History of Johnson County, Missouri, Part 95

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

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY

Senator Francis M. Cockrell came to Columbus about 1855, employed as attorney in a lawsuit which resulted from a scalding given a Conwell slave by "Hi" Henderson's negro. Senator Cockrell won the case and Mrs. Greenwell remembers that she thought at the time the victor was a very boyish-looking lawyer. The one hotel in Columbus was conducted by Mrs. Fine for many years after the Greenwells came here. Columbus then boasted one hotel, a blacksmith's shop, a tailor's shop, one harness and wagon maker, and several general stores. The mercantile establishments were exceptionally good for those early days and all carried a very fair line of goods, including silk, which, however, was not in great demand. All handled whiskey, just as they all now carry vinegar, as a stock in trade, and in spite of the fact that liquor was very easily obtained there were very few "drunks."

Sixty-three years ago, Mrs. Greenwell, then a young bride of nine- teen years of age, came with her husband to the new home in the thinly settled West. During the past half century there have been countless changes in Johnson county, and all have been witnessed by Mrs. Greenwell. Death has removed many families from our midst ; institutions have arisen and have grown; roads, drainage, churches, schools, and homes have appeared almost as if by magic where once were log cabins and productive farms have supplanted wide, unfenced prairie fields. And for all our choicest blessings, too great praise can not be given men and women like Nancy Greenwell, whose labor and constancy in the days of long ago made all things possible. It is with much pleasure that we pause to honor one, upon whom the pure, white snow of years has fallen, a brave, true, pioneer woman. We are indeed fortunate to have Mrs. Greenwell still with us to aid in snatching from oblivion the names of those who have lived and labored here more than sixty years ago.

Robert W. Greenwell, proprietor of "Greenwell's Westlawn Stock Farm," formerly the "Hazelwood Stock Farm," in Columbus township, is one of the county's successful and enterprising farmers and stockmen and a member of a well-known and prominent pioneer family. He was born in Columbus, Missouri in 1861, a son of Ralph and Nancy (Williams) Greenwell, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The father is now deceased and the widowed mother is still living on the farm in Columbus township. Mrs. Greenwell is now eighty-two years of age. She is still very active for one of her years and her memory

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of names and dates is remarkable. A more comprehensive sketch of the Greenwells appears elsewhere in this volume in connection with the biography of Mrs. Nancy (Williams) Greenwell.

After receiving a good common school education in the public schools of Columbus, Robert W. Greenwell engaged in farming and stock raising on the home place. He remained at home with his par- ents until he was twenty-five years of age, when he began life for himself. Mr. Greenwell purchased the William Herndon farm near Columbus, which place he sold four years later and purchased his pres- ent country home in 1889, to which he moved three years later. This place was formerly known as the "Hazelwood Stock Farm," but the name has since been changed to "Greenwell's Westlawn Stock Farm." It comprises two hundred acres of land, the original "Hazelwood Farm," and sixty acres, recently purchased, located two and a half miles north of Columbus and fifteen and a half miles northwest of War- rensburg. The place is well watered, equipped, and kept, an ideal stock farm. For the past eight years, Mr. Greenwell has devoted much atten- tion to raising registered jacks and jennets, of the Mammoth Kentucky breed. At the present time, in 1917, he has four jacks and four jennets, an imported Percheron horse, "Impoli," weighing one thousand nine hundred forty pounds at the time imported, a large number of spotted Poland China hogs, and Oxford sheep. One hundred acres of the place are in grass and the remainder in small grain. Mr. Greenwell is a highly intelligent agriculturist and has been exceptionally successful both as a farmer and stockman.

November 28, 1889, Robert W. Greenwell was united in marriage with Mattie M. Dyer, daughter of James D. and Mary Dyer, of Hazel Hill township. James D. Dyer was born in Johnson county, a son of Noah Dyer, an honored pioneer of Lafayette county. Mr. Dyer died in 1909 and his remains lie interred in Oak Grove cemetery. The widowed mother resides in Warrensburg, now at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. To Robert W. and Mattie M. Greenwell have been born four children: Mary Myrtle, the wife of Otto R. Jacoby, of Warrensburg, Missouri; James Ralph, who died in 1909 at the age of fifteen years; Sallie Alice, the wife of Dr. William A. Maddox, of Gainesville, Texas ; and Rice Alexander, at home with his parents. The Greenwells have long been considered one of the best and most sub- stantial families in this section of the state.

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Ralph Greenwell, father of Robert W. Greenwell, and "Uncle Billy" Fickas purchased the land which they dedicated for the use of Columbus as a cemetery and this burial ground is known as Columbus Christian cemetery. The deed to the land was made out to Mr. Green- well and Mr. Fickas, but it was never recorded. In the pillars of the pulpit of the Columbus Christian church are papers containing the his- tory of the church and cemetery. One of the newspapers, nailed up in a strong box placed in the church pillars, was the Warrensburg "Journal-Democrat."

Thomas E. Cheatham, vice-president of the Citizens Bank of War- rensburg, is a progressive, public-spirited citizen, a native of Johnson county. He was born in Warrensburg in 1870, a son of John T. and Gussie M. (Chadwick) Cheatham, the former, a native of Virginia and the latter, of Missouri. John T. Cheatham came to Johnson county, Missouri from Ray county in 1870 and located in Warrensburg on Gay street. Mr. Cheatham was engaged in the stock business and in super- vising the management of his farms in Ray and Johnson counties. At the time of his death, he was the owner of more than three thousand acres of land in these two counties. In 1888, he and Marcus Youngs and Oscar Wadell organized the Citizens Bank of Warrensburg, of which financial institution John T. Cheatham was president the remainder of his life. To John T. and Gussie M. (Chadwick) Cheatham were born four children, who are now living: Thomas E., the subject of this review; William H., Warrensburg, Missouri; Frank C., Three Lakes, Wisconsin; and Mrs. Erma Crossley, Warrensburg, Missouri. The father died in 1901. Interment was made in the cemetery at War- rensburg. The widowed mother still makes her home in Warrensburg. John T. Cheatham was one of this city's best and most substantial citizens and his loss to the good citizenship of Johnson county has been deeply deplored. Mr. Cheatham was keenly interested in all move- ments which had for their object the betterment and uplift of the com- munity and he was always an earnest supporter and liberal contributor to every worthy enterprise. The Cheatham name is indelibly connected with the financial interests of Warrensburg and the commercial growth of Johnson county.

In 1897, Thomas E. Cheatham was united in marriage with Anna Jackson, daughter of R. L. Jackson, a prominent pioneer of Holden, Missouri. To this union have been born two children: Vivian, who

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is now a student in the Warrensburg State Normal School; and John T., Jr., who is in the Training school of the Warrensburg State Nor- mal School. The Cheatham residence is in Warrensburg at 414 South Holden street.

Mr. Cheatham is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Warrensburg. Besides his banking interests, he super- vises his various farms in the county. The Cheathams have all been prosperous and extensive landowners and Thomas E. Cheatham is admirably maintaining the good name and reputation, established by his father many years ago in this section of Missouri.

Tompkins Rice, grandson of Pleasant Rice, the first settler of Johnson county, was born September 3, 1868 on a farm his grandfather had entered from the government, a place located in Columbus town- ship. He is a son of Charles Cobb and Drucilla ( Bradley) Rice. Charles Cobb Rice was born September 15, 1839 in Columbus and he is now living on a farm two miles south of Columbus, probably the oldest per- son living who was born in this county. Drucilla (Bradley) Rice was born in Pittsville, Jackson township. To Charles Cobb and Drucilla Rice have been born five children, and three are now living: Joseph B., deceased; Mrs. Mary J. Seigfreid, Lees Summit, Missouri; Bettie, deceased; Tompkins and Pleasant, Jr., twins, the former, the subject of this review and the latter. the owner of the Rice homestead and a resident of Warrensburg.

The first school attended by Tompkins Rice was held in an old log barn, owned by James Dobbins. This was a "subscription school" and taught by Miss Anna Dobbins. The puncheon benches were arranged around the room close to the walls. Desks, blackboards, chalk. erasers, and even a bell were unknown. When school was dis- missed in the evenings, the children's books were piled in one corner of the room. Mr. Rice, later, was a pupil at Waldon school house. Until he was twenty-seven years of age, he remained at home with his parents. In 1901, he purchased his present home, a farm comprising one hundred six acres of land, forty of which are in Columbus town- ship and sixty-six in Hazel Hill township. All the soil is tillable, forty acres being rich bottom land. The land lies nicely and the Tompkins Rice farm is considered one of the best in the township. Mr. Rice has added all the improvements since his coming to the place. The pleasant and comfortable residence was built in 1906. It is a large

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structure of eight spacious and conveniently arranged rooms. One barn, 24 x 42 feet, is well equipped for handling stock. Mr. Rice has handled sheep for the past ten years and he has found sheep raising very profitable. At the present time, in 1917, there are twenty head of cattle and one hundred head of hogs on the farm.

February 27, 1896, Tompkins Rice was united in marriage with Olah B. Anderson, daughter of Presley and Sallie Anderson, of Colum- bus township. Mrs. Rice is a native of Hazel Hill township. To Tompkins and Olah B. (Anderson) Rice have been born three chil- dren: Leonard, a graduate of the Odessa High School; Myrtle Oneita and Gladys Irene, both of whom are now students at the Warrensburg State Normal School. All three children reside at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Rice are well known and prominent in their community and highly valued citizens of Johnson county.

Pleasant Rice, Jr., twin brother of Tompkins Rice, obtained his education in the public schools of Johnson county and in the Warrens- burg State Normal School. After leaving school, Mr. Rice engaged in farming in Johnson county until 1913, when he went to Florida and for three years was employed in managing an orange plantation which he owned in that state. He disposed of his grove in 1914 and the fol- lowing year returned to Johnson county in June and since that time has resided in Warrensburg. Pleasant Rice Jr. is now engaged in the grocery business in Warrensburg and in addition to his work in the store supervises the management of his three hundred acres of land in Columbus township. This tract of land was formerly owned by the senior Pleasant Rice, the old homestead, in Johnson county.

May 12, 1897, Pleasant Rice and Lillie M. Brownlee, daughter of M. C. and Etha L. Brownlee, were united in marriage. Mrs. Rice was born May 27, 1873 in Franklin county, Kansas. At the time of her marriage, the Brownlees were residing in Columbus township. Mrs. Brownlee died in June, 1914 and interment was made in the cemetery at Warrensburg. Mr. Brownlee is still living. To Pleasant and Lillie Rice have been born two children: Melvin, a graduate of the Warrens- burg High School in the class of 1917; and Mary A., who is in the junior class of the Warrensburg High School. Both children reside at home with Mr. and Mrs. Rice at 214 Grover street in Warrensburg. The Rice family has been numbered among the best families of the county since the beginning of its history. Mr. and Mrs. Pleasant Rice

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are highly respected in Warrensburg, where they have a wide circle of friends.

Pleasant Rice, the most honored pioneer of Johnson county and the first settler in this section of Missouri, was a native of Tennessee. He was born March 7. 1803 near Nashville, a son of a veteran of the Revolutionary War, one of the twenty courageous men who defended Buchanan's Station so nobly and well that the event assumed much historical significance and became widely known throughout the country.

In 1818, Pleasant Rice first visited this part of the United States and adjoining territories and the following autumn he with five others, Dangerfield Rice, Hugh Brown, Sr., Hugh Brown, Jr., Cicero Brown, and John Wallace, made a second visit to Johnson county, Missouri. These men explored the wilderness of the county and took back home with them two hundred sixty gallons of wild honey. Mr. Rice often stated that he found twelve bee trees in one day and from them obtained from four to sixteen gallons of honey each. In the spring of 1828. Pleasant Rice came to Johnson county with his family to make the new home on Honey creek, on land now section 10, township 47.

August 26, 1826, Pleasant Rice and Virlinda G. Ray, daughter of Senator Ray, of English descent, were united in marriage, in Tennes- see. Virlinda G. (Ray) Rice was born May 13, 1809, a member of one of the best and most prominent families of Tennessee. Pleasant Rice was of Dutch and English lineage. As soon as the family came here, Pleasant Rice built a log cabin, 14 × 14 feet in dimensions, covered

with clapboards and the space between the logs filled with mud and blocks of wood. The one door swung on wooden hinges and was fas- tened by a wooden latch. The logs were of white oak. The United States patents for land, which were issued to Pleasant Rice on March 6. 1829 show that in the spring of 1828 he entered eighty acres of land in Johnson county for which he paid the government one dollar and twenty-five cents an acre. In the small, rude, log cabin home on this farm entered by Pleasant Rice. was born April 7, 1829 the first white child in the county, Margaret Ann Rice, who died October 6, 1870.

"Pleasant Rice was the first To build on Johnson soil In poverty, hunger, and thirst A home by patient toil."

-- Johnson County History of 1882.

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At the age of ninety years, at Columbus, Missouri, Johnson county's first pioneer departed this life, in 1893. The oldest house still stand- ing in this section of the state is on the Kelly farm and was built by Mr. Rice, although the original log cabin has been since weather- boarded and changed much from the structure he erected. But were there no material reminders of this brave, early settler, the name Pleasant Rice and its historical significance will never be forgotten in Johnson county.

George A. Middleton, a successful and enterprising farmer and stockman of Columbus township, is a native of Illinois. He was born in February 1858 in McLean county, a son of James and Jane A. (Par- sons) Middleton, the former, a native of England and the latter, of Ohio. In early manhood, James Middleton emigrated from England and came to America. He located first in Ohio, where he met Miss Jane Parsons and they were united in marriage. Mr. and Mrs. James Middleton moved to Illinois from Ohio and in that state resided for nearly five years and then moved to Johnson county, Missouri in the autumn of 1859, locating temporarily in a log cabin on the Waldon farm in Columbus township, where they resided for probably a little more than a year, when they moved to a larger farm in Warrensburg township. The Middletons were residents of Warrensburg township

for two seasons or more and then returned to Columbus township to reside on the McMahan farm until Mr. Middleton purchased eighty acres of land from Richard Sanders, a place he afterward sold in order to buy the farm now owned by Isaiah Jacoby. To James and Jane Middleton were born six children: William A., Warrensburg, Mis- souri; George A., the subject of this review; Mrs. Ada E. Jacoby, Hazel Hill township; Charles J., who died recently in the state of Washing- ton; Alfred G., Centerview, Missouri; and Walter Eugene, who died in infancy. The father died in 1877 and his remains were laid to rest in the cemetery at Jacoby chapel. Mrs. Middleton departed this life several years after the death of her husband.

George A. Middleton was reared on the farm and his early life was spent much as the average country lad spends his days, assisting with the work of the home place and attending the district school. Mr. Middleton obtained his education in schools held at Granger, east of Warrensburg, Waldon, and Greendoor school house. Until he was twenty-five years of age, he remained at home caring for his widowed

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mother. Later, he purchased sixty acres of the Isaiah Jacoby farm, a tract of land entered from the government by William Adams, the land patent being signed by President Franklin Pierce, and to this Mr. Middleton later added two tracts of forty acres each and twenty acres of the second tract he afterward sold. The Middleton place now comprises one hun- dred twenty acres of land, located in Columbus township, ten miles northwest of Warrensburg. The entire farm is under a high state of cultivation and this place is one of the excellent farms of Johnson county, nicely improved, neatly kept, and well equipped for stock raising. Mr. Middleton is engaged in general farming and in raising hogs, sheep, and cattle. A large stock and hay barn was added to the place in 1913, a building 40 x 52 feet in dimensions. The residence has been rebuilt since Mr. Middleton acquired the ownership of this farm.

In 1885, George A. Middleton was united in marriage with Clara E. Chambers, of Warrensburg, daughter of William and Susan Cham- bers, who now reside in Kansas City, Missouri. To this union have been born two sons: Kenneth, who married Beulah Simmerman and they reside on a farm in Columbus township; and Otha, who married Mary Wilson and they reside on a farm in Columbus township. Both the Middleton boys are progressive, successful farmers and stockmen. The Middletons have long been highly regarded and valued citizens of Johnson county.

William Edward Rittman, proprietor of "Honey Creek Stock Farm" in Columbus township, is one of the well-known and competent farmers and stockmen of Johnson county. He is a native of this county and a. member of one of the prominent early families. Mr. Rittman was born in 1871 in Hazel Hill township, a son of Frank and Matilda E. (Mark- ham) Rittman. Frank Rittman was a native of Bavaria on the river Rhine. He emigrated from the old country and came to America when he was a young man, making the ocean voyage on a sailing boat, taking forty-eight days to make the journey. Mr. Rittman landed first at New Orleans and from that city went on up the Mississippi river to Illinois, in which state he remained for some time and then returned to New Orleans. He was drafted into the Confederate army, which he deserted nine months later, and, returning to Illinois, enlisted with Company F, Eighty-second Illinois Infantry. Mr. Rittman escaped from the Con- federates April 18, 1862. He and five other men were detailed to go up the banks of the Mississippi river to watch for Yankee gunboats.

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The men walked about two miles following the river banks, when the sergeant gave orders to return. Two Irishmen, who were with the little company, made a dash for liberty and the sergeant and Mr. Ritt- man pursued them. The deserters had been retaken by the sergeant, when Frank Rittman appeared on the scene, disarmed the officer, and started him back to his followers, while he and the Irishmen made good their escape. For the remainder of the war, Mr. Rittman served with the Union army. He took an active part in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Gettysburg, and those of Sherman's Georgia campaign. besides numerous engagements of lesser significance. In the first named battle, Mr. Rittman was seriously wounded. After the war had ended, he came to Missouri, locating first in Kansas City and thence coming to Warrensburg about 1865. For several years, he was employed as teamster, working between Warrensburg and Clinton. He later located on a farm in Hazel Hill township, which he rented for six years, and then purchased the place now owned by his son, J. F. Rittman. To Frank and Matilda E. Rittman were born five children: William Edward, the subject of this review: Mrs. Anna Schaffer, Bliss, Oklahoma; J. F., Columbus township; John, Hazel Hill township, a sketch of whom ap- pears elsewhere in this volume; and Mrs. Katie B. Claunch, deceased. The father died about 1889 and burial was made at Mount Moriah cemetery. Mrs. Matilda Rittman died in 1911 and her remains were laid to rest beside her husband in the cemetery at Mount Moriah.

In the public schools of Simpson and Hazel Hill townships, William Edward Rittman obtained his education. Since he was sixteen years of age, Mr. Rittman has made his own way in life. His first farm com- prised one hundred acres of land, this tract being a part of the Simp- son Brown place. Mr. Rittman sold this farm and purchased one hun- dred sixty acres of land, from Henry Russell. which he later sold and bought his present country home in Columbus township, an excellent stock farm embracing three hundred sixty acres of land known as "Honey Creek Stock Farm." This is an ideal stock farm, abundantly watered and nicely improved. Since his coming to this farm, Mr. Rittman has built two large barns and drilled a three-hundred-thirteen-foot well. The residence and barns are situated on the highest part of the farm, thus affording a splendid view of the surrounding country. The Rittman country place is one of the beautiful and attractive homes of Johnson county.

January 12, 1898, William Edward Rittman and Bertha A. Manis,

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daughter of I. W. and Sallie (Parman) Manis, of Simpson township, were united in marriage. Mr. Manis is a native of Kentucky and his wife of Simpson township. I. W. Manis came to Missouri from Kentucky in the early sixties and he and Mrs. Manis still reside at the old home- stead located five and a half miles north and east of Warrensburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Rittman have been born two children: Alfred, who was born November 27, 1899; and Helen. Alfred is now a student at the Warrensburg State Normal School and Helen is at home with her par- ents, on the beautiful country place in Columbus township. The Ritt- man family is enrolled among the best families of this county and all the Rittmans have for many years been considered good, substantial citizens of Missouri.

S. F. McNair, the well-known practical farmer of the Warrensburg State Normal School, is a native of Moniteau county. He was born in that county, but was reared on a Pettis county farm. Mr. McNair is a son of Daniel and Maggie (Houx) McNair, the father, a native of Pennsylvania and the mother, of Moniteau county, a member of a prominent pioneer family. Daniel McNair came to Missouri in early manhood and located in Moniteau county. Mr. McNair was a distant relative of Alexander McNair, the first governor of Missouri. Since the father's death, in 1905, the widowed mother has made her home with her daughter, Mrs. T. P. Woods, in Arkansas.

For twelve years, S. F. McNair was employed as telegraph operator and then he returned to the farm. He came to Johnson county, Mis- souri, in 1896 and is now the owner of a farm of one hundred sixty acres in Warrensburg township, a place located four miles south of Warrens- burg. Mr. McNair has been superintendent of the State Normal farm for the past four years. He is a close observer and keen, practical thinker and by reading widely on the various subjects pertaining to agriculture became very proficient in his agricultural knowledge and pursuits, so that when the time came that the Normal School desired a good, practical farmer to assist in farm work and experimentation, Mr. McNair was well qualified for the position.

In 1888, S. F. McNair and Dollie Inman, of Kansas City, Missouri, daughter of Thomas and Anne (Davis) Inman, natives of Indiana, were united in marriage. To this union have been born four children: Margaret, deceased: Mary, Martha, and Samuel, Jr.

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History of Johnson County, Missouri, Part 95

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