Biographical Sketches
THOMAS GROTEN DRYDEN
Who is now living retired in Lee's Summit, has long been identified with the history of Jackson county, and has taken an important part in the development and upbuilding of the locality with which he has been connected. True to all the duties of public and private life he has so lived as to command the confidence and respect of all, and now is his declining years has the high regard which should always accompany old age.
He was born on the 3rd of February, 1813, in Worcester county, Maryland. His father, William Dryden, was a native of that state, born in 1783, and is a son of William and Rachel (Morgan) Dryden. The grandfather also was born in Maryland, and descended from one of four brothers who came from England at a very early day. William Dryden, the father, removed to Ohio, in 1813, taking up his residence in Adams county, where he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1858. He married Nancy Newton, who was born in Maryland in 1793, a daughter of Levin Newton, who was born in Maryland and was of English lineage. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Dryden also was celebrated in the native state, and the latter died in 1886. They had 6 children - Isaac N.; Thomas G., Maria Louisa, Samuel, Mrs. Sarah Morgan and William H. C.
Our subject is the only surviving member of the family. During his infancy his parents removed to the Buckeye state and in Adams county he was reared and educated. The wild scenes of frontier life thus early became familiar to him and he aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm. At the age of 19 he began farming on his own account and has since been dependent upon his own resources, so that whatever success he has achieved in life is due entirely to his own efforts.
In 1839 Mr. Dryden was united in marriage with Elizabeth Ellis, a native of Brown county, Ohio, and a daughter of Samuel Ellis, who served in the war of 1812, and removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio during his boyhood. Mrs. Dryden died in 1860. In the family were 9 children, 5 of whom reached maturity; Samuel, now a merchant of Lee's Summit; Isaac N., who was killed at the battle of Chickamauga, when faithfully defending the union cause. He enlisted in the 24th Ohio volunteer infantry as a private, but his ability and meritorious service won him promotion and he rose to the rank of captain, in which capacity he was serving at the time of his death. He was then but little more than 21 years of age and was a brilliant young man. Maria Louisa is the wife of W. H. Pittinger. Sarah Arabella is the widow of James F. Shepherd. Thyrza A. is the wife of John Munns, of Prairie township.
Mr. Dryden became a resident of Missouri in October, 1865, and after spending one winter in Blue township, Jackson county, removed to Prairie township, where he purchased an improved farm. Shortly afterward he sold this property and purchased a tract of unimproved land in the same township, to the improvement of which he devoted his energies. He followed farming exclusively as a life work, and placing acre after acre under the plow transformed his land into a valuable and productive farm. He is a self-made man in the best sense of that oft misused term, and energy, perseverance and capable management have been the important factors in his success, securing to him a competence which now enables him to live retired.
In May, 1889, Mr. Dryden was united in marriage with Elizabeth Ellis, a native of Brown county, Ohio, and a daughter of Samuel Ellis, who served in the war of 1812, and removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio during his boyhood. Mrs. Dryden died in 1860. In the family were 9 children, 5 of whom reached maturity; Samuel, now a merchant of Lee's Summit; Isaac N.; who was killed at the battle of Chickamauga, when faithfully defending the union cause. He enlisted in the 24th Ohio volunteer infantry as a private, but his ability and meritorious service won him promotion and he rose to the rank of captain, in which capacity he was serving at the time of his death. He was then but little more than 21 years of age and was a brilliant young man. Maria Louisa is the wife of W. H. Pittinger. Sarah Arabella is the widow of James F. Shepherd. Thyrza A. is the wife of John Munns, of Prairie township.
Mr. Dryden became a resident of Missouri in October, 1865, and after spending one winter in Blue township, Jackson county, removed to Prairie township, where he purchased an improved farm. Shortly afterward he sold this property and purchased a tract of unimproved land in the same township, to the improvement of which he devoted his energies. He followed farming exclusively as a life work, and placing acre after acre under the plow transformed his land into a valuable and productive farm. He is a self-made man in the best sense of that oft misused term, and energy, perseverance and capable management have been the important factors in his success, securing to him a competence which now enables him to live retired.
In May, 1889, Mr. Dryden was united in marriage with Martha Elizabeth Bush, a native of Callaway county, Missouri, and a daughter of William F. and Lydia Jane (Cheatham) Powell, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Kentucky. Mr. Powell was born in 1813, and during his boyhood days came to Missouri, where at the age of 21 years he was married. His first wife having died he was again married, at the age of 25, to the mother of Mrs. Dryden. They always lived in Callaway county, Missouri, where Mr. Powell followed farming. Their family numbered 4 children, 3 of whom are now living, namely: Mrs. Dryden, Lemuel F. and Mrs. Lydia J. Thomas. The first named was born December 15, 1840, and by her first marriage had 2 children - Sallie J., now the wife of Charles R. Curry, and Lemuel J. Bush.
In 1845 Mr. Dryden became a member of the Masonic fraternity, but is now dimitted, and in the same year united with the Christian church. In politics he has been a stanch republican since the organization of the party, is deeply interested in its growth and success, and served as delegate to its conventions at a time when it was a dangerous thing to announce one's self as an advocate of republican principles. He was also president of the vigilance committee at an early day. Fearless and outspoken in defense of what he believed to be right he has ever been the champion of the poor and friendless, the down-trodden and oppressed, and his generous, kindly nature has won recognition in the friendship of many.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.