USA > Missouri > Pettis County > History of Pettis County, Missouri > Part 53
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Clark, the subject of this sketch, and James W., who lives in western Kansas. After the death of the mother of these children, William A. Williams was married to Amanda Gray and to this union were born two children, Don D. and Sidney E. The former is now deceased and the latter resides in Pueblo, Colorado.
To Benjamin D. and Etta (Williams) Clark were born the following children: William Lawrence, who is engaged in farming and stock rais- ing in Elk Fork township; James Edwin, died in infancy; Mary E., re- sides at home with her mother, and Allen M., at home.
Mrs. Clark resides on the old homestead in Elk Fork township and is one of Pettis County's estimable women.
Clarence G. Johnson, a successful farmer and stockman of Elk Fork township, is a native of Pettis County. He was born on the place where he now resides, August 2, 1878, and is a son of John L. and Christina (Erickson) Johnson, natives of Stockholm, Sweden, and early settlers of Pettis County. A more extensive history of whom appears in the sketch of Joseph A. Johnson, which appears in this volume.
Clarence G. Johnson received his education in the public schools of Pettis County and Green Ridge College. Since his boyhood days farm- ing and stock raising has been his chief occupation, and he has spent most of his life on the old home place, where he now resides. When his father died, he inherited a part of the home farm, his share being about eighty acres. This was in 1905. Since that time he has bought addi- tional land and now owns a valuable farm of 280 acres. He has made many improvements and his farm is now in a splendid condition.
Mr. Johnson was married February 20, 1901, to Miss Willia Tay- lor, a native of Pettis County who was born in Houstonià, September 10, 1881. She is a daughter of James L. and Ollie (Kalfus) Taylor. James L. Taylor was born near Sedalia, Pettis County, his parents being very early settlers in this part of Missouri. He now lives at Turon, Reno County, Kansas. To Clarence G. Johnson and wife have been born the following children : Carl, J. L., Roy, Walter, Taylor, Harold, Frances L., and Gladys'
Mr. Johnson is a Republican and takes an active interest in public affairs. He has been a member of the local school board for eight years, and he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is one of the progressive citizens of Pettis County and takes a keen interest in all matters pertaining to the upbuilding and betterment of the community.
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- Edward B. Gibson .- The career of Edward B. Gibson, retired farmer and large land owner, of Sedalia, Missouri, residing at 400 West Fourth street, is one of successful accomplishments. Mr. Gibson came to Pettis County in 1877, with very little funds, and immediately began farming on rented land, in Blackwater township, near the town of Houstonia. He has become one of the largest individual land owners of Pettis County, and has well earned his present period of retirement.
Mr. Gibson was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, December, 1845, the son of Joseph and Marah (Jenkins) Gibson, both natives of Virginia, and they spent their lives there. Mr. Gibson's widowed grandmother brought her family of chil- dren from Scotland early in the nineteenth century, and settled in Virginia. Joseph and Marah Gibson were parents of four- teen children, all of whom were reared to maturity: George, Mary, Louisa, Anna Eliza, Judge W. C. Gibson, John, Margaret, Douglas, Fannie, Gilbert, Edward B., Nellie and Blanche.
George, the eldest of the family, is deceased. Mary Gibson resides in Virginia, and has attained the great age of ninety-seven years. Louisa, is deceased.
Judge W. C. Gibson, late prominent resident of Pettis County, owned a large estate south of Houstonia, and filled the office of presiding judge of the County Court of Pettis County. He left a son, Eugene C. Gibson, St. Louis, who is a salesman for the Cassidy Southwestern Commission Company, and a daughter, Grace, who is the wife of Dr. C. T. McConnell, of Houstonia.
Joseph Gibson served with a Virginia regiment during the Civil War, and at the close of hostilities was a prisoner in the hands of the Federals, and is now deceased.
.John, deceased, served in the Confederate army, and was wounded at the Battle of Appomattox Court House, Virginia.
Margaret is deceased. Douglas Gibson, an ex-Confederate soldier, resides in Fauquier County, Virginia.
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Fannie, lives in Loudoun County, Virginia. Gilbert, deceased, served with the Confederate forces during the Civil War. Nellie, lives in Fauquier County, Virginia. Edward B. Gibson, subject of this review. Mrs. Blanche Gunnell, the youngest child, is deceased.
Edward B. Gibson was reared to young manhood in Virginia, and there received his education. Opportunities not being to his liking in Virginia, he came to Pettis County in April, 1877. His first location was upon a rented farm, five miles south of Houstonia. A few years later he bought 450 acres from John Gregg and Henry Reese, and began raising and feeding live stock on a large scale. His operations as a stock- man proved to be very successful, and he continuously enlarged his land holdings in Pettis County until he became owner of 1400 acres, in Black- water township. The Gibson farm is in one body, located in township 47, range 23, and is a splendidly improved place, boasting one of the best and largest barns in Pettis County, 60x100 feet in dimension, and erected at a cost of $5,000. This barn has an inclined driveway which leads directly to the large grain bins on the upper floor, and is arranged with modern conveniences. One of the adjuncts to the livestock feeding on the place is a deep well, from which water is pumped by a gasoline engine during the dry seasons. The Gibson farm is now operated by his son, Joseph Clay. This farm has three sets of improvements, and is considered one of the best farms in western Missouri.
Mr. Gibson resided upon his farm, in active charge of his livestock operations until 1904, when he came to Sedalia to reside. He was married in November, 1883, to Miss Mary Gregg, a daughter of Joseph and Martha (Shepard) Gregg. Mrs. Gibson departed this life on July 12, 1914, and her remains are interred in Crown Hill Cemetery. To Edward B. and Mary Gibson were born children as follow: Ethel, died at the age of twenty years; Edna May, is the wife of G. C. Goodloe, formerly of St. Louis, a farmer and stockman, residing at 300 West Fourth street; Joseph Clay, operating the Gibson farm.
Joseph A. Johnson, a leading Pettis County farmer and stockman, who owns and operates a valuable farm of 412 acres in Elk Fork town- ship, is a native of Illinois. He was born in Knox County, June 28, 1869, a son of John L. and Christina (Erickson) Johnson, both natives of Sweden.
John L. Johnson was born near Stockholm, Sweden, March 29, 1834, and when about twenty years of age, immigrated to the United States
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He located in Knox County, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming until 1876. He then came to Missouri with his family and settled in Elk Fork township, Pettis County. Here he was engaged in farming and stock raising for a number of years, meeting with success. The last few years of his life, he spent in retirement in Green Ridge, Missouri, where he died February 12, 1905. His wife, Christina (Erickson) Johnson, who was also a native of Sweden, born October 15, 1840, died July 15, 1917.
To John L. and Christina (Erickson) Johnson were born the follow- ing children: Minnie A., deceased; Emma M., deceased; Charles A., de- ceased; George B., deceased; Joseph. A., the subject of this sketch; Miles A., deceased; Nettie M., married George Shelley, and is now deceased; Carrie A., deceased; Charles E., who is engaged in the harness and im- plement business at Green Ridge, Missouri; Hattie, deceased; Clarence G., who resides on the old home place in Elk Fork township; Arthur L., Portland, Oregon, and Forrest, Elk Fork township.
Joseph A. Johnson was educated in the public schools and remained on the home place until his father's death in 1905. He then inherited eighty-three acres, and later bought additional land, until he acquired 412 acres. He has a well improved farm and has made a success in his chosen field of endeavor. In addition to general farming and stock rais- ing, Mr. Johnson feeds cattle for the market.
March 1, 1903, Joseph A. Johnson was united in marriage with Miss Zora M. Reavis, a native of Pettis County, Missouri, born September 26, 1875, a daughter of Daniel and Mollie (Pemberton) Reavis, the father a native of Pettis County, Missouri, and is now deceased; and the mother resides at LaMonte. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have no children.
Mr. Johnson is a Republican and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and he and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Methodist Church, South.
George H. Kyd of Elk Fork township, is one of the progressive farmers and stockmen of Pettis County. Mr. Kyd is a native son of this county. He was born in Elk Fork township, January 27, 1881, and is the son of Charles and Margaret (Mackie) Kyd, natives of Scotland. Charles Kyd was born in Scotland, December 27, 1841. When a young man he left his native land and immigrated to America, locating near Rockford, Illinois. Here he followed farming and stock raising about three years. In 1870 he came to Pettis County and in partnership with his brother, John Kyd, bought eighty acres of land. They bought more
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land from time to time as opportunities offered and circumstances per- mitted and later divided their interests and at the time of Charles Kyd's death he owned 205 acres in Elk Fork township. He made many im- provements on the land which he bought, which was largely unbroken prairie at that time. He was an industrious and frugal man and con- tributed his part to the early development and upbuilding of Pettis County. He was a good citizen and a member of the Congregational Church. He contributed much to the cause of religion, both in time and money. He departed this life March 5, 1910. His widow, who was also born in Scotland, June 16, 1851, now resides in Green Ridge, Missouri.
To Charles and Margaret (Mackie) Kyd were born seven children as follow: Elizabeth, who has specialized in music, having taken a course in St. Louis, Missouri, and Columbia University, New York City, and is now devoting herself to teaching and writing music in New York City; Jessie, who is connected with Stevens College, Columbia, Missouri ; George H., the subject of this sketch; Grace, married Oliver C. Calvert and they reside near Sedalia; John, resides on the old home place in Elk Fork township; Charlotte, a teacher in the Green Ridge schools, and Everett S., died in infancy.
George H. Kyd was educated in the public schools of Green Ridge, Missouri, and taught two terms of school. In 1904 he went to South Dakota and homesteaded 160 acres of Government land which he im- proved and still owns. In 1907 he purchased his present place in Elk Fork township, Pettis County, upon which he has made many improve- ments, including a modern residence which he has just completed. His farm consists of 220 acres which is one of the well located and produc- tive farms of the county. He carries on general farming and stock rais- ing and is meeting with well merited success. He is a successful breeder of Holstein cattle.
Mr. Kyd was married March 5, 1908, to Miss Clarice Ream, a native of Clinton, Missouri. Mrs. Kyd was a successful Pettis County teacher for a number of years prior to her marriage. She is a daughter of A. R. and Ella (Truel) Ream, both natives of Pettis County and now resi- dents of Elk Fork township. To Mr. and Mrs. Kyd have been born the following children: Lois Myrtle, Margaret Truella, Charles Ream and George Lyle.
Mr. Kyd is a Republican and he is a member of the Modern Wood- men of America. He and Mrs. Kyd are members of the Congregational
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Church. The Kyd family are prominent in the community and Mr. and Mrs. Kyd have an extensive acquaintance and many friends.
Spencer Delos Haight, a prominent farmer and successful fruit grower of Elk Fork township, is a native of Wisconsin. He was born in Winne- bago County August 22, 1846, son of Moses and Lydia (Hibbard) Haight. The father was a native of New York and in early life learned the tanners and shoemakers trade. He came to Missouri in 1856 and opened the first shoe shop in Calhoun, Missouri. He also had the first shoe shop in Sedalia. He was a man who traveled a great deal and was engaged in the shoe business in a number of places at various times. He died at McAlester, Oklahoma, January 22, 1884, aged seventy-four years, five months and twenty-six days. The mother of Spencer Delos Haight was born in Green County, New York, in 1813, and departed this life in Neenah, Wisconsin, in 1851.
Spencer Delos Haight came to Missouri July 7, 1862, and remained at Springfield, Missouri, for a few months with his father, who was engaged in the shoe business there. He then enlisted in the Union army. becoming a member of Company F, 14th Missouri Cavalry. During the Civil War his command operated in Missouri and Arkansas, principally, and Mr. Haight remained in the army after the close of the Civil War and saw some service on the plains and in the West. After he was dis- charged from the army he went to Arkansas, where his father was, and remained there a short time. He bought 117 head of cattle there and started to Pettis County with them. However, he reached here with only eighty head. He settled on the place where he now resides and here worked for R. F. McCormack. Mr. Haight rented this place for twenty years before he bought it. He has made extensive improvements, has good substantial buildings, which makes this one of the valuable places in Elk Fork township. He has twenty-five acres devoted to an apple orchard which has proven very productive and profitable. Mr. Haight has made a careful study of the fruit industry and is posted on the subject of horticulture as well as being one of the most practical fruit men of the county.
August 22, 1871, Spencer Delos Haight was united in marriage at Green Ridge, Missouri, with Miss Henrietta Scofil, a native of Rome, Oneida County, New York. She was born March 15, 1849, and came to Missouri with a sister. Her parents spent their lives in New York. To Mr. and Mrs. Haight have been born the following children: George
1
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M., died August 8, 1873, aged nine months and four days; Helen E., died March 11, 1883, aged six years, nine months and seventeen days; Carrie B., died March 16, 1883, aged nine years, ten months and sixteen days; Levi D., died February 16, 1888, aged nine months and two days; Hattie Ethel, a graduate of the Green Ridge High School, resides at home with her parents.
Mr. Haight has seen much of the pioneer life of Pettis County and recalls with much interest the early days on the prairie here, and notes the great transformation that has taken place since the days of the primitive conditions when he herded cattle on the prairie of what is now the well tilled and highly improved farms of Pettis County. Mr. Haight is a Republican and has always taken a keen interest in local public affairs. He has served on the school board a number of terms. He is a charter member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Green Ridge Lodge No. 224. He has been a Mason for many years and helped organ- ize two lodges in Green Ridge. He is one of the pioneer citizens and Civil War veterans of whom Pettis County is justly proud.
John B. Kyd belongs to the younger generation of progressive agri- culturists of Pettis County. He was born in Elk Fork township on the place where he now resides July 13, 1885. He is a son of Charles and Margaret (Mackie) Kyd, natives of Scotland, who settled in Elk Fork township, Pettis County, in 1870. Charles Kyd spent the remainder of his life in this county, after coming here, and died March 5, 1910, and his widow now resides in Green Ridge, Missouri. A more complete his- tory of the Kyd family appears in the sketch of George H. Kyd in this volume.
John B. Kyd was reared on the home farm in Elk Fork township and attended the public schools. Later he attended the Green Ridge High School and afterwards attended the University of Missouri for three and one-half years. He then taught in the Fredericktown High School, at Fredericktown, Missouri, and also taught in the Green Ridge High School. In 1909 he engaged in farming on the old home place, where his father settled nearly fifty years ago. This place consists of 205 acres, and here Mr. Kyd carries on general farming and stock rais- ing and is one of the successful farmers of Pettis County. He has pur- chased the interests of the other heirs in his father's estate and is now the sole owner. He is interested in a number of other enterprises, in addition to his farming interests and is a stockholder in the Sedalia Dairy Company.
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Mr. Kyd was married June 11, 1913, to Miss Eula Hollenback, a native of Green Ridge township, Pettis County. She is a daughter of George E. and Minnie (Flesher) Hollenback. George E. Hollenback is now deceased and his widow lives on her home place near Green Ridge, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Kyd has been born one child, Margaret Estella.
Mr. Kyd is a member of the Masonic Lodge and he and Mrs. Kyd are members of the Eastern Star. and the Knights and Ladies of Security. They belong to the Congregational Church.
James E. Ream, the well-known cashier of the Peoples Bank of Green Ridge, Missouri, is a native of Pettis County, and is a descendant of one of the old and honorable pioneer families of Missouri. Members of the Ream family settled in Missouri over a century ago. The family is traced from Switzerland, through France, and was founded in the United States some time between 1715 and 1718. James E. Ream was born about four miles east of Green Ridge, December 14, 1866. He is a son of James S. and Ellen (Melvin) Ream, who were the parents of four children, as follow: James E., the subject of this sketch; Maud A., who resides in Green Ridge; Frederick E., a merchant of Green Ridge and mayor of that town, and Minnie F., who died in infancy.
James S. Ream was born near old Georgetown, Pettis County, Mis- souri, March 4, 1847. During the Civil War, he served in the State militia in Capt. Wash Stark's company, and participated in the engage- ment which took place near Sedalia. He followed farming in early life. In 1872, about the time the town of Green Ridge was founded, he engaged in the general mercantile business there, and later conducted a drug store. He was a lifelong Democrat, and prominent in local politics. He served as postmaster of Green Ridge for one term. He also served as mayor of Green Ridge. He died January 24, 1911.
James S. Ream was a son of Absalom and Mary Ann (Biggs) Ream. Absalom Ream was born in Booneville, Missouri, in 1824. His wife, Mary Ann Biggs, was also born in Cooper County in 1824. They came to Pettis County at a very early day in the settlement of this county, and first located near old Georgetown. In 1879 they removed to Green Ridge, where Absalom Ream died, in 1894. He was a farmer all his life. His wife died in 1898. They were the parents of ten children, as follow: Two died in infancy; James S., mention of whom appears above; Mrs. Mary F. Bennett; Albion, lives in Elk Fork township, Pettis County ; Larkin B., a hardware implement and furniture dealer, Green Ridge,
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Missouri; Martin C., deceased; Rosa D., married John W. Hicks and is now deceased; Mrs. Martha W. Hurt, Clinton, Missouri, and Charles M., deceased.
James E. Ream was reared to manhood in Green Ridge, and received his education in the public schools. Early in life he became a registered pharmacist, and clerked in his father's drug store in Green Ridge until 1909. He then became cashier of the Peoples Bank of Green Ridge, and has held that position to the present time. This bank is one of the leading financial institutions of Pettis County, and some of the best business men and farmers in Green Ridge and vicinity are interested in it. Since its organization it has been under capable management and has ever offered the greatest safety in banking to its many customers, as well as paying satisfactory dividends to the stockholders. Mr. Ream, who has been cashier of this bank now for over ten years, is a careful banker, as the record of the institution shows. He is both conservative and progressive, which are the rare but essential elements of a success- ful banker in this day and age. Mr. Ream is a close student of the per- plexing and manifold problems of legitimate banking and finance.
Mr. Ream is unmarried, and resides with his mother and sister. Politically, he has been a constant supporter of the policies and principles of the Democratic party.
Jacob D. Helman, a Union veteran of the Civil War, now living retired, after a long and successful active career, has been identified with Pettis County for half a century. Mr. Helman traces his ancestry, in this country, back about 150 years. He was born in Ashland County, Ohio, January 31, 1834, and is a son of John and Sophia (Dougherty) Helman. John Helman was born in Center County, Pennsylvania, August 5, 1786. He was a farmer all his life, and when a young man removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and lived to the advanced age of eighty-eight years. He died November 20, 1874. Sophia (Dougherty) Helman was born in Pennsylvania January 30, 1795. She was of Irish descent. She died January 21, 1885.
To John and Sophia (Dougherty) Helman were born seven chil- dren, as follow: Mary, married Dan Eshleman, and they are both now deceased; Catherine, married M. Crial, and they are deceased; Herman, died in California; Able, died in Oregon; Emmaline, married David Brick- ley, and they are deceased; John R., deceased; Jacob D., the subject of this sketch.
J. D. HELMAN.
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Jacob D. Helman was reared in Ohio and received his education in the public schools of Ashland. His early life was spent on the home farm until the Civil War broke out, when he enlisted in Company C, 42d Ohio Infantry, in September, 1861. He served under James A. Gar- field, who was colonel of his regiment until he became general. For two years Mr. Helman was regimental color bearer. He participated in many important battles, as well as numerous minor skirmishes. He was at the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and in a number of engagements in that vicinity, which led up to this notable siege. Much of his service was along the Mississippi River, between Vicksburg and New Orleans. He served through the greater part of the war as a corporal. He received an honorable discharge and was mustered out of the United States service at Columbus, Ohio, in 1864. He then returned to his home, in Ashland County, where he was engaged in farming until 1869, when he came to Missouri and settled in Pettis County. He bought a farm near Camp Branch, where he was actively engaged in farming and stock raising until 1913. Mr. Helman made a success of farming and stock raising. His farm consists of 415 acres of well-improved land, with fifteen acres of natural timber. Mr. Helman retired in 1913 and removed to Green Ridge, where he is now enjoying a well-earned rest at the close of a successful and honorable career. He is a stockholder, and one of the directors of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Green Ridge, and his judgment on matters of business and finance is as keen now as it was in the midst of his active career.
Mr. Helman was married in 1860 in Center County, Pennsylvania, to Miss Mary H. Bower, a native of Center County, born October 24, 1838, and a daughter of Christian and Susan (Schenck) Bower, natives of Pennsylvania, who spent their lives in that State. To Jacob D. Helman and wife were born the following children: Elvie, who resides with her parents in Green Ridge; Eugene B., and Forrest E., further mention of whom are made in this volume.
Mr. Helman has always been identified with the Republican party, and while living on his farm served as township clerk for a number of years. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and is a charter mem- ber of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Lodge No. 24, Green Ridge, Missouri. He has been a member of the Grand Army of the Republic since the post was organized, at Green Ridge. Mr. Helman is one of the grand old men of Pettis County, and will long be remembered as
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one who contributed his part to making Pettis County one of the leading counties of Missouri. It can be truly said of him, that in war he did his duty as a soldier, and in peace he did his duty as a citizen.
William Baker, now living retired at Green Ridge, has for sixty years been identified in various ways with the growth and development of Pettis County. He came here, a young man, long before the Civil War, when this section of Missouri was practically an uninhabited waste, for the most part, and has contributed in many ways to the great changes that have been brought about in making this county one of the leading political subdivisions of the great State of Missouri.
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