USA > Missouri > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Missouri > Part 53
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The conference was held at the Baltimore Hotel, and the mayor informed Mr. Sloan that he had proposed the real solution to the vexing problem. He suggested ten real estate men, of whom five were to be chosen for the commission, but that feature was rejected and John A. Moore, representing the company, and Mr. Sloan, representing the city, were selected. This commission of two men then performed the hitherto hopeless task of as- sessing the damages for the proposed public improvements.
After leaving the office of street commissioner, Mr. Sloan organized the Sloan and Norris Realty Company, and engaged in general real estate and fire insurance business in 1901. This firm was successfully engaged until Mr. Norris' death, Oct. 5, 1917. Mr. Sloan then closed out the busi- ness and came to his farm in Sniabar township.
Mr. Sloan was married Dec. 31, 1885, to Miss Lula Waldo, in Prince George's County, Maryland. Mrs. Lula Sloan was born in Independence, Missouri, March 8, 1861, and is a daughter of the late Dr. David and Eliza (Norris) Waldo, natives of Kentucky. Dr. David Waldo was a son of Jedediah Waldo, who had children as follow: John, Edward, Cornelius and Polly Porter. Dr. Waldo was born April 30, 1802, near Clarksburg, W. Va., and died May 20, 1878, in Independence. He graduated in medi- cine at Lexington, Ky., in 1822, and for some years he was engaged in overland freighting to New Mexico. He engaged in banking in Independ- ence, and became one of the best known men of his day in this city. He was a fine scholar, a student, and a Christian gentleman. Dr. Waldo was married March 27, 1849, at Independence, to Eliza Jane Norris, a daugh- ter of Edward and Margaret (Glascow) Norris, the latter a native of Cul- peper Court House, Va., and the former of Mount Sterling, Ky. During the Mexican War Dr. Waldo was captain of a company of Missouri Vol- unteers.
The children born to Dr. David and Eliza (Norris) Waldo are: Wil- liam, born Jan. 1, 1850, killed in New Mexico in May, 1894; Olive, born July 23, 1851; David, born June 21, 1853; Minnie, born Sept. 21, 1856; Lula Elizabeth, wife of the subject of this review.
The children born to William M. and Lula Sloan are as follow: Agnes, Aldine, John K. and Waldo Douglas. Agnes Sloan was born in December, 1888, and was the wife of Elbert G. Barnes. She died Dec. 6, 1918. Aldine, born Jan. 20, 1890, and died July 3, 1911. Lieut. John K. Sloan, late of the National Army, was born in 1892, and died of influenza in camp at Dallas, Texas, Oct. 13, 1918. He graduated from the Kansas City schools, and was graduated from the Manual Training High School and
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the department of civil engineering, State University, and was a man of great promise and ability of a high order. When the United States de- clared war upon Germany he was engaged as assistant engineer on a bridge contract at Nowata, Okla. He at once offered his services to the government, and enlisted in the aviation department of the army at Kan- sas City, and was commissioned a lieutenant while waiting at Dallas, Texas, for orders to proceed overseas. Waldo Douglas Sloan was born in June, 1897, and enlisted in the National Army. After the armistice was signed he received his honorable discharge and returned home.
Mr. and Mrs. Sloan have good and just right to be proud of the fact that they sent their two sons to serve under the stars and stripes in de- fense of human liberty throughout the world. The sympathy of all is with them in the sacrifice which they suffered in the loss of their eldest son. Few men of Jackson county have had a more interesting or unsel- fishly useful career in the service of his fellowmen than Mr. Sloan.
William Baldus, 143 East College street, Independence, Mo., owner of a farm of 150 acres in Fort Osage township, is a native of Illinois. Mr. Baldus was born Sept. 21, 1887, and is a son of Joseph and Margaret (Hoffman) Baldus, residing at 916 North Main street, Independence.
Joseph Baldus removed from Illinois to Saline County, Missouri, in 1889, and engaged in farming there until 1909, when he sold out and came to Jackson County, purchasing a farm in Fort Osage township. In the summer of 1911 he sold his farm and moved to a home in Independence. He has reared a family of five sons and three daughters, as follow: George Baldus, a farmer in Lafayette County ; Mrs. Margaret Buie, whose husband is a farmer in Saline County; Edward Baldus, a farmer, near Oak Grove, Jackson County; Fred Baldus, a student in William Jewell College; Frank and Cora, at home with their parents; and Mrs. Clara Lebow, Independence.
William Baldus was reared in Saline County, and was educated in the district schools. He began farming on his own account in 1911 on his place, consisting of 150 acres in Fort Osage township, and specialized in the raising of pure-bred Hereford cattle, descended from the original Lentz herd of Hereford. In 1919 he rented his farm and purchased a residence in Independence.
Mr. Baldus was married March 8, 1911, to Miss Myrtle Lentz, who was born on a farm near Atherton, Mo., Nov. 1, 1883, and is a daughter of Noah and Louisa (Kirby) Lentz, further mention of whom appears in this volume. Six children have been born to this marriage, as follow:
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William Jewell, born Dec. 6, 1911; Joseph Ernest, born Dec. 6, 1912; Ida May, born July 17, 1914; Lou Belle, born April 13, 1916; Anna Myrtle, born Oct. 17, 1917; and Noah Thomas, born Sept. 21, 1919.
Mr. Baldus is a Republican. He is a progressive and enterprising citizen, a successful farmer and stockman, and has many warm friends among the people of his neighborhood.
Edward J. Owen, farmer and stockman, owner of a valuable farm of 152 acres in Sniabar township, is a native of Illinois. He was born in Mc- Lean County, Nov. 11, 1858, and is a son of Alma Owen, a sketch of whom is given in this volume with that of William F. Owen. Mr. Owen pur- chased his present home place in 1903. It was formerly the Clemons place. He has done considerable improving since coming into possession of the farm, and has erected two large concrete silos.
Edward J. Owen was eight years of age when his parents came from Illinois to Missouri. Three families formed the party. The other fami- lies were relatives of the Owens, named Clark and Burnham. Five wagons carried the travelers and their belongings. Mr. Owen brought along ten head of cows. There were three boys in the party, and a free-for-all fight ensued each night as to which of the boys should ride the old mare owned by Mr. Owen to the nearest water. After coming to Jackson County, Edward J. Owen attended the Owen school. He remained at home with his parents until 1883, and then located west of the Owen school house. He improved 60 acres and increased his holdings to 100 acres, and later moved to the farm where N. Powers now lives. He purchased his home farm in 1903.
Edward J. Owen was married in 1883 to Cassandra Johnson, a daugh- ter of Henry and Elizabeth (Ware) Johnson. She was born in Clay Coun- ty, March 31, 1865. Her father, Henry Johnson, was a native of Virginia, and came to Jackson County in the early thirties. He served in the Civil War with the Confederate Army, and after the war settled down to farm- ing. Now, at the advanced age of 76 years, he is making his home with his children. Elizabeth, his wife, was born in 1837, and died in 1901. To Henry and Elizabeth Johnson were born nine children: Mrs. Cassandra Owen, of this review; Mrs. Irene Page, Montana; Mrs. Nettie Harris, Olathe, Kan .; Fred, Belvidere, Ill .; William, Nebraska; Mrs. Belle Hogue, Pink. Hill, Mo .; Jesse, near Oakland church ; Mrs. Josie Thomas, Independ- ence; Thomas, Grain Valley.
The children born to Edward J. and Cassandra Owen are as follow: Mrs. Stella Riske, lives in Independence; Russell, lives near Lake City, and
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married Pearl Perkins, who has borne his three children, Kate, Bernardine and Pauline; Mrs. Alta Zumalt, lives on the home place, has one child, Reba Covene.
Mr. Owen is a Republican, and Mrs. Owen is a Democrat. They are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Owen is a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeoman.
James D. Wood, the present capable steward of the Jackson County Home, is a native of Texas, although he has spent practically all his life in Jackson County, and for many years has been identified with the inter- ests of this county. He was born in Terrant County, Texas, March 4, 1867, and is a son of James R. and Nancy (Chrisman) Wood.
James R. Wood was born in Virginia in 1824. In 1831, when he was seven years of age, he came to Jackson County, Missouri, with his par- ents, who settled on a farm in Sniabar township. Here he grew to man- hood, and during the Civil War, he went to Texas with his family, where he was engaged in farming until 1867. He then returned to Jackson County, and bought land two and one-half miles northeast of Lees Sum- mit. Here he was engaged in farming and stock raising until about a year prior to his death. He was quite an extensive mule dealer, and was successful in his business operations. At the time of his death, in 1893, he was the ower of 240 acres of land, which was divided among his chil- dren. His wife was also a native of Virginia, born in 1825. She died in 1892. They were the parents of five children, as follow: Mrs. Elizabeth Bisher, whose husband is now deceased, and she resides with her chil- dren at Lees Summit; Dr. M. P. Wood, a physician of Independence, Mo .; Pearce, married V. B. Snead, resides at Wichita, Kan .; Louvnie, married A. W. Williams, and they live in Iowa; and James D., the subject of this sketch.
James D. Wood was less than one year old when his parents returned from Texas to Jackson County. He was reared in this county, and re- ceived his early education in the district schools. Later he attended William Jewell College at Liberty, Mo., for two years. He then engaged in the hardware business at Lees Summit, and during the course of his career, he has devoted 18 or 20 years to the hardware business. In 1915, he was appointed steward of the Jackson County Home by the county court, and has ably and conscientiously filled that position to the present time.
Mr. Wood has been twice married. On March 28, 1890, he was united in marriage with Miss Betty Warren, a native of Johnson County, Mis- souri. She was a daughter of Thomas Warren, who came to Jackson
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County about 1870, where he engaged in the grocery business. Mrs. Wood was born July 28, 1870, and died Oct. 26, 1894, leaving one daughter, Ursula, now the wife of H. B. Jennings, of Cass County, Missouri. June 7, 1907, Mr. Wood was married to Laura Day, a native of Saline County, Missouri, and a daughter of John Day, who was a native of Ohio, and settled in Saline County, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Wood died Dec. 15, 1914. No children were born to this marriage.
Mr. Wood is a Democrat, and a member of the Baptist church. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
Hon. James Monroe Adams .- "The brightest man in eastern Jackson County," was the tribute once paid to the late Col. J. M. Adams, of Fort Osage township, by one of his admirers. The man who made the state- ment was William H. Wallace, who paid a tribute to Mr. Adams on the occasion of his making a speech at Buckner, and after expressing his de- sire that Mr. Adams come to hear him he added the foregoing remark. Legislator, lawyer, justice of the peace, newspaper writer of more than local fame, J. M. Adams and his accomplishments will always figure prom- inently in the history of Jackson County. He was born on a pioneer farm near Atherton, Mo., Nov. 13, 1833, and died at his home south of Buckner, Mo., in November, 1916.
Lynchburg Adams, his father, was practically the first pioneer set- tler to establish a permanent home in Fort Osage township. He was born near Lynchburg, Va., Feb. 22, 1804, and married Elizabeth Drake, who was born in Howard County, Mo., Dec. 7, 1808. She was a daughter of Isaac Drake, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, in whose memory a monument was erected near Atherton by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Lynchburg Adams came to Jackson County, March 20, 1819, and located near Sibley, in Fort Osage township, where he was married, Nov. 1, 1827. He entered land in the Blue bottoms later, and resided there until his death, Dec. 6, 1873. His wife died Jan. 24, 1859. They had five children, four sons and a daughter, James M. being the fourth in order of birth. The first farm upon which Mr. Adams settled upon has long been engulfed and carried away by the ever changeful Missouri River. The old Adams homestead of 320 acres, which Mr. Adams purchased in 1844, was located near Atherton.
' J. M. Adams was reared on the home farm, and assisted his father until he had attained his majority. He studied for two years in Chapel
HON. J. M. ADAMS.
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Hill College, in Jackson County, and spent one year in the University of Missouri, and was graduated at Jones' Mercantile College in St. Louis.
During the Civil War he served as a member of Company G, Colonel Reeves regiment, the company being commanded by Captain Kemper, and attached to Gen. Sterling Price's division. He took part in the Battle of Pea Ridge, and shortly after was obliged to leave the army on account of ill health. He then returned to Jackson County, and afterwards went to Clay County, where he taught school for a year. At the close of the war he returned to Jackson County, and took up the life of a farmer. He also carried on general merchandising at Pink Hill for eight years, and then located in Fort Osage township, upon his farm of 150 acres, and there made his home until his death. For 12 years Mr. Adams was numbered among the successful teachers of Jackson County. He was married April 5, 1859, to Miss Annie E. Nottingham, daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Fickel) Nottingham, natives of Virginia. Mrs. Adams was born April 1, 1838, in Lafayette County, Mo., but was reared at Blue Mills, near Ather- ton, in Fort Osage township. The children born of this marriage are: Lynchburg B., born Feb. 13, 1860; John W., born 1862; Cozzette, born 1864, wife of James A. Hensley, Denver, Colo .; Mrs. Bessie Biggerstaff, born 1866, Pleasant Hill, Mo .; Mrs. Fannie Byrd, born 1868, lives in Kan- sas City ; James, Jr., born 1870, deputy sheriff, Kansas City; Arthur, born 1870, an attorney, Kansas City; Avonia, born 1874, wife of Charles Adams, California; Emmett born 1876; Ottis, a farmer in Sniabar town- ship; Carl, born 1880, an attorney in Kansas City.
James M. Adams originally owned 520 acres, but sold off much of this tract, and at the time of his death he left 140 acres as his cstate. He was a thorough Democrat, who was frequently honored with public office. In 1859 he was elected justice of the peace. He was appointed notary public under Gov. B. G. Brown, and was reappointed by each suc- ceeding governor for a number of years. In November, 1884, he was elected to the State Legislature, and served one term. Senator George Vest said of him in this respect: "He was the brightest man in the State Legislature." When a member of the legislature, Mr. Adams made the speech which nominated Vest for the Senate. The Senator never forgot this service, and when Cleveland was elected President and in office, the Senator asked Cleveland for an appointment for his friend Adams. Cleve- land said to Vest: "Senator, I don't know this man Adams, Is he cap- able ?" Senator Vest replied: "Mr. President, he can fill your position better than you, yourself. He can fill any position from Senator to Pres-
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ident." Mr. Adams got the appointment, that of assistant internal reve- nue collector at Kansas City, under Hasbrook, and held the position for four years. In the fall of 1878, John W. Booth was elected constable of Kaw township, and Judge Adams became one of his bondsmen. Six months later Booth resigned, and Mr. Adams was appointed to this posi- tion and held it for 12 years. This office was, at that time, an important one. After the expiration of his term of constable, Mr. Adams returned to his farm. Governor Marmaduke, when he took office, sent for him to come to Jefferson City, and told him that he was going to appoint him to one of the best positions in the State, because he was worthy of it, and capable of filling this position. Two days before it was time for the gov- ernor to sign the legal papers certifying to the appointment the governor died. For over 20 years Mr. Adams served as justice of the peace, and practiced law for many years. He was well versed in legal procedure, and was an accomplished orator and public speaker, who could express himself upon any subject convincingly, learnedly and well. He was quick in repartee and agile minded. He was noted as a newspaper contributor, and wrote for such papers as the Independence "Sentinel" and the Oak Grove "Banner." He was a splendid letter writer. This accomplishment excited the wonder and admiration of friends and opponents alike. His ver- satility in this respect won for his son, L. B. Adams, the appointment of postmaster at Buckner.
Colonel Adams was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He was a stalwart champion of all matters of public improve- ment, and every worthy cause received his full and unswerving support. He was a Royal Arch Mason, and served as worshipful master of Buckner Lodge, No. 501. He was a charter member of Buckner Lodge, Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, and was liberal in his contributions. He prac- tically built the Pink Hill Methodist Church, paying $600 out of his own purse for the erection of the building. At one time Colonel Adams was a man of considerable wealth, but lost considerable money through his inability to deny a friend who sought his assistance. His purse was al- ways open to his friends, and so ill advised were some of his ventures in indorsing notes for needy friends that he lost at one time over $15,000 in bad notes and loans. He was one of the finest characters of Jackson County, and every good citizen was his friend. Colonel Southern once said of Mr. Adams: "Colonel Adams was the most popular man in Jack- son County."
Lynchburg Adams carried the chain which marked out the boun-
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daries of Jackson County, and received 50 cents per day for his labor. He saved $150, and bought a claim at Atherton for $200, earning the balance of the purchase price by selling honey, deer and coon hides. He became very wealthy, selling his first farm for $2,000 after two years ownership. He then paid $1,000 for 280 acres in 1844.
Lynchburg B. Adams, who is managing the Adams home place in Fort Osage township, is a lawyer of ability, and in many respects re- sembles his father. He was educated in Morrisville College, and grad- uated from the Kansas City Law School in 1890. He practiced law in Kansas City for ten years, and was successful in his practice. Ill health and the admonition of his physician that if he expected to live many years, caused him to give up his law practice, and return to the home farm, where he has regained his health and is caring for his aged mother. Mr. Adams served four years as postmaster of Buckner, under President Wil- son. He takes an active part in county politics, and is one of the "wheel horses" of the Democratic party in eastern Jackson County.
Martin F. Leinweber, a progressive and well known farmer and stock breeder of Prairie township, is a native of Illinois. He was born in Mason County, Ill., April 4, 1876, and is a son of Martin and Katherine (Rigle) Leinweber, the former now deceased, and the latter residing in Prairie township, Jackson County. A more complete history of the Leinweber family appears in connection with the sketch of John R. Leinweber, which appears in this volume.
Martin F. Leinweber received his early education in the district schools, and from early life was trained to the duties and details of farm- ing and stock raising. He remained at home with his parents until he was 22 years of age and after the death of his father, he inherited 200 acres of valuable land. Since that time he has made improvements on his farm and increased his acreage until he is the owner of 260 acres in Prairie township. Here he carries on general farming and stock raising and for the past six years has specialized in breeding Shorthorn cattle. He has some excellent stock of this strain and is recognized as one of the successful breeders of Jackson County.
On Sept. 4, 1904, Mr. Leinweber was united in marriage with Miss Lula H. Ritter, native of Jackson County, Missouri, and a daughter of William and Mildred (Cantrell) Ritter, the former a native of Missouri and the latter of Kentucky. They were early settlers in Jackson County. To Mr. and Mrs. Leinweber have been born two children as follows: Mildred and Roberta, both of whom are at home with their parents.
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In 1901 Mrs. Leinweber began teaching in the district schools of Jackson County and taught three years. She graduated from Lees Sum- mit High School and later attended the State Normal School at Warrens- burg, Mo.
Mr. Leinweber is a Democrat and a member of the Lutheran church. He is a stockholder in the Citizens Bank of Lees Summit, and the Drovers Packing Plant of Kansas City, Mo., and one of Jackson County's success- ful citizens, who by keen foresight and constant industry is accomplish- ing things.
Robert George Wilson, Jr., a prominent citizen of Lees Summit, Mo., has been prominently identified with the affairs of Jackson County since early manhood. Mr. Wilson is a native of this county. He was born at Independence, Feb. 14, 1852, and has practically spent his life in Jackson County. His parents were Robert George and Louisa (McMurray) Wil- son, both natives of Boyles County, Kentucky, and among the prominent early settlers of Jackson County. Robert George Wilson, Sr., was born at Danville, Ky., in January, 1820. He followed farming in early life in his native State, and in 1851, came to Jackson County, Missouri, first locating at Independence. In 1852, he bought a farm in Prairie township, where he was engaged in farming and stock raising until 1886, when he retired and moved to Kansas City, spending the remainder of his life there. He died in 1911. During his active career, he was prominent in the affairs of Jackson County, and was one of the widely known men of this section of the State. He took a keen interest and a prominent part in politics, al- though he never aspired to hold political office himself, and was never a candidate for public office, preferring to assist his friends in the realiza- tion of their political ambitions. One of his main sports and pastimes was wolf hunts. He made many friends during the course of his career, and was known far and wife for his keen sense of humor and ever ready joke. The Wilsons were of English descent. Robert George Wilson, Sr., was a , son of Samuel Wilson, who settled in Kentucky at a very early date. Louisa (McMurray) Wilson, mother of Robert George Wilson, Jr., was born in Danville, Ky., and was the daughter of James and (Miss Rice) Mc- Murray.
Robert George Wilson, Jr., was reared in Jackson County, and received his education in the George Bryant School of Independence, Mo., and Westminster College of Fulton, Mo. He remained on the home farm until the fall of 1873. In 1874, he was appointed deputy county clerk of Jackson County, and for six years capably performed the duties of that
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office. He then resided in Kansas City until 1882, when he was appointed county collector by the governor of the State to serve out the unexpired term of Joe Green. At the expiration of that term, he was elected county collector, and re-elected to succeed himself, serving two terms. In 1887, he returned to his farm in Prairie township, where he remained but a short time, however, when he returned to Kansas City, but shortly afterwards returned to his farm, and since that time has continued his interest in farming and stock breeding with uniform success. For years he has been a successful breeder of Aberdeen Angus cattle. In 1905, he moved to Lees Summit, where he has since resided, although he has continued his active interest in his stock raising operations. He is the owner of one of the splendid farms of Jackson County. It consists of 530 acres of highly improved and valuable land, and adjoins the Longview Farms on the east. Mr. Wilson served three years as postmaster of Lees Summit, serving in that capacity until December, 1918, when he resigned.
Sept. 30, 1885, Robert George Wilson, Jr., and Miss Anna Waugh, of Chariton County, Missouri, were united in marriage. Her parents were early settlers in that section of the State, and were natives of Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born five children, as follow: Frances, Mary, Robert G., Jr., Thomas E., and Louise, all of whom reside at home with their parents, except Robert G., Jr., who is deceased. Thomas E. was in training at Camp Pike, Ark., during the World War, and after the signing of the armistice, was discharged and returned home.
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