Johnson County, Missouri - - Biographical, 1918 (part 4 of 19)

Louis Baird came to Alissouri from Jellico. in tlie eastern part of Tennessee, and located on a farm in Cole county, prior to the Civil War. Later, he moved with his family from Cole county to Raymondville, Texas county, where he was residing at the time of his death. May 2, 1903. Burial was made in the cemetery at Old Lebanon church. Mr. Baird was a capable, industrious, highly esteemed citizen, a man of genial, kindly manners, possessing countless friends. Mrs. Baird makes her home with her son, John B., in Warrensburg. She is now, in 1917, in her ninety-first year and until the last year has been as active as one much younger than she. For the past year, Mrs. Baird has been blind, but, with marvelous fortitude and strength of spirit, she is bravely and cheerfully bearing the affliction that has blighted the closing years of a good, pure, useful life. There is no one in Johnson county more worthy of great respect and honor than Mrs. Hannah Baird.

John B. Baird, a prominent citizen of Warrensburg, a highly skilled marble and granite cutter of the firm of Baird & Townsend, was born July 12, 1871, in Texas county, Missouri, near Raymondville. He is the son of Louis and Hannah (Broyles) Baird, both of whom were natives of Campbell county, Tennessee. Louis Baird was born October 14. 1824, and Hannah (Broyles) Baird was born March 6, 1827. They were united in marriage at Jellico, Tennessee, December 25, 1845, and to them were born the following children: Tasy and Nancy, twins, born in 1846; Louis and Hannah, twins, who both died seven weeks after birth: Mrs. Elizabeth McKinney, deceased; Mrs. Keisiah Benefield, deceased; Mrs. Martha J. McKinney, Elston, Missouri: Mrs. Samantha Smith, Nile, Missouri: Mrs. Eliza Emaline Cook, Yeiser, Colorado; Mrs. Margaret Y. Birlew, deceased; Mrs. Rebecca Demaries Gilmore: Mrs. Mary Faulkner Lemons, Birchtree, Missouri; Lawson Bell Wallace, Mountaingrove, Missouri; John Bowman, the subject of this review ; and one child died in infancy. The father's death occurred May 2, 1903. During the Civil War he served in the Missouri State Militia at Centertown, Missouri, in Captain Wilhite's company and Colonel Terry's regiment. He was a Union man and a life-long Democrat. The mother has made her home with her son, John Bowman, since the death of her husband. She is now ninety-one years of age and although afflicted with blindness for the past year, Mrs. Baird is still able to walk about the home.

John B. Baird received his education in the public schools of Te.xas county, Missouri. He was obliged to walk six miles to go to school. Init he was an ambitious lad- and enthusiastic about learning. He early in life learned the carpenter's trade and at the age of twenty-three years began life for himself. -working at his trade and farming. Mr. Baird came to Warrensliurar, in 1898 and was emi')lo\-ed in work on the now court house the first year he Hved in this city. He did his first work in stone cutting with T. F. Bailey, the veteran marble cutter of Warrensburg, in 1898. In the same year, the firm of Farley Brothers entered the marble and granite business in Warrensburg. succeeding T. F. Bailey. In 1908. Baird & Townsend succeeded Farley Brothers and have continued the business to the present time. This firm has their business establishment at 113 and 115 Fast Pine street. Thev have a large patronage and no dissatisfied customers.

April 1, 1893, John B. Baird and Lula Hayden were united in marriage. Lula (Hayden) Baird is the rlaughter of Frank T. and Frankie (Meadows) Hayden. Mrs. Hayden was born in Washington county, Virginia. Her death occurred in 1897 and interment was made in Jacobia Chapel cemetery. Mr. Hayden is now residing at Columbus, Missouri. To John B. and Lula Baird have been born two children: Eula May, who is a graduate of the Warrensburg State Normal School in the class of 1916. and for the past year was engaged in teaching, and is now located at Cody, Wyoming; Nada, who is a student in the Warrensburg State Normal School. Mr. and Mrs. Baird reside at 111 Broad street in a handsome, modern residence, a home of ten rooms, and all the latest conveniences. Mr. Baird has a workshop in connection with his garage, and in his little shop does much of his work. He possesses ability as a cabinet worker and his excellent taste and skill are manifested in his home.

Mr. Baird is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World and the Court of Honor. Mr. and Mrs. Baird are valued highly among Johnson county's most respected citizens.

Laura L. Runyon, the associate professor of history in the \\'arrensburg State Normal School, was born in Springfield. Illinois, the daughter of John C. and Harriet ("Chase) Runyon, the former a native of New Jersey and the publisher of the "Courier News" at Plainfield, in that state, at the time of his death. Miss Runyon is of Scotch and French descent and a member of one of the most distinguished families in America. The genealogy of her mother, Harriet (Chase) Runyon, traces back to the same ancestors as those of the renowned Salmon P. Chase, an American statesman. Secretary of the Treasury from 1861 until December, 1864, and then chief justice o£ the Supreme Court of the United States until his death in 1873. To. John C. and Harriet

(Chase) Runyon were born the following children: Orrin E., deceased; David M., Plainfield, New Jersey; Elma H., Plainfield, New Jersey; Laura L., the subject of this review; Charles \\\, Plainfield, New Jersey; Harry C, Plainfield, New Jersey; Marian, the wife of C. L. Moffett, of Lebanon, New Jersey; and Adalaide, the wife of Gerald Ollifif, who is at the time of this writing, on the battleship "Oklahoma" in the United States Navy. The Runyon family have long been prominent in the historical annals of this country and was one of the leading colonial families. The ancestors of John C. Runyon came to America in 1682 and settled in that section of New Jersey, which later became Union county. Isaac Goodrich, a great-great-grandfather of Laura L. Runvon, was a veteran of the Revolutionary War. Both parents of Miss Runyon are now deceased.

The elementary education of Laura L. Runyon was received in the public schools and the high school of Plainfield, New Jersey. After completing the high school course, she entered the University of Chicago, from which institution she is a graduate and has her master's degree. Miss Runyon was engaged in teaching in the elementary schools of the university for five years prior to coming to Warrensburg in 1903. At that time she was employed as superintendent of the Normal Training School. She is now^ associate professor in the department of history and conducts classes in the State Normal School. Miss Runyon has charge of four courses in Modern History - Greek, Roman, Methods in History, and Nineteenth Century History.

Miss Runyon is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a charter member of the Warrensburg chapter. She now holds the position of regent. She has taken an active and commendable interest in locating historical spots in Johnson county and was the one who suggested the marking of the grave of Martin A\'arren. which act was perhaps the first of the countless valuable ones of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The city of Warrensburg was named in honor of Martin Warren.

William E. Sutton, secretary and treasurer of the Roseland Farm & Manufacturing Company of Warrensburg. was born in Warrensburg township in 1876. He is the son of J. W. and Nannie E. (Coats) Sutton, the former, a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Johnson county. J. W. Sutton was born near Danville. Kentucky, the son of William Sutton. Sr.. and when eight years of age came to Missouri with his parents, who settled on land about four miles east of Warrenshurg, which Mr. Sutton entered from tiie government early in the fifties. William Sutton was engaged in farming and was a prosperous and well-known citizen of Johnson county. His death occurred on the old home place and interment was made in the Sutton cemetery. Nannie E. (Coats) Sutton is the daughter of Bowen Coats, an honored and esteemed pioneer of Johnson county, and Lucinda (Warren) Coats, a grandchild of JMartin \\'arren. in whose honor the city of Warrensburg was named. J. ^^'. and Nannie E. Sutton are the parents of the following children: Lillian, the wife of Arch Greim, of \\'arrensburg: William E., the subject of this review: and Bertie, who is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Sutton reside in Warrensburg township on the farm five miles southeast of \\'arrensburg. where William E., the subject of this review, was born. [Mr. Sutton is an industrious, efficient farmer and stockman and the owner of a splendid stock farm of two hundred seventy-six acres of valuable land.

The primary education of William E. Sutton was obtained in the country schools of Warrensburg township. - He later entered the Warrensburg State Normal School and also was a student in the Gem City Business College at Ouincy, Illinois, after leaving the Normal School For several years after completing his school work, Mr. Sutton was engaged in teaching school in Johnson county. In 1910, he accepted a position with the Roseland Earm & ^Manufacturing Company as bookkeeper. At the present time lie is secretary and treasurer of the company.

The Roseland Earm & Manufacturing Company manufactured ice and pork products. In winter they sell fresh meats and in the summer time sell the cured and packed meats and manufactured ice. The company employs usually fifteen men and they have an excellent and profitable business. ^\'illiam E. Sutton pays the closest attention to all the details of the trade and much of the success which the company has deservedly had is due in no small measure to his careful management of the finances and general supervision.

Eebruary 19. 1913. William E. Sutton and Mabel Cline were united in marriage. Mrs. Sutton is the daughter of J. E. and Emily Cline. of Pueblo, Colorado. Mr. Cline is now deceased and Mrs. Cline resides with her daughter, Mrs. William E. Sutton. To William E. and Mabel (Cline) Sutton has been born one child, a daughter, Vivian. Mr. and Mrs. Sutton reside at 347 East Market street in Warrensburg.

James H. Hering, late prominent hardware and lumber merchant of Centerview for a quarter century, was a native of Maryland. He was born in 1838 in Frederick county, a son of Joshua and Susanna Hering, both or whom were members of leading colonial families of Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Hering were the parents of the following children, who are now living: Mrs. Joseph C. Martin, Thurmont, Maryland; Mrs. F. A. Norris, Steelton, Pennsylvania; Dr. D. W. Hering, New York City; F. E., Wilmington, Delaware; and John M., the well known citizen of Johnson county, of the Realty Securities Corporation. Both father and mother have long since been deceased.

The Herings resided for many years in the city of Baltimore and there James H. Hering spent most of his boyhood days and early manhood. During the Civil War, Mr. Hering enlisted with the Army of the Potomac and served throughout the four years of conflict, being mustered out and honorably discharged in 1865, with the rank of first lieutenant. In the year after the war had ended, in 1866, James H. Hering came to Warrensburg, Missouri two or three weeks after the Repp family had moved from Maryland to Johnson county. Mr. Hering located at Centerview a few years later and engaged in the hardware and lumber business, following this vocation for nearly twentysix years.

In 1867 James H. Hering and Sarah Repp, daughter of Ephraim B. Repp, of Warrensburg, Missouri, but a former resident of Maryland, were united in marriage. To this union were born nine children, six of whom are now living: Mrs. Mary S. Hunter, Newton, Kansas; Mrs. Jessie Delaney, Centerview, Missouri; J. Clinton, Washington, D. C. ; Margaret E., the wife of Rodney Hull, of Centerview, Missouri ; Elizabeth, the wife of Raymond Graham, of Los Angeles, California; and E. P., Centerview, Missouri, who is one of the owners now of his father's hardware establishment. For four years after their marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Hering resided at Fort Smith, Arkansas. Mr. Hering was a carpenter by trade and he was engaged in this occupation many years. He purchased eighty acres of land south of Warrensburg, when he first came to Missouri, and four years later sold this tract and settled in Centerview. He succeeded well in the mercantile business and was known all over Johnson county.

Republic and he had been an earnest and consistent Christian, a member of the Baptist church for forty years. As there was no Baptist church in Centerview, Mr. Hering worked with tlie Presbyterians. He was deeply interested in educational and all public matters and in the advancement of his community and his long life of seventy-two years and six months was spent in nobly doing his part in aiding the growth and development of his chosen county. The following is an extract copied from an article, relative to the loss of James H. Hering, which appeared in the local paper at the time of his death in 1911;

"Mr. Hering was a man of irreproachalde character, with a circle of friends as large as his acquaintanceship, and he will ])e sadly missed, b}' Centerview and Johnson county. * * *

"The funeral of J. H. Hering at Centerview, \\'ednesday, was attended by an immense concourse of people, gathered to pay the last sad tribute to a beloved citizen. The stores of Centerview were all closed, the merchants and clerks attending the funeral. A touching sermon was preached by Re\erend J. ( ). Staples and the body of a good man was laid to rest. Mr. ?Iering made no claim to greatness and was a man of unostentatious disposition, l:)ut lie left the greatest memorial of all - an unsullied reputation."

The widow of James H. Hering owns the homestead and her son, E. P., and his family make their home with her in Center\iew. In 1911, E. P. Hering and Edward Repp formed a partnership and assumed charge of the hardware and luml)er Inisiness formerly owned by Mr. Hering's father. They are at this time carr} ing a stock valued at twenty thousand dollars. Their business slogan is, "Everything with which to build." Mr. Hering and Mr. Repp are both excellent business men and have a host of friends, who desire that the new firm succeed as well as did the old in the mercantile world.

In 1907, E. P. Hering was united in marriage with Plarriet Cecil Gow'ans, daughter of A. D. and Alary Gowans, pioneers of Johnson county. To this union have been born two children: Pauline and James, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Hering are highly regarded in Centerview, where they are numbered among the best citizens.

William Shockey, president of the Roseland Earm & Manufacturing Company of Warrensburg, was born one mile east of St. Louis, Missouri, on the home place of the Shockeys. which was located oit the banks of Horseshoe Lake. He was born in 1869. the son of John E. and Wary E. (Beems) Shockey, the former a native of Kentuckey and the latter of IlHnois. They were the parents of the following children: Josie B., the wife of Charles B. Ming, formerly of Warrensburg, but now residing in Los Angeles, California; who is the son of the honored pioneer of A\'arrensburg, in whose honor the street was named ^Nling: Kate S., the wife of Albert ^lorrow, now deceased, and she resides in Jefferson City. Missouri; Nellie S., the wife of John F. Grote, of Clinton. Iowa; Lovell, who was a well-known citizen of St. Louis, Missouri, who died in 1914 and he was interred in the cemetery at Warrensburg; and Mayme, wife of Edgar M. Scott, of St. Louis, Missouri.

John E. Shockey moved with his family to Johnson county in 1871 and settled in Warrensburg, where he was for a long time engaged in conducting a livery, feed and sale stable. He later entered the mercantile business in partnership with W. H. Lee, the firm owning a hardware store where the Citizens Bank is now located. Mr. Shockey abandoned the hardware business and engaged in the grocery business, associated with Alex O. Redford and J. Ray Kelley. He was succeeded in business by his son, William Shockey, in 1892. The father died in 1903 and was buried in the Warrensburg cemetery. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Shockey has resided in St. Louis, Missouri.

William Shockey attended the public schools of ^^^arrensburg and the Warrensburg State Normal School and completed the C course in 1887. He was for a number of years employed I^y the mercantile firm, Shockey & Kelle3^ in Warrensburg. Later, William Shockey and Dean S. Redford were associated in business, under the firm name of Redford & Shockey. Mr. Shockey purchased Mr. Redford's interest in the firm and for several years conducted the grocery business alone, until 1905. Since 1907 he has devoted his entire attention to the interests of the Roseland Farm & Manufacturing Company, of which he is president. William Shockey is also general manager of the company and has sole charge of the sales department. William E. Sutton and Arch Greim attended to the buying.

The Roseland Farm & Manufacturing Company began business on the farm belonging to Charlie Baile near Pertie Springs, in 1898. The low price of hogs in 1897 was the underlying cause, responsibile for the establishment of this factorv. At this time. William Shockey was in the grocery business, his store being located on Pine street in AA'arrensburg. Mr. Baile raised and fed hogs extensively and he killed the animals, made sausage, cured the hams, and made other products, which Mr. Shockey handled through his store and assisted in marketing all the products, which he was unable to sell in his store. This firm made a specialty of country-cured sausage and hams and they furnished the best hotels and restaurants with their products. The first year, 1898, about three or possibly four hundred hogs were killed. The business has grown marvelously within the past score of years and six thousand hogs were killed during the past vear.

In 1907, Mr. Shockey purchased the interest of Mr. Baile and moved the factory to the Eureka Mills building, the location of the first large mill in Johnson county, and has continued the business at this place ever since that time. The company employs fifteen men the entire year. They sell both fresh and cured meats. In 1909, the firm began the manufacture of ice in connection with their meat business and they now have a large storage plant for ice in connection with their factory. This plant has a storage capacity of one thousand tons of ice and the walls of the building are seventeen inches in thickness, with four inches of cork lining the entire structure. The cost of the cork alone was three thousand dollars. The pump capacity is forty gallons a minute. The well, an eight hundred foot drilled well, used in connection with the manufacture of ice. furnishes water for cooling purposes alone, as the ice is manufactured from the city water. The plant ordinarily has a capacity of fifteen tons of ice each day, with a storage of thirty tons, used in connection with their meat products. The meat is smoked with green hickory wood. The Roseland Farm & ^Manufacturing Company own their electric light plant and. in 1917. are installing a fertilizing plant. The meats in storage are kept at a minimum temperature of thirty-four degrees and every sanitary precaution is taken in the handling of the products. The demand for these products is much greater than the production. The company owns fifteen acres of land within the city limits of Warrensburg and their plant is located at 333 and 335 East Gay street on the railroad switch. This business establishtnent is one of which Johnson county is proud to claim.

April 27. 1898, William B. Shockey and Blanche Harwood were united in marriage. Mrs. Shockey is the daughter of Robert B. and Rosa E. (DesCombes) Harwood. Robert B. Harwood was one of the most respected of the brave pioneers of Johnson county. He served the county as county clerk for two terms. Mr. Harwood was one of Warrensburg's best citizens and his death was the source of the deepest regret in this community. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Harwood has made her home with her daughter, Mrs. William Shockey. To William B. and Blanche (Harwood) Shockey have been born two children: William Harwood and Eleanor Blanche. Mr. and Mrs. Shockey reside at 408 Normal avenue, in Warrensburg.

\\illiam Shockey is affiliated with the Corinthian Lodge No. 265, of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and the Demolay Chapter No. 26. of the Royal Arch Masons. He is one of Johnson county's progressive citizens.

Ben T. Sams, one of \Varrensburg's successful business men, was born in Franklin county, Missouri, in 1860. He is the son of Edward and Jessey ( Oxley) Sams, both of whom were natives of England. Edward Sams was born in ^^'are, the son of John Hill Sams, who was a native Englishman. When Edward was a young man, the Sams familv went to Australia, during the period of the excited rush to the gold fields there, and they remained in that country nearly five years. Edward Sams was one of the first men in the Ballarat mines of New South Wales. Jessey (Oxley) Sams was born in London and with her parents went to Australia, where she met and was united in marriage with Edward Sams. The two families returned to England and thence came to Missouri about 1856, settling in Johnson county in 1867, after a temporary sojourn in Franklin county. John Hill Sams manufactured an excellent quality of English ale, but as the settlers of Missouri preferred beer to ale, his business venture was unsuccessful.

AVhen the Sams family moved to \\"arrensburg, Edward Sams established a factory at the corner of Culton and Warren streets, where he engaged in the manufacture of pop. The product of this factory was shipped to Clinton, Lexington, Sedalia, Kansas City, Missouri, and Leavenworth, Kansas and to many smaller places. The water used in the manufacture of this beverage was obtained from the well, which is located on the Henry Love property. Pop then retailed at ten cents a bottle, a case of two dozen bottles costing one dollar and thirty-five cents. The cork was held in the bottle by a wire, which must be pushed off and the gas inside the bottle would then force out the cork with a loud pop, and thus the drink came by its. name here. John Hill, Sams and his family were intimate friends of Gen. Francis j\l. Cockreil and of J. H. Houx and his family, all being members of the Cnmberland Presbyterian church of Warrensburg. Nellie Sams, the wife of John Hill Sams, died in 1880 and two years later her husband died and the remains of both are interred in the cemetery at Warrensburg. The death of their son, Edward Sams, occurred in 1905 in Warrensburg. His wife survived him but four years, her death occurring in Warrensburg in 1909. They are buried in the cemeterv at Warrensburg. Edward and Jessey (Oxley) Sams were the parents of the following children: George Anglesey, who was born on board ship "Anglesey" en route to England from Australia just as the vessel was rounding Cape Horn, and he is now residing at Portland. Oregon, where he is engaged in the harness business, being a saddler bv trade: Ben T., the subject of this re\iew: Walter, who was a jeweler and inventor, formerly in the jewelry business in Warrensinn-g, one of his inventions being the Sams' blowpipe, which is used by all up-to-date dentists and jewelers, and his death occurred July 6, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois: Eleanor, who is the wife of J- P. Christopher, of Shre\eporl, Louisiana : \\'illiam E., who for twenty-five years was engaged in the jewelry business in Clinton, Missouri, and is now emplo}-ed as salesman with the Jaccard Jewelry Company of Kansas Cit}-, Missouri: James. a druggist. Ocean Park, California.

Ben T. Sams received his education in the city schools of Warrensburg. He was a student in the Warrensburg State Normal School when Professor Osborn, as principal, sent young Sams home one day for lack of application to the study of grammar. The lad found it sometimes difficult to concentrate his attention upon subjects distasteful to him and his mind would wander to the life outside the walls of the school room. Ben T. Sams was a youth of much pride and he never returned to school. Years afterward. Professor Osborn desired a range for his home and he came to make his purchase at the hardware store owned by Mr. Sams. Mr. Sams sold the range to the professor and took it to his home. A\'hile he was employed in putting up the stove, the professor said. "Mr. Sams, do you remember the day I sent you home from school J"" Mr. Sams remembered it as well as if it had occurred but the preceding day. "Well." said the professor, "P remember it distinctly, too, and I realize that I made a ^reat mistake.- I have leanred a whole lot more about boys and their management since that time." A friendship between the two men was cemented by this talk and when Professor Osborn died no one felt the loss more keenly than did Ben T. Sams.

After leaving school, Mr. Sams was employed in a hardware store on Holden street, which store was owned by the firm, Magoon & Billingsley. He was associated in business with his father for one year and then, at the age of nineteen years, went on a ranch in Vernon county, Missouri, with J. P. Christopher. They developed a splendid farm from virgin prairie land and after two years Ben T. Sams purchased his partner's interest and for two and a half years was engaged in farming alone, when he sold the farm and returned to ^^'arrensburg. Mr. Sams entered the meat business with his father and he later formed a partnership with E. N. Warnick and engaged in the hardware business in 1890. The partnership was dissolved in 1902 and for several years Mr. Sams was connected with the Wholesale Grocery business in Warrensburg. He is now employed in looking after his farming interests, owning one farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Hickory county, Missouri, one farm of two hundred acres in Warrensburg township, which is known as the Kelley place and an interest in two other farms.

May 20. 1882, Ben T. Sams and Roberta Whitfield were united in marriage. Roberta (Whitfield) Sams is the daughter of J. C. ^^'hitfield and Jane (Holt) Whitfield, both of whom are now deceased. The father died in Warrensburg and the mother in Bates county and both are buried in Bates county. To Mr. and Mrs. Sams has been born one child, a daughter. Myrtle Eleanor, the wife of Leslie L. Lobban, of Warrensburg. Mr. and Mrs. Sams purchased their present home at 210 West Gay street in 1884, which is one of Warrensburg's beautiful, modern homes, surrounded by a well-kept lawn.

John H. Werling, the well-known grocer of Warrensburg. was born April 28. 1883, in Warrensburg. He is the son of John and Caroline ^^'erling, both natives of Germany. They immigrated to America in 1877 and located in Illinois, remaining there one year, when they moved to Missouri on a farm four miles southeast of Warrensburg. Mr. and Mrs. John Werling now reside in the city of Warrensburg at 607 East Grover street in the home which has been theirs for nearly twentynine years. To John and Caroline Werling have been born the following children : Tracer, now deceased : Lizzie, wife nf Harvev Eller,

Warrensburg; John H.. tlie suhjocl of this review: Merritt, with his parents: Edward, married Chira Pouch, and resides in Warrenslnn-g ; and Lawrence, married Alary Pouch, and resides in Warensburg.

John H. A\"erling attended tlie city scliools oi Warrensburg and at the age of eighteen years he began life for himself, in the dairy business. He was thus engaged for six years and then he learned the shoemaker's trade. Mr. Werling went to Ft. Smith, Arkansas, when the shoe factory of Warrensburg; was moved to tliat place, and remained in that city one and a half years working at his trade. Later, he went to Texas, where he was engaged in tlie lumlier Inisiness, having charge of the shipping yards of the C. R. Cummins Lumber Company for six years. In 1909. John H. Werling returnetl to A\arrensl)urg and entered the grocery business, opening a store in the building, which he liouglit from X. H. Baxter, wdiich was located at 501 East Market street. The business increased to such proportions that Mr. Werling was obliged to have a much larger building, which he built, and he now is the owner of one of the finest groceries in the city of Warrensburg. The building is a well-built structure, 25 x 50 feet, and the residence adjoining the store has a large concrete basement, which is used as a storage room.

April 20, 1904, John H. Werling was united in marriage with ^Minnie A. Maledon. daughter of Jacob and Lizzie Alaledon, one of the honored pioneer families of Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Jacol) Maledon died January 24, 1905, and his widow now resides in Ft. Smith. Jacob and Mrs. Maledon were the parents of the following children : Mary, the wife of Hugh Seaborn, a prominent stockman of Holden, CJklahoma : Katie, a sister in St. Benedict's Convent at Clarksville, Arkansas; Ida, the wife of W. L. Glauser, who is foreman of the Southern Pacific machine shops at Houston, Texas: Andrew, employed by Pierce's shoe store at Ft. Smith, Arkansas: Carrie, married Monta Baxter and died June 24, 1S95: Lena, the wife of Charles Hatfield, a well-known business man of Dumright. Oklahoma: Minnie .\., wife of John H. Werling. the subject of this review: Joe. unmarried, resides at Ft. Smith, .\rkansas : and Bessie, wife of George Harper, a car checker at Houston, Texas. To John H. and IMinnie A. (Maledon) Werling have been born three sons: John. Jr., Harry Lawrence, and Harvey Jacob. Both \\v. and Mrs. Werling are members of the ^'eomen lodge. Mrs. Werling a member of the Knights and Ladies of Security and Mr. Werling a member of the Court of Honor.

Mr. and Mrs. John H. Werling began business with limited capital and Mr. Werling in very poor health. Mrs. Werling worked in the store and attended to her household duties and cared for their little ones and by careful management and cautious expenditure of their small resources, they in time gained a firm foothold in the mercantile world and began to prosper. Great credit and praise are due Mrs. Werling for her willing and splended assistance, without which all would have ended in failure. The Werling store is one of the best in Johnson county, the stock clean and nicely kept, and Mr. Werling is enjoying a large patronage of well pleased customers.

Thomas Alexander Patterson, Sr., retired farmer and stockman, is one of the oldest citizens if not the oldest citizen of Johnson county, one who has for many years been prominently identified with the varied interests of his community. Mr. Patterson. Sr. was born January 23, 1826 in North Carolina, a son of Joshua and Polly Patterson, who were highlv respected among the best families of the early colonists.

Reared on a Southern plantation, the early life of T. A. Patterson, Sr. was marked by no wild, thrilling experiences. The daily routine of his life consisted in a round of honest, rugged toil, \-aried at intervals by attending such schools as the country at that time afiforded. He grew to manhood sturdy and strong and with the earnestness of purpose characteristic of his pioneer ancestry. Mr. Patterson, Sr. began life in North Carolina with a determination to succeed if success could be obtained by hard work and conscientious, persistent efifort. In 1860, he left the South and came to Missouri, locating in Johnson county. Nearly all his hard-earned savings were exhausted by the time he reached this state, and he began working as a hired laborer on the different farms for the mere pittance of five dollars a week. Mr. Patterson, Sr. from his boyhood days always made it a point to lay aside a part of his income, be it ever so small, and thus he always had a surplus, which, when the proper time came, he invested in farm land in Johnson county, land that increased in value in due time and made him a wealtiiy man. \\'!th his first savings he purchased a farm from Mr. Kertley, a place he sold shortly afterward and then bought two hundred ten acres of land and in 1867 purchased his present home place, and to these two farms constantly added additional tracts until at one time he was owner of six hundred acres of excellent farm land in Johnson county. Mr. Patterson, Sr. has given tracts of land to his cliildren at ditterent times and is now the owner of two liundred thirteen acres of his original holdings. At one time, he was one of the most extensive dealers in mules in this part of .Missouri and he was widely known also as a successful stockman, a specialist in l)ree(Hng and feeding Poland China hogs.

Prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. Thomas A. Patterson, Sr. was employed as overseer I)_\- A. W. Keddings, a wealthy landowner of Johnson county, the proprietor of thousands of acres of land and a colony of slaves. ]\lr. Patterson was serving the government under a contract to carry the mail in his township and lie was exempted from service in the army during the war. In ISfo. he drove a herd of one hundred twenty-eight cattle into Lafayette countv and there sold them, realizing a good profit. After the war liad ended. Mr. Patterson, .Sr. again resumed agricultural pursuits in Johnson county and in the rears which followed became x'ery prosperous and influential.

In 1868. T. A. Patterson, Sr., and Minerva Poindexter, of North Carolina, were united in marriage. To this union were born eight children, seven of whom are now living: James M., Dodge City. Kansas; Airs. Cornelia Hale, Kingsville, ^Missouri: Thomas A., Jr.; and John Edwin, who reside with their father and manage the home farm; William H.. Kingsville. Missouri: Wiley R.. a banker of Stillwell, Kansas; and Annise, Pleasant Hill. Alissouri. The motlier died in 1907 at the age of sixty-five years. She was born in 1842. She was a good, religious woman, faithful wife and kind mother, whose assistance to her husband was invaluable. She endured hardships with fortitude. She was born in Yadkin county, Xorth Carolina, July 2. 1842 and died October 13. 1907. Tlie "Pleasant Hill Times" lias this tribute to her memory in its issue of November 22. 1907:

"She professed faith in Christ when a mere girl living in North Carolina. Coming to Missouri shortly after her marriage she at once united with the Elm Springs Baptist church and later became a charter member of the Forest Grove Baptist church. She lived a beautiful and devoted Christian life until she was called home at the age of sixty-live vears. three months and eleven ilays to join a company of saints on the other side and received her crown of numberless stars.

"The beautiful funeral ser\ice^ were held at Elm Springs Baptist church by her pastor. Rev. C. P. Jones of Liberty. Missouri, after which she was laid to rest in the Elm Springs cemetery.

"While in her earthly home she was a faithful wife and a sweet and devoted mother. Her home was ideal. It with her church and loved ones was the especial object of her love and care. In this home she was loved and trusted, honored and obeyed. Her children took the greatest possible delight in pleasing her, and precious in her memory is the thought that not one of them ever brought grief to her heart or life."

In former days, Thomas Alexander Patterson, Sr., was considered an expert and authority as a stockman. He was asked once to select from a large number of hogs enough which when sold would bring one thousand dollars. He made his selection. The hogs were sold and they brought the owner one thousand eight dollars. Besides an established reputation as an exceptional judge of livestock, Mr. Patterson was considered one of the best and most intelligent wheat and corn producers in the state. His sons, Thomas A., Jk., and John Edwin, now manage the home place. They, too, are successful farmers and stockmen. This past season of 1917. they harvested eight hundred bushels of oats, ninety tons of ha\-, and ha\e sixty head of cattle and twentyfive head of horses and mules on the farm at the time of this writing. Politically, the Patterson brothers are affiliated with the Republican party.

From a \ery humble beginning, by practicing prudence, industry, and thrift, T. A. Patterson, Sr. forged to the front among the most successful men of Johnson county. He has carved a name his sons may well be proud to bear. And now in the eventide of life, safely over the hilltop and bravely, cheerfully facing the Valley, T. A. Patterson, Sr. can cast a retrospective eye back over his active career and with complacency know that all that he is and all that he has is the well merited result of his own honest, honorable exertions. For ages the chivalrv in battle and the clash of arms ha\"e been the themes of song and story, 1)ut the man who c|uietly remains in the humble walks of life, performing each day's duties the best he can, promoting the general welfare and prosperity by his individual efforts, is no less a hero than he who wins the Iron Cross on bloody battlefields. For more than a half century, tlie career of T. A. Patterson, Sr. has been inseparably interwoven with the growth, development, and prosperity of Tohnson countv.

John Frizzell Elliott (better known as "J. Lell Elliott"), proprielor of the "Walnut Hill Stock Farm." was born February 5, 1864, in Holmes county, Ohio, a son of Moses and Martha (Frizzell) Elliott, the former, a native of Holmes county, Ohio, and the latter, of Maryland. Moses Elliott was born in 1826 and he was reared and educated in Holmes county. He was united in marriage with Martha Frizzell and to them were born the following children: Elmira, married James Reid. and they are both now deceased: Mary J.. Warrensburg; James B., a sketch of whom appears in tliis volume: Emma, married Adolph Spiess, and is now deceased; John Frizzell. the subject of this review, and Martha A., wife of J. A. Statler. Akron. Ohio, who are twins: and Cora W. died in 1916. All tlie cliildren of Moses and Martlia Elliott were 1>orn in Hohnes county, Ohio. Air. and Mrs. Elliott moved from Ohio to Johnson county, Missouri, in 1872 and settled on a farm in Warrensburg township, which place is now owned by their son, James B. - Elliott. The death of the father occurred in tiie spring of 1893 and tiie mother died in 1909. The remains of both parents were interred in the cemetery at Warrensburg.

John F. Elliott attended the public school of \\'arrensl)urg and tlie Warrensburg State Normal School. His three sisters were teachers and both Emma and Cora were graduates of the Normal School. Cora Elliott was a graduate in the class of 1885 and Mrs. Adolph Spiess graduated prior to that date. All taught in tlieir iiome district school, the Union Prairie district. Mr. Elliott remained at hoine with his parents until his marriage in 1897.

In 1897, John Frizzell Elliott and Anna Thompson were united in marriage. Mrs. Elliott was a student in the Warrensburg State Normal School at the time of her marriage. She is a graduate of the C course in that institution. Anna (Thompson) Elliott is the daughter of M. J. and Rhoda (Hart ) Thompson. Mrs. Thompson was born in Cole county, Illinois, and is now deceased. Her death occurred in 1914 and interment was tnade in Carthage cemeter\'. l\Ir. Thompson is a retired merchant, now residing in Jonlin. ;Missouri. M. I. and Rhoda ( Hart ) Thompson were the parents of the following children: Airs. Mary Belle Eckert, Wasco. California: .\ura. who lives at home with her father: E. W., Joplin, Missouri : and Edward, who was an engineer employed by the Missouri, Kansas & Topeka Railway Company, and in 1909 was accidentallv killed at Chaffee. Missouri. To Air. and Mrs. Elliott have been

The "Walnut Hill Stock Farm," of which John F. Elliott is the owner, is a beautiful place, comprising two hundred acres of valuable land, -forty acres of which are in timber and one hundred sixty acres of splendid, well-watered upland. Five acres of the farm are in alfalfa, which has a remarkable record of standing eight years. Many farmers in this section of the country have tried alfalfa and have failed. The "Walnut Hill Stock Farm" was formerly the James Shumate place. Mr. Shumate purchased the land from Mr. Adams, who entered it from the government. James Shumate came to Johnson county in the early thirties. About 1875, Moses Elliott purchased the farm from James Shumate and for nearly twenty years the place was known as the "Elliott Ranch" and the two boys, James B. and John F., were engaged in raising stock on the place, coming from their home two miles away to attend to their interests on the "Ranch". The present residence was built in 1897 and the three barns in 1897, 1904 and 1913. Mr. Elliott devotes most of his attention to stock raising, handling for the past ten years purebred Shorthorn cattle for which he has ever found a ready market. Mrs. Elliott raises purebred Barred Plymouth Rock chickens. She has complete charge of the poultry industry on the "Walnut Hill Stock Farm" and her success is sufficient proof that the industry is in competent hands. Both Mr. and Mrs. Elliott are widely known and esteemed in Johnson county.

There is no better view of the surrounding country than the one from "Walnut Hill Stock Farm." For twenty miles or more, one can scan the country from this old, historical plaice. Charming as is the location and view, the farm has other attractive features for the historian. The old Shumate home is still standing, a house which was built in the thirties or forties. It was originally a log cabin, but many years after it was erected the logs were covered with native lumber. The house is' now deserted. There are five toinbstones in the old family burial ground of the Shumates and they tell the following somber facts :

Lingering beside the stones, wliich mark the last resting places of a family who lived and moved amid the scenes of the long ago, one receives the impression that a spirit of weird melancholy pervades the spot.

G. F. Burkarth, one of Johnson county's progressive farmers, is a native of Ohio. He w^as born near Washington, Fayette county in 1861, the only child of Frederick and Elizabeth (Saltzman) Burkarth, both of whom are natives of Germany. When their son was five years of age, they moved from Ohio to Johnson county, Missouri, November 11, 1866, the Burkarth family settled on a farm west of Warrensburg on Bristle Ridge. Mr. Burkarth purchased a prairie farm, comprising eighty acres of land, paying eighteen dollars an acre and later, he increased his holdings by purchasing another farm at the same price. At one time, Frederick Burkarth was owner of four hundred fifty-two acres in Johnson county. He came from Ohio to Missouri in a linchpin wagon, drawn by a team of horses. His son, G. F., recently sold the wagon to a junk dealer. Mr. Burkarth spent the active years of his life in improving his farm, which he sold in 1903 and he is now living retired in Warrensburg, at 204 Gay street. He is eighty-two years of age and his wife, one of the noblest women of the early settlers of Warrensburg, is seventy-seven years of age.

George F. Burkarth received his education in Long Prairie school. Until he was thirty-two years of age he remained at home with his parents. He is now the owner of eighty acres of the home farm in Centerview township and in 1906 he purchased one hundred twentythree acres of land adjoining the city limits of Warrensburg. He has rebuilt the residence on this place, which is his home, and erected a barn, 34 x 52 feet, which was built for dairy purposes. Mr. Burkarth keeps pure-bred Jersey cattle, though not registered, and has been engaged in the dairy business practically ever since owning this farm.

In 1892, G. F. Burkarth and Kate Scheidenberger were united in marriage. Mrs. Burkarth is the daughter of John and Margaret Scheidenberger, who came to Warrensburg in 1869 from Pennsylvania. Both Mr. and Mrs. Scheidenberger were born in Germany. In 1884, the father was killed in the explosion at the Eureka Mills in Warrensburg and his widow is now living in Warrensburg. John and Margaret Scheidenberger were the parents of the following children: George, Leavenworth, Kansas; Mrs. Lizzie Schafifer, Warrensburg; Mrs. Sarah Lowe, deceased: John, Jr., Springdale, Arkansas; Mrs. Kate Burkarth, wife of the subject of this review: ^^"illiam, Palo Alto, California; Mrs. Margaret Gable, Holton, Kansas; Gustavus, deceased. To G. F. and Kate Burkarth have been born two children: Margaret, who lives at home with her parents; and Lawrence, who is employed as fi,reman on the Santa Fe railway. Mr. Burkarth is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, affiliating with this lodge in 1902, and of the Sandstone Lodge No. 137, of AVarrensburg. Both Mr. and Mrs. Burkarth are lield in the highest esteem in this community.

James P. B. Shepherd, proprietor of "Honey Creek Ranch," is a native of Tennessee. He was born in December, 1849, in Overton county, near Livingston, the son of George Washington and Elizabeth (Taylor) Shepherd, the former, a native of Virginia and the latter, of Tennessee. The father died in Tennessee and the mother in Johnson county, Missouri. Her remains were interred in Liberty cemetery.

In 1863, J. P. B. Shepherd enlisted at Jacksonville, Illinois, in the Seventh Illinois Infantry, serving with Company K. He was first stationed at Rock Island, guarding prisoners and later saw active service with his regiment in Kentucky, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina. He was for a time with "Fighting Joe Hooker" and in many battles and skirmishes. His two brothers, Moses and Thomas, served in the Union army, answering Lincoln's first call for volunteers. J. P. B. Shepherd was mustered out and honorably discharged at Springfield, Illinois, in 1865.

In 1873. Mr. Shepherd came to Johnson county and for a short time was located at Valley City. He was engaged in farming there on the place owned by Charlie Sellers. Among the first pioneers of Valley City, who were there in 1873 and are still with us. are Perry Bold and "Willy" Maddox. In 1880. J. P. B. Shepherd purchased his present home from Mrs. John Powelson and the land adjoining her place, a farm wliicli now comprises two luiiulred forty acres. All the improvements upon the place, Mr. Shephertl has himself placed there. He is giving most of his attention to stock raising, handling Berkshire and Poland Chiria hogs and Aberdeen Angus cattle. The males only are registered. About one hundred acres of this place are in corn, thirtyfive acres in oats, and ten acres in alfalfa. Near the drainage ditch, which crosses the southwestern end of the farm, is a ridge underlaid with the best quality of firing clay, five per cent. iron. Mr. Shepherd has a sample brick made from the clay, showing its excellent qualities. There is not a rock on the entire place which was not placed there by ]\lr. Shepherd. He had a well dug, near the house, and after digging down fifty feet with a spade no rock was fmind. The farm is exceedingly well w^atered and is an ideal stock ranch.

March 15, 1873, J. P. B. Shepherd was united in marriage at Galesburg. Alissouri by Elder D. F. Warnkey to Dora McDowell, of Crawford county. Ivansas. Mrs. Shepherd is a native of Iowa, born March 3. 1856. daughter of J. A. and Eleanor McDowell, natives of West Virginia and Belmont county. Ohio, respectively. To Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd have been born four children: Minnie, the wife of J. V. \\'ooIsey. of Pueblo, Colorado, has two children. James \\'alter and D<ira Ruth : Nellie, the wife of Roy Parsons, and they reside at home with her parents, has one child, Nellie May: \\'illiam. who married l-llvina Cameron, the daughter of Alexander Cameron, of Hazel Plill township, and they reside on a farm in Warrensburg township, has four children, Glenn William, James Russell, R. Alexander, and Nellie Elvina ; and James A., who married Bettie Morris, and they reside on a farm in Warrensburg township, has three children, Alta May, Morris Hadley, ]\Iary Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd are numbered among the best and most respected families of Johnson county.

The Holden Milling & Elevator Company, (me of the live and important manufacturing concerns of Johnson county, is the outcome of fortv-five vears growth in the tnilling business in Holden. Its predecessor was the Smith & Conner Mill, established in 1872 by J. H. Smith and H. C. Conner, the former of whom is deceased and the latter is located in Wichita, Kansas. The first milling machinery to be placed in operation in the mill was brought from Warrensburg in charge of a colored machinist and engineer named Columbus Dower. This mill was operated bv Smith «!v Conner, a firm until 1800, when Mr. Conner purchased the interest of Mr. Smith and then formed a part- nership with G. H. Scheidenberger and L. Hank in 1896. The mill was operated under the firm name of the Conner Milling & Elevator Company, a grain elevator being erected in 1891. The old mill structure was burned in 1899 and the new enlarged building was then erected. The company was incorporated in 1900 with Mr. Conner, president; Mr. Hank, vice-president; and Mr. Scheidenberger. secretary and treasurer. In May of 1903, Mr. Conner disposed of his holdings in the company to H. F. Kirk and new incorporation papers and a change of name were made in 1906, the name being changed to Holden Milling & Elevator Company. Mr. Kirk served as president from 1903 to 1908 and was then succeeded by Mr. Hank, who has since filled that position. Mr. Halsey became secretary and treasurer and remained in that capacity until 1910 when Mr. Bluhm purchased the Halsey interests. The daily capacity of the mill is two hundred barrels of flour and one hundred barrels of meal and the business is in a flourishing condition.

The present officers of the Holden Milling & Elevator Company are : L. Hank, president ; T. J. Halsey, secretary and treasurer : W. H. Hagenmeyer, vice-president ; all the foregoing being directors with H. L. Bluhm, who is the miller in charge of the plant.

John Granderson Senior, one of Johnson county's pioneers, was born in this county sevent3'-seven years ago. He is the son of Samuel and Susan A. (Matthews) Senior. Samuel Senior was the son oi Samuel Senior, a highly respected farmer of Virginia, of French descent. Susan A. (Matthews) Senior was the daughter of William Matthews, a native of Tennessee. Samuel Senior, the father of the subject of this review, came to Missouri in 1817 and located in the Cooper Fort neighborhood, where he remained several years. In 1834 he moved to Johnson county and settled on a farm in Grover township, where six years later his son, J. G., was born. The Senior farm comprised two hundred forty acres of land, which Samuel Senior entered from the government. He was a successful and highly regarded farmer of Grover township and his death in 1859 was the source of universal regret in Johnson county. He was twice married. Susan A. (Matthews) Senior died in 1847. In 1849, Samuel Senior married Martha Holliday, a native of Boone county, a daughter of George Holliday. a prominent farmer. Mrs. Senior preceded her husband in death ten years. J. G. Senior is the only living member of the family of eight children born to Samuel and Susan A. Senior.

John Graxdersox Senior

After his father's death, J. G. Senior assumed charge of the farm in Grover township and until the outbreak of the Civil War was there engaged in the pursuits of agriculture. In 1861 he enlisted in the Civil War with Company A, Fifth Missouri Infantry. Mr. Senior was in active service four years and took part in the battles of Pea Ridge, Arkansas; Corinth, Mississippi; Farmington. Mississippi; Fort Gibson; Baker's Creek; and in the siege of Vicksburg. After the siege of Vicksburg, late in the summer of 1863, J. G. Senior was taken captive and in January, 1864 was exchanged and entered the service again with the Tenth Missouri Cavalry. He surrendered with his company at Shreveport, Louisiana in 1865. He served under General Francis M. Cockrell, whom he considers to have been one of Missouri's greatest sons, a famous warrior, statesman, and Christian gentleman and who held the record for continuous service in the United States Senate of thirty years, a record never before or later excelled.

Mr. Senior returned to Johnson county, Missouri when the war had ended, in July, 1865. He again engaged in farming and remained on the home place in Grover township until 1869, when he moved to Pettis county, Missouri and there engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1904, when he returned to Johnson county, locating in Knob Noster. where he has since resided. J. G. Senior is the owner of a farm in Pettis county, which comprises almost seven hundred acres in that county and sixty acres in Johnson, which place is known as the "Capital Hill Stock Farm." This is undoubtedly the best improved farm within a circuit of ten miles. Mr. Senior's country home is a handsome residence, a large, modern structure of twelve rooms. He spends a large part of his time at "Capital Hill." He has also a pretty home in the city of Knob Noster.

In 1870 J. G. Senior was united in marriage with Josephine Honey, the step-daughter of A. F. and Margaret Priscilla Scruggs. Josephine (Honey) Senior was born in 1851 in Bourbon county, Kentucky, a daughter of William and Margaret P. (Stephens) Honey. William Honey was a native of Kentucky and died in 1851. Margaret P. (Stephens) Honey w^as a third cousin of Alexander H. Stephens. Mrs. Honey married Rev. A. F. Scruggs, who came to Missouri in 1856. She was a native of Ohio. Reverend A. F. Scruggs was a pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church. South, who labored in the cause of

Christianity for seventy-six years, his death occurring in his ninetyninth year. To J. G. and Josephine (Honey) Senior have been born nine children: Mary Priscilla, deceased; Mrs. Minnie S. Gilham, Montserrat, Missouri (Minnie S. Gilham was first married to Dr. J. F. Robinson in 1893, virho died January 10, 1896); Joseph Elston, deceased; Mrs. Elizabeth S. Porter, wife of Dr. J. E. Porter, Knob Noster, Missouri; Mrs. Allena D. Ehlers, who resides in New Madrid; Franklin L., Centerville, Iowa, married Bernice Campbell, October 19, 1904, and they have two sons, John Campbell and Collin Franklin; Samuel Prentice, John G., and Josephine, all deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Senior have six grandchildren: Mrs. Minnie S. Gilham has two daughters : Margaret Finis Robinson, by the first marriage with Dr. J. F. Robinson; and Josephine Mayes Gilham; Mrs. Elizabeth Porter, married September 28, 1904, has one child: Ruth Elizabeth; Mrs. Allena D. Ehlers, wife of Dr. M. F. Ehlers, married February 14, 1909, has one child: John Frederick; and Mr. and Mrs. Franklin L. Senior have two sons: John Campbell and Collin Franklin.

For forty-two years, Mr. Senior has been a director of the Bank of Knob Noster, during which time he served as president and vicepresident. He was elected judge of the Pettis county court on the Democratic ticket and served four years. Mr. Senior is one of the strongest supporters of the Democratic party in the county. He takes keen interest in religious matters as well as civil affairs and has been an elder of the Christian church for thirty-five years. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He served twenty-three consecutive years as president of the Pettis County Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company, since its organization, and upon his resigning in October, 1917, he recommended his successor. Mr. Williams. He was one of the organizers of this strong concern which has an assessed capital of about three million dollars. It was with reluctance and regret that his fellow directors accepted his resignation, which was tendered on account of defective hearing due to advanced age.

D. D. Coram, proprietor of the "Edgewood Stock Farm," is one of Johnson county's progressive, young citizens. He was born May 23, 1893, in Dunksburg, Grover township, the son of J. C. and Delia B. (Smith) Corum, both of whom were born in Johnson county. J. C. Corum was born near Knob Noster on the farm where his father died. Delia B. (Smith) Corum was born in 1872 on her father's farm near Sweetsprings, Missouri, the daughter of H. Strong and Mary (Dunk- ley) Smith, the former, a native of Ohio and the latter, the only child of Doctor Dunkley, a prosperous and prominent pioneer of Johnson county, in whose honor the city of Dunksburg was named. Dr. B. F. Dunkley was one of the very first settlers of Grover township, where he entered eight hundred eighty acres of land, which are now a splendid stock farm owned by his granddaughter. Myrtle Smith. J. C. Corum is now with the Texas State Militia, being commissioned as colonel. Mrs. Corum is making her home witii her father and sister in Sweetsprings, Missouri. A more comprehensive l)iograpliicaI review of the Corum family appears in the sketch of Mrs. Delia (Smith) Corum, which will be found in this volume.

D. D. Corum attended the public schools of Johnson county and Central College at Fayette, Missouri. Until he was twenty years of age, he remained at home with his parents. He then began life for himself, engaged in farming on the place he now owns. In .\pril. 1916. he began the dairy business on the "Edgewood Stock Farm" and from the beginning has met with splendid success.

The "Edgewood Stock Farm" comprises two hundred forty acres of land northwest of Warrensburg, which formerly belonged to the Colberns and was purchased from them by H. Strong Smith, the grandfather of D. D. Corum, about twenty-five years ago. Mr. Corum has at present forty-five head of Holstein and Jersey cows and calves, milking thirty cows at this season. Each cow has her individual stanchion and knows her place. Once each month, every cow is tested to ascertain the cost of her feed, the amount of milk given in return, and the percentage of butterfat. The milk is shipped twice daily to Kansas City, Missouri, the cows being milked at 5:30 a. m. and at 5:30 p. m. and the trip made twice to the station as the product from this dairy is A grade and must arrive in Kansas City in first-class condition. The milk is shipped in ten-gallon cans. The main dairy barn is 40 x 50 feet in dimensions with a fourteen-foot shed, built in 1914, and has a concrete floor and excellent drainage. Everything about the dairy is kept perfectly clean and sanitary. The milk is cooled immediately after it has been obtained, by placing it in cans in a concrete vat filled with cold water, which is iced in summer, \^'ater is supplied both the dairy and residence from a well, three hundred feet deep, which was drilled in 1914. The water, which is soft, stands within fifteen feet of the top and is pumped by a gasoline engine. Mr. Corum has an ice storage house in connection with his dairy, which has a capacity of forty tons of ice and is filled each winter with pond ice. To operate a good dairy, up to the standard of the requirements of the Kansas City Board of Health, means much hard work and that all things and persons connected with the dairy must be strictly clean and sanitary, that everything from cows to cars, from the washing of vessels to the washing of the dairy barn, must come up to the required standard. The cows, as well as the men employed in the dairy, must be tested for tuberculosis. Mr. Corum employs one assistant all the time and at times has a number of helpers at work on the farm.

One hundred eighty acres of the "Edgewood Stock Fram" are in bluegrass and pasture and the remaining sixty acres are usually planted in corn for silage. The silo now on the farm has a capacity of one hundred tons. It was erected in 1915 and is made of wood. Mr. Corum contemplates erecting another silo this year, 1917, which will have the same capacity as the one he now has. He feeds alfalfa and silage in the winter time, modifying the feed with cottonseed meal, beet meal, oil meal, bran, and hay.

September 21, 1914. D. D. Corum and May Foster were united in marriage. To this marriage has been born a son, H. Smith, born October 5, 1917. Mrs. Corum is the daughter of Fred and Flora (Day) Foster, of Warrensburg. Fred Foster is a well-known barber of Warrensburg. The Corum residence is a beautiful home, a structure of one and a half stories and containing seven rooms. An attractive feature about this home, which is modern in every respect, is the fine sleeping porch. Both Mr. and Mrs. Corum have a host of friends in Johnson county.

Mrs. Delia B. (Smith) Corum, one of Johnson county's highly esteemed daughters, is a member of one of the prominent families in this section of Missouri. She was born in 1872 in Johnson county, the daughter of H. Strong and Mary (Dunkley) Smith. H. Strong Smith was born in Ohio in 1837, the son of A. Smith, with whom he came to Missouri in the early forties and they settled near Palmyra. A. Smith died in 1901 at Sweetsprings, Missouri, having attained the age of ninety-nine years and ten months. In 1867, H. Strong Smith came to Brovvnville, which later became known as Sweetsprings, and there engaged in farming, in which vocation he has been employed all his life. Mr. Smith is now residing at Sweetsprings. Mary (Dunkley) Smith was the only child of Dr. B. F. Dunkley, in whose honor the city of Dunksburg was named.

highly prized and respected friends. He was born in England, February 26, 1809, of the best lineage, and educated in Washington, D. C, and came to Warrensburg in 1848. Doctor Dunkley settled on section 1, township 47. He was engaged in the practice of medicine in Johnson county for more than forty years. Malarial fever was the scourge in July and August and September, and the doctor used oxen on his farm that he might have his horses to ride to see his patients. He had two horses and each day he rode one. visiting his patients on one side of the creek one day and tlie patients on the other side the next day. Doctor Dunkley was known as a very wealthy man in his day, being the owner of one thousand acres of valuable land in Joimson county. He was united in marriage with Mrs. Jane Porter in 1845 and to them was born one child, a daughter, Mary, who was reared to maturity in Johnson county and became the wife of H. Strong Smith and the mother of Delia B. (Smith) Corum, the subject of this review. Doctor Dunkley's death occurred in Warrensburg in 1890 and his loss was long and keenly felt in Johnson county. The Dunkley home was one of the first in that part of the county surrounding Dunksburg.

Delia B. (Smith) Corum attended Central College and after leaving college was united in marriage with Jack Corum, of Knob Noster, Missouri. To Mr. and ]Mrs. Jack Corum was born one child, a son, Dallas D., who is the proprietor of the "Edgewood Stock Farm," which is located three and a half miles northwest of Warrensburg. Mrs. Corum is at present residing with her father, H. Strong Smith, and her sister. Myrtle, in Sweetsprings, Missouri. The Cockrell family has long esteemed and admired Mrs. Corum and she was their guest for one winter, about five years past. She is a lady of countless admirable qualities.

William R. Cockefair, proprietor of the "Lakeview Dairy," is one of Johnson county's finest young men and most progressive citizens. He was born June 4, 1882, in Knox county, Missouri, the .son of E. A. Cockefair, Sr., and Maria L. (Taylor) Cockefair. E. .A. Cockefair, Sr., was born in New Jersey and in 1909, with his family, came to Johnson county. Missouri, where he located in W'arrensburg for two years and then went to Moulton. Iowa, where his death occurred in 1916. His widow. Maria L. Cockefair, is at present residing in \l1)ert Lea. Minnesota. E. A.. Sr., and Maria L. Cockefair were the parents of tlie following children: E. A.. Jr.. who is the farm adviser in Greene county, Missouri; William R., the subject of this review^; Laura, who is the wife of L. L. Moore, of Albert Lea, Minnesota; and L. I., who is associated with L. L. Moore in the management of a large estate of twenty-five hundred acres of land at Albert Lea, Minnesota.

William R. Cockefair attended school at Unionville, Missouri. He is a graduate of the Unionville High School and of the Missouri State University, at Columbia, where he specialized in the study of agriculture. He was a member of the class of 1908. After completing his work in the State University. Mr. Cockefair assumed charge of the land owned by Blackwater Farm Company, a tract of two thousand acres in Johnson county, which the company was endeavoring to reclaim for cultivation by irrigation. For six years, Mr. Cockefair was in the employ of this company and during that time assisted in developing, improving, and selling several farms in the district in which he now resides. In 1914, William R. Cockefair resigned his position with the Blackwater Farm Company to engage in farming and later, in the dairy business. At the time of this writing, in 1917, Mr. Cokefair has the lease of the J. C. Christopher place, comprising one hundred forty acres of land in Johnson county, which farm he is developing into a first-class dairy and truck farm.

In 1911, William R. Cockefair was united in marriage with Caroline B. Benton, the daughter of R. H. and Alice (Johnson) Benton, both of whom are natives of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Benton are honored pioneers of Lafayette county, Missouri. The farm, which R. H. Benton now owns, located near Higginsville, was entered from the government by his father. R. H. Benton is a Confederate veteran and for many years was superintendent of the Confederate Soldiers' Home at Higginsville. Mr. and Mrs. Benton are the parents of five children: C. R.. of Kansas City, Missouri, who is superintendent of the passenger department of the C. & R. Railway Company: Mrs. Harriet B. Stanwood, who resides in Kansas City, Missouri: Mrs. William R. Cockefair, the wife of the subject of this review : Mrs. E. L. Lusk, of Roswell, New Mexico; and R. H., Jr., who is the specialist in beef cattle employed by the Louisiana State Agricultural College. To William R. and Caroline B. (Benton) Cockefair have been born two children, one son and one daughter, William R., Jr. and Harriet Benton. Mrs. William R. Cockefair is a highly intellectual and splendidly educated lady of winning personality and excellent attainments. She is a graduate of L^niversity of Missouri, Columbia, from which institution she has three degrees, the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Science, and the Master's. Mrs.

Cokefair was president of the Homeniaker's Club, a county organization, for two years, until 1916 and at the present time she is a member of the Ladies" Council of Defense of Johnson county.

The "Lakeview Dairy'" is one of the best and most sanitary in the State of Missouri. Mr. Cockefair has at the present time twenty-one Jersey cows, nineteen of which he is milking. The milk is retailed in the city of A\'arrensburg, delivered in paraftine paper individual containers and on ice. One delivery is made each day, starting at 7:30 A. M. The product of the "Lakeview Dairy'" is emphatically A grade and the milk will keep sweet, under ordinary conditions, two days, because of the perfect, sanitary methods employed in obtaining and caring for the milk, ^^'ithin five minutes after the milking, the milk is reduced in temperature to fifty degrees and twenty-five minutes later it is forty-five degrees. The milkroom is constructed of concrete and over it is a large water tank, kept filled with cold water pumped by a gasoline engine from a spring. The milk barn is 22 x 44 feet in dimensions, with an individual stanchion for each cow, concrete floor, which is thoroughly cleansed daily by the use of hose attached to a water pipe, and all the interior walls are whitewashed. The room is kept scrupulously clean and at milking time is an attractive place. Milk is not the only product of the "Lakeview Dairy."" as si.xty pounds of cottage cheese have been sold weekly besides gallons of excellent buttermilk.

Si.xty acres of the farm Mr. Cockefair has in bluegrass and sixty acres in meadow, with the remaining twenty acres devoted to corn raising and truck gardening. In the garden, are grown tomatoes, beets, carrots, salsify, and corn, besides the berries grown on the place, one acre being given to strawberries and a half acre to blacklierries. Mr. Cokefair produces on the farm almost all the feed he uses in the dairy, feeding the stock clover hay and alfalfa in the summer time and the same in winter, except that the feed is modified with cottonseed meal, silage, and bran. He is planning the erection of a silo this season. 1917.

William R. Cockefair began life for himself without any capital except a splendid mind and a strong will. He made his own way through the State University and is now getting a splendid start in the business world, solely through his owm energetic efforts and with the noble assistance of his wife, who has always willingly and cheerfully given her support and encouragement in all that Mr. Cockefair has attempted to do. He firmly believes that there are just as great opportunities for the young man of today as there ever were and that all one needs to make a success in life are a willingness to take advantage of the opportunities offered and a strong determination not to fail - and he is certainly proving the truth of his hopeful theory. There is no more worthy, better, upright, young men in Missouri than William R. Cokefair and he deserves every bit of success which in the future will undoubtedly attend his efforts as it has in the past.

John Adams, one of Johnson county's pioneers, is a successful and prosperous farmer and stockman of Montserrat township. He is the sixth child born to his parents, Thomas and Sarah Ann Adams, his birth occurring on the old homestead belonging to his father, February 8, 1856, which place is now owned by his brother, George. Thomas Adams was born in 1820 in North Carolina. When he was fourteen years of age, he came with his parents to Missouri. The Adams family settled in Johnson county the year the county was organized, in 1834. They resided on the farm now owned by Mr. Sproat and on this place John Adams, the father of Thomas Adams, died in 1867. Thomas Adams was an industrious, intelligent agriculturist. He was chiefly engaged in raising cattle and sheep on his splendid farm of four hundred acres of land, one hundred sixty acres of which he had entered from the government, but he also kept a few horses and mules. The Adams farm was at that time heavily timbered and in the first years following the Civil War there were no fences in the county worthy of the name, practically all the land being open prairie. Thomas Adams enlisted in the Civil War with the Union army and served throughout the struggle of four years, serving at first with the home guards. He had married many years prior to the war. in 1846. and to him and Sarah Ann Adams were born the following children : Jane, the wife of George Roberts, Knob Noster. Missouri; Martha, who died in Oregon; Mary, the wife of Tom Clare. Jefiferson township, Johnson county; .Amanda, the wife of Timothy George, of Montana; Bettie, the wife of J. W. Dawson; John, of this review; James. Warrensburg. Alissouri; .A-unie, the wife of James Ivy, Columbus, Kansas; George, on tlie old homestead. Montserrat township; Sallie, the wife of John Dillingham; Julia, the wife of Walter Hay. Walla Walla. Washington; and Thomas B.. Miami, Oklahoma. The barn, which Thomas .Adams erected many years ago. is still standing on the homestead, now owned by George

Adams. This barn is exceptionally worthy of mention, having been built of black walnut. An immense walnut tree, which was at least six feet in diameter and sixty feet to the first limb, had been blown down and from it were sawed the boards of genuine black walnut, now so very valuable and scarce, and they were used in the construction of this barn. At least sixteen-foot lumber was obtained from the limb. The father's death occurred January 4, 1888 and in August, 1910 the mother joined him in death. Both Mr. and Airs. Adams were fine, estimable, worthy citizens, who nobly did their part in the work of upbuilding the county and state.

At the age of twenty-four years, on March 2, 1880, John Adams began farming for himself. He is now owner of five hundred twentysix acres of valuable farm laud in Johnson county, practically all of which tract is under culti\ation or in meadow. Two hundred acres of the place are annually farmed. Mr. Adams gives much time and attention to raising Hereford cattle, having at present one hundred two head on his farm, with a high-priced, registered male, "San Pedro, I," at the head of the herd. He usually keeps from five to six hundred dollars worth of hogs each year and a few sheep.

John Adams and Elizabeth Marshall were united in marriage March 2. 1880 and to them were born eight children: Lillie F., born December 10, 1880, the wife of S. \'. Dudley, of California: Everett E., who is farming on a place south of the liome place: j\lmon. a member of Company B, Sixty-first Infantry, National Army: Myrtle, the wife of Mr. Hildebrand, residing on a farm one mile from the home place; Lulu May, the wife of Frank Judd. Bertsville. Johnson county: Ora, the wife of Mr. Lee McGraw. residing with her father, for whom she is keeping house: Charles, at home: and Estelle, the wife of Mr. John W. Sullivan, Warrensburg, Missouri. Mrs. Adams departed this life February 22. 1917 at the age of sixty-one years. She was a brave, noble, highly estimable woman, one whose gentle, kindly, pureminded spirit exerted a marked influence for good in her community and in her home, one who has been sadly and deeply missed by her scores of friends. She was, and Mr. Adams is, a worthy and consistent Christian, a member of the Baptist church. Mr. x^dams is at present the school director in his home district.

rensburg township, was born in 1862 in Perry county, Ohio. He is the son of Dr. L. R. and Mary C. (Williams) Hamisfar, both of whom were born in Perry county, Ohio. Dr. L. R. Hamisfar was the son of Karl Hamisfar, who emigrated in early manhood from Germany to America, and settled in Ohio. Mary C. (Williams) Hamisfar is the daughter of William Williams, of Pennsylvania. Her grandmother, Mary Wright, was an aunt of the renowned Wriglit brotliers, of Dayton, Ohio, the gifted inventors of the aeroplane. Dr. L. R. and Mary C. Hamisfar were the parents of the following children: J. M., the subject of this review; M. D., a well-known dentist of Warrensburg; Lulu, whose death occurred in Ohio; Charles, who died in 1873 in Warrensburg; and Florence K., who is a teacher in the city schools of Warrensburg.

Dr. L. R. Hamisfar came to Missouri in the spring of 1860 and bargained for the Wilson Halley place of two hundred eighty-six acres of land in Johnson county. The father of Wilson Halley died before the deal was consummated and Mr. Hamisfar purchased the farm from the administrators of the estate, paying thirteen and a half dollars an acre for the land. Due to the unsettled conditions of war times. Dr. L. R. Hamisfar returned to Ohio and engaged in practice of dentistry, which profession he followed until 1873, when he came with his family to Johnson county and settled on the farm purchased many years prior to their coming. On the Hamisfar homestead in Warrensburg township. Dr. L. R. Hamisfar died in October, 1882. His remains were interred in the cemetery at Mount Zion. Dr. L. R. Hamisfar was a highly intelligent and esteemed citizen of Johnson county, whose loss has long been keenly felt. His widow is now residing in Warrensburg, Missouri.

J. M. Hamisfar obtained his early education in the district schools of Johnson county. He was later a student at the Warrensburg State Normal School for three years. He then engaged in farming and stock raising on the home place and since 1882, has followed farming. The Hamisfar place is known as the "Elmwood Farm." the name liaving been registered. With the exception of about ninety acres this farm is all excellent, tillable land, one hundred twenty acres of which are in wheat, at the time of this writing, fifteen acres in oats, one hundred ten acres in corn, and the balance in meadow and pasture. "Elmwood

Farm" is located four miles south of Warrensburg and is one of the best in Johnson county. Three residences have been burned on "Elmwood Farm" at different times. Two of the homes were burned during the Civil War. one by the Federals and one by the Confederates. In 1910, the third residence was destroyed by fire, started in some unknown way, as the family were away at the lime. In the last fire, there were five hundred dollars in the house, wlien it was burned, two hundred twenty-five dollars of which were recovered, some of the money being silver and a part paper made good by the United States government.

October 26, 1901, J. M. Hamisfar and Hattie Baker, the daughter of Morris and Sarah (Prince) Baker, of Warrensinn-g township, were united in marriage. Both Mr. and Mrs. Baker were natives of Indiana, who came to Johnson county after the Civil War had ended and settled in Warrensburg township. Both father and mother of Mrs. Hamisfar are now deceased. The father died in March, 1912 and the mother four years later. Mrs. Baker was killed accidentally in a tragic incident in November, 1916, at the crossing on the railway at Lewis Station, Missouri. Mrs. J. ]\I. Hamisfar has five sisters and four brothers now living and three sisters deceased. The living brothers and sisters are as follow: W. T. Baker, Warrensburg; James Baker, a prosperous blacksmith of Post Oak township; Alarion White Baker, resides in New Mexico; John Baker, resides in Oklahoma; Mrs. Delia Daugherty, of Lewis Station, Missouri; Mrs. Lottie Kelly, of Lewis Station, Missouri; Mrs. Susie Newland, Cornelia, ^Missouri; Mrs. Belle Lord, resides in Oklahoma: and ?\Irs. Alollie Ball, Windsor. ^Missouri. To J. M. and Hattie (Baker) Hamisfar have been born five children: Lillie, who is now the wife of Clyde Greer, of Warrensburg township; Mary, Nellie M., James M., Jr., and Rosalie, who are at home with their parents. The Hamisfar family has long been prominent in this section of Missouri and Mr. and Mrs. Hamisfar are of the best pioneer lineage and are numbered among the e.xcellent citizens of W'arrensburg township.

In 1900, J. M. Hamisfar was appointed census enumerator of W'arrensburg township and again in 1910. In 1902, he was offered a position in the L'nited States census department, but was obliged from e.xisting circumstances to refuse. Mr. Hamisfar has ever been keenly alert to the interests of his township and county and it was he, who circulated the successful petition for the establishment of rural mail routes in this county and it is chiefly due to his energetic efforts that Johnson county now enjoys the excellent mail service it has.

John W. Bowman, the widely-known merchant and blacksmith, whose store, shop, and residence constitute the little town, on the Leeton-Warrensburg road, which the people of Johnson county call Bowmansville, is a native of Wisconsin. He was born in 1859 in Richland county, Wisconsin, the son of John Bowman, Sr. and Lucinda (Shepard) Bowman. John Bowman Sr. was born in Ohio, and in early manhood moved to Wisconsin, thence to Illinois and from Illinois to Johnson county, Missouri, with his family, in 1867. The Bowman family settled on a farm, known as the Adam Fickas farm, after having lived one year on a place south of Warrensburg, and three years on the Oskeday place, now owned by the Mohlers, which is located south of Warrensburg. Mr. and Mrs. John Bowman, Sr., resided on the Fickas farm for twenty years. At the time of his death February 1, 1911. Mr. Bowman was with his son, John, Jr. The mother died on August 12 of the same year. The remains of both parents were interred in the cemetery near Warrensburg, known as the Dnnkard cemetery. John Bowman, Sr., and Lucinda (Shepard) Bowman were the parents of the following children: Lizzie, the wife of Finis Faubian, Warrensburg township; Anna, the widow of Alfred McDonald, Post Oak township; Christian, deceased; John W., Jr., the subject of this review; Daniel, Warrensburg: Mary, the wife of John McGirl. Hazel Hill township; and Lydia, the wife of Thomas Myers.

John W. Bowman, Jr. received his education in the district school in Johnson county, at Possum Trot schoolhouse. He remained with his parents as long as they lived and until he was thirty years of age, he was engaged in farming. At that time, he began blacksmithing on the farm. In 1896, he erected his present shop. Mr. Bowman's blacksmith shop is equipped with all the latest and modern machinery and tools, being supplied with a triphammer, woodworking machine with I)and saw. boring machine, planer, cold tire setter, plow vyelding machine, and power punching machine, all of wliich are operated by a gasoline engine. - Mr. Bowman sharpened plows with an iron wedge for an anvil, when he began business more than a score of years ago. In 1903. he opened a general store in addition to liis shop of wliich his older son, James, has charge while the younger son, Joseph, assists his father in the blacksmith shop. The store and shop constitute Bowmansville's principal and only business establishments and there is probably not another town in Missouri where all the citizens are congenial members of one family, all cooperating as harmoniously as do the citizens of this little town.

In 1890, John W. Bowman. Jr. and Mary Miller were united in marriage. Mary (Miller) Bowman is the daughter of John and Emily (Miller) Miller, who were the parents of the following children: Ed, Ft. Smith. Arkansas; Artluir. Vt. Smith. Arkansas; Mrs. Lydia Ohmart, who resides in Oklahoma; Mrs. Effie Galion, of Siloam Springs. Arkansas; and Mrs. John W. Bowman, the wife of the subject of this review. To Mr. and Mrs. Bowman have been born two sons: Tames F. and Joseph E., both of whom are associated with their father in conducting the business interests of Bowmansville. They have established a splendid reputation in Johnson county and the name of Bowman is the synonym for honest, honorable, upright dealings. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are numljered among the county's most sul^stantial citizens.

Erskine McClean, manager of the McClean & Elliott Stock Farm, vice-president of the Johnson County Purebreds Breeders' Association, is one of the progressive stockmen of Johnson county. He was born in 1869 on the homestead of the McCleans in Johnson county, son of William and Mary Jane (Rol)inson) McClean. William McClean was born in Ross county, Ohio in 1827, the son of John and Sarah McClean. John McClean was a tanner by trade and he and his wife resided in Chillicothe. Ohio, their two sons, William and Samuel, having complete charge of the home farm in Ross county. Mary Jane (Robinson) McClean was the daughter of Joshua and Hannah Robinson, of Chillicothe, Ohio. \\'illiam McClean and Mary Jane Robinson were united in marriage in Ohio and to them were liorn the following children, who are now living, two having died in infancy: Henry, Los Angeles, California; Lucy. Warrensburg: Mary, wife of James B. Elliott, with whom Erskine McClean is associated in stock raising; William, Jr., . of Etiwanda, California; Erskine R.. the subject of this review; and Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Clark, of Canon City. Colorado.

souri from Ohio in 1867. In the spring of 1868. he purchased the farm three and a half miles northwest of Warrensburg, which is now owned and conducted by his son, Erskine, and son-in-law, James B. Elliott. In that 3-ear from a very humble start with a pure-bred Shorthorn bull and cow, which he brought with him from Ohio, William McClean began the stock business, which has been continued since his death by McClean & Elliott and which has attained in recent years mammoth proportions. He was a breeder of pure-bred Shorthorns in Ohio and he brought to Missouri in 1868 "Cherokee," a registered bull. Number 6536, red, which was purchased from Morgan Hayes in February, 1868 at Jeffersonville, Fayette county, Ohio and brought to Johnson county in March of that year, and "Highland Belle," a pure bred red cow, which was purchased from Thomas Kirk at Washington Court House, Ohio.

From the stockbook kept by William McClean, showing the name, date of purchase, place of purchase, and the record of each pure bred animal on his farm, from the time he bought the place in 1868 until his death in 1902, the following record was taken: In 1871, Mr. McClean purchased "Derby," a red roan bull. Number 9740, from Jesse Hagler, of Fayette county Ohio; in May, 1871, "Kitty Clover," a roan cow; in September, 1881, "Blushing Maiden." a red cow and "Leiia Major" was purchased from C. E. Leonard, of Cooper county, Missouri ; in April, 1883, two red and two roan cows were purchased, namely: "Angelica, 28," "Rosamond of Rovenswood," "Blushing Beauty," and "British Girl."

William McClean .owned five hundred fifty acres of land in one tract, a portion of which is the present McClean estate. He was one of the very first successful breeders in Johnson county. He sold all his stock at private sales and in the early days of the seventies, when cattle sold at a low price, Mr. McClean sufifered all the ill luck in common with the other stockmen of that time, but he never became discouraged or lost faith in high grade cattle. He believed firmly that Johnson county would be one of the best stock counties in the state and that to win a place for the county the quality of the stock must be kept up to the highest standard. He was a careful, conscientious, capable business man, one whose methods are well worth emulating. He did more, perhaps, than any other one man to place Johnson county in the front rank in stock raising. His death, wliich occurred in March. 1902, has long been lamented in this section of Missouri. Mrs. AlcClean joined her husband in death in July, 1915 and both were interred in the cemetery at Warrensburg.

Erskine McClean attended the public schools of Warrensburg and later was a student in the Warrensburg State Normal School prior to 1891. He was reared on the farm and has from boyhood days been interested in stock raising. After his father died in 1902, the original herd of cattle, consisting of forty-five head, was sold and Erskine McClean and James B. Elliott formed a partnership and began the breeding of Scotch and Scotch Topped Shorthorns. They established the herd on the McClean estate, which comprises four hundred thirty acres of the original farm purchased by William McClean in 1867, by the purchase in 1905 of an "Orange Blossom Cruickshank" bull, "Orange Lad." three Scotch cows, two "Orange Blossoms" and a "Marsh Violet," two Scotch Topped "Charming Rose" cows, and an eighteen hundred pound Scotch Topped "Harriet," with a few of the cows left on the farm after the dispersion of the herd of Shorthorns owned by the William McClean estate in the autumn of 1904. McClean & Elliott have had but one public sale and this was held only for the reason that the herd had outgrown the capacity of the farm. At the time of this writing in 1917, McClean & Elliott have fifty head of Shorthorns on the farm, the herd headed by "Our Red Choice," a purebred Scotch bull. Number 420533. which is considered the best that has ever been on the farm. The firm has had splendid and deserved success. They sold three carloads of stock in the spring of 1917, shipping cattle to Texas, New Mexico. Alabama, Kansas. Idaho. Montana, and even to Canada. Fifty years of straight, honorable business methods, as strictly adhered to by William McClean and continued by McClean & Elliott have given this firm an enviable reputation, which is country-wide.

October 1, 1902. Erskine McClean was united in marriage with Viola D. Drummond. the daughter of Albert and Eliza Drummond, of Warrensburg. To Erskine and Viola McClean has been born one son, Albert Erskine. Mr. McClean is a "booster" for pure-breds. Probably two-thirds of the breeders of Shorthorn cattle in Johnson county obtained their foundation stock from the herd owned by McClean & Elliott.

Oren J. Bush, one of Johnson county's leading agriculturists, is a member of an old family in the history of this country. He was born May 19, 1866 in Warrensburg township, the son of Andrew Jackson and Alary (Fuller) Bush, both natives of New York. A. J. Bush was born December 18, 1832 in Chautauqua county. New York, the son of Stephen Bush, Jr., whose father entered four hundred acres of land in Chautauqua county from the government. Stephen Bush, Jr. was the son of Stephen Bush, Sr., a veteran of the Revolutionary War, who took an active and prominent part in the campaign around New York, in the struggle of the British for the Hudson river and the middle states in 1777. He was present at Burgoyne's surrender, October 17, 1777, when six thousand regular troops, his entire army, were marched off the field by the Americans, who proudly unfurled their new flag, which had been adopted by Congress on June 14, 1777. Burgoyne's army had been suffering terribly from lack of food, as the Americans had cut off all the British supplies from Canada, and Stephen Bush, Sr. often stated that although the English felt the disgrace of surrender to the raw American troops, the Hessians did not care at all. Mr. Bush used to say emphatically, "The English were mad." Stephen Bush, Sr. was the son of Ashal Bush, who emigrated from England to Massachusetts probably in 1750. Ashal Bush was the father of two sons: Ashal, Jr., who was lost at sea, while serving in the navy during the Revolutionary War; and Stephen, Sr., of whom mention has been made.

A. J. Bush, the father of the subject of this review, was born and reared in Chautauqua county, New York. March 5, 1863 he was married in Wisconsin to Mary Fuller, who was born in New York in 1841. In the spring of 1865, they came to Johnson county, Missouri, where they located on the Dalton place in Warrensburg township. Mr. Bush's first acquaintance in Johnson county was the father of John Gilkeson. In 1867, he purchased his first land owned in the new Western home, fifty-five acres, for which he paid nine dollars an acre, and later, forty acres, which he bought from the Colberns. At a still later time, A. J. Bush further increased his holdings, by purcliasing twenty acres of land in Johnson county. He then engaged in farming and stock raising, which vocations he has followed ever since his coming West, until (|uite recently, when he became interested in bee culture. Mr. Bush died July 20, 1917 at eighty-four years of age. His widow is seventy- five years of age and still active. A. J. and Mary M. (Fuller) 15ush were the parents of one son, O. J., the subject of this review, who lived with his parents on the home place, having the active supervision of the farm work.

A. J. Bush came to Missouri from Wisconsin, where he had been engaged in teaching school and in conducting a mercantile establishment. He was a gentleman of the old school, highly intelligent and possessing kindly and courtly manners, whom to know was to respect and admire. Both he and Mrs. Bush were highly valued in Johnson county, where they resided so many years.

A. J. Bush, Judge Burford, and "Uncle James" Fickas organized School District Number 55, whicii is now known as the Oakland district, and here O. J. Bush received his early education. He was later a student in the Warrensburg State Normal School for four winters. O. J. Bush has always remained on the home place with his parents and practically all his life has been interested in farming and stock raising. He has devoted his attention largely to raising stock, although he has fed some. He handles a good grade of Hampsliire hogs, some of which are purebred, and fine cattle.