Biographical Sketch of Major James N. Warnick, Johnson County, Missouri,
Warrensburg Township

>From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell,
Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918.
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Major James N. Warnick, a late prominent citizen of Warrensburg, Miss-
ouri, was one of the most distinguished of the early pioneers of John-
son county.  He was born August 2, 1799 in Tennessee and in that state
was reared to maturity.  November 13, 1823, he was united in marriage
with Siny P. Payton, daughter of John Payton, of Wilson county, Tenn.
They came to Missouri in May, 1833 and located temporarily in Lexing-
ton.  In the autumn of the same year, Mr. and Mrs. James N. Warnick
came to Johnson county, where they settled on a large tract of land in
Post Oak township.  When the Warnick family settled in Johnson county,
it was the period of Indian depredations.  Within a very brief period
after their coming, the militia was called out to protect the settlers
from murderous bands of Osage Indians, who were committing atrocities
among the outlying settlements.  James N. Warnick was a born leader of
men and as captain of the home guard, heading one of the companies of
militia, drove back the savages to their reservation.  He later dis-
tinguished himself further during the Mormon trouble.  At this time, 
he received his title as major, when his regiment was organized under
the state militia laws and he was elected to that position in the army.
Major Warnick used to relate his experiences in "going to mill," which
was considered a great pleasure in the early days.  When the corn had
ripened, all the settlers were gathered in and a sort of party was 
held, known as a "husking bee," when the corn would be husked after
which the women would prepare a splendid supper and the fun and frolic
would begin.  The corn was shelled on rainy days and in the evenings.
Even the children could help with this work and enjoyed making cob
houses while the older ones raised blisters on their thumbs shelling
corn.  When a grist of corn was ready, it was placed in a sack thrown
across the horse's back and taken to the mill many miles away.  This
meant a 20 to 40 mile trip, for the mill on Grand river was 20 miles
distant and the mill at Lexington was 40 miles away, so the man, or
boy, who went with the corn always planned to wait at the mill from
one to three days before he could get his corn ground.  There was 
always a large number of men and boys at the mill waiting for their 
grists and, as one saw very few visitors in those days, it was a
treat to hear the other men and boys tell stories, while they were
waiting.  To Major James N. and Siny P. (Payton) Warnick were born 
eight children: Robert N., who married Amanda J. Oglesby and to them
were born Sanford Francis and E. N. Warnick, the former the father of
Oscar D. Warnick, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume,
and Mrs. Theodore Shock, of Warrensburg, Missouri; Nancy Elizabeth;
John P.; William S.; Margaret F.; Matilda Jane; James H.; and Siny E.
In 1882, there were 100 decendents of James H. and Siny P. Warnick
living in Johnson county, all of whom were highly respected men and
women.  There is perhaps no family in Johnson county which has exerted 
so great influence for good as has the Warnick family.  Major and Mrs.
Warnick were worthy and consistent members of the Cumberland Presby-
terian Church and ever gave their most earnest support to all causes 
having for their object the betterment of the community.

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