days removed to Kentucky. He served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, valiantly aiding in the struggle for independence. The father of our subject, Joshua Jones, was born in Wayne county, Kentucky, and when a young man left home, removing to the western part of the state. He was married in Mer- cer county, to Nancy Sanders, a native of Fauquier county, Virginia, and a daughter of Olmond Sanders, who went to Kentucky in an early day and spent his remaining years there. Mr. and Mrs. Jones began their domestic life in Mercer county, and then removed to Washington county, but later returned to Mercer county, where the father died in 1857. He was a soldier of
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the war of 1812. His wife long survived him and passed away in December, 1892. She was a member of the Baptist church, and a most estimable lady. In their family were five children, namely: William S., Mrs. Martha Bull, Mrs. Sarah Robertson, Mrs. Lucy Huffman and James Harvey Jones.
Our subject was the eldest. He was born in Mercer county and spent his child- hood days in that county and in Washington county. The common schools afforded him his educational privileges and after laying aside his text-books he learned the black- smith's trade, which he followed for several years. He also carried on agricultural pur- suits, and in order to secure a home removed to Boyle county, Kentucky. As a compan- ion and helpmeet on life's journey, Mr. Jones chose Miss Jemima Best, and the wedding was celebrated in 1842. The lady was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, and was a daughter of Banks and Elizabeth (Heptonstall) Best, both natives of Virginia and early settlers of Kentucky. Their last days were spent in Mercer county, where the father died in 1853, the mother in 1860. They had thirteen children, but only three are now living, namely: John, Mrs. Jones and William. The grandfather, Caleb Heptonstall, was a soldier of the Revolution. Mrs. Jones was born February 20, 1824, and proved to her husband a faithful com- panion and helpmeet. Their family num- bered five children, who are yet living.
The record of the family is as follows: Mary E., the eldest, is the wife of Hiram G. Townsend, of Kansas City, and they have two children, Maud and Blanche. John W. married Eliza Ritter and lives in Prairie township. Ada, Wallace, Thornton, Les- ter, Walter and Marian are their six children.
Nannie E. is the wife of Burwood Brown, of Washington township, and they have four children, Mabel, George W., Maud and Harrie. George Alfred wedded Mary Jones, and with their three children, -Will- iam R., Minnie Lee and George A.,-they reside in Prairie township. Minnie Lee, the youngest of the family, is the wife of James Bengers, of Kansas City, and they have three children, -- Maud, Margy and James L.
After his marriage, Mr. Jones carried on farming in Boyle county, Kentucky, in 1854, when he came to Jackson county, Missouri. For forty years he has lived either in Lees Summit or within three miles of the town except during the period of the war. In the fall of 1861 he joined Captain Duncan's company of Colonel Rosser's regiment and participated in the siege of Lexington. Be- ing taken ill he was sent home on a fur- lough, after which he went to Upton Hayes' camp, and in the battle of White Oaks was wounded by a minie ball which entered the right breast, penetrated the right lung and came out under the shoulder blade. His wound forced him to remain at home until the next spring, at which time he was taken prisoner and sent to Kansas City, where he was incarcerated for some time. When he was given his freedom, as he could not stay in Jackson county, he went to New Mexico . with a freighting train owned by George Bryant. While on this trip war order No. II was issued, and his family was obliged to leave Jackson county, going to Clinton county, Missouri, where they remained until the fall of 1866. In December, 1863, Mr. Jones returned and after much search secured trace of his family. When he again returned to his farm he found every- thing in a dilapidated condition, for ruin and
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devastation had followed in the wake of the armies. He now owns 250 acres of valuable land in Prairie township, all highly culti- vated, but during the past six years he has lived retired, leaving the development of his farm to others, while with a comfortable competence he is resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.
Mr. Jones and his wife are members of the Baptist church of Lees Summit, in which he has served as deacon and trustee, but has now resigned. Socially, he is con- nected with the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he has always been a stalwart democrat and has served as school director. The greater part of his time and attention, however, have been devoted to his business interests, which, well managed, have brought to him a hand- some return. He is public-spirited and progressive, aiding as he can in those enter- prises which are calculated to promote the general welfare and build up his community.
a F. WAINRIGHT, M. D., is more than a physician and surgeon: he is a scientist, who in his investiga- tions has given to the medical pro- fession many valuable truths. His practice, crowned with excellent success, places him at the head of the medical fraternity in Kansas City and all acknowledge that his position of eminence is justly merited.
Dr. Wainright was born in Lewis county, Missouri, July 11, 1858, and is a son of Daniel T. and Amanda F. (Agee) Wainright, both of whom were natives of Virginia. The father descended from Huguenot an- cestry, while the mother was of English lineage. Throughout the country, Daniel
T. Wainright has traveled as a minister of the Methodist church, south, devoting his entire life to the work of christianity and to the uplifting of his fellow men. He has es- tablished many churches in northern Mis- souri, and after a long and useful life is now living retired in Newtonia, Missouri, at the age of eighty-four years. His wife was called to her final rest in 1889, but her memory remains as a blessed benediction to those who knew her. Their family num- bered ten children, nine of whom are living, namely: Mrs. Jennie Boston, of Newtonia, Missouri; Mrs. Julia King, of that place; William M., a Methodist Episcopal minis- ter, of Carthage, Missouri; George R., of Kansas City; Thomas, who is engaged in the banking business in Monett, Missouri; Dr. S. H., a missionary in Japan, where he has been stationed seven years; Mrs. Sallie Burk, of Miami, Indian Territory; and Dr. WVainright, of this sketch.
Our subject is indebted to the public- school systemn and to the Monticello Semi- nary for a liberal literary education, and at the age of eighteen years took up the study of medicine. It is said that success awaits every individual if he will but enter the field of labor for which nature designed him and continue faithful therein; and if suc- cess be any criterion, nature certainly in- tended that C. F. Wainright should be a physician. He was graduated at the Mis- souri Medical college, of St. Louis, and im- mediately entered upon the practice of his profession in Shelby county, this state, where he remained for eight years, during which time he served as coroner, and was also secretary of the Shelby County Medical Society. He has always been a student of his profession, and in order to fit himself still more perfectly for his life work he took
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a course in the Bellevue Hospital College, of New York city, at which institution he was graduated in 1889.
A broader field of labor being offered him in Kansas City, Dr. Wainright removed to this city in January, 1890, and was soon established in a large general practice which has proved the ladder on which he has climbed to eminence. There is no profes- sion which offers better opportunities for a successful career and none in which success depends more upon the merits of the indi- vidual. In 1891 Dr. Wainright was elected to the chair of professor of clinical medicine and physical diagnosis in the University Medical College, which position he still oc- cupies. He is also professor of physiology in the Scarritt Training School; professor of anesthetics in the Western Dental College; professor of the principles and practice of medicine in the Woman's Medical College, and is consulting physician in All Saints Hospital, Scarritt Hospital, Fort Scott & Memphis Railroad Hospital and the Missouri Pacific Railroad Hospital. He also serves as medical examiner for various insurance so- cieties, including the Bankers' Life of Kan- sas City, the Bankers' Life of Des Moines, the Bankers and Merchants' of Chicago, the Endowment Rank of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and the Knights and Ladies of Honor.
Dr. Wainright is an honored and valued member of various medical societies, is a member and one of the founders of the Academy of Medicine, which was organized in his office in March, 1891, and which is recognized by the profession as one of the best societies in the United States. He also belongs to the Jackson County Medical So- ciety, is corresponding secretary of the Mis- souri State Medical Society, is a member of
the American Medical Association, and of the District Medical Society. Socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and is a Scottish-rite or thirty-second- degree Mason.
In the autumn of 1882 was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Wainright and Miss Ella C. Parsons, a native of Shelby county, Missouri. They have two daughters, - Helen and Alice. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, and in politics he is a demo- crat. His record entitles him to a promi- nent place in this work, for his life is an example of the power of patient purpose and resolute working, and illustrates in no uncertain manner what it is possible to ac- complish when perseverance and determina- tion form the keynote of a man's life. The spirit of self-help is the source of all genu- ine worth in the individual, and as exhibited in the lives of many it constitutes the true source of natural strength.
ON. A. S. LYMAN, one of the leading lawyers of the Kansas City bar, has attained eminence in his profession, and an honorable place among his fellows. He has a well balanced judgment and possesses strong analytical and logical reasoning power. He delves deep in legal science in the endeavor to bring to light new facts and principles, and is thoroughly versed in his chosen calling, a fact which has placed him in an honorable and foremost position among the members of the fraternity in Jackson county.
Mr. Lyman is a native of New York city, born December 1, 1853, and is a son of Henry and Ellen Lyman, also natives of
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that place. The father was a contractor and builder who enjoyed a very extensive trade. Under the parental roof our subject was reared to manhood, and in the metrop- olis of the east acquired his literary educa- tion, being graduated at Manhattan College with the class of 1874. The same year he was admitted to the bar, and at once estab- lished an office in New York, where he remained as a legal practitioner until 1885, coming thence to Kansas City.
In the ten years of his residence here Mr. Lyman has succeeded in building up a large practice, and in 1890 was assistant prosecuting attorney under H. M. Withers, serving until the term of the latter expired in 1891. In the fall of 1890 Mr. Lyman was elected to the state legislature, where he served during the regular session and in the extra session of 1892. During both terms he served as chairman of the commit- tee on appropriations, and was a useful and valuable member of the house, so ably rep- resenting his constituents that in 1892 he was elected to the state senate, his term expiring in 1897. He is chairman of the committee on railroads and a member of the committee on appropriations, also a member of the judiciary committee and several others. He introduced and secured the passage of the appropriation bill for the Missouri exhibit at the World's Columbian Exposition, also introduced the first appro- priation bill for the state militia that had been passed since the war. He was largely instrumental in having the present election bill passed, and has been very active in both houses, proving a good officer and laboring earnestly for the welfare of the general public.
In politics, Mr. Lyman is a stalwart democrat, deeply interested in the success
of his party, and as a campaign speaker his services are much in demand. He is an orator of superior ability, both on the polit- ical platform and before judge and jury, and the standing that is accorded him in his profession well indicates superior merit.
AJOR ALF BRANT, superintend- ent of the Kansas City workhouse, is a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, born September 14, 1833, and is a son of Seth and Rachel (Jackson)
Brant. Among his ancestors on both sides were numbered heroes of the Revolution. The father of our subject was a native of Pennsylvania; the mother was a native of Virginia, and from the same family to which she belonged was descended the brave and intrepid Stonewall Jackson of the Confeder- ate service. Both the Brant and Jackson families were founded in Ohio at a very early day and the maternal great-grand- father secured from the government a tract of land which he afterward distributed among his children. His son, Thomas J., always lived upon this grant. The ferry at Wellsville, Ohio, was established by a mem- ber of the Jackson family, and is still oper- ated by one of his descendants. The great- grandfather Jackson was taken prisoner by Big Foot, an Indian, just as Poe was ap- proaching with his party. A tomahawk was thrown which broke his shoulder, but he outran the Indian and found protection in Poe's escort. .
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