USA > Missouri > Clay County > History of Clay County, Missouri > Part 47
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JAMES E. THOMAS
MRS. JAMES E. THOMAS
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
has an ample supply of water, having two flowing springs, and is one of the ideal stock farms of Gallatin township. The place is also well adapted to grain raising, and Mr. Thomas raises sheep and mules, as well as carrying on general farming.
May 22, 1904, J. E. Thomas was married to Miss Sallie Spencer, a daughter of Winfield Spencer, who now resides near Barry, Missouri. Her mother died when Mrs. Thomas was eight years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have been born one son, Frank Donald, born March 4, 1905, and he is a student in the Linden High School.
Mr. Thomas was one of the organizers of the Bank of Linden, of which he is now president. He is a progressive and enterprising citizen and one of the substantial men of affairs of Clay County.
Samuel J. Rowell, a well known attorney of Excelsior Springs, is a native of Clay County. He was born in Fishing River township, May 27, 1863, a son of Hiram J. and Ann (McKee) Rowell. Hiram J. Rowell was a native of New Hampshire. He came to Clay County in 1856, where he taught school eight or ten years, and later was engaged in farming. He and his wife are now deceased.
Hiram J. Rowell was born at East Plainfield, New Hampshire, June 9, 1830. He was reared on a farm. After settling in Clay County, Missouri, he bought a farm of eighty acres in Fishing River township, and later added more land to his holdings; at time of his death, 1904, he owned about 600 acres. He was married in 1859, in Clay County, Missouri, to Ann McKee. She was born in Fishing River township, Clay County, Missouri May 20, 1837, and died in 1908. To this union ten chil- dren were born, as follows: Dr. Haynie, a physician of Kearney, Missouri; Samuel J., the subject of this sketch; Clay G., deceased; Joseph, Lee's Summit, Missouri; Dr. Frank D., a physician, Gilbert, Arizona; Hettie, married Dr. W. F. Trimble, Mesa, Arizona; Mary, married Dr. Charles Shouse, Mesa, Arizona ; Albert, banker, El Dorado, Arkansas: Dr. Hiram. deceased; and one daughter, died in infancy.
Samuel J. Rowell was reared on the home farm in Fishing River township and attended the public schools. Later he attended the State Normal School, at Warrenburg, Missouri, and also attended Garfield Uni- versity, at Wichita, Kansas. He took a course in pharmacy in Kansas City, Missouri, and for fifteen years he was engaged in the drug business at Excelsior Springs. He took a course in the Kansas City School of
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Law and was graduated in 1917. He was admitted to the bar the same year, and since that time has been engaged in the practice of law at Excelsior Springs.
Mr. Rowell was married June 19, 1894, to Miss Myrtle Lee Lynn, of Fishing River township, a daughter of William M. and Margaret J. (Denny) Lynn, who are now living, retired, at Excelsior Springs. Mrs. Rowell was educated at Liberty Ladies College and is a member of the Eastern Star and past Matron of the local lodge. To Mr. and Mrs. Rowell has been born one daughter, Froncie Clay. She was educated in the public school and Linwood College, of St. Charles, Missouri, and is now an employee of the Clay County State Bank of Excelsior Springs.
Mr. Rowell takes a commendable interest in public affairs. He served as mayor of Excelsior Springs from 1916 to 1918, and was a member of the board of aldermen for four years, and has also served as city col- lector for two terms. He has been a member of the board of education for nine years. He is vice president of the Excelsior Springs frust Com- pany. Mr. Rowell is a Democrat and a member of the Christian Church. He is a prominent Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine, and holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
R. L. Bates, a successful merchant of Excelsior Springs, who conducts an extensive retail grocery and queensware store at 205-207 West Broad- way street, is a native of Clay County, and a member of one of the very early pioneer families of this section. He was born in Washington town- ship December 21, 1867, a son of C. F. and Elizabeth (Miller) Bates.
C. F. Bates was born in Ray County in 1846 and is now a prominent farmer and stockman in Washington township, Clay County, and is the owner of 200 acres of land in Ray and Clay Counties. He is a son of William and Zerilda (Nowlin) Bates, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Tennessee. They came to Ray County with their respective parents when children and were reared and married in Ray County. Zerilda (Nowlin) Bates lived in Springfield, Missouri, when it was a mere settlement with a few pioneer huts.
Elizabeth (Miller) Bates was born in Ray County in 1849. She is a daughter of William A. and Sallie (McKee) Miller. Her father was a native of North Carolina and her mother, of Kentucky, and both came here when children, when this section of the country was wild and unsettled. William Miller killed deer where Excelsior Springs now stands.
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To C. F. and Elizabeth (Miller) Bates were born ten children, all of whom are living, as follows: R. L., the subject of this sketch; Allen M., real estate dealer, Excelsior Springs; Ann, married Freeman Furman, Kansas City, Kansas; Lucy, resides on the home farm in Washington township; Susan, married Benjamin Kincaid, Polo, Missouri; Leslie E., an attorney, Excelsior Springs ; Mrs. Sallie Shoemaker, a widow, Excelsior Springs ; Melvina, lives in Washington township; Ella, Washington town- ship; and Frank, Wagoner, Oklahoma.
R. L. Bates remained on the home farm and attended the public schools until he was nineteen years old. He then went to California where he spent some time, when he returned home and later went to Colorado. In 1891 he engaged in the meat business at Excelsior Springs and in 1893 in the grocery business. In 1906 he and his partner, C. S. Wilcox, built the building which is now occupied by Mr. Bates' store. Mr. Bates has had three partners during his business career, but for some years has been in business alone. He carries a complete line of fancy and staple groceries and also queensware and stoneware. During his many years here in business he has established a reputation for in- tegrity and honesty and has built up a large business.
Mr. Bates was married in 1893 to Miss Maggie Foley, of Excelsior Springs. She is a daughter of William and Sallie (Kidd) Foley, natives of Kentucky, and both now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Bates have been born two sons, Carl W. and Claude A., both of whom are assisting their father in the store. The boys both served in the United States Army during the World War.
Mr. Bates is a Democrat and takes a commendable interest in political matters. He has served on the city council and was a candidate for the legislature in the primaries in 1904. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and holds mem- bership in the Christian Church of which he is a deacon.
H. Clay Tindall, a leading druggist of Excelsior Springs, was born near Fayette, Howard County, Missouri, September 10, 1874, a son of M. F. and Bettie G. (Lowery) Tindall, and was the fourth in order of birth of a family of thirteen children, all of whom are living.
M. F. Tindall was also born in Howard County, Missouri, where he was successfully engaged in farming and spent his life in that county. He died in April, 1916, aged sixty-nine years. He was a son of Cordell
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and Lucina (Kingsbury) Tindall, the former, a native of Kentucky and the latter, of Virginia. and very early settlers in Howard County, Missouri. Bettie G. (Lowery) Tindall was born in Howard County, Missouri, and died in 1904, aged about fifty-two years.
H. Clay Tindall was reared on the home farm in Howard County, and attended the district school and later the high school at Fayette. Missouri, where he was graduated. He then began clerking in a drug store at Fayette, continuing his studies at home mornings and evenings. In 1895 he went to Cowgill, Missouri, and clerked in a drug store until 1899. He then came to Excelsior Springs, remaining here about four months that time when he opened a drug store at Blue Springs, Missouri. He conducted that store until 1906 when he returned to Excelsior Springs and bought out the Higbee Drug Company, and since that time he has been engaged in the drug business here. His store is located at 217 East Broadway, and he carries a complete line of drugs, druggist sundries and everything usually found in a first class drug store.
Mr. Tindall was married September 21, 1898, to Miss Grace Kiple, a native of Caldwell County, Missouri. She is a daughter of I. P. and Elizabeth W. (Smith) Kiple, both natives of Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Tindall have been born two children: Raymond K. and Millard F., both residing at home with their parents.
Mr. Tindall is a Democrat. He is secretary of the Missouri State Board of Pharmacy, having been appointed to that office by Governor Gardner in October, 1917. In April, 1918, he was elected a member of the Board of Education of Excelsior Springs and has served as vice president of that body for two years. He has served as a member of the Excelsior Springs Park Board for four years. He is a member of the Methodist Church. He is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Shrine, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a public spirited and progressive citizen and one of the substantial men of affairs of Clay County.
Herbert T. Hope, who conducts the leading undertaking establish- ment at Excelsior Springs, is a native son of Clay County. He was born in Excelsior Springs November 2, 1881, a son of Thomas L. and Martha A. (Craven) Hope.
Thomas L. Hope was a ative of Tennessee, born in Campbell County, October 30, 1844. After serving in the army during the Civil War, he
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came to Missouri and for a time was employed in a general store at Fredericksburg. When Excelsior Springs was in its infancy he came here and engaged in the grocery business, and was the pioneer grocer of the new town. His store was located where the Auditorium now stands. He was a successful business man and became a large property owner. He took a prominent part in the local affairs and served as councilman for a number of years. He retired from business about five years before his death, which occurred, November 14, 1915. His wife was born in Clay County, in 1852, and died in 1906. She was a daughter of John and Nancy J. Craven, both natives of Missouri.
Herbert T. Hope was reared at Excelsior Springs and attended the public school. As a boy he worked at various odd jobs around town, and in 1901 he engaged in the souvenir and novelty business. He conducted that business until 1911 when he engaged in the undertaking business which he has conducted until the present time.
Mr. Hope was married, February 27, 1907, to Miss Mary La Bena Pence, a daughter of David J. and Eliza (Brown) Pence, natives of Ken- tucky. The Pence family settled on a farm near Kearney sixty years ago. The father is now deceased and the mother lives at Kearney. To Mr. and Mrs. Hope have been born two children: Mary L. and Charles Virgil.
Mr. Hope is a Democrat and has served as city assessor three terms, from 1908 until 1914. He is a director of the Excelsior Springs Cemetery Company. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Modern Wood- men of America and Christian Church.
Captain Harris L. Moore, a leading attorney of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, is a native of Missouri and a member of a prominent family of this state. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri, October 18, 1871, a son of John C. and Pauline (Harris) Moore.
John C. Moore was prominent in the affairs of this state for many years. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, July 21, 1830. He was edu- cated at the University of Missouri and Yale. He came west at an early day, when what is now Kansas City was a mere boat landing and known as Westport. He went to Denver and established the "Denver News", now the "Rocky Mountain News", and was the first mayor of that city. When the Civil War broke out he returned to Missouri and enlisted in
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the Confederate Army, becoming a member of McDowell's Battery. After McDowell was killed Mr. Moore became a member of General Marma- duke's staff. He was one of General Marmaduke's closest and most inti- mate friends and acted as Marmaduke's second in the famous Marmaduke- Walker duel. He served as Judge Advocate General of Arkansas for six months, and when the war closed he held the rank of Colonel under General Joe Shelby. At the close of the war he commanded a party of ex-Confederates to old Mexico, in order to avoid surrendering. There they joined the French forces under Maximilian, and when the Maximilian movement collapsed Colonel Moore returned to St. Louis and for a time was on the staff of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He then went to Kansas City and founded the Kansas City "Times", being the same paper which is in existence today. He was an able writer as well as an organizer and one of the leading newspaper men of the Middle West during his time. He had more inside history of General Price's campaign in Missouri than any other man. The newspapers which he founded and started on careers of success bear testimony to his enterprise and ability.
Captain Harris L. Moore was reared in Kansas City, St. Louis and Denver, and after receiving a good preparatory education he entered the University of Missouri where he was graduated in the classical course in 1892. He then spent two years as an instructor in the Marmaduke Military Academy at Sweet Springs, Missouri. In the meantime he read law and was admitted to the bar at Sedalia, Missouri in 1893. After practicing law at Kingston, Missouri, for a short time he came to Excel- sior Springs in 1895 and entered into partnership with Mr. Craven.
At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in 1898 Mr. Moore organized a company of volunteers which was mustered into service as a company of the Fifth Missouri Infantry, and he was elected captain. This regiment was sent to camp at Chattanooga, Tennessee, where they remained about six months, and after the close of the war was mustered out of service. Captain Moore returned to Excelsior Springs where he has since been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession. He is an able lawyer and numbers among his clients some of the leading business men and institutions of Clay County. He has served as city attorney, and been a member of the Excelsior Springs School Board.
Captain Moore was married, December 25, 1898, to Miss Nancy Jones, of Cass County, Missouri, and a daughter of John G. Jones, a member of one of the prominent pioneer families of this state, who came from Ken-
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tucky. To Captain and Mrs. Moore were born the following children : John, Alma. Robert and Richard.
Captain Moore is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America.
P. D. Doniphan, a prominent druggist of Excelsior Springs, who has been engaged in business here for the past fifteen years, is a native of this state. He was born at Plattsburg, Clinton County, and is a son of C. A. and Emma (Bailey) Doniphan, and the only survivor of two chil- dren born to them, Clarence, the elder, is deceased.
C. A. Doniphan was born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1852, and is now engaged in the grocery business at Plattsburg, Missouri. He is a son of A. A. Doniphan, a native of Kentucky, who was engaged in the general mercantile business at Plattsburg for a number of years and who is now deceased. C. A. Doniphan came to Missouri some years after the Civil War and first settled in Clinton County. Later he engaged in farm- ing north of Kearney where he was the owner of 200 acres of land, and fed cattle extensively. About 1908 he sold his farm and engaged in the grocery business at Plattsburg. Emma (Bailey) Doniphan was born in Clay County and is now about fifty-six years old.
P. D. Doniphan remained on the home farm until he was fourteen years old and attended the district school. He then attended the Platts- burg High School and later the St. Joseph High School. He afterwards studied pharmacy and passed the State Board of Pharmacy in 1908. He began his career as a drug clerk at Plattsburg, and in 1903 came to Excelsior Springs and clerked in the store of F. A. Cox. In 1905 he pur- chased the drug business of George Cushing and since that time has been successfully engaged in this business. He carries a complete line of drugs and druggists' sundries, and is one of the successful merchants of Excelsior Springs.
Mr. Doniphan was married October 16, 1906, to Miss Stella McIntire, a native of Clay Center, Kansas, and a daughter of S. S. and Alice (Myers) McIntire, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter, of Kansas. The father was a merchant at Clay Center for a number of years and is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Doniphan have been born two children: Virginia and J. B.
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Richard M. Massey, a successful farmer and stockman of Kearney township, is a native of Virginia. He was born in Caroline County, Vir- ginia. May 18, 1851, a son of John P. and Elizabeth (Holloway) Massey.
John P. Massey was born in Pottsylvania County, Virginia, August 18, 1815. He was a son of Thomas and Lucy (Petty) Massey. John P. Massey was a tanner and a manufacturer of boots and shoes at Bowling Green, Virginia. He was also interested in farming. He was prominent in local affairs and served as mayor of Bowling Green. He died there, July 26, 1859. His wife was a native of Caroline County, Virginia, born in 1825 and died June 18, 1860. They were the parents of the following children: Robert E., died December 6, 1869; Richard M., the subject of this sketch; Joseph H., lives in Clay County, west of Kearney; William, Liberty, Missouri; Dr. Thomas E., a physician at Hadley, Nebraska ; and Willie, died in infancy.
Richard M. Massey was reared in his native state and attended the early day subscription schools. He was left an orphan when he was eight years old and he and his four brothers were dependent upon their own re- sources at an early age. When he was about twenty years old, he came to Clay County, Missouri, and worked by the month until he was twenty-four years old, when he was married. He then bought a farm of seventy acres and his wife owned a farm of eighty acres. He bought more land later and is now the owner of 235 acres. Their first home was a brick house which was built in 1845. He built a home in 1879 which was remodeled about twenty years ago. His place is well improved and he has two good stock barns and a silo, with a capacity of 175 tons. He carries on general farming and raises cattle, hogs and sheep and has been an extensive feeder in the past.
Mr. Massey is one of the well known and successful horticulturists of the county. He has a valuable bearing apple orchard of five and one-half acres which was set out in 1891. He has made a thorough study of the practical side of fruit raising and has exhibited his apples at a number of fairs with satisfactory results. He had an exhibit in the Horticulture Department of the World's Fair at St. Louis and received a medal in testi- mony of the excellence of his apples.
Mr. Massey was married in Clay County, Missouri, November 11, 1875, to Miss Almedia Tapp. She is a daughter of Pendleton W. and Katherine (Williams) Tapp. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mas- sey : Elisha I., deceased; John P., born March 18, 1880, lives in Clay
R M MASSEY
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County; Virginia, born June 15, 1883, married Asa Thomason, Clay County ; Charles T., born July 13, 1886, Clay County ; Louis C., born June 5, 1890, lives at home; Richard R., born June 2, 1894, at home; and Mar- shall, born April 18, 1898, died in infancy.
Mr. Massey is a member of the Masonic Lodge, having been made a Mason in 1893. He has been a lifelong Democrat and is a public spirited and progressive citizen.
W. C. Sisk, a successful and enterprising merchant of Excelsior Springs, who conducts a stationery and book store here, for twenty years has been identified with the business interests of this town. He was born in Ray County, Missouri, about four miles east of Excelsior Springs, August 19, 1877, and is a son of Elder Allen and Nancy (Smart) Sisk, and one of seven children born to them. Elder Allen Sisk was born at Newport. Tennessee, in 1833. He was reared and educated on a farm there, and about 1853, with his brother Bartlett Sisk, came to Ray County, Missouri, and preempted Government land. They conducted the first flour and saw mill in the county.
Elder Allen Sisk was a Primitive Baptist minister, and began preach- ing in early life. He organized the New Garden Primitive Baptist Church which was built on his farm. He preached there for sixty years, and regular meetings are still held at that church. He died in 1914. His wife was born in Ray County, Missouri, in 1840, and died in 1892.
W. C. Sisk was reared on the home farm in Ray County and was educated in the district school and the Kansas City High School. He taught school for a number of years and for a time was principal of the Orrick Schools. In 1901 he came to Excelsior Springs and engaged in the stationery, news and book business, and has made a splendid success of his undertaking.
Mr. Sisk was married, March 16, 1898, to Miss Hattie M. Clevenger, of Elkhorn, Ray County, and to this union three children have been born: Rex, who is in the employ of the Kansas City Light and Power Company, Kansas City, Missouri : Paul Bill, at home; and Wilbur C., at home.
Mr. Sisk is a Democrat and has been city collector for four years, and has been vice president of the school board. He is a member of the Methodist Church and holds the office of steward. He is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine and Past Master of A. F. and A. M. Lodge No. 207 and Past Commander of St. Amand Commandery
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No. 64. He has been president of the Commercial Club and takes an active part in all movements that have for their object the progress and development of Excelsior Springs.
Axel F. Bergman, who conducts a Swedish Massage and Gymnastics Parlor at 220 Spring street, Excelsior Springs, is one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of this locality. He was born at Soderhamn, Sweden, July 10, 1874, and is a son of Nils P. and Marie (Lagergen) Bergman, and is one of five children born to his parents.
Nils P. Bergman was a shipping contractor and has made several trips across the ocean to the United States, and he and his wife are now living in Sweden.
Axel F. Bergman was educated in the schools of Soderhamn. and also took a course in the Anatomical Institute of the Caroline Medical Chirurgical institute and was graduated in 1904. He was graduated the same year in Practical Therapeutic Gymnastics. He immediately began the practice of his profession in Sweden. Before entering school, how- ever, he had traveled extensively and had made eighteen trips from Sweden to the United States and had gone around the earth nine times.
In 1905 Mr. Bergman settled permanently in the United States, and in March, 1906, he came to Excelsior Springs where he has since been engaged in business and has been very successful.
Mr. Bergman was married January 11, 1911. to Miss Constance A. Norbeck, of Vestervik, and to this union has been born one son, Axel J., Jr.
Mr. Bergman is Independent in politics and is a member of Masonic Lodge at Excelsior Springs. He is a member of the American Merchant Marine, having enlisted as soon as the United States entered the World War, but has never been called into service. He is a substantial citizen, is widely and favorably known and stands high in Excelsior Springs and Clay County.
S. B. Cole, a well known and successful business man of Excelsior Springs, who conducts an up-to-date grocery store and meat market at this place, is a native of Illinois. He was born at Sidney, January 26, 1865, a son of B. B. and Mary Jane (Bloxsom) Cole. They were the parents of three children of whom S. B. Cole was the eldest.
B. B. Cole was born in Massachusetts and was a farmer and mer- chant during his active career. On account of failing health he came to Excelsior Springs in 1899, and died here in 1907 at the age of seventy-
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five years. His widow now lives at Excelsior Springs and is in her seventy-fourth year. She is a native of Ohio.
S. B. Cole was reared in Illinois and attended the public school, and in early life worked in a general merchandise store. He came to Ex- celsior Springs in 1901 and clerked in the meat market of H. F. H. Perrett. In 1910, in partnership with E. C. Miller, he bought the Perrett business, and in 1913 Mr. Cole bought out Miller's interests; since that time he has conducted the business with uniform success.
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