USA > Missouri > Clay County > History of Clay County, Missouri > Part 57
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October 2, 1870, Robert J. Clark was married to Miss Sallie A. Moore, a native of Clay County, born October 31, 1847. She was a daugh- ter of David H. and Mary (Tillery) Moore. David H. Moore served in the Confederate Army with the Texas troops and after the war returned to Missouri where the Moore family had settled in Clay County at an early day. The Tillery family were pioneer settlers of Clinton County, Missouri. To Robert J. Clark and wife were born the following children: Mattie, died in infancy; Orson, a merchant, Mobridge, South Dakota; Frank, who has been cashier of the Commercial Bank at Lawson, Mis- souri, for twenty-seven years; Robert J., in the Government service at Washington, D. C .; Albert M., a prominent attorney at Richmond, Mis- souri, and has been prosecuting attorney of Ray County for two terms and represented Ray County in the State Legislature two terms; and James K., government land receiver at Lemmon, South Dakota.
Frank J. Clark, cashier of the Commercial Bank of Lawson, was educated in the Lawson High School and began his career in the banking business as bookkeeper in the Lawson Bank when he was fifteen years old and when he was eighteen years old he became cashier of the Com- mercial Bank of Lawson, and has held that position to the present time. He was married November 14, 1899, to Anna V. (Young) Griffith. He is a Knights Templar Mason, a member of the Shrine and holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Democrat and a mem- ber of the Methodist Church.
G. G. Cooper, cashier of the Mosby State Bank, at Mosby, Missouri, although a young man, has had an extensive experience in the important field of banking and is one of the capable men in this line in Clay County. He was born in Fishing River township, August 8, 1891, a son of J. C. and Paulina (Holmes) Cooper.
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J. C. Cooper was a native of Missouri, born at Harrisonville, and was engaged in farming and stock raising in Fishing River township all his life. He died on his farm at the age of sixty years. Paulina (Holmes) Cooper was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and now resides near Excel- sior Springs.
G. G. Cooper was educated in the public school of Excelsior Springs and Kansas City, Missouri. He then took a course in Spalding's Commer- cial College, after which he entered the employ of the First National Bank of Kansas City. He was connected with that institution for eight years. When the Mosby State Bank was organized and opened for busi- ness on June 5, 1920, he became cashier of that institution and is now serving in that capacity.
Mr. Cooper was married December 20, 1913, to Miss Virginia M. Green of Kansas City, Missouri, and to this union has been born one son, Ralph Allen Cooper.
Mr. Cooper is a courteous gentleman and has a wide acquaintance and many friends.
The Mosby State Bank, of Mosby, Missouri, is the latest banking institution organized in Clay County and this new bank has immediately taken a position of financial importance among the older established banks in the county. The Mosby State Bank was organized March 8, 1920, with a capital stock of $10,000.00, and began business on June 5, 1920.
The officers are E. C. Pixlee, president ; James M. Crockett and H. A. George, vice-presidents; and G. G. Cooper, cashier. The other directors are E. C. Pixlee, James M. Crockett, H. A. George, Ernest Holt, C. C. Tapp. Sin Collins, W. H. Meservy, A. M. Bates and J. B. Minter.
The bank owns its own building, which is a substantial structure 22x30 feet. The deposits at the opening of the institution were $32,000.00. This bank is under capable management and the gentlemen who are identified with it are all dependable men of affairs and of high standing in the community.
Washington E. Munkirs, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Fish- ing River township, is a native of Clay County and is a member of an early pioneer family of this section of Clay County. He was born in Kearney township, August 1, 1860, and is a son of R. B. and Nannie (Wade) Munkirs.
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R. B. Munkirs is also a native of Clay County and is one of the ven- erable pioneer residents of this county. He was born in a pioneer cabin which stood on the place where he now resides, March 4, 1839. This old cabin stood on the place until about two years ago. Nannie (Wade) Munkirs was a native of Ohio and died in 1867 and her remains are buried on the home place. The following children were born to R. B. and Nannie (Wade) Munkirs: Washington E., the subject of this sketch; John, deceased; Charles, who lives on the home place; Mrs. Hettie L. Bradley ; and Byron, who lives in Fishing River township.
Washington E. Munkirs was reared on the home farm and attended school in the Estes school district. He was reared to the life of the farm and early began an independent career as a farmer and stockman. In 1892. he bought 120 acres of land seven miles northeast of Liberty in Fishing River township. This was formerly the Joseph Crockett farm. Mr. Munkirs has made extensive improvements on this place, including a good residence and other farm buildings. He raises registered Big Bone Type Poland China hogs and also grade Percheron horses.
March 19, 1913, Washington E. Munkirs was married to Miss Jessie May Reynolds. She is a daughter of John S. and Ruth (Harrell) Reyn- olds, both of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Munkirs was born in Liberty township and her parents were born and reared in Clay County. Mrs. Munkirs has three sisters living: Mrs. Fannie Rexroad, Liberty, Mis- souri; Mrs. Vertie Ferril, Kansas City, Missouri; and Mrs. Carrie Hen- drix, Kansas City, Kansas.
By a former marriage of Mrs. Munkirs to James Robert Benson, a daughter was born, Anna Frances, born January 1, 1907. She now re- sides at home.
Mr. Munkirs is one of the substantial citizens of Clay County and is a progressive farmer and stockman.
James R. Minter. a well known farmer and stockman, who owns and operates a valuable farm in Fishing River township, is a native of Mis- souri and belongs to a family of pioneers of this state. He was born in Andrew County, Missouri, November 24, 1860, a son of Frank M. and Sarah (Bohart) Minter.
Frank M. Minter was born at Louisville, Kentucky. He came to Missouri with his parents at an early day. His father, John Minter, was employed on the erection of the first building of William Jewell College,
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and died at the age of eighty-nine years Frank M. Minter and two of his brothers, Robert and John Minter, crossed the plains to California during the gold rush of 1849. Frank M. Minter remained in California about a year, when he returned to Missouri by way of the Isthmus of Panama. During the Civil War. he served in the home guards under command of Captain Garth. He died in 1906 at the age of seventy-five years. His widow was born December 14, 1839, and now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Axie Rhodus, of Fishing River township.
Robert Minter crossed the plains twice and died at Liberty, Missouri. He served in the state home guards. John Minter, after going to Cali- fornia in 1849, established his home there and died in Lower California.
To Frank M. and Sarah (Bohart) Minter were born the following children: Mrs. Emma Graham, deceased; James R., the subject of this sketch; W. B., Kansas City, Missouri; F. M., Mosby, Misouri; Jacob B., who is now a member of the county court of Clay County ; Mrs. Catherine Long, Liberty, Missouri; Mrs. Axie Rhodus, Mosby, Missouri; Willard H., died in Jackson County, Missouri.
James R. Minter received his education in the district school and was reared on a farm. Early in life he began his independent career as a farmer and stockman, and is now the owner of a valuable farm of ninety acres, situated one mile south of Mosby. He has owned and op- erated this farm for the past twenty years. His place is well improved and is adapted to both stock and grain raising. He has a good residence on the place and other substantial farm buildings. There are two ever- flowing springs which supply the place with a superior quality of water. Mr. Minter raises pure bred Poland China hogs as well a a good grade of other livestock.
August 31, 1892, Mr. Minter was married to Miss Lizzie B. Smith, a daughter of F. M. and Mary Ann (White) Smith, both natives of Clay County, and now deceased. The White family came from near Louisville, Kentucky, and settled in Fishing River township at a very early day and were among the pioneer settlers of that locality. To Mr. and Mrs. Minter have been born the following children: Mary Ella, married Lynn Shouse of Fishing River township; Nellie Frances, resides at home with her parents ; and Carrie, died at the age of eighteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Minter have two grandchildren: T. J. and Ella May Shouse.
Mr. Minter is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America of Ex- celsior Springs and is a progressive and enterprising Clay County citizen.
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Leslie Lancaster, who is one of the progressive farmers and stockmen of Fishing River township, is a native of Clay County and has been en- gaged in his present occupation since early manhood. He was born four miles west of Liberty, June 14, 1869, and is a son of John S. Lancaster, a biographical sketch of whom appears in this volume.
Leslie Lancaster was reared to manhood on his father's farm and attended the district school. He has lived on his present farm, five miles northeast of Liberty, for the past twenty-seven years. This is a valuable and productive farm containing eighty acres. It was formerly the prop- erty of Ethan Allen Crockett and the Foster heirs and Mr. Lancaster bought the place in 1893. He has made extensive improvements. The commodious and comfortable residence is surrounded by a number of shade trees and presents an attractive appearance. For a number of years Mr. Lancaster has given considerable attention to raising pure bred stock. He raises pure bred Shropshire sheep and Poland China hogs and also carried on general farming extensively.
Mr. Lancaster was married February 28, 1893, to Miss Lillie M. Brawner, a daughter of James G. and Martha M. Brawner. Her parents are both deceased and their remains are buried in New Hope Church ceme- tery, southeast of Holt, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster have been born the following children: Arthur M., further mention of whom is made below; Lewis Ralph, married Ruth Hart and they live on a farm in Fishing River township; George, deceased; and James Gilbert, resides at home with his parents.
Arthur M. Lancaster is a veteran of the World War. He entered the United States Army, February 25, 1918, and was sent to Camp Funs- ton. He was assigned to the Motor Transport Department and was honorably discharged from the service May 12, 1919, when he returned home and is assisting in the operation of the home place. He is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias and the American Legion at Liberty.
Leslie Lancaster is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is one of the well known and successful farmers of Clay County and the Lancaster family stands high in the community.
Lewis R. Lancaster, a progressive and enterprising young farmer and stockman of Fishing River township, is a native son of Clay County. He was born in Fishing River township, April 3, 1896, a son of Leslie and Lillie M. (Brawner) Lancaster, a sketch of whom appears in this volume and also of John S. Lancaster, grandfather of Lewis R. Lancaster.
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Lewis R. Lancaster was reared on the home place and attended the Mosby district school. He began farming and stock raising in early life and is now operating a farm owned by Allen Pixlee and one which is owned by Thomas Pixlee in Fishing River . township. He carries on general farming and raises wheat and corn extensively and gives special attention to raising Poland China hogs and also raises sheep.
Mr. Lancaster was married September 29, 1917, to Miss May Ruth Hart, a daughter of James and Sarah Hart of Fishing Rover township, Mrs. Lancaster having been born in this township. She is one of the following children born to her parents: Mrs. Hugh Pixlee, Liberty, Missouri; Mrs. Roy Adkins, who lives in Fishing River township; Noah, Liberty, Missouri; Thomas, Excelsior Springs; Lawrence, resides at home; Frances, at home; and May Ruth, married Lewis R. Lancaster, the subject of this sketch.
To Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster have been born one child, Edith Loraine. Mr. Lancaster is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Liberty, Missouri.
William P. Shannon, a well known and extensive farmer and stock- man of Fishing River township, is a native of Dakota County, Minnesota. He was born October 8, 1866, a son of William and Ann (Gibbons) Shan- non.
William Shannon was born in County Galway, Ireland, in 1828. He came to America a few years prior to the Civil War and when that conflict came on he was living in Boston, Massachusetts, and enlisted in the United States Navy and served throughout the war. He then went to Minnesota which was his home for many years. He then went to California where he died in 1914 and his remains are buried near San Francisco. His wife was also a native of County Galway, Ireland, and died at Topeka, Kansas. at the age of eighty-seven years and her re- mains are buried there.
William and Ann (Gibbons) Shannon were the parents of the follow- ing children: William P., the subject of this sketch; John, Topeka, Kan- sas; Daniel, Topeka, Kansas; Mrs. Mary Fuller. Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. Anna Jones, Naravisa, New Mexico.
William P. Shannon was engaged in railroading in early life and followed electrical work. He was employed for five years in Kansas City before he engaged in farming and stock raising in Clay County in 1891.
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He owns and operates a well improved farm of 253 acres which is located three miles southwest of Mosby in Fishing River township. He carries on general farming and stock raising and has been successful in his under- takings. His place is well watered with five natural running springs and three wells and is an ideal stock farm as well as for the production of grain.
Mr. Shannon was married in 1891 to Miss Martha Means, a daughter of Alvin and Martha A. (McCormick) Means, of a pioneer family of Fishing River township. Alvin Means was a son of Andrew Means, who was one of the very early pioneer settlers of Missouri. He was a native of North Carolina and drove from that state to Missouri and settled in Howard County in what was known as the Boonslick country, in 1812. A few years later he came to Clay County and settled in Fishing River township where he took up government land under a land patent dated in 1824. This is the farm which is now owned by William P. Shannon. Alvin Means, Mrs. Shannon's father, died in 1916, and his remains are buried near Stockdale, Missouri, and his wife died in 1890 and is buried in Dekalb County, Missouri.
To Mr. and Mrs. Shannon has been born one sone, J. E. Shannon, born in October, 1892, who is now engaged in farming on the home place with his father. He is a veteran of the World War, having enlisted at Kansas City, Missouri, December 13, 1917. He was first sent to Jeffer- son Barracks, St. Louis, and transferred from there to Camp Shelby, Mississippi. From there he was sent to Camp Johnson, Florida, and then to Newport News, Virginia, embarking for France October 5, 1918. He was with the American Expeditionary Forces in France until July 13, 1919, when he was returned to the United States and honorably dis- charged at Camp Pike, Arkansas, July 24, 1919. He served with the rank of sergeant with Field Remount Squadron 333. He was married July 12, 1918, to Miss Ruth Robison, a daughter of H. W. and Florence Robison of Liberty, Missouri.
William Elisha Moberly, a substantial and well known farmer and stockman of Fishing River towship, is a native of Clay County. He was born on the farm which he now owns two miles west of Mosby, January 8, 1884, a son of Simeon and Sarah J. (Brasfield) Moberly.
Simeon Moberly was a Kentuckian, born in Madison County in 1835. He was here married and during his active career was engaged in gen-
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eral farming and stock raising. He died in 1909. His wife, Sarah J. (Brasfield) Moberly was born in Daviess County, Missouri, and was brought to Clay County by her parents, LeRoy and Elizabeth (Estes) Brasfield, when she was about one year old. They settled three and one- half miles southwest of Kearney in Fishing River township and here spent the remainder of their lives.
The following children were born to Simeon and Sarah J. (Brasfield) Moberly: John C., died at the age of six years; Eugene, died in infancy ; Oben, died in infancy; Mrs. Gertrude Lancaster, Liberty township; Effie, died March 16, 1920; and William E., the subject of this sketch.
William E. Moberly was reared on the home farm and attended school in the Estes school district. In 1911, he bought the home place which consisted of 102 acres and in 1914, he bought eighty acres more and is now the owner of an excellent farm of 182 acres. He carries on general farming and is one of the successful and well-to-do farmers of Fishing River township.
Mr. Moberly was married December 30, 1908, to Miss Allie Riley, a daughter of Lewis and Isabel E. Riley. Her father died in 1913 at the age of seventy-two years and is buried in the cemetery at Kearney, and her mother now resides at Kearney. Mrs. Moberly is one of ten children born to her parents. Those living are as follows: Mrs. Charles Lewis, of Garden City, Kansas; and Arthur, Allen, William, Charlie, and Ralph, all residing at Kearney, Missouri.
To Mr. and Mrs. Moberly have been born three children, as follows: William Eugene, Raymond Riley, and Kenneth Franklin.
Mr. Moberly is one of the original stockholders of the Mosby State Bank, which is the latest addition to the banking institutions of Clay County. He is a public spirited and progressive citizen and one of the substantial men of Clay County.
Judge John W. Karr, a successful contractor and builder of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, and a former judge of the county court of Clay County, is a native of Missouri. He was born near Lone Jack, Jackson County, January 15, 1862, a son of John W. Karr, Sr.
John W. Karr, Sr., was a native of Kentucky and when a young man came to Missouri and settled near Lone Jack. He was a son of James Karr, who was a large slave owner and brought a number of slaves with him from Kentucky to Missouri. He owned several hundred acres of
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land in Jackson County and spent the remainder of his life there after coming to Missouri. He died at the age of ninety-eight years. John W. Karr, Sr., left Jackson County when a young man and spent most of his time in Clay and Caldwell counties and died in 1916. His wife died in 1912 and their remains are buried in Radical cemetery, Caldwell County.
Judge John W. Karr was one of the following children born to his parents : Osino, of Kansas City, Missouri; James, a farmer in Cass Coun- ty, Missouri; John W., the subject of this sketch; Sarah, married H. C. Duncan, of Clay County; Martha, married Samuel Curtis, Jamesport, Missouri; Lila, married Samuel Few, Breckenridge, Missouri; Nora, mar- ried Doss Dolan, Nettleton, Missouri; Elizabeth, married Elliott Dolan, and she is now deceased; Price, Clinton, Missouri; Ed, lives in Mont- gomery County, Missouri; Anna, died at the age of eighteen years; Jo- seph, died at the age of forty years. This large family held a reunion, or home coming, at which they were all present, shortly before the death of the sister, Anna.
Judge Karr was educated in the public schools of Clay County, and early in life engaged in the grocery business at Excelsior Springs and later he was in the hardware business there. In the fall of 1906, Mr. Karr was elected judge of the county court for the eastern district of Clay County and at the expiration of his term of office he was re-elected, serving four years. During his administration in that office the building of wooden culverts was discontinued and he and Judges Hodges, Connell. and later Judge Robb, inaugurated the building of concrete culverts, a policy which has since been adhered to.
For several years Judge Karr has been engaged in contracting and building and is now constructing a half mile of road out of Excelsior Springs, known as the rock road. He operates a stone crusher and em- ploys quite a number of men. He does general contracting and building and has won a wide reputation for the high standard of his work and his integrity in carrying out contracts.
October 9, 1884, John W. Karr was married to Miss Lizzie Williams, a daughter of John and Fannie (Nichols) Williams, and granddaughter of Henry Nichols, an old settler of Clay County. Mrs. Karr was born near Excelsior Springs and her father is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Karr have been born two children: Mamie Etta, married Homer Ander- son, of Excelsior Springs, and they have two children, Bernice and La-
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veta; and Ora, married Grace Isley and they have two children, Oreta and Naomi, and reside in Denver, Colorado.
Judge Karr is a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Mystic Workers. He is widely known in Clay County, and is a dependable citizen of high standing.
Robert H. Wallis, a well-to-do farmer and stockman of Fishing River township, was born in this county and is a member of one of the honored pioneer families of this section of Missouri. He was born in Fishing River township, May 13, 1866, a son of George H., and Mary H. (Mosby) Wallis.
George H. Wallis was also a native of Clay County and his father was one of the very early settlers in this county. His name was also George Wallis and he lived south of Liberty. At the age of eighteen years George H. Wallis enlisted for service in the Mexican War. He served throughout that conflict in Captain Moss' company and Colonel Doniphan's regiment and took part in the famous Doniphan expedition to Mexico. He was mustered out of service at the close of the Mexican War and returned to Clay County. He engaged in farming in Fishing River township and became the owner of 240 acres of land which is now owned by E. E. Petty and A. C. Pixlee. He was prominent in the early day affairs of this county and was elected justice of the peace in 1854 and served four years. His picture appears in this volume.
George H. Wallis, was married in August, 1848, to Miss Mary Mosby, a daughter of Nicholas and Mary (Shouse) Mosby, and the following children were born to them: George N., deceased; Mary H., married Walter Tapp, Alamargarta, New Mexico; John H., Oklahoma; Margaret J., married B. F. Matthews, Oklahoma; Sarah M., wife of Arch Soper, deceased; William D., Liberty, Missouri: Katie L., died in infancy ; Rob- ert H., the subject of this sketch ; Artimesia, married S. G. Major, Kear- ney, Missouri.
Robert H. Wallis, whose name introduces this review, was reared In Clay County and attended the district schools. He was reared on a farm and in early life began an independent career as a farmer and stock- man and has been successful. He is the owner of 194 acres in Fishing River township, where he carries on general farming and stock raising and feeds cattle and hogs. His place is well improved, the residence being modern and lighted by acetylene gas.
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Mr. Wallis was married February 14, 1894, to Mattie M. (Archer) Mosby, widow of Dewilton Mosby, a Mexican War veteran, whose picture appears in this volume. He served in Colonel Doniphan's regiment. He was born April 23, 1825, and died July 8, 1889, and was buried on his old home farm in Fishing River township, and the remains were later removed to Liberty Cemetery. Dewilton Mosby and wife were the par- ents of the following children: Jesse D., Fishing River township; Rosa- lec, married Alonzo Squires, a sketch of whom appears in this volume; Emmett A., Liberty, Missouri; Nicholas Mosby, recorder of deeds of Clay County ; Bonnie Musette, married W. E. Brawner, of Liberty, Mis- souri. To Mr. and Mrs. Wallis has been born one son who died in infancy. Mr. Wallis is a substantial citizen and stands high in Clay County.
Charles McKee, an extensive land owner and successful breeder of pure bred registered Hereford cattle, of Fishing River township, was born in Washington township, Clay County, October 16, 1858. He is a son of Melvin and Phoebe A. (Grimes) McKee.
Melvin McKee was born in Kentucky in 1827, and when he was six years old, was brought to Missouri by his parents, David and Elizabeth McKee, who settled in Clay County and were very early settlers here, That was in 1833. They both spent the remainder of their lives here and are buried in the Salem cemetery. Melvin McKee was a farmer all of his life and was regarded as one of the successful men of his time in Clay County. He died August 10, 1887, and Phoebe A. (Grimes) McKee, his wife, died in 1910. She was a daughter of George and Jane Grimes.
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