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 36
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 36
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On being paroled, Mr. Campbell returned to his home, having been absent and not seeing his wife for three and a-half years. Soon after his return he sold one hundred and sixty acres of his land in order to secure money with which to con- mence life again. He continued to operate his home farm until 1875, when, in partnership with J. D. Parks, he purchased a sheep ranch in Cow- ley County and Chautauqua County, Kan. He also bought and sold mules, and in the two lines of business made considerable money. He closed out his business there in 1880.
Since the war Mr. Campbell has added to his farm land, and now owns over six hundred acres. In 1883 he removed to Holden, where he now re- sides, and where he has a lovely home. Politi- cally he is a Democrat, and cast his first Presi- dential ballot in 1852 for Franklin Pierce. He has served as delegate to district and congression- al conventions a number of times, but has never held office. He and his wife are members of the
JAMES F. MITCHELL.
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Cumberland Presbyterian Church, to which he has belonged since 1859. He has served as Elder, and formerly was an active Sunday-school work- er. In the fall of 1891 he took a trip to Cali- fornia, and there remained during the winter fol- lowing. They also visited the World's Fair in Chicago, and also the New Orleans Exposition. They take a trip occasionally and try to get some enjoyment out of life.
AMES F. MITCHELL. The life of this gentleman furnishes an example of what a man with brains and business ability can ac- complish by persistence, sagacity and industry. His career in its practical results is an encourage- ment to every struggling young man who has ambition and resolution and a genius for hard work. The seed that he has sown has fallen upon good ground and has grown and brought forth an hundredfold. He is at present one of the largest land-owners and successful agriculturists of Pettis County, owning six hundred and sixty acres, lying on section 36, township 44, range 23, section 7, township 43, range 22, and section 12, township 43, range 23.
Our subject was born in Caldwell County, Ky., January 5, 1827, and was the third child born to Cader and Martha (Nichols) Mitchell. The fa- ther was born in Bertie County, N. C., and was there reared and educated. Upon attaining his twenty-eighth year he emigrated to the Blue Grass State, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account. He was possessed of good business ability, which he showed in his wise investment in land, and continued to make his home in Kentucky until his decease, which occurred in 1856. He was a stanch Whig in politics.
Mrs. Martha Mitchell was born in Caldwell County, Ky., in which state she passed all the years of her life, dying several years prior to the decease of her husband. There being few schools
in the neighborhood of her home, her son, our subject, had limited advantages for obtaining an education, only attending the house of learning about a year and a-half until after arriving at man's estate. He was, however, thoroughly trained in the business of farming, and was at home working on the old place when the strife between Mexico and the United States began. Young Mitchell, though not twenty-one years of age, enlisted, in 1847, becoming a member of Company G, Fourth Kentucky Infantry, and creditably served his country for a year. He was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., in July, 1848, and, returning home, worked on the farm for the following twelve months.
In 1850 our subject came to Missouri, stopping first in Hickory County, where he made it his first duty to attend school. After six months spent in the schoolroom, he began working out on farms near Osceola, and two months thereafter we find him en route for Kansas City. There he engaged to go as teamster to New Mexico, his destination being Santa Fe. After making two trips that season over the plains, he returned to his home in the Blue Grass region and made a visit. The gold excitement in California was at its height about this time, and, again coming to Missouri, Mr. Mitchell procured a wagon and oxen with which to make the trip to that state. This was in 1852, and he worked in the mines for six years. Unlike many who went to Cali- fornia at that time, he was successful, and when ready to return was the possessor of $8,028, which was about that much more than he had on his ar- rival there.
In 1858 Mr. Mitchell again returned to Ken- tucky, but on this trip the old home seemed des- olate, as death had claimed his father for his own. He remained there one summer, and in 1859 came again to this state in order to look up the claim which he had entered prior to his last trip over the plains. February 14 of the following year he left Kentucky, and on the 21st of the same month made permanent location in Missouri. He at once took up his abode on a tract of land which forms a part of his large possessions at the present time. By his indefatigable push and en-
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ergy he added to his estate, until now he has six hundred and sixty acres of some of the finest land in this part of the state.
As we have already made plain to the reader, he commenced in life empty-handed and has won prosperity and success through his own well di- rected efforts, being to-day one of the wealthiest farmers of this section. He has never joined the army of benedicts and still lives in single blessed- ness. In politics he is a stanch supporter of Dem- ocratic principles and is therefore opposed to monopolies. Although never aspiring to positions of public importance, he has been called upon on several occasions to represent his fellow-towns- men in offices of honor and trust. Socially he is prominent in the order of Odd Fellows, taking a great interest in the work of that body.
Mr. Mitchell has met with some reverses in life, for soon after his return from California he loaned some $5,000 to parties in Kentucky, who upon the outbreak of the Civil War were wrecked financially and unable to pay the obligation. He also lost $1,200 in the purchase of a slave prior to the Rebellion. Mr. Mitchell is a member of the Christian Church, having affiliated with that body for about thirty years.
ACOB SHELLER. About thirty years ago this worthy old pioneer of Johnson County purchased a homestead on section 12, town- ship 44, range 29, and from that time until his death gave his entire energies to the development and improvement of his farm. To the original tract of one hundred and sixty acres he added an- other quarter-section, thus making a large and valuable piece of property, all in one body. Mr. Sheller, who was much esteemed by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, and who pos- sessed sterling characteristics, was called to the home beyond June 12, 1880. His widow, who is still living at their old home, took charge of their home as administratrix, finished paying the
amount due on the farm, and in 1883 built a fine residence. She is a lady of superior business talent, and has proved her ability by the manner in which she has managed her husband's large possessions.
Jacob Sheller was born in Crawford County, Ohio, December 29, 1828, and was reared to farm life. His father, Jacob, Sr., was born in Ger- many, and his mother, who in her girlhood bore the name of Mary Ambrosier, came from Penn- sylvania-Dutch stock. She married after the death of Mr. Sheller, which event occurred be- fore the birth of our subject. Young Sheller was taken to be brought up by his maternal grand- parents, though his home was not far distant from his mother's place of abode.
While still a mere youth, Jacob Sheller com- menced learning the carpenter's trade, and worked at the business for eight years. He became very skillful in all branches, including bridge-building, and always had plenty to do to keep up with his contracts. He received only a common-school education, but was a great reader and was parti- cularly fond of mathematics. He started out to make his own way with only $100 as capital, but soon accumulated a good fortune and financially was successful. 'In 1865 he moved with his fam- ily to this county, and was thenceforth closely as- sociated with its welfare. During the war he was drafted, but paid his assessment and thus escaped service. In politics he was a Republican, but was not fond of argument and contention on that or any other subject.
January 6, 1859, Mr. Sheller was married, in Crawford County, Ohio, the lady of his choice being Louisa White, a native of Richland Coun- ty, Ohio, born February 18, 1836. Her parents were Mahlon and Harriett (Gloyd) White, the former of whom was born March 17, 1813, in Ohio, and the latter in Virginia, July 8, 1813. Mrs. White moved to Richland County, Ohio, with her parents in her girlhood, and there met her future husband. Mrs. Sheller received a good education, attending the schools of Cold Water, Mich., and began teaching when she was only thirteen years of age, as she was solicited to take charge of a school. From that time until she
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was married she continued in the profession, missing only one summer term. To Mr. and Mrs. Sheller were born four children, the eldest of whom, Hattie, born October 20, 1859, married L. D. Stall, January 29, 1884, and lives in Cross, Okla .; they have had three children, Johnny Clay- ton, who died in infancy; Chiarles Voorhees, born September 25, 1887; and Louisa Cassandra, Au- gust 22, 1894. John, born March 17, 1862, in Crawford County, Ohio, lives at home and takes charge of the farm. Like his father before him, he is quite an expert in mathematics and is a good student. Charlie, born in this county, July 25, 1874, is attending school at Chillicothe, Mo .; and Mary, twin sister of Charles, died at the age of thirteen months.
In personal appearance Mr. Sheller was a fine looking man, about five feet, five inches in height, and weighed about one hundred and seventy-five pounds. He had black hair, fair skin and blue eyes, and though he was retiring and quiet in manner, made many friends. He was known to be thoroughly honorable in all his transactions and possessed the confidence of his neighbors and acquaintances.
ON. ROBERT T. FRYER. It is safe to say that 110 one is more popular in Kings- ville than is this distinguished gentleman, who has made his home here for a quarter of a century. He is President of the bank of Kings- ville, and in addition to this is engaged in gen- eral farming about three miles from town.
James H. Fryer, father of our subject, who was a native of Kentucky, moved to Howard County, Mo., about 1826; a few years later he went to Cooper County, where, until 1849, he worked at his trade of a brickmason, and also carried on a farm. That year, the gold excitement in Cali- fornia being at its height, he made the journey to that state overland, and on the return trip was seized with the cholera, on board an Atlantic
steamer, and died, aged forty-two years. He married Margaret McCulloch, a native of Virgin- ia, where she was born in 1812. She is now liv- ing, and although eighty-three years old, is still active.
The original of this sketch was the eldest son and second child born to his parents. Christina, widow of R. M. George, lives in Kingsville; Lina is deceased; Mary Ann, the wife of L. W. Lee, makes her home in Texas; Zerelda, the wife of James Douglas, is a resident of this county; and Martha J., the wife of J. F. Howeth, makes her home in Kingsville. Robert T. was born in Cooper County, Mo., April 23, 1835. He was early trained to habits of industry and economy on the home farm, and when ready to begin life on his own account chose agriculture as his vo- cation. The rudiments of his education were ob- tained in the common schools, and when only nineteen years of age he was given a certificate to teach.
On the death of his father the responsibilities of the family fell upon the shoulders of our sub- ject, who bravely assumed the care of the house- hold. He continued to manage the home place, finding farming both a congenial and remunera- tive occupation. May 16, 1861, he was married to Alice Taliaferro, whose birth also occurred in Cooper County, this state, in 1843. Her father, James G. Taliaferro, was a Kentuckian by birth, and was a typical Southern gentleman. Her mother's maiden name was Lucy A. Woodard.
Mr. Fryer remained on the homestead until 1867, when he purchased a farm three miles from this city, on which he has continued to reside ever since. In 1890 the bank of Kingsville was organized, and of this he is now President and the principal stockholder. In1 1874 he was elect- ed a member of the Legislature on the Democrat- ic ticket, and during his term represented his dis- trict with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He is a very careful and conserva- tive business man, and is pointed out as a fine example of the self-made man. In 1883 he was elected Associate Judge of the County Court, serving a term of four years in that important position. On the expiration of that time he was
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elected Presiding Judge, and during his adminis- tration conducted the affairs of his office in a man- ner satisfactory to all concerned.
Mr. and Mrs. Fryer are the parents of six chil- dren, namely: Bertie May, now the wife of T. C. Creel, of Kingsville Township; Lulu; Lina; James, who resides in Lipscomb, Tex .; Margaret; and Alice. Socially our subject is a prominent Mason, having attained the Royal Arch degree after the organization of the Blue Lodge at Kings- ville in 1869. He was under dispensation ap- pointed Master, and by re-election has filled the chair much of the time since. Mr. Fryer belongs to the Universalist Church, while his wife is a member of the Christian Church. She is a most worthy lady, always responding to any and all demands upon her that she deems worthy of sup- port, and both she and her husband enjoy the confidence and esteem of the entire neighborhood.
OHN J. CAMPBELL, A. B., Professor of English in the State Normal School at War- rensburg, Mo., has long been recognized as one of the leading educators of the state. For the past twenty years he has been connected with the normal, his work being now more specialized than it was at first. He is a great student, and by years of research has fitted himself well for his position in one of the best colleges not only of this state, but of any of the Western States. Fre- quently he has written articles of great merit and practical ability for educational associations and for teachers' journals.
Professor Campbell was born in Huntingdon, Pa., October 5, 1840, and is of Scotch descent. His father, Samuel Campbell, born in 1819, is still living at Port Royal, Pa., and is a native of the Keystone State. He was reared on a farm, but at a very early age engaged in teaching, con- tinuing in that vocation until his retirement from active life. At intervals he taught in the public
schools and in academies. When his son J. J. was preparing for college, he held a chair in Miln- wood Academy, at Shade Gap, in Huntingdon County.
At the age of twenty years our subject gradu- ated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts from what was then known as Jefferson College, but which is now styled the Washington and Jeffer- son College of Cannonsburg, Pa. Later he en- tered the Western Theological Seminary at Alle- gheny City, Pa., and studied there for two years. Subsequently he enlisted in the United States Signal Service, remaining in the Government employ for one year and a-half, at the end of which time lie and his companions were organ- ized into a kind of scouting party, and went on the march to the sea and also through the Caro- linas. He was honorably discharged at Louis- ville, Ky., August 22, 1865, and at once returned to finish his theological course. He had become identified with the Presbyterian Church and had acceded to his parents' desire that he should en- ter the ministry, but when he returned from the army he was not strong, and instead of preaching he began to teach. About that time he accepted the offer of a position in a female. seminary at Hollidaysburg, Pa., and afterwards became Prin- cipal of an academy at Richland, Ill., but had to resign that position on account of his health. After recuperating for some time at home, he went to take a professorship at Academia, Pa., believing that life in the mountains would be beneficial. It was in September, 1867, that he went there, and during the three years of his stay his hopes were realized.
August 22, 1870, Mr. Campbell married R. Annie French, of Philadelphia, Pa. She was born in New Albany, Ind., in 1838, and came of New England stock. Soon after their marriage the young couple started for Warrensburg, where Mr. Campbell had been elected to serve as Prin- cipal of the public schools. About five years aft- er his graduation he had received the degree of Master of Arts from his Alma Mater. Some five years he was Principal of the city schools, and then, in the fall of 1875, became an instructor in the normal, with which he has since been con-
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nected. His wife died in June, 1877, leaving two children. Edith M., who graduated from the normal in the Class of '94, has finished the musi- cal course in that school; and James E. is now a student in the University of New York City. In 1880 Professor Campbell married Eliza M. Smith, of Little Rock, Ark. She was born in this county, February 2, 1859, and was a student in the normal. She is a natural musician and has received special instruction in that line. She inherited her talent from her father, and her only child, Laurence, who was born September 2, 1882, also possesses musical ability of a high or- der.
Though his father was an ally of the Demo- cratic party, our subject is quite liberal in his ideas relating to politics. His first ballot was cast for General Grant, and he prefers to vote for worthy men rather than party machines. A member of the Presbyterian Church, he has served as an Elder since 1878.
- OBERT H. HOLMES, one of the promi- nent and influential farmers of Johnson Coun- ty, resides on section 4, township 44, range 25. He was born in Rockbridge County, Va., June 15, 1834, and is a son of Benjamin A. and Sarah A. (Douglas) Holmes. The maternal grandfather, John Douglas, was a native of Lou- isiana, where he married, but later removed to Rockbridge County, Va., where he carried on the lumber business and also engaged in farming, owning at one time thirty thousand acres of land, and at his death was a very wealthy man. The paternal grandfather, who was born in Maryland, there wedded Christine Holmes, and, taking her to Virginia, there lived until his death, which was caused by being thrown from a horse. His wife then lived with the father of our subject until her death. By her marriage she became the mother of five children. Jane married Vincent Taggart, but both are now deceased; Polly wedded Doug-
las B. Lane, State Senator from Allegheny Coun- ty, Pa., and both died in that county; Martha married Elihu Baggs, but both have passed away; John died in 1843; and Benjamin A. completed the family.
On the 4th of May, 1804, the father of our sub- ject was born in Rockbridge County, Va., where, in 1830, he married Miss Sarah A. Douglas, also of the same county. He became a pioneer of Johnson County, Mo., in 1848, having come here on horseback with his brother-in-law, Robert H. Douglas. He had never before heard of the county, but in passing through stopped and pur- chased six hundred and fifteen acres at $4 per acre in the vicinity of High Point Church, known as the J. E. Shocky Farm. Returning to Vir- ginia, he sold his farm there, and purchased two wagons, in which he packed his goods, and with his wife, children and colored servants started for Missouri. They came by way of St. Louis and Rocheport, landing here in October, 1848, and built a log house, near by being a log church, which they attended. Improving the place was at once begun, and the father was the first man to bring a McCormick Mower into the county. He there made his home until 1867, when he sold the farm and purchased eighty acres near where our subject now resides. At the end of five years he also sold that place, removing to Warrensburg, where his wife died October 13, 1874, and he then made his home with his daughter in the same city. His death occurred at the home of another daughter, Mrs. Donavan, on the 12th of Decem- ber, 1892, and was deeply and sincerely mourned.
In the family were nine children. Mary J., widow of John L. Wall, lives in Medicine Lodge, Kan .; Robert H. is next in order of birth; Martha is the wife of Thomas Caldwell, a lumber mer- chant of Warrensburg; John W. married Julia Caldwell, and is now engaged in farming in Ok- lahoma; Editha, wife of Dennis Donavan, resides in Warrensburg; Sallie D. wedded James P. Hall, a farmer and banker of Medicine Lodge, Kan .; James R. is a farmer and stock-raiser, living near Ætna, Kan .; Dr. Benjamin F., a resident of Ver- non County, Mo., married Miss Anna Hoffman, who is now deceased; and Nancy, wife of John
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Runyan, lives in Medicine Lodge. The children all received good common-school educations, and the two youngest attended the normal at War- rensburg.
Robert H. Holmes, whose name opens this review, remained under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age, when he began freight- ing across the plains. In 1855 he was employed by the contractor under the Government to haul freight from Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., to Ft. Union, N. M., a distance of eight hundred and fifty miles. On arriving at the latter place he there remained, while part of the train went farther south, and for his services first received $25, and afterward $50, per month. The train consisted of twenty-six wagons, with six yoke of oxen to each. The second trip was to Ft. Riley, Kan., in 1855, a distance of one hundred and fifty miles, and the following year he went to Ft. Kearney, Neb. In August, 1856, he started for Ft. Laramie, Wyo., but before reaching that place they were caught in a snow storm and lost several head of cattle. The journey was not completed until Christmas, when more oxen were sent them, but the following year he made the same trip in safe- ty, receiving $100 per month. In 1857 there was a call for volunteers to carry dispatches, and Mr. Holmes being one, he was sent from Ft. Leaven- worth to Ft. Laramie, a distance of eight hun- dred and fifty miles, riding on mules. In 1858 he started for Ft. Kearney, but after proceeding only twenty miles was taken ill and had to return to Ft. Leavenworth, where he remained three months. For the remainder of the season he had charge of a herd of mules which were used for freighting across the plains. In the fall of that year he took a boat down the Missouri River to Lexington, Mo., and from there proceeded to Warrensburg by hack, remaining at home until the spring of 1859, when he returned to Leaven- worth, intending to conduct a train across the plains to Salt Lake City, Utah, but having to wait quite a while he returned home, where he was afterward taken ill.
On the 14th of September, 1860, Mr. Holmes was united in marriage with Miss Adellia Jane Caldwell, a native of Caldwell County, Ky., born
September 26, 1843, and a daughter of William P. C. and Jane A. (Jackson) Caldwell, natives of the same county, where they were also married. The father was a farmer by occupation, but also preached the Gospel, being a minister of the Baptist Church. In 1845 he came to Johnson County, where he engaged in farming and preach- ing, and his death here occurred December 19, 1875, while his wife had passed away on the 8th of November, 1874.
Mr. Holmes entered the Confederate service, becoming a member of Company F, under Capt. James Gillette and General Parsons. With the company he then proceeded to Little Rock, later engaging in the battle of Prairie Grove, and was afterward taken ill at Ft. Smith, where his life was despaired of. When the Union men advanced on that city, he refused to remain in bed, but made his escape, following his company, walking until a friend of his, Henry Thistle, who was one of the rear guard, offered him his horse. On report- ing to the surgeons, he was sent to Little Rock, where he made application to be transferred to the cavalry, which he afterward joined, being un- der Captain Murray and General Heinman, there remaining until the battle of Cape Girardeau, when he was appointed Sergeant-Major of the regiment commanded by Col. Robert Newton, and served with that title until the close of the war. From Camden, Ark., his company went to Helena, where a battle was fought, then went to Ironton, Mo., where they lost several men, and then on to Franklin County, where they engaged in a skirmish. At Jefferson City they tore up the railroad, then proceeded to Boonville, near which place Mr. Holmes' father was then living, and he there remained a few days. While eating breakfast one morning he was warned that the en- emy were going to try to capture him and so made his escape. At Arrow Rock he met Marmaduke's cavalry, which he joined, going with them to Glas- gow, Mo., where he enlisted under General Price. On the way to Ft. Scott, Kan., they participated in several skirmishes, and six miles east of that place General Blount made a charge on them, capturing several of their men. At Newtonia, Mo., they met a few home guards, who had charge
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