Paul Russell Bivens
1921 - 1996 (74 years)
Generation: 1
Generation: 3
Generation: 4
1. Paul Russell Bivens was born on 14 Oct 1921 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri (son of Carl Bivens and Marietta Cassity); died on 22 Jan 1996 in Columbia, Boone County, Missouri; was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri. Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/116969960/paul-russell-bivensPaul married Elizabeth “Lisa” Alexia Hohrina on 30 Nov 1948 in Shanghai, China. Elizabeth was born on 16 Jun 1923 in Vladivostok, Siberia, Russia; died on 10 Sep 1993; was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
2. Carl Bivens was born on 29 Sep 1900 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri (son of George T. Bivens and Mary Frances Ogle); died on 27 Oct 1939 in Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri; was buried on 31 Oct 1939 in Rose Hill Cemetery, Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri. Other Events:
- Census: 1920, Benton Township, Linn County, Missouri
- Census: 1930, Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri
Notes:
MHR note: Carl Bivens was a pilot instructor who was shot by a student, Ernest Pletch.
CARL, only child of GEORGE I. and MARY (OGLE) BIVENS, both deceased, was born northeast of Purdin MO. Body found late Sat by possee near Cherry Box northeast of Clarence,
Shelby County, MO. Had been shot in back of head by person unknown. Lived in Brookfield MO, garage owner and flying instructor. Leaves wife, ETTA, half brothers JOHN HAWKINS, Granite City IL; ROBERT BIVENS of Brookfield; half sisters Mrs GEORGE ROSS, Brookfield; MARY SWEENEY, Kansas City. Wife is daughter of Mr and Mrs W.H. CASSITY of near Purdin MO. The son ORVILLE, a radio operator on Pan American Airways Clipper plane in South America, was unable to attend funeral.
Brookfield Pilot Lost Since Friday Afternoon Flight
Accompanied by a Stranger Wanting a Lesson, Said to Have a Gun.
Ask Myers To Search
Local Flier Out of Town So He Could Not Answer Plea.
Bulletin
Brookfield, Oct. 28 – Cap. W.J. Ramsey of the Missouri Highway Patrol received a report today that a plane, believed to be that of Bivens, landed at Nelsonville, Marion County, Mo., last night and took off again today.
Captain Ramsey said the report came from a patrolman working at the Hannibal office. The information stated that a plane bearing the number, NC-24796, had been seen to take off.
The plane in which Carl Bivens and an unidentified passenger were riding bore that number.
Carl Bivens, airplane pilot of Brookfield and well known flier in Chillicothe aviation enthusiasts, and a stranger who was said to be carrying a gun, are missing after having taken off for a flight from the Brookfield airport yesterday afternoon, according to an Associated Press report.
Las night Andy Myers, local pilot and the co-owner of the Myers-Luther Airport here, was called to ask if he would take his plane into the air to help in a search for the missing plane which is believed to be down somewhere in this area since it was not carrying enough gasoline for a flight of more than 100 miles. Myers is in Bethany and was not reached.
Police Chief Ed Carroll of Brookfield asked airport attendants and police throughout the country to watch for the yellow Taylor Cub monoplane which is owned by Bivens and in which the men started their flight.
The stranger, according to the Associated Press dispatch from Brookfield, had asked for a flying lesson. He was said to have been about 29 years old. Carroll said that Bivens seldom carried much money.
A search of the immediate region around Brookfield has been planned with the possibility that the men had crashed, unnoticed, or were forced to land some miles from a telephone.
The yellow monoplane is familiar to people of Chillicothe who have seen it in flight over the city on many occasions. Bivens was a frequent Sunday afternoon visitor to the local airport.
The Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune, Chillicothe, Missouri. Saturday, 28 October 1939.
Institute Search for Plane Pilot
Blood-Stained Suit of Flier Lends Mystery to Disappearance.
Brookfield, Mo. (AP) Reports that a young pilot wearing a blood-stained flying suit landed a plane near Nelsonville, in northeast Missouri, intensified a search today for flying instructor Carl Bivens, who disappeared from here yesterday in a ship carrying an unidentified passenger.
Sheriff W.J. Schneider of Marion county said a plane believed the one used by Bivens landed near Nelsonville about desk last night and took off again early this morning.
Uniform Blood-Spattered
Schneider said the young pilot, about 28 years old, stayed overnight at the farm home of Gilbert Spratt. He was wearing a “blood-spattered” white uniform the sheriff quoted members of the Spratt family as saying.
The flyer explained the stains by saying the “flew too high and had a nose bleed.”
Before leaving this morning, he borrowed a pair of blue overalls from one of the Spratt boys. He carried the bloodied uniform away with him.
Saw Name on Shirt
Although Spratt did not inspect the plane closely, she said he saw only one man.
The pilot said he planned to fly to LaBelle, in adjoining Lewis county, and then probably to Quincy, Ill. He gave his name as Charles Jackson, but members of the Spratt family said the name “Larry” was on his shirt.
Residents of LaBelle reported a small ship was sighted over the city this morning but it did not land.
The small yellow plane bore the number NC-24796, the same number of the ship in which Bivens took the strange up for a flying lesson.
Several airplanes joined in the extensive search this afternoon, scouting possible landing fields in northeastern Missouri, Illinois and Iowa.
Seek Indiana Man
Meantime, the state highway patrol sough to learn the whereabouts of Earnest Pletch, also known as Larry Pletch, of Bowling Green, Ind., whose name was on a driver’s license found in the automobile left at the flying field here by Biven’s passenger.
The machine bore a license issued to Pauline Pletch of Frankfort, Ind., who Indiana police said they believed was his sister.
Capt. W.J. Ramsey of the highway patrol said the car contained a shotgun, cartridges for a .32-caliber pistol and 12 empty gasoline cans.
Farmer Spratt reported the young man who stayed at his house carried “some kind of a revolver.”
The Maryville Daily Forum, Maryville, Missouri. Saturday, 28 October 1939, page 1.
Self-Confessed Slayer Returned to the Macon Jail
Three Missouri Counties Today Sought Custody of Ernest P. Pletch
May Face 3 Charges
Macon, Linn and Shelby Counties Interested in Prosecuting him.
(by the Associated Press)
Macon, Mo., Oct. 30 – Three Missouri counties sought custody today of Earnest P. Pletch, 29-year-old barnstorming aviator and confessed slayer of his companion in a dramatic mid-air struggle.
Pletch, who told Indiana authorities he fatally shot Carl Bivens, 38-year-old Brookfield, Mo., flying instructor after they quarreled while in a plane over northeast Missouri, face possible charges of first degree murder, kidnapping and airplane theft by Macon, Linn and Shelby counties.
Prosecuting attorney Fred C. Bollow of Shelby county said a conference was planned by prosecuting attorneys of the three counties to decide which would prefer charges against the youth. Bollow expressed his belief Bivens was killed while in the air over Macon county, although his body was found in a thicket near Cherry Box in Shelby county. Pletch is held in the Macon county jail where he was lodged after a hurried trip from Indianapolis.
A coroner’s jury at Cherry Box returned an open verdict today, finding Bivens came to his death by “shots in the head with a pistol by some person to the jurors unknown.”
The Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune, Chillicothe, Missouri, Monday, 30 October 1939, page 1.
Photo caption of a portrait photo of Carl Bivens:
The bullet-pieced body of Carl Bivens (above), Brookfield, Mo., flying instructor, was found in a thicket 25 miles north of Macon, Mo., a day after he had taken a passenger aloft at Brookfield. Indiana State Police Superintendent Don Stiver announced that Ernest Fletch, 29, arrested near Bloomington, Ind., had confessed shooting Bivens during a mid-air argument.
The Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune, Chillicothe, Missouri, Monday, 30 October 1939, page 1.
Photo caption of man pointing to a fence post surrounded by tall weeds.
Where Body of Carl Bivens Was Found
With the head resting against the ticket-surrounded fence post at spot pointed out by the youth above, the body of the Brookfield, Mo., flyer was found by searchers near Cherry Box, Mo, 25 north of Macon. Arrested by Indiana state police, Earnest Pletch, 29, who, according to reports, confessed to the shooting of Bivens during a mid-air argument, was returned to Macon, Mo.
The Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune, Chillicothe, Missouri, Monday, 30 October 1939, page 3.
Died:
Missouri death certificate
https://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1939/1939_00037281.PDF
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63323247/george-carl-bivensCarl married Marietta Cassity. Marietta (daughter of William Harrison Cassity and Flora Alice Tattershall) was born on 26 Nov 1896 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; died on 22 Apr 1977 in Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida; was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
3. Marietta Cassity was born on 26 Nov 1896 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri (daughter of William Harrison Cassity and Flora Alice Tattershall); died on 22 Apr 1977 in Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida; was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri. Other Events:
- Census: 1940, Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri
Notes:
Ball
Marietta Bivens, 80, A year resident, formerly of Tex. Funeral services will be 10 A.M. Mon. in the Stanfill Kendall Chapel. She is survived by 2 sons, Orville B. Bivens and Paul Russell Bivens, 1 brother, Guy H. Cassity, 1 sister, Mrs. Nina Myers, 2 grandchildren & 5 great-grandchildren.
Stanfill Funeral Homes, 10545 S. Dixie Hwy. 667-2518.
The Miami Herald, Miami, Florida. Saturday, 23 April
1977.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/131088211/marietta-ball
Block B, lot 157, site 04Children:
- Orville Boyd Bivens was born on 20 Dec 1917 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; died on 9 Jul 2003 in Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida.
- Infant Son Bivens was born on 26 Aug 1919 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; died on 26 Aug 1919 in Benton Township, Linn County, Missouri; was buried on 27 Aug 1919 in Purdin Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri.
- 1. Paul Russell Bivens was born on 14 Oct 1921 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; died on 22 Jan 1996 in Columbia, Boone County, Missouri; was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri.
Generation: 3
4. George T. Bivens was born on 5 Jan 1858 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; died on 5 Jan 1934 in Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri; was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri. Other Events:
- Occupation: farmer
- Census: 1920, Benton Township, Linn County, Missouri
Notes:
The Father Passed On.
George T. Bivens passed away at the home of Raymond Bivens, 427 Market Street, Friday morning at 10:30 o’clock.
The funeral will be held from the Hunter & Rollins Parlor, Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock, conducted by Rev. C.W. Cornn. Burial will be made in Rose Hill cemetery.
Mr. Bivens came to Brookfield about ten years ago from Purdin, Missouri, his birthplace. He had been in failing health the past year.
In passing, Mr. Bivens leaves two daughters, Mrs. George Ross, of this city, and Mrs. D.F. Sweeney, of Kansas City, Kansas; two sons, Robert and Carl, both of Brookfield. The wife preceded him in death March 31, 1928.
The Brookfield Argus and the Linn County Farmer, Brookfield, Missouri. Saturday, 6 January 1934.
Name:
son of Robert Bivens and Eliza Renshaw
Died:
Missouri death certificate
https://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1934/1934_00001939.PDF
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84180256/george-t.-bivensGeorge married Mary Frances Ogle on 25 Jun 1898 in Linn County, Missouri. Mary was born on 24 Jun 1859 in Linn County, Missouri; died on 30 Mar 1927 in Benton Township, Linn County, Missouri; was buried on 1 Apr 1927 in Ogle Cemetery, Benton Township, Linn County, Missouri. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
5. Mary Frances Ogle was born on 24 Jun 1859 in Linn County, Missouri; died on 30 Mar 1927 in Benton Township, Linn County, Missouri; was buried on 1 Apr 1927 in Ogle Cemetery, Benton Township, Linn County, Missouri. Notes:
AGED 68 YEARS, 8 MONTHS, 6 DAYS MARY FRANCES (OGLE) HAWKINS BIVENS was born Northeast of Purdin, Linn CO., MO on 24 July 1859, where she lived until she died 31 March 1927. She married STRAUTER HAWKINS, who died a few years later, 3 Children were born- LAURA HAWKINS, J. I. HAWKINS, and CURTIS HAWKINS. She then married GEORGE T. BIVENS on 25 July 1898, 1 Child was born- CARL BIVENS. Services were on 1 April 1927. Buried in the Family burying ground near Father and Mother, Ogle Cemetery, Linn CO., MO -This information is from The Browning Leader-Record, issue April 7, 1927
Died:
Missouri death certificate
https://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1927/1927_00009051.PDF
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25767357/mary-frances-bivensChildren:
- 2. Carl Bivens was born on 29 Sep 1900 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; died on 27 Oct 1939 in Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri; was buried on 31 Oct 1939 in Rose Hill Cemetery, Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri.
6. William Harrison Cassity was born on 21 Sep 1868 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri (son of James Ira Cassity and Mary Rebecca Hester Moore); died on 23 Aug 1956 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; was buried on 25 Aug 1956 in Rose Hill Cemetery, Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri. Other Events:
- Occupation: farmer
- Census: 1900, Grantsville Township, Linn County, Missouri
- Census: 1910, Benton Township, Linn County, Missouri
- Census: 1920, Benton Township, Linn County, Missouri
- Census: 1930, Benton Township, Linn County, Missouri
- Census: 1940, Benton Township, Linn County, Missouri
Notes:
Died:
Missouri death certificate
https://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1956/1956_00027525.PDF
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/124918253/william-harrison-cassity
block B, lot 157, site 02William married Flora Alice Tattershall. Flora (daughter of Francis Marion Tattershall and Henrietta Robertson) was born on 27 Oct 1870 in Potomac, Rantoul County, Illinois; died on 21 Jul 1957 in Gallatin, Davies County, Missouri; was buried on 22 Jul 1957 in Rose Hill Cemetery, Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
7. Flora Alice Tattershall was born on 27 Oct 1870 in Potomac, Rantoul County, Illinois (daughter of Francis Marion Tattershall and Henrietta Robertson); died on 21 Jul 1957 in Gallatin, Davies County, Missouri; was buried on 22 Jul 1957 in Rose Hill Cemetery, Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri. Notes:
Died:
Missouri death certificate
https://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1957/1957_00024023.PDF
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/124918039/flora-alice-cassity
Block B, lot 157, site 03Children:
- Paul Revere Cassity was born on 19 Jul 1894 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; died on 22 Feb 1947 in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California; was buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, California.
- Guy Harrison Cassity was born on 16 Aug 1895 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; died in Jun 1978 in Yuba City, Sutter County, California; was buried in Brownsville Cemetery, Yuba County, California.
- 3. Marietta Cassity was born on 26 Nov 1896 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; died on 22 Apr 1977 in Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida; was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri.
- Nina Irene Cassity was born on 24 Oct 1899 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; died on 30 Mar 1991 in Vancouver, Clark County, Washington.
- Bernice Iva Cassity was born on 18 Dec 1907 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; died on 3 Jun 1949 in Oakland, Alameda County, California; was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri.
Generation: 4
12. 
James Ira Cassity was born on 1 Nov 1830 in Fleming County, Kentucky (son of William T. Cassity and Dorothy Trumbo); died on 1 Dec 1915 in Port LaVaca, Texas; was buried in Grantsville Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri. Other Events:
- Census: 1870, Enterprise Township, Linn County, Missouri
- Census: 1880, Grantsville Township, Linn County, Missouri
- Census: 1900, Grantsville Township, Linn County, Missouri
- Census: 1910, Grantsville Township, Linn County, Missouri
Notes:
1882 History of Linn County, Missouri. BIOGRAPHY - Grantsville Township: 853
James I. Cassity was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, November 1, 1830. His father was William F. Cassity, born in Montgomery county Kentucky, January 1803, and removed in January, 1851, to this county. His vocation was that of farmer and blacksmith. He was a well informed gentleman and respected by all who knew him; he held the office of justice of the peace for several years, and after a life of usefulness he died, in January, 1867. The wife of William T. Cassity[i] was Dora Trumbo, born in Bath county, Kentucky, December 21, 1808; she is yet living. James I. Cassity remained in his native county until October 1, 1849, when he removed with his father to Lee county, Iowa, and from there, after raising one crop, to Missouri, in 1851, the family first settling in Benton township. Mr. Cassity lived with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age, when he began work on his own account on a tract of land given him by his father. In March, 1859, he, with four companions, went to Colorado, where Mr. Cassity remained for three months, being engaged in mining. He returned to this county, January 15, 1860, was married to Mary R. H. Moore, born in this county, January 15, 1842; Esq. Paston officiated on the occasion. The issue of their marriage has been nine children; viz, Dorothy A., Mary J., Isaac F., James W. H., Sarah L., John I., George H., and Daniel Garfield, living, and Essie B., dead. In 1861 he enrolled as a member of the Union home guards, and served in the Federal militia at intervals during the war. Since 1865 he has given his attention to farming. In 1863 he was constable of his township. By industry and economy he has become the possessor of 285 acres of land; is a prosperous farmer, and well respected in his community.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/150662175/james-i_-cassityJames married Mary Rebecca Hester Moore on 13 Jan 1860 in Linn County, Missouri. Mary was born on 15 Jan 1843 in Linn County, Missouri; died on 13 Jan 1910 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; was buried in Grantsville Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
13. Mary Rebecca Hester Moore was born on 15 Jan 1843 in Linn County, Missouri; died on 13 Jan 1910 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; was buried in Grantsville Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri. Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/150662263/mary-r_h_-cassityChildren:
- Dorothy Ann Cassity was born on 25 May 1861 in Mississippi; died on 18 Mar 1938 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas; was buried in Forest Park East Cemetery, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana.
- Mary J. Cassity was born on 13 Apr 1863 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; died on 8 Apr 1887; was buried in Grantsville Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri.
- Isaac F. Cassity was born on 21 Dec 1865 in Linn County, Missouri; died on 16 Jul 1911 in Beeville, Bee County, Texas; was buried on 19 Jul 1911 in Beeville, Bee County, Texas.
- 6. William Harrison Cassity was born on 21 Sep 1868 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; died on 23 Aug 1956 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; was buried on 25 Aug 1956 in Rose Hill Cemetery, Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri.
- Lucy Bell Cassity was born on 28 Dec 1870 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; died on 10 Sep 1958 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas; was buried in Laurel Land Memorial Park, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas.
- John Cassity was born on 10 Jan 1874 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; died on 13 Jan 1928 in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana; was buried in Forest Park East Cemetery, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana.
- George Henry Cassity was born on 4 Feb 1878 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; died on 15 Jan 1967 in Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Louisiana; was buried in Forest Park Cemetery, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana.
- Daniel Garfield Cassity was born on 11 Sep 1881 in Missouri; died on 7 Mar 1964 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas; was buried in Laurel Land Memorial Park, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas.
- Essie Bell Cassity was born on 25 Dec 1876 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; died on 27 Feb 1877; was buried in Grantsville Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri.
14. Francis Marion Tattershall was born on 5 Dec 1843 in Ohio; died on 16 Jan 1902; was buried in Grantsville Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri. Other Events:
- Census: 1880, Rantoul, Champaign County, Illinois
- Census: 1900, Jefferson Township, Linn County, Missouri
Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/150321094/francis-marion-tattershallFrancis married Henrietta Robertson on 12 May 1864 in Vermilion County, Illinois. Henrietta was born about 1845 in Illinois; died on 25 Sep 1891 in Illinois; was buried in Knights Branch Cemetery, Potomac, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
15. Henrietta Robertson was born about 1845 in Illinois; died on 25 Sep 1891 in Illinois; was buried in Knights Branch Cemetery, Potomac, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100543945/henrietta-tattershallChildren:
- 7. Flora Alice Tattershall was born on 27 Oct 1870 in Potomac, Rantoul County, Illinois; died on 21 Jul 1957 in Gallatin, Davies County, Missouri; was buried on 22 Jul 1957 in Rose Hill Cemetery, Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri.