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 98
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
A. N. ROWLAND.
Among the representative young men of Chilhowee township, we find the subject of this sketch; he is the son of John Rowland, who is a native of Virginia. Young Rowland is a native of Ohio, and was born in Cham- paign county, of that state, December 16, 1857. He passed his younger years on his father's farm near where he now resides. He received a good, liberal education from the common schools of this county, com- pleting his education at the normal school at Warrensburg. In the spring of 1866, Mr. Rowland was brought with his father's family to Missouri, settling in the north-eastern part of Johnson county, where they lived one year, then moved to the south-western part of this county, where young Rowland now lives. Mr. R. is a man without family, and since he has reached manhood has been engaged in farming. He has a farm of 260 acres, tolerably well improved, and under a good state of cultivation.
F. A. SHOEMAKER,
P. O. Holden, is the son of John Shoemaker, who is a native of New York. The grandfather, John Shoemaker, was a soldier in the war of 1812. The subject of this sketeh was born in Yates county, N. Y., March 5, 1836. He passed his early years on his father's farm, in his native county; and he received a good, liberal education from the common schools of New York. In the fall of 1858, Mr. Shoemaker moved to Indiana, where he remained four years; then he moved to Gentry county, Missouri, where he remained one year, and taught school; then he returned to LaPorte, Indiana, September 3, 1861. He enlisted in the 29th Indiana infantry, serving in the army for three years. After his dis- charge he returned to Starke county, Illinois ; remained there three years. In the spring of 1867 he moved with his family to Missouri, settling in the southwestern part of Johnson county, where he has since resided. Mr. Shoemaker was married the 7th day of November, 1866, to Miss Maggie J. Snare, a daughter of Joseph B. Snare, who was a native of Pennsylvania. From this union there are two children, both of whom are living; viz .: Hattie A. and Ida May. Since Mr. Shoemaker's residence in Johnson county, he has been engaged in farming and the raising of stock. He owns a farm of 210 acres, well improved. Mr. S. is a man of general informa- tion, and stands high among his neighbors.
DR. R. Z. R. WALL,
P. O. Holden, is the son of Richard Wall, who was a native of Mary- land. The subject of this sketch was the seventh child in a family of eight children, and was born in Rockingham county, North Carolina,
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
March the 29th, 1810. He received a liberal education from the common subscription schools of that day, but completed his education at Chapel Hill, the University of the state of North Carolina. He is also a graduate of the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadel- phia. After completing his medical education, Dr. Wall returned to his home in North Carolina, and practiced his profession until the fall of 1837, when he moved to Henry county, Missouri, making the long journey in the only overland conveyance of that day, a wagon. He was two months in making the journey. In March, 1840, Dr. Wall, with his family, moved to Johnson county, Mo., settling in the south-western part of the county, upon what is known as Bear Creek, a branch of Big Creek. He was married in North Carolina, October 2d, 1838, to Miss Mary J. Covington; from this union there were thirteen children, ten of whom are yet living, viz .: Adrian M., Susan J., Sarah E., Cornelia J., Nancy O., Selena M., Mary A., Francis L., Richard W. R. and Dora A. Since Dr. Wall's residence in Missouri, he has been engaged in agriculture, and the prac- tice of his profession, which he followed until the spring of 1865, retiring on account of his advanced age, turning his extensive practice to his nephew, Dr. R. H. Howerton. Dr. Wall at one time owned 5,036 acres of land, and since dividing with his children, he has yet remaining 1,589 acres. When Dr. Wall first moved to this section, he found the country unsettled, excepting a few settlers along the streams. The general belief of the people of that day was, that the prairie lands would never be set- tled. Forty years ago, the Dr., with the friends of his earlier manhood, spent many an hour in chasing the deer, as he roamed the prairies in its wild state, and even to-day he takes great delight in relating the innocent pleasures of those days. Dr. Wall, though in his seventy-second year, retains much of the vigor of his early manhood. He has been character- ized during his whole life, as a man of ability, honor and integrity. The first church-house built in the neighborhood, was at Bethel, about three miles from Dr. Wall's present place of residence. The house was also used for school purposes at that time. The Dr., with his estimable wife, of forty-three years, are enjoying the evening of life in the home their industry and economy made for them, in their earlier years.
POST OAK TOWNSHIP
W. T. BAKER,
postmaster at Cornelia, was born in Schuyler county, Missouri, February 17, 1856. He followed agricultural pursuits until within the past year: In 1876 he moved to Johnson county and settled at Burnett Station. He lived two years in Henry county, then returned to Johnson county in 1879, and
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
in the fall of 1881 he engaged in the mercantile business at Cornelia, and was appointed postmaster. Mr. Baker is a gentlemanly and efficient post- master, also an enterprising business man. He has an interest in the black- smith shop of the village. Was married November 28, 1876, in Chariton county, Missouri, to Miss Burellia G. Lewis.
W. R. BOWEN,
county assessor and farmer. The subject of this sketch was born October 25, 1835, in the state of South Carolina, where he was reared to man- hood. He came to his present location in 1868. Was married January 16, 1872, to Miss E. E. Wilson, and from this union they have these chil- dren: Mary Ella, John, Robert, Hattie May, Lula Viola. In the fall of 1879 he was elected to the office of county assessor, served two years, and was re-elected. He now owns a farm of eighty acres. Is a member of the Baptist church.
CHARLES S. BRYSON,
son of Rev. John C. Bryson, was born June 29, 1856. This enterprising young business man lives in Post Oak township, on his father's home- stead, one mile southwest of Burnett Station. The bright future which lies before this young man will doubtless bring wealth and honor, and fit him for a prominent place among his fellow-citizens. The father of the subject of this sketch was born January 19, 1821, In the state of Pennsyl- vania. He studied for the ministry, graduating from Bethany college, Virginia, July 4, 1847, and from the Theological seminary three years after. He was married in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1850, to Miss Nancy Chambers, daughter of Alexander Chambers. The names of the children are: William A., John C., Emma J., Charles S., George M., Harry B., Maria McDowell, David K., Joseph M., Julius W., deceased, and Anna S., deceased. Rev. John C. Bryson came to Johnson county in 1867, where he has since resided, officiating as a United Presbyterian minister a por- . tion of the time.
WILLIAM H. BURFORD,
farmer, stock raiser and stock buyer, one of the oldest stock dealers now in Johnson county, is the subject of this brief sketch. Was born August 7, 1832, in the state of Virginia, and in 1839 his parents came to St. Clair county, Missouri. In 1844 he went to California, where he engaged in the grain business, and in about three years he returned to St. Clair county, Missouri, and in 1858 he came to Johnson county, and brought a drove of cattle to feed. He has driven cattle from here to St. Louis, and has been engaged in the stock trade in Johnson county since 1858. He, at one time, owned 2,200 acres of fine land, but, as the hard times came
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
on, land reduced in price. He now owns 490 acres of fine land, with com- fortable buildings. He was married March 27, 1859, to Miss Elizabeth Williams, and from this union they have eleven children, eight of whom are now living: Umphry M., Sallie A., William H., Belle, Daniel, James Thomas, Charles E., M. D. He lost three: Akeman, Mary E. and Archibald. Mr. Burford is a man who is highly honored by all of his neighbors.
THOMAS J. CALDWELL.
Among the most worthy citizens of this township, none stands higher than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Caldwell county, Ken- tucky, April 7, 1833. Is a son of Elder William P. C. Caldwell, who came with his family to Missouri, when Thomas was about twelve years of age. He received his education in the common schools of those early days. Among his early teachers were the Harringtons, Drapers, Herefords, Barnes and Johnsons. January 24, 1856, he married Miss Martha Holmes, daughter of Benjamin A. Holmes, a promi- nent farmer and stock raiser of this township. She was born July 27, 1838. Eight children have been born to this worthy pair, seven of whom are living: Lulu M., William A., John J., Ida B., Earnest L., Ros- seau L., Eddie B. and Myrtle W. Miss Lulu M. was educated at the Normal School, and is a successful and efficient teacher. Mr. Caldwell is the eldest of ten children, six boys and four girls. In 1862 he entered the Confederate army, in company F, sixteenth Missouri infantry, and stood bravely to his post until the surrender of Shreveport, Louisiana. The fol- lowing are some of the engagements in which he took a part: Prairie Grove, Helena, Little Rock, Camden, Pleasant Hill (Louisiana). He owns about 500 acres of good land, beautifully situated, near the head of Clear Fork. In 1873 Mr. Caldwell was chosen a member of the county court, and subsequently served as township trustee. In politics he is a straight-forward Democrat, and in religion a Baptist, and holds member- ship with the Harmony church, where he stands among its most earnest workers and liberal supporters. He takes a deep interest in public schools and all other enterprises that are calculated to promote the public good, for which the coming generations will be grateful. As a worthy citizen he exhibits a hospitable and generous feeling towards all.
JOSEPH W. CALDWELL,
farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Cornelia. The son of Rev. W. P. C. Cald- well; born December 10, 1841, in Caldwell county, Kentucky. When his parents removed from Kentucky to Johnson county, Missouri, the subject of our sketch was about five years of age. He attended school in his own neighborhood, at High Point; also, at Warrensburg and Calhoun. Soon
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
after the war broke out he enlisted in the confederate service, and did much service under Gen. F. M. Cockrell's command, in various parts of Missouri, and the southern states. He was married to Miss Mar- tha Ann Townsley, daughter of James and Sarah Townsley, March 7, 1872. Their children are: Mary F., George T., Sarah J., and Joseph W. Mr. Caldwell has a good farm of 160 acres, all under cultivation. He feeds cattle as well as carrying on farming in a very intelligent manner. He has a genial and social bearing, which wins him many friends.
CHARLES CARTER,
was born in Scotland county, Missouri, March 27, 1848. Daniel Carter, his father, was a native of Ohio, and carried on farming in all its branches. He removed from Missouri to Illinois when a small boy, settling in Stark county. In 1870 he returned to Missouri, settling on a farm in Johnson county. Was married to Miss Eugenia Irwin, daughter of. J. H. Irwin, a native of this county. She died May 6, 1881. He has two children liv- ing, Freddie and Charles L. Mr. Carter is the road-overseer of his dis- trict, and has been a member of the school board for three terms. Him- self and wife were both members of the C. P. church; he holding the office of deacon of the same. His farm consists of 165 acres.
FREDERICK CULP,
farmer, P. O. Burnett Station, was born in Logan county, Ohio, July 29, 1842. He has pursued the pleasant and reliable occupation of a farmer. He was married, in 1866, to Caroline Roof, of Rockingham county, Vir- ginia, and three children have blessed their household. In the spring of 1870 he came to Johnson county, and settled on his present farm, which consists of eighty acres of excellent land. He has a fine and comfortable dwelling, and barn of more than ordinary capacity and convenience, designed and constructed by himself. He has fine stock, which, together with his farm, are well tended and improved. He is an elder in the Brethren church, of which himself and wife are faithful members.
CHARLES L. DES COMBES.
The world furnishes men of every type and character. Some have breadth and liberality of mind, others never perceive that which is beyond their own narrow sphere of operations, and they never go beyond the neighborhood in which they were born. To the mind that never experi- ences the educating influences of new and strange surroundings a great part of life's joy and satisfaction is lost. Few men, indeed, among the quiet farmers of our rural districts, have passed through the perils by land and the perils by sea, the joys and sorrows, the success and adver- sity, which has fallen to the lot of Charles L. Des Combes. He was born
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
January 6, 1806, in the Canton of Neuchattel, Switzerland, the son of David L. Des Combes, who died in St. Louis county, this state. At the age of fourteen he came with his parents to America, embarking from Holland, and touching on the south shore of Greenland, thence through Hudson's Bay to the mouth of Nelson river. Here they disembarked and proceeded up the river by means of boats until they reached lake Winnepeg, thence proceeding up the Red River of the North, sometimes rowing up the current of streams and across lakes, then hauling the boat after them across a "carry " to the next body of water, and thus proceed- ing until they were far in the wilds of the northern wilderness. Here the family remained one summer and two frozen winters, subsisting a portion of the time on dried buffalo meat procured from the savages, and fish which they took from the river after having cut through ice from six to eight feet in thickness. Dissatisfied, they determined to proceed south into the United States. Accordingly, in the spring of 1823, they started on their perilous journey through the trackless forest, sometimes by river and sometimes by land, till they reached the source of St. Peter's river. At this point the father cut down a large tree and made a canoe in which the family proceeded until they reached Fort Snelling, destitute of the necessaries of life. When the youthful Des Combes was presented a loaf of bread by the garrison of the fort, he threw up his arms in joyful glee and exclaimed: " Thank the Lord, here is bread once more." They proceeded down the Mississippi river and settled at St. Louis when the great metropolis was scarcely larger than Warrensburg. He mar- ried Martha A. Wash on the sixth day of April, 1837, and the following are the names of the children, five of whom are still living: Thomas L., Mary L., Adelia A., Charles E., William F., Virginia E., Rachel R., Martha Day, John N., Susan Rand, Eugene. When Mr. Des Combes first came to Post Oak township, in 1856, his present well cultivated farm was an open prairie, without tree or fence. His farm consists of about 500 acres of fine land, well fenced, with orchards and groves, large and elegant house and barns, all of which have been the result of his own labor and enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Des Combes, though well advanced in years, enjoy reasonable good health, and have the satisfaction of seeing their children grow up to honor and usefulness. To give one-half of the history of this eventful life would require a volume in itself, and to do jus- tice to such a subject would overstep the limits of time and space intended in this work. We cannot, however, refrain from recording the fact that C. L. Des Combes became a member of the Old School Presbyterian church before he left Switzerland, and has been a member since that date. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church south, having been received into that religious organization in September, 1832, while living in Virginia. One of his sons, Charles E., lives in Georgia;
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
he was a soldier in the confederate army, and served under Gen. F. M. Cockrell. The vessel which brought the Des Combes family from Europe to America was three months on the voyage to the mouth of Nelson river, and three months more were consumed in the journey up the river to their first settlement, on the Red River of the North. Mr. Des Combes, in 1850, made a trip to California, crossing the plains, and returning by way of the isthmus and New York city. During fifty-two years of ceaseless activity, as a man delighting in manual labor, he knew not a day's sickness, though the weight of years is peceptible in his weakening frame.
LEE D. EWING, M. D.,
postoffice, Cornelia. Where there are so many good citizens and worthy men as this township contains, it would be hardly probable in our brief sketches that full justice would be done, but we should feel our task was not complete without special mention of Dr. Lee D. Ewing. He is a native of Lafayette county, this state, born at Lexington, July 24, 1848. W. P. Ewing, his father, was a native of Kentucky, and a gentleman who was prominently connected with many of the large interests of that earlier day. He was a Santa Fe trader, and was the person who settled the Geyser Springs of California, about 1857. His grandfather was also a Kentuckian, and his great-grandfather on his mother's side was of revo- lutionary fame. Lee was with his father in California during his early years, and went with him to Texas in 1860. Joined the 32d Texas vol- unteers in 1862, and served until the close of the war. Was with Col. Wood, of the 1st regiment, for about a year. After the war he attended school, and was a graduate of St. Louis Medical College in 1870. Was married to Miss Bettie Harris, of Lafayette county, daughter of Duke Harris, a prominent citizen of that county. They have four children: Delman H., Finis Waldo, Duke and Lee B. Dr. Ewing moved to John- son county in 1871, and practiced medicine at Rose Hill for a year, and then removed to his present home in Post Oak township, nine miles south and one and a half miles east of Warrensburg. The doctor is now Wor- shipful Master of Cold Spring Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and a man whose gentlemanly demeanor toward strangers soon places them among his friends. Post Oak township fully appreciates the firm of Ward & Ewing as medical men, whose practice is not even confined to this county.
CAPT. JOHN W. GREENLEE,
was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, September 23, 1839. When about three years of age, he came with his mother to Johnson county. His father was a native of Virginia, and his mother of Maryland. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted, April 15, 1861, in the confederate ser-
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
vice, and continued till the very close, engaging in many of the most impor- tant battles and campaigns in Missouri, Arkansas, and other western states. He received two severe wounds, from which he afterwards entirely recov- ered. He was commissioned lieutenant, and before he was discharged, commissioned captain, in which office he had acted for a long time. He was married, in 1870, to Miss Mary C. Divers, daughter of F. A. Divers, one of the first settlers of Johnson county. They have three children. His home farm consists of 140 acres, and his farm on Clear Fork of 112 acres. He is a generous, high-minded, honest citizen.
ABNER GRINSTEAD.
Among the enterprising farmers and public-spirited citizens of Post Oak township is Mr. Abner Grinstead. He is a man of idividuality and gener- ous impulses towards all persons with whom he associates. Reared in Missouri, he may well be taken as a fair representative of that character so much admired in public and private life. On February 26, 1829, Mad- ison county, Kentucky, he was born; but his parents removed to Calla- way county, Missouri, when he was only eighteen months old. In about three years thereafter they removed to Pettis county, where most of young Grinstead's boyhood days were spent, during a small portion of which time he attended the district school in his own neighborhood. He was married to Miss Charity A. Wells, daughter of Col. Ransom Wells, November 17, 1853. The names of their children are as follows: Mary Alice, now wife of Paschal Henshaw, living in Vernon county; Jesse Ran- som, and Abner Rector. By industry and economy Mr. Grinstead has accumulated a good property. He owns 260 acres of land, 205 of which are under excellent cultivation. An orchard of about three acres of bear- ing apple and peach trees, a fine house with barn and adjacent buildings, a flock of fifty to one hundred sheep, sixty head of hogs, 110 acres of corn, a large herd of cattle, and every facility for operating his farm, are among the resources which contribute to his wealth and enjoyment. When Mr. Grinstead first came to this township, he purchased land near the present site of Cornelia, but soon after removed to his present residence. Newton Chrisman entered the eighty acres of government land where Mr. G. now lives. The father of our subject, Jesse C. Grinstead, was born in Decem- ber, 1798, near Richmond, Virginia. Although a mere boy he served in the last war with Great Britain, being stationed for a time at Norfolk. He now draws pension as a veteran soldier of that war. The wife of this aged pioneer is also living with her husband, in Pettis county. It is remarkable how they have withstood the toil and experience of so many years, and. still live to see their descendants respected, prosperous and happy.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
O. B. HARWOOD,
farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Burnett Station. The subject of this short sketch was born in St. Louis county, near St. Louis, May 31, 1842. Attending school a portion of the time, he remained at home till the great civil war broke out, when he enlisted from the state of Mississippi, in the confederate army, and served three years in a company of artillery. When the war closed he returned to his home, near St. Louis. The year 1867 was spent in Texas. January 9, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Des Combes, daughter of Frederick Des Combes. The inter- esting family consists of three children: Mattie C., Rosa, and Charles H. Mr. Harwood's father, William B., was a native of Virginia. His farm consists of 240 acres of excellent prairie land, capable of sustaining immense crops of corn, wheat, and other grain. Besides cultivating the soil, he raises sheep, cattle, horses, and mules. Mr. Harwood is an intel- ligent, enterprising, and liberal-minded farmer, ever ready to lend a will- ing hand to every project calculated to build up the township and Johnson county.
ROBERT H. HOLMES,
one of the prosperous farmers of Post Oak township, was born in Rock- bridge county, Virginia, June 15, 1834. He came to Johnson county with his parents, in 1849. When he was about twenty-two years of age, he engaged in freighting goods across the plains, from Kansas City to the west. After spending three years in this employment, he returned home, and was married, on the 14th day of September, 1860, to Miss Adelia Jane Caldwell. She was born in Kentucky. In June, 1862, Mr. H. enlisted in the confederate service, and served until the close of the war He is now in possession of a valuable farm of 224 acres of well-improved land, and a tract of 200 acres of timber. He is largely interested in stock- raising, and is comfortably situated. Himself and family are members of the Baptist church, and are among its warm supporters and advocates.
WILEY F. JAMES,
farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Cornelia. He was born in Monroe county, Tennessee, August 16, 1829. Son of John James, also a native of Ten- nessee. John James was born in 1805, and died since the civil war. In 1837 the subject of this sketch came with his parents to Missouri, and settled on the Warrensburg and Clinton road, about eleven miles south of Warrens- burg. Young James attended the first school taught at Shiloh, by Alex- ander Marrs. He lived there on his father's farm till 1855, when imbued with the spirit of adventure, he made a journey to the Golden State. He soon returned to Johnson county, but in 1860 he again went to California, where he remained till the war had closed. After again returning to Post
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
Oak township, he married Mary Runner, daughter of Michael Runner. The names of the children are: John B., Lee W., and Hattie. His farm consists of 292 acres, most of which is tillable, possessing the advantages of timber and creek. He also buys and ships considerable stock. During the civil war Mrs. James, then a young woman, witnessed some of the most heart-rending ferocities of blood-thirsty men. One day her brother was shot down, before her eyes, in their door-yard, and while the neigh- bors were burying his remains, her father was shot dead upon his door steps. While no blame is laid upon any particular citizen of this state, it may be said, without fear of contradiction, that for such conduct, on the part of any man or body of men, no sufficient cause ever existed.
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