History of Johnson County, Missouri, Part 56

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

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Judge T. L. Kimzey, judge of the county court of Johnson county, Missouri, is one of the prosperous sons of the earliest pioneers of Missouri and Johnson county. He was born in Johnson county in 1849, the son of S. P. and Cynthia (Wood) Kimzey. His paternal grandfather, Benjamin E. Kimzey, came to Missouri from Tennessee early in the nineteenth century, about 1820. When just a mere boy, S. P. Kimzey located. with his brothers, in Saline county, Missouri. They with their father were engaged in the manufacture of salt at a salt-lick in Saline county and trading with the Indians, peddling their salt, from wigwam to wigwam, in wagons drawn by oxen. There were no roads in those days and the Kimzey brothers followed the trails made by the Indians. Early in the thirties, S. P. Kimzey came with his father.

JUDGE T. L. KIMZEY AND WIFE.

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Benjamin E. Kimzey, to Johnson county, where they entered land in Jefferson township and engaged in the pursuits of agriculture. S. P. Kimzey became very successful and prosperous in this vocation, owning at one time more than eight hundred acres of land in Johnson county. He was a natural leader of men and prior to the Civil War was captain of the Home Guards for many years. He enlisted in the Civil War and served with the Southern army throughout the war, as did also his two brothers. After the war had ended, he returned to Johnson county, where he lived until 1882, when he moved to Eldorado Springs, Mis- souri, and there his death occurred four years later. Mrs. Kimzey followed him in death ten years later, her death occurring in 1896.

T. L. Kimzey attended a "subscription school" of the early days. School was held in a log house, having a puncheon floor and benches. The seats were placed around the three sides of the room and the fire- place was on the fourth side. The "master" or "schoolma'am" sat in the center of the room and called the children up to "say their les- sons." On one side of the room was a sort of shelf made of a split board and high enough to write upon and in front of this was a puncheon bench, which was for the older boys and girls. When they wished to write, they turned their backs toward the teacher and wrote upon the shelf. The little children could not reach the shelf, but that was not necessary, for of course they could not write. They sat on the puncheon benches and studied their "a-b-c's" all day long. Spelling was the principal subject and frequently "spelling bees" were held, which occa- sioned much interest, for the men and women could spell in those days, if they did not know how to draw or paint pictures. The pupils some- times grew very tired in the old-fashioned school, but the "master" always kept a number of large switches in sight to urge the laggard on the road of learning. The children had many happy times, how- ever, at school and they had the whole prairie for their playground. Two of the early teachers were Elza Ray and Sue Herrington. The only road was the state road and the children followed a trail to the school house. This trail was made by dragging a log back and forth across the tail prairie grass, using a yoke of oxen to do so.

In the early history of Johnson county, there were no churches and Sunday School was a thing unheard of in this part of the state. Religions meetings were held in the cabins of the settlers or out under

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the trees. Later, little log churches were built like the houses and people from miles and miles away would come on horseback to hear the pioneer preachers, of whom Judge Kimzey recalls several, among them: Reverend William Caldwell, Reverend Frank Goodwin, Rev- erend "Jacky" Whitsett, and Reverend "Jim" Houx. The preacher was a pioneer and hunter like the rest of the settlers. It was no easy task for him to go from place to place through the wide, open prairie and muddy swamps, but he was always brave and cheerful and might be heard singing hymns at the top of his voice as he went on his lonely way. The preachers were welcomed in the homes of the poorest settler and people came by families in wagons, drawn by oxen, to listen to their preaching with the greatest respect and attention. Judge Kimzey's father always led the singing at church and at gatherings held in the homes. His mother was a splendid singer and enjoyed the music im- mensely, always taking an important part at all musical gatherings.

Wild game was plentiful, deer, wild turkeys, and prairie chickens being in abundance and to be had for the hunting. Supplies were hauled from Boonville, Warsaw, and Lexington. Mr. Kimzey remembers how his father frequently hauled choice cuts of bacon to Lexington, where he sold them for two cents a pound. Stock raising was not very profit- able in the early days. Dried venison was the staple article of food and with plenty of that, cornbread and hominy the settlers considered themselves very well provisioned. Prairie fires were constantly feared and one of the evils, which had to be fought with great skill, for they were exceedingly destructive. Judge Kimzey often aided his father fight the oncoming flames by a system of back-firing. Their home was a log cabin, 16 x 16 feet in dimensions, constructed with a "loft" above and a "lean to" on the side, but it was all they had and they would fight hard to keep it.

In early manhood, Judge Kimzey went to California and remained in that state a short time. He was at that time twenty-six years of age, in 1875. Later he returned to Johnson county and engaged in farming and stock raising. He is now the owner of four hundred twenty acres of land, most of which is in meadow and devoted to stock growing.

Judge T. L. Kimzey and Ollie McQuerry were united in marriage in 1898. Ollie (McQuerry) Kimzey is the daughter of C. W. McQuerry, of Warrensburg, Missouri. Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Kimzey was

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engaged in teaching school, having taught two terms of school at l'for- donia. To Judge and Mrs. Kimzey have been born two sons: Samuel W. and Charles Lee, both of whom are at home with their parents. Judge Kimzey is a member of the Democratic party and in 1916 was elected judge of the county court in Johnson county and he is now serving his first term of office with great satisfaction to the entire county.

Harlowe A. Saults, M. D., a well-known and successful physician of Valley City, Missouri, is one of the leading professional men of John- son county. Dr. Saults was born June 13. 1879, at East Lynne in Cass county, Missouri, a son of D. N. and Alice B. (Graham ) Saults. D. N. Saults came to Missouri from Tennessee in 1876 and located at Knob Noster. He was at that time a young, unmarried man, twenty-two years of age. Mr. Saults was a blacksmith by trade and for thirty years was associated in partnership with Robert Ford in the blacksmithing business at Knob Noster. He retired from that vocation in 1910 and has since been engaged in the mercantile business at Knob Noster, associated with his son, Charles L. The father is now probably sixty- eight years of age and he is still active and alert both physically and mentally and assumes the full control of all his business affairs and extensive financial interests, which in Knob Noster alone amount in value to a considerable sum, in addition to a valuable farm, comprising one hundred forty acres, located south of Knob Noster. D. N. Saults has long been considered one of the most important promoters of busi- ness and builders of Knob Noster. As a business man and financier, Mr. Saults holds precedence in his community and possessing a strong mentality, invincible perseverance, and a marked individuality, he is looked upon as a natural leader of men, a director of opinion in mat- ters relating to financial and industrial affairs. Fraternally, D. N. Saults has been a Mason of the Third Degree for many years. Politically. he is a stanch Democrat. To D. N. and Alice B. Saults were born two children: Dr. Harlowe A., the subject of this sketch; and Lena Alice, who resides at home with her father. Charles L., who is associated in the mercantile business at Knob Noster with his father, and Fannie. who died in infancy, were born of a second marriage of D. N. Saults to Miss Rucker.

Doctor Saults obtained his elementary education in the public

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schools of Knob Noster, Missouri. He is a graduate of the Knob Noster High School, in the class of 1899, and of the Marion Sims Beaumont Medical College at St. Louis, Missouri, in the class of 1903. After completing the high school course, Doctor Saults attended Missouri State University one year and in 1902 successfully passed the examina- tion of the Missouri State Board of Health. After three years' work in medical school, he began the practice of his profession at Warrenton, Missouri, and one year later, in 1904, came to Valley City, where he opened his office and has since been actively engaged in the medical practice, which has been steadily growing for the past thirteen years and now Doctor Saults has numerous patients within a circuit of ten and thirteen miles in the country. Within the past three years, he has traveled in his Ford car thirty-four thousand miles. Dr. Saults is the owner of his residence and office, which are located on a small tract of two and a half acres of land within the city limits of Valley City, and of a splendid farm, embracing one hundred sixty acres of land, three miles south of Knob Noster, a fine, valuable country place.

December 25, 1902, the marriage of Dr. Harlowe Saults and Alma L. Sprague, daughter of W. T. Sprague, of Warrensburg, was solem- nized and to this union have been born three children: Vera Fay, born August 1, 1904; Luther Lee. born December 26, 1909; and Marian Vir- ginia, born November 19, 1913.

Doctor Saults has attained a conspicuous place in the public esteem not solely because of his professional success but also on account of the honorable, straightforward policy he has invariably followed in all his business relations. He always has at heart the best interests of his fellow-men. For his chosen calling, Doctor Saults is admirably fitted. He is a man of tireless energy, quick of perception, quiet and calm in manner, and of well-trained intellect. The success which has already crowned his efforts bespeaks for him a long and eminently useful career. Doctor Saults is the official registrar of vital statistics for Simpson township. Politically, he is a Democrat.

J. E. Porter, M. D., a prominent and capable physician and sur- geon of Knob Noster. Missouri, was born in 1867 in Pettis county, Mis- souri, the son of Reverend James S. Porter, the widely known and beloved Methodist Episcopal minister, a pioneer preacher, who came to Missouri in 1849 and for more than a half century has devoted his

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life to the cause of Christianity in this section of the state and is now residing in Rich Hill, Missouri. Reverend James S. Porter is ninety- two years of age. The mother of Dr. J. E. Porter was the daughter of William Bigham, a resident of Johnson county. To Reverend James S. and Mrs. Porter were born two sons: Dr. J. E., the subject of this review; and J. B., who resides at Stuttgart. Arkansas. By a former marriage, Reverend Porter was the father of eight children.

Dr. J. E. Porter is a graduate of Lewis College, Glasgow, Missouri in the class of 1889 and of the Marion Sims Medical College, St. Louis, Missouri in the class of 1897. After one year of practice in the medical profession in St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Porter came to Knob Noster and began the practice of medicine and surgery. He enjoys a very exten- sive practice, covering a territory which extends from ten to twelve miles into the country in all directions from the city of Knob Noster. Dr. Porter has been remarkably successful in his chosen profession and is highly esteemed by the different members of his vocation, not only in this county, but in the state. He is a valued member of the Johnson County Medical Society and of the Missouri State and the American Medical Associations.

In 1904, Dr. J. E. Porter was united in marriage with Elizabeth Senior, the daughter of Judge J. G. and Josephine ( Honey) Senior, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. To Dr. and Mrs. Porter has been born one child, a daughter, Ruth Elizabeth. The Porter home in Knob Noster is one of the most beautiful homes in the county, a handsome structure, which is modern throughout and well located.

Politically, Dr. Porter is affiliated with the Republican party. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and of the Odd Fellows. Both he and Mrs. Porter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, with the ministry of which Dr. Porter's father has so long been connected. Dr. Porter is a man of pleasing personality and measures up fully to the high standard demanded of his calling.

Joseph H. Rothwell, a highly respected pioneer of Johnson county and the well-known notary public and insurance man of Knob Noster, Missouri, was born in 1855 in a log cabin on his father's farm in John- son county. He is the son of J. C. and Mary S. ( Ramsey) Rothwell, natives of Virginia. J. C. Rothwell was the son of "Buck" Rothwell. a typical Virginian. J. C. Rothwell and Mary S. Ramsey were united

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in marriage in Virginia and in 1839 came to Missouri from Virginia and settled on a farm in Johnson county, comprising three hundred twenty acres, which J. C. Rothwell entered from the government. He was a prosperous and influential farmer and stockman of pioneer days, capable, industrious, and generous-hearted, a man whom all respected and honored. His death occurred in 1893. The following children were born to J. C. and Mary S. Rothwell: C. W., who resides in War- · rensburg, Missouri; Mrs. Mattie D. Mayes, Warrensburg, Missouri ; Mrs. Nettie D. Gossett, who resides in Oklahoma; and J. H., the sub- ject of this review.

J. H. Rothwell attended the "subscription schools" of the early pioneer days. Mr. Buckmaster and George Couch were two of his first teachers, whom he recalls. Mr. Rothwell often attended and took part in the old fashioned "spelling bees," and "debating societies," where all sorts of topics were vehemently discussed and the leading issues of the day settled forever, and the primitive "singing schools," where those who could sing wouldn't and those who couldn't sing would, and where all had a happy, social time. Mr. Rothwell is of the opinion, which is held by the majority of people, that in the early days the settlers were more friendly, more sociable, and more interested in the welfare of others than the people of the present day. J. H. Roth- well completed his education in the Warrensburg State Normal School and after leaving school, engaged in farming and stock raising, in which vocation he was employed until 1906, when he moved from the farm to Knob Noster, on account of the better school facilities, de- siring to give his children the advantages of a high school education. Mr. Rothwell is the owner of a splendid farm in Grover township. a well improved place, comprising four hundred acres of the best farm land in this county, a beautiful, country home. He has the general supervision of his farm in addition to his business interests in Knob Noster. He was in partnership with his son, C. F., in the mercantile business in Knob Noster, where C. F. Rothwell conducted a general dry goods store, carrying a stock of goods valued at twelve thousand dollars, until they disposed of the business in June, 1917. J. H. Roth- well also is a notary public and insurance man. his office being located in the Shy building.

In 1883, J. H. Rothwell was united in marriage with Allena Scruggs, a daughter of Reverend A. F. Scruggs, a minister of the

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Methodist Episcopal church, South, who came to Missouri from Ken- tucky and for many years was engaged in missionary work among the Cherokee Indians. Reverend Scruggs purchased a farm in Johnson county and in addition to the work of the farm continued to be the "local preacher." Mrs. Rothwell remembers having witnessed many marriage ceremonies performed by her father. To J. H. and Allena (Scruggs) Rothwell have been born the following children: Clay- bourne F., who was engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with his father and conducted a general store in Knob Noster until June, 1917; J. E., who resides in Nebraska with his wife, who was Claretta Guihen, and child, Erneeta; Allena F., who resides at home; and Mary M., who resides at home. Mr. and Mrs. Rothwell reside in Knob Noster, where they have a nice, well-kept home. Both are interested in church work, being active members of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Rothwell is treasurer of the Presbyterian Missionary Society. Mr. Rothwell is an elder of his church and superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday School and recently attended as delegate the Johnson County Sunday School Association at Chilhowee, Missouri.

For sixty-two years, Mr. Rothwell has lived in Johnson county and he has literally "grown up with the country." He recalls how he was want to drive his father's cows home from the open range and frequently saw on those occasions herds of wild deer and flocks of wild turkeys. He used to kill the prairie chickens which came to feed on the corn husks in his father's field. Mr. Rothwell vividly re- members the days when the mail was received but once a week. The old log house in which he was born stood until recent years on the home- place and he still has in his possession the "land patents" his father received when he homesteaded the farm. When J. H. Rothwell was a youth, roads were unheard of in this section of the state and one found his way home across the open prairie by relying solely on his sense of direction. Mr. Rothwell relates that his first investment was in calves, which he kept for three years, selling them at a good price and realizing a large profit. He has been interested in the stock busi- ness ever since.

J. H. Rothwell has always taken an active and interested part in civic affairs as well as in religious matters. He was a member of the school board of his district for twenty-one years and for many years served as district clerk. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and the Odd Fellows.

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E. C. Littlefield, the prominent attorney of Knob Noster, Mis- souri, was born in 1868 in Knob Noster, the son of Lyman C. and Ellen Z. Littlefield. Lyman C. Littlefield was the son of William Littlefield, a native of Weld, Maine. The Littlefield family is of English descent. Two brothers emigrated from England to America in the earliest colo- nial days and from them the Littlefields in America have descended. Lyman C. Littlefield was a teacher in Knob Noster before the Civil War and one of the town's first merchants. He also was the owner and manager of the first lumber yard in the old town of Knob Noster. During the Civil War, he was at one time a prisoner of war. Escaping from the Southern army, he returned to his old home in Maine and for many years was engaged in the manufacture of shingles in that state. Later in life, Lyman C. Littlefield returned to Johnson county, Missouri, where he became an extensive landowner, engaging in stock raising on a large scale. He was president of the Bank of Knob Noster for several years and it was he who placed this bank on its present firm, financial basis and secured for it the sound rating and prosperity it now enjoys. Mr. Littlefield died January 5. 1901. His wife had pre- ceded him in death many years before, her death occurring in 1879. Seven children were born to Lyman C. and Ellen Z. Littlefield, six of whom are now living: Charles B., Claremore, Oklahoma ; William W., Kendrick, Oklahoma; Mrs. Lillian May Shumaker, Colorado Springs, Colorado; E. C., the subject of this review; Mrs. Nora E. Thompson, Erie, Kansas; and Lyman M., Lamonte, Missouri.

The early education of E. C. Littlefield was obtained in the public schools of Knob Noster, Missouri. He later attended the Wentworth Military Academy at Lexington, Missouri and completed his education at the Missouri State University, where he was a student in the law school, graduating in the class of 1890. After completing college, Mr. Littlefield was for six years a member of the law firm. Waddill & Brown, having an office in the New York Life building in Kansas City. Missouri. In 1896, E. C. Littlefield came to Knob Noster and opened his law office and he has ever since been engaged in the practice of law in this city. He has been city attorney for the past twenty years. which is sufficient evidence of the high esteem in which he is held. Mr. Littlefield states that he is no politician but has made it an invariable rule to "vote for the man."

In 1912. E. C. Littlefield was united in marriage with Mrs. Georgia

E. (. LITTLEFIELD.

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY

(Hope) Lewis, the daughter of Colonel John C. Hope, the well-known and influential politician of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Littlefield are numbered among Johnson county's best families.

E. F. Kendrick, one of the pioneers of Johnson county, a son of one of the most prominent families of early settlers of Pettis county, was born in 1856 in Johnson county. He is the son of E. R. and Elizabeth (Robinson) Kendrick. E. R. Kendrick was the son of J. T. Kendrick, a resident of Pettis county, Missouri. E. R. Kendrick, the father of the subject of this review, came to Johnson county in 1850 and settled on a farm near Knob Noster. E. F. Kendrick has living two brothers and one half-brother: J. M. Kendrick, F. L. Kendrick, and W. R. Clark, all of whom reside at Knob Noster, Missouri.

Mr. Kendrick attended the primitive country schools of Johnson county. He recalls how he enjoyed swinging his feet, which dangled from the high puncheon seats, while listening to Reverend Tigg, a Hardshell Baptist minister, teach. Mr. Kendrick also attended "spell- ing bees" and "singing schools." He remembers, among his school- mates, Alex Glass and John Lay. There were no roads in those early days and when the first school house was built on the open prairie, a log was dragged over the long, tall grass to make a trail for the children to follow to the school house. E. F. Kendrick early in life began working for himself on his father's farm in Johnson county. In 1885 he purchased nearly two hundred sixty acres of land and later increased his holdings by purchasing two hundred acres more. He is the present owner of this farm, which lies eight miles southeast of Knob Noster. The Kendrick place is well-improved, having a fine farm residence of nine rooms, and several large, well-constructed barns in keeping with the rest of the improvements. Three hundred fifty acres are devoted to bluegrass and Mr. Kendrick is largely interested in stock raising. He has the general supervision of his farm in addition to his business interests in Knob Noster.

In 1887, E. F. Kendrick was united in marriage with Letha Shawhn, of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Kendrick has been born one child, a son, R. E. Kendrick, who resides at home with his parents. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kendrick are members of the Baptist church, of which E. F. Kendrick is deacon. They reside on a little farm of twenty acres, located just outside of the city limits of Knob Noster, where they have a beautiful home.

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In 1915, E. F. Kendrick erected a large, two story, brick garage in Knob Noster, the second floor of which is used for the city hall. This property is valued at ten thousand dollars. Mr. Kendrick is engaged in the general auto repair business and he also has the Ford agency for this district. Politically, he is affiliated with the Democratic party and he has always taken a keen interest in civic affairs and has done his part nobly in bettering conditions and in the upbuilding of his county and state. He is one of Johnson county's most highly valued citizens.

Mrs. Lorretta (Warren) Reavis, one of Johnson county's most highly esteemed pioneer women, was born in Lafayette county, Mis- souri in 1826 and when a mere child came to Johnson county with her parents, Martin and Nancy (Hubbard) Warren, of Virginia. They settled on a farm near the flourishing city of Warrensburg. Mrs. Reavis recalls seeing the group of men looking for a location for the town, which has since developed into one of the best cities of its size in the state of Missouri. The town was named in honor of her grand- father, Martin Warren.

Lorretta (Warren) Reavis received her education in the primitive schools of Johnson county, which were known as "subscription schools." The school lasted only a few months in the year and the older boys and girls could not always go when the school was open, for there was much work to be done at home. They could go on rainy days and when there was no work. The teacher, or "master" as he was called, sat in the middle of the room and on one side was a puncheon shelf, which was used by the larger scholars when called upon to write. Little children sat on puncheon benches and began to learn to read by saying their "a-b-c's" and the only rest from study was when the "master" called them to him to "say their lessons." The children always enjoyed the recess time, wandering as far as they liked just so they kept within hearing distance. when the teacher called, "Books."

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History of Johnson County, Missouri, Part 56

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