USA > Missouri > Clay County > History of Clay County, Missouri > Part 37
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In early days hemp was one of the most profitable crops, but the cultivation of that passed with the passing of the slaves, though after the Civil War all, save one of the negroes, returned to find work and homes with the old master. Today, there is a greater variety of crops. Grass, corn, wheat, tobacco and alfalfa bring in their returns and help to make life on the farm attractive.
Cultural and refining elements have kept pace with the material progress of the family. The library shows a large and well-selected col- lection of books, the piano and victrola bear company with the ancient guitar. The present owner, Robert Withers, is a collector of weapons and historical relics and has in his cases one of the most valuable assort- ments of guns, knives and spears of various peoples to be found in any private home in this section. The Withers men and their wives have been college-bred people. Only one son of each generation has continued to live on the farm, the others having chosen business and professional careers.
Abijah Withers, the pioneer of the family in Clay County, was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, of an old Colonial family, in 1798. He emigrated to Kentucky about 1825, and there met and married Prudence Blackburn White, August 10, 1830. She was a daughter of William White and Mildred Blackburn and was born in Woodford County, Ken- tucky, November 16, 1809. Her mother, Mildred Blackburn, was a
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
daughter of George Blackburn and Prudence Bury Blackburn, who emi- grated to Kentucky in 1786 over the "Old Wilderness Trail". George Blackburn was born in Hanover County, Virginia.
In 1834, Abijah Withers, with one slave, came to Missouri and bought the land in Clay County which has since been known as "Withers Farm". After building log cabins to house his family and servants, he left his faithful slave, "Merit", in charge and returned to Kentucky in 1835, to bring his wife and three sons to Missouri.
Nine children were born to Abijah and Prudence Withers: (1) William Thomas Withers, born in Kentucky, August 3, 1831, died of brain fever brought on by too close application to his law studies, August 8, 1855, at Weston, Missouri; (2) George Samuel Withers, born in Ken- tucky, May 13, 1833, married Mollie E. Newman in Weston, August 29, 1857. He was a lawyer and an orator of local renown. He died at Lib- erty and was buried there; (3) Conn Withers, born in Kentucky, Septem- ber 22, 1835, married Ella Esther McCoun in Liberty, August 6, 1872, and died at Rochester, Minnesota, January 17, 1906. He was buried at Liberty. Conn Withers was the one of his generation to carry on "Withers Farm", having bought it from his father early in the '70s. In his day he was one of the solid men of the community, known everywhere for his fine neighborly qualities, good judgment and sound opinions ; (4) Webster Withers, born in Clay County, Missouri, January 29, 1837, married Cara Lee in Kansas City, Missouri, October 31, 1868. He died and was buried in Kansas City, where he was in turn a commission mer- chant, a banker, internal revenue collector, railroad receiver and capitalist - one of the men who helped to make Kansas City; (5) Albert F. Withers, born in Clay County, Missouri, October 22, 1839. He was killed in the Confederate service at Carthage. Missouri, being the first man of his company to die; (6) Edwin Ruthven Withers, born in Clay County, Mis- souri, January 15, 1842, married Julia Miller, February 3, 1874. He is a retired farmer and resides in Liberty, Missouri; (7) Mildred E. Withers, born at "Withers Farm", March 4, 1845, married Dudley M. Steele, of St. Joseph, Missouri, died August 16, 1894, and was buried in St. Joseph; (8) Julia Withers, born November 22, 1850, at the farm near Liberty, mar- ried R. J. Stone, February 3, 1874, and now lives in Liberty; (9) Kate Blackburn Withers, born in Clay County, Missouri, July 2, 1852, died unmarried in July, 1879.
Abijah Withers died August 16, 1879. His wife died on January
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
22nd of the same year and the home place came into the complete posses- sion of Conn Withers, who had bought it from his father several years earlier.
Conn Withers' wife, Ella McCoun Withers, taught school for a short time previous to her marriage. Her father, William McCoun, was State Senator from the district which included Clay County. Her mother, Vienna Peters McCoun, conducted a school in Liberty with great success during her widowhood. Her father, John R. Peters, was a State Senator and her grandfather, Richard P. Simms, was a Revolutionary soldier under General Washington and is buried seven miles north of Liberty. In 1912, a Revolutionary marker was placed at the grave of Richard P. Simms by his great great grandson, Robert S. Withers.
To Conn and Ella McCoun Withers three children were born, all of whom are still living: (1) Robert Steele Withers, born April 19, 1875; (2) Webster Withers, born August 8, 1878, further mention of whom is made in this volume; (3) Kate Blackburn Withers, born January 19, 1881, married Alvin W. Lightburne in August, 1906, and resides on a farm near Liberty.
Conn Withers died January 16, 1906, his wife followed December 5, 1906, and "Withers Farm" was bought by their son, Robert Steele Withers.
Robert Steele Withers received his education in the Liberty public school and at William Jewell College, having been a member of the class of 1898 at the latter. He was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fra- ternity. Literature and history were his favorite studies and his par- ticular talent was drawing. Had not the obligations of the eldest child rested heavily upon him a caree as an illustrator might have been his. As it was, the farm claimed him for its own and as a farmer he has stood for progress in the home and in the community.
During the World War, he gave his money, time and efforts without stint. He was a member of the Missouri State Council of Defense, chairman of the Clay County Council of Defense and County Food Ad- ministrator. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, Blue Lodge No. 31, Liberty Consistory, Scottish Rite, Prefection No. 2, and Ararat Shrine, Kansas City, Missouri.
Robert Steele Withers married Alice Ethel Massie on December 22. 1906, at her father's home in Raymore, Missouri. She was born in Cass County. Illinois, December 22, 1881. and traces her ancestry back to
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
John Johnson, a Revolutionary soldier of Virginia. (1) John Johnson was born in Virginia in 1740, married Annie Honeycut in 1781, and died in Garrard County, Kentucky, January 25, 1827. (2) Margaret Johnson, their daughter, was born in Virginia, in 1797, married Joseph Ryman in Kentucky and died in Lyon County, Kansas, February 27, 1879. (3) Joseph Granville Ryman, their son, was born near Lexington, Kentucky, February 27, 1824, married Nancy Buchanan Turley, near Concord, Mor- gan County, Illinois, on March 17, 1850, and died at the home where he had lived almost sixty years, on April 11, 1908. (4) Margaret Elizabeth Ryman was born in Morgan County, Illinois, December 25, 1855 and on August 18, 1878, married Benjamin F. Massie, who was born February 14, 1854, in Cass County, Illinois, also of Virginia-Kentucky stock. From this union were born two children, Byron Granville Massie on November 5, 1879, and Alice Ethel on the date mentioned above.
Ethel Massie Withers attended country schools in Illinois and Mis- souri, spent three years in Woodland College at Independence, Missouri, graduating with highest honors in 1898, and then had four years at the Missouri State University, receiving her A.B. degree there in 1903. Three years of teaching history in the Liberty High School preceded her marriage to Robert Steele Withers. From January, 1911, to January, 1914, she served as regent of Alexander Doniphan Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and in addition to serving on various national and state committees in that organization, was State Historian from October, 1915, to October, 1917. While holding that office she prepared an illustrated lecture on "Pioneering in Missouri". This was given in many towns in the state and now the slides and manuscript are with the Missouri State Historical Society at Columbia.
During the World War, she was chairman of the Clay County Woman's Committee Council of Defense and in that capacity served par- ticularly in Liberty Loan and Thrift Campaigns, in Food Conservation, in Child Welfare Work and in the Red Cross. 1920 brought her into the field of politics as Democratic Committeewoman for Liberty township and the campaign of education carried on for two months resulted in prac- tically all the women of the township going to the polls ready to vote intelligently.
The children born to Robert Steel Withers and Ethel Massie Withers are: (1) Conn Withers, born September 25, 1907, the male representa- tive of the fourth generation to live on "Withers Farm". (2) Margaret Withers, born July 29, 1910.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Though the Withers men have always allied themselves with the moral element of the community and have stood for the best in citizen- ship, they have not been church members. Always the women have had church affiliations, Ethel Massie Withers and her two children being mem- bers of the Presbyterian church at Liberty.
In each generation the Withers family has stood for the best in the community. The Withers home has been noted for its charming hos- pitality and memories of almost a hundred years have made of "Withers Farm" a county landmark.
Ed Jamison, proprietor of "Riverview Farm", located two and one- half miles from Liberty, is one of the progressive farmers and stockinen of Liberty township. He was born in Nodaway County, Missouri, January 19, 1876, and is a son of Jasper and Celia (Stephenson) Jamison.
Jasper Newton Jamison was a native of Missouri, born in Callaway County, of pioneer parents, and spent his life in this state. He died in 1911 and his remains were buried at Excelsior Springs. Celia (Stephen- son) Jamison was also a native of Missouri and died in Nodaway County in 1877, and her remains are buried at Maryville, Missouri. They were the parents of three children as follows: Mrs. Minnie Korell, of Culbert- son, Nebraska; Mrs. Cora Gant lives in Caldwell County, Missouri, and Ed Jamison, the subject of this sketch.
Ed Jamison was educated in the public schools of Barnard, Missouri, and in Nebraska, and in Caldwell County, Missouri. He made his own way in life from a very early age. When he was a young man, he entered the employ of William Lile, of Excelsior Springs. He saved his money and soon began his independent career as a farmer and stockman. Four years later he engaged in the dairy business at Excelsior Springs and for ten years devoted himself to that business. He purchased his present farm, which is known as "Riverview Farm". in 1919. This is one of the valuable and well improved farms of Clay County and contains 193 acres. Mr. Jamison carries on general farming and stock raising and has been successful in his undertakings. "Riverview Farm" has valuable improve- ments including a good seven room residence, a large barn and other buildings, all of which are lighted with electricity and have modern con- veniences and equipment.
September 3, 1906, Ed Jamison was married to Miss Myrtle Eliza- beth Ligon, a daughter of John and Cenie (Creek) Ligon, the former of whom is deceased and the mother resides with her children. To Mr. and
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Mrs. Jamison have been born the following children: Thelma Margaret, Eddie, J. L., and George.
Mr. Jamison is a member of the Masonic Lodge and one of the well known and highly respected citizens of Clay County.
Ross H. Clutter, operator and agent for the Wabash Railroad Com- pany, at South Liberty, Missouri, is one of the veteran employees of that company and has been in its employ for thirty years. He is the second oldest telegraph operator in point of years of service on the western division of the Wabash railroad.
Mr. Clutter was born in Green County, Pennsylvania, February 7, 1869, a son of Henry and Abbie (Hedge) Clutter, both natives of Pennsyl- vania. The mother died in that state in 1894 at the age of fifty-one years, and the father now lives at Washington, Pennsylvania, and is seventy-three years old. They were the parents of the following chil- dren: Ross H., the subject of this sketch; Richard, an iron-worker, of Massillon, Ohio; Miss Lula Clutter, of Washington, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Lizzie Morris, deceased: and Mrs. Nellie Hughes, Washington, Pennsyl- vania.
Ross H. Clutter was educated in the public schools at Martinsburg, Missouri, and when he was twenty-one years old, attended the South- western Telegraph School at St. Louis, Missouri. After completing the course there he accepted a position as night operator on the Wabash railroad at Clifton Hill, Missouri. From there he went to Willis, Mich- igan, and then to Martinsburg, Missouri, Kirksville and Cairo, as extra operator. He was stationed at Norborne, Missouri, about ten months and for the past twenty-seven years he has been agent and operator at South Liberty. Mr. Clutter has been in the employ of the Wabash Rail- road Company since November 30, 1891.
November 27, 1895, Ross H. Clutter was married to Miss Maggie McLennan, of Liberty Landing. She is the daughter of Daniel and Mary (Mckenzie) McLennan, both natives of Scotland and now deceased. Mrs. Clutter was born at Steeleville, Crawford County, Missouri. She was reared in Clay County and attended the Ruth Ewing school in Liberty township. To Mr. and Mrs. Clutter have been born three children : Ross James, died at the age of fifteen months; Arthur, a student in Lib- erty High School ; and Mary, also a student in Liberty High School.
Mr. Clutter is a member of the Knights of Pythias and has an ex- tensive acquaintance.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
John B. Woods, president of the Farmers Bank of Smithville, Mis- souri, and owner and proprietor of "Elmwood Stock Farm", has been known for many years as one of the prominent breeders of Shorthorn cattle of the country. He was born on the farm near where he now resides, November 17, 1855, and is a son of Kemp M. Woods and Sarah J. (Chiles) Hamilton.
Kemp M. Woods was a native of Woodford County, Kentucky, and when a young man came to Missouri and settled in Kearney township, Clay County. He made the trip from Kentucky to Clay County alone, riding a pony the entire distance. He bought 800 acres of land in Kearney township for which he paid $10 an acre. After remaining here a short time he returned to Kentucky for his mother and sisters. The family lived on the land which he had purchased in Kearney township for about two years. He then traded that place for 320 acres in Platte township, south of Smithville, which is still a part of the Woods home- stead. Here he carried on general farming and stock raising and met with marked success. He owned a great deal of land in this part of the country, and at one time had over 3,000 acres in Clay and Platte counties. He was a progressive and public spirited man and did much for the betterment and upbuilding of the community in the early days. He built a school house on his farm, with the object of furnishing ad- vanced educational advantages to young women. Here music was taught as well as the other arts and sciences. This was before the Civil War. When the Civil War broke out he served as Captain of the Home Guards of Platte township, and was known thereafter as Captain Woods, having earned his title by actual service.
Kemp M. Woods was twice married, his first wife being Miss Sarah Skinner, and two children were born to that union: Phineas, who was killed during the Civil War, while serving in the Confederate Army; Kemp M., Jr., who is also deceased. After the death of his first wife Kemp M. Woods married Sarah J. (Chiles) Hamilton. a widow, and to this marriage three children were born, as follows: John B., the sub- ject of this sketch; Henry A., Platte township; and Cornelius H., de- ceased.
John B. Woods attended the district school and later took a course at William Jewell College, at Liberty, Missouri. When he was eighteen years old he began farming and stock raising for himself on his father's land, and has devoted himself to that line of endeavor all of his life.
John. B. Hoods
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
His farm which is known as the "Elmwood Stock Farm" contains 800 acres, and is one of the valuable farms of Clay County.
Mr. Woods has been an extensive breeder of pure bred Shorthorn cattle for twenty years, and the Elmwood herd of Shorthorns was one of the prominent pure bred herds of Missouri, and Mr. Woods has filled orders for pure bred Shorthorn cattle, from his herd, from nearly all the western states.
John B. Woods was married, near Lexington, Kentucky, to Miss Lela Wiglesworth, a daughter of William and Fannie (Goodloe) Wiglesworth, both natives of Kentucky. To Mr. and Mrs. Woods have been born two children, Helen and Mildred.
Mr. Woods is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He also holds membership in the Modern Woodman of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Ms. Woods is a member of the Eastern Star. They are both members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Woods is an elder.
Mr. Woods is a progressive and enterprising citizen and always stands ready to co-operate with any movement which has for its object the better- ment and upbuilding of his county and state. He is widely known as a good roads booster. He is one of the substantial citizens of Clay County. He was one of the organizers of the Bank of Nashua and is one of its directors.
Mr. Woods was instrumental in getting the rural free delivery started throughout Platte township from Smithville, there being three routes estab- lished at that time and another was added later. He established the first country telephone line in Platte township.
The Woods' residence is modern throughout and one of the fine homes of the county.
The Farmers Bank of Smithville, Missouri, was organized with the following officers: John B. Woods, president; Richardson C. Hulse, vice president ; P. T. Aker, cashier, and the first board of directors were: John Brooks, Richard Hulse, Kemp M. Woods and Martin Aker. The present officers are: John B. Woods, president; Henry A. Woods, vice president : O. J. Boggees, cashier, and O. A. Lowman, assistant cashier. Official state- ment of the financial condition of the Farmers Bank of Smithville. At Smithville, State of Missouri, at the close of business on the 7th day of December, 1920, published in the Democrat-Herald, a newspaper printed and published at Smithville, State of Missouri, on the 17th day of December, 1920.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
RESOURCES.
Loans and discounts, undoubtedly good on personal
$188,088.21
or collateral
27,800.00
Loans, real estate
487.87
Overdrafts
300.00
Bonds and stocks
9,000.00
Real estate (banking house)
900.00
Other real estate
4,000.00
Furniture and fixtures
18,597.38
Due from banks and bankers, subject to check
119.06
Cash items
1,957.00
Currency
292.30
Specie
1
Total
$251,541.82
LIABILITIES.
$ 30,000.00
Capital stock paid in
10,000.00
Surplus fund
Undivided profits, net 71,563.21
17,000.00
Due to banks and bankers, subject to check
129,998.41
Individual deposits subject to check
36,980.20
Time certificates of deposit
10,000.00
Bills payable and rediscounts
Total
$251,541.82
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Daniel Conley, a well known and successful farmer of Liberty town- ship, Clay County, is a native of Tennessee. He was born in Williamson County, Tennessee, October 29, 1862, and is a son of John A. and Hannorah (Shay) Conley.
The Conley family came from Tennessee to Missouri in 1870, when Daniel Conley of this review was about eight years old. They made the trip by river steamboat from Nashville, Tennessee, to Kansas City, which required twenty-eight days. The family located in Clay County at Mis- souri City, where the father worked on the railroad a few years and later engaged in farming in the vicinity of Excelsior Springs Junction. He
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
sold his place and removed to Kansas City, where he died a short time afterwards, in 1892, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife died in 1906 and their remains are buried in Fairview cemetery. They were the parents of the following children: Michael, deceased; Johanna, married R. W. Ferrish, of Phoenix, Arizona; John, now deceased; and a daughter who died in infancy, twins; Jerry, deceased; Daniel, the subject of this sketch; and Hannorah, deceased.
Daniel Conley was educated at the Clevenger school house in Fish- ing River township, and early in life he engaged in farming and stock raising. He bought his present farm in Liberty township in 1908, although he had owned two farms before this. His present place consists of fifty-five acres and is a well improved farm with a good residence and other farm buildings. The residence is at the highest point of the farm and presents a commanding view of the surrounding country. The place is supplied with city water from the main of the Liberty water plant, Mr. Conley having laid 3,000 feet of pipe to connect with this main. He carries on general farming and stock raising and has met with success.
January 27, 1871, Daniel Conley was married to Miss Jeannette E. Boyer, a daughter of Nelson and Mary (Easterly) Boyer. The mother is now deceased and the father lives in Fishing River township and a sketch of him appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Conley have been born the following children: Elizabeth, married Irving Archer, Lib- erty, Missouri; John, a farmer of Liberty township, married Edna George; Florence, married E. J. Murphy, a farmer of Liberty township; and Everett, a farmer of Liberty township, married Evelena Davis. Mr. and Mrs. Conley have ten grandchildren as follows: Galen and Gladys Archer; Ellen Conley; Frances James E. and Conley Murphy ; Daniel, John N., and Ralph Franklin Conley.
Mr. Conley is a progressive and enterprising citizen and widely and favorably known in Clay County.
William J. Stark, now deceased, was an early settler of Clay County and prominently identified with the development of this section during his career. He was a native of Virginia, born in Fauquier County in 1809. He was reared to manhood in his native state and was there mar- ried to Emily Waller, a native of Culpeper County, Virginia.
In 1849, William Stark came to Missouri and settled in Gallatin town- ship, Clay County. He drove through from Virginia with his family
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
and brought about twenty negro slaves, and during the Civil War when the slaves were liberated, he owned about forty. One of the Stark slaves, Winnie, lived to be 103 years old. She died in 1875. "Grandma Winnie" was a great favorite with the Stark children and they were very fond of her.
When William J. Stark came to Clay County, or shortly after reaching here, he bought the place in Gallatin township where the Stark family still resides. This farm contains 240 acres and is located four miles north of North Kansas City. It is one of the historic old places of Clay County. The original farm' residence which contained two rooms, was built by the Mormons, a hundred years ago. The farm was entered from the government by a Mr. Bancroft, who sold it to Alex. Fudge, from whom Mr. Stark bought it. It is an attractive place, the residence being surrounded by locusts and elm trees which were planted and cared for by Mr. Stark.
William J. Stark died in 1882, at the age of seventy-one years. His wife died in 1891 at the age of eighty-two years and their remains are buried in the Waller cemetery. They were the parents of the following children: Elizabeth, married William Russell, who served in the Mexican War in Colonel Doniphan's regiment and also served in the Civil War and he and his wife are now both deceased; Charles Seldon, was killed in battle during Civil War at Lone Jack, Missouri; Catherine, deceased; Sofalie, married Gray Westbrook, who died in Tennessee during the Civil War from the effect of a wound received at the battle of Corinth, Missis- sippi, while serving in the Confederate army and Mrs. Westbrook now lives on the Stark home farm; Fannie, resides on the home place; Felix Grundy Stark, was killed at Hartsville, Missouri, during the Civil War while serving in the Confederate army; May F., deceased ; J. T., deceased ; Louis W., on the home place; Josephine, resides on the home place; and Mira E., married Robert Griffith, who died January 12, 1914, and she resides on the home place.
To William and Elizabeth (Stark) Russell were born three children who are now living. They are as follows: Mrs. Mary Clements, who lives in Buchanan County; Edward, married a Miss Moore, of Platte County and they have three children, Mrs. Bethel Elam, Mrs. Nellie Meads and Mrs. Permelia McFadden; and William Russell, of Newton County, Missouri, married a Miss Lampton of Platte County and they have five children, J. T., E. L., Elmira Sue, Jack Russell, and Christopher.
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