CHAPTER XXVII (Part 66)
BIOGRAPHICAL
Jasper M. Anderson, a Civil War veteran and a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Missouri, is a native of Henry County. He was born May 28, 1844, on the farm which is now owned by G. L. Park. He is a son of Isaac and Eliza (Sharp) Anderson, natives of Tennessee. The Anderson family came to Missouri and settled on the Blackwater River in what is now Johnson County in 1832. They remained there about one year, coming to Henry County in 1833 and settling in Big Creek township. The father died in 1858 and the mother in 1879.
They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Elizabeth Swift, Mrs. Jane Moody, Mrs. Sarah Middleton, James M., Francis Marion, Isaac, all deceased except J. M., the subject of this review; William P., deceased; Mrs. Carrie Murphy, Joplin, Missouri; Mrs. Eliza Ellison, Kansas City, Missouri; E. W., deceased, and Cynthia, died in infancy.
J. M. Anderson grew to manhood amidst the pioneer surroundings of Henry County and received his education in the old log school house of that time. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the Confederate Army. He participated in the battle of Lone Jack and in that engagement received a gunshot wound in the left shoulder. After his recovery from the wound, he rejoined his command and took part in a number of other engagements including the battles of Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove and a number of other skirmishes and lesser engagements. He served under Gen. Sterling Price and when the war closed he was in Texas.
Shortly afterwards he returned to Henry County, which has been his home ever since. He is one of the successful farmers and stockmen of Big Creek township, and one of Henry County's leading citizens. He has a splendid farm of one hundred fifty acres of well improved land, which is conveniently located three and One-half miles southeast of Blairstown.
Mr. Anderson has been twice married. He was first married in 1877 to Miss Hester Webster, a daughter of James Webster, a pioneer of Big Creek township, both of whom are now deceased.
To Mr. Anderson's first marriage were born the following children: Claud, Maud and Stella, all deceased; Jessie, now the wife of Walter Waugh of Maurine, Missouri; Martha, who resides at home, and Richard, Urich, Missouri. Mrs. Hester Anderson died in 1888.
Mr. Anderson's present wife, whom he married September 12, 1897, bore the maiden name of Bettie Cox, a daughter of Thomas Cox of Big Creek township. He was a native of Montgomery County, Missouri, and his wife of Shelby County, Kentucky. They are both now deceased.
Mrs. Anderson is one of the following children born to her parents: Eugene, lives in California; Mrs. Ida Morton, Nevada, Missouri; Homer, California; Bettie, the wife of J. M. Anderson, and Charles, who lives in California.
In politics Mr. Anderson is an uncompromising Democrat and is a good, reliable citizen.
Frank P. Diehl, a progressive young farmer and stockman of Deer Creek township, has proven that this country is still a land of opportunity, that it is a land where one may start at the lowest rung of the ladder and by industry, succeed to an unexpected degree. Mr. Diehl is the owner of 935 acres of the finest improved land in Henry County.
Eighteen years ago, he purchased 160 acres of land in Deer Creek township. Prior to that, he owned 335 acres of land from the estate of J. Showalter. Year by year he has added to his land holdings until he is now farming 935 acres of land won through his efforts and initiative. He has increased his herds of cattle each year as he has increased his acreage for their care and now is shipping from two to four carloads of cattle each year.
Frank P. Diehl was born February 20, 1869, in Monroe County, Ohio, the son of John C. and Sophia (Newhart) Diehl, who are retired farmers living at Clinton, Missouri. John C. Diehl was born July 3, 1835, in Germany and when an infant came with his parents to the United States.
They settled in Pennsylvania, later moving to Ohio, where they remained as leading agriculturists of their community. John C. Diehl answered his country's call during the Civil War and served in an Ohio regiment.
To John C. Diehl and Sophia Newhart were born twelve children, ten of whom grew to maturity, eight boys and two girls. In 1881, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Diehl came to Deer Creek township, Henry County, and purchased 160 acres of land, tilling the soil until their retirement a few years ago. Frank P. Diehl was a lad of twelve years when his parents came to Henry County and he attended the district school, and later he supplemented his education by attending the Lamkin Academy at Clinton. After finishing school, Mr. Diehl worked as a carpenter in southwestern Colorado. For some time, he was employed as a bookkeeper in a lumber yard and was interested in silver mining. After spending six years in the west, he came home on a visit and has never returned.
February 20, 1895, Mr. Diehl was married to Lillie Showalter, who was born in Henry County, February 23, 1869, the daughter of Jacob Showalter, who was amongst the earliest pioneers in Henry County, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Diehl as follows: Opal, now Mrs. H. Brockway of Calhoun; Hazel, Thelma and Virgil, residing at home.
Frank P. Diehl is an extensive buyer and feeder of beef cattle, shipping many carloads each year. He may be justly proud of his achievements during his short stay on the farm. He has one of the finest improved farms in the county and ranks high as a farmer and stockman. Politically, he is a Democrat and he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a stockholder in the Bank of Calhoun.
John Batschelet, a successful and leading young farmer of Deer Creek township, Henry County, is following in the footsteps of his ancestors, who were tillers of the soil. They were among the early pioneer settlers of the township and John Batschelet is a native son of Henry County.
He was born in Davis township, Henry County, November 13, 1870, a son of Frederick Batschelet, further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume.
John Batschelet was reared on a farm and received his education in the Willow Branch district school. He then engaged in farming as his vocation. In 1912, he purchased 200 acres in Deer Creek township and has made his home upon it since. He carries on general farming and stock raising and has a well improved and valuable farm which bears testimony to his thrift and industry.
In 1911, Mr. Batschelet was married to Mary Neil, a daughter of Alex Neil of La Due, Missouri. She was born on a farm near La Due, Missouri, in 1882. One child, John K., has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Batschelet.
Mr. Batschelet is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator of Clinton, Missouri, and he is one of Henry County's progressive, public spirited and substantial citizens. The success that he has attained is due to hard work and close attention to business.
David L. Burch, now deceased, was born in Putnam County, West Virginia, October 29, 1833, and came to Deer Creek township, Henry County, in 1851. He was only a lad of eighteen when he left the parental roof to homestead his land in this township. It was here that he met and married a daughter of one of the earliest pioneer families. She was Frances Finks, who was born February 15, 1832, and married David Burch December 18, 1856. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mark F. Finks, were natives of West Virginia and among the earliest of the brave pioneers of Henry County. Mr. and Mrs. Burch made their home upon the homestead the husband had acquired and prepared for his bride. They had two children, Thornton D. and George. Their lives after years of labor and joy in each others companionship were brought to a close upon their farm. Mr. Burch died February 21, 1915 and his wife June 7, 1896.
Thornton D. Burch was born October 14, 1857, in Deer Creek township, Henry County, on the farm on which he now resides. He attended the rural school of his district and in 1892, opened up a general merchandise store at Lewis Station, Missouri, continuing in this until he took charge of the estate of his deceased parents in November, 1916.
His brother, George Burch, was born January 18, 1859, in Deer Creek township and is now farming near Lewis Station. He married Bodicia I. Miller, born September 4, 1863. They are the parents of seven children, as follows: Rolla W., born September 23, 1883; Nannie E., born August 26, 1885, is the wife of Thomas Wiley, a farmer of Deer Creek township; Homer W., born April 10, 1888, farming the Miller farm in Deer Creek township; Lena, born February 6, 1890, died November 5, 1890; Marshall, born February 4, 1892, married Maude Carroll, at home with his parents; David A., born March 1, 1896, and Lyman are at home with their parents.
Thornton Burch and his brother, George, are interested in the breeding and raising of a herd of Polled Angus cattle, which are of a high grade.
The marriage of Thornton D. Burch and Nannie Spencer was solemnized February 27, 1883. Mrs. Burch was born October 27, 1855, in Perry County, Ohio, and with her parents, Francis M. and Martha (Wirick) Spencer, who were natives of Ohio, came to Henry County in 1868. They resided near Clinton for some time, but later made their home upon a farm in Deer Creek township, where their deaths occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Thornton Burch have no children. Politically Mr. Burch is a Democrat and he is a member of the Methodist Church, South.
David Burch and his good wife, who spent so many years upon their farm in Deer Creek township, were loved and honored by their friends and acquaintances. Their sons, Thornton and George Burch, are also progressive citizens, tilling the soil and adding to the financial and moral uplift of the community.
