Cass County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1917 (part 5 of 15)

William E. Walton, who now resides at Butler, Bates County, Mis¬ souri, is much interested in the preservation of the western Missouri history, and is largely interested in Cass County. He is a descendant from old-time Missouri stock on both sides of his family. His mother's father, Samuel Turley, moved from Madison County, Kentucky, and set¬ tled near Boonville, Missouri, in 1813. They did not come by railway nor automobile, but by flatboat and ox wagon. His mother was born in Cooper County, Missouri, in 1824. His father, William P. Walton, settled in Missouri in 1837, coming from old Virginia. His parents were married in 1840, and the subject of this sketch was born in 1842. Thus he became a double Missourian and claims that he "must be shown."

Mr. Walton's first wife was Nellie Kincaid, a native of Cass County, who, with her parents, moved from Cass County by reason of Order No. 11. Mr. Walton has resided at Butler since 1870. He has been a suc¬ cessful business man and has amassed a fortune by his own thrift and energy. He largely owns and controls one of the largest and most sub¬ stantial banks and trust companies in Missouri. These institutions are located at Butler, Missouri. Mr. Walton's high standing and character is well known throughout the business and social circles of Missouri, and profoundly respected and accepted throughout the country. Largely by his push and energy western Missouri is what it is today.

Edward Webber, a pioneer business man of Cass County, was born September 9, 1844, a native of England. In 1855 came with his father's family to America, settling in Livingston County, Illinois. He was edu¬ cated in Will County, Illinois; came to Missouri in 1872, and spent two years in Bates County; returned to Illinois, where he spent ten months, then back to Missouri, locating at Harrisonville, where he entered the restaurant business. loiter he became the proprietor of the Blair House, then the leading hotel. In 1878 he added the livery business and estab¬ lished the first bus line.

Mr. Webber married Marietta Van Riper, January 29, 1872. He was a lay reader in the Episcopal church. He died in Harrisonville about 1885, survived by his widow and three children, all of whom are living. Mrs. Webber is highly beloved by a wide circle of acquaintances and is one of the grand old ladies of Cass County. She resides at Harrisonville. The children born to Edward Webber and wife, are: Cora May, married Charles L. Harris, prominent Republican of Harrisonville, and former newspaper man and postmaster of that place for many years. Arthur Leroy Webber, editor of "Cass County Leader" for the past fifteen years, married Mary Belle Doron, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Doron, former residents of Harrisonville, now residing in Celina, Ohio; and Edward Earl Webber, assistant superintendent of shoe factory, Ft. Dodge, Iowa, married Virginia Christopher, daughter of W. C. Christopher, justice of the peace and formerly a prominent merchant of Harrisonville.

Rev. Abner H. Deane, who departed this life November 18, 1912, was one of the pioneer ministers of Cass County, and deserves due recog¬ nition in a work of this character. He was born in Bracken County, Kentucky, January 27, 1828, and was one of a family of seventeen chili dren. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, his grandfather, Michael Deane, having come to this country from the north of Ireland in 1774. The name of his father was John T. Deane, who for more than half a century preached the gospel in the state of Kentucky.

When Rev. Abner H. Deane was fourteen years old his parents moved to Breckenridge County, Kentucky. Here he was converted at the age of sixteen years and joined the Lost Run Baptist church. He removed to Woodard County, in the same state. While there he mar¬ ried Sarah A. Manning, in 1851. Five years after the marriage they left Kentucky and came to Missouri. They reached Independence on March 20, 1856. The following September they moved to Austin, Cass County.

Army, and was immediately commissioned major of his battalion. He served two years and was then mustered out. When he returned home in the summer of 1863, he found his children motherless, his wife having died a few months before his discharge. He soon took up again the work of the ministry. As in the beginning, his efforts were signally blessed. For fifty years he did the work of pastor and evangelist. In some of his pastorates he served as long as twenty years. During his long ministry he baptized in all three thousand, two hundred and eightytwo people, and married more than two thousand couples.

Maria McCowan became his wife in June, 1863. He left three sons, Edward W., Harrisonville ; John M., Harrissonville ; and George, resides in Kansas City.

Charles Bird, a prominent real estate and loan man of Harrisonville, Missouri, is a native of Ohio. He was born near Lancaster, Fairfield County, November 12, 1861, and is a son of David P. and Elizabeth (Young) Bird, both natives of Ohio, the former of Guernsey, and the latter of Fairfield County. The Bird family is of German descent, and was founded in America during Colonial times.

David Bird came to Cass County with his family in 1869. He bought a farm near Gunn City, where he was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising until his death, May 9, 1900. His wife died January 28, 1911. They were the parents of five children, three girls and two boys.

Charles Bird was educated in the public schools of Ohio and Cass County, and later attended the- Fort Scott Normal School, at Fort Scott, Kansas. He began teaching in Cass County in 1887, and taught school until 1894, when he was elected clerk of the circuit court of Cass County, and re-elected to succeed himself in that office in 1898. At the expira¬ tion of his second term, Mr. Bird engaged in the hardware business at Harrisonville in partnership with Will Clemments. Three years later he sold his interest to his partner and engaged in the real estate and loan business, and is one of the leading real estate men in Cass County today. He handles both town and farm property and many important real estate transactions are handled through his agency.

Mr. Bird was married March 6, 1892, to Miss Ellis Hudson, a daugh¬ ter of Dr. Hudson, of Olathe, Kansas. She was born near Gunn City, Missouri, October 19, 1873. To Mr. and Mrs. Bird have been born the following children: Harry Hudson, private secretary of Frank Phillips, a banker at Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Forest D., manager for the United States Tire Company, Louisville, Kentucky; and Charles Urless, resides at home with his parents.

Ed. F. Kennedy, owner and proprietor of the New Method Laundry at llarrisonville, started the first steam laundry in this city, over twenty years ago, and, in fact, is the only man who ever has conducted a steam laundry here. Mr. Kennedy is a native of Cass County and was bom live miles north of llarrisonville, December 17, 1875. He is a son of William and Nannie (Lowery) Kennedy, the former a native of Ken¬ tucky, and the latter of Illinois, both of whom came to Missouri with their respective parents. William Kennedy, the father, was a farmer and was also interested in operating a threshing machine and saw-mill while he lived in Cass County. He now resides at Yellow Jacket, Colorado. He and his wife are the parents of four children, as follows: Ed. F., the subject of this sketch; Zed, lives at Kansas City, Missouri; Minnie, mar¬ ried C. L. Plain, agent for the Missouri Pacific Railroad at Harrisonville ; and J. W., who resides at Yellow Jacket, Colorado, with his parents.

Ed. F. Kennedy was educated in the public schools of Harrisonville, his parents having moved here when he was eight years old. When a boy he worked at various pursuits until he was twenty-one years old, when he and J. I. Long entered into partnership and organized the Har¬ risonville Steam Laundry. This was the first steam laundry in the town. It was located on Pearl street, three doors east of the postoffice. About a year later Mr. Kennedy took in another partner, G. M. Maupin, who succeeded Mr. Long in the business. This partner had been conducting a hand laundry and the partnership consolidated all the laundries in the town. Some time after this Mr. Kennedy bought his partners interest and since that time has been the individual owner of the business. His laundry was located in the Battie building for a time when he took a six vear lease on a concrete building which was built specially for his occu¬ pancy. This lease expired in May, 1915, when Mr. Kennedy purchased the building where his laundry is now located. It is a two-story building with basement, with a frontage of twenty-five feet and fifty feet deep. He has one of the best equipped modem steam laundries to be found any¬ where. One of Mr. Kennedy's hobbies is machinery and when anything new develops in the laundry business in the way of machinery he can't resist the temptation of buying and installing one in his laundry and this accounts for his plant being up to the minute in every detail. He employs about nine people in his laundry and does an extensive business, not only in Harrison ville, but sends work out to a number of adjacent towns.

Mr. Kennedy was married in 1903 to Miss Ethel Woods, of Cass County, a daughter of J. J. Woods, who now resides at Pen Dennis, Kan¬ sas. To Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy have been born three children as follows : Edward Lyle, Don Woods and Claude Eldrid.

Mr. Kennedy is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Woodmen of the World, Knights and Ladies of Security and Mystic Work¬ ers of the World. He is a Democrat and takes a keen interest in political affairs and has served as city alderman for four years. He and his wife are members of the Christian church in which he is a deacon and superin¬ tendent of the Bible school.

Swimpfield Eidson, a Civil War veteran, and one of the honored pioneers of Cass County, is a native of Tennessee. He was born in Han¬ cock County, in 1837, and is a son of John and Malinda (Kyle) Eidson, both natives of Tennessee, and of old southern stock.

Swimpfield Eidson was reared in his native state, receiving a good common school education and from early life had a natural liking for horses, of which he was an exceptionally good judge. He gradually became quite an extensive horse dealer and has probably bought and sold more horses than any other man in Cass County. He came to Cass County in 1870, and engaged in farming and stockraising, giving special attention to horses, and while engaged in farming his attention was also directed to dealing in horses. His farm which consisted of two hundred and fiftythree acres was located about six miles west of Harrisonville. After he disposed of his farm, he invested in a livery stable which he conducted for a number of years in Harrisonville. He also owned a farm south of Harrisonville. He was also superintendent of the county farm for a few years. He now owns business property in Harrisonville, where he has a splendid modern residence and is living in retirement after an active and successful business career.

When the Civil War broke out he was a man of decided southern con¬ victions and in 1862 he enlisted in Company F. Sixteenth Tennessee Cavalry. He wTas commissioned lieutenant of his company and served throughout the war with distinction. He fought under General Morgan

Mr. Eidson was married in 187G to Mrs. Sarah Ford Eidson, widow of his brother, John Eidson. Mrs. Eidson was a native of Tennessee and a daughter of Bevelry Ford, a prominent politician of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Eidson were the parents of seven children, two of whom are liv¬ ing as follows: Nelia, married Charles VV. Right; and Charles D. Eidson, of Harrisonville.

J. N. Hargis, now deceased, was the pioneer banker of Belton and a potent force in the early affairs of Cass County. He was a native of Missouri, born in 1820. The Hargis family is of French origin and was founded in Virginia at an early day. Later six brothers migrated from Virginia to Kentucky, one of whom was killed by the Indians and another one captured. One of these brothers, who later came to Howard County, Missouri, was the father of J. N. Hargis.

J. N. Hargis grew to manhood in Howard County, Missouri, and dur¬ ing his boyhood endured the many hardships incident to those early pioneer days. He related that he often went barefoot until Christmas before his father could spare the time to make a pair of shoes for him. He obtained a fair education, considering the times and conditions, and in early life became a school teacher. During the gold excitement in California in 1849, like thousands of others he went on the overland pilgrimage to the golden mecca of wealth. The trip proved disastrous to his health where¬ upon he returned with $500.00 in gold to Missouri and engaged in the mercantile business at Bunker Hill.

When Kansas was opened up to settlement, he went to Douglas County and took up government land which he later proved up. In 1857, he located at Lees Summit, Missouri, where he engaged in the banking business in partnership with William Colbern. This was the first bank at Lees Summit. Later he and one of his sons organized the J. N. Hargis & Sons Bank at Belton, which was the first banking institution of that town, and about the same time he bought four hundred acres of land north of Belton, which his other sons operated while he devoted his attention to his banking interests.

Mrs. Mary Hargis

J. N. Hargis was a successful business man and financier, and a man of a deep religious nature and broad human sympathy and it may be truly said of him that the world was better for his having lived in it, and the same is true of the memory of his noble Christian wife. He died at Belton, February 11, 1881, and his widow survived him a number of years and passed away July 11, 1914.

Mrs. Lillian Hargis Givens, daughter of J. N. Hargis, was married to George Givens in 1900. He died four years later. Mr. Givens was an extensive coal operator and opened up and developed a great deal of coal land during his business career. He was a native of Kentucky, having been born and educated at Danville. Mrs. Givens resides at Belton and is interested in coal property in Kentucky. She is a woman of unusual ability and is active and influential in every movement that tends to the betterment of the community. She takes a deep interest in the cause of temperance and possesses special talent for newspaper work and is active in that field of endeavor. She is an enthusiastic advocate of equal suff¬ rage for women and is one of those women whose efforts are unceasing in advancing the great movement of universal suffrage. Mrs. Givens has the rocking chair used by Carrie Nation, who was buried at Belton, Missouri.

Francis M. Wooldridge, former sheriff of Cass County, is not only a conspicuous figure in the affairs of this county but is well known throughout the state, having held the responsible position of warden of the state penitentiary at Jefferson City, Missouri, for four years and is recognized as one of the capable prison men of the country. Mr. Wool¬ dridge is a native Missourian, born near Cold Camp, Benton County, Mis¬ souri, October 3, 1856. He is a son of Rev. J. B. H. and Sarah (Henry) Wooldridge, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of North Carolina.

Rev. J. B. H. Wooldridge was a Methodist Episcopal minister and is properly entitled to classification among the pioneer preachers of that denomination in Missouri. He came to this state with his widowed mother in 1835. They settled in Saline County and when a young man he preached the gospel throughout Miller, Morgan, Cooper and Maniteau counties. In 1864 he went to Benton County and was permanently located in that sec¬ tion for a few years and in 1860 he went to Tipton, Morgan County, and was in that locality when the Civil War broke out. He was taken prisoner by the Federal forces soon after the battle of Boonville and upon his refusal to take the prescribed oath he and four or five other preachers were taken to Jeirerson City. In the meantime his wife with the children went to Saline County where they remained until the close of the war.

In the fall of 1865 Reverend Wooldridge came to Cass County and bought a farm nine miles southeast of Harrisonville and brought his family here in the spring of 1867. He continued in the ministry and was active in that work until the time of his death. He was prominent in the reorganization of the Methodist church, south and in that connection was active over a large section of the state. He was the first Methodist preacher in Cass County after the war. He was a hard working conscien¬ tious Christian gentleman and thoroughly devoted to his calling. He endured many hardships during the storm and stress period of the Civil War for his political convictions, but when he conscientiously believed that he was right he preferred to endure rather than to sacrifice. He died in 1885 and his wife departed this life in 1898.

Five children of Rev. J. B. H. and Sarah Wooldridge survive, they are as follows: Rev. R. A., a Methodist minister; Francis M., the subject of this sketch; John L., merchant, Waurika, Oklahoma; R. S., cashier of the Harrisonville State Bank; and Justina, the wife of C. E. Lancaster, Kansas City, Missouri.

Francis M. Wooldridge was about ten years old when his parents set¬ tled in Cass County. He spent his boyhood days on the home farm, after coming here, and was educated in the public schools of Cass County and Central College, Fayette, Missouri. He was successfully engaged in farm¬ ing and stock raising and in November, 1896, was elected sheriff of Cass County. At the expiration of his first term he was re-elected and served in that capacity until 1900. That year he was appointed warden of the state penitentiary at Jefferson City and served in that capacity for four years and it is a recognized fact that that great penal institution of the state of Missouri was never more competently managed nor better con¬ ducted than it was during that period. After having served in that capacity four years Mr. Wooldridge engaged in farming. In December, 1913, he purchased what is known as the "Woodland Stock Farm" which

In 1875 Mr. Wooldridge was united in marriage with Miss Henrietta B, Taylor of Johnson County, Missouri. To this union were born five chil¬ dren, one of whom is living, Mrs. George Gosch. The wife and mother died during Mr. Wooldridge's term as sheriff and he married for his second wife, Miss Ella Graham and three children were born to this union, one of whom is living, Alexander Graham. Mrs. Wooldridge died May 7, 1910, and on January 14, 1914, Mr. Wooldridge was married to Miss Mildred B. Collins of Cass County.

Mr. Wooldridge is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Knights of Pythias and belongs to the Methodist church, south. He is a life-long Democrat and is ever active in promoting the policies and principles of his party.

C. D. Eidson, secretary and treasurer of the Hight-Eidson Title Com¬ pany of Harrisonville, is a native of Cass County. He was born about six miles west of Harrisonville, March 9, 1886, and is a son of Swimpfield and Sarah (Ford) Eidson, both natives of Kentucky and early settlers in Cass County. Swimpfield Eidson has been engaged in the horse business practically all his life. He began buying and selling horses when he was fourteen years old and for years made a very extensive business in that line but is now living retired at Harrisonville and is one of the honored pioneers of this section. There were two children in the Eidson family: Mrs. C. W. Hight of Harrisonville and C. D., the subject of this sketch.

C. D. Eidson was reared in Harrisonville, his parents removing here when he was about one year old. He attended the public schools of Har¬ risonville and was graduated from the high school in the class of 1905. He then entered the Central Business College at Sedalia, Missouri, and was graduated from that institution in the fall of 1906. After leaving college he entered the employ of the Missouri Pacific Bailway Company as private secretary to the assistant freight traffic manager at Kansas City, Missouri. On March 16, 1908, he resigned from that position and entered the employ of C. W. Hight in the abstract business at Harrison¬ ville and has been identified with this business ever since. In 1912 the Hight abstract business was incorporated with a capital stock of thirtyfive thousand dollars and Mr. Eidson became secretary and treasurer of that company and has served in that capacity to the present time. This

Mr. Eidson was united in marriage, November 25, 1908, to Miss Lucile Brown, a daughter of Samuel E. Brown, a Cass County pioneer whose family has been identified with this section for many years.

Mr. Eidson is a Democrat and a member of the Baptist church. He is one of the progressive and enterprising young men of Cass County whose integrity has won the confidence of the business public.

W. B. F. Bullock, of Harrisonville, is a native of Cass County and belongs to a prominent pioneer family of this county. Mr. Bullock was born in Index township about tw'o miles from the county line, February 1. 1853, a son of James M. C. and Frances (Bladen) Bullock, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia. The mother came to Mis¬ souri with her parents when she wras a child and her people settled in Saline County and were among the early pioneers of that section of the state.

James M. C. Bullock was a Cass County pioneer and a very extensive fanner and stockman. He was successful in his business undertakings and at the zenith of his career was a very well-to-do man for his time. At one time he owned about twTo thousand acres of land and was very heavily invested in other industrial enterprises such as milling, etc. He was interested in the Garden City Flour Mill and also a flour mill at Har¬ risonville, and at the time of his death he owned eight hundred and forty acres of valuable land besides various other interests. He died at Har¬ risonville, May 28, 1909.

When Order No. 11 was issued the Bullock family removed to Pettis County and located about ten miles north of Sedalia, where the father was engaged in farming and remained about four years. W. B. F. Bul¬ lock was a boy about ten years old when the Civil War was being waged at its height and he recalls many instances of that great conflict which took place in the vicinity of his home. He and his father witnessed a battle between Quantrill's men and the militia which took place near his home and he saw a number of other skirmishes and clashes between the contending forces. He recalls one instance in which a Federal officer came to their house and was a little over-zealous and impudent in the per¬ formance of his duty and he aroused the ire of Mr. Bullock's aunt who announced to the officer that if he would take off his pistols she would give him a good walloping, herself.

W. B. F. Bullock's mother died in 1860 when he was about seven years old. W. B. F. and a sister, Susie, were the only children born to their parents. Susie married George Hudson who is now deceased and she resides at Garden City, Missouri.

Mr. Bullock was reared in Index township and educated in the public schools, including a high school course. He was associated with his father in farming and stock raising until 1875, known as grasshopper year, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Gunn City in partnership with George E. Hudson, under the firm name of Bullock and Hudson. They conducted a general store for four years and in 1879 Mr. Bullock returned to the farm. Eight years later he engaged in the general mercantile business at Index which he conducted until 1887. He then engaged in farming and stock feeding and was also interested in the milling business. In 1900 he came to Harrisonville continuing the milling business and supervising the operations on his farm in Index township, and for the last six years he has rented his farm property in Index township and has been living practically retired. His son occupies a part of his land and he rents the balance of it to other parties. His place is located three miles north of Garden City and is one of the rich productive farms of Cass County, well improved and under a high state of cultivation.

Mr. Bullock was married, January 18, 1877, to Miss Clara Bird, a daughter of David Bird, an early settler of Cass County who came from near Lancaster, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Bullock have been born four chil¬ dren as follows: D. E., Sacramento, California; F. 0., a dentist, Salina, Utah ; W. I., who operates a part of the home farm and Zelah, a graduate of the Harrisonville High School who resides with her parents. Mr. Bul¬ lock has always been a staunch advocate and supporter of the policies and principals of the democratic party and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. Mrs. Bullock belongs to the Baptist church and her daughter attends there. He has had an active and successful career and has contributed his part towards making Cass County one of the foremost political subdivisions of the great state of Missouri.

W. E. Miller, a prominent farmer and stockman of Grand River town¬ ship, is a native of Iowa. He was born in Johnson County, near Iowa City, November 15, 1854, and is a son of David and Lucy Ann (Statler) Miller, natives of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The father was engaged in the foundry business at Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, in part¬ nership with his father in early life and later read medicine. In 1852 David Miller and his wife went to Iowa from Pennsylvania. They made the trip by boat from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, down the Ohio river and up the Mississippi to Muscatine, Iowa, and drove from there to Johnson County, Iowa. They remained in Iowa until about 1876, when they went to Kansas, locating in Sedgwick County about eleven miles southwest of Wichita. That was a new and undeveloped country at that time and almost in its primitive state. Game was plentiful there and W. E. Miller remembers of having seen buffalo in the vicinity of their home. The father was engaged in farming and stock raising and also practiced medi¬ cine in Sedgwick County until 1889, when the family came to Missouri, locating in Grand River township, Cass County, on the place where W. E. now resides. The Millers bought this place from J. H. Haddock and this is one of the historic places of Cass County, from a breeder's standpoint. The celebrated trotting horse, "Edwin Forest" was foaled on this place April 14, 1871, and bred and raised by J. H. Haddock. On August 23, 1878, this horse trotted a mile in 2 : 14A at Hartford, Connecticut, and later was sold to R. Bonner for sixteen thousand dollars. A monument to the memory of this great trotter was erected by J. H. Haddock and now stands in Mr. Miller's front yard.

David Miller died on his place in Grand River township March 22, 1900, and his wife passed away in the fall of 1890. He was a life-long Republican and at various times held local office, and he and his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents of five children: Charles Wesley, Otis, Colorado; W. E., the subject of this sketch; Alice, deceased; Roanna and Carrie.

W. E. Miller was reared and educated in Iowa and came to Kansas with his parents and from there to Cass County, Missouri. He was asso¬ ciated with his father in farming and stock raising during the life time of the latter. He is one of the successful farmers and stockmen of Grand River township and is a progressive and substantial citizen.

Mr. Miller was married September 14, 1892, to Miss Belle Harshbarger, daughter of John and Minerva (Gray) Harshbarger, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Kentucky. They were the parents of seven children, of whom Mrs. Miller was the eldest. The others are as follows: Etta, married George Wolf, Cleveland, Missouri; Theodore, Boise City, Idaho; Henry, Buell, Idaho; Anna, married Thomas Wills, Peculiar, Missouri; Joseph, Filer, Idaho; and Dolly, resides in Cass County. The Harshbarger family came to Missouri in 1869 and in 1882 started to drive to Oregon and the father died while enroute, at Green River, Wyom¬ ing, and the mother now resides in Cass County.

To Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born three children as follows: Clarence, deceased; Emery, deceased; and Earl, who resides at home with his parents. Mr. Miller is a republican and one of the substantial citizens of Cass County.

Judge John Lindsay Jackson, who departed this life January 20, 1916, was truly a Cass County pioneer and contributed his part nobly and well in laying the foundation of Cass County and her institutions. Judge Jackson was a native of Missouri, born in Saline County, May 21, 1830. He was a son of John and Kizziah (Kelley) Jackson, natives of Tennessee. John Jackson, the father of John Lindsay Jackson, was a son of John Jackson, a Virginian, who lived to be over a hundred years old.

Judge Jackson's parents were married in Tennessee and at an early day removed to Missouri, locating in Saline County, where he was born. His father died there when Judge Jackson was a child. In 1839, when he was nine years old he came to Cass County with his mother. For a short time they lived with one of her brothers on what is now the John K. Wirt farm, south of Harrisonville. While living here the mother was married a second time, becoming the wife of Rev. John Jackson. The family then moved on Grand river locating near Clark's bridge. Here the boy helped the stepfather who conducted a water mill at that place. As soon as he became of age he fed cattle on the Hugh Gibson Glenn place, just west of the old fair ground in the southwest part of town, and at the same time attended school in Harrisonville. He thus overcame the obstacles to an education in that early day and made opportunities where there seemed to be none. In so doing he laid deep and broad a good foundation upon which he built through a few more than a few score years a life building of more than ordinary strength.

In his thirtieth year Judge Jackson was united in marriage to Miss Martha Fudge, a member of a Cass County pioneer family, who at that time lived on the present 0. A. Moudy farm five miles west of Harrison¬ ville. The date of the wedding was October 23, 1860. The young couple located in Austin where they established a general store. Their business prospered until the Civil war came on when they went to northeast Mis¬ souri, stopping near Monroe City, Monroe County. After the close of the war they returned to Cass County, and for a few months made their home with Mrs. Jackson's parents. Soon afterwards Mr. Jackson pur¬ chased the farm six miles southwest of Harrisonville, where he and his wife practically spent the remainder of their lives. For more than half a century the wedded life of this venerable couple remained unbroken and to them were born the following children: Mrs. J. W. Choate, of Butler; Mrs. O. A. Moudy, Grand River township; Mrs. John C. Brookhart; Mrs. Simon P. Ziegler; and Edward S., all of Harrisonville. Two children are deceased. The wife and mother departed this life January 23, 1911.

Judge Jackson had a vital interest in local education. For several years he was the only director in the Prospect school district. Finally the number was increased to three and he continued to serve as one of that number until a few years before his death. He was clerk of the school board even longer than director. It is said that he kept the records of this school for more than forty years. But it was as a public servant of Cass County that Judge Jackson came to be known most widely. On November 5, 1878, he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the office of county assessor and served one term. In 1881 township organization eliminated this office and Mr. Jackson was afterwards elected assessor of Grand River township as often as he would accept that office. At the regular election in 1900, he was chosen associate judge of the county court from the south district. In 1902 he was re-elected to that office, serving two terms. It was during his incumbency in this office that the title of "Judge" was given him and he carried the name with honor ever after. His four years as county judge were years of signal service. He regarded himself a public servant and his office a public trust. His behavior was always characterized by solid wisdom and unquestionable honesty. The record which he left behind as a county officer is a price¬ less legacy to the citizenship of Cass County. Judge Jackson was one of the most highly esteemed, widely known and greatly beloved citizens of Cass County. He united with the old Grand River Baptist church early in life and was a consistent member of that denomination to the time of his death. He for a number of years was a deacon.

W. F. Steplin, a progressive and well-to-do farmer of Grand River township, is a native of Maryland. He was born near Westminster, a town about thirty miles from Baltimore, June 14, 1871, and is a son of John and Susie (Bair) Steplin, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Hanover, Pennsylvania. The Steplin family are of German descent; Nicholas Steplin, grandfather of W. F., came from Germany with his family and settled in Maryland.

Decatur, Illinois. They remained there until 1879, when they came to Cass County, Missouri, and located in Grand River township, five miles southwest of Harrisonville. Here the father bought a farm and was suc¬ cessfully engaged in farming until the time of his death, June 3, 1904. His remains are buried in the Burford cemetery.

W. F. Steplin was one of a family of six children, only two of whom are now living: W. F., the subject of this sketch, and C. E., Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Steplin received his education in the public schools and has made farming and stock raising his life's occupation and his well kept place of two hundred and forty acres with its excellent stock bears mute testimony to the fact that he is one of the best farmers and stockmen in Cass County. He has a fine herd of Shorthorn and Jersey cattle and keeps a large number of high grade hogs. His place is well improved with its splendid residence and large barns, silos, etc., presents a farm picture worth remembering.

Mr. Steplin was married in 1905 to Miss Susie Hutchison, a daughter of D. R. Hutchison, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Two chil¬ dren have been born to this union, Wilma Frances and John Andrew. Mr. Steplin has one child by a former marriage, Edith, now the wife of Will Lynn, a prosperous farmer of Grand River township.

Mr. Steplin is a Republican and prominent in the councils of his party and in 1916 was the Republican candidate for sheriff of Cass County and his defeat is no reflection upon his personal popularity. It simply means that he was the candidate of the hopeless minority. He and Mrs. Steplin are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are deservedly popular in Cass County.

Peter Lemmer, now deceased, was a prominent Cass County farmer and stockman whose industry was rewarded by success and at the time of his death, he was one of the well-to-do men of Grand River township. He was born in Knox County, Ohio, April 18, 1843, a son of George Lem¬ mer. His parents spent their lives in Knox County, Ohio.

Peter Lemmer grew to manhood in his native state and was educated in the public schools. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the Union army and served throughout that conflict as a member of an Ohio regiment. A year or two after the close of the war he came to Missouri and located at Lees Summit, Jackson County, where he worked by the month about two years. In 1869 he went to Franklin County, Kansas, where he was engaged in farming and stock raising until 1889. He then came to C ass County and bought a farm in Grand River township, where his widow now resides. This place consists of two hundred and twentyfour acres of land, under an excellent state of cultivation and is one of Cass County's best farms.

Mr. Lemmer was united in marriage April 2, 1876, to Miss Harriet Wilkerson, a daughter of John and Maria (Gettinger) Wilkerson, both natives of Baltimore, Maryland. The Wilkerson family went to Kansas in 1872 and settled in Franklin County where the father was engaged in farming and stock raising. The parents both spent their lives in that county.

To Peter Lemmer and wife w'ere bom the following children: Lillie, married George Cook and they reside in Lane County, Kansas; William lives in Grand River township; Ollie, married Howard Bybee, and is now a widow and resides with her brother William ; George, lives in Grand River township; Robert, on the home place with his mother; John, Kan¬ sas City, Missouri; and Harriet May, married Charles Anderson, Grand River township.

Peter Lemmer was a Republican and belonged to the Christian church and Mrs. Lemmer holds membership in the Baptist church. Mrs. Lem¬ mer is an estimable woman and she and her children are prominent in the community and of the best citizens of Cass County.

O. A. Moudy, a prominent fanner and stockman of Grand River town¬ ship, who is also actively identified with the commercial interests of Harrisonville, belongs to a pioneer Cass County family. Mr. Moudy was born in Everett township, Cass County, in 1858, and is a son of Elias and Sarah (Bryant) Moudy. The father was a native of Indiana, bom in Morgan County, January 8, 1821. He was a son of Henry and Matilda Moudy, natives of Virginia, who settled in Indiana in an early day. Henry Moudy was born April 24, 1791, and his wife, Matilda, was born January 11, 1791. Sarah Bryant, mother of 0. A. Moudy, was born in Kentucky, February 25, 1820.

Elias Moudy and Sarah (Bryant) Moudy were married in Indiana and in the fall of 1856 came to Cass County, Missouri, and settled in Everett township, where the father was successfully engaged in farming throughout his life, with the exception of the period during the Civil War. He was a Union man and during that time lived in Kansas. He died October 26, 1887, and his wife departed this life April 20, 1901. They were the parents of five children as follows: W. B., Harrisonville, Mis- souri; Percilla, widow of H. H. Parish, resides at Harrisonville ; W. P., lives near Newkirk, Oklahoma; Rhoda Ann, the wife of Jerry Elder, Archie, Missouri; and 0. A., the subject of this sketch.

0. A. Moudy received his education in the public schools of Cass County and made farming the principal occupation of his life until 1889. He then engaged in the grain, hay, coal and ice business at Harrisonville, in partnership with his brother, W. B., under the firm name of Moudy Brothers. Later J. H. Hatton became a member of the firm which is now known as Moudy Brothers and Hatton. In 1906, 0. A. Moudy moved to his present place about five miles west of Harrisonville, where he has since been engaged in farming and stock raising, although he retains his interest in the business of Moudy Brothers and Hatton. He farms one hundred and fifty-six acres of land and makes a specialty of raising Duroc Jersey hogs.

Mr. Moudy was united in marriage September 7, 1887 with Miss Mary Elsie Jackson, a daughter of Judge John Lindsay and Martha Eliza¬ beth (Fudge) Jackson, early settlers of Cass County. A sketch of John L. Jackson appears in this volume.

The Moudy home is one of the historic old landmarks of Cass County. It is constructed of stone and was built in 1856 by Jacob Fudge, Mrs. Moudy's grandfather. While it is one of the oldest houses in the county, it has been well cared for and presents every appearance of having been built only a few years. The house is twenty by forty-seven feet, two stories high with unusually high ceilings and has six large rooms. This place has a particular historic significance to Mrs. Moudy. She was born in this house, her parents were married here and also celebrated the anniversary of their golden wedding in the same house.

G. W. Thuro, of Peculiar township, is one of the large land owners of Cass County. Mr. Thuro was born in Germany in 1855 and in 1869 came to America with his parents, Ludwig and Carolina Thuro. They were the parents of ten children. After coming to this country the Thuro family settled in the Fox River valley near Plano, Illinois. The mother died in 1879 and the father survived her several years, departing this life in 1893.

for his breakfast, he did not have one cent in the world. He immediately went to work for a liveryman there for thirty dollars per month. Six months later he and another young man bought a ranch in partnership some distance from Cheyenne. Later Mr. Thuro sold out to his partner and went about forty miles south of Cheyenne into Colorado, near where Grover is now located and took up a half section of land. Here he cut hay, rode the range and worked at odd jobs for sixteen years. At that time that was a wild unbroken country and he saw much of frontier life in that practically uninhabited section of Colorado. He saw much trouble among frontiersmen but says most of it was caused by whisky and guns. In all his experience on the frontier he never carried a gun, neither did he ever have any trouble but on the contrary he made many friends among all classes of frontiersmen, the so called bad men as well as the good ones. In 1896 Mr. Thuro removed to Ottawa County, Kansas, and bought eight hundred acres of land near Minneapolis. He remained there until 1900 when he went to Junction City, Kansas, and bought sixteen hundred acres of land near Junction City. He remained there until 1902, when he came to Cass County, Missouri, and purchased six hundred and twenty acres of land in Peculiar township, adjoining the city limits of Harrisonville on the north. He also owns forty-five acres in Dayton township and two hundred and thirty-five acres in Platte County, Mis¬ souri, and thus he has a total of about nine hundred acres in Missouri.

Mr. Thuro was united in marriage at Van Wert, Iowa, September 9, 1891, to Miss Della Brown, a native of Clark County, Iowa, and a daugh¬ ter of Billa F. and Almira (Holt) Brown. The father was born in Can¬ ada, while his parents were natives of New York and the mother is a native of Ohio. The Brown family went to Iowa in April, 1861 and set¬ tled near Van Wert, which was then a wild and unbroken plain. They were among the early settlers of that section and the parents now reside in that state. The father is eighty-two years old and the mother is seventy-six.

Mrs. Thuro is an unusual woman and has seen much of the frontier life on the plains of the west. Reared amidst the frontier surroundings of the early day in Iowa, she acquired an ambition to see more of fron¬ tier life and to experience life on the plains of the great west in its primitive conditions. She received a good education and began teaching school in Iowa when seventeen years old. In 1887 she went to Colorado and preempted a quarter section of land in the northeastern part of the state and later bought a quarter section. When she located on her claim in Colorado, her nearest postoffice was Sterling, forty miles away. In the early days she had a variety of experience on her claim and else¬ where in Colorado. She lived in a dugout alone, although another young lady had taken a claim near by and they were considerable company for each other. Coyotes, antelope and a variety of other animals were plenti¬ ful in the vicinity of her claim and she has frequently shot at coyotes. She followed various occupations in the West, from cooking in a railroad camp to teaching school in Greely, Colorado, where she was one of the pioneer teachers. Mrs. Thuro still owns her land in Colorado, which has increased considerably in value since she left it. Her experience has been unusual and few women would have the courage to undertake or the fortitude to endure roughing it in the west as she did.

To Mr. and Mrs. Thuro has been born one child, Homer, who lives on one of his fathers places north of Harrisonville. He married Miss Jennie Sheilds of Platte County, Missouri, and they have one child, Ralph Flint.

G. W. Thuro and his wife are members of the Baptist church and he is a Republican and while he resided in Colorado took an active part in politics and held various local offices of trust. Mr. and Mrs. Thuro have both had unusual experiences in frontier life for this day and age and have contributed their part towards subduing the wild and unbroken west and "making two blades of grass grow, where but one grew before."

Ernest Lloyd Harrison, of Harrisonville, has been prominently identified with educational work in this state for a number of years. He was born near Warrensburg, Johnson County, December 27, 1879, and is a son of Harvey M. and Katie I. (Moore) Harrison. The father is a native of Johnson County, Missouri, and now resides near Blairstown.

The Harrison famliy were early settlers in northern Alabama, and were prominently identified with that section. The great-great-grand¬ father of Ernest L. Harrison, owned a large estate in that state at an early day. His name was Thomas Crage. He was the father of Harvey Crage who came to Missouri, in 1832, and settled where Warrensburg is now located, and was one of the founders of that town, spending the remainder of his life there. His son, William Harrison, was the grand¬ father of the subject of this sketch. He spent his life in Johnson County. The Harrison family is of Scotch descent, the founders of the American branch of that family coming from the Highlands of Scotland and settled in North Carolina in Colonial times.

Katie K. Moore, mother of Ernest L. Harrison, was born in Kentucky near the West Virginia line and came to Missouri with her mother in 1865, her father having died before she was born.

Ernest Lloyd Harrison is one of a family of eight children as fol¬ lows: Walter Scott, Englewood, Kansas; Mrs. Laura Shelton, Blairstown, Missouri; Ernest L., the subject of this sketch; Roy William, Lib¬ eral, Kansas; Annice, deceased; Mrs. Marie Belle Collins, Kansas City, Missouri; Emil B., Liberal, Kansas; and Forrest A., Warrensburg, Missouri.

Mr. Harrison was educated in the public schools and the State Nor¬ mal School at Warrensburg, where he was graduated in the class of 1907, with a degree of Pd. B., and later took post-graduate work at that institu¬ tion. Afterwards he attended the Missouri University at Columbia, Mis¬ souri. Mr. Harrison was a teacher for a number of years before he graduated from the Normal school, and in all was engaged in teaching for twelve years, during which time he taught in Johnson, Cass, Lafay¬ ette, and Jackson Counties. During the course of his career he was principal of the Columbia School at Independence, Missouri; superintend¬ ent of the schools at Golden City for two years, superintendent of the Be' ton schools two years, superintendent of the Odessa school one year, and principal of the Harrisonville school one year. In 1914, at the close of his first year of the Harrisonville schools he gave up school work on account of failing health, and since that time has devoted himself to farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, giving special attention to raising pure-bred Shorthorn cattle, of which he has a very fine herd. He also raises pure-blood Chester White hogs.

Mr. Harrison was united in marriage June 5, 1912, with Miss Georgia Esthel Williams, daughter of Thomas C. Williams, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Mrs. Harrison is a member of the Baptist church, and is a member of the Civic Improvement Association. Mr. Harrison is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He is a Republican and was his party's candidate for county treasurer in 1916, but owing to the normal overwhelmingly Democratic majority in Cass County, he met with the common fate of other candidates on the Republican ticket.

J. H. Phillips, a prominent farmer and stockman of Peculiar town¬ ship, is a native son of Cass County. He was born in Grand River town¬ ship, March 18, 1851, and is a son of James H. and Mary (Bealer) Phillips.

The father was a native of North Carolina and when a boy went from his native state to Indiana. He was the son of Morticia Phillips. The Phillips family came from Indiana to Missouri and located in Cass County about 1840. They first settled northeast of Pleasant Hill.

James H. Phillips was one of a family of nine children all of whom are now deceased. During the Mexican War he enlisted for service in the United States. He also served in the home guards during the Civil War. He was a* successful farmer and stockman in Grand River town¬ ship and was known throughout this section of the state as a horseman. He made a specialty of raising coach and draft horses and was very suc¬ cessful in that enterprise. He died in 1908, aged eighty-four years, and his wife departed this life about a year later. They were the parents of nine children, six boys and three girls, all of whom are now living.

J. H. Phillips received his education in the public schools of Cass County, and began life for himself at the age of twenty-two, although he remained at home with his parents until he was about thirty years of age. In 1895 he purchased his present farm of one hundred and seventeen acres, where he has since been successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. He specializes in Shorthorn cattle and also carries on dairying quite extensively.

Mr. Phillips was united in marriage in 1881 with Miss Minnie Laughlin, a native of Indiana, who came to Cass County with her mother when about a year old, her father having died when she was about nine months old. Mrs. Phillips' mother, Mrs. Moffett, is a daughter of Lomsan and Martha (Teague) Ground, natives of near Martinsville, Indiana. They came to Cass County in 1844 and Mrs. Moffett owns a part of the land which was pre-empted by her father. There were Indians here when they came and Mrs. Moffett remembers of having seen them. She also remem¬ bers of having seen deer from their old log house, also wild turkeys. They returned to Indiana before Order No. 11 was issued and in 1865 returned and they both died in Cass County, father in Harrisonville and mother in Camp Branch township. She was married in 1865, in Indiana, to Harvey Laughlin, a native of Indiana, and Mrs. Phillips is the only child born to that union. He died when she was eleven months old. She later married James Moffet, a native of Cass County, of pioneer parents. They were Kentuckians and had three children: Gus, Kansas City; Mrs. Mamie Hancock, Uniontown, Kansas, and Will, Grand River township. Mrs. Moffett is one of the grand old pioneer women of Cass County. To Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have been born two children as follows: Vernie, a graduate of the Harrisonville High School, class of 1914, and now a student in the YVarrensburg Normal School, and Velma, a student in the Harrisonville High School.

Mr. Phillips has always been a Democrat and supported the policies and principals of that party. He is a member of the Masonic lodge and the Modern W oodmen of America, and the Phillips family are members of the Christian church.

James McDonnell, an honored and successful citizen and a former county judge of Cass County, was born in Canada in 1849, son of Hamil¬ ton and Biddy (Blaney) McDonnell. Hamilton McDonnell was the son of John McDonnell, a distinguished officer in the British army. Biddy (Blaney) McDonnell was the daughter of James Blaney, a native of Ire¬ land. In 1853 Hamilton McDonnell emigrated with his family from Can¬ ada to Ohio and in 1865 from Ohio to Illinois. When James McDonnell was a youth seventeen years of age, his parents came to Cass County, Missouri, in 1866 and settled upon a farm in Austin township. Hamilton McDonnell purchased two hundred acres of land in Austin township and engaged extensively in stockraising and general farming. In 1875 Mrs. McDonnell departed this life. She was a faithful, devoted wife and an ideal mother. Hamilton McDonnell spent his life upon the farm in Austin township. For nine years previous to his death in 1907 he was an invalid and was tenderly cared for by his son, James.

February 12, 1870, James McDonnell and Victoria J. McFerrin, daugh¬ ter of Benton and Elizabeth McFerrin, were united in marriage. Victoria J. McFerrin was born in Cass County, Missouri, January 14, 1853. Of her five brothers and sisters only two brothers are now living, S. B., Butler, Missouri, and J. B., Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Benton McFerrin was the son of John McFerrin, who emigrated from Tennessee to Missouri about 1832, and was one of the early pioneers of western Missouri. Benton McFerrin and B. Y. Brown were killed on the McFerrin place during the Civil War. Elizabeth McFerrin, mother of Mrs. McDonnell, was a courageous woman of marvelous ingenuity. When Order No. 11 was issued she went horse¬ back to St. Clair County, secured a yoke of cattle, returned to Cass County and loaded their farm wagon with the household goods and four children and escaped to St. Clair County. S. B. McFerrin, brother of Mrs. McDon¬ nell, was forced into the army by Captain Price, when S. B. was but a mere boy of sixteen years. John B. McFerrin, an itinerant pioneer Meth- odist minister, was an uncle of Mrs. McDonnell. Her maternal grand¬ father, Rev. Samuel G. Porter, came to Missouri from Tennessee about the same time the McFerrins came. He entered the land known as the Reid farm, south of Daugherty on which Reid Cemetery is now located.

James and Victoria J. (McFerrin) McDonnell were blessed with six children, three of whom died in infancy. The surviving children are: Mrs. Effie Houston, Archie, Missouri; Mrs. Daisy Woolery, Garden City, Missouri; and J. K., who is associated with his father in farming and stockraising upon the McDonnell farm near Archie, Missouri. January 1, 1910, J. K. McDonnell and Mary B. Vanzandt, daughter of Cassius L. and Millie Vanzandt were united in marriage and to this union have been born two children, Cecil and Georgia Zora. September 24, 1916, the beautiful soul of Victoria J. (McFerrin) McDonnell passed on to the Soul from whence it came. When she was thirteen years of age she united with the Methodist church of which she was long a loved and faithful member. Her life was one of saintly purity, an inspiration to all with whom she came in contact. Beside her loved ones who had crossed the bar she was laid to rest in Reid Cemetery.

In 1902 James McDonnell purchased the old home place from his father and has since been engaged in stockraising. He is one of the most successful stockmen in this part of the state. Recently he has given his attention almost exclusively to the raising of white face cattle and he and his son, J. K., are planning a large herd. They are also well-known breed¬ ers of Duroc Jersey hogs. Judge McDonnell's farm comprises three hun¬ dred twenty acres, which he is fencing into twenty and forty acre lots. The farm is well improved. Judge McDonnell also owns his residence in Archie, Missouri.

James McDonnell wTas elected county judge of the south district Cass County in 1913 and he served four years, his term expiring January 1, 1917. The following is an extract from an article which appeared in the Cass County "Democrat" relative to his retirement from office:

"The voters of the South District realized the mental caliber and sterling worth of Jim McDonnell, and elected him as a member of the county court. He took his office on January 1, 1913.

"He was faithful to the trust reposed in him. He sunk self into nothingness and sought only for the welfare of the people. By vote and voice he guarded their interests and fought for their good. His home township, Austin, was heavily bonded. He directed all of his tireless energies in extinguishing the debt to the last degree possible, and, aided by the other members of the court, who were convinced of the soundness of the judgment of the one from the South District, Austin township's bonded debt was decreased $18,000. If an adherence is kept to his line of procedure, the township's entire bonded debt will be extinguished in 1922. One of the happiest moments of Judge McDonnell's life was when he assisted in burning some paid railroad bonds about two years ago.

"As an official, Judge McDonnell believed in progress, but by caution. His canny Scotch mind scouted any scheme of the 'get-rich-quick' kind, and his keen insight, expressed in droll sarcasm, sent the schemers scurry¬ ing. Such qualities steadied the finances of old Cass county through a period of crop failures.

"He was called the 'Judge of Peace'. When all of Harrisonville were at loggerheads and ready to crucify one another, financially and otherwise, over the hitch rack controversy, when neither side would yield, Judge McDonnell brought order out of chaos and reconciled all of the contenders by his plan of peace. Notwithstanding the excessive rainfall of the past two springs, Judge McDonnell greatly assisted in much valuable road work being done, and substantial bridges being built, without reaching out for future county funds.

"At the insistence of numerous petitioners and with a heartfelt desire to continue in the service of freeing his old home township from debt, Judge McDonnell made the race for his third term. His wife's frail health prohibited him from making any active campaign. Although she oftimes urged him to leave her side and canvass his district, he would not do so, preferring defeat, rather than retreat from his vigil, from his deathless, doglike devotion to the sick wife, whom he had promised to protect in sickness and distress. He did not campaign and this and the sentiment against the third term defeated him. But he went down with colors fly¬ ing, victorious in defeat, and fell into the ranks of the privates of the Democratic party as proudly and patiently as when he had left to become a leader. All honor to grand, glorious Judge James McDonnell; the pages of the history of Cass County will alwTays glow with his name."

Thomas C. Williams, now deceased, was prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Cass County during his life time and was one of the successful stockmen of this section. He was a descendant of pioneer parents and wras born in Peculiar township, Cass County, April 9, 1853. His parents were John R. and Thursa Matilda (Carter) Williams, natives of North Carolina. In early life the father removed from his native state to Virginia and after a brief period returned to North Caro¬ lina. In 1849 he and his wife came from North Carolina to Cass County, Missouri, driving the entire distance with a team and covered wagon. He pre-empted land in Union township where he engaged in farming and stock raising, and became very well-to-do. He owned a number of slaves but when the Civil War broke out he took them to Texas and after the outcome of that great struggle he resumed farming and stock raising in Union township, but his slaves never returned.

John R. Williams spent the remainder of his life on his home place in Union township. He was a man of strong character and firm in his convictions, a capable business man and known for his honesty and integrity and it may be truly said of him that his word was as good as his bond. He was a staunch supporter of the policies and principles of the Democratic party and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. His wife who survived him for a number of years died in Harrisonville at the home of Thomas C. Will¬ iams, the subject of this sketch, May 26, 1900. They were the parents of the following children: Manwell, deceased; Henry D., Cleveland, Mis¬ souri; Mrs. Amanda J. Bailey, Belton Missouri; and Thomas C., the sub¬ ject of this sketch.

Thomas C. Williams was reared in Cass County and was educated in the district schools and the Harrisonville High School. He began life as a farmer and a stock raiser and became a very extensive stockman. He fed cattle for the market and bought and sold cattle on an extensive scale, and became one of the prosperous men of Cass County. He inherited one hundred and sixty acres of land from his father to which he added from time to time and at the time of his death he owned seven hundred and twenty acres of well improved and valuable land in Cass County.

Mr. Williams was united in marriage December 8, 1881, with Miss Fannie R. Van Kirk. She was born in Union township, Cass County, and is a daughter of C. P. and Cassandra (Barrow) Van Kirk, both natives of Zanesville, Coshocton County, Ohio, the former of Holland descent and the latter of old Virginia stock. The Van Kirk family came to Missouri in 1857 and settled in Union township, Cass County. When the Civil War came on and Order No. 11 was issued they removed to Lawrence, Kansas. Later they returned to Cass County, where the father was engaged in farming and stock raising. He died at Belton, August 11, 1912, aged eighty-eight years. His wife preceded him in death a little over a year, having passed away May 11, 1911, at Belton. Their married life was unusual in that it extended over a period of sixty-seven years. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Mary L. Craw¬ ford, Stafford, Kansas; Mrs. Elizabeth Ryan, Los Angeles, California; Fannie R., the wife of Thomas C. Williams, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Alena Powell, Belton, Missouri, and Mrs. Viola Jones, Belton, Mis¬ souri (twins) ; Charles resides near Louisburg, Kansas, and T. J., Woodson County, Kansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams was born one child, Georgia Esthel. She was educated in the Ilarrisonville High School and Stephens College, specializing in vocal music. On June 5, 1912, she was united in marriage with Ernest Lloyd Harrison, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.

Thomas C. Williams, . practically retired from the stock business in the fall of 1899 and moved with his family to Harrisonville in order that his daughter might have better educational advantages. Here he died the following spring, departing this life May 27, 1900. His mother who made her home with him died the preceding day. Mr. Williams possessed many of his fathers characteristics. He was a successful business man and a valued member of the community, and during his business career won the confidence and respect of the business world for his honesty and integrity. Mrs. Williams resides in one of the most beautiful homes in Cass County, on the Kansas City road a short distance north of Harrison¬ ville.

T. D. Blevins, better known as "Dug" Blevins, is one of Cass County's most successful farmers and stockmen. He is a native of Illinois, and was born in Macoupin County, March 16, 1856, a son of J. W. and Mary J. (Kinder) Blevins, both natives of Illinois, and descendants of pioneer settlers of that state.

The Blevins family came to Missouri in 1870, when T. D., the sub¬ ject of this sketch, was fourteen years old. They settled on a farm southwest of Freeman, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives. The father died in 1907, and the mother died in 1916. There were three children born to J. W. and Mary J. Blevins: Lewis N., deceased; T. D., the subject of this sketch; and Mrs. John Duvall, of Grand River township.

"Dug" Blevins was educated in the public schools of Illinois and Missouri, and has made farming the chief occupation of his life and ranks among the successful fanners and stockmen of Cass County. He has a fine farm of four hundred and eighty acres, located seven miles south- west of Freeman, where he carries on general farming and raises grade cattle and mules quite extensively. Mr. Blevins employs a man to operate the place while he directs or personally supervises it himself, and resides in Freeman, where he has a splendid modern home.

Mr. Blevins is a member of the Masonic lodge, and a number of other fraternal societies. Politically, he has always been affiliated with the Democratic party. He is a man of genial disposition and is kindly and sympathetically disposed. He and his wife are well known in Cass County and have many friends. He is public spirited and any movement for the betterment of his town or the county receives a ready response from him and meets with his hearty co-operation.

George W. Wyatt, a prominent farmer and stockman of Dolan town¬ ship, is a native of Missouri. He was born near Grandview, Jackson County, in 1881, and is a son of Wyley and Sarah (Maxwell) Wyatt, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Illinois. Wyley Wyatt came to Missouri with his parents in 1852 when he was twelve years old. The family located near old Santa Fe, near the line of Mis¬ souri and Kansas, and made their home there until the Civil War, and the grandfather of George W. Wyatt died a few years after the war closed.

Wyley Wyatt served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He was a brave soldier and saw much hard service, participating in many hard-fought battles. After the close of the war he settled in Jackson County, one and a half miles south of Grandview, where he was success¬ fully engaged in farming and stock raising until the time of his death, in 1915, at the age of seventy-five. His widow now resides on the home place, near Grandview. They were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are living, as follows: W. J., Lawrence, Kansas; Mrs. S. D. Slaughter, Waldo, Missouri; Mrs. A. M. Harrison, Lees Summit, Missouri; Mrs. C. A. Bryant, Kansas City, Missouri ; Lettie, resides with her mother on the home place; Joseph, also resides on the home place; George W., the subject of this sketch, and Mrs. Charles Creiger, Crook, Colorado.

George W. Wyatt was reared on his father's farm in Jackson County, and received his education in the public schools and Spalding's Commer¬ cial College, Kansas City. When he was eighteen years old he became associated with his father in raising pure-blood cattle. Three years later ho engaged in business for himself, which he continued for four or five years in Jackson County. He then came to Cass County, engaging in the same business here, at the same time retaining his interest with his father in Jackson County. Later he became interested in raising mules, which he found to be very profitable in connection with the cattle business. In 1912 he bought his present place of four hundred and eighty-one acres, in Dolan township, one mile south of Freeman. Since coming here he has devoted himself principally to raising mules and pureblood Shorthorn cattle. He disposes of his saleable stock once each year by public sale, which he has found to be the most satisfactory method of marketing his stock. In addition to his other stock, he keeps about forty head of cows. The Wyatt place is well improved and well watered, being particularly adapted to stock raising.

Mr. Wyatt is a well-informed stockman, having had a vast experi¬ ence in that line of industry, in which he started at an early age, and to which he has devoted a number of years. When he purchased his place in Dolan township he discovered that he had a full-grown apple orchard of thirty acres, and being a stockman and not a horticulturist, he was unable to determine just exactly what to do with the orchard. He finally decided to cut the trees down, and went so far as to hire some men to do the work. However, some friend of his persuaded him to "spare the tree," which he consented to do, and the result has been that his orchard produces from forty-five hundred to fifty-five hundred bushels of apples annually, which nets the owmer about two thousand dollars each year.

Mr. Wyatt was married in 1905 to Miss Ona Wallingford, a daughter of P. I. Wallingford, of Grandview, Missouri. Two children have been born to this union, George W., Jr., and Margaret Elizabeth, aged nine and four years respectively. Mr. Wyatt is a Democrat, as was the politi¬ cal faith of his father and grandfather before him.

H. A. Hart, a well-known merchant at Freeman, is a native of Indi¬ ana. He was born in Floyd County, six miles from New Albany, in 1858, and is a son of George N. and Mary (McCafferty) Hart, natives of Indi¬ ana. The Hart family came west in 1858, with a view of locating in Nebraska territory. However, when they reached Leavenworth, Kansas, the government had stopped all immigration west of that point on ac¬ count of Indian troubles, and the Hart family settled at Tonganoxie, Kansas. The father was a brick and stone mason, and worked at his trade in that vicinity. He built the first school house in Tonganoxie, which was also the first brick building in that settlement. He also built a number of other buildings in Tonganoxie and vicinity.

In 1872 George N. Hart came to Cass County, Missouri, with his family, and settled on a farm in Dolan township, just north of the old Newton place, about one mile west of the Grand River township line. He continued to work at his trade for a number of years, and later removed to Freeman. He was appointed postmaster of Freeman by President Harrison, and served in that capacity until his death, in May, 1911, with the exception of Cleveland's administrations. He was a Re¬ publican, a member of the Masonic lodge, Knights of Phythias, and the Christian church. His -wife died in 1906. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Alber, deceased; H. A., whose name intro¬ duces this sketch; Addie, married John S. Johnson, Freeman; Carrie, married Frank Barber, and is now deceased; Edward, Kansas City, Mis¬ souri; Newton, deceased, and Ella May, deceased.

H. A. Hart received most of his education in the old Wolf school house, and spent his boyhood days on the home farm. When he was about seventeen years of age he entered the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company, which at that time operated the branch of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, which passes through Free¬ man. He served in the capacity of track foreman for eighteen years, making his headquarters at different times at Somerset, Westphalia, and Freeman.

In 1901 Mr. Hart engaged in the mercantile business at Freeman, in partnership with John Gregg, under the firm name of Hart and Gregg. They began in the confectionary business in a small way in a little build¬ ing on the south side of Main street, opposite the Bank of Freeman. Eight years later Mr. Hart became the sole proprietor, and in 1911 he erected a substantial brick store building, 24x100 feet, on the corner, east of the Bank of Freeman, where he engaged in the grocery business. He also handles flour and feed and buys farm produce. His grocery store is modern and he carries a line of goods that would be a credit to a much larger town than Freeman, although he has an extensive trade in Freeman and surrounding country.

Mr. Hart was married January 12, 1888, to Miss Callie Milson, of Cass County, and three children were born to this union, Ernest, a clerk in his father's store; Beaumont, manager for the Hope Lumber Com¬ pany at Freeman; and Ula, married Thomas Van Meter, Freeman. The

Mr. Hart is a member of the Masonic lodge, A. F. & A. M., Grand River Ixxlge, No. 276, Freeman, and he and Mrs. Hart are members of the Eastern Star. He has been a life-long Republican and is a mem¬ ber of the Presbyterian church.

James C. knorpp. a prominent stockman in the vicinity of Pleasant Hill, was born in Jefferson County, Missouri, in 1844. He is a son of Christian G. and Mary Teresa (Norwine) Knorpp. The father was a native of Germany and came to America at the age of eighteen, settling in Jefferson County, Missouri, where he died in 1853. Christian G. Knorpp and his wife were the parents of the following children: John C., Kansas City, Missouri ; Henry, Pleasant Hill, Missouri ; James C., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Maria Tamm, Chicago, Illinois; Mrs. Mary M. Spencer, East Lynne, Missouri ; Mrs. Barbara Henley, Pleasant Hill, Missouri; and William Shires, Pleasant Hill, Missouri. The Knorpp fam¬ ily held a reunion October 1, 1916, at the home of Henry Knorpp, in Pleasant Hill, and of the three brothers and three sisters present, all were past sixty years of age.

James C. Knorpp was educated in the public schools of Jefferson County, Missouri, and at the age of twenty-one came to Cass County, where he was employed in a store about a year. He then rented a farm and for two years followed farming. In 1869 he purchased eighty acres of land in the southern part of Jackson County. He added a thousand acres to his original purchase, but has recently given four hundred acres to his children. Mr. Knorpp has made a specialty of the stock business and has been an extensive feeder since 1878, which has proven very profitable. He has also dealt quite extensively in mules, as well as cattle and hogs.

Mr. Knorpp was married December 19, 1871, to Miss Laura A., daughter of J. J. Thelman, and the following children were born to this union: Mrs. Allie Bronaugh, Pleasant Hill; Cora E., resides at home; J. R., Colorado Springs, Colorado; Clark, Pleasant Hill, Missouri; Dean T., Pleasant Hill, Missouri; and Harry, at home. Mrs. Knorpp died Jan¬ uary 15, 1905. On April 30, 1908, Mr. Knorpp was married to Miss Mary M., daughter of Joshua and Macinda Talbot, of Pleasant Hill, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of North Carolina.

he was twelve years old. He was engaged in farming and stock raising two and a half miles east of Pleasant Hill when the Civil War broke out, and when Order No. 11 was issued the family moved to Pleasant Hill, and during the progress of the war everything that could be moved on their place was carried away, and what couldn't be moved was practically destroyed by the bands of marauders and soldiers that infested the coun¬ try. Jesse James and Cole Younger were well known to the Talbots and were frequently in this vicinity during the days of the war. Mrs. Talbot remembers Cole Younger well as being a very gentlemanly fellow. Dr. Patrick Talbot, the father of Joshua Talbot, was a pioneer doctor of Pleasant Hill, and often rode on horseback as far as thirty miles to see his patients. He died at Pleasant Hill about 1859, and is buried in Sloan Cemetery.

Asa Storms, a prominent farmer and stockman of Polk township, was born in this township January 22, 1862. He is the son of John A. and Cynthia (Sloan) Storms. The father was a native of Kentucky, born in 1831, and came to Missouri with his father in 1849. He was a son of Asa Storms, also a native of Kentucky. John A. Storms died in Cass County in 1909. Cynthia Sloan, the mother, was born in Jackson County, Missouri, in 1830, and came to Cass County, Missouri, with her parents when she was about two years of age. Jerry X. Sloan and his wife came to Jackson County, Missouri, from Indiana, riding all the way on horseback. John A. and Cynthia (Sloan) Storms were the parents of the following children: X. S., resides in Jackson County, Missouri; Asa, the subject of this sketch; Henry, Pleasant Hill, Missouri; Mrs. Carrie Lancaster, Pleasant Hill, Missouri ; and George, Pleasant Hill town¬ ship. The Storms family left their farm in Polk township during the Civil War when Order No. 11 was issued. The father had worked at the blacksmith trade in Polk township prior to that time, and after removing to Pleasant Hill continued to work at his trade and remained there for a year or two after the war closed, when he returned to his farm and followed blacksmithing for several years.

Asa Storms was educated in the public schools of Polk township and remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-nine years of age, although he began working for himself at the age of twenty-one, and has always been engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1891 he bought one hundred and forty acres of land in Polk township, which he later sold, and in 1898 bought one hundred and four acres, the same being a part of the Jesse Rowland place. Mr. Storms has added to this place, and now owns one hundred and eighty-two acres of well-improved and valuable land in Polk township, where he carries on general farming and stock raising, and is meeting with success, and is one of the pro¬ gressive farmers of Cass County.

Mr. Storms remembers that when he was a boy most of the land south of his present home for a considerable distance was covered with timber, and there were scarcely any fences with the exception of the few rail fences, and the cattle pastured in and about the woods.

In 1892 Asa Storms was united in marriage in Polk township with Miss Lula Taylor, daughter of David Taylor. Her father died in 1914 and is buried at Reed Cemetery, and the mother now resides with Mrs. Storms. To Mr. and Mrs. Storms have been bom two children, Harold A., aged twelve; a daughter, Lucille May, bom January 20, 1904, and died that day.

David Taylor, father of Mrs. Storms, was born October 24, 1836. His father, Rev. David Taylor, was a Baptist minister. He died October 22. 1881, and is buried in Reed cemetery. He was eighty-five years of age at time of his death. David Taylor was married to Mary J. Roberts, May 4, 1865. They settled in Polk township in 1868.

Mr. Storms is a member of the Central Protective Association at Pleasant Hill, Missouri, and both he and Mrs. Storms have an extensive acquaintance and many friends in the community.

Xenophon S. Storms is a descendant of one of the real pioneer fam¬ ilies of Cass County. He was born in Polk township in 1858, and is a son of John A. and Cynthia A. (Sloan) Storms. The father was born in Jessamine County, Kentucky, in 1831. He was a son of Asa Storms and came to Cass County with his parents from Kentucky in 1849. There were several members of the family. He died in 1910, and his wife, Cynthia A. Sloan, who was bom in Jackson County, Missouri, in 1830, died in 1904. Their remains rest side by side in the Sloan Cemetery. They were the parents of six children, as follows: X. S., the subject of this sketch ; Asa, Polk township : Henry, Pleasant Hill ; Mrs. Carrie B. Lancaster, Pleasant Hil1 ; George, Pleasant Hill township ; and Ella, who died at the age of twelve years.

the Storm school house. He began farming for himself at the age of twenty-one, although he made his home with his parents for several years. He bought his first place, which consisted of eighty-five acres, about 1887. He sold this in January, 1900, and purchased his present farm of one hundred twenty acres, located just across the county line, in Van Buren township, Jackson County. He paid thirty-six dollars and fifty cents per acre for this place, which was very slightly improved at the time. He has made of it one of the finest farms in that vicinity, and has won the reputation of being one of the best farmers in his neighbor¬ hood. In 1908 he built a cozy, seven-room, modern residence. His place is well equipped with barns, sheds, and a garage. The place has a splen¬ did supply of water, which is considered an indispensable adjunct for a convenient and profitable stock farm. Mr. Storms specializes in highgrade Shorthorn cattle and registered Poland China hogs.

Mr. Storms was united in marriage in 1900 with Miss Sallie J. Thompson, daughter of George and Elizabeth Thompson, of Pleasant Hill. The Thompson family are natives of Garrett County, Kentucky. They came to Cass County, Missouri, in 1881. Elizabeth Thompson, mother of Mrs. Storms, died in September, 1888, lacking but a few days of having lived fifty-one years. George Thompson died in March, 1906. He is buried near Mahomet, Illinois, in Riverside Cemetery, and Mrs. Thomp¬ son in the Wills Cemetery at Peculiar, Missouri. Mrs. Storms has three brothers, as follows: Archie, Mahomet, Illinois; Lannie, Urbana, Illi¬ nois; and Lopez, Lonejack, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Storms has been born one daughter. lone, a student at Hazel Dell School.

Mr. Storms is one of the successful and prosperous farmers of the vicinity of Pleasant Hill. He is a director of the Farmers' National Bank of Pleasant Hill, and widely known as a substantial man of affairs.

Henry K. McClintock, well known as a successful farmer and stock raiser of Cass County, was born October 21, 1873, on the place where he now resides, in Polk township. He is a descendant from Kentucky ancestors, his parents being Joseph S. and Sallie W. (Kimbrough) McClintock, natives of Kentucky. Joseph S. McClintock was a son of Thomas McClintock and Rachel Corbin, natives of Bourbon County, Ken¬ tucky, the former being of Scotch decent. Joseph S. McClintock came to Missouri some time prior to the Civil War, and settled at Marshall. When the war broke out he returned to his native state. In 1871 he came back to Missouri, and at first located near Lees Summit. Later he came to Cass County and purchased the old Berry Clay farm of one hundred sixty acres, in Polk township, from Jack Edmondson. He died in 1883. His wife passed away in 1881. Their remains are buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Henry K., the subject of this sketch; Thomas C., who was drowned in Big Creek in 1915, at the age of forty years; Minnie Rachel, married Harry Davis, Norwich, Kansas; Nellie B.. married Monte Cloud, Spivey, Kansas; and Joshua C., who resides in Big Creek township.

When Henry K. McClintock was ten years of age his father died. Henry went to live with his uncle, Joshua C. McClintock, with whom he remained until he was eighteen years old. He then worked as a farm laborer for five years. In 1896 he rented the old home place in Polk township, and in 1900 bought the interests of the other heirs, and since that time has owned and operated the old home farm. Mr. McClintock carries on general farming and stock raising and has met with success.

Mr. McClintock was united in marriage in 1896 to Miss Sallie G. Poyntz, a daughter of John A. and Hattie (Caldwell) Poyntz. Mr. Poyntz was at one time presiding judge of Cass County. He died in September, 1903, his wife having preceded him in death a number of years. Their remains rest in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Will McClean, Ettiwanda, California; Cyrus C., who is now deceased; and his widow and one daughter, Catherine, reside at North Yakima, Washington; Mrs. Edgar Wilson, Amarillo, Texas; Jim A., Kaslo, British Columbia; Sallie G., the wife of Henry K. McClintock; Mrs. Robert Wallingford, Amarillo, Texas; and Mrs. Charles Polk, San¬ ford, Florida.

To Mr. and Mrs. McClintock have been born two children, as follows: Annettie, who was bora in 1900, a member of the junior class of the Pleasant Hill High School; and Joseph A., who was bora in 1903, also a student in the Pleasant Hill school.

Robert Noland, a successful farmer and stockman of Cass County, is a native of Jackson County, and a descendant of a Missouri pioneer family. He was born November 26, 1861, and is a son of Collin and Delila (Stover) Nolan, both natives of Missouri. Collin Noland was probably born in Jackson County. In 1870 he came from Lees Summit to Polk township and located on one hundred forty acres of land, having traded one hundred twenty acres at Lees Summit for this place. He made his home here for forty-five years. He died December 18, 1915.

His wife died in 1874. Their remains are buried in Reed Cemetery. This is one of the oldest cemeteries in Cass County and was once a part of the Noland farm.

Collin Noland lived in Jackson County when the Civil War broke out. He met with considerable financial loss, which was the common lot of many during this great conflict in which life and the property of the residents of this section were so insecure. Mr. Noland lost all his stock, which included many good horses. Even his hogs were stolen and carried away. He experienced much of the pioneer life of the early days. Col¬ lin Noland was one of the first mail carriers between Independence and Harrisonville, making the trip with the mail between these points once or twice a week. For a time he was engaged in freighting, between Kansas City and St. Louis, before the railroads were built. In 1849 he made a trip across the plains.

Robert Noland was one of a family of five children born to his parents. The others are as follows: Mrs. Maggie Roupe, Polk township; Mrs. Angelina Martin, Polk township; Mrs. Nannie Widders, Johnson County, Missouri; and Mrs. Minnie Seaton, deceased. Robert received his early education in the public schools, attending Scrub Oak School in Polk township. Later he attended the Warrensburg State Normal School. He also took a business course in Kansas City, Missouri. He began life for himself at the age of twenty-five as a farmer and stock raiser in Polk township. He first bought forty acres of land, which are a part of his present fine farm of two hundred forty acres, which is located three miles northwest of Strasburg. Two hundred acres of his land are as fine a body of bottom land as can be found in Cass County. Mr. Noland's place is well improved, the result of his own industry and persistent toil. He built his residence in 1895, and in 1904 he erected a large barn, well adapted for his purposes. He carries on farming and stock raising and makes a specialty of Shorthorn cattle and Duroc hogs.

Mr. Noland was married in 1891 to Miss Sallie Roupe, daughter of Martin and Martha (Aldridge) Roupe. Martin Roupe was an early set¬ tler, who came from Tennessee, his native state, to Missouri with his father prior to the Civil War. His wife was a native of Alabama. Martin and Martha (Aldridge) Roupe were the parents of the following chil¬ dren: John, who was born in 1863, and lives in Polk township; Sallie, the wife of Robert Noland, who was born in 1864 ; Thomas, who was born in 1867, resides in Big Creek township; James, who was born in 1869, deceased; Mrs. Laura E. Garrett, who was born in 1872, and lives in

Nebraska; and Mary Funk, who was born in 1877, and lives on the old home place. Mr. Roupc makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Funk. He is seventy-seven years of age. His wife died in September, 1913.

Mr. and Mrs. Noland are the parents of eight children, four of whom died in infancy. Those living are as follows: Collins, at home with his parents; Martha, who married Irvin Curtis, Polk township; Ethel and Harry, at home. Mr. Noland is a progressive, enterprising, substan¬ tial citizen.

Col. Nimrod T. Lancaster, of Pleasant Hill, is well known throughout Cass and and adjoining counties as a successful auctioneer. Mr. Lan¬ caster was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, in 1860. He is a son of J. E. and Mary F. (Miller) Lancaster, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Luella Williamson, Greenwood, Missouri; Nimrod T., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Tilla Eddy, Strasburg, Missouri; H. G., Polk town¬ ship; E. B., an extensive stock buyer and shipper, Pleasant Hill; Albert Lewis, Polk township; F. C., Polk township, and Ruth, married Berry Parker, Polk township. She died in 1906.

Nimrod T. Lancaster received his education in the public schools of Ohio, and came to Missouri in December, 1884, and first settled at Lonejack. He was practically penniless when he came to this state and the success which he has attained is due to his own industry and unaided efforts. He began his career in Missouri as a farm laborer in Jackson County, and for two years and eight months worked for Jacob Yankee, near Lonejack. He then went to Holden, Johnson County, in the employ of R. L. Jackson, and while there met with an accident which probably changed his whole career. He split his knee with an ax, and was unable to do any work for thirteen months. He then tried farming again, but found that he was considerably handicapped as a result of the accident to his knee. He had always wanted to be an auctioneer, and now, more than ever, determined upon that course, although many of his acquaintances tried to discourage him. Notwithstanding that, he had his cards printed and attended sales and assisted other auctioneers for a time. He finally succeeded in getting his first sale from Lee Phillips in Polk township, about 1898, and this was the beginning of an active career in that line of work. He does an extensive business throughout four counties in Missouri, and is frequently called to other states in his professional capacity. He is considered one of the best auctioneers in western Missouri. He has his office at his home in Polk township, where he owns a fine farm of ninety-three acres, which he purchased from H. V. Hurst of Harrisonville.

Colonel Lancaster was married in 1883 to Miss Sophia Elizabeth Williamson, daughter of Lorenzo Dow and Honor (Grubbs) Williamson, of Logan township, Dearborn County, Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Lan¬ caster have been born the following children: Ora, married Anna Talbot, of Pleasant Hill, and lives in Polk township; Archie, married Viola Ken¬ nedy, and lives in Jackson County; Ida Honor, resides at home; Ruth May, married Wayne Kennedy and lives in Polk township, and one son died in infancy. Mrs. Lancaster died October 1, 1916, and her remains are buried in Sloan Cemetery in Polk township.

Henry Stewart, president of the Farmers National Bank of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, and a prosperous farmer and stockman, is a native son of Cass County. Mr. Stewart was born in Polk township in 1862, a son of Solomon and Nancy A. (Tull) Stewart. The father was a native of Ken¬ tucky, born in 1818, and the mother was a native of Missouri. Solomon Stewart was a very early settler in Missouri, locating in Polk township, Cass County, about three miles from Lone jack, in the early thirties. He was a prosperous farmer and stockman prior to the Civil War, but like many others in this vicinity was a victim to the devastation of war and met with financial losses from which he never recovered. In 1861 he met with an accident. A horse fell on him which resulted in the break¬ ing of one of Mr. Stewart's legs. Owing to inability to get a doctor to set the broken bone properly, he was a cripple for the remainder of his life. He died in Polk township June 1, 1888. His wife departed this life May 8, 1866. They were the parents of the following children: Charles, who was accidentally burned to death at the age of seven ; Martha A., who married W. D. Smith and resides at Lonejack, Missouri; Henry, the subject of this sketch, and James, twins, the latter of wThom died in Polk township in 1911 and his remains were buried in Reed cemetery; and Sarah J., who died at the age of fourteen.