USA > Missouri > Pettis County > History of Pettis County, Missouri > Part 73
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Mr. Davis was united in marriage, December 25, 1877, with Miss Maria Jane Hill, a native of Saline County, Missouri, born March 4, 1855. She is a daughter of Ewing and Maria (Caghorn) Hill, both na- tives of Kentucky. To this union were born the following children: Edgar E., Clarence E., Robert E., all of whom died in infancy; and Harry E., who is now engaged in farming the home place in Blackwater township. He married Fay Bullock of Sweet Springs, Missouri. To Har- ry E and Fay (Bullock) Davis have been born one child, Meredith Jane. Mrs. Davis, wife of George H. Davis, departed this life, September 28, 1913.
Mr. Davis is a Democrat and while not a member of any particular church, has contributed liberally to churches and religious work all his life. His career has been a successful one and he has contributed his part to the building up and betterment of his county and community.
John P. Higgins, who for many years was prominently identified with Pettis County and was one of its leading citizens, died in August, 1914. He was born in Cole County, Missouri, February 7, 1847. He was a descendant of one of the prominent pioneer families of Missouri. His parents were Joseph C. and Mary (Parker) Higgins, to whom were born three children, John P. being the youngest.
Joseph C. Higgins was born in Hampshire County, Virginia, Febru- ary 27, 1819, and died March 23, 1895. He was a son of James Hig-
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gins, a native of Bath County, Kentucky. In 1820, when Joseph C. was one year old, his parents removed from Bath County to Union County, Kentucky, and there the wife of James Higgins died in 1826. In 1842, Joseph C. Higgins moved from Kentucky to Missouri and settled in Cole County, near Jefferson City. Shortly after the discovery of gold in California, he went there in 1850. He remained there nearly a year and on account of bad health, returned, making the trip around South America to New Orleans. The vessel upon which he was making the trip was driven ashore in South America in a storm. However, he finally ar- rived at New Orleans after a long voyage and came up the Mississippi by boat to St. Louis, and in the latter part of 1851 he reached his old home in Cole County. The same year, he came to Pettis County, where he purchased a large tract of land and at one time owned over 3,000 acres which he divided among his children. He erected on his place a palatial residence at a cost of $10,000. It was a large residence of twelve rooms and furnished in elegant style, the equal of which was rarely found in those early days. He was not only a large farmer and stock raiser but one of the most extensive stock dealers in the county. He dealt mostly in mules and about 1882, he was the largest mule dealer between Kansas City and St. Louis.
In 1839, Joseph C. Higgins was united in marriage to Mary Parker, a native of Virginia. She died in 1845. In 1847 Joseph C. Higgins was married to Ella Dellinger, a daughter of Henry Dellinger and a native of Maryland. She died in May, 1863, leaving four children. Joseph C. Hig- gins was one of the prominent factors in the affairs of Pettis County during his life time. He was a strong character and a capable business man.
John P. Higgins, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's estate in Blackwater township, Pettis County and had the advantage of a good education as well as the business association of his able father. In early life, he became interested in breeding fine horses and cattle. He made a specialty of Hereford cattle and thoroughbred saddle and driv- ing horses and won State-wide fame for his high-class stock in which he always took great pride. He made frequent exhibits of his stock, both horses and cattle at various county and State fairs and during one sea- son, won two silver cups on his saddle and driving horses. He was also a successful farmer and general stock raiser and prospered in his under- takings. Like his father, he was a capable business man. He was the organizer of the Houstonia Bank and was president of that institution
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for a number of years. He took a keen interest in public affairs and served as county judge of Pettis County from the western district. He was a member of the Christian Church and was a liberal contributor to church works. He was a progressive citizen and his affiable manners won for him many friends.
The following were born to John P. Higgins and wife: Mrs. Mary C. Warren, Blackwater township; Joseph C., Blackwater township; James T., Blackwater township; John R., Blackwater township; Frank H., Black- water township; and Robert R., who lives on the home place in Black- water township.
Mrs. Higgins was married the second time in 1917 to James C. Parker, a prominent citizen of Warrensburg, Missouri.
Joseph C. Higgins, son of John P. Higgins, whose sketch appears above, was born in Blackwater township, November 4, 1882. He received a good common-school education and afterwards attended Hill's Busi- ness College at Sedalia, Missouri. In 1912, his father gave him 110 acres of land in Blackwater township which he improved and has added addi- tional acreage to his place and now owns a splendid farm of 266 acres where he carries on general farming and stock raising. A few years ago he built a large barn which was unfortunately destroyed by fire in 1917.
On April 25, 1917, Joseph C. Higgins was united in marriage with Miss Loretta Cashman, who was born near Houstonia, Pettis County, April 28, 1897. She is a daughter of William and Loretta (Livers) Cash- man, the former a native of Pettis County and the latter of Pennsylvania. They now reside in Houstonia township. To Mr. and Mrs. Higgins have been born one child, Loretta Susan.
Mr. Higgins is an enterprising young man and is making the kind of progress in the world of affairs that compares, favorably to the careers of both his father and grandfather.
Jerd E. Sewell, who is now operating a farm of 657 acres in Black- water township, has been a resident of Pettis County since 1871. Mr. Sewell is a native of Kentucky, born in Pulaski County, August 5, 1863. He is a son of Milton and Sophia (Randolph) Sewell. For a more extended history of the Sewell family, see sketch of James Sewell which appears in this volume.
Jerd E. Sewell was reared on a farm and in early life, was denied the opportunities of obtaining an education, however, notwithstanding that
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handicap, he has succeeded in life to a very satisfactory degree. His in- dustry and integrity has made up, in a measure, what he lacked in edu- cation. In 1871, he came to Pettis County and worked as a farm laborer for from twelve to sixteen dollars per month. In 1878, he rented land in Houstonia township. Later he bought a farm and during his career has owned four different farms, all of which he improved to some extent. After following farming about twelve years, he engaged in the livery business at Houstonia for sixteen years. Later he traded his livery busi- ness for a farm in Blackwater township. In 1904, he sold this farm and rented the T. L. Price farm in Blackwater township, where he has since been engaged in farming and stock raising. He makes a specialty of breeding Duroc Jersey hogs.
Mr. Sewell was married December 25, 1884, to Miss Sarah Jane Laugh- lin, a native of Davidson County, North Carolina, born December 7, 1866. She is a daughter of Harris and Millie (Bodenhamer) Laughlin, both na- tives of North Carolina, and early settlers of Pettis County. To Jerd E. Sewell and wife have been born nine children as follows: Effie, mar- ried P. Smith, Houstonia township; Mary, married Roy Short, Preston, Kansas; Angie, married William Wolfe, Speed, Cooper County, Missouri; Minnie, married Russel Urie, Sweet Springs, Missouri; James; Nellie; Clarence; Charles and Josephine, reside at home with their parents.
Mr. Sewell is a man of keen business judgment and is recognized as one of the substantial men of the county.
Henry C. Meyer, now living retired at Emma, Missouri, is a native of this State and belongs to one of its pioneer families. He was born in Saline County, Missouri, February 27, 1865, and is a son of Christian and Betty (Stuenkel) Meyer, the former a native of Hanover, Germany, and the latter a native of this country. They were the parents of five children, of whom Henry C. was the second in order of birth. The mother died, and Christian Meyer married for his second wife, Dena Dirking, a native of Lafayette County, Missouri, who is now living with her youngest daugh- ter, Mrs. Laura Dittmar of Johnson County, Missouri.
Christian Meyer was about eighteen years of age when he came to America in 1839 and settled in the southern part of Saline County, Missouri, where he worked by the month for a time and later homesteaded 160 acres of Government land which was covered with a heavy growth of timber. This was an early day in the settlement of Missouri, and Mr. Meyer's first home was a log cabin. He was an industrious and
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thrifty man and accumulated considerable property and at the time of his death in 1912, he was the owner of over 800 acres of land. He died in his old home in Saline County at the age of seventy-three years.
Henry C. Meyer was reared on his father's farm in Saline County and has always made farming and stock raising his occupation and has met with well-merited success. He inherited 173 acres, a part of which was in Pettis County. He improved this place and after making his home there for about twenty-one years, sold it and bought a farm on section 33, in Blackwater township. Here he made extensive im- provements, including a large barn, silo and a modern residence. This place was known as the old Binkley place. Mr. Meyer continued to oper- ate this farm until 1915 when he rented his farm and moved to Emma, Missouri, where he is now living practically retired. He is the owner of 357 acres of valuable farm land.
Mr. Meyer has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Bertha Meyer, a native of Lafayette County, Missouri, born in 1868. She was a daughter of Henry P. and Minnie (Pape) Meyer, natives of Germany. Five children were born to this union as follow: Martin C .; Arthur B .; Betty; August; and Walter. The mother of these children died January 15, 1903, and Mr. Meyer afterwards married Miss Katherine Willman, a native of Lafayette County, Missouri. No children were born to this union.
Of the children born to Henry C. Meyer's first marriage, Martin C., was born in Saline County, Missouri, October 21, 1889, and is now oper- ating his father's farm in Blackwater township, Pettis County. In 1918 he purchased 190 acres of land in Blackwater township which he is also operating. He was educated in the district schools of Pettis County, and the Chillicothe Business College. He was united in marriage May 12, 1915, to Miss Nora Rehkop, a native of Lafayette County, Missouri, born March 19, 1891. She is a daughter of David Rehkop, a native of Canada. Mr. Meyer is a Republican. Arthur Meyer was born in Saline County, August 12, 1891. He received his education in the public schools and is now engaged in farming in partnership with his brother Martin. He married Miss Della Vogelsmeier, a native of Saline County, born January 26, 1896, a daughter of John W. and Nellie (Dankenbrink) Vogelsmeier, both natives of Missouri. Betty Meyer is the wife of A. Dierking of La- fayette County, Missouri. August Meyer resides at Emma with his father. Walter Meyer died at the age of two years.
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James E. Drake, a prominent farmer and stockman of Dresden town- ship, is well-known throughout this section of the State as a successful breeder of Denmark saddle horses, Mammoth jacks and Duroc Jersey hogs. Mr. Drake is a native of Missouri. He was born three miles south of Osceola, August 23, 1853. He is a son of Jefferson and Millie (Roberts) Drake, both natives of Green County, Kentucky. They came to Missouri at an early day and settled on a farm in Henry County. Later, they removed to Texas and afterwards returned to Missouri and settled in St. Clair County. In 1863, he came to Sedalia. Later, he lived at Dres- den for a time and afterwards removed to Clinton, Missouri, where he died in 1875, aged sixty-three years. His first wife died in 1866 and he afterwards married Mrs. Clarkston, a widow. Two children were born to this union, both of whom are now deceased.
James E. Drake came to Pettis county with his parents in 1863. He had very little advantages for schooling in the early days, and he began life in earnest when very young. He worked by the month as a farm laborer for five years in the vicinity of LaMonte and later rented land for a time. He saved his accumulations and in 1877 bought his first land which consisted of 102 acres. He bought more land from time to time and is now the owner of 303 acres of well-improved and valuable land. His land has cost him from twelve to forty dollars per acre. The first which he purchased was open prairie. He has made all the improvements.
Mr. Drake was united in marriage, January 31, 1874, to Miss Nancy T. DeHaven, a native of Virginia, born January 2, 1857. She is a daugh- ter of Reuben and Margaret (Gill) DeHaven, natives of Virginia and early settlers in Pettis County, coming here about 1860. To Mr. and Mrs. Drake have been born four children as follow: Jennie Lee, married Ottis Saxon, who resides near Sedalia; Charles J., who lives in Dresden town- ship where he owns a farm of eighty acres; James C., who resides on the home place; and Margaret F., married A. J. Harris, Sedalia.
Mr. Drake is a stockholder in the Farmers Bank of LaMonte, and politically is a Democrat. He is one of the substantial men of Pettis County and the success that has come to him has been through his own unaided efforts. He has worked hard all his life and is truly a self-made man.
Francis G. Teener, a well-known farmer and stockman of Dresden township, may well be numbered among the successful citizens of Pettis
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ยท County. He was born in Noble County, Ohio, January 22, 1854, and is a son of Vachel B. and Malinda (Archer) Teener. Vachel Teener was born August 18, 1812. He was a son of Henry Teener, who was born in Maryland, September 7, 1786, and Sarah (Thomas) Teener, who was born September 12, 1791. She died September 15, 1847, and Henry Teener died May 4, 1841. They were the parents of eleven children, and Vachel B. Teener, father of Francis G. Teener, was the second in order of birth. Melinda (Archer) Teener, mother of Francis G. Teener, was born in Ohio June 10, 1822, and died in her native State in 1858. Vachel B. Teener was engaged in farming in Ohio in early life, and later engaged in the mercantile business at Cumberland, Ohio, and spent the latter part of his life there. He died July 12, 1887.
Francis G. Teener was one of a family of five children born to Vachel B. and Melinda (Archer) Teener. He spent his early life in town where his father was engaged in the mercantile business in Ohio. He attended the public schools and when fourteen years of age began work as a farm laborer in Ohio. In 1878, he came West and settled in Pettis County, Missouri. He remained here until 1886, when he went to Has- kell. County, Kansas, where he homesteaded Government land. He im- proved his place and sold it in 1894. He then returned to Pettis county and bought his present place in Dresden township. He owns 100 acres of valuable and well-improved land, and he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. Mr. Teener was married January 5, 1884, to Miss Julia Ann Kells, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio. Two children have been born to this union, Lillian, who resides at home with her parents and Mary Edna, married R. F. Lewis of Webster Grove, Missouri.
Politically, Mr. Teener is identified with the Democratic party, al- though he is inclined to be liberal in his political views and independent in voting. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The Teener family is well and favorably known in Pettis County, and Mr. Teener is a public spirited citizen and what success has come to him has been through hard work and his reputation for honesty and integ- rity, which has been his life's policy.
Edward H. Harris, Jr., the well-known cashier of the Third Na- tional Bank of Sedalia, has been identified with the banking business since boyhood. Mr. Harris is a native of Missouri. He was born in Cooper County, January 13, 1865, and is a son of Edward H. and Mary (Ellis) Harris, who were the parents of the following children: Richard,
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Detroit, Michigan; Mrs. Sallie Fink, Pilot Grove, Missouri; Mrs. W. F. Johnson, a prominent attorney of Boonville, Missouri; Mary, who resides with her father at Pilot Grove; Edward H., Jr., the subject of this sketch; William T., New York City; and Frederick K., president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank, El Dorado Springs, Missouri.
Edward H. Harris, Sr., was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, De- cember 20, 1829. He was engaged in the mercantile business in early life, coming to Cooper County, Missouri, when a young man. In 1884, he organized the Pilot Grove Bank, Pilot Grove, and for twenty years, was president of that institution. He is now living retired at Pilot Grove after a long, honorable and successful business career. Mary (Ellis) Har- ris, wife of Edward H. Harris, Sr., was a native of Virginia. She de- parted this life in 1904.
Edward H. Harris, Jr., was reared in Cooper County and received his education in the public school and Pilot Grove College. He then took a course in the Gem City Business College, Quincy, Illinois. After completing school, he entered the Pilot Grove Bank with his father and was employed in that institution until May 29, 1913, when he came to Sedalia as cashier of the Third National Bank, which position he still holds. Further reference is made to this institution elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. Harris was united in marriage, October 30, 1892, to Miss Alma W. Windsor, a native of Boonville, Missouri, and a daughter of John H. and Elenore (Zollinger) Windsor, early settlers in Cooper County, where the father was a successful farmer and stockman, and is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Harris have no children.
Mr. Harris owns a well-improved and valuable farm in Cooper County, besides his other interests and has a nice modern residence at 615 West Broadway, Sedalia. Having devoted his life to the banking business and always been a close student of men and affairs, as well as the intri- cate problems of banking, Mr. Harris is exceptionally well qualified for the responsible position which he holds. He possesses that rare trait of character, which might be termed the banker's temperament-con- servative enough for safety and progressive enough to meet the require- ments of sound financial policies. Politically, he supports the policies and principles of the Democratic party. He is a member of the Methodis: Church, South, and is a Knights Templar Mason.
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R. Banning .- The Banning Dairy and Poultry Farm, located east of Sedalia in Smithton township, operated by R. Banning and son, Walter, consists of eighty-eight acres of good prairie soil. Mr. Banning has owned the tract since 1896, and has built up the place from unfenced prairie land which was practically unimproved, although it had been in culti- vation for many years previous. An attractive farm residence of ten rooms is fronted by a nice lawn and hedge. A good barn 40x46 feet with shed sixteen feet wide, is seen in the background. Mr. Banning main- tains a herd of fifteen Holsteins for dairying purposes and he has main- tained the dairy farming project for the past fifteen years. All of the milk product is shipped to Kansas City. Over two hundred pure-bred Plymouth Rock poultry is kept on the place, and hogs are raised as well as carrying on general farming operations.
R. Banning was born in Ohio, March 21, 1866, the son of parents who died when he was but an infant. Consequently he has but little recollection of his parentage or ancestry. He was reared in the home of a family named Edwards until he attained the age of twenty-four years. For a period of three years he farmed in Miami County, Ohio, on his own account, and in 1896, he came to Pettis County, Missouri, and purchased his present farm.
Mr. Banning was married in 1895 to Miss Sarah P. Counts, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of Jeremiah and Emily Counts, the former of whom died in Ohio and her mother came to Pettis County with Mr. and Mrs. Banning, dying at the Banning home, September 24, 1910. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Banning, Walter, born September 30, 1898, a graduate of the Sedalia High School and now his father's right-hand assistant and partner in the operation of the farm.
Mr. Banning is a Republican in politics and is a member of the Sedalia Presbyterian Church. He is also a member of the Maplewood Grange.
Lee Morrison Gentry .- The Gentry Dairy Farm in the northwest part of Smithton township, and a few miles east of Sedalia, is one of the prettiest places in Pettis County. This farm is devoted primarily to dairying, a herd of twenty-five pure-bred and grade Holsteins being main- tained on the place. Mr. Gentry is a specialist in the breeding of thorough- bred stock, and has a registered herd leader for his herd. Two barns and a silo which stores alfalfa and silage grace the premises. The Gentry farm of 91 acres is a fertile one and convenient to the shipping point,
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the output of the dairy industry exceeding seventy-five gallons of milk per day, which is sold to the Missouri Dairy Company.
Mr. Gentry is a member of one of the oldest of the Missouri pioneer families which have rounded out a residence in Missouri and Pettis County of one hundred years in 1919. He was born in Cedar township, February 20, 1885, and is a son of Nicholas H. Gentry, one of the most widely- known breeders and stockmen in the country, and who has resided in Pettis County during his entire life. Nicholas H. Gentry was born on the Gentry homestead in Cedar township March 16, 1850, the son of Joel Gentry, who was the son of Richard Gentry, one of the first of the Pettis County pioneers. An extended biography of Nicholas H. Gentry appears elsewhere in this volume. The mother of Lee M. Gentry was Marion (Dixon) Gentry, who departed this life in 1916.
Lee M. Gentry was reared on the Gentry home place and received his primary education in the grade and high schools of Sedalia. He pur- sued a classical course in the Missouri State University and began farm- ing on his own account in March, 1910, when he took possession of his present home place.
Mr. Gentry was married in March, 1910, to Miss Christine Spencer, of Sedalia, a daughter of Samuel Edward Spencer, deceased, who for a period of twenty-six years was a traveling salesman for the Hamilton Brown Shoe Company of St. Louis. Mrs. Gentry's mother was, prior to her marriage, Hallie Heistmeyer and is now deceased. Lee M. and Chris- tine Gentry have two children: Helen Spencer Gentry, aged seven years ; Lee Morrison, Jr., aged four years.
Mr. Gentry is a Democrat and takes a good citizen's interest in political affairs. He and Mrs. Gentry are members of the Christian Church of Sedalia.
George E. Griffin, a prosperous and well known farmer and stock man of Smithton township, owns a well-improved farm of 145 acres located one and a half miles northeast of Smithton. Mr. Griffin was born June 19, 1868, on a farm in Morgan County, just over the Pettis-Morgan County boundary line. He is a son of William (b. 1835, d. 1893), a native of England, who immigrated to America in 1865. William Griffin first located in Pennsylvania and was there engaged in the business of con- tractor and builder. He prospered in his vocation and in 1867 came to Missouri and invested his savings in a tract of land in Morgan County. He moved to Pettis County in 1880 and built up a fine homestead on the
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prairie, owning two hundred and forty acres in the Griffin home place. Mr. Griffin resided on his place until his death. He was married in Penn- sylvania to Miss Mary Hughes who was born in England in 1842 and came to America in 1867. Nine children were born to William and Mary (Hughes) Griffin: George E., of this review; Fannie, wife of George R. Green of Smithton township; Mrs. Maria Bridges, living on a farm just east of Mr. Griffin's place; Mrs. Ed Sawford, Smithton, Missouri; one daughter died in infancy; Rosa, wife of William E. Lamm, Smithton township; a son died in infancy; Frank Griffin, farming the home place; Walter Grover, a farmer in Smithton township.
George E. Griffin received a good education in the public schools and Central Business College at Sedalia. He spent one year (1896) in Cali- fornia in the employ of a general department store, and has since been successfully engaged in farming. He has only recently, in the spring of 1918, purchased his present home place, which is equipped with an attractive farm residence and good farm buildings.
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