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 58
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 58
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the Illinois Central foreman in that city and ac- cepted a position in the coach department. He did not find the place as pleasant as the former, and after six months returned to the Alton shops, remaining there until 1879. That year we find him in St. Louis, Mo., as inspector of carpenter work on the Pullman coaches. He continued with this company until 1887, when he resigned to accept the position of foreman of the shops here. About thirty men are under his charge, and lie superintends the work of the department in a most satisfactory manner.
Mr. Johnson occupies a comfortable residence on Ninth Street and Barrett Avenue, and is the owner of valuable real estate in the city. He was married in Bloomington, Ill., in 1880, to Miss Lillian Franklin, who was born in Woodford County, that state. By her union with our sub- ject she has become the mother of three children, Orville, Gracie and Minnie. Socially, Mr. John- so11 belongs to the Modern Woodmen, the Wood- men of the World, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and with his wife attends the Method- ist Episcopal Church, of which she is an active member.
HOMAS HUGHES MITCHELL. Among the leading agriculturists of township 46, range 27, Johnson County, there is none better known in its history than the individual whose name heads this article. On the 26th of November, 1820, he was born in Greene County, Pa., to Shederick and Elizabeth (Roseberry) Mitchell, being one of their family of eleven chil- dren, of whom eight are still living. His father, who was of Pennsylvania-Dutch descent, was also born in the same county, about 1797, and learned the trade of a blacksmith with his father, who was also a gunsmith. For some five years he followed that occupation, when, on his health fail- ing, he was compelled to give it up and chose one that required less physical exertion.
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Mr. Mitchell then opened a hotel in Clinton, Pa., which he conducted for seven years, and also became the proprietor of a general merchandise store. Removing to Ohio in 1831, he located in Monroe County, on the Muskingum River, forty miles below Wheeling, and started a hotel. He there built a saw and grist mill, and in connection with its operation also carried on a general store, in fact his place became the general supply depot for miles around. During the nine years he re- mained there he made considerable money, but at the end of that time traded his property for a farm on the banks of the Ohio River. Shortly afterward, however, he sold this land and removed to Kentucky, where he purchased another farm, but through a financial crisis at that time lost his farmı and returned to Ohio. He again embarked in the hotel business, but from that time made many changes, and at last passed his declining days in the home of our subject, dying at the age of seventy-six years.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch passed his boyhood and youth in the home of his father, during which time he received a common- school education. On reaching manhood he be- gan farming in Lewis County, Ky., and also en- gaged in the lumber business, building flatboats and conducting a general store. He seems to have inherited an active, energetic spirit, and was constantly employed. His success was very grat- ifying, as his business became quite lucrative. His location was quite favorable, being at a point where the steamboats landed on the Ohio River, and he became well known among the men of that section.
On the 14th of July, 1841, Mr. Mitchell was married to Miss Clementine Stallcup, a daughter of John and Sarah Stallcup, and by this union six children were born, four of whom are still living: Mrs. Georgiana Whitsett, Pleasant S., Mrs. Lucy Simms and Frank. The mother of this family was called to her final rest April 15, 1856. Mr. Mitchell then wedded Miss George Ann Stallcup, a sister of his former wife, the ceremony taking place on the 3d of August, 1857, and to them were born four children, but two are now deceased. The others are Henry Forest, a progressive farm-
er of Johnson County, who married Miss Myrtle Epright, and has one child; and Charles B., an unusually promising young man, very pop- ular in this county, where he has a host of warm friends.
In March, 1869, Mr. Mitchell closed out his business in Kentucky and emigrated to Missouri. After a year's residence in Warrensburg, hie lo- cated on his present farm and settled down to the life of an agriculturist. During his life he has been a great hunter, and some of his reminiscen- ces are deeply interesting. While he lived in Kentucky game was very plentiful, and hundreds of deer have been brought down by his rifle. There were still to be found some bears in that region, but he took part in but one bear hunt, at which he killed the animal. Deer were be- coming scarce on his arrival in this state, but he killed several, some of them having been shot on his own place.
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are now passing their declining years in their pleasant home in Johnson County, surrounded by the comforts of life, and their hospitable home is always open to their many friends. Our subject has now reached the age of seventy-five years, but is still hale and hearty. He belongs to a family noted for longev- ity, and has distinct recollections of his great- grandparents, Thomas Hughes and his wife, and also his great-grandfather, Mathias Roseberry. He affiliates with the Democratic party, and in religion is a devoted member of the Christian Church.
ENRY N. GREIM, one of the worthy Ger- man-American citizens of Warrensburg, is a self-made man, having worked his way upward by industry and untiring effort. He is a member of the firm of Greim & Son, harness manufacturers, and has been engaged in this busi- ness here since February 11, 1867, soon after he left the army. His trade has steadily grown front
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an humble beginning, and he now carries a large and well selected stock of all kinds of goods usu- ally found in a first-class establishment of the kind.
Mr. Greim was born in the northern part of Bavaria, September 22, 1840, his parents being John and Margaret Grein, natives of the same country. The mother died when our subject was quite young, and at the age of twelve years, or in 1853, he started for America, believing that the New World afforded greater opportunities. He continued his westward journey until he ar- rived at Jefferson City, Mo., where he commenced learning the trade of harness-making, devoting two years to this enterprise. In the spring of 1855 he came to this city and worked at whatever he could find to do, whereby he could earn an honest livelihood. When he was able to do so, he worked at his trade, but at other times was not too proud to work at any kind of honest toil. When the war broke out he enlisted in Company E, First Missouri Cavalry, in defense of the Union. He served under Colonel Fuller, partic- ipating in the battle of Prairie Grove, and with his company was the first to enter Little Rock, Ark., under the command of General Davis. At the close of the war, or in June, 1865, he was mustered out of service at Little Rock, Ark., after about three years spent in the ranks. He had saved some money from his army pay, and with this as a capital embarked in business, as previously stated.
In Warrensburg Mr. Greim was married, No- vember 7, 1869, to Maggie Reichle, then a resi- dent of this place, but a native of Stuttgart, Ger- many. Her girlhood was passed in Washington C. H., Fayette County, Ohio, where she obtained a fair general education. To our subject and wife there were born eight children, and those living are: Archie J., whose birth occurred April 5, 1874; Walter, February 7, 1878; Lulu, June 19, 1880; and Nicholas, March 2, 1886.
Owing to the fact that he was thrown on his own resources at a very tender age, Mr. Greim received very limited educational advantages, be- ing forced to pick up his knowledge of affairs by observation and experience. As he has always
felt the need of better privileges, he is determined to give his children good advantages, so that they may be well equipped for the battles of life. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and has filled all the chairs in Eureka Lodge No. 88, I. O. O. F., of Warrensburg. His faithful companion and helpmate is a worthy member of the Old-School Presbyterian Church. Politically Mr. Greim is affiliated with the Democratic party.
ICHARD N. LOWER, a very prominent citizen of Sedalia, is County Clerk of Pettis County. He was elected to this position on the Republican ticket in the fall of 1894, and as- sumed the duties of his office January 7, 1895, his term to run until January, 1899. He has two deputies, and transacts his business affairs in a very methodical and systematic manner. In po- litical circles he is somewhat of a leader, and has served as a member of the Republican County Committee.
George Lower, father of the above gentleman, was born in Alsace, Germany, and by trade was a weaver. In the Fatherland the name was spelled Lauer, but after coming to America the county authorities gave George Lower the privi- lege of changing it to its present form. He was married in Alsace and there one of his children was born, but in 1834 he came to the United States. He settled in Jefferson County, Ky., where for five years he was engaged in merchan- dising, and then leased a farm, which he conduct- ed successfully for a like period. March 20, 1854, with his family, he landed in this county, and, settling near what is now Long Wood, he purchased a farm of seven hundred acres, in time becoming the owner of twenty-two hundred and fifty acres in the same vicinity. He gave a good start to all of his children, and was honored and respected by all who knew him. His death oc-
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curred in 1889, at the age of seventy-eight years and two months. During the war he was very active on the side of the Union and was Captain of a company of Home Guards. In politics he was a Republican, and in his religious faith he was a Presbyterian. Though a man of much learning, being conversant with the German, French and English languages, he was obliged to begin his life in the United States at the bot- tom round of the ladder. On the voyage from his native land to New Orleans, he became a vic- tim to smallpox, there being many cases of this disease on the vessel, and besides this he was robbed of all his little capital. Going to Louis- ville, where he landed without a cent in the world, he could find nothing to do for a time but to cut cordwood. He was much interested in educa- tional matters, and held the local offices of Town- ship Treasurer, Trustee, etc., from time to time. Several years ago he built a small seminary near his farm, known as the "Green Lawn Semina- ry," but it has since been discontinued. By his first marriage he had a son and two daughters, Henry, Catherine and Nancy. His second mar- riage united him with Margaret Host, a native of Alsace, whose death occurred here in her forty- sixth year. By this union he had seven sons and one daughter, namely: George, Jacob, Charles, Louis, Richard, William, Jesse and Mary. His last marriage united him with Mary E. Deice, and by her he has one daughter, Louise. The children are all residents of this county, and are numbered among its best citizens.
R. N. Lower was born near Louisville, Ky., January 15, 1851, and was only three years of age when brought by his parents to this county. His boyhood was passed on the farm which he now owns, and here he was early taught business- like ways of conducting affairs. His education was obtained in the district schools, and he re- mained with his parents until he was twenty-sev- en years of age. Then, buying a farm in Huse- man Township, he resided there for eight years, when he sold out and invested the proceeds in four hundred and forty-five acres in Long Wood Township. On this place he built a good resi- dence and made numerous valuable improvements.
It is especially adapted for raising stock, and is situated twelve miles north of Sedalia.
The first marriage of Mr. Lower took place in Cooper County, the lady of his choice being Mag- gie, daughter of Rev. Josiah Godbey, and a na- tive of Cooper County. The father was a minis- ter in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and four of his sons were also preachers in the same de- nomination. One of the number is the present editor of the Christian Advocate. Mrs. Lower died in Florida, whither she had gone in the hope of benefiting her health. Three of her four children survived her, namely: Mamie L. and Carrie C., who are attending Elizabeth Aull Seminary at Lexington, Mo., and Jessie H., at home. The present wife of our subject, whose maiden name was Anna McChesney, was a native of Odessa, Lafayette County, Mo. Her father, W. K. McChesney, who came from a respected old Virginia family, is now a retired merchant of Odessa.
Fraternally Mr. Lower is identified with the Woodmen of the World and with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In the old-school Presbyterian Church at Long Wood he holds the office of Deacon.
H. STARK is a retired merchant of Chil- howee, Johnson County, and is the owner of valuable property in this vicinity. In 1881 he purchased a farm in Chilhowee Township, comprising three hundred and twenty acres, and this place he still owns. Besides that he has one hundred and eighteen acres in McHenry County, Mo. He is a self-made man, and by industry and perseverance has risen to a position of prominence and wealth. In his youth he was more than usually hampered by burdens, as he had much of the support of his family to bear, and his edu- cational advantages were quite limited. In spite
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of all obstacles he managed to win success, and deserves great credit for what he has accom- plished.
The Stark family is probably of English origin, but for many generations members of this family have lived in the United States. Our subject's grandfather, Jeremiah Stark, moved from South Carolina to Tennessee with his father when he was only ten years of age. His son, Terry W., father of W. H. Stark, was born in Robertson County, Tenn., and grew to manhood in his na- tive state. Going to Logan County, Ky., which county adjoined that of his birthplace, Mr. Stark there met and married Mary Smith, a native of the locality. The young couple made their home in Tennessee until about 1833, when Mr. Stark sold out his farm and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Logan County, Ky., there spending the remainder of his life. His demise occurred in July, 1849, eight children being left to mourn his loss, one having previously passed away. One daughter, Mrs. Ellen Mosley, is now a resident of Adairville, Ky., and another, Mrs. Mary Sharp, lives in Lincoln, Mo. Presley is married and has nine children.
W. H. Stark was born in Robertson County, Tenn., January 3, 1827, and as he was the eldest in the family they relied upon him after the death of the father. When he was twenty-one years of age, the senior Mr. Stark gave him a horse and saddle, and leaving home, he rode to St. Francois County, Mo., where, in company with a cousin, he started a blacksmith shop. In 1849 he was compelled to return home and take charge of the farm, which he managed successfully for several years. In 1856 he returned to Robertson County, and there engaged in the sawmill business. In 1859 he purchased his father's old homestead and continued to dwell thereon some five years. When his mother died, in April, 1854, he pur- chased the old Kentucky farm, which he sold prior to his removal to Tennessee. In 1864 he went back to Logan County, where he rented land.
February 3, 1852, Mr. Stark and Elizabeth Flowers were united in marriage. They became the parents of two children, namely: Emma, who
married James C. Bradley, and died in Henry County, Mo., leaving seven children; and Terry F., who died unmarried. Mrs. Elizabeth Stark having died in 1858, our subject was married the following year to Virginia Josephine Benton, who was born May 17, 1838, in Robertson County, Tenn. Nine children graced their union. Mary E., born May 4, 1860, married James C. Kurk, by whom she has five children, and they are now living in Henry County; Alfred P., born March 31, 1862, is married and a resident of Chilhowee Township; Green B., who was born in February, 1864, died when in his tenth year; William H. was born December 22, 1865; Ada, whose birth occurred January 5, 1868, married Calvin B. Teater and has two children; S. Samuel, born February 22, 1870, resides in Clinton, Mo., where he is engaged in teaching, having previously graduated from the Warrensburg Normal in 1894; Sallie, born February 9, 1872, graduated from the normal in the Class of '93; Charles was born October 31, 1874, and Edwin H., September 27, 1880. The three eldest children were born in Tennessee, the two following in Logan County, Ky., and the remainder are natives of Johnson County.
In 1869 Mr. Stark came to Chilhowee Town- ship, where he purchased a farm of one hundred acres, and after living there for a year sold out and leased farms for three or four years. From 1873 to 1876 he was engaged in milling at Warrensburg, and then resumed farming in the vicinity of Chilhowee, renting land for ten years. In 1881 he purchased the well improved home- stead in this township of which he is still the proprietor. In 1894 he engaged in merchandis- ing, giving his principal attention to the same for a year and meeting with fair success.
Politically he is a Democrat and in 1852 cast his maiden vote for Pierce. He is a member of the Lodge of Peace, A. F. & A. M., of this town- ship. Religiously he is identified with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, to which his faithful wife also belongs, and all of their children have con- nected themselves with some church organization with the exception of the two youngest ones. For many years Mr. Stark has been a Steward, has
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been a teacher in the Sunday-school, and has also served as Class-leader. He takes great interest in religious enterprises and contributes liberally of his means to the advancement of the Master's Kingdom.
OHN F. GUENTHER, the popular and genial host of the Guenther House, in Green Ridge, is a native of Ohio, and was born July 18, 1855, in Marion County. His parents, Abraham and Barbara (Wagner) Guenther, reared a family of eleven children, of whom he was the only son and eiglith child. Both Mr. and Mrs. Guenther were natives of Germany and were very young when brought by their respect- ive parents to America. They chose Pennsyl- vania as their future home, and there both Abra- ham and Barbara Guenther were reared to ma- ture years and married. The father was well ed- ucated in his native tongue, and in connection with farming taught the German language. He died in 1861, when the subject of this sketch was a lad of six years. His wife is still living, at the venerable age of seventy-nine years.
John F. Guenther received a good common- school education and attended college for one year. He was thrown npon the world to earn his own living at the age of nine years, and thus early learned to "hoe his own row." He was a young man of nineteen years when he taught his first term of school, and as this occupation proved a very pleasant and at the same time profitable occupation, he followed it for five winters, em- ploying the summer months in working out on farms. Later in life he learned the carpenter's trade.
In 1879 Mr. Guenther moved to the state of Kansas, and while there embarked in farming on his own account, investing the sum which he had saved from teaching in land. His stay there lasted until 1883, when his advent was made in- to Pettis County, this state. For the following
three years he also followed the life of an agricult- trist, but at the end of that time came to Green Ridge, where he has since engaged in running a hotel and doing carpenter work. He is recog- nized by all as an industrious, honest and up- right man and one warmly in sympathy with all progressive measures.
Miss Emma M. Chapman became the wife of our subject in March, 1878. She was the daugh- ter of J. D. and Mary (Bougher) Chapman, who were classed among the early residents of the Buckeye State. Mrs. Guenther was born in Athens County, that state, in 1858. With her husband she is actively identified with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Guenther has been one of the Trustees as well as Superin- tendent of the Sunday-school. Politically he is a Republican, and always votes for the candidates of that party, taking considerable interest in its advancement. He has served Green Ridge as Alderman and also creditably discharged the du- ties of Marshal of the city for some time. He is a man eminently worthy of a place in the records of Pettis County, and it is therefore with pleasure that we submit this brief biography.
OSEPH A. STARR holds the very respon- sible position of foreman of the freight de- partment in the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad shops of Sedalia. He has worked his way up by his own merits and has won the con- fidence and esteem of his superiors. At present he has under his supervision about seventy-five men, who are employed in building new cars and in repairing old ones. He is a practical work- man, and by years of experience has gained a thorough understanding of the business.
The parents of our subject are James and Mar- garet (Stroude) Starr, natives of Oldtown, Md., and Washington County, Pa., respectively. The father was of German descent, and was a mill- wright by trade. In early manhood he moved to
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Washington County, where he died shortly be- fore the war, aged fifty years. His wife, a daughter of Joseph A. Stroude, came from a good old family of the Keystone State, and died when but thirty-seven years of age. Of their five children, only two are now living. One son, James W., who was in the same regiment as Jo- seph A., belonged to Company I, and met his death on the battlefield at Winchester.
Joseph A. Starr was born in Washington Coun- ty, Pa., June 29, 1844, being the eldest in his father's family. He remained at home, receiving the benefits of a good education, until the war. In the fall of 1862 he left the harvest field and volunteered as a bugler in Ringgold Battalion, composed of the First Battalion of Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was sent to West Virginia, where the troops were engaged with Mosby and Mc- Neal's cavalry. Thence they were sent on sev- eral raids and proceeded up and down the Shen- andoah, going with Hunter when he made his raid to Lynchburg. Later Mr. Starr was trans- ferred to Company C, Twenty-second Pennsyl- vania Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, being mustered out at Wheeling, in the summer of 1865.
For two or three years after the war, Mr. Starr was employed in farming in his native county, but in 1868 came westward, and going to Topeka, Kan., was employed as a civil engineer in survey- ing the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad between Burlingame and Topeka. Some seven months afterward lie engaged in the first survey for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad; then was employed by the Sedalia & Rockville, and the Tebo & Neosho Railroad, in the construction survey department until the completion of the work. Next for two years Mr. Starr engaged in farming in Pettis County, but ultimately returned to the employ of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad Company. From the spring of 1881 until 1886 he worked as a car-repairer, then be- ing promoted to the position he now holds.
In 1891 Mr. Starr built a handsome residence at the corner of Twelfth Street and Lafayette Avenue. He was first married, in Smithton, Mo., to Mrs. Shellie White, who was born in Ken-
tucky and who died in Smithton, leaving one child, Shellie, now Mrs. William Franklin, of Murfreesboro, Tenn. In 1876, in this city, Mr. Starr married the lady who now bears his name, and who was formerly Miss Ella Mathews, a na- tive of Ohio. Three children have come to bless the union of our subject and wife, namely: Frank, who is a high school student and a member of the Class of '95; Goldie and Lou. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and enjoy the esteem of a host of friends.
Mr. Starr is a past officer of Equity Lodge No. 26, A. O. U. W., is a member of the Wood- men of the World, the Knights of Honor, and is a Master Mason. In addition to the orders men- tioned he is identified with George R. Smith Post No. 53, G. A. R., and had the privilege of attending the national encampments at Pittsburg and Indianapolis. In his political affiliations he is an ally of the Democracy.
OBERT RICHARD HOWERTON. Farm- ing and stock-raising form the chief occupa- tion of this young agriculturist, and the pro- gressive manner in which he takes advantage of every method and idea tending to enhance the value of his property has had considerable to do with the success with which he is meeting. He owns eighty acres of fine land on section 21, town- ship 44, range 27, Johnson County, which he op- crates, besides a like amount adjoining, owned by his father. His wife has in her possession a tract of one hundred and forty acres in Rose Hill Township, which was left her by her father.
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