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 84
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 84
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Until he was eighteen years of age, our subject lived in the city of his birth, and was educated in its public schools. Under his father's instruction he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for nine years steadily. In 1881 he went to Texas for one year, being employed in Dallas, and also assisted in the building of the court house at Graham. Becoming desirous of further qualifying himself, he went to St. Louis, where he studied architecture in a night school, in the mean time working at his trade during the day in order to meet his expenses. On becoming
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master of the art of architecture, he wisely select- ed Sedalia as his first field of employment in this direction, and the success which has attended him is well merited.
January 23, 1889, Mr. Bast was married, in Warsaw, Mo., to Katie, daughter of Rev. James D. Steele, late of Warrensburg, and a minister in the United Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Bast was born in Galesburg, Ill., and by her marriage has become the mother of three children: Steele, Mary and T. W., Jr. Mr. Bast is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and is a Steward in the congregation.
Socially our subject is a member of the Knights of Pythias, being Past Prelate of that order. He is also connected with Sedalia Lodge No. 1, R. T. of J., and is a Modern Woodman of Amer- ica. In his political convictions he is a believer in the principles advocated by the Democratic party.
2 AYTON P. EMBREE. The name with which we head this biography needs no in- troduction, the owner being well known in public and private life as an agriculturist of high repute in Johnson County. His excellent estate of three hundred and eighty acres is pleasantly located on section 15, township 45, range 24, and is one of the most attractive homes in the county.
Mr. Embree was born at Stanford, Lincoln County, Ky., April 25, 1827, to John and Mary Ann (Herring) Embree, both natives of the Blue Grass State, where they made their home until 1830, the year in which they made the journey to Missouri. Making settlement in Cooper County, they remained there for the succeeding seven years, dying in 1837. Payton P. was a lad of nearly ten years when this calamity overtook him, and although permitted to attend school a short time, early began working on the farm of an uncle. He remained in his employ until seven-
teen years of age, when he found a position in a gristmill, where his services brought him in $10 per month. This he considered very high wages, as it was so much more money than had ever been given him before, although he had other times worked just as long and just as industri- ously.
Mr. Embree was married at the age of twenty- two years, and, locating on a farmi, began its cul- tivation in his own interest. He lived in Cooper County until 1865, when he sold his possessions there and removed to Henry County, which lo- cality was the scene of his operations until 1877. Since that time, however, he has been identified with the interests of Johnson County. His entire life, with the exception of three years, has been passed on a farm. That period he lived in War- rensburg, whitlier he had removed on account of the ill-health of his wife. While there he was en- gaged in the livery business, and was regarded with respect and esteem by the many friends whom he made.
The family circle was broken in upon by the death of the mother, June 9, 1891. She was married to Mr. Embree in May, 1849, and prior to that event was known as Miss Cynthia A. Mc- Farland. Her parents were Jesse and Anın Mc- Farland, early pioneers of Missouri, whence they came from North Carolina and located near Barnesville. Mrs. Embree became the mother of seven children, but three of whom are now living. They are Mary Ann, wife of W. S. McIntyre, of Harrisonville, this state; William L., a promi- nent boot and shoe dealer of Warrensburg; and Jessie, who is married, and living in Galveston, Tex.
Payton Embree, who although nearly three- score years and ten, looks many years younger, is still actively engaged in work on his farm. In religious affairs he is identified with the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination, with which his wife was also connected during her lifetime. In politics he is a Democrat, believes in the doctrines of free trade, and is never backward in showing his faith in the tenets of his party. He has been a hard worker, and his magnificent farm and many substantial buildings
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show his industry. His son William L. served for four years as Deputy County Collector, and was subsequently elected County Collector, suc- cessfully filling the office for two terms.
AMES H. MARA, who for many years has held the responsible position of Chief Clerk in the office of the Superintendent of the Missouri Pacific Railway, was born in Canada, July 7, 1857. His paternal ancestors were of Irish birth, while on his mother's side he traces his lineage to England. He is the son of Thomas and Alice (Bridges) Mara, natives, respectively, of Dublin, Ireland, and England, who were mar- ried in the first-named place, and soon afterward emigrated to Canada. About 1859 they came to Jefferson City, Mo., where the father secured a position as assistant roadmaster on the Missouri Pacific Railway. Later he was transferred to Lex- ington, this state, and was promoted to be road- master. From that place he went to Syracuse, as roadmaster of the Middle Division. While mak- ing his home in the latter town, he died in Kan- sas City, in May, 1885. His widow still resides in Syracuse.
The parental family consisted of four children, of whom James H. is the only son and the eldest child. He was reared principally in Syracuse, Mo., where he attended the high school, under the tutelage of Prof. Robideau Allison. At the age of fourteen he learned telegraphy in the of- fice of the Missouri Pacific agent at Syracuse, and in November, 1871, accepted a position as night operator in Washington, this state. Later he was substitute operator over the entire Mis- souri Pacific Railway. It 1873 he became day operator at Tipton, Mo., where he remained for three years. He was then transferred to Kansas City, where for a year he was day operator and for eight years chief clerk to Superintendent Hale. From that city he went to Atchison, Kan., as chief clerk to Superintendent W. W.
Fagan, remaining in that capacity for eighteen months. In January, 1886, he came to Sedalia as chief clerk to Superintendent E. K. Sibley, and remained with his successor, having filled the position since that time. There are six clerks under him, and his position is one of great re- sponsibility and trust.
In Kansas City, Mo., in March, 1886, occurred the marriage of Mr. Mara and Miss Lizzie Reeves, daughter of W. E. Reeves, who fills the position of agent for lost cars on the Missouri Pacific at Kansas City. One child blesses their union, a son named Thomas Reeves. Mrs. Mara was born in Quincy, Ill., and received an excellent educa- tion in Kansas, lier intelligence and accomplish- ments fitting her to adorn the most cultured cir- cles of society. In religious belief she is an Epis- copalian.
Though not active in politics, Mr. Mara is a stanch Democrat, and the party in Sedalia has no supporter more steadfast and loyal than he. So- cially he is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to Sedalia Lodge No. 18, of which he is Secretary. He is also Recorder of St. Omer Commandery No. II, K. T., and is connected with the Ararat Shrine at Kansas City. In addition to these or- ders, he is also a member of Sedalia Lodge No. 125, B. P. O. E., and is Commander of Se- dalia Council No. 1239. His course throughout his entire business career has been such as to commend him to the superior officials of the road and to everyone with whom he is brought in con- tact, and he holds a high place in the regard of the people of Sedalia.
UDGE A. D. FISHER, one of Sedalia's most respected citizens, has been engaged in the practice of law in this city for over twenty years. He has served longer as a Jus- tice of the Peace than any other occupying a like position in this section. It was in 1874 that he was first elected, serving for two terms of two
31
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years each, and later for one term of four years. The ensuing term he resumed his general law practice. In 1886 he was returned to his former place, again in 1890, and once more in 1894.
Judge Fisher was born near Wilmington, Clin- ton County, Ohio, June 11, 1827. His grand- father, Daniel Fisher, a Quaker, was of German descent. He was born in New Jersey and inoved to North Carolina, where lie was engaged in farming. Our subject's father, Theodore, was a native of Guilford County, N. C., and was brought up on a farm. After his marriage to Martha Dillon, a native of the same state, he mov- ed to Ohio. Entering land near the county seat of Clinton County at an early day, he improved and made a good farm. During the War of 1812 he left home and fought for his country. In 1829 he moved to Illinois and entered three hundred and twenty acres near Tremont, in Tazewell County. This place he also improved, and after a time engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods on his farm. In 1860 he took up his abode in Washburn, where he died in 1868, in his eighty-fourth year. Both he and his wife had been brought up as members of the Society of Friends. He was first a Whig and afterwards a Republican. His wife was the daughter of Daniel Dillon, a North Carolina farmer, of Scotch-Irish descent. Mrs. Fisher died at the age of seventy- three years.
In a family of six sons and three daughters the Judge is the youngest, and from the time he was two years of age he was reared in Tazewell County, Ill. His education was such as was afforded by the schools of that day. Later he en- tered Fremont Academy, and in 1847 took up a course of study at Knox College, graduating therefrom in 1851 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Then for the next six years he engaged in teaching school in his home district, and for two years was Principal. In the mean time he had taken up the study of law under the instruction of Judge Putterbaugh, and in 1861 was admitted to the Bar before the Supreme Court in Ottawa, Il1. On commencing practice he settled in Peoria, Ill., in partnership with L. R. Webb and Mr. Davison. In 1870 he went to Watseka, Ill.,
where he remained a year. Then, going to Little Rock, Ark., he practiced there two years, and in 1872 opened an office in Sedalia, where he has since conducted an extensive practice.
The Judge was first married in Rock Island, Il1., to Addie, daughter of Dr. Hardy, of Tazewell County. They had one son, Theodore H., who is engaged in the job-printing business in this city. Mrs. Fisher died in 1880, and the Judge later wedded Miss E. J. Barker, who was born in Lexington, Mo. Since 1874 he has made his home at the southeast corner of Harrison and Fif- teenth Streets. He is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Judge materially assisted in ferreting out and breaking up the Golden Circle, thus avoiding a great deal of bloodshed and trouble. For years he has been active in the ranks of the Republican party, and for some time he was a member of the Union League. Formerly he was prominent in the Good Templars' order and is now connected with the Royal Templars of Temperance.
JOHN O. WHITSETT was long one of the most esteemed and public-spirited men of Johnson County. At the time of his decease, April 4, 1880, he owned a well improved farm, pleasantly located on section 29, township 48, range 25. He was a very progressive agricultur- ist, and was not averse to accepting new and prac- tical ideas in regard to the management of his farm, though he did not neglect any of the tried and established methods. He always resided in this state, and was born in Lafayette County, January 6, 1827.
The parents of our subject were James D. and Nancy (Horn) Whitsett, the former of whoni was born across the seas, in Germany, and the latter in Tennessee. Grandfather Whitsett emi-
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grated to America many years ago, and, making his way to this state, located in Lafayette County, where he farmed for the remainder of his life. The Horn family also came to this section in an early day, and, like the ancestors of our subject on his father's side, chose Lafayette County as their future home.
The parents of James O. were married in Lafayette County and there lived until 1841, when they came to Johnson County, purchasing land near where the widow of our subject now resides. The father departed this life in 1842, but the mother lived until 1866, when she, too, passed away. They were the parents of a family of nine children, only two of whom are now living. In referring to them in the order of their birth we give the following: Sallie married Porter Rice, but both are deceased; William C. was married, but he and his wife have passed to their long home; Robert M., who chose for his wife Nan- cy Whitehead, is deceased, but his wife makes her home in St. Joseph, this state; Lucy, who became the wife of Henry Powell, and is now de- ceased, was formerly a resident of California; Mack married Elastina Rollins, and is living at the present time in Odessa, Mo .; Samuel, who married Annie Palmer, is now deceased, and his wife is living in California; Ellen became the wife of Henry Gossett, but both are deceased; and Melinda became the wife of James Sweice- good, and they make their home in Lawrence County, this state.
Our subject remained an inmate of the old home until his marriage, which occurred Novem- ber 6, 1856. His wife, formerly Mrs. Rebecca (Craft) Clark, was born in Brooke County, Va., January 23, 1834, and was the daughter of David and Margaret (McConnell) Craft, both of whom were born in the above county. There they lived on a farm until the year 1843, when they came to Missouri and settled in Johnson County. They owned a valuable piece of land in the Old Dominion, and as Missouri was a new state and sparsely settled, they hoped to add to their pos- sessions by removing hither. They lived for eighteen months on land near the home of Mrs. Whitsett, and then removed to Lafayette County,
making their home there from February, 1845, to 1877. In the latter year they disposed of their property and became residents of Butler County, Kan., where the father is living retired at the home of his son, being eighty-six years of age. His wife died August 5, 1877. To Mr. and Mrs. Craft there were born seven children, namely: Rebecca, William, Ewing, Robert, Clarinda, Edgar and Emery.
Mrs. Whitsett was twice married, hier first union uniting her with James Clark, of Lafayette County. After their marriage they lived on a farm near Concordia, where he died, March 18, 1854. After her marriage with our subject the couple lived for a year on rented land, two miles east of the property which Mrs. Whitsett now occupies. Mr. Whitsett took great pride in beautifying and improving his property, making it his home until his death, in 1880.
To our subject and his estimable wife there were born nine children, only five of whom are now living. Lou Alice, who was born Decem- ber 2, 1859, and married Amos Groom, makes her home in Higginsville. William Dobson was born January 22, 1862, and died five days later. Sallie was born February 14, 1863, and married Shade Nettle, a resident of California. Cora, who was born March 13, 1865, departed this life August 28 of the following year. George Washington was born February 22, 1867, and died January 7, 1870. Charles, who was born November 25, 1870, is unmarried, and lives with his mother on the home farm. Ella was born March 2, 1873, and married Lee Wyre; they now live on a farm near Valley City. Florence B., who was born July 24, 1876, mar- ried Maynard Higgins, and they are at present living with Mrs. Whitsett. Almanza, who was born October 1, 1857, died October 24, 1858.
Mrs. Whitsett has continued to reside on the old place since the death of her husband, and with the aid of her son and son-in-law manages affairs in a most praiseworthy manner. They were both members of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church, and took great interest in all benevolent work of the neighbourhood. During the late war our subject was not permitted to
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enter the service on account of ill-health. His sympathies, however, were with the Union cause. He was School Director of his district for some time, and was well known and highly esteemed by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.
A RTHUR L. GARVIN. Throughout this portion of Johnson County the passer-by will find no better estate than that belonging to our subject. It is ninety acres in extent and is pleasantly located on section 12, township 44, range 28. He was born in Lafayette County, near Odessa, April 4, 1854, and is the son of Hugh and Eleanor A. (Hook) Garvin.
The father of our subject was born in Penn- sylvania, and was about thirteen years of age when he left home and went to New York City. There he learned the trade of a carpenter, and upon reaching mature years was married. A few years afterward he and his wife moved to Balti- more, Md., where he continued to ply his trade and where Mrs. Garvin died. Of the children of the first marriage we make the following men- tion: James J., one of the sons, also learned the carpenter's trade. He was born December 28, 1824, and died in November, 1893, leaving a family of five children. The eldest of the house- hold, Elizabeth, Mrs. Pugh, was born February 3, 1821, and now makes her home in West Vir- ginia; Sarah J. was born April 2, 1823; Will- iam H., October 8, 1826; Theodore, August 28, 1833; and William Jones, December 20, 1837. While a resident of Baltimore the father was appointed by the Government a Lumber In- spector. He was possessed of more than ordin- ary education and was a man of good judgment and shrewd business qualifications.
From Baltimore the father of our subject went to Hampshire County, Va., where he met and married Miss Hook, who became the mother of four children, of whom Arthur L. was the young- est. Francis Marion was born in Virginia De-
cember 22, 1848; La Fayette was born August 28, 1850, and died October 18, 1851; Virginia was born July 13, 1852, and departed this life February 10, 1873.
In 1853 Hugh Garvin came to Missouri, locat- ing in Lafayette County, where he purchased a small farm and at the same time worked at his trade. He was living there at the time of his de- cease, which occurred December 21, 1858. Mrs. Eleanor Garvin survived a number of years, pass- ing away March 19, 1879. The father was a de- voted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and socially was an Odd Fellow.
At the early age of nine years our subject be- gan to work out in order to support his widowed mother. She was afterward married to Ednan Berry Cheatham, but her husband only survived three months. Her third marriage was to John McAllister, who is also now deceased. By study- ing every spare moment our subject managed to get a fair education, although he began to make his own way in the world when quite young. He was allowed to keep his own wages on reaching his seventeenth year, although he always con- tributed to the support of his mother and other members of the family. He was employed by the month until nineteen years of age, making it a rule to lay aside each pay day a portion of his earnings.
In 1872 our subject joined a party for Texas, inaking the journey overland in six months. Upon reaching the Lone Star State he began working on the railroad, and for a few months held a position in a sawmill. The following year, however, he returned home, and as soon as his preparations could be made went to Colorado and engaged to work on a sheep ranch, remaining thus employed until 1875. During that time he had saved about $400, which he invested in a team and began farming on rented land. He was remarkably successful in his ventures in this in- dustry and very soon was enabled to purchase forty acres near Odessa. To this he later added ten acres which he received from his father's es- tate.
Mr. Garvin was married in West Cairo, 'Allen County, Ohio, May 11, 1881, to Miss Margaret
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C. Simmons, a native of Hampshire County, Va., whom he met in Missouri. She was the daugh- ter of Aaron and Mary (Cooper) Simmons, and her birth occurred February 6, 1854. In the Old Dominion she was reared to mature years and was there given a good common-school education.
In 1892 our subject sold his property in La- fayette County and invested his means in ninety acres of land in this county, where he now lives. He has greatly improved the estate and now has the satisfaction of knowing it to be one of the neatest and pleasantest homes in the township. The residence is a comfortable structure and is made more homelike by the many flowers and shrubs which surround it, the work of Mrs. Garvin.
Mr. and Mrs. Garvin have had five children, all of whom were born in Clay Township, Lafay- ette County, Mo. Etta May, who was born April 12, 1882, died August 21 of that year; Virgil F. was born September 2, 1883; Leroy, May 25, 1887; Mary Ethel, April 7, 1890; and Otha Hinton, June 25, 1892. In politics Mr. Garvin is a Democrat and cast his first Presiden- tial vote for Tilden. He is active in political life and has been sent as a delegate to the various county and state conventions of his party.
12 ANIEL C. BALDWIN, a leading merchant of Holden, was born in Darke County, Ohio, April 8, 1834, and is a son of William and Mary (Mckenzie) Baldwin. His parents moved across the line into Jay County, Ind., when he was but an infant, and there he grew to manhood on a farm, receiving his primary education in the country schools, which he attended a few months in the winter, while at other times he assisted in the farm work. He remained at home until sev- enteen years of age, when he began life for him- self, having lost his mother at the age of fifteen. His father was a carpenter by trade, and our sub-
ject learned that business with him. On leaving home he worked at his trade as a journeyman in the summer months and attended school during the winter, traveling in various parts of the West. He early had an inclination to study medicine, and began to read in the office of Dr. James Mar- quis, with whom he made his home for six years.
In Jay County, Ind., in February, 1858, Mr. Baldwin was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Matheny, a native of Pennsylvania. After their marriage he removed to Marshall County, Ind., where he followed his trade during the summer season, and in the winter kept up his reading of medicine. In 1863 he went to Coffey County, Kan., where he dealt in land and stock, and also continued his studies. In the summer of 1864 he enlisted in the Kansas State Militia and served as Orderly-Sergeant of Company I, under Capt. Curt Phillips. He was on duty from Coffey County eastward to the Missouri line, and as far south as Ft. Scott, helping to rid the state of Price and his followers. On the march our subject was detailed to gather up recruits and stragglers, in which he did good service for his country. He remained in the army until the close of the war. While absent his father remained with his family in Coffey County and took care of them.
After returning home our subject gave his at- tention to trading in stock and land, still study- ing under Dr. William McMullen, formerly of Auglaize, Mercer County, Ohio, but who was then living in Burlington, Kan. In the winter of 1871-72 he attended lectures at the Cincinnati Eclectic Institute, from which he was graduated in June, 1872. He then began practice in Burling- ton, Kan., but only remained there for a few months, then removing to Chautauqua County, Kan., where he practiced until 1894, when he re- moved to Holden. He had been extensively en- gaged in the land business, but in the summer of 1893 he bought out the hardware business of A. O. Bettes, to whom he traded farm land in Chau- tauqua County.
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Since his removal to Holden Dr. Baldwin has not given attention to the practice of his profes- sion, but has confined it exclusively to trade. He is a self-made man in both his education and his
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successful financial career. He is a stanch Re- publican, but has neither sought nor accepted public office. He has always taken a deep inter- est in the development of the country in which he lived, and for sixteen years served on the Agricult- ural Board while residing in Kansas. He also served as Vice-President of the State Horticult- ural Association, representing Chautauqua Coun- ty for fifteen years.
Five children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Baldwin: W. Worth, who received a good mer- cantile education, and is now a successful farmer of Chautauqua County, Kan., where he has an interesting family; Mary E., who married Arthur H. Hockett, who lives in Gypsum, Colo., where he is engaged in the stock business; Orange P., who has two children, and now resides near Cleve- land, Okla., where he is engaged in farming; and Charles M. and Alice May, both residing at home, the latter engaged as a bookkeeper in her father's store.
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