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 57
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 57
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James Walker Suddath was born at Bone Hill, Jackson County, Mo., May 12, 1857, and re- ceived a public-school education in Lexington. In 1873 he entered the State Normal, spending five months in arduous studies, when, on account of his health, it became necessary for him to try an out-of-door life for a time. Therefore, from May, 1874, until October, 1875, he was employed as a herder on a cattle ranch in Colorado, deriving great benefit from the pure air and change of oc- cupation. Resuming his interrupted education, he remained in school until June, 1876, then re- turning to the ranch for three summer months. Coming back to Johnson County, he taught a dis- trict school until February, when he re-entered the normal, and the following June graduated from the four-years course, receiving a diploma and also a state life certificate. The following winter he taught in Burdett, Bates County, after which he was Principal of Parish Institute, at Bunceton, Cooper County, from 1878 until June, 1881. Though he was re-elected for another term, he resigned in order to devote his whole at- tention to legal studies. During his vacations he had read law in the office of T. T. Crittendens, of this city, who afterward became Governor of Missouri. For a year Mr. Suddath was under the instruction of J. J. Cockrell, and was ad- mitted to the Bar in 1882, being then taken into partnership with his preceptor. The latter is the eldest son of General Cockrell, who moved to
New Mexico in 1885. On account of this the partnership was necessarily dissolved, and Mr. Suddath has since conducted an office alone.
In 1882 our subject married Miss Nellie, daugh- ter of Edward L. and Mary (Schmidlapp) De- Garmo. She was born in Hope, Ind., July 16, 1860, and graduated from the complete course in the State Normal Class of 1880, and also took much of the Chautauqua course, receiving eight seals. She taught successfully in the public schools of Warrensburg for one term, and at this time became acquainted with her future husband. To them were born two children, William Ed- ward, February 26, 1883, and Mary M., March 26, 1885. Mrs. Suddath and both of her chil- dren are members of the Cumberland Presbyte- rian Church, where the husband and father is a regular attendant.
OHN M: KELLY. A volume devoted to the biographical sketches of Johnson County would be incomplete without an outline of the life of the above gentleman, who has gained an excellent reputation as an agriculturist, his estate being located on section 14, township 45, range 24.
Mr. Kelly was born in Morrow County, Ohio, November 16, 1840, and was the youngest child born to his parents, Robert and Jane (Young) Kelly, the former of whom was born in Pennsyl- vania. He made the trip to Ohio with his father when that now populous state was little more than a wilderness. There the grandfather was the owner of two farms, which his son Robert aided him in cultivating. The former also followed to some extent his trade of brick- maker, and as there were no conveniences for getting goods to and from the locality near his home, did considerable teaming for the other settlers. Robert Kelly was a thrifty and indus- trious tiller of the soil, and was well liked by all
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who knew him. He spent his remaining years in the Buckeye State, passing away in 1880, at the age of eighty-six years. His good wife was born in Ireland, and came with her parents to this country. They, too, made their home in Ohio, where she met and married Robert Kelly. Her death occurred in 1845, when our subject was only five years of age.
The district schools in the early history of Ohio were, as a rule, conducted by teachers possessing inferior education, and the school which our subject attended was no exception to this rule. However, he obtained a fair knowl- edge of the common branches, and afterward, when his presence was needed on the farm, he made good use of his leisure moments by reading good and instructive books.
In 1864 John M. Kelly became a Union soldier, enlisting in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth National Guards, and was mustered in at Columbus. He saw much hard fighting with his regiment for the following eight months, when he was discharged. Returning to his formier home, he was employed in farming and operating a sawmill until 1879, when we find him en route for the Western States, his first location being in Iowa. There he remained but four months, when he went on a visit to Kansas. Finding the outlook in that state a little better, he remained there for sixteen months, but at the end of that time came to Missouri, where he has lived ever since, and during this long period has never regretted his choice of location. He is now the owner of a tract of one hundred and two acres, eighty of which are under advanced cultivation, and the remaining tract of twenty-two acres is still in timber. His farm is now one of the most fertile in this locality, which state of affairs has been brought about by his own industry. He has shown excellent judgment in the management of his business affairs, as well as in choosing for himself a wife, for the lady who has been his helpmate for nearly thirty years is intelligent, energetic, wide- awake and ambitious.
The marriage of our subject and his wife took place September 13, 1866, and resulted in the
birth of seven children, of whom those living are Ollie, now the wife of James Rosbrough, a farmer of this county; and Jay, Elizabeth J., John Ray, Mary Agnes and Fannie B. Jennie May is deceased. The wife and mother prior to her marriage was Miss Mary Agnes, daughter of John and Jane ( Murdock) Hannum, natives, respectively, of Ohio and Pennsylvania. Mrs. Kelly was born in the latter state in 1837. With her husband, she is a member of the Old- School Presbyterian Church, of which they are liberal supporters.
Our subject in politics is a Democrat, and he furthers in many a quiet way the interests of his party. While in no sense of the word a politician, he has been prevailed upon to serve on the School Board, which office he is acceptably filling at the present time.
? AMES DOUGLASS, an enterprising business man and farmer, who owns a good homestead 011 section 27, township 46, range 29, John- son County, has become wealthy by the exercise of his native characteristics of thrift and industry. He is a native of this state, having been born in Howard County, August 29, 1829. His father bore the name of Andy J. Douglass, and was a native of Albemarle County, Va.
The father of our subject was an old pioneer of Missouri, having emigrated hither as early as 1828. He first located in Howard County, and after one year spent there removed to Cooper County, where he lived for many years, dying there when in his fifty-second year, after having accomplished much pioneer work. One of his ambitions was to give his children the best edu- cational privileges in his power, and to assist them to become successful in business, so that they might be able to perform creditably all those du- ties which devolve upon loyal and respected citi- zens of this country. The subscription school
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was the only institution of learning in the county, and this the sons and daughters attended when they could be spared from the farm duties.
Our subject's mother, who was formerly known as Miss Martha Mccullough, died when past her fiftieth birthday. To herself and husband there were born seven children, of whom James was the eldest; Ann married William George, and is living in Cass County; Thomas is a farmer near East Lynne, that county; Margaret married C. D. Mobery, and is living near Gun City; Martil- lus is a resident of Pisgah, Cooper County; John is living in the Indian Nation; and William also makes his home in Pisgah.
The subject of this sketch was born in Howard County, on the old home place, in 1829. When a young man of twenty years, in 1849, he caught the gold fever, and like many others of that peri- od he fitted up an ox-team to convey him across the plains to California. He joined a party of about seventy-five who were going to make the trip, and in order that they might cling together, they appointed a leader or director in the person of Captain Pope, who was thoroughly acquainted with the route across the mountains. The jour- ney proved a very trying and tedious one, but they arrived in the Gold State after one hundred and twenty days, the only serious mishap which oc- curred being the drowning of one of their party while crossing the Humboldt River, Mr. Doug- lass made money in the mines, but being young, and not having learned the value of gold, did not save it. He worked in almost all the noted mines of the state, and in 1854, when tired of camp life, returned home, together with ten of his compan- ions. The journey was accomplished on mule back and consumed sixty-five days. They often rested for hours at a time at various points, and when night overtook them stopped wherever they happened to be and lay down. They arrived home safely, however, and Mr. Douglass consid- ers this a valuable experience in his life. He lived in Cooper County until 1868, when he came to Johnson County and purchased a quarter-section of raw land, on which there was not even a stick large enough for a riding switch. The ground was covered with tall prairie grass, and in order
to place the soil under cultivation he was com- pelled to work early and late. This he did un- complainingly, and now is rewarded with the knowledge that he has one of the finest tracts of land in the county. The cabin which he first built on the place is still standing, but in 1882 the family moved into a more comfortable and com- modious structure. In foriner years he raised large numbers of cattle, but now gives the great- er part of his attention to raising the various cere- als, for which his land is particularly adapted.
Mr. Douglass married, in 1856, Miss Virginia Barr, of Cooper County. Her parents, who were Virginians, were people greatly honored in their community. Mrs. Douglass survived her mar- riage only two years, and the lady whom our sub- ject chose for his second companion was Zerilda Fryer. To them have been born five children. James K., a farmer of this county, married Miss Ida Blackburn and has a daughter, Mabel; Alvin married Myrtie Banfield, and is living a mile and a-half from the family homestead; Benton is a dentist of Harrisonville; Mattie is attending school at Warrensburg; and Frank is at home.
In political affairs Mr. Douglass is a Democrat, casting his first vote in 1852, while in California, for Franklin Pierce. He holds membership with the Universalist Church, to the support of which lie is a liberal contributor. He is public-spirited and in favor of all measures that will elevate and improve the moral and social standard of his com- munity.
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AMES E. RANKIN was one of the best known men of Johnson County, and at the time of his death its oldest pioneer. He came here when there were but seven families in the county, and ere he was called to the home be- youd all of these had moved away or had passed "to that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns." He was born in Lafayette County, Mo., January 28, 1827, and was one of the eight children, three yet living, of Robert
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and Margaret (Whitsett) Rankin. The father was a native of Logan County, Ky., and his father was the founder of Shakertown, in that county, and at one time owned the entire proper- ty of that now wealthy section. Robert Rankin was the only one of the family that did not join the sect. Deciding to enter the medical profes- sion, lie took a course of study in Ohio, and after his graduation moved to Missouri, in 1819. Aft- er a year spent in Franklin County, he went to Lafayette County, and entered upon a successful career as a physician at Lexington. He did a successful business until ten years prior to his death, when he retired to private life.
James E. Rankin attended the common schools, and after arriving at years of maturity engaged in operating a sınall farm which he owned, a short distance from his father's home, operating it for five years. He was married, July 28, 1854, to Miss Mary J. Reavis, and with a happy home and loving wife, who proved to him a capable help- mate, he began to see brighter days, his efforts being crowned with a well merited success. Shortly after his marriage he purchased ninety- eight acres of what is now known as the old Rankin Place, and in addition to general farming began to raise cattle, which business he profitably conducted for some time. As his financial re- sources increased he added to his farm at various intervals, until within its boundaries were com- prised six hundred and fifty acres of valuable land, and he was also enabled to give his chil- dren a good start in life. When he no longer en- gaged in feeding cattle, he began the breeding of mules, and for some years placed upon the mar- ket the best grade of those animals which this section of the state afforded. He was a wide- awake and enterprising business man, and carried forward to successful completion whatever he un- dertook.
After the breaking out of the late war, Mr. Rankin enlisted, June 27, 1862, in Company I, Colonel Shank's regiment, General Gordon com- manding the division, and took part in the e11- gagements at Lexington, Independence, Wilson Creek, Helena, Ark., and others, seeing some hard service. In the encounter with General
Steele's troops they fought for twenty-eight out of thirty-two days, during which time Mr. Ran- kin had three horses slot from under him and was wounded in the hand. During his service he was appointed cattle-buyer for the division, and thus served for fourteen months, when he became dissatisfied, resigned, and took his place in the ranks, serving until the surrender at Shreveport, La.
To Mr. and Mrs. Rankin were born seven chil- dren, four of whom are yet living. William Sanford, born May 11, 1855, was reared under the parental roof, obtained his education in the common schools, and during his father's service carried on the home farm, although he was then but a boy. He afterward began cultivating a part of the farm in his own interest, and has had gratifying success as a cattle-feeder, being one of the most extensive and successful men in this line of business in the county. He votes with the Democracy, and is a prominent and representative citizen. Sterling P. is the second son, and fur- ther mention of him is made later on. Joe Shel- by married Miss Anna Greer, and after her death wedded Miss Mary Davidson. He is one of the prosperous farmers of this county, and resides four miles north of Holden. James Lee, a progressive young man, is still on the old home farm.
The father of this family was recognized as one of the most successful business men of the com- munity, being industrious, energetic and perse- vering-qualities which cannot fail to bring pros- perity. In manner he was courteous and affable, and his hospitality and kindly nature greatly en- deared him to his many friends. He passed away June 24, 1893, respected by all who knew him.
Sterling P. Rankin, the second son of the fami- ly, was born August 4, 1861, spent his youth in the usual manner of farmer lads, and acquired his education in the common schools. He started out to make his own way in the world on reach- ing years of maturity. In the fall of 1882 lie went to California with the hope of recuperating his health, and after a year's sojourn with an un- cle there returned to Missouri. In 1884 he made his second trip to the Pacific Slope, where he again spent a year, and upon his return to his native
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state began farming on a one-hundred-acre tract of land given him by his father. One the 25th of February, 1891, he married Miss Carrie B. Murray, daughter of Thomas A. and Martha A. (Ramsey ) Murray, and an intelligent and cultured lady, who has been to him a faithful companion and helpmate. They have two interesting chil- dren: Eltah M., three years old; and Earl Mur- ray, in his first year.
Mr. Rankin is a progressive farmer, and his place is one of the best improved in the county. He seems to have inherited his father's capacity for business, and in the management of his affairs has been very successful. In his political views he is a stalwart advocate of Democracy, and in religious belief is a Baptist.
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OHN G. SCHENK. A number of the suc- cessful farmers of Pettis County are of Ger- man birth, who, desirous of gaining more than the Old World offered them, emigrated to America, and, seeking the broad area of country west of the Mississippi, established homes of their own. Such has been the experience of the sub- ject of this narrative, one of the well known farmers of township 44, range 22. For many years fate seemed unkind to him, and he met with many obstacles in the path to success. He never anticipated being a rich man; in fact, his wife used to think that if they had five acres of land and a house, she would be content. Fortune smiled on his honest and painstaking efforts far more than he had hoped, and he is now number- ed among the well-to-do farmers of the county.
Born in Saxony, Germany, February 9, 1831, our subject is the son of John M. and Anna (Hauck) Schenk. He was reared upon his fa- ther's farm until about fourteen years of age, meantime receiving a practical education in the German language. At that age he was bound out to a miller to learn his trade, receiving a small sum the first year, but a little more the following
year. At the expiration of three years, he was employed to take charge of the business, the pro- prietor having died shortly before he finished his apprenticeship. For two years he superintended the work, and meanwhile learned to do the work of the head flour miller, also becoming familiar with sawmill work. For the ensuing two years he was employed in various places in Germany, his wages going to his father until he was twen- ty-one.
April 20, 1854, Mr. Schenk married Miss Anna Frederica Stroeter, for whose father he had pre- viously worked. Soon afterward they left Ger- many, accompanied by his father-in-law, and, ar- riving in this country, settled in Wisconsin. Not being able to speak the English language, he failed to secure work at his trade, so was obliged to work at any occupation that offered him an honest livelihood. He remained in Wisconsin until a heavy frost in August so injured the crops that he could obtain no further work that season. Going South, he hired out on a farm near St. Louis, where he remained through the winter months. Thence he proceeded to Edwardsville, Ill., where he worked during the summer. In the fall he took a lease for clearing off timber, being given all he could raise for five years. Re- maining on that place during the war, he was benefited by the high prices which grain brought at that time. He saved his earnings, which he invested in sixty-six acres, and there he made his home for twenty years. Meantime he bought, at a cost of $2,300, a threshing-machine, which he ran for a long time, deriving a good revenue therefrom.
His health being poor and believing that a change of climate would prove beneficial, Mr. Schenk sold his farm in 1883 and moved to his present homestead of two hundred and forty acres, located on section 24, township 44, range 22. He brought his threshing-machine with him, and ran it here for several seasons. The water being poor on this place, he was obliged to drill a well, and the result is quite satisfactory. He has planted an orchard, erected a number of farm buildings, and in other ways improved the property.
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Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schenk, of whom the eldest, Oscar, died in Wis- consin at the age of nine months, and the sec- ond at the age of nine days, in Illinois. Augusta, who was born in Dodge County, Wis., March 1, 1856, married Fred Stahlhut, and makes her home in Wisconsin. Henry, whose birth occur- red near Edwardsville, Il1., February 9, 1860, lives in Lamonte, Mo. Charles, who was born in Illinois, September 2, 1863, is a farmer of Red- willow County, Neb. Lizzie was born in Illinois April 10, 1866, and is the wife of Henry Lauging, whose sketch appears in this work. Oscar was born April 15, 1873, and resides with his parents.
While a resident of Wisconsin, Mr. Schenk took out his naturalization papers, in 1855. His first Presidential ballot was cast for James Buchanan the following year. He soon learned to speak English, and by taking our papers be- came familiar with the language, so that lie can now read it. His wife is a member of the Lu- theran Church, in which their children have been confirmed.
LEMENS HONKOMP, one of the worthy. German-American citizens of Sedalia, was at one time a member of the Council, and in the fall of 1894 was nominated on the Democratic ticket for the position of Mayor, but owing to the widespread Republican victories was defeated. He is Secretary of the County Democratic Central Committee, and has often served as a delegate to conventions. By occupation he is a wholesale and retail manufacturer of cigars and tobacco, and is next to the oldest man in this line of business in Sedalia.
Mr. Honkomp was born in Oldenburg, Ger- many, March 9, 1853, both his father, Clemens, Sr., and his grandfather, Frederick, being natives of the same province and farmers. In 1865 Clem- ens Honkomp, Sr., emigrated to America with his family, settling on a farm near Covington,
Ky., and in 1878 removed to Kansas, buying a place near Dodge City, in Ford County. He is still living in that locality and is the owner of three-quarters of a section of land. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Burkhorst, a native of Oldenburg, died in Covington Ky., when in her fifty-fifth year. Of her five children our subject is next to the youngest, and all of the number are still living. The parents were mem- bers of the Catholic Church and were people whom every one respected for their sterling qual- ities.
In 1865 our subject left Bremen on the sailing- vessel "Old Union," and at the end of a thirteen- weeks voyage landed in Baltimore, Md. He had become proficient in the German language and was a good student. After settling in Covington he attended the private school of that place for some time, and remained under the parental roof until he was seventeen years of age. From that time until he reached his majority he served an apprenticeship to a cigar-maker in Covington, and for several years thereafter traveled in Ken- tucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Texas and Louisiana. In 1876 he came to Sedalia and worked at his trade as a journeyman for eleven years. In 1887 he started in business for himself as a wholesale and retail manufacturer of cigars, with his headquar- ters at No. 218 Lamine Avenue. He manufact- ures several special brands of cigars, among which the most popular are the "Golden Rod," a ten-cent cigar, and the "Lone Tree," which is retailed at five cents.
In 1889 Mr. Honkomp was married, in Boon- ville, Mo., to Annie Glahn, who was born in that city, and they have one child, named in honor of his father and grandfather, Clemens. The family have a pleasant home, where it is their pleasure to entertain their many friends and ac- quaintances.
In 1890 Mr. Honkomp was elected Alderman from the First Ward by his Democratic friends, and was re-elected on the expiration of his term, serving altogether four years. During this time he was Chairman of the Streets and Alleys Com- mittee, and Chairman of the Committee on Sew-
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ers and Supplies. In 1893 and 1894 he was Pres- ident of the Council. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workinen, to the Knights of Pythias and to the Knights of the Maccabees.
OHN H. JOHNSON, an experienced work- man, holds the responsible position of fore- man of the coach department of the Mis- souri, Kansas & Texas car shops, located at Se- dalia. He has been in the employ of this corpo- ration since November, 1887, and the efficient manner in which he carries on the work of his department indicates him to be a man of good judgment, and one possessed of a thoroughi knowledge of his line of work.
Our subject is a native of Ohio, and was born in Lancaster, June 22, 1854. He is the son of James B. Johnson, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, who for many years was engaged in the transfer business in Lancaster, that state. In 1866, however, he emigrated to Illinois, locating at first in Bloomington, where he carried on that business for some time, and then removed upon a farm in McLean County, where his death oc- curred when in his fifty-seventh year.
Our subject's mother, who was in inaidenhood Mahala Hines, was a native of Maryland, and married Mr. Johnson about 1852. She accom- panied her husband on his various removals, and died while living on the farm in McLean County, when fifty-six years of age. In the parental family there were four children, of whom J. H., of this sketch, was the eldest. He was educated in the splendid schools of Bloomington, Ill., and remained with his parents until twenty years of age, when he apprenticed himself to learn the trade of a carpenter in Bloomington. After working under instructors for three years he ob- tained a position in the Chicago & Alton car shops as coach carpenter, and after remaining there for some time received a better offer from
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