USA > Missouri > Clay County > History of Clay County, Missouri > Part 58
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59
To Melvin and Phoebe A. (Grimes) McKee were born the following children: Charles, the subject of this sketch; Ella J., died at the age of nineteen years; William, lives on the old McKee home place in Fishing - River township; Samuel D., died in 1889; Julia, married I. W. Wingo, Fair Grove, Missouri; Mattie, died at the age of three years; Bettie, died July 13, 1892; and Curtis, died August 7, 1880.
Charles McKee was reared in Clay County and attended the district school in Fishing River township. He has always been engaged in farm- ing and stock raising and located on his present place in 1906. He is the owner of 660 acres which is one of the valuable farms of Clay County. This land was entered from the government by Joel Moore, father of Mrs. Charles McKee. Mr. McKee carries on general farming and stock raising and feeds a large number of cattle for the market annually. He
761
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
is known as a successful breeder of registered Hereford cattle. His herd is headed by "Beau Blanc Visiage 17th," a half-brother of "Beau Best" of the Wallace and Good herd of Grandview, Missouri.
Mr. McKee was first married to Miss Belle Story, a daughter of John R. and Artelia (Crossett) Story, both deceased. Mrs. McKee died in August, 1887. In 1890, Charles McKee was married to Miss Alice Moore, a daughter of S. S. and Ann E. (Davis) Moore, early pioneer settlers of Clay County, who came here from Kentucky at an early date. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles McKee have been born two sons: Charles Hugo, who married Ellen Maurer of Excelsior Springs, and James Edwin, mar- ried Adlin Farris. The two sons are associated with their father in the operation of the home farm and are energetic and progressive young men. James Edwin is a graduate of the Missouri State University at Columbia, having taken the agricultural course in that institution. He was in the training school at the State University when he war closed.
Charles McKee has a wide acquaintance in Clay County and is one of the substantial citizens of Fishing River township.
Samuel H. Mitchell, who resides at Pratherville, is a native of Clay County and a member of an interesting pioneer family. He was born at Missouri City, July 27, 1852, a son of Mabry and Evaline (Lakey) Mitchell.
Mabry Mitchell was also born in Clay County, near Liberty, and later settled at Pratherville, where he conducted a general store for thirty- five years. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in Captain McCarty's company in the Confederate Army. He made the trip across the plains during the rush to the gold fields in 1849, driving overland with mule teams. On the trip he and his party nearly starved. Their mules all died from starvation and when the party arrived they were nearly exhausted. He returned from California via South America.
Mabry Mitchell, father of Samuel H. Mitchell, was a son of Mabry Mitchell, Sr., a native of North Carolina. He made the trip up the Mis- sissippi River in a towboat as far as Council Bluffs in the early days, and later returned to Missouri and was living in Bates County during the Civil War when Order No. 11 was issued. He afterwards settled in Clay County. He was the father of fourteen children.
Evaline (Lakey) Mitchell was a daughter of Jonathan Lakey, who was an early settler in Clay County and entered government land two
762
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
and one-half miles southeast of Liberty, upon settling here. His father was a native of Germany and came to this country with his parents and settled in Kentucky, when he was a boy. Jonathan Lakey married Miss Alsey Hiatt, a native of Virginia, of English descent. They reared a family of two daughters.
Samuel H. Mitchell has two sisters living: Mary E., who married John Hiatt of Los Animos, Colorado; and Sarah Frances, who is now the widow of Berry Brown of Plattsburg, Missouri. After the death of the mother of these children, Mabry Mitchell married Mrs. Martha David- son, widow of Steel Davidson. Her maiden name was Adkins.
Samuel H. Mitchell was reared in Clay County and attended the early day subscription schools and later was a student at William Jewell College at Liberty. He spent a number of years in the West in early life, but for the past thirty years his home has been at Pratherville.
Mr. Mitchell was married February 11, 1880, to Miss Ida B. Atkins, a daughter of Jonathan Hugh and Mary S. (Stone) Atkins, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Mitchell is one of the following children born to her parents: Robert, deceased; William, was a judge of the county court in Clay County for many years and is now deceased; Jacob, Missouri City ; John, Liberty; Fountain, deceased; Rueben, deceased; Martha E., de- ceased; Anna, deceased; and Ida Belle, the wife of Samuel Mitchell of this sketch.
Mr. Mitchell has some interesting family heirlooms, among which is a hammer that was made by one of his direct ancestors in Germany over two hundred years ago.
John Dan Rhodus, a successful farmer and stockman of Fishing River township, although a native of Kentucky, has been a resident of Clay County since early childhood. He was born in Madison County, Ken- tucky, September 7, 1853, a son of Henry Bascom and Ann Elizabeth (Corneliason) Rhodus, both natives of Kentucky.
The Rhodus family came to Clay County when John Dan Rhodus was about one year old and located in Washington township. Five years later they moved to Fishing River township and settled on a place which is now part of John Dan Rhodus' farm. Here the father spent the re- mainder of his days and died in 1880 at the age of fifty-eight years. His wife died here at the age of seventy-one years and their remains are buried at Shady Grove cemetery. Henry B. Rhodus was a hard work-
763
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
ing and industrious man and improved his place and was successful. He broke most of the ground on this place with three yokes of oxen.
To Henry B. Rhodus and wife were born the following children: Ed- ward Houston, deceased; Thomas Jefferson, deceased; Mrs. Emma Jane Stewart, deceased; John Dan, the subject of this sketch; and Granville Mitchell, Perry, Oklahoma; Mrs. Rebecca Ferril, Fishing River township; Mrs. Mary Ellen Smith, deceased; and Dock of Mosby, Missouri.
John Dan Rhodus attended the subscription schools of the early days and since early manhood has always been engaged in farming and stock raising. He has added 120 acres to the old Rhodus home farm and now has a splendid farm of 270 acres. It is deep rich soil and one of the pro- ductive farms of Clay County.
Mr. Rhodus was married in 1895 to Miss Malzena Hawkins, a daugh- ter of William and Mary J. (Grooms) Hawkins, both now deceased. John S. Grooms, a Mexican War veteran, who served under Colonel Doniphan, was a relative of Mrs. Rhodus. To Mr. and Mrs. Rhodus have been born two sons: Henry Bascom, who married Lulu Peery, and they have two children, Raymond E. and Frances Vernice; and Edwin Francis Rhodus. John Dan Rhodus is a dependable citizen and the Rhodus family is well and favorably known in Clay County.
Norman G. McCrorey, a veteran of the World War, who is a member of one of the substantial families of Clay County, was born in Fishing River township, November 11, 1893. He is a son of Joseph and Cath- erine (King) McCrorey. The father died February 4, 1899. He was born April 1, 1847, in Clay County, and Catherine (King) McCrorey was born in Pendelton County, Kentucky. After their marriage they settled on a farm in Fishing River township, four miles southwest of Excelsior Springs, where Mrs. McCrorey now resides, and owns 106 acres of land.
To Joseph and Catherine (King) McCrorey were born the following children: Lena, married Lee Ferril, who resides near Liberty; Frances, at home; Richard Leslie, Lyndon, Kansas; Hugh Robison, a ranchman in Wyoming; and Norman G., the subject of this sketch.
Norman G. McCrorey was reared on the home farm in Fishing River township and attended the public schools at Pratherville. He remained on the home farm until October 3, 1917, when he entered the United States Army and was sent to Camp Funston, Kansas, for training. On January 18, 1918, he was sent to France, arriving at Brest, February 15, 1918.
764
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
In April of that year he became a member of Company F, 102nd Infantry, 26th Division and went to the Toul front with his command April 1st, remaining there until June 28th. They were then sent to Chateau Thierry where they remained until July 26, 1918. They were then withdrawn from the front, and about a month later started on the St. Mihiel drive and two days later were sent to Troyon. They were kept in that locality from September 15th until October 6th. From there they were sent on the Meuse-Argonne drive until October 25th. During this engagement Mr. McCrorey was wounded by being struck in the back by shrapnel and after spending forty days at Base Hospital No. 42 at Blois he returned to service. He served in different casual companies in France until he sailed from Brest, March 31, 1919, arriving at Boston, Massachusetts, April 7, and was mustered out of service and honorably discharged at Camp Taylor, Kentucky, April 25, 1919. Mr. McCrorey, although young in years, has had a vast amount of experience and has a miltary record to his credit of which any man may be justly proud. He is a member of Clyde Gustine Post, American Legion, at Excelsior Springs.
John N. Hart, now deceased, was identified with the interests of Clay County for many years. He was a native of this county and the Hart family is one of the early prominent pioneer families of eastern Clay County. John N. Hart was born in Fishing River township, May 15, 1844. He was a son of John and Margaret (Nelson) Hart, further men- tion of whom is made in connection with the sketch of James M. Hart in this volume.
John N. Hart was reared to manhood in Fishing River township and received such schooling as the times and conditions afforded. He enlisted in the Confederate army when he was sixteen years old and served until the close of the war. He then returned to the home place where he re- mained until 1872, when he bought the place in Fishing River township where his widow now resides. When he came to this place it was rough and unimproved and had a heavy growth of timber. He proceeded to clear his place and operated a saw mill for a time and also a blacksmith and wagon shop and made plows. He built the residence where the family now resides, in 1872. In connection with his other work he car- ried on general farming. He was industrious, worked hard and pros- pered. He was known as an honest, dependable citizen who succeeded by his own honest efforts. He was a member of the Independent Order
765
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
of Odd Fellows at Missouri City. He died June 6, 1908 and his remains are buried at Crown Hill cemetery.
John N. Hart was married to Nancy E. Vaughn, November 14, 1872. She is a daughter of Joseph and Mary P. (Stewart) Vaughn. Joseph Vaughn enlisted in the Confederate army in 1861, shortly after the Civil War broke out, and was wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas. He died a few years later from the effect of his wound and was buried in Arkansas. His widow survived him a number of years and died in 1918 at the age of eighty-six years. Mrs. John N. Hart was one of the follow- ing children born to her parents: Francis J. Vaughn, Mosby, Missouri ; Patterson S., Ray County, Missouri; Mrs. John N. Hart, of this review ; Mrs. Sheetz Howdeshell, of Fishing River township; and Mrs. Ella Woods, of Holden, Missouri.
To John N. Hart and wife were born the following children: Mari- etta, married C. W. Smith, Gallatin, Missouri ; Margaret B., a stenographer in Kansas City, Missouri; Flora Catherine, married D. B. Jesse, of Ex- celsior Springs, Missouri; Stella J., married Bertram Neidig, of Liberty, Missouri ; Mary, married Curtis Miller, Newcastle, Wyoming; Pet, mar- ried Roy Summers, Pratherville; John E., married Margaret Colville, Pratherville; Maude and William P., at home and Irene Lucile, married Walter Summers, Lawson, Missouri.
William P. Hart entered the United States army July 6, 1918, and was sent to Camp McArthur, Texas, and from there transferred to Camp Merritt, New Jersey, November 9, 1918, and had embarked on a trans- port, preparatory to sailing to France, when the armistice was signed. He was honorably discharged at Camp Grant, Illinois, December 22, 1918.
G. T. Baldwin, the capable superintendent of the County Home of Clay County, who has had charge of the management of that institution for the past eight years, is a native of Clay County. He was born in Fish- ing River township, May 25, 1869 and is a son of George A. and Sarah H. (Moberly) Baldwin, both now deceased.
George A. Baldwin was born in Clay County of pioneer parents, and his wife was a native of Indiana. They were married in Fishing River township and spent their lives on a farm in that township. He died at the age of sixty-four years and his wife was sixty years old at the time of her death. They were the parents of the following children: G. T., the subject of this sketch ; Charles R., deceased; N. B., Liberty, Missouri ;
766
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Edna B., married J. M. Ellis, of Los Angeles, California; Clyde A. Hall, Summit, Kansas; and Clay M., Los Angeles, California.
G. T. Baldwin was educated in the public schools of Liberty and was graduated from the Liberty High School. He then engaged in farming and stock raising in Kearney township and in 1912 was appointed super- intendent of the County Home and has held that position until the present time.
The Clay County Home has the distinction of being the best man- aged institution of its kind in the state of Missouri, according to the official report of the State Board of Charities, which is, without doubt, due to the capability and well directed efforts of the superintendent. The Home is a modern, substantial stone structure of two stories and was built in 1914 at a cost of $25,000.00. There has been as many as twenty- six inmates in the institution at one time, but at present, 1920, there are only thirteen. The county farm consists of 104 acres and Mr. Baldwin carries on general farming and stock raising here and conducts the busi- ness in a profitable manner.
G. T. Baldwin was married, December 25, 1890, to Miss Anna M. Ellis, a daughter of W. C. and Anna M. (McCarty) Ellis. W. C. Ellis is deceased and his widow lives at Liberty, Missouri. Anna M. McCarty is a granddaughter of Major Menefee who served in the Confederate army during the Civil War. To Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin have been born two sons: George Lewis, born January 7, 1893, married Mabel Best, and they have one daughter, Lucile, and reside in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Guy Browning, born September 25, 1895, married Mary Lucinda Williams and they live at Liberty, Missouri.
Mr. Baldwin is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons No. 311, Kearney, Missouri, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 49, Liberty, Missouri.
Roy G. Atkins, an enterprising farmer and stockman of Fishing River township, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Platte County, April 17, 1886, and received his education in the public schools.
Mr. Atkins has always followed farming and stock raising and is now operating the James Moore Hart farm of Fishing River township. He was married December 6, 1917, to Miss Bertha Hart, a daughter of James Moore Hart, a sketch of whom appears in this volume and they have one son, Roy Hart Atkins, born December 13, 1919.
767
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Thomas J. Holt, of Fishing River township, is a worthy representa- tive of a fine old pioneer family of Clay County. He was born in this county, October 26, 1851, a son of John and Minerva (Pritchett) Holt.
John Holt and his wife were natives of Rockingham County, North Carolina and in 1851 drove through from that state with a one horse wagon, arriving at Haynesville, Clay County, Missouri, October 25, 1851. They spent the remainder of their lives in this county, the father dying in 1859 and the other survived him for a number of years. She died in 1905 and their remains are buried at Shady Grove Church cemetery. Hezekiah Holt, grandfather of Thomas J. Holt of this sketch, settled in Clay County a number of years before his son, John Holt, came here. He entered government land near Haynesville and he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives there.
Thomas J. Holt was one of a family of four children born to his par- ents as follows: Isaac, lives in Washington township, Clay County ; Mrs. Rebecca Gaines, Washington township; James, Washington township; and Thomas J., the subject of this sketch.
Thomas J. Holt attended the public schools and at the early age of fifteen years began to do for himself. He went to work by the month, receiving only thirteen dollars a month for the first year and was thus employed for six years, or until he was about twenty-one years old. Dur- ing the last few years he received eighteen dollars a month. He saved his earnings and began farming for himself. In 1882, he bought a farm of 133 acres in Fishing River township which he later sold and bought his present place of 112 acres which has since been his home. He carries on general farming, cattle raising and feeding. He feeds cattle and hogs for the market and has found this business to be very profitable. He is the owner of a good farm and has met with uniform success.
Mr. Holt was married in 1874, to Miss Harriet King, a daughter of Richard and Ann King, both deceased. Richard King served in the Con- federate army under Gen. Sterling Price and was in the service until the close of the war. Mrs. Holt died in 1906.
To Thomas J. Holt and wife were born the following children: Ger- trude, married Judge J. B. Minter. of Fishing River township; Ernest, married Maud Gow, a daughter of James Gow, of Washington township; Berne, married Dr. J. F. Grace. of Excelsior Springs; Harry, married Leta Means, of Paradise, Missouri; King, married Margaruite Morse, of Excelsior Springs ; and Violet, resides at home. Mr. Holt has the follow-
768
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
ing grandchildren: Virgie Minter, who is now the wife of Edwin Pixlee; Raymond Minter, and Loraine Holt. He has two great grandchildren, Virginia Ann Pixlee and Raymond Minter.
Mr. Holt is one of the substantial pioneer citizens of Clay County and the Holt family is highly respected in the community.
James Moore Hart, a substantial citizen of Fishing River township, who is a successful farmer and stockman, is a native of Clay County and a descendant of Colonial ancestors. He was born in Fishing River town- ship, June 13, 1846, and is a son of John and Margaret (Nelson) Hart.
John Hart was born in Orange County, North Carolina, in 1797 and came to Clay County in 1837 and settled on the farm which is now owned by James Moore Hart. He died here January 5, 1880. His wife was born in Guilford County, North Carolina, June 28, 1812, and died June 18, 1880 and she and her husband are buried on the home place.
John Hart was a son of Stephen and Catherine (Moore) Hart, who were the parents of four daughters and two sons. Stephen Hart was a son of James and Nellie Hart, who settled in Orange County, North Caro- lina, before the Revolutionary War.
James Moore Hart was reared on the home place in Fishing River township and has made farming and stock raising his principal occupation since boyhood. He carries on general farming and raises sheep, hogs and cattle extensively. His farm consists of 3031/2 acres. The residence is located on an elevation from which the view is unobstructed for miles and it is one of the attractive places of the county. The soil is productive and fertile and the drainage is good and the place possesses all the advantage- ous features of a splendid farm.
James Moore Hart was married to Sarah F. Summers whose parents came from North Carolina in the pioneer days and settled on the place which Mr. Hart now owns. To Mr. and Mrs. Hart were born. the following children : Norma, married Hugh Pixlee, of Liberty; James Moore, Jr., married Della Dincler, Excelsior Springs; Bertha, married Roy Atkins; Thomas Benton; Ruth, married Lewis Lancaster; Noah, married Jeanie Calville; Lawrence, on the home place; Frances Catherine, Thelma. Mrs. Hart died in 1915.
Mr. Hart is a progressive citizen and takes a commendable interest in public affairs. The Hart family is well known and stands high in Clay County.
769
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Adoniran Judson Watkins, a large land owner in Washington town- ship, who has been successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising in this township for a number of years, is a native of Clay County. He was born in Washington township, December 24, 1856, a son of Waltus L. and Mary Ann (Hollaway) Watkins. A more extensive history of the Watkins family appears in this volume in connection with the sketch of John H. Watkins.
Adoniran Judson Watkins was one of a family of eleven children born to his parents of whom the following are living: George Spencer, who is now eighty-three years old, resides at Jeffries, Montana; John H., a sketch of whom appears in this volume, lives on the old home place in Washington township; Martha Ann, married M. D. Scruggs, and is a widow living in Kansas City, Missouri; W. J., Craig, Colorado; Caro- line E., resides on the old home place with her brother, John; Adoniran Judson, the subject of this sketch; and Joe B. lives on the home place in Washington township.
Adoniran J. Watkins was reared on the home place in Washington township and attended William Jewell College, and later took a course in Bryant and Stratton's Business College at St. Louis. He began work- ing in his father's woolen mill between his school terms, when he was thirteen years old and continued to assist in the mill at times until 1892. In 1888, he moved to his farm in Washington township, where he has since carried on farming and stock raising. He owns a well im- proved farm of 440 acres. He continues to operate his farm, although he has resided in Lawson since 1908, where he is the owner of a nice residence.
Mr. Watkins was married December 10, 1884, to Miss Margaret Jane Smith, of Ray County, Missouri. She is a daughter of W. W. and Sallie (Miles) Smith, natives of North Carolina and Kentucky, respectively. Mr. Smith was one of the wealthiest men of Ray County. To Mr. and Mrs. Watkins have been born the following children: Mary M., married D. S. Boyd, of New York City; Caroline Miles, married R. E. Ilam, of Denver, Colorado: Virginia J., a student in Rockford College, at Rock- ford, Illinois, and Augusta Joan, at home.
Mr. Watkins is a Democrat and a member of the Baptist Church, and Mrs. Watkins and all the children belong to the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Watkins is a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine, Ararat Temple, Kansas City, Missouri, and is one of the oldest members of that Shrine. He is a well-to-do and substantial citizen.
770
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Dr. Enoch Hutchinson Miller, a prominent physician and surgeon of Liberty, Missouri, is a native of Clay County and a member of one of the pioneer families of this section of the state. He was born at Liberty. August 8. 1851, a son of Madison and Ann (Arthur) Miller.
Madison Miller was born in Berkley County, Virginia, and when a young man came to Clay County and engaged in the mercantile business at Liberty. He carried on an extensive business in the early days and furnished a great many supplies for the government at Ft. Leavenworth. His store was located where the Commercial Bank of Liberty now stands and he had one of the first safety vaults in the county in this building. This vault was used as a common depository by the settlers for miles around. They brought their money here, for safety, in shot sacks and other bags of various kinds. Madison Miller was the first mayor of the town of Liberty. He was a director in the old Liberty Savings Associa- tion and also one of the first trustees of William Jewell College. He died at the age of sixty-eight years.
Ann (Arthur) Miller, mother of Doctor Miller, was a native of Kentucky and a daughter of Michael Arthur, who came from Kentucky to Clay County and was one of the pioneer settlers here. He was prom- inent in the affairs of his time and was one of the directors of the Lib- erty Savings Association. He had the contract for building a railroad from Cameron to Kansas City, Missouri, but on account of the Civil war coming on at that time the railroad was not built then.
To Madison and Ann (Arthur) Miller were born the following chil- dren : Mary, married William Anderson, and they are both deceased: Ar- thur, was associated with his father in business and died when a young man ; James Madison, was an officer in the United States Navy, was captain of the Merrimac which was sunk by Hobson to obstruct Santiago Harbor, and later Captain Miller was promoted to the rank of admiral and is now deceased; William, died at about the age of eight years; Dr. Enoch H., the subject of this sketch; Mattie, married Rev. Washington Peace, a Baptist minister of Kansas City, Missouri, who is now deceased ; and Dora B., married John M. Newelee, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.