USA > Missouri > Johnson County > The history of Johnson County, Missouri : including a reliable history of the townships, cities, and towns, together with a map of the county; a condensed history of Missouri; the state constitution; an abstract of the most important laws etc > Part 86
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W. M. COVENTRY,
P. O. Holden, one of the oldest settlers of Holden, is the subject of the following sketch. He was born in the state of Illinois, July 29, 1816, and is of English descent. His father was among the early settlers of St. Clair
ALEXANDER GREER SIMPSON TP.
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county, Illinois, and was for many years identified with the business inter- ests of Bellville, he building the first mill in that city. He afterward emi- grated and settled on what was known as the Amerson bottoms, where he resided until 1820, when he died. Mr. W. M. Coventry's youth was spent on a farm. His advantages for an education were somewhat limited, owing to the fact of there being so few schools at that early day. He, however, applied himself, and improved what opportunities he had, fitting himself for a business life. He commenced business in Madison county, Illinois, and remained there until the year 1865, when he moved to Missouri, set- tling in Holden. He has resided there ever since, engaged in the mercan- tile business, bringing the first stock of goods brought to Holden after the war, and, at that time, the first business house established. Mr. C. followed the mercantile business for a number of years. Mr. Coventry was the first mayor of Holden, and has served several years as city councilman. He has also held positions on the board of education. Mr. Coventry had dealt largely in real estate. In 1869 he built the M. E. chapel, in Holden, and about the same time erected his fine residence. Mr. C. has laid out three additions to the town of Holden, and was for a number of years a stockholder and director in the Holden bank. Mr. Coventry has been twice married. He first married, in 1840, Miss Priscilla D. Stockland, who lived but a few years. From this union there was one child, who died shortly after the mother. He was again married, January 18, 1848, to Miss Eliz- abeth Semen, of St. Clair county, Ills. From this union there were three children: Sarah C., Mary E., Charles W. and James H. Sarah C. and Charles W. are both dead. Mr Coventry, as a business man, has been very successful, always engaging his time and money in all worthy and benevolent purposes. He is one of the leading members of the M. E. church of that city.
HENRY B. CRANE,
liveryman, Holden, Mo., was born in Muskegan county, Ohio, on Janu- ary 23, 1842. His father, Joseph Crane, was one of the early settlers of that part of the country, and was a farmer by occupation; he now lives in Marion county. Henry spent his youth on a farm. At the age of 18 he left the farm and went to clerk for his brother. He then went to Illi- nois, and in 1861 he enlisted in the union army in company H, 59th Illinois volunteers, and served three years. He then retired to Marion county the home of his father, and engaged in the mercantile business with his father and brother for eighteen months. In 1866 he came to Missouri, and located in Holden. Soon after he arrived he accepted a clerkship with Peer, Nichols & Co., and was with them eight months, after which he engaged in the livery business with Van Mater, until March, 1867,
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
when his brother J. H. Crane bought out Van Mater's interest, and the firm was H. B. Crane & Bro. On the 23d of March, 1881, he bought out his brother's interest and now continues the business himself. He is the oldest liveryman in the county, and established the first livery in that part of the county. He was appointed deputy marshal in Holden. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and Odd Fellows.
N. B. DAVIDSON,
farmer, P. O. Holden, Mo., was born in Alabama, Jan. 8, 1829. Wm. . Davidson, his father, was a native of the same state, and came to Mis- souri in 1830, and settled in Lafayette county, where he remained one year, and then moved to Johnson county, and settled on Walnut Creek about eight miles north of Warrensburg, where he lived two years, and then moved out on a farm, four miles east of Holden, where he resided until his death, which occurred in May 6, 1879. Nathan B. spent his youth on a farm, and in 1847 he crossed the plains. He returned in 1848, and engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was married Jan. 11, 1855, to Miss Louisa Hatton, daughter of Joseph Hatton, Esq. By this union they have four children: J. Walker, Mary J., Virginia and Mis- souri. During the late war his house was burned and his family turned out-of-doors. An attempt was also made to confiscate his lands. After peace was declared he went to work again with renewed energy, and now owns 225 acres, all well improved, with good substantial buildings. Mr. Davidson has always been a peaceable and industrious citizen, and a kind neighbor.
DR. SAMUEL DAY,
P. O., Holden, was born in Licking county, Ohio, Nov. 10, 1846. His youth was spent on a farm, and he received a liberal education from the schools of his native county. When about 20 years old, he commenced the study of medicine, and entered the medical college at Cincinnati, Ohio; he spent one term at this institution, then he moved to Missouri, settling at Pittsville, Johnson county, where he began the practice of his profession. Here he remained until the fall of 1874, when he returned to the medical college at Cincinnati, took a regular course and graduated in February, 1875. He then returned to Missouri and resumed the prac- tice of his profession. While located at Pittsville, Dr. Day enjoyed a large and extended practice. In the fall of 1880, he failing in health, and wishing better school advantages for his children, moved his family to Holden. Here the Dr. took his position among the leading physicians of the city, where his skill and ability justly placed him. December 17, 1868, Dr. Day married Miss Laura A. Glancy, a native of Licking county, Ohio; from this union there are three children, viz: Clara C., Alice V.,
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and Herman. The Dr. owns a fine residence in Holden, with extended grounds, beautifully ornamented with fruit, evergreen and other trees.
AMOS M. DEMASTERS,
farmer, Sec. 27, P. O. Holden, Missouri. Was born in Johnson county, August 5th, 1860. His father, August J. Demasters, came to Missouri with his father's family and settled in Lafayette county. He removed to Johnson county at a very early day and entered government land, on which he erected a small log house which was burnt by the jayhawkers on the 8th of July, 1862. He was one of the earliest settlers of the county and lived on the old homestead until his death, which occurred in Decem- ber, 1864. His wife, Amos' mother, was a native of Kentucky. In 1868. "she was again married to a very worthy gentleman by the name of J. N. Campbell, a native of Virginia, who came to Lafayette county in 1854, and to Johnson county in 1868 where he has lived ever since on the old homestead and takes care of the boys. Amos M. was married to Miss Susie Russell on February 9th, 1881. Miss Russell was a native of Kentucky. Wm. A. Demasters, brother of Amos M., was born in March, 1864, and is a resident of this county.
JAMES M. DORMAN,
farmer, Sec. 4, P. O. Holden, Missouri, was born in 1839, in Owen county, Kentucky. , He removed to Campbell county with his parents, when he was about eight years of age, where he remained until he was twenty-one, when he entered the confederate army, where he served two years, after which he went to Illinois, where he remained for four years, during which time he was married to Miss Christina Cook of Kentucky, August 1st, 1866. During the same year he emigrated to Johnson county, Missouri, where he was engaged as a teachar until 1878, when he engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, in which he has been quite successful. In 1870 he moved on his present farm, consisting of 100 acres of well-improved land. His father was a native of Maryland, and was born in 1804. His mother was born in the city of Hartford, Connecticut. She is still living and enjoys very fair health. Mr. and Mrs. Dorman are both members of the Bap- tist church, in good standingi and contribute liberally to its support.
J. J. FITZGEARLD,
proprietor of the Bell House, Holden, Missouri, was born in Kentucky, July 28th, 1843. When quite small he moved with his parents to Louis- ville, and from thence to Indiana, and at the age of fifteen years he began railroading, and was employed as a brakesman. He was afterwards pro- moted to conductor on a passenger train and served ten years. He then engaged in the hotel business in Tyler, Texas, where he remained two
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years. In 1869 he came to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was again engaged as passenger conductor on the Ohio & Miss. R. R. for three years. In 1878 he moved to Breckenridge, Missouri, where he was appointed road master, and held the position until 1880. He then engaged in the hotel business in Brookfield, Mo. From there he went to Herman, where he was engaged in the ice business. He sold out his interest and came to Holden and bought out E. B. Bartlett, and has since conducted the Bell House of Holden.
GEORGE GIBBS,
P. O. Holden, Missouri, was born in England in 1830, where he lived until seventeen years of age, when he came to America and located within six miles of Buffalo, with Hon. Lewis Allen, the noted fine-stock raiser, whose farm contains 1000 acres. He afterwards went to work with R. F. Elliott, the author of the book entitled, " The Hand Book of the West- ern Fruit Culturist," with whom he remained one year, after which he went to the State of Michigan, and purchased his first piece of land, and went to farming. During the California excitement, he went to that gold region and was quite successful. In 1853 he returned to Michigan, and sold his farm and bought again in another part of the state, where he remained until 1862, when he returned to England and traveled over his native country. In 1863 he returned to this country and disposed of his farm, and became manager of a packing house, run by an English firm. He remained with them one year, and then went to. Iowa, where he was engaged in the grain and lumber business for four years. In 1870 he came to Missouri, and located on the farm on which he now lives. His success as a wheat grower is wonderful. He was married in 1850 to Miss Lucinda West of Ann Arbor, Michigan. He has four children: Ida A., Lillie E., Nellie C., and George B. Mrs. Gibbs is a member of the M. E. church, and Mr. G. of the Episcopal. He is a very successful farmer, and his articles on agriculture have been copied in all parts of Great Bri- tain.
M. S. GRAY,
agent, Holden, Missouri; was born in Franklin county, Missouri, Decem- ber, 1841. His father was a traveling man. His early education was obtained in the common school, then known as Des Perse College in St. Louis county. He also attended Jones' Commercial College of St. Louis, Missouri. In 1860 he commenced rail-roading, and served as a brake- man until an accident occurred in which he lost his right leg. He then entered a freight office at Jefferson city. In 1865 he came to Holden and entered the R. R. office, where he has acted as agent ever since. He was married in 1870 to Miss Georgie E. Garnett of Holden, who was a native
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
of Virginia. By this union they have three children: William D., M. S. Jr., and H. R. His father was from N. Y. and died in 1853 in St. Louis county.
W. W. HALL,
farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 19, P. O. Holden, Missouri, was born in Logan county, Kentucky, May 26th, 1836. He spent his youth on a farm, and obtained his early education in the common schools of his neighbor- hood. He was married in his native county, in 1855, to Miss Martha Logan. In 1862 he moved to Illinois where he remained until 1869, when he moved to Johnson county, Missouri, and purchased a farm in Chilhowie township, where he remained about seven years, then sold out and bought his present farm, consisting of 160 acres of well improved land, with good substantial buildings. He is extensively engaged in wheat growing, to which his land is well adapted. Previous to this he fed stock. He has been township-treasurer of Chilhowie township, for two terms, and is at present a school director. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are both members of the Baptist church, having joined about 27 years ago. They have four children, three girls and one boy. Mr. Hall is a kind neighbor and uni- versally esteemed by all who know him. He is the owner of the cele- brated Chalybeate spring, situated in a most advantageous place for pleasure seekers and as a health resort.
WILLIAM M. HAMILTON,
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farmer, Sec. 33, P. O. Holden, Missouri, is a native of Johnson county, and was born Dec. 14th, 1874. He received his early education in the common schools. His father, A. B. Hamilton, was a native of Tennessee. He was a farmer, and emigrated to Missouri, about the year 1833, stop- ping one year in Lafayette county, after which he came to Johnson county and settled on Sec. 28, obtaining most of his land from the government, which he improved for himself. He owned 420 acres and was quite an extensive stock raiser. He lived on the old home-stead until his death, which occurred in September, 1878. Mm, M. Hamilton's mother was also a native of Tennessee. She died when William was quite young. Mr. Hamilton was married on March 12th, 1874, to Miss Mary M. Brown, a lady of culture and refinement. By this union they have one daughter, Dora, born Jan. 30th, 1875. Mr. Hamilton received the appointment of deputy assessor in 1880, and was reappointed in '81, which office he still holds. He also carries on his farm at the same time. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
J. B. HANK,
Holden, Missouri, is a native of West Virginia, born in Monroe county, Jan. 22, 1832, and in 1838 he emigrated to Ohio with his parents, where he received his education, and spent his youth on a farm. His father and mother were both natives of Virginia. His father died in 1854, and his mother in 1848. J. B. is the third son of six, and moved to Knox county, Illinois in 1856, where he remained about two years. He went to Cali- fornia in 1859, and remained until 1861, during which time he was a miner; from there he went to Nevada, and from there to Montana, and , thence to Idaho, and in December, 1868, he came to Missouri, and settled in Johnson county, locating near Holden, where he has resided ever since. His farm contains 180 acres of land, well improved. He devotes most of his time to growing small grain, to which his farm is well adapted. Mr. H. has served four years as deputy sheriff of Johnson county.
J. P. HARMON.
Among the business men of this township, none stands higher in the estimation of the public than J. P. Harmon, the subject of this sketch. He is a native of Kentucky, and was born Jan. 21, 1840. Louis Harmon was also a native of Kentucky, and lived for many years in New Win- chester. Young Harmon passed his youth like most of the boys of his native county in farming, and acquiring an education. The father moved to Missouri in the fall of 1845, and settled in the north-eastern part of Johnson county, where he resided until his death, which occurred in March, 1863. In 1865 Mr. Harmon began business for himself; that of farming and dealing in live stock, which business he has continued ever since. He was married in the year 1867 to Miss Susan Patterson, a daughter of Samuel Patterson of Lafayette county. From this union there are two children, both of whom are yet living, viz: Sarah, and Mary. In the fall of 1880, Mr. Harmon was elected from this county to the lower branch of the Legislature; and to his credit it can be said, that he made a faithful, competent, and worthy officer. Mr. Harmon is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, unassuming in appearance. In business, strictly honorable and honest, enjoying the confidence of all. Mr. Harmon owns a farm of about 500 acres, under a good state of cultivation.
PLEASANT B. HILL,
farmer, Madison township; postoffice, Holden. Was born in Tennessee, March 22, 1823. He came to Missouri with his parents when about eleven years of age. His father was a native of South Carolina, and died in Johnson county, Missouri, on what is now known as the Brownlee farm in 1837. Pleasant spent his youth on a farm, and attended the com-
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
mon schools; but being the older son he worked hard to help maintain the family. When he arrived at manhood he went west and entered the Mexican war, after which he returned home, but went back to Mexico again and traveled through the republic, and then went to New Orleans, and from there he returned home. The following year he again went to Mexico, thence to California, where he remained ten years engaged in farming and mining. He returned again to Missouri about the time the war broke out, and entered the confederate army and served during the war, being most of the time in Missouri and Arkansas. In 1865 he was married to Miss May F. Mattock, of Kentucky, daughter of George C. Mattock, Esq., and has since been engaged in farming, and has been very successful. His farm and other lands amount to 417 acres. The family consists of three children: May C., William P. and Bellvinia.
JOHN JOHNSON,
blacksmith, Holden, Missouri. Was born in England in 1836, and came to the United States in 1865, landing at Jersey City. He went from there to Albany, where he opened a shop, having learned his trade in his native country. He run the shop about eighteen months, and then moved to Illinois, where he remained about twelve months. About the year 1868 he came to Missouri, and located in Holden, and resumed his trade, and has also run a wagon shop in connection with the black- smith shop. In 1857 he was married to Miss Margaret Johnson, daugh- ter of Andrew Johnson, a prominent citizen of that place. By this union they have six children living: Esther (now Mrs. Philips), Adam, Lizzie, Matthew, Lena and Earnest J. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are both mem- bers of the Christiau church. Mr. Johnson identified himself with the church when quite young.
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MARTIN V. JOHNSON,
dentist, Holden, Missouri, is a native of Ohio, born in Knox county, Janu- ary 20, 1839. His father, Joseph Johnson, was a native of the same place. His grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania, and died at the remarkable age of eighty-seven years. Martin's father was a prominent farmer, and is still living in the enjoyment of fair health, and is about seventy-six years of age. Martin spent his youth on a farm and received his early education in the common schools. In 1860 he went to learn the dentist's trade with Dr. McBryer, of Ohio, and was engaged for some time in study and preparation, and then entered the dental college at Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated in the spring of 1865, and went to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and practiced until 1868, when he came to Holden, Missouri. Soon after his arrival he resumed his profession, and has been actively engaged ever since, and has been very successful. He was elected to the city council
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and held the position for five years. He is a director of the bank of Hol- den. He was married in Ohio in 1868, to Miss Malinda Bricker, of Knox county. The family consists of one son, Archie H. Johnson. Mr. Johnson has been a member of the Presbyterian church for eight years, and also one of the ruling elders, which positisn he held for six years. He also has been assistant superintendent of the Sabbath schools about seven years.
GEORGE F. KENNEDY,
of the firm of Kennedy Bros. & Co., Holden, Mo., is a native of Canada, and was born in December, 1853. He came to the United States in 1874, via Detroit, Mich., and thence to Holden, Mo., where he engaged at once in the grocery business, serving five years as clerk for Wm. Steele, after which he and his brother bought out Mr. Steele's interest, and have con- tinued in the business ever since. They are young men, but they possess a large amount of business talent and ingenuity, and exhibit much judg- ment in making their purchases. The store room is 144 feet long and is literally filled with goods. They study the wants of their customers, and their stock consists of everything in the grocery line. They commenced
business in very meagre circumstances. George F. when he arrived in Holden had only 40 cents. He was married on the twenty-fifth day of ยท June, 1879, to Miss Alice Sparks, a native of Bedford, Pa. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and also of the Knights of Honor. Their sales last year amounted to over thirty thousand dollars.
THOMAS D. KENNEDY,
of the firm of Kennedy Bros. & Co., is also a native of the same country as that of his brother, viz: Canada. He came to Missouri and was mar- ried on May the 12th, 1881, to Miss Mattie Fowler, of St. Louis, Mo., who at that time was residing with her uncle. He is a member. of the Knights of Honor.
WM. G. KING,
insurance and real estate agent, Holden, Mo., is a native of Johnson county, Mo., and was born June 23d, 1852. His boyhood days were spent on a farm. His early education was obtained in the common schools. He afterward attended the State University of Missouri. He was appointed agent of the Mo. P. R. R. at Kingsville, which position he held for about eighteen months, when he resigned and engaged in the dry goods business, which he followed about eighteen months, when he disposed of this and occupied his time in looking after his lands and farms, which consist of 320 acres, all of which is well improved. His father, W. G. King, was a native of Alabama, and emigrated to Missouri in 1851,
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
and settled at a point called Centre Knob, where he remained until his death, which occurred in March, 1859. On first coming to the county he bought five thousand acres of choice lands, most of which was in one large tract. His mother is still living, and resides at Kingsville. Mr. King was married in 1873 to Miss Mary A. Tagg. By this union they have two children:Irene C. and Clarence E. He came to Holden in 1881 and engaged in the insurance and real estate business, and is the successor to G. D. Carpenter. Mr. and Mrs. King are both members of the Presbyterian church in high standing, and contribute liberally to its support.
W. H. LIDDLE,
of the firm of Stearns & Liddle, is a native of Iowa, and was born in Lee county, Nov. 19th, 1837. He received a good English education and commenced business for himself at the age of 21, and engaged in farming, which he followed until 1860, when he came to Missouri and settled near Smithtown, Pettis county. Here he engaged in the nursery business until 1868, when he removed to Johnson county and located near Holden and resumed the same business in partnership with his brother, J. F. Liddle. In 1877 Mr. Liddle bought out the interest of J. S. Sherer, of the firm of Stearns & Sherer, and the firm then became Stearns & Liddle. He was married to Miss Mary M. McCormick, a native of Ohio, in April, 1867. They have two adopted children: Osker and Lilley. He has held several public offices and is an acceptable member of the Chris- tian church. Mr. Liddle is also a member of the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and A. O. U. W.
THOMAS S. McCLELAN,
liveryman, Holden, Mo., was born in Green county, Ohio, June 8, 1830. He received a good English education at the common schools, and at the age of seventeen, went to learn the blacksmith and plow maker's trade, with the Franklin Bros., of Springfield, Ohio. He remained in that busi- ness until 1866, when he sold out and came west, settling in Henry county, Mo., where he engaged in farming and dealing in stock. He followed this until 1870, when he removed to Holden, Johnson county, Mo., where he has resided ever since. Soon after his arrival in Holden, he engaged in the livery and feed business, in which he has been very succesful. He is an experienced horseman, keeping good and substantial rigs for the accommodation of his customers. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. On Nov. 1, 1854, he was married to Miss Henrietta B. McCleland of Green county, Ohio. They have five children living; Emma Z. (now Mrs. Holden,) Elizabeth, John H., Frank C., and May B.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
J. C. MCCLURE,
assistant cashier of Holden Bank, Holden, Mo., was born in Pulaski county Kentucky, Nov. 26, 1842. He went from Kentucky to Iowa, where he was married to Miss Martha Warford, on the 5th of March, 1863. On May the 5th, he started with. his new bride in a wagon for Colorado. He stopped in Canon City, where he remained until 1867, during which time he was engaged in the cattle business. In 1867, he came to Holden, Mo., but still kept up his business in Colorado, and ship- ped the first train-load of cattle and sheep from Pueblo, over the Atchi- son, Topeka, & Santa Fe Railroad. He has been a stockholder in the Holden bank, since 1875, and has been a director for several years. Although starting out in life in very meagre circumstances, he has been very successful. His family consists of three children; Charles M., Ida May, and Minnie B. Mr. and Mrs. McClure are acceptable members of the Baptist Church, and are among its most liberal contributors.
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