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 105

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 105
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 105

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ROBERT ELLEY

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 9, Post-office, Weston).

At this day an old Virginian can scarcely be found who is not ac- quainted with some representative of the Elley family in the Old

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

Dominion. Branches of the family have also settled in other States, including, among the rest, Kentucky and Missouri. Wherever they are found they almost invariably occupy enviable positions in their respective communities. Mr. E. is descended from a family which settled near Elley's Ford, Va., in an early day. His father was one of the soldiers in the War of 1812. Robert Elley came to this county in 1842, having been bornrin Scott county, Ky., in 1812, and though now past the allotted age of three-score years and ten, he is remarked for his character, influence and standing in this vicinity. He has improved an excellent farm here, an estate embracing 360 acres, which some of his sons are now cultivating. In the year 1838 Mr. Elley was married to Miss Cassandra Quinn, of Kentucky birth, and by this marriage there are eight children living : George E., Eliza, wife of O. J. Mur- ray, of Kentucky ; Thomas B., Anna B., wife of Virgil Wilhite, of this county ; Robert P. S., Kate, wife of A. J. Calvert, of Kansas ; Cassandra, now Mrs. J. E. Darst, of Kansas, and Mattie. During the late Civil War Thomas B. enlisted in Co. E, Second Missouri cavalry, Confederate service, and was engaged as a member of the battery in the battles of West Port, Lexington, and through Price's raid in Missouri, surrendering at Shreveport with Shelby's brigade. George E. was also engaged in the service from 1861 until the latter part of 1862, and was at the engagements of Springfield, Pea Ridge and Carthage. The bright hope of this noble family of children may well be that they shall follow closely in the footsteps of their parents.

JOHN J. ESMOND, M. D. (Physician, Surgeon and Druggist, Tracy).

Dr. Esmond was born at Belleville, Ontario, Canada, June 29, 1852, and was a son of James Esmond, formerly of Pennsylvania, and wife, née Mary Smith, originally of Scotland. They still reside at Belleville. The Doctor grew up at that place and took an advanced course at Albert University, but quit one year before graduating. He also taught school, and while teaching studied medicine. In due time he entered the medical department of the University of Toronto, where he graduated in 1877. Afterwards he took a supplementary course in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and was one among the first of only 16, out of a total of 250 students, to successfully pass examination, so strict and exacting are the rules of that eminent insti- tution. After this Dr. Esmond located in Northumberland county, Canada, where he was successfully engaged in the practice for one year. The next two years he was in the practice at Petersboro, Can- ada. From there he came West, and after prospecting through Kan- sas, settled down, like the man of judgment that he is, in Platte county, the best country for the right sort of people under the sun. He practiced medicine at Platte City until the spring of 1882, and then also engaged in the drug business here. The following fall, however, he crossed over to Tracy, where he continued the drug business, and has ever since been engaged in the practice. He has a good trade,

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

and is a successful, popular physician. In April, 1884, he was appointed postmaster. Dr. Esmond was married two years ago, from this spring, to Miss Annie Buckley, formerly of New York. They have one child : Willis Marion. The Doctor is a prominent member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows Orders, and is a pleasant, cultured gentleman, justly popular with all who know him.

MICHAEL FARRINGTON

(Farmer and Proprietor of Saw Mill, Section 2, Post-office, Weston).

Mr. Farrington is indeed one of the self-made men of Fair town- ship ; for upon commencing life for himself he was entirely without means and devoid of assistance, save what a resolute will, an honest purpose and willing hands might accomplish. By frugality and un- tiring industry he has acquired a good property, having a fine farm of over 200 acres, besides a good saw mill. He left home in early youth traveling extensively in Europe, and came to the United States in 1850, landing at New York. He was born in the county Wicklow, Ireland, April 15, 1828. His first labor in this country was on a farm in Albany county, N. J., and next he was on the Buffalo and Erie Railroad. He worked some time in Ohio, and from there went to Illinois, where he worked at farming. In 1857 he sailed up the Missouri river on steamboat from St. Louis, landing at Leavenworth, Kan., from which place he came to Platte and has resided here ever since. February 14, 1861, Mr. Farrington was married, Miss Mar- garet Berrell, of county Louth, Ireland, becoming his wife. They have been blessed with five children : Francis Joseph, born May 4, 1862 ; John James, born June 13, 1863 ; Mary Ann, born January 10, 1865 ; Andrew Aloysius, born June 28, 1866, and Margaret Ellen, born April 13, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. F. and family are members of the Catholic Church.

JAMES JACKSON GABBERT

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 3, Post-office, Weston).

Born in Bartholomew county, Ind., October 23, 1840, Mr. Gabbert was the oldest of eight children of William Gabbert, who moved to Platte county, Mo., from Indiana, in 1843, and mention of whom is frequently made on other pages of this work. In growing up James J. was taught farming, and he received a practical education at the public and high schools, besides being endowed by mother Nature with a liberal fund of common sense, which has dictated the course of his actions. In 1864 he went to Kansas, where he remained for some two years, occupied during this time in farming. Disposing of his property then, he returned to Platte county and here has since con- tinued to remain. Mr. Gabbert has been twice married ; first, February 22,, 1865, to Miss Mary E. Treadway, originally from In- diana. She died in December, 1869, and of this marriage there are two children living, Frances, Catherine and William Sherwood. To

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

his second wife Mr. G. was married February 18, 1873, her maiden name being Nancy Owens Barbee. To them have been born three children : Elias Barbee, John E. D. and Hope. Mr. Gilbert is a stanch Republican in his political preferences. He is liberal in his religious views.

GEORGE A. JACKSON

(Farmer, Section 29, Post-office, Weston).

Mr. Jackson is a worthy descendant of a noble, representative father. Dr. John Jackson, a physician of decided merit and ability, came to this country from England, landing at New Orleans in 1843. Soon after, or in 1844, he removed to Weston, Platte county, Mo., and bought the land which his son is now occupying as his homestead. He practiced. here for many years, and it is but justice to say that no man in the county did more to alleviate the suffering of the sick or more promptly met the call to relieve the pains of the destitute than he. His death occurred September 17, 1878, and his loss was widely mourned. His widow, Charlotte (Burgess) Jackson, now finds a pleasant home with her son, George A. Jackson, who was born in this county, November 9, 1844. Growing up in this county, he also re- ceived a good education here, which he supplemented by private study, and when it became necessary for him to choose an occupation in life he very wisely adopted farming. Since that time he has been en- gaged in cultivating his present homestead, which contains 160 acres and is well improved. November 15, 1882, Mr. Jackson took unto himself a wife in the person of Miss Harriate Patton, whose birth- place was in the State of Georgia. One daughter has blessed this union, Gertie.

FREDERICK J. JACKSON

(Farmer and Proprietor of Saw-mill, Section 29, Post-office, Weston).

This young agriculturist of Platte county, now in his thirty-fifth year, was born in the county in which he has always resided, on the 1st of November, 1850, and was the son of Dr. John Jackson, promi- nent mention of whom was made in the sketch of his elder son, and brother of Frederick, George A. Jackson, which precedes this. Therefore it is unnecessary to repeat here what has already been given. The occupation which the subject of this sketch is now follow- ing is the one to which he was brought up ; a calling that has proved one of much benefit to Mr. Jackson in securing a comfortable start in life. He owns 40 acres of land in this county and a farm of 25 acres in Carroll county, this State. Besides this he is the possessor of a saw-mill and thrashing machine, both of which have been of material aid and help to the people of this community. A long residence among the citizens of Platte has only tended to make more endearing the ties which are naturally of a very close nature, and the friends of Mr. Jackson are legion. April 30, 1877, he was married to Miss Minnie Demary, a native of Minnesota. They have had two daugh- ters and one son born to them : Cora, Walter and Clemmie. Clemmie is living ; Cora and Walter are dead.

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

JAMES C. LINDSAY

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 3, Post-office, Weston).

Mr. Lindsay, who has a good farm of over 100 acres of, excellent, level bottom land, has been engaged in the raising of stock in connec- tion with following agricultural pursuits in this county all his life, and has contributed no small share to the development and progress of his chosen calling in this community. His father, J. C. Lindsay, left Pennsylvania in 1838, where he had long resided, and emigrated to Missouri, settling in Platte county, which he made his home until his death, some 11 years later, in 1849. His wife was thrown from a horse and killed the following year. James C., the only surviving child of a family of five children, was born in this county July 15, 1840, and as has been intimated, was brought up here, acquiring such an education as could be obtained in the common schools. March 29, 1865, Miss Ruth Cretchfield, a native of Clark county, Ky., be- came his wife, and to them have been born six children : Edward C., Lue, Cora B., Joseph H., James P. and Sallie. As will be gathered from the above facts, Mr. Lindsay is one of the influential men of Fair township.

J. W. MAGEE

(Farmer, Stock-raiser and Dealer, Section 12, Post-office, Platte City).

In preparing the history of this county one of its chief features should be sketches of the lives of those sterling men who, by tending their fields and herds, produce the commodities necessary to the prosperity of a county, and who have thus built it up and made it what it is. Prominent among this class of citizens is the subject of the present sketch. Like many of our best citizens he came from the North, having been born in Illinois, January 1, 1841. His parents were Kentuckians by birth and removed to Illinois in an early day, and when J. W. was about eight years old his father came to Platte county, Mo., remaining here until 1856. Then they returned to their old home in Illinois, where J. W. continued to reside until 1865, when, upon going to Ottawa, Kan., he engaged in the lumber trade. To this he gave his attention until 1872, then went to Columbus Junc- tion, Iowa, where he ran the flouring mill at that place for some three years. In 1878 he took a trip to Nebraska and the same year entered into a partnership with R. D. Jones in establishing what has since been well and favorably known as the Jones & Magee Lumber Company, a company existing in many prominent cities and towns in both Nebraska and Iowa. They had in the neighborhood of 30 trad- ing points with the main yard and office at Creston, Iowa, where Mr. Magee remained from 1879 to September, 1883. Then disposing of his interest in this company, he purchased his present homestead, con- sisting of 160 acres. On this place he has turned his attention more particularly to cattle, raising, fattening and dealing in them. In this he has been very successful and he is recognized as one of the best

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

stock business men in this community. October 9, 1865, Mr. Magee was married to Miss Annie A. Murdock, a native of Kentucky, and a sister of Charles T. Murdock, whose sketch appears on a subsequent page. There are two daughters, named Lena R. and May E., in their family.

MORTIMER M. MILLER

(Farmer and Breeder of Hereford Cattle, Section 17, Post-office, Settle Station).

Among the prominent and growing industries of this county the cattle business is receiving no little attention. One of the most in- terested in this class in the county is Mr. Miller, the subject of this sketch. His place of 80 acres is located at Settle Station, and four miles east of Platte City, where is a very neat and commodious resi- dence, situated on an elevation ; the other improvements are of an excellent character and in full keeping with the general appearance of the place. One of the leading features of the farm is an orchard covering 20 acres and containing about 1,000 trees of select fruits. He finds the raising of apples quite profitable, and the past season had 1,325 barrels of this variety of fruit, besides that consumed for home use. His herd of thoroughbred cattle number 12 head, which, though few in number, are of a superior grade, and he is doing much for the promotion of this calling here. Mr. Miller was born in Rap- pahannock county, Va., November 1, 1849, and was the son of Capt. W. J. Miller, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Young Mortimer accompanied his parents to Missouri when a child, and grew to manhood in Platte county, receiving an ordinary education in Platte county and Nebraska City. In the spring of 1872 he went to Colo- rado and was engaged in mining at Georgetown for two years, the livery business also occupying his attention for a year. He returned to his home in this county on Christmas, 1875, and soon thereafter, on February 4, 1877, he was married to Miss Mary Hoy, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Burton) Hoy, formerly from Kentucky. The former was an early settler in this county, and pre-empted the land upon which he afterwards made his home. Mrs. Miller was born and brought up in Platte county, here also receiving her education. To them have been born three children : Mabel Mary, Mortimer Middle- ton and Robert Jackson. After his marriage Mr. Miller farmed with his father for two years when he bought his present farm and settled upon it, as mentioned above. He is very energetic and industrious in the management of this place and deserves the success which seems . to be crowning his labors.

JAMES L. MILLER

(Farmer, Post-office, Platte City).

James Lewis Miller was born in Marion county, Ky., March 9, 1835, and was a son of Lewis and Agnes ( Anderson) Miller, who came to Missouri from Kentucky in 1839, and settled in Platte county, near Weston. The father became a leading farmer and large property

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

holder of this county, one of the wealthy men of the county in fact. He died in about 1872. The mother preceded bim in 1868. They left twelve children, to each of whom was given $3,000 in money. James L. was reared on a farm near Weston and was married February 28, 1859, to Miss Mary, a daughter of Charles and Mildred Rice, who came to Platte county from Shelby county, Ky. Mrs. Miller was the fourth daughter of Charles and Mildred Rice, and was born in Shelby county, Ky., in 1839. Mr. Rice became one of the wealthiest and most successful farmers in the State. He died in 1884. His wife Mildred still survives him. After his marriage Mr. Miller located near Smithville, on a tract of land where he resided, however, only a short time. He then sold out and bought his present place, two and a half miles west of Platte City. He has a good farm of nearly 300 acres, and is comfortably situated. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have eight children, namely : Lizzie, wife of Charles Settle ; Sallie, unmarried ; Charles, Mollie, Jane, Rice and Wardie. Their eldest, Mildred A., who be- came the wife of Frank Whiteley, died January 6, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of the Baptist Church. .

GEORGE S. MOORE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 32, Post-office, Platte City).

For the most part, descendants of the early settlers of Pennsyl- vania, in whatever State they may have become located, are recognized as farmers of no inconsiderable influence and prominence, when they have adopted agriculture as their occupation in life. Mr. Moore is no exception to this general rule. His genealogy may be traced back to Ireland, the first mention of the family in this country showing that they were residents of Pennsylvania. The father of George S. was a native of Scott county, Ky., and in that State his wife was also born. Her maiden name was Sarah Ann Mills. Upon leaving Ken- tucky (where their son George had been born April 20, 1833), they came to Clay county, Mo., and in this vicinity his youth was princi- pally passed, his time being spent on a farm. A fair education was acquired in the common schools. In 1857 Mr. Moore removed to Platte county and the following year located where he now resides. He and his cousin have a fine farm of 200 acres, the land being rich and well adapted to the raising of grain, etc. Their place is being conducted in accordance with the ad- advanced ideas of agriculture. September 6, 1855, Mr. M. was united in marriage with Miss Elenora Pence, whose birthplace was also in Scott county, Ky. One son born of this union is living : Gipson. An only daughter, Ida M., loved and esteemed by all who knew her, and remarked for her lovable and loving disposition, died August 29, 1883.

CHARLES T. MURDOCK

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 13, Post-office, Platte City).

Among the successful farmers and progressive agriculturists of Fair township, men who take the lead in the improvement of stock and are

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

active and progressive in all agricultural matters, the subject of the present sketch holds an enviable position, and is justly entitled to more than a passing notice in any worthy history of Platte county. Mr. Murdock has followed farming all his life, though commencing without any means worth speaking of ; he now has a well improved farm of 80 acres of choice land - one of the desirable places of this vicinity, and he is conducting it in a manner in full keeping with the natural advantages of the place. Mr. Murdock is a native of Ken- tucky ; his father was born in Westmoreland county, Va., March 10, 1804, and his mother, in Harrison county, Ky., April 8, 1804. He was born in Bourbon county, August 5, 1834. His paternal ances- tors for two generations were Virginians by birth and followed farm- ing principally as their occupation in life. The mother of Charles, whose maiden name was Nancy Chinn, died in Kentucky when her son was an infant. He was the second oldest child in the family, and continued to remain in the State of his birth until 1847 when he ac- companied his father to Platte county, Mo. Here his father, John T. Murdock, died April 2, 1874. In addition to the common school education which young Charles received he added a course of one term at the school at Pleasant Ridge, in 1853-54, thus acquiring a good practical knowledge sufficient for the ordinary affairs of busi- ness life. He was married September 6, 1855, to Miss Malinda H. Chinn, of Bourbon county, Ky., daughter of Alexander and Mary Chinn, of the same place. They have an interesting family of three children, now living : Mary Elizabeth, wife of B. F. Montague, of this county; Joel C. and Nancy L. Mr. and Mrs. M. and all their children are members of the Christian Church.

LUTHER W. OVERBECK (Farmer and Stock-raiser).

The Overbeck family in this country were originally of German an- cestry, the family having settled in the United States about the year 1820. The father of Luther W., Dr. H. A. Overbeck, took up his permanent residence in Baltimore, Md., where he married sometime afterwards Miss Amelia C. Walz, a native of New York. Away back in the wilderness days of this county they came here, in 1837, being amongst the earliest pioneers. In 1849 the senior Overbeck went to California, but returned in 1851, and in 1852 took his family upon a trip to Oregon. In 1857, or some five years after leaving, he again came back to Platte county and located where his son, the subject of this sketch, now resides. Luther W. was born in Clay county, Mo., on the 5th day of August, 1843. He has been occupied in farming the greater portion of his life, and now has under his control 160 acres of good land, improved, which is cultivated to the best possible ad- vantage. Personally he is a man of worth, and is held in high respect by those who know him. Mr. Overbeck has been twice married. December 19, 1869, Miss Lydia Robertson, a Kentuckian by birth, and whose parents were early settlers in this county, became his wife.

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

To them were born five children : Charlie A., William R., Carrie L., George H. and Johnnie C. Mrs. Overbeck departed this life January 11, 1878. Mr. Overbeck was married the second time, November 29, 1883, to Mrs. Alice Gabbert Dale, daughter of M. H. Gabbert, Sr., and her entire life has been passed within the borders of this county. Mr. Overbeck and his wife are prominent and influential members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

S. P. SILER

(Farmer, Section 16, Post-office, Weston).

Mr. Siler is a worthy scion of good old Virginia stock, and was himself born in that State, October 26, 1844. His father was Elias Siler ; his mother's maiden name was Susan Stuckey. Both were Virginians by birth, and after making that State their home until 1847 they immigrated westward and settled in Platte county, Mo., where the father was interested in agricultural pursuits. S. P. Siler was brought up in this county, and was married here December 26, 1871, to Miss Alwilda Wilson, whose ancestors were originally from Kentucky, though she herself was born in Platte county, Mo. Since his marriage Mr. S. has continued to remain here, prospering abun- dantly in agricultural affairs, and steadily rising to prominence and in- fluence among those around him. He has a desirable farm which is being cultivated in an excellent manner. Mr. and Mrs. Siler's family number four children : Mary Susan, Fannie Ellen, Jessie Phillips and Nellie. One daughter, Lucy Myrtle, is deceased.

HENRY C. SKILLMAN (Merchant, and Stock Dealer, Settle Station).

Mr. Skillman has an excellent general store in this place and is one of the public-spirited and enterprising men of the town. He was appointed postmaster in 1881, the duties of which position he has since continued to discharge. He is one of the native born residents of the county, his birth occurring June 4, 1852, consequently he is in his thirty-sixth year. C. A. Skillman, his father, a Kentuckian by birth, became a resident of Missouri when a young man , he at that time locating in Platte county. He was married to Miss Eliza Johnson, daughter of Andrew Johnson, also one of the early settlers from Kentucky. Mr. Skillman, Sr., was prominently identified with the material interests and progress of this county for some 30 years, but in 1883 he moved to Kansas City, where he is now engaged in the real estate business. His wife died in 1858, and he is now living with his second wife. Henry C. has passed the greater part of his life in this immediate vicinity, his youth being spent on the farm within one mile of Settle Station. He has become possessed of an excellent education, having supplemented his primary instruction by a course under Prof. Dibble, then at Camden Point. Some time after reach- ing manhood, or in the spring of 1881, he embarked in his present

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

business, which, though somewhat small at the beginning, has been substantially increased annually. On the 28th of October, 1880, Miss Allie A. Conway, daughter of John Conway, of Liberty, became his wife. She was born in Kentucky, but was reared and educated in Clay and Platte counties, Mo. One son has been born of this mar- riage, John C. Mrs. Skillman is a member of the Christian Church.

J. I. SKILLMAN

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 2, Post-office, Platte City).

In the sketch of his brother, Henry C. Skillman, which appears on another page of this work, we have given a brief outline of the father of the subject of this sketch, who was one of the earliest settlers of the county, originally of Bourbon county, Ky., C. A. Skillman, now a resident of Kansas City, and who deserves special mention for his aid and influence in the development of this county. J. I. Skillman first saw the light in this county, February 27, 1850. This county has been his home since that time, and very naturally he has gained an extensive acquaintance. Brought up to the occupation of farm- ing, he has followed it as his life occupation, and his farm of 160 acres, which he has well improved, is, indeed, one of the most desirable homesteads in this neighborhood. In former years he was a student at William Jewell College, at Liberty, where he completed an already fair common school education. Honest and industrious in his life work, he is respected by all his neighbors, and is meeting with excel- lent success. Mr. Skillman was married February 14, 1878, to Miss Sallie C. Thomason, daughter of William Thomason, one of the sub- stantial agriculturists of Clay county. Their family consists of two children living : Allie and Christopher A. Mrs. Skillman is a member of the Christian 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