Hazel Hill Township

Hazel Hill Township

" On petition ordered that a new township be formed off of parts of Warrensburg, Jackson and Washington townships, to be called and known by the name of Hazel Hill township, and bounded as follows, towit: Commencing at the northwest corner of section thirty, in township forty-eight, of range twenty-six, at the Johnson and Lafayette county line, and running thence south with the range line, dividing range twentysix and twenty-seven, to the southwest corner of township forty-seven of range twenty-six, and thence east on the township line dividing townships forty-six and forty-seven, to where said line strikes Blackwater Creek* and thence with the main Blackwater Creek to the county line dividing Johnson and Pettis counties, and thence north with said Johnson and Pettis county line, to the Johnson and Lafayette county line, and thence west with said Johnson and Lafayette county line to the beginning; and it is further ordered that all elections within said township be held at the Hazel Hill school house, and that the clerk of this court certify a trans¬ cript hereof to the secretary of state. Ordered June 10, 1856. " farmer and stock raiser. P. O. Warrensburg. Was born Jan. 17, 1825, in Litchfield county, Conn. He resided at home on a farm till he was seventeen, then commenced teaching in the winter, and followed that pro¬ fession for twenty-five years. His success as an efficient teacher was excellent. He was married May 3, 1848, to Miss Clara L., daughter of Nobel Allen, Esq. They have six children: Olive S., Frank N., Wil¬ liam C., Nellie C., Herbert L. and Maud. Olive S. and Nellie C. are dead , the othei children are living at home. Mr. A. has honorably filled several public offices both in Connecticut and since coming to Missouri. He was twice elected to the general assembly of Connecticut, was asses¬ sor for some time, and magistrate for twenty years, in his native state. In 1869, he located on his present farm, which is about seven miles north of Warrensburg. His land comprises a tract of about 350 acres. Since residing here he has been honored with the office of justice of the county court, and several other positions in the gift of his township and the county. His house with all its contents burned March 8, 1877. Mr. A. is an intelligent, sociable and generous citizen, well deserving the good name which he bears among all who know him.

Charles H. Baldwin

section 36, P. O. Warrensburg. The subject of this sketch was born Jan. 19, 1829, in Loudon county, Va., and in 1844, he moved to Kentucky, where he remained until 1859, when he came to Johnson county. He now owns a farm of 300 acres of fine land in Hazel Hill township. He is a consistent church member and upright citizen. The reward of his honest toil and frugal economy is seen in his wide cultivated lands and well stocked farm. He is well esteemed by his neighbors for his many manly qualities.

John W. Cleaveland

farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Fayetteville. Was born in Jefferson county, Ky., April 7, 1840, and received his early education at the com¬ mon schools. He was married to Miss Emma J. Dyer, daughter of M. Dyer, Esq., Nov. 14, 1858. Their family consists of Mary A., Virginia F., Lizzie, Nora, Martha A., Miles E., John W., George F., Berry H. and Maud M. In 1876, Mr. C. was elected township collector, which position he held with credit. The farm where he resides contains 205 acres, all of which is under cultivation. He also owns 200 acres in differ¬ ent parts of the county. Mr. and Mrs. C. are both faithful members of the Christian church. Mr. Cleaveland is a successful farmer, and a highly respected citizen.

James D. Dyer

farmer and stock raiser, section 36, P. O. Fayetteville, Johnson county, Mo. Was born in Warren county, Ky., near Bowling Green, on the 20th day of August, 1837. At the age of seven he removed with his parents to Lafayette countv, Mo., where he remained with his paients until the age of 23. His education was confined to the common schools of the county. His parents, who were natives of Kentucky, were honest, frugal and industrious, instilling the same spirit into their children, which was of great utility to them in after life. While living in Kentucky, the elder

Dyer was engaged in farming and raising horses and mules, and driving them to Mobile and other southern markets, which was a very lucrative business. After moving to Missouri with his family, Mr. M. W. Dyer, the father of this sketch, continued the pursuit of farming and raising stock! until the piesent year. James Dyer, Esq., was married on the seventh da} August, I860, to Miss Mary R. Greer, of Johnson county, Mo., the daughter of Alexander Greer, Esq. Mrs. Dyer possesses the integral characteristic of the Greer family, ever ready to assist in acts of kindness and charity. In 1861, he purchased 80 acres of land in section 36, town¬ ship 48, range 26, Johnson county, and moved on to it the same year, which was the commencement of the civil war. During the next few years he did nothing in the way of improvements, losing all he had in the way of stock, etc. In 1866, having left the state, he returned to his place to commence anew where he has lived ever since. Having been raised a farmer, he has followed that occupation until the present, adding farm to farm until his present possessions amount to 320 acres of good rich lands. In connection with farming, he has made stock raising a specialty, feeding and selling from 50 to 100 head of cattle each year.' They have eight living children, as follows: Alonzo M., Inez Z Mattie* M., Escobedo, Noah J, Alexander J, Miles A. and a son not'named. They have lost two boys and one daughter in infancy. The oldest daughter, with the parents are members of the church of Christ. Their Christian deportment and strict integrity make them useful citizens, and -their influence for good is felt in the community.

Hazel Hill township, P. O. Fayetteville, was born in Washington town¬ ship, of this county, December 29, 1850. Son of Jacob M. and Ann O. Mock. When the subject of this sketch was a very small child, his parents removed to North Carolina, where they resided till 1856, then removed to Pettis county, Missouri, and, in 1859, to Knobnoster, Johnson county. Dr. Mock commenced the study of medicine with Dr. L. H. Wil¬ liams, of Pettis county, in April, 1872, and graduated from the St. Louis Medical College in 1874. He then went to Freedom township, Lafayette county, where he practiced medicine two years. In 1876 he came to Fay¬ etteville, where he has since pursued his profession. He was married, April 30, 1874, to Miss Ella Bigley. They have one child, Annie Myrtle. Dr. Mock has the esteem and confidence of his neighbors, and proves him¬ self one of Johnson county's best physicians.

ject of this sketch was educated at Prairie Home College, Cooper county, Missouri. He was married to Miss Florence, daughter of James F. Parker, Esq., April IT, 1870. They have lour children: James M., Stella M., Emmet P., Celetia A. The father and mother are both mem¬ bers of the C. P. church. Notwithstanding he was well educated for a business life, he chose farming as his occupation, in which he has been very successful. His farm contains about 408 acres, situated a few miles west of Fayetteville, and is nearly all under cultivation. Mr. Newton is always ready to assist in any educational cause, or other public enterprise.. He is an honest, industrious, and upright gentleman, surrounded by a pleasant family.

J. W. Taylor

P. O. Warrensburg, was born February 3, 1841, in Johnson county, Mis¬ souri. He is a son of James Taylor, one of the pioneers of Johnson county, and came here October 28, 1839. The subject of this sketch remained in his native county until March, 1862, when he engaged as teamster for the government, and he was promoted to wagonmaster. In December, 1S64, he returned to Johnson county, and was married, Janu¬ ary 12, 1865, to Miss Julia A. Potts. Her father is one of the first pio¬ neers of Johnson county. This union has blessed them with five children: Loria Etta, Ella D., William G., Jettie L., Doha Florence. Lost two, Minnie B. and Mary L. Mr. Taylor has seen many ups and downs in the world, and has seen many changes go and come to Johnson county. In 1877 he moved to his present location, where he has improved a large farm of 240 acres, and has built fine buildings. He is a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

T. Eugene Williams

E. A., E. D. and T. E. were the brothers; Parrilee, Viana and Mollie,the sisters; all of whom are married, except the subject of this sketch. His father, Thomas, was a native of Kentucky, and emigrated to this state at an early day, and was among the pioneer teachers of Missouri. He also engaged in farming and stock-raising, and as a citizen stood high in his community. T. Eugene, from boyhood, was pious and studious, and made rapid progress in the country public schools, where he received the ludiments of an English education. At the early age of fourteen years, he embraced religion, and became a member of the Mt. Moriah C. P. church, where he is loved and respected by his pastor, and all the communicants. In 1877, at the age of fifteen years, he entered the State Normal School at

Warrensburg, and graduated with honors in his class, June, 1880. The following autumn he was engaged to teach the rural school of his own neighborhood. This summer he was elected principal of the Aullville public school. He opened his school here, September 5, 1881, and is at piesent successfully conducting one of the best schools ever taught in that town. No doubt, the subject of this sketch, being comparatively a young man, has a bright future before him.

Coleman, John, Thomas, and Henry Russell are reputable farmers. Their grandfather was a major in the army of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. He resigned his commission, and emigrated to America, A. D. 1795. Their father, Major Henry Russell, who was born in Rithmelton, Ireland, was an officer in the United States army, and did gallant seivice in the war of 1812. The bounty land awarded him by the gov¬ ernment he located in Missouri, and afterwards became a resident of this grand old commonwealth. Although his four sons are, and have a right to be, proud of their genealogy, they have sense enough to know that it - amounts to nothing in this republic, where merit alone is entitled to rank. These Russell boys are all of them retired merchants. When they came hither, a quarter of a century ago, they were, to say the least of it, rich. Their losses, by reason of the late deplorable internecine war, were no less than twenty-five thousand dollars; nevertheless, they annoy no one with loud lamentations. Whilst they are no longer rich enough to make them proud, yet they are not poor enough to feel the pangs of poverty. The Russells still occupy their delightful homestead, situated in full view of the city of Warrensburg. They are generous, hospitable, agreeable gentle¬ men, exceedingly liberal in politics, and tolerant in reference to religion. They always have a kind word for those in distress, a penny for the poor, and a maladiction for an enemy.