Biographical Sketch of Elmer J. Ozias, Johnson County, Missouri, Warrensburg Township >From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918. ********************************************************************** Elmer J. Ozias, a well known farmer and stockman of Centerview township, commissioner and president of the "From County Seat to County Seat High- way Association," is one of six children born to his parents, J. A. and Lavina Ozias, four of whom are now living: Mrs. Will DeLaney, Center- view; Elmer J., the subject of this review; J. R., Centerview; and A. W., Centerview. The Ozias family came to this county from Ohio, to which state they had moved from Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Ozias came to Missouri with their family in 1866 and settled in Centerview township. He engaged in general farming and stock raising and became very prosperous and influential, owning at one time 1,000 acres of land in Johnson county. Mr. Ozias died in 1914 and since his death his widow has made her home with her son, J. R., on the farm north of Cen- terview. Elmer J. Ozias was born in Ohio, May 8, 1862 and at the age of four years came to Johnson county with his parents. He was reared and educated in Centerview township. From boyhood, he has been inter- ested in farming and stock raising and until he was 21 years of age, he remained on the homestead with his parents. At that time, he purchased his first farm of 265 acres of good crop producing soil, from his father and on which he engaged in raising grain and stock; including hogs, mules, cattle and horses. Mr. Ozias has from the beginning followed the plan of buying a large herd of cattle in the autumn of each year and feeding them through the winter. At the present time, he has nearly 200 head of Duroc Jersey hogs. He harvested 225 tons of hay, 1,260 bushel of wheat, 500 bushel of oats, and in addition had 175 acre of the farm in corn in 1917. Mr. Ozias has sown 150 acres of the place in wheat this autumn. The Ozias farm now embraces 550 acres in Johnson county and all the splendid improvements now on the farm he has placed there. When he bought the land there were no improvements on it. He has built a modern residence of ten well lighted and airy rooms, supp- lied with hot and cold water and all the latest conveniences of a city home. It is furnished with hardwood floors and well heated and lighted throughout. There are four large, well constructed barns on the farm and other buildings in keeping. In 1916, Mr. Ozias erected a mammoth concrete silo, having a capacity of 370 tons, ninety feet high, and fourteen feet in diameter, built of reinforced concrete. This silo is probably the best in this part of the country and it has been visited by hundreds of people, who have climbed to the top in order to obtain the wonderful view of the surrounding country, which can be had there. From the first, Mr. Ozias has prospered and he has richly merited all the success that has come to him. He still resides in his handsome country home but with his Buick car the city is but a few moments ride from his residence and thus he has all the advantages of the city near at hand while he enjoys the peace and freedom of the country. In 1909, E. J. Ozias was united in marriage with Bessie Henderson, daughter of W. N. Henderson, of Coffeyville, Kansas. Mrs. Ozias is president of the Home Makers' Club and her home is the center of the social life of their community. She was the organizer of this club, which first met about a year ago, the object of which is the mutual benefit and improv- ment of its members and to study how to make the home and its occupants better and happier. Contests in cooking are frequently a part of the program, after which the men, guests of the club, are expected to eat the results of all the experiments. At different times practical demonstrations of the art of cookery have been given before the club by members of the faculty of the State University, who have charge of the Home Economics work in that institution. At all meetings, a literary program is given and on special occasions guests are invited and games and a dance are given, to which social events the young people look eagerly forward. There is a fine dance hall in the Ozias home and often a crowd of Warrensburg people, with whom Mr. and Mrs. Ozias have a wide acquaintance, spend the evening enjoying a delightful dance at the Ozias country home. On last fourth of July, 200 guests partook of their hospitality and all seemed to have a very happy time. Mr. and Mrs. Ozias are probably doing more to make home life in the country attractive than any other family in this part of Missouri and there is no more popular family in this county than the Ozias family. Mr. Ozias has spent much time and considerable money in promoting good roads and is especially active in the building the Southern Highway from Kansas City to St. Louis. He is president of the Highway Commission of the County Seat to County Seat Highway, connecting all county seats adjoin- ing with Warrensburg. He assisted in laying out all the connecting highways. He is a Democrat in politics and is active in political affairs, one of the leaders, and is treasurer and member of the Demo- cratic County Central Committee. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. and Mrs. Ozias are members of the Progressive Dunkard Church. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. 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