USA > Missouri > Harrison County > History of Harrison County, Missouri > Part 51
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After completing his college course, Mr. Miner returned to Ridgeway and went to work in the lumber yard of the Miner and Frees Lumber Com- pany. He also sold automobiles for a time. He was employed in the lum- ber yard at Ridgeway, when the United States entered the World War and on May 7, 1917, he entered the Officers' Training Camp, at Fort Riley, Kansas. After taking the prescribed course in military training he was commissioned second lieutenant. He was first assigned to the quarter- master department and for two months he was one of the paymasters at Camp Funston. He was then transferred to the Motor Transport Corps at Jacksonville, Florida. He organized Truck Company No. 44 at Jackson- ville. He was then sent to Camp Wadsworth, Spartansburg, South Caro- lina, where he did convoy duty and general camp service for six months.
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He was then sent with a detail of fifteen men to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he was engaged in motorcycle work for a time when he was re- turned to South Carolina. He then was transferred to Detroit, Michigan, where he was given enough recruits and organized C Company, 429th Motor Supply Train. From Detroit he went to Camp Holabird at Balti- more, Maryland, and from there he went with sixty trucks to Camp Mills, Long Island, where he was discharged December 18, 1918.
After returning from the army Mr. Miner was made manager for the Miner and Frees Lumber Company at Leon, Iowa. He remained there until August, 1919, when he was transferred to the general office of the company at Ridgeway and became treasurer of the company in April, 1920.
Mr. Miner was married June 21, 1915, to Miss Cecil L. Switzer, of Ridgeway. To Mr. and Mrs. Miner have been born two children, Mildred and Martha.
Mr. Miner is a Knights Templar Mason and is a Shriner. He is a Re- publican and a member of the Christian Church and is widely and favorably known.
I. W. Maple, of Ridgeway, Missouri, is the well known and popular proprietor of the Rex Theater of Ridgeway, and the Elite Theater of Beth- any, two of the leading motion picture houses of Harrison County. Mr. Maple is a native of Harrison County and was born at old Boulton, Novem- ber, 12, 1870. He is a son of John and Annie E. (Howerton) Maple, the former a native of Rushville, Indiana, and the latter of Knox County, Mis- souri.
John Maple came to Harrison County about 1861 and during the Civil War served as a member of the Home Guards. He followed farming and stock raising at Old Boulton until 1880. He then moved to near Ridgeway and spent the remainder of his life in that vicinity. He died August 21, 1918 and his wife departed this life two days later. They were the parents of the following children: I. W., the subject of this sketch ; Ocie M., Ridge- way, Missouri and Robert E., New Hampton.
Elijah Maple, grandfather of I. W. Maple, came to Harrison County a few years after his son, John Maple, settled here. He died August 15, 1884. His wife preceded him in death several years, having did in 1870.
I. W. Maple was reared in Harrison County and educated in the pub- lic schools and the Kirksville State Normal School. He taught school in Harrison County for several years and at the same time was interested
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in farming. He was engaged in the mercantile business in Ridgeway from 1906 to 1909. He then followed farming for four years. In 1913 he built his present moving picture theater in Ridgeway which is known as the Rex Theater. It has a seating capacity of four hundred. Later Mr. Maple acquired the Elite Theater at Bethany. Mr. Maple is an ex- perienced moving picture man and has a well merited reputation for giv- ing the public the best on the market in moving pictures. His pictures are always of a clean, high class character.
Mr. Maple was married June 24, 1894, to Miss Lenore Crosby of Har- rison County. She is a daughter of George W. Crosby, of Marion Town- ship. To Mr. and Mrs. Maple have been born the following children: Lloyd E., who conducts an oil station for the Standard Oil Company at Fairfax, Missouri; Leona, resides at home; Lester M., manager of the Elite Theater, Bethany; Virgil, died at the age of twelve years; Erdene, at home; John; Lionel, died at the age of two years; Mildred, Bannie and Evelyn.
Mr. Maple is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America and the Brotherhood of American Yoemen. He is an enterprising citizen and deserving of success.
Ora Critchfield, a progressive and enterprising farmer and stockman of Grant Township is a native of Iowa. He was born in Lucas County, June 30, 1887, a son of Robert and Frances (Forster) Critchfield.
Robert Critchfield was born in Pennsylvania and came west with his parents who settled in Iowa where he grew to manhood. He came to Harrison County, Missouri, in 1901, and bought the old Jim Baker place from Judge Reeves. He followed farming and stock raising in this county for some years when he removed to Geary, Oklahoma, and spent the re- mainder of his life there. He died in 1912 and the mother now resides at Geary, Oklahoma. They were the parents of four children as follows: Stella, married J. O. Gardner and they live in Colorado; Gladys, married W. W. Terrell and they live in Iowa ; Herbert, lives in Oklahoma; and Ora, the subject of this sketch.
Ora Critchfield was about fifteen years old when the family settled in Harrison County. He was educated in the public schools of Iowa and Missouri and has made farming and stock raising the chief occupation of his life. He has a farm of ninety acres in Grant Township and carries on farming and stock raising. This is the old Small place and is one of
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the historic old places of Harrison County and was settled at an early date. Mr. Critchfield was married May 10, 1910, to Miss Bessie Small, daughter of Theron Small who was one of the prominent early settlers of Harrison County and is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Critchfield have been born two children as follows: Clairon and Cleora.
Mr. Critchfield is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and has always been identified with the Republican party.
Ben Reeves, a pioneer business man of Ridgeway, is a native of Har- rison County and belongs to one of the very early pioneer families of this section. He was born at Cainsville, Missouri, January 1, 1863 and is a son of William and Hallie (Oxford) Reeves.
William Reeves was a native of Tennessee and his wife was born in Harrison County. They were the parents of three children as follows: Lawne, who died in childhood; Mrs. Lambert Briggs, of Kansas City, Mis- souri; and Ben, the subject of this sketch. The father died at Cainsville in 1870, and the mother afterwards married D. S. Rardin, Sr., father of D. S. Rardin, Jr., who is now engaged in the produce business at Ridge- way, Missouri, and a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Shortly after their marriage the family removed to Ridgeway. This was before the railroad was completed to this place and at that time there were only two farm houses in the vicinity of what is now Ridgeway. One of these stood where S. D. Rardin's produce house is now located. Upon coming here Mr. Rardin built a small store where the telephone office is now located. After the town was laid out and platted he erected a store build- ing where Ollie Bennett is now located and was engaged in the mercantile business there for a number of years. His business developed rapidly from the start and he was one of the successful merchants of this section as well as the first man to engage in the mercantile business in Ridgeway. He retired from active business about fifteen years prior to his death which occurred in 1920. He was active in the early day affairs of Ridge- way and Harrison County and was known and is remembered as one of the early day prominent Democrats of Harrison County. His widow now resides at Ridgeway and makes her home with her son, Ben Reeves whose name introduces this sketch. She is one of the honored pioneer women of Harrison County who has seen this county develop almost from the be- ginning to become one of the leading counties of the state and during all these years she has done her part nobly and well.
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Ben Reeves was educated in the public schools of Harrison County and in early life learned the harness makers trade in his stepfather's store and harness shop of Ridgeway. He worked there for two years when he engaged in the hardware, harness and implement business with his brother-in-law, Lambert Briggs. This was about thirty years ago and later Mr. Reeves became the sole owner of the business which he has con- ducted until the present time. He has made more harness than any other dealer or manufacturer in Harrison County and has always carried a com- plete line of harness. Mr. Reeves has been in business longer than any other merchant in Ridgeway and always has done an extensive business. The Reeves hardware and harness store is widely known throughout Har- rison County and as a business man Mr. Reeves is well known for his integrity.
Mr. Reeves was married in 1884 to Miss Ida Rardin, a daughter of S. D. Rardin and his first wife. They have no children.
During Mr. Reeves' business career he has always stood ready to con- tribute to the betterment and upbuilding of his town and community. Only a few years ago when Ridgeway was in need of a good hotel Mr. Reeves was one of the five local business men who came forward and backed the project with their money and today Ridgeway has one of the best little hotels in the country. The others who were associated with him in this enterprise were Messrs. Miner, Neff, Bennett and Doctor Stoughten.
Mr. Reeves is a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Brotherhood of American Yoeman. He is progressive, public spirited and one of the valued citizens of Harrison County.
J. M. Gates, a well known farmer and stockman who owns and is successfully operating 160 acres of land in Grant Township, is a native of New York. He was born near Utica, December 30, 1880, a son of John and Anna E. (Hardell) Gates.
John Gates is now living retired at Bethany, Missouri. He was born in Germany, November 8, 1849 and was reared and educated in his native land. He came to America, landing in New York, January 16, 1870. Shortly afterward he settled near Utica, New York, where he was engaged in farming until 1885. He then came to Harrison County, Missouri, and bought a farm in Grant Township which is now owned by J. M. Gates of this review. He followed general farming and dairying until 1906, when
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he retired and removed to Bethany, where he has since resided. John Gates has always been active in church and Sunday school work. He is a member of the Methodist Church and has perhaps organized more Sunday schools than any other man in Harrison County.
To John and Anna E. (Hardell) Gates, have been born the following children: Lilly Elizabeth, married William Marten and they live near Bethany; J. M., the subject of this sketch; Samuel A., lives near James- port, Missouri; Martin lives in Harrison County ; George D., Jamesport. Missouri ; and William D., Jamesport, Missouri.
J. M. Gates was about five years old when his parents settled in Har- rison County. He was reared to manhood on the home place and was educated in the public schools, attending school in the Greencastle dis- trict. After reaching manhood he farmed rented land for a time and in the meantime bought land in Texas. Later he disposed of his Texas land and in 1919 he bought the old home place which consists of 160 acres in Grant Township. This is one of the valuable farms of Harrison County and is well improved, having a good residence and other substan- tial farm buildings. Mr. Gates carries on general farming and stock- raising and has been successful in his undertakings. He does quite an extensive dairy business and raises pure bred Poland China hogs.
Mr. Gates was married in 1901 to Miss Katie Keach, of Fox Creek Township. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gates as follows: Lee Oliver, Arthur, Delmar, Garland, Glynn, and Marvin.
Mr. Gates is public spirited and enterprising and one of Harrison County's representative citizens.
F. D. French a progressive and enterprising farmer and stockman of Trail Creek Township who owns and operates a farm in partnership with Orville Brown, is a native of Wisconsin. He was born at Gratiot, Wis- consin, December 5, 1863, a son of Charles and Ellen (Trachout) French.
Charles French was a native of Vermont and when a young man went to Wisconsin before the Civil War and was married in that state. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in a Wisconsin Regiment and while in the service he was severely wounded which resulted in crippling one of his hands. He was then discharged for disability and went to Iowa and located in Webster County. He drove stage for a time between Fort Dodge and Sioux City. However, he lived but a few years after the war. He died from tuberculosis contracted while in the service. His wife died
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in 1870, when F. D. French of this review was about seven years old, leaving one other child, Seth, who was two years younger. He died at the age of eleven years.
F. D. French was left an orphan at an early age and was reared in Webster and Calhoun Counties, Iowa and attended the public schools until he was sixteen year of age. He then went to Des Moines where he learned the steam fitters trade and worked at that about thirty-five years. In 1919, he engaged n farming near Leon, Iowa, and at the same time worked at his trade. In 1919 he and Orville Brown bought the old Taylor place in Trail Creek Township which they are operating in part- nership. They own 120 acres of valuable land upon which they have placed a number of improvements since coming here including a new barn, machine shop and garage. They have fenced and cross-fenced the place and it is one of the highly improved farms of the township. They carry on general farming and stock raising and will eventually raise only Jersey and Holstein cattle.
Mr. French was married in 1893 to Miss Florence Betherd, a native of Circleville, Ohio. She went west from her native state with her par- ents when she was about twelve years old. Her father died in Decatur County, Iowa, and her mother now resides in that county. Mr. and Mrs. French have no children.
Frank J. Sweet. now deceased, was a successful farmer and stock- man and was killed by lightning on the home place which Mrs. Sweet now operates, April 1, 1897. He was born in Carroll County, Iowa, a son of John and Lucinda (Hatch) Sweet, the former a native of Delaware and the latter of New York. He received his education in the public schools of Iowa and for a time was engaged in farming in Taylor County, that state. In 1893, Mr. Sweet came to Harrison County with his family and bought 233 1-3 acres of land in Marion Township, where he was engaged in farming and stock raising at the time of his death. He was a Re- publican and a member of the Masonic Lodge. He was a dependable citizen and stood high in the communtiy.
Frank J. Sweet and Miss Ella Cary were married in 1884. She was born in McLean County, Illinois, and is a daughter of John M. and Barbara (Locer) Cary, both natives of Indiana. They moved to northwestern Iowa at an early day and in the early nineties they came to Missouri and
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settled in Caldwell County where the father died in 1911. The mother now resides in that county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sweet were born the following childrn: Iva June, married Frank Stanley, a farmer and stockman of Marion Township; Susie married Frank Caregie, Harland, Montana; Adelbert, Des Moines, Iowa and Tressie, married Millard Champlin, who operates the home place with Mrs. Sweet.
The Sweet farm is a well improved and valuable place and is located about four miles from Ridgeway in Marion Township. Mrs. Sweet and her son-in-law, Mr. Champlin, carries on general farming and stock rais- ing. They raise Duroc Jersey hogs.
Mrs. Sweet is an estimable woman and has many friends in Ridge- way and vicinity.
Walter J. Wightman, among the representative newspaper people of north Missouri who have founded county newspapers of wide influence, throught long years of earnest and well directed labors, and attained the very highest esteem and respect of their contemporaries, is the Whit- man family of the thriving little city of Bethany, Missouri.
This family has held a very creditable record in the field of journal- ism for many years and as the years have passed they have constantly elevated the standard of the newspaper journalism.
The Wightman family originated in England. The father, Walter J. Wightman was born in London, September 16, 1845. He left the place of his nativity when he was 19 years of age and came to the United States, landing here in December 1863. He was married in Philadelphia, March 11, 1865, to Miss Isabel Freeman. Mrs. Wightman's native home was in Lower Canada and the date of her birth September 2, 1846. After their marriage they returned to his old home in London, remaining there four years during which time the eldest son and daughter were born. They then returned to America and located at Garden Grove, Iowa. During their residence there from 1870 to 1874 Mr. Wightman edited the town paper. He moved from Garden Grove to Eagleville, then to Bethany, eturned to Eagleville and established the Eagleville Clipper, which he published two years. He then went to Blythedale, where he owned and edited the Blythedale Clipper.
In 1882 the family established a permanent residence in Bethany where Mr. Wightman continued in the newspaper business until his death
W. SAMUEL WIGHTMAN
ADA L. WIGHTMAN
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which occurred December 3, 1903. He founded and conducted the Beth- any Clipper from January, 1883 to December, 1887, when it was con- solidated with the Bethany Republican of which Mr. Wightman was busi- ness manager and editor the remainder of his life.
Walter J. Wightman was an unusually capable newspaper man and all during his active career he was regarded as one of the strongest editorial writers in the Northwest Press Association. His editorials were copied in many city papers and in the county exchanges. His pronounced views conscientiously and fearlessly set forth in his writing's upon all the ques- tions of the day made for him an enviable reputation among the people of the state. His political views were Republican and while he never sought to be a leader, there was that in him which commanded following. He was incorruptible as a political leader and held high station in the political party of his choice. He was a member of its State Committee for years, chosen and held there for his wisdom, his integrity and his devotion to its principles-servant to be trusted, and on whose judgment there could be reliance. And in his capacity as political editor his paper spoke to the people as did he in the counsels of his party. He was a modest and unas- suming man, his writings were eloquent of his subject but never of himself.
Mr. and Mrs. Wightman were active members in the Methodist Church, Mrs. Wightman occupying the place of a steward in the church, always prominent in benevolent and charitable affairs, but especially re- vered and valued for her devoted services to the temperance cause. She was a member of the W. C. T. U., the Woman's Relief Corps and the Eastern Star. She was an active worker for woman's suffrage and was sent as delegate from this district to the national convention a few years before her death. Mr. Wightman was a member of the Masonic order, the degree of Knight Templar having been conferred upon him. They were the parents of eight children: W. Samuel, Alice M., wife of W. L. Blackburn, of Elk City, Oklahoma; Elizabeth S., wife of A. F. Cushman, of Bethany. Missouri; Annie Isabel, Ada L., Edwin Lincoln, Perrin Glad- stone and Mary M.
Mrs. Alice Wightman Blackburn inherited her father's versatility and found perfect delight in the newspaper work. She worked in her father's office while in her teens and after her marriage and removal to Oklahoma she contributed to a large number of papers and periodicals for several years until she ultimately established a newspaper of her own-The Elk City News-Democrat. There is probably not a woman writer in the state
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of Oklahoma so well and affectionately known as "Aunt Alice" or "Sun- sine Alice," the nom-de-plume under which she frequently writes. She possesses the happy faculty of "looking on the bright side" and reaching the hearts of the common people.
Upon the death of the father the eldest son, W. Samuel Wightman became editor and manager of the Bethany Republican but soon thereafter he and his talented sister, Miss Ada, established the Bethany Clipper; the first edition was published October 14, 1905. Mr. Wightman continued senior editor and business manager up to his death, November 4, 1917. He was born in London, February 16, 1867. He was married to Miss Clara M. Coverston September 21, 1889 and to this union four children were born: Nina M., now Mrs. Clarence Cowan of St. Joseph; Paul, who died in infancy; Edwin, Samuel and Ruth. He joined the Methodist Church in 1887 and continued a member until his death. Mr. Wightman worked with his father in offices at Eagleville, Blythedale and Bethany. He never attended school after nine years of age but in the office gained a practical education and was known all over north Missouri as a master printer, one of the best in the profession, one of the best mechanics and job artists in the state. His newspaper was a model of typographical neatness and art.
He was also a writer with the vigorous style necessary to the success which he had achieved in the profession to which he was so devoted. He had from boyhood been active in Republican politics of his county, being also candidate for the Progressive party for Congress in this district, when the party split temporarily in 1912. He was treasurer of the city of Bethany for ten years. He was a member of the Missouri Press Asso- ciation, Bethany Commercial Club, Bethany Fire Company, also belonged to the Modern Woodmen, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias lodges. His son, Edwin, has followed his father's example and has worked in the Clipper office for a number of years and although a young man yet, he is a very competent, artistic and painstaking com- positor. He was a volunteer in the war and saw active service both on the Mexican border and in France. He is at present taking a complete course in journalism at Missouri University.
The history of the Northwest Missouri Press gives honorable mention to several women journalists, but perhaps none in that field made a more distinctive success than Ada L. Wightman who in partnership with her brother, W. Sam, founded the Bethany Clipper.
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She was born at Bethany, Missouri, August 19, 1876, lived in Eagle- ville and Blythedale until six years of age. The rest of her life was spent in Bethany. She died February 6, 1920. She was graduated from the Bethany High School at the age of sixteen. She at once went into her father's printing office, learned to set type at the case, helped with the other mechanical work and began immediately on her editorial career. Miss Wightman became a thorough newspaper woman, perhaps the most noted woman journalist in the state. She has left the impress of her life upon the county and state. She was consecrated and wholly devoted to her chosen profession, a versatile, firm, aggressive writer, loyally help- ing and encouraging every progressive movement in city or county, pro- moting everything that would make for a better and bigger Bethany. "The Best Town On the Map" was the motto she adopted with the first issue of the Clipper.
She was frank, candid, clean and wholesome, her mind a rich store- house and her face constantly toward the sunshine. She loved the people of Bethany and lived for them. All this together with her gentle kindli- ness, which touched life always at every point with fine spirit and courage, caused the Clipper to be known, sought for and read in more homes in North Missouri than any other paper in its territory. After the death of her parents Miss Wightman was the eldest child at home and was left with the responsibility of home management and the care of a younger brother and sister and at the same time she carried on her professional duties.
Miss Ada was a member of the Methodist Church since she was six- teen years old, serving long ternis as president of the Epworth League and superintendent of the Junior League. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and had affiliations with some insurance orders. She had distinct leanings toward the general policies of the Progressive political party largely because they favored woman suffrage and prohi- bition.
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