USA > Missouri > Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference, Vol. II > Part 32
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was elected a member of the Supreme Court, and after occupying that position for ten years removed to Kansas City, and was shortly after made circuit judge, and still holds that position. He is distinguished for his strong and quick judgment, absolute im- partiality, integrity and judicial independ- ence. Richard H. Field, a native of Georgia, was appointed, in 1888, to fill the vacancy caused by the promotion of Turner A. Gill to the Kansas City Court of Appeals. In 1892, Edward L. Scarritt was elected to fill his place. Judge Scarritt was born in Jack- son County. While on the bench he was in- dustrious and showed himself possessed of a clear and accurate judgment. In 1894, Charles L. Dobson was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Gibson, who resigned to engage in the prac- tice of law, and was afterward re-elected to the position for the unexpired term. Judge Dobson declined re-election in order to re- sume the practice of the law, although it was the earnest wish of his associates on the bench, and the members of the Jackson County bar, that he should continue in that position. Edward P. Gates, a native of Ver- mont, but who has resided in Jackson County from early manhood, and who suc- ceeded Judge Dobson, is a very industrious judge. When Judge Scarritt's term of office expired he declined re-election, and Judge Gibson consented to take his place, and is still acting as circuit judge.
In May, 1879, the United States District and Circuit Courts for the Western District of Missouri were established the first time in Kansas City. Arnold Kreckel was United States district judge for the Western Divi- sion of Missouri. He was a man of much sincerity and honesty of purpose, but dis- qualified from capably and impartially per- forming the important work which his posi- tion put upon him. Judge Kreckel died in June, 1888, when he was succeeded by John Finis Philips. Judge Philips still occupies that position. Samuel F. Miller, justice of the Supreme Court of. the United States, during the latter part of his life, came to Kansas City on several occasions and sat as circuit judge. George W. McCrary, United States circuit judge for the Eighth Circuit, has also frequently held court here, as have also David J. Brewer, H. C. Caldwell and
Anos Thayer. The great ability of these men needs no comment at my hand.
I review with pride the history of the ad- ministration of justice in Jackson County from its early beginnings in the log cabin in the woods at Independence to the present time. Nothwithstanding the method of judi- cial selection has been unwise, many of the judges selected have been unusually strong and forceful men. They have been worthy of the high trust committed to them. For the most part the judges chosen have been capable and impartial; they have rarely yielded to popular clamor, or been controlled by sinister purposes or selfish ambitions. Two of them, Sawyer and Black, would have won great distinction in Westminster Hall. We have had many judges who have not only been well educated lawyers, but well edu- cated men : men of much intellectual breadth and great natural attainments, and who, like Hicks, devoted themselves to the law solely for the law's sake. They have been aided and supported from the beginning by a bar which gathered in here from every section of the country, many of whom, from an early pe- riod, were men of unusual ability. Chrisman, Douglas, Comingo, Gage, Pratt, Tichenor, Warner, Brumback, Karnes, Ladd, Lathrop, Wallace, and others among the older mem- bers of the bar, could have achieved fame in any forum. With such judges and such law- yers, the administration of the law has been honored.
O. H. DEAN.
Courtney, Caldwell C., State agent of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey, was born June 24, 1852, in Richmond, Virginia. His father was a native of Virginia, and his mother of Mary- land. The maternal ancestry is traced back to the Revolutionary days, his mother's father having been a soldier in the cause of the struggling colonies, his death resulting from exposure' while on duty in service against the crown. C. C. Courtney, after at- tending the private schools of his native State, graduated from Richmond College in 1870. During the following eight years he was associated with his father and brother in the dry goods business in Richmond, Virginia. In 1878 he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, and for four years was engaged in the dry goods business, going there in response to
C Courtney.
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a telegram from the firm of Bullene, Moore & Emery, on a stated salary, before having had a personal interview. At the end of that time he became associated with the Midland National Bank of Kansas City, leaving the bank to become a member of the firm of Whipple, Courtney & Co. His associates in this company were B. T. and A. A. Whipple, two of the prominent real estate men of Kan- sas City. Mr. Courtney had charge of the insurance department of the business, and so continued until 1888, when he turned his at- tention toward life insurance. For three years he was district manager for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, leav- ing that company, in 1892, to accept the State agency of the corporation named at the head of this sketch. His territory in- cludes Jackson County, Missouri, the entire State of Kansas, and the territory of Okla- homa. Under his supervision the business has been trebled in that section of the coun- try, and his superior qualifications and abil- ity in his chosen line have been tested in a way that is highly complimentary to him. About thirty men are operating under his direction. Mr. Courtney has twice been president of the Kansas City Life Under- writers' Association, was one of the organiz- ers and promoters of that organization, and is now serving as a member of the board of directors. He was also one of the organizers of the Life Underwriters' Association of the State of Kansas. He is a Scottish Rite Ma- son, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. Mrs. . Courtney was Miss Flora S. Dougherty, daughter of Captain L .. B. Dougherty, one of the most prominent residents of Clay County, Missouri, and a man conspicuous in the public affairs of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Courtney reside in Liberty, Missouri, where their daughter, Leah Bell, a young woman of highi accomplishments, graduated from Liberty Ladies' College in the summer of 1900. She is now a student at the Southern Home School, Baltimore, Maryland. Politi- cally Mr. Courtney is a Democrat.
Cousin, Bartholomew, pioneer, was born in Greville, near Cherbourg, France, March 28, 1767, and died in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, in 1824. He was the son of a farmer, and in 1791 went to the West Indies, and a few years later arrived at Cape Girardeau. He was a man of education and
noted as a linguist. For a number of years he prepared the greater number of legal doc- uments for the settlers at Cape Girardeau, and by them was held in high esteem. He was employed by Don Louis Lorimier as in- terpreter, and was appointed notary, which position he held until the territory was ac- quired by the United States, after which he was, until the time of his death, surveyor of Cape Girardeau district. For his services the Spanish government made him a large grant of land, which subsequently was the cause of much litigation.
Cover, Joseph E., banker, was born April 28, 1866, at Marion, in Williamson County, Illinois, son of Samuel and Eunice (Gorham) Cover. During the Civil War the elder Cover served as first lieutenant and regimental quartermaster in the Ninth Illi- nois Regiment of Mounted Volunteer In- fantry, and was with General Sherman on his famous march to the sea. During the early years of his boyhood, Joseph E. Cover lived at Carbondale, Murphysboro, and Grand Tower, Illinois, and was educated in the pub- lic schools at Carbondale and Grand Tower. When he was fifteen years of age he began learning telegraphy in the railroad office at Vienna, Illinois, and later became a proficient operator. In 1882 he came to Missouri and secured the position of clerk and timekeeper at the works of the Crystal Plate Glass Com- pany, at Crystal City. He filled various posi- tions with this company and its successor, the Pittsburg Plate Glass Company, his connec- tion with the last named corporation contin- uing until July of 1899. At that time he re- signed his position to organize the Miners' and Merchants' Bank of Flat River, at Flat River, Missouri. He became cashier of this banking house, and still retains that position, having proven himself a capable financier and bank manager. He has always given close attention to business affairs, has never sought office, and has never held any office other than that of clerk of the Crystal City School Board, a position which he filled for several years. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party, and he is a mem- ber of the Christian Church. Since 1890 he has been a member of Shekinah Lodge, No. 256, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Festus, Missouri, and at the present time (1900) he is a member of the board of trus-
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tees of that lodge. In 1899 he became a member of the order of Modern Woodmen of America. October 12, 1887, Mr. Cover married Carrie A. Swink, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Swink, who reside on a farm near the city of Festus. Mrs. Cover was born in Red Bluff, California, and returned to Missouri with her parents about the year 1872. Her father and mother went to Cali- fornia about 1852, and were among the early settlers who went from the Eastern States to the Pacific Coast. Mr. and Mrs. Cover have two children, Bessie and May Cover.
Cowgill .- An incorporated village in Caldwell County, twelve miles southeast of Kingston, the county seat. It was founded in 1857. It has Baptist, Christian, Presbyte- rian and Methodist Episcopal Churches, a bank, creamery, gristmill, a Republican newspaper, the "Chief," and about twenty- five miscellaneous stores and shops. Exten- sive stone quarries are near by. Population, 1899 (estimated), 550.
Cowherd, William Strother, lawyer and Congressman, was born in Jackson County, Missouri, September 1, 1860, and, after attending the public school at Lee's Summit, went to the State University, at Co- lumbia, and graduated in 1881. He studied law and practiced in Kansas City, where he held, successively, the positions of assisting prosecuting attorney of Kansas City, prose- cuting attorney of Jackson County, and first assistant counselor of the city. He was also elected to the State Senate, and re-elected to that body. In 1892 he was elected mayor of Kansas City and served a term of two years. In 1896 he was elected to Congress as a Democrat, indorsed by the Populists, from the Fifth District, by a vote of 25,966 to 21,- 306 for J. H. Neff, Republican. In 1898 he was re-elected.
Cox, James, was born in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, England, in January, 1851. He was educated in a private school and subse- quently graduated at Oxford with honors in history and jurisprudence. Connecting him- self with the London press, he served as war correspondent with the British Army in the three campaigns in Africa, and for several years was one of the stenographic reporters in the House of Commons gallery. He was
invalided while accompanying the English Army in its attempt to rescue General Gor- don at Khartoum, and, on partially recover- ing, came to America. His first newspaper work in this country was on the St. Louis "Globe-Democrat," commencing as reporter and being promoted until he became night editor. In the spring of 1887 he located in Kansas, and for eighteen months roughed it in various small towns. He then returned to his desk on the "Globe-Democrat," but in 1889 he resigned in consequence of ill health and became connected with the evening press. Early in 1891 Mr. Cox was appointed managing editor of the "Star-Sayings," and in September of that year accepted the sec- retaryship of the Bureau of Information of the Autumnal Festivities Association. When, in 1894, that organization was merged into the Business Men's League, Mr. Cox was ap- pointed its secretary, a position he still holds. Mr. Cox has been a prolific writer, and has contributed an immense quantity of articles to magazines and newspapers on the city of St. Louis and its advantages. His first more ambitious effort was entitled "A Romance of the Medway," published in 1875. "From Dongola to Khartoum" was his next book, written in 1885. More recent efforts include "St. Louis Through a Camera," "Old and New St. Louis," "Missouri at the World's Fair," "Imperial Missouri," "A History of the Cattle Trade of Texas and the South- west," "Our Own Country," "My Native Land" and "Cuba, Our Sister Republic." Some of these works have enjoyed an exten- sive sale, and out of the proceeds their au- thor has been able to purchase considerable property in the west end. Mr. Cox was mar- ried, in 1885, to Miss Annie Jackson, daugh- ter of the manager of Lord Howe's extensive estates in Leicestershire, England. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have one son, Raymond Jackson, born May 4, 1891. Politically Mr. Cox is a Republican. He was a member of the ad- vanced radical Republican party in England, under Sir Charles Dilke's leadership twenty years ago, and was then, as now, opposed to the monarchical form of government. Al- though not an aggressive politician, he has served on several delegations, both city and State.
Cox, John C., founder of the city of Joplin, was born in Burke County, North
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Carolina, September 6, 1811. When he was eight years of age his parents removed to Tennessee, where he was reared upon a farm and educated in the common schools. In his young manhood he served as deputy un- der his father, who was elected sheriff. In 1836 he removed to Missouri and entered land in Ray County, but soon sold out and returned to Tennessee. In 1838 he came back and entered land now contained within the corporate limits of Joplin. In 1863 his improvements were destroyed by a maraud- ing band, and he moved to Neosho, where he remained until peace was restored. July 28, 1871, he platted the town of Joplin, upon his own land, whereon lead had been pre- viously found. He served as justice of the peace, as county surveyor, and as associate justice of the county court. His death oc- curred about 1890.
Cox, Wiley O., banker, was born April 30, 1848, in Tippah County, Mississippi, but has been a citizen of Missouri since 1868, and was married in the latter State to Miss Emma C. Boxley, of Springfield, Missouri. His father was a native of Tennessee, and his mother of Kentucky. The former died when Mr. Cox was about seven years old and he was left to the care of a relative greatly be- loved by him, an uncle, Colonel Hugh A. Reynolds, a native of Mississippi, and a man of prominence before the Civil War. Colonel Reynolds was a private in the Honorable Jef- ferson Davis' regiment in the Mexican War. When the struggle between the North and South developed into actual hostilities he went to the field as lieutenant of a company of the Thirtieth Mississippi Infantry. This regiment was assigned to Walthall's brigade of the Army of the Tennessee, and performed gallant service at Shiloh, Perryville, Mur- freesboro and other historic spots where heroes fought and fell. The record of activ- ity and participation in the realities of war made by this regiment was fully shared by Lieutenant Reynolds, who rose by brave and meritorious conduct to the rank of lieutenant colonel. During the first day's battle at Chickamauga, September 19, 1863, he was intrusted by General Walthall with the man- agement of the left wing of the brigade, and on the following day was assigned to com- mand the Thirty-fourth Mississippi Regi- ment. In the performance of this duty he
fell, mortally wounded, while leading his regiment in a charge on a stockade situated in a dense undergrowth and defended by the troops of General George H. Thomas. Said General Walthall in his report: "No braver man or better soldier fell upon the field of Chickamauga than this faithful and accom- plished officer, whose loss is deeply deplored throughout this command. In his death the service sustains a heavy loss." And in a let- ter addressed to Mr. Cox, the subject of this sketch, General (and, at the time of writing, United States Senator) Walthall, on Decem- ber 12, 1889, used these words as a tribute to the memory of the honored man of whom the sentiments were so tenderly expressed: "I have received yours of the 9th inst., and am glad to know that there is a prospect of me meeting you. Your uncle, Colonel Rey- nolds, I held in the highest esteem, and when he was wounded I went to him on the field and had a word with him before he was borne off. I will be very glad to talk with you about him. He was a splendid man and one of the best officers in the Confederate Army." Thomas Haley Cox, a brother of Wiley O., was born in Mississippi in 1844, enlisted in the Confederate service in the Twenty-eighth Mississippi Cavalry, and served to the end of the war. He is now a resident of Springfield, Missouri. A brother- in-law of the Coxs', who married their only sister, Edward D. Bondurant, was also in the Confederate service as a private in Major Forrest's command of scouts. The members of this family, therefore, made a proud record in standing by convictions when fighting and hardships were required. Mr. Cox holds in lasting affection the memory of the stalwart man to whom such high tribute has been paid, Colonel Reynolds. His life and char- acter were an inspiration to the young man. Lacking the protecting care and guidance of a father, these wants were filled from the great heart of Colonel Reynolds, whose ex- ample and habits were emulated by the nephew, with the result that integrity and success have marked the years of his life. The mother of Wiley O. Cox died at her home in Springfield, Missouri, in 1897. Her sons, the subject of these lines, and Thomas H., removed from Mississippi to Springfield, Missouri, in 1868, and there engaged in mer- cantile pursuits in a modest way. In 1872, W. O. Cox entered the First National Bank
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of Springfield as a clerk, after selling his share of the mercantile business to his brother. He held the position in the bank until 1881, when he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, of which place he is still an active, prominent resident. In 1882 he engaged in a general real estate business in Kansas City, Missouri, and in 1884 embarked in a general financial and loan brokerage business. These ventures were successful and financially profitable, and in 1888 Mr. Cox was prepared to enlarge his operations. Accordingly he organized the Kansas City State Bank, an institution which has since prospered abund- antly and which is mentioned at greater length in the history of the banks of Kansas City, in this work. Mr. Cox was made presi- dent of the bank at the time of its organiza- tion and has ever since served in that capac- ity, building a reputation as a conservative, safe and, at the same time, progressive financier. His investments were given a new channel in 1896, when he purchased the "Kansas City Times." This newspaper was conducted with dignity during his owner- ship, and became one of the strongest publi- cations devoted to the interests of the Dem- ocratic party. The "Times" was sold by him in 1899. Mr. Cox is a member of the Com- mercial Club of Kansas City, and has been prominently identified with every movement having for its purpose the advancement of the city's best interests. An advocate of wholesome public improvements, a friend of charitable institutions and a believer in un- selfish enterprises designed for the benefit of the whole people, his acts and words have won for him a sure place in the affections of the public and the highest regard of all who are familiar with his motives and his accom- plishments.
Crabbs, Franklin D., president of the Union Bank Note Company of Kansas City, was born in 1857, near Dayton, Ohio. His parents were Benjamin F. and Louisa F. (Folkerth) Crabbs, both natives of Ohio, the first named of Maryland, and the last named of New Jersey parentage. Their son, Frank- lin D., was reared upon a farm, and was edu- cated in the public schools, ending with a high school course at Dayton. As a young man, he became a bookkeeper in the office of the United Brethren Publishing Com- pany, in the city named. In 1882 he located
in Kansas City, Missouri, and effected the organization of the Kansas City Bank Note Company, of which he became manager. This was the first establishment west of St. Louis to engage in the business, and to oper- ate a steam lithographing press. The ven- ture was unfortunate and the company failed. In 1887 he organized the Union Bank Note Company and became its president. The cap- ital was $30,000, one-half paid in. At the beginning only lithographic work was exe- cuted, and but fifteen people were employed. The plant now in operation is modern in all respects, and in capacity exceeds immediate requirements. The seventeen presses of va- rious kinds are operated by individual elec- tric motors, driven by power generated on the place. From eighty to one hundred peo- ple are employed. The product includes bank and mercantile stationery, engraved securities, color. lithography and high grade letter-press printing. The house virtually controls the immense local trade, and fills orders from the extreme West, and from the South as far as Mexico. The company has now a capital of $50,000, and a surplus of $15,000. The officers are F. D. Crabbs, president and treasurer; Theodore Bishop, vice president, and A. T. Conwell, secretary. Mr. Crabbs is a director in the Kansas City Life Insurance Company, treasurer of the Kansas City Convention Bureau, and secre- tary of the Big Hickory Mining Company, operating a $10,000 mill at Joplin. He is a member of the Commercial Club, and of the Manufacturers' Association of Kansas City. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and a Noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine. In politics he is a Repub- lican. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Barr, daughter of Colonel A. J. Barr, of Richmond, Missouri, who derives his title from service in the Union Army during the Civil War. Mrs. Crabbs was educated at the Christian College, at Columbia, Missouri. A son has been born of this marriage.
Craig .- A town of about 700 inhabitants in Holt County, on the Kansas City, St. Jo- seph & Council Bluffs Railroad. It was laid out in 1868 by R. W. Frame, C. Schultz and S. Ensworth, and named after General James Craig, of St. Joseph. It is a thriving busi- ness point, and has seven stores, the Farm- ers' & Merchants' Bank, capital and surplus
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$25,790; deposits, $28,940; and the Heaton Bank, capital and deposits, $6,200; deposits, $14,000; a Methodist, a Presbyterian and a Christian Church; a lodge of Masons, a lodge of Odd Fellows, and a lodge of the An- cient Order of United Workmen.
Craig, James, lawyer, soldier and Con- gressman, was born February 26, 1817, in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and died at his home in St. Joseph, Missouri, October 21, 1888. When he was three years of age his parents removed to Mansfield, Ohio, and he obtained the rudiments of an education at Millersburg, in that State. When he was only eight years old he was taken from school and apprenticed to the merchandising business in a general store at Millersburg. He was thus employed until he was twenty- one years of age, but in the meantime, by a process of self-education, fitted himself for the bar. He was admitted to practice in 1839 and began his professional career at New Philadelphia, the county seat of Tus- carawas County, Ohio. While there he was married to Miss Helen M. Pfouts, and soon after his marriage he came to Missouri and opened a law office in Oregon, the county seat of Holt County. He was able, courte- ous and genial and soon became exceedingly popular among the people who then resided in that portion of the State. His practice extended throughout the entire judicial dis- trict, which then embraced the greater por- tion of northwest Missouri. Fluent in speech, a rare wit, and a lover of fun and frolic, he made the acquaintance of every- body, and everybody liked him. After he had resided in Holt County two years he was elected to the Legislature, in which body he gained prominence and made the acquaint- ance of most of the leading men of the State. At the close of his term in the Legislature, the breaking out of the Mexican War aroused the patriotic sentiment of the people of Missouri, and his chivalrous nature caused him to at once raise a company and tender its services to the government. He reached Jefferson City a few hours too late to have his company accepted as a part of General Doniphan's command, but was in service until 1848, keeping the Indians of the North- west in check. He resumed the practice of his profession after being mustered out of the military service, but soon joined the
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