USA > Missouri > Platte County > Annals of Platte County, Missouri, from its exploration down to June 1, 1897; with genealogies of its noted families, and sketches of its pioneers and distinguished people > Part 62
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JAMES H. HARRIS died near Settle. He was born in Preble County, Ohio, June 28, 1826; came to Platte in 1840; mar- ried Harriet Wilson diving). Ch: 1, Alice Harris, m'd Andrew Miller (see); 2, Daniel; 3, Olivia Harris, m'd Sept. 15, 1885, Win. B. Bywaters. (See.)
Nov. 24-Temperature 20° below zero.
Rev. T. R. Valliant preached the Thanksgiving sermon at Platte City, and the ladies of the Woman's Christian Missionary Society gave their annual supper.
ELMORE BRECKENRIDGE.
Nor. 25-Elmore Breckenridge died on his farm, three miles east of Platte City. He was born in Bourbon County, Ky., May 17, 1803; married January 18, 1838, Letitia Strode, born October 31, 1801; died December 17, 1893. They came to Platte in 1843. She was a daughter of John Strode. Her first husband was William Srite, and was father of Ruth Srite, who married, first. P. Stockwell, and after his death, maried, second, Jonathan Wallace, and went to Kansas. For Mr. E. Breckenridge's lineage, see The Breckenridge Family. His ch:
I. ELMORE BRECKENRIDGE (ii), m'd Nov. 8. 1866, Emer- anda Breckenridge, née Estes, the widow of his brother George. Ch:
1. John W., m'd Nov. 13, 1888, Tillie Ebbard.
II. GEO. BRECKENRIDGE, m'd Emeranda Estes. George died, leaving:
1. Ella Breckenridge, who married Feb. 27. 1888. James Brubeck.
The widow, Emeranda, as stated above, married her husband's brother, Elmore.
III. MARION BRECKENRIDGE, b. Aug. 13. 1849.
Nor. 26-CAPT. THOMAS J. ELLIS committed suicide at his home in Weston. He was born April 1, 1803, in Lafayette County, Pa .; came west when a youth, entered the army, and was with Col. Leavenworth in 1828, when the Fort that bears his name was located. This fact was the crowning glory of Ellis' life. He served in the Black Hawk War, the Florida War, and the Mexican War.
D. FLEMING.
714
1880, NOV.
Nor. 30-A horrible accident on the Atchison branch of the R. I. & P. Railway. Mail Agent Sims was burned to death, and A. G. Beller had a shoulder dislocated. The train was over- turned and burned.
In the last five months John E. Grass has purchased at Wes- ton and shipped 32,000 bushels of wheat.
DECEMBER.
Dec. 1-The Missouri River is frozen over.
DAVID FLEMING.
Dec. 2-David Fleming died. He was born in North Caro- lina February 26, 1809; married March 27, 1846, Minerva Fox, born March 27, 1818; died February 8 ,1885; daughter of "Long- Point Billy Fox." Mr. Fleming was a son of John Fleming and Mary E. Perkins. He was a man of good English education and of sound judgment. He filled the office of justice of the peace for many years, and no appeal was ever taken from any of his decisions. He opposed secession, and in 1866 was a supervisor of registration. Ch:
I. JOHN FLEMING, b. Dec. 24, 1846. Lives at Artesian Springs.
II. WILLIAM FLEMING, b. Feb. 11, 1848; d. Jan. 22, 1892; m'd Jan. 22, 1874, Mary E. Dunagan, dr. of John F. and b. Sept. 21, 1856. Ch:
1. David Fleming (ii), b. June 11, 1876.
2. Alta P. Fleming, b. May 7, 1878.
3. Jesse B., b. Dec. 16, 1881.
4. James W. Fleming, b. Feb. 16, 1883.
5. Artie, b. Dec. 19, 1891.
III. HENRIETTA FLEMING, b. May 5, 1850. Lives in Living- ston Co., Mo.
IV. THEO. FLEMING, b. June 21, 1851; m'd Nov. 23, 1876, Sarah C. Dunagan, dr. of John F. Ch:
1. Walter. 2. Chester.
V. CICERO FLEMING, b. Feb. 14, 1854; m'd March 9, 1887, Toie Gabbert, who died, childless, March -8, 1889. Prof. Fleming is one of the most celebrated of Platte County's educators.
VI. PETTIS FLEMING, b. April 18, 1855; m'd Alice Bishop, dr. of James. Ch:
1. Howard. 2. Wallace. 3. Harry. 4. Edna.
VII. RUSH FLEMING, b. Sept. 12, 1857; m'd Dec. 28, 1880, Eva Carter. dr. of Ben. Ch:
1. Effic. 2. Bertha. 3. Lola. 4. Pearl.
VIII. PLEASANT P. FLEMING, b. March 15, 1859; m'd Oct. 6, 1890. Lillie Prunty, dr. of Atchison. Ch:
1. Willard F ..
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880. DEC.
715
H. BRILI ..
IX. OSCAR FLEMING, b. Nov. 29, 1860; m'd in Feb., 1895, Rosa Alcorn.
David Fleming had a brother, Sampson Fleming, who lives in Cass County. Ch: 1, Edward F .; 2, David; 3, Roderick M .; 4. Susanna ; 5, Ellen'; 6. Rebecca; 7, Olive M .; 8, Louisa C.
HENRY BRILL.
Henry Brill, of Weston, died. He was born May 24, 1809; married Dora Huvendahl, sister of Henry. He was a pioneer blacksmith, and came from the State of New York in 1838. Ch:
I. JOHN H. BRILL, b. in Fox Plains, N. Y., Jan. 30, 1838; m'd March 20, 1862, Caroline Dorth. Ch:
1. Jesse D. 2. William.
II. LIZZIE BRILL, m'd Henry Bruggan.
III. GEO. BRILL, b. in Platte May 27, 1842; m'd March 10, 1870, Catherine Carson. Ch:
1. John. 2. Mary. 3. Lewis. 4. Lena.
IV. HENRY BRILL, a business man of St. Joseph.
V. JACOB.
VI. EDWARD BRILL, b. in 1851; d. Sept. 15, 1894; m'd Nov. S, 1875, Victoria Noll. Ch:
1. Matthias H. 2. Edward E. 3. Clarence L. VII. PETER BRILL.
Dec. 6-Temperature 4° below zero. Ice-good.
Mason & Co. sell their stock of goods to Burnes & Johnston.
Dec. 8-Kurtz & Bro. of Platte City remove their stock and the postoffice to Krause's new building on Lot 4, Block 29.
REUBEN BROWNING.
Dec. 9-Reuben Browning died near New Market. He was born December 7, 1793; married, third, October 12, 1853, Mrs. Mary J. McAdow, widow of John Mcdow, and daughter of Ben Bean. She survives with step-children :
I. GEORGE BROWNING, died before his father; 6 children.
II. JAMES M. BROWNING, m'd Jan. 24, 1855, Mary A. Duncan.
III. BEN F. BROWNING.
Dec. 11-Frank Blacketer is killed in Weston by Jos. Wells. On examination, Wells is discharged.
Dec. 17-The Weston Commercial gives a doleful account of the drunkenness in Weston, but exempts the dram-shops from all blame.
The lecture course revived in Platte City, with McDonald. Paxton, and Jenkins as executive committee.
Dec. 25-Christmas. All the schools of Platte City unite in observing the day at the court-house. A "Jacob's Ladder" was
PREACHERS.
716
1880, DEC.
the chief feature, which consisted of a common ladder covered with dolls, and not a male among them.
PREACHERS OFFICIATING IN PLATTE FROM 1875 TO 1880.
O. D. AAllen (C. Pres.), C. Babcock (M. E.), D. F. Bone (M. E.), P. J. Burruss (Bap.), W. C. Campbell (M. E.), Jerry Clay (Bap.), M. B. Chapman (M. E.), W. A. Crouch (Bap.), J. W. Ellis (M. E.), G. W. Everett (Bap.), J. W. Faubion, E. H. Foster, D. S. Hayes, Wm. Harris, D. M. Heath (M. E.), J. R. Hedgpeth (M. E.), R. W. Howerton (M. E.), Thos. Hurst (M. E.), Jas. A. Hyder (M. E.), Wm. James (M. E.). J. W. Kiethley (M. E.), Geo. H. Kurn, A. T. Lewis (M. E.), T. L. Lewis (Bap.), J. A. Lord (Chris.), J. A. McAfee (Pres.), Wm. Mathews (Chris.), A. C. McKeefer (Chris.), E. M. Palmer (Pres.), W. H. Penhallegon (Pres.), B. F. Rice, J. T. Riley, W. C. Rogers, A. F. Smith (Chris.), Jas. Standiford (Bap.), W. H. Thomas (Bap.). T. R. Valliant (Epis.), J. B. Wallace, J. W. Wal- ler (Chris.). B. Waller (Chris.). J. J. Wyatt (Chris.).
MARRIAGES IN 1880 NOT ELSEWHERE NOTED.
January 8-Edgar Alexander married Virginia Tomlin. March 30-John T. Martin married Stella A. Allen.
March 31-Fred Nieman married Louisa Peterman.
April 1-W. J. Fitzgerald married Mrs. Martha J. Mott. May 6-Wm. Cary married Drue Cook.
May 9-W. B. Pope married Lizzie Jacks.
June 6-W. C. Asher married Rosa A. Clemings.
July 4-Robert S. Daffron married Mary A. Standiford.
July 11-Lewis Ashby married Roberta Boydston.
July 29-James A. Grimes married Maggie Blankenship. August 5-B. M. Eeton married Lucy Blake; Samuel Moore married Margaret Beery.
September 1-H. T. Stone married Annie L. Drais; A. L. Dale married Mary Gabbert.
September 16-C. F. Wood married E. T. Griffin. October 12-James Wallace married Eliza Brooks. November 9-Thad. Owens married Katie Moore.
November 21-W. C. McClosky married Painter A. Phillips. December 1-W. H. Broadus married May Norris.
December 28-W. E. Middleton married Annie A. Moore. December 30-W. M. Creighton married Eva Link.
OFFICERS.
717
1881, JAN.
1881.
OFFICERS.
Governor, T. T. Crittenden; Congressman. R. T. Van Horn; State Senator, W. W. Bland; Representative, J. W. Anderson : Probate Judge. W. P. Chiles; County Justices, Owens, Chesnut, Thorp; Circuit Judge, G. W. Dunn; County Clerk. T. F. Warner: Prosecuting Attorney, J. W. Coburn; Sheriff. W. J. Overbeck ; Circuit Clerk, R. L. Waller; Collector, E. C. Cockrill; County Treasurer, J. F. Flannery; Assessor, J. H. Nash; Coroner, Jos. F. Coons; Surveyor, W. V. Slone; Public Administrator, W. C. Wells; School Commissioner, W. A. Bowen.
BUSINESS MEN.
At Platte City: Attorneys-Anderson, Carmack, Forman. Norton, Paxton, Pitt. Wells, Woodson. Wilson.
Physicians-Baldwin, Coffey. Guthrie. Hollingsworth. Kemper, McDonald, Smith.
Merchants, etc .- Burnes, Chinn, Clemings, Colman, Dearing. Ellifrit, Hatton, Hulett, Jenkins, Kiefer, Krause, Kurtz (post- master), Lutes, Mason, Meads, Morin, Recht, Swain, Thomas, Wheeland, Wills, Young, Zarn.
Lodges-No. 504, N. B. Anderson, W. M .; Nebraska, No. 12. J. L. Carmack, N. G.
Newspapers-The Adrocate, J. M. Cockrill editor; the Land- mark. Park & McCluer editors.
Schools-Daughters' College, F. G. Gaylord president ; pub- lic school, Prof. Crafton principal.
Bank-Exchange Bank of Wells & Co.
Preachers-G. W. Everett (Bap.), N. E. Mckeever (Chris.), R. W. Howerton (M. E.), T. R. Valliant (Epis.), E. M. Palmer (Pres.).
Superintendents of Sunday-schools-E. C. Cockrill (Chris.). E. C. Ohlhausen (M. E.). W. V. Slone (Bap.), J. R. Swain (Pres.). Fair-W. Chesnut president. A. L. Smith secretary.
At Weston: Coburn, Guthrie. Bonifant, Martin, Maxwell. Shortridge.
Merchants, etc .- Baker, Bell. Bowman, Briggs. Doppler. Evans, Frank. Holliday, Hamm. Hartman, How, Ilkenhans, Jacquemin, Keller, Kenney, Kurtz. Magers, McConnell. Mauch. Moore, Mundy, Newhouse, Noll. Noble, Ohlhausen, Price (post- master), Raileys, Reed, Ringo, Schenkner, Schmidt. Schindler. Siler, Thorn.
Mayor, J. A. Price; marshal, Canfield.
Preacher-M. B. Chapman (M. E.).
Bank-Railey & Bro.
1881, JAN.
718
BUSINESS MEN.
At Parkville: Ashby, Brightwell, Bueneman (postmaster), Campbell, Coffey, Fulton, Flannery, Haynes, Holt, Howe, Kahm, Laughlin, Linn, Luthy, McDonald, Kincheloe, Mitchell, Moore, Nash, Pack, Reading, Ringo, Summers, Threlkeld, Wood.
Bank-J. B. Flannery cashier.
College-J. A. McAfee president.
Preachers-R. F. Beavers (M. E.).
At Camden Point: Duncan, Ewing (postmaster), Herndon, Moore, Purdy, Stone, Stallard, Tanner, Wood.
At East Leavenworth: Banning.
At Edgerton: Beery, Doke, Handley, Horn, Hopkins, John- ston. De Armond. Jones, Moody, Morrison, Manning, Shafer, Smith. Wade, Worth.
At Farley: Brasfield, Holt, Meyer (postmaster), Oliver, Spratt, Weisse.
At Hampton: Bledsoe (postmaster).
At Latan: Smith (postmaster).
At Linkville: T. J. Slaughter (postmaster).
At New Market: Bryant (postmaster), Gregg, Johnson, Leavel. Lowe, Martin, Middleton, Sampson.
At Ridgely: Chrisman (postmaster), Fitzgerald, Cockrael, Robinson.
At Settle: J. J. Blakley.
At Tracy: Baker, Chinn, Davis, Esmond, Hamm, Ryan.
At Waldron: Baker, Hawkins, Heath, McCormick, Pettillo,
Simpson (postmaster). Sutherland. Waldrons.
JANUARY.
Jan. 1-W. M. Paxton issued his first volume of poems, 135 pages, entitled "A Century Hence and Other Poems." He dis- tributed gratuitously the whole edition of 600 volumes.
Railey & Bros.' deposits, $140,949.94.
Revival at Parkville; 85 additions to the Presbyterian Church.
Large quantities of apples were frozen last fall on the trees, and are still hanging on.
NELSON J. ALEXANDER.
Nelson J. Alexander having died, December 8, 1880, his widow administers. He was born in Milledgeville, Ga., Feb- ruary 29, 1812; married January 3, 1841, Lucy A. Vaughn, daugh- ter of Thomas, of Liberty, Mo. She was born in that place Jan- mary 3. 1822. She still lives at the old homestead near Iatan, a hale, handsome, and kind-hearted lady. Mr. Alexander came west in 1837. and located near Iatan. He was engaged in various enterprises, at one time a merchant. at another a speculator in hemp and other produce, or dealing in cattle, or trading on the plains. He ran the Union Mills for some years, and in old age and reduced fortune. he retired to his farm and died. He was
THE ALEXANDERS.
719
1881, JAN.
highly esteemed for his intelligence, enterprise, mercantile pro- bity, handsome person, urbane manners, and generous disposi- tion. Children:
I. SAMUEL ALEXANDER, b. Oct. 8, 1841; m'd Sept. 25, 1864, Ada McAdow. (See.) They separated, and he died May 28, 1890. Ch:
1. William Alexander. 2. Nellie, m'd S. Fowler.
II. GEO. W. ALEXANDER, b. Oct. 25, 1846. He is single and lives with his mother, a genial and intelligent gentleman.
III. THEO. W. ALEXANDER, b. in 1852; lives in Gentry County; m'd Kate Lankford. Ch.
1. Alma. 2. Claude. 3. Tella.
IV. LUCY A. ALEXANDER, b. March 2, 1854; m'd Sept. 27, 1874. G. W. Roper. They live at Rich Hill, Mo.
V. WILLIAM ALEXANDER, b. Dec. 4, 1856; m'd Dec 1. 1878, Florence Willet ; 2 children.
VI. CHAS. N. ALEXANDER, b. June 2, 1860; single. Lives in California.
Jan. 4-Temperature 20 degrees below zero.
Jan. 6-Democratic ratification meeting at Weston. Allen, Crisp. Fenlon, Park, and Pitt spoke.
Very dry; hauling water.
Jan. 7-Theo. Tilton lectured at Weston.
Jan. 9-Temperature 12 degrees below zero.
Samuel D. Brady becomes partner in the grocers' house in Platte City, of W. R. Wills.
MAJOR JAMES COCHRAN.
Jan. 12-Major James Cochran died near Stewartsville, and was buried at Weston. He was born in 1791; was dep- uty marshal for Missouri and Kansas, warden of the Missouri penitentiary, tobacco inspector of Missouri, packed beef and pork at Weston and St. Joseph, was inspector of provisions at Leavenworth during the Mexican War, etc. Ch:
I. MARY J. COCHRAN, m'd June 30, 1846, Judge Samuel L. Hays, judge of our county court in 1858, and voted against the Parkville & G. R. Railroad bonds. He kept the hotel at the east end of Platte City for some years.
II. HENRY M. COCHRAN, m'd Feb. 19, 1861, Martha J. Guth- rie. He was a merchant and postmaster at Platte City at the breaking out of the war, and was burned out Dec. 17. 1861.
William Morin moves into his new house on Lot 1. Block 26. Platte City.
THOMAS C. DOOLEY.
Jan. 14-Thomas C. Dooley died at Parkville. J. B. Flan- nery administered. Bond, $14,000. He married Hannah Davis. The house of Dooley & Davis did a thriving business in Park-
T. C. DOOLEY
720
1881, JAN.
ville, and both partners were highly esteemed. (See T. W. Davis.) Ch:
I. ADA M. DOOLEY, m'd May 29, 1873, Samuel E. Staggs (ii). (See.)
II. THOMAS C. DOOLEY.
III. MARY H. DOOLEY, m'd R. H. Goulding.
MRS. SUSAN M. MERRYMAN.
Jan. 16-Mrs. Susan M. Merryman died at St. Louis, and was buried at Platte City. She was born in Kentucky, July 10. 1803. and came West in 1856. Her only child was:
I. JOSEPH E. MERRYMAN, b. in Kentucky about 1825, and married there. His wife died, leaving:
1. John Frank Merryman, b. about 1853, who was brought when a child, in 1856, by his father to Platte City, where he grew up to manhood, receiving a finished education. He was licensed as an attor- ney April 11, 1874. After practicing for one year in Platte City, in partnership with J. F. Pitt, he re- moved to St. Louis. There he married a daughter of Hon. Chas. P. Johnson, and is now in partnership with his father, forming one of the most noted law firms in the West. Frank has served in the State Legislature, and has filled many positions of honor and trust.
Mr. Joseph E. Merryman came West in the spring of 1856. and formed a law partnership with Hon. Jasmes G. Spratt, and the firm was prosperous in business. Judge Spratt entered the Southern service in 1861, and in 1862 Mr. Merryman and I formed a partnership in the practice of law at Platte City, which continued for ten years. We did well, and engaged in the banking business, starting the Farmers' Savings Association in August, 1866. We sold out in 1870, and in July of that year started the bank- ing house of Merryman, Paxton & Cockrill. This bank we sold in July, 1873, to Cockrill & Co. During these years we also applied ourselves to our law practice with dili- gence and success. When we dissolved, in 1873, our prac- tice was wide and profitable, and Mr. Merryman removed to St. Louis, where he yet lives. As a practitioner he has scarcely an equal in the State. He is more fruitful in re- sources, and more ready in their application, than any other lawyer I ever met. He could give from memory the date, volume, and page of almost every decision of im- portance in our State Reports. Even in the most desper- ate cases, he would find some way of defeating his ad- versary. Before a jury he was powerful. in cross-exam- ination of a witness he was ready, and in his pleadings he committed no blunders.
J. E. MERRYMAN.
721
1881, JAN.
Mr. Merryman married, second, March 15, 1858, Eliza- beth Hunt. (See.) She died June 13, 1866, leaving:
2. David Merryman.
Mr. Merryman married, third, Sept. 28, 1866, Mrs. Annie T. Earickson, widow of Dr. J. P. Earickson, and daughter of Robert Todd. (See.) She died June 13, 1873, leaving: 3. Robert Merrymon. 4. Todd. 5. Joseph. They live with their father in St. Louis.
Mr. Merryman married, fourth, March 18, 1885, Mrs. Mary J. Croppe, from whom he parted; no children.
Jan. 17-Moses Broadhurst died near Parkville, Mo; he was born December 4, 1832.
MRS. MARY FARRA.
Jan. 26-Mrs. Mary Farra died; she was the widow of John R. Farra. Their children:
I. ELIZABETH FARRA, m'd John Arnold, who possessed 320 acres of fine land five miles north of Platte City. They removed to St. Joseph, where Mr. Arnold died a few years ago, and as he left no children, his land was sold for par- tition among his collateral kindred, numbering a hundred. II. LUCY FARRA, m'd A. H. Crowder. He was a merchant of Weston, and removed to Texas.
III. MARGARET FARRA, m'd Benj. P. Shouse, b. in Woodford County, Ky., in 1813; d. in Caldwell County, Mo., Feb. 14, 1888. His parents were Daniel Shouse and Mary Rice. They came to Platte in 1844. In his declining years he became involved, and had to surrender his splendid farm for debt. He removed to Caldwell County, where he died. Children:
1. John S. Shouse, b. in 1837; m'd Feb. 21, 1965, Leah T. Bonnell, dr. of William. Ch: [] Thomas, m'd Maggie A. Styne. (See.)
2. Mollie C. Shouse, m'd Nov. 3, 1859, Charles F. Bon- nell, son of William; they have 13 children.
3. Ben. F. Shouse, b. July 29, 1843, in Woodford County, Ky .; m'd Nov. 8, 1866, Reb Clay (see), b. Jan. 26, 1845, dr. of William. Mr. Shouse served four years in the Southern army. He is a genial, hearty, Christian gentleman and is highly esteemed. His sketch has been given.
4. James M. Shouse, b. in 1845; m'd Harriet Lamar; 7 children.
5. Zach. Taylor Shouse, b. March 10, 1847; m'd 1st. Susan Herndon, dr. of Frazier. She died, leaving: [@] Frazier. Z. T. then m'd 2d, Joie Dodson, dr. of James. They live in Caldwell.
6. Sarah E. Shouse, b. in 1849; m'd Feb. 20, 1868, Jos. T. Herndon, son of Frazier; 5 children.
46-
THE FARRAS.
722
1881, JAN.
7. William Shouse, b. in 1851; m'd Martha Duty; 4 chil- dren. Live in Kansas.
8. Daniel P. Shouse, m'd Dec. 28, 1880, Mary Bonnell, dr. of William; 3 children.
9. Laura Shouse, m'd John Weidmire. Live in Caldwell. 10. Emma Shouse, md George Weidmire; 2 children. Live in Caldwell.
11. Edward P. Shouse, m'd Jennie Ross.
IV. SAMUEL FARRA, m'd Clarissa Alexander. Live in Jef- ferson County, Kan.
V. ELIZA J. FARRA, m'd Feb. 25, 1847, John H. Wilhite, b. Feb. 13, 1823; d. Oct. 13, 1892, son of Eliezer. (See.) Mr. Wil- hite lived four miles north of Platte City until his removal to Kansas in 1870. While he lived here he was a prom- inent citizen. He was deputy collector for several years. He was the president of the Weston and Platte City Turnpike Company, and the failure of that enterprise was no fault of his. He staked all upon it, and lost.
VI. DAVID R. FARRA, m'd Feb. 3, 1852, Mary M. Keller. They went to Oregon, where he died, leaving chlidren.
VII. RICE FARRA, m'd Martha J. McClelland. Ch:
1. Richard M. Farra, m'd Elizabeth Dean, dr. of Frank Dean. (See.)
2. Geo. R. Farra, m'd Anna Hamilton, and went to Oregon.
3. John Farra, m'd Mary Williams, dr. of W. W. (Bud). Jan. 27-A good rain after a drouth.
FEBRUARY.
Feb. 1-W. H. Hunt takes the Swain House in Platte City, and Swain removes to the Wm. Loan farm, one mile east of Platte City.
Dr. Edward McDonald lectures at Platte City on "Art."
Feb. 4-Margaret Sturgiss, widow of Thomas Sturgiss, died near Edgerton. Her maiden name was Margaret Boyd. She was born in Chester County, Pa., Sept. 1, 1797. She married Thomas Sturgiss, who died March 20, 1849. Their children were: 1. James; 2, John; 3, Kennedy; 4, Samuel; 5, Margaret; 6, Annie; 7. Jane Sturgiss. The family left Pennsylvania in 1851 for Ad- ams County, Ill. The only child we are interested in is:
I. JAMES STURGISS,
Who was born in Pennsylvania, January 9, 1825; married, in Illinois, Elizabeth Tuttle; came to Platte in 1868, and while farm- ing worked at the carpenter trade. His father left him $1,000, which, with the fruits of his industry, was invested in land. In 1882 he rented out his land and removed into Edgerton. Here
1881, FEB.
723
W. H. THOMAS.
he engaged in the furniture trade, which he still pursues. He is a Methodist, full of good works, and a sturdy Prohibitionist from principle and conscience. Their only child is:
I. GEORGE STURGISS, now a partner of his father in the furniture business. He was born in Illinois, June 5, 1864; m'd April 7, 1888, Lucy Dodson.
Feb. 4-Platte River overflows, bringing down vast quan- tities of heavy ice, which lodged on low bottoms, and in some places was not melted in time to cultivate the land. Wheeland lost a large lot of wheat, which was overflowed in the Platte City Mills.
The Landmark and the Advocate consolidate, taking the name of the former. Park retires, after fifteen years of editorial labor; and Valliant and Cockrill edit the paper, with James L. McCluer as silent partner.
Feb. 10-W. A. Singleton sells his farm adjacent to New Market to T. Benton Gabbert, for $14,000.
Feb. 13-A heavy snow obstructs county roads and railroads, by drifting. On the 14th a sleet broke down trees and winter. killed fruit. On the 16th there was another snow, and then it turned intensely cold.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Presbytery met at Barry.
ELDER WILLIAM H. THOMAS.
Feb. 24-Elder William H. Thomas died at his home near Camden Point. He was born in Hardin County, Ky., June 6. 1806. His father, Thomas Thomas, son of Thomas, was born in Maryland in 1778; married Ann Noll, born in Kentucky in 1784. Ch: 1. Winneford Thomas, m'd a Noll in Hardin County, Ky .; 2. W. H. Thomas, will be noticed; 3, Nancy D., single; 4, Eliza- beth, m'd a Peck; 5, Lucy; 6, Martin, m'd a Patterson; 7. Susan, m'd a Rogers; 8, Dr. Thomas L., will be noticed; 9, Owen R. Thomas, prosecuting attorney of Hardin County, Ky .; 10, David T. Thomas, will be noticed.
Three of the above demand attention.
I. WILLIAM H. THOMAS,
Was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, June 6, 1806; died in Platte February 24, 1881. He received a classical education, and was well prepared for the ministry. He adopted the Baptist faith, and from a thorough investigation of the Bible and exten- sive reading of theology, he became a confirmed Calvinist. He was a man of sound judgment and discriminating thought. As a logician he had no superior in the county. His business qualifications crowned all his enterprises with success. Whether engaged in merchandising, farming, or preaching, he was prac- tical, earnest, and successful. His preaching was perhaps too critical, exact, and learned for the common hearer. I knew him well, and enjoyed his confidence. With many the stiffness and
THOMAS FAMILY.
724
1881, FEB.
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formality of his address detracted from his usefulness. Among his acquaintances his truth was never doubted, and his judg- ment settled all controversies. He married, in Kentucky, Nancy Wills, who survived him, and died in St. Joseph October 28, 1894. She was a lovely woman, and much admired for her purity of thought, word, and deed and for her Christian graces. Ch:
I. LAURA THOMAS, m'd Feb. 1, 1854, Erastus C. Bywaters (see), son of John C. She died, leaving :
1. Thomas Bywaters, i'd Ada George, dr. of W. P. Erastus m'd 2d, June 3, 1858, Mollie E. Reed, dr. of Alex. Reed. They live at Great Falls, and have sev- eral children.
II. ANN ELIZA THOMAS, m'd April 6, 1855, Junius Octavius Bywaters, b. Jan. 26, 1831; died May 16, 1872. Mrs. By- waters still lives and is a handsome and accomplished lady. Ch:
1. Laura F. Bywaters, b. in Feb., 1859; m'd Oct. 16, 1878. Temple B. Anderson, b. April 20, 1855. She died in Jan., 1893, leaving: [@] Willie B., b. July 8, 1879. 2. Lula Bywaters, b. in Jan., 1862; m'd John Ranson, and died.
3. Mary Bywaters, b. April 17, 1864; m'd Dudley Cravens, of Camden Point. Ch: [@] Archie; [] Dudley Cravens (ii).
4. Eudora Bywaters, b. in Oct., 1866; m'd June 22, 1887, R. C. Rogers.
III. SARAH THOMAS, dead; m'd Dec. 11, 1860, John W. By- waters. Ch:
1. Eleanor Bywaters, m'd Dec. 7, 1880, Chas. Stone.
2. Nannie Bywaters, m'd Dec. 27, 1882, Clay Davidson, son of Noah. Ch: [@] Glen (girl); [] Harry; [c] Guy; [d] a babe.
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