Jackson County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1920 (part 1 of 15)

Biographical sketches

William Carroll Adams. - The distinction of being the oldest native born resident of Blue township, and of Jackson County, belongs unques¬ tionably to William Carroll Adams, who was born on a farm in the Blue bottoms, March 13, 1836. One hundred years ago, his father, Lynchburg -Adams, then 16 years of age, came to Jackson County and was the first permanent settler in the northern part of this county. Lynchburg Adams was born near Lynchburg, Va., Feb. 22, 1804, and married Elizabeth Drake who was born in Howard County, Mo., Dec. 7, 1808. She was a daughter of Isaac Drake, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, in whose memory a monument was erected near Atherton by the Daughters of the American Revolution, he being a soldier of the Revolution who settled in Jackson County and died here. Lynchburg Adams came to Jackson County March 20, 1819 and was married near Sibley, Mo., Nov. 1, 1827. He entered land in the Blue bottoms and resided in this county until his death Dec. 6, 1873. His wife died Jan. 24, 1859. They had five children, four sons and a daughter. The first farm on which the elder Adams settled and whereon his son William Carroll Adams was born, has long since been engulfed and washed away by the Missouri River. In 1844, Mr. Adams pprchased the Adams homestead near Atherton.

Lynchburg Adams erected the first house in Jackson County west of the Little Blue. In 1873 he was awarded the prize at the Old Settlers Meeting for being the oldest pioneer citizen of the county. This prize was a silver pitcher valued at $25.

Isaac Drake, grandfather of William Carroll Adams, was one of the four Revolutionary heroes buried in Jackson County. He was born in Maryland and entered the army when 15 years of age. He was a pioneer of Osage township in this county and died on his farm near Sibley in 1837. He was the first coroner of. Jackson County. His remains as well as the remains of Lynchburg Adams and his wife are buried in the Drake ceme¬ tery on the old homestead.

William Carroll Adams was educated in the public schools and at¬ tended Chapel Hill School, attending school with the late Senator Cockrell. He studied for three months in William Jewell College. When the Civil War broke out he first enlisted in the State Guards under General Price and at Springfield, Mo., he joined the Confederate forces. He served for four years with the Southern army and spent ten months as a prisoner of war in P'ederal prison at Johnson's Island, having been captured near Vicksburg, Miss. He was twice wounded at the battle of Lexington, and was again wounded at Corinth, Miss. He returned home after the war and resumed farming and stock raising. He has prospered and is owner of 320 acres of splendid farm land near Atherton.

Mr. Adams was married the first time April 9, 1868, to Sarah J. Heard, who was born Nov. 14, 1848 and died Oct. 21, 1882, her remains being interred in Green's Chapel cemetery. She was a daughter of Jessie Heard, a pioneer of Jackson County. The children born of this marriage are: Francis S., deceased; Edmund L., Atherton, Mo.; Mrs. Susan E. Horan, Dallas, Texas; Mrs. Dora May Hall, Kansas City, Mo.; Charles F., at home with his father; and one child died in infancy. On Feb. 26, 1884, Mr. Adams was married to Mrs. Fannie Jepson, nee Samples, and to this union six children have been born as follows: Mrs. Jessie Ann Hall, Kan¬ sas City, Mo.; James W., at home; Mrs. Mary Helen Harbin, Independence; John Quincy Adams, Pauline Ruth Adams, and George Carroll Adams, at home.

Mr. Adams is a Democrat but is an Independent voter. In 1879 he was elected to the State Legislature on the Greenback ticket and repre¬ sented Jackson County for one term. He has always been active and prominent in county and local civic affairs and has served as school director. He is a member of the Methodist Church, South and has served as steward of his church. He is known widely as an upright, honest and industrious citizen who has lived according to his beliefs and is deeply religious. Although past 84 years of age he is enjoying good health and is sound physically and mentally, endowed with a keen and active mind wKich advancing years have not dimmed. He takes a lively interest in present day affairs, while he is ever ready to dwell upon the old days of the past when Jackson County was largely an unsettled wilderness. He recalls his first trip to Independence in the early forties when he rode to the then frontier town with his mother on horseback. Mrs. Adams took with her a bolt of jean which she had woven with her own hands and sold it for 50 cents per yard. The children of the Lynchburg Adams family were reared with the strictest economy, the beverage at meal times being sage tea, coiTee only being served when company came on Sundays. Corn bread was served on the table at all times except when company arrived on Sundays and then the luxury of white bread was given the members of the family.

Fleming Pendleton, of the firm of Pendleton and Gentry, who are en¬ gaged in the drug business at Independence, Mo., is a native of Kentucky. He was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, Aug. 1, 1853, a son of James and Nancy (Spoonamore) Pendleton, both natives of Kentucky. James Pendleton was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky. His parents were both Virginians, and migrated to Kentucky at an early day.

James Pendleton came to Missouri in 1859, with his family, and set¬ tled near Hickman's Mills, in Jackson County. Later he moved to Blue township, where he bought a fann of 200 acres. His wife died on that place in 1872, and he died at Independence in 1892. They were the par¬ ents of the following children: Micajah, deceased; Alfred, deceased; Eberly, deceased; William, deceased; J. C., who was engaged in the drug busi¬ ness in Independence for several years, is now deceased; Thomas, an em¬ ployee of the Standard Oil Company, Independence ; Mrs! Emma Flannigan, deceased ; Richard, a retired merchant at San Antonio, Tex. ; Fleming, the subject of this sketch, and Timothy, who died at Riverside, Calif. By a former marriage James Pendleton was the father of two children, John T. and Logan.

Fleming Pendleton received his education in the public schools of Jackson County. Mr. Pendleton has been engaged in the mercantile busi¬ ness in various capacities since boyhood. He first entered the employ of Wilson and Pendleton, engaged in the drygoods and clothing business at Independence. He was thus engaged for ten years. He was then employed by the M. R. Wright Clothing Company for two years. In 1889 Mr. Flem¬ ing bought an interest in his present business. The store was then being conducted by O. H. Gentry, his present partner, and J. C. Pendleton, a brother of Fleming Pendleton. J. C. Pendleton conducted the business alone up to 1881, when he sold an interest to Mr. Gentry. This is the pio¬ neer drugstore of Independence. They carry a full line of drugs and drug sundries, and have an extensive trade.

Mr. Pendleton was united in marriage Nov. 24, 1891, with Miss Sally Lincoln, a native of St. Joseph, Mo. She is a daughter of Isaac and Louise Lincoln, the former of whom is now deceased, and the latter resides with Mrs. Pendleton. To Mr. and Mrs. Pendleton have been bom the following children: Fleming W., who served in the United States Navy during the World War, in the capacity of radio operator; Rice L., served as regimental sergeant in the 129th Field Artillery, 35th Division in France, during the World War. He entered the service Aug. 1, 1917, and after a period of training at Fort Sill, went to France with his unit in April, 1918. He was discharged and mustered out of the service May 6, 1919. The third son born to Mr. and Mrs. Pendleton, Wiley E., is now in the employ of Swift and Company. He was at the Students' Training School at Columbia, and was at the Naval Training School. The youngest child. Sallie Adele, is a student in the Independence High School.

Nealy A. Harris, the efficient chief of police of Independence. Mo., is a native of Jackson County, and a descendant of pioneer settlers of this state. He was born on a farm a few miles east of Independence, June 4, 1878, and is a son of R. A. and Mary E. (Dillingham) Harris. R. A. Harris was also a native of Jackson County. He was born on a farm where the fair grounds are now' located, in 1854. He was a son of Samuel Harris, a native of Virginia, who came to Missouri with his parents when he was about ten years of age. Samuel Harris grew fo manhood here and mar¬ ried Jane Hall, a native of Jackson County. He was killed by a kick from a mule. His wife, Jane Hall Harris, lived to the advanced age of 98 years and the remains are buried in the Bridges cemetery, south of Blue Spring.

R. A. Harris was a soldier in the Confederate army and served under Quantrell. He died in May, 1906, at the age of 76 years and his widow now resides at Independence with her son, Nealy A. Harris. They were the parents of two children : Mrs. Hester A. Holloway, Independence, Mo., and Nealy A., the subject of this sketch.

Nealy A. Harris was reared on a farm in Jackson County and educated in the public schools. When he was 20 years of age, he entered the employ of the street railway company, in Kansas City, Mo. In 1909, he was appointed special officer at 12th and Main streets, Kansas City, and served in that capacity for two years. He then came to Independence as a special guard over prisoners at the jail. In 1913, he was employed at the city light plant and in 1914 he was appointed assistant chief of police of Independ¬ ence, and two years later, he was elected to the office of chief of police, and has since ably served in that capacity. Mr. Harris is a conscientious and fearless officer and has made a most commendable record. He is active and alert in his work and is getting results. In 1919, he collected $10,044.50 for the purchase of a Dodge police patrol and ambulance car for the police department. He circulated the subscription for this fund and it was through his efforts that this necessary modern equipment was added to the police department of Independence.

Mr. Harris was united in marriage in 1909 with Miss Anna Hagerthorn, of Seymour, Iowa. She died March 18, 1919, at the age of 33 years, leaving a son, Richard A., who is now seven years of age.

Joseph Alfred McCurdy, deputy county assessor, former blacksmith for 39 years. Independence, Mo., was born in this city, March 27, 1859. He was a son of John G. and Elizabeth R. (Beal) McCurdy.

John G. McCurdy was born in Virginia, March 20, 1818 and died Feb. 25, 1912. Mrs. Elizabeth R. McCurdy died in 1876 at the age of 55 years. The McCurdys came to Independence or to Jackson County in 1848 by the river route, landing at Wayne City. The elder McCurdy followed the trade of blacksmith until 1853, and then purchased a shop at the corner of North Main and White Oak streets. His business prospered and he added a second story to the shop and followed his trade until he attained the great age of 90 years. J. A. McCurdy, his son, has in his possession a hammer which his father made in his ninetieth year. The children of the family were: Mrs. Lizzie B. Powell, Independence; John S., Independence; James W., served two terms as county collector, and is now with a building and loan association, Kansas City; J. A., of this sketch; Henry L.. a lumberman and banker of Stafford, Kan.

The first teacher who instructed J. A. McCurdy, in his boyhood days, was Miss Susan Leader, who w^as assistant to Paul Glave who conducted a private school. When 17 years old he began to learn the blacksmith trade under his father and he followed his trade continuously until March 1, 1915.

Mr. McCurdy has residence property in Independence and owns the livery barn just south of his residence which is located at 222 South Main street. This barn was formerly used by the stage coach company, prior to the advent of the railroads. It is Mr. McCurdy's recollection that the first railroad in the state was operated between Independence and Wayne City. This road was over three miles in length and was operated by horse power. The track was of wooden rails and trains were run over this i-oad in 1848 when Mr. McCurdy came to this county.

were made by him for the puipose of branding cattle and horses. One of them, the "U.S.M." branding iron, was used by the government in brand¬ ing the horses which hauled the mail wagons across the plains.

Mr. McCurdy was married Aug. 20, 1900 to Ollie J. Craig, a daughter of Elijah and Nancy Elizabeth (Warren) Craig. Mrs. McCurdy was bom and reared in Jackson County.

For two years, 1916-1917, Mr. McCurdy filled the office of city council¬ man and for the past two years he has served as deputy assessor of the county.

At the time of Price's raid in this vicinity during the Civil War, J. A. McCurdy was five years old, but the incident which he relates in the fol¬ lowing paragraph was so vividly impressed on his memory that he has never forgotten it.

''One of the Confederate soldiers rode up to the McCurdy home. Joseph Alfred and his younger brother, Henry, were playing in the yard. The soldier asked, 'What are you?' Joseph A. promptly answered, 'I'm a Federal.' And, 'What are you?' he asked Henry McCurdy. Just as promptly, Henry replied, 'I'm a Rebel.' 'I have something here for you,' the soldier said, and he took from his pocket a package containing several sticks of candy and handed it to the "little rebel". Joseph A. McCurdy from that time on was a "rebel".

John Nelson Southern, who for 50 years has been prominent in the affairs of Jackson County, and is at present one of the oldest lawyers in' the county, having resided here since 1868, when he first came to Inde¬ pendence, was born in the mountain country of east Tennessee, Aug. 25, 1838. He received a good education in his home locality, and taught school for two years, studied law and was admitted to the bar of his native State in 1860.

Mr. Southern enlisted in Company I of the Fifty-ninth Tennessee Regi¬ ment, Confederate Army, at the outbreak of the Civil War, and was on detached duty until he went into active service. He served under General Bragg on his invasion of Kentucky, and when Bragg began his retreat he was transferred to the department of the Mississippi, under General Pem¬ berton. He also served under Generals Longstreet and Breckinbridge. In July, 1865, he came to Missouri and located in Lafayette County, where he taught school for two years. He then came to Independence, and soon be¬ came proprietor and editor of the Independence "Sentinel," conducting this newspaper for a matter of 11 years. He then disposed of the "Sentinel" to

Mr. Southern was married Dec. 20, 1860, to Miss Martha Allen, of Tennessee. The children born to this marriage are as follow: William Southern, Jr., founder and publisher of the Independence "Examiner" ; Dr. John N. Southern, a physician, Monroe City, Mo. ; Judge Allen C. Southern, judge of the Jackson County Circuit Court, re-elected in 1918; Miss Ethel Southern, Miss Mabel Southern, at home; Mattie, wife of John L. Cortner, Florence, Ala.

Mr. Southern, for more than 50 years past, has been one of the fore¬ most scholars and attorneys of this section of Missouri, and is still in active practice at the great age of 82 years. For a period of 10 years after com¬ ing to Independence he was an editorial writer on the staff of the Kansas City "Times," then edited by Morrison Mumford. In 1881 he entered actively into the practice of law, and during past years he has been con¬ nected with some of the most important litigation in the courts of western Missouri. He had charge of the suit brought to compel the Missouri Pa¬ cific Railroad Company to rebuild and operate their line from Independ¬ ence to Kansas City. The railway company had purchased this line, tora it up and abandoned it, and the county brought suit to compel them to re¬ build and operate the line. Mr. Southern and associate counsel carried this case to the Supreme Court and won.

Mr. Southern also represented the winners in the famous Mormon Temple suit brought by the Reorganized Church of the Latter-Day Saints for possession of the original site of the Mormon Church in Independence. This plot of ground was believed by all Mormons to be sacred ground inas¬ much as it was selected and consecrated by Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church as the site for the Temple of Zion. The Reorganized Church of Latter-Day Saints claimed title to the "sacred ground" because they alleged themselves to be the legitimate successors of the original church. Under the Missouri laws title to the property was vested in the Hedrickite branch of the Mormon Church, and as their attorney, Mr. Southern and associate counsel, carried the case to the United States Su¬ preme Court, and won a favorable decision, the court holding that title through Mesne Conveyances was better than a title obtained through revel¬ ations from the church prophets.

The largest damage verdict ever rendered by the Jackson County Cir¬ cuit Court was won by Mr. Southern, after being twice tried before the Supreme Court of the State of Missouri. His client. Ora Turnbow, when five years old, had been run over by an electric car of the Kansas City Electric Line, and both legs cut off. The Circuit Court gave a verdict in favor of the plaintiff for $30,000, and this sum was reduced by the Supreme Court to $27,000, including interest. Mr. Southern received the check from the company for $27,000 when he had passed the 80th milestone of his long life.

In 1884 Mr. Southern was elected Presidential elector from this dis¬ trict on the Democrat ticket, and cast the vote of his district in the elec¬ toral college for Grover Cleveland.

Mr. SoutheiTi was associate attorney with the county counselor and conducted the defense on behalf of Jackson County in the suit brought to enjoin the county court from appropriating two-thirds of the dram shop revenue for the public road fund. His contention was sustained by the Supreme Court, and the act of the Legislature authorizing the appropria¬ tion of the funds for said puiq^ose was declared constitutional.

He was also attorney in behalf of the county to have declared uncon¬ stitutional the legislative enactment which provided for taxing Jackson County for the building and maintainance of a reform school in the county. He won this suit, and the Supreme Court declared the act unconstitutional.

For 35 years Colonel Southern resided on his farm east of Independ¬ ence, and had erected thereon a stone dwelling house, built of stone quar¬ ried on his land. For the past 15 years he has resided in the city.

For 50 years he has been a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has been an elder of tlie church for 35 years. He is the oldest living Mason of the oldest Masonic Lodge in the county. Lodge No. 76, of Independence. He became a member of this lodge in 1869. His three sons are also mem.- bers of the order.

Colonel Southern was severely wounded while serving with the Confed¬ erate forces. He received his wound while executing an order given by General Longstreet, in the spring of 1864, and was incapacitated for fur¬ ther service with the army. When the war was over and he was dis¬ charged from the hospital at Bristol, Va., the railroads were torn up and he had to contrive a way to get to his home at Morristown, Tenn. He se¬ cured an old buggy, hitched to it an old army horse, and started on the long drive to his old home. On the way he passed through the camp of a division of Federal soldiers at Greenville, Tenn., and learned for the first time that President Lincoln had been assassinated. Grief stricken over the news, the men were all bowed down with sorrow, and Colonel Southern recalls that throughout all the vast encampment hardly a sound could be heard. It was the most solemn and impressive sight that he had ever witnessed - a great body of soldiers going about their tasks so quietly that not a sound could be heard. He, himself, was grieved to hear of the death of the President, and sorrowed with his former enemies.

John Nelson Southern comes of an old and distinguished American family of Virginia. His great-grandfather, with whom he conversed in 1860, fought in the American Revolution, and was 100 years old on the day that he related to Mr. Southern incidents of his war service. An ancestor of his mother also fought at the Battle of Brandywine, under Washing¬ ton. His great-grandfather fought with General Jackson and other Ten¬ nesseeans in the Carolinas.

Dr. Oliver Caldwell Sheley, a prominent physician of Independence, Mo., has practiced his profession here for over 40 years and in years of service is the oldest practicing physician in Independence. He is a native of Jackson County and a descendant of pioneer families of this state.

Dr. Sheley was born on a farm, two and one-half miles southwest of Independence, June 23, 1855. He is a son of James K. and Mary Ann Elizabeth (Smart) Sheley, both natives of Kentucky. James K. Sheley was bom in Scott County, Ky., March 17, 1815, and died in Nov., 1893. He was a son of Horace Sheley, a native of Virginia, who came from Ken¬ tucky to Missouri in 1828, and located near New Bloomfield. He died in Calloway County. Mary Ann Elizabeth (Smart) Sheley, mother of Dr. Sheley, was bom in Kentucky in 1821, and died March 4, 1872.

James K. Sheley came to Jackson County from Calloway County in 1852, and settled two and one-half miles southwest of Independence, where he bought a farm from Joseph Moon. During the Civil War he returned to Calloway County, where he remained until 1867, when he returned to Jackson County. He was a man of strong character and deep convictions and was a prominent factor in the affairs of Calloway County and also prominently identified himself with Jackson County after coming here. He served in the State Legislature, representing Calloway County in the forties. After coming to Jackson County, he was appointed judge of the Probate and Common Pleas Court by Governor Sterling Price. He was also a member of the State Convention, which was called at the beginning of the Civil War, to decide whether Missouri should secede from the Union. He was elected to the State Legislature from Jackson County in 1872 and served two sessions.

To James K. and Mary Ann Elizabeth (Smart) Sheley were born the following children : Mrs. Sally Henderson, died in 1917 ; William S., died in California, about 1880; James K., Jr., died in Texas in 1891; Horace, an attorney at Independence; Lizzie, married H. H. Noland and died at Inde¬ pendence in 1891 ; Robert, died at Independence in 1891 ; and Dr. Oliver Caldwell Sheley, the subject of this sketch.

Dr. Sheley was educated in Independence and after receiving a good preparatory education entered the Kansas City Medical College, where he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1876. In 1891 and 1897 he attended the New York Polyclinic. In 1876, shortly after completing his medical course. Dr. Sheley practiced in Kansas City for a short time. He then went near Blue Springs, Mo., and later practiced at Pink Hill. In 1889, he came to Independence, where he has since suc¬ cessfully devoted himself to the practice of his profession. He has been a life long student of the science of his great profession and his careful and well directed professional efforts have been rewarded by uniform success.

Jan. 17, 1878, Dr. Sheley was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda J. Warren, a daughter of Nelson A. and Lucinda (Robertson) Warren. Nel¬ son A. Warren was bom at Cape May, New Jersey, Jan. 19, 1812. He came west in early manhood and lived in Indiana for a time and in 1833 settled in Jackson County, Mo. In 1834, he received a government appoint¬ ment in connection with the Indian service in Nebraska and remained there three years. He then returned to Jackson County and bought some land and entered some from the government six miles east of Independence. This farm is now owned by W. W. Fields. Mr. Warren died in 1891 and his wife died Nov. 12, 1856.

To Dr. Sheley and wife have been born five children as follow: Mary Emma married A. M. Hoyt, Independence; Oliver Caldwell, Jr., the present county surveyor of Jackson County; James K., Jr., an electrician, Bakers¬ field, Calif. ; Ada, married Fred H. Briggs and Dr. Nelson Warren, now a surgeon in the United States navy. He is a graduate of the Independence High School, the Missouri State University, and the Washington Uni¬ versity. He entered the service of the United States navy in 1917 and at the present writing is in the Orient with the navy.

James C. Noel, member of the firm of Noel and Yankee, real estate loan and insurance, 127 West Lexington street. Independence, was born on a farm near Lone Jack, Mo., July 23, 1884. He is a son of James W. and Maretha (Cox) Noel, old settlers of the Lone Jack neighborhood.

James W. Noel was born Sept. 18, 1841, on the old Noel homestead, near Lone Jack, moved to Lees Summit, Mo., in 1901 and died Sept. 19, 1919. Maretha Noel died April 18. 1900 and her remains were interred in the Lone Jack cemetery. James W. Noel was the son of James Noel, who

The education of James C. Noel was obtained in the district school and the Lees Summit High School and William Jewell College, Liberty, Mo. For ten years he filled the post of assistant cashier of the Citizens Bank of Lees Summit. In June, 1917, he came to Independence and en¬ gaged in the real estate and insurance business with W. K. Yankee.

Mr. Noel was married March 3, 1908 to Miss Maggie Baid^ley Lee, a daughter of Dr. J. C. and Fannie (Hearn) Lee, of Lees Summit. Dr. Lee came to Jackson County from Cynthiana, Ky., when a young man and prac¬ ticed medicine at Lees Summit for many years prior to his death. ^ He became prominent in medical circles in this section of Missouri. His widow resides with her daughter, Mrs. Maggie Noel. Mr. and Mrs. Noel have a son, Lee Noel, born May 7, 1914.

the banks of the mighty Missouri River was a wilderness of forest, valley and plain. Indians were then encamped along the streams and the terri¬ tory now known as Jackson County was a great hunting ground. It was a hunter's paradise. A rich and fertile soil awaited the husbandman to build the homes and begin the creation of a new civic section of the great state of Missouri. Lynchburg Adams was the first real pioneer in what is now Jackson County. He was the first citizen to establish a permanent home in this county. He was a great hunter and rifle shot, as well as a good farmer who made a success of his affairs. The first farm which Lynchburg Adams owned in Jackson County has long since been washed away by the Missouri River, but his descendants are still living on the

Lynchburg Adams was born in Lynchburg, Va., Feb. 22, 1804. A few years after his birth his parents and the Adams family moved to Kentucky. Here amid primitive surroundings, Lynchburg Adams was

The early settlers who were endeavoring to wrest the "Dark and Bloody Ground" from the Indians in those days were a hardy and adven¬ turous lot and Lynchburg Adams grew up with a knowledge of the use of firearms and was inured to the hardships of the pioneer life. In 1819 he set his face to the westward and traveled down the Ohio and up the Mississippi and Missouri rivers to the vicinity of Boone's salt works near Cooper's Fort opposite Boonville, Mo. He spent the winter of 1819 and 1820 at this point, and when spring came he moved up the river and crossed at Arrow Rock, arriving there March 3, 1820. He camped at the foot of the hill just east of Fire Prairie Creek and just on the line of what is now known as Jackson County. The family settled near Foil Osage. John and Joseph McKinney in the following year, 1821, planted 20 acres of corn and Mr. Adams helped them gather it from the field just above the mouth of Fire Prairie Creek. His wages for this work was three pecks of corn daily. The nearest grist mill in those days was in the Miami River bottom in Carroll County, and Lynchburg Adams traveled there to get his grist of corn ground. In the summer of 1822, in com¬ pany with John Ross and his son Mike he camped and lived under a shelv¬ ing rock, a mile below Mize Ferry and near the old Berry Hill place. They hunted all summer long. Deer were plentiful and they saw herds of as many as 300 deer. Bee trees were plentiful in the woods and all that was necessary was for them to cut down a bee tree and gather the stores of honey. Six to twelve bee trees could be found easily in a day's search. The wax obtained after rendering the honey could be sold for 25 cents per pound and Mr. Adams earned his first real money in this county in that manner. Ammunition in those days was very high in price and the hunter had to be very sparing in its use. A turkey was never shot unless the settler desired a change of diet and turkey would mean a change from venison. Emigrants began to arrive in 1824 and 1825 and in the latter year, Mr. Adams, working with Isaac Allen, cut the logs for the first house and raised the first house and cultivated the first ground west of the Little Blue in this county. This settlement was near the Old Blue Bot¬ toms camping ground.

Mr. Adams was married Jan. 1, 1827 to Elizabeth Drake, who was born in Missouri and came to Jackson County in 1825, her parents settling on the Blue bottoms. Mr. Adams was handicapped by lameness but man* aged to pay for a farm of 120 acres upon which he made his first real home. Along came the great flood of 1844 and washed away all of his possessions. He must start anew and he began the work of improving a farm and settled on the place now owned by his son, William Carroll Adams. He died, honored and respected by all who knew him, in Decem¬ ber, 1873.

enjoyment from the perusal of newspapers and books when too old to toil. He was a rugged and determined character whom no misfortune could daunt. He was honest, conscientious and was a true friend to all with whom he associated. Imbued with pluck and determination he suc¬ ceeded in amassing a competence and his spirit was passed onward to his descendants who occupy high places among the citizenship of Jackson County.

Samuel H. Woodson, an attorney at law, and former mayor of Inde¬ pendence, trustee for estates, with offices in First National Bank building. Independence, Mo., is a native of this city. He was born in Independence, Sept. 29, 1857 and is a son of Judge Samuel H. Woodson.

Judge Samuel H. Woodson, the elder, was born in Jessamine County, Ky., in 1815, and was a son of Samuel H. Woodson, a prominent citizen of that county who succeeded Henry Clay to his seat in Congress in 1820, and was re-elected in 1822, serving two terms in the national house of repre¬ sentatives from his district. Mr. Woodson, father of the subject of this sketch came to Independence in 1840 and practiced law in this city. A few years after coming here he formed a partnership with William Chrisman and Abraham Cummings. In 1856 he was elected to represent this district in Congress and was re-elected in 1858, resigning his seat in Con¬ gress in 1860 on account of impending civil war between the North and the South, his sympathies being with the cause of the Southern states. In 1875 he was appointed to the office of circuit judge and was elected to the office in 1881, serving until his death, in June, 1881. Judge Woodson held court on the very day of his death. His wife was Margaret Ashby, a cousin of General Ashby, of Virginia. She was born in Madison County, Ky., and died at the age of 92 years in Independence, where she had made her home for 72 years.

The children born to Judge Samuel H. and Margaret Woodson are as follow: William H., an attorney at Liberty, Mo., who has served as prose¬ cuting attorney of Clay County for eight terms; Meade was an attorney and banker at Kansas City, now deceased; Margaret, widow of Henry C. Harper, who died at Liberty, Mo.; Nellie, widow of B. E. Reese, Inde¬ pendence, Mo. ; Sallie W., widow of A. F. Sawyer, who was president of the Chrisman-Sawyer Banking Company, of Independence, Mo.

Samuel H. Woodson, the youngest son of the family, was educated in the Independence public schools and William Jewell College at Liberty, Mo. He then pursued a course at the Albany Law School, Albany, N. Y., and began the practice of law in 1881 at Kansas City, Mo. After several years of successful practice, he retired on account of failing health and has since devoted his attention to the loan business and serving as trustee for estates. He was elected mayor of Independence in 1898 and served in this capacity until 1902.

Mr. Woodson was married to Miss Jennie McCoy, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Stewart) McCoy, the former a pioneer of Independence, coming here with his brother, William, in 1838. The brothers first en¬ gaged in the mercantile business. Later, William McCoy embarked in the banking business and John McCoy established a woolen mill. Both pros¬ pered and were very successful. For 55 years, the late John McCoy was superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday School, a record which has probably never been equalled for fidelity to service anywhere. Mr. and Mrs. Woodson have two daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret.

Miss Elizabeth Woodson was prominently identified with the Y. W. C. A. work at Waco, Texas, during the World War, and during the demobil¬ ization of the army she has been engaged in similar work at Oklahoma City and Kansas City, Mo., specializing in social betterment work.

Miss Margaret Woodson was connected with the Red Cross in Europe during the World War and was in charge of the entertainment department in the hospitals in France. Both ladies are graduates of the State Uni¬ versity at Columbia and the National Park Seminary at Washington, D. C.

Mr. Woodson is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and he is a member of the board of managers of the Pythian Home at Springfield, Mo.

Rowland Thomas Procter, deceased, former civil engineer, and county suiweyor of Jackson County, was born in Independence, Aug. 8, 1862. He was a son of Rev. Alexander and Caroline (Shaw) Procter. Rev. Alex¬ ander Procter was bom in Fayette County, Kentucky, in 1825, and was the second son of Rowland T. and Diana (Chapman) Procter, both of whom were born and reared in Kentucky.

Rev. Alexander Procter came to Missouri in 1836 and settled in Ran¬ dolph County with his parents. When 18 years of age he entered school at Paris, Mo., to obtain higher learning. Having joined the Christian Church at an early age, he was educated at Bethany College, through the bounty of Alexander Campbell, founder of the Christian Church. Rev¬ erend Campbell donated the proceeds of a book which he had written to the purpose of defraying the expenses of a ministerial student. The choice fell upon young Procter, and he studied for the ministry under Reverend Campbell, who was at that time president of Bethany College. He preached his first sermon at Huntsville, Mo., and filled the pulpits in many Mis¬ souri counties during the pioneer days. He assisted in the organization of many Christian churches. He was married in 1857 to Mrs. Caroline Pre¬ witt, nee Shaw, of St. Francis, Mo.

During the Civil War days Rev. Procter did much to keep the peace between the friends of the South and the Union adherents in Independ¬ ence, where he resided during the later years of his life.

Rowland Thomas Procter was educated in Woodland College, and studied for the profession of civil engineering, a work which he had taken up in his boyhood. He served as city engineer of Independence for some years. In 1901 he was appointed superintendent of Swope Park, under Mr. Kessler, and had much to do with the planning and construction of the driveways, the boulevard and the main entrance to the park. He had charge of practically all of the construction work, and uncovered a deposit of fine stone, which was used in the work done in the park. He found this rock deposit after the authorities had received a report from an expert that the park did not contain any available stone deposits, and the expert had advised purchasing Carthage stone. This discovery enabled the park board to save thousands of dollars in park construction work alone. Mr. Procter was elected county surveyor of Jackson County in 1908, and was again elected in 1912. He died Jan. 5, 1915, while serving his second term in office.

Rowland T. Procter was married Nov. 12, 1901, to Maude Millard, of Independence. To this union was born a daughter: Miss Elsie Rowland, now a sophomore in Independence High School. Mrs. Maude (Millard) Procter is a daughter of Alden C. and Elsie (Tower) Millard, natives of Berkshire County, Massachusetts,

After their marriage in 1860, at North Adams, Mass., Mr. and Mrs, Alden C. Millard removed to Chicago, Ill., and were living in that city at the time of the great fire. Mr, Millard was connected with the firm of Millard and Decker, printers and binders. In 1879 Mr. Millard removed to Saline County, Kansas, and after a residence of a few years near Salina, he came to Kansas City, and took charge of the Peru Plow and Wheel Company, in the West Bottoms. For 25 years he had charge of the pub¬ lication of the Millard Implement Directory, a valuable trade magazine, which he originated and published. He made his home in Independence for a number of years prior to his death, and was elected mayor of the city on the Republican ticket and served one term. Alden C. Millard was born July 17, 1838, and died June 8, 1909. Mrs. Millard was born July 19,

1840, in North Adams, Mass., and died Nov, 23, 1916, They are buried in Mt. Washington cemetery, where Mr. Millard had purchased one of the first lots sold in this cemetery.

The Procter family residence is situated at 1235 Main Street South. Rowland Thomas Procter was a useful citizen, whose life was well spent in behalf of his county and city. One of the things which he did in connec¬ tion with his work in beautifying Swope Park is well worth recording. He had charge of the arrangement of a box buried in the cornerstone at the entrance of the park, which contains a history of the late Thomas Swope, the donor, and the names of the parties connected with the undertaking.

Edward E. Kirby, chief deputy county clerk of Jackson County is a native of Jackson County and a member of one of the old and prominent pioneer families of this county. He was born on a farm three miles south of Buckner on June 19, 1870, and is a son of William R. and Susan R. (Capelle) Kirby.

William R. Kirby was bom in Kentucky, May 6, 1831, his parents being descendants of the first settlers of the United States. When quite a young man he moved to Texas. Coming to Missouri in 1858, he settled in the Pink Hill neighborhood and later located on a farm south of Buck¬ ner in 1868, He purchased 160 acres of land for the sum of $285. He later sold 40 acres of the farm, the remainder being in possession of the family until 1915 when it was sold. In 1862 Mr. Kirby went to California by the overland route, the trip requiring five months and 23 days across the plains and mountains. He remained on the Pacific coast until 1867 and then returned home by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Upon his return to Jackson County he settled down to farming. Mr, Kirby died Jan. 7, 1908 and his remains are buried in Blue Springs cemetery.

To William R. and Susan Kirby were born three children, as follow: Edward E. Kirby of this review; Mrs. Sallie A. Slaughter, living near Grain Valley; Durward B. Kirby, a farmer north of Grain Valley; Truston W. Kirby, cashier of the Citizens State Bank of Blue Springs. The mother of the foregoing children. Susan R. (Capelle) Kirby was born in Jackson County and was born and reared on the farm now owned by Edward E. Kirby nearly a mile west of Grain Valley. She was a daughter of Britton Capelle, a pioneer of Jackson County who came to Missouri from Kentucky in 1839. Britton Capelle w'as born in North Carolina, Oct. 12, 1809. When a child, his parents moved from North Carolina to Kentucky and after Britton had located in this county, his father came here and lived in this county until his death in 1850. Britton Capelle died in 1889 and is buried

Edward E. Kirby attended the Long Branch School and studied for two years in Woodland College, Independence. He attended business col¬ lege in Kansas City for one year. In 1895 he was appointed deputy county treasurer and served for two years in that capacity. He then returned to the farm and followed this vocation until 1907, when he went to Oklahoma and secured a farm in Comanche County, remaining there for two years. For the past seven years he has filled the office of deputy county clerk and was appointed chief deputy in the county clerk's office, Jan. 1, 1919. Mr. Kirby's farm west of Grain Valley consists of 60 acres and is devoted to fruit growing. The Kirby orchard consists of 15 acres of apple trees which produced 4,000 bushels of apples during the season of 1919.

Mr. Kirby was married in 1898 to Hattie M. Smith of Pink Hill, Mo., a daughter of Sterling and Ida Smith, the former, of whom is deceased and the latter lives in Phoenix, Ariz. Two children have blessed this union: Lena Rue, a graduate of Independence High School, now a student in Kan¬ sas University, Lawrence, Kans. ; C. E. Kirby, a student in second year high school. Independence. The Kirby residence is located at 803 West Maple street.

Richard H. Marquette, deputy assessor of Jackson County, was born in Monroe County, Mo., April 30, 1861. His parents were John A. and Violet (Roe) Marquette, natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and Vir¬ ginia.

John A. Marquette enlisted with the Confederate forces under General Porter at the outbreak of the Civil War and was killed at Kirksville, Mo., July 22, 1862. He was shot by the Federals while he was a prisoner of war, and his remains were buried at Kirksville. His widow subsequently died in Monroe County, leaving children as follow: Mrs. Sallie Barr, de¬ ceased ; Mrs. Rosa Raplee, Shelby County, Mo. ; John W. Marquette, Los Angeles, Calif.; Richard H., subject of this sketch; and Elizabeth, deceased.

After studying at Shelbina Collegiate Institute, following his primary education in the district schools of his native county, Richard H. Mar¬ quette worked on the neighboring farms. He earned money to pay his way through school by farm labor. When he was 17 years old his mother died. He followed farming until 1891 when he engaged in the manufac¬ ture of cigars at Shelbina, Mo. He next moved to Lees Summit and fol¬ lowed his trade of cigar maker in that town until he was appointed deputy county assessor in 1917.

Mr, Marquette was married Aug. 11, 1886 to Willie A. Sparks, of Shelby County, Mo., a daughter of Robert T. and Elizabeth (Warren) Sparks, both deceased. Four children have been born to this marriage: Roland A., married Helen Fenton, Lees Summit; Samuel Lee married Marie Smith, Harrisonville, Mo.; Mary, wife of Fred Burkhardt, Kansas City, Mo.; and Violet Elizabeth, a sophomore in the high school. Mr. and Mrs. Marquette have five grandchildren: Nora Lee and Mary Elizabeth Mar¬ quette; W. R. Marquette; Frederick and Billy Lee Burkhardt. The family residence is located in Lees Summit.

Mr. Marquette is a capable and honest public official and has won the confidence and high esteem of his neighbors and associates wherever he is known. He is a valued and industrious county official.

Frank Beets, proporietor of the Auto Replacement Parts Company, Independence, Mo. was born on a farm ten miles east of Independence in 1892. He is a son of J. D. and Margaret (Hifner) Beets who reside at 1016 West College street. Independence.

J. D. Beets was born in Cass County, near Harrisonville, Mo., in 1854. Mrs. Margaret Beets was born in Clay County, Mo,, in 1864. They were married near Atherton, Mo., and have reared a family of ten children as follow: Boyd, Independence; Floyd J,, Independence; Mrs. Everett Win¬ frey, Atherton ,Mo. ; Henry, a farmer near Atherton, Mo.; Frank, subject of this sketch; Ila, Mona, Thomas, Chadwick and J. D., Jr., at home.

Frank Beets was educated in the public schools and the Atherton High School where he studied for two years. Prior to engaging in his present business, he was selling Overland automobiles. When the short¬ age of repair parts occuiTed in 1918 and the difficulty of obtaining needed parts for automobiles became acute he conceived the idea of establishing a place or shop for the manufacture of auto replacement parts. Soon after¬ wards he began to make auto parts for all kinds of cars as the situation demanded. In July, 1919, Mr. Beets opened his present place in the rear of 216 West Maple street, and has beeng doing a splendid business in his special line. His shop is equipped with two automatic screw machines, one Miller's Universal tool room lathe, drill presses, emery wheels, etc., all machinery being operated by electric pow'er. Seven men are employed in this flourishing concern, two of whom are constantly on the road. So great is the volume of business done by this concern that at the present time, Mr. Beets is 60 days behind with his orders for parts. He receives orders from all parts of the country and from far off points in New York and California. He has recently been receiving inquiries from interested parties in France and England. Mr. Beets can furnish repair parts for almost any make of automobile and always assists a patron in getting parts which he, himself, can not furnish direct from his store.

Frank Beets was married in Nov., 1916, to Miss Esther Arnold, of Kansas City, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Beets have one son, Frank Arnold. The Beets family reside at 210 West College street.

Litleton Thompson Dryden, a widely known and successful attorney of Independence, Mo., is a native of Missouri. He was born in Lincoln County, Aug. 14, 1867, a son of William J. and Tymandra V. (Thompson) Dryden. William J. Dryden is also a native of Lincoln County, bom Dec. 30, 1842. His father, Litleton- Dryden, was a native of Maryland, and settled in Missouri about 1840 and spent the remainder of his life there. His wife bore the maiden name of Eleanor Johnson. They both died within two days and their remains are buried at Asbury Chapel, Lincoln County.

William J. Dryden is now living retired at Independence, Mo. His chief occupation was farming, although he was engaged in the mercan¬ tile business for a time at Troy, Mo. His wife died in 1905 and her re¬ mains are interred at Asbury Chapel, Lincoln County.

Litleton Thompson Dryden received his education in the public schools of Lincoln County, Mo., and Central College at Fayette, Mo. He then entered Hastings Law School at San Francisco, Cal., where he pur¬ sued his legal studies until 1892. After being admitted to the bar, he located at Independence in 1893 and for the past 26 years he has been actively engaged in the practice of law, and is recognized as one of the able lawyers of western Missouri.

Mr. Dryden is a Democrat and had been an active factor in his party in this section of the state for a number of years. In 1905, he was elected a member of the Legislature to represent the First District of Jackson County. Although he served but one term in the Legislature, he was recognized as one of its influential and capable members. It was through his efforts that the Independence division of the Circuit Court was estab¬ lished here.

In 1894, Mr. Dryden was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Westman, of Independence. She died a few years later, leaving one son, Theo¬ dore L. Dryden, who married Miss Mabel Linsen, of Independence, and they reside on the home farm. There was also bora to this marriage a daughter, Caroline, who died in infancy. Mr. Dryden's second marriage was with Miss Mary B. Self, of Independence. She was a daughter of

David and Louisa Self, both now deceased. They were very early set¬ tlers in Jackson County and at one time owned the land where Forest Hill cemetery is now located and on that place Mrs. Dryden was reared to young womanhood. She died May 1, 1919, and her remains rest in Forest Hill cemetery, which was once the scene of her childhood days. To Mr. Diyden's second marriage were born two children: William John¬ son and David Litleton.

Mr. Dryden resides at 310 South Osage street. Independence, and also has a summer residence on his farm, three miles southeast of Inde¬ pendence.

Dr. Minnie O. (Burks) McGraw, osteopath. Independence, Mo., is a native of Benton County, Mo. and is a daughter of Dr. E. L. and Maggie (Clemmons) Burks. Her father was born in Benton County in 1851, prac¬ ticed medicine for many years and now resides at Ada, Okla. Her mother was bom in 1869 in Tennessee. Dr. and Mrs. Burks have two children: Everett Burks and Mrs. Minnie 0. McGraw of this review.

Educated in the public schools of Denison, Texas, and in Oklahoma, Dr. M. 0. McGraw studied the science of osteopathy in the Central College of Osteopathy in Kansas City, graduating therefrom in the class of 1914. She immediately came to Independence and opened offices in this city. During the past six years. Dr. McGraw has built up a splendid practice in this vicinity and has attained a well earned reputation as a specialist in the diseases of women and children. Many patients come to her offices from nearby cities for treatment. Dr. McGraw emphasizes the importance of and insists that her patients observe carefully the rules of health, its undeniable importance and the necessity of exercise and physical culture while combatting diseases of the body. This advice, given to her patients, combined with her treatments, has resulted in building up the health of many who have availed themselves of her skill as an osteopath.

March 27, 1897, at Paul's Valley, Okla., Minnie O. Burks and Sterling P. McGraw were united in marriage. Sterling P. McGraw was born Nov. 20, 1862 in Washington County, Ark., and is a son of John and Martha (Mosely) McGraw, the former of whom was a soldier in the Confederate army during the Civil War. The McGraws migrated from South Caro¬ lina to Arkansas in the early days. To Sterling P. and Dr. Minnie 0. Mc¬ Graw have been bora four children: Gladys, wife of Kyle Bales, Kansas City, Mo. ; Geneva, Pauline and Fay, at home. The McGraw family reside at 309 South Pleasant street.

W. K. Yankee. - The real estate and insurance firm of Noel and Yan¬ kee, offices at 127 West Lexington street, on the south side of the square. Independence, Mo., is a progressive and enterprising concern which trans¬ acts a large volume of business. W. K. Yankee, senior member of this firm, is descended from Missouri pioneer ancestry and is a successful busi¬ ness man of Jackson County. He was born on a farm near Pleasant Hill, Mo., June 1, 1865, and is a son of Wesley Yankee.

Wesley Yankee was born in Kentucky, April 22, 1822, and was a son of Samuel Yankee, a native of Virginia, who first settled in Kentucky, and in 1836, he migrated to Missouri and settled in Pettis County. In 1837, he settled two miles east of Lone Jack, in Jackson County. The old home¬ stead of the Yankees is owned by Mrs. Orlena Yankee, widow of David Yankee, a brother of Wesley Y^ankee. Samuel Yankee entered several hundred acres of land near Lone Jack and died on his farm in 1879. His remains were interred on the place.

Wesley Yankee married Sarah Franklin, who was born in North Caro¬ lina in 1830, a daughter of Taliaferro and Ann (Easley) Franklin, who settled on a farm two and a half miles south of Lone Jack in 1836. Mrs. Sarah Yankee died in 1908 and is buried at Lone Jack. Taliaferro Frank¬ lin died in California in 1886. He was the first to lay a board floor in a cabin in the Lone Jack neighborhood, laying it in the cabin of John Snow. Heretofore the settlers had been content with a flooring of puncheon or hard packed earth in their homes, owing to the labor of sawing or hewing boards by hand. With the assistance of a negro slave, he whipsawed the boards, fastened them to the sills of the cabin with wooden pegs and then planed them smooth. This old cabin is still standing and is owned by Mrs. Julia Shawhan.

The children of Wesley and Sarah Yankee are as follow: Frank Yankee, a taiTner, Lone Jack, Mo.; Mrs. Fannie Thompson, four miles southeast of Lone Jack ; Mrs. Anna Smith, Cooper County, Mo. ; Mrs. A. F. Houston, Strasburg, Mo. ; J. B. Yankee, cashier of the Bank of Lone Jack, Mo. ; W. K. Yankee of this review ; and Mrs. Emma Hunt, Lone Jack. By a former marriage, Wesley Yankee had children as follow: J. A., deceased ; Samuel, deceased ; Mrs. Amelia McGlattery, deceased ; Mrs. Eliza Maxwell, now making her home with William Hunt, a son of Noah Hunt, a pioneer of Lone Jack ; and Joel died at the age of 23 years.

After attending the public schools of the county, W. K. Yankee fol¬ lowed farming for several years. From 1895 to 1897 he served as deputy county clerk. After serving in this office he resumed the pursuit of faiTu- ing until 1907. He then entered the mercantile business, and was latey engaged in the lumber business for seven years. In October, 1917, he removed to Independence and has since been engaged in the real estate, loan and insurance business.

Mr. Yankee was married in 1887 to Mary Graham of Lone Jack. She died in 1893, leaving two sons, twins: Herbert, at home; and Harry, who married Olive Kenton and lives in Kansas City. Mr. Yankee was again married in April, 1896, to Harriet Bowler, a daughter of J. O. F. and Eliza¬ beth Bowler, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Yankee's parents came from Illinois to Lees Summit in 1869.

In November, 1917, Mr. Yankee was appointed clerk of the Board of Election Commissioners, for the territory including Independence and Jackson County, outside of Kansas City. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and is past master of the order and is a mem¬ ber of Independence Chapter.

B. W. McCormick, senior member of the real estate firm of B. VV. Mc- CoiTnick and Son, which has been doing business in Independence for the past 18 years, is a native of Ohio. He was born in Washington County, March 6, 1850, and is a son of William and Isabella (Wilson) McCormick, both natives of Belmont County, Ohio. The father died in Van Wert County, Ohio, in 1854. His widow died in Fulton County, Ark., in 1907. She had married Wilson B. Farra after the death of her first husband. The children bora to William and Isabella McCormick are: B. W., of this review; and John, of Akron, Ohio.

B. W. McCormick was educated in the schools of Belmont County, Ohio, and followed farming for some time, later mining coal in his native state. In 1877, he moved to Iowa and was employed in the coal mines of that state for a few years, following which he located in Howell County, Mo., where he farmed for five years. Mr. McCormick came to Jackson County in 1884 and then went to Ray County where he remained for one year and has since made his home in and around Independence. For sev¬ eral years he followed the business of hay dealer and for the past 18 years he has been successfully engaged in the real estate, loans and exchange business with offices at 315 West Lexington street. McCormick and Son now buy and sell all kinds of real estate, farms and city property and busi¬ ness chances, and make a specialty of suburban properties.

Mr. McCormick was married Jan. 12, 1870 to Amanda Davis of Bel¬ mont County, Ohio, a daughter of James and Melvina (Brannigan) Davis. Their children are: Ellis, a coal miner, Melcher, Iowa; George, also en- gaged in coal mining at Richmond, Mo.; Joseph W., a well driller, Engle¬ wood, Mo.; Charles E., an engineer, Kansas City, Mo.; Jesse L., in partner¬ ship with his father; May E., wife of Alpha Ballinger, Kansas City, Mo. The third child born was a daughter, Emma, who became the wife of Thomas Graham and died at the age of 26 years. Mr. and Mrs. McCormick have ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren. They reside on Appleton avenue, Englewood.

J. L. McCormick, junior member of the firm, was born in Howell County, Mo., April 14, 1888, and was educated in the public and high schools of Independence. He married Martha Tweedell of Holliday, Kans., a daughter of James and Martha Tweedell. the former of whom died in 1908 and the latter lives at Holliday. J. L. and Martha McCormick have three children: B. W., Helen Jane, and Gladys Lee, who died at the age of seven years in 1917. James and Martha Tweedell were parents of eight children : James T., Holliday, Kans. ; Mrs. Belle Gillespie, Morse, Kans. ; Mrs. Mary Best, Higgins, Texas; Mrs. Tillie Greening, Holliday, Kans.; Mrs. Kate Chain, Kansas City, Mo. ; Mrs. Hattie Hall, Merriam, Kans. ; Mrs. Martha McCormick.

Oscar Mindrup, a successful real estate and loan dealer, and progressive and enterprising citizen of Independence, Mo., is a native Missourian. He was bom in St. Charles County, Jan. 25, 1861, a son of Judge Geo. H. and Catherine F. (Orf) Mindrup.

Judge Geo. H. Mindrup was bora in Hanover, Germany, in 1821 and died in 1875. He emigrated from his native land to America in 1841 and settled in St. Charles County, improved a farm in that county, reared his family there and spent the latter part of his days in Augusta, Mo. He became prominent in the county and was a leader, serving a term as judge of the western district of St. Charles County in the County Court. Mrs. Catherine Mindrup died at the age of 88 years, in the family home. She was born in Weimar Essenhauer, Saxony, Germany, and accompanied her parents to America, they also settling in St. Charles County. The Mindrup children are: Hulda Mindrup, St. Charles County, and Oscar Mindrup, of this review; Rosina, wife of Henry Freymouth, St. Charles County; and Frances, wife of W. H. Wright, Wellington, Mo.

Oscar Mindrup resided in St. Charles County until he became of age I and then located in Lafayette County where he remained for 13 years engaged in merchandising, banking, and milling. In 1896 he came to Inde- I pendence and has since identified himself, heart and soul, with the pro- ^ gressive and pushing element of his adopted city. He spent two years in the grocery business in this city and then opened his thriving real estate and loan business which he has conducted at his present location, 210 North ' Liberty street. ' and is a member of the Independence Christian church. From 1901 to 1903 he served as a member of the city council and was twice elected president of the Independence Commercial Club. He has been a steady and consistent booster for a greater Independence and is one of the real "live wires" of the city. He has been an advocate and a faithful worker for municipal improvements at all times and has done everything in his power to further the best interests of his home city.

W. F. Ramsey, who is successfully engaged in the insurance and loan business at Independence, was born in Independence, June 19, 1876. He is a son of Wesley W. and Mahala J. (Veatch) Ramsey, both natives of Bedford County, Pa. Wesley W. Ramsey was born in 1826 and died in j 1889. His wife was born in 1830 and died in 1893, and their remains are buried in Woodland cemetery. Wesley W. Ramsey learned the blacksmith trade when a youth and worked at it in early life in Pennsylvania. After coming to Iriedpendence, Mo., however, he did not follow his trade, but later engaged in the dray business. He was regarded as a wealthy man at one time, but owing to financial reverses during the boom days, he lost most of his fortune.

W. F. Ramsey w'as one of six children born of his parents, the others being as follows: Marietta, who is now the widow of Arthur W. Lockwood, Bedford, Pa.; Laura B., married Jacob Fletcher, who was a black¬ smith at Independence, and is now deceased; Jennie A., married M. A. DeVather, of Kansas City; J. Watson, who is engaged in the farm loan business at Kansas City, Mo.; Jessie V., married Melvin E. Carier, Los Angeles, Calif.

engaged in the insurance business in Independence in partnership with Walter Rider. This arrangement continued until 1913, when the partner¬ ship was dissolved and Mr. Ramsey went on the road for five years. In 1918 he engaged in the insurance and loan business at Independence, and is rapidly building up a large and profitable business. His office is located in the Owens building.

Mr. Ramsey was united in mandage June 8, 1900, with Miss Mertie M. Hills of Independence, Mo. She is a daughter of Edwin E. and Almira (Yale) Hills, residents of Independence. To Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey have been born two children, Lucille Marie and Edwin Wesley.

Mr. Ramsey is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America. He is a member of the Baptist church, of which he is one of the trustees. He is also secre¬ tary of the Sunday school.

It is worthy of note in this connection that Alexander Ramsey, an uncle of W. F. Ramsey, and now a resident of Independence, settled here in 1866. He was a close friend and associate of the late Gov. John P. St. John, former govenior of Kansas. These two gentlemen met in Illinois several years prior to the Civil War and formed a very close friendship. They made the trip together across the plains to the gold fields of Cali¬ fornia, about 1854. Later they served as comrades in the Union army during the Civil War. After the war, they came to Independence together, and Mr. St. John laid out three additions to the city of Independence. Later he went to Kansas and became twice governor of that state and while he held that position, he appointed Alexander Ramsey to a responsible posi¬ tion in the Kansas State Penitentiary at Lansing, Kan.

Samuel Rudhall Rice, dealer in automobile tires and accessories, 210 North Main street. Independence, Mo., is a native of Jackson County and a member of one of the oldest pioneer families of this section of Missouri. He was born on a farm in the Six Mile country. Fort Osage township, March 1, 1875. His parents are Michael Brown and Emma (Chiles) Rice, the former of whom was born in the same neighborhood in 1853. Emma (Chiles) Rice, his mother, was born in the Chiles Valley, Calif., and died near Sherman, Texas, in 1879.

Michael Brown Rice is a son of Michael Rice, a native of England and who was a Jackson County pioneer. He operated the Old Blue Mills, operated by water wheel power during the pioneer days. This was prob¬ ably the first grist and flour mill built in the county. Michael Rice died in this county while operating his mill. He became an extensive land owner, entering land in the days when it was practically all owned by the govern¬ ment. After his marriage, Michael Brown Rice settled on his farm near Blue Mills and developed it. This farm is located in Blue township, not far from the Missouri River. For the past 18 years he has been living at Baird, Wash. By his first marriage, with Emma Chiles, he was father of three children : Samuel R., of this review ; William Peace Rice, Meeteetse, Wy. ; George died in infancy. By a second marriage, with Miss Hortense Gallagher, he has five children; Mrs. Virginia Bechtol, Montana; Mary; Paul, Montana ; Charles, Baird, Wash. ; and Carrie, at home.

Samuel R. Rice spent one year in the State Normal School at Warrensburg. Mo., after attending the public schools. He then purchased the Fowler and Horan general store at Atherton, in partnership with R. L. Twyman. Later, George Peace purchased Twyman's interest and he also sold out to Mortimer Sullivan. Mr. Rice was engaged in business at Ather¬ ton for 11 years and then came to Independence in 1902. He followed farming until June, 1919, when he opened his present business, and is build¬ ing up a profitable trade.

Mr. Rice was married Nov. 11, 1903, to Minnie R. Carpenter, of Inde¬ pendence, who was born near Leeds, Mo. She is a daughter of Luther and Magdalena Cai*penter, both deceased. James C. Carpenter, her grand¬ father, was one of the pioneers of Jackson County. Her grandmother, Magdalena Ragan, widow of Reuben Johnson, came to this county in 1837, and her father was one of the ten men who laid out the town site of Kansas City. Mrs. Minnie R. Rice died Jan. 3, 1919, leaving five children: Helen M,, Mary L., Mildred, Michael and Alonzo. Mr. Rice resides at 1406 Van- Hoim Road. He has been affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons for the past 18 years.

W. H. Montgomei-y, deputy sheriff of Jackson County, was born on a farm in Sniabar township, March 29, 1862, He is a son of Lee and Eliza¬ beth (Holloway) Montgomery, both of whom are deceased.

Lee Montgomery was born near Louisville, Ky., in 1805 and came to Missouri about 1840, locating on a farm near Blue Springs, where he follow'^ed farming and stock raising until his death in 1891. He owned a good farm of 160 acres and was considered as one of the industrious and sub¬ stantial citizens of the Blue Springs neighborhood. His wife, Elizabeth, died in 1900. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Sophia Washington Matthews, deceased; Mrs. Amanda Gillespie, matron at the County Home; Mrs. Ophelia Vandyke, near Buckner, Mo.; Mrs. Alice Binger, Independence, Mo.; J. L., Blue Springs, Mo.; W, H., subject of this sketch; and C. C., Blue Springs. By a foraier marriage with a Miss Crump, Lee Montgomery had two daughters: Mrs. Nannie Clayton, Inde¬ pendence; and Mrs. Janie Smith, Blue Springs, Mo.

W. H. Montgomery was reared on his father's farm and attended the Round Grove school. He has always followed farming and is owner of a well improved place of 105 acres in Sniabar township, near the Lobb church. This place has been his home since 1897. For four years Mr. Montgomery was deputy marshal under Joel B. Mayes and then served for two years as deputy sheriff under Edward Winstanley. After sheriff Winstanley's death, his son Ed finished the unexpired term and Mr. Mont¬ gomery then served two years as chief deputy sheriff under sheriff Ed Win¬ stanley. For the past three years he has filled the post of deputy under sheriff Gentry.

Mr. Montgom_ery was married on Dec. 24, 1884 to Miss Kate Clark of Sniabar township, a daughter of David and Amanda (Woodruff) Clark, both deceased. Two daughters were born of this marriage : Eva, wife of A. E. White, of Blue Springs, who is mother of three children, William K., Cecil Mildred White, and Elsie, deceased.

Mr. Montgomery is a popular and efficient county official who has many warm and steadfast friends throughout Jackson County. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modem Woodmen of America, of Blue Springs.

Charles W. Brady, postmaster. Independence, Mo., was bora July 22, 1865. He is a son of John and Hester (Farrell) Brady. Both parents of C. W. Brady were born in Ireland and were married in Liberty, Mo. John Brady emigrated from his native country to America when a youth and located at Liberty, Mo., where he was engaged in the buying and selling of live stock until his removal to Independence in 1850. In 1861 he was elected city marshal of Independence and served until 1863. Soon there¬ after he purchased a farm in Blue township, one mile east of Independence and followed farming and stock raising until his death Jan. 4, 1881. Mrs. Brady died in 1901. The children born to John and Hester Brady are as follow: Mrs. T. P. Fraher, Independence, Mo.; Charles W., subject of this sketch; and John Brady, assistant postmaster. Independence, Mo.

Charles W. Brady was educated in the public schools of Independence and was reared on his father's farm. In 1886 he was appointed assistant postmaster of Independence under the late William Grosebeck and served in this position for eight years. He was appointed postmaster in 1894 under President Cleveland's second administration, and served for four years. At the expiration of this term he engaged in the retail grocery business in partnership with Jack O'Brien, who later became county treasurer. This partnership was continued for eight years and then Mr. Brady purchased his partner's interest and continued the business until June, 1913. He was then appointed postmaster of Independence by Presi¬ dent Wilson and was reappointed to the position in 1918.

Mr. Brady was married Oct. 10, 1895 to Miss Nellie O'Dowd of Kan¬ sas City, Mo., a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward O'Dowd of that city, both of whom are deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Brady have eight children: Charles, Jr., a graduate of the Kansas City Law School, and now in the employ of the City Central Bank of Kansas City; William I., a cadet in the West Point Military Academy; Gladys, at home; Joseph, in the employ of the Central Coal and Coke Company; Frank, Helen, Thomas and Agnes at home. Charles Brady, Jr. served in the United States navy for one year during the World War and was in training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station.

Mr. Brady is an excellent public official who has the best interests of the patrons of the Independence post office at heart. The best of service is afforded the people of Independence and vicinity and he has gathered around him a splendid corps of assistants. He is a member of the Brother¬ hood Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Loyal Order of Moose lodges.

Todd M. George, treasurer of Jackson County, and a leading citizen of Lees Summit, Mo., was born in Woodford County, Kentucky, Feb. 26, 1879, a son of the late Richard B. George, lawyer, banker and farmer, of Lees Summit.

Richard B. George was born in Versailles, Woodford County, Ky., in 1831 and died June 10, 1895. He was born on the site of the present Masonic Temple in that city. Mr. George studied law and was admitted to the bar in his home county in Kentucky, entered politics and was elected sheriff of Woodford County, in 1861, and served until Sept., 1862, when he resigned his office to enlist in the Confederate army. He saw much active service in the Civil War under General Buford and served for three years or until the close of the war. He then resumed his law practice and in April, 1875, he was appointed Master Commissioner of Woodford County, serving until Feb., 1883, at which time he resigned and came to Lees Sum¬ mit. He remained at Lees Summit and the Bank of Lees Summit until 1886 and then returned to Versailles. In 1889 he again came to Lees Sum- mit and made Jackson County his permanent home for the remainder of his life. Mr. George purchased the Powell Banking Company of Lees Sum¬ mit and incoiTDorated the Bank of Lees Summit, being connected with this banking concern for a number of years. He also purchased a farm of 554 acres, six miles east of Lees Summit, and after his retirement from the practice of law he made this farm his home until his death in 1895. He was married on May 30, 1860 to Martha Ann Todd, at Versailles, Ky. She was born in Frankfort, on the lot where the new state capitol building now stands, in 1840, and died at Lees Summit, Mo., Oct. 1, 1913. Richard B. and Martha (Todd) George were parents of the following children: Mrs. Mary B. James, died March 11, 1901 at Lees Summit; William B. George, Lees Summit; Henry B. died at the age of 12 years; Mrs. Bettie B. Haynes, died Oct. 4, 1916; Mrs. Annie N. Gibbons, Umatilla, Fla.; David T., Lees Summit, Mo. ; Mrs. Charles W. Latimer, Independence, Mo. ; Todd M., sub¬ ject of this review; Frank K., Lees Summit; Mrs. Patsy Barron, Kan¬ sas City, Mo.

Leaving home when 15 years old, Todd M. George has made his own way. He worked and paid his way through high school at Lees Summit, following which he was in the employ of the Green-Mills Commission Co. at the stock yards for three years. He then spent one year on a ranch in Texas. Returning home he established a real estate and fire insurance business at Lees Summit and was successfully engaged in this business until his election to the office of county treasurer of Jackson County in 1916. Mr. George is now serving his third year in this important office and is giving satisfaction to the people of the county by his capable ad¬ ministration of the affairs of the office.

Mr. George was married March 1, 1911 to Miss Florie Andrews, of Boonville, Mo. She is a daughter of the late Colonel Charles E. and Jennie E. (Dobyns) Andrews, of Boonville, and a niece of former Congressman John T. Heard of Sedalia. On her maternal side she is descended from Colonial and Revolutionary stock, her mother being a member of an old and prominent southern family. Her grandfather, David E. Andrews, was the first mayor of Boonville, and was one of the pioneer merchants of that city, owning much real estate in Boonville. Her father, Col. Chas. E. Andrews, died at Boonville, Nov. 24, 1917.

active interest in the Boy Scout movement and is much interested in local history. His interest in these affairs, leading him to organize the Lees Summit Historical Society and with the aid of the Boy Scouts of that city, he has managed to obtain the portraits of many of the old settlers of Prairie township. The city Hall of Lees Summit is the temporary head¬ quarters of the Historical Society and also the Boy Scout headquarters.

Fred Schulenberg, Union veteran, living retired in Independence, Mo., was born June 8, 1841, in Hanover, Germany. He is a son of John and Mary (Donenbarch) Schulenberg, who emigrated to America in 1855, cross¬ ing the Atlantic on board a sailing vessel which required 11 weeks to make the voyage to New Orleans. The first winter in this country was spent in St. Louis and in the following spring the family came to Independence by boat up the Missouri River, and established a home on Lexington street. John Schulenberg worked at cutting wood, later securing a team and hauled the wood to market. For a number of years he did general teaming, until his death in 1876. Mrs. Schulenberg died in 1891. They were parents of the following children: Henry, Independence; Mrs. Dorothy Reick, de¬ ceased; Fred, subject of this sketch; John, living near Independence; Wil¬ liam, living near Independence ; and Louis died at the age of 20 years.

Fred Schulenberg enlisted in the Union anny in 1862 and was in the service for six months. He was taken prisoner by the Confederates at Independence and was paroled by his captors. The following spring he went to Leavenworth, Kan. and made a trip across the plains, driving six yokes of oxen to Fort Laramie. On the return trip the train was attacked by Indians, but none of the white men were killed. After his return he joined Captain Smith's company and was stationed at Lone Jack, after the battle had been fought at that place, and was stationed at Pleasant Hill, Pink Hill and Warrensburg. After the close of the war he did teaming for Jack Little for 35 years. He helped to haul the material for the abut¬ ments of the bridge across the Blue on the Independence and Kansas City road. For the past ten years Mr. Schulenberg has been living practically retired at his pleasant home at 422 East Lexington street.

Mr. Schulenberg was maiTied Oct. 16, 1868 to Miss Catherine Albright, of Independence, a daughter of Abraham and Catherine (Kartell ) Albright, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Schulenberg was born in 1848 and ac¬ companied her mother from St. Louis in 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Schulenberg have children as follow : Mary Elizabeth, wife of John Lowe, Osawatomie, Kan. ; Fannie Louise, wife of John Gordon, Independence, Mo. ; Catherine, wife of James O'Donnell, Kansas City, Kan. ; Walter H., and John Edward.

in the automobile and tire business in Independence. The grandchildren of this fine old couple are as follow: Frederick Lowe, who served for two years in France with the engineers corps ; Arthur, now in California work¬ ing at ship building, and Leona Lowe, Fannie Gordon, Hazel O'Donnell, Gladys, Margaret and Leota O'Donnell, twins ; Edward and Fred Schulenberg. They have one great grandchild, John Douglas Peterman, a son of Harry and Leona Peterman, of Kansas City.

Walter E. Schulenberg was educated in the public and high schools of Independence. For 11 years he was rural mail carrier on Rural Route No. 2, Independence. During that time he became interested in used auto¬ mobiles and gradually built up a business in that line. He opened his present business in June, 1918, and was joined by his brother, Edward J., in 1919. Schulenberg Brothers handle several makes of automobile tires and auto accessories and do general tire repair work at their shop on 215 West Maple avenue. He was married Oct. 11, 1907 to Mary Ann Sermon, of Independence, a daughter of George and Della Sermon, who live at 904 Van Horn street. Independence. He is a member of the Masons.

Edward J. Schulenberg, when 17 years of age began to learn the blacksmith trade with J. A. McCurdy. He afterwards purchased the black¬ smith shop and operated it for four years. In January, 1919, he became associated with his brother in the tire business. He was married Dec. 23, 1913 to Margaret Barlow, who died Dec. 12, 1918. Two children were born to this marriage: Edward and Frederick.

Johnson and Sons, monument manufacturers, dealers in mausoleums, and cemetery work. Independence, Mo. is composed of P. T. Johnson and his three sons, Roy, Ray and Roily Johnson.

P. T. Johnson, the senior member of the firm, was born in Marshall County, Ky., in 1859, and is a son of W. H. Johnson of Marshall County, Ky. He developed the farm upon which P. T. Johnson was born and reared, within six miles of Benton, Ky., and died on his place in 1911 at the age of 88 years. P. T. Johnson came to Kansas City, Mo. in 1879 and for five years he was engaged in the feed business. He then established a monu¬ ment business at Liberty, Mo. and conducted it for about six years. Re¬ turning to Kansas City, he followed the same business in that city until 1899. He then came to Independence and purchased his present business of J. E. Lewis. In 1914, his three sons, Roy, Ray and Roily Johnson were taken into partnership and an extensive business covering Jackson, Cass, Lafayette and Clay counties, Mo., and Wyandotte County, Kans. has been built up. Four salesmen are in the employ of this firm.

P. T. Johnson was married in 1888 to Anna M. Branton, of Blue Springs, Mo. She is a daughter of Moses and Sarah (Stanley) Branton, the latter of whom is deceased and the former makes his home with his daughter. Moses Branton served under Stonewall Jackson in the Civil War and was captured at Gettysburg. After the close of the war he came to Jackson County.

Roy Johnson was born Dec. 12, 1889. He was educated in Independ¬ ence High School and Kansas University, and William Jewell College, gradu¬ ating therefrom in the class of 1913. He married Margnaerite E. Lowe, Sept. 22, 1915. She is a daughter of J. B. and Carrie Lowe.

Ray Johnson was born in 1891 and was educated in the Independence High School. He was married to Maud Yankee, a daughter of Samuel Yankee, and has one daughter, Frances.

P. T. Johnson and his sons are all members of the Woodmen of the World and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. All are members of the Baptist church of which Miss Ruby Johnson is the organist.

Justus DeCourcey, proprietor of the Coal and Mercantile Company, 204 West Maple street. Independence, Mo., was born in Logan County, Ky., April 9, 1863. He is a son of Anderson and Matilda (Whitlow) DeCourcey, the former of whom was a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia.

Anderson DeCourcey was born in Logan County, Ky., in 1810, and lived' all of his days in the county of his nativity, dying there Oct. 12, 1888. Mrs. Matilda DeCourcey was born in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Vir¬ ginia, in 1819 and died in Kentucky, in 1899. The children of Anderson and Matilda DeCourcey are as follow : Nannie C., wife of John Davenport, Central City, Ky. ; Elizabeth, wife of James Davenport, died at Russell¬ ville, Ky. ; Fannie, wife of James Shumwell, Elkton, Ky. ; Ellen, wife of William Goodrum, died near Bowling Green, Ky., in 1904; Philip Taylor DeCourcey, died at Poplar Bluffs, in 1904; Susan K., wife of John Hilton, Elkton, Ky.; Mittie C., wife of J. R. Boley died in Florida in 1916; Dual Anderson, died in Washington, in 1916; Mollie L., wife of P. P. Woody, Independence Mo.; Justus DeCourcey, of this review.

Anderson DeCourcey was a son of J. DeCourcey, who was born in Charleston, S. C., and settled in Kentucky when much of the state was a wilderness. He was one of the pioneers of Kentucky and located his

Justus DeCourcey attended the public schools of his native state and studied for one term at the Louisburg High School. For 23 years he was engaged in farming in Kentucky and spent one year at Sharon Grove, Ky., in the mercantile business. He came to Jackson County in May, 1889, and soon after settling in Independence he opened a coal and grain business. He was associated with Messrs. Woodson and Lewis for five years in the coal and grain business, when he sold out his interest in the business to W. T. Frazier and opened up his present store. Mr. DeCourcey handles coal, grain, farm and garden seeds and feeds and has an excellent and profitable trade.

Mr. DeCourcey was married in July, 1903 to Mrs. Emma Lowdell of Independence, a native of Mississippi, who was reared near Manhattan, Kan. By a former marriage she has one daughter. Miss Cordelia Lowdell, who graduated from the Christian Hospital, in June, 1919, as a trained nurse, and is now nursing in this hospital in Kansas City.

Mr. DeCourcey has served one term as a member of the Independence city council. He is affiliated with Independence Camp Number 22, Wood¬ men of the World.

Mr. and Mrs. DeCourcey reside at Norwood, just outside of the city limits, where they have a beautiful stone residence, erected in 1909, con¬ taining nine rooms and located in a fine setting of trees and lawn, which forms an attractive part of a two acre plot on which the residence stands.

Ray Henry Schulenberg, member of the grocery firm of Curran, Schulenberg and Hausam, Independence, Mo., is a native of Jackson County. He was born July 4, 1891 and is a son of William and Mary (SwilTle) Schulen¬ berg, the former of whom was born in Germany and emigrated from his native land to America in 1849, first settled in Kansas City and then came to Independence, locating on a farm in this vicinity. Mr. Schulenberg fol¬ lowed farming for several years in this county and is now making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Nellie Liddle, on the Lees Summit and Nel¬ son Road. Mrs. Schulenberg is deceased. The children of the family are : Louis, Willie and Clarence on Kentucky avenue in Blue township ; Amieda, wife of Arthur L. Curran; Dora, wife of C. 0. Davis; Ray Henry, of this review; Leonard, residing on the Lees Summit Road; Nellie, wife of W M Liddle.

and became associated with his present firm in May, 1918. He was mar¬ ried Sept. 30, 1912 to Lou Belle Smith, a daughter of H. H. and Sarah (Harding) Smith, both of whom reside in Atherton, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Schulenberg have two children: Lee Roy and Chester Schulenberg.

Mr. Schulenberg is one of the live young business men of Independ¬ ence, and the firm with which he is actively associated is a leading one in Independence. He is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose.

Fred S. Ciai'k, proprietor of the Entei-prise Cleaning and Dyeing Shop, on West Lexington street. Independence, Mo., was born in Champaign County, Illinois, Dec. 15, 1876. His parents were John M. and Sarah (Casey) Clark, the former of whom is deceased.

John M. Clark was bom in Cincinnati, Ohio, and learned the trade of carpenter in his youth. He located at Champaign, in Champaign county, Illinois, and followed his trade and was a contractor and builder for many years, and later moved to Decatur, Moran County, Illinois. .He died Jan. 18, 1914, aged 76 years. Mrs. Sarah Clark was born Oct. 3, 1838, and resides at Decatur, Ill. Their children are as follow: Lon P. Clark, Webster Grove, Mo.; Nellie Clark, Decatur, Ilk; Will T. Clark, Minneapolis, Minn.; Bert A. Clark, Mobridge, S. D. ; Emma, wife of George Ford, Illiopolis, Ill. ; Fred S. Clark, of this sketch. All of the foregoing children held a family reunion at the homestead in Decatur, Ilk, Oct. 3, 1919.

After leaving high school in Decatur, Fred S. Clark was messenger boy for the Wabash Railway Company for three years, earning $25 per month. He was then employed in the gas department of the Decatur Gas and Elec¬ tric Company for some time. Mr. Clark came to Jackson County and en¬ tered the employ of the Kansas City Gas Company, and was in the employ of this concern for nine years. In 1912 he opened up his present shop,

1 catur. Ilk, a daughter of Dr. D. D. and Ellen C. (Jamieson) Abrams, the j former of whom died April 26, 1918, and latter resides at 206 South Osage

Thomas W. Records, living retired at 417 West Maple street, Inde¬ pendence, former merchant and banker of Blue Springs, was born in Sus¬ sex County, Del, May 13, 1841. He is a son of William D. and Eunice J. (Phillips) Records, both natives of Delaware.

Milliam D. Records was a son of William Records, also a native of Sussex County, Del. Eunice J. (Phillips) Records was a daughter of Spencer Phillips, member of an old Sussex County family. Both of the parents of Thomas W. Records died in their native county, his father dying in June, 1897, and his mother Dec. 30, 1853. Their children were: Mary Spicer, Willard S., George W., John B., Lavinia, William B., Rob¬ ert S. and Thomas W., all of whom are deceased except the subject of this sketch.

Thomas W. Records was educated in the public schools in his native county and the Academy at Laurel, Del. He left home and came west in 1865 and after remaining a year in Kansas City he located at Old Blue Springs and established the first general store in that locality in operation after the Civil War before the town was platted and prior to the advent to the railroad. His first store was a small affair in a room 16 x 24 feet. About this time, David Mock, an uncle of Mrs. Records was appointed postmaster of Blue Springs, but resigned not long afterwards and Thomas W. Records was appointed to fill the place. He conducted the post office in connection with his store and built up an extensive retail business and also dealt in country produce which he would gather among the farmers and haul to the Kansas City markets. In those days, eggs were packed in straw and placed in barrels and boxes with straw between them.

In 1875 Mr. Records traded his store for a part of the Morgan Walker farm near Blue Springs, famous in Jackson County history in connection with the exploits of Quantrell's band. He sold the farm in 1881 and again engaged in business in Blue Springs, becoming associated with M. V. Dillingham, and taking in as a partner in 1888, E. C. Ford, who is still connected with the store. The Blue Springs Mercantile Company was then incorporated with a capital of $15,000. In 1883, Mr. Records with others purchased the E. B. Fields Bank at Blue Springs and incorporated the Bank of Blue Springs for $16,000. Mr. Records was elected presi¬ dent of the bank and served until March, 1918, when he resigned. Sev¬ eral years prior to this he had sold his interest in the store. He re¬ moved to Independence in August, 1918.

Mr. Records was married April 16, 1868 to Stella Ellington of Platte County, Mo. Mrs. Stella Records was born Sept. 3, 1842 in Platte County and died Jan. 1, 1919. She was a daughter of Pleasant W. and Armilda (Talbott) Ellington, pioneer settlers of Platte County, who were parents of three children: Mrs. Sophia Beshear, Camden Point, Mo.; Mrs. K. B. Cecil, East Leavenworth, Mo. ; and Mrs. Stella Records.

William P. Records is a traveling salesman living at Lawton, Okla. He was born April 17, 1869, and married Nellie Dillingham of Blue Springs, and has two children, Helen Estelle and Mary Malvina, the former of whom married Harry Mitchell, resides at Vinta, Okla., and has a daugh¬ ter, Marcelle.

Thomas H. Records was born Jan. 17, 1878 and died Sept. 10, 1914. He was graduated from the State University at Columbia and specialized in journalism. He married Lavenia Bouchelle of Columbia, a graduate of Christian College. She died Jan. 14, 1903, leaving a daughter, Lavenia Bouchell, now a senior in William Chrisman High School, Independence. Thomas H. Record was married the second time to Bertha Carr of Walters, Okla., and two children were bom of this marriage: Thomas Herbert, Jr., bora Nov. 26, 1905 and Dorothy Estelle, born Oct. 1, 1908.

Lewis Maupin, operating a horse and mule market at 120 East Lex¬ ington street has for the past 23 years been dealing extensively in horses and mules in this section of Missouri. During the World War, Mr. Maupin did the most extensive business in buying and shipping of horses and mules of any dealer in this section outside of Kansas City. His whole life has been spent, practically, in the business.

Mr. Maupin was born at Richmond, Madison County, Ky., May 21, 1856. He is a son of Thomas Jefferson and Jennie (Lackey) Maupin, both natives of 'Kentucky, and who are mentioned prominently in the History of Madison County. Daniel Maupin, grandfather of Lewis Maupin, was a Virginian who became one of the early pioneers of Kentucky. The chil¬ dren of the Maupin family are: Dorcas, deceased; Mrs. Mattie Chora, de¬ ceased; Mrs. Maggie Terrill. Richmond, Ind. ; Mrs. Alice Albright, deceased; Lewis Maupin, subject of this sketch; Edna, deceased; Mrs. Mary Chorn, Fayette, Mo. ; and Mrs. Susie Chorn, Fayette, Mo.

After receiving his education in his native state, Lewis Maupin en¬ gaged in the business of buying and selling of horses and mules. In 1897 he came to Independence and established his present flourishing business.

Mr. Maupin has built up a splendid reputation as an honest and dependable dealer throughout this section of Missouri and handles hundreds of ani¬ mals yearly.