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 103

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 103
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 103

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COLE L. BANNING

(Merchant and Farmer, Residence, East Leavenworth).

One of the prominent and best known residents in Lee township is C. L. Banning, who has been engaged in business at this place since 1872. At that time he became manager of the mercantile establish-

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY. f

ment of a Mr. Wise, who subsequently disposed of a part of his stock to Mr. B., and in 1874 the latter became interested in business on his own account, which he has continued since that time. He also has been occupied in buying and dealing in grain and stock. He car- ries a general stock of merchandise and enjoys a liberal share of the patronage in and around East Leavenworth. Mr. Banning is a native of Delaware, and was born in New Castle county, March 6, 1835, the son of John A. and Elizabeth ( Cole) Banning, the former of Maryland, and the latter originally from Philadelphia, Pa. The senior Banning was a man of good general education and of popularity and influence wherever he made his home. He was a graduate of Princeton College, N. J. During the War of 1812 he served in the Maryland militia. His death occurred in New Castle county, Del. Cole L. was taken to Phila- delphia when 12 years of age, and began his career in life as a clerk. In May, 1851, he became possessed of a desire to move further West, and accordingly came to Missouri, locating near Weston, where he engaged in farming. In the spring of 1857 he resumed his farming operations in Johnson county, Kan., but in 1860, he returned again to Platte county. In 1866, he moved to the neighborhood of where he now resides, coming then to East Leavenworth in 1872, as above stated. In 1874 he was appointed postmaster of this place, a position which he still holds. For several years he has been a justice of the peace. Mr. Banning has been twice married ; first, August 23, 1855, to Mrs. Hulda Ann Stewart, daughter of Solomon Fulk. She died in 1873, leaving three children, Nicholas, Alice, wife of Charles Farris, of Leavenworth county, and Mamie. Mr. B. was again married in this county, April 12, 1877, to Miss Helen M. Oliver, daughter of L. T. Oliver, an early settler here, and a well known teacher in the county. Mrs. B. was born in Platte county. By this marriage there are three children ; Jessie, Harry I. and Katie. Mr. Banning is a member of the Masonic Order, and has filled a number of chairs in the I. O. O. F., with which he is connected.

KINSEY B. CECIL

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 8, Post-office, Beverly Station).

Mr. Cecil is very popularly classed among the thrifty, substantial citizens of this township. His life furnishes a striking example of what can be accomplished where a determined will is added to in- dustry and perseverance. He commenced for himself without any means whatever, and now just in the prime of life he has become pos- sessed of a desirable competency. In his home place he has 120 acres, 30 of which are devoted to timber, and his improvements consist of a new two-story house, with necessary outbuildings. Besides this he owns three other farms containing, respectively, 220, 260 and 80 acres, also under cultivation ; these places are all in the immediate vicinity. Mr. Cecil has been located in Platte county since 1859, though he first came to Missouri in 1846. He was then but 16 years of age, and after stopping some six months in St. Louis he went to Iowa and en-

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

tered the employ of the Government at Fort Dodge, as wagonmaster. From there he went to Fort Ridgely, thence to Fort Leavenworth, and subsequently to Fort Riley, remaining an employe of the Government for 13 years. During this time his duties took him westward as far as Salt Lake and Denver. In 1859 he returned to this State and be- came identified with the interests of Platte county, as noted above. Here he was married in June, 1861, to Miss Sarah Ann Henderson, daughter of Thomas Henderson, one of the pioneers from Tennessee. She died in July, 1878, leaving five children : Thomas C., Lilburne, Samuel M., Belle and Elbert.

In February, 1880 Mr. C. was married at Plattsburg, Miss Ruth Ellington becoming his wife. She was born and reared at Ridgely, in Platte county, and was a daughter of P. W. Ellington, then a merchant of Plattsburg, but now living with Mr. Cecil. There is one son by this marriage, Otis. Mr. Cecil was born in Russell county, Va., October 4, 1830. His father, Thomas J. Cecil, and his mother, formerly Nancy Thompson, were both Virginians by birth, and in the spring of 1832 moved to Kentucky, settling in Pike county. Mr. Cecil was once colonel of militia, and during his lifetime was a prom- inent and influential man in the community where he made his home. He represented his district in the State Legislature for one term. Kin- sey B. Cecil spent his youth on the home farm until coming West. His life since that time has already been spoken of. He has been constable of this township for a short time and he is connected with the Masonic Order at Weston. His wife is a member of the Christian Church.

HERMAN C. FANKHANEL

(Proprietor of Blacksmith and Wagon Repair Shop, Farley).

When about 14 years of age, or after leaving school, Mr. Fankhanel commenced an apprenticeship, which lasted four years, at his present trade, his instructor being his father, a blacksmith by occupation, and who still lives in Saxony. Herman remained with him until he was 21 years old, and then for some time traveled through the German States, working at different cities and towns. He arrived in the United States in 1871, landing at New York in July, and subsequently came on to Leavenworth, where he worked for a few months. Then he located at Farley, and has been carrying on business for himself here for twelve years and has met with more than ordinary success. He is a capable workman, thoroughly understands his business, and has won for himself a patronage which he well deserves. Mr. Fank- hanel was born in Saxony November 28, 1843, and was a son of Herman Fankhanel, of that country, who has been twice married. Shortly after reaching his thirty-fifth year Herman C. Fankhanel was married to Miss Mary Renz, a daughter of Zaccheus Renz, January 13, 1879. She was born in Weston, Platte county. To them have been born two sons, Herman Z. and Adolph A. Mr. and Mrs. Fankhanel are prominently identified with the German Lutheran Church. They are well known in this community.

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

ORLANDO HUMPHREY

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 10, Post-office, Platte City).

Mr. Humphrey is among the oldest residents of Platte county, having come here over 40 years ago, and his home has been in the county from that time to this. He has been an energetic and respected farmer and citizen of the county since 1844, barring the absence of a short trip to Mexico, and now has a good farm of 400 acres, which is mostly improved. A good residence, necessary outbuildings and an orchard adorn the place. December 7, 1848, Mr. Humphrey was married in this county to Miss Julia Ann Morgan, daughter of Elijah Morgan, formerly of Harrison county, Ind., and who came to Platte county in 1837. Mrs. Humphrey was reared here, but her birthplace was at New Albany, Ind. The next year after his marriage, Mr. Humphrey moved upon the farm which he has since occupied. He and his wife have had four children : Elizabeth, wife of A. L. Star- lard, of Pottawatomie county, Kan .; S. W., in Atchison county, Kan. ; Eliza, a young lady at home and a proficient music teacher ; and James Harvey, who is now a student at Columbia University, which he has been attending for three years. Mr. Humphrey's father, Theron Humphrey, a native of Connecticut, married Miss Harris Miner, of the same State, after which the family removed to Ohio, settling there in an early day. The father was a gallant soldier in the War of 1812, in which he displayed considerable personal bravery. In 1850 the family came to Missouri and located in Platte county, where both died the same year, their deaths occurring at Weston within two weeks of each other. Orlando, the subject of this sketch, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, September 27, 1824, remaining on the home farm and discharging such duties as came within his power to the age of twenty years. In the fall of 1844, he settled in Platte county, Mo. In 1846 he obtained a position as teamster in the quar- master's department and went with the troops to Mexico ; however, he also did his duty as a soldier. He returned to this county in 1847, and has since devoted his entire energies to the material advancement and promotion of the agricultural interests of this community. He is a prominent member of the Masonic Order at Platte City.

CAPT. DAVIS LANTER

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 16, Post-office, East Leavenworth).

Were we attempt to write a military history or sketch of the lives of those in Platte county who were ever engaged in military warfare, none could be brought forth more prominently than he whose life history is briefly outlined in the present narrative, for in this county there are but few who are the survivors of two wars - both the Mexi- can and the Civil - and he is one of the oldest of the heroes who fought, bled and risked death for the preservation of the Union, and of whom Missouri may well feel proud. Capt. Lanter's parents were

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

Thomas and Spicy (Davis) Lanter, both Virginians by birth, who came to Missouri in a very early day, in 1820, locating in Howard county, at Old Franklin. For a number of years the father worked at his trade of house carpentering in that locality, and in 1824 he removed to Clay county, which he made his home until February, 1842. At this date he came to Platte county, settled in Lee township, and pre- empted the land adjoining the farm of his son. In 1863 he went to Jackson county, Kan., and there continued to live until his death, which occurred near Circleville in September, 1880. In the War of 1812 he had borne a worthy part under Col. Dick Johnson. Davis, the subject of this sketch, was born in Clay county, Mo., at Farbian Chapel, December 5, 1824. He came from there to this county when his parents moved here, and has passed his entire life within the boundaries of these two counties, barring a few short absences. In 1844 he left home and went to Fort Leavenworth as teamster in the quartermaster's department. In 1845 he accompanied Gen. Kearney to South Pass, and in 1846 he drove Col. Doniphan's team to Santa Fe, during the Mexican War.

Returning in 1847, he remained until the following year, when he again went to Mexico as a teamster, this time under Price. He reached Leavenworth in 1848, and in 1849 accompanied the troops to Cash Valley, north of Salt Lake, where he wintered. From February 1, 1849, to 1851 he was in the employ of the Government as wagon- master, and for a year had also been Government expressman. He now left the Government employ, being at the time in California ; during this time he had been over a great scope of country, extending from the British Possessions through to Mexico. Mr. Lanter now returned by Panama and New Orleans to his old home, though he stopped for about six days on the island of Cuba, at Havana. Sep- tember 23, 1852, he married Miss Elizabeth Bowring, daughter of Peter and Cynthia Bowring, she having been a native of Lafayette county, Mo. After this, until '61, Mr. L. farmed the most of the time. However, in 1859, he made a trip to Santa Fe, and in 1860 and 1861 made two trips, in the capacity of wagonmaster, for a freighting party to Denver. When the war cloud which had so long hovered over this portion of the country burst in all its fury in 1861, our subject joined Price's army at the Sac river, in St. Clair county, and in December a company was organized, of which Mr. Lanter was made captain. This was known as Co. C, First Missouri cavalry, Col. Gates com- manding. Among the numerous battles in which he participated, those of especial note were Pea Ridge, Farmington, Iuka, Corinth, Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, and nearly all the fights of Sherman's march to the sea, including the three days' battle of Kenesaw Moun- tain and the engagement at Atlanta, and the last, April 9, 1865, at Blakeley, on Mobile Bay, where the captain was taken prisoner. He was taken to Ship Island, but was paroled at Jackson on the 12th of the following May. Surely this is a record of which any one might feel proud, and one that reflects only credit upon Capt. Lanter. Re- turning home, he immediately resumed his farming operations, which

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

have since received his attention. His home place contains 220 acres, fairly improved, in addition to which he owns 69 acres of Platte bot- tom land and a farm on the opposite side of the river, of 154 acres, upon which his son lives. The home place was purchased before the regular sales of the land in the county. The captain has two children: Mary C., wife of Burt Mays, on the farm with Capt. L., and William P., married and the head of a family. Mrs. Lanter is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is connected with the Masonic Order at Farley.

HERMAN G. S. MEYER

(Merchant at Farley, and of the firms of Meyer & Bledsoe, Hampton, Mo., and Johnson & Meyer, Linkville, Mo.).

Without doubt, one of the most enterprising and best known men in Platte county, in a mercantile point of view, at least, is Mr. Meyer, now actively interested in business at the places above mentioned, and who has been prominently and successfully engaged in his present calling in this vicinity for about ten years. Of German descent and birth, he has inherited those sterling qualities of industry and great perseverance in every duty of life which have made almost famous the inhabitants of that country. His parents were John and Cather- ine (Espenhorst) Meyer, both natives of Hanover, the former of whom was occupied in farming during his life ; he is now deceased, but his wife is still a resident of that vicinity. Herman, one of the sons born of this marriage, was born in Hanover November 20, 1838, and up to his fifteenth year remained there, attending the excel- lent common schools, in which he received more than an ordinary education. In 1854 he accompanied an uncle, Edwin Meyer, to the United States, and first settled in New Albany, Ind. In 1855, crossing the Ohio river, he went to the vicinity of Louisville, Ky., and there became interested in farming and the dairy business, continuing it until 1867. He now made a trip to his old home, but returned to Kentucky the same year, making that State his home for about seven years, or until 1874, when he took up his location in Platte county in 1875. Settling at Farley, he embarked in the mercantile business, and in 1881, in partnership with Mr. Bledsoe, he opened a branch house at Hampton, mention of which has already been made in the sketch of Mr. Bledsoe, found elsewhere in this work.

In 1882 the firm of Johnson & Meyer, at Linkville, was established. It is unnecessary to mention anything about the business which is done by these houses, for that is an item well known by all who have any knowledge of the stores and their proprietors. Good stocks are carried in each, and the buildings occupied by the firms at Farley and Hampton are owned by them. Mr. Meyer was married in Kentucky in June, 1860, to Miss Mary Summers, who was reared in Louisville. They have two children : Lizzie, wife of Frank Weihe, of Farley, and John R. Meyer, now of St. Joseph, Mo., with Schuster, Hingston & Co. Mrs. Meyer having died, Mr. Meyer was married in this county in April, 1876, to Miss Lizzie Ellemann, a native of Hanover, Ger-

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

many. There are four children by this marriage : Herman, William, Anna and Katie. In 1876 Mr. Meyer was appointed postmaster at Farley. In 1877 he joined the Masonic Order, and has for several years filled the office of treasurer of the lodge at this place. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

HENRY H. MOSS

(Farmer, Stock-raiser and Breeder, Residence, Farley, Mo.).

Among the many families who came to Missouri from Kentucky in a comparatively early day was the one of which the subject of the present sketch is a worthy representative. His parents were Joseph and Fanny (Pritchard) Moss, both Kentuckians by birth, who, after the birth of their son Henry, December 30, 1836, in Knox county, Ky., decided to come to Missouri, which they did in 1838, locating first in Daviess county, where they were numbered with the pioneer settlers. Some 18 months later, or in the fall of 1840, they moved to Mercer county, this State, where Mr. Moss still resides. He has married again, his first wife having died. Mr. Moss has followed farming from boyhood, to which he was brought up, and by industry, a frugal manner of living and good management, has achieved suc- cess as a farmer. In his youth he attended school to some extent, but the greater part of his education has been acquired since becom- ing grown, and by assiduous self-application. Coming to Platte county in 1860, he engaged in teaching here for some time, but on the outbreak of the war he went to Kansas, where he resumed the same occupation for a while. During his two years' residence in Kansas he was also interested in teaming. With this exception he has been a resident of this county for nearly 25 years. In November, 1861, Mr. Moss was . married here to Miss Mattie Trent, daughter of Branch A. Trent, of Platte county, but formerly from, Kentucky, where Mrs. M. was born. Mr. Moss has made Farley his home since his residence in this county and he is well known as one of the stanch, reliable men of the place. He owns nine desirable residence lots in the town, two good buildings and besides this 270 acres of land near by. Two of his farms are about all fenced, and it is devoted as usual to timber, pastures, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Moss have been blessed with five children: Angeline, wife of Walter Bledsoe, a successful mer- chant at Hampton, and who is favorably mentioned elsewhere in this work ; Fannie, now Mrs. Benjamin Fulcher; Addie, an attractive young lady ; Mollie and Annie. Mr. Moss and his wife and three daughters are members of the M. E. Church. Personally, as a citi- zen, he holds a worthy place among the best class of people in this portion of the county, and his family is well respected.

ERNST F. NIEMAN

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 33, Post-office, Farley).

Another one of the representative citizens of foreign birth in Platte county, Mr. Nieman was born in Hanover, Germany, October 23,

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

1839. His father was Conrad F. Nieman, while his mother's maiden name was Florence Cassabann, both also natives of Hanover. At the age of six years Edward was placed in the common schools where he had the benefit of an excellent course until 14 years old. Then he commenced working about the home farm, attending to such duties as came within his powers, and remained thereon up to his eighteenth year, when he became possessed of a desire to cast his fortune with the New World. In 1857, therefore, he came to America, and first located in Ohio county, Ind., where farming received his attention for a number of years. In 1866, in the spring, he came to Missouri and bought a tract of unimproved land in this county, the place upon which he now lives. This he has under cultivation, and upon it are good buildings, an orchard, etc. The land is situated in the Missouri . and Platte river bottoms and is very fruitful, and it is but five miles southeast of Leavenworth. Mr. Nieman has been a hard worker during his life, and well merits the success which has crowned his efforts here. He was married before leaving Ohio county, Ind., May 1, 1862, Miss Louisa Burman becoming his wife. She was born in Hanover, but was brought up in Indiana from her tenth year. Mr. and Mrs. Nieman have been blessed with a family of seven children : Andy, Henry, Fred, Clara, Florence, William and Alice. Mr. N. and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

FREDERICK OBERDICK

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section!32, Post-office, Farley).

Mr. Oberdick came to Platte county, Mo., from Ohio county, Ind., in March, 1866, at which time he located near where he now resides. He at once resumed the occupation to which he had been brought up, that of farming, and now has accumulated 140 acres of land on the Missouri river bottoms, about four miles from Leavenworth. Of this tract 110 acres are in cultivation -rich, valuable land. A nearly new residence and necessary outbuildings constitute an important feature of the improvements upon the place. As his name would in- dicate Mr. Oberdick is of foreign ancestry, his father, Henry Ober- dick, having been born in Hanover, Germany, as was also his mother, formerly Mary Bradenfarder ; they both died in that country. Fred- erick, likewise, a native of Hanover, was born September 13, 1833, and is therefore now in his fifty-second year. In common with the youths of the vicinity of his birthplace, he was a student in the pub- lic schools from 6 until 14 years of age, and also worked on the home farm. June 27, 1856, he was married in Hanover to Miss Flor- ence Nieman, daughter of Martin and Clara ( Swader) Nieman, of the same country. After farming for eight years succeeding this event Mr. O. emigrated to the United States in 1864, and in September of that year made his home in Ohio county, Ind., from which locality he came to this county, as above mentioned. Here he has become one of the progressive farmers of Lee township, and one deserving of the com- fortable competence acquired. He and his wife have two sons, Henry,

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

aged 19, and John, 14 years old, both young men at home. Mr. and Mrs. Oberdick are members of the Lutheran Church.

ZACHEUS RENZ

(Farmer, Stock-raiser and Stone Mason, Section 9, Post-office, Platte City).

Mr. Renz was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, October 15, 1826, his parents, also natives of that country, having died there. Josepb Renz, the father, was a farmer by occupation, and married Elizabeth Gramer. Zacheus spent his youth to the age of 14 years at school. When 15 he commenced learning the stone mason's trade and served as an apprentice for three years, thoroughly learning the business and afterwards becoming a jour workman. In November, 1850, he was married at the place of his birth to Miss Theresa Gramer, a daughter of Mat Gramer, of Wurtemberg, where Mrs. Renz was born, reared and educated. Previous to this, however, when 20 years old, Mr. Renz had entered the army, in which he served for six years. For the last three years of his service he was on detached duty most of the time. In 1854 he took passage on board of a ship for the United States, which he soon reached, and in May of that year he located at St. Joseph, Mo. After residing there a short time he removed to Weston, where for about 20 years he was occupied in working at his trade. Purchasing a farm he moved upon his present homestead in 1875, and has since been tilling the soil, also during the season working at his trade. His farm contains 240 acres, all under fence and improvement, together with a fair orchard. For about 12 years Mr. Renz was employed to some extent in working for the Government at Fort Leavenworth, part of the time receiving a remuneration of $125 a month. Mr. and Mrs. Renz have a family of eight children : Frank, Simeon, Elizabeth, wife of James W. Mc- Michael, of Ray county ; Mary Theresa, died in childhood ; Mary, wife of A. C. Fankhanel, of Farley ; John M., Lena, Victoria and Pauline, all, with the exception of the two oldest, having been born in Weston. Mr. and Mrs. Renz are prominent members of the Catholic Church.

WILLIAM WIEHE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Farley).

As is customary among the youths of the country of his birth Mr. Wiehe spent his youth from six until fourteen years of age in the excellent public schools, where he received a good education. From that time until he was 18 farming received his attention. In 1849 he crossed the ocean, and in looking about for a settlement finally de- cided to locate in Cincinnati, near which place he worked on a farm for one year. Going to Ohio county, Ind., he still pursued the same calling for about eleven years, and while there was married, August 19, 1856, to Miss Caroline Stagemiller, a daughter of Frederick William Stagemiller. Mrs. Wiehe was born in Hanover. Some ten years succeeding the time of his marriage, Mr. W. moved to Mis-

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

souri, locating on a farm in Platte county in March, 1866, and moving his family to this village in 1879. He has continued to till the soil since his residence here and now has 112 acres where he lives, all fenced and with the necessary improvements upon it. His family consists of seven children, viz. : Florence, wife of Fred Kroney ; Frank, married and in this county ; Lizzie, wife of Charles Meyer ; Henry, John, August and Lena. Living with them is a young lady whom they have reared, Miss Sophia Oaeschlager. As might be already inferred, Mr. Wiehe is a native of Prussia, having been born there June 27, 1831. His parents were William and Anna Wiehe, nee Salter, of the same country, where both also died. The father was a mechanic by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Wiehe are members of the German Lutheran Church.

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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