USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > A memorial and biographical record of Kansas City and Jackson County Mo. > Part 7
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"That the government had the right to compel the people to take such dollars, how- ever much depreciated in time of national peril, is conceded by every one, and I agree with Mr. Horr when he says, 'Such a law in time of peace would be thoroughly dis- honest.' But when he says, ' I do not be- lieve any nation on the face of the earth ever resorted to such legislation except in time of great national distress and as the only means of preserving national existence,' I think he is not sustained by the facts of our own recent history.
"Thirteen years after the close of the war, by the act of May 31, 1878, forbidding
the retirement of greenbacks, the govern- ment re-asserted the power to stamp the fiat value inherent in the legal-tender qual- ity upon its circulating notes, and the su- preme court decision of March 3, 1884, fully upholds the act and the power.
"I believe the legal-tender acts, thus up- held in time of peace as well as in time of war by the supreme court, have introduced a principle as hurtful to sound national finance as the doctrines of the Dred Scott decision were demoralizing to the national conscience. I believe the decisions of 1870 and 1872 to be 'good law' and that of 1884 ' bad law;' but so long as the latter stands unreversed the advocates of fiat money have a 'standing in court.'
"True, the court only affirms the power and leaves the expediency to the discretion of congress; but when the power is so broadly asserted the expediency is likely to be inferred. I believe that a decision ought to be reviewed and reversed in the court of conscience, as the Dred Scott decision was, or, better still, overruled by a constitutional amendment.
"We will never get rid of financial heresies so long as congress is supposed to have the power and right to compel the people in time of peace to accept for their labor or other thing of value a piece of pa- per having no value."
Mr. Topping was married on the Ist of October, 1857, in Bridgeport, Ohio, to Mary R. Tallman, daughter of John C. Tallman, of Bridgeport, Ohio, a well-known banker. Mrs. Topping still has considerable interests there in manufacturing concerns. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a most estimable lady. To Mr. and Mrs. Topping have been born the following chil- dren: George, a farmer of Chase county,
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Kansas, who married Miss Louise Grinnell, of Cedar Rapids, Michigan, whose paternal ancestors came over in the Mayflower; John, secretary of the Aetna Standard Iron and Steel Works at Bridgeport, Ohio. He mar- ried Miss Minnie Junkins, youngest daugh- ter of Samuel Junkins, a merchant of Bridge- port. Wilbur, secretary and general man- ager of the Bellaire Stamping Company, of Harvey, Illinois, manufacturers of the Colum- bian Enamel Ware, gold and enameled signs, etc. He married Clara Taylor, daugh- ter of Elder John Z. Taylor, formerly a Christian minister of Kansas City; Albert, who is in the office of the Aetna Standard Company, in Bridgeport, Ohio; Ellen, wife of Samuel Hazlett, teller in the People's Bank of Wheeling, West Virginia, and a son of Dr. Hazlett, of that city; Lucy, who became the wife of John M. Wilfley, who was for a number of years with the Kansas City National Bank, and afterward removed to Kokomo, Colorado; and Cornelia, who is now attending the high school. Mrs. Wil- fley died in Leadville, Colorado, in Feb- ruary, 1895, and was buried in the Elmwood cemetery of Kansas City.
In 1886 Mr. Topping erected his fine residence. It isa beautiful and commodious suburban home, one and one-fourth miles east of the city limits, and stands on a com- manding eminence surrounded by a beauti- ful lawn, while within it is supplied with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
B ENJAMIN F. RECORDS, M. D., a physician of the regular profes- sion, was born January 6, 1834, in Bracken county, Kentucky, and is descended from one of the honored pioneer families of that state. He traces his an-
cestry back to England, where in 1700 was born John Records, the founder of the family in America. Braving the dangers that at- tended an ocean voyage in the early part of the eighteenth century, he crossed the At- lantic and became a resident of Sussex county, Delaware, where occurred the birth of his son, Josiah Records, the great-grand- father of the Doctor, on the Ist of Decem- ber, 1741, O. S.
His grandfather, Laban Records, was born in the same county in 1765, and by occupation was a farmer. He went to Ken- tucky in 1775, and afterward rendered efficient service to the government during the Indian war as a scout. He was one of the pioneers of the state, when forests stood in their native grandeur, and the famous blue-grass region was an uninhabited tract. The Doctor's father, Laban S. Records, was born in Kentucky, May 11, 1807, and in his early life followed the profession of school-teaching, but subsequently devoted his energies to merchandising. He was united in marriage with Martha Stites, a daughter of Samuel Stites, who was born in New Jersey, in 1760, made farming his life work, and died at the advanced age of eighty-eight. His father, William Stites, was a native of Wales and came to America in 1740. Laban S. Records and his wife removed to Illinois in 1840. Both died in Liberty, Mo., the former at the age of sixty- eight years, leaving a family of five surviv- ing children, namely: Mrs. Sarah J. Brown, of Junction City, Kansas; William P., who is living in Leadville, Colorado; Mrs. M. E. Long, of Kansas City; James M., of this place; and the Doctor.
During his early boyhood, in 1840, Dr. Records accompanied his father's family on their removal from his native place near
D. Meriwether
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Augusta, Kentucky, to Illinois, when they located near Paris, that state; and Benjamin attended the public schools of the neighbor- hood. Thoroughly mastering the branches therein taught, at the age of nineteen he began teaching school, and while thus en- gaged he devoted his leisure hours to the study of medicine under the direction of the well known firm of Drs. Herrick & Mills, of Midway, Illinois. Subsequently he entered the St. Louis Medical college, and was graduated from that institution.
Having now fitted himself for his chosen calling, Dr. Records opened an office and began practice in Paradise, Missouri, where he met with good success, but removed to Liberty, Missouri, in 1878, and to Kansas City in the spring of 1889. Not long after his arrival he was appointed to the position of assistant city physician, -unsolicited on his part, -- in which capacity he served until March, 1891, when he resigned and opened an office for private practice, and is now at the head of a large and constantly increasing business, which is a tribute to his ability and professional skill.
Dr. Records has been twice married, his second wife having been Miss Mattie B. Williams, of Platte county, Missouri. He has a family of four living children: John W., who is now acting as general foreman of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe shops, Argentine, Kansas; James L., who is super- intendent of postal station "A," in Kansas City; and Lucy McC., wife of James L. Reikerd, engineer, Kansas City, Missouri; and W. C., the youngest, clerk in Hammer Brothers' grocery.
The Doctor is prominently connected with medical societies, and is a valued mem- ber of the Kansas City District Medical So- ciety, the Kansas City Medical Club, and
the State Medical Society of Missouri. The Doctor is a close student and devotes his time exclusively to his professional interests, taking no part in politics aside from casting his vote in support of the men and measures of the democracy. He and family are mem- bers of the Baptist church, and in social circles hold an enviable position. Success comes as the result of earnest application, unfaltering determination and the exercise of those powers with which nature has en- dowed him, and that Dr. Records has made the most of his opportunities is shown by his large and well merited practice.
He was made a Mason in 1866, exalted a Royal Arch Mason in 1867, and has filled all the leading offices in lodge and chapter, and served four years as district deputy grand master; is a member now of Temple lodge, No. 299, and Orient chapter, No. 102, of this city.
AVID MERIWETHER is a prom- inent merchant of Westport and a recognized leader in business cir- cles in this place. He has been a resident of Jackson county for more than a quarter of a century, and while he has never sought prominence in political or public life, he belongs to that class of citizens who always faithfully perform each day's duty as it comes and are the elements of true strength and stability of any community.
Our subject was born on the 24th of February, 1842, in Monticello, Jasper coun- ty, Georgia, and comes of one of the old and honored families of that state. His great-grandfather, Frank Meriwether, was one of the pioneers of Georgia, locating in Oglethorpe county in 1784. Through many
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A MEMORIAL RECORD OF KANSAS CITY
years the family was honorably and prom- inently connected with the history of that state. The grandfather, Thomas Meri- wether, had accompanied his father on the removal in 1784, their home having formerly been in Virginia.
The father of our subject also bore the name of David and was a native of Georgia. He was married four times, his fourth union being with Mrs. Matilda A. Young, nec Pearson, who was born in the "Cracker" state. From the age of eighteen years he was a resident of Jasper county, where his death occurred in January, 1867. His wife afterward came to Missouri and in 1875 departed this life. By their marriage they had seven children, six of whom reached mature years, while three sons and two daughters are yet living, namely : Thomas, a resident of Monticello, Georgia, who mar- ried Miss Walker and has three living chil- dren; David, of this review; Sarah, wife of Clark Bailey, of Sandtown, Georgia; Charles Matthews, who was named in honor of his grandmother, a daughter of Governor Mat- thews, of Georgia, and is now living with his family in Social Circle, that state; and Lucy M., wife of John W. Lewis, of Mari- etta, Georgia, by whom she has two chil- dren. Her husband's father reared and edu- cated Governor Brown and James Brown, of Georgia, two of the most prominent characters in that state.
Mr. Meriwether, of this review, the third in order of birth, was reared in the county of his nativity and remained at home until after the civil war was inaugurated, when, true to the principles and interests among which he was reared he offered his services to the southern cause and became a member of company D, tenth Confederate cavalry, which he joined on its organization.
The regiment was commanded by Colonel C. C. Good and operated principally in east Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia. For three years he followed the standard to which he had pledged his loyal service, experiencing all the difficulties and hard- ships of war, and demonstrating his bravery on many a battle-field. He was within a few feet of Major General Walker when he was shot from his horse near Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864, and was present at the surrender of General Joseph E. John- ston in North Carolina.
The war having ended Mr. Meriwether returned home and resumed the quiet pur- suits of the farm, his time being thus passed through the two succeeding years. His res- idence in Jackson county, Missouri, dates from 1868, at which time he located on a farm in Westport township. With charac- teristic energy he began the cultivation and development of his land, which, owing to his persevering efforts, was soon highly im- proved and yielded to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestowed upon it. In 1877 he came to Westport and effected the purchase of the store formerly owned by William Riley. He has since been numbered among the successful mer- chants of the city, his progressive methods, his energy and his enterprise well entitling him to be thus accounted. He carries a large and complete stock of staple and fancy groceries, flour and feed, and his courteous treatment of his patrons, his earnest desire to please them and his hon- orable efforts have secured to him a liberal and constantly increasing patronage.
On the 5th of December, 1865, Mr. Meriwether was united in marriage with Miss Martha J. Mastin, an estimable lady, whose social nature has made her many
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warm friends. She is a native of Athens, Tennessee, and a daughter of Thomas W. Mastin, now deceased, who was a very prominent man in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Meriwether now have three children, namely: Ada May, wife of H. F. Ander- son, of Westport, by whom she has two children, Harry Forester and Lois; William Wheeler, who is his father's partner in busi- ness and married Miriam Klock, a native of Oneida, New York, by whom he has two children, Francis Miriam and Martha; and Lucy Anna, at home. They also lost one child, Elizabeth Mastin, who died at the age of five years. The family is widely and favorably known in Westport society circles and their home is a favorite resort for many friends.
In his political views Mr. Meriwether has been a life-long democrat and has been elected on that ticket to the city coun- cil of Westport, where, while serving, he acted as chairman of the public improve- ment committee and did much to advance the city's interests. He also served for eleven consecutive years as city treasurer and his long continuance in office as custo- dian of the public funds well indicates his fidelity to duty and the confidence reposed in him. He has also been a member of the school board of Westport township, and the cause of education finds in him a true and tried friend. He is a valued member of the Masonic fraternity of Westport. His name is a synonym of honorable business dealing, and in all the relations of life he has proved himself faithful to the trust commit- ted to him, while upon his record there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. His success is attributable to his own energy and perseverance and he is esteemed by all who know him.
VIS ELIDA SMITH, M. D .- In no country in the world are the ad- vantages offered to women that America affords. Almost every av- enue of business which she chooses to enter has been open to her, and the world ac- knowledges that her progress equals that of man. She no longer has to seek a justifi- cation for her entrance into business life, for her power, ability and usefulness are now universally recognized. Especially in the medical profession has she won a place and name that reflect credit upon the sex. When a woman gives her time and energy to this work, she has not only the thorough knowl- edge of theory to which all may attain, but in practice she also possesses a sympathy and intuitive comprehension which her brothers of the fraternity often lack. Dr. Smith to-day stands in the front rank among the members of the medical profession in Kansas City, and is enjoying a large and lucrative practice.
She was born in Winnebago county, Illi- nois, October 17, 1851, and is a daughter of James H. and Huldah (Howland) Smith. Her father was a native of Delaware county, New York, born August 28, 1821, and by occupation was a farmer. He died in 1893, at the age of seventy-one years, and his widow is still living, at the age of seventy- three. In the family were but two children, -Avis E. and Dana R.
Dr. Smith's paternal grandfather, Elijah Cleveland Smith, was born in Chatham county, New York, May 20, 1788, and died in Delaware county, same state, in 1873. Through his mother, Abigail Cleveland, he traced his ancestry back through Elijah, Joseph and Samuel to Moses Cleveland, who came in 1635 to Massachusetts from Suffolk county, England. He was the founder of
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the Cleveland family in this country. His father, Peter Smith, was born in Connecti- cut, in 1742, and died in Delaware county, New York, in 1843, at the age of 100 years. The family was early founded in America, though by whom it is not known.
The Doctor's maternal grandfather, George Howland, was also a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred at Hamden, Delaware county, August 1, 1793. By occupation he was a farmer, and during the war of 1812 he served as a member of the colonial army, doing valiant duty. He died in 1873, at the age of seventy-nine years. He was a man of sterling integrity of character and highly esteemed by all who knew him. Six months after his death oc- curred that of his wife, when she had attained about the same age. His father, Joseph Howland, was born in 1767, in Rhode Island, was an officer in the Revolu- tionary war, barely escaping starvation, having at one time to kill a horse for food. He died in 1849, at the age of eighty-one years. He married Miss Avis Chase and had a large number of children. Of his father, Gershom Howland, little is known. He was born in 1734 and served with credit in the French and Indian war. Of his father, Joshua Howland, nothing is known except that he was born in Freetown, Massachu- setts, married twice and had thirteen chil- dren, who were hardy, upright men and women, prominent in church and state. Samuel, the father of Joshua and son of Henry, the founder of this branch of the family in America, was one of the original proprietors of Freetown, Massachusetts. He was a selectman of the town and assessor of the same in 1694. Henry, one of three brothers founding the family in America, arrived at Plymouth from England before
the year 1625. The early records of Plymouth say that none have a better record for integrity, thrift, uprightness and piety than he. Many of the early members of this family were Quakers and were subjected to much persecution on account of this fact. Henry, in particular, was fined again and again for attending their meetings and har- boring the despised sect. The usual penalty was a fine of £5 or a whipping. The high moral and religious element which was a characteristic of the early members of the family has largely entered into the lives of their posterity. Though possessing a fair share of public favor, they have never pos- sessed an inordinate desire for social or political favor.
Dr. Smith passed her girlhood days in McHenry county, Illinois. On completing a high-school course she began teaching, which profession she followed for several years, when she determined to devote her life to the medical profession. She wished, how- ever, to have as a foundation for her medical studies a broader general culture, and to this end entered the Illinois State university at Champaign, at which institution she graduated in the class of 1877, with the de- gree of Bachelor of Science. Next she re- sumed teaching, continuing therein for three years in Champaign, after which she began reading medicine under the instructions of Dr. H. C. Howard, of that city. Later she entered the Woman's Medical College at Chicago, now a department of the North- western university, of Evanston, Illinois, and was graduated in 1883, with the degree of M. D. Not content, however, with the knowledge she had already gained, she went to Boston and pursued a course of study and training in the New England Hospital for Women and Children.
William Hamilton.
Mis. Eliza Hamilton.
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AND JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI.
She arrived here in Kansas City in 1884 and immediately commenced the practice of her chosen profession; and while she is en- gaged in general practice she makes a specialty of the diseases of women and chil- dren. For several years after her arrival here she had charge of the medical depart- ment of the Woman's Refuge and Maternity Hospital, and in 1893 became connected with the Scarritt Bible and Training School for Nurses, holding the chair of obstetrics, in connection with Dr. R. T. Sloan. She is now connected with the Woman's Medical College, of Kansas City, where she is pro- fessor of the diseases of children.
She is a very successful physician, and her thorough knowledge of the science of medicine and her adaptation of it to the ills of the human system is shown in the ex- cellent results which follow her practice. She is a lady of great force of character, broad and high ideals, and could never be content with mediocrity in her calling. Therefore she has worked her way steadily upward to the high position she now occu- pies. She is a member of the Jackson County Medical Society and the American Medical Association. In 1891 the University of Illinois conferred upon her the degree of Master of Science.
As to her religious relations, she is a member of the Congregational church, of Kansas City.
ILLIAM HAMILTON .- In the early history of Jackson county the name of this gentleman finds conspicuous mention. The Ham- ilton home was long a familiar landmark in this section of the state. A typical country tavern, its hospitality and good cheer were 4
ever extended to its guests, whether friends or strangers, by the genial, kindly, loving couple, known throughout all the surround- ing country as "Uncle" William and "Aunt" Eliza Hamilton, whose memory is still cher- ished in the hearts of those who knew them, although the snows of many winters have fallen upon their graves, and the birds with their joyous carols have announced the ap- proach of returning spring for almost twenty years. The familiar faces of loved ones may be seen no more, but their memory re- mains as a blessed benediction to those with whom their lives were closely interwoven. Through almost a century William Hamil- ton watched the passing of time and the change that the years brought; and through the long period his own honorable, upright life, marked by fidelity to every manly prin- ciple, won him the love and confidence of all with whom he was brought in contact.
The first decade after the signing of the Declaration of Independence was not yet completed when he opened his eyes on the light of this world. He was born in Vir- ginia on the 21st of April, 1786, and was the eldest son in a family of eight children, whose parents were William and Ruth (Wil- son) Hamilton. As far back as the ancestry can be traced it is seen that the eldest son of each generation has borne the name of William. The paternal grandfather of our subject, William Hamilton, was born in Dublin, Ireland, and married a Scotch lady whose family name was Alse. Shortly after- ward he emigrated with his bride to the new world, becoming the founder of the family on American soil. For a short time they resided in Pennsylvania, and then re- moved to Virginia, where they reared a fam- ily of four children, the eldest of whom was William, the father of our subject, and also
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a native of the Old Dominion. When forty years of age he was joined in wedlock with Miss Ruth Wilson, then twenty-two years of age. During the struggle for independ- ence he joined the colonial army and val- iantly aided in that warfare which resulted in the establishment of this republic. His wife was a granddaughter of Colonel Francis Moore, a warm "personal friend of George Washington.
It is with a high degree of gratification that the biographer enters upon the task of perpetuating by written record the life of one so worthily connected and whose own career was so well worthy of emulation as that of William Hamilton, of Jackson county, Missouri. His childhood and youth were marked by no events of special importance. He was married on the 10th of February, 1819, to Eliza Lillard, the wedding cere- mony being performed in Kentucky, after which the young couple took up their resi- dence in Boyle county, that state, where they remained until 1849.
In that year Jackson county gained two of its best citizens. Mr. Hamilton brought his family to Missouri, and from that time until his death was prominently connected with the best interests of the community. He located in Sibley, now Fort Osage town- ship, and purchasing a house opened the country tavern before mentioned, which he conducted until just before the breaking out of the civil war. Selling his property he then removed to a farm in Fort Osage town- ship, which continued to be his place of resi- dence until he was called to the eternal home. His residence was ever noted for its hospitality, and both he and his wife ex- tended to all who came beneath their roof that good cheer and kindliness so character- istic of the pioneer homes. He was a man
of strict honor and unquestioned integrity, straightforward in business, social in home lite and reliable at all times. Although he was a slaveholder at the time the civil war was inaugurated, he did not believe in the dissolution of the union, but hoped that the stars and stripes might float over an un- broken country. Reared in the south, his sympathies were with his own section of the country, but he was true nevertheless in his allegiance to the national government. He never turned from his door either a confed- erate or union man who sought food, and the respect in which he was held by both armies is shown by the fact that his home was the only one that stood for miles around, undestroyed by fire. His wife shared with him in all his hopes and desires, and the love of the entire community was given to " Aunt " Eliza Hamilton, whose great warm heart had a sympathy for all mankind, and an especial tenderness for those in need or distress.
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