Jackson County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1920 (part 11 of 15)

John T. House. - Without doubt the oldest living native born pioneer of Brooking township, and one of the oldest in Jackson County, is John T. House, who has lived in the same neighborhood during his entire life, which has already exceeded four score years. Pioneer, veteran of the Civil War, owner of a fine farm of 147 acres, father of a fine family of sons and daughters, "Uncle Johnny,'' as he is affectionately known to his many friends, is an honored and well known figure in Jackson County. He was born Jan. 25, 1838, within sight and sound of his present home. He is a son of Eli and Irene (West) House, the latter a native of Indiana. Eli House was born in Kentucky, and was reared in Indiana. In 1827 he came west to Clay County, Mo., and lived there for nine years. In 1836 he came to Jackson County, and was here married to Irene West. He purchased land and improved his farm, and was prospering until the Civil War broke out. Eli House was killed during the Civil War by some of Jennison's men, because of his so-called Southern sympathies. He was the father of eight children, only three of whom are living: John T., the subject of this review; Mrs. Lucy Wilson, living two miles south; Mrs. Anna Burk, Joplin, Mo.

Soon after the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. House enlisted in the cavalry organized in Jackson County, and fought at the Battle of Rock Creek. His commander was Dr. Smith. He served with the State guards at first, but later went into the regular Confederate service. He refused to go with Raines to Louisiana, and came back and joined Colonel Hayes' regiment. In the fall of 1863 he joined Quantrell's band - being induced to do so by the fact that Jennison's men had killed his father, burned the House home, and run off the livestock, leaving the family destitute. He stayed with Quantrell until the trouble came up with Todd, who was killed. He then volunteered and took part in the raid through north Mis- souri, being- on the road for two weeks. His horse playing out, they wanted him to go to Bone Hill, but he could not do so. It was the plan of Quantrell's men to disband after committing a depredation, and then meet at a certain rendezvous. After this raid, Quantrell made his hiding place in Chariton County. The men of the company wanted House to go after Quantrell. He refused to do so, and had a falling out with his com¬ rades. He then joined Gen. Joe Shelby's command, and was with Shelby's men until their surrender at Shreveport, La.

July 1, 1865, he arrived home sick with rheumatism and neuralgia contracted in the South. When he recovered he hired out with a trans¬ port to take a quartz mill to a mining camp in Colorado. He remained in the mining region for two years, and then returaed home to settle down to the peaceful pursuit of agriculture. Mr. House proceeded to develop his farm, built a home, which was later superceded by a commodious farm residence, and has risen to become a substantial and well respected citi¬ zen of the county.

Mr. House was married in 1886 to Miss Alice Moberly, who was born in Indiana, a daughter of William Moberly. Four children were born to this marriage, as follow: James Luther, John Elmer, and Homer R., who are operating the House farm; and Iva May, wife of Orlando Twiehaus, living one mile and a half northwest, who has one child, Evelyn. John Elmer married Lena Stricke, and has one child, Beulah. Homer R. mar¬ ried Hulday Alman. Luther House served in the National Army and was in training at Fort Dodge, Iowa, in 1918. He served on the western front in Fi-ance until the armistice was declared.

Mr. House has been a life long Democrat. He is a member of the Baptist church, and is one of the fine, old pioneer characters of Jackson County. As Mr. House says of himself, "I am only a little over 80 years old." We agree with him and predict many more years for this aged and respected gentleman.

Lewis Bennett, a prominent farmer and stock breeder of Prairie town¬ ship, has been identified with the interests of Jackson County for 55 years and has contributed his part to the great growth and development of this section of the countiy during the last half century. Mr. Bennett is a native of Ohio, born at Zanesville, Nov. 7, 1848. He is a son of Uriah P. and Nancy (Harper) Bennett, and was the youngest of a family of four children born to them and the only one living.

The parents of Lewis Bennett were both natives of Virginia and are descendants of early settlers of Virginia in colonial times. Uriah P. Ben- nett was born in Virginia, May 19, 1814 and when a child two years of age he was brought to Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1816. He grew to manhood in Ohio and in 1840 married Nancy Harper at Charlottsville, Va. She was born at Charlottsville, Sept. 27, 1814 and died Dec. 23, 1886. In 1860, Uriah P. Bennett and his family came to St. Louis, where they re¬ sided during the Civil War. At the close of the war, in 1865, they came to Jackson County and bought a farm two miles north of Independence. Sixteen years later they moved to Lees Summit. Uriah P. Bennett died in Kansas City, Mo., June 19, 1894. He was a progressive man and a good citizen and after coming to Jackson County contributed his part towards the readjustment of the county which followed the devastation of war. He was an ardent advocate of the cause of education and was one of the organizers of the first public schools of Independence and was a member of the board. When he came to Jackson County he was one of the first passengers on the regular passenger train which made the trip from St. Louis to Independence.

Lewis Bennett came to Jackson County with his parents in 1865 and after coming here was associated with his father in fruit growing, an industry in which the father was an expert and to which he gave much attention. The Bennetts introduced cultivated raspberries in Jackson County and when they hauled the first load of these berries into Kansas City the people did not know what they were. They sold the product of their fruit in Kansas City and also shipped to Denver, Col. For their shipment of peaches to Denver they received 24 cents a bushel. Lewis Bennett owned land in the vicinity of Independence and later bought land near Lees Summit, where he engaged in breeding pure-bred Shorthorn cattle and sheep. His stock was frequently exhibited at state fairs and other stock exhibitions, winning many premiums. In 1901 he moved to his present place in Prairie township where he owns 160 acres of land and upon which he has made extensive improvements. He is still engaged in breeding Shorthorn cattle and has won a wide reputation as a success¬ ful breeder. His sons are engaged in breeding Poland China hogs and are meeting with success in that industry.

Oct. 20, 1874, Lewis Bennett was united in marriage with Miss Kate A. Powell, a native of Columbus, Ohio. She is a daughter of Jacob and Eliza H. (Brown) Powell, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Pennsylvania. The Powell family came to Jackson County in 1865 and seHled east of Independence. Mrs. Bennett was one of a family of 11 children born to her parents and was the tenth in order of birth. To Mr.

and Mrs. Bennett have been born four children as follows: Nannie B., deceased; HariDer, Kansas City, Mo.; J. Park, field manager for the Cap¬ per Publications in Missouri; Lewis G., a breeder of Poland China hogs, resides at home with his parents. He is an expert buyer of hogs for the Armour Packing Company and is now head buyer for that concern.

Mr. Bennett is a Republican and a member of the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World. He has a long and honorable record in Jackson County to his credit and is representative of the highest type of our citizenship.

Joe S. Noel, a progressive young business man of Lees Summit, who engaged in the wholesale and retail grain business and also an extensive dealer in hay, flour and feed, is a native son of Jackson County and a descendant of one of the earliest pioneer families of this section of the state. He was born at Lone Jack, Nov. 28, 1894 and is a son of George H. and Minnie (Shaw) Noel. They were the parents of two children of whom Joe S. is the elder. The younger son, George W., resides with his mother at 2638 Benton Boulevard, Kansas City.

George H. Noel was prominently identified with Jackson County dur¬ ing his lifetime. He was a member of the State Legislature during the session of 1896-1898 and was influential in that body. Among the many measures of which he was the author was the Jackson County Good Road Law. The enactment of this law put him on record as one of the pioneer good roads advocate and law makers of this country. This bill was so framed that the revenue from the dramshop licenses was applied to the building of good roads.

George H. Noel was born near Lone Jack in 1853. He was a son of James and Rachel (Powell) Noel, both natives of Missouri and among the early settlers of Jackson County. George H. Noel was a graduate of William Jewell College. In early life he was engaged in farming and stock raising but for 15 years prior to his death he was engaged in the real estate business. He died in Kansas City in 1917 and his widow now re¬ sides in that city. He was well to do at the time of his death, owning 160 acres of land in Prairie township, also property at Lees Summit and in Kansas City. He was a prominent Democrat and a member of the Bap¬ tist church.

Joe S. Noel was reared on a farm in Jackson County and received his education in the public schools. In 1911 he entered the State Normal School at Warrensburg and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1913. He then entered the Missouri Inspection Department and became weigh master, then grain sampler, and was later promoted to grain inspector. July 4, 1919, he engaged in the grain, hay and feed busi¬ ness at Lees Summit where he also operates a mill. He has done an extensive business from the start and during the first three months he handled 55 car loads of wheat and ten car loads of feed.

Oct. 12, 1916, Joe S. Noel was united in marriage with Miss Bernice Kenton, a native of Harden, Mo., and a daughter of William P. Kenton. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Noel, Mary Kenton Noel.

Fayette H. Eotts, a leading farmer and stockman of Washington town¬ ship and the owner of 113 acres of valuable land, is a native of Kentucky. He was born at Owensville, Ky., Oct. 10, 1855, and is the only child born to Archibald and Margaret A. (Markham) Botts. The father died in Kentucky when Fayette H. was an infant. The mother had been pre¬ viously married in Kentucky to James Stone and to that union five or six children had been born. After the death of her second husband, Archi¬ bald Botts, the mother came to Missouri and settled in Jackson County in 1856, before Fayette H. was a year old. She brought her family of five children and 21 slaves and here she and her older sons engaged in farm¬ ing. Their place was located about four miles east of Kansas City. Dur¬ ing the war and when Order No. 11 was issued the mother removed to Columbia, Mo. with her family where she remained until the close of hostilities.

Fayette H. Botts returned to Jackson County with the family after the war and 1869 they settled on the place where he now resides. He has always been engaged in farming and stock raising and in addition to his general farming has made a success of breeding Shorthorn cattle. He has made extensive improvements on his place, which is one of the valuable farms of Jackson County. In addition to carrying on general farming and stock raising, Mr. Botts was not unmindful of other business enterprises and opportunities. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Bank of Grand¬ view, Mo. and is vice-president of that institution.

Oct. 5, 1887, Fayette H. Botts was united in marriage with Miss Ola M. Marshall, a native of Boone County, Ky. She is a daughter of John Thomas and Hannah Mary (Ambrose) Marshall, both natives of Ken¬ tucky, who settled in Jackson County, Mo. in 1878. John Thomas Mar¬ shall is now deceased and his widow resides with Mr. and Mrs. Botts. To Mr. and Mrs. Botts have been born three children as follows : Fayette

Mr. Botts is a Democrat and holds membership in the Modern Wood¬ men of America. He and his family are members of the Baptist church and are well known and rank high in Jackson County.

William 0. Snider, a well known and successful general insurance man and real estate dealer, of Lees Summit is a native of Jackson County and a descendant of pioneer settlers of this section. He was born Dec. 24, 1865 on a farm which is now included within the present city limits of Kansas City, Mo. and was located in the vicinity of the intersection of 18th and Prospect streets. Mr. Snider is a son of William W. and Emily J. (Kreeger) Snider and is one of five children born to them as follows : David C., Lees Summit; Eugene, Belton; Amanda, married Z. Cooper, Jr., Lees Summit; William O., the subject of this sketch, and Frank R. of Lees Summit.

William W. Snider was born in North Carolina in 1825. He came to Missouri with his family, he having been married in his native state and settled in Jackson County prior to the Civil War. He first located on a farm which is now a part of the well known Long farm. During the Civil War when Order No. 11 was issued, he moved to Kansas City where he remained for three years until the close of the war. He then returned to his farm in Prairie township where he owned 160 acres of land. He was a successful farmer and stock raiser and became well to do. He was a Democrat and a representative citizen. He died in 1897. His widow, who was also a native of North Carolina, born in 1833, now resides with her son, David C., at Lees Summit.

William O. Snider was born on the home farm and attended the public school in that vicinity. He learned the details of farming and stock rais¬ ing in early life and when he was 21 years of age he engaged in farming for himself in Prairie township. He followed farming until 1904, during which time he owned several different farms in Jackson County. In 1904, he moved to Lees Summit and engaged in the real estate and general in¬ surance business to which he has since devoted himself. He has built up an extensive business which extends over a large scope of territory and has handled many important real estate deals, during the past 16 years that he has been in the business.

Mr. Snider was united in marriage April 15, 1888 with Miss Rose B. Norvell, a native of Jackson County. She is a daughter of Benjamin F. and Mary Ann (Risk) Norvell, natives of Indiana and early settlers in

To William 0. Snider and wife have been born six children as follows: Mrs. Lena A. Jones has one daughter, Mildred, and resides at Lees Sum¬ mit ; Burmace, resides at home with her parents ; Hubert H. is auditor and teller in the Missouri Savings Bank, Kansas City, Mo.; Ruth O.; Nellie M. and William F., residing at home with their parents.

Mr. Snider is a Democrat and takes a commendable interest in public affairs and especially public schools. He was a member of the school board of the Rockford district in 1901 and was one of the organizers of the first consolidated district schools in the state. He with five others erected the building. For the past nine years Mr. Snider has been a mem¬ ber of the Lees Summit school board and has served as president of the board for three years. He has also served on the city counsel for two years.

Jerry A. Wood, now living retired at Lees Summit, is a native of Jackson County and the descendant of one of the oldest pioneer families in this section of the state. He was born in Blue township Sept. 2, 1845, and was the only child born to James R. and Jane (Chrisman) Wood. After the death of Jeny A. Wood's mother, his father married Nancy Chrisman, a cousin of his first wife. Further details of the history of the Wood family appear in connection with the sketch of J. D. Wood in this volume.

Jerry A. Wood was reared on the home farm surrounded by the prim¬ itive conditions of pioneer days and was living the life of the average young man of his time when the Civil War broke out. When 16 years of age, in 1861, he left school and enlisted in the Confederate army at the first call to arms. He became a member of Company A, Tenth Mis¬ souri Cavalry under General Marmaduke. He participated in a number of engagements in Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana and was at the engagement of Lexington, Mo. After the close of the war, in 1867, he returned to the home place and proceeded to rebuild and repair the im¬ provements which had been destroyed during the war. He followed farm¬ ing on the home place for a number of years. He then bought a farm near Lees Summit which he sold in 1910.

and Anna, married Elmer Bull, Kansas City, Mo. The mother of these children died about 1894. Mr. Wood's second wife bore the maiden name of Eliza Ajin Dark. No children were born to this union. Some years after the death of his second wife Mr. Wood was married in February, 1910, to Mrs. Sarah E. (Whitehouse) Harrill, a widow. She was born in Kentucky and came to Missouri with her parents and settled near Ray¬ town when she was a child.

Mr. Wood is a Democrat and for a number of years held the office of the justice of peace in Prairie township. He is a member of the Bap¬ tist church and has lived an honorable and upright life.

Ccmptcn J. Tucker, general manager of the Longview Farm, is identified with an institution not only well known in Jackson County but which is celebrated throughout the West. The Longview Stock Farm is recognized in the agricultural world as representing what might properly be said to be the last word in farming and nearly every department of animal husbandry. This farm contains 1,636 acres which were acquired by purchase from 15 different land owners by Mr. R. A. Long in 1912 and Mr. Tucker has had the general management of the place since that time and the constructive development of this place has been under his immediate supervision to the present time.

There are 65 buildings on Longview Farm, including a church, schoolhouse, club house, four greenhouses and there are over 29 miles of fence, built without nails or bolts. There are 175 employees and 12 tenant buildings for the accommodation of the various employees. There are over 900 h'ead of livestock and Longview Farm is celebrated the country over for its standard bred Kentucky saddle horses, harness horses and pure bred Jersey cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs.

The milk supply from Longview Farm is noted for its excellency of quality and the sanitary methods with which it is handled. All milk from this dairy is certified by the Jackson County Medical Milk Commission and the major portion of it, which consists of about 1,000 quarts per day, is fed to Kansas City babies.

Every animal in the Jersey herd is registered; every cow is in the register of merit or on test, and any cow that fails to make the require¬ ments is disposed of immediately.

The milk sales from this farm amount to about $55,000.00 annually and the livestock sales amount to about $200,000.00. The sale of flowers alone amount to $25,000.00.

ville March 31, 1881, and is a son of J. B. and Thomas Ann (Compton) Tucker and is one of two children born to them, the other one being Marion, now the wife of H. M. Jones of Nashville, Tenn.

J. B. Tucker and his wife were natives of Tennessee. They came to Jackson County, Mo., in 1885 and the father first rented a farni of 2,260 acres near Kansas City, which now composes a part of Swope Park. He also lived on the Womall Farm for a time. He bought and sold live¬ stock as well as carrying on general farming and stock raising and was also an extensive and successful stock feeder. He was a progressive citizen and a good business man. He was a Democrat and took a com¬ mendable interest in public affairs. He and his wife are both deceased.

Compton J. Tucker received his education in the public schools of Kansas City which included a high school course and he also attended the Webb Preparatory School of Bellbuckle, Tenn. and the Vanderbilt Uni¬ versity at Nashville, Tenn. After completing his schooling he entered the employ of the American Can Company of Kansas City, Mo. and was a traveling salesman for three years. He then went with the Long-Bell Lumber Co. and was in the employ of that concern until he accepted his present position in 1912 and since that time has been general manager of the Longview Farm.

Sept. 19, 190o, Compton J. Tucker was united in marriage with Miss Ethel Leeke of Oxford, Pa. To Mr. and Mrs. Tucker have been born two children, Compton H., who is 11 years old and Mary Elizabeth, nine. Mr. and Mrs. Tucker are members of the Christian church.

Newton J. Sechrest. - Only a few of the old settlers remain in Brook¬ ing towmship. Passing years have taken their toll of the real old pioneer families of this part of Jackson County, and the old estates have been broken up, due to the encroachment of the suburban section of Kansas City. Newton J. Sechrest, residing on the Sechrest rock road, in the southwestern part of the township, is one of the few old timers left in the neighborhood. The Sechrest farm of 297 acres is one of the best im¬ proved, upon which Mr. Sechrest has lived practically all of his nearly ^ree score and ten years. He was born Nov. 11, 1850, in Grant County,

Charles Sechrest came to Missouri in 1856, and settled on the farm w ich Mr. Sechrest of this review now owns. He built a home and deyears. His death week later. Mrs. Sechrest died in 1897, at the age of 81 years. To Charles and Katie Sechrest were born 14 children, 12 of whom were reared to maturity, as follow: Theophilus, a veteran of the Civil War, deceased; Jacob, Charles William, Martha Ann, Theodore and Louisa, deceased; Joshua, a veteran of the Civil War, lives in California; Thomas, deceased, veteran of the Civil War; John, residing on the old Shanks farm; Janie, deceased; Newton J., of this review; Edward, a farmer, southwest of Topeka, Kan.

Newton J. Sechrest attended the district school in his boyhood days, and grew up on his father's farm. When Order No. 11 was issued the family took refuge at the Goveniment Post at Hickman's Mill. In the meantime the family had suffered from the depredations of the Kansas Redlegs, who stole the livestock, including eight head of mules and other family belongings. His mother stood at the gate bravely trying to save some of the livestock, but the leader of the band threatened to burn the house if she refused to let them have the mules. Mr. Sechrest began his career with a small faiTn of 26 acres, in 1867. This tract, with a timber tract of seven acres, was his share of his father's estate. He, with this small nucleus to begin with, has in the course of years, acquired one of the most valuable country estates in Jackson County, consisting of 297 acres. The imposing Sechrest farm residence was erected in 1904.

Mr. Sechrest was married in 1883 to Miss Laura Flanagan, who was born Feb. 10, 1855, on a farm one mile south of her present home. She is a daughter of John and Cornelia (McGuire) Flanagan, the former of whom was a native of Ireland, and the latter of Kentucky. John Flan¬ agan was an early settler in Jackson County, was married here, and lived in the county the remainder of his life. He died in October, 1898, and his wife, Cornelia, died in November, 1899. There were six children in the Flanagan family, as follow: Francis, Kansas City; Louis, Blue Springs; William, Kansas City; Daniel, deceased; Mrs. Laura Sechrest, of this re¬ view; and Mrs. Emma Parker, Blue Springs.

The children born to Newton J. and Laura Sechrest are: Thomas Daniel, Lee Edgar, Goldenia, Cornelia, Jesse, Laura Edna. Thomas Daniel Sechrest married Alma Martin, and lives at Raymore, Mo. Lee Edgar Sech¬ rest married Eva Tolliver, and has three children, Edna Lorraine, Newton Lee, and Herbert Claude. Mrs. Goldenia Elliot lives at Ottawa, Kan. CoiTielia, or "Connie," Jesse Flanagan, and Laura Edna are at home with their parents.

ducted into the National Army May 24, 1918, and was in the service for ten months, as a private, in infantry at Camp Nichols, New Orleans, and Camp Logan, Texas, with the Forty-third infantry. He received an hon¬ orable discharge from the service March 15, 1919.

Orlando V- Slaughter, a well known and successful farmer and dairy¬ man, who is also engaged in breeding Jersey cattle in Washington town¬ ship, is a native of Jackson County and a descendant of one of the hon¬ ored pioneer families of this county. Mr. Slaughter was born in Wash¬ ington township, Aug. 9, 1854, and is a son of E. F. and Amanda (Daven¬ port) Slaughter.

Orlando V. Slaughter is the eldest of six children born to his par¬ ents, the others being as follows : William, Portland, Ore. ; Stephen D., Kansas City, Mo.; Franklin, Portland, Ore.; Ida, married Dr. Swaney, a physician of Kansas City; and Ernest E., Leoti, Kan.

E. F. Slaughter, father of Orlando V., was born in Washington County, Tenn. and in early life the family moved to Kentucky. In 1852, E. F. Slaughter came to Jackson County, Mo., locating at Independence. He was married there and later settled in Washington township, Jackson County, where he was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising throughout his life. He died Oct. 2, 1902, at the age of 78 years. Amanda (Davenport) Slaughter was a native of Madison County, Ky., born in 1831 and died in Jackson County in 1919.

Orlando V. Slaughter was reared on his father's farm in Jackson County and attended the district school. Later he was a student at the University of Missouri at Columbia for two years. Like many others in this section, the father lost heavily during the Civil War and at the close of that conflict was practically penniless and young Slaughter justly thought that he owed his first duty to his parents and for a number of years after the war he remained at home and assisted his parents and also worked as a farm laborer in the neighborhood. In 1884, he purchased a farm from the James West estate, which was located where Raytown now stands. Thirteen years later he sold that place and bought his present farm in Washington township. He has a well improved place which is well equipped with a special view of carrying on dairying by the most modern approved methods. His dairy barn is calculated to accommodate about 30 head of milch cows. He sells the product of his dairy, which consists of cream, in Kansas City. It is hauled to the city by auto trucks. In addition to equipping his place for the dairy business, Mr. Slaughter has made other extensive improvements and has one of the most modern farm p'ants in Jackson County, where he also carries on general farming.

Nov. 2, 1882, Orlando V. Slaughter was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Havron, a native of Bedford County, Ind. She is a daughter of John N. and Mary L. (Miller) Havron, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Lawrence County, Ind. and early settlers in Jackson County, coming here in 1868. To Mr. and Mrs. Slaughter have been born eight children as follows; Maj. Homer H., a graduate of the West Point Military Academy, has been in the United States army for the past ten years and during the World War seiwed in Russia as staff officer of the Intelligence Department and is now doing service in Siberia; William, resides at home with his father; John M., county agent for Atchison County, Mo. ; Seth W., now in the employ of the government at Waukegon, Ill., as a camp pastor at Great Lakes training camp, also minister of the Christian church at Waukegon, Ill. ; Minor M., enlisted in the United States army in 1917 and after serving through the World War was discharged, Aug. 2, 1919, and is now a student of mechanical engineering in the Mis¬ souri State University at Columbia; Ruth, a student in the State Uni¬ versity at Columbia; Stephen, residing at home; and Eunice, at home.

Mr. Slaughter is a Democrat and a member of the Christian church. He is one of Jackson County's substantial citizens and is public spirited and progressive.

Frank G. Lightfoot, although a native of Kentucky, he has been a resident of Missouri since childhood and for the past 20 years has been successfully identified with the agricultural interests of Jackson County. Mr. Lightfoot now owns and operates 100 acres of valuable land in Van Buren township. His place is well improved and located on the Rock road which also enhances its value and gives him accessibility to the markets at all seasons. He was born in Pendleton County, Ky., June 28, 1872, and is a son of John E. and Louisa Colvin Lightfoot, early settlers of Missouri. They settled in Johnson County about 1882.

Frank G. Lightfoot was reared on the farm in Johnson County and educated in the district school at Pittsville. He remained at home with his parents until 1899, when he came to Jackson County and rented a farm of 80 acres near Lone Jack in Van Buren township. Here he operated rented land for several years and in 1904 bought a farm of 25 acres near Lone Jack. He sold that place in 1910 and purchased his present farm of 100 acres, where he has since been successfully engaged in farming and stock raising.

Nov. 20, 1898, Mr. Lightfoot was married to Miss Maggie Rowland, a native of Jackson County and a daughter of Buford and Nancy (Yankee) Rowland. A more extensive review of the Rowland family appears else¬ where in this volume, in connection with a sketch of Luther Rowland, a brother of Mrs. Lightfoot. To Mr. and Mrs. Lightfoot have been born two children, Louise, who resides at home with her parents and one died in infancy.

Mr. Lightfoot is a Democrat and a member of the Modem Woodmen of America. He is one of Jackson County's well known and highly respected citizens and the Lightfoot family stand high in the community.

William H. Pittenger, a Union veteran of the Civil War and an early settler in Jackson County, now deceased, was for many years prominently identified with this section of Missouri. He was a native of Ohio, born in Adams County, Nov. 17, 1835, and died in Jackson County, Jan. 5, 1899.

William H. Pittenger is a son of Wesley and Catherine (Copel) Pitt¬ enger, who were the parents of seven children, five of whom grew to maturity, as follows: William H., the subject of this sketch; Wilson, Adams County, Ohio ; Lizzie, married James A. Gash, Adams County, Ohio; Annie, married A. A. Robertson and is now deceased; and Jane, married R. E. Pittenger and is also deceased. William H. Pittenger's father was also a native of Adams County, Ohio, born in 1818, and his father was a native of Maryland and a pioneer of Adams County, Ohio. Catherine Copel Pittenger was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1811.

William H. Pittenger, the subject of this sketch, was educated in North Liberty Academy in Adams County, Ohio, and in early manhood taught school for four years in his native county. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in 1861, becoming a member of Company I, 39th Ohio Infantry. In the course of his early miilitary career he was pro¬ moted first to corporal, then sergeant, commissary sergeant, second lieu¬ tenant, first lieutenant and captain, and was serving in the latter capacity when the Civil War closed. During the early part of his experience in the army, his command operated in northern Missouri. Feb. 22, 1862, he was transferred to St. Louis, where the Union organization was being car¬ ried out preparatory to Island No. 10 campaign and thus began his seiwice farthei south. He took part in a number of battles of importance as well as a countless number of minor engagements although he was never wounded. He was at the battle of Platte City, Lexington and New Madrid ; he was with the troops that went to Fort Pillow with the Union fleet; he was at the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, Corinth and luka and was with Grant at the siege of Vicksburg, He then returned to Jackson, Tenn. and took part in the battle of Parker's Cross Roads and did guard duty at Memphis, Tenn. He was with Sherman on his march through Georgia and also took part in the siege of Atlanta and was there when that city fell. He was with the Federal troops that pursued General Hood's army as far as the Tennessee River, after which he returned to the Atlanta campaign. After the surrender of Lee, he marched with his troops to Washington, D. C. and took part in the Grand Review. Capt. Pittenger kept a daily record of his doings and experiences throughout the Civil War, which contains many entries of interest at the present day. This record shows that he marched over 17,000 miles while in the service. He served for a time on General Fuller's staff and altogether has a remark¬ able military career to his credit. After the close of the war he returned to Ohio and the following year. In April, 1866, he came to Jackson County with his wife. In 1867, he purchased a farm of 125 acres in Wash¬ ington township where he was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising during the remainder of his life. He took a prominent part in public affairs in Jackson County and was active in the ranks of the Re¬ publican party, although he never aspired to hold public office. He was a member of the Republican Central Committee for 17 years and for a number of years was chairman of the Washington Township Committee. He was a great friend of the public school system and did much to promote good schools in the community. He was a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

May 3, 1866, William H. Pittenger was united in marriage with Miss Maria Louisa Dryden, a native of Ohio, She was born in Adams County, Feb. 28, 1844, and is a daughter of Thos. G. and Elizabeth (Ellis) Dryden, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Ohio. The Drydens are an old American family and members of this family have seiwed in all the wars in which this country has been engaged since 1776. Thomas G. Dryden was born in 1813 and died at Lees Summit, Mo., in 1904.

To William H, and Maria Louisa (Dryden) Pittenger were born the following children : Effie May, married James E. Burton of Kansas City, Mo. and they have two children, Ralph and Grace; Thomas, deceased; Arthur, a concrete construction contractor, Kansas City, Mo.; Nora A., married W. T. Palmer, Hickman Mill, Mo., and she has tw'o children, the eldest, Earl, having served in the navy during the World War; Edward, deceased; Ira, resides on the home place with his mother; and Homer, a government employee at Washington, D. C.

Mrs. Pittenger and her son Ira operate the home farm which consists of 125 acres of valuable Jackson County land and here they carry on gen¬ eral farming and stock raising, and rank among Jackson County's most successful citizens. The Pittenger family are members of the Christian church.

Charles D. Carson, a well known and successful undertaker of Inde¬ pendence, Mo., has been identified with the interests of Jackson County for 20 years. Mr. Carson is a native of Canada, born Feb. 12, 1865. He is the son of Rev. Dixon and Mary Ann Carson. The Carson family came to Missouri in 1867, and settled on a farm near St. Joseph and two years later moved to Marshall County, Kan., where the parents spent the re¬ mainder of their lives. The father died July 29, 1874, and the mother departed this life in August of the same year. Their remains are buried at Marysville, Kan.

Rev. Dixon and Mary Ann Carson were the parents of the following children: John, died at Waterville, Kan. in 1880 at the age of 40 years; Mrs. Margaret Transue, 201 South Pendleton St., Independence; Mrs. Priscilla Cottrell died at Marysville, Kan. ; Mrs. Dorcas Hutchinson died at Beatty, Kan.; Mrs. Letta Dewey was the wife of Sanford W. Dewey, a nephew of Admiral George Dewey, died at Clyde, Kan.; Charles D., the subject of this sketch; Ada Carson, who has been in the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company, as a telegraph operator for 30 years, resides at Liberal, Kan. ; George W., who has been in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad as station agent and telegraph operator for 35 years, resides at Salina, Kan.

Charles D. Carson received his early education in the public schools of Clay County , Kan. and in early boyhood worked as a farm laborer. Aftei having saved $150 out of his meager earnings, he was taken sick with typhoid fever, which necessitated the expenditure of all his savings. In 1885 he attended the Kansas State Agricultural College at Manhattan, Kan. and for 15 years following 1887, he was engaged in teaching in the public schools of Kansas. In 1900 he. came to Jackson County and after taking a course in the Myers School of Embalming, he engaged in the undertaking business in Independence. His business venture was a suc¬ cess from the start and he is recognized as one of the leading undertakers reared and educated there. She is a daughter of Frank A. and Louisa (Hall) Curtis. The father died at Clay Center, in April, 1911, and the mother now resides in Independence. To Mr. and Mrs. Carson have been born the following children: Dorcas, married Hugo 0. Kepley, Independ¬ ence; Violet E., married John Earbach, Newark, N. J. ; George C., who is assisting his father, married Flo Ratcliff and resides in Independence; Minnie E., married Noble Griffin, who is a veteran of the World War; Charles D., Jr., a student in the Independence High School. The follow¬ ing are* the grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Carson: Dixon Kepley, Ed¬ mond Carson Kepley, Violet Emily Kepley, Kenneth Kepley and Floyd Curtiss Carson.

Since locating in Jackson County, Mr. Carson has attended strictly to business, which together with his courteous manner and obliging methods has made his career a successful one.

Harrison T. Welch, deputy county clerk of Jackson County, was born April 23, 1877 and is a son of Warren W. Welch whose wife was Eliza¬ beth Harris prior to her marriage. The only other child of Warren W. Welch was Isaac P. Welch deceased. He married Carrie Gordon of Oak Grove, Mo., where she now resides. .

Warren W. Welch was a son of Simeon Welch, a pioneer of the eastern part of Jackson County. Warren W. Welch served in the Civil War with the Confederate forces under General Price in General Marmaduke's divi¬ sion and was a private in General Shelby's brigade. While he was away fighting for the Confederacy, Federal soldiers took his mother and five children away from the home after burning and looting it, the family escaping with only the clothing which they wore, and took them south¬ ward. Later some of their friends espied the family on an island in the Arkansas River, rescued them and cared for them until Simeon Welch provided a home for them. After the war Simeon Welch returned to Jackson County, but not long afterward he sold his farm and moved to Arkansas, both he and his wife ending their days on a place about 50 miles west of Fayetteville.

Harrison T. Welch was educated in the public schools and followed the real estate business in Independence and Kansas City prior to his ap¬ pointment as deputy county clerk. He was married to Dessa D. David¬ son, of Kingston, Mo., a daughter of James and Amanda Davidson, now residing in Independence. Mr. and Mrs. Welch have two children: Covene Thelma and Helena Caro'ine. The first wife of Mr. Welch was Sallie May Brizendine, who died in 1899, one month after the marriage.

William Lane, retired veteran of the Civil War, former merchant, resides on his fine farm of 87.5 acres, in Brooking township. He was born in Madison County, Ky., Jan. 26, 1839, and is a son of Fielding Har¬ rison and Elizabeth (Larrimore) Lane, who were born, reared and mar¬ ried in Kentucky. In 1839 they drove to Jackson County in an ox-cart, ac¬ companied by two horses and two bulldogs, and Silas and William Lane, the latter then an infant. The father settled in a log cabin belonging to Reuben Markaby, entered 80 acres of government land, and purchased other farm land, totaling over 700 acres. This land was at that time cov¬ ered with a heavy growth of timber, and it proved to be a tremendous job to clear it of the timber growth and break the ground for planting after burning the undergrowth and stumps. However, F. H. Lane came from a race of pioneers who had being doing identical tasks for genera¬ tions, and it was the regular procedure for the new comers to settle on timber land, thus insuring them a plentiful supply of water, and wood from which to obtain fuel and lumber with which to build fences and buildings. In his boyhood days, William Lane rolled walnut logs, split them into rails and burned timber which at that time was useless. He recalls burning huge logs which today would bring from $75 to $100 each. The children born to Fielding H. and Elizabeth Lane were: Silas, de¬ ceased; William, of this review; Mary, Philip, James, deceased; Sallie who resides on the old home place; and John, deceased.

William Lane of this review enlisted in 1861, in Raines Brigade, Col. Ross' Regiment of Cavalry, Confederate army and served for nearly two years. He became ill at Boston Mountains and went to Texas. He fought at the battle of Lexington and took part in many minor engagements. He fought at Sugar Creek Point, Ark. He remained in Texas for six months in the effort to regain his health and during the greater part of this time he was speechless. He returned home very weak and run down but after six months nursing and rest he recovered.

For 26 years after their marriage in 1867 Mr. and Mrs. Lane lived in Clay County. They spent 13 years on the farm and then lived for 13 years at Liberty where they removed for the purpose of educating their children. Mr. and Mrs. Lane returned to Jackson County in 1893 and in 1895 they built their beautiful home.

William Lane was married in 1867 to Frances Pogue who was born in Jessamine County, Ky., in 1845 and is the daughter of Samuel and Emily (Howard) Pogue, natives of Kentucky who settled at Liberty, Clay

William Lane And Wipe

The children bom to William and Frances Lane are as follow; Lester died at the age of 19 years; Dr. Harry Lane, a practicing physician in Kansas City; Mrs. Ozella Pitcher, residing on the Lane farm; Mrs. Eliza¬ beth Cassell, living on the Robinson farm ; Lora L., at home with her par¬ ents; Lowry R., who is living on part of his father's farm. Ralph Field¬ ing Lane, a son of Dr. Lane, served in the aviation corps of the National army for one year. He was married Oct. 15, 1919 to Miss Bera Bray, of Kansas City. Mrs. Cassell has one daughter, Elizabeth Frances Cassell.

Roy D. Hornbuckle, a well known citizen and successful farmer and stockman, who is operating the Hornbuckle farm of 371 acres with his brother, Robert C., in Washington township, is a native of Jackson County. He was born on a farm within the present city limits of Kansas City, near what is now the corner of 58th street and Prospect avenue, Nov. 9, 1875. He is a son of William D. and Minerva (Canine) Hornbuckle and was the eldest of four chilren born to them, the others being as follows: Robert C., who is operating the Hornbuckle place with Roy D. ; Nannie B., resides in Kansas City with her parents ; and William R., Kansas City, Mo.

William D. Hornbuckle was born in Callaway County, Mo., May 18, 1842, a son of William R. and Amanda (Davis) Hornbuckle, natives of Virginia and early settlers in Missouri. During the Civil War William D. Hornbuckle was engaged in freighting on the Santa Fe trail. He came to Jackson County with his parents in 1849. Later he bought a farm of 120 acres, which is now a part of Kansas City, Mo., and for 25 years he was actively engaged in farming and stock raising. He is now living re¬ tired in Kansas City. He is one of the well known early settlers of Jackson County. He is a member of the time honored Masonic lodge and has always been a Democrat. He holds membership in the Baptist church. He purchased the farm which is now being operated by his sons, Roy D. and Robert C., in 1908.

Roy D. Hornbuckle received his education in the public schools of Kan¬ sas City and after graduating from the Westport High School, engaged in farming and stock raising in which he and his brother are meeting with unqualified success.

Roy D. Hombuckle is a Democrat and he and his wife are members of the Baptist church. The Hombuckle brothers rank high in the com¬ munity, and are known for their enterprise, progressiveness and integrity.

The Independence Stove and Foundry Company, Independence, Mo., was placed in operation originally as a general jobbing foundry by William Crick in 1892, and was located one block east of its present site. Ten years later the concern was incorporated on November, 1902, by William Crick and others. The officers at the time of incorporation were as follow: William Crick, president; Thomas Crick, vice-president; J. W. Luff, secre¬ tary and treasurer. These gentlemen are the present directors of the company which has a capital stock of $12,000. However, the magnitude of the business at the present time and the material carried on hand far exceeds in value the amount of the capital stock of the company. The foundry occupies one block of space with a building 80 x 140 feet, located one block east of the Missouri Pacific depot on the main line of the railroad.

This firai manufactures stoves and furnaces and ships the product of the plant to many points in the West and South. The furnaces manu¬ factured in this plant find a ready and ever increasing market and the manufactured material is distributed through the medium of jobbers. The foundry company owns its own patterns and makes stoves and fur¬ naces for the jobbers as desired under the jobbers own name. The best grade of pig iron is used in the manufacture of the stoves and furnaces, and 125 men are employed, including 40 iron molders. The patterns are kept in a fireproof vault, 70 x 80 feet in dimension, and are made of aluminum. The product of this establishment are manufactured entirely on the place excepting the urns and rings. The welding is done by the electric process, the concern owning and operating its own electric plant.

The Independence Foundry and Stove Company has no equal in Kan¬ sas City or the West and it enjoys the same shipping facilities as Kansas City concerns. The products of this foundry are Oak stoves in all sizes, hot blast heaters. Cannon stoves, Box stoves. Ideal Laundry stoves and ranges. Perhaps the finest furnaces on the market today are manufac¬ tured here as is evidenced by the demands of eastern jobbers, in Ohio, Pennsylvania and other eastern states.

As manufacturers, the Crick Brothers have taken front rank among the business interests and industries of Independence. Progressive in their tendencies, enterprising to a high degree, they have installed in their factory every modern improvement and labor saving device known to the trade, which has stood the test. Highly paid skilled workers are employed in this establishment and the maximum amount of output is maintained at all times.

Carl H. Bryant, M. D., was born in Independence, Mo., Jan. 16, 1881. He is a son of Dr. John Bryant of this city and a grandson of Dr. John Bryant, who was a son of George S. Bryant, who came to Independence from Kentucky in 1850 and died here a few months later. A biographical sketch of the Bryant family, tracing the genealogy of the Bryants in America from the year 1700, is given elsewhere in this volume in the sketch of Dr. John Bryant. Dr. Bryant's mother was Harriet Smart, prior to her marriage, and she is a daughter of the late Judge Thomas Austin Smart, of Kansas City, a pioneer who settled there in 1836 and owned a farm whereon much of the business section of Kansas City is built. A sketch of Judge Smart accompanies that of Dr. John Bryant.

Carl H. Bryant was educated in the public and high schools of Inde¬ pendence and graduated from Woodland College. After completing the course at Central High School, Kansas City, he entered Yale University in 1900 and four years later was graduated from that institution with the degree of Ph. B. He then entered the Medical Department of John Hop¬ kins University at Baltimore, Md. and was graduated from this institution with the degree of M. D. in 1908. For a period of eighteen months fol¬ lowing graduation he seiwed as interne at the Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Conn. He returned to Independence and practiced his profession in his home city for one and a half years and then located in Kansas City. He practiced in the city until August, 1916 and then became medical director of the Kansas City Life Insurance Company, a position which he capably filled for two years and then resigned to enter the service of his country, then at war with Gennany. He received a commission as captain in the medical corps of the army Sept. 16, 1918, following which he was in training camp for two weeks and was then sent to Hoboken, N. J., the port of embarkation of the aiTny. He served in the medical corps in the trans¬ port division, office of the surgeon, Hoboken, N. J., until July 31, 1919, when he received his honorable discharge from the service. He then re¬ turned home.

Dr. Bryant was married May 23, 1910, to Miss Mary Tanner Shannon, a daughter of Alexander and Isabel Shannon of Brooklyn, N. Y., both of whom are deceased. Three children have been born of this union: Eliza¬ beth, John Smart and Carl H., Jr.

Alexander Ramsey, an old settler and veteran of the Civil War, resid¬ ing on Rural Route No. 6, Blue township, Independence, Mo., was born in Bedford County, Pa., Feb. 24, 1831. He is a son of John and Mary (Weaverling) Ramsey both of whom were born and reared in Bedford County, Pa., and spent their lives in that county. They were parents of the following children: Mrs. Esther Oler, Mrs. Marie Sparks, Mrs. Eliza Chamberlin, William Wesley, all deceased; Alexander, of this sketch; and Jeremiah, his twin brother, who died in 1915 in Bedford County, Pa., aged 85 years.

In 1854, Alexander Ramsey went to the Pacific coast by way of Nicaragua and there met John P. St. John, afterwards governor of Kan¬ sas. He and Mr. St. John formed a friendship which lasted for life, and they became partners in the mining and wood cutting industry. They cut and sold many thousand cords of wood for the mining camps of Cali¬ fornia. This partnership lasted for three years and St. John and Ram¬ sey had several interesting adventures. In 1855 they made a trip to Honolulu and while there they saw King Kalakaua and Queen Liliokalani, took dinner with them at the Royal palace and they also took daguerreo¬ type photos of their Royal Highnesses. They returned to the States in 1856. In 1857 the partners returned home by way of the Isthmus of Panama, landing at New York City. Mr. Ramsey went to his home in Pennsylvania and Mrs. St. John went on to the home of his family in Illi¬ nois. The next time they met was on the battle field at Alexandria, Va., where both were serving with the Union army. Mr. Ramsey had enlisted with Company C, 133rd Pa. Volunteer Infantry and St. John had enlisted with an Illinois regiment. Both reenlisted after their first term of service and seiwed until the close of the war. Mr. Ramsey's two brothers, Jere¬ miah and Wesley W. Ramsey served with the Union army also. A brotherin-law, Joseph Chamberlain, a Union soldier, was captured by the Con¬ federates and died in Andersonville prison. James Oler, a nephew, was held in Andersonville prison for nine months and two days and then made his escape. John Oler, another nephew, who served as drummer boy, died in the service. John, George and Joseph Badgeley, three brothersin-law of Mr. Ramsey, were Civil War veterans. George Hymes, another brother-in-law, was a Civil War veteran and moved to Independence after the war and died here.

In March, 1866, Mr. Ramsey came west and located in Independence. He again met Mr. St. John who was engaged in the real estate business with Richard Dawson and with him laid out the St. John and Dawson addition to the city. For a time Mr. Ramsey operated a dray from the Pacific depot to the city. The old Santa Fe trail had its western terminus at Independence at that period. When John P. St. John became governor of Kansas, he appointed Mr. Ramsey a guard at the Kansas State peniten¬ tiary and he served during St. John's two administrations as governor. For ten years he served as foreman of delivery service for Bullene, Moore, Emery and Co., of Kansas City, Mo., resigning this position to take a place as watchman in Machinery Hall of the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. He then returned to Independence.

Alexander Ramsey was married in Fulton 'County, Pa., in 1853, to Elizabeth Bodgley, a daughter of Jonathan L. and Jemima (Chrisman) Bodgley, who moved to Independence in 1868. Mrs. Ramsey died Aug. 26, 1911, leaving one child, now Mrs. Ella Harlin, Independence.

Mr. Ramsey has a great-grandson, Russell A. Hayden, of Denver, Colo., who served in the World War with Base Hospital No. 29, located at London, England. He enlisted for service at Greeley, Col. and served for one year.

Ella Ramsey was married in Independence, Dec. 27, 1870, to James W. Harlin, who died Feb. 4, 1915. Mr. Harlan was a tinner and sheet metal worker by trade, a brother-in-law of the late A. G. Slack, and was a veteran of the Civil War, having served as a private in Company A, 132nd Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry. To James W. and Ella Harlin were born children as follow : Susan, wife of W. S. Hayden, Greeley, Colo. ; Harry H., St. Clair Park, Kansas City, Mo.; James A., Omaha, Neb.; Charles E., Duluth, Minn. Mrs. Harlin has six grandchildren: Russell A., Howard H. Hayden, Howard H., Walter V., Henrietta and Marion Harlin.

Otto H. Schowengerdt, successful farmer and dairyman, of Blue town¬ ship, was born in Franklin County, Mo., Feb. 15, 1879. He is a son of William and Anna (Schlowmann) Schowengerdt.

William Schowngerdt w^as born in WaiTen County, Mo., in 1839 and was reared in that county. He moved from his native county to Franklin County and thence to Jackson County in 1884 and settled on a farm in Blue towmship where he resided engaged in farming and stock raising until 1914 when he removed to a home at 424 North Main street. Independence. He died in September, 1916 and his remains were interred in Woodland cemetery. Mrs. Anna Schowengerdt was born in Warren County, near Hopewell, in 1849 and is living at the home in Independence. The chil¬ dren of the Schowengerdt family are: Elizabeth, deceased; Ernest, a fanner on the Blue Springs road ; Jennie, wife of Louis Iringer, Arley, Mo. ; Otto H., subject of this sketch; Oscar, a farmer in Blue township; Nettie, wife of Emil Goettel, Alliance, Ohio.

After receiving his early education in the public schools, Otto H. Schowengerdt studied at Spaldings Commercial College. He has followed farming and dairying since he began his own career. His herd consists of 20 dairy cows and his farm of 77 acres is situated two miles south of the Independence court house. He purchased this tract in 1903 from his father and has placed all of the existing improvements thereon. The nine room residence which is furnace heated was erected in 1905. A good barn for the sheltering of his hogs and cattle is on the place which is equipped with other good buildings among them being a sanitary dairy barn in process of erection. A good spring of water and a large cistern supply ample water for the dairy business. Thirty acres of alfalfa fur¬ nished four cuttings during the past year. The milk from the dairy is sold at the farm to the Forrest Dairy Company.

Mr. Schowengerdt was married Feb. 15, 1906 to Miss Laura Allemann who was born on a farm in Gasconade County, Mo., Dec. 28, 1884. She is a daughter of John and Dora (Werle) Allemann of Hermann, Mo. Mr. Allemann is 70 years of age and resides at Hermann. Mrs. Allemann died in 1916. The Allemann children are: Albert, deceased; Margaret, deceased; Rosa, wife of Frederick Hosenjager, Kansas City; Arthur, Inde¬ pendence, Mo.; Mrs. Laura Schowengerdt of this sketch; Rudolph, de¬ ceased ; Otto, Independence, Mo. ; Hulda, wife of Homer House, Independ¬ ence, Mo. ; Freda and Ida, twins, the former of whom is the wife of Theo¬ dore Blust, of Hermann, Mo., and the latter is the wife of Henry Eickhoff, St. Louis, Mo.

Virgil E. Phillips, member of the well known grocery firm of Phillips and Thomson, Bristol Station, Blue township, at the corner of Fifteenth and Hardy avenue, is a native of Jackson County. He was born May 24,

James Warren Phillips accompanied his parents from Virginia to Warren County, Ky. when a boy and he again accompanied them from Kentucky to Lafayette County, Mo. about 1840. He came to Jackson County in 1854. He enlisted in the Confederate army in 1862 and served until the close of the war with Gen. Francis M. Cockrell. He surrendered with his command in Louisiana. Upon his return to Jackson County he found his home destroyed. Rebuilding, he engaged in farming until his death in 1872, his remains being interred in the old Reese cemetery in Sniabar township. His wife was Sarah Eletha (Graham) Phillips, who was born in Kentucky and was brought to Missouri by her father, Edward Graham, when she was five years old. She died in 1910. The children born to James Warren and Sarah Eletha Phillips are as follow: Alice died when 20 years of age; James Luther, Excelsior Springs, Mo.; Joseph Franklin, Kansas City, Mo.; Julia Lenora, wife of J. P. V. Vandyke, Buck¬ ner, Mo. ; Charles R., Grain Valley, Mo. ; John W., Portland, Ore. ; Carrie died at the age of eight years; Virgil E. of this sketch.

Virgil E. Phillips received his early education in the Pink Hill dis¬ trict school. After leaving school he was employed in various grocery stores in Kansas City until the opening of his present establishment in 1915. The firm carries a full line of groceries and meats, the business being in direct charge of Mr. Phillips who learned the meat cutting trade in Kansas City. The Phillips store is neat, well kept, completely stocked and has an excellent trade.

Mr. Phillips was married in 1911 to Edna Thomson, a daughter of Matthew Thomas and Sallie (Rhodes) Thomson, the former of whom died in December, 1918 and the latter now resides at 1715 Elmwood, Kansas City. The children of the Thomson family are: Benjamin, Kansas City; Mrs. Edna Phillips ; Lucie, a teacher in the Yeager School and partner in the business; Fred, lives at 20th and Elmwood, Kansas City; Floyd, lives at 18th and Spruce, Kansas City; Oliver, deceased; Grace, at home with her mother.

. J. M. Peck, a well known grocer, located at the corner of Main and Short streets. Independence, Mo., is a native of Kentucky, born Nov. 12, 1848, in Fleming County and he is a son of William and Sarah (Prater) Peck, both born and reared in Kentucky. His mother died in Fleming County, Ky. and his father died at Newport. William Peck served in the Union army for three years during the Civil War, enlisting in Indiana, where he removed in 1859. He Iwt the sight of one eye while in the service, the misfortune being caused by the premature explosion of a gun cap while he was engaged as a sharpshooter. The children born to Wil¬ liam and Sarah Peck are as follow: Mrs. Elizabeth Church, Indianapolis, Ind. ; J. M. Peck, of this sketch ; Mrs. Mary Noland, deceased.

was in the employ of the Patterson and Epperson Packing Company, who were in all probability the first packers of beef and pork in Kansas. In 1869 this company erected a packing house in the West Bottoms at Kan¬ sas City, and J. M. Peck killed the first beef for this firm and assisted in the cutting and packing. This was the initial start of the great packing industry in Kansas City. The Armour Packing Company located here the following year and rented the Patterson and Epperson building for a year, or until they had a building erected at their present location.

Mr. Peck returned to Indiana in 1872 and was married to Cynthia Lease. Upon his returh to Kansas City he entered the employ of the Armour Packing Company and remained with this firm for ten years. After this he was engaged in the mercantile business in Kansas City, Kan. until June, 1915. He then came to Independence and opened his grocery store on Jan. 12, 1916 and has since been engaged in business and has built up a very satisfactory trade.

Mr. and Mrs. Peck have two children: Florence and Margaret. Mar¬ garet married W. T. Goodman of Independence and has two children, William Harold and John Marshall. Mr. and Mrs. Peck and daughter, Margaret, reside at 203 South Spring street.

J. M. Peck served as a member of the school board in Kansas City, Kan. before that city was incorporated as the city of Wyandotte. At the time he located at Junction City, Kan., the Union Pacific Pvailroad, then called the Kansas Pacific Railroad, was built to Hays, Kan. in 1867. He lecalls that the rate of fare was ten cents per mile. The locomotive burned wood for fuel and that buffaloes were roaming by the thousand in the vicinity of Hays.

Michael Tierney. - A review of the life of Michael Tierney, one of the oldest of the living pioneer citizens of Jackson County, takes one back to the old days of the stage coach era and the times when Jackson County was an unpeopled wilderness. Mr. Tierney is the last survivor of the stage coach drivers of the early days when the stage was the only means of transportation between Independence and other Missouri towns. He was born in County Galway, Ireland in 1831 and came to America with a company of Irish immigrants when a boy. The trip across the ocean in those days required several weeks and the ship landed at New Orleans, whence Michael Tierney made his way by steamboat up the Mississippi and Missouri rivers to Independence. He soon entered the employ of Preston Roberts and *was also employed by William D. Lancaster. He made a trip across the plains with a freighting outfit as helper and mule driver with a Farrell outfit in about 1849. During the Civil War and before and after that time he drove the stage coach and carried the mail from Independence to Sedalia for Mr. Roberts who was a government mail contractor. Mr. Tierney was on the road both night and day and many times in danger of his life. Frequently when heavy rains or spring thaws had set in he would have to drive the coach across swollen streams whose waters would overflow the bed and seats of the coach. On one occasion he remembers that a number of passengers enroute to Sedalia were so frightened at the prospect of fording a swollen and angry stream that they jumped out as the lead mules entered the water and were left stranded on the opposite bank of the stream, it being impossible for him to turn and recross the Blue River. They had to walk back to Inde¬ pendence and wait for the departure of the next stage. After the war was over, Mr. Tierney was employed on the farm of Preston Roberts and was thus employed for a number of years. In the meantime he had been preparing for the future and had been investing his savings in a tract of land in Blue township, a part of the Roberts holdings. For several years before Mr. Tierney settled on his farm, he had paid for the place and had it rented to Bartley McDermott. He has owned the Tierney place for over 50 years and it embraces a total of 280 acres, one of the finest farms in the county. The Tierney residence is situated on a hill south of the roadway and overlooking the entire farm, a greater part of which is Blue River bottom land - very rich and fertile.

Michael Tierney was married in 1874 to Honoria Lardner who was born in County Galway, Ireland. She died in 1897, aged 49 years. To this marriage the following children were born: Frank, a farmer in Blue township ; William, who is operating the home place, his father having long since retired; Mary and Isabelle, both of whom are at home.

Mr. Tierney has always been a Democrat. He is a member of the Catholic church as are all of his children. He is undoubtedly the oldest living pioneer in Blue township and is in all probability the oldest in Jackson County. Few men have lived to witness as great and far reaching changes as has this pioneer. Few men have better records for a lifetime of industry and honesty of purpose. It is said of Michael Tierney that his employers of the early days placed entire trust in him and his reputation for honesty, reliability, integrity and trustworthiness in every undertak-

Many times during the days of the Civil War, Michael Tierney was held up by bushwhackers and roving bands who sought to obtain money packages which he carried on the stage. He invariably outwitted them, however, and his favorite hiding place for the money was in the interior of the horse collars. During a big storm while enroute from Sedalia, he became lost and drove across country, across streams and through woods, finally landing at Blue Springs, many miles out of his way. On this oc¬ casion there were two girl passengers in the coach and these girls sang during the entire night, thus keeping up the spirits of the passengers and driver.

On another occasion he was held up while on the west side of Pleasant Hill and he was robbed of his purse and personal possessions. A leader of the bushwhackers. Cole Younger, then infesting the neighborhood offered to recover his money for him, but he refused to tell who robbed him because of the certain enmity which the recovery of the money involved.

Mr. Tierney recalls the time when the Jayhawkers from Kansas cap¬ tured Independence and their looting of a lot of red colored calf skins from John Duke's store. The Kansans used the calf skins for leggings and henceforth were known as the "Redlegs".

He never received bodily harm and whenever there was a fight in the vicinity of his coach, the bushwhackers would request him to vacate the coach, inasmuch as they did not want him harmed. They had no desire to stop the running of the stage, as Mr. Tierney carried them the daily newspapers which kept them informed of events over the country. Even when he carried valuables he would have an escort. The leader of

P. F. Gray, paving contractor, 2517 East Tenth street, Kansas City, Mo., was born in Belfast, Ireland, April 28, 1872, and is a son of Robert and Susan (Raddia) Gray, the latter of whom died in Ireland in 1874.

Robert Gray emigrated from his native isle to America in 1874 and settled m Kansas City. Not long after his arrival in the city he engaged m contracting and spent several years in the business. He and Peter Souder had the contract for making the cut on the grade of the Missouri Pacific Railroad just east of the depot. He followed the paving contract¬ ing business and the building of sewers in Kansas City until his death in

1905. He was one of the best known of the early Kansas Citizens and was recognized as an honest and dependable workman. He was father of the following children : Robert Gray, now lives in Belfast, Ireland, who for some years was captain of Fire Department No. 19, and was a mem¬ ber of the Kansas City fire department for over 20 years; Susan Gray lives in Belfast, Ireland; and P. F. Gray, subject of this sketch.

P. F. Gray received his schooling at Ballymena, County Antrim, Ireland, and when 21 years of age he began contracting. He has followed contract work since that time, following in the same line as his father before him.

Mr. Gray was married April 28, 1899, to Miss Sadie Harland, of Bel¬ fast, Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have three children; Catherine, Susan and Joseph.

Mr. Gray is known in Kansas City and the cities where he has under¬ taken contracts, as a man of reliability, dependable, honest and able and willing to perform any task for which his contract calls. No contract is too large for him to undertake.

William H. Young, carpenter, residing at 1115 West Elm street. Inde¬ pendence, Mo., was born Dec. 19, 1859, on a farm in Blue township. He is a son of D. L. and Melinda (Hackett) Young, natives of Kentucky.

D. L. Young was born in 1833 and his wife was born in 1838. They came to Jackson County and were here married in 1858. Upon the out¬ break of the Civil War, D. L. Young enlisted in the Confederate Army and was captured by the Federals and imprisoned at Leavenworth. He was later inducted into the Union service and had the unique distinction of having an honorable discharge from both armies. He died in 1899 and was buried in Woodlawn cemetery. Mrs. Young died in 1907 and her remains were laid away by the side of her husband. The children born to D. L. and Melinda Young are: Lulu, wife of Ed Gilchrist, Kan¬ sas City, Mo.; D. L., Jackson County, Mo., and W. H., subject of this review.

W. H. Young was reared in Jackson County and educated in the pub¬ lic schools of Independence. After leaving school he leaimed the trade of carpenter under his father's tutelage and worked with him for several years. After his mandage he followed farming pursuits for six years and then resumed his trade of carpenter.

Mr. Young was married in 1884 to Miss Laura E. Surface, a daughter of William E. and Maria C. (St. John) Surface, the latter of whom was a relative of ex-governor John P. St. John, of Kansas, and lived to attain the age of 93 years. William E. enlisted in the Union army in Indiana and served throughout the conflict with an Indiana regiment of volun¬ teers. Mr. and Mrs. Young have two daughters: Esta E., wife of George Sheen, Independence, Mo.; Nina J., resides with her parents.

Francis Marion Searcy, living retired at 932 South Noland street. Independence, Mo. was born in Clay County, Mo., near the town of Lib¬ erty, April 27, 1848. He is a son of Ambrose W. and Mary Ann (Moore) Searcy, natives of Kentucky who came from Madison County, Ky. to Mis¬ souri in 1846 and located at Liberty, later coming to Jackson County, after the close of the Civil War. Ambrose W. Searcy first settled on a farm in the Blue Valley and then bought a farm two miles east of Inde¬ pendence where he spent his remaining years. He died in 1891 and his wife died in 1916. They were parents of the following children: Reuben Howell, Kansas City ; Francis M. of this review ; Josephine, wife of Charles W. Searcy, Raytown, Mo. ; Maiy Alice, wife of James Anderson, Olathe, Kan.; Cassandra, Charline and Ambrose W., Independence, Mo.

Francis Marion Searcy attended the subscriptions schools of his native county and grew up to the life of a tiller of the soil. He accompanied his parents to Jackson County after the Civil War and farmed with his father for several years. He then bought a farm of 71 acres about five miles northeast of Independence, to wliich he later added 50 acres in 1886. He sold this farm in 1911, having moved to Independence in 1909. Mr. Searcy has been three times married. His first marriage took place Dec. 30, 1869 with Susan Barton of Jackson County who died in 1888. He was married the second time to Cora E. Rogers, Sept. 17, 1890. She died Nov. 15, 1896. He was married the third time to Susan E. Rogers in December, 1909. The present Mrs. Searcy is a daughter of Allen and Margaret Webb, the former of whom was a son of Joseph Webb, a pioneer of Blue township who entered land in the vicinity of Salem church and south of

Francis Marion Searcy is father of ten children, as follow; Mrs. Mattie L. Rawlins, Colton, Calif.; Benjamin F., Chickasha, Okla.; Elfie May Searcy, at home; Hugh Thomas, Bristol street; Mrs. Mary J. Reed, Lacygne, Kan.; Fred Moore Searcy, deceased; Mrs. Myrtle A Stone de¬ ceased; Roy M. Searcy, Detroit; Dottie E. Searcy, deceased; Frank R. Searcy, at home.

Roy M. Searcy enlisted in the Missouri National Guard in 1914. At the time of the trouble with Mexico he was mustered into the regular army service and sent to the Mexican border and was on duty there at Laredo, Texas, until mustered out. After being mustered out of the service at Fort Riley he reenlisted in the National Guard and served with Battery C until the United States declared war upon Germany, when he was again taken into the regular service and sent to Fort Sill, Okla. and thence overseas on May 23, 1918, with the famous 35th Division. He served with Battery A, 129th Field Artillery and fought in the Argonne Forest, St. Mihiel, the Meuse, the Toul and the Verdun sector. He was on duty at Verdun when the armistice was signed, Nov. 11, 1918. In the latter part of April, 1919, he returned home and is now in the employ of the Cadillac Motor Company, Detroit, Mich. He is a Free Mason.

Frank R. Searcy enlisted in the United States navy May 3, 1917, at Kansas City. He was sent to the Naval Training Station at Newport, R. I. and was then sent to New York for shore duty at the New York navj' yard for further transfer to sea but was detailed until honorably dis¬ charged May 22, 1919. Mr. Searcy has an important position with the Standard Oil Company at Sugar Creek, where he is a mechanical clerk. He is a member of the Masons and Loyal Order of Knights of Pythias and is one of the splendid patriotic Americans of Independence.

Bishop Edmund L. Kelley, residing at Independence, Jackson County, Mo., is a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was born near Vienna, Johnson County, Ill., Nov. 17, 1844, a son of Richard Y. and Sarah Elizabeth (Ballowe) Kelley, the former of whom was born in Tennessee, and the latter in Virginia but removed with her parents to Nashville, Tenn., in childhood and was there reared and received her education.

Richard Y. Kelley was born in 1812 and died in 1861. He was a son of Benjamin Franklin Kelley, who was born in North Carolina. When the subject of this review, Edmund L. Kelley, was but a boy his parents removed to western Iowa, where Richard Y. Kelley and the family fol¬ lowed farming in the early settlement. The children born to Richard Y. and wife were: Benjamin, E. F., John S., deceased; William H., deceased; Mary J. ; Edmund L. ; George T. ; Parley P. ; and James M.

William H. Kelley was president of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving in this capacity for ten years prior to his death, which occurred at Lamoni, Iowa, June, 1914.

After pursuing his studies in the public schools and the Glenwood, Iowa, high school, Edmund L. Kelley taught school for a time and then attended the Iowa State University in 1863 and 1864. In 1871 and 1872 he was a traveling missionary in the state of Michigan and in 1873 he graduated from the Law Department of the Iowa University. After finishing his law course, he served as superintendent of the public schools of Mills County, Iowa, and at the close of his two years term, he received the written indorsement of the chairmen of both political parties in the county for reelection. He declined and practiced law in Glenwood for six years. In 1881 he was requested by the Reorganized Church of the Lat¬ ter Day Saints to represent them before the Congressional Committee at Washington, D. C., then investigating the situation in Utah, with a view to the admission of Utah into the Union as a state. Lie performed this mission with Zenas H. Gurley as associate, Mr. Gurley being one of the members of the quorum of twelve. Mr. Kelley in presenting his plea took the ground that the admission of Utah as a polygamous state was not to be permitted and he showed conclusively by able argument that poly¬ gamy as practiced by the Utah Mormons was not a part of the tenets of the Church of Latter Day Saints, and according to the principles of said church never could be. This application for admission with polygamy was refused by Congress.

In 1882, upon his return from Washington, the General Conference of the church held in Independence, Mo., offered Mr. Kelley a bishop's position. He accepted and has held the office since his appointment. In 1891 he was made presiding bishop, succeeding Bishop George A. Blakeslee, deceased. Mr. Kelley served as presiding bishop for 25 years. He has made his home in Independence since 1905 and now resides at 702 South Fuller avenue.

Bishop E. L. Kelley was married Dec. 21, 1876, to Miss Catherine Bishop, a daughter of John and Mary J. (Humiston) Bishop, of Mills County, Iowa. Sometime after the marriage, the Bishop family removed to Nebraska and established a home for many years, but when the father and mother became aged they changed to Independence, Mo,, where both died, Mr. Bishop April 13, 1915, and Mrs. Bishop Dec. 31, 1910, When Mr, Bishop went to Nebraska he homesteaded a tract of land in that state and achieved success as a farmer and stockman. Mr. Bishop was a vet¬ eran of the Mexican War and served under General Zachary Taylor. By virtue of a Mexican land patent given him by the government, he became owner of a tract of land in Iowa which he developed. He died at the age of 86 years. His wife attained the age of 83 years. Both are interred in Independence, Mo,

The children born to Bishop E. L. and Catherine B. Kelley are: Win¬ fred B,, Edmund L., Jr., Richard C., Laura B., Jeanette V., Joseph Stanley, David E., and Ruth Alix. Winfred B. Kelley is a practicing attorney in Independence, Mo. Edmund L. Kelley, Jr,, is a banker at Hardin, Mont, Richard C, Kelley is now in the textile manufacturing business in Phila¬ delphia, Pa. For two years (1905-7) he was principal of the Columbian School of Independence, Mo. He spent two years in the Philippine Islands in the employ of the Bureau of Education, Later he was Director of Manual Arts at Iowa State University. During the war he was a special agent for the government in the vocational rehabilitation of dis¬ abled service men.

Laura B. is the wife of Dr. John R. Green, Independence, Mo. He served as a captain in the medical corps, U. S. army, during the war. Jeanette V. is the wife of Paul N. Craig, Lamoni, Iowa. Both Mr. and Mrs. Craig are instructors in music at Graceland College, Lamoni. Joseph Stanley Kelley is a graduate of the Law Department of Missouri State University. He was lieutenant in the aviation corps during the World War. His command was ready to embark overseas when the armistice was signed. He is a traveling salesman for the Abernathy Furniture Company of Kansas City, David E, Kelley also served in the United States aiTny and saw service with the 35th Division in France during the World War, as first sergeant. Company E, 110th Engineers. He fought in the Meuse-Argonne drive and served in all two years. He re¬ turned home in May, 1919 and is now a member of the finn of the R, V. Aycock Co., Kansas City, Mo, Ruth Alix is the wife of Homer 0. Lichtenwalter, who was formerly a teacher in Kansas University, Lawrence, Kan. During the war he was an expert in the manufacture of high exp''osives at the large government powder plant at Nitro, W. Va. Their present home is Dover, N. J.

Bishop Kelley is now a traveling bishop for his church and under the direction of the presidency and presiding bishop, he visits all parts of the United States and many in Canada and has visited Great Britain, France and Italy, where his church is doing missionary work or has established organizations.

Harry B. Vest. - The late Harry B. Vest of Fort Osage township was a man of industry and worth in the community, whose death was re¬ gretted by scores of friends who had known him during his residence in Jackson County. He was born in Sibley, Mo., Dec. 2, 1861 and died Oct. 5, 1916. He was a son of William B. and Amanda N. Vest who were natives of Indiana. The Vest family came to Missouri in the early fifties and settled on a farm near Sibley, Fort Osage township. Mrs. Amanda N. Vest died there in 1871 and Harry B. Vest was reared by his step¬ mother, Mrs. Carrie Vest. He had one brother, Charles, now living at San Diego, Cal. and sisters, Mary and Amanda, deceased. He had five half brothers: Robert, Roland, George, Samuel and William, and three half sisters, Anna, Cardie and Minnie. George Vest lives in Kansas City. Samuel Vest lives south of Kansas City and Robert resides in Kansas City. A step sister, Mrs. John J. Mann, lives at Excelsior Springs, Mo.

111., March 3, 1869, and came to Jackson County in 1875 with her parents, William and Elizabeth Propst, a sketch of whom is in this volume in con¬ nection with that of James Propst. The children born to Harry B. and Jennie L. Vest are: William B., Nora B., George W., John Benjamin, Roy

5., Charles Q., Sadie L. William B. Vest was born June 21, 1890, mar¬ ried Lottie Spangler of Kansas City and lives on the Vest home place. Nora B. Vest was bom Nov. 24, 1892 and is employed in the office of the Prairie Pipe Line Company, Kansas City, Mo. George W. Vest was born Aug. 26, 1894 and is a student in Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa. He served in the National army, enlisting in the aviation corps in De¬ cember, 1917. He was in training at Camp Logan, Colo., and at San Antonio, Texas, and Memphis, Tenn. He was honorably discharged at Camp Dodge, Des Moines, Iowa, in April, 1919. John Benjamin Vest was born June 7, 1896, lives in Kansas City, Kan. He married Mabel Emerich. He served in the National army during the World War. He enlisted in February, 1918, was in training at Charleston, S. C., and at Pensacola, Fla., and received his honorable discharge Jan. 13, 1919. Roy S., was born Jan. 13, 1900 and is in the employ of the office of the Pennsylvania Rub- ber Company, Kansas City. Charles Q. Vest was born April 3, 1902 and is in the garage business at Buckner. Sadie L. Vest was born Aug. 15, 1905 and is a student in the Buckner High School, first year.

When Mr. and Mrs. Harry B. Vest began their wedded life, they set¬ tled on a farm, the old Emery place, near Sibley, and resided there for one year. They then moved to the old Propst place south of Buckner and resided there until Mr. Vest's death in 1916. In October, 1918, Mrs. Vest left the farm and moved to a home in Buckner. Mr. Vest died in the Independence Sanitarium, where he had gone for treatment. Mrs. Vest received 133 acres from her father's estate, and she and Mr. Vest ac¬ cumulated another farm of 160 acres north of Grain Valley. Mrs. Vest has since sold 26 acres of land.

Mr. Vest took a great interest in political matters and was a stanch Democrat, active in behalf of Democratic policies and always ready to assist his friend to political preferment. He was an industrious and suc¬ cessful citizen, kind to his family, a home man, who had many warm and steadfast friends in the community where he spent his entire life.

.Jess Flowers, councilman from the first ward and deputy coal oil in¬ spector, Independence, Mo., was born on a farm near Holden, Mo., July 5, 1874. He is a son of Dr. B. L. and Mary (Baker) Flowers, both natives of Virginia.

During the Civil War, Dr. B. L. Flowers was enrolled as a member of the home guards of his state. After the close of the war he located in Johnson County, Mo., practiced his profession and followed farming pursuits until his death. Mrs. Flowers died at Madison, Kan. Their children are: Benjamin, resides in Missouri; Charles, Kansas City, Mo., engineer at the plant of the National Biscuit Company; Mrs. Sarah Thomas, deceased; Mrs. Mary Hedrick, Madison, Kan.; Mrs. Frances Scarcliff, deceased ; Joseph, a printer, employed on the News, Madison, Kan. ; and Jess Flowers of this review.

After attending the public schools at Holden, Mo., Jess Flowers was employed in newspaper work for a number of years as a reporter. His first official position was that of reporter for the house of representatives at Jefferson City, a position which he held under Governor Folk. He kept the minutes of the Legislature during the deadlock which ensued between the, supporters of Kerens and Niedrenhaus for the United States senatorship, which was a very warm session. He also served in this position during 1910 and 1911 under Governor Hadley.

spector by Governor Hadley in 1911 and his headquarters have since been located at Independence. He served four years as deputy coal oil inspector and then entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company at Sugar Creek, Mo.

Mr. Flowers was married Nov. 7, 1893 to Emma Leta Storey of Holden, Mo., a daughter of Taylor Storey of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Flowers have a daughter, Dorothy Flowers, a kindergarten teacher at Sour Lake, Texas, a graduate of Independence High School and formerly a student of domestic science, Manhattan College, Kan. and a graduate of Forebel Kindergarten School of Kansas City.

The Flowers' residence is at 604 West Farmer street. Mr. Flowers is a Republican. In 1917 he was elected councilman from the first ward for a term of two years and is now serving his second term, having been reelected in April, 1919. The first ward is strongly Democrat and it is evi¬ dent that Mr. Flowers is popular with the citizens of his ward. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Woodmen of the World and the Loyal Order of Moose.

.Tames P. Sappenfield, elder of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, veteran of the Civil War, residing at 1119 South Noland street. Independence, is a native of Indiana. He was born in Har¬ rison County, Indiana, June 7, 1845, and is the son of Henry and Nancy (Harmon) Sappenfield well respected residents of Harrison County. Henry Sappenfield was born in Harrison County, and was a son of Michael and Mary (Sears) Sappenfield, natives of North Carolina, who were among the first of the pioneers in Indiana, settling in Harrison County in 1804. Henry Sappenfield married Nancy Harmon, a native of Floyd County, Ind. and a daughter of pioneer parents. The children of Henry and Nancy Sappenfield were: Sarah A., James P., Mary, Emanuel, Lucinda, Charles, David C. , Henry Sappenfield was engaged in farming and business dur¬ ing his active life.

When 18 years of age, James P. Sappenfield enlisted in Company E, 117th Indiana Infantry and later served with the 12th Indiana Battery. For two years he fought with the Union armies and participated in several great battles, among them being Lookout Mountain, Blue Spring, Tenn., and his last battle was at Nashville, Tenn. He returned to Indiana after the close of the w^ar and followed horticulture as a vocation until he re¬ moved to Independence in March, 1911.

(Kanoyer)) Byrne, the former a native of Indiana, and the latter of North Carolina. The town of Byrneville was named in honor of Temple C. Byrne, a greatuncle of Mrs. Sappenfield. Three children have been born to this marriage: Charles Edward, Byrneville, Ind. ; Nettie 0., wife of Edward Martin, Independence ; and Byrd Sylvester, Byrneville, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Sappenfield have seven grandchildren. James C. Martin, of Kansas City, a grandson, enlisted in the World War under Lieut. Col. Stayton, at that time a captain in command of Battery C and was a member of Major Stay ton's staff as sergeant major while on the Mexican border. He seiwed with his battery for three years, receiving an honorable dis¬ charge. He is now an expert accountant in the employ of a Kansas City firm. He married Leathe Fowler and resides at 1828 Cypress street. Mabel Martin, another grandchild, married Howard Jacobs and lives in Independence. Lake H. Martin married Velma Kemper and lives in Inde¬ pendence. Marshall Martin resides in Independence. Gordon Sappen¬ field resides in this city with his parents. Verne Sappenfield resides in Independence.

Elder Sappenfield's connection with his church began in Jan. 3, 1894 at Byrneville, Ind. and since that time he has done a great amount of work in its behalf. He takes an active part in church work and has done much local work in Independence and Jackson County.

Thomas Gaines, city councilman, superintendent of the Jackson County garage on South Crysler street. Independence, Mb., was born on a farm near Lees Summit, Mo., July 20, 1880. He is a son of J. T. and Tem¬ perance (Noland) Gaines, the latter a great niece of the late John Old¬ ham of this city who came to Missouri from Kentucky before the Civil W'ar. Mr. and Mrs. Gaines were both born and reared in Clark County, Ky., near Winchester. They came to Jackson County several years ago and settled on a farm near Lees Summit where they lived many years afterward moving to the Logan Swope farm northeast of Independence, and farmed there for 16 years, after which they retired to their home at 1535 North Dodgeon where Mr. Gaines died Dec. 23, 1917, with heart trouble. His widow and seven children still survive him, five of whom reside with their mother at the family residence. Those are Thomas Gaines, the subject of this sketch; Miss Foster Gaines, one of the leading teachers in the county, having taught the Elm Grove school for ten years, where she is at present teaching; Harry Colburn, James Noland, Miss Temperance, an Independence teacher; Mrs. Ernest Duckworth, 2506 Bales avenue, Kansas City, Mo.; and Mrs. Frank Jones, of Independence, Mo.

Thomas Gaines was educated in the public schools and Woodland Col¬ lege and after he attained the age of 21 years he followed farming. For the past 12 years he has been in the employ of Jackson County, receiving the appointment of superintendent of the Jackson County garage in Janu¬ ary, 1919.