USA > Missouri > Clay County > History of Clay County, Missouri > Part 36
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James R. Scott, a well known and prosperous farmer and stockman of Platte township, is a native son of Clay County and a member of one of the pioneer families of this part of the state. He was born on the farm where he now resides in Platte township, February 25, 1848, and is a son of Washington and Ruth Ann (Duncan) Scott.
Washington Scott was a Kentuckian, born in that state in 1812, and was reared to manhood there and married. In 1840 he came to Missouri with his wife and settled in Clay County. Here he settled in Platte township where he bought a farm of 240 acres and carried on general farming and stock raising during the remainder of his life. He was a successful man of affairs and at the time of his death he was the owner of 412 acres of land. He died February 6, 1857. His wife was also a native of Kentucky; she died on the home place in Platte town- ship in 1864. They were the parents of nine children, as follows: Mary E., deceased; John W., of Smithville, Missouri, a sketch of whom appears in this volume with a more extensive history of the Scott family : Israel L., deceased; Washington W., deceased; Ruth A., deceased; James R., the subject of this sketch; Sarah J., deceased; Nancy F., deceased ; and Ida, J., deceased.
James R. Scott was reared on the home farm in Platte township, and attended the district school. He remained at home and assisted his parents as long as they lived. In 1868 he rented a farm in part- nership with his brother, John W., north of Smithville. In 1872 he bought 80 acres of the home place and later he bought more land until he is now the owner of 356 acres of valuable land and has one of the best farms in Platte township. He carries on general farming and stock raising and has been successful in his undertakings. He is a member
JAMES R. SCOTT
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of the board of directors of the Farmers Bank of Smithville and has been identified with that bank for a number of years.
On November 20, 1872, James R. Scott was united in marriage with Miss Rose Ann Aker, a daughter of Martin J. and Nan (Rollins) Aker, both natives of Kentucky, and now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Scott have been born the following children: Jennie, deceased; Martin A., lives in Clay County ; Sue C., resides at home; Richard W., resides at home; Stella W., married D. W. Bronaugh, and they live in Clay County ; James A., Jr., lives in Texas; John W., deceased; Agnes J., married E. P. Merritt, Wynne, Arkansas; Ruth A., deceased; Rose Lee, married Warren Hall, Weston, Missouri; and Ira Henry, died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott are members of the Christian Church. He is a Democrat and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Mrs. Scott is a member of the Rebeccas. The Scott family is well known in western Clay County and stand high in the community.
Rice Emmett Hall, a well known contractor and builder who also operates a planing mill at Liberty, Missouri, is a native of this state. He was born in Clay County, February 12, 1875, and is a son of John Will Hall and Mary Ellen (Burbette) Hall.
John Will Hall was also a native of Clay County, born about two miles northwest of Liberty, January 28, 1844. He was a son of John Hall, a Kentuckian, who settled in Liberty township, Clay County, in the early thirties and followed contracting and building and also improved a farm in Liberty township. John Will Hall was also a contractor from early manhood until the time of his death. He took a prominent part in local affairs during his career. He served two terms as recorder of deeds of Clay County and was mayor of Liberty several terms.
When the Civil War broke out, John Will Hall enlisted in the Con- federate army and served for four years under Gen. Sterling Price. He was wounded three times while in the service. He was one of the Clay County boys who helped construct the breastworks at William Jewell College during the early part of the war. He died at Liberty in 1916, and his remains are buried in Fairview cemetery. His widow now re- sides at Liberty. She was born in Virginia in 1850.
To John Will and Mary Ellen (Burbette) Hall were born the follow- ing children: Rice Emmett, the subject of this sketch : Harry L., a car- penter, who lives at Liberty, Missouri; Sarah, married Willard P. King,
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Fort Worth, Texas; Nellie Will, married Morris G. Gordon, Fort Worth, Texas; Oscar B., the eldest of the family died in 1910 at the age of forty- one years.
Rice Emmett Hall was educated in the public schools of Liberty, at- tending the high school from which he was graduated. He was brought up in the building business, learning the carpenter trade with his father before he reached his majority. He soon followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and soon became a contractor and builder which he has successfully followed. He has built a number of the best residences in Liberty, including the Christian parsonage and residences of Samuel Webber, John L. Allen, Ed Watkins, L. W. Hicks and at present is erecting a residence for W. W. Dougherty. The three generations of Halls have, perhaps, erected over half the buildings in Liberty. Mr. Hall also builds silos for the Crates Silo Company of Kansas City, Missouri, and does a great deal of work for that company.
Rice E. Hall was married December 16, 1914, to Miss Catherine Ben- son, of Smithville, Missouri. She is a daughter of James F. and Margaret M. (Arbuckle) Benson. Mrs. Hall is one of the following children born to her parents: Mrs. Robert Robertson, Smithville, Missouri; Mrs. Clara Lewis, Pardee; Mrs. Emma Johnson, Pratt, Kansas; William Benson, Smithville, Missouri; and Catherine, the wife of Rice E. Hall, the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Hall is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 174, of Liberty, Missouri. He is a substantial progressive and enterprising citizen.
Edgar Nall, a member of the firm of Nall and Gragg, progressive and enterprising merchants of North Kansas City, Missouri, who conduct one of the leading grocery stores of that thriving town. is a native of Clay County. He was born in Gallatin township, near Big Shoal Baptist Church, November 14, 1873, and is a son of George and Ann E. (Baker) Nall.
George Nall was also born in Gallatin township, near Randolph. He was a son of William and Morning (Harrison) Nall, natives of Virginia. They were early settlers in Clay County and located on a farm near Ran- dolph. The place is now owned by the Meffert heirs. George Nall died at his home near Big Shoal church at the age of sixty-eight years. Ann (Baker) Nall was born in Madison County, Kentucky, a daughter of
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Jonah Baker, who were early settlers in Gallatin township, locating on a farm adjoining Big Shoal church on the south. Mrs. Nall now resides at Welch, Oklahoma, and is seventy-six years old.
To George and Ann E. (Baker) Nall were born the following chil- dren: Ernest, a farmer and stockman, Welch, Oklahoma; Nora, married Lee Kelsey, North Kansas City, Missouri; Edgar, the subject of this sketch; Carry, Welch, Oklahoma; Rose, married Waller Woods, Seattle, Washington ; Lena, married John Gragg, member of the firm of Nall and Gragg, North Kansas City, Missouri; and Ozella, Welch, Oklahoma.
Edgar Nall was reared on the home farm and educated in the public schools of Clay County. He engaged in farming and stock raising in early life and was successfully engaged in that line of endeavor until he engaged in the mercantile business at North Kansas City, August 23, 1920, in partnership with John Gragg. This firm carries a complete line of groceries and also have a meat department in which they carry all kinds of fresh and canned meats. They are located in the Pioneer Build- ing and their business occupies a frontage of twenty-five feet and seventy- five feet deep and also a basement. They have had a good patronage from the start and their many customers appreciate their dependable goods and square dealing.
Mr. Nall was married September 6, 1919, to Miss Mina Wilkerson, a daughter of William and Bettie Wilkerson of Smithville, Missouri, and natives of Clay County. To Mr. and Mrs. Nall have been born two sons : Claude and Arthur.
Mr. Nall is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He has been a lifelong Democrat and has taken an active part in political matters. He is the present chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee of Clay County.
Ambrose Lancaster, a progressive farmer and stockman of Liberty township, is a member of one of the pioneer families of Clay County. He was born in Liberty township, December 24, 1872, and is a son of John Samuel and Kittie (Price) Lancaster, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.
Ambrose Lancaster was reared on the home farm and educated in the public schools. He became familiar with farming and stock raising in early life and since his boyhood he has been interested in that vocation.
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He operates about 150 acres of the home place and also conducts a farm of seventy acres of which he is the owner. He and his father and his brother, James, have been engaged in the breeding business in addition to their other farming operations, for the past forty years. John Samuel Lancaster began breeding pure bred Poland China hogs over forty years ago, and he and his sons have been breeding pure bred Hereford cattle for over thirty years. Ambrose Lancaster operates a threshing outfit during the threshing season and the past season he has threshed 25,000 bushels of wheat and 8,000 bushels of oats.
January 1, 1901, Ambrose Lancaster was married to Miss Gertrude E. Moberly, a daughter of Simeon and Sarah Moberly of Liberty, Mis- souri. Simeon Moberly died at the age of seventy-five years and his remains were buried in the old Liberty Church cemetery and his widow now resides in Liberty. To Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster have been born the following children: John B., Julius M., Ambrose M., Sarah, Myra and Leslie R.
Mr. Ambrose is a Democrat and in 1918 was a candidate for the nomination to the office of county collector. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, having been a member of that lodge for twenty-six years. He also holds membership in the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows lodges.
John Samuel Lancaster, one of the older pioneer residents of Clay County, still resides in Liberty township which has been his home for sixty-three years. He was born in Jassimine County, Kentucky, Novem- ber 2, 1835, a son of Mason S. and Polly (Collins) Lancaster, both natives of Kentucky and now deceased. Mason S. Lancaster came to Clay County in 1866 and died here in 1884. His wife died in Kentucky in 1852. They were the parents of the following children: John Samuel, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. W. E. Sallee, deceased; Mrs. Bettie Van Dyke, of Lib- erty, Missouri; Lewis, of Excelsior Springs; and Ambrose D., deceased.
John Samuel Lancaster was reared in Kentucky and received his edu- cation in private schools. In 1857, when he was twenty-two years old, he came to Clay County and worked for his uncles, John and George Collins. He was in their employ for sixteen months and received twenty dollars a month. In 1860, he bought eighty acres of land for which he paid twenty dollars an acre. Later, he sold that place and bought 178 acres for thirty dollars an acre. In 1888, he traded that farm for 300 acres which
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is located five miles northeast of Liberty, in Liberty township. This is one of the valuable and well improved farms in Clay County, and all of the improvements have been placed there by Mr. Lancaster. There is a good residence on the place which was built in 1903, and the other build- ings about the place are of a substantial character and kept in good condi- tion. Mr. Lancaster has retired from the active operation of the farm and turned the responsibilities of its care and operation over to his son, Ambrose Lancaster.
January 6, 1859, John S. Lancaster was married to Miss Kittie Price, of Platte County, Missouri, a daughter of James and Mary (Elliott) Price, natives of Kentucky, the former of Harrison and the latter of Woodford County. James Price died in Platte County, Missouri, and his wife died at Liberty. Mrs. Lancaster had one brother, William Price, who was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in the Confederate army under General Price and is now deceased. Another brother, James T. Price, who also served in the Confederate army during the Civil War, now lives at Liberty, Missouri.
To Mr. and Mrs. John Samuel Lancaster have been born the follow- ing children: James Mason Lancaster, Olathe, Kansas; George C., de- ceased ; Lena, married John Vinton Wilson, and they live near Chandler; Eudora, married John H. Funk, Liberty, Missouri; Leslie, a farmer in Fishing River township; Ambrose, who farms the home place: Fannie, who resides on the home place.
Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, January 6, 1909, and many of their old friends and acquaintances were present to do honor to this venerable couple on that occasion.
Mr. Lancaster is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, having been made a Mason at Salvisa, Kentucky, in 1866. Later he got a transfer to Barry, Missouri, and still later one to the Masonic Lodge at Liberty, Missouri. He is one of the substantial and highly esteemed pioneer settlers of Clay County, and the Lancaster family is one of the representative families of this section.
Charles Pence, a prominent citizen of Liberty township, belongs to an early pioneer family of this section of Missouri. He was born in Platte County, May 3, 1861, a son of Henry Clay and Virginia (Ligon) Pence.
Henry Clay Pence was a son of Henry Pence, a Kentuckian, who came to Clay County and settled in Liberty township at a very early date.
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He was a large slave holder and prominent in the early day affairs of this county. He was a man of fine ability and excellent character. Henry Clay Pence is now deceased and his widow resides in King City, Missouri, at the age of eighty-seven years. She is a descendant of Colonial an- cestors. Her mother, Eliza Atkinson, was a direct descendant of Colonel William Mayo, of Revolutionary fame.
The following children were born to Henry Clay and Virginia (Ligon) Pence: William Franklin, San Frenando, California; Mary Eliza, married James Wallace, who died at Pueblo, Colorado; Henry, died in Dekalb County, in 1902; Augustus, a successful farmer and stockman of Dekalb County, Missouri; Charles, the subject of this sketch; G. B., a hardware merchant at King City, Missouri, was formerly a member of the Legis- lature from Dekalb County; George, died at Florence, Colorado; Martha, married J. R. Berry, King City, Missouri; and Octa, died at the age of eleven years.
Charles Pence was educated in the public schools of Platte and Dekalb counties and for twelve years he was engaged in the mercantile business at Grower, Missouri. In 1903, he settled on a farm in Liberty township, where he has since devoted his attention to general farming and stock raising. The Pence farm is one of the historic old places of Clay County and was formerly the Lewis Lancaster farm.
Charles Pence was married March 22. 1883, to Miss Genie Vermilion. Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Pence was prominent in educational work and a well known and successful teacher in Clinton and Dekalb counties. She is a daughter of William Henry and Marie Catherine (Furse) Ver- milion. William Henry Vermilion lived in Daviess County, Missouri, when the Civil War broke out. He enlisted in the Confederate army and died while in the service. During the war his widow came to Clay County where she was a prominent teacher for a number of years. She was an accomplished woman of unusual ability. Maria Cathrine Furse Vermilion was married a second time to Rev. William W. Tillery, a Primitive Baptist minister. They removed to Clinton County and she now resides at St. Joseph, Missouri, with her daughter, Grace, wife of Judge Thomas B. Allen.
To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pence have been born four children as fol- lows: Henry Clay, born October 15, 1884, is now deceased; Charles Edgar, born April 10, 1886; Fannie Catherine, born September 7, 1888, is now deceased; and Anna Grace, at home.
Charles Edgar Pence attended the public school and after graduating
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from the Gower High School, he entered William Jewell College, where he was graduated with the degree of Batchelor of Arts in the class of 1908. He was then principal of the Doniphan High School and after- wards attended Chicago University. He was then elected to the chair of Latin and Greek in the Harvard School for Boys at Chicago and is at present one of the owners of that institution. The Harvard School is one of the exclusive schools for boys of Chicago and is one of the old edu- cational institutions of high standing in that city. It is regarded as one of the best schools of its kind in the West. It was founded in 1886. Charles Edgar Pence married Miss Mary Elizabeth Martin, a daughter of Dr. C. H. Martin, of St. Joseph, Missouri.
Anna Grace Pence was graduated at the Liberty Ladies College in 1913. She then attended the University of Missouri and was graduated from that institution with the degree of Batchelor of Arts in 1917. She then taught Latin and History at Granby, Missouri, and was later prin- cipal of the Kearney High School for one year. She then returned to the University of Missouri, receiving her Masters degree in 1919 and now- occupies the chair in Latin at Trinity University, Waxahachie, Texas.
Robert H. Connell, a prominent farmer and stockman of Gallatin township and a former county judge of Clay County, was born in Leaven- worth County, November 4, 1856. He is a son of Jesse and Mary (John- son) Connell, both natives of Kentucky, the former born in Trimble County and the latter in Woodford County.
Jesse Connell settled in Platte County, Missouri, in the early forties. Later he removed to Leavenworth County, Kansas, where he remained during the Civil War and until 1875. He then settled in Gallatin town- ship, Clay County, where he bought a farm and was engaged in farming and stock raising until 1880. He then went to Bates County, Missouri, and spent the remainder of his life in that county. While a resident of Bates County, he was elected presiding judge of the county court and served in that capacity until the time of his, death, in 1892. His remains are buried at Butler, Missouri. His widow survived him for a number of years and died in Leavenworth County, Kansas, in 1914, and her remains are buried by the side of her husband at Butler, Missouri.
Jesse and Mary (Johnson) Connell were the parents of the following children: Robert H., the subject of this sketch; Nannie, married L. S. Watkins, Liberty, Missouri; Jack, died at Centerview, Missouri, in 1918,
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at the age of fifty-eight years; Medley S., died at Rogers, Arkansas, in 1906; and May, who resides at Easton, Kansas.
Robert H. Connell was reared in Leavenworth County, Kansas, and educated in the public schools. When he was eighteen years old, he came to Clay County with his parents and when twenty-one years old he engaged in farming and stock raising for himself. In 1896, he bought his present place one and three-fourths miles southeast of Linden, in Gallatin township. He owns eighty-four acres of valuable land which is improved with substantial buildings. Judge Connell carries on general farming and stock raising with a special aim to raising pure bred stock. He raises Shorthorn cattle and Shropshire sheep, keeping registered males at the head of his herd and flock.
Judge Connell was married July 2, 1884, to Miss Emma J. Groseclose, a daughter of Eli and Louise (Harmon) Groseclose, both natives of Vir- ginia. Mr. Groseclose is now eighty-six years of age. His wife died in 1918. Mrs. Connell is one of five children born to her parents, the others being as follows: Ballard, Kansas City, Missouri; Davis, lives in Linden, California; Richard, Pulaski, Virginia; and Mrs. Gertie Wilson, North Kansas City, Missouri. To Judge and Mrs. Connell have been born two children: Willie B., died at the age of six years and one child died in infancy.
Robert H. Connell is a Democrat and has always taken an interest in political matters. In 1904, he was elected county judge of Clay County and re-elected to that office in 1906 and gave the people of Clay County a highly satisfactory administration. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Liberty, Missouri.
George W. Wagner, a successful farmer and stockman of Gallatin township, is a native of Virginia. He was born in Bland County, January 27, 1857, a son of Jacob and Ann (Harmon) Wagner, both now deceased. Jacob Wagner served in the Confederate Army, a member of the Eighth Virginia Cavalry, under Captain Thomas Harmon. After serving two years he was discharged on account of poor health, and for three years thereafter was practically an invalid. While doctoring himself he became interested in medicine and took up the study of that profession and practiced medicine for several years in Virginia. He died in Washington County, Virginia, at the age of seventy-five years, and his wife died in Bland County, Virginia, age thirty-eight years.
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE W. WAGNER
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To Jacob and Ann (Harmon) Wagner were born the following chil- dren: Elias Henry, better known as "Charley", of Liberty, Missouri; Eli P., lives in Nebraska; George W., the subject of this sketch; Alice, married James Hubble, of Smith County, Virginia; Hezikiah, a farmer in Gallatin township; Amanda V., married Piper Naff, of Roanoke, Virginia; Ardelia Abby, married Fisher Gearing, Bland Court House, Virginia; W. G., Gallatin township; and Willie Stewart, died in infancy.
George W. Wagner was reared on a farm, and in 1882 came to Clay County, Missouri. His entire outfit consisted of a grip and fifty dol- lars in money. He began here by working by the month for eighteen dollars a month. He was thus engaged for eighteen years when he made his first purchase of land. He bought forty acres upon his present home site. Later he bought 100 acres more, and is now the owner of 140 acres of well improved farm land, in one body. His place is well improved with a good residence and other farm buildings of a substantial character. He is successfully carrying on general farming and raises hogs, sheep and cattle. His place is well adapted to both stock raising and the production of grain.
Mr. Wagner was married, April 24, 1901, to Miss Willie Wisler, a daughter of Isaac and Dosia (Gabbert) Wisler. Isaac Wisler was a Union veteran of the Civil War and after the war he settled in Gallatin town- ship, where he spent the remainder of his life. His remains are now buried in the Little Shoals Church cemetery. His widow resides at Troy, Kansas. Mrs. Wagner is one of four children born to her parents, the others being as follows: Guy D., Troy, Kansas; Evalena, married Doc. Perkins, of Gallatin township; and Miss Dee Wisler, of Troy, Kansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Wagner was born one child. Anna Frances, who died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Wagner have an extensive acquaintance and stand high in the community. They are members of the Mt. Ollivett Christian Church. He is a stockholder of the Linden Bank of Linden, Missouri.
Robert S. Withers .- The Withers family is one of the pioneer families of Clay County, Missouri, and belongs to that very small class having the unique distinction of living for four generations at the same homestead. While progressiveness in the usual material sense has been characteristic of the Withers family, an equally pleasant distinction has been its observance of the fine old traditions of a long line of American
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antecedents, and its close affiliation with culture and the best standards of moral and upright citizenship.
The family name was originally "Wither" and continues to be that in England, while all the American branches use the corrupted pluralized form of "Withers".
For eighty-six years "Withers Farm", located two miles southwest of Liberty, Missouri, has been the home of the Withers people and in that period its changes and improvements have corresponded with the development of the county. In 1834, the log cabin was erected as a temporary shelter; in 1842, a commodious frame house was built after the fashion of the day. This house still stands and is admired for its beautiful walnut woodwork, massive mantel and hand-carved stairway. In 1892, Conn Withers built a new frame house in the same yard and to this home his son, Robert Withers, has added modern conveniences in the way of hardwood floors, a water system and electric lights. The home has a beautiful setting in the midst of giant elms and hard maples.
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