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 19
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 19
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The political affiliations of the subject of this sketch are with the Democratic party, and relig- iously he is a member of the German Baptist Church. He is an affable, courteous man, and his hospitality is widely known, the doors of his home swinging on welcoming hinges to strangers and friends alike.
ILLIAM LAKE is the owner of a beautiful farm in township 47, range 25, Johnson County, consisting of seventy-nine acres. Like many of the best residents of this section, he was born in Tennessee, the date thereof being February 28, 1825. His parents were James and Mary (Monday) Lake, both natives of North Carolina, having been born in Buncombe Coun- ty. The father left his native state when a lad of sixteen years, and made his way to Tennessee, where he was later married to Miss Monday.
The maternal grandparents of our subject, William and Mary Monday, were likewise born in North Carolina, where for many years they were classed among its substantial farmers. They later moved to Tennessee, and during the remain- ing years of their lives were occupied in farming on land in Claiborne County. The grandparents of our subject on his father's side were agricult- urists of North Carolina, their native state. They were highly regarded in their community, and during a storm which swept over their town were struck by lightning and killed instantly. They were the parents of two children: James, father of the subject of this sketch, and a daughter.
Being suddenly deprived of the care of his par- ents when young in years, our subject's father and his younger sister were taken into the home of Dick Hill, of North Carolina, and while in- mates of his household the sister died. James re- mained with him until fully equipped, education- ally and otherwise, to begin the battle of life on his own account. He later lived with William Monday, whose daughter Mary he later married. This lady was born December 7, 1807, in North Carolina. After their union the young couple established their home on rented land, which they operated for a period of ten or twelve years. At the end of that time he was enabled to become the owner of a good farm in Tennessee, on which he lived for about eight years. Disposing of this tract at the end of this time, he moved to another in the same locality, which he rented for fifteen years. His next change found him living in Harlan County, Ky., also on rented property, making this place his home until his decease. His widow then lived with her children until her decease, which occurred in 1873, she passing away at the home of our subject. By her union with James Lake there was born a family of seven children, of whom we make the following mention: Ewuen married Recy Lay, and died in Davis County, where his widow still resides on a farm; Elisha married Alpha Thomas, and when last heard from they were residing in Tennessee; William was the third-born; Judy died aged forty - six years; Elizabeth became the wife of Jack Williams, and is now living in Oklahoma; Mary
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married B. F. Goin, and they make their home on a farm one-half mile south of our subject's es- tate; James died in infancy. The sons and daugh- ters were educated in the schools of North Caro- lina and Tennessee, which at that early day were very poor, both as regards the building and the manner of instructing the children.
One year prior to attaining his majority our subject started out for himself, beginning farming on a piece of rented land in Carbon County, Tenn. He made his home there for several years, and in 1858 he decided to try his fortunes in Missouri, in which state he had a sister living. Accord- ingly, accompanied by his widowed mother, a brother and sister, he set out for this section, coming hitler with wagon and team. The little party stopped for two months in Crawford Coun- ty, but, not finding a suitable location, moved on to Phelps County, where William entered a claim and lived for three years. From that place he moved to Lafayette County, this state, and for one summer lived on a rented farm. The out- look not being very promising here, he rented another tract in the same county, where he made his home for six years and a-half, and at the ex- piration of that time, in 1866, came to Johnson County. That year he purchased eighty acres of land, comprised in his present homestead, for which he paid $12.75 per acre. To this he added at one time fifty acres, and later purchased sixty acres. A portion of this he has sold, however, but the remaining tract is improved in such a manner as to make of it one of the most attract- ive and productive farms in the township.
April 4, 1876, Mr. Lake was married to Miss Phebe Bowman, a native of this county, who was born September 18, 1844. She is the daughter of John and Maria (Brown) Bowman, the former born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, February 3, 1812, and the latter, born in Washington Coun- ty, Pa., in February, 1822. The parents were married in Brooke County, W. Va., where they lived for about two years, and then took up the line of march for this state, making their home in Johnson County about 1843. They lived on section 29, township 47, range 25, near the Lafay- ette County line, until their decease, the mother
passing away September 4, 1886, and the father dying in January, 1888. To them was granted a family of six daughters. Maggie, the eldest, married John Gossett, and they are living in Warrensburg; Phebe, Mrs. Lake, was the next- born; Allie is now Mrs. Alexander McConkey, and makes her home in Defiance County, Ohio; Nora lives on the old homestead in this county, and is the wife of Reuben Poole; Bethy married John Roaclı, and makes her home in this county, near Hazle Hill; and Eliza died when six years old.
On the outbreak of the late war our subject en- listed in the militia under Col. Henry Neale. During the three months in which he was in the service he was stationed with his regiment most of the time in Lafayette County, near Lexington. He was discharged in that city in 1864, and since returning home has been employed in the peace- ful pursuits of farm life.
To our subject and his excellent wife has been born one son, William F., whose birth occurred January 17, 1884. He is a bright lad, and is prosecuting his studies in the district school near his home. Mr. Lake has always been greatly interested in educational affairs, and for many years has been Director in his district. He is a Republican in politics, having cast his first Presi- dential vote for U. S. Grant. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of this township, while his good wife is connected with the Cum- berland Presbyterian denomination of Oak Grove. They are very worthy people, and possess many warm friends throughout the county.
TANTON G. FEAGANS. This name will be readily recognized by many of our read- ers as that of a resident of section 13, towil- ship 47, range 24, Johnson County, where he is actively engaged in farming and stock-raising. His estate is the old homestead on which he was reared, and comprises two hundred and ten acres,
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well improved, and to his good taste and enter- prise is due in a great measure its present condi- tion.
Our subject was born in Smith County, Tenn., in January, 1843, and is the second in the family of Burr and Salena (Ward) Feagans. The father was born in old Virginia, and when a boy the re- moval of the family to Tennessee took place. He remained there for many years, and after his marriage came to Missouri, some time in the '50S, locating at once in Pettis County. There he still resides, having reached the age of seventy-two years.
Mrs. Salena Feagans was a Tennesseean by birth, and closed her eyes in death February 11, 1892. Her son, our subject, was permitted to at- tend school but a very short time, his services being needed on the farm, and then, too, the war break- ing out about that time, the schools of the various districts were broken up, so that what knowledge of books he possesses has been gained by study and reading at home. He is a successful man of business, and the training which he received in farm work has proven of great assistance to him since left in charge of the home place.
Stanton G. Feagans and Miss Retta Hocker were married February 18, 1866. The lady was the daughter of Larkin and Eliza Hocker, influ- ential residents of Johnson County, which section of the state they still make their home. Their daughter was here born in 1845, and obtained her education by attending the schools near her home.
Of the six children born to our subject and wife, two are deceased. Those living are Alvin, Charles, John and Larkin, at home with their parents, whom they greatly assist in the manage- ment of their estate. The parents and sons are members in excellent standing of the Christian Church. In politics Mr. Feagans is a Democrat at all times, and under all circumstances. He has been called upon to serve his fellow-citizens in various capacities, but with the exception of his twenty years' service on the School Board has always refused. This worthy couple have se- cured for themselves a handsome competence by years of unremitting labor, and are now sur-
rounding their family more and more with the comforts of life. Their estimable character and useful lives have gained the respect of their ac- quaintances and the deeper regard of those who know them best.
BED N. WHITSEL has been numbered among the progressive farmers of Johnson County for many years, his place of resi- dence being on section 25, township 47, range 24. In addition to managing his farm, our subject is engaged in threshing during the summer seasons, and also owns the gristmill which lie operates. He is a business man of more than ordinary abil- ity, and is correct and upright in all his methods.
David C., father of the above-named gentle- man, a native of the Buckeye State, was reared on a farm and was a tiller of the soil from boyhood. He continued to live in his native state until 1860, when, hearing glowing accounts of Missouri, he determined to cast in his lot here, settling near Sedalia, Pettis County. For eighteen years, or up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1878, his time was given to the development of a farm in that section. His faithful wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Smith, was also born in Ohio, and is still living on the old homestead in Pettis County, being now in her sixty-fifth year.
O. N. Whitsel was born on a farm in Ross County, Ohio, June 22, 1852, and is next to the eldest in a family numbering five children. He was eight years of age when he emigrated with his parents to Pettis County, Mo., where his dis- trict-school education was obtained. He contin- ued in agricultural pursuits in that county until the spring of 1885, when he moved to this sec- tion, and four years later came to his present home. He is a Republican in his political views,
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having supreme confidence in the platform of his party, and never fails to deposit his ballot in fa- vor of its candidates.
February 26, 1886, Mr. Whitsel married Alice L., daughter of James and Margaret (Drinkwa- ter) Deckard, all natives of this state. Mrs. Whitsel was born in Cooper County, and by her marriage has become the mother of a daughter, Mary Ruth, who is the pride of the household, and a very bright and promising child.
A UGUSTUS COLBERN SULLIVAN has made his home in Johnson County for the past thirty-five years, and when he first came liere there were very few people indeed within its boundaries, and his nearest neighbor was G. W. Houts. He bought eighty acres of land from his wife's brother, John Kenton, and since that time has added to his original farm un- til he now owns one hundred and seventy-nine acres in one body. The homestead, which is well improved with good buildings, is located on sec- tion 15, township 45, range 26.
A native of Saline County, Mr. Sullivan was born near Miami, on the Missouri River, May 17, 1835, his parents being Samuel W. and Mary A. (Mayfield) Sullivan, natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky, respectively. The father moved from his native state to Rockingham County, Va., and from there to Saline County, Mo., about 1821, making the entire trip from the Old Do- minion in wagons. His first wife was Miss Kit- tie Carter, and her death occurred in Virginia. His second wife died in 1866, aged about sixty- two years, while his own death occurred in 1860, when he was in his eighty-sixth year. He was a hero of the War of 1812. He had learned the trade of forgeman, and after coming to this state frequently made trips to the mines in southeastern Missouri, where he found work for a time. Not long before the Sullivan family arrived here In-
dians were very troublesome, and there was still a scattered remnant here for a few years. Sam- uel Sullivan became a well-to-do farmer, and was respected by all. He gave liberally to the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church, to which his wife belonged, and in his political convictions was a Whig.
By the first marriage of Samuel W. Sullivan, one child was born, but it died in infancy. By his second union he became the father of six sons and five daughters, all of whom lived to maturity. They were as follows: Samuel W., who operates the old homestead in Saline County; Henry M., a farmer of this neighborhood; Augustus C .; Mary A., who is the wife of William Hyland, a farmer of Saline County; Harriet, Mrs. Francis F. Haudsley, of Carroll County; Tempest T., who died in 1867, in Saline County; James, who died in 1872, in Kansas; Charles, who departed this life in California in 1866; Hester A., who became the wife of Henry Craig, and died in Sa- line County, Mo., in 1840; Hannah, Mrs. Will- iam C. Gwinn, who died in 1868; and Milfred, deceased, formerly the wife of James Millsaps.
August 11, 1862, A. C. Sullivan joined Com- pany A, Seventh Missouri Cavalry, under Capt. Joseph Peak. He took part in many battles along the Missouri River, and often encountered Price and the numerous bands of guerrillas. He was in a very dangerous part of the service, but was never wounded or taken prisoner. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal and later to that of Sergeant, continuing to be a member of the Seventh Regiment until finally mustered out at St. Louis, August 10, 1865.
The boyhood and youth of Mr. Sullivan passed quietly in his native county, and there he was married October 15, 1854, the lady of his choice being Margaret J., daughter of Thomas Kenton and a descendant of the old pioneer, Simon Ken- ton. Our subject was only nineteen years of age, and his wife celebrated the sixteenth anniversary of her birth by their marriage. She was also a native of Saline County, her birth having oc- curred on the site of the Mormon War. The young couple started out in life with high hopes and ambitions, many of which they have realized
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by their untiring zeal and energy. Six years after their wedding they moved to this county, having purchased a farm here two years pre- viously.
Of the children who came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan, all but one survive. They are as follows: Theodore, an enterprising farmer of this district; Lewis, who is living at home; Elizabeth, widow of Rufus Hayes; Fred Lincoln, of Cornelia, this county; Charles B., who is farming just west of his father's home- stead; Joseph, Faith, Missouri E. and Jacob, who are at home; and William, who died in 1870, aged a year and a-half.
For the past eleven years Mr. Sullivan has served as Road Overseer, and for a like period of time has been School Director. He and his five brothers were Democrats until the war, when three of the number espoused the cause of the Republican party, while the others declared themselves in sympathy with the South; but our subject was the only one of the brothers to enter the army. Mrs. Sullivan is a member of the Methodist Church, belonging to the congregation that meets at Houts' Chapel.
AJ. THOMAS W. HOUTS, one of the lead- ing citizens of Johnson County, resides on a farm four miles southwest of Warrens- burg. He has made a specialty of stock-raising, and buying and selling cattle, and has been pros- pered in his various financial undertakings. The Houts family is of the old Pennsylvania-Dutch stock, and has long been identified with the histo- ry of this county and state.
George Wilson Houts, our subject's father, was born in Washington County, Ky., August 23, 1809, and his wife, who was formerly Miss Eliza- beth Cooper, was born in New Madrid County, Mo., September 12, 1807. Their marriage was celebrated February 10, 1831, and both are still living. The father of G. W. was Thomas Houts,
who was born in Pennsylvania, about 1780, and died in Scott County, Mo., at the age of fifty-six years. He went to Kentucky in early manhood and was married there, in 1806, to Sarah Meyer, a native of North Carolina. Mr. Houts was a Whig and served as Judge of the County Court in Scott County. Both he and his wife were de- vout members of the Presbyterian Church, but after coming to this state became identified with the Methodist denomination, as there was no church of their own particular faith near their home. Mrs. Elizabeth Houts was a daughter of John and Agnes Cooper, who were residents of New Madrid County for years, and she well re- members an earthquake which occurred there, that destroyed much property and life. For sixty-two years George W. Houts and wife have been faithful and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In former days the members frequently met at their home, and they were in reality the organizers of the denomi- nation in this county. Houts' Chapel, a house of worship which has since been erected in this vi- cinity, was named in their honor. Mr. Houts has been Class-Leader and has also served as Steward, besides serving in various other official positions. Formerly a Whig and a slave-owner, he was nevertheless a sympathizer with the Union cause, and is now a Republican. In 1846 he was elected Constable, and after serving as such for four years was elected Assessor, in which capacity he acted for two terms. In 1856 he was elected Sheriff, holding that position for two terms, or until 1860. He was next called upon to repre- sent his district in the State Legislature for two terms, and afterwards, in 1866, was elected Coun- ty Clerk, serving also two terms.
It was in 1839 that George W. Houts emigrat- ed to Johnson County, buying a part of the tract of land that he still owns, and to the original pur- chase he has since added two hundred and fifty acres. At one time he knew every man in the county, and when acting as Constable made fre- quent trips in every direction, thus becoming well known and popular, which fact was shown by his being elected by a minority party on each occa- sion. Honorable in all his dealings, he forced
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even his political enemies to respect him. He is a man of excellent judgment, temperate in his habits, and always generous to the poor. His maiden vote was cast for Gen. William H. Harri- son, and he has never missed an election.
The marriage of George W. and Elizabeth Houts was blessed with ten children, six of whom are deceased. William L. went to Jackson Coun- ty, Tex., in 1880, and has since been engaged in farming there; Thomas W. is the next in order of birth of those living; O. L. is a well known attorney of Warrensburg; and F. M. lives on the home farm. Leona died at the age of five years, and Mary E. passed to her final rest in childhood. Sidney F. died when in his tenth year. John B. departed this life in his twentieth year, and Wes- ley at the age of twenty-two years, just before the war. William S. was Captain of a company of the Forty-second Enrolled Missouri Militia, and was active in fighting the guerrillas. He was afterwards in the United States Secret Service, holding the rank of Captain, and took part in the battle of Little Blue, Kan.
Maj. Thomas W. Houts, of this sketch, was born near Benton, Scott County, Mo., August 21, 1838. He received a district-school education in this county, and lent his assistance to his father on the farin, and also fulfilled his official duties until the war. In 1861 he enlisted in the Twenty- seventh Missouri Volunteers, under Colonel Gro- ver, who was killed at Lexington. Major Houts was then Quartermaster of the regiment and was mustered out as such in the fall of 1861. Later he recruited a company for the Seventh Missouri State Militia and was made Captain of Company A. At the end of a year and a-half he was pro- moted to be Major of the Seventh Regiment, and participated in the battles of Jefferson City, Mar- shall, Lone Jack and many other engagements. His bravery was unquestioned and frequently commended, for much of his service was extreme- ly dangerous, he being often on detached duty for special causes. He was finally mustered out of the army at St. Louis, and returned to peace- ful avocations.
At the close of the war Major Houts bought the farm where he now resides and which com-
prises two hundred and eighty acres of very valu- able land. His energetic and industrious man- agement of this place has made it one of the best in this section. October 7, 1866, was celebrated his marriage with Lucy, daughter of Nathaniel Thornton, an old settler and prominent citizen of this county. Mrs. Houts was born October 8, 1849, and her only child, Claude, died when a year and a-half old. The Major and his wife then took to their home Nellie Crites, who is now the wife of A. J. Graham, and lives about four miles from her old home. For four years Major Houts was Steward in the Methodist Church, known as Houts' Chapel, to which congregation his wife also belongs.
Like his father, our subject was a Whig until the war, after which he became a Republican, but he has no desire to serve in public positions or to take much hand in politics beyond discharg- ing his duties as a citizen.
R EV. YOUNG W. WHITSETT, Treasurer of Johnson County, was elected by the Dem- ocratic party to this responsible office in 1892, polling a greater majority than any other on the ticket, and again in 1894 was re-elected in the face of the notable Republican landside. His personal popularity could be shown in no better manner than by the aforesaid victory, and that he is worthy of the confidence reposed in him is well known to his political opponents as well as to the friends of his own party. His main life work has been that of the ministry, and in the Master's cause he has been a faithful and capable servant.
A native of this county, the Rev. Y. W. Whit- sett was born in Center View Township, April 20, 1850. His parents, Rev. John R. and Sallie (Cull) Whitsett, were both natives of Warren County, Ky., the former a son of John Whitsett, likewise of Kentucky birth, but of Irish descent. In 1818 he moved to Lafayette County, this state,
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before it had been admitted to the sisterhood of states. He was one of the foremost pioneers of that county, and necessarily suffered many of the privations of frontier life, the main diet of the family for many years being venison, honey and corn bread. Rev. J. R. Whitsett was born in 1803, and was about fifteen years of age when the family moved to Missouri. Ten years later he returned to his native state and there became ac- quainted with and married the lady who was thenceforthi his companion and helpmate in life. He was absent from Missouri only a few months, when he returned and settled near Lexington, living there for a number of years. Later he moved to Columbus Township, Johnson County, and in 1842 located in Center View Township. When abont twenty-seven years of age he began to preach in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and followed this occupation during the remain- der of his life in connection with the management of his farm. A strong Democrat, though not a politician, he was an ardent believer in Thomas Benton. To himself and his wife were born three sons and seven daughters, of whom only the sons and one sister, Mrs. Xantippe Burke, of Center View Township, remain. The mother died in 1864, and the father in 1879, and both were buried in Center View Cemetery,
The boyhood of Rev. Y. W. Whitsett passed uneventfully on his father's farm and in the neighboring schools he obtained a fair education. The religious atmosphere in which he was reared had a strong influence upon his character, and when he was about fifteen years old he became a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. When in his twenty-first year he concluded that it was his duty to begin preaching the Gospel, and delivered his first sermon at a schoolhouse about eight miles southwest of Center View. Aft- er a time he began to feel the need of a better education and went to Macon County, Mo., where he attended McGee College about three years, preaching during the vacations. He was obliged to borrow money in order to pay his way through school, but was very industrious, and ere long had discharged his debt. In 1874 he entered Lincoln (Il1.) College, but at the end of two
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