USA > Missouri > Harrison County > History of Harrison County, Missouri > Part 23
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Doctor Hinkle was married June 14, 1909, to Florence Pearl Switzer, of Lamoni, Iowa. They have had two children: Hugh Hale, who died September 20, 1917, when nearly seven years old, and Roy Luverne, now eight years of age.
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Mrs. Hinkle is the daughter of William G. and Clara L. (Hale) Switzer. Her father was a noted musician and Mrs. Hinkle studied with him for years. Later she was a student for two years of Professor Stouver, of Kansas City, Missouri. Mrs. Hinkle has a music studio in Bethany and is a teacher of wide and favorable reputation. She is the organist at the Christian Church.
Doctor Hinkle is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; the Woodmen of the World; the Modern Woodmen of America; and the Knights of Pythias Lodges. He is a member of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, but works in connection with all the churches in his town. He is an active scout master and has done excellent work in the Boy Scout movement. In 1912 Doctor Hinkle made the race for representative of his district in the Republican primaries. While at New Hampton he organized the Coal and Mineral Company, which company leased land and drilled until coal was found. Doctor Hinkle also originated the idea of the New Hampton Fair. Since coming to Bethany he has been connected with the Building and Loan Association. His energy, progressive ideas, and his marked ability in organization make Doctor Hinkle's services invaluable to his community. His fellow townsmen justly rank him as a reliable citizen who can always be depended upon to promote the civic welfare.
George W. Selby, a well known and highly respected citizen of Bethany, Missouri, was born in Decatur, County, Indiana, the son of William M. and Martha J. (Flint) Selby. Mr. and Mrs. William M. Selby were married in Indiana and came to Harrison County in 1841, and settled in Sherman Township, four miles east of the present site of Bethany. William Selby owned between 300 and 400 acres of land at the time of his death, August 28, 1900, at the age of eighty-one years. His wife died when forty-four years of age, and both are buried in Antioch Cemetery. When William M. Selby made the trip here from Indiana, he was accompanied by Dave Terry, each furnishing a horse to make the team they drove. Mr. Selby built a cabin, 14x16 feet, in dimensions with joist across, pole roof and covered with clapboards, weighted down. His family were forced to go without shoes for a winter or two until John S. Allen made shoes for them.
Mr. and Mrs. William M. Selby were the parents of the following children: George W., the subject of this sketch; Joshua J., who died
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE W. SELBY
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on his farm in Sherman Township; J. P., Thomas J., who died on the home farm; John F., who died in Bethany Township; Jesse, deceased; and Rachel, who married Leonard Nichols, now deceased, and who lives on the home place.
George W. Selby owns seventy-two acres of land adjoining the home place in Sherman Township, where he made his home until 1918, when he and his wife moved to Bethany, where they and their son, James Franklin, are living together.
George W. Selby was married in 1862, to Martha J. Buck, a daughter of Bethuel and Mary Buck, who were among the earliest settlers of Bethany Township. Mrs. Selby was born in Tennessee, and came with her parents to this county, about 1842, and her parents died here and are buried in Miriam Cemetery.
Mr. and Mrs. George W. Selby are the parents of four children: Wil- liam B. of Butler Township, who married Mary A. Alley of Ponca City, Oklahoma; Mary C., the wife of George W. Hammons of Bethany, Mis- souri ; James Franklin, who has been a city mail carrier for the past three years in Bethany; and Emma Mabel, the wife of W. A. Wethered, of Bethany.
The grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Selby are: George, William and Raymond Selby ; Alma Selby, wife Raymond Trimm of McFall, Missouri; Edgar Selby, Arthur W. Hammons, Lenore Wells of Kansas City, Mis- souri, Lester Wayne Selby, May Illeene Wethered. They have two great grandchildren: Raymond L. Trimm, and Norman Keefe Selby.
During the Civil War, George W. Selby, enlisted in 1863, at Beth- any, Missouri, under Captain Sutton of the 43rd Missouri Cavalry. Part of the time he was in camp at Weston, Missouri, and the Company was at Platte City, and St. Joseph, Missouri. He was mustered out at Albany, Missouri, after six months service.
James Franklin Selby, city mail carrier of Bethany, was born July 1, 1880, and educated in the schools of the county, and attended Bethany High School for two years. After finishing his education, he engaged in farming on the home place in Sherman Township until October 2, 1918, when he was appointed to his present position. He was married August 20, 1905 to Bessie Lillian Vanderpool, a daughter of B. P. and Catherine Vanderpool of Gilman City, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Selby have a son, Lester Wayne, born June 28, 1906.
George W. Selby has an extensive acquaintance in Bethany and Harrison County, and is a substantial citizen.
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Lieutenant Lawrence M. Crossan, one of the popular members of the Crossan Motor Company, was born in Bethany, Missouri, October 29, 1889, the son of Edwin M. and Daisy G. (Miner) Crossan. Edwin M. Crossan died in 1917 and is buried in Miriam Cemetery. His widow lives in Bethany.
Edwin M. Crossan and his wife had two children: Charline, deceased ; and Lawrence M., the subject of this sketch.
Lawrence M. Crossan was educated in the public schools of his home town, graduating from the Bethany High School in 1907. He was in the lumber business for a while, but after the United States entered the World War he enlisted in the army in March, 1918. He was sent at once to Camp Funston, where he was with the Construction Division, and where he was appointed second lieutenant, September 18, 1918. He was mus- tered out of service April 5, 1919, and returned to Bethany. He has been interested in the lumber business and is the secretary of the Miner-Frees Lumber Company. He is also a partner in the Crossan Motor Company, a sketch of which appears in connection with the biography of A. C. Flint, Mr. Crossan's partner in the motor company.
Mr. Crossan was married to Edith M. Switzer, of Ridgeway, Missouri, a daughter of Charles Switzer, of that place. They have two children: Richard and Catherine.
Mr. Crossan is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and of the American Legion at Bethany. Mr. Crossan has been a success- ful young business man and well deserves the excellent reputation which he has in his community.
The Butler Pharmacy, a successfully conducted business located on the south side of the City Square, was started in 1918 by the present pro- prietor, Mark Butler.
Mark Butler was born in Bethany, Missouri, February 15, 1884, the son of Oscar and Clarabelle (Allen) Butler. Mrs. Butler was a daughter of Robinson and Nancy (Tucker) Allen, who were among the early pioneer settlers of Harrison County. They both died here and are buried in Miriam Cemetery. Oscar Butler was the son of Asa Butler, also a pioneer settler in Harrison County. Asa Butler, a farmer in Cypress Township, came here in 1839 and was the first man in the county to put a shingle roof on his house and to install glass window lights. He was a member of the first county court ever held in the county, and throughout his life
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was a factor in the progress of his community. He was buried on the old home place which is now owned by his grandson. Asa Butler's son, Oscar, was born in Cypress Township and was reared on his father's farm. He was a teacher and combined with his teaching the study of law, later becoming an attorney in Bethany. At the time of his death at the age of thirty-five in 1886 he was the Harrison County attorney. His wife died in 1885.
Mark Butler, the only child of Oscar and Clarabelle (Allen) Butler, received his education in the public schools, graduating from the Bethany High School. He worked in a drug store, first with Dr. F. G. Smith, later buying an interest in a drug store with F. W. Sherer. This firm, under the name of Sherer and Butler, continued to do business for ten and one- half years. Three years ago Mr. Butler started the business of the Butler Pharmacy, in which he has been very successful.
Mark Butler was married the first time in 1893 to Clandie Flint, a danghter of A. H. and Ida Flint, of Bethany, Missouri. His second mar- riage in 1911 was to Goldie L. Flint, a sister of Claudie (Flint) Butler. To Mark and Goldie L. (Flint) Butler one child has been born, a daugh- ter, Ruth Ida.
Mr. Butler is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Bethany. His honest business methods and his friendly attitude have won him a high place in the esteem of his fellow citizens.
Hon. F. J. Hesseltine, who has served his county four terms as its efficient representative in the Missouri Legislature, was born near Martins- ville, Missouri, August 9, 1860, the son of H. F. and Mary E. (Cranmer) Hesseltine.
H. F. Hesseltine was born in Vermont in 1824 and came to Harrison County, Missouri, in 1854. He entered forty acres of land and bought another 160 acres in Dallas Township. He was one of the oldest pioneers of the county and was one of the leading citizens of his day. He filled the office of justice of the peace for several years and, in 1872, he made the race for the nomination of county judge. His wife, Mary E. (Cranmer) Hesseltine, was born in Marion County, Ohio, in 1833. She was the first registered woman physician in Harrison County, where she practiced between thirty and forty years. Mr. Hesseltine died in 1902 and his wife died in 1904. They are buried in Kidwell Cemetery .
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To H. F. and Mary E. (Cranmer) Hesseltine the following children were born: Andrew, now a retired farmer, living in Worth, Missouri ; John, who died in the State of Washington; F. J., the subject of this sketch; Sarah, who married Augustin Tilley and is now deceased; and Frank, last heard of in Virginia.
F. J. Hesseltine was educated in the public school of Martinsville and in Normal College at Shenandoah, Iowa. He taught school and farmed for seven years. He then devoted his time to farming for several years and now writes insurance, besides his other business interests and his work as representative of Harrison County. He has two farms, one in White Oak Township and one near Martinsville. Mr. Hesseltine is a di- rector of the Farmers Bank of New Hampton, and of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Harrison County.
F. J. Hesseltine was married August 27 1891, to Mary E. Christie, of Watkins, Missouri. Her father was Rev. J. B. Christie, a Baptist min- ister, now deceased. Her mother died in 1918. Mrs. Hesseltine and a daughter, Mrs. Eva Lawson, died with the influenza; Mrs. Hesseltine's death occurring in January, 1919, and her daughter's death occurring in February, 1919.
To F. J. and Mary E. (Christie) Hesseltine the following children were born: Eva, who married Nat Lawson and whose death is noted above; Grace, a clerk in the fifty-first session of the Missouri Legislature, married J. E. Sieber, cashier of bank of Ohioma, Nebraska; Carter C., formerly a page in the Missouri Legislature, married Bertha Clark and living in New Hampton; and Theodore, a student in the New Hampton High School, from which he will graduate in 1922. Mrs. Eva (Hesseltine) Lawson had one son, Morris, who is in Penalosa, Kansas.
Mr. Hesseltine is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Bethany and of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Hessel- tine was a justice of the peace in Butler Township and a member of the township board for several years. In 1898 he, with nine other men, made a race for the nomination of county clerk. This was the race which resulted in the nomination of Frank Town. In 1906 Mr. Hesseltine was elected representative from Harrison County and in 1908 and again in 1910 this honor was bestowed upon him by his county. In 1911 he moved to New Hampton and devoted his time to business interests but in 1920 Harrison County again called him into service and he was elected repre- sentative for the fourth time by a majority of about 2,500 votes. The
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various offices which he has filled indicate the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens. His popularity is well merited, coming as a result of his integrity in business and his progressive ideas in legislation.
W. J. Ebersole, successful elevator and mill owner at New Hampton, Missouri, was born two miles west of Martinsville, Angust 29, 1878, the son of Cornelius and Eliza (Ralph) Ebersole.
Cornelius Ebersole was born in Ohio, May 30, 1848, came to Ray County, Missouri, in the fifties and to Harrison County, Missouri, about 1870. He operated the Old Muddy Mill just over the line in Gentry County for several years, then followed farming, and now lives retired in New Hampton. His wife, Eliza (Ralph) Ebersole, was born in Gentry County, Missouri, the daughter of George Ralph, a pioneer farmer in Dallas Town- ship, who came from Kentucky in the early days. Mrs. Ebersole died in 1911 and is buried in Lone Star Cemetery. To Cornelius and Eliza (Ralph) Ebersole the following children were born: Charity, living in New Hamp- ton ; George, living on the home place; W. J., the subject of this review; Joseph J., of New Hampton ; Robert, a resident of Albany, Missouri, where he is in the milling, feed and flour business; Eva, the wife of Alex Murray, of Albany, Missouri, a partner of Robert Ebersole; Bessie, now Mrs. George L. Parman, of New Hampton; Fred S., a farmer in Dallas Town- ship; and Amy, a teacher of music in New Hampton.
W. J. Ebersole was educated in the public schools and at the age of nineteen began farming and milling business. He came to New Hampton in 1907, buying the old mill property. The next year he built a new mill and in 1915 he built the elevator now owned by the Farmers' Elevator Company. He sold this in 1919 and built a concrete elevator with a capacity of 8,000 bushels. Here he has ample room for the handling of both wholesale and retail business in flour, feed, grain, and field seed. He has installed a ten-ton scale, probably the only one of the kind in the county, and has all modern machinery for use in the elevator.
Mr. Ebersole built a very nice residence in New Hampton which he later traded for a farm. He now owns fourteen acres of land adjoining the town and on this plot he raises thoroughbred Spotted Poland China hogs and pure bred Plymouth Rock chickens. Mr. Ebersole also owns a farm of 120 acres in Dallas Township, which he operates.
W. J. Ebersole was married February 6, 1911, to Ethel Runyon, a
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native of Gentry County, Missouri, and a daughter of G. S. and Lizzie Grace Runyon, both now living in Lone Star, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Ebersole have three daughters: Ima E., Inez B. and Iris M.
Mr. Ebersole is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Pythias Lodge. Mr. Ebersole has met his present success because of his energy, industry and business foresight.
J. S. Magee, cashier of the Farmers Bank of New Hampton, has been connected with the banking institution of which he is an officer for twenty-two years, two years as the president and twenty years in his present capacity. The growth of the bank is therefore a part of the per- sonal history of its efficient cashier. Mr. Magee was born in Gentry County February 11, 1856, the son of John R. and Martha A. (Young) Magee. His father came from Kentucky to Gentry County and then to Harrison County, where he was a prominent farmer for many years. He died in February, 1918, at the age of eighty-five. His wife, Martha A. (Young) Magee, died in February, 1877. The remains of both are buried in Magee Cemetery. Four children were born to John R. and Martha A. ( Young) Magee, as follows: J. S., the subject of this sketch; Robert M., now a resident of Warrensburg, Missouri; Amanda, deceased; and W. L., who died May 31, 1903. Amanda Magee married T. A. Williams, who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Mrs. Williams died in Boulder, Colorado, at the age of fifty-seven and her remains are buried in Magee Cemetery.
J. S. Magee was educated in the public schools of Harrison County. He taught school, farmed, and was in the mercantile business before accepting his present position. His varied training and his business acu- men have made him an invaluable asset to the bank with which he is connected. This institution, the Farmers Bank of New Hampton, was organized in 1892 with a capital stock of $10,000.00 and with D. P. Way- man president and T. J. Wayman cashier. The capital stock was later increased to $15,000.00. The bank has a surplus of $60,000.00; undivided profits of $10,000.00; and deposits of $235,000.00. The present officers of the bank are: J. H. Virden, president; Daniel Gibson, vice-president ; J. S. Magee, cashier; W. C. Magee, assistant cashier; Eunice Gibson and Gladys Brenizer, bookkeepers; and J. H. Virden, Daniel Gibson, Joseph Funk, A. D. Stevenson, F. J. Hesseltine, J. A. Christie and John R. Mack, directors.
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Mr. Magee was married October 19, 1876, to Lavenia A. Williams, a native of Gentry County, living near Albany, and a daughter of Thomas J. and Sarah Williams, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Magee have eight living children: Charles G., a merchant in Pittsburg, Kansas; Essie M., now Mrs. C. A. Heryford of New Hampton ; Alice L., widow of H. B. Tay- lor, Des Moines, Iowa ; R. W., with the New Hampton Implement Company ; F. M., who learned the banking business under the tutelage of his father and is located in Los Angeles, California; Grace, a teacher in Chicago, Illinois; W. C., assistant cashier in the Farmers Bank; and Herman J., a graduate of the New Hampton High School and of the Missouri University, class of 1921.
W. C. and Herman Magee were volunteers in the United States Army during the World War. They both went overseas and served nearly two years. W. C. was with the Thirty-fifth Division and Herman J. was in the Navy, located at Base No. 17, and worked in mine laying in the North Seas. W. C. was married in 1920 to Bonnadine Smyth, of New Hampton.
The Magee family can be justly proud of the record held by its mem- bers in the county where the name stands for civic pride and progessive ideals.
Ray Bartlett, manager of the Farmers Elevator Company of New Hampton, was born near Bethany, Missouri, January 3, 1888, the son of Zack and Mary (Barnes) Bartlett, the latter now living in Bethany Town- ship. Zack Bartlett was born in Harrison County in 1849, the son of Daniel Bartlett who was one of the early settlers of this part of Mis- souri. He died September 30, 1921, and is buried at Morris Chapel. The Bartlett name is connected with the pioneer history of Harrison County.
Zack and Mary (Barnes) Bartlett had the following children: Mat- tie, now Mrs. Thanner of Seattle, Washington; Victor, deceased; D. R., living in Jefferson Township; Kate, whose home is in Jefferson Town- ship; Eva, now Mrs. Hagen, of Cainsville, Missouri; Jennie, now Mrs. Kidwell of Dallas Township; Ray, the subject of this sketch; Robert, living in New Hampton; and Lucille, at home.
Ray Bartlett was educated in the Bethany Public School, and taught in Harrison County for ten years, teaching his first term in the Nassman District and his last in Maple Grove District in White Oak Township. Mr. Bartlett was also a farmer for six years, leaving that line of work to ac- cept his present position in 1921. In his work now, Mr. Bartlett is prov-
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ing most successful, his energetic handling of business and his strong sense of integrity give him the confidence and esteem of his associates and of the public. The elevator was purchased by the Farmers Grain, Produce & Mercantile Company in 1919, two years before the present manager took charge. This elevator has a capacity of 15,000 bushels of grain thus affording ample space for the handling of the business done by the company. The company officers are: C. L. Cover, general manager ; Ray Bartlett, elevator manager; F. O. Peasley, president; W. R. Clel- land, vice-president ; Alfred Denny, secretary-treasurer; and M. B. Kelam, F. O. Peasley, J. Funk, W. R. Clelland, C. T. Magee, Alfred Denny and J. T. Green, directors.
Ray Bartlett was married April 25, 1919, to Beatrice Vance, a daughter of William and Sarah Vance of Butler Township. Mrs. Bartlett was born and grew to womanhood in Butler Township. She was educated in the rural schools of Harrison County and the State Teachers College at Maryville, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett have three children, as follows: Robert Vance, Sarah Lane and Forrest Morland.
Mr. Bartlett is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. and has served one term as collector of Jefferson Township. He is a young man of ability.
Garland Wilson, popular attorney at law and member of a prominent family of Harrison County, was born in Bethany, Missouri, February 8, 1885, the son of J. C. and Alice E. (Turner) Wilson, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.
Garland Wilson received his early education in the Bethany public schools. He graduated from the State University at Columbia, Missouri, in 1905, taking the A. B. degree. He then entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and graduated from the Law Depart- ment in 1907. The same year he was admitted to the bar in Missouri and continued to practice in partnership with his father for three years. Since that time he has been engaged in the practice of law in Bethany, Missouri. His office was formerly the property and office of John M. Sallee, a well known attorney in the county. His home is the residence formerly known as the Judge Wanamaker place, located at 815 South Twentieth street.
Garland Wilson was married February 2, 1908 to Harriet M. Darr, of Bethany, a daughter of H. C. and Hattie Darr. H. C. Darr lives in
GARLAND WILSON
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Bethany, Missouri and Mrs. Hattie Darr is deceased. Mrs. Wilson was born in Carroll County, Missouri and was a teacher in the Bethany public schools before her marriage to Mr. Wilson. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have thee children as follows: James C. II, Helen Darr and Garland Wilson, Jr.
Mr. Wilson was elected city attorney of Bethany and served four years, from 1908 to 1912. In November, 1912, he was elected prosecut- ing attorney of Harrison County and served for the two years following. During the World War, Mr. Wilson was a leader and organizer in his county. He handled the sales of the Liberty bonds and was treasurer of the organization to promote the bond sales. When the National Demo- cratic Convention met in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1913, and nominated Woodrow Wilson for the first time, Mr. Wilson was a delegate from Mis- souri. The Wilson family has been widely and favorably known in Demo- cratic politics for years and the men of the family have always been prominent in political affairs. Garland Wilson has had no small part in the making of the family reputation for integrity and progress.
Mr. Wilson is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge in Bethany.
A. H. Solomon, well known member of the firm of Scott & Solomon, of New Hampton, Missouri, was born in Martinsville, Missouri, the son of James L. and Nancy M. (Ross) Solomon. The Ross name is intimately connected with the early history of Harrison County. Nancy Ross was the daughter of Hugh Ross, who was one of the sturdy and fear- less men belonging to those pioneer days when conveniences were unknown and hardships prevailed.
Hugh Ross was born in Ohio and came to Missouri in 1842. He made the trip by steamboat to St. Louis and from there walked all the way to Harrison County, carrying on his back all of his worldly assets. These included an ax which served him in good stead in his wild frontier home. He entered land first in Gentry County, and then came to Dallas Township, Harrison County, and took up land four and one-half miles west of New Hampton. Here he built a little cabin and began to improve his land and here a year later he brought his bride, Catherine Carter. They continued to live on the same land for many years and were the witnesses of great changes in the county. The old Eagleville and St. Joseph trail ran in front of their place, thus keeping them constantly in touch with the world beyond their immediate vicinage. Catherine (Car- (18)
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ter) Ross died in 1904 and Hugh Ross died at the home of his daughter in Dallas Township in 1907 at the age of eighty-four. The remains of both are buried in Carter Cemetery. The old home place with its many his- toric associations is now owned by Hugh Ross' grandson, A. H. Solomon. Quite recently Mr. Solomon had an old barn that had been built by his grandfather, torn down and the hewed timbers of which the barn was con- structed were found to be as solid as on the day they were first used.
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