THE HISTORY OF JOHNSON CO. MISSOURI-Kingsville Township Bios Kingsville Township Bio's, Johnson County, Missouri Biographies FROM: THE HISTORY OF JOHNSON CO. MISSOURI KANSAS CITY HISTORICAL CO. 1881 Transcribed by James R. Baker, Jr. *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Transcribed by Transcribed by James R. Baker, Jr. *********************************************************************** W. H. CARPENTER, physician, P.O. Kingsville. He was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, July 8, 1829. When he was about two years of age, he was taken by his parents to Hamilton County, Ohio, where he was raised. His father, William, was a native of Kentucky, but died in Hardin County, Ohio. William H., the subject of this notice, entered a store as a clerk, after which he commenced the study of medicine, entering The Cincinnati Medical College in 1849, and the next year graduated, then entered upon the practice. About the year 1852, he removed to this county. From 1864 to 1868 he lived in Shelby County, then returned to Kingsville. He was united in marriage to Miss Wilson in 1849, who was a native of Hamilton County, Ohio.She died in St. Louis of that dreaded plague, the cholera. He was married a second time to Mrs. Susan Lemmon, daughter of Gen. King. She died May 1863, leaving three children: Charlie, Laura and Willie. He married his present wife in 1867, and they have four children: Alonzo L., Walter, Nellie May, and Clara M. Mrs. Carpenter is a worthy member of the Baptist Church. MAURIS CONNELL, Kingsville, Missouri, was born in Ireland. His father, Dennis Connell was a native of Ireland, and died at the age of ninety; his mother died the same year at the age of eighty-eight. He lived with his father on the farm until twenty-one years old; he then emigrated to America. He landed in the state of New York in 1853, remained there one year; he then removed to Illinois, and from there to Missouri. He engaged in railroading -- had charge of the grading of the Missouri Pacific from Jefferson City to Kingsville. Was married in 1857, to Miss Mary Murphy, a native of Ireland. They have four children; Dennis, Katie, James and Joanna. Mr. Connell has 240 acres of well improved land, located in Kingsville township. The family are members of the Catholic church. THOMAS A. CONRAD, originally a Pennsylvanian, was born in February 1840. His father, James Conrad, was a native of Pennsylvania, a miller by trade, and followed that until his death, which occurred in 1879; age sixty-eight years. The subject of this sketch received his early education in the common schools of his native county. Is a miller by trade, and worked in his father's mill until he came to Missouri, which was in 1868, and settled in Johnson County, on the farm where he now lives. His farm consists of 100 acres of land, well improved, and beautifully located. His house stands on an elevated spot, displaying the beauties of nature in the valleys below. In 1876, Mr. Conrad had the honor of beilg elected justice of the peace, and has attended to the duties of the office since that time. In 1861, he enlisted in the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers and served in this regiment for two years. Re-enlisted in the Third Pennsylvania heavy artillery, and served during the war. Was married, in 1867, to Miss Caroline Tiley. By this union they have five children: Dessa, Edward, Luvenie, George, and Garretta. Mrs. C. is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. C. is liberal in his religious views. JAMES DOUGLAS, Kingsville, was born in Missouri, August 29, 1829. His father, T. J. Douglas, was a native of Virginia. He moved to Missouri in 1828, and settled in Cooper county, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1852. The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools. His early life was spent on his father's farm. He was married in 1856 to Miss Virginia Barr, a native of Cooper County, Missouri and a daughter of Henry Barr. After the death of Mrs. D., he married Jerda Fryer, a native of Cooper County, and a daughter of James Fryer. By this union, they have five children: Kelly D., Elvin, Burton, Mattie and Frank. He moved to Johnson County in 1866, and bought 280 acres of land, where he now lives. A.G. FRENCH, postoffice Kingsville, was born in Cooper County, Missouri, March 21, 1841. His father, John R. French, is a native of Connecticut, moved to Missouri in 1840, and settled in Cooper County. A. G. moved to Johnson County, where he engaged in real estate. In 1868 Mr. French went to Texas, where he dealt in cattle, afterward returning to Kingsville, and is now engaged in the merchantile business with his brother. He was married in 1867 to Miss Sallie Jones, daughter of John L. Jones. Mrs. F. is a native of Cooper County, Missouri. They have four children: Lucy A., Mary M., Nora C. and John R. Mr. and Nrs. F. are members of the Christian Church. HON. ROBERT T. FRYER, is a native of Missouri, born in Cooper County, Apr. 23, 1835. His father, James H. Fryer, was born in Addison County, Kentucky, and emigrated to Missouri in an early day. He married a daughter of Thos. McCullough, who, with his family, had moved from Albemarle County, Virginia. The father of our subject was a brick mason, who settled in the town of Boonville, and many of the brick structures in that city are monuments of his skill and labor. During the California excitement of 1850, he died of cholera on his journey home from the Golden State. The responsibility of the support of the family devolved upon Robert T., and he performed his duties well. He married the daughter of James G. Talliaferro in the year 1861. Mr. Talliaferro was a farmer well known in Cooper and Maniteau counties for his sterling worth and integrity. In 1867 Mr. Fryer removed to Johnson county. He has a fine home, high and commanding a delightful view. In politics, he is a democrat. In 1874, he was elected to the general assembly of Missouri. His family consists of: Bertie M., Lulu, James T., Lena, Maggie L., and Alice C. J. T. HIGGINS, was born in St. Louis County, March, 1851. His father, W. W. Higgins, is a native of Matyland. The subject of this sketch grew up as the sons of most farmers do, working on the farm in summer and attending school in the winter. He early evinced a taste for raising fine stock, and followed that until 1881, when he thought the western part of the state afforded better advantages, he, with his wife, moved to Johnson County, and settled in Kingsville township, on section 14, where he has 168 acres of well improved land. He was married in 1877 to Miss Nanna H. Blount, a native of Missouri, and daughter of James E. Blount, a native of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. H. are both members of the South Methodist Church. JOSEPHUS HOBBS, a native of Missouri, was born in Putnam County, November 13, 1843. His father, S. Hobbs, was a native of Kentucky, and emigrated to Missouri in 1841, and settled near the Chariton river, on what was called disputed grounds. He came and settled in Johnson County, settling on the Black Water, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1873. Josephus Hobbs' mother was a native of Bourbon County, Kentucky. She still resides in Jackson township, this county. The subject of our sketch was educated in the common schools of Appanoose County, Iowa. He joined the Federal Army and served three years. He returned to the farm in 1865. By diligence in business and economy, he has accumulated some property, including eighty acres of land. He married Mary E. Jones, August 6, 1866. The names of the children are: Eunice A., Mary J., William W., and Andrew T. Mrs. and Mr. Hobbs are members of the Seventh Day Adventists. PHILIP ISLEY, farmer and stock raiser, Post Office, Kingsville. Born in Gwinnett County, Georgia, May 7, 1840. His father, George Isley, was a native of Orange County, North Carolina, and emigrated to Missouri in 1852, and settled on a farm near Kingsville. He died in 1864 at the advanced age of eight-five years. In 1861 he entered the Confederate Army, and served four years, participating in many battles. He returned to his farm in the spring of 1866. He was married in 1864, himself and bride, each on horseback, dressed in martial array, with pistols and other offensive weapons girded to their belts. This ocurred on the side of Boat Mountain, Arkansas. She was the daughter of General William King. RUFUS KING, farmer and stock raiser, post office, Kingsville. Born in Jackson County, Alabama, March 26, 1822. His father, William King, was a native of Kingston, Tennessee, and his father was the first white settler in Kingston. The father of our subject was a public man, having been representative several years. He came to Missouri in 1853, and settled on the lands where the town of Kingsville now stands, entering the lands from the government, and died about the year 1870 at a very advanced age. Rufus early engaged in the merchantile business, and followed it until the year 1850, when he came to Johnson County and settled on the land which constitutes his present farm. He followed farming and stock raising till the outbreak of the war. He enlisted in the Confederate service, and engaged in eleven hotly contested battles. He was shot through his clothes several times. but escaped without a wound. In 1867, he returned to his old home in Kingsville, and found only one gate post standing - his house and all other buildings were burned. His landed estate numbers about 700 acres. He married Miss Mary A. Taylor, June, 1850, daughter of W. O. Taylor, a wealthy planter of Jackson County, Alabama. By this union, they have five children: W. O., Lucilla T., Sallie E., Freddie, and Clem Clay. Mrs. King and her three daughters are consistant members of the Christian Church. PLEASANT W. PAUL, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Kingsville. Born in Ray County, Tennessee, July 22, 1823. He came to Missouri with his parents in 1835; his father, James Paul, was a native of South Carolina, and was an extensive planter. He died in 1853 on his farm here. Pleasant W. spent his youthful days on a farm and obtained his early education in the log school house. He was married to Miss Anna Longacre, June 5, 1845; she was the daughter of John Longacre, who was a tanner in early life and later a wealthy farmer. The children are: Washington T., James H., John L., Archie D., William P., Robert K., Goodlett E., Thomas M. and Finis E. Mr. Paul has a fine farm of 160 acres. The house in which he first conducted his young bride was 12 x 14 feet. Has now a good estate. Mrs. Paul is a member of the Christian Church. REV. R. G. THOMPSON, is a native of Butler County, Penn. His father, John Thompson, was born in Huntington County, Penn. He moved to Grundy County, Ohio, in 1825, and in 1846, moved to Monroe county, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1847. The subject of this sketch was born May 31, 1816; his boyhood school days were spent in the old log school houses, where they used oiled paper for window lights, and one end of the house was used for a fireplace. When 14 years of age he entered a grammar school and finished this course in 1838; he then entered the U. P. Theological Seminary at Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, and graduated in 1843. Was licensed in 1842, and 1844 was ordained and installed in charge of three organizations: Auburn, DeKalb and Eden, in the respective counties of Richnond, Crawford and Seneca, Ohio. In 1857, a Seminary being instituted in the village of DeKalb, and he being elected as principal, gave up the other two charges, and the one connected with the Seminary. He continued the service there in regular order until 1863, when he was appointed Chaplain in the 64th Ohio infantry volunteers, and was in nineteen battles, was shot through the clothes several times, but never received a wound. He remained with his regiment until the close of the war, and after Lee's surrender his regiment was ordered to Texas, and stationed between Port Lavaca and Vicoria. Was mustered out in December, 1865, and dismissed at Columbus, Ohio, January 6, 1866. His health being somewhat impaired after the war, was advised by his physician to change climate, and he resolved to move to the west. Being well pleased with Missouri, he settled in Johnson county, Kingsville P.O. , on sec. 30, where he bought 135 acres, and where he now lives. He was married in 1844, to Miss Sarah L. Brown, a native of Vermont, born April 24, 1817, daughter of Jos. Brown of Vermont. By this union they have seven children: Julia F., now Mrs. Skiles; John P., now in California; Mary E., now Mrs. Wright, now in Otoco, Nebraska; Sarah M., now Mrs. Skiles, now in California; Maria G., now Mrs. Park, Johnson County; Samuel F., now in Colorado; Carry C., Mrs. Thompson, died in 1859, age 42 years. Mr T. was married again in 1861 to Mrs. Martha T. Scott of Virginia, and by this union, they have one child: Robert S. The family are acceptable members of the U. P. Church. WILLIAM H. ZION, was born in Lee County, Virginia, September 11, 1844. When about twenty years of age he removed to Missouri with his parents in 1854. His father, John Zion, on coming to Missouri, located first in Cass County, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1859. The mother of our subject was also a native of Virginia and now lives with her son, William. Mr. W. H. Zion was married to Miss Clara Reeves in 1874. Her native state is North Carolina, daughter of John Reeves, Esq. Their family consists of John A. and Eva L. Mr. Zion is a worthy member of the Baptist and his wife is a member of the M. E. Church. He has a neat little farm of eighty acres, well improved with good buildings. He devotes considerable attention to the raising of stock.