USA > Missouri > Cass County > History of Cass County, Missouri > Part 54
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Jonathan K. Miller, a prosperous farmer of Dayton township, is a native of Indiana. He was born February 13, 1866, in Lagrange County, Indiana. His parents, Joseph and Christina (Kaufman) Miller, were both born in 1839 in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. To Joseph and Christina (Kaufman) Miller were born the following children: Samuel, deceased; William, deceased; David K., who resides in Camp Branch township; Elizabeth, wife of Aaron King, resides near Garden City, Missouri; Jona- than K., subject of this review; Levi, of Index township; Mary, wife of Isaac Hartzler, resides near East Lynne, Missouri; Anna, widow of Joseph Yoder, resides in Index township; and Cassie, wife of Abraham Hostet- tler, resides in Lagrange County, Indiana.
August 22, 1872, Joseph Miller came from Lagrange County, Indiana, to Cass County and located upon the farm now owned by his son, Levi, three miles north of Garden City. He purchased at this time eighty acres of prairie land and gradually increased his holdings until he at one time was owner of four hundred eighty acres of land, which he divided among his children. He followed general farming and stock raising. He lived upon this place where he had originally located until his death, in 1911. Mrs. Miller's death occurred in 1904, and she and her husband are buried in Clearfork Cemetery.
Jonathan K. Miller received his education in Clearfork school, and like most boys on the farm in those days, divided his time between at- tendance at the district school and assisting with the work of the farm, which a lad could do. He remained at home until he was twenty-five years of age and then rented land for one year, after which he purchased eighty acres in Dayton township, which are now a part of his farm of three hundred twenty-four acres.
In 1890 Jonathan K. Miller and Otilla Martin, daughter of Christian and Phoebe (Nafzinger) Martin, of Dayton township, were united in mar- riage. Christian Martin was born in 1843 in Alsace, a former province of France, which was incorporated since the war of 1870 with the Ger- man empire. Alsace is one of the most fertile districts in Central Europe and from a very early period and for many ages has been a disputed ter- ritory. It has suffered much in the contentions of rival races, was origi- nally French, then became German, and then French again, and in Feb- ruary, 1871, the French cession of Alsace, together with Lorraine, was one of the earliest conditions laid down by Count Bismarck in the peace of Versailles. Many of the inhabitants of the conquered districts clung
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to the old connection, and September 30, 1872, forty-five thousand elected to be still French, and sorrowfully took their departure. This is the prov- ince which has figured so prominently in the present war. Christian Martin was a child of nine years when he emigrated with his parents from Alsace to America and located in Tazewell County, Illinois, and from there came to Cass County in 1875. His death occurred in 1907, and his widow makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Ed Kenagy, near Garden City. Christian and Phoebe (Nafzinger) Martin were the par- ents of the following children: Ida May, deceased; Mrs. Jonathan K. Miller, wife of the subject of this review; Amos J., a prominent stock- man, near Garden City, Missouri; Mrs. Samuel K. Yoder, East Lynne, Missouri; Benjamin M., Minot, North Dakota; Mrs. Phoebe Goode, de- ceased; and Mrs. Ed Kenagy, Garden City, Missouri. To Jonathan K. and Otilla (Martin) Miller have been born four children: Nettie M., wife of Edward Kropf, of Garden City, Missouri; Alvin, at home; Oscar, at home; and Simon, at home.
The Miller stock farm is located one and a fourth miles east of Gar- den City, in Dayton township. Mr. Miller moved to this place in 1904. In 1912 he remodeled the house. There are two sets of buildings upon the place. Mr. Miller is a feeder of cattle and hogs upon an extensive scale, usually keeping fifty head of cattle and from one hundred to one hundred fifty head of hogs, besides from fifteen to twenty head of horses. The place is well equipped to take care of the stock. There are four large barns, 24x30, 40x64, 24x28, and 24x30 feet, and a well constructed silo, 14×32 feet, which was erected in 1915.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller are enrolled among Cass County's best citizens and are highly respected and esteemed in their community. They are both members of the Mennonite Church and are faithful and consistent Christians. By efficiency, honesty and square dealings, Mr. Miller has succeeded in life, nobly assisted by his good wife. The record of what they did may be effaced with the onward sweep of the fleeting years, but the memory of what they stood for, what they are, time can never blot out.
S. S. Crawford, proprietor "Crawford's Elm Grove Farm," of Sher- man township, was born January 26, 1866, near Humansville, in Polk County, son of James M. and Jane M. (Crawford) Crawford, natives of eastern Tennessee. James M. Crawford came to Polk County in the early
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days, and for many years was engaged in the teaching profession. His death, due to sunstroke, occurred in August, 1868. Mrs. Crawford died in Polk County in 1897. James M. and Jane M. Crawford were the par- ents of two sons: Andrew Joseph, who resides in Paris, Texas, and S. S., subject of this review.
S. S. Crawford received his education in the schools of Polk County. He was reared upon the farm and has naturally followed farming as his vocation. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Polk County pre- vious to his coming to this county in August, 1907, when he purchased the Samuel Pullen farm, which is located one mile south of Creighton.
March 20, 1889, S. S. Crawford and Mary Elizabeth Lowry, daugh- ter of W. S. and Mary R. (Sansom) Lowry, pioneers of Polk County, were united in marriage. Mrs. Lowry was born in Pennsylvania. Mr. Lowry was born near Adamsville, Guernsey County, Ohio, December 10, 1836, and Mrs. Lowry was born April 10, 1849. W. S. Lowry was a miner in the sixties in Utah and Idaho, and saved enough from his labors there to make his start in life. He is now eighty years old, and he and his wife are both living in Dunnegan, Missouri. Mrs. Crawford has three sisters living: Mrs. Belle Wollard, Humansville, Missouri; Jennie, at home; and Mrs. Emily Walker, Dunnegan, Missouri. A brother, J. W. Lowry, died February, 1916, and his widow, Nancy J. Lowry, lives at Dunnegan, Missouri. To S. S. and Mary Elizabeth (Lowry) Crawford have been born four sons: George V., who is operator for the Kansas City, Clinton and Springfield Railway, located at Deepwater; James Wm., who resides on a farm near Creighton, Missouri; Otis L., at home; and Charles R., at home.
Mr. Crawford is engaged in general farming and stock raising. His place is well watered and slopes to the east and north; sixty acres are in blue grass and seventy-five in timothy and clover. A fine grove of elms near the house is one of the particularly attractive features of the farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have been residents of Cass County but a comparatively short time, yet they have already firmly established them- selves in the confidence and esteem of their community.
Albert F. Goodson, proprietor of the "Goodson Homestead Farm", was born in Henry County, Missouri, October 13, 1872, son of C. C. and Louisa E. (Page) Goodson. C. C. Goodson emigrated with his parents from England, where he was born, and came to America when he was a
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mere child. The Goodsons located temporarily in St. Charles County, and from thence came to Cass County, fifty years ago and settled perman- ently in Sherman township. Philip Goodson, father of C. C. Goodson, at first rented land, but eventually purchased three hundred acres, part of which now forms a portion of Albert F. Goodson's farm. C. C. Goodson died in 1897 and is buried in Parker Cemetery. Louisa E. (Page) Good- son was the daughter of George Page, of Sherman township. Mr. Page was one of the brave pioneers of the township who did their part so nobly and well. Mrs. Goodson died in March, 1898, and is buried in Parker Cemetery. C. C. and Louisa E. (Page) Goodson were the parents of four children : Albert F., subject of this review; C. C., who resides in Henry County, Missouri; Levi, Catalee, Oklahoma; and Mary Ellen, Pasadena, California. Albert F. remained with his parents until 1896, when he began life for himself.
March 16, 1898, Albert F. Goodson and Ollie Fink, daughter of J. B. and Lucretia (Russell) Fink, of Henry County, were united in marriage. Ollie (Fink) Goodson was born in Iowa. Her parents returned to their original home in Illinois when she was a child and from Illinois came to Henry County, Missouri, locating near Creighton. Her mother, Lucretia (Russell) Fink, died in 1899, and is buried in Grant Cemetery. Mrs. Goodson has two brothers living: H. S., who resides in Bates County, Missouri, and J. B., Creighton, Missouri.
The "Goodson Homestead Farm" comprises one hundred sixty acres, which were a part of the home place of his father, purchased by Philip Goodson fifty years ago. It later formed part of the Nathan Gregg place and was purchased by Albert F. Goodson. About one hundred acres are fertile valley land. It is a beautiful upland home, located on the highest point in this vicinity, a hill, one and a fourth miles south of Creighton. A delightful view of the surrounding country can be obtained from this eminence and at night the lights of Clinton, twenty-six miles away, can be seen, and to the west, far beyond Dayton. Mr. Goodson's residence is a spacious structure of two stories. The farm is well arranged and equipped for handling stock, and Mr. Goodson handles a large number of good Galloway cattle. There are three barns upon the place, an old one, 30x40 feet in dimensions; a cattle barn, 30x40 feet; and a new one, erected in 1916, 20x16 feet in dimensions.
Albert F. Goodson deserves much commendation, for he is pre-emin- ently a self-made man. By frugality and good management, faithfully
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aided by his noble wife, he has succeeded in life. He was reared upon the farm and has always lived close to nature, from which he has learned many valuable lessons. He received but limited educational advantages, for he was obliged to work from an early age. Mr. Goodson has always been a hard worker and it is largely due to industrious habits and untir- ing energy that he is now owner of one hundred sixty acres of splendid farm land.
Charles T. Grosshart, proprietor of "Cedar Grove Farm", is one of the worthiest members of the brave clan of noble pioneers, whose ranks are all too rapidly thinning. He was born March 1, 1845, son of Samuel and Susan D (Phelps) Grosshart, natives of Kentucky. Samuel Gross- hart was born in 1803. His father emigrated from Germany and settled in the Blue Grass State. Samuel Grosshart moved from Kentucky to Illinois and thence in 1856, to Cass County, where he located on Section thirty-three in Sherman township. Susan D. (Phelps) Grosshart was born in Kentucky in 1813. She was a sister of the mother of Senator Wm. J. Stone. Samuel and Susan D. (Phelps) Grosshart were the par- ents of the following children: Sarah, who died at the age of twelve years; Mrs. Mildred Lee, who died in Bates County, and is buried in Dou- ble Branch Cemetery; Jarrett, a retired farmer, who resides in Odessa, Missouri; George W., who died in May, 1914, and is buried at Dayton; Charles T., subject of this review; Dr. Joel E., who died in 1879, and is buried in Double Branch Cemetery; and Mrs. Anna J. Goodin, Rich Hill, Missouri. Mrs. Grosshart died in March, 1854, in Coles County, Illinois.
On New Year's morning, in 1862, a party from Kansas under the leadership of Colonel Anthony, visited the Grosshart home and took the father, Samuel Grosshart, prisoner. He was placed in a wagon belonging to the Staley boys, and behind a negro driver taken forcibly to Dayton. He was kept over night in Dayton and the next morning about nine o'clock, he, with two others, Harry F. Kerson and an aged man by the name of Simpson, was taken to a hollow, west of George Mccullough's present residence and brutally shot. The three are buried in Dayton Cemetery.
. Charles T. Grosshart received his education in the schools of Illinois and Cass County, Missouri. The terrible tragedy which robbed him of his father occurred when he was but a lad of seventeen, and he was obliged to make his own way from that time, an orphan without the lov- ing care of a mother or the protection and counsel of a father. From
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1862 until 1868 he was in Illinois because of Order No. 11, and when the war had ended he and his brother returned to the old home place and endeavored, in the peaceful pursuits of farming, to efface all bitter mem- ories.
In 1867 Charles T. Grosshart and Sarah E. Cottingham, daughter of John Jackson and Sarah (Mann) Cottingham, of Illinois, were married. Both parents of Mrs. Grosshart died in Illinois. This union was blessed with nine children, who are as follows: Mrs. Alfaretta Randal, Stras- burg, Missouri; Samuel J., Bates County, Missouri; Mrs. Susan Staley, Bates County, Missouri ; John E., Appleton City, Missouri; Mrs. Maggie D. Sexson, deceased ; Mrs. Ellen Randal, deceased ; Charles T., Jr., Creigh- ton, Missouri; Mrs. Dess Rundle, who lives in Idaho; and Mrs. Viola Coke, Creighton, Missouri. November 7, 1884, Mr. Grosshart was bereaved by the loss of the noble woman, the loving mother of his children, who had so cheerfully shared with him the hardships and vicissitudes of those early years, and the burden became doubly heavy, for he had now to be both father and mother to his nine little ones. He did not shirk his responsi- bilities, but nobly did his best for his family. All were given the best educational advantages and reared to take honorable and responsible posi- tions in life. Samuel and John are successful teachers, and three others are eligible to the profession, having the necessary education.
"Cedar Grove Farm" is located three and three-fourths miles south- west of Creighton. There were formerly many beautiful cedar trees upon the place, but the cyclone of June 15, 1912, played havoc with them. A short time after the Grosshart brothers returned to the old home place they each built a house. About 1895 Charles T. erected a two-story resi- dence, 16x32 feet in dimensions, with an L 16 feet square, upon the site of his present home, but the cyclone of 1912 swept it away. This great destroyer also carried away a tenant house, a building 16x28 feet in dimen- sion, consisting of one story and a half, a barn 24x32 feet, a shed, and many other buildings. A boy, Derrell Stevens, was killed in the tenant house, but not one of the seven persons in the Grosshart home. Mr. Grosshart and his grandson, Clifford Grosshart, were severely in- jured. The storm wrought great devastation in the orchard and much stock in the vicinity was killed. Mr. Grosshart rebuilt his home in the autum of 1912.
In his political affiliations, Charles T. Grosshart is a democrat, and takes an active interest in civic and municipal affairs. He is an ardent
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admirer of Judge Glenn and gave him his hearty support when he was a candidate for probate judge, and worked strenuously for his re-election. Mr. Grosshart is classed among the best citizens of Cass County. Many men are honored for their ability to confer benefits, for their wealth, in- fluence, power. Charles T. Grosshart is reverenced for what he is.
George B. Ruckel, a well-known farmer and stockman of Cass County, was born in 1872 in Johnson County; is a son of George W. and Ellen (Smith) Ruckel. George W. Ruckel was born in 1839 in Medina County, Ohio. He came to Missouri just after the war and located temporarily in Johnson County, and in 1876 moved to Cass County, where he pur- chased a farm in Sherman township, near Rose Hill. Here his death oc- curred March 29, 1911. Ellen (Smith) Ruckel was born in Pennsylvania in 1847. She survives her husband and lives on the home place, where they settled in 1876. George W. and Ellen (Smith) Ruckel were the par- ents of the following children, who are living: George B., subject of this review; Mrs. Ida Hopkins, Urich, Missouri; Clarence, Creighton, Missouri ; Mrs. Nellie Wade, Creighton, Missouri; and Mark B., who is farming the home place in Sherman township.
In 1912 George B. Ruckel and Elizabeth L. Little, daughter of John and Harriet (Quick) Little, were united in marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Little reside on a farm five miles west of Blairstown, Missouri. Mrs. Ruckel is one of five daughters, who are all living, born to John and Harriet (Quick) Little, namely: Stella D., at home; Mrs. Clara B. Ruckel, Creighton, Mis- souri ; Louisa, at home; Mrs. Leora Evans, Quick City, Missouri; and Mrs. George B. Ruckel, wife of the subject of this review. Mrs. Ruckel's mother, Harriet (Quick) Little, was born near Grant in 1853, and is a descendant of an old and prominent pioneer family. Mrs. Quick's maiden name was Page, and the Page and Quick families settled in Sherman township early in the forties.
"High Point Farm" is located three miles west of Creighton and four miles east of Dayton. Grant and Holden were the early trading points of the Ruckels. The farm, which comprises one hundred sixty acres, slopes to the south and is well watered. George W. Ruckel began handling Galloway cattle about 1890, buying registered males, and his sons have continued to keep the stock up to the high standard which he established. Every year they buy a registered male, usually at the Royal Stock Show. The last one, purchased by Clarence Ruckel in 1916, is
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"Budweiser". "Johnny D" is the last one purchased by George B. Ruckel. Mr. Ruckel keeps about thirty head of cattle, besides a large number of mules and Big Bone Poland China hogs.
The cyclone of June 15, 1912, wrought great havoc and devastation upon "High Point Farm". The residence was destroyed and everything on the place except Mr. and Mrs. Ruckel, killed. They lost seven head of horses, fourteen head of hogs, and sixteen head of cattle, which were jointly owned by Mr. Ruckel and his brother. Two barns, one 22x42 feet, and the other 20x50 feet in dimensions, were destroyed. Mr. Ruckel built a small, temporary residence in the autumn of 1912 and erected his present beautiful bungalow in 1916. In 1912 a barn, 28x42 feet in di- mensions, and in 1914 one 32×20 feet, with a 14-foot shed, were built and the fine stock farm has again been restored to its pristine excellent condition.
Even the fury of the elements has been unable to check George B. Ruckel in his onward progress toward the brilliant culmination of a suc- cessful career. With the assistance of his brave and noble wife, whose bright, cheerful philosophy of life has ever been an inspiration to him, he has successfully overcome all obstacles and is rated highly among the prosperous and substantial citizens of Sherman township.
Richard Dill was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on January 11, 1847, and died at Harrisonville, Missouri, January 1, 1917. He was an eccentric character, a man of sterling worth, honest, charitable and open hearted to all in need. His parents died in his infancy and he was taken to raise by an aunt. When he was ten or twelve years of age, he was employed to pump an organ at the church where his foster parents worshiped. His salary was twelve dollars and fifty cents a year, and his aunt always took this money. His early life was one of adversity. When near manhood he was employed as roustabout on a river boat, plying to New Orleans and for twenty years before his death he worked in various capacities on boats plying the Mississippi river. His life was hard and became uncouth and rough in character. During his life he was very little in the society of women. He always held women in the very highest esteem. It was most interesting and entertaining to hear him tell of the ludicrous inci- dents of his life.
With all of "Dick's" rough exterior, he was very kind and loving to all humanity inside. He never turned a tramp from his door. All
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who learned to know him respected him highly. For some years prior to his death, he was one of the justices of the peace of Grand River town- ship, and all who went before him knew Dick would deal to him scrupul- ously exact justice as he saw it. Some times it seemed to him the rigid rules of the law did not lead to justice, so he would say he preferred to err in an effort to do right than to guess at the law. We would need little law if all people were of the same mental caliber as "Dick" Dill.
Daniel Hough, of Sherman township, owner of "Hough's Maple View Farm", is one of Cass County's grand old men. He was born near Woos- ter, Wayne County, Ohio, in September 7, 1839, son of David and Mary (Showalter) Hough. David Hough was born in Pennsylvania. To David and Mary (Showalter) Hough were born the following children: Mrs. Lucy Keyser, Wayne County, Ohio; Mrs. Ella Crummell, Apple Creek Station, Ohio, Mrs. Ida Burchfield, Apple Creek Station, Ohio; William, Belding, Michigan; Daniel, subject of this review; John, who died in Wayne County, Ohio; James, who died in Wayne County, Ohio; Isaac, who died in Wayne County, Ohio; and Clara, who was murdered when nineteen years of age in Mansfield, Ohio.
Daniel Hough received his education in the common schools of Ohio. He was a sturdy, young man of twenty-two years, but a youth who had never left home before, when Lincoln's call came for volunteers in 1861. He enlisted in Company C. Sixteenth Ohio Infantry in the fall of 1861. Mr. Hough was in active service in the Civil War three years, one month and twenty-one days. His regiment took a leading part in the battles of Vicksburg and Cumberland Gap and a number of other engagements. He was never wounded but narrowly escaped, receiving many close calls, for the young man was knocked down several times by shells. In the fall of 1864 he was mustered out and honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio.
The year following his discharge from service, Daniel Hough worked on the home farm in Wayne County, Ohio. In 1865 he and Fannie Rutt of Green County, Ohio, were married. About a year later Mr. Hough brought his wife and babe, W. E., to Cass County, Missouri, to make their home. All Mr. Hough's earthly possessions at the time of his coming to Missouri were his wife and boy and over him hung a debt of seventy- five dollars. The first team which he owned in the west cost two hundred fifty dollars and for this team he was again obliged to go in debt. One horse was eighteen years old and the other twenty, with a great pro- pensity to balk. For eighteen months before the purchase of the team,
MR. AND MRS. DANIEL HOUGH AND THEIR ELEVEN CHILDREN.
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which became a landmark in his life, Daniel Hough worked as day laborer. After he bought the team he rented a farm upon which he toiled for three or four years, saving his small proceeds with the hope that he might some day be the owner of his own home. It was a red-letter day for Daniel Hough when he became the proud owner of twelve acres near Clear Fork Cemetery. He was able to sell this land at a profit and to purchase his present home place of one hundred sixty acres of fine upland, the land of which had been cultivated probably five years prior to his purchase of it. This was purchased in March, 1879.
In all his struggle upward Daniel Hough had all the encouragement and inspiration which a noble woman can give. Mrs. Hough was ever a willing and cheerful helper, the mother of eleven fine children, all of whom were reared to maturity, men and women able to take responsible stations in life. October 11, 1891, Jennie (Rutt) Hough went home in answer to the father's call and in a short time the wistful, little woman who came to Cass County with her first babe in her arms and high hopes in her heart was given one of her loved ones. W. E. Hough, the first born of Daniel and Jennie Hough, died July 18, 1897. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hough are: W. E., born in Wayne County, Ohio, August 2, 1866 and died July 18, 1897; Mrs. M. E. Lyon, born December 23, 1867, now residing in Norheim, Montana; Mrs. M. C. Randal, born December 29, 1869, now residing in Creighton, Missouri; Mrs. E. C. Helmuth, born October 17, 1871, residing in Garden City, Missouri; Mrs. F. M. Garber, born March 4, 1873, residing at 631 Chicago Avenue, Springfield, Mis- souri ; H. E., born April 20, 1874, of Austin, Missouri; J. F., born March 17, 1876, of Lissie, Texas; F. E., born November 18, 1877, of Blairstown, Missouri; Mrs. I. A. Jones, born December 10, 1879, of Creighton, Mis- souri; H. B., born March 7, 1882, of Creighton, Missouri; and D. I., born October, 19, 1883, of Creighton, Missouri. All the children but the first son, W. E., were born in Cass County.
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