Cass County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1917 (part 9 of 15)

Mr. Kohler is a natvie of Germany. He was born at Wuremberg, January 24, 1840, a son of John and Marber Barber (Marhoff) Kohler. The Kohler family came to America in 1852. They landed in New York and went from there to Ashland County, Ohio, where they remained a short time when they removed to Champaign County, Ohio, and five or six years later to Shelby County, Ohio, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives.

John Kohler came to Missouri and located in Cass County, October 23, 1866. He engaged in farming and stock raising, which he followed successfully until 1898, when he removed to Harrisonville. He won the reputation of being one of the best farmers in Cass County and accumu¬ lated considerable land. He now owns six hundred acres of some of the best land in the county.

Mr. Kohler was married August 23, 1866, in Shelby County, Ohio, to Miss Margaret M. Watkins, who was born near Johnstown, Pennsyl¬ vania. Mr. and Mrs. Kohler celebrated their golden wedding on the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage at their home in Harrisonville, and it was one of the enjoyable events of the season, and the occasion will long be remembered by the members of the family and the many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Kohler, who were privileged to be present.

To John Kohler and wife have been born the following children : John L., farmer, Cass County; Maggs, the wife of W. F. Wolf, Creighton, Missouri ; David, Coffeyville, Kansas ; Edward, Olathe, Kansas ; A. W., a sketch of whom appears in this volume; and I. M., farmer, Cass County.

Mr. Kohler is a Republican and belongs to the Christian church. He is one of Cass County's most substantial citizens. He has had an unusu¬ ally successful career and as one of Cass County's pioneers has done his part. He has never been known to shirk a duty nor responsibility. Dur¬ ing the Civil War he served in the Union army with an Ohio regiment and has a war record without a blemish.

Mrs. Missouri Glass, of Freeman, is a native of Grand River town¬ ship and belongs to a Cass County pioneer family. She bore the maiden name of Cummings, and is a daughter of Benjamin and Mary J. (Adams) Cummings. Benjamin Cummings was born at Elizabeth, Kentucky, February 22, 1821, and was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Lowe) Cum¬ mings, both natives of Kentucky. The Cummings family were among the very early settlers of Cass County. Thomas Cummings and his family settled in Grand River township in the early thirties. Upon settling here Thomas Cummings pre-empted land southwest of Harrisonville and spent the remainder of his life on that place. He died before the Civil War, and his widow survived him for a number of years.

Benjamin Cummings, father of Mrs. Glass, spent the remainder of his life in Grand River township, after coming here, becoming a well-todo farmer and stockman. He bought and sold cattle quite extensively dur¬ ing his career. He died March 28, 1876. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary J. Adams, was a native of Jackson County, Missouri, and a daughter of Sidney and Nancy (DeWitt) Adams, natives of Kentucky, and very early settlers in Jackson County. They came to Cass County in the early thirties and settled in the eastern part of what is now Dolan township where the father preempted government land. He was the pioneer nurseryman of Cass County. He raised apple trees from the seeds and the early settlers came to his place from a radius of several miles to obtain fruit trees, and much of the fruit of the early days in Cass County was due to his enterprise in that industry. He died in 1883, aged seventy-three years, and his wife died several years later. Mrs. Glass' mother died in 1913, aged seventy-eight years.

Benjamin and Mary J. (Adams) Cummings were the parents of the following children: Virginia, married Ben Stevens, and is now deceased; Josephine, married T. F. Prettyman, Grand River township; Missouri, the subject of this sketch; Kentucky, married Francis Allen, Kansas City; Sterling Price, lived in Idaho and is now deceased ; Robert Lee, Oklahoma ; Mrs. America Hodges, Ottawa, Kansas; Mrs. Cora Dutro, Grand River township; Frank, lives in Colorado; and Benjamin, Jr., occupies the old home place in Grand River township.

Mrs. Glass spent her girlhood days in Grand River township, and on February 28, 1878, she was united in marriage with T. D. Ryan, a native of Kentucky, who came to Cass County with his parents and settled in Grand River township at a very early day. He was a successful farmer and stockman and for a number of years was president of the Bank of Freeman, having spent his active business career in that vicinity. He died December 30, 1908. On June 4, 1911, Mrs. Ryan and Alexander Glass were united in marriage. He was a native of Tennessee, bom March 16, 1851, and died December 9, 1914. Mrs. Glass now resides in her splendid residence, surrounded by all comforts and conveniences, at Freeman. She is an interesting woman and relates many incidents of pioneer days. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

D. R. Griffith, M. D., a prominent physician of Cass County, is a member of one of the best pioneer families of Missouri. He was born in 1854 in Independence, Missouri, son of Alexander B. and Margaret (Drake) Griffith.

Alexander B. Griffith, a native of Virginia, was born in 1819. He came to Cass County, Missouri, in 1839 and located on a farm near Dayton. At that time Lexington, Missouri, was the nearest milling and trad¬ ing point, and Alexander Griffith would drive his team of oxen there with a load of bacon, which he sold for one dollar per hundred pounds. In 1849, at the time of the wide-spread excitement over the discovery of shining particles of gold in Captain Sutter's mill-race, near San Fran¬ cisco, and when people rushed to the gold fields, Alexander Griffith went to California. Thousands of the immigrants died on the way and the routes to California were strewn with bones, but Mr. Griffith was far more forunate than the average. He returned after four years, and with gold. Alexander Griffith was a veteran of the Mexican and Civil wars, serving under General Price. He was quarter-master under General Price in the Civil War. Mr. Griffith entered one thousand acres of land five miles north of Clinton, Henry County, Missouri. He purchased from four hundred to five hundred acres in Bates and Cass Counties. Alex¬ ander Griffith was the one who laid off the town of Dayton, and until the beginning of the Civil War was the leading merchant there and one of the best in the county. The year preceding the war he drove six hun¬ dred head of cattle to Tipton, Missouri, and from there shipped them to St. Louis, Missouri. His life passed out at Clinton, Missouri, in 1903. He was eighty-four years of age. Margaret (Drake) Griffith was the daugh¬ ter of Judge David Drake of Henry County, and of Howard County prior to the date of his election in Henry County. Mrs. Griffith died in 1910 in

Oklahoma and is interred near her husband at Drake's Chapel. Alex¬ ander B. and Margaret (Drake) Griffith were the parents of the following children: Dr. D. R., subject of this review; Mrs. Jemimah Bates, de¬ ceased, whose husband is at present clerk of Lafayette County, Missouri; Dr. Ed, Gallatin, Missouri; Mrs. Sallie Davidson, deceased; Dr. Joseph K., Tishimingo, Oklahoma; and Mrs. Maggie Berry, wife of George Berry, ex-police judge of Clinton, Missouri, residing in Odessa, Missouri.

Dr. D. R. Griffith attended the Warrensburg State Normal School and the Kansas City Medical College, graduating from the latter institu¬ tion with the class of 1882. Immediately upon graduation he began the practice of his chosen profession in Dayton, where he remained two years. For two years Dr. Griffith resided upon a farm east of Creighton and for eight years practiced medicine in Clinton. From Clinton he moved to Arkansas, and after two years there came back to Creighton, where he has since been engaged in practicing medicine and in the drug business. Dr. Griffith has always been in the drug business and he and his son, Edgar M., have the only drug store in Creighton.

In 1883 Dr. D. R. Griffith and Virginia Eureka Bates, daughter of Colonel Theodore and Nancy (Ellis) Bates, were united in marriage. Colonel Bates was a native of Saxony, Germany. In his day he was one of the largest breeders of Shorthorns in Missouri. He owned thirty-two hundred acres of land before he shared with his children. His death occurred about 1890. Nancy (Ellis) Bates, a native of Tennessee, was a member of a prominent pioneer family who came to Warren County, Mis¬ souri in the early days. To Dr. and Mrs. Griffith have been born seven children: Dr. E. M., who is associated with his father, Creighton, Mis¬ souri ; Bates, section foreman with the Kansas City, Springfield and Clinton Railroad, Creighton, Missouri; Paul, dry goods man, with Peck's Dry Goods Company, Kansas City, Missouri; Joseph, section foreman with the Kansas City, Springfield and Clinton Railroad, Harrisonville, Missouri; Ruth, wife of Fred Lummery, Creighton, Missouri; George, graduate of the Clinton High School in 1915, now a student at the age of eighteen in the State University, Columbia, Missouri, pursuing the medi¬ cal course; and Leslie, age fifteen years, student in the University High School of Columbia. Dr. E. M. Griffith, the eldest son, who is following in the footsteps of his father and associated with him, is a graduate of the University Medical College of Kansas City, Missouri, with the class of 1911. In the same year he and Georgie Cowan, a teacher in Manilla,

Arkansas, were married. In 1915 he was president of the Cass County Medical Society. Although Dr. E. M. Griffith is still a very young man, he has an excellent practice and has been deservedly successful. He is in partnership with his father in the drug store and they carry a fine, clean, attractive line of goods.

Dr. and Mrs. D. R. Griffith have made their home in Creighton ever since the town was laid out, in 1885. Dr. Griffith, in political affiliations, like his father before him, is a democrat. In countless ways he is one of Cass County's most indispensable citizens.

E. P. Goodrum, a highly esteemed citizen of Sherman township, was born in Suffolk County, England, in 1864, son of Robert Goodrum, a native of England. Robert Goodrum immigrated to America in 1874, and lo¬ cated in Sherman township, one mile south of Creighton. The Goodrum family lived in a little log cabin and the family was a large one. E. P. Goodrum was reared upon this farm and in this log cabin and vividly recalls those old days of the trundle bed. Robert Goodrum died in Sher¬ man township in 1897, and is buried in Grant Cemetery. His wife died in 1895. E. P. Goodrum is one of seven living children, born to Robert Goodrum and wife, who are as follows: Mrs. Ellen Elizabeth Ballard, St. Clair County, Missouri; Japther, Henry County, Missouri; Robert, Rich Hill, Missouri; E. P., subject of this review; James, Sherman town¬ ship, Missouri ; Mrs. Florence Dockins, Glasgow, Missouri ; and Mrs. Min¬ nie Page, Urich, Bates County, Missouri.

E. P. Goodrum received his education in the common schools in Sherman township. He began life for himself at the age of twrenty, and for five years worked out by the month. At the end of this period he and his brother, Robert, rented land in partnership for two years, after which E. P. Goodrum returned home and for three years remained with his parents.

November 13, 1892, E. P. Goodrum and Jennie Oneal, daughter of John and Eliza (Sloan) Oneal, of Dayton, were united in marriage. Mr. Sloan, grandfather of Mrs. Goodrum, was one of the pioneers of Wash¬ ington County, Missouri. John Oneal was a union soldier. He died while in service. Eliza (Sloan) Oneal died in Sherman township in 1902 and is buried at Maysburg, Bates County.

This place comprises thirty-nine and a half acres of valuable land, which was originally the old town site of Grant. At one time Grant was a flourishing little village with two general stores, drug store, marble shop, harness shop, blacksmith shop and a millinery store, but when Creighton came into existence the town of Grant literally moved away. The Grant Methodist Church is the only structure left of the abandoned town. Mr. Goodrum has added all the improvements upon his place with the ex¬ ception of the barn, which was well constructed and is still in good con¬ dition.

Mr. and Mrs. Goodrum are well known and respected residents of Cass County. Genial and kind, possessing pleasant manners and good personal address, they have, in their quiet and unassuming way, made scores of friends and have done and are doing their part in the better¬ ment and upbuilding of their county and township.

James A. McCoy, one of the honored pioneers of Missouri, was born in Lafayette County, Missouri, April 30, 1840, son of John and Letitia (Dalton) McCoy. John McCoy was born in 1818 in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, son of Lewis McCoy, a native Virginian, who brought his family to Lafayette County, Missouri, in 1838. He died in Lafayette County at the age of ninety-four years. John McCoy came from Lafay¬ ette County to Henry County in 1854, and thence to Cass County in 1866, locating on the future townsite of Grant. John McCoy sold the forty acres upon which the town of Grant was later located. He purchased this land from William Morrison and Lotspiech, who had entered it. Franklin Pierce signed the deed in 1856. Letitia (Dalton) McCoy was also a native of Virginia, and she and John McCoy were married in their native state. To John and Letitia (Dalton) McCoy were born the following children: Mrs. Mary Jane Rader, deceased ; M. L., died April 15, 1917, aged eightyeight years, two months and seven days, buried at Urich, Missouri; Rennick, who died in infancy; William Rennick, who died in Creighton, Mis¬ souri; Mrs. Elizabeth Haskell, who died in California; A. F., who died in Greenwood County, Kansas; Nancy Sabina and John F., twins, died at Urich, Missouri ; and James A. The mother died in 1862 and is interred in McCord Cemetery in Henry County, Missouri, and the father died in 1869, just three years after coming to Cass County. He is at rest beside his wife in McCord Cemetery.

Lafayette and Henry Counties. When James McCoy was a lad the edu¬ cational facilities were very meager and most of the youth's time neces¬ sarily had to be spent assisting his father with the various duties of the farm. But he was naturally a student and with an inherent love of knowledge has in a great measure become his own educator, with keen judgment matured by observation and reflection and refined tastes de¬ veloped by the best associations. When he was twenty-two years old his country called him and he enlisted March 10, 1862, with the Union Army at Georgetown, Pettis County, Missouri. He belonged to the southwest¬ ern division and was in active service in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and Texas. Mr. McCoy was on the Price and Shelby raids, the former lasting thirty days. He took a prominent part in the battles of Little Blue, Big Blue and many other engagements. September 1, 1864, in a skirmish near Strasburg his shoulder was dislocated and his ankle mashed. He was mustered out at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri, April 20, 1865. For three years he had given his best to the republic, and aided mightily in upholding the hands of the government. As we look back over the broad expanse of years and view that bitter struggle with an ever widen¬ ing perspective, we can not but appreciate the courage of the men of that time.

After the war had ended James McCoy returned home to Henry County, Missouri. The same year, 1865, his father sold his place in Henry County, and moved to Sherman township, Cass County, in 1866, as has been previously mentioned. He purchased five hundred eightyfive acres of land, three hundred twenty acres from William Morrison, and the balance from Nathan Gregg.

December 27, 1866, James A. McCoy and Mary E. Miller, daughter of Jonathan and Sarah (Gump) Miller, of Henry County, were united in marriage. Jonathan Miller died in Henry County about 1892, and Mrs. Miller makes her home with her son, Henry F., in Urich, Missouri. She is ninety-five years of age and in fairly good health. She can still read with ease and is quite active for one of her advanced years. Mrs. McCoy is one of nine children born to Jonathan and Sarah (Gump) Miller, who are: Henry F., Urich, Missouri; Mary E., wife of the subject of this sketch; John Jacob, Urich, Missouri; Mrs. Susan Coolidge, Leeds, North Dakota; George W., Lamar, Missouri; William, Urich, Missouri; Mrs. Rebecca Wells, Urich, Missouri; R. F., Urich, Missouri; and Mrs. Emma Powers, Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy are the parents of six children, all of whom are living: Henry, Urich, Missouri; Mrs. Emma Forsyth, Creighton, Missouri ; John, Creighton, Missouri ; Mrs. Mildred Adams, Warrensburg, Missouri ; Alfred, at home ; and Frank, Howe, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy are further blessed with twelve splendid grandchildren. December 27, 1916, they celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding and all the children and grandchildren were present.

The McCoy place is located three miles north and one mile west of Creighton. Mr. McCoy has been the owner since 1866, and has lived there for fifty-one years. The farm was raw prairie when he came to it and he has added all the improvements. He is engaged in general farm¬ ing and stock raising. A large maple tree which shades the lawn on the east side of the home was planted by Mr. McCoy forty-five years ago, and is one of the most beautiful trees of the township.

James A. McCoy is a man of courtly manners and kindly deeds, and during his long residence of more than sixty years in this vicinity, he has gained the respect and esteem of all. He and Mrs. McCoy have made countless friends. Mr. McCoy has ever been a hard worker. He began life with no resources but those of a healthy body and mind and an in¬ domitable will. He has made his way to success as the Scriptures com¬ mand, "By the sweat of his brow". Missouri has produced few men whose life history has been more honorable, more full of suggestion and encouragement to the youth of today.

William V. Blayney, of Sherman township, is of Irish lineage, and possesses many of the characteristics for which his race is noted. He was born November 15, 1855, in Washington County, Pennsylvania, son of Vincent Miller and Mary (Donahey) Blayney. Vincent Miller Blayney was born in West Virginia in 1814, son of Charles Blayney, who had im¬ migrated to America from Ireland. Mary (Donahey) Blayney was born in Pennsylvania, daughter of Samuel Donahey, who immigrated to Amer¬ ica from Ireland. To Vincent Miller and Mary (Donahey) Blayney were born the following children : Mrs. Anna Jane Eagleson, deceased ; Charles P., Marshall, Missouri; Samuel D., Crothers, Pennsylvania; William V., subject of this review; and Joseph C., Buffalo, Pennsylvania.

William V. Blayney received his education in the schools of Wash¬ ington County, Pennsylvania. Until he was twenty-six years of age he remained at home with his parents assisting with the work of the farm.

He then came to Cass County, Missouri, and located upon the place which has been his home ever since. His father had purchased the place from Captain Stahl prior to William V.'s coming.

December 23, 1884, William V. Blayney and Mary E. Sliffe, daughter of Benjamin and Drucilla (Maxwell) Sliffe, were united in marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Sliffe came to Austin township, Cass County, in 1880. Benjamin Sliffe was a son of Henry Sliffe, one of the pioneers of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, locating there in 1803. The father of Henry Sliffe immigrated from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania in the early days. Benjamin Sliffe died in Austin in 1901, and his widow still lives on the home place, near Austin. She is now seventy-four years of age. Mrs. Blayney is one of six children born to Benjamin and Drucilla (Maxwell) Sliffe, who are as follows: Charles, Marshall, Missouri; Mary E., wife of the subject of this review; E. G., Bates County, Missouri; Mrs. Laura A. Baker, Archie, Missouri; J. Benjamin, Kansas City, Missouri; and Herbert N., who makes his home with his mother on the home place. To William V. and Mary E. (Sliffe) Blayney have been born three children: Homer Uel, Garden City, Missouri; Grace Carsona, at home; and William Earl, at home.

The Blayney place is well improved and all the improvements Mr. Blayney himself has added since his coming to the farm. In 1912 a well constructed and commodious barn was erected, which is 34x40 feet, with a granatoid foundation all around, and hallway is also granatoid, and it is a rat-proof barn. Mr. Blayney is engaged in general farming and stock raising.

In addition to the manifold duties of the farm, William V. Blayney shoulders the responsibile position of chorister in the Creighton Presby¬ terian Church. Mr. Blayney taught vocal music schools for many years, both in this county and in Bates County, commencing the winter of 1881. He was an excellent teacher and did much in the way of encourag¬ ing work along the lines of vocal music and in fostering a love for the best in this art. His work as chorister is invaluable, for the choir de¬ pends entirely upon him to arrange the music for special occasions, but the value of his work in stimulating a desire for good music in the home, church, and school, can not be estimated. "Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast", the poet wisely spoke, and with a deep devotion to his art, Mr. Blayney forged ahead, the torch bearer in music work in this locality. His work has been and always will be greatly appreciated. He is one of the County's most valuable citizens.

Jonathan K. Miller, a prosperous farmer of Dayton township, is a native of Indiana. He was born February 13, 1866, in Lagrange County, Indiana. His parents, Joseph and Christina (Kaufman) Miller, were both born in 1839 in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. To Joseph and Christina (Kaufman) Miller were born the following children: Samuel, deceased; William, deceased; David K., who resides in Camp Branch township; Elizabeth, wife of Aaron King, resides near Garden City, Missouri; Jona¬ than K., subject of this review; Levi, of Index township; Mary, wife of Isaac Hartzler, resides near East Lynne, Missouri ; Anna, widow of Joseph Yoder, resides in Index township; and Cassie, wife of Abraham Hostettler, resides in Lagrange County, Indiana.

August 22, 1872, Joseph Miller came from Lagrange County, Indiana, to Cass County and located upon the farm now owned by his son, Levi, three miles north of Garden City. He purchased at this time eighty acres of prairie land and gradually increased his holdings until he at one time was owner of four hundred eighty acres of land, which he divided among his children. He followed general farming and stock raising. He lived upon this place where he had originally located until his death, in 1911. Mrs. Miller's death occurred in 1904, and she and her husband are buried in Clearfork Cemetery.

Jonathan K. Miller received his education in Clearfork school, and like most boys on the farm in those days, divided his time between at¬ tendance at the district school and assisting with the work of the farm, which a lad could do. He remained at home until he was twenty-five years of age and then rented land for one year, after which he purchased eighty acres in Dayton township, which are now a part of his farm of three hundred twenty-four acres.

In 1890 Jonathan K. Miller and Otilla Martin, daughter of Christian and Phoebe (Nafzinger) Martin, of Dayton township, were united in mar¬ riage. Christian Martin was born in 1843 in Alsace, a former province of France, which was incorporated since the war of 1870 with the Ger¬ man empire. Alsace is one of the most fertile districts in Central Europe and from a very early period and for many ages has been a disputed ter¬ ritory. It has suffered much in the contentions of rival races, was origi¬ nally French, then became German, and then French again, and in Feb¬ ruary, 1871, the French cession of Alsace, together with Lorraine, was one of the earliest conditions laid down by Count Bismarck in the peace of Versailles. Many of the inhabitants of the conquered districts clung to the old connection, and September 30, 1872, forty-five thousand elected to be still French, and sorrowfully took their departure. This is the prov¬ ince which has figured so prominently in the present war. Christian Martin was a child of nine years when he emigrated with his parents from Alsace to America and located in Tazewell County, Illinois, and from there came to Cass County in 1875. His death occurred in 1907, and his widow makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Ed Kenagy, near Garden City. Christian and Phoebe (Nafzinger) Martin were the par¬ ents of the following children: Ida May, deceased; Mrs. Jonathan K. Miller, wife of the subject of this review; Amos J., a prominent stockman, near Garden City, Missouri; Mrs. Samuel K. Yoder, East Lynne, Missouri; Benjamin M., Minot, North Dakota; Mrs. Phoebe Goode, de¬ ceased; and Mrs. Ed Kenagy, Garden City, Missouri. To Jonathan K. and Otilla (Martin) Miller have been born four children: Nettie M., wife of Edward Kropf, of Garden City, Missouri; Alvin, at home; Oscar,

The Miller stock farm is located one and a fourth miles east of Gar¬ den City, in Dayton township. Mr. Miller moved to this place in 1904. In 1912 he remodeled the house. There are two sets of buildings upon the place. Mr. Miller is a feeder of cattle and hogs upon an extensive scale, usually keeping fifty head of cattle and from one hundred to one hundred fifty head of hogs, besides from fifteen to twenty head of horses. The place is well equipped to take care of the stock. There are four large barns, 24x30, 40x64, 24x28, and 24x30 feet, and a well constructed silo, 14x32 feet, which was erected in 1915.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller are enrolled among Cass County's best citizens and are highly respected and esteemed in their community. They are both members of the Mennonite Church and are faithful and consistent Christians. By efficiency, honesty and square dealings, Mr. Miller has succeeded in life, nobly assisted by his good wife. The record of what they did may be effaced with the onward sweep of the fleeting years, but the memory of what they stood for, what they are, time can never blot out.

S. S. Crawford, proprietor "Crawford's Elm Grove Farm," of Sher¬ man township, was born January 26, 1866, near Humansville, in Polk County, son of James M. and Jane M. (Crawford) Crawford, natives of eastern Tennessee. James M. Crawford came to Polk County in the early days, and for many years was engaged in the teaching profession. His death, due to sunstroke, occurred in August, 1868. Mrs. Crawford died in Polk County in 1897. James M. and Jane M. Crawford were the par¬ ents of two sons: Andrew Joseph, who resides in Paris, Texas, and S. S., subject of this review.

S. S. Crawford received his education in the schools of Polk County. He was reared upon the farm and has naturally followed farming as his vocation. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Polk County pre¬ vious to his coming to this county in August, 1907, when he purchased the Samuel Pullen farm, which is located one mile south of Creighton.

March 20, 1889, S. S. Crawford and Mary Elizabeth Lowry, daugh¬ ter of W. S. and Mary R. (Sansom) Lowry, pioneers of Polk County, were united in marriage. Mrs. Lowry was born in Pennsylvania. Mr. Lowry was born near Adamsville, Guernsey County, Ohio, December 10, 1836, and Mrs. Lowry was born April 10, 1849. W. S. Lowry was a miner in the sixties in Utah and Idaho, and saved enough from his labors there to make his start in life. He is now eighty years old, and he and his wife are both living in Dunnegan, Missouri. Mrs. Crawford has three sisters living: Mrs. Belle Wollard, Humansville, Missouri; Jennie, at home; and Mrs. Emily Walker, Dunnegan, Missouri. A brother, J. W. Lowry, died February, 1916, and his widow, Nancy J. Lowry, lives at Dunnegan, Missouri. To S. S. and Mary Elizabeth (Lowry) Crawford have been born four sons: George V., who is operator for the Kansas City, Clinton and Springfield Railway, located at Deepwater; James Wm., who resides on a farm near Creighton, Missouri; Otis L., at home; and Charles R., at home.

Mr. Crawford is engaged in general farming and stock raising. His place is well watered and slopes to the east and north; sixty acres are in blue grass and seventy-five in timothy and clover. A fine grove of elms near the house is one of the particularly attractive features of the farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have been residents of Cass County but a comparatively short time, yet they have already firmly established them¬ selves in the confidence and esteem of their community.

Albert F. Goodson, proprietor of the "Goodson Homestead Farm,,, was born in Henry County, Missouri, October 13, 1872, son of C. C. and Louisa E. (Page) Goodson. C. C. Goodson emigrated with his parents from England, where he was born, and came to America when he was a mere child. The Goodsons located temporarily in St. Charles County, and from thence came to Cass County, fifty years ago and settled perman¬ ently in Sherman township. Philip Goodson, father of C. C. Goodson, at first rented land, but eventually purchased three hundred acres, part of which now forms a portion of Albert F. Goodson's farm. C. C. Goodson died in 1897 and is buried in Parker Cemetery. Louisa E. (Page) Goodson was the daughter of George Page, of Sherman township. Mr. Page was one of the brave pioneers of the township who did their part so nobly and well. Mrs. Goodson died in March, 1898, and is buried in Parker Cemetery. C. C. and Louisa E. (Page) Goodson were the parents of four children: Albert F., subject of this review; C. C., who resides in Henry County, Missouri; Levi, Catalee, Oklahoma; and Mary Ellen, Pasadena, California. Albert F. remained with his parents until 1896, when he began life for himself.

March 16, 1898, Albert F. Goodson and Ollie Fink, daughter of J. B. and Lucretia (Russell) Fink, of Henry County, were united in marriage. Ollie (Fink) Goodson was born in Iowa. Her parents returned to their original home in Illinois when she was a child and from Illinois came to Henry County, Missouri, locating near Creighton. Her mother, Lucretia (Russell) Fink, died in 1899, and is buried in Grant Cemetery. Mrs. Goodson has two brothers living: H. S., who resides in Bates County, Missouri, and J. B., Creighton, Missouri.

The "Goodson Homestead Farm" comprises one hundred sixty acres, which were a part of the home place of his father, purchased by Philip Goodson fifty years ago. It later formed part of the Nathan Gregg place and was purchased by Albert F. Goodson. About one hundred acres are fertile valley land. It is a beautiful upland home, located on the highest point in this vicinity, a hill, one and a fourth miles south of Creighton. A delightful view of the surrounding country can be obtained from this eminence and at night the lights of Clinton, twenty-six miles away, can be seen, and to the west, far beyond Dayton. Mr. Goodson's residence is a spacious structure of two stories. The farm is well arranged and equipped for handling stock, and Mr. Goodson handles a large number of good Galloway cattle. There are three barns upon the place, an old one, 30x40 feet in dimensions; a cattle barn, 30x40 feet; and a new one, erected in 1916, 20x16 feet in dimensions.

aided by his noble wife, he has succeeded in life. He was reared upon the farm and has always lived close to nature, from which he has learned many valuable lessons. He received but limited educational advantages, for he was obliged to work from an early age. Mr. Goodson has always been a hard worker and it is largely due to industrious habits and untir¬ ing energy that he is now owner of one hundred sixty acres of splendid farm land.

Charles T. Grosshart, proprietor of "Cedar Grove Farm", is one of the worthiest members of the brave clan of noble pioneers, whose ranks are all too rapidly thinning. He was born March 1, 1845, son of Samuel and Susan D (Phelps) Grosshart, natives of Kentucky. Samuel Grosshart was born in 1803. His father emigrated from Germany and settled in the Blue Grass State. Samuel Grosshart moved from Kentucky to Illinois and thence in 1856, to Cass County, where he located on Section thirty-three in Sherman township. Susan D. (Phelps) Grosshart was born in Kentucky in 1813. She was a sister of the mother of Senator Wm. J. Stone. Samuel and Susan D. (Phelps) Grosshart were the par¬ ents of the following children: Sarah, who died at the age of twelve years; Mrs. Mildred Lee, who died in Bates County, and is buried in Dou¬ ble Branch Cemetery; Jarrett, a retired farmer, who resides in Odessa, Missouri; George W., who died in May, 1914, and is buried at Dayton; Charles T., subject of this review; Dr. Joel E., who died in 1879, and is buried in Double Branch Cemetery; and Mrs. Anna J. Goodin, Rich Hill, Missouri. Mrs. Grosshart died in March, 1854, in Coles County, Illinois.

On New Year's morning, in 1862, a party from Kansas under the leadership of Colonel Anthony, visited the Grosshart home and took the father, Samuel Grosshart, prisoner. He was placed in a wagon belonging to the Staley boys, and behind a negro driver taken forcibly to Dayton. He was kept over night in Dayton and the next morning about nine o'clock, he, with two others, Harry F. Kerson and an aged man by the name of Simpson, was taken to a hollow, west of George McCullough's present residence and brutally shot. The three are buried in Dayton Cemetery.

Charles T. Grosshart received his education in the schools of Illinois and Cass County, Missouri. The terrible tragedy which robbed him of his father occurred when he was but a lad of seventeen, and he was obliged to make his own way from that time, an orphan without the lov¬ ing care of a mother or the protection and counsel of a father. From

1862 until 1868 he was in Illinois because of Order No. 11, and when the war had ended he and his brother returned to the old home place and endeavored, in the peaceful pursuits of farming, to efface all bitter mem¬ ories.

In 1867 Charles T. Grosshart and Sarah E. Cottingham, daughter of John Jackson and Sarah (Mann) Cottingham, of Illinois, were married. Both parents of Mrs. Grosshart died in Illinois. This union was blessed with nine children, who are as follows: Mrs. Alfaretta Randal, Strasburg, Missouri; Samuel J., Bates County, Missouri; Mrs. Susan Staley, Bates County, Missouri; John E., Appleton City, Missouri; Mrs. Maggie D. Sexson, deceased; Mrs. Ellen Randal, deceased; Charles T., Jr., Creigh¬ ton, Missouri; Mrs. Dess Rundle, who lives in Idaho; and Mrs. Viola Coke, Creighton, Missouri. November 7, 1884, Mr. Grosshart was bereaved by the loss of the noble woman, the loving mother of his children, who had so cheerfully shared with him the hardships and vicissitudes of those early years, and the burden became doubly heavy, for he had now to be both father and mother to his nine little ones. He did not shirk his responsi¬ bilities, but nobly did his best for his family. All were given the best educational advantages and reared to take honorable and responsible posi¬ tions in life. Samuel and John are successful teachers, and three others

''Cedar Grove Farm" is located three and three-fourths miles south¬ west of Creighton. There were formerly many beautiful cedar trees upon the place, but the cyclone of June 15, 1912, played havoc with them. A short time after the Grosshart brothers returned to the old home place they each built a house. About 1895 Charles T. erected a two-story resi¬ dence, 16x32 feet in dimensions, with an L 16 feet square, upon the site of his present home, but the cyclone of 1912 swept it away. This great destroyer also carried away a tenant house, a building 16x28 feet in dimen¬ sion, consisting of one story and a half, a barn 24x32 feet, a shed, and many other buildings. A boy, Derrell Stevens, was killed in the tenant house, but not one of the seven persons in the Grosshart home. Mr. Grosshart and his grandson, Clifford Grosshart, were severely in¬ jured. The storm wrought great devastation in the orchard and much stock in the vicinity was killed. Mr. Grosshart rebuilt his home in the autum of 1912.

In his political affiliations, Charles T. Grosshart is a democrat, and takes an active interest in civic and municipal affairs. He is an ardent admirer of Judge Glenn and gave him his hearty support when he was a candidate for probate judge, and worked strenuously for his re-election. Mr. Grosshart is classed among the best citizens of Cass County. Many men are honored for their ability to confer benefits, for their wealth, in¬ fluence, power. Charles T. Grosshart is reverenced for what he is.

George B. Ruckel, a well-known farmer and stockman of Cass County, was born in 1872 in Johnson County; is a son of George W. and Ellen (Smith) Ruckel. George W. Ruckel was born in 1839 in Medina County, Ohio. He came to Missouri just after the war and located temporarily in Johnson County, and in 1876 moved to Cass County, where he pur¬ chased a farm in Sherman township, near Rose Hill. Here his death oc¬ curred March 29, 1911. Ellen (Smith) Ruckel was born in Pennsylvania in 1847. She survives her husband and lives on the home place, where they settled in 1876. George W. and Ellen (Smith) Ruckel were the par¬ ents of the following children, who are living: George B., subject of this review; Mrs. Ida Hopkins, Urich, Missouri; Clarence, Creighton, Missouri; Mrs. Nellie Wade, Creighton, Missouri; and Mark B., who is farming the home place in Sherman township.

In 1912 George B. Ruckel and Elizabeth L. Little, daughter of John and Harriet (Quick) Little, were united in marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Little reside on a farm five miles west of Blairstown, Missouri. Mrs. Ruckel is one of five daughters, who are all living, born to John and Harriet (Quick) Little, namely: Stella D., at home; Mrs. Clara B. Ruckel, Creighton, Mis¬ souri; Louisa, at home; Mrs. Leora Evans, Quick City, Missouri; and Mrs. George B. Ruckel, wife of the subject of this review. Mrs. Ruckel's mother, Harriet (Quick) Little, was born near Grant in 1853, and is a descendant of an old and prominent pioneer family. Mrs. Quick's maiden name was Page, and the Page and Quick families settled in Sherman township early in the forties.

"High Point Farm" is located three miles west of Creighton and four miles east of Dayton. Grant and Holden were the early trading points of the Ruckels. The farm, which comprises one hundred sixty acres, slopes to the south and is well watered. George W. Ruckel began handling Galloway cattle about 1890, buying registered males, and his sons have continued to keep the stock up to the high standard which he established. Every year they buy a registered male, usually at the Royal Stock Show. The last one, purchased by Clarence Ruckel in 1916, is

"Budweiser". "Johnny D" is the last one purchased by George B. Ruckel. Mr. Ruckel keeps about thirty head of cattle, besides a large number of mules and Big Bone Poland China hogs.

The cyclone of June 15, 1912, wrought great havoc and devastation upon "High Point Farm". The residence was destroyed and everything on the place except Mr. and Mrs. Ruckel, killed. They lost seven head of horses, fourteen head of hogs, and sixteen head of cattle, which were jointly owned by Mr. Ruckel and his brother. Two barns, one 22x42 feet, and the other 20x50 feet in dimensions, were destroyed. Mr. Ruckel built a small, temporary residence in the autumn of 1912 and erected his present beautiful bungalow in 1916. In 1912 a barn, 28x42 feet in di¬ mensions, and in 1914 one 32x20 feet, with a 14-foot shed, were built and the fine stock farm has again been restored to its pristine excellent condition.

Even the fury of the elements has been unable to check George B. Ruckel in his onward progress toward the brilliant culmination of a suc¬ cessful career. With the assistance of his brave and noble wife, whose bright, cheerful philosophy of life has ever been an inspiration to him, he has successfully overcome all obstacles and is rated highly among the prosperous and substantial citizens of Sherman township.

Richard Dill was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on January 11, 1847, and died at Harrisonville, Missouri, January 1, 1917. He was an eccentric character, a man of sterling worth, honest, charitable and open hearted to all in need. His parents died in his infancy and he was taken to raise by an aunt. When he was ten or twelve years of age, he was employed to pump an organ at the church where his foster parents worshiped. His salary was twelve dollars and fifty cents a year, and his aunt always took this money. His early life was one of adversity. When near manhood he was employed as roustabout on a river boat, plying to New Orleans and for twenty years before his death he worked in various capacities on boats plying the Mississippi river. His life was hard and became uncouth and rough in character. During his life he was very little in the society of women. He always held women in the very highest esteem. It was most interesting and entertaining to hear him tell of the ludicrous inci¬ dents of his life.

who learned to know him respected him highly. For some years prior to his death, he was one of the justices of the peace of Grand River town¬ ship, and all who went before him knew Dick would deal to him scrupul- ously exact justice as he saw it. Some times it seemed to him the rigid rules of the law did not lead to justice, so he would say he preferred to err in an effort to do right than to guess at the law. We would need little law if all people were of the same mental caliber as "Dick" Dill.

Daniel Hough, of Sherman township, owner of "Hough's Maple View Farm", is one of Cass County's grand old men. He was born near Woos¬ ter, Wayne County, Ohio, in September 7, 1839, son of David and Mary (Showalter) Hough. David Hough was born in Pennsylvania. To David and Mary (Showalter) Hough were born the following children: Mrs. Lucy Keyser, Wayne County, Ohio; Mrs. Ella Crummell, Apple Creek Station, Ohio, Mrs. Ida Burchfield, Apple Creek Station, Ohio; William, Belding, Michigan; Daniel, subject of this review; John, who died in Wayne County, Ohio; James, who died in Wayne County, Ohio; Isaac, who died in Wayne County, Ohio; and Clara, who was murdered when nineteen years of age in Mansfield, Ohio.

Daniel Hough received his education in the common schools of Ohio. He was a sturdy, young man of twenty-two years, but a youth who had never left home before, when Lincoln's call came for volunteers in 1861. He enlisted in Company C. Sixteenth Ohio Infantry in the fall of 1861. Mr. Hough was in active service in the Civil War three years, one month and twenty-one days. His regiment took a leading part in the battles of Vicksburg and Cumberland Gap and a number of other engagements. He was never wounded but narrowly escaped, receiving many close calls, for the young man was knocked down several times by shells. In the fall of 1864 he was mustered out and honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio.

The year following his discharge from service, Daniel Hough worked on the home farm in Wayne County, Ohio. In 1865 he and Fannie Rutt of Green County, Ohio, were married. About a year later Mr. Hough brought his wife and babe, W. E., to Cass County, Missouri, to make their home. All Mr. Hough's earthly possessions at the time of his coming to Missouri were his wife and boy and over him hung a debt of seventyfive dollars. The first team which he owned in the west cost two hundred fifty dollars and for this team he was again obliged to go in debt. One horse was eighteen years old and the other twenty, with a great pro¬ pensity to balk. For eighteen months before the purchase of the team, which became a landmark in his life, Daniel Hough worked as day laborer. After he bought the team he rented a farm upon which he toiled for three or four years, saving his small proceeds with the hope that he might some day be the owner of his own home. It was a red-letter day for Daniel Hough when he became the proud owner of twelve acres near Clear Fork Cemetery. He was able to sell this land at a profit and to purchase his present home place of one hundred sixty acres of fine upland, the land of which had been cultivated probably five years prior to his purchase of it. This was purchased in March, 1879.

In all his struggle upward Daniel Hough had all the encouragement and inspiration which a noble woman can give. Mrs. Hough was ever a willing and cheerful helper, the mother of eleven fine children, all of whom were reared to maturity, men and women able to take responsible stations in life. October 11, 1891, Jennie (Rutt) Hough went home in answer to the father's call and in a short time the wistful, little woman who came to Cass County with her first babe in her arms and high hopes in her heart was given one of her loved ones. W. E. Hough, the first born of Daniel and Jennie Hough, died July 18, 1897. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hough are: W. E., born in Wayne County, Ohio, August 2, 1866 and died July 18, 1897 ; Mrs. M. E. Lyon, bom December 23, 1867, now residing in Norheim, Montana; Mrs. M. C. Randal, born December 29, 1869, now residing in Creighton, Missouri; Mrs. E. C. Helmuth, born October 17, 1871, residing in Garden City, Missouri; Mrs. F. M. Garber, born March 4, 1873, residing at 631 Chicago Avenue, Springfield, Mis¬ souri; H. E., born April 20, 1874, of Austin, Missouri; J. F., bom March 17, 1876, of Lissie, Texas; F. E., born November 18, 1877, of Blairstown, Missouri; Mrs. I. A. Jones, born December 10, 1879, of Creighton, Mis¬ souri; H. B., born March 7, 1882, of Creighton, Missouri; and D. I., bom October, 19, 1883, of Creighton, Missouri. All the children but the first son, W. E., were born in Cass County.

Mr. Hough added all the improvements upon his well-kept farm. The residence, a cozy cottage of six rooms, was erected about forty years ago. An excellent barn 40 x 60 feet in dimensions was built in 1907 and a silo having a capacity of one hundred tons, was connected with it two or three years later.

Daniel Hough deserves much credit and high commendation, for his life has been a noble one of honest endeavor and upward striving. He came to Cass County a poor, young man. It takes courage to start the battle of life with an empty purse in a strange land, with a wife and babe dependent upon one's care and protection. There are men of strong calibre who can unflinchingly overcome all handicaps. Such a man is Mr. Hough. Honest and straightforward he readily won the confidence of many who were willing to lend a helping hand in times of need. Mr. Hough has lived past the allotted three score years and ten and still the Fates have been kind. It is now only given to few to be able to look back over so many years of a useful, well-spent life and it is with much pleasure that we pause in a work of this character, to give honor where honor is due. Mr. Hough has forty-four living grandchildren and three deceased and twelve living great-grandchildren and two deceased.

Robert S. Coe, a prominent farmer and stockman of Sherman town¬ ship, was born in 1874, in Cass County, on his father's farm in Sherman township. He is one of four children born to David P. and Hattie (Par¬ sons) Coe, honored pioneers of Cass County. David P. Coe was born January 3, 1839, in Jefferson County, Ohio. His wife, Hattie Parsons, was born July 9, 1846, in Knox County, Illinois. When David Coe was but a child his father, Moses Coe, moved his family to Illinois. David P. Coe served in the Thirty-third Illinois infantry during the Civil War. In 1869 he immigrated to Missouri and located upon a farm in Sherman township, which he purchased from Mr. Lewis. This farm comprised two hundred forty acres. His death occurred here January 6, 1887. His wife died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Tillie Dale, February 10, 1908, and is at rest beside her husband in Byler Cemetery. Of the four children born to David P. and Hattie (Parsons) Coe, only two are living, namely: Charles D., who resides in Meade, Kansas; and Robert S., sub¬ ject of this review.

Educational opportunities were necessarily limited in so new a coun¬ try forty years ago. Robert S. Coe received a good common school edu¬ cation, however, attending the country school in his neighborhood. When he was twenty years of age he began life for himself. His youth had been spent working upon his father's farm and going to school, and he had laid wrell the foundation of a sound, physical constitution, such as only agricultural pursuits can give, and in the rural school room his mind had been well trained for active, practical business. In 1894 he began farming for himself.

Permelia (Byler) Cox, of Sherman township, were united in marriage. Mrs. Cox died when her daughter, Birdie L., was a babe one year old. Mr. Cox lives in Lees Summit. He was born in Johnson County, Missouri, July 11, 1841. His wife was born in Cooper County, March 22, 1849, and died August 16, 1877. They were married December 30, 1869. Robert S. and Birdie L. (Cox) Coe have been blessed with five sons, namely: Horace, who is attending the Garden City High School; Everett, at home; Ralph, who is attending the Garden City High School; Roy, at home; and Hubert, at home.

Robert S. Coe sold his interest in the home place and purchased one hundred twenty acres in September, 1899, which is a part of his present stock farm. This place was formerly known as the J. D. Byler farm, and it is located five and a half miles southeast of Garden City. Mr. Coe has added to his original farm, and now has one hundred sixty acres in the home place and eighty acres one-fourth mile east of his home. He has added all the improvements upon his place and they are among the best. The residence is a fine, large structure of nine rooms, and the three commodious, well-constructed bams are in keeping. The barns are 24x40, 24x28, and 28x20 feet in dimensions, respectively. The silo is 12x28 feet in dimensions. Mr. Coe handles a good grade of cattle, horses and hogs, and his stock farm is an excellent one.

Duncan Russel, ex-iudge of Cass County, is of sturdy Scotch lineage and possesses the genial characteristics and noble qualities for which his race is so justly famous. He was born in Scotland in 1847. His parents, William and Margaret (Duncan) Russel, were bom in Scotland. William Russel was born in 1820. He emigrated from Scotland to America in 1852 and located in St. Louis, Missouri. He remained in St. Louis for a few years and then went to Virginia, soon returning to St. Louis. Will¬ iam Russel was a skilled iron manufacturer and he operated a rolling mill and a furnace in Virginia. In 1866 he came from Virginia to Cass County and located temporarily near Drexel. In 1868 he purchased the farm in Grand River township, which became the home place and which has never since been allowed to pass out of the ownership of some member of the family. William Russel lived but three short years to enjoy his estate. He died in 1871, and is buried in East Cemetery in Harrisonville.

Margaret (Duncan) Russel was born in 1821. She survived her husband forty-one years, her death occurring when she was eighty-one years of age, in 1912. William and Margaret (Duncan) Russel were the parents of six children, who were, namely: Mrs. Margaret Brown, deceased; Duncan, subject of this review; Mrs. Ellen Wilson, Kansas City, Missouri; Sarah, Harrisonville, Missouri; D. B., Harrisonville, Missouri; and J. D., Harrisonville, Missouri.

Duncan Russel received his education in the public schools of St. Louis. He has always been a student and increased his store of knowledge by private reading at home. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-seven years of age when he began life for himself upon the farm, which is his present home.

In 1874 Duncan Russel and Eliza Jack, daughter of John and Emmaline (Creed) Jack, of Lamar County, Texas, were united in marriage. Eliza (Jack) Russel was born in Tennessee in 1853. Both her parents died in Barry County, Missouri, prior to the Civil War. To Duncan and Eliza (Jack) Russel have been born six children: Dollie, wife of Harry Trebert, of Cass County, Illinois; William, Harrisonville, Missouri; Wal¬ ter, Grand River township; Margaret, wife of R. R. Easton, at home; Anna, wife of Charles R. Hoover, Chickasha, Oklahoma; and C. W., at home.

Mr. Russell purchased his home, which is located four and a half miles southeast of Harrisonville, in 1879, from W. H. Wells, who had entered the place from the government. He bought one hundred twenty acres then and later added two hundred acres. Part of his farm Mr. Rus¬ sel has divided among his children. He has followed stock raising rather extensively. When he came to his place he had open range.

Duncan Russel was elected presiding judge of the county court and served faithfully and well a term of four years. During his encumbency the present court house was erected in Harrisonville, the pride of the county, even today. The records were not safe in the old court house, and a guard had to be stationed to safeguard them prior to their removal to the new court house. The court house was built with a levy of twentyfive mills for two years without the issue of bonds. Many said that it could never be built with the money thus raised, but it was built and with a five hundred-dollar surplus. The judges with whom Mr. Russel was associated in the building of the court house were Thomas Kirtley, of Austin township; W. H. Myers, of Pleasant Hill, and J. T. Parker,

Grand River township, who served during the second term in place of Kirtley. Judges Kirtley and Myers are dead, but Judge Parker resides in Grand River township, west of Harrisonville.

Duncan Russel is just rounding out his allotted three-score years and ten, and few men in Cass County can look back over a more honorable past. A farmer's boy, with few advantages, he rose to fill a position of trust, and only admiration and regard can be felt for one whose success has been so richly deserved and so honorably attained.

S. K. Yoder, a prosperous and substantial stockman of Camp Branch township, was born in Lagrange County, Indiana, December 6, 1871. His parents, Levi E. and Fannie S. (Kauffman) Yoder wrere natives of Pennsylvania. Levi E. Yoder was born December 24, 1844, son of Jacob S. and Nancy Yoder. Jacob S. Yoder was born in 1815 in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, near Davidsville. Jacob S. and Nancy Yoder came with their son, Levi E., to Cass County in April, 1880, and made their home with him. Nancy Yoder died in 1891, at the age of seventy-five years, and Jacob S. died in 1907, at the age of ninety-one years. Levi E. Yoder and his father located near East Lynne, Missouri, and remained there one year and then the Yoders moved to the farm, now the home of S. K. Yoder. Levi E. Yoder died upon this farm November 20, 1896. He was a very prosperous farmer and stockman, and at the time of his death owner of four hundred acres of valuable land. Father, mother, and son, Jacob S., Nancy and Levi E. Yoder, are buried in Clearfork Cemetery. Fannie S. (Kauffman) Yoder was born August 9, 1846, in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Levi E. and Fannie S. (Kauffman) Yoder were married September 8, 1867, and this union was blessed with three chil¬ dren: Adam, who was born July 26, 1868, and died May 26, 1869; Nancy, who was born September 8, 1869, and died August 14, 1872; and S. K., subject of this review. The mother died in 1906 and is buried in Clear¬ fork Cemetery.

S. K. Yoder received his education in the South School in Camp Branch township. He began life for himself at the age of twenty-one, farming near his present home, to wThich he moved in 1906. Even in his youth, he manifested the traits of character which have been such potent factors in is later success in life, industrious, conscientious in the per¬ formance of every duty and strictly honest in every business transaction.

tian and Phoebe (Nafzinger) Martin, were united in the holy bonds of matrimony. A brief sketch of Christian and Phoebe (Nafzinger) Mar¬ tin appears in connection with Amos J. Martin, a review of whose life will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Martin were the par¬ ents of the following children: Ida May, deceased; Amos J., a wellknown and prosperous stockman, near Garden City, Missouri; Ben, Minot, North Dakota; Mrs. Otilla Miller, Garden City, Missouri; Mrs. Phoebe Goode, deceased; and Mrs. Nellie Kenagy, Garden City, Missouri. To S. K. and Mary E. (Martin) Yoder have been born four children: Amos C., who was born April 17, 1896, and resides near Littlefield, Texas, in Lamb County, where Mr. Yoder purchased seven hundred forty-four acres of land a year ago; Levi B., who was born April 20, 1899, and is at home with his parents ; Omer M., who was born March 31, 1901, and is at home with his parents; and Elda Marie, who was born July 16, 1908, and is at home with her parents.

The Yoder place is an ideal stock farm, comprising seven hundred ten acres, all, with the exception of sixty-five acres of timber land, ad¬ joining, and splendidly located. The farm is well watered by excellent ponds, and Mr. Yoder has a large cistern at the stock barn, which is 40 feet deep, 12 feet at the top and 17 feet at the bottom. A well con¬ structed, commodious barn, 46x80 feet; a tile silo, 20x60 feet, and other buildings in keeping with the surroundings make this a complete stock farm. There are three sets of improvements upon the farm. Mr. Yoder handles Galloway and Aberdeen cattle, and at the time of this writing, had fifty-two head. Until recently he also kept Poland China hogs. He keeps registered males in hogs, cattle and horses, and at present has thirty head of thoroughbred Percherons.

Mr. and Mrs. Yoder are members of the Mennonite Church, and good, conscientious followers of the precepts of their faith. They are highly respected and esteemed in Camp Branch township, and valuable citizens of Cass County.

J. E. Heady, the well known and highly respected pioneer stockman of Sherman township, was born September 24, 1852, in Larue County, Kentucky. His parents, Z. T. and Eliza (Mattingly) Heady, were natives of Nelson County, Kentucky, and to them were born the following chil¬ dren : T. M., Pittsburg, Kansas ; J. E. Heady, subject of this sketch ; and W. A., Hodgensville, Kentucky. Both Z. T. and Eliza (Mattingly) Heady died in Kentucky. Z. T. Heady died about 1886, his first wife having pre¬ ceded him in death twenty-five years. Her death occurred in 1861. Mr. Heady is interred in the Big Spring Cemetery in Kentucky, and Mrs. Heady's last resting place is in the Catholic Cemetery, near Bardstown, Kentucky. By his second marriage, to Lizzie Mattingly, the following children were born: Mrs. Fannie Bell, Chickasha, Oklahoma; Jefferson, who is unmarried and resides in Hodgenville, Kentucky; C. M., Hodgensville, Kentucky; Mrs. Mary Tabb, Glendale, Kentucky; Mrs. Nancy Stuart, Elizabethtown, Kentucky; Zachariah, Hodgensville, Kentucky; and Katy, Hodgensville, Kentucky.

J. E. Heady attended school at Lynland Institute, near Glendale, Kentucky. When he was twenty-four years of age he came to Cass County, and located in Sherman township, where he farmed for one year on the David Byler place. He returned to Kentucky the next year and remained there eighteen months, but the lure of the west was too strong, and in 1878, he came back to Cass County, locating upon the farm which is now his present home. This farm had been entered by William M. Settles, the father of Mr. Heady's wife, about 1857.

February 14, 1878, J. E. Heady and Luvenia Settle, daughter of William M. and Sarah J. (Woolery) Settle, of Sherman township, were united in marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Settle were pioneers of the early fifties, who emigrated from Kentucky. William Settle located first in that part of Van Buren County, which is now Bates County, and operated a flour and lumber mill upon the ford, which was named Settle's Ford in his honor. The Settle's Ford bridge now spans Grand River where the Settle ferry was first established. In the early part of the Civil War both the mill and ferry boat were destroyed by Kansas raiders, and Mr. Settle's stock, with the exception of two horses, were all killed. When Order No. 11 was issued, William Settle moved his family to Boonville, Cooper County, and there he died in 1864. His last resting place is in Boonville. His widow and Jeremiah Tomlinson were later married, and to them were born three children: George, Morgan County, Missouri; Jeremiah, Otterville, Cooper County, Missouri; and Eugene, New Lebanon, Cooper County, Missouri. Luvenia (Settle) Heady is the only one who lived of the children born to William M. and Sarah J. (Woolery) Settle, the others dying in infancy. Mrs. Tomlinson, mother of Mrs. Heady, died near Pilot Grove, Missouri, in 1876. To J. E. and Luvenia (Settle) Heady have been born six children: Mrs. Sallie Brocaw, Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs.

Mary M. Dewalt, Tonganoxie, Kansas; Harry, who died at the age of four years; Rochelle E., Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. Opal N. Kahn, Reno, Kansas; and W. V., who lives at home with his parents.

Mr. Heady's place is one of the best stock farms in Cass County, comprising four hundred thirty-eight acres, one hundred fifty of which are Grand River bottom land. The farm is well watered and there is plenty of grass. The cyclone of June 15, 1912, struck the Heady place at eight o'clock in the evening and all the buildings were destroyed, ineluding the residence, barn, granary, and two stock sheds. Four mem¬ bers of the family were in the residence, but none was seriously injured. Fifty-five acres of the finest timber in the country were ruined, a loss which cannot be repaired in a life-time. Mr. Heady, undaunted, rebuilt and the farm is again well improved.

Mr. and Mrs. Heady have brought to Missouri the sunshine of Ken¬ tucky in their hearts and manners. During their long residence in the county they have made numberless friends and have ever been known for their integrity, uprightness of character, and many benevolent virtues.

Mark V. Ruckel, a prosperous young farmer and stockman of Sher¬ man township, is one of Cass County's own sons. He was born May 11, 1884, upon his father's farm in Sherman township, and is a son of George W. and Ellen (Smith) Ruckel.

Ellen (Smith) Ruckel was born in Pennsylvania, November 4, 1847, daughter of John and Jane (Buxton) Smith. John Smith was born in 1807, in Manchester, England. Jane (Buxton) Smith was born in Derby, England, in 1812. To John and Jane (Buxton) Smith were born eight children, namely: Mrs. Jane Williamson, who died near Altona, Missouri; Thomas, who died in Newcastle, Pennsylvania; John, Rose Hill, Missouri, who came west in 1866 and located near Latour, in Johnson County; Henry, who died near Holden, in Johnson County, Missouri; Mrs. Sarah Hess, who died in Colorado; James, who died near Holden, in Johnson County, Missouri; Mrs. Phoebe Baker, Latour, John County, Missouri; and Mrs. Ellen Ruckel, widow of George W. Ruckel, mother of the sub¬ ject of this review.

Mrs. Ellen (Smith) Ruckel attended school in Newcastle, Pennsyl¬ vania. Her parents moved from Newcastle to Youngstown, Westmore¬ land County, Pennsylvania, in the days of her early girlhood, and from Youngstown moved to Sharon. John Smith, father of Mrs. Ruckel, died in Pennsylvania. When Mrs. Ruckel was nineteen years of age she came to Johnson County, Missouri, in 1866. April 6, 1872, George W. Ruckel and Ellen Smith were united in marriage in Holden, Missouri. George W. Ruckel was born October 1, 1839, in Medina County, Ohio, son of Peter and Sarah (Heckman) Ruckel, who were pioneers of Medina County. Peter and Sarah (Heckman) Ruckel wrere the parents of the fol¬ lowing children: Mrs. Rachel Wetmore, Akron, Ohio; Mrs. Phoebe Rockwood, Akron, Ohio; John, who died in Akron, Ohio; Henry, who died in Akron, Ohio; and George W., who died March 29, 1911, upon the home farm in Sherman township, Cass County, Missouri, and is interred in Parker Cemetery.

George W. and Ellen (Smith) Ruckel were blessed with five children, all of whom are now living: George, an influential and prosperous stockman, who lives upon part of the home place, and a sketch of whom ap¬ pears elsewhere in this volume; Ida, wife of C. D. Hopkins, Urich, Mis¬ souri; Clarence, a prominent and respected young farmer and stockman, near Creighton, Missouri; Nellie, wife of C. B. Wade, Creighton, Mis¬ souri; and Mark, subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Ruckel came to Cass County, Missouri, in 1876, and located upon the place which is now her home. They purchased one hundred sixty acres at the time and constantly added to their original holdings, until at the time of Mr. RuckePs death their place comprised more than seven hundred acres. George W. Ruckle was a very prominent stockman and well-known feeder. He handled extensively Galloway cattle, Poland China hogs, and fine, thoroughbred horses. Mr. Ruckle was highly esteemed throughout the county, having by his fair and honorable dealings gained the confidence of all who knew him. No name stands higher than his in the estimation of the people of this community, and his death will ever be a source of universal regret.

Mrs. Ruckel is in her seventieth year, but she is far more active than many women a score of years her junior. She has lived a good, pure life, close to the heart of nature, and now in the advanced years of her maturity, is reaping the benefits. She possesses a bright, alert mind and remarkable memory, and enjoys recalling the old scenes and days. Having lived in this vicinity so many years she has witnessed the many changes which have occurred in the transforming process which has developed raw prairie into a well settled county. Mrs. Ruckel re¬ members that back in the late sixties padlocks on the doors of smoke- houses were unheard of, for then they were never needed. She particu¬ larly remembers among many old pioneer families, the Grossharts, Walk¬ ers, O'Bannons, Wades, and Taylors. Mrs. Ruckel passed safely through the cyclone of June 15, 1912, and lived to see the terrible havoc and de¬ vastation which the fury of the elements can bring upon the work of one's life-time. Part of the residence, three barns, all the out-buildings upon the place were demolished, and the many fine old trees which were planted in the early days, were literally torn up by the roots. The place was left so denuded that, as Sherman said in 1865, "a crow flying over the country would need to carry his rations."

Mark V. Ruckel received his elementary education in the home school in Sherman township. He attended the Springfield Normal School one term, but never entered the teaching profession. October 21, 1914, Mark V. Ruckel and Alma Chandler, daughter of Robert and Lucy (Staley) Chandler, were united in marriage. A sketch of Mr. and Mrs. Chandler appears elsewhere in this volume. To Mark V. and Alma (Chandler) Ruckel has been born a son, George Chandler.

The present Ruckel farm comprises two hundred acres, located three and a half miles southwest of Creighton. It is one of the best stock farms in the county, and is well watered by natural springs, the water being run into concrete tanks for the cattle. One of the springs furnished water for forty head of stock during the recent drought. Mr. Ruckel handles exclusively pure-blood Galloway cattle. He lias been remarkably successful in spite of the tornado and gives every evidence of being a worthy successor of his father, George W. Ruckel.

Christian D. Yoder, a prosperous farmer of Camp Branch township, is one of Cass County's pioneers. He was born in 1845 in Champaign County, Ohio, son of Reuben and Martha (Yoder) Yoder, natives of Pennsylvania. Though they bore the same name, Reuben and Martha Yoder were not relatives. Reuben Yoder migrated from Ohio to Michi¬ gan, where he remained five years, and thence to Missouri, locating in 1867 in Camp Branch township, four miles southeast of East Lynne, upon the farm now owned by his daughters, Saloma and Barbara. This farm originally consisted of one hundred twenty acres, but now com¬ prises two hundred forty acres. Reuben Yoder died on this farm in 1894, and is buried in Clearfork Cemetery. A few years later Martha Yoder followed her husband in death. Reuben and Martha (Yoder) Yoder were the parents of ten children, namely : Mrs. Ary Hartzler, deceased ; Mrs. Mary Hartzler, deceased; Mrs. Martha King, deceased; David, who enlisted in the Union Army in Indiana, was taken prisoner and died in Libby Prison; Christian D., subject of this review; Noah, a highly es¬ teemed farmer and stockman of Camp Branch township; Saloma, who resides on the home place; Mrs. Carrie Zook, East Lynne, Missouri; Bar¬ bara, who resides on the home place; and Mrs. Elizabeth Hartzler, wife of John Hartzler, Bellefontaine, Ohio. Barbara and Elizabeth are twins. The first four children were born in Pennsylvania and the rest in Ohio.

Christian D. Yoder attended school in Ohio and Michigan. He came with his parents to Cass County in 1867, and remained with them until three years after he was married, when he purchased one hundred eighty acres, part of his present home, from James Wilson. In 1874 Christian D. Yoder and Elizabeth Garber, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Winger) Garber, of Johnson County, were united in marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Garber emigrated from Ohio to Missouri in an early day. Elizabeth (Gar¬ ber) Yoder was born in 1855 in Stark County, Ohio. To Christian D. and Elizabeth (Garber) Yoder have been born six children; Edward, who married Della Mast, who died leaving one daughter and he remar¬ ried, is now deceased, and his widow resides in Camp Branch township; Benjamin, who married Ollie Plank, who is now deceased and he remar¬ ried, his second wife being Mary Oesch and they reside in Camp Branch township; Martha, wife of Ira Hartzler, the well-known auctioneer of Camp Branch township; Frederick, who married Dora Middlesworth, and they reside in Idaho; Maud, wife of Harry Musselman of near Bethel church ; and a son who died in infancy.

The Yoder farm comprises at present three hundred eighty-nine acres, which lie in both Camp Branch and Index townships. The place is exceedingly well located upon the main road from Latour to Harrisonville. There are three sets of improvements upon the farm. The residence is a handsome two-story structure of ten spacious rooms, and strictly modern throughout. Mr. Yoder has erected a large bank barn 42x68 feet in dimensions, which is covered with a substantial iron roof, and provides for the stock below. He has a fine granary and all the buildings upon his farm denote the taste and thoughtful care of a thorough, practical agri¬ culturist. His farm is one of the places to which the county points with pride. Mr. Yoder is one of the men whose untiring energy has made Cass County prosperous. Mr. and Mrs. Yoder are of the Mennonite faith and have always stood for strict integrity and probity of character.

D. J. Miller, a prosperous and highly esteemed farmer and stockman of Camp Branch township, was born September 11, 1864, in Holmes County, Ohio. His parents, John T. and Catherine (Mast) Miller, were natives of Holmes County, Ohio. John T. Miller was born February 28, 1836, son of Tobias Miller, who was born August 6, 1801. Tobias Miller died May 12, 1880. Catherine (Mast) Miller was born April 25, 1843. John T. Miller and Catherine Mast were united in marriage October 10, 1861, and to this union was born one son, David J., subject of this review. Catherine (Mast) Miller departed this life October 27, 1865, leaving the babe then thirteen months old. In 1868 John T. Miller and Fannie Zook were united in marriage. Fannie (Zook) Miller was born in April, 1837. John T. and Fannie (Zook) Miller were the parents of the following children : Nancy F., who was born December 26, 1868, in Holmes County, Ohio, where she now resides; Stephen T., who was born January 23, 1870, and died in infancy July 24, 1870; Jonathan D., who was born March 23, 1871, and now lives in Holmes County, Ohio; John L., who was bom June 3, 1873, and lives in Holmes County, Ohio; Joseph J. T., who was born November 20, 1874, and lives in Holmes County, Ohio; Jacob C., who was bom August 26, 1878, and now lives in Los Angeles, California; and Ida May, who was born September 21, 1880, and died in infancy Octo¬ ber 30, 1881. Fannie (Zook) Miller, the mother, died October 15, 1899. John T. Miller was married a third time, his last wife being Mrs. Fannie (Speicher) Krupp. His death occurred January 17, 1916, and the widow is now living in Holmes County, Ohio.

D. J. Miller attended school in Holmes County, Ohio, and received a good common school education. At the age of twenty-one years he came to Cass County, Missouri, and located upon the P. I. Haddon farm, which he purchased March 4, 1886. This is an exceptionally fine place and after Mr. Miller had it well improved he sold it to W. B. Garrison. The handsome residence and excellent barn upon that place were erected by Mr. Miller. After selling his home he moved to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1903 and there remained six years. In 1909 Mr. Miller returned to Cass County, Missouri, and purchased his present home from Pius Hostetler.

February 4, 1866, D. J. Miller and Sarah Ann Beechy, daughter of David and Judith (Yoder) Beechy of Holmes County, Ohio, were united in marriage. Sarah Ann Beechy was bom November 18, 1862. David Beechy was born March 5, 1823. He departed this life July 4, 1905, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and is interred in Walnut Creek Cemetery.

Judith (Yoder) Beechy was born July 12, 1824. Her death occurred in the autumn of the same year of her husband's demise, November 10, 1905, in Wayne County, Ohio, and she is interred in Walnut Creek Cemetery. To D. J. and Sarah Ann (Beechy) Miller have been born five children; Melvin, who was bom February 15, 1887, and was called away when just on the verge of manhood, November 11, 1905; Erma, who was born Octo¬ ber 15, 1888, and is the wife of Elba J. Yoder residing near Latour, John¬ son County, Missouri; John, who was born December 11, 1892, and lives at home with his parents; Amanda P., who was bom November 5, 1895, and is the wife of Roy Kauffman, Garden City, Missouri ; and Judith, who was born September 29, 1901, and lives at home with her parents.

Mr. Miller's place is located in Camp Branch township, eight miles east of Harrison ville, on the road from East Lynne to Garden City. It comprises one hundred seventy acres of the best farm land in Cass County and has been so improved by Mr. Miller, as to be one of the beautiful country homes of Missouri. The residence is a handsome structure of eight rooms, modern in every particular and a model of convenience and comfort. In 1910 he erected a barn 36x60 feet in dimensions with a grain and implement shed on the east, which is 14x36 feet and one on the west 36x36 feet in dimensions. The farm is well equipped for handling hay, grain and stock. Mr. Miller keeps usually from six to ten head of horses, twenty-five to forty head of hogs and good stock cattle and general pur¬ pose cows. Mrs. Miller is interested in poultry and they always have from one to two hundred pure bred Rhode Island Red chickens.

D. J. Miller is the present efficient secretary of the Clearfork Ceme¬ tery Association, which was organized May 9, 1870. At the time of organ¬ ization Christian P. Yoder was chairman of the meeting and Jacob C. Kenagy secretary. A committee was appointed to secure a tract of land suitable for burial purposes and May 18, 1870, this committee incorpo¬ rated the Clearfork Cemetery Association. Articles of incorporation were filed in the district court by order of the judge and were attested by Septer Patrick, clerk of the court of Cass County. The incorporators were: Jacob C. Kenagy, Solomon D. King, John S. Unsicker, Jonathan K. Zook and Christian P. Yoder. The tract selected was a portion of the Christian P. Yoder farm. Mr. Yoders wife was the first person buried in the cemetery. She died February 8, 1869, and her interment occurred before the incorporation of the association. Her son, Peter, was the second person interred just two weeks later. The present officers of the

Mr. Miller is a member of the religious society of Mennonites and is highly respected by all who know him as a conscientious and consistent member. By occupation he has always been a farmer and his good judg¬ ment, excellent taste, and love of nature are plainly manifested in the improvements upon the Miller farm. There is none better in the country.

of Camp Branch township, is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born January 30, 1856, in Lawrence County, son of Gabriel and Barbara (Zook) Yoder, natives of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. Gabriel Y'oder was born in 1811. Barbara (Zook) Yoder was born in 1814. Both par¬ ents are now deceased. Gabriel and Barbara (Zook) Yoder were the par¬ ents of eight children, namely: Abraham, deceased; Levi, deceased; Peter, deceased; Martha, deceased; Barbara, who resides in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania; Sarah, deceased; Mrs. Fannie Hartzler, West Lib¬ erty, Ohio, and Isaac Z., subject of this review.

Isaac Z. Yoder attended school in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. When he was twenty years of age he left Pennsylvania and located tem¬ porarily in West Liberty, Ohio. He remained in Ohio five years and then immigrated to Missouri. He came to Cass County in 1881 and for eight years worked out by the month. Wages were not large in those days, but Mr. Yoder was industrious and by practicing economy saved enough from his monthly wages to purchase the first land he ever owned from David Plank. This first farm comprised sixty acres. Later he was able to buy the twenty acres adjoining.

November 23, 1886, Isaac Z. Yoder and Sarah Kauffman, daughter of Stephen and Mary (King) Kauffman, were united in marriage at the home of the bride in Camp Branch township. Stephen Kauffman was born in Union County, Pennsylvania, in 1832. He departed this life June 2, 1903, at the advanced age of seventy-one years. Mary (King) Kauff¬ man was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania in 1842. Her death occurred in Camp Branch township, March 2, 1909. Both father and mother are buried in Clearfork Cemetery. Stephen and Mary (King) Kauffman were the parents of the following children: John L., Garden City, Missouri; Mrs. Isaac Z. Yoder, wife of the subject of this review; Frank, a prominent farmer and stockman of Camp Branch town¬ ship; David, Minot, North Dakota; Mrs. Ida Martin, Minot, North Dako¬ ta; Mrs. Mollie King, Bynum, Montana; Emma, deceased, and Joseph, deceased. To Isaac Z. and Sarah (Kauffman) Yoder have been born six children : William, Chauncey E., Melvin C., Frank L., Edna M., and Roy T. All the children were born in Camp Branch township and all are liv¬ ing at home with their parents. *

In 1899 Mr. Yoder added eighty acres to his holdings and upon this tract of land his present home is situated. He has at different times pur¬ chased more land until he is at present owner of two hundred forty acres of very valuable farm land. His place is located on the road from Garden City to Harrisonville, one and a half miles north and three and a half miles west of Garden City. All the splendid improvements upon the place, Mr. Yoder himself has placed there. The beautiful home was erected in 1907. It is a large, well built house, 30x30 feet in dimension, consisting of eight spacious, well-lighted rooms and two stories. The residence is strictly modern and no labor or expense was spared to make it comfort¬ able and convenient. A wash-house in the rear of the residence has been equipped with a gas engine and power washer to lighten the wife's bur¬ den of household duties. The residence is supplied with hot and cold water, and a light plant has recently been installed. A barn 42x60 feet in dimensions and twenty feet to the square was built in 1904 for stock and hay. There are two silos 10x20 and 12x30 feet in dimensions, respect¬ ively, and an implement, wagon, and grain shed 28x32 feet in dimensions, upon the place, all in keeping with the general well-kept surroundings. A well, four hundred forty-six feet deep, with pump and engine attached, furnishes plenty of good water. The water comes from sandrock. Mr. Yoder handles a good grade of Shorthorn cattle, usually keeping fifty head of cows, beside high-grade horses. Mrs. Yoder has charge of the poultry and keeps Rhode Island Red and Plymouth Rock chickens.

Mr. Yoder came to Cass County thirty-six years ago, a stranger in a strange land, almost penniless. He is now owner of two hundred forty acres of well improved land. He has achieved success where many would have failed and his present prosperous condition is largely due to his industry, honesty, and indomitable will. He is a respected member of the Mennonite church and has ever lived according to its noble principles and teachings.

J. W. Estes, a prosperous and highly respected farmer and stockman of Polk township, is a native of Missouri and of Polk township. He was born August 22, 1861, a son of William Caswell and Dorothy (Skaggs) Estes. William Caswell Estes, a native of Kentucky, was bora May 14, 1813 and died November 15, 1881. He came with his father, William Estes, Sr., to Polk township in the early thirties and there the father died. He is buried in the Rheam Cemetery in Jackson County. The wife of William Estes, Sr., probably died in Kentucky. Dorothy (Skaggs) Estes, a lady of excellent judgment and great energy, the mother of the subject of this review, was born in 1818, a native of Tennessee. She died February 1, 1885. Jonathan Skaggs, a brother of Dorothy (Skaggs) Estes, married a sister of William Caswell Estes. He, too, was a pioneer of the thirties and lived in Polk township until his death. ("Uncle Mose" Bailey, grandfather of Mrs. Dottie Hartzler and Miss Minnie Farmer, who reside in Harrisonville, also came from Tennessee. He died in Polk town¬ ship and is buried at Lone jack, Missouri.)

In 1837 or 1838 William Caswell Estes and Dorothy Skaggs were united in marriage, in Polk township. This union was blessed with four¬ teen children. All the children but the youngest, Joseph Lee, were bora in Polk township. He, too, would have been born in Polk township had it not been for Order Number Eleven. When this order was issued the family moved to Clay County, Missouri, near Liberty. The children of William Caswell and Dorothy (Skaggs) Estes were as follows: Rufus, married Martha Ann Martin, died October 23, 1907 ; Effie Ann, married John Owsley, died April 19, 1900, in St. Louis, Missouri, and she and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Rufus Estes, who had died the following day, were brought from St. Louis and buried the same day; Anna, married John Henry Martin, died July 28, 1881; Caroline, married James Francisco, who was circuit clerk of Cass County, died in October, 1877, in Harrison¬ ville and is buried in Rheam Cemetery; Parthena, married James Good, died in December, 1871; Bluford C., married Mary Beckner, died April 30, 1907 in Clark County, Kansas; Parilee, married Alvin B. Rice, son of the famous Martin Rice, the first surveyor of Cass County, who laid out the town of Harrisonville, died March 23, 1908; Josephine, married James Good, whose first wife, Parthena, mentioned above, died many years before, died July 5, 1908, leaving one son, Walter Numan, born to Mrs. Good by a former marriage ; Mary Ellen, married S. E. Martin, died August 22, 1891 ; Isabella, married William Powell, residing in Nickerson, Kansas; Sarah, married Jeremiah James, residing in Polk township; Dorothy, married

William Edicott, residing in Stafford, Kansas; J. W., subject of this sketch; and Joseph Lee, married Kate Rowland, residing in Stafford County, Kan¬ sas. All the members of this family were worthy members of the Bap¬ tist church and consistent Christians. The kindness of their natures, the tenderness of their hearts, Mr. and Mrs. Estes showed plainly by taking into their home a child to rear in addition to their own family of four¬ teen. Robert C. Cravens, who came to them at the age of three years and was reared as one of their own. He was a nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Estes. His mother, Mrs. Cravens, came through from Texas on horse¬ back in the early 40's. An Indian woman accompanied them and remained here. Mrs. Cravens died here soon after coming. William Caswell Estes was highly esteemed throughout the community in which he lived and will ever be remembered for his honesty and uprightness of character. Mrs. Estes won the silver cup in 1883 for having been mother of the largest family bom in Cass County, reared to maturity. She was a lov¬ ing wife and mother, a kind and sympathetic neighbor, and her death was a source of universal regret throughout the community.

When Order No. 11 was issued, the Estes family moved to Clay County, Missouri, and returned to Polk township in 1883. J. W. Estes bought sixty acres of land from John Henry Martin, a place which he still owns. He has at different times increased his holdings until he now owns 180 acres. Mr. Estes was reared a farmer, a vocation he has always followed, becoming a thorough, practical agriculturist. As he grew to manhood he assisted his father in the work of the farm, forming habits of industry and economy. He received his education in the schools of Polk township and all his life has lived here. At the present time he lives one-fourth mile from his old homeplace.

December 6, 1883, J. W. Estes and Martha Elizabeth Scott, who was born in Jackson County near Independence, were united in marriage. Mrs. Estes is a daughter of James and Evaline Scott, both of whom are now deceased. The father died in Bates County, Missouri, in 1904, and the mother in Polk township in 1876. Both are buried in Reed Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Estes have reared Jesse E. Kennedy, who lives with them. He is now eighteen years of age and was taken into the family when three years old.

The Estes farm is pleasantly located eight and one-half miles north¬ east of Pleasant Hill and four and one-half miles north of Strasburg. The land is under a high state of cultivation and the entire surroundings show Mr. Estes to be a thorough, practical farmer. He has six acres in alfalfa, and is especially interested in the stock business, keeping fine graded stock, horses and mules. At present he has five dairy cows. He has improved his place in such a manner that the Estes farm is now considered one of the best in the county. His residence, a pretty cottage of six rooms, was erected in 1898 and is a model of comfort and con¬ venience, well furnished throughout and artificially lighted. His barn and other farm buildings are correspondingly good. The barn is 40 x 44 feet and a silo, 14 x 26 feet, was erected in 1911. All the improvements are of a substantial character.

J. W. Estes has succeeded in life, nobly assisted by his wife, who has always been a true helpmeet to him. Even in this brief review it can easily be seen that the father's mantle has fallen on worthy shoulders.

James W. Ewing, proprietor of "Blue Valley Stock Farm," the home of the registered Spotted Poland China hogs, was born in Hancock County, Ohio, in 1856, son of John and Orpha (Carr) Ewing, natives of Ohio. John Ewing was the son of James Ewing, Sr., who was born in Ashland County, Ohio, and his brother James was born in Pennsylvania. The Ewing family moved from Pennsylvania to Ashland County, Ohio, and thence to Hancock County, Ohio. Orpha (Carr) Ewing was born in Ashland County, Ohio. John and Orpha (Carr) Ewing were the parents of the following children: Hiram, Sawtell, California; E. H., Alpaugh, California; John, Creighton, Missouri; W. F., Creighton, Missouri; Mrs. J. H. McKee, Leeton, Missouri; Mrs. R. C. McKee, who resides in Texas; Mrs. M. V. Moler, who resides in Oregon; James W., subject of this review and Upton F., Creighton, Missouri. Both parents are deceased.

James W. Ewing attended school in Warrensburg, Missouri. He remained with his parents, assisting his father with the work on the home place, until he was twenty-four years of age. In 1880 he went to

October 8, 1879, James W. Ewing and Fannie Daugherty, daughter of James and Jane (Bourne) Daugherty, were united in marriage. James Daugherty departed this life in 1869 and his widow makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. James W. Ewing. She is now eighty-four years of age. To James W. and Fannie (Daugherty) Ewing have been born seven children: Mrs. Maud Jones, wife of J. H. Jones, Springfield, Missouri; Mrs. C. F. Price, St. Joe, Missouri ; Leoti, who is a teacher in the schools of Butler, Missouri ; Nona, who is a stenographer in Springfield, Missouri ; Lee Hall Ewing died at fifteen years of age, February, 1910; Ruth, who is attending the High School in Butler, Missouri ; and J. U., who lives at home with his parents. Two children died in infancy.

The "Blue Valley Stock Farm" comprises one hundred thirteen acres of fine land three-fourths of a mile south of Creighton. Mr. Ewing pur¬ chased this place in 1907, but lived upon his brother's place a few years Until he had improved his farm. The place was all in timber when Mr. Ewing came to it in 1910. With the exception of four or five acres it is now all in bluegrass. The farm is well watered. There are five good wells upon the place, one in each pasture. The improvements which Mr. Ewing himself has placed upon his farm are among the best in the county. The beautiful residence is a large concrete structure of ten rooms and furnished with all modern conveniences. The attractive fea¬ tures of this handsome home are the large concrete porches on the west, south and east sides. The basement walls are also of concrete and the skill with which they were put in denotes excellent workmanship. In 1912 Mr. Ewing erected a splendid barn, 40x58 feet in dimensions, which is covered with an iron roof. In 1913 he built his first silo, 12x28 feet in dimensions and in 1913 the second, 14x28 feet in dimensions. In 1917 the second barn was erected, 32x42 feet in dimensions and eighteen feet square, measuring from the basement. The basement is designed for the stock, the ground floor for grain and hay, and the second floor for hay. Mr. Ewing has made preparations to equip this bam with a corn grinder attached to a line shaft and has the engine and mill ready, at the time of this writing, to install.

The "Blue Valley Stock Farm" is the home of the Spotted Poland China hogs. Big Chief is at the head of the herd. Mr. Ewing has at present three registered sows and a registered male from the H. L. Faulkner stock farm of Jamesport, Daviess County, Missouri. Mr. Ewing sold four sows in January, 1917, which averaged five hundred sixty-eight pounds each. In addition to his herd of hogs he has eleven head of horses, twenty-seven head of sheep and thirty-five head of cattle, twenty of the latter being dairy cows of Jersey, Durham and Galloway breeds.