USA > Missouri > Gentry County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 78
USA > Missouri > Daviess County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 78
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Sampson Castor with his son, William B., came to Missouri in 1843, settling in Gentry County, where Mr. Castor became a prosperous farmer and stockman, owning 240 acres of well improved land. William B. Castor was married for the first time to Minerva Stevens, a daughter of W. H. and Louis Stevens. Mrs. Castor died Nov. 30, 1870, leaving one son, James Alfred Castor. On Sept. 27, 1871, Mr. Castor married Jane E. Jones, a daughter of Jacob and Dora (Miller) Jones. To this union four children were born, as follows: Anna Laura; Eugene Ellsworth; Bessie D .; and Charles S.
During the Civil War, Mr. Castor enlisted in the Missouri State Mili- tia, and served for one year as lieutenant, after which he was promoted to captain. Mr. Castor served in the army until 1870, when he retired to his farm in Gentry County, where he carried on farming and stock raising. His stock was the finest in the county, and he was widely known as a breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. Mr. Castor died Jan. 28, 1899, and is buried in Carter Cemetery. Mr. Castor had many friends in this county and was one of the most honored and respected citizens.
Edward Steinman, general superintendent of the Albany Light, Wa- ter and Power plant, Albany, Mo. is a native of Gentry County. He was born Aug. 16, 1887 and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Hulett) Stineman. Samuel Steinman was born in Columbus, Ohio, and is now engaged in the meat business at Albany, Mo., where he conducts two markets and is also the owner of 160 acres of valuable land in Gentry County.
Samuel and Mary (Hulett) Steinman are the parents of the following children : Lorain, who died at the age of 46 years and is buried in the Carter Cemetery in Gentry County ; Ralph, Beggs, Okla .; Edward, the subject of this sketch; Lilley, a teacher at Roundup, Mont .; Arthur, died at the age of 22 years and is buried in Carter Cemetery.
Edward Steinman received his education in the public schools and in early life worked at the brick layer's trade for three years. He then studied engineering at Wichita. He was then employed in the capacity of engineer in a mill at Miami, Fla. For the past six years he has been general super- intendent of the Albany, Water, Light and Power Plant, having charge of both the power plants and also the outside work. In addition to supplying the town of Albany this plant also furnishes light to Darlington. This is one of the important industrial enterprises of Gentry County, and Mr. Steinman has thoroughly demonstrated his efficiency during the years that he was so capably directing the affairs of this enterprise.
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Mr. Steinman was married to Cora Taylor, a daughter of William and Ellen (Stubbens) Taylor. Mrs. Steinman is one of the following children born to her parents: Cecil, married Frank Brown, Leadville, Colo .; Mary, married Charles Jenkins, an electrician at Vancouver, Wash .; Cora, mar- ried Edward Stineman, the subject of this review; Luther, a plumber and steamfitter, Wichita, Kan .; a daughter married Edgar McQuarry, Mel- borne, Mo .; and Francis, a student in college.
To Mr. and Mrs. Steinman have been born three children: Donald, Ethel and Samuel.
Mr. Steinman is a Democrat and is recognized as one of the progres- sive and enterprising citizens of Albany and Gentry County.
James W. McKnight, a well known and successful attorney of Al- bany is a native of Indiana. He was born Jan. 1, 1876, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Jones) Mcknight.
Joseph McKnight was a successful farmer and stockman and spent his life in the State of Indiana. During the Civil War he enlisted in the Union Army, becoming a member of the 38th Regiment, Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry and served for four years. He was a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Church. Both he and his wife are now de- ceased and their remains are buried at Orleans, Ind. They were the par- ents of six children as follows: Stella, married Grant Carroll, Orleans, Ind .; Alpha, Lexington, Ky .; James W., the subject of this sketch; D. C., Huntington, W. Va .; Eva, Orleans, Ind .; and Grace, married Clar- ence Harned, Paola, Ind.
James W. McKnight was reared in Indiana and attended the pub- lic schools, including a high school course. He then entered Purdue Uni- versity, after having taught school for some time in his native state, and was graduated from the law department. He then came to Missouri and engaged in the practice of law at King City where he successfully fol- lowed his profession until the spring of 1922 when he removed to Al- bany where he is now engaged in the practice of law.
Mr. McKnight is a Democrat and since coming to Gentry County has taken an active part in politics. He has served two terms as prose- cuting attorney of Gentry County. He was a member of the Legisla- ture during the 47th General Assembly and was elected to the Senate in 1916. During his Legislative career he served on a number of im- portant committees and was recognized as one of the able members of the House and Senate.
In 1899 James W. McKnight was married to Miss Anna Slade, a
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daughter of Thomas and Delia (Kier) Slade. Mrs. McKnight is a Democrat and is recognized as one of the prominent Democratic women of Missouri. She was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention at San Francisco in 1920.
Carl J. Agee, a prominent druggist of King City and the present mayor of that city is a native of Missouri and is a member of one of the early pioneer families of Andrew County. Mr. Agee was born at Whitesville, Andrew County, Nov. 17, 1878, a son of John V. and Anna (Andrews) Agee.
William E. Agee was born in Buchanan County, Mo., and was a very early settler in Gentry County. He was a blacksmith and served as constable at King City for two terms and was the first marshall of the town of Stanberry. He died Dec. 20, 1920.
Anna Andrews Agee was born in Wisconsin, a daughter of John Vermillion and Aurilla (Saxten) Andrews. John Vermillion Andrews was born in Schenectady, N. Y., May 17, 1818, and died in King City, Mo., Oct. 27, 1912. He was married to Aurilla Saxten Feb. 22, 1843, at Racine, Wis. They came to Missouri and settled in Andrew County in 1876 and spent the remainder of their lives in this section of Mis- souri.
To William Agee and wife were born the following children: Paul and Jennings, twins, deceased; Cleo, manager of the Carl Agee Drug Store at Union Star; J. Earl, trainmaster in the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad Company at Denver, Colo .; Harry, an inspector in the em- ploy of Swift and Company at St. Joseph; Louise, married Charles Gills a wholesale merchant St. Joseph; and Carl J., the subject of this review.
Carl J. Agee was educated in the public schools including a high school course and then took a course in pharmacy. He began life in the dry goods business and for a time was engaged in printing. In 1904 he engaged in the drug and jewelry business. He has built up an extensive business in King City and vicinity and in 1909 he opened a branch at Union Star which he still conducts under the management of his brother, Cleo.
Mr. Agee was married to Miss Velma Lewis. They have no chil- dren.
Mr. Agee is a Republican and is now serving his second term as mayor of King City. He is a progressive and efficient public official and during his administration many needed improvements have been
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carried out in King City, including several blocks of pavement; he is a substantial citizen and ranks high in King City and vicinity.
Thomas J. Dieter, well known owner of the Commercial Hotel of King City, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Clinton County, Oct. 22, 1872, a son of George and Lucy (Iwell) Dieter.
George Dieter was born in Germany and came to this country at the age of 21 years. He was a master mechanic by trade in Germany, but after his arrival in the United States he worked as a blacksmith. Mr. Dieter settled in Pennsylvania, where he remained for 18 years. At the end of that time, he came to Missouri, settling in Clinton County, where he purchased 80 acres of land. He built a blacksmith shop on his farm, where he carried on his work, as well as farming. Mr. Dieter remained in the blacksmith business for nine years, after which he moved to Gentry County, where he purchased 240 acres of well improved land, located east of King City. He became a success- ful breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs, and was one of the first settlers of Gentry County to handle blooded stock. Mr. and Mrs. Dieter are both deceased, and are buried in St. Patrick's Ceme- tery, Gentry County. They were the parents of the following chil- dren: Joseph, stockman, King City; Henry, farmer and stockman, Clinton County ; George, farmer and stockman, Clinton County; Anna, the wife of Emil Dernfeldt, farmer and stockman, Gentry County; Frank, resides in Nebraska; Thomas J., the subject of this sketch. Dur- ing the Civil War, Mr. Dieter served in the Missouri State Militia. He was a member of the Catholic Church and a Democrat.
Thomas J. Dieter was reared on his father's farm in Missouri, and attended the district schools. He began farming on 80 acres of land in Gentry County, and was widely known as a breeder of high grade stock. Mr. Dieter has been a farmer during his entire life until in January, 1922, when he purchased the Commercial Hotel in King City, which he now manages. It is the largest hotel in King City, and has 30 rooms. Mrs. Dieter also assists in the managing of the hotel.
Mr. Dieter married Sadie Wyatt, a daughter of John and Stephanie (Lampe) Wyatt, natives of Missouri. To this union six children have been born, as follows: William Francis, deceased; Ruby, attending sehool; Carl, attending school; Maud Josephine, attending school; and Stella May, at home.
Mr. Dieter is also interested in the oil business. In politics he is a Republican, as also is Mrs. Dieter. Mr. Dieter is widely known, and is one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of Gentry County.
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
P. M. Graves, a well known farmer and stock raiser of Jackson Township, Gentry County, is a native of Indiana. He was born May 16, 1864, a son of T. P. and Anna (Tague) Graves, both natives of North Carolina. They came to Missouri in 1882 and spent the remainder of their lives in this state. T. P. Graves was a veteran of the Civil War, having served as captain of Company I, 59th Regiment, Indiana Infan- try and was in the service for two years. He never recovered his health after the war. He was a Democrat and a member of the Masonic Lodge and Methodist Church. His remains are buried at Maryville.
T. P. and Anna (Tague) Graves were the parents of the following children : John Wesley, Betsey Jane, Catherine, Margaret, Sarah, all of whom are deceased; Mary, married J. W. Arthur, a stationary engineer, Lyons, Kan .; Thomas, a mechanic, who lives in Indiana; and P. M., the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Graves began life working by the day and practically all his life he has been engaged in farming and stock raising. He is now the owner of 80 acres of land in Jackson Township where he carries on gen- eral farming and stock raising. He raises Shorthorn cattle, Duroc Jer- sey hogs, horses and mules and is meeting with well merited success.
Mr. Graves married Miss Amanda Gillam, a daughter of James and Nancy (Condor) Gillam, the former a native of Kentucky and both now deceased. Mrs. Graves was one of the following children born to her parents: Mary, Agnes, Lizzie, Ella, Maggie, and Nancy, all of whom are deceased; Mary, married James Crombo, who is now deceased ; Da- vid Preston, who lives in Indiana ; and Mrs. Graves of this review.
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To P. M. Graves and wife have been born the following children : Blanche and Jeanette, deceased ; William, whose present address is un- known, he having left for the gold fields about 12 years ago which was the last time he has been heard from; Ida, married Albert Parsons, who is engaged in the poultry business in King City; Mrs. Parsons is one of the prominent Democratic women of Missouri. She was a delegate to the Democratic State Convention at Joplin in 1920 and is a member of the Democratic State Executive Board; Della, married Henry Martin, who is engaged in the plumbing business at Red Oak, Iowa; Frank, who is engaged in farming and stock raising with his father; and Clarence, who is a mechanic and resides in St. Joseph.
Mr. Graves is a member of the Sons of Veterans and is a Democrat. He is one of the substantial citizens of Gentry County, and is well known for his integrity.
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F. M. Gillett, a progressive and enterprising merchant at Island City, Mo., is one of the well known ond substantial citizens of Gentry County. He was born in Warren County, Ill., and is a son of Irson and Mary (Blue) Gillett, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of War- ren County, Ill. Irson Gillett was a farmer and stork raiser. He was a Democrat and a member of the Christian Church. He died in Septem- ber, 1904, and his wife is now 80 years old and lives three miles east of Island City. They were the parents of the following children: Jackson, Thomas and Fred, all of whom are deceased ; and William, a farmer and stockman in St. Clair County; George, Indianola, Iowa; Viola, Erson, Union Star, Mo .; Pearl, lives in Gentry County ; Freeman, who is a mem- ber of the police force in Los Angeles, Calif .; Thalia, married Richard Wiseman, Joplin, Mo .; Frank, lives in Gentry County; and F. M., the subject of this sketch.
F. M. Gillett, received his education in the public schools and be- gan life for himself as a farmer and stockman, operating rented land. Later he bought 40 acres of land and is now the owner of 1384 acres of land where he was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising for a number of years before engaging in the mercantile business. In November, 1918, he engaged in the general mercantile business at Island City. He carries a very complete stock of general merchandise and has an extensive trade over a large scope of territory.
Mr. Gillett was married Feb. 22, 1882, to Miss Sarah Miller, a na- tive of Illinois. She is a daughter of W. J. and Martha (Gillett) Miller, the former a native of Indiana and the later of Ohio.
W. J. Miller was born in a log cabin in Indiana and reared in the midst of pioneer surroundings. He came to Missouri with his family in 1870 and settled in Gentry County where he was engaged in farming and stock raising during the remainder of his life. He died in 1905 and is buried in Cooper Cemetery. Mrs. Gillett is one of the following chil- dren born to her parents: Elsie, married Perry Allen, an employee of the Wabash railroad at Stanberry ; Hulda, married Samuel Allen, a car- penter contractor at Stanberry; Mary, married Benjamin Cooper, an employe of the Wabash railroad at Stanberry; Alva, a contractor, who lives in Kansas; Elva, married Henry Crutchlow, an employe of the Wa- bash railroad at Stanberry; Earl, who is employed by the Standard Oil Company and lives in Kansas; and Mrs. Gillett, of this review. Mrs. Gillett's mother is now 78 years old and lives at Stanberry.
To Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Gillett have been born the following chil-
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dren : William, Ray and Fay, all of whom are deceased ; Bertha, mar- ried Henry Richards and they live in Nodaway County; Ora, lives in Gentry County ; Alfa, married John Mann, and they live in Clay County, Iowa; Homer, lives in Gentry County; May, married Adam O'Neil and they live in Gentry County; and Paul, who is associated with his father in the store.
Mr. Gillett is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masons and he and Mrs. Gillett are members of the Christian Church and they are Republicans.
Ray Harpster, a well known practical farmer of Sheridan Township, Daviess County, is a native of Ohio, born in Ross County, June 18, 1871. His grandparents were Jacob and Sarah Harpster. They came to Missouri in 1873 and located west of Hamilton in Caldwell County. Jacob Harp- ster, the grandfather of Ray Harpster, engaged in farming and stock rais- ing and owned land in Caldwell County at different times. He died at Kidder in 1885, and his wife died in 1912.
Ray Harpster attended the rural schools in Caldwell County and later was a student in the Kidder public school. He has made his own way in the world since he was 15 years old. He worked by the month on various farms for a time, was in Kansas City, Mo., for almost ten years, and later worked with a bridge gang on a railroad for four years. During those years he held various positions and showed his adaptability to sundry kinds of work. He bought his present farm of 204 acres from George Hughstead. The farm lies three and one-half miles northeast of Kidder. Practically all of the improvements have been made by Mr. Harp- ster. The residence was built in 1916, and Mr. Harpster has added several farm buildings as they became needed in his work. He does general farming. For the past 32 years he has operated a saw mill and threshing machine. He uses a Port Huron engine and an Aultman-Taylor separator.
Mr. Harpster was married in March, 1894, to Mollie Young, who died two years later, leaving a daughter, now Mrs. Ina Ray of Kansas City, Mo. On Dec. 25, 1900, Mr. Harpster was married to Mrs. Minnie (Leabo) Young, a daughter of James and Frances Leabo. To this union three sons were born; James Franklin, Paul Edwards and Charles Raymond.
Mrs. Harpster's father, James Leabo, was born in Ray County, July 17, 1857, the son of Daniel and Mary (Teagarden) Leabo. Daniel Leabo served as a captain in the Federal Army during the Civil War. He enlist- ed in Daviess County. He was a Democrat in politics. He died at Lathrop in 1912, and his wife died three years later. The remains of both are buried at Lathrop.
RAY HARPSTER
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
James L. Leabo came to Daviess County with his parents in 1861. He recalls seeing the men drill in front of the Leabo home for service in the war, and recollects quite well seeing his father leave for his period of three years of service. James Leabo lived at home until his marriage in 1878. He now owns 80 acres of land, located four miles northeast of Kidder. He has lived in this vicinity for the past 65 years, and is one of the highly re- spected citizens of the community. He married Frances Kelso, a daughter of John and Phoebe Kelso, in 1878, and to this union the following child- ren were born: Orpha, now Mrs. Eben Youtsey of Colorado; Minnie, now Mrs. Harpster; Matty, a teacher at Winston; Vina, now Mrs. Walter Rey- nolds of Topeka, Kans .; Angie, now Mrs. Staffman of Shelbina; Frances, died at the age of four years; and Gertie, the wife of Walter Edwards. All of the daughters, who lived to womanhood, were teachers with the exception of Vina.
Mr. Harpster entered his married life with a gray pony and five dollars as his worldly assets and he relates that the five dollars he gave to the preacher who married him. This was Rev. William Eckelberry of Kidder. Mr. Harpster has worked hard all of his life, but he has achieved a success in his work. He intends to delegate a great part of his work to his sons as soon as they are through school and ready to assume the re- sponsibility of the farm.
Mr. Harpester is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and of the Modern Woodmen of America lodges. He served his town- ship as constable for four years and as justice of the peace for two years. He is a man of business acumen and integrity and is well liked throughout the neighborhood in which he is well known.
Peter Hammer, a successful farmer and stockman of Jackson Town- ship was born in Gentry County, Nov. 29, 1870. He is a son of Peter and Mary (Christina) Hammer. The father was a native of Germany and came to America when he was 15 years old. He learned blacksmithing in early life and when he first came to this country, he worked at his trade in an axe factory in Ohio. Later he removed to Indiana and from there came to St. Joseph, Mo. Later he removed to Andrew County where he was engaged in farming about eight years; he then came to Gentry County where he was extensively engaged in farming and stock raising.
Peter Hammer, the subject of this sketch is one of the following children born to his parents: Lewis, a farmer and stockman, lives in Gentry County; Charles, a farmer and stockman in Gentry County ; Frank, a farmer and stockman in Gentry County; Mary, lives in Gentry
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County ; Elizabeth, lives in Gentry County ; and Peter, the subject of this sketch.
Peter Hammer has been engaged in farming and stock raising since early manhood. For 11 years he operated rented land. He then bought his first land and is now the owner of a splendid farm of 280 acres. His place is well improved with a good residence and other buildings and he carries on general farming and stock raising, raising Polled Angus cattle, horses, mules and fancy poultry.
Mr. Hammer married Iva Miller, a daughter of Charles and Nor- cisis (Ashball) Miller of Illinois. Mrs. Hammer is one of the following children born to her parents: Herbert, lives in California; Sadie, was a teacher in Nebraska before her marriage, is now the wife of Edgar Ad- ams, a teacher and banker of Nebraska; Grace, now the wife of Eugene Hands and they live in Washington; Clyde, who is serving his second enlistment in the United States Navy as an electrical engineer with San Francisco as his headquarters; and Dollie, a teacher, resides at Linnius, Mo .; and Mrs. Hammer, of this review. To Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hammer have been born the following children : Franklin Lewis, Peter, Jr .; Clar- ence, and David.
Mr. Hammer is a Democrat and one of the substantial citizens of Jackson Township.
Willis J. Ethel, a well known retired farmer of King City, was born in Illinois, Jan. 22, 1839. He is a son of Willis Jackson and Lutisiah (Taylor) Ethel.
Willis Jackson Ethel was a native of Kentucky. His first wife, Lu- tisiah (Taylor) Ethel, died at the age of 30 years, leaving one son, Wil- lis J., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Ethel later was married to Sarah Eads, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of John Holden Eads. Mr. Eads was a prominent farmer and stockman. Mr. and Mrs. Eads were the parents of the following children: Martha, deceased; William, de- ceased ; Nancy Jane, the widow of Mr. Clark, now living in Illinois; Ra- chael, the widow of Charles Dewitt, living in Illinois; Louisa Holden, the wife of C. H. Crab, farmer and stockman, residing in Oklahoma ; and Mrs. Ethel. Both Mr. and Mrs. Eads are deceased and are buried in Gentry County.
Willis J. Ethel was reared in Illinois and received his education in the public schools. He then engaged in farming, purchasing 80 acres of land. Two years later, Mr. Ethel moved to Missouri, settling in Gentry County, where he has since lived. He became a successful farmer and
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stockman, and was well known as a breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Po- land China hogs. Mr. Ethel owns 120 acres of well improved land.
Mr. Ethel is married and has the following children : Eva, deceased ; Fannie, deceased ; Albert K., merchant, Colorado; George, Bisbee, Ariz .; Katie, the wife of John Hire, farmer and stockman, Colorado; Cather- ine, the wife of Eben Blacklock, farmer and stockman, Gentry County. Mrs. Ethel died Dec. 13, 1911, and is buried in Miller Cemetery, Gentry County.
In politics Mr. Ethel is a Democrat. He is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Ethel is now living retired in King City and is a highly respected and substantial citizen of Gentry County.
Charles Potter, an extensive farmer and stockman of Gentry County who operates a large farm in Miller Township, is a native Missourian. He was born in Harrison County, Dec. 1, 1867, a son of Leonard and Lu- cinda (Warner) Potter, the former a native of Clinton County and the latter of Indiana. They were the parents of three children Daisy, de- ceased ; Marcus, a ranchman in Wyoming; and Charles, the subject of this sketch. Leonard Potter came to Gentry County about 35 years ago and he and his wife now live in this County.
Charles Potter was educated in the district schools and in early life began working out by the month. Later he rented 120 acres of land and afterwards bought 160 acres. He added more land to his original hold- ing until he became the owner of 700 acres. He has since disposed of some of his land and is now the owner of 500 acres of well improved and productive land. He is one of the successful stockmen of Gentry County, raising black Angus and Whiteface cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs. His cattle has topped the market in Kansas City. Mrs. Potter is a very suc- cessful poultry raiser.
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