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 98

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 98
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 98

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

duties in this position. After about three years, Messrs. Merryman and Paxton disposed of their interests and the bank was carried on under the firm name of Cockrill & Co. about three years more, being succeeded by Wells & Co., the present proprietors. During this time Mr. C. continued to hold the office of cashier. In October, 1874, he purchased a farm, moving on it the same fall, and in 1881, as above stated, commeneed the stock business. He makes a specialty of handling short horn cattle and has an excellent herd of 35 thor- oughbreds, at the head of which is a fine two year old, R. T. Murray, weighing 1,500 pounds, and recorded in the American Herd Book as

No. 57,976. He has succeeded in doing much to promote the stock interests of this county and is deserving of much credit for the prom- inence with which the matter of dealing in thoroughbred cattle has been brought before the people. His place embraces 480 acres, well . improved, and his buildings, nearly all new, are well adapted to the purposes for which they are devoted. Mr. Cockrill was married in this county, November 22, 1871, to Miss Bettie Chesnut, daughter of Judge William Chesnut, of Platte City. Mrs. C. was born and reared in this county, and was a graduate of Christian College, Columbia, Mo. They have six children : William C., Ida E., Mary June, David G., Grundy and Lucy May. Mrs. Cockrill is a member of the Christian Church. He belongs to Platte City Lodge, of the I. O. O. F.

937

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

DR. E. McDOWELL COFFEY.

Dr. Coffey was born in Hustonville, Lincoln county, Ky., on the 26th day of January, 1829. His father, Richard N. Coffey, was born in Virginia and served as a soldier in Col. Shelby's famous Kentucky regiment in the War of 1812. Osborn and Mary Coffey, his paternal grandparents, were also natives of Virginia, of Irish and Scotch de- scent. The former was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Joseph and Margaret McCormick, the maternal grandparents, were natives of Pennsylvania and of Quaker descent ; they removed to Kentucky at a very early day and shared the privations and dangers incident to a frontier life. The subject of this sketch made choice of the practice of medicine as a profession, and read with his father as preceptor. He attended lectures at the Transylvania University at Lexington, Ky., and was graduated in 1852. He came to Platte county, Mo., March 1, 1854, and on the 29th day of June of the same year he mar- ried Miss Bettie James, and located at Camden Point, this county, where he remained until the 16th of May, 1861 (having in the mean- time lost wife and child), when he was sworn into the State service at St. Joseph, Mo., as a private in Capt. Wallace Jackson's cavalry com- pany, organized at Camden Point; was in the battles of Carthage, Mo., July 5, 1861 ; Wilson's Creek, August 10; Drywood, Septem- ber, and Lexington, September 14 to 20 of same year, as surgeon of Lieut .- Col. Hyde's regiment of cavalry. Appointed surgeon of Col. Carneal's regiment, upon the reorganization of State troops at Lex- ington, after the surrender of Col. Mulligan, September, 1861, in this capacity he acted until January 12, 1862, when he was ap- pointed surgeon of Col. Gates' regiment, First brigade, Missouri vol- unteers, in the Confederate service, at Springfield, Mo. Was in the battle of Pea Ridge, or Elkhorn, and remained upon the field about a month attending to sick and wounded, and hundreds of soldiers who were left disabled upon that bloody field, especially those from Mis- souri, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana, have doubtless remembered with gratitude the efforts made by Dr. Coffey to relieve their suffer- ings, he having, with great difficulty, and even risk of life, obtained permission, as the following circular shows, to visit the Confederate army, eighty miles distant, to take supplies so much needed for the wounded ; then he rejoined his command at Memphis, Tenn. : - %.

CIRCULAR. HEADQUARTERS, TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT, VAN BUREN, March 17. 1862.

Dr. E. McD. Coffey, Surgeon First cavalry, First brigade, Missouri volunteers, and Rev. G. W. Rodgers, Chaplain Second regiment infantry, First Missouri, are here prisoners of war, on parole, for the purpose of procuring clothing for our wounded, now in the vicinity of Elkhorn. Commanders of brigades, regiments, etc., will have immediate steps taken for placing such clothing as can be sent for their wounded, at the office of the Provost Marshal, subject to the order of the above named gentle- men.

By order of

MAJ .- GEN. EARL VAN DORN. DABNEY H. MAURY, A. A. G.

938

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

He was in the battle of Corinth, 7th and 8th of October, 1862, and had charge of a large number of wounded and sick for some time after in the hospital at Canton, Miss. Appointed chief surgeon of Maj .- Gen. Bowen's division, C. S. A., in December, 1862, at Grenada, Miss., he held this position until that gallant command was almost decimated by its terrible losses during the siege of Vicksburg. Was in the battle of Grand Gulf, 29th of April; Port Gibson in May, and of Baker's Creek, or Champion's Hill, 16th of May, 1863. Also in siege of Vicksburg from the 18th of May until the 3d of July, 1863. In the battles of Lookout Mountain and of Missionary Ridge, November, 1863. Surgeon of garrisons at Forts Powell and Gaines, Mobile Bay, in February and March, 1864. Appointed president of Medical Examining Board at Gadson, Ala., April, 1864, and acted in that capacity until paroled on the 16th of May, 1865, exactly four years from the time he was sworn into the service at St. Joseph. After his return, in 1865, he resumed the practice of medicine at Cam- den Point. He married Miss Helen Barnes May 1, 1866. November, 1872, he was elected sheriff, and removed to Platte City in December of that year. In November, 1874, he was re-elected. After the ex- piration of his second term he resumed the practice of medicine. Dr. Coffey has been a member of the Christian Church nearly twenty-five years, and a member of the Masonic Order since January, 1854, hav- ing been initiated at Harrodsburg, Ky.

JOHN COLLINS

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Platte City).

Mr. Collins' father, Zenas Collins, was one of the early settlers of Platte county, and Mr. C., himself, was one among the first to make his home in this county. Zenas Collins was a native of Maryland, born in 1797, but when about six years of age was brought out to Ohio by his parents, who settled in Fairfield county. There he grew up and was married to Miss Catherine Sites, formerly of Botetourt county, Va. After his marriage he removed to Richland county, Ohio, and resided there until 1836, when he again moved, locating in Franklin county, that State. But in 1842 he came to Missouri and located in Platte county, where he entered and improved a farm. He lived, however, only three years afterwards, dying September 28, 1845. His wife survived him until 1862. The place he improved is now owned by his grandson, Marion P., who bought it some years ago, having made the money to purchase it with by his own efforts John Collins, the subject of this sketch, was born near New Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio, December 20, 1819. He was reared in Ohio, and brought up to hard work on the farm. However, he attended school and had the benefit of an academic course. November 25, 1841, he was married to Miss Jemima Brown, a daughter of Pitts and Nancy (Driver) Brown, formerly of Maryland. The following year he and his young wife came to Missouri and settled in Platte county, locating about four miles east of Platte City. Here he entered land

939

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

and improved a farm. Mr. Collins has been successfully engaged in farming ever since. In 1858 he removed into the town of Platte City, in order to educate his children. He owns land near town, a good place of 270 acres, which he is conducting as a general grain and stock farm. He now resides on this place, a comfortable home- stead of 270 acres, including a large two-story residence and other buildings to correspond. . Mr. and Mrs. Collins have eight living children : Marion P., heretofore referred to ; Nannie, wife of D. F. Masterson ; Elmyra, wife of A. J. Coleman ; Mary E., wife of Will- iam M. Lewis, of Kansas City ; George V., a resident of Southern Kansas ; Hattie B., wife of S. J. Park; Jesse L. and H. Clay, the last two on the farm with their father. Mr. and Mrs. Collins are members of the Christian Church. Mr. C. is a man of strict tem- perance habits, neither using any intoxicating stimulants or tobacco.

THOMAS B. DUNCAN

(Farmer, Stock-raiser and Dealer, Section 10, Post-office, Platte City).

To the intelligent observer of the prominent and growing interests of this county, the stock industry can hardly fail of attracting atten- tion ; for to such a magnitude has it grown that many rely upon it at this time for their sole support. Since his youth Mr. Duncan has been actively and continuously engaged in this branch of business, and not without material success. During the past year he and his part- ner, Mr. Sanders McComas, shipped from Platte City one hundred and ten car loads of hogs and cattle, representing a value of nearly $150,- 000. Five miles southeast of Platte City is located the farm of Mr. Duncan - a good place of 120 acres, well improved. Though a native of Clay county, Mo., born June 19, 1860, he has resided in Platte the most of his life. His father, James F. Duncan, a Kentuckian by birth, born in Barren county, January 26, 1816, came to Missouri when a young man and settled in Clay county in 1832. He was mar- ried in Andrew county, near Savannah, to Miss Sarah Tracy, daughter of Sebert and Anna (Scott) Tracy, both from Garrett county, Ky. ; Mrs. Duncan also having been born in that State but reared in Andrew county. After their marriage they continued to reside in Clay county until 1866, then settling in Platte county, where Mr. Duncan bought land and improved the farm on which the subject of this sketch now resides, and where he died January 6, 1878. He had served as a gallant soldier in the Mexican War, and also had made two overland trips to California. After spending about two years in the mines he returned by the Isthmus and New Orleans. He was a Master Mason and a consistent member of the Christian Church for nearly thirty years. To Mr. and Mrs. Duncan had been born three sons and four daughters, of whom Thomas B. was the youngest son, one younger sister being married. Thomas grew to manhood at home, receiving, besides a good common school education, the benefits of a·course at Prof. Gaylord's school. On the 22d of January, 1885, Mr. Duncan was married in Clay county to Miss Bettie Ecton, daughter of Thomas

940

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

B. Ecton, deceased, originally from Kentucky, and one of the early settlers of Clay county, Mo. ; his death occurring January 29, 1881. Mrs. Duncan was born, reared and educated in Clay county. She and her mother are members of the Christian Church.

GEORGE H. ECKERT

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 10, Post-office, Platte City).

As one might suppose, after seeing the subject of this sketch and his excellent farm, the manner in which it is conducted, and the care and pains taken with every minor detail of its management, Mr. . Eckert is a native Missourian, having been born within the limits of Platte county, near Parkville, January 21, 1858. His father was George Eckert, originally from Prussia, who came to the United States while a young man, meeting and afterwards marrying in New York State Miss Dorothy Stell, like himself a native of Prussia. In about 1857 he came westward, and settled in Platte county, Mo., where he has since continued to make his home. Young George received the benefits of a good education when not occupied with his farm duties in early life, his time being passed without any material change from the occupation which he had so naturally come to follow, until his marriage. March 11, 1880, Miss Eva Renner, daughter of Adam Renner ( formerly from Prussia, but now deceased ), became his wife. She was born and brought up in this county. To them have been born two children : Emma and Lizzie. For three years after this event Mr. E. farmed with his father, but at that time, or in February, 1883, purchased the place on which he now lives. This embraces 162 acres of land all fenced and in a fair state of cultivation, upon which are buildings in full keeping with the requirements of a char- acteristic farm. Mr. Eckert and wife are members of the German M. E. Church.

AXIOM FARMER

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 27.)

Mr. Farmer has resided in Platte county for a period now of over fifty years, and during this time he has been quietly and actively pur- suing the tilling of the soil as his chosen occupation in life. The result of this industry is seen in the comfortable farm and its appoint- ments, which are the property of Mr. Farmer. His landed estate embraces 160 acres improved in a neat manner, and one of the prom- inent features of the place is an orchard of 600 select fruit trees. Mr. Farmer was born in Edgecombe county, N. C., February 10, 1809, the son of Dew and Sarah (Dondnah) Farmer, both also natives of that State. In about 1815 the family removed to Middle Tennessee and located in Robinson county, where the father died. Young Axiom remained in that vicinity until reaching his nineteenth year, when, in the fall of 1829, he came to Missouri, stopping in Callaway county, some two years. In 1831 he took up his location in Pike county, and there, on February 12, 1835, he was married to Miss Sarah Ann

941

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

Estes, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Estes. Mr. F. was a Ken- tuckian by birth, but was brought up in Pike county, Mo. In the fall of 1836 Mr. Farmer became a resident of Clay county, but not being exactly satisfied with his condition there, removed to Platte in the fall of 1837, pre-empting the land which he now occupies and en- tering it during the administration of James K. Polk. It contained a quarter section. On the 24th of August, 1873, Mr. Farmer was de- prived of his wife by death. Of their family of children, four sons and five daughters grew to maturity : Lucretia J., wife of Noah Beery, Jr., of Platte City ; George W., of this county, as is also John T. ; Harrison G., of Cass county, Mo. ; Sarah A., now Mrs. Lewis Hern- don, of Cass county, are now living. Those deceased are: Savannah, wife of William Grooms, died in May, 1882, leaving two children ; Hannah L., wife of W. W. Davis, died in May 1874; Armilda, died October 25, 1865, aged 29 years ; Robert H., died September 25, 1864, at the age of 22, and one died in infancy. John T. Farmer was married in this county August 5, 1874, to Miss Ermina, daughter of Moses and Malinda Hon. Mrs. F. is a native of Powell county, Ky., where she was reared. They have two children: Price and Grover Cleveland. Axiom Farmer and son, John, are members of the Baptist Church, while Mrs. J. T. Farmer. is connected with the Christian Church.

JAMES F. FLANNERY

(Of Mason and Flannery, Dealers in Groceries, Etc., Etc., Platte City).

Mr Flannery is a native of Platte county, born January 13, 1849. His father was Thomas Flannery, from Lee county, Virginia, who came to Missouri in 1838 and settled in this county. He still resides here. Mr. Flannery's mother was a Miss Fannie Bruntz before her marriage, also originally from Virginia. James F. was reared in Platte county and was educated at Prof. Gaylord's Academy. While yet a youth he began as a clerk in a store at Platte City and continued clerking for about thirteen years, or from the age of 17 up to 1879. In the meantime, in the fall of 1878, he was elected treasurer of Platte county, and was re-elected in 1880. Mr. Flannery formed his present partnership with Mr. Mason in 1883. Of their business and the successful experience they have had, mention is made in the sketch of Mr. Mason. Mr. Flannery has been married twice. On the 9th of February, 1870, he was married to Miss Mary L. Mason, a sister to his present partner. She died October 24, 1877, leaving two children, Dora M. and Lillie F. To his present wife Mr. Flan- nery was married April 17, 1879. She was a Miss Issie D. Million, a daughter of John Million, formerly of Madison county, Ky. But Mrs. Flannery was left an orphan in early childhood and was reared by her uncle, Mr. Anderson Jenkins, in Jackson county. She was educated at Camden Point. Mrs. F. is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Flannery is a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow. He is a young man of good education, energetic and well qualified for business and a man of unquestioned integrity, as his election to the

942

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

office of county treasurer conclusively shows. No young man in the county stands higher in general esteem than he.

FREDERICK GRAHAM GAYLORD

(President of Daughters' College, Platte City).

From the United States Biographical Dictionary ( Missouri volume ), published in 1878, we are permitted to reproduce the following sketch of Prof. Gaylord's life :-

Frederick Graham Gaylord, the second of a family of five children, was born in Oneida county, N. Y., January 24, 1820. His father, Thomas Gaylord, a Quaker in religious belief, was a farmer by occu- pation. His mother's maiden name was Caroline Loomis. Both families are of English origin. His grandfather, Thomas Gaylord, was a soldier under Washington, and was present on the occasion of his defeat on Long Island. His maternal grandfather, Roswell Loomis, was also a soldier of the Revolution, and served in the patriot army.

He was educated at Clinton, in Oneida county, N. Y. Always of a studious and investigating character of mind, he, early in life, reaped the advantages of sound literary and scientific training, acquir- ing by his own exertions much of the knowledge which rendered him, in after life, distinguished in several States, and especially in Mis- souri, as an educator of youth. Before completing his studies he from time to time engaged in teaching, to secure the means necessary for his future advancement, and thus developed a faculty and a taste which prompted him to make the profession of teaching the business of his life.

In 1842 he went to Augusta county, Va., where for the period of a year he taught a private school near Staunton. He then moved to Burkittsville, Frederick county, Md., where he remained in charge of a high school till the summer of 1849, when he returned to the State of New York with the view of visiting California, and on April 15, 1850, sailed from New York city in the steamer Empire City to Chagres, crossed the Isthmus, and sailed to San Francisco in the French barque Gustave, arriving in June, 1850. He immediately went to the South- ern mines, where he worked on the banks of the Mokalume river, being moderately successful. He was present at San Francisco at the celebration of the admission of the State into the Union, in October, 1850.

In the spring of 1851 he returned via Panama, and arrived in New York on the steamer Prometheus, the first built of the Vanderbilt line. He then visited Ohio with a view of going to Kentucky, and stopping in Champaign county taught school there till February, 1852, when he went to Irvine, Estill county, Ky., and took charge of a seminary, opening his first session April 4, 1852. He remained in charge of this institution until the summer of 1857. In the meantime, November 10, 1855, he was married to Mrs. Mary Park, widow of Elihu Park, and proprietress of the Park Hotel in Irvine.

943

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

In the fall of 1857 he moved with his family, composed of his wife and two step-sons, Thomas and Clay Park, to Platte City, Mo., hav- ing been invited to take charge of the male academy in that town. He brought with him several slaves.

November 2, 1857, he opened his first session of that institution, which continued to flourish under his able management till the break- ing out the War of the Rebellion, when, in consequence of his sym- pathy with the Confederate cause, he was forced to leave the State, and on going to Kansas he located in Atchison, where he remained till the close of the war, in the following year, when, at the earnest solicitation of those who had long appreciated his distinguished ability as a teacher, he returned to Platte City, and assumed charge of the institution, then known as Platte City Female Academy, but now as Daughters' College, over which he has ever since presided, and where he now (1877 ) continues to maintain his well earned reputation. [At the present time (1885) he still holds this position. ]

Though raised by Quaker parents, he never identified himself with that " people." In the fall of 1858 he united with the Christian Church in Platte City, of which he has ever since been an active mem- ber, and of which he is now an elder. In early life he was a Whig in politics, but since 1856 has uniformly acted with the Democratic party.

He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Kentucky. He joined the Masonic fraternity in Missouri, was initi- ated, passed and raised in 1867 in Zerubbabel Lodge No. 191, in which he, at different times, held official positions. He was, one year, High Priest of Melody Royal Arch Chapter, and is also a mem- ber of Alpha. Council of Royal and Select Masters. He was created a Knight Templar in Saint Bernard Commandery, in Platte City, soon after his exaltation in the Chapter.

Prof. Gaylord is justly regarded as the pioneer in the cause of classi- cal education in Northwest Missouri, and his success in elevating the standard of literary and scientific culture in that country is an ac- knowledge fact. Many of his students have achieved distinction in after life, as professional men, and filled with credit public positions of honor and trust.

In person he is six feet two inches high, of powerful frame, and weighs 210 pounds. His social qualities are excellent, and his benev- olence and hospitality proverbial facts, which some in different States, educated by his liberality, are proud to attest.

JOHN L. GOSNEY (Post-office, Linkville).

Mr. Gosney, one of the oldest and most highly respected residents of Carroll township, is now in the sixty-ninth year of his age, having been born April 20, 1816. His birthplace was Clark county, Ky., while his father, Richard Gosney, was originally from Loudoun county, Va. He was born in 1777, and after attaining manhood was

944

HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

married to Miss Jane Leckey, of Clark county, Va. The younger days of the subject of this memoir were passed without any material change from the ordinary routine of farm labors to which he had been brought up, though his education was not such as the common schools of this day afford. About the year 1856, or soon after his second marriage, he started West, and upon reaching Clay county remained there three years. Going on to Denver, Col., that continued to be his home for two years. During the war Mr. Gosney served in the army under Col. Shivington for 190 days, participating in the massacre since known as the Shivington massacre, at Sand Creek, Kan. Returning to Platte county in 1865, Mr. Gosney resumed his farming operations in which he has been quite successful. In 1843 he was married to Miss Harriet A. Lyon, a native of Shelby county, Ky., born in 1822. She died in 1849, leaving two children. In 1855 his second marriage occurred, Miss Rhoda Harper becoming his wife. She was from Fayette county, Ky., but died March 15, 1883, leaving six children : George H., born August 31, 1858 ; Bet- tie, born November 14, 1859, and wife of John Young, of this county ; Richard, born June 9, 1861 ; Susan R., born December 4, 1863 ; Hub- bard K., born December 5, 1869, and Robert H., born December 5, 1871. Mr. Gosney's first wife belonged to the Episcopal Church, and his second wife was connected with the Christian denomination. She was most active in all benevolent and charitable movements, and warmly devoted to the cause of Christianity. Her loss was a severe one to her affectionate husband and loving family. Mr. Gosney is the owner of 100 acres of land. Politically he is a Democrat.

THOMAS C. HAMMOND, M. D.

(Physician and Farmer, Section 22, Post-office, Platte City).

In presenting in this work brief biographical sketches of the pro- minent citizens of Platte county, among these, in the medical profes- sion, is very properly given a short sketch of the life of Dr. Ham- mond, and of his identification with the county, both as a physician and surgeon and farmer. His father, T. C. Hammond, a prominent military man, and as brave a soldier as ever enlisted in any army, was a native of Maryland, where he grewto manhood. He was edu- cated at West Point Military Academy and was a first lieutenant in the regular army, subsequently being killed in the Mexican War at the battle of San Pasqual, soon after the birth of his son. Quite a romance and one of much interest to those so deeply concerned in it was his marriage, clandestinely, the marriage ceremony being per- formed on horseback at Pilot Knob, near Ft. Leavenworth, Kan. After this Lieut. Hammond was stationed at Leavenworth, but in 1846 met his death, as above mentioned. The maiden name of his wife was Miss Mary Hughes, of North Carolina, though she was reared in this county, and sometime after the death of her husband she became the wife of Dr. Rixey, by whom she had one child, Richard Hughes Rixey. Young Hammond was brought up by his step-father, .

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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