USA > Missouri > Clay County > History of Clay County, Missouri > Part 30
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
In addition to recognition of this nature, Dr. Matthews has been closely identified with Liberty and Clay County in its varied civic life. He was one of the organizers of the Citizens Bank. and has continued with it as a director.
In 1892 he married one of Liberty's fair daughters, Miss Mary Allen, whose father, Trigg T. Allen, Esq., was a pioneer banker and druggist. Two children have been born to them, Mrs. Harry G. Moberly, of Roswell, New Mexico, and Francis H. Matthews, Jr., at present a student in College.
Dr. Matthews is a Demcrat of the dyed-in-the-wool type, and takes pride in the distinction. He is a member of the Methodist Church and has been one of its stewards and trustees for twenty-five years.
He is a prominent member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows Orders. and has been physician to the Odd Fellows Home Hospital since 1903. He has also been local surgeon for the Rock Island Railroad since 1907, and chief surgeon of the Kansas City, Clay County and St. Joseph Railroad since 1914. In these varied fields of work in which he has been so actively engaged Dr. Frank H. Matthews has shown remarkable ability, and today has a well earned place among Clay County's distinguished physicians.
419
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Charles M. Moore, who is successfully engaged in raising small fruits and gardening, near Liberty, Missouri, is a native of Delaware. He was born in Kent County, Delaware, November 20, 1855, a son of Abraham and Rachel (Biddle) Moore. Abraham Moore died near Dover, Dela- ware, in 1856, and his wife died in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1890. They were the parents of the following children: James, died in childhood; George, died at the age of twenty-one years; William, died in 1884; Mrs. Lizzie Perkins, died in 1917; Mollie A. Moore, lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: and Charles M., the subject of this sketch.
Charles M. Moore was educated in the public schools of Delaware, and in early life learned the trade of coach trimming at Wilmington. Shortly afterwards he came west and settled at Orrick, Missouri, where he lived for twenty-five years. He was engaged in farming and stock raising and in 1903 he met with considerable loss on account of the flood of that year. He then traded his farm for his present place, two miles north of Liberty. He owns sixty acres here which is devoted to fruit raising and garden. He has an apple orchard of five acres and several acres devoted to blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and other small fruits. He also carries on an extensive gardening and raises practically all vegetables to which this soil and climate is adapted. His three sons assist in the work on the place and he employs a great deal of other help during the busy seasons.
Charles M. Moore was first married in 1878 to Miss Minerva Mitchell who died a few years after her marriage, leaving two children: Edward, of Kansas City, Missouri; and Maude, deceased. December 5, 1882, Mr. Moore was married to Sarah F. Creason of Ray County, Missouri, a daughter of Rial and Mary D. (Hall) Creason, the former a native of Ray County and the latter of North Carolina, and both now deceased. Rial Creason died at eighty-one years of age and his wife died at the age of forty-four years. They were the parents of the following children : Martha, deceased; Cyrus, Kansas City, Missouri; Emma D., deceased ; Thomas W., deceased; Mary Susan, deceased; Mrs. Charles M. Moore of this sketch; Almedia, deceased; Furney, deceased; Wiley, deceased ; Rosalia, deceased; Robert, deceased; Daisy, deceased; and Mrs. Helena Wholf, of Sedalia, Missouri. After the death of his first wife, Rial Creason was again married and the following children were born to that union: Frank, Beulah, Iola and Inez, twins.
To Charles M. Moore and wife have been born eleven children as
420
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
follows: Herbert A., Falls City, Nebraska; Robert E., Ogden, Utah; Elizabeth, married Sam Hallman; Rial C., Ogden, Utah; Mary E., married Walter Ruyle; Charles F., Ogden, Utah; Jewel L., St. Paul, Minnesota ; Cyrus A., Bernard, James William and Mable Irene, all at home with their parents.
Charles F. Moore served in the army during the World War. He enlisted May 11, 1918, and was first sent to Jefferson Barracks and from there to Camp Paliaferro, California, and from there to Camp Kearney, where he was stationed when the war closed. He was a member of Com- pany H, 21st Infantry, and was discharged at Camp Funston in January, 1919.
Jewel L. Moore enlisted August 27, 1918, and was sent to Camp Funston and from there to the Officers Training Camp at Camp Grant, and was there when the war closed. He was discharged January 7, 1919.
Leonard N. Hicks, proprietor of the "Michigan Cleaners and Dyers", of Liberty, Missouri, is an enterprising business man who is meeting with well merited success and conducts one of the up-to-date institutions of its kind.
Leonard N. Hicks was born in Stoddard County, Missouri, September 30, 1881, and is a son of A. W. and Rameth (Mosley) Hicks, both natives of South Carolina. The mother died in Stoddard County, Missouri, in November, 1900, and the father departed this life in January, 1911. They were the parents of the following children: Leonard N., the sub- ject of this sketch; Sciota C., who lives in Alabama; Augusta, lives in Arkansas; and Mrs. Maud Brown, in Mississippi.
Leonard N. Hicks was educated in the public schools of Stoddard County, Missouri, and in early life learned the tailor's trade at Bloom- field, Missouri. He worked at his trade in Illinois and also in St. Louis, and has been engaged in his present business since June, 1902. He came to Liberty, Missouri, in September, 1908, and was in the employ of Kirk- land and Burch for a time when he engaged in business for himself, under the name of the "Michigan Cleaners and Dyers". His business is located in a new fire proof brick and stone building 43 x 63 feet, on North Mis- souri street. The business occupies the first floor and basement, where tailoring, cleaning and pressing are done on an extensive scale. The excel- lency of his workmanship is recognized, not only in Liberty, but he has a large patronage from the surrounding country. He has a well earned
421
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
reputation for doing first class work at fair prices. He also has a rug cleaning and sizing department which is operated in the basement of his building and he does an extensive business in this line.
Mr. Hicks was married June 5, 1913, to Miss Clara Irminger, a daughter of Lewis Irminger, who resides in Fishing River township, Clay County. Mrs. Hicks has one brother, Victor Irminger, who lives with his parents.
Mr. Hicks has an extensive acquaintance in Liberty and stands high in the community.
James D. Wason, a well known and highly respected citizen of Clay County, is a native of this county. He was born in Gallatin township, March 18, 1851, a son of James and Ann (Young) Wason, both natives of Woodford County, Kentucky.
James Wason, the father, was born June 11, 1798, and his wife was born December 25, 1811. They were married in Woodford County, Ken- tucky, September 25, 1833, and in 1837 came to Clay County, Missouri, and entered government land on what was known as Doherty Prairie. Two years later, they settled near Big Shoal Church where they spent the remainder of their lives. James Wason died June 18, 1868. and his wife survived him for a number of years; she died May 19, 1893.
To James and Ann (Young) Wason were born the following chil- dren: William T., born October 25, 1834. in Kentucky, and died in Clay County, Missouri, December 9, 1839; Logan D., born December 20, 1835, in Woodford County, Kentucky, and died in Clay County, July 18, 1837; Helen M., born June 7, 1838 and died February 15, 1840; Ann E., born July 18, 1844 and died November 15, 1847; Mary J. and Martha C., twins, born May 29, 1841; Mary J., married W. S. Embree, June 15, 1890, and died March 22, 1913; Martha C., married W. B. Morris, April 4, 1878, and after his death she married Thomas A. Dykes, October 24, 1900, and she died May 2, 1912; Virginia Y., born April 30, 1848, married W. M. Doug- lass, May 29, 1870, and they reside in Cass County, Missouri; and James D .. the subject of this sketch.
James D. Wason was reared on the pioneer home farm and received his education in the Sugar Creek Grove school district. He recalls that Thomas B. Ricketts was his first teacher and later Joseph N. Baker, who was recognized as one of the ablest teachers of the early days, was his teacher. Both Ricketts and Baker are now dead. When James D. Wason
422
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
was about seventeen years old, his father died, and at that early age he became the main support of his sisters and widowed mother. He engaged in farming and stock raising in early life, and in 1880, he bought 240 acres of land and in 1912 sold 160 acres of this property. He now owns eighty acres of very valuable land, five miles northeast of Kansas City, and one-half mile from Maple Park, on the electric railroad. Mr. Wason has resided in Liberty since 1908, and built his present residence in 1910. It is a modern brick structure and one of the fine residences in Liberty.
Mr. Wason was first married September 11, 1878, to Miss Alice Winn, a daughter of Willis and Elizabeth Winn. She died February 13, 1890. On September 21, 1892, Mr. Wason was married to Miss Betty H. Barnes, a daughter of Francis and Henrietta (Nall) Barnes. Mrs. Wason was born in Gallatin township and reared and educated there. Her parents were natives of Kentucky and early settlers in Gallatin township. To Mr. and Mrs. Wason have been born three children: Robert Hervey Wason, who was educated in the public schools of Liberty, and Bettie E. and Nellie M., twins, both of whom graduated from the Liberty High School in the class of 1919.
Mr. Wason is public spirited and takes a commendable interest in public affairs. He has been a member of the school board for nine years and served on the city council three years, and at the present time is a member of the Board of Public Works. He has been a director in the First National Bank since 1906, and is one of the substantial men of Clay County.
George W. Frick, who is recognized as one of the leading farmers and stockmen of Liberty township, is a native son of Clay County and a member of one of its pioneer families. He was born on the place where he now resides, in Liberty township, April 16, 1861, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Walker) Frick.
Henry Frick came to Clay County from Pennsylvania in 1843 and entered government land here. Later he disposed of that tract, and in 1851 settled on the place which is now owned by George W. Frick. He lived here until 1886, when he went to Burlington, Coffey County, Kansas, and spent the remainder of his days there. His wife was a native of Kentucky and came to Clay County with her parents in 1831, when she was seven years old. She died at Burlington, Kansas, on her sixty-eighth birthday, and her husband died on his eighty-fourth birthday. They
423
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
were the parents of the following children: John, lives in Woodson County. Kansas; Henry Tilman, deceased; William, deceased; Mattie, married Alex Butchart, Kansas City, Missouri; James, Stillwater, Okla- homa; Mrs. Susan Hartel, deceased; Joseph, Colorado; Ellen, deceased : George W., the subject of this sketch; Lizzie, married William Stern, Washington; Martha, married Sylvanus Stern, Coffey County, Kansas.
George W. Frick was reared on the home farm in Liberty township and attended school in the Providence district. He recalls Dock Shaver and Reuben Stapp as being among the early teachers, and those who taught subscription schools here before the Civil War were Bob Flemings, Mr. Whittaker, Mr. Bancroft and Mr. Colby. Mr. Frick has been engaged in farming and stock raising since early life. He first bought ninety- five acres of the old home farm in 1881 for which he paid twenty dollars an acre. Later he sold that and bought eighty acres, which he traded to his father for 120 acres which constituted the old homestead. He now owns 380 acres of land in Liberty township, which is a valuable and well improved farm. The farm residence has been remodeled and there is a large barn on the place 40 x 50 feet. There are also two residences, besides the family home. Mr. Frick is an extensive stock raiser and raises large numbers of cattle, horses and mules and feeds and ships a great many hogs and cattle.
On April 25, 1881, Mr. Frick was married to Mary C. Liggett, who was born and reared in Liberty township and is a daughter of Thomas and Nancy Angeline (Galloway) Liggett. To Mr. and Mrs. Frick have been born nine children: John, Henry, George Allen, Robert Riley and Nannie, all of whom are at home with their parents; Elizabeth, married Ralph Passmore, of Goff, Kansas; James, Goff, Kansas; Roxie, married Oscar Warren and is now deceased; and Glenn at home.
Robert Riley Frick, above mentioned, entered the United States army, September 19, 1917 and was sent to Camp Funston for training and later to Camp Pike, Arkansas. June 12, 1918, he embarked for France, as a member of the 35th Field Artillery and served with the 42nd Division in France which was known as the Rainbow Division. He took part in several of the important engagements of the World War. He was sent to the front line July 13, 1918, where he remained until October 27th. He was wounded by shrapnel in the right arm at Verdun and as a result spent two months in a hospital. His wound was of a very severe nature but he finally recovered. He was at the Aisne front,
424
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Chateau Thierry and the Meuse. He left France December 25, 1918, and arrived at Newport News, Virginia, January 7, 1919, and was shortly afterwards discharged at Camp Funston. Jasper Boone, a Clay County boy, who went with Robert Riley Frick, died from wounds received in the service. He was wounded November 5th and died November 11, 1918, the day the armistice was signed.
George W. Frick is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows of Liberty and a well known and highly respected citizen of Clay County.
Alonzo E. Macken, a well known farmer of Gallatin township, who resides near Randolph, is a native of Clay County, and was born on the place where he now resides June 26, 1886. He is a son of Albert and Elizabeth Jane (Curry) Macken.
Albert Macken was born at Columbus, Ohio, in 1844, and died on his home place in Gallatin township January 26, 1911. He was married to Elizabeth Jane Curry at Blue Eagle, which was later known as Ran- dolph, in July, 1867. She was a daughter of Leroy and Rebecca Ann Curry. Leroy Curry was a native of Virginia, and died in 1907. His wife died when Mrs. Macken was a child, five years old. Leroy Curry married a second time to Amanda Williams, a native of Terre Haute, Indiana. She died in June, 1918. Mrs. Macken has a brother, Alonzo, who lives in Kansas City, and a sister. Mrs. Frances Emily Carpenter, of Randolph, Missouri.
To Albert and Elizabeth Jane (Curry) Macken were born the follow- ing children: William Macken, a grocer of North Kansas City, Missouri; Minnie, married John Montgomery, of Moscow, Missouri; Bertha, married John Prather, of Avondale, Missouri, and Alonzo E., the subject of this sketch.
Alonzo E. Macken was educated in the public school in District No. 71, and has followed truck farming since early manhood. He conducts the home farm which consists of 101 acres of productive land in Gallatin township. He raises lima beans and strawberries and other garden pro- ducts, and at times employs as many as thirty-five people during the busy seasons. He markets his products in the Kansas City market, he and his father having had a stall in the Kansas City market for about forty years. The Macken place is well improved and conveniently arranged for successfully carrying on the garden truck business.
ALBERT AND ELIZABETH J. MACKEN
427
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
On January 30, 1912, Alonzo E. Macken was united in marriage with Miss Lettie Manual, a daughter of Philip and Margaret (McRae) Manual. Mr. Manual died in 1906 and is buried at Huntsville, Missouri, and his widow resides in Kansas City, Missouri. Mrs. Macken was a teacher, having taught in the schools of Randolph and Clay counties prior to her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Macken have been born three children: Albert Earl, deceased; Alonzo Edward and Arthur Stanley.
Mr. and Mrs. Macken have an extensive acquaintance in Clay County and stand high in the community.
Oscar M. Petty, a prominent farmer and stockman, who is one of the large stock raisers of Clay County, was born in Fishing River township. August 6, 1868. He is a son of Jesse M. and Elizabeth (Michalucine) Petty.
Jesse M. Petty was a native of Spottsylvania County. Virginia, and came to Missouri and settled in Clay County at an early date. He spent the remainder of his life here and died on May 3, 1907, and his remains are buried in the old cemetery near Kearney. His wife was born in Clay County and was a descendant of a very early pioneer family of this county. Jesse M. Petty and wife were the parents of the following chil- dren: Florence, married Newton Lincoln, of Liberty, Missouri; Mariah F., married John M. Coates and is deceased; Oscar M., the subject of this sketch; Edgar N., Liberty, Missouri: Kate E., married E. P. Tapp, Chand- ler, Missouri ; and Lottie, married James Greenfield, and is deceased.
Oscar M. Petty was reared on a farm and educated in the Estes school district and the public schools at Kearney. He engaged in farm- ing on his own account in early life and bought his home place of 160 acres, in 1892. Since that time he has bought additional land, including one place of forty-seven acres and another of 176 acres. all in one body. The 176 acre farm is a part of the Andy Robinson place, and the brick residence now standing on this place is one of the historic landmarks of Clay County and was built by Andy Robinson, about 1830. Mr. Petty's home place is a part of the old Dale farm. He cultivates about seventy acres and uses the balance of his land for pasture. He specializes in Whiteface cattle and at this writing is feeding 123 head, but he aims to generally keep on hands about one hundred head or more. His place is well watered and adapted to stock raising and he is one of the successful stockmen of Clay County.
428
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Oscar M. Petty was marmed in April. 1895, to Miss Edna M. King. a native of Clay County and a daughter of Moses and Anna King, of Liberty township. To Mr. and Mrs. Petty have been born two children, Marshall Irwin, born February 11, 1896, and is engaged in the stock business in partnership with his father. He was married December 26. 1917, to Miss Lucille Bert Munkirs, of Kearney township. Clay County ; and Anna Lee. born October 7. 1901 and died February 27. 1903.
Oscar M. Petty and his son are progressive and enterprising citizens and are well and favorably known in Clay County.
Mr. and Mrs. Petty have one grand daughter, Marjorie Jean.
P. M. Dale, of Liberty township, is one of the well known and de- pendable farmers and stockmen of Clay County. He was born on the farm where he now resides, five miles northwest of Liberty, in Liberty township, June 26, 1879, and is a son of Newton and Margaret Ann (Stevenson) Dale.
Newton Dale was born in Liberty township. November 23, 1821, and was a son of Weakley Dale, whose wife bore the maiden name of Mccown. Weakley Dale and his wife were among the very early pioneer settlers of Liberty township. Newton Dale was a farmer and stockman and spent his entire career in Clay County. He died. September 18, 1889. His wife, Margaret Ann Stevenson, was born in Liberty township, February 25, 1846 and died at Liberty. She was a daughter of Samuel Stevenson. a pioneer settler of Clay County.
To Newton and Margaret Ann (Stevenson) Dale were born the fol- lowing children: Lottie J., died in 1914, at the age of forty-one years ; Annie Belle, died January 28. 1898. at the age of twenty-three years; and P. M. Dale, the subject of this sketch.
P. M. Dale was reared on the home place where he now resides and educated in the Little Shoal district school and the Liberty High School. He has always made farming and stock raising his chief occupation and has met with success. In 1904. he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the home place and in 1918 added forty acres by purchase. and now has a well improved and valuable farm of 110 acres. The farm was originally a part of the old Hall homestead.
Mr. Dale was married in 1908 to Miss Irene Bayer, a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Liggett) Bayer of Liberty township. To Mr. and
429
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Mrs. Dale have been born three children, Beulah and Frances at home with their parents, and one son, Harry, who died in infancy.
Mr. Dale is a progressive and enterprising citizen and well known and highly respected in Liberty township and Clay County.
John P. Robb, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Liberty town- ship, is a native of Kentucky. He was born in Mason County, April 20, 1848, a son of W. W. and Margaret M. (Piper) Robb, both natives of Kentucky.
W. W. Robb came to Missouri in 1873 and settled in Cass County, where he remained one year. He then went to Illinois and settled in Greene County and later returned to Missouri and settled in Clay County. He and his wife died in Illinois. They were the parents of the following children: William lives in Mason County, Kentucky; James S., who served as county judge of Clay County two terms, now resides at Liberty ; John P., the subject of this sketch; and Mary Eliza, married Jasper John- son and lives in Greene County, Illinois.
John P. Robb was reared and educated in Kentucky and in 1873, when he was twenty-five years old, he came to Missouri with the other members of the family and settled in Cass County. A year later when the family removed to Illinois, he accompanied them and taught school and farmed in that state until 1880. He then returned to Missouri and settled in Liberty township, Clay County. Here he bought eighty acres of land which was known as the McGinnis farm. He sold that place later and bought the Joseph Reddick place which he afterwards sold and bought his present place from Jacob Brost. This farm contains 123 acres of valuable land which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. The place is located two miles northwest of Liberty, on the Liberty- Smithville road. The farm residence and the other buildings about the place are in good condition and the farm presents a well kept appearance.
John P. Robb was married September 2, 1875 to Miss Tobitha Ann Foster, a daughter of James L. and Elizabeth (Brown) Foster, both natives of Nicholas County, Kentucky. The Foster family removed to Illinois and settled in Macoupin County in 1864, and the parents both spent the remainder of their lives in that state. The father died in 1900 and the mother in 1892. Mrs. Robb was the second of seven children born to her parents. The others are as follows: David M., deceased ; James, deceased; Mary, married Rollin McGee and they live at Girard,
430
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Illinois; Charles A., Bucyrus, Kansas; Elizabeth, Girard, Illinois; and Luther J., Carlinville, Illinois.
To John P. Robb and wife have been born the following children: James E., a progressive farmer and stockman who operates the home farm in Liberty township; Bessie C., married Van Boydston, Liberty, Missouri; Ann Eliza, at home with her parents; Rev. William L., a gradu- ate of William Jewell College and the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of Louisville, Kentucky, is a Presbyterian minister, married Mildred Davis of Louisville, Kentucky, and resides at Brighton, Illinois; John Carlyle,, a real estate man at San Antonio, Texas, married Miss Bonnie Simmons of Clay County, Missouri. There are three grand children in the Robb family, as follows: John David, Irvin Luther and Bernice Robb.
John P. Robb is one of Clay County's most substantial citizens and the Robb family is representative of the best citizenship of Clay County.
John Walter Pryor, a well known and successful farmer and stock- man, of Liberty township, was born in this township October 8, 1872. He is a son of James G. and Ruth M. (Darby) Pryor.
James G. Pryor was also a native of Clay County, Missouri, born here in 1844. He was a son of Captain Pryor whose wife bore the maiden name of Lewis, and they were very early pioneer settlers of Clay County, coming from Kentucky to this county and settling in Liberty township. James G. Pryor followed farming and stock raising in Liberty township throughout his active career. He died September 30. 1896, and his remains are buried at Liberty.
Ruth M. (Darby) Pryor was born in Gallatin township, Clay County. She was a daughter of Andrew and Malinda Darby, natives of North Carolina who settled in Gallatin township. Clay County, and were among the early settlers of that section. Mrs. Pryor, mother of John Walter Pryor, died September 1, 1903 at the age of fifty-six years.
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.