USA > Missouri > Lafayette County > History of Lafayette county, Mo. , carefully written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, cities, towns, and villages > Part 53
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DR. J. W. LIGHTNER,
firm of Joseph H. Lightner & J. W. Lightner, M. D., dry goods, groceries, drugs, etc., P. O., Napoleon. Was born at Sibley, Jackson county, Missouri, February 12, 1851. Was reared in this county and attended high school at Greenton, Missouri. Was an assistant teacher in the Howard High school, in Vernon county. He read medicine with L. M. Dixon, M. D., of Walker, Missouri; afterwards attended lectures at the Louisville medical college, and graduated in 1876. In the same year he also attended the " Kentucky School of Medicine." In June, of same year, he commencd the practice of medicine at Napoleon. September 19, 1879, he was married to Miss Dora A. Sams, of Carrollton, Kentucky. The doctor is a genial, affable gentleman, held in high estimation by his
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tellow citizens, for his profound knowledge of medical science and social qualities. His whole time and attention are required in his large and lucra- tive practice, in the town and surrounding country.
HENRY H. WAESTEMEYER,
farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Napoleon. Was born in Warren county, Missouri, September 7, 1842. His parents were natives of Prussia. Was reared and educated in his native county. September 7, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa A. Kallmeyer. They became parents of eight children, six of whom are now living-three sons and three daughters. The eldest, Mary L., was born August 23, 1866. After his marriage he lived in his native county, engaged in general merchandising until 1869, when he moved to Lincoln county, and continued in the same business. In 1871 he took a stock of goods to Carrollton, Carroll county, where he carried on business for one year, at the expiration of which time he sold out his stock and abandoned the mercantile trade. He then moved to Napoleon, and located on a fine farm of 130 acres, where he now resides. engaged in its cultivation. He also pays consider- able attention to the raising of fine stock, bees, etc. He has a fine frame res- idence with a brick basement, beautifully located on the bank of the Mis- souri river, at a point which commands a fine view of the surrounding country. His farm contains about twenty-five acres of good timber, and an orchard of about 175 bearing trees, besides several others not yet arrived at that stage. Mr. Waestemeyer is an industrious, enterprising business man, possessing the unlimited confidence of the community in which he resides, as indexed to a certain extent by his election to the office of justice of the peace for Clay township, in which capacity he is serving with credit to himself and satisfaction to all.
STROTHER RENICK,
farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Napoleon. The subject of this sketch is a native of Barren county, Kentucky ; born near Glasgow, January 19, 1804. His boyhood was passed in his native county, where he was educated. At the age of sixteen years he came to this state and county, and in 1821 set- tled on the farm upon which he now resides. In 1824 he went to New Mexico, where he spent one year and then returned. In 1829 he took the second trip to New Mexico and spent another year there-trading. He then returned to his farm and built the fine residence which he now occupies, comprised of a large frame building, containing nine comfortable and airy rooms, with wide halls between, and fitted up with all of the appurtenan- ces necessary for comfort and convenience. His place is known far and near, as the "Plum Orchard Farm." It is beautifully located on the divide between Sniabar Creek and the Missouri river; it contains 421
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acres, all under cultivation. He has a fine, large orchard of 1,200 apple trees, and a smaller one of peaches, pears, etc. A fine grove of locust trees, planted by himself in 1830, ornament the lawn in front of the house. The outhouses, consisting of two barns, a double carriage house, ice-house, etc., are fine specimens of architecture and complete in their appointments. During the past six months he has sold three farms, one of 245 acres, one of ninety-three acres, and one of forty acres, all well improved. Besides the home farm Mr. R. owns six others, all under cultivation, aggregating 800 or 900 acres of land. November 18, 1839, he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca H. Livesay, a native of Greenbriar county, Virginia. Mr. Renick has been a resident of this county for over half a century. He is a man of broad and liberal views, quick to discover the true inward- ness of any enterprise, either public or private, and ready to assist in the active prosecution of any which meets the approbation of his sound and well matured judgment.
RICHARD M. CHINN,
farmer and stockraiser, P. O. Napoleon. Born in Bourbon county, Ken- tucky, March 28, 1825. His parents were natives of Kentucky also. His early life was passed in his native State, where he received a liberal edu- cation. On the 7th of January, 1858; he was married to Miss Sallie B. Barton. By this union they have had eight children, six of whom are living. Moved to Lafayette county, Missouri, in 1866, and purchased the farm upon which he now resides, consisting of 228 acres of excellent land. He occupies a substantial two-story house, containing five rooms, finely located on the watershed between the Sniabar creek and the Missouri river and two miles south of Napoleon. In October, 1873, Mr. Chinn was married for the second time to Mrs. Magdalen Johnson, nee Regan, his first wife died during the previous year. He is a man of strict integrity and high principle, admired by all who know him.
DR. EDWARD H. SMITH,
physician and surgeon, P. O. Napoleon. Son of Richard Smith; was born in Montreal, Canada, March 16, 1857, where he was raised and educated. After taking an academic course at Montreal College and graduating, he entered the McGill Medical University, established in 1812, where he completed one of the most thorough courses of medical science to be found in the curriculum of any college in the country, receiving his diploma in March, 1881. After graduating, he went to Kansas City and engaged in the practice of medicine. He, however, remained there but a short time going to Napoleon in June of the same year. Having a thorough and complete theoretical knowledge of the " art of healing," the doctor hopes by close application and strict attention to business, to build up a large
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
and lucrative practice in the town and surrounding country. Few men have begun life under more favorable auspices-with youth, health and energy on his side, he is sure to succeed.
CHARLES E. STONE,
merchant and druggist, P. O. Napoleon. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, June 2, 1831. His parents died during his infancy. During his minority he was educated in Wilmington, North Carolina, and at the " University of North Carolina," graduating from the latter institution in 1849. During vacations he sailed south on his uncle's ship, in capacity of super cargo, going as far south as Rio Janeiro. He visited the West Indies, Nova Scotia, Central America, and various other places of interest. After graduating he spent 11 years in the northwestern States trading. In 1860 he went to San Francisco via. New York, spending six years in Cali- fornia and Nevada, engaged in mining during the first three years. While in California he enlisted in the Federal service, company E. 1st California regiment. Was mustered out of service in February 1866, when he returned to this state and located in Ray county, where he led to the mar- riage altar, Miss Willie Thornton, daughter of Dr. Thornton, on the 27th day of March, 1866. While living in Ray county he was engaged in teaching school. In 1874 he moved to Jackson county, where he lived for one year engaged in the manufacture of tobacco, having built a fac- tory for that purpose at Lone Jack. In 1876 he came to Napoleon, this county, where he is engaged in the drug and general merchandise busi- ness. Mr. Stone has a family of six children, three sons and three daugh- ters.
THOMAS B. FISHBACK,
merchant, P. O. Napoleon. The subject of this sketch is the son of F. L. Fishback, and the youngest of nine children; born in Lafayette county, October 18, 1861. Was reared on his father's farm, located four miles south of Napoleon. Attended the public schools, at intervals; deriving his education, principally, however, through his own unaided efforts. In 1881, February 27, he was united in the bonds of wedlock, to Miss Eliza- beth Hudnall, daughter of R. A. Hudnall. Having previously established himself in the mercantile business, at Napoleon, Mr. F. commences life with flattering prospects.' Having youth, health, energy, and good pratical judgment; aided and assisted by the wise couasel and co-operation of an estimable wife; both promising the esteem and confidence of all who know them, there is no reason why the happy couple should not pass their lives in peace and prosperity.
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
ROBERT A. HUDNALL,
farmer and stock-raiser, P. O., Napoleon. The subject of the following is the son of Jabez Hudnall; born in Pittsylvania county, Virginia, Decem- ber 6, 1834. Lived there until 1849, when he went to Bedford county, and engaged in clerking for different parties until 1852. The first year, he received for compensation, the munificent sum of $11, and his clothes; the second year, $24; the third year, $50, and the fourth year, $100. Verily, money was scarce-with him. In 1852, he made a loan of $250, with which he entered into partnership with two other men, in a business in which they were experienced and he was not. At the end of a year and a half, he had the experience, and they the money. This unfortunate transaction left him $250 in debt. In 1855, he went back to one of his former employees, and engaged with him again, at the old salary of $100 per year. In 1857, he came to this state locating in Jackson county, having, at the time he arrived, only twenty-five cents in his pocket. He engaged in his old occupation-that of clerking-which he fol- lowed until 1861, when he commenced business for himself, at Napo- leon. He had but little money, but had good credit. He purchased hemp, but, on account of the war, was not allowed to ship it with- out a permit. He, however, succeeded in shipping a cargo, upon which he realized the snug little profit of $5,500. Continued in this business, with a moderate degree of success, until the 31st of July, 1868, when the federals set fire to his warehouse, which, with its contents, was entirely consumed, leaving him, not only penniless, but $700 in debt. Nothing daunted, however, he next went to Carroll county, and dealt in hogs; realizing enough by this venture to pay off his indebtedness, thereby re-establishing his credit. Furnished with what money he needed by a St. Louis commission house, he continued in the hemp trade, in which he realized $20,000, in the short space of four months. He then purchased a fourth interest in the steamer "Shreveport," plying on the Missouri river. This proved to be a "white elephant," which coupled with his losses in gold speculation, left him with only $4,500 in his exchequer. In 1865, he entered into partnership with Capt. John Keiser, and William M. McPher- son, of St. Louis, and purchased a stock of goods to take to Montana. The stock, at Helena, Montana, ccst them $34,200. In twenty days after arriving there, he sold the entire stock for $52,000 in gold. After paying out $16,000, for transporting goods, he sold the remainder, $36,000 in gold, at 40 per cent. premium. In 1866, he started from St. Louis, en route to Fort Benton, with a steamboat load of merchandise. The boat sunk seven miles below Sioux City; he, however, sustaining no loss. In the same year, he went to Montana, where he engaged in trading and freight- ing. In 1868, he went to Bedford county, Virginia, and in 1869, came to
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Lafayette county, Missouri, and purchased the fine farm of 300 acres, upon which he now resides, pleasantly located upon the divide between the Sni- abar creek and the Missouri river. His residence and outhouses are models of neatness and convenience. In November, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Brown, of Jackson county. They have five children living-four daughters and one son. The eldest daughter mar- ried Mr. T. B. Fishback, of Napoleon. The second is attending Central College, of Lexington. Few men, indeed, have experienced the vicissi- tudes of such an eventful life, as that of the subject of the foregoing sketch; who, now surrounded by a loving family, is reaping in comfort the fruits of a life of toil and trial.
GEORGE W. GRUBB,
farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Napoleon. Born, February 2, 1831, in Loudon county, Virginia, where he was raised and educated.
In 1852, in company with John W. Conard, (afterwards his brother-in- law), he came to this state and county, and in the following year, returned and was united in marriage, February 23, 1854, to Miss Jane A. Conard. In same year, returned to this county with his bride, and located on the farm where he now resides. Five children were born to them; four now living, viz: Mary Lizzie, Lucelia J., (married R. E. Fishback), Sterling Lee, Alina B. The farm upon which Mr. Grubb is living consists of 221 acres of well improved land, upon which there is a fine orchard, which furnishes plenty of all kinds of fruit. He also devotes some attention to bee culture, cultivating the Italian species, which are thought to be the best adapted to this climate. Has a fine, large, commodious residence and good substantial barns and outhouses, all in good repair.
Mr. Grubb is one of the substantial citizens of the county of his adop- tion; the interests of which he guards with a vigilant eye. He also owns considerable land in Johnson county.
JOHN G. STROTHMAN,
farmer and stock-raiser, P. O., Napoleon. Is a native of Hanover, Ger- many, born May 31, 1811. Was raised and educated in the country of his birth. He immigated to the United States in 1836, landing at Balti- more on the 11th of June. In 1839, he went to Kentucky, and engaged work in a hemp factory. In 1842, he moved to Lafayette county, Mo., locating upon the farm, where he now resides, situated one mile east of Napoleon. It consists of 160 acres, nearly all improved. Has a fine res- idence and all.of the outhouses and appurtenances, necessary to the culti- vation of a stock farm. Has a fine orchard of seventy-five apple trees, and also several pear and peach trees, all bearing. In 1844, he was 'mar- ried, in St. Louis, to Sophia M. Denter, a native of Prussia. Five child-
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ren are the fruits of this marriage, named as follows: Sophia, (Mrs. Isaac Summers), Louisa, John, James and William; all married. They all live in this vicinity except the eldest. Mr. S. is a steady, industrious, enter- prising citizen, of the kind and quality which go to make up the backbone of the community.
STEPHEN GATES,
farmer and stock-raiser, P. O., Napoleon. Is a native of Baden, Ger- many, born in 1839. Immigated with his parents to the United States in 1844; locating in Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood and acquired his education. In 1859, he left Wisconsin and went to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he remained until 1865, when he came to this state and county and purchased the farm upon which he now resides, consisting of 300 acres of fine bottom land, located one and a half miles east of Napoleon; all but seventy acres is under cultivation. The present year, (1881), he has 140 acres of corn planted, which now give promise of an abundant crop. Along the Missouri river on this farm are some trees of very large growth -monarchs of the forest-one sycamore measuring 18} feet in circumfer- ence. Walnuts have been cut measuring thirteen and fourteen feet. In 1868, Mr. Gates was united in marriage to Miss Angeline McFarland. Their union is blessed with five daughters. Mr. G. is a thrifty, stirring business man and a model farmer.
JOSEPH H. LIGHTNER,
firm of Lightner Bros., dry goods, medicines and general merchan- dise, P. O. Napoleon., was born in this state and county, June 8th, 1849, where he has since resided. Was educated, primarily, in this county, and during the years of '68 and '69, he attended Bryant & Stratton's Commer- cial College at Cincinnati. After leaving school, he was engaged in farm- ing up to the year 1880, when he entered the mercantile firm of which he is now a member. He married Miss Anna Handly, Jan. 21st, 1875. They have two daughters, viz .: Florence R., born Oct. 23d, 1878, and Kittie R., born Oct. 27th, 1880.
The firm of Lightner Bros. is the leading one of the town of Napoleon Although but recently established, being comprised of men of ability and experience, it has already taken its place in the front rank.
JUDGE JOHN A. LOCKHART,
blacksmith, P. O. Wellington. The subject of this sketch is a native of Simpson county, Ky., born in 1833. Came to Morgan county, Mo., in 1840, where he remained four years; he then came to Lafayette. county, where he lived for a short time. In 1852 he went to Wellington, where he learned his trade, working with his brother,
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
T. S. Lockhart, who is a fine mechanic. Manufactures plows, deals in agricultural implements, hardware, &c. Makes a plow of his own invention, which has a good reputation, and from the sale of which he realizes a good income. He is the only representative of his trade in Wellington and is doing a lucrative business. Owns a fine resi- dence in the edge of town. In November, 1880, at the request of his friends, he made a canvass of his district for Judge of District Court and was elected by a handsome majority. He obtained his education under many difficulties, being self educated, to a great extent. Attended night school for some time, even continuing his attendance after his marriage. Was married in 1859, to Miss Mary White, daughter of Luvin White, deceased, formerly of Scott county, Ky. They have five children by this marriage: one son and four daughters. His son is married and assists him in the shop. The Judge is an honored member of the M. E. Church, South. Is also a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge 81, of Wellington. He is a man of undisputed integrity, eminently worthy, in every respect, of the unbounded confidence placed in him by his fellow citizens.
MARTIN SLAUGHTER.
Mr. Slaughter, son of Roger and Lucy Slaughter, nee Long, who were born and bred in Virginia, is a native of Orange county, Va .; born Nov. 22, 1812. His education was obtained while living there. In 1837 he went to Scott county, Ky., where he remained until the spring of 1844, when he came to Missouri and settled in Lafayette county, where he has resided, engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was married May 4, 1847, to Miss Lucy R. T. Moore, of Orange county, Va. They have four children living, viz: Mrs. Mary E. Tilden, Arthur O., Philip and Henry. Mrs. Slaughter died in 1852. June 23, 1853, he married Mrs. Beatty, of this county. By this marriage they have one child living, Thomas S. B. Mr. Slaughter's paternal grandfather was a veteran of the revolutionary war. Mr. S. isa member of the Christian church. His Post Office address is Greenton.
J. E. WAGONER.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Allen county, Ky., and came to Missouri with his parents in 1849, locating in Lafayette county, where, after arriving at manhood's estate, he engaged in farming and merchandising. In 1880 he went to Odessa, where he now resides engaged in the grain trade. Sept. 18, 1877, he was married to Miss L. H. Hobson, of Jackson county. They have one child, Stella M. Mr. Wagoner is a member of the Grange and also of the M. E. Church, south. Is a partner in the firm of Cobb & Wagoner, grain dealers, Post Office, Odessa.
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
S. W. CREASEY.
The parents of Mr. Creasey were natives of Bedford county, Va., where he was born, bred and educated. Came to Missouri in April, 1853,.with his mother, his father having died previous to that time. They settled in Lafayette county, where Mr. C. has since resided, engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1866 he led Miss Mary R. Renick to the marriage altar, by whom he has one child, viz: Charles R. Their wedded happiness was of short duration, however, Mrs. Creasey dying May 5, of the following year. Mr. Creasey is a member of the A. F. and A. M., and also a member of the Grange. He is a thorough business man pos- sessing the confidence of all who have business relations with him.
G. W. PARKER.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Barren county, Ky., born in 1835. His early life was passed there, receiving in the meantime as lib- eral an education as an attendance in the common schools of that day would admit. In 1853, he came to Missouri, and settled on a farm in Lafayette county, where he now resides. Four years of his life was spent traveling in the west. Enlisted in 1861, in Col. Elliott's regiment, in which he served three months. Was engaged in the battle of Lexington. In the fall of 1861, he started south, and was captured near Springfield, Mo., and was held prisoner for thirty days, when he was paroled. In 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Tickle, of Lafayette county. They became parents of four children, viz: Eva, Fannie, Flora and George W .; all now living. Mr. Parker is the son of John and Ann E. Parker, who moved from Virginia to Kentucky, in an early day. His father served in the war of 1812. Mr. Parker's post office address is Odessa.
PASCHAL A. GIBBS.
Mr. Gibbs, one of the pioneer settlers of Lafayette county, is a native of Bradford county, Virginia; born Nov. 21, 1807. Was there reared and educated. In 1837, he moved to Missouri, and located on a farm near Odessa, in Lafayette county, where he has since been engaged in culti- vating a fine farm, also paying considerable attention to stock raising. He was married, December 12, 1833, to Miss Cassie A. Creasey, a native of Virginia. They have two children, both living, viz: Thomas G. and Mrs. Susanna B. Elliott. Is a member of the State Grange, and also of the Baptist church. Mr. Gibbs came to Missouri in company with his father-in-law, Thomas B. Creasey, who died in 1843. Mrs. Gibbs died, February 18, 1877. The father of Mr. Gibbs served in the war of 1812.
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
J. K. ADAMS,
farmer. P. O. Odessa. Son of Percival and Elizabeth Adams, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, February 22, 1816. His father moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1805. The early life of Mr. Adams was spent on a farm and in fact, during the greater part of his life has been engaged in same occupation. In 1842, April 27, he was married to Miss Mary J. Havens, of Franklin county, Ohio. They have three children: Frank G., Mrs. Annis F. Baldwin, and Richard H. He came to Odessa in 1879, and for a while was engaged in the grain business. Mr. Adams is a veteran of the Mexican war, having served in the capacity of lieutenant of a company of cavalry. His father was an officer in the war of 1812. Mr. Adams and his wife are both members of the Presbyterian church, (O. S.)
JOHN KIRKPATRICK,
farmer, P. O. Odessa. The subject of this sketch was born in Jefferson county, Tennessee, December 23, 1816. He is the son of Jacob and Isa- bel Kirkpatrick, who lived and died in Tennessee. In 1841, he came to Missouri and settled in this county, in Clay township, near where the city of Odessa now stands. He has been a farmer nearly all of his life. Sep- tember 13, 1841, he was united in marriage to a very estimable lady, by whom he has six children. April 10, 1862, the family were called upon to mourn the loss of wife and mother. May 25, 1865, Mr. Kirkpatrick was again married, leading to the altar Miss Sarah E. Phillips, of Ray county. By this marriage he has three children. In the same year 1865, he was appointed judge of the circuit, in which capacity he served for two years, in a manner satisfactory to all. His father served as a soldier in the Indian wars.
JOHN W. McBURNEY,
farmer, P. O. Odessa, is a native of Guernsey county, Ohio; born in 1843. His boyhood was spent in Illinois. At the age of 13 his parents moved to Iowa, where they remained until 1865, when they came to Missouri, and settled in this county on a farm. September 4, 1861, he enlisted in the U. S. army, 3d Iowa Cavalry. Was in the battles of Kirksville, Moose's Mill, Helena, Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Whitewater, Little Rock, Gun- town, Tupelo, Independence, and Newtonia. Was honorably discharged July 26, 1865. In 1873, January 3d, he was united in marriage to Miss Laura McNeal, of this county. They have three children, Bertha L., Margaret, I., and Nanie W. Mr. McBurney is a member of the A. F. and A. M., and also of the Presbyterian church, (O. S). Mr. B. devotes considerable of his time and attention to the breeding of Norman horses,
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