My Genealogy Hound

JAMES ALBERT CAPEN is one of the most popular public officials of Sedalia, and after serving faithfully as Deputy-Sheriff and Deputy County Assessor was elected to the more responsible office of County Assessor in the fall of 1894, on the Republican ticket. He did not enter upon his duties until June 1, 1895, and by a peculiar coincidence this was just ten years after his father was elected to the same office, on the Democratic ticket.

James Capen, the grandfather of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, was born in Boston, Mass., and for many years resided in the city of Gardiner, Me., ten miles south of Augusta. His father, who bore the same Christian name, was born in Massachusetts, and was of French Huguenot stock. James Capen, Jr., participated in the War of 1812, and owned an extensive farm in the Bay State. Albert Capen, father of our subject, was born in Stoughton, Mass. On reaching mature years he obtained a position as bookkeeper with a Boston firm, but in 1857 came West. For several years thereafter he worked as wagon-master for Jones & Cartwright, and also took freight trains from the Missouri River to Denver and Salt Lake City. In 1864 he purchased a farm in Longwood Township, Pettis County, and cultivated the place for twenty years. In 1884, coming to Sedalia, he was elected County Assessor and served one term. His death occurred in 1887, at the age of seventy-seven years. During his life on the plains he had many narrow escapes and won quite a reputation as an Indian fighter. His wife, Mary J. Nichols, was born in Massachusetts, and died in the East in 1844. Of her three children only one lived to maturity.

James Albert Capen is a native of Boston, his birth having occurred January 3, 1840, and in that city he passed the first ten years of his life. Thence he went to Maine, where he lived with his grandfather, and attended the high school at Gardiner, graduating at the age of twenty years. Coming to the West, he joined his father, and for two years was also on the plains, a part of this time being express messenger for the Leavenworth & Pike’s Peak Express Company. September 24, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Seventh Kansas Cavalry, and was mustered in at Ft. Leavenworth. Among the engagements in which he took an active part were the following: Little Blue, Iuka, Corinth, Coffeeville, Columville, Memphis, Florence and many others. Frequently he was called upon to serve on detached duty, being clerk under different officers, and in January, 1864, veteranized, re-enlisting in the same company and regiment. September 26, 1865, he received an honorable discharge and was mustered out at Ft. Leavenworth.

Returning home, Mr. Capen embarked in farming in Longwood Township, and for twenty years taught school successfully during the winters. In 1885 he was appointed Deputy-Assessor under his father, and served for two years. The next two years he again taught school, and in 1889 was made Deputy under John S. Woods. In 1891 he was appointed Deputy-Sheriff under E. R. Smith, acting as such for two years, and for a like period held a similar position with John C. Porter. In the fall of 1894 he resigned in order to accept his present office. While living in Longwood Township, he was Clerk of the same for two years. He has always kept up his interest in educational matters, being a member of the State Teachers’ Association at one time, and in 1886 and 1887 was in charge of the educational department of the Central Missouri Sentinel, which is published in the interest of school work.

A marriage ceremony was performed by Rev. John Montgomery, in Longwood, in September, 1867, by which Sarah C. Chancy became the wife of Mr. Capen. She was born in Longwood, in 1850, and is a daughter of the late William H. Chaney, a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Capen have had born to them six children: William A., who is in the printing business in Sedalia; Robert C., a carriage painter, also of this city; and James A., Clara E., Frank E. and Anna C., who are still at home. The parents are members of the Old-school Presbyterian Church. Mr. Capen is Quartermaster of George R. Smith Post No. 53, G. A. R.