USA > Missouri > Clay County > History of Clay County, Missouri > Part 48
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Mr. Cole was married in 1891 to Miss Laura B. Temple, a native of Illinois, and six children have been born to this union, as follows: Marie, at home with her parents; Kenneth, lives in California; Garrett, at home: Edythe, Kansas City, Missouri; Myron, at home; and Mary Jane.
Mr. Cole is an Independent Republican and takes an active interest in local affairs and has served on the School Board of Excelsior Springs for seven years, six years of which he was president. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and belongs to the Masons and the Mystic Workers of the World.
P. J. Bollinger, a prominent dry goods merchant and leading dealer in ladies' ready-to-wear garments of Excelsior Springs, is a native of this state. He was born on a farm in Ray County, October 9, 1876, a son of J. B. and Clemency (Blain) Bollinger, and is the youngest of their four children who grew to maturity.
J. B. Bollinger was born at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, February 21, 1837, and died in January, 1920. He served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, enlisting from Cape Girardeau County when a young man. He followed farming and stock raising during his entire active career. His wife died in 1891.
P. J. Bollinger was reared on a farm and attended the public schools at Richmond. Missouri, and the State Normal School at Warrensburg, Missouri. In early life he taught school for twelve years, and during that period he also served as deputy county assessor of Ray County for five years. He engaged in the mercantile business at Windsor, Missouri, in 1908. In 1912 he came to Excelsior Springs and bought a small stock of goods, beginning business here on a modest scale. In 1917 he moved his present location, enlarged his business and has built up an extensive trade. He handles ladies' ready-to-wear garments and dry goods and carries a very complete stock.
Mr. Bollinger was married February 14, 1904, to Miss Emma B. Mor-
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gan, who was born near Excelsior Springs, and is a daughter of J. R. and Dorothy (Ferguson) Morgan, natives of Ray County. J. R. Morgan followed farming and stock raising, and died in July, 1920, aged seventy- eight years. His widow now resides on the home farm near Excelsior Springs. To Mr. and Mrs. Bollinger have been born three children: Dorothy, aged thirteen years; Harold, nine; and Robert, seven.
Mr. Bollinger is a Democrat and a member of the Baptist Church, and is superintendent of the local Sunday School. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is president of the Ray and Clay Farm Products Association and takes an active part in all progres- sive movements for the betterment and upbuilding of Excelsior Springs.
M. E. Buchta, a well known and progressive farmer and stockman of Kearney township, was born in Illinois, August 2, 1861. He is a son of Matt and Katherine (Buch) Buchta.
Matt Buchta was born in Germany in 1826 and came to the United States with his parents in 1839 when he was thirteen years old. The family came directly to St. Louis and from there went to Illinois where they settled. Later Matt Buchta came to Clay County and bought a farm of 200 acres in Kearney township. It was mostly timbered land. He cleared away the timber and improved his place and was successfully en- gaged in farming and stock raising and prospered. He died in 1890. His wife was also a native of Germany and came to the United States in 1846. They were married at Edwardsville, Illinois. She died in Kearney township in 1883 and she and her husband are buried in the Mt. Gilead Church cemetery. This church, and also the Mt. Gilead schoolhouse, stands on the Buchta place and were built prior to the Civil War and are old historic landmarks in that part of Clay County. To Matt Buchta and wife were born four children: John A., lives in Clay County; Maggie, deceased; M. E., the subject of this sketch: and Katherine, married Dave Smith and lives in Clay County.
M. E. Buchta was educated in the District Schools of Illinois and attented school at Valparaiso, Indiana. He has always followed farming and stock raising and has been very successful and is now the owner of 120 acres of valuable land in Kearney township. At one time he owned 280 acres. He bought 160 acres of land in Kansas and is the owner of considerable property in Kansas City, Missouri. He is unmarried.
Mr. Buchta has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd
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Fellows Lodge for twenty years. He is a member of the Christian Church and is a Democrat. He is one of the substantial men of Kearney township.
Samuel N. Thomason, a member of one of the prominent pioneer families. of Platte township who is now successfully engaged in farming and stock raising, is a native of Clay County. He was born on the farm where he now resides, February 8, 1869, and is a son of William A. and Fannie (Moore) Thomason.
William A. Thomason was born in Scott County, Kentucky, September 4, 1830. He spent his early life in his native state, and was married there; he came to Missouri with his wife and family in 1854 and settled in Platte township, Clay County. Here he bought 120 acres of land which is now a part of Samuel N. Thomason's farm. Upon coming to this county, Wil- liam A. Thomason, bought this place for eight dollars and twenty-five cents an acre. There were about five acres cleared when he settled on the place. He built a pioneer cabin and cleared his place and brought it under culti- vation. He followed farming here until he retired on account of advanced age and spent the remainder of his life in Smithville where he died June 1, 1897. Fannie (Moore) Thomason was born in Scott County, Kentucky, May 12, 1835, and was married to Mr. Thomason in Kentucky, January 23, 1851. She is now living with her son, Samuel N. Thomason, the subject of this sketch, having reached the advanced age of eighty-five years.
William A. and Fannie (Moore) Thomason were the parents of the following children: Sally, deceased; Kate, a widow, who resides at Spokane, Washington; John, lives at Liberty, Missouri; Robert, deceased ; George, deceased; Samuel N., the subject of this sketch; Evalena, de- ceased ; Matilda, deceased; and Lucy, deceased.
Samuel N. Thomason was reared on the place where he now resides and attended the Gordon district school, receiving a good common school edu- cation. He lived with his parents and operated the home place until he was twenty-four years old, when he was married. He then rented the home place from his father for two years when he bought it. The original home place consisted of 120 acres. He owns another tract of 15115 acres and now has a farm of 2711% acres of valuable and well improved land. He has made a number of substantial improvements, including a large ten room residence which he built in 1900. He has three good barns on the place and has made a number of other improvements which materially add
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to the appearance, convenience and value of the place. He carries on gen- eral farming and stock raising and has been successful in his undertakings.
Mr. Thomason was married in 1893 to Miss Drucella Lizar, a daughter of Benjamin and Tinny (Stapp) Lizar, both natives of Missouri and now living at Liberty. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomason have been born three chil- dren: Elma, born September 7, 1894, married Bernard Bogmire and they live in Clay County ; Ernestine, born July 23, 1896, married Earl Farmer, Clay County, Missouri ; and Ray L., born June 25. 1898, and resides on the home place. There are two grandchildren in the Thomason family, Mar- vin W. Bogmire and Roland H. Thomason.
Mr. Thomason is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a Democrat. Mrs. Thomason is a member of the Baptist Church.
Dan H. Fox. an enterprising farmer and stockman of Platte town- ship, was born on a farm in Platte County, Missouri. February 22, 1878. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Hon) Fox.
John Fox was born in Kentucky in May, 1841. He was reared and educated in his native state and in 1862 was married to Elizabeth Hon. They came to Missouri in 1864, and settled in Platte County. They bought one hundred acres of land there, upon which they lived and followed farm- ing until 1805, when they removed to Smithville, Missouri, where they now reside. To John and Elizabeth (Hon) Fox were born the following children: Ida Bell. married W. L. Rule, Smithville, Missouri; Roy B., lives in Platte County ; Tom, deceased ; Lora M., married T. D. Norton and they live in Clay County ; one died in infancy ; and Dan H., the subject of this sketch.
Dan H. Fox was reared to manhood in Platte County and received his education in district schools. He remained at home and assisted his par- ents on the home farm until he was twenty-five years old. He was then married and began farming rented lands which he continued about three years. In 1907, he bought his present place of eighty acres in Platte town- ship. He has made extensive and substantial improvements and carries on general farming and raises cattle and hogs and feeds cattle extensively.
Mr. Fox was married at Liberty, Missouri, October 19, 1901, to Miss Emma Lee Cavender, a daughter of Joseph and Nan (Wills) Cavender, both natives of Missouri and now hving at Paradise, Clay County.
Joseph Cavender is a Civil War veteran, having served in the Con- federate army throughout that conflict. To Mr. and Mrs. Fox have been
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born two children: Willie Marie, born in Platte County, November 10, 1904 and Roy Franklin, born in Clay County, February 17, 1908, and both reside at home with their parents.
Dan H. Fox has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows Lodge at Smithville for ten years. He and Mrs. Fox are members of the Christian Church and he is a Democrat. The Fox family are well known and highly respected in Clay County.
Andrew Duncan, a progressive and enterprising farmer and stockman of Platte township, is a native son of Clay County and belongs to one of the pioneer families of Platte township. He was born on the old Duncan home place, November 8, 1872, a son of William and Sarah (Morris) Dun- can. A biographical sketch of William Duncan appears in this volume.
Andrew Duncan was reared in Platte township and attended the pub- lic schools at Paradise. He remained on the home place and rented land from his father until he was twenty-five years old. He then bought his present place which consists of 100 acres. He has made numerous im- provements, having built a residence and other farm buildings and has one of the well improved farms of Platte township. He carries on general farming and stock raising and has met with success.
Mr. Duncan was married at Liberty, Missouri, October 27, 1897, to Miss Lena Pearl Cavender. She is a daughter of Joseph and Nannie (Wills) Cavender. Joseph Cavender was born in Kentucky and came to Clay County. Missouri, with his parents and has spent most of his life in this county. He now resides at Paradise. Nannie (Wills) Cavender was born in Platte County, Missouri. Mrs. Duncan is one of the following chil- dren born to her parents: Bettie, married Dr. J. F. Rupe, of Paradise, Missouri; Lena Pearl, now Mrs. Andrew Duncan, of this sketch; Emma. married Dan Fox and they live in Clay County ; Willie, Clinton, Missouri; Archie Buchanan, ;lied at the ageof six years: George and Nannie Bessie, deceased. George, died at the age of three vears and Nannie Bessie, died in 1914, at the age of thirty-one years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Duncan have been born three children : William Truby, born February 5. 1901; Opal June, born June 27. 1908; and one died in infancy.
Mr. Duncan is a Democrat and has never missed voting at a national election and missed only one school election since he was twenty-one years old. Mrs. Duncan is a member of the Christian Church at Paradise. The Duncan family is well known and stands high in Clay County.
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C. C. Tapp, a well known and successful merchant who conducts a general store at Mosby, Missouri, where he is also postmaster, is a native son of Clay County. He was born at Kearney, September 20, 1884, a son of George P. and Mary Jane (Combs) Tapp.
George P. Tapp was also born in Kearney township on the place where he now resides, in 1853, his parents being early settlers in Clay County. Mary Jane (Combs) Tapp is a native of Kentucky and was born in 1855. To George P. Tapp and wife were born the following Children: Rolla, a merchant at Okmulgee, Oklahoma; C. C., the subject of this sketch; Jesse, who lives at Ulma, Montana; and Georgia, married J. P. George, a farmer, near Mosby, Missouri.
C. C. Tapp was reared on the home farm in Kearney township and educated in the public schools, attending the Estes school. He remained on the home farm until 1904, and afterwards learned commercial photog- raphy and was engaged in that work for a time. In 1913, he purchased the general store and stock of goods at Mosby from Dave Shelton and since that time he has been successfully engaged in business here. He carries a good general line of merchandise and commands an extensive trade. He is a wide-awake, live merchant and his progressive methods are appreciated by his many customers. He was appointed postmaster of Mosby in February, 1914, and has conducted the postoffice since that time. He also sells tickets for the Interurban Railway Company at Mosby.
Mr. Tapp was married September 9, 1908, to Miss Susan Elizabeth McCorkle, a daughter of A. J. and Mary McCorkle; the mother is now deceased, and the father lives at St. Joseph, Missouri. The McCorkle family were early settlers in Dekalb County, Missouri. Mrs. Tapp is one of the following children born to her parents: Walter, Ryan, Oklahoma ; America, married Floyd Crockett and they live in Arizona; Susan Eliza- beth, married C. C. Tapp of this review; Myrtle, married Ted Kiefer of Wichita, Kansas; Nina, Wcihita, Kansas; Mrs. Dollie B. Morgan, St. Jo- seph, Missouri; and O. H.
Mr. Tapp is a director in the Mosby State Bank and is one of the sub- stantial and energetic business men of this county.
John T. Taul, a well-to-do farmer and stock man, who is the owner of a valuable farm of 258 acres in Platte township, is a native of this county. He was born on a farm, about a quarter of a mile from his present place, January 16, 1864, and is a son of Benjamin and Patsy (Spencer) Taul.
MR. AND MRS. C. C. TAPP
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Benjamin Tanl was born in Nicholas County, Kentucky, in 1822, and was reared, educated and married in his native state. He came to Clay County, Missouri, with his wife some time prior to the Civil War and set- tled on a farm of 380 acres. He remained here until the Civil War broke out, when he returned to Kentucky. After the war was over he came to Clay County in 1866 and was engaged in farming and stock raising here during the remainder of his life. His wife was also a native of Kentucky, born August 26, 1832 and now lives at Liberty, Missouri, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. They were the parents of eleven children, as follows: Elizabeth, married Sam Lewis, who is now deceased and she lives at Smithville, Missouri ; James, lives in Clay County, Missouri ; Molly, married a Mr. Neff and lives at Liberty, Missouri; William, lives in Clay County ; Maggie, deceased; John T., the subject of this sketch; Robert, Paradise, Missouri; Maxie, married Hade Settles, and they live in Clay County ; Bennie, St. Joseph, Missouri ; Clarence, deceased ; Soper, Liberty, Missouri.
John T. Taul was reared on a farm and attended school at the Benson school house. He remained at home assisting in the operation of the home place until he was twenty years old. He then rented a farm in Buchanan County which he operated for two years, when he went to Clinton County, Missouri, where he also rented land for two years. From there he went to Gentry County and bought eighty acres of land. He farmed that for one year when he returned to Clay County and bought seventy acres of his present place. He bought more land as opportunity presented and cir- cumstances permitted until he is now the owner of 258 acres. He has made valuable improvements and has won a well merited reputation of being one of the progressive farmers and stockmen of Clay County. His place is well improved with good buildings, including a seven room modern residence and two large stock barns and other farm buildings. He car- ries on general farming and stock raising and is an extensive wheat raiser. Mr. Taul is interested in other enterprises outside of the legitimate field of farming. He was one of the organizers of the Paradise Bank and for eleven years has been a member of the board of directors of that institu- tion. He has also served as a member of the board of directors of the Farmers Bank at Smithville, Missouri.
November 10, 1884, John T. Taul was married to Miss Rhoda Quinn, a daughter of Green and Sarah (Smith) Quinn, both natives of Kentucky, the former of whom is now deceased, and the mother resides in Gentry
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County, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Taul have been born eight children : Lloyd, lives in Clay County ; Edna, resides at home with her parents ; Patsy, married William Shannon, of Clay County; Lena, married Beechie Sewell, of Kansas City, Missouri; Opal, resides at home with her parents ; Spencer, lives on the home place; Ruby, resides at liome and Helen, also at home.
Mr. Taul is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a Democrat. He and Mrs. Taul are members of the Christian Church.
James M. Venrick, of Platte township, is a well known and successful farmer and the Venrick family are among the early pioneer settlers of Platte and Clay counties. James M. Venrick was born in Platte County, April 22, 1877, a son of John A. and Evalyn (Kennedy) Venrick.
John A. Venrick was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia. October 18, 1837, and came to Missouri with his parents in 1850, when he was about thirteen years old. They came up the river by steamboat and landed at old Liberty Landing. From there they drove to Platte County with an ox team and wagon. John A. Venrick was a son of Benjamin Ven- rick, who settled in Platte County and spent the remainder of his life there. John A. Venrick crossed the plains and mountains to Idaho in 1860. He returned to Platte County in 1865 and bought 276 acres of land in that county of which he later sold one hundred acres to his father. After the death of his father, John A. bought the interest of the other heirs and was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising in Platte County for many years. He died November 9, 1918. His wife was born in Clinton County, Missouri, December 2, 1847, and was married in that county in 1867. She was a member of a pioneer family of Clinton County. She died July 4, 1918, and is buried by the side of her husband in the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery at Smithville, Missouri.
John A. and Evalyn (Kennedy) Venrick were the parents of the 10]- lowing children: Addie, married R. L. Breckenridge and they live in Clay County, Missouri; Bettie. married W. M. Breckenridge. Clay County ; Lucy O., married Al Swaney, who died at Liberty in 1918, and she now resides at Smithville: James M., the subject of this sketch; W. T., lives in Platte County ; Sam B., Platte County ; and John, deceased.
James M. Venrick was reared to manhood in Platte County and at- tended school in the South Gale school district. He remained at home and assisted his parents until he was twenty-six years old. He was then mar- ried and rented the place which he now owns and seven years later bought
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this place where he has since carried on general farming and stock rais- ing. He owns 155 acres of land upon which he has made numerous im- provements. For the past sixteen years he has been raising pure bred Poland China hogs. He raises a good grade of Shorthorn cattle and is one of the successful farmers and stockmen of Platte township.
Mr. Venrick was married January 27, 1904, at Smithville, Missouri, to Miss Nannie M. Swaney. She is a daughter of Albert G. and Nannie (Lutes) Swaney, both of whom are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Ven- rick has been born one child, Frederick James, born May 12, 1906, and is at home with his parents.
Mr. Venrick is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has been affiliated with that order for twelve years. He is a Democrat and he and Mrs. Venrick are members of the Christian Church. The Venrick family is widely known and stands high in the community.
Marvin L. Rowe, a well known and successful dentist of Excelsior Springs, is a native of New Jersey He was born at Newark, September 26, 1878. a son of Ezra M. and Mary J. (Turner) Rowe.
Ezra M. Rowe and his wife were both born in Newark, New Jersey. He was born in January, 1855, and in early life learned the bricklayers trade and has followed that vocation all his life. He came to Missouri in 1897 and settled at Lexington, where he now resides. His wife died at Odessa, Missouri, in 1912, at the age of fifty-nine years. They were the parents of three children, as follows: Marvin L., the subject of this sketch ; Ida, married Foster L. Renick, Odessa, Missouri; and one, died in infancy.
Doctor Rowe was educated in the public school and was graduated in the high school at Ainsworth, Nebraska. After the family located at Lex- ington, Missouri, he took a course in a business college. He then entered the Western Dental College at Kansas City, Missouri, and was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1902. He first engaged in the practice of his profession at Malta Bend, Missouri. In the fall of 1903, he went to Coffeyville, Kansas, where he practiced two years, when he removed to Ness City, Kansas, and was there engaged in practice for three years. In 1912, he located at Excelsior Springs where he has since been successfully engaged in practice. His offices are located in the I. O. O. F. building. Here he has a well equipped modern dental office and has built up a large practice.
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Doctor Rowe was married December 17, 1907, to Miss Annie Zeysing. To Doctor and Mrs. Rowe have been born three children: Caryle, Marvine and Ida Margaret.
Doctor Rowe is a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Modern Wood- men of America, and he and Mrs. Rowe are members of the Eastern Star and members of the Baptist Church. Doctor Rowe is a member of the State Dental Association and the Kansas City Dental Society.
Dr. John E. Musgrave, well known physician and surgeon who stands high in the medical profession in Excelsior Springs, was born at North Sydney, Cape Breton Island. Nova Scotia, December 18, 1877. He is a son of A. E. and Janie (MacDonald) Musgrave.
A. E. Musgrave was born at Little Bras d'Or, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, in 1848. He came to the United States in 1879, and brought his wife and children here a few years later. He settled at Farmington, Iowa. He was a photographer in early life and some time after locating in lowa, bought a controlling interest in the Van Buren County Telephone Com- pany and devoted his attention to that business until the time of his death in 1903. He died at Farmington, Iowa, and is buried there. His wife was born at North Sydney Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, in 1857. and now resides at Farmington, Iowa. A. E. and Janie (MacDonald) Musgrave were the parents of the following children: Dr. George J., born November 14, 1876, a physician of Chicago, Illinois, who limits his practice to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat; Dr. John E., the subject of this sketch ; and Reta, married C. L. Paisley, of Farmington, Iowa.
Dr. John E. Musgrave was reared at Farmington, Iowa, and educated in the public school. He graduated from high school there in 1896. The following year he came to Excelsior Springs and was employed here as a clerk in a drug store until 1903. He then entered the State University of lowa, at Iowa City, and after completing the course there entered the University Medical College of Kansas City, Missouri, where he was gradu- ated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1907. He immediately engaged in the practice of his profession at Excelsior Springs and built up a large and constantly growing practice. He was thus engaged when the United States entered the World War. In August, 1918, he elisted in the United States army in the Medical Corps. He was commissioned captain and sent to Ft. Riley, Kansas. He remained on duty there until October 3, 1918, when he was transferred to Camp Pike, Arkansas, where he was discharged December 7, 1918.
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After returning from the army, Doctor Musgrave resumed his prac- tice in Excelsior Springs. His offices and hospital are located in the Ex- celsior Springs Sanatorium building in partnership with Dr. R. W. Prather. He has a large practice and is recognized as an able physician and surgeon.
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