History of Clay and Platte Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Clay and Platte Counties --their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens., Part 100

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1156

USA > Missouri > Platte County > History of Clay and Platte Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Clay and Platte Counties --their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens. > Part 100
USA > Missouri > Clay County > History of Clay and Platte Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Clay and Platte Counties --their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens. > Part 100

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WILLIAM H. McMONIGLE

(Farmer and Raiser and Dealer in Stock, Post-office, Linkville).

Mr. McMonigle's father, Aaron B. McMonigle, came to Platte county in 1853, and soon became a successful and well to do farmer and stock-raiser of this locality, being respected by all who knew him. He remained here until 1877, when he moved to Jackson county, Mo., and three years later to Stone county, where he now makes his home. He was born in Estill county, Ky., in 1833, and in 1849 was married to Sarah J. Allison, also a Kentuckian by birth, born in 1834. They remained there until coming to this county, as mentioned above. To them were born six children: Milton A., born August 29, 1850, and now engaged in farming and the cattle business in Stone county ; Joseph F., born May 20, 1861, and also occupied in raising cattle in Stone county ; James M., born December 18, 1867, at home with his father ; Edgar A., born February 14, 1869 ; Ollie B., born July 29, 1871, and William H., the subject of this sketch, who was born in Estill county, Ky., July 29, 1852. He came to this county with his parents on their removal here, and has since made his home within its boundaries, a period now of over 30 years. During this time he has been interested in agricultural pursuits, and also to some extent in

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

cattle. His landed estate embraces 240 acres, well improved and under cultivation, and upon it are good graded stock, more particularly cattle. January 6, 1880, Mr. McMonigle was married to Miss Letitia Hodges, originally from Kentucky. She accompanied her parents to Platte county in 1851, and has since lived here. Mr. McM. belongs to the Christian Church, and his wife to the Presbyterian denomina- tion. In politics he is a stanch Democrat.

GEORGE MASON

(Of Mason & Flannery, Dealers in Groceries, Etc., Platte City).

Among the old and respected families of Platte county is the one whose name is borne by the subject of the present sketch. Mr. Ma- son's father, Robert F. Mason, came to this county from Kentucky in an early day. He was a merchant by occupation, and for many years was engaged in business at Platte City. He still resides in this county. His wife was a Miss Dorcas Stigers, who was born and reared in Ohio. She is also still living. George Mason, the subject of this sketch, was born in Platte county August 31, 1847. Principally reared at Platte City, he received a good, practical education at Prof. Gaylord's acad- emy, and his father being a merchant by occupation, he also learned merchandising as he grew up. In 1877 Mr. Mason, Jr., engaged in business at Platte City on his own account, and two years later the present partnership was formed. Messrs. Mason & Flannery have a large stock of provisions, groceries, glassware, queensware, etc., etc., and do an annual business of about $30,000. Of Mr. Flannery men- tion has been made in a former sketch. Mr. Mason, it is hardly necessary to remark here, so well is he generally known in the county, is a man of superior business qualifications and sterling character. He has every apparent promise of a successful future.

CAPT. W. JACKSON MILLER

(Retired Agriculturist and Merchant, Platte City).

For nearly thirty-five years, or since 1851, with the exception of a short time during the war, Mr. Miller has been a resident of Platte county. He has been one of the active, energetic men of the county, one of that class of its citizens who have been mainly instrumental in building it up and making it what it is to-day - one of the prosperous and leading counties of the State. By his industry and enterprise he had succeeded before the war in amassing a comfortable property. But the vicissitudes and misfortunes of the war brought heavy losses upon him, so that when it closed he had, practically, to begin life anew. The same qualities, however, that made him successful prior to the war have borne similar fruits since, and for a second time in life he has succeeded in placing himself in comfortable circumstances. He is now retired on an ample competence to spend the remainder of his days in ease and contentment. But, unfortunately, just as his out- look for the Indian summer of life seemed most pleasant and gratify-

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

ing, a heavy misfortune fell upon him, the heaviest one is ever called upon to bear. His good wife, the partner of his joys and sorrows for nearly half a century, was called away by death. She had been by his side from the time when they were both young and bright and happy with the prospects of the future, through all the sunshine and the shadows that fell across their pathway until the twilight of old age began to approach, and through all these long years she proved her- self to be one of the truest and most devoted of women, a gentle and loving wife and a tender, self-sacrificing mother. Her whole happiness in this world seemed to be centered in her family and friends, and ap- parently their comfort and pleasure were the objects of her undivided solicitude. No kinder and truer wife and mother and friend ever fell to sleep in death than when Lucy M. Miller died, November 22, 1884. Though gone to return no more, the memory of her gentle, true life still lingers among those who knew her and loved her like the halo of a sweet dream.

Capt. Miller is a Virginian by nativity, born Novembor 18, 1818. His father was a Virginian by birth, but his father, John Miller, was originally from Pennsylvania. His mother, who was a Miss Jane Jackson before her marriage, was born and reared in the Old Do- minion. They made their permanent home in Virginia, where each lived to reach a ripe old age. Capt. Miller was reared in Rappahan- nock, and on the 7th of May, 1840, was married to Miss Lucy M. Miller, whose death has already been mentioned - a daughter of Jesse Miller. Mr. Miller, reared on a farm, made farming his regular occu- pation for many years. In 1851 he removed to Missouri, and located in Platte county. Here he engaged in farming near Platte City, where he bought land and also followed raising and dealing in stock. On the outbreak of the war, early in 1861, he enlisted in Col. Win- ston's regiment of the Southern service, becoming captain of a com- pany. He served until after the expiration of his term of service, and during that time participated in the battle of Pea Ridge and several of less importance. Subsequently Capt. Miller went to Ne- braska City and engaged in the wholesale grocery trade, which he followed until the close of the war. After the war he returned to Platte county and resumed farming and handling stock. In 1872 he established a stock ranch in Colorado, which he carried on with excel- lent success until 1880, when he sold out at a handsome profit. He is now silent partner in the firm of Blakeley & Co., of Platte City, one of the leading dry goods houses in the place. Capt. Miller lost about $20,000 by the war, but much of this he has made good by profitable industry and enterprise since. Capt. Miller and his good wife were blessed with a family of nine children : Jane H., wife of Thomas R. Darnell ; Jessie A., who died at the age of 14; John E., Mortimer M., William E., Fannie W., wife of Jesse Blakeley ; Gideon T., Jesse B. and Joseph J. Capt. Miller is a member of the Baptist Church. He has been a member of the Masonic Order for many years, and is a prominent man in that Order. He came out to Mis- souri on a prospecting tour as early as 1839, and was here when the

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

site of Kansas City was a wilderness, and there were few settlers in all this region of country. He made the trip to this State by wagon, before the day of railroads, and was fifty-three days on the road.

J. EDGAR MILLER

(Farmer and Breeder and Dealer of Hereford Cattle, Post-office, Platte City).

The stock business in this county has come to be one of the most prominent industries within its limits, and to those who introduced it here much credit is due for the interest which they manifested in striving to promote what in later years has become a prominent feature of agricultural life. Greater credit, however, should be given those who have tried to make a specialty of fine stock raising, and with the latter class Mr. Miller is deserving a prominent place. He embarked in this business in December, 1882, with one fine male animal, until he now has a herd of 25 excellent Hereford cattle, at the head of which is a fine two-year-old, the Duke of Marlow, registered in the American Herd Book as number 6500, bred by T. L. Miller, of Beecher, Ill. In addition to this he has a number of young cattle, three-fourths blooded stock. Mr. Miller was born in Rappahannock county, Va., February 3, 1847. His father was Capt. W. J. Miller, an extended account of whose life is given elsewhere in this volume. Young Miller was brought up as a farmer boy and received a good education, principally at Nebraska City. In 1872 he went West to Colorado, and was engaged in ranching there and in New Mexico and the Indian Territory until 1882. He achieved more than ordinary success in the stock business, but at the time above mentioned disposed of his interests and retired, buying the old homestead of his father, a place of 200 acres of land in grass and cultivation ; 60 acres in addi- tion are devoted to timber. The necessary improvements which char- acterize the farmer of energy and progressive ideas might be found upon his place. Mr. Miller was married in Danville, Ky., December 7, 1882, to Miss Susie E. Clarke, a daughter of Joseph and Jane T. (Clark) Clarke. She was born in Platte county, Mo., but went to Kentucky in 1865, and remained there until her marriage. Mr. M. resides on section 20 of this township. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church at Elm Grove.

WILLIAM E. MILLER

(Of Burruss & Miller's Livery Stable, Platte City).

Mr. Miller was born in Platte county, May 19, 1852. His parents, W. J. and Lucy Miller, were natives of Virginia, and came to Platte county in 1851 and settled eight miles south of Platte City, where his father still lives, his mother having died November 22, 1884. William E. was reared on his father's farm and followed it as an avocation until 1874, when he went to Colorado and for several years was en- gaged in the cattle business, and in which he was very successful. In 1883 he formed a partnership with Mr. Burruss in his present business.

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

The firm are doing a good business in the livery line, and their stables are both popular with the local and traveling public. Mr. Miller was married February 4, 1885, to Miss Dulcie George, a daughter of E. R. and V. A. George, of Virginia.

WILLIAM T. NELSON

(Of Thomas & Nelson, Editors and Proprietors of the Argus, Platte City).

Mr. Nelson was about 13 years of age when he began at the print- er's trade, in 1870. \ That was at Maryville, in Nodaway county, at which place he was born, October 22, 1857. He entered the office of the Maryville Republican, in which he continued for a short time, and acquired his trade in the Nodaway Democrat office. Subsequently he attended the Maryville high school for about two years, and then resumed his trade. In 1878 young Mr. Nelson went to Leavenworth and obtained a situation as compositor in the Times office. After two years spent there, he came to Platte City and went to work in the office of the Landmark. A few months later he was employed as foreman of the Advocate, which afterwards became consolidated with the Landmark. Mr. Nelson continued with the Landmark until he became connected with the Argus, in the spring of 1884. The following fall he bought an interest in the paper, and has been associated with Mr. Thomas in its publication ever since. The suc- cess they have had in the publication and building up of the Argus has already been spoken of in the sketch of Mr. Thomas, which appears elsewhere. April 18, 1882, Mr. Nelson was married to Miss Carrie W. Beery, a daughter of Jeremiah Beery, of Platte City. They have one child, Alpha Foristine, born May 8, 1883. Mr. Nel- son's parents are Henry H. and Mary C. (Stiff) Nelson, both origi- nally from Virginia. They removed to Missouri in the spring of 1856 and settled in Nodaway county. The father was marshal of Maryville and constable of Polk township for a number of years. The mother died in the spring of 1879. William T., the subject of this sketch, was the youngest of three children, and was educated at the Maryville high school.

MRS. SARAH A. NUNNELLY (Post-office, Linkville).

The father and mother of Mrs. Nunnelly, Robert and Catharine Scarce, were Virginians by birth, and the former, during his life, was engaged in the occupation of farming. After becoming a citizen of Kentucky he remained there until his death, at that time owning 200 acres of land. He and his wife were both connected with the Chris- tian Church. One of the children born of this union was Sarah A. Scarce, on April 28, 1818, and her birthplace was in the State of Kentucky. Her paternal grandparents were James and Henrietta Scarce. Sarah A. made her home in the State of her birth until her marriage there September 13, 1840, to Mr. Washington Nunnelly,

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

who was born January 3, 1810. Two weeks after this event this happy couple started for a location further west, and upon coming into Missouri concluded to settle in Clay county, near Liberty. There they remained eight years, after which time Mr. N. purchased land in Platte county, and moved here. He at once devoted himself actively and energetically to farming, and soon became prominently identified with the agricultural interests of this vicinity, owning a farm of 360 acres, a choice homestead. This was his permanent abiding place until he was called away by death, on the 3d of March, 1882. He was a most exemplary man in the walks of every-day life, and was no less warmly attached to his family and home surroundings, and his death was a severe blow to those whom he left. He was a member of the Christian Church, as was also his widow. They were blessed with a family of six children : Robert S., was born January 8, 1846, and married Miss Amanda Brown, of this county ; Albert K., born November 16, 1848, was married to Miss Nora Link, and now lives in Clay county ; William D., was born April 12, 1851, and married Miss Margaret Graham, of this county ; John B., was born Novem- ber 30, 1855, and is engaged in the mercantile business here ; James L., who was born September 18, 1858, took for his wife Miss Ellen Fleming, of Platte county ; the youngest son, Craig A., born July 26, 1861, is managing the home farm. He is a young man of excel- lent ability for the successful conduct of this place, and the care and labor which he has expended in his work are seen in the attractive appearance presented in a look over the farm.

WILLIAM J. OVERBECK, M. D. (Physician and Surgeon, Platte City).

To every old settler of Platte county Dr. Overbeck's father, Dr. Henry A. Overbeck, was well known. He came to this county from Clay county, where he had settled from Baltimore, Md., in 1837, and practiced medicine here in connection with farming and stock raising until his death, which occurred in the spring of 1866. During this time, however, he spent two years in California immediately following 1849, and subsequently about five years in Jackson county, Ore., pre-' ceding 1857, where he practiced medicine. He had a large practice in Platte county, and was a thoroughly capable physician and highly respected citizen. Dr. Overbeck, pere, was originally from Bremen, Germany, where he was born in 1803, coming thence to the United States in 1822, and locating at Baltimore. Previously he had received a good German education, and afterwards he studied medicine and attended medical college at Baltimore. In 1827 he was married to. Miss Amelia C. Walz, daughter of Benjamin G. Walz, formerly of Baltimore, Md. Dr. Overbeck, pere, came to Missouri, as stated above, in 1837, and located in Clay county, but seven years later set- tled in Platte county. His good wife, now in her seventy-seventh year, still survives him, and is remarkably active and with memory as good as ever. Ten of their children grew to mature years, six of

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

whom are living, three sons and three daughters. Dr. William J. Overbeck was born in this county May 27, 1846. His education was received at Pleasant Ridge College, one of the prominent schools of that day. Subsequently Dr. Overbeck, fils, studied medicine under his father, and in 1868 matriculated at the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, where he graduated two years later. He then began the practice of medicine in Platte county, and has continued it ever since, except while serving the people in an official capacity. In 1880 he was elected sheriff of the county, and two years later was re- elected. Having served out in that office the full limit allowed by law, he retired in 1884 and resumed his practice, which he is now actively engaged in. October 3, 1872, he was married to Miss Mary E. Starks, daughter of Price Starks, deceased, late of Kentucky. He was an early settler of Scotland county, Mo., however, where Mrs. Overbeck was partly reared. She was educated at Prof. Gaylord's academy at Camden Point. Dr. and Mrs. Overbeck have four children : An- drew Price, John Theodore, Harry Foster and James Starks. Dr. Overbeck is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mrs. Overbeck, of the Christian denomination. He is also a prominent Odd Fellow and a member of the Knights of Honor.

RICHARD W. PACK (Sheriff of Platte County, Platte City.)

Mr. Pack, proved to be one of the most popular men in the county, is a native of this county, born September 24, 1842. His father was Arvilla Pack, formerly of Scott county, Ky., and his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Price, was from Harrison county, that State. The family came to Missouri in 1837 and settled in Platte county, where the father improved a farm and engaged in farming, which he followed until his death, in 1854. The mother survived until 1883. There were six children who grew to mature years, three of whom were sons. Only one of the daughters is now living, Susan M., widow of Lawson Rodgers, of Buchanan county. The two brothers are William Pack, of Gardner, Kan., and Henry M., of Edgerton. Richard W. Pack was 19 years of age when he enlisted in the State Guard in 1861, becoming a member of Capt. Chrisman's company, Col. Winston's regiment. He took part in the battle of Pea Ridge, and a number of skirmishes, and after serving out his term in the State Guard, he started with a train from Des Arc to Red River, Tex., but on the way he was taken sick with swamp malaria, and came very near dying. He was sick for about two months, and after recovering returned to Missouri and stopped at St. Joe for a time. He then drove a freight team on the plains until the close of the war. After that Mr. Pack located on a farm, near Barry, in Clay county, but in 1872 crossed back into Platte.

Three years later he came to Parkville and engaged in the butcher business. Shortly he was elected constable, in which office he served for four years. He also leased a hotel which he carried on, and

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

bought a stock of groceries, continuing at the same time with all these branches the butcher business. As if to see how much he could do, like a circus ball pitcher keeping 16 balls in the air all at the same time, he was made deputy sheriff, and with all these offices, duties and businesses he was kept pretty busy, but not too much so to prevent him from forming acquaintances over the county and mak- ing friends as thick as blackberries. In 1882 he bought an interest in the Standard Flouring Mills, owned by a joint stock company, and he was thereupon elected general manager of the business. Two years later his friends became so numerous and influential that they ran him for the nomination for sheriff, and gave him 57 more votes than all the other three candidates put together received. He was elected to the office by 1,800 majority when they stopped counting, which was about 350 more than Cleveland received. By the way, Cleveland was once a sheriff. Now here is a co-instance, nous verrons. January 5, 1870, Mr. Pack was married to Miss Susan B. Dale, a daughter of Thomas Dale, deceased, of Clay county. They have five children : Orvilla, Byron, Annie, Harry and William. Mrs. P. is a member of the M. E. Chuch. Religiously Mr. Pack is foot loose and fancy free, but with a strong leaning to the faith of his wife.

SIMPSON AND ELIHU PARK

(Farmers and Stock-raisers, Post-office, Platte City). .

The history of the Park family of Platte county forms no unneces- sary part with the history of the county. One of the early and influ- ential families of the county, its different families have from time to time been prominently and usefully identified with the varied interests of the county, and with its growth and development, its progress and prosperity. But in the present sketch only an outline of the branch of the family represented by its members whose names are given above can with propriety be presented. Mr. Simpson Park, the father of Elihu, is a descendant of the original North Carolina stock of the old and respected family whose name he bears. His father, John Park, was a native of North Carolina, in which the original founder of the family settled long prior to the War of Independence. He was born in Rowan county, that State, but whilst he was yet in boyhood was brought out to Kentucky by his parents, who were pio- - neer settlers in the dark and bloody ground, afterwards known as the Blue Grass State. They located in what afterwards became Estill county, where John Park grew up and became a man of means and consideration in the county. He was a leading farmer and served as sheriff and in other official positions. He was magistrate of the county for over twenty years, and was one of its most highly esteemed citi- zens. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Peeler, was born and reared in Estill county. They made that their permanent home, and died on the place where they first settled early in their married life.

Simpson Park was born on the family homestead in Estill county, April 25, 1813. Reared in that county, he received an ordinary com-

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

mon school education as he grew up, and on the 23d of May, 1837, he was married to Miss Rebecca J. White, a daughter of Joel White, formerly of Virginia. After his marriage, Mr. Park continued farm- ing in his native county, to which occupation he had been brought up for several years, and then, in 1841, removed to Texas. But not satisfied with that then new country, the following year he came to Missouri and located in Platte county. Here he entered land and improved a farm. Being a man of industry and intelligence, econom- ical and of good business habits, he steadily prospered as a farmer, and as the years came and went succeeded in placing himself in com- fortable circumstances. Mr. Park increased his landed possessions from time to time until he became the owner of about 1,500 acres of real estate, which he still holds. His homestead, which is three miles southeast of Platte City, alone contains 300 acres, and is excel- lently improved, being one of the large and choice farms of the county. All he is worth he has accumulated by his own industry and enterprise. Mr. Park lost his first wife in 1855. She left him three children, John W., Elihu and Amanda, wife of Dr. McDonald. His second wife was a widow lady, Mrs. Julia Malone. She is also deceased. There was one child by this marriage, Lydia, now the wife of Garret Chesnut. His last wife was Miss Mattie Peters before her marriage. She died in 1875, leaving no children.

Elihu Park was born on the farm near Platte City, April 21, 1849, and was given a high school education. November 7, 1871, he was married to Miss Laura Reagan, formerly of Mt. Sterling, Ky. Mrs. Park was educated at North Middletown, in Bourbon county, Ky. After his marriage Mr. Park settled on the farm where he now resides, which adjoins his father's, where he has a handsome place of 400 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Park have one child. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

WILLIAM McCLUNG PAXTON (Attorney, Platte City).

William McClung Paxton, born in Washington, Mason county, Ky., March 2, 1819 ; married in Washington, Ky., October 1, 1840, Mary Forman, daughter of Ezekiel Forman, born September 25, 1819. Both are living at Platte City, Mo.

Mr. Paxton, when four years old, removed with his parents to Columbus, Ohio. Here his mother died, in 1824. A year later his father married Miss Mary K. Marshall, a cousin of his former wife. Shortly after this second marriage, the father died, and left William an orphan of six years, under the care of a stepmother. The young widow was a woman of remarkable talents and virtues, and, with un- tiring zeal, undertook to rear and educate her four step-children. Though she did not possess the tender love of a mother, she had the self- sacrificing zeal and resolution of a martyr. She yet lives in Maysville, Ky., in her eighty-ninth year. After teaching her step-children a few years at home, the widow sent them to various schools. William was

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Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1156

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1156