USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > A memorial and biographical record of Kansas City and Jackson County Mo. > Part 63
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ors and became its valedictorian. Upon his graduation his father obtained for him an appointment to the Military Academy at West Point, but his youthful soldierly ambi- tion was destined to receive a chilling disap- pointment when his father, with his pro- verbial generosity, transferred the commis- sion to the son of an old friend, thinking he could provide for Scott in some other way.
The father of General Lew Wallace be- came the recipient of the honor. He after- ward became governor of Indiana; and when in the campaign of 1840 he took the stump for "old Tippecanoe" he was not ashamed to express his gratitude by relating this incident.
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Mr. Harrison then studied law in the of- fice of his elder brother, W. H. Harrison, Jr., and was admitted to the bar, and would have practiced his profession; but, his father being so much in public life and so often absent from home, it became necessary that Scott should assume the duties usually de- volving upon the head of a family. It was thus that the life of "a farmer" was thrust upon him,-not from choice, or that he was not fitted for the higher, or more ambitious, walks of life, but from a stern sense of duty. When still quite young, the manager of a large farm, the provider for a large and ex- pensive family, he was persuaded by some older friends to "sacrifice himself" (as they expressed it) for the good of the community in which he lived and run for justice of the peace. He did so, and held the office for twenty years; integrity and justice seems to have been appreciated in those days.
In 1852 Mr. Harrison was elected a mem- ber of congress from the second district of Ohio, by the Native American party, and served two terms, defeating Mr. Timothy C.
Day in the first election, and the Hon. Will- iam S. Groesbeck in the second.
-Mr. Harrison can not be strictly called a democrat, although in several in- stances he voted with that party. From an old-line whig he became a native American, and the principles of that party were dear to his heart. During the triumph of the American party (or, as they were then called, the "Know-Nothing" party) the name of John Scott Harrison for president stood at the head of a political ticket in a newspaper published at Greencastle, Indiana, edited by Colonel John Watson; but the compliment was all that came of it. After the American party gained such victories in Maryland, as they did, the ladies of Cincinnati presented to the Know-Nothings of Baltimore the American flag, that "emblem of beauty," and Mr. Harrison was chosen to make the presentation speech, which he did in an ad- dress glowing with patriotic love for his country; the flag was received and the speech replied to in one equally patriotic by Mr. Harris, of Baltimore.
Mr. Harrison held many local offices of public trust, he was one of five appointed on the board of control (for the regulation of county affairs) on its organization. (They served without salary.) A Cincinnati paper, in its notice of this board, said, " The mem- bers can afford to give their time and serv- ices; they all are wealthy men, except Mr. Harrison, and he was chosen for his well- known and unquestioned integrity. He was a fluent conversationalist, a graceful writer, his genial, generous nature, and his charm- ing courtly manner made him popular and beloved by all who knew him.
On the home life of Mr. Harrison we draw the curtain, as too sacred for public gaze, but his children and his children's children rise up
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and call him blessed, and the sweet memor- ies treasured in the hearts of those who loved him rest as a benediction, blessing many homes, now widely scattered over our land. The children surviving him are Mrs. Betsy H. Eaton, of North Bend, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah H. Devin, of Ottumwa, Iowa; Benjamin Harrison (ex-president), Indianapolis, Ind- iana; Carter Bassett Harrison, Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Anna H. Morris, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and John Scott Harrison, of Kansas City, Missouri.
Though the last named is probably not quite so well known to the general public as the ex-president, he is justly regarded as one of the most important factors in the busi- ness of Kansas City and is also widely known in the realm of politics. It is of great im- portance to insert in a work of this charac- ter the record of one so intimately associa- ted with the commercial, political and social interests of western Missouri as John Scott Harrison.
He was born in North Bend, Hamilton county, Ohio, on the 16th of November, 1844, and attended the public schools until thirteen years of age, when he became a student in the Hays Academy, at Indian- apolis, Indiana, where he pursued a two- years course of study. Returning to his father's home he took charge of the farm and continued to devote his attention to its management until 1867, when, desiring to enter upon a professional career, he became a student in the law office of Stanley Mat- thews, who was afterward on the United States supreme bench. At the same time he also attended law school and was grad- uated in 1870, being then admitted to the bar.
In July, 1871, Mr. Harrison came to Kansas City, Missouri, and embarked in the
real-estate business. His sagacity and fore- sight enabled him to see that this would prove a profitable undertaking in the rapid- ly growing city, and his judicious invest- ments have brought to him handsome re- turns. For one year he was associated with S. J. Fisher, under the firm name of S. J. Fisher & Company, when the partnership was dissolved, and he entered into business relations under the firm style of Harrison & Platt. In November, 1894, the present firm of Harrison & Jones was established, the present partners being John Scott Harri- son, James W. Jones, and Archibald Irwin Harrison, a son of the first named. This company does one of the most extensive real-estate, loan and insurance businesses in the city. Our subject is a man of excellent business ability, thoroughly well imformed on everything pertaining to the subject of real estate, and his honorable methods, his sound judgment and his thorough reliability have brought to him a rich and well deserved success.
In his political views Mr. Harrison is a democrat, but, as was but natural, he la- bored in the interests of his brother, Ben- jamin Harrison, during his two candidacies for the presidency. He was appointed by President Cleveland surveyor of customs, but the appointment was not confirmed by the senate, owing to the opposing efforts of jealous partisans who raised as an objection that he had not voted the straight demo- cratic ticket.
He is a director of the Real Estate and Stock Exchange of Kansas City, and has just been elected a member of the board of education, receiving 18,179 out of 20,000 votes cast.
Religiously he is connected with the First Presbyterian church, and has served as a
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member of its board of trustees for fifteen years. He is a man of strong individuality, pleasing personality, and true nobleness of character.
On the 2d of October, 1872, Mr. Harri- son was united in marriage to Miss Sophie Elizabeth Lytle, of Murfreesboro, Tennes- see. They had six children, namely: Arch- ibald Irwin, born November 27, 1874, now a partner in the firm of Harrison & Jones; Lytle, born February 22, 1878; Jennie R., born March 12, 1880, and died September 30, 1880; John Scott, born April 22, 1882; Margaretta, born December 9, 1884; and Benjamin, who was born May 17, 1892, and named for his illustrious uncle.
ENRY KNOCHE, a wealthy farmer and highly respected citizen resid- ing on section 29, Washington township, Jackson county, Mis- souri, dates his arrival in this vicinity a few years prior to the opening of the late civil war.
Mr. Knoche, as his name suggests, is of German origin. He was born in Prussia, Germany, February 24, 1839, a son of Ger- man parents, Frank and Elizabeth (Stroch- bine) Knoche, the former born in 1794 and the latter in 1804. They were married in Prussia and resided there until 1858, when they came to America and made their home with their children who had preceded them to this country. The father died in 1865, and the mother in 1891. Both were mem- bers of the Reformed church, were devoted and earnest Christians, and here, as in their old home across the sea, they had the re- spect and esteem of all who knew them. He was a soldier in the Prussian army. Of their family of nine children, five are yet
living, namely: John, Louis, Henry, Anna Dippe and George.
In his native land Henry Knoche was reared and received a good education. In 1857, at the age of eighteen years, he said good-by to his parents and the home of his childhood, and, unaccompanied by either relatives or friends, embarked for America, where he landed in due time, at once direct- ing his course to Jackson county, Missouri. Here he soon secured work as a farm hand. Not long afterward he and his brother John rented the farm that the former now owns and occupies, and still later they purchased it in partnership. During the war they were raided and robbed time after time. When order No. II was issued they were obliged to leave, but as soon as practicable returned to their desolate place and again settled down to the work of improving and cultivating their land. After awhile he and his brother divided their holdings, and Mr. Henry Knoche is now the owner of 600 acres and owns much of the town of Martin City. In connection with his farming oper- ations, he has for years been largely inter- ested in the cattle business, buying, feeding and selling. His present residence he erect- ed in 1868, remodeled it ill 1892, and in it he and his family are surrounded with the comforts of life and take a pleasure in ex- tending hospitality to their many friends.
Mr. Knoche was married in 1866 to Miss Anna Yost. After her death he wedded Miss Amelie Koontz, with whom he lived most happily until her death in 1891, her death being the result of lockjaw which was caused by her stepping upon a nail that penetrated her foot. She was the mother of four children, named Elizabeth, William, Charles and Fannie. Elizabeth is the wife of Mr. John Secrest, of Kansas City, and
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A MEMORIAL RECORD OF KANSAS CITY
the mother of two children. The present Mrs. Knoche was formerly Miss Emeline Os- vald. She is a native of Saxony and a lady of education and culture.
Mr. Knoche has taken a pride in edu- cating his children and in fitting them to oc- cupy honorable and useful positions in life. He himself has been a hard-working man all his life, and is a fine specimen of the self-made Americanized German. Politi- cally he has always voted with the Demo- cratic party, taking a lively interest in the success of his party and frequently serving as delegate to conventions. He has been president of the school board for twelve years. Fraternally he is a Mason, having his membership in lodge No. 450, at Belton, Missouri. In church work he is prominent and active, being a Methodist, and a trus- tee and steward in his church.
R. HOLMES, one of the repre- sentative farmers and respected citizens of Washington township, Jackson county, Missouri, by virtue of his long residence here is entitled to some consideration on the pages of a work which has for its object a portrayal of the lives of the men and women of this county.
The Holmes family were among the early settlers of Washington township. Urial Holmes, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky in the year 1811. The mother, whose maiden name was Sallie Harris, was a native of Virginia and a daughter of Richard Harris, of that state. The Harris family removed from Virginia to Tennessee at an early day, and there Rich- ard Harris died. It was in Tennessee that Urial Holmes and Sallie Harris were mar- ried, and on a farm in Hawkins county,
that state, they made their home until 1852, when they removed to Missouri and made settlement in Washington township, Jack- son county, the journey hither being made by wagon. Mr. Holmes rented what was known as the old Clinton Kirby farm on section 5, where he and his family lived un- til his death in 1855. Afterward his widow purchased the farm now owned by her son, U. R., on section 3, and made this her permanent home. She died here in 1870. At the time of purchase this place had a lit- tle cabin on it and was otherwise slightly improved, but for years the neighborhood was thinly settled. During the war Mrs. Holmes suffered not a little, being robbed and even ordered from her home for a time. Her family was well represented in the Con- federate ranks, -four of her sons, Samuel, Richard, Joseph and John, -being in the army. John was killed just after the close of the war, while at White River, Arkansas. Richard and Joseph were under General Price. But the brave mother survived those troublous days, lived to see three of her sons come home, and to see the dawn of better times. She was a faithful Chris- tian and a devoted member of the Method- ist church. Of her family of nine children, all reached mature years except one. Their names are as follows: Samuel, deceased; Richard, a resident of New Santa Fe, Mis- souri; Joseph, who lives in Johnson county, Kansas; John, deceased; U. R., whose name heads this article; Mary, wife of William Hayer, Olathe, Kansas; Sallie, wife of Frank Savage, Olathe, Kansas; and Hillman, who lives in this township.
U. R. Holmes was born October 14, 1846, in Hawkins county, Tennessee, and at the time of their removal to this state he was a child of six years. Young as he then
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was, he has a vivid remembrance of his old home in Tennessee,-a large plantation with its orchards and distillery. Here in Jackson county he was reared and remained until 1863. That year he went west as a freighter to Denver, Colorado. Previously, however, he had made a trip to New Mexico. At Denver he enlisted for one hundred days to hunt Indians, took part in the battle of Sand creek, under order of Colonel Chiving- ton, and subsequently chased another band of red men from there to the pan-handle of Texas. After this he turned his attention to the cattle business. From 1864 to 1868 he was in Colorado, in the employ of Mr. Solomon Young, now deceased. In 1868 he brought 400 head of cattle, belonging to Mr. Young, from Colorado to Kansas City, the first band to pass over that route. From Kansas City Mr. Holmes returned to the old homestead, purchased it, and has resided here ever since. This place com- prises 212.7 acres, and besides it he owns thirty acres in section 9 of the same town- ship. All the improvements now upon the home place were put there by him. He has been successful both in his farming and stock-raising, built his present residence in 1874, and is now comfortably situated.
Mr. Holmes was married in 1883 to Miss Emma Jones, a daughter of J. R. Jones, of this county, mention of whom appears elsewhere in this work. They have four children, named John C., Mabel V., Helen and Roger.
In local politics and all matters pertain- ing to the good of his community, Mr. Holmes takes a commendable interest. At this writing he occupies the important posi- tion of president of the school board. He is a democrat. Mrs. Holmes is a member of the Baptist church. 30
A. RULE .- An enumeration of the prominent business men of Kansas City would include within the list the name of our subject, who since 1887 has been connected with the banking interestsof the city, and is now the popular and efficient cashier of the National Bank of Commerce.
Numbered among the native sons of Missouri, he was born in St. Louis, in 1858, his father being Orville G. Rule, a well- known citizen of Missouri's eastern metrop- olis, who for many years was manager of the St. Louis Shot Tower Company. His mother's maiden name was Margaret E. Ashley and she belonged to a prominent southern family.
When he had attained a sufficient age W. A. Rule entered the public schools of his native city and later became a student in the high school, where he completed a thorough course. When he was nineteen years of age he entered upon his business career in the capacity of messenger in the Third National Bank of St. Louis, and there received a systematic and complete training under Tom Stoddart, cashier of the bank, and one of the best known and most reliable financiers in the country. Vigorous, ambi- tious, splendidly equipped mentally for the calling he had adopted for a livelihood, Mr. Rule went through the various promotions until he reached the teller's window, master- ing every detail of the business as it came to his hands, and thus being fitted for con- stant promotion.
In May, 1887, Mr. Rule accepted an of- fer from Dr. Woods, the president of the National Bank of Commerce of Kansas City, and became an employee of this institution , with which he has now been connected for almost a decade. He had a small capital
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A MEMORIAL RECORD OF KANSAS CITY
saved and considerable experience, also a personality that commanded explicit trust and credit. This was the young man who, accepting the offer, was made chief clerk of the bank almost ten years since. In August, ISS8, he was promoted to the position of assistant cashier, and in January, 1895, was unanimously chosen cashier, in which capacity he has since served with marked fidelity and ability. He is highly esteemed by the many patrons of the bank and is re- garded by all as a financier of remarkable ability.
In December, Isso, was consummated the marriage of Mr. Rule and Miss Lizzie Harrison, of St. Louis, Missouri. Three children have blessed the union. In the city which is now their home, Mr. and Mrs. Rule have made many warm friends, and their hospitable home is a favorite resort with a large circle of acquaintances.
W. GRIFFIN .- In the subject of this review is found an able repre- sentative of the Kansas City bar, a gentleman who, although his iden- tity with this city covers only about eight years, has gained a wide acquaintance here and established a large and remunerative practice.
He was born in Charlestown, now a part the city of Boston, Massachusetts, Febru- ary 2, 1855, and was reared there, as the son of a distinguished lawyer and with every influence conducive to intellectual develop- ment. His father, the Hon. J. Q. A. Grif- fin, was of Scotch-Irish descent, a native of Londonderry, New Hampshire, and his , mother, Sarah E. (Wood) Griffin, was of English descent and a native of Massachu- setts. The Wood family have long been
residents of America. Several of our sub- ject's maternal ancestors figured promi- nently in the Revolutionary war, and one of them was in command of the army at the battle of Concord. J. Q. A. Griffin, his father, was, as already stated, one of the most prominent lawyers of Massachusetts; and he was not only a lawyer but he was also a legislator, having served several terms in the state legislature of the Bay state. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1866, he was city solicitor of Charlestown. His widow is still living and makes her home in Concord, Massachusetts. In their family were seven children, only two of whom are still living,-Frederick W. and Arthur L.
Frederick W. Griffin received his educa- tion in the public schools of Boston, at Harvard College and in the Boston Law School. Of Harvard he is a graduate, with the class of 1876. From 1876 to 1878 he was a law student, and in the last- named year he was admitted to the Massachusetts bar, after which he at once entered upon the practice of his profession in Boston. He conducted successfully a good business until 1877, when he came west and identi- fied himself with Kansas City. On locating here he formed a partnership with F. M. Hayward, which continued until November 1, 1893, when they dissolved and they be- came associated in practice with Charles H. Nearing. This last partnership was main- tained until January 1, 1895, since which time Mr. Griffin has practiced alone. He is attorney for the Fidelity & Deposit Com- pany, of Maryland, and for a number of eastern capitalists, and has under his con- trol a large amount of real estate, this de- partment of the law being a specialty with him.
In politics Mr. Griffin is a stanch repub-
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lican, and always takes an active interest in the campaigns. He was at one time the republican nominee for prosecuting attorney of Kansas City, but, with the rest of the ticket, was defeated. As a speaker he is logical, instructive and highly entertaining, is decided in his opinions, and freely gives expression to what he believes to be right and just, regardless of public sentiment. While he has been a resident of this city. only a few years, yet he has made hosts of friends here.
He has a pleasant home and a charming wife. He was married in 1884 to Miss Theresa Lippman, an amiable and accom- plished lady of St. Louis.
3 OSEPH M. LOWE .- There is no question in cheapening the necessi- ties of life that is receiving more earnest consideration from the deep thinkers of our nation than that of monopoly. It is the inherent right of each individual to provide a comfortable living for himself and family; but the humane law of "live and let others live " cries out against the monopoly which labors for itself alone, reaping its im- mense gains at the sacrifice of others. Per- sonal liberty can no longer be called such when it infringes on the rights of others: it then becomes tyranny; and this is the very essence of monopoly. The absolute needs of humanity are made a marketable com- modity by the wealthy, who recognize that certain things are demanded by the public, and therefore they compel exorbitant prices for the needed articles. It remains to the broad-minded, self-sacrificing man whose character is true and kindly enough not to trespass upon the rights of his fellow man, to do away with this recognized evil, and
an example of this type is seen in the founders of the New Gas Company of Kan- sas City.
Prior to 1895 the citizens of Kansas City were obliged to pay an extremely high price for their gas. There was but one company here engaged in the manufacture of that commodity and the members of that com- pany felt that they could control the trade and receive whatever price they were willing to demand. This was carried to such an extreme that it awakened the opposition of several fair-minded citizens who wished to see justice done; and as a result the new gas company was organized, with R. M. Snyder as president and Joseph M. Lowe as secretary,-two prominent and thor- oughly reliable business men of Jackson county. They were obliged to fight against a corporation with millions behind it, yet they have succeeded in establishing a thor- ough and efficient gas plant in Kansas City and have reduced the price front a dollar and sixty cents to one dollar per thousand feet. The old gas company at once put forth every effort to retain their hold on the public, and in order to outdo the new company they have reduced the prce of their gas to fifty cents per thousand feet. The result of this gas war will be watched with interest; and it is a fact that although the old company is willing now to sell their gas for less than one-third their former price, they are not by any means being supported by the conscientious consumer. Every householder in Kansas City that uses gas knows full well that the new company that gave them the one-dollar rate per thousand feet is the company that deserves the public patronage; and that their work is appreciated is evidenced by the fact of their constantly increasing patronage, despite the lowered
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rate of the old company. Mr. Lowe was one of the organizers and promoters of the new company, and from the beginning has served as secretary.
Not alone through his connection with the gas company, however, has he become known to the citizens of this locality: for some years he has ranked among the promi- nent and influential business men of Kansas City, and his identification with public affairs well entitles him to representation in a vol- ume devoted to those who have left an im- press on the material welfare and the ad- vancement of the city and county.
Mr. Lowe was born in Pendleton county, Kentucky, December 13, 1844. His father, Moses Lowe, was a native of the same county and a farmer by occupation. He served for many years as justice of the peace of his county, and died in 1857, at the age of fifty-two years. His wife bore the maiden name of Nancy Porter and was a native of Kentucky. In their family were ten children who grew to mature years, but only five are now living, three sons and two daughters, namely: Richard M., now a merchant of Williamstown, Kentucky; Georgia, now the wife of John A. Lemmon, of Williamstown; Moses, of Louisville, Ken- tucky; Maggie, wife of Richard Ashcraft; and our subject. Their mother is still liv- ing, at the advanced age of ninety-eight years, and resides with her eldest son, Richard. Their father was a democrat in politics, and a man much loved and highly respected by all who knew him.
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