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 91

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 91
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 91

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

conduct, and his great personal popularity has proven a source of liberal patronage among those whom he has so long known. Col. and Mrs. Wood have been blessed with three sons and three daughters, all of whom, save one young lady at home, are married. One son, John Wood, died in 1870, aged about 30 years; he was unmarried. Mrs. W. is a member of the M. E. Church. Her husband belongs to Parkville Masonic Lodge. Col. Wood is recognized as one of the sub- stantial men of this place.

CHAPTER XX.

MAY TOWNSHIP.

Boundary - Physical Features - Early Settlers - Barry -Pioneer Preachers and Church Members - Linkville -Principal Business Houses of the Place -- Its Con- dition as a Business Center - Biographical.

BOUNDARY.

May township was formed from Carroll and Pettis and includes nine sections of the southwest of township 53, range 33, nine sections of the northwest of township 51, range 33, four sections of the north- east of township 51, range 34 and six sections of the southeast of town- ship 52, range 34, and contains 28 square miles. The township was named for Dr. May, a native of Kentucky, who came to Platte county and settled in what is now May township, at the head of Todd's creek.

PHYSICAL FEATURES.

This township, like Platte county generally, was originally a tim- bered district, a small portion being prairie. The general surface is uneven and in some places the soil is thin. and a small portion even rocky. Some very fine farms have been cleared in the township and it numbers among its settlers some of the representative agriculturists of Platte county. Fresh water springs are found in different sections and it is well watered by Todd's creek, Second creek and other small streams having their source in this county.

EARLY SETTLERS. 4.

The first settlers in the township, like the early settlers of other townships, have mostly past away. Among these were Wm. Brown, Townsend Brown, James Brown, Wm. Hoy, Samuel Hoy, Dowell Durbin, Allen Chance, Adam C. Woods, William Woods, Wm. Fox, Wm. Fox. (No. 2), John Andrews, William Berry, James Berry, Wm. Lewis, Dowd English, J. B. Cox, Bradley Cox, Wilson Williams, Gen. Rodgers, Wm. Wilson, Washington Drew, Peter Rodgers, Wm. Conway, R. C. Brown, L. Allen, J. W. Drew, Sashell Brown, John Broadhurst, J. C. Dyster. The population of the township in 1880 was 899.

(872)

873

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

BARRY.

Barry is in the southeastern part of the township ; is situated on the line dividing Platte and Clay counties, and is partly in both. The first building in the place was erected by Glenn Burnett, the brother of Peter Burnett, in 1834. It was a one story log building used for store purposes. We have made mention of this place in connection with the history of Clay county, a portion of its limits being within that county. In 1837 there were about six houses there.

PIONEER PREACHERS AND CHURCH MEMBERS.

James Cox, a native of Kentucky, was the first minister ; he belonged to the Christian Church known as Reformers.

The Primitive Baptists built a log church four miles west of Barry in 1840. Peter Simpson was the first preacher of this denomination. He was noted for his manner of dress, which was usually a blue coat with brass buttons. The Browns and Hoys were among the prominent members of the Baptist Church, while James and William Berry, Allen Chance, Hiram Waller and Gen. Rodgers were pillars in the Christian Church. Richard Cain is thought to have taught the first school in about 1841 or 1842.

LINKVILLE

, is situated on the north line of the township, and was laid out in 1871 by Levi Link and John Harrell, partners in the first store. In 1873 they sold out to Henry Nichols. Nichols sold out in 1876 to Thomas Slaughter. About one year after Jesse and Thomas Slaughter became partners, and built a new store room, and Crigler & Nunnelly put a stock of drugs in Slaughter's old building. Nunnelly afterward sold his interest to Dr. Adkins, and Crigler & Adkins sold out to J. O. Johnson & Co. The principal business houses are J. O. Johnson & Co., general store ; Slaughter & Elgin, general store ; W. Thornhill, saloon. Mr. Slaughter is the present postmaster.

The town is nicely situated, at the edge of the prairie, on the cross roads between Platte City and Liberty and Smithville and Parkville, making a regular thoroughfare, and the surrounding country being thickly settled, as a natural consequence there is a great deal of travel through here and the business of the town is prosperous.

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JAMES M. COX

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

When he was three years old, J. B. Cox, the father of James M., and a Virginian by birth, was taken by his parents to Kentucky, and from that time on he was reared in Anderson county, that State. There he was subsequently married, after reaching manhood, to Miss Angeline Arnold, of Kentucky birth. In 1834 the family became residents of Missouri, and located in Clay county, where they remained for three years, coming thence to Platte county in 1837. Here Mr. Cox entered land and improved a farm, and soon established himself as a representative farmer and stock-raiser of this county. He still lives in May township, but not on the original place which he first improved. James M. was born after the settlement of the family in this county, on the 18th of August, 1841, and has spent his entire life within its borders. He is well acquainted with this county and the majority of people in it, and has made steady progress in the ac- cumulation of property. In youth he received the benefit of an edu- cation such as the common schools afforded. In 1872 he purchased his present homestead, which contains nearly 120 acres of land, well improved and in cultivation, and which he is conducting in an excel- lent manner. He has served as deputy assessor of this county, and has helped make seven assessments. He was once a candidate before the convention for the position of assessor, and received a very flattering support from his numerous friends. December 17, 1865, Mr. Cox was married to Miss Bettie Downs, daughter of John Downs, formerly from Kentucky, and one of the early settlers here. She was born in Clay county, but was reared in Platte. After his marriage Mr. C. farmed on his father's land for about six years, or until coming on his present place. He and his wife have a family of three children : Laura, Clay and Pink.

PLEASANT T. FORD

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 11, Post-office, Parkville).

Mr. Ford is another representative of that family of Fords men- tion of whom is so frequently made in this work, and is a brother of John J. and Josiah P. Ford, the sketches of whose lives precede and follow this. Therefore it is unnecessary to repeat the family history, which has been so clearly set forth in other pages of this volume. A native of this county, Pleasant T. Ford has passed his entire life within the limits of the county and is well known as a successful farmer and worthy agriculturist. Farming has been his only occupation, and

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

during his younger days he received the rudiments of an education which has been developed by subsequent application. He was a par- ticipant in the war a short time, and in 1864 was taken prisoner and held four months, then being exiled. . He returned home in August, 1865, and remained with his parents until their death, after which he bought the interest of the heirs in the old homestead. April 9, 1872, Mr. Ford was married to Miss Nancy M. Johnson, eldest daughter of David and Mary A. Johnson, formerly from Kentucky, and one of the early settlers of this county, where she was born and reared. To them have been given three children : May, John J. and Grace T. Mr. and Mrs. Ford are members of the Christian Church. He has 160 acres of land, all under fence and in cultivation. Mr. F. is now in his fortieth year, having been born January 22, 1846.

JOSIAH P. FORD

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 11, Post-office, Parkville).

In glancing back over the early settlers to Missouri, and in review- ing the settlements which they made, one can but think of the many severe and self-sacrificing privations through which these pioneers passed in opening for those who might come after the way for civiliza- tion. Among those who took a prominent part in this primitive making of the State's history was the family of which Mr. Ford is a worthy representative. His father, Samuel Ford, had been born in Madison county, Ky., and there was imbued in him the nature and sterling characteristics of the sturdy people of that State. When compara- tively a young man he came to Missouri and located in Howard county, where he was subsequently married to Miss Margaret Hig- gins, a daughter of Josiah Higgins, originally from Tennessee. She was born while the family were en route from that State to Howard county. In 1838 the senior Ford and his family removed from How- ard county to Platte, settling near where Josiah now lives. There Mr. Ford pre-empted land and improved the farm upon which he died March 11, 1884. His wife's death occurred in October, 1877. To them had been born a family of six sons and three daughters, of whom there are now living four sons (all in Platte county ) and the daughters, who have married and are residing elsewhere. Josiah P. Ford, the eldest of the family, grew up ou the home farm, and, as the oldest son, was not favored with much more than an ordinary district school education. In 1849 he became possessed of a desire to cross the plains to California, and accordingly joined a company of thirty- three men bound for the distant gold fields, which they reached after a tedious trip of six months. Mr. Ford's stay in California covered a period of nearly three years, two years of which time were passed in the mines. In 1851 he returned by way of Panama and New Or- leans and for a year following was in ill health. In 1852 he located in Bates county, near the State line, farming and raising stock until 1861, when, in August of that year, he came again to Platte. He settled upon his present homestead in 1868, and now has in his home

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

place 115 acres, upon which are necessary and convenient improve- ments. A prominent feature of the place is a good bearing orchard. Of course Mr. Ford is a married man, Miss Minerva Estes having be- come his wife July 4, 1855. Her birthplace was in Clay county, and her father was John Estes, a Kentuckian by birth. Their family numbers eight children : Margaret, wife of A. G. Galbreath, of Platte county ; Mary, John V., Elizabeth, Sarah, Dorcas, Samuel and Dee. Mr. and Mrs. Ford have long been members of the Christian Church, Mr. F. since 19 years of age. He also belongs to the Parkville Masonic Lodge. While in Bates county he was honored by the people with the position of magistrate. Mr. Ford, as should have been stated before, is now in his fifty-ninth year, having been born in Howard county, Mo., September 25, 1826.

JACOB R. FUNK

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 9, Post-office, Barry) .

Mr. Funk is a native of Kentucky, born in Jessamine county, December 31, 1833. His father was John Funk, formerly of Penn- sylvania, but who grew to manhood in Jessamine county, Ky., and was there married to Miss Nancy Rice, a daughter of Jacob Rice. Mr. F. was a successful farmer of that county during his lifetime, and died there March 3, 1861. Jacob R. was brought up in the county of his birth, and was the third from the youngest in a family of six sons, five of whom grew to maturity ; and there are four sons and two daughters still living. One brother, J. A., is in Clay county. The subject of this sketch came West to Clay county in 1855, and commenced working at his trade of carpentering, and also freighting across the Plains to Salt Lake City, to which place he made two trips, and also took one trip to Mexico. In 1862 he located on a farm on the Clay and Platte county line, and engaged in farming there until 1879, when he bought and removed to his present farm, just west of the town of Barry. He still owns both farms. His home-place contains 160 acres, all fenced and in cultivation, 90 acres of which are devoted to plow-land, and a young walnut grove of 1,000 trees covers about 60 acres. He also has two good orchards, and his place is otherwise improved. His other farm, of 320 acres, is situated five miles north of Barry, all of which is fenced, and over 250 acres of which are in cultivation and grass and some timber, besides a small orchard. There is one good residence on this place, a good barn, smoke house and other out-buildings. During the war he was quite successfully occupied in dealing in and shipping cattle to Chicago. December 24, 1861, Mr. Funk was married to Miss Anna Gartin, a native of Platte county, and a lady of more than ordinary intelligence. She received an excellent education at Clay Seminary, under the instruction of Prof. Love. Her father, Andrew Gartin, came origi- nally from Kentucky ; he was one of the early settlers of Clay county. Mr. and Mrs. Funk have been blessed with seven children: Miss Mamie, a young lady of pleasant address, and who has received the

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

advantages of a good education ; Gillie G., Laura, Sallie E., Virginia Lowe, Emma D. and Edgar E. Mr. and Mrs. Funk are prominent members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

THOMAS A. GREGG

(Farmer and Stock-raiser and Merchant, Section 2, Post-office, Parkville.)

The agriculturists of this county are well represented in the bio- graphical department of the present volume, but perhaps no more worthily than by the subject of this sketch, who has passed his entire life in this part of Missouri. His father, David Gregg, a native of Tennessee, was married to Miss Nancy Adams, after which, at a very early day in the history of Missouri, he came to this State, and was a participant in the Indian fights around Cooper's Fort, in Howard county. Moving to Clay county, he pre-empted one of the first places entered in that county, but in the spring of 1837 he came to Platte county, his family following the next fall. The improvements on the place had been made with his own hands, including the build- ing of the residence. His death occurred here after a well spent life of energy and industry July 15, 1864. His wife survived until 1876. Of their family of four sons and seven daughters who grew to matu- rity, all are now living but one sister, and are residents of this county except a brother, in Jackson county, Kan.

Thomas A. was born in Clay county December 16, 1831, and was brought up to know what hard work meant. His education was such as could be obtained in the common schools. February 25, 1858, he was married near Platte city to Miss Cordelia Lewis, daughter of William Lewis, an early settler from Kentucky, though she was born and reared here. Mr. G. now commenced farming in decided earnest- ness. In 1864 he went to Buchanan county, but returned to Platte county in 1870, when he bought a farm which was subsequently sold. Later he purchased his present place and has since been occupied in cultivating it. In 1879 he engaged in the mercantile business at New Market, sold goods there two years and then moved his stock to Tracy, where he bought a lot and erected a business house. A year after he disposed of this and went to Parkville, from which place in about a year he came upon his farm with a stock of goods, building a store for that purpose upon his land. He carries a small but desir- able stock of general merchandise and has been enjoying a 'good trade. His farm embraces 130 acres, well improved. Mr. Gregg has filled the position of township treasurer and has also been assessor. He and his wife have a family of four children : William L., married and on the farm with his father; Ida A., Nannie May and Thomas H. Mr. and Mrs. Gregg are members of the Christian Church, as is also the oldest son.

JAMES O. JOHNSON

(Of the firm of Johnson & Myers, Dealers in General Merchandise, Linkville and Farley).

Mr. Johnson, one of the most enterprising, young business men in Platte county, carrying a good stock and doing a large retail trade, is

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

still two years less than thirty years of age, and began mercantile business in 1881. Previous to this he had received a most excellent commercial education, besides having received the benefits of two terms of instruction at the State University, at Columbia, Mo. For some time he was a student at Spaulding's Business College, at Kan- sas City, from which he subsequently graduated. Upon establishing himself in business at this place, Mr. Johnson became associated with H. G. S. Meyer, and the partnership then formed has since continued. In addition to the store at Linkville, they also conduct one at Farley, which Mr. M. manages to the mutual benefit of all concerned therein. Both gentlemen are possessed of great energy and enterprise and have pushed their business with all the vigor they possess, the result of which can not be fairly estimated by us. Suffice it to say that' their stores are among the most popular in the county. Mr. Johnson was born in Platte county, September 27, 1857, and was the son of Louis G. Johnson, a native of Sweden, born November 22, 1824, and who emigrated to the United States in 1854. Going to Illinois, he remained near Rock Island for one year, at that time coming to Platte county in 1855. Here he commenced his farming operations, and in 1856 was married to Miss Patsey A. Childres, who was born near Wes- ton, this county. Mr. J. moved to Kansas in 1858, and for two years continued to till the soil in Doniphan county, near Troy. In 1860 he purchased a farm near Leavenworth, combining the stock business with his previous occupation. Selling out at an advance of $3,000 on the cost, he bought property in the city of Leavenworth in 1866, which he subsequently exchanged for the old " Wrap" farm in this county, in 1871. In 1882 Mr. J. disposed of this place at a profit of $3,000, buying fifty-one acres of land in Kansas City, on which he made some improvements ; this tract is now quite valuable. He is now engaged very successfully in the stock business thirty miles below Topeka, Kan. There was one other child in the family besides James O., Fannie, a young lady of superior intelligence, who has passed two years at the college at Parkville, Mo., and who is now attending school at Topeka. The subject of this sketch was married in 1881 to Miss Mina J. Fulcher, a daughter of Jacob Fulcher, of this county. To them have been born two children : Mabel V. and an infant. Mrs. Johnson is connected with the M. E. Church. Her hus- band is a member of the I. O. O. F.

ELI JACKSON LINK

(Linkville).

A gallant soldier for four years in the Confederate army during the late war, and a man whose life has been an active one, and one not without the substantial reward of years of toil, Mr. Link is now living in comparative retirement in this place. He has 280 acres of choice land, and has made his principal occupation the raising of stock and farming. As might be supposed at a glance, he is a Kentuckian by birth, born in Bourbon county December 25, 1829. His father,

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

Israel Link, after growing to manhood, was married in Kentucky to Miss Elizabeth C. Hufford, of Scott county, that State. Heaven blessed them with three children, viz. : David I., born February 28, 1827, and now living near Linkville, this county, where he is success- fully engaged in farming; Sarah E., born March 7, 1833, and mar- ried to Mr. P. N. Comfort, also an agriculturist, and Eli Jackson, the subject of this sketch. The latter was brought up in his native. State, and in 1840 accompanied his parents to Missouri. He soon took up his permanent location in Platte county, and has since re- mained here, a period of many years. His time has been occupied almost exclusively in tilling the soil. During his service in the war he participated in the battle of Lexington, where he received a wound. In 1852 Mr. Link was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Frances, also originally of Kentucky birth. They have had eight children : Israel, born December 30, 1853; Isadore, born May 9, 1855 ; Virginia A., born October 18, 1856 ; Emmett, born December 24, 1857 ; John W., born June 18, 1859 ; Jeff, born February 18, 1860 ; David A., born May 19, 1869, and Mary Jane, born September 29, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Link belong to the Christian Church, and are quite active in its affairs. Mr. L. votes the Democratic ticket. He and his family are among the influential residents of the county, and especially are they highly esteemed in the community where they make their home.

ZACHARIAH MILLS

(Farmer, Stock-raiser, Section 30, Post-office, Linkville).

After having reached manhood in Daviess county, Missouri, where he was brought up on a farm, receiving a common-school edu- cation, Mr. Mills came to Platte county in 1849, and became occupied in farming, contracting and bridge building. After following this for- some time he was married March 7, 1855, to Miss Elsie Smith, daughter of Thomas Smith, an early settler from Tennessee ; she was born in Cooper county, Mo. This wife died October 27, 1879, leav- ing six children : William D., married ; Francis N. and David M., in Kansas ; and Henry T., John C. and Marietta, at home. April 9, 1882, Mr. Mills was married to Miss Olivia Waller, daughter of William and Louisa Waller, originally from Maryland, but one of the early settlers from Kentucky to this State. After his first marriage Mr. Mills im- proved a farm of 160 acres in Daviess county, which he sold in 1863, then coming to Platte county and buying property near Farley, which he continued to cultivate until the spring of 1883. At this time he moved to his present farm near Linkville, where he has 120 acres upon which is a good two-story residence and other improvements. In June, 1861, he enlisted in the State troops under Jackson's call, and in the spring of 1862 re-enlisted in the regular Confederate service, in Co. B, of Elijah Gates' regiment. He was in the engagements of Carthage, Wilson's Creek, Lexington, Pea Ridge and Corinth, after which he returned to Missouri and served in the State troops until 1863, then coming home. Mr. Mills came originally from Cocke

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

county, Tenn., where he was born November 2, 1832. His parents were Henry and Martha Smith Mills, the latter a daughter of Thomas Smith. In 1839 the former moved to Missouri and located in Daviess county, where he entered land and improved a farm, on which he resided until his death, February 8, 1874. Mrs. Zachariah Mills is a member of the Christian Church. Her husband belongs to the Chap- ter and Commandery of the Masonic Order, at Platte City. Mr. Mills is now comfortably situated in life and is well respected in this community.

THOMAS S. PRATT

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

One of the oldest residents in Platte county, and one who has been prominently identified with its agricultural interests for nearly forty years, is this well known citizen, Thomas S. Pratt. He came upon the place which he now occupies from Kentucky in 1847, made the improvements upon it himself, and now, in the declining years of his life, has a comfortable competence of 240 acres of land, all of which is under fence. Better than all this, he has the esteem and confidence of the entire community in which so many years of his life have been spent. Born in Scott county, Ky., March 6, 1813, he was a son of William Pratt, a native of South Carolina, who went to Kentucky when a young man and there married Miss Susie Reding, whose father, Joseph Reding, was one of the first settlers of Scott county from Vir- ginia, where Mrs. P. was born. Mr. Pratt was a gallant soldier in the War of 1812, and so also was his brother John, who also subse- quently received a military training at West Point, where he recently died. Thomas was reared in the county of his birth, and also at- tended school there, following from early boyhood the occupation which he has so industriously and energetically pursued in later years. In the spring of 1840 Mr. Pratt was married in Mercer county, Ky., Miss Diana Arnold becoming his wife. She was a daughter of Younger Arnold, Esq., of Woodford county, that State. Some seven years after, Mr. Pratt became identified with the interests of Platte county, as previously mentioned, and which has since existed. February 9, 1884, the companion of Mr. P .- she who had so long and faithfully stood by his side, encouraging and strengthening him in his efforts to gain a livelihood - was called away by the inexorable hand of death. She had been the mother of nine children, eight of whom survive : Mary A., now Mrs. Alfred Arnold, of Smithville, Mo. ; William, An- drew, Thomas, and Joseph R., in New Mexico ; Edgar, in Montana ; Whitfield, in Clay county, and Susan J., wife of Samuel Blackmore, who is now keeping house for her father. The eldest daughter, Ellen, died when 14 years of age. Those not mentioned as not living else- where are now residents of this county. Mr. Pratt is a member of the I. O. O. F.

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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