Jackson County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1920 (part 4 of 15)

James W. Renick, farmer and dairyman. Blue township, was born in Jackson County, July 19, 1879, on the farm now owned by Mrs. Marie Powell, of Lees Summit, He is a son of William H. and Addie (Wilcox) Renick, both deceased, the former dying on March 22, 1918, and the lat¬ ter in 1890.

William H. Renick was born in Blue township in 1844, and was a son of Abraham and Melvina (Reed) Renick, the former of whom was born in Lexington, Ky., and came to Jackson County in 1842. He entered land, developed his farm, and plied his trade of gunsmith until after the close of the Civil War. He became the owner of 205 acres of land, all of which was divided among his children, who were as follow: Mrs. Sallie Rollins, of Blue township; William H. ; Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Martin, de¬ ceased; Mrs. Louise Westmoreland, deceased.

William H. Renick became owner of 155 acres of land in Blue town¬ ship, 60 acres of which are now owned by J. W. Renick, of this sketch. The children bom to William H. and Addie (Wilcox) Renick are: J. W. Renick, of this sketch; Mrs. Minnie Kimball, of Olathe, Kan.; Mrs. Marie Powell, of Lees Summit.

J. W. Renick attended the Pitcher District School, and Woodland Col¬ lege, Independence, Mo., and studied under Prof. George Bryant. He has always followed farming, and of late has engaged in dairying. The Ren¬ ick dairy herd consists of 20 cows.

Mr, Renick is a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Mod¬ ern Brotherhood of America, He is an industrious, capable citizen, who is modest and unassuming, and of the true Missouri type, descended from pioneer ancestors,

D. C. Halleran, proprietor of a carriage, repair and shoeing shop at 116 East Maple street. Independence, Mo,, was born in St, Louis, Mo,, Sept, 8, 1858, and is a son of Patrick and Nora (Halleran) Halleran, both of whom were natives of Ireland, His father died of cholera in 1866, at St, Louis, Mo,, while aboard a steamboat. His mother died in 1862, The Hal¬ leran family, of which the subject of this sketch is a member, is the same as the Hallinan family of Canada, The ancestry is the same, the dis¬ crepancy in spelling being the result of lack of knowledge of the family name and origin on the part of D, C, Hallinan, who being left an orphan at a tender age, was ot aware of the exact spelling of his name in his younger days, A trip to Canada and a visit among his relatives who lived there enlightened E, J, Halleran in this regard, Patrick and Nora Halleran were the parents of two children: D, C,, the subject of this review, and E, J, Halleran, who died at the age of 56 years. He married Nannia Crutch¬ field, who is also deceased. They left three children: Claude, Westport, Mo, ; Marie, living in Texas, and Marcella, Westport, Mo.

Left an orphan in boyhood, D. C. Halleran was sent to an Irish settle¬ ment in Saline County, Missouri, and was placed in the home of a family named Condon. The treatment accorded him not being to his liking, he ran away at the age of 10 years, in order to get a chance to attend school. From this time on he made his own way. At Waverly, Mo., he lived with a family from Virginia for two years, and was then reared to maturity on a farm, in the home of kind people named Rollins. They regarded him as one of the family, and gave him the same advantages as were enjoyed by their own children. When 18 years old, he began to learn the black¬ smith trade, and worked in Landrum Brothers shop at Waverly for three years. He operated a shop at Mt. Leonard and also spent one winter at Odessa. From this place he went to Lees Summit, and worked for Rich¬ ard Hall, a brother-in-law of Cole Younger, and was also in the employ of Edgar Whiting of that place. From Lees Summit he went to Lone Jack and bought a shop there, and operated it for three years. He then ran a shop at Westport for six months, sold out, and for six years was a suc¬ cessful life insurance salesman. In July, 1889, Mr. Halleran came to Inde- pendence, and purchased the Russell Hardware and Carriage Shop. While here he ran for councilman, and was defeated for the office by but one vote. He traded his shop for a Kansas farm, and then traded the farm off and again went into the insurance business. He purchased his present building in 1897, and conducted the leading carriage shop in the city until 1916. Automobiles having crowded the carriage making industry into the background, he has taken up general repair work, painting and trim¬ ming, etc.

Mr. Halleran was married March 4, 1889, at Clinton, Mo., to Miss Gerty Gaffney, who was born in 1869, a daughter of William and Anna Gaffney. Mrs. Halleran died in 1910, leaving children as follow: . Ella, at home; Edna May, a Red Cross nurse at Baltimore, Md. ; Norman Aubrey died while in the service of his country at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Sept. 22, 1918, having enlisted in December, 1917, and left home Feb. 28, 1918, and died as a result of an attack of influenza, when 24 years old; Hazel is a stenographer in Kansas City; Fern is also a stenographer employed in Kansas City ; Anna and Catherine are attending Independence High School ; Dorothy is attending the public school.

Mr. Halleran is a member of the Knights of Pythias, becoming affil¬ iated with the order in 1895, and in 1900 filled the office of chancellor commander. He has served as chairman of the Modern Woodmen of Amer¬ ica, and is a charter member of the Royal Neighbors and the Pythian Sis¬ ters. The Halleran family residence is at 315 North Main street.

T. W. Milner, cafe and restaurant proprietor, located at 119 East Lex¬ ington street, who has been engaged in business in Independence since 1894, was born in Cass County, Illinois, March 17, 1859. He is a son of Richard and Hannah (Wood) Milner, both of whom are deceased. Both were natives of England, Richard Milner having been born in Lancashire, and Hannah Milner was born in Yorkshire. They were married in Morgan County, Illinois. Richard Milner was a wood worker by trade. The chil¬ dren born to Richard and Hannah Milner are as follow: Mrs. Rebecca Wroe, Brookfield, Mo.; T. W., subject of this review; Mary Milner, Beardstown. Ill. ; Mrs. Rosa Cardwell, Beardstown, Ill. ; and Mrs. Margaret Dixon, widow of Dr. Dixon, formerly a dentist.

T. W. Milner was educated in the public schools of Beardstown, Ill. For 17 years he was in the employ of the Baltimore and Ohio and the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroads, and was also in the employ of the Missouri Pacific and the Northwestern railroads. In 1894 he opened a restaurant on the east side of the public square in Independence. In De- cember, 1902, he moved to another location on West Lexington street. In 1919 Mr. Milner erected a new brick building at 119 East Lexington, where he has one of the best restaurants to be found anywhere in a city of this size. Mr. Milner makes a specialty of having good things to eat, as his hundreds of customers will testify.

Mr. Milner was married Feb. 23, 1893, to Mollie A. Worden, a daugh¬ ter of Thaddeus and Mary A. (Stone) Worden, the former of whom was a native of Howard County, and the latter a native of Moniteau County. Capt. William H. Worden, of the Confederate Army, was an uncle of Mrs. Milner, and his grandson, Horace Worden, was killed in France while fighting with the American forces in the World War. Thaddeus Worden died in September, 1901. Mrs. Worden died in 1911. Both are buried at Lees Summit. The children of the Worden family are: J. H., died at the age of 60 years; Mrs. Fannie C. Groh, Lees Summit, Mo.; W. S., superin¬ tendent of Swope Park, Kansas City ; T. J., Kansas City ; Mrs. T. W. Milner, subject of this sketch; Mrs. Nannie J. Head, Kansas City; B. S. Worden, Ventura, Calif.; Mrs. Belle O. Chrisman, Independence.

Mr. and Mrs. Milner reside at 119 East Lexington street. Mr. Milner is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 1302, Independence, of which lodge he is a charter member.

Edgar L. Cook, of the grocery firm of Bridges, Gray and Cook, 119 South Main street. Independence, Mo., was born in Vernon County, Missouri, in 1888, and is a son of M. J. and Belle (Holloway) Cook.

M. J. Cook was a native of Jackson County, born on a farm where he now resides on the Blue Springs road, in 1857. Mrs. Belle Cook was bom in Jackson County in 1857. After their marriage, M. J. Cook and wife removed to Galena, Kan., and resided there for ten years, then went to Vernon County, Missouri, and lived there for ten years, prior to returning to the old home in Jackson County. Enoch J. Cook, grandfather of Edgar L. Cook, was a Jackson County pioneer, whose property was destroyed by Federal troops during the Civil War. When Order No. 11 was issued in 1863, the family went to Clay County, Missouri, and remained there until the close of the war. Enoch Cook served in the Confederate Army during the war, and died in 1892. M. J. Cook and wife are the parents of eight children: J. L. Cook, a grocer in Independence, owner of Cook's Market; Edna died when three years of age; Mrs. Eva Reick, Independence, Mo.; Grover C., Independence; Edgar L., of this review; Enoch J., deceased; Izola Cook, a teacher at Tarsney, Mo. ; Anna Cook, at home.

learned the trade of meat cutter, under his father and brothers. He be¬ came connected with the firm of Bridges, Gray and Cook, having come to Independence in 1897, and was formerly engaged in the grocery business with his father. He was married in 1913 to Miss Edna Winfrey, of Inde¬ pendence, a daughter of John and Harriet Winfrey, the former of whom is deceased, and the latter lives in Montana. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have a son, Marrian, aged four years. Mr. Cook is a member of the Knights of Py¬ thias and the Loyal Order of Moose.

The beginning of the grocery store of Bridges, Gray and Cook oc¬ curred in 1898, when W. D. Bullard purchased the stock of goods formerly owned by the Peoples Union Mercantile Company. Shortly afterward, W. J. Bullard, his son, became a member of the firm, which was then doing business at 114 South Main street. For five years the store was operated under the name of Bullard and Gray. In 1917 the store was moved to its present location, at 119 South Main street, and the firm of Bridges, Gray and Cook was formed, composed of Edgard L. Cook, James L. Gray and W. C. Bridges. Nine people are employed to care for the extensive trade en¬ joyed by this enterprising and successful firm.

Christian Yetter. - The firai of Yetter and McBride, contractors and builders, is an important one in the industrial life of Independence, and was organized in 1916. Christian Yetter, the senior member of this firm, is one of the oldest and most successful contractors in this section of Missouri. He has erected more important buildings in the city and surrounding country territory than any other individual contractor, and did his work honestly and well. Mr. Yetter was born in Wittenburg, Germany, in 1847, the son of Matthew and Anna Yetter. He immigrated to America in 1866, and located at Hermann, Mo., where he resided for nearly five years. In 1870 he located in Kansas City, and was employed at the carpenter trade under Hook and Bollard, contractors and builders, for one year. In 1871 he came to Independence and assisted in the razing of the old court house. In 1876 he began contracting on his own account, his first contract being the erection of the buildings on the Beets farm, near Atherton. In 1918 he erected another building for Mr. Beets on this same farm, the latter building being a modern brick residence, one of the finest country homes in Jackson County. Mr. Yetter has built many wooden and iron bridges in the county during his long career, many of them across the Blue, between Independence and Kansas City. He erected the bridge across the Little Blue in Sniabar township, and has built in all over 150 bridges in Jackson County during his 43 years as contractor.

Mr. Yetter built five miles of concrete highway on the Santa Fe trail, now a part of the Lexington road. This was the first concrete road built in Jackson County, but not the first rock road, however, the first road of this class having been built by the citizens of the county from Independ¬ ence to Wayne City in the old steamboat days. He also graded the road from Independence to Blue Springs, preparatory to macadamizing. Yetter and McBride have the contract at present for enclosing the Independence Christian Church, which was damaged by fire Feb. 22, 1918, the wails alone being left standing. Mr. Yetter erected the old Ott school house, the Library building, the Columbia school, the present city hall, the Presb}^- terian Church, the Masonic building, the finest in the city, and he also built the McCune Home for Boys, the McCune school, the Jackson County Girls Home and the power plant for the Jackson County Home.

Mr. Yetter was married in 1873 to Miss Katie Helmig, of Independ¬ ence, a daughter of Casper and Anna Helmig, deceased, who were the par¬ ents of the following children: Mrs. Katie Yetter, Mrs. Louise Polmeier, Mrs. Christian Faiiman and Charles Helmig. Mr. and Mrs. Yetter have three children: William, a carpenter. Independence, Mo.; Frank, a photog¬ rapher. Tulsa, Okla. ; Russell, at home with his parents. For the past 40 years the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Yetter has been at 202 East Kansas street.

Isaac N. White, Evangelist-Patriarch in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was bom in Lawrence County, Ohio, Dec. 27, 1841. He is a son of Almon and Mary (Birk) White, the former of whom was a native of Gallia County, Ohio, and the latter also a native of Ohio. Mr. Almon White was a son of Alfred White, a native of New York, who was a pioneer settler of Gallia County, Ohio. When Isaac N. White was a boy 14 years of age his parents moved to Daviess County, Missouri, and purchased a large farm in that county. When the Civil War began he joined the Missouri State Militia under Colonel McFarren, a com¬ mander of Federal troops, and was a member of Company B, serving in the Union Army under Captain Falmsbee for two years and eight months in all. He received an honorable discharge from the army on account of in¬ firmities brought on by exposure, was brought home, and died soon after his arrival. His remains were buried at Gallatin, Mo. Alfred White, grandfather of Isaac N. White, made the long trip overland to Oregon in 1848, founded a home there in the wilderness, assisted in the development of the State, and died there in his 76th year. Mrs. Mary (Birk) White died at Newton, Jasper County, Iowa, and her remains were interred in the cemetery at that place. The children of Almon and Mary (Birk) White are as follow: Mrs. Sarah L. McVay, wife of James W. McVay, died in In¬ dependence, Mo., in 1916; Alfred, a retired merchant. Independence, Mo.; Mary Ann, wife of B. A. Atwell, died in Independence in 1918 ; Isaac N., of this review; Prof. S. E. White, for 30. years taught school in the South, resides in Georgia; Lucinda J., widow of W. S. Loar, resides in Independ¬ ence; T. R. White, a merchant and farm owner, Lowery City, Mo.; Eliza¬ beth, widow of William McConnell, lives in Nebraska; Eliza H., wife of Henry Macauley, Oakland, Calif.; W. A. 0. White, Independence, has been blind since boyhood.

Isaac N. White received his primary education in the public schools of Missouri and Iowa, and studied for one year in the Gallatin, Mo., Acad¬ emy. He then taught a number of terms of school in Missouri and Iowa. After pursuing a course of study in Bowen's College, Hopkinton, Iowa, he again taught school and completed his education in Western College, Iowa. This college at that time was under the control of the United Brethren Church denomination. Mr. White taught school in Iowa until 1868, and then became interested in the religious doctrines of the Latter Day Saints and joined this sect. Since becoming a member of his church he has spent the past half century and more in the ministry of his church. Rev. White has preached the gospel according to his belief in many parts of the United States, and for 16 years was associated with the "Quorum of Twelve" of his church, and was minister in general charge of what was known among their people as Mission No. 2, comprising Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Kansas, Missouri and Central and Southern Illinois.

Mr. White was ordained a priest on Aug. 9, 1868, at Newton, Iowa. He was ordained an elder at Newton, Iowa, on Oct. 23, 1870. He was ordained as president of the Second Quorum of Elders on April 14, 1884, at Stewartsville, Mo. He was ordained a Seventy at Lamoni, Iowa, on April 10, 1886 ; ordained one of the Presidency of Seventy at Independence, Mo., April 12, 1888; ordained an Apostle at Lamoni, Iowa, April 12, 1897; ordained Evangelist-Patriarch, April W, 1913, at Lamoni, Iowa. Most of these ordinations took place at their World's General Conferences.

Mr. White was united in marriage with Emily Trussel, in Jasper County, Iowa, on Aug. 16, 1865. This mandage has been blessed with 11 children: Alfred Delbert, resides at Tidwell Station, Jackson County, is engaged in real estate in Kansas City, Mo.; Mrs. Eva E. Custead, Inde¬ pendence, Mo. ; Mrs. Cora E. Tonnahill, Independence, Mo. ; Ammon, en¬ gaged in evangelistic work for the Latter-Day Saints Church, and now located for missionary work at Boise, Idaho; 0. C. White, owner of the "Lone Pine Farm," north of Independence, is in the automobile manufac¬ turing business in Kansas City, Mo. ; Mark Sherman White, known as "The Candy Man," who built up and conducted a wholesale candy business during the last 19 or 20 years in Independence, Mo., has now retired from that business, and lives in Independence ; Capt. Isaac N. White, the soldier of the family ; Corda Leona, wife of George Hulmes, banker. Independence, Mo., has been musical director of the Stone Church for the past four years ; Monnie Fay, wife of B. C. Johnson, Savanna, Ill., her husband being in charge of the railway shops in Savanna; Bessie Emma died when three years of age ; Helen died at the age of four years.

Capt. Isaac N. White, an attorney at law, enlisted in the United States Army in 1917, and attended the officers training camp at Camp Sheridan. He was commissioned a first lieutenant, and was then sent to Camp Gor¬ don, Georgia, and there received his captains commission. He was retained at Camp Gordon as an instructor, and served for two years in the army during the World War. He is now located at Akron, Ohio.

For the past 28 years Mr. White has resided at 1006 Maple street. His long life has been well spent in behalf of the souls of his fellow men. Mr. White has not only been of great use to his fellow men during his long and active career as a minister of the gospel, but he has reared a large and splendid family of sons and daughters who occupy high places in the civic and business life of their respective communities. As a minister he has much to his credit ; as a citizen he ranks among the best in the world. Had he done no more than to have reared his large family to maturity, this aged gentlemen would have won a high place in the annals of his adopted county and city.

T. W. Clay, proprietor of the Clay-Oakland Motor Company, 306 West Maple street. Independence, Mo., was born in Shelby county. Mo., Jan. 6, 1882. He is a son of John M. and Sarah (Barton) Clay, both of whom were natives of Shelby County.

John M. Clay now resides at Clarence, Mo. He is a son of John Clay^ who came from Kentucky and settled in Shelby County in pioneer days. He was a full cousin of Henry Clay, the famous statesman, and was a suc¬ cessful practicing attorney, who was often consulted by his kinsman, the statesman. Sarah (Barton) Clay died at Clarence, Mo.. Oct. 6, 1913. The children boin to John M. and Sarah (Barton) Clay are as follow: Mrs. Gertie Chinn, Clarence, Mo. ; Mrs. Virginia Bruce, Argentine, Kan. ; H. M. Clay. Independence; Mrs. L. M. Chinn, Clarence, Mo.; J. G. Clay, soldier in the regular army of the United States, first enlisted in Kansas City in 1912, served one year in France as military policeman, and is now stationed at Newport News, Va. He served four years in the Philippines.

The education of T, W. Clay was obtained in the public schools of Lentner, Mo. When he was 18 years old he came to Kansas City arid entered high school, paying his way through school by carrying the news¬ papers. After completing the high school course he worked his way through Central Business College. For ten years he was with the circula¬ tion department of the Kansas City "Star." For two years he had charge of the circulation department of the Kansas City "Post." Leaving the "Post" he held a similar position on the staff of the Indianapolis "Daily Times" for two and a half years. His next position was with the New York "Evening Mail," as circulation manager for three years, resigning this position to associate himself as retail manager of the Kansas Oakland Automobile Company, with E. W. Arrowsmith. Eighteen months later he took the agency for the Oakland automobile and the Scripps-Booth at In¬ dependence, Mo., Feb. 1, 1910. Mr. Clay caters to the Oakland trade only, and during the past season has done over $100,000 worth of business.

Mr. Clay was married in April, 1906, to Miss Daisy Winters, of Kan¬ sas City, Mo., a daughter of W. J. -Winters. The Clay family residence is located at 309. River boulevard. Mr. Clay is affiliated witli the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

August E. Ahmann, retired farmer, residing at 420 North Liberty street. Independence, Mo., was born in Warren County, Mo., Feb. 5, 1864. He is a son of Frederick J. and Caroline (Schuster) Ahmann, both of whom were natives of Warren County.

Frederick J. Ahmann was born Aug. 13, 1837, and his wife, Caroline, was born June 6, 1840. Frederick was the son of Jacob Ahmann, who emi¬ grated from Germany to America about 1832, and located in Warren County, Mo., purchasing a farm near Marthasville, where he resided until his death, in 1864. He was a Republican, and voted for Abraham Lin¬ coln. Frederick J. Ahmann still lives on his farm in Warren County, and is now 82 years of age. Mrs. Ahmann is over 79 years old. They are the parents of the following children: August E., subject of this sketch; Louis, St. Louis, Mo.; Frank, St. Charles, Mo.; John, a merchant and grain dealer at Marthasville, Mo. ; Emma, wife of Vi^illiam Schoppenhorst, on the home place in Warren County.

Ahmann, Wife And Son

wait place of 100 acres, three miles north of Levasy, in Fort Osage town¬ ship, He next bought 100 acres more, making 200 acres in all in the Ahmann farm. Mr. Ahmann improved his acreage with a handsome, twostory residence, and built up a fine farm, which he successfully cultivated until 1915, when he removed to a home in Independence, The Ahmann farm consists principally of Missouri River bottom land, and is situated three-fourths of a mile from the old Matthews steamboat landing on the Missouri. Mr. Ahmann purchased the William Bridges residence, on Lib¬ erty street, upon his removal to the city.

Mr. Ahmann was married Feb, 21, 1895, to Amelia Knoepker, of Warren County, a daughter of William and Minnie (Schowerngerdt) Knoepker, both of whom died in Warren County, Mr. and Mrs. Ahmann have one son, Elmer, aged 18 years, who was born in Jackson County, and is a student in Independence High School.

Dr. Charles W. Fuchs, jeweler and optician, was bom in Cooper County, Missouri, in 1854. He was a son of Conrad and Henrietta Fuchs, both of whom are deceased. Conrad Fuchs died on his farm near Pilot Grove, Mo,, in 1857, and his widow died in Boonville, Mo., several years later, in 1870, Dr. Fuchs has a sister, Nettie Fuchs, living at Appleton City, Mo.

Dr, Fuchs received his professional education at the Southwestern Optical College, and the Chicago Optical College, and the St. Louis Optical College, and is thoroughly grounded in the science of his profession. He learned the trade of jeweler in St, Louis, Mo. He followed the jewelry and optical business at Fayette, Mo., for 30 years prior to locating in Independ¬ ence, in 1900. He opened a store on the south side of the square, and in 1904 he purchased the building now occupied by Betts Brothers jewehy store, and the Cook and Dillingham shoe store.

Dr. Fuchs occupies the upper floor with his optical offices and stock of optical goods. Since taking possession of this building, which was erected in about 1840, he has thoroughly remodeled it and converted it into a modern business structure. It is now one of the imposing buildings of the city. This building is of decided historical interest. It is three stories in height, the third story having been used in former days as the lodge room of the Masons and Odd Fellows, probably one of the first meeting places of the Masons in the city.

The father of William Z. Hickman, author of this history, sawed the timbers used in the construction of the Fuchs building, and the frames were fastened together with wooden pins. Rooms on the second floor are being fitted up for a photogi'aph gallery, and the third floor is being refitted for lodge purposes. Mr. Jones erected this building and also built the Jones Hotel adjoining, about 80 years ago.

,Dr. Fuchs was married in 1882 to Mary H. Tieman, of Fayette, Mo., a daughter of William F. and Helen Tieman, pioneers of Howard County, Missouri. Mrs. Tieman is deceased. Mr. Tieman resides in Fayette, and is over 89 years of age. He has two sons. Edward Charles and Charles Edward Tieman, the latter of whom is a jeweler and optician at California, Mo., and the former is employed in the pension department at Washington, D. C.

Dr. Fuchs and wife have a daughter, Carrie Helen, wife of E. K. Crow, of Independence. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Crow taught school in Inde¬ pendence and Kansas City for seven years. Two sons of Dr. Fuchs, Edward and Harry, died in infancy. Dr. and Mrs. Fuchs reside at 211 South Pleasant street.

James Leroy Campbell, founder and proprietor of the Independence Radiator Company, 218 West Lexington street. Independence, Mo., had the right idea when he decided that there was a pressing demand for expert radiator repair men, and accordingly spent several years in leaniing all about radiators, how to repair them and how to build them. His success since opening up his shop, in November, 1919, is ample evidence that his place is filling a long-felt want among automobile owners in this vicinity. One of Mr. Campbell's specialties is the installation of the government's appliance for the prevention of the freezing and bursting of radiators in extremely cold weather. He uses the identical methods of fixing radiators so as to prevent their freezing as is used on the airplanes. The plan pro¬ vides for perfect radiation at all times regardless of the weather conditions.

Mr. Cam.pbell was born in Jackson County, Dec. 11, 1897, and is a son of Robert Thomas and Louise (Taber) Campbell, his mother belonging to a Jackson County pioneer family. At the time of the great flood in 1903, Thomas Campbell resided on a farm in the east bottoms. He is now em¬ ployed as chief engineer at the Heims Brewery, Kansas City, Mo. He was born in 1876. The children of the Campbell family are: James Leroy, of this sketch, and Ruth Elizal)eth.

pairing and copper working at the 0. K. Auto Radiator Company's plant, Kansas City, Mo. For five years he remained in the employ of this con¬ cern, and learned his trade thoroughly and well. From M^y, 1914, to March 15, 1915, he worked for $8.00 per week, and put in from 10 to 16 hours each day while learning hiS trade. He then received $10 per week for several months. His desire was to learn to fix radiators right and be able to do his work thoroughly. For two months during the World War he w^as instructor at the Rahe Army Automobile School, and was with this school when the armistice was signed. In November, 1919, Mr. Campbell came to Independence and established his shop at 218 West Lexington street. He sells new radiators and fixes old ones.

Mr. Campbell was married April 16, 1917, to Florence Scrom, a native of New York, but living in Kansas City at the time of her marriage. She is a daughter of Swart and Hattie (Casey) Scrom, the former of whom is deceased, and the latter resides at 703 Belmont, Kansas City. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have a daughter, Louise Roberta. They reside at 703 Bel¬ mont, Kansas City. Their postoffice address, however, is Independence, Mo. Mr. Campbell is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Heroine Lodge No. 104.

The Independence Laundry Company, at 115 South Osage street, em¬ ploys from 32 to 40 people to handle the immense volume of work done in the plant This laundry is thoroughly equipped with modern machinery, and is the last thing in up-to-date equipment. The ventilation system is excellent and the building is so arranged that the daylight available for all departments is equal to that of a photograph galleiy. The light comes practically all from the south side of the building, affording plenty of fresh air, sunshine and ventilation, one of the essential features of a well conducted laundiy establishment. A boiler of 100 horse power furnishes the steam for plant operation, and three ventilating fans bring an inrush of fresh air constantly into the building. The drivers room is located downstairs, and the clean bundles of newly finished laundry never come in contact with the incoming bundles of soiled clothing. Family washings are given special attention, and are as carefully looked after as they would be in the home.

The efficient manager of the Independence Steam Laundry has had 18 years experience, having been in charge for over a year past, coming to his present position from Kansas City. He was associated in the laundry business in Marshall, Mo., going from Marshall to Kansas City, Mo.

to soft, by the latest scientific methods. Great care is taken in the opera¬ tion of the machinery of the establishment, so as to avoid tearing- or dam¬ aging the fabrics washed.

During the past year the business has increased greatly in volume, an indication that the people of Independence thoroughly appreciate the manner in which the work is done. The Independence Laundry is one of the busiest places in Independence, and one of the city's most essential industries.

Ellis Short, wholesale lumber manufacturer and banker. Independence, Mo., was born near Indianapolis, Ind. His parents were Washington and Elizabeth (Polk) Short. He is descended on his mother's side from the well known families of Polk and Tyler, his mother having been a niece of both President Polk and President Tyler. She was also a niece of Calvin McCoy, a Baptist minister, who spent most of his life as a missionary among the Indians of the Wyandotte and Delaware tribes. In later years he had much to do with the laying out of Kansas City, where for many years he had his headquarters while attending to his mission work among the Indians. On the paternal side, Ellis Short was related to Elder McQuail, who, with the assistance of Elder Alexander Diven, from Columbia, organ¬ ized the first Baptist Church in Indiana. His father was a minister of the Christian Church for 40 years ; but in the year 1868 he became intensely interested in the preaching of the Latter Day Saints. For several years he examined closely their doctrine, and finally connected himself with this church and was ordained a minister.

In his boyhood days, Ellis Short attended the public schools of Indiana and Iowa, and in these schools obtained the education which fitted him to become a successful man of affairs. His father owned and operated sev¬ eral large freighting outfits, and in the year of 1863, while Ellis Short was still a boy, his enterprising spirit led him to make an overland trip from Atchison, Kan., to Denver, Colo. The train of 40 wagons with which he was traveling, was attacked by Indians at O'Fallon's Bluff, 200 miles east of Denver, Colo., and but for the timely arrival of a squadron of soldiers, the party would doubtless have been annihilated. In 1877 he went to near Tuskahoma, the capital of the Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, now Okla¬ homa, where for 14 years he was engaged in the wholesale lumber busi¬ ness, and was also a licensed trader and merchant among the Choctaws and Chickasaws, his partner in this venture being W. R. Pickering, member of the well known firm. The W. R. Pickering Lumber Company. In 1887 Ellis Short located permanently in Independence, Mo. He became one of the charter members of the Jackson County Bank, which was organized some time after his advent in this city, and was its president for years. He is a bishop of the Latter Day Saints Church, and discharged the duties connected with that office in the territory where he had charge, acceptably to his church. Bishop Short has two children, Mrs. Dr. Amos Henry Bald¬ win, of Pleasant Hill, Mo., and Ellis Short, Jr., of Independence, Mo.

Lemuel C. Maddox, cashier of the Citizens Security Bank, of Engle¬ wood, was born in Callaway County, Missouri, April 23, 1896. He is a son of Jefferson M. and Eliza (Crump) Maddox, who reside near Fulton, in Callaway County.

Mr. Maddox was educated in the public schools and McGee College, College Mound, Mo., and Collegiate Institute, Clarence, Mo., after which he studied for one year at Gem City Business College. In June, 1915, he located in Kansas City, and was in the employ of the Commerce Trust Company, the New England National Bank, and for a short time was as¬ sistant cashier of the Park National Bank prior to his election as cashier of the Citizens Security Bank.

Mr. Maddox was married June 17, 1916, to Ada Belle, a daughter of George W. and Tura Morris, who reside at Jacksonville, Mo. Mrs. Maddox was born in Huntsville, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Maddox have a daughter, Mar¬ garet Louise. They reside at the corner of Eighteenth and Hedges streets.

A. C. Watkins, president of the Citizens Security Bank of Engle¬ wood, Mo., is a native of Macon County, Missouri. His parents were J. F. and L. A. (Younger) Watkins. He was educated in McGee College and Kansas City University, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1916. He received his degree after having been away from the univer¬ sity for 13 years. Mr. Watkins came to Jackson County in 1905, and was with the National Bank of Commerce for some time, and then engaged in country banking. For three years he owned the Bank of Rayto\\Ti, and in 1914 he became connected with the City Bank of Kansas City, and is also interested in the Central Exchange National Bank of Kansas City. Mr. Watkins spends part of his time at Englewood. He organized the College Mound Security Bank of Macon County, and is still interested in this bank, which is located in his old home town.

Mr. Watkins was married to Bessie L. Beck, a daughter of George W. and Patience (Abney) Beck, of Miami, Okla., in 1916. They have one son, A. C. Watkins, Jr. The Watkins family residence is located at 3510 Vic¬ tor street, Kansas City, Mo.

ence, Mo,, rural route No. 6, was org-anized February 22, 1919, by the fol¬ lowing well known citizens: A. C. Watkins, president; J. K. Hoover, vicepresident; L. C. Maddox, cashier; L. M. Baker, L. C. Browning, O. J. Hill, L. E. Holland, J. K. Hoover, L. C. Maddox, Oscar Mindrup, E. E. Morquist, A. C, Watkins, directors. The capital stock of this bank is $10,000. The deposits at this writing, December, 1919, will exceed $60,000. This con¬ cern transacts a general banking business and fire, tornado and automobile insurance is handled by the bank officers. This bank has a spledid future. Englewood is situated on the electric line between Kansas City and Inde¬ pendence, and is a thriving district, which is destined to grow in impor¬ tance from a business standpoint. The territory served by the bank has a population of over 3,000 inhabitants.

George W. Corey, treasurer of the Home Deposit Trust Company, In¬ dependence, Mo., is a native of Iowa. He was born March 20, 1867, in Greenwood County, Iowa, and is a son of George H. and Julia V. (Bailey) Corey.

One year after the birth of George W. Corey, the family removed from Iowa to Jasper County, Missouri, and resided there until the death of the father, at Carthage, in 1875. The widow and her mother, Mrs. Mary Bailey, resided in Carthage until 1888, and then came to Lees Summit, Mo., where she died. Mrs. Corey died in 1894. Two sons were bora to George H. and Julia V. Corey, as follow: George W. Corey, of this review, and Harry E., a contractor. Maxwell City, N. M. Mr. Corey has a half-brother, Hiram W. Corey, a banker at Bristow, Okla. He also has a half-sister, Mrs. Minnie Maxwell, who died in 1918.

Since he attained the age of 17 years, George W. Corey has been selfsupporting, and his position in the financial world of this section of Mis¬ souri has been won, solely, through his own efforts. He learned railway telegraphy at Lees Summit, and followed that work for 18 years. For four years Mr. Corey served as deputy county treasurer, under A. C. Warner. He was employed in the lumber business at Lees Summit for over one year, and has been connected with the Home Deposit Trust Company since its organization in 1910. From August, 1910, to July, 1918, Mr. Corey served as secretary of the Deposit Trust Company, and then became treasurer of the organization.

Mr. Corey was married in 1888 to Miss Dora Fearman, of Lees Sum¬ mit, Mo., a daughter of Rebecca J. Fearman, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Corey have a daughter, Gladys Corey. They reside at 119 West Sea avenue.

of Moose, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has an interesting relic of early days in his posession, in the way of a teacher's certificate issued to his grandmother, Mrs. Mary (Manahan) Bailey, in England, April 12, 1824. This teacher's certificate is written in long hand and signed by "P. Manahan, Instructor of Youth." He also has another certificate, dated April 17, 1824, and signed by "Stephen Chase, Teacher of Youth."

Robert L. McBride, member of the firm of Yetter and McBride, con¬ tractors and builders. Independence, Mo., is one of the most successful men in his line in Jackson County. Since early manhood he has been a builder and contractor, and has built up a splendid reputation as an honest and trustworthy artisan, who gives and works for just pay. During years of contracting both he and his partner, Christian Yetter, prior to their form¬ ing the present partnership, in 1917, erected some of the finest buildings in Jackson County. Mr. McBride is a native of Jackson County. He was lx)rn at Norwood, Blue township. May 6, 1864, and is a son of William E. and Mineiwa (Dresser) McBride.

William E. McBride, his father, was formerly one of the best known of the early contractors in Jackson County. He was born at Harrodsburg, Ky., and died in Independence, in 1906. Mrs. Minerva (Dresser) McBride was born in Portage County, Ohio, in 1826, and died in 1899. Their children were as follow: Charles H., born 1849, died at the age of 45 years; Clara, wife of T. J. Beale, Kansas City; ICittie, wife of James A. Stayton, living south of Independence, a sketch of whom appears in this volume; Robert L., of this sketch; Bettie, deceased; Oliver L., in the emplow of the Doherty Corporation, and located at the Doherty Electric and Power Company's plant. Lake Taneycomo, Mo. William E. McBride estab¬ lished the first nursery in west Missouri, at Norwood, Mo., in the early for¬ ties, which he operated for some years, and then began his career as a con¬ tractor and builder in Independence and Jackson County. He and James Carpenter erected the old Noland Hotel in 1846, and in 1907 Robert L. McBride, remodeled the building, which is now known as the Clinton Block.

Robert L. McBride attended the Rock Creek district school in his boy¬ hood days. Yetter and McBride built a new school house for the Rock Creek district to take the place of the old school in which Mr. McBride had obtained his primary education. Mr. McBride also studied at Woodland College, Independence. He learned the trade of carpenter and builder under his father's tutelage, and when 18 years of age he began his own career as a cai-penter. In 1899 he began contracting on his own account.

and the first residence which he built was for James McCormick, at the corner of River boulevard and College street. He erected the Mize-Peters drug store, the Farmers Bank at Buckner, the Home Deposit Trust Comr^ pany building, and has built over 100 residences in Independence. He also erected the Benton school house, and drew the plans and superintended the building of the city hall. Mr. McBride erected the Bryant and McCoy school buildings, the first school house at Sugar Creek, and the Grain Val¬ ley High School. This firm is at present rebuilding the Christian Church.

Robert L. McBride was married in July, 1897, to Miss Maud Stella Anderson, a daughter of Thomas and Kate (Kimsey) Anderson, the latter a daughter of Samuel Kimsey, who was a pioneer settler in Fort Osage township. Five children have been bom to this mamiage : Robert, Bessie, Martha, Helen and Dudley.

Robert McBride served as corporal with Battery C, 129th Artillery regiment, commanded by Major E. M. Stayton, on the Mexican border. He died while in the service, death resulting from an operation for appendicitis. July 14, 1916, and his remains were interred in Woodlawn cemetery.

IVJiss Bessie McBride is a teacher in the Bryant school. Martha, Helen and Dudley are at home. The mother of the foregoing children died in 1907. Mr. McBride was again married, in 1909, to Miss Brittie Haines, a daughter of Amos and Pallee (Douglas) Haines, of Buckner, Mo. The children born of this union are as follow: Georgia, Corinne and Virginia.

Edward T. Douglas, grandfather of Mrs. Brittie McBride, was a pio¬ neer in FoiT Osage township, coming to Jackson County from Kentucky. The McBride family residence is situated at 901 White Oak street.

Shannon K. Knox, late well known and highly respected resident of Independence, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., in 1847, and died Aug. 16, 1900. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Knox, of Westmore¬ land County, where he was reared and educated. When he was a very young man, he learned telegraphy, and followed that work for some years. During the Civil War he was telegraph operator at Sumner, Ill.

Mr. Knox came to Missouri in 1868, and settled on a farm three miles south of Independence, on the place now known as the Frazier farm. He followed farming and stock raising for five years, and then removed to Independence for the purpose of affording his children the educational advantages to be found in this city. Soon after locating in Independence, he became interested in mining, in partnership with Adam and John Long, who later founded the wholesale grocery firm of that name in Kansas City. He owned mines in Colorado and Montana, and was successful in the mining business, which he followed until his death, in 1900. Mr. Knox erected one of the fine residences of Independence, a large structure of 16 rooms, situated on the southeast corner of Lexington and Pleasant streets.

Mr. Knox was married in 1861 to Miss Jane E. Christy, a daughter of William Y. and Margaret (Lanterman) Christy, of Sumner, Ill. Mr. Christy died at Sumner, and his wife died when Mrs. Jane E. (Christy) Knox was but three years of age. Mrs. Knox has a brother, F. M. Christy, who resides on the Van Horn road, with his son, Gregg Christy. A sister, Mrs. Harriet Sheridan, lives in Los Angeles, Calif. Six children were born to Shannon K. and Jane E. Knox, as follow: Mrs. Anna Child, In¬ dependence, Mo. ; Charles C. Knox, Berkeley, Calif. ; Mrs. Paul Alexander, now living with Mrs. Knox ; Roger C. Knox, Soulsbyville, Calif. ; Dr. A. C. Knox, Kansas City, Mo. ; Edgar C. Knox, in the real estate and insurance business. Independence.

Mr. Knox was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and was prominent in Masonic circles in Illinois prior to locating in Jackson County. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and was uni¬ versally regarded as an exemplary, honorable and public spirited citizen.

W. S. Collier, proprietor of the Collier Painting and Decorating Store, 209 West Lexington street. Independence, Mo., has been engaged in his present business since April, 1919, and has made a pronounced success.

Mr. Collier was born at Marblehead, Ohio, Aug. 26, 1888, and is a son of Harry May and Mary E. Collier, the latter of whom died in Denver, Colo. W. S. Collier attended the public schools of Denver and Golden, Colo., and learned his trade under his father, who has been a skilled painter and decorator for many years. He has followed his trade during his entire matured life, and is one of the most skilled men in his line in this section of Missouri. His knowledge of the business is thorough, and he has been engaged in the work for over 14 years. Since 1913 he has been in business for himself at Denver, Salt Lake City, Pueblo, Albuquerque, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Spokane. He has also followed the business at Alli¬ ance, Neb., Topeka, Kan., and Kansas City, Mo. One of Mr. Collier's recent jobs was the painting and decorating of the Watkins Building, and the new Lewis Theater and the J. Allen Prewitt Building. He has done the finest work in the city. He employs from three to 11 men throughout the year.

Mr. Collier was married in 1912 to Miss Mary Guthrie, of Westport, Mo., a daughter of Charles and Mary (Peterson) Guthrie, the latter of whom is deceased, and the former resides at 5856 Perry street, Kansas City, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Collier have three children: Melvin, Lucile and Charles. They reside at 209 West Lexington street.

Much knowledge and little capital is better than much money and little knowledge, is an old maxim, and the truth of this logic is being proven by men like Mr. Collier, who possessed of a thorough working knowledge of his business, has in less than a year, worked his way to the front rank among the business and industrial concerns of Independence.

Daniel I. Gessley, proprietor of a flourishing grocery business, located at the corner of Seventeenth and Sterling streets, one block north of the Independence and Kansas City Electric Line, Englewood, is a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Gessley was born at Owingsburg, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Nov. 14, 1854. His parents were Daniel and Mariah (Yeager) Gessley, who came from their native State to Missouri in 1869, and settled at Boonville.

The Gessley family made the trip from St. Louis to Boonville on the river steamboat, "Walter B. Dance." Upon his arrival in Boonville, Daniel Gessley was engaged in carriage manufacturing for five years. In 1874 he moved to Howard County, and followed the same business at Boonesboro until 1897, when he came to Jackson County, residing here until his death, in 1910. Mrs. Gessley died in 1892. The remains of both parents were taken back to Howard County and interred in the cemetery at Boonesboro.

Daniel I. Gessley learned the trade of carriage maker under his father, and upon coming to this county, in 1881, he established himself in the business at the corner of Ninth and Woodland streets, where he continued in business for 18 years. He came to Englewood in 1899, and established his grocery business at his present location. In addition to his regular business, Mr. Gessley has had the foresight and acumen to establish a can¬ nery in connection, using the "cold pack" process of preserving fruits and vegetables for the trade. This innovation of Mr. Gessley's is proving to be a successful venture. During the past season he has preserved and put up over 2,000 cans of fruit and vegetables by this method, "the cold pack" system, recommended by the United States Government. Tomatoes have been the principal product canned up to this time, but it is Mr. Gessley's intention to broaden his field of operations during the next season. He also has the agency for the Burpee hand can sealer, the most successful can sealer made.

Mr. Gessley was married Oct. 26, 1884, to Miss Mollie E. (Kivett) , of Howard County, Missouri. She is a daughter of John S. and Lizzie (Mc- Cart) Kivett, the former of whom died in 1915, and the latter is residing at Boonesboro. To this marriage have been born four children : Elsie, wife of B. L. Harter, Englewood; Clara, wife of Samuel Petrie, Pratt, Kan.; Hilton H.^, and Royal N. Gessley. Mr. and Mrs. Harter have two children, Claude and Frances.

Hilton H. Gessley seiwed in the United States Navy from June to De¬ cember, of 1918. He married Stella Hunter, of Englewood, and is the father of a son, Irving H. Gessley.

Royal N. Gessley sei-ved in the Signal Corps of the United States Army, was first stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and then at Camp Meade, Md., from which point he received his honorable discharge from the service, in February, 1919, and is now in the employ of the Bell Tele¬ phone Company, of Topeka, Kan.

Jack McCart, grandfather of Mrs. Gessley, was a pioneer set¬ tler in Howard County, and was one of the original "Forty-niners" who crossed the plains and mountains to California in search of gold on the Pacific Slope. He operated a stage coach from Boonville to Westport, Mo., in the days of long ago, when there were no railroads in this section of Missouri.

James L. Crawford, veteran of the World War, barber on East Lex¬ ington street. Independence, Mo., was bom June 24, 1894, on a farm in Texas County, Missouri, and is a son of E. V. and Callie (Sutton) Craw¬ ford, both of whom are deceased. He was educated in the public schools and Houston, Mo., High School, and was then in the employ of an oil re¬ finery at Casper, Wyo.

Mr. Crawford was among the first to be inducted into the army when the call came for soldiers to serve in the World War. He was sent to Tulsa. Okla., where his brother, George Crawford, had also enlisted. Both men were members of Company B, 357th Infantry of the United States Army. They were in training at Camp Travis, Texas, and at Camp Mills, N. J., from which point they were sent overseas to Prance, via Liverpool and Southampton, with the 90th Division. They were nine months on the fir- ing line in France, and were in the hardest of the fighting. George Craw¬ ford was gassed while taking part in the St. Mihiel drive, and is now in Spokane, Wash. James L. Crawford was in active service on the Western Front for four months, and took part in the hottest fighting in the St. Mihiel sector. Out of 165 men in the company of which he was a mem¬ ber, only 20 men came out alive, and these were all wounded.

He received a bayonet wound while fighting with a German soldier in a dugout, and his life was saved by Private James Howard, who killed the German by striking him a blow on the head with the butt of his rifle while the Hun was bayonetting Crawford. Later, while he and Howard lay in a shell hole watching an airplane battle, a burst of shrapnel struck them, killing Howard and mangling Private Crawford's leg horribly. This was on Sept. 12, 1918, just after both men Fad "gone over the top" in the great drive. He was taken to Base Hospital No. 12, 18 miles south of Metz ; later, and after recovering sufficiently, he was brought to the United States, March 29, 1919. The government has furnished Mr. Crawford with an artificial limb, is paying him a vocational allowance of $75 per month, and a pension of $15 per month while he is preparing himself to follow the barber's trade. He came to Independence, Oct. 1, 1919, and is following his trade at 105 East Lexington street.

Mr. Crawford was married on Feb. 7, 1912, to Jessie Hutchenson, of Dykes, Mo. They have two children: Lena, and Chester. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford reside at 116 South Liberty street.

Mr. Crawford was awarded a medal which he won for his skill in sharp shooting while in the trenches, and for extraordinary bravery shown in battle.

J. William Martin, member of the firm, Martin-Welch Hardware Com¬ pany, Independence, Mo., has resided in this city for the past 39 years, and is one of the best known and most successful merchants of the city. He was born in Fayette County, Ohio, April 3, 1860. His father, J. V. B. Martin, was born at Harpers Ferry, Va., June 21, 1837. His mother was Caroline (Straley) Martin, and was born in Fayette County, Ohio, Jan. 8, 1842. They were married Nov. 26, 1857. J. V. B. Martin made a trip to Missouri in 1849, and located in Ray County, where he remained about two years; then in company with Polk Rhodes, a slave, he drove through to Virginia with ox teams. His father and mother returned to the Vir¬ ginia home by boat. Mr. Martin and the s^ave were three months making the journey home in a prairie schooner, which carried much of the mov¬ able possessions of the family. The prairie schooners of the old days were capacious affairs, which had three times the capacity of the present-day road wagons. Later, J, V. B. Martin moved to Ohio, and was there mar¬ ried to Caroline Straley, of Fayette County, in 1857. He enlisted in the Union Army upon the outbreak of the Civil War, with his brother, C. D. Martin, and was captured by Gen. John Morgan's men at Cynthiana, Ky. Being exchanged, he was sent back to Ohio, and when Morgan made his famous raid through Ohio, he was a member of the band of Union men who captured Morgan and his men, near I.isbon, Ohio. His first work in Missouri after he came here, on September 17, 1868, was the hauling of whiskey from the Straley and Timmerman distillery to the Independence government warehoue, which was located near the public spring. He died from heart disease, Jan. 24, 1909, while riding in his son's automobile in Kansas City. His wife died in Los Angeles, Calif., May 9, 1914. The children born to J. V. B. and Caroline Martin are as follow: Emma Vir¬ ginia, born March 29, 1859; John William, of this review, born April 3, 1860; James R., born June 5, 1861; George S., born May 13, 1863; Lucy E. born July 6, 1865; Armienis, born Sept. 29, 1866; Ollie May, born June 29, 1869 ; Lillie A., born March 29, 1872 ; Leona, born April 27, 1873 ; Jesse L., born Aug. 17, 1875; Rufus E., born March 29, 1879; Lula L, born Jan. 21, 1880 ; Warner, born Jan. 19, 1887.

J. William Martin was educated in the public schools of Kansas City, and attended Spalding's Commercial College. He then spent four years on a farm near Buckner, Mo., and moved to Independence in 1881. He embarked in business in this city, and was thus engaged until January, 1918. Although retired from active business pursuits, Mr. Martin re¬ tains his interest in the Martin-Welch Hardware Company.

Mr. Martin was married April 20, 1884, to Miss Maggie Axtell, of Independence, who died Nov. 23, 1913, leaving four children: Mrs. May Sheppard, Independence; Margaret A. Martin, at home with her father; Mrs. Madge Rogers, Independence; William V. B. Martin, connected with the Martin-Welch Hardware Company. William V. B. Martin enlisted in the United States Navy in April, 1917, and served on the Battleship New Jersey, in the transport service, crossing the Atlantic several times during the war. He was honorably discharged from the service and returned home in August, 1919. Prior to the World War he had studied at the Kemper Military Academy, of Boonville, in 1914.

Mr. Martin's second marriage was with Mrs. Hattie M. James, of Kansas City, Mo., born in 1872, a daughter of Jeremiah and Helen M. (Wolfe) Smith. Jeremiah Smith died in 1874, and his widow married

William J. Hannon, in 1866. Mr. Hannon died in 1870. Mrs. Hannon lives on a farm near Blue Springs. The Martin family reside at 502 North Liberty street, in what is considered to be the finest residence in the city. This dwelling was erected in 1917, and is built of native Bethany Falls cut stone, quarried at Sugar Creek Quarry, and hauled a distance of four miles. It consists of two stories, 11 rooms, and is modern throughout.

Mr. Martin has served four years as city councilman, and was twice his party's candidate for mayor, missing the election by but seven votes. He is affiliated with the Masons, the Eastern Star, and the Knights of Pythias and Fraternal Order of Eagles, and holds a life membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Martin is an ardent out of doors sportsman, and has hunted game in all parts of the country, from the northern lake region to California, and has been on hunting ex¬ peditions in old Mexico. Nearly every year he takes a hunting trip to some wild region and remains in the wilds for three months or more. For the past ten years he has been raising wild mallard ducks on his farm east of Blue Springs, where he has a small lake. He started his duck farm with a setting of nine wild duck eggs, and he is able to raise from two to three broods of mallards each year. The ducks are so tame that they come at daylight for their food, which is given to them regularly.

George L. Compton, retired farmer, old time plains freighter, and old settler of Jackson County, was born in Gerard County, Kentucky, in 1831. His parents were Burris and Anna (Dismukes) Compton, who came from Kentucky to Jackson County in 1854 and settled on a farm near Adams Station. The family came by way of the railroad to Louisville, Ky., and thence up the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers, landing at Wayne City. The children of the family were: Mrs. Jane Isom, died in Ken¬ tucky ; Mrs. Sallie Hamilton and Mrs. Catherine Peach, died in Kentucky ; Elizabeth Compton, deceased; Mrs. Anna Winters, deceased; Mrs. Emily Pomeroy, deceased; Mrs. Mary Tracy and James, died in Kentucky; Vardaman, died in Jackson County in 1901; George L., of this review; and Zachariah, who died in infancy.

For two years after coming to Jackson County, Mr. Compton worked for Mr. Waldo at Adams Station. He then became a freighter and his first trip was made over the Santa Fe trail to New Mexico, driving eight mules and carrying the government mail. During the winter of 1855-1856 the snow was two feet deep and travel was slow and difficult, it being neces¬ sary to shovel the snow from the trail where it was badly drifted. Mr. Compton received $40 a month and supplies but had to cook his own meals enroute. A pine log was carried underneath the wagon bed to serve for kindling. A hole was dug in the ground and by means of pine slivers and buffalo chips the driver cooked his meal. Up an hour before day¬ break, breakfast was cooked and over, a start made and another 40 mile lap would be accomplished by nine o'clock at night. For a distance of 600 miles from Council Grove, Kan., to Fort Union, N. M. there were no habitations of civilized man; buffaloes covered the plains in thousands. Mr. Compton made two trips to New Mexico and the trials of the trips were so wearing that he was becoming addicted to profanity and decided that he had better quit. He afterward carried the mail from Independence, Mo. to Council Grove, Kan.

After his freighting experience, Mr. Compton engaged in farming near Adams Station, at first renting land, and then buying 110 acres. For his first farm he paid $15.15 an acre and sold it later for $40 an acre. He bought an adjoining farm and resided upon it for ten years; he then bought another tract of 180 acres which he later sold for $150 an acre. His last purchase was for a farm of 153 acres at $95 an acre, ten miles southwest of Independence, near Raytown, land which is now worth $500 an acre.

Mr. Compton was married March 28, 1856, to Miss Iza Poteet, a daugh¬ ter of Edmund and Jane Poteet, both of whom died on their farm near Adams Station. Mrs. Iza Compton died in 1901 at Eldorado Springs, ^Jo., and her remains were laid to rest in Woodlawn cemetery. The children born of this marriage are: Mrs. Anna Jane Lowe, Blue Springs; James V., Independence; William Edward, deceased; Mary E., at home with her father; George H., Independence, Mo.; Prince A., California; Emmet Lee, Baker, Mont. ; Shannon, at home ; Crawford, deceased ; Mrs. Pitta Estella Stayton, Independence.

When Order No. 11 compelled the evacuation of Jackson County by the people, in 1863, Mr. Compton moved to Ray County, Mo. He was accompanied by his four children, his wife, her father and his daughterin-law and two children, all loaded in one wagon. During the following winter, the Hedges and Compton families with nine children all lived in one room of a log cabin. Upon the death of Mrs. Compton, he retired to a home in Independence at 525 West Maple street. When he came to this county over 65 years ago. Independence had but 1,200 population. There were but 32 voters in Kansas City at that time, only that many votes being cast at a city election held in 1853. Mr. Compton was well acquainted with John P. St. John of Kansas and many others of the well known characters of the old days. For years, he bought and sold hogs, sometimes m.aking money and sometimes losing, according to the marked; conditions. In 1866 he bought a carload of hogs in Clay County, paying $9.00 and $9.25 per cwt. and immediately afterward the St. Louis market dropped to $8.00 per cwt. He saved his investment, however, by butcher¬ ing the hogs and selling the dressed pork for $12.50 per cwt.

Joseph Wayne Mercer. - This history of Jackson County would be incomplete did it not contain an account of the Mercer and Greene fami¬ lies, who for more than a half century have been identified with the up¬ building and development of Kansas City and Independence. The late Joseph Mercer, banker, veteran of the Civil War, former State treasurer, was for many years one of the leaders in the financial and commercial life of the city and county. He was born in Platte County, Mo., in 1845, and departed this life at his home in Independence, March 13, 1906.

Joseph Wayne Mercer was attending school at Chapel Hill when the Civil War broke out. He at once enlisted with the army of Gen. Sterling Price, and for four years took an active part in the campaigns of General Price's army. He was three times wounded, and suffered the loss of an arm, yet with this handicap, after the war was over, he achieved a suc¬ cess in whatever undertaking he entered. He was wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, Ark., and was also wounded in the battle of Lexington. At Pine Bluff, Ark., he lost an arm, and was thus incapacitated for active duty in the field. He was placed in the commissary department of the army, and was serving in this capacity at McKinney, Texas, when the war closed.

Manual labor of the usual sort being thus barred to him, he set about to prepare himself to earn his living in other lines. Upon his return home from Texas, he accordingly went to St. Louis, and prepared himself for business, attending the St. Louis Commercial College. After the com¬ pletion of his course he came to Independence and taught a district school three miles from Independence, walking to and from school night and morning. Besides teaching the school he conducted a commercial class of local students at night. Later he engaged in the real estate and loan business, and about 1876 he engaged in the banking business, with other partners, operating under the name of Brown, Hughes and Company. This bank was located on the present site of the First National Bank. Prior to this venture, however, Mr. Mercer had been connected with a bank at Pleasant Hill, Mo. For four years he was in the wholesale grocery busi¬ ness with the firm of Beckham, Mercer & Company, which was succeeded by Beckham, McKnight & Company. Mr. Mercer erected the Mercer home, situated at 116 South Pleasant street. Independence, in 1889. This home is one of the finest in the city.

Joseph W. Mercer was married May 18, 1870, to Laura Greene, a daughter of Beal and Corinne (Ratcliff) Greene. To this marriage have been born children as follow: Annie, wife of James A. Roberts, presi¬ dent of the Kansas City Wholesale Groseiy Company ; Etta, wife of Wal¬ ter Brown, investment broker, Kansas City, Mo.; Mary, wife of Bernard Zick, Jr., president of the PTrst National Bank, Independence, Mo. ; Cath¬ erine, wife of E. A. Cronin, secretary-treasurer of the Kansas City Whole¬ sale Grocery Company. Mrs. Mercer has four grandchildren, Joseph Mer¬ cer, Mary Mildred Zick; Laura and Amelia Brown.

Mrs. Laura (Greene) Mercer was born in Jackson County, of Ken¬ tucky parents. Beal Greene came to Missouri in 1839, and assisted in making the main street cut in Kansas City. He purchased a farm of 365 acres, southeast of Kansas City, which is now a part of Phoenix Park. Twenty-seventh street now runs through the old Greene home place. He sold this farm some time in the eighties, and moved to Kansas City, where his wife died in 1891. He died in 1899. Both are buried in Woodlawn cemetery. Their children are as follow: Mrs. Fannie Burdette, T. W. Greene, Joseph M. Greene, Mrs. Nannie Holmes, all deceased; Mrs. Laura Mercer, of this review; Newton Greene, and William Greene, Raytown, Mo. ; Beal Breene, Greenwood, Mo. ; Emma, wife of J. P. Hanback, Kan¬ sas City, Mo.; C. S. Greene, Kansas City, Mo.; Dr. R. L. Greene, Fort Worth, Texas.

Mr. Mercer was a Democrat, who for many years took a leading part in political affairs in this section of Missouri. He was elected to the office of State treasurer of Missouri in 1874, and served in this important office during 1875 and 1876. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and lived according to his belief. Mrs. Mercer is a mem¬ ber of the Christian church.

Bishop John A. Becker, of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, Independence, Mo., 418 North River Boulevard, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Oct. 5, 1874. He is a son of Adam and Charlotte (Miller) Becker, the former of whom was a native of Tuscara¬ was County and the latter a native of the Rhine Province, Germany. They were married in Ohio in 1867. Adam Becker died in 1892. Mrs. Becker resides at New Philadelphia, Ohio.

was a soldier in the 198th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving for about nine months and received an honorable discharge from the service on account of sick disability. His children are as follow: Charles Edward and Mrs. Carolina Ruppenthal, New Philadelphia, Ohio; Mrs. Rosetta Fidler, de¬ ceased; and John A. Becker.

John A. Becker was educated in the schools of Port Washington, Ohio, The Ada Normal School and the Northwestern Ohio College at Defiance, Ohio. For five years after leaving school he taught in the public schools. In 1903 he entered the ministry and had a charge at Pittsburg, Pa., prior to locating in Independence. In 1905 he was sent to Germany on mission work, devoting two years to this work, from 1905 to 1907. In 1908 he was ordained a bishop in the Church of the Latter Day Saints and placed in charge of work in Ohio with his residence at Kirtland. In September, 1918, Bishop Becker came to Independence and was placed in charge of the work of the bishopric, his present position, a bishopric which embraces a membership in the city of 4,500.

Bishop Becker was married in 1899 to Anna Young of New Water¬ ford, Ohio, bom in Pennsylvania, but reared in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Becker have three children: Pauline Mildred, Dana Charlotte and John A. Becker, Jr.

Bishop Becker united with the Church of the Latter Day Saints at Kirtland, Ohio, in 1899 when Elder A. H. Parsons of Independence was conducting missionary work in that city. Elder Parsons is now pastor of the Walnut Park church, Independence, Mo.

Abraham Joshua Roger, native born pioneer resident of Jackson County, successful farmer and stockman, now living retired at his home at 1206 North Osage street, Independence, Mo., was born on the old Roger homestead near Tarsney, in Van Buren township. The old Roger farm is now the home of Thomas Leegan. Mr. Roger was born Feb. 26, 1858, and is a son of Abraham Roger, a native of Patrick County, Va., and descendant of an old American family.

Abraham Roger, born 1804, died 1870, was a son of Henry Roger of Virginia, who fought in the Revolutionary War on the side of the colonies. Abraham Roger came to Jackson County from the old Roger home in Vir¬ ginia in 1833. This old Virginia homestead is still owned by a descendant of John Roger, who is an uncle of the subject of this sketch.

The first settlement which Abraham Roger made in this county was upon 80 acres of land which he entered from the government and which was located three miles south of Independence. He developed this farm and later sold it and moved to a place near Tarsney, the old Roger home¬ stead. He married Mary Corn, a daughter of Samuel Corn who came to this county in 1833. She, also, is of Revolutionary ancestry and traces her lineage to Samuel Corn, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who fought in the American Revolution. Abraham Roger and wife developed their farm and here reared their family and Mrs. Roger died in 1870 on the old homestead and was buried in the Roger cemetery and Mr. Roger died in 1890 in Bates County and is buried in the Gregg cemetery.

The children bom to Abraham Roger and wife are as follow: Joseph M. Roger, deceased; Mrs. Mary Mertins, Hicks City, Mo.; Mrs. Ruth Jack, Pink Hill, Mo. ; James H. Roger, Mena, Ark. ; Mrs. Matilda Downey, Sibley, Mo.; Samuel died in childhood; Mrs. Martha Faulk, Ransas City, Mo.; Abraham J., of this review ; Jefferson, Aaron, Mo. ; William F. died at the age of 22 years.

When Order No. 11 was issued during the Civil War, calling for the evacuation of the western part of Missouri, the Roger family went to Greenton, Lafayette County, Mo. Prior to this their home had been burned by invaders and all of the live stock on the place stolen or killed. The family journeyed to Lafayette County with ox teams in August, 1863 an;l did not return to their home site until a year from the following January. They then built another home and began over again to accumu¬ late property.

The education of Abraham Roger was obtained in private schools which were held in farmhouses of the neighborhood and later in Liberty church after the Civil War, followed by the public schools. Since he was 15 years of age he has made his own way and earned his living. For about seven years after marriage he rented land and in 1893 he purchased a tract of 40 acres in Fort Osage township. In 1896 he bought 40 acres more land in Blue township. He later bought the Sullivan tract of 200 acres in Blue township. In the fall of 1919, Mr. Roger disposed of his land holdings at a good price and retired to a comfortable home at 1206 North Osage street, in March, 1918.

Abraham Roger was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Vanarsdall of Blue township, Oct. 15, 1885. She is a daughter of Jessie and Margaret Vanarsdall and was bora Oct. 11, 1864. Mr. Vanarsdall is de¬ ceased and Mrs. Vanarsdall resides in Bates County, Mo. The children born to this marriage are: George C. Roger, living on the home place; Jesse E. Roger, Blue township ; Ollie L. Roger, Topeka, Ran, ; Edith Marie Roger, at home with her father

Ollie L. Roger sei'ved in the National army. He was inducted into the service June 18, 1918 and was in training at Camp Funston. He was a private in Company 23T of the Sanitary, 10th Division and when the armistice was signed he was at Baltimore awaiting ship to go overseas. While in service he drove trucks across country three times, one trip from Whiting, Wabash and from Detroit to Baltimore.

Mr. Roger is a member of the Modern Brotherhood of America. He is a fine type of the pioneer citizen, who has won his place in the citizenry of Jackson County by diligence, industry, honest dealings and good financial management.

William W. Twyman, member of the Twyman Brothers, real estate firm, 208 North Main street, Independence, Mo., was born on a farm near Blue Mills, Jackson County, Oct. 22, 1852. His parents were Dr. L. W. and Frances C. (Fristoe) Twyman.

Dr. L. W. Twyman was born near St. Charles, Mo., and was a son of Dr. Leo Twyman, a pioneer physician of St. Charles County, who cam<5 to Independence in pioneer days, and erected one of the finest hotels in the city on North Main street, the building which is now occupied by the Rogers grocery and a shoe store. He died in Independence. Dr. L. W. Twyman located at Blue Mills, and practiced medicine for a generation. He practiced his profession in the old days when it was customary for the country doctor to carry the medicines in saddle bags as he made his calls throughout the country. He lived to the age of 77 years and died in Inde¬ pendence. His wife attained the age of 80 years. The children of the Twyman family are: Julia, died in childhood; William W., of this re¬ view; Dr. G. T. Twyman, R. L. and J. P. Twyman, Independence; James, deceased; Frank C., Independence.

Five generations of the Twyman family have resided in Jackson County and there have been physicians in four generations of the family. The history of the family is closely interwoven with that of the early pioneer days in Jackson County. For nearly four score years this family has been prominent in the county with the exception of the time spent in Howard County during the Civil War in obedience to Order No. 11.

Since he was 20 years of age, William W. Twyman has made his own way in the world. For 15 years after he left the farm he was engaged in mercantile business at Cockrell, Mo. He served as county marshal of Jackson County for eight years and filled the office of county collector for two years. He and his brother, J. P. Twyman, opened the

Mr. Twyrnan was married in 1872 to Sarah H. Tyer, of Blue Mills. She died in 1909 and her remains were interred in the cemetery at Lees Summit, Mo. The children born of this marriage are: Frank W., Kan¬ sas City, Mo. ; Mrs. Mary Jackson, Cockrell, Mo. ; Walter D., Kansas City, Mo.; Gilbert 0., Blackwell, Okla. ; Miss Willie Twyman, a stenographer in the employ of the Rock Island Railway Company, Kansas City, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Twyman have grandchildren as follow: Helen Twyman, Roger Jackson, Robert Twyman, Annis Lee Lucille, Mary, Ailene, and Gilbert Twyman. The family residence is situated at Englewood, Mo. In 1911 Mr. Twyman was married to Martha T. Walden, of Independence.

Richard J. Lambert. - The Ensign Publishing House on West Lexing¬ ton street. Independence, Mo., of which Richard J. Lambert is editor and manager, is the outgrowth of the old Independence Gazette, published by William Crick. Zion's Ensign had its inception in 1890, William Crick and Dr, Joseph Luff starting the publication as a weekly religious paper devoted to spreading the gospel according to the beliefs and tenets of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. They operated the plant and published this religious weekly for a number of years and finally sold it to the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The church authorities continued the publication of the Ensign and began the publishing of religious books and tracts. The distinguishing feature of the Ensign is the doctrinal sermon which ap¬ pears in each weekly issue. The circulation of this paper has grown until it exceeds 9,000 copies weekly and it is mailed to bona fide subscribers in every state in the Union. About 75 per cent of the circulation goes to points outside of Jackson County, and 500 copies are mailed to subscribers in foreign lands. The list of its past editors and contributors includes such men as Dr. Joseph Luff, Evangelist Frederick G. Pitt, William H. Garret, Charles Fry, Hiram 0. Smith, Walter W. Smith, Arthur McKim, and the present editor, Richard J. Lambert, who is an able writer and publisher.

Mr. Lambert became connected with Zion's Ensign as editor and gen¬ eral manager in June, 1918. At this time the printing and binding de¬ partments have so developed that the concern is listed among the first class printing and binding houses of the country. The Ensign is ably edited and well printed and has taken front rank among the great religious weeklies of the country.

Editor Richard J. Lambert was bom Sept. 20, 1874, at Woodbine, Harrison County, Iowa. He was reared in the home of a Lauter Day Saints Apostle, Joseph R. Lambert, his father. He resided in early child¬ hood and manhood at Lamoni, Iowa. Since attaining maturity his life has been devoted to printing and publishing in the interests of the Latter Day Saints and he has spent much of his time engaged in missionary

Mr. Lambert was married in 1896 to Christabelle, the youngest daughter of Bishop William Anderson. Mr. and Mrs. Lambert have three children: Jean, Harold and Bruce E. Lambert. They reside on West Walnut street.

R. W. McCurdy. - The work which a man does during his active years in business or industry speaks for itself and encomiums are not required to further enhance his prestige. Some men are born promoters and organizers and gifted with executive ability of a high order. Such a citizen is R. W. McCurdy whose more than 32 years of residence in Inde¬ pendence has been replete with work which has been of benefit to the com¬ munity. Mr. McCurdy, in his capacity as president of the Home Deposit Trust Company, has not only forged to the front rank of banking in Jackson County, but he has not neglected to devote his time and influence to the furtherance of movements which have been of great benefit to his home city.

R. W. McCurdy was born Dec. 25, 1858 and is a son of John A. and Mary McCurdy, who removed to Lawrence, Kan. in 1869 and there spent the remainder of their lives. R. W. McCurdy attended the Lawrence High School and the business college at Lawrence and at the age of 20 years he was employed as traveling salesman. For 32 years he was a knight of the road and grip and was eminently successful in his vocation.

When a young man, Mr. McCurdy was married to Miss Martha Alice Norrick, a native of Ohio. For the past 32 years Mr. and Mrs. McCurdy have resided at 132 East Kansas street.

One of the very important undertakings which Mr. McCurdy accom¬ plished while engaged as traveling salesman was the organization of the Kansas City Wholesale Grocery Company, composed of 22 traveling sales¬ men and some outside parties with capital to invest in the business. Joseph W. Mercer was vice-president of this concern which has grown in importance until it is the most important wholesale concern of its kind in this section of the country. Others associated with the wholesale com¬ pany with Mr. McCurdy were Judge Lee Chrisman, Overton H. Gentry, present sheriff of the county, and Kit Colyer. The Company was organ¬ ized with a capital stock of $300,000. Mr. McCurdy severed his relations with the wholesale grocery company about six months prior to the organ¬ ization of the Home Deposit Trust Company, in which he was the principal factor and which began business in August, 1910.

Mr. McCurdy assisted in the organization of the Bank of Bates City, Mo. and in the same year, 1911, he helped to organize the Knorpp Cattle Loan Company and was a member of the board of directors of this con¬ cern. Two years later the cattle loan company was merged with the Schwarzchild and Sulberger Beef Company and the name of the Knorpp Cattle and Loan Company was changed to the Southwest Cattle Loan Company with Mr. McCurdy as vice-president.

The Schwarzchild and Sulberger Company later sold its interests and plant to Thomas Wilson of the Wilson Packing Company. John L. Knorpp still retains the presidency of the Southwest Cattle Loan Company and Mr. McCurdy is vice-president. The capital stock of this concern was $25,000, originally, but has since been increased to $250,000, with a sur¬ plus fund of $50,000.

R. W. McCurdy served two years as mayor of Independence and the McCurdy administration was noted for the genuine progress made in city affairs. The electric light plant was taken over under his direction and placed on a paying basis. Twenty-five miles of sewerage were built and he also demanded and enforced the rule that all street improvements made should be of a permanent character. He favored the granting of the fran¬ chise to the Home Telephone Company. During the two years in which he served as mayor, Mr. McCurdy never missed a meeting of the city council, although traveling constantly on the road during that time.

During Governor Major's administration, Mr. McCurdy accepted the appointment of superintendent of the good roads movement in Jackson County, and with characteristic zeal he set about to effect some radical changes in the road improvement in the county. By the governor's re¬ quest, each individual in Jackson County was importuned to donate at least two days labor on the county roads. In order to stir up the en¬ thusiasm necessary among the people and to secure their hearty co-opera¬ tion in this important matter, Mr. McCurdy, in company with William Z. Hickman, toured the county. Armed with the authority of the county court, they organized the entire county, enlisting the support of 5,000 citizens of the county who agreed to work on the roads. Messrs. Hick¬ man and McCurdy drove 1,425 miles in an automobile over the county and spent 10 days among the people, Mr. McCurdy making as high as 10 to 15 addresses each day to the gatherings at different points in Jackson County. The success of this undertaking aroused nation wide comment of a favorable nature and the good road sentiment aroused by that whirl¬ wind campaign has never been allowed to die out. The improving of Jackson County highways still goes on and will continue until the county has the finest road system in the west.

Judge James Latimer, deceased, was one of the best known citizens of Jackson County. He was a former judge of the County Court, suc¬ cessful farmer and stockman, and a zealous and honest public official. Judge Latimer was born in Roanoke County, Va., July 31, 1837, and died Sept. 28, 1915. He was a son of Christopher and Mary Ann Latimer, natives of Roanoke County, Va., who left their old home in Virginia about 1845 and settled in Jackson County. Christopher and Mary Ann Lati¬ mer were the parents of ten children, one of whom is living, Mrs. Amanda Bryant, of Independence. Here James Latimer was reared to young manhood, and was a sturdy young man when the Civil War began. He served in the Confederate Army during the war. He was married on Oct. 5, 1860, to Miss Susan Williamson, and to this union were born chil¬ dren as follow: W. Reese Latimer, a farmer, living east of Independence; Mrs. Stella Hedges, Independence; Mrs. Nannie Williamson, Independenence; Mrs. Mollie Powell, Independence; Charles Latimer, deputy county treasurer. Independence; Jarret, died Feb. 23, 1919; Jennie Latimer, at home with her mother; Mrs. Retta Orlena Southern, wife of Judge Allen C. Southern, Independence; Maurice, Independence; and Grover C. Lati¬ mer, who died in 1896.

Susan Williamson was born in Kentucky, Aug. 18, 1844, a daughter of James Champion and Nancy (Gilkerson) Williamson, who came from Kentucky to Missouri in 1849, coming by steamboat to St. Louis, and overland by wagon to Jackson County. The Williamsons settled near Bone Hill, where Mr. Williamson improved a farm of 250 acres. The par¬ ents spent the remainder of their days on the farm, and both died there. James C. Williamson lies buried with his wife in the cemetery at Oakland church. The other children of this pioneer family, besides Mrs. Latimer, are : Mrs. Jennie Campbell, Blue Springs, Mo. ; Mrs. Mary White, Boulder, Colo.; James Calvin, who was last heard from in Indian Territory; Mrs. Nancy Adams, Mrs. Eliza Linsley, and Thomas and Cornelius, deceased.

Judge James Latimer

Saunders place, east of Independence. Here Mr. Latimer died, and in 1915 Mrs. Latimer moved to a liome at 120 East Rubey street, where she resides with her daughter. Miss Jennie Alberta Latimer.

James Latimer was prominent in civic and political matters in Jackson County, and was elected Judge of the County Court in 1892, serving in this important office for four years.

Judge Latimer was an excellent public officer, who had the best in¬ terests of his county at heart. As a mark of appreciation, when he re¬ tired from the office, his friends presented him with a gold-headed cane as a token of their esteem. He was a member of the Christian church, and was a liberal supporter of the churches in Jackson County. He wai a deeply religious man, whose first thought was for his family and fireside.

Elder Alonzo Harkaway Parsons, pastor of Walnut Park church of The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, was born Feb. 8, 1857, in Madison County, Ind. He is a son of William and Martha Ann (Kent) Parsons, the former a native of Randolph County, Ind., and the latter of Caldwell County, Mo.

William Parsons was born May 15, 1834 and was married to Martha Ann Kent Feb. 28, 1856. His father was Solomon Parsons, born in Guil¬ ford, N. C., April 7, 1805, and married Rachel Harvey, born April 11, 1804, a daughter of Quaker parents. Solomon Parsons was a son of Irvin Parsons, whose father was George Parsons, a native of Guilford County, N. C. The parents of George Parsons emigrated from England to America a short time before the birth of George Parsons, who was reared there and married Ruth Buller, who bore him nine sons and one daughter. She was a daughter of Moses and Mary Buller. Their son Irvin Parsons married Elizabeth Buller, who was born Aug. 31, 1783.

Solomon Parsons and wife moved from North Carolina to Randolph County, Ind. in 1832 and resided there on a farm for a number of years. In 1860, William Parsons moved from Indiana to Ringgold County, Iowa, and located on a faiTn near Mount Air. The other children born to Solo¬ mon Parsons and wife, besides William Parsons, were: Irvin, Robert, James, George, William, Anna, Mary, John, Peter, Thomas, Joseph and Kiziah.

To William and Martha Ann Parsons were born nine children : Alonzo Harkaway, of this review; Henry Edgar, born Dec. 25, 1859, Winchester, Okla. ; John Lindsay, born Feb. 22, 1861, in Fremont, Iowa, resides in Seattle. Wash.; Plenrietta, born April 8, 1863, died in childhood; Otto Ray- man, born Aug. 27, 1865, lives in Independence; Mrs. Cordelia Isabelle Oglive, born Aug. 12, 1875, lives in Nevada, Mo. ; Mrs. Olive Taylor, born Nov. 22, 1877, lives at Blairstown Mo.; Mrs. Rc/tta Lillian Fender, born Oct. 18, 1881, lives in Blue township, Jackson County.

The mother of the foregoing children was' a daughter of Horatio Nelson Kent, who was a son of Carlton Kent, whose father was Abel Kent. Horatio Nelson Kent married Elmira Sloan and to this union were born children as follow: Alma, Louise Wiles, and Martha Ann. At the time of the (so called) Mormon war in 1838, Horatio Kent and wife were resid¬ ing in Caldwell County, Mo., and on Nov. 13th of that year, he and his wife with many others of the colony were compelled to flee and to sign away the deed to their home under peril of their lives. They drove away to Indiana in a one horse cart and were subjected to such exposure in inclement weather that Mrs. Kent died soon after the premature birth of her daughter, the future Mrs. Martha Ann Parsons.

Elmira Sloan Kent was a daughter of Elijah Sloan who, with his wife, migrated from New York to Bartholomew County, Ind. about 1829. Abel Kent, a brother of Horatio N. Kent, married Lucinda Starkweather, of a prominent family in Connecticut.

After attending the public schools, Alonzo Harkaway Parsons took a correspondence course in the Chicago Law School and is a graduate of the State Sunday School Normal Institute of Missouri. When 20 years old he began his ministerial career with the Quaker church and was thus engaged for four years in Kansas. He then identified himself with the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints and has been preaching the gospel according to the teachings of this church for the past 38 years. For 18 years Mr. Parsons was a missionary for his church, 14 years being spent in the East. For 12 years he served in the Bishopric under Bishop May. For the past three years Elder Parsons has been pastor of Walnut Park church in Independence. The church organization has begun the erection of a new building 40 x 70 feet, the construction of which will be completed during the next year, if possible.

Elder A. H. Parsons was married Jan. 26, 1875 to Martha Gale of Ringgold, Iowa, and this marriage has been blessed with three children: Nora Orletta, died in infancy; Dora Azora, born Nov. 24, 1878, died in infancy , Venata June Mason, born June 4, 1892, lives in Independence, is mother of two children: Richard and Roberts Parsons Mason.

James Austin Kemper, a successful attorney, with offices in the Owens building-, Independence, Mo., is a native of Indiana. Mr. Kemper was born near Lebanon, Boone County, Oct. 25, 1862. He is a son of Tilman and Elizabeth (Vice) Kemper, the former of whom was a descendant of colonial ancestry. Prof. Frederick T. Kemper, a relative, was the founder of Kemper Military Institute at Boonville, Mo. Gen. James L. Kemper, a foiTner governor of Virginia was also a member of this family. The paternal grandfather of Tilman Kemper served with distinction as a soldier with Virginia troops in the war of the American Revolution. Both he and his son also served in the War of 1812. The colonial ancestor of James Austin Kemper emigrated from England in the latter part of the 17th century and settled at Jamestown, Va. From him has sprung a dis¬ tinguished American family, his descendants having become prominent in all walks of life in America.