CHAPTER XXVII (Part 107)
BIOGRAPHICAL
E. J. Kensinger - Among the many agriculturists of Henry County who are worthy of mention in this volume the name of E. J. Kensinger stands well in the lead of agricultural success and good citizenship, having fulfilled faithfully his obligations as a farmer and leader of progress in his community. Mr. Kensinger has two hundred seventy-four acres of well improved land in Shawnee township on which the improvements come up to the requirements and needs of the successful farmer. Mr. Kensinger lives in Fields Creek township, one mile north of Clinton on fifteen acres, where he is able to give his children the advantage of a high school education at Clinton.
E. J. Kensinger was born in Miami County, Ohio, in 1858, the son of Lewis H. and Alice (Hitchins) Kensinger. Lewis Kensinger was a native of Ohio and for some years farmed in Ohio, where he met his wife, who was a native of that State. In 1877, they purchased land in Shawnee township, Henry County, but did not come to make it their home until 1881. In 1878, their son, E. J., the subject of this sketch, came to Henry County and fenced the farm, making various other improvements. Lewis Kensinger died July 7, 1893, and his wife departed this life December 10, 1916, and they are buried at the cemetery in Covington, Miami County, Ohio. The following are the children living that were born to them: Mrs. Ella Worley, born 1855, resides at Covington, Ohio; E. J., with whom this sketch deals; Mrs. Clara Folckemer, born 1861, lives in Kansas City, Missouri; Clifton H., born 1870, resides in Rockville, Missouri.
Mr. Kensinger was educated in Covington, Ohio, and in 1878, came to Henry County to look after his father's land. He remained with his parents after their arrival until 1884, when he went to Kansas, engaging in farming and stock raising in Coffey, Lyons and Greenwood Counties.
In 1888, he went to Indian Territory and the year of 1889, he spent in Oklahoma and Wyoming. In 1890, he returned to Kansas City, Missouri, where he was employed for eight years. In 1898, he purchased one hundred twenty-four acres in Shawnee township and has added to his land holdings until he is now the owner of two hundred seventy-four acres of land in the forenamed township.
E. J. Kensinger and Clara Wade were united in marriage March 2, 1892, and are the parents of the following children: Mrs. Edna Warner of Covington, Ohio; Mrs. Alice Shiffner on the home farm in Shawnee township; Helen, Oliver and Lewis at home. The two latter children are attending the high school at Clinton, Missouri. Mrs. Clara Wade Kensinger was the daughter of Peter and Sarah J. Wade, the former's death occurring in February, 1917. Mrs. Wade resides on their home farm in Shawnee township. Her ten children are all living and blessing the communities in which they live. There are forty-seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The following are the children: Benjamin, Kansas City, Kansas; Henry, Washington; Mrs. Minnie Ragland of Tebo township; Mrs. Belle Devinny, St. Clair County, Missouri; Meredith W., of Shawnee township; Mrs. Lulu Paxton of Tebo township; Mrs. Ava Streeter, Kansas City, Kansas; Warren, Shawnee township, and William, Kansas City, Kansas.
Mr. Kensinger is conducting general fanning and stock raising and is one of the progressive men of his community.
James W. Adair, a leading farmer and stockman of Shawnee township, belongs to a family of Henry County pioneers. He was born on the farm where he now resides in Shawnee township, April 17, 1875. He is a son of Isaac and Nancy (Slayton) Adair. Isaac Adair was born in Henry County, and spent his life here. He died in 1878, at the age of thirty-three years, and his wife departed this life in 1882, and their remains rest in the Carrsville Cemetery. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Dora E. Mashburn, who resides at Grant's Pass, Oregon; Mrs. Maude Ross, who is now deceased, and James W., the subject of this sketch.
James W. Adair was reared in Henry County and educated in the public schools. He began life as a farmer, which has been his occupation to the present time. He is a successful stockman and raises cattle, hogs and mules extensively. He owns two hundred eight acres of land in Shawnee township, not far from the Johnson County line. This is a valuable farm and was formerly known as rhe James Slayton farm. James Slayton settled here about 1839, further mention of whom is made in the sketch of W. T. Slayton. Mr. Adair's residence is a commodious eight room structure and is built on a natural elevation, which gives the place an imposing appearance and offers a splendid view to the surrounding country from the residence. It is one of the attractive places of the county.
January 3, 1905, James W. Adair was united in marriage with Miss Winnie Waugh, daughter of John and Julia Ann (Hamilton) Waugh of Big Creek township, both of whom are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Adair have been born four children, as follows: James, Jr., Julia Everett, Joseph Arthur and Martha Elizabeth, all residing at home. Mr. Adair is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Clinton, Missouri. He is one of the public spirited and enterprising men of the community and one of Henry County's leading citizens.
John P. Legg - The history of Henry County recounts what has been done during nearly a century of striving toward the development of a great county. It must tell of the individual accomplishments of the men who have lived and taken an active part in its progress. One of such men was the late John P. Legg, who was one of the early settlers of the county and honored and revered for his uprightness and honesty of life. He was born in Tebo township September 18, 1837, a son of Archibald and Ann (Cecil) Legg, who were homesteaders of Tebo township, filing on their land in 1830. Archibald Legg was born September 12, 1804, in Tennessee and came to the Henry County in 1830. He married Ann Cecil, who was a daughter of sturdy and brave pioneers, possessed with the conquering spirit of those early days. She was born in Virginia in 1813, and with her parents located in Henry County at an early day. She died August 9, 1903, and her husband passed away July 15, 1879. They were indeed of true American blood and left their posterity to fulfill the ideals, of which they had laid the foundation. Three children were born to them, William T., John P., and Elizabeth, who are deceased.
John P. Legg, possessed with the ideals of his ancestors and with a steady purpose to fulfill them, lived a consistent life, giving the best of his time and talent to the work before him. He was a great stockman and specialized in the Shorthorn cattle, which were exhibited at the county fairs, carrying away many of the prizes. He owned 600 acres of well-improved land, acquired through years of hard labor.
December 13, 1860, John P. Legg and Mary J. Finks were united in marriage and to them were born ten children, as follows: Etta F., deceased; James A., Dickens, Texas; Minnie F., deceased; Anna E., wife of L. H. Lewis, lives at Floydada, Texas; Mary, unmarried, at home with her mother; Willie C, wife of L. C. Richardson, Tebo township; Clara B., and Charles M., deceased; John H., Calhoun, Missouri; Kate, wife of W. A. Brownfield, Calhoun, Missouri. The mother of this interesting family was born June 20, 1833, in Madison County, Virginia, the daughter of Mark and Eliza (Eddings) Finks, Sr., sturdy pioneers of Henry County, who have left the imprints of their good lives in the hearts of their sons and daughters who are scattered through the county. They are now deceased. Mrs. Mary Legg is a member of the Baptist Church and since disposing of her land she is enjoying the fruitage of the years spent in hard work, rearing her family under the primitive conditions. She and her daughter, Mary, are active in the social life of their community and receive their friends in their well-appointed home. Mrs. Legg has twenty-one grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She has two grandsons in the National Army, Waldo Richardson and John Lewis, both private soldiers, now in France.
John P. Legg was one of the foremost agriculturists of Henry County during his life time and he took pride in championing all the good things for the advancement of the civic, religious and industrial life of the community. He was a Democrat. For many years, he was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and an honored citizen of Calhoun, where he passed away October 21, 1908.
