Jackson County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1920 (part 13 of 15)

Robert W. Adams, an enterprising and successful farmer and stockman, of Van Buren township, is the owner of a well improved farm of 80 acres. Mr. Adams was bom in Mercer County, Ky., June 25, 1866, and is the son of James A. and Emma F. (Clark) Adams. They were the par¬ ents of ten children, eight of whom are living, as follows: Frank Clark, lives in Kansas; Robert W., the subject of this sketch; James T., a trav¬ eling salesman in the employ of the Missouri Seed Company, resides at Greenwood, Mo.; Adam R., lives near Lees Summit; Joseph G., lives in Prairie township; Dr. Lewis, a practicing physician and surgeon at Fredonia, Kan. ; Tillie C., a teacher in the public schools of Kansas City, Mo. ; and Bettie L., Kansas City, Mo.

James A. Adams was born in Mercer County, Ky., July 25, 1833, and died in Jackson County, Feb. 22, 1882. He came to Jackson County with his family in 1877, and was here engaged in farming until the time of his death. He died a comparatively young m.an, being less than 50 years of age. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Emma J. Clark Adams, mother of Robert W, Adams, was born in Boyle County, Ky., May 14, 1838, and now resides in Kansas City, Mo.

Robert W. Adams was about 11 years of age when he came to Jackson County with his parents, and since that time Jackson County has been his home. He began life for himself at an early age, and worked as a farm hand for 17 years. And most of that time was in the employ of Mrs. Emily Gammon. In 1908, he purchased a farm in Prairie township, and since that time has bought and sold a number of farms in Jackson County. He purchased his present place in Van Buren township in 1918, from his brother, A. R. Adams. He owns 80 acres, where he is success¬ fully canying on farming and stock raising.

August 20, 1913, Mr, Adams was united in marriage with Miss Ma¬ rion Franklin, a native of California, who cam,e to Missouri at two years of age. She is a daughter of Captain James and Letitia (Martin) Frank¬ lin, the former a native of Missouri, and the latter of North Carolina. Captain Franklin served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, and was a captain in Gen. Joe ShelbyV,. command. Among the many en¬ gagements in which he participated was the Battle of Lone Jack. To Mr. and Mrs, Adams has been born one child, James Robert, who resides at home with his parents.

Spencer Talley, a farmer and stock man of Prairie township, is a descendant of very prominent early pioneer families of Jackson County and has been identified with the interests of Jackson County all his life. He was born on the farm where he now resides in Prairie township, Jan. 19, 1852, a son of David C. and Mary Ann (Fristoe) Talley. David C. Talley was born in Kentucky, Aug. 5, 1811, He came to Missouri and set¬ tled in Jackson County about 1832. He first located at Independence, where he was engaged in the general mercantile business for three or four years, when he bought the farm in Prairie township, where Spencer L., the subject of this sketch, now resides. Here he spent the remainder of his life engaged in farming. He died May 19, 1869. His wife, Mary Ann (Fristoe) Talley, was born Sept. 10, 1820 and died Dec. 23, 1884. She was a daughter of Judge Richard Fristoe, a Jackson County pioneer, who was prominent in the early day affairs of this county. He was one of the first settlers of Independence and helped clear away the timber where the city of Independence now stands. He built the first store in Independence and was postmaster there. He was prominent in politics and represented Jackson County in the State Legislature several terms. He was a native of Kentucky, Further mention of the Talley family history appears in connection with the sketch of William W. Talley in this volume.

Spencer L. Talley was reared in Jackson County on the farm where he now resides and received his education in the public schools. He has owned the old homestead since 1878. His farm consists of 60 acres of well improved land and he has successfully carried on farming and stock raising these many years, with the exception of about two years when he served as steward of the Jackson County Home,

Mr. Talley was united in marriage Sept. 15, 1885 with Miss Susan Wade, a native of Richardson County, Neb. She was bom July 28, 1865, a daughter of Uriel Wade, a native of Kentucky. He was an early set-

David C. Talley And Wife

To Spencer L. Talley and wife have been born the following children : Wade who resides on the home farm; May, married Sherman Sheldon and lives in Cass County ; Mary, Kansas City, Mo. ; and Carl, who resided at home.

Michael Casey. - ^When Michael, or "Mike," Casey, prosperous farmer of Blue township, was born, he stood a chance a few hours later, of being carried away by a band of Bushwhackers, who had made a raid upon the Casey cabin, on the morning following his birth. Sept. 30, 1864. As Cornelius Casey, his father, was shaving and dressing, preparatory to making a trip to Independence, presumably to acquaint his friends of the fact that a son had been born to him, and probably to celebrate a little after his own fashion, a gang of Redlegs came to the door of the Casey home, and demanded food and whatever they desired to carry away. The little, new-born babe, was lying on the bed wrapped up in a blanket. One of the marauders grabbed up the blanket, baby and all, and started off with it. Mr. Casey shouted to him, "Hey, hold on there, there's a baby in that blanket." The Redleg thereupon unceremoniously dymped the baby out on the bed and made off with the blanket. The men also took Mr. Casey's clean shirt, which was hanging over a chair, and stripped the home of every valuable in sight.

Cornelius Casey, father of Mike Casey, was born in Ireland, in 1824, and died Jan. 12, 1888. He emigrated from Ireland when a young man, and first located in New York, and later came to Missouri. He was ac¬ companied to America by his wife and son, another son being born to them in New York City after their arrival. He was employed on the grading of the Missouri Pacific railroad in Jackson County, and continued in the employ of the railroad company after the road was completed to Inde¬ pendence and Kansas City. He was an associate of the late Edward Conboy, of Jackson County. Cornelius Casey was industrious and enterpris¬ ing, and after some years of railroad work he succeeded in becoming a farm owner. The Casey home was situated one and a half miles west of Mike Casey's present home, and six miles south of Independence, almost on the line of the Missouri Pacific railway. Elizabeth (Corcoran) Casey, wife of Cornelius Casey, was born in Ireland in 1829, and died in April, 1881. Their children were as follow: Thomas, deceased; Cornelius, de- ceased; James, Denver, Colo.; Daniel, living in Iowa; Michael, the subject of this sketch; John, lives on the adjoining farm across the road, in Brooking township.

When he attained his majority, Michael Casey began his own career. He received $60 for his first year's employment on his father's farm. The second year he was given a piece of corn ground, and received the value of the crop for his services, and for three years worked for his father for $16 per month. His father died the following winter, and Mike then purchased the estate from the other heirs, paying for the property in 10 years' time. He built a house on the place, and resided on it for 12 years. In 1909, he sold out and purchased his present splendid farm, which con¬ sists of 150 acres in Blue township - land' which is very fertile and consists of bottom land, excepting 12 acres of upland, where the house and farm buildings are located. Mr. Casey has placed all of the improvements on his farm. He purchased this farm from the Greeleys, a part of it having been entered by Mrs. Stalcup's father, Ivan Hall.

The Casey farm was overgrown with brush, and in a general run¬ down condition when Mr. Casey purchased it. The farm house was an old one, and situated in the valley. It was built by Ivan Hall, about a hundred years ago. The work of ridding the land of brush and redeeming the farm was tremendous, but he has been well repaid for his efforts.

For the past 20 years Mr. Casey has been a breeder of pure-bred Poland China hogs, and has achieved a State-wide reputation for the qual¬ ity of the breed produced on the Casey farm. He produces over $1,000 worth of hogs each year, practically all of his hogs being sold at private sale to discerning buyers.

Mr. Casey was married in 1890 to Mary Maloney, who was born in Wyandotte, Kan., in March, 1865, the only daughter of Frank and Annie (McCabe) Maloney, both of whom were bom in Ireland, immigrated to Jackson County, and died here. The children bom to this .union are: Mrs. Rosa Mallen, Texas; Emmett, James, Agnes, Thomas, twins, Jo¬ seph and Annie. Mrs. Rosa Mallen has three children, Rosella and Mary and Margaret, twins. Rosa Casey was a graduate from the State Normal School at Wamensburg, and taught school five years in Jackson County, and was widely known and a popular teacher.

Emmett Casey was born Jan. 1, 1896. He was inducted into the Na¬ tional Army July 22, 1918, and was trained at Camp Funston, becoming a private in Company B, Sixty-ninth regiment. Tenth division, and was dis¬ charged from the service as a first class private, Jan. 25, 1919. When

Emmett was six months old he weig'hed 25 pounds, and won a prize for being the fattest baby exhibited at a festival held in Independence July 4, 1896. W. Z. Hickman, editor of this history, was master of ceremonies, which were conducted in Hawker's pasture. He awarded the gold ring to the fattest baby, and then held up the boy for all to see. It is recalled that Emmett laughed and crowed and everybody in the great crowd laughed with him.

Mr. Casey is a Democrat, He and his family are members of the In¬ dependence Catholic church. He is one of the best and most enterprising citizens of Jackson County, and has many warm friends in the county.

Lloyd Martin, former postmaster of Buckner, Mo., for 17 years, has been a resident of Jackson County nearly 50 years, and is one of the real old settlers of this county. Mr. Martin is a native of Ohio, having been born in Perry County, near the town of McLuney, five miles east of New Lexington, Oct. 9, 1851. His father, Jacob Martin, was bom and reared in Perry County, and was a son of Abram Martin, a native of Pennsyl¬ vania, whose father was also a native of Pennsylvania. The Martins are of old American stock. The mother of Lloyd Martin was Charity Hitch¬ cock, prior to her marriage, and she was born in Fairfield County, Ohio. During the Civil War Jacob Martin served four years with the Fifth Ohio Cavalry, and was in active and constant service during the entire period of his enlistment. He suffered severely from rheumatism contracted on one of the expeditions. His detachment was surrounded by the enemy, and they had to fight their way out of the trap and race for their lives, and to avoid capture. Mr. Martin lost his stirrups during the excitement, and he was forced to ride a distance of 40 miles without the support of the st/rrups. The mishap and the rigors of the ride practically crippled him for life, and he was always, thereafter, a sufferer from rheumatism. After the war he removed to Jackson County, with his family, arriving at Independence, Oct. 26, 1868.

Mr. Martin was a carpenter and millwright, and erected many mills. He erected the first flouring and grist mill at Sibley after the war, to re¬ place the one which was burned during the Civil War.

Mr. Martin settled on a farm one mile northeast of Buckner, in Fort Osage township, which he developed and made his home until 1885, when he retired to a residence in Buckner. He was born in 1824, and died July 22, 1900. Charity, his wife, was born in 1824, and died Nov. 12, 1886. Their children were as follow: Lloyd Hitchcock Martin, subject of this sketch; Areil C., wife of Noah Vest, died in 1918; Mary Jane, wife of

Lloyd Martin purchased his first farm in 1878, and resided thereon until 1898, when he located in Buckner. The Martin farm is a valuable tract of 80 acres, situated north of Buckner.

Mr. Martin was married in February, 1880, to Miss Alice Ucker, who was born March 15, 1860, in Pickaway County, Ohio, a daug-hter of John and Nancy (Barr) Ucker, natives of Ohio. Mr. Ucker came to Jackson County from Ohio in the fall of 1868, and was engaged in farming until his retirement to a home in Buckner. John Ucker was bom July 4, 1835. His first wife, Nancy Barr Ucker, was born in 1840, and died in August, 1879. Their children are as follow: Mrs. Alice Martin, of this review; Anna, wife of Jacob Kellstadt, died in Ohio, in December, 1918; Lizzie Helen, wife of John C. Ahrens. Her first husband was George Kellstadt, by whom she has one child, Clara Margaret; Mary Jane Hostet¬ ler, living northeast of Buckner.

Seven children were bora to Lloyd H. and Alice Martin, as follow: John, died at the age of 21 years; Nannie, died when 18 months old; Melvin and Willie, died in infancy; Jacob ester; Ethel and Anna Helen. Jacob Lester resides in Los Angeles, Calif. He married Ruth Lowry, in August, 1919. Ethel is the wife of J. R. Steele, Kansas City; Anna Helen is the wife of Robert Redding, Humboldt, Kan., and has one child, Stella Pauline.

Mr. Martin is a Republican, and has always been interested in the affairs of his party. He was appointed postmaster of Buckner in 1897, and served in this office until 1914, and during that time he achieved a reputation for a painstaking, faithful and efficient public official. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is affiliated with the Mod¬ ern Woodmen of America.

Benjamin U. Brown, Brooking township, residing on his very valu¬ able farm of 34 acres, devoted to fruit raising and dairying, is a native of Jackson County, having been born on a part of the old Brown home¬ stead, most of which is now within the limits of Kansas City. He was born July 14, 1861, and is a son of Benjamin Brown, a native of Virginia, who settled in Jackson County in 1842. He w'as reared in Virginia, and there married Sidney Blevins. With his wife and one child he came to this county, and settled in the west part of Brooking township, where he first bought a small 40-acre tract. He cleared this farm of timber and improved it, and as the years passed he accumulated a total of 600 acres.

This land in past years as the city was growing more and more toward the eastward has been divided into small tracts, and sold at advanced prices. Whereas there was but one or two houses on the Brown land some years ago, there are now over 26 homes, situated in what is called the Swope Park Addition to Kansas City. Eight children were born to Ben¬ jamin and Sidney (Blevins) Brown, as follow: Mrs. Melvina Cates, Strasburg. Mo.; Isaac, deceased; Mrs. Louisa Calhoun, living on the adjoining farm; Mrs. Mary Cates, deceased; James, who met death in a runaway; Harriet, deceased; William, died at Eureka Springs, Mo.; Benjamin U., of this sketch.

Upon the first division of the Brown estate, Ben U. Brown received 38 acres. When another division was made he was given 19 a#:res. He has sold part of his land, and the remainder is worth anywhere from $400 to $1,000 an acre, because of its proximity to Kansas City.

Mr. Brown was married Dec. 16, 1885, to Miss Laura E. Fetter, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of Emanuel Fetter, an early settler of Jackson County. Two children were born of this marriage: Elmer and Ethel Maude, both of whom are at home. Elmer Brown was born Sept. 18, 1887. He was inducted into the National Army July 22, 1918, and was in training at Camp Funston as a private in the Tenth division of the army. He received his honorable discharge from the service Jan. 29, 1919.

Mr. Brown is a Democrat, and a Baptist. His memory of the old days of his boyhood is keen and he loves to reminisce of the Civil War days, and the days after the war, when the entire country was reverted to a wilderness state. The Brown family went to Nebraska when Order No. 11 was issued, and upon their return the farm had grown up in brush, and wild animals abounded. The hogs which had been left behind to seek subsistence as they might, had grown to great size and were very wild, with long, vicious looking tusks, and were dangerous. It was the cus¬ tom of the farmers to shoot them on sight, as they even attacked children and grown people. A cousin, Jesse Cole, came one day to help Ben Brown kill the wild hogs on his place. Mr. Cole shot one especially vicious animal, but did not kill him. The hog chased Mr. Cole, who was forced to flee for his life, and climb the nearest tree.

The men of the neighborhood had to hide out whenever the Bush¬ whackers or Kansas Redlegs from across the border were in the vicinity during the early days of the war. The men of the Brown neighborhood had an almost inaccessible hiding place called the Tennessee Gulch, where they took their horses and hid for days at a time without ever being found. This was a wild place, grown over with tangled underbrush and trees, and was the finest kind of a hiding place. While in hiding, the women would bring them food, and keep them posted as to the movements of invaders. When the family went to Nebraska the father loaded the children and what was left of his possessions in his only wagon, and drove away to safety.

William A. Thompson, an extensive farmer and stockman, and a progressive citizen of Van Buren township, is a native son of Jackson County, and a member of a pioneer family of Missouri. He is a son of William and Elizabeth (Simmons) Thompson, a more extensive sketch of whom appears, together of a detailed history of the Thompson family, in connection with the sketch of Oliver Thompson, which appears in this volume.

William A. Thompson received his education in the public schools, and was reared on a farm and thus acquired his knowledge of the art of farming and stock raising at first hand and by actual experience, and has followed farming and stock raising all his life. He is now the owner of a valuable farm of 363 acres, which is a part of the old Thompson home place.

Feb. 29, 1892, William A. Thompson was united in marriage with Miss May Thompson, a native of Kentucky. She was born Aug. 28, 1866, in Rockcastle County, Ky., a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Cloyd) Thompson, both natives of Kentucky. George Thompson went from Ken¬ tucky to Illinois with his family, and in 1882 came to Missouri and set¬ tled in Cass County, where he was engaged in farming.

To William A. Thompson and wife were born twin sons, as follows: Robert and Ralph, born May 16, 1898, and both residing at home with their father. The mother died May 28, 1903.

Mr. Thompson is a member of the Christian church, and the Inde¬ pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a substantial citizen and highly regarded in the community where he has always lived.

James R. Webb. - For 53 years James R. Webb, a native of Blue town¬ ship, has resided on his farm of 108 acres. He first worked on this farm for the former owner in 1867, and in the following year he purchased the land for $25 an acre. He placed all of the existing improvements on the place, and has been offered $200 an acre for the farm. A large orchard of 25^ acres brings in a considerable revenue each year. Fourteen acres of this orchard are in cherries and peaches, plums, etc. Mr. Webb has fruit ripening in his orchards during the entire season. First comes his cherry crop, then plums ripen, then peaches, and the last harvest takes care of the apple crop. During last season he sold nine bushels of green gage plums at $1.50 per bushel; 23 bushels of red plums brought $1.25 per bushel; ten bushels of Damons brought $2.00 per bushel. Mr. Webb's planting is usually done in the fall of the year, because he has found that the sap comes early and the young trees get a better start in the ground if allowed to remain in the ground ail winter. He always lays aside the top soil and places a layer of it around the roots of the young trees, so as to properly nourish the roots.

Mr. Webb was born in 1847, on the Rogers place, one-fourth mile west. He is a son of Allen and Peggy (Shelby) Webb, the latter of whom was a relative of Gen. Joe Shelby, of Civil War fame. Both of Mr. Webb's parents were natives of Tennessee. Allen Webb came to Jackson County with his parents, Joseph and Margaret Webb, in 1824. A brother of Allen Webb fought at the memorable Battle of The Alamo, and lost his life by the side of Davy Crockett, James Bowie and the other heroes who gave up their lives for the freedom of Texas on that occasion. The fam¬ ily of Joseph Webb was as follow: Asa, Allen, Joseph, Peggy, William and Nancy Rogers, all of whom are deceased.

Allen Webb was reared in Missouri, and was enrolled for service in the so-called Mormon War. He fought in the Seminole and other Indian wars, and also fought in the Civil War. In the spring of 1865 he was taken prisoner by the Federals, and taken to Warrensburg, where he was shot by the enraged Federals in retaliation for the assassination of Abra¬ ham Lincoln. He was one of the oldest soldiers in the Confederate Army, at the time of his death being 65 years of age. He was a thorough sol¬ dier, skilled in military tactics, and was eligible to pension from the gov¬ ernment on account of having served in four Indian wars. Mrs. Peggy Webb died in 1879, at the age of 60 years. Allen and Peggy Webb were the parents, of the following children : John, was a forty-niner, died at the home of his brother, J. R. Webb; Harris, deceased, was a captain under General Shelby, served for four years in the Civil War, was taken pris¬ oner, exchanged at Vicksburg, and was never heard of afterwards ; George, was killed at Salem Church ; Mrs. Margaret Perry, deceased ; James R., of this review; Mrs. Louisa Liggett, Springfield, Mo.; Mrs. Lizzie Searcy, Independence ; Frank, died in Nebraska ; Mollie, died at the age of 14 ; and Nannie, lives in Ohio.

in Price's raid through Missouri, and was in the continuous fighting which took place during this raid. He fought daily all the way from Jefferson City to Westport, and during the subsequent retreat of Price's army to Newtonia, Ark, He surrendered at Shreveport, La. Mr. Webb was the youngest soldier of his regiment. He was among the first Confederates to follow the Union soldiers out of Independence, when the city was taken. At the battle of Rock Creek, a veritable slaughter occurred, over 2,000 militiamen from Kansas meeting death. He was detailed with a band of 2,000 to fight this battle, and only four Kansans escaped with their lives. These four Webb's command chased for a distance of five miles to the Union ranks, and were nearly ambushed themselves in their eagerness to capture or kill the four fleeing infantry men. Ten thousand Federal troops then chased the command over a road which was blocked with guns, dead bodies and fallen horses.

In 1869, James R. Webb was married to Josephine Adams, a daugh¬ ter of Nelson Adams. She died in 1914, 'at the age of 56 years. He was again married Dec. 13, 1917, to Miss Fannie A. Liepsner, of New York City.

Mr. Webb is a stanch Democrat, a good citizen, and an interesting old timer, who has a vivid recollection of the old and troublous times in Jackson County,

William A. Forsythe, a prominent breeder and the owner and pro¬ prietor of Hedgewood Farm, one of the finest stock farms in Jackson County, which is located in Prairie township, has won a well merited repu¬ tation as one of the leading breeders and importers of Shorthorn cattle in the Southwest. The reputation of the Forsythe's herd of pure bred Shorthorns is by no means confined to Jackson County, nor Missouri. His stock has been successfully exhibited with flattering results at the State fairs of Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma, and for nearly 30 years he has been a successful breeder. His straight Scotch herd now numbers about 60 head. In 1919 he imported 10 head and in 1918 four head, all from the leading herds of Scotland.

Regular purebred sales are held at Hedgewood Farm and the stocK always has a ready sale at satisfactory prices. Perhaps the most suc¬ cessful sale of purebred Shorthorn cattle in the history of western Mis¬ souri was held by William A. Forsythe and sons on their place near Greenwood, Dec, 12, 1919. Despite the fact that the weather was cold and disagreeable, buyers were there and results would indicate that they came to buy. There were 62 head of Shorthorns sold at this sale. The average price paid per head was $1,214 and the total proceeds of the sale was $75,300. The highest price paid for one animal was $4,750, which was paid for "Lady Supreme", winner of first prize for cows at the Amer¬ ican Royal Stock Show at Kansas City. Park Salter, of Wichita, Kan., was the buyer of this superior animal. The Forsythes are entitled to much credit for not only making a great business success of breeding, but vast improvement of the standard of live stock in this country is being rapidly advanced by such progressive breeders as the Forsythes.

William A. Forsythe was born in Mercer County, Ky., May 2, 1861, and is a son of Robert B. and Mary Elizabeth (Irvine) Forsythe, who were the parents of two children: Betty L. married Lee Hilligoss and is now a widow residing at Pleasant Hill, Mo. and William A., the subject of this sketch. Both parents were also natives of Mercer County, Ky. The father was born May 21, 1824, and died in Jackson County, Nov. 18, 1894. His wife was born Jan. 21, 1836 and died April 27, 1898 in Jackson County. The Forsythe family came to Jackson County in 1880 and here the father engaged in farming and stock raising and both he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives here.

William A. Forsythe was reared and educated in Mercer County, Ky. and was about 18 years of age, when he came to Jackson County with his parents. He managed the home place for a time and later bought land and is now the owner of 680 acres, which is known as Hedgewood Farm and is one of the valuable places of Jackson County.

June 6, 1883, Mr. Forsythe was united in marriage with Miss Mattie McKittrick, a daughter of James McKittrick, whose wife bore the maiden name of Miss McMurray. They were natives of Ohio and early settlers in Jackson County. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. For¬ sythe, as follows : Edwin J., Worland, Wy. ; Katherine, at home ; John A., commercial head of Forsythe and Sons, with genera loces at Pleasant Hill ; and Eugene, who is assisting his father in the operation of Hedgewood Farm.

Mr. Forsythe is not only a student of the live stock industry from the successful breeder's standpoint but he is a close observer and clear thinker along general lines. He is a strong advocate of soil conseiwation, a sub¬ ject which is arresting the attention of the most highly enlightened and progressive agriculturist of today. He believes that to maintain thei fertility of the soil that more stock should be kept on the farm ; that more of the product of the soil should be fed on the place and that by this method instead of the soil becoming more and more impoverished from year to year that the reverse will be true and soil fertility will be in¬ creased, The wisdom of this theory is obvious and should serve as a warning to the present day farmer.

Mr. Forsythe is a Democrat and a member of the Presbyterian church and is a member of the time-honored Masonic lodge. He is a pro¬ gressive citizen, a man of original ideas, who has a wide acquaintance over the country and who stands high in the estimation of his fellow men.

Jerry Johnson, a well known farmer and breeder, of Van Buren township, is a native of this State. He was born in Morgan County, Mo., Jan. 1, 1861, a son of Jerry and Mary T. (Hannon) Johnson. The father died here at the age of 24 years, in 1860, a few months before the subwas a native of Indiana, and when a young man came to Missouri, and ject of this sketch was born. Mary T. Hammon was a native of Missouri, born in Morgan County. After the death of her first husband she mar¬ ried Charles Litsinger, a native of Ohio, and a pioneer school teacher of Jackson County. He taught the first school in Crackerneck district. Blue township. Two children were born to Charles Litsinger and Mary Han¬ non Johnson Litsinger, as follows: Mrs. Fannie V. Jobe, Sherman, Texas, and Grace Lee, married J, S. Carlyle, a prominent educator of McKenney, Texas. The mother died in 1869, at the age of 78 years.

Jerry Johnson was educated in the public schools of Blue township, Jackson County, and also attended the public schools in Indiana and Hick¬ ory County, Mo. He began life as a farmer in Jackson County, and has been continually engaged in farming and stock raising to the present time, with the exception of the period from 1897 to 1903, when he was the head janitor of the court house at Independence. He was the first person to ring the bell on the new court house. This was when the United States declared war against Spain, in 1898. Mr. Johnson bears the distinction of having been one of the first passengers to ride over the Missouri Pacific railroad from Pleasant Hill to Independence, this was in 1865, and he was about four years of age at that time. The Johnson family is an old American family. Mr. Johnson has in his possession a knife which was carried through the War of 1812 by Jerry Johnson, a great-uncle of his.

June 19, 1889, Jerry Johnson was married to Miss Mary E. Ritter, a native of Jackson County and a daughter of pioneer parents. She was born in Prairie township Dec. 17, 1866, and is a daughter of H. T. and Mary M. (Taylor) Ritter, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Boone County, Mo. They were the parents of ten children of whom

Mrs. Johnson is the eighth in order of birth. The Ritter family was among the very early settlers in Jackson County. They came here about 1833. H. T. Ritter was a farmer and stock raiser and spent his entire life here except during the Civil War while Order No. 11 was in force, when he went to Texas, but returned to Jackson County in 1866. He served in the Confederate army for a short time under General Upton Hayes and was at the battle of Rock Creek, near Westport.

To Jerry Johnson and wife have been born three children as follows: Telfer, deceased; Jennie Belle, married W. L. Merrit and they reside in Van Buren township; Henry Chrisman, a motorman for the Kansas City Street Railway Company and at present employed on the Independence apd Kansas City line.

Mr. Johnson is a Democrat and a member of the Baptist church. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for the past 40 years and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He has seen Jackson County grow up and for considerably more than half a cen¬ tury he has been a part of its progress and development.

Ed F. Bracht. - The Ever Eat Restaurant at 206 West Liexington street. Independence, Mo. is one of the most popular eating places in the city for several reasons, chiefly because Mr. Bracht, the proprietor, is one of the best cooks in the country who prepares appetizing meals which are appreciated by hundreds of patrons. The service in the Ever Eat cafe is first class and the charges for meals and short orders are well within the means of the average person. Mr. Bracht does not believe in profiteer¬ ing, but he has always made it a rule to give each and every patron the full worth of his money.

Ed F. Bracht, proprietor of the Ever Eat restaurant or cafe, was born near Freedom, Mo., Oct. 23, 1880. He is a son of William and Louise (Gaynor) Bracht, both of whom were reared to the life of the farm. William Bracht was born in 1844, immigrated to America from his native country in about 1862, followed farming during his life and died in 1902. His wife, Louise, was a daughter of Frank Gaynor, of Gasconade County, who served in the Civil War with the Union forces. Louise Bracht was born in Missouri in 1855 and departed this life in 1903. The Bracht family moved to Lawrence County, Mo., in 1893 and there followed farming. There were five sons and three daughters born to William and Louise Bracht, as follows: Amanda, wife of Frank Kiso, Slater, Mo.; Caroline, wife of Gus Detmer, Sedalia, Mo.; Talita, whose husband is a physician in Kansas City, Mo.; Frank, an extensive farmer in Lawrence County,

Mo.; August, Nevada, Mo., was killed by lightning; Henry, a sheep rancher in North Dakota; Louis, a farmer in Lawrence County, Mo.; and Ed F., of this review.

Ed F. Bracht remained at home and assisted his father on the farm until he attained his majority. He then engaged in business at Hawarden, Iowa, for three years. In 1904 he became a cook and soon afterwards came to Independence where he was in the employ of Piser Brothers who conducted the largest restaurant in the city for a number of years. From 1916 to 1919 he was employed at Sheffield, Mo. On Dec. 13, 1918, he pur¬ chased a restaurant on the east side of the square in Independence and in August, 1919, he bought the building in which his cafe is now located and has been doing a prosperous and ever increasing business. In fact, the trade is so heavy at times in the Ever Eat Cafe that it takes Mr. Bracht and his assistants to care for it properly.

Mr. Bracht was married in 1912 to Hannah Stratton of Independence, a daughter of Henry and Catherine Stratton, residing on South Main street. Mr. and Mrs. Stratton have the following children: Mrs. Anna Bauer, Hermann, Mo.; Edward, at home; Mrs. Hannah Bracht, of this review; Mrs. Pauline Street, Independence; Mrs. Julia Streibel, Inde¬ pendence; Ella, Wilma and Estelle, at home with their parents.

To Ed F. and Hannah Bracht have been born two children : Edward, born March 13, 1914; and Aline, born July 12, 1917. Mr. Bracht is an independent Republican. The family church is the Evangelical. He ranks with the truly successful business men of Independence whose suc¬ cess has been due to hard work and good management.

A. O. Shoup, proprietor of Shoup's Grocery, 814 North Liberty street. Independence, Mo., was born in Carroll* County, Mo., and is a son of George and Sylvia Shoup, the former of whom is deceased, and the latter resides at Stockton, Texas.

George Shoup, the father, was born in Putnam County, Ohio, March 10, 1849, and died March 2, 1916, from injuries received in a motor truck accident. In 1863 he accompanied his parents to Indiana, where he at¬ tained young manhood, and was married to Sylvia Hasler. Soon after his marriage he moved westward to Carroll County, Mo. Mr. Shoup was the inventor of the Little Giant Well Driller, a machine which was used in the drilling of over 1,500 wells in Ray County, Mo. The children of the Shoup family are : Archie 0., of this sketch ; Mrs. Dollie Ketzler, Texas ; Mrs. Minnie West, San Angelo, Texas; Mrs. Charles Schultz, Fort Stockton, Texas.

Archie 0. Shoup learned the baker's trade when a young man, and followed his trade in this city for a number of years, following which he carried the mail on Rural Route No. 6 for nine years. He is now employed as assistant engineer at the power house at Sugar Creek. His wife, Mrs. Susie Shoup, manages the store, which they purchased Feb. 1, 1918.

Mr. Shoup was married Feb. 22, 1900, to Miss Susie Angell, a daugh¬ ter of William W. and Jeanette (Hamilton) Shoup, who reside at 922 North Main street, Independence. William W. Angell followed contracting in this city for 35 years, and is now retired.

Harry Angell, his son, follows the business of contractor and plas¬ terer. Mr. Angell plastered the court house. Masonic hall, the Bryant school, and many other important buildings in the city. He is now aged 67 years. Mrs. Angell is 65 years old. Hezekiah Hamilton, grandfather of Mrs. A. 0. Shoup, came to Randolph County, Mo., when a child, was reared there, and became a large land owner, the town of Clark being located on what was formerly the Hamilton farm. Mr. Hamilton attained the age of 85 years, and died in 1914. Mrs. Elsie Hasler, grandmother of Mrs. Shoup, resides at Grain Valley, and although past 95 years of age, she does her own house work. She is an expert bread baker. Mrs. Has¬ ler is a native of Pennsylvania, and came from Indiana to Carroll County, residing there until about 15 years ago, when she moved to Grain Valley.

Archibald Anderson Stayton, now residing on his farm in Prairie township, is a worthy representative of one of Jackson County's prominent pioneer families, and is of the third generation of the Staytons who have been identified with the history of Jackson County.

Archibald Anderson Stayton was born in Blue township, Jackson County, July 9, 1860. He is a son of Thomas and Jane (Medows) Stayton, and was one of the following children born to them: John L, deceased; Thomas A., lives in Idaho ; Mrs. Susan R. Graycraft, lives in Cass County ; Sally, married John Elsey, and is deceased; Archibald A., the subject of this sketch; James A., deceased, and Ruth, deceased. The mother of these children died about 1870, and the father was married again, to Mrs. Ma¬ tilda (Corn) Helms, a widow, and to this union the following children were born: Col. Edward M., a civil engineer, who served in the World War, and saw service in France, and a biographical sketch of whom ap¬ pears in this volume; Charles C., lives in Montana, and Betty is deceased.

Thomas Stayton was born in Tennessee about 1827. His parents moved from Tennessee to Kentucky, and from there to Missouri. He was a son of John Stayton, who upon coming to this county, settled upon the Lexington highway. Later he bought land on the Blue Springs road, where he erected a large brick house, after the style of the early day planter's home, and here reared a family of ten children, and he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives there. Thomas Stayton followed farming throughout his life, and was the owner of 240 acres of land east of Independence, where he died in 1878, at the age of 58 years.

Archibald Anderson Stayton remained on the home farm until he was about 18 years of age, when he and his brother, Thomas, engaged in farming in partnership, which they continued until 1882, when they dis¬ solved partnership and divided their interests, and Archibald A. became the sole owner of the land which has since been his home, and where he has successfully carried on farming and stock raising.

May 12, 1886, Mr. Stayton was united in marriage with Miss Nannie B. Winbom, a native of Kentucky. To Mr. and Mrs. Stayton have been born two children, as follows; Golden E., married C. Steele, Scammon, Kan. ; and Sally, married L. M. Munsen, and they also reside at Scammon.

Mr. Stayton is a Democrat, and a member of the Knights of Pythias. He has seen Jackson develop from almost a primitive state to become one of the populous sections of the country. He recalls the time when Indians from the nearby reservations frequently prowled around the vicinity of the Stayton home, and has a distinct recollection of one occa¬ sion when he was at home caring for his youngest sister, who was a babe in the cradle, when Indians came, and asked for "roosters and onions." Young Stayton was very much frightened at the sight of the so-called noble red men, and this incident made a lasting impression on his mind.

William A. Smith, of Greenwood, Mo., has long been recognized as a prominent factor in both the agricultural and financial interest of this section of the state. His career from the beginning has been marked by success. For many years he was extensively engaged in farming and stock raising and is now the owner of 770 acres of land which constitutes one of the valuable farms of Jackson County. It is located in Prairie township and is now being operated by Jesse L. Smith, son of William A. For many years Mr. Smith was an extensive breeder of Aberdeen Angus cattle but closed out his herd in 1917. Several years ago he became inter¬ ested in the banking business and was one of the charter members of the Farmers Bank of Lees Summit and also the Bank of Greenwood. He

William A. Smith was born in Macoupin County, Ill., Sept. 1, 1857, and is the son of Jesse A. and Selah B. (Roach) Smith. Eight children were born to them, as follows: L. P., deceased; Carrie, now the widow of W. A. Wilson, residing at Belton, Texas; William A., the subject of this sketch; C. H., deceased; G. W., Denison, Texas; B. F., Marionville, Mo.; Annie, died in infancy, and Myrtle, married W. I. Kipp, Fort Scott, Kan. Jesse A. Smith was born in Kentucky in 1834 and from his native state went to Illinois and in 1869 came to Missouri with his family and located at Greenwood, Jackson County. Here he engaged in farming and stock raising and was later engaged in buying and shipping livestock; he died in 1904 at the age of 70 years. His wife was a native of Tennessee and died in Jackson County, Dec. 25, 1885, at the age of 54 years.

William A. Smith was about 12 years old when he came to Jackson County with his parents in 1869 ; he received his education in the public schools in Illinois and also attended school at Greenwood, Mo. after com¬ ing to this state. He was married before he was 20 years of age and began his independent career as a farmer and stockman and was suc¬ cessful from the start. He early recognized that feeding cattle for the market was one of the most profitable phases of farming and the stock business and for over 40 years he was engaged in that business and ac¬ cumulated a fortune. He always worked hard and gave his business strict attention - never depending upon so called fate or lucky accidents. In 1910 he erected a large modern brick residence in Greenwood which is one of the fine homes of Jackson County.

Oct. 2, 1876, William A. Smith was united in marriage with Jennie A. Maddox, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of Larkin and Eveline (Belcher) Maddox, early settlers in Jackson County and both now de¬ ceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born one son, Jesse L., who is now operating his father's farm. He was educated in the public schools and Wentv/orth Military School. He married June Gerard, a daughter of Dr. Gerard of Pleasant Hill, Mo., and they have three daughters.

Notwithstanding that Mr. Smith has been a hard worker and lived a strenuous business life he has been able to separate his work from his play and recreation, and is a great devotee to a certain class of outdoor sports. He is fond of hunting and fishing and when ever there is a fox hunt of any particular interest in any part of the state he is generally numbered among those present. This is a trait which he inherited from his father who was also a great lover of the chase, and the sound of the pack was sweet music to him. Jesse L. Smith, like his father and g'randfather, is also fond of hunting and fishing.

William A. Smith has had a successful career of which any man may be justly proud. He is progressive and public spirited and one of Jackson County's highly esteemed citizens.

William W. Talley, a progressive farmer and stockman of Prairie township, who owns and operates 100 acres of productive land, is a native son of this county, and a descendant of Jackson County pioneers. The Talley family came from Kentucky to Jackson County, settling here as early as 1832. This was an early day in the settlement of this county and since that time the Talley family has been identified with the great growth and development of Jackson County.

William W. Talley was born in Prairie township on the farm where he now resides, Jan. 6, 1858. He is a son of David and Mary (Fristoe) Talley, natives of Kentucky. Further details of the history of the Talley family appear in connection with the sketch of Spencer L. Talley in this volume.

To David and Mary (Fristoe) Talley were born 10 children as follow; Mrs. John Fristoe is now deceased; Pvichard, deceased; Thomas, deceased; Ruse, married William Garnhart, now deceased; Charles H., resides at Hickman Mills; Polly married C. Neal and lives in Jackson County; Spencer L., a sketch of whom appears in this volume ; Sally, married Mart Fristoe and resides at Grain Valley; William W., the subject of this sketch ; and Katie, deceased.

William W. Talley was reared and educated in Jackson County. He spent his early life on the home farm and has always made farming and stock raising his chief occupation and has met with success.

In February, 1880, William W. Talley was united in marriage with Miss Mollie Evans, a native of Kentucky. She is a daughter of Bail; Evans and her mother bore the maiden name of Frances Tucker. They were early settlers in Jackson County and came here from Kentucky. To Mr. and Mrs. Talley have been born four children as follow: Claudine, married Percy Robinson, Pleasant Hill; Frank, Raytown; Waller, Lees Summit, and Artie, married Fred Garder, Prairie Home township.

Mr. Talley is a Democrat. He takes an active interest in local affairs and is the present road overseer of his district. He is a member of the Christian church.

William Talley

William Lee Ragsdale, a leading farmer and stockman of Van Buren township is a native of Missouri and a member of one of the pioneer fam¬ ilies of this state. He was born near Columbus, Johnson County, Feb. 9, 1864, a son of Dr. Edward and Elizabeth (Easley) Ragsdale, and was one of five children born to them, as follows: Lulu, married M. C. Wither¬ spoon and is now deceased; William Lee, the subject of this sketch; Anna E., married Z. W. Yankee, Lone Jack, Mo. ; Dr. Edward W., a physician and surgeon. La Junta, Col., and Dr. Thomas J., a physician and surgeon at Lees Summit, Mo.

Dr. Edward Ragsdale was born in Bedford County, Tenn., July 30, 1837, and died July 25, 1916. He was a son of Edward Ragsdale, who was a native of Tennessee and spent the latter part of his life in Holt County, Mo. He was an extensive cattle man.

Dr. Edward Ragsdale worked hard to obtain his education, working for 25 cents per day at farm labor, and finally borrowed money from a Mr. Ridings to pay his way through college. After obtaining a good preliminary education he attended the Polk Medical School of St. Louis and afterwards attended medical college in Philadelphia, Pa., where he was graduated with the degree of the Doctor of Medicine. This was prior to the Civil War and he located at Lone Jack before the Civil War came on and practiced his profession there during the war. He was one of the widely known pioneer physicians of this section of Missouri. He was a profound student of this profession and successful, and had a wide repu¬ tation as a skilled physician. He retired from practice in 1912 and moved to Lees Summit, where he died July 25, 1916. His wife died in 1918. She was a native of Jackson County, born in 1835.

William Lee Ragsdale was reared at Lone Jack and educated in the public schools there, when he was about 18 years old his father moved to the farm where William L. now resides, which consists of 300 acres, Mr. Ragsdale has made farming and stock raising his life's work and is one of the successful and practical farmers and stockmen of Jackson County.

April 14, 1912, William Lee Ragsdale was united in marriage with Miss Iva Round, a native of Jackson County and a daughter of John E. and Mollie (Cave) Round early settlers of Jackson County. To Mr. and Mrs. Ragsdale have been born two children, Lee E. and Thomas E.

John T. Bynum. - Every community owes much to the pioneers who laid the foundation and made possible a better place for future generations to live and Jackson County is no exception to the rule. The Bynum family are justly entitled to the credit to being numbered amongst Jackson County's very early permanent pioneer settlers ; they have been identified with Jackson County since 1836.

John T. Bynum, whose name introduces this sketch, was born in Van Buren township on the farm which he now owns and where he resides, Nov. 3, 1859. He is a son of John and Charlotte (Cave) Bynum, and is the youngest of six children born to them and the only one now living.

John Bynum, father of John T. Bynum, was a native of Tennessee and came to Jackson County in 1836 with his parents. He engaged in farming and spent the remainder of his life in the vicinity of Lone Jack and was one of the worthy pioneers of this county. He was known throughout eastern Jackson County among his many friends and acquaint¬ ances as "Uncle Jack". He was a public spirited Christian gentleman of the old school. He was an ardent church worker and was one of the organizers of the Christian church of Lone Jack. He became the owner of 200 acres of land the ownership of which fell to John T. at his father's death, June 20, 1897 in his seventy-sixth year His wife who was a native of North Carolina, died Oct. 6, 1905 at the age of 89 years.

John T. Bynum was reared on the farm where he now resides and attended the district school in Van Buren township. He has followed farming and stock raising and has been successful in his undertakings. He recalls many incidents of the days when the pioneer methods of agri¬ culture were in practice; when oxen were the principal motor power on the farm, and he has driven oxen many times in the early days.

Mr. Bynum was married March 25, 1888, to Miss Clarice Clements, a native of Kentucky, born Aug. 1, 1868, and died May 16, 1899. To John T. and Clarice Bynum were born five children as follows; Brittle, mar¬ ried R. Adams of Van Buren township and has one child, Delma; Benja¬ min, deceased; Lawrence C. resides on the home place; Margaret, mar¬ ried M. A. Bennett, resides on the home place and has two children, Clarice and John C. ; and Eula M. married John Wilkerson, Johnson County, Mo.

is now serving his fifth term in that capacity. His appointment to this position is a very appropriate one as he is a strong advocate of good roads and knows how to build them.

James B. Colton, a leading farmer and stockman of Washington town¬ ship, has been identified with the agricultural interests of Jackson County since early manhood. Mr. Colton was born in Crawford County, Pa., Nov. 27, 1863, and is a son of James B. and Mary (Eckert) Colton, and is the youngest of a family of seven children born to them. James B. Colton was born in Pennsylvania and his wife was a native of New York st^te. They came to Jackson County with their family in 1878 and located at Hickman's Mill and here spent the remainder of their lives. The father was a carpenter and worked at his trade practically all his life.

James B. Colton spent his early boyhood in his native state and was educated in the public schools of Erie, Pa. He was about 15 years of age when he came to Jackson County with his parents and began life in this county farming rented land. Later he bought a farm and now owns 160 acres of valuable and well improved land where he is successfully carrying on general farming and stock raising.

Mr. Colton was united in marriage May 19, 1890, with Miss Cora A. Miller, a native of Bedford, Ind, She is a daughter of Simpson and Mary A. (Mathews) Miller who settled in Jackson County in 1884. The father is now deceased and the mother resides with Mr. and Mrs. Colton. To James B. Colton and wife have been born three children as follows : Paul, at home with his parents; George, a farmer and stockman in Washington township and Nellie, a teacher in the public schools in Martin City, Mo.

Mr. Colton is a Republican and he and Mrs. Colton are members of the Christian church. He is a progressive and enterprising citizen and takes a commendable interest in public affairs.

Calvin S. Shore, a well known citizen of Van Buren township and owner of 160 acres of land is a native of Missouri. He was born in Lafayette County, Feb. 24, 1856, and is the son of Samuel R. and Zerrelda (Parent) Shore, who were the parents of 14 children, five of whom are living.

Samuel R. Shore was born in North Carolina, April 1, 1820, and came to Missouri when he was 15 years old. He died in Jackson County in 1911. His wife was also a native of North Carolina and they were mar¬ ried Oct. 21, 1840. She was born Nov. 11, 1820 and died June 6, 1896.

he has been actively engaged in the cattle business and has had a wide experience in that line. When a boy he and his brother Stephen went to the southern part of Missouri where they were engaged in the cattle busi¬ ness together. In early life he owned a farm in western Kansas and herded cattle in that state and on the plains of Colorado. Before coming to Jackson County he owned land in Lafayette and Cass counties. Mo. He came to Jackson County in 1896 and purchased his present farm of 160 acres and since coming here has made many improvements on the place. For a number of years he was also interested in raising Percheron horses and took particular pride in this department of animal husbandry. His sons are now carrying on the farming operations and his son Roy is con¬ ducting the dairy business and also raises a great many standard bred brown leghorn chickens.

Mr. Shore was married Jan. 28, .1880, to Miss Illabelle Wood, a native of Knox County, Ohio, born Dec. 27, 1858. She is a daughter of John and Julia A. (Sims) Wood, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. They came to Missouri and settled in Lafayette County in 1877 and later moved to Pleasant Hill where they both died. To Mr. and Mrs. Calvin S. Shore have been born nine children as follows : Harvey ; Carol ; May, a teacher ; Frank; Roy; Les; Charles; Mark and William E. All the children are re¬ siding at home with their parents excepting Frank, who resides at Flor¬ ence, Colo, and William E., who died in infancy.

Edward M. Stay ton was born on the old Thomas Stay ton farm two miles southeast of Independence, Sept. 4, 1874. He spent the early part of his life here, obtaining his early education in the nearby district school and in the high school at Independence. In 1892 he entered the Missouri State University where he took a special course in Civil Engineering and also took an active part in the military department of the University. He had enlisted in Company F, Third Missouri Infantry, Feb. 9, 1891, and had received quite a little preliminary training in the company. On entering the University he was given an opportunity to show his ability in handling a squad of recruits. In a short while he was promoted to first sergeant and in the middle of the year became sergeant major of the battalion. In the fall of 1894 he was made first lieutenant of Company A, and in the absence of the captain of that company was its commander. In Decem¬ ber a vacancy among the captains occurred and he was promoted to the grade of captain in recognition of the ability he had shown.

Col. E. M. Stayton

The first important engineering work he did was on the construction of the Kansas City Southern Railway, beginning in January, 1895. He began this work as a rod man and was very soon promoted to instrument man and later resident engineer. Following this he was engaged in the construction of a branch of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway in Oklahoma; a part of the Kansas City, Mexico & Orient Railway in Oklahome and Texas and the St. Louis & San Francisco Railway in Oklahoma.

In December, 1904, he went to Spanish Honduras where he located and built some industrial railroads for the handling of the products of several banana plantations and some heavy mahogany timber.

In 1907 he was employed by the Harriman syndicate to make surveys for some proposed railways in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, and later on investigations for betterments of the Central Georgia Railway in Alabama, Georgia and Florida. He spent a great deal of time in investigating the possibilities of a system of interurban railways out of Kansas City, par¬ ticipating in the final location and the construction of the existing interurbans from Kansas City to St. Joseph and to Excelsior Springs in 1911.

From 1911 to 1916 he was engaged in general consultation work, specializing in highways and railways. In 1916 by appointment of Gov¬ ernor Major he became Highway Engineer of Jackson County, which posi¬ tion he was able to hold but a few months, being called into military service for duty on the Mexican border.

In 1907 he contributed his services as commandant of cadets for Inde¬ pendence High School, which position he filled for two years. On June 15, 1910, he became Captain of Company F, Third Missouri Infantry and was transferred to the Missouri Artillery Battalion with his company Nov. 24, 1914 and was made major of artillery March 7, 1915.

On June 19, 1916, he was called into the Federal service and took his battalion to the Mexican border, where he remained on duty at Loredo until Dec. 24, when his battalion was returned to its home station. On July 20, 1917 he was transferred from the artillery to the Missouri Engineer's Corps and organized a battalion of engineers which he took into the Federal service on Aug. 5, 1917 for service in the World War.

The battalion went to Camp Doniphan for training, where it became a part of the 11 0th Engineers. This regiment arrived in France with the 35th Division, May 10, 1918, and went immediately to the front. The regiment participated in the Amiens occupation with the British, later the Vosages occupation with the French, the St. Mihiel offensive, the

On arriving at St. Mihiel he was placed in command of his regiment and commanded it through the heavy service that was demanded of it during the remainder of its stay in France. While the division was en¬ gaged in the Argonne offensive, it became necessary for the engineers to take over the entire division front, owing to the serious losses the infantry had sustained. The line to be occupied was selected and its occupation superintended by Major Stay ton, who was complimented for the prompt and skillful manner in which the position on Schadron Hill was occupied under the heavy shell fire. At the conclusion of the regiment's partici¬ pation in the Argonne offensive, he was promoted to the grade of Lieu¬ tenant Colonel and continued on duty with his regiment and when the regiment was relieved from duty in France it was his privilege to bring the regiment back home to the magnificent welcome that was given them.

On July 26, 1898, Col. Stayton was married to Miss Estella Compton, who was raised on the faiTn adjoining his birth place and who had been his childhood playmate. One child, a son, George Edward Stayton, re¬ sulted from this union.

Col. Stayton became an Assoc. M. Am. Soc. C. E., Feb. 4, 1903, and was transferred to full membership in 1907. He also has memberships and is active in the affairs of several other professional societies.

He has always taken an active interest in the civil and business affairs of his home town. He participated in the organization of the Home De¬ posit Trust Company and has been one of its directors and vice-presidents since its organization. He is also very active in Masonic circles and is a member of the various Masonic bodies, including the Scottish Rite bodies and the Shrine of Kansas City. He held the various offices in Independ¬ ence Lodge No. 76, and was its master.

On his return from France with his regiment he was discharged from service at Camp Funston and a few days after his return to his home was asked by the County Court of Clay County to take the position of Con¬ sulting Engineer for their system of 200 miles of paved road. He ac¬ cepted this position and resumed the general practice of his profession with headquarters at Liberty.

When in December, 1919, the coal situation became serious on ac¬ count of strikes, the State institutions being practically without coal and very little being available for domestic purposes and none at all for indus¬ trial purposes, the Governor of Missouri took over the coal mines of the

State for operation. Col. Stayton was immediately selected to go to Bar¬ ton County as the superintendent of operations for the mines located in that part of the State. In a few hours after his arrival he had all of the mining property under military guard and had begun the distribution of the skilled labor necessary to begin the operation of the mines, and in 30 hours after his arrival, coal was being loaded. The strike ended in just a week after the governor's proclamation, but in that time the mines had been put in operation by the use of volunteer labor and had almost reached the point of normal production. Colonel Stayton was highly complimented by the governor and all concerned for the energetic and business like man¬ ner in which he took hold of a most difficult situation and produced re¬ sults without any delay whatever. Adjutant General Harvey C. Clark in a letter conveying his own and the governor's appreciation for Colonel Stayton's work in this emergency, used these words:

"It is a great satisfaction to the governor to know that an officer of your exceptional ability and who has distinguished himself so remark¬ ably in France was ready to answer the call of the State regardless of th'e personal sacrifice entailed. A state which numbers such soldiers among its citizens is most fortunate."

Charles W. Brownfield, a prominent farmer and stockman, and the owner of 80 acres of valuable land in Prairie township, is a native of Ohio. He was born in Adams County, Ohio, June 13, 1867, and is a son of Wil¬ liam and Sarah (Wade) Brownfield. William Brownfield was born near Manchester, Adams County, Ohio, and came to Jackson County with his family in 1871. Here he engaged in farming and stock raising, and was one of the early successful breeders of Shorthorn cattle in this county. He died on his home farm here in 1891, at the age of 72 years. His wife was a native of Virginia. She died in 1893, in her 65th year. They were the parents of the following children: Samuel, deceased; Joseph, who was a soldier in the Civil War, deceased; Randolph, deceased; William, re¬ sides in Kansas City, Kan.; Albert, Stockton, Cedar County, Mo.; Anna, married John Muse, and is now a widow, residing at Greenwood, Mo.; Lizzie, married James Belcher, Prairie township; Mrs. Emma Walker, Kansas City, Kan.; Oliver, Independence; Charles W., the subject of this sketch; and Oda, resides at Greenwood, Mo.

Charles W. Brownfield was about four years of age when his parents settled in Jackson County in 1871. He was reared on the farm and re¬ ceived his education in the public schools of Jackson County. His early training was along the line of farming and stock raising, and he has de- voted himself to this line of work and has been successful. He bought his present farm in Prairie township in 1908 and at that time paid $100 an acre for the same which was then considered a high price for farm land. He has made extensive improvements upon the place and has re¬ cently refused an offer of $400 per acre, which goes to show that Mr. Brownfield made a wise investment and is the owner of one of Jackson County's valuable farms.

July 23, 1890, Charles Brownfield was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Beal, a native of Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Brownfield have been bom ten children: Wade resides at home with his parents; Earl, Lone Jack, Mo.; Mrs. Jessie Jennings, Greenwood, Mo.; Hazel, a teacher in the public schools of Prairie township; and Charles, Allen, Delane, Mildred, Frances and Beal, all residing at home with their parents.

Thomas J. Boten, a progressive farmer and stockman of Prairie town¬ ship is a native of Jackson County. He was born in Prairie township Nov. 14, 1883. His parents were Thomas and Emily (Lawrence) Boten, both natives of Missouri. Thomas Boten was born in Missouri. His parents both died when he was a child and he was reared in Platte County. Dur¬ ing the Civil War he was employed as a freighter by the government. He followed farming and stock raising in Jackson County during his entire career he owned a farm of 120 acres southwest of Lees Summit and 145 acres northeast of Lees Summit. He was an industrious man and a good citizen and was quite successful in his undertakings, he died on his home farm in Jackson County in 1897, aged about 62 years. Emily (Lawrence) Boten, mother of Thomas J. Boten was born in Platte County, Mo. She died in 1912 at the age of 65 years.

Thomas and Emily (Lawrence) Boten were the parents of seven children as follows: Charles, Prairie township; William L., Blue town¬ ship ; Edward, Johnson County, Mo. ; John 0. resides on the old homestead in Prairie township; Dora, also resides on the home place; Thomas J., the subject of this sketch and Oscar lives in Prairie township.

Thomas J. Boten was reared on his fathers farm in Prairie township and received his education in the district school and the public schools of Lees Summit, he remained at home with his parents until he was 21 years of age when he began his independent career as a farmer on rented land. In 1911 he purchased his present place which is now a well improved farm of 80 acres of valuable and productive Jackson County land. Since pur¬ chasing this place Mr. Boten has made extensive improvements includ- ing a modern and attractive bungalow. Mr. Boten spent some time in South Dakota where he owned 240 acres of land before purchasing his present place.

In FebiTiary, 1906, Thomas J. Boten was united in marriage with Olive Vance, a native of Iowa, and to this union three children were bom, as follows: Dorotha, Bernice and Arthur.

Mr. Boten is a Democrat, and one of Jackson County's public spirited citizens. In 1912 Mr. Boten ran one of the first gas tractors in Jackson County, using it for his thrashing. His farm work is now carried on with a Fordson tractor.

Isaac L. Maness, well known merchant who is also engaged in farm¬ ing and stock raising at Hicks City, Van Buren township, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Johnson County, Oct. 8, 1871, and is a son of William E. and Lydia A. (Carlyle) Maness and was one of eight children born to them, five of whom are now living. William E. Maness was bom in McDonald County, March 17, 1848, a son of Lasus and Amanda (Ken¬ ney) Maness, natives of Tennessee and pioneer settlers of Missouri. Lydia A. (Carlyle) Maness, mother of Isaac L., was bom in Ray County, Mo., April 2, 1850, and died in 1902. She was a daughter of Thomas Carlyle, whose wife was a Miss Lynn and they were both natives of Ohio and of English descent. They settled in Missouri at an early day and lived near Lexington for a time and later moved to Johnson County. William E. Maness settled in Jackson township, Johnson County, Mo., in 1868. The fact that he located here was more of an accident than a matter of choice, as at that time he was on his way back to Illinois with other members of the family when some of them were taken sick and were unable to pro¬ ceed and thus they made Johnson County their home for some time.

Isaac L. Maness was reared on the home farm and attended the dis¬ trict school in the Elm Spring district and also the Washington school. In 1892 he began farming for himself in Johnson County. During his early experience he passed through the lean days of farming in the West. He has sold wheat which tested 62, for 36 to 40 cents per bushel, and during the course of his career he has bought com for as low as 18 cents per bushel, and in 1919 he paid $2.05 per bushel. Mr. Maness owns 160 acres of land in Jackson County and in 1905 he purchased the store at Hicks City, where he has since been engaged in the general mercantile business. He also buys and ships produce. His place of business is located in the heart of a rich agricultural district and during his 15 years in the mercantile business there, he has built up an extensive and profit-

April 17, 1898, Isaac L. Maness was united in marriage with Miss Anna M. Davis, a native of Johnson County, Mo., born near Columbus. Her parents were William Davis and a Miss Duthridge, both natives of the South where they were married. Although a Southern man, William Davis served in the Union army during the Civil War.

To Mr. and Mrs. Maness have been born the following children : Flora, married L. Gregg and lives in Johnson County; Violet married Ace Neces¬ sary of Jackson County; and Gladys and Mackie residing at home with their parents.

Zachariah T. Perkins, a well known and progressive farmer and stockman of Washington township, is a native son of Jackson County and a descendant of pioneers of this section of the state. He was born in Prairie township April 19, 1847, and is a son of Jesse G. and Mary Ann (Cook) Perkins, to whom were born four children as follows: Jemison, deceased; Susan Elizabeth Scovill, who is now a widow and resides at Lees Summit; Margaret Jane married Alonzo Wickman and is also now a widow, residing at Rockford, Ill. ; and Zachariah T. whose name intro¬ duces this sketch.

Jesse G. Perkins, the father of Zachariah T., was born in North Carolina about 1814. He came to Jackson County in early manhood and was a very early settler in this part of Missouri. After coming here, he was married to Mary Ann Cook who was born in Jackson County in 1818. Her parents were pioneers of this section. She was a daughter of John Cook who, in the early days, owned the land at Independence which is now the fair grounds. He spent his life in this county and was a successful farmer and stockman. He died in 1853 and his wife departed this life in 1890, at the age of 72 years.

Zachariah T. Perkins was reared on a farm and received his early education in the district schools. He has been engaged in farming and stock raising since early life, and has resided on his present place for over 50 years, having settled here in 1868. He has seen much of the progress and development of Jackson County and recalls many pioneer incidents of the days before the Civil War.

with her parents, Edgar M. and Mary C. (McKinley) Mansell, when she was two years of age and has therefore been a resident of Jackson County practically all her life. Her father was a native of South Carolina and her mother of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have no children.

Mr. Perkins is a Republican and has to his credit a long and honor¬ able career in Jackson County, where he and Mrs. Perkins are highly regarded. During the Civil War he served for a time in the State militia.

Edward C. Harrington, secretary of the Independent Airless Tire Company, is a native of Canada, born at London, Ontario, Dec. 10, 1879. He is a son of Edgar and Harriet (Randall) Harrington. The father was a native of England and a son of an English physician. He learned the trade of shipbuilder in his native land and when a young man went to Canada. He came to Jackson County, Mo. in 1903 and spent the remainder of his life here in retirement. He died in 1910, aged 78 years, and his wife died in 1905. Their remains are buried in Mound Grove cemetery.

Edward C. Harrington was educated in the public schools of Kansas City, Kan., Central Business College and Spaulding's Commercial College. When he was about 16 years old, he entered the office of the Campbell Glass and Paint Company as office boy. One year later he went with the Phil R. Toll Box Company in a similar capacity. He remained with this company until 1902, having been promoted from one position of responsi¬ bility to another, until he was superintendent. In 1902, he became auditor for the Badger Lumber Company, with main offices at Kansas City, Mo. He remained with this company until 1905, when he went with the Inde¬ pendent Sash, Door and Lumber Company and later became secretary, treasurer and general manager. In August, 1911, Mr. Harrington en¬ gaged in the insurance business and in October, 1918, he became secretary of the Independent Airless Tire Company.

The Independent Airless Tire Company was organized in the fall of 1918, with a capital stock of $75,000. The organization was completed in January, 1919, with the following officers: J. E. Bridges, president; Eben Miller, vice-president; and E. C. Harrington, secretary. The pro¬ duct of this factory is meeting with a popular demand which has insured the success of the enterprise from the start. The first tire was produced July 12, 1919, and at the present time the output of the factory for the next six months is sold.

The tire is made by mixing pure rubber with a composition invented by Roselle, some years ago. The result is 75% rubber and 25% compo¬ sition, which gives strength and added elasticity. The new product is a filler used inside the usual casing, forced on by machinery made for the purpose. When installed, and the tubes are sold installed, there is no more trouble until the casing wears out, and the casing may wear full of holes, and still the tires will give good service. The manufacturers guar¬ antee twice the mileage when these fillers are used and reason that the tire has paid for itself, wherein two sets of casings are worn out, and still the filler is as good as new. The tube when finished looks like red rubber. It is perforated at regular intervals, giving elasticity and strength. In the manufacture of these fillers, the pure gum is fed between two heavy rolls and mixed thoroughly with the composition. The resulting piece is something of the shape and size of a cowhide. This is sent through a machine and compressed with terrific pressure into a round piece an inch and a half in diameter. This in turn goes into a mould under a 1900 pound pressure and is moulded into the proper shape, after which it is cooked for two hours. The fillers are then seasoned for several days and are ready for use. The machines are operated by a 50 horse power elec¬ tric motor. A large boiler furnished the steam for cooking and a pump holds the material under^/ 1,900 power pressure. The whole process is as nearly automatic as possible.

Edward C. Harrington was united in marriage June 30, 1904, with Miss Nellie May Hidy, of Independence, Mo. She is a daughter of George and Addie (White) Hidy. Her mother is now deceased and her father resides in Kansas City, Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Harrington have been born three children, as follows: Phillip R., now a student in the Independence High School, who has made an excellent record in scholarship; William Howard, and Richard Lee.

Mr. Harrington takes a commendable interest in public affairs and served as a member of the city council from 1908 to 1910. He is an alert and progressive business man and is one of Jackson County's valued citizens.

Howard Lindsay, now deceased, was for many years identified with the business interests of Jackson County, and during the course of his career was widely known and highly respected throughout this section of the State. He was born in Kenton County, Ky., Dec. 24, 1851, and died at Grandview, Mo., Aug. 20, 1919. He was a son of David and Malvina (Grigsby) Lindsay, natives of Kentucky. The Lindsay family came to Jackson County in 1872, and settled on a farm near Kansas City, in the vicinity of what is now the Country Club district. Later the parents moved to Belton, Mo., where they both spent the remainder of their lives.

Howard Lindsay

Howard Lindsay was educated by private instructors, and never at¬ tended the public schools a day in his life. In early life he engaged in farming and stock raising, and owned 180 acres of land in the south¬ eastern part of Washington township. He was successful in his farming operations, and became an extensive breeder of Poland China hogs. He had a well improved and valuable farm, which he sold in 1911, and en¬ gaged in the hardware business, in partnership with his brother-in-law, Harvey Vest, at Grandview, Mo. He was engaged in this business until the time of his death.

Mr. Lindsay was a Democrat, and prominent in the councils of his party, and was elected a member of the State Legislature, serving in the 1902-1903 session of the General Assembly. He was a devout member of the Baptist church, and took a keen interest in religious work, giving liberally of his time and money to the cause of Christianity. He was a Mason, and prominent in lodge circles.

Feb. 29, 1876, Howard Lindsay was united in marriage with Miss Katie Vest, a native of Galletin County, Ky., and a daughter of Thomas K. and Emily (Crowe) Vest, both natives of Kentucky, and early settlers in Jackson County, Mo., coming here about 1873. Mrs. Lindsay is a rela¬ tive of the late United States Senator George Vest. She is an estimable lady, and held in the highest esteem in the community.

O. H. Gentry, .Jr., sheriff of Jackson County, and a member of the firm of Pendleton and Gentry, druggists, was born in Prairie township, this county. He is a son of Joseph H, and Mary (Henley) Gentry, natives of Bourbon County, Ky., who settled in Jackson County in the early fifties. 0. H. Gentry, Jr., is descended from one of the old and prominent Amer¬ ican families. His progenitors fought in the American Revolution under General Washington, enlisting in the Continental army from Virginia. His grandmother was a Miss Tribble, prior to her marriage with 0. H. Gentry's grandfather, and she was a niece of Daniel Boone.

Joseph H. Gentry developed a farm four miles south of Raytown, Jackson County, Mo. and when Order No. 11 was issued he removed with his family to Kentucky, where his death occurred in 1863 at the age of 32 years. In her old age, Mrs. Gentry made her home with 0. H. Gentry, Jr., and died at the age of 83 years. The other children of the family, besides 0. H. Gentry are: Alonzo H., deceased, went to Colorado when a young man and engaged in the cattle business, served as sherifl: of Otero County, Col. and after a residence there of a quarter century he

O. H. Gentry, Jr., was educated in the public schools and the State University at Columbia, Mo. and took up the study of pharmacy after engaging in business in Independence and graduated from the Phila¬ delphia School of Pharmacy in 1882. He worked his way through col¬ lege. Upon his return to his home county he organized the drug firm of Pendleton and Gentry in July, 1882. His first partner was J. C. Pendle¬ ton, who was later succeeded by his brother, Fleming Pendleton in 1888.

Mr. Gentry was married May 19, 1884 to Emma F. Robertson of Saline County, Mo., a daughter of Walter and Mary (Harl) Robertson, both of whom were natives of Kentucky and pioneers of Saline County. Three children have been born to this marriage: Alonzo H. Gentry, an architect, Cleveland, Ohio; Walter R. Gentry, was a registered pharmacist in business at New Haven, Conn., died in 1918; Mary Overton Gentry, wife of L. L. Shaw, Germantown, Pa. The Gentry family residence is located at 203 South Main street.

Mr. Gentry was elected treasurer of Jackson County three times and served three terms in this office. In 1916 he was elected sheriff of the county and is serving his first term in this position.

Edmond L. Adams, farmer and stockman, owner of 237 acres of land in the Blue bottoms near Atherton, was born on the Adams home place in the Blue bottoms. Blue township, in 1871. He is a son of William C. Adams of Atherton and the grandson of Lynchburg Adams, the first pioneer settler of Jackson ^County, who, 100 years ago (1820), settled on the banks of the Missouri River. William C. Adams, father of Edmond L. Adams, is the oldest living native bom pioneer of Jackson County. Biographies of both William C. and Lynchburg Adams appear in this volume.

E. L. Adams was reared on his father's farm in Jackson County, and was educated in the district school, the Independence public and high school and Morrisville College. He has always followed the vocation of his forefathers and has been successful in all of his undertakings. His first farm, after he began on his own account, was a place three miles north of Atherton. After a residence of seven years on this place he removed to the Adams home place and farmed it for some years. He purchased his present home place of 80 acres in 1912. He paid for this land, $200 an acre and which is now worth over $300 an acre. In fact, Mr. Adams has refused an offer of $300 an acre for the land, which is one of the richest

In December, 1899, Mr. Adams was married to Miss Margaret Keithley. This marriage has been blessed with children as follow: Francis, bom June 20, 1901; Harry, born Dec. 25, 1902; Melvin, born Nov. 10, 1911. The mother of the foregoing children was born on a farm in the Blue bottoms, Oct. 10, 1879 and is a daughter of 0. O. and Emma Kath¬ erine (Samples) Keithley, who reside in Atherton. 0. 0. Keithley was born in 1851 and came to Jackson County from Vernon County, Mo., soon after his marriage in the early seventies. Mrs. Emma K. Keithley was bom in Kentucky in 1855 and accompanied her father, Jackson Samples, to Jackson County, Mo., in 1867.

Mr. Adams is a stanch Democrat of the old school who is a firm be¬ liever in democratic principles of government. He and his family worship at the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Independence Lodge No. 76.

Thomas J. Clark, 5618 Harrison street, Kansas City, Mo., member of the firm Street and Company, Investment Bankers, 15th and West 10th streets, is a member of one of the old pioneer families of Jackson County. He is a son of David M. and Mary E. Clark who resided on a farm near Blue Springs. He was born there Oct. 22, 1874, was educated in the public schools and Independence High School and after leaving school went to Kansas City where he has risen to become a successful citizen. Mr. Clark, for ten years past, has been a member of the Kennedy Invest¬ ment Company and has lately become associated with Street and Company, Investment Bankers.

David M. Clark was bom at Richmond, Va., June 6, 1821 and died Dec. 13, 1911, at Blue Springs, Mo. He came from Virginia to Jackson County in 1846 and settled on a farm near Blue Springs, and at the time the Civil War began, he had become owner of a farm of 360 acres, was a slave owner and an extensive stockman. Aug. 20, 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate service under Capt. Henry Brooking and served through¬ out the war. During the war his family moved to Greenton, now Odessa, Mo., and remained there while Order No. 11 was in effect. Mr. Clark was married June 17, 1852 to Mary E. Harris, of Jackson County. She died July 31, 1919. This marriage was blessed with children as follow: Robert H., born June 1, 1853, lives at Blue Springs; George Samuel, born May 28, 1855, lives at Louisburg, Kan.; William H., born Aug. 28, 1857, died in August, 1905; David C., born May 16, 1859, died in the state of Wash-

Thomas J. Clark was married Dec. 21, 1906, to Ardella P. Cooper, of Chanute, Kan. The children bom to this marriage are: Mildred Enid, bom Oct. 24, 1907 ; Virginia Mary, born Oct. 10, 1908 ; Dorothy Dale, bom Nov. 3, 1910 ; Dana Maxwell, born Nov. 3, 1910 and died July 3, 1911. The last two children born were twins.

James W. Stone, a progressive farmer and stockman, of Prairie town¬ ship, is a native of Jackson County. He was born in Blue township, Oct. 1, 1856, and is a son of Caleb and Martha E. (Wood) Stonr. Caleb Stone was a native of Caldwell County, Ky., born Aug. 14, 1829. He came to Jackson County in 1852, where he was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising for many years. About 25 years ago, he retired and moved to Kansas City, Mo., where he resided until the time of his death. May 25, 1912. He was widely known in Jackson County, and was a prom¬ inent member of the Masonic Lodge, and took an active interest in Ma¬ sonry, being a Thirty-second degree Mason. His remains are buried at Lees Summit. Martha E. (Wood) Stone, mother of James W. Stone, was bom in Jackson County, Aug. 9, 1837, and is a member of one of Jackson County's very early pioneer families. She now resides in Kansas City, Missouri.

To Caleb and Martha E. (Wood) Stone were born eight children, as follows: Mrs. Nannie Osborn, Kansas City, Mo.; James W., the subject of this sketch; John N., deceased; Mollie, married James Gray, Kansas City, Mo.; Minnie, married H. T. Ritter, Lees Summit, Mo.; and Allen, a wholesale produce merchant, Topeka, Kan. Two children died in infancy.

James W. Stone was reared on the farm in Jackson County, and at¬ tended the district school. When 21 years of age, he began farming on his own account, on rented land. In 1894, he purchased 30 acres of land, and he has added to this farm from time to time, as opportunities offered, and now owns 80 acres, upon which he has made many improvements. In addition to general farming, he is quite extensively engaged in breeding pure-bred Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs.

Mr. Stone was united in marriage March 28, 1878, with Miss Agnes Anna (Garrison), a native of Jackson County, Mo., and a daughter of Augestine and Elizabeth Cabness (Garrison), both of whom died when Mrs. Stone was a child. To Mr. and Mrs. Stone have been bom five chil¬ dren, as follows : Lambert, deceased ; Luther E., Topeka, Kan. ; Addie P., deceased ; Elsie Lee, resides at home, and Ruby A., deceased.

James W. Stone

Mr. Stone is a stockholder and a member of the board of directors of the Farmers Bank of Lees Summit. He is a member of the Christian church, and is a Thirty-second degree Mason. He is a Democrat. While Mr. Stone is not an old man, by any means, he was bom at just the right time to be a witness to the many changes and wonderful development that has taken place in Jackson County during the half century past. He was just old enough to remember many events of the stirring and tragic days of the Civil War. He recalls the time when wagon roads were scarce, and the straight trail across the unfenced prairie was the open highway in any direction. He followed the furrow after a yoke of cattle many days, which seems like a memory of the remote past in view of the modern tractor.

Charles S. Harding, manager of the M. R. Smith Lumber & Shingle Company, is one of the progressive and well known business men of Inde¬ pendence, Mo. He was bora in Sinclair County, Mo., June 21, 1881, and is a son of James A. and Sarah E. (Hatfield) Harding, the former a native of Missouri and the latter of Tennessee. James A. Harding was a vet¬ eran of the Civil War, having served in the Federal army about two years. He enlisted in Gundy County, Mo. He died in Appleton City, Mo., in 1883, and his wife died Jan. 19, 1919. They were the parents of the following children : John W., a bridge builder and contractor. East St. Louis, HI. ; A. L., Los Angeles, Cal. ; James A., Newcomerstown, Ohio. ; Sarah J., mar¬ ried H. H. Smith, and lives near New Salem Church, Mo. ; Blanche married J. H. Fry, Colorado Springs; and Charles S., the subject of this sketch.

Charles S. Harding was educated in the public schools of Independ¬ ence, Mo., and when he was about 19 years of age, he acquired his first experience in the lumber business, entering the employ of the Badger Lumber Company of Independence, Mo. After two years he went with the Chicago Lumber & Coal Company at Norcatur, Kan. He remained with that company one year, when he entered the employ of the Berner Bowman Lumber Company in Kansas City. Later he was employed as head bookkeeper by Clark & Bates in their general office in Kansas City. He was then appointed chief clerk in the county clerk's office at Inde¬ pendence under county clerk S. A. Boyer. In 1909, Mr. Harding organ¬ ized the O. J. Raymond Lumber Company of Independence, which was succeeded by the M. R. Smith Lumber & Shingle Company in 1916. At that time Mr. Harding transferred his interests to the new company and was retained as manager, which position he now holds. This company is doing an excellent business and under Mr. Hardings capable management.

Mr. Harding was married Dec. 24, 1902 to Miss Stella Paxton, a daughter of Jno. Paxton. Her parents are both deceased. Mrs. Hard¬ ing was born in Ray County, Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Harding have been born three children as follows : Roy, Harold and Mary Charline.

Mr. Harding is a member of the Baptist church, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He has an extensive acquaintance in Jackson County and has many friends.