USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > A memorial and biographical record of Kansas City and Jackson County Mo. > Part 54
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UNTER M. MERIWETHER, whose identification with the bar of Kansas City covers a period of twelve years, has during that time won recognition as the leading real-estate and taxation lawyer of Jackson county. He is yet a young man but has already gained a marked prestige in that profession where only merit and capability win success. His thorough knowledge of his special depart- ment of the law has made him an authority on such matters among his fellow practition- ers, and he is to-day in command of a lib- eral clientage, which is a consequent attend- ant upon pronounced ability in any field of endeavor.
Mr. Meriwether was born in Crittenden county, Arkansas, July 21, 1861, and was the ninth in a family of ten children, whose parents were James H. and Lucy E. (McClure ) Meriwether. The father was born in Kentucky in 1812 and was by pro- fession a physician and surgeon. He was graduated at the University of Pennsylvania, the oldest medical college in the United States, and engaged in the practice of his chosen profession in Kentucky until a few years prior to the outbreak of the civil war, when, on account of the agitation of the slavery question of that time, and the an-
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ticipation of serious trouble between the two sections of the country, he removed his family to Crittenden county, Arkansas, al- though he maintained his old homestead in Kentucky, spending only a short time thereon, however, owing to the troubles at- tending the war. His wife was a native of Clarksville, Tennessee. Of their ten chil- dren two died in infancy.
In the early years of his life Mr. Meri- wether of this review returned to Kentucky with his parents and began his education in the common country schools near his home, where he continued his studies until twelve years of age. He then spent two years in a private boarding school kept by Professor Henry Tutwiler, in Green Springs, Alabama, after which he was a student in a private academy in Guthrie, Kentucky, pursuing his studies there for two years. He was sixteen years of age when he matriculated in Van- derbilt University, of Nashville, Tennessee, pursuing the classical course, and graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Science. With the intention of making the legal pro- fession his life work, he became a student in the law department of the same institu- tion and was graduated with the class of 1885. For two terms while attending the academy he was awarded the prize of one hundred dollars in gold as the leader of his class, and when he completed the law course he received the "Founder's Medal," which was given through a provision made by Cornelius Vanderbilt, Sr., the founder of the university.
After his graduation Mr. Meriwether came to Kansas City, arriving in July, 1885. He immediately entered the law office of Johnson & Lucas, that his law theories might be supplemented by practical ex- perience, and in the fall of the same year
was admitted to the bar. He remained in this office one year and then formed a part- nership with Thomas E. Matthews, under the firm name of Matthews & Meriwether, which connection was continued for three years, during which time the firm built up a large practice, making a specialty of real- estate law. On the expiration of three years Mr. Matthews' health failed and he was obliged to retire from the firm, since which time Mr. Meriwether has carried on business alone. His specialty is real-estate and taxation cases, and in this line he does a larger business than any other lawyer in the city. He has ever been a close student of his profession, and his devotion to his clients' interests and his strict observance of the ethics of business has gained him a success and given him a prestige among his professional brethren which is indeed enviable. For five years he has represented the state and county as attorney for the collector of tax revenue. He is president of the West Missouri Land Com- pany, is also president of the West Kansas City Land Company, a director of the Standard Investment Company, a director of the Missouri River Land Company, president of the Co-operative Mining and Milling Company, and a director of several other incorporations of minor importance. In the business circles of the city Mr. Meri- wether is a conspicuous figure. He is far- sighted in his dealings, exercising a care and a judgment that almost invariably brings the desired success.
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Mr. Meriwether married Miss Lucy Un- derwood Western, daughter of William Western, of Bowling Green. Her mother bore the maiden name of Juliette Under- wood, and was a daughter of Warner L. Underwood, who was sent as minister to
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Scotland by President Lincoln, and while filling that office had the unpleasant duty of imprisoning his son-in-law, Captain William Western, who was then serving as a captain in the Confederate army and was com- missioned to go to England to negotiate for the purchase of arms for the southern troops. To Mr. and Mrs. Meriwether have been born two children, -a son and a daughter. The parents hold membership in the Chris- tian church, in which Mr. Meriwether is serving as deacon, while his wife is an active worker in the various societies connected with the church. Mr. Meriwether is a man of scholarly attainment, of strong character and pleasing personality. That genuine worth, which everywhere commands respect, has won him the friendship of a large circle of acquaintances.
Mr. Meriwether is a descendant of one of the oldest and most prominent families of Virginia. The family homestead was " Clo- ver Fields," Albemarle county, Virginia. One may judge of the social rank of his ancestor, Thomas Meriwether, by his inti- mate friends, the executors of his will. They were Peter Jefferson, father of Presi- dent Thomas Jefferson; Dr. Thomas Walker, minister to France; and Colonel John Thorn- ton, his brother-in-law. Colonel Nicholas Meriwether, great-grandfather of Hunter M. Meriwether, was a son of Thomas Meri- wether. He was one of the four aides who bore General Braddock from the field of battle when he was mortally wounded, July 9, 1755. Meriwether Lewis, the noted explorer, leader of the Lewis and Clarke expedition, and first governor of the terri- tory which now embraces Missouri and several adjacent states, was a grandson of Thomas Meriwether, and therefore nearly related to the subject of this sketch.
M. SCRIVNER .- Among the agri- culturists of Washington township, Jackson county, Missouri, is found the subject of this resume, D. M. Scrivner, whose fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres is located on section 18.
Mr. Scrivner's parents, Martin D. and Pamelia (Clements) Scrivner, were natives of Kentucky, the former born in Madison county in the year 1806 or 1807, and the latter in Montgomery county in May, 1804. Grandfather Scrivner was a full-blooded Englishman, his name being Joseph, and his father was an early settler in the Caro- linas and helped the colonies in their war for independence by going out as a soldier. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Roger Clements. He was probably a native of New Jersey. About 1781 or '82 he removed to Kentucky and took up his abode at Stroud's Station, where he re- mained until after the Indian wars under Daniel Boone, in some of which engage- ments Mr. Clements participated. He died at Mount Sterling, Kentucky. His father, John Clements, came from Ireland to America just prior to the French and Indian war and located in New Jersey, whence he subsequently removed to North Carolina. On the voyage over to this country the pas- sengers on board the vessel were stricken with the cold plague, and John Clements was one of the victims of the disease. So many died and so rapidly that it was with difficulty the dying and the dead were cared for. The ship's inspector had the probably fatal cases for each day carried up on deck. Mr. Clements was aware of this, and, when approached one day by the officer, answered the official's query promptly and curtly and in a manner which caused him to be passed by for that day, although he was thought to
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be in a dying condition. That night a fear- ful storm swept over the ship and washed the helpless sick ones on deck into the sea! Thus narrowly did Mr. Clements escape. It is supposed that he took part in the French and Indian war, and it is known that he was a participant in the Revolution. The parents of Mr. Scrivner, as already stated, were born in Kentucky. In that state they grew up and were married and settled down on a farm. There the father died in 1843. In 1855 the mother and her family came to Missouri, stopped for a brief time in Clay county, and then went on to Kansas. The following year, 1856, they came back into Missouri as refugees from Kansas and took up their abode in an old schoolhouse in Washington township, Jack- son county, andsubsequently they purchased the farm now owned and occupied by the subject of this sketch. This land was then in its primitive state, a portion of it prairie and the rest timber. Here the mother died March 3, 1872. Of her six children we make record as follows: Elizabeth, wife of Milton Clements, this township, has no children; Anderson, unmarried, died while in the Confederate service, under General Price; Joseph, a member of Shelby's brigade in the Confederate army, died at Van Buren, Arkansas, in December, 1862; Hannah, de- ceased wife of J. A. Clements, left ten chil- dren; Mary, wife of G. W. Waskom, Prairie township, Jackson county, has three chil- dren; and D. M., whose name heads this article.
D. M. Scrivner was born November 2, 1842, in Estill county, Kentucky, and came to Missouri with his mother, as above re- corded. In Jackson county he was reared and educated, and, while his schood advan- tages were limited, he was naturally of a
studious disposition and his education was acquired largely through his own efforts. Grammar, algebra and geometry and other higher studies he mastered at home. At the time the war broke out he was on the verge of young inanhood, and August 13, 1862, before he was twenty, he joined the Confederate army near Oak Grove, becoming a member of Captain S. James' company and Colonel Upton Hayes' regiment; two months later was transferred to Captain John Jarrett's company. His army service, which covered a period of two years and ten months, and included partici- pation in many of the prominent engage- ments of the west, was ended by his sur- render at Shreveport, Louisiana. A de- tailed account of his varied experiences and the engagements in which he took part would of itself fill a volume of no sinall pro- portions. In this connection suffice it to say that Mr. Scrivner was true to his con- victions, fought for what he believed to be a just cause, ever acted the part of a brave and loyal soldier, and when the conflict was over accepted its result most graciously.
Returning home at the close of the war he remained on the farm with his mother until 1869, when he was married to Miss Catherine Dawley, a native of Kentucky. After his marriage he moved to his father- in-law's farm in Gallatin county, Kentucky, where he lived for some years. There his wife died April 1, 1877, leaving him two children, Frankie and Martin D. The lat- ter is now a student in a commercial college. October 3, 1878, Mr. Scrivner wedded Mrs. Mary Hill, nce McNeely, a native of Boone county, Kentucky, by whom he has one child, Katie Louisa, who is attending school at Warrensburg. In January, 1880, Mr. Scrivner returned to Missouri and has since
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resided at his present location. Here he has 160 acres of choice land, all under cul- tivation except twenty-five acres; and he devotes his attention exclusively to agricul- tural pursuits.
Mr. Scrivner's parents were members of the Baptist church, and to this faith he was reared and still adheres, he and his wife both being identified with the church. In his political views he is independent, voting for men and measures rather than any party, and always taking a commendable interest in public affairs. Especially is he interested in having good schools and affording to his children and those of the community the best advantages in this way. He has served as school director in his district.
S AMUEL V. YOUNG, M. D., who is engaged in the practice of medi- cine in Kansas City, was born in Booneville, Missouri, March 13, 1855, and is a son of William Y. and Eliza- beth (Sartain) Young, both natives of Ken- tucky. Their family numbered seven sons and five daughters, of whom nine are now living, namely: William; Benton; Charles; Richard; Samuel V .; Melissa, wife of M. Cruse, of Rocheport, Missouri; Almira, wife of Newton Jordan, also of Rocheport; Mina, wife of Robert Rusk, of Eldon, Missouri; and Sallie, wife of Nelson Sartain, of Clarks- burg, same state. The father of our sub- ject was a merchant, and when a young man came to Missouri, taking up his resi- dence in Booneville, where he died in 1868, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife passed away about 1865. They were both members of the Methodist church and were most highly esteemed people.
Dr. Young was left an orphan at the early age of three years by the death of his father, his mother having departed this life in the year of his birth. He was reared by relatives who resided in Booneville, Mis- souri, and attended the public schools of that place. At the age of fourteen he learned telegraphy and afterward at various times had charge of different offices; but wishing to enter the broader field of medical practice he began the study of medicine in 1886, under the preceptorship of Dr. J. W. Jackson, and was graduated at the Univers- ity Medical College of Kansas City in 1888. He then established an office in this place, where he continued practice for two years. In 1890 Dr. Young went to New Mexico, locating at Bernalillo, where he engaged in practice until 1892. He then returned to Kansas City, and has since been a member of the medical profession here. He is now enjoying a good business, which is steadily increasing.
On the 18th of November, 1889, Dr. Young was united in marriage with Miss Rose Dilley, daughter of Mrs. Ella Dilley. They have one child, a daughter, Margaret. Mrs. Young is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The Doctor is a mem- ber of the Order of Railway Telegraphers, and in politics is a democrat.
ILLIAM G. CHILES, who is the owner of one of the finest farms of Jackson county, and who for many years has been prominently identified with the interests of this locality, was born on the 22d of June, 1836, the fourth son in the family of Joel F.and Azubah (Skinner) Chiles. His father, a native of
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Kentucky, followed farming through the early years of his manhood. He married Miss Skinner, and with his wife and two children removed to Jackson county, Mis- souri, in 1831. He entered land in Fort Osage township, which he continued to cul- tivate until his death, in February, 1855. He was also connected with mercantile pur- suits in Sibley for several years, owning an interest in the store of J. F. & F. Chiles, which firm was succeeded by Lightner & Chiles, and that by Chiles & Garrison. Mrs. Chiles, mother of our subject, died August 5, 1873. In their family were nine sons and three daughters.
Our subject was reared on the old Chiles homestead, on section II, township 50, range 31, and remained at home, attending the district schools until fourteen years of age, when he entered the employ of Frank Chiles, his cousin, a merchant of Sibley, with whom he remained until the death of that gentleman in the summer of 1852. He had just made a business trip to St. Louis by steamer, and on his return was stricken with the cholera and died. William G. then joined his brother, C. C. Chiles, who was managing their father's interest in the store of Lightner & Chiles, and afterward was with the firm of Chiles & Garrison until 1853, when he entered the Masonic College, at Lexington, Missouri. On his father's death in 1855 he returned home to assist his mother in the management of the farm. He was thus engaged until the spring of 1861, when he enlisted in the Missouri state militia, under call of Governor Jack- son. Not wishing to remain in Missouri, he went to Texas, in September, 1861, joining a company which included C. C., his brother, and Elijah Chiles, his cousin, and others, who had gathered what transportable prop-
erty they could obtain and started for the Lone Star state, their destination being Grayson county.
William G. Chiles remained with the train until it reached the Creek nation, when he started on in advance with David Miller, of Clay county, Missouri, to secure a favor- able location for his brother, C. C. Chiles, and his family. On arriving at Sherman he called on Mr. Hendricks, a lawyer, by whom he was introduced to John Bacon, who lived on the Choctaw, eight miles east of Sherman, and who assisted our subject in getting a farm of two hundred acres, two miles west of old Warren. Mr. Chiles then returned to meet the train, which he found in the Chick- asaw nation. Soon afterward an agent from the quartermaster's department of the Con- "federate army came to them, wishing to purchase such teams and wagons as were suitable for transporting army supplies, and made arrangements to take all of the wagons and teams that were suitable, which were to be delivered at a camp west of Sherman, when they had unloaded their goods at their farms. This was done, and in payment they received certified checks from the Con- federate government, payable at Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Mr. Chiles and his brother purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, well improved, four miles from Sherman, for three thousand dollars in Confederate money, after which our subject hastened to return to Missouri, hoping that he might be allowed to remain. He traveled part of the way with James Baxter and William Quant- rell, the famous bushwacker (little suspect- ing that the latter would become so noto- rious), finding him a very pleasant traveling companion.
He reached his mother's home late in
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November, but found that he could not re- main in Missouri, so determined to return to Texas. He had his wagon equipped and arrangements made to start from where he now resides, when some Kansas jayhawkers came to his farm and took all movable arti- cles. With some friends he then secured another outfit, which was moved to a church in Greenton valley, in La Fayette county. The mules and horses were shod in Well- ington, and in January they started. A heavy sleet lay upon the ground but the newly-shod teams were able to make good progress. Arrived in Texas, without delay, Mr. Chiles resolved to join the Confederate army and went to Fort Smith, with James Fletcher and Jesse Neff, expecting to go east of the Mississippi to enlist, but found that Colonel James Clarkson was there re- cruiting a regiment, and he insisted on Mr. Chiles taking charge of his ordnance de- · partment. The latter consented and joined Captain Minehart's company. He was im- mediately appointed ordnance master, and on the 3d of July, 1862, was captured by a scout belonging to General Blount's com- mand on Cabin creek, in the Cherokee nation. He was taken to the camp, and on the 7th of July, with 'one hundred and fifteen prisoners of war, including Colonel Clark- Son, was sent in wagons, ten prisoners to a wagon, to Fort Leavenworth. These wagons were closely covered with heavy sheeting and guarded by soldiers, and eight days later they reached Fort Leavenworth, where the Confederates were inspected and pa- raded and then placed in a prison camp in the midst of a grove south of the fort.
Friends petitioning the authorities to re- lease Mr. Chiles on parole, he was given his freedom on the 4th of August and came to Jackson county, but was required
to report to the commanding officer at Fort Leavenworth on the first day of each month. On the first of December he was transferred to Platte county, Colonel Pennick refusing to allow him to remain in Jackson county. On the ist.of Sep- tember, 1863, he was ordered to report to General Schofield, at Kansas City, of whom he asked to be released from his parole or exchanged. The General de- manded that Mr. Chiles take the oath of allegiance or join the militia, or he would be banished from the United States, having choice, however, of the place to which he should be sent. He was placed under bond of three thousand dollars and on honor agreed to go to Canada, being allowed ten days for preparation and given a pass for himself and baggage. Remaining in Toronto and Oakville until the following December, he requested the provost marshal of this dis- trict, Abraham Comingo, to allow him to spend the winter in Clark county, Kentucky, and on Christmas day received a pass, sent him by order of General Schofield, permitting him to go to Kentucky, where he remained until the following March. He then ob- tained permission of General Rosecrans, the successor of Schofield, to go from Canada to Idaho, and remain there until the close of the war. From Canada he went to Platte county, Missouri, where with P. P. Skinner and T. G. Calmes, he secured an outfit to cross the plains. He reached Boise City in August and remained there engaged in freighting from the Boise valley to Owyhee, Minnesota, and Umatilla landing, on the Columbia river, also to Idaho City. On his first trip to Umatilla he became snowbound, and, as he could not recross the Blue moun- tains, took a steamer at Umatilla and went thence by Columbia river to Portland, Ore-
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gon, thence by steamer to San Francisco, by way of Victoria, British Columbia, reach- ing the Golden Gate the day after the as- sassination of President Lincoln.
By steamer Mr. Chiles went to Sacra- mento and by stage to Dawesville, near where his brother, I. C. Chiles, lived on a fine farm. He visited him and also an uncle, J. B. Chiles, who lived in the Chiles valley, and was a resident of California long before the discovery of gold. Returning to Uma- tilla, he joined his cousin T. G. Calmes, about the Ist of May and took a load of freight to Central City, Idaho, a mining camp, west of Idaho City, receiving fourteen cents per pound for freighting. In the late fall he went across the Rocky mountains from Idaho to Virginia City, Montana, where he joined Henry and Cyrus Calmes, who had ox teams loaded with freight from Salt Lake City. After unloading freight at Virginia City he took cattle and mules to Crow creek, near the junction of the Madi- son, Jefferson and Gallatin rivers and went into winter camp there. During the winter he hunted, prospected and mined on Indian creek, and in September, 1866, sold his in- terest in the mines and ranch on Crow creek, preparatory to returning to Missouri.
After a few days spent in Helena, Mon- tana, Mr. Chiles went by express to Fort Benton, at the head of navigation on the Missouri river, and engaged passage on a flatboat, owned by Parkison & Price, paying forty dollars for passage to St. Joseph, Mis- souri. The boat' was propelled by oars, and the first day the rowers gave out. A two- hour relief was then formed and rowing day and night they arrived at Sioux City, Iowa, the last of October, where Mr. Chiles boarded a steamer for St. Joseph, arriving home by rail, November 2, 1866. He re-
mained in Jackson county until June, 1867, then went to Grayson county, Texas, on horseback. After visiting Hunt and Fannin counties, Texas, he returned to Grayson county, where he took charge of his farm, which he operated until 1868. In 1869 he rented the farm to Joseph Hall and returned to this state. He again went to Texas in July, traveling with mule team, and selling his farm for ten dollars per acre in gold. He then purchased cattle, which he placed in charge of John Belcher, who was driving cattle from Texas to Baxter Springs, Kansas. Late in September, in company with Jeff Belcher, he started on horseback to over- take the cattle, which he did a few miles be- fore reaching Baxter Springs. It was just after a severe snowstorm, and the cattle had stampeded and were widely scattered. Mr. Chiles assisted in "rounding up," and in a few days sold his cattle to Kansas dealers and started for Jackson county with a party. . At Fort Scott the party took train for Kan- sas City, leaving Mr. Chiles with the horses and wagons to drive through to Lees Sum- mit. He arrived home in November, and in the summer of 1870 purchased of his brother, P. S. Chiles, an interest in the farm which he now owns.
On the 28th of September of that year was celebrated the marriage of William G. Chiles and Mary E. Murfee, who was born in Jackson county, April 23, 1849, and was the only child of Joseph and Emily (Rice) Murfee, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Missouri. Her father died in Indiana during the war and her mother passed away in this county, in June, 1849. Our subject and his wife have seven chil- dren, one of whom died in infancy, and Phinehas S. at the age of two years. Five are still living, as follows: Isaac C.,
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