Annals of Platte County, Missouri - Paxton
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1860, MARCH. 290 THE ALMONDS. ferry at Lexington. She was born MEl.lCh 12, 1814; was tall, handsome, well educated, rened. fascinating in her manners, a zealous Cumberland Presbyterian, and a devotee to music. The newly wedded pair came to Platte, when a. wilderness, and settled on the Buchanan line. where I rst met them in 1839. Though both were raised in affluence, they accommodated them- selves to circumstances and lived as pioneers. After making their homes in various places in Platte and Buchanan, they nally settled. about. 1846. in Platte City. In 1849 he was among the foremost emigrants across the plains and mountains to California. Here. through the inuence of his friend. Gov. Peter H. Burnett (see). he was appointed a territorial judge. at San Francisco. His court did an immense business. and his name was on all lips. He returned from the Golden Grate with some $15,000, and purchased a half interest in the mills and water-power at Platte City. In- August. 1851. he was elected circuit judge. to succeed S. L. Leonard. In June. 1857. he removed to Topeka. and thence to Leavenworth. leaving his family in Platte City. He died, as stated. at Leavenworth March 4. 1860. His Wife survived him, living at Platte City until the close of the War. and the marriage of most of her childr~en.when she broke up housekeeping. and lived with her children. She died at St. Joseph August 15. 1885. She lies beside her husband. her father. and her mother. in the Platte City cemetery. A beautiful monument at the group of graves records the virtues of the dead. But not a living descenda.nt of Judge Almond now resides in Platte. I knew Judge Almond and his wife in-fimate-ly. He was my partner in the Platte City Hills for years. His classical educa- tion. Western adventures. social temperament. and varied ex- perience supplied him with a fund of useful information and anecdote that made him a charming companion. He possessed genius. rather than talent. He was a brilliant orator. understood mankind. was quick to discover the weak and strong points of his adversary. and ready to take advantage of every opportunity. His liberality was unbounded. and he left to his family nothing but native brilliance of intellect. accomplishments of education. and the galvanism of beauty. enhanced by the charms of music. His ve daughters. four of whom yet live. formed a bevy of lovely women I have never seen surpassed. Children: I. LAI.I. 1L.-NLLIE) ESTHER ALMOND. b. Dec. 18. 1837: n1d May fl. 1855. H. Clay Cockrell. probate judge of Platte ("ounty from 1856 to 1860. and a. lawyer of reputation. She died. leaving: 1. Hmr1/ Ti. (i0cl.rcN. b. March 10. 1856: d. in 189?; md R-eb. Dunnica. He was associate editor of the Globe- Dcmor-rnf: 1 child. 2. IcIIir (ocI.rcN. b. Jan. 16. 1858: md B. N. Woodson. a lawyer of Oklahoma.