USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume II > Part 27
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James M. Vert received his elementary education in the schools of Washington county. Iowa, supplementing this by attendance at the Mary- ville high school. He then took up the active work of farming, to which he had been reared. and he has consistently remained allied with this basic in- dustry to the present time. his efforts having been rewarded with a due mea- sure of success. His first efforts were in teaming for railroad construction
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in 1879, and by this means he was enabled to earn money with which he paid for his team and wagon and then had one hundred and eighty-one dollars with which to make a first payment of land. His purchase was eighty acres, to which he gave his attention, breaking the land and setting out an orchard, though not until six years later did he take up his actual residence on the property. This was in 1887, at the time of his marriage, and he has resided there continuously since, having during the subsequent years made many per- manent and substantial improvements. In addition to a general line of farm- ing, he has been an extensive breeder of Poland-China hogs, though he has now changed to the Duroc-Jersey breed. He is also partial to shorthorn cat- tle, of which he feeds large numbers for the market. Mr. Vert is an ardent exponent of the idea of feeding all his grain, rather than selling it, and in following out this plan his judgment has been vindicated by the results. He has also been successful in the breeding and raising of draft horses, prin- cipally the Percheron breed. As he has prospered, he has added to his landed possessions from time to time and is now the owner of three hundred and eighty acres of fine land, all in the vicinity of his home. He has been a resident of Nodaway county continuously since coming here in 1873 with the exception of one year. 1886, when he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Thomas county, Kansas, which he proved up in the fall of that year.
On January 30, 1887, Mr. Vert married Martha Robertson, the daughter of John and Nancy (Adkinson) Robertson. These parents were natives of Kentucky, who came to Nodaway county, Missouri, in about 1870, and here spending the rest of their days, the father dying in 1892, and his widow in December, 1909, at the age of eighty-four years. The father, who had been a soldier for three years in the Confederate army under General Price, was a farmer in White Cloud township, and was an ardent Democrat in politics. To Mr. and Mrs. Vert have been born three children, Delbert E .. Mainerd D. and Orville J., all of whom are residing at home with their parents.
Politically, Mr. Vert is a Republican and has taken an intelligent interest in local public affairs, particularly as pertaining to educational affairs and he served as a school director for twelve consecutive years, giving efficient ser- vice in this capacity. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World, his son, Delbert E .. also being an Odd Fellow. Religiously, the family are Methodists, the father being a member of the Northern branch of that church, and his wife and son Delbert to the Southern. Mr. Vert has all his life maintained the most cor-
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dial and friendly relations with all whom he has been associated, never having had occasion to go into court for redress. His genial qualities and upright life have gained for him the sincere respect and admiration of his neighbors and he is rightfully numbered among the leading men of his township.
EDWIN POWELL, M. D.
In giving the life record of Dr. Edwin Powell, one of the best known professional men of Nodaway county, now living in honorable retirement in his pleasant home in Polk township, it will be an incentive to the youth who may peruse it to lead nobler lives, have higher ambitions and accomplish more for their fellow-men. for his life has always been led along a plane of high endeavor, always consistent with the truth in its higher forms and ever in keeping with its higher principles. He is the scion of ancestors of the most sterling qualities who did much in their day for the communities in which they lived and were leaders in various walks of life. and Doctor Powell has proven that he is a worthy descendant of his forbears; thus, for many rea- sons, not the least of which is the fact that he was one of the patriotic sons of the North, who, when the tocsin of war sounded, left his hearthstone and business to do what he could in saving the country from treason, he is gladly given representation in this work.
Doctor Powell was born in Jefferson county, New York, October 12, 1834. His father. John Powell, was a dairy farmer by occupation. His mother was known in her maidenhood as Eveline Brainard. They were na- tives of the state of New York, where they grew to maturity. received their educational training and were married. They joined the tide of emigration setting in strongly for the West about the middle of the last century and came to Knox county, Illinois, in 1851, establishing their home at Oneida, Mr. Powell buying a farm there to which he gave his exclusive attention during the remainder of his life, he and his wife both reaching an advanced age. They were the parents of eight children, of which Edwin, of this re- view, was the third in order of birth.
Doctor Powell spent his early youth in Jefferson county. New York. accompanying his parents to Knox county, Illinois, in 1851. when seventeen years of age. He received his primary education in the common schools of his native county, and in the fall of 1851 he entered the preparatory school of Knox College. at Galesburg. remaining there two years, then entered
DR. EDWIN POWELL
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Williams College at Williamstown, Massachusetts, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1857. He later did some special work in that college and took the mathematical honors of the class of 1873. He early in life decided to enter the medical profession and accordingly in 1857, after his return to Illinois, he began the study of medicine in Chicago with his uncle, Dr. Daniel Brainard. He entered the United States Marine Hospital at Chicago, as a resident pupil, his uncle teaching surgery at that institution, and was also president of Rush Medical College. He continued his medical studies there until 1861, when. upon the breaking out of the Civil war, he offered his services and, being well equipped as a surgeon and general prac- titioner, was appointed surgeon of the Seventy-second Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he rendered the most efficient service, for he had made such a splendid record in college that upon his graduation from the Rush Medical College he was appointed demonstrator in anatomy ; and there was no better surgeon in the army. He accompanied his regiment to Vicks- burg and followed it through various trying campaigns. Upon reaching Vicksburg he organized and had charge of the Seventeenth Army Corps Hospital. After the surrender of that stronghold he organized the McPher- son General Hospital with which he remained until near the close of the war, rendering such efficient service that he won the admiration of his superior officers and the enlisted men.
After his army experience Doctor Powell returned to Chicago and began practicing his profession, and was soon appointed professor of clinical surg- ery in Rush Medical College, nearly all the clinical work being done at that time in the Cook County General Hospital, of which institution Doctor Pow- ell was one of the surgeons for a period of twenty years. He remained in Chicago in the successful practice of his profession until failing health caused him to seek the pure air and quietude of the country, and in the fall of 1888 he came to Nodaway county, Missouri, and purchased a farm upon which he located and which has since been his home. Since coming to this county he has lived an uneventful life. but his ability as a surgeon and practitioner has been known and recognized by medical men and laymen as well from the first : however, his attractive home, known as the "Hazelwood Farm," has claimed the major part of his attention, everything about which indicates thrift and that a gentleman of refined tastes has its management in hand, having lived practically retired ever since coming here.
Doctor Powell is a member of Thomas Post. Grand Army of the Re- public, at Chicago, and he is a member of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, which is composed of officers of the Seventeenth Army Corps.
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Fraternally he is a Mason, having attained the Knight Templar degree. He was master of Oriental Lodge, No. 33. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. in the years from 1869 to 1875. He was elected to the thirty-third degree of the Scottish rite, an unusual honor.
Politically the Doctor is a Republican, but has not been active in party affairs. For proficiency in the medical department of the army he was brevetted lieutenant-colonel and colonel. Religiously he belongs to St. James Episcopal church of Chicago. He has made several European trips for sur- gical observation, combining business and pleasure. Personally he is a gen- tleman of culture and of pleasing address, plain and unassuming, neighborly and generous.
JAMES R. McMAHAN.
Among the citizens of Nodaway township, Nodaway county, who have. because of their inherent industry and their upright lives, earned the respect and confidence of the entire community, the subject of this sketch is con- spicuous. He has, by indefatigable efforts and the exercise of sound judg- ment. attained a gratifying measure of success and is numbered among the successful men of his township.
Mr. McMahan was born in Macon county, Illinois, in 1862, and is a son of John and Ella ( Behan) McMahan. The McMahan family came originally from Ireland. locating in an early day in New York state, from which locality members of the family emigrated to other states, until today this name is to be found throughout the Union. John McMahan was a civil engineer by profession and was employed in surveying the route of the Illinois Central railroad. subsequently settling on one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land. the greater part of which was cleared. After residing there many years, he, in 1875, moved to near Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he and a son owned and operated land, and where he lived until his death. He was the father of eight children. During the Civil war he was a member of the Illinois Home Guards. He was a Democrat in politics, but a strong anti- slavery man. Fraternally, he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
James R. McMahan was educated in the public schools of his native state, and when nineteen years old he came West to Nodaway county. locating at Bradyville. At that time the only railroad in this section of the state was one from St. Joseph to Hopkins, and after his arrival here Mr. McMahan
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was employed as an assistant in railroad surveys, being also employed with a bridge gang, his railroad employment amounting to about a year. He then engaged in farming and ranch work. In 1884 he went to Kansas, where he was employed on farms, and in 1889 came to Nodaway county and bought sixty-eight acres of land where he now lives in Nodaway township. He en- tered actively upon the work of improving this place and added other land to it, the farm now comprising one hundred and sixty-four acres of as good land as can be found in that locality. When he entered upon this land. it was mainly covered with a dense growth of brush and where the farm buildings now stand there was then a heavy growth of timber. Thus a vast amount of hard labor was required to get the place into shape for cultivation, but by dint of strenuous and indefatigable labor Mr. McMahan at length had the satis- faction of seeing the land covered with growing crops and began to realize the results of his efforts. Besides carrying on a general line of farming. he has given considerable attention to the breeding of good horses and the feed- ing of hogs for market, in both of which lines he has met with a satisfactory measure of success.
In 1883 Mr. McMahan was united in marriage to Mary E. McIntosh. and the union has been blessed with four children, James R., Rosa E .. John F. and Eva L. Politically, Mr. McMahan is an adherent of the Republican party and takes an intelligent interest in public affairs, though not a seeker after public office. Religiously, Mrs. McMahan is a member of the Christian church and takes an active interest in the work of the society. Mr. and Mrs. McMahan are members of the best social circles of the community and are deservedly popular among their acquaintances.
J. A. CRAWFORD.
One of the substantial citizens of the village of Wilcox, this county. is J. A. Crawford, who, after a long life of unusual activity along legitimate lines which resulted in the attainment of abundant success. now finds himself in his declining years surrounded by the evidences of past years of thrift and is enjoying the comforts of retired life, which he certainly deserves, owing to his strenuous career.
The history of this interesting family may be traced back to the seven- teenth century. the first progenitor of the family having come to America from England in the famous "Mayflower." the family being of Scotch-Irish
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descent. The paternal great-grandfather of J. A. Crawford. of this review, was a colonel in the French and Indian war and he was captured near San- dusky, Ohio, by the Indians, who burned him at the stake. He was a fearless man and a brave officer, always loyal in the discharge of his duty to his country. Mr. Johnson, the maternal great-grandfather of J. A. Crawford, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He lived to the remarkable age of one hundred and two years.
T. A. Crawford was born in Zanesville, Ohio. in 1845, the son of Israel and Elizabeth ( Johnson) Crawford, both born in Pennsylvania, where they were reared, educated and married and from which state they came to Zanes- ville, Ohio. in 1844. The father was a shoemaker by trade, which he fol- lowed in his earlier years. In 1868 he came to Nodaway county, Missouri, locating near Graham on a farm. Before leaving Ohio he had quit shoe- making and turned his attention to farming and this constituted his line of endeavor after coming to Missouri. He purchased a place containing forty acres and there lived until his death. His family consisted of eight children. four of whom are still living. The father was a Democrat when a young man, later turned Republican and finally went back to the Democratic ranks. He was a member of the Christian church, liberal in his views and always active in religious affairs.
J. A. Crawford was educated in the early schools of his native commun- ity in Ohio. and when a mere boy he began farming, which he continued in his home country. It was in 1876 that he came to Nodaway county, Mis- souri, locating near Graham, but since 1881 he has lived near Wilcox, own- ing a well improved and well cultivated farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He has carried on general farming very successfully. In 1905 he retired to Wilcox, where he has a neat and cozy home, but he superintends the work of his farm as formerly.
Mr. Crawford married, in 1866, Mary J. Reichelderfer, who was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, and to this union the following children have been born : Alice D., Laura E., Joseph E., Ida M .; Everett M. died when twenty- four years old.
With a military ancestry back of him such as anyone might well be proud of, it is not strange that Mr. Crawford should have had his patriotic blood aroused during the great rebellion, and he made an effort to go to the front in behalf of the Union, but the recruiting officers rejected him on account of an insufficient chest expansion. At the same time his brother, W. E. Craw- ford, enlisted in the Twelfth Ohio Cavalry, and he assisted in the capture of the Confederate General Joe Wheeler. He was never wounded and is still living.
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Mr. Crawford is a Democrat and has served on the township board. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World, Knights and Ladies of Security, the American Yeomen and he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs.
LESTER OAKLEY STAPLES.
One of the progressive and deserving young agriculturists of Green township. Nodaway county. is Lester Oakley Staples, who was born in Atchison county, Missouri, May 6, 1882, and is the son of Rudolph Richmond and Hannah Isabel ( Fine) Staples, the father born in Wisconsin in 1853. being the son of Abial Richmond and Abigail ( Ward) Staples. Abigail Ward was a relative of Montgomery Ward. the famous merchant of Chicago. When Rudolph Staples was about two years old the family moved to Nod- away county, Missouri, making the trip with ox teams in 1855. locating below Hopkins and followed farming, and there Rudolph grew to maturity and lived there until 1876 when he and Hannah I. Fine were married, moving soon afterwards to Atchison county, locating on nearly a straight line west of Burlington Junction. Abial Staple, the grandfather, had buried a sum of money in Wisconsin, before coming here, knowing that it would be unsafe to bring it with him, having the family to protect at the same time. He after- wards went back alone on horseback and got it. making a ride there and back of about fourteen hundred miles.
Hannah Isabel Fine was born in Indiana, the daughter of Harrison and Elizabeth (Emerich) Fine. The Emerichs were in partnership with the wealthy Astor family. The mother of Lester O. Staples came west with her parents when she was a little child, the family locating near Hopkins, this county. then moved across the line into Iowa where Hannah grew to maturity and where she married Rudolph R. Staples. In 1876 they moved to Atchison county and there they were living when their son, Lester O., was born. There the father now owns a fine farm of four hundred and eighty acres, and he has been very successful. Lester O. is one of a family of four children, namely : Arvilla Lavetta. Weltha Joanna. Lester Oakley, of this review, and Rudolph Richmond, Jr. All but Lester O. are living at home with their parents in Atchison county ; however, for the past five years this family have made their home in Burlington Junction. though still operating their farm in Atchison county.
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Lester O. Staples grew to maturity in Atchison county on the home farm, where he early in life learned the various phases of agriculture, which he has adopted as his life work. He received an excellent education in the high school and college at Tarkio, having attended school there for a period of nine years.
On December 28, 1904. Mr. Staples married Edna Pearl Smith, daughter of James William and Adeline (Johnson) Smith. The mother is a sister of Augustus Johnson, of Quitman. The Smith family are widely known. Her father was a prominent farmer in the northwestern part of Green township for many years and he is now a well known resident of Burlington Junction. having been a man of influence in this part of the county. Mrs. Staples was born in Green township, May 9. 1884, and there she attended school and received a good text-book training. She also attended Lawrence University, at Appleton, Wisconsin. For a year after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Staples lived on his father's farm, then bought a farm of two hundred acres in Green township, six and one-half miles southwest of Burlington Junction. where he now resides. He has a rich and productive farm, well improved and well kept. and his home is an attractive and pleasant one. He is well equipped for carrying on general farming and, judging from the large suc- cess that he has achieved so early in life, it is safe to predict that the future holds in store for him much of good and promise.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Staples, namely: Harold Oakley, born September 10. 1906. and Donald Wilfred, born November 27, 1908, died January 8. 1910, when fourteen months old.
Mr. Staples is a member of the Masonic order at Burlington Junction and one would judge from his daily life that he is making a persistent effort to live up to its high precepts, since his conduct among his fellowmen is that of an honest, straightforward, genteel gentleman.
BAILEY K. FERGUSON.
Among the representative farmers and stock growers of Nodaway county is the subject of this review, who is the owner of a highly productive farm in Nodaway township and who is carrying on his business with that discretion and energy which always make for definite success.
Bailey K. Ferguson was born in the township in which he now lives on November 26. 1863. and is a son of D. B. and Luticia Katherine (Kinder)
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Ferguson. He has always remained on the home farm and has devoted his life to the science of agriculture. He received a good education in the com- mon schools, to which he was compelled to walk several miles. In his boy- hood there were only two houses between his home and Maryville, and good roads were then an unknown quantity. He is a thoroughly practical and up- to-date farmer, imbibed with progressive ideas and keeping in touch with ad- vanced thought relative to husbandry. He has not specialized along any particular line, but has carried on a general line of farming, raising all the crops common to this section of the country, and he has also given considerable attention to the raising of livestock, which he has found to be a source of con- siderable profit. The farm is well improved in every respect. embracing a comfortable and attractive residence. substantial and commodious barns and other necessary outbuildings, while everything about the place is kept in the best of shape, the general appearance of the property indicating the owner to be a man of good judgment and excellent taste.
In June, 1887, Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage to Minnie Elizabeth Hainline, who was born near Blandenville, Illinois. To them has been born a son, Chester Allen, who remains at home with his parents.
Politically, Mr. Ferguson is aligned with the Democratic party and takes a commendable interest in local public affairs, though he is not in any sense a seeker after the honors or emoluments of office. He is deeply interested in everything that promises to benefit the community in any way and his support is ever given to every worthy cause. Mrs. Ferguson is a faithful member of the Christian church, taking a deep interest in its various activities. Mr. Ferguson is widely known throughout this section of the county and enjoys the high esteem of all who know him.
D. B. Ferguson, father of the subject, was born in Callaway county, Missouri, in September. 1826, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Boas) Ferguson, both families having been among the early settlers of that part of the state. D. B. Ferguson secured his early education in the common schools. which in that early day were primitive in both equipment and method. He was reared to the life of a farmer and followed that pursuit throughout life. In April. 1855. he came to Nodaway county and located in Nodaway town- ship. where he at first bought eighty acres of land, upon which he at once erected buildings and entered upon the task of improving the farm. To his original farm he added by subsequent purchases until his holdings amounted to two hundred and sixty acres. and on this fine farm he devoted himself to a general line of agriculture. His death occurred on February 2. 1903.
On January 1. 1851, Mr. Ferguson was married to Luticia Katherine
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Kinder, who was born in Wayne county, Kentucky, the daughter of James P. and Kittie Ann (Hudgens) Kinder, who came to Johnson county, Missouri, in 1837, being numbered among the pioneers of that county. Subsequently they came to Nodaway county, where they spent the remainder of their days. To D. B. and Luticia Ferguson were born the following children: Tilitha Jane, Mary Eliza, James F., Kittie Ann, Luvantia Elvira, Thomas Jefferson. Bailey K., Maggie. R. P., Alice. Charles T., William E. and Nettie.
Politically Mr. Ferguson was a stanch Democrat and at one time accept- ably filled the office of school director. He and his wife were faithful mem- bers of the Christian church and because of the rectitude of their lives they enjoyed the sincere esteem of all who knew them.
W. H. NICHOLAS.
How true and comforting that life is measured not by years alone, but rather by a purpose achieved, by noble deeds accredited to it. How often are we confronted, when a loved friend answers the final summons, with the question, "Why must he go when there yet remains so much for him to do. when he can so illy be spared ?" But the grim reaper heeds not and we are left to mourn and to accept submissively. The death of Mr. Nicholas, on the 16th day of February. 1903, removed from Nodaway township one of its strongest characters, a man who through the years of his residence here con- stantly grew in the estimation of those who knew him and in his death the community suffered a distinct loss.
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