USA > Missouri > Buchanan County > The history of Buchanan County, Missouri > Part 97
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982
BIOGRAPHICAL.
A. D. SYMPSON,
farmer, section 29, postoffice Agency, was born in Kentucky, January 6, 1837. Followed farming up to 1867, at which time he emigrated to Kansas, remaining there nine years. Then moved to Buchanan County. Was married in 1861, to Miss Mary Rivers, born July 2, 1845, in Ken- tucky. They have had six children-James H., born September 28, 1863, died January 18, 1864; Robert B., born November 12, 1864; Eunie A., born April 8, 1867 ; Elizabeth J., born February 22, 1868 ; George D., born November 22, 1869; and Annie E., born May 22, 1873. Mrs. Sympson died January 18, 1874. He was again married January 8, 1878, to Susan A. Young, a native of Missouri. They have had two children- Charles O., born October 4, 1878, and an infant, now deceased. Mr. S. is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
LANDON C. THOMPSON,
teamster and hotel keeper, Agency, was born in Carter County, Ken- tucky, June 27, 1839. He left Kentucky in 1852, and located in Platte County, Missouri, where he resided up to 1861, then changing his resi- dence to Buchanan County. April 4, 1861, he was married to Susan Oxshire, a native of Buchanan County. She was born September 24, 1840. They had two children, Mary E. and Maggie J .- both married. He has four lots in Agency, two of which are improved. Mr Thompson belonged to the Pawpaw Militia, but was not out of the state. His wife, Mrs. Oxshire, was first married to A. J. Carrington, and they had two children : Thomas, born October 11, 1857; and Robert, born May 6, 1860, died December 25, 1862. Mr. A. J. Carrington died May 27, 1860.
GEORGE W. WELLS,
merchant, Agency, was born September 10, 1851, in Marion County, Tennessee. His parents moved to Kansas when he was a small boy, locating eight miles from Lawrence, on Willow Springs, after which they moved to Atchison, and thence to Buchanan County, Mo. Mr. Wells followed farming until after the war, when he engaged in business at Rushville, remaining there until 1876, then moving to Agency. Was married, September 18, 1875, to Miss Myra Floyd, a native of Missouri. She was born June 9, 1856. They have two children: Ella, born April 25, 1877; Lela, born December 30, 1879. Is a member of the I. O. O. F. and a Good Templar, and also belongs to the Christian Church. Mr. W. has been school director, clerk in the church and deputy postmaster. He has always extended the hand of charity when he deemed applicants worthy. Is now doing business under the firm name of Wells & Smith.
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AGENCY TOWNSHIP.
They have a business room 22x60 feet, well filled with dry goods, notions, boots, shoes, hats, caps, etc, and doing a general business of about $23,000 per year.
J. R. WOODRUFF,
farmer, section 17, postoffice Agency, was born in West Virginia, March 10, 1832, and with his parents moved to Washington County, Pennsyl- vania, when he was quite small. Received a good education, and in 1852, moved to Knox County, Ohio. Drove cattle to Philadelphia and New York from Illinois. In 1856, he went to Warren County, Iowa, and emigrated to St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1857. In 1858, he married Mary C. Jesse, born in Tennessee, August 20, 1841. They have had five children-Ella, born February 20, 1864; W. M., born May 2, 1867 ; Ranson, born June 30, 1871 ; Orville, born August 6, 1859, died in June, 1862; and Iona, born in May, 1861, died in September, 1861. Owns forty acres of land, under good cultivation. Takes great interest in edu- cational matters, and has been school director for years in District No. 3. His daughter is but sixteen years of age, and has taught school three years. He is a Master Mason and a member of Agency Lodge, No. 10.
C. RANSOM WOODSON,
physician and surgeon, Agency, was born in Knox County, Kentucky, May 17, 1848, and with his parents emigrated to Missouri in 1855. Then located for one year in Lafayette County, then permanently settling in Buchanan County. Was raised a farmer and had good school advan- tages. He first studied medicine under Dr. James A. Day, of Halleck, Missouri, and was graduated March 6, 1871, in St. Louis Medical College. He had practiced eleven months before completing his course. Dr. W. has been actively and successfully engaged in practice ever since. Is a member of Northwestern District Medical Society at St. Joseph, having filled the chair as President. Is a skillful and successful surgeon, and especially so in ophthalmic cases, but is unostentatious and charitable, having always practiced for the poor, widows and orphans gratis. Is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Christian Church. He has 5873 acres of land acquired by his own industry, all of which has been made since he located in Agency and established himself in the practice of medicine. Over 500 acres of this land are under fence with good improvements, and he also has a good house and barn in Agency. Was married February 26, 1873, to Miss Julia Taber, a native of Missouri, born September 21, 1853. They have one child-P. Gervais, born November 18, 1874.
984
BIOGRAPHICAL.
E. M. YATES,
merchant and miller, Agency, was born October 7, 1838, in Buchanan County, Missouri, and has resided in this county all his life. He was raised a farmer and received but limited educational advantages. He was married November 5, 1873, to Miss Victoria Boone, daughter of R. R. Boone. They have had three children, Jewell, Effie, and Victoria. Jewell died in 1875. Mrs. Yates died November 12, 1879. The subject of this sketch was again married February 22, 1881, to Jessie L. Boone, who was born in Meade County, Kentucky. Mr. Yates owns forty acres of land in section 7, Jackson Township, his residence, store, house, and one-half interest in stock of goods and steam grist-mill in Agency. He is a Master Mason, an Odd Fellow and a member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church. He has never sought political honors, pre- ferring the quiet of private business to the turmoil of politics. He was among the first white children born in the county, and the first born in Jackson Township.
CENTER TOWNSHIP.
NORTON BLAKE,
farmer and stock raiser, section 5, postoffice St. Joseph, was born March 14, 1818, in Livingston County, New York. His parents were natives of Connecticut, and moved to New York State about 1800. Norton spent his boyhood days on a farm and received a common school educa- tion. When thirteen years of age he moved with his parents to San- dusky County, Ohio, resided there two years, and then emigrated to DeKalb County, Indiana, where he remained thirty years engaged in agricultural pursuits. During the late war he assisted in organizing the Thirtieth and Forty-fourth Regiments, and Company H of the Eighty- eighth Indiana Infantry; also Company M of the Second Indiana Cav- alry; his brother became captain of this company. Norton was appointed wagon master of the commissary department, but his health failing he was compelled to resign this position. His only son, Judson, became a member of the Second Indiana Cavalry, and had his right shoulder shattered while fighting against John Morgan in Tennessee. He came home and remained a few months, when he re-enlisted in the
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CENTER TOWNSHIP.
Eighth Illinois Cavalry and served until the close of the war, serving with General Sheridan. In 1863, our subject took a trip west, and vis- ited St. Joseph, Atchison, Topeka and other places. During 1864 he worked at the carpenter trade in Chicago, and held the position of fore- man of the West Side Street Car Company. Emigrated to Andrew County, Missouri, in 1865, and from there to St. Joseph in 1867. He remained there three years and then moved to his present location. He ·owns a fine farm of 165 acres, which is very highly improved. The out- buildings are well arranged and everything around his place denotes neatness and a successful farmer. He has about fifteen hundred fruit trees and a small vineyard. He has been twice married. First, March 9, 1843, to Miss H. A. Holmes, a native of Seneca County, Ohio, born May 21, 1826; she died in November, 1863, leaving three children: Jud- son, born March 22, 1844; Lucy E., born April 27, 1846; G. J., born August 4, 1850, now Mrs. William Bealey. Was again married, Decem- ber 18, 1866, to Miss Mary Thompson, a resident of St. Joseph, born March 21, 1839, in County Tire, Ireland. They have had one child, Sarah I., now Mrs. Robert I. Young. Mrs. B. is a member of the West- minster Church of St. Joseph. Mr. B. is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity and belongs to King Hill Lodge.
JUDGE THOMAS A. BROWN
was born in Knox County, Tennessee, January 28, 1812. In 1836, he moved to Missouri, and settled a few miles south of St. Joseph, where he purchased a farm, which he improved and on which he resided seven years. During that period he was elected Judge of the County Court of Buchanan County. In 1843, he moved to Nodaway County, where he also purchased land and engaged in farming. He here continued to reside till 1862, when he returned to St. Joseph, and purchased the val- uable farm which he still owns and on which he continues to reside, four miles south of the city. During the long period of Judge Brown's resi- dence in Nodaway County, he represented the same six years in the State Legislature. Methodical and exact in all business transactions, he has ever commanded the respect of his constituents. Though, to a con- siderable extent, a self-made man, the Judge is well informed, and, taking great delight in reading. is well up with the times in matters of general interest. As present (1881) Judge of the County Court of Buchanan County, he enjoys a well merited popularity. April 21, 1833, he married in his original home in Tennessee, Margaret D. Blakely. They have eight children living-Sarah Jane, Phelix C., Elizabeth S., Joseph A., Gideon L., Thomas J., Cynthia A. and John C. Brown. Mrs. Brown died in Nodaway County, September 16, 1862. Ten years after this the Judge was married to Miss May Deacon.
61
986
BIOGRAPHICAL.
W. H. CHAPMAN,
farmer and stock raiser, section 18, postoffice St. Joseph, was born May 28, 1829, in Russell County, Kentucky, and was there reared, spending his boyhood days on a farm. He received a fair education, and came West in the fall of 1851, settling in this county near DeKalb. He has since resided in the county, and moved to the place he now occupies in 1865. His landed estate consists of 249 acres of well improved land, and also owns 330 acres in Doniphan County, Kansas. During the late war he. served for two years in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. He has filled the. positions of school director and road overscer several terms. Mr. C. was. married February 6, 1858, to Miss Nancy A. Dittemore, a native of Indiana. They are raising four orphan children. Mr. and Mrs. C. are. active members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which he. holds the position of elder, and is one of its most liberal contributors. He also belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
MAJOR WM. C. CONNETT
was born in Mason County, Kentucky, June 3, 1797. He removed from the place of his birth to Hardin County, Kentucky, where he remained for several years and then enlisted in the war of 1812. He for a time. kept a hotel at May's Lick and then engaged in farming in Fayette County. He engaged extensively in the manufacture of hemp in Lexington, Kentucky, operating a large factory which was destroyed by fire and absorbed all his available means, but with the energy characteristic of the man he set out for the west to retrieve his losses, and on the 11th of March, 1839, he came to Buchanan County and settled on the farm which for twenty-six years was his home. He engaged in the raising of hemp and the manufacture of rope and was the first in the Platte Purchase to engage in this industry and one great inducement in doing it was that the product of summer's labor could be utilized by labor of winter, thus proving him a good political economist. This business proved very remunerative and was the basis of the large estate he left at his death which occurred December 30, 1864. He was a man of large frame, a strong mind, a powerful will, untiring energy and industry, as an evi- dence of which he had acquired as a farmer in a legitimate attention to that branch of industry a large estate. He was a man whose standard of morality was very high and in the daily affairs of life attended strictly to his own affairs, giving to every man his due as punctually as he exacted from others. His theories were few and practical. He was eminently a utilitarian and was slow to believe in innovations on good old law and customs. In every sense of the word he was a patriot and a lover of his country. He had great respect for the laws of the land
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CENTER TOWNSIIIP.
and could see no fault in the form of our government, but deplored the ignorance among the many for not learning the working of its beautiful machinery devised in profound wisdom. Although his educational advantages were limited he was a man of general information, of vast experience and instructive in his conversation. He never obtruded his opinion and ever expressed himself in decorous language with modest dignity. He was a just minded man and a most useful citizen. He was married June 7, 1817, to Miss Matilda Thornberry, a native of Fauquier County, Virginia. She was of Scotch descent. Their children were- Squire S., Malvina A., who married Judge E. P. Duncan, Isabelle, wife of Columbus Roundtree, Elzerie married Samuel Wildbahn, and Miranda became the wife of Walker G. Reid. After Mr. Connett's death his three sons, Squire S., William C. and Horace T. formed a partnership under the firm name of S. S. Connett & Bro's. They have purchased the interest of the other heirs to their father's estate and have added to the estate left by their father from year to year and are an exception among the leading farmers, stock raisers and business men of Buchanan county as well as one of its largest tax payers. In connection with their farming interests they have continued the packing business, which was first established by their father in 1851, and the reputation he attained in the curing of hams and bacon has not suffered in the hands of his sons. Their knowledge of the business and the demand for their product has led them to increase their facilities, and at this time they are erecting a most commodious building for their business, size 165x84, three stories high, with all modern improvements, with a capacity of 1,200 hogs per day. Squire S. Connett was born in May's Lick, Kentucky, May 10, 1819, and in his youth learned the hemp manufacturing trade. Came to Buchanan County in 1839 and spun the first thread of hemp and manu- factured the first rope in the Platte Purchase. He married Miss Cilina A. Leonard in February, 1857. She was born in Platte County, Missouri. Wm. C. Connett was born in Kentucky, December 14, 1830, and came to Buchanan County in 1839. He married Perilla L. Leonard, October 13, 1855. Their family consists of seven children : Carroll S., Leanna M., Solomon L., Squire S., Cora L., Ada E. and Wm. C. Horace T. Connett was born in Fayette County, Kentucky, November 10, 1832, and came with the family to Buchanan County in 1839. He married May E. Leonard April 12, 1861. She was born in Buchanan County. Mrs. C. died October 22, 1873, leaving four children : Celina E., Charles. H., John A. and Wesley L.
ELI CRUMPLY,
farmer and stock raiser, section 22, postoffice St. Joseph, was born July 14, 1815, in Surry County, North Carolina, and was there reared, receiv-
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
ing a common school education. When sixteen years of age he com- menced to learn the tailor's trade, at which he worked four or five years, and then entered a general merchandise store. Remained in this busi- ness three years, then went to work at his trade, continuing it until he emigrated West, in the spring of 1843. He came overland, and arrived in this county on the 26th of June, settling where he resides July 9. He commenced improving his farm, and also continued the tailoring busi- ness for some eight years. Since that time he has given his attention wholly to farming. His home farm contains 320 acres, and he also owns ninety acres besides. His farm is well stocked. Mr. C. has filled the office of justice of the peace for thirty years. August 20, 1839, he was married to Miss Rosman Davis. She was born in 1820, in Virginia, but was principally reared in North Carolina. They have had six chil- dren, three of whom are living : Francis R., now Mrs. Robert Ritche, William D. and Samuel E. Himself and wife are active members of the Baptist Church.
COL. JAMES DYSART,
was born in Rock Castle County, Kentucky, December 22, 1817. He is the eldest of a family of three children, two sons and a daughter, the latter the wife of William Carson, of Buchanan County. The younger brother, Andrew Dysart, now (1881) resides in Saline County. The family, of Scotch-Irish extraction, were originally from Virginia. James Dysart, of that State, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch served in the rebel army in the war of the Revolution. His son, Col. Johnson Dysart, was an officer of the war of 1812. He emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky, settling in Rock Castle County, where his son, the subject of this sketch, was afterwards born, as above stated. James Dysart received the benefits of such education as the schools of that section of country then afforded. His father dying young, he was early intrusted with the management of affairs, devoting his time to farming and kindred pursuits. In early manhood he was elected colonel of a regiment of State militia. In 1853 he emigrated West with his family and slaves and stopping in Buchanan County, Missouri, settled on the farm of several hundred acres which he still owns, and on which he still (1881) continues to reside, about seven miles southeast of St. Joseph. In politics he was originally a Whig, and continued to act with that party up to the period of its dissolution, since which time he has voted the Democratic ticket. During the late civil war, he enlisted in the division of the Confederate army commanded by General Price, and did service in the battles of Lexington and Pea Ridge. He has been twice married ; first, in Kentucky in 1844, to Miss Louisa Harris, a native of Virginia. She died in Missouri in 1861, leaving six children, Sarah (now
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CENTER TOWNSHIP.
Mrs. C. S. Raffington, Helen (now Mrs. John Fogg), Virginia (now Mrs. W. L. Thompson), Elizabeth (now Mrs. Joseph Fogg), Anne, and Louisa. In 1864 Colonel Dysart married Miss Kate Martin, a native of Kentucky. They have eight children, Maud, Gertrude, Dora, Emma, Julia, Daisy, Samuel C., and James. The colonel has been for forty years an elder in the old school Presbyterian Church. He is also an active member of the Grange. His present wife is a member of the Christian Church.
ANTHONY HALTER,
farmer and stock raiser, section II, postoffice St. Joseph, was born May 10, 1826, in the Province of Algiers, France. His parents were of Franco-Prussian origin, and came to the United States in 1831, landing at the City of New York. They went to Ohio, and settled in Stark County. There Anthony was principally raised. His father owned a large tract of land, and stood among the leading citizens of that county. Our subject spent his boyhood days on the farm, and received the bene- fits of a common school education. He also followed the brickmaking business to some extent. He emigrated West in the spring of 1857, and arrived in St. Joseph on the 20th of April, engaging in brickmaking, which he continued until the breaking out of the war. He then enlisted in the Enrolled Missouri Militia, and served about nine months. He has filled the position of school director several terms. He moved to the place where he now resides, in 1860, and owns 151 acres here, and 169 acres two and one-half miles east. His farms are well improved, and he has a handsome residence, which he has built with his own hands. Mr. H. was married August 19, 1856, to Miss Caroline Hafner, a native of Switzerland, born April 24, 1837. They have had a family of twelve children, nine of whom are living : Anthony S., Catherine, John W., Lewis H., Mary S., Joseph A., Mary M., Joseph R. and Mary T. Himself and family are members of the German Catholic Church.
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C. W. HARRIS,
farmer and stock raiser, section 16, postoffice St. Joseph, was born Feb- ruary 16, 1828, at Oxfordshire, England, and was brought to the United States by his parents in 1833. They settled in Madison County, Ohio, and there Caleb was raised and received his education. He spent his youthful days here until the year 1845, when he went to Genesee County, Michigan, and remained there two years. Then went to Ohio, where he entered a store in the fall of 1847, and followed that business eighteen months. After this he turned his attention to farming and continued it until the fall of 1855, when he came to Holt County, Mis-
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
souri. Remained there one year, married Miss Martha E. Chesney, a native of Holt County, Missouri, and moved to Kansas in 1856. In April, 1856, his wife died, leaving one child, John C. Two years after- wards he went to the Rocky Mountains and engaged in the mining busi- ness. Followed mining from the spring of 1840 until the fall of 1861, but failed to be very successful. Upon returning to Holt County, Mis- souri, he engaged in farming and steamboating until 1864. Then went into a general merchandise store as clerk, and in 1868 entered into part- nership with his employer, and took a stock of goods and removed to Atchison County, Missouri. There he remained three years. Then went to the Rocky Mountains again for his health, and came from there here in the fall of 1871, and settled on the place where he now resides. Lived alone until 1878, when he was again married to Miss Jane Weir, a native of Platte County. He now owns a fine farm of 162 acres, most of which is under cultivation and well stocked. Mr. and Mrs. H. have had two children, one, Julia A., living, and one dead. Himself and wife belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
PERRY HARRINGTON,
farmer and stock raiser, section 5, postoffice St. Joseph, was born Feb- ruary 28, 1838, in Columbus County, Ohio, and was brought to Buchanan County by his parents in 1844, and has since made this his home. He received the benefits of a common school education. During the late war he enlisted in Company H, 35th Missouri Infantry, in September, 1862, and served three years, taking part in the battle of Helena, Arkansas, and many other minor engagements. Since the war he has given his attention to farming, and now owns 230 acres of land, IIO of which are under cultivation. He was married August 17, 1860, to Miss A. D. Ruddy, a native of Tennessee. They have had four children, Eldora, Fanny, Henry E., and George W. Mr. H. is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to King Hill Lodge, No. 376.
MARTIN HERSH,
farmer and stock raiser, section 36, postoffice Willow Brook, was born February 26, 1817, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and was reared at his birthplace and received the benefits of an education. He learned the painter and also the carpenter trades, and when about twenty-one years of age started West and traveled through Ohio to Wabash, Indiana. Thence through Illinois and Missouri, arriving in this County in July, 1839. He located on Platte River and commenced clearing a claim, and settled on his present farm in 1840. He owns 344 acres in his own name, his wife has eighty acres, and his son George owns 160.
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CENTER TOWNSHIP.
This land is well improved, and all has been gained through his own efforts. He has filled the position of road overseer and school director several terms. During the late war he served for six months in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. He was married in August, 1845, to Miss Mary J. Raney, a native of Indiana, born December 17, 1827. They have had three children, Henry, George, and Catherine (now Mrs. Alex Bell). In character, as well as in purse, Mr. H. is one of the solid men of the county.
WILLIAM JAMES,
farmer and stock raiser, section 7, postoffice St. Joseph, was born Decem- ber 24, 1813, in North Carolina, about thirty miles north of Wilmington. He was there reared, and spent his boyhood days on the farm, receiving his education in the schools of that vicinity. He emigrated West, in the spring of 1846, with a family of thirteen. They took a steamer at Louisville, Kentucky, and came to Liberty Landing, Missouri, and from there to this county, arriving in May. After buying claims, they com- menced the work of converting a wilderness into a civilized community, in which they succeeded. This little group of thirteen have now increased to nearly one hundred souls. He owns a fine farm, consisting ·of 211 acres, 125 of which are under cultivation, the balance being tim- ber and pasture. He has filled the position of road overseer for ten years. Mr. J. was married in December, 1843, to Miss Mary J. Register a native of North Carolina. They have had eleven children, six of whom are living .: Rebecca E., now Mrs. J. C. Crow ; William D. ; Sarah J., now Mrs. John Brown ; Alfred F., Cordelia E. and Harry E. Him- self and family are members of the Presbyterian Church.
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