History of Johnson County, Missouri, Part 42

Author: Cockrell, Ewing
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Topeka, Kan. : Historical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1234

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united in marriage at the Divers home in Post Oak township, the marriage ceremony being performed by Reverend J. H. Houx. John White Greenlee was born in 1845 in Lincoln county, Kentucky. He enlisted in the Civil War, April 15, 1861, in the Confederate service and served throughout the war. Mr. Greenlee was captain of Company F. Gordon's regiment, Marmaduke's brigade, Shelby's division. His com- pany served mostly in Missouri, Arkansas, and in the western states. Twice he was severely wounded in battle. His brother, William P. Greenlee, was with General Price during the war and was one of the general's escort. After the struggle ended he was one of the first regents of the Warrensburg State Normal School. He also repre- sented Johnson county in the state Legislature in the early seventies. The Greenlee family have long been prominent in the public affairs of both county and state.

To John White and Mary C. (Divers) Greenlee were born three children all of whom are graduates of the Warrensburg State Normal School: Elmo M., who was born March 17, 1873, and died May 28, 1912, in Mexico as the result of a railroad accident, where he is buried in the Masonic cemetery at La Colorado, and he was extensively engaged in mining and a successful business man; Frank D., who was born February 18, 1875, a successful farmer and stock raiser in Post Oak township, on a part of the old homestead, married Bettie Berry and they have two children, John B., who was born January 5, 1907, and Mildred Elizabeth, who was born November 3, 1909, and their mother is one of the successful teachers of Johnson county ; and Mary Amelia, who was born February 5, 1879, married Lin Bartholomew, and they re- side in El Paso, Texas, where Mr. Bartholomew is successfully engaged in the mercantile business. Mary Amelia (Greenlee) Bartholomew is principal of one of the city schools of El Paso, Texas, well known as a very successful teacher of large experience in New Mexico and Texas. She is a graduate of the State Normal School of Warrensburg and took post-graduate work here, and now has a life certificate in Texas and New Mexico. In 1888 Mr. and Mrs. John Greenlee moved from the farm in Post Oak township to Warrensburg. For eight years prior to coming to Warrensburg, they had resided on the home place of Mrs. Greenlee's father. Mr. Greenlee entered the lumber business in Warrensburg with T. J. Caldwell under the firm name of Caldwell & Greenlee. Both men were reared in the same vicinity and were life-

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long friends. For many years Mr. Greenlee was connected with the mercantile business of Johnson county and he was highly regarded by his business associates as an honorable, industrious, capable business man. His death January 25, 1901 removed one of Johnson county's most valued citizens and left a vacancy which has never been filled. Mr. Greenlee was a member of the Baptist church, as is also Mrs. Greenlee.

Mrs. Greenlee has been a resident of Johnson county for nearly three-quarters of a century and possessing a bright, keen mind and remarkable memory, recalls vividly the life of other days and the men and women, who moved amidst the scenes of pioneer life. Among those whom she recalls, who lived in Post Oak township, were: Adam Fickas, Talton Embree, Harvey Dyer, Dr. William Huff, Judge War- nick, Uncle Nicholas Townsley, and Daniel Marr, and those of Jeffer- son township; Jefferson Davis, Daniel Cooper, Samuel Kimzey, who was the father of Judge Lee Kimzey, George Peak, Dr. Warren, Charlie Snelling, Addison Draper, Reverend William Caldwell, who was a Baptist minister, Frank Goodwin, and Jesse Enlow, who owned the first carding machine in High Point neighborhood.

Mrs. Greenlee is active in church work, having been a member of the Baptist church since her marriage. She is a member of the Eastern Star, Roswell, New Mexico, and United Daughters of the Con- federacy. She was one of the charter members of the Francis Cock- rell Chapter and she and her daughter organized the Joe Wheeler Chapter at Roswell, New Mexico and are both charter members and have been elected to all the offices. She has had an active club and social career.

Mrs. Greenlee comes from Revolutionary stock. Her father's oldest brother, John, served in the Revolutionary War. She just re- members seeing him when she was a small child. She sat on his lap and she recalls of him telling her about the war.

Jesse J. Culp, proprietor of the Elevator Mills of Warrensburg, has twenty-four years of business life to his credit and is still a young man. He was born July 14. 1875 on his father's farm near Leeton, Missouri, the son of John and Mary A. ( Miller) Culp. John Culp was born in 1846 in Logan county, Ohio and Mary A. (Miller) Culp was born in 1852 in Allen county, Ohio. They came from Ohio to Missouri in 1868 and located on the farm near Leeton, where they remained

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several years, and then Mr. Culp traded the Leeton farm for the Dr. Osborne place, which he later sold and in 1888 bought the Warrens- burg elevator from Fitch & Smithton. John Culp was the owner and manager of the Elevator Mills of Warrensburg for seventeen years, from 1888 until 1905.

To John and Mary A. (Miller) Culp were born the following chil- dren: Lizzie C., who is the wife of M. J. Reggle, a well-known grocer of Warrensburg; Jesse J., the subject of this review; Abram B., a dentist of Kansas City, Missouri; David D., the manager and owner of the Lakeside Hotel, Seattle, Washington; Lottie N., the wife of Samuel H. Davis, of Spokane, Washington; and Adelia H., the wife of Thomas H. Douglass, and resides in Bolivar, Missouri. John Culp died at the age of fifty-nine years, December 31. 1905 and his wife died September 18, 1915. Both father and mother were laid to rest in the Warrensburg cemetery.

Jesse J. Culp attended the public schools of Johnson county and the Warrensburg High School. After leaving high school, he was associated in business with his father until 1905, when he began busi- ness for himself, succeeding John Culp, his father, as proprietor of the Elevator Mills of Warrensburg. September 15, 1908 the elevator was burned. Fire was discovered about five o'clock in the morning and it is supposed it started from a spark blown from an engine. which had been switching on the railroad several hours that night. The case was in court three years and was then compromised by the railroad company paying part of the loss sustained. Mr. Culp rebuilt the elevator immediately, making the new one fireproof. He buys and sells all kinds of grain, seed, and like produce and has storage room for about thirty cars of grain and elevator capacity of thirty thousand bushels. The elevator and buildings occupy all of block E on Grover street in the second addition of Warrensburg and all the elevator buildings are covered with iron. Mr. Culp's present office and wareroom were built in 1909. The wareroom and office are con- structed of brick, 50 x 100 feet in dimensions, and the building consists of two stories and is one of the best and most convenient on the line of the Missouri Pacific railway.

In 1904. Jesse J. Culp was united in marriage with Judith Rice, the daughter of Samuel and Susan R. Rice. Both parents of Mrs. Culp are now deceased. To Jesse J. and Judith (Rice) Culp have been born

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three children: one child died in infancy; Susan Margaret; and Leland James. Mr. and Mrs. Culp reside in their home at 510 South Holden street in Warrensburg.

At the last meeting of the Warrensburg Baptist church in 1909, Jesse J. Culp was elected superintendent of the Baptist Sunday School, which has an average attendance of four hundred twenty members. Mr. Culp has held this office since 1909. He is also a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Warrensburg, of the Blue Lodge, and is a Knights Templar. For the year 1915, Mr. Culp was president of the Warrensburg Commercial Club. His high standing in the state of Missouri as a business man is shown by the fact that he has been a director of the Missouri State Grain Dealers' Association for the past four years

Mrs. W. T. Wilson, one of Johnson county's noblest pioneer women, is the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Deering) Fewel, natives of North Carolina. William Fewel came from North Carolina to Missouri long before the Civil War and brought with him fifty or more slaves. Elizabeth (Deering) Fewel died in Rockingham county, North Carolina prior to Mr. Fewel's coming West. His daughter, Miss Elvira, the subject of this review, was then sixteen years of age, and well remembers the journey to Missouri. They came bringing wagons, buggies, and carriages and were two months on the way. They crossed the Mississippi river at Columbus, Kentucky. Mr. Fewel first located on Honey creek, where they remained for a few months, and then purchased the present home of Major Williams. This farm com- prises about two hundred acres of land and William Fewel entered other land in both Henry and Johnson counties. His death occurred in 1867 and his remains were interred on the home farm. William Fewel was the father of seven daughters and two sons, of whom three daughters are now living: Mrs. W. T. Wilson, the subject of this re- view: Mrs. William Millner; and Elizabeth D.

In 1853, Elvira Fewel was united in marriage with Samuel Reynolds, of North Carolina. The following children are now living of those born to Samnel M. and Elvira (Fewel ) Reynolds: Samuel M., Jr., Corder, Missouri: William F., a sketch of whom appears else- where in this volume: and Mrs. W. H. Dorman, Clinton, Missouri. Samuel M. Reynolds came to Henry county, Missouri before the Civil War and located on the farm. where Mrs. W. T. Wilson now resides.

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He enlisted in the Civil War and was killed at the battle of Lonejack, August 16, 1862, while serving with Cockrell's regiment. He was buried in the same grave with other men, who fell that day.

Mrs. Elvira (Fewel) Reynolds was united in marriage with W. T. Wilson, a veteran of the Confederacy, in 1867. Mr. Wilson was in the battle of Lonejack, Missouri, where Samnel Reynolds lost his life. W. T. Wilson was born in 1833 in Lexington, Missouri. He enlisted in the Civil War in 1861 and served nearly four years. He was mustered out at Shreveport, Louisiana, June 15, 1865 and returned home at once. Mr. Wilson has been a resident of Henry county since the date of his return from the war. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are now eighty- four years of age and still active and enjoying excellent health. Mrs. Wil- son attends personally to all her housework and Mr. Wilson is able to do as much manual labor as a man many years younger than he.

D. L. Sutherland, ex-judge of Johnson county and formerly one of the prosperous stockmen of Jefferson township, is now a resident of Windsor, Henry county. He was born in 1846 in St. Clair county, Mis- souri, the son of Uriah L. and Margaret J. Sutherland. Uriah L. Suther- land was the son of Daniel Sutherland, who was a native of Logan county, Kentucky, and of Scotch descent. Daniel Sutherland served in the War of 1812. His son, Uriah L. Sutherland, came to Missouri from Kentucky in 1838 and settled in St. Clair county on the farm where his son, D. L., the subject of this review, was born eight years later.

Judge Sutherland was reared and educated in St. Clair county, Missouri. In 1868, he came to Johnson county, after selling a small farm of thirty acres, which was located in Vernon county, Missouri, and had been given him by his grandfather. With the proceeds from this farm in Vernon county, D. L. Sutherland purchased forty acres of land in Johnson county, where he began farming and stock raising. The farm cost him twenty-five dollars an acre. He was employed by "Jim" Wall, a pioneer trader, to buy cattle and from "Jim." Mr. Suther- land borrowed eighty dollars, with which he bought forty-two head of hogs. He fed these hogs and later sold them for two hundred fifty dol- lars, which he immediately invested in calves. From this humble begin- ning began one of the most remarkable careers in the stock business in the state of Missouri. Judge Sutherland states that he never kept book of his finances, but in some way he always came out ahead at the close of each year. He invested his savings from time to time in

MR. AND MRS. D. L. SUTHERLAND.

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land and at one time was the owner of nearly three thousand acres of land in Johnson county. He gave each of his children eighty acres of land and livestock sufficient to obtain a start in business, when twenty- one years of age, and thus his original holdings have been decreased. He is at present the owner of a splendid stock farm in Henry county, near Windsor, to which city he and his wife moved about nine years ago and where he is engaged, with his sons, in the stock business, handling black Aberdeen Angus cattle. At the time of this writing, they have a herd of one hundred twenty-five cows, which is the largest in this section of the state. Practically all the Sutherland farm is grass land. It is exceptionally well improved and there are seven tenant houses on the place, which are occupied by his assistants.

In 1871, D. L. Sutherland was united in marriage with Elizabeth Garrett, the daughter of J. W. and Ann Tanda Garrett. To Judge D. L. and Elizabeth (Garrett) Sutherland have been born seven children: James O., a prosperous stockman residing near Windsor, Missouri, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume; Leland B., Windsor, Missouri; Sam H., Windsor, Missouri; Mrs. Margaret Botts, Mangum, Oklahoma: Mrs. Edna Ruffin, at home with her father, Windsor, Mis- souri; Eldon E., of Johnson county, and Roland G., of Pettis county, who are associated with Judge Sutherland in stock raising on the farm in Henry county.

For many years D. L. Sutherland was a magistrate in Johnson county and he served faithfully and well as judge of the county court in Johnson county. In that, he imitated his father, who for several years prior to the Civil War was a highly respected judge in St. Clair county. Judge Sutherland is a stockholder in the Citizens Bank of Windsor, Missouri. He is a man possessing many qualities worthy of the greatest respect and consideration and no life within the past decade in the state of Missouri has been more remarkable, more full of sug- gestion for the youth of today. Judge Sutherland and his estimable wife are always "at home" to their numberless friends, welcoming all who come to visit them at their beautiful residence in Windsor.

Jas. L. Robinson, ex-registrar of deeds of Johnson county, was born November 17, 1860 at the home of his father in Montserrat, Missouri. He is the son of Jehu and Julia Ann (Oglesby) Robinson. Jehu Robinson was born March 26. 1812 in Roane county, Tennessee, the son of Joseph R. Robinson, who was born January 28, 1766, of

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Irish descent. The father of Joseph R. Robinson was a veteran of the Revolutionary War. In 1819 Joseph R. Robinson moved from Tennessee to Missouri and located in Cooper county, when his son, Jehu, was a child of seven years. In 1833 Jehu Robinson came to Johnson county Missouri and with his father built a cabin on the farm, three and a half miles north of Knob Noster, which now is owned by John Wampler. Jehu Robinson later sold this place, purchasing another located between Knob Noster and Montserrat and here his son, J. L. Robinson, the subject of this review, was born. The new home Jehu Robinson himself built of lumber which he hauled from Lexing- ton, Missouri. This home was built before the Civil War, in 1857, and was used as an inn, since it was located on the stage line between Sedalia and Kansas City, Missouri. The place was sold during the war and the Robinson family moved to Boone county, where they remained until 1875 or 1876 when they returned to Johnson county and settled on a farm, comprising four hundred fifty-two acres, north- east of Warrensburg. Julia Ann (Oglesby) Robinson was the daugh- ter of Talton Oglesby. To Jehu and Julia Robinson were born the following children: Mary, who died at maturity; Mrs. Louisa Hull, deceased; John E., who married Mary M. Hocker, of Warrensburg, Missouri, and is now deceased; Dr. J. F. Robinson, who married Linnie Sipe, and resides in Nevada, Missouri; Mrs. Sallie B. Reynolds, who resides in Henry county, Missouri, near Leeton; and Jas. L., the sub- ject of this review. Jehu Robinson's death occurred October 16, 1886 on the farm northeast of Warrensburg and his remains were interred in Hocker cemetery at Knob Noster. His wife died August 14, 1900.

Jas. L. Robinson attended the public schools of Johnson county, the State University at Columbia, Missouri, the Warrensburg State Normal School, and Quincy Business College. After leaving college, Mr. Robinson was for several years engaged in agricultural pursuits and later, in the furniture and undertaking business. In 1906, Jas. L. Robinson was elected county recorder of Johnson county and in 1910 he was reelected, serving a term of eight years, his term 'of office expiring in 1915. Mr. Robinson was one of the best qualified officials Johnson county has ever had.

March 12, 1884, Jas. L. Robinson and Suella Hughes were united in marriage. Suella (Hughes) Robinson is the daughter of H. Y. and Sallie Hughes, of Warrensburg. H. Y. Hughes was a native of Ten-

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nessee. He came to Missouri about 1858 and in 1860 was united in marriage with Sallie Hughes. In 1876 he was elected county treasurer of Johnson county and the Hughes family moved from the farm, where Mr. Hughes located upon coming to Missouri, to Warrensburg. To H. Y. and Sallie Hughes were born the following children: E. B., who is president of the Citizens National Bank, Plainview, Texas; Mrs. Birdie Bolton, wife of Lewis T. Bolton, who is engaged in the mercantile business in Kansas City, Missouri; and Mrs. Jas. L. Robinson, wife of the subject of this review. After his term of office as county treas- urer had expired, Mr. Hughes organized the Bank of Warrensburg and was president of that institution at the time of his death in 1899. Mrs. Hughes had preceded him in death ten years, her death occurring in 1889. Both parents were interred in the cemetery at Warrensburg. To Jas. L. and Suella Robinson have been born two sons: Leonard H., who died at the age of thirty years: and Kenneth N., who is a registered pharmacist at Warrensburg, Missouri, now a member of Medical Corps No. 24. having volunteered at. Kansas City, Missouri July 1, 1917 and now in the service. Mrs. Robinson is a lady of re- markably fine attainments. The Robinson home at 121 West Gay street in Warrensburg is a model home, attractive, neatly kept, and beautiful both within and without.

Mrs. Robinson is the granddaughter of John Hughes, a native of Kentucky, who came to Missouri in 1850. He was born in Kentucky in 1799. In 1851 he located in Johnson county, where he entered six hundred acres of land from the government. John Hughes was united in marriage with Pollie Diddle, a native of Kentucky, and of the chil- dren born to them Mrs. R. L. Jackson, who resides in Holden Missouri, alone survive. John Hughes was a Southern sympathizer, and in the fall of the year 1862 took his sixteen slaves with him to Arkansas, locating near Huntsville. His neighbors at first were apparently in sympathy with the South, but later their attitude changed and they claiming to be Union sympathizers, began destroying the property and lives of those of the opposition. John Hughes, with eight others, was taken prisoner January 10. 1863 and placed in Huntsville prison. Three days later they, who had taken Mr. Hughes, removed the prisoners from their cell and under the pretense of sending them back to Missouri took the innocent and unsuspecting men about a mile from town, lined them up, and at a command a detachment of

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guards stepped forward and the helpless men were shot down. John Hughes alone survived. Mrs. Vatright, whose husband was one of the killed, asked permission of General Herron to get his body and her request was granted. She noticed signs of life in Mr. Hughes and took him to her home. A slave of Mr. Hughes, whose name was "Buck," heard of it and made three different attempts to escape to his master. He succeeded the third time and faithfully remained by the side of his injured master, nursing him to health and strength. although he was left blind from the effects of the wounds on his head. Before leaving Missouri, Mr. Hughes promised his slaves to bring them back home and he kept his promise. All, with the exception of one who joined the Union army, were brought back to Johnson county.

J. O. Reynolds, cashier of the Farmers Bank of Leeton, Missouri, is one of Johnson county's most progressive, young citizens. He is a member of one of the best and most prominent families in the county. He was born just across the county line in Henry county, December 30, 1880, the son of \V. F. and Sallie B. (Robinson) Reynolds. W. F. Reynolds was born July 28. 1854 in North Carolina. He is the son of Samuel M. and Elvira (Fewel) Reynolds, natives of North Carolina. W. F. Reynolds came with his parents to Missouri in 1857, where they located in Henry county. Samuel Reynolds was killed August 16. 1862 at the battle of Lonejack, Missouri, while serving in Cockrell's regiment. His widow married W. T. Wilson, a veteran of the con- federacy, and they are now residing on the farm in Henry county. A sketch of Mrs. W. T. Wilson appears in this volume. W. F. Reynolds was a student at the Warrensburg State Normal School. At the first Sunday School he attended, Francis M. Cockrell was his teacher. That was early in the seventies. W. F. Reynolds and Sallie B. Robinson were united in marriage October 15. 1878 in Warrensburg and to them were born the following children: Joseph O .. the subject of this review : John R., who resides on the home place; Anna Belle, at home with her parents; and M. Dearing, who resides on the home place. Sallie B. (Robinson) Reynolds was born in Johnson county, October 15. 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds are now residing on the home place four and a half miles south of Leeton, Missouri.

Joseph O. Reynolds attended the grade schools of Shawnee Mound, the Warrensburg State Normal School one year, and the State Uni-

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versity of Missouri at Columbia one year. After leaving college, he engaged in farming for a short time and then entered the mercantile business in partnership with R. L. Garrett, under the firm name of Garrett & Reynolds. Later John R. Reynolds, brother of Joseph O., bought out Garrett and the firm continued in business under the name, Reynolds Brothers. The brothers traded the stock for a farm of one hundred sixty acres in Henry county and Joseph O. Reynolds then spent one year in Colorado. Upon his return he again engaged in farming, on the home place, and until 1911 was occupied with the pursuits of agriculture. Mr. Reynolds was instrumental in organizing the Farmers Bank of Leeton and in September, 1911 accepted the assistant cashiership of that bank. In May, 1913, he was elected cashier, succeeding H. F. Finks, who resigned his position to accept a similar one with the Brinkenhoff Faris Trust & Savings Company of Clinton, Missouri. The Farmers Bank of Leeton has experienced a remarkable growth and is one of the splendid banks of Johnson county, of which all are proud.

October 11, 1905, Joseph O. Reynolds was united in marriage with Nellie Garrett, the daughter of W. A. and Alice (Walker) Garrett, of Bowen, Missouri. Mrs. Garrett is now deceased and Mr. Garrett resides on the home place near Bowen. To Joseph O. and Nellie (Garrett) Reynolds have been born two children: William James, born April 15, 1915; and a daughter, Alice Belle, born August 26, 1917. Mr. Reynolds is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Leeton, the Modern Woodmen of America of Leeton, and the B. P. O. E. of Warrensburg.

The Farmers Bank of Leeton. Missouri was organized in May. 1911, with a capital stock of twenty thousand dollars and began busi- ness July 11, 1911. The first officers of the bank were as follow: A. C. Todd, president ; W. T. Baker, first vice-president : Guilford Morris, second vice-president ; H. F. Finks, secretary and cashier; J. O. Reyn- olds, assistant cashier ; and A. C. Todd, W. T. Baker, Guilford Morris, J. H. Boone, Moses Nehr, J. W. Stewart, L. C. Abington, S. L. Miller, F. G. Cooper, William Hinton, Dr. J. T. Anderson, T. J. Don Carlos, W. F. Reynolds, J. W. Shoemaker, A. S. Michael, directors. The present capital stock of the bank is twenty thousand dollars, with a surplus fund of five thousand, undivided profits of three thousand, and deposits, at the time of this writing. amounting to one hundred thirty

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History of Johnson County, Missouri, Part 42

Author: Cockrell, Ewing Publication date: 1918 Publisher: Topeka, Kan. : Historical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1234

Author: Cockrell, Ewing
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Topeka, Kan. : Historical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1234