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 38

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 38
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 38

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here in 1844. The mother died in 1850. Capt. Allen G. Reed, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Clark county, Ky., and at the age of 21, in 1833, preceded his father's family to Missouri. He came direct to Clay county, the family following during the next year. After farming for about a year in this county, he engaged as a clerk in a store at Liberty and two years later bought an interest in the store. In 1838 he bought a farm some six miles northwest of Liberty, retiring from the mercantile business, and followed farming for about eight years. He then engaged in partnership with Maj. John Dough- erty, of Clay, in freighting west to Santa Fe and other points, and con- tinued in the freighting business until 1846, becoming very successful and one of the largest freighters west. At one time he was running as many as 140 teams. Besides this he was engaged in merchandising during the last two years of his freighting experience. After quitting the West he bought out his partner's interest in the store at Liberty, and carried on the store at that place until 1858. Although actively engaged in merchandising at Liberty during this time, he had consid- erable outside business, and during a part of the time was again largely interested in freighting. In 1858 Capt. Reed failed in business, his liabilities being $10,000 and his assets $40,000. Thus he paid every dollar of indebtedness and subsequently went to Denver, Col., where he engaged in the stock business. He built the first brick house erected at Denver. While extensively engaged in the stock business, he was also largely engaged in railway contracting, furnish- ing ties to the Union Pacific Railroad, having his headquarters in that business at Laramie City, W. T. At one time he had as high as 400 men in his employ as railway contractor. But while his business was quite profitable, he was called upon to bear a misfortune which more than offset all the mere material success this life can afford. His eld- est son Robert Reed was his paymaster, and after drawing the money at the express office at Laramie City to pay the hands with, he was mur- dered in cold blood in the streets of the place and in open daylight by several desperate characters for the purpose of robbery. It is a trite saying that one's misfortunes never come singly, So it proved with Capt. Reed. About the same time, having over 3,500 head of sheep in a mountain ravine, a sudden heavy rain came on, or water-spout broke above the head of the ravine, and the water was thus suddenly raised to the depth of from five to twelve feet, and his entire flock of sheep

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

were swept away and drowned. This took the last dollar he had but he was out of debt. Out there where sheep were rated at a high value at that time that reverse, of itself, was the loss of a respectable for- tune. After this Capt. Reed returned home to Clay county and once more turned his attention to farming near Liberty on a handsome place of 250 acres. On the farm he has a valuable mineral spring, said by competent chemists to show as good medicinal qualities as the water of any springs in the State. It has not been developed and advertised, however, and is therefore not used as a resort, as doubtless it otherwise would be. Capt. Reed is a man of wonderful energy and fine business qualifications, one of that class of men whom even " bad luck " can't keep down. Mrs. Reed had some money left her from her father's estate, which her husband invested very wisely and to advantage in cattle. Upon their return from Colorado she was enabled to pay a second time for the farm here mentioned. Capt. Reed very modestly disclaims any credit arising from his supposed excellent financial condition, attributing it to his wife. Capt Reed has been married three times. His first wife, nee Miss Lucinda Adkins, was a sister to D. J. Adkins, whose sketch appears elsewhere. She left two children at her death : Irene, now the wife of A. T. Litchfield, and Robert who was murdered at Laramie City, W. T. In 1868 he was married to Miss Polly Neill, who survived her marriage only a few weeks. His present wife was a Miss Missouri A. A. Bivens, daughter of Tenman Bivens. They have three children : James F., sheriff of Clay county, whose sketch appears below; Katie, the wife of William H. Saeger, cashier of the Citizens' National Bank, at Kansas City, and Emma. Mrs. Reed and three daughters are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church.

JAMES F. REED

(Sheriff of Clay county, Liberty).

Mr. Reed, the popular sheriff of this county, was born and reared here, and the confidence which the people have in him is therefore in- telligently placed, for they have known him from boyhood and have had every opportunity to judge of his character and qualifications. It is easy enough for one of good address to go into a community of strangers and by proper effort to make a highly favorable impression, thus securing the esteem and confidence of those who know little about him. But it is not so with the one who has been born and reared in the community where he puts himself up for the suffrages of the people. If there is any kink in his character they know it and will re- pudiate him, for however big a rascal a voter may be himself he will turn up his nose and refuse to vote for a dishonest man with as much virtuous indignation as if he were the impersonation of purity and essence of all the excellencies of character. Mr. Reed was born at Liberty, April 11, 1852, and was a son of Allen G. and Missouri A. Reed, the father formerly of Kentucky, but the mother born and reared in this county. She was her husband's second wife, and is still

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

living, a resident of this county. The father came here with his parents when a youth, and afterwards married and made this his home. His first wife died, and he was subsequently married to Miss Bivens. In 1859 he went to Pike's Peak, lived in Colorado ten years, and then returned to Liberty, Mo., where he still lives. James F. Reed grew up in this county, and has lived in this county all his life, except six years spent in Colorado and one year in Texas. When a young man he engaged in stock trading and farming. In 1878 he was appointed deputy sheriff under Mr. Timberlake, under whom he served for four years. In 1882 he was elected sheriff, and in 1884 was re-elected without opposition. While deputy sheriff he was city marshal for two years. March 20, 1883, he was married to Miss Fannie Wymore, a daughter of William H. Wymore, formerly of Kentucky. Mrs. Reed is a graduate of the Clay Seminary, and is a lady of refinement. She is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Reed is a member of the Odd Fellows' Order.

CAPT. JAMES T. RILEY

(Dealer in Furniture, Undertaker's Goods and Carpets, Liberty).

Capt. Riley, who has had a very active career and one not without substantial success, was born and reared in this county, and at the age of seventeen began clerking in a country store near Mt. Gilead Church. After a year spent there he became clerk for Denny & Clark, of Lib- erty, and continued with them for four years. The next five years he clerked for Miller, McCarty & Co., at Liberty, the leading business house of the county. In 1860 he quit clerking to engage in the sheep trade, and bought a large drove of sheep, which he took to Texas for sale. After his return he resumed clerking and was engaged in that occupation when the war broke out. Early in 1861 he enlisted in the Southern service, becoming a member of Capt. McCarty's company under Col. John T. Hughes. Capt. Riley was in nearly all the en- gagements fought in this State in the early part of the war. At the battle of Carthage he received a flesh wound, which, however, was not serious. He was also slightly wounded at the battle of Oak Hill. After that engagement, early in 1862, being then in Texas, he became a member of Capt. J. W. Sedberrie's company, under Col. J. W. Sheight. This regiment was shortly ordered to Galveston and later along was consolidated with Col. Cook's regiment of heavy artillery, in which Capt. Riley served until the close of the war. For merito- rious conduct and gallantry he arose from the ranks as a private to the commission of captain in command of Co. A. At the retaking of Galveston he was again wounded. At the close of the war he found himself without a dollar. However, he went to work in Texas and in a short time gathered up some little means with which he bought (partly on time ) a drove of cattle at the low prices than prevailing. These he took to Memphis, Tenn., where he sold them, with a good profit left after the purchase money and all expenses were paid. Af- ter this Capt. Riley returned to Clay county, but went back to Texas

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

in a short time, going, however, by way of St. Louis and New Or- leans, and taking on his trip, in partnership with Maj. M. Dearing, a large quantity of supplies from St. Louis to the Crescent City, as a business enterprise. This also proved a profitable investment. In Texas, Riley and Dearing bought a drove of 400 head of cattle and brought them to Barton county, where they sold them at a good profit. Capt. Riley then returned to Liberty and became a partner in the firm of D. D. Miller & Co., in general merchandise. Five years later the firm became Stone & Riley. In 1878, Capt. Riley sold his interest in the above named firm and then engaged in the furniture business, which he has since continued. He has the leading furniture estab- lishment of the county. In the spring of 1884 he established a branch furniture store at Kearney, which is doing a good business. Decem- ber 1, 1869, Mr. Riley was married to Miss Mollie Stone, daughter of George Stone and sister of R. J. Stone, his former partner in business. Mrs. R. is a lady of education and culture, a graduate of Clay Seminary. The Captain and Mrs. R. have four child- ren : Kate, Louise, Nannie and Mary Ross. Both parents are members of the Christian Church. He has served as city treasurer, and in 1880 was elected public administrator of Clay county, which office he filled for four years, and was re-elected in 1884. Capt. Riley was born in this county May 22, 1836, and was a son of H. M. and Caltha (Cotton ) Riley, who came here from Fayette county, Ky., in 1727. They located near Gilead Church, where they resided a num- ber of years and then removed to Liberty. The father died here in 1860.

JAMES S. ROBB

(Farmer and Fine Stock Raiser, Post-office, Liberty) .

The family of which Mr. Robb is a representative settled in this country originally in Pennyslvania. Mr. R.'s grandfather, William Robb, who early removed to Kentucky, was a brother of Judge Robert Robb, who was adjutant-general in the War of 1812, and for many ' years district judge in Kentucky. Two other brothers, David and Joshua, located in Ohio. David made the race for Congress at a time when his district included nearly all of Eastern Ohio ; he was de- feated by his opponent by only four majority, after which Gen. Jackson, who was then President, appointed him Indian Agent. A son of Judge Robert Robb, Joseph Robb, held the office of judge and clerk of Lewis county, Ky., for 44 years. Mr. R.'s grandfather set- tled in Lewis county, Ky., and there William W. Robb, James S.'s father, was born and reared. He married a Miss Margaret M. Piper, and of this union James S. was born April 2, 1846, in Mason county, Ky., in which county his father settled. The father and mother are both living, and make their home with their children. There were two sons and a daughter in the family besides the subject of this sketch. The daughter is now the wife of Jasper Johnson, and resides in Illinois. James S. Robb was reared in Kentucky, and at the age of 18 began as a clerk and book-keeper in a wholesale store at Maysville.

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

After about two years he engaged in farming and continued that until 1871, when he came to Pleasant Hill, Mo. He resided there for about two years, but was not in any active business on account of ill-health. In 1873 he removed to Greene county, Ill., and engaged in buying and shipping stock, which he followed for some five years with excellent success. August 29, 1879, he was married to Miss Annie B. Hodge, a daughter of Dr. John Hodge, deceased, late a prominent physician of Greene county, Ill. In 1879 Mr. Robb removed to Clay county, Mo., and three years ago bought the farm where he now resides. He has a good place of 280 acres, a mile south of Liberty, one of the choice farms of the county. He has a small herd, six head, of fine Jersey cattle, and a large flock of fine Cotswold sheep. Mr. and Mrs. R. have four children : Mary, Ella, Margie and Mabel. The Robb family was originally from Scotland, and have been Presbyterians from time immemorial.

WILLIAM R. ROTHWELL, D. D.

(Professor of Theology and Moral Philosophy in William Jewell College, Liberty, Mo.)

Rev. Dr. Rothwell is a prominent representative of the old and re- spected family of Rothwells, of Callaway county, this State, but origi- nally ofVirginia. A somewhat extended notice of the Rothwell family is given in the History of Callaway County, recently published. . It is also referred to in the histories of Randolph county, where Hon. Gideon F. Rothwell resides, and of Audrain county, of which Dr. Thomas P. Rothwell is a resident. From the United States Biograph- ical Dictionary (Missouri volume), we reproduce the following sketch of Rev. Dr. Rothwell's life : -

William R. Rothwell was born in Garrard county, Ky., September 2, 1831. His parents, John Rothwell, M. D., and China Renfro, daughter of Dr. William Renfro, of Garrard county, Ky., were of Virginian birth and English descent. They had six children, three sons and three daughters.

In 1831, soon after the birth of the subject of this sketch, they emigrated to Callaway county, Missouri. William, from early child- hood, was studious and gave great promise of becoming an eminent scholar. He attended the common schools in the county in which his father resided, and with the help of two short terms at academies, was prepared in 1851 to enter the Missouri University, from which he graduated with the degree of A. M., July 4, 1854, taking the first honor in a class of ten.

At the time of his graduation he had decided upon the medical pro- fession, but his plans were changed by his being, in the same year, elected principal of Elm Ridge Academy, Howard county, Mo., where he received a very encouraging salary, and, being stimulated by suc- cess, he remained for two and one-half years, when he was elected the first president of the Baptist Female College, at Columbia, Mo., (now known as Stephens College). After one year of service there he was elected to succeed Rev. William Thompson, LL. D., as presi-

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

dent of Mt. Pleasant College, Huntsville, Mo., which position he held with great success for twelve years.

In 1860 he was ordained to the ministry, having been converted in 1853 under the preaching of Rev. Tyre C. Harris, Columbia, Mo., and was successively pastor of the Baptist churches at Huntsville and Keytesville, Mo.

During the years 1871-72 he was corresponding secretary of the Baptist General Association of Missouri, in which position he ac- quitted himself with marked ability. His letters and communications while corresponding secretary are noted as being among the most graceful and forcible that have emanated in the interest of that body.

In 1872 Mr. Rothwell was unanimously elected professor of the- ology and moral philosophy in William Jewell College, which position he still holds (1885). He was also the acting president of the college from 1873 to 1883.

In 1874 his Alma Mater, the University of Missouri, in honorable recognition of his distinction as a man of letters, conferred upon him the dignity of Divinitatis Doctor. Every moment of Dr. Rothwell's time since his graduation has been one of intellectual activity and usefulness.

In 1855 he married Louisa Hughes, daughter of Allen Hughes, of Howard county, Mo. In 1860 Mrs. Rothwell died, leaving one son, John Hughes Rothwell, now 26 years old, and a resident physician of Liberty, Mo., who gives rare promise of excellence in his profes- sion, being a full graduate of William Jewell College and of Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York.

In 1863 Dr. Rothwell married Miss Fannie A. Pitts, daughter of Rev. Y. R. Pitts, near Glasgow, Mo., and to them has been born a son, Younger Pitts Rothwell, now a member of the senior class in the college with which his father is connected.

Perhaps in few homes in the State could be found a more complete library than in Dr. Rothwell's. He has spared neither time nor ex- pense in adding to it the standard works on theology and moral philosophy, besides valuable encyclopedias. His taste for literature and his desire for improvement has drawn about him friends of high social standing. He is in perfect sympathy with the Baptist workers throughout the State, and they enjoy the hospitalities of Dr. and Mrs. Rothwell's beautiful home.

Politically he is a Democrat, always voting, but not otherwise taking any great interest in politics.

Dr. Rothwell has a very commanding appearance, being six feet high and very erect. He is in the prime of life and mental vigor, is mild mannered, possesses easy dignity, and is very modest and unas- suming. His sense of duty impels him to the front whenever prin- ciple or honor calls. He is a " ripe scholar," of elegant culture, and a man of liberal and expansive views. Perhaps no man in the State stands higher in the love and confidence of his denomination of Christians than he.

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

HORATIO F. SIMRALL (Liberty).

The subject of this sketch was born in Shelby county, Ky., May 3, 1845. His parents were James Simrall and Cynthia Fritzlen Simrall, his father being of Virginia parentage and Scotch ancestry. Senator Simrall's mother, of German and Scotch ancestry, is yet living, a resi- dent of Shelby county, Ky. ; his father died in May, 1863. Mr. Simrall was educated at Shelby College, Ky., from which he gradu- ated in the class of 1866, having taken the classical course. He was one of the teachers in that institution for the last ten months of his course. On leaving college he followed teaching and farming during the winter and summer respectively for about two years, at the same time devoting his leisure hours to the study of law. Following this he entered the Law Department of the University of Louisville, from which he graduated in 1868. One year after leaving the University he . moved to Liberty, Clay county, Mo., and engaged in the practice of his profession, in partnership with Col. Henry L. Routt, which con- tinued with mutual profit and satisfaction for about two years, when the firm dissolved. Mr. Simrall then entered into copartnership with James M. Sandusky, a young lawyer just admitted to the bar, which copartnership yet continues, and the firm enjoys a wide reputation and lucrative practice. Mr. Simrall brought to his profession a thoroughly trained mind; the habits of study, which characterized him at school and college, have never forsaken him. He is well versed in the legal profession and thoroughly familiar with all the leading decisions. Senator Simrall is a man of good personnel, gen- erous in his impulses, liberal in his views, and courteous in manners. He is a fluent talker, and whether on the hustings or at the bar never speaks without striking at the heart of the subject. In politics he is a Democrat -thoroughly versed in the tenets of his party - and has several times held positions of public trust. He was prosecuting attorney of Clay county in the years 1875 and 1876 and 1883 and 1884. At the fall election in 1884 he was elected State Senator for the third district, composed of the counties of Clay, Platte and Clinton, having received the unanimous nomination of his party convention. In December, 1874, he was married to Miss Mattie J. Denny, a daughter of John A. Denny, Esq., one of the early settlers of Clay county. Mrs. Simrall is a graduate of Liberty Female Seminary. They have three children : Denny, Horatio F., and an infant son not yet named. Mr. and Mrs. Simrall are of the Presbyterian faith, and are both members of the local congregation at Liberty.

JOHN J. STOGDALE

(Clothier, Grain and Produce Dealer, and County Treasurer, Liberty).

Born near Moberly December 12, 1844, the subject of this sketch came of one of the early and respected families of Randolph county.

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

In the pioneer days of that county his father, William Stogdale, located there from Virginia, being then a young man only about 18 years of age. He became an energetic farmer of that county, and was married to Miss Susan Gashwiler, a daughter of - Gashwiler, another early settler, and originally from Pennsylvania. She, how- ever, was born while her parents were residents of Kentucky. In 1850 Mr. Stogdale, his brother-in-law, J. W. Gashwiler, afterwards Gen. Gashwiler, and a number of others, went to California. There Mr. Stogdale, Sr., died some eight months afterward, in the fall of 1850. Gen. Gashwiler remained permanently in California, and became one of the prominent and wealthy men of the State. He was very successful in mining, and became one of the millionaires of the Pacific coast. Indeed, it is a matter of record that a single check of his was honored for $1,000,000. John J. Stogdale, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Randolph county and given an advanced collegiate education. However, in 1862, at the age of 18, he went to St. Louis, where he was employed as salesman in the house of Collins & Son, in which position he continued for some two years. He then resigned his position and entered William Jewell College, following a course there of five years, at the end of which he graduated with marked distinction, being among the first in his class. At the annual meeting of the Alumni Association he delivered the address as one of the prominent post-graduates of the institution. After his graduation Mr. Stogdale engaged in the grocery business at Liberty, commencing in the first place on a small capital. This, however, was increased from time to time until 1872, when he sold out, having one of the leading grocery stores of the county. It was then that Mr. Stogdale established his clothing house, which he has ever since carried on with such marked success. He has an annual trade in the cloth line alone of over $40,000. He has also been in the produce trade for some time, especially the lines of apples and potatoes. In 1883 he shipped over 10,000 barrels of apples, and his shipments this year will exceed over 50 car loads. He has a large fruit evaporator for drying apples, at which he has employed about 20 hands. His present works require 120 bushels of apples to keep them running at full capacity. How- ever, he is increasing the capacity of his works, and will shortly require 240 bushels daily. This is one of the successful industries of the place, and has been made such by his enterprise and business ability. Mr. Stogdale has always taken a marked interest in the cause of education, and has served in the office of school director for some three years, in order to assist in maintaining good schools at Liberty. In 1882 he was elected county treasurer, and such is his high standing and popularity that he received more votes in the county than were cast for both his competitors combined. In September, 1874, he was married to Miss Belle Miller, a daughter of R. H. Miller, editor of the Liberty Tribune. Mrs. S. was educated at the Liberty Female College. They have two children : Robert W. and Emma S. Mr. S. is a business man of energy and enterprise, and one of the repre- sentative citizens of the county. He is a man of pleasant, agreeable

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presence, and more than ordinarily popular manners, both personally and as a county official.

ROCKWELL J. STONE

(Dealer in General Merchandise, Liberty).

Mr. Stone began mercantile life as a clerk. He served two years in that capacity in the store of M. & D. D. Miller, at Liberty. Sub- sequently he went to Montana, but returned in the fall of 1866. The following spring Mr. Stone engaged in the dry goods business at this place, opening a stock in the building which he but recently moved out of, and where he sold goods for 14 years, continuously. Last fall he erected a business house on the south side of the square, which he moved into after its completion and now occupies. This is one of the neatest and best business rooms at Liberty, and is specially arranged for handling dry goods. Mr. Stone has built up a good business, and now has an annual trade of about $30,000. He also carries a line of boots and shoes and lines of other goods usually found in a dry goods store. February 3, 1874, Mr. Stone was married to Miss Julia L. Withers, daughter of Abijah Withers, one of the pioneers of this county. Mrs. Stone is a graduate of Hughes' Female Seminary. They have five children : George, Edwin, Miller, Lee, and an infant son, Dudley Steele Stone. Mrs. S. is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Stone is one of the well respected and influential citizens of Liberty, and has served two terms as mayor.

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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