Biographical Sketch of James Simeon Whitsett of Lee's Summit, Jackson County, Missouri 1896

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF JAMES "SIM" WHITSETT

A Memorial & Biographical Record of Kansas City and Jackson County, Missouri
Chicago, Lewis Publishing Co., 1896, Part 4

http://www.rootsweb.com/~mojackso/

J. S. WHITSETT

Among the pioneer settlers of Jackson county is numbered this gentleman, who for many years has been identified with the best interests of the locality, interested in all that pertains to its welfare and advancement. In all the relations of life he has been an esteemed and upright man, and today is ranked among the progressive agriculturists of the community.

The Whitsett family was of Scotch origin, and was founded in America in the early history of this country. The great-grandfather of our subject ser ed as sheriff of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He was at one time a very wealthy man, but owing to his great generosity lost much of his property. He removed to Kentucky when his son, James Whitsett, the grandfather of our subject, was a lad of 12 years. The latter served as a soldier in the War of 1812, under General William Henry Harrison. The father of our subject, John Rankin Whitsett, was a native of Montgomery county, Kentucky, born May 28, 1805, and was reared on the family homestead in that state. He served as a soldier in the enrolled county militia. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza Leslie Oldham, was born in Kentucky, October 8, 1808, and was a daughter of Zera Oldham, also a native of Kentucky and a son of William Oldham, who had removed to that state from North Carolina. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, serving for 7 years, until the cause for which he had so valiantly striven was won and American independence was attained. Her parents were married in Kentucky, November 2, 1826, and lived in that state for 12 years, when, in 1838, they came to Missouri and settled on a farm near Independence. In 1840 they removed to a farm in Washington township, a mile north of Hickman Mills. The pioneer homes were widely scattered and this work of civilization had just begun. Mr. Whitsett secured a prairie farm on the edge of the timber and at once began its development, for previous to that time not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. He built a log cabin, which was soon surrounded by waving fields of grain as he energetically subdued the wild land. He continued his residence there until 1873, after which he and his wife left the old home and resided with their children. The former died June 1, 1892, the latter April 25, 1883. They were active and consistent members of the Christian church, and Mr. Whittsett always took a leading part in promoting those enterprises which were calculated to improve the public welfare. During the war he was an advocate of the union cause.

In the family were 12 children, namely: Amanda B. and Anna D., now deceased; Eveline C. Oldham, who died, leaving 4 children; Mrs. Eliza Hall, who has 3 children; Mrs. Amelia A. Muir, deceased, who had 4 children; Joel A., who has also passed away; Mary E., deceased wife of John R Moore; Mrs. Catherine M. Palmer, who has 3 children; John N., deceased; James S.; one who died in infancy; and Sarah E., deceased.

Mr. Whitsett of this review, was born on the old farm in Washington township, March 19, 1845, and grew to manhood under the parental roof. He acquired his education in the district schools, and aided in the cultivation of the fields until after the breaking out of the civil war. Owing to the oppressive measures brought on through this strife he joined the army, and on the 12th of August, 1862, was enrolled as a member of Company E, second Missouri cavalry of the Confederate service, commanded by Colonel Upton Hayes, being attached to Shelby's division. He participated in the battle of Lone Jack, August 16, 1862, and Prairie Grove on the 7th of December. The following year he met the enemy in battle at Springfield on the 8th of January, and at Hartsville, on the 11th, and then went into winter quarters in Arkansas. In April he took part in the battles of Cape Girardeau and Helena. He then left General Shelby's brigade and returned to Missouri, where he joined Captain Todd's company and served until the death of that officer. He was then under Daniel Vaughn until the close of the war. He was never wounded or captured, yet for nearly 3 years was in active service.

In May, 1865, Mr. Whitsett went to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and crossed the plains to Fort Laramie as a teamster. Subsequently he returned to his home, which, however, had been desolated by the tramping armies that had invaded all the country round about, leaving desolation and ruin in their wake. He has since devoted his attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits and now has a valuable farm of 200 acres, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation.

In 1870 Mr. Whitsett was united in marriage with Miss Martha M. Hall, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of Fielding M. Hall, who died in that state. The lady was born August 21, 1844, and died July 1, 1878. The children of that union are Mary L., deceased; Helen, and Annie E. On the 26th of February, 1880, Mr. Whitsett was again married, his 2nd union being with Lena Arnold, a native of Kentucky, born April 29, 1848, and a daughter of George B. Arnold, an early settler of Cass county, Missouri. By the second union have been born 3 children, -- Minnie B., Mary and John L. The parents are members of the Christian church, and in politics Mr. Whitsett is a populist. He keeps well informed on the issues of the day, and is an intelligent, broadminded man, whose well-spent life has gained him the esteem and confidence of his many friends.

Ronald N. Wall

MODIFIED: 30 MAY 2011