USA > Missouri > Pettis County > History of Pettis County, Missouri > Part 51
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Joseph M. James is the third in the order of birth of a family of seven children. He remained in Saline County until 1889, when he came to Pet- tis County. Here he rented land for one year and then bought a farm, four miles north of Sedalia. Here he carried on farming and stock raising until 1910, when he went to Colorado and purchased a ranch in the San Luis Valley. After remaining there one year, he traded that prop- erty for his present place and returned to Pettis County. He has a splen- did farm of 230 acres, located in sections 23 and 26, Prairie township.
Mr. James was united in marriage in 1889 with Miss Lorena Nicolds, daughter of Major R. W. Nicolds of Marshall, Missouri. Mrs. James died in 1902. In 1906, Mr. James was married to Miss Susan Yerkes, of Fair- mount, Illinois. One son, Richard Morris, was born to Mr. James' first marriage, and a daughter, Frances Elizabeth, was born to the second marriage.
Richard Morris James is a graduate of the Sedalia High School and the University of Missouri at Columbia, where he took the mechanical engineering course. He was employed by the Westinghouse Company for
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four years, where he was at the head of the insulating department. When the United States entered the World War, he offered his services to the Government and is now inspector of machinery in a Government nitro plant in Alabama.
Joseph M. James and his wife are members of the Methodist Church South, and he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Politi- cally, he is a Democrat. Mr. James is a self-made man and by his own efforts, he has succeeded to a very satisfactory degree, and is one of the successful men of whom Pettis County is justly proud.
Parmenas Cole, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Prairie town- ship, was born in the township where he now resides and has been identi- fied with Pettis County all his life. He is a descendant of Missouri pio- neers, being a direct descendant of the renowned Daniel Boone. He is the son of James W. and Mary E. (Drake) Cole, both natives of Mis- souri. James W. Cole was born in Cooper County, Missouri. He was reared on a farm and in 1850, during the gold excitement in California, he made the trip across the continent to California and returned three years later. He was eighteen years old when he made his first trip to the Coast. Indians at that time were plentiful along the trail followed by the California gold seekers, and frequently hostile bands were encountered. On one occasion, young Cole wandered away from the wagon train and was captured by some Indians who were skulking along the trail. It was not long until other members of the train missed him and they imme- diately inaugurated a search for their lost companion and soon found Cole a captive by the Indians. Cole's companions were well armed and they had no trouble in persuading the Indians to give up their captive. This was one of Mr. Cole's many experiences in his various trips across the unsettled plains and mountains of the early day West. He made sev- eral trips across the plains in the early days and had a wide experience as a frontiersman. After buying land in Prairie township, Pettis County, he made his home here for many years and followed farming and stock raising. He died in 1899. Mary E. (Drake) Cole, mother of Parmenas Cole, was born in Howard County, Missouri, and when she was a child her parents removed to Cooper County, where she was reared and educated. She died in 1913.
Parmenas Cole was reared on his father's farm in Pettis County and received his education in the public schools. In 1888, he purchased his present farm of 160 acres in sections 15 and 23. This is one of the
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productive farms of the county, and Mr. Cole has succeeded in a very satisfactory degree in general farming and stock raising.
February 29, 1888, Mr. Cole was united in marriage with Miss Sallie Read, a native of Cooper County, Missouri, born October 9, 1865. She is a daughter of A. J. and Eveline (Ewing) Read, the former a native of Cooper and the latter of Lafayette County, Missouri, and descendants of some of the very early pioneer families of that section of the State. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cole, as follow: James R., resides at home with his parents; John E., a farmer, Prairie township; Blanche F., a graduate of the State Normal School at Warrensburg, now a successful Pettis County teacher; Finis Chatham died in infancy ; and Parmenas L., who resides at home with his parents.
Mr. Cole is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and belongs to the Presbyterian Church. He is a Democrat and has supported the policies and principles of that party since he became a voter.
Christian Neitzert, a successful farmer and stockman of Prairie town- ship, is a native of Morgan County, Missouri. He was born June 13, 1857, in the old log cabin on the home place where his father settled in Morgan County. He is the son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Rodenbach) Neitzert, both natives of Germany, who came to this country when they were young. Frederick Neitzert was born in 1820, and died in 1896. As a boy in his native land he worked in a rock quarry and also was em- ployed in a foundry. He also worked in a stone quarry near St. Louis, after coming to this country. At an early day, he settled in Morgan County, where he bought a farm of rough and unimproved land. He built a primitive log cabin on his place and proceeded to improve his land. When he was married, his entire cash capital consisted of only fifty cents, but he started out in life with a determination to succeed and after overcoming many difficulties, prosperity came to him, and he became the owner of over 500 acres of land in Morgan County, and at the time of his death he was considered well-to-do. During the Civil War, Frederick Neitzert served in the State Militia and saw quite a good deal of service in Missouri. He was at the battle of Cole Camp, and took part in a num- ber of minor engagements with bushwhackers. On one occasion, bush- whackers came to his home for the purpose of murdering him, but his wife succeeded in saving his life. She was born in 1835 and died in Feb- ruary, 1915.
Christian Neitzert was reared on his father's farm in Morgan county and received his education in the public schools. In 1905, he came to
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Pettis County and purchased a farm and later purchased another one, both of which he has improved and brought under a high state of culti- vation. His home place has one of the convenient, modern residences of Pettis County; the house is equipped with electric lights and is mod- ern throughout.
Mr. Neitzert was united in marriage November 23, 1892 with Miss Louisa A. Dinwiddie of Morgan County, Missouri, and to this union have been born five children, as follow: Gertrude, married N. Lane, Sedalia, Missouri; Bessie Ann, resides at home with her parents; Raymond D., Lloyd C., and Elsie E., all residing at home with their parents.
Mr. Neitzert is a Republican and he and his family belong to the Baptist Church. Mr. Neitzert is one of the men of Pettis County who has made good, and whatever success has come to him, has been by his own industry and unaided efforts.
Forrest Everett Helman, an enterprising farmer and stock man who is operating the Helman home farm in Prairie township, was born in Prairie township on the farm where he now resides, July 25, 1881, and is a son of Jacob D. Helman, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.
Forrest Everett Helman was reared on the home farm and edu- cated in the district school and the Green Ridge High School. . He has always followed farming and early in life began for himself. In 1910, he took charge of his father's place where he has since been successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. He carries on general farming and also extensively raises high-grade cattle. The Helman farm con- sists of 416 acres of land which is well improved and is of rich, productive soil.
Mr. Helman was married November 28, 1911 to Miss Gertrude Weeden Calvert, a native of Green Ridge township, Pettis County. She is a daughter of Charles L. and Ella (Weeden) Calvert, who reside in Green Ridge township. A sketch of Charles L. Calvert, with a review of the Calvert family history appears in this volume. Mrs. Helman was edu- cated in the district school and the Green Ridge High School. She taught three terms of school prior to her marriage, and was one of Pettis County's successful teachers. To Mr. and Mrs. Helman have been born two children, Mildred L. and Mary E.
Mr. Helman has always supported the principles of the Republican party and is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Green Ridge Lodge No. 425, and he and Mrs. Helman are members of the Metho- dist Church.
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Gilbert H. Tevebaugh .- Every recognized occupation, profession or vocation has its known specialists. Gilbert H. Tevebaugh, of Houstonia, is a specialist in the breeding of farm animals; every head of farm stock on his place is pure bred, and the greater number are registered livestock. Mr. Tevebaugh began the breeding of Hereford cattle in 1916; in 1910 he had begun the breeding of jacks and mules. In each of these ventures he has made a pronounced financial success, and proved that it pays to handle registered stock. He has a herd of fifty-five whiteface cattle on the farm, headed by a registered bull which cost $1,000.00, and which was purchased of A. M. Jones & Co., of Independence, Missouri. Mr. Tevebaugh has a herd of forty-two splendid mules, and finds their breeding a very profitable business. In 1917 he sold over $18,000 worth of livestock, and on November 9, 1918, he disposed of $15,500 worth of animals at public sale. He owns some splendid Percheron horses, among which are seven thoroughbred mares.
Gilbert H. Tevebaugh was born July 9, 1876, in Bourbon County, Kentucky. He is a son of Henry and Georgia (Daniels) Tevebaugh, natives of Kentucky, who came to Pettis County in 1887, and here spent the remainder of their days engaged in farming. Henry Tevebaugh was born in 1844 and died in 1916. The first location which Mr. Teve- baugh made in Pettis County when he came here was on a farm situated within three miles of Houstonia. He rented land for three years, and then purchased a farm south of Houstonia. When old age came upon him he disposed of his farm and moved to Houstonia. Mrs. Tevebaugh was born in 1850, and now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Nathan Harris, of Houstonia. To Henry and Georgia Tevebaugh were born chil- dren as follows: Mrs. Nathan Harris; Gilbert H., of this review, and Edward, who died at the age of three years.
Farming and stock raising has always been the occupation of G. H. Tevebaugh since his boyhood days, and after his schooling was com- pleted, he has devoted his entire attention to this vocation. He began breeding Hereford cattle in 1916, and he began the breeding of jacks and mules in 1910. Besides breeding fine cattle and mules, he is a breeder of Shropshire sheep, and has on the place at present forty fine ewes. During the past season he has sold 140 head of these fine animals. It is said that Mr. Tevebaugh has the finest sheep in all Pettis County. His hogs are of the pure-bred Poland China type, and he has ten regis- tered animals in his breeding pens. The Tevebaugh home, erected in
B. Y. CHIPMAN.
GILBERT H. TEVEBAUGH.
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1909, is one of the finest residences in Pettis county, and is splendidly fitted up inside, consisting of fourteen rooms, and all modern. All of the buildings on the farm were erected by Mr. Tevebaugh since taking possession of the place, in 1909. The home farm consists of 320 acres, adjoining the town of Houstonia on the northeast. Mrs. Tevebaugh has another farm of 326 acres, near Houstonia, and he is farming or has charge of over 1,100 acres in all, 706 acres of which is part of the Chip- man estate. Mr. Tevebaugh is vice-president of the Houstonia Bank.
On June 5, 1907, Gilbert H. Tevebaugh and Miss Mary Chipman were united in marriage. This marriage has been blessed with one child, Mary Elizabeth Tevebaugh, aged nine years. Mrs. Mary Tevebaugh is a daughter of B. Y. Chipman, one of the best known of the pioneer citizens of Pettis County, now deceased.
Bartlett Y. Chipman was born in Guilford County, North Carolina, December 27, 1818, and died December 27, 1899. He was the second child in a family of four children born to O. H. Chipman, a native of North Carolina. B. Y. Chipman was reared in Guilford County, North Carolina, and in 1845 he came to Pettis County, Missouri, and during the course of years, amassing a fortune in lands and money. He drove through from the South in wagons to his new location, and evidently came fairly well supplied with funds, because of the fact that he bought a large farm of 380 acres and erected the first two-story house in Blackwater township, in northern Pettis County. He purchased land near Houstonia, and continued to accumulate land until he owned 1,200 acres. Mr. Chip- man was an extensive dealer in cattle, and was widely known as one of the largest cattlemen in Pettis 'County. Like many other southern families who have settled in Pettis County, the Chipmans brought a number of slaves with them, who were the property of Mrs. Chipman. Mr. Chip- man was a charter member of the Blackwater Chapel Methodist Epis- copal Church, and was one of the founders of this church as well as being a liberal contributor to its support, during his lifetime in Pettis County. He was a good Christian, conscientious, honest in his dealings with his fellow-men, and liberal in all things pertaining to the welfare of the people of his neighborhood.
B. Y. Chipman was twice married. His first wife, whom he married on September 20, 1845, was Mary E. Winston, a daughter of Jesse Win- ston, of North Carolina. Seven children were born to this marriage, two of whom are living: Mrs. Lucy A., wife of J. P. Wymer, Wellington,
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Kansas, and Bettie E., wife of L. A. Grubbs, Wellington, Kansas. Mrs. Mary E. Chipman dying, B. Y. Chipman was married, on July 20, 1875, to Mrs. Bettie Bear, of Elkton, Virginia, a daughter of Adam Bear. To this marriage were born children as follow: Bartlett Y., born 1876, died in July, 1895, and Mary Chipman Tevebaugh, of this review.
Mr. and Mrs. Tevebaugh are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Tevebaugh is a Democrat, but has little time nor inclination for political affairs.
Herschel F. Mastin, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Prairie township, is one of Pettis County's successful men of affairs. Mr. Mastin is a native of Missouri. He was born in Jackson County, September 5, 1870, and is the son of Reuben F. and Fredonia (Field) Mastin, and was the only child born to them. Reuben Mastin was a native of Tennessee and was born in Athens County in 1837. When the Civil War broke out, he cast his lot with the South and enlisted in 1861. He became a mem- ber of a regiment of Tennessee cavalry. Six months after his enlistment, he was promoted to captain and served until the close of the war in that capacity. He was paroled with Jefferson Davis. Captain Mastin had a brilliant military career to his credit. In one day he had five horses shot from under him. When the war was over he turned his attention to pursuits of peace, and in 1865 came to Missouri and settled in Jack- son County, some distance out from Kansas City, Missouri. Here he bought and improved a farm which was his home until the day of his death, December 24, 1908. His wife, Fredonia (Field) Mastin, was born in Cherokee County, Georgia, December 18, 1848. She was a daughter of Elias E. and Susan S. (Mckinney) Field, both natives of South Caro- lina, the former is deceased and the latter is now living on the old home place in Georgia. Fredonia (Field) Mastin, mother of Herschel F. Mas- tin, now resides with him.
Herschel F. Mastin was educated in the district schools of Jackson County, the Kansas City High School, and the University of Missouri. He was engaged in farming in Jackson county, where he met with un- usual success. He was extensively engaged in stock raising and feed- ing cattle for market, as well as general farming. His holdings in Jack- son County consisted of 1,440 acres. This. was one of the well-improved farms of the county, and in 1900, he built a twenty-two room residence, modern in every particular. Owing to the difficulty of getting farm labor, he sold his Jackson County farm in 1908, taking in part payment his present farm în Pettis County and also city property in Sedalia. In 1908,
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he went to Kansas City, where he was engaged in the real estate busi- ness until 1914, when he removed to Pettis County and settled on the place which he had acquired in 1908. This place was formerly known as the F. W. Clemens farm, and prior to that was owned by Obe Harris. It consists of 720 acres, and here Mr. Mastin carries on general farming and stock raising. He has remodeled the farm residence and made other improvements.
Mr. Mastin was united in marriage December 14, 1892, to Lena Kees, a native of Pleasant Hill, Cass County, Missouri, and a daughter of John Oliver and Mary M. (Dunn) Kees, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Kentucky. They settled in Cass County shortly after the close of the Civil War, and are both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Mastin have no children. Mrs. Mastin was born March 31, 1869, and was educated in the public schools and Central College at Lexington, Mis- souri. She was the eldest of three daughters.
Mr. Mastin is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church South.
Andrew Jackson Farley, a well known and successful farmer and stockman of Pettis County, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Johnson County, February 1, 1862, a son of Elijah N. and Mary E. (Dewitt) Farley. Elijah N. Farley was born August 3, 1818, and died October 3, 1864. He was a pioneer Baptist minister and also followed farming. His wife was born in Cooper County, Missouri, October 17, 1821. They were the parents of the following children: John T., was a Baptist minister in Kansas and is now deceased; Francis M., was living retired in Warrensburg at the time of his death, in 1918; William was a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War and is now deceased; Jasper N., lives in Wyoming; Larkin D., is deceased; Daniel L., lives in Green Ridge, Missouri; George W., Ray County, Missouri; James H., a retired farmer living in Sedalia; Andrew Jackson, the subject of this sketch; Susan H., married M. B. Farris and is deceased; she died at LaMonte, Missouri, March 16, 1902, aged forty-seven years. She was the mother of ten children. M. B. Farris now lives at Bryson, Missouri.
Andrew Jackson Farley was reared on a farm in Johnson County where his father settled. In 1881, he rented the place from his mother which she owned in Heath's Creek township, Pettis County. Later he bought thirty acres in that township and later bought 100 acres there which he traded for his present place in Prairie township. He has made
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a number of improvements and has a valuable farm of 140 acres, and is one of the successful men of Prairie township.
Mr. Farley was united in marriage, Octoebr 18, 1883, with Miss Nancy E. Lee. Mrs. Farley was born in Pettis County, April 15, 1861, a daughter of William M. and Elizabeth Jane Jenkins, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Saline County, Missouri. The father was born, December 28, 1825 and died at eighty-five years of age, and the mother died January 6, 1906, aged seventy-eight years. They were early settlers in Pettis County. Mrs. Farley was one of the following children born to her parents : Francis, died in infancy ; Eliza J., married J. Walker, Benson, Missouri; Sarah L., married L. Haines and is now deceased ; Reuben, deceased; Kate A., married John Cranfield; William J., Beman, Missouri; Nancy E., married Andrew Jackson Farley, the subject of this sketch; Lucinda E., married Thomas Rector, Beman, Missouri; James L., Sedalia, Missouri; Robert M., lives near Beman, Missouri; Charles R., Coffeyville, Kansas; and George S., deceased. To Andrew Jackson and Nancy E. (Lee) Farley have been born the following children: Lizzie, married W. O. Phillips, Sedalia, Missouri; Clarence N., an employee of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railway shops at Sedalia, Missouri; Lu- cinda, married G. C. Botts who died September 26, 1918, and she now resides at home with her parents; Susan resides in Sedalia; William E., Sylvester Lee and Charles reside at home with their parents. Sylvester Lee served from November 7, 1918 until December 18, 1918, in the Student Army Training Corps at Missouri University.
Mr. Farley is a Republican and he and Mrs. Farley are members of the Baptist Church. His fraternal affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is one of the public spirited and progressive citizens of Pettis County, and he and his family rank high in the community.
George H. Bagby is a native son of Pettis County and is one of the leading stockmen and farmers in Prairie township, where he owns and operates a valuable farm of 420 acres of land which is situated in sections 30 and 33. He also is an extensive feeder of cattle for the market and has been unusually successful in this field of animal husbandry. Mr. Bagby was born on section 33, Prairie township, December 29, 1867, and is a son of David Alex and Susan (Bowen) Bagby. They were the par- ents of the following children: The eldest died in infancy; Alice M., died at the age of eight years; James E., a banker of Green Ridge, Missouri, and George H., the subject of this sketch.
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George H. Bagby was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools and attended the old Green Ridge College in 1887 and 1888, and was a student in the Central Business College at Sedalia in 1889 and 1890. He then engaged in farming and stock raising. He purchased his present place in 1899. He has been interested in farming and stock rais- ing and also conducting a general mercantile store at Camp Branch, where he also bought and shipped grain. During the season of 1918 he bought and shipped fifteen car loads of grain from Camp Branch. Recently he has moved to the old Bagby homestead where he was born, and has re- modeled the residence and improved the old place in many ways.
October 21, 1896, Mr. Bagby was married to Miss Carrie P. Wilson of Pettis County, who resided near Smithton. She is a daughter of Brooks and Margaret (Wright) Wilson, natives of Kentucky and very early pioneer settlers of Pettis County, both of whom are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Bagby have been born three children, as follow: Julian Holman, Omar William, Georgie Wilson, all residing at home with their parents.
Mr. Bagby is a Democrat and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and he and Mrs. Bagby are members of the Christian Church.
The Camp Branch brass band was organized May 29, 1888, by George H. Bagby, E. B. Helman and G. W. Close. This is one of the famous bands of this section and has played on various occasions in every town in Pettis County. The organization is still intact, although the member- ship is not as great as it has been, as many of its members are now scattered. Some of the members are musicians in the World War, others have become professional musicians and are traveling with shows. How- ever, nine of the old members are still in close touch with the organiza- tion. This band has turned out some of the best band musicians of the country. Mr. Bagby himself is master of a broad range of band instru- ments, and is able to play practically every instrument found in the aver- age band with the exception of the clarinet and the cornet. Mr. Bagby is a progressive and public spirited man and his co-operation is always counted upon in connection with any movement or enterprise for the development, betterment or upbuilding of the community from a moral, commercial or a patriotic standpoint.
William H. Purchase, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Elk Fork township, is one of the well known breeders of Percheron horses and mammoth jacks in Pettis County. In 1918 he exhibited his stock at the Missouri State Fair with flattering results. One of his horses took first
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premium at the State Fair on three occasions and in the same year this horse won the second premium. This is the celebrated "Gaming, Jr.," and his weight is 1,900 pounds. Mr. Purchase owns a registered three- year-old, "Max Pride," which is a perfect animal. Mr. Purchase has given special attention to the breeding of horses and mules for the past four years and has been unusually successful in this field of endeavor, and is recognized as such by those who are posted in this line. Mr. Purchase is a native of England. He was born in Devonshire, September 26, 1859, and is a son of William and Betsy Purchase, both natives of England, where the father was a farmer. They are both now deceased.
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