Warrensburg Township

Warrensburg Township

Warrensburg township is so intimately connected with the city of the same name, which stands near its center, that the history of the former is blended with that of the latter, and much equally applicable to the town¬ ship will also apply to Warrensburg City. The township derived its name and geographical position from the county seat, and is one of the oldest in the county, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison and Washington being only eighteen months older.

Warrensburg township, as at present constituted, is bounded on the north by Hazel Hill and Simpson townships, on the east by Washington, on the south by Post Oak and Chilhowee townships, and on the west by Center View township. It is more centrally located than any other town¬ ship except Center View. It is exactly midway in the county, north and south, but a little east of the geographical center. Technically defined its limits are as follows; beginning at the northeast corner of section 4, township 46, range 26; thence south to the southwest corner of section 16, township 45, range 26; thence east to the southeast corner of section 16, township 45, range 25 ; thence north to the place of beginning. Its length north and south, is nine miles, width east and west, seven miles, and con¬ tains 63 square miles, or 40,320 acres.

Among the early settlers who came to this township previous to the year 1840, we mention the following names, with the remark that in obtaining them we were compelled to rely wholly upon the memory of men, as no list from records could be obtained. Those who have resided in Warrensburg township since 1840 are remembered by many now living, and to them must devolve the task of enrolling their names on the pages of history: Martin Warren, Abram Adams, Benjamin Granger, Isaac Granger, Thomas Granger, A. B. Granger, Madison Warren, Calvin Adams, John Adams, Jas. Fletcher, Jacob Perman, Archibald Thistle, William Perry, Elijah McCrary, Adam Fickas, Davis B. Wood, Andrew Blevens, Thomas W. -Pace, Marcus A. Turner, Joseph P. Henshaw, James Cochran, James Marshall, James H. Marshall, G. Wilson Houts, Theo. F. Houts, Richard F. Page, James Hollo well, William S. Purtle, John G. Gibbons, Martin Greer, John Cox, James Taylor, James W. Potts, James Guynn, Daniel Lanier, Harrison Lanier, Adkins Powell and William Rupe.

Physical Features. - A range of sand hills on which the city of War¬ rensburg is situated extend about four miles north and south, and about three miles east and west, near the center of the township. The two nor¬ thern tiers of sections are mostly composed of bottom lands, through which flows Blackwater; but the bottom lands on Post Oak and Bear creek are narrower and less marked.

Blackwater enters the township near the north-west corner pursuing an easterly and north-easterly course till it leaves the township, very near the north-east corner. The bottoms on Blackwater frequently open out into broad level plains, now under cultivation or covered with grass. Post Oak flows north through the western portion of the township, uniting with Blackwater in section 11, township 46, range 26.

Much timber formerly skirted Post Oak, but during the war vast quan¬ tities were cut off by the soldiers, a seconed growth, however, has taken its place, covering theuneaven knolls and breaks for miles in extent, north and south. Bear creek, the third stream in size, in this township, rises in the southeast, flows in a northeasterly direction, and empties into Blackwater, just over the line in Simpson township. The banks are high above the water, hence no fords where loaded teams can pass. Walnut creek, a small stream from Hazel Hill township, enters Blackwater a short dis¬ tance above the mouth of Post Oak, but on the opposite side. West fork of Post Oak enters this township from Centerview, and unites with the main current three miles southwest of Warrensburg.

central portions. While this township is by no means so rough broken and interspersed with sand hills, as to be considered in any sense worth¬ less, yet through large portions stunted oaks cover knolls with thin, and not extremely productive soil. North, south, east, and west, as one approaches the limits of the township, he sees beautiful rolling prairie stretching out into surrounding townships, and furnishing advantages for the finest farms in the world. Probably the finest farms in the township are found in the southeast and northeast, though other localities are exceedingly highly favored. For stock raising, this is the banner town¬ ship of Johnson county. Enough timber at intervals, covering little hills, to furnish wind-breaks for feeding, pure springs and running streams in every locality, proximity to a good shipping point, and sufficient gravel and sand in the soil to prevent deep mud in the feeding lots during wet seasons. Warrensburg township seems to lack no essential quality in con¬ stituting it pre-eminently fitted by natural resources for feeding and fatten¬ ing stock.

Sandstone exists underneath the soil, and in many places it crops out to the surface. The sandstone quarries, two miles north of Warrensburg, are sketched more fully in the city history.

Indian Mounds. - An old Indian burial place has recently been discov¬ ered on the farm of Mr. H. Spiess. The present indications are three large mounds within a radius of a few rods. These mounds are sup¬ posed to have been the work of the ancient mound-builders, who inhabited all this portion of North America, long before the Indian of more recent day had made the conquest of the Mississippi valley. The mounds have been dug into, and various relics found, some of which are preserved in the collection of curiosities at the normal. The writer made an examina¬ tion of these mounds, and found, among other things, a large molar, rib, and piece of a cranium, all of which bore unmistakable evidence of great age, and that they were the remains of an ancient Mound Builder. The larg¬ est mound is twelve yards in diameter, and six feet high. It contains a cell or vault 10x12 feet, built up with flat stones, brought from the creek, one half mile distant. In this narrow house the bodies of the chiefs were interred. The other two mounds are similar to the first, but smaller.

It is supposed that, at the time these mounds were built, great numbers of that race dwelt in this locality. Warrensburg may have been the center of a great settlement of Mound Builders.

the farm of Mr. McFarland, boils up from the bottom lands, one-half mile west of Post Oak. The taste and odor of sulphur is very strong, and it leaves a deposit of the same mineral upon debris over which the water flows, curb has been placed in the excavation, and it is rendered easy of access for all who desire its valuable medicinal waters.

Statistical - -The county seat was selected in May, 1336, and the follow¬ ing September the township boundaries were defined. At that time it con¬ tained a great area, having since been reduced several times. The population was very small. Warrensburg township, including the city, in 1870, con¬ tained a population of 4,804; in the year 1876, it had 4,400, and according to the United States census of 1880, it had a population of 5,778, while the city contained 4,049. In the year 1877, an abstract of the agricultural products, etc., stood as follows: voters, 902; white persons, 3, 742; colored persons, 658; horses, 768; mules, 236; cattle, 1,718; sheep, 494; hogs, 2,903; bushels wheat, 8,532; bushels corn, 252,100; bushels oats, 9,925; rye, 350; pounds tobacco, 25,590; pounds wool, 1,275; tons hay, 1,319; gallons wine, 1,370; gallons molasses, 4,995. According to the assessor's list, for 1881, we have the following: Horses, 958, value, $31,795; mules, 252, value, $11,870; cattle, 2,383, value, $28,158; sheep, 1,309, value, $1,309; hogs, 4,780, value, $7,977; total value of personal property, $315,- 811.

Schools. - This township is furnished with the best school facilities, both for teacher and pupil, of any in Johnson county. The Normal, city high school and numerous elementary schools are superior both in quality and convenience of access. The schools outside the city continue in ses¬ sion from five to eight months a year.

The following are among the teachers of Warrensburg township: J. W. McGiven, D. S. Redford, Miss Rosa Hooker, W. R. Delaney, T. P. Reid, A. F. Dunbar, Ed H. Gilbert, W. R. Nelson, A. J. Sparks, Gus Coleman, Miss Rebecca Granger, G. M. Shanton, Miss Mary Emerson, Miss Sallie Zoll, Miss Josie Smith, Miss Sallie Smith, Harvey T. Wil¬ liams, Miss Frankie A. Miller, Miss Nellie De Garmo, Miss Mattie Zoll, Miss Lizzie Logan, Miss Kate Logan, Mrs. M. D. McCormack, Miss Lizzie McCluney, Miss Nannie Williams.

German Baftist Church. - This church is sometimes called "Dunkard." It is situated about two miles south of Warrensburg, and had a member¬ ship of twenty. It was organized August 3, 1880, and the church edifice was soon erected at a cost of $700. Among the original members are: A. W. Reese, minister; John Bowman, deacon; Jos. E. Lightner, Wm. Mohler, Thomas Adams, Nancy J. Roop, Alice Hall, M. Gibson, Sarah

L. Baile, Minnie C. Christopher, Susie E. Reese, Lizzie D. Mohler, Lucinda Bowman, Anna Bowman, Lizzie Fickas, Anna Lightner. The present pastor is Rev. A. W. Reese.

Union Prairie Baftist Church . - Two miles north-east of Warrensburg, in this township, there stands a little Baptist church, called Union Prairie. It was organized December 8, 1865, by Elder E. H. Burchfield, and the house was built in the spring of 1867, by Luther Price, at a cost of $1,500. The edifice was 45 feet long, 30 feet wide and 14 feet high, and furnished with board seats and pulpit. The divines, who from time to time broke the bread of life to this little flock of believers, were Elders Jonathan Gott, John Letts, P. J. Collop, J. E. Welch and F. M. West. Seven devout and faithful believers first entered the organization. Their names are as follows: Elder Jonathan Gott, William Adams, Elizabeth F. Adams, Martha Adams, Samson Adams, Eliza J. Knight, and Susan Granger. Under the pastorate of Elder Gott, as also at a later date, there was a considerable revival. On the 7th day of May, 1881, the church numbered 30, but seeing themselves weak and unable to support regular preaching, they resolved to disband and unite with the Warrensburg church, which they did.

The Regular Baptist Church . - This church is situated four miles south of Warrensburg City. It was organized in 1842. They now have a frame church edifice well furnished, forty feet long and twenty-four feet wide, built by one of its enterprising members, Adam Fickas, at a cost of one thousand dollars. This is one of the oldest church organizations in Johnson county. Adam Fickas is one of the main pillars in this church, and its success is greatly due to the liberal contributions of time and money by him.

Miscellaneous Events

On Saturday evening, November 29, 1873, a distructive fire broke out in the city of Warrensburg, consuming the Ming hotel, Johnson county saving's bank, besides several stores and offices, and three persons burnt to death.

"About ten o'clock, the proprietor and several guests were seated by the office stove, when a crash, as the breaking of a glass in the dining room, started Mr. M. E. Mulverhill, the landlord, to his feet, who exclaimed, 4 That sounds like an exploded lamp,' and rushing to the scene of the disaster, followed by several others, they found dense volumes of smoke and flame issuing from the lamp-room. Mr. Mulverhill immedi¬ ately proceeded to alarm the sleeping guests, but was never again seen alive. Virgil Pinkston, a daring young hero of this occasion, found Mrs.

Mulverhill in her bed room door, apparently bewildered with fright, refus¬ ing to make any effort to escape from the gathering conflagration, when Mr. Pinkston seized her in his arms and conveyed her safely through the stifling flames and gases, landing her securely in the street, and proceeded to rescue others. Miss Fannie Smith appeared in the third story window; escape by the stairway being cut off by the flames, she jumped into the arms of Mr. John Cheedy, on the porch below, and thus saved her life. Thomas C. Higgins, a boarder at the hotel, was in the office when the alarm was given, and immediately rushed to his room in the top story for his baggage, but he had no sooner gained the upper floor, than he was cut off and retreat seemed impossible, but having great caution he drew his hat over his face, and sped down the dining room stairway, only los¬ ing his beard and hair, which were singed off in his downward flight. David Holden, of the quarry company, was sleeping in the fourth story, when the alarm. was given; he had only time to partially dress when he found the smoke and furious flames beating against his door; he passed out through the dormer window on the steep roof and crawled to the front eave, thence bounded a distance of thirty feet to the porch, without breaking any bones. W. D. Ordendrake and wife had retired for the night, in the third story, above the porch, and their only chance of escape was through the window to the porch below ; he let his wife down as far as he could reach with his hands, when Mr. Crone, the clerk, caught her from the balcony.

Charred and burned remains of the dead were found the following day. Mr. M. E. Mulverhill, the landlord, made all due haste to arouse the inmates, and in attempting to make his exit, it is supposed became suf¬ focated. A burned and charred form was taken from the debris, at about ten o'clock the next day (Sunday morning), and identified as the body.

The next body taken from the ashes was supposed to be J. W. Poland, a photographer, who arrived from Kansas City, the previous Thursday. This body was in a crisp, though partially natural form. The third vic¬ tim was a young man by the name of J. L. Prouty, of Clintonville, Mis¬ souri, who arrived that evening, with the expectation of attending the Normal school. He occupied an upper room, and was repeatedly urged to jump from the window, and probably from fear and consternation, utterly failed to escape the fiery elements that were fast bearing upon him. A portion of a body was taken out, supposed to be that of this unfortu¬ nate young man."

The Ming Hotel stood on the east side of Holden street, opposite Step¬ per's drug-store. It was a four story pine building erected in the spring of 1865, and owned by I. M. Cruce. It was insured for $9,000. The hotel furniture was all lost. The inmates lost everything except the clothing upon their backs. The hotel furniture and bar-room fixtures were covered with an insurance of $5,000. The hotel safe, containing considerable money, stood the fire and nothing damaged.

A two story brick building adjoining the hotel, owned by H. F. Clark, was consumed. It was insured for $3,700. The upper rooms were used as bed rooms, while the lower room was occupied by J. D. Morris, as a saloon. The bar fixtures and billiard tables were insured for $1,300.

The next building destroyed belonged to the Johnson County Savings Bank. The lower room was used as a bank and the upper part contained offices. Everything was saved. The safe was fire-proof. The insurance was $4,000.

Mr. M. E. Mulverhill, the landlord, located in W arrensburg in Decem¬ ber, 1870, and conducted a hotel to his demise. He left a wife and two children. He had an insurance of $2,000 on his life, which showed his care in providing for the future of his wife and family. Let his epitaph be, " He died to save his fellow man."

Closely following on the great conflagration of the Ming Hotel, another big fire broke out in the post-office building the following week, burning three buildings aud destroying upwards of $50,000 worth of property. No lives were lost. It is said that Dr. W. L. Hedges had a narrow escape.

For several years past Warrensburg has had a loathsome cell, called her jail, where prisoners were confined without safety. An incident is related that on Monday March 2, 1874, the following prisoners were sent to the State's Prison: James Todd and J. M. Combs, each ten years for murder in the second degree ; Dan Fisher, two years for manslaughter in the third degree; Frank Page, three years for burglary; David McConnaughay, two years for breaking jail; Z. Monday, four years for attempted rape on a child under twelve years of age; Jno. Jackson, two years for grand larceny; Younggold, four years for everything villainous grand larceny in particular. A large crowd of citizens assembled at the depot to see them leave, and as they passed "down the streets they sang the following refrain, composed by one of the victims in jail. Here is the original:

During the year 1874 a branch railroad was built to the Warrensburg Stone Quarry. The following damages were assessed for the right of way by the board of commissioners, Messrs. Delaney, Markey and Burford: Will. S. Stone, $150; E. C. Fitch, $200; George Kane, $400; Austin Elliot, $430; R. Baldwin, $625; Jno M. Jewell, $166; total $1,971.

The first annual fair of the Johnson County Agricultural and Mechanical Association was held at W arrensburg during the month of October, 1858. It was a success.

is the son of John O. McFerrin, who was a native of Tennessee. The grandfather, B. L. McFerrin, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and held the commission of Captain in the army. The subject of this sketch was born in Cass county, Missouri, March 20, 1848, and is the third child in a family of six children. He received a good liberal education from the schools of his native county. He passed his earlier years on his father's farm. In October, 1866, he moved to Johnson county, settling in the southwestern part of the county, where he has since resided. Mr. McFerrin was mar¬ ried October 29, 1866, to Miss Nancy O. Wall, a daughter of Dr. R. Z. R. Wall, and a native of Johnson county. From this union there are seven children, all of whom are yet living, viz: Cornelia A., Minnie M., Leander R., Edgar M., Mary J., Cory B., and Dora. Since Mr. McFerrin's resi¬ dence in this county, he has been engaged in farming. He owns one of the best grain farms in this part of the county consisting of 378 acres.

Drs. C. R. & J. M. Oglesby

P. O. Chilhowee, are sons of F. M. Oglesby, who was a native of Ken¬ tucky. These young men were both born in Johnson county, Missouri. C. R. was born August 7, 1852, and J. M. was born September 1, 1855. They received a good English education from the common schools of Johnson county. C. R. completed his literary education at the McGee college in Northern Missouri, and J. M. completed his literary education at the Normal school at Warrensburg, Missouri. They both attended lectures and graduated at the St. Louis Medical College. C. R., after receiving his certificate, returned to Warrensburg, where he practiced his profession for a few months. Then he moved to Chilhowee in the south¬ western part of Johnson county, where he has been engaged in the prac¬ tice of his profession ever since. After J. M. had received his certificate of graduation he returned to his home, and located with his brother at Chilhowee, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his pro¬ fession. Dr. C. R. Oglesby was married December 12, 1877, to Miss Cora H. Farr, a daughter of the Rev. W. B. Farr, and a native of Mis¬ souri. From this union there are no children. The doctors own the resi¬ dence they occupy, and a small tract of land adjacent to the village of Chilhowee. These young men have been industrious in their profession, and have built up for themselves a creditable practice. They are held in high esteem by their neighbors, and enjoy the reputation of being honor¬ able gentlemen, and professional men.

J. F. Raker

P. O. Holden, is the son of J. Raker, a native of Kentucky. He moved with his family to Missouri in the spring of 1858, settling in Pettis county, near Sedalia; the family remained here until the spring of 1860, when they moved to Johnson county, settling in the southwestern part of the county, where the family has resided ever since. The father was killed in the fall of 1862, leaving a family of five children. The subject of this sketch is the fourth child in the family, and was born in Kentucky, August, 23, 1855, and raised on the farm, where he now lives with his mother. Mr. Raker received his education from the common schools of this county. Since he has reached manhood he has been engaged in farming and raising of stock. Mr. Raker was married February 4,. 1880, to Miss Susan Kirkpatrick, a native of Johnson county, and a daughter of John Kirkpatrick. Mr. Raker with his younger brother owns a fine farm of 320 acres, well improved and under a good state of cultivation. Mr. Raker is but a young man, yet possesses considerable business qualification. He is industrious, making good use of his start in life.

P. O. Chilhowee, is the son of Benjamin Roberts, who was a native of Bedford county, Virginia, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. The sub¬ ject of this sketch was born in Bedford county, Virginia, October 26, 1827, and is the third child in a family of nine children. He spent his early days working- on his father's farm; his advantages for an education were somewhat limited. When he was about eight years old, his father moved with his family to Kentucky, remaining in that state until the fall of 1855, when he, with the family, moved to Missouri, settling in the south¬ western part of the county, where he has ever since resided, excepting the years '78 and '79, when he was in Texas. When the war came on, Mr. R.s sympathies were with the South, though he took no part in the con¬ flict. Mr. Roberts was married the 25th day of September, 1854, to Miss Louisa Wilmore, who was the daughter of Mr. James Wilmore, and a native of Kentucky; from this union there were ten children, seven of whom are yet living, viz: Laura P., Susan T., Junius E., John M., Mar¬ tha C., Sallie L. and George. The two first named are married, one living in Henry county, Mo., and the other in Collin county, Texas. Since Mr. Robert's residence in Johnson county, he has been engaged in farm¬ ing and stock raising. He has a fine farm of 250 acres, well adapted for the purposes for which it is used. Mr. Roberts and his lady have been members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

A. N. Rowland

Among the representative young men of Chilhowee township, we find the subject of this sketch; he is the son of John Rowland, who is a native of Virginia. Young Rowland is a native of Ohio, and was born in Cham¬ paign county, of that state, December 16, 1857. He passed his younger years on his father's farm near where he now resides. He received a good, liberal education from the common schools of this county, com¬ pleting his education at the normal school at Warrensburg. In the spring of 1866, Mr. Rowland was brought with his father's family to Missouri, settling in the north-eastern part of Johnson county, where they lived one year, then moved to the south-western part of this county, where young Rowland now lives. Mr. R. is a man without family, and since he has reached manhood has been engaged in farming. He has a farm of 260 acres, tolerably well improved, and under a good state of cultivation.

F. A. Shoemaker

P. O. Holden, is the son of John Shoemaker, who is a native of New York. The grandfather, John Shoemaker, was a soldier in the war of 1812. The subject of this sketeh was born in Yates county, N. Y., March 5, 1836. He passed his early years on his father's farm, in his native county; and he received a good, liberal education from the common schools of New York. In the fall of 1858, Mr. Shoemaker moved to Indiana, where he remained four years; then he moved to Gentry county, Missouri, where he remained one year, and taught school; then he returned to LaPorte, Indiana, September 3, 1861. He enlisted in the 29th Indiana infantry, serving in the army for three years. After his dis¬ charge he returned to Starke county, Illinois ; remained there three years. In the spring of 1867 he moved with his family to Missouri, settling in the southwestern part of Johnson county, where he has since resided. Mr. Shoemaker was married the 7th day of November, 1866, to Miss Maggie J. Snare, a daughter of Joseph B. Snare, who was a native of Pennsylvania. From this union there are two children, both of whom are living; viz.: Hattie A. and Ida May. Since Mr. Shoemaker's residence in Johnson county, he has been engaged in farming and the raising of stock. He owns a farm of 210 acres, well improved. Mr. S. is a man of general informa¬ tion, and stands high among his neighbors.

Dr. R. Z. R. Wall

P. O. Holden, is the son of Richard Wall, who was a native of Mary¬ land. The subject of this sketch was the seventh child in a family of «ight children, and was born in Rockingham county, North Carolina,

March the 29th, 1810. He received a liberal education from the common subscription schools of that day, but completed his education at Chapel Hill, the University of the state of North Carolina. He is also a graduate of the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadel¬ phia. After completing his medical education, Dr. Wall returned to his home in North Carolina, and practiced his profession until the fall of 1837, when he moved to Henry county, Missouri, making the long journey in the only overland conveyance of that day, a wagon. He was two months in making the journey. In March, 1840, Dr. Wall, with his family, moved to Johnson county, Mo., settling in the south-western part of the county, upon what is known as Bear Creek, a branch of Big Creek. He was married in North Carolina, October 2d, 1838, to Miss MaryJ. Covington; from this union there were thirteen children, ten of whom are yet living, viz.: Adrian M., Susan J., Sarah E., Cornelia J., Nancy O., Selena M., Mary A., Francis L., Richard W. R. and Dora A. Since Dr. Wall's residence in Missouri, he has been engaged in agriculture, and the prac¬ tice of his profession, which he followed until the spring of 1865, retiring on account of his advanced age, turning his extensive practice to his nephew, Dr. R. H. Howerton. Dr. Wall at one time owned 5,036 acres of land, and since dividing with his children, he has yet remaining 1,589 acres. When Dr. Wall first moved to this section, he found the country unsettled, excepting a few settlers along the streams. The general belief of the people of that day was, that the prairie lands would never be set¬ tled. Forty years ago, the Dr., with the friends of his earlier manhood, spent many an hour in chasing the deer, as he roamed the prairies in its wild state, and even to-day he takes great delight in relating the innocent pleasures of those days. Dr. Wall, though in his seventy-second year, retains much of the vigor of his early manhood. He has been character¬ ized during his whole life, as a man of ability, honor and integrity. The first church-house built in the neighborhood, was at Bethel, about three miles from Dr. Wall's present place of residence. The house was also used for school purposes at that time. The Dr., with his estimable wife, of forty-three years, are enjoying the evening of life in the home their industry and economy made for them, in their earlier years.

traveled a distance of about twelve miles to this church once a month until County Line Baptist church was organized. He was chosen the first deacon of the congregation and ordained by Eld. Thornton Rucker. He always lived a life consistent with his profession, loved and respected by all. He departed this life Sunday morning at ten o'clock, Feb. 18, 1872. He was buried with Masonic honors. His funeral discourse was preached by Eld. Wm. P. C. Caldwell. His remains now rest in the beautiful cemetery on the eminence northwest of the handsome residence - built by his sons.

Milton W. Tylor

section 15, P. O. Knobnoster. The subject of this sketch was born Feb. 28, 1812, in Jefferson county, Ky. ; he there developed into manhood. He was married Maich 14, 1833, to Miss Mary Seaton. She was born Oct. 19, 1814, in Jefferson county, Ky. This union has blessed them with seven children, all of whom are living: James K., Lula J. T., Samuel L., Charles T., Josie, Milton W. and R. Seaton. In 1851 Mr. Tylor sold his farm in Jefferson county, Kv., and moved to Johnson county, Ind., where he bought a good farm, on which he built a fine residence, and not long after it was completed, it was destroyed by fire. During the war he lost much property. In 1869 he came to Johnson county, Mo., locating where he now lives. He now owns a good farm of 314 acres, with fine com¬ fortable buildings. He is a member of the Baptist church and among its. liberal supporters. He is a worthy and highly respected citizen.

physician and surgeon, residence, Sigel. This enterprising citizen was born Dec. 3, 1855, in Johnson county, Ind. He was there raised until 1869, when his parents came to Johnson county, Mo. The subject of this sketch was a lover of good books, and at the age of nineteen he began to teach school. He taught four terms. He also attended the Normal at Warrensburg for one year. In 1877 he went to the St. Louis Medical College, where he studied for two years. He graduated in 1879 and returned to Johnson county, locating in Sigel, where he purchased a fine house and has built up a large trade and is now numbered among the successful physicians of the county. He was married Nov. 3, 1880, to Miss Florence Shanks, and from this union have one child: R. Seaton, Jr.

Charles G. Wortham

P. O. Knobnoster. The subject of this sketch is a native of Harden county, Ky., and was born Aug. 9, 1832. He was there educated and developed to manhood. He came to Johnson county, Mo., in 1854, where he has since lived. He was married March, 1858, to Miss Nancy T. Gillen, and from that union there were four children, two of which died infants and two now living: William G. and Norah D. His wife died Nov. 17, 1873. When our country was involved in war Mr. Wortham favored the South and took up arms to defend what he thought was right, and while in the service was wounded three times. He was in some of the most severe battles of the war. He was married the second time Dec. 25, 1874, to Miss Mary E. Harrison, and by this union have two children: T. G. and Maggie Lee. He owns a farm of 120 acres.