Clay County, Missouri - Biographical sketches (1 of 4 so headed), 1885 (part 1 of 3)

Biographical sketches

In au}' worthy history of Clay county the name that heads this sketch will always be given an enviable place among the leading citizens of the county and its self-made, wealthy Ijusiness men. Mr. Adkins started out for himself when a youth only al)out 15 years of age and without a dollar, but before he had attained his majority he had succeeded in accumulating over $2,000 solely by his own work and good management. A history of his career in later years has been but a continuation of tiiat of his youth and has been proportionallv even more successful. He is now one of the two principal owners of the Commercial Savings Bank, one of tlie soundest and most reliable banking institutions in the western part of the State, and is also a large real estate owner and leading stock raiser of the county, owninga number of fine farms, from which he annually sells thousands of dollars' worth of stock. He also has a large amount of other valuable property and, in a word, is one of the prominent tax payers of the county. Such is the successful career of a man who cast himself out into the world on his own resoun-cs when but a mere boy and without a penny, a career that would reflect credit upon anyone man. Mr. Adkins was born in Scott county, Ky., October 9, 1821, and was a son of Judge Robert Adkins and wife, /lee Miss Mary Snell, the Judge formerly of Virginia, but Mrs. Adkins a Kentuckian by nativity. The Judge's mother was a Miss Mille, and her parents were co-pioneers with Daniel Boone fn Kentucky, having come out from Virginia in company with him on his first trip to the then wilds of the former State. In 1825, Judge Adkins came to Missouri with his family and located in Howard county, but returned to Kentucky soon afterwards. Ten j'ears from their first trip, however, they came back to this State and settled in Clay county. Here the Judge bought several hundred acres of fine land, three miles north of Liberty, where he improved a large farm and lived until his death. He died of cholera in July, 1851. He became one of the well known and influential citizens of the county, and such was his high standing and popularity that although an uncompromising Democrat in a strong AVhig county, as Clay county then was, he was repeatedly elected to the ofiice of county judge, defeating each time the most popular Whig tliey could put up , against him. He reared a large family of children, five sons and six daughters living to reach years of maturity and to become the heads of families themselves. Nine are still living, four brothers in Kansas City, three in this county and two sisters who are in Kansas City - Mrs. C. J. White and Mrs. Eliza Hall. Darwin J. Adkins was the eldest of the brothers and remained at home on the farm until he was 15 years of age, when, having secured something of an ordinary education, and having a taste for business life, he left the farm and came to Libert}', where he obtained a clerkship in a store. He clerked for about three years and not only obtained a good knowledge of the business, but also saved up a little means from his salary. He then went on a farm and also engaged in trading in stock. These interests he has ever since carried on. For some years he was engaged in the Southern trade in horses and mules, driving his stock to Shreveport, La., Alexandria, Miss., and other points. This was while he was yet quite a young man and he made some two or three thousand dollars before he was 21 years of age. In 1842, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Pence, a daughter of Edward A. Pence, formerly of Kentucky. He then gave up the Southern trade, and settled down on a farm, but continued in the local stock trading business. Later along he removed to Platte county, but after four years returned to this county, and bought the old Adkins family homestead, where he followed farming and handling stock until 1863. Subsequently he bought other [)laces and resided at Liberty and on different farms until the time he settled permanently where he now resides. In 1856 he was largely instrumental in establishing the Farmers' Bank at Liberty, becoming one of its directors. This was finall}' succeeded by'the Commercial Savings Bank in 1867. Since 1870 he has been president of this bank and he and Mr. Robertson own more than fourfifths of its capital stock. It has a stock of $50,000, all paid up, and the bank is in a most prosperous condition, paying annually a good dividend on the stock represented. Last year Mr. Adkins sold over $9,000 worth of stock off of his several farms. Mr. Adkins' first wife having died in April, 1852, he was married to Mrs. Mary A. Futsle, a daughter of Andrew Robertson, formerly of Tennessee. Her mother was a native of iNlorth Carolina. Mrs. Adkins' parents removed to Clay county way back in 1818, and she was born here in September, 1822. Mr. Adkins and his present wife have four children, namely : Magdaline, wife of Robert G. Robinson; Edward V., Robert I., and Emma, deceased wife of Michael A. Groom. By his former wife Mr. Adkins has two children : Ruth, wife of L. W. Pence, and Darwin J.

Leonidas Adkins

Mr. Adkins is a representative of the old and respected family whose name he bears, mention of which has already been made in the sketch of his brother, D. J. Adkins, on a previous page. Leonidas Adkins was born on the old family homestead, near Lil)erty, April 6, 1838. He was reared on the fai'm and received a good practical education as he grew up, studying the higher branches at William Jewell College. Afterwards he engaged as a clerk at Liberty, and continued at that about five years. For the 24 years following, up to 1883, Mr. Adkins followed farming and stock raising in this county, and was satisfactorily successful. Early in 1884 he bought the stables and stock where he is now engaged in business. The building he has considerably enlarged, and has much improved the business, so that he now has one of the best establishments of the kind in the county. In 1858 Mr. Atkinson was mai'ried to Miss Martha J., a daughter of Hon. John R. Keller, of this county, whose sketch is elsewhere given. Mrs. A. is a graduate of the Liberty Female Seminary. They have five children : Rol)ert, who is a partner with his father in business ; Lila, James P., William, John C. and Churchill. Mrs. A. is a member of the Christian Church.

Mr. Adkins is well recognized as one of the neatest and most enterprising young farmers of the county. He is a man of thorough collegiate and university education, and is qualified for almost any business where intelligence, culture and energy are required, but has adopted farming and handling stock as his calling entirely from choice, preferring a free and open and independent life of a farmer to that of all others. In his farming operations ho has brought his education and good taste to bear the same as he would have done in any other pursuit. He has a good place, large enough for his present purposes, and keeps it in the best of condition. His home and household and all its surroundings are in keeping with the general appearance of his farm, the credit for which is principally due to his refined and excellent wife, who is even more particular than her husband to have everything in presentable order. Mr. Adkins was born in this county May 19, 1845, and was a son of Downing O. Adkins, a well known and highly respected citizen of the county, who came here from Kentucky as early as 1832. Mr. Adkins, Jr., was reared on his father's form (his father being a successful stock dealer as well as a prominent farmer), and given the best of educational advantages as he grew up. From the common schools he went to William Jewell College and then to Mount Gilead

College, thence to Sidney College, Iowa, and from there to the State University of Missouri, where he completed his general education. Afterwards ho took a commercial course at a business college in Lafayette, Ind., where he was honorably graduated. Returning from Indiana he at once engaged in farming in this county, which he has ever since followed. His farm contains 228 acres. November 8, 1882, he was married to Miss Susie H. Williams, a daughter of John Williams, of Shawnee Mission, Kas., but formerly from Marshall, Mich. She was an invalid at the time of her marriage, and survived her wedding day only a week more than a month. Her remains were buried in the cemetery near where Mr. Adkins now resides. She was a lady of singular sweetness and gentleness of disposition, and of a presence and bearing tliat won all hearts. But Death loves the shining mark, and in the morning of her life his cold and pulseless finger pointed her out for the grave - she was no more. While loved ones here have sustained a sad bereavement by her loss, heaven has been made brighter by her sweet, gentle spirit. Mr. Adkins was married to his present wife September 15, 1883. She was a Miss Emma E. Pence, a daughter of Capt. W. H. Pence, and a lady worthy in every way to occupy the place she does in the affection of her devoted husband. Mr. Adkins has not neglected the information to be had from travel, but has visited in different parts of the country no less tlian 17 States. After all the country he has seen he is satisfied there is no place like Clay county for a home. " There is no place like home."

DeWitt C Allen was born Novcm1)er 11, 1835, in Clay county, Missouri, and with the exception of a few brief intervals has passed his life in that county. His family is of English- Welsii extraction, and has been settled in America more than a century and a half, and his parents wore persons of education and refinement. His father Col. Shui)ael Allen, was a native of Orange county, New York, whence he emigrated to Kentucky in 1816, and thence to Missouri in 1817, and finally settled in Clay county in 1820. His mother. Miss Dinah Ayres Trigg, was a daughter of Gen. Stephen Trigg, of Bedford county, Virginia, who emigrated to Kentucky near tiie close of the last century, and thence to Howard county, Missouri, in 1818. She was born in Estill county, Kentucky.

When Mr. Allen was five years old his father died, and he passed entirely under the influence and training of his mother - a woman of excellent judgment, fine; literar}' taste, cheerful disposition, the most delicate sentiments of honor and integrity, and in every way fitted for the discharge of the duties devolved upon her. In temperament he is more like his father, but his character was molded by his mother. To her encouragement and advice he attributes mainly his achievements in life.

his taste foi- study was streiigtlieiied by example. His iiistoricai and iniscellaiieous reading began at eleven years of age, and has been pursued with system and regularity. Before the completion of his thirteenth year, among other works, he had read all of Scott's novels. In 1850, having previously received the benefit of excellent private schools, held, however, at irregular intervals, he entered William Jewell College, and was there graduated in 1855 with the first honors in the classics and helles lettres. His grade in mathematics was somewhat lower. His taste originally at college was for the mathematics, but as his acquaintance with the classics increased his fondness for mathematics became less strong. Having completed his collegiate course he accepted the position of principal of the preparatory department of the Masonic College at Lexington, Missouri, which he filled for a year to the entire satisfaction of the curators and patrons of that institution. He accounts the reminiscences of his stay at Lexington as among the most agreeable in his life. Society there was at the height of its brilliance and charm. The people, as ever, were hospitable and courteous, and he bears with him only memories of kindness and encouragement received from them. His previous life had been one of study and seclusion, and his experiences of society and the world were slight. Of the many persons there to whom he feels indebted for kind offices, he especially remembei's his friends, Charles R. Morehead, Sr. (now deceased), and Mrs. William H. Russell. During the year succeeding his connectif)n with the Masonic College he devoted himself to those historical and special studies (suggested to him by his friend. Col. Alexander W. Doniphan) which are considered by legal gentlemen as a proper introduction to the comprehensive study of the law, which he had chosen while at college as the profession of his life. From the summer of 1858 to May, 1860, he pursued his legal studies in the office of the late Richard R. Rees, Esq., in Leavenworth, Kansas. Occasionally dining that period he assisted Mr. Rees in the trial of cases in order to acquire familiarity with the procedure in the courts. He recognizes his obligations to the advice and suggestions of Mr. Kees as being very great, particularly in the specialities of pleading, conveyancing and the drafting of orders, judgments and decrees. In May, 18(!0, he returned to his home in Liberty, Missouri, and began the practice of law. Since thenJie has devoted himself cyclusively to the work of his profession. In November, 1860, he was elected circuit attorney of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Missouri, composed of the counties of Clay, Clinton, Caldwell, Ray and Carroll. He discharged the duties of that office with fidelity and promptness until December 17, 1861, when, under the operation of an ordinance of the convention of that year, prescribing an oath testing the loyalty of officers, it became vacant in consequence of his refusal to take the oath. He was married May 18, 1864, to Miss Emily E. Settle, of Ray county, Missouri, daughter of Hiram P. Settle, Esq., of that county. She was born \\< Culpeper county, Virginia. They have three children.

City and Cameron Railroad Company - now known as the Kansas City branch of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad - and in that position labored assiduously with others to secure its early completion.

He was elected, without opposition, in Januai-y, 1875, to represent - in connection with Hon. E. H. Norton - the Third Senatorial District of Missouri, composed of the counties of Clay, Clinton and Platte, in the constitutional convention, called to meet May 5, 1875, and assisted in the framing of the present organic law of the State. In that body, composed of many of the ablest and most learned men in the State, he bore himself with ability and won the respect and confidence of its members. At its organization he was appointed a meml)er of the committees on education and the legislative department, and was esteemed in them as an intelligent and indefatigable worker.

Mr. Allen has attained a high and honorable position at the bar. He deals with the law as a science, and sees the logical connection of its pi-inciples. He surveys the fields of legal lore with the clear, calm vision of a jurist. He is devoted to our system of jurisprudence because it contains the crystallized thoughts of the best minds of all ages and countries. He is noted for the power of his faculty for analysis, the quickness of his perception of the most remote analogies, the fineness and delicacy of liis distinctions, and the rapidity of his detection of inconsistencies in argument. In forensic conflicts he brings into requisition the best materials of law and fact. His positions are always clear, logical and concise. His voice, though not strong, is distinct and penetrating, and his rhetoric faultless. When the occasion demands it, he ascends by easy gradations from the smooth, graceful and conversational style, suited to the courts, to a higher plane of oratory. His manner is earnest, and his ideas form in quick, unbroken succession. But his great power as a speaker ia in the elevation of his sentiments, and his rich and sparkling thoughts. Ringing tones, electric fire and aptly chosen words merely form their drapery. He is a cultured, scholarly man. His style, both in speaking and writing, is peculiarly his own. He is an independent thinker and derives his information, when practicable, from original sources. He is systematic and exact in all things, and counts as worthless all knowledge that is not accurate. During the vacation of the courts he does not remain idle, but continues in his office engaged in work or investigation. He deals with his clients with the utmost candor. And one of his distinguishing characteristics is fidelity to his friends. He possesses a high sense of honor, and is bold and unyielding in defense of right.

Mr. Allen devotes his periods of leisure to literary reading - historical, philosophical, critical and poetical - but never allows it to infringe upon his professional study or work. He fully recognizes the truth so often urged by the sages of the law, that, of all men, the leading and thought of a lawyer sliould be the most extended. Systematic and careful study in the higher works of literature - historical, philosophical, critical and i)oetical - gives freshness, breadth and comprehensive grasp to the mind, variety and richness of thought, and a clearer perception of the motives of men and tiie principles of things, indeed of the very spirit of laws. Nature has given us both reason and fancy, and they were meant for use. Hence, he argues that the mind should both reason and blooin. Besides, a cultured fancy, guided by severe taste, is a source of invention in argument. He occasionally writes, but only as a matter of amusement or for the gratification of friends. His style of writing is clear, logical, chaste and impassioned. His thoughts are expressed with force and sententiousness. His fancy is delicate and subtle, and usually pervades his writings.

Mr. Allen is a charming conversationalist. His wide range of reading, habits of analysis and observation, intuitive knowledge of the motives of men and women, his fine fancy, ra[)id play of thought, and quick apprehension, comliine with his genial good humor and innate charity to make him a brilliant and most agreeable member of society, and to render his triumphs in the salon equal to those at the bar. He is, as the result both of thought and observation, a staunch and enthusiastic friend of popular education, and is keenly alive to the advantages to be derived from an increase of faoilities for university and scientific training for the 3'oung. During 10 years, or more, prior to the summer of 1881, he was one of the trustees of William Jewell College, and earnestly co-operated with his associates in the promotion of the interests of that institution. Probably to no one in the State is it more indebted for its present high state of efficiency.

Mr. Allen is not a member of any church, but he entertains a high respect for religion, and he conceives that reverence for it among the l^eople is the life and soul of healthful, well ordered society. He is highly public spirited, and ready at all times to aid and encourage those movements which tend to increase the material happiness and j)romote the culture of his community. His highest conception of the due execution of a inan's life work is the faithful performance of duty. In politics he is a firm, consistent Jefiersonian Democrat.

Dr. Allen was a son of the late Col. Shubael Allen, for many years a prominent and influential citizen of Clay county, but originally from Orange count}', N. Y. Co\. Allen is elsewhere referred to in this volume. Dr. Allen was born in Clay county, July 23, 1833. He was reared in this county, and educated at the common schools and in William Jewell College. At that institution he took a course of two years, immediately preceding 1852, and entered the college at its first opening, in Januaiy, 1850. His taste in study inclined to mathematics, and, aftei- that, to history, natural philosophj' and astronomy. Young Allen became a proficient mathematician, and he advanced in Latin as far as the Sophomore class. Early in 1852 he began the study of medicine under the tutorage of Dr. Joseph iM. Wood, now of Kansas Citv, but then a resident phvsician of Liberty. In due time young Allen matriculated at the St. Louis Medical College, and he continued a student there until he was graduated with credit in the class of '54. He was a severe and unremitting student while at medical college, as he had previously been when taking his general college course ; and the thoroughness he showed in his studies, and the proo-ress made by him, attracted the favorable attention of his preceptors. Immediately after his graduation at St. Louis he was solicited by Dr. Pope, the dean of the St. Louis Medical College, to apply for the position of physician to the St. Louis City Hospital, art evidence of the high estimate Dr. Pope placed upon his attainments and ability as a physician. Dr. Allen, however, declined to make the application, preferring to enter at once upon the general practice of medicine. Returning home from St. Louis after his graduation, Dr. Allen located at Claysville, in the northeastern part of this county, and began the practice of his profession. When he arrived there he had but $6 in the world, and was $400 in debt. Stopping with Capt. William Cummons, a man whose largeness of heart was only equaled by his great purity of character and his almost religious veneration for North Carolina, his native State, young Dr. Allen frankly told him his financial condition, and that his assets consisted of a limited wardrobe, "Russell's Modern Europe," the Lord's Prayer and a small medical lil)rary. Capt. Cummons, who was evidently touched by reference to the Lord's Prayer, in the generosity of his great good nature, readily and graciously assured young Allen that he would gladly board him on trust, and would supply him with such reasonable sums of money as he might need. For this noble and generous act of kindness, and for the courtesy and consideration which was ever afterwards shown him in the family of Capt. Cummons as long as he remained with them, Dr. Allen cherishes a profound and lasting feeling of gratitude. The kindness of other friends, including that of those good men, Edward M. Samuel and Col. A. W . Doniphan, he liolds in like remembrance. Declining, however, all loans, he i"einaincd at Claysville for ai)out seven years, and built up an excellent practice, becoming one of the leading physicians of the northeastern part of the county.

When Mr. Lincoln fulminated his first proclamation against the South in l8(;i, Dr. Allen was temporarii}^ absent from Claysville attending a post-graduate course of lectures at the St. Louis JNIedical College, in order to review his college course in medicine and surgery, and to acquaint himself with all the later and newer principles and theories of i)ructiccdevel()i)ed since his graduation in l<S.'i4. But believing that war was now imminent, a,nd being determined to espouse the cause of the South, which he believed to be his duty as a loyal and patriotic citizen of Missouri, he at once returned home and proceeded to the enlistment of a company for the Southern service. On the organization of the companv he was elected captain, and it became a part of Col. Benjamin A. Rives' regiment - who was killed at the head of his regiment in the i)attle of Elk Horn. But in May, 1861 J Dr. Allen accepted the office of surgeon of Rives' regiment, which became a part of the Fourth Missouri division, State Guard. His term of service in the State Gunrd lasted for several months, after the expiration of which he and a number of other prominent gentleman in the Southern service from Missouri, organized the Tiiird Missouri, of the First Brigade, in the regular Confederate service, he becoming regimental surgeon. He continued surgeon of that regiment until the fall of 1863, when, by order of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, he was promoted to the office of chief surgeon of the district of Mississippi and East Louisiana, and attached to the stati' of Gen. Wirt Adams, with whom he continued until the close of tiie war. Throughout the war Dr. Allen studiously avoided the exercise of his privilege as a surgeon of not participating in the various engagements in which his command took part, but invariaiily went to the front, when not occupied with his duties to the wounded. He took part in many of the great battles of the war, including, in Missouri, those of Carthage, Wilson's Creek, Dry AVood and the siege of Lexington ; and beyond this State, those of Pjlk Horn, Corinth, luka, Gr;ind Gulf, Fort Gibson and a number of engagements of less importance. After the war Dr. Allen returned home to Clay county, and located at Lil)- erty, where he has ever since resided and been engaged in the active practice of his profession. He has been very successful as a physician and has taken a leading place among the prominent [)hysicians of tije State. He has always taken a pardonal)le pride in the good name and high character of the medical profession, and has diligently exerted himself on all proper occasions for its advancement. As early as 1856 he took an active part in the organization of the Clay County Medical Society, and from time to time after that was its president. In 1858 he became a member of the National Medical Association, and has ever since contiinied to be honoi-ably identified with that organization. Later along he assisted to organize the Kansas City District Medical Society, and in recognition of his high stantliiig in the profession and of the great value of his services in the orgnnization of the societ}^ he was made its first president. Dr. Allen, being a man of culture and decided literary tastes, takes a marked interest in the cause of education and literary matters. For many years he has been an active member of the Liberty Literary Club, a society of gentlemen at this place organized nearly 30 years ago, for the promotion of literature and social culture, and which contains among its members the i)rofessional men and literati of the place. He is also a strong advocate of temperance and has been coiuiected with all the temperance movements in this county since 1848. Dr. Allen never signed a petition for a dram-shop license in his life, but by his individual efforts and numerous addresses and lectures has contributed in no small degree to the presetit advanced position of the people of Clay county on thi temperance question. A man of good business habits and qualifications, he has been satisfiictorily successful in accumulating the substantial evidences of material comfort and independence. At the beginning of his practi(!e, over thirty years ago, he made it a rule to close up his books, either by cash settlements or requiring promissory notes, at the end of each year ; and whilst he has carnestlj' avoided pressing the poor, he has been hardly less careful to make those pay who were able to, especially that class described in the couplet : -

On the 15th of November, 1866, Dr. Allen was married to Miss Agnes McAlpine at Port Gibson, Miss. Mrs. Allen was a daughter of' the late William R. McAlpine, Esq., of that place, and is a lady of marked culture ^and refinement.

As a citizen, Dr. Allen is public spirited, and readily appreciates those crises when the union of the intellect and energy of a community for action becomes necessary to secure results beneficial to all, and is at all times willing to bear his proportions of the burden of labor and expenditure needed to attain them.

George A. Baldwin

Mr. Baldwin took charge of the county farm under contract of the county court in 1878, and has continued in charge of it ever since. The fact that he has been retained in this responsible position for so many years speaks well for his management of the place, his character in the service of the county, and the confidence in which he is held l)y the court and the people at large. There is an average of from ten to twelve poor persons on the farm all the time. In his treatment of them he is kind but firm, and so governs them that while they know they must respect and obey him, the}' nevertheless regard him with entire friendship, and show that they feel it a pleasure to have his good opinion. The county could probably not get a more suital)le man for the position he holds than it now has. Mr. Baldwin is a native of Clay county, i)orn in 1842. His father was Andrew B. Baldwin, distantly related to Maj. Roderick Baldwin, of the Warrensburg /Standard, in this State. Mr. Baldwin's mother came of a good family. She was a Miss Harriet Moberly, a daughter of B. M. Moberly, formerly of Kentucky. They have four children : GeorgeT., Edna B., Ninety B. and Clyde A. One is deceased, Charles R. Mr. Baldwin and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is a member of the I. O. O. F.

John A. Beauchamp

Maj. Robbinson P. Boauchamp, the father of the subject of this sketcli and a prominent lawyer in Western Missouri in an early day, came here from Southern Kentucky in 1825, and for a number of years resided at Liberty. He assisted to organize the first court ever held in Jackson county, and being a man of collegiate education, he nnderstoodsurveying thoroughly and was induced to assist in 1825 in establishing the State bouiulary line of Western Missouri, from Iowa to Arkansas. Under John Qnincy Adams' administration he was appointed Indian agent by President Adams, with headquarters at Ft. Leavenworth, in which (position lie continued until his death, in 1833. He died of cholera during the epidemic of that year, while on his way up the Missouri river on the boat Yellowstone,- and was buried at Belleview, near Council Bluffs. He was married in Kentucky bef(n'e coming to Missouri, his wife having been a Miss Dolly Winn, a daughter of Jesse Winn, Sr., of that State. She tiled at Paris, Tenn., in 18(i3. A family of live children were the fruits of their married life, including the subject of the present sketch.

John A. Beauchamp, who was the eldest son in their family of children, was born at Glasgow, in Barren county, Kentucky, December 19, 1817, and was still (juite young when the family removed to Missouri. Partly reared at Lil)erty, at tlie age of thirteen he accompanied his parents to Ft. Leavenworth and remained there until 1832, after his father's death. His mother then went to Tennessee, but John A. obtained employment as salesman in a wholesale and retail house in St. Louis. He continued there for a])outfive years and then returned to Liberty. But in 1838, in connection with a partner, he established a dry goods and grocery house at Richmond, in Ray county, and also a similar house at Camden, he, himself taking charge of the Camden store. He continued in that business for al>out nine years, at the expiration of which time he retired from merchandising and settled on a farm he owned just outside the suburbs of Liberty.

Mr. Beauchamp was actively engaged in farming on his place near Liberty for a period of over thirty years, or until 1880 ; and for nearly twenty years of that time he was extensively occupied in dealing in stock, trading, buying, selling, etc. However, for iive years following 1865, he resided in town and carried on a clothing store, besides running his farm and stock-dealing. Three years ago he sold the farm and is still remaining in town, where he established a grocery store, which he has ever since been conducting. He has a full stock of groceries, provisions, queens' and glassware, etc., etc.

Mr. Beauchamp has been married twice. His first wife was a Miss Ann T. Lincoln, a daughter of George and Julia Ann (Gatewood) Lincoln, early settlers of this county from Kentucky. Her grandfather, Thomas Lincoln, originally of Rockingham county, Virginia, was a brother to .\l)raham Lincoln, the grandfither of President Lincoln.

Mr. Beauchamp'sfirst wife died in 1853, leaving two sons, Robbinson P. and John S., botii of whom are now themselves the heads of families and residents of Nebraska.

To his second wife Mr. Beauchamp was married in 1862. She was a Miss Sidney N. Owens, a daughter of Margaret M. and Samuel Owens, of Mason county, Kentucky. Five children are the fruits of this union : Lee, who clerks for his father in the store and is a iiraduate of the Liberty high school ; Maggie, Marietta, Fanny an<l Nellie.

a man as highly esteemed as any citizen of the county. He is a member of the Christian Church. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

William E. Brasfield

For many 3'ears Mr. Brasfield has devoted his time and attention principally to stock. He is one of those men of energy and natural business tact who generally succeed in whatever they engage. The' qualities for successful business men are, to a large extent, natural, inherited, the result of a union, the conditions which tend to ti'ansmit to offsprings those characteristics and attributes in a large measure which afterwards go to make the successful man. It is said that the poet is born - not afterwards made bj^ education. This is very lai-gely true of many other spheres of activit}', both mental and industrial. Unless one have the natural attributes for a particular calling, his career in that calling will always be an uphill struggle, and, at the best, only comparative success is possible. Mr. Brasfield came of a line of ancestors remarked for their energy and enterprise as business farmers ; not only personally industrious themselves, but with a tact for making work around them move along, and for directing their affairs in a business-like way to the best advantage. Whatever they saw to be the most profitable as farmers they followed, whether at one time it was raising grain, at another fattening stock for the markets, or, again, breeding fine stock for the general trade. Being men of sterling intelligence and business acumen, thej' were generally able to perceive what branch of farm life was the most remunerative, and that they invariably pursued. So with Mr. Brasfield, the subject of this sketch. He has long seen thatgrain growing can not continue a profitable industry, and his sagacit}' in this respect has already been verified. Wheat in the Northwest is now being produced for a market that has reached as low a point as 35 cents per bushel, and the general average of prices will continue to go down. He, therefore, turned his attention to stock, and has profited by his good judgment. But ordinary, common stock is rapidly reaching the point where there is no profit for a Missouri farmer, on account of the cheap stock of Texas and the territories. Therefore, he is gradually converting his place into a fine stock farm. Mr. Brasfield has been very successful as a stock-raiser and dealer, and is one of the leading stockmen in the county. He has a fine stock farm of 434 acres, with 280 acres additional near by. His place is run nearly altogether in blue grass, reserving only enough for grain for stock feed in winter and for fattening purposes. He has an excellent grade of cattle on his place, and makes a business of raising and fattening beef cattle and liogs for the markets. He ships annuall}' a lai-ge number of each. His specialty in the stock line, however, is breeding and raising fine saddle and harness stallions and fine jacks. For these purposes he has provided himself with some of the best stock in the country. He makes a special study of blooded horses and' jacks, and selects his stock for breeding purposes from the classes, and, indeed, from the families of breeds which are recognized by common consent to be the best. Annually he sells a number of young stallions and jacks bred and raised on his place. He finds it but little more trouble and expense to raise a fine animal than it would to raise a scrub, whereas, with the first there is a large profit, and with the other little or no l)r()fit, if not a loss. Certainly he is correct in the idea that this is the only true and sensible theory of successful stock-raising. Mr. Brasfield was born in Chariton county. Mo., in December, 1827, but was reared in Clay county. His parents were Leonard and Lucretia Brasfield, who went from Virginia in an early day to INIadison county, Ky. From there he came to Missouri in 1821, and located in Howard county. From there they shortly' removed to Chariton count}', and then settled permanently in Clay county in 1829. The father was a successful farmer of this county, and an enterprising stock-raiser. He died here in 18(37; the mother died in 1871. William E., who was brought up to farming and stock-raising, went to California in 1849, and was absent two 3'ears, engaged in mining on Wood's creek with some success. Returning in 1851, he resumed farming, and raising and dealing in stock, and in 1854 took a drove of cattle across the plains to California, where he sold them to good advantage. He then came back, and ever since that time has confined himself to his farm and the stock business in tiiis county. In 1855 he was married to Miss Sarah J. Estes, a daughter of William and Malinda Estes, the father a native of Virginia but her mother from Tennessee. They came to Missouri from Tennessee in 1817. They have four children : Amanda, the wife of John Dale ; Annie B., the wife of William Davis ; William L. and Hettie. Mr. Brasfield is a man who appreciates the import.ince of education, and gave his children the benefits of college instruction.

Hon. Luke W. Burris

The period of Mr. Burris' adult life up to the present time has been chiefly spent in two counties of this State, and from both he has been the recii)ient of enviable political honors. The county in which he was princi|);dly reared - Washington county - he represented with honor and al)ility in the State Legislature, after having held numerous other pul)lic trusts. Removing thence to this county after the close of his term as representative of Washington county, in 1853, he has been repeated!}' honored here with the sutlVages of the people in a manner not less creditable to him personally and as a trusted oiEcial than were the confidence and esteem in which he was held where he was reared. In 1864 he was the nominee of the Democratic pai'ty on the ticket with Hon. Thomas L. Price for Lieutenant-Governor, and if the people of Missouri could then have had, as they now have, " a free ballot and a fair count " he would undoubtedly have been elected.

Ill the fill! of 1870, after having twice represented Clay county in the Legislature, he was prevailed upon by his friends in this county to accept the oiBce of county court clerk, to which he was elected by a highly flattering majority, and ever since that time he has been content to continue in tliat position, having been consecutively rechosen to the oflBce by the people at each quadriennial election. At the close of his present term he will have served the people in this position for 16 years. Mr. Burris was a son of one of the pioneer settlers of Central^ Missouri. His father, David Burris, came to this State from Kentucky when a young man, away back in the early territorial days of the country. He first located in Howard county, and planted and raised a crop of corn the year when corn was first raised in that county, but soon afterwards made his home in Cooper county, near Boonville. He was an active participant in all the early Indian wars of the country, and was as brave an Indian fighter and deadlj' a shot with his trusted rifle as ever faced the foe of the forest or drew bead on a treacherous savage. Long after his death his widow drew a pension from the government on account of his services in protecting the iiomes of the early settlers of Missouri. He was married near Fayette in about 1812 to Miss Susan Monroe, a daughter of William Monroe, another brave-hearted pioneer settler from Kentucky. Their honeymoon and some years afterwards were spent principally in Cooper's Fort, for in those days no " pale-face" was safe where a red man's bullet could reach him from ambush. Luke W. Burris was born at Boonville August 2, 1817. In about 1830 the family removed to Texas, then a country even wilder and more weird than ^lissouri. But they returned in a short time to this State and settled in Washington county. In 1850 the father, though well advanced in years, still had the fire of the old pioneer in him, and felt equal to a journey across the plains to the Pactolian lands of the Pacific coast. He accordingly went to California and engaged in mining, but never lived to return. He died and was buried on the distant shore of the Pacific sea, where his remains still rest, wrapped in the sleep that shall be broken only by the final acclaim of inmiortal life. Mr. Burris was reared in Washington county, and as he grew up learned tlie lessons, by the experiences through which he passed, of industry, frugal liai)its and economy. These he has never forgotten. They have ever been characteristics of his subsequent life and conduct. Though brought up in a condition of society where the incentives for an education were V)y no means great, and where the opportunities for culture were even less, he had the intelligence and sagacity to see that learning, at least, a suflicient knowledge of books for all practical affairs of life, was of the first importance. Without the advantage of local schools, except for a period of about six months, he nevertheless applied himself to study. When 17 years of age, to use his own expression, he did not " know one figure from another; " but by close attention to his books at home during what leisure ho had from his daily employments, he succeeded in mastering the elements of an ordinary English education. He has always been remarked for his pleasant, allablc manners, his kindly disposition and the frankness antl generosity of liis nature. He has, therefore, ever been a popular man anions; all who knew him wherever he resided. Well qualified by education and natural aptitude for the discharge of ofScial duties, and a man of thorough integrity of character, it is therefore not surprising that most of his adult life has been spent in positions of public trust. When quite a young man he was elected constable of his township in Washington county, which he held with great satisfaction to the public and increasing popularity for several years. He was then elected county assessor, and at the close of his term, in 1844, in that office, was elected sheriff of the county. Following his first term as sheriff he was re-elected, and immediately after his second term, in 1850, he was elected a member of the Legislature, where he made an honorable ;uul enviable record as a worthy and faithful representative. Mr. Burris came to Clay county in 1853, and for a number of years afterwards was actively engaged hei-e in industrial pursuits. For five years he ran a saw and grist mill at Missouri Cit\', and then was a member of the firm of Arthur, Burris & Co., of Liberty Landing, in a hirge hemp manufactory, up to the time of the war. In 1860 he was elected a member of the Legislature from this county as a Whig, and in 1862 was re-elected by the people generally without opposition. At the close of his second term in the Legislature from this county he became the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant-Governor, but, as stated elsewhere, he was defeated.

Li the spring of 1865 he removed to St. Louis, and was engaged in the commission business for about four years, when he returned to Liberty. The year following his return he was elected county clerk, and, as stated above, he has continued to hold the office ever since that time. Though now i)ast the age of 67 he is still active and efficient in the discharge of his official duties, giving his personal attention to his office. He is well known among the officials of the State as one of the best county clerks within its borders, and is not less popular in official circles where he is known than among the people of his own county. On the 12th of October, 1848, at Potosi, Washington county, he was married to Miss C. E. Mitchell, daughter ofThonuis S. Mitchell, who died when she was quite 3'oung. She was a step-daughter of Dr. Henry Culver, and was born in Washington, D. C, but principally reared in Maryland. She was partly educated at St. Louis by the Mauro sisters. Mr. and Mrs. Burris reared Init one child, a son, William M. Burris, now a prominent attorney of Kansas City. Mr. Burris and wife are members of the Episcopal Church, and ho has been a member of the Odd Fellows' Order for over 40 years, holding all the positions in the different lodges with which he has been connected.

Col. Alexander J. Calhoun

the history of the country than have those of the Calhoun family. With at least the name of one member of this distniguished family every civilized country has been made familiar, a name that stands second to none for ability and statesmanship, and patriotism and high personal honor in this or any other land. Whatever may now be the popular judgment upon the States Rights doctrines of John C. Calhoun, all admit that he was one of the greatest men, if not the greatest, and one of the most lofty and patriotic statesman thjs country ever produced. Others, perhaps, exceeded him in the gloss of' eloquence, but as a logician, and for profound al)ility, he was without a superior. The Calhoun family have given other men of distinction to the country. In the annals of the National Legislature appear the names of no less than live distinguished representatives of this family, all either closely or distantly related. In the affairs of several States they have been prominent, also holding honorable positions of public trust, from the gubenuitorial chair down, since early colonial times ; and in the professions and in the various departments of science, in the industries and in business life, on the stage and in letters, representatives of the family have from time to time attained eminent distinction. Looking, therefore, at the history of this family as it is reflected in the history of the country, one may with all truth and propriet}' say that if Rome cinild ever boast hev ge}ites patricice, the Calhoun family may with equal truth and propriety be called one of the patrician families of this country.

The American Calhouns desceud from an ancient and honorable family of their name in Ireland. In the history of that country the name is frequently made mention of with credit and distinction. About the beginning of the second quarter of the last century three brothers of the name emigrated to America, all men of character and culture. Their first location in this country was in Pennsylvania. One of these brothers, Patrick Calhoun, became the father of Hon. John C. Calhoun; another (an older brother) became the father of Hon. John Ewing Calhoun, who preceded his cousin, Hon. John C, in the United States Senate from South Carolina ; and from the third brother, descended the subject of the present sketch. Samuel Calhoun was the

From Peuns^'lvania the three Calhoun brothers emigrated within some years of each other to South Carolina, Patrick Calhoun, however, stopping for a time in what is now West Virginia, where he intended to make his permanent home. But after Braddock's defeat the Indians became so eml)oldened that he was compelled to move ou further South, and finally located permanently on the i)<)rders of the Cherokee territory in South Carolina, near where his brothers had previously settled. From South Carolina branches of the three families spread out into other States, including North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri and nearly all the Western and Southern States ; and one branch settled in Massachusetts, of which Hon. William B. Calhoun, a distinguished member of

Coiigcoss from the Springfield district, for about ten j^ears prior to 1S43, and afterwards an elector on the Clay and Freliughujsen Presideudial ticket, was a representative of the branch of the family of which Col. Alexander Calhoun belongs. An interesting and well written account is given in a sketch of his life published in the United States Biographical Dictionary (Missouri Volume), in 1878, which we here reproduce, together with the body of the sketch : -

Alexander J. Calhoun was born in Wilson county, Tenn., November 10, 1814, ;ind is a descendant of one of the old families of the Carolinas, and the son of a deeply revered and eminentl}' pious gentleman. The first of the name emigrated from Ireland to America early in the history of the colonial settlement, and settled in South Carolina, where he reared a family. One of his sons, Samuel, was the grandfather of our subject. He was born in that State about 1710, in manhood was a soldier in the Revolution ; after the war he moved to North Carolina, thence to Tennessee in 1798, and settled in Wilson county, near the Big Springs, in 1801, where he died in 1833. His wife was Nancy Neely ; she was born in Pennsylvania in 175.5, was of Scotch descent, and died in Tennessee in 1825. They had the following children: Hannah, married Hugh Roane; John, Polly, married Flavel Garrison ; Thomas, Jane, married John Provine ; Nancy, married Montgomery McCorkle ; Samuel and James. Thomas Calhoun, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in North Carolina, May 31, 1782. He was educated in that State, and moved with his parents to Wilson county, Tenn. He prepared himself for the ministry in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which religious body he was one of the first members and was intimately connected with its founding and organization, in 1810, under Revs. Finis Ewing, Samuel King and Samuel McAdow. He was ordained and preached for that church full half a century. In 1808, he was married to Miss Mary Robertson Johnston, who was born in 1787, in North Carolina. Her father, Alexander Johnson, was born in the same State about 1760, was of Welsh descent, and died in 1800. Her mother, whose maiden name was Nellie Robertson, was born in Guilford county, N. C, about 17fi(3, and died in 1839. The children of Alexander and Nellie Johnson were : John, Mary R., married Thomas Calhoun ; Robertson, William, Daniel, and Jane married Col. Gabriel Barton. There were born to Thomas Calhoun and his wife, Mary (Robertson) Calhoun, the following children: Ewing F., Nancy E., who marriotl Blythe McMnrray, and, after his death, John Foster, and - died in Mississippi, in 1844; Alexander J., Persis B., Jane died in youth; Thomas P., Samuel L. and Mary R. died in infancy. Alexander J. Calhoun, their second son, was raised and educated in his native county. In 1837 he moved to Columbus, Lowndes county, Miss., whore he engaged in merchandising. In 1845 he moved to Clay county. Mo., where he farmed and taught school until 1853, when he was elected circuit clerk and held the position until 1865. He then returned to the farm and remained until 1874, when he was elected to his former clerkship in Cia}^ county, which position he now holds. Col. Calhoun received his title in 1840, by commission from the Governor of Mississippi as colonel of the State militia. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which order he has been master, hij^h priest and district deputy grand master. The Colonel is also a member of the Patrons of Husbandry and of the Good Templars. He is a member of the Cnniljerland Presbyterian Church. In politics he was a Henry Clay Whig, and since the death of that party has been acting with the Democracy. Col. Calhoun's first wife was a Miss Susan E. Huddleston, who was born in Washington, Ala., in 1819, and died in Clay county, Mo., in 1874. Her father, John Huddleston, was born in Georgia about 1793, of Scotch-Irish parents, and died at Pass Christian, Miss., in 1863. His second wife was Miss Bettie Alder, of Clay county. Mo , a native of Virginia, born in 1841. Her father, David P. Alder, was born in Virginia, September 11, 1803, but moved to Clay county, Mo., in 1850, and died there June 3, 1857. He had been county surveyor of Rockingham county, Va., and was deputy surveyor of Clay county after moving west. He was of English descent. He married Lydia A. Wall, of Kentucky, who was born in 1818, and died in Clay county in 1864. Their children were: Gardner, Bettie, married A. J. Calhoun ; Maria, married James Grooms ; Lurena, married Moses McCoy and after his death, W. P. Lucas ; Madison, Lydia, married David Thorp; Worthington, now dead, and John died in 1874. Col. Calhoun had no children by his first wife. By his second wife he has one child, a son named Thomas Alexander, born May 4, 1876. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church.

Judge John Chrisman

Judge Chrisman is a native of Kentucky, born in Fayette county, October 3, 1825. His parents were Joseph and Eleanor H. (Soper) Chrisman, his father originally of Virginia, but his mother a native of Kentucky. The Sopers were on'^ of the pioneer families of Kentucky. They came there about the time, or soon after, the migration of Daniel Boone into the land of the Dark and Bloody Ground, and subsequently became quite prominent in the affairs of the State. Joseph Chrisman went out from Virginia to Kentucky when a young man, and was married to Miss Soper in Jessamine county. In 1851 he removed to .Missouri with his family and located in Clay county, where he followed farming until his death, in 1875. He lived to the advanced age of 75 years. Mr. Chrisman, Sr., was quite successful as a farmer, and accumulated a comfortable property. Judge John Chrisman, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Fayette county, Kentucky, and his father being a man who appreciated mental culture, and being in good circumstances, gave him excellent educational advantages. After taking a course in the common and intermediate schools, he attended Transylvania University. Subsequently he taught school in Kentucky for a few years and then came to Missouri, accompanyin<j his parents to this State in 1851. For some years after locating in Chiy county he followed farming, but in 1864 removed to Liberty from his farm and l)egan the study of law. In due time Judge Chrisman was admitted to the l)ar, and 9ul)sequently practiced his profession at Liberty for fifteen or twenty years. His business was mainly confined to office practice, and as a lawyer he was quite successful. Judge Chrisman made considerable money in his profession, and in 1884 removed to Kansas City in order to use his means to better advantage and to have a large and more lucrative field for the practice. In 1865 he was appointed a judge of the county court, and held the ofiice one term. Sul)sequently he held other positions of public trust. In March, 1859, he was married to Miss Maria F. Petty, a daughter of William Petty, formerly of Virginia. She survived her marriage some sixteen years, dying July 15, 1875. Mrs. Chrisman left two children : William, now of Liberty, and Katie, who is just completing her education at Lexington, Missouri. Besides doing a general practice at Kansas Cit}', Judge Chrisman is engaged in the real estate business. He is a man of good business qualifications and high standing. Being full of energy, he is rapidly establishing himself as one of the active, useful citizens of Kansas City.

James G. Clark, Ll.D.

Dr. Clark is a native of Virginia. "He was })orii at Millwood, in Clarke county, of that State, June 23, 1837. His father was James H. Clark. His mother's maiden name was Jane A. Gregory. She was originally from North Carolina. The father was a merchant by occupation, and a successful business man. However, he was broken up in fortune by the disasters incident to the Civil War. He died in Virginia in 1876. His wife, a lady of man\' estimable qualities of mind and heart, preceded him to the grave in 1859. Dr. Clark was reared in his native county, and spent his early youth principally at the schools of Millwood. At the age of 17 he matriculated at the State University of Virginia. Dr. Clark continued at the university until he had graduated in most of the departments of schools ; thereupon he was elected assistant professor of mathematics in that institution, discharging the duties of the position with ability and satisfaction to all concerned for a iieriod of one year preceding 1858. At the expiration of that term he was appointed instructor in the Alexandria Boarding School. Two years later he was elected to the chair of mathematics in Columbia College, Washington, D. C. Dr. Clark remained at the head of the mathematical department until the outbreak of the Civil War. He then resigned his position and enlisted in the Confederate army, becoming a member of the sut)sequently noted Rock Bridge Artillery, attached to Stonewall Jackson's brigade. During the winter of 1862-63 he was transferred to an engineer corps, but the following summer was made captain of artillery on ordnance duty in Cheatham's division of the Army of Tennessee. During the remainder of the war, or until the surrender of his command at Greensborouwh, N. C, in 1865, he continued in this service which began at the great battle of Lookout Mountain. After the war Dr. Clark was rechosen professor of mathematics at Columbia College. He subsequently continued to occupy that position for about six 3'ears, after which he again resigned, this time to engage in teaching a private school. On quitting Columbia College he taught at Washington City for a time and then at Richmond, Va. Early in 1873 he was elected professor of mathematics at William Jewell College, in' Liberty, Mo., and, deciding to accept the position, he came at once to this place to assume the duties of the chair of mathematics to which he had been chosen. Ever since that time Dr. Clark has been identilied with this institution, and throughout his entire connection with it he has been at the head of the mathematical department. In 1873 the duties of professor of the French language were also assigned to him, which he has ever since discharged. In view of what has already been said it is hardly necessary to remark that he is a scholar of superior and varied attainments. Having made teaching a profession, he has followed it with that industry and zeal which could hardly have resulted otherwise than tlicy have in making him a teacher of ability, success and envial)le standing. For many years he has made a special study of mathematics, and he has attained to a position of more than ordinary i)rominence among educators in that department of learning. Indeed, he has written a very able and valuable work on the " Infinitesimal Calculus." In 188()br.'Ciark was honored with the degree of Doctor of Laws, by the Ba3'lor University of Texas. In 1883, 10 years from the time he first became a member of the faculty of William Jewell College, he was elected chairman of the faculty, and now holds that position. Dr. Clark has long been a member of the Baptist Church, and has been a deacon in that denomination since 1875. In 1865 he was married to Miss Jennie Hume, a daughter of Rev. Thomas Hume, of Virginia. She survived her marriage, however, only a short time. To his present wife he was married June 30, 1868. She was Miss Kate M. Morfit, a daughter of Henry M. Morfit (deceased), late of Baltimore, Md. He was a leading attorney of that city, and a lawyer of wide and envial)lo reputation. Mrs. Clark was principally educated at Washington City. She is a lady of culture and refinement. Mrs. C. is a meml)er of the Episcopal Church.

William Clark

Mr. Clark is a native of Kentucky, born in Nicholas county, July 11, 1847. His father was John L. Clark and his mother's maiden name, Mary Norton, both of that county. The family removed to Missouri in 1858, and located in Clay county, where the father bought a farm and engaged in farming, which he followed until his death, April 22, 1880. He possessed many sterling qualities. As a neighbor he was kind and considerate, and lil)eral and hospitable ; as a husband and father he was affectionate and devoted ; and as a citizen, he was just and honorable, and obedient to the hiws. Few pei'sons were so Ikuiiliaiij and favorably known as he. In personal bearing he was dignitied, easy and affable; and in every sense he was a man whose presence will long be kindly remembered. He was a successful farmer and rarely failed in any ©f his business ventures. All who shared his intimacy could receive the benefit of his rare insight into the affairs of life. William Clark, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood on the farm in this county, and afterwards continued farming, to which he had been brought up. October 8, 18(58, he was married to Miss Mary Field, >a daughter of Joseph T. Field, deceased. She was born and reared in this county, and educated at the Liberty Female College and the Kansas City High School. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have two children, Lutie and John F. Mr. C. has a good farm of 347 acres, which is well improved, and besides this there are 320 acres of tine Missouri river bottom land, partly improved. Mr. Clark is and has been for some years engaged in feeding and raising stock. He handles about 100 head of cattle annually. He has been quite successful as a stock man.

Judson Cockrell

John W. Cockrell, the father of the subject of this sketch and Hon. Francis M. Cockrell, United States Senator from Missouri, were the sons of the two brothers in the family of Cockrells of Virginia. Senator Cockrell's father, however, left the Old Dominion at an earlier day than that of the removal of John W. Cockrell's family to Missouri. John W. Cockrell was born in Virginia January 20, 1797, and was married there to Miss Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of George G. Mitchell, who was born in Scotland. He received a classical education, lived and died in Staunton, Augusta county, Virginia, and was distinguished for scholarship, as hardly having his equal in education. Though dead he yet lives. They came to Clay county in 1846. He was a brickmaker, and built many of the first brick houses in this part of the country. He died here in about 1859. Judson Cockrell was in infancy when the family came to Missouri. He was born in Virginia, Septeml)er 14, 1845. Reared in Clay county, he was educated at William Jewell College, and following the example of his fether, he became a brick mason, and also learned brickmakiiig. He followed these continuously up to the time of engaging in the grocery business during the present year. He was fairly successful at his trades and accumulated some property. Mr. Cockrell has built a large number of houses at Liberty and in this vicinity, and is regarded as a thorough mechanic and upright, reliai)le builder. He engaged in his present business last spring, and is receiving a good ti'ade, doing quite as well as he expected. He has a good stock of goods in the grocery line, and being an energetic, economical l)nsiuess man, he can hardly fail ot success. In September, 1863, he was married to Miss Martha .1.

Mereness, :i daughter of the kte A. M. Mereness. Mr. aud Mrs. C. had two children, Jolin J., now a young man twenty years of age, and a clerk in his father's store in Liberty, Missouri ; and one deceased. Mrs. Cockrell died in 1868, and Mr. C. has not since remarried. His mother keeps house for him, his father being also deceased, as stated above.

Ovid H. Corbin

Mr. Corbin is a native of Virginia, born in Stafford county, October 9, 1820. His father was Benjamin S. Corbin, and his mother's maiden name was Sarah Preston. The father was a carpenter by trade and followed that for a number of years. He then engaged in the milling business for some years before his retirement from active work. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1849 he removed to Missouri with his family and located at Liberty, where he died in i860. His wife died here in 1863. Ovid H., the subject of this sketch, was reared in Stafford county and came to this State in company with his parents in 1849. Under his father he learned the flouring mill business and also the millwright's trade. In fact, he was almost a natural mechanic. About the time he was of age he began working at the wagonmaker's trade, continuing that in connection with carpentering and millwrighting. In a few years, however, he turned his attention to farming, which he followed until he came to Missouriwith his parents. Here he engaged in wagon and carriage making, and bought an established business in that line, which he continued until 1856, having in the meantime purchased the interest of his partner, with whom he had previously been in business. In 1856 he, with two others, bought the Liberty flouring mills, and four years later they added a plant of woolen machinery. Ever since that time they have been engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods and also running their flouring mill. They make all kinds of cashmeres, jeans, biaTikets, yarns, etc., etc. In their flouring mill they have three run of i)uhrs and are also prepared to grind corn, buckwheat, and other grains for breadstufls. November 10, 1841, Mr. Corbin was married in Spottsylvania county, Virginia, where he had removed three years before, to Miss Sarah A., a daughter of Jesse Petty, af that county. Mr. and Mrs. Corbin have ten children, Mary F., William H., James M. (the two eldest sons being their father's partners in business), Beverly B., Benjamin F., George W. (he being the only one married), Laura E., Herbert T., Adelaide J. and Hattie B. The children have all received each a good education, either at William Jewell College or the Female Seminary. Mr. Corbin, now in his si.\ty-tifth year, has retired from active work at the mill and turned the management of it largely over to his sons, William H. and James M. He himself, however, is still quite active aud well preserved. Whilst in appearance he is somewhat venerable looking, on account of his long, white silken whiskers and white hair, yet he is still erect of form, rather quick in his nioveoicnts, considering his age, and, all in all, seems much younger than he really is. He is one of the pleasant, agreeable old gentlemen whom one is always pleased to meet.

Capt. Archibald C. Courtney

The Courtney family, so far as this country is concerned, was originally from Pennsylvania. Capt. Courtney's father, John Courtney, served in the American army during the Revolution. He was a farmer by occupation, and became a man of well-to-do circumstances. Mr. Courtney, the elder, was twice married, and after the death of his first wife was married to Misii Lucinda Martin ; they were both of Pennsylvania, and each wife bore five children. Capt. Archibald C. Courtney was the third child l)y the last marriage, and was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, to which his father had previously removed. May 1, 1815. At the time of his father's death in 1830, he was about fifteen years of age, Init he afterwards remained with the family until his marriage, working industriously, though at limited wages. Subsequently he engaged in stock trading and made several trips to Alabama and Georgia in that l)usiness, being quite successful. In 1840 Capt. Courtney came to Missouri on horseback and located on a farm of 200 acres near Kearney, where he subsequently followed farming for twenty years, and was very successful. He owned at one time about (JOO acres of fine land. His reverses, however, commenced upou the outbreak of the war. Affairs were in an unsettled and dangerous condition but, despite his eflbrts, he was unable to retaiu a neutral position. Consequently, in 1803, as a matter of policy, he identified himself with the Home Guards, and became cajjtain of a company, which duty he performed for a while. His company was never out of the county. As a matter of fact his compau}' did much valuable service to the law-abiding classes of both sides by assisting to keep out those who were more bent on plunder and committing other depredations, than in serving the cause which they pretended to adhere to. During the war he removed his familv to Liberty and all his movable property that had not been stolen, and with the horses he had left established a livery stable. His two sous having without his knowledge taken sides in the war, went as their sympathies directed, with the South, and made gallant soldiers under Price until the close of the struggle. Capt. Courtney continued in the livery i)usiness for a time after the war and then bought out a general store, which he carried on for about two years. This he also subsequently sold, but bought into another business house and ran that for a short time. He ran the Arthur House for about ten years and in 1879 rented it to another party. Since then he has lived in retirement, except for about a year, during which he was engaged in the hardware business. Capt. Courtney has served as justice of the peace and in some other local offices. His life up to the beginning of the war was veiy successful and he became comfortal)!}' situated, and he still has a modest competency, and can pass through the evening of life without the fear of destitution. Capt. Courtney is highly respected in this county and bears a name untarnished by a reproach. January 20, 1842, he was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Estes, a daughter of Henry Estes, one of the jiioneer settlers of Missouri, referred to elsewhoi-e in this work. Mrs. Courtney was born in Clay county, Missouri, and was only in her fifteenth year when she was^ married. She has been a most excellent helpmate to him and in the early days of his career hei'self helped in the laborious duties of farm life. Her energetic habits of tliat time have not left her in later years. Mr. and Mrs. Courtney have had twelve children, four dying when young. Those living are William J., an attorney at Kearney ; Henry E., Jane, wife of John Merritt ; Robert S., of Kansas City; Alexander M., a stock raiser of Colorado ; Levinia, wife of Henry Sinitii, a member of the State Legislature, from Kansas City; James A. and Archibald C, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. C. has been a deacon in the church for half a century.

Eli R. Crafton

Mr. Crafton is a native of Illinois, born in Adams county, August 29, 1843. His father was John Crafton, from Kentucky, and his mother's maiden name Margaret Becket, who was born and reared in Indiana. They were married in the latter State and removed to Adams county, Illinois, about 1838. Tiic}^ resided there nearly thirt}^ years and then settled in Linn county, Missouri. He was reared in Adams county, Illinois, and early in the second year of the rebellion enlisted in the One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Infantry, in uiiich he served until the close of the war. He was in Banks' Red River Expedition under the command of A. J. Smith, and participated in the engagements at Alexandria, La., Sabine Cross Roads, Yellow Bayou, La., Tupelo and Nashville. Tenn., the siege and capture of Mobile and the fight at Montgomery, Ala., besides many others of less importance. He is naturally very proud of the services he rendered, and regards them as the greatest honor of his life. After the war Mr. Crafton returned to Adams county. III., and began an apprenticeship at the carriage and wagon-maker's trade. After completing that he continued to work at his trade, working later along at Quincy, 111., St. Louis, Mo., St. Paul, Minn., and coming to Liberty in tiie summer of 18()9. Here he continued at his trade as a journey workman until March, 1880, when he set up for himself, and has been in the cari'iage and spring wagon making business ever since. He has been satisfactorily successful and has established a good business, having employed now some four or five hands in his shop. August 3, 1870, he was married at Utica, Mo., to Miss Laura S. Sprinkle, a daughter of S. H. Sprinkle, formerly of Huntington, Ind.

George E. Damon

Mr. Damon is a native of Ohio, born in Lake count}', August 2, 1847. His father was George Damon, a native of Massachusetts. His mother, whose maiden name was Mary Tyler, was a native of the same State. They were married in Massaciuisetts, and removed to Ohio in 1834, settling in Lake county, where they were of the pioneer settlers of the county. They resided in that county for nearly twenty years and then remf)ved to Dane county. Wis. Before the removal of the family to Wisconsin the father was a wagon and carriage manufacturer. Afterwards he followed farming until his death, which occurred in April, 1861. George F. was horn in Lake county, O., August 2, 1847. He completed his majority in Wisconsin, wliere lie received a common-school education. At the age of twenty, however, he began learning the miller's trade, at which he worked in Wisconsin until the fall of 1867, when he came to Missouri. Here he tirst worked at Westport and tlien at Kansas City. In 1878, being a thorough pratical miller by this time, he bought an interest in the mill at Moscow and ran that mill for three years. Mr. Damon came to Liberty in 1881, where he l)ought an interest in the National Flouring Mill, which is owned by :i joint stock companj^ known as the Clay County Milling Company, of which he is manager. These mills have the roller process of making flour and turn out as good flour as is to be seen in the country. They have a capacity of 100 barrels every twenty-four hours and do l)oth a custom and merchant milling business. The building is a three story l)rick. September 3, 1873, Mr. Damon was married to Miss Lizzie E. Stanton, a daughter of Samuel Stanton, of Kansas City. Tiiey have two children, William E. and Edna.

William H. H. Davis

Mr. Davis, an old and respected citizen of this county, was one of the early settlers of the county. He came to Clay county in 1836. Mr. Davis was directly from Saline county to this county, but was from Arkansas to Missouri. His parents, Samuel B. and Elizabeth Davis, went to Arkansas from Kentucdiy when he was in childhood, away back in 1821, and settled in Hempstead county. William H. H. Davis, who was born in Logan county, Kentucky, June 3, 1816, was reared in Arkansas, and came to Missouri wiien a young man. He became a farmer and stock-raiser in Clay county, and in the fall of 1839 was married to Miss America W. Estes, a sisfer to W. W. Estes. He afterwards continued farming and stock-raising and in 1850 went to California, but soon afterward returned. In 1859, however, he removed to Te.\as and made his homo in that State until after the

I'loso ol' tlio Civil W:ir, lotnruiini- in ,1iiiu", 18i;i!. Aftor tliat tiiiioMr. Oavis was activolv oii>;;agod with his ranniiiiX aiul stiu'k-raisiiii:; intorosts iiiilil liis rotiiviiuMit from ai'tivo lal>or sonio roars ago. His lit'o as an agrioulturist has hoon oiio of suoooss. Ilo acoimuihitoil an ample proporty tor oKl aj^o, anil now has a tino stock farm of (>00 acros, whirh is woU stofUodanilwoll improved. Since his retirement, his son, William P., has liad control of the farm, and is carrying it on with marked energy and success. In November, 1880, Mr. Davis had tho misfortnue to lose his good wife, the true and bravo and generous- ' heart ed, ilevoted woman who had been the partner of his joys and sorrows for over forty years, and with whose life his own being had become so thoroughly united that it seenuHi to him worse than death itself to lose her. Rut in that sad hour when the parting came tliere was one consolation, one hope that sustained him and made him brave to bear the heavy l)ereavement - the consolation anil hope that the separation could not be long, and that in a few years their lives would again bo united in a happier union, even, than they had known on this side the grave. Three children were the fruits of their long and happy married life: Thomas II., ,lames J. (deceased), and William P. William P. Davis was born on the farm where ho now resides, August 12, 1849, and learned the practical details of farming and stock raising as ho grew up. In 187(> he was nuuried to Miss Annie Brastield, a daughter of William E. l>rastield, whose sketch precedes thi^. They have two children, ,1. W. Lesler ami Nellie. Mr. Davis, .Ir., like his father-in-law, Mr. Krasticld, makes a specialty of raising tine saddle and harness stallions and tine jacks. He has a representative of one of the best breeds of horses in this country. Tho stock originated in Virginia, and was named for a family in tho Old Commonwealth, noted for their tine appearance, chivalric tpialities, and all that sort of things, and the men for being remarkably " fast " - the Claibornes. They were one of the best families of Virginia, and knew that fact quite as well, if not better, than any one else. Mr. Davis' horse is nanud " Pat Claiborne," and any one can see at a glance that he is a regular, genuine, high-stepping, high-headed "pinked" Claiborne. Ho is one of tho finest horses in the country, a horse of which his owner may well be proud. AV. P. Davis makes a specialty of shorthorn cattle, having his farm well stocked with some of the best blood, as well as good individuals. Ho has young stock for sale. The farm is situated three miles northeast of Liberty, on tho Hannibal and St. Joe Kailroad.

John A. Denny

Mr. Denny, now retired from active business, is one of the oldest business men o( Clay county, and one of its most highly respected citizens. He began merchandising at Liberty in 18.'>2, having previously clerked at this place for several years, and continued in merchandising with little or no interruption until his retirenient, one yiar n'^o. IJ'i WiiM very HUC(;<;««fiil in IniHiiKissM, f;oii8i<](;riii;r tli<; |)opiil!ili')ti aii<J wcalUi of th(! pliico uii'I Miirrouri'liug ';oiiiitry, umJ ai.-ciiiiiiilatfjd a (-oiiiCorlnMc |)i-o|)<;r't y. 11'-' in now, .-un] for yeiirn pii.st liuh been, a ))ro|)<!il,y liolder of Liberty. I'rior to tlie war lie did a vcvy lai'j^e biisiii(!HH lor that time, carrying a wtock of about $15,000. After tlie war biis IdiHJneHH waH not so lar;re aw before, but wan rnueli -iafer, beinjr <lone nearly alto^^etiiei' on a caKh liasih. Mr. Dfuiny in htill interested ill larniiii;^, and lias a handsome farn:i adjoinin;^ Liberty, on which he has resided for many years. Mr. Denny is a native of North C'dV')- liiia, born ill Guilfoni (;ouiity Septemlier 1 2, 1814. His father was deorge 1 Jenny, who inarri<;d January 14, 1808, Miss Jane Kenedy, both of early and well-to-do North (Jaroiina families. 'I'liey came to Missouri in IHS.*), and located on a farm in Clinton county, where they resided until their deaths. The father Imcame a substantial farmer of tiiat county, and remarkable for his lonjrevity and the preservation of all his powers, physical and mental, until the very last. He left five sons and three dauf^hters still living.'. He died in his iiin<;ty-sixth year, and only a i'nw weeks before his deatli had been out hunting with as'juirrel rifle, which he was able to shoot without the aid of jrlasscjs with wonderful accuracy. His death occurred .March 24, IHTJ. His good wife preceded him to the grave some ten years. Mr. Denny, the subject of this sketch, was reared in North (Jaroiina, where he received an advanced general English education, and also t'jok cours<;s of three 3'ears in Latin and (/reek. He came to Missouri in 18;^'! and located in (Jlay county. ]]i;v(: he taught school for a Utw years, and then began as a mei'chant's clerk, as statcid above. November 20, 18-14, he was married to Miss Harriet A., a daughter of James .Marsh, formerly of Kentucky, but an early settler in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Denny have four children living: Martha J., wife of H. F. Simrall, whose sketch is given elsewhere ; Lunette, Ernest R., now merchandising in Liberty, and Minnie ,M., the latter now completing her course at Female (.'ollege. One other is deceased, Portius E., who die<l at theager)f21, just before graduating at Westminster College. Mr. Denny and wife arc members of the Presbyterian (Jhurch. He ha8 taken a prominent part in temperance work, and thinks that the cause must advance until prohibition crowns the work. Mr. Denny has served as city treasurer, and in other local positions of public trust, but has never sought nor desir<!d office.

Among the prominent re|)resentative citizens of Clay county Dr. Dougherty occupies a well recognized and justly enviable position. He was a comparatively early settler here, and has been a witness to and active, useful participant in the progress the county has made from the condition of a sparsely populated frontier community to that of one of the leading counties in the State. His efforts have been united with those of the other old and useful citizens of the county in building up the county and making it wiiat it is to-day. In view, therefore, of his long and prominent identification with Chxy county, it would be an inexcusable omission not to present at least an outline of his life on these pages. Dr. Dougherty was born in Lawrence county, Ind., September 2, 1820, but he is a representative of an early and well known Kentucky family. The Doughertys settled in Kentucky from Virginia away back when the Blue Grass State was known as the " Dark and IJloody Ground," a name it received on account of the stubborn resistance the Indians made against the encroachments of - the white settlers, and the many terrible massacres and house burnings that were visited upon the early white pioneers. Dr. Dougherty was a son of William and Ellen Dougiierty, his parents being l)oth originally of the same name, and cousins. The Doctor's mother died, however, when he was in infancy, and he was taken by his i-elations in Trimble county, that State, to rear. In 1831, when he was about 11 years of age, his relations, with whom he was living, removed to Missouri, bringing him with them and settled in Pike county. There he attended district and select schools for several years, and acquired the rudiments of a good, ordinary, practical education. But when about 16 years of age he accompanied his uncle, Maj. Dougherty, west to the mountains, his uncle being quite extensively engaged in the Indian trade. Young Dougherty spent four years among the Indians of the far, far West, at a time when white faces were hardly less rare there than the moccasined, painted savage is to-da}' in Missouri. Returning to Pike county in 1840, in 1844 he began to study medicine under Drs. Lane and Rodman, of Trimble county, Ky., going thence directly iVom Pike county. In due time young Dougherty entered the Medical Department of the University of Louisville, where he took a regular course and commenced the practice in the spring of 1845. After his first course he located at Madison, Ind., for the practice of his profession, but did not graduate for some 3'ears afterward, and was shortly married to Miss Hannah C. Doughert}^ daughter of Col. Robei't S. Dougherty, a second cousin to his father. Two years later Dr. Dougherty removed to Oi'ange county, Ind., where he practiced for about three years. While there he lost his first wife and only child, and a short time before leaving Orange county he was married to Miss Mary A., a daughter of John Frazier, an eminent civil engineer of that daj^ and who surveyed the routes of most of the early Western railroads. In 1850 Dr. Dougherty removed to Missouri, and, after stopping a short time at St. Joseph, located at Liberty. Here he entered actively upon the practice of his profession, and soon built up a large jjractice. Dr. Dougliert}- has been a resident of this county ever since that time, for a period now of nearly 35 years, except for al)Out two years which he spent in Platte county, preceding 1858. While in Platte county he was postmaster at latan, under the administration of James Buclianan, and also served as justice of the peace, besides attending to his general practice. Before going to Platte he had served as city councilman and mayor of Liberty, and afterwards he has served several times as city councilman. In 1868 he was nominated 1>\' the Democrats to fill a vacancy from this county in the Legislature, but on account of sickness was prevented from accepting the honor. In 1878, however, he was again nominated for the Legislature, and was elected by a large majority, defeating several of the most popular men of the county who were candidates. In the jjractical work of legislation he took an active and prominent part at Jefferson City. He introduced the bill to establish the State Board of Health, and also introduced and pushed forward to successful enactment the bill authorizing l)enevolent insurance companies in this State, principally in the interest of the Masonic order, of which he is a leading member. Dr. Dougherty was member of the committee ou accounts in the House, and also of the committee on charities and benevolence, and on scientific and benevolent institutions. He nuxde an enviable record in the Legislature, one that reflected credit on his high character and usefulness as a legislator. By his second wife Dr. D. has been blessed with a family of five children: Ella, the wife of John D. Share, of Wellington, Kas., a prominent dry goods merchant ; Mattie, wile of William H. Martin, a successful lawyer of Bedford, Ind. ; John, a partner with Mr. Share, at Wellington, Kas.; William W., Jr., in mercantile business at St. Louis; Charles L., who is noiv studying medicine under his father; and Minnie, who died in 1872, at the age of six years. The Doctor and wife are members of the M. E. Church South. Dr. Dougherty is a prominent member of the Kansas City District Medical Society, of which he was among the originators, and helped to organize, and afterwards was its president.

Lewls B. Dougherty

On the second expedition of Lewis and Clark to the Rocky Mountains in about 1799, Maj. John Dougherty, the father of the subject of this sketch, first came West from Kentucky. He was then only a youth some 17 years of age, but made one of the most resolute pioneers in the expedition. Traveling extensively over the West, he was finally located at Ft. Leavenworth, Kas., as Indian agent, where, having married in the meantime, at St. Louis, Mo., his son, Lewis B., was born Decenil)er 7, 1828, and is l)elieved to have been the first white child born in Kansas. In 1830 Maj. Dougherty removed to St. Louis, of which city Mrs. Dougherty was a native. Her maiden name was Mary Hertzog. Maj. Dougherty removed to Council Bluffs from St. Louis in about 1833, where he was stationed for some time as Indian agent. He was afterwards stationed at Ft. Leavenworth, and after some years resided again in St. Louis. Returning to Leavenworth later along he was thereuntil 1837, in charge of the Indian agency. About this time he removed to Liberty and made his permanent home here. He became a leading and influential citizen of this county, and represented it in the Legislature, a colleague with Gen. Doniphan and William Wood. He opened a large farm, some six or seven miles from Liberty, on which he resided until his death. Maj. Dougherty died in January, 1761, well known throughout Cla}' county, and, indeed, over a laro^e region of country surrounding he was as highly esteemed by all as he was well known. No man in the county stood higher in the opinions of the public and his neighbors. He was a man of high character, courage and generosity, and withal a man of great kindness of heart. Energetic, frugal in his manner of living, but never parsimonious, and a man of good business ability, he accumulated a comfortable property, which he left intact to his children at his death. Moreover, he had been generous in providing them with the best ' means for mental culture and otherwise fitting them for the activities of life within his power. A t3'pical, good citizen, one whose industry and enterprise were not less valuable to the community than to himself and an exemplaiy man in his own family, his memory is revered by his children and all who knew him as that of one whose example is worthy of all imitation. Lewis B. Dougherty, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm near Liberty. He was educated at the State University in Columbia, from which he graduated in 1847. The same j'ear of his graduation Mr. Dougherty went to Ft. Kearney, in Nebraska Territory, where he engaged in the suttling business, which he followed with success at that place four 3'ears. From there he went to Ft. Laramie, in Wyoming, about 1852, continuing in the same business at the latter place some four or five years. He was absent from Clay county in all about 10 years, and after his i-eturn in 1857 he settled on a farm, where he continued to reside, occupied principally with agricultural pursuits, some 12 or 15 years. When the Commercial Savings Bank of Liberty was organized, in he became a stockholder. About six years afterwards, in 1871, he was elected cashier of the bank, a position he has continued ever since to hold. The bank has a capital stock of $50,000. This is well known as one of the most substantial and reliable banks on the western border of the State, and for the enviaV)le reputation it has made, a large shai'e of credit is due to the good management of Mr. Dougherty. He is also still interested in farming, and has a valuable farm in the county, as well as a good farm in Vernon county, and one in Douglas county. In 1874 Mi-. Dougherty was elected treasmer of the county and discharged the duties of that responsible office with efficiency and fidelity and to the general satisfaction of the public. December 7, 1858, he was married to Miss Anna Care}', a daughter of Daniel Carey, one of the pioneer settlers and substantial citizens of Platte county, but now deceased. Mi's. Dougherty was educated at Liberty and at the Camden Female College. Mr. and Mrs. D. have two children : Flora, now the wife of C. C. Courtney, of Kansas City, and John L. One besides is deceased, Mary, who died in 1880, at the age of eight years. Mr. and Mrs. D. are members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Dougherty is a prominent member of the Masonic order, belonging to the Lodge, Chapter and Commander}'. Mr. D. had two brothers and a sister who lived to reach mature years, l)nt one of his brothers was killed at the battle of Franklin, Tenn., a member of the Tliird Missouri Confederate infantry, in the compan}' of the subject of this sketch. His other brother, O'F. Dougherty, is a resident of tiiis pUice, and his sister is the wife of Gen. C. F Ruff, of Phihidelphia.