USA > Missouri > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Missouri > Part 33
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
Henry Bostian is affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Eagles of Inde- pendence and for the past year he has filled the office of councilman from the Second Ward of his home city, having been elected in April, 1918.
Ambrose E. Elliot, proprietor of the Independence Wholesale Candy Company, 211 West Lexington street, Independence, was born in Nelson County, Ky., Dec. 2, 1867. He is a son of Benjamin F. and Martha (Curry) Elliot, both of whom were natives of Kentucky.
Benjamin F. Elliot left Kentucky and located at Parsons, Kan. and lived there for five years, Mrs. Elliot dying there. Mr. Elliot died near Frankfort, Mo. During the Civil War he served as recruiting officer for the Federal army in Nelson County. Ky. The children born to Benjamin F. and Martha Elliot are as follow: James, died at the age of 21 years ; Mrs. Lizzie Herke, deceased; Mrs. L. S. Moore, Kansas City ; Hattie Elliot, de- ceased ; Robert M., Galena, Kan .; Benjamin Franklin and George, Pitcher, Okla .; Ambrose E., of this sketch; William, died in infancy.
After attending the public schools in Kansas and Missouri, Ambrose E. Elliott was employed in a grocery store at Stanley, Indian Territory, and later engaged in the lumber business at Joplin, Mo. He came to Independ- ence in 1900 and started a lumber yard in 1901 on Lexington street. He conducted this business until 1906 when he sold out and purchased an inter- est in a planing mill in partnership with C. G. Stewart and the firm was afterwards known as Stewart and Elliot Planing Mill Company. After Stewart sold his interest the firm was known as the Independence Planing Mill Company, Mr. Elliot retaining his interest until after 1910, at which time the plant was destroyed by fire, but was afterwards rebuilt. Shortly after the fire, Mr. Elliot disposed of his planing mill interests and engaged in the real estate business in 1911. He had traded his planing mill inter- est for a moving picture show in Kansas City, located at 1123 Grand ave- nue and operated this for about three years. He then sold the theatre and purchased another at 107 East Twelfth street which he operated until
396
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
Nov. 1, 1918. He then sold this theatre and bought the Independence Wholesale Candy Company.
The Independence Wholesale Candy Company was established in 1901 by M. S. White who began business with a one horse wagon, manufactured candy and sold his output on the city streets. As he sold candy, he put the proceeds into more candy and gradually enlarged the business until it embraced jobbing. Mr. Elliot purchased the business in April, 1919.
Mr. Elliot was married in 1895 to Rose J. Bearly of Seligman, Mo., who has borne him six children: William Russell Elliot, associated with his father in the business ; Gladys, Oneda, Paul, Everett and Wilma.
The Elliot family residence is situated at 618 S. Crysler street. Mr. Elliot is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose and is a Shriner and a 32nd degree Mason.
William Russell Elliot was born in Stanley, Indian Territory, July 2, 1896. He enlisted on March 19, 1917, at Kansas City, Mo., in the United States navy, and was sent to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station for training. From this station he was sent to Norfolk, Va., and thence to Key West, Fla., transferred from the U. S. S. Mars to the U. S. S. Charles- ton, in the First Fleet Division of Battle Cruisers. From Key West his ship proceeded to St. Thomas, in the West Indies and thence to Port Au Prince and returned to Philadelphia after a month's cruise. The ship was . then sent to New York, then to Newport, R. I., and back to New York and accompanied the first convoy of the American Expeditionary Forces to France under General Pershing, arriving in France June 28, 1917. The Charleston crossed the Atlantic 24 times and during the voyages William R. Elliot saw several German submarines and had the pleasure of seeing them shot at from his ship, taking part in the shooting. His rank on the ship was that of boatswains mate, second class. He was placed on board ship 19 days after enlistment and was on the water in the service two years, four months and 25 days. He was mustered out of service Sept. 3, 1919 at Denver, Colo. His ship passed through the Panama Canal twice. On one occasion he nearly lost his life. During a severe storm at sea, he was washed overboard by a great wave and knocked senseless by contact with the ship while overboard, but was rescued by a chief boatswain's mate and two sailors, and was none the worse for his mishap after five days in the ship hospital. He is now associated with his father in the wholesale candy business. He is a member of Tirey J. Ford Post, of the American Legion and is affiliated with the Loyal Order of Moose.
397
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
May Grain Company .- The May Grain Company, 407 South Liberty street, Independence, Mo., was organized by Nephi and Alvin May, in 1911. The May Coal Company owned and operated by William H. May, is located at the same address.
Roderick May, father of Nephi, Alvin and William H. May, was born in Scotland, in 1850. He immigrated to Canada in. 1882 and was there mar- ried to Sarah J. Lively, who was a native of Canada, born in 1855. He came to Independence, Mo., in 1884 and established a cooperage business on the present site of the May Grain Company. He operated this factory for over 20 years and did a thriving and prosperous business, employing 50 men at times. He later engaged in the coal mining industry and oper- ated a coal mine at Napoleon, Mo. He sold his mining interests in 1911 and moved to London, England. The children born to Roderick and Sarah J. May are as follow: Charles May, Independence, Mo .; Nephi and Alvin May; Elizabeth Pearl, widow of J. V. Crick, now resides in London, Eng- land. Her husband was a native of Independence, and a son of William Crick; William H.
Alvin May was born in Independence, Mo., in 1884. After graduating from the local high school he engaged in coal mining with his father until entering his present business. He was married in 1911 to Clara A. Brad- bury, a daughter of Mrs. Lillie Bradbury, of Kansas City, Kan. Three children have been born to this marriage: Alvin R., Doris and Rowena. The residence of Alvin and Mrs. May is at 1011 W. White Oak. Mr. May is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge No. 76, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias.
Nephi May was born in Kansas City, Kan. in 1880 and educated in the grade and high school of Independence. He pursued a business course at Graceland College, Lamoni, Iowa, and later attended Spalding's Com- mercial College, Kansas City. He assisted his father in the cooperage factory and was also associated with him in the mining industry at Napoleon prior to entering the wholesale and retail grain business with his brother. He was married to Anna Crick, a daughter of William Crick, and they have five children: Dorothy, Russell, Elizabeth, Gilbert and Alice. Nephi May and the family reside on East Ninth street, Kansas City, Mo.
William H. May, of the May Coal Company, dealers in coal and build- ing material, was born in Independence, Dec. 27, 1889. After attending the Independence schools he entered Graceland College at Lamoni, Iowa, where he studied for some time. He served as bookkeeper for the Inde- pendence Coal Company in which his father was financially interested and
398
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
engaged in the retail coal business in 1912. He was married on June 17, 1916 to Lulu W. Simmons, a daughter of C. G. and Carlotta Simmons of Independence. One son was born of this union, William Henry, Jr. The family residence is at 1027 W. White Oak. Mr. May is a member of the Yeoman Lodge.
Charles W. Latimer, chief deputy in the office of the county treasurer, Independence, Mo., is a native of Jackson County. He was born August 31, 1871, and is a son of Judge James Latimer and Susan (Williamson) Latimer, the latter of whom was born in Kentucky in 1844 and the former was born in Roanoke County, Va., in 1837.
James Latimer came to Jackson County in 1852 with his father, Samuel Latimer. They settled in Fort Osage township, developed a farm, and Samuel Latimer and his wife died on the place. After the home place was sold, James Latimer purchased the John Sanders farm, located three miles southeast of Independence, upon which he resided until his death in 1915. Mrs. Susan Latimer resides on East Rubey street, Independence. The children of the Latimer family are: W. R., a farmer in Blue town- ship; Stella, widow of D. B. Hedges, Independence; Nannie, wife of A. G. Williamson, Maywood; Mary, wife of C. J. Powell, Blue township; Charles . W., subject of this sketch; J. J. Latimer died in March, 1919, aged 45 years; Jennie Latimer, at home; Retta, wife of Judge Allen C. Southern, Kansas City, Mo. ; M. M. Latimer, a live stock dealer, Independence ; Grover C. Latimer died at the age of 11 years.
James Latimer served as a judge of the county court of Jackson County from 1892 to 1896. It is said of him that he was a careful and conscientious county official who gave the county a splendid administration which was noted for an economical and careful expenditure of the county funds. Judge Latimer would not permit the signing of a warrant for funds unless there were funds in the county treasury to immediately pay the warrant. As a result when his term expired there was money left in the treasury. He was one of the organizers of the Christian church at Bone Hill and filled the office of elder of this church for several years. He was prominent in the affairs of the Democratic party during his whole life.
Charles W. Latimer was educated in the Missouri State University, re- ceiving the degree of Doctor of Laws. After graduation he practiced law for six months and took considerable interest in political matters in the county. He has been identified prominently with the Democratic party for several years and has filled the post of deputy county clerk, deputy county collector, deputy county assessor, deputy highway engineer, and is at present filling the post of deputy in the office of the county treasurer.
399
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
Mr. Latimer was married in March, 1910, to Kathryn D. George of Lees Summit, Mo., a daughter of Richard and Martha George, both of whom are deceased, and further mention of whom is given in connection with the sketch of Todd M. George, county treasurer. One son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Latimer, Charles W., Jr., who died in infancy. They have an adopted son, C. W., Jr., aged ten years.
Mr. and Mrs. Latimer are also rearing John Holbert Haynes, a nephew of Mrs. Latimer. The Latimer residence is located at 121 E. Kansas street. Mr. Latimer is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Blue Lodge, No. 76, the Knights of Pythias and he is a member of the Presby- terian church.
Dr. Edgar S. Harris, specialist in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, with offices in the Hill Building, Independence. Mo., is a native of Jackson County. He was born Dec. 25, 1876, on a farm in Van Buren township, and is a son of John Reuben and Mary E (Corn) Harris.
John Reuben Harris was also born in Van Buren township in 1850 and is a son of Fleming and Mary Harris and grandson of William and Rhoda Harris who settled in the Blue Springs neighborhood in 1832. Mrs. Rhoda Harris was one of those rare characters which history frequently tells about and whose accomplishments are handed down to younger generations as part of the folk lore of the olden times, when doctors were few in the country and when simple remedies were in vogue among the settlers when illness came upon them. Mrs. Harris was an adept in caring for the sick and ailing and had some knowledge of medicine, which could be brewed from native herbs. She would travel for miles to succor a sick person and when illness came upon a family she would leave her own fireside and give her time and talents toward alleviating the distress of her neighbors. She was one of the most capable and best beloved women of the Blue Springs country and will long be remembered by such of the old settlers as still live in that part of the county. The Harris family is one of the oldest and most prominent families of Jackson County and the family ties are bound closely among its members. Each year a reunion of the descendants of William and Rhoda Harris is held either at Lees Summit, Greenview or Blue Springs and members of this family to the number of 200 or 300 are in attendance.
John R. Harris has always been a farmer and now resides on a farm which he purchased in 1918, on the Buckner road, in Fort Osage township. Mrs. Mary E. Harris died in 1907 and is buried in the cemetery at Six Mile church. When Order No. 11 was issued during the Civil War, the
400
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
Harris family removed to Carroll County and remained there until they were privileged to return. In the meantime, young John R. Harris made several perilous trips back and forth between the home farm and the temporary home in Carroll County, his method of transportation being with ox teams. The following children were born to John R. and Mary E. Harris : D. L. Harris, a commission merchant at Fort Worth, Texas; Dr. Edgar S. Harris of this review; John E. Harris, manager of a factory branch of the Ideal Tire and Rubber Company of Cleveland, Ohio, in Kan- sas City ; Mrs. Nora E. Mann, Blue Springs, Mo .; Mrs. Nellie Strode, Blue Springs.
Edgar S. Harris was educated in the public schools of his native county, Ryan College, at Ryan, Okla., the University at Fort Worth, Texas, and the University of Kansas, graduating from the Medical Department of the latter institution in 1899. Dr. Harris has never ceased to study for advancement in the science of his profession, however, and during the past 20 years he has been a constant student. He pursued a course at the Chicago Polyclinic in 1906, and has taken a post-graduate course in the University of Kansas. He began the practice of his profession at Oak Grove, Mo., in 1899, and practiced in that town for three years. He then practiced at Buckner for the next four years. After four years spent in practice at Higginsville, Mo., he located at Independence, Mo., in 1913, and has met with unqualified success in this city. Dr. Harris' offices are lo- cated in the Hill Building, on the northeast corner of the court house square.
Dr. Harris was married April 12, 1899, to Miss Lydia E. Lewis, of Tarsney, Jackson County, Missouri, a daughter of C. M. and Eliza E. (Per- due) Lewis, both of whom are living at Tarsney. Dr. and Mrs. Harris have one son, Lewis, aged 12 years, a junior in the high school.
Dr. Harris is a member of the Jackson County Medical Society, and is affiliated with the Royal Neighbors, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Yeomen. The Harris family residence is located at 619 South Main, Independence.
Fred Witthar, owner of a fine farm in Blue township, which he has owned and built up by his own efforts since coming to Jackson County, in 1877, is a native of Franklin County, Mo. He was born Oct. 3, 1856, and is a son of Henry and Mary Witthar, who came to Jackson County in 1877, resided on a farm on Bone Hill, in Fort Osage township, for the first six years, and then located on the Gossett place in Blue township, where both spent the remainder of their days. Henry Witthar died July 30,
FRED WITTHAR.
MRS. FRED WITTHAR.
401
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
1914, and his wife died July 6, 1916, and their remains are buried in Elm- wood cemetery. The Witthar children are as follow: Henry, Independ- ence, Mo .; Mrs. Catherine Drewel, Buckner, Mo .; Mrs. Lottie Borgmann, Buckner, Mo .; Mrs. Amelia Carl, Boonville, Mo .; Fred, the subject of this review; Christ, a farmer in Blue township; and Mrs. Louise Carl, living in Blue township.
Fred Witthar was reared and educated in Franklin County, and after coming to Jackson County, he followed dairying for about 15 years. He worked at farm labor by the month until 24 years of age, at $12 to $15 per month. He saved his money until he was able to buy a team and then rented land until he had earned and saved sufficient money to make a first payment on his farm. He first purchased 90 acres of the Gossett place, in 1886. He bought 97 acres of the Jonathan Alley farm in 1909, and later bought an additional four and a half acres. He has recently sold 47.5 acres of his holdings at high prices, and now has 50 acres, on which is an orchard of three acres, which is his home place, besides the 90-acre farm first purchased.
Mr. Witthar was married in 1880 to Caroline Borgmann, of Warren County, Mo., a daughter of William A. and Helena Borgmann, both of whom died in Warren County. Seven children have been born to Fred and Caroline Witthar, as follow: Mrs. Emma Twiehaus, Blue township; Edwin, living in Blue township; William, John, Meta, Anna and Lydia.
Mr. Witthar has served for 16 years as school director of his district. He is public spirited and much interested in providing for the education of the young, having donated a half acre of ground for the Pitcher School, which is located on his place. He is a successful citizen, who is now amply able and content to take life easily and enjoy the coming years by living frugally and working moderately. He and his family are members of the Evangelical church.
B. C. Harder, grocery merchant, Independence, Mo., while a new comer to this city, has given evidence of decided business ability, and is building up a splendid trade with the people of Independence and vicinity. He was born in Huron County, Mich., July 31, 1880. His father, Abraham Harder, was a native of Canada, born in 1832 and died at his home in Michigan at the age of 67 years. His mother, Mrs. Mary (Shippey) Harder, was a native of New York and died in 1895 at the age of 61 years. Both of Mr. Harder's parents are buried at Bayport, Mich. They were the parents of 13 children, as follow: James and John, deceased ; Frederick, Flint, Mich .; Mrs. Caroline Grant, Bayport, Mich .; Mrs. Kittie Bradley, Grand Rapids,
402
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
Minn .; Mrs. Anna Johnson, Standish, Mich .; Adam, Longville, Minn .; Den- nis, deceased; Wesley, Flint, Mich .; George, Bayport, Mich .; Eugene, Beaverton, Mich .; B. C., of this review ; and Charles, deceased.
Since he was 14 years of age B. C. Harder has made his own living. He left the parental farm when 19 years old and has followed various occu- pations since that time. Much of the time has been spent as a machinist at which trade he was an adept, but owing to failing health he was com- pelled to go into other lines of business. For the past 11 years he has followed the grocery business, beginning his career in a grocery store at Flint, Mich. He came to Jackson County in January, 1914, and was in the employ of Charles F. Davis for some time. He opened his present grocery establishment in January, 1919, and has an excellent trade.
Nov. 11, 1919, armistice day, Mr. Harder placed on display in his win- dow one of the most unique patriotic displays ever seen in the city. He pre- pared an American flag, using red cranberries for the red stripes, white navy beans for the white stripes of the flag, and the stars were made of lima beans on a blue background. This feature excited much comment of a favorable nature from observers.
Mr. Harder was married Aug. 10, 1908 to Rachel A. Dowker, of Flint, Mich., a daughter of William and Hannah Dowker. The two children born of this union were: Eythel died at the age of two and a half years, and Mona died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Harder reside at 224 Pendleton street.
Henry P. Chiles, farmer and stockman, and deputy county clerk, In- dependence, Mo., is a native of Jackson County, and is a member of one of the oldest and most prominent of the pioneer families of this section of Missouri. His grandfather, Joel Franklin Chiles, came from Kentucky to Jackson County in 1832, and settled in Fort Osage township. He operated a general store at Fort Osage for several years. He entered several hun- dred acres of land and accumulated sufficient acreage to give each of his children a farm. A biographical sketch of Joel Franklin Chiles appears in this volume.
Henry P. Chiles was born on his father's farm in Fort Osage township, east of Buckner, May 25, 1882. He is a son of the late Henry C. and Julia (Perrin) Chiles, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Henry P. Chiles, of this review, was educated in the public and high schools of Inde- pendence, graduating from the high school in 1901. For four years he was employed in the general offices of the Kansas City Southern Railway Com- pany, and then returned to the home farm. The Chiles farm consists of 150 acres, and is the old homestead of his father. The residence, which
403
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
was built of native timber, prior to the Civil War, is still standing in a good state of preservation. Mr. Chiles is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and maintains a herd of 15 dairy cows on his place. The Chiles farm is situated 12 miles east of Independence, on the Lexington rock road, and is known as the Crooked Run Farm, taking its name from the branch which runs through the land. In addition to managing his farm, Mr. Chiles is filling the post of deputy county clerk of Jackson County, under Peter J. Kelly.
Mr. Chiles was married March 9, 1905, to Miss Virgie May Ragan, a daughter of J. J. and Susan (Warren) Ragan. The grandfather of Mrs. Chiles owned the site of the city of Warrensburg, Mo., and the city was named in his honor. J. J. Ragan died in 1912, and is buried at Lees Sum- mit, Mo. Mrs. Ragan resides at Lees Summit, Mo. Four children have been born to Henry P. and Virgie May Chiles, as follow. John Henry, Jean Tate, Julia Warren, died at the age of 14 months, and Virginia Ragan died at the age of nine months.
J. J. Ragan was a son of Greenbury Ragan and Jane (Tate) Ragan, pio- neers of Jackson County, near Raytown. Jane (Tate) Ragan was a daugh- ter of George Tate, a pioneer settler of the Lone Jack neighborhood, becom- ing a large land owner.
The Chiles town residence is at 1031 West White Oak street.
James C. Graves, veteran of the Civil War, octogenarian, for many years a noted trainer of horses, and breeder of thoroughbred animals, 1003 Dodgin street, was born in Woodford County, Kentucky, Aug. 27, 1837. He is a son of Reuben and Elizabeth (Cox) Graves, both of whom were natives of Virginia, and early settlers of Woodford County, Kentucky, where both died, the former at the age of 42 years, and the latter at the age of 67 years. Out of seven children born to this couple only one, James C., of this sketch, is living. The others were: Charles H., W. H., John, Thomas, Hannah and Bessie Savage.
In 1858 James C. Graves left the old home in Kentucky and went to Saline County, Missouri. He had no sooner got established in Saline County than the nation was plunged into Civil War. True to tradition and love of his old home section, he cast his lot with the Southern states and enlisted in the Confederate Army, under Capt. Gale Brown in 1861. He served. under Gen. Joe Shelby and fought at the battles of Lexington and Pea Ridge, and took part in a hot battle at Coon Creek and many skirm- ishes. He served in the ranks until 1864, and was then detailed as a scout until the close of the war. He remained in Kentucky after the close of the
404
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
war, and was there married to Miss Laura Grady, of Woodford County, in 1865. She was born in that county, and died there in 1866. Mr. Graves was again married in 1868 to Mary E. Huggins, of Jessamine County, Ken- tucky. The children born to this marriage are: Ollie B., died in 1917, and is buried in Mount Washington cemetery, Kansas City; Mrs. Laura M. White, Kansas City ; Mrs. Bessie Savage, died at the age of 22 years ; Reu- ben died when five years old; Ernest died at the age of 16; and J. T. Graves, a dealer in automobile tires, Independence, Mo.
For 65 years James C. Graves has bred and trained riding and driving horses, and has won a national reputation as a horseman. During his long career he has won over 2,000 premiums at county and State fairs, and rac- ing meets in all parts of the United States. His best track winners made records of from 2:14 to 2:30. The first horse which he bred and trained was "Donald McKay." He also bred and trained "Armoral," with a record of 2:1734, a famous pacer sired by "Don Pizarro," who held the world's record for a three-year-old at 2:1434. The dam of "Armoral" was "Alle- gro," also owned by Mr. Graves, and she was out of dam by "Jean Val Jean," record 2:14. Mr. Graves exhibited his horses in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkan- sas and California. In the fall of 1917 "Urbanos" took part in 30 races, winning ten first and ten seconds, and three third prizes. He won a race in 2:1714 at Corning, Iowa.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.