USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > A memorial and biographical record of Kansas City and Jackson County Mo. > Part 20
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OMER CUTLER CROWELL, M. D., is numbered among Kan- sas City's successful physicians. One of the native sons of the
Green Mountain state, he was born in Westminster, January 14, 1852, and is a son of Ransom and Emily (Cutler) Crowell, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Nova Scotia. Their family num- bered four sons and one daughter, as fol- lows: Homer C .; Highland R., a resident of Northfield, Massachusetts; Henry L., of Bernardston, Massachusetts; Preston R., a Congregational minister of Greenfield, New Hampshire; and Jennie, who died at the age of two and a half years. The father of this family carried on agricultural pursuits in his early life, but for the past twenty-five years has engaged in merchandising in Ber- nardston, Massachusetts. He is a promi-
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nent citizen of that community, and for a quarter of a century has served as justice of the peace, -a fact that well indicates his fidelity to duty and the confidence reposed in him. Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Levi Crowell, was born on Cape Cod, and was one of a family of nine children, all seafaring people in early life, but afterward following farming in the neighborhood of Westminster, Vermont. The grand- father was a man of sterling character, a stanch republican, and a great reader. The maternal grandfather of the Doctor was Rev. Abel Cutler, a native of Massachusetts, born in Waltham in 1781. He was gradu- ated at Andover University in 1810, and
- was considered one of the best scholars in his class. He was twice married and had two daughters. His death occurred in 1859.
Dr. Crowell was reared on the old home farm and began his education in the district schools. Subsequently he attended Powers' Institute, of Bernardston, and the academy. at Meriden, New Hampshire, also the Meth- odist College at Montpelier. About 1870 he took up the study of medicine, was gradu- ated at the University of Vermont, at Bur- lington, and entered upon practice at Syra- cuse, New York, in 1875. He remained there for six years, after which he went to Idaho for his health. The following year he took a trip to South America, spending one and a half years in gold-mining in that country, and subsequently made two other trips to that country, where he still had val- uable mining properties. The year 1887-8 he passed in New York city, and in 1888 he came to Kansas City, Missouri, where he has practiced continously since, doing a very large and lucrative business.
In February, 1880, the Doctor was joined in wedlock with Miss Anna Fisk, daughter of Hiram Fisk. She was a member of the Methodist church, and died in September, I 880. The Doctor holds membership in the Congregational church. Socially he is a Scottish rite Mason, and in politics he is a republican.
The Doctor's office is located in the Young Men's Christian Association build- ing on Ninth street. He is a skilled phy- sician, making a specialty of gynecology and abdominal surgery. He has performed some most difficult operations, which have been attended with success, and is con- sidered high authority on all matters per- taining to his specialty. He has made liberal contributions to the medical literature of the day, and his writings are widely copied and quoted. By thorough study and persistent effort he has won a place in the ranks of his profession that secures him the patronage which comes from a wide area, being by no means confined to his adopted city. His rank as an abdominal surgeon is such that he is classed with the most dis- tinguished members of the profession de- voted to that specialty, in a work now being prepared by the granddaughter of Ephraim McDowell, who was the first to practice ovariotomy.
The Doctor is now serving as president of the Jackson County Medical Society, and was the first vice-president of the Academy of Medicine of Kansas City,-in fact was instrumental in its organization. He was also one of the vice-presidents of the State Society in 1894, and is now vice-president of the Western Gynecological Society. He- is also president of the Kansas City Poly- clinic Post-Graduate School of Medicine, an institution devoted to clinical teaching ex-
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clusively and admitting as matriculants only graduates of medicine. The Doctor is also connected with several of the hospitals as surgeon in the department of gynecology.
Aside from his profession, Dr. Crowell is also a man of excellent executive and business ability, and his interests are quite varied. He is a director in the Bankers' Life Insurance Society of Kansas City, and is president of the Whittaker Phosphate Company. He is vice-president of a coffee plantation in New Mexico, and has a clay and coal farm in southern Missouri, which he is now developing for the manufacture of paving brick; also mining coal for gas purposes and numerous other enterprises. He is vice-president of the gold-mining com- pany organized for working the Tamana gold mines in Antioquia; United States of Colombia. He possesses the determination which overcomes obstacles, and industry that never falters, and to these character- istics he owes his success in life.
LLAN B. H. McGEE .- The his- tory of the representative business men of the west, with a few ex- ceptions, is that of men who, in the early years of their lives, laid the founda- tion upon which they have gradually built superstructures of a successful business life, and who, unaided by fortunes at the start, have by their own abilities, perseverance and industry attained positions of trust and honor and gained a competence that places them and their families in such a position that they can never know what it is to bat- tle against adversity as did their fathers. Among this class of men, Mr. McGee stands prominently at the front. It cannot fail to prove of interest to the student of human
nature, and it is typical in its advancement of the progress of his adopted State.
A native of Kentucky, Mr. McGee was born near Bardstown, May 21, 1815, and is the only survivor of the family of James H. and Nellie (Frye) McGee. His father was born in Kentucky, and his mother belonged to an old Virginian family. Their marriage was celebrated in the former state, and in 1827 they became residents of Missouri, lo- cating near Liberty, but in the fall of 1828 settled on land where Kansas City now stands. The father here purchased tracts of several squatters and later entered the land from the government when it came into market. It was principally covered with hazel brush, but he believed it an ad- vantageous location and with wonderful foresight predicted that a large city would eventually be founded here. He at once began to clear and improve the place and transformed a considerable portion of it into richly cultivated fields. His political support was given the whig party. His death occurred in 1840, and his wife, who was a consistent member of the Baptist church, passed away about 1880.
Mr. and Mrs. McGee were the parents of ten children who grew to maturity: Mrs. Amelia Steen, who died leaving a large family; Allan B. H .; Frye P., who died in 1881, leaving two daughters; M. W., who died in California; Mrs. Catherine Johnson, who died leaving seven children; E. M., ex- mayor of Kansas City, who died here in 1873, leaving one daughter; Angeline, de- ceased; Eleanor Campbell, who passed away leaving two children; Peter Minard, who was a soldier in the Confederate army, and was killed at the battle of Franklin; and James H., who died leaving four children.
Mr. McGee of this review was a lad of
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twelve summers when with the family he came to Missouri. In this wild and desolate region there were no school privileges to be enjoyed, and few advantages of any kind. He received some instruction from an old traveling teacher, but is practically self- educated, and through close application, experience and observation he has become a well informed man, gaining a practical knowledge that has enabled him to pursue a successful business career. He worked for his father in his early youth, and the hard- ships of pioneer life are familiar to him through experiences. It is the labors of such men as our subject in the development of this region that have made the comforts of the present generation possible. His first independent effort in life was the furnishing of food supplies for the Indians under gov- ernment contract, and for some years he was thus engaged, while the money he re- ceived for his services was used by his father in purchasing land. He was always a favor- ite with the Indians, and his fairness and kindness won him many friends among the members of the red race. He became fami- liar with their habits and modes of living and knew how best to deal with them. Subsequently he cared for the home farm and also operated a water mill and distillery.
Just before he had attained his majority, Mr. McGee left his parental home, cleared a tract of land and made preparations for a home of his own. In 1837, he returned to Kentucky, and on the 8th of May was united in marriage with Miss Melinda Frye, a native of that state. Bringing his bride to Missouri, he worked for his father for a year, and then operated the mill and dis- tillery. In 1838 he settled on the old home- stead, which has now been his place of abode for fifty-seven long years. The town
of Westport had then no existence. The little cabin was supplied with furniture made by the Indians and purchased of Rev. Thomas Johnson. The beds were of grass, and it can easily be imagined that the ma- terials in the little home were crude and primitive, but nevertheless many happy days were passed there, for there was something attractive about the freedom and genuine- ness of this pioneer life. Mr. McGee cleared the place and transformed it into a richly cultivated tract. He also took contracts to build the church and school-house in his neighborhood, and in various ways was con- nected with the upbuilding and development of this locality. As time passed he made additions to his hewed-log cabin, afterward weatherboarded and plastered it, and made a comfortable home. In his business he prospered, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertook.
In that early period, Mr. McGee was an Indian trader for several years, selling all kinds of merchandise to the tribes which still visited this locality. He came in con- tact with many of the noted western pioneers, prepared outfits for General John C. Fre- mont on two of his trips and entertained the General's wife at his own home. He also outfitted a number of English lords for buffalo hunts, and a large number of people who were on the way to California during the gold excitement in that state. He suc- cessfully carried on farming for a number of years, and afterward, in connection with the operation of his land, conducted a hotel in Westport. He is a man of sound judgment, quick to see and improve opportunities, and his prosperity in the financial world he owes entirely to his own undertakings.
In 1847 Mr. McGee was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife. They had
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three children, viz .: Mary, wife of A. M. Allen; Anna P., wife of James W. White; and Alice, deceased. For his second wife Mr. McGee chose Christiana Frye, a sister of his first wife, and they had one child; but the mother and son have both passed from life. On the 11th of January, 1869, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. McGee and Miss Susan B. Gill, a sister of Judge Gill. They have three children: Nellie, wife of W. W. Nelson, of Kansas City; Allan B. H., Jr., and Gill. This is one of the most prominent and influential families of Jackson county; and among the honored pioneers, occupying a foremost place, is our subject, who is the oldest living settler in Westport. In 1888 he erected his elegant residence, which stands in the midst of a valuable tract of land of twenty-four acres.
In religious faith Mr. McGee is a Bap- tist. In politics he was formerly an old-line whig and afterward a democrat. He has taken an active interest in political affairs, but has always refused to hold office. His is an honored old age. His life, well and worthily spent, has been of benefit to those around him and to the community. Few men have more devoted friends than he; none excel him in unselfish devotion and unswerving fidelity to the worthy recipients of his confidence and friendship.
3 UDGE ALBERT GALLATIN WILLIAMS is one of the honored and influential citizens of Jackson county, a faithful representative of the true southern gentleman, ever chival- rous, honorable and courteous. For forty- three years he has been connected with the history of this locality, dating his residence from 1852.
He was born in Simpson county, Ken- tucky, December 9, 1835. His father, William J. Williams, was born in 1792, in Tennessee, in a fort called Station Camp. The grandfather, John Williams, was one of the heroes of the Revolution, serving for six years under Colonel Harry Lee. In 1800 he removed with his family to Kentucky from Tennessee, and was the first state sen- ator from the Logan county district. The Judge's father was a participant in the war of 1812, serving as lieutenant of a company that went to join Harrison's forces, and took part in the battle of the Thames, Canada. In 1827 he was one of the com- missioners to locate the county seat of Simpson county, Kentucky, and the choice fell upon Franklin. He was one of the few extensive farmers who did not use slaves in the cultivation of his land. He served as sheriff of his county, and during his term there occurred a duel between Colonel Samuel Houston and Judge White. These gentlemen were indicted and the duty of making their arrest fell to Mr. Williams, who placed Mr. Houston under arrest, when it was shown that the duel had been on mutual ground. Mr. Williams also served in the legislature for several terms, and was a county judge of Kentucky when that po- sition was a very important one. He had one son, John P. Williams, who was a captain in the Confederate service, and died at Little Rock, Arkansas, after the battle of Pea Ridge. He had enlisted in the service from Sniabar township. Another brother, D. C. Williams, now resides in Texas.
Judge Williams, whose name introduces this review, first came to Jackson county in 1852, on a visit, reaching Blue Springs on election day of that year. Here he sought and obtained a position as teacher and fol-
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lowed that profession for three years in Sni- abar township. On the 6th of June, 1855, he was united in marriage with Amanda A. Gibson, daughter of Joseph Gibson. She was born in the house where the Judge now lives, August 17, 1838. Her father, Joseph Gibson, settled in Missouri in 1831, removing from Simpson county, Kentucky. The family homestead he pre-empted from the government and purchased additional tracts until he owned 1,000 acres, all in one body. His death occurred in 1845. He married Matilda Aden, also a native of Ken- tucky. Judge Williams and his wife at the time of their marriage located on a part of the Maguire farm, where they lived until after the war. In 1854 he was elected constable, and in 1860 he served in Gov- ernor Jackson's state militia. When the civil war broke out his brother entered the service, but Judge Williams could not bring himself to fight against the government which his grandfather and his father had helped to establish. In 1863 he went west, hauling freight to Colorado. In 1865 he returned to Missouri, sold his farm and pur- chased the old Gibson homestead. He se- cured 140 acres of land, including the old home, and now turned his attention to agri- cultural pursuits. On the place stands the old-fashioned hewed-log house built by the former owner in 1836, but it is still in a fine state of preservation.
Judge Williams also took a very active part in public affairs. He was elected in 1874, on the democratic ticket, as county judge; was made presiding justice and served two years, his associates being James B. Yeager, Thomas Brogham, Thomas Mc- Nama and A. M. Allen. About the same time he engaged in the grain and stock shipping business in connection with Lewis
Day, the enterprise being continued for about four years. He was then connected with the Blue Springs Elevator Company for two years. On his farm he en- gaged in the cultivation of wheat and later raised corn and cattle. He was one of the first to engage in the breeding of shorthorn cattle and also raised sheep of a high grade, importing from Kentucky the finest flock of sheep in Jackson county. Of late years, however, he has abandoned the sheep-rais- ing industry, as it had ceased to be profit- able.
To the Judge and Mrs. Williams have been born the following named children: Martha M., who died in early childhood; Louisa America, who wedded Cassius C. Carter, and died in April, 1892; Mollie S., wife of James Shepherd, who is living near Grain Valley, Missouri; Permelia Belle, wife of John W. Stanley, of Blue Springs; Joseph E., who was named for his uncle, Joseph Gibson, who was killed in Kentucky during the civil war, and is known by the name of Jodie; Flora A., wife of Edward Hutchins, who is living in this state; Cora E., at home; Retta A., wife of Willis Dillingham, of Blue Springs; Alice Maud, at home; Rufus L., who is engaged in farming; and Albert Ly- curgus, who aids in the operation of the home farm.
The Judge and his family attend the Cumberland Presbyterian church, of which the family are members. In his social re- lations he is a Mason, and in politics is a stalwart democrat, doing all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. He is always seen as a dele- gate at the county conventions, and has fre- quently been sent as a delegate to the state and congressional conventions. Fidelity to duty has always been a predominant trait
D'Estaing Dickinson
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of his character, and the active and honora- ble part he has taken in public affairs has made him a valued citizen.
0 'ESTAING DICKERSON, a prom- inent physician and surgeon, and president of the Western Medical Surgical Institute of Kansas City, was born in Watertown, New York, May 19, 1835. His parents, Dr. Hannibal S. and Abi (Richardson) Dickerson, were also na- tives of the Empire state, and were of Scotch, Irish, English and German lineage. The strength of the American character comes from a combination of the best traits of various nationalities and this strength is possessed by the Doctor. The Dickerson family was early founded in New York, and its representatives were valiant soldiers in the war of the Revolution, aiding the colonies in their struggle to throw off the yoke of British tyranny.
The father of our subject was a prom- inent physician of Jefferson county, New York, making his home in Watertown, where he had a very extensive practice and gained a high reputation. At the time of his death he was president of the Jefferson County Medical Society, He was a cousin of Dr. Guthrie, the man who discovered chloroform, and related many anecdotes in regard to its first use. He stood at the head of his profession, and was recognized as one of its most eminent representatives through- out the state of New York, doing a very large business. His name was inscribed on the rolls of the New York State Medical So- ciety as one of its most valued members. He died in Watertown, New York, in 1844, at the age of thirty-eight years. To Dr. Hannibal Dickerson and his wife were born
three children : Mrs. Angelica Andrus, of Watertown, New York; the gentleman whose name heads this review; and Mrs. Victoria Moston, of Kansas City.
Dr. D'Estaing Dickerson was reared in his native town and acquired his education in the district schools and Jefferson County Institute. In his youth he developed a taste for the medical profession, and the emi- nence he has gained in this line seems to indi- cate that nature intended him for this calling. He took up the study of medicine during his youth, and when twenty-one years of age was graduated at the Albany Medical Col- lege, in the class of 1857. He then prac- ticed medicine for four years in the vicinity of Watertown, New York, his old home, and was appointed by Governor Morgan as physician to Sing Sing prison, but remained there only a short time, for the war broke out and he entered his country's service.
In 1861 the Doctor was commissioned by Governor Morgan as assistant surgeon of the thirty-third New York infantry, and in 1862 was commissioned chief surgeon of the same regiment. During the war, by order of the medical director, he was placed in charge of all the hospitals of the sixth army corps,-a very responsible position,-and his appointment indicates the confidence re- posed in his ability. He was taken prisoner during the seven-days battle on the Chicka- hominy while in charge of the hospitals. He was held for four weeks and was then ex- changed, rejoining the army at Harrison's Landing. The hospital was located on the ground where Patrick Henry was born, and the Doctor's tent stood on the very site of the house. The battles which surgeons fought with disease and death were often fully as arduous and fraught with as much danger as those fought by the boys on the
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field. Neither did they have the martial music, the roar of cannon, nor the inspira- tion of numbers to encourage them, but in the silent watches of the night with no sound perhaps save the moan of the wound- ed they performed their duty, keeping at bay the enemy death, to whom friend and foe must at length alike succumb.
When the war was over, Dr. Dickerson returned to his home, and in the fall of 1865 came to Kansas City, where the following spring he hung out his shingle and began practice. He was full of energy and ambi- tion and felt that the west was the field where he should labor. As the days passed his practice increased, and his skill and ability were demonstrated by the excellent results which followed his efforts. He worked his way steadily upward until at length, looking around him, he found that he had left far behind the ranks of the mediocrity and stood among the most able representatives of his profession in the state. In 1878, associated with Dr. Stark, he es- tablished the Western Medical and Surgical Institution, of which he has been president since the beginning.
The Doctor was married in 1863 to Miss Mary Scherrill, a native of Geneva, New York. Their only child is now deceased. Mrs. Dickerson is a lady of culture and re- finement and a member of the Episcopal church. Her father, E. E. Scherrill, was a prominent man and made a famous war record. He was killed at the battle of Gettys- burg, while commanding a brigade. A monu- ment to his memory has been erected on the scene of that memorable struggle. He at one time served as a member of the state legislature of New York, and on another occasion was a member of congress.
Dr. Dickerson has always been a demo-
crat, and in the '70s was nominated by his party as mayor of the city, but was defeated. He served as surgeon of the convent here at an early day and was city physician for three successive years. Socially, he is con- nected with the Grand Army of the Republic and is a member of the Loyal Legion of America. As his financial resources have increased, he has made judicious investments in real estate, and with the rise of city property this has become very valuable, and he is classed among the wealthy men of Kansas City. He is an excellent business man as well as a physician, possessing sound judgment and good executive ability, and his prosperity is due entirely to his own efforts.
SAAC H. KINLEY, of the firm of Kinley, Carskadon & Kinley, is a widely known and prominent lawyer of Missouri, having been å resident of Kansas City since 1889. He is a native of Richmond, Wayne county, Indiana, born April 6, 1841, a son of Edward and Mahala (Macey) Kinley, natives of Ohio and Vir- ginia, respectively.
His paternal ancestry is traceable to the Huguenots who were forced to flee from France in the seventeenth century to es- cape religious persecution. They became Quakers in religious sentiment, and upon coming to America settled in South Caro- lina, where the grandfather of our subject was born. His maternal ancestry is traced to the Maceys of Massachusetts, whom the poet Whittier immortalized in verse in "The Exiles." He was driven from his home for having harbored Quakers and protested against the persecution of Friends, whom he protected and befriended. He and his
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family settled in Nantucket, where they were the first white settlers. This family was among the first settlers in the North- west territory, having located in what is now Wayne county, Indiana, where the family became prominent and where many of the descendants yet reside. The maternal grand- mother of Mr. Kinley lived to be over one hundred years old.
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