Clay County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1920 (part 6 of 10)

Martin J. Aker was born near Paris, Kentucky, in 1814. He came to Missouri with his parents in 1828. They settled in Clay County and entered government land in whar is now Platte township. Martin J. Aker entered government land here and at one time owned three hundred twenty acres, a part of which is now owned by Lee R. Aker. Here Martin J. Aker was engaged in farming during his active career. In later life he retired and removed to Edgerton, Missouri, where he died August 5, 1893. His wife was also a native of Kentucky, born near Paris, in January, 1822. She died at Smithville. Missouri, in 1895 and her remains are buried by the side of her husband in Goss cemetery. They were the parents of twelve children as follows : James, deceased ; Virginia, deceased; John, deceased; Mary S., deceased; Juliette, deceased; William Doniphan, deceased; Rosanna, married James R. Scott, Clay County, Miso90 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY souri; Lee R., the subject of this sketch; Jacob, deceased; Emma L., Glasgow, Missouri; Anna, married Henry Woods, Clay County; and Preston T., Kansas City, Missouri.

Lee R. Aker was reared on the home farm in Platte township and received a good common school education in the district school. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-two years old and then engaged in farming rented land for five years. He then bought a farm of 160 acres in Platte County, Missouri, and for foui-teen years he was successfully engaged in farming there He then came to Clay County and bought the old home place from his father. This farm contained 240 acres. He has made extensive improvements on the place and is successfully carrying on general farming and stock raising. He feeds cattle and hogs extensively and is recognized as one of the successful farmers of Platte township.

Mr. Aker was married December 24, 1874, to Miss Annie Benard and three children have been bora to them: Erdly, who lives in Clay County ; Carl R., Liberty, Missouri ; and Eldon, lives in Iowa.

Mr. Aker is a Royal Arch Mason and has been a member of the Masonic Lodge at Smithville, Missouri, for twenty years. He is a Democrat and one of the dependable citizens of Platte towTiship.

William C. Rice, a prominent farmer and stockman and a member of a pioneer family of this section of the state is a native son of Clay County. He was born on the place where he now resides in Platte township. May 25, 1878. He is a son of Melvin M. and Helen (Buster) Rice. Melvin Rice was a son of John C. Rice who was an early pioneer settler of this county.

William C. Rice was one of a family of six children, born to his parents, as follows: William C, the subject of this sketch; Anna, mamed Eardley Aker, Wichita, Kansas ; Lee, deceased ; Cannie, mamed Eldon Aker and they live in Iowa ; one child died in infancy ; and Goldie, married Trice Dedman and they live in Clinton County, Missouri.

Mr. Rice was educated in the Rocky Point district school and the Smithville High School. He was reared on the home farm and in early life acquired a thorough knowledge of the practical side of farming and stock raising. He remained at home until he was twenty years old when he engaged in fanning on rented land and thus began liis independent career; one year later, in 1899, he bought a farm of 101 acres in Platte

County. After farming that place for one year, he sold it and bought a farm of 100 aci'es adjoining the old home place. He owned and operated this place for si.x: years when he sold it and bought the old home place from his father. His grandfather, John C. Rice, bought this place in 1876, and at that time paid two dollars and twenty-five cents an acre for it and Mr. Rice has refused $300.00 an acre for this place. He has made a number of substantial and valuable improvements on the place and has one of the valuable and highly improved places of Platte township. In 1895, he built a large seven room, modem house which is equipped with a Delco lighting system, hot and cold running water and steam heat and he has erected two stock bams and other farm buildings. He has a complete water system on his place, the power being furnished by a gas engine. Altogether, his place is well located and well arranged for general farming and stock raising. He has raised cattle and hogs for the past twenty years and met with very satisfactory success. Mr. Rice has also devoted himself to horticulture to a successful degree. He has a twenty acre apple orchard which is one of the large orchards of the county

Mr. Rice is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Shrine; he and Mrs. Rice are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. They are members of the Christian Chuich and he is a Democrat. He has always taken a keen interest in political matter and has served as delegate to a number of county conventions in both Platte and Clay counties. He is one of tlie successful men of affairs in Clay County.

Robert C. Taul, a well known citizen of Platte township, who is engaged in general farming and stock raising, belongs to a pioneer family of this part of Missouri. He was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, October 30, 1866, a son of Benjamin I. and Patsy A. (Spencer) Taul.

Benjamin I. Taul was a native of Kentucky and came to Missouri a number of years before the Civil War He drove through from Kentucky with a team and wagon and brought three cows with him. After remaining in Platte County a short time, he settled permanently in Clay County. He was the owner of a large farm. During the Civil War he returned to Kentucky, but came back to Clay County after peace was declared and was engaged in farming here until the time of his death in

1888. His wife was also a native of Kentucky and now lives at Liberty, Missouri. They were the parents of the following children: Sallie B., married S. H. Lewis, who is now deceased, and she lives at Smithville, Missouri; James E., Clay County, Missouri; Mrs. Molly Neff, Liberty, Missouri; W. K., Clay County, Missouri; Maggie, deceased; John T., Platte township; Robert C, subject of this sketch; Maxie, married Hayden Settle, Kearney, Missouri; Benjamin, St. Joseph, Missouri; Clarence, deceased; and Soper J., Liberty, Missouri.

Robert C. Taul was reared on a farm in Platte township and attended the public school in the Benson school district He remained at home until 1888, when he began operating rented land. One year later he moved to a farm which his wife owned in Platte township. After remaining there a year, he went to Oklahoma and bought 160 acres of land. Three years later he returned to Clay County and operated his mother's farm for three years. He then conducted a hotel at Paradise, Missouri, for eighteen months. After disposing of the hotel he was engaged in farming east of Paradise for three years, when he bought his present place of 155 acres. He has made numerous improvements and carries on general farming and stock raising and is also engaged in the hardware business at Paradise.

Robert C. Taul was married in Platte township, December 12, 1888, to Miss Julia W. Anderson, a daughter of Amos and Fannie (West) Anderson, both of whom are now deceased. To Mrs. and Mr. Taul have been bom three children: Molly L., mairied J. K. Quinn, Smithville, Missouri; Burton, who lives in Platte township; and Allen N., who is engaged in the hardware business at Paradise.

Mr. Taul has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for twelve years and he and Mrs Taul are members of the Christian Church. He is a Democrat and an enterprising and progressive citizen.

H. H. C. Snail, now deceased, was for many years prominently identified with the business interests, growth and development of Smithville and vicinity. He was a native of Kentucky, bom in Mercer County, October 3, 1840. He was a son of William M. and Eliza (Brassfield) Snail.

William M. Snail was bom in Virginia, August 7, 1798, and came to Missouri in 1849 and spent the latter part of his life in Smithville, where he died in 1855. Eliza (Brassfield) Snail was born in Kentucky, May 20,

H. H. C. Snail came to Missouri with his parents in 1849, when he was about nine years old. He was reared to manhood in the vicinity of Smithville and in early life engaged in fai-ming and stock raising He first bought 155 acres of land and prospered and later bought more land and at the time of his death was the owner of 275 acres. He was a progressive business man and possessed the ability and foresight which leads to success. He organized the Bank of Smithville in 1887 and was the first president of that institution and served in that capacity for twentyfive years. He died April 27, 1912, and his remains are buried in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows cemetery at Smithville. He was public spirited and progressive and a successful business man. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge.

H. H. C. Snail was twice married, his first wife being Miss Abbie Brooks. She was a native of Clay County, bom August 18, 1840. She attended school at the Prof. Love's College for Women at Liberty, Missouri. They were married at Plattsburg, January 24, 1861. She died March 13, 1886, and her remains are buried in the Independent Oi"der of Odd Fellows cemetery at Smithville. To H. H. C. and Abbie (Brooks) Snail were born three children: Willie A, died in infancy; Mattie E., was educated at Christian College and is a director in the Bank of Smithville, resides in Smithville; and Imogene, married B. W. Thatcher and they live in Clay County.

October 2, 1888, H. H. C. Snail was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Collins, who was reared and educated in Platte City, Missouri. She is a daughter of P. H. and Joan (Miller) Collins, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Mississippi. P. H. Collins lived to the advanced age of ninety-one years.

The Snail family is an old American family and dates back in this country to colonial times. Christopher Snail, gi-andfather of H. H. C. Snail, was a Revolutionary soldier and served under Washington.

Mrs Snail resides at Smithville and is one of the estimable women of Clay County. She was educated at Daughters College, Plattsburg, Missouri, and gi'aduated from that institution in 1888. Mrs. Snail is a member of the Christian Church of Smithville, Missouri. She is county president of Christian Woman's Missionary Society.

Dr. Charles H. Suddarth, a prominent physician and surgeon oi Excelsior Springs, is a native of Clay County and belongs to a family of Missouri pioneers. He was bom at Randolph, Missouri, June 18, 1869, a son of J. C. and Morning (Thori^) Suddarth, who were the parents of eight children, all of whom are living.

J. C. Suddarth was bom in Cooper County, Missouri, near Boonville, May 12, 1844, and died March 1, 1908. He was a son of Lewis and Martha (McDonald) Suddarth, natives of Albemarle County, Virginia. They drove through from. Virginia to Missouri with an ox team. In 1844, they settled in Clay County. J. C. Suddarth was engaged in the grocery and meat bu.siness at Smithville for a time. During the Civil War he served in Company F, Shank's Regiment, General Joe Shelby's Brigade. He was in the senice three years and eight months, and was with his command when it surrendered at Shreveport, Louisiana. He then took a river steamer as far as St. T,ouis. and walked from there to his home in Clay Cour.ty.

Morning (Thorp) Suddarth, Dr. Suddarth's mother, was born near Parkville, Platte County, and died Februaiy 17, 1896, aged fifty-si.K years. She was a daughter of Zachariah and Emmeline (Ellis) Thorp, natives of Kentucky, who came to Platte County, Missouri, in 1834; and Mr. Thorp entered land seven miles west of Liberty. Mrs. Suddarth was active in works of mercy during the Civil War days. She cared for and nursed a great many who were wounded at the time the Redlegs from Kansas invaded this territory. The work that she carried on w;is similar to that of the Red Cross, although she had little assistance.

Dr. Suddarth was reared on a farm and attended the district school, and later attended the Kansas City High School. He was a traveling salesman for five years when he entered the College of Physicians of Kansas City, Kansas. He was gi'aduated in 1898. with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and practiced at Waldron, Missouri, until 1902. He was then engaged in practice at Smithville until 1917, when he came to Excelsior Springs, and has engaged in the practice of his profession here since that time. He is an able physician and a close student of the science of medicine. He has been successful in his professional work and has built up a large practice and is one of the leading physicians of Clay County.

Dr. Suddarth is a Democrat and for ten years has been a member of the Democratic Central Committee of Clay County and was County Chairman for two years. He is a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. The Doctor and Mrs. Suddarth are members of the Christian Church and Mrs. Suddarth is a member of the Eastern Star and the Rebekahs.

R. H. Irminger, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Platte township, is a native of Clay County and belongs to a pioneer family of this section of the state. He was born in Clay County, February 13, 1865, a son of John and Catherine (Hammel) Irminger.

John Irminger was born in Switzerland in 1831 and came to America with his father, Rudolph Irminger, who was a very early settler in Clay County and entered government land here. He owned a farm near Liberty and at the time of his death his land holdings there consisted of 2-50 acres. John Irminger served in the Union army during the Civil War and after the war engaged in farming and stock raising and was a successful and influential man. He died north of Liberty, in November, 1904. Catherine (Hammel) Irminger was born in Germany in 1831. She died on the home fann near Liberty, in 1894, and she and her husband are buried in Mount Zoar Church cemetery. They were the parents of seven children: John, deceased; one died in infancy; William, lives at Liberty, Missouri; Francis, deceased; Carrie, a widow, who now resides at lola, Kansas; R. H., the subject of this sketch; and Lewis, who lives in Clay County, Missouri.

R H. Irminger was reared on the home place in Clay County and attended school in the Nebo school district. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-five years old, when he bought fortyseven acres of his present farm. He has added to his original purchase from time to time until he is now the owner of 409 acres of well improved and productive fann land. He built a large modern residence of twelve rooms in 1909 and he has two large stock bams on the place and his arrangements for feeding and caring for cattle and hogs on an extensive scale are very complete.

Mr. Irminger was married in Kearney township, October 17, 1889, to Miss Christina Fisher and to this union seven children have been bom: Lillie, who resides at home with her parents; Eva, married Hugh Dunn, of Liberty, Missouri ; Grace, resides at home ; Marvin, a farmer and stockman in Clay County; Lawrence, resides at home; Stella, at home; and William, at home.

Mr. Irminger is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a Republican. He belongs to the Methodist Church and Mrs. Imiinger also holds membership in that church. Mi-. Imiinger is a stockholder in the Bank of Paradise and is a progressive and public spirited citizen.

Bernard S. Borgmier, a v.ell known farmer and stockman of Platte township, is a native of Missouri. He was bom near Holt, in Clinton County, April 15, 1889, a son of B. S. and Laura (Moore) Borgmier.

B. S. Borgmier was bom in Kentucky, near Louisville, in 1852, and came to Missouri with his parents in 1866. The family settled near Lawson and B. S. Borgmier grew to manhood in that vicinity and was engaged in farming in this county throughout his active career. He owned land in Kansas, although he never lived there. He died July 6, 1920, and his remains are buried in Mount Olivet cemetery. Laura (Moore) Borgmier was bom in Clay County, January 12, 1856. She was reared and married here and now lives in Kansas.

To B. S. and Laura (Moore) Borgmier were born seven children, as follows : Carrie, married Oliver Maddox and they live in Kansas ; Willie, deceased; Grover, lives in Clay County; Alta, married W. B. Wilkerson, Clay County; Bernard S., the subject of this sketch; Clyde, Clay County; and Francis, lives in Kansas.

Bernard S. Borgmier was reared in Clay County and attended school m the Gordon school district. He remained on the home farm until he was twenty-four years old when he was married and began fanning on rented land. Two years later he bought his present fann which consists of seventy-eight acres. He has a well improved place with good buildings. He carries on general farming and stock raising and is meeting with success.

Mr. and Mrs. Borgmier belong to the Christian Church and he is a Democrat and holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is an enterprising and substantial citizen and has met with success.

D. P. Bainbridge, a well known and successful farmer and stockman of Platte township, is a native of Missouri and a member of one of the pioneer families of this state. He was bom in Clinton County, February 4, 1862, and is a son of Darius and Mary (Aker) Bainbridge.

Darius Bainbridge was born in Wisconsin in 1830 and came to Missouri with his parents several yeai's before the Civil War. The family had started from their home in Wisconsin to California, but settled in Clay County where Darius Bainbridge's father bought a farm of 240 acres. D. P. Bainbridge now owns 160 acres of the land where his grandfather settled.

Darius Bainbridge remained in Clay County until he was married when he removed to Clinton County. He built a mill there which was one of the pioneer grist mills and was known as the Bainbridge mill. He was living in Clinton County when the Civil War broke out and at the time of that conflict he joined the Confederate army. He became captain of a company in General Price's division and took part in a number of engagements. He was wounded at the battle of Wilson Creek and died from the effect of his wound and was buried in Springfield, Missouri. Mary (Aker) Bainbridge was born in Clay County, Missouri, in 1832 and died September 12, 1900, and her remains are buried in Goss cemeterj', in Clay County. Darius and Mary (Aker) Bainbridge were the parents of five children as follows: Bell, married Miles Snell and lives in Colorado; William, lives in California; Mollie, married Douglass Barnard, and they live in Colorado; Albert, lives in Lafayette County, Missouri; and D. P., the subject of this sketch.

D. P. Bainbridge was reared in Clay County and attended the Rocky Point district school in Platte township. He remairijed at home and assisted his mother until he was eighteen years old. He then operated land which he rented from his mother for a time until he purchased a forty acre farm in 1883. Later he sold that and bought 100 acres of land which is a part of his present farm. He bought more land from time to time and is now the owTier of 2221,4 acres. He has made several improvements of a substantial character, including a large eleven room residence, a good stock barn and other buildings. He cames on general farming and stock raising and has met with uniform success in his undertakings.

Mr. Bainbridge is a Democrat and he and Mrs. Bainbridge are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Bainbridge is a progressive and enterprising citizen and the Bainbridge familj^ are well known and stand high in the community.

E. P. Heathman, who is successfully engaged in fanning and stock raising in Platte township. Clay County, is a native of this county. He was born in Platte township, June 1, 1869, and is a son of Joseph M. and Sophia R. (Rollins) Heathman.

Joseph M. Heathman was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, May 30, 1840. He was a son of Elias and Patsy (Riggs) Heathman, the former a native of Bourbon County, Kentucky, born in 1809, and the latter a native of Nicholas, Kentucky, and a daughter of Eranus and Eleanore (Willcox) Riggs.

Joseph M. Heathman came to Missouri with his parents in 1846. For a number of years in early manhood he taught school and also clerked in a store. In 1853, he crossed the plains to Colorado. He returned to Missouri about the time the Civil War broke out and entered the Confederate army. He served in General Price's division and was in a number of engagements with Price's army, including the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas. After the war closed, he settled in Monroe County where he remained a few years when he came to Clay County. Here he bought a farm of 105 acres and was successfully engaged in fanning and stock raising during his active career. He is now living retired at Smithville, Missouri, and is eighty years old. He is one of the honored pioneer settlers of Clay County.

Sophia R. (Rollins) Heathman was born in Platte township, Clay Countj', November 18, 1844, and died at Smithville, July 3, 1911, and her remains are buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery at Smithville. To Joseph and Sophia R. (Rollins) Heathman were bom the following children: Lillian, married John T. Brooks, Lexington, Missouri ; Lula, married G. R. Breckenridge, Smithville, Missouri; E. P., the subject of this sketch; Annie, married John R. Purdy and they live in Clay C!ounty; America, married L. C. Sherry, Riverside County, California; M. J., Dearborn, Missouri; and Charles F., Smithville, Missouri.

and received his education in the Paradise district school. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty years old. He then engaged in farming rented land in Platte township until 1900. At that time he went to Colorado where he was engaged in gold mining at the Elkton mine for seven years. In August, 1907, he returned to Clay County and was again engaged in farming rented land for three years. He then bought eighty acres north of Paradise, where he remained for five years when he sold it and bought his present place of 105 acres. Here he carried on general farming and stock raising and is recognized as one of the substantial men of his neighborhood.

On July 25, 1891, E. P. Heathman and Arabella King were married. She is a daughter of Samuel and Caroline (McGee) King. Samuel King was born in Summer County, Tennessee, December 2, 1835. He was married January 21, 1861 and came to Clay County where he was engaged m farming and stock raising. He died here March 17, 1910, and his remains are buried in Pleasant Hill cemetery, in Clinton County. Caroline (McGee) King was born in Clay County, Missouri, January 2, 1842, and died July 15, 1913. To Samuel and Caroline (McGee) King were born three children as follows: Sarah, maiTied W. D. John and they live in Oregon; Arabella, married E. P. Heathman, the subject of this sketch; and Mary E., married H. A. McCollugh, Caldwell, Idaho.

To Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Heathman were bom four children as follows : Clifton M., born December 30, 1892. and now lives at Arkansas City, Kansas; Crawford S., born May 2, 1895, and died August 18, 1897; Ruby Agnes, born July 4. 1897, resides at home with her parents; and Annie B., born July 13, 1899, married Edgar Wright and they live in Clay County.

Mr. Heathman is a Democrat and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and Mrs. Heathman belong to the Methodist Church. They have an extensive acquaintance and stand high in Platte township and Clay County.

David M. Bevins, a successful farmer of Kearney township, is a native of Clay County and was born in the township where he now resides, September 30, 1887. He is a son of Riley E. and Mary (Major) Bevins.

son of David M. and Hulda Bevins. Riley E. Bevins was a successful business man and for twelve years was engaged in the milling business. He was a stockholder in the First National Bank of Liberty, and at the time of his death was the owner of 805 acres of land in Kearney township. He died on that place May 8, 1909, and his remains are buiied at Liberty, Missouri.

Maiy (Major) Bevins was bom in Kearney township in 1858 and was a member of a pioneer family of that section. She died in 1901 and her remains are buried at Liberty, Missouri. Riley E. and Mary (Major) Bevins were the parents of the following children: Ruby Bethune resides in Kearney towTiship; David M., the subject of this sketch; and Riley S., of Liberty, Missouri.

David M. Bevins was reared in Kearney township and attended the Liberty public schools. Later he attended William Jewel College, In 1907, he engaged in farming on the home place in Kearney township. This is one of the valuable farms of Clay County. It contains 805 acres of productive land and Mr. Bevins has made extensive and substantial improvements, including a large modem residence and since coming to the place he has made other improvements, including the erection of a bam. He carries on general fanning and stock raising and is recognized as one of the successful men of affairs of Clay County.

Mr. Bevins was married Decem):)er 18, 1906, to Miss Omma Blanc^je Ditmars. Mr. Bevins is a Democrat and one of the substantial men of Clay County.

Fred Hessel, a prominent citizen of Keamey township, who is a leading fanner and stockman of that section, is a native of Clay County. He was bom on the farm where he now resides, April 29, 1856, a son of Conrad and Gottleiben (Heintz) Hessel.

Conrad Hessel was born in Germany, February 7, 1821. He first settled in Ohio, after coming to the United States, and later came to Missouri and settled in Clay County and entered government land in Keamey township. In 1849, during the gold excitement in Califomia, he made the trip overland with ox teams and after reaching California, he sold his oxen for more than he paid for them in Missouri. After spending a few years in Califomia, he returned to Clay County and redeemed his land in Keamey township and paid for it. He followed fanning and stock raising throughout his life and met with success. He died in Keamey town- ship, October 27, 1897. His wife was born in Wittenburg, Germany, April 11, 1830. She came to this country when a young woman with some friends and she and Mr. Hessel were mamed at Weston, in Platte County. She died on the home place in Kearney township, June 15, 1900. Conrad Hessel took a prominent pai-t in local affairs and for a number of years was one of the trustees of Arley Church. At the time of his death, he owned 600 acres of land. During the Civil War, he served in the state militia.

To Conrad Hessel and wife were born the following children: Fred, the subject of this sketch; Katherine, deceased; Mary, deceased; Elizabeth, married Otto Weber and lives in Clay County ; Barbara, lives in California; Louis, lives on the home place in Kearney township; Conrad, lives in Clay County; Christina, married Philip Weber, Edwardsville, Illinois; and Lydia, deceased.

Fred Hessel was reared in Kearney township and educated in the district schools. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-one years old. He then rented a part of the home farm and farmed for four years. At first, he bought twenty-four acres of the home place and later bought more land from the other heirs until he is now the owner of 320 acres. At one time he owned 1,250 acres which he profitably sold from time to time. He has one of the well improved farms of Clay County. He has a good nine room modem residence and a splendid three story bam, 32 x 40 feet. The improvements about his place are of a substantial and high class character. He carries on general farming and stock raising and is an extensive feeder. He also buys and ships a great deal of stock.

Mr. Hessel was married at Liberty, Missouri, September 30, 1880, to Miss Katherine Weber. She is a daughter of S&muel and Anna (Irminger) Weber, both natives of Switzerland. Samuel Weber was born July 20, 1825, and his wife August 25, 1829. Samuel Weber came to the United States in 1841. He settled in Liberty towTiship where he was engaged in farming. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the Union army and served until the close of the war. He died January 4, 1915. Samuel and Anna (Irminger) Weber were the parents of the following children: Susan, married Henry Miller, Andrew County, Missouri; Lewis, Kansas City, Missouri; Mattie, married John Lindau, Liberty, Missouri; Elizabeth, deceased; Katherine, wife of Fred Hessel, of this review; Elizabeth, married Conrad Hessel; Matilda, married Joseph

To Mr. and Mrs. Fi'ed Hessel have been bom the following children : Emeline, born August 18, 1881, married Edward Nolting, Kearney township; Lulu S., born June 11, 1883, married Ben Neudeck, Kearney township; Albert L., bom April 4, 1885, lives at Liberty; Milton S., bom February 25, 1887, lives in Clay County; Olin J., born January 11, 1889, lives in CaUfornia; William Rudolph, born August 4, 1891, Boston, Massachusetts; Elmer W., born May 22, 1894, and died November 3, 1895; Estelle, born June 22, 1897, and died July 27, 1901.

Mr. Hessel is a Republican and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. He was one of the organizers of the Kearney Commercial Bank and is vice-president of that institution. He is a public spirited man and one of the substantial citizens of Clay County.

Andy W. Collins, a widely known and successful farmer and stockman of Platte township, belongs to a family of Clay County pioneers. He was bom in Platte township, on the place where he now resides, March 9, 1878, and is a son of Fine and Nanny (Brooks) Collins.

Fine Collins was born west of liiberty. Clay County, in 1834. He was a farmer all his life, and died at Smithville in 1911. His wife was also a native of Clay County and was bom on the place where Andy W. Collins now lives, in 1837, and died in 1887. She and her husband are buried in Little Shoal cemetery. They were the parents of the following children: William, deceased; Maggie, mari'ied G. C. Royse, Omaha, Nebraska ; Alice, deceased ; Abijah, deceased ; Lutie, deceased ; Sim, lives at Mosby, Missouri; Andy W., the subject of this sketch; Anna, maiTied Rube Sprague and they live in Colorado ; John, Gashland, Missouri ; and Charlie, deceased.

Andy W. Collins was reared in Platte township, and attended school at the Gordon school house. He was nine years of age when his mother died, and at that time he went to live with his grandmother, Mrs. Margaret Brooks, who then owned the place where he now resides. He grew to manhood on this farm, and in his boyhood days, assisted in its operations. When his grandmother died, she willed the place to him. It originally contained one hundred acres, and he bought forty acres more in 1902. He has made many improvements on the place, including a modem eight-room vesideuce which he built in 1912, and he has also two stock barns. He raises pure bred Poland China hogs, and is also engaged in cattle feeding as well as general farming.

Mr. Collins was married at Paradise, Missouri, August 7, 1901, to Miss Aurora Hulse, and three children have been born to this union : Margaret, born June 10, 1902; Georgia, bom August 13, 1903; and Martha F., born December 25, 1908. All of the daughters reside at home with their parents.

Mr. Collins is a Democrat and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and Mrs. Collins are members of the Methodist Church and she holds membership in the Royal Neighbors.

Louis Hessel, a progressive and well-to-do farmer and stockman of Kearney township, is a native of Clay County and a member of one of the early pioneer families of this section. He was boi'n on the place where he now resides May 31, 1864, and is a son of Conrad and Gottleaben (Heinz) Hessel. A complete history of the Hessel family appears in connection with biographical sketch of Fred Hessel, a brother of Louis Hessel which appears in this volume.

Louis Hessel was reared on his father's farm in Kearney township, and was educated in the district school in that neighborhood. He remained at home with his father and worked on the home place until he was twenty-one years old. His father then gave him eighty acres of land which was a part of the old home place and he and his father continued to carry on farming and stock raising in partnership until the death of the father. Louis Hessel then bought the remainder of the home place which consists of 256 acres and is one of the valuable farms of Kearney township. The place is well improved with a good residence which was built in 1907, which is a complete modem structure and a large barn was built in 1910. The place is well adapted to both general farming and stock raising. An ample supply of water is pumped by windmill and the improvements are conveniently arranged. Mr. Hessel carries on general farming and stock raising and is a very successful feeder of cattle and hogs.

On June 6, 1898, Louis Hessel was united in marriage with Miss Laura Matilda Smith at Hoisington, Kansas. She is a daughter of Henry and Anna (Gehrs) Smith. Two children have been bom to Mr. and Mrs.

Mr. Hessel is a member of the board of directors of the Kearney- Bank and has served in that capacity since 1907; he has served a number of years as a member of the school board of the Orley school district. He is a Republican and he and Mrs. Hessel are members of the Methodist Church. He is progressive and public spirited and one of the substantial men of affairs of Clay County.

Joseph L. Evans, well known farmer and stockman of Kearney township, is a native of Clay County. He was born at Liberty. September 16, 1862, a son of Joseph L. and Sarah (Rice) Evans.

Joseph L. Evans, the father, was born in Jefferson County, Virginia, in 1826. He was reared to manhood in his native state and in 1850 he came to Missouri and located at Liberty. He was a carriage maker and conducted a shop at Liberty until 1866. He then went to Kansas City, Missouri, where he remained until 1872, when he returned to Clay County and died at Kearney, February 11, 1886. During the Civil War he ser\-ed as marshall of Liberty and was also a member of the state militia.

Sarah (Rice) Evans was bom in Woodford County, Kentucky, July 20, 1833. She died at Keamey, Missouri, January 20, 1916, and she and her husband are buried in the cemetery at Kearney. They were the parents of the following children : William, deceased ; D. W.. lives in Louisiana; Mary, married Robert Anderson, and is deceased; Joseph L., the subject of this sketch; Charles, lives in Arkansas; Nannie, married W. H. Coates, Keamey, Missouri; Jennie, married H. B. Greer, Woodford, Oklahoma; Maude, lives in Oklahoma; and Sidney, died in infancy.

Joseph L. Evans attended the district schools of Clay County and the public schools of Kansas City, Missouri. After the death of his father he remained with his mother until he was thirty years old. He was then in the livery business at Kearney for a year when he went to Brookfield, Missouri, and after remaining there a year, he returned to the farm in Keamey township, where he remained four years. In 1898. he bought a farm of eighty acres in Keamey township and later bought sixty acres more. He has made substantial improvements; in 1912, he built a six room residence and has two good stock bams. He carries on general farming and stock raising and has met with uniform success.

Messick, a daughter of Emanuel and Emily (Laffoon) Messick, both natives of Kentucky. Emanuel Messick was born January 10, 1835. He followed farming and stock raising all his life and died at Kearney in 1900. His wife was bom in Kentucky in 1841. They were married September 5, 1858, and she died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Evans in Kearney township, in 1906. Mrs. 'Evans was one of the following childi'en bom to her parents, all of whom are deceased except Francis and Mrs. Evans; Samuel; Allen B. ; Ryland; Francis, married W. T. Courtney, Excelsior Springs, Missouri ; Edward ; Mary, married Joseph L. Evans of this review ; Annie and Jessie.

To Mr. and Mrs. E\'ans have been bom the following children: Cecil D., Liberty, Missouri; Fred, resides at home; Ralph, Liberty, Missouri; Nannie F., died in 1901, at the age of one year; Dorothy, at home; and Allen B., at home.

Mr. Evans has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for ten years. He is a Democrat and he and Mrs. Evans are members of the Baptist Church.

Thomas H. Henderson, who conducts a flour mill and grain elevator at Kearney, is a successful business man and one of the progressive citizens of Kearney. He was bom in Clinton County, Missouri, August 28, 1862, and is a son of James D. and Susan L. (O'Donneil) Henderson.

James D. Henderson was also a native of Clinton County, Missouri, born in February, 1838. He was a farmer and stock raiser for a number of years in Clinton County and later moved to Dekalb County, where he also followed farming for many years. He died in 1883. His wife was also a native of Clinton County, bom August 28, 1841, and now lives in Kearney. They were the parents of the following children: Thomas H., the subject of this sketch; Minnie C, married John Eby, Excelsior Springs, Missouii ; James D., Kearney. Missouri ; Gertrude, married James Weakley, Kearney, Missouri ; Lynn C, Liberty. Missouri : Lillie, deceased ; and one died in infancy.

Thomas H. Henderson was reared in Clinton County and attended the district schools. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years old and then rented land from his grandfather O'Donneil. Later he bought 100 acres of land in Clinton County, near Cameron, where he followed farming five years. In 1885, he went to Holt and built a flour mill which he operated and conducted a grain business there until 1897.

He then came to Kearney and built a mill which he has since operated. This mill is equipped with all modem milling machinery and has a daily capacity of sixty barrels of flour. In 1913, he built a complete modern elevator which has a capacity of 14,000 bushels of grain and is well equipped lor handling large quantities of grain conveniently and economically.

Mr. Henderson was married March 4, 1876, to Miss Elizabeth Gabriel. She died in 1906. To that union were born three children: Lorena, deceased ; Dean, died in infancy ; and Bessie, deceased. On August 12, 1908, Mr. Henderson was married to Miss Lula Jennett.

Mr. Henderson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modem Woodmen of America and the Mutual Benefit Association. He is a Democrat and he and Mrs. Henderson are members of the Baptist Church and for the past three years he has been superintendent of the Sunday school. He takes a commendable interest in local affaire and is public spirited and progressive. He has ser\^ed on the city council.

Samuel C. Greenfield, president of the Kearney Commercial Bank, who for a number of years was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising, is a native of Clay County. He was bom at Liberty, May 9, 1848, a son of James T. and Martha A. (Hadley) Greenfield.

James T. Greenfield was a Kentuckian, bom in Todd County, and came to Clay County, Missouri, in 1844. He was accompanied bj' his brother, G. T. Greenfield, and his sister, Marj' (Greenfield) Millen. After coming to this county, James T. Greenfield worked at blacksmithing at Liberty for a time. He then bought a farm south of Smithville and followed farming and blacksmithing there until the time of his death in November, 1851 ; his remains are buried in Little Shoal Chui'ch cemetery. His wife was bom in Todd County, Kentucky, and they were married in Clay County, Missouri. She is buried at Liberty, Missouri. They were the parents of four children of whom Samuel C. of this review, is the only one living.

Samuel C. Greenfield atended the subscription schools of the early daj-s. He was about three years old when his father died and he and his mother then went to live with his grandfather, Samuel Hadley, who died in 1861. He then lived with his great uncle, E. C. Tillman, until he was seventeen years old, when his mother was man-ied to John S. Groom. After that he made his home with his mother and stepfather until he was married. In 1872, he located on the farm which has father had owned. This place consisted of 210 acres and after remaining there a year, he traded it for 136 acres southeast of Kearney. Later he moved to a place near Kearney which he made his home until 1918, since which time he has lived with his son. Mr. Greenfield has can-ied on general farming and stock raising and has been a breeder of pure bred stock, although he never engaged extensively in that specialty. He has been a large land owner, at one time owning over 500 acres. He has been president of the Kearney Commercial Bank for a number of years.

Mr. Greenfield was married in 1872, to Miss Sarah Leavell and three children have been bom to this union : Mattie, married Edgar N. Petty, of Clay County ; Samuel L., lives near Kearney ; and James S., lives near Kearney.

L. W. Leavell, a prominent farmer and stockman who owns and operates 380 acres of land in Kearney township, is a native of Kentucky, although he has practically spent his entire life in Clay County. He was bom in Todd County, Kentucky, January 18, 1854, a son of L. W. and Harriet B. (Winn) Leavell.

L. W. Leavell, the father, was bom in Kentucky in 1821, and came to Missouri with his family in 1854. He settled in Kearney township, near where his son, L. W., now lives and owns a part of the old home place. Here he followed farming and stock raising and raised some celebrated thoroughbred race horses. He was a great lover of thoroughbred horses and owned some very valuable ones during his time. He was also one of the pioneer breeders of Shorthorn cattle. He was a very successful man of affairs and widely known throughout this section of the country, as Judge Leaveli. He was a member of the Baptist Church. His wife was a native of Kentucky and they both died in Kearney township.

To L. W. and Harriett B. (Winn) Leavell were born the following children : Lycurgus, deceased ; Fannie L., deceased ; Lula, deceased ; Georgia, married Dr. Denham, Kansas City; Sarah, married S. C. Greenfield, Clay County, Missouri ; Daniel W., lives in Kansas ; Eugenia, man-ied William Rust, deceased; L. W., the subject of this sketch; Montgomery D., deceased ; Llewelyn L., lives near Excelsior Springs and Robert E. Lee, lives in California.

L. W. Leavell was educated in the district school and the Kearney High School and later attended the University of Missouri at Columbia. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years old and farmed for a time in partnership with his father. He then bought 110 acres and later bought more land ; he is now the owner of 380 acres. He has made substantial improvements on his place and carries on general farming and is also one of the successful breeders of the county. He raises Shorthorn and Hereford cattle and also raises a great many hogs and at this ^^Titing, has about 300 on hand. He has been verj' successful as a feeder and buys and ships stock quite extensively. He has three sets of buildings on his place and his is one of the valuable farms of Kearney township.

Mr. Leavell was married in 1877, near Excelsior Springs, to Miss Flora B. Moore, who died in 1911. To their union were bom two children: Nora, married Clarence Michalucine, Kansas City, Missouri: and Maggie May, deceased.

Samuel H. Smith, a farmer and stockman of Kearney township, who for many years was a teacher of Kearney toxsTiship, is a native of Clay County and is a descendant of very early pioneers of this section. He was bom in Kearney to\\Tiship, just north of his present place, March 10. 1861, and is a son of George and Maiy A. (Han-is) Smith.

George Smith was born in Caswell County, North Carolina, Apiil 22, 1822. He was a son of William Smith and came to Clay County with his parents in 1830. They drove here with ox teams. William Smith entered government land near Smithville and here he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. George Smith grew to manhood in this county and was a successful farmer. Early in life he entered a number of acres of government land, some of which cost $1.25 an acre. He became well-to-do and was the owner of 700 acres of land. He was public spirited and prominent in the early day affairs of Kearney township. He died in 1897 and is buried at Mt. Gilead Church cemetery.

Mai-y A. (Han-is) Smith was bom in Jessamine County, Kentucky. March 26, 1827. She was a daughter of Samuel Harris, a Kentuckian. and a pioneer settler in Clay County. He came here in 1832 with hi.-* family and settled near Smithville. She died August 5. 1902. and is buried in Mt. Gilead Church cemetery. George and Mary A. (Harris) Smith were the parents of the following children: Isabelle, now the widow of Louis 0. Riley and she resides at Kearney ; Lucy, deceased ; Elizabeth, deceased; Samuel H., the subject of this sketch; George W., Kearney, Missouri ; Adeline, married George Riley, Kearney.

Samuel H. Smith was reared on a farm and educated at the Mt. Gilead district school. This was one of the few schools of this section that was not closed during the Civil War. Samuel H. Smith remained at home and assisted on the home place until he was twenty-one years old. In early life he engaged in teaching and at the same time maintained his interest in farming. He taught the Bodock school for three years and then taught the Wagy school. Later he became principal of the Kearney school and held that position for three years. During that time he reorganized the Kearney school and made of it a graded school. He was successful in his school work and regarded as one of the capable teachers of the county. In addition to the above mentioned schools he also taught the Mt. Gilead school for five years and his last teaching was in this school. His career as a teacher covered a period of thirteen years, pi'ior to 1897. He moved on his present place in 1882. He proceeded to make improvements and the following years replaced the old log cabin which stood on the place with a good six-room residence. He ha'^ successfully carried on farming and stock laising and is the owner of a valuable farm of 232 acres.

Mr. Smith was married March 29, 1882, to Miss Maggie Froman. who was reared in the same locality with Mr. Smith and they were schoolmates. She is a daughter of James II. and Mary (Sullinger) Froman. James H. Froman was a native of Kentucky and an early settler in Ray County, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith has been born one son, George Harvey Smith, bom October 15, 1887. He married Margaret Thomason, October 19, 1912, and they have one son, George Harvey, Jr., born March 18, 1920.

Samuel H. Smith is a Democrat and usually takes a keen interest in political matters. He was a member of the state convention which nominated Joseph Folk for governor. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was the first Noble Grand of the Kearney Lodge. He and Mrs. Smith are members of the Christian Church. He is widely and favorably known and the Smith family stand high in Clay County.

Dr. Thomas N. Bogp.rl, a prominent physician and surgeon of Excelsior Springs, is a native of Missouri. He was born on a farm near Greenfield, Dade County, Missouri. February 15, 1868. a son of Daniel and Mary F. (Gambill) Bogart.

Daniel Bogart was born south of Excelsior Springs, and was a son of Alexander Bogart, a native of Tennessee. Mary F. (Gambill) Bogart was a native of Tennessee, and died in 1888, at the age of forty-eight years. To Daniel and Mary F. (Gambill) Bogart were born the following children: Dr. Thomas N. Bogart. the subject of this sketch; J. C., deceased; and A J., of Buckner. Jlissouri. After the death of the mother of these three sons, the father married Mrs. Rachel Baird. and the following children were bom to this union : Bessie, married F. B. Clark of Rayville, Missouri ; Jennie, married James Mosby, Liberty, Missouri ; and Wallace, married Samuel King, of Oklahoma.

Dr. Bogart was about six months old when his parents moved to Ray County, Missouri, and settled near what is known as Bogart's Bridge. In 1878, they moved to Dade County and afterwards to Henrj- County, and later returned to Ray County, where the mother died. The family then removed to Crab Orchard, Missouri. Dr. Baird remained on the home farm until he was nineteen years old and received a good preliminary education in the country school, kno^^'n as the Nicholas School. His teacher was R. L. Hamilton, now a physician of Richmond, Missouri. After having mastered all the common English branches Dr. Bogart was granted a certificate to teach and secured a school in the Hannah school district. He continued his studies, and later taught the Hall School. He then attended the State Normal School, at Warrensbui'g, ^Missouri, and afterwards taught school for six terms. WTiile teaching, he took up the study of anatomy and physiology, and in the fall of 1891, he entered Marion Sims Medical College at St. Louis and after attending college one year, he taught another term at Hall School. Later, he entered Barnes Medical College, where he was graduated April 3, 1893. He was secretary of his class when a senior and after graduation elected president of the Alumni Association.

After receiving his degree. Dr. Bogart engaged in the practice of medicine at Elkhorn and Crab Orchard, and in 1898, i-etunied to St. Louis and completed the four years medical course. He then located at Excelsior Springs, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession, with marked success, and in recent years he has been giving special at- tention to diseases of the kidneys. In 1906 and 1907, he went to Europe and took special courses at Vienna, and while in Europe, he visited tlie piincipal health resorts including Carlsbad, as well as other celebrated springs. This has proven of inestimable value to him in the study of the waters of Excelsior Springs, from a comparative standpoint. Dr. Bogait has an extensive practice. He is the local surgeon for the Wabash and the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad companies, and is recognized as one of the leading physicians and surgeons of this section of the country.

Dr. Bogart was married in February, 1896, to Miss Utie S. Russell, of Millerville, Ray County, and a daughter of George W. and Sarah J. (McDonald) Russell. To Dr. and Mrs. Bogart has been born one child, Utie S., bom June 6, 1898.

Dr Borgart is a member of the American State and County Medical Association and has been President of Clay Medical Society and Vice- President of the State Medical Association. He has served on the Board of Education and taken an active part in the progress and development of Excelsior Springs. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Elks.

J. B^ron Bethune, a successful farmer and stockman of Kearney township who owns and operates a farm of 120 acres of land, is a native of this state. He was born in Mississippi County, April 9, 1881, a son of Henry and Julia (Bridges) Bethune.

Henry Bethune was bom in Tennessee in 1835. Early in life he came to Missouri and located in Mississippi County. He bought several thousand acres of land there and was prominent in the affairs of that county for a number of years, having served as a public official for twentyeight years. He held the offices of county clerk, circuit clerk, and recorder of Mississippi County. In 1887, he removed to St. Louis and during the rest of his active career he was a r;iilroad construction contractor. He helped construct the Missouri Pacific Railroad from Jefferson City to Boonville, Missouri. He died in St. Louis in 1905.

Julia (Bridges) Bethune was bom in Mississippi County, Missouri, in 1853 and was married to Mr. Bethune in 1867. She died in St. Louis in 1902. To Henry and Julia (Bridges) Bethune were born the following children : Florence, married A. S. Barnes, St. Louis ; Irene, deceased ; Inez, married Marshall Hall, St. Louis; J. Byron, the subject of this sketch ; Henry, died in infancy ; and Ora, married J. F. Johnson, St. Louis.

J. Byron Bethune was educated in the St. Louis High School and William Jewell College at Liberty, Missouri. He remained at home until 1904, when he engaged in the grain business until 1910. In 1911, he located at Liberty where he was in the insurance business until 1916. He then engaged in farming rented land until 1918. He then bought his present farm of 120 acres in Kearney township where he has since been engaged in farming and stock raising.

Mr. Bethune was married at Liberty, in 1904, to Miss Ruby Bevins of Liberty, Missouri. She is a daughter of Riley E. and Mary P. (Major) Bevins.

John S. Morton, a prominent merchant of Smithville, who is the owner and proprietor of the John Morton Mercantile Company, is a native of Smithville and a descendant of one of the prominent pioneer families of this section of Missouri. He was bom in Smithville, September 22. 1867, a son of Dr. C. H. and Sarah J. (Brasfield) Morton.

Dr. C. H. Morton was born in Boone County, Kentucky, near Covington, August 31, 1838. He was a son of John Morton who was born April 4, 1802. John Morton was a son of James and Lucy Morton. James Morton was born December 17, 1782, and Lucy Morton was born, December 7, 1780. James Morton was a son of John Morton, who was born November 20, 1733, and his wife was Jean Morton.

Dr. C. H. Morton received his medical education in the Cincinnati Medical College and when the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the Union army and sei-\'ed as surgeon with the 8th Regiment, Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. After the close of the war he came to Missouri in 1865 and visited at Platte City, where his uncle. Judge Benjamin H. Morton, lived. In a short time he came to Smithville where he also had relatives and acquaintances. Here he engaged in the practice of medicine and was well known throughout this section during the remainder of his life. He died at Smithville, November 5, 1885, and his remains are buried in the cemetery there. He was married to Sarah J. Brasfield, in August, 1866. She died November 10, 1910, and her remains are also buried at Smithville.

Dr. C. H. Morton took a prominent part in the early day development of Smithville and vicinity. It was through his efforts and influence that the first school building was erected in Smithville. This building stood on the site of the present school building. He was one of the first school directors of Smithville and held that office until the time of his death. To Dr. C. H. and Sarah J. (Brasfield) Morton were born the following children: John S., the subject of this sketch; Bettie Lou, married Sidney Williams, Smithville, Missouri; and Alex C, of Smithville, Missouri.

John S. Morton was reared in Smithville and attended the public schools there. Later he attended the State Normal School at Kirksville, Missouri, and the State Normal School at Warrensburg, Missouri. He taught school for a time in early life at the McComas school and the Yates school in Platte County and the Gordon school in Clay County. He entered the employ of Brasfield and Thacher and worked as a clerk in their general store at Smithville for four years and two months. April 24, 1893, Ml-. Morton engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with his brother. A. C. Morton. They began business in a store which stood on the ground which is now occupied by the Odd Fellows building. In 1894, they built the store which is now occupied by the Morton Mercantile Company and a few years later John S. Morton bought his brother's interest in- the business. June 10, 1910, the business was incorporated under the name of John Morton Mercantile Company and in 1920, Mr. Morton built a furniture store which he also conducts. He has built three residences in Smithville, erecting his present residence in 1895.

February 10, 1892, John S. Morton was married to Miss Martha S. Rollins, a daughter of William Penn and Rosie (Aker) Rollins. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Morton as follows: Lula L., bom December 4, 1892, married Lewis Ford Adams, Smithville, Missouri; Leon M., born June 5, 1894, married Mildred G. Farmer; Katherine L., bom February 19, 1896, jnaiTied ^ed McComas; John S., Jr., bom November 9, 1898, resides at home; Sidney R., bom August 31, 1900, resides at home; and Rosalia F., born January 15, 1902, also resides at home with her parents.

Mr. Morton is a Democrat and a member of the Christian Church. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and Mrs. Morton are members of the Rebeccas and she is a member of the Royal Neighbors. He also holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America. He is public spirited and entei"prising and one of the progressive business men of Clay County.

Heniy D. Anderson, president of the Kearney Bank and a large land owner of Kearney township, is one of the successful men of affairs of Clay County. He was bom four miles west of Kearney, September 3, 1847, and is a member of one of the pioneer families, of this section of the state. His parents were Joseph D. and Mary (Young) Anderson.

Joseph D. Anderson was bom in Mason County, Kentucky, January 3, 1813, and died in Kearney township, Januaiy 15, 1858. His father died in Kentucky and he came to Clay County, Missouri, with his mother, brothers and si.sters, in 1834. They bought 400 acres of land. Joseph D. Anderson followed farming and stock raising in Kearney township all his life; for a number of years he also dealt in mules. The brothers and sisters of Joseph D. Anderson were as follows: H. P.; Elias; Henry, who died at Santa Fe, New Mexico, while on his way to the Mexican War ; Betsy, who married a Mr. Waller; Achsa, mamed James Chancelor; and Belle, married John Lynn.

Mary (Young) Anderson, mother of Heniy D. Anderson, was born in Clark County, Kentucky, February 3, 1821. She was a daughter of William and Nancy (Ben-y) Young, natives of Kentucky, who came to Missouri, settling in Clay County in 1841. She was married to Joseph D. Anderson in 1844 and died in Kansas City, Missouri, April 19, 1909.

To Joseph D. and Mary (Young) Anderson were born the following children: The eldest died in infancy; Henry D., the subject of this sketch; Margaret, married C. B. Burgess, Kearney, Missoui-i: Virginia, married John Major, Liberty, Missouri; Nannie, maiTied James Hutchinson, Kansas City, Missouri; and Alice, married .lames Henderson and is now a widow living in Kansas City, Missouri.

Henry D. Anderson was reared on the home place and attended school in the Mt. Gilead school district. He remained on the home farm after his father's death until 1874. He then settled on his portion of the estate which consisted of 212 acres. Here he followed farming and stock raising and was also a breeder of Shorthorn and Hei-eford cattle. He has increased his acreage until he is now the owner of 347 acres and is one of the pi'osperous men of Kearney township. He has been president of the Kearney Bank since 1895.

Mr. Anderson was married October 6, 1874, to Miss Elizabeth Gosney, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Joe B. Waller. Mrs. Anderson's parents were Thomas M. and Susan Gosney. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been bora the following children : Thomas G., bom June

28, 1881, lives at Liberty, Missouri ; Katie May, born November 18, 1884, married Harry Maltby, Liberty, Missouri ; Mary D., born October 26, 1886, married Dr. James H. Gonder, Kansas City, Missouri; Helen, born December 24, 1888, married G. G. Hall, Liberty, Missouri; and the oldest child died in infancy.

Mr. Anderson is a Democrat and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and Mrs. Anderson are members of the Rebeccas and belong to the Christian Church. He is one of the substantial men of Clay County.

.Tohn William Coen, a successful business man of Excelsior Springs, who conducts a first class grocery store and meat market, is a native of Missouri. He was bom at Maysville, Dekalb County, Missouri. July 30, 1869, a son of David and Margaret E. (Henderson) Coen.

David Coen was born in Ohio in 1840 and in 1840 was brought to Missouri by his parents, who settled one mile north of Maysville in Dekalb County. He was a son of William and Matilda Coen who were the parents of fourteen children, ten boys and four girls. When the Coen family settled in Dekalb County, William Coen entered 320 acres of government land where he spent the remainder of his life engaged in farming and stock raising.

David Coen, after reaching maturity, preempted eighty acres of land in Dekalb County which cost him one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. He was a farmer and stock raiser all his life. He died November 2, 1893, and is buried at Maysville. David Coen was married to Margaret E. Hendren at Kingston, Caldwell County, Missouri, in 1865. She died at Maysville, Missouri, in 1891, at the age of fifty-one years. They were the parents of the following children: Frupie, died in infancy; John William, the subject of this sketch; Susannah, married Herbe]-t Womsby; and Lola, deceased; and Robert, Cameron, Missouri.

John William Coen was educated in the public schools of Dekalb County and the high school at Maysville. He remained at home until he was about twenty years old, when he worked out by the month. In 1904, he engaged in the meat and grocery business at Polo, Missouri. Two years later he went to Hamilton, Missouri, where he was engaged in the same business for two years. In 1908, he came to Excelsior

Springs where he has since been engaged in the meat and grocery business and conducts one of the leading stores and markets of the city. He can-ies a first class line of goods and is largely patronized.

ilr. Coen was first married in 1893. to Stella Rigdon, of Polo. Missouri. She died in 1897. To that union two daughtei-s were born: Hazel, deceased, and Gladys, bom January 1, 1897, married Best Dale and now lives at Coyville, Kansas. Mr. Coen was married the second time at Mays\-ille, Missouri, November 5, 1902, to Miss Lillie Mae Kissinger. To this union have been bom two children: Ci-anston J., bom at Hamilton, Missouri, December 20, 1906, and Thelma E., bom at Excelsior Springs, December 16, 1912.

Mr. Coen is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modem Woodmen of America and is a Democrat. He and Mrs. Coen are members of the Methodist Church. He is a substantial business man and by his straightforw"ard methods has won the confidence and patronage of the public.

W. H. Meser^'ey, president of the Ri-st National Bank of Excelsior Springs, has been identified with this institution for some years, and is a prominent factor in the financial affairs of this section of the state. He is a native of Iowa, bora at Cherokee. November 11, 1889, and is a son of A. F. and Kate H. (Hull) Meser\-ey. A. F. Mesen-ey was a native of Illinois and his wife of New York. He was a prominent attorney in Iowa, during his active career, having practiced at Cherokee and Ft. Dodge. He is now living retired at Long Beach, California.

W. H. Mesen-ey was educated in the public schools of Ft. Dodge and became identified with The First National Bank, of which he is now president.

The First National Bank of Excelsior Springs was founded in May. 1905. The organizers of the bank were Colonel Gordon, C. S. Jobes. Kansas City, Missouri, A. M. Bates and J. M Kera. They were men of sound judgment who believed thoroughly in Excelsior Springs and its great future. In its second year, 1907, this bank \\ithstood the financial flurry which swept over the country, always making full payment in legal tender, while thousands of banks throughout the nation were making only partial pajTnents and that in script.

of the people. The present management acquired control of the institution in 1914, continuing the work of their predecessors and with many added departments for service which modem times require. The business has been increased over $350,000.00 since 1907.

The present officers of the bank are: W. H. Meservey, president; William McKee, vice-president; B. N. Meservey, cashier; E. B. Brasher and Neal Ross, assistant cashiers.

W. H. Meserv'ey was married at Excelsior Springs to Miss Mabel Crockett, a daughter of William and Mary J. (McGeorge) Crockett, the fonner of whom is now deceased, and Mrs. Crockett resides at Excelsior Springs with Mr. and Mrs. Meservey.

B. M. Meservey, the well known cashier of The First National Bank, of Excelsior Springs, is one of the successful bankers of Clay County. He was born at Cherokee, Iowa, October 19, 1882, a son of A. F. and Kate H. (Hull) Meservey, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of New York.

A. F. Meservey was a prominent lawyer of Iowa during- his active professional career. He practiced at Cherokee and Ft. Dodge and was recognized as one of the leading lawyers of that section. He and his wife now reside at Long Beach, California. They were the parents of three childr^: Kate, married J. M. Plaister, of Ft. Dodge, Iowa; B. M., the subject of this sketch; and W. H., president of the First National Bank of Excelsior Springs.

B. M. Meservey was reared at Ft. Dodge, Iowa, and educated in the public schools. After gi-aduating from the Ft. Dodge High School, he became superintendent of a gypsum mine at Ft. Dodge and later served in the same capacity at Eldorado, Oklahoma, and Oak Field, New York, and for eight years was employed in that line of industry. In 1912, Mr. Meservey became assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Excelsior Springs and in 1917, he was elected cashier and has since sen'ed in that capacity.

Alvin Dudfield. proprietor the Liberty Plumbing and Heating Company, is a progi'essive business man. and is at the head of one of the important entei-prises of Liberty.

The Liberty Plumbing and Heating Company was established by Dudfield and Klepper in 1907. and is located at 116 West Kansas Street. This company does all kinds of plumbing, heating and sheet metal work. They manufacture a number of specialties, an important one of which is Dudfield's All Metal Dustless Crayon Trough, an invention of Mr. Dudfield. of which he holds the patent. Metal merchant delivery baskets are also manufactured here. They handle the best heating equipment known to the trade, including the Twentieth Century Pipe and Pipeless Furnaces and the Coloi'ic Pipeless Furnaces. This concern does extensive plumbing and heating work and have done some of the finest work of that character in Clay County, including the work in the residence of George T. Hall and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows' home, and they also did the work in the Camden Point Consolidated School building. Mr. Dudfield in 1910 bought out Mr. Klepper's interests in this company and has since conducted the business alone.

The Liberty Plumbing and Heating Company occupies the rti-st floor of a tire-proof building. 30x70 feet, which is o^vned by Mr. Dudfield and was built in 1913. The local telephone company occupies the entire second floor. Mr. Dudfield employs about ten men on an average, and does an extensive business.

Ahin Dudleld is a native of Clay County. He was bom nea^ Holt. Missouri. March 1. 1S6S. and is a son of William H. and Elizabeth (Marsh) Dudfield. William H. Dudfield was married three times. His first wife, Elizabeth (Marsh) Dudfield. died in 1S73. and he afterwards married Mrs. Hayes, a widow, who died in 1S8 I. He then married Mar>- A. Palmer, who died in 1912. William H. Dudfield died in 1909

Alvin Dudfield has one brother. William Dudfield. who is with the Townley Metal and Hardware Company, of Kansas City. Missouri. One brother. Wayman. died at the age of three years. Ahin Dudfield was educated in the public schools of Holt and Lathrop, Missouri, and in early life learned the sheet metal trade. ser\ing an apprenticeship of four years. He learned the plumbing trade in Chicago and has always followed plumbing and sheet metal work, and is an expert in those lines.

of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and holds membership of the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers of Kansas City, Missouri.

R. T. Stephens, a well known and successful attorney of Excelsior Springs, is a native of this state. He was bom in Caldwell County, October 10, 1881, a son of Edward and Eliza (Eviins) Stephens.

Edward Stephens was born in Wales in 1848 and Eliza (Evans) Stephens was also bom in Wales, September 2, 1849. They were married in their native land July 16, 1870, and the following October came to the United States and settled in Caldwell County, Missouri. Here the father was engaged in farming and stock raising until the time of his death in 1889. The mother died October 23, 1920, in Caldwell County.

R. T. Stephens was one of a family of nine children born to his parents, lie was reared on the home farm in Caldwell County and attended the public schools. Later, he entei'ed William Jewell College ai Liberty, Missouri, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in the class of 1907. In 1911, he was granted the degree of Master of Arts by William Jewell College. In the meantime, he entered the Kansas City School of Law where he was graduated in June, 1910, and after being admitted to the bar, he engaged in the practice of law at Excelsior Springs where he has built up a good practice and won a reputation as an able and conscientious lawyer. June 1, 1912, Mr. Stephens was appointed to fill out an unexpired term of 0. T. Wyman as city attorney of Excelsior Springs. He was elected at the expiration of that term and has been re-elected to the office of city attorney since.

E. Thomas, better known as "Non" Thomas, president of the Excelsior Trust Company at Excelsior Springs, Missouri, is a native Missourian and a member of a pioneer family of this state. He was born in DeKalb County March 1, 1858, a son of Ennis C. and Sarah A. (Allen) Thomas, being the oldest of nine children bom to them.

Ennis C. Thomas was boi-n in Montgomery County, Kentucky. He came from Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, to Pleasant Ridge, Missouri, at an early day. He taught school for a time and was later engaged in famiing in DeKalb Countj\ Aftenvards. in 1870, he was pi-esident of Plattsburg College at Plattsburg, ilissouri. for a time. In 1872 he bought an interest in the Clinton County Register, and was engaged in newsi)aper work at Plattsburg for a numbei- of vears. He consolidated the "Register" with the "Lever" and later also published the "'Argus" at Plattsburg, ilissouri, which was edited by "Xon" Thomas and William Xelson. His sons were associated with him in newspaper work most of the time. He finally sold out his newspaper interests at Plattsburg and went to Oklanoma where he was engaged in fanning for a few yeai-s when he returned to Plattsburg. He then bought property in Coeur D'Alene. Idaho, where he died in 1908, at the age of eighty years. His widow now resides there and is eighty-one years old.

"Xon" Thomas was educated in Plattsburg College. In early life he engaged in the newspaper business with his father. In 1886, he v-as elected circuit clerk of Clinton County and sei-\-ed eight years. In 1895 he engaged in the hai"dware business at Plattsburg. and two years later sold his interest in that business and engaged in the same business at Trenton, Missouri, for five years when he sold his business and engaged in the title and abstract business at Plattsburg. In 1912 he ca:r.e to Gay Countj- and bought a farm northwest of Excelsior Spiings, and was engaged in general farming and breeding of registered Jersey cattle until 1918. He then lived in Carrollton about a year, and in December, 1919, became president of the Excelsior Springs Trust Company. This institution was organized Jime 3, 1919.

Mr. Thomas was married September 28, 1887. to Willie C. Darr. who is a daughter of Judge William Z. Darr, a prominent stockman and pioneer citizen of Carroll Countj% Missouri. He afterwards moved to Plattsburg. ilissouri, where he was elected Probate Judge of Clinton County, Missouri, in 1902. and died before he served a year of his term.

Mr. Thomas is a Democrat and a member of the Christian Church. He is a Mason and a Shriner. and belongs to Ararat Temple, Kansas City. Missouri.

W. T. McRorey. who is successfully engaged in the general insurance business at 205 Spring street. Excelsior Springs, Missouri, is a native of this county. He was bom at old Greenville. Clay County, Missouri, May 22, 1866, a son of John and Marj- (Barrow) McRorey.

his wife was bom at Church Creek, Maryland. John McRorey came to Clay County with his parents about 1840, when he was two years old. He was a son of Thomas and Sarah (Prather) McRorey, natives of North Carohna. Thej' drove from that state to Missouri with ox teams and wagons.

John McRorey followed farming and stock raising in Clinton County, Missouri, for many years, during the early part of his career, but spent his latter life in Clay County. He died here at the age of seventy-six years. Mary E. (Barrow) McRorey was a daughter of William C. and Ann Barrow, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Edinburgh, Scotland. They came to Missouri from Maiyland, about 1854, and settled in Platte County. Later they removed to Kansas where they homesteaded Government land and remained there until the beginning of border war troubles, when they returned to Platte County and there spent the remainder of their lives.

To John and Mar>' E (Barrow) McRorey were bom the following children: W. T., the subject of this sketch; Olen, died at the age of six years; Jessie, lives in Kansas City. Missouri; and John E., Kansas City, Missouri.

W. T. McRorey was reared on a farm until he was fifteen years old, and received his education in the public schools. He came to Excelsior Springs in 1884, and in 1889 he engaged in the banking business here. He was cashier of the Clay County Bank at Excelsior Springs from 1902 until 1905. He then engaged in the general insurance business as a member of the firm of Craven & McRorey, and has met with success in this field of endeavor and has one of the largest general insurance agencies of Clay C!ounty.

Mr. McRorey was n^alTied May 10, 1896, to Miss Marie R. Ewing, of Liberty, Missouri. She is a daughter of Chatham M. and Anna L. (Ford) Ewing, both now deceased.

Mrs. McRorey was a successful teacher prior to her marriage, having taught school for seven years. To Mr. and Mrs. McRorey have been born one child, Ruth Templeton, who resides at home with her parents.

Mr. McRorey is a Democrat and has always taken a deep interest in local affairs. He has served as mayor of Excelsior Springs and also held the office of city clerk. He was a member of the school board for nine years and was sen'ing as a member of that body when the excellent school building of Excelsior Springs was erected. He served as supervisor of the census in 1920. He is a membex- of the Christian Church and belongs to the Knights of Pythias at Liberty and the Modem Woodmen of America at Excelsior Springs.

Dr. J. Ed Baird, a successful physician and surgeon of Excelsior Springs, was bom in Ray County, Missouri, September 21, 1880. He is a son of Jesse and Rachel (Rowland) Baird and is the youngest of five children bom to them. Jesse Baird was a native of Campbell County, Tennessee, and died in 1881 when Dr. Baird was a child about one year old. Jesse Baird settled in Ray County about 1869 and was engaged in fanning there at the time of his death. Some years after his death his widow man-ied Daniel Bogart, and four children were born to that union. The mother is now living and is sixty-six years old.

Dr. Baird received his preliminary education in the public schools and later attended the Northwestern College at Alva, Oklahoma, where he was graduated in the scientific course in the class of 1903. In 1904 he entered University Medical College at Kansas City, Missouri, where he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1908. He then engaged in the practice of his profession at Pocasset, Oklahoma, where he remained for five years. In 1913 he located at Excelsior Springs where he has since been successfully engaged in the practice of medicine. He is an able and skillful physician and has built up a large practice.

When the United States entered the World War, Dr. Baird volunteered his service and was commissioned captain in the Medical Corps of the United States Army, and was stationed at General Hospital, No. 14, Chickamauga Park, Georgia. After the armistice was signed he was commissioned captain in the Medical Reserve Corps of the United States Anny and now holds that commission.

September 3, 1908, Dr. Baird was married to Miss Gamett Kendall, of Iowa. She is a daughter of W. J. and Rose (Elliott) Kendall, natives of Iowa. Her father was a Methodist minister. To Doctor and Mrs. Baird have been bom three children: Jack, Bill, and Marj' Gamett.

Dr. Baird is a Democrat and takes a commendable interest in local affairs and particularly in the progress and development of Excelsior Springs. He was elected president of the Excelsior Springs Commercial Club in 1919, and as executive officer of that organization, he has succeeded in accomplishing much for the good of Excelsior Springs and its institutions.

C. W. Fish, general manager of the Gold Hill Properties and the General Realty and Mineral Water Company of Excelsior Springs, is a native of Ohio. He was born in. Beverly, Washington County, Ohio, April 19, 1858, a son of Henry C. and Ann E. (Sayles) Fish. He is the second eldest of three children born to his parents and the only one now living.

Heniy C. Fish was prominently identified with the early progress and development of Excelsior Springs, and perhaps had more to do with making Excelsior Springs the popular high class resort, which it is today, than any other man. The result of his foresight and energy is apparent on every hand, in the town and its institutions.

Henry Fish was born in Cambridge, Ohio, in 1829, and died at Excelsior Springs in 1897. He came to Missouri and settled in Kansas City in 1868. In June, 1881, he came to Excelsior Springs, and in partnership with John W. Henrie. bought the old Excelsior Springs House, which had been built that year and openetl in March. They also acquired the Siloam Springs and later the Regent Springs and a large acreage in this vicinity. When the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad was completed, in the winter of 1887, Henry C. Fish organized and was general manager of the old Excelsior Spring Company, which was capitalized at $500,000.00. More than $300,000.00 was expended on the Elms Hotel alone, which was opened July 4, 1888. Shortly after that the company built an annex to the Elms Hotel, and an auditorium which was the finest in the state, outside of the larger cities. It had a seating capacity of 1,350 persons. They also laid out the pi*operty west of Fishing River and constructed the first sewer system in the town, and placed electric lights from the Elms Hotel to the depot. They spent over $600,000.00 and used their best efforts to make of Excelsior Springs a national resort.

Henry C. Fish retired a few years before his death. He was a Republican, and, although a member of no church, he was liberal in his contributions to all denominations. He was married in 1854, in Beverly, Ohio, to Miss Ann E. Sayles. She was born at Pawtucket. Rhode Island, and died June 19, 1910, at the age of eighty-one yeai-s, possessed of unusual mental vigor for one of her age, up until the time of her death.

C. W. Fish was educated in the public schools of Kansas City and graduated from the high school in 1875. For seven years he was chief ticket seller at the old Kansas City Union Railway Station. In 1884 he went with the Kansas City Packing Company in charge of their office. In 1887 he came to Excelsior Springs and took charge of the realty depart- ment of the Excelsior Springs Company until 1910, a period of twentytwo years; during the last ten years he had full charge of its properties. He then became associated with the W. A. J. Bell interests, in charge of the Golf Hill properties, on which is located the celebrated Excelsior Springs Golf Links and comprises 600 acres.

Mr. Fish is a Republican and a member of the Commercial Club, and was chairman of the publicity committee of that organization for many years. He is one of the active promoters of the park system on which Excelsior Springs spent over $100,000.00. He is progressive and enterprising, and one of the public spirited citizens of Excelsior Springs.

Judge Alonzo H. Shelton, a former police judge and now justice of the peace at Excelsior Springs, is a Civil War veteran, who has been identified with Clay County practically all his life. He was born in Todd County, Kentucky, December 21, 1839, and is a son of Charles C. and Emeline (Scott) Shelton.

Charles C. Shelton was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, June 27, 1815, and in early life removed to Kentucky. In 1842 he came to Missouri, settling in Ray County. About four years later he removed to Clay County where he was engaged in fanning, during his active career. He was a prominent citizen and took an active part in the early development of this County and its institutions. He was a liberal contributor to William Jewell College. He died in 1899.

The Shelton family dates back to Colonial days, in this countiy, Charles C. Shelton being a son of Beverly B. Shelton, a native, of near Norfolk, Virginia, who was a soldier in the War of 1812. Henrietta Armistead, wife of Beverly Shelton, was a daughter of a Revolutionary soldier who was also a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses and a large slave holder.

To Charles C. and Emeline (Scott) Shelton were bom thirteen children, of whom Alonzo H., the subject of this sketch, was the eldest. The others who are living are: Beverly D., Overland Park, Kansas; Marguerite Ella, who resides with her brother, Beverly; Emma V., Overland Park, Kansas; Doniphan S., Excelsior Springs, Missouri; and Stephen D., Holt, Missouri.

Judge Shelton was about two and one-half years old when he was brought to Clay County by his parents. He was reared on the farm and in his early days experienced all the primitive methods of pioneer farm- ing, and often drove oxen, to bi'eak the native sod. When the Civil War broke out he served in the state guard for a time under Colonel John T. Hughes and Colonel G. W. Thompson. Eight months later he enlisted in General Shelby's Brigade, serving ten months, when he was transferred to General Cockerell's Brigade. He served in the Army of Tennessee under General Joseph E. Johnson and was at Jackson, Mississippi, when the war closed. While in the service he received a gunshot wound in the left hand which was followed by blood poison and necessitated the amputation of his arm below the elbow.

After the close of the war Mr. Shelton went to Virginia where he remained about six months and was there married. He then returned to Clay County and followed various occupations and taught school for a time. He then engaged in farming in Fishing River township, near Missouri City. In 1901 he came to Excelsior Springs and was engaged in the real estate business. In 1912 he was elected police judge, sei-ving four years in that capacity. He was then elected justice of the peace, an office which he still holds. He is the oldest justice of the peace in Clay County, both in terms of service and in years.

September 21, 1865, Judge Shelton was married to Hattie J. Wheat, a native of Bedford County, Virginia, born May 31, 1846, and died January 10, 1911. She was a daughter of Zachariah J. and Martha Ann (Hancock) Wheat, both natives of Bedford County, Virginia. To Judge Shelton and wife were born six children, as follows: Otis Eugene, supply agent for the street railway company, St. Louis, Missouri; Charles J., died in infancy ; James C, real estate dealer. Excelsior Springs ; John Beverly, a conductor, St. Louis; George Edward, superintendent of an oil company, Haskell, Oklahoma ; and Lily, died in infancy.

Doniphan 8. Shelton, a prominent merchant of Excelsior Springs, who has been engaged in the mercantile business here for the past twentynine years, was born in Platte County, Missouri, February 22, 1861. He is a son of Charles C. and Emmeline (Scott) Shelton, a more extensive history of the Shelton family appears in this volume in connection with the biographical sketch of Judge A. H. Shelton.

Doniphan S. Shelton was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. He taught district school in Clay County for seven years. In 1891 he engaged in the mercantile business at Excelsior Springs, carrying a complete line of men's shoes and ladies' ready-to-wear garments.

He continued this business successfully for twenty-nine years and built up an extensive trade. In January, 1921, he opened an exclusive shoe store, carrying a complete stock of shoes, and his store compares favorably with any similar establishment to be found in the larger citiea.

Mr. Shelton was married March 8, 1882, to Laura F. Feri'il, a native of Clay County and a daughter of Robert and Sarah M. (Means) Ferril, the foi'mer a native of Tennessee and the latter of Missouri. Robert Ferril was a farmer and stock man and is now deceased and his widow resides with her son. Judge Fei'ril, of Liberty, Missouri. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shelton : Jesse E., died at three years ; Nina, married L. J. Edmonton, of Excelsior Springs; and Robert F., of Springfield, Missouri.

Mr. Shelton is a stockholder in the bank of Excelsior Springs. He is a Democrat and has served as alderman several times and held the office of treasurer of Excelsior Spi'ings four terms. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church, of which he is a member of the board of trustees and a deacon. He is a prominent Mason, a member of the Mystic Shrine. Mystic Workei's of the World, Modern Woodmen of America and the !, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

J. E. Thomas, a well known farmer and stockman of Gallatin township, who is also president of the Bank of Linden, is a native of Platte County and a descendant of one of the early pioneer families of western Missouri. Mr. Thomas wa.s born in Platte County, December 20, 187-", and is a son of J. F. and Nancy S. Elliott (Hamilton) Thomas.

The Thomas family were early settlers of Clay County, J. F. Thomas being born in Gallatin township. He died in Platte County at the age of seventy-six years and his wife died there at the age of seventy-two years. He was a member of the Home Guards during the Civil War.

The following children were bom to J. F. Thomas and wife: Charles, Gashland, Missouri; and J. E., the sub.iect of this sketch. By a former marriage of J. F. Thomas to Mollie Akins, two daughters were bom: Annie, married James Johnson and they live in Cedar County ; and Belle, married John Price of Liberty, Missouri.

J. E. Thomas was i-eared in Platte County and attended school at the Boydston school house in Platte County. He followed farming and stock raising in Platte County and bought his present place which comers on the townsite of Linden, from Sim Collins. This place is well improved and has an ample supply of water, having two flowing springs, and is one of the ideal stock farms of Gallatin township. The place is also well adapted to grain raising, and Mr. Thomas raises sheep and mules, as well as carrying on general farming.

May 22, 1904, J. E. Thomas was married to Miss Sallie Spencer, a daughter of Winfield Spencer, who now resides near Barry, Missouri. Her mother died when Mrs. Thomas was eight years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have been born one son, Frank Donald, born March 4, 1905, and he is a student in the Linden High School.

Mr. Thomas was one of the organizers of the Bank of Linden, of which he is now president. He is a progressive and enterpi'ising citizen and one of the substantial men of affairs of Clay County.

Samuel J. Rowell, a well known attoi'ney of Excelsior Springs, is a native of Clay County. He v/as born in Fishing River township, May 27, 1863, a son of Hiram J. and Ann (McKee) Rowell. Hiram J. Rowell was a native of New Hampshire. He came to Clay County in 1856, where he taught school eight or ten years, and later was engaged in farming. He and his wife are now deceased.

Hiram J. Rowell was bom at East Plainfield, New Hampshire, June 9, 1830. He was reared on a farm. After settling in Clay County, Missouri, he bought a farm of eighty acres in Fishing River township, and later added more land to his holdings ; at time of his death, 1904, he owTied about 600 acres. He was married in 1859, in Clay County, ]\lissouri, to Ann McKee. She was bom in Fishing River township. Clay County, Missouri May 20, 1837, and died in 1908. To this union ten children were born, as follows : Dr. Haynie, a physician of Kearney, Missouri ; Samuel J., the subject of this sketch ; Clay G., deceased ; Joseph, Lee's Summit, Missouri; Dr. Fi-ank D., a physician, Gilbert, Arizona; Hettie, married Dr. W. F. Trimble, Mesa, Arizona; Mary, married Dr. Charles Shouse, Mesa, Arizona; Albert, banker, El Dorado, Arkansas; Dr. Hiram, deceased; and one daughter, died in infancy.

Samuel J. Rowell was reared on the home farm in Fishing River towTiship and attended the public schools. Later he attended the State Normal School, at Warrenburg, Missouri, and also attended Garfield University, at Wichita, Kansas. He took a course in pharmacy in Kansas City, Missouri, and for fifteen years he was engaged in the drug business at Excelsior Springs. He took a course in the Kansas City School of

Law and was graduated in 1917. He was admitted to the bar the same year, and since that time has been engaged in the practice of law at Excelsior Springs.