History of Johnson County, Missouri, Part 52

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

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Lawrence T. Davis was a carpenter by trade but he was engaged in the dry goods business in Illinois, for six years prior to coming to

W. O. DAVIS.

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY

Warrensburg, in 1866. He had intended going into business in War- rensburg, but a short time after he came he was robbed of about four- teen hundred dollars, which he had concealed in a trunk in his home, and this misfortune compelled him to return to the carpenter's trade. His death occurred from a stroke of paralysis June 14, 1906, and his wife died March 1, 1912, and they were interred in the cemetery at Warrensburg.

W. O. Davis attended the public schools of Warrensburg. When he had attained maturity he engaged in farming until 1895, when he purchased the grocery located on the corner of Main and Gay streets, which belonged to Morris Ellis Shryack. This is the only store now in the old town of Warrensburg. Mr. Davis recalls the time when there was a line of stores east and south of the old court house square. A printing office was situated on the south side of the block and there the Warrensburg "Standard" was printed. The first hotel was on the corner of Main and Market streets and a block west was the Union Hotel, occupied in the early days as a residence by Senator Francis M. Cockrell.

The old court house is now owned by Mr. Davis. The following inscription is on the walls of the court house: "Within these walls on September 23, 1870 Senator George Graham Vest delivered his famous eulogy on the dog. Senator Vest died August 14, 1904 and was buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis." The inscription was placed there by the Missouri State Historical Society. Mr. Davis remembers the occasion and speech, of which the following is a quotation: "The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitors to their faith. The money a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog."

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY

January 2, 1881, W. O. Davis and Maggie Terherst were united in marriage. She was the daughter of Aaron Terherst, a pioneer of War- rensburg: Her mother died when Mrs. Davis was but a child and burial was made in the cemetery at Warrensburg. Aaron Terherst died at Columbus, Kansas and his remains were interred in the ceme- tery at that place.

To W. O. and Maggie Davis were born five children: Louis Aaron, who is wire chief and assistant superintendent for the Home Telephone Company of Warrensburg; Mrs. Laura Bradley, Warrensburg; Harry and Noble, who are associated with their father in the grocery business and practically have charge of the West End Store, where their pleas- ant, obliging, congenial manners have made them scores of friends and patrons; and Emma May, who lives at home with her father. Mrs. Davis died August 28, 1913 and interment was made in the Warrens- burg cemetery. Mr. Davis resides at 405 West Culp street in Warrens- burg, Missouri in the home where he has lived for the past twenty- one years.

In addition to his home, grocery store and building, and the old court house, W. O. Davis is the owner of seventy-five acres of valuable land in Madison and Warrensburg townships, Johnson county. He is intensely interested in the early history of Missouri and is himself a natural historian. He has several very valuable relics, among which are a revolver, ball and cap style, which has stamped on the plate, "Made by A. Watres Melbury, MS 1838." a dirk, which his father-in- law, Aaron Terherst, carried in the Mexican War. and an old pepper box six-shot revolver, which is still in working order.

Mr. Davis is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Modern Woodmen of America.

George S. Young, a pioneer resident of Johnson county, former member of the state Legislature, successful real estate and loan opera- tor of Holden, Missouri, is a native of Maryland. Mr. Young was born in Middletown, Frederick county, Maryland, January 12, 1840. He comes of an old and distinguished American family, members of which have figured prominently in public affairs for more than two hundred years in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Missouri. The parents of Judge Young were John and Eliza (Miller) Young, the former of whom was a native of Maryland and a son of Peter Young who was born in Pennsylvania in 1742. John Young was a prosperous farmer

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and well-known politician in his native state and he fought for America during the War of 1812. While he was active in political matters and wielded considerable influence in civic and political affairs, he could never be induced to hold office. Eliza (Miller) Young was born and reared in Maryland, a daughter of parents who were descended from early Virginia families, of colonial ancestry. Both Mr. and Mrs. Young spent their lives in Maryland and died there. They reared a family of four sons and three daughters, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only survivor.

George S. Young spent his early life in the cities of Baltimore, Washington, and Frederick and received a thorough classical educa- tion which has been of great benefit to him in carving out his success- ful career in his adopted state. Prior to the Civil War, he was engaged in the manufacture of sashes, doors, blinds, and furniture, work which even in those early days was done by machinery. Mr. Young was a skilled cabinet maker and carpenter, whose place of business was located at Middletown. Maryland before the Civil War. After the Civil War began, he located in the city of Washington and there fol- lowed his trade as carpenter and joiner being employed in the Gov- ernment Navy Yards in the joiners' department during the war. While resident of Washington, he was well acquainted with Montgomery Blair, at that time Postmaster General of the United States, whom he had known since his youth. Mr. Blair took a liking to the young man and offered him a government position in his department, notwith- standing the fact that Mr. Young was a Democrat in politics. Mr. Young became ill with typhoid fever in 1865 and the severe illness left him so physically debilitated that he came West to benefit his health in 1866 and located in Warrensburg, Missouri. He was so favorably im- pressed with the fine hospitality and friendliness of the people of this community that he decided to remain here and cast his lot with those who were striving to build up Johnson county. This was a decision that Judge Young has never had cause to regret and the feeling which he has always had for the people of this county has been mutual, his abilities and high sense of honor having received signal recognition from this same people on many occasions, during his more than fifty years of residence in this county. In the same year, which witnessed this old pioneer's advent into Missouri, he located permanently in Holden and established there a wholesale and retail furniture business which he conducted very successfully for a period of fifteen years,

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failing health eventually compelling him to relinquish the business to other hands. His method of doing business was to purchase goods from the furniture factories in carload lots and then dispose of same to retail dealers. He was one of the pioneer furniture dealers of John- son county and also conducted an undertaking establishment in con- nection with his furniture business.

After disposing of his mercantile establishment, Mr. Young en- gaged in the real estate and loan business and also conducted a general insurance business until 1892, when he followed farming for a period of ten years. In 1901, he again returned to Holden from the farm and has since been a resident of this city, where he is now capably filling the office of justice of the peace.

Judge Young was married at Baltimore, Maryland, March 21, 1866 to Estelle V. Hyatt, of Maryland, and to this union have been born the following children: Mrs. Daisy L. Boggs, Holden, Missouri; Blanche, resides at home with her parents; John H., St. Louis, Mis- souri ; George S., a railroad man living at Sedalia, Missouri; and Helen, Nevada, Missouri.

Judge Young has always been a Democrat, although his father before him was a Republican in politics. He has been active in the affairs of his party and was elected a member of the Missouri State Legislature in 1900, and reelected in 1902. While a member of the state Legislature, he served on the World's Fair Committee. Mines and Mining, and others. He was always keenly alive to safeguarding the best interests of his constituents and of the people of Missouri, and his career in the Legislative body of the state was an honorable and worthy one. He was elected to the office of justice of the peace in 1914 for a term of four years, has been twice mayor of Holden, and has served as a member of the city council and of the school board. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a member of the Presbyterian church.

Adolphus Musser, Jr., successful attorney-at-law and merchant of Holden, Missouri, is a native of Platte county, Missouri. Mr. Musser was born near Parkville in 1874. He is a son of Adolphus, Sr. and Adeline (Wilkinson) Musser, the former of whom was a native of Har- rison county, Kentucky, and the latter a native of Richmond. Ray county, Missouri. The Musser family is an old and prominent family in the annals of American history, especially that part of history which relates to the settlement and development of the Southland. The grand-

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mother of Adolphus Musser was a member of the Jones family of Vir- ginia, which family gave to the country America's first great sea-com- mander, John Paul Jones of Revolutionary fame. His paternal grand- father was a son of a Revolutionary soldier. The first settlement of the family was made in the state of Pennsylvania. A brother of Adol- phus Musser, Sr. was Colonel Richard H. Musser, of Civil War fame, who served under Governor Jackson and General Price as colonel of the Ninth Missouri Infantry. He was judge advocate of the Third Di- vision of the Confederate army and after the war practiced law in St. Louis with great success. He prosecuted several important cases before the International Joint Commission at Washington which had the settle- ment of the damage cases growing out of depredations committed by Mexicans against American citizens. The Mexican government was sued for the murder of General Parsons, Colonel Standish, and Colonel Conrow by Mexican citizens. Colonel Musser successfully prosecuted these cases and received as his fee the sum of $143,000. He died in St. Joseph, Missouri, at the age of sixty-nine years, in 1898. The parents of Adolphus Musser, Jr., located first near Plattsburg, Clinton county, Missouri, and the father engaged in the practice of law. He was also a newspaper man of note and founded the Cynthiana "Democrat" at Cyn- thiana, Kentucky; the Carrollton "Democrat," Carrollton, Missouri; and the "Brunswicker," at Brunswick, Missouri. He died at Plattsburg, Missouri, and there the widowed mother still resides. Three sons of Adolphus Musser, Sr., are now living; Adolphus Musser, Jr., subject of this review; Richard H., an attorney at Plattsburg, Missouri; Joshua James, a merchant at Durango, California.

Adolphus Musser, Jr., subject of this review, was reared at Platts- burg and graduated from Plattsburg College when but fourteen years of age. He was the youngest student to graduate from that institution in its entire history. After securing his classical education he entered the Kansas City School of Law and graduated therefrom in 1903 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He began the practice of the legal profession at Plattsburg and after remaining in his home city for a time he came to Holden in 1911. His success as a legal practitioner has been marked since taking up his residence in Johnson county. Mr. Musser has also been engaged in the mercantile business and conducts one of the leading stores of Holden, in which dry goods, mens', and ladies' furnishings are retailed.

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Mr. Musser was married in 1903 to Virginia Smith, of Kansas City,. Missouri, and to this union has been born one child; Richard, who is ten years of age.

Mr. Musser is a Democrat, politically, and is one of the leaders of his party in Missouri. He is serving his second term as a member of the State Democratic Central Committee and during 1916 was a mem- ber of the State Executive Committee. He is religiously associated with the Presbyterian church of Holden and is fraternally affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Mod- ern Woodmen of America, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Musser is one of the "live wires" of Johnson county, a man noted for his profound knowledge of law, foresight, acumen, and decided business ability. His geniality and accomodating disposition have won him many friends throughout this section of Missouri.

S. P. Gibson, a prosperous farmer and stockman residing near Kings- ville, Missouri, is a son of one of the leading pioneer families of Johnson county. Mr. Gibson was born in Gallatin county, Kentucky, in 1847, and when he was a lad, eight years of age, he came to Missouri with his parents, John E. and Cynthia A. Gibson, who settled on a farm in John- son county. The Gibsons made the journey westward from Warsaw, Kentucky, almost entirely by water, coming on a boat up the Missouri river and landing at Sibley and bringing with them six slaves from their old plantation home in Kentucky. They settled on the tract of land which is now two miles north of the site of Kingsville. The farm was known as the "Bluff's Spring Farm." In those days the postoffice was located on the Gibson farm. A tanyard, mill, and store were also located on the farm. The old mail route to Kingsville from Lexington passed by the door of the Gibson home. The trip to the new home in the West meant much to the children of the Gibson family. They had never been away from the farm in Kentucky before and were wild with joy when the family started to Missouri and could not understand why their parents and the neighbors all looked so sad. The grown folks knew that they might never meet again-and they never did. The father and mother realized that it was a hard, lonely life they were to begin, but to the little ones the boat was like a house on the water and everything was so strangely beautiful as they sailed slowly on the river that it seemed as if they were going into a new and better world. After the family were safely housed in the small, rude log

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cabin home in Johnson county and as the years passed by enlighten- ment came to the younger members of the family as to the meaning of pioneer life in the West. S. P. Gibson has experienced all the countless privations incidental to life in a new country and the hardships and sacri- fices of war. William Henry Gibson, brother of S. P. Gibson, enlisted in the Civil War and served under General Price and died of fever in the first year of the war, in 1861.

In an old-fashioned "subscription school" in Johnson county, S. P. Gibson received his early education. After attaining maturity, he went to Ohio to enter the Lebanon Northwestern Normal School at Lebanon. Ohio, and for one year, 1870 and 1871, was in attendance at that insti- tution. Mr. Gibson returned to Johnson county, Missouri, in 1872 and remained with his widowed mother on the home place until her death. He assisted in the building of the Missouri Pacific railway from Holden to Strasburg. Mr. Gibson has always been actively engaged in farming and stock raising since he was a boy in his teens and. though he has now passed the allotted three-score years and ten, he is still active and inter- ested in the work of the farm as when he was a score of years younger.

In 1876, S. P. Gibson and Miss Emma Fuller were united in mar- riage. Mrs. Gibson is a native of Virginia. She came to Missouri with her parents in 1865. To Mr. and Mrs. Gibson have been born the fol- lowing children: Mrs. Anna Derr. Kansas City, Missouri; Maude, deceased: John T., who resides in the state of Washington: Mrs. Mary Clark, Excelsior Springs, Missouri: Albert and Viola, at home with their parents ; and S. J., of Rose Hill township, Johnson county. Mr. Gibson is independent in politics. He and Mrs. Gibson are highly respected members and earnest supporters of the Baptist church. Mr. Gibson knows full well what "hard times" are. No man can live in this world seventy years and not experience many misfortunes and hardships, not see many days that are "cold, and dark, and dreary," but he has bravely and cheerfully withstood all the travail and woe which surely comes to all at some time in life and the path he has trod has been ever onward and upward. In the words of the poet, S. P. Gibson is leaving behind him

"Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o'er life's solemn main.

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, may take heart again."

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY

Isaac W. Hanthorn, one of Johnson county's highly respected citi- zens and honored pioneers, is a prominent farmer and stockman of Jefferson township. He was born in 1846 in Knox county, Illinois, the son of Thomas and Ann Hanthorn, the former of Scotch and the latter of Irish descent.

In 1872, Isaac W. Hanthorn came to Missouri from Illinois and six years later purchased a small farm on credit. The first years of his life in Missouri were filled with all the privations of pioneer days. and the hardships of poverty and misfortune. The year 1874 was a year of drouth and the ensuing year was the period of the grasshopper visitation. Isaac W. Hanthorn had been well educated, having attended Cherry Grove Seminary in Illinois, and he began teaching school in Pettis county. Later, he taught his first school in Johnson county held at Valley Grove. Mr. Hanthorn has taught school in practically every school district in this section of the state of Missouri. He received but forty dollars a month in remuneration for his services, still he saved almost all that he received. He recalls among his students in Johnson county in the days long gone by, John Parker, William Cooper, War- ren Parker, "Bob" Funk, and "Obe" Whitsell. Mr. Hanthorn encour- aged and held in his own school the old fashioned "spelling bee." Fre- quently two different schools would hold a spelling contest and then excitement and interest reigned supreme. He remembers among the first preachers, Reverend Frank Goodwin, who was a Baptist minister, and Reverend C. C. Wood, a Methodist minister. Supplies were obtained from Sedalia, when the early settlers needed provisions, which could not be secured by their own work.

In 1869, Isaac W. Hanthorn was united in marriage with Mrs. Josephine (Marsh) Huggins, the daughter of Thomas Marsh, of New York. Two children born to Isaac W. and Josephine Hanthorn are now living: Mrs. Elroy J. Gallaher, of Windsor, Missouri, who is establishing a reputation in the poultry industry, now having a fine flock of six hundred chicks and one hundred twenty-five older chickens, and a large number of black turkeys, hatched by hens and in incuba- tors, all well trained Plymouth Rock chickens, having been taught to come at the ringing of a bell for their feed; and James N., who is a graduate of the Warrensburg State Normal School in the class of 1897 and for the past twenty years has been employed every year in teach- ing, having taught school at Sunny Grove for three years, Kearney for

ISAAC W. HANTHORN.

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thirteen years, and at Lees Summit for four years. Mr. and Mrs. Han- thorn have three grandchildren: George Gallaher, Mary Gallaher, and Mildred Hanthorn.

At different times, Mr. Hanthorn has invested his savings in farm land and he is now owner of six hundred acres of some of the best farm land in Johnson county, which place is known as the "Sleepy Hollow" farm. Most of the Hanthorn place is in grass land and Mr. Hanthorn devotes his attention largely to stock raising. At the time of this writ- ing, he has sixty head of Red Durham cattle, ready for the fall shipping, and twenty-five head of Poland China hogs, the very finest one ever saw anywhere. "Sleepy Hollow Stock Farm" is especially well watered and adapted to the raising of first class stock. One well on this place furnished water for many families in this section of the township in the early days. The farm is well improved, having several large, well constructed barns, in one of which is stored twenty tons of last year's hay. A large building, having a driveway on either side, is called the "Storehouse" and within has been installed a fanning mill, which is used to clean the grain before it goes to the granary. The "Storehouse" was constructed of the best oak lumber and erected on a substantial concrete foundation. In 1898 the residence was remodeled and the Hanthorn home is now one of the handsome country places in John- son county.

Isaac W. Hanthorn has always taken an active interest in public affairs and before coming to Johnson county was the county assessor of Pettis county for one term. For six years he was road commissioner for this district in Johnson county. At the beginning of his term of office, the district was in debt and the financial condition in disorder, but when his term had expired not only was the indebtedness removed. the finances in good condition, but the roads were in splendid shape and the main road from Windsor to Knob Noster had been built, because of his efforts and influence, through this section of the township.

Mr. Hanthorn is a member of the Christian church. He and Mrs. Hanthorn have scores of friends in the county, which has been their home for so many years. Mr. Hanthorn is one of the most intelligent men in this section of Missouri and he is valued highly in Johnson county.

Dr. Edward Andruss, physician and surgeon. Holden. Missouri, is a striking example of success attained in the most beneficent of professions. As a surgeon and practitioner of the homeopathic school

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY

he has achieved a success second to none in western Missouri and the uniformity of his continued success in the treatment of diseases has been instrumental in enlightening the people on the principles and practices of the school of medicine founded by Hahnemann. For the past twenty years. Dr. Andruss has been ministering to the sick in Holden and vicinity and has not only won for himself an enviable and distinguished place among his professional co-laborers but has endeared himself in the hearts of his many patients as a kind, capable, and learned practitioner.

Dr. Andruss was born in Warrensburg, Missouri, October 1, 1863. a son of Orville Rice and Wealthy Jane (Cox) Andruss, both of whom were natives of Tennessee. Orville Rice Andruss settled in Johnson county, Missouri in 1849 and was previously engaged in farm work in Lafayette county. He finally made a permanent settlement in Center- view township, this county, where he purchased a tract of land and was engaged in farming and stock raising until his death. September 28, 1897. Mr. Andruss was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in the Union army with the Missouri state militia, and participated in several engagements among them being the battles of Little Blue, Georgetown and Mine Creek. He was always found at his post and he attended to all military duties assigned him in a soldierlike manner and like a true patriot. He was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian church and a highly respected and influential member of society. His wife removed with her parents to Missouri in 1847. She spent her last days with her son at Holden, Missouri and died at his home, July 6, 1900.

Dr. Andruss was reared on the farm and obtained his primary education in the district school of his neighborhood. Subsequently. he pursued a course in the Warrensburg State Normal School, after which he entered Gem City Business College at Quincy, Illinois, grad- uating from the latter institution in February. 1892. He was then tendered the position of assistant teacher in the bookkeeping depart- ment of the college and filled this position until he resigned to return home. April 1. 1892. After a careful preparatory course, preliminary to entering medical college, he entered the Kansas City Homeopathic Medical College, which conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Medicine. March 25, 1897. During his course in college. the young physician's merits were readily recognized and he was chosen assistant house surgeon. After capably filling this position for six months, he

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History of Johnson County, Missouri, Part 52

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