The history of Buchanan County, Missouri, Part 68

Author: Union historical company, St. Joseph, Mo., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: St. Joseph, Mo., Union historical company
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Missouri > Buchanan County > The history of Buchanan County, Missouri > Part 68

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rank. He was born in Laurel County, Kentucky, April 4, 1840, and was raised in the agricultural district, his father, Abraham, being a farmer. In 1859, he removed to Platte County, Missouri. Here he remained until the breaking out of the rebellion, when, his sympathies being with the South, he tendered his services in defense of the Confederate cause, and enlisted as Second Lieutenant in General Parson's Brigade, Tenth Missouri Infantry, participated in many of the notable events of the memorable conflict, being honorably discharged at the close. In 1865, he engaged in the grocery business, and, in 1876, became the junior member in the livery business of C. & P. E. Chesnut. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council. His wife, formerly Miss Allie Kirby, of St. Joseph, he married in December, 1877. They have one son, Guy.

JAMES T. CHURCHILL,

one of the pioneer and first-class artists who for twenty-seven years has been catering to the wants of the St. Josephites, is our subject. He was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, March 6, 1829, and was there raised and learned his trade. He came to St. Joseph in 1853, and has done much of the superior sign and ornamental painting here.

W. B. CHURCHILL.

A veteran printer and painter in St. Joseph is found in the person of W. B. Churchill, who was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, February 23, 1837. In early life he learned the printer's trade, and came to St. Joseph in 1855, arriving on the 19th of May; he commenced to learn the trade of painting with his brother, James T., which profession he fol- lowed until 1861. When the St. Joseph Herald was established, he took the foremanship of the office, and was in that employ at different times for over five years. Aside from that he has confined himself to painting. He has been twice married. On the 25th of February, 1858, Miss M. A. Williamson, of Shelbyville, Kentucky, became his wife ; she died August 15, 1857. Mr. C. was again married, in 1875, to Miss Mary J. Fulton, of Shelbyville, Kentucky. By his first marriage he had one daughter, Lenora. By the latter union he had three children, Fulton, Willie and Virginia.

MILTON M. CLAGGETT

was born October 2, 1827, in Maryland; was raised a farmer, and received his education in the common schools of the county. He came to Missouri in 1858, and to this county in 1860, settling in St. Joseph in 1864. He bought a farm, partially improving it until 1879, when he sold out and went into the grain business with Mr. Willis, forming the firm of

ST. JOSEPH.

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Willis & Claggett. They had large contracts with the Government in furnishing grain, and were also largely engaged for many years in freight- ing to Denver, Montana, Salt Lake, etc. They closed the business in 1867. In 1868, he associated with him Mr. C. Evans, and contracted to build one hundred miles of the St. Joseph and Denver City Railroad, which they built in 1870 and 1871. In 1876, he was elected County Col- lector, and served two years. He has been one of the Directors in the Merchants' Insurance Company for many years. Mr. Claggett is a descend- ant of Bishop Claggett, of Maryland, who was one of the most distinguished in the church. In 1879, he was appointed Coal Oil Inspector by the Governor. He married Sarah E. Boteler, in Maryland, in 1851. They have four children living-Clara B., Edith E., Henry M. and Sarah E. In 1863-4, Captain Claggett commanded Company D, Eighty-first Regi- ment Enrolled Missouri Militia, for thirteen months.

G. W. CLAYTON,

of the firm of G. W. Clayton & Co., junk dealers, is a native of Virginia, and was born in Petersburg, September 3, 1847. His father was a cousin of Henry Clay, and a gentleman favorably known in that country. G. W. was educated, and resided in his native state, until the breaking out of the rebellion, and then, a mere boy, he shouldered his musket and went to the front in defense of the Confederate cause, and served faithfully until the close. After the war, he went to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and for seven years was one of the overseers and managers of the State Insane Asylum, after which he was connected with the State Insane Asylum, at Jacksonville, Illinois, for three and a half years. He then came to St. Joseph, and for four years was an employe in Asylum No. 2. Mr. Clayton is a man of clear judgment, and has a peculiar adaptability for managing the unfortunates-while associated with the different asylums he was eminently successful in his management. In the autumn of 1879, he engaged in his present business, which has steadily increased. In 1869, Miss Lucy A. Sturtevant, of Illinois, became his wife. She is the daugh- ter of Colonel C. C. Sturtevant, a prominent citizen of that state.

JOHN CLARK,

contractor, is one who has been interested in macadamizing our streets, and has done the larger portion of the work in this city. He is a native of Liverpool, England, and was born January 27, 1818. He became pro- ficient in stone and brick masonry in his native country, and there resided until 1849, when he came to America, locating in Hartford, Con- necticut. There he pursued his vocation until 1857, when he came West and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Dakota County, Nebraska, and in 1859, came to St. Joseph, where he has since been actively engaged in

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contracting. He married Miss Mary Ann Jennings, on the 10th of Feb- ruary, 1840. They have had nine children, five of whom are living : James, John, Joseph M., George B. and Rose A. The four deceased are : William H., Charles, Elizabeth and an infant.

NEAL CLIFFORD,

dealer in staple and fancy groceries. Mr. James Clifford took up his · residence here in 1853; he pursued the vocation of draying, and for upwards of twenty years was employed in this capacity by W. R. Penick; his demise occurred December 9, 1880. His son, Neal, was born in Independence, Missouri, April 4, 1857 ; when two years of age he came to St. Joseph, and was here reared and educated. In 1870, he went South, locating temporarily at different points, eventually becoming a resident of Leadville, Colorado, when that place was in its infancy. For a time he was engaged in the restaurant business; also mining, and, in the charcoal and wood trade. In 1880, he returned to St. Joseph, and, in the spring of 1881, engaged in his present business; he is one of St. Joseph's popular young men, and has a fair share of the trade.

CHARLES H. CLIFF,

produce and commission merchant, is a native of Missouri, and was born in St. Louis County, May 27, 1844; he came to St. Joseph with his parents in 1852; his father, Mr. Robert H. Cliff, was closely identified with the commercial interests of this city until the breaking out of the rebellion. Charles was raised to manhood and educated in Buchanan County; he was one of the first riders of the historical pony express, being on the division between St. Joseph and Seneca. For fifteen years he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. In the spring of 1881, he engaged in his present business. Mr. Cliff has seen the growth and development of St. Joseph, and has been closely associated with its commercial inter- ests. He is a gentleman in every sense of the word, and a business man of great ability. Was married, in 1867, to Miss Elizabeth Peltier, of St. Joseph. By this union they have had four children, Agnes, John, Charles, and an infant. Mr. C. is a member of the Foresters.

J. H. COLLINS

was born in Lewis County, New York, December 19, 1847. He was raised on a farm until he attained his fifteenth year, and then commenced to learn the trade he now pursues in Boonville, of the Empire State, working in other towns before completing it. In 1868, he came to St. Joseph, opened a shop, and has since been spreading white lead, distem- per colors, etc., with a considerable degree of success. He is a finished

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workman in the artistic line, and in paper hanging he is the ne plus ultra. In 1873, becoming aware that in order to be successful in any calling it was requisite to have a partner, he married Miss M. McIntyre. They have had two children, one of whom is living, Alice, and William, deceased.

EMILY SIBLEY COLT, M. D.,

wife of C. C. Colt, Esq., of St. Joseph, is a daughter of Elisha Sibley, of Henrietta, Monroe County, New York, and here she was born February 27, 1839. After receiving a fair business education at the common schools, she entered the Wesleyan Seminary, of Lima, New York, and was in due time graduated from this institution, with honor. In 1864, she married in Monroe County, New York, C. C. Colt, Esq. They have by this marriage two chilren-Gertrude Agatha and Irving Sibley. In 1865, they went West, and settled on a farm near Easton, Buchanan County, Missouri. In 1872, they moved to St. Joseph. Endowed with an excellent education, and inspired with an ardent desire of devoting the means afforded by literary and scientific opportunities, to the benefit of suffering humanity, Mrs. Colt determined to qualfy herself for the pro- fession of medicine. . She accordingly devoted the energies of her intel- lect and two years of her time to the pursuit of his study, under the guidance of a skillful physician of St. Joseph. She afterwards attended the lectures of Hahnemann Homeopathic Medical College, Chicago, from which institution she was graduated with high honor and the degree of M. D., in February, 1881.

THOMAS CONRAD,

an early settler of St. Joseph, was born April 20, 1821, and came to Buchanan County in May, 1844, where he remained but a short time. The great flood which occurred at that time led many to believe that Savannah would be the future metropolis of the northwest. He engaged in business at this point with his brother, the relation existing until 1849. During the year 1848, he was teacher of the public school at this place. In 1849, he went to California and remained until 1852, when he returned to Savannah and embarked in business with A. G. Clark, who was associated with him until his death. In 1858, the firm removed to St. Joseph, and A. C. Craig became a member of the firm. In 1863, Mr. Conrad went to Montana, where he was interested in business until his death, which occurred in September, 1880. He was a man of strong will, very presevering and upright in all his actions. His message to his children, when dying, was for them to be true to themselves, their country, and their God.

J. B. CONKLIN

was born in Morgan County, Ohio, November 4, 1840. His father, B. W. Conklin, was a Major in the Revolutionary War, under the after-

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wards notorious Aaron Burr. He participated in the famous Sandy Hook engagement in 1812. After the war, he located in Ohio, and for a number of years was identified with politics in the Buckeye State, and was a member of the legislature. He was the instigator of the Musk- ingum River improvement. The Conklin family are of English, Scotch, French and German extraction. J. B. spent his boyhood days in his native state and Virginia, securing the benefits of the common schools. He clerked in a general merchandise store two years, and after- wards was employed on the river for a number of seasons. He eventually located at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where for four years he clerked in the merchandise establishment of Solomon Benjamin. Dur- ing this time he acted as fog pilot when required, his familiarity with the river, which he obtained during his clerkship, giving him this insight. In 1861, the distant West attracted his attention, and for five years he devoted his time to mining in California and Arizona. On returning, in 1867, he stopped at St. Joseph, engaging as bookkeeper for Bell & Lowell, lumber dealers. Subsequently he took charge of the yard, remaining in their employ until 1876, when he opened a yard in connec- tion with Mr. Wiltz, of Chicago, which partnership continued until December, 1880. Mr. D. M. McDonald then became a partner. Mr. Conklin is well known in Buchanan County, his career during his sojourn in this city being that of an active business man. Miss Lucy A. Patterson, a native of Fairmount, Virginia, became his wife in 1867. They have had four children, two of whom are living, Emma Blanche and Estelle.

M. CONNELLY,

boot and shoemaker, was born in County Cork, Ireland, November 5, 1830, and was raised and educated in his native county until he attained his twentieth year. Then came to the United States, taking up his abode in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he commenced to learn his trade, finishing it in St. Louis. In 1853, he removed to Lexington, Missouri, and in the autumn of 1854, came to St. Joseph. He pursues the even tenor of his way, is unassuming, commands hosts of friends, and he does a thriving business. He married January 20, 1856, Miss Catharine Jordan, who died January 26, 1872, leaving three children-James, Michael and Annie. Himself and family are members of the Catholic Church, and he also belong to the St. Patrick's Benevolent Society.

DANIEL CONWAY

is a native of Dearborn County, Indiana, and was born October 11, 1820; his father, William, was also a native of that county, and his grandfather, Daniel, was among the first settlers there, coming from Kentucky with

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Daniel Boone. In 1840, our subject came to Platte County Mo., with his father, where he resided for a time, after which he engaged in trade in Gentry County. There continued until 1851, when he engaged in trade at Barry, Clay County, remaining until 1855. Thence to Stewartsville, DeKalb County, pursuing merchandising for several years, when he returned to Clay County, and engaged in farming. In early life, he adopted the legal profession and was admitted to the bar of DeKalb County in 1856. While in Gentry County, he was a member of the Leg- islature in 1850, and in Clay County was magistrate for four years. In 1863, he came to St. Joseph and commenced practicing his profession. For four years he was clerk for R. L. McDonald, and was with William Eckhart for the same length of time ; he was also magistrate for four years. Mr. Conway has a well-stored mind and is a man of quick comprehension. He was married, in 1846, to Miss Elizabeth A. Woods, of Clay County. They have seven children: Sarah, Helen M. (wife of Mr. F. McCoun), John Wilson, Charles Edwin, Lulu, Cora Lee, and James W. The latter is generally known as one of St. Joseph's promising young men, and has been in the employ of A. N. Schuster for several years. Charles E. has been in the employ of different houses as clerk; he embarked in the grocery business in the spring of 1881. Mr. Daniel Conway is a Master Mason, and James W. is a member of the I. O. O. F.

ABNER COPELAND,

farmer, section 35, postoffice St. Joseph, was born in Chatham County, North Carolina, August 27, 1818, and when about eleven years of age his parents moved to Tennessee, and in 1839 came to Buchanan County, Missouri. Mr. C. has made farming his occupation through life. His landed estate consists of 252 acres, his home farm containing 212 acres, all of which is improved, having a fine house and barn. He came to the county in debt, and now is in as commodious circumstances as any one could wish. He was married October 9, 1848, to Miss Mary Wright. She was born in Surry County, North Carolina, October 10, 1828. They have had one child, which died in infancy. They have raised one orphan child, Julia Taber (now Mrs. Dr. Woodson). He is a Mason and a member of Zeradatha Lodge, No. 189. His father, John, was a native of North Carolina, and died in this county in 1874, in his 105th year. He was baptised when 100 years of age as a member of the Baptist Church. He and wife lived together 65 years; had a family of ten chil- dren, and never had a death in the family during their life.

JOHN CORBY, (deceased),

the subject of this sketch, for many years one of the representative men of North Missouri, was born in Limerick, Ireland, June 24, 1808. At the age of twelve years, he left his parental home and came to the shores

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of America, residing first in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. His educa- tion he derived principally in Ireland and by his own exertion on his arrival in the Union States. His first experiences in active life were in the capacity of railroad contractor. In this pursuit he assisted in build- ing many of the great lines east, south and west. In 1843, Mr. Corby immigrated to the Platte Purchase, and settled on the site of the present city of St. Joseph, and determined to make it his home. His first ven- ture in St. Joseph was in general merchandising, and with an abiding faith in the growth and ultimate prosperity of the city, he made large investments in real estate which resulted in large returns. He subse- quently engaged in the banking business, which he continued until his death, which occurred May 9, 1870. Absorbed in the pursuit of his per- sonal affairs, he took but little active interest in the politics of the day, and was never a seeker of office.' In 1856, he was elected Mayor, a position he filled for two years to the unqualified satisfaction of his con- stituents. He was for many years before and after this a leading mem- ber of the City Council. Politically he was a Democrat, and in his religious preferences a Roman Catholic. He was married May 30, 1852, to Miss Amanda Musick, of St. Louis. Mr. Corby died May 9, 1870. His vast landed and personal estate he left to his widow, who has erected on his burial place, about two miles from the city, a memorial Chapel known as St. John the Baptist. It is a stately, gothic structure of stone 85x50 feet, costing $40,000.

JUDGE SAMUEL D. COWAN,

the present Clerk of the Circuit Court of Buchanan County, was born near Somerset, Pulaski County, Kentucky, January 25, 1825, his ances- tors being among the earliest who emigrated from Virginia. His father's name was John W. Cowan, and his mother's maiden name Fannie Dysart. He was brought up on his father's farm, where he lived till about twenty years of age, when he entered the Circuit Clerk's office of Pulaski County, in which he was employed about a year. In 1846, he entered the volun- teer service, and became Second Lieutenant of Company H, of the Fourth Kentucky Regiment, with which he left for Mexico in October of the same year. He served in this command till the close of the war, and was in the City of Mexico when the news reached the army that peace had been declared. In 1848, he returned home. Two years after, he went to California, where he spent four years in the gold mines of the Pacific Coast. In 1854, he returned to Kentucky, and the same year emigrated to Missouri, settling on a farm in Washington Township, Buchanan County. He filled the position of Deputy under Sheriff Mor- gan, and afterwards under Ainsworth. December 24, 1860, he married Miss Bettie Langford, by whom he has had a family of four daughters

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and three sons, all but one, a son, living. In 1865, he crossed the plains, and the following year visited Montana, where he engaged in freighting on his own account. Returning to Missouri, he resumed the business of farming. In November, 1874, he was elected a member of the County Court of Buchanan County, which position he filled acceptably during the period of two terms of two years each. In 1878, he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court of Buchanan County for the term of four years, which position he now (1881) holds.

A. W. COWLES,

engineer on the K. C., St. J. & C. B. R. R., was born in Rockford, Illi- nois, September 28, 1842, and, when quite young, his father, J. D., went with the family to Walworth County, Wisconsin, where they resided several years ; thence to LeRoy, Mower County, Minnesota, where the subject of this sketch resided until 1861, when he enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota Volunteers, and was afterwards transferred to the First Min- nesota Rangers, serving eighteen months, when he was honorably dis- charged. In 1863, he commenced railroading on the M. & St. P., as fire- man, continuing several months. He was then employed on the Hanni- bal and St. Joseph, remaining three years, braking and firing ; thence on the K. C., St. J. & C. B. for two years, after which he was in the employ of the C. B. & Q. six years. Since then he has been with the K. C., St. J. & C. B. Co. He is genial and affable in his demeanor, and few railroad men with headquarters in St. Joseph are more popular. He married, in 1865, Miss Esther I. Jones, of Minnesota. They have three children : Luella, Charles and Georgie. He has been a member of the Brotherhood Locomotive Engineers for thirteen years, and is corres- ponding secretary. He now runs No. 13, passenger.

JAMES E. COX,

Superintendent of the Union Street Railway. Among the early settlers of Buchanan County, was Mr. Cyrenus Cox, who took up his abode in St. Joseph in 1849, and for a number of years was engaged in the manu- facture of brick. His death occurred a few years ago. His son, James E., was born in Montgomery County, Missouri, his boyhood days being spent in farming near Danville. He came to this city in 1849, with his parents and passed on through to California, residing there twelve years, four of which were spent in mining. Returning to St. Joseph in 1861, he tendered his services to the Confederate cause, receiving a Captain's commission, and serving four years. Two years he spent in Texas. Among the engagements he participated in were Springfield, Kirksville, and Lexington. After the war, he returned to St. Joseph, engaging in the manufacture of brick, and for a time was engaged in farming. In

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1877, he became Superintendent of the Union Street Railway. He was married in 1865, to Miss Mary T. Harris, daughter of William Harris, one of St. Joseph's pioneers. They have five children : Maggie, Willie, James, Nellie and Jennie.

E. M. CRANDALL,

foreman machinist of the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Rail- road shops, is a native of Ashland County, Ohio, and was born March 16, 1833; was raised to manhood and learned his trade at Mt. Vernon, Knox County. His father, Nathaniel, was a tanner by trade, and died when E. M. was in his fourth year. At the breaking out of the rebellion our subject enlisted in the first three months call in Company H, Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. For a number of years he was in the employ of the Pittsburg & Fort Wayne Railroad, and was located at Crestline, Ohio, and at Richmond and Indianapolis, Indiana, and other points; he . came to St. Joseph in 1869, and has since been with the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Company, with the exception of two years, when he was engaged as engineer on the construction of the bridge, operating the pumps. Mr. C. is numbered among the accomplished workmen in the country and stands high in railroad circles. He was married, in 1861, to Miss Nattie Biger, who died in 1879. He was again married, in 1880, to Mrs. A. E. Myers, of St. Joseph. He is a Master Mason and also a member of the chapter and commandery.

GENERAL JAMES CRAIG,

was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, February 28, 1817, and when only two years of age was taken by his parents to Richland County, Ohio, where his father, James Craig, engaged in working at his trade, that of a tailor. The subject of this sketch was obliged to work hard, never attending school more than ten or twelve months in his life, and at the age of twenty-two he entered the office of Harris & Brown, to study law in Canton, Ohio. After leaving that city, he settled at New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas County, continuing the practice of law, and in 1844, moved to Oregon, Missouri. In the summer of 1846, he was elected to the Legislature as a representative from Holt County. At about the close of his term, the Mexican War broke out, and, by order of the Governor, he organized a company which was ordered to the west to protect trains and emigrants. They took part in many exciting engagements with the several tribes of Indians. In the spring of 1849, Captain Craig crossed the plains to California, and after being success- ful in the rich gold mines of that state, he returned to St. Joseph in the summer of 1850, and, in company with Mr. Lawrence Archer, he engaged in the practice of law. On the first year of his return, in the contest for

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District Attorney, Mr. Craig, then, as now, a Democrat, was elected. In 1856, he was elected to Congress, and at the expiration of his first term was re-elected. He declined a third term. Soon after the break- ing out of the war, he was commissioned a Brigadier General, by Presi- dent Lincoln. He was ordered, by the Commander-in-Chief, Halleck, again among the Indians. He took charge of the troops at Fort Kearney, Fort Laramie and all the district lying between the Missouri River and Utah, including that territory. In the summer of 1863, he resigned his commission in the United States Army and was appointed Brigadier General by the Governor of Missouri, which position he accepted. He was then placed in command of the troops in Northwest Missouri. After a faithful discharge of his duties, late in 1864, he again resigned, thus closing his military career. Since 1861, General Craig has been extensively engaged in building and operating railroads ; for fifteen years he was connected with the Hannibal and St. Joseph Rail- road, part of the time as President. In August, 1843, he was married in Wayne County, Ohio, to Miss M. Pfouts. The result of this union was was five children. One daughter married Captain Wilcox, of the Fourth Cavalry ; his oldest daughter is the wife of Major Samuel A. Garth, of St. Joseph ; his oldest son, Louis, is a Lieutenant in the United States Army.

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The history of Buchanan County, Missouri, Part 68

Author: Union historical company, St. Joseph, Mo., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: St. Joseph, Mo., Union historical company Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Union historical company, St. Joseph, Mo., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: St. Joseph, Mo., Union historical company
Number of Pages: 1104