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 122
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WESTON'S PLOW WORKS.
Of the many manufacturing interests identified with Independence, the Weston Plow Works hold a front rank. The proprietor, Robert Weston, began plow making and general blacksmithing in Independence in 1848, and has pursued the business since, with an unfaltering energy. He occupies a series of brick build- ings, the general blacksmith shop being 60x2212 feet, the plow shop 40x20, with two wood working buildings, each .30x20. Mr. Weston has in his employ about ten men, and is extensively engaged in the manufacture of plows, cultivators, etc., beside the carriage and wagon works. His establishment is of great credit to the city, and, having almost grown up with the county, enjoys a liberal patron- age, as it well deserves. He is an esteemed citizen of Independence.
J. M. WILSON,
Physician and surgeon, was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, April 13, 1844. He began his professional studies when very young, and finished his medical 56-
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education at the Ohio State University, graduating in 1867. In the winter of 1869, he located at Independence, where he has since practiced. He was here married in 1870, to Miss Mary Franklin. They had one child, now deceased. The doctor is of the alopathic persuasion, is a very successful practitioner, and is always a welcome visitor in the sick room. He is a close student, and is now enjoying a large patronage from his many friends in this part of the county.
REV. IVAN M. WISE.
The subject of this sketch first saw the light on a calm July morning, in the year 1854, on his father's cotton plantation, among the hills of North Louisiana. His father belongs to that branch of the original Wise family in Virginia, that went into South Carolina in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Young Ivan's grandfather moved to the State of Mississippi directly after it was admit- ted into the Union, when his father was about ten years old. . Ambrose Wise, his father, when quite a young man, went westward across the great Mississippi River, and settled in Claiborn Parish, La., where he has chosen to live ever since. Some years after his locating, he married Miss Mahanah O'Banion, a member of another Mississippi family, that settled in the same section of country. Ivan Munroe is the eighth child of a family of eleven children : eight boys and three girls. When he was sixteen years of age he made a profession of religion and was baptized with three other brothers, and soon afterward began to officiate publicly in divine worship, having in the meantime received considerable encouragement from his pastor, Elder John M. Melton. A short time after that his church licensed him to preach the gospel. This he had exercised but a few months, however, before he was strongly convinced that an effective and respectable min- istry must have an education ; so having received an invitation from the secreta- ry of ministerial education of Mississippi, Rev. James Nelson, to attend college in that State, he entered the Mississippi College in October, 1873, where he re- mained four years. After taking his bachelor's degree, he returned to his native State, Louisiana, where he engaged in preaching and teaching. His first engage- ment was in supplying the pulpit of Rev. Chas. B. Freeman, of Bastrop, Louisi- ana ; after which the church at Oak Ridge, Louisiana, extended to him a unani- mous call to become their pastor, and requested the church that retained his membership to ordain him. Thereupon Mr. Wise was critically and publicly examined before the Association, and was set apart to the gospel ministry by imposition of hands, by the Presbyterian ministry, and authorized to preach, by the church in September 1877. He returned and took charge of the Oak Ridge Baptist Church, and was also the principal of the public schools. He had one of the most intelligent as well as respectable village churches in the State, his church and congregation being composed of wealthy planters and merchants. While there about thirteen months he baptized seventeen mem- bers, and received a number by letter. It was not his intention, however, to settle then and there. Feeling that after a year's rest and special theo- logical study he would be rested sufficiently to pursue a post-graduate course of study, he resigned his charge in August, 1878, and went to Liberty, Mis- souri, and entered the William Jewell College. But he was not destined to pursue that extra course of study that was his ardent design. He had re- mained in school only a few months when deep seated malaria gave rise to intermitting and remitting fevers. To rid himself of this, he was advised to go immediately to the purer climate of the Rocky Mountains. He settled in La Vita, Colorado, a little railroad town at the foot-hills of the Spanish Peaks ; where in January, 1879, he opened a select and graded school for young men and women. He taught six months and in September following opened another sessio ), and after six weeks, he came back to Lee's Summit, Jackson County, and married Miss Mollie A. Hagan. Then returned to his mountain home. But their
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residence in the Far West was not of long duration. In the summer of 1880 they decided to return to Missouri. In the meantime the pulpit of the First Bap- tist Church of Independence was vacated by the resignation of Rev. G. K. Dixon. By recommendation of several eminent divines that church invited Mr. Wise to visit them with a view of settlement. He did so, they called him and he is now energetically preaching to that church.
PROF. P. F. WITHERSPOON
Was born in Green County, Alabama, May 2, 1832, and there his days were spent until his twentieth year. He received his early education under a private tutor, and when about thirteen years of age he entered the Mesopotamia High School under Dr. Sparrows. After about two years in that institution he went to Oglethorpe, Georgia, where he attended the State University for two years. Ther entered the Virginia State University and after two years he removed to Pontotoc, Mississippi, where he engaged in farming, and after the close of the War he was elected president of the Chickasaw Female College, which position he filled about ten years. Then came to Independence and in 1875 was elected president of the Independence Female College, which position he held until the spring of 1881. He was married in Green County, Alabama, March 14, 1854, to Miss Emma Hedleston, a native of that county. They have six children : Franklin (now a divinity student), Lawrence, Panline, Mary R., Lallie and Paul.
M. R. WRIGHT,
Merchant, the subject of this sketch, was born in Granville, Licking County, Ohio, April 11, 1842. In the autumn of 1857 he moved with his father to Dan- ville, Illinois, where his days were spent until 1861 He there learned telegraph- ing and in the summer of 1861 went to Cincinnati, where he was employed as an operator until 1864. Then went to Memphis, Tennessee, and was engaged in the boot and shoe business. He was there married in 1865 to Miss Mary A. Joiner, a daughter of Rufus Joiner, whose father built the first frame house in Memphis. In 1867 Mr. Wright came to Independence, where he has since resided. He engaged in the boot and shoe business, in connection with Mr. Ed. J. Mari- ner, and in 1875 purchased the interest of his partner and has since conducted the business alone. He is now doing a large and lucrative trade and carries a large stock of boots, shoes, hats, caps and gents' furnishing goods. Is also agent for the United States and Pacific Express Companies; also for the Western Union Telegraph and Bell Telephone Companies-conducting a central office for the latter. His family consists of five children : Arthur, Florence, Emily, Earl and Loftin. Mr. Wright commands the respect and esteem of the people; he is a zealous worker for the advancement of the business of Jackson County. A warm friend to all religious institutions, he always takes an active part in forward- ing all commendable enterprises.
F. F. YAGER,
Lumber Merchant, was born in Boyle county, Kentucky, on the 28th day of April, 1828, and was there educated and developed to manhood. He received an education in the common schools, the advantages of which were very limited, and spent his youth in the pursuits of agriculture until he was about nineteen years of age. Then engaged in the carpenter and house-building trade, which he followed until he engaged in his present line of business. Also devoted his attention to the study of architecture, and has since proved himself very efficient in that art. A specimen of his work in that line can be seen in the design of the Chrisman-Sawyer bank building. In the spring of 1850 he came to Independ- ence, where he has since made his home. In 1854 he engaged in the lumber trade, and, with the exception of a few years during the Civil War, has continued in that line and is now enjoying a trade which is the fruit of his many years,
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labor. He was married in 1852 to Miss S. M. Ray. She was born in Kentucky, but came to Independence when a child. They have one daughter : S. J., wife of George H. Griffin, of Kansas City. Mr. Yager has done much for the devel- opment of the town. He carries a large stock of lumber, laths, singles, paints, etc. Has filled many positions of trust during his residence in Independence, and has been elected a member of its council. He is no political aspirant, pre- ferring to devote his entire attention to his legitimate pursuits.
BLUE TOWNSHIP.
STEPHEN ADAMS,
Farmer, section 16, post-office Blue Mills, was born in Wilkes County, North Carolina, November 17, 1803, and in 1824 went to Claiborne county, Tennessee, where he remained three years. In the fall of 1828 he came to Jackson County, Missouri. He has followed farming from boyhood, and now owns 100 acres of land, having given to his children nearly 500 acres. He was married, July 15, 1826, to Miss Mary Powell, a native of Claiborne county, Tennessee. She died October 28, 1857. They had ten children, five of whom are living : Nelson, William, Washington, Ada E. and Eliza J.
W. C. ADAMS,
Farmer, section 35, post-office Blue Mills, was born in Jackson County, Missouri, March 13, 1836, and was reared in his native county, and educated in the com- mon schools. He attended the Chapel Hill College, in Lafayette County, Mis- souri, eight months, also for a short period attended the William Jewell College, of Liberty, Missouri, and engaged in teaching school for a few years, In the summer of 1861 he enlisted in a company of militia raised in response to Gov- ernor Jackson's call, and his company was known as the Independence Blues, and was attached to Colonel Rosser's regiment. Mr. Adams was made first lieu- tenant, and he took part in the battle of Lexington, and afterwards lay sick on the Osage River, and subsequently returned home. In December, 1861, he joined Price's army in Southwest Missouri, and was first lieutenant in the Ist. Missouri Brigade. The captain of the company was killed at Corinth, and Mr. Adams was promoted to that position. He was also wounded by a spent grape shot in this battle. He took part in the battles of Port Gibson and Champion Hill, and the day after the last battle was captured by Federal forces, and for nine months was held a prisoner on Johnson's Island, in Lake Erie. He left this place of imprisonment February 12, 1864, and about a month afterward was exchanged at Point Lookout, Maryland. He was forwarded to Richmond, thence proceeded to join his old command, which was then under General Joseph Johnson, north of Atlanta. He served until that general was succeeded by Hood, and then until the close of the War. He was present at the battle of the Kenesaw Mountains, and in the rapidly succeeding engagements which formed almost one continuous battle, by which the Confederate forces strove hard to arrest the march of Sher- man from Atlanta to the sea. His command was captured at Mobile, Alabama, and in April, 1865, after Lee had laid down his arms in Virginia, he surrendered
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at Memphis, Tennessee, and on the Ist of May he set out for Missouri, arriving May 10, 1865. Again began farming, and in 1878 he was elected to the Legis- lature by his district. Was married April 9, 1868, to Miss Sarah J. Herd. They have five children : Francis S., Edward L., Susan B., Dora May and Charles F.
AMOS ALLEN,
Farmer, section 29, post-office Independence, is a native of Kentucky, and was born in Bourbon County, May 8, 1806. Was reared on a farm and has fol- lowed farming from boyhood. He remained in his native County till the fall of 1828, when he moved to Tippecanoe County, Ind., where he remained till 1838. Then emigrated to Jackson County, Mo., poor in pocket. He now owns a farm of 243 acres of fine land. He has also raised considerable stock. Was married October 11, 1831, to Miss Ann Canada, a native of Bourbon County, Ky. She died in 1868, leaving five children: Mahala, Eveline, David, William C. and Amos F.
JAMES BEETS,
Farmer, section 9, post-office Blue Mills, was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., March 11, 1816, and there remained on a farm till about twenty-three years of age, when he came to Missouri, and located in Boone County for one year. Thence to the Platte Purchase, where he remained but a short time; then went with an old Methodist minister, for the purpose of establishing a Mission with the Pottawattamies. Remained one year, then went to Cass County, Mo., and stayed till 1855. During this time, in 1848, he spent six months in New Mexico. In April, 1855, he went to Kansas and located at Paola, where he was engaged in farming and keeping hotel till 1861, and, owing to his political proclivities, being a south- ern man in principle, was robbed and driven from his home, and came to Jack- son County, Mo., where he remained till February 1, 1862. He then went to Springfield and joined the Southern Army, in Company G, 3d Missouri Infanty, and was in all its engagements and travels till April, 1863, when he was discharged on account of failing health, also for being paralyzed while in the battle of Cor- inth. After many hardships and narrow escapes he finally arrived in Jackson County, July 4, 1863. By order No. 11, he moved to Lexington, his family crossing at the ferry and he swimming the river about four miles above. They shortly afterward moved to Fremont County, Iowa, where he remained about eighteen months, and then went to Nebraska and remained about six months. Afterward returned to Jackson County, where he has since resided. His farm contains 240 acres. Was married June 7, 1840, to Miss Elizabeth J. Tuggle, of Patrick County, Va. She came to Jackson County, Mo., with her parents at an early day and soon after located in Cass County. They have had thirteen children, six of whom are living : Joseph B., Henry R., George W., James D., William J. and Cordelia A.
URIAH P. BENNETT,
Farmer and fruit grower, section 26, post-office Independence, was born in Jef- ferson County, Va., May 19, 1814, and when quite small his parents moved to Muskingum County, Ohio. He spent his boyhood days on a farm, and when seventeen years of age he learned the printing trade, which he followed till 1860, publishing the Zanesville Gazette, and for about one year, in connection with this, he published the Courier. August 17, 1860, he nioved to St. Louis, and was for one year employed in the post-office department, and for the same period dealt in government claims. In 1865 he came to Jackson County, Mo., and began in the fruit business, since which time he has made fruit-growing a speciality. He and his son, Lewis Bennett, are also engaged in the breeding of fine blooded cattle and sheep. Mr. Bennett was married January 1, 1840, in Albermarle,
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Va. They have had four children, three of whom are living : Lucie (now Mrs. Pieree), Edward P. and Lewis.
H. B. BOHANNON,
Farmer, section 22, post-office Independence, was born in Woodford County, Ky., March 23, 1823, and was reared in his native County, and educated in Center College of Danville. Has followed farming and stock raising from boy- hood. In the spring of 1880 he moved to Jackson County, Mo., where he now resides. September 28, 1838, he was married to Miss Mary Todd, of Frankfort, Ky. They have seven children : William Todd, Fannie M. (now Mrs. Griffith) Richard B., Henry B., Jr., Lacy R., Lizzie T.
ALEXANDER CALHOUN,
Section 7, post-office Independence, was born in Sussex County, Delaware, in 1850, and was reared on a farm, receiving a good education. At the age of twenty-one he moved West and settled in Blue Springs, Jackson County, where he remained for six months. He then went to Wilson County, Kansas, and after a short time re- moved to Sumner County. In 1873 he removed to Blue Springs, and in 1876 took a trip to the Centennial, extending his visit to his old home in Delaware. In the same fall he returned and was employed by May & Son, of Independence, and in January, 1877, he came to this township and settled on his present well improved farm. Mr. Calhoun was married in 1877 to Miss Susie M. Sanders, a native of the county, born in 1852. They have had three children, two of whom are living : Job J. and Guy Hartwell.
H. H. CANNADY,
Farmer, section 26, post-office Missouri City, Clay County, was born in Madison County, Alabama, March 12, 1825, and when about four years of age his parents immigrated to Montgomery County, Missouri, where they remained five years. His father there died, and his mother and family returned to his native State, where they remained about six years, and again moved to Montgomery County, Missouri. Here Mr. Cannady remained till the spring of 1856, when he moved to Pettis County and remained till the fall of 1860; thence to Dekalb County, staying till the fall of 1865, when he located in Jackson County. He has followed farming from boyhood, and now owns a farm of 149 acres. He was married August 5, 1847, to Miss Sarah Brown. She died in 1872, leaving thirteen chil- dren, nine of whom are living: William, Cindrella, Elizabeth M., Tantha, Monima W. and Louisa. Miss Jane Alkise became his second wife July 27, 1873. She died August 12, 1874. His third marriage was to Miss Sarah Kendrick May 20, 1875. All of his wives were natives of Kentucky.
CHRISMAN & LEE,
Importers and breeders of fine stock, section 15, post-office Independence. This firm is one of the most prominent in this line of business in the County, although not of long standing. They have spared no pains in the selection of their stock. George Lee Chrisman, the senior partner of the firm, was born in Jackson County, Missouri, August 8, 1851, and is a son of William Chrisman. He was reared in his native County, and graduated at the Forrest Home Military College of Achor- age, Kentucky. He was married November 26, 1872, to Miss Lottie S. Duke, daughter of Colonel William Duke, of Danville, Kentucky. She was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, January 23, 1854, and when quite young her parents moved to Boyle County, Kentucky, where she was reared and educated, com- pleting her education in the Caldwell Institute of Danville, Kentucky. J. A. Lee, the junior partner of the firm, is a native of Kentucky, and was born in Boyle County, December 25, 1856. He was reared in his native County, and
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after receiving his primary education, he took a thorough course in the Danville Classical Military Academy, graduating in June, 1875. After this he was eni- ployed as teacher in the same institution for three years, also teaching a classical school at Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky. In August, 1879, he came to Jackson County, Missouri, and shortly afterward engaged in his present occupa- tion. Hisspecial attention is given to the raising of fine blooded horses. In this business his father, Josiah E. Lee, has been extensively engaged during life, also his grandfather, George Lee.
J. D. CUSENBARY,
Farmer, section 33, post-office Independence, was born in Logan County, Ken- tucky, October 27, 1832, and remained there until eight years of age, when his parents moved to Jackson County, Misssouri, and settled in the neighborhood of Sibley. There the subject of this sketch was reared, and since 1847 has been engaged in mining interests in different localities, and for several years spent most of his time traveling over the different western States and Territories. He occasionally went to the eastern and middle States. Has also been in differ- ent parts of the West, engaged in dealing in stock, and for some time was employed in freighting and running pack trains. His mining interest now is principally in Arizona. His farm contains 322 acres, being well improved, and being the farm on which the famous Cusenbary Springs are situated, which are mentioned elsewhere. He was married June 2, 1870, to Miss Bettie M. Davis, a native of Lexington, Kentucky, born July 29, 1851. She is a daughter of Major Davis, of Kentucky, and was reared in Lexington, and educated in the schools there, graduating from the Female Institute, a Presbyterian College. They have had three children, two now living : James L. and Anna May.
H. T. DOWNING,
Farmer, section 28, post-office Independence, was born in Sangamon County, Illinois, March 15, 1832. His parents were natives of Kentucky, only living in Illinois two years, when they returned to Fayette county, Kentucky. There our subject was reared on a farm. The fall of 1856 he came to Jackson County, where he has since resided, except a short time during the War. His landed estate consists of 120 acres. He was married November 16, 1858, to Miss Sarah Fields, born in Boyle county, Kentucky, March 21, 1835. They have had six children, four of whom are living : Amanda, Nannie, Mattie and Sarah.
I. W. DUNCAN,
Farmer and stock raiser, section 33, post-office Independence, was born in Nelson County, Kentucky, November 2, 1835, and was there reared on a farm, and partly educated in the common schools. He afterward attended the Central College of Danville, Kentucky, graduating from that institution in September, 1857, when he returned to his father's farm. There remained till July, 1873, when he immigrated to Jackson County, and immediately located on a farm, where he now resides. It contains 430 acres, improved, being well supplied with water, which comes from the districts of the Cusenbary Springs. He was married February 1, 1859, to Miss Susie Lee. She is a native of Boyle county, Kentucky, and was born December 27, 1841. They have had ten children, eight of whom are liv- ing : Ellis, Lee, Garnett, Robert W., Thomas G., Cameron, Mary E. and Annie C.
R. M. ELLIS,
Farmer, section 28, post-office Independence, is a native of New York, and was born in Oneida County, January 1, 1852. When but four years of age, he with his parents, Elias and Elizabeth Reese, who were natives of Wales, moved to Logan County, Ill. In the fall of 1865, they moved to Missouri, and located in
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Jackson County where he finished his education, after which he engaged in teach- ing school for a short time. In March, 1877, he moved to his present location. His farm contains 172 acres and is well adapted for the raising of stock, contain- ing a surplus of running water. The old Santa Fe trail passed through the the northern part of his farm. Near where his house is now located, the first wedding in the township occurred. Mr. E. was married September 1, 1880, to Miss Manerva Allen, of Jackson County., daughter of David Allen.
DANIEL FLANAGAN,
Farmer, section 6, post-office Independence, is a native of Ireland, and was born in 1826. When about four years of age his parents went to Quebec, Canada. They soon after located in Lawrence County, N. Y., where he was reared and educated. When sixteen years of age, he apprenticed himself to the carriage and wagon maker's trade. Followed his trade in Ogden, N. Y., in which place he worked till December, 1847, when he came to Independence, Jackson County, Mo., working in the manufacture of freight wagons during the winter, then returned to Ogdensburg, N. Y. In the spring of 1850, he went to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama, remaining about three months engaged in mining. He then returned by the same route to New Orleans and St. Lou's, making his second trip to Independence, where he was engaged in the manufacture of carriages till June, 1853, and again returned to Ogdensburg, N. Y., and erected a carriage and wagon manufactory ; this business he pursued till Jan- uary, 1856, after which he spent some time in traveling over the New England States. In July, 1856, he again came to Independence, Mo., where he followed his trade till the year 1861, when he located on a farm which he had purchased some time previous, and since that time has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. His landed estate now consists of 140 acres, which is considered a part of the best in the county. Was married January 19, 1861, to Miss Emily Pendleton of Ken- tucky. Eleven children are the fruit of their union, all of which are at home : James A., Stephen O., Nannie, Fannie, Mary, Jessy, Carrie, Jennie, George, Ida and Cora.
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