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 27
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 27
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There were no free schools in Johnson County during the boyhood of our subject, all being con- ducted on the subscription plan; therefore his at- tendance at the temple of learning was very in- frequent. The short terms devoted to study, how- ever, were improved by him, so that he became as well informed as any of his companions. He has spent his entire life in farm work, and during his father's lifetime gained much useful informa- tion in this industry.
Our subject came to Johnson County in 1849 or 1850 and has lived on the farm on which he first located ever since. This tract embraces three hundred and twenty broad acres, which he de- votes to the raising of grain and the breeding of fine grades of animals. He is widely known throughout this section of the state and has done much to promote the material prosperity of John- son County. He is one of its self-made men, as he started out in life with but little of this world's goods. A cool head, sound common-sense and good business tact have perhaps served his pur- pose better, as by hard work and economy he has placed himself among the wealthy farmers of this portion of the county. He and his estimable wife are spending their declining years on the old place, where they have the assurance of peace and plenty. He was first married in 1847, the lady prior to that event being known as Miss Vi- renda Sandridge, of Pettis County, Mo. She be- came the mother of four children: Mary Ann, now the wife of Madison Lee, of Pettis County; Parmelia M., at home; Susan I., the wife of Dr. Henry Park, of Johnson County; and Larkin, also at home. .
Mr. Swope was again married, in 1881, his bride being Parmelia P. Sandridge, a sister of his former companion. They are both members in excellent
standing of the Christian Church. During the Civil War Mr. Swope served his country for nine months as a member of the State Militia. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, and although in no sense a politician, at all times uses his influence to elect its candidates in this county. He has been School Director for several terms and while the incumbent of that position was of great value to the Board. Mr. Swope is a Director of the Con- cordia Bank, a well known and reliable insti- tution, which is well patronized by the farmers and business men of the vicinity.
OHN T. DRINKWATER, who resides in township 46, range 25, Johnson County, is numbered among its leading farmers. He owns a good estate, and although his advancing age prevents him from longer actively cultivating his farm, he still maintains a general oversight of the place. He has made all the improvements which adorn it, and has contributed greatly to the upbuilding of his township.
Our subject was born March 15, 1821, in Vir- ginia, and when only five years of age was de- prived of the care of his father. Nine years later he was doubly orphaned, as were also his two sisters and two brothers. Polly, who is now de- ceased, was the eldest of the household; Margaret married James Deckard, and both passed away in Pettis County, this state; William married and departed this life in Cooper County; James is married and engaged in farming in Texas. The father of this family also died in Cooper County, where he was the owner of a good farm.
John T., of this sketch, accompanied his par- ents on their removal to this state, and after the death of his mother made his home with the family of Sylvester Hall until of age. He then engaged in blacksmithing near Lebanon, Cooper County, and for several years successfully carried on business there. While in that place he was
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married to Nancy Deckard, of Cooper County. Eight years later Mrs. Drinkwater died, and the lady whom our subject chose as his second com- panion was Miss Mimena Bales, daughter of Oliver Bales, of the above county.
After his union with Miss Bales, our subject abandoned his trade of a blacksmith, and, rent- ing property in Iowa, moved to that state and lived for two years. His ventures in this direc- tion not proving as successful as he had hoped, he returned to Cooper County and again opened a shop, besides which he also carried on farming on a modest scale. Two years thereafter he came to Jolinson County, his first purchase here com- prising a tract of sixty acres. On this he built a house, and cleared the land of the thick growth of timber, making this section his home for the past twenty-seven years. During all these years he has made such improvements as seemed wise and profitable, and his property is considered one of the best in the township, and as one of its old- est residents he is honored and esteemed.
To Mr. and Mrs. Drinkwater there were born seven children, of whom one is deceased. Sarah married Washington Harter, and lives on a good farm in this township. Brown first married Jen- nie Hanna, and on her decease became the hus- band of Willie Ramsey; he is living in Montser- rat, and is the proprietor of a livery stable and blacksmith-shop. Margaret is now the widow of Lawrence Applegate, and lives in this township. William is one of the substantial young farmers of this section, of whom we will make further mention. Oliver married Annie Geary, of Pettis County, and both now reside on an estate east of the home of our subject. Fannie married Will- iam Fisher, a resident of Kansas City, where he is connected with the fire department. Rosa Leila lives at home. The two children born of our subject's first marriage were Fred, who was accidentally killed by a horse when four years of age, and James, who now lives in Utah, where he is proprietor of a hotel and runs a barber-shop.
Mr. Drinkwater enjoys good health and retains to a large extent the mental vigor and physical strength of his younger years. In fact, it would be difficult to find in the entire county a better
preserved old man. With his good wife, he is surrounded by all the comforts of existence, and has a pleasant residence. He has always been prominent in local affairs, and since being per- mitted to vote has upheld the principles of Dem- ocracy. Besides being the incumbent of various offices of honor and trust, he has done much to- ward administering the law and advancing the interests of the county. He attends the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church at Montserrat, of which he is a valued member.
William Drinkwater, a son of our subject, was married, March 27, 1887, to Miss Annie, daugh- ter of Thomas A. and Emma (Marshall) Cruse. She was born in this county, December 18, 1870. Her father was a native of Virginia, while Mrs. Cruse was born in Saline County, this state, where their marriage was celebrated. Mrs. Cruse passed away on the 13th of May, 1885, leaving the following-named family: Annie, Minnie, Wil- lie, Maude and Eula. James died in infancy. William Drinkwater is a stanch Democrat in poli- tics, and a man of prominence and influence in his community.
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WEN S. COOPER, who is extensively en- gaged in farming in Johnson County, was born on the old Cooper homestead in this county, December 9, 1841. His father, Owen Cooper, was a native of Kentucky, born Decem- ber 1, 1809. When he had arrived at years of maturity he married Sarah Tandy, a native of Virginia, who, when a child of two years, was taken by her parents from that state to Kentucky. Mr. Cooper carried on farming in the latter place until 1836, when he bade adieu to the home and friends of his boyhood and emigrated westward, taking up his residence in Johnson County, Mo. The journey was made in a wagon in the primi- tive style, for there were then no railroads. The
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father entered and purchased land near where our subject now resides, securing the first tract from Mr. Ricketts, who had entered it from the Government in an early day in the history of this county. He claimed and purchased other land from time to time, until he owned five hundred and seventy acres, which he placed under a high state of cultivation, improving it with good build- ings and all modern accessories. For several years he served as Justice of the Peace, and was a highly esteemed man, who had a host of friends. His wife died in 1884, and on the 9th of May, 1894, he also departed this life, suddenly. In the family were four children, namely: Fredonia F., who became the wife of James Carson, both be- ing now deceased, the latter being killed during the war; William Edgar, who died at the age of ten years, Owen S .; and Sarah Jane, who is the wife of William A. Calvert, and resides near our subject.
Mr. Cooper, of this sketch, at the age of nine- teen, joined the Confederate service in Price's es- cort to carry dispatches. He reached his com- mand at Cassville, Mo. At the battle of Wilson Creek, near Springfield, Mo., he was taken pris- oner and sent to Rolla, this state, where he re- mained for about a week. He then returned home, but the following summer again joined the Southern army, becoming a member of Col. Vard Cockrell's company, near Red Dirt, Mo. Under his command he participated in several skirmishes. At the battle of Lone Jack, the company lost twenty men. The troops then marched south to the neighborhood of Springfield, Mo., where, on various occasions, they met the enemy, participa- ting in the hotly contested battle of Prairie Grove, also that of Hartsville, Mo., and Booneville. After the last mentioned engagement, Mr. Coop- er returned home on a visit, and then joined his company near Clarksville, Tex., where he re- mained until the close of the war, when, at Shreveport, he surrendered with his company and took the oath of allegiance to the United States.
Returning by boat, Mr. Cooper was met by his father at Booneville, Mo., and at once returned to the old homestead. Its buildings had previous-
ly been utterly destroyed by fire, and all that now stand upon the place were erected by the fa- ther and son. In the mean time Mr. Cooper was married, August 29, 1862, to Miss Mattie M. Wall, who was born in Johnson County, in June, 1848, a daughter of Benjamin F. and Susan (Few- ell) Wall, who were natives of North Carolina. The father, who was a farmer, and also carried on a store in his native state, after his arrival in Missouri ran a store for some time, and subse- quently devoted his energies exclusively to agri- cultural pursuits.
Mr. and Mrs. Cooper located on a farm south of Knobnoster, which belonged to the latter. Three years later that property was sold and Mr. Cooper purchased one hundred and thirty-eight acres of land, his present farm, which is now high- ly cultivated and improved with all the buildings which are found upon a model farm, including a fine residence and large substantial barns, among the best in the county. The boundaries of the place have been extended from time to time, until now four hundred acres yield to him a golden tribute in return for his care and cultivation. He is engaged principally in raising corn and wheat, and also raises enough stock for his own use.
Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have two daughters: Ot- tie May, born May 24, 1874; and Susan Eliza- beth, born November 22, 1878. The mother is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Cooper has always been a supporter of the Democracy, but has never been an office-seeker, preferring to give his time and attention to his business interests, in which he has met with a high degree of success.
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OHN M. WILLIAMS, who is one of the ex- tensive stockmen of the state, was born in St. Louis County, Mo., March 11, 1851, but is at present living in Johnson County, his estate being located on section 19, township 45, range 1
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25. He is the son of Thomas W. and Dicey (Ter- son) Williams, the former of whom was born in Tennessee, November 8, 1816, and the latter, born October 11, 1815, in St. Louis County, Mo.
The grandfather, William Williams, was a farmer in Tennessee, where he lived until about 1820, when he came to Missouri, living for some time in St. Louis County. He later, however, went to Texas, where his death occurred. His son, Thomas W., accompanied him on his re- moval to this section and worked on the home place until his union with Miss Terson. He made St. Louis County his home until our subject was two years of age, when he sold his possessions there, and became a resident of Johnson County. Here he entered a tract of two hundred and forty acres, on which he made valuable improvements, and added to his possessions until he was the owner of four hundred and forty acres. On this estate he made his home until his decease, in 1871, with the exception of four years when hold- ing the office of Sheriff of Jolinson County. His good wife is still living, residing on the old home- stead with her daughter, Mrs. Burford.
To Thomas Williams and his wife there were born eleven children, one of whom, Mary Ann, died in infancy. Thomas J. was born December 19, 1839; he married Mary J. Sluder, and is en- gaged in farming near Sheldon, Vernon County, this state. Elizabeth was born November 27, 1841; she became the wife of William H. Bnr- ford, and lives on the old home place. William was born June 17, 1843; he married Elizabeth Bowles, and is now a resident of Oklahoma. Mar- tha Jane was born May 12, 1845; she is now Mrs. T. F. Burford, and lives near the home place; Margaret, who was born February 19, 1847, is now residing with her husband, Asa Woodford, in Marionville, this state. Anderson was born December 1, 1848; he married Mollie McSherry, and their home is in Warrensburg; John M. was the next in order of birth; Charles E. was born November 9, 1852; he married Angeline Kirk- patrick, and now lives in Marionville, Mo .; Ste- phen D. was born May 26, 1856; he married Eliz- abeth Kirkpatrick, and their place of residence is also Marionville; and James H., who was born
December 26, 1859, married Lucinda W. Bowles, and they now live in Nashville, this state.
Our subject lived at home and helped in culti- vating the farm until his marriage, December 4, 1870. The lady to whom he was united was Miss Sarah A. Bowles. Her parents, who were na- tives, respectively, of Hanover County, Va., and Warren County, Mo., were large slave-holders in the Old Dominion, where the father lived until 1845, when he came west to this state and settled in Warren County. He there taught school until his marriage, after which he engaged in farming, living in that section until his decease, March 26, 1891. After the death of his first wife, formerly a Miss Wyatt, he was married to Mary Margaret Gibson, of Lincoln County, who survived her union seven years, By his first union he became the father of three children, namely: John W., who died during the war; Elizabeth, who mar- ried the brother of our subject, and now lives in Oklahoma; Martha, who became the wife of Mor- rison Morris, and is now living on a farm in Henry County. By his marriage with Miss Gib- son there were born the following-named six chil- dren: Sarah Ann, James H., Almeda G., Lu- cinda W., Thomas H. and Virginia C. They are all married and still living.
For the first twelve months after his marriage our subject continued to live under the parental roof, when he took charge of a tract of land be- longing to his father. He remained on this land but one year, when he purchased forty acres of his present farm, for which he paid $600. To this he later added a like amount, and now has eighty acres of the most productive land within the limits of the county. He has been the re- cipient of numerous offices of honor and trust, but very much prefers to live in peace and quiet, and give his undivided attention to his farm work. He is an extensive stock-breeder, and now has on his farm five jacks, and one Norman stallion, named "Gose." It is an imported French horse, and was purchased from Springer & Willard, of Oskaloosa, Iowa.
In politics Mr. Williams voted the straight Re- publican ticket until about two years ago, when he had reason to change his views and will here-
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after be a Third Party man. He is a member of Sandstone Lodge No. 137, A. O. U. W., and with his wife is a devoted member of the Chris- tian Church.
LEASANT J. OGLESBY, whose death oc- curred in 1885, was formerly a resident of section 24, township 47, range 24, Johnson County. He was highly esteemed as a citizen, and was beloved and respected by a large circle of sincere friends and acquaintances. To his family he left an untarnished name and a goodly portion of this world's goods. The homestead, in which he took great pride for many years, is a well improved farm of two hundred and eighty acres, and consists of as fertile and beautifully lo- cated land as can be found within the boundaries of the county. He lived and died in the faith of the Baptist Church, and in his kindness and gen- erosity of nature helped many a poor and needy person in a substantial manner.
A native of Kentucky, Mr. Oglesby was born May 5, 1831, and was the eldest son of Tolton and Annette (Rucker) Oglesby. They were both natives of Virginia, and there spent their early years, moving to the Blue Grass region in the '20s. In 1832 they emigrated to Missouri, set- tling in Cooper County, where the father was en- gaged in farming for many years. Subsequently he became a resident of this county, and here his own and his wife's death occurred. When his parents came to Missouri, our subject was only a year old, and consequently almost his entire life was spent in this state. His school advantages were limited, as opportunities for obtaining an education in those days and in this portion of the country were inferior. He was reared to farm work and remained under the parental roof until reaching his majority, when he started forth to make his own way in the world, meeting with success.
In 1862 Mr. Oglesby married Sarah Wimer,
wlio proved a true helpmate and who clieered him in his sorrows and disappointments. She is a daughter of Amos and Phœbe (Lance) Wimer, who were born in Virginia and moved to Missouri in 1858. The father had been a prominent mer- chant in his native state, but after coming here turned his attention to farming and dealing in live stock. He was summoned to his final rest in 1876, but his wife is still living in Pettis County, and is now in her seventy-fifth year.
Mrs. Oglesby, like her parents, was born in the Old Dominion and with them came West when she was a young girl. She bore her husband five children, four of whom are still living. Mary El- len died at the age of two years; Della May mar- ried Dr. Ramey, of Cass County, Mo .; William H. is still at home and manages the farm; and the younger ones, Phoebe, Eunice and Lucy Isabel, are all residing with their mother at home. Mrs. Oglesby is a member of the Methodist Church, while her daughter Della belongs to the Baptist, and the second daughter to the Cumber- land Presbyterian denomination.
BENEZER JONES, one of the substantial old residents of Johnson County, is engaged in market-gardening on thirty-five acres of land on section 20. Like many of the best res- idents of this section, he was born in Davie Coun- ty, N. C., March 6, 1827. His parents were Ed- mund and Ann (Lard) Jones, also natives of that state, the father's birth occurring in 1794. He was a prominent man in his locality and a sub- stantial farmer. In those days it was quite un- usual to find a man in the common walks of life well educated, but Edmund Jones was an excep- tion to this rule, and in consequence he was often called upon to instruct others. He died in Davie County in 1847.
Edmund and Anın Jones were the parents of thirteen children. They were John, James, Wi- ley, Samuel, Paulina, Ebenezer, Mary Ann,
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Amanda, Rebecca, George, Sarah, Jane and Rho- da. Of this large family only three are now liv- ing, the two besides our subject being George, who married Mary Edwards, and lives on a farm in the eastern portion of this county; and Jane, the widow of Samuel Winter, who lives in Ver- non County, Mo.
Mr. Jones, of this sketch, was fairly well edu- cated, and lived at home until his marriage with Miss Mary McCarter, which was celebrated March 23, 1849. This lady was born in Davie County, N. C., August 13, 1827, and was the daughter of James and Dorothy (Snyder) McCarter, also natives of that state, where they both died when Mrs. Jones was quite young. She was taken in- to the home of one of her sisters and remained until attaining womanhood.
For four years after his marriage our subject was employed as overseer on one of the large plantations of his native state, and at the end of that time moved with his family to Washington County, Tenn. There he rented property and lived for three years, when, thinking to better his condition, he became a resident of Greene Coun- ty, Ill. There he was also a renter, but after a residence of four years in that locality he removed, on account of sickness, to Macoupin County, that state, and there the family continued to live for four years more. During that time Mr. Jones purchased forty acres of land, but, selling out in 1865, started overland for Missouri. He passed through Johnson County on his way to Kansas City, and remained in the latter place only one winter. The following spring he returned to this locality and rented what was known as the Fin- ley Farm, which he cultivated with success for four years. He was very active in the organiza -. tion of schools in the county and was elected President and Clerk of the first Board in the township.
Mr. Jones next became the occupant of the Dalton Farm, and after a residence there of eight months took up his abode on the place formerly owned by a Mr. Tyson. Two years later he bought forty acres southeast of that place, on sec- tion 28, which he improved and lived upon for the next ten years. He then sold his interests
in that township and became traveling salesman for the Stark Nursery, in Louisiana, Mo., his ter- ritory lying in Johnson County. For four years he remained in the employ of this company and then he again began farming, renting land in this township. He lived on this tract for a year, when he became owner of his present place. He gives his attention to market-gardening and is thoroughly qualified for this branch of farm work.
To Mr. and Mrs. Jones there have been born three children: S. McFee, whose sketch will ap- pear on another page in this volume; Mary Jane, now Mrs. Joseph J. Fulks, living in this township; and Sarah Elizabeth, the wife of Parker Phillips, a farmer of this locality. Mr. Jones has never been an office-seeker, but is and always has been very much interested in the development of his community, particularly in the educational line. He has never missed attending court since com- ing to this locality and has served many times on the grand jury. He was a Republican in politics until the organization of the People's party, for whose candidates he now votes. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and take an active part in church work.
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ILLIAM CALVERT. Among the self- made men of Johnson County, inen who have accumulated a sufficiency of this world's goods, may be reckoned the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is a resident of township 44, range 25, Johnson County, where he has a fine farm. He was born in Cooper County, Mo., April 6, 1842, and is a son of Alfred and Nancy (Carson) Calvert, the former a native of Kentucky, but the latter of this state. Her father, Charles Carson, was a cousin of the noted Kit Carson. The paternal grandfather, William Calvert, who was a native of Kentucky and there followed farming, came to Missouri at an early day, locating in Cooper County, where his death occurred. The father of our subject was married
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in that county, where he engaged in farming and working at the cooper's trade, and there his death occurred when William was quite young.
The mother later wedded J. R. Bowman, for- merly of North Carolina, but who had come to Cooper County, where he followed farming. When our subject was about four years of age they re- moved to Pettis County, settling near Green Ridge, on what is now known as the Calvert Farm, where they remained ten years, at the end of which time they came to Johnson County, lo- cating two miles north of Montserrat. Mr. Bow- man there purchased six hundred and twenty acres of land, which he improved, making it his home for nine years, when he returned to Cooper County, but later came again to this county, where he bought two hundred and forty acres, and there spent his remaining days. His wife died on the Ist of February, 1885. By this union she had be- come the mother of five children, two of whom are yet living. Sallie married Robert McDonald, a farmer of Johnson County, where they still re- side; Dona, who died in 1893, was the wife of William Perry, of Windsor, Mo .; Columbus Ar- dell wedded Henry Coffey, of Knobnoster, where he is engaged in business; Allie became the wife of Andrew Williams, but is now deceased; and one child died in infancy. Mr. Bowman had also been previously married and by the former union had four children. Cary was killed by the Indians during the Civil War; Lizzie, now de- ceased, was the wife of Allen Pemberton, a farmer of Pettis County; Mary, widow of Phene Cald- well, makes her home in Warrensburg; and Carter died at the age of eighteen years.
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