Jackson County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1920 (part 10 of 15)

Cheltcn A. Browning, a leading farmer and stockman of Prairie town¬ ship and the owner of 325 acres of well improved land, has lived in Jackson County since 1874. He was born in Pendelton County, Ky. and is the son of William T. and Eliza (Miller) Browning, both natives of Ken¬ tucky. The father was born in Pendelton County in 1830 and died in Jackson County, Mo., in 1914. The mother was born in Clark County, Ky., in 1836 and died in Jackson County about 1909. The Browning family settled in Jackson in 1874, where the father was engaged in farming dur¬ ing the balance of his active career. William T. and Eliza (Miller) Browning was the parents of ten children as follows: Chelton A., the subject of this sketch; Harrison O., resides in Johnson County; Talitha Thompson, a widow residing near Blue Springs; Elijah H., resides in Buchanan County; Early, deceased; Joseph, Raytown; Thornton, lives near Lees Summit; Charles, lives near Blue Springs; Cora, Raytown; and A. K., Independence.

Chelton A, Browning remained on the home farm with his parents until about 1880, and then operated rented land until 1882 when he bought 120 acres ; he has added more land to his original purchase until he is now the owner of 320 acres of valuable land in Prairie township. His place is well improved and he carries on his farming on an extensive scale, using modern methods and up-to-date machinery. He also raises stock quite extensively.

Mr. Browning was married March 9, 1880, to Miss Abbie Hall, a native of Pendleton County, Ky., born in 1855. To this union were born the following children: Alvah, a merchant. Greenwood; Larkin E., a traveling salesman, Kansas City ; Harry, resides at Greenwood ; Lacy, Holi¬ day, Kan.; Arthur, resides on the home farm in Prairie township; and Vernon resides on the home farm. The mother of these children died Nov. 18, 1914, and on Oct. 15, 1917, Mr. Browning was married to Jessie Roberts, a native of Covington, Ky.

Ivin Long, a successful merchant of Greenwood, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Cass County, Feb. 15, 1873, and is the son of John and Martha Susan (Cox) Long. They were the parents of seven children, of whom Ivin, the subject of this sketch, is the second in order of birth, and four of whom are now living.

John Long was born in Kentucky, and in early life removed to Illinois. About 48 years ago he came to Missouri, and located in Cass County, where for many years he was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. About 1887 he began buying and selling livestock, and also conducted a meat market in Greenwood, wKere he now resides. His wife w'as a native of Illinois, born Dec. 1, 1852, and died Feb. 14, 1914.

Ivin Long received his education in the public schools of Greenwood, and began his business career when he was 18 years old. He engaged in the meat business in Greenwood, and four years later bought a stock of groceries, and shortly aftei*wards engaged in the general mercantile busi¬ ness, which he has since conducted. His business has expanded from year to year until he has built up a large trade, and is meeting with success.

R. J. and Mary (Vandergraff) Wilkins, early settlers in Jackson County. Mrs, Long was born in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Long have been born two sons, Robert J. and Claude W., who are successfully engaged in the hardware business at Greenwood.

Mr. Long is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a Democrat, and a member of the Presbyterian church. He is a successful and a wide awake business man, and a public spirited and a progressive citizen.

John H. Haynes, of Prairie township, has for many years been suc¬ cessfully engaged in farming and stock raising, and is the owner of a well improved farm of 89 acres. He was bom in Ash County, North Carolina, March 4, 1854, and is the son of Joseph and Lamyra (Johnson) Haynes, both natives of North Carolina. They were the parents of the following children: William J., St. Louis, Mo.; Stephen G., deceased; John H., the subject of this sketch; Martha L., married Henry T. Langenberg, and is now a widow, residing in St. Louis, Mo. ; Mary M., married J. W. Noel, and is now a widow, residing at Lees Summit, and Fannie E., married James L. Kreeger, Boonville, Mo.

Joseph Haynes was born in Stokes County, N. C., October 11, 1816, and on May 12, 1850, married Lamyra Johnson, who was born in Wilkes County, N. C., Aug. 15, 1819. She died March 18, 1897. She was a daugh¬ ter of William and Letitia Johnson, both natives of North Carolina. .Jo¬ seph Haynes was a son of William G. and Martha (Hill) Haynes, natives of North Carolina. Martha Hill was a descendant of a distinguished colonial family, whose members were prominent in Georgia and North Carolina. She was a daughter of Major Robert Hill, who seiwed in the Revo¬ lutionary War with the rank of major in Washington's army.

Joseph Haynes came to Missouri and settled in Polk County, in 1866, and in the fall of 1872 came to Jackson County, and settled on the farm where John H. now resides. However, he was not a practical farmer, as he had been engaged in the mercantile business nearly all his life. His sons conducted the farm, and here he spent the remainder of his life.

John H. Haynes received his education in his native State, attending the public schools, and later attending at Morrisville, Mo. He has always followed farming and stock raising, and since coming to Jackson County has made his home on his present place, which was the family homestead. He has improved the place and has made a success of his farming. For ten years he was engaged in breeding Shorthorn cattle.

Mr. Haynes was married in 1905, to Elizabeth B. George, a native of Kentucky. She died Oct. 4, 1915, at the age of 48 years. To Mr. and Mrs. Haynes were born two children: Martha T. and John H.

John E. Lightfoot, a Civil War veteran, and for many years a resi¬ dent of Jackson County, now deceased, was a native of Kentucky. He was born in Pendleton County, Aug. 7, 1841, and died in Jackson County, March 4, 1919. He was a son of Frank and Louisa (Dunken) Lightfoot, both natives of Tennessee. They moved to Kentucky at an early day and there reared a family of five children, of whom John E. was the third in order of birth,

John E. Lightfoot came to Missouri from Kentucky in 1882, and first settled in Johnson County, where he was engaged in farming and stock raising 14 years. He then moved to Jackson County and followed farming until the time of his death. During the Civil War he served for three years in the Confederate cavalry, under General Morgan, and saw much active service, and received one slight wound. At the close of the war he was discharged at Mt. Sterling, Ky. He was a Democrat and a member of the Masonic lodge.

Dec. 2, 1869, John E. Lightfoot was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Colvin, a native of Harrison County, Ky., born Aug. 9, 1847, who now resides with her son, Charles C., in Van Buren township, Jackson County. To John E. Lightfoot and wife were born the following children: the eldest, a daughter, and died in infancy; Frank, lives near Lone Jack; James, Pleasant Hill ; Susan, married William Cogswell, and resides in Jackson County; May, mamed Oliver Thompson, lives near Lone Jack; Ruth, married William Ingrum, and is now deceased, and Charles D.

Charles D. Lightfoot was born in Jonnson County, Mo., Oct. 10, 1885, and he received his education in the public school, and in early life en¬ gaged in farming and has met with a very satisfactory degree of success. In 1910, he bought a farm in Van Buren township, which he later sold and bought his present place in the same tov/nship. His farm consists of 160 acres and is well improved. He carried on general farming and also raises livestock quite extensively.

Jan. 4, 1910, Charles D. Lightfoot was united in marriage with Miss Bettie Perdue, a native of Jackson County. She is a daughter of Daniel and Amanda (Tyler) Perdue, the former a native of Texas, and the latter of Jackson County. The father spent his entire life in Jackson County,

Thomas B. Hudspeth has not only won a National and even a world¬ wide reputation as a breeder of fox and wolf hounds, but he has achieved a material success as a farmer, stockman and orchardist. He is, without doubt, one of the most versatile and able men of his class in Missouri, and is known far and wide throughout the land wherever there are hu: ..nan or dog lovers. Mr. Hudspeth's splendid country estate in Foit townships bears ample testimony of the fact that he has not i the material side of industry while indulging himself in his he of hound breeder and sportsman. Mr. Hudspeth is owner of 1,200 acres of farm land in Jackson County, divided into three improved farms.

been in the family since it was entered from the government his an¬ cestor. Sixteen years ago he planted an apple orchard of 50 acres, and this orchard is now 'giving great yields of apples. The 1919 crop has yielded a total of 2,599 barrels all of which is handled by the proprietor, placed in cold storage, and sold by him.

Mr. Hudspeth's entire large estate is under his personal management and supervision, only 90 acres of which are cultivated by tenants. He is one of the well known Missouri jack breeders, and raises numbers of mules each year, making a specialty of jacks for breeding purposes. He has, at the present writing, on his place, 50 head of horses and mules, 30 head of cattle, and 150 head of fine hogs.

Colonel Hudspeth's real specialty, however, is his fox hounds. For over 50 years he has been producing the finest fox and wolf hounds in America, and has sold the product of his breeding kennels in all parts of the United States, Canada and the Phillipine Islands. He shipped the first fox hounds to the Islands in 1914. They ere the fi'^'^t real fox hounds ever shipped to the Phillipines, demonstrating _ i,hat our

Island possessions are becoming thoroughly Ameii i when Uncle Sam's children across the seas can take up the good old sport of chasing the elusive fox. He has shipped hounds to points in Old Mexico. During his career he has produced many prize winning animals, and has been awarded many silver cups for his exhibits in past years. He was awarded a silver loving cup by the Kansas City Kennel Club for the largest exhibit of hounds (52) in 1915. In 1914 he was awarded the silver cup for the best fox hound shown at the Kansas City Kennel Club's exhibit. In both 1911 and 1912 he carried off the honors and won the cups. He was awarded the cup at the Springfield meet in 1906, held by the Springfield, Mo., Kennel Club, for the best hounds, although he only showed two ani¬ mals at this meet. Mr. Hudspeth usually keeps from 100 to 300 hounds on his farm.

A little history of the breeding and production of the Hudspeth fox and wolf hounds will be apt at this point. During the Civil War, Thomas B. Hudspeth was yet a boy. His family, like others in Jackson County, were forced to leave the county on account of Order No. 11. He could not bear to leave his favorite hounds with no one to look after them. Ac¬ cordingly he selected the best hounds which his uncle then had, and went with them to the North Grand River country. While living there he had many fine races after deer and fox. When the war was over he returned to the old home in Fort Osage township, with 16 fine hounds, all tried and true animals, who had never failed nor flunked on the chase.

There were but few houses left standing in the country at that time, and it looked like a wilderness. Wild game, such as wild dogs, wolves, wild cats, and foxes abounded. Domestic poultry and animals were not safe because of the depredations of these wild animals. Thomas Hudspeth's hounds proved to be of great value in ridding the neighborhood of the beasts which preyed upon domestic animals, inasmuch as he owned the only pack of trained animals in the country at the time. The news that he owned a splendid pack of hounds soon spread all over the country, and he was besieged with invitations to come to the homes of the settlers and help them hunt the wild animals. As he was fond of the sport he rarely refused an invitation, and was busily engaged for some time in running his hounds in chase of the foxes and wolves, which were numerous in the county.

Colonel Hudspeth has bred hounds since that time - a period of 54 years - and has given his direct attention to breeding since 1861. He has met with success, and is not only a practical hunter, but is a lover of the chase. It has been Mr. Hudspeth's experience that to successfully breed and raise hounds requires years of experience and close study, and also love of hunting, which gives that perfect confidence and accord between the hunter and his hounds.

The Hudspeth hounds are descended from animals brought to Jackson County by his grandfather, in 1828, his gi'andfather being a sportsman, who brought with him from Kentucky, his hounds, race horses, game

In 1858, a colony of English went to the State of Kansas. They took with them some fine English fox hounds. One of the young hounds be¬ longing to the pack was lost where the party camped, and was brought to Mr. Hudspeth's uncle's house by some of the negroes. His uncle knew nothing of the short-eared hound, and dubbed the animal a cur, because he had coarse hair and short ears. After he was full grown they very soon found out he was the right kind. On two different occasions he out¬ ran about 30 other hounds. They got so far behind in nine hours that they failed to get in at the killing, except one female, named "Fancy." The big wolf hid in a log, and was shot by a man named John Hamilton. This wolf was the largest ever seen in the county. The name of "Ringwood" was given this English hound. "Ringwood" and "Fancy" were crossed. "Fancy" was a descendant of Col. James Chiles' "Old White Foot," which he had obtained from Wash. Maupin, and was brought to Missouri from Kentucky by Colonel Chiles in 1829. "Old White Foot" was sired by "Tennessee Leed," who had outran all of Mr. Maupin's hounds in the chase. Thus, the history of the Hudspeth's hounds extend¬ ing over 100 years is summed up.

Thomas B. Hudspeth was born on the farm where he is now living, in 1849. He is a son of Thomas Jefferson Hudspeth, who was born in Kentucky, Feb. 17, 1805, and died Nov. 16, 1849. Thomas J. Hudspeth died, of mountain fever, contracted while in California, he having been one of the forty-niners who crossed the plains and mountains when the first news of the great gold strike in California was given out to the world. He was a son of William Hudspeth, a native of North Carolina, who first emigrated to Kentucky and thence came to Jackson County, Mo., in 1826, and settled here in 1828, his first trip being for the purpose of looking over the country and securing a location. William Hudspeth was a son of Major Hudspeth, who was a soldier and officer in the Amer¬ ican Army during the Revolution. Thomas Jefferson Hudspeth was mar¬ ried in Jackson County, Nov. 29, 1829, to Cynthia Hambright, a daughter of James Hambright, who was a son of Colonel Hambright, of North Car¬ olina, who was also a soldier of the Revolution. James Hambright came to Jackson County in 1826, when the first official survey of the county was made, and the county organized. The children born to Thomas Jef¬ ferson and Cynthia Hudspeth were: Henrietta, deceased; Mrs. Missouri Kimsey, Buckner, Mo.; Mary P., deceased; William James, deceased; Mrs.

Sarah Adaline Truitt, Buckner, Mo. ; Thomas B., of this review. The mother of the foregoing children was born April 20, 1813, and died Jan. 6, 1883.

Twice during the Civil War the Hudspeth home was burned and looted of its contents by Redlegs from Kansas. In 1863, when the ma¬ rauders surrounded the home, and set fire to it, Mrs. Hudspeth tried to save some fine silk coverlets from their hands. She and the servants were caiTying them out, but the Redlegs seized them and carried them away with other loot on their saddles. They filled their saddle bags with house¬ hold treasures, which could never be replaced. They also drove away nearly all of the negroes but Sam, Herod and Dan, who remained loyal to the family, and were with them in the years of reconstruction after the war. The old family bible, which had been in the family since 1832, was miraculously saved, however, and was dug up out of the embers with the edges somewhat charred. The family library of books was in a box built into the wall of the house. Mrs. Hudspeth conceived the idea that the bible might be intact, and she told the negro Sam to try for it. She said, "Sam, scratch in there with a rake, maybe the old bible is not burned up." Sam replied, "Old Miss, that's all foolishness." Sam, however, raked the embers and discovered the bible, which Mr. Hudspeth treasures to this day.

When General Ewing issued Order No. 11, Mrs. Hudspeth was told to take her family and go to Kansas. However, she did not cross the border, but she and her children went to Richmond, Ray County, with Thomas B. Hudspeth's uncle, John Hambright. The war over they retunied to the old home place, and Thomas B. Hudspeth set to work, with assistance, to rebuild the home and buildings. He has resided on the place ever since, and has placed every building and improvement now visible on the old farm.

Mr. Hudspeth was married Dec. 16, 1885, to Mattie Scott, wKo was born in Johnson County, near Rose Hill, in 1859. She is a daughter of Sydney and Sophronia (Baker) Scott. Sydney Scott was a son of William Scott, a soldier of the American Revolution, and a cousin of Gen. Winfield Scott. The following children have been born to this union: One child died in infancy, and Walter Scott Hudspeth.

Walter Scott Hudspeth was born Dec. 4, 1888. He enlisted in the United States Army on Nov. 6, 1916, convinced that his countiy would eventually take part in the great conflict which was then engulfing the entire world. He joined the coast artillery on the Pacific coast, and crossed the Atlantic with the American Expeditionary Forces as a sargeant of heavy artillery. He took part in all of the great engagements on the western front in France, which resulted in the defeat of the Huns, and since his return to America he has been stationed at Camp Taylor, Ky., with the exception of a month's visit at home on a furlough. Mr. and Mrs. Hudspeth are both proud of the fact that their only son kept alive the traditions of the family in the great World War.

Mr. Hudspeth is a pronounced Democrat. He and Mrs. Hudspeth are members of the Christian church. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias Lodge, of Independence. He is a fine, hospitable gentleman of the old school, who has hosts of friends in Jackson County.

James Alexander McKitterick, one of the largest land owners of Jackson County, and one of the best known breeders in this section of the State, is a native of Iowa. He owns 985 acres of land in Prairie township, where he is engaged in general farming and breeding Hereford cattle and mam¬ moth jacks. Mr. McKitterick has been engaged in breeding for the past 30 years, and is recognized as one of the most successful in the business. He has frequently sold stock from his farm by the carload, for range pur¬ poses in the West. He has also been quite extensively engaged in breeding hogs, and as far back as 1879 he shipped the first carload of hogs to Las Vegas, N. M., that was ever shipped to that territory.

Mr. McKitterick was born in Washington County, Iowa, April 27, 1858, a son of William and Elizabeth (Johnson) McKitterick, both natives of Ohio, and descendants of old American families. William McKitterick was born April 1, 1818. He remained in Ohio until 1854, when he removed to Iowa with his wife. He was engaged in farming there until December, 1865, when he came to Missouri, and settled in Parkville. Tn 1867, he came to Jackson County, and settled on the place in Prairie township which is now owned by J. A. McKitterick.

William McKitterick was a son of Alexander and Mary (McKnight) McKitterick, natives of Scotland and Pennsylvania, respectively. In 1814 Alexander McKitterick built the first water mill in Harrison County, Ohio. He lived and died amidst the pioneer surroundings of the early days in Ohio. He took up a claim of goveimment land in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1812, when his nearest neighbor was seven miles distant.

William McKitterick was one of five children born to Alexander and Mary (McKnight) McKitterick, as follow: Catherine, lived to age of 80 years, and died unmarried; Mrs. Jane Tipton; William; James, deceased; and Mrs. Nancy Fisher, deceased. After the death of Alexander McKit- terick his widow married William Ross, and they lived in Morgan County, Ohio, and three children were born to them, as follow; Mrs. Lottie Wil¬ son, deceased; John, went West and located at Seattle, Wash., and owned what was known as the Ross addition; and Mrs. Mary Ann Easlick.

Elizabeth Johnson McKitterick, mother of James Alexander McKitterick, was born Aug. 18, 1830, and died in Jackson County March 28, 1895, and her husband, William McKitterick, died Feb. 9, 1890. They were the parents of five children, as follow: Mary Ann, born Nov. 9, 1859, de¬ ceased; Mrs. Catherine H. Hughes, born April 14, 1856, and died at Roseberg, Oregon, Jan. 13, 1877; James Alexander, the subject of this review; one child, born in June, 1862, died in infancy, and Merritt, boni March 21, 1871, died when three days old.

James Alexander McKitterick was reared on his father's faiTn and at¬ tended the district schools and a college which was then located at Green¬ wood. In 1880, he entered Bryant and Stratton's Business College, at Chi¬ cago, where he completed the general course. He then went to western Kansas, where he had previously invested in the cattle business while in college, and for about five years he was engaged in the cattle business on the plains of western Kansas, and during that time he played the roll of the early day cowboy in real life. In 1884, he bought his first land in Jackson County, although he was interested in farming in this county 10 or 12 years previous to that. He planted his first crop in 1872. He is now the owner of one of the valuable farms of Jackson County, which is under a high state of cultivation, and constantly increasing in value.

July 29, 1890, Mr. McKitterick was united in marriage with Miss Jen¬ nie Estelle Simmons, a native of Jackson County. She is a daughter of John F. and Margarie (Sullivan) Simmons, natives of Illinois, who came to Jackson County in 1869, and are now both deceased. They were the par¬ ents of five children, of whom Mrs. McKitterick is the second in order of birth. To Mr. and Mrs. McKitterick have been born four children, as fol¬ low: Nellie E., married John W. Johnson, Lees Summit; William J., at home with his parents; James A., a student of veterinary surgery in the State Agricultural College, Manhattan, Kan. ; and Robert W., deceased.

Mr. McKitterick is a Republican, but inclined to be independent in local affairs. He has frequently been a delegate to his party conventions. He is well known over a broad scope of territory, and is one of Jackson Count;y's successful men of affairs. Mr. McKitterick has ever been a close observer and a student of men and affairs, and he has a remarkable memory, especially in the matter of dates.

Jesse M. Cave, a prominent farmer and stockman, of Van Buren township, is a descendant of a pioneer family of Jackson County, who have been conspicuously identified with this section since 1838. Mr. Cave was born at Lone Jack, Feb. 22, 1857, a son of Bartlett B. and Lucinda (Row¬ land) Cave, who were the parents of four children, as follows: William H., lives in the State of Washington; Jesse M., the subject of this sketch; Lucenda, deceased, and Phenella, deceased. Lucenda Rowland Cave, the mother of these children, was accidentally killed at the Battle of Lone Jack, and during that engagement her home was burned to the ground.

Bartlett B. Cave married for his second wife, Amelia Satterfield, a native of Tennessee, and six children were bom to that union, as follow's: Dr. Frank Cave, a physician, Kansas City, Mo.; Susan, married Bert Palmer, a bank cashier at Kansas City, Mo.; Benjamin, deceased; Luttie, married Charles Jones, and is now deceased; Noah, also deceased; and Sallie, maiTied John Grinter, Independence.

Bartlett B. Cave, father of Jesse M. Cave, was born in North Carolina, April 22, 1832, and died in Jackson County, in November, 1910. He came to Jackson County in 1838, and settled on a faim near Lone Jack. For a number of years he and Nora Hunt operated a carding mill in the vicinity of Lone Jack. His first wife, Lucinda Rowland, who was killed at the Battle of Lone Jack, was a native of Kentucky, and came to Jackson County with her parents when she was a young girl.

Jesse M. Cave spent his boyhood days amidst the pioneer surroundings of eastern Jackson County, and attended the district school, such as it was in those early days, but he obtained the greater part of his educa¬ tion in the hard school of life. He has always been a close observer and a student of men and events, and it may be fittingly said of him that he is a self-made man. In early life he learned the carpenter trade, and has worked at it considerably during the course of his career. He bought his first land in 1887, and in 1891 bought additional acreage, and is now the owner of 99 acres, upon which he has made extensive improvements. He carries on general farming and stock raising, and has met with success.

Jan. 8, 1881, Mr. Cave was married to Miss Sarah Satterfield, a na¬ tive of Lafayette County, Mo., bom June 29, 1853. She is a daughter of Green D. and Nancy (Joyce) Satterfield, the former a native of Tennes¬ see, and the latter of Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Cave have been bom six children, as follows: Nellie, married A. D. Dale, Kansas City, Mo.; Luella, resides in Kansas City, Mo.; William, deceased; Margaret, married

Mr. Cave is a Democrat and takes an active interest in local public affairs, and is public spirited and is progressive. He has served on the local school board and held the office of road overseer. He holds member¬ ship in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Wood¬ men of Am.erica.

Jesse B. Yankee, cashier of the Bank of Lone Jack, Lone Jack, Mo., is a native of Missouri, and a member of one of the well known pioneer fami¬ lies of this section of the State. Mr. Yankee was born in Lafayette County, April 13, 1863. He is a son of Wesley and Sarah (Franklin) Yankee, to whom were born seven children, as follow: Frank, lives in Van Buren township; Fannie, married Lopez Thompson, and resides in Cass County; Anna, married Boone Smith, Cooper County; Emogene, manned A. F. Houston, Cass County; Jesse B., the subject of this sketch; William K., In¬ dependence; and Emma, married Jacob Hunt, Van Buren tbwnship. By a former marriage, to a Miss Underwood, Wesley Yankee was the father of five children, as follow: James A., deceased; Samuel, deceased; Amelia, married Sam McGlathery, and is now deceased ; Joseph, deceased ; and Eliza, married William H. Maxwell, and is now a widow, residing in Kansas City, Mo.

Wesley Yankee was born in Boyle County, Ky., and came to Jackson County with his parents in 1837. He was a son of Samuel and Ann (Graves) Yankee, natives of Kentucky. He was a farmer and spent his life in Jackson County, .where he and his wife both died.

Jesse B. Yankee spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and attended the district schools. When he was 21 years of age he began life for himself, operating the home farm. Later he and his brother, Wil¬ liam K., bought a farm in partnership. Mr. Yankee's next business ven¬ ture was in the livery business at Lees Summit. He was successful in this and purchased his brother's interest in the farm, which they jointly owned, and now owns 115 acres of valuable land in Van Buren township. He disposed of his livery business in Lees Summit in 1891, and was engaged in farming until 1911, when he became cashier of the Bank of Lone Jack, and since that time has devoted himself to that position. The Bank of Lone Jack was organized in 1909, and Mr. Yankee was one of the organizers. This bank has had a constant growth and a steady in¬ crease in its volume of business since its organization, and is one of the

Mr. Yankee was united in marriage Nov. 15, 1888, with Miss Minnie Trundle, a native of Kentucky. She is a daughter of Nicholas and Sarah (McClintock) Trundle, both natives of Bourbon County, Ky., and early settlers in Jackson County. The Trundle family came to Jackson County about 1868, and the parents are both now deceased.

Mr. Yankee is a Democrat and a member of the Christian church. His lodge affiliations are with the Masons and the Modern Woodmen of Amer¬ ica. He is a capable financier and well qualified for the responsible position which he holds.

Daniel F. TiJplett, prosperous farmer of Fort Osage township, has lived all of his life on the Triplett farm in the Six Mile neighborhood. He was born on this farm, Dec. 14, 1858, and is a son of Eli and Margaret (Hart) Triplett, natives of West Virginia.

Eli Triplett came to Jackson County during the early forties, and was in this county when news came of the discovery of gold in Califoimia. He crossed the plains and mountains en route to the Pacific coast with an ox-teams, mined gold for some months, and returned home with his gold by way of the Isthmus of Panama, his dunnage being carried across the Isth¬ mus by a small burro. He came up the Missouri and Mississippi rivers by steamboat, and then made a trip back to West Virginia. He settled in Jackson County in 1857, on the place now owned by his son, Daniel F. Triplett. Eli Triplett was a skilled carpenter and cabinet maker, in his day being considered the finest skilled workman in the neighborhood. He was kept busily employed by the settlers until the outbreak of the Civil War, when the family removed to Ray County, on account of Order No. 11. They returned to the home after the war closed, and Eli Triplett lived on his place until his death, in 1879, at the age of 61 years. His wife, Mar¬ garet, was born in 1834, and died in 1887. She was a daughter of James Hart, who was a scion of one of the old and distinguished colonial fami¬ lies of America. He was a son of James Hart, who married Nellie Chenowith. James Hart was a son of Daniel Hart, who married Margaret Bland. Daniel Hart was a son of John Hart, whom the official records show, was a signer of the Dedaration of Independence, and a great patriot during the Revolutionary period. Daniel Hart was born at the ancestral home in New Jersey, in 1778, and moved to Randolph County, Va., in 1794. In he was elected to represent the county in the State Legislature. Eli nplett was the father of three children: Daniel F., of this review; Ida

Daniel, F. Triplett And Wife

Triplett, living in Harrison County, Mo. ; Mrs. Emma Pemberton, wife of Elwin Pemberton, living on a farm north of the Triplett place in Fort Osage township.

Daniel F. Triplett attended the Six Mile Academy, which held its sessions in a log school house. This was a splendid school in the early days, and had students who came for many miles around. He was reared on the home farm, and came into possession of it through inheritance, and purchase of the interests of the other heirs. The Triplett farm con¬ sists of 202 acres, upon which is a fine orchard.

Mr. Triplett was married in 1884 to Miss Ada Gallagher, who was born in Sumner County, Ill., April 16, 1863. She is a daughter of John and Katie Gallagher, the former of whom was bom on the Atlantic ocean when his parents were crossing the sea from England to America. The Gallaghers came to Jackson County, Mo., from Illinois, in 1865. Four children have been born to this marriage: Vernon H., on the home farm; Mrs. Delia Hostetter, Fort Osage township; Bernard W., east of Buckner; Hugh D., a student in the Missouri State University; Carrie, attending the Buckner High School; Roger Layton died of typhoid fever in August. 1911, at the age of 20 years. When the Liberty Bell was brought to Kan¬ sas City in 1917 for the purpose of arousing the patriotism of the people of the West, Miss Carrie Triplett had a place of honor, and took part in the exercises for the day, because of the fact that she was a direct lineal descendant of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Mr. Triplett is an independent voter. He and his family are members of the Six Mile Baptist Church. He is affiliated with the Odd Fellows Lodge of Sibley, and the Yeomen, and is one of the most substantial citi¬ zens of Jackson County.

Hiram B. Tucker, a substantial and well-to-do farmer and stockman of Van Buren township, is a native of Jackson County, and a descendant of one of the pioneer families of this section of Missouri. Mr. Tucker was born in the township where he now resides, Jan. 17, 1858. He is a son of Thomas B. and Martha A. (Powell) Tucker, who were the parents of six children, of whom Hiram B. was the eldest. The others are as follows : Anna E., deceased ; Thomas J., lives in Van Buren township ; William T., resides in Oklahoma; Louisa R., married F. E. Calvert, Ft. Smith, Ark.; and Mrs. Ruby Brain, Van Buren township.

Thomas B. Tucker was born in Surry County, N. C., Dec. 10, 1824, and died in 1908. He came to Missouri with his parents in 1835, when he was 11 years of age. The Tucker family settled on a farm about one and one-half miles from Hiram B. Tucker's present place. Martha A. Powell, mother of Hiram B. Tucker, was born in Jackson County, just east of Independence, May 16, 1835, and now resides in Jackson County, making her home with her son, Thomas J,

Hiram B. Tucker was reared on his father's farm in Jackson County, and received his education in the public schools and William Jewell Col¬ lege. He was reared to the ways of farm life and since early boyhood has been familiar with the details of farming. In 1900 he purchased his present farm, which consists of 120 acres of valuable land in Van Buren township. He has made improvements and has been generally successful in his farming operations.

Mr. Tucker was married in November, 1894, to Miss Francis E. Cox, a native of Jackson County, and a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Keirsey) Cox, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Jackson County. To Mr. and Mrs. Tucker have been born one child, Mattie Elizabeth, who resides at home with her parents.

Isaac W. Steele, a leading farmer of Prairie township, where he owns and operates a farm of 240 acres, is a member of one of Jackson County's pioneer families. He bears the unusual distinction of having been born on a farm in Kansas City, Mo., Feb. 19, 1854. His father's farm was located between what is now Ninth and Eighteenth streets, along Jackson avenue, and the house stood near the corner of Twelfth street and Jackson avenue.

Isaac W. Steele is a son of Hardin and Jane (Harr) Steele, the former a native of Bath County, Kentucky, born in 1800, and the latter of Penn¬ sylvania. They were the parents of three children, as follow : Alvin, Harrisonville. Mo.; Isaac W., the subject of this sketch, and one died in infancy. The mother was first married to Mr. Eacott, and to that union six children were born, one of whom is now living, Mrs. Mollie Hutchinson, of Leeds, Missouri.

Hardin Steele came to Missouri about 1828, and in 1830 settled at Westport Landing, which is now within the limits of Kansas City. He was a farmer, and followed that vocation during his active career. He died in 1875.

Isaac W. Steele was reared on his father's farm, and educated in the public schools of Jackson County. He attended school in a house that stood where Elmwood cemetery is now located in Kansas City. He began his career as a farmer, operating his father's farm. In 1886 he bought his present place in Prairie township, where he is the owner of 240 acres, which is mostly devoted to the production of small grain. Mr. Steele has made many improvements on his place, and is one of Jackson County's most successful farmers. He uses modern methods in his farming, and his place is well equipped with the most practical faiTn machinery.

Mr. Steele married Levonia Marrow, a native of Arkansas, and five children have been born to them, as follow : Archie, who lives on the home place in Prairie township; Nannie, mamed Dr. Carson, Willsall, Mont.; Clarence, Scammon, Kan.; Emily, married E. Jones, Lees Summit; and Edward, Kansas City, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Steele have ten grandchildren.

Mr. Steele is a Democrat, and a member of the Masonic lodge. He is a public spirited and a progressive citizen, and is widely and favorably known in Jackson County.

William .1. Willsey, hardware salesman at Greenwood, Mo., although a native of Illinois, has been identified with Jackson County for 45 years. He was born in Pike County, Illinois, Oct. 1, 1858, and is the son of John J. and Elizabeth (McClintock) Willsey. He is the eldest of four children bom to his parents, the others being: Lucenda, married Walter Merr^, Argentine, Kan.; Mary, married William McCullick, Greenwood, Mo., an^d one child died in infancy.

John J. Willsey was born in the State of New York, July 19, 1832, and died in Jackson County, in August, 1919. He removed from his native State to Illinois in the early sixties, and in 1875 came to Missouri and set¬ tled in Prairie township, Jackson County. He followed farming and stock raising, and was very successful, owning at the time of his death property in Greenwood. He was a son of James Willsey, who was also a native of New York, and settled in Vernon County, Missouri, sometime after his son settled in this State. Elizabeth McClintock Willsey was born in Indiana, Dec. 14, 1833, and now lives with her youngest daughter, Mrs. William McCullick, Greenwood.

William J. Willsey came to Missouri with his parents in 1875, and remained on the home place until 1893. He then began farming on his own account. He became the owner of a farm in Jackson County, which he improved and operated until 1918, when he sold it and bought 160 acres in Linn County, Kansas.

Mr. Willsey was first married to Miss Lucinda Jones, a native of Tazwell County, Illinois, and one child was bora to that union, Mrs. Addie F. Welch, Baxter Springs, Kan. Mr. Willsey was married the second time, Oct. 3, 1892, to Lydia Harger, a native of Jackson County. She is a daugh- ter of Samuel J. and Margaret (Cramer) Harger, natives of Ohio. They lived in Jackson County for a short time, when they moved to Bates County. To Mr. and Mrs. Willsey has been bom one son, John W., who resides at home with his parents.

Mr. Willsey is a Democrat, and a member of the Christian church. He holds membership in the Masonic lodge and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has seen many changes since he came to Jackson County as a boy, 45 years ago. He has a distinct recollection of many of the early day happenings in and about Kansas City, and recalls having ridden on the old mule street car. In fact, he has almost seen Kansas City and Jackson County grow up.

Peter htephehs Alexander, now living retired at Lees Summit, and the owner of 400 acres of land, is one of Jackson County's successful men of affairs, and has been identified with the agriculture interest of this county for over half a century. For many years he was a successful cattle and hog feeder, and also handled mules and sheep. He made a specialty of pure-bred Shropshires and always found a ready sale in Kan¬ sas and Missouri for his fine strain of sheep.

Peter S. Alexander is a native of Missouri, and is a descendant of the very early pioneer families of this State. He was born in Moniteau town¬ ship, Cooper County, Feb. 21, 1839, and is the son of Alfred Anderson and Alpha Ann (Stephens) Alexander, who were the parents of 11 chil¬ dren, of whom Peter S. is the only survivor.

Alfred Anderson Alexander was born in Woodford County, Ky., in 1800, and came with his parents to Missouri in 1806. He was reared in Cole County, and later moved to Cooper County, where he followed farm¬ ing throughout his life. He died in 1876. He was a son of James and Betsy (Ashcraft) Alexander, natives of Kentucky. Alpha Ann Stephens, mother of Peter S. Alexander, was born in Palestine township, Cooper County, in 1804, and died in about 1877.

Peter S. Alexander was reared on a farm in Cooper County, and edu¬ cated in the schools of the times. In 1866 he came to Jackson County and purchased 400 acres of land and later added more acreage to his holdings. He paid $22.50 per acre for his first purchase. However, when he came here he could have bought an 80 at $8.00 per acre. Since coming to Jackson County he has followed farming and stock raising and has met with well rnerited success. During the Civil War Mr. Alexander served in the onfederate Army for a short time, but was captured by the Federals

Nov. 27, 1862, Mr, Alexander was united in marriage with Miss Sallie Chinn, a native of Cooper County, born June 2, 1844. She is a daugh¬ ter of Heniy and Sallie (Jones) Chinn, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Cooper County, Mo. To Mr, and Mrs, Alexander have been born six children, as follows: Virginia, married Charles F. Porter, Salt Lake City, Utah ; Thomas J,, Bronson, Mo. ; Alpha, married M. Trun¬ dle, Lees Summit; Laura L., married William Shawhan, Pleasant Hill; Frasier, Lone Jack, and Georgia, married John French, and now lives in Mexico City, Mexico.

Harvey H. Gentiy, a well known farmer and dairyman of Van Buren township, who has also won a wide reputation as a successful stock breeder, was born in Stanford, Ky., July 3, 1859. He is the son of Valen¬ tine W. and Susan A. (Engleman) Gentry, who were the parents of seven children,

Valentine W. Gentry was born in Kentucky, and spent his life in his native State, where he died in 1884. He was a son of Richard and Nancy (Guthrie) Gentry, natives of Virginia. Richard Gentry was a Revolutionary soldier, and served under Washington. He was at the Battle of Yorktown and witnessed the surrender of the British troops by Lord Cornwallis. He was the father of 20 children.

In 1884, Harvey H. Gentry came to Jackson County and entered the employ of W. S, Woods, at Kansas City, Mo, He resided in Kansas City for 18 years. He then purchased 27 acres of land at Englewood, and five years later bought 140 acres northeast of Independence. He was engaged in farming and stock raising on this place until 1918, when he purchased his present place of 153 acres in Van Buren township, which was known as the George Shawhan place. This is one of the historic places in Jackson County, and for many years was the home of Shawhan distillery. There are five springs on the place, from eight to ten feet deep, w^hich afford an excellent quality of water, which no doubt is the reason that this place was selected as a desirable site for a distillery. Mr. Gentry, in addition to his general farming and dairying business, is devoting a great deal of attention to breeding pure-bred livestock, which includes Holstein cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs. Possessing the traditional traits of a true

Mr. Gentry was married in 1888 to Miss Nettie Bloom, who was born and reared at Mt. Vernon, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Gentry have been born the following children: Harvey, Susanna Catherine and Andrew E., all of whom are residing at home with their parents. Two children died in infancy.

Samuel J. Moore, a successful and well known farmer and stockman, of Van Burcn township, is a native of North Carolina. He was born in Sayre County, April 22, 1862. He is a son of John and Sallie (Howard) Moore, and is one of 11 children born to them, three of whom are now living. The father died in North Carolina, and in 1867, the mother came to Missouri , from that State with her family and settled in Johnson Coun¬ ty. Here she reared her family under adverse circumstances, and v/ith small means. However, by a constant struggle, good management and a determination to win, she kept her family together during those trying times, and finally had the satisfaction of living to see all of her surviving childien prosperous and doing well in the world of affairs. She died about

Samuel J. Moore, from early boyhood, assisted his mother on the home place, and later worked in a tobacco factory at Lone Jack for six years. In 1888, he engaged in the mercantile business at Fulkerson, John¬ son County, and was also postmaster at that place for 11 years. He then tiaded his mercantile business for the farm which he now owns, in Van Buren township. He has made many improvements on this place, and it is one of the valuable farms of the county. His farming operations are conducted according to modern methods, with modern machinery. In 1914, he moved to Warrensburg, and remained there while his daughtei-, Ruth, was a student in the State Normal School ; in 1917, he returned to his farm, where he has since resided.

Mr. Moore was united in marriage on Jan. 22, 1884, in Adams County, B;., with Miss Christina Peacock, a native of Illinois, and to this union five children have been born, Ruth, the only one living, is a graduate from sociation for 25 years, and has served as its secretary and treasurer. He is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Church South. He is a progressive and well informed citizen, and has met with success in his undertaking.

Frasier McVein Alexander, son of Peter Stephens Alexander, is the owner of the historic old Noah Hunt farm in Van Buren township, near Lone Jack. Mr. Alexander is the owner of 244 acres of land and is exten¬ sively engaged in the dairy business. He was born Feb. 25, 1880, south¬ west of Lone Jack, in Van Buren township. He was educated in the Wentworth Military School, at Lexington, Mo., and upon leaving school he engaged in the stock business, and for the past 20 years has been in that business. He has bought and sold mules extensively.

Dec. 10, 1913, Frasier M. Alexander was married to Mary Bell Boggs, a native of Prairie township, Jackson County, born Feb. 10, 1884. She is a daughter of John F. and Mary (Carlew) Boggs, natives of Jackson County. John F. Boggs is a son of John 0. and Bethany (Shepherd f Boggs, natives of Kentucky, who came to Missouri at a very early day and settled in Jackson County. Mrs. Alexander's mother died at Lone Jack, and her father how resides at Pleasant Hill. To Mr. and Mrs. Alexander have been bom two children, Thelma and Jack.

Zachariah W. Yankee, the owner of a valuable farm of 240 acres, is one of the progressive farmers and stockmen of Van Buren township, and for the last four years has been a successful breeder of Hereford cattle and Hampshire hogs. Mr. Yankee is a native of Jackson County, and a descendant of one of the pioneer families of this section of the State. He was born in Van Buren township, Oct. 19, 1857, and is the son of David and Orlena (Beeler) Yankee, and is the third in order of birth of a family of ten children born to them.

David Yankee was a native of Kentucky, born in 1827. He was the son of Sam and Amelia Yankee, who were also natives of Kentucky, and among the very early settlers of this county. They came here with their family in 1830, and spent the remainder of their lives in Jackson County. David Yankee died in 1872, and his widow now resides with her daugh¬ ters in Van Buren township, and is 88 years old. She was bora in Ten¬ nessee, and was brought to Jackson County by her parents when she was two years old, in 1833.

Zachariah W. Yankee spent his boyhood days on the home farm, and attended the district school. He has followed farming and stock raising all his life, and in 1899 bought his present place. He has made improve- ments, and has one of the valuable farms of Jackson County. Four years ago he began breeding pure-bred Hereford cattle and Hampshire hogs, and has met with success in this department of animal husbandry.

Dec. 12, 1889, Mr. Yankee was united in marriage with Miss Annie Ragsdale, a native, of Jackson County, born April 12, 1866. She is a daughter of Dr. Edward Ragsdale. To Mr. and Mrs. Yankee has been born three children, as follows; Vernie E., Archie E., and Lula E., all of whom reside at home with their parents. Mr. Yankee is a Democrat, and takes a commendable interest in public affairs.

James H. Douglas. - The late James H. Douglas was one of the early pioneers in this county, and one of the original forty-niners. Pio¬ neer, gold seeker, soldier in the Civil War, and lastly, a home builder in time of peace, which followed the Civil War, he builded well and wisely, and his name will always be an honored and respected one in the annals of this county.

James H. Douglas was born near Richmond, Ky., June 5, 1829, and died March 11, 1911, at his home in Jackson County. He was a son of Thomas Douglas, who came to Jackson County from Kentucky in 1835, and settled in Fort Osage township. He had a family of 14 children, of whom James H. was the seventh child in order of birth. J. iJ. Douglas made the trip to the gold fields of California in 1850, and remained for three years in the mining camps of the Pacific coast, returning in 1853. He served three years in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, under Generals Shelby and Marmaduke. He was captured near West Plains, Mo., after a battle which occurred in Howell County, Mo., but was later exchanged, in July, 1863, having been held a prisoner from January until July. He took part in the Battle of Kenesaw Mountain, under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, in June, 1864, and was wounded in the right eye. He received an honorable discharge from the service on account of his dis¬ ability, and returaed home. In 1865 he began farming, and became the owner of 247 acres of land in Fort Osage township, which he improved.

Mr. Douglas w^as married Sept. 4, 1859, to Miss Henrietta Dickson, a daughter of Ebenezer Dickson, a pioneer of Jackson County. Mrs. Doug¬ las died Sept. 13, 1879, leaving children as follow : Mary, wife of Charles Marsh, Missoula, Mont.; Thomas went to Califoniia in 1888, and for sev¬ eral years has not been heard from; Hattie, wife of H. Truitt, of Inde¬ pendence; Myra, died in 1914; Ebenezer was last heard from in British Columbia, in 1899; Myrtle, wife of C. M. Winfrey, Fort Osage township ;

James H. Douglas

James Oliver, born Feb, 28, 1877, resides with his brother on the old home place of the family, and is chief cook and housekeeper, and a good one.

The Douglas home is kept looking as neat as can be, and the two brothers, Walter and James Oliver, enjoy their comforts and live well sat¬ isfied with their bachelor existence. They are owners of the Douglas farm of 285 acres, land which was entered from the government by their grandfather over 80 years ago. They are progressive and enterprisingcitizens, and Walter Douglas is a director of the Fanners Bank of Buckner.

James H. Douglas was a member of the Church of Christ, and was a Free Mason. He was one of the best known men of Fort Osage town¬ ship, and was well and highly respected for his many excellent qualities.

John Blackwell, who is prominently identified with the agricultural interest of Jackson County, and the owner of a well improved farm in Van Buren township, is a native of North Carolina. He was born in Yad¬ kin County, April 9, 1876, and is the son of James F. and Nannie (Keirsey) Blackwell, and was the only child born to his parents. James F. Blackwell was born in North Carolina, March 31, 1846, and now resides at Odessa, Mo. Nannie Keirsey Blackwell was also a native of North Caro¬ lina, and came to Jackson County with her parents, who were early settlers here, and entered land from the government. Mrs. Blackwell died in 1901, at the age of 53 years, and Mr. Blackwell afterwards married Mrs. Mary Daniels Whitsitt.

John Blackwell was reared to manhood at Odessa, Mo., and received his education in the public schools there. He began life as a clerk in a drygoods and a furnishing goods store at Odessa, and was thus engaged for 12 years. He settled in Odessa with his parents, who came from Northa Carolina when he was about eight years old, and he has spent his life in Missouri since that time, with the exception of three years spent in Texas. For a time he operated rented land in Lafayette County, rent¬ ing from his father. In 1915, he purchased his present place in Van Buren township, and has since made extensive improvements. He owns 120 acres of land, and in addition to his general farming and stock rais¬ ing he has recently engaged in breeding Shorthorn cattle and Chester White hogs.

Mr. Blackwell was married June 21, 1916, to Miss Ada Hunt, of Lone Jack. She is the youngest daughter of Noah Hunt, one of the very early pioneers of eastern Jackson County.

and the sixth in order of birth. He came to Missouri from North Caro¬ lina with his parents, in 1842, when he was about 11 years old. The fam¬ ily first settled at Warrensburg', and about a year later the father pur¬ chased land in Jackson County, near Sni Mills, and moved there with his family.

Noah Hunt remained on his father's farm, and attended the subscrip¬ tion school, until 1849, when his father built a horse-power grist mill on Sni Creek. This was the origin of Sni Mills. Noah Hunt took charge of this mill. In 1856 corn burrs were installed in this tread mill, and in 1859 the horse-power was replaced by a steam power. In 1861 the mill was burned by soldiers. Noah Hunt also operated a wool carding machine near Lone Jack, which he continued to operate until about the close of the Civil War. In 1888 he installed a four-roller mill system in his mill, and at that time he was operating under the name of "Noah Hunt and Son, Roller Mill." In 1896 the Noah Hunt machinery was moved to Pleas¬ ant Hill, where his sons continued to operate.

Noah Hunt was twice married. Aug. 28, 1851, he was married to Miss Mary E. Cave, of near Lone Jack. Twelve children were born to this union, seven of whom are living. The wife and mother died March 7, 1879. Sept. 13, 1880, Noah Hunt was married to Mrs. Mary E. Travis, widow of Dr. J. R. Travis.

Luther Rowland, of Van Buren township, has won a wide reputation in this section of Missouri as a successful breeder of jacks and jennies, a business in which he has been engaged for a number of years. Mr. Row^- land was bom in Van Buren township, Jackson County, about two miles east of Lone Jack, May 7, 1866. He is a son of Buford M. and Nancy (Yankee) Rowland, who were the parents of 13 children, 11 of whom grew to maturity. Luther was the ninth in order of birth, and they were all born in Jackson County, excepting L. L., who was born in Carroll County, where the family lived when Order No. 11 was in effect, during the Civil War.

Buford Rowland was bom in Bourbon County, Ky., and came to Mis^ souri, locating near Lone Jack, at a very early day. He died here at the advanced age of 83 years, and his widow now lives at Lone Jack, and is in her 89th year.

and stock raising for himself since he was 21 years old. He has always been interested in mules, and for the past 25 years has given special at¬ tention to breeding jacks and jennies. He has sold jacks and jennies over a broad scope of territory, including Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma, and has received some very fancy prices for his stock. He recently sold a five-year-old jack for $950.

Mr. Rowland was married March 31, 1896, to Miss Della Graham, a native of Jackson County, born in Van Buren township. She is a daugh¬ ter of Ambrose and Sarah (Stultz) Graham, both natives of Missouri. Mr. Graham was an extensive breeder of jacks and jennies, and it was he who gave Mr. Rowland his first start in that industry. Mr. and Mrs. Rowland have no children.

Mr. Rowland is a Democrat and a member of the Presbyterian church. He holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America, and is one of the progressive citizens of Jackson County.

Hugh McClure Shepherd, who for many years was actively engaged in farming and stock raising in Van Buren township, and is the owner of 320 acres of land, has been a resident of Jackson County practically since the Civil War. He was born in Paint township, Madison County, Ohio, Aug. 1, 1836, and is a son of John B. and Keziah (McClure) Shepherd.

John Shepherd was a native of Virginia, bom near Harper's Ferry, in October, 1800, and died in London, Ohio, Jan. 15, 1853. He was a farmer, and spent his entire life in Ohio, and at the time of his death was the owner of 350 acres of land. His grandfather was a paymaster in the British army. Keziah McClure, the mother of Hugh M. Shepherd, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in October, 1805, and died in Ohio about 1886. She was a daughter of Hugh McClure, who was of Scotch descent. He was a government surveyor in Ohio.

Hugh M. Shepherd received his early education in an old log school house, typical of the times, in Madison County, Ohio. During the Civil War he served as captain of the State Militia in Ohio, and after the war he came to Missouri and settled in Jackson County, about six miles east of Lees Summit. He has owned two or three different farms in this county, owning at one time 500 acres of land. In 1883 he bought his pres¬ ent farm of 320 acres, upon Which he has made extensive improvements, and since that time has made his home here, and has successfully carried on farming and stock raising.

1899. She was a daughter of James and Hanna E. (Littleton) Beers. James Beers was a native of Ohio, and was engaged in the mercantile busi¬ ness practically all his life. His wife was a native of Virginia. Mrs. Shepherd was a talented woman and highly educated. She was a grad¬ uate of the Woman's College at Xenia, Ohio. She w^as a member of the Presbyterian Church, and lived a consistent Christian life, and made the world better for having lived in it. To Hugh M. Shepherd and wife were bom five children, as follows: Hallie, who died at five years of age; Stella, married Alonzo Warren, 1836 East Seventy-ninth street, Kansas City, Mo.; James F., employed in the Trust Company Bank, at Independ¬ ence; Hugh, a graduate of the Harvard Law School, and now a practicing attorney at Detroit, Mich., and Albert, who died in 1915; his widow now resides at Waverly, Kan.

Mr. Shepherd is a Democrat. During his entire life he has been a great reader and is especially a constant student of history, having read most of the standard works on history several times. He not only reads history, but studies it.

Nicholas Amos^ a substantial farmer and stockman, of Van Buren township, is one of the few pioneers of Jackson County who is still active¬ ly engaged in the very-day business affairs of life. Mr. Amos is a native of Kentucky. He was born in Bourbon County, Oct. 14, 1838, and is a son of Abraham and Julia (Matheny) Amos, who were the parents of three children, two of whom are now living, the subject of this sketch and Mrs. Sarah Kennedy, who also resides in Van Buren township.

Abraham Amos was bora in Bourbon County, Ky., and came to Jackson County with his family, in 1855. And at that time purchased the farm where Nicholas now resides. The first house built in Van Buren township was erected upon this place. It was a log cabin. When the Amos family came to Missouri they came from Louisville, Ky., to St. Louis, by boat, and from there by boat up the Missouri River as far as Roachport. The name of the boat on which they made the trip from St. Louis up the Missouri was the "David Tatum." From Roachport they drove to Jackson County with teams. Abraham Amos was a slave holder and when the Civil War broke out and when Order No. 11 was issued, he was forced to leave Jackson County until after the war. Julia Matheny Amos, mother of Nicholas Amos, was bora in Bourbon County, Ky., in 1810, and died in 1888. Abraham Amos also died in 1888, at the age of 78 years.

Nicholas Amos came to Jackson County with his parents in 1855. He was then about 17 years of age, and since that time he has made his home here, excepting for a period of 14 years, when he was engaged in the mercantile business at Pleasant Hill, and during the Civil War. When the war broke out he enlisted in Colonel Irvin's company. First regiment, Mis¬ souri infantry. He took part in a number of important engagements, in¬ cluding Cowskin, Wilson Creek, and the Battle of Lexington, and during his military career he was taken prisoner twice. After the war he re¬ turned to his farm, and has lived there ever since, excepting the time above mentioned when he was in Pleasant Hill. He is the owner of 210 acres of land, and has made a success of farming and stock raising.

Dec. 13, 1877, Mr. Amos was married to Miss Mary P. Davis, a native of Henry County, Mo. She is a daughter of John and Sarah (Kersey) Davis, and is the second in order of birth of four children bom to them. She has a brother, Dury Davis, who now resides in Van Buren township. John Davis was born in Virginia, Sept. 5, 1815, and died in Jackson Coun¬ ty, in September, 1866. Upon coming to Missouri he first settled in Henry County. When gold was discovered in California, in 1849, he crossed the plains to the Pacific coast, but shortly afterwards returned to Missouri. His wife was born March 25, 1827, and died Oct. 9, 1906.

To Nicholas Amos and wife have been born two children: Granville, who married Katie Keys, and one daughter has been born to them, Gran¬ ville, who is now attending school at Pleasant Hill. Bessie, who married Harold Gerard, of Manhattan, Kan., and they have two daughters, Helen and June.

During the 65 years that Mr. Amos has lived in Missouri he has wit¬ nessed many events and much progress. He passed through the Kansas Border War. He saw the great rush of immigrants across the country, and recalls one instance where a party with over 100 wagons were camped near a spring on his place. He is reckoned among the old time settlers, and says that he recalls but one man that was here when he came, and he is now residing at Pleasant Hill. In the early days he got much recreation out of hunting; he has shot many prairie chickens and wild turkey and killed the first wild deer that he ever saw; his father killed the last deer that was killed on Big Creek, in Cass County.

There is an old apple tree standing on the Amos place that is of more than ordinary historic interest. It is said to be the largest apple tree in the United States, and is over 100 years old, and is known to have borne fruit since 1837.

Oliver Thompson, a progressive farmer, of Van Buren township, and the owner of a valuable farm of 80 acres, is a well known breeder of Jer¬ sey cattle and draft horses, and for a number of years has been engaged in the dairying business. He v^as bom in Van Buren township, Jan. 13, 1879, and is the son of William and Elizabeth (Simmons) Thompsom They were the parents of 16 children, ten of whom are now living, a'5 follows: Mrs, Virginia Bynum; Thomas H., Odessa, Mo.; William A., lives on the old home place in Van Buren township; Alice, married C. B. Kennedy, Van Buren township; Minnie F., married John Cummings, is now a widow, and resides in Oklahoma ; Charles L., lives in Henry County ; Oliver, the subject of this sketch; Oscar, a twin brother of Oliver, lives in Wyoming; Maud, married Cliff Tyson, Monroe County, Mo., and George D., Barton County, Mo.

William Thompson was bora in Carroll County, Va., June 21, 1837, and died in Jackson County, Sept. 1, 1919. He came to Missouri at an early day and followed farming and stock raising all his life, and at the time of his death he owned 255 acres of land in Van Buren township. During his active career he raised a great many high-grade draft horses, and some of the largest horses that ever left Jackson County were raised by him. During the Civil War he served in the Confederate Army. He was at the Battle of Lone Jack with Gen. Joe Shelby's command, and dur¬ ing that engagement looked after the horses. He was a member of the Baptist church. Elizabeth Simmons Thompson, mother of Oliver Thomp¬ son, was born in Jackson County, July 5, 1841. She was a daughter of Thomas S. and Ann (Mackelhaney) Simmons, natives of Midway, Ky.

Oliver Thompson was reared on his father's farm in Van Buren township, and educated in the district schools. He operated rented land for a number of years, and in 1911 purchased his present place of 80 acres, where he has continued general farming and stock raising, and has met with success. -

Mr. Thompson was married in May, 1906, to Miss May L. Lightfoot, who was born in Pendleton County, Ky., Oct. 26, 1880. She is a daughter of John and Mary Louisa (Colvin) Lightfoot. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have been born six children, as follows: Mary Elizabeth, John W., Paul L., Oliver, Jr., James E. and Georgia Francis.

Mr. Thompson is a Democrat and belongs to the Baptist church. He holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Mod¬ ern Woodmen of America. He is one of Jackson County's representa¬ tive citizens, and has met with well merited success.

James H. Wilson, now deceased, was for many years engaged in the distilling business at Lone Jack, Mo. He was an expert distiller, and in 1874 came from Kentucky to Jackson County and took charge of the Shawhan Distillery, at Lone Jack.

Mr. Wilson was a native of Kentucky, born at Shawhand, Bourbon County, April 28, 1838. He was married in 1873 to Miss Malissa Leonard, who was also a native of Kentucky, born near Paris, Bourbon County, April 13, 1854. She now resides at Lone Jack. To James H. Wilson and wife were born five children : Maud E., was born in Lone Jack, Mo., and for 13 years was employed as a clerk in a general store, and in 1907 she engaged in the general mercantile business at Lone Jack, where she has also been postmistress since 1905. She has built up a very satisfactory mercantile business in that vicinity, and by her efficiency and courteous manner, she has given general satisfaction, as well as good mail service to the patrons of the Lone Jack postoffice.

Of the other three children of the Wilson family, Wade H. resides at Lone Jack; Earl, resides in Chicago, and is in the employ of the Pullman Company as a barber. Bessie, is the wife of M. C. McKay, Kansas City, Mo., and Julia, married C. H. Brotherson, and lives at Hardin, Mont.

Frank Neininger is the owner of 120 acres of valuable land in Van Buren township, which he is now operating. Although Mr. Neininger has been engaged in agricultural pursuits but a short time, he has been iden¬ tified with Jackson County, as a resident of Kansas City, for a number of years.

Frank Neininger is a native of Ohio. He was born at Bridgeport. March 20, 1867. His parents were Lawrence and Agnes (Blessing) Nein¬ inger, and Frank was one of seven children born to them, five of whom are now living. Lawrence and Agnes Blessing Neininger were both na¬ tives of Germany, and shortly after their marriage in their native land they came to America, and settled in what is now West Virginia. Later they moved to Ohio, where the father worked at the vocation of station¬ ery engineer, and spent the remainder of his life in Ohio, where he and his wife died.

Frank Neininger received his education in the public schools in Ohio, and after leaving school served an apprenticeship at the glass blower's trade in the LaBelle Glass Factory. And for 25 years he worked as a journeyman glass blower, in various parts of the United States and Can- ada. He worked at his trade in the East Bottoms of Kansas City in 1902, and later engaged in the hotel and liquor business in the East Bottoms, and successfully conducted that business until July, 1919, when he moved to his present place in Van Buren township.

July o, 1889, Frank Neininger was united in marriage w'ith Miss Etta Ball, a native of Lone Jack, Mo. She is a daughter of Joseph S. and Ellen (Hink) Ball. Joseph S. Ball was a member of the very early pioneer families of Jackson County. He was a native of Illinois, and was bi ought to Jackson County by his parents when he was about one year old, m 1844. They settled at Lone Jack. He was a son of William and Sarah (Jackson) Ball, who were the parents of 12 children, of whom Jo¬ seph S. was the third in order of birth. He was reared to manhood and edu¬ cated in the vicinity of Lone Jack, and was engaged in farming during his lifetime. He died Sept. 10, 1917, at the age of 74 years. His wife was a native of Missouri, born in Vernon County, Aug. 1, 1858, and now resides at Lone Jack. Joseph S. and Ellen (Hink) Ball were the parents of one child, Etta, who is now the wife of Frank Neininger, the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Neininger have no children.

Eli Mershon, Civil War veteran, retired resident of Buckner, Mo., was born in Carroll County, Ind., Nov. 5, 1839. When this fine, old gentle¬ man was 80 years old, and his children were gathered at his home in Buckner to celebrate the eightieth anniversary of his birth, a touch of romance was added to the event by Mr. Mershon flying in a modem air¬ plane. The event brings reminiscences covering over 80 years of develop¬ ment in transportation which Mr. Mershon has witnessed. He has ridden in every known conveyance during his life time, the ox-wagon of pioneer days, succeeded by the wagon drawn by horses ; the next change being the horse and carriage, then the automobile, and he has lived to witness one of

Jared Brush Mershon, born Jan. 28, 1837, died March 7, 1864 father of Eh Mershon, was a native of Erie County, Pa. He was a son of John Mershon, who settled in the wildnerness on the shores of Lake Erie soon after the Revolution. He was a son of Aaron Mershon, who was a soldier m the Revolution, and gave his life to the cause of American independ¬ ence at'the Battle of Long Island.

Eli Mershon. Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Mershon

of the family fled to America in 1685 to escape religious persecution in France. The religious feeling which pervaded his descendants is exem¬ plified by the action of the widow of the Revolutionary soldier when a band of British soldiers burned her home on Long Island. She with her seven children were left without a roof over their heads in the dead of winter. Instead of weeping and wailing, as any other woman would have done in like circumstances, she calmly walked to the nearby woods, brushed the snow from a fallen log, sat down and sang a religious hymn.

Jared Brush Mershon, father of Eli Mershon, was married in Indiana to Rebecca Forbes, who was a daughter of William Forbes, who served in the War of 1812, as a volunteer soldier in a force raised to prevent the Indians from the North and Canada from effecting a union with the forces of Chief Tecumseh.

Jared Brush Mershon was a son of John Mershon, who was born Aug. 22, 1773, and died in 1857. He married Bathsheba Brush, of Pitts¬ burg, Pa., who was born Sept. 17, 1774, and died June 6, 1817. They were married on Nov. 16, 1799.

John Mershon was a son of Aaron Mershon, who was born near Princeton, N. J., in 1740, and died Aug. 27, 1776, on Long Island. His wife was Mary Gapin.

Peter Mershon was a son of Henry Mershon, born in Normandy, France, in 1662, and died in America, Sept. 20, 1738. He immigrated to America in 1685.

Aaron Mershon served in Capt. Benjamin Vancleve's Company, in the New Jersey Militia, under Brigadier-General Nathaniel Green, in Greene's division of the Continental army. He enlisted on June 14, 1776, and was killed at the Battle of Long Island, June 14, 1776.

Jared Brush Mershon moved from Pennsylvania to Indiana, and there married Rebecca Forbes, born 1814, died May 12, 1887, a daughter of William J. Forbes, who had settled in Fountain County, Ind. In early manhood Jared Brush Mershon had become a Methodist preacher, and he became a circuit rider in the then sparsely settled country of Indiana. Rev. Mershon''s circuit embraced three congressional districts, formerly the Pottawatomie Indian Reservation. It required three months for him to make the rounds of his circuit, and he was wont to hold meetings in the woods and the cabins of the settlers. Rev. Mershon rode horseback to round up his charges, and during his career he organized many Methodist churches. He remained in the ministry until his death, in 1864. He reared a family of eight children, only two of whom are living: Eli, of this review, and Quinn, living in Wyoming.

Eli Mershon was educated in the public schools and private acad¬ emies at Sugar Grove and Thorntown, Ind. He responded to the call of President Lincoln for volunteers in 1861, and enlisted for three months in the Tenth Indiana regiment, 36 hours after the President had called for troops. He had been teaching school, and abandoned the book and rod for the army rifle. Forty-eight hours after the first call he was in Camp Morton in training. Twice the quota called for responded, and half of the willing embryo soldiers were sent home. The rough element who made up the command which he had joined not being to his liking, and the hard¬ ships he had to undergo being too severe for a not over strong constitu¬ tion, Mr. Mershon went home at the expiration of his first enlistment, and remained there for 11 morl^ths. He then re-enlisted with the Fourth Indiana cavalry, and served with this regiment until his health, failed, in 1863, and he received his honorable discharge. He saw active service in Kentucky and Tennessee, and fought at the Battle of Pvich Mountain. During his last service in the advance from Triune, Tenn., which was be¬ gun on June 23, 1863, the fighting was constant, while the Federal Army were pursuing General Bragg's forces. Prior to this he had been on de¬ tached army duty in northern Kentucky, and was stationed at Mumpfordville, with infantry scouts, and in guarding the Green River bridge.

Mr. Mershon returned home in 1863, married, and went to Illinois, whei e he taught school during the winter. He then spent two years (1864-1865) on the Neosho River, near the site of Emporia, Kan., and came to Jackson County in November, 1865. Here he met his wife's people, and settled in Fort Osage township. He first lived on a farm purchased by his mother-in-law, and later made his first purchase of 160 acres on the Lexington road. Mrs. Mershon inherited 240 acres from her mother's estate. Mr. Mershon improved the land, and when it came time for his retirement, in 1897, he gave each of his two sons 100 acres of land, with which to begin operations on their own account. Both have succeeded and are large land owners and extensive cattle raisers.

Dec. 19, 1863, Mr. Mershon was married to Mary Elizabeth Thomas, who was born July 6, 1844, in Montgomery County, Ind., a daughter of Philip B. and Delilah J. Thomas, the former of whom died in Indiana, after he had made preparations to locate in Missouri. The widow and son, George A. Thomas, came west, and settled in Jackson County, in

1865. Five children were born to Eli and Mary Elizabeth Mershon, as follow: Maude, wife of Thomas J. Hedrick, Buckner, Mo., a sketch of whom is given in this volume; Zoe, wife of Chase Henthorne, Buckner, Mo.; Thomas Ward, a prosperous farmer in Fort Osage township; Mrs. Jennie R. Hilt, a widow, living in Buckner, is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution ; Emory, a successful farmer and stockman.

Mr. Mershon is a Republican, who votes independently. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Well read, an interesting conversationalist, despite his age, taking a keen interest in every day affairs, Eli Mershon is one of the most interesting and lovable pioneer citizens of Jackson County.

Noel E. Jackson, now living retired at Independence, is one of the veteran pioneer Shorthorn breeders of Jackson County, and during his active career was prominently identified with the agricultural interest of this section of Missouri. He is now the owner of 160 acres of productive farm land in Jackson County, which one of his sons is operating, and he also owns 120 acres in St. Clair County.

Noel E. Jackson is a native of North Carolina. He was born in Wake County, Feb. 27, 1855, and reared in Davidson County of that State to the age of 13 years, when he came to Missouri with his parents, and since that time Jackson County has been his home.' He is a son of Rev. James B. and Helen (Knight) Jackson, both natives of North Carolina. Rev. James B. Jackson was a minister of the Baptist denomination for 60 years of his life. He was a college graduate, educated at Wake Forest, N. C. He came to Jackson County in 1868, and settled in Van Buren township, where he was engaged in farming, although he continued to preach the gospel. He retired several years before his death, and resided at Independence, Mo. He died in 1904, at the age of 82 years. His wife died in 1905, at the age of 72 years. They are the parents of six children, of whom Noel E., the subject of this sketch, was the second in order of birth. ! .1 ^Ti

Noel E. Jackson was 13 years of age when his parents settled in Van Buren township. Here he attended the schools of the neighborhood and assisted with the duties on the home farm. He became familiar with the details of farm life and stock raising early in life, and in the course of time began his independent career as a farmer and stockman. He be¬ came a breeder of Shorthorn cattle long before this department of animal husbandry had attained anything like its present recognition, and for 35 years he was one of the leading breeders in Jackson County, and during the course of that time he always found a ready market for his cattle. He has shipjDed stock for breeding purposes all over the West. He was not only a successful breeder, but successful in his general farming opera¬ tions. He was also interested in other fields of enterprise, and was one of the organizers of the Citizens Bank of Lees Summit, and is still a stock¬ holder in that substantial institution.

Mr. Jackson was united in marriage Oct. 17, 1875, with Miss Fannie Duncan, a native of Kentucky, born in August, 1855, and died in Jackson County, in 1909. To Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were born two sons, James D., residing near Cockrel, Van Buren township, and Ernest, who is operating the home place. He was born July 6, 1879, and was educated in the public schools and William Jewell College. He was married Oct. 12, 1909, and has one son, Julian Henry, who bears the distinction of being the youngest Shorthorn breeder on the books of the Shorthorn Breeders' Association.

Noel E. Jackson is a member of the Baptist church, and is a Demo¬ crat. He is one of the substantial citizens of Jackson County, and during his career, which has been a successful one, he has done as much, or moie, to raise the standard of livestock as any other man in this county. He is well known in Jackson County and highly regarded.

June 5, 1916, he was married the second time to Mrs. Mary L. Par¬ ker, a native of Jackson County, Mo. No children have been born to this union.

John E. Round, a progressive farmer and stockman, of Van Buren township, is a well known and successful breeder of Spotted Poland China hogs. Although a native of Illinois, he has spent over a half century of his life in Jackson County. Mr. Round was born in Starke County, Ilk, Npv. 25, 1856. He is a son of Wilson D. and Mary Jane (Reed) Round,' who were the parents of eight children, five of whom are living, John E. being the eldest of the family.

Wilson D. Round was born in Indiana, Aug. 10, 1833. He resided in Illinois when the Civil War broke out and enlisted in the Union army. Most of his time in the service was spent in guarding prisoners at the military prison at Chicago. He came to Jackson County in 1868 or 1869 and settled on a farm in Van Buren township and lived in this county for a number of years and now resides at Oak Grove, Mo. His wife was a native of Ohio and is now 81 years of age.

John E. Round was reared and educated in Jackson County and has always been engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1880 he purchased the farm which he now owns in Van Buren township. It is a well im-

Mr. Round was married March 11, 1882, to Miss Mary E. Cave, a native of Jackson County, born in Van Buren township, March 3, 1861. She is a daughter of William and Nancy (Spainhour) Cave, both natives of North Carolina and very early settlers in Jackson County.

To John E. and Mary E. (Cave) Round have been born five children as follows : Pearl, married Roy Thomas and is deceased ; Iva, married Lee Ragsdale, Van Buren township ; Ethel, married John Marshall near Olathe, Kan. ; Elvin, who is engaged in the mercantile business at Lone Jack, Mo., and Roy, deceased.

Mr. Round is a Democrat and takes a commendable interest in political affairs as well as other matters of public concern. He has served as constable of Van Buren township for three terms and has been road over- .seer. He is a member of the Christian church and holds membership in the Modern Woodman of America.

Edward P. Mulligan, a successful fanner and stockman of Prairie township and vice-president of the Farmers Bank of Lees Summit, is the owner of 135 acres of valuable land on the Jefferson highway, about tw'o and one-half miles south of Lees Summit.

Mr. Mulligan was born in Belleville, Ill., Aug. 25, 1872. He is the son of Thomas J. and Mary A. Carroll Mulligan, who are the parents of nine children, five of whom grew to maturity, as follows : Agnes, Cass County, Mo.; Edward P., the subject of this sketch; James A., Prairie township; Ulrnar J., Kansas City, and R. Gerald, Cass County.

Thomas J. Mulligan was a native of Illinois, born in Monroe County, May 16, 1835. He came to Missouri in 1881 and settled on a farm in Prairie township and became the owner of 220 acres of land. He was a highly respected citizen and became well to do. He was a member of the Catholic church and the establishment of St. Mary's church at Lees Sum¬ mit was largely due to his efforts and generosity. He died March 16, 1887.

Thomas J. Mulligan was a son of Patrick and Agnes (Tomlinon) Mulligan, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of England, and early settlers of Monroe County, Ill.

Mary A. Carroll Mulligan, mother of Edward P. was born in Madison County, Ill., Nov. 25, 1839, and died in Kansas City, in 1911. She was a daughter of Patrick and Mary (Gilmore) CaiToll, both natives of Ireland.

settled in Jackson County. He attended the district schools and also the Lees Summit High School. He then took a course in Spaulding's Com¬ mercial College in Kansas City, where he graduated in 1895.

Mr. Mulligan has been a practical farmer and stockman since early life, and when he was 15 years of age took charge of the home farm for his mother and remained on the place until he was 30 years of age. He purchased his present farm in Prairie township in 191-4. He has made extensive improvements and his is one of the valuable farms of that sec¬ tion. The farm residence is modern throughout and the other farm buildings on the place are in keeping with the residence.

Mr. Mulligan was united in marriage April 24, 1903 with Miss Luella Ervin, who was born in Prairie township, Jackson County. She is a daughter of J. H. and Isabelle (Flannery) Ervin, who were early settlers in Jackson County. To Mr. and Mrs. Mulligan have been born two chil¬ dren, Gerald Edward, a student at St. Benedict's College, Atchison, Kan. and Mary Isabelle, at home with her parents.

Clifford C. Hook, a well known and progressive citizen of Prairie town¬ ship is the owner of a splendid farm of 360 acres where he is eng'aged in the dairy business and he is also an extensive breeder of Holstein cattle. Mr. Hook is a native of Jackson County, born at Greenwood, March 23, 1865. He is a son of John and Luctria (Huston) Hook and is one of three children born to them as follows : Charles, Prairie township ; Clifford C., the subject of this sketch, and William B., Denver, Col.

John Hook was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in Oct., 1839. He learned the carpenter trade in early life and when the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the Union army. After the close of the war, 1865, he came to Missouri and first settled at Greenwood. A short time later he moved over the line into Cass County and purchased 80 acres of land for which he paid $8.00 per acre. He improved this place and remained on it about six years, when he returned to Jackson County and bought 240 acres in Prairie township. Here he built a small house and made other improve¬ ments and later erected a more commodious residence which was destroyed by fire. He was engaged in farming and stock raising here for a number of years and met with success. About 25 years ago he retired and he and his wife now reside at Long Beach, Cal. She is also a native of Cincin¬ nati, Ohio and was born in 1841.

home place which he rented from his father until 1902. He then went to Chicago, where he was engaged in the jewelry business from 1902 until 1904, when he returned to Jackson County and operated the home farm for six years. He then went to Chicago and was engaged in the wholesale grocery business for a number of years, when he again returned to Jackson County and bought the home place in Prairie township. He has made extensive improvements. The residence is modern in every particular and the other buildings and improvements about the place are of a sub¬ stantial character.

Mr. Hook was married Dec. 2, 1891, to Miss Alice Ware, a native of Jackson County and a daughter of A. M. and Jane (Clark) Ware, natives of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Hook have been born three children, as fol¬ lows: Anther, resides at home with his parents; Ralph, married Ruby Swanson, a native of Jackson County and they reside on the hofne place and Gertrude, residing at home with her parents.

Jonathan Peelle, an enterprising and well to do farmer and stockman of Prairie township and the owner of 330 acres of land has been identified with various interests in Jackson County for nearly 40 years. He was born in Clinton County, Ohio, May 29, 1853 and is the son of Reuben and Emily (Wilson) Peelle, both natives of Ohio, who spent their lives in that state. The father was a farmer.

Jonathan Peelle was reared on a farm in Ohio and educated in the public schools of that state. In 1881, he came to Missouri and settled on a farm of 380 acres, known as "High Grove Farm", Prairie township. He remained there until 1900, when he sold out and purchased his present faiTn which is a valuable and well improved place.

Mr. Peelle has been interested in other fields of industry outside the realm of agTiculture. He was engaged in the cider and vinegar business at Lees Summit for 12 years during which time he served as mayor of Lees Summit two terms. He lived in Kansas City, Mo., from 1905 to 1910.

June 22, 1879, Jonathan R. Peelle was united in marriage at Wilm¬ ington, Ohio, with Miss Mary Elizabeth Bailey. She is a native of Guern¬ sey County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jesse and Mary Jane (Talbott) Bailey, natives of Ohio. They came to Jackson County in 1866 and set¬ tled near Lees Summit where the father became owner of 320 acres of land. He died in 1905. To Mr. and Mrs. Peelle have been born five chil- dren: Elvin B., an electrician, married Fannie Marcham, of St. Joseph, Mo. and now resides on the home place; Harold M. married Frances Crow, of Topeka, Kan., and has four children, Jonathan W., Harold M., Jr,, Alvin F. and Elmer E.; Frank H., married Evelyn Swearingen of Kansas City, and has two children ; Elizabeth L. and Margaret E. ; Ralph T., an elec¬ trician, resides in Omaha, Neb. and is unmarried, and Robert J., an elec¬ trician in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad Company at Omaha, Neb., is unmarried.

Mr. Peelle is inclined to be independent in political matters and is a representative of a high type of American citizens. He is a Mason and a member of the Shrine.