USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Dade County and her people : from the date of the earliest settlements to the present time > Part 37
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Martin and Nancy Rector, grandparents of John M. Jones Jr., came to Dade County in the fall of 1846, and both died here. John M. Jones Jr. received a good edu- cation in the public schools of Dade County and Ozark College at Greenfield. He taught school in Dade County for some six years, and was with Scott Bros. of Kansas City, Mo., railroad contractors, for whom he kept books for four years, after which he returned to Dade County and married Mary I. Patterson, who was born in Dade County November 28th, 1869, and was a daughter of J. D. Patterson and Margaret Traller. (A complete sketch of whom will be found elsewhere.) For three years after his marriage Mr. Jones farmed on 160 acres of rented land
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in Rock Prairie Township, moved to Everton, and there entered the mercantile business, where he kept a general store for 12 years, subsequently selling out to Parker & Dye, who had been his partners, and moved to his present location, which is considered one of the finest farms in this part of Missouri. He bought 160 acres of Mr. Patterson, his father-in-law, who also gave his daughter, Mrs. Jones. an adjoining 160 acres. This was well improved land, and here Mr. and Mrs. Jones have carried on general farming and stock raising and have been very successful in their operations. In 1917 he added 108 acres joining, making 428 acres in a body.
In 1905 Mr. Jones built a fine 12-room brick residence, which is one of the very few brick dwellings in this county. It is modern in every respect, hot and cold water, bath and lights. Mr. Jones has numerous fine large out- buildings, including a cement silo with a 130-ton capacity, and one stave silo of 130-ton capacity. This silo was one of the first built in this section of the county; in fact, it can be said that Mr. Jones was probably the first in the county to become interested in the silo as a farm institu- tion. He is a high-grade stock man, raises and breeds pure Angus cattle, and his herd of 50 head is one of the best that can be found in South Missouri. He handles a large number of Poland-China hogs and also raises and breeds sheep to quite an extent. He is a breeder and finisher of fine horses. He ranks first in the county, making a specialty of saddlers and trotting horses.
To Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been born four children: Floy B., born February 26th, 1892, married Ross Haley, a farmer of Rock Prairie Township, and they have one child, Adrain Gather Haley; J. Fay was born June 7th, 1894, is at home, is a graduate of Everton High School, and now assistant cashier of the Citizen's Bank of Everton .; Ruth Beryl, born August 30th, 1896, is attending school and lives at home, and Ula Forrest, born June 13th, 1899, is also at home.
Mr. Jones is an active Democrat and has served as township treasurer. He does not, however, aspire to office, inuch preferring to spend his time and energy in the con-
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duct of his large business interests. Mr. Jones is one of our foremost, progressive farmers, broad-minded and ever ready to take his part in any enterprise for the betterment of the county and its people, is an active booster for good roads and believes in free public schools. His judgment is sought upon all subjects of public interest. While a fine-class horseman, he also sees the advantage of the automobile, as he owns and drives a fine Buick Six. John M. Jones is known almost to every man, woman and child in this county, and his fine farm home is one of the show places of Eastern Dade County. His fine residence can be seen for miles around. John M. Jones stands in the front rank of Dade County in citizenship. His word is as good as his bond. Dade County needs more men of his caliber.
JAMES R. JEFFREYS.
One of the most highly respected and beloved citizens of Dade County is James R. Jeffreys of Washington Town- ship. He was born in Middle Tennessee April 7th, 1844, the son of Dr. M. N. Jeffreys and Hannah L. Hill, his wife, both natives of North Carolina, where they were mar- ried and where Mr. Jeffreys was a practicing physician for many years, but subsequently moved to Turnerville, Ky., where he carried on his profession until his death. which occurred in his 84th year, and his wife returned to the old home in Middle Tennessee, where she passed away some years later. James Jeffreys, of this review, remained at home and attended school up to the time of the Civil war. He was attending school at Middleton, Tenn., at the time, and he, with sixteen other students, walked out from school in a body and formed what later became Company G, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry. They elected Adolphus Cates captain, and the company was recruited in the neighborhood and was destined to see hard service Mr. Jeffreys was in the thick of the fight and was wounded in the hip at the battle of Harrisburg, which laid him up for some three months and later was wounded in the hand and arm. He was taken prisoner of
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war near Clifton, on the Tennessee river, was paroled after two months, and returned to his company. Besides others, he saw service in the battles of Fort Donaldson, Shilo, Farmington, Tupelo, Franklin, Tenn .; Perryville, Ky .; Okalona, Miss .; Fort Pillar, Tenn .; Paduka, Ky .; Pontatak, Miss .; Nashville and Chattanooga, Tenn., and Dalton, Ga. When the war closed Mr. Jeffreys found himself in Ala- bama, and he made his way home overland to Tennessee, but when he arrived he found that everything had been destroyed, but he took up the task of making a living and home for himself by farming, at which he could not get started in a satisfactory manner, so after three years of hard work he decided to emigrate to Missouri, which he did, in company with his brother, Al S. Jeffreys. They landed in Greenfield March 29th, 1869, and for some time Mr. Jeffreys worked out at different places until he got a start, and in 1871 purchased a team and rented 16 acres of land on Turnback Creek, and on which he raised a crop. This was the beginning, and he continued to rent land for two years, when he married one of Dade County's fairest daughters, Miss Nancy McMillan, and moved to 40 acres which was part of the old McMillan homestead. Here they lived and prospered, and Mr. Jeffreys soon bought out one of the other McMillan heirs, and thereby added another 40-acre tract, this giving them 80 acres of good land, and things began to move faster, so that in a short time he was able to buy two adjoining 40's, making them 160 acres in a body, and which is now one of the fine farms in the county. His son, James C. Jeffreys, now lives on and operates the home place, which is situated just east of South Greenfield. Mrs. Jeffreys died May 10th, --- , after a long and useful life, and she was beloved by all who knew her. She was the mother of two boys, who are now numbered among our best citizens. The oldest, James C., married Minnie Tye, a native of Dade County, and they have four children, as follows: James R., Kathryn, Ester H. and Bedford Forrest. The second son, Robert N., is a prominent farmer of Washington County, and they have one son, Albert Edgar.
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James R. Jeffreys is a Democrat in politics and has served as justice of the peace at South Greenfield for twelve years, and has also served on the school board and as road commissioner for many years. Fraternally he is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Chapter, Council and Commandry at Greenfield, and a prominent member and officer of the U. C. V. Camp. Truly, Mr. Jeffreys is one of our best known and greatly appreciated citizens. He has done his share in the building up of the county, and also of South Greenfield, where he owns the brick structure where the drug store is located, as well as other business buildings and a good town residence. Mr. Jeffreys has lived a clean and upright life, and his memory will always remain green through the numberless years after he shall have gone to his final rest. We of the younger generation may well emulate the example of Uncle Jim Jeffreys, and it is to such as he that Dade County does honor in these volumes of history.
ULYSSES S. KERAN.
Of Scotch-Irish ancestry and retaining many of the commendable characteristics of his early parentage, Ulys- ses S. Keran was born November 28th, 1867, in Fort Scott, Kas., his father, Asariah A. Keran, a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, of Scotch-Irish parentage dying in Dade County in 1896 in his 73rd year. His father, John Keran, came from Scotland and settled in Hamilton County, Ohio, in a very early day. He was a minister of the Protestant Methodist church. John's wife was Mary (Clements) Keran, of English ancestry. They spent their remaining days in Edgar County, Illinois.
A. A. Keran was one of a family of eight children, two boys and six girls, only two of whom are now living. He was a veteran of the Civil war, and was assigned to a Kansas regiment, of which he was surgeon. His brother. William, was also a veteran of the Civil war, serving in an Illinois regiment. A. A. Keran was raised on an Illinois farm, going there with his parents when a small boy. He
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attended the country and public schools of Paris, Ill. He then engaged in teaching for some time. In the meantime, he read medicine at Paris, and was one of the first gradu- ates of the Rush Medical College of Chicago. After graduation he practiced medicine at Paris, Ill., and later went as physician and surgeon to a colony in Minnesota. He came to Centerville, Apponoose County, Iowa, and after practicing there for some time emigrated to Fort Scott, Kas., after which he practiced his profession at Mt. Vernon, in Lawrence County, and finally ended his days at the home of his son, Ulysses, in Lockwood.
In early life he joined the Methodist church, in which organization he was a local preacher, a man of strong will power, deep convictions and vigorous speech. His Republicanism was as uncompromising as his religion.
A. A. Keran was married to Catharine Dick, who was born in Oldham County, Kentucky, and died in 1894, at the age of 73 years. She was of German descent, her parents, Richard and Lucy Dick, moving to Edgar County, Illinois, in the early days and were farmers. They were members of the Methodist Protestant church. She had two brothers, Solomon Dick and Nicholas Dick, who were veterans of the Civil war. There were six children in the Keran family, three boys and three girls, viz:
(1) Jennie J., married John Kingsburg, a veteran of the Civil war, who died of wounds received in service. She is now living at Mystic, Ia.
(2) John T., living at Elizabeth, Colo, a retired farmer. A veteran of the Civil war, serving in a Kansas regiment.
(3) Ann, married Joseph P. Jones. She is now deceased.
(4) Prince Albert, living at Lockwood, and engaged in the real estate business.
(5) Martha E., married Elmer E. Gray, a farmer. They reside at Capron, Okla.
(6) Ulysses S.
Either from choice or by dint of dire necessity, Ulys- ses S. Keran remained upon the farm till 25 years of age.
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As a boy lie attended the common schools, receiving a fair education. In 1891 he came to Lockwood and engaged in the real estate business. In 1896 he was elected mayor of the city and served two years. This was his entry into the political field. In 1898 he was elected sheriff of Dade County and was re-elected again in 1900. He has the distinction of being one of the best, if not the very best, sheriff Dade County ever had.
At the close of liis second term as sheriff he returned to Lockwood and was one of the organizers of the Farm- ers' State Bank of that place. During the next two years he served as vice president, and after that was elected cashier, which position he still holds.
He was married on the 14th day of March, 1889, to Jessie B. Harwell, born at Sparta, Ill., May 26th, 1868, daughter of Joseph C. and Gene (Walker) Harwell. They resided on a farm. One child was born to this union, Otho H., born in Lockwood, Mo., October 4th, 1894. He graduated from Lockwood High School and had a two- year course at the state university at Columbia. He is now second assistant cashier in the Farmers' State Bank at Lockwood. He was married on the 29thi day of June, 1916, to Miss Irma Caldwell, and lives in a handsome bun- galow adjoining the parental roof.
Mrs. Keran is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Keran holds membership in the I. O. O. F. and the M. W. A. He is a Republican in politics and a booster for everything that pertains to the general welfare of his community.
Mr. Keran has attained his greatest financial success by wise and judicious investments in real estate. Being a good seller as well as a good buyer, he has prospered in that line to a remarkable degree. His home is one of the best in Lockwood, botli in point of structural value and furnishings. He is a man who enjoys the brighter side of life and wears the smile which will not rub off. Affable, congenial and courteous, Mr. Keran is a man with whom it is a pleasure to meet and be associated with.
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JOHN A. KING.
Born in Dade County, Missouri, February 6th, 1850, son of William N. and Sarah M. (McConnell) King, a full biographical sketch being given of each of them in the biography and history of R. C. King in this volume.
John A. King received his meager schooling in Dade County, and is practically self-educated, and remained at home, working with his father, until he was 28 years of age. On the 14th day of February, 1878, he was mar- ried to Nancy Ann Lyon, who was born January 10th, 1858, in Cedar County, Missouri, daughter of William James and Sarah A. (Cowan) Lyon, both natives of Ten- nessee. They were married in Tennessee and came to Missouri in the late 50's. The mother died in early life and her father re-married, and died in Cedar County in May, 1899. He was a farmer, a Democrat in politics, and served one term as public administrator of Cedar County. He farmed extensively and was a big dealer in live stock. By his first wife (mother of Mrs. King) he had two chil- dren, Mrs. King and Mary, who married Pleasant R. Holbert of Cedar County, both now deceased. leaving seven children. Mrs. Lyon, mother of Mrs. King, was married in early life, previous to her marriage to Mr. Lyon, to a Mr. Lightner of Tennessee. One child was born of this marriage, a son, who became a noted doctor, and practiced many years in Dade County. His name was Dr. William Cowan Lightner, and he married a sister of John A. King. Losing his health in Missouri, he emi- grated to Texas, where he died. His widow, Mrs. M. J. Lightner, now resides at 208 West Street, Tulsa, Okla.
John A. King, about the time of his marriage, had received from his father 581%, acres of splendid land in North Morgan Township. He had cleared ont and built a house 16 by 32 feet, two rooms, and here he took his bride. He was an industrious and energetic man, and prospered. He added to his original tract until he had a fine farm of 315 acres, all in one body. He had built a splendid six-room, two-story frame dwelling upon it. In 1910 he retired from the farm and purchased a three and
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one-half-acre tract adjoining Greenfield on the east, with a large residence and a view overlooking the city.
He has made many improvements since purchasing, in the way of porches, sidewalks, etc. The residence is supplied with city water, electric lights, and is modern in every respect. Since purchasing the above, Mr. King has added to it, until now his home place consists of 181/2 acres.
Mr. and Mrs. King are members of the Presbyterian church, the wife being especially active in church work. Mr. King is a Demorat, but has never held a public office, being a man of simple tastes and devoted to his home life.
In the fall of 1914 he sold his farm in North Morgan Township to Benton Wilson of Greenfield.
Mr. and Mrs. King are the parents of 10 children:
(1) Ollie M., born January 3rd, 1879, married Lon McPeak.
(2) Reuel, born February 13th, 1881.
(3) Roy, born August 3rd, 1883.
(4) Nell, born March 7th, 1886, married Rollo Lindley.
(5) Julian, born December 19th, 1888, married Sam Duffy, and lives on a farm one and one-half miles south- west of Greenfield.
(6) Gladys, born December 25th, 1891.
(7) Finis.
(8) Floy (twin of Finis), born May 7th, 1895.
(9) Opal, born October 14th, 1898.
(10) Weldon, born June 10th, 1901.
By energy, industry and close application to business, Mr. and Mrs. King have been able to retire from the strenuous activities of life, and are now living retired in an elegant home upon an income which is the fruits of hard-earned toil.
0
ROY KING.
Was born in Dade County, Missouri, in North Morgan Township, August 2nd, 1883, son of John and Nancy
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(Lyon) King, members of one of the pioneer families of Dade County, whose biographical sketch appears at length in this history.
Roy was educated in the schools of Dade County, and finished in the High School at Dadeville. He remained at home on the farm until 1907, when he was married March 30th to Lake Hailey, who was born February 15th, 1887. At this time he bought a 160-acre farm in South Morgan Township, in connection with his brother, Ruel, which they worked together till 1909, when he purchased the old Benjamin Pyle farm of 287 acres in North Morgan Township, west of Bona. This was an improved farm, with a large frame residence erected in 1894 by J. C. Shouse.
Since purchasing this farm he has been engaged largely in the live stock business, feeding most all of the grain raised on the place. He keeps a registered White- face bull and feeds a carload of cattle or more each year. He also raises from two to three span of horses and mules for market each year. In hogs, he prefers the Duroc- Jersey, and keeps thoroughbred stock of this kind. His farm of 287 acres lies in one body, is well watered with wells and spring branch, and upon which he has made numerous improvements in the way of fencing and cross- fencing with hog wire, and has installed a hydraulic ram to throw water from the spring into the house and barns. His outbuildings are good, and he erected a new barn in 1913 and also a 120-ton silo.
Mrs. King is a daughter of Robert L. and Ann Eliza (Langford) Hailey, who reside in North Morgan Town- ship, near Bona.
Mr. and Mrs. King are each members of the Christian church. In politics Mr. King is a Democrat, is a good- roads man and drives a Ford car. He is an up-to-date, progressive farmer, and one of the rising young men of the county.
Mr. and Mrs. King are the parents of three children:
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(1) Denzel Virginia, born August 16th, 1908.
(2) Robert Carlos, born September 1st, 1912.
(3) John Eldon, born April 30th, 1914.
ROBERT C. KING.
One of the foremost citizens of the northeastern part of Dade County is Robert C. King of North Morgan Township. He was born in Dade County, on the place where he now lives, July 5th, 1854, a son of William N. King and Sarah M. McConnell, his wife, both of whom were natives of Tennessee, and emigrated to Missouri at an early date, coming overland to Dade County as their objective point. They settled on 360 acres of partly im- proved land diretly north of Dadeville. Here they went to farming in earnest, and improved the property with buildings, fencing, etc. They were prosperous and ac- cumulated much lands, raised a fine family of children, and passed away here, loved and respected by all. He died November 2nd, 1890, while his wife passed away some years previous, November 28th, 1877. They were bothi consistent Christians, being members of the Cum- berland Presbyterian church. He was a Democrat all his life, and at one time served as justice of the peace. Of the family born to this fine couple there are five now living. They are:
John A., of Greenfield; Mary J., widow of J. W. Lightner, now living in Oklahoma; Robert C., the subject of this sketch; J. L., of Greenfield, and David T., of North Morgan Township. Of those deceased, Thomas was a sol- dier in the United States Army during the Civil war, and died from diseases contracted therein. Four children were born and died in infancy.
Robert C., the subject of this sketch, has always lived on the place where he was born. His father lived with him in his declining years. Mr. King has always made a business of farming. He has been very successful, and now owns the greater part of the old homestead, having bought out the other heirs. His fine farm of 220 acres
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lies in a solid body and is practically all under cultivation. It is well fenced and cross-fenced, and the improvements are all that could be desired. On May 10th, 1873, Mr. King married Allie E. Hailey, who was born July 4th, 1861, a daughter of Allen and Eva (King) Hailey, who were early settlers of Dade County. To this union have been born five children, four of whom are living: Eva F., born February 17th, 1897, died in the prime of life January 18th, 1913; Clara Bell., born March 18th, 1884, married Flay Davis of North Morgan Township, and they have two children, Geraldine and another; Raymond, H., born January 7th, 1886, married Miss Bertie Long, and lives in South Morgan Township, and they have one child, Wilbur F .; Harry G., born October 3rd, 1887, married Sadie Black- ford of Portland, Ore., where they now reside; Myrtle Rosa, born July 12th, 1891, married Fred Hulston, a farmer of Washington Township, and they have one chlid, John Kenton.
Mr. King now lives practically retired, enjoying a well-deserved rest, after these years of strenuous activi- ties, although he manages his large farm almost entirely. In politics he is a Democrat, but never has sought or desired office, preferring to devote his time to his business interests and to his home. He is one of our best citizens, always ready and willing to devote his time and means to any cause for the good of the county. He and his wife are both consistent Christians, being members of the Christian church.
The name of King in Dade County has always stood for advancement and good citizenship. Mr. King is heartily in favor of our free public school institutions, and is lined up right on the subject of good roads. No better citizen can be found in Dade County, and the story as told by his life shows what can be accomplished by honesty, close application and consideration for others. Mr. King's life exemplifies all of these attributes, and yet he has succeeded in life in every way. Our young people of today may well emulate his example.
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ROY C. KING.
One of the most prominent of the young men of the eastern side of the county is Roy C. King, of this review. Mr. King was born March 25th, 1879, in Polk County, close to the Dade County line. His father was Robert R. King, who was born in 1848, the son of Henry King, who was one of the very earliest pioneers of what is now Polk County. Robert R. King served in the Civil war in the Sixth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and died in Polk County in the year 1893. He married Mrs. Minervia A. (Hayter) Kirby, the widow of Sharp Kirby, a sketch of whom will be found under the name of Dr. B. B. Kirby. Mr. and Mrs. King were the parents of four boys, as follows: Fred, married Maggie Cowan and lives in Polk County; Roy C., of this review; William Virgil, who is a prominent dentist of Kansas City, Mo .; Elwyn, married Miss Lora Hicks, and lives on the home place with his mother, Mrs. Robert King. Mr. King had one son by a former marriage to Miss Bell Bacon, who died leaving her infant son, Jesse B. King, who is now a farmer of Dade and Polk Counties. The King family are very prominent people of Polk County, and have lived so close to the Dade County line that we claim them anyway. Roy C. King remained at home until he was 30 years of age, and had the usual experiences of the farmer boy, working and attending school. He was educated in the schools at Dadeville and the Dadeville Academy. On October 3rd, 1905, he married Miss Dollie Wheeler, who was born June 29th, 1882, a daughter of John and Jane Wheeler, and of whom more extended mention may be found elsewhere. To Mr. and Mrs. Roy King were born three beautiful children, as follows: Thelma, born July 28th, 1906; Muriel, born March 6th, 1911; Cathryn Annett, born May 22nd, 1914. In 1908 Mr. King came to Dade County to become a permanent citizen, moving onto the old Wheeler homestead. This fine place was one of the very first to be settled in the county, and was the first property of Uncle Jim Wheeler, grandfather of Mrs. King. This farm comprises 226 acres of fine land, all improved except 40
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acres in timber, and one now may see fine specimens of Whiteface cattle, as Mr. King usually keeps around 100 head, as well as many hogs and other stock. He believes in the silo and has a 150-ton cement silo on his place.
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