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 111

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 111
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 111

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MRS. MELISSA COX

(Post-office, Weston).

Mrs. Cox ( whose maiden name was Wilson ), the relict of Jacob Cox, Esq., was born in West Virginia, and when quite a small child was brought by her parents to Missouri, their settlement being made in Platte county. Six days after reaching there the mother died, but the father survived until February 17, 1883, when he, too, departed

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

this life. After growing to womanhood here Miss Melissa was mar- ried September 18, 1856, to Jacob Cox, a Kentuckian by birth, and who died February 13, 1869. Their family had consisted of four children, three of whom are now living: Oliver S., Spead S. and Kate, wife of Ben. Siler, of this county. One son, Jacob Presley, is deceased. At his death Mr. C. left a homestead which is now being cultivated by the two sons, Oliver S. and Spead S. These young men, having been reared on a farm, have very naturally chosen that calling in their early manhood and by industry and good management have steadily prospered, until they are now numbered among the prominent agriculturists of this part of the county. Oliver S. received the principal part of his education in this county. Spead S. has also obtained a good school instruction. In the conduct of the home farm, which contains 128 acres, they are careful, painstaking and practical managers, and to their theory of how a farm should be cultivated, they bring years of experience and consequently must, of necessity, succeed. The improvements on the place are of a good class.

GEORGE CRUTCHFIELD (Post-office, Weston).

Without advantages or opportunities as favorable as those of the generality of men, in fact, from circumstances far less favorable than those of most others, Mr. C. has risen to a position of creditable prominence and influence in the agricultural affairs of this county. He was one of a family of eight children left orphans by the death of their parents, and with little or no means to help them along in life. He and his elder brother, John A., with commendable zeal, much force of character and determined purposes, performed the obliga- tions so sadly thrust upon them in a manner highly commendatory to them, and reared the younger children in such a way that they have not only become an honor to themselves, but all are well respected members of society. The farm of 60 acres left them by the father has, through the perseverance, economy and indomitable energy of the two older brothers, increased to 160 acres, the improvements of which are of an excellent class .. Looking back over the career of these brothers it must be manifest to the most casual observer that no men of mean ability or little force of character could achieve what they have accomplished. George Crutchfield was born in the State of Kentucky, August 28, 1833, accompanying his parents to this county in 1848. They were Elijah and Maria (Harris) Crutchfield, also of Kentucky nativity, and the latter was a sister of John Harris, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Some six years after their settlement here they fell victims to the cholera, dying in 1854, within twenty-four hours of each other ; they were buried in the same grave. George was the second in the family of eight children. In March, 1862, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Pope, whose father, A. Pope, came to this county from Kentucky in an early day. Their family consists of four children living : John M., Jessie, Richard and Ann M.

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

John A. Crutchfield, who was born July 24, 1831, was united in marriage, April 12, 1865, with Miss Medora A. Jackson, who died April 12, 1872, leaving a family of three children : Ada, Ola and Elijah. Mr. C. cultivates 160 acres of good land.

H. C. CUNNINGHAM

(Farmer, Section 17, Post-office, Weston) .

To be successful, in the true sense of the term, in stock-raising, one very important feature not to be overlooked is the presence of water on the farm for the purposes of watering stock. Mr. Cunning- ham is unusually fortunate in this respect, for upon his place are 11 springs of pure living water, so distributed through the farm as to entirely water it. His tract embraces 300 acres and is known to be one of the best adapted for stock purposes throughout Platte county. This business has received great encouragement from Mr. C., for he has done much to promote its advancement and development. It is not to be wondered at that he has achieved such success when we take into consideration that he came originally from Kentucky. Of Welsh origin, the Cunninghams first became settled in Virginia, in this coun- try, in an early day, and afterwards located in Kentucky. The parents of H. C. were W. E. and Sarah (Owens) Cunningham, who came from Kentucky to this county in 1851, and they are now residents of Clinton county, this State. The subject of this sketch was born Jan- uary 20, 1848, in Kentucky, but since accompanying his father here in 1851, has continued to make this county his home, where his edu- cation was acquired. September 18, 1877, Mr. C. was married to Miss Katie Vinyard, whose pleasing and courteous manners are only less attractive than her true intellectual worth. Her parents were among the first settlers of the county, having come here from Ken- tucky and settled on land before it was surveyed.

JOHN A. DURKES

(Nurseryman and Horticulturist, Section 3, Post-office, Weston).

The characteristic thrift of the German-American citizens is but in few instances more forcibly illustrated than in that of the subject of the present sketch. His parents were both natives of Germany and while in that country his father was successfully engaged as a farmer and vine grower. In 1843 he emigrated to the United States and landed at New Orleans, going thence up the river to St. Louis, from which place he came on out to Weston, where he lived until his death, March 17, 1872. He left two children, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Guen- ther, and John A. His widow survived him until the autumn of 1876. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Gall. John A. Durkes was born June 10, 1837, in the old Fatherland, and accompanied his parents to this country upon their removal here. He was reared in Platte county, and in 1854 commenced working in his father's nursery. He was then but 16 years of age, but from that time to the present he

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

has assiduously devoted himself to the occupation which he now fol- lows. No one has studied more closely to meet the demands of this section in varieties of fruits best adapted to the soil, climate and loca- tion of orchards than he ; and no one enjoys a better reputation for sterling integrity and true worth. He keeps thoroughly posted in all matters of a literary nature pertaining to horticultural affairs, and expresses himself clearly on all topics relating to his business when called upon to do so. His landed estate embraces 325 acres, 50 acres of which are choice bottom land, and 75 acres are devoted to orchard. Mr. Durkes is a prominent member and active, earnest supporter of the Missouri Valley Horticultural Association, the Missouri State Horticultural Association and the American Horticultural Society. December 20, 1866, he was married to Miss Grace Wilkinson, who was born in Wicklow, Ireland. They have seven children : John E., June A., Mary G., Maud I., William A., Thomas, and an infant.

MORRIS ELLINGER

(Store-keeper and Gauger, Weston).

Mr. Ellinger commenced his experience in life as a clerk in a mer- cantile establishment at Frankfort-on-the-Main, where he remained until he emigrated to the United States in 1850. After spending about two years in New York City he came to Weston in 1852 and was in a saloon for four years, after which he became interested in the business for himself, continuing in it until 1868. He now opened a hotel, and in connection ran a billiard room, giving his time to this calling up to 1870. He then received the appointment of a gauger, a position which he has since held, and his duties consisted in acting as gauger in all the distilleries in this portion of Missouri. He was first stationed at Union Mills as Government storekeeper and gauger and for four years later was at Bainbridge, Clinton county. After a

term of six months he returned to Union Mills, and from there went to Weston, where he remained one and a half years, he being assigned to Waldron. His duties do not call him beyond this place now. Mr. Ellinger was a son of M. L. and Judith Ellinger, both natives of Hohenzoller, Hechingen, Germany, where also their deaths occurred. He, himself, was born there January 9, 1830. His youth and early manhood were passed in that community, and he received a good education in his native language, which has been of material benefit to him in later years, the results of which have never been forgotten or lost. His career from this time on has been noted. In 1854 Mr. Ellinger was married in Platte City to Miss Margaret Whitton, daugh- ter of Red. Whitton. She was born and reared in Tennessee. To them have been born four children : Lizzie, wife of George A. Wood- bridge, of this county ; Charles M., also of this county ; James, of Denver, Col. ; and John, of Weston. Mr. E. is a recognized leader in educational affairs in this section of the county. He has done much for the upbuilding of schools, and as secretary of the Weston board of education for about four years, was largely instrumental in

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

the erection of the school building at Weston. For one term he served as city collector, assessor, and also as councilman, discharging the duties of each of these positions with singular care and fidelity. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. at Weston, and also of the Encampment, in both of which he has fillled numerous chairs. He has also been a member of the Weston Benevolent Society for 31 years.

JOSEPH B. EVANS (Post-office, Weston).

It would hardly be possible to write a history of any county in Mis- souri and Kentucky or Virginia without mentioning on its pages the Evans family ; for it is one of the most widely distributed families in the country, and its representatives wherever they reside are generally people of more or less consideration or prominence. The gens of the family of which we are now speaking took its rise, so far as the United States are concerned, in Virginia, and from that State the present branch of the family originally came. The genealogy of the family might be traced back to Wales. The mother of Joseph B. Evans was Polly, daughter of Capt. Joseph C. Belt, who served in the War of 1812. The father of Mr. E. was a man of excellent business capacity and prominent in mercantile life. Both parents died in Kentucky. Joseph B. was born in Kentucky, November 23, 1827. He remained in the county of his birth until 14 years of age, when he came to Missouri and in 1841 located in Platte county, which has since been his home. His career since his residence here has been an honorable and worthy one, and his life, well and usefully spent, has been rewarded with an abundance of this world's goods. His homestead is situated about one mile from Weston, on the Weston and Platte City turnpike, and is known by the name of " Jersey Park." This beautiful place covers a tract of 63 acres of superior land, all sown in blue grass. An orchard covering 12 acres is numbered among the improvements upon it. Mr. Evans has given more than the usual attention to the raising of Jersey cattle, and he now has about 20 head of the Queen of Barnett and Royalist families. Mr. Evans, dur- ing his lifetime, has been extensively occupied in mercantile pursuits, insurance, etc., and has frequently been called upon to serve his fel- low-citizens in various official capacities. Among them might be mentioned the positions of township trustee, marshal of the Weston court of common pleas and minor offices ; he is now magistrate. All his public duties he has discharged with singular care and fidelity. September 17, 1850, Mr. Evans was married to Miss Susan Davis, a Kentuckian by birth, also of Welsh descent. They have had three children, only one of whom is now living, George W. He is a traveling salesman, and makes his home with his father, his wife, having been Miss Reginia Brooks, of St. Louis. They have two chil- dren : George DeForest and Mabel O.

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

GEORGE GABBERT

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

In the sketch of Mr. James I. Gabbert (a brother of the subject of this sketch ) we have shown that he is a representative of German an- cestry, members of this family having been among the earliest set- tlers of the colony of Virginia. George Gabbert, the grandfather of Mr. G., and for whom he was named, served under Gen. Shelby in the Revolutionary War, and was in the battle of King's Mountain, North Carolina. Upon the close of that memorable struggle for inde- pendence he took up his location in Virginia, where his son, James Gabbert, was born. Subsequently he (George) took his family to Kentucky. James Gabbert, 14 years of age upon his removal to that State, grew to manhood there, and subsequently married Polly Sulli- van. Among other children born to them in Kentucky was George, whose birth occurred in Lincoln county, December 26, 1814. When six years of age he accompanied his father to Indiana, where he reached his majority. Of something of an adventurous spirit, he came to Platte county in 1839, and bought his present homestead, which he at once commenced to improve. This was not an easy task, but he was not a man to be discouraged by obstacles of such a nature. His career since that time has proven that he was fully able to become a pioneer in this new country, and to open the way for civilization. His present farm embraces 380 acres, an abundant supply of water and other natural advantages, rendering it a good farm for stock purposes, in which he is engaged to some extent. Mr. G. hass filled several official positions of a local nature, such as township, chool and county offices, and was once nominated as a representativeto the Gen- eral Assembly, at a time when a nomination was equivalent to an election. But feeling it his duty, as well as a privilege, to devote his time and attention to the education of his children and the conduct of his farm, he was compelled to decline the proffered distinction. Mr. Gabbert was married January 8, 1836, to Miss Sarah Cox, a native of Indiana. Her parents were natives of Virginia, and removed to Indiana in an early day. They have a family of nine children liv- ing: James, George M., Thomas I., Jane, wife of L. Wilkerson ; Priscilla, wife of S. A. Hull, ; and Marion N., wife of J. M. Tread- way, all of this county ; Ella, wife of James Crutchfield, of Texas ; William T. and Paul B. Mr. G. is a man who enjoys to an unlimited extent the respect of his neighbors and no one deserves it more than he.

THOMPSON A. GILBERT

(Agent of the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad at Weston).

Mr. Gilbert is one of the most popular and efficient station agents on the line of this railroad, and is justly entitled to the respect and esteem of the people of Weston. It was about 1870 when he began his railroad experience, and for the past 15 years he has been in the

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

employ of the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad. In this connection it might be stated that never has the company had reason to regret the choice they made in selecting him for this position. Mr. Gilbert is the son of Abel and Hannah Gilbert, née Pasko, and was born in Weston, Platte county, Mo., July 26, 1851. His father was born in Canada West, and his mother came originally from Dutchess county, N. Y. Thompson was principally reared here, his education being obtained in the schools of Platte county and in St. Louis. In 1865, filled with the spirit of adventure, he went to Utah and remained there until 1868, following in the meantime va- rious pursuits. In that year he returned to Weston, and for a while thereafter was interested in merchandising, after which he be- came occupied in the business which has since received his attention. Mr. Gilbert has taken great interest in the local affairs of Weston, and for two terms served as a member of the city council. He has been prominently identified with the Masonic Order, being connected with the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, and has also been a member of the Knights of Honor for some time. His marriage to Miss Ella Story, a native of Clay county, Mo., occurred November 2, 1875. This union has been blessed with two children : Leta and Walter.

CHRISTOPHER C. GRAVES (Farmer, Section 35,Post-office, Weston).

Mr. Graves, a most successful farmer of this township and a man who, in accumulating a good property by his own industry and intelli- gence, has done much for the material development of the county, is a worthy son, by nativity, of Jackson county, Tenn., where he was born October 11, 1840. His father, James L. Graves, who was born in the same county in 1803, after growing up as a farmer, was married to Miss Sarah Hollaman, a native of Wilson county, Tenn. In 1844 the family removed to Platte county, Mo., settling at Iatan on the first day of May. The father at once identified himself with the material interests of this county and became one of its well-to-do citi- zens, living here until his death in 1874. The mother died in July, 1884. Christopher C. was occupied in farming at the outbreak of the war, a calling to which he had been reared from early youth. Of Southern birth and antecedents, his sympathies were very naturally with the Confederate cause, and following the dictates of his con- science as to what he thought was the right course to pursue, he enlisted in the Second regiment of Shelby's brigade and was wounded at the battle of Springfield, where he was taken prisoner. Soon after exchanged, he subsequently served under Cockrill in the Third and Fifth regiments and participated in the siege of Vicksburg, and the battles of Baker's Creek and Kenesaw Mountain, being wounded no less than three times. At the time of Lee's surrender he had charge of some mules in the interest of the Confederate Government on the Brazos river, in Texas. Upon taking the oath of allegiance at Bas- trop, La., he returned home and resumed his farming operations.

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

He owns 190 acres of good land well improved and at the present time is erecting a commodious, handsome and convenient dwelling which, when completed, will be one of the best in the township. Mr. Graves' wife is of Virginia parentage but was herself born in Platte county. She was a Miss Nannie Siler at the time of her marriage, in 1868. They have five children : Tula, Delia P., Lora Lee, Forrest and Arly. Mr. and Mrs. Graves' religious preferences are with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

CAPT. CHARLES GUENTHER

(Deputy Revenue Collector, Storekeeper and Gauger, Weston).

Capt. Guenther has been a resident of Weston since about the year 1850, and his career since that time has been one of ceaseless activity and untiring energy. This perseverance and close attention to busi- ness have not been without their substantial rewards. Since 1869 he has been in the employ of the Government in his present position, the duties of which he has discharged with singular care and fidelity and to the satisfaction of all parties interested. He owns a landed estate of about 200 acres in this county - an excellent tract of land. Capt. Guenther was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, December 8, 1829. His father, John Guenther, and his mother, Catherine Wetzel before her marriage, were both born in the same place and lived there until their death. The subject of this sketch came to the United States in May, 1846, and remained for a time in New York, working at the occupation of a barber. From New York he went to New Orleans, where he stopped ten months, after which he came up the river to St. Louis. Thence he went to Independence, intending to take a trip to Oregon, but owing to injuries received by a kick of a mule soon after they had started, he was compelled to abandon the project and return to Weston, where he continued his chosen profes- sion until 1858. He now became engaged in agricultural and horti- cultural pursuits. During the late war he was commissioned captain of a company in the enrolled militia, and afterwards entered the Six- teenth Kansas cavalry. On being mustered out of the service, he returned to Weston and resumed farming. Now in the prime of life, Capt. Guenther is comfortably situated, and judging from the success which has attended his past life, he need have nothing to fear as to his material prospects in the future, and when the shadows of old age shall have commenced to hover around him. He and his wife have a family of three children, Catherine, John and Charles G. Mrs. Guenther was formerly Miss Elizabeth Durkes, also of German nativity, and their marriage occurred in Weston, Mo., in 1852.

E. W. HARDESTY

(Farmer and Raiser of High Grade Stock, Section 32, Post-Office, Weston).

Mr. Hardesty, though still a young man, not yet having reached his thirty-fifth year, is old in the experience which is given by a life spent

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

in hard, earnest and persevering endeavor to secure a substantial footing in agricultural affairs. He was born in Platte county, Mo., December 25, 1850, and is a son of J. W. and Emily T. (Wilhite ) Hardesty, who came to this county from Kentucky in an early day. In 1863, or when about 13 years old, he accompanied the family on their trip overland to California, at which time they took across the plains over 100 mules, and were also engaged in freighting, etc. On their return trip they came by way of New York. Young Hardesty was more than ordinarily favored with opportunities to secure an education, and in addition to the primary course of instruction which he received, he attended school at Pleasant Ridge, Weston, and Jacksonville, Ill., supplementing this with a course at the St. Louis University. Thus well qualified for the duties of life, he at once prepared himself for the long-cherished intention of engaging in agricultural pursuits in con- nection with the stock business His fine farm of 215 acres is most excellently adapted to the raising of grain and stock, though the latter receives the most of his attention. He is much interested in the development of high graded cattle, and also has a choice flock of sheep, which he finds is a paying investment. May 10, 1878, Mr. Hardesty was married to Miss Martha B. English, who was also born in this county. Her father was a Kentuckian by birth and her mother originally of Missouri. They were married in Platte county when quite young, where they lived until about 15 years ago, then moving to Wyandotte, Kan. There the mother now resides, the father having died a few years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Hardesty have a family of three children : Eva May, Willard Ancil and James Carlton.

J. H. HARDESTY. (Farmer and Stock-raiser).

The subject of this sketch is the third son of J. W. Hardesty and wife, whose maiden name was Wilhite, mention of whom has been made in the sketch of E. W. Hardesty, which appears on a previous page of this volume. At that place is given a brief outline of the movements of the family and their trip to California, etc., so it is un- necessary to repeat here what can be referred to in that connection. Mr. Hardesty's father is a warm advocate and stanch supporter of the educational system of the day, and ever has been, believing it just as essential that a person who adopts the occupation of tilling the soil should have as thorough a school training as one who intends to enter mercantile life, and in this he is certainly correct. Young Hardesty, like his brother before referred to, had excellent school advantages, which he did not fail to improve. After leaving the common schools in Platte county, he took a two years' course at Jacksonville, Ill. Subsequently he attended Spalding's Commercial College, at Kansas City, from which institution he graduated with honor. Mr. Hardesty has devoted his entire life to farming and besides has carried on the stock business to some extent. He raises horses, mules, hogs and a superior grade of cattle, much of his land also being devoted to the

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

growing of grain. The reputation which he has obtained among the citizens of this county, is the best testimonial of his ability and suc- cess, in a material point of view, in his calling. His farm, of 240 acres is one of the best in this portion of the county, and on account of the presence of six unfailing pure water springs it is rendered an excel- lent stock farm. The improvements are of a superior class. Mr. Hardesty's wife was formerly Miss Bertie Railey, daughter of E. W. Railey, whose sketch is to be found elsewhere in this history, their marriage having occurred February 17, 1881. Two children have been born to them : Egbert and Shortridge. Mr. Hardesty was born in this county September 5, 1853, and is therefore in his thirty- second year.

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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