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 83
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 83
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Association, is Treasurer of the Knights of Father Mathew, and belongs to the Woodmen of the World, as well as to Amity Lodge, A. O. U. W. In March, 1895, he was nominated on the Re- publican ticket as Alderman from the First Ward, and was duly inaugurated the following month. He is popular in all circles, and is respected by a host of acquaintances.
THO OFFUTT, a respected citizen of Hol- den, was born and reared at Offutt's Knobs, twelve miles north of this city, the date of his birth being February 11, 1840. His parents were Reason R. and Amelia (Simpson) Offutt, who were married in Logan County, Ky., in 1825, and subsequently moved to Missouri, being among the early pioneers of this county.
The great questions which led up to the war were discussed, and were the topics of interest during the boyhood of our subject. His father was a farmer and owned a few slaves, and the grandparents on both sides were Kentucky slave- holders. Reared under these influences, it is not strange that young Offutt believed in the institu- tion of slavery, or at least did not consider it wrong. He acquired the rudiments of his educa- tion in private schools, and when eighteen years of age drove six yoke of oxen from Leavenworth, Kan., to Salt Lake City, receiving $40 per month wages. He had listened to the stories of his brother's experiences in the West and was fired with the ambition to seek adventure for himself. He was four months making the trip, and besides driving a team all day had to take his turn at guard duty at night. He continued to go back and forth between Kansas and his home, and at one time was with a company which went to Kansas for the purpose of capturing a drove of wild horses. They were successful, and Mr. Offutt broke in several of the horses afterward.
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Otho Offutt was about twenty-one years of age when the war came on, and as he had been trained to reverence the Flag and at the same time be- lieved in slavery, he did not feel disposed to fight on either side. He remained at home, and in 1861 raised a crop. He was careful in conversation, and his own neighbors did not know what his convictions were. Thus matters stood until Jan- uary, 1862, when Lane's "jayhawkers" came into the vicinity of Holden and began to lay waste the country. As his house was on an elevation, our subject could see his neighbors' houses burning in every direction, and some of the unfortunate assembled to take counsel. An appeal was made to our subject, he being asked if he was not go- ing to help rid the country of the maranders. His response was to take down his old flint-lock musket, and on horseback he went with others to intercept the party on their way to Columbus. They stationed themselves in ambush and gave Lane's men a warm reception, and the soldier at whom Mr. Offutt aimed fell dead from his saddle. Our subject exchanged his old flint-lock for the deadly Sharp's repeating rifle and took a belt and revolvers. Lane's men fled and left that por- tion of the country, and Mr. Offutt returned home in peace. He soon received word that he must bring his plunder to the commander of the Union forces at Lexington and give it up. He refused to do this, on the ground that Lane's men, whom he had helped to drive out, were not United States soldiers. The result of his refusal was that an order was issued to the Federal soldiers to capture him dead or alive. He was now in deep water, and at once took to flight. He could not join the Union forces, and the Confederate troops were three hundred miles distant. It ap- peared to him that his only chance was to try and reach Quantrell's band, and a friend took him to that noted guerrilla's camp. He had not been there long until a proclamation was received by which Quantrell's band were declared outlaws, and their leader read the paper to his supporters, telling them that any who wished to do so might leave at once. Though there were but twenty of the number at the time, they all determined to stand together in life or death.
After going on a raid in the vicinity of Inde- pendence, Mo., Quantrell's men took a trip to Jackson County and stopped at night at Tate's House, on the Big Blue. About one hundred and fifty Federal soldiers surrounded the building and demanded the little band (then numbering only nineteen) to surrender, and on receiving a decided negative, the family were taken out of the house, which was a double log cabin, and the building was set on fire. The flames lighted up the scene and the few determined and desperate men inside the building picked off as many of the Federals as possible with their sharpshooters until the roof began to fall in. Then Quantrell commanded his men to make a charge, and they made a dash for liberty, with the loss of a few, while they had killed many of the Union men. They lost their horses, but soon supplied themselves with others. In the spring of 1862 they had a battle at Wal- nut Creek, in this county, where they killed sev- eral men, but lost none. Next they proceeded to Cass County and had camped at Surencey's horse- lot when an advance party of the Federal forces, about one hundred and thirty-five men, surprised them, but were driven back. Quantrell's band then took to flight, as they were but sixty-one against eight hundred soldiers in the main body of the advancing Federals. They were hotly pursued, being compelled to take refuge in a ra- vine, and here Mr. Offutt was in the hardest fight of the war in that section. The Federals made charge after charge, but were kept at bay for three hours. The situation of Quantrell's men then became desperate, and their leader told them they were just out of ammunition and must cut their way to safety. Mr. Offutt took Capt. John Brinker on his horse, and they fought their way through the lines. Thirteen of our subject's party were killed or wounded, while the losses of Union men were four hundred and fifty killed and wounded. The next noted fight that Mr. Offutt participated in was at Lone Jack, Johnson Coun- ty, and from that on until the close of the war he took part in many battles and skirmishes. On three different occasions he was in skirmishes in which all were killed except one or two of his companions. The operations of the Quantrell
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band were generally in central and western Mis- souri, but sometimes they went over to Kansas. Mr. Offutt was in service about three years and a-half, or from January 1, 1862, until June 11, 1865, when he surrendered at Rocheport, Boone County, Mo. During his service he was wounded seven times. After the war he went to Kentucky and lived two years, and from there went to Tex- as, where he lived fifteen years and where he was successfully engaged in the stock business.
In Grayson County, Tex., Mr. Offutt was married, in November, 1867, to Mrs. Emeline Adams, who was, however, a native of Jackson County, Mo. They had one son, but he is now deceased. In February, 1879, he married Mrs. Eleanor (Offutt) Coffman, of Johnson County, but a native of Logan County, Ky.
In November, 1892, Mr. Offutt opened a livery stable in Holden, where he is carrying on a good business, and by his enterprise and energy he has made a financial success. Politically he is a Democrat. His wife is a member of the Chris- tian Church.
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MERY C. BAILEY, the popular Assistant Chief of the Fire Department of Sedalia, is a man who has risen through his own in- herent good qualities and by his faithfulness to every duty. For many years he was engaged in the railroad business, and is acquainted with every detail of machinery and engines. He is therefore well fitted for his present position, where the utmost attention must be given to every detail. Since 1884 he has been a member of the Fire Department, having risen from an humble capacity to his present responsible posi- tion.
Our subject's father, Elias Bailey, was born in Walworth County, Wis., and by trade was a blacksmith. He died in early manhood, and thus his wife and children were thrown upon their own resources, for he had not yet accumu-
lated a competency for their support. His wife, whose girlhood name was Dorcas Beckwith, was born in the Empire State, and when a mere child was taken to Wisconsin. After her first hus- band's death she became the wife of a Mr. Whitney, and is now living in Lawrence County, Mich. Emery C. is a native of East Troy; Wal- worth County, Wis., his birth having occurred April 10, 1851. He is the youngest of his fa- ther's three surviving children, and was reared in Waterford, Hebron and Ft. Atkinson, in which various places his mother dwelt.
When he was twenty years of age Mr. Bailey left home and went to Kansas, settling near Humboldt, Allen County, where he was engaged in farming for a year. Then, going to Denison, Tex., he entered the employ of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad as brakeman, running between Muscogee and Denison. In time he was promoted to be fireman on an engine, his run being the same as formerly, and still later he was made engineer. Then he was offered the position of yardmaster for the same railroad at Denison, and subsequently entered the employ of the Houston & Texas Central Railroad. Then for a short time he was employed on the Iron Mount- ain Road as brakeman, but on account of sickness was forced to resign. It was in 1877 that he first came to Sedalia, and for about two years thereafter he was a switchman in the yards of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. In 1879 he was made brakeman between this point and Chamois, Mo., and was thus steadily engaged up to 1883. Then for a year he was employed in business on his own account, at the end of which time he was given a place as engineer in the Fire Department. In 1887 he was appointed Assistant Chief of the Fire Department, having under his special charge engine house No. 1, at the corner of East Fourth and Montgomery Streets. He is interested finan- cially in the Sedalia Horse Collar Manufacturing Company, and has money invested in other enter- prises here.
December 25, 1878, Mr. Bailey wedded Nellie Collins, who was born in England, and who was a daughter of Patrick Collins, formerly a resident of this city, but now deceased. Mr. and Mrs.
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Bailey are members of St. Vincent's Catholic Church, and have hosts of warm friends in all circles. Mr. Bailey is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is a past officer of Sedalia Lodge No. 170, A. O. U. W.
ESLEY E. PFETCHER. Through the energetic prosecution of his agricultural enterprises this young gentleman is gain- ing an enviable reputation in the neighborhood where he resides. His home is located on section 2, township 44, range 23, Pettis County, and consists of a goodly amount of land, upon which have been placed substantial improvements. It is well cultivated and improved, and although young in years Mr. Pfetcher is considered one of the best farmers in the township.
Our subject was born in Crawford County, Ohio, in 1864, to John A. and Mary A. (Miller) Pfetcher, he being their only child. The father was born across the seas, in Germany, but on the emigration of his parents to America, which occurred when he was in his seventh year, he was brought hitler, and continued to make his home in this country the remainder of his life. They located in the state of Ohio, where John was reared to man's estate, and upon attaining mature years he chose the vocation of farming as his fu- ture work. He departed this life in November, 1893, but his good wife preceded him a number of years, passing to the land beyond November 12, 1887. She was born in the Buckeye State, and acquired such an education as the locality and day afforded. Her son was given the ad- vantages of a common-school education, and dur- ing the time he was permitted to attend the house of learning improved every moment.
Wesley E. Pfetcher was married at the age of twenty-one, but continued to reside under the parental roof until the decease of his father. He aided greatly in running the farm, and took an active interest in all affairs pertaining thereto.
In 1886 our subject, together with his parents, came to Missouri, and settled upon the farm where Wesley E. now resides. It includes one hundred and fifty-one finely improved acres, con- veniently located within one mile of the thriving little city of Green Ridge.
The marriage of our subject, which occurred in 1885, united him with Miss Lula A., daughter of John F. and Malinda (Schupp) Smith, na- tives of Ohio. Mrs. Pfetcher was born and reared in that state, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of two children, Troy and Guy. The wife and mother is a most estimable lady, and a member in excellent standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Pfetcher is a Democrat, and a strong ally of his party. He and his wife have a host of friends in this locality, who esteem them for their up- right lives and sterling characteristics as citizens and neighbors. Mr. Pfetcher is managing his af- fairs in such an able manner that he bids fair to become one of the leading agriculturists of the county in the near future.
AMES LEANDER BROWN, the popular proprietor of the Fifth Street Livery Stable, is perhaps one of Sedalia's best known and most enterprising citizens. His stables are well supplied with everything needful to carry on his business, and he receives a liberal patronage in the town where he is so highly esteemed. He is a native of Indiana, his birth occurring near Ko- komo, in Howard County, June 11, 1854.
Our subject's grandfather was a native of New York State, but emigrated to Indiana in a very early day, locating in Howard County. There James Brown, our subject's father, was born, and there he remained until after attaining his major- ity, being reared to the life of an agriculturist. He was married in Indiana to Phobe Odell, who was also a native of the Hoosier State, and whose home was near Logansport. She was next to the eldest in a family of nine children.
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Two years after the birth of our subject, in 1856, his father decided to make a change in his loca- tion, and removed to Minnesota, settling near where Plainview now stands, and again engaged in agricultural pursuits. He became one of the early settlers of that state, and hauled the first load of lumber from Winona to the present site of Plainview. He continued to cultivate and im- prove his section of land until 1865, when he decided to come to this state, and, buying a farm in Dresden Township, near Sedalia, removed his family to that place, and continued to reside there until his death, which occurred when he was fifty-six years of age. He was an active member of the Christian Church, and politically was a stanch defender of the principles of the Repub- lican party, for whose candidates he ever cast his vote.
J. L. Brown was eleven years of age at the time of the family's removal from Minnesota to this state, and was the recipient of a common- school education in the district schools. To this foundation he later added greatly by reading and observation, and is a man well informed on topics of current interest. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age, at which time he left home, and, going to Council Grove, Morris County, Kan., in 1875, took up a homestead claim of eighty acres. This he con- tinued to improve for two years, when he disposed of the property and returned to Pettis County.
In the year 1881 occurred the marriage of our subject and Miss Ella Arnold, a native of this county. To this union have been born three sons: Emmett, Edmond and Eugene. In 1893 the family were sadly bereaved by the death of the devoted wife and mother. She was a loving parent, an affectionate wife and a kind neighbor, and in her death the entire neighborhood felt that they had sustained a severe loss.
After our subject's return from Kansas, he en- gaged in farming in Dresden and Prairie Town- ships until 1889, when he came to Sedalia and bought out the livery business of Murphy & Reese. In this business he has been engaged ever since, and it has proven to be a very profit- able investment. The building has a frontage of
one hundred and nine feet, is one hundred and twenty feet deep, and contains thirty-five stalls. Politically our subject is a member of the Democratic party, and socially is affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
A LBERT B. LOGAN, a well known and prominent lawyer of Warrensburg, was ad- mitted to the Bar in 1866, and has since been steadily engaged in practice, with the ex- ception of about two years and a-half, a portion of which time was devoted to teaching school. Since October, 1871, he has been an esteemed resident of this city, and quite a leader in the ranks of the Republican party. In 1872 he was appointed City Attorney, serving for two years, and in 1876 was made Assistant Attorney of the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Railroad, having charge of the preparation and trial of all cases outside of the city of St. Louis. His first vote was cast for John Brough for Governor of Ohio, in 1863, and his first Presidential ballot was deposited the year following, in favor of Abraham Lincoln. He has frequently served his county as a delegate to conventions, and has been pres- ent at every state assemblage of the kind for twenty years, or until 1894, when he declined, his son, Glen Hayes, being appointed instead. In 1884 he was one of the alternates to the National Convention in Chicago, which nomin- ated Blaine. He has never been an office-seeker, and was nominated against his will for the office of Prosecuting Attorney.
William Logan, the father of A. B., was born in Springfield, Va., June 11, 1806, being of Scotch-Irish descent. At an early day he was Colonel of a militia company, and when the War of the Rebellion broke out he was elected Captain of the company in which our subject enlisted, but as he was well along in years, his family dis-
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is a most estimable lady and has the love and re- spect of all who know her. Thirteen children came to bless their union, of whom the following are still living: Elizabeth, who is married and has four children; Alice, who is also married and has one child; and John, Charles, Louisa, George, James, Anna, Frank, Jesse and Eunice, who are still with their parents.
Mr. Kelly is an affable, courteous gentleman, and his hospitality and kindly nature win hin many friends. In politics he is a Republican, and is a stanch supporter of the party principles. He is an earnest Christian gentleman, holding membership with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and his name is always found on the do- nation lists for any worthy charity.
OHN S. MAYES is the owner of a beautiful farm comprising some four hundred and ten acres, situated a mile and a-half south of the thriving little city of Knobnoster, Johnson Coun- ty. The proprietor makes a specialty of stock- raising, and has become wealthy through the ex- ercise of excellent business ability and good mail- agement.
Mr. Mayes was born in this township, and here his entire life has been spent. His birth occurred August 3, 1851, and he is the third in the family of children born to John B. and Martha A. (Gil- lum) Mayes. The latter were both natives of the Blue Grass State, but came to Missouri when mere children. At that time, about 1833, this county had not yet been organized and few peo- ple had settled within its limits. For a period covering some twelve years, Mr. Mayes was County Judge, and during his prime he was very prominent in everything pertaining to the coun- ty's advancement. He and his esteemed wife are passing their declining years on a farm near Montserrat, this county, and are aged, respective- ly, seventy-one and sixty-eight years.
The primary education of J. S. Mayes was re-
ceived in the schools of his native district, and on arriving at a suitable age he decided to enter the medical profession. With that end in view, he took one term of lectures at the Missouri Med- ical College, when he found that, on account of failing health, he must give up his cherished pur- pose. For a short time after this he worked at tel- egraphy, but he had been reared as a farmer, and it is not strange that his thoughts often turned in that direction, or that he eventually concluded to become an agriculturist himself. In his chosen field of labor he has met with gratifying success, and this he well deserves.
In the fall of 1874, Mr. Mayes married Miss A. M. Lea, daughter of J. L. Lea, a well known physician of Montserrat, who has been in practice there for half a century. To the marriage of our subject and wife three children have been born, Bertha, Hattie and Vera, who live with their par- ents. Mrs. Mayes was born in this county, whither her parents had removed from their na- tive state, Kentucky, at an early day.
Both our subject and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and the for- mer holds the office of Elder in the congregation. Socially he is a member of Knobnoster Lodge No. 245, A. F. & A. M. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat of the stanchest kind.
EORGE W. SCHWABE, M. D. Among the prominent residents of Pettis County our subject deserves special mention as being one of its most skillful physicians. He is living in Bowling Green Township, but his large prac- tice calls him to many surrounding towns, by whose residents he is regarded as one of the best practitioners in the county.
Dr. Schwabe is a native of this state, and was born in Boone County, near the city of Columbia, October 22, 1855. His father, Henry C. Schwabe, was born on the River Weeser, in Germany, and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Sand-
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ker, was also a native of the Fatherland. There they were well educated, and after coming to America were married, in St. Charles County, Mo. They continued to make their home in that portion of the state for a time, when they moved to Boone County, where their son, our subject, was born. They possess a goodly amount of this world's goods, and for many years have lived in retirement in Columbia.
Six sons and five daughters comprised the pa- rental household, and of these our subject was the eighth in order of birth. His parents being in good circumstances, he was permitted to pursue his studies uninterruptedly, and after completing his literary education in the State University of Columbia he began the study of medicine in the office of a prominent physician of that city, Dr. A. W. McAlister. After making due prepara- tion to attend lectures, he went to Keokuk, Iowa, and was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at that place in March, 1883. Being provided with his diploma, he es- tablished himself for practice at Hallsville, Boone County, where he remained for about one year, when he changed his location to Pettis County, choosing Beaman as his home.
Dr. Schwabe was married, October 15, 1885, to Miss Emma Mose, the ceremony which made them one being performed in Rich Hill, Bates County, Mo. The lady was born near Terre Haute, Ind., August 9, 1858. Her father, George Mose, was a native of Holland, while her mother, whose maiden name was Martha Latham, was a native of New Jersey. They had born to them three children, of whom Mrs. Schwabe was the second. Her union with our subject has resulted in the birth of two sons and one daughter, George Blaine, Henry O. and Emma T.
The Doctor is a member of the District Cen- tral Medical Society, and is also connected with the Missouri State Medical Society. In politics he is a Republican, and takes a very active part in local affairs. He is one of the valued mem- bers of the Christian Church, contributing liber- ally to its support. His home farm is a fine tract of land, ninety acres in extent, and when not out making calls he may be found enjoying
the comforts of his country home. Mrs. Schwabe, who is finely educated, is a graduate of the Col- legiate Institute of Sedalia. From 1883 to 1885 she held the second position in the Rich Hill Graded School, and for a number of years taught in Cooper, Pettis and Bates Counties.
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HOMAS W. BAST. Among the clever and progressive young business men of Sedalia is this gentleman, who is meeting with splendid success as architect and supervis- or of the buildings he has planned. His abilities have been recognized by the people of this place and his services are in constant demand. Though his residence here covers less than five years, he has designed over one hundred and fifty build- ings within the city limits.
Mr. Bast was born in Wright City, Warren County, Mo., October 16, 1863, and is a son of David A. and Margaret (Williams) Bast. The father, who was born in Kentucky, learned the carpenter's trade, and in 1857 moved to Wright City, Mo., where he engaged in contracting and building. In 1881 he settled in Fulton, this state, where he continued in the same pursuits until shortly before his death, which occurred in 1893, at the age of sixty-two years. His wife was born in Warren County, Mo., and died in 1865, leaving a son and two daughters.
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