USA > Missouri > Johnson County > Portrait and biographical record of Johnson and Pettis counties, Missouri ; containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 17
USA > Missouri > Pettis County > Portrait and biographical record of Johnson and Pettis counties, Missouri ; containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 17
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credit and ability. In the cause of education he takes considerable interest, and served as School Director for some time. In politics he is a stanch Republican, having supported that party since its organization. He holds membership with Equity Lodge No. 26, A. O. U. W .; and George R. Smith Post No. 53, G. A. R., in which for three years he was Adjutant. In business Mr. Nich- ols is honest and straightforward, and success has usually attended his efforts, making him now one of the substantial citizens of Pettis County. We thus note, in the history of this gentleman, a ca- reer of more than ordinary interest.
ILLIAM F. HANSBERGER, the popular Alderman from the Fourth Ward, who was elected on the Democratic ticket in the spring of 1892, is Chairman of the Commit- tees on Taxes, and Lighting, and belongs to near- ly every other committee on the Board. In1 1878 he commenced traveling for the National Mail Company, and in 1881 began taking contracts for mail routes, having at the present time over five hundred of such contracts. The importance of his work may be estimated when it is known that he is obliged to give bonds double the amount of mail pay, over $200,000, all in real estate. Associated with him are W. H. and J. R. Owens.
Grandfather Henry Hansberger, who was an extensive planter of Rockingham County, Va., died in his seventy-third year, on the old home- stead, which was a grant of land given to his an- cestors by Lord Fairfax. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, belonging to a State Militia com- pany. Our subject's father, Layton J. Hansber- ger, was born on the same old farm in Rocking- ham County, and was a minister of the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church, and a member of the Virginia Conference. He preached in all portions of the state, until shortly before his death, which occurred near Lynchburg, in 1877,
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when he was about seventy years of age. His marriage was celebrated about 1840, with Martha T. French, a native of Prince William County, Va. Her father, William French, was a Captain in the War of 1812, and owned the fine planta- tion known as "Green Level," near Brentsville. Mrs. Hansberger died at the home of our subject in Sedalia, in 1890, being past her seventieth year. Her six children are all still living.
On the paternal side our subject is of German descent, while on the maternal side he is of Eng- lish origin. He was born near Brentsville, Va., forty miles from Washington, D. C., May 25, 1843, and with his father resided in various places, owing to the fact that the latter was a Methodist minister. He was educated in the Episcopal Academy, at Fredericksburg, Va., and was pre- paring to enter Randolph-Macon College when the war broke out. March 10, 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate service under Major Belden, in Stuart's brigade, being assigned to the cavalry. Later he was in Chambers' brigade, William Henry Lee's division, Stuart's corps. He par- ticipated in the seven-days fight near Richmond, went with Stuart's troops on their raid, was active in the battles of Gettysburg, Yellow Tav- ern, Appomattox and Fredericksburg, and until the surrender of Richmond helped to defend that city. Though he had many narrow escapes he was never wounded, nor was he ever in the hos- pital. He lost about sixteen horses, nearly every one of them being shot, and his last horse was one which had cost him $25,000 in Confederate money. After surrendering at Appomattox, he started with Gen. Fitzhugh Lee to Mexico; he turned back, however, was paroled in June, and took the oath of allegiance in 1865.
From that time until 1867 Mr. Hansberger taught school in Halifax County, Va. The fol- lowing year he went to Cumberland County, that state, and in August, 1869, came to Pettis Coun- ty. For a few years he taught in different dis- tricts in this region, and in 1875 was elected County School Commissioner for a two-year term, during which time he also conducted schools. In 1878 his connection with the mail service began, and in the discharge of his duties he traveled from
Maine to California, and from Florida to British Columbia. His contracts comprised every state and territory, and at the present time his longest route is one of two hundred and seventy miles. For several years he was in the real-es- tate business here, and laid out Hansberger Ad- dition, which lies between Broadway and Ninth Street, and Harrison and Grand Avenues. At the corner of Broadway and Harrison Avenue, he built his own comfortable and commodious residence. At various times he has been inter- ested in different building and loan associations, and was the first President of the Equitable As- sociation.
In Meadville, Va., Mr. Hansberger and Mary E. Henderson were united in marriage, in 1866. The lady died in this county in 1877, leaving three children: James W., now of Des Moines, Iowa; and Martha F. and Mollie E., who are at home. January 6, 1880, Mary Owens became the wife of our subject. She was born in Dela- ware, and reared in Cass County, Mo., but came to this city to live in December, 1878. The only child of the second marriage is Vivian, who was born January 28, 1889. Fraternally Mr. Hans- berger is a member of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks.
ETER PEHL, the proprietor of the Fulton Market Bar, is a man who is well known all over the state. He has been very success- ful in his business, and has accumulated a com- fortable living in this line of trade. His birth oc- curred in Ems, province of Hesse-Nassau, July 27, 1855. His father, who was also a native of the same town, was a manufacturer of building materials and also erected factories. His entire life was passed in his native land.
The mother of our subject, wlio was foriner- ly Kathrina Wagner, and also died in Germany, was the daughter of Philip Wagner. The latter,
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who was in Napoleon's army, made the march to Russia with his soldiers and was wounded during his service. In civil life he was a fancy weaver by trade. In the parental family were ten chil- dren, four of whom are still living. Peter is the eldest and the only one in America; William is an officer in the German navy ; and two sisters are living in the Fatherland.
Our subject's boyhood years were passed in Ems, and he later spent some time in Stuttgart and Freiberg. For four years he was apprenticed to learn the hotel and restaurant business, and in 1874 came to America, leaving Hamburg on a vessel bound for New York. September 2 of that year he arrived at Sedalia. In 1879 he went to Parsons, Kan., and opened a place, but re- turned to this city in 1882 and opened the Faust Restaurant on Osage Street, taking Charles Kob- rock into partnership. In 1889 Mr. Kobrock and our subject dissolved partnership, the latter establishing the business which he now carries on January 6, 1895. The Fulton Market Restau- rant, Oyster-house and Bar occupies a building with a frontage of seventy feet on Second Street, near Ohio, and is a place which receives a liberal patronage.
July 1, 1894, Andrew Gardella took charge of the restaurant. He is very popular and quite well known all over the state, and the house in consequence does quite an extensive business. Our subject is also interested in Pehl & Riley's Bar, on Ohio Street, between Third and Fourth, and also owns considerable valuable real estate. He owns seventy feet fronting on Second Street, occupied by three storerooms, about seventy feet on Osage Avenue, occupied by a livery, and a fine property on Wilkerson Street and Harrison Avenue.
In Sedalia, September 15, 1886, occurred the marriage of our subject and Miss Augusta Bartel, a native of Pomerania, Germany. Two children have come to bless their home, to whom have been given the names of Carl and Otto. Mr. Pehl is a charter member of the Liquor Dealers' Ben- evolent Association, and is a member of the Su- preme Council of the State Liquor Dealers' Asso- ciation, acting as delegate to their convention
held in St. Louis in 1892. Politically he is a member of the Democratic party, in whose ranks he is an active worker. Socially he is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the D. O. H., in which he is past officer, and the Sons of Herman, in which he has also held of- fice.
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ASPER MCFARLAND has been numbered among the progressive agriculturists of John- son County for the past ten years and is the owner of a well improved homestead on section 35, township 47, range 27. He is one of the na- tive sons of Missouri, his birth having taken place in Ste. Genevieve County, January 15, 1838.
Joseph and Mary E. McFarland, the parents of our subject, were born in North Carolina, and were married in Missouri. The father was but four years of age when, in 1812, he was brought by his parents to this state, and from that time until his death he continued to live within its boundaries. A man of genial and kindly nature, he had many friends, and no one was ever turned away from his door hungry. When he was sum- moned to his last reward, in 1861, his loss was deeply felt by the entire community.
Jasper McFarland was the third in a family of six children, and he and one sister, Mrs. Mary An- derson, are the only survivors. He received a fair education, and on arriving at man's estate looked around for a companion and helpmate. His choice fell on Cordelia S., daughter of Carroll and Sarah (McFarland) George, who were pio- neers of Cooper and Morgan Counties. The mar- riage of the young couple was celebrated March 27, 1864, and shortly after this event they moved to Nebraska, where our subject was engaged in freighting on the plains.
Returning to Missouri in 1867, Mr. McFarland rented land in Cass County, and then for a year leased a farm in this county. His next venture was to invest in property in Bates County, and front that time he seemed to prosper, as he was
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very ambitious and devoted every spare hour to the end he had in view. Finding that there was money in handling livestock, he bought and sold cattle in connection with his other employment. After a residence of sixteen years in Bates Coun- ty, he purchased his present home of eighty acres, in 1885, and has the tract under good cultiva- tion.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McFarland has been blessed by two children, Flora L. and Sarah E. The elder daughter, a very intelligent and accomplished young lady, is engaged in teaching school, and the younger is the wife of David L. Yancey, a well-to-do farmer of Lafayette County, Mo.
In manner our subject is pleasant and court- eous, readily making friends of all with whom lie comes in contact. He uses his franchise in favor of Democratic nominees and principles, and relig- iously is identified with the Southern Methodist denomination.
12 ANIEL E. KENNEDY, of Sedalia, is a suc- cessful and rising young attorney-at-law. He opened an office for practice here December I, 1891, choosing this enterprising and progress- ive city on account of the great faith he had in its future, and believing, with many others, that it would eventually be made the capital of the state. Since the organization of the Midland Savings and Loan Company, he has been their legal adviser.
Mr. Kennedy is a native of Keokuk, Iowa, his birth having occurred in that beautiful little city January 6, 1865, but his father, John, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland. The grandfather, Patrick, a practical accountant, emigrated to America with his family, first locating in New York, and later moved to Keokuk, where his death occurred. John Kennedy was a mere lad when he reached the shores of the New World, and grew to manhood in Troy, N. Y., there
learning the trade of stone-cutting. In 1856 he went westward to Keokuk and engaged in con- tracting and building. Subsequently he aided in the construction of the Des Moines Rapids Canal, on the Mississippi River at Keokuk, having a contract for part of the stonework. In 1876 he took up his abode on a farm in Clark County, Mo., but a few years afterward retired from busi- ness and returned to his former home in Keokuk. His wife, who before her marriage was Julia C. Coughlin, was likewise born in Ireland (in the city of Waterford), and was left an orphan in childhood.
D. E. Kennedy is the youngest in a family of five children who grew to maturity and are still living. He was reared in Keokuk and Clark County, Mo., and was given the advantages of a good common and high school education. Aft- er completing his studies he engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising in Clark County, and be- sides did a general merchandise business for sev- eral years. He also traveled to some extent, and in February, 1888, was appointed Postmaster of Revere, Clark County, by President Cleveland. This position he resigned September 12, 1888, in order to devote his time exclusively to the study of law. Going to Kahoka, Mo., he entered the office of J. M. Wood and T. L. Montgomery. The same year Mr. Wood was elected Attorney- General of Missouri, and in the fall our subject was appointed Deputy-Sheriff by Sheriff Fletcher, of Clark County, and served as such until the close of his term, in January, 1889. That spring he was made Deputy Circuit Clerk under B. F. Waggener, remaining in that capacity until the fall of 1891. In less than two years after he had first taken up his legal studies, he was admitted to the Bar at Memphis, Scotland County, Mo., the date of the event being August 14, 1890. In the spring preceding lie was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for nomination to the office of Probate Judge of Clark County, and was defeated by only one vote. He commenced his future work in Kahoka, where he conducted a general practice until the close of 1891. His present office is centrally located, in the Ilgenfritz Building.
In his social relations Mr. Kennedy is a mem-
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ber of Fleur De Lis Division and Queen City Lodge No. 52, K. of P., and the order of Elks. He is a charter member of the Royal Tribe of Joseph (his name having been the first one placed on the list of its founders in this city), and is Chancellor of Sedalia Council No. 25, St. Louis L. of H. Moreover he is Chief Sir Knight of the Knights of Father Mathew, and is Secretary of the local branch of the Catholic Knights of Amer- ica. A member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, he has been one of its Trustees, and is Secretary of the Sedalia Free Library Board of Trustees. He is recognized as a leader in the ranks of the Democratic party and is very popular with all.
ILLIAM H. HEIZER, who is engaged in general farming on a well improved home- stead 011 section 25, township 47, range 27, has been extremely successful as a stock feed- er, possessing a practical knowledge of the busi- ness which has wrought out for him a fortune. It is a notable fact that his cattle and those of a neighbor bring the highest market prices of any raised in this vicinity.
Cyrus Heizer, father of William H., was born in Virginia about 1815, and moved to Olio when he was a child of six or seven years, passing his youth on a farm For his life partner he chose Jane E. Cripps, and soon afterwards settled in Ross County, where he became one of the lead- ing agriculturists. In the fall of 1867 he came West, and his remaining years were spent on a farm about a quarter of a mile from our subject's present home. His death, which occurred April II, 1891, was universally mourned and was felt to be a loss to the entire community. His fam- ily numbered five children, and all but one are still living.
The birth of William Heizer occurred in Ross County, Ohio, September 1, 1844, and he re- ceived a limited education in the common school,
remaining under the parental roof until reach- ing maturity. September 26, 1867, he married Susanna, daughter of John and Mary (Carmian) Jones, honored old settlers of Ohio. The young couple continued to dwell in his father's old home for a year and a-half, our subject renting part of the place.
In 1871 Mr. Heizer rented another tract, and continued to lease land until 1874, when his fa- ther gave him forty acres. In 1880 he found himself the owner of a good-sized homestead, and three years later he erected a handsome residence on the site of his former dwelling. To his original forty acres he has since added one hundred and twenty acres adjoining, and in 1887 bought one hundred and twenty acres more. From 1876 to 1878 he lived on a rented farm, but since 1880 has resided on his own farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Heizer have had eight children, of whom six are still living. David E., who mar- ried Nettie Crutcher, of Oklahoma, assists in the management of the home place and lives just east of it. Alberta, Mertis and Mary are living with their parents; and Addison and Calvin are promis- ing young men, aged seventeen and fifteen years, respectively.
Religiously Mr. Heizer adheres to the faith of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. On pol- itical questions he has ever been a stalwart sup- porter of Republican principles and nominees. His hospitality is known far and wide, and we are pleased to give this representative citizen a place in the annals of Johnson County.
@ 5 EORGE W. GAUNT, bookkeeper at the Greaves & Ruff Mill at Kingsville, has been a valued and reliable assistant of this firm since 1882. He is a gentleman of good business qualifications, and attends to all the accounts and performs all the clerical work of this large estab- lishment.
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Anthony Gaunt, the father of our subject, was born in New York City, and when a lad of ten or twelve years emigrated to Kentucky, where he learned the trade of cabinet-maker. He sub- sequently established himself in business as a dealer in furniture in Lexington, that state, and at the same time carried on a good business as a groceryman. He succeeded in the various lines of business which he undertook, and at the time of his decease, in 1833, was well-to-do, leaving his family well provided for.
Our subject's mother, formerly Mary Campbell, was a native of Maryland, and a lady of Scotch extraction. She survived her husband for many years, departing this life in Lafayette County, this state, in 1857. Her family numbered two sons besides our subject: William, engaged in the insurance business at Holden, this state, where he also fills the position of Justice of the Peace; and John, who gives his attention to steamboat- ing in St. Louis.
The subject of this sketch was born in Lexing- ton, Ky., July 27, 1828, and there he passed his boyhood days. When fourteen years old, in company with his mother and brothers, he came to Missouri and located in Lafayette County, where, as before stated, the mother lived until her death. George W. was industrious and am- bitious, and in 1849, being seized with the gold fever, he drove a team of oxen for a company of freighters to California. He was, however, com- pelled to leave his oxen before reaching the Gold- en State and completed the journey with the aid of mules. He was six months in reaching his destination, and for the first few months met with very poor success. He made his way up the Feather River, and began placer-mining, in which he was very successful.
Mr. Gaunt remained in California for a period of two years, and at the end of that time determin- ed to return home, this time taking the Isthmus route. He landed on that narrow stretch of land and walked from Panama to the Chagres River, where he boarded a large skiff which conveyed him down the stream to Chagres, and there he boarded a steamer for New York. Although on the whole the journey was a pleasant one, it had its draw-
backs, but Mr. Gaunt will never regret tlie expe- rience of crossing the plains, and also the novel return home.
Our subject continued to reside in Lexington until 1867, when he came to Johnson County, and for four years was occupied in farming. His next undertaking was carpentering, and later lie engaged in the lumber business in Kingsville. Several years afterward he took a trip to Colo- rado prospecting, and among other places visited was Alpine. He was in that state just one year, when for a second time he returned home, and for twelve months gave his attention to the lumber business. This brings him to 1882, the year in which his services were engaged by the present milling company.
On reaching his majority, Mr. Gaunt cast his first Presidential vote for General Scott, and ever since then he has upheld the principles of the Democratic party. He is a member in excel- lent standing of the Christian Church, and enjoys the good-will and friendship of all who know hin1.
ENRY K. BENTE, senior member of the firm of Bente & Wilson, was born in Coop- er County, Mo., July 8, 1866, being a son of Henry and Dorothy (Kropp) Bente. The for- mer, a native of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, emigrat- ed to America in 1845, and settled near Green- ville, Ohio. Ten years later lie commenced farm- ing in Heath Creek Township, Pettis County, and at the time of his retirement, in 1860, his property was very valuable. He died in 1891, when nearly seventy years of age. Though he was a cripple, he volunteered for service in the Union army, but was rejected. His wife, a na- tive of the same German province, died in Janu- ary, 1893, when in her fifty-eighth year. They were both members of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church. Their eldest son, Rev. C. H., is a minister in a Congregational Church in St. Louis, Mo., while the others, W. A., John M.,
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J. Y., George and Charles, are farmers near Otter- ville, Mo., and the only daughter, Minnie, also resides in that vicinity.
The early years of H. K. Bente were passed on a farm and his education was completed in Otter- ville College, from which he graduated in 1890, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. For a time he was Principal of the Otterville public school, but in 1891 he entered the University of Michigan, graduating from the legal department two years later, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Aft- er practicing for six months in the office of Judge Shirk, he became a member of the firm with which he is now identified. He owns a share in the old homestead of three hundred and twenty- five acres in Cooper County.
In politics Mr. Bente is a Democrat, and frater- nally is a charter member of the Royal Tribe of Joseph. He is also a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and is in every respect a young man of sterling character.
ENRY C. KING, an industrious and thor- ough farmer of Johnson County, is engaged in raising grain and stock on his farm in township 47, range 27. He is a native of Wash- ington County, Va., and made his appearance upon the stage of this life February 28, 1854, He is the fourth child in the family of ten born to James A. and Miranda E. (Doran) King, of whom only four are now living. The father was born in the same county as our subject, in the year 1822, and there grew to manhood, being reared to the occupation of a farmer. He made that his life work, and remained in his native state until his death, which occurred in April, 1894. During the Civil War he entered the Confederate ariny, serving with distinction through that important epoch in our nation's history. His genial, kind- ly nature won him many friends, and his death was sincerely mourned.
In the common schools of the Old Dominion, Henry C. King, the subject of this sketch, ac- quired the elements of a good education, and as- sisted in the cultivation of the home farm. On reaching man's estate, for two years he followed agricultural pursuits in Virginia, when he decid- ed to come to Missouri. In December, 1879, he turned his face westward and started for his des- tination. After his arrival in this state he fol- lowed farming for one year, and then embarked in the patent-right business, meeting with such excellent success that he resolved to become an agent. Securing a position with a Kansas City publishing house, he traveled for that firm for two years to the entire satisfaction of his employ- ers, who made him a very flattering offer if he would remain with them; but his health having failed, he was advised by his physician to give up the work. Although a disappointment to him, with undaunted spirit he resumed farming, which he still continues.
The marriage of Mr. King was celebrated 011 the 3d of June, 1885, when Miss Martha N. Bar- nett became his wife. She is a daughter of Fin- ley E. and Esculania (Rankin) Barnett, who are numbered among the valued residents of this state. Unto our subject and his wife have been born five children, but death has claimed two. Those living are Vera Katy, Sallie Van Lear and Arthur Lloyd, aged four and two years and eight months, respectively. They are charming little people and the joy and pride of the house- hold.
For some eight years Mr. King operated rent- ed farms, but in 1891 he purchased his present place, a valuable tract of one hundred and five acres, which he is placing under a high state of cultivation. He is industrious, energetic and pro- gressive, and his farm already shows evidence of his skill. Personally and in a business sense he is popular among his neighbors and is consid- ered a valuable addition to the community. Pol- itically he is a supporter of the Democratic party and its principles, while religiously both he and his wife are consistent members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and rank among the repre- sentative people of the county.
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