History of Johnson County, Missouri, Part 94

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

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY

ents of eight children: Charles, deceased; Dr. Leonard, Butte, Mon- tana; Mrs. W. A. Jackson, Westport, Missouri; A. Ira, Butte, Montana; Mrs. Charles W. Dixon, the wife of the subject of this review; Benton, Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. Carl Jefferson, Kansas City, Missouri; Thomas R., Joplin, Missouri. Mr. Renick died in 1907 and Mrs. Renick is now residing in Kansas City, Missouri. Mary (Pallette) Renick is a member of a distinguished colonial family. One of her ancestors, James Pallette, emigrated from France with his two sons and came to America, where they settled in that portion of the country now known as Tennessee, but which was then a part of the colony of Virginia, in the early part of the seventeenth century. To Charles W. and Mrs. Dixon have been born two sons, Charles Stewart and John Renick. The Dixon home is located in Warrensburg at 105 South Miller street and is one of the pleasant, attractive homes of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Dixon are most delightful, entertaining people and they are numbered among Johnson county's best families.

Mrs. Ella (Duffield) Dixon, the highly esteemed and respected widow of the late Joseph Dixon, an efficient carpenter of Warrensburg, was born in Virginia, the daughter of Alfred and Sally (Thompson) Duffield, a prominent colonial family of Virginia. Duffield Station was named in honor of the Duffield family. Alfred Duffield was born September 25, 1821 in Virginia and he was reared and educated in that state. He was a graduate of Johns Hopkins University. In 1852, he came to Missouri with his wife and family and located on a farm, which he purchased, in Centerview township, the place being four miles west of Warrensburg. Alfred Duffield and Sally Thompson were united in marriage in 1841 in Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Duffield were born the following children: Mrs. Anna Houts, deceased; Martha, who died at the age of sixteen years while attending college at St. Joseph, Mis- souri; Mrs. Mary Graham, deceased; Mrs. Flora Patterson, Odessa, Missouri; Richard, a prosperous contractor of Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. Ella Dixon, of this review; Meriweather Thompson, of Texas; Mrs. Emma Grimwood, deceased; Mrs. Bettie Abel Mueller, who has been a missionary in Tokio, Japan for the past thirty years; Benjamin S., postmaster at Raymondville, Texas ; Mrs. Lillian B. Duffield, Warrens- burg, Missouri, and Charles Oscar, a skilled cabinet maker of Kansas City, Missouri. The Duffield family resided on the farm in Centerview

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township until after the Civil War. They were not molested during the war for they were always kind and hospitable to all who came to their door. Mr. Duffield ever kept a light burning in the window to guide the stranger to their home, where all who came were made wel- come. About 1866, the Duffields moved near Pertle Springs. Mr. Duffield was a progressive, alert, up-to-date real estate man. He issued a paper called "Duffield's Land Bulletin," a copy of which, dated November, 1867, his daughter, Mrs. Ella Dixon, still has in her pos- session. This paper gives the prices of land in various parts of the country in Missouri and was published for the benefit, as stated in the editor's own words, "of the homeless and emigrants going west." Mr. Duffield died May 8, 1869 and burial was made in the cemetery at War- rensburg. Mrs. Duffield joined her husband in death in 1889.

In 1876, Joseph T. Dixon and Ella Duffield were united in mar- riage, in Warrensburg, Missouri. Mr. Dixon was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and in early manhood came to Missouri, where he located in Warrensburg about 1871 or 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Dixon after their marriage first resided in a home located on the site of the present post- office building. Mr. Dixon was engaged in working for different mer- chants in this city and later followed his trade as carpenter. He was an industrious, capable workman, a citizen of Johnson county held in the highest esteem. His death occurred in 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph T. Dixon were the parents of four children: Charles, who for the past twenty years has been the efficient clerk in the Warrensburg postoffice, a graduate of the Warrensburg High School a student for two years at the Warrensburg State Normal School, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work: Bessie, a graduate of the Warrensburg High School and the State Normal School, now engaged in teaching in the primary department of the city schools of Warrensburg; Minnie, a graduate of the Warrensburg High School and the State Normal School, now engaged in teaching in the primary department of the Mt. Wash- ington School, Kansas City, Missouri; and Josephine, a graduate of the Warrensburg High School and the State Normal School, now engaged in supervising the music in the Training School of the State Normal. Mrs. Dixon resides in Warrensburg in a handsome modern residence, located at 107 South Miller street, the home having been rebuilt in 1916.

J. E. Redford, a capable farmer and popular merchant of Robbins,

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was born in Hazel Hill township on the Henry Lynch farm in 1852, son of Andrew Jackson and Margaret Elizabeth (Harrison) Redford, the former, a native of North Carolina and the latter, of Alabama. Andrew Jackson Redford was born in 1827 and when three years of age, came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Noah Redford, to Missouri, where they located first in Moniteau county, coming thence to John- son county. The remaining years of their lives were spent in this county and the remains of both Noah Redford and his wife were interred in the cemetery at Warrensburg. The son, Andrew Jackson, enlisted in the Mexican War in 1846 and served throughout the con- flict. Margaret Elizabeth (Harrison) Redford was the daughter of Joseph Harrison, who moved with his family to Missouri in the early thirties. To Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Jackson Redford were born eleven children, six of whom are now living. In 1868, Mr. Redford purchased one hundred twenty acres of land in Johnson county, and later several hundred acres more land, including the townsite of the present town of Robbins, and on this place engaged in general farming and stock raising for many years. Near the close of his life, Mr. Redford retired from the active pursuits of agriculture and moved to the city of Warrens- burg, where both he and his wife died. Burial for both father and mother was made in the cemetery at Warrensburg. Mr. and Mrs. Red- ford were brave, loyal pioneers, dominant factors in the upbuilding of this state and county, who are well worthy of praise and commendation in a work of this character.

At McGee College in Macon county, J. E. Redford received his education. After leaving college, he was employed by the mercantile establishment, Roberts, Redford & Blake, for nearly two years, when he purchased an interest in the John W. Wright & Company, Boots & Shoes Store at Holden. Mr. Redford shortly afterward sold his inter- est in this store and went to Colorado where he was engaged in mining for some time. Upon his return to Johnson county, he engaged in farming and stock raising, in which pursuits he has ever since been interested. The Redford farm comprises two hundred forty-eight acres of upland in Hazel Hill township, a well-located place two miles south- west of Robbins, which was entered from the government by Alex. Cock- rell. There are two tenant houses on the farm, in addition to the hand- some, modern residence of ten rooms. The farm is nicely improved and splendidly equipped for handling stock. Besides his extensive farming

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interests, Mr. Redford is the owner and manager of a general store in Robbins which is one of the well-kept, busy, up-to-date business estab- lishments of Johnson county. He keeps the store stocked with a com- plete line of staple groceries and merchandise and he has built up an excellent reputation for prompt, conservative, sound business methods and honest, honorable dealings.

J. E. Redford was united in marriage with Anna West, daughter of Bark West, of Hazel Hill township. By a former marriage, Mr. Red- ford is the father of three children: Floyd W., the well-known young merchant, who is associated in business with his father in the store at Robbins; Normal N., who is in the employ of a packing company in Fresno California as cashier; and Mrs. Salome Wagner, Clovis, Cali- fornia. The Redford family is highly respected in Johnson county, where J. E. Redford is widely known as a genial, courteous gentleman, a man of excellent business judgment. He has many friends, both among his business associates and his social acquaintances.

W. L. Robbins, one of the most widely-known and efficient farmers and stockmen of Johnson county, is a member of a prominent and public-spirited pioneer family of Hazel Hill township. He was born March 26, 1871, on his father's farm in Hazel Hill township. W. L. Robbins is a son of Henry Clay and Fannie E. (Roch) Robbins, who were united in marriage in 1867. Henry Clay Robbins was born in Russell county, Virginia. In the early fifties, he came to Missouri and pur- chased one hundred thirteen acres of land, which were then owned by Mr. Nelson, and later one hundred acres additional, owning at one time two hundred thirteen acres of choice farm land in Johnson county. On this tract, he engaged in farming and stock raising practically the remainder of his life. During the Civil War, Mr. Robbins enlisted at his home and fought under "Fighting Joe Shelby." serving throughout the conflict. He was honorably discharged at Shreveport, Louisiana at the close of the war. The town of Robbins, which was laid out twenty- five years ago, was named in honor of Henry Clay Robbins. Prior to the establishment of rural routes in the Johnson county mail service, Robbins had a postoffice, which was first located in Sam George's Gen- eral Store and later in the Barnett Store. Sam George was the first merchant of Robbins. At the present time, in 1917, this flourishing, little business center boasts two general stores, one owned by E. E. Will- iams and the other by J. E. Redford & Son, a blacksmith shop owned by

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY

Samuel Brown, a grist mill operated by Mr. Brown, and scores of enter- prising citizens. For a few years, prior to his death, Mr. Robbins was employed as a mail carrier on a route out of Fayetteville. His death occurred January 3, 1916 and interment was made in Oak Grove ceme- tery. Fannie E. (Roch) Robbins was born in this state, daughter of James A. Roch, a native of North Carolina, and Elizabeth (Brown) Roch, a member of a prominent pioneer family of Missouri. Mrs. Robbins had preceded her husband in death many years, her death occurring in 1889 and she, too, was laid to rest in Oak Grove cemetery.

W. L. Robbins obtained his early education in the Salem district school and later was a student at the Warrensburg State Normal School. At the age of twenty-three years, he began to make his own way in life and at first was engaged in farming rented land for one year, when he purchased his present home place, which was formerly owned by a Confederate captain, Captain Steen, and comprised at that time seventy-two acres of land, to which Mr. Robbins has constantly added until the farm now embraces two hundred seventy-six acres, located near Robbins. On this place, Mr. Robbins is engaged in general farming and stock raising. His sons, Ralph and Clay, are very much interested in the large type of Poland China hogs, which they are raising. All the splendid improvements on this farm were placed there by W. L. Robbins. The residence, a house of eight rooms, is soon to be remodeled and made modern. The farm is supplied with all the latest devices for the proper handling of stock and the neatly kept surroundings of the Robbins home bespeak the thrift and care of a progressive and highly intelligent agriculturist.

September 20, 1894, W. L. Robbins and Addie M. Smith, of Fay- etteville, were united in marriage. Mrs. Robbins was born in Indiana and when one year old came with her parents to Missouri, where they settled in Hazel Hill township and on the Smith farm in this town- ship, the daughter, Addie M., was reared. She is the daughter of Man- ning J. and Sarah C. (Powers) Smith. The father resided on his farm in Hazel Hill township until he became too feeble to work. His death came in September, 1914 and the widowed mother is now residing with her daughter, Mrs. W. L. Robbins. To W. L. and Addie Robbins have been born four children: Ralph S., who completed the short course in agriculture at the State University at Columbia, Missouri: Manning C., who was a student at the Warrensburg State Normal School one

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year and is now a student in the home High School; Callie F., who is a senior in the home High School; and William Elbert, at home. Mr. Robbins is a straightforward honest, conscientious gentleman, a man of pleasing and forceful personality, who has always given his most earnest support to every worthy enterprise having for its object the betterment of the community. His latest successful "boosting" was for the new consolidated High School building, at the time of this writing in the process of erection. Mr. Robbins has long taken a deep personal interest in all educational enterprises.

Arthur Parsons, one of Johnson county's highly valued citizens, was born in Lake county, Ohio in 1847, son of John Parsons, a native of England, who emigrated from Great Britain at the time of his mar- riage and with his wife settled on a farm in Ohio. Three brothers of Arthur Parsons enlisted in the Civil War, namely: William. Thomas, and Stephen. William Parsons served with the Union forces in South Carolina, enlisting in Johnson county, Missouri. Thomas and Stephen Parsons enlisted in Ohio. They never came West.

Mr. Parsons, whose name introduces this sketch, obtained his edu- cation in the Ohio schools. In 1866. he came to Missouri but remained only a short time, when he returned to the Middle West and located in Illinois, where he resided a brief time and then moved to Kansas. Mr. Parsons spent two years attempting to raise a crop in Kingman county, Kansas and when sufficiently discouraged left that state and moved to Johnson county, Missouri and for several years farmed rented land in Hazel Hill township. In 1890, he purchased his present country place, to which he moved the ensuing year. This farm was formerly owned by Gid Martin, of Indiana, who sold it to Arthur Parsons for twenty dollars an acre. The place embraces one hundred forty acres of good farm land, well located ten miles northwest of Warrensburg. The two barns on the farm were recently built by Mr. Parsons and the residence has been remodeled since he moved to it. For several years, Mr. Parsons has rented the land to his sons and has retired from the active work of farming.

In 1868, Arthur Parsons and Mary Skeen were united in mar- riage. Mrs. Parsons is the daughter of Buckley and Susan (Partee) Skeen, of McLean county, Missouri, both of whom are now deceased. To Arthur and Mary Parsons have been born three children: John Ellsworth, who married Ella Taylor, daughter of John Taylor, and

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now resides in Columbus township, where he is extensively engaged in the stock business, buying cattle, hogs, and sheep; Wilbur, who married Bertie Heizer, daughter of William Heizer, and they reside on a farm in Columbus township; and William B., who married Jettie Taylor, daughter of John Taylor, and they own one of the finest dairies in Johnson county, located in Hazel Hill township, at the present time having thirty-five head of excellent milch cows. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Parsons also reared an orphan child, Mary Williams, who is now mar- ried, the wife of Ivan Adams, of Hazel Hill township. Arthur and Mrs. Parsons are planning to celebrate their golden wedding anniver- sary on October 27, 1918. They are an estimable and highly respected couple, well known and esteemed in Johnson county. They are quietly enjoying the old homestead in Hazel Hill township, where they have made their home for the past twenty-six years.

John Rittman, a prosperous and influential farmer and stockman of Hazel Hill township, is a member of a prominent pioneer family of Johnson county. He is a native of Simpson township, where he was born in 1879, a son of Frank and Matilda E. ( Markham) Rittman. The father was a native of Illinois and the mother of Kentucky. Frank Rittman was a Union veteran. He enlisted in Company F, Eighty- second Illinois Infantry and was in active service almost four years. In 1867, he came to Johnson county, Missouri and for many years was located in Simpson township. In 1880, he moved with his family to a farm in Hazel Hill township, a place located near the present country home of the son, John, the subject of this review. Mr. Rittman lived but ten years to enjoy the new home, his death occurring in 1890. ,Inter- ment was made at Mount Moriah cemetery. Frank Rittman was an industrious and enterprising citizen, but his old war wound, a shot wound received in battle, in many ways handicapped him throughout the later years of his life, but in spite of which he became very useful and well-to-do. Mrs. Rittman died in 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ritt- man were the parents of five children, four of whom are now living: Edward, Columbus township; Mrs. Anna Schaffer, of Oklahoma; Jesse, Columbus township; John, the subject of this review; and Katie, deceased.

In the Mount Moriah district school, John Rittman obtained his education. Until he was twenty-one years of age, he remained at home with his parents and then began farming in Hazel Hill township. Mr

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Rittman purchased a small tract of land, comprising twenty acres, adjoining the home place and when he later sold this land he bought his present farm in 1904. a place originally embracing one hundred acres to which he has twice added tracts of sixty acres each and now two hundred twenty acres comprise the Rittman place. This farm was a part of the Simpson Brown farm. The land slopes to Honey creek, which drains this section of the county, and one hundred ninety acres are under cultivation and are very productive. The soil is the rich red soil, in great demand in Missouri for the purposes of general farming. Mr. Rittman is engaged in farming and stock raising and he is at pres- ent handling high grade cattle, hogs, and sheep. He sold one hundred ewes the first of June this year. Since coming to this place, Mr. Ritt- man has built the residence, which is a pleasant, comfortable country home.

In 1900, John Rittman and Ada Morris, daugher of Isom and Sallie Morris, who now reside in Simpson township, were united in marriage and to this union have been born five children, three of whom are now living: Florence: Lucile, deceased; Frank: Thelma, deceased; and Martha. Mr. and Mrs. Rittman are excellent citizens of Johnson county and they are highly valued and respected in their community, where they have a host of friends.

C. G. Greenwell, proprietor of "Walnut Grove Stock Farm," is one of Columbus township's best citizens and most capable and progressive farmers and stockmen. He was born in the home which is now his own on the farm in Columbus township in 1858. a son of Ralph and Nancy (Williams) Greenwell, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, in which state they were united in marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Greenwell came to Missouri from Kentucky in 1854, making the first part of the journey by boat. landing at Lexington, Missouri and driving through from that city to the farm in Columbus township, Johnson county. This place was purchased by Ralph Greenwell within a short time afterward from Mr. Gott. The Greenwell homestead is located one-half mile north of Columbus. To Ralph and Nancy Greenwell were born the following children: Mrs. Sallie Rennick, of Lafayette county, Mis- souri: R. W., a well-known farmer of Columbus township; and C. G., the subject of this review. The father died in 1905 at the age of eighty- four years. Interment was made in the cemetery at Columbus. The widowed mother is still living on the farm in Columbus township. Mr.

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and Mrs. Greenwell spent the best years of their lives laboring for the upbuilding of Johnson county. Brave, noble, and true, they cheerfully did their part to bring about the splendid improvement in conditions that has placed this section of the state in the front rank with the most desirable and productive counties.

In a log schoolhouse, in a private residence, and in two different churches, school was held when C. G. Greenwell was a schoolboy and he recalls how the puncheon benches were arranged about the walls of the old log school house. and how the "master" would call "Books!" when the recess time had ended. At the age of twenty-one years, Mr. Greenwell began farming for himself on the home place in Columbus township. He now owns the homestead, a farm comprising two hun- dred five acres of land known widely as the "Walnut Grove Stock Farm." It was so named because of the beautiful walnut trees which shade the well-kept lawn surrounding the residence. This home was built before Ralph Greenwell purchased the place, but it has been rebuilt and remodeled recently. "Walnut Grove Stock Farm" is a pretty country home and the neatly kept surroundings bespeak the thoughtful care of an intelligent, efficient agriculturist. The soil is very productive, but Mr. Greenwell has most of the place now in grass and is now devoting practically all his attention to raising cattle, hogs, and sheep, keeping high grade stock. The farm is abundantly watered, one spring flowing all the year round.

In 1885, C. G. Greenwell and Eva Berry, of Lafayette county, were united in marriage. Mrs. Greenwell died the year after their marriage. In 1886, Mr. Greenwell again married, his second wife being Mollie Greenwell, daughter of Jack Greenwell, of Columbus township. Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Greenwell adopted a boy, John Simmons, when he was five years of age and reared him to maturity. He still makes his home with his foster parents. The Greenwells are well known and highly respected in Johnson county.

Mr. Greenwell contributes a bit of hearsay evidence to aid in deciding the much muted question as to which land was the first broken in Johnson county. He states that he was told by "Aunt Betsy" Ful- kerson that the first land broken in this county was the farm land now known as the Fred Specker place, formerly the Houx farm, where the first court in Johnson county was held. Others claim this honor for the old Baker homestead, now owned by Roy Wilson. The conflict-

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ing claims in themselves are interesting and conclusive proof that there were several brave, enterprising, and industrious farmers in Johnson county in the very earliest days.

Mrs. Nancy (Williams) Greenwell, the highly regarded and respected widow of the late Ralph Greenwell, is one of Johnson county's best known and noblest pioneer women. She is still with us and now at the advanced age of eighty-two years resides on the farm in Colum- bus township, in which township she has lived for more than sixty years. Mrs. Greenwell is a native of Kentucky. In that state, she was born, reared, and married.

In 1854, Ralph Greenwell, an enterprising, young Kentuckian, and Nancy Williams were united in marriage, in Shelby county, Kentucky and immediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Greenwell left Ken- tucky to make the new home in what was then the western wilderness of Missouri. They came by steamboat to St. Louis and from that city to Lexington, Missouri on the "Lucas," when it made its first trip. The Greenwells settled on the farm in Columbus township, now owned by their son, C. G., the place being known as "Walnut Grove Stock Farm." To Ralph and Nancy Greenwell were born three children, who are now living: Mrs. Sallie Rennick, Lafayette county, Missouri; R. W. and C. G., both of whom are engaged in farming and stock raising in Columbus township. Mr. Greenwell died in 1905 at the age of eighty-four years. He was laid to rest in the cemetery at Columbus. His death came while he and Mrs. Greenwell resided on the farm just across the road from the present home of the widow. Ralph Green- well was an honest, industrious, upright citizen, a man of high ideals and fine, moral principles. His death has been deeply deplored and the loss to the good citizenship of Columbus township keenly felt.

When the Greenwells settled in Johnson county, those who were then living here were, as follow: "Old man Gott;" Frank Ramsey, now of Warrensburg; Pleasant Rice, the first settler of the county ; Groves and Conwell, pioneer merchants of Columbus; Mr. Norris; Berry Smith and "Josh" Rogers, merchants; Reverend Robert Mor- row, a minister of the Cumberland church; the Perdees, a well-known pioneer family; Drs. Dobbins, Shriner, Fulkerson, and Coleman, the last named physician being drowned in the same year, 1854, that the Greenwells came to Johnson county; and Reverend Allen Wright, a minister of the Christian church. Mrs. Greenwell well recalls when

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History of Johnson County, Missouri, Part 94

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