USA > Missouri > Jackson County > The History of Jackson county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens, Jackson county in the late warhistory of Missouri, map of Jackson county > Part 118
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Having lost his wife about the time of the breaking out of the war, he had sent to the home of his parents in Indiana his two children born in California, Rush B., the elder, six, and Frank S., four years old. When the war ended he followed his children, and on the 30th day of August, 1865, made his home in Kansas City.
In August of the following year a violent epidemic of Asiatic cholera made its appearance in Kansas City, during the prevalence of which the doctor ren- dered efficient service. In April, 1867, he was appointed city physician, and fearing a return of the fatal epidemic, a Board of Health was established, of which Dr. Todd was ex officio president. On January 21, 1867, he was united in maraiage with Mrs. Thirza F. Dean, daughter of Thomas Scott, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, widow of Dr. William H. Dean, and sister of the wife of the well- known attorney, Col. D. S. Twitchell.
In 1869 our subject conceived the idea of founding a college of medicine at Kansas City, and after consultations with Doctors A. B. Taylor, E. W. Schauffler, D. R. Porter, T. B. Lester, and other leading physicians, a charter was obtained and an organization effected under the title of "The Kansas City College of Physicians and Surgeons," now changed to the " Kansas City Medical College." Dr. Todd was appointed to the chair of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women, and was made president of the faculty, which position he has continued to fill up to the present date, except for one year, when Dr. T. B. Lester was the presiding officer.
Dr. Todd has been honored by his professional brethren in many ways. In 1872 he was elected vice-president of the Medical Association of the State of Missouri, and in 1873 was made president of the same. By virtue of this he is an honorary member of this association. He is also an honorary member of the State Medical Society of Kansas ; is a member of the American Medical Associa- tion, and corresponding member of the Boston Gynæcological Society. His two sons are grown to manhood and both are young men of much promise.
Dr. Todd is conceded one of the best scholars and physicians in the city. Pleasing in his address, kind in his manners, his cheerful presence makes him a welcome visitor in the sick room.
MARSTON D. TREFREN,
Attorney, was born in Lancaster, New Hampshire, February 9, 1824, but was reared in Burlington, Vt., where he graduated from the Vermont, State University
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in his seventeenth year. After his graduation, on account of his health being impaired by close application to study, his father sent him to Atlanta, Georgia, where he resided for a short time when he went to New Orleans and became the purser of the Sherwell, a Gulf steamer, belonging to his uncle, plying between New Orleans and Cuba. He served as such for four years and in the meantime, with the consent of his uncle, he had traded more or less for himself, thereby accumulating several thousand dollars. His father dying in 1845 he returned home, being the only one of the family left, his mother dying before he left for Atlanta, and three brothers and two sisters in quick succession. He left the old homestead in January, 1846, and went to Clinton, N. J., where he entered the law office of John Manners, L. L. D., an intimate friend of his father. Was with him as stu- deut for three years and practiced in his office two years. In 1851 he began the practice of law in Lebanon, N. J., where, after practicing the required time, he was, in 1852, commissioned counselor at law, and at the same time received the appointment of master and examiner in chancery from Chancellor Benjamin Williamson. In 1856 he was appointed prosecuting attorney of the State of New Jersey for the County of Hunterdon by Governor Rodman M. Price, which he held until he gave up his practice in Lebanon in 1858 and came to Kansas City. He has been twice married. First, to Henrietta Stone in 1848, who died in 1856. By her he has two children : Kate (wife of Louis E. Rozier, of St. Louis), and Mag gie, living with her father. His second wife was Mrs. Annie E. Sites, daughter of Mrs. Julia Threlkeld, one of the very oldest residents of Kansas City, whom he married December 14, 1858. They have two children : Julia Alice and Annie D. Himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church of Kansas City.
J. A. TROST,
Was born in Reading, Pa., March 16, 1853. Was educated in the common schools of that city, where he lived until his seventeenth year. He came to Kansas City in 1871 and engaged in the boot and shoe business, and at the same time gave lessons in vocal and instrumental music. In 1880 he established himself in the real estate business. He is of German descent, his parents emigrating from Germany at an early day and locating in Reading, Pa., where they spent their lives. He has been successful in his business enteprises. Starting out in life when a mere boy, and receiving no assistance from any one, he has worked his way up and is now one of the prominent business men of this city.
W. A. TURNER,
Was born in Kentucky, December 4, 1833, and was reared on a farm in his na- tive county, remaining until his majority. His education was received in the common schools, and when fourteen years of age he commenced trading in mules, in which he was actively engaged, and still follows the same business. In 1870 he sold his farm of 600 acres of fenced land, and removed to Kansas City and at once established himself in business. He has spent considerble time in traveling and has visited the Rocky Mountains several times. Although not in excellent health, Mr. Turner enjoys life. His chief amusement on his farm is hunting, and he has gained quite a reputation. His dogs or hounds are noted for their intelligence. He was married in June, 1853, to Miss M. M. Hall, a native of Nicholas County, Ky. They have had four children, one of whom is living, Nannie J.
DRURY UNDERWOOD,
Was born near St. Louis, July 20, 1833, and when nineteen he left his parents and went to St. Louis, where he learned the trade of bricklaying. In 1856 he began business for himself as a contractor and builder, which he followed in St. Louis until 1858, when, on leaving there, he went to Fort Union, New Mexico.
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Until the spring of 1861 he traded in horses, mules and buffalo robes, and from that time, until he permanently settled in Kansas City, in 1871, he led a life of danger on the plains and mountains of the West, at one time delving in the mines, at an other trading, while at times almost reaching the object of his toils, his accumulations would flit away in some bad investment. Fortune would again urge him to make another effort. At one time himself and party, when en route for the Yellowstone, were attacked, while in camp at night, by five hundred Indians. Three men and sixteen horses were killed, and all their camp equip- ments and mining tools taken, and himself badly wounded. Mr. Underwood's eventful life, on the plains and in the mines, is too lengthy for insertion in this work and it will suffice to say that after a checkered life for a number of years, he returned to St. Louis and for a short time again engaged in contracting and building. Came to Kansas City in 1871, where he is now one of the heaviest contractors and manufacturers of brick in the city. December 20, 1863, while on a visit to St. Louis, he married Miss L. J. Link, of that city, who died October 10, 1879. They had seven children: Iva, Fred T., James B., Lee, Drury, and Jennie.
HON. ROBERT T. VAN HORN
Is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in East Mahoney, Indiana county, May 19, 1824. His ancestors were from Holland, and immigrated to this country more than two hundred years ago. His great grandfather and grand- father were soldiers in the Revolutionary War, and his father enlisted in the war of 1812, and died in September, 1877, at the age of ninety years. His mother was born in Ireland, but came to America when a child. Robert's earlier years were spent on a farm; he attended school generally but three months in the year. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to the printing business in the office of the Indiana Register, where he remained four years. From 1843 to 1855 he worked as a journeyman printer in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Indiana, occasionally varying his occupation by teaching school in winter, and publishing and editing new papers. He was also employed in steamboating on the Mis- sissippi, Ohio, Wabash and other western rivers, and in addition to all these pursuits he studied law, and was admitted to the bar, but practiced only a short time. In 1848 he was married to Miss Adela H. Cooley, at Pomeroy, Ohio. In 1855 he located at Kansas City, Mo., then a small village, where he founded the Journal of Commerce, now the leading daily newspaper of this part of Missouri. Soon after his settlement here he became much impressed with the future pros- pects of the city, and it is owing greatly to the forcible advocacy of her claims and advantages, expressed in his paper that Kansas City occupies so prominent a position. During this time her present railroad system was outlined, and the charters of most of the roads secured. One of these charters, then known as the K. C., G. & S. S. railroad was drawn by Col. Van Horn, and upon this charter was afterward built the Hannibal & St. Joseph, from Cameron to Kansas and the Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf from Kansas City to Baxter Springs, Kas., and upon which a company, of which he was president, afterward undertook and partly constructed a road to Memphis, Tennessee. From 1855 to 1860 his paper- so persistently advocated the advantages of the river landing here-steamboats being the principal mode of transportation-that freighters across the plains were induced to make this the point of transfer. At a later period, while Senator in the Missouri Legislature, he secured legislation that prevented the diversion of railroads, in which Kansas City was interested, to other places. Later, while a member of Congress, he secured a charter for the present railroad bridge across the river at this city. In 1865, with others, he attended the general Indian council at Fort Smith, Arkansas, and got incorporated into the treaty, there made, a provision granting right of way and bond subsidy for a railroad through the
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Indian Territory. A bill was afterward passed in Congress chartering a road from Kansas City and securing the right of way and land grant. The following year, 1866, in a treaty with the Cherokee Indians, he aided in obtaining for the same road the Cherokee neutral lands, embracing the Counties of Cherokee and Crawford in Kansas. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad afterward secured the benefits of this charter. Col. Van Horn was also the author of the first bill for the organization of the Indian Territory as Oklahoma.
Within a few years after his location in this city, he was elected alderman, and appointed postmaster by Buchanan. In 1860 he supported Stephen. A. Douglas, for President, and after the election took a firm stand for the Union, and in the canvass for members of the convention to decide whether Missouri should secede, he took an active part. In April, 1861, he was selected as the Union candidate for mayor, and after a most exciting canvass was elected. Governor C. F. Jackson having espoused the southern cause, thus leaving no State authority to enlist troops or cominission officers for the national army, Col- onel Van Horn, in May, 1861, applied to General Lyon, of the St. Louis arse- nal, and obtained authority to enlist 300 men. In the first engagement in west- ern Missouri, July 18, 1861, he won a victory, and in September following was wounded at Lexington. After the exchange of prisoners his command was con- solidated with the memorable 25th Missouri Infantry, and he was made lieuten- ant-colonel. The regiment under command of Colonel Van Horn was then ordered to Tennessee. At Shiloh and at Corinth he commanded a brigade for a short time. In September he was ordered to southeastern Missouri and Arkan- sas, and after remaining in service for three years-when his regiment was con- solidated with the Ist Missouri Engineers-he retired. While in Mississippi with his regiment he was elected to the Missouri Senate, and at the close of his serv- ice in that body was again elected mayor of Kansas City without opposition, and as such had charge of the volunteer militia, and the construction of the defense works around the city, in anticipation of General Price's last raid into Missouri, in 1864. In 1864 our subject was a delegate to the Baltimore convention, which nominated Lincoln for re-election, and has been a member of every National and State Republican Convention since that time. From 1872 to 1876 he was a member of the National Republican committee, and chairman of the State com- mittee from 1874 to 1876. He was elected to Congress in 1864, and again in 1866 and 1868. In September, 1875, he was appointed collector of internal revenue for the 6th district of Missouri. During his long service as collector of internal revenue, there was not a single irregularity in the office, and when he turned over his accounts to the Government, he was highly complimented for the faithfulness and ability with which he had discharged the affairs of the office. In 1880 he was again nominated for Congress, and elected by a handsome ma- jority, and is now serving his fourth term in Congress. He has continued in edi- torial charge of the Kansas City Journal, which is the most influential Republi- can and commercial newspaper of the New West, from its commencement in 1856 to the present time ; and it is acknowledged by all that a very large share of the credit for the wonderful growth of Kansas City and the surrounding coun- try, is due to his ability and effectiveness as a writer.
WILLIAM VINCENT,
City Auditor, was born in Clay county, Missouri, December 14, 1845, and was reared there until the age of fourteen years. Then, in the fall of 1859, removed with his parents to Kansas City. His education was obtained from private teachers, and he also attended the city schools of this place until the out- break of the War. Then went to Arizona where he engaged in mining and also in keeping a ranch until 1869, when he returned to this city. Here embarked in the grocery business for a short time, until he sold out and accepted a position
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as deputy, under Charles D. Lucas, recorder of deeds. Continued with him until the spring of 1879, when he was elected to the office of city auditor, which he has since filled. September 26, 1879, he married Miss Anna Williams, of Fort Scott, Kansas. She is a native of Illinois, but principally reared in Indiana.
WILLIAM VINEYARD,
Of the firm of Vineyard & Son, dealers in real estate, was born in Greene county, Kentucky, January 15, 1835. Although living with his parents until he attained his majority, he began business for himself at an early age by speculating in stock. His father removed from Kentucky to Illinois, and was one of the original proprietors of Warsaw. Leaving there and coming to Missouri, he settled in what was known as the Platte Purchase, and there young Vineyard lived until 1858, when he came to Kansas City and located on land that is now Vinyard's first addition to Kansas City, he having recently platted his fourth addition. Ever since coming to the city he has been engaged in the real estate business, and has been identified with the staunch men of the city, ever alive to its interests and proud of its promotion and growth. March 12, 1858, he married Miss Emma Evans, daughter of Mrs. Steen. The latter is a daughter of one of the first families and probably the oldest resident of Kansas City. He has seven children : John W., (now connected with his father in the real estate business), Anna, William, George, Emma, Velma, and Elra.
B. VON UNWORTH,
Architect, was born in Neisse, Germany, October 23, 1838. He was educated in the college of Glogan, and also graduated at the Academy of Architecture in Berlin, in 1859. He was for a time employed by the Prussian government as architect and superintendent for the designing and superstructions of public buildings, also by various railroad companies in Prussia. Was also architect of his royal highness, Prince Charles, of Prussia, from 1861 until 1863. He came to the United States in January 1870. Arriving in New York City, he was employ- ed by several leading architects, and after being employed by the Central railroad of Long Island and others, came to Kansas City in the fall of 1878, where he is doing a successful business.
J. H. WAITE,
Shipping master Kansas City Stock Yards, was born in Orange county, Vermont, January 26, 1839, and when but a child, he with his parents (Daniel and Mercy), moved to Genesee county, N. Y. When fifteen years of age went to Dekalb county, Ills., where his parents yet remain. From 1856 to 1862 the sub- ject of this sketch was engaged in teaching school and attending Beloit College, of Beloit, Wis., graduating July 6, 1862. In September 1863 he enlisted in Company C, Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry, for three years, serving as a private for a short time when he was promoted to lieutenant, which position he held till October 1864. Then was promoted to captain, serving as such till close of the War, when he returned to Illinois, and shortly afterwards accepted the position as collecting agent for Culver Bros., of Cincinnati, Ohio. He traveled over. the States of Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee, continuing with this com- pany till the latter part of 1868, when he began as salesman for G. W. Ball & Co., of Cincinnati. In 1870 he came to Kansas City and embarked in the grocery business as one of the firm of J. H. Towt & Co. June 17, 1875, he re- tired from the grocery trade and accepted his present position. Was married to Miss M. Kincheloe, October 4, 1870. She is a native of Parkersburg, W. Va., and was born November 11, 1841.]]] Have two children : John F., and Tyler K.
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G. A. H. WAGNER
Was born in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1831, and remained there until coming to the United States in 1848. Landed at New York, and from there went to Balti- more, Maryland, and thence to Cumberland, same State. Here he married Miss Anna B. Kagel, of that place, in 1851, and from there removed to Iowa City, Iowa, in 1855. In 1858 came to Kansas City, where he has since resided. Soon after coming, he engaged in contracting and building. In 1861, by order of Governor Gamble, he joined the militia of Missouri, as captain of Company B, 77th, and served three years. After the close of the war, he engaged in the grocery business, following this two years, after which he started a paper mill. Not being successful, in 1868 he engaged in painting signs, cards, etc., and still follows this trade. He is now erecting a large store and dwelling. He owns considerable property in this city. The family consists of six children : Solomon, Clara V., Ernest, Gustave A., Frank R., and Albert. Have lost three.
A. C. WALMSLEY,
City Treasurer. The subject of this sketch was born in Lafayette, Indiana, December 9, 1854. His education was partly obtained in the schools of Terre Haute, and at the age of sixteen years, he removed with his parents to this city. In 1871 he entered Spalding's Commercial College, and was graduated from this institution in 1872. Then commenced clerking in the city treasurer's office in 1873, continuing as such until 1879, when he was elected treasurer, and in 1880 was re-elected to the same position.
R. C. WALPOLE
Was born in the city of Waterford, Ireland, and was there reared and educated. At the age of fourteen years, he entered the York College, remaining for two years, when he went to Hull, Yorkshire, England, and there learned the leather dressing business. After serving a term of five years, he returned to Waterford, intending to establish himself in business, but owing to the depopulation of the country, caused by famine, he failed to succeed, and resolved to come to the United States. Landing at New York in 1853, he tried for some time to obtain employment as book-keeper, but failing in that, started out as a journeyman tanner, traveling through the large cities of the Union. After this returned to England, locating at London, where he remained about one year, and then com- menced learning the morocco manufacturing business. Then in 1853 came again to the United States, and embarked in business at Salem, Indiana, continuing until 1858, when he came to Kansas City, and established the first tannery here. This he operated until 1862, when, on account of the War, business was so un- settled that he made a visit to his native home, and after the close of the War ; returned to this city. Here he followed business until 1870, and owing to failing health sold out his business, and returned with his family to Ireland. After a time he came to look after his interests here, and in 1878 his family followed. Since then he has been engaged in dealing in real estate and building.
WILLIAM H. WALLACE,
Of the firm of Gates & Wallace, attorneys at law, was born in Clark county, Ky., October 11, 1848, and when quite young came with his parents to Jackson county. In the spring of 1857 they settled on a farm where he was raised, and received a common school education. Also went to Westminster College of Missouri, re- maining from 1863 to 1871, at which time he graduated. Then commenced the study of law under General John A. Hockaday, late Attorney-General of this State, and afterwards taught school, and was reporter and editor of a newspaper until 1875. At this time he engaged in practicing law at Independence, and in
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1879 removed to Kansas City, being elected to the office of prosecuting attorney in the fall of 1880. This position he is eminently qualified to fill.
JOHN WAMSLEY,
Merchant tailor, is a native of the Island of Jersey, a small island in the British Channel, off the coast of Normandy, France, and was born January 18, 1828. When twelve years of age he left his parents to learn the trade of tailoring, and from that time has depended upon his own exertions for a livelihood. He left his native island when he was twenty, and after spending two years in England and France, he came to the United States. After living in New York, Cincin- nati and Indianapolis, he came to Kansas City, January 3, 1871, and was employ- ed as a cutter by S. B. Windom, being with him until 1876, when he established himself in his present business. In 1852 he married Miss Emma Wray, of Lon- don, England, by whom he has six children: Ernest A., with his father in busi- ness in Kansas City ; Albert C., city treasurer ; John W., attending Spalding's Commercial College ; Frank F., Harry W. and Nellie May, living at home and attending school.
J. C. WARNEKE,
Proprietor of bakery, confectionery and grocery. The subject of this sketch was born in the Province of Hanover, Germany, October 19, 1833, where he was reared and educated. Leaving there he went to Bremen, where he learned his trade of baker, remaining three and a half years. He sailed for New York, where he arrived in May, 1852. Resided in New York, working athis trade and following the grocery business until the fall of 1856, when he went to New Or- leans. Remained there six months, then embarked for St. Louis, where he found employment in a wholesale commission store, until December, 1865. Then went to Rolla, Mo., at which place he started the bakery business, continuing this, with good success, until June, 1865, when he sold out and removed to In- dependence, starting a confectionery and grocery store, running the same until the following year. In 1866 he came to Kansas City and embarked in the con- fectionery and bakery business, on Main street, where he continued until he moved to his present location, in which place he is now doing a large, lucrative business. Mr. Warneke was married to Miss Wilhelmina Kumpf, of St. Louis, in March, 1860, and by this marriage they have had eight children, five of whom are now living.
GEO. W. WARDER,
Attorney at law, was born at Richmond, Missouri, May 20th, 1848. His father Luther Fairfax Warder, who, by the family tradition was a lineal descendant of Lord Fairfax, the first governor of Virginia, removed at about the age of twenty from Prince William county, Va., to Lexington, Ky., and from thence to Rich- mond, Mo., where he married. The subject of this sketch was a precocious youth. He commenced school at an early age, was for a time a student at the Missouri University ; commenced the practice of law at Chillicothe, Mo., at eighteen, and was married at Richmond, Ky., September 18th, 1868, at the early age of twenty, to Miss Virginia D. McWilliams. This union was a very happy one, and after years of domestic felicity, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his faithful wife " the angel of his earthly home" (as he designated her) who departed this life April 28, 1878. Two children were born of this marriage, Alexander Vernon, who died before the decease of his mother, and a little girl, Virginia D., who still survives. Mr. Warder has practiced law with marked suc- cess, and established an extensive practice, ranking among the ablest at the bar. He is a man of fine business qualities, and a successful financier. Aside from his profession he has been largely interested in banking and real estate specula- tions, and has besides found time to cultivate his literary tastes, being the au-
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