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 135

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 135

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CLARA M. VAN HOY;

Section 25, widow of the late Dr. W. W. Van Hoy, who died in Greenwood, September 13, 1877. He was born in Stokes County, North Carolina, August 27, 1838, and came to Pleasant Hill, Missouri, when about three years of age. On May 12, 1868, he located in Prairie Township, Jackson County, on the farm on which his family now live. He was educated at St. Louis, and was an active

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practicing physician from 1859 until his death. He was married, November 17, 1858, to Clara M. Bricker, who was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, on the twelfth day of August, 1843. The family consists of eight children: Libbie, born September 4, 1859; Edwin, February 22, 1862; Nannie, March 13, 1864 ; Charlie, October 6, 1866; Ruth, November 9, 1868; Maud, March 6, 1871 ; Cheltie and Willie (twins), December 2, 1872. Mr. Van Hoy, during his life- time, was a successful practitioner, and a man who stood very high in the commun- ity in which he lived, and by his death society lost a useful and honored citizen, and the family a kind and loving husband and father. He left a fine estate of 147 acres of choice land, all well improved and stocked.

J. L. VAN METER,

Farmer and stock raiser, section 16, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, October 30, 1820, and remained there till the spring of 1867; then moved to Wabashaw County, Minnesota, and remained one year. In the spring of 1868 he located on his present farm, in Prairie Township, Jackson County, Missouri. He was a son of Joel Van Meter, a native of New Jersey, but of Hollandish descent. He was married to Martha N. Engle, of Clarke County, Ohio, August 16, 1842. By this marriage there are three children living : Alvin C., born July 13, 1843, and now in Nova Scotia, in the agricultural implement business ; Flora V., September 9, 1851, now the wife of J. A. Kirkton, at Greenwood, Missouri; Charles E., November 2, 1854, a student at Lincoln College, Greenwood, preparing himself for professsional labors. Mrs. Van Meter died February 24, 1861. He married for his second wife, Amanda E. Cline, November 23, 1861. She was born in Clinton County, Ohio, March 9, 1837. Four sons have been born by this mar- riage : Clarence L., born January 2, 1863 ; Chauncy W., October 12, 1854; Burt C., March 20, 1869, and William H., January 20, 1871. Alvin C. was a member of the 16th Ohio Battery for four years during the Civil War. He served faithfully and well, and received an honorable discharge at the close of the War. Charles E. has been a member of the Regular Army for five years. He was located in Louisiana, at Mount Vernon, Alabama, at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, and at Fort Missoula, Montana, where he was promoted to sergeant, and served as post-sergeant-major for one year, and was then discharged at the expiration of his term of service. Mr. Van Meter controls one of the best 160-acre farms in Prairie Township, well improved and stocked. Mr. Van Meter and wife and three of their children at home are active church members.

ROBERT WATSON,

Proprietor of Lee's Summit and Belton Nurseries, was born in County Durham, England, January 7, 1819, and remained there till 1850, and then emigrated to America, and located in Chatham, Illinois, and remained there about seventeen years, and then moved to Jackson County, Missouri, in 1868. He was brought up on a farm until he was eighteen years of age ; was then engaged in railroading until he emigrated, and was then engaged as railroad contractor and road master in Illinois, until he settled in Missouri, and has ever since been engaged in the nursery and hedge-plant business "He now has 130 acres, within two miles of Lee's Summit, in nursery stock; also fifty acres more joining Lee's Summit on the east. The nursery at present contains 60,000 two-year-old apple trees, 100,000 one-year-old, and 225,000 grafts, ready to set ; 5,000 two-year-old peach trees, and 50,000 one-year-old ; also an immense amount of the different varieties of small fruits. He also owns 178 acres of land in Cass County, one mile east of Belton, where most of his hedge plants are raised, and where he has fifty acres of them ready for spring setting. His sales for the year 1880 were over $15,000, and he employs from six to fifty hands. He started in life without financial help, and all his property has been accumulated by his thrift and industry. He is a member

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of the Church of England, a fine business man, and one universally respected and esteemed for his liberality, high moral character and strict business integrity.

DANIEL WHITING,

Proprietor of Lee's Summit Grain Elevator, is a native of Alleghany County, New York, and was born January 22,, 1855. He went with his parents when but a child to Wayne County, New York, and remained there till twenty-two years of age. He never had the opportunity of attending school, but by his own efforts and perseverence has acquired a good education, and is acknowledged a good business man. He went to Walworth County, Wisconsin, and thence to Marathon County, Wisconsin, and remained about ten years; thence to White- side County, Illinois, and remained about eleven years, and in 1869 came to Jackson County, Missouri, and located at Lee's Summit and engaged in the grain business. He was married in 1853 to Elizabeth M. Miller, a native of New York. The following children were born to this family, viz: Belle M., now the wife of Erastus F. Jones, of Lee's Summit ; George A., who died at the age of seventeen years; Charles D., now a student at Kansas City College; Emma C., who died at the age of sixteen years ; and William S., who died when one year old. Mr. Whiting had no financial assistance when he started in life, but worked by the month in the Wisconsin pineries, also at milling and then in buying and running lumber down the Mississippi from Dubuque to St. Louis. He again went into the milling business in Warsaw, Missouri, but through unforeseen ( ir- cumstances, he lost all that he had accumulated, and in 1858 he went to Illinois and worked as a farm hand, but was soon able to purchase forty acres of land, and soon after another forty; after improving his eighty acres, he sold it for fifty dollars per acre, and with the proceeds began the grain shipping business at Lee's Summit, in which business he was successful, and in 1870 he formed a partnership with Josiah Collins, and together they erected the first and only grain elevator in Lee's Summit. The building cost $5,000, and had a capacity of 10,000 bushels. He remained in partnership fifteen months, then bought out his partner's interest, and in four years remodeled the elevator and put in a steam engine of twenty-five horse-power. In the year ending February 1, 18'I, he had shipped 50,000 bushels of wheat, 120,000 bushels of corn, 12,000 bushels of flax seed, and 2,000 bushels of oats. He is also in partnership with Latham & Boggs in the live stock trade, and doing an extensive business. He owns 320 acres of very choice farm land, well improved and stocked. All this has been accumulated since 1858 by Mr. Whiting's untiring industry and good manage- ment. He is a pleasant and social man, and one universally respected for his moral character and strict business integrity. He and wife are members of the Episcopal Church, and he takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare, and is a living example of what man can accomplish by honesty and industry.

JOHN WIGGINTON,

Was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, April 22, 1794; lived there till he attained his majority, then moved to Howard County, Missouri, where he lived till 1840, and then located in Jackson County, near Independence, and lived there, and in Independence, until 1853, when he located in Prairie Township. He was married to Mrs. Mary Ann Gillett, of Howard County, Missouri, in 1831. She was born in Hopkins County, Kentucky, January 5, 1809. There were five children born to this family : James, born January 6, 1833; William, born May 26, 1834; Amanda, May 9, 1836; Mollie C., February 2, 1842, and George W., September 4, 1843. Mr. Wigginton was a carpenter by trade, but spent most of his time in farming. He was a southern man by birth, and his symp thies were with the southern cause, but he took no very active part ; yet while in Lafayette County attending to the wants of his family he was killed by the Federal

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troops. He was at that time in the sixty-eighth year of his age. His personal property was all taken and his house burned, leaving only the land. His sons were all in the Confederate service, and served faithfully during the War, and all three of them were severely wounded. George Wigginton, the youngest son and the one giving this sketch, was a member of Company B, Colonel Jones' Regi- ment, under General Price for a part of the time, and afterward during the remainder of the time, with Quantrell. At the close of the War, George Wiggin- ton settled on the farm just one mile east of Lee's Summit, and began improving his farm of eighty acres. His aged mother and sister find a pleasant home with the son and brother.

M. J. WILKIN,

Farmer and stock raiser, section 30, is a native of Harrison County, Ohio, and was born May 1, 1835, and is a son of John Wilkin, who was born and reared on the same farm in Ohio on which our subject was born and reared, till he was fifteen years of age. He then went into the milling business with his father and brother, and continued in that business for fifteen years; then in 1865 sold his mill and in the spring of 1866 located in Platte County, Missouri, and remained there two years ; then moved to Jackson County and settled. in Prairie Township, where he has since remained, engaged in farming and stock-raising, but makes a specialty of sheep husbandry. He was married November 9, 1854, to Martha J. McKittrick, who was born August 18 1832, in Harrison County, Ohio. By this union they have had five children : Mary E., born September 8, 1855, now the wife of A. B. Chambers; Robert J., born August 14, 1857; Annetta J, born February 21, 1860; Ella B., born July 8, 1862 ; and Orissa A., born November 26, 1864. The entire family are active and consistent members of the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Wilkin is known as a strong advocate of the temper- ance cause and an earnest advocate of good schools. He owns 160 acres of choice land, well improved and stocked. Another member of the family is the aged mother of Mrs. Wilkin, Mrs. Mary F. McKittrick, now in the seventy-first year of her age, and whose declining days are made pleasant by the attentions and thoughtfulness of children and grandchildren.

JAMES WILSON,

Farmer and stock raiser, section 36, was born in Cooper County, Missouri, June 1, 1819; lived there until six years of age, then moved with his parents to Jackson County, and settled three miles east of Independence. Mr. Wilson's father built the first mill erected in Jackson County; it was run by horse power and would grind from fifteen to eighteen bushels of corn per day. His father made the first brick in the county at Independence, and the first brick house was built from these brick by a man by the name of Roberts. It was built on the corner east of the Chrisman-Sawyer bank, in the year 1828. In the year 1833 Mr. Wilson's father moved into Cass County and our subject lived there until he was marrried ; then, in 1841, moved on the farm on which he now resides. Mr. Wilson attended school in the first school taught in Jackson County, which was located a little southwest of Independence. The school house was built of notched poles with dirt floor ; the school was taught by William Ferrill, a Methodist minister, and, as Mr. Wilson says, one of the best men that ever lived. He was married June 28, 1840, to Elizabeth A. Farmer, who was born in Meigs County, Tennessee, March 5, 1821. There have been ten children born to them, eight of whom are living : Nancy J , born June 22, 1842; Lucinda, October 1, 1844: Ruth, Novem- ber 3, 1846; Sarah E., September 26, 1848; John H. September 26, 1850; William A., August 22, 1852; Ann, October 1, 1858; Fannie E., February 15, 1861 ; Mary L., July 5, 1864, and James F., November 14, 1866. Nancy J., and Ruth are both dead. When Mr. Wilson located upon his present farm his

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means were very limited, having just enough to purchase a little land and build a small log cabin ; he now owns 540 acres, a fertile and well cultivated farm, which is well stocked and has all the necessary improvements. During the War he was a heavy loser in all his stock and improvements, and at the close of the War had to begin almost anew. He endured all the various vicissitudes of a pioneer's life but by his untiring industry and strict moral conduct he has outlived all these hardships and is now very comfortably situated. He and his excellent family are highly respected by their large circle of acquaintances. Having been deprived in youth of the privileges of an education, he fully appreciates its worth and spares no pains in educating his children ; two of his sons are graduates, and are at present among our foremost teachers.

ELI J. WORTHINGTON,

Farmer and stock raiser, section 13, was born in Johnson County, Missouri, February 18, 1841 ; when quite young he moved with his parents to Jackson County, Missouri, and located in Prairie Township, near where he now lives. Received his education in Jackson County. He was a son of James Worthington, who was a native of Kentucky, and settled in Missouri at an early day. He was married October 18, 1876, to Mary J. Williamson, who was born in Lafayette County, Missouri, December 16, 1852, and was a daughter of Turner Williamson, of the same county. One child was born : Daisy Louisa, born August 26, 1877. He owns a farm of 130 acres of fine land, well improved. He has spent consider- able time in traveling to the mountains, New Mexico, and Dakota Territory; yet in all his travels has found no more attractive place than Jackson County. July 8, 1880, he was deeply afflicted by the death of his estimable wife.

A. F. WORTHINGTON,

Farmer and stock raiser, section 13, is a native of Johnson County, Missouri, and was born November 17, 1843. His parents came to Jackson County when he was quite young and located near the farm now owned by him. He received his education in the common schools of Jackson County and settled on his farm in the year 1872 March 12, 1874, he was married to Miss Nancy Reider, who was born in Park County, Indiana, July 17, 1853; she is the daughter of Daniel Reider, of this county. One child has been born to them: Madison R., born April 26, 1879. He never had any financial assistance but has been a hard- working and careful man, and has a beautiful home; his farm consists of 130 acres under a fine state of cultivation. He has always lived on a farm, excepting two years when he was engaged in freighting on the plains.

J. V. A. WOODS, M. D.,

Retired clergyman and physician, Greenwood, was born in Abingdon, Wash- ington County, Virginia, February 24, 1804, and lived there till twelve years of age, then moved with his parents to Blount County, Tennessee, and remained there fifteen years; then removed to Johnson County Indiana, in 1831, and on the 10th day of December, 1832, was married to Lucinda Fain. She was born in Pulaski County Kentucky, January 16, 1816, who was the daughter of Colonel Fain who was a well-known soldier in the War of 1812. Their family consisted of nine children, all of whom are living except Joseph A., and was killed at Law- rence, Kansas, in the Quantrell raid in 1863. Mr. Joseph A. Woods was at that time first-lieutenant in the 16th Regiment, Kansas Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Woods had five sons in the Federal Army, the youngest of them being only a little past fourteen years of age when he enlisted ; all of whom served faithfully and well. After being married in 1832, in Indiana, Mr. Woods remained there till 1850, then moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa, and remained there seven years, thence to Maryville, Nodaway County, Missouri, where he remained till 1860, and

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thence to Shawnee County, Kansas, where he lived until 1866; then returned to Nodaway County and lived until 1868, when he located in Prairie Township, Jackson County, where he has since lived. He was educated in Blount County, Tennessee, first, in a common school, then three years in the literary department of the Southwestern Theological College, then three years in the theological department, under the tuition of Rev. Isaac Anderson, D. D. He commenced the practice of medicine in Indiana, and practiced in Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. He was ordained a minister of the New School Presbyterian Church in 1829, and labored as pastor of said church at Oskaloosa and Pella, Iowa, and also at Auburn, Kansas. During the War, Mr. Woods was a heavy loser by the de- struction of personal property, and some fine blooded stock; his farms in Noda- way County, Missouri, and in Shawnee County, Kansas, were stripped of every- thing. Mr. Woods has been an honored and useful citizen, and still, in his old age, retains all his faculties, both physical and mental, to an extraordinary degree. He has a beautiful home in the village of Greenwood, and he and his excellent companion seem to be spending their days in comfort and peace, and beloved by all.

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JOHN S. ANDERSON,

Farmer and stock raiser, section 22, post-office Belton, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, August 27, 1819, and after obtaining his education, he com- menced farming. This he continued until the spring of 1847, when he engaged in the mercantile business. In the fall of 1856, he was elected sheriff of the county, and held the office until 1859, when he became connected with the paper- manufacturing business. In 1863 he sold his interests in the paper mill, bought the old homestead, and was engaged in farming until the fall of 1866, when he came to Jackson County. He resided at Independence, engaged in business un- til 1868, when he moved on his present farm of 230 acres of well improved land. His marriage was in in Belmont, Anderson County, Ohio, December 7, 1847, to Miss Susan Magee. They have had ten children, seven of whom are living : Sarah E., Alvin M., John W., Ada R., Rush M., Lucy E., and Homer C. Three are de- ceased : Wilber L., Willie J., and Mary N. Mrs. Anderson died May 29, 1880, leaving many friends to mourn her loss.

WILLIAM BALES,

Farmer, section 19, post-office Westport, was born December 28, 1834, near Kansas City, and has been reared and educated in this county. When sixteen years of age he went to Kansas City and engaged as clerk in a general merchan- dise store ; the post-office was kept in the store, and he assisted in that depart- ment. In 1854, he went to Weston with J. C. Ranson, and remained but a short time, when the store was burned. Then returned to Kansas City where Mr. Ranson started a general merchandise store, and was appointed postmaster; Mr. Bales attended to the duties of the office and assisted in the store. He was after- ward connected with a wholesale grocery for two years, and in 1859 he opened a grocery store on his own account. This he operated till the fall of 1862, and also sold a stock of drugs. During the War he was employed to take care of property for parties who were afraid to remain ; he was also a member of the Home Guards. He moved to his present farm in the fall of 1864; it contains 280 acres of fine land, all well improved. November 7, 1862, he was married to Miss Hat- tie Evans born February 19, 1843, who was the first child born in Kansas City after it was incorporated. She is the daughter of W. B. Evans, one of the origi- nal owners of the town site. They have had one child : Walter J., born January 25, 1864.

P. H. BAXTER,

Of the firm of King & Co., dealers in general merchandise, drugs, etc., was born in Clay County, Missouri, June 21, 1840, and when about two years of age was taken by his parents to Caldwell County. From there he went to Buchanan County, and received his education at St. Joseph. Then obtained a position at the Missouri State Prison as guard, and served as such until 1861, when he enlisted in Company D, Saunder's Regiment as orderly sergeant. He served for one year, and on account of disability, was discharged: Returned to St. Joe, and in 1863 went to Nebraska City, where he was employed as assistant wagon- master on the plains, and in 1866 came to Jackson County. He located at New Santa Fe, and is now doing a good business in his line. He was married in this county April 3, 1869, to Martha Rice. They had four children : Ruth, Harry, Joe P. and Ollie.

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MORGAN BOONE,

Farmer, section 20, post-office Westport, was born November 1, 1851, in the same house in which he now resides. He was principally reared in this county. He moved to Lawrence, Kansas, in 1861, and remained there eight years, and then returned to this county. He spent three years traveling through Colorado and Texas, also took a trip to Arkansas. He settled on the old homestead in the spring of 1873. He owns 174 acres of land, roo of which are under cultivation. He married Miss L. E. David in August, 1874. She is a native of Illinois, and was born June 17, 1857. They have a family of three children : Ernest M., Amy and Lawrence N.

DR. D. A. BRYANT,

Hickman's Mills, is a native of Kentucky, born October 18, 1828, and received his education at Bacon College, Harrodsburgh, graduating in 1846. He then commenced the study of medicine with his brother, Dr. John Bryant, and in 1848 he attended the Transylvania University, of Lexington. He graduated in the same school at Louisville, Kentucky, in the spring of 1850, and then came to this county, locating at Independence. He then followed his profession until the fall of 1850, when he went to Brunswick. There he continued practicing ; returned to Independence in the spring of 1851, and in 1852 removed to Lee's Summit. He afterward came to this township, settling near Hickman's Mills, and in 1864 went to Carson City, Nevada. In 1866 he returned to Jackson County, and is now doing a lucrative business. His marriage was in Inde- pendence.

L. D. CONNELY,

Farmer and stock raiser, section 15, post-office New Santa Fe, was born in Clay County, Illinois, April 1, 1836, and was there reared and educated. In June, 1860, he came to this county, commenced farming, and was so employed until his removal to Illinois, where, in connection with farming, he took up the butcher- ing business. In the spring of 1867 he returned to Jackson County, locating at Lee's Summit, and until the spring of 1878, was engaged in the mercantile and news- paper business. Then moved on the farm where he now resides; he owns 424 acres of land. Mr. Connely was married in this county September 6, 1860, to Miss Caroline C. Wyatt. They have five children living : Mary E., Rosie M., Lillie V., Daisy D. and Willie B. C. Two are deceased, Annie and Charlie.

J. E. DAVIS,

Farmer and stock raiser, section 20, post-office New Santa Fe, was born in Bath County, Kentucky, March 18, 1827, and when seven years of age came with his parents to this county, where he was reared. After receiving his education, he commenced freighting across the plains, and continued it until 1854, when he engaged in his present business. Now owns a farm of 236 acres, well improved, with three springs upon it. September 7, 1854, Mr. Davis was married in this county, to Miss Marian F. Wells. They had eleven children, six of whom are living: Moses M., James E., John W., Arzelia M., Nancy A., and Mattie F. Five are deceased: William O., Nathaniel K., Mary A., Oliver P. and an infant.

J. E. DELLER,

Farmer and stock raiser, section 25, post-office Belton, Cass County, was born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1845, and was there reared and educated. He early commenced farming, and in the spring of 1867 came to this county, and has since lived here, owning a fine farm of 320 acres, well improved. He is engaged in raising stock to some extent, and has a desirable residence.

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WILLIAM DODSON,

Farmer, section 22, post-office Westport, was born September 15, 1825, in Cam- bria County, Pennsylvania, and was reared there as a farmer. He learned the carpenter's trade in his youth, and has followed it considerably through life. Came West in 1857, and settled at Leavenworth, Kansas; remained there four years, engaged, first, in the cattle business, then in the farm and dairy business. In June, 1862, he made a visit to his old home in Pennsylvania, and was held there on account of the draft until November, 1864. Then returned to Leaven- worth, Kansas. He came to Jackson County in the spring of 1865, and settled on the old Yager farm. The bushwhackers run him off, and took all his personal property, but on the 3d of August, the same year, he returned to the farm, and re- mained on it some three years. Then moved to Leavenworth, and resided there six years. Returned to this county, and settled on the farm he now occupies, con- sisting of 160 acres of fine land, part of which is under cultivation. He married Miss Sarah J. O'Connor, February 18, 1848. She is a native of Summit County, Pennsylvania, and was born in May, 1826. By this union they had ten chil -. dren, nine of whom are living: Ellen, Maria, Samuel, Nannie, Charles, George B. McC., Mary B., William and Johnnie. They are members of the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church.

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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 135

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