Biographical Sketch of S. F. Warnick, Johnson County, Missouri, Warrensburg. >From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918. ********************************************************************** S. F. Warnick, a well known and respected citizen of Centerview town- ship, is a son of a prominent pioneer family of Johnson county. Mr. Warnick is one of Johnson county's own boys. He was born here in 1856, son of R. N. and Amanda Warnick, well remembered early settlers of Post Oak township. R. N. Warnick was a son of James Warnick, Sr., a native of Tennessee, who moved from that state to Missouri in 1836. Amanda (Oglesby) Warnick, the mother of S. F. Warnick, was a daughter of Talton Oglesby, an honored pioneer of Johnson county. To R. N. and Amanda (Oglesby) Warnick were born ten children, only three of whom are now living: S. F., the subject of this review; E. N., Warrensburg, Mo.; and Mrs. Della Denton, Parsons, Kansas. R. N. Warnick was a capable and prosperous farmer and stockman, a very successful citizen. He was for many years an influential member of the Democratic party and for eight years was probate judge of Johnson county. For several years prior to his death, Mr. Warnick filled the office of justice of the peace of Post Oak township. He was an active worker in the Cumberland Presbyterian church and for many years a highly regarded and valued deacon. His death in 1896 has been long lamented in Johnson county. Mrs. Warnick preceded her husband in death four years. She died in 1892. Mr. Warnick, whose name introduces this sketch, attended school at Warnick school house in Johnson county. He recalls among his teach- ers, Professor Matthews, B. G. Woodford, and James Warren. Mr. Warnick was well acquainted with Reverends J. H. Houx and Finis King, two of the most widely known of the pioneer preachers. Religion came first of all things with the early settlers of Johnson county and the minister was usually the leading man of affairs and he did much to form public opinion in political as well as religious matters. The log cabin churches were very plain within and without and often not heated, even in the coldest weather, but everyone was expected to attend the service when held, and the entire community did attend, some coming a long distance in uncomfortable ox-wagons, others traveling on horseback. There was much open prairie and free pasture land in the old days and wild game of several different kinds abounded. Hunting and fishing were not wholly pastimes sports to be indulged in on rare occasions, but occupations, often the sole means of obtaining meat for the family larder. Mr. Warnick has seen thousands of prairie chickens near his home in his boyhood days. In 1877, S. F. Warnick was united in marri- age with Mollie B. Woodford, daughter of Julius Woodford, Sr., and to this union have been born two children: Mrs. Gertrude Shock, Warrens- burg, Missouri; and O. D., who is associated in partnership with Theodore Shock in the hardware business at Warrensburg. Mr. and Mrs. Warnick are worthy members of the Presbyterian church. A small tract of land, comprising 60 acres, was given S. F. Warnick by his father and the year following his marriage the son built a house on it, a tiny structure scarcely large enough for two, and this was the Warnick home for several years, while Mr. Warnick was engaged in farming and stock raising on this place. In 1885, the Warnicks moved to Warrensburg, where S. F. Warnick and his brother, E. N., were associated in partner- ship in the hardware business. The firm continued to conduct a merc- antile establishment in this city until 1911, when the elder brother moved to his present country home four miles from Warrensburg. Mr. Warnick built a modern, six room residence on this farm, a place embra- cing sixty acres of land, and in their pleasant, comfortable, suburban home Mr. and Mrs. Warnick are spending the closing years of their lives, spent in useful labor, in quiet ease and contentment. Sixty one years ago, S. F. Warnick first saw the light of day in Johnson county. Countless changes have taken place in this section of the state during the past half century and all have been witnessed by Mr. Warnick. He has watched the growth of institutions, the development of woodland trails into splendid roads, and the building of cities, towns and vill- ages out on the wide, unfenced prairie land. As did his father before him, Mr. Warnick has always taken a deep interest in the advancement of his township and county and he has nobly aided materially in their growth and in placing them in the front rank with the best in the state. As was his father, he is an earnest supporter of the Democratic party. Surely the father's "mantle has fallen on worthy shoulders." ==================================================================== 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. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: <> Penny Harrell ====================================================================