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 79
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 79
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752
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
and no man possesses more the confidence and esteem of the people ; a sound and able jurist.
SOLOMON P. MCCURDY - Enrolled April 15, 1845. Came with Judge Norton from Kentucky ; they were partners for a few years ; McCurdy removed to Weston, and thence West, where he at one time was a United States Judge; living now in Salt Lake.
WM. B. SMITH - Enrolled October 7, 1846. Came from Richmond, Ky ; practiced law five or six years and returned to Richmond, where he now resides.
JOHN DONIPHAN -Enrolled March 5, 1849. A nephew of Gen. A. W. Doniphan ; born and reared in Bracken county, Ky. ; resided in Weston for many years, now living in St. Joseph. Represented Platte county in the Legislature ; opposed secession, and was a Union man in the war. A scholar, statesman and jurist ; a deep thinker, and polished gentleman ; a brilliant orator and a successful advocate. He stands among the foremost lawyers of the State.
THOMAS HERNDON - Enrolled September 5, 1849. Reared in Madi- son county, Ky. ; lived in Platte City, where he died in 1876. Opposed secession, and advocated conciliation during the war. Kind-hearted, generous, hospitable, hilarious and genial ; droll, witty and humorous - he was the life of the circle in which he moved.
WM. C. BAKER -Enrolled March 3, 1852. A graduate of Center College, Ky. ; lived in Platte City ; wrote in the clerk's offices; an en- cellent lawyer ; a pure, high-minded and honorable citizen ; a polished gentleman, a diligent student, a great reader and a pleasant com- panion. For several years he has been confined to his room by chronic rheumatism.
H. C. COCKRILL - Enrolled December 6, 1853. A native Missou- rian ; a youth of brilliant talents, handsome person, social habits and an ambitious spirit, he started life in Platte City ; edited paper for several years; was probate judge, and was fast rising to distinction when the war broke out, and he removed to Howard county. He still lives, but has not fulfilled the expectations of his friends.
COL. JAMES N. BURNES -Enrolled September 6, 1853. Came when a child with his father to Platte county, and was reared in Buena Vista ; a graduate of Yale College ; a polished scholar, a profound jurist, an able statesman, an active and zealous politician ; a success- ful banker, and one of the most prominent and honored men in the State. He resided in Weston ; was a judge of the common pleas court of that city ; at first a wild Secessionist, and then a zealous Union man ; a brilliant and impassioned orator and accomplished gentleman.
753
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
He is now banking in St. Joseph, and has proved himself one of the ablest financiers of the country. He now represents the Platte district in Congress.
WILLIAM McNEILL CLOUGH - Enrolled March 21, 1854. Came with his parents to Parkville ; was an energetic and successful business man ; speculated freely in all kinds of property ; an excellent account- ant ; a shrewd manipulator, and an excellent lawyer. He removed during the war to Leavenworth ; did an immense practice, and died insolvent, in 1883, of a chronic disease.
HENRY J. WOLFF - Enrolled September 8, 1854. Resided in Weston ; was for a time a partner of Col. J. N. Burnes ; judge of the Weston court of common pleas ; a talented lawyer, a finished scholar, a good practitioner and an amiable gentleman.
J. E. MERRYMAN - Enrolled July 26, 1856. Born and reared in Estill county, Ky. ; a partner of James G. Spratt, and afterwards of W. M. Paxton; removed to St. Louis in 1878 ; is one of the pro- foundest lawyers and the most successful practitioners in the State ; a chaste orator, a successful advocate and an agreeable gentleman.
L. M. LAWSON - Enrolled November 17, 1856. A brilliant and highly educated youth he came to Platte City, removed to Weston, thence to St. Joseph, and is now a citizen of New York. His literary acquirements, natural talents and brilliant oratory gave him reputa- tion at home and abroad.
R. P. C. WILSON - Enrolled March 4, 1859. A graduate of Cen- ter College, Ky., started his professional life in Texas ; settled for several years in Leavenworth ; was a member of the Kansas Legisla- ture as a Democrat ; came to Platte City just before the war ; opposed secession ; elected to the Legislature, and chosen Speaker of that body ; proved himself an admirable presiding officer; twice chosen State Senator; an able statesman, a profound jurist, a successful ad- vocate, an active politician and a fiery, finished orator ; a perfect gentleman, but under excitement impressive and always fearless ; in face of opposition a Hercules and a Sleulam.
W. H. RONEY - Enrolled November 13, 1866. Lived in Weston ; was successively marshal, clerk and judge of the Weston court of common pleas ; is now clerk of the Platte circuit court. There is no more polite, accommodating and urbane officer, or more genial com- panion in the State ; much loved and trusted ; not now practicing law, but when he offers his services, will find ready clients who know and will trust him for his experience and familiarity with forms and records,
754
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
as well as for his thorough acquaintance with the law and the practice in Missouri.
JAMES W. COBURN - Enrolled November 14, 1866. Born and reared in Mason county, Ky. ; of finished education and superior liter- ary attainments ; formed by nature for the law ; profound judgment and industrious habits; bold, self-reliant and independent ; has been twice elected prosecuting attorney for the county, and his friends are hoping for his advancement to the highest positions in the State.
WM. C. WELLS - Enrolled' December 4, 1871. Born in Ken- tucky ; came as a child with his parents to Parkville ; engaged in the mercantile business in New Market ; removed to Platte City ; per- formed the duties of sheriff and collector; is now engaged in banking. Mr. Wells does not do much practice, owing to the extensive and confining financial business in which he is engaged, having three banks under his charge. He twice represented the county in the Legisla- ture, and is now public administrator. There is no better accountant nor more prudent financier in the State.
JAMES F. PITT- Enrolled April 11, 1874. Was a native of Platte county ; a diligent, laborious student ; talented, self-reliant and trustworthy ; he is now one of the rising young men of St. Joseph.
J. F. MERRYMAN - Enrolled April 11, 1874. Reared in Platte City ; well educated and thoroughly grounded by his learned father, J. E. Merryman, in the principles of the legal science ; he settled in St. Louis ; was sent thence to the Legislature, and is now a hard work- ing and thorough going young lawyer, whose future advancement is confidently predicted.
.
JOHN L. CARMACK - Enrolled April 17, 1878. A resident of Platte City, and a partner of N. B. Anderson ; well educated and endowed by nature with the qualities necessary to success ; he served two years as prosecuting attorney ; is now mayor of the city ; active, persevering and reliable, he must rise to distinction.
The following are members of the Bar of Platte county, Mo., with the date of their enrollment : -
Wm. T. Wood, March 25, 1839.
David R. Atchison, March 25, 1839.
Bela M. Hughes, not enrolled.
Amos Rees, March 25, 1839.
A. W. Doniphan, March 25, 1839. Russell Hicks, March 25, 1839. John A. Gorden, March 25, 1839.
Peter H. Burnett, March 25, 1839.
Andrew S. Hughes, March 25, 1839. James A. Thomas, March 25, 1839.
755
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
A. E. Cannon, March 25, 1839. W. B. Almond, March 25, 1839. Theodore D. Wheaten, March 25, 1839. Solomon L. Leonard, July 22, 1839. Benjamin Hays, November 25, 1840. W. M. Paxton, March 24, 1840. James Foster, March 24, 1840. Geo. W. Dunn, March 25, 1840. Philip L. Edwards, July 27, 1840. Robert C. Ewing, July 27, 1840. William M. Kincaid, July 27, 1840. C. P. Brown, March 22, 1841. James Baldwin, March 22, 1841. Frederick Greenough, July 13, 1841. Richard R. Rees, July 13, 1841. John Wilson, July 13, 1841. Prince L. Hudgens, July 13, 1841. James B. Gardenhire, July 13, 1841. Samuel R. Campbell, July 13, 1841. John R. Hardin, July 21, 1841. Isaac N. Jones, March 28, 1842. L. D. Bird, March 28, 1842. W. P. Hall, July 29, 1842. R. P. Clark, March 29, 1842. J. Hall, July 13, 1842. B. R. Martin, July 13, 1842. John R. Tylee, July 13, 1842 E. M. Ryland, October 26, 1841. Joshua W. Redman, July 20, 1843. B. F. Loan, October 9, 1843. Gus. A. Everts, October 11, 1843. R. T. Barrett, October 19, 1844. Charles F. Ruff, October 14, 1844. Colin Bland, October 8, 1845. George R. Gibson, April 18, 1845. J. M. Jacobs, April 15, 1845. E. H. Norton, April 15, 1845. S. P. McCurdy, April 15, 1845. W. Turner, April 15, 1845. H. M. Vories, April 15, 1845. C. C. Tebbs, April 23, 1845. William Smith, October 7, 1846. Levi T. Carr, October 16, 1846. James H. Baldwin, October 16, 1846. James Davis, March 2, 1847. Jacob B. Hovey, September 8, 1847. James A. Owen, September 9, 1847. Silas H. Woodson, March 4, 1847. John Doniphan, March 5, 1849.
756
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
Thomas Herndon, September 5, 1849. Broadhurst Thompson, September 5, 1849. Shubael Allen, September 21, 1849. Henry Tutt, September 21, 1849. N. B. Giddings, March 3, 1852. H. Mile's Moore, March 3, 1852. William C. Baker, March 3, 1852. William Chrisman, December 9, 1852.
Henry Slack, March 7, 1853. E. S. Wilkinson, March 7, 1853. W. C. Toole, March 7, 1853. James H. Connelly, March 18, 1853. William H. Miller, September 6, 1853.
James Winston, September 6, 1853. Benjamin F. Stringfellow, December 5, 1853. Austin A. King, December 6, 1853. H. C. Cockrill, December 6, 1853. Henry C. Hayden, September 6, 1853. James N. Burnes, September 6, 1853. Calvin F. Burnes, September 6, 1853. Robert W. McDaniel, September 6, 1853. James Doniphan, March 6, 1854. W. M. Clough, March 21, 1854. W. O. Watts, September 6, 1854.
H. J. Wolf, September 8, 1854. George W. McLane, November 27, 1854.
E. N. Clough, March 6, 1855. Gorden Ruby, March 5, 1855.
J. W. Russell, March, 22, 1855.
W. T. Withers, March 7, 1855.
W. S. Carroll, July 3, 1855. A. H. Vories, July 2, 1855. John Wilson, of St. Joe, July 7, 1855.
H. B. Branch, March 10, 1856. J. E. Merryman, July 21, 1856. L. M. Lawson, November 17, 1856. Samuel Hardwicke, March 4, 1857. Thomas C. Booth, November 16, 1857. - Lykins, November 16, 1857.
Benjamin Franklin, November 24, 1857. Saunders, W. Johnston, November 18, 1857. B. L. Henry, July 24, 1857. John R. Boyd, February 24, 1858. Henry Ensworth, February 25, 1858. John D. Hudson, February 25, 1858. John W. Ross, September 1, 1858. Lewis Burnes, September 12, 1859. Thomas B. King, September 5, 1859. William Moore, August 30, 1859.
757
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
-
Thomas Thoroughman, August 30, 1859, R. P. C. Wilson, March 4, 1859. Burton H. Phelps, June 9, 1860. E. O. Sale, March 14, 1860. Moses H. Burton, November 28, 1860. E. G. Heriott, November 29, 1860. Charles B. Wilson, December 10, 1860. S. D. Fulton, December 11, 1860. Joseph P. Grubb, May 26, 1862. James M. Carpenter, May 26, 1862. C. M. Boyd, August 5, 1862. W. P. Gamble, August 5, 1862. . S. S. Ludlum, August 5, 1862. James M. Murray, August 6, 1862. J. C. Greenawalt, December 9, 1864. James Durbin, December 13, 1864. Henry Shutts, September 4, 1865. J. C. Hemingray, September 6, 1865. A. G. Beller, September 9, 1865. J. D. Hines, November 14, 1865. John W. Myers, March 5, 1866. Hiram Griswold, March 13, 1866. W. H. Roney, November 13, 1866. J. W. Coburn, November 14, 1866. Melville Smith, November 16 1866. H. M. Aller, November 19, 1866. J. W. Jenkins, November 23, 1866. Skinner Rush, November 14, 1866. Joseph E. Shaw, November 15, 1866. Geo. M. Smith, November 15, 1866. A. M. Sawyer, November 23, 1866. Norton B. Anderson, November 11, 1867. Louis Georgens, November 12, 1867. H. K. White, November 12, 1867. B. F. Cates, November 20, 1867. T. W. Park, December 16, 1867. H. A. B. Anderson, April 7, 1868. Jas. L. McCluer, April 12, 1869. T. V. Bryant, April 15, 1869. Henry N. Ess, April 6, 1869. Larkin Fleshman, April 14, 1869. W. B. Watts, April 5, 1869. Wm. Forman, October 4, 1869. Jeff. Chandler, October 4, 1869. Sam. C. Woodson, October 4, 1869. Byron Sherry, December 6, 1869. H. T. Green, December 10, 1869. L. T. Oliver, December 13, 1870. Thos. J. Porter, April 3, 1871.
758
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
W. C. Wells, December 4, 1871. William Carpenter, October 6, 1872. Stephen A. Peery, October 15, 1872. J. H. Shanklin, October 15, 1872. J. L. Farris, October 17, 1872. W. J. Stone, October 21, 1872. W. T. Hughes, October 23, 1872. J. W. Taylor, November 24, 1873. J. F. Pitt, April 11, 1874. J. F. Merryman, April 11, 1874.
M. A. Low, April 13, 1874.
H. H. Hodges, April 14, 1874.
B. J. Woodson, October 17, 1874.
J. T. Reynolds, April 9, 1875. W. P. Chiles, October 14, 1875.
P. T. Gallagher, October 16, 1875.
D. D. Burnes, October 15, 1875.
Archalaus Woodson, September 18, 1877.
J. L. Carmack, April 17, 1878. Charles Hayden, September 27, 1878.
O. D. Guthrie, March 26, 1879. H. F. Simrall, March 21, 1879.
J. M. Sandusky, March 21, 1879.
T. M. Humphrey, July 10, 1879. H. W. Ide, September 25, 1879.
J. F. Thomas, October 1, 1879.
T. F. C. James, March 20, 1880. Vinton Pike, March 24, 1880. James F. Thomas, March 24, 1880.
T. P. Fenlon, September 22, 1880. John A. Hale, September 22, 1880. John W. Norton, September 30, 1880. W. S. Herndon, April 4, 1881. John W. Coots, September 24, 1881.
Robert T. Holt, September 24, 1881.
James T. Clayton, March 20, 1882.
E. S. Gosney, September 19, 1882. Geo. F. Ballingall, March 21, 1883. H. C. Ellis, March 28, 1883. Jarret W. Todd, March 28, 1883.
W. A. Bannister, March 31, 1883.
J. H. Chinn, March 31, 1883.
S. B. Green, March 19, 1884.
H. C. Timmonds, September 16, 1884.
J. T. Craig, March 23, 1885.
COUNTY COURT JUDGES.
The first judges of the county court, as we have stated, were Judges Byrd McCafferty and Collier. Their successors have been
759
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
Daniel P. Lewis, James Kuykendall, Matthew M. Hughes, H. B. Mayo, Jno. Freeland, James H. Layton, James B. Martin, Thompson Ward, Wm. D. Barnett, Edward P. Duncan, Peter Rogers, Lewis Wood, Jno. Broadhurst, Preston Dunlap, Samuel M. Hays, Noah Beety, A. G. Brown, Jacob Hamm, Benjamin R. Martin, Thomas H. Talbott, Henry M. Allen, John S. Brasfield, Wm. E. Cunningham, George W. Noland, Jos. E. Ireland, Jas. S. Owen.
PROBATE COURT.
Up to March, 1849, by act of the Legislature of 1848-49, a probate court was established. The following have been the judges : James Kuykendall, Jas. G. Spratt, Robert P. Clark, H. Clay Cockrill and Samuel A. Gilbert. Judge Wm. P. Chiles is the present judge. He has served several consecutive terms.
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS AT WESTON.
In 18- a court of common pleas was established at Weston. It had concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court in civil cases.
By an act of the Legislature the act authorizing this court was abolished. The judges in the order named were as follows: L. D. Bird, Sol. P. S. McCurdy ( former law partner of Judge E. H. Norton), James Doniphan, H. J. Wolf, James N. Burnes, John Doniphan, Samuel A. Gilbert and Henry W. Roney. Judge Roney is now the circuit clerk.
43
CHAPTER XIII. POLITICS AND PUBLIC MEN.
First Election, 1838 - Succeeding Elections - Votes of the County Since 1856 - Public Officials.
From the time of its organization to the present Platte county has exercised an influence of marked weight in the public affairs of the State. Not a few of the leading men of Missouri have been citizens of this county. From David R. Atchison and John Wilson, in the early history of the county, to E. W. Norton and R. P. C. Wilson of to-day, representative men of Platte county have occupied enviable positions among the foremost of the State. Besides the four already mentioned, the names of Solomon L. Leonard, William B. Almond, Peter H. Burnett, James W. Denver, Willard P. Hall, Bela M. Hughes, Benjamin F. Stringfellow, Benjamin F. Loan, E. H. Norton, John Doniphan, James M. Burnes and L. M. Lawson are recalled. Sketches of all of these are given in the preceding chapter - the Bench and Bar.
From the beginning the county has been uniformly Democratic, generally by very large majorities.
FIRST ELECTION - 1838.
The first election worthy of mention held in the territory now included in Platte county was in 1838, the general election for State and county officers. It was then a part of Clay county, or was at- tached to that county, by act of the Legislature, for civil and military purposes.
Clay county proper was strongly Whig at that time, but it was confidently believed that a large majority of the settlers in the new country attached to Clay would be for the Democrats. Much interest, therefore, was felt in the result and strenuous efforts to carry the election as a whole were made by both sides. The contest was one of much warmth and excitement.
The chief interest taken in the election was directed to the race for the Legislature -the Senate and the House. For this senatorial dis- trict - Clay, Clinton and the Platte Purchase1-the Democratic candi-
1 Possibly other counties also.
(760)
1
761
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
dates were James T. V. Thompson, of Clay, and Cornelius Gilman, of the territory attached to Clinton county. David R. Atchison, James M. Hughes and Jesse Morin were the Democratic candidates for the House from Clay county, the latter of the annexed territory to Clay.1 On the Whig side but two of the candidates are remembered, Judge W. T. Wood, lately judge of the Lafayette circuit, but at that time a citizen of Clay county, and David D. Moore, of the annexed ter- ritory.
The Whigs carried everything with a rush across the line in Clay and east of the Purchase, but when the new settlements on this side were reached a Democratic bulwark was encountered, upon which they could hardly make an impression. They had received nearly every vote before they reached the line that they were destined to receive. Here the people proved to be Democratic with almost unparalleled unanimity, and the result of the election depended not on the relative strength of parties here but upon the number of voters in the new territory. The majority with which the Whigs came across the line was soon overcome - and the Democrats of the Platte were still voting. At last the polls were closed with the setting of the sun, and the day had been won by the Democrats by an overwhelming majority. All five of the Democratic candidates for the Legislature (Senate and House ) were elected and their general county ticket was successful. This was a great surprise to the Whigs of Clay and hardly less a sur- prise to the Democrats, but as gratifying to the latter as it was dis- appointing and mortifying to the former. Coming thus at a time when the field seemed lost, and winning so decisive a victory, the Democrats of Platte were given the name of " The Tenth Legion of Democracy," after that puny legion of old that came on a losing field and wrenched victory from the very jaws of defeat.
Gen. Atchison made some of the greatest speeches of his life dur- ing this campaign, and by his ability and eloquence attracted atten- tion throughout the State. The foundation of his subsequent success and prominence in public life was laid : the people of the State were introduced to the David of Democracy who was to slay the political Goliah of the State - Benton, a man with less real Democracy than any one else could have maintained himself in public life with for half the period he flourished among a people so thoroughly Democratic as those of Missouri were at that time.
1 Gen. Atchison moved to Platte county soon afterwards.
-
762
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
SUCCEEDING ELECTIONS.
By the time the next general election occurred -the election of 1840 - Platte county had been organized. This was a Presidential year, the year when " Tippecanoe and Tyler, too " (not " Me Too," of New York ), swept the country. It was a great Whig revival and hard cider flowed freely in every log cabin of the Whigs, and every- where on the hustings.
In Platte county a full corps of county officers, excepting a few officials who held over under the law, were to be elected. The county being concededly so largely Democratic, the election here was a very quiet one. The Whigs made a very poor showing of strength. Maj. Wm. H. Spratt says that of 1,500 and more votes cast, but 25 were Whig votes, and that his was one of the 25.1
The following county officers were elected : James R. Holt, rep- resentative ; Jones H. Owen, sheriff ; Jesse Morin, circuit clerk ; James H. Johnson, county clerk ; Frederick Marshall, treasurer ; W. C. Remington, assessor, and James Kuykendall,2 Daniel P. Lewis and Matthew M. Hughes, county court justices.
The most noted man brought to the front by this election was Dr. David R. Holt, elected to the State House of Representatives. He was. a man of collegiate education and varied attainments. After graduating at Washington College he took a course in theology and was ordained a Presbyterian minister. Subsequently he studied med- icine and became a regular practitioner of medicine. He was a man of fine natural ability and of a most amiable character. Both in the pulpit and as a physician he took rank among the foremost in this part of the State.
Dr. Holt came to Platte county from Boone county in 1837. He was originally from Tennessee, but came to Missouri from Virginia. Following his election to the Legislature he was a prominent candi- date for Speaker of the House. He died, soon after taking his seat. Holt county, this State, was named for him, in honor of his memory. His loss was profoundly deplored.
Hon. D. A. Sutton was elected to fill out Dr. Holt's unexpired term.
Gen. David R. Atchison was appointed judge of the Platte circuit by the Governor. He served until 1843, when he resigned and was
1 Up to 1856 there are no records in the county clerk's office of votes cast.
2 Brother to Col. Kuykendall, one of the hero patriots of the Republic of Texas. - Youakim's History of Texas.
763
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
succeeded by Henderson Young. Gen. Atchison had been appointed United States Senator from this State.
The elections from 1840 to 1856 created no unusual excitement. However, the Whigs gradually increased in numbers and influence and several times candidates of their party, men of special personal popularity, were successful. The growth of the Whig party in this county was largely due to the ability and leadership of a few promi- nent citizens who were members of that party. Chief among them were Hon. John Wilson and Hon. John Doniphan. The former was the recognized leader of the party and one of the foremost Whigs in the State. Hon. John Wilson was a man of commanding ability and strict integrity. He squared his life according to what he be- lieved to be right and he was politically as honest and true as he was in private life. Of positive character, outspoken and manly, there was nothing of the time-server, the trimmer or political weather-cock in his nature. With him fidelity to the Whig party was felt to be one of the highest of moral obligations, and whenever its interests were at stake there was no service for it too great for him to undertake, no sacrifice too great to make. It is little less than inspiring to read the ringing declarations of this gallant old leader of the Whig party in Platte county proclaiming, long after his party as a State and Na- tional organization was dead and buried, that he would still hold its banner aloft and fight its battles, though he stood single-handed and alone in the conflict.
When he came to this county from Howard county, in 1841, there was practically no Whig party here. But by his exertions, elo- quence and good management he succeeded in building up a strong party, and in 1856, in a total vote in the county of nearly 2,500, he came within about 200 of carrying it. The vote stood : Buchanan, 1,263 ; Filmore, 1,040. In 1860 the vote on Governor was: C. F. Jackson, 1,056 ; Sample Orr, 1,005 ; Hancock Jackson, 338.
Col. Wilson had able lieutenants around him as a political leader. John Doniphan was young and brilliant, full of enthusiasm, and a natural orator. Politically and personally he was devotedly attached to his always faithful and fearless leader. Then there was Judge W. M. Paxton, a man whose indorsement of any party or individual was and is a certificate of character that goes without question wherever he is known. He was a zealous Whig through defeat after defeat of his party, as he would have been modest and magnanimous if every defeat had been a victory. Like Wilson and Doniphan he was a
764
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
Whig, not as a means of obtaining prominence and position, but be- cause he believed the Whig party to be right.
Besides these there were others not less active and useful in the Whig party. Hon. L. M. Lawson, now of the banking firm of Don- nell, Lawson & Co., New York City, was a tower of strength to the Whig party. He was one of the finest speakers in Western Missouri.
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