USA > Missouri > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Missouri > Part 38
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Elder A. H. Parsons was married Jan. 26, 1875 to Martha Gale of Ringgold, Iowa, and this marriage has been blessed with three children: Nora Orletta, died in infancy; Dora Azora, born Nov. 24, 1878, died in infancy ; Venata June Mason, born June 4, 1892, lives in Independence, is mother of two children: Richard and Roberts Parsons Mason.
Elder and Mrs. Parsons reside at 1223 Noland street.
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James Austin Kemper, a successful attorney, with offices in the Owens building, Independence, Mo., is a native of Indiana. Mr. Kemper was born near Lebanon, Boone County, Oct. 25, 1862. He is a son of Tilman and Elizabeth (Vice) Kemper, the former of whom was a descendant of colonial ancestry. Prof. Frederick T. Kemper, a relative, was the founder of Kemper Military Institute at Boonville, Mo. Gen. James L. Kemper, a former governor of Virginia was also a member of this family. The paternal grandfather of Tilman Kemper served with distinction as a soldier with Virginia troops in the war of the American Revolution. Both he and his son also served in the War of 1812. The colonial ancestor of James Austin Kemper emigrated from England in the latter part of the 17th century and settled at Jamestown, Va. From him has sprung a dis- tinguished American family, his descendants having become prominent in all walks of life in America.
Coming to Missouri with his parents in 1869, James Austin Kemper was educated in the common schools, the State Normal School at Warrens- burg, Mo. and pursued a course in the literary and law departments of the Missouri State University in 1886-1887. He taught school for four years in Johnson County, Mo. and in 1888 he was elected superintendent of the public schools of Odessa, Mo. He held that position for four years. He then resigned and entered the real estate, loan and insurance business. In the meantime he renewed his study of law which he had begun in 1886 in the law office of Hon. S. P. Sparks at Warrensburg, Mo. while teaching school. Mr. Kemper was admitted to the bar Dec. 18, 1894 by Judge Rich- ard Field, at Lexington, Mo. He practiced at Odessa, Mo., until Jan. 1, 1896, and then located in Warrensburg, where he was very successful. During nearly a quarter of a century of active practice in Missouri, Mr. Kemper has established a reputation as being a painstaking and forceful attorney who serves his clients with every atom of his energy and power, as a lawyer of force and ability. During this time he has successfully de- fended four individuals accused of murder and obtained a verdict of ac- quittal in each case. Mr. Kemper located in Independence, Mo. Nov. 7, 1914. Since coming to this city he has built up a large civil practice in this section of Missouri and is recognized as one of the leading attorneys of the city and county.
In September, 1888, Mr. Kemper was married to Miss Anna E. Dal- house, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Samuel F. Dalhouse, one of the wealthiest farmers of Johnson County, who came from Virginia to Missouri in 1859, subsequently moving to Illinois and returned to Missouri
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to make a permanent home in 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Kemper have two sons: Hugh Conway and Janie Dalhouse.
Mr. Kemper is a stanch Democrat and loyal to the principles of true democracy. He has been prominent in the affairs of his party in Mis- souri. In 1892 he served as chairman of the Congressional District Con- vention at Higginsville, Mo. and in 1895 he made the race for the nomina- tion for prosecuting attorney of Lafayette County. During the campaign of 1896 he was the recognized leader of his party in Johnson County and again in 1900 he canvassed a part of the state under the direction of the State Central Committee of the Democratic party. Mr. Kemper's activ- ities in politics have always been directed in behalf of his party and friends and he has never been a seeker after political preferment, although impor- tuned at various times to be a candidate for office.
Always taking a deep interest in educational matters, he served as a member of the board of education of Warrensburg, Mo. from April, 1897 to April, 1900, filling the office of treasurer two years. During his term as a member of the school board, the entire system of the city schools was reorganized and the school curriculum revised and enlarged so that the school system would articulate with entrance requirements of the State universities of Missouri and Kansas. Because of his work on behalf of the schools one of the ward schools of Warrensburg was named in his honor.
Mr. Kemper is a member of the State Bar Association. He and his family are all members of the Christian church, of which he served as an elder for four years.
· Israel A. Smith, successful attorney at law, with offices in the Owens building, Independence, Mo., was born at Plano, Ill., Feb. 2, 1876. His father was Joseph Smith and his mother was Bertha Smith. Joseph Smith was president of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints from 1860 to 1914 and prior to coming to Independence he was located at Lamoni, Iowa. He was a son of the founder of the original Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a further account of whose life and career is given in connection with the sketch of Walter W. Smith, church historian. Joseph Smith died in Independence, Dec. 10, 1914.
Israel A. Smith attended Graceland College at Lamoni, Iowa, and was in the employ of the Bell Telephone Company after leaving school. He was then engaged in the life insurance business, following which he became managing editor of the Saints Herald at Lamoni, Iowa. While a resident of Lamoni, Mr. Smith became prominent in civic and political
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affairs and held various local official positions, including membership on the local school board and mayor of the city. While serving as mayor of Lamoni he was elected representative in the Iowa State Legislature and served as representative from Decatur County in the 34th Iowa General Assembly. He was admitted to the bar of Iowa in 1912 and removed to Independence in 1913, having been admitted to practice in Missouri by the Missouri State Board in that same year.
Mr. Smith has built up an excellent law practice and has done con- siderable legal work as a corporation lawyer since his advent in this city. He stands high in the legal profession of Jackson County and is one of the leading legal lights of this section of Missouri.
Mr. Smith was married March 14, 1908 to Miss Nina M. Grenawalt, daughter of John and Fannie Grenawalt, deceased, formerly of Lamoni, Iowa. To this marriage have been born two sons: Joseph P., born Sept. 7, 1912; and Donald C., born March 4, 1916. The residence of Mr. and Mrs. Israel A. Smith is at 1214 West Short street.
Mr. Smith is a member of the Kansas City Bar Association and the Missouri Bar Association. He is affiliated with the Sons of the American Revolution and is a member of the Reorganized Church of Christ of Lat- ter Day Saints and served as a member of the presidency of the Inde- pendence stake of his church from 1916 to 1918.
The Home Deposit Trust Company, Independence, Mo., although among the younger financial institutions in Independence and Jackson County has rapidly forged to the front rank among institutions of its class in the county, and is one of the important and stable concerns of this city. The Home Deposit Trust Company was organized Aug. 15, 1910 with a capital stock of $100,000. The first officers of the concern were as fol- low: R. W. McCurdy, president; J. A. Prewitt, first vice-president : Arthur C. Warner, second vice-president; E. M. Stayton, third vice-presi- dent; Will Symington, treasurer; Fred Bergschneider, secretary; and George W. Corey, assistant secretary.
The capital stock remains at $100,000 with a surplus of $20,000 and undivided profits of $8,000. The deposits will exceed $500,000. Since the Home Deposit Trust Company began business it has paid nine divi- dends to the stock holders. The present officers of the company are: R. W. McCurdy, president; L. T. Markey, first vice-president ; E. M. Stay- ton, second vice-president; N. D. Jackson, third vice-president; George W. Corey, treasurer ; James Shepherd, secretary.
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Albert M. Ott, president of the Chrisman-Sawyer Banking Company, Independence, Mo. is a native of Independence. He was born Jan. 4, 1865, and is a son of Christian and Louise (Mohr) Ott. His father emigrated from Germany to America in 1845 and his mother crossed the Atlantic to our shores in 1843. She lived in St. Louis after coming to this country and both made their way to Independence, where they were married in 1849.
Christian Ott established himself in the furniture business in this city and was the pioneer furniture dealer here. He was engaged suc- cessfully in business from 1849 to 1890. Two years after retirement from business pursuits his death occurred. Mrs. Ott had preceded him in death in 1886. Both are buried in Woodlawn cemetery. Their chil- dren are: Dr. Lambert Ott, Philadelphia, Pa .; Henry Ott, engaged in the furniture business in his native city ; Christian Ott, mayor of Independence ; Albert M. Ott, of this review ; Mrs. Rose B. Ott; Mrs. A. J. Bundscher and Mrs. Fred P. Bacon.
For 13 years, Christian Ott served as a member of the school board of his adopted city and was much interested in the cause of education. The Ott grade school is named in his honor.
Albert M. Ott was educated in the Independence public schools, the Kemper Family School, now the Kemper Military School, at Boonville, Mo., Westminster College, Fulton, Mo. and graduated from the law de- partment of the University of Pennsylvania and began the practice of law in Independence in October, 1887. He became a director of the Chrisman- Sawyer Bank in 1899 and in 1903 he became president of the bank. Of late years he has devoted his entire time and attention to the banking business and has achieved the same success as a banker which he won as an attorney.
Albert M. Ott was married in October, 1890, to Miss Julia Rogers, of Independence, a daughter of Isaac N. Rogers, who for 50 years was connected with the Chrisman-Sawyer Bank and was its first cashier. To this marriage were born two children: Natalie, wife of Frank Gates Wal- lace; and Julia V. Ott, student in the Missouri State University. Mrs. Julia Ott died in October, 1897. Mr. Ott's second marriage was with Margaret Bryant, a daughter of Prof. George S. Bryant, of Independence. . Two children were born of this union: Margaret Louise and Albert M. Ott, Jr.
The Ott family residence is situated at 804 West Waldo street. Mr. Ott filled the office of city attorney for two years, from 1888 to 1890. He
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also served two years as prosecuting attorney of Jackson County and served as a member of the school board for seven years. At all times he has been in the forefront of every movement for the advancement and the betterment of his home city. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery and the Knights of Pythias. He, like his father, has always taken a keen interest in educational matters and he was instrumental in securing the location for the William Chrisman High School.
The Chrisman-Sawyer Banking Company is one of the oldest and strongest financial institutions in Jackson County and western Missouri. This bank is the successor of the old branch of the Southern Bank of St. Louis, Mo. It afterwards became known as the Stone, McCoy and Com> pany Bank, a partnership. Mr. McCoy was instrumental in organizing the old First National Bank of Independence and his interests were con- veyed to Judge Samuel L. Sawyer, the firm name becoming Stone, Saw- yer & Company. In 1869, William Stone died and his interests were con- veyed to William Chrisman, the firm then being known as the Chrisman, Sawyer & Company Bank. The capital stock of this organization was $30,000. The members of the firm were William Chrisman, chairman; Judge Samuel L. Sawyer, died in 1888; John Wilson, died in 1880.
In August, 1877, the business was incorporated as Chrisman, Sawyer & Company, with a capital of $80,000. It was reincorporated in August, 1897, with a capital of $100,000 and with a certified surplus of $100,000. The difference between the original capital of $30,000 and $200,000 repre- senting the capital and surplus, showing the earnings of the bank.
William Chrisman was the president of this organization until his death. Judge Sawyer served as vice-president until his death, the cashier being A. F. Sawyer and the assistant cashier having been Isaac N. Rogers. When Judge Sawyer died, A. F. Sawyer became vice-president and upon the death of William Chrisman he was elected president.
Mr. A. F. Sawyer served as president until 1902. Albert M. Ott then became president and is capably filling this position at the present time. The present officers of this bank are: Albert M. Ott, president; Thomas C. Sawyer, vice-president; Rogers M. Hocker, vice-president; Lock H. Sawyer, cashier; assistant cashier, Allan McDowell. The de- posits of this bank will exceed $900,000. The capital stock is $100,000. with a surplus of $100,000 and undivided profits of $22,000.
The Chrisman-Sawyer bank building was erected in 1869 on the site of the store operated by Samuel C. Owens which was the outfitting point
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for the Santa Fe and Mexican traders and the gold seekers of the days of '49. The Chrisman-Sawyer Bank is a prosperous and strong financial concern, progressive and during the many years of its existencec it has always been identified with every good movement tending to the develop- ment and upbuilding of Independence and Jackson County.
Christopher Columbus Fields, late well known farmer of Blue town- ship, was born in Kentucky, March, 1840, and died at his home in Jack- son County, Dec. 10, 1914. He was a son of William and Amanda (Chiles) Fields, who came from Kentucky to Jackson County in 1840, and settled upon a pioneer farm in Blue township, which they developed and upon which they reared their family. The old Fields home place is now the Sater Necessary farm. Both William and Amanda Fields died on this farm.
C. C. Fields was an infant when his parents brought him to Missouri. He was reared to young manhood in this county. During the Civil War he enlisted in the Confederate Army, with General Price's division, and served until the close of the war, returning to his home on July 2, 1865. When Order No. 11 was issued, in 1863, Mrs. Fields went to Cooper County, and remained there during the winter of '63 and '64, returning home in the spring of 1864. She stayed with her mother and sister and sister-in-law until Mr. Fields came home.
C. C. Fields was married Dec. 5, 1861, to Martha Frances Chrisman, who is now (1920) one of the oldest native born pioneer women of Jack- son County. She was born Jan. 11, 1843, in Jackson County, and is a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Yeary) Chrisman, who were natives of Virginia. The Chrismans came to Jackson County in 1832, and Mr. Chrisman entered government land, and also bought land, accumulating a large farm, upon which he reared a large family of children. He died in 1844. Mrs. Chrisman was born Dec. 6, 1803, and died Sept. 11, 1902. There were ten children in the Chrisman family, as follow: The first born died in infancy ; Rebecca, Samuel, Edwin, Darthular, Margaret, Charles, Melinda, all deceased ; Mrs. Sarah E. Meador, lives in Independence; Mrs. Martha Fields, of this review.
Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Fields resided on the Fields home place for the first year after their marriage, and during the war Mrs. Fields lived with her mother. They then bought a tract of 40 acres, upon which they erected their first home. They prospered as the years passed, and bought more land. The next purchase was 44 acres; and the next was 36 acres. They then purchased two other tracts of 80 and 40 acres, making 240
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MRS. ELIZABETH CHRISMAN.
C. C. FIELDS.
MRS. MARTHA F. FIELDS.
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acres in all. The children born to C. C. and Martha Fields are: Mrs. W. B. Powell, a sketch of whom appears in this volume; and Charles William Fields, a farmer of Blue township.
Mr. Fields was deeply religious, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He was industrious, and enterprising, loved his home and fireside. His life was well spent in good works. Mrs. Fields is the oldest living member of the Fairmount Methodist Church, having joined the church in January, 1862.
W. B. Powell, farmer and stockman, owner of a well improved 80- acre farm, one mile south of Salem church, in Blue township, is a native of Ohio. He was born in Noble County, Ohio, Dec. 18, 1865, and is a son of Andrew Jackson and Sinah (Burris) Powell, who some time after the birth of W. B. Powell, removed to Tyler County, W. Va. They returned to Ohio, however, in later years, and both died in Noble County. Jackson and Sinah Powell were the parents of the following children: John C. Powell, Noble County, Ohio; Mrs. Laura Eagan, Newcomerstown, Ohio; and W. B. Powell, of this review.
W. B. Powell was reared in Tyler County, W. Va., and attended the district schools of that county. He was brought up in the vocation of his parents, that of a tiller of the soil, and followed farming in Ohio until 1887, when he removed to Eldorado Springs, Mo. After two years resi- dence there he came to Jackson County. Two years later, in 1891, he located on the farm where he is now residing, a tract of 80 acres, formerly the Thomas Dunning farm. Mr. Powell is engaged in general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Powell was married in 1890 to Miss Alice Fields, a daughter of Christopher C. and Mattie (Chrisman) Fields. Four children have been born to this marriage, as follow: Elmer C., a farmer on the Fields home- stead ; Clarence C., at home; Laura, a student in Independent High School; and Forrest, at home.
Mr. Powell and his two sons are members of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, McDonald Lodge, No. 324.
J. V. Bradley .- The Paxton-Duke Sales Company, dealers in new and rebuilt automobiles, operated in connection with the Paxton-Duke Motor Company, 312-322 West Maple street, is the largest and most successful institution of its kind in Independence and Western Missouri. The Sales Company was organized and incorporated under the Missouri laws in November, 1917, with William B. Duke, secretary; Edward M. Paxton, president; and J. V. Bradley, vice-president. The Paxton-Duke Motor
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Company operated in connection with the foregoing is owned by Raymond P. Sermon, who is manager of the company. This concern operates the largest garage and sales business in the state. A general repair shop is maintained and a large storage room. The Sales Company has the agency of the Dodge automobiles, the White trucks and the Wallace Cub tractors. This firm takes the lead in Missouri in the number of Dodge cars handled through their sub-agency and they take first rank as automobile salesmen in the county.
J. V. Bradley, vice-president of the Paxton-Duke Sales Company, was born near Odessa, Mo., in 1882. He is a son of William and Kizzie (Worden) Bradley, both of whom were born and reared in Lafayette County. Mrs. Bradley died in 1884 and Mr. Bradley resides in Kansas City, Mo., where he has been in the employ of the American Express Com- pany for the past 20 years. The Bradleys have one child: J. V. of this review.
Mr. Bradley was married in 1901 to Mabel Sermon, a daughter of George and Ella (Todd) Sermon, of Independence. Mr. and Mrs. Brad- ley have a son, George William Bradley. They reside at 803 West Van Horn Road. Mr. Bradley is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is a Shriner and Scottish Rite Mason. He is a member of the Baptist church.
Henry Rahe, dairyman and farmer, owner of 60 acres of valuable farm land a few miles southeast of Independence in Blue township, is a native Missourian. He was born on May 27, 1861, on a farm near Mt. Washington, Jackson County. His father, August Rahe, was killed by bushwhackers in 1863, having previously been enrolled in the state militia. Mr. Rahe had been working on his farm and had been taken ill. The men who tok his life broke down the door of his home and shot him. It is thought that he had been wrongly reported as having taken part in the war and been unduly active in fomenting trouble. Mr. Rahe, how- ever, was peaceably inclined and desired nothing better than to live at peace with his neighbors and till his farm and care for his family.
The death of August Rahe left his widow with four small children to rear. Prior to her marriage she was Miss Lottie Henderson, born in 1833. She attained the age of 90 years and died in 1903. The children of the Rahe family are as follow: Caroline, Kate and William, deceased; Henry, subject of this review. The widow later married Frederick Rahe and bore him two children: Fred Rahe, a farmer in Jackson County and Emma Rahe.
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Henry Rahe has always followed farming and has been successful. He purchased his present home place in 1887 and has placed practically all improvements on it.
Mr. Rahe was married in 1894 to Miss Annie Rummel, a daughter of the late Herman Rummel of Jackson County. This marriage has been blessed with two children, Dorothy, aged 24 years; and Herbert, aged 22 years. He served for two months in the merchant marine during the World War. Miss Dorothy Rahe is a stenographer in the employ of the American Security Company, Kansas City. Herbert Rahe is an auctioneer.
Mr. Rahe is a Republican. He and his family worship at the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Personally, Henry Rahe is a likable, genial, well informed and sociable citizen-industrious and enterprising. He is well liked by his neighbors and has many warm friends in Jackson County.
Rev. William L. Hall, editor and publisher of the Sniabar Voice, minister of the Primitive Baptist Church, Blue Springs, Mo., is a native of Virginia. He was born March 25, 1859 in Floyd County, and is a son of Rev. John Curtis and Elizabeth Olive (Harris) Hall, both of whom were born and reared in Virginia, the former in Pittsylvania County and the latter in Floyd County. John C. Hall was a teacher, farmer and a minister of the Primitive Baptist denomination. He moved to Franklin County, Va. in 1862 and taught school in that county where he became prominent in county affairs. He served eight years as county treasurer of Franklin County. Rev. John C. Hall died in Virginia in 1899.
William L. Hall was reared to maturity in Franklin County, Va. and remained there until 1880, when he went to Kansas and located in Frank- lin County. For the next ten years he farmed în that county and in 1880 he came to Jackson County, Mo., remaining here for the next three years. In 1893 he returned to Kansas and followed farming in Franklin County for the next 14 years. In 1907 he came to Blue Springs and purchased a farm adjoining the city, consisting of 15 acres. For the past eight years he has been engaged in the newspaper business.
Mr. Hall was married Sept. 4, 1879 to Miss Rosalie Akers, who was born in Franklin County, Va., March 12, 1861, and is a daughter of Wil- liam and Sarah or Sallie Akers. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have three living chil- dren: Harry C., a postoffice clerk at Newton, Kan .; Almae C., cashier of the Bank of Blue Springs; Paul R., at home.
Mr. Hall is a Democrat. For the past 36 years he has been engaged in ministerial work in the Primitive Baptist denomination. He began preaching the Gospel in Kansas and was ordained for the ministry at
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Gilead church, eight miles east of Wellsville, Kan., in 1883. At the pres- ent time Rev. Hall has three charges, preaching for the congregations at Grain Valley or the Little Blue church, where he holds his membership, the Sniabar church, near Wellington, Mo., and the Little Flock church, south of Pleasant Hill, Mo. Rev. Hall is a successful newspaper man as will be attested by the newsy appearance of the Voice, and he is likewise a highly regarded and well respected minister of the gospel. He enjoys the respect and esteem of all classes of citizens and is a man of worth and usefulness in the community.
Eugene E. Montgomery, president of the Citizens State Bank, of Blue Springs, Mo., is a native born citizen of Jackson County, having been born on a farm near Blue Springs, Dec. 12, 1870. He is a son of Isaac N. Montgomery, who was born in Kentucky in 1829, was brought to Jackson County when a child. Isaac N. Montgomery was a son of Levi Mont- gomery who was one of the early pioneers of this county.
Isaac N. Montgomery was a "forty niner" who crossed the plains and mountains enroute to the gold fields of the Pacific coast and spent several years in the far west. Upon his return, he settled down to farming pur- suits. During the Civil War when Order No. 11 was in effect he went to Nebraska and remained in that state until the close of the war. Two of his brothers, Samuel and William, were killed in battle during the Civil War, while in service with the Southern army.
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