USA > Missouri > Pettis County > History of Pettis County, Missouri > Part 67
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75
Mr. Whaley is a Democrat, a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Woodmen of the World and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. He is a public spirited and progressive man, and one of Pettis County's sub- stantial citizens.
John S. McGaw, the well-known and popular mailing clerk of the United States postoffice at Sedalia, has served the Government in various . capacities in the postal service for twenty-four years. Mr. McGaw is a descendant of a pioneer Missouri family. He was born near Boonville, Cooper County, Missouri, March 30, 1870, and is a son of the late Felix and Elizabeth (Garvey) McGaw, both natives of Ireland.
Felix McGaw was born in County Down, Ireland, June 11, 1829, and died in Sedalia, Pettis County, December 2, 1912. He was a moulder by trade and in 1854 he came to America and settled at Boonville, Missouri. He worked at his trade there for several years and during the Civil War was engaged in moulding cannon for the Government at that place. After the war he engaged in farming in Cooper County, becoming quite an extensive farmer and stockman. In 1890 he came to Pettis County and bought a small farm south of Sedalia which he improved and brought it under a high state of cultivation and erected a fine modern cottage. About 1900 he removed to Sedalia where he spent the balance of his life, practically in retirement. He was a member of the Catholic Church and politically was a Democrat. His wife was born in Ireland in 1830 and died October 4, 1886. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Agnes Carville, who now resides at 620 West Fifth street, Sedalia; Sister M. Patricia, a member of the Ursuline Order of Nuns of the Ursu- line Academy, St. Louis, Missouri; Mrs. Rosa I. Martin, deceased; Georgia, married Patrick Sullivan, Sedalia township, and John S., the subject of this sketch.
747
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
John S. McGaw received an academic education in the public and private schools of Cooper County, Missouri, and in early life taught school three years. He came to Sedalia with his parents in 1890 and read law in this city and was admitted to the bar in 1893. After practicing law one year in Sedalia he took the civil service examination and in 1905 was inducted into the postal service.
Mr. McGaw was united in marriage June 15, 1904, to Miss Margaret C. Creagan, a native of Cooper County, born near Clifton City. She is a daughter of P. F. and Fannie (Keenan) Creagan, both natives of New York and early settlers in Cooper County, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. McGaw have been born four children, as follow: Mary F., Margaret E., Catherine V. and Martha E. . Mr. McGaw is a member of the Catholic Church and belongs to the Knights of Columbus, having attained the fourth degree in that order, and he is also a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. Mr. McGaw has written a great deal for the local news- papers and has contributed a great many articles to the various maga- zines, and has won the reputation of being an able writer. Many of his contributions are of an unusual high literary character. He possesses a keen analytical mind and presents his theme in a cleancut logical manner with a pleasing style. Mr. McGaw has evinced talent as a writer since his student days. When he was a student at Pilot Grove College, Professor Nelson offered a house and lot in Boonville, Missouri, to the one writing the best essay. Mr. McGaw won the prize and also a twenty dollar gold medal in this contest. He also won a number of contests in oratory, during his college days. He graduated from Pilot Grove College at the age of eighteen with the degree of Master of Letters. Mr. McGaw is a genial gentleman and by his courteous manner has made many friends.
James E. Bagby, president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Green Ridge, Missouri, is one of the well known bankers and financiers of Pettis County. Mr. Bagby was born near Beaman, Pettis County, Mis- souri, December 4, 1862. He is a son of David A. and Susan (Bourne) Bagby, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Lewis County, Missouri. They settled in Pettis County in an early day. They were the parents of the following children: The eldest died in infancy; Alice M., died at the age of eight years; James E., the subject of this sketch; and George H., a farmer and stockman of Prairie township, Pettis County.
James E. Bagby was reared on a farm in Pettis County and attended the district school and the old Sedalia University. For a time he was
748
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
employed in the abstract office of R. C. Sneed, of Sedalia. Later he en- tered the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company as bookkeeper, and was assistant timekeeper for that company about three years. In 1886 he returned to the home farm in Prairie township and was engaged in farming until 1902. In 1905 he went to Green Ridge, Missouri, and engaged in the banking business. He became president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank in 1908 and since that time has been actively identi- fied with the bank in that capacity. Mr. Bagby is a thorough master of accounting and has given much thought and study to the various and perplexing problems of banking, which coupled with his long experience well qualifies him for the important position which he holds.
Mr. Bagby was married February 24, 1891, to Miss Ida S. Wilson, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of Brooks and Margaret (Wright) Wilson, also natives of Kentucky. The Wilson family were early settlers in Pettis County. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bagby, Emmett Bagby, assistant cashier of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, Green Ridge, Missouri. He married Miss Cassie Mayfield, a daughter of W. G. Mayfield, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. To Emmett Bagby and wife has been born one child, Emmett, Jr.
James E. Bagby is one of the substantial men of Pettis County, and during the course of his career has by his courteous manner made many friends. The Bagby family are well known and stand high in Pettis County.
Thomas Jefferson Pace, a well known stock buyer and farmer who is now residing in Green Ridge, is the owner of a valuable farm of 300 acres located in Elk Fork and Green Ridge townships. Mr. Pace is a native son of Pettis County and was born in Elk Fork township April 1, 1870. He is a son of William I. and Sallie B. (Walker) Pace, who were the parents of two children: Thomas Jefferson Pace, the subject of this sketch, and Walker Pace, who now resides at Green Ridge, Missouri.
William I. Pace was born near Arrow Rock, Saline County, Missouri, July 16, 1843, the same year his parents moved to Johnson County, Mis- souri, where he was reared on a farm near Warrensburg, and received his education in the public schools. When the Civil War broke out, he organized a company which was mustered into the Union Army, becom- ing a unit of the 12th Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Cavalry. Mr. Pace went out with his company as first lieutenant and later became captain. At the close of the war he came to Pettis County and bought land in Elk Fork township, and was here successfully engaged in farming and
749
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
stock raising when he retired and removed to Green Ridge, where he now resides. He has served two terms as county surveyor of Pettis County and has been prominently identified with the affairs of this county since coming here. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 425, Green Ridge, Missouri, and is a Republican. He was married in 1868 to Miss Sallie B. Walker, a native of Missouri, who was born and reared in Elk Fork township, Pettis County. She is a daughter of Jeffer- son and Nellie (Pemberton) Walker. Jefferson Walker was born in How- ard County, Missouri, and came to Pettis County when a young man, where he was engaged in farming.
Thomas Jefferson Pace was reared on a farm in Elk Fork township and received a good common school education and was successfully en- gaged in farming and stock raising on the farm which he still owns until 1916, when he moved to Green Ridge in order that his children might be given the advantages of the excellent school system of that town. Mr. Pace has bought cattle, hogs, horses and mules for the market all his life, but since coming to Green Ridge he has devoted himself more ex- clusively to that line of business than he did while on his farm and does an extensive business.
Mr. Pace was married March 11, 1900, to Miss Anna Edmundson, a native of Pettis County, Missouri, born in Elk Fork township December 22, 1875. She and Mr. Pace were schoolmates. Mrs. Pace is a daughter of James H. and Nancy (Calvert) Edmundson, both natives of Missouri, the former of Cass County and the latter of Cooper County and descen- dants of early pioneers of this State. They are both now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Pace have been born three children: Nadine, Estaleen and Anna Lulu, all residing at home with their parents and attending school in Green Ridge. Mr. Pace is a Republican and a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 425, Green Ridge, Missouri. He is a progressive and public spirited citizen and has been successful in his business undertakings.
Judge Gabe Albers, former judge of the County Court of Pettis County for the eastern district, Smithton, Missouri, has a well improved farm just east of Smithton upon which he has resided for the past thirty years. Mr. Albers was born in Morgan County, Missouri, in 1849 and is a son of Henry Albers (born 1824, died 1907), a native of Hanover, Germany. Henry Albers came to America from his native land when a young man and followed the trade of blacksmith in Morgan County, where he settled in the early days. In 1862 he located near Smithton and built a home just on the eastern edge of the town, becoming a large
750
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
land owner. Later he engaged in the cattle and live stock business in St. Louis, but through the direlections of others he became financially involved, closed out the business and returned to Smithton, where he again engaged in the live stock business. He mended his fortunes again and became widely known as a man of integrity and influence in the com- munity. He was father of five children, four of whom were reared: John, living in St. Louis; Gabe, subject of this review; Charley, living in Seattle, Washington; Mrs. Sophia Gronemyer, St. Louis.
Judge Albers was married in 1871 to Elizabeth Knox, born in Ohio May 13, 1854, a daughter of George Knox, a native of Germany who moved from Ohio to Smithtown township, Pettis County and improved a farm in this vicinity. Mrs. Albers died January 18, 1916. To this marriage were born four children: Dr. Edward Albers, of Kansas City, married Grace Ringen and has two children, Virginia and Mary Eliza- beth; Mrs. Laura Somerville, lives in Denver, Colorado; Earl, married Edith Boucher, and lives on the home place; Elmer, married Lydia Plass and resides in Denver, Colorado.
Judge Albers has been a life long Republican. He served one term as judge of the County Court and was re-elected to serve a second term, but resigned to look after some land interests in Alabama and remained there for one year. He made a good record as judge and performed his duties efficiently and conscientiously.
J. W. Hoehns .- The Hoehns Hardware Store in Smithton is an attrac- tive and well-stocked store with a neatly arranged and well-displayed stock of merchantable goods, valued at over $12,000 in a room 80x40 feet in dimension. A stock of hardware, paints, oils and fencing is carried to supply a large trade. Mr. Hoehns began business in Smithton, Decem- ber 1, 1914, and two years later entered into partnership with S. C. Kahrs. This partnership continued until October 1, 1918, when he purchased Mr. Kahrs interest in the business.
J. W. Hoehns was born August 24, 1874, in Morgan County, Mis- souri, the son of J. H. and Mary (Ratjie) Hoehns, natives of Germany and Morgan County, respectively. J. H. Hoehns immigrated to America in the winter of 1867-1868 and began work as a farm hand in Morgan County. After a few years he engaged in farming on his own account and moved to Benton County in 1898. He then moved to Pettis County and in 1906 purchased a farm in Lake Creek township, Pettis County, where he now resides. Nine children were born to J. H. and Mary Hoehns,
751
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
five of whom are living: J. W., subject of this sketch; Mrs. Sophia Kin- kead, Benton County; A. H., living in Morgan County; Mrs. Martha Meyer, Benton County ; Fred, at home with his parents.
J. W. Hoehns attended the Blackjack district school and assisted his father on the home farm until twenty-one years of age. He then worked out and assisted the neighboring farmers until he was twenty- five years of age, while still making his home with his parents. He then married and began farming on his own account. He became owner of a tract of 105 acres and followed farming until 1914, becoming the owner of 260 acres within five and a half miles of Smithton. He traded off 179 acres of this land and now owns eighty acres in addition to his business.
Mr. Hoehns was married November 19, 1899, to Mrs. Lydia Mahnken, nee Gieschen, a daughter of John Geischen. To this marriage has been born a son, Victor Hoehns, born July 3, 1903, now in high school.
Mr. Hoehns is politically allied with the Republican party and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Merton David Norton, farmer and stockman and justice of the peace for Smithton township, has a well improved farm of 100 acres on the Sedalia-Smithton rock road. Mr. Norton has resided on his place for the past eleven years and has erected a handsome eight room residence, modern in every respect, besides other improvements. The place is devoted to general farming and stock raising. Mr. Norton was born on a nearby farm in 1869, the son of William David Norton, deceased.
The late William David Norton was born in Medina County, Ohio, in 1830, and was the son of Miles Ebenezer Norton, who was born in Connecticut in 1799, a member of an old American family. Miles E. Norton settled upon a revolutionary land grant in the western reserve of Ohio and there reared his family. William D. Norton was reared in Medina County, and when a young man went with his brother to Three Rivers, Michigan, where he remained for three years. He came to Pettis County in 1866 and bought a large tract of land at prices ranging from $12 to $15 an acre. In partnership with his brothers, E. Newton Norton and Isaac McNeil Norton, they purchased 740 acres, which was later divided between them. Mr. Norton made splendid improvements on his land and took a prominent part in the affairs of the county. While in Michigan he and a brother operated a sawmill and cleared a large timber tract. Mr. Norton was a charter member of the Smithton Methodist
752
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
Episcopal Church and was a liberal contributor to religious and worthy benefactions. While in Michigan he was married to Cynthia C. Hunt, born in 1839 in Michigan. She was a school teacher and taught for some years before her marriage to Mr. Norton. Six children were born to William David and Cynthia Norton, as follow: Emma Susan, at home with her mother; Merton David, subject of this sketch; Alida Eloise, wife of Doctor Page, Greeley, Colorado ; Effie May, a teacher in the Sedalia schools ; Charles William, at home; Tinnie C., wife of C. E. Hikes, Denver, Colorado. William David Norton died in 1909.
M. D. Norton was educated in the public schools, Sedalia High School and the Sedalia Business College. He attended the business college man- aged by the late C. W. Robbins of Sedalia, and graduated in 1890. For the next three years he was employed as bookkeeper and collector for a firm in Chicago, returning to the farm in 1893. He managed his father's farm until 1907 and then bought his present place.
Mr. Norton was married in 1897 to Miss Ada L. Palmer, who died in 1907, leaving a son, Maurice, born October 17, 1898. Mr. Norton's sec- ond marriage took place in 1910 with Miss Grace Schutte, a daughter of William Schutte of Chicago. One child has blessed this marriage, May Ruth, born September 10, 1916.
Mr. Norton has been a Republican. He is a member and a steward of the Smithton Methodist Episcopal Church and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and is secretary of the local Grange. For the past twenty years, Mr. Norton has been justice of the peace for Smithton township and has tried many cases in that time, settling them in such an eminently fair manner that his popularity as "squire" has grown with his length of service. Most of Justice Norton's cases have been settled out of court with fairness to all the parties concerned.
He is president of the Pettis County Bureau of Agriculture and of the Pettis Federal Farm Loan Association. The latter is a corporation just starting in Pettis County and promises much for the farmers of this community, in securing money at reasonable rate for long or short periods, amortized so as to be fully paid at expiration of contract.
Charles M. Monsees, farmer and live stock shipper, Smithton, Mis- souri, is a native of Pettis County and a son of one of the pioneers of this section of Pettis County. He was born September 9, 1864, on a farm one and a half miles south of Smithton, the son of J. H. M., known as Martin Monsees, who was born in 1849, and who has resided on his farm south of Smithton for the past fifty-five years.
753
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
J. H. M. Monsees was born February 26, 1839, in Hanover, Germany, a son of Martin and Catherine Monsees, who immigrated to America in 1843 and first settled in Morgan County, Missouri. In 1858 they came to Pettis County and Mr. Monsees purchased 440 acres. After a resi- dence on his place for several years he removed to Smithton, where he died. Martin Monsees was father of five children: Gavert, died in 1918; Herman, deceased ; J. H. M. Monsees ; John, lives in Smithton, and Henry, deceased. Mr. Monsees served in the Missouri State troops for a period of six months during the Civil War and fought at the battle of Boone- ville. He then served as teamster for Mulligan's army and was taken prisoner at Lexington, held at Quincy, Illinois, for a while and sent home.
J. H. M. Monsees was married in 1863 to Marguerite Kahrs, who was born in 1843 in Lake Creek township, a daughter of John Kahrs, a pioneer. Six children were born to this marriage: Charles M., subject of this sketch; Mrs. Gesina Leutjin, Smithton township; Mrs. Lydia Linde- mann, Smithton township; Mrs. Ida Erforth, Kansas City, Kansas ; Joseph, on the home place; Albert, a school teacher in Kansas City, Missouri.
Charles M. Monsees began on his own account to earn a living when twenty-one years of age. In 1888 he purchased a tract of 120 acres, partly improved, and which he cultivated for two years. He then moved to another farm which he bought and remained on the farm until Febru- - ary 25, 1916, at which time he moved to Smithton. Mr. Monsees owns 180 acres of land two miles south of Smithton in two different tracts. Since 1898, he has been engaged in the buying and shipping of live stock and formerly bought and shipped sixty carloads of stock yearly. During the past year he has been local salesman for Moore Brothers, dealers in lightning rods, and has placed rods on eighty buildings during the past year.
Mr. Monsees was first married in 1888 to Amelia Schlusing, a daugh- ter of Henry Schlusing of Smithton. She was born January 2, 1867, and died April 7, 1912, leaving four children: Vernon, born July 4, 1895, en- listed in the National Army service August 15, 1918, in the Auto Mechanics and Traffic Department, attended the Rahe Auto School at Kansas City for training and is now in France; Mrs. Leota Mountjoy, Smithton town- ship, on the home place, has one child, Graydon; Tina and Logan, at home.
Mr. Monsees is an independent Republican voter with prohibition tendencies and sympathies, being a firm believer in prohibition and the stamping out of the liquor traffic. He is a member of the Methodist
754
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
Episcopal Church and is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America.
John J. Lamm .- The late John J. Lamm, of Smithton township, was a citizen who left his impress on the community in which he made his home for many years. He was born in Edinburg, Pennsylvania, July 23, 1832, and departed this life in Pettis County, July 17, 1909. He was the son of William and Catherine Lamm, natives of Pennsylvania, who removed to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1846.
John J. Lamm enlisted in the Union Army from Wayne County in 1861, and was commissioned captain of Company K, 16th Ohio Regiment of Volunteers, and served for three years in the Civil War. His health fail- ing, he resigned from the service before the close of the war. In 1857 he removed to Linn county, Iowa, and married Elizabeth O. Weaver, who died in 1861. One child was born of this marriage, Mrs. Elizabeth O. Barrett, who lives near Sheridan, Wyoming. In 1867, Mr. Lamm came to Pettis County, purchased prairie land and created a large farm of 300 acres, which he improved and beautified. He became owner of 1,100 acres of good land, and was widely and favorably known as a stockman.
Mr. Lamm was married on February 12, 1874, to Miss Cora M. Elliot, who was born on November 3, 1849, in Jackson County, Missouri, near Independence. She was the daughter of Andrew Jackson and Patsy (Briscoe) Elliot, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Patsy Elliot was related to the Cavanaughs, members of which family fought in the Revolutionary War.
Andrew Jackson Elliot was born in Howard County, Missouri, a son of John Elliot, one of the earliest of the Missouri pioneers. Mrs. Patsy Elliot was born in Cooper County, Missouri, a daughter of pioneer parents. They were parents of eight children, all of whom were born in Cooper County, excepting Mrs. John J. Lamm. In 1849 the Elliot family, wife and children of Andrew J. Elliot, moved to Boonville, Missouri, and made their home with grandfather Briscoe, while Mr. Elliot made the long overland trip to California. After a year's stay in the gold fields he returned to Missouri and made a permanent settlement in Cooper County, where he became owner of a large farm. To Andrew Jackson and Patsy Elliot were born children as follow: Mrs. Ella B. Rearton, Sedalia; Mrs. Anna Mccullough, Portland, Oregon; Rolla, Reed, Missouri; Mrs. Kate Royer, Moberly, Missouri, and Mrs. M. D. Hoffman, Fresno, California.
To John J. and Cora M. (Elliot) Lamm were born children as follow: William E., a farmer in Smithton township; Mrs. Irvin Raut, St. Louis,
755
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
Missouri; Charles E., a farmer in Smithton township; Mrs. Patsy Kahrs, Wichita, Kansas; John J., Jr., a farmer in Smithton township; Mrs. Laura Kathryn Haynes, Wichita, Kansas; Cora B. Lamm, at home; Mrs. Howard Peabody, Smithton, and George Gordon.
George Gordon Lamm was born August 6, 1892, and was educated in the Sedalia public and high schools. He enlisted soon after the entrance of America in the World War, in May, 1917, with Capt. Scott's Company of Pettis County National Guardsmen, and has been in France for several months with the American Expeditionary Forces, as a private in Com- pany D, 140th Regiment, 35th Division, National Army. Private Lamm has taken part in some of the hardest fighting on the Western front, and upheld the traditions of his family as a soldier and an American.
Miss Cora B. Lamm is chairman of the Smithton Red Cross chapter, and has done a great amount of work in connection with the Red Cross activities, Smithton chapter of the Red Cross being one of the most active in Pettis County.
John J. Lamm was a Republican in politics, but had little time to devote to political affairs. He was affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic post at Sedalia. He and his family were members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church of Smithton, and he was always a liberal supporter of religious and charitable enterprises, and worked faithfully in the ranks of the church workers.
Gevert Monsees, well-known resident of Smithton township, was born February 18, 1835, and died June 7, 1918, at his home, two miles south of Smithton, Missouri. He was born in Shipdorf, Germany, the son of Martin and Katherine Monsees, who emigrated to this country in 1843, and first settled near Richland, Morgan County, Missouri. Here it was where Gevert Monsees was reared and brought up to Christian manhood. On April 15, 1858, he was married to Mary Kahrs, of Pettis County, Missouri, who was born January 25, 1841, in New Orleans, Louisiana, a daughter of John and Gesche Kahrs, who were both from Germany. The mother died in 1853, leaving six children as follow: Martha, deceased, who mar- ried George Ficken, also deceased; Mrs. Tipke, wife of Rudolph Schlotz- hauer, of Pilot Grove, Missouri; Mrs. Mary Monsees, wife of Gevert Mon- sees ; Mrs. Margarette Monsees, wife of Martin Monsees; Mrs. Katherine, wife of, Henry Scholtzhauer, and one son, dying in infancy. John Kahrs was married the second time, to Mary Hinken, who bore him the following children; Herman, Joseph, John and Cord, of Smithton, Missouri; George,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.