Cass County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1917 (part 2 of 15)

Mr. Foster was, from early boyhood, a Cumberland Presbyterian in faith, and democrat in politics. During his younger and more active days he was a faithful attendant upon the meetings of the Masonic fra¬ ternity. He was a member of Cass Lodge, No. 147, A. F. and A. M. All his life he was true to the principals he espoused. A man who did his own thinking, of strong convictions, he was of great force in the forma¬ tive period of the early settlement of the county. His advice was sought on questions involving the political, social and religious welfare of the community. He left surviving his widow and four children. These children, without exception, are valuable adjuncts to the states and coun¬ ties where they make their homes. Such is briefly the life history of one of the most useful of our pioneer settlers.

Peter S. Clemments, now deceased, was a very early pioneer of Cass County, and was prominent in the early settlement and development here. He was a native of Virginia and came to Cass County when he was twenty-two years old. He was a carpenter in early life, having learned the trade in his native state, but after coming to Cass County he followed farming, principally, and met with success.

Peter S. Clemments was married December 15, 1857, to Sarah M. Holloway. She is a native of Monroe County, Tennessee, and a daughter of William and Mary (Peck) Holloway, also natives of Tennessee, the former of Blount County and the latter in Jefferson County. They came to Cass County in 1842, and thus it will be seen they were very early set¬ tlers in this section of Missouri. They located on the Tennessee branch of the Grand River, where the father pre-empted governmnt land and the parents spent the remainder of their lives here. William Holloway enlisted in the home guards for service during the Mexican War, but his company was never called to the front He died October 2, 1852, aged forty-two years, and his wife departed this life December 10, 1888, aged seventy-three years. William Holloway was a grandson of Barnes Hollo¬ way, a native of Virginia, who served on General Washington's Staff during the Revolutionary War, and Nichols Peck, maternal grandfather of Mrs. Clemments, was a soldier in the Black Hawk War. Nicholas Peck later came to Cass County and died here at the age of eighty-eight years.

To Peter Clemments and wife were born the following children: Mary A., married Horace Baker Moody, now deceased, a sketch of whom appears in this volume; Charles E., Harrisonville, Missouri; W. H., hardware dealer, Harrisonville, Missouri; Thomas W., merchant, Fredonia, Kansas; Dora B., married W. B. Scruggs, Harrisonville, Missouri; Frank E., deceased; and Mattie A., married Charles E. McCracken, St. Louis, Missouri.

Peter S. Clemments died in 1904, and his widow now resides at Har¬ risonville. She is the possessor of unusual mental and physical vigor for one of her years, and has a store of valuable reminiscences concerning the early history of Cass County, which she relates in an interesting and entertaining way. The Clemments family is one of the prominent old pioneer families of Cass County and rank as leading and representative citizens.

A. S. Pulliam came to what is now Cass County and settled upon the Pulliam homestead in 1839. This he afterwards entered from the gen¬ eral government, and it is still owned by the family. On this land he built a log cabin, which is still standing, and occupied by one of the sons. In this early day his town was Lick-Skillet, located on Lick Branch. The name was derived from its being a famous deer lick. Of these very early settlers, little can be gathered with any degree of certainty.

Mr. Pulliam has a son, L. Bert Pulliam, living in this county, in the old log cabin, with some addition to the original plan. Another son, Joseph Pulliam, lives in Bates County, Missouri. The other members of the family have dropped from the writer's memory. The writer's father held Squire "A. S. Pulliam" in the highest esteem. Always allud¬ ing to him in the very highest terms of praise. They settled in the county (Van Buren), now Cass, in the same year and remained staunch friends until death parted them.

Charles E. Allen, president of the Citizens National Rank of Harrisonville, is the dean of the banking fraternity of Cass County and belongs to a family of pioneer bankers. Mr. Allen is a native of Missouri, born in St. Louis, July 6, 1854. He is a son of Lewis L. L. and Corinna J. (Potter) Allen, both natives of Missouri, the former of Jackson, Cape Girardeau County, and the latter of St. Louis. The father was a pioneer banker of Missouri and followed the banking business practically all his life, mostly at Pierce City, where he died March 8, 1917 at the advanced age of ninetyone years. He engaged in the banking business at Pierce City in 1870 and was the founder of the Lawrence County Bank, which is still doing business and is one of the substantial financial institutions of that sec¬ tion. When Lewis Allen located at Pierce City and engaged in the bank¬ ing business, that town was the terminus of the Frisco railroad. The town was new and the main street was more or less obstructed by stumps.

Charles E. Allen is one of the family of three children born to his parents. The others are as follows: Lewis L., who was engaged in the banking business with his father for a number of years and is now in the real estate and loan business at Pierce City; and Isabella who resides at Boulder, Colorado.

Mr. Allen was reared in St. Louis and attended the public schools and Washington University in that city. When sixteen years of age he came to Harrisonville and entered the employ of his uncle, William H. Allen, who was then conducting a bank here. William H. Allen was the pioneer banker of Harrisonville and was the founder of the Allen Bank which still bears his name. He died in 1884. After coming to Harrisonville, Charles E. Allen remained in the employ of his uncle as bookkeeper for three months when he went to Pierce City and entered the employ of his father's bank where he remained until 1874. He then returned to Harrisonville and was employed in the Allen Bank again for three years. In 1877 he returned to Pierce City and remained in the Lawrence County Bank until 1888. He then came back to Harrisonville again and this has been his home ever since. He entered Judge Givan's law office as clerk and thoroughly mastered stenography, becoming an expert court stenographer, and for seven years that he was associated with Judge Givan as law clerk, he reported cases in the courts of Cass, Johnson, Bates and Henry counties.

In 1895 Mr. Allen became cashier of the Allen Bank. Five years later this institution was reorganized and the present management assumed control. In 1902, Mr. Allen, with the assistance of Judge Givan, D. K. Hall, Downing Miller and others organized the Citizens National Bank, and Mr. Allen became cashier, Judge Givan, president, and Downing Miller, vice-president. Mr. Allen served in the capacity of cashier con¬ tinuously from the organization of the bank until January, 1917, when he was elected president of the institution, and continues in the active man¬ agement of its affairs. The Citizens National Bank of Harrisonville is the oldest National Bank in Cass County and the only National Bank in Harrisonville.

Mr. Allen was united in marriage October 3, 1883, with Miss Belle Givan, only daughter of Judge Noah M. Givan, of Harrisonville, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Allen have been born one son, Charles Givan, assistant cashier of the Citizens National Bank. He married Miss Lora Akin of Harrisonville, and they have one child, George Monroe, age three years.

In addition to his banking interests, Mr. Allen is secretary and treas¬ urer of the Austin Inland Telephone Company, which is one of the important industrial institutions of the county. Mr. Allen is a member of the Congregational church and for twenty-five years has been secretary of the Cass County Sunday School Association and has many friends in this county, both from a social and business standpoint.

J. F. Hooley, a prominent grocer of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, is a native of Ohio. He was born at Wooster in 1863, and is a son of David and Lydia (Zook) Hooley, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. They were the parents of the following children : Amandus, Wooster, Ohio; David, Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Jemima Mast, Millersburg, Ohio; J. F., the subject of this sketch; Simon, Goshen, Indiana; George, Oyster Point, Virginia; Lydia, died at the age of two years; and Mary, died at the age of twenty.

J. F. Hooley was reared and educated in Ohio, and in 1883, when he was twenty years of age, came to Missouri. He worked on a farm about a year after coming to this state, and then was employed in a mill at Gunn City, Missouri, for two years. He then entered the employ of George Wildeboor, a merchant at Garden City, at a salary of twentyfive dollars per month. He remained with Mr. Wildeboor for six years, when he entered the employ of T. S. Hutton as clerk, and remained with him until Mr. Hutton disposed of his business to Garman & Son, and Mr. Hooley remained with the new firm for two years. He then engaged in the general mercantile business at Garden City, and one year latter, 1910, came to Pleasant Hill and purchased the Elmer Faulkner grocery (22) business, which he conducted for four years, when he sold it to Mr. Faulkner, the original owner. Mr. llooley then opened a variety store, to which he has since added a grocery department. His store is located in the Smith block, on Lake Avenue, which is one of the desirable busi¬ ness locations of the city, and where he has built up an extensive trade.

Mr. Hooley was united in marriage in 1890 with Miss Lucy, a daughter of J. N. and Martha Cummins, of Gunn City, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Hooley have been born two children, Ila May, a Cass County teacher; and Lester, a student in the Pleasant Hill High School. Mr. Hooley is one of the progressive and enterprising merchants of Cass County, and his method of square dealing is well known to the many patrons of his busy mercantile establishment.

Horace Ik\ker Moody, now deceased, was prominently identified with the commercial interests of Harrisonville during his life-time. He was born in Mason towmship, Cass County, Michigan, in 1853, and was a son of Ethan Allen and Eccleann (Hatch) Moody, natives of New England. The father was born January 21, 1798, in Lollanel, Massachusetts. He was a second cousin of Dwight L. Moody. He came to Ohio sometime in the 20's, and was married about 1830. In 1848 he moved to Michigan The mother died December 21, 1865, and shortly afterwards the father removed to Elkhart, Indiana, where he was retired until his death. He died December 26, 1881.

Horace Baker Moody wras one of four children, Phoebe Ann, deceased ; Andrew' J., Elkhart; Eathan A., deceased; and Horace B. He was reared to manhood in Indiana and educated in the public schools of Elkhart and Notre Dame University at South Bend, graduating from that institution. He came to Harrisonville, Missouri, w-hen he was about twenty years of age, without capital. He entered the employ of Dr. W. H. Barrett as a drug clerk, and a short time afterwards became a partner of Dr. Barrett under the firm name of W. H. Barrett & Company. In addition to the drug business they carried on an extensive grain, hay, and seed business, and also operated a flour mill. Besides his vast interests in connection with the firm of W. H. Barrett & Company, he was interested in a great many other projects. He was a director in the Allen Bank, and also in the First National Bank, and was one of the promoters of West El Dorado. He wTas one of the promoters of Cass County Telephone Company, and vice president of that company at the time of his death. T. W. Clemments and W. B. Scruggs were associated with him.

Mr. Moody was a democrat and took an active part in local political affairs. He served as mayor of Harrisonville, and was also an alderman for a number of terms. He was a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine, and also held membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was not a member of any particular religious denomination, but was always a generous contributor to the church.

Mr. Moody was married in 1879 to Annie Chilton, who died, leaving one son, Dr. George R. Moody, now a dental surgeon in San Francisco, California. On November 22, 1894, Mr. Moody was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Clemments. Mrs. Moody is a native of Cass County, and a daughter of Peter S. Clemments, a Cass County pioneer, a personal sketch of whom appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Moody was born one child, Horace Jackson, who was educated in the Harrisonville High School, University of Missouri, and Westminster College at Fulton, Missouri, and now resides with his mother at Harrisonville. Mrs. Moody is a member of the Presbyterian Church. She is an estimable woman, of unusual qualities, and is popular in the community.

C. R. Bush, a well-known citizen of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, is a native son of Cass County, and is a member of one of the pioneer fam¬ ilies of this section of Missouri. He was born at Pleasant Hill, October 30, 1859, and is a son of R. N. and Henrietta (Fleming) Bush, natives of Kentucky. The father was born in Clark County, and came to Cass County about 1849, and Henrietta Fleming came here with her mother as early as 1842. R. N. Bush and wife were the parents of five children, three of whom are living, as follows: C. R., the subject of this sketch; C. S., Ponca City, Oklahoma; and David N., Big Creek township, Cass County.

C. R. Bush was educated in the public schools of Cass County and followed farming until 1902, when he engaged in teaming and contract¬ ing. In 1915 he was elected collector of Pleasant Hill township, and since then has devoted himself to the duties of that office. He was re-elected for a second term March, 1917.

Mr. Bush was married October 4, 1882, to Miss Mary Catherine Skillman, daughter of Joseph and Levina Skillman, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri. The Skillman family came from Kentucky, and Mrs. Bush was born in Fleming County, that state. To Mr. and Mrs. Bush have been born five children, as follows, three dying in infancy: Lennie Etta and Ixm Bell, both of whom reside at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Bush have a pleasant home on Taylor Street in Pleasant Hill. Mr. Bush has been well known to the editor of this work for a number of years, and is one of the substantial men of Cass County. He has been a member of the Modern Woodmen of America for over twenty years.

Algernon Sidney O'Hannon was a native of Fleming County, Ken¬ tucky, and settled in Cass County, Missouri, in 1856. By profession he was a surveyor and school teacher. Prior to coming to Missouri, he taught school in his native state and had also done much surveying in Kentucky. He was a man of quite strong convictions, and once formed an opinion was very determined in carrying out these convictions. Such men always have great influence in their communities. In 1860 Mr. O'Bannon represented Cass County in the Lower House of the State Legislature. He made a decided impression on his fellow members, and his advice was readily sought on pending legislation. President Lincoln recognized his abilities by appointing him to an important post under the general government. This he filled to the satisfaction of the President. Mr. O'Bannon was a man of much reading; few men were as well read. He died at his farm, located near the old town site of Index.

Mr. O'Bannon married Artemesia West, in Garrett County, Ken¬ tucky, and came to Missouri by boat, landing at Lexington, Missouri, thence overland to the home where he died. To this union were born seven children, who grew to maturity. All have proved to be good citizens and useful members of society. Some of these children are: Laura Belle Withers, Richard D. O'Bannon, James T. O'Bannon, Algernon Sidney O'Bannon, Melissa Cover, Dr. W. B. O'Bannon, and Mary S. Parker. The last named is now dead. These young people are now growing old. It makes one realize that the spring day of life is past for the writer, for these children were among the writer's schoolmates. The mother, Mrs. Artemesia W. O'Bannon, died at the home of her daughter, Laura Belle Withers, in 1892.

In this connection it is not out of the way to speak of M. W. Withers, a most worthy and estimable citizen of the county in an early date. Mr. Withers was a native of Kentucky. When quite a young man he took the trip overland to Portland, Oregon. He returned by way of the present site of the great canal across the Isthmus of Panama, thence to New York, landing in Cass County in 1869. One of the important events of his life took place at Harrisonville in 1870. Withers and Miss Laura B. O'Bannon took their flight from the old Index neighborhood to the residence of their pastor, Rev. Abner H. Deane, where they were united in the holy bonds of matrimony. No better, good, old-fashioned Baptist people ever lived.

Their home was ever open to preachers, and their purse was always open to charitable and church purposes. Mr. Withers died quite a num¬ ber of years ago, his widow still survives, making her home of later years at Holden, Missouri.

Their children were F. O. Withers, Angela Campbell, wife of W. S. Campbell, an attorney of St. Louis; and Otto E. Withers, who resides with his mother. He took the study of music for his life work, and has succeeded. Campbell is a graduate of the Missouri State University and his wife a graduate of the Warrensburg State Normal. Mr. and Mrs. Withers have not lived in vain.

A. R. Wherritt, vice-president of the Farmers' National Bank of Pleasant Hill, who is extensively engaged in the real estate and loan business at Pleasant Hill, Missouri, is a native of Cass County. He was born two and a half miles west of Pleasant Hill, and is a son of Barton and Margaret (Peacock) Wherritt, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Richmond, Kentucky. Although born in Maryland, Bar¬ ton Wherritt was reared and educated in Kentucky, and in youth learned the carriage and wagonmakers' trade, which he followed for a number of years, and was recognized as a mechanic of unusual skill. He came to Cass County in 1851 and settled on one hundred and sixty acres of land in Big Creek township. This place is now owned by John Schrader and William Gray.

Barton Wherritt and wife were the parents of the following children : Barton, Trail, Oklahoma; Mrs. Harriet Hendricks, Rome, New York; Mrs. Elizabeth Mason, Shreveport, Louisiana; Alonzo C., Independence, Missouri; A. R., the subject of this sketch; Thomas J., died at Pleasant Hill, aged sixty-seven; Sidney, died at Pleasant Hill, aged sixty; Mary Jane, wife of John F. Thornton, died at the age of fifty-five; Margaret, wife of William E. Boswell, died at the age of seventy-two; William, died at Pleasant Hill, aged sixty-seven; Dr. H. P., died at Independence, Missouri, aged sixty-eight; and Alice, wife of J. C. Brannock, died at Dayton, Ohio, in 1916, aged sixty-four.

and at the age of sixteen began his business career as clerk in the store of B. C. Christopher, at Pleasant Hill. He was thus engaged for a period of ten years, when he accepted a position as a traveling salesman, and for five years followed that vocation. In 1895 Mr. Wherritt engaged in the real estate and loan business, and has met with unusual success in this line of endeavor. He makes a specialty of farm loans and his busi¬ ness covers an extensive territory, including the counties of Johnson, Jackson, and Cass.

Mr. Wherritt was united in marriage with Miss Jessie Reid, of Shelbina, Missouri. She is a daughter of William A. and Elizabeth (Miller) Reid. Mrs. Reid is still living at Shelbina. He was a prominent banker of that city, and died at Shelbina, Missouri, about the year 1890. To Mr. and Mrs. Wherritt have been born the following children: Lillian, a teacher at Shreveport, Louisiana; A. Reid, traveling salesman, Quincy, Illinois; and Jesse Minter, aged eleven, who resides with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Wherritt are well known in Pleasant Hill and vicinity and rank among the leading people of the community.

George M. Dallas, the present mayor of Pleasant Hill, has been prominent in the affairs of this section of the state for a number of years, and is now successfully engaged in the real estate and insurance business. Mr. Dallas is a native of Missouri, born at Independence, in 1871. He is a son of J. H. and Sarah L. (Ecord) Dallas, natives of Ohio. His grandfather, John Dallas, was a native of Delaware, and a very early settler in Ohio. J. H. Dallas, the father, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, where he spent his boyhood days. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in an Ohio regiment and served until the close of the war. In 1869 he came to Missouri and settled near Independence.

George M. Dallas is one of a family of five children, four of whom are living, as follows: William H., bank cashier, Lamesa, Texas; Estella, teacher of music in the Irving School, Kansas City, Missouri; Etta E., teacher of mathematics in the Karnes School, Kansas City, Missouri; and George M.. the subject of this sketch.

George M. Dallas was educated in the public schools of Jackson and Cass Counties and the Pleasant Hill High School. He began his business career as a clerk in a grocery store, owned by T. B. Reed, of Pleasant Hill, and was later in the employ of J. D. Cooley and H. Tucker Smith in a similar capacity. In 1893 he was appointed assistant post- master of Pleasant Hill, and for eight years gave the people of that city efficient mail service. In 1901 he entered the employ of J. M. Will¬ iams as manager of the People's Guarantee Savings & Loan Association, and conducted the real estate and loan business there until 1905. He then went to southwestern Kansas as manager for the Arkansas Valley Beet Sugar Land & Irrigation Company. This company owned several thousand acres of land in Kearney and Finney Counties, Kansas, and they also owned the Great Eastern Irrigation Ditch. In 1906 this con¬ cern sold their interests to the United States Sugar & Land Company, the concern which built the sugar factory at Garden City, Kansas. Mr. Dallas remained in the employ of this company two years as superin¬ tendent of construction, during which time he built several miles of irrigation ditches. In 1908 he became manager of the Menke ranch, which consisted of three thousand acres, located near Garden City. This ranch was devoted largely to raising alfalfa and wild prairie hay, and Mr. Dallas won quite a reputation here as a successful alfalfa raiser. He marketed a record-breaking load of alfalfa seed, which sold for three thousand dollars. This valuable load of seed was given considerable publicity at the time in hundreds of agricultural papers throughout the country. F. D. Coburn, secretary of agriculture for the State of Kansas at that time, published a photograph of it in his report, and Mr. Dallas still has a copy of the photograph in his possession.

In May, 1909, Mr. Dallas returned to Pleasant Hill and purchased the real estate and loan business with wThich he had been formerly connected, and the following year was appointed postmaster of Pleasant Hill. He served in that office until January 14, 1915, when he again engaged in the real estate and insurance business. In September, 1915, Mr. Dallas was elected mayor of Pleasant Hill and has capably filled that office and given a very satisfactory administration. He is a republican and for years has been active in the councils of his party. He is progressive and public spirited, and is always found on the side of the civic and moral improvement of the community. He was his party's candidate for rep¬ resentative from Cass County in 1916.

Mr. Dallas has a hobby which he follows with a reasonable degree of moderation, and that is the collection of old and curious coins. He has a collection of one-cent pieces from 1783 to the present time, with the exception of the years 1811 and 1815. During those years there were none coined. He also has in his possession a complete series of the oldtime "shin plasters" in denominations from three cents to fifty cents,

As a writer Mr. Dallas possesses unusual ability, and has written a number of poems that have been recognized by the literary world as having real literary merit. His "Bashful Boy" is a masterpiece and true to nature.

George Gosch, cashier of the Pleasant Hill Banking Company, has held this important position for over twenty years, and is well known to the banking fraternity and financial interests of Cass and adjoining counties. Mr. Gosch is a native son of Cass County, born at Pleasant Hill, in August, 1866. He is a son of George and Barbara (Hess) Gosch. The father was a native of Germany, who came to Cass County, settling at Pleasant Hill in 1865. His first wife died in 1872, leaving two children, Ida, who married Frank Neyman, and is now a widow residing in Kansas City, Missouri; and George, the subject of this sketch. A few years after the death of the mother of these children the father married Rosina Rheinbold. Three children were born to this union, as follows: Arthur, Flora, Oregon; Oscar, Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Mrs. Bertha Still¬ well, Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

George Gosch was educated in the public schools of Pleasant Hill. When a boy he worked at the jewelry business for 0. Kolstad at that place. He was thus engaged for four years, when he entered the employ of the Pleasant Hill Banking Company as bookkeeper. He was an apt student in the science of banking, and soon became familiar with the details of that business. In 1896 Mr. Gosch was elected cashier of the Pleasant Hill Banking Company and has held that important position to the present with satisfaction to the stockholders and the many patrons of that well-known financial institution.

The Pleasant Hill Banking Company is one of the old and substantial banking institutions of Cass County, and carries more deposits than any other bank in Cass County, the present deposits being about three hun¬ dred and forty thousand dollars. This bank was organized July 28, 1887, with a capital stock of twenty thousand dollars. B. T. McDonald was the first president, and G. M. Smith was the first cashier, and also the organizer of the bank. Mr. Smith has had a phenominal banking career. He came to Pleasant Hill in 1887 with a capital of three thousand, five hundred dollars. He is now the president of the Commonwealth National

Bank of Kansas City, and is worth over a million dollars. He has always retained his original stock in the Pleasant Hill Banking Company. The officers at the present time are W. A. Smith, president; J. V. Hon, vicepresident; George Gosch, cashier; D. L. Lain, assistant cashier; and the board of directors consist of George Gosch, J. V. Hon, W. H. Hon, W. A. Smith, Zenas Leonard, Mrs. Bartha Stillwell, and Mrs. R. Gosch. Mrs. Gosch, the mother of George Gosch, has been a stockholder in the Pleas¬ ant Hill Banking Company since its organization. The capital stock of the bank is twenty thousand dollars, surplus, fifteen thousand dollars, and undivided profits, sixteen thousand dollars. The Pleasant Hill Bank¬ ing Company has always been conducted along conservative lines, con¬ sisting of the best banking policies, and its business has had a substantial growth from the beginning. It has been well said of this bank that it is big enough to accommodate its customers and not too big to appreciate them. Its cardinal precept is one hundred per cent, security.

George Gosch was united in marriage in 1899 to Miss Hattie T. Wooldridge, a daughter of Frank M. Wooldridge, of Harrison ville, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Gosch has been born one child, George, age ten years. They have an adopted daugh¬ ter, Ann Orel Wooldridge.

William Albert Farmer, a prominent citizen of Pleasant Hill, was born in what is now Cass County, in 1847, when this section was geo¬ graphically known as Van Buren County. He is a son of Henry and Clara (Booth) Farmer, the former a native of Tennessee, and the latter of Kentucky. Henry Farmer came to Missouri with his father, John Farmer, about 1840, and located three miles south of Pleasant Hill. He died in 1871. He was one of a family of eleven children, six sons and five daugh¬ ters. The sons were Andy, Moses, William, Fred, Jack, and Henry. The mother of William Albert Farmer was also a pioneer of this section of Missouri, who came here in the early forties. She died in March, 1892.

William Albert Farmer was one of a family of eight children, three of whom are living, as follows: WTliiam Albert, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Ellen Ludwig, resides on the old home place; and Mrs. Laura Mattingley, Pleasant Hill. Mr. Farmer was reared on his father's farm and educated in the public schools of Cass County. He has made farming the chief occupation of his life and owns one of the fine farms of Cass County, \yhich consists of one hundred and ninety-seven acres ol fertile fields, adjoining the old home place. For the past twenty years

Mr. Farmer has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Mary Parrott. Four children were born to this union, one of whom is now liv¬ ing, J. 1\, a successful merchant of Pleasant Hill. The wife and mother died in February, 1884. November 17, 1885, Mr. Farmer was united in marriage with Miss Ada Fleming, of Pleasant Hill, and the following children have been born to this union: Mary, married Silas C. Parker, Pleasant Hill; Mattie, married Richmond Patterson, Pleasant Hill; Dick, Henry, Frances, and Irene. The latter died at the age of three and a half years.

Mr. Farmer has a distinct recollection of many events which tran¬ spired in this vicinity during the stirring days of the Civil War. He remembers when the battle of Lone Jack was fought and also recalls a skirmish which took place near the Farmer home. When Order No. 11 was issued the Farmer family removed to Pleasant Hill, where they remained until the close of the war. The father was a strong Union man. Of the three votes cast in his precinct for Lincoln in 1860, his brother cast one and two nephews the other two. The brother was Andy Farmer, and the nephews were Oscar Farmer and D. P. Hoagland. Mr. Hoagland located at Olathe, Kansas, just after the war.

George R. Chamberlin, a prominent member of the Cass County bar, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Cooper County, in 1878. He is a son of John A. Roberts and Fannie Virginia (Spaid) Chamberlin, na¬ tives of Virginia. The father was a son of George Chamberlin, a native of England, who came, when a child, to Virginia with his parents. He was a son of Joseph Chamberlin. The mother, Fannie Virginia Spaid, was of German, Scotch and Irish ancestry.

George R. Chamberlin, whose name introduces this sketch, is one of a family of three children born to his parents: May, the wife of A. K. Osborne, an attorney of Kansas City, Missouri, is also a practicing attorney, and for a number of years practiced in St. Louis, and is now associated with her husband in the practice of law in Kansas City; Lillian Virginia, married Strauder Tanner, a farmer and stockman, of Lafayette County, Missouri; and George R., the subject of this sketch.

George R. Chamberlin, after receiving a good public school educa¬ tion, attended Odessa College, where he was graduated and later took a course in the Warrensburg Normal. He was then engaged in teaching in Lafayette County for eight years, during which time he was principal of the Wellington High School for three years, and held a similar posi¬ tion in the Waverly High School for two years. He then entered the law department of the University of Missouri, where he was graduated in 1907, and the same year was admitted to both the State and Federal courts. In 1907 he began the practice of law at Higginsville, Missouri, and one year later became connected with the law department of the Missouri Pacific Railway Company in the capacity of claim adjuster. During the time that Mr. Chamberlin was in the employ of the railroad company as an adjuster, he won a reputation for fairness in the settle¬ ment of just claims against the company. By his straightforward and clean methods every claim that came up against the company was amica¬ bly settled whenever the claimants showed the same disposition to fair¬ ness that he did, and very little litigation developed in his department.

In 1912 Mr. Chamberlin began the practice of his profession at Pleasant Hill, where he has won the confidence of the public as a con¬ scientious and capable lawyer and his reward is a large and profitable practice. He is systematic in his work and a close student of the law, which, together with his natural ability, make of him a formidable legal adversary. He has served as city attorney of Pleasant Hill through three city administrations, during which time he has successfully defended some important suits against the city and thus saved the taxpayers many thousands of dollars. He is the present city attorney. He is a democrat and takes an active part in the local organization of his party. He is the present secretary of the Democratic County Central Committee.

Mr. Chamberlain was married in 1911 to Miss Dean Hilligoss, a daughter of Noble Hilligoss, and a native of Pleasant Hill, where she was engaged as public stenographer prior to her marriage. Mrs. Chamberlin is a descendant of pioneer Cass County stock. Both her grandfathers came here from Kentucky at an early day.

William W. Hon, the leading furniture dealer and undertaker of Pleasant Hill, is a native son of Cass County, and a descendant of pioneer parents. He was born in a log cabin in Big Creek township, in 1868, and is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Bailey) Hon, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Cass County, Missouri. Isaac Hon came to Cass County from his native state prior to the Civil War and settled in Big Creek township, where he bought ninety-two acres of unimproved land. He died in 1892 at the age of forty-nine years, and his wife de- parted this iife in 1896. They were the parents of four children, as follows: Lucy, died in infancy; Harvey T., Needles, California; William W., the subject of this sketch; and Earl B., Needles, California.

\\ llli&m W. Hon received his education in the public schools of Cass County. In early life much of the work incident to the care of the home farm devolved upon him owing to the fact that his father was in poor health much of the time. When he was twenty-one years of age he engaged in farming on his own account, and two years later he engaged ia ihe mercantile business at Pleasant Hill, where he purchased the Haw¬ kins furniture store. The entire stock at that time consisted of only about four hundred dollars' worth of goods, and the store building was an unpretentious frame structure, 18x24 feet. Mr. Hon has constantly added to his stock and has seen that his business has developed in keep¬ ing with the spirit of the times, and today has a furniture store that would be a credit to a city much larger than Pleasant Hill. The small frame structure has been replaced by a commodious, modern store build¬ ing, 40x146 feet, with basement, 20x60 feet.

Mr. Hon was married in 1889 to Miss Ida May Reece, of Pleasant Hill, a daughter of John Reece, a prominent farmer of that locality, and a native of Cass County. Mr. and Mrs. Hon have no children. Mr. Hon is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Modern Woodmen of America, Mutual Benevolent Association, Yeomen, and Royal Neighbors, and is one of the substantial business men of Cass County. He and his wife are well known and have many friends.

Mr. Hon, although a young man, recalls many interesting incidents in the history of Cass County. His father hauled brick from Westport, Missouri, with an ox team to build his farm residence, which is located between Pleasant Hill and Harrisonville.

J. B. Rowe, the successful and enterprising baker of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, is a native son of Cass County. He was bora on a farm one mile south of town, in Pleasant Hill township, in 1888, and is a son of Albert Eugene and Nancy (Hook) Rowe, natives of Michigan. They are the parents of seven children, as follows: C. H., Bonner Springs, Kan¬ sas; Carrie, Jennie, and Birt, all of whom died in infancy; Eva, resides at home; Mrs. Robert Calvin, Pleasant Hill township; and J. B., the sub¬ ject of this sketch.

was all timber, and engaged in the dairy buiness, which he successfully carried on for a number of years, and sold milk in Pleasant Hill. He has been in poor health for a number of years, and in 1915 left the farm. Since that time he has resided in Pleasant Hill.

J. B. Rowe was educated in the public schools of Cass County. After he was eighteen years of age he devoted himself to assisting his father on the farm. In the spring of 1915 he purchased the W. C. Knorpp bakery at Pleasant Hill, and since has been engaged in the bakery business. When he undertook the bakery business it was all new to him and he had to learn the elementary details of it from the ground up, but he applied himself to his new field of endeavor in a way that has spelled success. His bakery has a daily capacity of six hundred loaves. He has installed all modern machinery and methods, and has one of the best bake-ovens to be found in the country. His place is a model of con¬ venience and neatness. The state inspector recently made the statement that it was one of the most sanitary bakeries in the state of Missouri.

Edgar R. IdoL, postmaster of Pleasant Hill. Missouri, has been prom¬ inently identified with Cass County journalism for many years, and is one of the leading newspaper men of this section of Missouri. He is a native of Virginia, and was born at Grayson, that state, in 1875. He is a son of Daniel Christian and Nannie (Ross) Idol, natives of Virginia. The mother was a daughter of Wilbur Ross, who was also a native of Virginia.

In 1882 Daniel C. Idol came to Cass County', Missouri, and located at Belton, where he was editor of the Belton "Herald**. Later he engaged in contracting and building, and during the course of his career erected many of the best buildings in the county. He was engaged in building in Cass County for over thirty years. During the past twenty-eight years some member of the Idol family has been engaged in the newspaper busi¬ ness in Cass County.

To Daniel C. Idol and wife were born eight children, four of whom died in infancy. The others are as follows: Edgar R., the subject of this sketch; S. C., Idaho Falls, Idaho, where he is manager of a daily paper; Roy C., a newspaper man, Seattle. Washington; and Mrs. James Campbell, Belton, Missouri.

Edgar R. Idol attended the public schools, but received his practical education in his father's "print shop" at Belton, Missouri. When he was fourteen years of age he was foreman in the oflice of the Belton "Leader" and was identified with that paper until he was twenty-five years old, when he went to Harrisonville and bought a half interest in the Cass County "Leader". Six months later he sold his interest in that paper to Mr. Daniels, his partner, and bought the Cass County "Democrat". He was owner and editor of this publication for five years, and in 1905, sold the "Democrat" and removed to Pleasant Hill. Here he purchased the Pleasant Hill "Local", which is now the "Register". He conducted this newspaper until 1914, when he was appointed postmaster by Presi¬ dent Wilson, taking the olfice in January of that year.

Mr. Idol was united in marriage in June, 1900, at Belton, Missouri, with Miss Mary Elizabeth Shouse, a daughter of J. M. Shouse, president of the Citizens' Bank of Belton, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Idol have been born six children, as follows: Harriet Ruth, Edgar S., James Dan, Elizabeth Ross, Francis Lee, and Margaret B.

Mr. Idol is progressive and public spirited, and is perhaps one of the best-known men in Cass County. He is a democrat and has taken an active part in the local councils of his party, having served as secre¬ tary of the Democratic Central Committee for many years.

Dr. E. M. Atkinson, a prominent dental surgeon of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, is a native of Cass County and a descendant of one of the pioneer families of this section of the state. He was born October 13, 1881, and is a son of James W. and Mary Susan (Hill) Atkinson, who were the parents of the following children: William, Roswell, New Mexico; James W., Jr., Bakersfield, California; Mrs. H. A. Jones, Dennison, Texas; Mrs. W. S. Moore, Roswell, New Mexico; Mrs. J. F. Joyce, Carlsbad, New Mexico; Lettie, Roswell, New Mexico; Mrs. Frank Davenport, deceased; Mrs. Harry Hatler, deceased; and Dr. E. M., the subject of this sketch.

James W. Atkinson was born in Bowling Green, Warren County, Kentucky, in 1827. At an early day he came to Missouri with his par¬ ents, who settled on a farm in Lafayette County. He attended school in Kentucky and Missouri, and after finishing his education, taught school for several years. He was married in 1856 at Chapel Hill, Missouri, to Mary E. A. Russell, a widow, whose maiden name was Hill. She was born in Russellville, Logan County, Kentucky, and in an early day came to Missouri with her parents, who settled at Lexington. Mrs. Atkinson was educated at Lexington and Chapel Hill, Missouri. She died at Ros¬ well, New Mexico, in 1908. James W. Atkinson spent most of his life as a farmer. He was assessor of Big Creek township for many years. He and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. At the close of the Civil War he moved with his family to the extreme nothern part of Cass County, and settled on a farm which he owned at the time of his death, in July, 1896. He was a Confederate veteran, and was a member of the Confederate Veterans Camp at Pleasant Hill.

Dr. E. M. Atkinson was educated in the public schools of Cass County and after completing his preliminary education he entered the Western Dental College at Kansas City, Missouri, where he was graduated in the class of 1905. He immediately engaged in the practice of his profession at Warsaw, Missouri. Three years later he went to California and was engaged in the practice at San Francisco and Sacramento for four years. In 1913 he returned to Cass County, Missouri, and was engaged in the practice at Creighton until 1915, when he located at Pleasant Hill, where, in a remarkably short time, his superior professional skill was recognized and he has built up a large practice.

Dr. Atkinson was united in marriage in 1905 with Miss Helen, a daughter of C. F. Bibb, of Warsaw, Missouri. To this union one son has been born, Marvin Wendell, who is ten years of age.

Dr. Atkinson is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Ancient Free and Acepted Masons, No. 480, Pleasant Hill, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Pleasant Hill Aerie No. 661. Dr. and Mrs. Atkinson have an ex¬ tensive acquaintance and many friends in Pleasant Hill and vicinity.

A. M. Burgin, a well-known contractor and builder, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, is a native of Cass County. He was born eight miles northeast of Pleasant Hill, in 1880, on what was known as the old Ned Rowland farm. He is a son of Price and Ellen (Rowland) Burgin, both natives of Cass County. The father was an orphan boy, who was reared by Dr. Collins, of Strasburg, Missouri, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Price and Ellen (Rowland) Burgin were the parents of the following chil¬ dren: Jennie, married William Chatman, Kansas City, Missouri; Ruth, married Will Beckenheimer, and lives near Pleasant Hill; Minnie, unmar¬ ried, resides at home ; Elsie and Ella, also at home ; Robert Rowland, Lone Jack, Missouri; A. M., the subject of this sketch; and two children, who died in infancy.

spent his early boyhood days on the farm. He learned the carpenters' trade and for fourteen years has been engaged in that line of work. For the past six years he has been operating as an independent contractor and builder. During his career he has built some of the best residences in the vicinity of Pleasant Hill, many of which are model creations of the builder's art, notably among which, are the homes of Earl Parker, Harry Klakes, and Charles Johnson, and also the Tucker Smith residence in Pleasant Hill. As a builder, Mr. Burgin has won a reputation for the excellency of his workmanship, a reputation which is by no means con¬ fined to Cass County.

Mr. Burgin was married in 1892 to Miss Mabel Young, daughter of D. W. and Nancy C. (Young) Young. D. W. Young was born in Jackson County, Missouri, December 17, 1856. He now lives at Lees Summit, Missouri. Mrs. Young was born in Clinton County, Missouri, March 1, 1861, and died July 14, 1892, at Pueblo, Colorado, and is buried in Nyburg Cemetery, Pueblo, Colorado. Two children have been born to this union, Bessie and Jessie.

Thomas N. Haynes, a prominent lawyer of Harrisonville, and former prosecuting attorney of Cass County, is a native son of this county and belongs to one of its pioneer families. Mr. Haynes was born in Polk town¬ ship in 1857, and is son of Nathan and Elizabeth (Howard) Haynes, natives of Surrey County, North Carolina. The Haynes family was founded in North Carolina during Colonial times, their home previously having been in Pennsylvania, and the Howards went from Maryland to North Carolina at a very early day.

Nathan Haynes and Elizabeth Howard were married in North Carolina and in 1844 drove from that state to Missouri, and settled in Johnson County. After remaining there about a year they removed to Jackson County and in 1855 came to Cass County, settling in Polk township, where the father died January 9, 1858. He was born August 3, 1812. The mother died October 13, 1897. She was born September 3, 1820. They were the parents of eight children as follows: Jane, married John Croke and they are both deceased; F. J. served four years in the Confederate army under General Price and is now deceased; Evan, was killed during the Civil war while serving under General Price; Columbus, lives in Polk

Thomas N. Haynes

Nathan Haynes, the father, was an iron-maker and worked at that trade in his native state in early life, but after coming to Missouri he fol¬ lowed farming. After his death the mother and the family remained on the farm in Polk township, until Order No. 11 was issued, when the family removed to Johnson County, While the older boys joined the Confederate army, the mother and the younger members of the family remained in Johnson County but a short time, however, when they returned to their home in Polk township. This was in 1864, before the close of the war, and was a very hazardous move at that time, however it seemed the only course opened to the widowed mother and family of small children, and with an abiding faith in the future, she braved the dangers and returned to her little home regardless of conditions. They found their place stripped of nearly everything of value which was the common fate of the average home in Cass County. After returning, they continued on their place unmolested, strange as it may seem until the close of the war.

Thomas N. Haynes received his early education in the district school which he attended, whenever he could be spared from work on the home farm. Usually his early schooling averaged about four months in the winter and occasionally he was able to attend school during the summer months for a few days at a time, but the principal part of his preparatory education was obtained by self study at home. Later he attended the State Normal School at Warrensburg, then conducted by Dr. Osborn, a scholarly gentleman for whom Mr. Haynes still cherishes the highest regard. He then taught a term of school in Johnson County, after which he returned to the Normal School where he was graduated. After teach¬ ing two terms he entered the Missouri University at Columbia, and was graduated from that institution March 26, 1885. He was then admitted to the bar and after returning to Cass County, was elected clerk of the Circuit Court and at the expiration of his term, he was re-elected to suc¬ ceed himself in 1890, serving until January 1, 1895.

In 1895, Mr. Haynes began the practice of law in Harrisonville, and in 1912 was elected prosecuting attorney of Cass County, in 1914 was re-elected to that office, serving until January 1, 1917, when he resumed his private practice in Harrisonville. Mr. Haynes is a capable lawyer and has had a broad experience of practice in his profession in both the State and Federal courts.

On Juno 22, 1887, Mr. Haynes was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Loo Brierly, a native of Morgan County, Missouri, and a daughter of Henry A. and Lucretia Perry (Bridges) Brierly, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Cooper County, Missouri. For a more extensive history of the Brierly family see sketch of James S. Brierly, elsewhere in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Haynes have been born two children: Lucretia E., married I)r. Earl Whitney, a dental surgeon of Pratt, Kansas; and Mary B., a student in the Harrisonville school.

Mr. Haynes is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Woodmen of the World, and a number of other fraternal insurance orders. He and Mrs. Haynes are members of the Eastern Star and hold membership in the Presbyterian church.

J. M. Hunt, manager of the Hunt Brothers' Milling Company at Pleasant Hill, Missouri, is a descendant of a family who have been millers for generations. He is a native of Jackson County, Missouri, and was born at Lonejack in 1858. His parents were Noah and Nancy (Cave) Hunt, natives of North Carolina. They were the parents of twelve chil¬ dren, as follows: Enoch, died in Texas at the age of forty, and his remains were buried in Lonejack; Gaylin, died in infancy; Alice, married John Hopper and died in Colorado; J. M., the subject of this sketch; J. B., who died February 26, 1917, and is buried at Lonejack; Mrs. Betty Trundle, Big Creek township, Cass County; Mrs. Lutie Rowland, Liberty, Missouri; W. W., Kansas City, Missouri; Ben B., and Robert T., members of the Hunt Brother Milling Company, Pleasant Hill, Missouri; Mrs. Ada Blackwell, Van Buren township, Jackson County, Missouri; and Virginia, who died in infancy. The mother of these children died March 17, 1879. September 13, 1880, the father married Mrs. James R. Travis.

Noah Hunt was born in North Carolina, February 20, 1831. He was brought to Missouri by his parents when he was four years old. He was a son of Nathan Hunt, wrho settled with his family five miles north of Lonejack upon coming to this state, in 1835. Nathan Hunt was also a miller, and shortly after settling near Lonejack built a mill on his place there. This was one of the first gristmills to be erected in that section of the country. It was an old-fashioned treadmill and the pioneers of the early days for miles around brought their corn and wheat there to be converted into flour and meal. Nathan Hunt died about 1875. When Noah Hunt was eighteen years old, he began to operate his father's mill. Two years later he was married and settled about one-half mile west of Lone jack, where he bought a cardingmill from Miller Easly. He built a gristmill in connection with the carding machine, and installed the old-fashioned treadmill power. He operated the carding and grist¬ mill until 1870, when he moved east of Lonejack and built a new grist¬ mill, and also installed a carding machine. This was a steam power mill. Here he remained until his death, November 22, 1908. He was a mem¬ ber of the Baptist Church from 1852 until his death, and was moderator for thirty years, and served as trustee of that church for fifty-six years. His grandfather was a miller in North Carolina.

J. M. Hunt was reared and educated at Lonejack and in early life was associated with his father in the milling business. In 1906 he and his brothers, Ben B. and R. T., purchased their father's interest in the mill at Pleasant Hill, the father having moved his mill from Lonejack to Pleasant Hill in 1897. This mill has been enlarged and modern machin¬ ery installed, until today it is one of the modern milling enterprises of this section of the state, with a daily capacity of one hundred barrels. The Hunt brothers are live, progressive business men and important factors in the commercial and industrial life of Pleasant Hill.

In 1880 J. M. Hunt was united in marriage with Miss Bertha, a daughter of Thomas Williams, a prominent farmer of Lonejack, and to this union the following children have been born: Mrs. Alice Parker, Kansas City, Missouri; Irene, a teacher in the public schools of Pleasant Hill; Noah, employed in the mill with his father; and Helen, a student in the Pleasant Hill High School.

Mr. Hunt is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Inde¬ pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

C. W. Dobbins, of Pleasant Hill, who for several years has been a well-known contractor and builder, was born in Van Buren township, Jackson County, Missouri, August 23, 1866. He is a son of James H. and Mary E. (Denton) Dobbins, natives of Indiana. They were the parents of two children, Eva, married Lee Hawkins, Altamont, Kansas; and C. W., the subject of this sketch. The parents settled in Jackson County, two and one-half miles south of Lone Jack, in 1866. The father was a contractor and also operated a stage line in the early days, about 1874 and 1875, between Pleasant Hill and Harrisonville. This was before the railroads were built or any other kind of a road existed between those points. The trail which the stage followed angled across the prairie regardless of section lines. There was only one bridge, and that was across Rig Creek. Camp Branch and the other streams were crossed at fords. Twenty-four hundred pounds was considered a good load for a span of mules to haul over this road. The passenger rates between Pleasant Hill and Harrisonville were fifty cents to ride on a freight wagon and seventy-five cents by stage, so it will be seen that the idea of excess fare on modern de luxe trains is not altogether a new idea, as the Over¬ land Limited between Pleasant Hill and Harrisonville, charged twentyfive cents extra fare in the early seventies. James H. Dobbins operated as many as twelve teams on this freighting and stage route, and hauled practically all the goods that were used in Harrisonville and in that vicinity. He died in Kansas City, Missouri, in June, 1912, and his remains are buried in Kansas City, Kansas. His wife preceded him in death a number of years, and her remains rest in the Reem's Cemetery, at Lone Jack, Missouri. Her mother, aged ninety-one years, now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Sarah Elmore, at Pleasant Hill.

C. W. Dobbins was educated in the public schools of Pleasant Hill, and, as he says, much of his education was obtained ''behind a team of mules". Mr. Dobbins has been extensively engaged in contracting and building, having made a specialty of road construction and concrete work. He began his career in the employ of James Lillies, on the construction of the Ninth Street cable road in Kansas City, Missouri. In connection with that work he delivered seven thousand yards of stone, which he broke into suitable size for use with a hammer. This was before the advent of the modern method of crushing rock. Mr. Dobbins has con¬ structed all the rock roads which have been built in Cass County up to the present date. These include the Belton Road, two and one-half miles long; the Pleasant Hill Road of four miles, and one mile at Harrisonville. He also constructed seven miles in Jackson County, six miles in Johnson County, Kansas, three and one-half miles in St. Charles County, Missouri, and one and one-half miles in Madison County, Illinois. He built several bridges in Bates, Cass, and Jackson Counties, Missouri, as well as abut¬ ments for many others. He has built over nine miles of concrete walk in Pleasant Hill. Mr. Dobbins also built the City Hall there and several other buildings. He constructed several miles of railroad for the Illinois Central Railroad Company between Paducah and Cairo, five miles of railroad for the Troy and Eastern Madison County Railroad, and four miles for the St. Louis, Memphis and Southeastern Railroad. He is now engaged in the land business, with headquarters at Pleasant Hill.

Mr. Dobbins was married in 1884 to Miss Florence McMullin, who died one year later. In 1888, he was married to Miss Essie Knight, of Pleasant Hill, who died in 1892. Some years later he married Mrs. Sadie Skaggs, also of Pleasant Hill. Mr. Dobbins has one child, born to his second marriage, Mrs. William Bartholomew, who resides in Louisburg, Kansas. Mr. Dobbins takes a keen interest in the welfare of the commun¬ ity, and is a strong advocate of good government. He has never aspired to hold political office, owing to the fact that he has been too busy attend¬ ing to his own private business. He is a strong Pleasant Hill and Cass County booster.

William Clayton Rolley, owner and proprietor of Rolley's Cash Gro¬ cery, is one of the progressive business men of Pleasant Hill. Mr. Rolley was born in Pleasant Hill, April 14, 1875, and is a son of Charles W. and Florence Elizabeth (Lawson) Rolley. The father was born in Henry County, Illinois, August 8, 1850. When seventeen years of age he came to Missouri with an uncle, William Bowman. They came overland and located in Pleasant Hill. Charles W. Rolley was a cabinet maker and shortly after coming here entered the employ of McFarland, a pioneer merchant of that place. Later Mr. Rolley engaged in contracting and building, and built many residences in Pleasant Hill and vicinity during the course of his career. His last work was G. M. Smith's residence in Pleasant Hill township. He died April 21, 1910, and his widow now resides in Pleasant Hill. She was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, August 8, 1853, and when four years of age came to Missouri with her mother. They came by boat from Ohio to Kansas City and from there by stage to Pleasant Hill, where they located permanently.

Charles W. and Florence Elizabeth (Lawson) Rolley were the parents of the following children, all of whom were born at Pleasant Hill: Mrs. Fred Glover, Magnolia, Illinois ; Mrs. F. J. Yonkers, Pleasant Hill, Missouri ; H. T., Marion, Kansas; Mrs. J. P. Alcorn, Sedalia, Missouri; Mrs. E. A. Morrison, Lees Summit ; Clark, Pleasant Hill ; Frank, Pleasant Hill ; Howard, Pleasant Hill; and William Clayton, the subject of this sketch.

William Clayton Rolley was reared and educated in Pleasant Hill, and in 1898 engaged in business at that place. One year later he sold out and entered the employ of the Fred Harvey Company, and for two years was in the employ of that concern in Arizona and California. In 1901 he returned to Pleasant Hill and engaged in the restaurant business

In April, 1914, William C. Rolley engaged in the cash grocery busi¬ ness at Pleasant Hill, which he has successfully conducted up to the present time. He is one of the live merchants of Pleasant Hill, and by honest methods and square dealing has, in a remarkably short time, won the confidence of the public and become one of the leading merchants of Pleasant Hill.

Mr. Rolley was married in 1905 to Miss Margaret May Tupes, daugh¬ ter of D. B. Tupes, of Raymore, Missouri. Mr. Rolley is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

Dr. Geo. T. Rowe, for years a prominent druggist of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, was a native of Michigan. He was born in 1852 and died Decem¬ ber 22, 1916 and was buried in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Doctor Rowe was a son of Henry W. and Susan (Jacobs) Rowe, natives of New York, both of whom were born in 1820. The family came to Cass County, Mis¬ souri, in 1866 and settled one mile south of Pleasant Hill on a farm of two hundred forty acres which the father bought at that time for twentyfive dollars per acre. A part of this place is still owned by his two sons, E. E. and H. C. The father followed farming there until his death in 1881. His wife died the same year. They were the parents of four children, as follows: Allen, who died in 1867; E. E., farmer, Pleasant Hill township; Geo. T., the subject of this sketch; and H. C., farmer, Pleasant Hill town¬ ship.

Geo. T. Rowe attended the public schools in Michigan and after com¬ ing to this state attended school at Pleasant Hill. He remained on the home farm until 1881 when he engaged in the grocery business, which he followed about a year. He then took up the study of pharmacy and in 1882 and 1883 attended the Homeopathic School of Medicine at St. Louis, Missouri. He practiced medicine about a year but did not like it and for the last thirty-three years conducted a drug store in Pleasant Hill, being one of the leading druggists of Cass County.

Dr. Rowe was married in 1876 to Miss Alberta Burr, daughter of Albert Burr, of Galena, Kansas. To this union was born one child, Nellie C., now the wife of L. H. Noll, Kansas City, Missouri. The wife and mother died in 1881. In 1887 Dr. Rowe married Miss Grace Kellogg, daughter of George M. Kellogg, proprietor of the far-famed Kellogg Greenhouse of Pleasant Hill. Three children were born to this union, as follows: Fred,

Mr. Rowe had been a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons at Pleasant Hill for over twenty-five years. He was well known and prominent in the community. Mrs. Rowe is one of Cass County's most highly esteemed women.

W. H. Hon, a prominent farmer of Pleasant Hill township, was born in Bath County, Kentucky, in 1849. He is a son of John C. and Elizabeth L. (Hawkins) Hon, both natives of Bath County, Kentucky. In 1855, when W. H. Hon was about six years old, the family came to Missouri and settled in Pleasant Hill township, Cass County, where the father bought one hundred and eighty-three acres of land, for which he paid eighteen dollars per acre. The old brick house is still standing on the place but has long since ceased to serve as a residence. It was built about 1842. The bricks were manufactured on the place by John Farmer. When the Hon family came to Cass County they drove through from Kentucky with "prairie schooners". The trip required about six weeks. They had two wagons and the mother drove a horse and carriage.

To John C. and Elizabeth L. (Hawkins) Hon were born the following children: Sarah J., Pleasant Hill, Missouri; Miranda Ellen, Pleasant Hill, Missouri; Julia Ann, deceased; Mary Lorenda, deceased; Minerva Alice, Kansas City, Missouri; Jerry V., Pleasant Hill; and W. H., the subject of this sketch.

W. H. Hon was educated in the public schools of Cass County and later attended Asbury College now DePauw University, Greencastle, Indi¬ ana, for two years. He then engaged in farming which has been his chief occupation up to the present time. He has been unusually successful in the pursuit of that industry and now owns two hundred acres of splendid land, which are a part of the old homestead, besides four hundred acres all of which, except a small portion, are located in Peculiar township.

Mr. Hon was married in 1874 to Miss Dolly Farmer. She died in 1876 leaving one child, John, who now lives at Red Rock, Noble County, Okla¬ homa. In 1884 W. H. Hon was united in marriage with Miss Lulu W. Jones, a native of Kentucky, and seven children have been born to this union: Etta May, married Josh McClintock, Peculiar township; Dolly H., married Walter Brannock, Peculiar township; Bessie, married Wendland Moore, Pleasant Hill township; Robert J., Harris H., Elmer and Howard Cecil, all residing at home.

Mr. Hon takes a commendable interest in local affairs and has always been ready and willing to aid any worthy enterprise. He has served as justice of the peace and township trustee of Peculiar township.

Allen Boyd Brannoek. assistant cashier of the Citizens Bank at Pleasant Hill, is a native of Cass County and a member of one of the pioneer families of this section of the state. He was born February 3, 1881, and is a son of Charles W. and Henrietta (Arnold) Brannoek. Charles W. Brannoek was born in Kentucky in 1854 and came to Cass County with his parents when he was six years of age. The family settled in Big Creek township where Charles W. grew to manhood and followed farming throughout his life. He made a specialty of raising saddle horses and was very successful in this line of endeavor. When Order No. 11 was issued, in order to escape the hardships which it imposed, the family returned to Kentucky, but after the war, came back to Cass County. Charles W. Brannoek died in September, 1913. His wife, Henrietta Arnold, is a native of Cass County and a daughter of George A. Arnold, a pioneer of Big Creek township. Mrs. Brannoek now resides at Pleasant Hill. To Charles W. and Henrietta (Arnold) Brannoek were born seven children, as follow's: Allen B., the subject of this sketch; Raymond, died at the age of four; Bessie, died at the age of twenty-four; Walker, a fanner, Pleasant Hill township; Anna May, married Ernest Bailey, Pleasant Hill, Missouri; Burneta, who resides at Pleasant Hill with her mother; and Charles F., a merchant of Pleasant Hill.

Allen B. Brannoek received his education in the district schools of Cass County, attending the Judy school, which was the same school which his mother attended in her girlhood days. He also attended the Pleasant Hill High School. After leaving school he accepted a position as book¬ keeper in the Pleasant Hill Bank for one year. Mr. Brannoek then went to Kansas City, Missouri, where he was engaged in the transfer business for five years. Returning to Cass County he was engaged in farming for five years, until 1912, when he entered the employ of the Commercial Bank of Pleasant Hill, as assistant cashier. He was with that institution until January 1, 1916, when he accepted the assistant cashiership of the Citizens Bank of Pleasant Hill. He is still serving in that capacity.

Mr. Brannoek was married February 28, 1911 to Miss Nannie, daugh¬ ter of William Lucas, of Monmouth, Kansas. Mr. Brannoek is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Jewell Lodge No. 480.

Samuel Newton Gordon, of Pleasant Hill, has for many years been prominently identified with the business interests of that locality. He was born in Montgomery County, Missouri in 1868, and is a son of Philip D. and Mary Elizabeth (Schultz) Gordon, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Pennsylvania. Philip D. Gordon came to Missouri in 1865 when about eighteen years of age. He first located in St. Louis and later went to Montgomery County, where he engaged in farming. He died in 1891 at the age of sixty-three. His widow now resides in Los Angeles, California. They were the parents of three children, all of whom are living, as follows: Samuel N., the subject of this sketch; Lela, married Rev. E. P. Ryland of Los Angeles, California; and Harry, Los Angeles, California.

Samuel N. Gordon was educated in the public schools of Montgomery County, the Pleasant Hill High School, and Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri. He then took a course in the School of Pharmacy at St. Louis. He then entered the employ of Dr. F. T. Buckner and was with him from 1886 to 1891. He engaged in the drug business on Wyom¬ ing Street, Pleasant Hill and for twenty-four years conducted business there, when he sold out to James T. Lain, a young man who had been in his employ as clerk for sometime and who still continues the business.

Mr. Gordon was married in 1900 to Miss Grace Craig. She is a daughter of Perry Craig, a Cass County pioneer who settled near Cole¬ man before the Civil War. He died in Los Angeles, California, in 1914.

Mr. Gordon takes an active and commendable part in the local affairs of his town and county. He served as city treasurer for eight years and in 1909 was elected mayor of Pleasant Hill and re-elected in 1911. Mr. Gordon thus gave the city two successful and efficient administrations.

He is a director of the Citizens Bank of Pleasant Hill and has held that position more than six years. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, having been made a Mason in 1889. He is the owner of one of the cozy and comfortable homes of Pleasant Hill, which is located on Lake Avenue and was formerly the residence of Dr. J. L. Warden.

John Chester Pelsor, the veteran wagon-maker of Pleasant Hill, is a native of Franklin County, Indiana. He was born at Brookville in 1837, a son of John and Dorothy B. (Morgan) Pelsor. The father was a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and his father was a Virginian who, at a very early day, migrated to Kentucky and from there to Ohio. When he made the trip from Virginia to Kentucky he frequently was compelled to seek the protection of the forts at night as the country was then infested with hostile Indians. He was accompanied by a brother who was killed by the Indians, on the Ohio river, while he was navigating a raft along that stream. Dorothy B. Morgan, the mother of our subject, was a native of Indiana, born a few miles south of Brookville.

John Chester Pelsor was one of a family of seven children, as follows: Tracy, died in a hospital at Quincy, Illinois, during the Civil War, while in the service; Angeline, lives in Schuyler County, Illinois; Emeline, deceased ; Mary, deceased ; Elvira, deceased ; Olive, lives at Mondamin, Iowa; and John Chester, the subject of this sketch.

Mr. Pelsor was educated in both private and public schools at Brook¬ ville, Indiana, and also attended school in Illinois. At the age of twentyfive he enlisted in Company A, Eighty-fourth Regiment, Illinois Infantry. His regiment saw service in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama and took part in many important engagements of the Civil War, including Perryville and Stone River. During the latter engagement it was under fire from Monday morning until Saturday evening. Mr. Pelsor entered the service as a private in the infantry and was later detailed to the pioneer brigade and pontoon service and about the time of the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, he was transferred to the First United States Veteran Volunteer Engineers and promoted to artificer the same day. He was the only one that received this promotion in the battalion. He was mustered out of service June 30, 1865, after having served three years lacking one month and eleven days.

In 1868 Mr. Pelsor came to Missouri and settled in Old Town, Pleasant Hill and for seven years wras in the employ of Mr. Jackson, who conducted a wagon shop there. In 1875 he bought out his employer and moved the shop to its present location and since that time has been engaged in the manufacture of carriages and wagons. Mr. Pelsor has also done an exten¬ sive repairing business. He has built one hundred twenty-five wagons in addition to his repair work.

Mr. Pelsor was married in 1860 to Mary C. Misener of Macomb, Illi¬ nois, and to this union have been born six children, but one of whom is living, Guy, who resides at Pleasant Hill. Mr. Pelsor is one of the suc¬ cessful business men of Pleasant Hill and has accumulated considerable property. He owns three residences and it may be truthfully said of him that his career has been a successful one both as a soldier and a citizen. Mr. Pelsor is a member of the Masonic lodge and holds mem¬ bership in the Christian church. He has served a number of terms on the city council and has also been a member of the local school board. He is now in his eighty-first year and has seen many changes during his forty-nine years of residence in Cass County.

Walker R. Brannock, one of the best known livestock dealers in Cass County, has been successfully engaged in that business at Pleasant Hill and vicinity for many years. Mr. Brannock was born in Cynthiana, Har¬ rison County, Kentucky, in 1847. He is a son of W. A. and Louisa (Colvin) Brannock, both natives of Kentucky and descendants of pioneer settlers of that state. The mother died when Walker R. was eight months old, and the father passed away at Pleasant Hill, Missouri, in 1903, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of three chil¬ dren, as follows: C. W., who spent his life in the vicinity of Pleasant Hill, and is now deceased; E. L., who resides west of Pleasant Hill; and Walker R., the subject of this sketch.

Walker R. Brannock came to Missouri in 1856, when he was nine years old, accompanying his grandfather, James Brannock, who settled at Chapel Hill. There was a Presbyterian school at that place and here Walker R. Brannock received the greater portion of his education. This little institution is famous for having had among its students many men who in later life attained national reputation. Senator Cockerell was a student there and also Joseph Mercer attended that institution.

Mr. Brannock, whose name introduces this sketch, saw brief but active service in the Civil War. When General Price and his army were on the march to Westport, young Brannock, then a youth just a little past sixteen, fell in line with the advancing army in the vicinity of Pleasant Hill and was with the soldiers two days and nights but was not in the battle. After that engagement he returned to his home and soon after¬ wards returned to Kentucky where he remained until the close of the war. Mr. Brannock relates many incidents that took place during the early days of the Civil War. Some of these stories are amusing, some serious and all are interesting. He tells of one occasion when Col. D. R. Anthony with three hundred Federal soldiers stopped at his father's place, near Pleasant Hill, over night. The officers of the command remained in the Brannock residence over night while the men slept in the barn and around the hay stacks. Mr. Brannock, Sr., was known to be a strong southern sympathizer. However, he entertained the Federal officers in a most hospitable manner. He had a barrel of old Kentucky whisky in his cellar and dispensed toddies freely among his guests. The next morning, when the troopers departed, in appreciation of their treatment they left Mr. Brannock's place and stock undisturbed. At that time he had about twenty head of horses which conspicuously lined themselves along the fence by the road as the troops rode by. They no doubt were a great temptation to the soldiers as they needed the horses very much. This is evidenced by the fact that they stopped at Squire Hockaday's place about two miles south and took every horse that he had, notwithstanding the fact that he was a Union man. Mr. Brannock says that in this particular instance an ample supply of Kentucky rye made a very satisfactory substitute for loyalty to the Union. W. A. Brannock had two brothers who served in the Confederate army under General Shelby. They were Prof. J. P. and T. Y. Brannock of Nevada, Missouri. Both were captured at Marshall, Missouri, and confined in the Federal military prison at Rock Island.

Mr. Brannock engaged in farming and stock raising in early life and for the past thirty-four years has dealt extensively in live stock, having handled about one hundred car loads a year. During these years he has noted a wide range of prices of live stock. He has bought hogs as low as one dollar and seventy-five cents per hundred, and sold them, delivered at the St. Louis market, for two dollars and forty-five cents per hundred. Compared with the present market price of sixteen dollars and thirty cents at Kansas City, Missouri, there is a wide difference. Mr. Brannock is also known as a successful horseman, particularly in training fast horses. He broke "Ned Forest", sire of Edwin Forest, who made a mark of 2: 11 f at Tarrytown, New York, at a time when that was considered a fast mark. This horse sold for sixteen thousand dollars. W. K. Vanderbilt was the purchaser. Later Mr. Vanderbilt sold him to Mr. Bonner, who retired him from the track.

In 1873 Walker R. Brannock was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Arnold of Big Creek township. She is a daughter of George B. and Mary Arnold, natives of Garrard County, Kentucky, and very early settlers in Cass County. The Arnold family came to this county in 1852 and settled near Pleasant Hill. They came up the Missouri river by boat as far as Westport Landing. Mrs. Brannock was five years old when her parents settled in Cass County. George B. Arnold had a brother, Isaac Arnold, who served as county treasurer of Cass County and was a Confederate veteran. Two other brothers, Alexander and David, also served in the Confederate army. George B. Arnold died in 1914, aged ninety-two years. His wife preceded him in death a number of years, having passed away in

1888, aged fifty-nine years. They were the parents of ten children as fol¬ lows: Jennie, the wife of Walker R. Brannock, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Lena Whitsitt, Hereford, Texas ; Isaac, contractor, Kansas City, Mis¬ souri; Robert, who resides on the old Arnold homestead near Pleasant Hill; William, who died at the age of twenty-two; Mrs. Etta Brannock, Pleasant Hill ; Charles F., a commission merchant, Kansas City ; Mrs. May Thompson, Kansas City; Mrs. Burnie Guyton, Pleasant Hill; and George C., Alto, New Mexico.

W. S. Sloan was born in Polk township, Cass County, October 26, 1839. He is a descendant of one of the very early pioneer families of Cass County. His parents were J. X. and Martha (Wethers) Sloan, both natives of Indiana.

J. (X. Sloan and wife came to Missouri in 1830 and settled near Inde¬ pendence, Jackson County. About three years later they removed to what is now Cass County but at that time Van Buren. J. X. Sloan died in 1891, his wife having preceded him in death several years. She died January 1, 1849 and their remains rest in Sloan Cemetery. This ceme¬ tery was laid out by J. X. Sloan in 1848 and the first to be buried there was the body of his son, Newton Sloan. The following year, 1849, another son, Albert, and the mother were laid to rest in that cemetery.

W. S. Sloan was one of a family of ten children, three of whom are now living, born to J. X. and Martha (Wethers) Sloan, as follows: Mrs. Labesta Jane King, Wichita, Texas; W. S., the subject of this sketch, and R. W., of Pleasant Hill, Missouri. Those deceased are Cynthia A. Storms, who died in 1905 ; Mary G. Hinshaw, who died in 1906 ; Archibald Newton; Mrs. Eliza James, who died in 1896; Albert; Martha, who died in 1848, age one year; and Amanda, who died in infancy. After the death of the mother of these children, the father married Prudence Milton and the following child was born to this union: J. X. Sloan, of Joplin, Mis¬ souri.

W. S. Sloan was reared in Cass County and educated in a private school. He has made farming the principal occupation of his life and he says that since he began his career as a farmer not a year has passed but that he has followed the plow. He was married in 1863 to Miss Nannie E. Temple, a daughter of Augustus and Sarah (Oldham) Temple and to this union have been born the following children: William Richard,

Ingalls, Kansas; Charles F., Pleasant Hill, Missouri; Mrs. May Jennings, (train Valley, Missouri; James Walter, Pleasant Hill, Missouri; Mattie Hell, who died at the age of live; and Leonard, Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

W. S. Sloan was here during the Civil War. He served in the Home Guards and did considerable service with that organization. He often had to go to Pleasant Hill to do guard duty and at one time served under Colonel Nugent for six months, although he was never regularly enlisted.

Mr. Sloan's farm is located in Pleasant Hill and Polk townships. He makes his home with his son James W., who operates the home place. James W. was married in 1898 to Miss Vivian E. Ward, daughter of David M. Ward of Kansas City, Kansas. They have two children, Tod and Ray.

Sterling Price Fleming, judge of the north district of Cass County, is a native of Texas. He was born at Waco, August 10, 1862, and is a son of James Harrison and Martha S. (Simpson) Fleming. The father, James Harrison Fleming, was born in Kentucky in 1825 and came from Illinois to Cass County, Missouri, several years before the war. In 1849 he joined the host of gold seekers who went across the plains and over the mountains to California and, after spending some time there, returned. Mr. Fleming located in Pleasant Hill township on what is now the Thornton place and a few years later removed to Belton, where he followed farming. He later returned to Pleasant Hill, where he died in 1878. His wife, Martha S. Simpson, was a native of Missouri and a daughter of George Simpson, a Jackson County pioneer. After the death of her father, her mother married Capt. Thomas Thomas of Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

To James Harrison Fleming and wife were born the following chil¬ dren: Richard S., who was born in 1855 and died in 1879; Mrs. Ada Farmer, Pleasant Hill, Missouri; Henry Clay, who was born in 1859; Pleasant Hill, Missouri; Sterling Price, the subject of this sketch; David Samuel, who was born in 1865 ; Nannie Margaret, died at the age of three years; and Nellie May, who died in infancy. When the Civil War broke out, the Fleming family removed to Texas. David Fleming, a brother of James Harrison, enlisted in the Confederate army and was killed during an engagement in Arkansas.

Sterling Price Fleming, the subject of this sketch, and his two brothers, Henry Clay and David Samuel, own and operate what is known as the "Valley View Stock Farm", which they have successfully conducted for more than twenty-two years. This farm consists of four hundred twenty-five acres of fertile bottom land, located on Big Creek, two miles southeast of Pleasant Hill. The Fleming brothers make a specialty of Shorthorn cattle and rank among the leading breeders in this section of the state. For years they have been uniformly successful as prize win¬ ners at county fairs and similar stock exhibitions. The "Valley View Stock Farm" is one of the ideal places of Cass County. The place is equipped with all modern methods of handling cattle, including two large silos and other conveniences in thorough keeping with the advanced ideas of modern stockmen.

Judge Fleming was elected judge of the county court for the north district of Cass County in 1914 and re-elected to that office in 1916. He is capable and conscientious in the performance of the duties which devolve upon him as county judge and in that capacity, as well as in private affairs, he has won the confidence of his neighbors and fellow-citizens. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Mod¬ ern Woodmen of America and the Central Protective Association.

J. R. Vandeventer, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Grand River township is a native of Illinois. He was born in Stevenson County, May 22, 1853, and is a son of James and Jane (Sprowles) Vandeventer, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Ohio. They located in Stevenson County, Illinois, at an early day when that section of the country was wild and unbroken and considered on the frontier. Their first home there was a log house. They remained in Illinois until 1866, when they came to Cass County, Missouri, and settled five miles south of Harrisonville in Grand River township. The father was engaged in farm¬ ing and stock raising and met with more than ordinary success in his undertaking. He bought land from time to time and at the time of his death, he owned over eight hundred acres of some of the best land in Cass County. He was a man who was firm in his convictions and would sacrifice everything for what he believed was right. He opposed the Cass County bond business from the start and fought it to a finish. He was a member of the Baptist church and a lifelong Republican. He died March 8, 1888 at the age of sixty-nine years and his wife departed this life in 1903 at the age of eightj^-two. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom grew to maturity as follows: Elizabeth, married John Bodenhammer and died at Columbus, Kansas; James, Jr., lives in Lincoln County, Kansas; Rebecca, married David R. Hutchison of Grand River township and is now deceased, and J. R., the subject of this sketch.

J. R. Vandeventer was educated in the public schools of Illinois and Cass County. The first school which he attended in Cass County was held in the brick house in Harrisonville which has since been remodeled into a residence and is now known as the Doctor Beady property. Mr. Vandeventer has been engaged in farming and stock raising since boy¬ hood and has been unusually successful in this line of endeavor. He owns about four hundred acres of land, the same being a part of the old home¬ stead, five miles south of Harrisonville. His son resides on the place and Mr. Vandeventer lives in Harrisonville but supervises the farming opera¬ tions on his place.

In 1875, Mr. Vandeventer was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Holloway of Cass County. She is a daughter of Lawson and Mahala (Jackson) Holloway. The father was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, and the mother was a native of Jackson County, Missouri. She was a daughter of Rev. John Jackson, a pioneer Baptist minister of Missouri. Mrs. Vandeventer's father settled in Cass County about 1831. He was a successful farmer and stockman and died in 1879. His wife died three days after his demise.

To Mr. and Mrs. Vandeventer have been born three children as fol¬ lows: Archie D., resides on the home place in Grand River township; Della A., the wife of Will Russell, Grand River township; and Amy H., married William A. Simmons, Louisville, Kentucky.

Mr. Vandeventer is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel¬ lows and is a Republican. He and his wife belong to the Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Vandeventer have traveled quite extensively and frequently spend the winter seasons in Florida. In 1906 they took a two years' trip through old Mexico, the Pacific coast and the northwest and every time they return to Cass County, Mr. Vandeventer says that Missouri looks a little better to him than it did when he went away.

James A. Prater, better known to his friends and acquaintances, who are legion, as "Jim" Prater, is a former sheriff of this county and an early settler here. "Jim" Prater was born in Fleming County, Kentucky, in 1858, and is son of Allen and Marenda (Hawkins) Prater, both natives of

The Prater family came to Missouri in 1866 and for a time lived near Pleasant Hill, when they removed to West Peculiar township where the father was engaged in fanning until his death in 1884. He was prominent in local affairs in his community during his life time and was especially interested in church work. He was an elder in the Christian church at Peculiar for a number of years and later was identified with the West Union Christian church in which he was also an elder. During the Civil war he cast his lot with the Confederacy, serving throughout that great conflict with Kentucky troops under the command of Generals Morgan and Jackson. His wife, who was a devout member of the Christian church and a consistent Christian, died in 1874.

Allen and Marenda (Hawkins) Prater, were the parents of the fol¬ lowing children, of whom James A., the subject of this sketch is the only survivor: Milfred E., served four years in the Confederate army under the command of Generals Jackson and Lee, in the army of Tennessee and Virginia; Wallace W., spent his life on a farm near Pleasant Hill; Isaac H., died in Kansas City; Elizabeth married Andrew Stultz, and spent her life in Wisconsin ; Charles Marshall, died in early manhood ; and Ida Belle, married Alonzo Woods and they are both deceased ; and James A., the sub¬ ject of this sketch.

Mr. Prater received his education in the public schools of Cass County. He was less than twenty years of age when his father died and at that time he engaged in farming and stock-raising on his own account in the vicinity of Pleasant Hill. Mr. Prater has been identified with the Demo¬ cratic party since boyhood and has always taken an active part in politics. He served as constable of Pleasant Hill township for a time, and when Sid J. Hamilton became sheriff, January 1, 1907, Mr. Prater was appointed deputy and served in that capacity for six years. In November, 1912, he was elected sheriff of Cass County, serving until January 1, 1917. Dur¬ ing his incumbency in the offices of deputy sheriff and sheriff of Cass County, which covered a period of ten years, Mr. Prater was a fearless and capable officer and won the reputation for honest law enforcement, without fear or favor. At the expiration of his term of office he moved to his farm, one and a half miles west of Harrisonville, where he now resides. It is one of the attractive and valuable places of Cass County, within con¬ venient distance of Harrisonville, and here Mr. Prater is engaged in gen¬ eral farming and dairying on a moderate scale.

In 1878 Mr. Prater was united in marriage with Miss Mattie Bledsoe, a native of Cass County, and a daughter of Abram Bledsoe, a pioneer of western Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Prater have been born the following children: Willie May, married William Lawson and died, leaving four children, Garland, resides in St. Louis with an aunt, Nellie May, Minnie Opal and James Wilson, reside with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs.

Prater; Minnie, married William Nichols, a commission merchant of St. Ix)uis, Missouri; Nellie, married John Brierly, an employe of Emery Bird & Thayer, Kansas City, Missouri; and Ben D., a civil engineer, who is now county surveyor of Cass County.