USA > Missouri > Livingston County > Past and present of Livingston County, Missouri : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 13
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number of substantial improvements and instituted equipment which has greatly enhanced the value of his property.
On January 1, 1883, Mr. Bassett was united in marriage, in Fre- mont county, Iowa, to Miss Grace A. Baker, a daughter of Henry H. Baker of the same county. Mr. and Mrs. Bassett became the par- ents of five children : Arthur M., who died November 16, 1909, at the age of twenty-four years; Alice, the wife of T. F. Ervin, an agri- culturist of Kechi, Kansas; Fanny E., a graduate of the grade school, at home; and Francis R. and Florence J., both still attending school. On November 6, 1908, Mrs. Bassett passed away, deeply mourned by her family, her death causing widespread regret among her many friends, who highly esteemed her for her many rare qualities of char- acter and of heart and mind.
In his political faith Mr. Bassett is a republican, giving his un- qualified support to the measures and candidates of that party. Fra- ternally he is connected with the blue lodge of the Masonic order and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. The religious faith of the family is that of the Christian church, the services of which they regularly attend and in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest. Mr. Bassett is highly esteemed wherever known and best esteemed where best known as a man of his word and a man of character. Entirely through his own efforts and overcoming hardships and obstacles, he has worked himself up to an independent financial position and is now considered one of the substantial agriculturists of Jackson township and a man worthy of confidence and good-will.
S. F. SHIELDS.
S. F. Shields, cultivating seven hundred acres of land on section 14, Monroe township, is a native of Carroll county, born on April 9, 1870, his parents being John W. and Martha (Dooley) Shields, who reside at Ludlow. His education was acquired in the public schools of Carroll county and when he was sixteen years of age he laid aside his books in order to assist his father with the work of the farm. He spent five years upon the homestead and then began his independent agricultural career, to which he has since devoted all of his time and attention. He now cultivates seven hundred acres, well improved, one hundred and ninety-five acres of which he owns, the
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rest being rented land. He does mixed farming, harvesting every year abundant crops of grain and keeping thirty horses, one hun- dred head of cattle and about one hundred swine. A glance at the neat and attractive appearance of the place indicates the careful supervision and practical methods of the owner, who is classed with the enterprising and successful agriculturists of Livingston county.
Mr. Shields married, at Braymer, on May 8, 1901, Miss Ida Spaulding, a daughter of Otis and Rebecca (Cox) Spaulding, the former of whom died in 1901 and is buried in Monroe cemetery, near Ludlow. His widow survives him and makes her home with her daughter.
Mr. Shields gives his allegiance to the republican party and takes an intelligent interest in public affairs although never as an office seeker. He is ever loyal to the best interests of the community and is a progressive citizen and public-spirited man as well as an enter- prising farmer. All who know him esteem and respect him and his circle of friends in this county is an extensive one.
JOHN C. STONE. .
John C. Stone occupies an enviable position in agricultural circles in Livingston county as one of the largest landed proprie- tors of Green township. He owns three hundred and eighty-five acres of fertile land on sections 30 and 31, one hundred and fifty acres of timber land on sections 18 and 19 and one hundred and twenty-five acres on section 25, in all five hundred and eighty acres. He is a native son of Livingston county and one of its early pioneers, having not only been an interested witness of the changes that have occurred but a helpful and cooperant factor in the general advancement and development. He was born in Utica, Missouri, January 17, 1839, and is a son of John and Susanne (Stover) Stone. John Stone, the father, was one of the first settlers in this part of the country, having come here in 1837. He, to a large extent, enjoyed the esteem and good-will of his contemporaries and was called upon to serve in various public capacities, among which was that of judge of the county court. All his life he was an ardent democrat and supported the principles of this party. He died in 1893, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years, his wife preceding him in 1886, and both are buried in the
JOHN C. STONE
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Stone graveyard. The family is of old English origin, early an- cestors coming from the mother country to Virginia in the eigh- teenth century and several of them figuring prominently in the Revolutionary war.
John C. Stone attended the public schools of Utica in the acquirement of an education and left his lessons when eighteen years of age. However, he attended in the wintertime only and during the summer months helped on his father's farm, on which he continued to make his home all his life with the exception of a few years when he was engaged in the general mercantile busi- ness. Following modern and progressive methods, he has de- veloped his property to one of the most valuable in this section and has added thereto as his means allowed him. He has made many valuable improvements in the buildings on the farm and largely added to its general equipment.
On November 29, 1866, Mr. Stone was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Harper, a daughter of John S. and Juliet (Butts) Harper. The father followed general mercantile pursuits during all his life. He was a pioneer settler of 1838 and wherever known much liked and highly esteemed. His political faith was that of the democratic party. He died in 1908, at the remarkable age of ninety years, his wife preceding him in 1884, and both found their last resting place in the Utica cemetery. The Harper family is an old English one, coming to this country at an early day, and the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Stone, Thomas Butts, was one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. Stone are the parents of three sons: Charles, an agriculturist, who is mar- ried and has a family; William, a rural mail carrier residing at home; and Harry B., a harness maker at Lanesboro, Iowa.
Mr. Stone's political affiliation is with the democratic party and as he is always public-spirited and willing to render service when called upon, he has served in the capacity of township clerk and also township assessor, discharging his duties in these capac- ities with circumspection and ability. He is a member of the Baptist church and deeply interested in the activities of this organ- ization. His fraternal relations are confined to the blue lodge of Masons. Mr. Stone has made a highly creditable record along agricultural lines in this section, his course being marked by steady progress gained through ready utilization of opportunities as they have presented themselves, and his industry and energy have found substantial reward in a most gratifying degree of prosperity. Vol. II-9
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He is highly esteemed in this locality for his sterling traits of char- acter, which have won him the regard and confidence of all who have come in contact with him. Having been born in this county over seventy-four years ago, he has witnessed the wonderful transformation that has occurred as pioneer conditions have given way before the onward march of civilization.
EVERETT ALLEN, M. D.
Dr. Everett Allen is widely and favorably known in Livingston county as an able practicing physician and also as an agriculturist, owning a farm known as Prairie View Farm in Jackson township, on sections 25 and 36, comprising two hundred and sixty-two and a half acres. A native of this county, he was born October 1, 1868, and is a son of William W. and Martha (Turner) Allen, the latter a daughter of James Turner, a pioneer minister of the Mount Pleasant church. William W. Allen passed away February 27, 1913, and is buried in the Galena (Kansas) cemetery, his wife preceding him in death, on January 22, 1884, finding her last resting place at Galena, Kansas.
Everett Allen received his preliminary education in the Potter school and subsequently graduated from the high school at Galena, Kansas. Of studious mind and having a decided preference for a professional career, he concluded to take up medicine as his life work and for that purpose matriculated in the University Medical College of Kansas City, Missouri, receiving his degree of M. D. from that institution in 1899. He first took up his practice at Hickory Creek, Grundy county, Missouri, remaining there for nine years and build- ing up an extensive and gratifying practice, but at the end of that period removed to Trenton, Missouri, before he came to his present location where he has since been following his profession with great success. Ever careful in his diagnosis, he decides quickly after he comes to a conclusion in regard to a case and has done much valuable work in this vicinity. As his reputation has increased he has become more and more popular and today his practice is not only representa- tive but extensive.
On March 6, 1889, Dr. Allen was united in marriage in Jackson township, Livingston county, to Miss Mary C. Varney, a daughter of W. H. and Lucinda J. (Boone) Varney, the former a pioneer farmer of this county who died at Chillicothe, Missouri, November 25, 1912,
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at the age of seventy-seven years, and is buried in Brassfield ceme- tery. The Varney family is an old and distinguished American one and has been prominent in various sections of the United States. Dr. and Mrs. Allen are the parents of two sons: William W., Jr., a graduate of the Chillicothe high school; and Fred, who is a student at that institution.
Although the Doctor's attention is largely taken up by his pro- fessional duties he has sufficient time to devote to his attractive prop- erty which by careful and progressive methods he has transformed into one of the most valuable farms in Livingston county, making such improvements and instituting such equipment as he deems essen- tial to up-to-date and profitable agriculture. In his political faith he is a democrat and gives his unfaltering support to that party. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Masons, being a member of the blue lodge, and exemplifying in his life the beneficent principles of that order. Along professional lines he is a member of the Grundy County and State Medical Societies, through the medium of which he keeps in contact with his brethren of the profession, enjoying discussions with them on the latest methods and discoveries in the world of medi- cal science. Honored and esteemed, Dr. Allen is a forceful factor in the element of progress in the vicinity and his labors along pro- fessional as well as agricultural lines not only redound to his own benefit but contribute in a material way to the general welfare.
J. WILLIAM WALLS. .
Owner of a highly cultivated farm of one hundred and eighty acres on section 6, Jackson township, Livingston county, J. William Walls, a member of an old and prominent family, has not only made a creditable record in attaining to prosperity but also has been promi- nent in official life in the affairs of his township. He is a native of this county, having been born in the same section and township in which he now lives, the date of his birth being December 26, 1854. He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Nickerson) Walls, the father one of the early settlers of Livingston county, coming here at a time when primitive conditions yet prevailed and Indians were quite often in evidence in this neighborhood, having their camping grounds on and near the Grand river. Wild game was still plentiful in these parts and often furnished the meat for the table. After he settled on his
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land he cleared the same from brush and forest, put it under the plow, acre by acre, and gradually brought it to a high state of cultivation. As the years passed his labors were rewarded with gratifying results and he became prosperous. Well known in the neighborhood he en- joyed the confidence and good-will of all who knew him. He died in 1897 at the age of eighty-seven years, his wife having preceded him in death, passing away on September 7, 1884. Both are buried in the family graveyard on the farm on which they first settled. The Walls family is one of old standing in Livingston county and mem- bers of it have resided in the United States for several hundred years.
J. William Walls received his education in the district school near his father's farm which he left at the age of twenty years although he had during that time assisted his father in his work on the home place during the summer months. He remained there until his mother's death, having, however, previously, at the age of twenty- four years, purchased forty acres of his own which formed the nucleus of his present holdings. Since the mother's demise the father has made his home with our subject. As success attended the labors of J. William Walls he extended the boundaries of his holdings and gradually acquired one hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, to the cultivation of which he now gives his entire time and attention, engaging in general farming and also giving considerable of his time to stock-raising, gaining gratifying success in the latter branch of his business. Mr. Walls has greatly enhanced the value of his property by making suitable and substantial improvements, including barns and outbuildings, and has also erected a handsome residence thereon, mod- ernly equipped and comfortably furnished.
On September 25, 1889, Mr. Walls was united in marriage to Miss Annie M. Ramsey, a daughter of James and Linnie M. (Wingo) Ramsey, the former of whom was a well known settler and a man of prominence, having held many public positions including that of tax collector of the township. He passed away in December, 1887, at the age of fifty-five years, his wife following him in death on the 30th of January, 1895, at the age of fifty-five years. Both were laid to rest in the Ramsey family graveyard. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey were highly esteemed and well known in this section and enjoyed the high regard of their many friends and neighbors. Mr. and Mrs. Walls became the parents of three children, two of whom died in infancy, while the son living is J. O., attending school. Mr. Walls' political affiliation is with the democratic party and for two terms he has served in the capacity of township clerk while he has also held the
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position of clerk of the board of education. The religious faith of the family is that of the Baptist denomination, Mr. Walls being a member of that church, taking an active and helpful interest in its local organization. Frugal and industrious, he has with the able assistance of his faithful wife attained to a substantial position and is well and favorably known in Jackson township as a man of character, esteemed as well for the material progress he has made as for the qualities which have made his success possible.
JAMES C. MAXWELL.
Struggling against adverse conditions and finding his way over obstacles, James C. Maxwell has become one of the representative farmers of Jackson township, Livingston county, where he owns a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 30. Coming to this locality in 1890, he was born in Daviess county, Missouri, July 6, 1863, and is a son of Isaac N. and Emily J. (Hamilton) Maxwell. The father came from Tazewell county, Virginia, to Grundy county, Missouri, in 1860. He was well known in the sections where he made his home and highly respected, passing away August 19, 1912, being buried in Antioch cemetery, in Grundy county. His wife, who survives, now makes her home with Mrs. Jane Buzzard, in Living- ston county, our subject having taken care of his parents for the past five years. They had eight children, Jane, Annie, Ellie, Livie, Emma, Mary, Stella and James C. The family is of old English ori- gin, having come to this country at an early day.
James C. Maxwell acquired his education in an old log school- house in the neighborhood of his father's place, laying aside his text- books at the age of sixteen years as instruction was not of the best and the schoolhouse, itself, in poor condition. He subsequently worked out, seeking employment along any line in which he could make an honest dollar, and it often took him three days to earn that amount. He so worked in various employments until twenty years of age, when he married and subsequent thereto again worked out as a farm hand for a few years, after which, having secured the means by thrift and industry, he rented a farm until he bought forty acres of land. To this he gave his assiduous attention and as his returns increased purchased another forty acre tract. Making four hundred dollars on his first tract and doubling his investment on his second,
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he disposed of his property and bought his present farm in October, 1906, where he has since been following general agricultural pur- suits and stock-raising. He has built two substantial barns on the farm and has made other important improvements and instituted essential equipment, thereby increasing the value of his property.
On March 23, 1883, Mr. Maxwell was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Robinson, a daughter of Anthony and Annie (Stitth) Robin- son, the former a farmer who had come from Tennessee to Grundy county. Both parents of Mrs. Maxwell are deceased and are buried in Bethel cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell are the parents of four children of whom Maudie died at the age of five years and is buried in the Bethel cemetery. Orville is assisting his father in the work of the farm and Bertha and Ruby are both attending school, making their home with their parents.
In his political affiliations Mr. Maxwell is a democrat and takes an intelligent and lively interest in the issues of the day and the pub- lic questions of the locality. Deeply interested in the cause of edu- cation, he has for a number of years served successfully as a director of the school board and has also filled efficiently the position of road supervisor. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal church, South, to which he gives his material and moral support. Fraternally he belongs to Camp No. 4176, of the Modern Woodmen of America, while his son, Orville, is also a Modern Woodman, affil- iated with Camp No. 3834. A self-made man in the best sense of the word, Mr. Maxwell is highly esteemed for the position which he has attained and his inherent qualities which have made that attainment possible. Popular and well liked, he has many friends in this section who regard him with good-will and confidence.
JAMES H. COLE.
Among the prosperous agriculturists of Jackson township, Liv- ingston county, there is no man more worthy of mention than James H. Cole, who owns a valuable farm of two hundred and twenty acres on sections 17, 20 and 30. He was born in Grundy county, Missouri, November 14, 1862, a son of Melzar and Elizabeth J. (Gee) Cole, the father one of the early Missouri pioneers, coming to this state from Indiana about 1840. He passed away on July 5, 1881, at the age of sixty-five years, his wife following him in death nearly thirty
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years later in October, 1910, at the age of eighty-one years, and both are buried in the Coon Creek cemetery northwest of Edinburg, Grundy county.
Mr. Cole received his education in the district schools of Grundy county which he left at the age of fourteen years. At that early period in his life he began to assist his father in the work of the farm, becoming well acquainted with the methods and details of agriculture under his able guidance, and was so employed at the time of his father's death, which occurred when our subject was eighteen years of age. However, he kept on working along agricultural lines and, renting property, he thus, though a mere boy, supported his mother from that time until her demise. He remained upon rented land until by thrift and industry he was enabled to purchase forty acres and later inheriting from another source one hundred and twenty acres he was soon able to buy the remainder of the land which makes up the two hundred and twenty acres which he now owns. He follows gen- eral farming and gives considerable attention to stock-raising and has made substantial improvements upon the place. The residence thereon, however, had previously been built by his wife's father.
In Jackson township, Livingston county, on October 13, 1895, Mr. Cole was married to Miss Annie Pawpaw, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Kessler) Pawpaw, the former a pioneer farmer of Liv- ingston county. He was for a short time in California, having fol- lowed the irresistible lure of the west during the days of 1849. He subsequently returned and became very well known in Livingston county. Here he died in 1901 at the age of seventy-one years, his wife preceding him in death in 1890, and both are buried in the Kessler family cemetery in Jackson township. Mr. and Mrs. Cole are the parents of four children : Roy, Joseph, and James F., attending dis- trict school; and A. Ruth, three years of age.
A man of progressive tendencies, Mr. Cole has always taken inter- est in matters of public importance and especially the cause of educa- tion has found favor in his eye, having served for a number of years as school director. He is also responsible for a number of improve- ments that have been made on roads in the county and filled the office of road supervisor with efficiency. Interested in political matters that affect the state and nation, he votes the democratic ticket. His fra- ternal relations are confined to membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. A man of many high qualities of mind and character, Mr. Cole has made many friends in this section and has won the high regard and confidence of all with whom he has come in con-
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tact. At all times he has been actuated by laudable ambition, and his aggressive spirit has carried him to success, but while it has brought him his own financial independence it has been of value to this sec- tion and district as thereby he has added to the resources of the county and has become a constructive factor in the development and advance- ment enjoyed by the present generation.
HOMER J. KESLER.
One of the foremost representatives of agricultural interests in Livingston county is Homer J. Kesler, who in partnership with his mother owns a valuable farming property of eight hundred and sev- enty acres located on sections 16, 20 and 21, Jackson township. A native of Livingston county, he was born on the place on which he is now residing, September 1, 1869, and is a son of John R. and Alice (Rose) Kesler. The paternal grandfather had the distinction of hav- ing been the first settler in this section. The father was an industrious and energetic man, attaining remarkable success along agricultural lines and enjoying the esteem and regard of his neighbors and con- temporaries. He passed away June 10, 1898, at the age of sixty-five years, greatly mourned by his family and a large circle of friends, and found a last resting place in Bethel cemetery, Jackson township. The maternal grandfather came to Livingston county in 1846 when pioneer conditions yet prevailed and most of the land was wild prairie. He was one of the early doctors in the vicinity and a de- scendant of an old English family, members of which had made their home in this section for over a century. Minnie, a sister of our sub- ject, is the wife of Ira G. Hedrick, who makes his home in Green township. More extended mention is made of Mr. and Mrs. Hedrick on another page of this work.
Homer J. Kesler was reared under the parental roof and attended the public schools near his father's farm in the acquirement of his education, subsequently taking a course at the Chillicothe Normal School, which institution he left at the age of twenty-one years. Since that time he has remained on the home farm where he engages in mixed farming and also quite extensively in stock-raising. Follow- ing progressive methods and being industrious and energetic, he has succeeded in making his farm, which is one of the largest in extent in the county, also one of the most valuable therein. He and his
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father made all of the improvements and erected a number of build- ings of the most modern type and style to suit their requirements. Our subject also introduced all such equipment and machinery as is considered essential to intensified farming and thereby has greatly enhanced the productivity of his land and increased the value of his property.
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