My Genealogy Hound

HENRY T. DRAPER, a native of Johnson County, is now living on a farm on section 24, township 46, range 25. He removed to this homestead March 1, 1894, and during the short time which has elapsed has made substantial improvements, and in addition to raising grain and general crops he carries on stock-raising to some extent. Much of his time is devoted to fruit-growing, and his fine orchard comprises many varieties of apple trees, cherry, plum, peach and pear trees, besides small fruits, such as grapes, blackberries, raspberries and gooseberries.

The parents of our subject were George S. and Amelia (Tandy) Draper, who were both natives of Caldwell County, Ky., the former born December 31, 1807, and the latter October 31, 1812. The parents of George Draper were both natives of Ireland, where they were married, but soon afterward they emigrated to Virginia, and later to Caldwell County, Ky., where they lived on a farm until death. The parents of Mrs. Draper were Roger and Mary Tandy, the former of whom was a slave-holder in Kentucky at one time. George S. Draper was a life-long agriculturist, and about 1837 became a resident of this county. For three years he cultivated a farm in township 45, range 25. The place contained one hundred and sixty acres, on which he made improvements, but when a favorable opportunity presented itself he sold out and invested in land near our subject’s present home. Several years later he removed to what is now known as the Draper Farm, in this township, this also being a place of one hundred and sixty acres. In the evening of September 24, 1862, he was called to the door of his house and was shot through the breast, after which he was unable to speak a word, death soon resulting. His widow went to live with the family of Dr. Lea, taking her children with her and remaining there for six months. In the fall of 1863 her family returned to Caldwell County, Ky., where they spent eight years on a farm. At the end of that time they went back to the old Draper Farm, where the father had been murdered. The reason for this piece of villainy was never fully understood, as Mr. Draper was well liked by everyone as far as known. His wife was a member of the Baptist Church of High Point and always took great interest in religious work. Eleven children were born to George S. and Amelia Draper. Adelia J., born October 5, 1832, married H. Stewart, who was formerly a merchant of Xenia, Ill., but is now deceased. Mrs. Stewart is making her home in Montserrat. Lafayette, born October 29, 1833, was killed in the army; his widow afterward married, and is now a resident of Texas. Sallie, born August 26, 1835, is now living with her sister in Montserrat. Milton, born July 22, 1837, was married in Kentucky to Betty Perry; after her death Charity Luster became his wife, but she, too, died a few years later. The lady who now bears his name was formerly Nanny Burgett, and their home is m Kentucky. William T., born August 11, 1839, died April 14, 1889; his wife, whose girlhood name was Carrie Stewart, is now living three miles northwest of Montserrat. John Tandy, born January 14, 1844, was murdered at the same time as was his father. Robert A., born June 12, 1845, married Sally Tandy, and is a farmer in Kentucky. James D., born January 26, 1847, married Mollie Weller, and operates a farm in Arkansas. Jesse L., born March 27, 1850, married Annie D. Wadlington, and lives on a farm in Macon County, Mo. Mary E., born August 14, 1852, is the wife of D. H. Coffman, who owns a farm south of Knobnoster. Henry T., of this sketch, completes the family.

The birth of our subject occurred near Montserrat, October 5, 1854. He continued to live with his mother until reaching his majority, when he started out to make his own way, and for two years worked for farmers at $15 per month. His next venture was to rent a farm for a year, after which he proceeded to Bates County, Mo., and leased a farm of seventy-five acres for two years, meeting with good success. Then, going to Benton County, Mo., he invested his savings in sixty-three acres of land, which he stocked with cattle. After managing this farm for three years he returned to Bates County and turned his attention to conducting a livery in Adrian for a year. Not meeting with the success which he had anticipated, he gave up the business and for two years rented land near Montserrat and engaged in making tile. Recently he traded his town property for his present farm of thirty-five acres.

September 7, 1892, Mr. Draper married Anna B. Bethel, born in Adams County, Ill., February 2, 1868. Her parents, William H. and Amanda (Fisher) Bethel, were natives of Kentucky and Virginia, respectively, the former having been born June 8, 1841, and the latter May 25 of the same year. They were married in Illinois, and lived on a farm in Adams County until 1863, when they moved to Marion County, Mo. After farming in that locality for twelve years they became inhabitants of this county. Mr. Bethel died on the 10th of February, 1889, but his widow is still living in this township. Of their children we make the following mention: Lavan C., born October 1, 1866, married Dora McCoy, and lives near Warrensburg. Mrs. Draper is the next in order of birth. Walter Lea, born January 7, 1870, married Lizzie Connor, and resides in this township. Frank, born January 10, 1872, and now a resident of Caldwell County, Mo., married Mabel Coffman. Edwin Ernest, born in 1874, died at the age of eight months. Ida May, born in 1876, died when fifteen months old. Ida May (the second of that name), born July 29, 1879, lives with her mother, as does also the next younger, Felicia Smith, who was born February 17, 1880. Thomas Benton, born in 1881, died in infancy; and Charles William, born October 15, 1882, is the youngest.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Draper has been blessed with a little daughter, Caddie Amelia, whose birth occurred May 23, 1894. Mrs. Draper is a member of the Christian Church of Warrensburg and is a lady who is universally beloved. Politically Mr. Draper is a Democrat, but he has never aspired to hold public office.