John N Spotts

Photo caption: Etta Allen Tomlin and Benjamin Huston Spotts

Benjamin Huston Spotts was a grandson of William Lyons Spotts and Martha Jane Huston. Benjamin's father, John William, married Harriett Aken/Akin in Kansas City, Missouri on May 9, 1858. There were 3 children: Virginia (b. May 30, 1859), Benjamin Huston (b. May 12, 1861), and Mary Frances (b. 1864). John and his family left the Kansas City/Westport area of Jackson County during the Civil War. The evidence suggests that, as a consequence of Order No. 11 and the population cleansing of the border counties, they were war refugees who fled east through Lexington and settled near Bowdry in Wakenda Twp., Carroll County, in early 1864. Harriett Spotts (b. March 29, 1840; d. November 20, 1864) is buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Carrollton. J. W. Spotts (b. 1835/1836; d. March 22, 1872) is buried in the Hill Cemetery, Sugar Tree or Cherry Valley Twp. The orphaned children lived with their uncle, Nicholas Spotts, on his farm in Moss Creek Twp. Benjamin Spotts married Etta Tomlin about 1897 in Carroll County. By 1910, they moved to Grand Pass Twp., Saline County. There were 7 children: Harriett (b. June 20, 1899; d. July 4, 1995) Leon Rudolph (b. August 21 1901; d. May 28 1954) Mary Frances (b. January 5, 1904; d. February 1992) John Nicholas (b. November 25, 1906; d. July 29, 1993) Herbert Hadley (b. October 11, 1908; d. December 2, 1976) James Edward (b. April 23, 1913; d. 1962) Virginia (b. August 29, 1916; d. February 3, 1998). Benjamin Huston Spotts died on July 13, 1925. Etta Tomlin died in 1966. John N. Spotts left the farm and lived in Kansas City and Raytown from about 1930 until 1993.