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 99

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 99

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DR. S. F. MATHER,

Druggist. Was born Sept. 4th, 1811, and is a native of the " Green Mountain State." When thirteen years of age he commenced clerking in a general mer- chandise and drug store, and while there studied medicine under the proprietor, who was a physician, and at the age of twenty became a partner in the store. He afterward immigrated to Troy, New York, and engaged in the dry goods business, remaining for twelve years, after which he removed to Michigan, and embarked in the merchandise and drug trade. Eight years later he went to Louisiana and commenced the practice of his profession ; in 1858, came here and engaged in the drug business which he has since followed, with the exception of about two and a half years, when he partially retired. He is very prominent with the people, and being a thorough student, commands a good business. He married Miss Mary A. Reed, in 1837. She is a native of Chester, Massachusetts, and was born in August, 1817. They are members of the Congregational church and he is a member of the Masonic frternity.

F. S. MERSTETTER,

Grocer. Was born in July, 1851, in Boonville, Mo., and was reared and edu- cated there. In 1868, he came to Wyandott, learned the trade of brewer, and worked at it for about four years. Thence to Cincinnati, where he spent eight years at the same business and then retured to Wyandott, January Ist, 1880. He purchased the establishment which he now conducts and is doing well, and has gained all by industry and integrity. He is a member of Humboldt Lodge, of Cincinnati, the I. O. O. F. and was one of the charter members of the Grand Lodge of Brewers. He married Miss Mary Knapp, August 7th, 1878. She is a native of Boonville, Mo., and was born in 1852. They have one child Tilly. Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of the Catholic Church.

F. NOBLE

Was born in Westchester county, New York, in September, 1849, and when an infant, was taken by his parents to New York City. There he resided for five years and then accompanied his father and mother to Leavenworth, Kansas, in

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1856. In 1858, he came to Wyandott, and opened a tinware shop in 1869, re- maining until 1871, when he removed to Palestine, Texas. There engaged at his trade with a railroad company, returned to Wyandott in the spring of 1879, and opened the store he now operates, and is doing a good business. He is a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He married Mrs. Josephine Endel, in November, 1877. She is a native of Bloomington, Illinois, and was born in August, 1860.

HIRAM M. NORTHRUP.

Few men in the present metropolis of the west have done as much for its building and prosperity as the subject of this sketch. Coming here when it was nothing but a hamlet, he has seen nearly its entire growth ; has been a part of it in its hardships and prosperity, and is now numbered among the honored men of the city. He was born at Olean, Cattaraugus county, New York, June 4, 1818. His mother dying when he was two years of age, he was brought up by, and lived with an aunt until fourteen, when she died. He had received a good common school education, and engaged in clerking in his native place until fifteen. At this early age, he went to Pennsylvania, and taught a district school in Mckean county, and gave good satisfaction, having an attendance of sixty pupils. In 1835 he rafted down the Ohio River to Cincinnati, where he was employed in a ship-yard, remaining until the fall, when he joined his father in Alabama, who was in the mercantile business. He was soon given the management of the store, and after- ward a share, the firm being Northrup & Son. Soon after, becoming involved, Hiram lost all he had accumulated. In 1844 he came to what was then Westport Landing, now Kansas City, and formed a partnership for the purpose of trading with the Indians in Texas and Mexico. While in that country, the Indians robbed them of nearly all their goods, and Mr. N. had a narrow escape for his life. He returned to Westport, formed a partnership with E. P. Hart in the Indian trade, went to St. Louis an entire stranger, and purchased $3,500 worth of goods on credit, which were shipped here.

Mr. Hart selling out, Mr. P. M. Chouteau purchased an interest, which he held twelve months, and then disposed of it to Mr. N., he continuing it alone. After a few seasons, a partnership was formed with two members of the Wyan- dott Nation, and afterward with J. S. Chick, which soon controlled a large share of the Santa Fe trade. . The first bill of goods sold wholesale in Kansas City was sold by H. M. Northrup. His firm sold the first goods that went to Lawrence, Topeka, Manhattan, and other western cities. Their trading posts were estab- lished all over the Indian Territory, their sales amounting to over $300,000 an- nually. . Mr. N. for many years was a member of the Wyandott tribe by adop- tion, and always took a deep personal interest in their affairs, and a few years be- fore the war, went to Washington as their agent, collecting $53,000 due them from the Government.

In 1857, the firm of Northrup & Chick established the first bank west of Lexington and south of the Missouri River, their house being the headquarters for trade for the western country.

In order to establish a post office in Kansas City, Mr. N. and Mr. Wm. Chick paid the carrier, and became responsible for the mails carried by him. The re- ceipts for the first year, however, were sufficient to cover that expense. At one time, when that place was worth nothing, they loaned the corporation $60,000. Mr. N. built the first house on Main street, erected after the town was laid out, and in 1847 built a log house on the corner of Main and Fourth. Pur- chased other property at almost nothing, where now it is impossible to obtain. He was made a president of the branch bank of the Union Bank of Missouri, of St. Louis, which he resigned in 1860. About this time Messrs. N. & Co. deter- mined to move to New York City. Arrangements being made, the bank was es- tablished on Nassau street, and afterward on Wall street. They niet with pros-

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perity, and their business increased rapidly until the panic of 1873, when they met with heavy losses, but in four months' time liquidated every claim against them. While in New York, he was a director of the Hanover National Bank, member of the Stock Exchange and Gold Exchange. Soon after, he came to Wyandott, establishing the banking house of Northrup & Son, which still continues, one of the most reliable houses of the west. November 27, 1845, he was married to Margaret Clark, born on Wyandott Reserve, near Lower San- dusky, Ohio, August 28, 1828. She was a most beautiful girl, and in any society in which she has moved has always been a favorite. Their family consists of two children now living : Milton C. and Andruss B. Two are deceased : Thomas C. and McHenry.

NORTHRUP BROS.,

Proprietors of the City Flouring Mills. The elder brother, John P., was born May 1, 1844, in Sussex county, New Jersey. Received a collegiate education, and was almost brought up in the milling business. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Co. B., 2d N. J. Vol. Infantry, and served for about three years, taking part in the battles of Gaines Mills, Malvern Hill, Gettysburg and many others. At the close of the war he resumed milling, and in 1878 came to Wyandott. His marriage occurred January 9, 1870, to Miss Anna H. Bale, born in Sussex county, N. J., in July, 1844. They have three children : Benjamin E., John F. and Lottie F.

B. J. Northrup was born in Sussex county, N. J., in July, 1849, and there was reared and attended school. He first engaged in the milling business and then in a manufacturing establishment. In the fall of 1877 hecame to this city and embarked in his present business. In April, 1874, he married Miss Bessie Bale, born in New Jersey in July, 1854. They have a family of two children : Freddie and Maggie. Mrs. N. is a member of the Christian church.

Northrup Bros. took possession of this mill in April, 1878. Their machinery is on the new process plan, and their manufacture meets with a ready sale.

CAPT. GEO. P. NELSON. -

Was born in Pittsburg, Penn., October 14, 1817, and in his youth learned the sad- dlers trade. In 1853 he was elected sheriff of Wyandott county, Ohio, holding the position until 1857, when he came west and settled at this place. He built the first steamboat in the Territory, called the Kansas Valley, and ran her on the Missouri and Kaw Rivers. She was the last boat to visit Topeka, Kansas. In 1863 this was sold and in 1864 he bought the Emma, which sank the same season near Wayne City. Then he chartered boats and operated them on the Missouri until 1870, when he was elected to the State Senate, being the only Democrat in that body. Was elected a member of the City Council in 1867, and a member of the School Board in 1875, and has been appointed city assessor some six dif- ferent times. In 1870 he retired from active business life. Mr. Nelson belongs to the I. O. O. F. fraternity. His marriage was March 17, 1840, to Miss Rebecca Rogers, a native of Penn., born in April. 1814. They have a family of three children : James, Isabella (now Mrs. J. B. Crews) and Emma (now Mrs. R. C. Maply). Have lost two.

W. P. OVERTON,

Coal Operator. Was born September 22, 1826, in Jackson county, Mo., and spent his boyhood days on a farm. In 1844 he took a trip to Texas, returned the same year. and became a member of Co. A, First Missouri Mounted Volunteers, and served withi Gen. Wool in the Mexican War. At the close he engaged in the overland trade to Mexico and California until 1855. Then came to Wyandott and en- gaged in the saw mill business, afterward in the grocery business with D. Stone, and commenced the coal business in the fall of 1880. He was one of the first

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trustees in the county, has been a member of the city council, also of the county board of commissioners. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the Knights of Pythias. He has been twice married. First, to Miss Mary J. Wales, at St. Joe, in 1847. She died in 1852, leaving one child, Elizabeth (now Mrs. Hetrick of Kansas City). He married again, Miss Sarah Barnett, in 1858. She is a native of Mo., and was born in 1842. By this union they have seven children : Maud, Jesse, Estella R., William R., Letitia D., George and Margaret.

H. C. PIERSON,

Agent of the Missouri Pacific and Kansas Pacific Railroads. Was born at Leb- anon, Ohio, in August, 1848, and remained living with his parents until 1861, attending the Hillsboro Normal school. He then went to Olney, Ill., and com- menced to learn the art of telegraphy, remaining there two years. Removed to Fort Hearth and remained a short time, and from there to Lexington, Ken- tucky, where he was in the employ of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. Still continuing in their employ he went to East St. Louis, and accepted the position of cashier of the road at that point. He came to Wyandott in July, 1879, and on the 28th of the same month accepted a position as ticket, freight, and express agent for the Missouri Pacific, and also the Kansas Pacific Railroads, at Wyan- dott. He has made railroad telegraphing a specialty through life, and being well educated, is capable of taking charge, not only of the telegraph offices of the roads, but also of the ticket, freight and express offices. The companies are aware of the kind of gentleman they have secured, therefore place their responsi- ble positions in the hands of a reliable man. Mr. Pierson married Miss Kate E. Voris, on the 16th of December, 1875, she having been born in May, 1856, and a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have two children: Robert K. and Florence V. He is a member of the Knight Templars, of Olney, Illinois, and also of Myrtle Lodge No, I Knights of Pythias, of Wyandott. The family are members of the Universalist church.

W. H. RYUS,

Of the firm of Drought & Ryus. Was born in July, 1841, in Monterey, New York, and spent his boyhood days on a farm. He came west in 1860, and be- came conductor of the Overland Mail service between Kansas City and Santa Fe, New Mexico, remaining some three years in this capacity. Then became inter- ested in the milling business in 1867, and continued it five or six years. Held the position of deputy sheriff four years, and was then elected sheriff and served four years. In February, 1880, he formed a partnership with E. S. W. Drought in the contracting and real estate business. The aggregate of their business transactions for the last year amounts to about $90,000. In December, 1880, Mr. Ryus formed a partnership with Judd & Co., and started a planing manufac- tory for sash, doors, blinds, etc. He married Miss Sarah J. Loward in Novem- ber, 1865. She is a native of Ohio, born in 1839. They have two children liv- ing : Charles and Ida M. Lost one. He is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge.

THEODORE SCHULTZ,

Dealer in groceries and provisions. Was born in Germany in 1834, and came to the United States in 1856 and settled in Chicago, Illinois, where he remained until 1858. Then removed to Arcola, Douglas county, and remained until 1861, when he enlisted in the 55th Illinois Infantry and served until 1865 ; he was then honorably discharged. Mr. Schultz settled in Wyandott in 1866, where he established himself in the liquor business which he carried on for four years. In 1870 he made a trip to Germany, and on returning engaged with Mr. Ferdinand Drees in the liquor business, which they carried on until 1874. In the fall of 1874 they sold out and established themselves in the grocery and provision busi-

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

ness, opening a large store on Minnesota avenue, which they carried on until 1879, when Mr. Drees retired from the firm and Mr. Schultz continued to carry on the business at the old stand. His country products are brought to his store every morning by his many country dealers, and to see the number of teams and people about his place on mornings one can imagine the amount of business done by him. He is an active member of Teutonia Lodge, No. 68, I. O. O. F. He was married to Miss Nancy Corghill at Wyandott, in 1873. They have had five children, two of whom are living.

ISAAC B. SHARP,

Lawyer. Was born in Ohio in January, 1836, and spent his boyhood days in his native State, attending college at the Oberlin University, Oberlin, O. He remained at college for four years and graduated in 1856, when he went to Fre- mont and commenced reading law. Remaining for one year, he went to Cleve- land and attended the Ohio State Union Law College, and in 1858 graduated at that institution and was admitted to the bar. In January he went west and set- tled in Wyandott, opening up an office for the practice of law, and it was not long before his name was known far and near and his practice began to extend throughout the State of Kansas. In 1860, Mr. Sharp, although but young in the county, was appointed by District Attorney Thomas P. Fellow, to be assistant dis- trict attorney with office at Wyandott. He held this office until 1862, when he was elected probate judge of Wyandott county, and in 1864 was re-elected. In the fall of 1865 he was elected mayor, and re-elected in 1866. In the same fall he was elected, by a handsome majority, state senator for a term of two years. At the expiration of this term, he was again elected probate judge for two years -and again in 1870, thus making eight years he has been probate judge. In 1868 he was also president of the Board of Education. At the close of his official term as judge, he commenced the practice of law, opening an office on Minnesota avenue. Mr. Sharp is an active member of Commandery No. 1, Knights Templar, of Leavenworth, and a member of Wyandott Lodge No. 3, of Masons. In 1875 he was Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kansas. He married Miss Maria A. Bennett, a native of Baltimore, Md., in 1860. They have three children : Anna L., Emma B. and Clarence E.

D. T. SKELTON,

Was born November 15, 1822, in St. Charles county, Missouri, and during his youth resided on a farm. In 1839 he came to western Missouri and engaged in the saw milling business in 1846, at Weston. In 1855 he followed the saw industry at Delaware, and in 1856 moved to Leavenworth, Kansas. There he resumed his former occupation and afterward erected a large flouring mill, known as the Leavenworth Mills. He started his first mill in Wyandott in June, 1877, and it has the capacity of sawing from six to ten thousand feet per day. He married Miss Sarah J. Dean in 1874. She is a native of Kentucky, and was born in June, 1828. They have one child, Medora (born July 5, 1877). They lost one. Mr. and Mrs. Skelton are members of the Baptist church, and he has belonged to the Masonic fraternity for some thirty years.

A. T. SHOLES,

Civil engineer. Was born in Green Bay, Brown county, Wis., .in 1834, and spent his boyhood days in that village and received excellent educational advantages. He then entered the Lawrence University and commenced to study for a civil engineer. In 1856 he came to Kansas and became engaged in the real estate business, and in 1859 went to Colorado. At the breaking out of the war he re- turned to Kansas and became a member of what was, at that time, known as the " Red Leg Scouts," and afterward assisted in organizing the first colored regi-

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ment of Kansas, which was the first colored regiment mustered in the United States Army. He was elected captain of a company and accompanied the regi- ment to the front and remained until the close of the war. After the war he be- came engaged with a survey party then surveying the line of the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Gulf Railroad, as civil engineer. Since that time he has been en- gaged on various railroad surveys in this vicinity. Mr. Sholes is at present en- gaged in the mining business in Colorado. He is an active member of the Odd Fellows and Ancient Order of United Workmen, and also a member of the As- sociation of Railroad Conductors. Was married to Miss L. F. Kirkbride in No- vember, 1873. She was born in April, 1852, and is a native of Pekin, Illinois. They have one child, Georgia.

FREDERICK SPECK,

Physician and surgeon. Was born November 24, 1818, at Carlisle, Cumberland county, Penn., and at the age of twenty-five commenced the study of medicine. He first attended the Maryland University, of Baltimore, and then the Franklin Medical College, of Philadelphia, graduating therefrom, and receiving his diploma. Then he commenced the practice of his profession at Fremont, Schuylkill county, Penn., continuing for about four years and then removed to Union county. Six years later, in 1857, he came to Wyandott, and there is now but one physician in practice here, who then resided at this place. He was elected mayor of the city and served one term, and also held the position of physician for the Blind Asylum. His marriage was in 1848, to Miss A. M. Dennis, born in Philadelphia in 1824. She died in 1881, leaving four children : Annie M., Mary C., Joseph B. and Richard D., all are members of the Episcopal church. Dr. F. Speck is a member of the A. F. and A. M., I. O. O. F. and K. of P. fraternities; has held the positions in the I. O. O. F., of G. M. of the State in 1865, Grand Chief Patriarch of the Grand Encampment, and Grand Representative.

B. L. STINE,

Was born on the 24th of April, 1846, in Juniata county, Penn., and spent his boyhood days on a farm with his parents, and received a good school education. In 1863 he enlisted in Company D, 36th Pennsylvania Infantry, and served with his company until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged; was with his regiment at the battle of the Wilderness, Mine Run, Beaver Dam, Chancellorsville, Appomattox, and also at the surrender of Lee. The first year he served as a private, and during the second was promoted to orderly sergeant,

and thence to first-lieutenant." At the close of the war he located in Ohio, and engaged in the butchering business, where he remained for a period of five years; then removed to Kansas, and stayed but a short time, when he went into Mis- souri, and after about eighteen months, returned to Pennsylvania, and remained for four years. In 1876 he again came to Kansas and located at Rosedale, where he was offered and accepted a position as shipping clerk for the Kansas Rolling Mill Company. He at present resides at Rosedale, where he has a fine residence. He has held the position of police judge and that of justice of the peace of his township. In November, 1880, he was elected a member of the Kansas Legis- lature from his district, and during the session just closed he has given the best of satisfaction. He married Miss Edith R. Baird in December, 1871. She was born on the roth of October, 1848, and is a native of Crawford county, Ohio. He is an active member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the Ancient Order of Forresters.

DERRICK STONE,

Is a native of Hocking county, Ohio, and was born in December, 1826. He spent his boyhood days on a farm and attending school, and on becoming of age he removed to Perrysburgh, Wood county, and engaged in the mercantile busi-

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ness. There he remained until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Co. A, 100th Ohio Infantry, and served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. During most of the time he served in the commissary department, and was in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, and several others, also with Sherman at Atlanta. He was at Washington, D. C., when Lee surrendered, and also the night that Lincoln was assassinated, thus witnessing two of Washington's most stirring times. At the close of the war he came west and settled in 'Wyandott and remained for a short time, when he went to Pomeroy and engaged in the mercantile business. He built the first house built at Pomeroy, and had his store there. At this time (1868) he held all the offices of the town, such as postmaster, school director, ticket agent and railroad agent. He remained there two years, when he returned to Wyandott and en- gaged in the grocery business, which he continued to carry on until the fall of 1879, then he took Mr. W. C. Overton in as a partner, and in 1880 retired from active life. Mr. Stone is an active member of Myrtle Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He married Miss E. Jennie Ayres, a native of Ohio, in 1869.

J. C. STOUT,

Master Painter of the Union Pacific Shops. Was born on the 11th day of April, 1831, at Adrian, Mich. He was reared and educated there, and after finishing his schooling he took up painting, at which he worked for some time. In 1857 he left Adrian and engaged at his trade in various places, including Litchfield, Illinois, and New Albany, Indiana. He then spent a short time in Kentucky, but, not liking the South, he returned and settled at Fort Wayne, Indiana, for a few months. In 1862 he returned to his native city and became engaged as master painter of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, where he re- mained for eight years. In the winter of 1869 he came to Wyandott and took charge of the Kansas Pacific Railroad shops (now the Union Pacific) as master painter. He is a thorough artist in his line, and is held in high esteem by the company. Mr. Stout has assisted in building up Wyandott, and a few years ago made a large addition to the city known as "Stout's Addition." He has held several prominent positions of trust under the city government. He was a mem- ber of the school board, and was elected city treasurer, and also treasurer of the Board of Education. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has been master of Wyandott Lodge No. 3 for the past two years. He married Miss Martha Montgomery in 1862. She was born on the 13th of December, 1841, and is a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. They have had two children, one of whom is living: Ralph. Mrs. S. is a member of the Congregational church.

J. S. STOCKTON,

Mayor of the city of Wyandott. Was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, May 31, 1828. He removed with his parents in a few years to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where he resided until 1850, receiving a thorough academic education in his early days. At the age of 21 he commenced studying law with his father, J. C. Stockton, in Mt. Vernon, and in 1850 emigrated to Ottawa, Ill., where he continued to read law, and was admitted to the bar in 1857. In 1858 Mr. Stockton re- moved west and settled in Wyandott, which was at that time a part of Leaven- worth county, and continued to practice law. In 1860 he was elected to the office of city attorney, which he held until 1867. In 1870 he was elected mayor of the city, and served three successive terms. In the spring of 1879 he was elected to serve a two years term as mayor, which office he holds at the present date, making five years that he has been mayor of Wyandott. His law practice has extended throughout eastern Kansas and western Missouri. He has been prom- inently identified with the interests of the county and State for several years, and has taken a large interest in all its public affairs. He married Miss Mary E. Batchelor in 1852, in Ottawa. She is a native of Cardiff, N. Y., born in 1829,

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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 99

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