USA > Missouri > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Missouri > Part 63
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Francis Marion Searcy is father of ten children, as follow: Mrs. Mattie L. Rawlins, Colton, Calif .; Benjamin F., Chickasha, Okla .; Effie May Searcy, at home; Hugh Thomas, Bristol street; Mrs. Mary J. Reed, Lacygne, Kan .; Fred Moore Searcy, deceased; Mrs. Myrtle A. Stone, de- ceased; Roy M. Searcy, Detroit; Dottie E. Searcy, deceased; Frank R. Searcy, at home.
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Roy M. Searcy enlisted in the Missouri National Guard in 1914. At the time of the trouble with Mexico he was mustered into the regular army service and sent to the Mexican border and was on duty there at Laredo, Texas, until mustered out. After being mustered out of the service at Fort Riley he reenlisted in the National Guard and served with Battery C until the United States declared war upon Germany, when he was again taken into the regular service and sent to Fort Sill, Okla. and thence overseas on May 23, 1918, with the famous 35th Division. He served with Battery A, 129th Field Artillery and fought in the Argonne Forest, St. Mihiel, the Meuse, the Toul and the Verdun sector. He was on duty at Verdun when the armistice was signed, Nov. 11, 1918. In the latter part of April, 1919, he returned home and is now in the employ of the Cadillac Motor Company, Detroit, Mich. He is a Free Mason.
Frank R. Searcy enlisted in the United States navy May 3, 1917, at Kansas City. He was sent to the Naval Training Station at Newport, R. I. and was then sent to New York for shore duty at the New York navy yard for further transfer to sea but was detailed until honorably dis- charged May 22, 1919. Mr. Searcy has an important position with the Standard Oil Company at Sugar Creek, where he is a mechanical clerk. He is a member of the Masons and Loyal Order of Knights of Pythias and is one of the splendid patriotic Americans of Independence.
Bishop Edmund L. Kelley, residing at Independence, Jackson County, Mo., is a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was born near Vienna, Johnson County, Ill., Nov. 17, 1844, a son of Richard Y. and Sarah Elizabeth (Ballowe) Kelley, the former of whom was born in Tennessee, and the latter in Virginia but removed with her parents to Nashville, Tenn., in childhood and was there reared and received her education.
Richard Y. Kelley was born in 1812 and died in 1861. He was a son of Benjamin Franklin Kelley, who was born in North Carolina. When the subject of this review, Edmund L. Kelley, was but a boy his parents removed to western Iowa, where Richard Y. Kelley and the family fol- lowed farming in the early settlement. The children born to Richard Y. and wife were: Benjamin, E. F., John S., deceased; William H., deceased ; Mary J .; Edmund L .; George T .; Parley P .; and James M.
William H. Kelley was president of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving in this capacity for ten years prior to his death, which occurred at Lamoni, Iowa, June, 1914.
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Mary J. Kelley became the wife of John L. Ryerson, Mills County, Iowa, who was a veteran of the Civil War.
George T. Kelley, of Pierce, Neb., served as Circuit Judge in Nebraska for 14 years and is still a resident of that county.
Parley P. Kelley, deceased, was formerly an attorney at Glenwood, Iowa.
James M. Kelley, formerly a banker in Iowa, now resides at 414 River Boulevard, Independence, Mo.
After pursuing his studies in the public schools and the Glenwood, Iowa, high school, Edmund L. Kelley taught school for a time and then attended the Iowa State University in 1863 and 1864. In 1871 and 1872 he was a traveling missionary in the state of Michigan and in 1873 he graduated from the Law Department of the Iowa University. After finishing his law course, he served as superintendent of the public schools of Mills County, Iowa, and at the close of his two years term, he received the written indorsement of the chairmen of both political parties in the county for reelection. He declined and practiced law in Glenwood for six years. In 1881 he was requested by the Reorganized Church of the Lat- ter Day Saints to represent them before the Congressional Committee at Washington, D. C., then investigating the situation in Utah, with a view to the admission of Utah into the Union as a state. He performed this mission with Zenas H. Gurley as associate, Mr. Gurley being one of the members of the quorum of twelve. Mr. Kelley in presenting his plea took the ground that the admission of Utah as a polygamous state was not to be permitted and he showed conclusively by able argument that poly- gamy as practiced by the Utah Mormons was not a part of the tenets of the Church of Latter Day Saints, and according to the principles of said church never could be. This application for admission with polygamy was refused by Congress.
In 1882, upon his return from Washington, the General Conference of the church held in Independence, Mo., offered Mr. Kelley a bishop's position. He accepted and has held the office since his appointment. In 1891 he was made presiding bishop, succeeding Bishop George A. Blakes- lee, deceased. Mr. Kelley served as presiding bishop for 25 years. He has made his home in Independence since 1905 and now resides at 702 South Fuller avenue.
Bishop E. L. Kelley was married Dec. 21, 1876, to Miss Catherine Bishop, a daughter of John and Mary J. (Humiston) Bishop, of Mills County, Iowa. Sometime after the marriage, the Bishop family removed
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to Nebraska and established a home for many years, but when the father and mother became aged they changed to Independence, Mo., where both died, Mr. Bishop April 13, 1915, and Mrs. Bishop Dec. 31, 1910. When Mr. Bishop went to Nebraska he homesteaded a tract of land in that state and achieved success as a farmer and stockman. Mr. Bishop was a vet- eran of the Mexican War and served under General Zachary Taylor. By virtue of a Mexican land patent given him by the government, he became owner of a tract of land in Iowa which he developed. He died at the age of 86 years. His wife attained the age of 83 years. Both are interred in Independence, Mo.
The children born to Bishop E. L. and Catherine B. Kelley are: Win- fred B., Edmund L., Jr., Richard C., Laura B., Jeanette V., Joseph Stanley, David E., and Ruth Alix. Winfred B. Kelley is a practicing attorney in Independence, Mo. Edmund L. Kelley, Jr., is a banker at Hardin, Mont. Richard C. Kelley is now in the textile manufacturing business in Phila- delphia, Pa. For two years (1905-7) he was principal of the Columbian School of Independence, Mo. He spent two years in the Philippine Islands in the employ of the Bureau of Education. Later he was Director of Manual Arts at Iowa State University. During the war he was a special agent for the government in the vocational rehabilitation of dis- abled service men.
Laura B. is the wife of Dr. John R. Green, Independence, Mo. He served as a captain in the medical corps, U. S. army, during the war. Jeanette V. is the wife of Paul N. Craig, Lamoni, Iowa. Both Mr. and Mrs. Craig are instructors in music at Graceland College, Lamoni. Joseph Stanley Kelley is a graduate of the Law Department of Missouri State University. He was lieutenant in the aviation corps during the World War. His command was ready to embark overseas when the armistice was signed. He is a traveling salesman for the Abernathy Furniture Company of Kansas City. David E. Kelley also served in the United States army and saw service with the 35th Division in France during the World War, as first sergeant, Company E, 110th Engineers. He fought in the Meuse-Argonne drive and served in all two years. He re- turned home in May, 1919 and is now a member of the firm of the R. V. Aycock Co., Kansas City, Mo. Ruth Alix is the wife of Homer O. Lichten- walter, who was formerly a teacher in Kansas University, Lawrence, Kan. During the war he was an expert in the manufacture of high explosives at the large government powder plant at Nitro, W. Va. Their present home is Dover, N. J.
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Bishop Kelley is now a traveling bishop for his church and under the direction of the presidency and presiding bishop, he visits all parts of the United States and many in Canada and has visited Great Britain, France and Italy, where his church is doing missionary work or has established organizations.
Harry B. Vest .- The late Harry B. Vest of Fort Osage township was a man of industry and worth in the community, whose death was re- gretted by scores of friends who had known him during his residence in Jackson County. He was born in Sibley, Mo., Dec. 2, 1861 and died Oct. 5, 1916. He was a son of William B. and Amanda N. Vest who were natives of Indiana. The Vest family came to Missouri in the early fifties and settled on a farm near Sibley, Fort Osage township. Mrs. Amanda N. Vest died there in 1871 and Harry B. Vest was reared by his step- mother, Mrs. Carrie Vest. He had one brother, Charles, now living at San Diego, Cal. and sisters, Mary and Amanda, deceased. He had five half brothers: Robert, Roland, George, Samuel and William, and three half sisters, Anna, Cardie and Minnie. George Vest lives in Kansas City. Samuel Vest lives south of Kansas City and Robert resides in Kansas City. A step sister, Mrs. John J. Mann, lives at Excelsior Springs, Mo.
April 6, 1889, Harry B. Vest and Miss Jennie L. Propst were united in marriage. Mrs. Jennie L. Vest was born in Cerro Gordo, Platt County, Ill., March 3, 1869, and came to Jackson County in 1875 with her parents, William and Elizabeth Propst, a sketch of whom is in this volume in con- nection with that of James Propst. The children born to Harry B. and Jennie L. Vest are: William B., Nora B., George W., John Benjamin, Roy S., Charles Q., Sadie L. William B. Vest was born June 21, 1890, mar- ried Lottie Spangler of Kansas City and lives on the Vest home place. Nora B. Vest was born Nov. 24, 1892 and is employed in the office of the Prairie Pipe Line Company, Kansas City, Mo. George W. Vest was born Aug. 26, 1894 and is a student in Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa. He served in the National army, enlisting in the aviation corps in De- cember, 1917. He was in training at Camp Logan, Colo., and at San Antonio, Texas, and Memphis, Tenn. He was honorably discharged at Camp Dodge, Des Moines, Iowa, in April, 1919. John Benjamin Vest was born June 7, 1896, lives in Kansas City, Kan. He married Mabel Emerich. He served in the National army during the World War. He enlisted in February, 1918, was in training at Charleston, S. C., and at Pensacola, Fla., and received his honorable discharge Jan. 13, 1919. Roy S., was born Jan. 13, 1900 and is in the employ of the office of the Pennsylvania Rub-
HARRY B. VEST.
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ber Company, Kansas City. Charles Q. Vest was born April 3, 1902 and is in the garage business at Buckner. Sadie L. Vest was born Aug. 15, 1905 and is a student in the Buckner High School, first year.
When Mr. and Mrs. Harry B. Vest began their wedded life, they set- tled on a farm, the old Emery place, near Sibley, and resided there for one year. They then moved to the old Propst place south of Buckner and resided there until Mr. Vest's death in 1916. In October, 1918, Mrs. Vest left the farm and moved to a home in Buckner. Mr. Vest died in the Independence Sanitarium, where he had gone for treatment. Mrs. Vest received 133 acres from her father's estate, and she and Mr. Vest ac- cumulated another farm of 160 acres north of Grain Valley. Mrs. Vest has since sold 26 acres of land.
Mr. Vest took a great interest in political matters and was a stanch Democrat, active in behalf of Democratic policies and always ready to assist his friend to political preferment. He was an industrious and suc- cessful citizen, kind to his family, a home man, who had many warm and steadfast friends in the community where he spent his entire life.
Jess Flowers, councilman from the first ward and deputy coal oil in- spector, Independence, Mo., was born on a farm near Holden, Mo., July 5, 1874. He is a son of Dr. B. L. and Mary (Baker) Flowers, both natives of Virginia.
During the Civil War, Dr. B. L. Flowers was enrolled as a member of the home guards of his state. After the close of the war he located in Johnson County, Mo., practiced his profession and followed farming pursuits until his death. Mrs. Flowers died at Madison, Kan. Their children are: Benjamin, resides in Missouri; Charles, Kansas City, Mo., engineer at the plant of the National Biscuit Company; Mrs. Sarah Thomas, deceased; Mrs. Mary Hedrick, Madison, Kan .; Mrs. Frances Scar- cliff, deceased; Joseph, a printer, employed on the News, Madison, Kan. ; and Jess Flowers of this review.
After attending the public schools at Holden, Mo., Jess Flowers was employed in newspaper work for a number of years as a reporter. His first official position was that of reporter for the house of representatives at Jefferson City, a position which he held under Governor Folk. He kept the minutes of the Legislature during the deadlock which ensued between the. supporters of Kerens and Niedrenhaus for the United States senatorship, which was a very warm session. He also served in this position during 1910 and 1911 under Governor Hadley.
Mr. Flowers was then appointed to the post of deputy coal oil in-
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spector by Governor Hadley in 1911 and his headquarters have since been located at Independence. He served four years as deputy coal oil inspector and then entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company at Sugar Creek, Mo.
Mr. Flowers was married Nov. 7, 1893 to Emma Leta Storey of Holden, Mo., a daughter of Taylor Storey of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Flowers have a daughter, Dorothy Flowers, a kindergarten teacher at Sour Lake, Texas, a graduate of Independence High School and formerly a student of domestic science, Manhattan College, Kan. and a graduate of Forebel Kindergarten School of Kansas City.
The Flowers' residence is at 604 West Farmer street. Mr. Flowers is a Republican. In 1917 he was elected councilman from the first ward for a term of two years and is now serving his second term, having been reelected in April, 1919. The first ward is strongly Democrat and it is evi- dent that Mr. Flowers is popular with the citizens of his ward. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Woodmen of the World and the Loyal Order of Moose.
James P. Sappenfield, elder of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, veteran of the Civil War, residing at 1119 South Noland street, Independence, is a native of Indiana. He was born in Har- rison County, Indiana, June 7, 1845, and is the son of Henry and Nancy (Harmon) Sappenfield well respected residents of Harrison County. Henry Sappenfield was born in Harrison County, and was a son of Michael and Mary (Sears) Sappenfield, natives of North Carolina, who were among the first of the pioneers in Indiana, settling in Harrison County in 1804. Henry Sappenfield married Nancy Harmon, a native of Floyd County, Ind. and a daughter of pioneer parents. The children of Henry and Nancy Sappenfield were: Sarah A., James P., Mary, Emanuel, Lucinda, Charles, David C .; Henry Sappenfield was engaged in farming and business dur- ing his active life.
When 18 years of age, James P. Sappenfield enlisted in Company E, 117th Indiana Infantry and later served with the 12th Indiana Battery. For two years he fought with the Union armies and participated in several great battles, among them being Lookout Mountain, Blue Spring, Tenn., and his last battle was at Nashville, Tenn. He returned to Indiana after the close of the war and followed horticulture as a vocation until he re- moved to Independence in March, 1911.
Elder Sappenfield was married at Byrneville, Ind., April 15, 1866 to Miss Penma Byrne, a daughter of Charles Leason and Nancy
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(Kanoyer)) Byrne, the former a native of Indiana, and the latter of North Carolina. The town of Byrneville was named in honor of Temple C. Byrne, a greatuncle of Mrs. Sappenfield. Three children have been born to this marriage: Charles Edward, Byrneville, Ind .; Nettie O., wife of Edward Martin, Independence; and Byrd Sylvester, Byrneville, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Sappenfield have seven grandchildren. James C. Martin, of Kansas City, a grandson, enlisted in the World War under Lieut. Col. Stay- ton, at that time a captain in command of Battery C and was a member of Major Stayton's staff as sergeant major while on the Mexican border. He served with his battery for three years, receiving an honorable dis- charge. He is now an expert accountant in the employ of a Kansas City firm. He married Leathe Fowler and resides at 1828 Cypress street. Mabel Martin, another grandchild, married Howard Jacobs and lives in Independence. Lake H. Martin married Velma Kemper and lives in Inde- pendence. Marshall Martin resides in Independence. Gordon Sappen- field resides in this city with his parents. Verne Sappenfield resides in Independence.
Elder Sappenfield's connection with his church began in Jan. 3, 1894 at Byrneville, Ind. and since that time he has done a great amount of work in its behalf. He takes an active part in church work and has done much local work in Independence and Jackson County.
Thomas Gaines, city councilman, superintendent of the Jackson County garage on South Crysler street, Independence, Mo., was born on a farm near Lees Summit, Mo., July 20, 1880. He is a son of J. T. and Tem- perance (Noland) Gaines, the latter a great niece of the late John Old- ham of this city who came to Missouri from Kentucky before the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Gaines were both born and reared in Clark County, Ky., near Winchester. They came to Jackson County several years ago and settled on a farm near Lees Summit where they lived many years afterward moving to the Logan Swope farm northeast of Independence, and farmed there for 16 years, after which they retired to their home at 1535 North Dodgeon where Mr. Gaines died Dec. 23, 1917, with heart trouble. His widow and seven children still survive him, five of whom reside with their mother at the family residence. Those are Thomas Gaines, the subject of this sketch; Miss Foster Gaines, one of the leading teachers in the county, having taught the Elm Grove school for ten years, where she is at present teaching; Harry Colburn, James Noland, Miss Temperance, an Independence teacher; Mrs. Ernest Duckworth, 2506 Bales avenue, Kansas City, Mo .; and Mrs. Frank Jones, of Independence, Mo.
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Thomas Gaines was educated in the public schools and Woodland Col- lege and after he attained the age of 21 years he followed farming. For the past 12 years he has been in the employ of Jackson County, receiving the appointment of superintendent of the Jackson County garage in Janu- ary, 1919.
This department cares for the county trucks and automobiles and cares for the oils and supplies needed by the cars. The county machines are repaired at the garage also.
Mr. Gaines was elected to the office of city councilman from the second ward in the spring of 1915, reelected in 1917 and again elected in 1919 and is now serving his third term. Since his election the city council has in- stalled a new unit in the electric light plant and a second unit has been ordered for installation. He is a progressive city official and is heartily in favor of everything good for the benefit of his home city. Mr. Gaines is chairman of the street and alleys committee and also serves on the light committee. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Levi Gore, retired farmer, living on his valuable farm of 23 acres near Blue Springs, in Sniabar township, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Buchanan County, Aug. 15, 1857 and is a son of Louis Gore who was a son of Henry Gore, a native of West Virginia. Louis Gore was born in 1822 and died in 1905. He came to Jackson County about 1868 and accumulated a large tract of land. For further details of his life the reader is referred to the sketch of William G. Gore in this volume.
Levi Gore accompanied his parents to this county in 1868, and at his father's death he inherited 230 acres from the estate of 1,320 acres which his father had accumulated. The tract where he resides is the old home place of the family and is very valuable land.
April 8, 1877, Mr. Gore was married to Martha E. Pine, who was born April 18, 1860 and departed this life March 29, 1916. She was a daughter of Ballard and Delilah (Neely) Pine, natives of West Virginia and early pioneers in Jackson County where they resided for over 40 years. The children born to Levi and Martha E. Gore are as follows: Mrs. Myrtle Neely, living on the home farm; Lulu, wife of J. W. Myers, on the home place; Ora, wife of Watson Hendrick, on the home place; Mrs. Myrtle Neely has five children, Fernay, Homer, Clyde, Murl and Eva, wife of Charles Cady. Mrs. Lulu Myers has one son, Troy. Mrs. Ora Hend- ricks has a son, Willie Hendricks.
Mr. Gore is Independent in politics. He is a member of the Christian
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church and is prominent in secret society circles. He has filled all of the chairs in the Masonic lodge of Blue Springs, passed through the chairs of the Odd Fellows and has held every post in the Knights of Pythias ex- cept that of chancellor commander. He is a member of the Rebekahs and the Odd Fellows Encampment.
David Hall, farmer and stockman, owner of 120 acres of good farm land in Sniabar township is a native of Jackson County and is a son of one of the early pioneers of the county. Mr. Hall was born Nov. 26, 1887 and was reared to manhood in Jackson County. He is a son of James D. Hall, large land owner.
Mr. Hall was married to Miss Maudie Gore, a daughter of Frank Gore, who was a son of Green Gore, one of the old settlers on this section of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have one child, Theda Florine, aged three years.
Mr. Hall is a Democrat and a member of the Baptist church. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias of Blue Springs.
James D. Hall, father of David Hall, was born Aug. 10, 1839 on the place where he still resides. He is the son of Isham and Rachel (Stanley) Hall, natives of North Carolina. The Halls are among the earliest pioneer families of Jackson County, Isham Hall probably having settled in this county sometime in the twenties, coming here from Virginia. Isham Hall was father of the following children: John, deceased; William; Mrs. Betsy Johnson; Jane, deceased; and James D. Hall, of this review.
During the second year of the Civil War, James D. Hall cast his lot with the Confederacy and enlisted in 1862 in Captain Nolin's company under Generals Raines and Price. He fought in the battles of Pea Ridge, Ark., Corinth, Miss. and was in many skirmishes. Returning home after a year's service, he remained here until Order No. 11 went into effect, when he went to Lafayette County. From there he went to Nebraska City, Neb. and lived there for a year and followed his trade of carpenter. After the close of the war he came back to his old home in Jackson County and on Aug. 31, 1866 he was married to Sarah Jane Gore, who was born in Virginia, Nov. 26, 1840, a daughter of Greenville and Frances (Stultz) Gore, who located in Buchanan County, Mo. in 1852 and some years later came to Jackson County.
The children born to James D. and Sarah Jane Hall are as follows: Ollie and Moses, died in infancy; John, farmer, living on part of his father's land; George, a farmer near Selsa ; Mrs. Ella Myers, died, aged 34 years, leaving three children; David of this review; and Ida, living on a
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part of the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have 12 grandchildren : John Hall married Prudenca Allison and has one child, Mrs. Georgia Mc- Guire, who is mother of one child, Geraldine. George Hall married Jennie Foley and had three children, Mae Lawson and Marshall Hall. David Hall has one child, Theda. Mrs. Ida Shropshire has six children, Ethel, John, Bertha, Greenville, Elise and Guy, and four deceased.
Mr. Hall has followed carpenter work and farming during his active life and has been successful. His estate consists of 700 acres in Jack- son County. He is a Democrat and was reared in the faith of the Cum- berland Presbyterian church.
Samuel Lee Lowe, farmer and stockman, owner of 92 acres of valuable land, which was the old home place of his father, Calvin V. Lowe, was born Nov. 4, 1878 in Jackson County on the old Lowe homestead, halfway between Independence and Blue Springs. When seven years of age he moved with his parents to the new home place near Blue Springs. This place was purchased from James Burris and since purchasing the farm from the Lowe estate, S. L. Lowe has remodeled the residence. Samuel L. Lowe is a son of Calvin V., born Dec. 5, 1832, died July 14, 1904, and Mary E. Lowe, born March 5, 1839, died March 12, 1919. They were mar- ried March 20, 1856. For further particulars regarding Calvin V. and Mary Elizabeth Lowe, see sketch of John Louis Lowe in this volume.
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