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 92

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 92
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 92

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881

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

THOMAS J. SLAUGHTER

(Of the firm of Slaughter & Elgin, Dealers in General Merchandise, Linkville).

Mr. Slaughter, a thorough business man and of extensive experi- ence for one of his age, is one of the native born residents of this county, and a man of wide acquaintance and great popularity. He was born on the 20th of October, 1850, and was the son of Daniel S. Slaughter and Nancy, née Clarke, both originally from Kentucky; the former came from Mercer county, that State, and was born April 30, 1820. He followed the occupation of farming as his calling in life and became quite successful in that branch of industry. The youth of Thomas J. was passed in this vicinity and his education was here acquired, after which he commenced the avocation of teaching, in 1872. After one year's experience in the school-room he began trad- ing in stock, and continued it until 1875, when he engaged as clerk in a mercantile establishment at this place. Subsequently he bought the interest of his employer and embarked in business on his own ac- count, in partnership with his brother, Jesse, in 1878. Mr. Slaugh. ter sold out some time later to his brother, and for a while thereafter devoted his attention to the real estate business. Since the first of January, 1884, he has been a member of the mercantile firm of Slaughter & Elgin. They have made a gratifying success in their line in this part of the county, a large share of their extensive patronage being due, doubtless, to Mr. Slaughter's popularity as a man and his knowledge of the people with whom he has to deal. The custom of the house is steadily on the increase. Mr. S. is a married man, Miss Belle Valandingham, of this county, having become his wife on Oc- tober 7, 1879. The complement of their family circle consists of three children, Mat. S., born August 13, 1880 ; Clarke T., born July 29, 1882, and Grace, born December 7, 1884. Mr. Slaughter has no small influence among his friends in this locality, and he takes a warm interest in the advancement of the place. Politically he is a Demo- crat. He belongs to the Masonic Order ; his wife is a member of the Christian Church.

COL. GIDEON W. THOMPSON

(Farmer and Breeder of Thoroughbred Short Horn Cattle).

Not without justice, Col. Thompson is conceded to hold an enviable position among the prominent and successful men of Platte county. He served his county and State in a most acceptable manner during the war, but has rendered it even more valuable service as an indus- trious farmer and law-abiding, useful citizen. He came to this county soon after reaching his majority, and had established himself in the business of trading in stock at the outbreaking of the war, his operations extending both South and West. His belief and determination to do what he thought right prompted him to enlist under Gov. Jackson's call in June, and he was elected captain of a company at Barry. The

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

following spring he entered the Third Missouri infantry, of Stein's division, and upon its organization he was first elected major. Six months later, by the unanimous voice of his regiment, he became colonel, serving with that regiment until it was disbanded, in the spring of 1862. He now went into the regular Confederate service as colonel of the Third Missouri cavalry, Shelby's brigade and Marma- duke's division, in which he served until about the close of the war. He led his regiment with courage and ability, and saw much hard and dangerous service, but never flinched from performing his duty, as he saw it. Some of the engagements in which he participated were those of Lexington, Pea Ridge, Springfield, Helena, Little Rock, and many others which space will not permit us to mention. At the battle of Independence he received a severe wound, from the effects of which he was disabled for three months. After leaving the service he was disbanded in Texas, his surrender occurring at Shreveport. Return- ing to Platte county, where he arrived June 14, 1865, after an absence of four years, he resumed farming and the raising of and deal- ing in stock, which he has since continued and with substantial results. His farm contains 300 acres, situated in both Clay and Platte counties, the county line running through his place, all fenced, and about 100 acres of which are in timber and blue grass pasture. His buildings are models of neatness. Col. Thompson owes his nativity to Todd county, Ky., where he was born February 28, 1823. His father, Robert Thompson, originally of North Carolina, was reared in Ken- tucky, and was married in Todd county to Miss Eveline Roberts, of that county, and daughter of Joseph Roberts. In 1825 the family became settlers in Cooper county, Mo., locating some eighteen miles south of Boonville, where Mr. Thompson entered land and lived until 1836. Moving then to Clay county, he made it his home until his death, which occurred near Liberty in 1857. Gideon W. was brought up in Clay county, spending his youthful days on the home farm and receiving the usual course of instruction in the common schools. About the time he arrived at the age of twenty-one he became a resi- dent of Platte county, which he has since made his permanent home. March 4, 1849, Col. Thompson was married in Boone county, Ky., to Miss Nancy Hansford, who was born and reared and educated there, and whose father was William Hansford, Esq. To them have been born five children : Martha, wife of George Sutton, of Jefferson county, Kan. ; Robert E., Elizabeth, wife of E. A. Chance, of Platte county ; James, of Jefferson county, Kan. ; and Gideon, of Georgetown, Col. Mrs. Thompson is a member of the Christian Church. The Colonel belongs to the Masonic Order at Barry .

WINFIELD THORNHILL

(Linkville).

Mr. Thornhill is the fortunate owner of 140 acres of land in May township, a tract which is well improved and in good cultivation. He has been a resident of Platte county for some years, having come here

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

from his native State, Virginia. He was born in Culpeper county, of the Old Dominion, on January 25, 1824. His parents were Blueford and Lucy Thornhill ( whose maiden name was Hawkins), both also Virginians by birth, and during the lifetime of the father he was en- gaged in farming, with quite substantial results. Their family con- sisted of 10 children, of whom there are seven now living, as follows : Almeda, wife of Alfred Hudson ; Winfield, Hamilton, in Howard county, Mo .; Sarah A., now Mrs. P. M. Finks, of Rappahannock county, Va. ; James H., in Sumner county, Texas ; George, lives in Darke county, Ohio ; Caroline, married Elliott Finks, but he died in 1863 in Madison county, Va., where his widow now lives. The senior Mr. Thornhill and wife were both members of the Baptist Church. The subject of this sketch was brought up in the county of his birth, and there received such an education as could at that time be acquired in the common schools. Upon coming to Missouri he soon located in this county, and has' since made his home within its boundaries. August 19, 1847, he was married to Miss Eliza J. Brown, daughter of John Brown, a native of Culpeper county, Va. They have been blessed with a family of 12 children : Mary L., wife of William Porter, now living in Clinton county, Mo. ; Albert C., . Lucy E., Martha, Eliza Jane, at home ; Nancy B., John B., in Colorado ; Emma, Claiborne Jackson, Flora B., Annie, and the youngest, James, at home with his parents. Mr. Thornhill has been a successful farmer during life, and now is somewhat retired from active duties around the farm, the care of which is given to the sons of Mr. T., who are men of intelligence and great popularity throughout the vicinity of Linkville. Mrs. Thornhill is a member of the Baptist Church. Her husband is a Democrat.

WILLIAM C. WHITE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser and Proprietor of Prairie View Farm, Section 1, Post-office, Parkville).

There are but few, if any, farms in May township that present a handsomer picture of advanced agriculture than the one referred to in the present sketch. Prairie View Farm, devoted mainly to stock- raising contains 175 acres, and though not as large in extent, perhaps, as others in this vicinity, it is improved in such a manner, and has such natural advantages that it seems to be without an equal in this part of the county. About half of the place is devoted to blue grass pasture, admirably adapted to the raising of thorough-bred short horn cattle, of which Mr. White is making a specialty. He has a herd of 15 registered animals - short horns of the best grades - and gives much attention to breeding and dealing in fine cattle and horses. His comfortable residence is situated on a slight elevation, and his barn is one of the best in Platte county. Mr. White was born in Clay county, Mo., September 21, 1835, and was the son of G. K. White, who was born and brought up in Estill county, Ky., where he married Miss Mary Ann Campbell, daughter of William Campbell, of Madison

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

county, the same State. G. K. White came to Missouri in the fall of 1834, and was a pioneer in Clay county, in the southern part of which he purchased a claim (near the present site of Kansas City ) and im- proved a farm. He died at the residence of his son, William C., April 6, 1881. The subject of this sketch was brought to Platte county in 1843, and was reared on the home farm. He spent some time in the primary schools, and was then sent to the Seminary at Camden Point, where he received a good education. In 1859 he took a trip to Texas, but the same season returned to Platte county, where, on the 18th of August, of that year, he was married to Miss Addie Hazelrigg, whose father, James G. Hazelrigg, was of Montgomery county, Ky. ; she was also born and brought up there. After his mar- riage Mr. White located on a farm, near Parkville, continuing there- on several years. In 1877 he removed on his present homestead. To Mr. and Mrs. W. have been born one son which died in infancy. They have living with them two sons of a deceased sister, White McGee, aged 16, and now at Parkville College, and Theodore McGee, 13 years old, who has developed much musical talent, and is an apt performer on the violin. Miss Anna White, a sister of Mr. W. and a young lady of excellent education and rare accomplishments, has found a pleasant home in the family of her brother for several years. She is also an accomplished musician. Mr. White, wife and sister are members of the Christian Church. The former belongs to the Masonic Lodge at Barry, and is also connected with the Commandery at Platte City.

CHAPTER XXI.

WALDRON TOWNSHIP.

Formation, Boundary, etc. - Physical Features - Early Settlers - Waldron - Where Located - By Whom Laid Out -Present Business - Biographical.

FORMATION, BOUNDARY, ETC.

Waldron township was taken from Pettis and the greater portion of it is included in the Congressional township 51, range 35. It is bounded on the north and east by Pettis township, and on the south and west by the Missouri river. It is the smallest township in the county both in area and population. The census of 1880 gave the number of inhabitants at 840.

PHYSICAL FEATURES.

The surface is divided into three portions, viz .: The level bot- tom land in the south; a timbered and rough country along the bluffs, and the rolling land in the north portion. Here are to be found some of the substantial farmers of the southern portion of the county.

EARLY SETTLERS.

The early settlers of Waldron township were, many of them, early settlers of Pettis, and the history of this, township is so closely con- nected with that of Pettis, from which it was taken, that it will not be repeated at this place. For its history the reader is referred to that of Pettis township. Among the early settlers were Abram Zo- brisky, Geo. S. Park, Richard Babcock, W. Moore, B. Martin, A. Bowman, A. G. Brown, Doctor Ellis and John Dunnigan.

WALDRON.

Waldron, a town in the south-central portion of the township, is located on the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad, 17 miles northwest from Kansas City, and was laid out by the Waldron. Brothers, from whom the town takes its name. They manifested con- siderable enterprise by erecting a steam flour and saw mill and estab- lishing stores. The town contains a population of about about 100 to 150. F. M. McCormick's distillery is located here and it is noted

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

for the quality of its manufacture of hand-made sour mash whisky. There are three general stores, one drug store, one lumber yard and one mill.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

CHARLES BABCOCK

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 12, Post-office, Waldron).

Mr. Babcock is a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, born June 22, 1822, and was the son of Zebina and Lucinda (Dustimer) Babcock, the former originally from Vermont and the latter a Virginian by birth. They were married in Coshocton county, Ohio, to which Mr. B. had gone when a young man. Subsequently the family moved to Clinton county, Ind., which was their home for 10 years, and thence to Platte county, Mo., in 1838, where the father entered land and improved a farm. Here he resided the most of his life until his death, which occurred in June, 1854. Of their family of children, five sons and one daughter grew to maturity. Charles came to this county with his parents at the age of 15 years, here growing to manhood. He was married November 6, 1843, to Miss Paulina Moore, daughter of John Moore, one of the pioneers from Estill county, Ky. Mrs. B. was born in Jackson county, but was reared in Platte, her marriage occurring when she was in her sixteenth year. Some time after this Mr. Babcock located in the Platte bottoms, near where Waldron is now situated, settling on his present farm in August, 1854. Here he has since resided, a period now of over 30 years. His place embraces 100 acres, upon which are good buildings and other improvements of a necessary order, and he is meeting with good success in the manage- ment of the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Babcock have been blessed with nine children, viz. : Francis M., married and on the farm ; Samuel Z., married and living in Leavenworth county, Kas .; George, married ; Sarah J., wife of William Newton Morrow, of Kansas ; William A., married and in the county ; Charles W., married; Mary A., now Mrs. Matt. Wills, of Kansas ; Andrew J., a young man, and Henry Thomas. Mr. Babcock and his estimable wife are members of the M. E. Church.

DOCTOR ELLIS

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 13, Post-office, Waldron).

Prominent among the old and time-honored citizens of Platte county, whose names deserve to be handed down to future generations as worthy of more than a passing memory, is Doctor Ellis, the subject of the present sketch. For nearly half a century he has been a resi-

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

dent of the county, and has contributed very materially to the advancement of its agricultural and public interests. His father, Benjamin Ellis, a native of North Carolina, married there Miss Sarah Copeland, of the same State, and in an early day the family settled in Smith county, Tenn. In 1813 they came from there to Montgom- ery county, Mo., and were among the first five families to locate in this vicinity. This was indeed in the primitive days of the history of Mis- souri, and to Mr. Ellis many, many changes are visible which have been wrought almost before his very eyes. Benj. Ellis finally took up his location in Texas county, Mo., where he died in his ninety- seventh year, in about 1848. In his family of children were eight sons and five daughters who reached years of maturity, but only Doc- tor and a brother, now in California, are now living. The former was born in Smith county, Tenn., May 4, 1810, and was brought by his parents to Montgomery county, this State, when but three years old. There his youth and early manhood were spent, and there, too, he married August 20, 1834, Miss Josephine Timberlake, daughter of Broaddus and Susan Timberlake, among the earliest settlers from Ken- tucky ; she was born in Madison county and came to Missouri when 13 years of age. After his marriage Mr. Ellis remained in Mont- gomery county only one year, then residing in Lafayette county for two years. In the spring of 1837 he came to Platte county and the spring following moved upon the farm which now constitutes his present homestead. He entered the original tract and has added to it from time to time until it now contains 236 acres, all under fence. On the farm are eight living springs which never freeze, and in addi- tion are 2,000 apple trees, besides small fruits. Mr. Ellis was a par- ticipant in the Mexican War, being a teamster. He and his wife have been blessed by Heaven with 10 children, viz. : Susannah, who died whilst the wife of S. C. Morrow ; Sallie Ann, wife of Perry C. Cavaner ; Sophia, wife of Jackson Brink ; Josephine, wife of D. A. McKinzie ; Robert, married in DeKalb county ; B. F., of this county ; William, in Wyandotte county, Kan. ; John W., in Platte ; Mary J., now Mrs. James Waldron, of Fort Smith, Ark. One child is de- ceased, Senior D., who died when three years old. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are members of the M. E. Church South. They are well re- spected residents of this county.

GEORGE G. ENGELHARDT

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

Among the younger of the prominent agriculturists of Waldron township, we know of none more worthy of success than the one whose name heads this sketch. Not yet 32 years of age, he is the possessor of a comfortable farm of 200 acres situated eight miles south of Platte City, most of which is in cultivation. The improvements in the shape of buildings, etc., are of a good class. Having been brought up in Kentucky and Indiana, it is not surprising, yet none the less creditable to him, that he has obtained such a start. He was

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

born in Switzerland county, Ind., September 6, 1853, and is of Ger- man ancestry, his parents, Henry D. and Mary (Deal) Engelhardt, having come originally from Bavaria, Germany, in 1847. They first located in Dearborn county, Ind., then in Switzerland county, also in Ohio county, and subsequently went to Kentucky, living for four years in Trimble county. In 1873 they came to Platte county, accompanied by their son George, and still reside here. George Engelhardt received a good education in the different places where he made his home, and this has been of great advantage to him in carrying on his farm, for an education is as necessary in farming as in almost any other occupation. He is an unmarried man. He belongs to the Christian Church.

AUGUST E. ENGELHARDT, M. D. (Physician and Surgeon, Waldron, Mo.).

Dr. Engelhardt, one of the more recent acquisitions to the ranks of the medical fraternity in this county, has been engaged in prac- ticing at Waldron only since November of 1884. Sufficient time has elapsed, nevertheless, to judge of his ability and thoroughness in the practice, and he is rapidly taking a prominent place among the rising young physicians of this portion of Missouri. Born in Ohio county, Ind., August 28, 1856, he is of German extraction, his parents, Henry D. and Anna Mary Engelhardt, née Deal, having been natives of Bavaria. Leaving their native country, they emigrated to the United States in 1847 and located in Ohio county, Ind., going thence, in 1868, to Trimble county, Ky. After remaining there five years, they came to Missouri in 1873 and took up their residence in Platte county, which they now make their home. August arrived at ma- turity in Platte county, and has received the benefits of an excellent education. In addition to the usual course of instruction he took a complete course at Lecompton, Kan., where he graduated in 1878. This was supplemented with a commercial course at Leavenworth, after which he commenced teaching in Platte county, and also taught one term in Kansas. Desiring to qualify himself for the practice of medicine, he began its study under a well known physician of this county, Dr. Ferrel, taking his first course of lectures, in 1882, at the Physio-Medical Institute of Cincinnati. In 1883 he continued this study at Cincinnati under Drs. W. W. and W. H. Cook, completing . the course in March, 1884. He now returned to Platte county and located at Farley, where he commenced practicing, which he contin- ued for about seven months. Since that time he has made his home in Waldron, where, as intimated above, he is meeting with good suc- cess. He is well read in his profession, is a subscriber to the leading medical journals of the day and keeps thoroughly posted as to the progress and development of the science of medicine. He is a mem- ber of the Christian Church.

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

JACOB HARRINGTON

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 12, Post-office, Waldron) .

Mr. Harrington, a man over whom 40 years have passed, is native to Missouri, having been born in Buchanan county ; the date of his birth was February 20, 1839. Elisha Harrington, his father, originally from Tennessee, came to this State with his parents in about 1815, among the first settlers in Howard county ; he was reared there and while still a young man came to Clay county and married Miss Louisi- ana Martin, a Kentuckian by birth, and a daughter of Isaac Martin. For two years succeeding this event Mr. Harrington and family resided in Buchanan county, and in 1837 the father entered land in Platte county, improving a farm about seven miles south of Platte City. To this original tract he added from time to time as able, and became one of the successful and largest property holders in the county, having at the time of his death the rise of 1,100 acres. Prosperous in the ordinary affairs of business life, he accumulated a comfortable fortune, owning a number of slaves prior to his death, which occurred in February, 1853, at the age of 50 years. He had been twice married, and by the first marriage had three sons and seven daughters ; by the second union there were four children, only two of whom are living. Jacob was the only son by the first wife who grew to maturity, and only two of his sisters are now alive. Passing his boyhood days in this county upon the home farm, he de- cided to go West and accordingly in 1857 took a trip to Wyoming, remaining one season. After his return he was married March 25, 1858, to Miss Martha Pearce, a daughter of Robert Pearce, and sister to W. A. Pearce, whose biography will be found on a subsequent page of this volume. Mrs. Harrington's birthplace is in Clay county, though the greater part of her life has been passed within the limits of Platte. In the spring of 1871 Mr. H. bought raw land which now constitutes his present farm. This contains 120 acres improved in a good manner, upon which is a new and comfortable residence, and an orchard of 300 trees. In addition to this he owns 73 acres in the Platte river bottoms. Mr. and Mrs. Harrington have a family of nine children : Francis L., married and at Waldron ; Sterling Price, a student in medicine ; E. Walter, Wheeler and Laura Lee, at home ; William W. is attending the Deaf and Dumb. Asylum at Fulton ; Marcilla, Robert M. and Susan E. Mr. Harrington, wife and son, Sterling, are members of the Christian Church. Himself and eldest two sons are connected with the Masonic Order at Farley.

GEORGE W. MOORE

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

It is not very often that there comes under our personal observation the case of a man living on one farm all his life, or after 35 years of improvement seeing the same place undergoing cultivation and pro-

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

ducing as well as when first sowed or broken. But this man per- haps is an exception to the ordinary class, for he was born on his present farm May 14, 1849, his father being William Moore, a native of Estill county, Ky. The latter accompanied his parents to Missouri when a mere lad, John Moore, his father, being one of the pioneers of Jackson county, and afterwards of Platte county. Upon reaching manhood William Moore married, July 4, 1839, Miss Elizabeth Wil- son, daughter of Isaac Wilson, a pioneer from Kentucky, Mrs. M. having been born in that State. The family soon located in the neigh- borhood of where the subject of this sketch now resides (in 1844), and there the father died February 28, 1880. On this farm George W. remained during his youth, acquiring such an education as he could receive from the common schools when not occupied with farm duties. On the 11th of December, 1870, Mr. Moore was married to Miss Viranda J. Carpenter, a daughter of Zenith Carpenter, originally from Tennessee, in which State she was born, though reared in Platte county. They have six children : William L., Edward H., Anna B. and Lizzie B., twins ; Maud V. and G. Arthur. Mr. Moore is the owner of nearly 300 acres of land, including the homestead, over 200 of which are in cultivation. His orchard contains about 200 trees of select fruits. Mr. Moore is the only son of his father's family of children, one sister, Susan E., being the wife of Benj. F. Ellis, of this county, mentioned elsewhere.

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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