USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > A memorial and biographical record of Kansas City and Jackson County Mo. > Part 25
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
The father of our subject was an eminent physician and widely known in the counties Mayo and Sligo. He was a gentleman of superior education and professional skill, and his influence in the circles of his wide acquaintance was great. He died Decem- ber 12, 1859, at the age of fifty-two years, and his wife departed this life February 22, 1866. Both were Episcopalians in religious belief, their lives strictly conforming to the requirements of a high standard of Christian living.
The paternal grandfather of Dr. Whit- taker was John Henderson Whittaker, also a native of Ireland, and a gentleman promi- nent in affairs. For many years he was in- spector general of police. - He had a large family, all of whom were eminently respect- able and filled important positions. He
.m.+ + R Dudens 2. 17.
yours truly Ger W Briant
247
AND JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI.
died at the age of fifty-one years. The ma- ternal grandfather of our subject was Robert M. Crofton, a native of Ireland who owned large landed estates. He also became prominent in local affairs, and his promising life was cut off by death at the early age of thirty-one years.
Dr. William Whittaker was reared in Ballina, the town of his nativity, where he was thoroughly educated in the higher branches of learning. Subsequently he was matriculated at the Royal College of Sur- geons and the King and Queens Col- lege of Physicians, graduating at the for- mer in 1863 and at the latter the follow- ing year. Immediately thereafter he began practice in county Mayo, where he re- mained three years; then removed to coun- ty Wexford, where for eighteen years he at- tended to the demands of a large practice and became notable in the profession. In 1885 he left the associations of his life and the land of his birth and emigrated to Amer- ica, where so many of his countrymen have found refuge and a home with all the privi- leges of citizenship. Upon his arrival on our shores he proceeded to Kansas City, where he immediately opened an office and has since practiced, with no small degree of success and satisfaction.
On the 26th day of March, 1867, he was married to Miss Mary Catherine, daughter of Dr. and Elizabeth (Archer) Darley. Eight children resulted from their union, four sons and four daughters: William E. N., Robert M. C., Clement A., John H., Frances E., Dora M., Henrietta J. B. and Annette U. C. The eldest son, William E. N., a popular and promising young man, died at the age of twenty-three years. Robert M. C. married Miss Jennie Tinsley and has one child, Geraldine Crofton. The 12
entire family are acceptable members of the Episcopal church, and all are actively in- terested in its workings and influence, add- ing not a little by their personal efforts to the effectiveness of their church's influence for good. The Doctor is a member of the A. O. U. W., and at political elections he votes independently.
EORGE W. BRIANT, whose varied experiences on the western frontier and whose connection with the up- building and development of the southwest well entitle him to representation among its pioneers, is now an esteemed resident of Kansas City, Missouri.
He was born in Cooper county, now Pettis county, Missouri, eight miles distant from the present site of Sedalia, on the 12th of March, 1830, and descended from an old pioneer family. His father, William Briant, was born in Virginia, but was reared in Kentucky, whence he came to Missouri in an early day. There he located on a farm which he made his home until 1 844, when he came to Jackson county, settling seven miles southeast of Independence. His next home was in Cass county, near the city of Belton, where he was killed during a raid of the notorious "Red Legs" from Kansas, at the age of seventy-one years. Mr. Briant was twice married. In Kentucky he wedded Elizabeth Burnett, and had a family of three children. For his second wife Mr. Briant chose Elizabeth Sloan, of Cooper county, who survived him several years. His family numbered ten children, five of whom are yet living. Three of the sisters of our subject are residents of Kansas City, namely: Kate, wife of Benjamin Berkley;
248
A MEMORIAL RECORD OF KANSAS CITY
Margaret, widow of John J. Moore; Sarah B., wife of John W. Moore, ex-mayor of Kansas City; and Carrie is the wife of Frank Ferrill, of Buffalo Gap, Texas.
The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life, and accompanied his parents on their various removals until he had at- tained his majority. The arduouslabor of de- veloping a farm in a new locality is familiar to him, and he has undergone many of the experiences of life in the west, such as have furnished material for many works of fic- tion. Long journeys across the plains seldom traversed by white men, where In- dian attacks might be expected at almost any time, were a part of the experiences of his early manhood. To his father he gave the benefit of his services until a year after the removal of the family to Cass county, Missouri, when at the age of twenty-one he began freighting in the employ of F. Y. Ewing, an old freighter who took goods across the plains to Santa Fe, New Mexico. During the first year Mr. Briant made two trips. The following year he fitted out five teams and wagons, and in company with several owned by James B. Yeager, he again journeyed to the southwest and was manager of the entire train. For seven- teen years thereafter he engaged in freight- ing and though it was an arduous business it was also a profitable one. He frequently had as many as fifty wagons engaged in freight, and six yoke of cattle attached to each wagon. During this time he made sixty-six trips over the Santa Fe trail and was very successful in the undertaking. A train numbered from twenty-five to sixty men, and they were often called upon to re- pulse Indian attacks; for the red men, bent on plunder and often more serious mischief,
frequently made raids on the freighters. He was a sub-contractor and general agent for the overland freighting firm of Russell, Major & Waddell, which made a contract with the government to engage in this busi- ness, and handled government supplies. Mr. Briant made trips to Santa Fe and Fort Union, and during this time was a resi- dent of Kansas City. He received ten cents per pound to haul freight, whereas it can now be conveyed over the railroad that distance for a half a cent per pound. He continued the business until railroads were constructed, when of course it was no longer profitable.
On his retirement from that vocation, Mr. Briant turned his attention to banking, and as a member of the firm of J. Q. Wat- kins & Co. he opened a state bank in Kan- sas City, with which he was connected for ten years. It was the second banking in- stitution in the city, and was located at the corner of Second and Main streets. It fol- lowed a safe and conservative policy, and the straightforward business methods com- mended it to the confidence of all. During the financial panic of 1873 they lost money, although they paid their depositors dollar for dollar, and in consequence the business was closed. There were two banks in all Kansas City that stood the severe test of the times and were enabled to continue busi- ness, and that with which Mr. Briant was connected had an honorable record, against which naught could be said.
The next business venture of our sub- ject was as a stock trader and feeder. He has a farm in Linn county, Missouri, near Brookfield, where he feeds large numbers of cattle, and this enterprise has proved to him a profitable one. He is also engaged in real-estate dealing and has made some
249
AND JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI.
judicious investments in realty, which have proved to him good paying securities.
On the 8th of October, 1858, Mr. Bri- ant was united in marriage with Miss Eliza- beth Lobb, a daughter of Zachariah Lobb, of Jackson county. They have no children of their own, but have reared an adopted daughter, Louise Watkins, now the wife of Harry Sefrick, of Kansas City, They also gave a home to Lulu Watkins, wife of Henry Jones, of Kansas City, and they now reside in the home of Mr. Briant.
Our subject was reåred as a member of the whig party, but is now a supporter of the principles of democracy. He has been a lifelong member of the Cumberland Pres- byterian church, and is now identified with the congregation at Westport, and is serv- ing as elder. He owes his success in life entirely to his own unaided efforts. He started out in life with no capital, has sur- mounted many obstacles and overcome many difficulties, but steadily he has worked his way upward, and has built for himself a competency and a good credit that places him among the substantial res- idents of Kansas City, while his life is but another example of what can be accom- plised in this grand country of ours.
ILLIAM HUDSPETH .- Of the pioneer families that have long been connected with Jackson county none are more deserving of mention in this volume than the one of which our subject is a member.
His father, Thomas Hudspeth, was a native of Kentucky-born February 17, 1805-and came to Jackson county in 1828, locating in Fort Osage township, where he engaged in farming until 1849. Attracted 1
by the discovery of gold in California, he then crossed the plains to the Pacific slope for the purpose of mining, but died Novem- ber 16, of the same year. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Cynthia Ham- bright, was a native of Simpson county, Kentucky. They were married March 29, 1829. She died in Fort Osage township, January 29, 1883. They had a family of six children, -two sons and four daughters, - of whom our subject was the fourth in order of birth. .
William Hudspeth was born on the old family homestead in Fort Osage township, July 6, 1844, and in that locality was reared to manhood, making his home with his mother until his marriage, which was cele- brated on the 20th of December, 1870, the lady of his choice being Miss Mattie Rogers, a native of Blue township, Jackson county, born August 31, 1850. She is a daughter of Winslow and Nancy (Webb) Rogers, hon- ored early settlers of Blue township, where they are yet living, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Tennessee. Their family numbered eight children, -four sons and four daughters, -of whom Mrs. Huds- peth is the fifth. To our subject and his wife have been born four children, three of whom are now living, -Thomas W., Clif- ton and Henry C. The other child died in infancy. Mrs. Hudspeth is a member of the Christian church.
In March, 1871, Mr. Hudspeth located upon his present farm and has since devoted his attention to the cultivation of land and to the raising of stock. He now owns 261 acres of highly cultivated land, and the well-tilled fields yield to him a golden tribute in return for his care and labor. He is also one of the directors in the Bank of Buckner. During the war he was engaged
250
A MEMORIAL RECORD OF KANSAS CITY
in freighting to Colorado and New Mexico, mostly hauling provisions for the soldiers. After his return he went to Leavenworth, Kansas, in January, 1865. He walked to Missouri City, carrying his clothes in a flour sack, and proceeded on to Ray county, Mis- souri, near Richmond, where his mother was then living. In March, 1865, she re- turned with her family to Jackson county, and again took up her abode in Fort Osage township.
In politics, Mr. Hudspeth is a sturdy democrat, and socially is connected with Buckner lodge, No. 501, F. & A. M. Straightforward and honorable in all his business dealings, he has carefully and sys- tematically conducted his affairs, and to-day is the owner of a valuable and desirable property.
EORGE CLARK MOSHER, M.D. -Fame bestows her favors charily. Like the wreaths of the old Olym- pic games, they are given only to the victor as the reward of superiority. That the name of Dr. Mosher stands high upon the roll of eminent physicians is a compliment justly deserved,-won through earnest application, deep research and laud- able ambition. He is now widely known as a representative of the medical profes- sion, and though a young man is the ac- knowledged equal of many whose heads are whitened by the experiences of life.
The Doctor was born in Mt. Blanchard, Ohio, August 8, 1858, and is a son of George S. and Charlotte (Fitch) Mosher, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Ohio. The Mosher family came from Eng- land to this country in 1622 and settled in
Providence Plantation (Rhode Island). The family furnished a number of representatives to the medical profession, who became em- inent in their calling, including Dr. Jacob S. Mosher, of the Albany Medical College, one of the most prominent physicians and surgeons of the east. The grandfather of our subject, Philip C. Mosher, was one of the builders of the Ohio & Erie canal, also the Cleveland canal. In an early day he emigrated to Ohio, and died near Toledo, that state. He was one of the most expert and capable contractors of the country, and at the time of his death was engaged in building the Miami canal.
George S. Mosher, the Doctor's father, completed his education by his graduation at Shurtleff College, at Alton, Illinois. Sub- sequently he turned his attention to mer- chandising and carried on a very large and lucrative business at Mt. Blanchard, Ohio, for a number of years. He also served as auditor of Hancock county, that state, for two terms and was very active in public affairs. He is now living a retired life, and makes his home in Kansas City. His fam- ily numbered six children, four of whom are now living, namely: Dr. George C., Mrs. A. M. Finney, Ellen and Donald F.
Dr. Mosher acquired his early education in the public and high schools of his native town, graduating on the completion of the regular course, and then entered the Ohio State University, where he remained until 1880. Having determined to enter the medical profession, he then began prepara- tion for his chosen calling as a student for the Kentucky School of Medicine in Louis- ville, at which he was graduated in 1882. For two years he practiced in Findlay, Ohio, and for two years occupied the position of assistant surgeon of the second Ohio regi-
251
AND JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI.
ment, and while acting in that capacity took part in the Cincinnati court-house riot.
Wishing to enter upon a broader field of labor, Dr. Mosher sought a home in Kansas City in 1884, and has since been numbered among its most successful physicians. That he was well fitted for the profession is in- dicated by the fact that on his graduation at college he won the faculty prize, -a gold medal, a case of surgical instruments and a set of books on clinical medicine. Opening an office in Kansas City, it was not long be- fore he had secured a liberal patronage, and had won a place among the foremost mnem- bers of the fraternity. He is ever watchful for chances of improvement and advance- ment, and is thoroughly versed in his pro- fession, keeping abreast with the times in every particular. He has served as medical examiner for several prominent life-insurance companies. He was appointed adjunct pro- fessor of obstetrics in the Kansas City Medical College, and on the death of Dr. F. M. Johnson was made professor of obstetrics in that institution, which chair he is now filling. In 1890, in order to attain further perfection, he went to Europe, where he spent one year in study and investigation in the hospitals of Paris, London, Munich, Berlin and Edinburg.
Upon his return Dr. Mosher once more resumed general practice in Kansas City, and has met with most gratifying success. He is both a student and a lover of his pro- fession, and entirely by his own efforts has worked his way upward. He was appointed on the staff of St. Margaret's hospital in 1892, but resigned in 1895, on account of his large practice. He visits the city hos- pital of Kansas City, giving clinical lectures on obstetrics. He is a member of the Jack- son County Medical Society, the Western
Association of Obstetricians, the Kansas City Academy of Medicine, the Missouri State Medical Association, and the American Medical Association, and was a delegate to the International Medical Congress, which convened in Berlin in 1890.
For three years the Doctor has been a director of the Mercantile & Loan Associa- tion. On coming to Kansas City he served as tornado reporter for the weather bureau, before the establishment of a signal service bureau here. In politics he is a democrat, but the pressing demands of his profession have prevented him from ever taking a prominent part in public affairs. Fraternally, he is connected with the Masonic lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He now owns a beautiful home on East Ninth street, which is presided over by his gracious and estimable wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Ida Beagle, a native of Michigan. Their marriage was celebrated in 1883, and has been blessed with three children, -a son and two daughters,-Ruth, George F. and Gladys. The parents are members of the First Congregational church.
R. HEATH, M. D., is a popular and well known scientist and phy- sician of Kansas City, who was born in Janesville, Wisconsin, July 13, 1839. He is a son of Dr. James Heath, a graduate of Vermont Medical College, who became prominent in the profession, having practiced in Janesville for a number of years. Later he went to California, where he ac- quired a notable reputation as a physician, having been considered one of the ablest in the state. His death occurred in California. Of his three children, two are living : Ivon D., who was a hospital steward during
252
A MEMORIAL RECORD OF KANSAS CITY
the entire period of the war and now a resi- dent of New York city; and E. R.
Our subject was reared in his native town till his ninth year, when, in 1848, ac- companying his father, the long overland journey to the Pacific coast was undertaken, arriving in Sacramento City in October, 1849. This was a memorable year to Cali- fornia and early Californians, there being nothing in our history before or since to compare with the situation and condition that confronted the "49ers " on that coast. Although only a lad, ten years of age, he became imbued with the spirit of the people to obtain riches, and at once began peddling candy, which proved quite a lucrative busi- ness. For five years he remained amid the exciting scenes of this new land of gold. In 1854 he returned to the states, making the return journey by way of the Nicaragua route, having had an experience that falls to the lives of but few men and still fewer boys.
Locating in Beloit, Wisconsin, he started to school. His education had of necessity been neglected, and he made strong efforts to make up for loss incurred by lack of op- portunity. In this he succeeded admirably, having graduated at Beloit College, in 1861. He now took up the study of medicine, en- tering the New York Homeopathic College, and graduated in 1863. Locating in Pal- myra, New York, he successfully practiced till 1867, when he went to Dayton, Ohio, remaining a year. In 1868 he came to Kansas City, and the year following he went to South America as secretary of the lega- tion to Chili, which position he filled for two years. He then went to Peru to become surgeon in chief for the Pacasmayo Railroad, then under construction by Henry Meiggs.
Here he remained until 1878, acquiring
prominence in his profession. Having in view an exploring expedition to the river Beni, he returned for the purpose of procur- ing a proper outfit for the undertaking. His return to South America was by way of the river Amazon. He was prevailed upon to accept the position of chief surgeon at San Antonio, Brazil, for the Madeira & Marmore Railroad under construction by Collins Brothers, remaining six months. His next venture was into Bolivia, where he resided two years, and during this time successfully made the descent of the river Beni, thor- oughly exploring and mapping it, then ascending the same river as far as La Paz, and returned to the coast by way of Puno and Molendo.
In 1881 he returned to the States by way of Panama and located in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1883 he enjoyed the distinction of being made a Fellow of the Royal Geo- graphical and a member of the American Geographical Societies. In 1892 he was elected to the chair of chemistry in Kansas City Homeopathic College, and for a num- ber of years he was connected with the United States signal service. Dr. Heath makes a specialty of kidney diseases and microscopy, and in these special lines of practice he is an acknowledged authority, being widely known throughout the south- west as a successful practitioner in his specialties. The winter of 1893-4 he spent in the coffee fields of Guatemala as adminis- trator of an extensive plantation. Through- out North and South America he is widely known as a scientist and traveler, and in 1894 he was honored by the Bolivian gov- ernment in having his name given to one of the principal rivers of that country, and has been appointed Bolivian consul, with resi- dence at Kansas City, Missouri.
253
AND JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI.
His life has been a busy one, combining an amount of travel and research that be- comes the privilege of few; and fewer still would care to have undertaken the journeys of his life, which began in youth, or those of later years in a country so inaccessible and fraught with so many dangers and dep- rivations of comfort. He is a thorough student in all branches of knowledge, and, possessing a remarkably retentive memory and good conversational abilities, he is a most pleasing and instructive companion. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and politically his affiliations are with the republican party.
A LSON ALEXANDER WHITE. - There is no such word as "luck " in the lexicon of business men, for experience has taught them most convincingly that success is the result of persistent application, of intelligent methods that demand time for their development, and that the necessary qualifications are am- bition, indefatigable energy, steadfastness of purpose and integrity. That Mr. White is to-day numbered among the most promi- nent representatives of commercial circles in Kansas City is due to his exercise of these qualities.
A native of Iowa, he was born in Alla- makee county, on the Ist of July, 1852, and is a son of Cutler J. White, who emigrated front Vermont in 1849 to try his fortune in the west. He was reared amid the Green mountains of his native state, and obtained a thorough English education in Hamilton College, New York, after which he taught school in Newbern, North Carolina, for a time. While there he met and married Miss Anna Chestnut, a native of that state
and a descendant of the Austins who founded the city of Austin, Texas. The paternal ancestors of our subject were distinguished for services in the Revolutionary war, and from early colonial days the family has been identified with the east.
Cutler J. White was one of its first rep- resentatives in the west. He went to Iowa, pre-empted 640 acres of land near Waukon, and became one of the prominent and influ- ential citizens of that community. He was elected the first clerk of the district court of Allamakee county, and served for eight years in a most satisfactory manner. His popu- larity was demonstrated by the fact that al- though the county was republican and he a Douglas democrat, he was elected and re- elected to that position. Subsequently he engaged in mercantile business, which he successfully carried on until his death. He passed away in 1878, and his wife, who sur- vived him several years, died in 1887. They had three children, who are yet living: Alson A., of this review; Mrs. Sarah E. Otis, of Lansing, Iowa; and Mary, wife of George Chaplin, of Rutland, Vermont.
In the county of his nativity Mr. White spent the days of his childhood and youth. His birthplace was an old log house which stood on his father's farm. Thus amid hum- ble surroundings and the scenes of frontier life his boyhood was passed. When he was a child of four years his parents removed to the village, where he had the privilege of attending the public schools until sixteen years of age, when he laid aside his text- books to enter upon life's battle. He has since been entirely dependent upon his own resources, and therefore deserves great credit for his success.
He was first employed in a grocery, where he remained until nineteen years of age,
254
A MEMORIAL RECORD OF KANSAS CITY
when he left Iowa and went to Hannibal, Missouri. For three months he worked in a grocery store, and then secured a position with John Ure & Company, wholesale lumber dealers, serving in the capacity of bookkeeper and shipping clerk. This was in 1871, and was his introduction to the lumber trade. Three years later the firm of John Ure & Company and that of Rowe & Toll was consolidated and formed a stock company under the state laws of Wis- consin, known as the Badger State Lumber Company. Their mills are located in Wis- consin, and the lumber was rafted down the Mississippi river and piled at Hannibal. The business steadily increased until it had as- sumed extensive proportions. Mr. White was given the responsible position of general bookkeeper and remained with that company until 1886, when a new company was formed under the laws of Missouri, known as the Badger Lumber Company. The headquar- ters of the new firm were established in Kansas City. The company now owns and operates a retail lumberyard in various places in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, the Indian Territory and Oklahoma. On its formation, Mr. White was made treasurer and has since filled the position, owning considerable stock in. the concern. He has also for three years been vice-president of the Builders & Traders' Exchange.
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.