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 116

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 116
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 116

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).

1096

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

intimated above, not without substantial results. The place which he first occupied in Platte county has continued to be his home. Mr. Dale's wife's maiden name was Miss Eliza A. Gray, also originally from the same county as her husband. Their marriage occured April 20, 1843. Three children are now living of this union: Josephine, Milton L. and John U. Four others are deceased : Elizabeth J., Alvin L., Ellen M. and Newton. Mr. D. is no political aspirant though his preferences are with the Democratic party. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Both are upright, con- scientious citizens and in no family in Platte county is there more . harmony and affection than in this one.

JAMES DYE

(Farmer and Breeder of Fine Stock, Section 27, Post-office, Weston).

Mr. Dye has an excellent farm where he resides of 240 acres of choice land, finely improved, and for many years he has traded in stock to a considerable extent. More than ordinary attention has been paid to the raising of fine horses, and on his farm was bred the cele- brated pacer, " Richball," with a record of 2.121/2, and little " Willie,"' a half brother of "Richball," with a record of 2.231/2. On account of his thorough knowledge of agricultural affairs, as a whole and in every particular, he was made president of the agricultural associa- tion of this county, a position he was eminently qualified to fill. Mr. Dye's farm deserves special mention, for it is one of the best in this vicinity. His buildings are of a good class, and he has attained to an enviable and well merited reputation as a stock man. His tastes, as will be inferred from the foregoing, are characteristic of only a Kentuckian, and such Mr. Dye is, for he was born in Mason county, of that State, February 15, 1834. His father, John Dye, a farmer by occupation, removed from Pennsylvania, his native State, when a young man, to Kentucky, and there subsequently married Miss Par- thenia Gow, who was born and raised in the Blue Grass State. In 1851 the family came to Platte county, Mo., and here the father died in 1875. They had had a family of eight children : Margaret, wife of H. M. Griffith ; Jane, wife of H. J. Pyle; Ann, wife of James Griffith ; James, Elizabeth, wife of Thomas B. Lovelady ; William, and Martha, wife of J. Newby. James was 15 years old when he came to Missouri, but his time since then has been spent in the vicinity of Platte county, occupied in his present business, except for a time during the war, when he served as first lieutenant in Co. E, Eighty-first Missouri State Guards, in Scott's regiment. Mr. Dye was married October 9, 1856, to Miss Lucy J. Guthrie, who died Sep- tember 2, 1882, leaving four children : Florence, Fannie, Eva and Maggie. Mr. Dye's second marriage occurred December 18, 1864, when Miss Elizabeth Hamilton, of Oregon, became his wife.

1097

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

WILLIAM FELLOWS

(Farmer, Section 14, Post-office, Weston).

Mr. Fellows is a good illustration of what sterling principle, economy and industry, when intelligently applied, can accomplish - characteristics which go hand in hand with success in every depart- ment of life. In 1860 he came to this county with scarcely any means, but investing this to good advantage he is now in possession of an excellent landed estate, embracing some 300 acres. The improve- ments upon this farm are deserving of special mention, for they are neat and substantial, and of a superior order. Mr. Fellows, on ac- count of having been brought up to the practical details of farm life, has always followed that as his occupation. His native county was Putnam, in the State of Indiana, where he was born August 19, 1838. His father was William Fellows, originally from New York, and the maiden name of his wife was Charlotte Howe. Mr. Fellows continued to make his home at his birthplace until 1860, when he came to Platte county, Mo., and here he has since resided, one of the substantial and well respected residents of the community. His wife is one of the fairest daughters of the Blue Grass State. Before her marriage she was a Miss Sarah Scott. This union has been blessed with four children : Lennox, John, David and Bee. Mr. and Mrs. Fellows are worthy members of the Christian Church.

JAMES I. GABBERT

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 18, Post-office, Weston).

Mr. Gabbert is descended from families originally of German and Irish extraction -the Gabberts and Sullivans. Representatives of each have settled in numerous States of the Union, and wherever they have lived have proven themselves worthy citizens and hard working and generally successful persons. There are numerous substantial and influential farmers and stockmen by the name of Gabbert in Platte county, upon whom never a word of reproach or suspicion has ever fallen. The subject of this sketch was born in Bartholomew county, Ind., Jan- uary 30, 1833, and was there brought up and educated. In 1850 he came with his parents, James and Polly ( Sullivan ) Gabbert, to this county, the father settling where James now lives and improving a farm of 380 acres, which has fallen into the son's possession. Young James was the ninth child and the youngest son in the family of children, and was born and reared at his birthplace. Since his residence here he has given his attention to the stock business, in addition to his farming interests, and now upon his excellent stock farm is occupied in breeding high graded Durham cattle and a superior line of sheep and hogs. Though aspiring to no public place and not a candidate for political preferment, he has nevertheless been entrusted with sev- eral offices within the gift of the people, in all of which he has dis- charged his duties with credit to himself and honor to his constituents.

1098

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

In 1859 he was deputy sheriff of the county, serving until 1861, when he went upon the plains and freighted for the Government, principally from Leavenworth to Fort Union, Mexico, Fort Wise and other points in the territory. He resumed his farming operations in 1864. June 27, 1854, Mr. Gabbert was married, Miss Susan A., daughter of Henry and Kittie (Butler ) Kitchen, natives of Virginia, becoming his wife. She was born in St. Louis, Mo. Their one daughter, Laura B., is the wife of Walter K. Stone, of Jefferson county, Kan. Mr. G.'s grandfather, on his mother's side, was a brave soldier of the War of the Revolution, losing his life in that struggle in defending his adopted country. His paternal ancestors were early settlers in Virginia.

H. P. GROVER, M. D. (Physician and Surgeon, Post-office, Iatan).

Dr. Grover, a successful physician of thorough qualifications, and now in the enjoyment of a large and increasing practice, was the son of John S. and Polly (Cobb) Grover, who were natives of the State of New York. Young Grover was born in Steuben county, N. Y., March 24, 1841, and up to the age of seven years spent his youth in that vicinity. His parents then removed to DeKalb county, Ill., and he accompanied them to that vicinity, there growing up and becoming thoroughly familiarized with the duties of farm life. For a long time he was a student in the schools of that county, after which, having made choice of the profession of medicine as the occupation to which he should devote himself in after life, he went to Ottawa, Ill., and placed himself under the preceptorship of Dr. O. H. Mann, now of Evanston, Ill., and a physician of superior qualifications and long ex- perience. After a thorough preliminary preparation he attended lec- tures at Rush Medical College, in Chicago, from which he graduated in the class of 1863. He also took a course at Hahnemann Medical College of the same city. Now well qualified to commence the active duties of his professional career, Dr. Grover located at Somonauk, Ill. In 1866 he received an appointment as surgeon in the U. S. Navy. After leaving the Government service he settled in Kansas, and closely devoted himself to the practice of medicine until 1881, when he came to Iatan. He is recognized as a safe and successful physician and applies himself to the practice with more than ordinary zeal and pride, being even more attached to it as a science than as an industrial calling. In 1863 Dr. Grover was married, Miss Melinda E. Park, a native of Ohio, becoming his wife. This union has been blessed with four children : Alfred, Oscar, Willie and Adeline.

J. C. HARRIS

(Farmer, Section 24, Post-office, Weston).

Mr. Harris is a native of Kentucky, born in Estill county, March 1, 1807. His father, John Harris, and mother nee Fannie Hall, were both originally from Virginia. Mr. Harris, after being brought up

1099

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

in Kentucky on a farm, came to Jackson county, Mo., in 1838, and the following year removed to Platte county and settled where he now lives, his place embracing a good farm of 245 acres. He held the office of justice of the peace for four years and then refused to serve longer. Mr. Harris was married the first time, November 11, 1830, to Miss Sallie Floyd, a native of Madison county, Ky., who died August 25, 1879, leaving a large family of children, as follows : Clifton (de- ceased ), Clinton (deceased ), Nannie (deceased), Jennie, now Mrs. S. Routh, of Kansas ; Aaron, who resides at home ; Jefferson, living in Platte county ; John (deceased ), Mahlon (deceased ), Ann, now Mrs. Mann, of Holt county ; Campbell, of this county ; Mattie (deceased ), Belle, at home ; Benton, who married Miss Nannie Nower ; Nora and Robert. His second mariage took place June 6, 1880, Mrs. Kate Bashford becoming his wife. She was born in Fayette county, Ky., six miles from Lexington, Mrs. Harris' maiden name was Steele. She has two children by her former marriage. Mr. H. and his wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Harris is a good and up- right citizen and is highly respected by all who know him. ' He deserves special mention for the excellent manner in which he is con- ducting his farm, and is worthy of the success which is attending his efforts.

JOHN M. HERNDON

(Owner and Proprietor of Saw-mill and Thrashing Machine, Section 27, Post-office, Weston).

Brought up as a machinist, and thoroughly imbued with all the practical bearings of machinery, Mr. Herndon is well qualified to fol- low the occupation to which he has so long given his attention. But a little past 40 years of age, he has had a wide and varied career in life and has reached the position which might well be envied by many older in years and experience. During the summer months he oper- ates a thrashing machine, which has a capacity for thrashing 1,800 bushels daily, and the average work reaches 700 bushels per day. The machine which he uses is one manufactured by Garr, Scott & Co., Richmond, Ind., and he also has a good saw mill, which was built by the same firm. The capacity of this mill is 5,000 feet per diem and will average 3,000. Were it necessary for us to say something of Mr. Herndon's ability and reputation as a business man, we could not do better than to mention that his time is constantly occupied in at- tending to these callings and in filling the numerous orders which are continually coming in upon him. He takes contracts for furnishing bills of lumber, and cuts, saws and delivers it when required, making a specialty of walnut lumber. Mr. Herndon was born in Estill county, Ky., April 30, 1845, and was brought up there as a farmer, mill man, etc. His subsequent career it is of course unnecessary to repeat. In 1875, November 3, he was married to Miss M. A. Card- well, who was born in Buchanan county, Mo., but came to Platte county in 1871. They have five children: Elijah A., David S., Ed- win P., Lena and James S.

1100

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

JAMES H. HULL

(Deceased).

Mr. Hull was one of the best known citizens in Platte county at the time of his death, having reached the age of 59 years. Like many of the early settlers of Platte county, men who became prominent and influential in their respective callings, he was a Kentuckian by birth, having been born June 15, 1813. Naturally he was an excellent me- chanic, but preferred to follow farming as his principal occupation. Coming to Missouri in 1844, he took up his location in Platte county in 1845, purchasing the farm, which now constitutes the old family homestead, in 1846. This contains 160 acres of farm land, well im- proved and in cultivation. Mr. Hull was married February 27, 1838, to Miss Clarinda Chandler, a native of Kentucky, and to them were born five children. Of these, however, only two are now, living : Samuel A. and Walter S. Mrs. Hull's death occurred July 8, 1851. His second marriage took place November 28, 1852, when Miss Emily J. Wilson, daughter of Azriah Wilson, became his wife. Mr. Wilson was a Virginian by birth, and served in the War of 1812. He came to this county in 1846, and died in DeKalb county February 17, 1883, at the advanced age of 90 years. He was a man highly respected by all who knew him. By his second marriage Mr. Hull had five children : Charles V., Emma A., James H., Egbert R. and Edgar W. The widow is still conducting the home farm, and is a woman of industry energy. She is a good manager and, as a good agri- culturist, is well respected by all who are favored with her ac- quaintance. In the conduct of the place she is displaying unusual good judgment and sagacity. Her husband's death was widely mourned by a large circle of friends.

WALTER S. HULL

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 17, Post-office, New Market).

In the biographical sketch which immediately precedes this, a sketch of the life of James H. Hull is given, the father of the subject of the present narrative, Walter S. Hull. In that biography is mentioned his standing as a man and fellow-citizen among those with whom he mingled and his reputation for honesty and influence in the com- munity in which he lived. W. S. Hull was brought up in Platte county, receiving his primary education here, but this he supplemented with an attendance at Pleasant Ridge College. Having adopted the calling of Cincinnatus as his chosen occupation in life, he has ever been thorough and sincere in tilling the soil, and owing to his con- tinued hard labor and honest endeavors, he has reached a well-merited degree of success. His farm consists of 160 acres of choice land, upon which are fair improvements, and on his place he raises cattle, sheep, horses, hogs, etc. Lately he has given considerable attention to veterinary surgery. Mr. Hull's parents were James H. and Clar-

1101

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

inda (Chandler ) Hull, and with them he came to this county in 1846, having been born in Mason county, Ky. His wife was formerly Miss Susan A. Lowe, of this county, to whom he was married, December 27, 1867. Their family contains eight children living : Emma D., James W., Clarinda J., Walter S., Jr., Mary A., Albert C., Shelton J. and Lee Cleveland. One son, Owen V., died in November, 1880.

THADDEUS C. JONES

(Farmer and Raiser of Norman Horses, Section 13, Post-office, Weston).

Mr. Jones now has upon his place one of the neatest, most com- fortable and substantial residences in this section of the country, a building which he planned himself and which was erected at a cost of $2,000. A farmer by education and early training, he has been a tiller of the soil all his life, and since locating on his present place of 160 acres he has devoted all his energies to its improvement. His endeavors in this particular have not been without their substantial reward. The father of Mr. Jones, James D. Jones, came to Platte county, Mo., in March, 1860, but died a few weeks after his arrival here, at the age of 51 years, leaving a family of nine children. He came originally from Owen county, Ky., and during his life was occu- pied in farming. His wife, who was born in Owen county, Ky., was formerly Miss Sarah Wood. She is still living and is well preserved

in years. Thaddeus C., the third son and fourth child in his parents' family, was born August 6, 1840, in Owen county, Ky., growing up, as has been intimated, upon a farm and receiving a common district school education. Since his settlement in this county he has given no little attention to the raising of fine stock, and has thirteen head of good mules and eighteen head of Norman horses, an industry which he is finding profitable and interesting. December 31, 1869, Mr. J. married Miss Amanda J. Scott, of this county, and a daughter of John C. Scott, formerly of Kentucky. They have four children : Robert E., Sarah J., James D. and John C.

WILLIAM KYLE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 17, Post-office, Iatan).

Matthew Kyle, the father of the subject of this sketch, was an early settler from Kentucky to Platte county, where he farmed until his death which occurred September 18, 1856. He had come here in 1839, and during the remaining years of his life was very active in his affairs as a farmer, finding this a not unprofitable method of gain- ing a livelihood. His native place was in Mercer county, Ky., but his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Burris, was a Virginian by birth, though brought up in the Blue Grass State. Four children are now living of this union, those besides William being Andrew T., James and George W. The mother of these died April 16, 1880, at the advanced age of 77 years. Mrs. Kyle's grandfather was for 65 years, an humble, sincere and truly pious minister of the Methodist

1102

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

denomination, and never would he accept or receive one cent in pay- ment of his services as a preacher of the Gospel, a fact in quite prominent contrast to the customs of the present age. He also served during the Revolutionary War, but for his services in this struggle declined to be remunerated. William Kyle spent his youth in this county upon a fårm, having been born here.

To his early course of instruction, which he had received in the schools of the county, he added some months' attendance at Pleasant Ridge Academy, an institution which he left well qualified to enter upon the duties of every day life. His habits of studiousness have not forsaken him in subsequent years, and he is still a constant reader of standard books and is well informed on all matters of public and local importance, as well as being acquainted with the leading authors of the day. Mr. Kyle was married February 13, 1873, to Miss Me- linda Kluson, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of William Kluson, of this county. They have seven children: William H., Mary E., Thomas W., Charles, Nellie, Eugene and an infant. Mr. K. is a member of the A. F. and A. M. In connection with his brother, G. W. Kyle, he owns 257 acres of land.

George W. Kyle, brother to William Kyle, was born December 16, 1847, and grew up as a farmer boy. In 1871 Miss Mary Hord, of Kentucky, became his wife, but she died August 3, 1881, leaving three children : Irwin, Alfred and Addie. His second marriage oc- curred October 8, 1883, to Sallie Dougherty, who was born in this State. By this union there is one child : William.

JAMES W. LAYTON (Farmer, Section 15, Post-office, Weston).

Mr. L. is a son of James H. Layton, who was born in Mason county, Ky., July 13, 1813. He grew to manhood in his native State, on a farm, and in August, 1836, married Miss Mary Smithers, of the same place as himself. In 1843 the family came to Platte county, Mo., and here he lived until his death, February 16, 1867, following the peaceful and not especially eventful life of a farmer. He held during his career here the office of county judge four years, and also justice of the peace, serving in a manner above reproach and with great credit and honor to himself and the people generally. He left eight children : Mollie, now Mrs. Kirkpatrick; David, Alice, now Mrs. Gabbert; Perry S., Elizabeth (deceased), Amna, now Mrs. Newby ; Elvira, now Mrs. Steel, and James W., who was born August 27, 1857. The latter was reared on the family homestead, where he now lives, and which contains 160 acres of land. His entire time and attention during life has been occupied in looking after the manage- ment of this place, and his efficiency and the manner in which he has discharged his obligations are very apparent in the excellent appear- ance which it presents. Mr. Layton was married January 22, 1880, to Miss Lydia Benner, whose father was one of the oldest residents of this county. Mr. and Mrs. L. have three children : Estel, Claude

1103

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

and Elva. Mr. Layton's mother finds a pleasant and comfortable home in the family of her son.

DAVID B. LAYTON

(Farmer, Section 22, Post-office, Weston).

Mr. Layton, a young man of remarkable capacity, is a native of Mason county, Ky., and first saw the light on the second of February, 1841. His father, James H. Layton, and his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Smither, were Kentuckians by birth, but came to this county in 1844, where the father turned his attention to the occupa- tion, which, during his lifetime, received his attention. He died in 1866, leaving eight children : Mary McKirk, David B., Alice, now Mrs. Ben Gabbert ; Perry S., in Kansas ; Lizzie (deceased ), Sarah, Annie, now Mrs. M. Newby ; Elvira, and James W. Brought to this county when quite young, David B. arrived at man's estate here, growing up on a farm and receiving a common school education. He now has a good farm of. 218 acres, devoted to the raising of grain, meadow, pasture, etc. Mr. Layton was married December 31, 1863, to Miss Mary J. Risk, a sister of D. F. Risk, a sketch of whose life appears on a subsequent page of this book. They have had borne to them eight children : Perry, Malinda, David, Durinda, Minerva, James, Noah and Ben. Mrs. L. was born in this county and is a lady of most estimable qualities.

P. H. LINVILLE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 1, Post-office, Weston).

Mr. Linville, who can now be numbered among the comparatively younger agriculturists of Platte county, is a man of high character and influence in the community in which he has made his home since about the year 1861. Until the age of 18 he passed his childhood and also his boyhood in Nodaway, Holt, Buchanan and other upper counties of the State, but at that time took up his location in Platte. His parents had come here in an early day, and at that time settled near Camden Point, where the father, a farmer by choice and adoption, was engaged in tilling the soil for a long period. His death occurred on the 24th of August, 1876, but his wife had died in the fall of 1863, leaving the following children living : John T., Eva, wife of William Allen ; Nancy A., now Mrs. Bigham ; Fannie, now Mrs. Clements ; Perman and William. Five were deceased : Sarah, Jemima, Lycur- gus and two infants. Since settling permanently in this county, P. H. Linville has been industriously and continuously engaged in im- proving a place on which he has resided to this day. This contains 124 acres. It should have been mentioned before that Mr. Linville was born in Buchanan county, Mo., August 6, 1843, and was the son of Abraham and Nancy (Tropp ) Linville, both originally from Ten- nessee. The subject of this sketch has been twice married ; first, February 6, 1863, to Miss Martha A. Bigham, a native of Platte

1104

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

county. She died March 24, 1873, leaving five children to mourn her loss : David T. J.,'Robert, John Walter, William J. and Martha A. Mr. L.'s second marriage occurred in the fall of 1875, when Miss Frances Davis, of Leavenworth county, Kas., became his wife. Four children have been born to them : Eva, Joseph, Fannie and Maggie. Mr. and Mrs. Linville are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

LEVI LOLLAR

(Retired Farmer, Section 9, Post-office, Weston).

One of the oldest living settlers within the present boundaries of this township, and, indeed, among the most advanced in age of any residents of the county, Mr. Lollar is now living in comparative retirement from the active duties of farm life, resting in the satisfac- tion of having passed a career of usefulness to those in whose midst he has made his home for so long a period, and not devoid of substantial results to himself. Born in North Carolina, December 29, 1806, he removed to Platte county, Mo., in 1839, and located on the farm which now constitutes his homestead. He owns 200 acres of land, but has it mostly rented ; and the improvements upon this place are of an excellent order, and neat and convenient in their appointments. Mr. Lollar was brought up principally in the State of Tennessee, whither he had accompanied his parents in an early day. They were John and Sukey Lollar, originally from North Carolina. In 1828 Mr. Lollar was married to Miss Mahala Rhea, a daughter of Ezekiel Rhea ; her native State was Tennessee. The maiden name of her mother was Elizabeth Prior. Of the family of children who have been born of this union, the following are living, and all have become worthy and respected members of the different localities in which they have made their homes : Susanna, now Mrs. Henson; Sallie, now Mrs. Roach ; Isaac, William, Pinckney and Moetta, now Mrs. Jacks. Mr. Lollar is one of the honored and well esteemed citizens of this county.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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