locating at Platte City. His office was in town until I860, when he
removed to a farm west of town, and continued making his professional
rounds until 1875. He then retired from active practice, and devoted
himself steadily to his farm until 1885, when he moved into Platte City
and lived there until his death. A democrat, he was much interested
in politics, in behalf of good government and his friends, but never for
an office himself. He was active in the Christian Church.
Dr. Spence Redman spent his early life on his father's farm near
Platte City, and after attending the public schools and the Gaylord
Institute of Platte City took up the study of medicine under his
father's direction. His regular courses were taken in that old and
high-class institution, the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia,
where he was graduated M. D. April 2, 1883. He had barely turned his
majority, and with the prestige of a thorough training and a good
family name returned to Platte City to make this the scene of a pro-
fessional career which has had no important interruption down to the
present time. For a number of years he practiced over a wide radius
of country, and rode and drove over country roads in all kinds of weather,
long before the telephones, good roads, and automobiles came to lighten
the burdens of the doctor. His services are now given to many people
whose parents were among his early patients. Doctor Redman is a man
HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI 2043
of broad and accurate knowledge, and has an excellent professional
and general library and a good office equipment. His professional asso-
ciations are with the County and State Medical societies and the Ameri-
can Medical Association.
Doctor Redman's first wife was Camilla S. Burnes, who died leaving
two children, Margaret E. and Spence, Jr., both at home. On April
15, 1908, Doctor Redman married Myrtle Higgins, a member of one
of the oldest and leading families of this section of Missouri. She
was born near Parkville, in Platte County, November 11, 1880. Her
grandfather, A. J. Higgins, was born in Howard County, Missouri, in
1816, five years before the admission of Missouri to the Union, and at
the age of twenty-one, in 1837, became a pioneer in the Platte Purchase,
recently opened for settlement. In Platte County he preempted three
farms. On his father's advice, and on the understanding that he would
be recompensed, he turned over two of the farms to his brothers, but
owing to his father's sudden death he was left without recourse for much
of his pioneer enterprise. In 1850 he began the clearing of his third
farm, and lived there until his death in 1894. A. J. Higgins married
Susan Gregg, who was born in Clay County, Missouri, September 28,
1823, and died August 8, 1899. The date of her birth indicates the
pioneer advent of the Gregg family to Northwest Missouri. Her father
was David Gregg, who in 1837 moved from Clay County to Platte
County and settled on a place adjoining the Higgins farm. She was
married to Mr. Higgins January 5, 1842, and became the mother of
five children, three of whom are still living.
David B. Higgins, the father of Mrs. Redman, was born in Platte
County, December 4, 1850, was reared on a farm, attended country
school and the St. Joseph High School, and at the age of nineteen began
teaching, a vocation for which he was well qualified and which he
followed in various localities for ten years. After that he conducted
the home farm, and in 1891 took the lead in organizing the Platte County
Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company, in which he was elected sec-
retary. With the exception of one year he has held that post ever since.
In 1902 he moved from the farm to Platte City, and now gives all his
time to the affairs of the company. It now has insurance in force in
Platte County aggregating $2,540,000. Mr. Higgins is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, and in politics a democrat. On February 7, 1878,
he married Sarah M. Noland. who was born in Platte County in January,
1860, and died in 1902. Their two children are A. J., of Platte City,
and Mrs. Doctor Redman.
Campbell Wells. The cashier of the Wells Banking Company of
Platte City has had a purposeful career. While thirty years have been
spent in active banking, Mr. Wells has had many relations outside of
his private business.
Born at New Market, Platte County. Missouri, May 23, 1864, Camp-
bell Wells is a son of William C. and Eliza Jane (Strother) Wells,
and a grandson of William and Elizabeth (Thorp) Wells. His grand-
father, who was a physician, came from Kentucky to Platte County in
1843. Back in Kentucky he had formerly been well to do, but met
with business reverses, and unwilling to remain in his home county a
poor man he came west to Platte County during its early development
and started life anew. During the cholera epidemic in this section of
Missouri he was incessant in his efforts to attend the stricken people and
contracted the disease himself. While convalescent, owing to the in-
sistent calls of his patients, he took up his round of duties too soon.
2044 HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI
While riding on duty near Parkville his horse stumbled and threw him,
breaking his neck.
The late William C. Wells, who was born in Madison County, Ken-
tucky, September 12, 1834, and died at Platte City, Missouri, March 21,
1898, was nine years old when his parents moved to this state. Although
his regular schooling was all compressed within portions of two years, he
always passed among his associates as a man of education, due to his
wide reading and keen knowledge of men and affairs. His career began
as a merchant in the inland village of New Market. His store was
burned during the war. At the close of hostilities he was appointed
deputy sheriff, and while engaged in those duties took up the study of
law and was qualified and admitted to practice in the Platte County
courts. His best service as a lawyer was in keeping his clients and
neighbors out of court. As arbiter and adviser he practiced the rule of
getting the litigants together and settling their difficulties without resort
to legal procedure. In 1879 he started the Exchange Bank of Wells
& Company, and six months later bought the other bank then existing
in Platte City. From January 1 to December 1 of 1887 he was out of
business, and at the latter date organized the W T ells Banking Company,
of which he was president until his death, and which has been success-
fully carried on by his sons for the last fifteen years. Besides his
service in business and the law, he occupied a prominent place in public
affairs, and represented Platte County in the twenty-ninth and thirtieth
assemblies and was state senator at the time of his death. By his mar-
riage to Eliza Jane Strother, who was born at Richmond, Kentucky,
December 25, 1837, and died December 28, 1890, there were six children.
The three now living are William S., Campbell and Samuel Rollyn, the
last being a resident of Leavenworth, Kansas.
Campbell Wells was liberally educated, first in the public schools
of Platte City, then in the Gaylord Institute and finally in the old
school established by Alexander Campbell, the Bethany College of
West Virginia, where he was graduated in June, 1884. From a college
boy he soon turned himself to practical affairs, becoming assistant cashier
of the Exchange Bank of Wells & Company, and has been cashier of the
Wells Banking Company since its organization in 1887.
While never a seeker for official honors, he has worked on the board
of education in Platte City and gives much time to the local schools.
His most important service began with his appointment in 1897 as one
of the curators of the state university. Governor Stephens first selected
him for this position, and he continued on the board during the adminis-
trations of Governors Dockery and Folk. It was partly through the
efforts of Mr. Wells that the school of journalism was organized, the first
among American universities requiring a four years course. He is also
the head of a happy household. November 11, 1891, he married Mattie
Callahan, who was born in Platte County, a daughter of H. T. Callahan.
Their two children are: Catherine Jane, who was born in May, 1893,
and graduated from the University of Missouri in June, 1913; and
William C, born December 14, 1896, and now a student in the state
university.
William Strother Wells. It has been frequently remarked that
no stronger booster for Platte County interests lives than this prominent
Platte City banker, William S. Wells, now president of the Wells Bank-
ing Company. While his active career of more than thirty years has
been devoted to banking, through all the grades from clerk to president,
he has in countless ways given practical direction and effect to his
HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI 2015
public spirit, and his name has been associated with the principal under-
takings of the last two decades for the advancement of his home county.
William S. Wells was born at New Market, Platte County, August
6, 1862, but was reared in Platte City, where his father was' a lawyer
and banker. After leaving the public schools he became a student in
what was then known as Gaylord Institute, spent two years in Woodland
College at Independence, Missouri, and finished his education in Bethany
College, West Virginia, where he was graduated in June, 1882.
Beginning October 1, 1882, he was clerk in the Exchange Bank of
Wells & Company at Platte City for one year, and on October 1, 1883,
became cashier of the Bank of Edgerton, Missouri, and filled that office
exactly two years. In March, 1886, Mr. Wells became bookkeeper in the
Citizens National Bank of Kansas City, where his knowledge and train-
ing in his chosen vocation were broadened under metropolitan conditions.
On January 1, 1887, he was elected cashier of the Bank of Independence,
and remained in that city until March 4, 1891, when he returned to his
home town to accept the vice presidency of the Wells Banking Company.
With the death of his father in 1898 he succeeded to the presidency
of a bank which, for soundness and service, is one of the strongest
institutions in Platte County.
Mr. Wells was married October 18, 1893, to Miss Maud Gates, who
was born at Port Byron, Illinois, but from the age of two years was
reared in Independence, Missouri. They are the parents of four chil-
dren: Louise Elizabeth, William Gates, Oscar and Strother.
Mr. Wells comes of good old southern and Kentucky stock. His
grandparents were William and Elizabeth (Thorp) Wells. His grand-
father, a physician, was a prosperous man in Kentucky, but as a result
of business reverses was unwilling to remain in his home county a poor
man, and in 1813 sought a new country and located in Platte County,
Missouri. During the cholera epidemic in this section of Missouri his
incessant efforts to attend the stricken people caused him to contract
the disease, and had not regained his strength when he was again in
the saddle endeavoring to relieve the suffering all around him. While
riding near Parkville his horse stumbled and threw him, breaking his
neck.
William C. Wells, father of William S.. was born in Madison County,
Kentucky, September 12, 1831, and died at Platte City, March 21, 1898,
after a long and successful career. He was nine years old when he came
to Missouri, and his regular schooling was confined to portions of two
years. By self study he became a well educated man, and stood among
the foremost men of Platte County. His career began as a merchant
in the inland village of New Market. His store was burned during the
war. A little later he was appointed deputy sheriff and while engaged
in those duties took up the study of law and was admitted and began
practice in the Platte County courts. His best service as a lawyer was
in keeping his clients and neighbors out of court. As arbiter and
adviser he used his influence to get the litigants together and settle
their difficulties without resort to legal procedure. In 1879 he started
the Exchange Bank of Wells & Company, and six months later bought
the other bank in the town. From January 1 to December 1 of 1887
'he was out of business, and at the latter date organized the Wells
Banking Company, of which he was president until his death.
Besides his service in business and law he occupied a prominent
place in public affairs, and represented Platte County in the Twenty-
ninth and Thirtieth General Assemblies and was state senator at the time
of his death. William C. Wells married Eliza Jane Strother. She
was born at Richmond, Kentucky. December 25. 1837, and died December
2046 HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI
28, 1890. Of the six children three are still living: William S. ; Camp-
bell, cashier of the Wells Banking Company; and Samuel Rollyn, of
Leavenworth, Kansas.
Henry L. Dillingham. Xo name is spoken with more respect in
Platte County than that of Dillingham. The family have lived in this
locality about half a century, and as farmers, business men and public
officials have been factors in making the county what it is. Henry L.
Dillingham is a prosperous young business leader in Platte City, and
is a son of the late John H. Dillingham, whose tragic end while engaged
in the performance of his official duties is an event in local history that
will not soon be forgotten.
The grandparents came from Kentucky to Clay County some years
before the war, settling near Mosby, but four years later moved to
Platte County and located on a farm five miles east of Platte City. The
grandfather was both a farmer and, like many Kentuckians, a fancier
of fine stock.
The late John H. Dillingham was born at Richmond, Madison County,
Kentucky, September 29, 1853, and was brought to Missouri when a
baby. He grew up to manhood in this state and from an early age was
noted for physical and moral courage and a readiness to engage in any
undertaking promising adventure. Soon after reaching his majority
he went out to Nevada in charge of some fine stock for his father, and
remained in the West for some time. While at Butte, Montana, he was
appointed an officer and for several months assisted in keeping law and
order in that new and wild country. Following his return to Missouri
he married and turned his attention to the quiet vocation of farmer,
which he continued until the failing health of his wife caused to leave
Missouri. Starting in a wagon, they made a health trip to Colorado,
but soon after their return to Platte City Mrs. Dillingham died. He
then engaged in the livery business at the county seat, and was soon
appointed city marshal, a post he held until April, 1896. He resigned
to begin an active campaign for the sheriff's office, and was elected in
the following fall, taking office January 1, 1897. In 1898 he was
unanimously reelected. In his capacity of sheriff, while engaged in
making an arrest, he was shot and killed on August 20, 1900. His death
was quickly avenged by his own son, Henry, who after a hand to hand
struggle killed his father 's slayer. John H. Dillingham was a man with-
out fear and without reproach, and his courage was tempered by the
kindliness and tenderness which have so often marked heroic natures.
Xo death was more widely and sincerely mourned in Platte County. At
the time of his sudden passing, he was also serving as manager of the
Platte County Agriculture and Live Stock Association, and was the
owner of some of the finest saddle horses and mules in Missouri. Prior
to his terms as sheriff he had served as deputy under Sheriffs Synamon
and Berry. One incident is related as showing his persistence in the
performance of duty. A valuable horse was stolen in Platte City.
Deputy Dillingham started in pursuit, and stopping only to eat, snatch
a few hours' sleep and change horses, he followed the trail across the
country to Indian Territory, where he caught his man and brought him
and the stolen horse home without extradition papers. The prisoner
made his escape from the local jail, and again Mr. Dillingham took up
the chase, and finally caught the fugitive at Vieksburg, Mississippi, and
this time had the satisfaction of seeing him convicted and sent to the
penitentiary.
John H. Dillingham married Anna L. Oldham, who was of a pioneer
family, originally from Kentucky. Their six children were : Henry
HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI 2041
L. ; W. W., of Platte City; John C, deceased; Joseph B., E. S., and
Bessie A., all of Platte City.
While growing up in Platte City Henry L. Dillingham attended both
the public schools and the Gay lor Institute. In 1898 he built and in-
stalled the first telephone exchange at Platte City, starting with fifty
subscribers, and at the end of two years sold the plant. After his
father's death he was appointed to fill out the unexpired term of sheriff,
although at the time only twenty-three years old. His next venture
was the purchase of a drug store, and he studied pharmacy and passed
the examination for a registered pharmacist. After selling his business
in 1909, he was engaged in handling real estate and farming until May
1, 1913, when he again acquired his former business as a druggist and
now has one of the best stores in that line in the county.
No citizen takes a more public spirited interest in his home com-
munity. He is a member of the city council, has served as a justice of
the peace, and in 1914 was president of the Platte County Fair Associa-
tion and has been elected to the same post for 1915. The Platte County
Fair is the oldest institution of its kind in the state, having been estab-
lished fifty-one years. For twelve years Mr. Dillingham served as chair-
man of the Platte County Democratic Committee, and represented for a
time the Fourth Congressional District in the state committee. He is a
member and treasurer of the Presbyterian Church, while his wife belongs
to the Christian Church. In July, 1901, he married June C. Cockrill,
a native of Platte County and daughter of Thomas G. Cockrill, one of
the county's leading farmers. Their two children are named Bessie
Lucile and Mary Wanda.
Alva Naylor, M. D. In addition to building up and looking after
an excellent practice at Platte City, Doctor Naylor has been fully
responsive to the duties and privileges of citizenship, and is one of that
active group of men who stand for material and civic betterment in
one of the best communities of Northwest Missouri. Doctor Naylor is
of a family that has been identified with Platte County for sixty-five
years.
His grandparents, Ignatius and Elizabeth (Arsmith) Naylor, left
Kentucky and by means of wagon and team crossed the intervening
country "and located in Platte County in 1850. Their settlement was
near Waldron in the timber, which had to be cleared off before cultivation
was possible. The grandfather lived there and made a home and reared
his family.
Abner Naylor, father of Doctor Naylor, was born in Bath County,
Kentucky, August 12, 1843, and was a boy of seven when brought to
Platte County, where he was educated in the old-fashioned subscription
schools. After his marriage he bought a tract of land near his fatber,
and remained there, a prospering farmer and good neighbor, until his
death in April, 1902. For several years he served as a justice of the
peace, was a democrat in politics, and with his wife worshiped in the
M-ethodist Church South. He married Elizabeth Brink, who was born
in Missouri March 17, 1857, and is now living with her son, Doctor
Naylor. Her family comprised six sons and one daughter, and the five
now living are: A. J., of Kansas City: Mary, wife of C. W. Babcock,
of Hickman Mills, Missouri ; Alva ; W. W. and Chester, both of Waldron.
Dr. Alva Naylor had a youth surrounded with the usual conditions
of a farm, and when its duties did not demand his presence he attended
the neighboring country school. His ambition was for other things than
farming, and after a course in the Stanberry Normal College he began
clerking in a drug store at Waldron and at the same time studied phar-
2048 HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI
niacy both in books and practical experience, and passed the examina-
tion before the state board. After some years as a druggist, in 1901
he entered the University Medical College at Kansas City, and was
graduated M. D. in 1905. Since then he has found his field of practice
in Platte City, and has also served as county physician. His profes-
sional associations are with the Platte County and the Missouri State
Medical societies and the American Medical Association.
Doctor Naylor is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America.
In his home city he was member of the school board. During his service
on the school board he took the lead in the campaign for the erection of
the present modern schoolhouse, and its establishment is credited largely
to his vigorous efforts.
November 11, 1894, Doctor Naylor married Flora Grey. She was
born in Platte County, and her parents, Henry H. and Eliza (Gargus)
Grey, are both natives of Missouri and Mrs. Grey lives in Kansas City;
Mr. Grey died in August, 1905. Doctor Naylor and wife have two chil-
dren, Leota and 0. A., both at home.
Col. W. T. Jenkins. For nearly a quarter of a century Col. William
Talliaferro Jenkins has been editor and publisher of that influential
Platte City journal, the Landmark, a paper read in the majority of
Platte County homes and frequently quoted by the Missouri press for
the keen paragraphs and incisive editorials that brighten its pages.
Colonel Jenkins represents a "first family" in this section of Missouri,
and his own career has been notable for varied activities and honors out-
side of his useful sphere as a newspaper man.
Born near Platte City, August 12, 1853, he is the son of Howell and
Charlotte (Evans) Jenkins, and the only one of their four sons and two
daughters still living. His father was born in Merthyr Tydvil, Wales,
July 17, 1812, and was married in London, England, June 30, 1838, to
Charlotte Evans. In 1841 they embarked on a sailing vessel in the
Thames, and were two months in crossing the Atlantic, one of their
children dying in the meantime and being buried at sea. From New
York City they came West, following the slow routes of river and canal
to St. Louis, and thence by steamboat up the Missouri to Platte County,
where they landed in the fall of 1842. Howell Jenkins was a marble
cutter by trade, having served his apprenticeship in his native land.
Today are standing monuments in the Platte City Cemetery which
were cut by his hands from the native stone. Later he became a Cali-
fornia '49er, crossing the plains with a party of gold seekers. His skill
at his trade got him a position as gang boss in blasting operations in the
mines. One day a charge exploded prematurely, and in consequence of
his injury he returned to the states in 1851, coming by sea and across
the Isthmus of Panama. He then engaged in the mercantile business
at Platte City until the late '60s. He also owned a drug store, and for
twelve years was postmaster. During the war he turned his business
over to his sons. He voted with the democratic party, and was a charter
member of Nebraska Lodge No. 12, I. O. 0. F.
Colonel Jenkins grew up in Platte City, and his acquaintance with
the people, with politics and general business affairs is based on close
personal experience covering nearly half a century. For his education
he attended the public schools, the Gaylord Institute and for a time
the Washington and Lee University in Virginia. Leaving school in
1872, he returned home and spent eleven years with his brother Thomas
in the mercantile business. Then followed his election to the office of
HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI 2049
county collector of Platte County, and his two terms covered eight
years.
In October, 1890, the ownership of the Platte City Landmark passed
into the hands of Colonel Jenkins, and he has been at his desk and
directing the policies and writing the leading articles ever since. A
number of times the people of the community have sought his services
for public duty, and he has been one of the democratic leaders and
interested in both county and state party affairs. He has been a county
and state committeeman, and has gone to several national conventions
as a delegate and his name has appeared on the tickets as presidential
elector.
Colonel Jenkins is well known in the Masonic fraternity, having
affiliation with the York bodies of Royal Arch and Knights Templar and
for twenty-seven consecutive years has been prelate in the commandery.