USA > Missouri > Henry County > History of Henry County, Missouri > Part 53
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Politically Mr. Royston was a staunch Democrat and served as county assessor two terms in the eighties. In every capacity that Mr. Royston served, he lent the color of his upright life, doing things in such a man- ner that while they were unobtrusive, still they lingered in the hearts of his friends and acquaintances.
Jasper M. Anderson, a Civil War veteran and a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Missouri, is a native of Henry County. He was born May 28, 1844, on the farm which is now owned by G. L. Park. He is a son of Isaac and Eliza (Sharp) Anderson, natives of Tennessee. The Anderson family came to Missouri and settled on the Blackwater River in what is now Johnson County in 1832. They remained there about one year, coming to Henry County in 1833 and settling in Big Creek town- ship. The father died in 1858 and the mother in 1879. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Elizabeth Swift, Mrs. Jane Moody, Mrs. Sarah Middleton, James M., Francis Marion, Isaac, all deceased ex- cept J. M., the subject of this review; William P., deceased; Mrs. Carrie Murphy, Joplin, Missouri; Mrs. Eliza Ellison, Kansas City, Missouri; E. W., deceased, and Cynthia, died in infancy.
J. M. Anderson grew to manhood amidst the pioneer surroundings of Henry County and received his education in the old log school house of that time. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the Confed- erate Army. He participated in the battle of Lone Jack and in that en- gagement received a gunshot wound in the left shoulder. After his re- covery from the wound he rejoined his command and took part in a num- ber of other engagements including the battles of Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove and a number of other skirmishes and lesser engagements. He served
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J. M. ANDERSON
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under Gen. Sterling Price and when the war closed he was in Texas. Shortly afterwards he returned to Henry County, which has been his home ever since. He is one of the successful farmers and stockmen of Big Creek township, and one of Henry County's leading citizens. He has a splendid farm of one hundred fifty acres of well improved land, which is conveniently located three and one-half miles southeast of Blairstown.
Mr. Anderson has been twice married. He was first married in 1877 to Miss Hester Webster, a daughter of James Webster, a pioneer of Big Creek township, both of whom are now deceased. To Mr. Anderson's first marriage were born the following children: Claud, Maud and Stella, all deceased; Jessie, now the wife of Walter Waugh of Maurine, Missouri; Martha, who resides at home, and Richard, Urich, Missouri. Mrs. Hester Anderson died in 1888. Mr. Anderson's present wife, whom he married September 12, 1897, bore the maiden name of Bettie Cox, a daughter of Thomas Cox of Big Creek township. He was a native of Montgomery County, Missouri, and his wife of Shelby County, Kentucky. They are both now deceased. Mrs. Anderson is one of the following children born to her parents: Eugene, lives in California; Mrs. Ida Morton, Nevada, Missouri; Homer, California; Bettie, the wife of J. M. Anderson, and Charles, who lives in California.
In politics Mr. Anderson is an uncompromising Democrat and is a good, reliable citizen.
Frank P. Diehl, a progressive young farmer and stockman of Deer Creek township, has proven that this country is still a land of oppor- tunity, that it is a land where one may start at the lowest rung of the ladder and by industry, succeed to an unexpected degree. Mr. Diehl is the owner of 935 acres of the finest improved land in Henry County. Eighteen years ago he purchased 160 acres of land in Deer Creek town- ship. Prior to that he owned 335 acres of land from the estate of J. Showalter. Year by year he has added to his land holdings until he is now farming 935 acres of land won through his efforts and initiative. He has increased his herds of cattle each year as he has increased his acre- age for their care and now is shipping from two to four carloads of cattle each year.
Frank P. Diehl was born February 20, 1869, in Monroe County, Ohio, the son of John C. and Sophia (Newhart) Diehl, who are retired farmers living at Clinton, Missouri. John C. Diehl was born July 3, 1835, in Ger- many and when an infant came with his parents to the United States.
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They settled in Pennsylvania, later moving to Ohio, where they remained as leading agriculturists of their community. John C. Diehl answered his country's call during the Civil War and served in an Ohio regiment.
To John C. Diehl and Sophia Newhart were born twelve children, ten of whom grew to maturity, eight boys and two girls. In 1881 Mr. and Mrs. John C. Diehl came to Deer Creek township, Henry County, and purchased 160 acres of land, tilling the soil until their retirement a few years ago. Frank P. Diehl was a lad of twelve years when his parents came to Henry County and he attended the district school, and later he supplemented his education by attending the Lamkin Academy at Clin- ton. After finishing school Mr. Diehl worked as a carpenter in south- western Colorado. For some time he was employed as a bookkeeper in a lumber yard and was interested in silver mining. After spending six years in the west he came home on a visit and has never returned.
February 20, 1895, Mr. Diehl was married to Lillie Showalter, who was born in Henry County, February 23, 1869, the daughter of Jacob Showalter, who was amongst the earliest pioneers in Henry County, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Diehl as follow: Opal, now Mrs. H. Brockway of Calhoun; Hazel, Thelma and Virgil, residing at home.
Frank P. Diehl is an extensive buyer and feeder of beef cattle, ship- ping many carloads each year. He may be justly proud of his achieve- ments during his short stay on the farm. He has one of the finest im- proved farms in the county and ranks high as a farmer and stockman. Politically he is a Democrat and he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a stockholder in the Bank of Calhoun.
John Batschelet, a successful and leading young farmer of Deer Creek township, Henry County, is following in the footsteps of his ancestors, who were tillers of the soil. They were among the early pioneer settlers of the township and John Batschelet is a native son of Henry County. He was born in Davis township, Henry County, November 13, 1870, a son of Frederick Batschelet, further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume.
John Batschelet was reared on a farm and received his education in the Willow Branch district school. He then engaged in farming as his vocation. In 1912 he purchased 200 acres in Deer Creek township and has made his home upon it since. He carries on general farming and
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stock raising and has a well improved and valuable farm which bears testimony to his thrift and industry.
In 1911 Mr. Batschelet was married to Mary Neil, a daughter of Alex Neil of La Due, Missouri. She was born on a farm near La Due, Missouri, in 1882. One child, John K., has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Batschelet.
Mr. Batschelet is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator of Clinton, Missouri, and he is one of Henry County's progressive, public spirited and substantial citizens. The success that he has attained is due to hard work and close attention to business.
David L. Burch, now deceased, was born in Putnam County, West Virginia, October 29, 1833, and came to Deer Creek township, Henry County, in 1851. He was only a lad of eighteen when he left the par- ental roof to homestead his land in this township. It was here that he met and married a daughter of one of the earliest pioneer families. She was Frances Finks, who was born February 15, 1832, and married David Burch December 18, 1856. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mark F. Finks, were natives of West Virginia and among the earliest of the brave pio- neers of Henry County. Mr. and Mrs. Burch made their home upon the homestead the husband had acquired and prepared for his bride. They had two children, Thornton D. and George. Their lives after years of labor and joy in each others companionship were brought to a close upon their farm. Mr. Burch died February 21, 1915 and his wife June 7, 1896.
Thornton D. Burch was born October 14, 1857, in Deer Creek town- ship, Henry County, on the farm on which he now resides. He attended the rural school of his district and in 1892 opened up a general merchan- dise store at Lewis Station, Missouri, continuing in this until he took charge of the estate of his deceased parents in November, 1916.
His brother, George Burch, was born January 18, 1859, in Deer Creek township and is now farming near Lewis Station. He married Bodicia I. Miller, born September 4, 1863. They are the parents of seven children, as follow: Rolla W., born September 23, 1883; Nannie E., born August 26, 1885, is the wife of Thomas Wiley, a farmer of Deer Creek township; Homer W., born April 10, 1888, farming the Miller farm in Deer Creek township; Lena, born February 6, 1890, died November 5, 1890; Marshall, born February 4, 1892, married Maude Carroll, at home with his parents; David A., born March 1, 1896, and Lyman are at home . with their parents.
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Thornton Burch and his brother, George, are interested in the breed- ing and raising of a herd of Polled Angus cattle, which are of a high grade.
The marriage of Thornton D. Burch and Nannie Spencer was solem- nized February 27, 1883. Mrs. Burch was born October 27, 1855, in Perry County, Ohio, and with her parents, Francis M. and Martha (Wirick) Spencer, who were natives of Ohio, came to Henry County in 1868. They resided near Clinton for some time, but later made their home upon a farm in Deer Creek township, where their deaths occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Thornton Burch have no children. Politically Mr. Burch is a Demo- crat and he is a member of the Methodist Church, South.
David Burch and his good wife, who spent so many years upon their farm in Deer Creek township, were loved and honored by their friends and acquaintances. Their sons, Thornton and George Burch, are also progressive citizens, tilling the soil and adding to the financial and moral uplift of the community.
James S. Thomas .- The history of Henry County is founded on the histories of those intrepid men and women who came to her fertile lands when the buffalo and wild deer were unmolested in their native haunts. When the slow ox team was the safest and fastest means of locomotion, and neighbors few and far between. The homes were hewed from the native logs and the clearing plowed to plant the corn and wheat. Among such surroundings James S. Thomas was born March 21, 1856, the son of Cornelius and Sarah (Neathery) Thomas.
Cornelius Thomas was born in Virginia August 12, 1813, and was reared in Cumberland and Clinton Counties, Kentucky, where his parents lived during his childhood. Cornelius Thomas was married to Sarah Neathery, who was born in Clinton County, Kentucky, November 23, 1823. In 1844 they left their home in Kentucky and by steamship came up the Missouri river to Lexington, Missouri, where they loaded their household effects and farm machinery, such as it was, upon ox driven wagons. Upon their arrival in Tebo township they commenced their home building and Mr. Thomas was kept very busy in clearing the land and reclaiming it for the production of the corn and wheat which has placed Missouri in the front ranks of States excelling in the production of foodstuffs.
Cornelius Thomas did a great deal of carpenter work and helped the incoming settlers in erecting their buildings and was away from his
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family over many days and weeks at a time. During the Civil War, the conditions were very hard for those left at home as well as for those at the front, but the men and women, by strict economy braved those stress- ful times and continued after the war in the rebuilding of the farms and homes. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas lived to see the results of their early strug- gles and enjoy the pleasures of peace and plenty in later years. Mr. Thomas was laid away May 15, 1876, and his wife survived him until February 12, 1898. They were the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living, as follow: Elizabeth, resides with her brother, James ; Exeoney, wife of Esley Hornbarger, living in Big Creek township; Martha A., widow of F. Land at Rockyford, Colorado; Harriet F., widow of W. M. McBride, Fort Morgan, Colorado; James, subject of this sketch; Walter, farmer of Tebo township; Charles, Denver, Colorado; Nannie, wife of Seymour S. Morgan, Juneau, Alaska.
James Thomas was reared and educated in Tebo township and knows every crook and cranny of his farm, as it has been his home all of his life. He began his farming career very young, as he was only nine years of age when he, with the help of an older brother, plowed, his brother guided the plow and he drove the oxen.
In 1890, Mr. Thomas commenced to buy the land of his present farm from the heirs and in 1898 it was all his own, consisting of 180 acres. He has since added 206 acres, making 386 acres in all. March 8, 1899, James Thomas and Addie McAfoose were married and have two children: Winona, born August 16, 1902, and Arthur, born June 9, 1909. Mrs. Thomas was born September 6, 1874, in Henry County, the daughter of Daniel and Maggie (King) McAfoose. They were natives of Pennsyl- vania and came to Henry County in 1868. They lived in Lewis Station and are now deceased.
Mr. Thomas has raised great numbers of hogs and cattle for the market but has not raised so many in recent times. He owns 386 acres of land, twenty acres of which is in the natural timber. He is a stock- holder of the Calhoun Elevator and also a stockholder in the packing plant at Sedalia, Missouri. He fraternizes with the Modern Woodmen of America, located at Calhoun, Missouri, and politically is a Democrat.
James England .- Henry County is dotted with coal mines from east to west and from north to south. There are many men employed in this industry. Some of the owners have a number of mines in operation, others only a few, but wherever they are men are kept employed the
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year around, mining this needful fuel. James England operates two mines near Deepwater, Missouri, in Clinton township. He was born November 24, 1862, in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of William England and Sarah (Eccles) England. William England was born in Nottinghamshire, Eng- land, in 1837 and in 1857 sailed from his native shores to the United States.
From the Mississippi Valley he set out afoot to the western part of Wyoming. He spent eighteen months in that vast wild unexplored land. Then, after many exciting experiences with the Indians, and no shelter over his head but the stars, he made his return trip on foot again, locat- ing in St. Louis, afterward moving to Bellville, Illinois, where he made his home until 1885, when he came to Henry County, Missouri, locating four miles east of Clinton. He made improvements on the land which he purchased, and developed the mine of coal, which is still being operated.
He was married to Sarah Eccles in St. Louis, Missouri. She was a native of Staffordshire, England, born in 1840. Her parents emigrated to this country in 1847, locating near Council Bluffs, Iowa, later moving to St. Louis. She passed away in 1889 and her husband in 1907. They had the following children: James, the subject of this sketch; William, Joseph, Edmund, Sarah Jane, Elizabeth Ann and Mary, all living on the old home farm except Mary, who departed this life in 1904, being the wife of James H. Cheatham at the time of her death.
James England received his education in Bellville, Illinois, and in company with his father had become interested in coal mining. After his marriage on June 28, 1884, to Hannah Jervis, who was born May 1, 1863, in Derbyshire, England, the young couple came to Henry County and located near Deepwater, Missouri. They are the parents of four children: Mary, a teacher of the Powersville, Missouri, school. She grad- uated from the Deepwater High School, Warrensburg Normal and was a student of Missouri University. Miss England was superintendent of the Powersville school and favorably known by Uel Lamkin, editor and author of this history. William C. and Harry are assisting their father in the work of the coal mines ; Lillian, wife of Earl Huey, makes her home in Deepwater, Missouri. Mr. England is the owner of 117 acres of well improved land which he farms in connection with his mining interests. He leases 200 acres of land for the mining operations, in which he has two coal mines, employing thirty men. Mr. England is an independent Republican in his politics. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
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Walter Clifton is a well known and successful breeder of Shorthorn cattle who is farming 156 acres of land in Clinton township. This land was homesteaded by his parents, James and Mary (Clifton) Clifton be- fore the Civil War. James Clifton was born December 25, 1819, in South Carolina, and his wife was born in the same State January 5, 1824. They were the parents of ten children. Walter Clifton, whose name introduces this review, is the only living member of this large family.
Mr. and Mrs. Clifton lived in Perry County, Missouri, where they were employed in farming and dealt in cattle previous to coming to Henry County. They homesteaded 160 acres in Clinton township, clearing the land of its native timber and building their log cabin in the clearing, where the sons and daughters were reared. Mr. Clifton would buy large lots of hogs and cattle and drive them across country to St. Louis, Mis- souri, for the eastern markets. On his return trip he brought freight for the settlers. Mr. Clifton was a public spirited citizen and ever eager to lend his influence to the organizations which were an uplift to the community. He was a charter member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Clinton. He passed away in Henry County January 15, 1879. His wife, who was born in South Carolina January 5, 1824, survived him nearly twenty years, passing away February 5, 1899. They were devout members of the Methodist Church.
Walter Clifton was born in St. Louis, Missouri, August 5, 1863, on one of the trips that his parents made to St. Louis with their cattle. His life was spent upon the farm and he was educated in the district school. His first employment as a farm hand netted him fifty cents a day and he often cut broom corn for seventy-five cents a day.
After his parents' death Mr. Clifton purchased the home place from the other heirs and built all new buildings in accordance with the modern needs. In 1916 he started his herd of Shorthorn cattle and expects to specialize in this breed.
Walter Clifton married Miss Anna Neil November 21, 1894. She is the daughter of Alex and Augusta (Harnagel) Neil, the former a native of Iowa and the latter of Germany, coming to the United States with her parents when she was an infant. They are now retired and live at La Due, Missouri. Mrs. Clifton was born April 7, 1873, in Upton, Missouri, and was educated in the schools of this State.
Mr. Clifton is a Democrat and a member of the Christian Church. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
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Charles William Gaines .- In the passing of Charles William Gaines the city of Clinton and Henry County lost one of its most worthy citizens, judged by every standard of worth. Mr. Gaines was a man of strong and vigorous mind; a citizen who had the courage of his convictions and was ever ready to defend his expressed convictions which were usually of a decisive character. While modest, reserved to a considerable degree in his character and demeanor, he permitted his chosen friends to occa- sionally cross the threshold of his inner soul and they, the few who were admitted to this inner sanctuary, saw inherent, noble qualities which were generally hidden from the world. The real Charles W. Gaines pos- sessed a fund of quiet humor, a wealth of good fellowship and made an ideal companion, joining good humor and good sense. In the bosom of his family he was a well read companion endowed with a literary taste, which led him to accumulate a store of literary knowledge and to fill his home with good books and literary treasures. He was possessed of a strong and practical mind, his logic and experience enabling him to make quick decisions and right conclusions. In every gathering of men, Mr. Gaines was esteemed and welcomed for his manly qualities and sterling worth.
His life was a success from practically every point of view with which we are apt to judge successful citizenship. A leader among the capitalists of Henry County and western Missouri, a diligent and practi- cal agriculturist who tilled his broad acres so as to bring forth the acme of production, his life labors were of decided benefit to the community in which he was reared to manhood and where his life was spent.
Charles William Gaines, a late resident of Clinton, was the owner of valuable farming property in Henry County, his holdings aggregating two thousand acres. He was born in Henry County January 16, 1864, a son of Richard F. and Margaret (Stone) Gaines. The father, a native of Cumberland County, Kentucky, was born in 1839, while the mother's birth occurred in Henry County, Missouri, in 1841. She was a daughter of Judge John Stone, one of the ante bellum pioneers, a member of the famous Stone family, who removed to Henry County in 1839 from North Carolina. The Stone family were very prominent in the early history of Henry County. In early life Richard F. Gaines became a farmer and stockdealer. About 1854 he removed to Missouri, settling in Saline County, and in 1860 came to Henry County, where the grandfather of our sub- ject purchased the farm which was owned by Charles W. Gaines. Rich-
Chas. A. Gained
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ard F. Gaines was largely reared in this State and became an extensive land owner and stock dealer. His father had been a large slave owner in the South. After the war Richard F. Gaines took charge of the estate and continued thereon until his death in 1891. He dealt extensively in cattle and also in mules during the Civil War. His father owned eight hundred acres of land, to which Richard F. Gaines kept adding from time to time, as his financial resources permitted, until he had about three thousand acres in Henry and St. Clair Counties, the extensive tract being devoted to general farming. He was a man of excellent business ability, energetic and far-sighted, and carrying forward to a successful comple- tion whatever he undertook. He lost his first wife in 1868 and was mar- ried again to Emily D. Merritt, a daughter of Judge M. B. Merritt of Henry County. Mr. Gaines' death occurred in March, 1891.
Charles W. Gaines was a pupil in the district schools of Henry County and afterward attended the Fayette Central College. He was twenty- seven years of age when his father died and was made administrator of the estate, which was settled up two years later. He then engaged in the live stock business, feeding, shipping and selling stock, and, like his father, won substantial success. His business affairs prospered under his capable direction and in matters of business judgment he was seldom if ever at fault. He became owner of two thousand acres of valuable farm land and gave his personal supervision to its cultivation and man- agement. He resided upon the old family estate until his marriage in 1899, when he purchased one of the most commodious and beautiful resi- dences in Clinton. There he made his home while giving supervision to his agricultural and live stock interests. His death occurred May 24, 1918.
It was on the nineteenth day of July, 1899, that Mr. Gaines was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Josephine Hannah, who was born in Davidson County, North Carolina, near Salisbury, a daughter of J. P. and Nancy (Covington) Hannah, both of whom are deceased. To this mar- riage were born two children: Charles W. and Richard Pinckney, both attending school. The parents attended the Presbyterian Church, yet Mr. Gaines contributed to the support of all other churches. He was prominent in Masonic circles, and was a past commander of Boaneges Commandery of Clinton and a member of the Mystic Shrine at Kansas City. He was also identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In politics Mr. Gaines was a Democrat and received in 1898 his party's nomination for representative of Henry County, but declined. He was his party's candidate for the same office in 1914.
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Mr. Gaines represented one of the old and prominent families of this section of the State and his lines of life were cast in harmony with this tradition. The work instituted by his grandfather and continued by his father had been carried on still further by him until his death, were of a character that had contributed to the general progress and prosperity of the community as well as to his individual success. At the same time he gained a place among the capitalists of Henry County and was recognized as a man of splendid business ability, whose enterprise found expression in his growing success. While Mr. Gaines sought no leadership in community activities, men naturally turned to him for guidance. His influence and his purse were ever at the command of the community for every worthy purpose. He was no passive patriot, but an American of vigorous assertiveness, and every call of his country found him answering promptly to her requests, whether for bond issues, the Red Cross or kindred war activities, in all of which he was greatly interested and liberal to a high degree. Mr. Gaines was charitably in- clined and never allowed a call upon his purse to go unheeded when the object was worthy of help. As a valued member of the Elks Lodge he was always active in the usual holiday charity offerings made by this lodge. The Masonic fraternity held a strong place in his affections, the spirit of fraternalism and good fellowship being manifest in his relations not only upon the floor of these lodges but in his every day life. In the bosom of his family he was a kind and loving husband and father and had plans for the upbringing of his sons which will be carried to comple- tion by the widowed mother. This community will long miss and mourn him as one of its best citizens.
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