USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > A memorial and biographical record of Kansas City and Jackson County Mo. > Part 68
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The gentleman whose name introduces this review continued at home until the war, when he enlisted in Colonel Hayes' regi- ment, August 12, 1862. He participated
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in the engagements at Lone Jack and New- tonia, where the colonel was killed. His regiment was afterward attached to Shelby's division, and he took part in every raid made by Shelby in Missouri except during six weeks, when he was incapacitated for duty on account of the wound received Jan- - uary 8, 1863. He was shot in the breast by a minie ball, which penetrated the body and was taken out at his back. Mr. Tatum still has the lead in his possession. He rode one hundred and sixty miles after being shot! In the fall of 1864 he was detailed with fifteen others to operate the ferry at Booneville in order to transport troops across the river to Glasgow. They were nearly cut off by the command of R. J. Smith, and leaving the ferry joined Shelby's command. Mr. Tatum passed within two miles of his old home and took dinner with Martin O. Jones and Jake Bowling, the only two families in this vicinity. Mr. Tatum with his command surrendered at Shreve- port, Louisiana, June 16, 1865, and re- turned home in July.
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Our subject next resumed work upon the old farm. He had just twenty-five cents after selling his horse and outfit, and spent this quarter for tobacco: so he began life anew, literally empty-handed. Ener- getically he began work upon the home farm and continued to aid in its operation until his marriage, which important event in his life was celebrated March 26, 1871, the lady of his choice being Miss Lizzie A., daughter of Mellory Smith, the original owner of the town-site of Blue Springs. The following children have been born to them: Cora E., wife of William M. Brown, of Brass Valley; Harry, who died at the age of four years; Smithie, who died at the age of two years; David Franklin, who is on
the farm; and Edward J., Nannie E. and Georgia L., all at home.
Mr. Tatum carries on general farming and stock-raising and owns and operates two hundred and ten acres of rich land, also handles shorthorn cattle, horses and mules. He feeds from one to two car-loads of cattle each year. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the democratic party, but has never been a politician in the sense of office-seeking. He belongs to the Baptist church of Blue Springs, of which he is treasurer, and gives a hearty support to all enterprises calculated to prove of public benefit. His chief source of recreation is hunting, of which, like his father, he is par- ticularly fond.
OHN McDOWELL TRIMBLE. - Prominent among the lawyers of Kansas City is he whose name heads this sketch. He is well read in all the subtleties of his profession and keeps himself conversant with the current decisions of the courts of last resort, and to a pro- found knowledge of the law he adds in- defatigable industry. He is one of the best expounders of corporation law in the pro- fession, and has been successful in numerous cases involving that branch. His mental equipoise peculiarly fits him for the con- sideration of legal propositions. As an ad- vocate he has few superiors. A strong, logical reasoner, his arguments are so clear that he is never misunderstood, and his candor, fairness and honesty are so apparent that his efforts usually carry conviction and result in a victory.
Judge Trimble is a native of Browns- burg, Rockbridge county, Virginia, born February 24, 1851, descending from one of
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the honored families of the Old Dominion that was early established within its borders. His paternal grandfather, James B. Trimble, was born in Augusta county, Virginia, where he passed his entire life. He gave his time and energies to several lines of business, following farming, merchandising and wagon manufacturing, and acquired a large fortune. He died at the age of seventy-six years, leaving a large family, five sons and five daughters surviving him. The maternal grandfather of our subject, John McDowell, was a banker of Romney, Hampshire county, Virginia. He married Miss Jane Woodrow, and both were of Scotch descent. The father of Judge Trimble was the Rev. William W. Trimble, a native of Augusta county, Virginia, born in 1808. There he was reared and educated for the ministry of the Presbyterian church. In 1866 he left the home of his youth and early manhood and removed with his family to Missouri, taking charge of a church in Monroe county. He had married Miss Jane Minor McDowell. He subsequently re- moved to Callaway county, Missouri, where he lived to the advanced age of seventy- four years. At his death he left five chil- dren, three sons and two daughters, all of whom are yet living, with the exception of the youngest daughter, -Maggie J.,-who died unmarried. The others are William J., a merchant of Auxvasse, Callaway coun- ty; James G., who is now practicing law at Mexico, Audrain county, Missouri; and Mary V., who is married to a cousin of the same family name, -a Presbyterian minister now located in Pattonville.
Judge Trimble's early life was spent at Brownsburg, Virginia, where he acquired his elementary education. In 1867 he went to his father's new home in Monroe county,
Missouri, where he attended Westminster College, and was graduated at that institu -. tion in 1871 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then engaged in teaching school for three years, but it was only a means to an end, for he had determined to take up the study of law, and during this time spent his leisure hours in reading text books. By close application and investigation he fitted himself to pass the competitive examination and was admitted to the bar in June, 1874. He entered upon the practice of his chosen profession as a partner of Hon. George B. Macfarlane, now a member of the supreme bench of Missouri. After practicing for twelve years in Monroe county, during which time he twice filled the office of prosecuting attorney, he came to Kansas City, and in 1886 formed a partnership with other gentlemen under the name of Dobson, Douglas & Trimble. The connection was continued for some time, when Mr. Douglas retired and the firm style was changed to Dobson & Trimble. The business relations between these gentlemen were discontinued on the elevation of Judge Dobson to the bench, at which time Judge Trimble entered into partnership with Charles H. Braley, under the firm name of Trimble & Braley. This is one of the leading law firms of the city, having their office at the corner of Seventh and Wyandotte streets, and their clientage is a large and lucrative one.
In April, 1890, Judge Trimble was united in marriage with Miss Alice Lorinda Strawbridge, of Kansas City, and he and his family now have a very pleasant home at III8 Pennsylvania street. The Judge holds many important professional connections. Since its incorporation he has been general counsel for the Kansas City, Pittsburg & Gulf Railroad company, and general coun-
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sel for the following corporations: the Kan- sas City Suburban Belt Railroad Company; the Kansas City & Independence Air Line; and the Union Terminal Railroad Company. He is also general counsel for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Trust Company and all of its sub-companies. His knowledge of cor- poration law is reliable and extensive and he has gained a foremost place in that branch of his profession. He is a man of fine in- tellect, keen and comprehensive, and his abilities, both natural and acquired, have combined with his tireless energy and devo- tion to duty to place him in the eminent position which he to-day occupies among the members of the bar.
EWTON G. WILLIAMS. - One of the most accommodating and popular conductors on the Kansas City & Independence Air Line railroad is found in the subject of this sketch, -Newton G. Williams, -a resident of Independence.
Mr. Williams is of Virginia birth. He was born in Smyth county, in the Old Do- minion, April 24, 1842, the son of a re- spected farmer of that county, and until he was sixteen his life was spent there on his father's farm. Then the family removed to Kentucky and made settlement in Pulaski county, he accompanying them to that place and being there at the time the civil war broke out. Of southern birth and educa- tion, he naturally sympathized with the Confederate cause, and at the very onset, in 1861, enlisted in the Confederate army. He was first a member of General Buckner's body guard, in which capacity he served until the General was captured at Fort Donelson. Then he became a member of
the first Louisiana cavalry, with which he was connected one year, at the end of that time his company disbanding. Next he was assigned to General Morgan's command, becoming a member of the sixth Kentucky cavalry, and during Morgan's raid in Ohio Williams was taken prisoner and held as such eighteen months, being exchanged only a short time previous to the close of the war. After his exchange, however, he par- ticipated in several skirmishes.
In the fall of 1865, after a few months' sojourn in Georgia, he returned to Kentucky and in Boyle county took to himself a wife. Together they came to Missouri and settled in Independence, where he was for a time engaged in teaming. About 1872 he com- menced his railroad career. For three months he was employed as brakeman on the Union Pacific, running between Kansas City and Lexington; afterward was for about a year conductor on a freight train, and from that was promoted to passenger con- ductor, in which capacity he served several years, -all on the same road. On severing his connection with this company he engaged in the coal business in Independence, in which he was occupied three years. Then he entered the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company, and not long afterward had the misfortune to be in a wreck and receive serious injuries, from the effects of which he was laid up for some time. On his recovery he accepted a posi- tion as overseer in Kansas City. Several months later he returned to the road as con- ductor on the Kansas City & Rapid Transit Line, filled this place four years and a half and then resigned it to accept the one he has since occupied, that of conductor on the Kansas City & Independence Air Line. To him belongs the distinction of
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running the first passenger train over this road, March 8, 1892.
Mr. Williams was first married, as al- ready stated, in Boyle county, Kentucky, the lady he there wedded being Miss Mollie Shuinate, a native of that county. She died in Independence, November 6, 1881, leaving an only child, Mollie. Some time after her death he married Miss Eva L. Johns, a native of Jackson county, Missouri, their marriage being consuminated in Inde- pendence. To them have been born two children, Willie Lee and Newton Grover.
Of his political affiliations, it may be stated that Mr. Williams is a stanch demo- crat and takes a lively and laudable interest in the success of his party.
S 'AMUEL H. CHILES, a well- known and influential farmer resid- ing in Fort Osage township, Jack- son county, Missouri, was born in this township, December 12, 1845.
He is a son of the late Colonel James Chiles, a native of Boyle county, Kentucky, and for many years a prominent citizen of Missouri. James Chiles was married in his native county to Miss Ruth Hamilton, of that place, and they became the parents of eleven children, -six sons and five daugh- ters,-Samuel H. being the youngest of the family. By occupation the father was a farmer and stock-dealer. He earned his title as colonel in the Florida war, where he served with distinction and where he was severely wounded. His wound caused him great suffering all the rest of his life and was eventually the cause of his death, which, however, did not occur until he was well advanced in age, in March, 1883. Until 1826 he made his home in Boyle
county, Kentucky, and that year he emi- grated to Jackson county, Missouri, and took up land in Fort Osage township. At the outbreak of the civil war he went to Grayson county, Texas, where the residue of his life was passed and where he died. His good wife passed away in Osage town- ship, Jackson county, Missouri, in Septem- ber, 1870. While a resident of this county Colonel Chiles was honored by election to the Missouri state legislature, served several terms, and during one session was speaker of the house.
Samuel H. Chiles was reared to farm life in his native township, receiving his education in the common schools, and has always given his attention to agricultural pursuits. Since his marriage he has main- tained his residence on his present farm. His farming operations have been attended with fair success, and he has from time to time made some good investments. He is now a director and stockholder in the First National Bank of Independence.
Mr. Chiles was married in Fort Osage township July 5, 1866, to Miss Martha S. Hughes, daughter of William and Martha (Steele) Hughes, the former born in Boone county, Missouri, December 21, ISII, and the latter in Virginia in 1823. Her parents were married in Gallatin county, Kentucky, in 1844. Mrs. Hughes was a daughter of Colonel Joseph Steele. In 1853 Mr. and Mrs. Hughes removed to Lexington, this state, and the following year settled in Fort Osage township, Jackson county, where he engaged in farming and mercantile pursuits. Later they removed to Independence. Here he organized the bank of Brown, Hughes & Company, which was subsequently consoli- dated with the First National Bank, and he was engaged in banking the rest of his life.
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He died September 7, 1889. Before com- ing to Jackson county he was interested for several years in steamboating on the Ohio river. Mrs. Hughes died August 17, 1862. They were the parents of three children, - two daughters and a son,-the son dying in infancy. Mrs. Chiles is the youngest of the daughters and was born in Gallatin county, Kentucky, May 1, 1846. Their union has been blessed in the birth of eleven children, namely: Martha H., wife of W. H. Peak; Cornelius; Samuel H., Jr., who died in in- fancy; and Carl B., Annie S., Mary C., Hughes W., Emma S., Ruth B., Chelsea and James.
Mr. Chiles has ever manifested a deep interest in all local affairs and especially in educational matters. In his religious views he is broad aud liberal. Politically he has always been a stanch democrat. During the war he served four years as a soldier in the Confederate army, having enlisted when sixteen years of age. At the battle of Jen- kins Ferry, on the Sabine river, Arkansas, he was seriously wounded in the right arm and shoulder and was left on the field. He was then taken prisoner, was held as such for eleven months, and was paroled about the close of the war.
Thus briefly is outlined the life of one of Jackson county's respected citizens.
ALTER SEWELL WHEELER, M. D., who is engaged in the practice of medicine in Kansas City, and is recognized as one of the ablest members of the profession, was born in Winchester, Virginia, on the 16th of August, 1859, and is a son of John Cum- mings and Kate A. (Copenhaven) Wheeler, who also were natives of the Old Dominion.
The Wheeler family, however, is of Eng- lish descent, and was founded in America by the grandfather of our subject, who located in Virginia, and spent his remaining days there, being seventy years of age at the time of his death. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and was a man of firm convictions and upright principles. His family numbered four children-three sons and a daughter. The maternal grandfather of the Doctor was James Copenhaven, a na- tive of Virginia, who on crossing the Atlan- tic located near Winchester, Virginia, where he became a wealthy slaveholder and planter, and prominent in public affairs.
The father of our subject left the Old Dominion and removed with his family to Missouri, locating near Nevada, where he carried on farming and stock-raising and did a very good business. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian and his life was well spent. His family numbered four children -two sons and two daughters-namely: Jennie S., now the wife of Millard Harmon; Allie Lee, Warren A., and Walter S.
The Doctor was only two years old when his parents came to Missouri. He was reared in Pettis and Johnson counties, and after attending the common schools entered the Warrensburg State Normal, at which institution he was graduated in 1880. He then became a student in the University at Columbia, Missouri, pursuing a special course in the winter of 1880-1. He began studying medicine in Warrensburg, and at- tended the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, at which he was graduated in 1885. He also was a private student under Professor William H. Pancoast, of Jefferson College, and spent six months in a hospital in Philadelphia.
By thorough preparation the Doctor was
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now well fitted for his chosen calling, and returned to the West in August, 1885, locat- ing in Moundville, Missouri, where he prac- ticed for three years, when, seeking a broad- er field of labor, he camne to Kansas City, in 1888, and has since made his home here. At Moundville he was associated with Dr. F. P. Claycomb, a brother of ex-Lieu- tenant-Governor Stephen H. Claycomb, and now a resident of Joplin, Mis- souri. He is a very able physician and one of the most genial and pleasant gentlemen who ever entered the inedical fraternity. Dr. Wheeler is now engaged in general practice and is doing a large and lu- crative business. He is well versed in the science of medicine, and equally thorough in practice. He is a student, as is every man who wins success in a chosen field of labor. He keeps informed concerning the discoveries and theories connected with the science of medicine, and is constantly im- proving on his own and others' methods. Advancement is his watchword, and in this profession, where progress must attend sole- ly upon merit and ability, he has worked his way steadily upward until he occupies a foremost place in its ranks.
The Doctor is now serving as professor of materia medica and therapeutics in the Kansas City Dental College, and is also lec- turer on the sanie subjects before the Kansas City Training School of Nurses. He is a member of several medical societies, includ- ing the Jackson County Medical Association, the State Medical Association, and the American Medical Society. In his political views Dr. Wheeler is a democrat, and is now serving as deputy coroner of Jackson county, while formerly he was jail surgeon of Kansas City for two years. Socially, he is a Master Mason and an Odd Fellow, and
also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity. He has served as representative to the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows of Mis- souri for the past six years, and is prominent in the organization. The greater part of time his and attention, however, are given to the profession, which has brought to him both a competence and fame. His home is at 1323 Park avenue.
J OHN G. WINFREY, a progressive farmer and stock-raiser of Fort Osage township, and a man whom to know is to esteem, was born in Laclede county, Missouri, March 25, 1856, and was the seventh in order of birth in a family of thirteen children, including ten sons and three daughters. His childhood days were spent in his native county and he remained upon his father's farm until eighteen years of age, early becoming familiar with the la- bors of the field. In the common district schools of the neighborhood he received his elementary instruction in the English branches of learning.
At the age of eighteen Mr. Winfrey started out in life for himself. He left home and came to Jackson county, where he first entered the service of Judge Chiles in Fort Osage township, working as a farm hand for four months, at fifteen dollars per month. After a short visit at his home he again returned to Fort Osage township, and secured a situation with H. C. Chiles at two hundred dollars per year, and continued with him twenty months. On the expira- tion of that period he traveled still further westward, making his way to Nevada, where he remained for about four years, being employed at different occupations. He then returned to Missouri and was en-
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gaged in mercantile pursuits in Hickory county for about one year, when on account of ill health lie was obliged to abandon that business. For a few months thereafter he was a resident of Dakota, then returned to his native state, and for five years was en- gaged in stock-raising. In the spring of 1888 he settled in Fort Osage township, near Buckner, where he had previously pur- chased land, and in the fall of the same year he bought a farm of 160 acres near where he now lives. Upon that place he devoted his energies to farming and stock- raising, which has since been his occupa- tion, and to-day he is recognized as one of the most progressive, wide-awake and enter- prising agriculturists of the community.
On the 6th of January, 1886, in Laclede county, Missouri, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Winfrey and Miss Loula Smith, who was born in that county, April 9, 1858, and is second in a family of thirteen chil- drens, eight sons and five daughters, whose parents were W. B. and Eglantine (Fitz- gerald) Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Winfrey have an interesting little family of two children- Clarence W. and Irene. They hold a mem- bership in the Christian church and occupy an enviable position in social circles, having many zealous friends in the community.
ORGAN BOONE, who follows farming on section 20, Washing- ton township, Jackson county, was born on the farm which is still his home, November 1, 1851. His fa- ther, Morgan Boone, was a son of Daniel Boone, and a grandson of Daniel Boone, Sr. He was born about 1824, and was reared at the home of his father, who was serving as
Indian agent of the Kaw tribe in Jefferson county, Kansas. His occupation was farm- ing, but lie also learned the mason's trade, which he followed to a considerable extent throughout his life. He secured forty acres of land on section 29, Washington township, Jackson county, and pre-empted twenty acres on section 20 of the same township. He purchased forty acres on which he built a log cabin and began the development of a home and farm. In 1849 he was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary A. Randolph, a native of Tennessee, and a daughter of Greenbury and Polly (Phelps) Randolph, pioneer settlers of Jackson county, Mis- souri. She was born in 1828, and went as a bride to the farm on which our subject is now living. There her husband continued the cultivation and improvement of his land until 1851, when his life's labors were ended. His widow still survives him and has since married Christopher Deskins, with whom she is now living in Douglas county, Kansas. The children of the sec- ond marriage are Frank, Hulda, Susan, William, Lizzie and Ward.
Our subject is the only child of the first marriage, the first in the family dying three months before his birth. He was reared in Kansas and in Saline county, Missouri, and is indebted to the district schools for his ed- ucational privileges. He started out in life for himself at the age of seventeen years and has since been dependent upon his own efforts. He drove a team for Amazon Hayes to a western fort, in 1868, and returned with a government team. He afterward continued his education at the Lawrence State University, attending during the last term, which was taught in the old college building. He afterward engaged in freight- ing to Indian Territory and Texas, and is
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familiar with the life on the frontier, its hardships, its dangers and its pleasures.
Mr. Boone was married August 26, 1874, to Miss Louisa E. David, a native of Mc- Donough county, Illinois, and a daughter of William J. and Nancy E. (Wyatt) David, who also were natives of that state, the former born in Morgan county, the latter in McDonough county. After their marriage they lived for a time in McDonough county, and subsequently removed to Hancock county, and in 1874 arrived in Jackson county, Missouri. Some years later they became residents of Nebraska, where the 'mother died in 1881. The father still sur- vives and is now a resident of Marion, Kan- sas. In their family were four children, three of whom are now living, namely: Mrs. Boone, Josephine Brown, and James Alonzo. Mrs. Boone was born June 17, 1857, and by her marriage became the mother of nine children, seven of whom are now living, namely: Ernest, Amy, Fred, Verty, Paul Herbert, Judd Vivian and Fannie.
Upon his marriage, Mr. Boone took up his residence upon the old homstead, and has since made his home there with the ex- ception of four years which he spent in Saline county, Missouri. He now has one hundred and forty acres of la aid, all under a high state of cultivation, and the improve- ments upon the place are the result of his own labors. He built the present com- modious and substantial residence in 1891. In the rear of this stand good barns and outbuildings, and all are surrounded by well tilled fields. In addition to this property he has one hundred and one acres in Saline county, Missouri.
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