Bates County Biographies
Bates County Biographies
CANTRELL, John G.
Grand River Township - John G. Cantrell, farmer, was born in Lumpkin County,
Georgia, October 15, 1850, and is the third of a family of six boys and three
girls, of whom he has four brothers and two sisters now living. His father,
Stephen Cantrell, was a native of South Carolina, and his mother, whose maiden
name was Lydia McClure, was born in Georgia. When he was sixteen years old John
G. came to Platte County, Missouri, with the family, and in one year to Bates
County, they settling upon raw prairie, that has since been changed to a finely
improved farm of 300 acres. He remained upon his father's farm until 1879, when,
on the 5th of March, he was married to Miss Jane Owens, daughter of John Owens
and a native of Bates County, born October 21, 1861. He then moved to his own
farm in section 13, consisting of 216 acres, which he has in a good state of
cultivation and well improved. It is well adapted to the raising of stock, and
he handles quite a number of cattle and hogs. Mr. Cantrell is a member of Altona
Lodge, A.F. & A.M., and has been W.M. of the lodge for three years. He has also
been clerk of the township two years. He and his wife have two children, Lydia
E., born February 23, 1880, and Gilman E., born October 23, 1881. (History of
Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
CARLETON, L.O.
Mingo Township - L.O. Carleton, merchant and postmaster at Mayesburg, was born
in Washington County, Indiana, April 8, 1837, and is the second in a family of
ten children. His father, Samuel Carleton, was a native of Virginia and a farmer
by occupation. His mother, whose maiden name was Sidney E. Baker, came
originally from Indiana. L.O. moved to Benton County, Missouri, when but three
years old, and was there reared on his father's farm, receiving a fair education
in the country schools. When just about twenty-two years old, on May 26, 1859,
he married Miss Margaret Tindall, a native of Knox County, Tennessee. He then
began farming, and continued it until he enlisted, in 1862, in Captain
Gallaher's company, of which he was sergeant. His service extended until 1865.
At the close of the war he came to Johnstown, and was engaged in the mercantile
trade for ten years, being the postmaster during his stay there. In 1878 he
settled at Mayesburg and entered into business with Mr. Mayes, and was the first
postmaster of this town. Since August, 1881, Mr. C. has been in business for
himself. He carries a good stock and is enjoying a fair trade. He is a member of
the Christian Church and is a Mason. They have four children: Samuel M.,
Sylvester, Powhatan and Walter. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
CARNES, Edward Kendall
Mt. Pleasant Township - Edward Kendall Carnes, station agent and telegraph
operator at Butler, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, May 12, 1855. He received
a good academic education at the Clermont Academy, Professor James D. Parker,
principal, where his father, Jesse Carnes, had also received his education in
1842. The latter moved from Ohio to Coles County, Illinois, and is now engaged
in the lumber business. He married Miss Amanda McFarland, originally from
Clermont County, Ohio. They had seven children, of which the subject of this
sketch is the fourth. His mother died in 1867, and his father married for his
second wife, Miss SMSary Cusick, in 1869. They have two children, Lewis and
Norwood. In 1870, Edward learned the art of telegraphy, at Olney, Illinois, and
worked first for the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad line for four years. He spent a
year or so in Chicago, keeping books, and then returned to the same road where
he had formerly been employed. In 1877, he was engaged in the offices of the
Missouri Pacific, and after working at Sedalia, he was called to the general
office in St. Louis, where he continued four years. After that he was assistant
train dispatcher (or agent), and in May, 1880, he came to Butler, and has had
charge of this station since. His accounts are ever correct, and his manner of
doing business, and the general management of the office is giving the best of
satisfaction to the business men and the railroad company. (History of Bates
County, Missouri, 1883)
CATRON, Robert Smith
Mt. Pleasant Township - Robert Smith Catron, county treasurer and ex-county
collector, was born in Lafayette County, Missouri, August 25, 1839. His father
was Stephen Catron, a farmer by occupation and a native of Virginia. His mother,
formerly Elizabeth Smith, was a Kentuckian by birth. Robert enjoyed good common
school advantages and then attended the Shelby College, where he qualified
himself for any position in life which he might be called to occupy. After the
death of the father, in 1867, the large farm of 700 acres was divided among his
seven children. Robert S. settled on his eighty acres and commenced farming it.
In 1869 he sold this place and moved to Bates County, locating in West Point
Township, where he bought a farm. Upon this he remained until 1880, when he was
elected county collector, and moved into Butler. The township organization
taking effect during his term, the office was abandoned. In the election of 1882
he was elected to the responsible position of county treasurer, which he is now
filling with great credit to himself. Mr. Catron married Miss Eliza Fulkerson,
of Andrew County, in 1868. She was the daughter of William Fulkerson, who was
born in Missouri. Her mother's maiden name was Sarah Breckenridge, a relative of
the old Kentucky family of that name. They have four children living: Thomas W.,
Clarence P., Florence R. and Fannie L. In his political preferences Mr. C. is a
Democrat. He is a Royal Arch Mason. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
CHAMBERS, William N.
Deepwater Township - The subject of this sketch was born in Ashland County,
Ohio, March 2, 1841, and was the son of John and Jane Chambers nee Nelson,
natives of Pennsylvania. The youth of William N. was spent on his father's farm
and he received a good, common school education. In November, 1861, he enlisted,
at his country's call, in the Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served
three years in the war of the rebellion. He participated in numerous
engagements, the most important being those of the Vicksburg campaign. While in
the hospital at Cumberland Gap he was taken prisoner and held for six weeks and
then parolled. After the close of the war he returned to his home where he
remained about three months, after which he came west and farmed one year in
Marion County. In the spring of 1866 he came to Missouri, bought raw land and
located in Bates County where he now has 230 acres of land, all fenced and well
improved. He has a good, substantial residence, barn and outbuildings, and a
bearing orchard of apple, peach, pear and cherry trees. This place is enclosed
with hedge, and is located in section 10. Mr. Chambers was married in Henry
County, January 27, 1867, to Miss Martha P. Dobson, a daughter of B.F. Dobson,
of Henry County. They have five children: John F., Ewin, Arthur, Albert and
Minnie May. Mr. C. is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. (History
of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
CHILDS, Thomas W.
Mt. Pleasant Township - Thomas W. Childs, an active and influential citizen of
Butler, owes his nativity to Frederick County, Virginia, where he was born April
8, 1839. His earlier years were devoted to farming there, his education being
such as the district schools afforded. In 1859, determined to visit the West, he
went to Carson City, Nevada, where he gave his attention to merchandising. In
1855 he located at Salt Lake City, and was interested in trade at that point
until 1869, when upon returning eastward he settled at Butler, Missouri. During
his first year's residence in the place he was engaged in farming, after which
time he embarked in the dry goods business, and also dealing in agricultural
implements. Thus he continued to be constantly occupied until in May, 1882, when
upon disposing of his interests in the dry goods line to Cassidy & Pitkin, he
turned his attention to the hardware and implement trade, also having on hand at
this time a stock of wagons, buggies, etc. Mr. C. is a member of the firm of
Lefker & Childs, dealers in grain, and he is also vice-president of the Butler
National Bank, one of the most solid financial institutions in Western Missouri.
He is the owner of the building in which he now does business, besides being the
possessor of other structures and real estate in and about Butler. Mr. Childs is
a member of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to the Chapter and
Commandery. He is also connected with the I.O.O.F. and A.O.U.W. orders. He is at
present one of the trustees of Mount Pleasant Township. On December 19, 1864.
occurred his marriage to Miss Sarah Coats, a Virginian by birth. Their family
numbers six children: Shurley, Jessie, Nellie, Raymond, Edward, and Geneva.
(History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
CHRISMAN, George W.
Deer Creek Township - George W. Chrisman, physician and surgeon, Adrian, is a
native of Fairfield County, Ohio, where he was born July 27, 1838. His parents
were Benjamin and Sarah (Carr) Chrisman. When George was fourteen years old they
moved to Indiana, where he attended the common schools until eighteen years old.
Then he began the study of medicine with Dr. John Jeleff, with whom he studied
for three years. In September, 1859, he entered the McDowell Medical College, at
St. Louis, and attended that college two terms, and graduated in March, 1865. He
subsequently located in St. Clair County, Missouri, in the town of Roscoe, where
he remained six years. Thence to Burdette, Bates County, where he practiced
until 1882, when he settled in Adrian. The Dr. has two good farms in the county
and a fine residence in the town of Adrian. He enlisted in September, 1861, in
Company A, Forty-second Indiana, and was discharged July 27, 1865. He was
assistant surgeon of his regiment, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
He was taken prisoner at Vicksburg, but in seven days was paroled. He is a
member of Everett lodge No. 226, A.F. and A.M., and also belongs to the I.O.O.F.
order. Dr. Chrisman was married December 4, 1865, to Miss Etta Henry, a native
of Ohio. They have five children: William, Hattie, Clifton, Jesse, and Maud.
(History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
CHRISTY, J.M.
Mt. Pleasant Township - J.M. Christy, homeopathic physician and surgeon, was
born in Fleming County, Kentucky, August 8, 1850, and is a son of Ambrose B. and
Elizabeth J. (Fagan) Christy, both natives of Fleming County. J.M. received his
primary education in the common schools, and attended the University of Kentucky
for two years, having previously chosen the practice of medicine for a
profession. In 1871, he came to Missouri and completed the study of medicine
with Dr. W.L. Hedges, of Warrensburg. He was later a student at the New York
Homeopathy College, from which instituion he wa graduated in 1874. The same year
he began his practice in Johnson County, Missouri. In the spring of 1877, he
came to Bates County and located at Paris City. In the fall of 1879 he removed
to Butler, where he has since resided. In September, 1881, Dr. C. went to New
York, where he attended lectures in different colleges. In the spring of 1882,
he received a special diploma from the Gynaecological Department. The doctor was
married to Miss Tilitha F. Ellis, September 3, 1873. Mrs. C. is a native of
Kentucky, as was also her parents, James H. and Sallie J. (Gossett) Ellis. Dr.
C. is fast building up a lucrative patronage in his profession, and is
thoroughly convinced of the superior advantages of the homeopathic school as
offered to the students of Hahnemann. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
CHURCH, Jesse
Mound Township - Jesse Church was born in Wyoming County, New York, October 4,
1825, his parents being Timothy Church, and Hannah, nee Norris, both of New
England birth, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Vermont.
Jesse is the fourth of thirteen children, five of whom are living. When he was a
boy of five years, the family came west and located in Macomb County, Michigan,
where he grew to maturity and received an average education. Returning to New
York, he ws married there May 29, 1854, to Miss Carrie Wiggins, also a native of
the Empire State. Soon after they returned to Michigan, living there two years,
and thence to Illinois, which was their home until 1867. They then came to
Johnson County, Missouri, and in 1874 to Bates County, where Mr. C. has since
stayed. He handles quite a number of cattle and hogs, and is the owner of a farm
consisting of 390 acres. Mr. Church has four children: George, who married Miss
Lizzie Coleman; Nettie, wife of Jackson Thompson, of Linn County, Kansas; Fred,
and Elva, at home. In politics, he is identified with the Republican party.
(History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
CLARK, James J.
West Point Township - James J. Clark, one of the oldest settlers of Bates
County, was born in Hart County, Kentucky, about the year 1825, his parents
being Moses and Mary Clark. James is the youngest of three children. His mother
died while he was quite young, and he was left in the care of a Mr. Self, who
proved so hard a master that when only ten or twelve years of age he ran away
and came to Jackson County, Missouri, in company with a man named Fitchen. When
about seventeen he drove a team on a trading expedition to Mexico. In 1846, he
volunteered as a soldier for the Mexican War, but not being accepted he went
with a trading train into Mexico. He made two trips to California, one in 1849,
and again in 1853. January 24, 1858, Mr. Clark married Miss Elizabeth M. Lemar,
a native of Tennessee, but who was reared in Clay County, and daughter of
William Lemar, of Mulberry. They have eight children: William W., Charles
Marion, Tabitha Rosamon, Thomas Jackson, Elizabeth Alice, Eva A., Althie Artie
and Arthur. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
CLOUD, Daniel W.
Spruce Township - Daniel W. Cloud was born in Logan County, Kentucky, on the
23rd of April, 1834, and is the fifth of ten children, all of whom are living.
The family is widely separated, three sisters and one half brother living in
Kentucky, two brothers in Arkansas and two brothers and one sister in Texas. His
parents, John and Catherine (Rutherford) Cloud, were natives of Kentucky, and
the latter still resides in Logan County. In 1852 Daniel W. came to Missouri and
remained two years in Lafayette County, going in 1854 to Perry County, Illinois.
On April 23, 1856, he was married in Logan County, Kentucky, to Miss Catherine
Hickman, of that county. In the following fall he returned to Illinois and lived
there two years, and in October, 1858, he came to Bates County and settled in
Spruce Township. At the outbreak of the war Mr. Cloud enlisted in the Sixteenth
Missouri in Parson's Brigade, and was in all the actions in which his brigade
took part, being slightly wounded at Lone Jack. At Okolona, Arkansas, March 15,
1863, he was taken prisoner, and until near the close of the war was kept as
such, being confined at Camden, Little Rock and Rock Island, from which place he
was taken to New Orleans for exchange. He was exchanged at the mouth of Red
River shortly before the surrender at Shreveport. Mrs. Cloud died August 7,
1880, leaving four children: Powantonimo, "Tonnie" now in Colorado; John J.,
Alanson J. and Elveretta. He was again married, December 22, 1881, to his
present wife, then Mrs. Elizabeth Owen, widow of John Owen, who was killed at
Lone Jack. She had two children by a former marriage, Edwin J., and Jane (wife
of John Cantrell, of Grand River). Mr. Cloud and wife have one child, a boy. The
former is a member of the Christian Church and also belongs to the Masonic
order. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
COATES, Kinsey
Grand River Township - Kinsey Coates, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Adair
County, Kentucky, November 1, 1826, and was the son of Charles and Nancy (Royce)
Coates, and the sixth of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters. His
father was a native of Virginia, and settled in Kentucky with other early
pioneers, where he married, his wife being a Kentuckian by birth. He took an
active part in the war of 1812, serving in General Jackson's memorable campaign.
When Kinsey had arrived at manhood he worked out by the year until he was
twenty-three years of age, when, on October 8, 1848, he was married to Miss
Elizabeth M. Edmons, originally from Tennessee. He then engaged in farming in
Kentucky, where he lived until 1859, going in that year to Texas, where he
followed agricultural pursuits until the close of the rebellion. In 1865, he
returned north and settled in Bates County. He lives on section 20, and has a
finely improved farm of eighty acres. He is identified with the Princeton
Baptist Church, and is a member of Crescent Hill Lodge of Masons. Mrs. Coates
died January 20, 1881, after they had lived together thirty-three years. They
have had eleven children, of whom three, John R. and two infants, are deceased.
Those living are Zarelda, Angeline, Nancy, Frances M., Mary A., Charles, and
William B. and Sarah P., who are twins. (History of Bates County, Missouri,
1883)
COLE, Judge C.D.
Walnut Township - Judge C.D. Cole, section 11, owes his nativity to Cooper
County, Missouri, where he was born in 1834. He was the fifth child of Samuel
and Sally (Brisco) Cole, the former a Virginian by birth, who with his parents
moved to Kentucky in an early day. In 1806 he went to Cooper County, Missouri,
where he has since resided, now being eighty-six years of age. He has lived on
the same farm since 1812. His wife, who came originally from Kentucky, died in
1855, in the forty-seventh year of her age. C.D. Cole grew to manhood in the
county of his birth, and was married there in 1855 to Miss Margaret Schutler, a
native of Virginia, born in 1835, and a daughter of Jacob G. and Mary Schutler.
She came to Missouri in 1837 with her parents, and located in Cooper County,
where she was reared and educated. After his marriage Mr. Cole settled in
Moniteau County, where he lived until the breaking out of the war. Returning to
Cooper County he stayed there until 1868, then coming to Bates County, where he
took up his location near where he now resides. He and his wife have eight
children: Ellenora, Mary, William, Fannie, Rector, James, Margaret and Ned. Mr.
Cole has always been a staunch Democrat, and in 1876 he was elected county judge
of the southern district, and in 1878 was elected presiding judge of Bates. He
now has served nearly six years to the entire satisfaction of the people. During
the years 1853-54 he was a resident of California. (History of Bates County,
Missouri, 1883)
COMPTON, John M.
Deepwater Township - John M. Compton was born in Howard County, Missouri, April
30, 1833. His father, Thomas S. Compton, a native of Tennessee, married Miss
Mary Stapp, who came originally from Kentucky. They former moved to Missouri
with his parents when a small boy, and located in Howard County, being among the
early pioneers of the state. John M. accompanied the family from Howard to
Johnson County, in 1841. He spent his youth on a farm, and acquired his
education mostly through his own efforts. In 1854 he came to Bates County, where
his father entered land which they improved, and where the senior Compton died
in 1861. The subject of this sketch was married here in October, 1860, to Miss
A.E. Hedrick, a daughter of William Hedrick. She is a native of Indiana, and was
born in Lawrence County. After his marriage Mr. C. located on the old homestead,
where he now has 150 acres of land, 120 acres in his home place being fenced,
with a fair house and improvements, and a good orchard of 100 young bearing
apple and some peach and cherry trees. He served about one year in the enrolled
militia during the late war, and was in the Sixtieth Missouri Volunteer
Infantry. Mr. and Mrs. Compton have five children: Orvil W., James W., W.E.,
Mary E., and Clay S. Mrs. C. and Mr. Compton's mother are members of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
CONCKLIN, Charles S.
Mound Township - Charles S. Concklin was born in Marion County, Ohio, October
14, 1841, and was the son of Washington W. and Sophia (Sweester) Concklin, both
of whom were natives of New York. The Concklin family is one among the first
families of New York, and we find it traced in an unbroken line to the days of
the Knickerbockers. The first account of the name in this country is about the
time that the New Netherlands passed from the hands of the Dutch Governors to
those of the Duke of York, that three brothers named Concklin came from England,
and one of them, Nicholas, settled at Southold, Long Island, but removed to East
Chester where his son, Joshua, was born October 2, 1707. His son, Isaac, settled
at Kakiat, New York, where he died in 1814, and at Kakiat the family has since
resided. Isaac's son, also Isaac, was born April 18, 1772. He is the father of
Washington W. Concklin, who is the father of the subject of this sketch.
Washington W. married Sophia Sweester, at Delaware, Ohio, and now lives at
Marion, Ohio. He is aged eighty-three years, and she seventy-one. She had been a
teacher in the public schools of Ohio, and it is to her that Rutherford B. Hayes
owes much of his success in life. She it was who first gave him instruction, nd
at her knee he learnred his first lessons and received from her the right start
in life. There is something remarkable in regard to the longevity of the
Concklin family. We find by reference to dates, that of six of his ancestors,
the average age at death was over eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. C. have seven
children, two of whom, Charles S. and Isaac, live in Bates County. Charles S.
was reared in the town of Marion, and his younger days were employed mainly in
attending school. When of suitable age he was sent to Oberlin College, where he
attended some eighteen months. After this he went to the farm and continued
agricultural pursuits in Ohio until about 1865, when in company with his brother
he came to Missouri and purchased a large tract of about 4,000 acres of land in
Bates County. Here he has since resided. In 1870, he settled on his present
farm, in Mound Township. Mr. Concklin is one of the principal farmers of the
county, and raises extensive crops of wheat, corn, flax, etc. He has paid some
attention to sheep growing, and handles a fine flock of Merinos. He is also
making an effort to introduce the Jersey grade of cattle into this section, and
has on hand a couple of fine specimens of that justly famous milk stock. He was
married July 2, 1870, to Miss Laura Meddey, daughter of Charles Meddey. They
have two children: Elizabeth B., born March 13, 1873, and Washington W., born
December 17, 1875. Mr. Concklin is an energetic business man, and holds advanced
views in regard to matters of legislation, education, etc. (History of Bates
County, Missouri, 1883)
COOK, James F.
East Boone Township - James F. Cook, farmer and civil engineer, was born October
16, 1829, in Washington City. His parents were John A. Cook and Frances F., nee
Owens. The former of a Maryland family, and the latter of Pennsylvanian
parentage. James F. is the eldest of three children, the others being Stephen J.
Cook, and Mary A. Fairfax. He was educated at the Alexandria Boarding School,
where he received a course in civil engineering, and until 1870, he dovoted most
of his time to his profession, his work being mainly in Missouri. He probably
made the first survey in Iowa for a railroad. When the war broke out he was in
Virginia, where he enlisted in the Black Horse Cavalry, under J.B. Stewart. He
was also under Stonewall Jackson, and was at the battle of Antietam, and at the
Federal retreat fro Rappahannock. On October 11, 1863, he suffered the loss of
his right leg. But after this he continued in the service until the close of the
war. In 1872, Mr. Cook came to Bates County, Missouri, settled in Boone Township
where he engaged in farming. He has for several years made a specialty of sheep
raising. He was married September 5, 1865, in Warren County, Virginia, to Miss
Lucy C. Henry, who died July 31, 1870, leaving one child, Edgar Price. Two years
later, March 30, 1872, Mr. Cook married his present wife, Miss Arphelia E.
Henry, a sister of his first wife. They have three children: Lucy Caroline,
Fannie Owen and an infant. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
COOK, William W.
Mt. Pleasant Township - William W. Cook was born in Morgan County, Illinois,
July 3, 1843, and was brought up as a farmer's boy, receiving his education from
the schools of his native county. In 1862, he enlisted in Company I, 101st
Illinois Regiment, with which he served until the close of the war. Returning to
Illinois in 1865, he resumed agricultural pursuits, and in 1868, he came to
Austin, Missouri. After residing there for about nine months he located at
Harrisonville, and for two years served most faithfully as deputy county
collector. During the following year he served as deputy circuit clerk, and was
then appointed deputy county clerk, the duties of which position he discharged
for three years. In 1874, he was elected clerk of Cass County, and had charge of
that office for four years. In 1878, he embarked in the lumber business, under
the firm name of Cook & Wheeler, which partnership existed until June, 1880,
when they sold out to R.J. Hurley & Co. There Mr. C. remained one year, at the
expiration of that time accepting his present position as book keeper with R.J.
Hurley, which necessitated a change of residence to Butler. December 20, 1866,
Mr. Cook was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Simms, a native of Virginia.
He is a prominent member of both the I.O.O.F. and Masonic fraternities. (History
of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
COWAN, Judge S.S.
Charlotte Township - Judge S.S. Cowan, farmer and carpenter by trade, section
29, was born in 1843, in Springfield, Clark County, Ohio, and was a son of
William and Jane (Stewart) Cowan, also originally from that county. The former
was born in 1811 and died in 1852, and the latter, who was born in 1816, died in
1862. Young Cowan was principally brought up by his grandfather, David Cowan,
who had settled in Clark County in 1808. In 1862 S.S. enlisted in Company A,
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until 1864, being mustered out at Buffalo,
New York, in that year. He returned to Ohio and in 1870 came to Butler, Bates
County, and worked at his trade until 1871, when he returned to Ohio. In 1873 he
married Miss Rachel E. Waddle, who was born in Ohio County, Virginia in 1847.
Her parents were William and Eliza Waddle nee McMeacham; her father, a Virginian
by birth and her mother, a native of Ohio. After his marriage Mr. C. located
where he now resides, his farm containing 120 acres of well improved and watered
land. He served for about four years as judge of the Bates County Court, with
much credit to himself. The judge and his wife have three children: Mary A.,
Laura J. and Anna M. They are both members of the United Presbyterian Church.
(History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
COX, S.P.
Deer Creek Township - S.P. Cox, merchant, Adrian, was born in Grundy County,
Illinois, November 7, 1857. His father, Arthur Cox, was a native of Nova Scotia,
and was a blacksmith by occupation. His mother, formerly Lucinda Misner, came
originally from Indiana. S.P. attended the common schools, and lived with his
father in Illinois until 1867, when he came to Bates County, Missouri, engaging
in farming. This he followed until September, 1880, when he located at Adrian
and embarked in the grocery business, which he conducted until September, 1881.
Selling out he became occupied in the stock shipping business. He is now
erecting two large brick business houses in Adrian. Mr. Cox is one of the most
enterprising young business men in the county, and is one of the founders of
Adrian. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
CRABTREE, William J.
Spruce Township - William J. Crabtree was born in Christian County, Kentucky,
January 21, 1863. Emsley Crabtree, his father, was a native of North Carolina,
but was raised and married in Kentucky, to Miss Elizabeth Pyle, she being a
daughter of Dr. William Pyle, of Tory notoriety in the war of the
Revolution. William J. grew to manhood in his native county, where his youth was
spent on a farm. He received a common school education. He was married in
Christian County to Miss Isabella Hall, a daughter of Andrew Hall. She is a
Virginian by birth, but was brought up and educated in Kentucky. Mr. Crabtree
continued to farm in Kentucky for about ten years, and in the fall of 1857 he
moved to Missouri, and located in Polk County, where he engaged in the hotel
business at Bolivar. Going upon a farm, he gave his attention to agricultural
pursuits until 1865, when he went to Illinois, locating in Sangamon County. Here
he remained two years, and in the fall of 1867 he came to Bates County, bought
land and improved his present farm. He has 104 acres, with eighty-four acres
fenced and fairly improved. He resides on section 33. In his political
preferences he is a Democrat, and has been elected and re-elected township
assessor four times in succession. Mr. and Mrs. Crabtree have six children: Mary
C., now the widow of William Black Thomas, Lue Ann, now Mrs. John Etter; Sallie
A., Dora and John W. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church. The former belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the I.O.O.F., and is a
member of the Masonic Mutual Benefit Association. (History of Bates County,
Missouri, 1883)
CRAWFORD, B.R.
Grand River Township - B.R. Crawford, farmer and dealer in musical instruments,
Altona, is next to the youngest of seven children and is a native of Bates
County, Missouri, born October 7, 1858. His wife, formerly Miss Mary C. Wagoner
is the daughter of Henry Wagoner, and was born in the Empire state. They were
married May 7, 1876, and have three children: Rush Wagoner, Earl Raymond and
William Henry. William Crawford, the father of our subject, was born in
Pennsylvania and married Eliza Peace, a native of Kentucky. They subsequently
settled on a farm in Bates County upon which B.R. employed his early days. His
education was such as he received in the country schools of the county. He
remained at home until his father's death which occurred in 1875. He then had
charge of the entire farm and now owns a portion of it. In 1876 he became
engaged in selling musical instruments and recently has devoted much attention
to the business, and is having a good trade, especially with the W.W. Kimball
organ, of which he sells a large number each year. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford are
identified with the Baptist Church. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
CRUMLY, F.M.
Mt. Pleasant Township - F.M. Crumly, dealer in drugs, etc., is the son of H.E.
and Mary (Hackney) Crumly, who were natives of East Tennessee, and was born in
Blount County of that state September 11, 1848. In 1850 his parents moved to
Jefferson County, Iowa, and after a residence of six years there returned to his
native county. After a short period of time they again located in Iowa in 1857.
F.M. was there reared and educated. When he was nineteen years of age he went to
Xenia, Kansas, and in 1872 he came to Butler where he has since resided. He was
for some time engaged in different clerkships, and for a while was in the county
and circuit clerks' offices. In 1879 he embarked in the grocery business,
afterwards adding a stock of drugs and at present he is exclusively interested
in the drug trade, having one of the leading stores of Butler, and the
proprietor is one of the prominent citizens of the town. Mr. Crumly was married
June 9, 1871, to Miss Fannie E. Haskins, a daughter of B.S. and Mary (Beavers)
Haskins. She was born in Bates County, Missouri, May 1, 1853. They have had
three children, two of whom are now living, Orville H. and Oscar. Mr. C. is a
member of the Masonic fraternity. (History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
CUPPY, Thomas W.
Mt. Pleasant Township - Thomas W. Cuppy, farmer, section 1, is the owner of a
farm consisting of one hundred and twenty acres of cultivated land with good
improvements, which have been made by himself since 1867. He is a native of
McLean County, Illinois, and was born in 1835, being a son of Thomas and Jemima
(Ward) Cuppy. The former, a native of Clermont County, Ohio, was born in 1802,
and with his parents moved to Wayne County, Indiana, where he grew to manhood
and married. His wife was born in North Carolina in 1805, and early accompanied
her parents to Wayne County, Indiana, where she was also raised. After their
marriage, they remained in Indiana till 1832, then went to McLean County,
Illinois, and lived on a farm until 1843, after which time they settled in
Johnson County, Iowa. The following winter the mother died and the father
survived till 1869. The subject of this sketch was educated in Johnson County,
Iowa, and began life as a farmer. In 1860, in company with some friends, he went
to Pike's Peak, and stayed there till the fall of 1864. Three years of that time
were spent in the First Regiment Colorado Volunteer Cavalry. Upon being mustered
out he returned to Johnson County, Iowa, and was married in 1865 to Miss Melvina
G. Cuppy, a native of Wayne County, Indiana, born in 1835. Her parents were
Abraham and Sarah (Collins) Cuppy. Her father was born in Clermont County, Ohio
and her mother came originally from Kentucky, and with their parents they early
moved to Wayne County, Indiana. The former died in 1846, aged thirty-six years.
Mrs. Cuppy is still living at the age of seventy years. Thomas W. Cuppy
continued to reside in Iowa till 1867, when he came to Missouri and settled
where he now resides. He and his wife have one child, a son, William B., born in
1871. Their only daughter, Myrtle C., who was born in 1868, died in 1870. Mr.
and Mrs. C. are church members. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity. (History
of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)
CURRY, John M.
Deer Creek Township - John M. Curry, stock dealer. The subject of this sketch
was born July 7, 1853, in Bates County, Missouri, being the son of Richard
Curry, a native of Indiana and one of the pioneers of Bates County. His mother's
maiden name was Leah Gilmore, also of Indiana. John was the oldest of ten
children, five sons and five daughters. He grew to manhood on the farm in Bates
County, and was educated in our common schools. When twenty-one years of age he
engaged in farming, and has followed this and dealing in stock ever since,
except one year when he was in business in the town of Adrian. In 1881 he was
elected constable and collector of Deer Creek Township. August 28, 1881, Mr.
Curry married Miss Nora Misner, a daughter of William Misner. She was born in
Missouri in August, 1851. They have one child, Clarence, born June 20, 1882. His
mother's death occurred August 26, 1880. His father died in October, 1882.
(History of Bates County, Missouri, 1883)