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 119

Author: Union Historical Company
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Kansas City, Mo. : Union historical company
Number of Pages: 1068

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 119

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thor of two volumes in verse. The first is entitled " Poetic Fragments, or Col- lege Poems" published in 1873, and the other is entitled "Eden Dell, or Love's Wanderings and Other Poems," published in 1878. Mr. Warder removed to Kansas City in December, 1878, and has since taken an active part in its public enterprises, and the building up of said city, having erected since his residence here about thirty buildings, perhaps more than any other citizen during the same period. He is a young man of exemplary habits, of marked ability and versatility of talent, of pleasing manners and address, of fine social qualities, and of a kind hearted and genial nature. Especially fond and appreciative of the society of the fair sex, he never wearies of that gallantry and devotion thereto, that has marked the career of the noblest men of the past.

E. E. WARNER,

Proprietor of meat market, was born in Liverpool, Madina county, Ohio, No- vember 19, 1856, and remained there till he was about fifteen years of age, when he went to Oberlin, Ohio, and entered college. Remained two years, then went to Montgomery county, Illinois, where he resided one summer and returned to Ohio. In 1878 he went to Ellis county, Kansas, took a homestead, and remain. ed till June, 1880, when he came to Kansas City and engaged in his present busi- ness.

W. H. WATTS

Was born in Huntsville, Mo., March 18, 1843. He was educated at Central College, Fayette, Mo., completing the course when he was nineteen. In 1863 he attended and graduated from the Jones Commercial College, of St. Louis. In 1864 he filled the chair as professor of ancient languages and higher mathe- matics in the Danville Female Academy, of Danville, Mo. In 1865 he was as- sistant state superintendent of public instruction, under the Hon. James H. Rob- inson, state superintendent, holding that position until September of 1866, when he was elected to the chair of ancient languages in the Patee Female College of St. Joseph, Mo. In the fall of 1867 he assisted Prof. Carr W. Pritchett in found- ing the Pritchett Institute at Glasgow, Mo. in July of 1867 he went to Europe, spending six years on the continent, devoting his time to studying comparative philology, philosophy and law, also attending the universities of Berlin and Hei- delberg. He also received private instruction from Profs. Fleckeinsen and Schlemm, at Dresden. In his absence he visited Berlin, Dresden, Leipsic, Mu- nich, Vienna, Pest, Trist, Venice, Ancona, Rome, Naples and other places too numerous to mention, returning home via Quebec in the fall of 1873. In 1874 he was the principal of the High school at Carrollton, and the following year at Lexington, Mo. He began the practice of law in Kansas City in September of 1877, where he is building up a good practice.

ED. H. WEBSTER

Whose portrait appears in another part of this work, was born February 21, 1843, in Benton, Elkbart county, Indiana. The paternal ancestry was almost entirely of Anglo-Saxon blood, while on his mother's side he was of Irish origin. His early education was such as could be obtained in primary schools, but in later years he made up for those educational advantages denied him in youth, as much of his leisure time was spent over his books. His first business experience was in a post-office, which was held by his father for many years, and there he earned such a reputation as has since characterized him. When about sixteen years of age, he began a regular apprenticeship in the printing business at War- saw, and was rapidly acquiring proficiency in his trade, when the War began in 1861. This changed the programme, and Mr. Webster enlisted on the 19th of April, 1861, as private in Company E, 12th Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. After six months' service was made sergeant. The regiment was re-organized at

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the end of the year, and he was commissioned second lieutenant of Company F; was afterward detailed as inspector general on the staff of General John M. Loomis, commanding the Ist brigade, Ist division, 15th army corps, Army of the Tennessee. In the spring of 1864 was promoted captain of Company A, same regiment, which position he held until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged at Indianapolis, in June, 1865. While in service, he was several times judge-advocate of courts-martial and recorder of military commissions in his division. He participated in several of the most important battles of the War. In the summer of 1865, Captain Webster began reading law in Warsaw, Indiana, with a view of preparing himself for the legal profession. The life of a law student there not suiting him, the fall of 1865 found him in Kansas City, in company of Major H. A. White, a practicing attorney. In 1867 Mr. Webster was admitted to the practice of law. He has always been a Republican, and since residing here has been city assessor and alderman. Since 1864 he has been a Mason. His marriage occurred September 21, 1875, to Miss Medora Richard- son Ferguson, a daughter of Nathaniel R. and Corrilla Ferguson. They have one son, Edward F. Captain Webster is an honored member of society, and being a gentleman of warm impulses, has many friends, and deserves the high character which he holds.

HENRY WEIS,

Of the firm of Zahner & Weis, dealers in stoves and tinware, and manufacturers of galvanized iron cornice. Mr. Weis is a native of Hungary, and was born March 19, 1846. Emigrated to the United States in 1864, and when he was thirteen he began to learn the trade of tinner, serving five years. Upon coming to the United States, he landed at New York City, where he stayed two weeks; and after working in eighteen different States up to 1871, he came to Kansas City, and was employed by Charles Thomas. Worked for him until 1875, when he became the partner of W. E. Zahner, and engaged in the present business under the firm name of Zahner & Weis. March 20 1870, he married Miss Anna Malone, of Osawatomie, Kansas. They have two children : Willie and Ina.

J. T. WELDEN,

Undertaker, was born in Syracuse, New York, May 22, 1825, and there lived until eleven years of age. When seven years old he was bound out to a man named C. C. Corkins, and removed with him to Indiana in 1836, remaining under his charge until the age of seventeen. Then ran away from home, next working with a Mr. Miller in the fanning mill business, where he continued for five years. Then entered his office, taking charge of the entire business, after the first year. His employer having died, he ran the business for some time, and then commenced the carpenter and joiner's trade, which he followed for some time. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in Company D, 40th Indiana Infantry, serving for four years, a part of the time on a gun-boat. Was honorably dis- charged in 1865, then returned to his former home in Indiana. Afterwards re- moved to Sidney Missouri, where he engaged in the mercantile business, carry- ing on an extensive trade for a term of two years. In 1869 he came to Kansas City, and embarked in his present business. He married Miss Anna Buckin- ridge, Jannary 18, 1872, a native of Illinois, where she was reared.

They have two daughters : Mattie and Gertie.

WILLIAM WESTON

Was born in Chester county, Pa., April 22, 1832. He served an apprenticeship as bricklayer in Philadelphia, and went to Chicago in 1853, and went from there to St. Joseph, in 1858. On the breaking out of the War, he enlisted in the Union army, on the 28th of October, 1861, and served during the War. He

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KANSAS CITY.

was promoted from private to a lieutenant and then to the captain of his com- pany. On his leaving the service in 1865, he came to Kansas City and engaged in the manufacture of lime. He was elected councilman in the First ward, in 1870, for a two years term; but in the spring of 1871, he was legislated out of office. He was re-elected in 1872, and was elected city treasurer in 1875, and again in 1878.

EDWARD WEST,

Of the firm of Dehoney & West, proprietors of the Delmonico Hotel, West Fifth street, was born on the 9th of June 1824, in Scott county, Kentucky, and at eighteen years of age accompanied his parents to Jackson county, Missouri. They settled four miles south of Independence, where Edward spent his boyhood days on a farm. In 1847 his father died, and he took charge of the farm, and. has been engaged in farming more or less since, except during the war, and has also been considerable of a stock trader. He owns 80 acres of fine land in Cass county, and has a homestead adjoining the town of Westport. On the 15th of August 1880 he became associated with Mr. Dehoney in the hotel business. Their house is one of the largest in the city, and they are doing a first-class business. Mr. West is one of the oldest settlers in the county, and came here when it was inhabited by Indians. There are only about two men living in the city of Independence who were there when he came. He is now in the fifty- seventh year of his age. He married Miss Susan M. Canine on the roth of March, 1854. She is a native of Shelby county, Kentucky, and was born in 1836, and was educated at the Shelbyville College. Their family consists of seven children : James S., Cornelius C., Lizzie C., Lula C., Mary, Willie and Emma G. Himself, wife and four of the older children are members of the Baptist church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to the Westport Lodge No. 107.

HENRY P. WHITE,

Judge of the Criminal Court of Jackson county, Mo. The subject of this sketch was born in Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, New York, July 13, 1841, and there resided until grown to manhood. He obtained his English education in the com- mon schools of his native county, and subsequently was sent to St. Lawrence Academy, which was located at Potsdam, where he continued in school for some time. Leaving this institution, he commenced the study of law with the firm of E. and M. Creary, which afterward became Creary & Vance, and remained with them until 1866. Then removed to Kansas City and commenced the practice of his profession in which he exhibited marked ability. In 1868, he was elected city attorney, and again in 1870, filling this office with much credit to himself, and satisfaction to his constituents. In 1874, was elected Judge of the Criminal Court, and was re-elected in 1880, which office he still holds. He married, on the 27th day of October, 1875, Miss Euphemia DeLuce, of New York City, a lady of cultivated and refined tastes. Their family consists of three children : Mary DeLuce, Thomas P., and Charles H.

C. W. WHITEHEAD,

Real estate agent, was born on the 20th of November, 1842, in England, and was taken to the United States by his parents when about three years of age. They settled in Orange county, New York, and Mr. W. spent his boyhood days in the village of Walden. He learned the harness maker's trade in his youth. Enlisted in Company H, 124th New York Volunteers in 1862, serving until the close of the War, and was with the army all through the Virginia campaign. At the close of the war, he returned to his native village. He married Miss Mary H., daughter of Dr. Charles Duke, of Newberg, in 1868. Their family consists of one child living, C. Hallock. They lost one, Nellie. Mr. W. came to Kan-

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sas City in 1871, and engaged in the real estate business, and is doing a good trade. Himself and wife are members of the Second Presbyterian church.

R. C. WHITE,

Of the firm of White & Holmes, live stock commission merchants, is a native of Estell county, Ky., and in 1843, with his parents, Joel and Elizabeth, moved to Platte county, Mo., where they were engaged in agricultural pursuits and dealing in stock. In1855 he engaged in the mercantile business in connection with the stock business, and in 1857 came to Kansas City, where he was engaged in deal- ing in stock. In 1873 he began in the commission trade. In 1876 formed a partnership with the present firm. Was married to Miss Mary Bradshall, of . Missouri, January 14, 1852. They have six children living: Viola, Mollie, Sue, Joe, James and R. C.

JOHN T. WILSON,

Clerk of the Criminal Court of Jackson county. The subject of this sketch was born in Boyle county, Ky., February 15, 1851. He was brought by his parents to Jackson county, Mo., in 1852, locating at Independence, where he received his early education at the common schools of that city. A greater part of his youth was spent on a farm. In 1869 he entered the Commercial College of St. Louis, Mo., and continued his studies until 1870, when he graduated. After- ward had quite a mercantile experience in many different establishments. In 1875 he received the appointment of Clerk of the Criminal Court, by Gov. Hardin, to fill an unexpired.term. In the fall of 1876 was elected to the office of Clerk of the Crimnal Court, which he still continues to hold. He married Miss Carrie Mason December 17, 1879. She is a native of Missouri, and born and reared in Jackson county.

JOHN R. WILLIAMSON,

Proprietor of the Great Western Laundry, was born in Columbia county, Ohio, August 12, 1843. He began to maintain himself at fourteen, leaving his par- ents at that age, and going to Goshen, Indiana. There worked in his brother's carriage shop, working with him for two years, when he went to Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he made his home with his parents and worked in a woolen mill for three years. Then he went to Davenport and was employed in a flour and feed store until 1862, when he enlisted in Company D, 20th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. After being mustered out at St. Louis in 1865 he remained in that city and engaged in the grocery and other business until 1870, when he came to Kansas City. Before coming to the city, however, he had the misfortune to lose all he had accumulated, and had to begin again at the foot of the ladder. He engaged in the laundry business on a small scale, and by hard work and economy he has built up a large business. In 1879 he erected a large building, 32x93, and three stories high, and furnished it with all the modern im- provements for laundry purposes. September 15, 1867, he married Miss Bridget A. McGillick, of St. Louis, by whom he has three children : Theodore P. (born at St. Louis, July 13, 1868,) Albert F. (born August 3, 1873), and Johnnie (born April 3, 1878, both in Kansas City). Himself and wife are Catholics and mem- bers of the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

JOHN W. WITHERS

Was born in Union District, South Carolina, January 29, 1817, and at the age of seventeen years removed to Alabama, remaining until 1848. From here he went to Mississippi, where he continued to live until 1856, when he came to Kansas City. He at once commenced carpentering, building and contracting, and fol- lowed it until he retired. He is an old settler here, and was the first to erect a log house near the vicinity of Sixteenth street and Broadway. At this time

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Kansas City principally existed on the Levee, and Mr. Withers has seen it grow to a city of nearly 60,000. The buildings he erected can be counted by the score. He has been a hard working, industrious citizen, and deserves his success. In 1846 he married Miss Elizabeth P. Lancaster, of Spartenburg district, South Carolina. They have nine children living: Samuel C., James M., William L., Lulu A., Mary L., Benjamin F., C. Walter, George M. and Cordelia.

JOHN W. WOFFORD,

Attorney, was born in Habersham County, Georgia, August 14, 1837. He is a lawyer of large practice and a member of the Jackson County, Mo., bar.

PETER WOLTERS,

Was born in Amsterdam, Holland, December 17, 1830, and was there brought up and educated. When twenty-four years of age he left there and came to America, settling at Atchison, Kan. At the age of thirteen he commenced learn- ing the trade of tailor, at which he worked while living in that county. After going to Atchison he was engaged at the boot and shoe business for about seven years, and then removed to a farm two and a half miles from the city. After living thereon for twelve years he returned to Atchison, remaining for two years when he came to Kansas City, where he commenced the grocery business, in which he has since continued. Mr, Wolters has been twice married. First, to Miss Peterman, who died in 1856, leaving six children : John, Minnie, Mary, Lizzie, Anna and Peter. Mrs. May, his present wife, was born and educated in Holland. She came to America in October, 1873, and immediately after her arrival was married. She takes charge of the store, but is now on a visit to Europe. They have two children : Edward and Anna.

I. B. WOODSON,

Physician and surgeon, was born in Nicholasville, Kentucky, August 23, 1845, residing in his native city until twelve years of age. His early education was obtained in the common schools, and in 1856 he removed with his parents to Bloomington, Illinois, his father's occupation being that of a farmer. In the same year the subject of this sketch entered the State Wesleyan University, in which institution he took a regular course. Then commenced the study of medi- cine under the direction of Dr. Parke, of Bloomington, one of the leading phy- sicians of the place, and received the appointment from the United States Gov- ernment as surgeon in the Russian Army during the Crimean war. In this he greatly distinguished himself. In the summer of 1866 he entered the Chicago Medical College, graduating from this institution in 1868. From there he came immediately to Kansas City and commenced the practice of his profession, where he enjoys a lucrative business and has been closely identified with many interests of his adopted city. On the 2nd day of October, 1872, he was married to Miss Minnie P. Myers, of Chicago, Illinois, a native of Woodford County, and the daughter of Judge J. C. Myers.

JUDGE WILLIAM T. WOOD

Was born on the farm of his father at Gordon Station, Mercer county, Ky., March 25, 1806. Mr. Wood was licensed as.a lawyer in December, 1828, at nineteen years of age, and about the first of January, 1829, left Kentucky on horseback for Missouri, reaching the home of his brother, General Jesse T. Wood, in Columbia, Boone county, on the 15th of the same month, after a fatiguing journey. In 1830, at the age of twenty-one, he was appointed clerk of the county court of Clay, and after holding the office four or five years, resigned, but was soon appointed by Governor Lilburn W. Boggs, circuit attorney of that district. This office he filled with great acceptability for several years. In 1837 55-

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the " Platt Purchase " was annexed to the State of Missouri by act of Congress. Mr. Wood was chosen as one of the committee to draft a petition to Congress, and was afterward elected by the committee to prepare the document, which he did. Having lived in Liberty, Clay county, from July, 1829, he practiced there until 1845, then moving to Lexington. A few years previous to this he was elected to the Legislature. In 1854 he was elected judge of the Circuit Court, and in 1856 resigned this position and moved to St. Louis, and re-entered the practice. In the early part of January, 1861, just previous to the Civil War, the city was under great excitement, and Judge Wood was appointed one of a com- mittee to prepare action for a general and public meeting. In this he rendered efficient help. In 1865 he returned to Lexington, and twice after his return was elected judge of the sixth judicial district. He came to Kansas City in Janu- ary, 1881, where he established himself in the practice of his profession. He has been three times married. First to Miss Eliza A. Hughes, by whom he had one son : Carroll H. His second wife was Miss Maria H. Payne, by whom he had two sons: Payne and T. C. The third marriage was to Miss Mary E. Broadwell. They have two children : a son, M. L., and Maria.

MRS. R. M. YATES,

Daughter of Rev. John S. Major and Lucinda S. Slaughter, was born in Franklin county, Ky., six miles southwest of Frankfort, and was married October 5, 1847, by Rev. William Blanton, to Johnson J., son of Samuel and Nancy Yates, of Mt Sterling, Montgomery county, Ky. They moved onto a farm on the Louis- ville pike, three miles from Frankfort, and there resided until Mr. Yates' demise, in August, 1868. In accordance with his request, our subject sold out and moved to Missouri, having relatives in this State. After traveling for some time she came to Kansas City, in 1872, and purchased a lot, corner of Eleventh and McGee streets, erecting thereon a fine brick residence. After living there a year or so she went north for her health, and finally settled in Sparta, Wis., remain- ing five years. Her health being restored she returned to Kansas City, and has since resided here. In the summer of 1880 she bought a double lot on Grand avenue, between Tenth and Eleventh streets, and built what is now known as "The Hotel de Yates," a large, double three-story brick, containing thirty-seven rooms and spacious halls. Is centrally located, and in all respects a fine house. Mrs. Yates is quite a poetical contributor to the Saturday Evening Herald.

G. YEOMAN,

Provision and Commission Merchant, was born near Delphi, Delaware county, New York, where he was reared, and among his school fellows was the million- aire, Jay Gould. He left his native town in 1857, and went to Manchester, Iowa, where he engaged in the lumber business until 1869, when he came to Kansas City and established himself in his present business, it being a local trade, doing business with country merchants. His business aggregates $16,000 annually. In 1859, he married Miss Marcellie Gillespie, of Manchester, Iowa. They have two children : Mary and Harvey. The latter is collector in the Savings Bank of Kansas City.

ALBERT YOUNG,

Of the firm of Alderson & Young, is a native of the State of Maryland, and was born June 3, 1853, in St. Mary county, on the western shore, about thirty miles south of Washington, D. C. Mr. Young's ancestors upon his mother's side were, and are at present, prominently connected with the political and educational in- terests of that State. His father and grandfather were engaged in the mercantile business and ocean navigation. The subject of this sketch was graduated at Char- lotte Hall College, Md., in 1871, and in September of that year removed to Mis- - sissippi, near the City of Natchez, where he taught school, and began the study

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of law. In September, 1873, he moved to St. Louis, Mo., where he received an appointment as correspondent in the office of Gen. Frank P. Blair, then recently appointed State Insurance Commissioner. Here he continued the study of law under Hon. Alexander Martin, and was licensed to practice during March, 1877. In the latter part of 1878 he located in DeSoto, Mo., about forty miles from St. Louis, on the Iron Mountain Railroad. Here he held the position of city attor- ney until March, 1880, when he removed to Kansas City, Mo., and formed a law copartnership with W. A. Alderson, Esq., and here has resided up to date.

EDWARD YOUNG,

Veterinary surgeon, was born in Richmond, Va., June 10, 1847, and resided there until 1869. He commenced the study of medicine with James Clark, a prominent physician of that city, and then entered Washington College, of Rich- mond, continuing therein for two years. After this he went to the Surgical In- stitution of Baltimore, where he took a regular course of lectures, and upon leav- ing this, removed to Montreal, Canada. At this place he went before a board of eminent surgeons, and passed a thorough examination in the Third Surgical Institute of London. He received his diploma, and after this returned to Vir- ginia, but soon engaged in traveling over the Western States. In 1875 he came to Kansas City, and has been engaged in practicing since, having built up a good practice.

ZENITH MILLING COMPANY.

This firm was organized in 1880. The mill was built by Miller and Young, and when the present company was organized, the purchase was made and the mill became known as the Zenith Mill. They have six run of burrs, one set of rol- lers, and are capable of turning out two hundred barrels of flour per day. They are doing a large business, ship extensively to eastern markets, besides doing a good custom work. Chas. A. Young, who is Secretary 'and Treasurer of the company, is a native of Philadelphia, Penn., and became a resident of Kansas City November 1, 1879.

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INDEPENDENCE.

JAMES W. ADAMS,

Carpenter and contractor, was born in Fauquier county, Va., February 25, 1828, and in 1844, he apprenticed himself to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade. October 26, 1858, he moved to California, Moniteau county, Mo., where he re- mained seventeen months, and then moved to Tipton, same county, there resid- ing two years engaged at his trade. He then acted as fireman on the Terre Haute & St. Louis Railroad, retaining this position about ten months. In Feb- ruary, 1865, he moved to Nebraska, and remained till December 2, 1865, when he located in Independence, Mo. Was married to Miss Elizabeth Stinson, of Cooper county, Mo., June 25, 1861.

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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 119

Author: Union Historical Company Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Kansas City, Mo. : Union historical company Number of Pages: 1068

Author: Union Historical Company
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Kansas City, Mo. : Union historical company
Number of Pages: 1068