Columbus Township

Columbus Township

"Commencing at the county line between Lafayette and Johnson coun¬ ties, at the northeast corner of section one, township forty-seven, range twenty-seven, thence west on said county line to the range line between ranges twenty-seven and twenty-eight, thence south on said range line to the southwest corner of section eighteen, township forty-six, range twentyseven, thence east on the section line between section eighteen and nine¬ teen of said township to the southeast corner of section thirteen of said township, it being on the range line between ranges twenty-six and twenty-seven, thence north to the place of beginning, with place of voting at Columbus. Ordered May 12, 1870." ?

John Allen

a native of Kentucky, was born in Jefferson county, in the 3-ear 1840. His parents were natives of that state. His father was a stock raiser and farmer. .The subject of this sketch moved to the state of Illinois, in the year 1863, and followed the business of farming there. He was married in that state, to Miss Lata Jaquith, daughter of J. W. Jaquith, a druggist, who lived for many years, a highly respected citizen of Urbuna, Cham¬ paign county, Illinois, and afterward moved to Johnson county, Missouri.

Like many other enterprising young men, Mr. Allen came to Johnson county, because he thought it possessed many advantages over other local¬ ities. He came with his young wife to Warrensburg, and remained there a few years. He then commenced to improve his present farm, near Columbus. His means were limited, and, like most of the settlers in a new country, the numerous obstacles and difficulties had to be met by per¬ severing energy and industry. He owns, at present, a snug little farm, and is gradually surrounding himself with stock of all kinds. They have two boys: Jesse and Frank, who are now beginning to be some help to their father, and it will be but a few years until he will be able to spend his remaining years under the shadow of his own vine, and enjoy the fruits of his labor.

Lewis Burris

a native of Missouri, was bom in Lafyette county, in the year 1828. His parents were natives of Tennessee and North Carolina, who moved to this state about the year 1820. He came to Johnson county in the fall of 1866. His first wife, was Miss E. Baker, by whom he had four children. She died in 1862. He was married again to Miss Bettie Upton, on the 1st day of November, 1866. Captain Burris is a first-class farmer and stock raiser, and his large farm is well adapted to the business. He has about 400 acres of good land in section 1 of thjs township. He held the office of township collector when the county was under township organi¬ zation, and has served the school district as director, for two or three terms. He has about 360 acres under good cultivation, the remainder in pasture and wood land. He is one of the most prominent farmers in the county, an energetic business man, and a kind neighbor.

Edward W. Cobb

a native of Johnson county, was born in Columbus, in the year 1841. His father, Charles D. Cobb, was a native of Connecticut, and emigrated to Johnson county in the year 1836. He received his business education in the state of New York, and moved west to St. Louis, where he carried on business for a few years. He then moved to Columbus, and was the sec¬ ond merchant in the place. During his life he occupied various positions of trust, and filled them with ability and fidelity. He was appointed to take the census of 1851, and, for the manner in which it was performed, he received the special compliments of the department. He was married in July, 1833, to a young lady from Ireland, who emigrated to. America with her brother. She was born in the town of Clonakilta, neai the city of Cork. After her marriage she came with her husband to help build up a home in the west. After a number of years of successful toil and perseverance, he took sick and died in the year 1852, and left a wife and se\ en children, one of whom is the subject of this sketch, whose principal busi¬ ness has been farming on his father's estate. The farm is located on sec¬ tion 26, township 47, and was first occupied by his father and family in the year 1S4S. He was first married to Miss Lone Woodruff', and has one daughter by that union: Louella Cobb. He was married to his second wife, Miss H. B. Phillips, in the year 1871. The children by this union are: Maggie Cobb, Laura Cobb and Mary Cobb. He is at present was born in Johnson county, Missouri,. July 27, 1853. His parents were natives of Virginia. They moved to Johnson county about the year 1840. His father, Thomas Coleman, was a graduate of Yale College, and a grad¬ uate of the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. He married in John¬ son county, about the year 1845, Miss Catherine Tackett. On the 20th day ofjune, 1854, he was drowned in attempting to cross Black Water, at what is called Gooseberry Ford. Having gone west-to visit a patient' in returning he attempted to swim his horse across the stream, which had swollen from recent rains, the horse floundered and sank, dragging his rider with him. The body of the Doctor was found next morning about fifty yards below the ford, clinging to a log. He left a widow and four children. The subject of this sketch was thus left, early in life, to carve out his own destiny. He received a liberal education in the public schools of the state, and afterward went to St. Louis, and read medicine at the Missouri Medical College. He graduated in March, 1878, after which he came back to Columbus, and settled down to practice his profession. The Doctar has built up a fine practice by his skill and perseverance.

Nealy Daggett

one of the most enterprising young farmers of Johnson county, was born in Illinois, in the year 1840. His father, I. S. Daggett, is a native of New ^ ork state, and when quite a young man he came to Indiana and lived in that state a number of years. He afterward moved and settled in Illinois. From there he moved to Johnson county, in the year 1871. His family consists of nine children. Nealy Daggett, the subject of this sketch, is the fifth child, and was married in the year 1868, to Miss Laura J. Russell, who was a native of Ohio. The children by this union are, Elber Otis and Birdy Alta Mabel. Mr. Daggett follows the business of general farming, but has lately turned his attention to raising fine sheep, for which his farm is well adapted. His farm of 295 acres is located on section 27, nearly all under cultivation. His home is very attractive, and gives ample evidence of the thrift, energy, and industry of the proprietor.

John B. Davis

was born in Lafayette county, Missouri, in the year 1826. He moved with his father's family to Johnson county, and first settled close to Colum¬ bus. He was married in Adrian county to Miss Campbell, in the year 1846; her parents were among some of the earliest settlers of Johnson county, and the children born unto them are named as follows: William C., Susan Jane, R. C. Alfaretta and Charles Davis. He has a fine farm of 110 acres situated on section 35 and 36. Besides the occupation of general farming, Mr. Davis has been engaged in running mills and build¬ ing, and repairing machinery. He also takes contracts for building houses, and other buildings in his neighborhood.

The name that heads this sketch is well known throughout the county as one among the earliest settlers. He was born in Lee valley, Lee county, Virginia, on March 15, 1811. His parents were natives of Vir¬ ginia. His father moved to Tennessee after the battle of New Orleans. The subject of this sketch lived with his parents in Tennessee, till the year 1829 in Ray county, one mile from the Cherokee Nation. He recollects the assembly of men at the treaty of the Hiawathy Purchase, and was present at that treaty, and recollects Gen. Jackson and Gen. Houston, and was only a boy at that time. He came with his parents to this state in the year 1829, and drove a four-horse wagon from Tennessee to Tabo Grove, Lafayette county, and went from there to St. Charles in 1834. He attended medical lectures at the medical college of Ohio, in the citv of Cincinnati, during the sessions of 1831 and 1832. He settled in Columbus when it was the count} seat of Johnson county. The doctor "tells an amusing story of the trial of one of the first criminal cases. Hav¬ ing no jail to confine the prisoner, the court ordered the sheriff' to confine him in an old wagon box, which he did by turning the box over him, and jury proceeded to literally and judicially sit on the case. Aftei a short deliberation the jury accpiitted the prisoner, and the couit, juiy and prisoner adjourned to a large tree, near which there was a fine spring of water, and there the assembled court and citizens proceeded to refresh themselves after their judicial labors, under the cooling shade of the tiees, with a few gallons of good Bourbon whiskey, and after the manner of ye early pioneer. He was married on May 5, 1836, to Elisabeth C. Houx, daughter of one of the earliest settlers of this county. They have had 10 children, six of whom are now living. He has filled several offices in the county. ? He was appointed commissioner in bankruptcy, and acted in that capacity for two or three years. He represented the citizens of this county and district in the state legislature during the years 1836, 1838 and 1840. He was also one of the directors of the State Bank of Missouri for about 4 years. Besides giving each of his children a tract of land, he owns at present in the county about 2300 acres of fine land. His home is who forms the subject of this sketch, is a native of Kentucky, was born in Woodford county in the year 1814. His father was a native of Vir¬ ginia, and his mother a native of North Carolina. He was married in the year 1836 to Miss Julia Boone, of Kentucky, who is a lineal decendant of the distinguished pioneer of that name - already famous in history for his deeds of courage and daring. Mr. Hammond moved with his family to Missouri in the year 1855, and having considerable money he bought 500 - acres in a body of as fine land as there is in the township. His pleasant home is part of the old Cockrell homestead, and was the birth place of the present United States senator of that name. Johnson county contains no better land. It is well adapted for all kinds of grain and grass, and finely situated for raising and feeding all kinds of stock. He has added considerable to the farm in the way of permanent improvements and it now contains about 560 acres, nearly all under cultivation. He has raised thiee sons, one of whom (Wm. Marion Hammond) was killed at the battle of Helena, Ark.; Wyatt Hammond, another son, is a farmer, and settled about three miles from his father; Thos. Dudley Hammond, his y Ounoest son> 's stiW living at home. Although considerably advanced in years, Mr. Hammond still possesses a great deal of hearty vigor, and with his genial disposition bids fair to live many years to enjoy his possessions

Joseph W. Henderson

Among the many enterprising farmers of this township none is held in higher esteem than the subject of this sketch. He was born on the 26th of July, 1812, in Bourbon county, Ky. He emigrated to Johnson county Mo., in the year 1839, in the month of June. He bought some land soon after his arrival and opened a farm, and has continued the business ever since. He directs his attention principally to raising cattle, hogs and mules, and is very successful in raising stock. Believing in the sound political maxim " that the office ought to seek the man, and not the man the office," he has never been an office seeker, but the people of his dis¬ trict knowing him to be strictly honest and discreet, cast upon him the office of justice of the peace, which he reluctantly accepted and filled with credit to his constituents for one term. He was married to Miss Lena Ann Houx, March 23, 1843, who was a daughter of Nick Houx, one of the oldest settlers in the county. He has seven living children: three boys, now at home, and one daughter. His farm at present consists of about 425 acres of land, situated in sections 21, 22 and 28, adjoining the town of Columbus.

stock dealer, P. O. Columbus. Was born in 1851 in Maryland and came with his parents to Warrensburg in 1860. The family lived here till 1867, then removed to Columbus and engaged in the mercantile busi¬ ness. In 1872 W. C. bought out his father, L. T., and carried the same business till 1880, when he commenced to deal in stock. He was married May 3, 1876, to Martha Henderson, daughter of H. A. Henderson. They have one child: Estelle. Mr. H. is a young, enterprising business man, of whom Columbus township and Johnson county may well be proud. His father's family are members of the Christian church, widely known and universally respected.

Elias Jacoby

in Ohio, whither he had gone when eight years of age. In 1847 he removed to Indiana, where he remained subduing the land till October, 1871; he then sold his two farms and with wife and children started for Oregon. Becoming dissatisfied they returned to Missouri in the follow¬ ing February and settled on the farm, vvhere he resided till his death, which occurred July 20, 1877. He was buried in the little cemetery on the south side of his farm, which he had set apart for neighborhood burial. He was a hard-working, honest Christian man, at the time of his death a member of the Presbyterian church of Warrensburg. He was married April 18, 1837, to Margaret Schaaf, daughter of John Schaaf, who was born Dec. 15, 1794, in Germany, and still lives in Indiana. The family of Elias and Margaret Jacoby are: Samuel, killed in the U. S. army; John E., Elias, died July 11, 1851; Mary Ann, David, Catharine, died Nov. 2, 1870; Margaret, Levi, Eliza Jane, Isaiah, Annettie E. and William D. Mrs. Jacoby was born Jan. 9, 1819, in Wortenberg, Germany. She has reared a large and highly respected family. She is a worthy member of the Presbyterian church at Warrensburg. Levi married May Silvey in 1881. He is an industrious, thrifty young man.

L. B. Murray

was born in Columbus Township. He is the grandson of Uriel Murray, one of the early settlers of Johnson county, who was appointed one of the judges of the county when it was first organized. He was a native of Tennessee, emigrated and settled in Lafayette county, Missouri. The subject of the present sketch is the principal owner of the Columbus mills. He has been running them very successfully for the past four years. The style of the firm is L. B. Murray & Co. Mr. Snyder, a member of the firm, is a practical miller of long experience. They manufacture large quantities of flour, which finds a ready market on its merits in Warensburg, Holden and Odessa. The mill cost originally $10,000. They have added all the new improvements which enable them to manufacture New Process and Perre patent flour. The subject of this sketch was brought up a farmer and stock raiser, and manages a farm of 160 acres adjoining the mill. He is also an extensive dealer in cattle and hogs.

James E. Rankin

stock dealer and farmer, was born near Lexington, Missouri, in the vear 1827. He came with his parents to Johnson county, on the 14th of July, 1831. His father, Robert W. Rankin, was the ninth settler, and first and only doctor for many years in this part of the county. Dr. J. M. Fulker¬ son studied medicine with him for some time. He was also one of the first judges of the county court. The subject of this sketch is an exten¬ sive stock dealer and farmer, turning his energies to buying and feeding stock foi the St. Louis market. He has handled cattle for twenty-eight winters, and is as well and favorably known in St. Louis as in Johnson connty, being a good judge of stock. He was chosen to buy cattle in Texas for the confederate army. He was married to Miss Mary Jane Reavis, near Bowling Green, Kentucky, in the year 1854. They have seven children, five of whom are living. He served three years in the confederate army, and lost considerable property during the war. After the war closed he was sued under the confiscation act, and lost a great deal of time and money defending the suit. Notwithstanding his difficul¬ ties, losses and trials during his sojourn in Johnson county, he still main¬ tains the confidence and respect of the whole communitv, and owns at present one of the largest farms in the county, which contains about 800 acres of fine prairie and timber land. He still takes an active part in all the public enterprises of the county, and was one of the committee who wrote out the early history of Johnson county, at the Centennial picnic, held in a grove on the eighty acres of land on which the original town of Columbus was laid out.

Pleasant Rice

postoffice, Columbus, was born in 1803, in Tennessee. His father was a native of East Tennessee, and died on his farm near Lexington, Lafayette county, Missouri, in 1826. His mqther was a native of the same state, and died in 1804. Pleasant, being the oldest son, soon learned to work and assist his father, who was extensively engaged in the stock business.

At the age of twenty-one he set out for himself. His first work was to make rails. He made 1,800 rails for eighteen yards of muslin, and 300 rails for every yard of jeans which he purchased, and during the winter he made 11,000 rails. He then went to farming and was quite successful. In 1830 he moved to the farm on which he still resides. He has always been a prominent farmer and stock raiser, taking great pride in fine horses, having raised some of the finest in the county. His land before it was divided among the children amounted to over 1,000 acres. He has raised eleven children: Margaret A., Virlinda A., John M., Wm. R., C. C., Sarah E., Elizabeth M., James P., Mary A., Madora and Ruth J. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have been identified with the C. P. church over fifty years, and all the family, except one, are now members of the same church. Mr. Rice has always been a kind neighbor, and is widely known and universally esteemed. For further particulars see page 664.

John M. Rice

P. O. Columbus, the eldest son of Pleasant Rice, was burn in Johnson county, Missouri, January 12, 1833. He attended one term of school at Chapel Hill College. He was raised a farmer, an honest tiller of the soil, thus choosing early in life a vocation, which promotes health, happiness and thrift. He resided with his father until twenty-three years of age, when he engaged in farming for himself, and at the same time, giving considerable attention to raising stock. In 1856 he married Miss Mary M., daughter of John Tackett, Esq. Mr. Rice moved on his present farm in 1857. His farm contains seventy-four acres of very rich land, and is in a high state of cultivation. Mr. R. is an intelligent man, and has held various offices: township trustee and deputy assessor, the latter of which he holds at present. He has a family of seven children, two boys and five girls: Sallie S., Mattie F., Virlinda R., Mary C., Cora E., John M. and Marvin M. Mr. Rice is a prominent member of the Cumberland Presby¬ terian church, and Mrs. Rice belongs to the M. E. church, south.

was born in the state of Georgia. He removed with his parents to the city of Philadelphia, and remained there at college until the year 1841. He graduated at the Jefferson Medical Institute in that city. When a young man he emigrated to Johnson county, in the fall of 1842 ; he afteiward went to Kentucky, and took his degrees in medicine, at the Ken¬ tucky Medical Institute, in the years 1844-45. He was married in the spring of 1843, to Miss Emily June Houx, a daughter of one of the early settlers in Johnson county. Although the doctor is well advanced in years, he is still a careful and eager student, keeping up in his studies with all the new remedies, and learning valuable discoveiies in his piofes- sion. As an instance of his zeal and enterprise in his business, he took the preliminary step to organize a medical institute in the county, which, if it had succeeded, would have been of lasting benefit to the citizens.

James R. Waldon

farmer and large land owner, Columbus township. Born in Rockingham county, Virginia, November 3, 1811; son of Thomas and Ruth Waldon, who were natives of Virginia. The names of the entire famity are: John, Edward T., Nancy, Mary, Sarah, Jane, Margaret, James R., Jeremiah and Delilia. The family left the Old Dominion and settled in Ohio, when James was a mere boy, and in 1826 removed to Sangamon county, Illinois, where they resided a short time, then staked out a claim near Blooming¬ ton, Ill., before the government had placed it in market. Thomas Waldon died October 27, 1827, thus leaving a large family unprovided for; the mother determined upon binding out the tw'O boys, but their stout hearts refused to go, saying: they could work hard and support the family, and true enough, that widowed mother lived to experience the luxuries of wealth, provided by the energy and hard work of her two sons. In the year 1854, Mr. Waldon made a tour of observation to this county, and in 1856 removed here with his brother, Jeremiah, and their mother, and settled in Columbus township. Mr. Waldon now owns a large landed estate of 400 acres; but at one time, before he sold, had over 1,100 acres. He has made several trips to California, having crossed the plains twice by wagon train. The school house in his neighborhood is named in honor of him; to its erection he paid $180. His mother died February 27, 1861. His brother died July 3, 1872, and his sister Delia died Decem¬ ber 1, 1880: Mr. Waldon was never married, and though above seventy, has a strong and vigorous frame, apparently in perfect command of all his faculties, both mental and physical. He served as a soldier through the whole of the Black Hawk war.

Abraham B. Whaley

one of the most prominent school teachers of the county; was born in Palmyra, Missouri, April 13, 1835. His father and mother lived in Marion county up to 1865. The subject of this sketch was a captain in Marmaduke's brigade, and was captured during the war in Monroe county, north Missouri, and was held as a political prisoner in Cincinnati, until the close of the war. He returned to Missouri in April, 1865; then went with his parents on a trip through New Mexico and Arkansas. He was married in Arkansas to Miss Lucinda Henderson in the fall of 1869. She is a native of Missouri, and daughter of one of the old settlers of Johnson county. They have four children living: Marion Henderson, Wm. Albert Henderson, Fitzhugh Bird Henderson and Grace Forenum

Henderson. He taught school for eight years in this county, receiving the highest price paid any teacher for his service. He has at present a well located farm of 100 acres, with good substantial improvements, which will in time be one of the most desirable small farms in the county.

John W. Wright

dealer in general merchandise, Columbus. Was born near Chilhowee, this county, Oct. 28, 1839, son of Douglass Wright, a native of Virginia, who, while young, was taken to Kentucky, and thence to Missouri, and to what is now Chilhowee township, about 1830. He died there, Oct., 1872. Elizabeth P. Wright, the mother of our subject, is the daughter of Thos. Cull. She still lives and resides with her son, John W. Wright. Mr. Wright married Anna C. Snodgrass, and four children cheei their household: Early, Ora, Charley and Stella; Lee died Oct. 1872. Mr. Wright went into business for himself at Chilhowee, succeeding J. R. Johnson in merchandising. He then engaged in farming, and since that time has engaged in different enterprises from 1875 to 1880, merchandis¬ ing in Holden, "then lived a time in Bates county. In the fall of 1881, he came to Columbus and bought out G. C. Wolfe, and now provided with a full stock carries on a general mercantile trade, which, though good, is rapidly increasing. The coming spring will find him supplied with a full stock of farm implements and general farm supplies. Mr. Wiight being a native of Johnson county, has witnessed many of the changes which have come and gone. He is an enterprising liberal spirited man, ever ready to encourage that which is calculated to build up the township and county. He is a worthy member of the M. E. church, south.