USA > Missouri > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Missouri > Part 32
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Claude L. Bostwick, proprietor of an automobile livery and garage at 120 East Maple street, Independence, Mo. is a native son of Jackson County, and is descended, on his maternal side from one of the oldest and best known of the pioneer families in Jackson County. He was born on a farm near Grain Valley, in Sniabar township on Dec. 15, 1886 and is a son of Admiral Nelson and Lucy A. (Johnson) Bostwick, the latter of whom was born in Jackson County and is a daughter of David Johnson, a pioneer of this county. A sketch of Admiral N. Bostwick and a history of the John- son family appears elsewhere in this volume.
Claude L. Bostwick attended the Round Grove district school and fol- lowed farming until he came to Independence and started in the livery business in 1903. He has since been engaged in this business. He pur- chased the C. H. Ragland Auto and Garage business on March 1, 1919.
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The Bostwick Garage is carried on in a large room 60 x 100 feet on East Maple street. Mr. Bostwick does a regular auto livery business and furnishes automobiles for funeral corteges. He has an automobile hearse which cost $4,500.00 and cares for the business of the undertakers of the city.
He was married on July 16, 1919, to Miss Mary E. Wilson of Blue township. Her father is deceased and her mother remarried, being Mrs. James McCown and lives on a farm in Blue township.
Mr. Bostwick is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, and is recog- nized as one of the hustling and substantial business men of Independence.
Captain Roger Thomas Sermon, member of the grocery firm of Cook and Sermon, Independence, Mo., former officer in the National Army who served in the World War, was born in Independence, Nov. 2, 1890. He is a son of George A. and Adelia (Todd) Sermon who resides at 904 Van Horn street in this city.
George A. Sermon is a native of Kansas City, and was born in 1861. Mrs. Adelia B. Sermon was born in Independence. They are parents of children as follow: Mrs. Mabel Bradley, Independence ; Mrs. Anna Schule- berg, Independence; Harry, deceased; Roger T., subject of this sketch, Independence; Roy, in the garage business at Independence; William, a student in the State University at Columbia.
Roger Thomas Sermon graduated from Independence High School in 1908. After leaving high school he served as a clerk in the Independence post office. He enlisted in the Missouri National Guard in 1907 and was connected with the state military organization until his command was taken into the regular army service. He enlisted in the regular army on June 19, 1916 and served until Dec. 22, 1916 on the Mexican border as first lieutenant of his company. Aug. 5, 1917, he again hearkened to the call of this country, which was arrayed against Germany in the World War and he enlisted in the Federal army. At Camp Doniphan he was commissioned a captain in Battery C. He was afterwards adjutant in the second bat- talion and was captain of Battery A.
He crossed the Atlantic in command of Battery A and was regimental adjutant while his command was in France. He saw active service with the American forces in the Vosges Mountains, was in the reserve at St. Mihiel, and served in the Argonne Forest, Somme Deine sector, with the 129th Field Artillery, of the famous 35th Division. When the armistice went into effect Nov. 11, 1918, he was at the front. He sailed from Brest, France, April 19, 1919, landed in the United States April 30, 1919, and re-
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ceived his honorable discharge from the service at Camp Funston May 21, 1919. Captain Sermon was in the service from Aug. 5, 1917, to May 21, 1919, and previously had served on the Mexican border from June 5, 1916, to December 22, 1916, and came out of the army a seasoned, hardened and trained veteran who has seen continuous service of a military character from July 31, 1907 to May 21, 1919, 12 years in all.
Captain Sermon was married Jan. 16, 1910 to Miss Stella Campbell, a daughter of John Thomas and Bertha Campbell of Lees Summit, the former of whom is deceased and the latter resides at Lees Summit. Captain and Mrs. Serman have a son, Roger T., Jr., born Oct. 8, 1918.
The residence of Captain and Mrs. Sermon is at 818 West Van Horn street. Captain Sermon is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and the American Legion.
Frederick Madison Smith, president of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Independence, Mo., was born at Plano, Ill., Jan. 21, 1874. He is a son of Joseph and Bertha (Madison) Smith. He was educated in the State University of Iowa, studying in this uni- versity during the year, 1894 and 1895; received the Degree of Bachelor of Science from Graceland College, Lamoni, Iowa, in 1898; studied in the extension department of the University of Missouri in 1908 and 1909; re- ceived the Master's Degree from the University of Kansas in 1911, and the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Clark University in 1916.
Dr. Smith was married Aug. 3, 1897, to Miss Ruth L. Cobb, a daugh- ter of Elijah and Alice E. Cobb, of Lamoni, Iowa. Their children are: Alice Myrmida and Lois Audentia.
President Smith was First Councilor of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from 1902 to 1915, and in the latter year he was elevated to the presidency of the church. Prior to this he was professor of mathematics at Graceland College from 1899 and 1900. He was editor of the Lamoni "Chronicle" from 1900 to 1902. From 1900 to 1904 he was assistant and associate editor of the "Saints Herald." He was editor of the "Journal of History" from 1908 to 1912. He has acted as president of the board of directors of Independence Sanitarium, trustee of Graceland College, a director of the United Order of Enoch, and secre- tary and director of the Lamoni school board.
President Smith holds membership in the American Geographical Society, the American Institute of Archaeology, the Missouri State His- torical Society, the American Economic Association, the American Insti- tute of Criminal Law and Criminology, the American Peace Society, the
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American Sociological Society, the Academy of Political Science of New York, the Missouri Valley Historical Society, the Society of Colonial Wars, and the Illinois Society of Sons of the American Revolution. He is also associated with the American Academy of Political and Social Science, the National Confederation of Charities and Corrections, and the Missouri Con- federation of Social Welfare. He was editor of the Saints Herald in 1917. He holds a membership in the University Club at Washington.
President Smith is a broad gauged man of massive intellect, demo- cratic in his personal manners and an affable and pleasant gentleman. The responsibility which he carries is considerable, but he fully measures up to the requirements of his position.
Elbert A. Smith, member of the first presidency of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was born in Nauvoo, Ill., March 8, 1871, and is the only son of David H. and Clara (Hartshorn) Smith. David H. Smith was the youngest son of Joseph Smith the founder of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Clara (Hartshorn) Smith was the daughter of William and Charlotte (Eastman) Hartshorn.
David H. Smith was also born in Nauvoo, Ill., Nov. 18, 1844 and died in 1905. He was buried at Lamoni, Iowa, where the present church was first incorporated. The members of the First Presidency are: Frederick M. Smith and Elbert A. Smith.
Elbert A. Smith was educated in the public schools of Buena Vista, Iowa, and in 1900 entered the mission field for his church in California. He held a pastorate at Burlington, Iowa, and after completing his pastorate there he devoted much of his time to educational and literary work. He was editor of Autumn Leaves, the magazine for young people of the church from 1902 to 1919. He has also been a member of the editorial staff of the Herald since 1906. The presidency work takes up the greater part of the time of the subject of this review, as the presidency supervises the activities of the church in all the world. Mr. Smith's office is at the corner of Lexington and Rover Boulevard, opposite the church.
Mr. Smith is author of a book of poems entitled, "Hesperis" and he has also published two novels, "The Minister Who was Different", and "Joe Pine". All of these works having had an extensive sale.
Elbert A. Smith was married in 1895 to Miss Clara Cochran, of Lamoni, Iowa, a daughter of Asa and Mabel (Church) Cochran. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children: Ronald G. and Lynn E. Smith.
Clara Hartshorn Smith, mother of Elbert A. Smith is a native of Illinois, and now makes her home in Independence with her son.
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Mr. Smith has led a very active and useful life, as a minister, writer and publisher, besides his poems and books he has written and published many tracts dealing with the tenets of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints and religious matters. His whole time is de- voted to the upbuilding of his church and to spreading its influence through- out the country. He is a man of unusual scholastic attainments, and im- presses acquaintances as a deep thinker and profound student, who is sin- cere in his beliefs and teachings.
Walter Wayne Smith, clergyman and educator, born near Somerset, Pulaski County, Ky., Sept. 21, 1878, son of Martin Beatty and Melissa A. (Stephens) Smith was the first of his family to leave the Smith Shoals neighborhood, the ancestral home of his family. George and Elizabeth (Roblin) Smith emigrated from Mulhausen in the Kingdom of Saxony to America and settled at the foot of the shoals of the Cumberland River, above Burnsides in Pulaski County, Ky., in the latter part of the 18th century. Their third son, Daniel, was born July 30, 1801, and he mar- ried Miss Elizabeth, daughter of James and Keziah (Moberly) Lee. Mr. Lee was a Virginian who had served in the Revolutionary War. Their son, William Wayne Smith, was born April 20, 1825, and was named for Mad Anthony Wayne, under whom his grandfather had served in battle. Wil- liam Wayne Smith was married to Miss Polly Jane, daughter of Hiram Hughes, a veteran of the War of 1812, and his wife, Elizabeth (Massey) Hughes. To this marriage were born three sons and two daughters, the second son being the father of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Smith's mother was a daughter of Shadrach W. Stephens, M. D., and his wife, Nancy (Cannefax) Stephens, of Monticello, Wayne county, Ky. The Stephens family was an old colonial family, originating in the Isle of Wight in the days of feudalism.
Mr. Smith removed with his mother, brothers and sisters to Johnson County, Mo., in 1891, his father having died in 1889 where he was em- ployed at farming until the outbreak of the Spanish-American War. He enlisted as a private in Company L, Fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the war. During a part of this time, he held a com- mission as a Y. M. C. A. secretary with his regiment, under Mr. Banks of the Army Christian Commission. After his return from the army he went to Kansas City in search of employment. He secured a position as a clerk in a wholesale house, and later entered the employ of a contractor and builder as time keeper, where he continued until the spring of 1900.
He was appointed to the active ministry of the Reorganized Church
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of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, by the general conference of 1900. He filled appointments in Kansas City and in Northern Missouri until April, 1904, when he was chosen pastor of the First Saints Church of Phila- delphia, Pa., which position he held until 1916, when he was chosen pastor of the First Saints, Stone Church, Independence, Mo., which numbered 3,100 members, being the largest congregation of its denomination. He was also made president of the Independence Stake or Conference, a posi- tion which he now holds. He served as editor of Zion's Ensign, missionary newspaper of the church during the years of 1916, 1917 and 1918. He was chosen General Church Historian in 1919 and editor of the Journal of His- tory. He is also a member of the Standing High Council, which is the Supreme Court of his denomination.
Walter Wayen Smith was married on Christmas Day, 1901, to Miss Maggie Eunice Winn, daughter of David F. and Elizabeth Jane (Howe) Winn of Kansas City, Mo. The Winns are descended from a long line of cavalier ancestry of Virginia, where they were settled in Fauquer County early in the 18th century. The emigrant Minor Winn or Wynne came from near Carnarvon, North Wales, the home of the family since the 8th Cen- tury. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three sons: Robert Wayne Smith, born in Kansas City, June 6, 1903; Dudley Winn Smith, born in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 24, 1905; and Ronald Martin Smith, born in Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 23, 1909.
Mrs. Walter Wayne Smith is also an educator, having received her training in the public schools of Kansas City, Mo., Hatton College, Higbee, Mo., and graduated from the Teachers College Kindergarten Training School of Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa .. in 1913. She subsequently took the degree of A. B. from Milton University. She is engaged in teach- ing, being registrar of the Independence Institute of which she was one of the founders, and she is now director of the Department of Normal Kindergarten Training. She is a member of the I. K. U., The Kindergarten Club of Kansas City, The Laurel Club of Independence and is author of the Sunday School Lessons, for the Beginners Grade of the Church.
Mr. Smith received his early education in the public schools of Pulaski County, Ky., Chilhowee, Mo., and Holden, Mo. During the early years of his ministry, he devoted much time to study and research. He took a degree of Ph.B. from Potomac College in 1913, and in the same year he received his divinity degree. He graduated from the Teachers College of Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa., in 1916. He has been honored by the degree of M. A. by his divinity school. In connection with his minis-
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terial labors he has found time to teach almost continuously. He, with others, founded in 1916, the Independence Institute of Arts and Sciences and was chosen its principal in which capacity he continues. He is a lec- turer of Graceland College, Lamoni, Iowa. He is author of a Normal Teacher Training Text on the Book of Mormon. He is a member of the Archaelogical Institute of America, the National Geographic Society, tne State Historical Society of Missouri; and the Boy Scout Council of Inde- pendence. The family residence is at 631 Fuller Ave., Independence, Mo.
William G. Bronson, senior member of the Bronson and Page Hard- ware Company, is one of the hustling business men of Independence. The firm is composed of William G. Bronson and W. A. Page and was organized in December, 1914, succeeding the firm of Bronson and McCord which was started in 1909, succeeding The Jack Totty Hardware Company of Inde- pendence. Jack Totty was associated with Nichols, the pioneer hardware merchant of Independence. Bronson and Page carry a regular and com- plete line of hardware, paints, glass and do general plumbing.
William G. Bronson was born at Princeville, Ill., in 1864 and is a son of Ovando and Amanda (Morrow) Bronson, the former a native of Ohio and the latter a native of Illinois. Ovando Bronson settled in Andrew County, Mo., in 1877 and engaged in farming. He improved a good farm and reared his family in Andrew County, dying in 1898. Mrs. Bronson died in 1883. Their children are as follow: A. H., Fillmore, Mo .; Harriet Ellen Bronson, St. Joseph, Mo .; William G., subject of this review; A. E., in the employ of Swift and Company, Omaha, Neb.
William G. Bronson assisted his father on the home farm in Andrew County until he became of age and then followed farming and threshing on his own account for the next ten years. In 1901 he went to St. Joseph, Mo., and embarked in the dairy business. He followed this business for four years and was then in the employ of the St. Joseph Transfer Company until he came to Independence in May, 1909. In August of that year he associated himself with the Bronson and McCord Hardware Co., Ray A. McCord being his first partner.
Mr. Bronson was married in November, 1896, to Mamie Belle Guinn, of Fillmore, Mo., a daughter of James F. and Mary (Christie) Guinn, both of whom are deceased. To this marriage have been born two children: Guinn William, aged seven years, and Herschel Clay.
The Bronson family residence is located at 1219 West Walnut street. Mr. Bronson is a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints.
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William Bostian, proprietor of the Bostian Confectionery, at 114 North Liberty street, ex-postmaster of Independence, was born on a farm in the Mt. Washington neighborhood, Feb. 9, 1861. He is a son of Henry and Margaret (Young) Bostian.
Henry Bostian was born in Germany, and immigrated to America in 1856. During the Civil War he served in the Missouri State Militia, un- der Captain Smith, his company being mustered into the Union service at Independence. He met his death at the hands of Quantrell's men, Oct. 11, 1865-months after the close of the war. His widow survived him for many years. and died in July, 1908. Both are buried at Woodland ceme- tery. The children born to Henry and Margaret Bostian are as follow : Mrs. Henrietta Rex, Paola, Kan .; Mrs. Augusta Pettis, Belton, Mo .; Mrs. Anna Gibson, Independence; Henry, a barber in Independence; William Bostian, of this review.
The first school which William Bostian attended was a private school, taught by Professor Clay, at the corner of Linn and Walnut streets, and he also attended the seminary, which occupied the site of the Ott School. After leaving school he learned the barber's trade, and followed it for 231/2 years. He was appointed postmaster of Independence in 1901, by President Mckinley, and served for 121/2 years, under Presidents Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson. Mr. Bostian purchased his present confec- tionery business of George B. Foster, in 1913. The Bostian Confectionery enjoys a splendid trade, from six to ten clerks being employed.
William Bostian was married Sept. 15, 1886, to Miss Margaret Hin- ters, of Independence, a daughter of Peter and Margaret Hinters, both of whom are deceased. The children born to this marriage are as follow: William B., Madeline, Kenneth, Margaret Mary, Lawrence A. and Louise.
William B. is a practicing attorney in Kansas City, associated with R. R. Brewster, in the Scarritt Building. He served as a lieutenant with a machine gun battalion in the National Army during the World War. For ten months he was an artillery instructor in France, receiving his commission at Fort Sheridan, Nov. 28, 1917. He arrived in France in January, 1918, and was on the firing line between Cambria and St. Quentin, and fought at Bonne and Bullecourt, was an officer of Company C, One Hundred and Fifth battalion of machine gunners. Madeline is the wife of Paul Reese Rider, St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Rider is an instructor in Washington University. He served as second lieutenant in the coast artillery, and was stationed at Fort Worden, Wash., during his service in the World War. A sketch of Captain Kenneth V. Bostian appears in this
WILLIAM BOSTIAN.
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history. Miss Margaret Mary Bostian is supervising instructor in home economics, University High School, Columbia, Mo. Lawrence A. Bostian is a student in the State University, at Columbia, Mo. During the World War he was a member of the Fifty-sixth artillery, and was in the officers' training school at Camp Taylor when the armistice was signed. Louise Bostian is a student in the State University, at Columbia, Mo.
The Bostian family residence is located at 602 North Delaware street. Mr. Bostian is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and is past State president of this order. He is also affiliated with the Modern Wood- men of America and the Yeomen.
Walter I. and Charles E. Betts, jewelers and opticians, have a flourish- ing and profitable business at 128 North Maple street, conducted under the' name of Betts Brothers. The business was first established by W. I. Betts, April 16, 1915 at 217 West Maple, later moving to the Battery Block. The firm carries a complete and splendid line of watches, clocks, diamonds, gold and silver jewelry, cut glass ware, and such goods as are usually found in a first class modern jewelry store. Charles E. Betts is a graduate of the National School of Optometry at St. Louis and practiced his profession at Belleville, Ill. and St. Louis, Mo., prior to associating himself with his brother. He is licensed to practice optometry in the state of Illinois and is a member of the S. W. Illinois Optometrical Club. He was born in Belle- ville, Ill., April 29, 1883 and was educated in the schools of his native city. For a number of years he was with the Scrugg-Vandervoort, Barney Dry Goods Company of St. Louis, in a managerial capacity. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Belleville, Ill.
Walter I. Betts was born in Belleville. Ill., Oct. 11, 1885 and is a graduate of the St. Louis Horological School, completing his course in this school on March 1, 1915. He then came to Independence and established the present business.
The parents of Walter I. and Charles E. Betts are Joseph E. and Flor- ence (Crowson) Betts. Joseph E. Betts was born July 24, 1856 and died in Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 22, 1913. He was a son of Joseph E. Betts, Sr., who was born in Warwickshire, England, June 7, 1836 and died Dec. 8, 1911. His wife that is, the wife of Joseph E. Betts, Sr., was Mary Marie Jacques, born in Warwickshire, England, in 1835 and died Dec. 7, 1889. They removed from England to Belleville, Ill., in 1868 and established a home there, where both died. Joseph E. Betts, Jr., was married to Flor- ence Crowson, who was born in Alton, Ill., March 17, 1860, a daughter of Charles and Charlotte Crowson, the former of whom was born in Warwick-
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shire, England in 1837, and the latter was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1842. She resides in Independence, Mo.
Joseph Betts, Sr. and his son Joseph Betts, Jr. were engaged in coal mining in the Belleville, Ill. coal field, and operated several mines in that vicinity.
Charlotte (Jarvis) Crowson was a daughter of George and Ann Jarvis, the former of whom was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1816 and died in 1895, and the latter born in 1822 and died in 1884. She was born in Birm- ingham, England. George and Ann Jarvis were married in 1840 and emi- giated from England to America in 1852 and settled at Alton, Ill.
Charles Crowson crossed the plains enroute to California in 1868 in . charge of mule freighting outfits.
Robert Edwards, and Mary (Rice) Edwards, great grand parents of Mrs. Florence Betts were born in Birmingham, England and came to America when 70 years of age, remained here four years and then re- turned to England in 1878, dying there.
Walter I. Betts was married to Caroline Stonger of Independence, June 20, 1912. She is a daughter of Philip and Sarah (Crook) Stonger of Pana, III., both of whom are residing in Independence. Mr. and Mrs. Betts have a daughter, Thelma Vione Betts. They reside at 822 West White Oak street.
Henry Bostian, barber and city councilman from the Second Ward, whose place of business is located in the basement of the Clinton Build- ing, Independence, is a native of this city. He was born March 14, 1869, and is a son of Henry and Margaret (Young) Bostian. His brother. Henry Bostian is proprietor of the Bostian confectionery and is a former post- master of Independence. Further details concerning the parents of Mr. Bostian of this sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume in the sketch of Wm. Bostian.
After attending the public schools of Jackson County, Henry Bostian, at the age of 15 years, learned the trade of barber in the shop of his brother William and Mr. Helff. When his brother, William Bostian was appointed postmaster of Independence, Mr. Bostian purchased the shop. He moved to his present location in 1909 and now operates a three chair shop and has an excellent and profitable trade. He has been in business for the past 31 years, constantly and is one of the real pioneer business men of the city.
Mr. Bostian was married Dec. 19, 1895, to Miss Josephine Joseph of Kansas City, a native of Glasgow, Mo. and daughter of Joseph and Mar-
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garet Joseph, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Henry died when the pres- ent Mrs. Bostian was a child. During the latter years of her life, Mrs. Joseph made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Bostian. Both parents are buried in the Catholic cemetery.
To Henry and Josephine Bostian has been born one son, Joseph H. Bostian, Jr., who is in the employ of the Sugar Creek Oil Refinery at Sugar Creek, Mo. He married Miss Delsie Smith and they have one son, Joseph H., Jr.
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