USA > Missouri > Cass County > History of Cass County, Missouri > Part 34
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Mrs. Edward MePherson, who bore the maiden name of Keeney, is a member of one of the prominent pioneer families of Cass County. She is a daughter of Thomas and Lou Ann (Wade) Keeney, the former a native of Tennessee, and the latter of Kentucky. Mrs. McPherson was the only child born to her parents.
Thomas Keeney, the father, came to Missouri from his native state with his parents who settled in Jackson County when he was four years old. In 1844, he homesteaded two hundred acres in Cass County and was a successful farmer and stock raiser. In 1855, his wife died and in 1864 he went to live with his daughter, Mrs. McPherson, in Belton. Here he spent the sunset of his life and passed to his reward in 1900. He was truly a Cass County pioneer. When he settled here there were but few houses between Kansas City and where Belton now stands. He was an industrious and thrifty man and possessed many other estimable qualities besides those that led to the accumulation of wealth. He was devoted to his home and his family as well as to his work.
Mrs. McPherson relates many incidents concerning the early history of this section. She lived in Kansas City, Missouri, or where Kansas City now stands, when there were only three houses there. She recalls when they used to go to Dallas & Watts' mill on Indian Creek, and the early set-
THOMAS KEENEY.
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tlers came from miles around with ox teams to have their grain ground there. The schools were all conducted on the "subscription" basis and Mrs. McPherson recalls her first teacher as being a Mr. McCall. . She attended school at High Blue school house and three of her children attended that same school: She says the early settlers seemed to enjoy themselves at their parties and early day gatherings more than people do nowadays, which was probably due to the fact that the senseless effort to create an American social caste was not yet felt on the free and open plains of the frontier in those days. Preaching was generally held in the school houses and later the Christian denomination organized and built a church at High Blue which was followed by a similar move on the part of the Presbyterians. Both of these buildings were later moved to Belton when that settlement began to assume the dignity of a permanent village. As a memento of the recklessness during the strife of war times there is a bullet hole in the kitchen door of the old home place where Mrs. McPherson lived when a girl.
Mrs. McPherson was united in marriage to Edward McPherson in 1871. He was a son of Edward and Angeline McPherson of Santa Fe, Missouri. They were natives of Kentucky and settled in Cass County at an early date and were the parents of two children: Edward, and Mrs. Sadie Bartlett, who now resides in Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. McPherson were childhood friends and after their marriage they lived on the Keeney home- stead. Mr. McPherson was engaged in the coal and feed business at Belton for some years and in 1902 removed to Kansas City, Missouri, and was engaged in that line of business until his death in 1913, and Mrs. McPherson still resides in that city, having a home on Park Street.
To Mr. and Mrs. McPherson were born the following children: Thomas, a druggist, Kennett, Missouri; Lou Ann Louis, Kansas City, Mis- souri ; J. E., grocer, Seattle, Washington; Dr. W. C., veterinary surgeon, New York; Mrs. G. T. Haynes, Omaha, Nebraska; and F. Earl, deceased.
Mrs. McPherson owns the old Keeney homestead in Mt. Pleasant town- ship, which she rents and frequently comes down from her Kansas City home and spends a few days on the old place. She is a woman of broad sympathy and has a host of friends among her old acquaintances and neighbors in Cass County.
Eddie L. Brannock, a prosperous farmer and stock raiser of Big Creek township, is a native of Cass County. He was born in the town- ship where he now resides, June 27, 1869, and is a son of W. A. and (26)
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Elizabeth (Kiser) Brannock. They were very early settlers in Cass County, coming here several years prior to the Civil War.
Eddie L. Brannock was reared on a farm in Big Creek township and educated in the public schools of Big Creek township and Pleasant Hill. He also attended Brannock College, conducted by J. P. Brannock. After leaving school he began life as a farmer on his present place, which he bought of John W. Smith, who entered it from the government. Mr. Brannock has in his possession the patent signed by President Buchanan. He owns two hundred acres of some of the best land in Big Creek town- ship and carries on general farming and stock raising. He specializes in Duroc Jersey hogs, and has made an exceptional success of that branch of stock raising.
Mr. Brannock was married in 1893 to Miss Emma Mills of Big Creek township. She is a daughter of Charles E. Mills, a Confederate veteran and pioneer of Lafayette County, Missouri, who later came to Cass County and was one of the very earliest settlers of Big Creek township. To Mr. and Mrs. Brannock have been born four children, all of whom reside at home, as follows: Mildred Frances, Virginia Alice, Lee Dunlap and Will- iam Ewing.
Mr. Brannock's farm is located six miles west of Pleasant Hill in a very desirable locality. He is well known in the locality where he resides and the Brannock family have a large acquaintance and many friends. Mr. Brannock is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Mrs. Brannock is a member of the Royal Neighbors. The Brannock family are members of Betheny Christian church.
Charles Kircher, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Big Creek township, was born in Germany in 1870. He came to America with his parents when he was eleven years old. He is a son of Karl and Katherine (Eckert) Kircher, both natives of Germany. They were the parents of the following children: Gottlieb, Lowry City, Missouri; Mrs. Rosa Mehrer, Polk township; Charles, the subject of this sketch; Fred, who died at the age of twenty-two; Mrs. Maggie Sulser, lives near Harrison- ville, Missouri; Godfrey, lives on the home place in Pleasant Hill town- ship; Mrs. Lizzie Reed, Camp Branch township; and William, who lives on the home place with his brother, Godfrey.
Karl Kircher immigrated to America with his family in 1881 and settled in Pleasant Hill township, where he bought one hundred forty acres of land at twenty-three dollars per acre. He engaged in farming
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and stock raising and was very successful from the start. He bought more land from time to time until he had accumulated five hundred acres. He divided his land among his children before his death. He passed away at Pleasant Hill, November 3, 1914, and his remains are buried in Staley Mound Cemetery. His wife died February 20, 1917, and is buried at Staley Mound Cemetery.
Charles Kircher attended school in his native land until he was about eleven years old and after coming to Cass County he attended the Plum Grove School, Pleasant Hill township. He began farming on his own account in early life. His father gave him forty acres of land for a start, and he has added to this from time to time until he now owns four hundred eighty acres. Mr. Kircher's farm is one of the well im- proved and valuable places of Cass County. The farm buildings are well arranged and the residence is modern in every particular, equipped with electric lights and water. The place is supplied with all the conveniences usually found in a city residence and the five miles between his place and Pleasant Hill, when measured by the speed of his big eight-cylinder auto- mobile, is only a matter of a few minutes.
Mr. Kircher was married March 14, 1894, to Miss Katie Schmoll, of Pleasant Hill, a daughter of Tobias Schmoll, who located at Gunn City, Missouri, in 1872, and later removed to Pleasant Hill township. Mr. Schmoll was a native of Germany, born in 1841, who came to America in 1866. He was a well-to-do farmer and stockman in Pleasant Hill township, where he died in 1915. His wife bore the maiden name of Johanna Brocker, and she was also a native of Germany. She died in 1896 and her remains are buried by the side of her husband in Staley Mound Cemetery.
Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kircher, as follows: Otto, a teacher in the Wingate schools; Lawrence, who resides at home; Frederick, a student in the Pleasant Hill High School; Lolita, Marie, and Alice, all at home.
The Kirchers are well known in Cass County and prominent in the community where they reside.
R. T. Hedrick, owner and proprietor of the "Plum Grove Stock Farm", is one of the leading farmers and stockmen of Big Creek town- ship. He was born in Fleming County, Kentucky, in 1861, and is a son of William and Nancy Wise (West) Hedrick, both natives of Kentucky. They were the parents of four children, as follows: Walter Bruce, Ama- rillo, Texas ; Mrs. Laura Belle Jones, Excelsior Springs, Missouri; Michael
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Fleming, who was killed while engaged in railroading in Washington ; and R. T., the subject of this sketch.
R. T. Hedrick was reared and educated in Flemingsburg, Kentucky. In 1879 he came to Missouri, locating at Pleasant Hill. He followed railroading for four years after coming here, when he bought a farm in Polk township, near Wingate, which he later sold and bought his present place. He makes a specialty of breeding Shorthorn cattle and registered French draft horses, and has some of the finest stock to be found in Cass County. "Plum Grove Stock Farm" is well adapted to stock raising, and is an ideal stock farm. A branch of Big Creek courses its way through the farm and thus an ample supply of water is at hand. There is a goodly number of elm and oak trees skirting the banks of the stream, which furnishes shade for the stock during the summer scason. The place was well improved when Mr. Hedrick took possession, but he has added many other improvements and modern equipments. He has installed a gasoline power plant which he uses for various pur- poses, such as operating a wood saw, turning lathe, aand emery wheel, and which he also uses to generate electricity for lighting his residence and other buildings about the place. He also has a storage battery and thereby conserves the electricity which can be used for lighting purposes when the engine is not running. His engine is also used for pumping water and he has a complete water system installed in his house and barn. In fact, he has combined the conveniences of city life with the freedom of the country. But, after all, he is not so far from the city when one considers the speed of his big Buick machine.
Mr. Hedrick was married in 1884 to Miss Caroline Celeste Shultz, a daughter of Samuel Edward Shultz, of Pleasant Hill. To Mr. and Mrs. Hedrick have been born two children: John Clarence, a farmer of Pleasant Hill township, married Miss Lizzie Jackson; and Roberta Celeste, living at home.
Lee Berry, one of the leading farmers of Big Creek township, was born in Kentucky in 1864, the son of William Wallace and Mary (Dwelly) Berry, both natives of Kentucky. By a former marriage of the father the following children were born: M. H. Berry, Glendale, California; Mrs. Lou Kemper, Montgomery City, Missouri; Felix G. Berry, Duarte, California; C. E. Berry, Chino, California; W. B. Berry, Los Angeles, California; and Dr. B. F. Berry, Nevada, Missouri.
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William Wallace Berry came to Cass County in 1868 and located on the Hamilton farm, seven miles west of Pleasant Hill. He remained there about four years, when he removed to the John Belcher place. He died in 1885. His wife died two years previously.
Lee Berry has one of the fine farms of Big Creek township. He owns one hundred seventy acres, located about three miles west and one-half mile south of Pleasant Hill. His farm is under a good state of cultiva- tion and well improved, with a good farm residence, large barns and is well fenced. He has made quite a success of alfalfa growing in recent years, and now has twenty acres devoted to that crop.
Mr. Berry was married in 1892 to Miss Lucy E. Smith. She died in 1903. In 1905 Mr. Berry was united in marriage with Miss Bessie V. Smith, a native of Pleasant Hill township, Cass County. Three children have been born to this union, as follows: twins, who died in infancy; and Lee Berry, Jr.
Mr. Berry is a member of the Central Protective Association and is one of the prosperous and progressive citizens of Cass County.
W. H. Poindexter, a prominent farmer and stockman of Big Creek township, belongs to a very early pioneer family of Missouri. He was born in Jackson County, near Lone Jack, in 1847. He is a son of Thomas M. and Mary (Musselman) Poindexter, both natives of Harri- son County, Kentucky. They were the parents of eight children, two of whom are now living: Mrs. Fannie Simons, Georgetown, Kentucky ; and W. H., the subject of this sketch. Thomas M. Poindexter and his wife came to Missouri and settled in Jackson County in 1840. In 1855 he died there and his remains are buried near Grandview. His wife died in Kentucky in 1906.
The Poindexter family were among the early settlers of Cass County and lived at Pleasant Hill when the war broke out. In 1862 they returned to Kentucky, remaining there until the spring of 1867.
W. H. Poindexter was educated in the public schools of Pleasant Hill. After leaving school he followed farming for several years. In 1880 he went to Oak Grove, Jackson County, where he remained about fifteen years. He then went to Vernon County and was located near Walker, remaining about twelve years, when he returned to Cass County. He bought a farm near Harrisonville, where he remained two years, and in 1902 bought his present place of one hundred ninety acres in Big
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Creek township. Here he has followed grain farming and stock raising very successfully to the present time.
Mr. Poindexter was married in 1870 to Miss Mary Isabelle Lightner, of Jackson County, a daughter of Hiram Lightner, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who was one of the very earliest settlers of LaFayette County, Missouri. He probably settled there some time between 1820 and 1830, and came to Jackson County about 1840. He later removed to Vernon County, where he died in 1901. His wife died in 1858. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. H. H. Corbin, Fontana, Kansas ; Dr. John Lightner, Odessa, Missouri; S. R., Lightner, Kansas City, Mis- souri ; and Mrs. Poindexter. To Mr. and Mrs. Poindexter have been born nine children, as follows: Arthur Renick, died in 1900, at the age of twenty-nine years ; Clarence, died at the age of thirty-nine; Mrs. Gertrude Miller, Humboldt, Kansas; Mrs. Heuston Patterson, Pleasant Hill, Mis- siouri; Mrs. Charles Schnebelin, Wheatland, Wyoming; T. H., Leona, Kansas; Whit, resides at home; Samuel, Big Creek township; and Dora Frances, at home.
Mr. Poindexter has seen much of the development of western Mis- souri and is truly entitled to classification as one of the pioneers of this section. He cannot recall a single living man in Big Creek township who was of age when he first came here. He says that in the early fifties he made a trip from Lone Jack to Little Blue. There were no houses at Lees Summit, and scarcely a settlement between there and Harrisonville. There would be the exception of a house now and then in the timber along the creeks. He has often seen deer roaming o'er the plains where the city of Pleasant Hill now stands.
George W. Ragsdale, a well known farmer and stockman of Pleasant Hill township, was born in Lawrence County, Indiana, in 1856. He is a son of Noah and Rebecca (Gregory) Ragsdale, natives of Indiana. They were the parents of five children as follows: Mrs. Sarah J. Fish, Holden, Missouri ; Lydia, deceased ; Mrs. Mary E. Clayton, Pleasant Hill, Missouri ; George W., the subject of this sketch; and William H., Kingsville, Missouri.
The Ragsdale family removed from their native state to Hancock County, Illinois, and in 1878, came to Missouri and settled in Pleasant Hill township, Cass County, where the father followed farming during the remainder of his life. He died November 12, 1891. At the time of his death the family owned two hundred forty acres of land.
George W. Ragsdale received his education in the public schools of
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Lawrence County, Indiana. He has been a farmer and stock raiser all his life. He now owns one hundred fifty acres of land, about a hundred acres of which are devoted to blue grass. He has quite extensively engaged in raising cattle and also horses and mules besides carries on general farm- ing. His farm is one of the fertile and productive farms of Cass County and in the early days was known as the Southwick place, which later was owned by Bob Payne. The place is unusually well supplied with water, having one of the best wells in the country. The well is eighty-seven feet deep and ten feet in diameter and has never been known to be dry. During extreme dry seasons neighbors for a considerable distance around depend upon this well for their water supply. Mr. Ragsdale has installed a water system which includes a storage pressure tank with a capacity of one hundred fifty barrels which supplies water to his residence, feed barns and around the place generally.
In 1887 Mr. Ragsdale was united in marriage with Miss Mary D. Swope, a daughter of Dr. Benjamin Swope of Garrard County, Kentucky. They have no children. Mr. and Mrs. Ragsdale are well known and popular in the community. Mr. Ragsdale is one of the substantial men of Cass County.
George Storms, a progressive and well-to-do farmer of Pleasant Hill township, is a native of Cass County and has been identified with this section all his life. He was born in Polk township, five miles northeast of Pleasant Hill in 1871, and is a son of John Alexander and Cynthia Ann (Sloan) Storms. Cynthia Ann Sloan was a native of Indiana, born in 1831. She died in Cass County in 1904. She was first married to Thomas York and to this union was born one son, Jonathan Albert. To John Alexander and Cynthia Ann (Sloan) Storms were born the following chil- dren: X. S., who resides in Jackson County; Asa, Polk township; Henry, Pleasant Hill; Mrs. Carrie B. Langster, Pleasant Hill; George, the sub- ject of this sketch; and Lucy Ellen, died when thirteen years of age.
John Alexander Storms, the father, was born in Kentucky in 1831, and came to Cass County with his parents in 1849. He died in 1910. He was a son of Asa Storms, who settled on one hundred sixty acres of land in Polk township upon coming to this county. The Storms family drove from Kentucky to Cass County. The family consisted of fourteen mem- bers and their first home on the farm in Polk township was a cabin four- teen by fourteen feet, which would seem to be pretty crowded quarters in a new country where there would naturally be an abundance of room.
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Asa Storms died on the home place in 1878. He and his son, John Alex- ander Storms, and their wives are buried in the Sloan cemetery.
George Storms was educated in the district schools of Polk township. He has made farming his life's occupation. He began for himself at the age of twenty-one although he made his home with his parents until he was thirty years old. He bought the old Sloan homestead of eighty acres, which he sold in 1906, and bought his present place of ninety-one acres for sixty-two dollars and fifty cents an acre. Mr. Storms began operations on it the following year. The place was but little improved when he purchased it, but by his industry and progressiveness, he has made of it one of the best improved places in Pleasant Hill township. He built a modern residence in 1911 and he has a large barn and other farm buildings and equipments thoroughly in keeping with the methods of the twentieth century farmer. He has been very successful both as a grain and stock raiser and makes a specialty of high grade Shorthorn cattle, which has proven very profitable to him. He has also met with very satisfactory results in raising alfalfa, for which his land seems to be well adapted. A part of his place was originally owned by Thomas Thomas, one of the pioneers of Pleasant Hill township.
Mr. Storms was married in 1900 to Miss Grace Yoder, who died November 5, 1904. March 6, 1907 Mr. Storms was united in marriage with Miss Amy Talbot, daughter of Joshua and Macinda (Smith) Talbot of Polk township. Joshua Talbot was born July 27, 1823 and died April 4, 1896. Macinda (Smith) Talbot was born August 28, 1831 and died March 18, 1914. They were married April 21, 1850. To Mr. and Mrs. Storms have been born two children: Lucy Alma and George Burleigh.
E. J. Stultz, a successful farmer and stock raiser of Big Creek town- ship, was born in Iowa in 1853. His parents were J. C. and Elvira (Ames) Stultz. The father was a native of Tennessee, born in 1820, and died near Ore, Missouri, in 1882, and the mother was a native of New York, born in 1827, and died near Ore, Missouri, in 1896. They were the par- ents of the following children: Andrew, died in Big Creek township, age fifty-nine years; Henry, died in Grand River township in 1916; E. J., the subject of this sketch; Lafe W., was in Salt Lake City, Utah, when last heard from; Arthur, resides at Archie, Missouri; and Winfield, Preston, Iowa.
The Stultz family came to Cass County, Missouri, in 1868 and settled in Peculiar township, where the father bought three hundred twenty
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acres of raw prairie land at ten dollars per acre. Later he bought one hundred sixty acres, at twelve dollars and fifty cents per acre, which he afterwards sold. He spent the balance of his life on his farm in Peculiar township. J. C. Stultz met with success and was one of the well-to-do farmers of Cass County at the time of his death.
E. J. Stultz attended the public schools in Iowa and also in Cass County after coming here. At the age of twenty-one he engaged in farm- ing in Peculiar township and in 1903 bought his present place of one hun- dred acres, for which he paid eighty-one dollars per acre. He later added thirty-seven acres and recently bought a thirty-two acre farm three and a half miles southwest of Harrisonville. For many years Mr. Stultz has fed cattle and also dealt in mules. His plan has been to buy colts and raise them to maturity, which he has found to be a very profitable busi- ness. His place is well equipped for the stock business, with large barns, comfortable sheds and convenient feed cribs. Bethany church, which was built in 1914 at a cost of four thousand dollars, is located on the southeast corner of Mr. Stultz's farm.
In 1880 Mr. Stultz was united in marriage to Miss Ida Bricker, daugh- ter of Jeremiah Bricker of Peculiar township. Mr. Bricker was a Penn- sylvanian who came from that state to Cass County, Missouri, in 1869. He settled on a farm just south of where the town of Ore is now located, and there he spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1904. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Susanna Auchinbaugh, died in 1912.
To Mr. and Mrs. Stultz have been born the following children: Arthur, resides on the home place; Jesse, Kansas City, Missouri; Charles, Martin City, Missouri ; Lloyd, resides at home; Mrs. Ella Myers, Red Rock, Okla- homa ; Mrs. May Myers, Bliss, Oklahoma; and Myrtle, at home.
The Stultz family are well known and have an extensive acquaintance and many friends. Mr. Stultz has seen much of the development of Cass County and recollects many events in the history of this section of the state. He was a schoolmate of Bob Younger and knew Cole Younger well when he lived in Cass County. Mr. and Mrs. Stultz and three of their children are members of Betheny church.
Samuel B. Longacre, a progressive and thrifty farmer of Peculiar township, who has contributed his part in making Cass County one of the leading agricultural counties of the state, was born in Peculiar township, December 28, 1866. He is a son of Richard I. Longacre and Mary E. (Shrout) Hawkins. The mother was a widow when she married Mr.
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Longacre and the mother of three children: John, deceased; Mrs. Flor- ence Boyd. Centralia, Missouri; and Lee, Altamont, Kansas. To Richard I. Longacre and wife were born two children, as follows: Samuel B., the subject of this sketch; and Charles, who resides at Lindsborg, Kansas.
Richard I. Longacre was born in Tennessee in 1832 and died in Colo- rado Springs, Colorado, in 1879. His remains are buried there. He crossed the plains in 1851, driving a six mule team to Santa Fe and from there went on to California, going by way of the southern route. On that trip the freighter who owned the train made a bet with a man who started from Missouri a week before Mr. Longacre with the train did that Mr. Longacre would beat him to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and he did. He returned to Cass County in 1865 and remained with his father until he was married. He was a son of Richard Longacre who came from Tennes- see in 1839 with his family and settled in Big Creek township, where he spent the balance of his life. His remains are buried in Union cemetery, near Pleasant Hill.
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