Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-26

was employed on his fathers farm. His
early education was carefully conducted.
Rev. Lyman w. Seeley. who afterwards
became member Of the faculty Of the
Georgetown college, being one of his tutors.
The pupil advanced rapidly and graduated
at Centre college, Kentucky, with the de-
gree of A. B., and afterwards with the
degree of A. NJ. Characteristic of that force
which afterwards actuated his life, he
learned to read several languages and be-
ing thus equipped became a schooimaster.
After term teaching district school, Mr..
Chrisman made the choice of law as a pro-
tession and was admitted to the Kentucky
bar in 1871. In 1S4S he came to Jackson
county and settled in Independence. He
formed co-partnership with Abram
Comingo. one of the leading lawyers OF
the jackson county bar at that time and
whose memory is now revered by the old
members Of the bar of the present day.
The same attention to life duties that
characterized his early manhood was de-
voted to his law practice. and the tireless
interest manifested in the cause of his
clients caused him to build up a lucrative
practice. The partnership with Abram
Comingo was mutually dissolved in 1869,
and shortly afterward he formed a CO.
partnership with Samuel L. Sawyer. of
Lexington, Mo. The Co-partnershfp con-
tinued until Mr.. Chrisman's private inter-
ests demanded all OF his attention, and he
withdrew from the firm. His banking in
terests were large and his landed possess
sion was a fortune in itself
Mr.. ChriSman never sought Office but
rather studiously avoided public honor.
Against his will he was elected to the con-
stitutional convention of 1875. where he
proved a factor by reason of his thorough
knowledge of constitutional law.
William Chrisman was the pioneer bank
er of Independence. In the year 1857 he
with others organized q savings institu-
ton, which finally grew into what is now
known as the Chrisman-Sawyer Banking
Company, of Independence. Since the or
ganization of this bank many changes have
been wrought, but through them all Will
lam Chrisman has remained a director and
stockholder. serving almost continually as
Its president. He was the organizer of the
First National bank of Independence
Throughout his Ne he has manifested an
Interest in educational affairs. He fur
nished the greater portion of the money to
erect the large buildings for the Independ-
ence Female college. Whenever that IN
stttution needed funds William Chrismaa,
could be relied upon to furnish any amount
OF money reasonable for its benefit Every
public enterprise found him a willing donor
and he was looked upon as a philanthro-
pist. He, together with his wife, who died
some ten years ago, were active in relig-
ious circles. The work Of both was unos-
tentatious, but as firm as a rock Years
ago he was ordained an elder in the First
the building which cost $4,000 and the
ground thereon, was largely contributed
by Mr.. Chrisman and his wife. His life
has been quiet, but his influence in busi-
ness and religious circles has been very
great.
William Chrisman married Miss Lucy
Lee, of Danville, KY, May TO- 1913, an es-
ttmable lady whose grace of mind and
person was felt in circles in which she
moved. Three children were born to them.
George L. Chrisman, county judge-elect for
the Eastern district of jackson county.
and Maggie, wife of Logan o. Swope OF
Independence. Their second SON. James.
died at the age of 49, while attending
school at Westminster college, at Fulton,
Mo-
About twelve years ago the elegant home
or William Chrisman at Independence was
consumed by fire. The exertion at thar
time coupled with the death Of his wife soon
afterwards caused him to fail rapidly In
health. Shortly after the death of his wife
he received a stroke of paralysis from
which he never fully recovered He i'm
mediately withdrew from active business
and made his home Jointly with his daught-
er and that of his son, Lee, near Lees
Summit.