USA > Missouri > Buchanan County > St Joseph > The Daily news' history of Buchanan County and St. Joseph, Mo. From the time of the Platte purchase to the end of the year 1898. Preceded by a short history of Missouri. Supplemented by biographical sketches of noted citizens, living and dead > Part 32
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souri, which aided materially in the ton County, he abandoned the cam- war of the sections. His reception of paign and enlisted as a private in the the Prince of Wales in St. Louis was First Missouri cavalry. upon a call for so courteous that Albert Edward pro- troops to fight Mexico. He went with nounced him the most polished man Gen. Kearney's expedition, under Col he had met in the states. But the
Alexander W. Doniphan, as far as worm of the still was working in his Santa Fe. He was detailed to aid vitals; he was his worst enemy. Prior Colonel Doniphan in preparing a code to his death I was his major. He was of laws for the government of the ter- appointed colonel of volunteers under ritory of New Mexico. While thus Fremont, but excessive drinking caus- engaged he was notified that he had ed General Halleck to relieve him of been elected to Congress. As the his command. After that he lived a Congress to which he had been elect- life of Bohemianism in St. Joseph, ed did not meet until December, 1847. till the dark wings of Azrael overshad- he decided to go with General Kear- owed him, passing away comparative- ly friendless, and if I mistake not, the
ney to California. He was in Con- gress for six years. He was elected grassy hillock that covers his remains as one of the representatives of Buch- has no memorial to mark the spot.
"Thus one of Missouri's most fam- ous governors passed away, and he is mostly known for deeds that should be forgotten, rather for those that should halo his memory. Visiting the state capitol and mingling with its progressive people I could not help thinking when Bob Stewart was the brave fellow well-met , with all, and whose name was a household word from the Ozarks to the Iowas. I offer this laurel leaf in the columns of the Tribune to. the memory of a man that might have been worthy of much to imperial Missouri, but he fell by the wayside and passed away as an- arrow shot through the air."
WILLARD P. HALL-This name also figures prominently in the history of Missouri. He was born at Har- per's Ferry, Va., May 9, 1820, and
anan County to the convention of 1861 and was so ardent in his opposi- tion of secession, that when the con- vention assumed control of the state he was made lieutenant governor During the war he was prominent in the direction of military affairs and upon the death of Governor Gamble, January 31, 1864, General Hall was made governor, which office he filled until the inauguration of Governor Fletcher, January 2, 1865. He then resumed his law practice in St. Jo- seph, and was classed as one of Mis- souri's greatest lawyers. He died November 3, 1882. He was twice married-to his first wife, Miss Annie E. Richardson, in 1847 and to his second wife, Miss Ollie L. Oliver, in 1864. Of his children, Judge Willard P. Hall lives in St. Joseph.
SILAS WOODSON, the third
graduated from Yale College. In 1842 Buchanan County man to fill the gov- he came to Buchanan County and ernor's chair, was born in Knox
practiced law at Sparta. Governor County, Ky., May 18, 1819. He Reynolds appointed him circuit attor- worked on his father's farm, attended the log cabin school in the neighbor- hood and spent his leisure time in reading and study. He clerked for a ney. In 1844 he was a Democratic Presidential elector and had the honor of carrying the vote of the state elec- tors for James K. Polk, to Washing- time in a country 'store and then took ton. In 1846, while a candidate for up the study of law. He was admit- Congress against Judge Birch of Clin- ted to the bar in 1842. In 1842 he
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was a member of the Kentucky legis- ly addicted to playing truant, and hav- lature. and from 1843 to 1848 he was ing in numerous instances of desertion. circuit attorney In 1849 he was elect- from school been found perched on ed to the Kentucky constitutional the top of a scavenger's cart driven convention. In 1853 he was again a
by an ancient darkey, who rejoiced in member of the Kentucky legislature the name of Jeff Carlyle. By way of and in August of 1854 he came to St. shaming the young runaway and re- Joseph, where he opened a law office. In 1860 he was elected judge of the Twelfth judicial circuit. He was a Union man during the war and was on the staff of General Willard P. Hall. In 1872 he was nominated by from his native home to St. Joseph, the Democrats for governor and de- feated John B. Henderson, the Re- publicar. candidate. At the expiration of his term he resumed the practice of law in St. Joseph. In 1885 he was appointed judge of the criminal court of Buchanan county, which position he held until 1895, when he retired owing to failing health. He died Octo- ber 9. 1896. During his last illness he embraced the Catholic faith. He was married three times. His last wife was Miss Jennie Lard, daughter of Rev. Moses E. Lard, whom he married December 29, 1866, and who, with two daughters, survives him. He was a man of high character and a power- ful advocate before a jury.
claiming him from his objectionable habit, his friends called him "Jeff Carlyle." The name, however, clung to him through life and after he had attained to manhood, and emigrated many who knew him as "Jeff," and were ignorant or oblivious of the fact that it was a nick-name, continued so to address him. Powers of attorney were made out to him in this name under which, of course, he could not act, and in consequence he induced the legislature to legally affix "Jeff" to his name. On leav- ing home ir. 1846, he stopped in Lib- erty. Clay county, Missouri, where he clerked in a store about a year, at the end of which period he moved to St. Joseph and engaged as a clerk in the house of Middleton & Riley, remain- ing in the store till 1852, when he went in their interest to Great Salt Lake City. Returning in the fall, he started in partnership with Major Bogle, a grocery store in St. Joseph. He sub- sequently closed out his store and ac- companied, in the capacity of com- missary, the surveyors of the Hanni- bal & St. Joseph railroad. He after- wards returned from Hannibal in charge of a surveying party, having acquired during his trip by close ap- plication, a competent knowledge of practical surveying. He was entrusted with the task of constructing the west- ern division of the Hannibal & St. Joseph railroad, and remained in that position up to the period of its com- pletion in February. 1859. In 1858 he filled the office of city engineer, and in 1859 was elected mayor. He was pres-
M. JEFF THOMPSON. - This man figured as a brilliant genius in the early history of St. Joseph. General Thompson was born at Harper's Ferry, Va., January 22, 1826. His father Captain Merriweather Thomp- son, a prominent citizen of that place, was a native of Hanover County, Vir- ginia. He was for years in the pay- master's department of the United States army at Harper's Ferry. The proper name of the subject of this sketch was Merriweather. The appel- lation "Jeff" was a nick-name applied in childhood, and the manner in which he acquired his middle name is some- what amusing. It appears that in early life, the future general was anything but a studious child, indeed, was sore- ident of the Maryville or Palmetto &
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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
Roseport railroad (now St. Joseph & member of the firm of Harbine & Grand Island), secretary of the St. Thompson. He saw a great future in Joseph & Topeka Railroad company, the railroad to the west, and had not now out of existence; was a member the circumstances prevented, he might
M. JEFF THOMPSON.
of the Elwood Town company, and have given St. Joseph the first com- at the same time engaged in the real mercial place in this region. He estate business in St. Joseph, being a was a military man also, and in 1860
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and 1861 was colonel of a regiment of state guards. At the critical moment he cast his fortunes with the south and gave all of his wonderful energy and enthusiasm to that cause. The incident of taking the union colors from the postoffice is related in chap- ter IX. He made a brilliant record as a soldier, attained the rank of briga- dier general and was known as "Swamp Fox." Toward the close of 1864, being convinced that his cause was lost, he surrendered his command to the federal authorities, and for a time was a prisoner on Johnson Isl- and, near Sandusky, O. As soon as he was released he accepted the situa-
OLIVER MARTIN SPENCER- Judge Spencer comes from one of those prominent pioneer families of the West who have left such worthy examples and honorable names to their posterity. He was born on the old Spencer homestead, in Crawford Township, Buchanan county, Mo .. August 23, 1850. His father, Obadiah M. Spencer, was a native of North Carolina; his mother, Nancy Williams Spencer, a native of Kentucky. His parents came to Missouri in 1837. It was Judge Spencer's good fortune to see much of life and men when he was a boy. His father, who was one of the leading citizens of the Platte Purchase,
tion and was one of the first of the resided near the line of Platte county,
southern leaders to become recon- structed. Locating in New Orleans after the close of the war he engaged in the "hot-bed" of Southern sympa- thizers. "Tom," as he was nicknamed, and his four brothers were one day in in the grocery and liquor business for the company of the rebels, commonly a short time, and then, through the influence of General A. L. Lee, who with the Union troops. The boys in- had been a banker in St. Joseph and president of the Elwood Town com- but their father determined that his pany, General Thompson was appoint- ed surveyor general of Louisiana, a
called "bushwhackers," and the next clined toward the cause of the South, sons should neither fight to destroy the Union or oppose those with whom position which he held for eight years. he sympathized, and accordingly sent and the duties of which were so ardu- the older boys across the plains to ous as to completely break down Denver with a wagon train of freight. his constitution. Obtaining a leave "Tom," being too young, remained at of absence he traveled for a time and home to do active field work-that is, then came to St. Joseph, where he in the corn field. Too young to ex- became bedfast and died at the Paci- cite the partisan animosity and sus- fic house, on September 5, 1876. His picion of the contending adherents of remainst rest at Mount Mora ceme- North and South, he was still old tery. He was a brother to Charles M. enough and shrewd enough to appre- Thompson, formerly recorder of the ciate the constant danger that menaced city, and many years deputy under his parents, and with the ubiquity of Samuel D. Cowan, clerk of the cir- boyhood he assisted in no small degree cuit court, and who now resides in in the efforts of his parents to pre- California. Broaddus Thompson, a serve their lives and property from the prominent attorney here, who was ravages of war. An incident occurred noted for his refinement and culture, in 1865, that determined the career of was also a brother. General Thomp- young Spencer. The pedagogue who son was married at Liberty, Mo., in was teaching his "young ideas how to 1848, to Miss Emma Hays, of Balti- shoot" concluded one day that his more. Mrs. Al. Bailey of this city. is an offspring of this union."
pupil would have to be disciplined on account of a fight he had engaged in
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with Zeke Whittington at the Spencer roundings, went again to St. Joseph, school house, in Buchanan county. this time to become a student of the The youngster, however, differed with high school. This was in 1868, and the instructor about the necessity for during the following year he entered such a proceeding, and while the the State University at Columbia, Mo. teacher went after the switch with which to bestow the chastisement, "Tom" tackled Zeke another round
In 1871 he became a student at the Christian University at Canton, Mo., from which he was graduated with or two and then took French leave, one of the honors of the institution in and when the teacher returned he had 1873. Subsequently he read law at to be satisfied with whipping Zeke. Leavenworth. residing with his pa-
OLIVER M. SPENCER.
The next morning his father sent him rents, who had in the meantime re- to the Raffington school at St. Jo- moved to Kickapoo, Kan., six miles speh, where he remained for a year north of Leavenworth. To reach the and made rapid progress in his studies, office, he was in the habit of riding He has often said that he owes his to the city each morning on horse- present vocation in life to Zeke Whit- back and returning home in the even- tington, whom for many years he has ing. In 1874 he entered the law school counted as one of his best friends. at Harvard. The following year he After the ending of the school year, young Spencer returned to his fath- opened an office for the practice of his profession at St. Joseph. Like er's farm, and after another twelve- nearly every Missouri lawyer who has month spent amidst its natural sur- made his mark on his time, Judge
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Spencer passed through the school of Judge Spencer was married in the Prosecuting Attorneyship. The ex- 1875 to Miss Lillian, daughter of Jo- perience therein gained is generally of immediate pecuniary value, as it serves to bring before the people from whom seph Tootle and a niece of the late Milton Tootle, during his life one of the wealthiest merchants of St. Jo- his clients must come, and gives him seph. Her mother was a sister of many opportunities to measure his James McCord. Mrs. Spencer was a ability against the experience and lady of rare accomplishments, but skill of his older professional breth- ren. It is likewise useful in giving the young professional a knowledge of the criminal law, which is not without its value though he practices afterward wholly in the civil branch. Young Spencer was elected and began his term as prosecuting attorney of Bu- chanan county in 1880, serving the full two years term. During this time he died in 1880, at the age of 24 vears, when her youngest child was only 12 months old. Two bright boys were born to Judge and Mrs. Spencer; Harry Heddens, born July 20, 1877, and Edwin O. M., born July 4, 1879. On March 5, 1895, Judge Spencer was married to Miss Katherine Turner, of Columbia, Mo., a daughter of Col. and Mrs. S. Turner. They have a fine baby was a member of the legal firm con- boy, to whom they have named Tom.
sisting of Williard P. Hall, Jr., and himself, which was known as Spencer & Hall. A decade of practtice had won the favorable opinion of the people of the populous county of Buchanan. It is therefore no surprise to learn that the people acquiesced in the action of representatives of the Democratic party, when in 1886, they nominated Mr. Spencer for circuit judge. It is a fact of special significance and which speaks eloquently of the favor with which he was viewed, that the Repub- lican lawyers of the circuit joined in the call and refused to nominate a candidate against him, a compliment as certainly without political bias as the estimate of his character and fit- ness, from such a source, was reliable and worthy of consideration. Judge Spencer's term on the bench was char- acterized by capability and impartialty. He did not occupy the bench the full term, however, as at the end of four years he resigned to accept the posi- tion of general solicitor of the Bur- ligton railroad system in Missouri, and he still occupies that place. He was, at one time, a member of the firm of Spencer, Burnes & Mosman, recog- nized as one of the strongest legal combinations of the state.
COL. JOHN DONIPHAN is a de- scendant of Don Alfonso Iphan, a Spanish cavalier, knighted by the king of Spain for gallantry on the battle- field. Don Iphan went to Scotland, where the name became anglicised in- to Doniphan. His son accompanied John Smith to Jamestown in 1607, and in 1650, his grandson, who had mar- ried a Miss Mott, was banished by Cromwell, with the Mott family, to Virginia. Charles the Second reward- ed their services with a grant of land in the Northern Neck. This fell to one Mott Doniphan, according to the records of King George county, and his descendants lived there until the revolution.
In 1791 Joseph Doniphan, one of the descendants, and the grandfather of our subject, emigrated to Kentucky with his family and spent the first winter in a double log cabin at the mouth of Limestone (now Maysville) witli Simon Kenton. He settled and died in Mason county. His son Thom- as, the father of our subject, after the war of 1812, settled in Brown county, Ohio, in order to emancipate a large family of slaves held by inheritance.
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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
He bought a tract of land, built a record, and is the oldest lawyer by cabin for each and gave theni $50 and continued service now at the bar.
a horse apiece. It was here John was Colonel Doniphan was the first pres- born, July 12, 1826. His father dy- ident of the Weston, Atchison & St. ing while he was young he learned the Joseph railroad, now the K. C., St. J. printer's art at Maysville, Kentucky, & C. B. and was for ten years an at- and in 1844 he entered the clerk's of- torney for it; he resigned in 1870 to fice. through the kindness of Colonel build the Atchison branch of the Chi- Marshall Key, county and circuit cago & Southwestern, and in 1872 was clerk for Mason county, and read elected attorney of the St Joseph & law. In 1846 he came to Missouri to Denver City, now the Grand Island,
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JOHN DONIPHAN.
accompany his uncle, Colonel Alex- which enabled him to add many miles ander W. Doniphan, on his expedi- of railroad to the city of St. Joseph, tion to Chihuahua, but being dissa- and held the position for fifteen years. pointed, returned to Kentucky and For eight years he was a manager of graduated at the law school at Louis- the Asylum board and part of the ville in the class of 1847; and in 1848 time president.
In 1854 Colonel Doniphan was
returned to 'Missouri and settled at Weston, then the second city in the elected as a Whig to the legislature in state. On the first day of April, Platte county by 106 votes against 600 1849, he became a member of the bar Democratic majority, the first Whig of Buchanan County, as shown by the ever elected to office in the county in
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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
a contest. In 1862 he was elected as years, was mail agent about fifteen lieutenant colonel of the Thirty-ninth years; city marshal twice, deputy Missouri militia and was in active United States marshal twice, and in service much of the time to the end 1894, was declared elected county clerk over Robert M. Nash, Democrat. Held the office about six months and was forced to retire. under Judge A. M. Woodson's desision, the election hav- ing been contested. He was married was lected judge of the court of com- to Miss Emily Barnes, April 4, 1852, and they have four children. of the war. In 1862 he was elected to the senate and served four years, and in 1867 to the house. Both positions were without opposition and involved great responsibility. Afterwards he mon pleas in his absence and without his knowledge. He was one of the first and most effective campaigner's GEORGE M. HAUCK, a veteran miller was born June 15, 1831, in Ger- many, and came to America when I tution, and his attitude subjected year old. He lived at Cincinnati and in Indiana till 1865, when he came to St. Joseph and engaged in the milling business. He was city collector from 1872 to 1874. Was married in 1863 to against the test oath and other ob- noxious features of the Drake consti- him to much personal risk in those troublesome times. Colonel Doniphan has been an enthusiastic Odd Fellow for fifty years, and has filled the po-
sition of Grand Master and Grand Miss Elizabeth Becker, in Indiana. Representative. He has achieved fame She died August 20, 1867, leaving him as a lawyer, as an orator and as a one boy. In 1869 he was married to historiar .. He has given much of his Miss Catherine Wagner, who with time to the public without the hope three girls is still living.
of reward, holding this to be one of the duties of correct citizenship. In April of 1898, he consented to be- come a candidate on the Democratic ticket for the office of police judge. and was elected by an overwhelming vote to this position, which he now holds. Colonel Doniphan was married November 18, 1852, to Fannie Thorn- tor., daughter of Colonel John Thorn- ton, one of the pioneers of Clay coun- ty, Mo. They had three sons, all of whom are dead. Mrs. Doniphan is a noble woman, who has given much of her time and means to charity, and who is now at the head of several Christian and philanthropical organi- zations.
THOMAS PERRY GORDON, live stock commission and grain mer- chant, was born in Andrew county, Mo., August 20 1858. He attended the St. Joseph high school, and since 1887 has been engaged in his present busi- ness, his office being No. 33 Board of Trade building. Mr. Gordon was mar- ried December 25, 1883, at Morrill, Kna., to. Miss Lena Watts, who was born in Indiana in 1867. They have two children, a boy and a girl.
ORRILLIS E. SHULTZ, assistant prosecuting attorney, was born in Gentry county, February 21, 1871, his father being a farmer. He attended school at the Northwest, Missouri col- lege, Albany and at Clarence, Mo., later taking a course in the Missouri State University, from which he grad-
ENOS CRAIG. ex-sheriff. ex-city marshal and ex-county clerk, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, April 27, 1829, and came to St. Joseph in 1850; uated in 1898. Came to St. Joseph in went to California in 1852 and re- June, 1898, and began to practice law; turned to St. Joseph in 1859. He was was appointed assistant prosecuting at- elected sheriff in 1862, serving two torney January 1, 1899.
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DR. MILTON B. TOWNSEND Republican; he represented the second was born in this city May 15, 1868. ward in the city council for two years, His father, John Townsend, is one of and was a member of the first non- the most prominent business men in partisan. school board. He was married St. Joseph. Dr. Townsend was edu- at Lafayette, Mo., in 1882, to Miss Eliza O. Shindel. and they have two
cated in the St. Joseph public schools, and then took up the study of medi- children, a boy and a girl.
cine. taking a thorough course and graduating with high honors from the RICE D. GILKEY, city treasurer, Jefferson medical college, Philadel- was born in Kentucky, January 31,
DR. M. B. TOWNSEND.
phia. He was assistant physician at the Home of the Friendless, was as- sistant demonstrator of anatomy at for fourteen years, after which he en- Ensworth medical college and physi- cian to the Free Kindergarten.
1841, and came to St. Joseph in 1865. He was manager of the Pacific Hotel
gaged in the grocery business; from 1884 to 1887 was coal oil inspector for St. Joseph. In 1896 he was elected city treasurer and the first Democrat to hold that office in twenty-five years. He was re-elected in 1898 and is now serving his second term. He was mar-
DAVID E. MARSHALL, contrac- tor, was born. at Lewes, Del., Septem- ber 18, 1856, and came West in 1881, locating in St. Joseph, and engaging in the building business, as a contrac- ried in St. Joseph in 1871 to Miss Joan tor of brick work. Mr. Marshall is a McDonald.
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HATHON G. GETCHELL, man- after serving two years as assistant ager of the Merchants' Transfer com- under W. B. Norris. He was married pany, was born in Bath, Maine, in June 1, 1893, to Miss Mary C. Hills, August, 1855. His father was a native of Ottumwa, Ia.
of New Brunswick, and was a ship- builder and contractor and builder.
COL. JOHN F. TYLER, real es- Our subject had a high school and tate, loans and insurance, is a native business education, then learned the of Jenesville, Va., born September 12, 1838. Mr. Tyler graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1859, and went to Lexington, Mo., where he
roofer's trade, and after a partnership with his father, located in Memphis, Tenn., where he engaged in the roof- ing business, remaining until 1884, taught school. He entered the army in when he came to St. Joseph and was engaged with the St. Joseph Gas com- later was colonel of the First Missouri, pany. A year later he formed the St. Joseph Roofing company in partner- ship with C. H. Nash. Two years later he went into partnership with James N. Burnes, Jr., in the street paving
1861, as a private, was elected major; was in charge of the Southwestern Missouri, district; came to St. Joseph in 1865; was merchant and farmer till 1872, when he began practicing law, and later engaged in his present busi- business, which was successfully car- ness. He was married in Lexington, ried on for several years. Mr. Getchell Mo., November 9, 1862, to Miss Jane meantime inventing a new paving E. Spratt, who did May 8, 1887. known as "Getchell's Composite Pav- ing." He was also general manager and secretary of the Empire Loan As- sociation, which he was instrumental in organizing. Was appointed internal revenue collector in 1889, but resigned eighteen months later. He is now the manager of the Merchants' Transfer company. Mr .. Getchell is prominent
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