My Genealogy Hound

James A. Lander, banker, merchant, farmer, and one of the wealthiest men in the county, was born in Christian County, Ky., in 1824, and is the son of John S. and Elizabeth (Haggard) Lander and the grandson of William and Latitia (Strode) Lander. William Lander was born February 22, 1765, and died April 7, 1845, in Christian County, Ky. His wife was born February 5, 1775, and died March 6, 1875. They were the parents of these children: Stephen S., born February 22, 1796, and died June 26, 1872; Hannah, born April 5, 1801, and died July 4, 1825; Mary, born September 4, 1803, and died October 10, 1823; Eliza A. was born September 4, 1805, and died September 5, 1823; Isaac N., born August 12, 1813, and died March 10, 1821, and John S., who was a native of Kentucky, born August 27, 1792, and died January 6, 1846. Elizabeth (Haggard) Lander was also a native of Kentucky, born December 4, 1791, and died July 22, 1835. John S. Lander was twice married, and by his first wife became the father of nine children, eight of whom lived to be grown, and three are now living: Mrs. Martha A. Bonham, James A. and Mrs. Cornelia Denham. Those deceased were named as follows: Elizabeth, born February 28, 1833, and died June 13, of the same year; William D. was born December 13, 1818, and died November 5, 1878; John W. was born May 5, 1830, and died December 30, 1869; Isaac N., Letitia and Stephen are also deceased. James A. Lander remained on his father’s farm until nineteen years of age. He then hired to Field Bennett, as an overseer over forty negroes, and remained in that capacity for about two years. In 1846 he came to Boonville, Mo., with but 50 cents in his pocket, and about $65 worth of plow-irons. Soon after this he hired out for 37 ½ cents per day, and followed this for one year, with the exception of the time employed in selling his plow-irons. When his year’s work was done, he entered forty acres of land near Syracuse, Cooper County, built a log cabin and there remained until 1847, when he purchased a carding machine, and forty acres of land near Clarksburg. He was very successful with the wool-carding, and often ran it night and day. In 1860 he purchased the property (twelve lots) in Clarksburg, and built a residence and store, the former still standing, and is the only building, besides a small barn, that was left standing in the place after the war. Mr. Lander was appointed postmaster in 1860, and held this position until after the war. During that eventful time he had several Government contracts, furnishing beef and corn to the State Penitentiary and to United States soldiers. Sometime in 1868 or 1869, Mr. Lander built a plow and furniture factory, but this not paying, he converted it into a flouring mill in 1874. Mr. Lander furnished the ties and bridge material for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, from Sedalia to Boonville. He is the founder and president of the Farmers’ & Traders’ Bank of California, Mo., and his son, F. B., is cashier. He is also the founder and president of the Clarksburg Savings Bank, incorporated in December, 1888. Mr. Lander was made president of the Agricultural, Mechanical and Farmers’ Fair Association, when it was over $800 in debt; but by his able management, the association has money in the treasury, and $650 loaned out. He was married to Miss Nancy Carpenter, June 17, 1846, a native of Morgan County, Mo., born in 1831, and eleven children, eight now living, were born. These children are: Thomas N., Mrs. Cornelia Tooley, living in Kansas City, Mo.; Sarah J. Hickman, James E., cashier of Clarksburg Bank; Katie, Frank B., cashier of bank at California, Mo.; Walter and Grace. Those deceased are: John, Robert and Norman. Mr. and Mrs. Lander are members of the Baptist Church, and earnest workers in the same. Mr. Lander also takes a decided interest in school matters, and contributes liberally to the same, having furnished the money to build one of the leading schools of Clarksburg, and several boarding houses for the attendants. He owns several large farms, deals extensively in stock and has a large store and brick-yard, etc.