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 117

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 117
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 117

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).

A. J. LOVELADY (Farmer, Section 23, Post-office, Weston) .

We utter but the truth when we say that one of the truly good men of this county, and a man who is respected by everybody, whose character and influence stand out as an exception to the general rule of men in this day, is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Lovelady is now in his seventieth year, having been born, October 18, 1815, in White county, Tenn. His father, Thomas Lovelady, who came origin- ally from South Carolina, married Miss Jane Ware, whose birthplace is now included in the State of West Virginia. The father died in Ten- nessee. Young Lovelady was brought up on the old family homestead in the State of his birth, until the age of 17, when he settled in Jack- son county, Mo. This continued to be his home until February 13, 1837, when he came to this county. To the means which he had accumulated before locating here he has added from time to time, and

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

now has become one of the successful farmers and stock-raisers of the county. His landed possessions embrace 300 acres, a place which is excelled by none in this community. But more important and bet- ter than this he is an upright, sincere man. He is a member of no church, but what others talk of he does. When it becomes necessary for him to die, it can be said with truth that he was

"Formed on the good old plan, A true and brave and downright honest man !

He blew no trumpet in the market-place,

Nor in the church with hypocritic face Supplied with cant the lack of Christian grace ; Loathing pretense he did with cheerful will What others talked of, while their hands were still."

Mr. Lovelady was married June 8, 1840, to Miss Juda Newby, a Ken- tuckian by birth. She died February 2, 1885. There had been 13 children born, five of whom are living: Cynthia, now Mrs. I. E. Graves ; Nannie, wife of P. Layton ; Maud, wife of C. Thorp; James and Lee.

JAMES W. McADOW

(Farmer and Fine Stock-raiser, Section 4, Post-office, Iatan).

Mr. McAdow was born in Platte county, Mo., September 2, 1845. His father, John McAdow, a native of Mason county, Ky., was reared in the vicinity of his birthplace on a farm, and in 1837 came to Platte county, Mo. One of the earliest settlers in this section of country, he at once identified himself with the agricultural affairs of the county, and subsequently became one of its most substantial agriculturists. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Bean, and she was also a Kentuckian by birth and a daughter of Col. Benjamin Bean, for whom Bean's Lake was named. In 1849 John Bean, only too naturally falling a victim to the gold fever which at that time was agitating the whole country, went to California for the purpose of mining, but the same year he started to return. While en route he was taken sick and died on ship board. His widow died in October, 1868. Both were well esteemed and highly respected citizens of this county, and left a worthy family of children who have done honor to the name which they bore. Of their family of three children, James W. and John are still living, Benjamin B. being deceased. James W. Mc- Adow, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Platte county, and here succeeded in acquiring a good education, always improving the opportunities for study with which he was favored. The calling to which he was brought up has very naturally been his chosen avocation in life, a pursuit in which he has achieved good success. He has a fine farm of 223 acres, and has it neatly and substantially improved, his surroundings being all that one could desire. For a number of years he has been making a specialty of handling stock, giving close attention to thoroughbred short horn cattle, and his herd embraces representatives of the leading short horn families of the country.

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

Mr. McAdow is an enlightened, progressive farmer, one to whom success comes as a matter of course, for having an intelligent appre- ciation of the requisites to success, he accordingly pushes his farming operations with vigor and enterprise. He was married April 2, 1871, to Miss Alice G. Steele, daughter of James Steele, an old resident of this county. Their family consists of four children : Ernest B., Mary E., Fannie and James W., Jr.

JOHN McADOW

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

In the sketch of James W. McAdow, a brother of the man whose name heads this sketch, and which precedes this, an outline of the history of the life of his parents, John and Mary B. McAdow, is given, so that it is unnecessary to repeat here what has already been men- tioned. Since 1872 Mr. McAdow has resided continuously in this county, where he has been devotedly occupied in tilling the soil, and here his farming operations have been conducted in a manner which very plainly stamps him a progressive agriculturist. In the raising of stock he has found an important source of prosperity, and upon his farm are to be found high graded short horn cattle and saddle and harness horses, some of which are second to none in his community. Born October 14, 1849, in Platte county, Mr. Mc- Adow was early deprived of a father's guidance and watchfulness, but his mother did her full share in caring for the family and in leading them to become useful, honored members of society, efforts which were sincerely appreciated. Young John remained about the home and followed farming until 1868, when he took a trip to the . mountains and remained for four years. He was occupied in giving his attention to different avocations during that period, and upon returning in 1872 he resumed his former calling as a tiller of the soil. He is a thorough-going farmer and a worthy citizen of this township. Mr. McAdow's wife was formerly Miss Florence M. Dye, a daugh- ter of James Dye, Esq., and their marriage was consummated Sep- tember 22, 1875. She is a native of this county. Mr. and Mrs. McAdow have four children : James Henry, Benjamin Bonifant, Samuel W. and John.

JOHN T. MARTIN

(Retired Farmer, Section 5, Post-office, Iatan).

Mr. Martin is another of the old settlers, of the Platte Purchase, and one who is able to trace his lineage back for nearly two centuries. His grandfather, Beniah Martin, a son of John and Priscilla Martin, was born December 10, 1742, and died October 10, 1777. His grand- mother, Margaret Manning, a daughter of Nathaniel Manning, was born December 20, 1746. Jeptha Martin, the father of John T., was a native of Virginia, being born April 12, 1767, and was married September 6, 1792, to Miss Allie Williamson, who was also born in the same State,

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

March 3, 1776. Of their family of eight children John T. was the sixth, and was born in Berkeley county, W. Va., February 16, 1807. He lived in his native State until almost grown, and afterwards, after residing for some time in Ohio and Indiana, he came to Platte county, Mo., in 1837. Since that date he has made his home in this and the adjoining county of Buchanan. In 1841 he built what was known as Martin's Mill on Sugar creek, in Buchanan county, which was well patronized in that early day. In 1855, moving to DeKalb, he erected a grist mill which is still standing and operated at that place. July 5, 1832, Mr. Martin was married to Miss Eliza Coleman, a native of Hamilton county, Ohio. She died January 29, 1879, leaving the following children : Mary E., now Mrs. Brown; Jeptha, J. Will, James A., Nancy, M. Dunlap (deceased ), Jasper, Winfield S. and Ollie, now Mrs. P. Lol- lar. December 11, 1879, Mrs. Nancy Thompson, whose maiden name was Coleman, became his wife. She was a sister to his first wife and . the widow of Andrew Thompson, to whom she was married December 26, 1833, in the State of Indiana. Mr. Thompson, originally of Loudoun county, Va., was born in 1806, and lived in his native State until attaining his majority. Then he removed to Indiana, and in 1837 settled in Platte county on section 5 of this township, where he owned 160 acres of land. He followed his chosen occupation here until his death, which occurred February 8, 1879. Mrs. Martin's birthplace was in Hamilton county, O. Mr. M. is now living in comparative retirement, and reaping the rewards of a life well spent in useful and ceaseless activity.

JOHN W. MARTIN

(Farmer, Section 2, Post-office, DeKalb).

Mr. Martin, now'in the prime of life, and having started out in the world for himself on reaching his sixteenth year, is numbered among the substantial agriculturists of this county, and has just cause to be satisfied with his past career. George Martin, his father, was born in Kentucky, but moved to Alabama and thence to Tennessee, coming from there to Cooper county, Mo., and subsequently to Platte county in 1837. Therefore it can be said with truth that he was a pioneer settler of the county. After making one crop of corn he returned for his family, whom he soon brought here. The mother of John W., whose maiden name was Bates, but who was Mrs. Margaret Bowman at the time of her marriage to Mr. Martin, was a Virginian by birth. The father died in 1852, but the mother survived until 1874, when she, too, departed this life. There were eight children in their family, of whom John W. was the seventh, and he was also the fourth son. Born July 31, 1836, in Cooper county, Mo., he was very young when brought to this county, but from that time to this his history has been intimately interwoven with that of Platte. In 1853 he went to Cali- fornia and was absent for two years, but in 1855 he returned from there and has continuously and energetically given his attention to farming and the stock business. His place embraces 460 acres devoted

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

to stock and grain purposes. Mr. Martin is a married man, Miss Sarah Lamar having become his wife May 29, 1856. She was born in Tennessee. This union has been blessed with six children : Charles A., Robert L., George D., Nellie J., Myrtle L. and Joseph Lamar.

THOMAS C. MONSON

(Teacher and County School Commissioner, Post-office, Weston).

Mr. Monson is a native Missourian, born near Independence, Jack- son county, April 23, 1850. His father, Hugh T. Monson, was born in Nicholas county, Ky., and his mother, nee Emeline E. Alley, was a native of Indiana, though having been reared in Missouri. In the early days of the Santa Fe trade the father was a prominent freighter, and had a varied experience with the Indians on the plains. He is still living, and a resident of Sullivan county, Mo. Thomas C., the sub- ject of this sketch, was principally brought up in Harrison county, and his education was received in his native State and in Kansas, this afterwards being supplemented with a course at the Denver High School of Colorado. At the early age of 17 he began to teach, and two years later he came to Platte county, where he has since followed his chosen avocation, and it is not saying too much to assert that there is not a more popular or successful teacher in Platte county. In April, 1885, he was elected county school commissioner by a large majority, a position he will no doubt fill with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the people of the county. May 6, 1877, Mr. Monson was married to Miss Rosetta Folsom, who was born in Platte county and educated at Camden Point. Mrs. Monson was a daughter of Frederick W. Folsom, now a resident of Oregon and a granddaughter of J. C. Harris, of this county, mention of whom is frequently made within these pages. This union was a singularly affectionate and happy one, and was full of promise, but on the 12th of February, 1884, Mrs. M. was taken away by death, leaving one son, Hugh Freddie. A lady of unusually prepossessing presence, her manners were extremely winning, and she was always most cordial and sincere at heart. In conversation, cultured and refined, but by no means affected, she was always interesting and entertaining, and all in all she was a person of the most amiable disposition, and possessed of great fortitude and resignation. Thomas C. Monson has already reached a station in life which no worthy sketch of his life should fail to mention to his credit. In fact, hardly has he more than attained that period when his greatest activity and usefulness may be expected to be exercised.

BENJAMIN F. MOORE

(Dealer in General Merchandise, Sugar Lake).

Mr. Moore was born in Parke county, Ind., March 18, 1847, and is the son of Jesse and Mary (Storey ) Moore. His father was a Pres- byterian clergyman, who was licensed to the ministry at Mt. Gilead, Ky., in 1826, and for ten years preached in his native State. He then

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

changed his residence to Indiana, where he lived for ten years. In November, 1847, he came to the Platte Purchase and settled just north of the Platte county line, in Buchanan county. He died sud- denly December 4, 1847, after a very short illness and a residence here of about five weeks. His life, from his birth until his death, was one without a tarnish. After he had decided to devote his life to the ministry, no preacher was more zealous and active in the sacred cause, and few, if any, were more successful in bringing souls to Christ. He left at his death, besides his widow, nine children, of whom eight are now living : Samuel B., James E., Preston R., Kate, now Mrs. J. C. Crook ; Harriet, now Mrs. Risk ; William E., now a practicing physician at Easton, Buchanan county ; Thomas M. and Benjamin F. Mrs. Moore was again married in 1850 to John Smith, a native of England. Benjamin F. spent his early life on a farm in Buchanan county and resided there until 16 years of age, and then commenced his mercantile experience, which he has since continued. In 1875 he was associated with his brother and after selling goods in different places, he, in 1883, came to his present location. He car- ries a full stock of goods in his line and is doing a satisfactory busi- ness. He also buys grain and produce and holds the position of postmaster. He owns, with his brother-in-law, 200 acres of choice bottom land. He was married January 19, 1877, to Miss Augusta A. Dickson, a native of Platte county. They have three children : Lena D., Inez C. and Benjamin F. Jr. Mr. M. is a member of the I. O. O. F.

GEORGE D. MULLENDORE

(Teacher, Post-office, Weston).

Mr. M. was born in Leavenworth county, Kan., December 26, 1860. His father was born in Johnson county, Ind., and lived there until he attained his majority. In youth he learned the tanner's trade of his brother, Lewis Mullendore, and also worked at the harness making business. In 1855, moving to Kansas, he settled on a farm and made a contract with the Government for supplying the post at Leavenworth with hay. This venture proved a source of considerable profit. In 1867 he came to Platte county and purchased a farm, and he is recognized as a leader in the business of tilling the soil. He mar- ried Miss Kate May in 1857. She was born in Buchanan county. They have a family of six children. George D. Mullendore is one of the best educated young men in this county, having in addition to a primary course attended school at Platte City, also at the Stewarts- ville College, in which latter institution he thoroughly qualified himself for the calling of a teacher, an occupation which has been a source of great benefit to him, both as a satisfaction and pecuniarily. Since commencing to teach in this vicinity he has proved himself to be a capable and efficient instructor, in proof of which we would cite the fact of his having taught one of the best district schools in the county for three terms. This redounds more to his credit than any compli- mentary words which we might write.

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

N. P. NELSON

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

The present work bears abundant evidence of the fact that in every township in these two counties may be named men who would honor any community with their citizenship. On almost every page is to be found the name of some citizen whose character and intelligence justly entitle him to prominence in the industrial affairs of the county. Among others in this township is N. P. Nelson, who was born in Nor- way, February 27, 1828. His parents were Peter and Carrie Nelson, who emigrated to America, and arrived at St. Joseph, Mo., in 1847, with a family of six children, two sons and four daughters, of whom N. P. was the third child and oldest son. His brother, George Nelson, is now a farmer in Buchanan county. Peter Nelson, while a resident of Norway, was a farmer and also a ship and boat builder by occupa- tion (the latter of which his eldest son also learned), and owned two farms, one in Hombersund, a regular ship harbor, which has room for three to four hundred ships. The coast of Norway is particularly noted for having the most and best natural harbors in the world. The second farm was situated near two fine lakes, surrounded by fine timber, mostly of oak and pine. He was owner of a ship, and went abroad to foreign countries as owner, but not as captain. He was opposed to his two sons following the sea, which they were both very anxious to do and become sea captains. He left Norway in August, 1846, and landed in New Orleans the 9th of February, 1847, and from there to St. Joseph. Previous to the war Mr. Nelson, Sr., was successfully and quite largely engaged in raising hemp, but on account of the depredations committed during that period, he, in com- mon with others, suffered severe loss of property. He lived to the ripe old age of nearly 90 years. Young Nelson was thoroughly taught all the minor details of farm life, a calling to which he has devoted the most of his energies.

In 1849, during the early gold excitement of California, N. P. Nelson, in his twenty-first year, left St. Joseph, in May., with ox- team, spent five months on the plains, arrived at Shasta City, com- menced mining and was successful. Ceased mining, and, in compauy with six others, went to getting out lumber and rafts to Sacramento, and lost the whole on the river. He made a large skiff, started from Salt creek, 20 miles above Redding's, and went to Sacramento, and was one of the first white men that went through in a boat from the mountains. He was partly successful afterwards in mining, but failed in making a fortune. In 1853 he returned to Missouri and resumed work upon the farm, in Buchanan county, until 1858, when he pur- chased his present farm, of 160 acres, in Platte county, upon which he settled. Sixty acres of this tract are devoted to the raising of fruit, the varieties appearing in the orchard consisting of apples, pears, cherries, peaches, etc. Mr. Nelson is a successful raiser of apples, and annually has from 3,000 to 5,000 bushels. His farm is a

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

fine one, and is carried on with that intelligence, push and enterprise characteristic of the people of his native country. He owns 800 acres of land in Kansas, where he raises stock and grain, feeding about 200 head of cattle, which he ships to the markets; and in addition to this, he is the owner of 550 acres situated within four miles of St. Joseph, and also 80 acres, lying one and a half miles south- west of where he now resides. Mr. N. was married in April, 1858, to Miss Enger Tomenia Hoverson, also originally from Norway, her parents having come from that country in company with the Nelsons. Mr. Hoverson was a man of good, moral and natural ability, and before coming here was a farmer, and also engaged in the lumber business .. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson consists of two sons and seven daughters : Katie S., wife of Harry Cox, of Kansas ; Cora Alice, and Paulina A. ; Leonora J., a teacher at the Young Ladies' Institute, at St. Joseph ; Clara May, also a teacher ; George A., Laura C., Nina Pearle and Lee Roy Price. Mr. N. has a limited education, and claims that nothing but hard labor has stared him in the face since 12 years of age, but he has been amply rewarded for the same. He is a " Stonewall " in principle, is the same to-day as before the war- believes in the white supremacy of the Government -down on monopolists - a particular friend of the poor-belongs to the " boomers " of Oklahoma, his number is 509 -- also a member of the Lutheran Church of East Norway, Kan.

MERRITT L. NEWBY

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

Mr. Newby is still a young man, but in his farming operations and all other branches of business in which he has been interested, he has met with unusual success, a result due, doubtless, to his superior judgment and good management. In this connection .we deem it proper to give a short outline of the life of his father, Nathan Newby, a Kentuckian by birth, who emigrated to Missouri and settled in Platte county in an early day of its history. He married a Miss Potts, who died, leaving four children : Juda, wife of A. J. Lovelady ; Cynthia, Eliza, wife of W. Pryer, and Mitchell. Mr. Newby subse- quently married Mrs. Nancy Lovelady, whose maiden name was Bounds, and this union was blessed with four sons : J. Henry, of De- Kalb ; Jeremiah, Alfred D. and Merritt L. The latter was born January 22, 1848, in this county, and having spent his entire life within its borders, he has an extensive acquaintance, among which he is recognized as a capable, efficient and progressive young farmer and one deserving of his good success. He owns 200 acres of land, a place well improved and in good cultivation. Deeply interested in educational matters, he has served as school director for a number of terms. Mr. Newby has given quite a good deal of attention to the raising of Poland-China hogs, which he finds a source of much profit. He is very successful in the raising of wheat, his yield per bushel averaging more than the ordinary yield in this vicinity. Mr.

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

Newby's wife was formerly Miss Sarah A. Layton, daughter of James H. and Sarah (Smither) Layton, of Kentucky nativity. The names of their five children are Ida G., Lulu J., Henry, Jessie and Sarah.

WILLIAM REES

(Of the Firm of Rees & Downey, Farmers and Fruit Growers, Post-office, Sugar Lake),

The ancestors of Mr. Rees were of Welsh origin, and emigrated to Virginia at an early day. The parents of Mr. Rees, Thomas and Mary (Hyatt) Rees, were natives of Virginia, and were among the pioneer settlers of Ohio. In this State William was born January 15, 1837. He was reared on a farm and followed it until the outbreak of the war .- In 1862 he enlisted in Co. F, of the Seventh Ohio cavalry. He enlisted as a private and was promoted to be commissary sergeant. He was in many hard-fought battles and several skirmishes, among the more important ones being the battles of Knoxville, Blue Spring, Bean Station, Franklin and Nashville. He was mustered out at Nashville in 1865, after which he returned to his home in Ohio and resumed farming. In 1867 he came to Platte county, Mo., and pur- chased, in connection with his partner, John M. Downey, their present farm, which contains 880 acres of choice land, 120 acres of which are set out in apple trees. Mr. Rees owns, beside the partner- ship property, 320 acres, on which is an orchard of 20 acres. Mr. Rees is recognized as one of the leading agriculturists, and one of the most prominent and influential citizens in the northwestern part of the county, and has made himself one of the substantial farmers, occupy- ing as he does a position in life to which not every one attains who starts out in the world with advantages to make a successful career. He was married March 12, 1868, to Miss Amanda Page, a native of this county, and a daughter of Jesse and Emily (Plumer) Page, early settlers of this county, from Kentucky. They have six children : Mary Alice, Ida May, Thomas Alfred, Emma, Jesse L. and Bertha Rees.

SIDNEY RISK

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

Should it be necessary for us to determine upon the best farm to be found in Marshall township, it would indeed be a laborious task, taking it all in all, to find one better adapted for all farm purposes than the one containing 720 acres owned by Mr. Sidney Risk. The improvements upon it are of a good class, and his time and attention are given personally to his stock interests. His stock of horses, the Pharaohs, are among the finest saddle and road horses in the county, and he also keeps a superior drove of mules. His Poland-China hogs are surpassed by none in this vicinity, they having taken the pre- miums at the State Fair, in St. Louis, in the fall of 1884, over 150 competitors. Besides this Mr. Risk has about 80 head of thorough- bred, high graded short horn cattle. He is a native born citizen

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

of this county, his birth occurring September 18, 1838. His parents were Abram and Melinda (Davenport) Risk, both Ken- tuckians by nativity, and who emigrated here in 1837. Sidney was amongst the first, if not the first white child born within the present limits of Platte county. He was brought up and educated here, hav- ing from early youth been taught the rudiments of a farmer's life. Mr. Risk has been twice married; first, October 10, 1862, to Miss Valaria Thorp, of this county, who died in 1871, leaving five children : Adella, David, Dora, James S. and William M. His second mar- riage occurred July 25, 1872, when Mrs. Harriet Gaunt, originally of Kentucky, became his wife.

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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