USA > Missouri > Cass County > History of Cass County, Missouri > Part 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
Mr. Wyatt is a well-informed stockman, having had a vast experi- ence in that line of industry, in which he started at an early age, and to which he has devoted a number of years. When he purchased his place in Dolan township he discovered that he had a full-grown apple orchard of thirty acres, and being a stockman and not a horticulturist, he was unable to determine just exactly what to do with the orchard. He finally decided to cut the trees down, and went so far as to hire some men to do the work. However, some friend of his persuaded him to "spare the tree," which he consented to do, and the result has been that his orchard produces from forty-five hundred to fifty-five hundred bushels of apples annually, which nets the owner about two thousand dollars each year.
Mr. Wyatt was married in 1905 to Miss Ona Wallingford, a daughter of P. I. Wallingford, of Grandview, Missouri. Two children have been born to this union, George W., Jr., and Margaret Elizabeth, aged nine and four years respectively. Mr. Wyatt is a Democrat, as was the politi- cal faith of his father and grandfather before him.
H. A. Hart, a well-known merchant at Freeman, is a native of Indi- ana. He was born in Floyd County, six miles from New Albany, in 1858, and is a son of George N. and Mary (McCafferty) Hart, natives of Indi- ana. The Hart family came west in 1858, with a view of locating in Nebraska territory. However, when they reached Leavenworth, Kansas, the government had stopped all immigration west of that point on ac- count of Indian troubles, and the Hart family settled at Tonganoxie, Kansas. The father was a brick and stone mason, and worked at his
471
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
trade in that vicinity. He built the first school house in Tonganoxie, which was also the first brick building in that settlement. He also built a number of other buildings in Tonganoxie and vicinity.
In 1872 George N. Hart came to Cass County, Missouri, with his family, and settled on a farm in Dolan township, just north of the old Newton place, about one mile west of the Grand River township line. He continued to work at his trade for a number of years, and later removed to Freeman. He was appointed postmaster of Freeman by President Harrison, and served in that capacity until his death, in May, 1911, with the exception of Cleveland's administrations. He was a Re- publican, a member of the Masonic lodge, Knights of Phythias, and the Christian church. His wife died in 1906. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Alber, deceased; H. A., whose name intro- duces this sketch; Addie, married John S. Johnson, Freeman; Carrie, married Frank Barber, and is now deceased; Edward, Kansas City, Mis- souri; Newton, deceased, and Ella May, deceased.
H. A. Hart received most of his education in the old Wolf school house, and spent his boyhood days on the home farm. When he was about seventeen years of age he entered the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company, which at that time operated the branch of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, which passes through Free- man. He served in the capacity of track foreman for eighteen years, making his headquarters at different times at Somerset, Westphalia, and Freeman.
In 1901 Mr. Hart engaged in the mercantile business at Freeman, in partnership with John Gregg, under the firm name of Hart and Gregg. They began in the confectionary business in a small way in a little build- ing on the south side of Main street, opposite the Bank of Freeman. Eight years later Mr. Hart became the sole proprietor, and in 1911 he erected a substantial brick store building, 24x100 feet, on the corner, east of the Bank of Freeman, where he engaged in the grocery business. He also handles flour and feed and buys farm produce. His grocery store is modern and he carries a line of goods that would be a credit to a much larger town than Freeman, although he has an extensive trade in Freeman and surrounding country.
Mr. Hart was married January 12, 1883, to Miss Callie Milson, of Cass County, and three children were born to this union, Ernest, a clerk in his father's store; Beaumont, manager for the Hope Lumber Com- pany at Freeman; and Ula, married Thomas Van Meter, Freeman. The
472
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
mother of these children died in 1899, and on January 6, 1902, Mr. Hart was united in marriage with Miss Malva Latell, of Dolan township.
Mr. Hart is a member of the Masonic lodge, A. F. & A. M., Grand River Lodge, No. 276, Freeman, and he and Mrs. Hart are members of the Eastern Star. He has been a life-long Republican and is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church.
James C. Knorpp, a prominent stockman in the vicinity of Pleasant Hill, was born in Jefferson County, Missouri, in 1844. He is a son of Christian G. and Mary Teresa (Norwine) Knorpp. The father was a native of Germany and came to America at the age of eighteen, settling in Jefferson County, Missouri, where he died in 1853. Christian G. Knorpp and his wife were the parents of the following children: John C., Kansas City, Missouri; Henry, Pleasant Hill, Missouri; James C., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Maria Tamm, Chicago, Illinois; Mrs. Mary M. Spencer, East Lynne, Missouri; Mrs. Barbara Henley, Pleasant Hill, Missouri; and William Shires, Pleasant Hill, Missouri. The Knorpp fam- ily held a reunion October 1, 1916, at the home of Henry Knorpp, in Pleasant Hill, and of the three brothers and three sisters present, all were past sixty years of age.
James C. Knorpp was educated in the public schools of Jefferson County, Missouri, and at the age of twenty-one came to Cass County, where he was employed in a store about a year. He then rented a farm and for two years followed farming. In 1869 he purchased eighty acres of land in the southern part of Jackson County. He added a thousand acres to his original purchase, but has recently given four hundred acres to his children. Mr. Knorpp has made a specialty of the stock business and has been an extensive feeder since 1878, which has proven very profitable. He has also dealt quite extensively in mules, as well as cattle and hogs.
Mr. Knorpp was married December 19, 1871, to Miss Laura A., daughter of J. J. Thelman, and the following children were born to this union: Mrs. Allie Bronaugh, Pleasant Hill; Cora E., resides at home; J. R., Colorado Springs, Colorado; Clark, Pleasant Hill, Missouri; Dean T., Pleasant Hill, Missouri; and Harry, at home. Mrs. Knorpp died Jan- uary 15, 1905. On April 30, 1908, Mr. Knorpp was married to Miss Mary M., daughter of Joshua and Macinda Talbot, of Pleasant Hill, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of North Carolina.
Joshua Talbot came to Cass County, Missouri, with his parents when
473
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
he was twelve years old. He was engaged in farming and stock raising two and a half miles east of Pleasant Hill when the Civil War broke out, and when Order No. 11 was issued the family moved to Pleasant Hill, and during the progress of the war everything that could be moved on their place was carried away, and what couldn't be moved was practically destroyed by the bands of marauders and soldiers that infested the coun- try. Jesse James and Cole Younger were well known to the Talbots and were frequently in this vicinity during the days of the war. Mrs. Talbot remembers Cole Younger well as being a very gentlemanly fellow. Dr. Patrick Talbot, the father of Joshua Talbot, was a pioneer doctor of Pleasant Hill, and often rode on horseback as far as thirty miles to see his patients. He died at Pleasant Hill about 1859, and is buried in Sloan Cemetery.
Mr. and Mrs. Knorpp are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he belongs to the Masonic Lodge at Pleasant Hill.
Asa Storms, a prominent farmer and stockman of Polk township, was born in this township January 22, 1862. He is the son of John A. and Cynthia (Sloan) Storms. The father was a native of Kentucky, born in 1831, and came to Missouri with his father in 1849. He was a son of Asa Storms, also a native of Kentucky. John A. Storms died in Cass County in 1909. Cynthia Sloan, the mother, was born in Jackson County, Missouri, in 1830, and came to Cass County, Missouri, with her parents when she was about two years of age. Jerry X. Sloan and his wife came to Jackson County, Missouri, from Indiana, riding all the way on horseback. John A. and Cynthia (Sloan) Storms were the parents of the following children: X. S., resides in Jackson County, Missouri ; Asa, the subject of this sketch; Henry, Pleasant Hill, Missouri; Mrs. Carrie Lancaster, Pleasant Hill, Missouri; and George, Pleasant Hill town- ship. The Storms family left their farm in Polk township during the Civil War when Order No. 11 was issued. The father had worked at the blacksmith trade in Polk township prior to that time, and after removing to Pleasant Hill continued to work at his trade and remained there for a year or two after the war closed, when he returned to his farm and followed blacksmithing for several years.
Asa Storms was educated in the public schools of Polk township and remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-nine years of age, although he began working for himself at the age of twenty-one, and has always been engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1891 he
474
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
bought one hundred and forty acres of land in Polk township, which he later sold, and in 1898 bought one hundred and four acres, the same being a part of the Jesse Rowland place. Mr. Storms has added to this place, and now owns one hundred and eighty-two acres of well-improved and valuable land in Polk township, where he carries on general farming and stock raising, and is meeting with success, and is one of the pro- gressive farmers of Cass County.
Mr. Storms remembers that when he was a boy most of the land south of his present home for a considerable distance was covered with timber, and there were scarcely any fences with the exception of the few rail fences, and the cattle pastured in and about the woods.
In 1892 Asa Storms was united in marriage in Polk township with Miss Lula Taylor, daughter of David Taylor. Her father died in 1914 and is buried at Reed Cemetery, and the mother now resides with Mrs. Storms. To Mr. and Mrs. Storms have been born two children, Harold A., aged twelve; a daughter, Lucille May, born January 20, 1904, and died that day.
David Taylor, father of Mrs. Storms, was born October 24, 1836. His father, Rev. David Taylor, was a Baptist minister. He died October 22, 1881, and is buried in Reed cemetery. He was eighty-five years of age at time of his death. David Taylor was married to Mary J. Roberts, May 4, 1865. They settled in Polk township in 1868.
Mr. Storms is a member of the Central Protective Association at Pleasant Hill, Missouri, and both he and Mrs. Storms have an extensive acquaintance and many friends in the community.
Xenophon S. Storms is a descendant of one of the real pioneer fam- ilies of Cass County. He was born in Polk township in 1858, and is a son of John A. and Cynthia A. (Sloan) Storms. The father was born in Jessamine County, Kentucky, in 1831. He was a son of Asa Storms and came to Cass County with his parents from Kentucky in 1849. There were several members of the family. He died in 1910, and his wife, Cynthia A. Sloan, who was born in Jackson County, Missouri, in 1830, died in 1904. Their remains rest side by side in the Sloan Cemetery. They were the parents of six children, as follows: X. S., the subject of this sketch; Asa, Polk township; Henry, Pleasant Hill; Mrs. Carrie B. Lancaster, Pleasant Hill; George, Pleasant Hill township; and Ella, who died at the age of twelve years.
X. S. Storms was educated in the Pleasant Grove schools, known as
475
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
the Storm school house. He began farming for himself at the age of twenty-one, although he made his home with his parents for several years. He bought his first place, which consisted of eighty-five acres, about 1887. He sold this in January, 1900, and purchased his present farm of one hundred twenty acres, located just across the county line, in Van Buren township, Jackson County. He paid thirty-six dollars and fifty cents per acre for this place, which was very slightly improved at the time. He has made of it one of the finest farms in that vicinity, and has won the reputation of being one of the best farmers in his neighbor- hood. In 1908 he built a cozy, seven-room, modern residence. His place is well equipped with barns, sheds, and a garage. The place has a splen- did supply of water, which is considered an indispensable adjunct for a convenient and profitable stock farm. Mr. Storms specializes in high- grade Shorthorn cattle and registered Poland China hogs.
Mr. Storms was united in marriage in 1900 with Miss Sallie J. Thompson, daughter of George and Elizabeth Thompson, of Pleasant Hill. The Thompson family are natives of Garrett County, Kentucky. They came to Cass County, Missouri, in 1881. Elizabeth Thompson, mother of Mrs. Storms, died in September, 1888, lacking but a few days of having lived fifty-one years. George Thompson died in March, 1906. He is buried near Mahomet, Illinois, in Riverside Cemetery, and Mrs. Thomp- son in the Wills Cemetery at Peculiar, Missouri. Mrs. Storms has three brothers, as follows: Archie, Mahomet, Illinois; Lannie, Urbana, Illi- nois; and Lopez, Lonejack, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Storms has been born one daughter, Ione, a student at Hazel Dell School.
Mr. Storms is one of the successful and prosperous farmers of the vicinity of Pleasant Hill. He is a director of the Farmers' National Bank of Pleasant Hill, and widely known as a substantial man of affairs.
Henry K. McClintock, well known as a successful farmer and stock raiser of Cass County, was born October 21, 1873, on the place where he now resides, in Polk township. He is a descendant from Kentucky ancestors, his parents being Joseph S. and Sallie W. (Kimbrough) McClintock, natives of Kentucky. Joseph S. McClintock was a son of Thomas Mcclintock and Rachel Corbin, natives of Bourbon County, Ken- tucky, the former being of Scotch decent. Joseph S. McClintock came to Missouri some time prior to the Civil War, and settled at Marshall. When the war broke out he returned to his native state. In 1871 he came back to Missouri, and at first located near Lees Summit. Later he came
476
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
to Cass County and purchased the old Berry Clay farm of one hundred sixty acres, in Polk township, from Jack Edmondson. He died in 1883. His wife passed away in 1881. Their remains are buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Henry K., the subject of this sketch ; Thomas C., who was drowned in Big Creek in 1915, at the age of forty years; Minnie Rachel, married Harry Davis, Norwich, Kansas; Nellie B., married Monte Cloud, Spivey, Kansas; and Joshua C., who resides in Big Creek township.
When Henry K. McClintock was ten years of age his father died. Henry went to live with his uncle, Joshua C. McClintock, with whom he remained until he was eighteen years old. He then worked as a farm laborer for five years. In 1896 he rented the old home place in Polk township, and in 1900 bought the interests of the other heirs, and since that time has owned and operated the old home farm. Mr. Mcclintock carries on general farming and stock raising and has met with success.
Mr. McClintock was united in marriage in 1896 to Miss Sallie G. Poyntz, a daughter of John A. and Hattie (Caldwell) Poyntz. Mr. Poyntz was at one time presiding judge of Cass County. He died in September, 1903, his wife having preceded him in death a number of years. Their remains rest in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Will McClean, Ettiwanda, California; Cyrus C., who is now deceased; and his widow and one daughter, Catherine, reside at North Yakima, Washington; Mrs. Edgar Wilson, Amarillo, Texas; Jim A., Kaslo, British Columbia; Sallie G., the wife of Henry K. McClintock ; Mrs. Robert Wallingford, Amarillo, Texas; and Mrs. Charles Polk, San- ford, Florida.
To Mr. and Mrs. McClintock have been born two children, as follows: Annettie, who was born in 1900, a member of the junior class of the Pleasant Hill High School; and Joseph A., who was born in 1903, also a student in the Pleasant Hill school.
Robert Noland, a successful farmer and stockman of Cass County, is a native of Jackson County, and a descendant of a Missouri pioneer family. He was born November 26, 1861, and is a son of Collin and Delila (Stover) Nolan, both natives of Missouri. Collin Noland was probably born in Jackson County. In 1870 he came from Lees Summit to Polk township and located on one hundred forty acres of land, having traded one hundred twenty acres at Lees Summit for this place. He made his home here for forty-five years. He died December 18, 1915.
477
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
His wife died in 1874. Their remains are buried in Reed Cemetery. This is one of the oldest cemeteries in Cass County and was once a part of the Noland farm.
Collin Noland lived in Jackson County when the Civil War broke out. He met with considerable financial loss, which was the common lot of many during this great conflict in which life and the property of the residents of this section were so insecure. Mr. Noland lost all his stock, which included many good horses. Even his hogs were stolen and carried away. He experienced much of the pioneer life of the early days. Col- lin Noland was one of the first mail carriers between Independence and Harrisonville, making the trip with the mail between these points once or twice a week. For a time he was engaged in freighting, between Kansas City and St. Louis, before the railroads were built. In 1849 he made a trip across the plains.
Robert Noland was one of a family of five children born to his parents. The others are as follows: Mrs. Maggie Roupe, Polk township; Mrs. Angelina Martin, Polk township; Mrs. Nannie Widders, Johnson County, Missouri; and Mrs. Minnie Seaton, deceased. Robert received his early education in the public schools, attending Scrub Oak School in Polk township. Later he attended the Warrensburg State Normal School. He also took a business course in Kansas City, Missouri. He began life for himself at the age of twenty-five as a farmer and stock raiser in Polk township. He first bought forty acres of land, which are a part of his present fine farm of two hundred forty acres, which is located three miles northwest of Strasburg. Two hundred acres of his land are as fine a body of bottom land as can be found in Cass County. Mr. Noland's place is well improved, the result of his own industry and persistent toil. He built his residence in 1895, and in 1904 he erected a large barn, well adapted for his purposes. He carries on farming and stock raising and makes a specialty of Shorthorn cattle and Duroc hogs.
Mr. Noland was married in 1891 to Miss Sallie Roupe, daughter of Martin and Martha (Aldridge) Roupe. Martin Roupe was an early set- tler, who came from Tennessee, his native state, to Missouri with his father prior to the Civil War. His wife was a native of Alabama. Martin and Martha (Aldridge) Roupe were the parents of the following chil- dren: John, who was born in 1863, and lives in Polk township; Sallie, the wife of Robert Noland, who was born in 1864; Thomas, who was born in 1867, resides in Big Creek township; James, who was born in 1869, deceased; Mrs. Laura E. Garrett, who was born in 1872, and lives in
478
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
Nebraska; and Mary Funk, who was born in 1877, and lives on the old home place. Mr. Roupe makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Funk. He is seventy-seven years of age. His wife died in September, 1913.
Mr. and Mrs. Noland are the parents of eight children, four of whom died in infancy. Those living are as follows: Collins, at home with his parents; Martha, who married Irvin Curtis, Polk township; Ethel and Harry, at home. Mr. Noland is a progressive, enterprising, substan- tial citizen.
Col. Nimrod T. Lancaster, of Pleasant Hill, is well known throughout Cass and and adjoining counties as a successful auctioneer. Mr. Lan- caster was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, in 1860. He is a son of J. E. and Mary F. (Miller) Lancaster, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. They were the parents of the following children : Mrs. Luella Williamson, Greenwood, Missouri; Nimrod T., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Tilla Eddy, Strasburg, Missouri; H. G., Polk town- ship; E. B., an extensive stock buyer and shipper, Pleasant Hill; Albert Lewis, Polk township; F. C., Polk township, and Ruth, married Berry Parker, Polk township. She died in 1906.
Nimrod T. Lancaster received his education in the public schools of Ohio, and came to Missouri in December, 1884, and first settled at Lonejack. He was practically penniless when he came to this state and the success which he has attained is due to his own industry and unaided efforts. He began his career in Missouri as a farm laborer in Jackson County, and for two years and eight months worked for Jacob Yankee, near Lonejack. He then went to Holden, Johnson County, in the employ of R. L. Jackson, and while there met with an accident which probably changed his whole career. He split his knee with an ax, and was unable to do any work for thirteen months. He then tried farming again, but found that he was considerably handicapped as a result of the accident to his knee. He had always wanted to be an auctioneer, and now, more than ever, determined upon that course, although many of his acquaintances tried to discourage him. Notwithstanding that, he had his cards printed and attended sales and assisted other auctioneers for a time. He finally succeeded in getting his first sale from Lee Phillips in Polk township, about 1898, and this was the beginning of an active career in that line of work. He does an extensive business throughout four counties in Missouri, and is frequently called to other states in his
479
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
professional capacity. He is considered one of the best auctioneers in western Missouri. He has his office at his home in Polk township, where he owns a fine farm of ninety-three acres, which he purchased from H. V. Hurst of Harrisonville.
Colonel Lancaster was married in 1883 to Miss Sophia Elizabeth Williamson, daughter of Lorenzo Dow and Honor (Grubbs) Williamson, of Logan township, Dearborn County, Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Lan- caster have been born the following children: Ora, married Anna Talbot, of Pleasant Hill, and lives in Polk township; Archie, married Viola Ken- nedy, and lives in Jackson County; Ida Honor, resides at home; Ruth May, married Wayne Kennedy and lives in Polk township, and one son died in infancy. Mrs. Lancaster died October 1, 1916, and her remains are buried in Sloan Cemetery in Polk township.
Colonel Lancaster has succeeded in spite of adversity and accident, and ranks as one of Cass County's leading and influential citizens.
Henry Stewart, president of the Farmers National Bank of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, and a prosperous farmer and stockman, is a native son of Cass County. Mr. Stewart was born in Polk township in 1862, a son of Solomon and Nancy A. (Tull) Stewart. The father was a native of Ken- tucky, born in 1818, and the mother was a native of Missouri. Solomon Stewart was a very early settler in Missouri, locating in Polk township, Cass County, about three miles from Lonejack, in the early thirties. He was a prosperous farmer and stockman prior to the Civil War, but like many others in this vicinity was a victim to the devastation of war and met with financial losses from which he never recovered. In 1861 he met with an accident. A horse fell on him which resulted in the break- ing of one of Mr. Stewart's legs. Owing to inability to get a doctor to set the broken bone properly, he was a cripple for the remainder of his life. He died in Polk township June 1, 1888. His wife departed this life May 8, 1866. They were the parents of the following children: Charles, who was accidentally burned to death at the age of seven ; Martha A., who married W. D. Smith and resides at Lonejack, Missouri; Henry, the subject of this sketch, and James, twins, the latter of whom died in Polk township in 1911 and his remains were buried in Reed cemetery ; and Sarah J., who died at the age of fourteen.
Henry Stewart was reared in Polk township and educated at the Judge Hooper School. From his earliest boyhood he earned his own liveli- hood as did his other brothers. He has made farming and stock raising
480
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
his chief occupation and has met with well merited success. He bought his first eighty acres of land in 1887 which he sold later and bought the Nixon farm of one hundred twenty-eight acres, forty-eight acres of which are in Polk township and eighty in Jackson County. He still owns this place and his residence is on the Jackson County side where he has resided since 1903. In addition to this farm he also owns eighty acres, formerly the Reader farm in Van Buren township, Jackson County. Mr. Stewart has been president of the Farmers National Bank of Pleasant Hill since 1914. This is one of the substantial banks of Cass County. It has a paid up capital stock of thirty-five thousand dollars and a surplus of five thou- sand. Some of the most substantial men of that section are identified with this institution.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.