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 125
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FORT OSAGE TOWNSHIP.
WILLIAM H. FUNK,
Farmer and stock raiser, section 7, post-office Buckner, was born September 15, 1852, in Kentucky, and was brought to this county by his parents when about seven years of age. He was principally reared here as a farmer, and received his education in the schools of this county. He commenced business on his own account when about twenty years of age, and engaged in agricultural pursuits, and now farms 130 acres of land, and raises considerable stock, princi- pally graded. He holds the office of school director at present, and in his manner is much of a gentleman. He married Miss Mary Kimsey in the fall of 1872, an estimable lady and a native of this county, born in 1856. They have two children: Johnny and Elizabeth. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
WILLIAM N. GRAY,
Merchant at Levasy, was born December 26, 1836, in this county, and spent his boyhood days on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools. During the late War he served three years with General Shelby, and took part in the battles of Helena, Springfield, Lone Jack, Lexington (under General Price), Saline River ( under Kirby Smith), and in many other minor engagements. At the close of the War he engaged in farming again, continuing therein until 1878, when he engaged in the drug business at Levasy, and continued this until the spring of 1881, when he sold out. By his agreeable manners he has won the respect of a large circle of friends. In March, 1867, he married Miss M. R. Hightower, a native of Kentucky, born March 21, 1846. They have two children. Charlie H. and Lena L. Himself and wife are members ot the Baptist Church : Mr. Gray's father, James Gray, was one of the early pioneers in the county, and came here in 1835. During the Mormon War, and also the Osage Indian War, he held the position of brigadier-general of the State troops, from the Sixth Dis- trict. Also held the position of county judge a number of years. He died in 1865 and left a large circle of friends.
S. T. HARRIS,
Merchant, postmaster, and agent for the Wyandott, Kansas City & Lexington Railroad at Lake City. His parents were natives of Kentucky, and came to this county in 129, and S. T. Harris was born in 1828, in Sni-a-bar Township. Was here reared as a farmer, and received his education in the district schools. Dur- ing the late War he enlisted under General Shelby, and served over two years. He commenced the mercantile business in the spring of 1872, at Fire Prairie, and removed to Lake City in 1876, and built the first store in that place. Was also influential in having the depot placed there, and has held the position of agent since the office was first established. He holds the position of post-master and trustee, and also carries on a general merchandise store. He formed at partnership with H. W. Webb, the Ist of April, 1881, and they have opened a complete stock of staple and fancy groceries, queensware, etc. Mr. Harris is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He married Miss Barbara N. Bridges in 1862. She is a native of Lake City, and was born in 1843. They have seven children : Lucy. Rhoda E., Martha A., Mertie, Ernest and Atox, twins, and Anna. H. W. Webb, of this firm, was born August 15, 1819, in this coun- ty, and was reared as a farmer. He became a partner April 8, 1881. He is. one of the rising young business men of the place.
JOHN HIGHTOWER,
Merchant at Levasy, was born March 16, 1816, in Jessamine County, Ky., but was principally reared in Mason County, that State. He came to this county in October, 1855, and settled in this township and engaged in farming, where he re- sided until Order No. 11 compelled him to retire, and he then to moved Lafayette County. Returned to his farm at the close of the War, and continued farming
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
until the spring of 1881. He owns 240 acres of fine land. He commenced the mercantile business here about the first of March, 1881, and carries a general stock of dry goods and groceries, and is building up a good business. In No- vember, 1858, he married Miss Sarah A. Van Ardoll, a native of Kentucky, born in March, 1822. They have had eleven children, eight of whom are liv- ing : W. H., C. C., J. T., Geo. P., Margie, Janie, Alice, and Pearly. Mr. Hightower and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
S. W. HUDSON,
Farmer and stock raiser, section 3, post-office Buckner, was born March 2, 1842, on the place where he now resides, and has been reared here as a farmer. He received his education partly at the Masonic College of Lexington, and also at William Jewell College of Liberty. When Elijah Chiles organized his company here, Mr. Hudson became one of its members, and held the position of orderly until the company disbanded. He went to Texas in the fall of 1861, and re- turned in January, 1862, and took part in the battle of Lone Jack. Mr. Hudson has never been an office seeker, preferring the peace and quiet of his own busi- ness. He took a trip across the plains in April, 1865, in the interest of Butter- field's Overland Dispatch Company. He owns 420 acres of well-improved land, where he lives and has a good residence, and two good barns ; also owns ninety acres in Kansas. He is an active member of the Christian Church, in which he holds the office of deacon. January 18, 1871, he married Miss Mollie Gilbert, a native of Kentucky, born April 28, 1852. She died July 14, 1873.
ROBERT N. HUDSPETH,
Farmer and stock raiser, section 12, post-office Lake City, was born in Simpson County, Kentucky, February 22, 1822, and came with his parents to this county in 1828. Here he has since made his home, and has seen the county grow from a vast wilderness to one of the richest in the State, and Mr. Hudspeth has not been backward in doing his share toward making this change. He is now one of the most highly respected citizens in the county, and is the owner of 1200 acres of fine land, and raises considerable stock. In 1849 he went to California, remain- ing two years, and afterward took another trip to the same place at the close of the War, stopping one year in Utah. During the late War he served for some time with Quantrell. Recently he made a visit to his native county in Kentucky. Being an old settler here, and widely known, he numbers his friends by the score.
J. R. HUDSPETH,
Farmer and stock raiser, section 25, post-office Lake City, was born November 21, 1839, in this township, and has here been reared as a farmer. He owns a fine farm of 440 acres, well improved with a good orchard, and has 100 head of cattle, mostly graded. His residence is situated on an elevation which gives him a view of a vast scope of country and a sight of the towns of Independence, Lake City and Buckner Hills. He has filled the position of school director six years. . During the late War he joined General Shelby's command and served four years, taking part in the battles of Prairie Grove, Helena, Little Rock, Lone Jack, and was with General Price on his raid through Missouri in 1863; and also in many minor engagements. August 15, 1866, he married Miss S. A. Franklin, a native of Jackson County; she was born December 24, 1847. They have four children : Joseph, Mary A., Elvira B., and Charlie R. Mrs. Hudspeth is a member of the Baptist Church.
GEORGE W. HUDSPETH,
Farmer, section 24, post-office Lake City, was born January 27, 1820, in Simp- son County, Kentucky, and was brought to this country by his father, when eight years of age, and has been partly reared in Jackson County. He owns 487 acres of land. He has filled his present office of school director for some twenty
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FORT OSAGE TOWNSHIP.
years. During the time of order No. ri he moved across the river, and remained about one year and six months. He took two trips to Mexico; also several journeys to California, and spent five years on the coast. He married Miss Elizabeth Jessie, in March, 1857. She is a native of Russel County, Virginia, born May 6, 1830. They have a family of six children : Tybithia P., Anna E., Lola G., Ida M., Joel E., and Silas B. ; lost two. He is a member of the Baptist Church, also of the Masonic faternity.
JACOB W. JAMES,
Farmer, section 9, post-office Buckner, was born August 18, 1834 in Switzer- land County, Indiana, and at fifteen years of age commenced boating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. In 1854 he went to California and spent four years on the coast engaged in mining. He then returned to Kentucky and followed farming. During the War he joined General Buford's Division in 1862 and serv- ed six months; then joined Gen. John Morgan and remained with him until he was captured ; was taken to Camp Morton, Indiana, and held there five months ; was then removed to Camp Douglas, Illinois, but dug out of this prison and made his way to Kentucky. He came to this county in 1868 and settled on his present farm. It contains 120 acres, all under cultivation, and he has one of the handsomest building sites in the county. He married Miss Emily C. Gibson in February 1868. She was born in 1846. They have seven children; Lulu, Emma, Ada, George, Nancy, Ida and Ernest.
J. J. KASTER,
Farmer and stock raiser, section 20, post-office Lake City, was born January 10, 1839, in Rush County, Indiana, and was taken to Burlington, Iowa, when eight years of age. He was there reared and received his education, and early engaged in shipping cattle to Chicago and New York. He moved to Fremont County, Missouri in 1863, and engaged in stock raising, farming and lumbering. He came from there to this county in 1878 and purchased the farm on which he now resides. It contains 490 acres of well improved land, and he is quite exten- sively engaged in stock raising, especially sheep. He holds the office of school director. February 13, 1862, he married Miss Sarah E. McAlister, a native of Burlington, Iowa, born May 21, 1842. Her parents were among the pio- neers in that vicinity. They have had six children, five of whom are living : Eu- gene L., Earl T., Birdie; Thomas T. and James J. They are members of the church of Latter Day Saints.
A. KITTLE,
Blacksmith, carpenter, wagonmaker and farmer, section 7, post-office Blue Mills, was born September 15, 1823, in Randolph County, Virginia, and spent liis boyhood days on a farm. He commenced to learn the blacksmith trade at eighteen years of age, and after working some three and a half years at home, he took what might be called a journeyman's tramp through Ohio and Indiana, and finally settled at Lafayette County, Indiana. There he resided two years, and learned to do general wood work on wagons, and also carpenter work, and then returned to Virginia. He came to this county in 1865, and has made this his home since. He started the shop he now operates in in 1867 ; he also farms about sixty acres. He has filled his present office of school director for seven years. He married Miss Martha E. Triplett on the 26th of August, 1847. She is also a native of the same place as her husband, and was born March 4, 1830. They have four children living : Alonzo, Bruce, John L. and William G. ; lost three. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church, in which he holds the office of moderator.
JAMES W. KINSEY,
Farmer, section 8, post-office Buckner, was born October 4, 1837, on the same tract of land where he now resides, and has been reared here as a farmer. He
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
received his education in the schools of this county. He took a trip to Fort Laramie in 1860, and one to Texas in the fall of 1861, returning the same fall. He then joined the Confederate Army and served four years with Joseph Shelby, and was at the battles of Jenkin's Ferry, Helena, Prairie Grove, Lone Jack, and many other smaller engagements. Was also with Price and Shelby in their raids through this county. He took a trip to New Mexico in 1866, and returned the same fall to his farm. He owns eighty acres of improved land, upon which are three springs that have never been known to go dry. He has never sought after office, but gives his attention to his business. He married Miss Missouri A. Hudspeth in 1868. She is a native of Buckner, and was born December 25, 1837. They have two children: Robert S. and Sally V. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
WILLIAM KIRBY,
Farmer, section 34, post-office Buckner, was born May 6, 1831, in Warren County, Kentucky, and was there reared as a farmer and received his education in the schools of that county. He immigrated to Texas in 1854 and remained three years; then came to this county and resided here a few years, then taking a trip to California, he spent three years on the coast and returned to this county in 1868, and has been engaged in farming since. He owns 120 acres of land, part of which is under cultivation. He has filled the office of school director several years. He married, October 7, 1868, Miss Susan Capell, born in this county April 29, 1841. They have had four children, three of whom are living : Eddie E., Sally A. and Derwood B. Himself and wife are members of the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church at Pink Hill. Mr. Kirby is one of Jackson County's best citizens.
MARTIN LAREY,
Farmer and stock raiser, section 34, post-office Buckner, was born June 7, 1829, in Pickaway County, Ohio, and was there reared as a farmer, and received his education in the schools of that county. He commenced the mercantile business in Palestine, Ohio, in 1861, and continued there until coming West in 1867. He first settled in Sni-a-bar Township, this county, and moved to his present farm in the winter of 1870. He owns 260 acres, 160 of which are well improved and stocked. He has filled the office of school director several terms. In 1851 he married Miss Annie Dick, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, born in Novem- ber, 1829. They have a family of three children living: Mary F. (now Mrs. Becket), Viola E. and Willie M. ; lost four. Mrs. L. is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church.
WILLIAM LIVESAY
Farmer and stock raiser, was born in Virginia October 1, 1824, and when ten years old accompanied his parents to Lafayette County, Missouri, settling in Lex- ington in 1834. There William was educated, and in 1846 went to Mexico, but returned in the spring of 1847. In 1849, he took a trip to California, spending about two years in the mines, when he returned home and during 1852 and 1853 he was in Mexico. Mr. L. came to this county in 1855, and is now in posses- sion of 247 acres of fine land, well improved and stocked. The town of Levasy is situated on a part of his land, and was intended to be named after him, although a mistake was made in the name. He has been school director, and is one of Jackson County's best citizens. In 1855, he married Miss Nancy Ward, a native of Lafayette County, born in 1833 ; they have had nine children : John W., Annie, Sallie, Libbie Rebecca, Maggie, David F. and Lydia; have lost two. Mrs. L. died in July, 1878.
NATHANIEL McCUNE,
Farmer and stock raiser, section 26, post-office Buckner, was born January 30, 1842, in Coshocton County, Ohio, and was there reared as a farmer, and received
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FORT OSAGE TOWNSHIP.
his education in the common schools. He enlisted in Company A, 194th Ohio Infantry in 1864, and served until the close of the War. He made a visit to this county in the fall of 1868, and returned to Ohio and moved here in the spring of 1869, and now owns a fine farm of 160 acres, mostly improved and well stocked. He was married to Miss Maggie Hall, in August, 1868. She is also a native of Ohio, born in 1853. They have three children living: Nora B., Mary B. and Sarah ; lost one. Mrs. McCune is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
G. W. C. McPHERSON,
Farmer, section 18, post-office Lake City, was born December 13, 1806, in Roan County, East Tennessee, and was there reared as a farmer. He immigrated to DeKalb County, Missouri, in the spring of 1844, and during the spring that the county was organized he received the appointment of commissioner to locate the county seat ; laid off the town of Maysville, and made the sale of the lots. In 1863 he moved to Daviess County, remaining about three years, and then came to this county and settled on the Bank farm, three miles south of Independence. He moved to his present place in the spring of 1870, and owns 120 acres of fine land, 100 acres of which are improved. He has filled the offices of school director and overseer. He has been twice married; first, to Amelia Oliver, in 1827, a native of Tennessee, born in 1813 and died in 1857, leaving a family of five children, living : Sophia J., Elizabeth, Samuel H., John W. and Francis A .; lost seven. He was married again in September, 1860, to Mrs. Julia A. Rollins, a native of Kentucky, born December 1, 1823. She has five children by her former husband living : Susan E., John C., George W., Thomas J. and K. Miller. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. McPherson holds the position of steward and trustee.
J. J. MANN,
Merchant, Buckner, was born in Cass County, Missouri, in 1850, and when a child his parents removed to Cedar County, and engaged in farming. There J. J. received his education, and next moved to Morgan County, and from there to Johnson County, Kansas, in 1866. In 1872 he went to California, and engaged in trading stock. In 1877 he came to Buckner and opened a drug store. On the 15th of April, 1881, he opened a general store, and now runs both establish- ments ; his stock is as good as can be found in town, and he merits the esteem in which he is held by the people. Mr. Mann is a member of the Masonic frater- nity. He was married in 1878, at Olathe, Kansas to Miss Bessie Clark, an estima- ble lady, a native of this State, and born in 1859.
B. H. MORROW,
Farmer, section 24, post-office Lake City, is the eldest child living of Jessie Mor- row, and was born December 16, 1840, in this county, and was reared here as a farmer. During the late War he enlisted in Shelby's Division, and served about five months, being lieutenant most of the time. He returned home and joined Quantrell, and remained with him three years, being with him at Lawrence, Kan- sas, Centralia, Missouri, Baxter Springs and other noted places. He owns fifty-six acres of land, and a third interest in his father's farm. He has held the position of road overseer. He was married to Miss Ellen A. Marsh, in 1875, a native of Kentucky, who was born on the 29th of September, 1848. They have had three children, two of whom are living : Kate E. and Robert A. Mrs. Morrow is a member of the Christian Church.
JESSE MORROW,
Farmer, section 19, post-office Lake City, was born March 4, 1810, in Simpson County, Kentucky, and spent his boyhood days on a farm. He commenced to learn the blacksmith trade at sixteen years of age, and worked at it while remain- ing there. He came to this county in the fall of 1829, and has made his home
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
here since. He opened a blacksmith shop in this township, and also carried on his farm. During the time of Order No. 11, he moved to Carroll County, Mis- souri, and resided there one winter. In 1845 he took a trip to California, and remained but a short time, and about 1855 went to Texas. He owns 300 acres of fine land, part of which is under cultivation. He has deeded most of it to his children. He was married to Miss Sylvia Hudspeth, in the spring of 1829. She was also a native of Simpson County, Kentucky, born in 1807 and died in 1873, leaving a family of three children : Benjamin, Nathan and Rufus F. B. ; lost six. He is a member of the Baptist Church. His daughter, Rufus, keeps house for her father. She is an estimable young lady, and one that is deserving of a happy future.
S. S. NEELY,
Justice of the peace, Sibley, was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, in 1836, and there remained, receiving a good education, until twelve years of age, when he moved to Madison County, same State. Lived there until 1855, when he came to Fort Osage Township, this county, and commenced teaching school, at which he continued until the breaking out of the War. He took up farming but soon resumed teaching, and in September, 1865, was appointed magistrate of this township, holding the position until 1868. Was then elected to represent this district and served until 1870, when he returned to Sibley, and was again justice of the peace. He was the only justice from 1865 to '68, but in 1872 two were elected, Mr. Neely being one of them, making sixteen years service in all. Has held the office of postmaster, and is also a dealer in real estate, and has, in connection with his other business, a law office. He is one of the main supports of Sibley.
RICHARD POWELL,
Merchant and postmaster at Blue Mills, was born in Henry County, Kentucky, August 14, 1855, and when but a boy his parents moved to Missouri, and first located in Buchanan County, since which time they have lived in several different counties of the State. Richard was educated in the common schools and the State High School of Independence, and also attended the William Jewell College for one year. Has made two trips to Colorado and one to Mexico. He began in his present business December 16, 1880.
JOHN S. PRYOR,
Merchant, Buckner, was born May 5, 1832, in Crawford County, Missouri, and was taken to Franklin County by his parents when about four years of age. Was there reared and received his education at the Virginia University in Franklin County. He came to this county in 1853, and settled at Sibley, and engaged as clerk and commenced the mercantile business at Sibley, in 1866. Continued therein until March, 1878, when he moved to Buckner, having built the brick block he now occupies, in 1876. It is 20x50 feet, with a large hall overhead. He carries the largest and most complete stock of general merchandise in town and does a good business. He is a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellows, and Ancient Order of United Workmen Lodges, and joined the two first in 1855. He was appointed justice of the peace in 1859, and has held his present office of school-director several terms. He was married December 6, 1856, to Miss Matilda McMillen, a native of this State, born May 29, 1839. They have had .ten children, seven of whom are living : John, James, Abbie, Lucy, Mabel, Wallace, and Charlie. Mrs. Pryor died on the 4th of January, 1877. Mr. Pryor is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
J. T. SALE,
Farmer, section 14, post-office Blue Mills, was born in Jessamine County, Kentucky, May 17, 1833, and when five years of age his, parents moved to almyra, Missouri. There his father died soon after, and his mother and P
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FORT OSAGE TOWNSHIP.
family returned to his native home where they remained about five years. In the fall of 1843 they immigrated to Jackson County, and in 1850 he went to California by ox-team. Remained there till the summer of 1853, and during this time was engaged in mining. Returned to Jackson County the following spring; took a second trip to California, but only remained a short time, and since then he has resided in Jackson County ; his farm contains 125 acres. Mr. Sale was married April 26, 1846, to Miss Caroline Botts, a native of Montgomery County, Ken- tucky, born June 2, 1837. She came to Jackson County in 1842. They have had eight children, only one living : Lulu.
JOSEPH ST. CLAIR,
Farmer and stock raiser, section 16, post-office Buckner, was born in Virginia, March 5, 1806, and was brought up on a farm, receiving a common school edu- cation. In the fall of 1835 he immigrated to Lafayette County, Missouri, and came to this county in 1836, being the first settler in Sni-a-bar Township. In 1850 he bought the place on which he now resides, containing 207 acres, mostly improved and well stocked. During the War he removed to Texas, and staid about four years. He has filled the offices of justice of the peace, school direc- tor, road overseer, etc., for several terms. February 26, 1835, he married Miss Mary Gose, a native of Virginia, born July 24, 1831. They have one child, Henry C. Their youngest son died at Vicksburg during the War. Mrs. St. Clair is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
W. H. TEEGARDIN,
Farmer and trader, Sibley, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, September 4, 1849, and was reared there on a farm. He attended Tiabouan College, of War- ren County, and graduated from that institution in 1870. Was then employed in teaching for one year, then commenced traveling for an eastern hardware firm. In April, 1872, he came to this county, and with the exception of one year spent in Carroll County, has made it his home since. February 18, 1875, he was married to Ellie Embree, a native of Indian, born August 23, 1849. They have had four children, two of whom are living: Alice and Edwin. Mrs. Teegardin is a member of the Christian Church, and he belongs to the A. F. & A. M., and also K. of P. fraternities.
A. J. TURNER,
Blue Mills, is a native of South Carolina, and was born in Moberly District, Jan- uary 10, 1816. When about ten years of age, his parents moved to Stokes County, North Carolina, where he grew to manhood. In the summer of 1849, he came to Missouri, and located in Ray County, where he remained till 1853, when he located in Jackson County. He was engaged in agricultural pur- suits and dealing in stock till the fall of 1877, when he moved to Blue Mills, and took charge of a store, by invoice of Luvene Turner, deceased. Was there engaged in the mercantile trade till December 16, 1880. His landed estate consists of 150 acres, besides comfortable property in Blue Mills. Mr. Turner was married December 24, 1833, to Miss Elizabeth Frazier, a native of North Carolina, who died November 2, 1880. They had nine children, two of whom are living : Nancy J. (now Mrs. Minter), and Laura (now Mrs. Franklin).
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