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 107

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 107
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 107

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).

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

to pass upon all proposed measures of legislation affecting the welfare and prosperity of the State. He served in the Thirty-first General Assembly in both the regular and extra sessions. Mr. Anderson owns a farm of 256 acres, all fenced and in good improvement, a striking feature of which is a new and commodious two-story resi- dence, and other necessary outbuildings. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have two sons, Temple P. and Joseph M., both young men, at home. Mrs. A. is a member of the Baptist Church.

JACOB N. BLACKBURN

(Telegraph Operator and Station Agent, C. R. I. & P. R. R., Camden Point).

Mr. Blackburn is a Virginian, and is of the same family from which the Kentucky Blackburns sprang. He was born in Grayson county, of the old Dominion, June 13, 1846. His parents were Lambuth Black- burn and Nancy (Hanks ) Blackburn, both natives of North Carolina. But each was of Virginia descent. The father died when young Blackburn was quite young. There were eight children in the family, seven of whom were sons. Left an orphan by the death of his father, and the widowed mother having a large family of children, young Blackburn began to do for himself at the age of twelve years, and without help from others, or education. He was, therefore, a self- made and self-educated man. Though only in his sixteenth year when the war broke out, he promptly enlisted in the Confederate army. Napoleon always said that boys make the best soldiers. Experience in all wars proves the correctness of his opinion. They are enthusi- astic, fearless and always ready to obey orders. These are the quali- ties that go to make a valuable, dashing soldiery. Though a mere boy, young Blackburn followed the flag of the Confederacy with. unfaltering devotion, and through hardships and dangers and wounds and imprisonments that would have chilled the enthusiasm of any but the most resolute and patriotic. He was a member of the Fourth Vir- ginia infantry and served throughout the war, taking part in nearly all the great battles of Virginia and contiguous sections of the country. He was wounded no less than thirteen times, and nine different bullet scars are still plainly visible on his body, one distinctly on his fore- head. That, alone, would have made him an accepted and honored member of the Old Guard under the first Napoleon. A soldier could bear no prouder decoration than the scar from a wound in the forehead received in open battle. In May, 1864, he was taken prisoner and held from that time, at Point Lookout, Md., until the close of the war. Young Blackburn then came West and spent two years in Min- nesota and Dakota. Returning to Virginia in 1867, he was married there November 6, of the following year, to Miss Thurma, a daughter of Stephen Ward, of Grayson county. He then came West and made his home at Burlingame, Kan. Two years later he came to Platte City. Here he worked at anything he could get to do for a time, and after a while learned telegraphy. In 1881 he was appointed agent at Camden Point, and he still holds the position. He makes an efficient

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

agent and is popular with both the officials of the company and the general public. Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn have six children : Ellen, Frank, Orville, Homer, Burton and Katie. His two eldest sons, though the oldest is only about fourteen years of age, are good tele- graph operators themselves, and are of much assistance to their father. ' Mr. Blackburn is a member of the A. F. and A. M. at Cam- den Point.

BENJAMIN F. BOYDSTON

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Edgerton).

Mr. Boydston is a worthy representative of one of the early and respected families in this part of the State. His parents, Henry and Mary Boydston, came to Western Missouri as early as 1836. The following year they settled on the Platte Purchase, pre-empting land in what is now Platte county. The father improved a large farm and became one of the substantial men of his vicinity. He held the office of justice of the peace and some other local positions, and he and his wife were leading and active members of the M. E. Church. Their house was the stopping place of itinerant ministers of that de- nomination and of other churches, and there they always found a hearty welcome and every comfort and good cheer the country afforded. Mr. Boydston, Sr., and wife, when the division of the church came about, took sides with the Southern branch of it, and their home was used as a meeting house for a long time until their church building was put up. Mr. Boydston, Sr., went to California in 1851, but never returned, dying while absent on the Pacific coast, July 19, 1852, and there he was buried. His good wife survived until March 6, 1866, her death occurring on the same day as the demise of Alexander Campbell, the founder of the Reform or Christian Church. Benjamin F. Boydston was born in this county and was reared on the farm. He was the fifth in a family of children. After he grew up he was married, in 1867, to Miss Martha A. Borden, a daughter of John and Mary Borden, of Jackson county, but formerly of Tennessee.

After his marriage Mr. Boydston, the subject of this sketch, con- tinued farming, to which he had been brought up, and has been quite successful. He is one of the well-to-do farmers of this vicinity. On his farm, which contains 320 acres, he has a good, comfortable resi- dence, erected at a cost of $8,000, and other improvements to corre- spond. On his place there are two miles of good stone fencing, supposed to be as durable as the " Rock of Ages." He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, growing large quantities of grain and considerable numbers of hogs, cattle and other stock. He also has 264 acres of good Platte river bottom land. Mr. and Mrs. Boydston have had seven children : Mary L. (deceased at childhood ), Marvin C., Wightman M., Vincil, Vandiver, Cora E., James E., Thomas H., Benjamin F. and Martha E. They are also rearing a nephew and niece, Sammie Tilford and Nannie Stone. Mr. and Mrs. Boydston are members of the M. E. Church South. Mr. B. is a member of the I. O. O. F. He has served as justice of the peace and director of the public schools, still holding the latter office.

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

GIDEON L. BROWN

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wallace).

If it is true that young men whose fathers have risen to enviable prominence in public affairs in life inherit strong paternal character- istics, then surely Mr. Brown would unconsciously and without effort attain to many high positions in any community in which he might live. His father, Hon. T. J. Brown, is now presiding judge of Bu- chanan county, and a man well respected and highly honored in that vicinity. Admitting that Gideon L. is possessed of some of the better qualities of his father, we can truthfully say that his present position in life has been reached through his own energy, perseverance and self-determination. Judge Brown came originally from Tennessee, and was one of the first to enter the Platte Purchase at its pioneer set- tlement. Going from here to Buchanan county, he went thence to Nodaway county, where he served on the bench for several years. Subsequently, however, he returned to St. Joseph, where he has been honored with numerous local and other places of importance and trust. The subject of this sketch was born in Buchanan county, July 26, 1842, his education, however, having been acquired in Nodaway county. He was engaged in farming with his father until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in August, 1861, in Co. B, Second Missouri cavalry (Shank's regiment ). He participated in the battles of Blue Mills, Lexington, Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove and in all the battles of Shelby's brigade, finally surrendering at Shreveport, La. Returning home in July, 1865, he at once entered actively upon his former occupation of farming, following it in Buchanan county until 1867, when he became a citizen of Platte county. In 1872 he bought his present homestead, which consists of 160 acres, a place well improved with superior buildings and other necessary fixtures upon it. He has another place of 104 acres in this vicinity. March 8, 1866, Mr. Brown married Miss Amanda Mayet, who died May 10, 1879, leaving three children, Emma L., Henry and Nannie. His second wife was formerly Miss Laura Squires, to whom he was married December 6, 1879. This union has proved a most happy one.

J. S. BROWN, M. D. (Physician and Surgeon, New Market).

Dr. Brown has had only about four years' experience in the prac- . tice of medicine, but is a man of thorough general and professional education, and since his removal to New Market, in 1884, has followed the practice at that place with uninterrupted energy and perseverance, and with more than ordinary success for a young man, especially as a physician at the bed-side of the sick, if not in the accumulation of property. The confidence of the people which he enjoys to such an extent, is well deserved, and, we know, sincerely appreciated. Dr. Brown is of Irish and German descent, representa-

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

tives of the family having settled in North Carolina and Tennessee in an early day. However, he is a native of Mississippi, where he was born March 7, 1858. He early made such progress in his prepara- tory studies that he was qualified to enter college, and besides being favored with opportunities for obtaining an education in the vicinity of his birthplace, he was a student in Columbia, Tenn. His pur- pose had long been to devote himself to the medical profession, and upon coming of age he diligently engaged in its study. In 1881 he graduated with distinction at the Missouri Medical College, which he had attended for sometime previously, and during the spring of the same year he commenced to practice in Charleston, Miss. In 1884, as mentioned above, Dr. Brown became permanently located at this place. On the 15th of April, 1883, he was united in marriage with Miss Livie Lea Bailey, also a native of Mississippi, and a lady of great strength of character and rare qualities of head and heart. The Doc- tor and Mrs. Brown have one son, John Maughs Sampson ..

CAPT. SIMEON HAYDEN BRYANT

(Druggist, New Market).

The first record of the Bryant family, as far back as we can learn, appears in the birth of John Bryant, who was born in 1760, in Vir- ginia, although it is known that the family primarily was from England. It is recorded of John Bryant that at the age of 12 years he served in the Revolutionary War, after which, being a civil engi- neer by profession, he was engaged in surveying the State of Kentucky. It is also said that he and Daniel Boone were the two first white men who stood on the banks of the Kentucky river. In 1786 Mr. Bryant married Miss Owsley, a sister of Gov. Owsley, of Kentucky, and they were amongst the first settlers of that State. Their family consisted of 17 children. John Bryant died in 1833, and his widow in 1848, at which latter date there were 220 direct descendants living. Jona- than Owsley, the father of Simeon and the eleventh child in his parents' family, was brought up in Kentucky, his wife being Miss Martha Kissinger, a sister of Hendley Kissinger, who donated liber- ally towards the building of the Female Orphan School of Camden Point. Their family consisted of 12 children, of whom Simeon H. was the youngest. He was born February 27, 1839, in the Blue Grass State, there receiving a good education. Coming to Platte county in 1857, he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and also devoted two years to the blacksmithing business, continuing it until the outbreak of the war. Then following his own convictions as to what he believed to be right, he enlisted in the Confederate service, under Capt. Gib- son. He was in the battles of Wilson's Creek, Lexington, Pea Ridge and in a skirmish near Elkhorn Tavern, in 1863, was taken prisoner and confined in the military prison in St. Louis, from which he suc- ceeded in making his escape some six months later.

Going to Louisville, Ky., he soon entered into the mercantile busi- ness at Crab Orchard with his brother, but in about three years dis-

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

posed of his interest in the establishment to Chris. Leavel. Now entering into the drug trade, he followed that until 1876, at which time he settled at New Market and opened a drug store in connection with a stock of fancy groceries. Capt. Bryant has considerable real estate in this county, and since his settlement here has become prominently identified with the progress and development of this county. He has served as postmaster of New Market for three years. In this connec- tion, perhaps, it would be well to state that his title of captain was given him on account of his having commanded a company of militia in Kentucky, in 1868. Capt. Bryant has been twice married; first, May 16, 1865, to Miss Susan W. Myers, also of Kentucky, and by this union there were five children : Eugene, Estella, Simeon, John and George. One son, Willie is deceased. On the 16th of May, 1874, Mrs. B.'s clothing accidently caught fire and before assistance could reach her she was fatally burned, her death occurring June 23, 1875. September 17, 1875, Capt. Bryant was again married, his second wife having formerly been Miss Zerelda C. Bryant, a descend- ant of the same branch of the family from whence the Captain came. There are five children living of this union : Sallie, Jessie, Susie, Charlie and Mollie. They have lost one son, Handley. Capt. Bryant formerly belonged to the Crab Orchard Masonic Lodge of Kentucky, from which he dimitted. He also has his final card from the Odd Fellows' Order from the same place.

CORNELIUS M. BURGESS (DECEASED ) (Vicinity of Dearborn).

Mr. Burgess died at his homestead in this county April 2, 1859. He was one of the old and respected citizens of the county, and for many years had been a prominent farmer and stock-raiser. Mr. Bur- gess was a man of high character and of many qualities of mind and heart that endeared him to those who had the good fortune of his acquaintance and friendship. He was a man of sterling intelligence and good general education and information. In early life he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, but even before reaching middle age he turned his attention entirely to agriculture, for which he had a decided and controlling taste. A man of good habits and excellent business qualifications, he of course became successful as an agricul- turist. He became a large landholder in this county and in Kansas, and left a large estate at his death for distribution among his children. In every relation of life he was a man whose good qualities shone forth with more than ordinary brightness. As a citizen he was law-abiding and true to every duty ; as a neighbor and friend he was one whose good opinion was prized by those who knew him above that of most men ; and as a husband and father his memory is cherished with the most sincere and tender solicitude. He is remembered by all as a true and good man, whose citizenship was an honor to the county and whose life was a benefit to all around him. Mr. Burgess was born in Lawrence county, Ky., June 4, 1809. His parents were John and

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

Jane (Shannon ) Burgess, and his paternal grandfather was Edward Burgess.

At an early day his father moved with his family from Virginia to Kentucky, and the son, the subject of this sketch, was born and reared in Lawrence county, of that State. At the age of twenty-one he en- gaged in business in Kentucky, and in 1832 was married to Miss Vienna Spencer, daughter of James and Sarah L. (Martin) Spencer. Six years later he removed with his family to Buchanan county, Mo., but in 1843 settled in Platte county. Here he engaged in farming and stock-raising, improving his own farm and commencing on small means. But by industry and good management he steadily pros- pered, and became amply successful as an agriculturist. At the time of his death he was a member of the Methodist Church, and had been for one year before. His wife still survives him, a motherly hearted, good woman, greatly beloved in her own family and esteemed by all around her. They had a family of eight children: Sarah K., wife of Floyd Shannon ; Nancy J., widow of Samuel Nower, deceased ; Julia D., Lou Ella V., George W., Cornelius M. (deceased ), John J. and Floyd S. Their son Cornelius M. was murdered in Texas, May 20, 1883. He was a lawyer of great promise and had been district judge before he was 29 years old.

THOMAS J. CARSON

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 5, Post-office, Camden Point).

Mr. Carson has been residing on his present place since 1867, though his acquaintance with the county dates from a much earlier period. His father, James Carson, married Martha Keller, and they were both Kentuckians by birth. In the spring of 1839 the family removed to Missouri, locating in Platte county the following spring. Here the father entered land and improved a farm, which he subse- quently sold, in 1852, then returning to Clay county. There he died May 6, 1873, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. He had been a prominent man in public affairs of the county, having filled with dis- tinction several official positions, among others that of county asses- sor of Platte. Thomas J. was born before the family's removal to this State, February 19, 1832. His youth was passed on the home farm and in the acquirement of a common school education, and in the spring of 1850 he accompanied his uncle, Jeff. Keller, and others across the plains to California. He spent about a year in the mines, but becoming ill returned by Panama and New Orleans, ascending the river to St. Louis. April 28, 1853, he was married to Miss Amanda Jeter, daughter of Hiram Jeter, one of the early settlers from Ken- tucky, she having been born in Fayette county, of that State, though brought up in this county. After his marriage, Mr. Carson farmed one year in Clay county and since that time has been a citizen of this vicinity, though having rented land some time after his removal here. During the war he was a member of the Paw-paw militia for home pro- tection. He has improved the place which he now occupies, by his

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

own efforts, and has a neat farm of 80 acres, all fenced and with good appurtenances. In 1874 Mr. C. was township collector, and he has also served as deputy sheriff for a number of years. In addition to this he has held other positions of trust and honor. Besides his farming operations he has achieved considerable prominence as an auctioneer, his services in this direction being often called for in both Clay and Platte counties. Mr. and Mrs. Carson have a family of seven chil- dren : Emma Belle, wife of C. H. Shortridge, of this county, but who died in August, 1873; James H., Charles E., Luther L., Maggie T., Maud, William W. and Thomas J., Jr. Mr. C. and wife are members of the Christian Church at Camden Point, in which he is deacon.

THOMAS J. DAVIS

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

The n'ame that heads this sketch is borne by a man well and favor- ably known in this county, and particularly in Green township. His father, John H. Davis, moved with his family from Indiana in 1837, and settled in Platte county, Mo., at a time when the improvements in this vicinity were of a very primitive nature, and when obstacles had to be overcome which at this day would seem almost insurmount- able. His wife was formerly Margaret P. Denny, to whom he was married before leaving Indiana. Of the 10 children born to them nine are now living, and of these Thomas J., the subject of this sketch, was the sixth. He is now in his thirty-seventh year, having been born in this county April 19, 1849. His entire life has been passed within the vicinity of his present home, except for a period of about three years, during which time he was at Denison, Tex., whither he went in 1876, and during this period he was employed in the machine shops of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad. Since returning Mr. Davis has given almost his entire attention to agricultural pursuits, in which he has gained by no means an undeserved reputation for ability and efficiency as a manager. His farm embraces 230 acres of good land devoted to the raising of grain and stock, and besides farming in a general way he is much interested in the raising of a high grade of cattle. Mr. Davis is a married man, the maiden name of his wife having been Miss Rachel Doyle. She was a native of Illinois, but her ancestors came originally from Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. D. have three children : Walter S., Arthur D. and Barton D.

G. B. GABBERT

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, New Market).

Among those with whom Mr. Gabbert is acquainted he is familiarly, but none the less respectfully, known as "Benton" Gabbert, and on account of his long residence within Platte county, having been brought here when two years old, his knowledge of this community, and particularly of the people with whom he has so long made his home, is extensive and varied. His father was William Gabbert, who

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

came to this county in 1844, being among the pioneers here. Ben- ton's birthplace was in the State of Indiana, and December 3, 1843, was the date of his entrance into this world. Brought to this county when very young (as has been said before), he grew up here and has since been satisfied to make his home in the vicinity of where his early life was spent. After completing his adolescence, he was favored with an opportunity for pursuing a course at Pleasant Ridge College, of which he did not fail to avail himself. Here he displayed that earnestness and thoroughness in the prosecution of his studies which have characterized his career as a business man and agricultur- ist in later years. Leaving school with the satisfaction of having received a good educational training, he at once entered upon the life in which he has been so successful, that of farming. His present place consists of 350 acres of choice land well adapted for the pur- poses to which it is devoted, that of raising stock, grass, grain, etc. He has excellent water facilities - an important consideration to the successful conduct of a stock farm, and his general improvements are worthy of more than passing notice. Particularly in his attention to the raising of the Hereford breed of cattle is he being especially favored, and he has representatives of the families of Dauphin XVIII., Ladylove, Sir Charles, Spartan, Prince Edward and Protection. Mr. Gabbert has been entirely successful in all his business enterprises, and in general affairs is regarded as a man of superior judgment and business qualifications. In the discharge of his various duties he is quick and accurate and he is liked hardly less for his pleasant, agree- able manners than he is esteemed for his ability as a business man. Personally, he is quite sociable, though there is nothing light or frivolous in his character. March 21, 1865, Mr. G. married Miss Alice Layton, daughter of Judge James H. Layton, of this county, whose death occurred in February, 1867. Four children have been born to them, Eva, now at the Daughters' College, of Platte City ; William H., Smith and Lewis Cass.

MILES HARRINGTON

(Retired Farmer, Section 5, Post-office, Settle Station).

One of the most prominent of the older citizens of Green township, and a man who has been actively interested with the progress and de- velopment of Platte county for nearly half a century, is Mr. Harring- ton, the subject of this sketch, now having reached the allotted age of three score and ten years. He was born on the 9th of October, 1815, in the State of Tennessee, a State which has furnished many of Mis- souri's best citizens. His father, William Harrington, a native of North Carolina, married Miss Hannah Lowell, of the same State. When our subject was a child the family moved to Kentucky and thence to Illinois, coming to Missouri about 1820. They first settled in Howard county, but in 1827 went to Chariton county, from there to Clay county, and subsequently to Daviess. They afterwards lo- cated in both Buchanan and Clay counties respectively, and finally,

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

in or near the year 1851, Mr. Harrington, Sr., took a trip to Cali- fornia, which he made his home for some two years. He continued to live with his children after this until his death, which occurred in Platte county in 1868. Young Miles was with the family during the various moves above mentioned, but in the fall of 1836 he pre-empted land here, and in the fall of 1837 moved from Daviess county, though he did not locate permanently in Platte until 1839. His original tract comprised 100 acres, to which he afterwards added by purchase until his estate contained about a section. He has sold, however, all but some 400 acres, a tract of excellent land, upon which are all neces- sary improvements. He has been an active and thorough farmer, and now in the quiet evening of life is spared to enjoy the fruits of a life of honest toil and industry. Mr. Harrington has been four times married. First, in Clay county, in 1836, to Miss Levisa Fowler, and by this union there were two children. His second wife was Mrs. . Sarah Clark, whose maiden name was Cole, and to them was born one daughter. His third marriage was to Mrs. Sophrona Brown, a daugh- ter of Mr. Gaines. Mrs. H. was born in Kentucky. On December 12, 1867, Mr. H. married for his present wife Miss Cinderella Peyton, whose father was Benjamin Peyton, of Rappahannock county, Va. She was reared and educated in Virginia. Mr. Harrington's children are as follows : R. N., of Platte county ; William, who was killed in the army ; Elizabeth, wife of Richard Bywater, of this county ; Thomas, of Platte ; Flora, now Mrs. Ben. Pixley, of. Clay county ; Jefferson D. Harrington, who married March 8, 1882, Miss Gertie Powell, daugh- ter of James M. Powell ; and the youngest, Nannie Harrington, a young lady at home. Mr. and Mrs. Harrington are members 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