USA > Missouri > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Missouri > Part 65
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Mr. Dudgeon was a Democrat. He was a member of the Christian church, and was a good citizen, enterprising and honest. He made many friends during his residence in Jackson County, and his family are well respected in the community.
John Hicks George .- Over 60 years of happy wedded life is the record of John Hicks and Lovica George of the Oak Grove neighborhood. Few couples can boast of so long a wedded life and still be in the best of health and strength, as are Mr. George and his estimable wife. This is not all, however, that Mr. George has to his credit-he is one of the oldest of the native born pioneer citizens in Jackson County, being probably the third oldest pioneer settler in the county. He and Mrs. George have accumu- lated one of the finest 200 acre farms in the county, their home being located in a beautiful valley, three miles south of Oak Grove. This has been their home since March, 1884, and during that time they have built up a fine country estate.
John Hicks George was born March 24, 1838, on a farm one and a half miles northwest of his present place. He is a son of David and Nancy E. (Bass) George, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter a native of Tennessee. David George was a son of William George who was born in Wales, immigrated to America, first settled in Virginia and then made his way to Kentucky in the pioneer era of that state. Nancy E. (Bass) George was a daughter of Nathan Bass, a native of Virginia, who first moved to Tennessee and then to Kentucky.
David George was born in July 8, 1798 and died in February, 1863. His wife, Nancy, was born June 10, 1808 and died April 5, 1888. They were married Aug. 16, 1827. The following children were born to them: Mrs. Mary Ann Bowman, deceased; Mrs. Martha E. Owings, deceased, aged 90 years; Melissa, died in infancy; Nathan Bass was a Confederate veteran, died May 22, 1899; Hiram James, Confederate veteran, died Oct. 22, 1911 ; Mrs. Sarah Jane Johnson, deceased; John Hicks, of this review; Ason, died in infancy ; Mrs. Frances F., wife of H. V. P. Kabrick, a sketch of whom appears in this volume; Gabriel William fought with the Con-
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JOHN HICKS GEORGE AND WIFE.
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federate forces and was killed in battle near Independence, Feb. 22, 1862; one son died in infancy ; Mrs. Amanda I. (Tyre) deceased; a son died in infancy and Mrs. Lucinda G. Honaker, deceased.
David C. George came to Jackson County in 1836 and entered land in the southeastern part of Sniabar township. He entered land from the government, became prosperous, owned several hundred acres of land and was able to leave each of his children a farm. He died during the Civil War. In the fall of 1862 he had made a trip South and was returning to his home, in February, 1863, and he met death on the Osage River, his death being probably at the hands of Union men.
John Hicks George was peacefully tilling his farm at the outbreak of the Civil War. He had up to the spring of 1862 taken no part in the war but circumstances were soon to arise which would compel him to take part in the struggle. One day in the spring of 1862, when he was peacefully engaged in working in the field near his home, a band of Union soldiers from Warrensburg, who were searching the neighborhood for Quantrell and his band, seized him and in the effort to compel him to tell what he knew regarding Quantrell's whereabouts, put a rope around his neck, threw it over a limb of a nearby tree and three times hauled him up in the air. He denied all knowledge of Quantrell's hiding place each time they let him down and at last the men reluctantly spared his life and let him go. He then decided that it was unsafe for him to remain around the neighborhood, inasmuch as he received orders from the Federal com- mander to go to Lexington and take the oath of allegiance. He at once hunted up Quantrell and joined his band and remained with this outfit during the remainder of 1862 and a part of the following year. He then enlisted as a private in Gen. J. O. Shelby's brigade and served under Shelby and Price until he was captured in 1864 at Fort Scott, Kan. and placed in the Federal prison at Rock Island, Ill. From there he was sent to Richmond to be exchanged and was in the Confederate service in Missis- sippi when the war ended and peace was declared. He rejoined his old brigade at Shreveport and accompanied them home to Jackson County.
During the war, after her husband had left home, Mrs. George went to a place near Wellington, Mo. Later locating with her sister on her father's farm in Lafayette County. She and her sister did the farm work, plowed with oxen, and made their own living while the men were absent. When Mr. George returned from the South in 1865 she had a crop of corn growing. She had 16 acres planted and had worked the crop twice with oxen. She even rode the oxen to mill.
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One of the hardest fights which John Hicks George took part in dur- ing the war was at a spot between Greenwood and Pleasant Hill. His company numbered but 64 men. They were attacked by a band of 200 Federals who entirely surrounded him and his comrades so that they nad to fight their way out, killing 92 of the enemy, with a loss of seven killed. Ezra Moore, a close friend was killed in this fight. Other battles in which he fought were: Cane Hill, Ark .; Prairie Grove, Mo .; Booneville, Mo .; Prairie Du Han and Prairie Du Rhone. The fighting was continuous from Pilot Knob to Jefferson City during the raid through Missouri and thence to Lexington from which point they fought their way to Westport where the retreat of Price's army began toward the South.
Oct. 27, 1859, Mr. George was married to Lovica A. White and the fol- lowing children were born to this union: Joseph N., James Thomas, Dr. John Henry George, Callie Minnie, Samuel William, Gilbert Wilson, Bertha Anne, Forrest Kabrick, David Lee, Arthur Webb, Mary Elizabeth, Melvie Clara. Joseph N. George was born March 1, 1861, married Ella Patton and has four children, Jessie, Minnie, Floyd and Fredah, lives in Kansas City. James Thomas George was born Nov. 3, 1862 and died June 7, 1913, leaving one daughter, Mrs. Grace Robinson. Dr. John Henry George is a practicing physician in Kansas City, was born March 15, 1867, mar- ried Belle Harrison of Warrensburg and has three children, Elsa, Hollis and Quinton. Hollis George served with the A. E. F. in France and is a veteran of the World War. Dr. George served with the medical corps at Fort Riley. Calvin Minne George was born Nov. 8, 1868, married Alfred F. Middleton and resides in Lafayette County. She has six children : Tredgar, Ruby, Thelman, Roy, Pansy and Horace. Tredgar Middleton served with the National army during the World War. Samuel William George was born August 31, 1870 and died when a year old. Gilbert Wil- son George resides on an adjoining farm. He was born July 24, 1872, married Lydia Newton and has children as follow: Luther, Rena, Henry, Gladys, Forrest, Elbert, Lavica, John David and Lula. Luther T. George served in the National army during the World War. Bertha Anna George was born March 3, 1874 and died in childhood. Forrest Kabrick George was born Jan. 29, 1876 and was killed in a runaway July 30, 1894. David Lee George was born Oct. 10, 1877 and died in infancy. Arthur Webb George was born July 9, 1879 and is a traffic policeman in Kansas City. He married Claudine Grubb and has one child, Earl. Melvie Clare George was born July 11, 1884 and is wife of Jacob Carroll of Lafayette County.
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Mr. and Mrs. John Hicks George have two great grandchildren, Jessie Lyons and Leroy George.
Mrs. Lavica A. (White) George was born June 18, 1841 on a farm one mile north of her present home and is a daughter of John and Anna (Burns) White, natives of Tennessee, who came to Jackson County in 1840 and later moved to Lafayette County. She and her husband were childhood playmates and sweethearts.
Mr. George is a Democrat of the old and stanch kind. He and Mrs. George are members of the old school Baptist church. Mr. George has filled various local offices such as member of the school board and road overseer and has always taken an active and influential part in local civic affairs. Few couples have as much to their credit as Mr. and Mrs. George. Although advanced in years far beyond the span allotted to them in Holy Scriptures they are sound in body and mind and take a keen interest in every day affairs. They have the unique distinction of being the oldest native born married couple in all Jackson County.
Dr. George W. Webb, successful practicing dentist, Oak Grove, Mo., is a native son of Jackson County and a member of one of the oldest and most prominent pioneer families of the county. He was born April 22, 1870, on a farm three and a half miles southwest of Oak Grove and is a son of the late John P. and Susan (Philpot) Webb, a sketch of whom ap- pears in this volume.
George W. Webb was educated in the public schools of Oak Grove, Mo., after which he pursued a course in the business college at Sedalia, Mo. He then entered the Western Dental College of Kansas City, Mo. and was graduated from this institution in April, 1902. He immediately began practice of his profession in his home city of Oak Grove and has met with gratifying success. Dr. Webb makes his home on a valuable tract of land consisting of 171/2 acres just on the southern edge of Oak Grove.
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Dr. Webb was married in 1899, to Miss May Youree, who died in October, 1917, leaving six children: Russell, Cloherene, Pauline, Clay, Owen and John Mann, all of whom are at home and receiving the advan- tages of a good education.
Dr. Webb is a Democrat and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He is a progressive, well read, and skilled practitioner who keeps abreast of the times and the latest developments in the science of dentistry.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
Guy H. Fisher, farmer, Sniabar township, owner of 70 acres of rich bottom land, on the Spring Branch road, is a member of one of the old- est pioneer families of Jackson County. He was born in 1875, just across the creek, in Blue township, and is a son of William and Sarah (Gibson) Fisher, old time residents of Jackson County, an extended sketch of whom appears in this volume.
Mr. Fisher attended the district school and the Blue Springs public school, and since the days of his boyhood he has followed farming. He purchased his fine farm in 1907, and has placed all of the improvements, including residence, barns, outbuildings and fencing, on the place. The residence is reached by a well kept driveway leading from the rock road, and the Fisher farm presents a very attractive appearance.
Mr. Fisher was married Dec. 28, 1898, to Miss Myrtle Fields, who was born March 24, 1875, a daughter of William W. and Josephine (Adams) Fields. William W. Fields was a Confederate veteran, and an old resident of Jackson County. A sketch of him appears in this volume in connection with that of Eugene H. Chrisman. Josephine (Adams) Fields was a member of one of the most prominent and well-to-do families of Nelson County, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have one child, a daughter, Fields Josephine Fisher, born Dec. 19, 1900, and educated in the Inde- pendence High School.
Mr. Fisher is a Democrat. Mrs. Fisher and Fields are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Neal Chiles, owner of a splendid farm of 160 acres south and east of Buckner, in Fort Osage township, is a native of Jackson County. He was born Aug. 5, 1868, on the Chiles homestead, on the old Santa Fe road, and is the son of Samuel H. Chiles and Martha Hughes Chiles, of Buckner, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.
Mr. Chiles attended school at Sibley, Mo., and began making his own way when 20 years of age. In 1888 he went to Kansas City, and served as deputy county marshal under Marshal McGowan for three and a half years. In 1894 he rented land of William Anderson, in the Levasy neigh- borhood, and tilled his rented land for two years. In 1896, his father having been elected to the office of county marshal, he took charge of the Chiles home place for two years. In 1897 Mr. Chiles purchased a farm of 220 acres in the Sibley bottoms, upon which he resided for four years. In 1901 he purchased his present farm, and has done considerable improv- ing on the place. He has remodeled the residence, making it modern and is gradually creating a beautiful farmstead.
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Mr. Chiles was married on Feb. 5, 1896, to Miss Christine Hamilton, who was born Dec. 30, 1871, in Jackson County, near Buckner, and was educated at Hardin College. She is a daughter of Charles G. and Mary (Hall) Hamilton, both of whom were members of pioneer families, the latter having been a daughter of T. G. Hall, one of the first of the real pioneers of Jackson County.
Four children have been born to Neal and Christine Chiles, three of whom are living, viz: the first child born died in infancy; Haydin Max- well Chiles, born June 15, 1898; Martha Louise Chiles, born Aug. 12, 1900; Mary Hamilton Chiles, born June 23, 1907.
Mr. Chiles is a Democrat, who has taken an active interest in county political matters, and is influential in his party. Mr. and Mrs. Chiles are members of the Baptist church, and both are most favorably known in their section of the county.
James W. Propst, proprietor of a valuable 100-acre farm in Fort Osage township, southeast of Buckner, Mo., is a native of Ohio. He was born Oct. 30, 1860, in Pickaway County, a son of William and Elizabeth (Sawyer) Propst, both of whom were born and reared in Pickaway County. William Propst removed with his family to Illinois in the spring of 1865, and settled in Piatt County, where he remained until 1874, and then came to Jackson County. He purchased 400 acres of land of the Chrisman- Sawyer Banking Company, and in February, 1875, began the work of developing and improving his land. He was born June 24, 1810, and died June 11, 1899. His wife, Elizabeth, was born Jan. 2, 1824, and died Feb. 1, 1904. The children born to William and Elizabeth Propst are: Wil- liam Henry, deceased; Reeves Propst, born Feb. 27, 1865, resides in Fort Osage township; Mrs. Jennie Lind West, a widow, resides in Buckner, born March 30, 1869; James W. Propst, of this review. William Propst had a brother and sister: Henry Propst, born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Nov. 22, 1814, and died at Napoleon, Mo., May 26, 1870; and Mrs. Rachel Reeves, born in 1812, and died March 31, 1899.
James W. Propst attended the public schools in Illinois and Missouri. His father's estate was divided among the three children, each receiving 133 acres. Mr. Propst sold 33 1/3 acres to his brother, which left him 100 acres.
Mr. Propst was married April 14, 1897, to Miss Elnora Plum, who was born on a farm near Buckner, Dec. 8, 1874, a daughter of Levi and Laura (Bollenbaugh) Plum, natives of Franklin County, Ohio. Levi Plum came to Jackson County in 1869, and was married here to Laura
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Bollenbaugh, Feb. 28, 1871. He was born in 1836, and died on Oct. 25, 1907. During the Civil War, Mr. Plum served three years in an Ohio regiment. Mrs. Laura Bollenbaugh Plum was born Oct. 3, 1852, and ac- companied her parents to Missouri in 1868. Five daughters and two sons were born to Levi and Elizabeth Plum, four of whom survive, viz: Mrs. Elnora Propst, of this review; Etha, wife of Alex Hendrick, a grocer and hardware merchant, Buckner, Mo .; Lucy and Caroline, live with their mother.
Mr. Propst is an Independent politically, and is affiliated with the Masonic lodge of Buckner.
Rufus Granville Charlton, late well known citizen of Fort Osage township, was born in Virginia, in 1832, and died at his home in Jackson County in 1901. He was a son of James and Mary (Cecil) Charlton. They moved from Virginia to Lewis County, Mo., about 1839, and one year later went to Illinois. Rufus G. Charlton was reared to manhood in Illinois, and came to Jackson County in 1867. His first investment was in 80 acres of land in Fort Osage township. He subsequently added 40 acres to this, and again made an addition of 15 acres of timber land, which made his total holdings 135 acres.
Mr. Charlton was first married in Illinois to Dorinda Cobb, who died in 1870, leaving five children, three of whom are deceased. The two liv- ing are: Albert H., Washington; and Robert Charlton, Buckner, Mo. His second marriage took place in March, 1872, to Miss Mildred Jones, who was born Oct. 19, 1856, near Sibley, Mo., a daughter of Josiah E. Jones, a sketch of whom appears in connection with that of J. E. Jones, of Fort Osage township. Of ten children born of this union, nine were reared: Rufus J., south of Tarsney, Mo .; James, lives within four miles of the home place; Oscar, lives in Washington; Lockey, died Nov. 2, 1918, was the wife of Earl Parker, and left four children; Cozetta, wife of Levy Jones, died Feb. 6, 1905, left one son, Roy C .; Phineas, died in 1900; Mrs. Elizabeth, wife of Joseph McCool, Manhattan, Kan .; Mrs. Mary Virginia, wife of Chester Hankinberry, has two children, Chester and Mildred; Mabel, wife of Mark Southern, has three children, Rufus Henderson, Mark Wendell and Helen. All of the children of Rufus G. and Mildred Charlton have good homes and are prosperous.
Mr. Charlton was a stanch Democrat, and a member of Six Mile Bap- tist Church. For over 51 years Mrs. Mildred Charlton has been a mem- ber of the same church and, in point of years of membership, is one of its oldest members.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
Clinton A. Winfrey .- One of the truly remarkable successes achieved during the past decade in Jackson County is that of Clinton A. Winfrey, of Fort Osage township, whose splendid farm of 540 acres is located near Lake City. Two hundred and forty acres of this farm is bottom land, which is very fertile, and according to geologists, is a part of the bed of the old course of the Missouri River. The Winfrey farm consists of 160 acres, and is devoted to stock raising. Two concrete silos of 180 tons capacity, serve to store forage for the winter season. Mr. Winfrey feeds and markets about 300 head of hogs annually. The Winfrey residence is a large, modern residence of handsome appearance, and the barns and out- buildings are in keeping with the residence.
When C. A. Winfrey came to Jackson County, in February, 1885, he had nothing with which to begin his career. He worked as farm laborer for Joseph Reber, at a wage of $16 a month, and in the meantime at- tended the business college at Sedalia. For some years he worked in the summer seasons and taught school during the winters. In 1890, he rented land and commenced farming on his own account. In 1893, he moved to Leavenworth County, Kan., purchased a farm there, and culti- vated it until 1896. He then returned to Jackson County, and located in Buckner, where he and his brother conducted a mercantile business suv- cessfully until 1900. He then sold out, and in 1901 resumed farming. In 1903, he purchased his present farm, and has remodeled the buildings and otherwise improved the place.
Clinton A. Winfrey was born Jan. 29, 1867, in Laclede County, Mo., the son of Elisha and Margaret (Brown) Winfrey, natives of Kentucky. Elisha Winfrey was born in 1818, and died in 1887. He moved to Dallas County, Mo., in 1835, and was there married to Margaret Brown, who was born in 1828, and died in 1905. She moved to Missouri with her parents, in 1832. The Winfreys moved to Laclede County in 1865, and there spent the remainder of their lives. They had ten children, as fol- lows: Charles M., was a Union veteran, died at the age of 16; Mrs. Susan Owensby, deceased; Reuanna, deceased; Thomas D., a farmer in Fort Osage township; James E., Stella, Nebraska; Mrs. Lucy Wheeler, Jackson County; J. C. Winfrey, living on the Lexington road; O. M., de- ceased ; Elijah Y., whose whereabouts are unknown ; Jesse A., Long each, Calif. ; Columbus F., an orchardist, near Buckner; Clinton A., of this re- view; and William I., who died at the age of 18 years.
A curious story surrounds the life of Elijah Y. Winfrey. When he was four years old, a battle between Union and Confederate soldiers had
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taken place in the vicinity of the Winfrey home, in Dalls County. The little fellow was playing in the yard. Passing soldiers picked him up and carried him away. None of the family saw the boy for seven years, and he was then found in Vernon County, when 11 years old. The boy was taken to his home, where he remained for a few years, and again disap- peared. He did not make his appearance until 1896, long years afterward, and he then remained but a short time among his relatives. Wander- lust, which had impregnated his mind and system, again seized him, and he left the country. Members of his family have no idea what eventually became of him, but it is possible that he may again make his appearance.
C. A. Winfrey received a good education in the schools of his native county, and continued his studies after he came to Jackson County, and obtained employment in 1885. He was married in 1894 to Miss Lulu James, born in Jackson County, a daughter of Julius W. and Emily (Gib- son) James. The children born of this marriage are: Leita, born April 11, 1895, wife of Stanley G. Robinson, of Ashton, Idaho, who has one son, Donald Winfrey; Margaret, born March 14, 1902, is at home with her par- ents ; Jessie, was born Feb. 18, 1904; and Frances Virginia, born Aug. 16, 1915.
Mr. Winfrey is a director of the Bank of Buckner. He is a Demo- crat, and is prominent in the affairs of his party in Jackson County. For four years he served as justice of the peace, and is a member of the county election board ever since the election commission was authorized in 1917. He is a member of the Christian church. While in Kansas he became affiliated with the Woodmen of the World.
John B. Campbell came to this county, a poor man and rose through years of industry and well directed effort to become one of the large land owners of the county. He left behind him an imperishable record as a successful citizen of which his descendants have good and just right to be proud. John B. Campbell was born in Loudoun County, Va., Jan. 20, 1822, and died at his home in Jackson County on March 4, 1884. He was a son of James and Rebecca (Grubb) Campbell, of Virginia, his ancestors being old American stock of Scotch descent. He was reared to young manhood in his native state and in 1850 removed to Ohio. In his youth he had learned the trade of wagon maker, serving an apprenticeship for five years from the time he was 13 until he had attained the age of 18 years. During this time he received only his board and clothes for his work. For some time after serving his apprenticeship his earnings went toward the support of his mother and the family. He was a skilled
JOHN B. CAMPBELL.
MRS. RACHEL CAMPBELL.
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artisan who could take the wood from the forest and fashion it into wooden rakes, cradle fingers, wagon rims, spokes, etc. He plied his trade in Vir- ginia and in Ohio prior to coming to Missouri in 1854. Mr. Campbell arrived in Jackson County with but little means and was only able to buy a small tract of 12 acres of land at the start. He was ambitious, how- ever, and desired that his family should be well provided for in the future. He had faith in the ultimate development of the country and invested every dollar he could earn in Jackson County land. He accumulated large areas of farm lands, not however, without the exercise of the most rigid economy and doing without all but the absolute necessities of life. In 1862, Mr. Campbell left Missouri and went to Lawrence, Kan., going from there to Eudora where he traded with the Indians and obtained title to 1,000 acres of Kansas lands. He remained in that state until 1867. Mr. Campbell became owner of over 2,000 acres of land. Of this large acre- age he gave outright, 1,395 acres to his children. The greater part of the Campbell land is now owned by his descendants. While his major activities were devoted to farming and stock raising he had other inter- ests which enhanced his wealth. During 1872 and 1873 he became inter- ested in mining and was superintendent of coal mines at Carbondale, Kan. His forethought in being frugal and gathering a competence has borne fruit, inasmuch as all of his children and descendants are well to do and are respected citizens of the community where he was long a leading citizen.
One of the incidents connected with. Mr. Campbell's advent in Mis- souri is well worth recording. When he came here, he brought with him two hens and a rooster of the large Shanghai breed, a breed of poultry at. that time unknown in Jackson County. His possession of these large chickens excited the admiration of the country side and his neighbors all desired to have some of the famous breed. Accordingly, Mr. Campbell and his wife took the best of care of the chickens and permitted the hens to lay on the bed. The eggs sold for 50 cents each for hatching purposes and it was not long until the results of their industry bought and paid for 40 acres of prairie land which cost $2.50 an acre. The first home of the Campbells in Jackson County was a one room log cabin. The owner bored holes in the logs, drove in stakes and made a rude frame for the bed, cords and withes being stretched across the frame and a layer of straw serving for the mattress. Mr. Campbell used a dry goods box for a table and everything about the cabin was of the rudest description.
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