USA > Missouri > Clay County > History of Clay County, Missouri > Part 51
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Mr. Best is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, at Liberty. He takes a keen interest in local affairs and in 1914 and again in 1916, he made the race at the primaries for the office of presiding judge of the county court. He is an enterprising citizen and stands high in Clay County where the Best family is well known and highly respected.
Baylis Thornton Gordon, state senator from this district who is ex- tensively interested in farming and the live stock industry, is a native of Clay County, and is a descendant of one of the honored pioneer families of this section of Missouri. He is a son of Baylis Thornton Gordon, Sr .. and Mary Ellen (Nelson) Gordon.
Baylis Thornton Gordon, Sr., was born in Clay County and spent his entire life in this county. He was engaged in farming and stock raising and met with success and at the time of his death was the owner of con- siderable land. He was married to Mary Ellen Nelson in Clay County, Missouri. She is a daughter of Doctor Henry and Catherine Nelson.
Dr. Henry Nelson was born in Ireland and educated at Glasgow, Scot- land. He was a physician and surgeon and when a young man came to America and settled in West Virginia. Later, he removed to St. Louis and in a short time came to Kansas City, Missouri. He bought land in Platte township, Clay County, where he resided for a time, but died in St. Louis. His wife died at Maryville, Missouri.
Mary Ellen Nelson was born in West Virginia and came to Missouri with her parents and was one of three children born to them, the others being Lelia C., married Fielding Dunlap, now deceased, and she lives in Brooklyn, New York, and Dr. W. F. Nelson. who was a physician and sur- geon and died in Clay County. Mrs. Baylis Thornton Gordon, Sr., now resides on the old home place in Clay County.
Baylis Thornton Gordon, the subject of this sketch, is one of the fol- lowing children born to his parents: Charlie, deceased ; Harry. manager of the Liberty Electric Light Company, and also operates the electric light plant at Smithville, Missouri ; Edna, deceased; Grace, deceased ; and Baylis Thornton.
Baylis Thornton Gordon was reared in Clay County and educated in the public schools of Liberty and the Kansas City School of Law. After completing the law course, he was admitted to the bar, although he has never practiced, but has devoted his attention to stock raising and farming
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on an extensive scale. He owns and operates 780 acres of land in Clay County and owns a valuable farm of 320 acres in Jackson County, Kansas.
Senator Gordon has always taken an active part in public affairs and served as a member of the Legislature from Clay County in the sessions of the 48th and 49th General Assembly. In November, 1920, he was elected to the state senate from the Third Senatorial District, comprising the counties of Clay, Platte, Clinton, DeKalb, Andrew and Holt. Mr. Gor- don has been instrumental in furthering important agriculture legislation as a member of the lower house, the passage of the pure seed bill being largely due to his efforts as well as many other good measures in the interests of the farming industry. He is a progressive and public spirited citizen and as state senator, he is a man who can be depended upon to ably and honestly represent the best interests of his constituents.
Hiram L. Wubbenhorst, of Liberty, Missouri, is a native son of Clay County, and was born in Liberty township, a son of John G. and Teena (Lienemann) Wubbenhorst, the former of whom now resides at Liberty and the mother died in 1901, further mention of whom is made in con- nection with a sketch of John H. Wubbenhorst which appears in this volume.
Hiram L. Wubbenhorst is a veteran of the World War and his mili- tary record in that great conflict is one of more than ordinary merit. He enlisted at Mason City, Iowa, April 11, 1917, in the 168th Iowa Infantry and was sent to Des Moines, Iowa, for a period of training and from there to Camp Mills, Long Island, where he was attached to the 42nd Division, and in August, 1917, started across on board the United States transport. President Grant. When the President Grant was about half way across the Atlantic, she returned to port on account of defective boilers. About two weeks later, Mr. Wubbenhorst's command sailed again landing at Liverpool, England. From there they went to Winchester, then to Man- chester, England, and to LeHavre, France. Mr. Wubbenhorst took part in much of the severe fighting in which the American troops were engaged during the war. He was in the Champagne, Marne, Aisne, St. Mihiel, Meuse, Argonne Forest. The first time that his regiment was ordered to the front line they remained for 110 days without relief. This was in the Luneville, St. Clement, Baccarat sector (not mentioned above). After the armistice was signed, he served with the American Army of Occupation on the Rhine in Germany. He endured many hardships, privations and dan-
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
gers and was one of the fortunate of four men of his company of 250 to escape without a wound. When he returned to the United States he was a member of the 42nd Division. He was discharged in May. 1919, after having been in the service over two years.
Mr. Wubbenhorst is one of the substantial young men of Clay County. He is a carpenter and had four years of experience in that line in Iowa, North Dakota and Missouri. He also has been foreman in the building . of concrete silos for the Minnesota Keystone Silo Company. in Minnesota. having traveled extensively through the northern states.
Charles R. Bighanı, president of the Security Bank of Avondale, and who is closely identified with the development of southern Clay County, is a native of Missouri and a descendant of one of the early pioneer families of this state. He was born in St. Joseph. Missouri, January 5. 1880. and is a son of James C. and Martha (Davidson) Bigham, who now reside in Los Angeles, California.
James C. Bigham was born in Platte County, in 1843. He is a Civil War veteran. having served in the Confederate army under Gen. Sterling Price. James C. Bigham is a son of John Bigham, who was a native of Virginia. born in 1815. He came to Missouri in 1835 and settled at Wes- ton. Platte County. Here he entered government land and became the owner of 640 acres. He was a large slave owner prior to the Civil War. and was very well-to-do. He spent his life in the vicinity of Weston and died on his farm there.
To James C. and Martha (Davidson) Bigham were born the following children: B. B .. a real estate man of St. Joseph, Missouri: Ira D., who is engaged in the oil business in Kansas City. Missouri : Charles R., the sub- ject of this sketch ; Buelah M., a teacher in the high school at Los Angeles. California : Mae. married Lou L. West. Los Angeles, California.
Charles R. Bigham was reared in St. Joseph and educated in the public schools and the E. E. Gard Business College. of St. Joseph. In 1902. he came to Clay County and located at what is now North Kansas City. and operated 3.000 acres of land for the Armour. Swift and Burlington inter- ests. in that vicinity. Later he traveled for the American Tobacco Com- pany. in Ohio, for five years. He then engaged in the real estate business in Kansas City. and is now handling North Kansas City property. Mr. Bigham was one of the organizers of the Security Bank of Avondale and is now president of that institution.
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On December 7, 1907, Charles R. Bigham was united in marriage with Miss Martha Ellen Cooley, a daughter of H. M. Cooley, of Avondale, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Mrs. Bigham was born at Avon- dale and was educated in the public schools and is a graduate of the Kan- sas City High School. Mr. Bigham is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Barry, Missouri, and is a Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner. He is a pro- gressive and enterprising citizen.
William E. Balkey, vice-president of the Security Bank of Avondale, is a substantial and enterprising citizen of Clay County, and is interested in various enterprises. He was born in Livingston County, Missouri, De- cember 29, 1881, and is a son of William Nelson and Jerusha (Root) Balkey.
William Nelson Balkey is a native of Indiana. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the Thirteenth Indiana Infantry and served until the close of the war. He came to Missouri about 1880, and he and his wife now reside at Ludlow, Missouri. She is a native of Wisconsin and was a · teacher prior to her marriage.
To William Nelson and Jerusha (Root) Balkey were born the follow- ing children: Elmer, who is engaged in the grocery business at Braymer, Missouri; Mrs. Rosa Maack, Ludlow, Missouri; Mrs. Myrtle Demerall, Lud- low, Missouri; Mrs. Emma Jamison, Grandview, Missouri; Mrs. Mary Busby, Ludlow, Missouri; Mrs. Ada Foreman, Mooresville, Missouri; Wil- liam E., the subject of this sketch ; Mrs. Daisy Brink, Hoxie, Kansas; and Mrs. Gertrude Snodgrass, Des Moines, Iowa.
William Balkey was educated in the public schools and the Missouri Wesleyan College at Cameron, Missouri. He was a telegraph operator in early life and for twenty years was in the employ of the Chicago, Mil- waukee and St. Paul Railroad, as telegraph operator and agent. For nine- teen years he was stationed at Northern Junction and has been a resident of Clay County since 1901.
Mr. Balkey is the owner of a valuable farm of sixty-five acres at Avon- dale, which is devoted to small fruit and alfalfa. He has recently engaged in contract work in partnership with John Montgomery, of Moscow, Mis- souri. They have under way, at the present time, a contract for grading the streets of North Kansas City. They also constructed the Hillside levee. They do an extensive business and at the present time are using twenty-six teams in their work. Mr. Balkey was one of the organizers
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
of the Security Bank of Avandale and has been vice-president of that sub- stantial institution since its organization. He has been Sunday school superintendent, school director and highway commissioner for many years.
On November 4, 1905, Mr. Balkey was united in marriage with Miss Fannie Beam, of Ray County, Missouri, and one daughter has been born to this union, Mary Dorothy. The Balkey residence is located at Avon- dale. Mr. and Mrs. Balkey have a wide acquaintance and stand high in · the community.
William Hoy, a well known farmer and stockman of Gallatin town- ship, is a member of a very early pioneer family of Clay County. He was born in Platte County, March 6, 1862, a son of William and Adeline (Mc- Quitty) Hoy.
William Hoy was a very early settler in Platte County and home- steaded land there. He was a surveyor and surveyed much of Platte County. He died in 1871. He was a son of Jones Hoy, a Kentuckian, who was carried away by Indians when he was eight years old. This happened in Kentucky and he remained with the Indians until he was sixteen years old. He settled in Platte County at very early date and there spent his life.
Adeline (McQuitty) Hoy. mother of William Hoy, was born in Clay County, about three miles west of Liberty, in 1826. Her father, Benjamin McQuitty, entered land there from the government which is now owned by Gus Davidson. Benjamin McQuitty and his wife spent their lives on that place and were buried there. Mrs. Hoy now lives in Platte County and is now ninety-four years old.
The following children were born to William and Adeline (McQuitty) Hoy: Benjamin, lives in Platte County ; Rufus, Clay County ; John, Platte County ; Mrs. Leota Strang, lives in Idaho; Mrs. Mattie Mitchell, lives in Montana: William. the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Kate Morrow, Park- ville, Missouri; Strother, Platte County; and Samuel, died at the age of sixteen years.
William Hoy was reared and educated in Platte County. For twelve years, he lived in Johnson County, Kansas. In 1907, he bought his present farm in Gallatin township where he has since been successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. His farm consists of 170 acres of productive land and is located one-half mile north of Winnetonka Station. The place is well improved with a good comfortable residence and other substantial farm buildings.
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Mr. Hoy was married in 1887, to Abbie Iliggins, of Platte County, Missouri. She is a daughter of B. F. and Ellen (Brink) Higgins, both now living in Platte County. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoy have been born the follow- ing children : Benjamin, married Ruth Weagley and is engaged in farm- ing in Gallatin township, where he owns 120 acres of land; Stella, mar- ried George Crust, of Johnson County, Kansas; Addie, married William Gabbert, of Nashua, Missouri; Ellen, married John F. Bender on October 26, 1920; Myrtle and Rufus Bryan, who resides at home with their parents.
Mr. Hoy is a substantial citizen and one of the progressive and enter- prising men of Gallatin township.
F. M. Davis, a well known and highly respected citizen of Fishing Itiver township, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising. is a native of Clay County. He was born on a farm adjoining Excelsior Springs, September 21, 1867, and is a son of William T. and Elizabeth (Moore) Davis.
William Davis was born in Jessamine County, Kentucky, in 1825, and came to Clay County with his mother and step-father, J. J. Vaughn. J. J. Vaughn died at Liberty and his wife died on a farm near Excelsior Springs, in 1872. William Davis was first lieutenant under Captain Garth of the Home Guards, of Liberty, during the Civil War. He died in 1888.
To William T. and Elizabeth (Moore) Davis were born the following children: Nancy J., married Willis Tillery; William H. T., resides near Mosby, Missouri; Henrietta C., married J. J. Wysong, and they are both deceased; Emmagene, married William Williams, of Howell County, Mis- souri : J. B., lied at Excelsior Springs, May 1, 1917; George W., died in 1878, at the age of fifteen years ; and F. M., the subject of this sketch.
F. M. Davis was reared in Clay County and attended school in the Washington and Moore school districts. He began farming, on rented land, in early life and rented a farm from T. C. Rainey of Kansas City, for fourteen years. He bought his present farm in 1913 and took possession of it the following year. His place contains fifty acres of valuable land upon which he has made improvements since locating here. It is all river bottom land and very productive. He raises corn, alfalfa and hogs, exten- sively, although he raises a diversity of crops.
Mr. Davis was married December 25. 1892 to Miss Anna Foley of Fishing River township and a daughter of George B. and Elizabeth Foley. They were both natives of Kentucky and early settlers in Fishing River
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township, and are now deceased. Mrs. Davis is one of the following chil- dren born to her parents: Nannie, married Jefferson Parr, of Jackson County ; Leila, married A. C. Kidd, Missouri City; Sallie, married W. F. Fowler, Fishing River township; N. B. Foley, Fishing River township: Mattie, married J. D. Keller, Fishing River township: Richie, married Nellie Pettyjohn, of Clay County, and they live in Des Moines : and Ella, married Elmer Robert, of Missouri City.
To Mr. and Mrs. Davis have been born five children as follows: Bet- tie, married W. E. Corn, Jackson County ; Evelena, married Everett Con- ley, Liberty, Missouri; Fleeta, married C. E. Lynch, a native of Clay County, Missouri, who has been in the employ of the Wabash Railroad as telegraph operator since 1912, and is now serving in that capacity at Mob- erly, Missouri; Lexie May, at home with her parents : and Willie Frances, married Martin Crouse, of Liberty, Missouri.
The following are the grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Davis: Frances Daniel, John Nelson, Ralph Conley ; Frank Robert and Gladys Marie Corn; and Melvin LeRoy and Mary Edith Lynch.
Mr. Davis is a substantial citizen and the Davis family are well known and highly respected.
James W. Snapp, proprietor of the Hotel Snapp at Excelsior Springs, which is one of the leading first class hotels of the country, has been a prominent factor in the progress and development of Excelsior Springs and by his foresight and enterprise has contributed in no small way to the prominent place which Excelsior Springs occupies among the leading resorts of the country.
Mr. Snapp was born in Polk County, Missouri, February 4, 1852. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the public schools. When he was twenty years old he engaged in the hardware business at Missouri City, continuing there until 1891. He then came to Excelsior Springs and engaged in the hardware business which he continued until about six years ago. In the meantime, he engaged in the hotel business in 1898, and conducted the Snapp's tavern until 1907. He then built the Hotel Snapp which was a seventy-five room structure and operated that until 1911, when it was destroyed by fire. He then erected the pres- ent magnificent Hotel Snapp on the same location.
The Hotel Snapp is beautifully located in the very heart of the pic- turesque hills of Missouri, surrounded on every side by the very touches of nature itself, supplies every comfort, refinement and luxury.
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The building is five stories high, constructed entirely of steel and reenforced concrete, with an exterior trim of terra cotta and cut stone, and is of the free style Spanish architecture.
It contains 112 rooms, single and en suite, each having a private bath or connecting with bathroom.
The tasty furnishings are of a style that will satisfy the most fas- tidious, nothing having been omitted that would add to the comfort of the guests. One of the most appealing features of the exterior of the hotel, is a veranda 78x25 feet, built in pergola fashion with porch swings, settees, easy chairs, and reading tables. On the first floor, connecting with the lobby, is the large, handsomely decorated ballroom which serves as a lounging and reading room. Here dances are given for the enjoy- ment and entertainment of the guests and their friends.
The dining room, also on the first floor, furthers the impression that the crowning attraction of this beautiful hotel is in itself a subtle artistic apartment. The floor is covered with a heavy, rich Wilton carpet with draperies to match. It has a seating capacity of 200. The hotel is con- ducted exclusively on the American plan. The cuisine is the best that money can supply. To the lover of fresh farm dairy products one may well state that the milk, cream, butter and eggs, as well as poultry and all vegetables and fruits in season, for the Hotel Snapp are supplied from the Snapp farm which is one mile distant. The service in every department is the standard of excellence.
Since coming to Excelsior Springs, Mr. Snapp has taken an active part in the political and civic life of the town. He is a Republican and has served as mayor of Excelsior Springs two terms. He has also served on the city council and on the school board, being a member of that body when the first school house was built in Excelsior Springs. He is now president of the Snapp Hotel and Realty Company.
Mr. Snapp was married January 24, 1884, to Miss Sarah E. Crowley. a. native of Ray County, Missouri. Mrs. Snapp died April 13, 1919, at the age of fifty-eight years. She was a woman of unusual ability and was active in all progressive movements for the betterment and upbuilding of the community. She was president of the Civic Improvement Associa- tion and was one of the most active workers in securing the Public Li- brary for Excelsior Springs and the success of that project was due, in no small measure, to her efforts. She was widely known and had many friends and the community deeply felt the great loss of her death.
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Mr. Snapp is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Modern Woodmen of America, and the Chris- tian Church.
Clay County State Bank, Excelsior Springs, Missouri, was estab- lished in 1894, Dr. S. D. Henry being one of the organizers. It was sold to Dr. W. S. Woods in 1902 and the Woods estate is still in control of the institution.
This bank started out with a small capital of only $10,000.00. It now has a certified surplus of $90,000.00, earned, and earned undivided profits of $40,000, which gives it the largest surplus and undivided profits in proportion to the capital of any bank in the United States, save two. It is the third from the top in the roll of honor banks, as listed in New York City. Hugh Wilhite, the president, and T. E. Crawford, the cashier, have been connected with this bank since 1903.
The officers of the bank are: Hugh Wilhite, president; W. N. Pitt- man, vice-president; T. E. Crawford, cashier; and E. L. Craven, E. H. Cravens, and S. C. Sherwood, assistant cashiers.
The Clay County State Bank is one of the substantial banking insti- tutions of the country. They do a general banking business.
Merriman Shelton, who conducts a general blacksmith shop at Excel- sior Springs, has had a varied experience and witnessed much of the development that has taken place in Clay County during the last half century. He was born in Ray County, Missouri, March 8, 1853, a son of Reuben and Ann (Weatherington) Shelton and is the second in order of birth of a family of eleven children born to his parents.
Reuben Shelton was also born in Ray County, Missouri, in 1833 and died in 1898. He was a farmer and followed that vocation all his life. His parents were Merriman and Lizzie (Holman) Shelton, natives of Vir- ginia, who came to Missouri at a very early day and entered Government land in Ray County. Ann (Weatherington) Shelton was born in North Carolina, a daughter of Frank Weatherington and came to Missouri with her parents when she was thirteen years old. She died about 1891, aged sixty years.
Merriman Shelton, whose name introduces this review. was reared on a farm and in early life was engaged in farming. For a few years,
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he carried mail on the star route from Liberty to Smithville. This was before the railroads were built. Later he became night marshal at Lib- erty and while in the performance of his duty, shot a man and shortly afterwards resigned from office. He then engaged in blacksmithing and for fourteen years conducted a general blacksmith business at Liberty in partnership with a Mr. Sparks. In August, 1907, he came to Excelsior Springs and for the past thirteen years has conducted a blacksmith shop here.
Mr. Shlton was first married June 9, 1875, to Miss Alice Hickman, a native of Illinois and to that union were born four children. The eldest died in infancy and the others are as follows: Laura, married William Rush, Kansas City, Missouri; Oscar, deceased; Price, deceased. Mr. Shelton's second marriage was on May 10, 1909, to Mary J. (Emory) Lilly, widow of Thomas Lilly. One child born to this union, died in infancy.
Mr. Shelton was a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association while a resident of Liberty and as a member of that organization and as an officer, he had much to do with apprehending criminals on various occa- ions and has witnessed many stirring events.
The picture entitled "Pioneer Motor Power" on another page of this volume, was taken in front of the blacksmith shop of Sparks and Shelton, at Liberty. The man on the wagon, wearing the cap, is Mr. Shelton. The oxen belong to John Davidson of Gallatin township.
Mr. Shelton is a Democrat and a member of the Baptist Church. His Lodge affiliations are with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
McDavid Brothers .- This firm is composed of J. E. and S. W. Mc- David who conduct a garage and automobile livery business at Excelsior Springs and are also interested in a number of other business enter- prises and various interests They started in the livery business in 1905 and since that time they have been breeders of registered saddle horses. They have sold saddle horses in various parts of the country and have frequently exhibited their horses at fairs and horse shows and won a number of premiums.
When the horse livery business began to wane and the automobile became practical and popular, the McDavid Brothers directed their atten- tion to the possibilities of this new field of enterprise. They began to
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handle automobiles and also put automobiles in their livery service. They now operate from six to eight cars and employ from twenty to twenty- five men in connection with their garage and taxicab service. They have the agency for the Dodge, Chandler, and Cleveland cars and the Beth- lehem trucks. In 1920, they erected one of the finest and most complete garages in the state.
McDavid Brothers are extensive land owners. In 1919. they bought the Cooley Lake property which was formerly the property of the Kansas City Gun Club, for thirty-five years. This property consists of 900 acres and here they carry on farming and stock raising, employing from two to eight men on the place. They also own 320 acres of productive wheat land in Gove County, Kansas. In addition to their other interests, Mc- David Brothers are the owners of Saline Springs, including a whole block on either side of the street. They ship the water from the springs to various parts of the United States.
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