USA > Missouri > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Missouri > Part 26
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Mr. Montgomery was married on Dec. 24, 1884 to Miss Kate Clark of Sniabar township, a daughter of David and Amanda (Woodruff) Clark, both deceased. Two daughters were born of this marriage: Eva, wife of A. E. White, of Blue Springs, who is mother of three children, William K., Cecil Mildred White, and Elsie, deceased.
Mr. Montgomery is a popular and efficient county official who has many warm and steadfast friends throughout Jackson County. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, of Blue Springs.
Charles W. Brady, postmaster, Independence, Mo., was born July 22, 1865. He is a son of John and Hester (Farrell) Brady. Both parents of C. W. Brady were born in Ireland and were married in Liberty, Mo. John Brady emigrated from his native country to America when a youth and located at Liberty, Mo., where he was engaged in the buying and selling of live stock until his removal to Independence in 1850. In 1861 he was elected city marshal of Independence and served until 1863. Soon there- after he purchased a farm in Blue township, one mile east of Independence and followed farming and stock raising until his death Jan. 4, 1881. Mrs. Brady died in 1901. The children born to John and Hester Brady are as follow: Mrs. T. P. Fraher, Independence, Mo .; Charles W., subject of this sketch; and John Brady, assistant postmaster, Independence, Mo.
Charles W. Brady was educated in the public schools of Independence and was reared on his father's farm. In 1886 he was appointed assistant postmaster of Independence under the late William Grosebeck and served in this position for eight years. He was appointed postmaster in 1894 under President Cleveland's second administration, and served for four
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C. W. BRADY.
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years. At the expiration of this term he engaged in the retail grocery business in partnership with Jack O'Brien, who later became county treasurer. This partnership was continued for eight years and then Mr. Brady purchased his partner's interest and continued the business until June, 1913. He was then appointed postmaster of Independence by Presi- dent Wilson and was reappointed to the position in 1918.
Mr. Brady was married Oct. 10, 1895 to Miss Nellie O'Dowd of Kan- sas City, Mo., a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward O'Dowd of that city, both of whom are deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Brady have eight children: Charles, Jr., a graduate of the Kansas City Law School, and now in the employ of the City Central Bank of Kansas City; William I., a cadet in the West Point Military Academy; Gladys, at home; Joseph, in the employ of the Central Coal and Coke Company; Frank, Helen, Thomas and Agnes at home. Charles Brady, Jr. served in the United States navy for one year during the World War and was in training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station.
Mr. Brady is an excellent public official who has the best interests of the patrons of the Independence post office at heart. The best of service is afforded the people of Independence and vicinity and he has gathered around him a splendid corps of assistants. He is a member of the Brother- hood Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Loyal Order of Moose lodges.
Todd M. George, treasurer of Jackson County, and a leading citizen of Lees Summit, Mo., was born in Woodford County, Kentucky, Feb. 26, 1879, a son of the late Richard B. George, lawyer, banker and farmer, of Lees Summit.
Richard B. George was born in Versailles, Woodford County, Ky., in 1831 and died June 10, 1895. He was born on the site of the present Masonic Temple in that city. Mr. George studied law and was admitted to the bar in his home county in Kentucky, entered politics and was elected sheriff of Woodford County, in 1861, and served until Sept., 1862, when he resigned his office to enlist in the Confederate army. He saw much active service in the Civil War under General Buford and served for three years or until the close of the war. He then resumed his law practice and in April, 1875, he was appointed Master Commissioner of Woodford County, serving until Feb., 1883, at which time he resigned and came to Lees Sum- mit. He remained at Lees Summit and the Bank of Lees Summit until 1886 and then returned to Versailles. In 1889 he again came to Lees Sum-
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mit and made Jackson County his permanent home for the remainder of his life. Mr. George purchased the Powell Banking Company of Lees Sum- mit and incorporated the Bank of Lees Summit, being connected with this banking concern for a number of years. He also purchased a farm of 554 acres, six miles east of Lees Summit, and after his retirement from the practice of law he made this farm his home until his death in 1895. He was married on May 30, 1860 to Martha Ann Todd, at Versailles, Ky. She was born in Frankfort, on the lot where the new state capitol building now stands, in 1840, and died at Lees Summit, Mo., Oct. 1, 1913. Richard B. and Martha (Todd) George were parents of the following children: Mrs. Mary B. James, died March 11, 1901 at Lees Summit; William B. George, Lees Summit; Henry B. died at the age of 12 years ; Mrs. Bettie B. Haynes, died Oct. 4, 1916; Mrs. Annie N. Gibbons, Umatilla, Fla .; David T., Lees Summit, Mo .; Mrs. Charles W. Latimer, Independence, Mo .; Todd M., sub- ject of this review; Frank K., Lees Summit; Mrs. Patsy Barron, Kan- sas City, Mo.
Leaving home when 15 years old, Todd M. George has made his own way. He worked and paid his way through high school at Lees Summit, following which he was in the employ of the Green-Mills Commission Co. at the stock yards for three years. He then spent one year on a ranch in Texas. Returning home he established a real estate and fire insurance business at Lees Summit and was successfully engaged in this business until his election to the office of county treasurer of Jackson County in 1916. Mr. George is now serving his third year in this important office and is giving satisfaction to the people of the county by his capable ad- ministration of the affairs of the office.
Mr. George was married March 1, 1911 to Miss Florie Andrews, of Boonville, Mo. She is a daughter of the late Colonel Charles E. and Jennie E. (Dobyns) Andrews, of Boonville, and a niece of former Congressman John T. Heard of Sedalia. On her maternal side she is descended from Colonial and Revolutionary stock, her mother being a member of an old and prominent southern family. Her grandfather, David E. Andrews, was the first mayor of Boonville, and was one of the pioneer merchants of that city, owning much real estate in Boonville. Her father, Col. Chas. E. Andrews, died at Boonville, Nov. 24, 1917.
Three children have been born to Todd M. and Florie George, as fol- low: Todd M., Jr., Hardage, Va. and Florie Ann George.
Mr. George is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Lees Summit and belongs to the Presbyterian church of his home city. He has taken an
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active interest in the Boy Scout movement and is much interested in local history. His interest in these affairs, leading him to organize the Lees Summit Historical Society and with the aid of the Boy Scouts of that city, he has managed to obtain the portraits of many of the old settlers of Prairie township. The city Hall of Lees Summit is the temporary head- quarters of the Historical Society and also the Boy Scout headquarters.
Fred Schulenberg, Union veteran, living retired in Independence, Mo., was born June 8, 1841, in Hanover, Germany. He is a son of John and Mary (Donenbarch) Schulenberg, who emigrated to America in 1855, cross- ing the Atlantic on board a sailing vessel which required 11 weeks to make the voyage to New Orleans. The first winter in this country was spent in St. Louis and in the following spring the family came to Independence by boat up the Missouri River, and established a home on Lexington street. John Schulenberg worked at cutting wood, later securing a team and hauled the wood to market. For a number of years he did general teaming, until his death in 1876. Mrs. Schulenberg died in 1891. They were parents of the following children: Henry, Independence; Mrs. Dorothy Reick, de- ceased; Fred, subject of this sketch; John, living near Independence; Wil- liam, living near Independence; and Louis died at the age of 20 years.
Fred Schulenberg enlisted in the Union army in 1862 and was in the service for six months. He was taken prisoner by the Confederates at Independence and was paroled by his captors. The following spring he went to Leavenworth, Kan. and made a trip across the plains, driving six yokes of oxen to Fort Laramie. On the return trip the train was attacked by Indians, but none of the white men were killed. After his return he joined Captain Smith's company and was stationed at Lone Jack, after the battle had been fought at that place, and was stationed at Pleasant Hill, Pink Hill and Warrensburg. After the close of the war he did teaming for Jack Little for 35 years. He helped to haul the material for the abut- ments of the bridge across the Blue on the Independence and Kansas City road. For the past ten years Mr. Schulenberg has been living practically retired at his pleasant home at 422 East Lexington street.
Mr. Schulenberg was married Oct. 16, 1868 to Miss Catherine Albright. of Independence, a daughter of Abraham and Catherine (Hartell) Albright, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Schulenberg was born in 1848 and ac- companied her mother from St. Louis in 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Schulenberg have children as follow: Mary Elizabeth, wife of John Lowe, Osawatomie, Kan .; Fannie Louise, wife of John Gordon, Independence, Mo .; Catherine, wife of James O'Donnell, Kansas City, Kan. : Walter H., and John Edward.
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in the automobile and tire business in Independence. The grandchildren of this fine old couple are as follow: Frederick Lowe, who served for two years in France with the engineers corps; Arthur, now in California work- ing at ship building, and Leona Lowe, Fannie Gordon, Hazel O'Donnell, Gladys, Margaret and Leota O'Donnell, twins; Edward and Fred Schulen- berg. They have one great grandchild, John Douglas Peterman, a son of Harry and Leona Peterman, of Kansas City.
Walter E. Schulenberg was educated in the public and high schools of Independence. For 11 years he was rural mail carrier on Rural Route No. 2, Independence. During that time he became interested in used auto- mobiles and gradually built up a business in that line. He opened his present business in June, 1918, and was joined by his brother, Edward J., in 1919. Schulenberg Brothers handle several makes of automobile tires and auto accessories and do general tire repair work at their shop on 215 West Maple avenue. He was married Oct. 11, 1907 to Mary Ann Sermon, of Independence, a daughter of George and Della Sermon, who live at 904 Van Horn street, Independence. He is a member of the Masons.
Edward J. Schulenberg, when 17 years of age began to learn the blacksmith trade with J. A. McCurdy. He afterwards purchased the black- smith shop and operated it for four years. In January, 1919, he became associated with his brother in the tire business. He was married Dec. 23, 1913 to Margaret Barlow, who died Dec. 12, 1918. Two children were born to this marriage: Edward and Frederick.
Johnson and Sons, monument manufacturers, dealers in mausoleums, and cemetery work, Independence, Mo. is composed of P. T. Johnson and his three sons, Roy, Ray and Rolly Johnson.
P. T. Johnson, the senior member of the firm, was born in Marshall County, Ky., in 1859, and is a son of W. H. Johnson of Marshall County, Ky. He developed the farm upon which P. T. Johnson was born and reared, within six miles of Benton, Ky., and died on his place in 1911 at the age of 88 years. P. T. Johnson came to Kansas City, Mo. in 1879 and for five years he was engaged in the feed business. He then established a monu- ment business at Liberty, Mo. and conducted it for about six years. Re- turning to Kansas City, he followed the same business in that city until 1899. He then came to Independence and purchased his present business of J. E. Lewis. In 1914, his three sons, Roy, Ray and Rolly Johnson were taken into partnership and an extensive business covering Jackson, Cass, Lafayette and Clay counties, Mo., and Wyandotte County, Kans. has been built up. Four salesmen are in the employ of this firm.
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P. T. Johnson was married in 1888 to Anna M. Branton, of Blue Springs, Mo. She is a daughter of Moses and Sarah (Stanley) Branton, the latter of whom is deceased and the former makes his home with his daughter. Moses Branton served under Stonewall Jackson in the Civil War and was captured at Gettysburg. After the close of the war he came to Jackson County.
The children born to P. T. and Anna M. Johnson are Roy, Ray, Ruby and Rolly Johnson.
Roy Johnson was born Dec. 12, 1889. He was educated in Independ- ence High School and Kansas University, and William Jewell College, gradu- ating therefrom in the class of 1913. He married Marguerite E. Lowe, Sept. 22, 1915. She is a daughter of J. B. and Carrie Lowe.
Ray Johnson was born in 1891 and was educated in the Independence High School. He was married to Maud Yankee, a daughter of Samuel Yankee, and has one daughter, Frances.
P. T. Johnson and his sons are all members of the Woodmen of the World and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. All are members of the Baptist church of which Miss Ruby Johnson is the organist.
Justus DeCourcey, proprietor of the Coal and Mercantile Company, 204 West Maple street, Independence, Mo., was born in Logan County, Ky., April 9, 1863. He is a son of Anderson and Matilda (Whitlow) DeCourcey, the former of whom was a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia.
Anderson DeCourcey was born in Logan County, Ky., in 1810, and lived all of his days in the county of his nativity, dying there Oct. 12, 1888. Mrs. Matilda DeCourcey was born in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Vir- ginia, in 1819 and died in Kentucky, in 1899. The children of Anderson and Matilda DeCourcey are as follow: Nannie C., wife of John Davenport, Central City, Ky .; Elizabeth, wife of James Davenport, died at Russell- ville, Ky .; Fannie, wife of James Shumwell, Elkton, Ky .; Ellen, wife of William Goodrum, died near Bowling Green, Ky., in 1904; Philip Taylor DeCourcey, died at Poplar Bluffs, in 1904; Susan K., wife of John Hilton, Elkton, Ky .; Mittie C., wife of J. R. Boley died in Florida in 1916; Dual Anderson, died in Washington, in 1916; Mollie L., wife of P. P. Woody, Independence Mo .; Justus DeCourcey, of this review.
Anderson DeCourcey was a son of J. DeCourcey, who was born in Charleston, S. C., and settled in Kentucky when much of the state was a wilderness. He was one of the pioneers of Kentucky and located his
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family there when his nearest neighbor was twenty miles distant. The DeCourceys are of French descent.
Justus DeCourcey attended the public schools of his native state and studied for one term at the Louisburg High School. For 23 years he was engaged in farming in Kentucky and spent one year at Sharon Grove, Ky., in the mercantile business. He came to Jackson County in May, 1889, and soon after settling in Independence he opened a coal and grain business. He was associated with Messrs. Woodson and Lewis for five years in the coal and grain business, when he sold out his interest in the business to W. T. Frazier and opened up his present store. Mr. DeCourcey handles coal, grain, farm and garden seeds and feeds and has an excellent and profitable trade.
Mr. DeCourcey was married in July, 1903 to Mrs. Emma Lowdell of Independence, a native of Mississippi, who was reared near Manhattan, Kan. By a former marriage she has one daughter, Miss Cordelia Lowdell, who graduated from the Christian Hospital, in June, 1919, as a trained nurse, and is now nursing in this hospital in Kansas City.
Mr. DeCourcey has served one term as a member of the Independence city council. He is affiliated with Independence Camp Number 22, Wood- men of the World.
Mr. and Mrs. DeCourcey reside at Norwood, just outside of the city limits, where they have a beautiful stone residence, erected in 1909, con- taining nine rooms and located in a fine setting of trees and lawn, which forms an attractive part of a two acre plot on which the residence stands.
Ray Henry Schulenberg, member of the grocery firm of Curran, Schu- lenberg and Hausam, Independence, Mo., is a native of Jackson County. He was born July 4, 1891 and is a son of William and Mary (Swiffle) Schulen- berg, the former of whom was born in Germany and emigrated from his native land to America in 1849, first settled in Kansas City and then came to Independence, locating on a farm in this vicinity. Mr. Schulenberg fol- lowed farming for several years in this county and is now making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Nellie Liddle, on the Lees Summit and Nel- son Road. Mrs. Schulenberg is deceased. The children of the family are: Louis, Willie and Clarence on Kentucky avenue in Blue township; Armeda, wife of Arthur L. Curran; Dora, wife of C. O. Davis; Ray Henry, of this review; Leonard, residing on the Lees Summit Road; Nellie, wife of W. M. Liddle.
R. H. Schulenberg received his schooling in White Oak School in Blue township. From his boyhood days he has followed the grocery business
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and became associated with his present firm in May, 1918. He was mar- ried Sept. 30, 1912 to Lou Belle Smith, a daughter of H. H. and Sarah (Harding) Smith, both of whom reside in Atherton, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Schulenberg have two children: Lee Roy and Chester Schulenberg.
Mr. Schulenberg is one of the live young business men of Independ- ence, and the firm with which he is actively associated is a leading one in Independence. He is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose.
Fred S. Clark, proprietor of the Enterprise Cleaning and Dyeing Shop, on West Lexington street, Independence, Mo., was born in Champaign County, Illinois, Dec. 15, 1876. His parents were John M. and Sarah (Casey) Clark, the former of whom is deceased.
John M. Clark was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and learned the trade of carpenter in his youth. He located at Champaign, in Champaign county, Illinois, and followed his trade and was a contractor and builder for many years, and later moved to Decatur, Moran County, Illinois. He died Jan. 18, 1914, aged 76 years. Mrs. Sarah Clark was born Oct. 3, 1838, and resides at Decatur, Ill. Their children are as follow: Lon P. Clark, Webster Grove, Mo .; Nellie Clark, Decatur, Ill .; Will T. Clark, Minneapolis, Minn .; Bert A. Clark, Mobridge, S. D .; Emma, wife of George Ford, Illiopolis, Ill .; Fred S. Clark, of this sketch. All of the foregoing children held a family reunion at the homestead in Decatur, Ill., Oct. 3, 1919.
After leaving high school in Decatur, Fred S. Clark was messenger boy for the Wabash Railway Company for three years, earning $25 per month. He was then employed in the gas department of the Decatur Gas and Elec- tric Company for some time. Mr. Clark came to Jackson County and en- tered the employ of the Kansas City Gas Company, and was in the employ of this concern for nine years. In 1912 he opened up his present shop, under the name of the Enterprise Cleaners and Dyers, and has built up an excellent business.
Mr. Clark was married in February, 1899, to Pearl E. Abrams, of De- catur, Ill., a daughter of Dr. D. D. and Ellen C. (Jamieson) Abrams, the former of whom died April 26, 1918, and latter resides at 206 South Osage street. The children born to Fred S. and Pearl E. Clark are: Paul Abrams Clark, senior in high school; Harry Truman Clark, senior in Northwest Normal College, Alva, Okla.
Mr. Clark has filled the post of deputy in the office of the county collector. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Loyal Order of Moose, and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
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Thomas W. Records, living retired at 417 West Maple street, Inde- pendence, former merchant and banker of Blue Springs, was born in Sus- sex County, Del., May 13, 1841. He is a son of William D. and Eunice J. (Phillips) Records, both natives of Delaware.
William D. Records was a son of William Records, also a native of Sussex County, Del. Eunice J. (Phillips) Records was a daughter of Spencer Phillips, member of an old Sussex County family. Both of the parents of Thomas W. Records died in their native county, his father dying in June, 1897, and his mother Dec. 30, 1853. Their children were: Mary Spicer, Willard S., George W., John B., Lavinia, William B., Rob- ert S. and Thomas W., all of whom are deceased except the subject of this sketch.
Thomas W. Records was educated in the public schools in his native county and the Academy at Laurel, Del. He left home and came west in 1865 and after remaining a year in Kansas City he located at Old Blue Springs and established the first general store in that locality in operation after the Civil War before the town was platted and prior to the advent to the railroad. His first store was a small affair in a room 16 x 24 feet. About this time, David Mock, an uncle of Mrs. Records was appointed postmaster of Blue Springs, but resigned not long afterwards and Thomas W. Records was appointed to fill the place. He conducted the post office in connection with his store and built up an extensive retail business and also dealt in country produce which he would gather among the farmers and haul to the Kansas City markets. In those days, eggs were packed in straw and placed in barrels and boxes with straw between them.
In 1875 Mr. Records traded his store for a part of the Morgan Walker farm near Blue Springs, famous in Jackson County history in connection with the exploits of Quantrell's band. He sold the farm in 1881 and again engaged in business in Blue Springs, becoming associated with M. V. Dillingham, and taking in as a partner in 1888, E. C. Ford, who is still connected with the store. The Blue Springs Mercantile Company was then incorporated with a capital of $15,000. In 1883, Mr. Records with others purchased the E. B. Fields Bank at Blue Springs and incorporated the Bank of Blue Springs for $16,000. Mr. Records was elected presi- dent of the bank and served until March, 1918, when he resigned. Sev- eral years prior to this he had sold his interest in the store. He re- moved to Independence in August, 1918.
Mr. Records was married April 16, 1868 to Stella Ellington of Platte County, Mo. Mrs. Stella Records was born Sept. 3, 1842 in Platte County
the. W. Recordo.
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and died Jan. 1, 1919. She was a daughter of Pleasant W. and Armilda (Talbott) Ellington, pioneer settlers of Platte County, who were parents of three children: Mrs. Sophia Beshear, Camden Point, Mo .; Mrs. K. B. Cecil, East Leavenworth, Mo .; and Mrs. Stella Records.
The children born to Thomas W. and Stella Records are: William P., a daughter died in infancy, Aug. 7, 1871, and Thomas H. Records.
William P. Records is a traveling salesman living at Lawton, Okla. He was born April 17, 1869, and married Nellie Dillingham of Blue Springs, and has two children, Helen Estelle and Mary Malvina, the former of whom married Harry Mitchell, resides at Vinta, Okla., and has a daugh- ter, Marcelle.
Thomas H. Records was born Jan. 17, 1878 and died Sept. 10, 1914. He was graduated from the State University at Columbia and specialized in journalism. He married Lavenia Bouchelle of Columbia, a graduate of Christian College. She died Jan. 14, 1903, leaving a daughter, Lavenia Bouchell, now a senior in William Chrisman High School, Independence. Thomas H. Record was married the second time to Bertha Carr of Walters, Okla., and two children were born of this marriage: Thomas Herbert, Jr., born Nov. 26, 1905 and Dorothy Estelle, born Oct. 1, 1908.
Mr. Records is a Democrat and he is a member of the Primitive Baptist church.
Lewis Maupin, operating a horse and mule market at 120 East Lex- ington street has for the past 23 years been dealing extensively in horses and mules in this section of Missouri. During the World War, Mr. Maupin did the most extensive business in buying and shipping of horses and mules of any dealer in this section outside of Kansas City. His whole life has been spent, practically, in the business.
Mr. Maupin was born at Richmond, Madison County, Ky., May 21, 1856. He is a son of Thomas Jefferson and Jennie (Lackey) Maupin, both natives of Kentucky, and who are mentioned prominently in the History of Madison County. Daniel Maupin, grandfather of Lewis Maupin, was a Virginian who became one of the early pioneers of Kentucky. The chil- dren of the Maupin family are: Dorcas, deceased; Mrs. Mattie Chorn, de- ceased ; Mrs. Maggie Terrill. Richmond, Ind .; Mrs. Alice Albright, deceased : Lewis Maupin, subject of this sketch; Edna, deceased; Mrs. Mary Chorn, Fayette, Mo .; and Mrs. Susie Chorn, Fayette, Mo.
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