My Genealogy Hound

J. M. OFFIELD, a member of the firm of Offield & Crawford, is engaged in the real-estate business in Sedalia, where he is one of the old residents. At one time he was the owner of the largest farm in one tract in the county; it comprised thirteen hundred and forty acres and was situated but six miles north of this place. He has laid out the Dundee Addition, some forty-six acres, and has made many other investments in this locality. In the strict routine of his business operations he has ever had in view the general welfare and upbuilding of Sedalia, and is justly numbered among her benefactors. His elegant home is finished with all modern appointments.

Our subject’s father, Lewis D. Offield, was born in Virginia and was of English extraction. Later he lived in Tennessee, where he was married in 1837, and with his family located at an early day in Polk County, Mo. He owned a large farm adjoining the city of Bolivar and held various offices, one of which was Justice of the Peace. His death occurred at the age of seventy-six years. He was a member of the Baptist denomination, but his wife, formerly Martha Spurrier, adhered to the Presbyterian faith. She became the mother of seven children, of whom only five are now living: John D. and William P., who were “forty-niners” in California and are still living there; Thomas J. and Lewis C., farmers of this county; and our subject. Mrs. Offield’s parents died in Polk County.

J. M. Offield was born near Bolivar, Polk County, February 28, 1846, and received a district-school education, subsequently pursuing his studies in Bolivar Academy. When but sixteen years of age he commenced teaching school, in his home district, but as the war came on it became necessary to close the schools, and Mr. Offield went to Cooper County, where he taught until 1865, in the district south of Boonville. In the fall of 1864 he was twice captured by guerrillas at Syracuse, and was once shot by George Todd. In 1865 he was given a position as agent on the Union Pacific Railroad near Wyandotte, remaining there about a year. Next he was ticket agent at Sedalia for the Missouri Pacific for some two years, at the end of which time he became bookkeeper for Hall & Bieler, wholesale grocers, serving as such until 1872. At that time, in company with J. G. Bieler, he started a branch house at Sherman, Tex., being made manager of the concern. He conducted a large wholesale business, shipping supplies to points in Texas and Indian Territory, but in 1883 sold out.

Returning to Sedalia in 1882, Mr. Offield embarked in the wholesale and retail hardware business. He built a brick block at the corner of Osage Avenue and Second Street, which has three stories and basement, and is 44x90 feet in dimensions. After putting in a well selected stock of goods our subject sold out the business in a short time, trading the same for farm land, since which time he has given his entire attention to real estate. The Dundee Addition to Sedalia, which he platted and laid out, is finely located, and the main thoroughfare from east to west, Gentry Boulevard, is one hundred feet wide. This property is first-class and intended only for fine residences. Mr. Offield is very liberal in his political views, but supports the Democratic nominees. He is a past officer in the Masonic order, belonging to the Royal Arch Masons, and is a Knight of Pythias. He is also affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

January 18, 1876, Mr. Offield and Allie Boone Gentry were united in marriage. She was born in this city November 11, 1852, and was a daughter of Maj. William Gentry, who was born in the old Franklin Fort, in Pettis County, in 1818. His parents emigrated from Kentucky at the same time as did Daniel Boone, to whom they were related. The Major’s father, Reuben Gentry, was born in 1785, in Albemarle County, Va., and his father, Richard, whose birth occurred in the same state and who was of German descent, lived to attain the good old age of eighty-five years. He was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. Reuben Gentry moved to Madison County, Ky., in 1824, and afterwards settled in Howard County, Mo., passing his last years in this county. Major Gentry accumulated six thousand acres of land, and resided two and a-half miles north of this city. In 1858 he was elected County Judge, and served as such for eight years, and later was Presiding Judge for several years prior to his death, at which time he was also President of the State Board of Health and of the State Board of Agriculture. In 1870 he was a candidate for the office of Governor. He helped to build the Missouri Pacific Railroad, of which he was at one time President, and was also a Director in the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad. In addition to all his other offices he served acceptably as President of the Fair Association. During the Civil War he served in the Union army and in 1862 was appointed Major of the Fortieth Militia by Governor Gamble, later acting as Major of the Fifth Regular Militia until the clo.se of the war. His death occurred in May 1891.

The wife of Mr. Offield was educated in St. Louis and was a lady of superior merits. She was called to the home beyond August 18, 1886, and, by a strange coincidence, her sister, Mrs. Claney, died on the same day. The two sons of our subject and his wife are bright and promising youths. The elder, Gentry is now in the high school, being a member of the Class of ‘95. The younger, James M., was named in honor of his father. Mr. Offield is one of the Vestrymen in the Cavalry Episcopal Church.