Biographical Sketch of William H. Drinkwater, Johnson County, Missouri,
Montserrat Township.

>From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell,
Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918.
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William Henry Drinkwater, a successful and prominent farmer and stock-
man of Montserrat township, was born July 29, 1863 in Cooper county,
Missouri, a member of one of the best known and most respected pioneer
families of Missouri.  He is a son of John and Marian (Bales) Drink-
water, the former, a native of Kentucky and the latter, the daughter of
Oliver Bales, of Cooper county.  To Mr. and Mrs. Drinkwater have been 
born the following children: Sarah C., wife of Mr. Harter, of Pullman,
Washington; Harvey B., Oiltown, Oklahoma; Margaret P., wife of Mr. 
Butler, Johnson county, Missouri; William Henry, of this review; Oliver
of Johnson county; Fannie Frances, wife of Mr. Jackson, Kansas City,
Missouri; and Rosie Lee, who is married and resides in Kansas City,
Missouri.  By a former marriage with Nancy Hall, of Cooper county, John
Drinkwater was the father of two sons: James Robert, Salt Lake City,
Utah; and Freddie, who was killed in childhood by a horse. Nancy (Hall)
Drinkwater died in the sixth year of her marriage.  John Drinkwater 
came with his parents to Missouri, when he was but a small boy.  They
settled on a tract of land in Cooper county, which farm the father had
entered from the government.  Until the time of his marriage with Nancy
Hall, John Drinkwater remained at home with his parents and assisted in
the work on the home place but at the age of twenty-five years, he 
began life for himself.  He was by trade a blacksmith, and he followed
his trade in the years prior to and during the Civil War.  At the time
of the war, Mr. Drinkwater lived in Pleasant Green, Cooper county and 
for several years was mayor of the city.  For fifteen years, the Drink-
water family resided in Pleasant Green.  After his second marriage, Mr.
Drinkwater went to Iowa, where the family lived for two years.  When
they returned to Missouri, Mr. Drinkwater purchased the farm on which
his son, Oliver, now resides.  This place comprises seventy-five acres,
on which he was engaged in raising horses, cattle, hogs and sheep,
keeping stock in proportion with the size of the farm.  He also conduc-
ted a small blacksmith shop in connection with his farm.  Mr. Drink-
water died in December, 1895.  He was an honest, hardworking, capable
citizen, a man of countless estimable qualities and he had many 
friends.  The widowed mother is still living, making her home now with 
her youngest child, who resides in Kansas City.  March 27, 1887,
William Henry Drinkwater was united in marriage with Anna Lee Cruise, 
daughter of T. A. Cruise, of Cooper county, a native of Kentucky.  To
Mr. and Mrs. Drinkwater have been born six children: William Leonard,
Leo, Harry Jennings, Lena May, Grover and Gladys M.  The father of Mrs.
Drinkwater served throughout the Civil War with the Confederate army,
serving under Major-general Francis M. Cockrell.  Her uncle, the 
brother of her father, served in the Union army.  Both Mr. and Mrs.
Drinkwater are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and they
are widely known, influential citizens of Johnson county, enrolled
among the county's best families.  The Drinkwater farm comprises one
hundred sixty acres of land located due north of the town of Mont-
serrat.  Thirteen years ago last March, of 1918, the Drinkwaters moved
to this place.  They have been residents of Montserrat township since
that time.  With the exception of nine months, when they lived at Rich
Hill, Missouri, and eighteen months, when they lived in Chilhowee, Mr.
and Mrs. Drinkwater have resided in Montserrat township ever since 
their marriage thirty years ago.  He is engaged in raising cattle and
sheep, as they are heavier and yield more wool than the Southdowns, the
two breeds which lead in the Mississippi valley.  Mr. Drinkwater is a
valued member of the Modern Woodmen of America.  He is an honest, 
honorable, strictly moral citizen, a son well worthy the name Drink-
water, a name which is the synonym for countless sterling qualities. 

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