USA > Missouri > Clay County > History of Clay County, Missouri > Part 24
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John M. Newlee was educated in the public schools, Liberty high school and William Jewell College. Early in life he engaged in a mer-
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cantile career and for twenty-five years conducted a drug business at Liberty. He sold his business to M. J. Kelly, who was later succeeded by Perkins and MeGennins.
In 1906, Mr. Newlee assisted in the organization of the Citizens Bank of Liberty of which he is now vice-president, and since that time he has devoted his attention to the banking business, having been identified with the Citizens Bank for the fourteen years of its successful banking his- tory. During that period this bank has developed into one of the strongest financial institutions of the state. A history of the Citizens Bank appears elsewhere in this volume.
During the course of his career as a successful business man and banker, Mr. Newlee has always found time to devote to the betterment and upbuilding of Liberty and Clay County, to the interests of which he has at all times shown unselfish devotion. He has served as a mem- ber of the city council for two terms and was mayor of Liberty one term. Ile was president of the Board of Public Works when that body established the present water works and sewerage system of Liberty. At that time, this progressive movement was unpopular and Mr. Newlee paid for the first survey for the water work system, out of his own pocket. He has been a staunch supporter of every practical movement, the object of which has been for the good and advancement of Liberty.
Mr. Newlee was married in 1891 to Miss Dora B. Miller of Liberty. She is a daughter of Madison and Anna (Arthur) Miller, both' of whom are deceased. Madison Miller was a pioneer drygoods merchant of Lib- erty and was engaged in business here for many years. He was the pioneer banker of Clay County.
To Mr. and Mrs. Newlee have been born one daughter, Ann Mary, who married Minetry L. Jones, a wholesale hat dealer of St. Joseph, Missouri.
. Dr. Hermon S. Major, a prominent physician, who was engaged in the practice of medicine in Clay County over half a century ago, was a native of Kentucky. He was a son of Rev. John Sleet Major, a biography of whom appears in this volume. Dr. Hermon S. Major was born in Franklin County, Kentucky, August 4, 1827, and was reared to young manhood in his native state. Early in life, he prepared himself for the medical profession and entered the Louisville Medical College where he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine.
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On March 21, 1850, Dr. Hermon S. Major was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Swearingen, of Kentucky, and they immediately came to Clay County, where he engaged in the practice of medicine. He was an able physician and surgeon and had a large practice in this section of the state.
To Dr. Hermon S. Major and Mary L. (Swearingen) Major were born ten children, the eldest of whom died in infancy and the others were as follows: John Sleet Major, Charles Swearingen Major, William Weeden Major, Mary R. Major, Slaughter G. Major, Susan Y. Major, Sarah Belle Major, Rueben H. Major, and Hermonetta Major.
Dr. Hermon S. Major died at his home near Kearney, Missouri, December 26, 1859. His widow, Mary L. Major, survived him for a num- ber of years and died at Kearney, December 4, 1909.
Rev. John Sleet Major, a prominent pioneer minister who was actively identified with organizing of Baptist churches in Clay County, was a native of Virginia. He was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, March 26,1789. His father was a Revolutionary soldier and moved from Vir- ginia to Franklin County, Kentucky, in 1799. Here, John Sleet Major was given the advantages of such schools as the times and locality afforded. He served as major under General William Henry Harrison in his campaign in the Northwest Territory against the Indians.
In 1819, John Sleet Major was converted and united with the South Benson Baptist Church in Franklin County, Kentucky. He was after- wards pastor of that church. He came to Missouri in 1850 and settled in Clay County. Here he bought and entered a large tract of govern- ment land, near the present site of Kearney. For twenty-two years, he followed farming and preached the gospel and assisted in the organiza- tion of a number of churches in Clay and adjoining counties.
In 1817, John Sleet Major was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda Smith Slaughter of Kentucky and to this union were born five sons and five daughters, all of whom made their homes in Missouri. The five sons came to Missouri about 1850 and settled on farms here, which their father had bought for them. The sons born to Rev. John Sleet Major and wife were as follows: John A. S. Major, Hermon S. Major, Stephen S. Major, William Weeden Major, and Slaughter G. Major. They are all now deceased, except William Weeden Major, who resides at Artesia, New Mexico, at a ripe old age. The daughters born to Rev. John Sleet
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Major and wife were: Ann Eliza, married Joseph Flood; Susan Frances, married Dr. J. C. Bernard; Rosannah M., married Johnson Yates; Euphrates, married Albert G. Davis; and Sarah Belle, married Wilson H. Smith. They are all now deceased.
Rev. John Sleet Major was a Christian gentleman and was held in the highest regard. He was the kind of man who made the world bet- ter for having lived. His career was above reproach, or even criticism. He died September 16, 1872, honored and loved by every one who knew him.
The First National Bank, Liberty, Missouri, is one of the substan- tial financial institutions, not only of Clay County, but, of the state and has to its credit thirty-three years of successful banking which, alone, is a testimonial to the soundness of its policy and methods.
The First National Bank of Liberty was organized May 1, 1887, with a paid-up capital stock of $50,000.00. Daniel Hughes was its first presi- dent and James T. Riley was the first cashier. Mr. Hughes disposed of his interest in 1897, John S. Major becoming the purchaser. At that time Mr. Major succeeded Mr. Hughes to the presidency of the bank and has served in that capacity to the present time.
The present officers of The First National Bank are: John S. Major, president ; James Costello, vice-president ; Claude M. Donovan, vice-presi- dent ; and George S. Ritchey, cashier. Mr. Costello and Mr. Ritchey have served in their respective capacities in the bank for twenty-three years, as has also Mr. Major. Mr. Donovan became connected with the institu- tion in 1919, having been a successful banker at Orrick, Missouri, for a number of years previous.
The present capital stock of the bank is $50,000.00; surplus, $50,000.00 ; and undivided profits, $90,000.00. The record of this bank as a successful financial institution has rarely been equaled in the history of banking. The last statement to the comptroller of currency shows the assets of this institution to be more than $1,000,000.00.
The policy of this bank has always been to extend its aid to the weak and deserving, the officers feeling that to be their obligation, and the phenomenal growth and development has given evidence of the cor- rectness of this policy. The gentlemen who have directed the affairs of this bank and who are still shaping its policy are all high class financiers of long experience and widely known for their ability and integrity.
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The present board of directors consists of the following gentlemen : J. H. Barnes, James Costello, M. E. Lawson, B. F. Pixlee, J. D. Wason. John J. Stogdale, Ed. Withers, L. S. Watkins. C. M. Donovan. John S. Major, George S. Ritchey.
Dr. John Hughes Rothwell, a widely known and successful physician and surgeon of Liberty, Missouri, is a descendant of a distinguished pioneer family of Missouri. He was born at Huntsville, Missouri, July 9, 1858, and is a son of Dr. William Renfrew Rothwell and Louisa M. (Hughes) Rothwell.
Dr. William Renfrew Rothwell was a man of unusual ability and attainments, and during his time was one of the most prominent educators of the state. For a number of years immediately preceding his death he was president of William Jewell College, at Liberty. He was a son of Dr. John Rothwell, a prominent pioneer doctor who practiced in Callaway and Boone Counties, coming from Kentucky to that section of the state in 1830. He practiced his profession until his death in 1868, and his remains are buried in Cedar Church cemetery, near what is known as Stephen's store, in Boone County.
Dr. William Renfrew Rothwell, after receiving a good preparatory edu- cation, took a course in the Missouri University at Columbia, Missouri. He then became president of the Elm Ridge Academy. in Howard County. Missouri. This was a pioneer educational institution, conducted in a two- room log building of the primitive type. There were no glass windows, light being admitted by opening wooden shutters. After conducting that academy for some time, Doctor Rothwell became president of the Mt. Pleasant College at Huntsville. Missouri, which was a prominent educa- tional institution during its time. He held that position until 1860 and was corresponding secretary of the Missouri Baptist Association which sponsored and promoted Mt. Pleasant College until 1871. Doctor Roth- well then came to Liberty as president of William Jewell College, and also professor of moral philosophy and was identified with that well known institution until the time of his death in 1898. He was a man widely known in educational work to which he devoted his life and left his im- print in the field of higher education in which he wielded such a strong influence during the many years of his active and successful career.
Louise M. (Hughes) Rothwell, the wife of William Renfrew Rothwell. died a young woman, in 1860, at about twenty-five years of age. She
DR. JOHN ML. ROTHWELL
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was a daughter of Allen and Melvina Hughes, early pioneer settlers of Howard County, Missouri, and natives of Kentucky. To Dr. William Ren- frew and Louise M. (Hughes), Rothwell were born one child, Dr. John H., the subject of this sketch. Prof. Younger P. Rothwell, superintendent of publie schools of Pomona, California, was a child of his father's second marriage, to Fannie A. Pitts, a native of Kentucky, now living with her son in California, and is eighty years old.
Dr. William Renfrew, great grandfather of Dr. John Hughes Roth- well, was a pioneer doctor in Callaway County, Missouri. He and Doctor Carter, a full blooded Indian, praetieed medieine in partnership in Ken- tueky during the early twenties. They also manufactured herb medicines and were known as herb doctors, and their remedies were used extensively among the pioneers. Doctor Renfrew came to Callaway County in 1831. Doetor Carter, a son of the Indian Doetor Carter, later came to Missouri City, Clay County, where he praetieed medicine and manufactured herl) remedies and had a large practice.
Dr. John Hughes Rothwell was educated at Mt. Pleasant College, Huntsville, Missouri, and afterwards attended William Jewell College where he was graduated in the class of 1880. After reading medieine for a time under the preceptorship of Doetor Allen, of Liberty, he took the medical course at the Missouri Medical College and later attended Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York City. In 1883 he engaged in the practice of his profession at Kearney, Missouri, and one year later located at Liberty where he has since been engaged in practice for a period of thirty-six years. He is an able physician and has ever commanded a large practice.
Doctor Rothwell has always taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs. He was elected coroner of Clay County in 1886 and reelected to that office in 1888, and has served as county physician for several years. In 1887 he was appointed surgeon for the Chicago, Mil- waukee and St. Paul Railroad, a position which he has since held, and since the death of Doctor Allen he has also served as surgeon for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad.
Dr. John H. Rothwell was united in marriage September 15, 1886, with Miss Leta Maude Hardwieke, a native of Clay County, and a daughter of Samuel and Ada (Hall) Hardwicke, both also natives of Clay County and descendants of Missouri pioneers, from Kentucky. Samuel Hardwieke was one of the organizers of the Anti-Horse Thief Association. He and
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Andrew Loughrey, Sidney Summers and Kit Russell who lived near An- tioch Church were the organizers of this association. The building in which they met and organized is still standing. This small organization, by these men, was the beginning of what is now the powerful Anti-Horse Thief Association whose members may be found in all parts of the country. Samuel Hardwicke died about 1896 and his widow lives on the old home place, two miles south of Liberty. Doctor and Mrs. Rothwell have an adopted son, Willard S., aged ten years.
Doctor Rothwell is a member of the County, State and American Medical Association, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
L. T. Dorsett, a well known merchant of Liberty Missouri, who has been in business here for over forty years, is a native of Indiana. He was born in Putnam County, Indiana, March 25, 1854, and is a son of James and Lydia (Bray) Dorsett, both of whom are now deceased. The mother died in Indiana in 1864, and the father died at Everett, Missouri, in 1889, and his remains are buried there.
James and Lydia (Bray) Dorsett were the parents of the following children: A. H., who became a Baptist minister and is now deceased; Mrs. Susan Patrick, deceased; J. H., deceased ; John C., deceased ; James, deceased ; Lydia C., deceased; H. B., who is engaged in the livestock busi- ness in Kansas City, Missouri; L. T., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Nancy Stevens, Archie, Missouri; Ruth, died in Portland, Oregon; Jane, deceased; Ira, deceased; and Mrs. Mary C. Barrett. After the death of his first wife James Dorsett was again married, and to that union were born the following children: Mrs. Laura Ehler, who lives in Kansas ; Mrs. Belle McCoy, Portland, Oregon; and Mrs. Ola McClelland, Seattle, Washington. Her husband is Judge Robert McClelland of Seattle.
When L. T. Dorsett came to Missouri, he located in Cass County and taught school in the vicinity of Everett for five years. At one time dur- ing his teaching career he had eighty-seven pupils which he taught in one room. After teaching he engaged in the mercantile business, con- ducting a general store at Everett for several years. In 1879, he engaged in business at Liberty, Missouri, where he has since conducted a grocery store and he also handles Queensware and glassware.
Mr. Dorsett was married March 25, 1880, to Miss Jennie Liggett, of Freeman, Missouri, a daughter of Anderson Liggett, who settled in Cass
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County with his family in 1867. They came from Ohio. Anderson Lig- gett and his wife are both now deceased and their remains are buried at Freeman, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Dorsett have no children, but they reared a brother and sister of Mrs. Dorsett, Sallie and Earl Liggett, both of whom are deceased.
Mr. Dorsett is a member of the Masonic Lodge, having been made a Mason in the lodge at Everett, Missouri, in 1875. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Baptist Church, and has been a deacon since 1880. For twenty-one years he was superintendent of the Sunday school at Liberty and during that time the enrollment reached 700. He resigned as superintendent about five years ago.
Mr. Dorsett is a substantial business man and well known in Liberty and Clay County.
The Citizens Bank of Liberty, Missouri, was organized in 1906 with a paid up capital of $25,000.00, and the following were the first officers of the bank: L. A. Davidson, president; J. M. Robinson, vice-president ; John M. Newlee, cashier. The board of directors was as follows: L. A. Davidson, A. B. Crawford, J. M. Robinson, P. B. Burns, F. H. Matthews, D. E. Bell, John M. Newlee, Walter P. Downing, John Lindan, Theodore Emerson and James S. Robb.
The first location of the bank was on the northeast corner of the public square in what is now known as the Crawford building. The Citizens Bank opened its doors for business August 15, 1906, and since that time the business has had a rapid and substantial growth.
In February, 1910, to keep pace with the increased business of the bank, the capital stock was increased from $25,000.00 to $50,000.00. At that time the following officers were elected: William F. Norton, presi- dent; L. A. Davison, vice-president ; John M. Newlee, cashier; and E. H. Norton, assistant cashier. In 1913, the capital stock was again increased, this time to $75,000.00.
In June, 1913, ground was broken for the present magnificent bank building which was completed and ready for occupancy in February, 1914, and on March 18, 1914, the new building was open for business. In planning this structure the officers of the bank had in view the pur- pose of meeting the needs of the institution for generations to come, in the plan and scope of the new building. As a result, this banking build-
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ing is, without doubt, the finest, the most convenient and complete in every detail of any bank building in the state outside of the largest cities, The services of the best architects were procured and they were given these specif.c instructions, "to design a building embodying the latest ideas in bank arrangement and convenience, to build it fire proof and to build it strong".
The Citizens Bank building, manifestly, was built according to the above instructions. The entire building is of brick, stone and reenforced concrete and is rated and accepted by insurance companies as fire proof. The bank occupies the main floor and the basement and the second floor are given over to offices . The entrance to the building is through a large vestibule. At the right of the vestibule is the entrance to the president's private office and to the left are the marble stairways leading to the second floor and basement offices. The main banking room is 35 x 40 feet and is divided into a lobby, work space, women's parlor and rest room, and cashier's office. In the rear of this room are the large double vaults, coupon boothis, the directors' room, men's rest room and laboratories. The banking room is finished in mahogany and marble with bronze fixtures and a marble wainscotting extends around the room. The floor is of white tile. The ceiling is beamed with ornamental plaster from which large chandeliers are suspended which are supplemented by smaller fix- tures artistically arranged at convenient places.
The Citizens Bank carries on a general banking business and also conducts a savings department and a safety deposit department.
The officers and directors of this bank are all substantial business men of practical experience with wide banking experience. It is their desire to give the public real service which is the outgrowth of years of experience, and it is their aim to give every possible aid to the growth and development of the community.
The present officers of the Citizens Bank are as follows: William F. Norton, president; John M. Newlee, active vice-president; E. S. Hunt, vice-president; E. H. Norton, cashier; John R. Smiley, assistant cashier ; Jessie Norton, in charge of the savings department. The following are the board of directors: E. E. Bell, J. S. Robb, E. H. Miller, W. P. Down- ing, E. S. Hunt, S. P. Boggess, F. H. Matthews, Theodore Emerson, W. F. Norton, John M. Newlee, and E. H. Norton. The assets of this bank at the present time are nearly $1,000,000.00.
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v Dr. Ralph Hermon Major, the only surviving son born to John Sleet Major and Virginia (Anderson) Major, a sketch of whom appears in this volume, was born near Kearney, Missouri, August 29, 1884. He re- ceived his preliminary education in the kindergarten and the public schools of Little Rock, Arkansas. When the family settled at Liberty, he entered William Jewell College in September, 1896, and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1902, being less than eighteen years old at the time and one of the youngest graduates of that institution. In 1903, he went abroad and studied for two years and a half in the uni- versities of Germany and France. Upon his return to America he de- cided upon medicine as his profession and 1906 entered Johns Hopkins Medical School at Baltimore, Maryland, where he was graduated in 1910 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine.
After receiving his degree, Doctor Major served two years as interne and assistant. He then went to Europe to continue his medical studies and studied under Dr. Von Pisquet of Vienna and Dr. Muller of Munich. He was then called to the Pathological Department of Leland Standford University and from there to the Kansas University as Professor of Path- ology. At present he is a member of the medical staff of the Henry Ford Hospital. at Detroit, Michigan.
Captain Lewis B. Dougherty, vice-president of the Commercial Bank of Liberty, has been a conspicuous figure in the banking affairs of west- ern Missouri for many years and has been connected with the Com- mercial Bank since its organization. He is the only living member of that group of men who met in Liberty, September 24, 1866, for the pur- pose of organizing what is now the Commercial Bank. A souvenir book- let which was published by the bank in 1916, on the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary, was very appropriately dedicated to Captain Dougherty.
Captain Dougherty is a remarkable man in many ways. At the age of ninety-two years, he is still active in mind and body and is a conspicu- ous character in the annals of Clay County banking and business enter- prise. He was born at Ft. Leavenworth, December 6, 1828, and was the second white child born in the territory which is now the state of Kansas, and is the oldest person living who was born in what is now Kansas.
When the Civil War broke out, Captain Dougherty enlisted in the Confederate army, in 1861. He became a member of Company B, Third
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Missouri regiment and served in Gen. Sterling Price's Division and under Gen. Francis M. Cockrell, who later represented Missouri in the United States Senate for many years. Captain Dougherty was twice wounded while in the service and was captured at Island No. 10. He is the pioneer banker of Clay County and one of the best known men in this part of the state.
The Commercial Bank of Liberty, Missouri, is one of the substantial banking institutions, not only of Clay County, but, of the state and for fifty-four years has had a successful banking career. The Commercial Bank was incorporated September 24, 1866. The first meeting held for the purpose of effecting the organization of the bank was held in Temper- ance Hall and the founders and original stockholders of the bank were: L. B. Dougherty, D. J. Adkins, C. J. White, H. L. Routt, Solomon Levy, David Roberts, A. C. Davidson, R. S. Adkins, James M. Watkins, John Ecton, Joseph T. Field, Elisha Higbee, Samuel Hardwicke, A. J. Calhoun, Moss and Armstrong, Eph Sandusky, R. G. Gilmer, D. S. Miller, Mrs. Kate Routt, Thomas M. Gosney, Edward D. Miller, H. J. Robertson, Joseph Y. Clark, William H. Witthoff, John J. Moore, William A. Hall, A. M. Robert- son, Augustus Bishop, A. J. Wilson, William S. Garvey, R. G. Robertson, George Hughes, James Chanslor, L. T. Petty, D. D. Miller, O. F. Dougherty. A. J. Calhoun was the first president and David Roberts the first cashier. The paid up capital stock was $5,000.00.
On January 1, 1867, the bank formally opened for business in the room now occupied by Albert Land on the southwest corner of the square.
January 1, 1870, President A. J. Calhoun and Cashier David Roberts resigned and were succeeded by D. J. Adkins, president, and A. J. Calhoun, cashier. September 26, 1870, W. A. Hall succeeded A. J. Calhoun as cashier. May 20, 1871, L. B. Dougherty became cashier, succeeding W. A. Hall, who resigned. January 1, 1893, B. B. Corbin became associated with the bank as bookkeeper and on August 13, 1885, J. M. Sandusky was elected a member of the board of directors.
Cooper Davidson was chosen president to succeed D. J. Adkins, de- ceased, September 16, 1885 and on September 25, 1885, George Hughes was elected president and served until December 22, 1893, when James N. Sandusky became president.
On April 4, 1895, the capital stock was increased to $50,000.00 and on May 19, 1896, a new charter was secured and the capital stock was
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again increased to $75,000.00. January 7, 1898, John L. Dougherty became assistant cashier and on September 15, 1899, the name of the bank was changed to the Commercial Bank of Liberty. April 25, 1902, the absorption of the Liberty Savings Association by the bank was effected.
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