Garner, James W., lawyer, was born in Ray County, Missouri, September 2, 1852. His father, C. T. Garner, was born in Howard County, Missouri, removed to Richmond, Ray County, and there studied law in the office of George W. Dunn. For fifty years he practiced his profession in Ray County, becoming one of the strongest legal advocates and counselors in the State, as well as a foremost citizen and man of prominence in all important affairs. The mother of J. W. Garner was a daughter of James Mosby, of Callaway County, Missouri, and was born at Fulton. Mr. Garner is a descendant of the Triggs and Clarks, noted families of Kentucky and Virginia. The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools of Ray County, Missouri, and later graduated from Richmond College, located at Richmond, Ray County, Missouri. He followed his literary training with a course of careful legal reading of which he availed himself in the office of Garner & Doniphan. This firm was one of noted strength, the senior member being the father of the young man, and the other member being General A. W. Doniphan, one of Missouri's most celebrated men. After his admission to the bar of Missouri Mr. Garner practiced law in partnership with his father. Having read for four years before applying to the Circuit Court of Ray County for admission, he was thoroughly prepared for his professional career. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Ray County and served four years. Since that public service he has never been a candidate for political office. In the spring of 1887 Mr. Garner removed from Richmond to Kansas City, Missouri, and has since been a resident and active practitioner of that place. During his term of office as prosecuting attorney of Ray County, Mr. Garner tried the celebrated case of the State of Missouri against the Ford boys, for the murder of Wood Hite, the trial lasting about two weeks and being one of

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the most noted in the history of Missouri crime. In Jackson County Mr. Garner has appeared in many important legal battles, including the celebrated election contest case in Jackson County. As a criminal lawyer he stands at the head of the bar, having successfully defended, among other clients, Blanche Connors for murder in the first degree, B. F. Cates, also charged with murder in the first degree, and Jennie Hendrick, accused of murder. The cases attracted widespread attention at the time of their trial in the courts of Jackson County, and added materially to the reputation of the lawyer who so successfully defended the prisoners at bar. He has appeared in many other murder cases of less importance, and has established a steadfast reputation as a trial lawyer, as well as in the careful preparation of cases. Mr. Garner has always been a Democrat politically, but in the election of 1896 he found himself unable to accept the principles enunciated by the leaders of his party. He, therefore, supported Palmer and Buckner, on the national ticket, and canvassed the State of Missouri in the interest of those candidates for the highest offices within the gift of the people. For a number of years Mr. Garner was a member of the Democratic central committee of Jackson County. He is a communicant of Trinity Episcopal Church, Kansas City, and was for a number of years a member of the vestry of that church. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Garner was married, in April, 1873, to Miss Leonora Snoddy, daughter of Samuel Snoddy, of Howard County, Missouri, and after her death was married to Miss Carrie Cotes, of Galesburg, Illinois. Of the last union three children have been born. The head of the family is recognized as an able lawyer, and he is highly respected as a patriotic, public-spirited citizen, a true friend to the worthy cause and