USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > A memorial and biographical record of Kansas City and Jackson County Mo. > Part 49
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NDREW J. CHILDS is one of the self-made men of Jackson county, who through his own efforts has worked his way steadily upward from an humble position to one of affluence, and is to-day the owner of one of the highly cultivated farms of Prairie township.
In colonial days his ancestors came to America. His great-grandfather, with two brothers, crossed the Atlantic from England and took up their residence in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. The grandfather, John Childs, was born in the Keystone state, and removed to what is now Montour
county. The father, Andrew Childs, was also a native of Pennsylvania, and in that state married Margaret Arnweime, a native of New Jersey. They began their domestic life upon a farm in Montour county, where they spent their remaining days, the father passing away at the age of seventy-six years, while the mother reached the very advanced age of ninety-four years. They had a family of fifteen children, thirteen of whom reached years of maturity, while eight are now living. The youngest son, David R. P., now living in Pennsylvania, served as a soldier in the civil war.
Mr. Childs of this sketch was born on the old family homestead, July 11, 1822, and there remained until twenty-eight years of age, and obtained his education in the district schools. He left home in the spring of 1850 to seek a home and fortune in the West. Making his way to Michigan he there spent one summer, after which he re- moved to Illinois, locating in Putnam county. He resided in or near Magnolia for sixteen years engaged in various pursuits.
On the 4th of March, 1856, Mr. Childs was united in marriage with Emily Smith, a native of Logan county, Ohio, and a daugh- ter of Job Smith, an early settler of that locality. They began their domestic life in Putnam county, Illinois, but after ten years came to Jackson county, locating on the farm which is now his home. This had once been cultivated, but for some years had been unused and in consequence had gone back to its native state. It was prairie land and he soon transformed the wild tract into richly cultivated fields; an orchard was planted, good improvements made, orna- mental trees set out and the work of develop- ment and improvement carried forward until this is now one of the best farms in the
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township, and the owner is successfully en- gaged in general farming and fruit-raising.
The cause of education has found in Mr. Childs a warm friend and he has afforded school privileges to a number of children. He and his wife, having no children of their own, have given homes to several and are well known as people of kindly benevolent spirit in whom the poor and needy find a friend. Mrs. Childs is a member of the Christian church. Our subject belongs to the Masonic fraternity and in politics takes quite a deep interest, supporting the demo- cratic party. He has been a member of the town board of Lees Summit, and in public office and in private life has discharged his duties with a promptness and fidelity that has made him a highly respected man.
I. MEADOR, a progressive farmer of Prairie township, liv- ing on section 20, was born in Tennessee, July 13, 1832, and is the sixth in order of birth in the family of John and Parthena (Adkinson) Meador.
His father was born in Virginia, in 1800, and was a son of Joseph Meador of the Old Dominion, born of English parents. The paternal grandfather, Elias Adkinson, was also a native of Virginia, in which state oc- curred the birth of his daughter, Parthena, about 1805. Both the Meador and Adkin- son families removed to Tennessee at an early day and there the parents of our sub- ject were married. After a twelve-years residence in that state they removed to Ken- tucky, and five years later came to Missouri, settling on Texas Prairie in LaFayette county, in 1838. From the government John Meador entered a tract of wild land, which he transformed into a good farm,
making it his home until his death, which occurred in 1862. His widow then came to Independence to live with her son, where she died the following year. "In their family were nine children who reached maturity, namely: Mrs. Lucinda Parent, of California; Goldsbury, of California; Delilah, who be- came tlie wife of James Pearson, but both are now deceased; Caroline, deceased wife of Robert A. Shore; Joseph, deceased, who married Miss Dickerson, and after her death wedded Miss Steele, who has also passed away; W. I .; John W., who married Miss Booher, and is living in Oklahoma; Eliza- beth, wife of Charles Dickerson, of Atchi- son, Kansas; and Parthena, deceased wife of J. B. Powell. The parents of this family were members of the Methodist church, south. Mr. Meador was an active worker in the church, and as he possessed consider- able musical ability, usually led the singing. He also taught singing-school for a number of years. One son of the family, Joseph, served in the state inilitia during the civil war.
Our subject was a child of six years when brought by his parents to Missouri. He was reared and educated in La Fayette county, and having attained his majority was married, in 1854, to Miss Margaret E. Sanders, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Dennis Sanders. She died in 1868, leaving five children, of whom four are yet living: Eudora Ann is the wife of Eugene Snider, of Cass county, Missouri, and they have two children,-Maggie and Vera; John Dennis married Miss Ida Varner and died February 19, 1895, leaving a son, Samuel; William Isaac married Miss Sadie Barr, and with their three children-William Roy. Berry and Clarence-reside in Cass county, Missouri; Laura is the wife of Joseph
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Ingram, of Jackson county, Missouri, and they have six children, -Dora, Alpha, Gracie, Lee, Irene and Dennis; and Henry married Maggie Clements and resides on the homestead farm.
Upon his marriage, Mr. Meador located in Sniabar township, Jackson county, on a tract of raw land which he cultivated until 1862, when he removed to Douglas county, Kansas, there making his home upon a farm until 1879. In that year he took up his residence on a farm north of Independence, where he lived until 1880, when he came to his present residence on section 20, Prairie township. He has 240 acres of land in Jackson county and fifteen acres in the suburbs of Belton, Cass county. His place is supplied with many improvements that add to the value and attractive appearance of the farm, and Mr. Meador is justly num- bered among the practical and progressive agriculturists of the community.
On the 25th of July 1868, Mr. Meador wedded Rosanna Sanders, ncc Powell, who was born in Blue township, Jackson county, March 22, 1831, and is a daughter of John and Esther (Beeler) Powell. The family located in Jackson county about 1830, when few indeed were the settlers who lived in this locality. They made a home in the midst of the forest, five miles east of the city of Independence, and on that farm spent their remaining days. They were both members of the Baptist church and both served as deacons in the same. They had ten children: William, deceased; Mrs. Su- san Hatton, deceased; Mrs. Jane Rice, of California; Mrs. Ann Westervelt, deceased; Mrs. Barbara Chrisman, of California; Mrs. Meador; John B., of Perry township; Win- nie, deceased; Mrs. Martha Thompson, of California; and Mrs. Mary Irving, deceased.
Rosanna Powell was first married to Charles T. Sanders, who died in 1862, leaving one child, -Charles Thomas Francisco. He married Miss Pennington, who died leaving a daughter, Rosie E. Subsequently he wed- ded Anna Powell, and they have one child, Lowell.
Mr. and Mrs. Meador are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, in which he is now serving as steward and trustee. In politics he is a democrat and has served as a member of the school board, taking a deep interest in the advancement of the cause of education.
p AUL D. FRENCH is the manager of one of the best equipped and completely appointed drug stores of Kansas City, known as the New Ridge Pharmacy, and is a practical druggist and pharmacist who thoroughly understands his business, bringing success to the enter- prise by his capable management.
He was born in Bath, New Hampshire, December 7, 1849, and descends from one of the old families of New England. His grandfather, John French, was a native of New Hampshire, and was of English line- age, the family having been founded in America in 1639 by ancestors who settled in the old Bay state, whence their descendants removed to Bath, New Hampshire. John French was a physician of the old school, who practiced for fifty-five years in the Granite state. He was a man of fine phy- sique, six feet in height, and during his last years his curly hair was as white as snow. His was an honored old age, and those who knew him had for him the highest regard. When a young man he was a champion wrestler of two counties. His family num-
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bered eight children, and included Ezra Bartlett French, who served as congressman at the time of the Fry-Potter trouble.
John Homer French, father of our sub- ject, was born in New Hampshire and mar- ried Ellen B. Goodall, daughter of Ira E. Goodall, whose birth also occurred in the same state. He was a descendant of one of four brothers who came to America in 1648, and took up their residence in Massachu- setts and New Hampshire. Mr. Goodall was a prominent and able lawyer and one of the state judges. The parents of our sub- ject resided for some years in Boston, Massa- chusetts, where the father engaged in the wholesale drug business. In 1857 he re- moved with his family to Beloit, Wisconsin, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in January, 1895, at the age of seventy-five years. His widow is still living in that city. They were both members of the Congregational church, and the father served as provost marshal during the late war. In their family were two children, but the daughter, Ellen L., was married, and died at the birth of her only child.
The son is Paul D. French, the subject of this.sketch. When a child of seven years he accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Wisconsin, and was reared in the Badger state. His elementary education was acquired in the common schools. At the age of fifteen he took up the study of pharmacy in C. F. Sims' drug store, and on the roth of January, 1871, when twenty- two years of age, he came to Kansas City and entered the employ of W. H. Morgan & Co., wholesale druggists, serving as their foreman for three and a half years. He then became connected with the retail trade, and in 1876 purchased an interest in a drug
establishment which was named the Dia- mond Drug Store. For ten years he was one of its proprietors, when, in January, 1886, he sold his interest to Mr. Evans and went to California. He spent four years on the Pacific slope, but his business efforts were very unfortunate there and he lost $30,000. In 1890 he returned to Kansas City, where he has since made his home. He here purchased another drug store, which he conducted until May, 1895, when he sold out to accept his present position as man- ager of the New Ridge drug store. He is the oldest druggist in years of continuous business in Kansas City, and without doubt is one of the most competent and thor- oughly reliable. He understands his busi- ness in every detail, having been connected with the trade since the age of fifteen years. The New Ridge, of which he now has charge, is one of the finest drug stores in all Mis- souri. The walls are formed of mirrors, and the room, being lighted with incandes- cent lights, forms a brilliant scene worthy of the treasures of Aladdin. Mr. French has a wide acquaintance in the city, and is deservedly popular.
On the 8th of June, 1880, Mr. French was united in marriage with Miss Etta Mc- Guire, a daughter of Mrs. Sarah McGuire. They have one daughter, Etta Louisa.
In his political views Mr. French is a republican, and in his religious faith a Con- gregationalist.
EON ROSENWALD .- There is no city of its size that can boast a greater number of proficient and eminent medical practitioners than Kansas City, and rapidly forging his way to the front in this profession is the gentleman
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whose name heads this article. Young in years, he is already abreast of many who started out in life much in advance of hin.
He was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico, March 3, 1872, and is a son of Joseph and Bona (Levison) Rosenwald: her father was a native of Bavaria, Germany, and his mother of London, England, but when about six years of age was taken to Bavaria, where she acquired her education. The parents were married in New York city, in April, 1871. They then went through to New Mexico by stage and settled in Las Vegas, where the father engaged in merchandising. His death occurred in 1888, and his widow afterward married M. Stern, a commission merchant of Kansas City. By her first mar- riage she had three sons, -Leon, Max and David.
The Doctor, who was the eldest, was reared in New Mexico until thirteen years of age, and attended the Jesuit College. In 1886 he spent eight months in Europe. In 1887 he went to St. Louis, Missouri, and completed his literary education in the high school of that city. Subsequently he en- tered Marion Sims Medical College, of St. Louis, graduating in 1893, carrying off the highest honors of his class. Afterward he went to New York city and spent seven months in the various hospitals and clinics of the eastern metropolis in order to further qualify himself in his chosen calling.
On the 13th of October, 1893, when twenty-one years of age, Dr. Rosenwald opened an office in Kansas City, and was elected four weeks later as assistant to the chair of histology, pathology and bacteri- ology in the University Medical College; was made professor of histology and path- ology of the same school in 1895, and was also elected to the chair of pathology in the
Veterinary College. In July, 1895, he was appointed city bacteriologist, the first offi- cial in that capacity that Kansas City has ever had. He makes microscopy a specialty and is microscopist to the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis Railroad. He is a mem- ber of the Æsculapian Society, comprising only medical men, and is also a member of the Twin City Medical Association. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Legion of Honor.
Dr. Rosenwald is perhaps the best known young physician of the city and has built up a very lucrative practice.
A MBROSE MANN .- Ranking with the prosperous farmers and re- spected citizens of Fort Osage township, Jackson county, Mis- souri, is found the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch.
Ambrose Mann was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, September 14, 1836, son of Jesse P. and Mary (Thorp) Mann. Shortly after his birth, in the fall of 1836, the fam- ily removed to the neighboring state of In- diana and made settlement in Hendricks county, where the parents spent the rest of their lives and died, the father's death oc- curring April 15, 1862; the mother's in 1883. They had nine children-five sons and four daughters-Ambrose being the seventh in order of birth. He grew up on his father's farm in Hendricks county and remained there until he attained his twenty-third year, when he came west to seek his fortune and took up his abode in St. Charles county, Mis- souri.
Soon after his arrival in Missouri Mr. Mann was married, March 7, 1860, to Miss Mary Ellen Griggs, a native of St. Charles
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county, born in August, 1842. After a brief but happy married life, her untimely death occurred June 6, 1864, and husband and three little children were left to mourn. The youngest child, Charles W., was at the agc of four years drowned in a barrel of water. The others are Asa T. and Wash- ington D. October 26, 1866, Mr. Mann was again married, in St. Charles county, the lady he wedded being Miss Irene A. Kuster, born in that county August 21, 1846. Mrs. Mann is the daughter of George C. and Violet (Darst) Kuster, the former a na- tive of Pennsylvania and the latter a native of St. Charles county, Missouri; both are now dead. Mrs. Mann has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, since she was sixteen years of age. To the parents of Mrs. Mann were born three chil- dren-two daughters and a son-as follows: Zerelda J., who was the wife of C. Zeley, of St. Charles; she is now deceased; Mrs. Mann was the next born; and George H., a farincr in Blue township. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Mann are nine in number, named George H., Ara A., Mary A., Will- iam F., Rosa A., Hattie M., Ora A., Cecil J., and Irena E. Mary A. is the wife of Robert L. Hamilton.
When Mr. Mann came to Missouri he rented land in St. Charles county, and farmed there in that way until March, 1871, when he removed to Jackson county and scttled in the Blue bottoms on a hundred acres of land which hc purchased. He con- ducted his farming operations on this land till November 1878, when he rented his farm and came to Fort Osage township. Here he cultivated rented land until 1883, at which time he bought the 161 acres upon which he has since lived. To agricultural pursuits he has given his undivided atten-
tion, and in this he has been rewarded with a fair degree of success. Besides his farm he has valuable property in Independence and Buckner, and he lfas an interest in the Buckner Hill creamery.
Formerly Mr. Mann voted with the democratic party, but of late has been iden- tified with the populist's. He has never been an office-seeker, nor has he ever held office, his own private affairs claiming the whole of his time and attention. For many years he has been an carnest and efficient member of the Missionary Baptist church, in which he has served as deacon.
ON. JOHN W. WOFFORD, judge of the criminal court of Jackson county, Missouri, stands in the front rank among the most able representatives of the bar of this state. He belongs to that class of men who add dig- nity to and elcvatc any enterprise with which they are connected. His career has been active, useful and honorable. As a lawyer, he is studious, conscientious and thorough, and as an advocate logical, forcible and convincing; but his career on the bench has made him most conspicuous. His decisions are models of judicial soundness, and his thorough familiarity with authorities, his broad comprehensive mind, his keen percep- tive powers, which enable him to grasp readily all the points of an argument, all combine to make him the able and honored judge who to-day is so widely known in this locality. Perseverance, honesty, firmnncss of purpose and a laudable ambition are all component parts in the nature of a man who rises to eminence through his own efforts, and such a nature is that of Judge Wofford. Above all he is free from osten-
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tation, and his ever courteous and pleasant demeanor has won him a host of warm friends.
Judge Wofford is a native of Habersham county, Georgia, born August 14, 1837. He was reared on a farm, and during his childhood and youth attended the common schools of his native' county. In 1858 he took up the study of law, which he con- tinued until 1861. The country having be- come involved in civil war, he entered the service in defense of those principles and institutions among which he had been reared, joining the Confederate army as a private. He was afterward, however, raised to the rank of first lieutenant and adjutant of his regiment by appointment of the secretary of war of the Confederate States in April, 1862, holding that position until the struggle was over. He was a fearless soldier, and wounded at the battle of North Anna river, May 23, 1864.
On his return home, Mr. Wofford re- sumed his law studies and in the fall of 1865 was admitted to the bar at Carters- ville, Georgia, where he at once entered upon the practice of his profession, and con- tinued his legal labors until 1867. He also became prominent in political affairs, and served as a member of the house of repre- sentatives of Georgia in 1871, while in 1872 he was chairman of the judiciary committee in the senate. His career as a legislator was one which reflected credit upon himself and his party. In 1875 he resigned and the following year was elected on the Tilden ticket as elector for the state at large.
The arrival of Judge Wofford in Kan- sas City dates from 1877. Here he at once entered upon his professional labors and soon succeeded in building up a large, lucrative clientage, continuing in general
practice until July, 1892, when he was ap- pointed to fill a vacancy as judge of the criminal court of Jackson county. In No- vember of that year he was elected to the office for a full term of six years, and now occupies one of the most responsible posi- tions within the gift of the people of the county. Many cases of importance have come up before him for trial, and his decis- ions have been rendered with a fairness and impartiality that has gained him the com- mendation of the general public. He has a mind particularly free from judicial bias, and in his addresses to the jury he is clear and concise, setting forth plainly every point of the case and giving to each argu- ment its just importance. Success has come to him through thorough preparation, inde- fatigable effort and the exercise of those abilities with which nature has endowed him.
In February, 1860, Judge Wofford was united in marriage with Miss Cornelia E. Trescot, of Charleston, South Carolina, and with his family he occupies a pleasant home in Kansas City.
3 OHN H. BOVARD .- The real bene- factors of a city are not those whose gifts of money beautify and adorn the locality in which they live, but those who control the extensive business in- terests which furnish employment to many men and provide the means of living to many families. While we would not take one degree from the credit which is so just- ly deserved by the former class, we would acknowledge to the full measure the debt of gratitude which is due the man who has the mind to plan and the will to operate exten- sive business interests. The welfare of a community depends upon its commercial
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activity, and one who aids in the promotion of this is certainly an important factor. Mr. Bovard, at the head of the Kansas & Texas Coal Company, is one of the most promi- nent business men of Kansas City, and it is therefore consistent that a record of his life be inserted in a work of this character.
He was born in Bellevue, Iowa, Decem- ber 29, 1855, and is a son of John B. and Mary (Ferguson) Bovard, natives of Penn- sylvania. The paternal grandfather was also born in the Keystone state, descending from French ancestors who belonged to the Huguenot band. His wife reached the ad- vanced age of more than ninety years. The maternal grandfather of our subject was born in Pennsylvania, and spent his entire life there, dying at an advanced age. He was of Scotch-Irish lineage. Mr. Bovard's father owned and operated a sawmill and engaged in the planing-mill business, manu- facturing sash and doors at Bellevue, Iowa. He took up his residence there in 1849, but his last days were spent in Kansas City, where he died in 1873, at the age of sixty-two years. His wife passed away in 1876, at the age of sixty-three years. He was a faithful member of the Baptist church, and both were highly esteemed people. They had five sons and two daughters, of whom four are now living, namely : Joseph C .; La Fayette; Mary, wife of O. T. Herrington, of Kansas City; and John H. Three of the sons were soldiers of the Union army during the civil war.
Mr. Bovard of this review spent the first fourteen years of his life in the state of his nativity and then came to Kansas City. His education was acquired in Bellevue, and subsequently he took a commercial course, being thus well fitted for the prac- tical and responsible duties of business life.
On locating in this city, he entered the ser- vice of his brother, James A., who was ex- tensively engaged in the coal business, and who died in June, 1894, at which time John H. Bovard became his successor, having pre- viously been merely a stockholder in the company. He is now assistant general sales agent of the Kansas & Texas Coal Company, which furnishes employment to five thousand inen.
His ability, however, is by no means confined to one line of endeavor, for he is a resourceful man, and has won success along other lines. He is now connected with farming and stock-raising, which is proving a profitable investment, and is the assignee of the Indian Rice Milling Company. In connection with these undertakings he is vice-president of the Prudential Building & Loan Association of Kansas City.
Socially, Mr. Bovard is connected with Heroine Lodge, Kansas City Chapter, Orien- tal Commandery, and Ararat Shrine of the Masonic fraternity, and is thoroughly in sympathy with the benevolent principle which underlies that order. He was reared in the faith of the republican party and has never seen any reason to sever his connec- tion therewith. He is deeply interested in its growth and success, but has never sought office for himself. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His home is located at No. 906 Penn street, and his office at 907 Main street. He is a thorough business man, and at the same time is a very genial, affable and pleasant gentleman, who has a host of warm friends. As has been said in a homely but forcible way, he began with nothing but "grit, grace and gumption." A clear head and willing hands have guided his business en- terprises to success. He has never engaged
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