ABBOTT, Robert Henry
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Mt. Pleasant Township, Bates Co, MO
ROBERT HENRY ABBOTT was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1828. The family moved early to Coldwater, where Robert learned the tin and stove trade, at which he worked for several years. He lived for a time in Orland, Indiana, and when the war broke out he enlisted in the celebrated Lampher's Battery and served three years, receiving an honorable discharge. In 1876 he came to Missouri, and for several years has been foreman of McBride & Co.'s tin and store shop. He is an excellent mechanic, and thoroughly understands the business in all its branches. He married Miss Emma Paulin, of Ashland County, Ohio, in 1864. Mrs. Abbott owned a millinery store and was doing a good business, when the great fire in 1879 burned the store and her stock of goods. Since that time she has been keeping a boarding house. Her sister died in Illinois in 1867, and left two daughters, whom Mr. A. took to bring up. Ada Miller died in 1878 when seventeen years of age, and Emily married Henry Wolf, of Nevada, Missouri. Mr. Abbott is an active member of the Masonic fraternity.

ACKERMAN, James T.
History of Bates County, Missouri, W. O. Atkeson, 1918
JAMES T. ACKERMAN -- Hard work and rigid economy was the program for the early life of James T. Ackerman, well-to-do farmer and stockman of Howard township. The Ackerman farm was purchased by its proprietor during the winter of 1871. Mr. Ackerman made his first investment in Bates county land when the ground was covered with snow to a depth of nearly two feet but has never regretted his purchase. His first quarter section cost him ten dollars an acre -- unbroken prairie land which he fenced and improved. The farm now consists of four hundred acres of rich, valuable soil which produces bountiful crops each year. His handsome home stands on a commanding knoll which affords a view of the surrounding country for miles in every direction, the rich bottom land lying about the farm buildings on all sides. During his residence of forty-seven years in Bates County, Mr. Ackerman has never purchased any flour, the farm producing his needs each year. He has sown one hundred acres to wheat for next year's harvest. During the past year he harvested ninety acres of corn which yielded an average of forty bushels to the acre; forty acres of oats which produced forty bushels to the acre. At the present time (December 1917) he is feeding seventy-head of cattle and thirty hogs and keeps ten horses and mules to do the farm work. Mr. Ackerman has expended over fifteen thousand dollars for improvements on his farm and it is his proud boast that he "owes no man a dollar." The farm is equipped with natural gas obtained from a well drilled in 1912 to a depth of two hundred eighty-six feet. James T. Ackerman was born at Salem, Forsythe County, North Carolina, January 13, 1850, a son of William and Jeanette (Spock) Ackerman. William Ackerman was a son of John Ackerman who emigrated from Germany to America when a young man and settled in North Carolina. The Ackerman family came to Missouri in 1868 and resided at Montserrat, in Johnson County for a period of fifteen years, then removed to Warrensburg. When James T. Ackerman came to Bates County in 1881 the father accompanied him and he cared for him until the end of his days, the father dying in 1911 at the age of eighty-three years. The mother departed his life in 1858. While a resident of Montserrat, James T. Ackerman worked as a section hand on the railroad and drove a team for the coal mines for a period of eleven years at a wage of one dollar and fifty cents per day. During this time he carried the burden of supporting and rearing his father's family but managed to save money each year. He was never averse to earning an honest dollar aside from his regular employment and managed to earn a good many extra dollars which he carefully saved. Opportunities for loaning money at 10 per cent, interest were plentiful in those days and he increased his hoard by doing this. It was and always has been his contention, that it matters not what a man earns, "it is what he saves that counts in the end." When he had accumulated a total of one thousand six hundred dollars, he said one day to his wife, "I guess I'll go and buy me a home." This he did in Bates County where he now ranks as one of the oldest of the pioneer settlers and one of the most substantial and best respected of his section. The marriage of James T. Ackerman and Lesta Stultz took place on October 18, 1874 and has been blessed with the following children: Minnie, wife of J. P. Adams, assistant cashier of the Bank of Hume, Hume, Missouri; Arthur, born in 1877, resides on one of his father's farms, married Lola Liggett, and has four children: Vivita, Oscar, Golden and A. J.; Alfred, born in 1879, lives at El Dorado, Kansas; Cleveland, born 1885, United States railway mail clerk since 1905, and resides at Kansas City, Missouri. The mother of these children was born in 1853 in North Carolina, first came to Indiana in 1865 and came to Montserrat, Johnson County, Missouri with her parents, Elisa and Matilda Stultz, in 1866. The Democratic party has always had the steadfast allegiance of Mr. Ackerman and he has generally voted the straight Democratic ticket. He has never had any time for political matters and has never cared for nor ever sought political office. He and Mrs. Ackerman are members of the Presbyterian church. He is a genial, kindly, shrewd, and capable citizen whose word is considered as good as his bond, one who has found Bates County a profitable and a good place in which to live and rear a family. Mr. Ackerman's unswerving loyalty to Bates County is inspiring and he is certain that there is no better plat of ground in America than this county.

ADAMS, James D.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Howard Township, Bates Co, MO
JAMES D. ADAMS, farmer and stock raiser, section 20, was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, September 17, 1843, and was a son of John T. and Sarah (Dorsey) Adams, of the same county. The latter died in Virginia, and Mr. Adams was married the second time, after which he removed to Pettis County, Missouri. Here the subject of this sketch was brought up, and on September 1, 1861, he enlisted and served during the war in the Second Missouri Volunteer Infantry and First Missouri Battery, C.S.A., participating in many important engagements in Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas. After the surrender he returned home and devoted his attention to farming and stock raising. In 1867 he married Miss M. A. Siceluff, who was born in North Carolina, March 1, 1848, her parents being Andrew and Sarah Siceluff. She was also reared in Pettis County. They have a family of eight children: Callie M., Emmett C, Eugene L., James P., Bettie S., Harry V., Jessie M. and Myrtle. They are both members of the M. E. Church South. In 1876 Mr. Adams settled on his present farm, which contains 160 acres of fine land.

ADAMS, James Perry
History of Bates County, Missouri, W. O. Atkeson, 1918
JAMES PERRY ADAMS, assistant cashier of the Commercial Bank, Hume, Missouri, was born in Pettis County, Missouri, January 9, 1874, a son of James D. and Martha A. (Siceloff) Adams, natives of Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. Both father and mother of J. P. Adams came with the respective parents to Pettis County directly after the close of the Civil War and were married in that county. James D. Adams was a son of John Adams, who became well known and prominent in the affairs of his adopted county. James D. Adams removed to Bates County in 1879 and located on a farm two miles south of Hume in Howard township. He spent the remainder of his days in the cultivation of his farm and died at his home January 25, 1895, at the age of fifty-three years. To James D. and Martha A. Adams were born ten children, as follow: H. V., Wichita, Kansas; Mrs. Callie McLean, of Tempe, Arizona; Emmet, residing at Tempe, Arizona; Eugene, Gentry, Arkansas; James Perry, subject of this review; Mrs. Bettie Crews, Houstonia, Missouri; Jessie, at home with her mother; Mrs. Myrtle Wood, Hume, Missouri; John, at home; and Neville, Pueblo, Colorado. The mother of the large family was born in 1848 and now makes her home in Hume. J. P. Adams was educated in the district schools and the Hume High School. Having been reared on a farm, he quite naturally made the pursuit of agriculture his vocation and began farming on his own account in 1895. He rented land until 1900 and then made a purchase of one hundred sixty acres located southeast of Hume in Howard township. Success attended his efforts and with good business management he made a pronounced success of his farming operations. His farm is well improved and is one of the most productive tracts of land in Bates county. Mr. Adams remained in direct charge of his farm until 1910, after which he rented the place and has since made his home in Hume. On December 15, 1910, he became identified with the Commercial Bank of Hume as a director and assistant cashier. His success in banking circles is as pronounced as was his first venture as a farmer and landowner. Mr. Adams was married on September 4, 1895, to Miss Minnie Ackerman, who was born in Johnson county, Missouri, a daughter of James T. Ackerman, now a substantial farmer and stockman of Howard township, concerning whom a biographical sketch is presented elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have a son, J. Walter, born December 5, 1898, now a student in the Hume High School. Mr. Adams is politically allied with the Democratic party and he and Mrs. Adams are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, to which religious denomination they are liberal contributors.

ADAMS, Jonathan
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Deer Creek Township, Bates Co, MO
JONATHAN ADAMS, farmer, section 30, was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1841, his father being Jonathan Adams, a native of England and a farmer by occupation. The subject of this sketch remained on the farm in Pennsylvania until eleven years of age, when his parents removed to Illinois, from whence, after two years, they came to Bates County. Here Jonathan was reared, attending for a time the common schools. After arriving at manhood he engaged in farming, which he followed until 1861, when he went to Pike's Peak. He was interested in freighting there for about seven months, and subsequently resumed farming in Missouri and Kansas until February 24, 1864, when he was drafted in the United States Army. He was discharged September 10, 1865. After the war closed he returned to Bates County and gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, during which time he received injuries by a mowing machine. He then embarked in the mercantile business at Crescent Hill, which he conducted five years. Selling out, he purchased his present farm, containing 165 acres of good land, well improved. Mr. Adams was township collector two terms and township trustee for two terms. He is a member of the Baptist Church. September 20, 1863, he married Martha Hiser, who was born in Bates County, Missouri, May 7, 1844. They have three children living: Newman J., Nettie A. and Alice. Four are deceased: Mary E., Louesia, Lousa and Frank.

ADAMS, Lewis
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Deer Creek Township, Bates Co, MO
LEWIS ADAMS, farmer and stock raiser, section 30, was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, May 11, 1837, and was the son of Jonathan Adams, a native of England, who emigrated to America in 1837, settling in Pennsylvania. He died in 1870. His mother's maiden name was Ann Chapman, also from England. Her death occurred in 1864. Lewis was the sixth of thirteen children. He remained on his father's farm in Pennsylvania until sixteen years of age, when he came to Bates County, Missouri, following agricultural pursuits until June 22, 1861, when he enlisted in Company B of the Home Guards. He was discharged February 28, 1862. He then removed to Kansas, where he remained until the close of the war, then returning to Bates County. His farm contains 300 acres of good land, all under fence, improved and well adapted for stock raising. May 11, 1861, Mr. Adams was married to Miss Harriet Holderman, a daughter of Barton Holderman. She was born in Illinois, March 10, 1841. They have seven children living: Barton, Samuel A., William, Mattie, Hattie, Frank and Lewis Henry. They lost one, Allen D., who died in August 1868.

ADAMS, S. C. & MARTIN, F. L.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Howard Township, Bates Co, MO
ADAMS & MARTIN. The grocery firm of Adams & Martin at Hume, is composed of S. C. Adams and F. L. Martin. The former is a Virginian by birth and was born in October 1845. His father, John T. Adams, married Miss Sarah E. Dorsey, they being also of Virginia. The subject of this sketch grew up in Platte County, being reared by his grandmother. In 1859 he went to Pettis County, and after remaining there until 1864 removed to Hancock County, Illinois, subsequently returning to Pettis County. He clerked for a number of years and in 1879 visited Colorado, where he remained until 1881 when he became associated in the grocery business with F. L. Martin. Mr. Martin came originally from Greenville, Darke County, Ohio, where he was born April 20, 1846. He is a son of Ross and Eliza Martin, nee Miller, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York. After being married they settled in Ohio in 1842, and in 1866 moved to Pettis County, Missouri, where they still reside. F. L. worked in the machine shops at Richmond, Indiana, for a while and then accompanied his parents to the West. In 1875 he married Miss C. Adams, daughter of John T. and Sarah E. (Dorsey) Adams. She was born in Pettis County in 1858, and was brought up there. They have two children: Ross and Elmer. Mrs. Martin is a church member.

ALEXANDER, Samuel
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Mt. Pleasant Township, Bates Co, MO
REV. SAMUEL ALEXANDER, pastor of the M. E. Church at Butler, was born in Toronto, Canada, June 23, 1837. His father, Robert Alexander, who was born in Scotland, received an excellent education in the schools of Dublin and London. He came to Canada at an early day, and settled there permanently. His wife was of English parentage, and was born in England, emigrating to this country in her youth. The subject of this sketch acquired a good education at the schools in Toronto, supplementing it by an attendance at the Ruthven Institute. In 1859, he commenced to preach, and in June, 1862, joined the Wesleyan Conference, and preached in Western Canada for three and a half years, when his throat became afflicted, making a change of climate necessary. He moved to Missouri, and settled at Marshall, in Saline County, and was the only man who would or did, take the iron-clad oath, which was necessary in order that he might preach. He met with great opposition, but his zeal for the Master's cause and determination to do his duty, overcame every obstacle. He has held numerous appointments; was at Little Rock, Arkansas, and Jefferson City, Missouri, where he was elected chaplain of the senate. Wherever he has labored, churches have been revived and much good done by his ministrations. Mr. Alexander married Miss Laura M. Pinney, in 1868. She was the daughter of H. H. Pinney, of Lorrain County, Ohio, and is the only sister of Mrs. Horr, wife of the Hon. R. G. Horr, M.C. from the Eighth District of Michigan, and sister of Dr. C. H. Pinney, of Council Bluffs, Iowa. She is an accomplished lady, and much devoted to the cause in which her husband is engaged. They have one daughter, Carrie E., a young miss of twelve years. Mr. A. received the appointment to the M. E. Church in Butler, in April, 1882, coming here from Sedalia, Missouri.

ALLEN, C. A.
History of Bates County, Missouri, W. O. Atkeson, 1918
C. A. ALLEN, abstracter of the Walton Trust Company of Butler, proprietor of "Highland Stock Farm" in Mount Pleasant township, is one of the able financiers and progressive agriculturists of Bates county. Mr. Allen is a native of Iowa. He was born in 1870 in Warren county, a son of F. M. and Mary J. (Allen) Allen, who settled in Bates county, Missouri in 1876. F. M. Allen was one of the leading merchants of Butler, Missouri for twenty years, conducting a music store in this city from the time of his coming to Missouri until his death in 1895. Mrs. Allen joined her husband in death a few days after he died and interment was made for both father and mother in the cemetery at Butler. F. M. and Mary J. (Allen) Allen were the parents of four children, who are now living: Mrs. W. E. Walton, Mrs. E. A. Bennett, Frank, and C.A., all of whom reside at Butler, Missouri. In the city schools of Butler, C.A. Allen received his elementary education. Later, he attended Butler Academy and was there instructed by Professors Naylor and Allison, and the Butler Commercial College. After completing a business course at the latter institution, Mr. Allen began life for himself employed as bookkeeper by the Butler National Bank and with that financial institution remained until it was merged into the present Missouri State Bank. For many years, he was treasurer of the Walton Trust Company of Butler and, at the time of this writing in 1918, is the company's abstracter and is residing at "Highland Stock Farm" in Mount Pleasant township. C.A. Allen and Maud A. Porter, a daughter of Dr. H. P. and Margaret S. (Blakeslee) Porter, were united in marriage in 1891. Dr. Porter was one of the most prominent citizens of Butler, a late surgeon-general of the National Grand Army of the Republic at Butler. He died in 1912 and burial was made in Oak Hill cemetery. Mrs. Porter resides at Kansas City, Missouri. To C.A. and Maud A. Allen have been born two children: Horace, who is now a junior in the Butler High School; and Mildred. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are widely and favorably known in the county and they are numbered among the best families of Mount Pleasant township and Butler. "Highland Stock Farm" in Mount Pleasant township lies one mile north of Butler and is one of the best equipped dairy farms in the state of Missouri. Mr. Allen is the owner of probably the finest herd of Holsteins in western Missouri. He became interested in keeping only registered cattle in the autumn of 1917 and, at the time of this writing in 1918, has ten head of remarkably good, registered dairy cows. The improvements on "Highland Stock Farm" are well worthy of notice and they include a handsome, modern, two-story residence, substantially built upon a stone foundation and having a roomy basement; a dairy barn, having concrete floors and stanchions for sixteen cattle; a garage and machine shed; the best chicken house in Bates county, constructed of doubled matched lumber, with concrete floors; a granary, a coal house, and a comfortable tenant house. "Highland Stock Farm" comprises one hundred sixty acres of land located on the Jefferson highway and is one of the beautiful country places of Bates county. Mr. Allen is an enterprising farmer and stockman, and his methods combined with his interest, industry, and thorough understanding of business principles have been rewarded by a large measure of well-deserved success.

ALLEN, Harrison P.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Mt. Pleasant Township, Bates Co, MO
HARRISON P. ALLEN was born in Putnam County, Indiana, February 9, 1841, and is a son of David and Mariah (Whitzel) Allen, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. His mother was a niece of the well known Indian fighter, Louis Whitzel, who was many times with Daniel Boone, and who was engaged in troubles with the Indians in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Louisiana, and other states. H. P. was reared on a farm in his native county, and in 1869 came to Bates County, Missouri, where he was engaged in farming till 1874. Then he began the grocery business at Butler, and continued it some six years, since which time he has been somewhat retired from active trade. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Fifty-fifth Indiana Infantry, and remained in service about one year, when he went to Iowa. At Knoxville, that state, he enlisted, in February, 1864, in Company A, Forty-seventh Iowa, and served till the close of the war, having participated in many important battles, receiving slight wounds. He returned from the army much impaired in health. Mr. Alien was married, January 1, 1868, to Miss Maggie Vawel, a native of Putnam County, Indiana. By this union they have had three children, two of whom are now living, Franklin and Walter. Harry died when two years old.

ALLEN, R. E.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Osage Township, Bates Co, MO
R. E. ALLEN, dealer in dry goods, groceries and general merchandise, is one of the prominent merchants of the city of Rich Hill, having opened here in August 1881. Mr. Allen is a native of Missouri, and was born in Clay County, March 6, 1830. His father came originally from New York, while his mother was a Kentuckian by birth. He was reared and educated in the county of his birth, and was there employed as a clerk till 1856, when he went to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he sold goods for ten years. For a period of time he was interested in the drug business and freighting. In 1871 he moved to Concordia, Kansas, and gave his attention to the mercantile trade till he came to Rich Hill. He was married in February 1863, to Miss Sallie McDowell, of Highland County, Ohio. By this union they have five children: Sallie, Lizzie D., Josie and Hattie, twins, and Robert E.

ALLEN, R. J.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Pleasant Gap Township, Bates Co, MO
R. J. ALLEN was born in Washington County, East Tennessee, April 24, 1812. His father, Robert Allen, was born in Maryland, and his mother, formerly Mary Ferguson, was a native of Pennsylvania. R J. moved with his parents to Blount County in 1813, and located some twenty-five miles from Knoxville, where he grew to manhood. He was married in the spring of 1835, to Miss Ellen Harman, a native of Tennessee and a daughter of James Harman. In the fall of 1849 he went to Adams County, Illinois, where he lived about fourteen years, coming thence to Bates County, Missouri, in 1866, when he settled on his present farm. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have raised a family of four children: William, Jane (now Mrs. J. D. H. Butler), Mary Ann, and Isabella. Mr. A. and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

ALLEN, Richard N.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - New Home Township, Bates Co, MO
MAJOR RICHARD N. ALLEN was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, December 15, 1819. His parents, Richard N. and Sarah (Hughes) Allen, were natives of County Down, Ireland, and settled in Maryland about the year 1796. Richard was the sixth of eleven children, of whom but himself and one brother survive. Colonel Robert T. P. Allen, a graduate of West Point, and who served in the United States Army as lieutenant; he now lives in Florida. He was also attached to the topographical engineer corps and built the harbors of Silver Creek and Portland on Lake Erie. He founded the Kentucky Military Institute, and during the rebellion was colonel of a Texas regiment, and his son, Robert D. Allen, is the present president of the institute. In 1836 Mr. Allen assisted his brother Robert in building the two ports just named, and in '38 he entered the Allegheny College at Meadville, Pennsylvania, from which institution he graduated in 1840. He then entered the law office of Hiram L. Richmond, and pursued his law studies one year, and was admitted to the practice of law at the Crawford County bar in 1841. He had married while attending college, on March 10, 1840, Miss Jeannette Campbell, a native of New York, but of Scotch descent. Mr. Allen practiced law in Pennsylvania for one year and then removed to Kaskaskia, Illinois, and followed the practice of his profession until 1844, being contemporary with such men as Dr. Bissel, Judge Sidney Breeze and General Shields, and he was the cause of the famous quarrel between General Shields and Judge Breeze. While coming down the Ohio River, on his way to Illinois, his hat, in which he carried his certificate, was blown into the river. He saved the diploma by jumping into the water. Its becoming wet had effaced the impression of the seal, and for this reason Judge Breeze refused him admittance to the bar. General Shields made a speech pressing Mr. Allen's claim for recognition. In his remarks he said something at which Judge Breeze took exception and commanded Shields to take his seat. Shields, with arms folded, replied that "If the court please I prefer to stand." The second time the Judge made the command. Shields' reply was the same. The Judge fined him ten dollars. The General pulled out his pocket book and paid it. The Judge made the same demand the third time. The same reply was made. A fine of twenty dollars was entered and as quickly paid. The General refused the fourth time and he was remanded to jail. To jail he went, accompanied by his friends. He was released the next morning. The result was Shields challenged Judge Breeze, and upon his refusing to fight the General published him as a coward. In 1844 Mr. Allen went to Sweet Lick Spring, Kentucky, where he practiced for two years. In 1846 he accepted a professorship in the Kentucky Military Institute, which he filled until 1849. In company with his brother, with whom he had been connected in the institute, he went to California, Robert having received the appointment of Assistant Postmaster General to establish post offices and post routes. He engaged in mining one summer, and in the following winter he and his brother purchased a one-half interest in the Pacific News, paying therefor $24,000. In 1850 the first steam press on the Pacific coast was secured and put in operation. General Winchester, of New York, was employed as editor, and Mr. Allen himself was city editor. In the winter of 1850 the building, press, and everything connected with the office was burned, making a loss of $80,000. Major Allen was in New York at the time of the fire and never went back to California. In 1852 he returned to the Institute and until the outbreak of the war held the position of quartermaster. During the war he engaged in farming, and was employed by Jay Cook, who is his brother-in-law, Mr. C. having married his only sister, to establish agencies in Missouri and Kansas for the sale of 5-20 and 7-30 bonds. The institute having revived in 1866 he was given the same position, which he continued to hold until 1873 when he resigned. In 1875 he came to Bates County and has since been occupied in farming, having a farm of 320 acres. He has nine children: Sarah (wife of John B. Batchellor, of Deepwater); William H., a physician of Rich Hill, his wife was a Miss Ara Sims, of Texas; Emma Jane died at the age of twenty-three years, at Frankfort; Robert T. P., his first wife was a niece of Colonel Samuel F. Hawkins, and died in 1876, he has recently married Miss Libbie Katron, of Vernon County; Richard N., at home; Ebenezer N., a physician at Coolidge, Kansas; Hugh C, at home; Jacob D., recently graduated from the Military Institute; and Elizabeth Cook, at home. In politics Major Allen is a Democrat. He is a member of the Methodist Church, South, and has been a Mason for upwards of thirty years, having joined the order in San Francisco.

ALLEN, W. H.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Osage Township, Bates Co, MO
W. H. ALLEN, physician and surgeon, and a man eminent in his profession in this vicinity, was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, May 1, 1848, and is a son of R. N. Allen, now a citizen of Bates County, Missouri. W. H. grew up and was educated in his native county, attending the Military Institute of which his father was professor for many years. He took a thorough course and was graduated with the degree of A.M. in 1869. During this time he had studied medicine with his cousin, Dr. R. D. Allen, who was superintendent of the Military Institute, and a prominent man in Kentucky. Dr. W. H, Allen was graduated from the medical department of the University of Louisville on February 28, 1871, and soon began his practice in Batesville, Carroll County, Missouri. This he continued in that locality till the spring of 1875, when he came to Bates County, Missouri, settling at Old Rich Hill, at which point he gave his attention to his chosen calling till the birth of this city in 1880. Then he built the finest dwelling in the town. He served as its mayor for the first eighteen months of its growth, having been appointed by the court. The Doctor is a member of the K. of P. and A.O.U.W. fraternities. He was married May 2, 1871, to Miss Ora Sims, who was born in Texas, July 3, 1851. Her father, Samuel Sims, was a native of Georgia. The family of the Doctor consists of four children: Laura S., William H., Eben G. and Samuel W.

ALLEN, William
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Pleasant Gap Township, Bates Co, MO
WILLIAM ALLEN, the son of R. J. and Ellen (Harmon) Allen, is a native of Tennessee, and was born in Bradley County, June 24, 1843. He moved with his parents to Illinois in the fall of 1849, and located in Adams County, near Quincy, where they resided about ten years. In 1859 they came to Missouri and settled in Cass County. William spent his youth on a farm, and in July 1862, he enlisted in the Confederate service, in Colonel Hays cavalry regiment, where he remained about thirteen months. He was in the battles of Springfield, Hartsville and Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Helena, Arkansas, July 4, 1863. On his return from the army he engaged in farming in Adams County. In the spring of 1866 he returned to Missouri and settled in Bates County, where he purchased land and improved his present farm. Mr. Allen has 100 acres, all in cultivation with a bearing orchard, in section 30. He was married in Bates County September 6, 1866, to Miss Margaret Burkhart, of Newton County, Missouri, and a daughter of Michael and Frances Burkhart. They have three children: Henry Wesley, Walter Lee and William Spencer.

ALLEN, Wilson
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Grand River Township, Bates Co, MO
WILSON ALLEN, proprietor of the Altona House, was born in Montgomery County, Tennessee, December 22, 1836, and is the son of William Allen, a farmer by occupation, and a native of Virginia. His mother, formerly Nancy Usuary, was born in Tennessee. The subject of this sketch was the youngest of eight children, four sons and four daughters. When six years old his parents removed to Miller County, Missouri, where he was reared on a farm. When eighteen years old his father died and his mother removed to Jefferson City. Wilson remained there about four years, after which he returned to Miller County and farmed two years. In 1861 he enlisted in Captain Hawthorne's Company, and participated in the battle of Wilson's Creek, and was a member of the same company until the close of the war, when he settled in Morgan County, Missouri. He gave his attention to farming and trading for two years and then removed to Moniteau County, where he farmed until 1876, when he came to Bates County. After tilling the soil until the spring of 1882, he engaged in the drug business with Dr. Hudson at Altona. In September, 1882, he took charge of the Altona hotel and livery stable, which he has since conducted with great success. Mr. Allen is a member of the Baptist Church. On April 12, 1854, he was married to Miss Della Aust; she was born in Nashville, Tennessee, April 28, 1837. They have seven children living: Eva D., John W., Amanda, Nancy, Jimmie, Lee, and Marve; they have lost two: John T., and Miller.

ALLISON, Luther Bernard
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Mt. Pleasant Township, Bates Co, MO
PROFESSOR LUTHER BERNARD ALLISON was born in Erie County, New York, in May 1835. His father, Rev. J. C. Allison was a native of Newberry, Orange County, New York, and his mother, formerly Charlotte Bailey was born in Ulster County, the same state. The subject of this sketch was the son of a missionary and was brought up on the frontier of Western New York and in Canada. After obtaining a common school education, mostly at home, he entered the Union School at Gowanda where he remained for two years. When eighteen years old he commenced to teach school, and after several terms he took a thorough course of study at the celebrated Fredonia Academy, where he received his certificate of graduation in 1857. His life work has been devoted to teaching, he having taught most of the time for twenty-nine years. He came to Bates County, Missouri, in 1866 and was elected in the fall of 1868 county superintendent of schools, holding this position for two years and during which time he organized some sixty schools. He did more in reorganizing schools and building school houses than any other superintendent. In 1873 he took charge of the Butler public schools and continued as principal for three years, when his health failed. He resigned and spent a season in Colorado and upon recovering his health he returned in the fall of 1876 and became engaged in the Butler Academy with Professor Naylor, where he still remains. He married Miss Apolina Scott, daughter of Justice Scott of Cattaraugus County, New York. Her mother was formerly Selecta Darling. Professor Allison has a finely improved farm in Hudson near the town, upon it there being a good orchard of choice fruit. Politically he belongs to the Republican party and he is a liberal contributor to the support and building of churches. John C. Allison, the father of Luther B., was deprived of his mother by death when he was but five days old and was adopted by his grandparents with whom he lived until fourteen years old, when his grandfather died. He then worked on a farm and attended school until he was seventeen years of age, when he commenced teaching school which he followed for eight years. At the age of twenty-five he united with the Presbyterian Church and commenced a course of study preparatory to the work of the ministry. His study caused a change of views on the subject of baptism and he therefore joined the Baptist Church in 1833. He was married to Miss Charlotte Bailey May 14, 1833, and on the same day both were baptized and joined the Baptist Church at Lattingtown. In September following he was ordained to preach and in the succeeding October he moved to Holland, Erie County. Aided by the missionary society he entered upon the work and found his first labor in St. Catherines, Canada. The patriot war made it necessary for him to leave that field, and upon returning to Erie County he supplied the destitute churches in that region. In 1839 he became pastor of the Baptist Church in Evans where he stayed until 1842. He preached at many churches very successfully and remained on the parsonage farm for eight years. While at Versailles (where he settled in 1846) Mrs. Allison died, and May 25, 1852, he married Miss E. Webster. In 1854 he was called to the church in Nashville. He purchased a small farm and farmed and preached alternately and for a few years supplied the churches of Nashville and Cherry Creek -- then giving up his pastoral labors. He died June 2, 1866.

ALLISON, Newton
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Prairie Township, Bates Co, MO
NEWTON ALLISON, farmer and stock dealer, section 8, was born in Camden County, Missouri, June 6, 1838, and was the son of Willis and Rebecca Allison, the former of North Carolina, and born June 5, 1803, and the latter of Tennessee. Newton obtained a common school education and, upon arriving at manhood, commenced life for himself, as a farmer, though then without means. In 1879, he came from Camden to Bates County, and now owns 160 acres of fine land, and, to quite an extent, is interested in the stock business. Mr. Allison was married February 2, 1860, to Miss Mary Ann Moulder, of Camden County, Missouri. They have seven children: Anna, born January 7, 1861; Albert, born August 3, 1863; Porter, born November 27, 1866; Eliza Theresa, born September 16, 1868; Susan Thornley, born August 1, 1871; Buford, born November 11, 1873, and Claude, born October 22, 1878. Politically, Mr. A. is a Democrat.

ALSBACH, George F.
History of Bates County, Missouri, W. O. Atkeson, 1918
GEORGE F. ALSBACH, of Butler, proprietor of one of the best restaurants in Bates county, is a native of Illinois. Mr. Alsbach was born March 10, 1869, in Monroe county, the first-born of three children, who are now living, born to his parents, George and Mary (Powderly) Alsbach, a prominent pioneer family of Shawnee township, Bates county. George Alsbach was born in Germany and in his youth emigrated from the old country and came to America. He first located in Illinois, where he was married and his son, George F., was born. In 1869, the Alsbach's moved from Illinois to Missouri and settled on a farm in Shawnee township in Bates county, where the father and mother spent the remainder of their lives. Mary (Powderly) Alsbach was a cousin of T. V. Powderly, who was an influential leader in Knights of Labor circles and in the latter part of his life was labor commissioner at the port of New York and the head of the immigration department there. Mrs. Alsbach was a native of Ireland. To George and Mary Alsbach were born the following children: George F., the subject of this review; William H., of Butler, Missouri; and Mrs. Annie E. Yates, Kansas City, Kansas. The father died on the farm in Shawnee township, September 23, 1900, and three years afterward his wife joined him in death. Both parents are interred in the cemetery at Butler. George F. Alsbach attended the public schools of Bates county, Missouri. He well recalls the early days in School District Number 3, Shawnee township, when "spelling schools" were the attractions of the long winter evenings and contests held at the different schools in the township furnished entertainment for the neighborhoods and "literary societies" and "debating societies" met regularly. Mr. Alsbach enjoys recalling those old days of "Town Ball" and "Whip Cracker" and delights in relating an amusing incident in his schoolboy life. He was to be whipped at school the next day for some infringement of the strict school laws. Mr. Alsbach has always been an ardent advocate of "preparedness," and that morning went to school with his back well padded with hay, tucked in securely under his vest. Of course, he let the big girls in on his secret preparation and when the "master" commanded him to remove his coat and proceeded to lay on the switch with much force and determination, they laughed heartily -- behind their books. And George F. enjoyed it, too! Until about ten years ago, George F. Alsbach was engaged in farming, and in raising, buying, feeding, and shipping cattle. He then resided on a farm in Shawnee township in Bates county. He left the farm in 1907 and came to Butler, where he opened a restaurant on the southeast side of the public square in this city. Three years ago, he moved his place of business to his present location, on the west side of the public square. Mr. Alsbach has an exceptionally fine restaurant and he enjoys a splendid trade. The Alsbach Restaurant opens at 5 a.m. and closes at 12 p.m. He has the following motto hanging in a conspicuous place in the restaurant: "Don't Get a Divorce. If your Wife can't Cook, Eat Here and Keep Her for a Pet." In 1899, George F. Alsbach and Nettie Jenkins, daughter of S. M. Jenkins, of Mound township, Bates County, were united in marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins are the parents of eleven children, all of whom are now living, and the grandparents of thirty-eight children. Mrs. Alsbach's parents still reside on the home farm in Mound township. To George F. and Nettie (Jenkins) Alsbach have been born four children: George C. and Viola, who are students in the Butler High School; and Mary Catherine and Annie Rose, who are pupils in the graded schools of Butler. The Alsbach residence is in Butler on East Dakota street. Mr. Alsbach is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Fraternal Aid. He has always pursued an industrious, honorable course in life, constantly adhering to the upright principles in which he was reared, and he is highly respected and valued as a citizen. At the present price of food stuffs, only an exceptionally capable and cautious business man could possibly make a success of the restaurant business, and Mr. Alsbach has been and still is making a marked success, and he is destined to continue in the future as in the past one of the enterprising, substantial, influential men of the city in which he labors and lives.

ANDERSON, J. W.
History of Bates County, Missouri, W. O. Atkeson, 1918
J. W. ANDERSON, the pioneer druggist of Rockville, Missouri, is a member of one of the most prominent pioneer families of the state. Mr. Anderson was born in Henry county, Missouri in 1852, a son of Dr. Z. and Susan (Gilkeson) Anderson. Dr. Z. Anderson located with his family at Papinsville, Missouri in 1856. He was a native of Tennessee, born in 1826, and a graduate of the McDowell Medical College, of St. Louis, Missouri. Susan (Gilkeson) Anderson was a daughter of William Gilkeson, an honored pioneer of Johnson county, Missouri. At about the time the Anderson's came to Papinsville, Missouri, Doctor Bedinger located at Papinsville. He was a native of Germany and is still remembered by many citizens of Bates county, who may recall his tragic death. The canoe upset and the doctor was thrown into the icy cold water and when found several hours later by a negro it was too late to revive him and Doctor Bedinger chilled to death in the canoe while being taken to Papinsville. Dr. Z. Anderson conducted a drug store and practiced medicine at Papinsville until the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. He enlisted with the Confederates and served two years. In 1863, he returned to Missouri and located for a short time at St. Louis, whence he went to Illinois to remain until the war had ended. Doctor Anderson again came back to Missouri in 1866, returning this time to his old home at Papinsville, where he was engaged in the practice of medicine until his death in October, 1868. Mrs. Anderson survived her husband for nineteen years. She departed this life in 1887 and was laid to rest beside her mother in Rockville cemetery. The father's remains rest in the cemetery at Papinsville. The following children were born to Dr. Z. and Mrs. Anderson: Mrs. Rilla Anderson, Rockville, Missouri; Ella, the wife of Clyde Murphy, of Springfield, Missouri; Mrs. Jennie Evans, of Glasgow, Kentucky; M. L., deceased; and J. W., the subject of this review. In the public schools of Papinsville, J. W. Anderson received his education. The first teacher, whom Mr. Anderson recalls, was a gentleman from New York, whom the school boys called a "Blue-bellied Yankee" and "Yank" in its shortened form. Following the New Yorker came Mr. Burnsides, from Ohio and he in turn was succeeded by Mr. Johnson, from Virginia. The school house was built of logs and among all the boys who attended school there in the early days J. W. Anderson knows of but three who are now living, namely: D. O. Bradley, Rich Hill, Missouri; J. L. Richardson, Nevada, Missouri; and J. W. Anderson. The merchants of Papinsville, in the days before the Civil War, were Mr. Eddy, Mr. Duke, and Phillip Zeal. The Indians were want to come to Papinsville each autumn for their winter supplies and well J. W. Anderson remembers seeing bands of red men in the little village. He states that in religious matters the Presbyterians were in those days in the ascendancy at Papinsville, they having the only church in the place. The brick court house was destroyed during the Civil War and the bridge near the town was burned by a division of Price's army. In 1874, J. W. Anderson entered the drug business at Papinsville and remained there until 1884, when in September of that year he moved to Rockville and has since continued in business at this place. Mr. Anderson has been engaged in the drug business continuously for forty-four years. He carries an exceptionally fine line of drugs, stationery, cigars, and toilet articles and his thorough knowledge of pharmacy, in conjunction with his courteous manner and evident desire to please his customers, has brought him a flattering patronage. J. W. Anderson and Arabella Barrows, a daughter of Freeman Barrows, the first county clerk of Bates county, Missouri, were united in marriage in 1880. Freeman Barrows died about 1860 and his remains were interred in the cemetery on the Barrows home place and afterward removed to the cemetery at Rich Hill, Missouri. To J. W. and Mrs. Anderson have been born three children, all of whom are now living: Mrs. Medora Corbin, of Sterling, Colorado; L. W., who is a graduate from the St. Louis Pharmacy School, St. Louis, Missouri and is now a successful pharmacist at Joplin, Missouri; and Clyde Murphy, a graduate of the Rockville High School, Springfield Academy, Randolph-Macon Academy, and of the St. Louis Pharmacy School, St. Louis, Missouri, who has been stationed at Camp Doniphan since August 5, 1917 in the service of the United States. Mr. Anderson began life a poor boy, with no special preparation in the way of educational training, and all that he has and all that he is has come as the inevitable result of honest, earnest effort and consecutive and persistent endeavor. Among the people with whom he has lived for so many years he occupies a high standing and possesses countless warm personal friends. The Anderson's have for more than fifty years been respected and honored among the best families of Bates county, Missouri.

ANDERSON, John William
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Prairie Township, Bates Co, MO
JOHN WILLIAM ANDERSON, druggist at Papinville, was born in Henry County, Missouri, December 20, 1852. His father, Dr. Zachariah Anderson, was a native of Tennessee, while his mother (formerly Miss Susan Gilkerson) came originally from Greenbrier County, Virginia. John was educated in the common schools of Missouri, and in 1854, he came to Bates County. In 1874, He commenced business life for himself as a druggist, which occupation he has steadily pursued to this date with much success. He has served as township trustee, but has never mingled to any extent in political affairs. October 13, 1880, Mr. A. married Miss Belle Barrows, of Prairie Township, Bates County, Missouri, They have one daughter, Madora.

ANDERSON, M. W.
History of Bates County, Missouri, W. O. Atkeson, 1918
M. W. ANDERSON, a prominent and prosperous farmer and stockman of Spruce township, is one of the successful, "self-made" men of Bates county. Mr. Anderson was born October 10, 1860, in Lafayette county, Missouri, a son of Jesse and Marinda Anderson, who came from Virginia in the early days and settled on a farm in Lafayette county. Jesse Anderson died when his son, M. W., the subject of this review, was a small lad, ten years of age. Mrs. Anderson moved to Arkansas, where she died, and the son, M. W., was left to the protection and care of a neighbor, J. H. Hobbs, and he was reared by Mr. Hobbs in Johnson county. Mr. Anderson, whose name introduces this review, obtained his education in the public schools of Johnson county, Missouri. At the age of twenty-one years, he came to Bates county. He had just fifteen cents in his pocket and that amount meant the sum total of his financial resources. Mr. Anderson obtained employment at once and for his services received an overcoat and a pair of overshoes, which he was needing badly, and then served as apprentice with I. N. Paulline, a prominent contractor of Butler, Missouri, until he had mastered the carpenter's trade, which he followed in connection with farming in Bates county for thirty years. The first work which Mr. Anderson did in Bates county was husking corn in the snow for which he received the munificent sum of twenty-five cents a day -- and it was real work, at that. By 1889, he had saved a sum of money sufficient to purchase a farm and he bought his first land in Mingo township, a place he later sold. Mr. Anderson then moved from this county to Urich in Henry county and was there engaged in buying and selling town lots and improving city property. He disposed of his interests in 1894 and purchased his present country place, a farm comprising one hundred twenty acres of land originally, from A. J. Allen and to his first holdings later added forty acres more, a tract purchased from John Winegardner. On this place in Spruce township, Mr. Anderson is profitably employed in raising horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs, and purebred Barred Plymouth Rock chickens. The marriage of M. W. Anderson and Mary F. Kenney, a daughter of Rev. William and Martha A. (Drennan) Kenney, honored and revered pioneers of Sangamon county, Illinois, was solemnized December 7, 1910. Reverend and Mrs. Kenney came to Bates county, Missouri in the autumn of 1868 and located in Spruce township, where they both died. The remains of both father and mother were interred in Bethel cemetery in Bates county, Missouri. Mrs. Anderson had the following brothers and sister, two living: C. E., Santa Barbara, California; B. F., of Spruce township; Mrs. Effie M. Sparkman, who died at Portland, Oregon; and Arthur E., who died at the age of sixteen years at the old homestead in Spruce township, Bates county. Mr. Anderson's brothers and sisters were, as follow: John, deceased; Alfred, Osceola, Missouri; Isaac, deceased; Mrs. Jennie Gregory; Mrs. Lizzie Paul, of Johnson county, Missouri; Mrs. Mattie Forney, Enid, Oklahoma; Mrs. Huldah Allen, Gypsum, Kansas; Mrs. Belle Rich, of Deepwater township, Bates county; and Mollie. To M. W. and Mary F. (Kenney) Anderson have been born two children: Nina May and Benjamin Wesley. By a former marriage, Mr. Anderson is the father of four sons: Arthur P., a well-to-do merchant of Los Angeles, California; Robert E., a successful farmer and ranchman of Great Falls, Montana; Archie B., a well-known farmer and stockman of Mingo township, Bates county; and William R., a prosperous farmer of Henry county. The Anderson name is widely and favorably known in western Missouri. The Anderson farm lies ten miles southwest of Creighton, twenty miles northeast of Butler, and sixteen miles east of Adrian. Mr. Anderson has himself improved the place, adding all the buildings except the old ones erected by Mr. Mingus in the fifties. The improvements, which M. W. Anderson has placed on the farm, include a handsome residence, a ten-room structure, two stories and with a basement, built in 1905; a barn, 46 x 50 feet in dimensions, constructed of native lumber; a cattle and hog shed, 18 x 60 feet in dimensions; a sheep shed, 16 x 60 feet in dimensions; a ninety-ton silo, erected in 1911. Mr. Anderson feeds silage to his herds of horses, cattle, and sheep and is an enthusiastic advocate of it, but insists that it should be fed properly. He raises fine Percheron horses and is the owner of a Kentucky Hambletonian mare, a splendid saddle horse and trotter, seven years of age. Mr. Anderson has raised Shropshire sheep for twenty-five years and at the present time has a number of registered animals in his herd. In the election of 1917, M. W. Anderson was elected trustee of Spruce township, the first Republican to be so honored. He is now serving his first term in office and is attending to all his official duties with the skill and excellence of an experienced man. In all the affairs of life, Mr. Anderson has manifested the same zeal, enterprise, business tact, and excellent judgment, which now characterize him as a public official. His unflagging industry and perseverance have enabled him to carry to a successful issue every undertaking to which he devotes his time and attention. He is in sympathy with all movements which tend to promote the public welfare and his public-spiritedness, his candor, and his integrity have won for him the respect of all with whom he has come in contact. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are worthy and valued members of the Walnut Grove Presbyterian church.

ANDREWS, R. G.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Spruce Township, Bates Co, MO
R. G. ANDREWS was born in Tennessee, January 10, 1816, and was the son of W. G. and Nancy (Graham) Andrews. The former was a native of Virginia and the latter of North Carolina. His father early moved to Tennessee with his parents, where he grew to manhood and was married. The subject of this sketch was raised in his native state, and spent his youth on the farm, having but limited chances for attending school. His education has been obtained principally through his own efforts, but he is a man well informed on the current topics of the day. In 1840 he came to Missouri and located in Polk County, where he entered land and improved a farm, being one of the pioneers. He was married in March 1842, to Miss Amanda Cates, a daughter of Ransom Cates, a native of North Carolina. Mr. Andrews was engaged in farming in Polk County until 1863, when he moved to Cooper County, but in one year he went to Saline County, where he resided for three years. In the spring of 1868 he came to Bates County, purchased land and improved his present farm. He has eighty acres, all fenced, with improvements, and resides on section 16. He has raised a family of seven children: Lizzie (wife of Burt Hayes); William L., Ann Eliza (wife of J. M. Johnson); Anice A., Rebecca A., R. G. and Henrietta. Mrs. Andrews died December 13, 1878.

ANDREWS, William L.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Spruce Township, Bates Co, MO
WILLIAM L. ANDREWS, farmer, section 16, was born in Polk County, Missouri, March 23, 1845. R. G. Andrews, his father, is a native of Tennessee, and was born in Maury County, January 10, 1816, while his mother, whose maiden name was Amanda Cates, came originally from North Carolina. The former moved to Missouri in 1840, and settled in Polk County. William L. passed his boyhood days on a farm and attending the common schools. He enlisted in August 1862, in the Confederate service, in the Eighth Missouri Cavalry, Col. Jeff Thompson's Regiment, and served until the close of the war. He participated in several important engagements, among which were the fights at Lone Jack, Missouri, Helena and Prairie Grove, Arkansas. After the war, Mr. Andrews returned to Saline County and engaged in farming. In the fall of 1869 he came to Bates County, where he has since been occupied in farming and stock raising. In 1878 he moved upon his present farm, which contains eighty acres, with sixty acres improved and twenty acres of timber, a fair house and a young orchard. He was here married, January 20, 1878, to Miss Charity Logan, a daughter of E. W. Logan. She was born in Perry County, Illinois, and was there raised and educated. They have two children: Carrie E., born April 11, 1880, and Leonora E., born December 4, 1881. Mrs. Andrews is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

ARGENBRIGHT, Albert
History of Bates County, Missouri, W. O. Atkeson, 1918
ALBERT ARGENBRIGHT, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Summit township, is one of the successful citizens of Bates county, a member of a sterling pioneer family of this section of Missouri. Mr. Argenbright was born in Morgan county, Missouri, in 1861, a son of Preston and Rebecca (Harrison) Argenbright, the former, a native of Virginia and the latter, of Tennessee. Mrs. Argenbright was reared and educated in Missouri. Preston Argenbright came with his family to Bates county in 1865 and they settled on a farm near Altona in Grand River township, twenty-five miles northeast of Butler. Their trading point was Austin in Cass county. Mr. Argenbright purchased a tract of eighty acres of land, when he first came, and to this he constantly added until at his death in 1904 he was the owner of four hundred acres of valuable farm land in Bates county. To Preston and Rebecca (Harrison) Argenbright were born eight children: Albert, the subject of this review, who was born November 20, 1861; John A., Little Rock, Arkansas; J. E., Adrian, Missouri; C.H., Butler, Missouri; Anna Steele, deceased; Lena May, the wife of J. E. Hook, Rockville, Missouri; Daisy, the wife of Joe Gardner, Little Rock, Arkansas; and Mrs. Bertha Hardin, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Argenbright moved from the farm to Butler in 1899 and in this city Mr. Argenbright died April 19, 1904. Mrs. Argenbright did not long survive her husband. She departed this life February 1, 1908. The father and mother were laid to rest in the cemetery at Butler. Albert Argenbright received an excellent common-school education in the public schools of Grand River township, attending at Mingo school house. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-five years of age and then began farming in Grand River township, where he was a resident for eighteen years. Mr. Argenbright purchased and improved a ninety-five-acre farm in that township, made it one of the best stock farms in the county, and then sold it. He purchased his present country home in 1905 and since he acquired the ownership of this place, he has been tirelessly at work improving it until he now has one of the finest rural homes in this part of the state, the well-planned arrangements of the buildings, the nicely kept, high-grade stock, the general neat appearance of the surroundings silently bespeaking the industry, thrift, and care of the owner. February 9, 1885, the marriage of Albert Argenbright and Katie Gloyd, daughter of Daniel and Katie Gloyd, of Cass county, was solemnized. Mr. and Mrs. Gloyd entered land from the government in the days prior to the Civil War. They are both now deceased and their remains are interred in old Dayton cemetery in Cass county. To Albert and Katie Argenbright have been born seven children: Cleo, the wife of W. A. Eichhorn, of Pilot Grove, Cooper county, Missouri; Grover C., who enlisted in the service of the United States in August, 1917, and is at present with Company One Hundred Twenty-eighth, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma; O. R., a successful farmer of Summit township; Lyle, Walter, Celeste, and Glenn, all at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Argenbright have been married thirty-three years and in that time they have changed their place of residence but twice, which is an unusual record in this age of restlessness and discontent. The Argenbright farm in Summit township embraces two hundred acres of land, conveniently located, well watered and drained, and splendidly improved. Mr. Argenbright has himself placed all the buildings on the farm, including a beautiful residence, a ten-room structure, modern throughout, a barn, 56 x 54 feet in dimensions, used for stock and grain and with a silo attached, 16 x 32 feet in dimensions, a barn 38 x 54 feet in dimensions, with a silo 14 x 30 feet in dimension and covered with sheet iron, in addition to numerous other buildings needed in the handling of stock. The place is well stocked with seventy head of cattle, (of which Mr. Argenbright is at present milking six Jersey cows) sixty head of Poland China hogs, eighteen head of high-grade horses, and one hundred turkeys. The Argenbright place is situated on the Summit road on the way from Butler to Clinton and was formerly owned by Mr. Smith. The highest point on the farm is in the center and there are more than four hundred rods of tile used on the place. Mr. Argenbright pumps the water to the stock yards by means of a gasoline engine. Albert Argenbright is a gentleman of remarkable industry and energy. He has improved and developed considerable land in Bates county and incidentally has accumulated a goodly competence. A progressive husbandman, an upright, public-spirited citizen, a courteous gentleman, Mr. Argenbright has made an enviable reputation in Bates county.

ARGENBRIGHT, L. H.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Grand River Township, Bates Co, MO
L. H. ARGENBRIGHT, farmer, was born in Augusta County, Virginia, November 19, 1842, and is the fourth child of John and Catherine Argenbright nee Steele. When thirteen years old he came to Saline County, Missouri, with his father (who was a cooper by occupation), and remained one winter in Jonestown, then going to Morgan County, where he lived on a farm, growing to manhood and enjoying fair school advantages. He enlisted, August 14, 1862, when scarcely twenty years old, in Company C, Thirty-third Missouri Volunteer Infantry, known as the Merchants' Exchange Regiment, of St. Louis. He was sergeant of the company, and was in several battles, among others those of Marshville, Helena and Mobile. He received his discharge August 14, 1865. Returning to Morgan County, he was engaged in teaching school for two terms. In 1868 he worked at mining for some time. He was married on the 16th of July of that year to Miss M. M. Harrison, a native of the state, who was born September 30, 1852. In 1871 Mr. A. removed to Bates County and embarked in farming, and here he owns 200 acres of land, which lies adjoining the village of Altona. His place is well watered, timbered, and among the best farms of the township. Mrs. Argenbright is a member of the Methodist Church South. They have two children, George L. C. and Aaron B.

ARGENBRIGHT, Preston
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Grand River Township, Bates Co, MO
PRESTON ARGENBRIGHT, one of the principal farmers and stock men of this township, was born in Augusta County, Virginia, on October 16, 1838, being the second in a family consisting of four brothers and two sisters. His parents, John and Catherine Jane (Steele) Argenbright, were also Virginians by birth, and the former was a cooper by trade. Preston was educated in a common subscription school. When seventeen years of age he came to Missouri and for one year was a resident of Saline County, his father having gone there in 1855. Thence he removed to Morgan County and made it his home for nine years, being married there February 10, 1861, to Miss Rebecca P. Harrison, a native of Tennessee. He held the position of justice of the peace for three years in Morgan County, and for four months was connected with the Enrolled Missouri Militia. At the close of the war he came to Bates County, and was thus enabled to secure his choice of country. He now has one of the best farms in the wealthiest portions of the county. His residence is on section 16, where he owns 490 acres of good land, in good condition, and admirably adapted to the raising of stock. He handles annually about sixty head of cattle, twenty of horses and mules, 100 hogs and over 200 sheep. Mr, A. and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. They have eight children: Albert, John A., James E., Charles H., Anna Steele, Lena Price, Dosia, and Bertha Lee.

ARMSTRONG, J. B.
History of Bates County, Missouri, W. O. Atkeson, 1918
J. B. ARMSTRONG, secretary of the Bennett-Wheeler Mercantile Company of Butler, Missouri, is one of Butler's most widely and favorably known citizens. Mr. Armstrong is a worthy representative of a splendid, old, pioneer family of Missouri. He was born in 1861, at Pleasant Hill, Missouri, a son of Samuel and Sallie Emily (Hon) Armstrong, the former, a native of Virginia and the latter, of Kentucky. Samuel Armstrong was a son of John M. and Elizabeth (Gibbons) Armstrong. John M. Armstrong was also a native of Virginia. He came to Missouri with his family in the earliest days and was a pioneer merchant at Pleasant Hill prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. Elizabeth (Gibbons) Armstrong was an aunt of the Gibbons, twin brothers, John and Hank, who at the time of the death of John Gibbons were the oldest twins in Missouri. The land which is now the site of the Missouri Pacific railway station was formerly owned by John M. Armstrong and he often related how he was want to kill deer, when he first came to Missouri, on the land which is now the present townsite of Pleasant Hill. Both he and his wife died at Pleasant Hill and their remains are interred in the cemetery at that place. Samuel Armstrong was a lover of fine horses and was recognized as an exceptional judge of high-class horses. He won a silver loving cup at a Bates county fair in the days before the Civil War for the best saddle horse presented. This cup is still treasured by his son, J. B. Armstrong. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Samuel Armstrong enlisted with the Confederate army at Pleasant Hill. He died while in service one year after he had enlisted, his death occurring in Indian Territory. The widowed mother died at Butler, Missouri, in 1890, where her home was at that time, and she was laid to rest in the cemetery at Pleasant Hill. To Samuel and Sallie Emily Armstrong were born two children, who are now living: Fannie Bertha, Tulsa, Oklahoma; and J. B., the subject of this review. J. B. Armstrong attended the city schools of Pleasant Hill. He had made his own way in life since his early boyhood days. He began his first mercantile work in the business establishment of E. D. Harper, his stepfather, working nights and Saturdays. At a later time, Mr. Armstrong was employed by Russell & Gustin, of Pleasant Hill, for nearly one year. Prior to that, he was in the employ of Myers & Cooley. Mr. Armstrong came to Butler on February 4, 1882, and accepted a position with C. S. Wheeler & Company. In the autumn of the same year, the firm changed to Bennett & Wheeler, E. A. Bennett becoming a member. Mr. Armstrong purchased an interest in the business establishment in January, 1884, and the name was changed to Bennett, Wheeler & Company. The firm was incorporated as the Bennett-Wheeler Mercantile Company in 1890. At the present time, Mr. Armstrong's two sons, Edward H. and Samuel M., have interests in the company. When he began working in the employ of the C. S. Wheeler & Company, J. B. Armstrong was bookkeeper and he held this position for many years. He now calls himself "the general roustabout," as he knows every department thoroughly. The present capital stock is thirty-five thousand dollars and the officers of the company are as follow: O. A. Heinlein, president and business manager; S. E. Heinlein, vice-president; J. B. Armstrong, secretary; and Edward H. Armstrong, treasurer. October 9, 1884, J. B. Armstrong and Mary Maud Harriman were united in marriage. Mrs. Armstrong was a daughter of J. R. and Helen (Morrell) Harriman, of Butler. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harriman are now deceased. To J. B. and Mary Maud Armstrong have been born five children: Helen, who is now Mrs. Day, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Edward H., treasurer of the Bennett-Wheeler Mercantile Company, Butler, Missouri; Samuel M., who has been engaged in the banking business for the past seven years at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and is soon to be called into service in France; John, who died in childhood at the age of four years; and Dorothy, a graduate of the Butler High School, who is now at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong purchased their present residence in 1904, which home was formerly the Doctor Everingham property, comprising nearly three acres of land in the grounds surrounding the house, located within the city limits at 500 North Main street. The Armstrong home is one of the beautiful, modern residences of Butler. Mr. Armstrong started in life empty-handed, but he surmounted all obstacles and has pushed aside all barriers that would have obstructed the pathway to success of the ordinary man. He was endowed with both ambition and ability, and with an indomitable will and courage he has pushed steadfastly forward overcoming difficulties and accumulating a handsome competence. Honest and honorable, upright in all relations of life, true to family and friends and to the best interests of his city and county, J. B. Armstrong is justly enrolled among the most respected and valued citizens of Butler.

ARNOLD, William M.
History of Bates County, Missouri, W. O. Atkeson, 1918
WILLIAM M. ARNOLD, of Butler, is a native of Lafayette county, Missouri. He is a son of John E. and Maggie C. (Allen) Arnold. John E. Arnold was born near Leesburg, Virginia, and in childhood came with his father, Reverend Mosby Arnold, to Missouri. Reverend Arnold was a leading pioneer preacher, a gifted Methodist minister, who entered government land near Lexington, Missouri, paying one dollar and twenty-five cents for each acre of his large tract, and on his farm built the home of walnut logs, even the shingles being of walnut. He died on the Missouri farm at the age of eighty-six years. John E. Arnold and his family resided eleven miles west of Lexington until 1882, when they left the farm and moved to Butler. Mr. and Mrs. John E. Arnold were the parents of eleven children, as follow: Allen R., Kansas City, Missouri; Henry B., Big Spring, Howard county, Texas; Walter S., Kansas City, Missouri; Dr. T. W., a well-known and successful dentist of Butler, Missouri; Mrs. T. A. Black, deceased; Mrs. G. W. Logan, formerly of Cairo, Illinois, and now deceased; Mrs. Jesse E. Smith, Butler, Missouri; Agnes, Butler, Missouri; William M., the subject of this sketch; and two children died in infancy. Mrs. Maggie C. Arnold, the widowed mother, still resides at Butler and she is now eighty-two years of age. William M. Arnold was reared and educated in Lafayette county, Missouri. He recalls how, in the sixties, the James and Younger boys were want to call at his grandfather's home and demand food -- which never failed to be forthcoming immediately. On the occasion of one of their visits, one of the intruders promised to bring him a revolver, such as he himself carried, when he came again, but much to the boy's disappointment the promise was never fulfilled. As William M. Arnold was then but a very small lad, it was perhaps best that it was not. He remembers, too, the throngs of settlers, who camped for many weeks near a large spring on his grandfather's pasture, when Order Number 11 compelled Jackson county people to leave their farms and find sustenance elsewhere. Amid the scenes of pioneer life and war, Mr. Arnold grew to manhood. He has made his own way in life since he was eighteen years of age. For several years, he was engaged in farming in Lafayette county. After coming to Butler he entered the employ of the Charles Sprague Grocery Company and later the Ed Steele Grocery Company. Mr. Arnold served as constable of Mt. Pleasant township for six years. He has been employed for the past twenty-two years by Mrs. E. Angela Scully, owner of the Scully lands in Bates county, as clerk at Butler, Missouri. In 1886, William M. Arnold was married the first time to Lillie Patton, at Foster, Missouri. She died in 1899, leaving three children: Mabel, now the wife of W. L. Hodge, a prosperous merchant of Petty in Lamar county, Texas; Kate, the wife of J. H. McBee, manager of a large cotton plantation near Petty, Texas; and W. D., of Salt Lake City, Utah, who is a printer by trade. The mother was interred in the cemetery at Butler. Mr. Arnold was married a second time in 1900. Mrs. Arnold was formerly Mrs. Annie E. Smith, of Butler, Missouri. To William M. and Annie E. Arnold have been born two children: Marion F. and Asenith E. Mrs. Arnold, by her former marriage, is the mother of one son, Walker T. Smith, who enlisted with Company A, Twelfth Missouri Infantry, soon after the declaration of war by the United States and is at the present time located at San Francisco, California. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold reside in Butler at 501 West Fort Scott street.

ASBURY, Joseph H.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Rockville Township, Bates Co, MO
JOSEPH H. ASBURY was born in Howard County, Missouri, March 7, 1855, and is the second of a family of six children. His father, George W. Asbury, was a farmer by occupation and a native of Missouri. His mother, whose maiden name was Penitch Bailey, came originally from Virginia. When Joseph was a lad of six years the family removed to Indiana, where his father died when the son was twelve years old. In 1870 the mother returned to Missouri and settled in Bates County. J. H. continued working on the farm until 1875, when he came to Rockville and engaged in his present business. In 1880 he erected the business house which he now occupies at a cost of $3,000. Mr. Asbury was married, May 6, 1879, to Miss Clara Fagan, a native of Illinois. They have one child, Eddie, born May 7, 1881.

ATKESON, W. O.
History of Bates County, Missouri, W. O. Atkeson, 1918
W. O. ATKESON, the author and editor of this book, was born in Putnam county, West Virginia, in the valley of the Great Kanawha river, and was reared to manhood there. He is the son of a farmer and had the usual experiences and passed through the ordinary vicissitudes of farm life in that country. He attended the country schools and quit the public schools a pupil of the Buffalo Academy. At the beginning of the college year of 1873-74 he entered the Kentucky University at Lexington, matriculating in the Agricultural and Mechanical College and pursued a special course in mathematics, literature, history, book keeping and military training with recitations in chemistry. He remained in the university one about seven months, and on account of sickness returned home, and went to work on the farm. The following winter he taught school in Mason county, West Virginia, and with the money so earned matriculated in the West Virginia State Normal School at Fairmount, and graduated from the same in June, 1875. The following winter he was principal of the New Haven graded schools, and in the spring of 1876 he became one of the editors and proprietors of the "West Virginia Monitor," published at Point Pleasant, West Virginia. After a few months he disposed of his interest in the paper and returned to the farm and began the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in Winfield, West Virginia, in 1877. In 1878, he removed to Council Grove, Kansas, where he resided and practiced his profession until he came to Rich Hill in 1882. He was elected justice of the peace in Council Grove, Kansas, and served out a term of two years. In October, 1889, he removed with his family to Butler, where he has since resided. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Bates county in 1890 and served a term of two years successfully. In 1892, he was a candidate for circuit judge on the People's Party ticket and was also nominated by electors, and carried three counties out of the four composing the 29th judicial circuit, but was defeated. The election of his opponent was contested, the opinion of the supreme court being recorded in 115 Missouri Reports. He became the editor of the "Butler Free Press" in 1894 and has been with the paper ever since, and is regarded by friends and foe as a clear, decisive writer, a fair and honorable editor, and a good citizen. He lives in a comfortable cottage home with a family of five children, having recently lost his wife, who was a daughter of George G. and Mary A. Warnick and whom he married in Barton county, Missouri, in 1884. In 1894, the Kentucky Central Normal School conferred on him the honorary degree of A.M. He is a man of varied culture, firm convictions and great tenacity of purpose; and his home has always been an open door to all who wish to come and share its modest and cordial hospitality. (The foregoing is from the "Old Settlers History of Butler County," published in 1902.) In 1902, Mr. Atkeson sold the "Butler Free Press" and returned to the practice of law. After the dissolution of the People's Party he became a Republican, and in 1906 he was unanimously nominated for Congress by the Republican convention of the Sixth Missouri district held in Rich Hill. His Democratic opponent was Hon. David A. De Armond, the sitting member; and after an earnest canvass he was defeated. In 1908, he was re-nominated for Congress by the Republicans at the primary election, and again made an earnest canvass of the district, but was again defeated by De Armond. In January, 1910, he was appointed a deputy hotel inspector under the Hadley administration and served about sixteen months, retiring from that position to accept an appointment as deputy state labor commissioner, in which capacity he served two years. His elder daughter, Miss Virginia Wheat Atkeson, died March 10, 1912; and in September, 1914, the other children removed to Columbia, Missouri, where Miss Gladys C. had a position as stenographer to Dean J. C. Jones, of the State University. Floyd W. continues his studies in the College of Agriculture; Ralph W., entered the College of Arts and Sciences; and Clarence F., entered the city high school, sophomore year. In December following, the subject of this sketch followed and remained in Columbia until March 1, 1915, when he returned to Butler and on April 12 purchased the "Bates County Record" from the widow of Col. O. D. Austin, who had recently died. For the last three years he has edited and published the "Record." The plant was destroyed by fire December 27, 1916, but the paper was continued by contract until April 26, 1918, at which time it was sold and discontinued at the end of its fifty-second volume. At this time, May 1, 1918, Gladys C. Atkeson, now Mrs. J. W. McCreery, resides in Columbia and has one child, Robert A.; Floyd W., will graduate from the College of Agriculture of the University in June; Ralph W. is second lieutenant, "A" Company, One Hundred Twenty-ninth Machine Gun Battalion, Thirty-fifth Division, United States Army, at Camp Mills, Long Island, on his way to France; Clarence E. is in Kansas City, Missouri, attending a business college.

AUSTIN, O. D.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Mt. Pleasant Township, Bates Co, MO
O. D. AUSTIN was born in Shelby, Richland County, Ohio, October 7, 1841. His ancestors were of French origin, and immigrated to America early in the history of colonial settlements, locating in Massachusetts. His father, Horace Austin, was born in Massachusetts, July 16, 1804. He afterwards took up his residence in Pennsylvania, where he engaged in teaching school and studying medicine. He graduated from a medical school in Philadelphia, and came to Shelby, Ohio, where he began the practice of his profession, remaining there till 1844, when he removed to Plymouth, in the same county. At the beginning of the war he entered the Union army as a surgeon, but fell a victim to the hardships and exposure of a vigorous campaign. He became an invalid, returned home and died in 1863, in the fifty-ninth year of his age. His wife was formerly Flavia A. Conger, sister of Hon. O. D. Conger, United States Senator from Michigan. The subject of this sketch was the eldest of six children, and until sixteen years of age was a student at the public schools of Plymouth, the home of his father. He then attended school for one year in Illinois, and returning to Ohio entered the Herald newspaper office in Mansfield. In 1862, through the influence of Hon. John Sherman, he received the appointment of a clerkship in the United States Treasury Department in Washington. He was a spectator in Ford's Theater on the night of April 14, 1865, when President Lincoln was assassinated. In April, 1866, he accepted a position as foreman in the office of the Kansas City Advertiser, the first daily Democratic paper established in that place. He remained in this position about six months, and in November of the same year became general manager of the Bates County Record, at Butler, Missouri. In the spring of 1867, he returned to Kansas City, and acted as local editor on the Advertiser until October of the same year, when he returned to Butler, purchased the Record office, and has continued the publication of that paper until the present time. In October, 1881, he was appointed postmaster at Butler. Politically he is a Republican, taking an active part in political affairs and rendering essential service to the party. In his religious preferences he is liberal. He is a member of the Masonic order and a Knight Templar. He was married May 3, 1871, to Miss Florence May Stobie, daughter of George and Maria L. Stobie, of Butler, formerly of Pittsfield, Illinois. They have two children: Edwin S. and Nellie B. As a journalist Mr. Austin is liberal, courteous and sincere, denouncing the iniquities of all parties with an unsparing hand, and advocating such measures as he believes to be for the public good.

AVERY, William E.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Howard Township, Bates Co, MO
WILLIAM E. AVERY, dealer in hardware and farm implements, is a native of Lafayette County, Missouri, and was born in 1864. His parents were B. W. and Elizabeth Avery, his father originally from North Carolina, and his mother a Kentuckian by birth. They had four children: Mollie, Wm. E., John E. and George W. After their marriage, in Lafayette County, they settled on a farm, where they now reside. William was educated at Brownville, Missouri, and upon leaving school he entered the employ of B. D. Buford, at Kansas City, remaining for some time. In September 1882, he purchased the stock of Fisher & Thomas, at Hume, where he is now doing an extensive business, and although the youngest business man of the place, he has met with such success and encouragement as an enterprising and straightforward merchant is bound to secure.

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