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 24
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 24
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During the boyhood of our subject he was not permitted to attend school regularly on account of his services being required in farm work. Aft- er attaining his majority, however, he went to school, and thus attained a fair knowledge of the common branches taught at that time. He was thoroughly trained to the occupation of a farmer and as his father became quite prosperous he decided to make this his life work also.
Mr. Tedder remained at home until twenty- eight years old and in 1858 came to Missouri. He lived for the following two years near Knobnoster and then, being able to become the owner of land, bought the estate on which he is now living. This includes one hundred and fifty acres of nice land, which he has placed under admirable tillage. As we have shown, he is entirely self-made, both in the matter of education and finances, and al- though he has met with reverses and discourage- ments, is well-to-do.
The lady who has the oversight of the home and household affairs was formerly Miss Mary E. Wilson, the daughter of John and Martha (Rob- inson) Wilson. Their marriage was celebrated in Tennessee, December 16, 1847. John Wilson was a native of North Carolina, while his wife
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was born in Grainger County, Tenn. To Mr. and Mrs. Tedder were born nine children, five of whom are deceased. Those living are John W., at home; George W., a citizen of Warrensburg; and William L. and Louis J., at home. Mrs. Ted- der is a sincere Christian and a member of the Baptist Church.
Mr. Tedder has never taken a very active part in politics other than to deposit a Democratic bal- lot upon election days. He evinces 110 desire for public office, but has served satisfactorily as Dis- trict Clerk and Highway Commissioner. He is a man of solid virtues, sensible and thoughtful in his views, and with his good wife is regarded as one of the best residents of the townsliip.
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AVID WASHINGTON REED died July 12, 1893, on his farm in Chilhowee Town- ship, Johnson County, which he purchased in 1874, and which is still in the possession of his family. After the war he served as Mayor of Warrensburg for some time, and then was Magis- trate for several years. In his early manhood he was a Whig, but subsequently became associated with the Republican party. Socially he was a member of the Sons of Temperance, and was al- ways foremost in all measures relating to the general welfare.
David W. Reed was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., September 7, 1818, and was a son of Jesse Yocum Reed, who died in that county. Young David passed his boyhood in eastern Tennessee, and learned the tailor's trade in Morristown. In 1840 he emigrated to Bates County, Mo., and worked at his trade, and later came to Warrens- burg, continuing to be thus employed. For a short time he resided in Marshall, Saline County. In 1849 he went across the plains to California, starting with ox-teams from Independence, Mo., and taking six months on the trip. He worked in the mines and was fairly successful, bringing back with him a good sum of money as the result
of his two and a-half years' work. In 1851 he returned home by way of Panama and New Or- leans, resuming his old calling in Warrensburg. At the same time that G. W. Houts was Sheriff, he served for two terms as County Treasurer. During the war he belonged to Emery Foster's company of militia.
September 29, 1846, Mr. Reed married Mary H. Lee, who was born in Grainger County, Tenn., May 18, 1829. By this union twelve children were born, six of whom are living. Horace Les- lie was born April 17, 1855, and is a farmer in this vicinity. John Albert, born June 12, 1857, is a blacksmith of Warrensburg. Charles C., born August 29, 1859, lives on the old farm. Addie M. is the wife of Joseph Gruver, and was born October 30, 1864. Edwin L., who is at home, was born March 22, 1867; and Susan Jo- sephine was born July 16, 1869. Those deceased are Thomas Rufus, who was born August 4, 1847; James William, who was born March 27, 1849, and died August 14, 1850; Mary L., whose birth occurred December 27, 1852, and who died September 24, 1853; Martha Virginia, born March 18, 1854, and who died December 17, 1855; Lew Wallace, born March 26, 1862, and who died Feb- ruary 13, 1864; and Francis Milton, born Decem- ber 8, 1873, and who died February 14, 1893. Thomas R., a member of Battery L, Second Mis- souri Volunteers, was in the battle at Independ- ence. About the close of the war he was trans- ferred to the United States Cavalry, and as such participated in several engagements with the In- dians on Powder River and in the Black Hills. On being discharged from the service, he re- turned home, November 20, 1865. While work- ing in the field, he was shot by persons un- known, and died ten days later from the effects of his wounds, May 26, 1866. Horace married Annie, daughter of Peter F. Craig; John married Ella M., daughter of Elisha Henry, and a native of this county; and Edwin married Alice, daugh- ter of William Lovel, a farmer of this neighbor- hood.
Our subject was twice honored with the posi- tion of Mayor, the first occasion being when Warrensburg was only a small village, and the
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last time after the close of the Rebellion. He also served as Postmaster of the place, and was popu- lar with all classes of citizens. His good wife is a member of the Methodist Church, which meets at Houts' Chapel.
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OHN M. CRUTCHFIELD is one of the en- terprising and able members of the legal pro- fession of Warrensburg, Johnson County, where he has been engaged in practice for the past twenty years. In 1877 he was elected to serve as City Attorney, and in 1885 was re-elected to that position. He made a good record both for himself and for his constituents while acting in a public capacity, and discharged his duties with zeal and uprightness of purpose. In his po- litical faith he is a Democrat, and, as should be the case with every true citizen, he takes great interest in the affairs of the Government and in everything which tends to advance the weal of the community in which he dwells.
A son of John A. and Flora (Staley) Crutch- field, our subject was born October 30, 1853. His parents were natives of North Carolina, the father born in 1814, and the mother about 1821. On the paternal side John M. is of Scotch-Irish descent, while on the maternal side he is of Dutch and English origin. While living in North Caro- lina J. A. Crutchfield was employed in merchan- dising, but after coming to Missouri, which he did in 1848, he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. During his career in this state he owned farms and lived in Lafayette, Clinton and Nodaway Counties. In the county last men- tioned he entered a tract of land and obtained a postoffice, which he named Sweet Home, as it was to him in fact a sweet home. He had the honor of being the first Postmaster of the place, and the office is still in existence. He came of a family who owned slaves, but when he grew to manhood he became convinced that this was entirely wrong,
and accordingly left his native state, empty- handed, and never received his share of the inher- itance. He was married early in the '40s and had three children when he arrived in Missouri. In 1858 he moved to Johnson County and soon afterward was called to his final rest. Of his eight children, all but one are still living, the exception having been a little girl by the name of Oriana, who died in Nodaway County from the effects of a rattlesnake bite. The father was a Whig in politics, and as a matter of conscience was on the side of the Union. He was a member of the Bap- tist Church and took an active part in religious work. Being well educated, he taught school for some time while living in Nodaway County. The wife and mother is still living, and after her husband's death she managed to keep her family together by renting the land and making a home for her children, while her sons managed the place. When the war broke out one of her sons, William J., enlisted in the service and fought in defense of the Old Flag.
The early years of John M. Crutchfield were spent in Clinton County, Mo., where his birth occurred. He received a common-school educa- tion, and in 1870 attended the Warrensburg High School for four months. The previous year he had attended a private academy in this city, and in the fall of 1871 he passed the required examination and received a certificate to teach. In June, 1873, he was graduated with honor from the State Normal, after having taken a two-years course, the money for his expenses having been earned by his labors as a teacher. In the fall of 1873 he began read- ing law with Wells H. Blodgett, now of St. Louis, but then a well known lawyer of thiscity. Later Mr. Crutchfield studied in the office of Senator Cockrell, and was admitted to the Bar in 1874. Returning to his native county, he taught school for about one year, and it was not until 1875 that he seriously began his legal practice in Warrens- burg. He has been very successful and enjoys the respect and high regard of all with whom he has come in contact, either in a business or social way.
October 11, 1882, Mr. Crutchfield married Susie Dawson, of this county. She was born
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March 7, 1862, and is the daughter of E. W. and Martha (Bosley) Dawson. To our subject and wife there have been born three children, name- ly: Nina, born October 22, 1883; John, Decem- ber 12, 1885; and Corinne, February 3, 1892. The parents are members of the Christian Church, and are liberal contributors to worthy benevolent and religious enterprises.
OHN WILLIAM HISEY was formerly the efficient Superintendent of the Johnson Coun- ty Poor Farm, in which capacity he officiated for several years to the full satisfaction of all con- cerned. He is a native of Johnson County, his birth having occurred November 7, 1866. His school days were passed in Warrensburg, where he attended the State Normal on arriving at suitable years.
The father of our subject, William P. Hisey, was born in Missouri, and died January 8, 1892, at the age of forty-six years. During the late war he enlisted in the Seventh Missouri State Militia, though only sixteen years of age, and was made Lieutenant of Company G. He par- ticipated in many hard fights and engagements, but though he had many narrow escapes and his horses killed under him a number of times, he was never wounded or taken prisoner. After the war he married Fannie Guinn, who was born in Mississippi, and who came to this county with her parents when she was only thirteen years old. She is now in her fiftieth year, and is quietly passing her days on the farm left to her by her husband. In 1865 he commenced operating rent- ed land in Post Oak Township, but later he moved to a farm owned by his wife in Warrensburg Township. His residence was in Warrensburg for a few years while he worked in a stone-quar- ry, and during the time that he conducted a gro- cery, in which business he was quite successful. In March, 1879, he was appointed Superintendent of the County Poor Farm, and served faithfully
as such until his death. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in politics was a Republican. His wife is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ten children were born of their union, four of the number dying in childhood, and those living are: John W., Frank, Valeria Elizabeth, Charlie, Rufus and Carrie.
On completing his education John William Hisey assisted his father in the store, and then was sole manager of the same for two years. After closing out the business he went to Los Angeles and the Pomona Valley in California, re- maining in the West part of one year. After his return to Warrensburg he became interested in the butcher business. Upon his father's death he moved to the county farm to assist his mother in its management until the regular term had ex- pired. He displayed such good business ability, and was so manifestly fitted for the position, that he was strongly recommended for the place, and soon received the appointment. Politically he has always been a loyal Republican.
May 25, 1890, Mr. Hisey married Mattie Belle Graham, who was born in Iowa, and one child, a little son, Stanley by name, has come to bless their union. The parents of Mrs. Hisey, James and Elizabeth Graham, are old and prominent settlers of this county, and are about eighty-five years of age.
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EORGE JAMES TAYLOR is the editor and proprietor of the Knobnoster Gem, which he purchased in 1890, and still continues to publish. He has had several years' experience in journalism, and possesses ability in this direc- tion. The Gem is a weekly five-column quarto, devoted to the advancement of this region and the promotion of the welfare of the people. In politics it is independent, favoring Democratic principles, but in local matters supporting the best men, irrespective of party ties. Among its supporters are numbered most of the leading busi-
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ness and professional men of this vicinity, and under the present management the list of its sub- scribers is constantly increasing.
The editor of this popular paper was born in Kentucky, June 13, 1851, being the second child of George Y. and Louisa W. (McCormick) Tay- lor. His paternal ancestors were of Irish extrac- tion, and his father was a native of the Emerald Isle, spending his early life there, and emigrat- ing thence to America in 1835. For some years he sojourned in Kenton County, Ky., and from there, in 1851, came to Missouri, establishing his home in Lewis County, where he continued to reside until his death, in 1875. His wife, a most estimable lady, was a native of Kentucky, and survived her husband a number of years, passing away in 1887.
In the public schools of Lewis County the sub- ject of this notice received the rudiments of his education, and later he attended a college at Monticello, this state. Upon completing his stud- ies he entered upon the profession of a teacher, which he followed, with marked success, for a period of fourteen years, being in Missouri for eleven years of that time, and in Dallas, Tex., for three years. As an instructor he was judicious, discriminating, energetic and capable, and in every position occupied by him he gained the confidence of the people, and his pupils made rapid advancement in their studies.
Retiring from the teacher's profession in 1888, Mr. Taylor entered the newspaper business, in which he has met with a success that is equally gratifying. His first venture was as editor and proprietor of the Sweet Springs Herald, which lie purchased in 1888 and continued to publish for two years. On disposing of that paper he came to Knobnoster and has since successfully engaged in the publication of the Gem.
The marriage of Mr. Taylor occurred in 1880 and united him with Miss Minnie MaGee, of Monticello, Mo. Unto their union a daughter and son have been born, Reba and Charles Y., both of whom are with their parents. The family is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Socially Mr. Taylor is connected with Knobnoster Lodge No. 245, A. F. & A. M., and
is its present Secretary. Politically his affiliations are with the Democratic party, of which he is one of the local leaders, and with the principles of which he is in hearty sympathy. While a resi- dent of Lewis County, he was elected County Superintendent of Schools, in 1875, and filled that responsible position for four years, rendering sat- isfaction to the people and reflecting credit upon his own ability.
EORGE SCHAFFER. When the reliable farmers of Johnson County are being men- tioned, the subject of this sketch is invari- ably remembered. Although he has been an in- valid for some time, he possesses all the sturdy qualities of his substantial German ancestors, those qualities that are most needful in an agri- cultural community, and has discharged his du- ties, both as a citizen and a tiller of the soil, in such a manner as to win the friendship of the peo- ple. He rents a good farm in township 46, range 25.
Mr. Schaffer was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 1, 1827. He is a son of George and Cath- erine (Rummel) Schaffer, also natives of the Fa- therland. There the father was a tiller of the soil, but the inducements held out to him to remain in his native land were not very enticing, and think- ing to better his condition in a financial way, he set out with his wife and family for the New World in 1837. Their voyage across the Atlan- tic was a very tedious and stormy one, and after fifty-three days they were safely landed in New York Harbor. Their destination being further West, they journeyed on to Pike County, Ohio, locating in what is now Waverly. There the fa- ther bought a small farm of sixty acres, and with the aid of his sons cleared and improved the tract, making it his home for the succeeding eight or ten years. He then moved further Westward, to Fayette County, that state, but finding the price of land in that locality to be $100 per acre, he
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decided not to purchase just then, and as he was getting quite aged, abandoned farm work and made his home with our subject until his decease, which occurred in 1856. His wife preceded him to the better land one year.
The parental family included eight children. George Peter, the eldest son, married Elizabeth Fogle, and was in the cigar and insurance busi- ness at Chillicothe, Ohio, until the time of his de- cease, in 1875; his wife is also dead. Our sub- ject was the next-born. Mary married John Fel- lesstein, and both departed this life while resid- ing on their farm in Madison County, Ohio. Christina died at the age of sixteen years. Alex- ander married Mary Peters, of Madison, and both are now living on a good farm in Texas. Clara and Mathias are deceased, and the two youngest members of the family died unnamed in infancy. George Peter Schaffer was during his lifetime a very prominent man in Ohio politics, and in 1863 was elected Mayor of the city of Chillicothe. He was known throughout the county as "Squire" Schaffer.
George, of this sketch, remained at home until twenty-three years of age, when he was married, April 24, 1850, to Miss Sarah Rickenbaugh, who was born in Holmes County, Ohio, January 26, 1831. She was the daughter of David and Eliza- beth (Plank) Rickenbaugh, natives of Berks County, Pa., whence they later removed to Ohio, and lived on a farm in Pike County until their decease.
Soon after his marriage our subject moved to Fayette County, Ohio, for five years renting a farın located within one mile of Bloomingburg. Changing his place of residence at the end of that time, we find him living in Ross County, and later in Pepin County, Wis., where he was employed by a lawyer whose home was located on the banks of Lake Pepin. After remaining with him for two years, he came to Missouri, and for a twelve- month lived in Independence. His next change brought him to Pettis County, and for two years he worked out on a place five miles west of where Sedalia now stands.
Not being satisfied with his ventures in the West, Mr. Schaffer returned to. Midway, Madison
County, Ohio, staying with his brother-in-law for a few months, when he moved to Fayette County, where he bought an acre of land, built thereon a house, and made it his home until the spring of 1863. That year he moved upon a farın belong- ing to George Stewart, in the same county, but his stay there was short, and a year later he moved back to the old farm. This tract of land he rented and worked for three years, and then became a resident of Greenfield, Ohio. Six months thereafter he again returned to Madison County, living this time on the Joe Mitchell Place, which he farmed for six months. His next re- moval found him at Washington Court House, where he resided for one summer, and then, going to the country, lived on the Martin Grove Farm. Six months later he returned to Bloomingburg. Fayette County, and purchasing thirty acres of land, occupied himself in its cultivation for two years.
In 1870 our subject with his household came to Warrensburg, this state, but only remained one week, when they moved to Kansas City, where they stayed just two months. During this time Mr. Schaffer worked out, but the outlook not being what he desired, he then moved to Pet- tis County, where he was employed by the man for whom he worked when there some years pre- vious to this time. He soon, however, engaged in farming on his own account on forty acres of land which he purchased from David Ewart. For four years he cultivated this place, and then, dis- posing of it, came to Johnson County, and for one year rented the Jacob Fetterling Farm. Again changing his location, we find him living near the town of Montserrat on rented property, on which he remained one year, when he returned to the Armstrong Farm, near Sedalia, and lived for eighteen months. He then moved to the farm belonging to Archibald Mayes in this county, and a short time thereafter took up his abode on the estate belonging to a man by the name of Sellars. He rented this for one summer and then rented the Cutler Farm.
The sons of our subject were now able to carry on the farin work, and after living there for seven years, he retired from active labor. The next lo-
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cation of the family was on the Jim Robinson Place, and in 1890 they came to their present farm, which includes four hundred and eighty- five acres, three hundred of which are under ad- mirable tillage.
To Mr. and Mrs. Schaffer there have been born eight children. Of these, George W. was born May 13, 1851. He is well educated, and with the exception of five years, when he operated a farm for himself, has always lived with his father. David was born in 1854. He married Marinda Stockton, and now lives in Warrensburg. Mary became the wife of D. W. Jackson, and makes her home on a farm west of the old home. Katie still resides at home. Maggie married M. M. Ridgway, and is a resident of Hot Springs, Ark. John is a noted horseman, and is living in New Orleans, La. Charles P. is unmarried, and still resides under the parental roof. Jacob R. also lives at home.
For the past five years our subject has been un- able to engage in any active work, and is very much broken down in health. Prior to this time he enjoyed perfect health, and never knew a day's sickness. In politics he is a Democrat. With his good wife, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Warrensburg, to which de- nomination some of his children also belong, while others worship with the Cumberland Pres- byterian and Baptist congregations.
HILIP RANCE, who owns two hundred and twenty-six acres of land in township 45, range 25, Johnson County, is a native of Germany, and was born near Frankfort-on-the- Main, March 26, 1836. He is considered one of the enterprising and practical farmers of this lo- cality, and has succeeded in his various under- takings far beyond his expectations.
Christian and Susan (Seymour) Rance, the
parents of Philip, were also natives of the Father- land, where the former was a stonemason by trade. They remained in Germany until 1851. In the mean time the mother died, and the father married again, after which he decided to try his fortunes in the New World. They embarked on the vessel "Wilhelmina," December 9, 1851, and were fifty-five days en route. They were landed in the port of New Orleans, but as their destina- tion was Missouri, they made their way up the Mississippi River, stopping for a short time in St. Louis. From that city they went to Lexington, Mo., and from there they went to Warrensburg. They had friends living in this locality, among them being one John Peter George, an old school- mate, who was employed as a potter near Knob- noster.
After a short stay in Warrensburg, the Rance family located on the farm known as the Isaac Kimsey Place, nine miles southeast of Warrens- burg. This the father rented and operated for a year, when he left our subject to take care of himself and went to St. Louis, where he obtained work at the stonemason's trade, and lived until his decease. His second wife also passed to her reward in the latter city.
To Christian and Susan Rance there were born two children, the brother of our subject being Lawrence. He served as a Union soldier in the Civil War, and died in St. Louis in 1867, from the effects of wounds received in the battle of Richmond. At the time of the family's removal to St. Louis, in 1855, Philip was left to care for himself. He then entered the employ of Major Russell, and by him was sent across the plains as teamster. He first went to Ft. Riley, and stop- ped for a while at Ft. Laramie, Ft. Bridger, Salt Lake City and Camp Floyd. He remained in the latter place until September, 1859, when he re- turned to this county and engaged to work for Mr. Brockman, staying with him until his mar- riage, which occurred February 1, 1861. The lady on this occasion was Miss Mary Ann Loun, who was born in Kelsterbach, Germany, June 6, 1841. Her parents were Philip and Anna Mary (Haas) Loun, who were also Germans by birth, and crossed the Atlantic on the same vessel which
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