USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > A memorial and biographical record of Kansas City and Jackson County Mo. > Part 9
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On the 12th of June, 1850, in Kansas City, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Collins and Miss Sarah Ann Williams, daughter of John Williams, of Clay county, Missouri. For almost forty-two years they traveled life's journey together, and then the wife was called to the home beyond this life April 10, 1892. Their family numbered the following members: Lizzie, wife of Arland Wimsett, of Bates county, Missouri; Ann Eliza, wife of George Greenwood, who is living near Independence, Missouri; Minerva, wife of John Clemons, a gardener of Kansas City; Jeff D., who married Ianthe Corder, daughter of Nathan Corder, of Kan- sas City, and is engaged in gardening on the old home place; Rebecca, Lorena and Mat- tie. The last three are at home. The deceased are: Asenath, who died at the age of twelve years; Almeda, who died at the age of ten years; and Ancel, the last born, died in infancy. In 1887 Mr. Collins erected his present fine residence. He be- longs to the Central Methodist Episcopal church, at the corner of Ninth and Lydia streets, and was one of its first members. He is an honored and valued citizen, and
the history of his adopted county would be incomplete without mention of this worthy family.
ENRY SAMUEL MILLS. - In the death of this gentleman one more name was added to the list of those whose life's labors were ended and whose record was closed with the words "Well done." A man whom to know was to honor, true, gentlemanly, companionable, he commanded the respect and admiration of all and won the friend- ship of many. He was an illustrious proto- type of a self-made man. Success is not measured by the heights which one holds, but by the depths from which he has climbed; and Mr. Mills worked his way upward from a very humble position, pushing aside the barriers which obstructed his path and sur- mounting all obstacles until he reached the mountain top of prosperity.
His life history is as follows: Born in Jefferson county, New York, on the 25th of July, 1820, he was a son of Samuel and Sallie (Smith) Mills, representatives of old New York and Connecticut families. The father died when Henry was but five years of age, leaving the family in very limited circumstances. After two years the mother took her little son, then a lad of seven, and made her way to Salem, Illinois, where her only daughter, who was married, was then living. She provided for herself and child until he was able to care for her, when he repaid her by his loving attention for all that she had done for him. As soon as old enough he began to earn his own living, and was ever faithful to the duties devolving upon him. When hardly more than a boy he was made postmaster of Salem, Illinois.
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Subsequently he established a little store. He lived seventy-five miles from Saint Louis and walked to that place in order to pur- chase goods, after which he hauled his mer- chandise liome in a wagon that he had borrowed from a friend. Much of his goods he disposed of from the sidewalk, for he had no store building. He met with only fair success in this undertaking, and resolved to try his fortune beyond the Mississippi. Ac- cordingly, in 1844, he removed to Saline county, Missouri, locating in Arrow Rock, where he opened a store. His mother ac- companied him, and always found a home with him until her death.
Mr. Mills had but little capital, but he possessed a resolute purpose and indefatig- able energy, and succeeded in working up a large business, During this time he was married. On the 29th of January, 1852, he wedded Miss Dorothy P. Scott, daughter of Ezekiel F. Scott, an extensive pioneer of Saline county and a native of Kentucky. He gave to each of his children 400 acres of land; but Mr. Mills, not being in very good health at that time, sold the property which his wife inherited. His entire time and at- tention was given to his mercantile interests, and in this undertaking he prospered, build- ing up a large trade. Later he extended his efforts into other fields of labor, pur- chased farms and began dealing in cattle. From that time forward he was prominently connected with the agricultural and stock- raising interests of Missouri.
Another line of endeavor claimed his at- tention, -the banking business. He estab- lished a bank at Arrow Rock, which he coll- ducted throughout the war. This state, situated on the border between the two sec- tions, was always a region of danger. On one occasion, fearing for the safety of his
deposits and determined that no one should lose through him, he buried his money. At the same time he shipped by rail several kegs filled with nails, the public supposing that these contained the money. Union officers were detailed to guard the kegs until they were placed on a boat at St. Louis. By this strategy the money was saved and not a single cent was lost to the depositors and the doors were closed only during the time the money was buried!
In 1880 Mr. Mills closed out his bank- ing business at Arrow Rock and sought a broader field of labor and usefulness in Kan- sas City. The following day after his ar- rival here he opened the banking house of H. S. Mills, arrangements having previously been made by his son, Scott Mills, who was then a young man in his minority. The new establishment was opened for business on the Ist of September, 1880, and was called the Bank of the State of Missouri. To this he gave his personal attention. Some time afterward this bank was closed and a new one established by the firm of H. S. Mills & Son, which was successfully conducted until the death of the junior part- ner, on the 6th of April, 1886. A short time before H. S. Mills passed away, he foresaw the closing of his business in case of his own demise, and hence incorporated under the name of the bank of H. S. Mills. He was a most capable financier, who studied closely the attitude of the country on the money question and was most thoroughly informed concerning it. In his own banking institu- tion he received a liberal patronage, for the thorough reliability of Mr. Mills was well known and his integrity and honor above question. In connection with his other en- terprises he was largely interested in farm- ing in Saline and Pettis counties, holding
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large tracts of valuable land. His reliable judgment of human nature always enabled him to secure good men to operate his land, and from this branch of his business he se- cured a handsome income. His relations with tenants were always pleasant, and many of them remained on his farms for a number of years. At the present time one of his farms is being operated by a man who has lived upon it for eighteen years.
Scott Mills devoted his service entirely to the bank, and became a most capable banker. As a boy he had learned the printer's trade, and edited a small paper at Arrow Rock. He was interested in journal- istic work, but decided to remain with his father, whose judgment he held in great esteem. He was closely attached to his parents, and his death came as a stunning blow to them. He was taken ill on the Ist of April, 1886, and on the 6th of that month passed away.
Both the father and mother felt his loss very keenly. He stood not alone in the re- lationship of son to the former, but they were also companions, friends and business associates, and the death of the son no doubt hastened that of Mr. Mills. The lat- ter gave his attention untiringly to his busi- ness until his own health compelled him to seek a change. In the family there were also two daughters, -Zella and Emma. The former became the wife of Joseph Field, of Slater, Missouri, and died at the age of thirty-nine, leaving three children,-Henry W., Percy C. and Lucile Mills, who now reside with their grandmother. Emma is the wife of E. B. Field, cashier of the bank which was founded by her father.
Entirely without capital save a coura- geous spirit, determined purpose and enter- prise, Mr. Mills started out in life for him-
self. Hissuccess seemed almost phenomenal, but it came not as the result of a combina- tion of fortunate circumstances, but as the reward of earnest and persistent labor, sagacity and laudable ambition. The his- tory of his business life is somewhat familiar to the public, and the lessons contained in his private career are none the less ex- emplary. He was a prominent member of the Calvary Baptist church, to which his wife also belongs, and took an active part in erecting the new house of wor- ship. He was deeply interested in the welfare of his fellow men, and often extended the right-hand of fellowship and aid to those less fortunate than himself. He seemed imbued with the benevolent spirit that underlies the Masonic fraternity, of which he was a lifelong and active member, joining the organization soon after attaining his majority. While in Kansas City he served as high priest of Orient chapter. He was also a member of the Commercial club, and took an interest in its advancement. It was probably in his home, however, that his true life was manifest. He was devoted to his wife and children, and did all in his power to promote their welfare. He erected a handsome residence at No. ITIS East Eighth street, and supplied it with all the comforts that wealth could secure and art devise. A library of choice books indicates the literary taste of the family. Mr. Mills was himself a great reader, and even when a poor boy he purchased and eagerly perused a number of standard volumes which are still in the book-cases. He was very familiar with the best literature of the world, and was especially fond of history and poetry. He frequently would write little poems which contained beautiful thoughts and displayed considerable poetic ability, but his attention
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was given to his business. He was also a deep lover of music, and heard some of the finest performers of the present day. In the fall of 1890 Mr. Mills went to the east, where he spent several months in rest in New York city and at Ocean Grove. In November he started homeward, but died in Chicago, on the 9th of that month. His remains were brought back to Kansas City, and with Masonic honors were interred in Elmwood cemetery.
I SSIE J. RIMGOLSKY, attorney at law, Kansas City, is a native of Leavenworth, Kansas, born Septem- ber 24, 1864, of Jewish descent, and a son of . Joseph and Rachel Ringolsky, who emigated to America in 1844. They had been married a short time before em- barking. At the breaking out of the gold excitement in California he made an over- land journey to that distant coast. He en- gaged in mining there and was finally suc- cessful, remaining three years. He returned to the states by the way of the Panama route and rejoined his wife at St. Louis, and immediately proceeded to Leavenworth, settling there in 1853, where they now re- side. For many subsequent years he fol- lowed merchandising in Leavenworth, and is now living in retirement, enjoying the ac- cumulations of a well spent life. To them were born nine children, of whom five are now living.
The early educational discipline of our subject was secured in the public schools. In 1881 he entered the University of Mich- igan, where he took the full literary and law courses and graduated in 1886. Fol- lowing his graduation he opened a law office in Kansas City, of. which place he has
since been a resident and practiced his pro- fession. His success in the law is attested by a large clientage and the prominent po- sition he occupies at the bar of Jackson county. He is a speaker of good ability, and is thoroughly informed in the law. Al- though but thirty years of age, Mr. Ringol- sky has made a remarkable career as a law- yer. When twenty-five he made a fee of $5,000 in the famous case of Rector against Anderson, and in November, 1895, made a fee of $12,000, in the famous Nickells-Gra- ham case, which was in litigation for fifteen months. The former case was in court eighty-two days.
Socially he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Knights of Pythias and several popular college fraternities. Mr. Ringolsky has never sought office, his ambition and aspirations being to rise in his profession. In political sentiment he is democratic, and warmly espouses the prin- ciples of his party.
In 1889 was consummated his marriage to Miss Josie Lowen, of St. Louis, who has borne him one child, Sidney I. He and his estimable wife are members of Temple church.
EV. THOMAS JOHNSON .- On the pages of western history this name stands prominently forth. Its wearer was a man of influence, ac- complishing a work for good during the early days of this section of the country that can- not be estimated. He was ever the cham- pion of the oppressed, the advocate of progress, and his name will descend to future generations as a benefactor of the Indian race.
Mr. Johnson was a native of Nelson
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county, Virginia, born July 11, 1802, and was reared in the Old Dominion. His school privileges altogether would not cover a period of more than thirteen months, and he walked to and from school, a distance of five miles, at the same time doing the chores on the farm. In 1820, when a young man of eighteen years, he accompa- nied his father's family on their removal to Howard county, Missouri. He was of an earnest nature and deeply religious turn of mind, and when about sixteen years of age began preaching. As a minister of the Meth- odist Episcopal church he preached upon a circuit in Texas during his early manhood, and received his pay in raw cotton, which he hauled twenty miles to have ginned. Subsequently he had charge of a Missouri circuit, and in 1828, as one of the pioneer ministers on the frontier, he established a mission between the present towns of Ar- gentine and Turner, in what is now the state of Kansas but then formed a part of the Indian Territory. It was called the Shawnee mission and was carried on for about five years. It included an Indian manual-labor school, where the children of the tribes in that locality were taught not alone to read and write but were also in- structed in useful occupations, which would make them self-supporting citizens and ma- terially benefit their condition. This mis- sion was under the auspices of the United States government and the Methodist Epis- copal church missionary board, with head- quarters at Nashville, Tennessee, each bear- ing half the expense.
Rev. Mr. Johnson had full charge of this mission from its inception until 1873, and its privileges were enjoyed by the Shaw- nees, Wyandottes, Delawares and Ottawas. In addition to these there were some few
members of the Miami, Sac and Fox tribes and a few Sioux and Flatheads. Mr. John- son put up all the necessary buildings and had the entire care and management of the mission. There were from one hundred to one hundred and fifty children who attended the school and worked on the farm. Be- tween six hundred and one thousand acres of land were thus cultivated. £ There was a blacksmith shop in which the repair work was done. A mill ground the grain for the needed bread stuffs and a store supplied the other necessary commodities. The Indian maidens did the spinning and weaving and made the clothes, and almost everything used by the mission was either raised or manufactured by the members except shoes, and even they were partially made by them. During a large portion of the time Mr. John- son had charge of three missions,-the Shawnee, the Delaware, about fifteen miles from the first, and the Kaw mission at Coun- cil Grove. He was a close student of the different tribes, their habits, methods and needs, and no man on the western frontier did more for the betterment and upbuilding of the Indian race.
Mr. Johnson was ably assisted in all his labors by his estimable wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah T. Davis, and was a native of Bourbon county, Kentucky. She was born June 22, 1810, and was a daugh- ter of George Davis, of Kentucky. Some of her relatives were taken prisoners by In- dians at Ruddle's mills, in that state. Her father came to Pike county, Missouri, at a very early day, and there was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Johnson and Miss Davis, on the 7th of September, 1830. They at once went to the mission, and Mrs. Johnson as- suined charge of the indoor work, nursing the sick, preparing and administering the
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different medicines, and acting as counselor and guide to all the women of the tribes, many of whom gave her their warm friend- ship. That Mr. Johnson won the confi- dence and the regard of the Indians, who when once their friendship is given never falter in their allegiance, is evidenced by the fact that he was always given a seat in their councils and stood especially high with the Shawnee tribe. These worthy people con- tinued their labors among the red race until 1843, when the ill health of Mr. Johnson forced him to leave the frontier, and he re- turned to Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1844 a split occurred in the church, and our subject took the stand for the Methodist Episcopal church, south.
After preaching there for a year, Mr. Johnson returned with his family to Howard county, Missouri, and purchased a farm about a mile from Fayette, where he lived for three years. In 1847 he returned to the Shawnee mission, of which he was again given charge and continued to faithfully la- bor among them for some time. The tribe gave two sections of land to the missionary board of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, and the board then transferred it to the Rev. Thomas Johnson, condition that he bear all expenses of the mission, includ- ing board, clothes and tuition. These terms were agreed upon, but the church afterward claimed the land and the heirs of Mr. John- son had to establish their prior claim in the department of the interior, at a cost of over $20,000. When the Shawnees ceded their land to the government they gave to Mr. Johnson one section in return for a beef, which he provided them for their annual feast, and these three sections eventually become the property of his heirs.
About 1858 he removed his family to a
farm which he owned two and a half miles east of Westport, but still retained control of the mission, although he left his son, Alex S. Johnson, in charge. On the 3d of January, 1865, he received one thousand dollars in money, but paid it out the same day.
This latter fact, however, was not known by a band of eight robbers who came to his house at twelve o'clock that night with the intention of securing the money. At their first call he opened the door and answered some of their inquiries. They then dis- mounted and were passing around the house ostensibly to get a drink of water. As they neared the door they made a rush for him, but he succeeded in closing it. They then fired through the panels and a ball struck him in the abdomen. He fell and never spoke again. As he was falling it is thought that he turned the key and locked the door. His wife was at his side in an instant, and soon aroused her son William, who was sleeping up stairs, and a hired man. She carried up a shot-gun and a small pistol. William stepped to a porch in front of a window and attempted to fire on upon the crowd, but the gun would not go off. He then found that the hired man had a mus- ket and three charges. He directed the man to open fire upon the men, but the fel- low was so frightened that he shot one charge into the air. Mr. Johnson then lev- eled the pistol at him and told him to sur- render the gun or he would be instantly killed. Peering out into the dense darkness Mr. Johnson saw an object which he sup- posed to be a man and fired at it, but the next morning it proved to be a large black kettle. Next, seeing an object move, he fired and later found that he had shot a man through the leg. His ammunition was then
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exhausted. He heard one of the men say, "Look out, boys! Will is at home !" then they left. When he first stepped out upon the porch a ball from one of their guns pass through his beard close to his throat. Before the robbers left they set fire to the rear porch of the house, but the mother stepped outside the door and ex- tinguished the fire with a few pails of water near by. The father was buried on the 5th of January, and the funeral was the largest ever attended in this locality. From far and near came friends to pay their last tribute of respect to one whom they had loved and honored, whose noble life was ever a source of inspiration, help and en- couragement to them. Though he is gone his memory remains to those who knew him as a blessed benediction, and his influence for good is still seen in the lives of those with whom he came in contact.
Mrs. Johnson remained at the mission until the year following the death of her husband and then removed to Kansas City, making her home at the corner of Ninth and Main streets, and afterward removing to Walnut street. In 1869 she built a resi- dence on Ninth between Locust and Cherry streets, and her death occurred at the resi- dence of Judge Holmes, September 26, 1873. Her family numbered thirteen chil- dren, seven of whom reached maturity, namely: Alex S., who was born July II,, 1832, the first white child born in what is now the state of Kansas, married Prudence Funk, October 7, 1852. She died leaving one child, who survives her,-Mrs. Nellie Fargo, of Chicago. Alex S. Johnson after- ward married Zippa Tewksbury. For many years he was the land commissioner of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company, but is now living retired in
Topeka, Kansas. Eliza S., the second child, born April 20, 1836, was married September 20, 1854, to John B. Wornall, now deceased. She passed away July 5, 1865, leaving two children,-F. C. and Thomas J. A. M. and W. M. were the third and fourth members of the family. Laura L., born July 22, 1847, was the wife of Frank Waterman, and died in 1883, leav- ing two children, -Willianı H. and Avis. Cora E., born August 22, 1849, is the wife of Harry W. Fuller, general passenger agent of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad. They have two daughters, -Nellie and Louise, -and reside in Washington, District of Columbia. Edna, born June 6, 185.3, is the wife of W. J. Anderson, a stock-broker of Kansas City, and has two children, - Sadie and Jamie.
Rev. Mr. Johnson and wife were life- long members of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. He was a pro-slavery man, but did not believe in the overthrow of the union. In the political affairs of Kansas he took a very prominent part. He presided over the house during the first session of the first general assembly of Kansas, that noted body convening in his home. His son Alex was a member of the Senate at the same time. The father was the first delegate to congress from Kansas, and Johnson county was named in his honor. He was president of the Union Bank, the first state bank in Kansas City, and educational, social, politi- cal, moral and material interests are all in- debted to him for his efforts in their behalf.
William M. Johnson, who like his hon- ored father has been prominent in the pub- lic life of the west, was born July 6, 1845, in Howard county, Missouri, and was reared at the Shawnee mission, his playmates being the Indian children. He began his education
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there under his father's instruction, and afterward attended the Emery and Henry College, of Washington county, Virginia, where he was a student at the breaking out of the civil war. He was then only fifteen years of age, but he joined the Washington mounted rifles and served during the Vir- ginia campaign in the first year of the war. He then returned home and started out again with Colonel Upton Hayes and served throughout the struggle, participating in many engagements. He received a sabre cut in his hand and a bullet wound in his head. After the war he became a resident of the suburbs of Kansas City. Few men are more familiar with the history and de- velopment of the west. He has engaged in freighting across the plains, is familiar with the experiences of the frontier, and has many times journeyed across the Rocky mountains.
On the 25th of November, 1869, was consummated the marriage of William John- son and Miss Lizzie Price, daughter of Rich- ard M. G. Price, who was killed at Waka- rusa, Kansas, in 1856, an officer in a com- pany from Clay county, Missouri. Mrs. Johnson was born in that county, March 4, 1849, acquired her preliminary education there and completed her studies in Lexing- ton, Missouri. Three children were born of this union, but all are now deceased. After the war Mr. Johnson lived for two years in Kansas City, and then renioved to Clay county. In October, 1883, he located on his present farm, where he owns fifty-five acres of very valuable land, all highly culti- vated and improved.
He is a prominent Mason, holding his membership in the blue lodge and chapter of Kansas City, and Kansas City command- ery, No. 10, K. T. In politics he is a dem- 5
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