USA > Missouri > Henry County > History of Henry County, Missouri > Part 45
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George W. Bailey was born August 4, 1850, in Edgar County, Illi- nois, the son of George W. Bailey (born 1800, died 1861). Mr. Bailey, Sr., came to Missouri in 1857, and located upon a pioneer farm, three miles northwest of the present home of his son. He was shot down by guerrillas at the beginning of the Civil War because of his Union sympa- thies. He was taken from his home in company with his son James and shot down by a band of Southern men. Seven children were left father- less: W. T., deceased; Mrs. Frances Holsten, deceased; John, deceased ; Mrs. Amanda Paxton, Independence, Missouri; Mrs. Serena Lane, deceased ; Mrs. Mary Laylock, Gentry County, Missouri; George W., youngest son of the family. The mother of these children was Julia Howard, prior to
GEORGE W. BAILEY, WIFE AND GRANDSON
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her marriage. She was born in 1814 and died in 1877. In 1863, she took her family and went to Cooper County, Missouri, and in the following spring they settled on a farm in Morgan County, where they resided until the spring of 1865. They then located on a farm southwest of Warrens- burg in Johnson County. In the fall of that year they returned to the homestead in Henry County.
George W. Bailey, subject of this review, remained at home until 1875 and then settled on a farm one mile east of his present home and resided there for three years. He then purchased his farm, buying it on time payments. He secured eighty acres of land from his father-in- law and later added forty acres to the original place. He bought an additional tract of land in 1910.
Mr. Bailey was married in November, 1874, to Miss Margaret A. Long, who was born in Henry County, January 17, 1857, a daughter of Nicholas Long, a pioneer of this county who came from Miller County in 1854 and became owner of two thousand acres of land. Three children have been born to George W. and Margaret Bailey, two of whom died in infancy. Henry Bailey, their only son, is located on a farm, three miles southwest of his father's home. He was born October 1, 1875, and has been twice married. His first marriage was with Daisy Tinsley, who bore him five children. Frank, deceased; Roy, George Alexander, Joseph Haven, and Tina. His second marriage was with Miss Bettie Stone.
Mrs. Bailey is a Republican and is a member of the Baptist Church. He is one of the substantial citizens of Henry County.
Harry Armstrong, farmer and stockman, proprietor of a well im- proved farm of 160 acres in Davis township, is a native of Kansas, but has lived nearly all his life in Henry County. He was born in 1867 in Davis County, near Fort Riley, Kansas, and is the son of James Arm- strong, one of the oldest residents of Henry County.
James Armstrong was born in Madison County, Ohio, September 20, 1833, the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Earl) Armstrong. Robert Arm- strong was a son of James Armstrong, a native of Pennsylvania of Eng- lish descent. James Armstrong, father of Harry Armstrong, left his native State, Ohio, in 1855 and located on a homestead in Kansas near Fort Riley. He preempted land and was induced to locate in Kansas by the free state advocates. Being an ardent Union sympathizer and patriotic he enlisted in the Union Army in 1862. Mr. Armstrong became a private in Company E, 2nd Kansas Cavalry, and served for three years
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in Missouri and Arkansas. He fought in the battles of Elkhorn Tavern, Prairie Grove and was engaged in many skirmishes. He was twice wounded while campaigning in Arkansas, being shot through the left thigh and in the left ankle. In 1868 he came to Henry County and pur- chased an entire section of land in Davis township, which is held intact to this day, and is being cultivated by the sons of Mr. Armstrong.
James Armstrong was married April 16, 1867, to Miss Minerva A. Cruzen, who was born in Virginia in 1834. The following children were born to them: Harry, subject of this sketch; Dr. Claude L., a physician at Webster Grove, Missouri; Robert C., living on the home place; J. Otis, a farmer in Davis township. Mr. Armstrong has always been a Repub- lican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Grand Army of the Republic.
Harry Armstrong was reared to young manhood on the home place in Davis township. When he began farming on his own account he im- proved 160 acres of land which was formerly a part of the Armstrong home place. He has erected a nice cottage residence and has his farm well improved.
On February 18, 1897, Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage with Miss Ella P. Vickers, who was born in Bear Creek township, the daugh- ter of W. H. and Cornelia (Peyton) Vickers, old settlers of Henry County. W. H. Vickers was the son of Stephen Vickers, who made a settlement in Bear Creek township as early as 1842. To Mr. and Mrs. Harry Arm- strong have been born five children: Helen, aged twenty years; Margaret, aged sixteen; Harry V., thirteen years old; Frederick, nine years of age; and Minerva, aged five, all of whom are at home with their parents.
Mr. Armstrong is a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is affiliated with the La Due Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Charles D. Brown .- The Brown farm, consisting of 500 acres of rich land on Deepwater Creek in the southeastern part of Walker town- ship, is a very attractive place in which the proprietor takes a just and abiding pride in keeping in first class condition. The handsome residence is built against a background of forest and presents a pleasing view to the travelers moving along the highway which passes through the land.
Charles D. Brown, progressive and successful farmer and stockman, was born on the old Brown homestead in Deepwater township, February
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15, 1876, and is the son of Martin V. Brown, pioneer settler of Henry County, concerning whose career an extended account is given in this volume. Mr. Brown, after receiving such education as was afforded by the district school in his neighborhood, attended the Appleton City, Mis- souri, Academy. He has always been engaged in farming and learned his vocation from his successful parent. He came to his present location in 1902 and has been constantly engaged in farming and stock raising pursuits, keeping upon an average of forty-nine head of cattle upon the place.
December 15, 1902, Charles D. Brown and Miss Edna J. Oliver were united in marriage. To this union have been born three children: Cecil, born August 31, 1904; Maude Rea, born December 6, 1906; Millard V., born January 13, 1912. Mrs. Edna J. Brown was born in Deepwater township December 22, 1874, the daughter of Henry and Mary (Martin) Oliver.
The late Henry Oliver, one of the best known of the old time citizens of Henry County, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, March 9, 1838, the son of John and Martha Oliver. He came to Henry County and settled in Deepwater township in 1866, and died here June 3, 1917. He accumu- lated a fine farm and improved it with one of the most imposing farm residences in Henry County and became widely and favorably known. Mrs. Mary (Martin) Oliver was born September 2, 1840, and died Sep- tember 5, 1900. Henry and Mary Oliver were parents of the following children : Millie, born July 8, 1863, and died March 28, 1912; Clara Belle, wife of J. R. Carter, born August 26, 1866, lives at Vinita, Oklahoma; Emma, died March 2, 1881; Martha Lea, wife of George Newberry, was born March 25, 1868, and lives in Chicago; Henry, born March 10, 1872, died February 25, 1877; Elmer, died at the age of five years; Mrs. Edna Jane Brown, of this review; Mary Maude, wife of C. W. Lampkin, was born July 8, 1877, and resides in Deepwater township in Bates County ; Charles Omer, born April 13, 1879, lives at Webaugh, Montana; Lotta Dale, died October 1, 1886, aged two years. Mr. and Mrs. Oliver were members of the Christian Church.
Mr. Brown is a Democrat and usually takes a good citizen's part in all civic and political matters affecting the general welfare of the people of his native county. Mr. Brown is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Montrose, Missouri.
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Herman P. Faris, the subject of this sketch, first saw the light of day December 25, 1858, on a farm just out of Belfontaine, Ohio, being the seventh child of Samuel Davies and Sarah (Plumer) Faris.
In the fall of 1859 the family removed to a farm near Lawrence, Kansas, where through an unfortunate investment the small patrimony was lost and from that time until Herman reached his maturity, it was a struggle with the family to keep the wolf from the door. Also as a further handicap, the entire second year of the young life was spent in serious illness, more than once the doctor thinking life was extinct. Also the country being new, the main product seemed to be that of malaria, or as it was commonly called "chills and fever," from which ail- ment Herman suffered regularly each spring and fall until past nine- teen years of age. He first entered school at seven years in Lecompton, the former capitol of the State. One of his very early vivid recollections was seeing the smoke from the fire created by Quantrell and his band when they sacked the "Yankee" town of Lawrence. In 1867 the family re- moved to Clinton, Missouri, "trekking" the entire distance in the old fashioned prairie schooners from Lecompton, Kansas. In the new home Herman attended school spasmodically as his health would permit, until January, 1872, when he entered a printing office as "devil."
In January, 1873, the paper for which he was working ran against financial shoals and was closed out under mortgage. This left him free to again enter school for the remaining three months of that winter's term. In July 1873, he entered the real estate, loan and abstract office of Brinkerhoff & Smith, being in the same office until April, 1878, when he was offered a better position, so resigned. The latter end of the year he went to Colorado, where in a few months' time he obtained a degree of health to which he had all his life been a stranger, and from that day to the present time, has had a remarkably healthy career, doing work that few physical natures could have stood up under. After a year's absence from the office, Mr. Brinkerhoff, the then proprietor, induced the young man to return, which he did in April, 1879, and accepted the po- sition of chief clerk. In 1882, Mr. Brinkerhoff removed to Carthage and Herman purchased an interest in the business and became a partner in the firm of Brinkerhoff and Faris. In 1887 the business was incorporated under the name of the Brinkerhoff-Faris Trust & Savings Company, and Mr. Faris was elected to the position of Secretary-Treasurer, and be- came practically the manager of the business. In 1889 Mr. Brinker-
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hoff desiring to retire, Mr. John H. Lucas, the renowned lawyer of Osceola and Kansas City, Missouri, in connection with Mr. Faris, purchased the Brinkerhoff stock and Mr. Lucas was elected president. Mr. Faris there- fore has continued in the active management of the business of that institution ever since, it being now over forty-five years since he first entered the office.
Mr. Faris has not permitted the business to absorb all of his time and energies, but he has devoted much of both, to the advancement of the Prohibition cause, of which he is justly regarded as the "nestor" in the State of Missouri. He had also a national reputation, and has for many years been treasurer of the Prohibition National Committee. Has twice been the nominee of the Prohibition party as Governor of his State and is very happy at this time over the result of his labors and those of his comrades.
In April, 1889, he was married at Trinidad, Colorado, to Miss Adda Winters, the only daughter of Rev. Jacob R. Winters and wife. To this union were born five children, three girls who grew to maturity, and are still living. Two sons having died in infancy. After nearly thirty years of happy married life, such as few people are blessed with, Mrs. Faris went home in June, 1909. In February, 1911, Mr. Faris was again married to Mrs. Sallie A. Lewis, of Dallas, Texas.
Mr. Faris has been identified with all the business, religious and philanthropic movements of his home town and State, since early man- hood and no event of moment looking toward the betterment of the town has been put over without his active support. He has been actively connected with all the recent war drives, as one of the "four minute men," "campaign manager," etc., etc. Although now past sixty years of age, he is an active and full of "pep" as the average forty-year old.
Hon. Ross E. Feaster, Representative in the Missouri State Legis- lature from Henry County, and successful attorney of Windsor, was born at Fort Lyon, Benton County, Missouri, October 1, 1880. He is the son of Dr. J. F. and Mary E. (Hopkirk) Feaster, now residents of Colum- bia, Missouri.
Dr. J. F. Feaster is a native of Maries County, Missouri. The grand- parents of Ross E. Eeaster on the paternal side were natives of Penn- sylvania; on the maternal side they were natives of Scotland. Dr. J .F. Feaster began the practice of medicine in Benton County, in 1876, and practiced in that county until 1885 when he located at Windsor, where
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he practiced his profession successfully for twenty-five years. In 1910, he retired from the active practice of his profession and removed to Columbia, Missouri, primarily for the purpose of affording his children the advantages of an university education. To Dr. J. F. and Mary E. Feaster were born ten children of whom Ross E. Feaster is the second in order of birth.
Ross E. Feaster was educated in the Windsor public schools and after receiving such education as was afforded by the Windsor schools, he entered Missouri University at Columbia, graduating therefrom with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1902. During that same year, he located in Windsor and began the practice of his profession. He is one of the leaders of the bar in Henry County and has taken a prominent place in the business activities of the county. Mr. Feaster was one of the organ- izers of the First National Bank of Windsor and is vice-president of this prosperous financial institution.
On August 22, 1904, Ross E. Feaster and Miss Grace A. Denton were united in marriage. To this union have been born two children: Ruth, born September 5, 1905; Lucille, born June 26, 1911. Mrs. Grace A. Feaster was born in Johnson County, Missouri, the daughter of Rev. John S. and Mary (Medley) Denton, who now resides at Columbia, Mis- souri.
For years, Ross E. Feaster has been one of the real leaders of the Democratic party in Henry County and has held several positions of political preferment. He served as a member of and president of the Windsor city council and also filled the post of city attorney. In 1914, he was elected a member of the State Legislature from Henry County and was re-elected in 1916. While a member of the State Assembly he served on the committees of criminal jurisprudence, appropriations, uni- versity and school of mines. On August 6, 1918, Mr. Feaster was nomi- nated for State Senator of this district by the Democratic party.
Mr. and Mrs. Feaster are active members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Feaster is the teacher of the Men's Bible Class of the Baptist Sunday school. He is president of the local Red Cross chapter and has been very active in the work of this organization, and in pushing the various war activities in which the people of Windsor and vicinity have been patriotically engaged. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and the Eastern Star lodges.
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Roy K. Palmer, cashier of the Citizens Bank of Windsor, Missouri, was born in Fulton, Missouri, July 29, 1876, and is the son of William W. and Lillie M. (Knox) Palmer who were parents of ten children, nine of whom are living, Roy being the eldest of the family.
Rev. William W. Palmer was born in Henry County February 22, 1848, and departed this life in January, 1916. He was the son of Drury Palmer, a native of Kentucky who came to Henry County, Missouri, in the early forties, and entered Government land in Windsor and Tebo townships, the Palmer homestead being the third oldest homestead in Henry County. During the Civil War, Drury Palmer was taken from his home and shot down in cold blood in his own orchard by "bushwhackers," on account of his sympathies with the Southern States. William W. Palmer was a well educated man, having been educated for the ministry in Westminster College, sectarian institution supported by the Presby- terian Church. He preached the gospel for several years, and also taught in the district and town schools for some years. He served two terms as superintendent of public instruction of Henry County and at the time of his death, he was manager of the Leeton Lumber Company at Leeton, Missouri. Mrs. Lillie M. (Knox) Palmer was born in Henry County, on a farm near Calhoun, in 1856, and is now residing at Leeton, Missouri.
Roy K. Palmer was educated in the public schools and was reared upon the farm until nineteen years old. He then entered the employ of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company as depot agent and telegrapher at Windsor. In 1910, he purchased the cashier's interest in the Farmers Bank at Walker, Missouri, and had charge of this bank until 1915. He then disposed of his banking interests in Walker and became cashier of the Citizens Bank of Windsor.
August 17, 1901, Roy K. Palmer was united in marriage with Miss Minnie P. Wright, who was born in Jefferson City, Missouri. Four chil- dren have been born of this union: Lillian Lucille, Irvin Walker, Roy Lyle, and Howard Benson.
Mr. Palmer has been one of the active leaders of the Democratic party in Vernon County and served his party as committeeman from his township and city while a resident of that county. He is a member and elder of the Windsor Presbyterian Church and is active in religious works. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Eastern Star and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Palmer is a member of the school board and is active in the cause of education. As a banker, he
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has been very successful and occupies a high rank among the banking fraternity of Henry County and western Missouri, and is chairman of the Henry County Bankers Association. As a citizen, he is in the first ranks of those who do things and are continually trying to advance the best interests of their home city and county.
Oscar A. Mitchell .- Fifty-two years ago the Mitchell family came to Henry County from Wisconsin and settled on the prairie west of Clin- ton in Davis township. The first home of the family was a two-room log cabin, built of logs cut from the timber along the banks of Grand River, hauled to the site of the cabin and hewn by Abner H. Mitchell. This sufficed for the family home until the present commodious Mitchell home was built.
Oscar A. Mitchell was born in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, Novem- ber 18, 1855, and is the son of Abner H. and Olive (Vesey) Mitchell, who were natives of Lake County, Ohio, and came of American pioneer stock. Not long after their marriage in Lake County, Abner H. Mitchell and wife left their native Ohio County and settled in the wilds of Wisconsin where Mr. Mitchell cleared a home from the dense forests of Sheboygan County and improved a fine farm. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the First Wisconsin Regiment and served for six months until his discharge from the service on account of sick disability. In April of 1866 he sold his Wisconsin farm and came to Henry County, where he purchased a tract of unbroken prairie land which he improved and resided upon but a few brief years, dying in 1874. The wife and mother died in 1914. There were two sons and two daughters born to Abner H. and Olive Mitchell, as follow: Willis L., who resides upon the home place and cultivates the farm in partnership with his brother Oscar A .; Oscar A., subject of this review; Ella Anne, died in Henry County; Viola S., wife of C. W. Horrell, Clinton, Missouri.
Oscar A. Mitchell was eleven years old when his parents settled in Henry County. His schooling was obtained in a log school house. He began work on the farm at an early age and was capable and ambitious to get along in the world. He and his brother, Willis L., purchased their present farm of 420 acres in 1890 and have been partners continuously with the exception of six years which the elder brother spent in Idaho where he was engaged in ranching and mining. The Mitchell brothers are excellent farmers and are successful breeders of Shorthorn cattle and horses.
MRS. SUSAN B. MITCHELL
OSCAR A. MITCHELL
PAUL W. MITCHELL
MISS MARY MITCHELL
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Mr. Mitchell was married in 1888 to Miss Susan B. Alexander, who was born in Birksville, Kentucky, a daughter of Paul and Elizabeth Alex- ander, natives of Kentucky, who came to Henry County in 1881 and died here. Paul Alexander departed this life in 1917. His wife died in 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Oscar A. Mitchell have two children, Mary, the elder, is at home with her parents. Paul William Mitchell, the younger, was born March 14, 1891, and enlisted in the United States Navy December 10, 1917, was mustered into the service February, 1918. In June, 1918, he was assigned to the U. S. S. Marblehead.
Mr. Mitchell is a Republican and he and his family are members of the Mt. Carmel Presbyterian Church. He belongs to the Modern Wood- men of America.
Thomas R. Bowen .- The mining industry has been an important one in Henry County for many years and received a pronounced impetus in the late seventies when Richard Bowen came to the county, an ex- perienced coal miner who had spent the greater part of his life in the mining region of the Eastern States and who was skilled in the mining industry. Mines have been developed in many sections of Henry County with profit to the owners, and have brought wealth to the various com- munities. The Bowens, father and sons, John and Thomas R. Bowen, have for years been the leading figures in coal mining in this section of western Missouri and the mining town of Bowen, located west of Windsor, was founded and built up by this firm. It has mined and ship- ped thousands of tons of coal from the various fields in which they have been operating. Since the abnormal demands for coal, and more coal, which has taxed the mining resources of the country beyond their ca- pacity and also overtaxed the railroads of the country to haul the fuel to the various centers in order to meet the great demand for fuel needed to keep the wheels of industry going for war needs, the Bowens have been doing their part in assisting the work of fuel supply.
Thomas R. Bowen, coal mine operator and dealer, Windsor, Missouri, was born at Lonaconing, Maryland, May 26, 1875, the son of Richard and Elizabeth (Thompson) Bowen, concerning whom an account is given in connection with the sketch of John Bowen, in this volume. Thomas R. Bowen is the youngest of nine children, born to his parents. Richard Bowen came to Henry County, Missouri, in 1876 and engaged in coal mining. For years he was a successful coal operator in the vicinity of Windsor and now residing in Kansas City, Missouri.
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Thomas R. Bowen was educated in the Clinton Academy and naturally took up the vocation of his father and became a miner and operator of coal mines. He became interested in the business with his father and brother and has become well-to-do. He is the individual owner of land in Missouri and Kansas.
On September 5, 1895, Thomas R. Bowen and Nellie Jennings were united in marriage. To this union has been born one child, Frances, born July 27, 1907.
Mr. Bowen is a stockholder and a director of the First National Bank of Windsor and the Clinton National Bank of Clinton. Missouri, and is rated as one of the leading financial citizens of Henry County.
Walter G. Davis, city attorney of Windsor, Missouri, was born in Clinton, Henry County, December 30, 1878, and has become one of the leading members of the bar of Henry County during the sixteen years in the practice of his profession in the thriving city of Windsor. He is the son of William H. and Alice G. (Garton) Davis, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.
Walter G. Davis was educated in the public schools of Windsor and the Missouri University at Columbia, graduating from the latter institution with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1902. Being admitted to the prac- tice of law, he at once began his profession at Windsor and has been very successful, occupying a leading place among the lawyers of Henry County and western Missouri.
November 17, 1903, Walter G. Davis and Miss Effie Burcham of Benton County, Missouri, were united in marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have two children: Marjorie, aged nine years; Josephine, aged six years.
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