Washington Township (part 2 of 2)

Benton P. Taylor

farmer and stock-dealer; P. O., Knobnoster. Was born in Pettis county, Missouri, December 6, 1833. His father, B. P. Taylor, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in 1795, and emigrated to Kentucky at an earl}- day. From there he moved to Illinois and thence to Missouri, in 1822, and settled first in St. Francois county, then in St Louis county, and from there he moved to Cooper county, thence to Pettis county, about 1828, and settled on a farm on which he resided until his death, which occurred in March, 1854. He was a farmer and miller, and his favorite amusements were chasing and hunting the deer. Benton's mother was born in Pennsylvania, in 1799, and is still living in Pettis county. Benton P. commenced business for himself in 1853, as a farmer and miller, and followed this for about twenty years, after which he engaged in the mer¬ cantile business, which he followed about ten years. He then engaged in the grain and stock business, which he follows at present, dealing in cat¬ tle, hogs and sheep. He was married in Pettis county in 1854, to Miss Martha M. Vanbibber, great-grand-danghter of Daniel Boone. By this union they have five children : George S., Annie M., Mary, Maggie, and physician and surgeon. Prominent among the old settlers is Dr. Warren. He was born in Lee county, Virginia, December 27, 1818. His father, Martin Warren, was a native of Kentucky, and was a farmer by occupa¬ tion. His mother's maiden name was Nancy Hubbard; she was born in the state of Virginia, and was married in her native state. Dr. Warren's parents emigrated to Missouri in 1819, and stopped at a place then called Boone's Lick,' now in Howard county ; from there they moved to Lafayette county, this state, and thence to Johnson county, in 1832, locating on Clear Fork, where he settled and improved a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits and the raising of stock, and where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in 1840. The Dr.'s mother died in Lafayette county, Missouri, in 1833. J. H., the subject of this notice, spent his youth on a farm, and early in life acquired the habits of industry; was edu¬ cated at the common schools, after which he commenced his career as a teacher, following this three years; then began the study of medicine with Dr. Wm. Calhoun, a most eminent and worthy physician, now living in Warrensburg. He took his first course in the St. Louis medical college, after which he commenced the practice, and was very successful for sev¬ eral years, when he returned to the same college taking his second course of lectures, graduating in the spring of 1848, and immediately resumed his practice in Cass county, and continued until 1861, when he entered the Union army as surgeon of the 5th Missouri State militia and served until 1863, when he was mustered out, and soon after located at Knobnoster, and at once engaged in his practice, and where he has been a resident ever since, not only enioying the confidence of his patrons, but a lucrative business. The Dr.'s grandfather, Martin W., was one of the first settlers of Warrensburg, and was well known by the pioneers of that locality. In 1840 the Dr. was married to Miss Sarah Warren, daughter of John Warren, of Lafayette county. She died in Johnson county, July 4, 1866. He was again married in October, 1868, to Miss Sue oung, who was the daughter of James Young, Esq. The Dr. has never raised any child¬ ren of his own. The Dr. and his estimable lady are both acceptable mem¬ bers of the Christian church. His residence is of a very substantial * character, and is provided with many comforts. He is a kind and unas¬ suming man, is a good neighbor, and highly respected.

merchant and stock dealer. In this sketch we do not have a man who nherited a fortune, or received a finished education, but we do ha\ e one who posesses true merit. He is a native Missourian, born in Saline county, June 23, 1842. He was reared on a farm, and when quite a small boy exhibited signs of being his own man, and when about 17 years of age started out in life without a dollar; his first agreement was to drive a team across the plains and to receive for his services $25.00 per month and expenses, which he followed for two years. In the fall of 1864 he settled on government lands in Montana territory, which at that time was a part of Idaho, where he engaged in farming and raising stock, and also worked at blacksmithing, also in government contracting, which he followed tilj 1877. Since which time he has been engaged in buying western cattle and shipping them to Chicago. In the year 1877 he also opened a dry goods store in Knobnoster, taking in Mr. D. H. De Arman as partner and business manager. He also is partner in the grocery store, the style of the firm being Collins & Wells. He was married in September, 1861, to Miss Jane Reese, a daughter of J. E. Reese, a prominent farmer and stock trader of Montana. The result of this union has been four children, viz: Gomer, Perry, Reese and Lena. Mr. Wells is a straightforward man in his dealings, his popularity may be inferred by the success which has attended his career.

farmer, P. O. Knobnoster, was born in North Carolina, May 6, 1833. His father Wm. Wheatley was a native of North Carolina, and came to Missouri in 1857, and settled in Washington township, one mile west of Knobnoster, where he remained until 1861, when he entered the army and was taken sick and died in 1862. His mother wras also a native of North Carolina, was born in 1811, and is still living with her son, Adolphus W., the subject of this sketch, who was about 24 years of age when he came to Missouri, with his parents. In 1865 he commenced farming for himself. In 1866 he moved on to his present farm, containing 70 acres, with good substantial improvements. He has a small apple orchard and many varieties of small fruit. He has served as school director in his district. His father's family was composed of nine children, five of whom are living: Adolphus W., Benjamin F., Amelia E., May C., Adelaide A. They have lost four, two of whom were killed in the war, one died in infancy and the other at 10 years.

farmer, P. O. Knobnoster, was born in Prussia, June 12, 1845. In 1846- his parents came to America, and stopped one year in Buffalo, New York, then came to Illinois, where he remained until 1869, when he moved to Nebraska, where he was engaged in farming for 8 years, when he was eaten out by the grass-hoppers. In 1876 he came to Knobnoster and rented a farm and went to work with a will. He afterwards moved on to his present farm, containing 118 acres. He also owns other land, and has been a very successful wheat-grower. He was married in Adams county, Illinois, in January, 1867, to Miss Catherine Nicwoohner, a native of Germany. By this union they have four children: Garret H., John B., Joseph H., and Mary C. Mr. W. is a member of the Catholic church. His father and mother were both natives of Germany.

Samuel Workman

retired farmer and capitalist, was born in Adams county, Penn., near Gettysburg, Sept. 14, 1811, and was principally raised in York county, in the town of Hanover, in which place he learned the tanner's trade, and some time after, saddletree-making, in which he exhibited much skill, and his work was in great demand. In 1836, he moved to Indiana and settled in Tippecanoe county, on the Wabash river, where he remained until 1839, when he moved to Missouri, and settled in Howard county, where he resided one year near New Franklin. In 1840, he removed to John¬ son county, -and purchased the land which is the present site of the town of Knobnoster, entering his land from the government. Mr. Workman was the founder of the town, and has continued to reside here, and raised a family of seven children, all living, and all married. Two of his sons stud¬ ied medicine. Wm. J. served one term in the legislature of Missouri. James M., his youngest son studied medicine in Indiana and graduated from the St. Louis Medical college. They are both in the enjoyment of a lucrative practice, of whom their father may well be proud. The sub¬ ject of this notice was married to Miss Sarah Walter of Adams county, Penn., Feb. 11, 1834. She was the daughter of Jacob Walter, Esq. Mr. Workman after locating in Knobnoster, among the first things he did was to plant a good orchard, which in a few years afforded him an abundance of fruit. He then engaged in agricultural pursuits, at the same time making saddletrees; his work was first class, and of ready sale. Soon after he was elected justice of the peace, which office he held con¬ tinuously for a period of ten years. In 1866, he was engaged in the real estate business, and was also notary public. He is one of the stock hold¬ ers in Knobnoster bank, and also one ot the directors. He is the owner of 280 acres of well improved land, and some 300 town lots. Has several good business houses, which affords him a handsome income. Has a fine substantial brick residence. He was instrumental in securing the present location of the depot by donating the lots to the railroad company, and giving them one thousand dollars in money. He has given gieat encouiagement to churches, donating the lots on which to build them, also has been liberal toward them by giving them money. Pie gave to the M. F. church, of which he is a prominent member, two thousand dollais. Mrs.

Workman is also a worthy member of the same church. Was born in Adams county, Penn., Oct. 15, 1816. They have had eight children, seven of whom are living: Eliza A., Sarah J., Mary M., Walter A., Samuel I., Dr. William J., and Dr. James M. Mr. Workman has set a good example, is a good neighbor, is widely known and esteemed. He has always been on the side of temperance, law and order, and in politics is a staunch republican, and has always been a firm believer in the sup¬ port of the government.

farmer; P. O. Knobnoster, Mo., was born in Granger county, Tenn., Jan. 8, 1887. His father, Michael Wyrick, was a native of Virginia, and moved to Tennessee at an early day, and came to Missouri, about 1841, and settled in Miller countjq where he died in 1878. His mother was also a native of Virginia, and died in 1877, in Miller county. D. M., the subject of this notice, was educated in Miller county, and was married in 1864, to Miss S. Mercer§mith, of Miller county. In 1866, he came to Johnson county, and settled on or near Long Branch, and purchased his present farm of 244 acres. He now owns about 603 acres of choice land, 500 acres of .vhich are in cultivation. He is one of the most extensive wheat growers of his neighborhood, and devotes considerable attention to raising fine cattle. He has five children, one son and four daughters: Arizona, Lizzie J., Daniel S., Ida, and Ninna. Mr. Wyrick is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having joined in 1868.

farmer, P. O. Knobnoster, Missouri, was born in Johnson county, Iowa, November 29, 1855. He moved to Johnson county, Missouri, in 1868, and settled on his present farm, containing eighty acres, all well improved. He was married October 7, 1880, to Miss Laura Lutz, of Knobnoster, daughter of George W. Lutz, Esq. Mr. Zimmerman devotes the most of his time to growing grain. He is the youngest of a family of nine children.

Theodore E. Zink

livery, was born in Bureau county, Illinois, September 11, 1856. He moved with his parents when about ten years of age to Missouri, in the year 1866. His father settling on a farm one and one-half miles east of Knobnoster, and where T. E. remained with his father and mother until thirteen years of age, when he set out in life for himself by engaging to work on a farm, and followed this about six years. Then he engaged in farming for himself, continuing in the business for four years, in which he was quite successful. He then quit farming, and embarked in the livery business, which is his present business, and which was purchased from

John Harper, his stable being the first livery stable established in Knobnoster. Mr. Zink is conducting the business on a good plan, and has established himself as the principal man in that enterprise, and his pop¬ ularity may be inferred from the success attending his efforts. Mr. Zink was married May 22, 1875, to Miss Georgia Blackmore, of Boone county, Missouri. The result of this union has been two children: Willie E. and Frank M. Mr. Zink is a kind, clever gentleman, and well fitted for his business.

Daniel Stearns

hardware, etc., Holden, Missouri, was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, March, 1824. He lived in his native city until about thirty years of age. He received his early education at the common schools of that state. At eleven years of age he entered a cotton and woolen factory, where he remained engaged until about thirty-one years of age, when he went to Wisconsin, where he remained about ten years, during which time he was engaged in farming and mechanical work. In 1865 he removed to John¬ son county, living in Warrensburg about two years. He then removed to Holden, where he has been a resident ever since. Soon after his arrival in Holden he engaged in contracting and building, and followed this until 1873, when he engaged in his present business, hardware, and took into partnership Mr. J. S. Sherer, with whom he remained for several years, when he went into partnership with Mr. William H. Lindle, his present partner. Mr. Stearns was married in 1845, to Miss Nancy J. Emmerson, of Great Falls, New Hampshire, by whom he had six children, five of whom are now living: Frank, Nancy J., Laura M., J. H. and Lillian M. Mr. and Mrs. Stearns are both members of high standing in the Presby¬ terian church, and contribute liberally to its support. Mr. Stearns has been a member of the Masonic fraternity tor thirty years.