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 129

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 129

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A. E. BAIRD,

Farmer, and stock dealer. The subject of this sketch is a native of Brown Coun- ty, Ohio, and was born December 19, 1835. He was reared and educated in Brown County till eleven years of age, then removed to Putnam County, Illinois, and remained there about nineteen years; then located in Jackson County, Mis-

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VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP.

souri in March 1866. While in Illinois he attended, for a number of years, the South Salem Academy in Ross County, Ohio, and there received a very liberal education. He was married March 28, 1861, to Margaret E. Dysart who was born in Putnam County, Illinois, January 23, 1843. By this marriage eight chil- dren have been born, seven of whom are still living : Leslie E. born May 12, 1862 ; William A., born November 6, 1864; Frank D., born September 11, 1867; Leola J., born October 29, 1868 ; Archibald S., born August 29, 1871; Ida May, born April 29, 1874 ; John C., born April 14, 1877, and Helen, born May 18, 1880, who died in infancy. He had but little help to start in life, but by energy, and perseverance has secured a beautiful and fertile farm of 170 acres, and he is noted as the model farmer in the township. Although he carries on his farm in such an excellent manner, yet he makes a specialty of buying and shipping stock. Besides his very arduous labors in inanaging his farm and his other busi- ness, he finds time not only to cultivate his own mind, but takes an active inter- est in the education of his children. His wifeis a lady of refinement and education. They are both members of the Presbyterian Church. Surrounded by a pleas- ant family and in an excellent neighborhood, well esteemed by all, they have rea- son to be, as they are, thankful and happy.

JACOB BENNETT,

Farmer, stock raiser and carpenter. The subject of this sketch is a native of the State of Ohio, and was born May 12 1833. He lived there till 1853, and there received his education, and learned his trade in Cleveland, Ohio. He then came to Missouri and located in Van Buren Township, and has ever since lived here, except two years during the War, and has been engaged in farming and as a carpenter and joiner. He owns a farm of sixty acres, with fine buildings and orchard, and well stocked. He has served for a number of years as school officer, and takes a great interest in educational matters. Both he and his estimable wife are con- sistent members of the Christian Church. He is a man of fine business qualifica- tions, and is held in high esteem by his neighbors. He was married October 4, 1857, to Elizabeth Cave of Jackson County, who was born August 31, 1837. Six children have been born, five of whom are still living : George born July 24, 1858, now a member of Warrensburg Normal School; Price born July 17, 1861, now salesman in Kansas City ; Ella W. born September 4, 1864, and died Novem- ber 16, 1874; Gius born February 24, 1868; Charles born March 10, 1872, and Frank born February 10, 1875.

JOHN BYNUM,

Farmer and stock raiser. In this sketch we have to speak of one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Van Buren Township. He was born in Rutherford County, North Carolina, July 17, 1822. At the age of fourteen he came with his parents, and a company of seventy-five others, to Missouri, and located at Lone Jack. Here his father owned 520 acres of land where the town of Lone Jack now stands. They landed here in May, 1836, and out of the entire company that then came, there are only four or five now living. He only had the opportunity of going to school a few weeks in his life, yet he is one who has gathered up a great deal of useful information, and is often consulted by those who have had better opportunities to store their minds with knowledge. He is a son of Pomfrey Bynum, a native of South Carolina, but one of the pioneers of Jackson County, Misssouri. His father lived here until 1846. There were nine children in his father's family, only three of whom are now living : the subject of our sketch and his brother, Thomas, now in Oregon, and his sister Catharine, now the wife of George Oldham of Benton County, Missouri. Few men enjoy so much of the public confidence and so many warm friends as our subject. He was married September 29, 1842, to Charlotte Cave, of Jackson County, but

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formerly of Surry County, North Carolina, and born October 6, 1818. She is a daughter of Bartlett Cave, one of Jackson County's old pioneers. The fruits of this marriage have been six children, three of whom are still living : Robert, born March 24, 1845, living near home ; William, August 22, 1847, died at the age of eight years; Galen C., September 29, 1849, died at the age of twenty-four years ; James P., January 8, 1852, living near home; Bettie, October 6, 1855, died in infancy ; John W., November 3, 1859, living at home. Mr. Bynum owns a finely cultivated farm of 156 acres, with good improvements and an excellent orchard.

WILLIAM CASH,

Farmer and hotel-keeper, Lone Jack, Missouri, was born in Wilkes County, North Carolina, April 16, 1815, and was a son of Lewis and Mary Cash. At an early age he moved with his parents to Lincoln County, Kentucky. Lived in Lincoln County till about seventeen years of age, then learned the blacksmith trade and went to Lexington, and remained for three years working at his trade ; thence to Brucken County, Kentucky, and worked at his trade for about seven years. He was married July 7, 1840, to Miss Elizabeth Duncan, who was born in Pendleton County, Kentucky, October 3, 1823, she being a daughter of Thornton and Mary Duncan. This couple then moved to Harrison County, and remained there till they moved to Missouri, in 1856, when they settled in Benton County, and lived there eight years ; thence to Cooper County, Missouri, and remained there until 1877, when they located in Lone Jack. To this family eleven children have been born, six of whom are still living : Thornton, born October 10, 1843, now a blacksmith in Lone Jack; Oscar, October 13, 1845, also a blacksmith in Lone Jack ; Mary E , November 10, 1847, now married and living in Benton County, Missouri; Milton, May 4, 1853, married and living in Lone Jack, and has charge of the drug store of George T. Shawhan ; Ellen, April 29, 1858, living at home, and John H., January 8, 1861, living in New Mexico. At the beginning of the War he was possessed of considerable property, but, like many others, he lost it all, and at the close of the War had to begin anew. But by care he has again secured a comfortable home in the village of Lone Jack.

THORNTON CASH,

Lone Jack, Missouri, was born in Harrison County, Kentucky, October 10, 1843 ; lived there till 1856, then moved with his parents to Benton County, Mis- souri. When but a child he was continually in the blacksmith shop with his father, who was an excellent mechanic, and he would work on the anvil when he had to have a large block to stand upon. He, in this way, intuitively learned the trade which he has ever since followed, and he is an artisan of good ability and skill. At the beginning of the War, although but a boy, he enlisted in the Con- federate Service and served faithfully and well during the War. He participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Helena, Prairie Grove, Lone Jack, and a number of other engagements and skirmishes. He was taken prisoner at Fort Smith, Arkan- sas, and kept for a short time. After the close of the War, he went to the moun- tains and remained there for some time, and then returned to Missouri, and on February 5, 1866, was married to Miss Mary Dawson, who was born in Benton County, Missouri, May 24, 1846. He has been blessed in his family, eight chil- dren haveing been born, and all of them are now living, viz : Oscar J., born October 31, 1866; Jennie A., August 14, 1867; William, January 1, 1870; Talitha M., December 28, 1871 ; Mary Alice, January 25, 1873; Wallace L., September 23, 1875 ; Daniel L., May 3, 1878, and Georgia E., May 5, 1880. Mrs. Cash is a member of the Baptist Church, and a noble christian wife and mother. Mr. Cash is yet a young man, but has won the confidence and esteem of many warm friends.

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MARTIN CORN,

Farmer, section 25, post-office Lone Jack, was born May 27, 1813, in Patrick County, Virginia, and resided there on a farm till twenty years of age. He accompanied his parents to this county in 1833, having previously entered the land on which he now resides. He resided some two years in Lafayette County, during the time of Order No. 11. He owns a fine farm of 260 acres, about half of which is under cultivation. He has filled the offices of school director and road overseer. In his manners he is pleasant and agreeable, and has the respect of a large circle of friends. He married Miss Martha Cummings, in 1840. She is a native of this State and was born in 1823. They have had eleven children, six of whom are living : Samuel, George W., Susan F., now Mrs. Brown ; Nancy E., now Mrs. Temple ; John S., and Louisa, now Mrs. Bale. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

C. M. DIMMITT,

Of the firm of Dimmitt & Arnold, proprietors of steam saw mills on section 24, was born on the 22nd of March, 1841, in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and was reared there and in Iowa. He came to this county in 1869, and has been en- gaged in threshing and the saw-mill business since. He owns a fine farm of thirty- six acres. During the late War, in 1862, he enlisted in the 65th Illinois, Company E, and served for eighteen months, then re enlisted in the 7th Tennessee, Mounted Infantry, and served about eighteen months; took part in the bat- tles of Antietam, Harper's Ferry, Nashville, and many other minor engagements, serving under McClellan and Thomas. He married Miss Nancy L. Markham in 1860. She is a native of East Tennessee and was born on the 2nd of June, 1840. They have had eight children, six of whom are living : Mary T., Sarah J., Will- iam W., Ida O., Albert F., and Louisa E.

STEPHEN H. EASLEY,

Farmer and stock raiser, section 20, was born and reared on the farm on which he now lives, and is a son of Miller and America Easley; his father was a native of North Carolina, and his mother a native of Virginia. His parents were very old settlers, having located on the place now occupied by the heirs, in 1837, and here they lived till they died. The father died April 17, 1868, and the mother December 30, 1879. They left a family of nine children, five of whom are still on the old homestead : Stephen H., the subject of this sketch, born January 18, 1854; Mary, born July 23, 1850; Laura, born May 17, 1852 ; Achilles, born February 2, 1856; and Albert, born November 14, 1859. The other four children are named and located as follows : Parthenia, wife of Mr. Raggsdale, at Chapel Hill; Susan, wife of Mr. Rice, in Johnson County ; Virginia, wife of Dr. Raggsdale, at Lone Jack -; Leonidas, now living in New Mexico. These have all received fine educations, and are persons of refine- ment and taste. Several members of the family have been very successful teach- ers. The estate is one of the finest in this part of the country, and consists of 390 acres, well improved and stocked. The family are church members and highly esteemed citizens.

FRED EDMONDSON,

Farmer and stock raiser, section 25, is a native of Jackson County, Missouri, and was born January 23, 1849. He is a son of Julius Edmondson, who was the first white child born in Van Buren Township. His grandfather, Frederick Edmondson, was one of the very earliest settlers of this part of Missouri. Our subject was reared on a farm, and received his education in this township. At the age of fifteen years, he enlisted in the Confederate service, in Williams' Regiment, Missouri Cavalry, and served with his regiment till their surrender

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

at Shreveport at the close of the War. He was with his regiment in many engagements and scouts, and has endured many of the hardships and trials of a soldier's life ; at one time riding three days and three nights without rest or food. After the close of the War, he returned to Missouri, but being sick and completely worn out. he lay for some time at the point of death, at Waverly, Missouri, but under the care of Dr. McReynolds, of Cass County, (a man who deserves great praise for his kindness in caring for returned soldiers) he finally recovered and the good doctor only charged $1 for fifteen days medical treatment. Mr. Edmondson came to Jackson County and remained a short time, then crossed the plains from Nebraska City to Fort Laramie, and by the way of Fort Fetterman and Fort C. S. Smith. He endured many hardships during this nine months' trip, as it was the only train that dared to venture so far that season. He was married on December 20, 1869, to Miss Serilda Edmondson, a native of Andrew County, Missouri, born April 16, 1848, she being a daughter of John Edinondson, one of the pioneers of Missouri. In the spring of 1873, he together with his young wife and at that time his only child, made a trip to the Green Horn Mountains in.Colorado, and there remained for about one year en- gaged in the stock business, and then retuned to Jackson County. He has been an extensive traveler and a close observer, having visited nearly all of the west- ern and southwestern States and Territories for the purpose of selecting a place for a permanent home ; yet, after all, he has returned to his "first love," and thinks the home farm in Van Buren Township the best; and he certainly ought to be satisfied, for he owns 220 acres that cannot be excelled for beauty of loca- tion and fertility of soil, and is surrounded by good neighbors and a happy family. Two children have been born to this family, to-wit: Julius C., July 24, 1871, and Julia, June 3, 1874.

AMBERS GRAHAM,

Farmer and stock raiser, section 25,. Here we have as the subject of our sketch one of the natives, born in this township and county March 4, 1837, and although now in the forty-fifth year of his age, has never been more than 125 miles from home. He was a son of Daniel Graham, one of the first settlers of Jackson County. He had but very little opportunity for getting an education ; but having an abundance of native talent, he has become a good business man, and one well posted in his business and in the affairs of the county. He takes an active interest in good schools and believes thoroughly in a liberal education. He has a beautiful home of 120 acres, under a fine state of cultivation, with good buildings and orchards. All this has been gathered together since the War, as at that time he lost everything except his wife and one poor pony that was not worth taking from him. Yet he is one of those happy and contented men who is ever willing to share with a needy neighbor, and, although not a church member, yet he is always ready to give as much as many that are richer, for the cause of Chris- tianity and education. He was married to Sarah J. Stulz on September 13, 1857, she being a native of the same county, and born July 17, 1839. To them have been born three children : Mollie, born June 24, 1866; Lulu, born July 9, 1869; Della, born June 25, 1872.

GEORGE W. GRIFFITH,

Farmer and stock dealer, is a native of Mason County, Kentucky, born Jan- uary 29, 1829, and was a son of John and Mary A. Griffith. His father served in the War of 1812 and participated in the battles of McHenry and Baltimore; he was of Welsh descent and his mother of German origin. At the age of seven years he came with his parents to Missouri and they located in Lafayette County, and in the spring of 1837 came to Jackson County and settled permanently in Van Buren Township. His father died in November, 1859, and his mother in

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September, 1875. He never had an opportunity of attending school, but by ex- perience has become a very fine business man, and few can excel him in his judg- ment of, and ready mental calculations as to stock and its value. In 1852 he crossed the plains to California and remained till 1861 (with the exception of a short visit home), when he returned some $12,000 the gainer by his farming operations there. He says that he was always a good boy till Order No. 11 was issued, in 1863, when he had to leave home; and after living in Cass County for about nineteen months, he then went with General Price's command till the close of the War. When he started to California in 1852 all this world's goods that he possessed was one cow, and now he owns 400 acres of very choice land well improved and stocked and all accumulated by his own efforts. He is a self-made man, both mentally and financially.

THOMAS HAIR,

Farmer and stock raiser, section 28, is a native of Lincoln County, Kentucky, and was born November 19, 1811. He was a son of James and Elizabeth Hair, who emigrated from Ireland when quite young. The father died when Thomas was but an infant, and the mother when he was but seven years of age. Left an orphan thus early, without a known relative or any property, he was taken by a man by the name of A. Sublett, who treated him with the same kindness as if he had been one of his own children. He lived with Mr. Sublett till nineteen years of age, then began business for himself by renting a farm. At this he remained two years and then was employed as an overseer for seven years, and then again went to farming and has followed that ever since. He was married when twenty- four years of age, to Jane Duncan. By this union five children were born, three of whom are still living, viz : Samuel, living in Illinois; C. L., living in Cass County, Missouri, and James T., living in Oregon. Mrs. Hair died in August, 1855. Mr. Hair was again united in marriage on November 28, 1879, to Mrs. Emily Dutro, of McLean County, Illinois. She was a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, and born November 20, 1828. One child, George, born on August 5, 1860, was the issue of this marriage. Mr. Hair lived about four- teen years in McLean County, Illinois, and in 1865 moved to Missouri and located where he now lives. He controls 170 acres of land, well adapted for grain or stock raising. He is now in the seventy-first year of his age, and is a man who has labored very hard all his life time, yet is a man of remark- able strength and vigor. He and wife are both earnest and consistent members of the Christian Church. They are noted for their liberality and hospitality, and every one speaks highly of this respected Christian couple.

JOHN HUNTER,

Farmer, section 29. Our subject is not only one of the oldest settlers, but one of the oldest men now living in Jackson County. He is a native of Stokes County, North Carolina, and was born March 16, 1789. He was a son of David and Dorothy Hunter, both natives of Virginia. He lived in Stokes County until nearly forty-five years of age, and then moved to Missouri. After he attained his majority he commenced business for himself, running a distillery, and con- tinued in said business until 1835, when he came to Missouri, and on April 8, 1836, he located upon the farm he now occupies. Mr. Hunter suffered more hardships and trials during the War than any of his neighbors On the morn- ing of September 6, 1863, a company of Federals of Colburn and Clark's com- mand came to his place, as he was about moving out of the county under Order No. 11, and took two of his sons (William and David), one son-in-law, one grandson, one cousin and another man, and taking them a short distance from the house, shot them all dead, and left the bodies lying on the ground; and this aged father, with only the assistance of his neighbor Martin Rice, hastily buried

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

the bodies, without shroud or coffin, by merely covering them up with quilts and placing them in the ground. (It is not the biographer's place to comment in this connection upon this sad affair, as it is fully treated of in another part of this volume.) Mr. Hunter was married on July 18, 1812, to Elizabeth Jeans, she having been born May 14, 1792. By this union nine children were born, three of whom are still living: Nancy, the widow of John Cave, one of the six shot, as above mentioned; Matilda, the wife of David Ousley, and Berrilla, born April 8, 1831, and the only one of the children now at home. There she desires to remain and, with care and affection, soothe as much as possible her deeply bereaved and venerable father, while he remains on earth, Mrs. Hunter died October 25, 1879. Mr. Hunter has been a member of the Baptist Church for a great many years, and clerk of the church since 1852. Mr. Hunter is now in the ninety-third year of his age, and for one that has passed through so much suffering, is still in remarkable health and vigor of intellect.

NOAH HUNT,

Proprietor of Lone Jack Flour and Grist Mill and dealer in wool-carding machinery, is a native of Davie County. North Carolina, born February 20, 1831, and is a son of N. C. Hunt, who immigrated to Jackson County, Missouri, in 1842. He was reared on a farm till 1849. His father then put him in charge of the Nathan C. Hunt Horse-power Grist Mill, located six miles northeast of Lone Jack, and he remained there for three years. On August 28, 1851, he was married to Miss N. E. Cave, who was born April 1, 1833. He then located one-half mile west of Lone Jack, and commenced the wool-carding business. In 1856 he also built a horse-power grist mill, and continued to run the wool-carding and milling busi- ness for thirteen years. Then in 1869 he built his present steam-power grist mill, and has ever since continued to run the same, in connection with the carding business. He owns 283 acres of land, 120 of which are in cultivation and well stocked. Twelve children were born to this family: E. F., born October 9, 1852; G. C., born March 16, 1854; Mary A., born April 11, 1856; J. M., born March 20, 1858 ; J. B., born April 29, 1860 ; Bettie F., born September 21, 1862; Lucinda M., born December 24, 1864; W. W., born March 11, 1867; Virginia L., born February 7, 1870; Benjamin B., born September 25, 1871 ; R. T., born January rI, 1874 and S. A., born December 25, 1876. G. C. died November 3, 1857; Mary A. died November 28, 1878, and Virginia L. died November 13, 1870. Mrs. Hunt died March 7, 1878. He was again united in marriage on September 13, 1880, to Mrs. Mary E. Travis, widow of R. Travis, deceased ; she having been born May 25, 1834. As two other members of his family, there live with him the aged mother of his first wife, Mrs. Susan Cave, now in the seventy-sixth year of her age, and Zellah Travis, a daughter of his second wife; she having been born on November 20, 1863.

JAMES B. JACKSON,

Minister and farmer, section 34, post-office Lone Jack, was born on the 22d of February, r820, in Granville County, North Carolina, and was reared on a farm. He studied for the ministry, and received his education at the Missionary Baptist College of Wake Forest, near Raleigh, North Carolina. Commenced preaching in Wake County, North Carolina, in 1850, and remained there until November, 1868. Then removed to Kentucky, and soon came to this county. In the spring of 1869, he took charge of the churches at Lone Jack, Oak Grove, Elvira Springs, and Pittsville, Johnson County and Concord, Lafayette County. He has retired from the ministry, on account of age, and has given his attention chiefly to farming, and owns 110 acres, most of which is under cultivation. He has filled the office of school director. June 5, 1850, he married Miss Helen P.

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Knight, a native of North Carolina, born in 1830. They have five children; Julian, Noel, Donald, Sidney, and Fannie E; lost one.

WASH. KENNEDY,

Farmer and stock raiser, section 28, was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, No- vember 22, 1821. He lived in Bourbon County until 1857, when he moved to Jack- son County, Missouri, and located on the farm which he now occupies in Van Buren Township. He was married June 15, 1858, to Sarah Amos, of Jackson County, Misssouri, but who was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, May 13, 1842. Eleven children have been born, all of whom are living at home, and named as follows : Granville A., born October 19, 1859; Jesse F., June 28, 1861 ; Mary W., April 21, 1863; Julia W., December 24, 1864 ; Joseph, October 28, 1868; John S., February 21, 1869 ; James E., January 21, 1871; Martha C., December 20, 1872 ; Lulu B., Decemcer 14, 1874; Edna P., March 5, 1877 ; Ida G., May 7, 1880. There has never been a death in this family, and all are in excellent health. Mr. Kennedy spares no pains to give his children good educations. His son, Jesse F., is a member of the William Jewell College, in Clay County, and his daughter, Mary, is a member of the Female Seminary, at Independence. Mr. Kennedy had but little means when he started in life in Mis- souri, and what he had accumulated when the Civil War broke out, was all either confiscated or destroyed, and at the close of the War he had to begin life almost anew. But he now has a very fine farm of 240 acres, and well stocked with some of the finest blooded stock in this part of the county. He makes a specialty of fine stock breeding. During the War he was terribly persecuted by both par- ties ; his life was threatened, and even attempts were made to shoot him, yet he has survived all these hardships, and has again built up a beautiful home, where he and his family live quiet and peaceful lives, honored and respected by all with whom they are acquainted.

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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 129

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