Jackson County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1920 (part 5 of 15)

Coming to Missouri with his parents in 1869, James Austin Kemper was educated in the common schools, the State Normal School at Warrensburg. Mo. and pursued a course in the literary and law departments of the Missouri State University in 1886-1887. He taught school for four years in Johnson County, Mo. and in 1888 he was elected superintendent of the public schools of Odessa, Mo. He held that position for four years. He then resigned and entered the real estate, loan and insurance business. In the meantime he renewed his study of law which he had begun in 1886 in the law office of Hon. S. P. Sparks at Warrensburg, Mo. while teaching school. Mr. Kemper was admitted to the bar Dec. 18, 1894 by Judge Rich¬ ard Field, at Lexington, Mo. He practiced at Odessa, Mo., until Jan. 1, 1896, and then located in Warrensburg, where he was very successful. During nearly a quarter of a century of active practice in Missouri, Mr. Kemper has established a reputation as being a painstaking and forceful attorney who serves his clients with every atom of his energy and power, as a lawyer of force and ability. During this time he has successfully de¬ fended four individuals accused of murder and obtained a verdict of ac¬ quittal in each case. Mr. Kemper located in Independence, Mo. Nov. 7, 1914. Since coming to this city he has built up a large civil practice in this section of Missouri and is recognized as one of the leading attorneys of the city and county.

In September, 1888, Mr. Kemper was married to Miss Anna E. Dalhouse, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Samuel F. Dalhouse, one of the wealthiest farmers of Johnson County, who came from Vir^-inia to Missouri in 1859, subsequently moving to Illinois and returned to Missouri

Mr. Kemper is a stanch Democrat and loyal to the principles of true democracy. He has been prominent in the affairs of his party in Mis¬ souri. In 1892 he served as chairman of the Congressional District Con¬ vention at Higginsville, Mo. and in 1895 he made the race for the nomina¬ tion for prosecuting attorney of Lafayette County. During the campaign of 1896 he was the recognized leader of his party in Johnson County and again in 1900 he canvassed a part of the state under the direction of the State Central Committee of the Democratic party. Mr. Kemper's activ¬ ities in politics have always been directed in behalf of his party and friends and he has never been a seeker after political prefeiment, although impor¬ tuned at various times to be a candidate for office.

Always taking a deep interest in educational matters, he served as a member of the board of education of Warrensburg, Mo. from April, 1897 to April, 1900, filling the office of treasurer two years. During his term as a member of the school board, the entire system of the city schools was reorganized and the school curiiculum revised and enlarged so that the school system would articulate with entrance requirements of the State universities of Missouri and Kansas. Because of his work on behalf

Mr. Kemper is a member of the State Bar Association. He and his family are all members of the Christian church, of which he served as an elder for four years.

Israel A. Smith, successful attorney at law, with offices in the Owens building. Independence, Mo., was born at Plano, Ill., Feb. 2, 1876. His father was Joseph Smith and his mother was Bertha Smith. Joseph Smith was president of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints from 1860 to 1914 and prior to coming to Independence he was located at Lamoni, Iowa. He was a son of the founder of the original Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a further account of whose life and career is given in connection with the sketch of Walter W. Smith, church historian. Joseph Smith died in Independence, Dec. 10, 1914.

Israel A. Smith attended Graceland College at Lamoni, 'lowa,*and was in the employ of the Bell Telephone Company after leaving school. He was then engaged in the life insurance business, following which he became managing editor of the Saints Herald at Lamoni, Iowa. While a resident of Lamoni, Mr. Smith became prominent in civic and political affairs and held various local official positions, including membership on the local school board and mayor of the city. While serving as mayor of Lamoni he was elected representative in the Iowa State Legislature and served as representative from Decatur County in the 34th Iowa General Assembly. He was admitted to the bar of Iowa in 1912 and removed to Independence in 1913, having been admitted to practice in Missouri by the Missouri State Board in that same year.

Mr. Smith has built up an excellent law practice and has done con¬ siderable legal work as a corporation lawyer since his advent in this city. He stands high in the legal profession of Jackson County and is one of the leading legal lights of this section of Missouri.

Mr. Smith was maiTied March 14. 1908 to Miss Nina M. Grenawalt, daughter of John and Fannie Grenawalt, deceased, formerly of Lamoni, Iowa. To this marriage have been born two sons: Joseph P., born Sept. 7, 1912; and Donald C., born March 4, 1916. The residence of Mr. and Mrs. Israel A. Smith is at 1214 West Short street.

Mr. Smith is a member of the Kansas City Bar Association and the Missouri Bar Association. He is affiliated with the Sons of the American Revolution and is a member of the Reorganized Church of Christ of Lat¬ ter Day Saints and served as a member of the presidency of the Inde¬ pendence stake of his church from 1916 to 1918.

The Home Deposit Trust Company, Independence, Mo., although among the younger financial institutions in Independence and Jackson County has rapidly forged to the front rank among institutions of its class in the county, and is one of the important and stable concerns of this city. The Home Deposit Trust Company was organized Aug. 15, 1910 with a capital stock of $100,000. The first officers of the concern were as fol¬ low: R. W. McCurdy, president; J. A. Prewitt, first vice-president; Arthur C. Warner, second vice-president; E. M. Stayton, third vice-presi¬ dent; Will Symington, treasurer; Fred Bergschneider, secretary: and George W. Corey, assistant secretary.

The capital stock remains at $100,000 with a surplus of $20,000 and undivided profits of $8,000. The deposits will exceed $500,000. Since the Home Deposit Trust Company began business it has paid nine divi¬ dends to the stock holders. The present officers of the company are: R. W. McCurdy, president ; L. T. Markey, first vice-president ; E. M. Stayton, second vice-president; N. D. Jackson, third vice-president; George W. Corey, treasurer; James Shepherd, secretary.

Albert M. Ott, president of the Chrisman-Sawyer Banking Company, Independence, Mo. is a native of Independence. He was born Jan. 4, 1865, and is a son of Christian and Louise (Mohr) Ott. His father emigrated from Germany to America in 1845 and his mother crossed the Atlantic to our shores in 1843. She lived in St. Louis after coming to this country and both made their way to Independence, where they were married in 1849.

Christian Ott established himself in the furniture business in this city and was the pioneer furniture dealer here. He was engaged suc¬ cessfully in business from 1849 to 1890. Two years after retiremem from business pursuits his death occurred. Mrs. Ott had preceded him in death in 1886. Both are buried in Woodlawn cemetery. Their chil¬ dren are : Dr. Lambert Ott, Philadelphia, Pa. ; Henry Ott, engaged in the furniture business in his native city; Christian Ott, mayor of Independence; Albert M. Ott, of this review; Mrs. Rose B. Ott; Mrs. A. J. Bundscher and Mrs. Fred P. Bacon.

For 13 years, Christian Ott served as a member of the school board of his adopted city and was much interested in the cause of education. The Ott grade school is named in his honor.

Albert M. Ott was educated in the Independence public schools, the Kemper Family School, now the Kemper Military School, at Boonville, Mo., Westminster College, Fulton, Mo. and graduated from the law de¬ partment of the University of Pennsylvania and began the practice of law in Independence in October, 1887. He became a director of the Chrisman- Sawyer Bank in 1899 and in 1903 he became president of the bank. Of late years he has devoted his entire time and attention to the banking business and has achieved the same success as a banker which he won as an attorney.

Albert M. Ott was married in October, 1890, to Miss Julia Rogers, of Independence, a daughter of Isaac N. Rogers, who for 50 years was connected with the Chrisman-Sawyer Bank and was its first cashier. To this marriage were born two children : Natalie, wife of Frank Gates Wal¬ lace; and Julia V. Ott, student in the Missouri State University. Mrs. Julia Ott died in October, 1897. Mr. Ott's second marriage was with Margaret Bryant, a daughter of Prof. George S. Bryant, of Independence. Two children were born of this union: Margaret Louise and Albert M. Ott, Jr.

The Ott family residence is situated at 804 West Waldo street. Mr. Ott filled the office of city attorney for two years, from 1888 to 1890. He also served two years as prosecuting attorney of Jackson County and served as a member of the school board for seven years. At all times he has been in the forefront of every movement for the advancement and the betterment of his home city. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery and the Knights of Pythias. He, like his father, has always taken a keen interest in educational matters and he was instrumental in securing the location for the William Chrisman High School.

The Chrisman-Sawyer Banking Company is one of the oldest and strongest financial institutions in Jackson County and western Missouri. This bank is the successor of the old branch of the Southern Bank of St. Louis, Mo. It afterwards became known as the Stone, McCoy and Com"* pany Bank, a partnership. Mr. McCoy was instrumental in organizing the old First National Bank of Independence and his interests were con¬ veyed to Judge Samuel L. Sawyer, the firm name becoming Stone, Saw¬ yer & Company. In 1869, William Stone died and his interests were con¬ veyed to William Chrisman, the firm then being known as the Chrisman, Sawyer & Company Bank. The capital stock of this organization was $30,000. The members of the firm were William Chrisman, chairman ; Judge Samuel L. Sawyer, died in 1888; John Wilson, died in 1880.

In August, 1877, the business was incorporated as Chrisman, Sawyer & Company, with a capital of $80,000. It was reincorporated in August, 1897, with a capital of $100,000 and with a certified surplus of $100,000. The difference between the original capital of $30,000 and $200,000 repre¬ senting the capital and surplus, showing the earnings of the bank.

William Chrisman was the president of this organization until his death. Judge Sawyer served as vice-president until his death, the cashier being A. F. Sawyer and the assistant cashier having been Isaac N. Rogers. When Judge Sawyer died, A. F. Sawyer became vice-president and upon the death of William Chrisman he was elected president.

Mr. A. F. Sawyer served as president until 1902. Albert M. Ott then became president and is capably filling this position at the present time. The present officers of this bank are: Albert M. Ott, president; Thomas C. Sawyer, vice-president; Rogers M. Hocker, vice-president; Lock H. Sawyer, cashier; assistant cashier, Allan McDowell. The de¬ posits of this bank will exceed $900,000. The capital stock is $100,000 with a surplus of $100,000 and undivided profits of $22,000.

for the Santa Fe and Mexican traders and the gold seekers of the days of '49. The Chrisman-Sawyer Bank is a prosperous and strong financial concern, progressive and during the many years of its existencec it has always been identified with every good movement tending to the develop¬ ment and upbuilding of Independence and Jackson County.

Christopher Columbus Fields, late well known farmer of Blue town¬ ship, was boiTi in Kentucky, March, 1840, and died at his home in Jackson County, Dec. 10, 1914. He was a son of William and Amanda (Chiles) Fields, who came from Kentucky to Jackson County in 1840, and settled upon a pioneer farm in Blue township, which they developed and upon which they reared their family. The old Fields home place is now the Sater Necessary farm. Both William and Amanda Fields died on this farm.

C. C. Fields was an infant when his parents brought him to Missouri. He was reared to young manhood in this county. During the Civil War he enlisted in the Confederate Army, with General Price's division, and served until the close of the war, returning to his home on July 2, 1865. When Order No. 11 was issued, in 1863, Mrs. Fields went to Cooper County, and remained there during the winter of '63 and '64, returning home in the spring of 1864. She stayed with her mother and sister and sister-in-law until Mr. Fields came home.

C. C. Fields was married Dec. 5, 1861, to Martha Frances Chrisman, who is now (1920) one of the oldest native born pioneer women of Jackson County. She was born Jan. 11, 1843, in Jackson County, and is a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Teary) Chrisman, who were natives of Virginia. The Chrismans came to Jackson County in 1832, and Mr. Chrisman entered government land, and also bought land, accumulating a large farm, upon which he reared a large family of children. He died in 1844. Mrs. Chrisman was born Dec. 6, 1803, and died Sept. 11, 1902. There were ten children in the Chrisman family, as follow : The first born died in infancy; Rebecca, Samuel, Edwin, Darthular, Margaret, Charles, Melinda, all deceased ; Mrs. Sarah E. Meador, lives in Independence ; Mrs. Martha Fields, of this review.

Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Fields resided on the Fields home place for the first year after their marriage, and during the war Mrs. Fields lived with her mother. They then bought a tract of 40 acres, upon which they erected their first home. They prospered as the years passed, and bought more land. The next purchase was 44 acres ; and the next was 36 acres. They then purchased two other tracts of 80 and 40 acres, making 240 acres in all. The children born to C. C. and Martha Fields are: Mrs. W. B. Powell, a sketch of whom appears in this volume; and Charles William Fields, a f aimer of Blue township.

Mr. Fields was deeply religious, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He was industrious, and enterprising, loved his home and fireside. His life was well spent in good works. Mrs. Fields is the oldest living member of the Fairmount Methodist Church, having joined the church in January, 1862.

W. B. Powell, farmer and stockman, owner of a well improved 80- acre farm, one mile south of Salem church, in Blue township, is a native of Ohio. He was born in Noble County, Ohio, Dec. 18, 1865, and is a son of Andrew Jackson and Sinah (Burris) Powell, who some time after the birth of W. B. Powell, removed to Tyler County, W. Va. They returned to Ohio, however, in later years, and both died in Noble County. Jackson and Sinah Powell were the parents of the following children: John C. Powell, Noble County, Ohio; Mrs. Laura Eagan, Newcomerstown, Ohio; and W. B. Powell, of this review.

W. B. Powell was reared in Tyler County, W. Va., and attended the district schools of that county. He was brought up in the vocation of his parents, that of a tiller of the soil, and followed farming in Ohio until 1887, when he removed to Eldorado Springs, Mo. After two years resi¬ dence there he came to Jackson County. Two years later, in 1891, he located on the farm where he is now residing, a tract of 80 acres, formerly the Thomas Dunning farm. Mr. Powell is engaged in general farming and stock raising.

Mr. Powell was married in 1890 to Miss Alice Fields, a daughter of Christopher C. and Mattie (Chrisman) Fields. Four children have been born to this marriage, as follow : Elmer C., a farmer on the Fields home¬ stead; Clarence C., at home; Laura, a student in Independent High School; and Forrest, at home.

J. V. Bradley. - The Paxton-Duke Sales Company, dealers in new and rebuilt automobiles, operated in connection with the Paxton-Duke Motor Company, 312-322 West Maple street, is the largest and most successful institution of its kind in Independence and Western Missouri. The Sales Company was organized and incorporated under the Missouri laws in November, 1917, with William B. Duke, secretary; Edward M. Paxton, president; and J. V. Bradley, vice-president. The Paxton-Duke Motor

Company operated in connection with the foregoing is owned by Raymond P. Sermon, who is manager of the company. This concern operates the largest garage and sales business in the state. A general repair shop is maintained and a large storage room. The Sales Company has the agency of the Dodge automobiles, the White trucks and the Wallace Cub tractors. This firm takes the lead in Missouri in the number of Dodge cars handled through their sub-agency and they take first rank as automobile salesmen in the county.

J. V. Bradley, vice-president of the Paxton-Duke Sales Company, was born near Odessa, Mo., in 1882. He is a son of William and Kizzie (Worden) Bradley, both of whom were born and reared in Lafayette County. Mrs. Bradley died in 1884 and Mr. Bradley resides in Kansas City, Mo., where he has been in the employ of the American Express Com¬ pany for the past 20 years. The Bradleys have one child: J. V. of this review.

Mr. Bradley was married in 1901 to Mabel Sermon, a daughter of George and Ella (Todd) Sermon, of Independence. Mr. and Mrs. Brad¬ ley have a son, George William Bradley. They reside at 803 West Van Horn Road. Mr. Bradley is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is a Shriner and Scottish Rite Mason. He is a member of the Baptist church.

Henry Rahe, dairyman and farmer, owner of 60 acres of valuable farm land a few miles southeast of Independence in Blue township, is a native Missourian. He was born on May 27, 1861, on a farm near Mt. Washington, Jackson County. His father, August Rahe, was killed by bushwhackers in 1863, having previously been enrolled in the state militia. Mr. Rahe had been working on his farm and had been taken ill. The men who tok his life broke down the door of his home and shot him. It is thought that he had been wrongly reported as having taken part in the war and been unduly active in fomenting trouble. Mr. Rahe, how¬ ever, w'as peaceably inclined and desired nothing better than to live at peace with his neighbors and till his farm and care for his family.

The death of August Rahe left his widow with four small children to rear. Prior to her marriage she was Miss Lottie Hendei'son, born in 1833". She attained the age of 90 years and died in 1903. The children of the Rahe family are as follow: Caroline, Kate and William, deceased; Henry, subject of this review. The widow later married Frederick Rahe and l^ore him two children: Fred Rahe, a farmer in Jackson County and Emma Rahe.

Henry Rahe has always followed farming and has been successful. He purchased his present home place in 1887 and has placed practically all improvements on it.

Mr. Rahe was married in 1894 to Miss Annie Rummel, a daughter of the late Herman Rummel of Jackson County. This marriage has been blessed with two children, Dorothy, aged 24 years; and Herbert, aged 22 years. He served for two months in the merchant marine during the World War. Miss Dorothy Rahe is a stenographer in the employ of the American Security Company, Kansas City. Herbert Rahe is an auctioneer.

Mr. Rahe is a Republican. He and his family worship at the Meth¬ odist Episcopal church. Personally, Henry Rahe is a likable, genial, well informed and sociable citizen - industrious and enterprising. He is well liked by his neighbors and has many warm friends in Jackson County.

Rev. William L. Hall, editor and publisher of the Sniabar Voice^ minister of the Primitive Baptist Church, Blue Springs, Mo., is a native of Virginia. He was born March 25, 1859 in Floyd County, and is a son of Rev. John Curtis and Elizabeth Olive (Harris) Hall, both of whom were born and reared in Virginia, the former in Pittsylvania County and the latter in Floyd County. John C. Hall was a teacher, farmer and a minister of the Primitive Baptist denomination. He moved to Franklin County, Va. in 1862 and taught school in that county where he became prominent in county affairs. He served eight years as county treasurer of Franklin County. Rev. John C. Hall died in Virginia in 1899.

William L. Hall was reared to maturity in Franklin County, Va. and remained there until 1880, when he went to Kansas and located in Frank¬ lin County. For the next ten years he farmed in that county and in 1880 he came to Jackson County, Mo., remaining here for the next three years. In 1893 he returned to Kansas and followed farming in Franklin County for the next 14 years. In 1907 he came to Blue Springs and purchased a farm adjoining the city, consisting of 15 acres. For the past eight years he has been engaged in the newspaper business.

Mr. Hall was married Sept. 4, 1879 to Miss Rosalie Akers, who was born in Franklin County, Va., March 12, 1861, and is a daughter of Wil¬ liam and Sarah or Sallie Akers. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have three living chil¬ dren ; Harry C., a postoffice clerk at Newton, Kan. ; Almae C., cashier of the Bank of Blue Springs; Paul R., at home.

Mr. Hall is a Democrat. For the past 36 years he has been engaged in ministerial work in the Primitive Baptist denomination. He began preaching the Gospel in Kansas and was ordained for the ministry at

Gilead church, eight miles east of Wellsville, Kan., in 1883. At the pres¬ ent time Rev. Hall has three charges, preaching for the congregations at Grain Valley or the Little Blue church, where he holds his membership, the Sniabar church, near Wellington, Mo., and the Little Flock church, south of Pleasant Hill, Mo. Rev. Hall is a successful newspaper man as will be attested by the newsy appearance of the Voice, and he is likewise a highly regarded and well respected minister of the gospel. He enjoys the respect and esteem of all classes of citizens and is a man of worth and usefulness in the community.

Eugene E. Montgomery, president of the Citizens State Bank, of Blue Springs, Mo., is a native born citizen of Jackson County, having been born on a farm near Blue Springs, Dec. 12, 1870. He is a son of Isaac N. Montgomery, who was born in Kentucky in 1829, was brought to Jackson County when a child. Isaac N. Montgomery was a son of Levi Mont¬ gomery who was one of the early pioneers of this county.

Isaac N. Montgomery was a "forty niner" who crossed the plains and mountains enroute to the gold fields of the Pacific coa'st and spent several years in the far west. Upon his return, he settled down to farming pur¬ suits. During the Civil War when Order No. 11 was in effect he went to Nebraska and remained in that state until the close of the war. Two of his brothers, Samuel and William, were killed in battle during the Civil War, while in service with the Southern army.

Mr. Montgomery was an extensive farmer, owning over 200 acres of land. During the last ten years of his life he resided near Blue Springs. He was a Democrat and a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. When a young man he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza C. Lowe, who was born in Jackson County, a daughter of John Lowe a pioneer in this county, further mention of whom is made in this volume. Six sons and two daughters were born to this marriage. Mrs. Montgomery died in 1890. She was born Dec. 25, 1840.

Eugene E. Montgomery was reared on his father's farm, attended the district school and finished his education in the State Normal School at Warrensburg, Mo. At the age of 14 years, he entered the private bank owned by E. B. Field as bookkeeper and cashier. In 1890, he with others, bought the Field Bank and he served as cashier of the bank until 1905. The bank was then sold and he organized the Citizens State Bank of which he is now president. In addition to his banking interests, Mr. Mont¬ gomery is president and principal owner of the West Side Lumber Com¬ pany and he is also interested in farm land.

Mr. Montgomery was married in 1899 to Miss Berta Hallar, a daugh¬ ter of Edward C. Hallar, one of the early pioneer citizens of Jackson County who now makes his home in southern Missouri. The Hallar family is one of the most prominent in Jackson county. Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery have one child, Eugene E., Jr., aged 18 years, now a student in the State University at Columbia.

Mr. Montgomery is a Democrat and a member of the Christian church. He is a Thirty-second Degree Mason, a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows. He is public spirited, popular, obliging and progressive. Mr. Montgomery is a fine type of citizen.

The Citizens State Bank of Blue Springs was organized in 1905 by E. E. Montgomery with a capital of $25,000. The bank is housed in a substantial brick building which was erected during the first year in which the business was inaugurated. Since its first inception this bank has had a steady and prosperous growth. The total resources have now exceeded $200,000. Three per cent interest is paid on time deposits and an insur¬ ance department is conducted. Every facility for the convenience of cus¬ tomers is maintained and patrons are treated with uniform courtesy. The officers of this bank are: E. E. Montgomery, president; John B. Strode, vice-president; Truston W. Kirby, cashier. The directors are Silas V. Dillingham, John W. Litchford, E. E. Montgomery, John B. Strode and Roy Montgomery.

John Louis Lowe, fanner and stockman, owner of a fine farm of 71.75 acres of valuable land situated on the Rock road, within four miles of Blue Springs in Sniabar township, has resided on his place since 1882 and was bom and reared in Jackson County, a member of one of the oldest pioneer families in this section of Missouri. A striking example of the rise in the price of farm land in Jackson County is shown by a comparison of the cost of Mr. Lowe's land 37 years ago and its value at the present time. Mr. Lowe paid $38 an acre for his farm which is now valued at $300 an acre. John Louis Lowe was born Dec. 8, 1859 and is a son of Calvin V. Lowe who was born in Virginia Dec. 5, 1832 and died in Jackson County, in 1903.

.Calvin V. Lowe was a son of John I^we who came to Jackson County, Mo., in 1844, entered government land east of Independence and there reared his family. His wife was Margaret Summers. John Lowe was born Feb. 24, 1800 and died in June, 1881. His wife, Margaret, was bora Dec. 7, 1803 and died in 1867. The children born to John and Margaret Lowe are as follow: Mary Jane, Andrew Wellington, Caroline Serilda,

DeWitt, Calvin Van, Mrs. Ollie Minerva Stay ton, Margaret A., deceased wife of Gabriel Stayton, Liza Susan, deceased wife of Isaac N. Mont¬ gomery, John M., Agnes Virginia Key, Mrs. Ella Harrel and Louis S. Lowe. John Lowe became owner of considerable land in Jackson County. He was prominent and industrious and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. Margaret Summers, wife of John Lowe^ was a daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Miller) Summers, the former of whom was a very wealthy man after whom Summers County was named.

followed for several years over the old Santa Fe trail. He drove freight¬ ing outfits over the long trail to points in New Mexico. After some years of this adventurous employment, he settled down to farming and pros¬ pered. He married Mary Elizabeth Moore, who was born March 5, 1840 and died March 10, 1919. She was a native of Jackson County and a daughter of John and Isabelle (Gardner) Moore, further mention of whom is made in the sketch of John W. Moore in this volume. The children bom to Calvin V. and Mary Elizabeth Lowe are: Sarah Isabel, deceased, wife of Dudley Dillingham; John L., of this sketch; William A. Lowe, Independence, Mo.; C. D. Lowe, Sniabar township; Richard, living on a farm north of Blue Springs ; Margaret, deceased ; Edward died at the age of seven years; Samuel L., a farmer living near Blue Springs on the old homestead.

John Louis Lowe of this review, was married Feb. 25, 1885, to Mary Louisa Stewart who was born Feb. 23, 1860, in Illinois. She is a daughter of Samuel and Annie (Wardrip) Stewart who came to Jackson County in March, 1875, and settled on a farm three miles north of Blue Springs. Samuel Stewart was bom in 1829 and died in 1901. His wife, Annie, was bom in 1825 and died Dec. 4, 1879. Samuel Stewart died in Pleasanton, Kan. Of nine children born to Samuel and Annie Stewart, four are living, as follow: Frank, Fort Scott, Kan.; Mrs. Minda Story, Edgar, Neb.; Mrs. Ada Holloway, Butler, Mo., and Mrs. John Louis Lowe, of this review.

The children bom to John Louis and Mary Louisa Lowe are: Beulah, wife of Henry White, Blue Springs, Mo.; Grace Marie Moore, Rosedale, Kan.; Louis Leroy, farmer, near Grain Valley, married Belle Newby; Richard Frank, born July 14, 1897, enlisted in the United States navy, July 14, 1918, left for training camp, Aug. 12th and was in training at Mare Island, Calif., when the armistice was signed. He received his dis-

Mr. and Mrs. Lowe have three grandchildren: R. D. White, son of Mrs. Beulah White ; Leona Marie Moore, daughter of Mrs. Grace M. Moore, and Louis Leroy, Jr., son of Louis Leroy Lowe.

Truston Wyett Kirby, cashier of the Citizens State Bank of Blue Springs, Mo., is a native son of Jackson County and a member of one of the oldest and most honorable pioneer families of this section of Missouri. He was born on a farm south of Buckner, April 13, 1888 and is a son of William Robert and Susan Rebecca (Capelle) Kirby. His mother was born and reared in the vicinity of Grain Valley on the old Capelle home¬ stead, which is now owned by E. E. Kirby, chief deputy clerk of Jackson County.

William Robert Kirby was born at Bowling Green, Ky., May 6, 1831 and came to Jackson County, Mo. in 1847. He crossed the plains in 1848 to the gold fields of California where, in the course of a few years, he accumulated sufficient funds with which to purchase a farm of 160 acres near Buckner upon which he settled and reared his family of three sons and a daughter. The children of the family are: Edward E., Independ¬ ence, Mo.; Sallie A., wife of L. J. Slaughter, a well known apple grower northwest of Grain Valley; Durward Kirby, resides four miles north of Grain Valley; Truston W., subject of this review. In October, 1904, Mr. Kirby sold his holdings and retired to a home in Blue Springs. His re^ moval to town was caused by failing health and he died Jan. 8, 1908.

Susan Rebecca Kirby was bom April 29, 1841 on the Capelle home¬ stead near Grain Valley. Mr. Kirby was a Democrat and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. His passing in 1908 marked the removal of one of the last of the famous "forty-niners". Mr. and Mrs. Kirby were widely and favorably known throughout this section.

Truston W. Kirby, of this review, attended the Long Branch and the Oakland district schools. After coming to Blue Springs with his parents, he was employed in a local drug store for three years and in 1908 he became connected with the Citizens State Bank. For the first five years he was bookkeeper in this institution. For two years he served as assistant cashier and in July, 1918, he became cashier of the bank and is also a director.

June 3, 1908, Mr. Kirby was married to Miss Myra Bowlin, daughter of James W. and Bettie Bowlin, the latter of whom was a daughter of "Jack" Stone, famous Mexican War veteran who was widely known in Jackson County. James W. Bowlin was a farmer and stockman who re¬ moved from his farm to Blue Springs in 1910 and here followed the car¬ penter trade until his death in June, 1918. Mrs. Bettie Bowlin died in 1906. In addition to his position in the bank, Mr. Kirby has an interest in the Kirby estate consisting of 100 acres of valuable land, 55 acres of which is located south of Blue Springs and 45 acres west of Grain Valley.

Mr. Kirby is a Democrat and has filled the post of city alderman. The members of the family are influential in county affairs and are highly respected. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and is a member of the board of trustees and treasurer, having served in this capacity for several years, and he is secretary of the Sunday school. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

Henry C. Chiles ("Brug" Chiles). - Records of the lives of men who have done things worth while are in themselves valuable. History is but a recital of the deeds of mankind; and the aggregate achievements of in¬ dividuals in the mass go to make history as it is written. No history, therefore, is complete without accounts of individuals who have had some part in the making of the history of their locality. The late Henry C. Chiles, of Independence, had much to do with the development of Jackson County, and many things are recorded to his credit which he accomplished during a long and useful life. He was a native son of Jackson County, plainsman and freighter in the early days, extensive farmer and stockman, and the pioneer of the modern drainage system for reclaiming wet lands in Jackson County. Mr. Chiles was born on the Chiles homestead, May 23, 1838, and died at his home in Independence, July 3, 1918. He was a son of the pioneers, Joel Franklin and Azubah (Skinner) Chiles, who came from Kentucky to Jackson County and settled here in 1831.

Henry C. Chiles was reared on his father's farm and received such education as the schools of his day afforded, after which he studied at the Masonic College, Lexington, Mo. He made his first trip to the West in 1858, m charge of a herd of government cattle, and went as far as the Black Hills region. Upon his return he conceived the idea of engaging in government freighting on his own account.

He ^ secured a contract for supplying the government forts in the West with beef cattle, and gathered around him a number of young men for his assistants. The cattle were purchased in this section of the coun- try, bunched together at Leavenworth, and then driven across the plains in great herds to the different forts. At one time Mr. Chiles drove a large herd of 1,000 head of cattle to Salt Lake City. Indians being troublesome at this time, an escort of 1,000 soldiers was necessary to guard the outfit. When gold was discovered at Pike's Peak, Colo., he was at Fort Laramie. Mr. Chiles continued the life of a plainsman until after the war closed. He hunted deer, antelope and buffalo on the plains, and had many tro¬ phies to his credit. His outfit of men were noted for their efficiency and sobreity, it being his adamant rule that no whiskey drinking nor card playing should be permitted en route, and that no profanity should be in¬ dulged in by his men. Being a temperance man himself and a man who never indulged in profanity, he would not tolerate it by his men.

After he had made his last trip across the plains he settled down to the occupation of farmer and stock raiser, and made a distinct success of the undertaking. Mr. Chiles purchased a large tract of land in the Buck¬ ner bottoms - land which was considered worthless because of no drain¬ age, and known as overflow land. People thought that it could not be cultivated, on account of the wet condition which prevailed during the planting seasons. This land in Fort Osage township is part of a large strip which is said to have been, in years past, a subsidiary or extra chan¬ nel of the Missouri River, and as a consequence, the soil abounded in fer¬ tility. Mr. Chiles had advanced ideas about drainage of wet lands - ideas which were not shared by his neighbors in Jackson County. He proceeded to put these ideas and plans for the drainage of the land into effect. He dug ditches and placed drain tile through the land, so that the water would drain off during the wet seasons, and thus reclaimed it, and was the originator of the modern drainage system in Jackson County. His system prevailed and was successful until the Lexington rock road was built, when the plans had to be changed so as to conform with the highway plan. He then began advocating the digging of the large drainage ditch, which now drains the greater part of the Buckner bottoms, known as the Fort Osage Drainage System. He started the project and lived to see it being pushed to completion. The ditch being finished, and in operation during the past season. The wisdom of the drainage project has been justified by the abundant crops produced as the result of the more ex¬ tensive drainage system. Mr. Chiles owned 780 acres of land, which he developed and farmed until his removal to a home in Independence, in 1898.

born in Platte County, Mo., July 29, 1847, and died Dec. 10, 1899. She was a daughter of Aitchmonde Perrin. The children born to Henry C. and Julia (Perrin) Chiles are as follows: Miss Janie Chiles, a teacher of mathematics in the Independence High School; Franklin P. Chiles, an ex¬ tensive farmer and stockman. Fort Osage township; Miss Azubah Chiles, Independence; Miss Margaret Chiles, supervisor of domestic art. Inde¬ pendence schools; Miss Susan Chiles, living at the family home. North White Oak, Independence; Henry P. Chiles, deputy county clerk, living on the old home place; Morton P. Chiles, farmer, living near Blue Mills.

Mr. Chiles was a life long Democrat, took a very active part in every political issue, but refused to accept any public office, never seeking or desiring political preferment. His ambition in early life was to become a lawyer, but poor health caused him to abandon the idea, and upon the advice of his family doctor he took up the life of the plainsman, with the result that he regained his health, became robust from the constant out¬ door life, and lived to an age far beyond the average. His knowledge of law caused his neighbors and friends on many occasions to consult with him and secure his advice on legal matters and business affairs which troubled them. Mr. Chiles' general knowledge, especially of sickness and its attendant remedies, made him a valuable neighbor in those days, when medical aid was scarce, and resorting to home remedies was a necessity; later he assisted the doctor, learning to administer an anaesthetic. He was to be relied on in any emergency.

Mr. Chiles, though a man of many friends, could never be persuaded to spend the night away from his own fireside for pleasure. He often said those long rides on horseback at night through virgin forest and over unbroken roads to reach home, made him register a vow he would at any and all times help a good roads project.

From early manhood Mr. Chiles was a member of the Christian church, and gave liberally to the support of churches. He assisted in the building of the Sibley Christian Church, and was superintendent of the Sibley Sunday School for years. Every Sunday, no matter what the con¬ dition of the weather, he would drive to Sibley, and take part in the services. He, with Morton Perrin, Orlando Truit, William G. Chiles, and others, organized the Buckner Christian Church, and he was one of the heaviest contributors to the building fund of the church. He was also for years superintendent of the Buckner Sunday School.

tales of the frontier, and life on the great plains fifty years ago. He was a good story teller, and could relate graphically incidents which had occurred while he was engaged in driving cattle and freighting across antelope, which had run wild on the plains, and he would tell them of bands of Indians encountered on his travels, and the young folks would listen for hours, entranced at these recitals. He w'as one of the best posted men in Jackson County, and it is a lasting regret to his many

Morton P. Chiles, farmer and stockman, operating 425 acres of the Chiles land, located in Fort Osage township, nine miles northeast of Inde¬ pendence, on the old Santa Fe trail road, was born in Fort Osage town¬ ship, April 22, 1886, and is a son of the late Henry C. Chiles, and a grandson of Joel Franklin Chiles, one of the early pioneers of Jackson County.

Mr. Chiles was reared on his father's farm, and in Independence, where he was graduated from the high school in 1906. Following his graduation he spent one year in a Texas lumber camp, and upon his re¬ turn to Jackson County he engaged in farming and stock raising. For seven years Mr. Chiles was engaged in the breeding of pure-bred Short¬ horn cattle, and sold the product of his farm in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri, and other states. He disposed of his fine herd of Shorthorns in 1919, and is now engaged in general farming and stock raising. His father was also a breeder of pure-bred Shorthorn cattle for several years, and started the first Shorthorn Breeders' Association in this part of the State, about 1878.

Mr. Chiles was married June 4, 1911, to Miss Lulia Shawhan, who was born in Jackson County, March 26, 1893. She is a daughter of Daniel D. and Effie (Harris) Shawhan, of Lees Summit. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Shawhan was engaged in farming in this county.

To Morton P. and Lulia Chiles have been born three children: Mor¬ ton Perrin Chiles, Jr., born June 6, 1912; Daniel Duncan, born Aug. 11, 1913; and Mary Jane Chiles, Jr., born July 14, 1916.

Mr. Chiles is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Chris¬ tian church. He is a true representative of an old and honored pioneer family in Jackson County, whose members have been known for their in¬ dustry, integrity, sobreity and progressiveness for nearly a century in Missouri.

Washington I. Thomason, president of the bank of Blue Springs, Mo., born in Saline County, Mo., Jan. 1, 1873, and is a son of Rev. J. D. Thoma¬ son, former minister of the Misionary Baptist church who had the dis¬ tinction of having performed more marriage ceremonies during his min¬ isterial career than any other individual in this section of Missouri. Rev. Thomason was a native of Kentucky, who settled in Saline County in 1867. He removed to Blue Springs in 1884 and engaged in the mercantile busi¬ ness in this city. In 1887 he was ordained a minister of the Baptist church and spent the remainder of his days in preaching the gospel and doing good Christian works. He filled charges in Saline County, was pas¬ tor. of the Blue Springs Baptist church, served as pastor of the Oak Grove Baptist church and ministered to the Baptists of Raytown and other points in Jackson and Saline counties. He was known as the "marry¬ ing parson'' and was popular with all classes as a good, religious man who was an able expounder of the Lord's word and lived according to his own teachings. He died Feb. 17, 1911. Out of 11 children born to his mar¬ riage with Isabella Thomason, eight were reared. The others besides Washington I. are: Luther Thomason, truant officer of Kansas City; Claude Thomason, a railroad man of Detroit, Mich. ; Mrs. E. C. Jones of Slater, Mo. ; Lee Thomason, railroa'd agent at Higley, Mo. ; Russell, a tele¬ graph operator in West Virginia. The mother of these children was bom in 1845 and departed this life on March 29, 1901.

After attending the public schools, W. I. Thomason clerked in his father's, store until he engaged in the banking business in 1894. For the past 25 years he has been connected with banking, beginning as book¬ keeper and advanced to the presidency of the Bank of Blue Springs. For the first few months he was employed in the bank for half days at 25 cents a day. Besides his banking interests, Mr. Thomason is financially interested in the Blue Springs Lumber and Milling Company and he is owner of city property.

June 20, 1900, Mr. Thomason was united in marriage with Gertrude, daughter of Morgan V. Dillingham, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Thomason have two children: Nell, aged 15 years, and Virginia Belle, 12 years old.

Mr. Thomason is a Democrat, a member of the Baptist church and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias. He is an enterprising and progressive citizen of the highest type.

had its inception as a private bank established by E. B. Field in 1883. It was operated as a private concern until 1890, when Mr. Field sold the bank to a company of seven men. The president of the bank was Thomas VV. Records who remained in this position until March, 1918, when he was succeeded by W. I. Thomason. The other officers are: M. V. Dillingham, vice-president; Almae C. Hall, cashier; Miss Frances Lockard, assistant cashier; W. 1. Thomason, D. M. Dillingham, M. V. Dillingham, E. C. Ford and J. A. Howard are the directors. The bank's capital is $25,000. The surplus is $25,000 and the total resources will exceed $300,000. The busi¬ ness is housed in the bank's own brick building and equipped with modern banking fixtures including a safe deposit vault. Interest is paid on time deposits and an insurance and farm loan department is conducted.

William G. Gore, successful retired farmer living at Blue Springs, was bom May 28, 1848, in Buchanan County, Mo., on a farm 16 miles south of St. Joseph. He has resided in Jackson County since Dec. 17, 1869.

Louis Gore, his father, was born in 1825 and died in 1909. Soon after his marriage with Hannah Nealey of Mercer County, Va., he came to Missouri in the early forties. In 1867 he came to Jackson County and located one and a half miles southeast of Blue Springs where he purchased 840 acres of land, engaged in farming and stock raising on an extensive scale and in the course of years increased his holdings to 1,300 acres. He purchased his land of William McCoy of Independence, his home place having been first settled by Judge Stitt. Mr. Gore was always a hard worker and a good financial mtanager who began with no assets to create a fortune. At the time of his marriage he was poor and was wont to say that he could carry all he owned in a shirt when first married. He used a tool chest for his table and tin pans for plates and owned but one horse. Mr. Gore cleared his first farm in Buchanan county from the tim¬ ber. He reared a family of four sons and four daughters. William G. Gore of this review is the eldest son of the family; the others are: John and Martin, deceased ; Mrs. Delilah Cash, southeast of Blue Springs ; Mrs. Martha Underwood, northeast of Blue Springs; Levi, resides southeast of Blue Springs ; and Mrs. Mary E. Taylor, southeast of Blue Springs ; Sarah is deceased.

W. G. Gore came to Jackson county in 1869 and settled on his father's farm and assisted his father in farming for a time and later came into possession of a farm of his own. He is the owner of five tracts of land: five acres comprise his home place in Blue Springs and he has four others

Mr. Gore was married in 1867 to Frances E. Underwood, who died March 6, 1912, leaving children as follow: Louis L., died at the age of three years; Mrs. Emma Scott, living on a farm south of Blue Springs; Mrs. Ollie Lee Scott, died at the age of 23 years; Mrs. Mary Browley, Blue Springs, Mo. Mr. Gore has five grandchildren and three great grand¬ children. Mrs. Emma Scott has two sons, Ewell, who is married and has one child named Billie Scott ; and Herbert Scott. Mrs. Ollie Lee Scott left two children whom Mr. Gore reared, Ina and Forrest. Forrest Scott is married and has one child, Bernard Matthew. The second marriage of Mr. Gore occurred Sept. 24, 1913 with Mrs. Mina Johnson, widow of W. A. Johnson. She was born in Jackson County in 1855, and is a daughter of Charles and Mary (Pryor) Alderman, the former of whom was killed in the Civil War in 1862 and the latter died in 1859.

Mr. Gore is a stanch Wilson Democrat. Both he and Mrs. Gore are members of the Christian church. Mr, Gore joined the Christian church when 16 years of a;|:e and Mrs. Gore united with the church and was baptized in the Miss/juri River when 13 years old.

During his eptire life Mr. Gore has been a strong opponent of liquor and has devoted his time and talents to the eradication of the saloons and the suppression of the liquor traffic. He fought the whiskey drug stores and has lived to see National prohibition ushered in as a reward for his labors. He assisted in closing the last saloon in Blue Springs and has made speeches in behalf of temperance and prohibition in all parts of thd state. "Uncle Billy" Gore, as he is widely known in Jackson County, is highly respected and liked by all who know him.

John O. Capelle, ex-treasurer of Jackson County, and large land owner of Sniabar township, is one of the best known citizens of the county. Mr. Capelle was born Sept, 17, 1851, on a farm one mile west of the present site of Grain Valley. He is a son of Britton M. (born 1809, died 1890) and Sarah A. (Clayton) Capelle (bom 1812, died 1871). Brit¬ ton M. Capelle was a native of North Carolina and whose parents moved to Simpson County, Kentucky, and thence to Jackson County, Missouri, in 1838. Mr. Capelle entered government land and became a large land owner; all of the land which he owned, excepting 80 acres, being still owned by his descendants. During the Civil War, when Order No. 11 was in effect, he removed with his family to Lafayette County. He was active and influential in county affairs, and owned nearly 500 acres of land in

Sniabar township. Britton M. and Sarah Ann Capelle were the parents of eight children: Mrs. Benetta Ann Dyer, deceased; Mrs. Susan R. Kirby, deceased; Charles and Mary M. deceased; Mrs. Martha J. Wright, de¬ ceased; David C., deceased; John O., of this review; and Truston Pope, deceased.

John O. Capelle was married in November, 1881, to Miss Elizabeth Duncan, bom in Jackson County of Kentucky parents, a daughter of Thomas J. Duncan, who settled in Jackson County as early as 1836. She was born in this county in 1848, and died in 1908.

Two children were bora to John 0. and Elizabeth Capelle, one of whom is living, Charles Capelle, aged 37 years, an attorney by profession, and employed in the Chrisman Sawyer Bank at Independence.

Mr. Capelle is owner of over 325 acres of land, 200 acres of which is comprised in his home place near Grain Valley, and 80 acres near Oak Grove, and 47 acres one-half mile west of Grain Valley. He is interested financially in the Bank of Grain Valley. Mr. Capelle is a Democrat. He has always been prominent in the affairs of his party, and was elected to the important office of treasurer of Jackson County in 1892, and served in this office during 1893, 1894, 1895 and 1896. He is a Thirtysecond Degree Mason, and is also affiliated with the Woodmen of the World.

Thomas Phelps, farmer and dairyman, residing near Elm Park, in Blue township, owner of 37 and a half acres of well improved and valu¬ able property, was born on a farm within one-fourth mile of his present home, June 8, 1859. He is a son of Josiah Phelps, who was bora in 1819, and died in 1885. His mother, Ann H. Oldham, was born in 1834, and died in 1887.

Josiah Phelps was born in Kentucky. He was three times marnea, his second wife being a Miss Mabley. He came to Jackson County in the forties and improved a farm on Indian Creek, later settling on a farm east of Independence, where he becam well to do and the owner of 360 acres of land. He followed farming and stock raising during his entire life. To Josiah and Anne H. Phelps were born eight children : Erastus 0., Independence, Mo.; Thomas, of this review; John, living in Oklahoma; Rosa, deceased; Nicholas H., deputy county marshall of this county; M'avion, a farmer near Blue Springs, Mo.; Jane R., deceased; Mrs. Julia Chapman, Blue Springs, Mo.

1892 purchased his present home place, where he and Mrs. Phelps have one of the pretty country places in Jackson County. Mr. Phelps was married Feb. 15, 1882, to Miss Lizzie E. Shumate, who was bom in Ray County, near Richmond, Mo., May 15, 1861. She is a daughter of Samuel (born 1832, died 1904) and Elizabeth (Greenlee) Shumate, the latter of whom was born in 1840, and resides at 1714 Kansas avenue, Kansas City, Mo. Samuel Shumate and his wife were natives of Lawrence County, Ohio. They came to Missouri and settled in Ray County in 1860, moving to a farm near Raytown, Mo., in 1872. They were the parents of seven children: Elizabeth Phelps, of this review; John W., deceased; Charles, residing on a farm near Blue Springs; George, deceased; Silas, Kansas City, Mo., with his mother; Susia, lives with her mother.

An uncle of Thomas Phelps, Richard, or "Dick" Phelps, died while crossing the plains in the early days. Mr. Phelps is a Democrat. He and Mrs. Phelps are members of the Christian church. Mr. Phelps is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World.

Joel Franklin Chiles. - No history of Jackson County would be com¬ plete without an account of the Chiles family in this county and its various members. This family was established in this county at a time when much of this section of Missouri was a wilderness, and the members of the family, ancestors of those of the present day, were prominent in the early affairs of Jackson County. Their influence was considerable and beneficial, and they have been noted for three generations for their progressiveness and ability to do things worth while. Every public move¬ ment of consequence having for its object the promotion of the welfare of the people, has always had the support of the Chiles family. To this day members of this family occupy the same high prestige held by their forebears in the affairs of Jackson County.

The advent of the family into Jackson County begins properly with Henry or "Jack" Chiles, who came here with his wife from Kentucky during the early pioneer days, and settled in Fort Osage township, where he developed a large farm. His wife was Sarah (Ballinger) Chiles, and they had a family of children as follow: John, bom Nov. 24, 1790, and died July 27, 1811; Richard B., bom Nov. 20, 1792; Henry, bom Feb. 1, 1796; Susan, bom Aug. 14, 1798; Christopher, bom Dec. 1, 1800; James, bom Aug. 16, 1803; Joel Franklin, born Jan. 20, 1806; William, born Feb. 20, 1808; Joseph B., born July 16, 1810; and Alexander E., bom Nov. 14, 1814.

Joel Franklin Chiles Joel F. Chiles. C. C. Chiles. P. S. Chiles

They were first established in old Virginia, and after the Revolutionary period they followed the passage westward of the vanguard of the brave and hardy pioneers who settled and reclaimed the wilderness, then known as Kentucky, or the "Dark and Bloody Ground."

Joel Franklin Chiles, who came to Jackson County in 1831, was bom in Clark County, Ky., a son of Henry or "Jack" Chiles. He was born there Jan. 20, 1806, and died at his home in Jackson County, Feb. 1, 1855.

He was married Aug. 6, 1828, to Azubah Skinner, who was born March 14, 1809. In the fall of 1831 he moved from Kentucky to Jackson County, with his wife and two children, Isaac S. and Cornelius Carr Chiles. He settled in Fort Osage township, in what has always been known as the Six Mile country. In the fall of 1832 he began the erection of the Chiles home, which is still standing on the Chiles land, and in a good state of repair. He purchased wooded land at a cost of $4.00 per acre, and entered large tracts of prairie land from the government. Negro slaves which he brought with him from Kentucky did the greater part of the work of clearing the ground and caring for the crops. The first home of the family was a one-room log cabin. The second house which Mr. Chiles began the erection of in 1832, was a four-room structure, which was built of hard wood lumber, hewn from the forests on the Chiles land. This house has since been weatherboarded and ceiled with hand dressed walnut lumber, and is in a good state of preseiwation. The original Chiles home place comprised 320 acres, but to this Mr. Chiles added in the course of time several hundred acres of land lying contiguous to the home place.

Sarah Margaret Chiles, at the time of the evacuation of Jackson County, in compliance with Order No. 11, drove through to Platte County, Mo., via Lexington, with ox teams. For 20 years prior to her death she was an incurable invalid, and during that long period of suffering she was never known to utter a word of complaint; rather, she was the help- ful friend to all the countryside. For 12 years she was utterly helpless. Yet, during the entire time, she was always ready to assist her friends, and, consoled those whose troubles seemed harder than they could endure. People came to the home to receive heartening and cheerful words at her bedside. They carried to her their troubles, and made her their confident and she advised with them and consoled them. Her time was spent in do¬ ing beautiful embroidery work. A patient, lovable woman, whose every deed was a kindness, and who never allowed her mind to dwell upon her own affliction, but thought of her friends and neighbors.

Isaac S. Chiles went to California in 1849, and made his home in that State until his death. Joseph Ballinger Chiles, son of ''Jack" Chiles, was born in Clark County, Ky., in 1816, was also a pioneer in California, going to the Pacific coast as early as 1841. Henry Chiles, another son of "Jack" Chiles, was killed in the Florida War in 1838. William Chiles, another son of "Jack" Chiles, went to California in 1849, and subsequently died of cholera.

Joel Franklin Chiles was a well educated man, whose learned proclivi¬ ties made him extremely useful in the pioneer days of Jackson County. He was a skilled surveyor, whose services were often in demand in the early days. During the Civil War, when Order No. 11 was issued, the members of the Chiles family removed to Platte County, Mo., and re¬ mained there until 1864.

William G. Chiles enlisted in the Confederate Army and was taken prisoner by the Federals. Caldwell Chiles served throughout the war un¬ der Gen. Joe Shelby, in Morris Langhome's company.

After the death of their mother, Aug. 4, 1874, the unmarried children of Joel F. Chiles formed a corporation or co-partnership for the manage¬ ment of the Chiles interests, and for years they managed the estate to¬ gether. Anna Chiles was the first to marry and leave the partnership ar¬ rangement. Joel F. was the next to set up a home of his own. After the death of Caldwell and Margaret the sole management and ownership of the estate fell to Miss Mary Jane Chiles, of this review. She has man¬ aged wisely and well, adding to the estate until it now comprises the grand total of 999 acres of valuable land, situated west of the Six Mile Baptist Church. This land is in one body and extends for over a mile, almost to the bridge across the Blue River.

Joel Franklin Chiles served as justice of the peace for some years, and took an active part in the early civic and political affairs of his adopted county, in which he was a man of influence. He was a charter member of Lodge No. 76, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. An appre¬ ciation of the man himself which appeared in the Jackson County "Sen¬ tinel," on the occasion of his death, in 1855, has this to say of Mr. Chiles : "He had endeared himself to the people of his neighborhood, by his kind and gentle manner, and his gentlemanly bearing. Endowed with a mind, strong, liberal and comprehensive, he readily entered into all schemes and measures presented, whose tendency was to aggrandize the county, or ameliorate the condition of his neighbors. A warm friend to education, he was ever foremost in every scheme to promote its extension. Devoted to the interests of upper Missouri, he was always found ready to promote by his counsel or his means, the development of its resources, and con¬ tributed as largely, and perhaps more largely than any other man in the county, to the improvement of the various breeds of livestock. A success¬ ful agriculturist, he was a patron of the useful inventions that have been introduced to make farming pleasant and profitable. A kind and affec¬ tionate husband, and a devoted father, his death left a void never to be filled. He was always a patron of the church and attended the church ser¬ vices, and in the protracted illness which ended in his death, he expressed his confidence in the truth of religion, and on the day before his death, remarked to a neighbor, a minister of the gospel, that he felt at peace with all mankind, and at peace with God, and that he felt no fear of death."

Phineas Caldwell Chiles, member of one of the oldest of the pioneer families of Jackson County, is farming 200 acres of the Chiles estate in Fort Osage township. He was born in Fort Osage township, Dec. 28, 1883, and is a son of the late Joel F. Chiles, and a grandson of Joel Frank¬ lin Chiles, one of the first of the pioneer settlers of Jackson County.

P. C. Chiles was educated in the public schools and William Jewell College, Liberty, Mo. He has always followed farming and stock raising, and has made a success.

Mr. Chiles was married March 1, 1911, to Miss Olive Harrold, of In¬ dependence, a daughter of the late Charles Harrold, of Bates County, Mo. Her mother was Emma (Cairns) Harrold, who came to Independence after the death of her husband, and spent her last days in this city. One child has blessed this marriage: Lutie Thornton Chiles, born Dec. 2, 1911.

Mr. Chiles is a Democrat. He became affiliated with Lodge No. 76, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Independence, Mo., in 1909. Many years ago, his grandfather, Joel Franklin Chiles, was one of the charter members of, and assisted in the organization of this lodge.

Tradition and precedent rule strongly among the members of the Chiles family, and P. C. Chiles is emulating his father, as deacon of the Six Mile Baptist Church. He is an excellent citizen, and is progressive in his views, and enterprising.

William B. Duke, secretary of the Paxton-Duke Sales Company, was born Dec. 10, 1893, in Independence and is a son of William B. and Henri¬ etta (Stonestreet) Duke. The former was a native of Kentucky and came to Jackson County when a boy, dying here in 1897. Mrs. Henrietta Duke was born in Jackson County and died at the age of 32 years. The chil¬ dren of the family are: Mary, wife of Howard C. Holton, Princeton, N. J. and William B. of this review.

The education of William B. Duke was obtained in the public schools and Wentworth Military Academy, Lexington, Mo. Prior to making con¬ nection with the Paxton-Duke Sales Company, Mr. Duke and Edward N. Paxton started a garage on West Maple street which was the forerunner of the present large concern.

Mr. Duke was married Nov. 3, 1907 to Miss Louise Winton, a daugh¬ ter of M. C. and Nellie Winton, of Independence. Mr. and Mrs. Duke have a daughter, Lucretia Duke. They reside at 511 North Delaware.

Elijah Carel, late citizen of Sniabar township, was a man of worth and integrity, who was industrious and enterprising, and made a success of his farming operations in Jackson County, where he resided for six years prior to his death. Mr. Carel was born in Indiana, in 1850, and died in Jackson County, Aug. 30, 1910. He was united in marriage with Miss Annie E. Dempsey, at Vandalia, Ill., March 2, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Carel came to Missouri in 1875, and first located in Clay County, becom¬ ing owners of a farm, which they sold in 1903 and then located in Osage County, Kansas. Floods in that county caused them to sell out and come to Jackson County, where they purchased a fine farm of 100 acres, lo¬ cated nine miles east of Independence, on the rock road. This farm is nicely improved with a brick residence and good buildings, and is veiy valuable.

Five children were born to Elijah and Annie E. Carel, as follow: Edward, Georgia, Harry, Minnie and Robert. Edward Carel married Miss Jennie Doyle, and is a stationery engineer in Kansas City. Harry lives at home, married Tina Behr, and has four children, Mildred, Hazel, Bernice and Maude. Mrs. Minnie Hunter lives in Kansas City, and has two children, Frances and George Carel Hunter. Robert lives in Kansas City, married Florence Shepherd and has four children, Vivian, Cyrus, Grace and Robert.

Mrs. Carel is of Pennsylvania ancestry, and was reared by her grand¬ mother, her parents, William and Harriet Dempsey, having died when she was but two years old. She is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

John B. Strode. - For nearly four score years the Strode family have been prominently identified with the history of Jackson County and John B. Strode, well-to-do farmer and stockman of Sniabar township is a worthy descendant of sturdy pioneer ancestors. The farm home of Mr. Strode, located three and a half miles north of the town of Blue Springs, is one of the finest in this section of Missouri. Mr. Strode has recently com¬ pleted a modern residence of seven rooms, fitted with every convenience to make life worth living on the farm. He tore down a large house on the place built in 1875 by his father, Charles E. Strode. Much of the ma¬ terial used in the construction of the old home was in a good state of preservation and went in to the making of the new home. About fortyfive years ago, John B. Strode hauled the lumber used in the building of this old home from Independence when but 16 years of age. The Strode farms consist of 293 acres of fertile, well kept and valuable land. The farm is devoted to the production of live stock for the markets and upv/ards of 300 head of hogs of the Duroc breed and from 75 to 100 head of Hereford cattle are fattened for sale each year. The farm is equipped with one concrete silo having a capacity of 180 tons of silage.

Charles E. Strode, father of John B. Strode, was boni in Bourbon County, Ky., Dec. 23, 1814 and died in Jackson County, Mo., Dec. 13, 1882. He was a son of James and Margaret (Foreman) Strode, both of whom were natives of Virginia. James Strode was a government surveyor who located in Kentucky in 1788, in the days when Kentucky was a wild and unsettled region, and Daniel Boone and his brave compatriots were hav¬ ing constant battles with the Indians. His party camped at May's Lick and there he met his future wife. James Strode died in 1828. He had one son, John Strode who fought in the War of 1812. Charles E. Strode, imbued with the pioneering instinct crossed the intervening country and came with the first vanguard of pioneers from Kentucky in 1833. He first settled on the place now owned by L. Gossert, built a log cabin and made his home there for a few years. Removing to Independence, he operated a blacksmith shop in partnership with his brother-in-law, Robert Weston, and later engaged in the mercantile business. He moved to the Strode farm in 1872 and lived for three years in a log house, then in 1875 building the large eight room house which has recently made way for the modern Strode residence. It might be well to state here, however, that Charles E. Strode came from Tennessee to Missouri, his parents having moved from Kentucky to Tennessee in 1816 and he was reared there to young manhood. During the Civil War he was a Southern sympathizer but took no active part in the struggle between the North and the South. He accumulated a total of 287 acres of land but sold 160 acres, leaving a total of 127 acres in the home place.

Charles E. Strode was a Democrat and was prominent in the affairs of his party in Jackson County. At the time of his death he was judge of the county court and was serving his second term in this official capacity. He was a member of the Christian church and was universally respected as an upright citizen of high integrity and purpose.

When a young man, Charles E. Strode was married to Miss Sarah Weston who bore him children as follow: Charles H., living in California; E. W., died in 1917 ; Mrs. Mary Cooper, deceased ; Florence, deceased ; Mrs. Ella Parker, Miami County, Kan.; John B., of this review; Mrs. Belle Smith, Mercer County, Ill. ; Walter, living at Bates City, Lafayette County, Mo.. The mother of the foregoing children was born in 1820 and died in 1898. She was bom near Malta Bend, Saline County, Mo. and was a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Clemonson) Weston. Samuel Weston was of Scotch-Irish descent and his wife was a daughter of English parents.

John B. Strode attended the Independence schools and was 13 years old when his father moved to the farm. He cared for his father on the home place to the end of his days and came into possession of the home place through inheritance and purchase. It is self evident that he has succeeded in his life vocation when one gets a view of his broad acres and splendid home surroundings. Two sets of improvements are located on the Strode farms.

The Strode family is of English origin and traces back to the time of Charles I. The Strodes were arrayed on the side of the Stuarts dur¬ ing the struggle between the royal family and the Stuarts - and the head of the family was forced to flee for his life.

Stayton an early Jackson County pioneer who became owner of 1,700 acres of land which stretched from Fairmount church to Independence in the early days. The wife of Moses Stayton was Lucy Hite who was bom in Kentucky and came to Miller County, Mo.

John B. and Dollie Strode have reared four children : Herschell, Inez, James Pascal and Edith. Herschell Strode was born Nov. 29, 1889, mar¬ ried Nellie Harris and has one child, John. He is a farmer near Blue Springs. James Pascal Strode was born May 23, 1892, married Leola Hall and has one child, Dorothy. Inez Strode was born Oct. 24, 1894 and is at home with her parents. Edith Strode was bom Aug. 15, 1897 and is at home.

Mr. Strode has always been a Democrat and a member of the Chris¬ tian church. He is one of the best informed citizens of Jackson County, who can converse intelligently on many subjects. Gifted with a good memory, a student of history, he is keenly alive to the understanding of the great events of recent and present years. Mr. Strode is widely and favorably known in Jackson County and stands high among his fellow men as a worthy member of society.

William M. Cmwell. - On the Cruwell homestead, southeast of Inde¬ pendence, in Blue township, is located one of the old time log houses of ante bellum days. This structure was erected by John Marshall during the early thirties and was built by slave labor. It is remarkable from the fact of its size, the house being two stories in height with two large rooms on the ground floor, separated by a hallway. Immense stone chim¬ neys are situated at each end of the house, and wide cavernous fire¬ places fill the corresponding ends of the rooms. Mr. Cruwell made his home in this log house for four years after purchasing the farm in 1882, and then erected his present handsome frame house, which sets far back from the highway.

Williarn M. Cruwell was born in Franklin County, Missouri, Dec. 22, 1838. He is a son of Lewis Cruwell, who died in 1845. His mother was Mary (Engel) Cruwell, who died in 1848. Left an orphan at the early age of seven years, William M. Cruwell was reared among strangers, and worked out for as low as 10 cents a day during his boyhood. For a time when he was grown he worked as a laborer in Franklin, Mo., and during the seventies he bought a farm in Osage County, which he cultivated until he came to Jackson County, in 1882, and bought his present home¬ stead of 120 acres, which he has improved into a valuable and hand¬ some place.

Mr. Cruwell is a Union veteran of the Civil War. He enlisted in the United States Reserve Corps in 1861, and served for three months, and during the remainder of the war he served in the State militia.

Mr. Cruwell has been three times married. His first marriage oc¬ curred in 1866, and was with Sophia Hagenbush, who died one year later, in Franklin County, Missouri. In 1870 he was married to Sophia Showengirt, who died in 1878. He was married the third time, in Osage County, to Louisa Meyer, who died in 1917. Mr. Cruwell has one daughter and three sons: Andrew, a farmer, living near Blue Springs; Benjamin, Ernest, living on the home place ; Emma is the wife of Nicholas H. Phelps, deputy marshall of Jackson County.

Mr. Cruwell voted twice for Abraham Lincoln, and has voted for every Republican candidate for President since the close of the Civil War. He is a member of the Methodist church, and is affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic.

Caldwell Chiles. - There is something in the life of every successful man which distinguishes him as different from the ordinary run of hu¬ man kind. The late Caldwell Chiles, member of the pioneer Chiles family of Jackson County, is remembered as a lovable and generous character, whose faults, if any, were an unwonted generosity and kindness to those with whom he came into contact. He is called by those who were intimate with him, 'The Prince of the Chiles Family," because of the fact that his purse was ever open to assist the needy. He never turned away a friend or acquaintance who sought his assistance in time of need, and he was always found in the forefront of movements tending to the general good of all the people.

Caldwell Chiles was born in Jackson County, on the old Chiles home¬ stead in Fort Osage township, June 28, 1840, and died May 18, 1900. He was a son of Joel Franklin Chiles, and was descended from Lieut.-Col. Walter Chiles, who emigrated from England to Virginia aboard his own vessel in 1638. His grandfather, John Chiles, was born in Virginia, and moved to Kentucky during the early settlement of that State. His uncle, Joseph Ballinger Chiles, bom in Clark County, Ky., went from Jackson County, overland to California in 1843, spending the balance of his life there; so that without the scope of one life time, his immediate family spanned the American continent by migration and settlement, arriving at the shores of the Pacific ocean far in the van of the pioneer host.

states seceded from the Union, Caldwell Chiles joined the Missouri Militia and was in several engagements which were fought during the early part of the war to preserve the neutrality of Missouri, and prevent the coercion of the Confederacy. He received his baptism of fire at the Bat¬ tle of Lexington. The effort to preserve Missouri as a neutral State proving hopeless, he went South and joined with his comrades under Gen¬ eral Price, and he was sworn into the service of the Confederate Army. He was a member of Langhorne's troop. Colonel Shank's regiment, Gen. Joe Shelby's brigade. Private Chiles repeatedly declined promotion, and served faithfully to the end as a common soldier. At Helena, Ark., he suffered a broken leg as a result of being hit with a rifle ball, and was taken prisoner. Immediately after his recovery he made his escape from prison, and rejoined his comrades.

He participated in General Price's expedition through Missouri in 1864. The route of march led past his home, where he stopped for a brief visit and received the ministrations of his mother and sisters. A few days later he sat on his horse under fire at the Battle of Westport, and there partook of food given him by relatives who lived in the vicinity of the battle field. It is a strange thing that history records these men as "Raiders and invaders," in the land of their birth, and under the very roof trees where they were born. Captain Langhorne once made the re¬ mark that "Colly" Chiles was one of the best soldiers he ever knew, as "he never got hungry, tired or cold." This remark was strongly de¬ scriptive of his entire life and character. He was quiet, steadfast, cheer¬ ful, and uncomplaining. At the close of the war he returned to his old home, and resumed his occupation of faiTner and stockman. With the exception of a few years spent in farming in Grayson County, Texas, with his brother, William G. Chiles, he lived the remainder of his days in his native county.

Caldwell Chiles amassed a considerable fortune, and his affairs were so conducted as to be of help to others as well as of benefit to himself. Many of his old neighbors owe their success to his assistance, given not in a spirit of patronizing charity, but given with the desire to render a mutual benefit.

As in the great war in which he offered his life in the beginning of his manhood for his people - his kinsman of the South - so also in his after years he was constant and faithful to his own. His best efforts were always readily and willingly put forth for the improvement and up¬ lifting of his community, and his great influence and achievements were highly valued and appreciated by his friends and neighbors. However, he always avoided publicity and public honors, preferring to expend his efforts for the public good in his own, quiet, unobtrusive way.

Calvin D. Lowe. - The "Best Forty in Jackson County" is the general opinion of the farm owned and operated by Calvin D. Lowe, of Sniabar township. The Lowe "Forty" is located three miles northeast of Blue Springs, and is one of the richest and best improved tracts in Missouri. The place is improved with a handsome farm residence, fronted by a lawn, shaded by locust trees, and is equipped for general farming. This place has an orchard, consisting of an acre of bearing trees and fruit of all kinds, which produces a good income. Any man with energy and indus¬ try can make a good living on 40 acres of Jackson County land, and Mr. Lowe has proved the truth of the assertion. He feeds all of the grain grown on the place to livestock, and thus markets the output of his farm on the hoof, the most economical and the most productive way of farm¬ ing. Mr. Lowe purchased his farm in 1910, at a cost of $150 an acre, re¬ modeled the residence, and has otherwise improved the place until it is easily worth $300 an acre, but it is not for sale.

Calvin D. Lowe was bom in Pike County, Missouri, Dec. 31, 1863, and is a son of Calvin V. Lowe, a Jackson County pioneer, concerning whom a full account is given in connection with the sketch of John Lewis Lowe in this volume. While Calvin V. Lowe was an old time resident of Jackson County, the reason of his son's birth in Pike County is explained by the fact that when Order No. 11 was issued during the Civil War, Cal¬ vin V. Lowe removed with his family to Pike County, and there re¬ mained until the war was over, and it was safe to return to Jackson County.

C. D. Lowe was reared to manhood in Jackson County, and his home was adjacent to the town of Blue Springs, where the family located in 1881. He attended the Eureka district school during his boyhood days, and began doing for himself when he became of age. He worked for his father on the wage and share system until he attained the age of 43 years, and in 1906 he began farming on his own account. He resided on the home place and cared for his aged mother until 1910, when he bought his present place.

Luther O. Johnson, farmer and orchardist, Sniabar township, is one of Jackson County's most successful agriculturists. His fine farm of 147 acres, located four miles northeast of Blue Springs, is a valuable one, and is well improved. The Johnson orchard consists of 60 acres of bearing trees, 40 acres of which were set out about 18 years ago, 20 acres were planted 15 years ago, and a number of acres are planted to young trees. This orchard has had the best of care, and has been scientifically sprayed each season. The apple crop was sold on the trees in 1919 for $5,500. Mr. Johnson has recently purchased an additional tract of 22.5 acres from the Williams estate, and he has also invested in an improved tract of 20 acres, near the Milton fann - land which is very high priced and valu¬ able. He has been offered $1,000 for his bargain since he purchased this place.

L. 0. Johnson was born April 9, 1856, on a farm located within three miles of his present home place. He is a son of David and Frances E. (Cook) Johnson, both natives of Virginia, and early pioneers in this county. David Johnson was born in 1825, and was killed during the Civil War, in 1863. While attending to his own business during war time, he was taken prisoner by Federals, who acted upon prejudiced information, given by a former tenant of his, taken with other prisoners to Chicago, where his death occurred.

At the time of his death there were 15 living children in the family. However, the elder Johnson was a man of means, and the family was left well provided for; all were reared to maturity, and nine are still living, as follow: Henry, resides with his son, Thomas, in Jackson County; Carroll, residing near Buckner, Mo.; Harvey, lives at Grain Valley, David, lives in Texas; Lee, resides in Oak Grove; Luther 0., of this review; Banner, lives in Kansas City; Mrs. Susan Vaughn, lives in Oklahoma; Mrs. Augusta Hinksfon, Independence, Mo.; and Mrs. Lucy Bostwick, William, Larken, Thomas, Mary and Sarah are deceased. The mother of these children died in 1887, at the age of 65 years.

When 28 years of age, L. 0. Johnson began farming on his own ac¬ count. He cared for his mother during her old age, and when it came time for him to own a farm of his own, he purchased 117 acres from the estate from the heirs with borrowed money. Upon this tract he resided for two years, and in 1886, he bought 122.5 acres near Buckner, borrow¬ ing money from Neab Chiles with which to make the investment. In 1892 he bought 80 acres of his present home place, set out his orchard, and has been steadily accumulating land since.

Mr. Johnson was married in 1884 to Miss Naomi Johnson, a native of Jackson County, and a daughter of Larken Johnson. The children born to this marriage are: Rufus and Clifton C. Rufus Johnson lives on a farm adjoining the home place, and is a farmer. He married Stella Phillips.

Corp. Clifton C. Johnson was born March 1, 1890, served in the World War with the American forces in France. He left home for the training camp July 5, 1918, and took part in some of the bitterest fighting on the Western Front in France, fighting in the Argonne forest and St. Mihiel. During the latter engagement his pack was sRot to pieces and he nar¬ rowly escaped death a score of times. He was honorably discharged from the service and arrived home Sept. 22, 1919.

Mr. Johnson is a Democrat. He is well informed, progressive, enter¬ prising, and is rated as one of the substantial and well to do citizens of Jackson County, who has made good.

John S. Cogswell. - "Fairside," the home of John S. Cogswell, con¬ sisting of 10 acres, splendidly improved, adjoining the fair grounds, just east of Independence, is noted for the pure-bred Duroc- Jersey hogs which are bred and sold on the place. Mr. Cogswell has been a breeder of swine since 1884, when he began breeding Poland China hogs. He changed to the breeding of Duroc-Jerseys in 1917, and has built up a reputation which extends throughout the country. He keeps from 75 to 100 head of fine stock on the place at all times, and has annual sales, at which the product of his skill as a breeder brings good prices. He has sold hogs to buyers in all parts of the United States, some of which have brought $200 per head. The leader of the Cogswell herd of Durocs is "Jackson Orion Boy," which cost him $650, and for which he has been offered $1,000.

John S. Cogswell was born in Jackson County, Dec. 5, 1867, on a farm between Buckner and Sibley, in Fort Osage township. During his boy¬ hood days he used to go to mill at Sibley, riding an old gray horse, and carrying a sack of grain so large that when it happened to slip from the horse, he was unable to put it back in place. Mr. Cogswell recalls that the mill men would run the bran out into the Missouri River, thus wast¬ ing a product which is now very high priced.

William M. Cogswell, his father, was born in Kentucky, Feb. 22, 1822, and died June 5, 1901. He married Anna Brown,* who was bom in Vir¬ ginia, in 1842, and died in 1886. She was a daughter of John S. Brown, who came to Jackson County in the early thirties. William M. Cogswell served in the Mexican War in Colonel Doniphan's regiment, and also sei-ved in the Civil War, under Gen. Jo. Shelby. William M. Cogswell was a son of James Cogswell, who was also a pioneer in Jackson County, and who brought his slaves with him when he made the trip from Kentucky to Missouri to find a new home in this, then sparsely settled, country. Both Mr. Brown and Mr. Cogswell became large land owners and were prominent in the affairs of Jackson County.

The Cogswell place was located near Bone Hill, and for a number of years the elder Cogswell filled the office of justice of the peace, winning a great reputation for his ability to settle disputes and threatened legal cases out of court. It was his policy as justice to bring disputants to¬ gether, find a middle ground upon which they could agree, and then persuade them to settle their differences.

Both parents of John S. Cogswell are buried in Buckner cemetery. The remains of John S. Brown are interred in the burying ground of Greens Chapel, while those of James Cogswell are interred in the family burial ground on the old Cogswell homestead. The children born to Wil¬ liam M. and Anna Cogswell are as follow: William M. has been assistant overseer of the county farm for the past 15 years; Mrs. Mollie Penning¬ ton, deceased; John S., of this review; Mrs. Sallie Duncan, deceased; Mrs. Lizzie Fein, lives near Buckner; Joseph, a farmer near Buckner.

John S. Cogswell received his schooling in the Cogswell school house, and began earning his own way when 18 years old. When 14 years old he worked out for 50 cents a day, and his working hours were from day¬ light until dark. Mr. Cogswell recalls that this was the hardest work he ever did in his life, and it is only natural that he has little sympathy for the tendency of labor in these times to do a minimum amount of work in short hours for the greatest amount of pay. He began farming on his own account when 20 years of age, and purchased his first farm in Fort Osage township in 1901. He bought another place in 1902, sold this and then bought 75 acres in the Salem neighborhood in 1905. For this farm he paid $139 an acre, at the time the highest price hitherto paid for Jackson County farm land. He sold this farm for $225 an acre, and it has since been sold for $250. Mr. Cogswell removed to his present place, adjoining Independence, in 1916.

Feb. 3, 1892, he was married to Miss Miriam J. Barnes, who was bom in Platte County, Missouri, March 5, 1869. She is a daughter of Eldridge and Buena Vista (Patton) Barnes, both natives of Georgia. They came to Jackson County in 1871. Mr. Barnes was a soldier in the

Confederate Army during the Civil War, and now makes hi| home at Oak Grove. He was born in November, 1838. Mrs. Barnes was born in 1849, and died in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes were the parents of the follow¬ ing children: A. H. Barnes, Kansas City, Mo.; Mrs. Miriam J. Cogswell, of this review; Cora died at the age of eight years. By a second mar¬ riage with Mary Frances Sites, Mr. Barnes is the father of two children: Robert, Kansas City, Mo., and Roy, Oak Grove.

The children born to John S. and Miriam J. Cogswell are: Melva, wife of Joe T. Doyle, Clinton, Mo., mother of one child, Maxine Jo; and John E. Cogswell, aged 18 years, a senior in high school.

Edgar Goodloe. - The dairy farm of Edgar Goodloe, situated in Blue township, 12 miles southeast of Independence, on the Woods Chapel rock road, is one of the best improved farms in Jackson County. This farm consists of 79 acres, and maintains a herd of 30 head of Jerseys, Short¬ horns and Holsteins. The milk product of the dairj^ is sold in bulk. It is stated, on reliable authority, that this farm is the scene of a historic inci¬ dent during the days of the Border War. The Quantrell raid upon Law¬ rence, Kan., is said to have had its inception tn the yard of this farm, when a number of men under Quantrell's leadership met in the darkness of night and planned the details of the invasion and subsequent raid.

Edgar Goodloe v/as bom Oct. 15, 1886, on a farm just across the road from his present home. He is the son of James W. Goodloe, who was born Aug. 6, 1846, and died Dec. 14, 1909. James W. Goodloe was a son of Lilburn Goodloe, a pioneer settler of this county, who entered and cleared considerable land in Jackson County. From the time he attained the age of 14 years, James W. Goodloe was reared in this vicinity, and upon attaining his majority, he married Miss Belle Porter, a daughter of Hugh Porter, of Blue Springs. Mrs. Belle Goodloe was born in 1863, and makes her home with her son, Edgar. Two sons were born to James W. and Belle Goodloe, namely: Everrett Goodloe, living in Kansas City, and Edgar Goodloe, of this review.

The place which Mr. Goodloe is farming is the home place of his parents, upon which he has erected a number of improvements, such as a neat residence to supplant a large, old brick house, which had been built by one of the early owners of the land. The Goodloe dairy is well equipped with labor saving machinery, such as a milking machine, etc..