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 124
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139
ABRAM RENICK,
Farmer, section 19, post-office Independence, was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, June 6, 1814, and was there reared and educated on a farm. Having all the elements of a natural mechanic, he began the gunsmith trade when he attained the age of manhood, following it in Kentucky till 1843, when he immi- grated to Missouri, and located in Jackson County. Since the beginning of the War, in 1861, he has been engaged in farming, and also in working at his trade. His landed estate consists of 190 acres, on which is situated a fine orchard, con- taining 300 apple trees, 150 to 200 peach trees, and other small fruit. He was married to Miss Melvina Reed, December 24, 1840. She died in 1856, leaving four children : Samuel, Mary E., William H., and Louisa. Mrs. Howell, whose maiden name was Reed, and a sister to his first wife, became his second wife, June 24, 1858. They had one child, now deceased.
896
BIOGRAPHICAL.
A. M. ROGERS,
Stock dealer, section 33, post-office Independence, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, January 7, 1833, and was there reared on a farm. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Federal service, as private in Company C, goth Ohio Infantry, and in the summer of 1864 was promoted to first lieutenant of Company B, same regiment, having previously been promoted to second lieutenant. This regiment was in active service continuously, having the name of being in thirty-three active battles. He was slightly wounded at the battle of Chicamaugua, and was mus- tered out in June, 1865. Then returned to Clinton County, Ohio, and was there engaged in the stock business till the spring of 1871, when he came to Jackson County. Since then he has been engaged in farming and dealing in stock, quite extensively in short-horned cattle. His landed estate consists of 115 acres. His son, John W., is in partnership in the stock business, supplying the demand of the western country with breeding cattle. Mr. Rogers was married December 26, 1855, to Miss Mary C. Webb, a native of Virginia. They have had four children, three now living : John W., Clara B. and Lucy C.
JAMES T. ROGERS,
Section 35, post-office Independence, was born in Jackson County, Missouri, March 22, 1844, and was here reared and educated. In the fall of 1864 he enlisted in the Confederate service Company H, Shanks' Regiment, and served till the close of the War when he returned to Jackson County. He was married November 16, 1872, to Miss Susan R. Portwood, a native of Jessamine County, Ky. They have three children : Lottie L., Sidney P. and Willard F.
JOHN E. SCRUGGS,
Farmer, section 15, post-office Independence, was born in Wilson County, Tenn., March 18, 1833, and when about six months of age his parents, Nathan- iel H. and Martha (Bradley), emigrated to Missouri and located in Jackson County, where he grew to manhood. He spent his boyhood days on a farm, his father having been one of the most successful farmers in Jackson County. He was educated in the common schools and the Academy of Jackson County, and graduated in Jones' Commercial College, of St. Louis, in the spring of 1854. In 1855 he embarked in the mercantile business in Papinsville, Bates County, Mo., where he remained till the beginning of the War in 1861. Then moved on a farm near Kansas City, and there remained during the war, after which he moved to Independence. Since then he has been engaged in the mercantile business and farming, excepting in 1867-8. Part of this time he was at Warsaw in the hotel business, and at Sedalia in the mercantile business. In 1869 he moved to his present location. His farm consists of 105 acres, improved, hav- ing a fine orchard. He was married December 2, 1856, to Miss Mary Evans, a native of Kentucky, born in Garred County, June 5, 1838. They have six children : Nathaniel, Jennie, John E., Jr., Walter S., Arthur L. and Nellie M.
DR. F. L. SEWELL,
Farmer and Physician, section 22, post office Independence, was born January 24, 1827, in Fairfield County, Virginia, and spent his boyhood days on a farm. While receiving his education he was compelled to work to pay his expenses. When eighteen years of age he chose the profession of medicine, and began its study under the tutorship of Dr. William B. Day, of Drainesville, Virginia. After studying for three years he attended two full courses of lectures at the State Institution of Maryland, graduating from this institution at the close of the session of 1850-1. He then went to Henry County, Kentucky, and in that fall began the practice of his profession. The following season being noted for the typhoid fever, and its nature not being understood by many of the practitioners, the
897
BLUE TOWNSHIP.
doctor had flattering prospects, having just returned from the hospital where he had become acquainted with this disease. He remained in this location till 1862 when he moved to Christiansburgh, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession till the spring of 1868. Then moved to his present location, having purchased a farm, on a previous visit, in the spring of 1867. Since coming here he has made farming his principal occupation ; his farm consists of 180 acres.
W. C. STAPLES,
Farmer, section 31, post-office Independence, was born in Jackson County, Missouri, July 15, 1830. His father, A. G. Staples, was a native of Augusta, Georgia, and when about thirty-eight years of age immigrated to Tennessee, where he remained till 1826, then coming to Jackson County, Missouri. Here he remained till the time of his demise in 1870. The subject of this sketch is one of a family of eight children, five boys and three girls, all of whom grew up, but only two are now living. In 1856 he went to Saline County, Missouri, where he was married to Miss Virginia Staples. In September, 1864, he enlisted in the Confederate service, Company H, Wood's Battalion, and shortly after his enlist- ment was taken prisoner and held in St. Louis five months, then transferred to Alton, Illinois, where he was detained four months, and was released on the evening of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, being the last man ever released by him. After being released he returned to his farm in Saline County, Missouri, where he remained but a short time when he returned to his native county. His farm consists of 112 acres. Mrs. Staples is a native of Henry County, Virginia, and was born May 30, 1835, and came to Missouri when about five years of age; she is a daughter of Colonel James Staples.
J. H. STORALL,
Farmer, section 16, post-office Independence, was born in Jackson County, Mis- souri, February 24, 1841, and was there reared on a farm. In 1861 he enlisted in the Missouri State Guards, and at the end of six months re-enlisted in the Confederate service, in Company A, 16th Missouri. Served until the close of the War, and was paroled at Shreevesport, after which he returned to Jackson County. During the winter of 1876-7 he was in Colorado, and was there engaged in teaming. His farm consists of eighty acres, improved. He was married in September, 1869, to Mrs. Lucinda J. Noland, whose maiden name was Moon, and a daughter of William Moon. She has two children by her first husband.
CALVIN THOMPSON,
Farmer, section 36. post-office Independence, was born in Canon County, Vir- ginia, August 20, 1818, and was there reared and educated, attending the New London Academy of that county. He was in the mercantile business for a number of years, five years as clerk. In 1848 he moved to Carroll County, Missouri, where he engaged in the stock trade till the beginning of the War, during which time he was mostly engaged on a farm. In 1866 he moved to Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, where he engaged in the grocery trade for several years, and in 1877 moved to his farm, containing 150 acres, where he now resides. He was married in 1846 to Miss Catherine Gwatkin, of same county as himself. They have had four children, two now living: Charles A. and David L.
ROBERT TURNER,
Farmer and stock raiser, section 5, post-office Independence, was born in York- shire, England, where he remained till he attained his twenty-second year. Then came to America, landing at New York City, and after a short stay went to Canada West, where he lived about nine years. He went to Edgar County, Illinois,
57 ---
898
BIOGRAPHICAL.
where he remained four years engaged in farming, and then moved to Douglas County, same State, where he lived two years. In 1866 came to Independence. Mr. Turner had many obstacles to contend with, as the change in the current of the Missouri River at one time took his entire crop. He then went to his pres- ent place, and in 1877 the river again rose and swept away his old home, crop and all, to the amount of $8, 000. He is now working 500 acres, and is also en- gaged in the ice business, having one ice house in Independence and two houses on the farm. He was married, in Canada, to Miss Maria Richardson, of Som- merville, Canada West. They have had twelve children ten now living : Will- iam J., Mary J., Frances A., Hannah M., Robert J., Esther E , George R., Jo- seph H., David L., and Oliver A. . Henry and Daniel are deceased.
JUDGE JAMES B. YAGER,
Section 16, post-office Independence. Among the pioneers of Jackson County, none have figured more conspicuously than our subject, who is of German ex- traction, but a native of Kentucky. His parents, Ananias and Rachel (Brum- field) immigrated from Virginia to Kentucky at an early day. James was born July 19, 1809 in Washington, where he received the advantage of a limited com- mon school education While living there he acted as deputy sheriff during the years 1833-4-5. In the spring of 1837 he moved to Missouri stopping in Calla- way County till December, when he located in Jackson County. His first elec- tion as member of the county court occurred in August, 1842, and he served till 1844 when he resigned the position. In 1854 he was elected a second time as a member of the county court and served till the expiration of his term in 1858. At the election in 1858, he was chosen as representative in the Legislature, and served during the sessions of 1858-9 and 1859-60. In 1868 he was elected a third time as judge of the county court, and has held the same position by re- election and appointment up to the present time, now serving a term of two years. From 1854 to 1861, Judge Yager, in connection with his official duties, was engaged in freighting to Santa Fe, and other western points. During the War of the Rebellion his time was spent transiently over different parts of the State not being physically able for service. He was married in Washington County, Ken- tucky, September 29, 1835, to Miss Mary J. Berry. She is a native of Kentucky, and was born in Washington County, September 14, 1812, and is a daughter of Richard and Mary (New), who immigrated to Missouri in 1820. They have had five children, two of whom are living: Rachel M., (now Mrs. Harper) and Lou- isa M., (now Mrs. Hamilton).
899
FORT OSAGE TOWNSHIP.
FORT OSAGE TOWNSHIP.
JAMES M. ADAMS,
Farmer and stock raiser, section 35, post-office Buckner, was born in Little Blue Bottom, Jackson County, Missouri, on the 13th of November, 1833, -a night made memorable by the falling of the stars. His father, Lynchburg Adams, was one of the earliest settlers in this county. James spent his youth on a farm, and received his primary education in the common schools, then entered Chapel Hill College, in Lafayette County. He afterward attended the State University at Columbia, and also Jones' Commercial College, at St. Louis, from which he graduated in the spring of 1859. Returning to this county, he was engaged in teaching and farming until the outbreak of the War, when he enlisted under General Price, in December, 1861, and served until after the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas. Was taken sick, and remained for two weeks in the hospital at Little Rock. He returned to this county in 1862, and then went to Clay County, and engaged in teaching. At the close of the War, he again came home and engaged in farming. In 1866 he became interested in the mercantile busi- ness at Pink Hill, and continued therein, in connection with his farming, until 1876, when he sold out his store, and now gives his attention to farming. He owns a fine farm of 150 acres, well improved and also well stocked. He held the position of constable in Kansas City, from November, 1878, to November, 1880; has also held the position of justice of the peace and notary public. He married Miss Anna C. Nottingham, April 5, 1859, also a native of this county, born April 1, 1837 They have a family of ten children : Lynchburg, John W., Cozettie, Bessie, Fannie, James M., Arthur, Aronia, Emmit, and Otis. He, his eldest son and daughter Bessie, are members of the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife and daughter Cozettie are members of the Mis- onary Baptist Church. Mr. Adams is also a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows Orders, and has filled the position of master in the Masonic Order some eight years.
S. AKERS,
Farmer, section 31, post-office Levasy, was born December 6, 1832, in Floyd County, Kentucky, and came West with his parents when five years of age. They settled in Cass County, ten miles south of Harrisonville, and here Sylvester spent his boyhood days on the farm. He received an education in the schools of that county, and also learned the blacksmith trade. When seventeen years of age, he commenced teaming across the plains, and followed it three years, and then engaged in farming, and followed it until the War broke out. In 1862 he enlisted under General Shelby, and took part in the battles of Wilson's Creek, Prairie Grove, and was with Price in his raid through this county. At the close of the War, he turned his attention to farming, and in the spring of 1879, he and his family moved to Leadville, Colorado, where he engaged in the freighting business. In the sprin of 1880, he returned to his farm, and now owns 160 acres of well cultivated land, and keeps a moderate amount of stock. He married Miss Malvina Parsons, in 1852. She is a native of Cass County, born July 30, 1835. They have three children living: Mary B. (now Mrs. Hollingsworth), Joseph and William; lost three. Himself and wife are members of the Chris tian Church, and also of the Patrons of Husbandry.
JOHN B. ANDERSON,
Farmer, Clay Township, Lafayette County, post-office Napoleon, was born in West Virginia, Jannary 13, 1802, and was reared there as a farmer, also following
.
900
BIOGRAPHICAL.
river life for a time. In the fall of 1848, he came to Missouri, and resided two years near Wellington, and then moved on the place where he now owns 160 acres of improved land. In 1833 he was married to Miss Mary Best, a native of Lynchburg, Virginia, born May 4, 1814. She died January 22, 1879, leaving two children : John J. and Martha (now Mrs. Nealey).
MOSES BEAVER,
Farmer, section 20, post-office Levasy, was born in Montgomery County, Vir- ginia, February 17, 1825, and was brought up on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools. He came to Jackson County in the fall of 1865, and settled in this township, engaging in farming. In 1872 he moved to the farm where he owns seventy acres, on which he resides; also has sixty acres in the bottoms. Has been school director for several terms. In the fall of 1859, he was married to Miss Margaret A. Beavers, a native of Indiana, born December 10, 1840. They have six children living: James M., John C., Robert L., Pelatiah, G. A., and Stonewall J .; lost two. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
S. J. CHILES,
Farmer and stock raiser, section 23, post-office Buckner. His parents were na- tives of Clark County, Kentucky, and there S. J. was born June 27, 1832. He was brought to this county by his parents during the fall, and was here reared on a farm and received his primary education in the schools of this county. Then entered Chapel Hill College, where he completed his education. In 1850 he started across the plains to California and spent about five years in the mines, then returned to this county and engaged in farming. He had his first insight into the mercantile business when a boy about fifteen years of age, with his father at Sibley. In 1878 he commenced the mercantile business at Buckner and fol- lowed it some two years and then turned his attention to farming again. He owns 120 acres of land, forty of which are well improved. Mr. Chiles has filled the office of justice of the peace some eight years and of school director several terms ; also taught three terms of school. He was in Kansas City when the first house was erected within the present city limits. In 1852 he married Miss Mary E. Hamilton, a native of Kentucky, born in 1834. They have had three children, two of whom are living : Artie S. and Itaska B. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias Lodges. The eldest daughter, Artie S., holds the position of ticket agent and operator at Buckner for the Wyandotte, Kansas City & Lexington Railroad. She received her education at Lexington, and is an estimable young lady and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
W. G. CHILES,
Farmer and stock raiser, section 16, post-office Buckner, was born on the 22nd of June, 1836, in this county, and has here been reared and educated. He gives his attention to agricultural pursuits and owns a well improved farm which con- tains some 280 acres. He has just erected a handsome residence which is an orna- ment to the township. He has a good orchard, and the farm is well stocked. Mr. Chiles has never been an office-seeker, but has always given his attention to his legitimate business. He took a trip to Texas and was captured by the Fed- erals in the Indian Territory in 1862 and held a prisoner at Ft. Leavenworth about one year. Was then banished to Canada by General Schofield. From there he went to Kentucky and received a pass to go on a visit to the coast in 1864, and there spent some two years; he returned to this county by Mackinaw flat boats in the fall of 1866. In 1867 he again went to Texas and engaged in farming ; returned to this county in 1869. He married Miss May E. Marfee in 1870. She is a native of this State, born April 23, 1849. They have two
901
FORT OSAGE TOWNSHIP.
children living: Isaac C. and Graham M .; lost two. They are members of the Christian Church at Sibley.
H. C. CHILES,
Farmer and stock raiser, section 20, post-office Buckner, was born May 28, 1838, in this county, and here was reared and partly educated. He attended the Ma- sonic College at Lexington, Mo., and took a trip West in 1858 in charge of some Government cattle, and went on to the Black Hills. Returned to this county again and commenced freighting for himself and made several trips across the plains in or about the year 1865. He moved to the place where he now resides in 1869, and owns 780 acres of well improved land. He gives his attention mostly to stock-raising, and, being one of the pioneers here, has won the re- spect of a large circle of friends. He has filled the office of school director some fourteen years. He married Miss Julia Perrin, December 27, 1866. She is a native of Platte County, Mo., born July 25, 1847. They have six children : Jane, Franklin, Azubah, Maggie, Susan and Jessie. Himself and wife are members of the Christian Church.
B. R. CHILTON,
Farmer and stock raiser, section 25, post-office Buckner, was born February 16, 1808, in Culpepper County, Virginia, and was taken to Wood County, Kentucky, by his parents in 1816. There he was reared and educated, and, after becoming old enough to do business, he engaged rather extensively in stock dealing. At one time he held the position of tax collector, also constable, and has held other positions of trust. He came West in 1854 and stopped at Sibley, and moved to the place on which he now resides in 1861, but was not suffered to remain on it. Then removed to Texas and remained until the close of the War, when he returned to his farm, which consists of over 281 acres; it is one of the finest stock farms in the county and has a handsome building site on it. His sister-in-law, Mrs. Nancy H. Chiles, and Miss Belle McMerty keep house for him.
WASHINGTON DIXON,
Merchant, Blue Mills, was born in Cass County, Indiana, November 8, 1836. His father, William Dixon, was one of the pioneers of Cass County, and for several years acted as county commissioner. When Washington was about sixteen years of age they moved to Jackson County. When about twenty years of age he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in connection with farming till he began in his present business in February, 188r. In the fall of 1861 he went to Jackson County, Kansas, where he remained one year, and then to Coffey County, Kansas, where he remained till the close of the War. He was married October 6, 1863, to Miss Georgie A. Roberts, a native of Monroe County, Mis- souri, born October 26, 1841. They have six children: Mary E., Ida M., Mattie Estella, Bessie and Claude.
WILLIAM I. DOUGLASS,
Farmer and stock raiser, section 7, post-office Lake City, was born in April, 1825, in Madison County, Kentucky, and accompanied his parents to this county in October, 1835, and has here made his home since. He took a trip to Mexico in 1846, and also went to California in 1849 and spent about four years on the coast. When order No. 1I was issued he removed to Ray County, and resided in the same eighteen months. He owns 200 acres of land, part of which is im- proved. He married Miss Milda J. Sanders in 1855. She is a native of Ken- tucky, born December 5, 1833. They have one child, Thaddeus T. They are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Douglass is among the oldest pioneers in the county, and has the respect of a large circle of acquaintances.
.
902
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JAMES H. DOUGLASS,
Farmer and stock raiser, section 8, post-office Buckner, was born June 5, 1829, in Madison County, Kentucky, and was brought to this county by his parents when six years of age. Here he has been reared as a farmer, and stands high among the pioneers of this county. He took a trip to Mexico in 1848, returned the same year, and in 1850 went to California and spent three years on the coast. During the late War he enlisted in the Confederate Army and served some three years under Shelby and Johnson, and suffered the loss of his right eye by a bullet at the battle of Kennesaw Mountains, Georgia, on the 24th of June, 1864. At the close of the War he settled on the place where he now resides, and owns 145 acres of fine farm land, and fifty two acres of timber. His farm is well improved and well stocked. He has filled the office of school director several terms. He married Miss Henrietta Dixon September 4, 1854. She was a native of Virginia and was born in 1835. She died on the 13th of September, 1879, leaving a family of eight children : Walter, May, Thomas, Hattie J., Annie M., Ebenezer, Mertie E. and James. Mr. Douglass is a member of the Christian Church, also a member of the Masonic fraternity.
JAMES DUFFIELD,
Harness maker, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1853, and there spent his youthful days on a farm, and received good educational advantages. In 1869 he came West and settled in this township on a farm, engaging in agricultural pur- suits for six years. He then established himself in the harness business with A: D. McPherson, the firm thus continuing until 1879, when Mr. Duffield bought out his partner's interest and has since continued the business alone. He has a good business throughout the township, and is popular with all. He is a member of Buckner Lodge No. 364, 1. O. O. F., and Knights of Pythias.
ALEXANDER ECKLES,
Farmer and stock raiser, section 5, post-office Sibley. " Aleck," as he is famil- iarly called, is the son of R. C. Eckles, one of the pioneers of this county, and was born November 15, 1853, on the place where he now resides. His early youth was spent upon a farm, and here he received his preparatory education, afterward completing it by attending the William Jewell College. In April, 1875, his father died, and our subject came into possession of the farm, consisting of 170 acres of well improved and stocked land, and eighty acres of timber. Mr. Eckles has filled the position of sub-director and clerk of this district for about six years. He married February 11, 1879, Miss Susan Hamilton, also a native of this county, born February 19, 1854. They have one child, Robert. Mr. Eckles is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
J. L. H. FRANKLIN,
Farmer and stock raiser, section 25, post-office Lake City, was born March 30, 1842, in this township, and has here been reared on a farm. He received a common school education, and commenced life on his own account when twenty- one years of age, and has given his attention to farming and stock raising since. He ownes 634 acres of improved land, and ninety acres of timber; his farm is well stocked; he has a fine orchard and a comfortable house. He moved to Lexington, Mo., and resided there some six months, when Order No. 11 was in force. He has never been an office-seeker, but has always given his attention to his legitimate business, and he has the respect of a large circle of friends. He has been twice married : First to Miss Marietta Tar in 1871. She died in 1873. He married again, September 16, 1874, Miss Laura C. Turner, a native of South Carolina, born November 27, 1846. They are members of the Baptist Church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.