USA > Missouri > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Missouri > Part 52
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William C. Potts attended the Stony Point and the Moreland schools, and when he had attained his majority he began making his own way. His father gave him a horse, bridle, saddle, and later gave him some land. When his father died he received 40 acres as his share of the estate. Mr. Potts made his first purchase of land in 1883, a tract of 54 acres. In 1895, he bought his present home place of 103 acres, upon which he has erected all of the improvements. He bought 70 acres in 1899. In 1905 he bought 100 acres of the old Mason farm. In 1913 he purchased 60 acres and had purchased a small tract of timber land consisting of 15 acres.
Mr. Potts was married in 1883 to Mary E. Steele, who was born Sept. 12, 1861, in Jackson County, a daughter of Samuel J. and Catherine (Snodgrass) Steele, pioneers of Jackson County, both of whom are da ceased. Samuel J. Steele was a native of Kentucky, and was an associate of Daniel Boone. He made in all seven trips across the plains, and in the early days he drove herds of hogs and cattle from Missouri to the Caro- linas. During the forties he was a freighter across the plains over the Santa Fe trail, in the employ of Spangler.
Mr. Potts' father, Levi Potts, was a forty-niner, who went to the Pacific coast in 1849 with ox-teams and worked in the gold mines for
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several months. He returned home and sometime later made another trip to the Pacific coast. Mr. Steele also made trips to California and mined gold in company with Sam Campbell:
Five children have been born to William C. and Mary E. Potts, as follow: Delbert, living on a farm nearby, a land owner, married Grace Elizabeth Brown, and has four children, William Calvin, deceased, Riley, Lenora Margaret, and James Leroy. Elza Potts married Ida Beryl Smith, is a farmer, and a member of the Free Masons, being a Shriner and a Scot- tish Rite Mason. Mrs. Louetta Moore lives south of Tarsney, and has one child, Robert Lane. Myrna, deceased. Josie is attending school.
Mr. Potts is a Democrat. He and his family worship at the Meth- odist church, and he is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Grain Valley, and is a Shriner and a thirty-second degree Scot- tish Rite Mason.
Charles Quarles Lewis, farmer and dairyman, a few miles east of In- dependence, is a native Missourian, and one of the best known men in Jackson County. He was born in Saline County, March 13, 1857, in old Jonesboro, now Napton. He is a son of Charles Q. and Virginia W. (Gooch) Lewis, both of whom were born in Virginia and accompanied their respective parents to Missouri when children. The families first located in Ohio and came to Missouri overland. Virginia W. (Gooch) Lewis was a daughter of William D. Gooch, a pioneer millright in Mis- souri, who erected Gooch's Mill and founded the settlement of that name in the southeastern part of Cooper County, Missouri.
Charles Q. Lewis, the elder, was born March 6, 1826, and died Dec. 3, 1901. He was a son of Charles T. Lewis, born July 29, 1799, and who married Mary M. Quarles, who was born Jan. 5, 1803, and bore him chil- dren as follow: Eliza, born Jan. 5, 1821; Susan V., born Nov. 5, 1822; Meriwether, born July 28, 1824; Nicholas H., born Dec. 6, 1827; Alice Thornton, born Dec. 30, 1829; John, born Oct. 28, 1831; James Henry, born May 24, 1834; Margaret Emily, born March 10, 1839; Helen Augusta, born May 4, 1841; Louise Virginia, born May 21, 1844.
The children born to Charles J. and Virginia W. Lewis are as follow: Nannie Quarles, deceased; Mrs. Lillian Leora Miller, deceased; Mrs. Ada Byron Tucker, Oklahoma City; Mrs. Mary Miller Williamson, Oklahoma City; Mrs. Eliza Henry Tucker, Bryan, Texas; William Thornton or Charles Q .; Meriwether Lewis, deceased. Meriwether Lewis, famous in American history as the associate of George Rogers Clarks in the Lewis and Clarke exploring expedition of the Missouri River Valley and the
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northwestern country, was a relative of the father of C. Q. Lewis, of this review, and was likewise the great-uncle of C. Q. Lewis, the younger.
The mother of the foregoing children is descended from an interest- ing American family. Her father, William D. Gooch, married Matilda Chiles, on March 25, 1813. W. D. Gooch was born April 16, 1782, and died Sept. 9, 1856. His wife, Matilda, was born Sept. 2, 1793, and died April 30, 1859. Matilda (Chiles) Gooch was a daughter of John and Polly (Tisdale) Chiles, who were married Jan. 6, 1792. John Chiles was born Aug. 18, 1767. His wife, Polly, was born Sept. 2, 1793.
Charles Q. Lewis, Sr., settled in Saline County, Missouri, after his mar- riage. In 1877 he moved to Buchanan County, and founded the old St. Charles Hotel at St. Joseph, at the corner of Fifth and Charles streets. He operated this hotel until 1892, and then moved to Independence. In 1897 he removed to Oklahoma City, and resided there with his daughter, Mrs. T. W. Williamson, until his death.
Charles Q. Lewis resided in Saline County, Missouri, until he at- tained his majority. He then accompanied his father to St. Joseph, and from 1877 to 1879 he conducted a cigar store in that city. In 1880 he went to La Cygne, Kan., and became a member of the firm, George J. Miller Mercantile Company, remaining with this concern until 1890. He then returned to St. Joseph, and was in partnership with his father in the real estate business for 18 months, and in 1892 he came to Inde- pendence, and in April of that year engaged in the grocery business, the firm being C. Q. Lewis and Son. The grocery store was enlarged to a general merchandise business, and they conducted it for about four years. Selling out the business, Mr. Lewis engaged in farming and dairying east of Independence for about eight years. In 1904 he became a traveling salesman for the Eagle Manufacturing, and Smith and Sons Manufactur- ing Company, of Kansas City, a position which he held for four years. He returned to the farm and operated it until 1913. He then engaged in the real estate business in Independence for three years, since which time he has lived on his son's farm. During the winter of 1919-1920, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis resided in Blue Springs, returning to their farm in the spring of 1920. The Lewis dairy farm comprises 90 acres.
Charles Q. Lewis was married Jan. 31, 1882, to Miss Laura J. Lehr, who was born in Topeka, Kan., Aug. 14, 1857. She is a daughter of Ga- briel (born May 26, 1823, died Dec. 23, 1869) and Margaret (Marks) Lehr (born Nov. 22, 1825, died April 4, 1909). Gabriel Lehr was a native of Lewiston, Pa., and was a Kansas pioneer. Owing to the unsettled con-
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dition in the border state in 1859 he returned to Pennsylvania and re- mained there until 1867, when he went to Kansas and purchased 1,500 acres of timber and lowlands, south of Paoli, in Miami and Linn counties. He established a sawmill and proceeded to clear the land of timber. He died before the project was fairly under way. His widow, with character- istic fortitude and determination, took his place and proceeded with the plans of developing and paying for the land. She operated the mills and furnished the timbers for the construction of the Fort Scott and Gulf railroad, now the Frisco railroad. Mrs. Lehr was an excellent manager and a very capable woman. While doing this work which had devolved upon her after her husband's death, she reared a family of children, as follow: Thaddeus Baker, Paoli, Kan., a traveling salesman; Clara Ellen (Christian), Odell, Ill .; James Lincoln, Seattle, Wash .; Albert Marks, Oklahoma City, manufacturer; and Mrs. Laura J. Lewis.
The children born to Charles Q. and Laura J. Lewis are as follow : Charles P., born Sept. 3, 1883, deceased ; Lillian L., born Oct. 24, 1885, was the wife of Rev. James Percy Stewart, minister and missionary, de- ceased ; George Winn; and Charles Q., Jr.
Rev. James Percy Stewart was born near Richmond, Va., and came to Liberty when a young man and was educated in William Jewell College. He was pastor of the Baptist church at Fulton and St. Louis, and finished his theological education in a seminary at Louisville, Ky. He was sent as missionary to Rome and remained there for seven years. His last charge was that of pastor of the Boles Avenue Baptist Church of Kansas City. Rev. Stewart died Feb. 6, 1916, at Liberty, Mo. Mrs. Stewart has five children: Meriwether Lewis Stewart, who was born in St. Louis, just 100 years after the death of his ancestor and namesake, Meriwether Lewis, the explorer; John Armstrong Stewart; Mary Emily, Lillian Virginia, and James Percy Stewart, Jr.
George Winn Lewis was born Feb. 6, 1889, and is employed as an engi- neer on the Chicago and Alton railroad. He was married April 19, 1911, to Viola W. Graham, and has three children: G. Winn, born April 26, 1912, died Sept. 3, 1917; Ruth, born in May, 1915; Lucy Marjorie, born May 31, 1913; Catherine Virginia, born in May, 1918.
C. Q. Lewis, Jr., a farmer, living in Blue township, was born April 11, 1892, and was married Dec. 13, 1911, to Susan Blakemore, and has three children: Virginia Louise, born May 18, 1913; Robert, born in July, 1914; and Meriwether, born in March, 1917.
Mr. Lewis has in his possession the family bibles which have been
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handed down from his parents and grandparents, and which give the fam- ily records for four generations. He is an independent Democrat. He and Mrs. Lewis are members of the Baptist church of Independence, and he is a Mason, member of Lodge No. 76, of Independence.
Isaac N. Thompson, now living retired at Lees Summit, was for many years successfully engaged in farming and stock raising, and is still the owner of 400 acres of land in Prairie township, which is one of the valuable farms of Jackson County. Mr. Thompson is a native of Illinois, born in Madison County, Dec. 2, 1846. He is the son of William Hester A. (Nave) Thompson. William Thompson was a Kentuckian, and in early manhood removed to Madison County, Illinois, from his native State. He was a man of extensive affairs, and in the early days of Madison County, Illi- nois, was engaged in farming and stock raising. He also conducted a hotel, and operated a stage line to St. Louis. Later he removed to Minne- sota with his family, about 1855. He remained there about ten years, when he came to Jackson County, Missouri, and bought 700 acres of land in Prairie township. Here he was engaged in stock raising and feeding, on a large scale. He was also an extensive shipper of live stock. He died on his farm home in Prairie township at the age of 66 years. His wife, Hester A. (Nave) Thompson, was a native of Nashville, Tenn. She lived to the advanced age of 86 years, and departed this life in 1906.
Isaac N. Thompson is the youngest of three children born to his par- ents. Three sisters died of scarlet fever. Mr. Thompson was educated in the public schools of Illinois and Minnesota, and was about 19 years of age when he came to Jackson County with his parents, in 1865. He re- mained on the home farm in Prairie township with his father, and co- operated in its operation, and in the stock business, until his father's death, when he inherited the home place. Here he was extensively en- gaged in farming and stock raising until 1906, when he retired and moved to Lees Summit, where he has since resided, and where he has a pleasant, modern home.
Mr. Thompson was united in marriage, May 11, 1869, with Miss Mary Wilson, a native of Kentucky. She is a daughter of David and Sarah J. (Walker) Wilson, who were very early pioneer settlers in Missouri, com- ing to this State about 1844. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have been born seven children, as follow: Mabelle, married John Collins, and is now de- ceased; Gertrude, married John Jemmison, and is now deceased; Wyman, a bookkeeper in the stockyards, Kansas City, Mo .; Frank, a daughter, re- sides at home with her parents; Lena, married E. Butterfield, and resides
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in Smith County, Texas; William W., engaged in the laundry business at Lees Summit; and Tillie, married C. Colman, Great Falls, Mont.
Mr. Thompson is a Democrat, and one of Jackson County's substantial citizens. He takes a keen interest in the welfare of his town and county, and is progressive and public-spirited. He is one of the original boosters for better roads.
James L. H. Franklin, late well known farmer of Fort Osage town- ship, was born March 30, 1842, and died Aug. 5, 1908. He was a son of Benjamin Franklin, who was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and ac- companied his father, Lewis Franklin, to Jackson County, in 1831. Lewis Franklin founded a home for his family in this county and died here in 1860. Benjamin Franklin was reared to manhood on his father's farm, and after his marriage to Letha Horn, a native of Johnson County, he settled in Osage township. He died at the age of 33 years.
James L. H. Franklin was the only child of his parents. He grew up in Jackson County, and received such education as was afforded by the district schools. He followed in the footsteps of his forebears, and be- came a farmer and stockman, improving his splendid farm of 480 acres, and making a success of his vocation.
The late Mr. Franklin was three times married. His first marriage was with Miss Maryetta Tyer, a daughter of Lewis Tyer, of Fort Osage township. One child was born to this union, James L., who died when a year old. Mrs. Maryetta Franklin died in Denver, Colo., in 1874, where she had gone in the hope of regaining her health. Mr. Franklin's second marriage was with Laura Turner, who died without issue. In 1892 he was united in marriage with Miss Virginia Lee Barnes, who was born Dec. 5, 1863, at New Market, Mo. She was a daughter of Michael and Eliza- beth (Smith) Barnes, both natives of Missouri. Michael Barnes was a son of Rev. James Barnes. a Baptist minister, who was one of the first Baptist missionaries who went to California. Michael Barnes also went overland to California, taking his family in prairie schooners, in 1864. The trip required six months and upon their arrival there they settled on a ranch near Petaluma, Sonoma County. Here he reared his family, and engaged in ranching for a number of years.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Franklin settled on the Franklin home place in Fort Osage township, and co-operated in building up the fine Franklin estate, which now consists of 430 acres, and is owned by Mrs. Franklin, who removed to Independence after the death of Mr. Franklin, and now resides at 614 West Maple avenue. One daughter was
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born to J. L. H. and Virginia Lee Franklin, namely, Miss Marietta Frank- lin, who resides with her mother.
The late Mr. Franklin was a Democrat. He was industrious and enterprising. He was a member of the Baptist church and liberal in his support of the church and kindred institutions.
John Young Porter was born Oct. 25, 1857, and departed this life on March 26, 1918. He was a son of William Carroll and Frances (Powers) (Hutchings) Porter, natives, respectively, of Sumner County, Tenn., and Kentucky. William C. Porter was born in 1817, and died in Jackson Coun- ty, March 18, 1900. He came to Jackson County in 1834, when a youth of 17, married here, and participated in the early day development of the County. He accumulated a large body of land, some of which he entered from the government, and became one of the wealthy citizens of Jackson County. He was the father of six children: John Young, of this review; Mrs. Martha Ann Cook, of Independence; Mary Alice, wife of Joseph An- derson, Blue Springs ; Eliza Jane, deceased; Jessie and another child died in infancy.
John Young Porter was reared to young manhood on his father's farm, near Lees Summit. His father gave him the present Porter place, which is a part of the old Hutchings place, in Sniabar township, and after his marriage in 1891 he settled on the property and proceeded to develop it. The Porter place consists of 230 acres, 60 acres of which is devoted to apple growing. The Porter orchard is 23 years old, and is now in the prime of production. Foreseeing that this section of Jackson County was des- tined to become a fruit growing center, Mr. Porter set out the orchards, cared for and sprayed his trees in the scientific way, and the family is now reaping the results of his labors. For several years the orchards have been producing splendid crops of apples. This year, 1919, the apple crop was sold on the trees for $4,500. The Porter homestead is one of the best improved in Jackson County, a large white farm house, large barns and a concrete silo with a capacity of 180 tons are the major improvements.
Nov. 26, 1891, John Y. Porter was married to Miss Julia Anne Brown, who was born in Sumner County, Tenn., March 5, 1863. She is a daughter of Jeremiah and Lucy Samantha (Brizendine) Brown, the for- mer of whom resides in Independence. Jeremiah Brown was born in July, 1843, and came from Tennessee to Jackson County in October, 1881. They settled on a farm just across the road from the Porter place, and later moved to a place near Oak Grove. After some years of residence near Oak Grove, Mr. Brown retired to Independence. Mrs. Lucy S. Brown
JOHN Y. PORTER AND FAMILY.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
was born Oct. 29, 1836, and died March 27, 1918. They were the parents of eight daughters: Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Clampitt, living near Oak Grove; Julia Ann Porter; Mrs. Susie Lane St. Clair, Oak Grove; Mrs. Amanda Jane Mundy, died at Blue Springs; Mrs. Marguerite Luella Berg- schneider, Eldorado, Kan .; Mrs. Beulah Lillian Mundy, Independence; Mrs. Willie Pond Holke, Independence.
The children born to John Y. and Julia Anne Porter are: William Carroll Porter, born Sept. 6, 1892, now managing the Porter home place ; and Marie and Julia, at home with their mother.
John Y. Porter was a Democrat. He attended the Methodist Epis- copal church, of which Mrs. Porter is a member, and was affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. He was an industrious and enterprising citizen, who stood high in his community.
William M. Sloan, attorney, former real estate dealer of Kansas City, well known politician, now a farmer in Sniabar township, is one of the most widely known citizens of Jackson County. Mr. Sloan, after years of activity in commercial and civic circles of Kansas City, is now residing comfortably on his beautiful country estate. He was born at Keokuk, Iowa, in 1859, and is a son of John and Fannie M. (Breeden) Sloan, both natives of Mason County, Kentucky. John Sloan, the father, was a mer- chant at Alexander, Iowa. Fannie M. (Breeden) Sloan was a daughter of John M. Breeden, an attorney and Kentucky pioneer, who was a nephew of President James Madison, and came of a prominent Southern family. When Mr. Breeden removed to Keokuk, he became a capitalist and pro- moter and owned considerable land near the city and real estate within its confines. About 1861, the Sloan family, Mr. Breeden and his family lo- cated at Lexington, Mo. The family of John M. Breeden consisted of six sons and a daughter. He and three of his sons entered the Union Army. John M. Breeden was taken prisoner later by the Confederates and died from the effects of his imprisonment. William Breeden became a colonel in the army, and entered the Jesse Scouts with General Fremont. After the close of the war he located at Santa Fe, N. M., and served as attor- ney-general of the territory for 14 years. Talma Breeden died during the Civil War.
Marshall M. Breeden enlisted in the Union Army at the age of 16 years. After the war he went to New Mexico, and served as postmaster at Santa Fe. He became assistant attorney-general and practiced law. He later moved moved to Utah, and became attorney-general of that State. From there he moved to Los Angeles, and died in 1918.
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John M. Breeden, Jr., went to Colorado and died young in years. Henry Clay Breeden, at the age of 14 years, went to Burlingame, Kan., and from there made the overland trip to California. When he arrived in San Francisco he had a total of 35 cents. Despite his poverty he put up at a first-class hotel and secured a position almost immediately. A few years later he went to Portland, Ore., and secured a good position. He and a partner engaged in the furniture and carpet business, which he expanded into an extensive business. He made considerable money. After some years, he sold out in Portland and traveled all over the world with the an- nounced intention of locating in the most suitable and desirable spot in which he would make his future home. He finally located in Los Angeles, and is one of its wealthiest citizens.
The father of William M. Sloan moved to Decatur, Ill., and engaged in farming for three years. He then became interested in the manufacture of corn planters operated by horse power, and purchased the patents of the Alexander Corn Planter, the first planter operated by horse power ever placed in the market. He built up an extensive business, sold out, and in 1874 located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he engaged in railroad contracting. He died at Indianapolis, Ind., July 19, 1906. He reared a family of three sons and four daughters, as follow: Dr. John H. Sloan, William M., of this review; Ardella, living in Kansas City; Mrs. Anna M. Noel, whose husband is James W. Noel, a prominent attorney who was an assistant prosecutor for the State in the Los Angeles Times dynamiting case; Clifton B. and Fannie V.
Dr. John H. Sloan was a physician who practiced in Santa Fe, N. M., for 30 years. His health failed and he returned to Missouri, dying in Kansas City, Nov. 14, 1917. Mamie A. is the wife of Charles A. Dyer, an attorney of Indianapolis. Clifton B. Sloan is an architect in Knasas City. Fannie V. is the wife of William E. Campbell, of Clay County, now living in Kansas City. His mother was the first white child born in Kan- sas City, and his father was one of the original owners of the town site of Kansas City.
The mother of the foregoing children died at the home of her daugh- ter, Mrs. Fannie Campbell, on January 4, 1915.
William M. Sloan, of this review, was educated in the public schools of Springfield, Ill., and Cincinnati, Ohio. For two years he attended the country schools of Bourbon County, Kentucky, and then completed his education in Cincinnati. In the latter city he studied at the Chickering Institute, pursuing a commercial course, and also studied at the Cincinnati
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Law School. In 1882 he went to Santa Fe, N. M., and entered the law offices of Breeden and Waldo, the former of whom was attorney-general of New Mexico, and the latter the solicitor for the Santa Fe Railroad Company. He was admitted to the bar in 1884, and remained in Santa Fe until his marriage, Dec. 25, 1885. He then located in Kansas City, and engaged in the real estate business during the great real estate boom. He organized the real estate firm of Sloan and Truitt and their opera- tions were conducted on a large scale.
Mr. Sloan became interested in politics, made speeches over the county, and became widely acquainted, becoming one of the leaders of the Republican party in the city and county. In 1894 he was the candidate of his party for the office of county marshall, and was elected by a plur- ality of 22 votes. However, the opposition never intended that he should take up the duties of his office. Election crooks who were in the pay of the politicians are alleged to have got hold of the election record books, and changed the figures, so as to show that Mr. Sloan had been defeated by 17 votes. His opponent in the election was then rushed to Jefferson City and received his commission from the governor. Mr. Sloan and his friends at once instituted a contest, and the matter was fought out in the courts for sometime, the Supreme Court eventually decided against his contest by a vote of four to three.
In 1895, Mr. Sloan was appointed by Mayor Davis to the position of chief deputy in the city clerk's office, a place which he ably filled for one and a half years. Following this he filled the office of street commis- sioner under Mayor Jones, and continued in the office under Mayor Reed. He was then appointed to a place in the upper house of the city council, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Councilman Kelly, and held this position for three and a half years. In 1904 he was re-elected to a mem- bership in the upper house, and served until 1908. During this time he was a member of the street railway committee, which had charge of the street railway franchise, the terminal railway depot franchise, and other important railway matters of vital interest in to the people of Kansas City. Under Mayor Thomas T. Crittenden, the city and the other parties interested became deadlocked over the land damage question relative to the settlement of the depot problem, and at his request Mr. Sloan wrote a letter to the mayor submitting a plan for the solution of the deadlock. He outlined a plan whereby a committee of five men should be appointed to fix the damages. The mayor hastened to accept it and called him to a meeting, where he offered him a place on the committee two days later.
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