A A CAPP
A. A. Capp, manager of the men’s clothing and furnishing depart-
ment of the J. S. Bowers and Son Department Store of Moberly has had
a long experience in the mercantile business ancl has been in the employ
of this company for over 32 years. He is a native of Missouri, born in
Monroe County and is the son of M. P, and Margaret J. (Wood) Capp,
both now deceased, M. P. Capp was a native of Pennsylvania and was a
Randolph County pioneer. He came to Cairo at an early date and was
engaged in farming and the mercantile business and for a time was en-
gaged in business at Leverick’s Mill, later at Leesburg and then at Wood-
laun, Monroe County and later Cairo, and spent the latter part of his
life in this county. He and his wife were buried in the Pleasant View
Church Cemetery which is located east of Cairo. They were the parents
of ten children, nine of whom grew to maturity: John W., was a farmer
and died at Cairo at the age of 25 years; Mrs. Jane Gibson, resides at
Cairo, Mo.; A. A., the subject of this sketch; Rev. E. M., a minister of the
Methodist denomination, Milan, Mo.; Mrs. Ella Walker, died at Cairo,
Mo.; Mrs. Emma Newton, died at Moberly, Mo.; Mrs. Alice Baker re-
sides at Cairo, Mo.; J. C., a coal dealer, Moberly, Mo.; and William, who
was accidently killed when 13 years of age. The eldest of the family,
Elisha, died in infancy.
A. A. Capp received a good public school education in the schools
of the early days in Monroe County, receiving a part of his education in
a typical old pioneer log school house. He began his mercantile career
with his father at an early date and for six years was at Cairo. He came
to Moberly in 1887 and entered the employ of Bowers and Reese Company
which later became J. S. Bowers and Son and since Sept. 1, 1887 has been
identified with this company and is now manager of the men’s clothing
and furnishing department.
Mr. Capp was first married in 1877 to Miss Fannie Cochran of Cairo,
Randolph County, who died in 1881 leaving one daughter, Era, who is now
the wife of W. H. Eslen, Moberly, Mo. Mr. Capp’s present wife bore
the maiden name of Emma Belle Nagley, and she was born in Ohio and
came to Monroe County, Mo., with her parents where she was reared and
educated. Mr. Capp has three grandchildren, Emma Leta, William
Augusta and Richard Capp Ensen.
Mr. Capp is one of the progressive citizens of Moberly and takes
an active part in any movement, the object of which is for the better-
ment of the community and the building up of Randolph County. He has
been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for 50 years and been
trustee and a member of the board of stewards of his church at Moberly
for 30 years. He is a member of the National Union.
A B RUBEY
A.B. Rubey, assistant manager for the J. S. Bowers & Son Dry
Goods and Clothing Company, has for many years been identilied with
the mercantile interest of Moberly and has had a life long experience
in the mercantile world, He is a native of Ohio and a son of Dr. James
and Hannah (Hamilton) Rubey, who moved from Ohio to Union City,
Ind.. when A. B. Rubey was a boy. His father was a physician and
died at the age of 64 years.
A. B. Rubey was educated in the public schools of Union City, Ind.,
and attended the high school there. He began his career as clerk at an
early age, clerking at Union City from 1879 to 1886. He then came to
Moberly and began clerking in the store of J. S. Bowers. In fact, he
had clerked for Mr. Bowers in Indiana. Since coming to Moberly, he has
been in the employ of J. S. Bowers and Son.
Mr. Rubey was married in 1890 to Miss Alva Walden, of Moberly.
She is a daughter of Z, and Elizabeth (Frazier) Walden, To Mr. and
Mrs. Rubey have been born one son, William W., who is a graduate of
the Missouri University at Columbia with the degree of A. B. He is
a graduate of the Moberly High School. During the World War, he en-
listed in the Aviation Corps of the United States army at St. Louis and
was at home under orders waiting a call to the service when the armistice
was signed.
Mr. Rubey is one of the public spirited citizens of Moberly and for
the past 25 years he has been one of the prime movers in promoting the
public library of this city and is now the president of the library hoard.
He was a member of that hoard when the library building was erected
and has always been an untiring worker in behalf of the public library.
He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Modern Woodmen
of America, the National Union and is one of the progressive citizens of
Moberly. Mr. Rubey is a member of the Masonic Lodge.
A W JONES
A. W. Jones, of the firm of Jones and Hale Grocery Company, has
been a resident of Moberly for 37 years and since 1919 has been in the
grocery business with Mrs. Nellie B. Hale, his sister-in-law.
A. W. Jones was born in Howard County, Mo., Jan. 2, 1868 and was
the only child born to Dr. George W. and Nancy (Lynch) Jones. Dr.
George W. Jones, the father, was a native of Salem County, N. J., and his
wife was born in Macon County, Mo. Doctor Jones came to Missouri in
1866, and settled near Bunker Hill, Howard County, where he lived until
1874, when he removed to Saline County, Mo. Seven years later he went
to Cunningham, Chariton County and in 1883 the family settled in
Moberly.
A. W. Jones was educated in the public schools of this state and in
early life worked at his trade as coach painter for the Wabash Railroad
Company for 13 years. He lost his eyesight in 1905 and shortly after-
wards engaged in the grocery business. Notwithstanding the great
handicap under which Mr. Jones labored he has been unusually successful
in business and the firm is one of the prosperous and well conducted
retail establishments of this city. The store is located’ at 1120 Myra
street. Mr. Jones is assisted in the store by his wife and sister-in-law
and Mrs. Hale and hey handle a large volume of business. The store
building is 20x75 feet and a barn 22 x 32 in the rear is utilized as a storage
warehouse and the Jones residence is located next to the store. The
Jones residence is one of the comfortable and well arranged homes of
the city. It is equipped with all modern improvements and was built in
1915.
A. W. Jones was married Nov. 23, 1897, to Miss Rosa M. Neth of
Moberly. She is a daughter of John and Mary (Gingrich) Neth, the
former a native of Germany who came to America when he was 13 years
of age and the latter a native of Pennsylvania. They were married in
Hannibal, Mo., Nov. 28, 1869, and came to Moberly in 1871 and now
reside in this city. John Neth was one of the first cigar manufacturers
in Moberly. He engaged in manufacturing cigars here March 7, 1871
and during his active career did an extensive business. He made the
famous “Moss Agate” cigar.
Joseph M. Gingrich, grandfather of Mrs. Jones, was also a pioneer
settler of this city. He came here April 8, 1868 and was foreman of the
first railroad repair shop here. The shop was located on the present site
of the Young Mens Christian Association building. He bought the first
musical instrument in Moberly. It was a melodeon and is now in the
possession of his daughter, Mrs. John Neth. Mr. Gingrich died June
15, 1916.
Mrs. Rosa M. (Neth) Jones is one of the following children born to
her parents: Rosa M., wife of A. W. Jones, of this review; Mrs. C. A.
Woodington. Moberly; Mrs, W. P. Vandergrift, Moberly, Mo.; Mrs, G. G.
Levick; Mrs, H. B. Hale; Mrs. Charles Kelly; John Neth; Mrs. James
Sincoe and Mrs. Paul Hackett, all of whom reside in Moberly. To Mr. and
Mrs. Jones have been born two children: Alline N. and Rosanna.
Leslie G. Burklund, a leading jeweler of Moberly who is proprietor
of one of Moberly’s best jewelry stores located at 314 West Reed street
has been engaged in business at this location since May 4, 1916. Mr.
Burklund was born at Osage City, Kan., April 27, 1887 and is the son of
Gus Burklund and Elizabeth (Robbins) Burklund, both of whom are now
deceased. The father was a pioneer of Rock Island, Ill., and was a jeweler
by trade. He died at Osage City, Kan., in 1903. His wife who was a
native of Jacksonville, Ill., died at Osage City, Kan., in 1893 and their
remains are buried at Moline, Ill. They were the parents of two children:
Leslie G., whose name introduces this review and Almeda Burkiund who
resides at Boise, Idaho.
Leslie G. Burkiund received his education in the public schools of
Osage City, Kan., and in 1903 began an apprenticeship aI the jewelers
and watchmakers trade at Moline Ill., and afterwards worked at his
trade in Chicago and Kansas City, Mo., and in 1916 engaged in business
in Moberly. and since coming here has met with satisfactory success and
built up a large trade. He carries a very complete line of high grade
watches and jewelry and kindred articles usually found in a first class
jewelry store. He also handles Edison phonographs and records and
has built up an extensive trade in that line.
Mr. Burklund was married Jan. 6, 1909 to Miss Helen Walsh of Kan-
sas City, Mo., a daughter of William Walsh who now resides in that city.
Mrs. Burklund’s mother is deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Burklund have
been born one child, Betty.
Mr. Burklund is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks
and since coming to Moberly he has acquired an extensive ac-
quaintance and ranks as one of the substantial and reliable business
men of this city.
Alexander M Mounce Jr
Alexander M Mounce Jr., bookeeper
for the D H Mounce Lumber
Company, Moberly, Mo., is one
of the progressive young men of Randolph
County, who turned from the peaceful
pursuits of business life when the
United States entered the World War
and served during the remainder of
that great conflict.
Alexander M. Mounce, Jr., was
born at Bunker Hill, Kan., April 18,
1888, and is a son of Alexander
M. and Martha (Monson) Mounce, the
latter of whom is now deceased,
having departed this life in October, 1914,
and her remains are buried in
Woodland Cemetery, Moberly, Mo. The
father resides in Moberly which
has been his home for the past 30 years
and a sketch of him appears in this volume.
Alex. M. Mounce, Jr., received his
education in the public schools of
Moberly, Missouri State University at
Columbia, Mo., and the University
of Chicago, Chicago, Ill. In 1912
he entered the employ of the D. H.
Mounce Lumber Company at Moberly
as bookkeeper and was thus em-
ployed until Dec. 13, 1917,
when he enlisted in the Aviation Corps of the
United States Army. Shortly after
enlisting, he was sent to Camp Custer
at Battle Creek, Mich. After
spending seven weeks there, he was trans
ferred to Barron Field, Fort Worth,
Texas, where he served with the fly-
ing and engineering department of
the aviation service until March 28,
1919, when he was honorably discharged.
Mr. Mounce then returned to
Moberly and resumed his former
position with the D. H. Mounce Lumber
Company and is now serving in that capacity.
ALLEN C WHITE
Allen C. White, of the firm of Goddard-White & Company, wholesale
automobile accessory dealers in Moberly, is a veteran of the World War,
having served as sergeant, He is a son of Benjamin R. and Katie V.
(Corbett) White, a sketch of whom appears in this volume, He was born
in Moberly, July 22, 1890 and was reared in Moberly. After receiving a
good preliminary education he took a course in the Military Academy at
Columbia and later attended the University of Missouri, at Columbia,
Mo. He then engaged in the automobile business at Moberly, later at
Springfield, Ill. and was thus occupied when the United States entered
the World War.
On May 23, 1917, Allen C. White enlisted at Moberly in the 4th Regi-
ment, Missouri National Guard and shortly afterwards was sent to
Nevada with his command when the Missduri National Guard~ was
mobilized for service. From Nevada he went to Fort Sill, Okla, with the
Missouri troops which was organized into the 35th Division. After about
nine months training at Ft. Sill, on May 10, 1918, Mr. White went with
the 110th Engineers overseas. They first operated with the British Army
at Amiens and later with the French Army and were with the Division
Engineers at the front. Mr. White participated in the battles of St
Mihiel and the Argonne Forest and saw some of the heaviest fighting of
the war. On Sept. 29th, in the battle of the Meuse-Argonne Forest he
was wounded, having been struck by a piece of an exploding shell.
Although wounded and unable for service for ten days he remained with
his command. ‘He served as sergeant with his company and was mustered
out May 3, 1919, after having served nearly two years, during which time
he saw a great deal of severe fighting.
After his discharge from the army, Mr. White returned to Moberly
and formed a partnership with Mr, W. F. Goddard under the firm name of
Goddard-White & Company. They deal in automobile supplies and ac-
cessories and carry a very complete line and have built up an extensive
business. They are located at 107 North Williams street and have a floor
space of 80x100 feet. Mr. White spends most of his time on the road
in the interest of the business and they employ three other salesmen.
Mr. White is a member of the Masonic Lodge and a charter member
of Theodore Bazan Post No. 6, American Legion. He is one of the
progressive young business men of Moberly.
Aubrey R. Hammett
Aubrey R. Hammett, prosecuting attorney of Randolph County and a
former probate judge of the county, is one of the leading members of
Randolph County bar, He is descended from pioneer families of the
county as his ancestors came to this section when Missouri was con-
sidered the frontier, and here they have taken a prominent part in the
civic life of the country.
Mr. Hammett is a native son of Randolph County, born near Hunts-
ville July 24, 1873, the son of J. D, and L. Allie (Rutherford) Hammett.
The father, also a native of this county was born on a farm three miles
northwest of Huntsville in 1847. He was reared in Randolph County and
after completing his elementary education studied medicine, graduating
from a medical college at Philadelphia, Pa., and soon began his professional
career near Huntsville, where he practiced for many years. Doctor Ham-
mett became one of the well known and skillful physicians of the county
and stood high in the medical fraternity of central Missouri. He also
became extensively interested in business and commercial affairs, He
was in partnership with Joseph Samuel in the lumber business. Later
he purchased a large block of stock in the Hammett Bank at Huntsville
which his father, Joseph M. Hammet had established and became assist-
ant cashier of the institution and later he became president of the bank.
He still retains his stock in the bank and takes an active interest in its
affairs, although he has now given up active business ‘life and lives in
Moberly, Mo.
Aubrey R. Hammett’s paternal grandfather, Joseph M. Hammett, was
a Kentuckian who became one of the early settlers who took up govern-
ment land near Huntsville, where he cleared 320 acres from the virgin
forest and resided there until his death in 1883. L. Allie Rutherford
Hammett was born near Huntsville, a daughter of W. T. Rutherford, a
pioneer from Kentucky who located near Huntsville at an early day and
became a tobacco dealer, owning and managing two tobacco factories
employing many negroes in the care of the product and for many years
was prominent in this line of business. Subsequently he became inter-
ested in coal mining and became a large operator in this district. He
was a prominent man of central Missouri and Randolph County and his
life was closely identified with the growth and development of Huntsville.
He lived to he a man of advanced age and died in 1905 in his 91st year.
Mrs. Hammett was a graduate of Christian College, Columbia, Mo.
Dr. J. D. Hammett and his wife became the parents of two children
Mary Belle, who married Rev. L J. Marshail, a Christian minister,
deceased. Her husband had charge of the Christian Church of lnde
pendence, Mo., for seven years and also of Wabash Avenue Christian
Church in Kansas City, Mo., erecting fine edifices in both places during his
incumbency as pastor.
Aubrey R. Hammett was reared on his father’s farm in Huntsville
and attended the local schools. He graduated from Missouri Military
Academy at Mexico, Mo., as senior captain. Then entered the State
University at Columbia, Mo., graduating with the class of 1897 with the
degree of Bachelor of Law. The same year he opened an office at Hunts..
ville and became city attorney in 1897. Mr. Hammett became recog-
nized as one of the leading men of his profession and in 1904 was elected
probate judge of Randolph County, serving in that office until 1904. In
1914 Judge Hammett moved to Moberly and four years later, in 1918 was
elected Prosecuting attorney of the county, an office which he has since
filled in a most able manner.
June 11 1897, Judge Hammett was married to Miss Oleta Wise of
Callaway County, the daughter of James Wise, an early settler of that
county; both he and his wife are now deceased. Four children have been
born to Judge and Mrs. Hammett: J. W., Aubrey, Oleta and J. D. While
in college, Judge Hammet was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity
and is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
August Merck
August Merck, now living retired at his home in Moberly, is one of
the pioneer business men of Randolph County and for many years was
successfully engaged in the bakery business at Moberly. He is a native
of Illinois and was born at BelIville, III., Feb. 23, 1851, and is a son of
Charles and Louise (Knoell) Merck, very early pioneer settlers of Bell-
ville, Ill., who are both now deceased. The mother died in 1852 and the
father departed this life in 1881 and their remains are buried at Bell-
ville, They emigrated to America in 1833 from Kreuznath, Germany,
both coming on the same sailing vessel and were married some time after
reaching America, The voyage across the ocean required three months,
which was about the average time that it took a sailing vessel to make
the trip in those days. Charles Merck was a son of Carl Merck, who was
a forest overseer under the Napoleon the First.
After reaching this country, Charles Merck was married and settled
at BelIville, Ill. He had learned the baker’s trade in his native land and
established a bakery at Belleville, which he conducted throughout the re-
mainder of his life and this business is still being carried on by the
widow of his son, Charles, Jr. It was established over 87 years ago.
Charles Merck, the father of August Merck, lived at BelIville during the
Civil War, and was a strong supporter of the Union, although he was
always a Democrat and an enthusiastic supporter of Stephen A. Douglas.
August Merck was one of seven children born to his parents and is
the only one now living. He was reared in Beilville, Ill. and educated
in the public schools there. In early life, he learned the baker’s trade
with his partner. In 1878, he came to Moberly and bought out the bakery
here which was owned by William Radell, who was one of the first bakers
of Moberly; this bakery was located in the 200 block on North Clark
street. It was afterwards moved to Williams street and later to Reed
street, where Mr. Merck conducted the bakery business until 1898.
August Merck was united in marriage Feb. 11, 1880 to Miss Mary
Kaufman of Illinois, a daughter of John Kaufman, To Mr. and Mrs.
Merck have been born four children as follow: John, a barber living in
Moberly; Arthur, an employe of the Cotton Belt Railroad Company, Little
Rock, Ark.; Edwin, a tailor, Moberly, Mo.; August, Jr. chief clerk for
Superintendent Greenland of the Wabash Railroad Company.
Mr. Merck is a member of the Court of Honor and one of the highly
respected and substantial pioneer citizens of Randolph County.
Bert Shearer
Bert Shearer, the junior partner of the firm of Short & Shearer, was
born at Renick, Randolph County, Jan. 11, 1884, and is a son of A. H.
and Laura V. (Mitchell) Shearer, both now deceased. The father was
a native of Butler County, Pa. and died in Missouri in 1918 and the mother
was born in Missouri and died in 1910. Both are buried in Oakland
cemetery. A. H. Shearer came to Renick nearly a quarter of a century
ago and was a contractor there for some years. He then worked for the
Williams Wagon Factory until the family moved to Moberly in 1900.
There were live children in the Shearer family: Bessie, the wife of E. L.
Patterson, of Moberlv; Bert, of this review; Lucille. the wife of B. G.
Englen of Moberly; Merle H., of Madison, S. D., and Reba, a teacher in
the Moberly schools.
Bert Shearer was reared in Renick, attended the public schools and
later the Moberly high school. After leaving school he accepted a position
with j. S. Bowers & Son, remaining with that concern 10 years. He then
formed the partnership with Mr. Short in the grocery business.
June 26, 1905, Mr. Shearer was married to Miss Anna Maud Bradley.
a daughter of E. T. Bradley, of Sugar Creek township and one child has
been horn to them, Juanita Maud. The Shearer family have a modern
home at 703 S. Fifth street. Mr. Shearer is a member of the Knights
and Ladies of Security and the Modern Woodmen.
C.M. Hulen
C.M. Hulen, clerk of the circuit court of Randolph County, bears
the distinction of being the youngest circuit clerk in the state of, Mis-
souri, He is a native son of Randolph County, and was born at Clark,
Nov. 25, 1894. He is the son of S. P. and Ella (Early) Hulen both na-
tives of Missouri and descendants of pioneer families of this state.
S. P. Hulen was born near Hallsville, Boone County, Missouri, in
1863. He came to Randolph County when he was 17 years of age, and
soon afterwards engaged in the mercantile business at Clark, where he
successfully carried on business for six years. He then engaged in the
banking business, and for the past 28 years has been cashier of hte Clark
Exchange Bank. Ella (Early) Hulen was born near Centralia in Boone
County, and is a daughter of S. W and Ruth Early, pioneers of Boone
County. The Early family came from Kentucky to Missouri in the pio-
neer days of this state. See sketch of S. P. Hulen on another page in this
volume.
To S. P. and Ella (Early) Hulen have been born the following chil-
dren; V. E., who is engaged in the oil business at ElDorado, Kan.; C. M.,
the subject of this sketch; R P., chief teller in the Mechanics Saving
Bank at Moberly, and Mary Elizabeth, resides at home with her parents.
C. M. Hulen was educated in the public schools of Randolph County,
and the Missouri University at Columbia. When he left school he became
assistant cashier of the Exchange Bank of Clark, Mo., and served in
that capacity for five years. When he was 23 years old, in 1917, Mr.
Hulen was elected clerk of the circuit court of Randolph County, and so
far as known is the youngest man in the state holding a similar posi—
tion, He is capable and obliging and has many friends and extensive
acquaintance throughout Randolph County.
Mr. Hulen was married Nov. 25, 1915, to Miss Minnie Mae Wright
daughter of William and Ersie (Fray) Wright, of Clark, Mo., wher
Mrs. Hulen was horn.
Mr. Hulen is a member of the Modern Woodman of America, the
Loyal Order of Moose, and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
Charles C. Hon
Charles C. Hon for many years identified with the banking and
financial interests of Randolph County, is a Missourian, born near Belton,
Cass County, Sept. 23, 1878, the son of J. V. and Emma E. (Parrott) Hon.
The father was a native of Kentucky and setled in Cass County in 1856,
where he bought land an later became a man of prominence. He early
began breeding high grade Hereford cattle and in later years entered the
realms of finance as he is a heavy stockholder and vice-president of the
Pleasant Hill Banking. The mother is deceased.
Charles C. Hon remained on his father’s farm near Pleasant Hill
until ten years of age. He received his elementary education in the
Pleasant Hill school and later graduated from the high school there.
Soon after completing his education he began his career by entering the
bank at Pleasant Hill and later accepted a position with the Citizens
Bank of that town. He had already entered public life by being elected
and serving one term on the city council. In 1905, Mr. Hon was candi-
date on the Democratic ticket for county clerk and the next year he spent
in Oklahoma in the banking business, On his return to Missouri in 1907,
he was made cashier of the Citizens Bank of Higbee. He bought a con-.
trolling interest in the stock of the bank and was the directing influence
of its policies. While at Higbee, Mr. Hon served as vice-chairman of the
Randolph County Liberty Loan Committee during the raising of- the
2nd, 3rd and 4th Liberty Loans. He also served as chairman of the 2nd
Red Cross drive in Moniteau township and as county chairman of Ran-
dolph County for the 5th or Victory Loan, when it was necessary to
raise $760,000. Mr. Hon located in Moberly in November, 1919, and since
assuming his official position with the banking house all his time and
energies have been devoted to the various demands of his business
In June, 1910, Mr. Hon married Miss Carrie W. Tymony, the daugh-
ter of James B. and Binda (Burton) Tymony. The father is a druggist
of St. Louis, though born and i-eared in Randolph County, being the son
of Francis Mr Tymony, an early settler near Highee, who was prominent
in county and state politics and also was of a literary turn of mind as
he wrote a poem, Remember the Poor, which will be recalled bv many
of the pioneer settlers of this section.
Dr. Charles L Dodson
Dr. Charles L Dodson, a well known and successful physician and
surgeon of Moberly, Mo., is a native of this state. Doctor Dodson was
born in Adair County, Mo., July 26, 1878, and is the son of Perry M. and
Rose Ann (Stukey) Dodson. Perry M. Dodson was also born in Adair
County, Mo., and during the early part of his life he was engaged in
farming pursuits. In 1898 he engaged in the real estate and loan busi-
ness at Kirksville, Mo. and followed that vocation until the time of his
death in 1917; he was 64 years old, His wife died at the age of 47 years
and their remains are buried at Millard, Mo. They were the parents of
two children: Dr. Charles L., the subject of this review, and Lena Pearl
who married Albert B. Fish, of Sapulpa, OkIa.
Dr. Charles L. Dodson received a good preliminary education in the
public schools and then took a course in the State Normal School at Kirks.-
ville, Mo., and was graduated from that institution in 1899. He then
entered the American School of Osteopathy and was graduated from that
institution with the degree of Doctor of Osteopathy in the class of 1901.
Later, Dr. Dodson entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at St.
Louis, Mo., where he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medi-
cine. He engaged in the practice at Huntsville at first, and in 1905 came
to Moberly which has since been the scene of his professional activity.
He is a capable physician and with his knowledge of both the science of
osteopathy and medicine as well as surgery he is well equipped for the
wide field which his general practice embraces. Since coming to Moberly,
he has built up a large practice and stands high in the community.
Dr. Dodson was married Dec. 15, 1901, to Miss Cordelia Beall. She
is a daughter of Lee J. and Hannah (Armstrong) Beall. Lee J. Beall
was a native of Ohio and served in the Union Army during the Civil War.
He and his wife are both deceased. To Dr. and Mrs. Dodson have been
born one child, Mary, who is now a student in the Moberly High SchooL
Dr. Dodson is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
Dr. Chambers B. Clapp
Dr. Chambers B. Clapp, chief surgeon of the Wabash Hospital at
Moberly, who also owns and conducts the Woodland Hospital in this
city, is one of the skilled and widely known physicians and surgeons
of the state. Doctor Clapp is a native of Illinois, He was born in Dan-
ville, Ill., Nov. 21, 1858. His parents were George A. and Catherine
(Brown) Clapp, George A. Clapp was a native of North Carolina and
a pioneer settler of Vermillion County, Ill, He was a farmer by occu-
pation and when the Civil War hroke out he enlisted in the 125th Regi-
ment Illinois Infantry, and served in the Union army for three and one-
half years. He enlisted as a private and was promoted from time to
time during the course of his military career until he became a first
lieutenant and held that rank when he received his honorable discharge
and was mustered out of the service at the close of the war.
Doctor Clapp’s mother died when she was 21 years of age, leaving
three motherless children: Dr. Chambers B., the subject of this sketch,
and Isaac D., twins, the latter of whom is a farmer in Florida, and Mrs.
0. J. Matthews, of Minatare, Neb. After the death of his first wife the
father was again married and moved his family to Nebraska, where
he spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1916 at the age of 78
years.
Doctor Clapp received his preliminary education in the district schools
of Vermillion County, Ill., and Nebraska. Later he attended the State
Normal School of Nebraska, after which he was engaged in the drug
business for a time at Brock, Neb. He then went to Philadelphia and
took a course in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and was graduated
in 1882. He then returned to Danville, Ill., where he was in the drug
business for four years when he went to Chicago and was engaged in the
same business for two years. He read medicine under private preceptors
and entered Rush Medical College at Chicago, where he was graduated
with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the class of 1889.
After receiving his degree, Doctor Clapp again returned to Dan-
yule, Ill., where he was engaged in the practice of his profession about
one year when he received the appointment of local surgeon for the
Wabash Railway Company at Moberly, Mo., and immediately came here.
The Wabash Hospital was completed the same year and ready for occu-
pancy in 1891 and since that time Doctor Clapp has had charge of that
institution. During this long period of thirty years he has made a
record of which any surgeon may be justly proud and times without
number he has demonstrated his great skill as a physician and surgeon
and the work that he has done during his career in the Wabash Hospital
could not he told in any mere biography
Doctor Clapp’s life is a busy one and in addition to his work in the
Wabash Hospital he built Woodland Hospital, which he also conducts
He bought the property where this hospital stands in 1909 and used a
portion of the building which stood thereon as a part of the splendid
modern hospital which he erected. Woodland Hospital has a capacity for
50 patients and is equipped with all modern hospital fixtures and con
veniences. The grounds upon which the hospital stands has a frontage
of 170 feet and is 400 feet deep. The building is well designed and the
grounds are neat and well kept and Woodland Hospital is recognized as
one of the beauty spots of Moberly. It would cost $100,000 to build this
hospital at the present time.
In 1883 Dr. Chambers B. Clapp was united in marriage with Miss
Laura D. Lockhart, a native of Danville, Ill. She is a daughter of
John R. and Mary Lockhart, both natives of Vermillion County, Ill. the
father is now in his 84th year and the mother is 77 years of age.
In addition to his professional career, Doctor Clapp takes a keen
interest in local affairs of a public nature and has stood ever ready to
do his part for the betterment and upbuilding of Moberly and its insti
tutions. He is president of the Moberly Chamber of Commerce and also
president of the board of education and during the World War he served
on the Medical Advisory Board, He is a director in the Bank of Moberly
He is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Shrine. He also
holds membership in the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks.
Clyde Miller
Clyde Miller, proprietor of the Jefferson Cigar Store at 207 Reed
street is one of the progressive and enterprising young business men of
Moberly, He is a native of West Virginia, born in Wheeling, March 13,
1887. He is a son of George and May (Forney) Miller. The mother was
a daughter of D. S. Fornay. a pioneer merchant of Moberly, further men-
tion of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. She died in January,
1889 and is buried at Wellsburg, W. Va.
George Miller, father of Clyde Miller, is now engaged in the grain
business at Erie, Pa. His father, the grandfather of Clyde Miller, was a
soldier in the Revolutionary War and George Miller served in the Civil
War and he had a brother, William Miller, who also served in the Civil
War as a captain. Both enlisted in West Virginia.
Clyde Miller is one of the following children born to his parents:
Mrs. C. F. McCord, Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. William Wright, Wheeling, W.
Va.; Mrs, H. H. Phillips, Dunkirk, Ind George, Los.Angeles, Calif., and
Clyde, the subject of this sketch.
Clyde Miller attended the public schools in Wheeling, W. Va., and
the Moberly High School and since he was ten years old has made his
own way in the world, He is a wide awake business man of the pro-
gressive type and has built up an extensive business, He is courteous
and obliging and has made many friends during the course of his busi-
ness career in Moberly tie engaged in his present business at 207
West Reed, Oct. .1, 1914. He carries a full line of cigars, tobacco and
smokers’ accessories and also candies. In connection with his other
business he conducts the Illinois Coal Company, which is incorporated at
$10,000, and Mr. Miller is secretary of this company. His billiard room
is well equipped and conducted on a high-class plane and is one of the
popular amusement places of Moberly.
Mr. Miller was married Oct. 4, 1919, to Miss Ruth Marie Durham
of Kansas City. She is a daughter of Marshal S. and Effie (Hubbard)
Durham, The mother died when Mrs. Miller was an infant and the
father now resides at Clark, Mo.
Mr. Miller is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks, the Country Club and Theodore Bazan Post, No. 6, the American
Legion, of which he is a charter member, He is a Knights Templar
Mason and a member of the Shrine.
During the World War, Clyde Miller enlisted at Columbia, Mo., June
5, 1918. After taking a special course of instruction at the gas engine
school at Columbia, he was made an instructor and from there was sent
to Camp Grant, Ill., to the officers’ training school, and had just about
completed his course when the armistice was signed. He was discharged
Jan. 18, 1919, after having served about nine months with the rank of
sergeant.
Dr, E. R. Hickerson
Dr, E. R. Hickerson, a prominent physician and surgeon of Moberly,
has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in Moberly
and Randolph County for the past 35 years. He is a native of Missouri
and was born in RaIls County Jan. 27, 1862. He is the eon of Dr. J. C.
and Darthula (Rodes) Hickereon, the former a native of Virginia and
the latter from Tennessee.
Dr. J. C. Hickerson a pioneer physician of Moberly and was
not only a successful physician, but he was prominent in the affairs of
the county during the course of his active career. He came here with
his family from Rails County in 1870 and was engaged in the practice
of his profession until the time of his death, April 5, 1885. He was
one of the first physicians to locate in Moberly, His wife died August
17, 1901, and their remains are buried in Oakland cemetery. They were
the parents of the following children: Dr. E. R., the subject of this
sketch; A. S., who resides in St. Louis; Dr. J. C., of Independence, Mo
and W. T., traffic manager for the Morris Packing Company, Chicago, Ill
Dr, E. R. Hickerson received his preliminary education in the pub
lic schools and then entered Westminister College at Fulton, Mo. He
then attended St. Louis Medical College, where he was graduated with
the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1885. After receiving his degree
from that institution he engaged in the practice of medicine at Moberly
He was graduated from Medical College the same year that his father
died and thus was practically enabled to take up the work where
father left off. Doctor Hickerson has been continuously engaged in this
practice here since 1885. 1
January 27, 1887, Doctor Hickerson was united in marriage with
Miss Minnie Hannah, of Mober1y~ She is a daughter of John F. Hannah
a Randolph County pioneer, who lived about two miles north of Moberly
He was prominent in local affairs during his time and served for two
terms as presiding judge of the county court. He died in 1894 and his
wife, who was a native of New York, died in 1906. Their remains are
interred in Oakland cemetery. To Dr, E. R. Hickerson and wife have
been born the following children: Mrs, A. H. McDonald of Moberly
Emilie, a teacher of Latin in the Moberly High School, and Lieut. J. C
Lieut. j. C. Hickerson is now a salesman for Swift and Company,
After the United States entered the World War, he enlisted in the army
in May, 1917, and attended the military training school at Fort Riley,
Kan.. and after he was commissioned first lieutenant he was assigned
to Battery D, 3rd Regiment, at Camp Taylor, Ky He was kept at Camp
Taylor and transferred to the personnel department. He made two trips
to France during the war as transport adjutant. After two years of
service in the army he was honorably discharged, Sept. 16, 1919.
Doctor Hickerson has always taken a keen interest in the welfare
of the community and served on the Moberly board of education from
1900 to 1906, and was president of that body from 1904 to 1906.
Dr. L A. Bazan
Dr. L A. Bazan, a well known physician and surgeon of Moberly is
a native of Austria and was born May 12, 1862. He is the son of Thomas
and Nellie (Tutaj) Bazan who now reside at St. Joseph, Mo. His father
is in his 84th year and the mother is 77 years of age.
Doctor Bazan received an excellent education in his native land
where he also read medicine. In 1881 he came to America and after
being here for the brief period of six months, he had mastered the Eng-
lish language so thoroughly that he was able to accept a position as an
instructor in a business college. Doctor Bazan is not only a thorough
scholar but he is especially skilled in languages and is capable of speak-
ing and writing nine different languages. In 1886 he was a traveling
salesman for the C. S. Goldsmith Shoe Company of Chicago. In 1889
he engaged in the practice of medicine in Chicago. Later he located in
St. Joseph, Mo., where he was engaged in the practice until 1898. After
which he practiced in Saline County four years and Chariton County four
years and in 1906 he went to Renick then to Clark. In 1912 he came to
Moberly where he has since been engaged in the practice of his pro-
fession.
Doctor Bazan was married at Chicago, Ill., July 1, 1886, to Miss
Pauline Kazik of St. Joseph, Mo, and to this union have been born the
following children: Thomas, born in Chicago, Ill., Nov 22, 1888, now
manager for Block Brother’s Department Store, St. Joseph, Mo.; Helen
born Sept. 30, 1890 and died May 13, 1904; Genevieve, born Jan .10,
1893, a trained nurse, at Moberly, Mo.; Theodore B., who died on the
field of battle in France further mention of whom is made in this
volume; L. Marion, born Jan. 1, 1898, married Robert Caldwell, a foreman
in the Brown Company’s Shoe Factory at Moberly; Francis A., born April
9, 1901, a bookkeeper in the Brown Shoe Factory at Moberly and Margie
J., born Nov. 19, 1903, a member of the senior class of the Moberly High
School. Dr. Bazan has a wide acquaintance in Moberly and vicinity and
the Bazan family stands high in the community.
Dr. Stephen T. Ragan
Dr. Stephen T. Ragan, a prominent physician, who is successfully
engaged in the practice of his profession at Moberly, Mo., is a native of
this state, and is a member of a pioneer Missouri family. Dr. Ragan was
born in Kansas City, Mo., Feb. 24, 1888, and is a son of Dr. Stephen and
Luvena (Duncan) Ragan. The mother died in 1911 and the father is
engaged in the practice of medicine, in Kansas City, He was born in
Gracon County, Texas, in 1864. He is s graduate of the Kansas City
Medical College, and for 27 years has been engaged in the practice of
his profession in that city. During the World War, he enlisted for
service and did volunteer work for the government in Kansas City, until
1918 when he was transferred to Fort Leavenworth, Kan, and was in the
service until the close of the war, He is a son of Stephen C. Ragan and
Josephine (Chiles) Ragan. Stephen T. Ragan was a very early pioneer
of Jackson County, Mo., and served as county marshal there and Josephine
(Chiles) Ragan, was a member of one of the pioneer families of that
county, several members of which are now prominent in the affairs of
Jackson County.
Dr. Stephen T. Ragan, the subject of this sketch, has one brother,
Dr. Walter H. Ragan, who is a practicing dentist in Kansas City, Mo.
During the World War, he served with the Dental Corps, having enlisted
in 1917, he was stationed at Fort Douglas, Arizona.
Dr. Stephen T. Ragan received a good education in the public schools
at Kansas City and then entered the University Medical College of Kan-
sas City, where he was graduated in the class of 1911. He then practiced
medicine in Macon County until 1915. He then served an internship in a
Kansas City hospital and then took post graduate course in Chicago and
engaged in the practice at Moberly, Mo., in August, 1916, and when the
United States entered the World War, he volunteered his services in
April, 1917, and was called into service Aug. 1, 1917, and sent to London,
England, where he was attached to the British Army. He served one
year in London and four months in Belgium. He then was taken sick
with trench fever and after being confined to a hospital for two months,
he returned to duty and served for five months at St. Albans, England.
He was overseas for 22 months and was one of the first three men to go
overseas from Randolph County. He was mustered out of service at
Camp Dix, New Jersey, in May, 1919.
After his discharge from the army, Dr. Ragan resumed his practice
at Moberly and is one of the successful physicians of Randolph County.
Edward T. Baird
Edward T. Baird, who is engaged in the second-hand clothing busi-
ness at 529 Reed street, is a descendant of a pioneer Missouri family.
He was born in Adair County, July 8, 1877, and is a son of John and
Susan (Redding) Baird. John Baird was also a native of Adair County
and was a son of William Baird.
William Baird was among the first settlers of Adair County. He
served in the Union Army during the Civil War, and is now at the
National Soldiers’ Home at Leavenworth, Kan., and is in his 97th year.
He was born in Kentucky and upon locating in Adair County, Mo., much
of the land in that section, or nearly all, was government land, and he
entered a farm from the government, and for a number of years, fol-
lowed farming. John Baird, father of Edward T. Baird, died in 1880,
and his remains are buried at Winchester, Kan, His wife survived him
for a number of years and died in 1902. They were the parents of two
children; Mrs. Jennie Williams, who died at Trenton, Mo.: and Edward
T. the subject of this sketch.
Edward T. Baird was educated in the public school at Humphrey,
Mo. and for a number of years was engaged in the restaurant and hotel
business in Nebraska and South Dakota, and for a time conducted a hotel
at Novinger, Mo., and later the depot restaurant there. For a number
of years, he has made a specialty of buying and selling hotels and restau-
rants and carried this line of business on in a way which proved very
profitable. He bought the Purity Candy Shop and Restaurant at Moberly,
which he owned a short time and sold it in March, 1919. He came to Mo-
berly September, 1918, and engaged in his present business.
Mr. Baird was married in 1900 to Grace Vaul of Kirksville, Mo., and
two children have been born to this union; Ray C., a student in the Mob-
erly Business College; and Estella V., Kirksville, Mo.
Mr. Baird is a progressive business man, who has had a varied experi-
ence and has met with uniform success.
E. G. Rupp
E. G. Rupp, s well known citizen of Moberly, who is an extensive
dealer in coal, wood, sand, crushed stone and junk is a native of Illinois.
He was born at Quincy, Ill, and is the son of F. J. and Hannah Rupp. The
mother died at Moberly in 1900, and the father now resides in this city.
they were the parents of the following children: William, Moberiy,
Mo.; Mary Hannah, Pawhauska, Okia.; Clara, Tulsa, Okia.; Helen, and
Agnes married Elsworth Warner of Moberly, Mo, and R. G., the subject
of this sketch.
E G Rupp came to Moberly with his family and about s year later
began to deal in junk and shortly afterwards engaged in the poultry busi-
ness, handling poultry in carload lots. After a time he sold his poultry
business and engaged in the grocery business which after a time he sold.
However, he continued to handle junk after first engaging in that business.
E. G. Rupp was educated in the Loretta Academy at Moberly and
was reared to a practical knowledge of his father’s business, beginning
work with his father when he was 12 years. In 1911, he bought his
father out, and since that time he has conducted the business which has
developed into large proportions. He has several branches and handles
over 150 carloads annually of junk, alone, which is a large business in
itself, to say nothing of the other commodities in which he deals.
Mr. Rupp is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks and the Knights of Columbus, He is a progressive citizen and one
of the substantial citizens of Moberly and Randolph County.
Edward U. Short and Patrick J. Short
Edward U. Short and Patrick J. Short, who for more than 30 years
have been well known business men of Moberly, Mo., are substantial citi-
zens of this city. The Short brothers were born in St. Charles, Mo.,
Edward C., in 1866, and Patrick, in 1868, and are the sons of Edward and
Ann (Walsh) Short, both natives of County Limerick, Ireland, who came
to America in 1859. In 1879 Edward Short came to Moberly to enter
the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company, heing assigned to work
in the shops. The mother spent most of her life in Randolph County and
died here in 1886, being survived by her husband until 1902, when he
too passed away and their remains were placed in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
There were nine children born to Edward Short and wife: John de
ceased; Michael, an engineer on the Wabash Railroad, married Kate Burke
of Moberly; Catharine, and Anna all living in Moberly; Edward and
Patrick of this review; Thomas of Prescott, Arizona, married Catharine
Schnell, and William, engaged in the grocery business in Moberly, who
married Nora O’Connell, the daughter of Judge Benjamin O’Connell and
they have two sons, Edward and Wilbur.
Edward and Patrick Short were reared in Moberly and attended the
public and parochial schools and Patrick took a course in the Moberly
Business College, In March, 1891, they engaged in the saloon business at
320 West Coates street, where they became well and faborably known.
In 1898 Patrick Short married Miss Catharine Sours, of Moberly, the
daughter of John and Catharine Sours, both deceased. Two daughters
were born to this union: Catharine and Frances. Edward C. Short is
unmarried and makes his home with his sisters at 515 Logan street and
Patrick G. Short resides at 323 Hagood Street Edward C., Patrick G.
and William are all members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks.
For many years the Short family has been recognized as one of the
substantial ones of the community; its members are progressive and lib-
eral to any laudable cause for the benefit of Moberly.
Emil Gutekunst
Emil Gutekunst a prominent member of the Randolph County bar,
and one of the leading lawyers of Moberly, is a native of this county.
He was born in Moberly, Oct. 15, 1878, and is a son of George and
Emilie (Walz) Gutekunst, early settlers of Randolph County, who came
here in 1872. For many years the father was’ engaged in the mercantile
business here and is now living retired at 201 South Clark street.
George and Emilie Walz Gutekunst are the parents of the follow-
ing children: George, Jr., lives in Montana; Emil F., the subject of
this sketch; Arthur, thief clerk in the Moberly postoffice; Fred, a grocer
in Moberly, and Carl, a teacher in the Kansas City High School. Dur-
ing the World War he was instructor of French in the officers’ training
school at Fort Riley He was a teacher in the Moberly High School
prior to the war and enlisted from here.
Emil F. Gutenkust was reared in Moberly and educated in the pub-
lic schools. After obtaining a good education. he read law and was
admitted to the bar in 1904 and began the practice of his profession in
Moberly, where he has continued until the present time. He has a well
equipped office and library at 208 North Williams street and has an ex-
tensive practice. while his practice is of a general nature he gives spe-
cial attention to probate court practice and the settlement of estates.
Mr. Gutekunst was married in 1907 to Miss Dola L. Kaufman, of
Moberly. She is a daughter of George W. and Olive (Lindsay) Kauf-
man of Moberly. Mr. Kaufman came from Illinois to Missouri and is
now engaged in the grocery business here. To Mr. and Mrs. Gutekunst
have been born one daughter, Olive Emilie.
Mr. Gutenkust is a member of the Presbyterian Church and has served as elder for the past fifteen years and for ten years was superin-
tendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Gutenkust has an extensive acquaint-
ance in Moberly and Randolph County and stands high among his fel-
low members of the bar as well as among his friends and neighbors.
Forrest Martin
Forrest Martin, secretary and treasurer of the Little Dick Clothing
Company of Moberly, is a native son of Randolph County and a descendant
of one of the very early pioneer families of this county. He was born in
Prairie township May 8, 1877 and is the son of Bailey Martin and Martha
Ellen (Davis) Martin. Bailey Martin was born in Prairie township,
Randolph County, Aug. 8, 1827. He was reared to manhood in this
county and followed farming and stock raising here all his life, and had a
successful career. He died Dec. 24, 1908 and his remains are buried in
the Davis Cemetery. He was the son of Henry Martin, a native of Ken-
tucky who was a pioneer settler of Prairie township, when that town-
ship included what is now Sugar Creek, Silver Creek and Salt Spring
township. When he came here he entered government land, taking up
about a section and this property is now owned by the Bailey Martin
heirs. Henry Martin spent his entire life in Randolph County, after
coming here and died about the age of 84 years. He was prominent in
early day affairs of this county and served as justice of the peace
of Prairie township for a number of years.
Bailey Martin was united in marriage in Prairie township, Feb. 18,
1852 with Miss Martha Ellen Davis. She was a daughter of Joseph and
Permelia (Kirkpatrick) Davis who were also very early pioneer settlers
in Prairie township. They were Kentuckians and drove through from
that state to Randolph County on horseback. They both spent their lives
in this county and their remains are buried in Davis Cemetery. Mrs.
Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin is now 82 years of age and resides on the
home place in Prairie township.
To Bailey and Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin were born 13 children,
all of whom are living as follow: Mollie, married Lee Shirley, now de-
ceased and she resides in Colorado; Ida, married T. S. Hines who is now
deceased and she resides in Texas; Ella, widow of the late T. T. Patton,
Moberly; Laura, married Noah Burkhead and lives in Prairie township;
Prof. W. H. Kansas City, Mo.; J. R., president of the Little Dick Cloth-
ing Company, Moberly; Hannah, married J. J. Christian, Moberly; Mattie,
resides at home with her mother; J. D., with the Little Dick Clothing
Company; Luther, agent for the Wabash Railroad Company at DeWitt,
Mo.; Florence resides at home with her mother; Omar, manager of the
Wolff-Berger Company, Moberly and Forrest, the subject of this sketch.
Forrest Martin was reared on the home farm and received his edu-
cation in the public schools. He began his career as a clerk in Moberly’
and in 1907 he was elected county clerk of Randolph County and served
in that capacity in a capable and efficient manner until 1911 when he
bought a half interest in the Little Dick Clothing Company which had
been established by his brother J. R., in 1897 and since that time he has
devoted himself to this business,
Mr. Martin was married July 1, 1900 to Miss Sallie G. Perkins, of
Moberly, Mo., the marriage ceremony being performed at the home of
the bride’s grandmother, Mrs. Sallie Peeler at Rocheport, Mo. Mrs. Mar-
tin is a daughter of Rev. G. A. Perkins, a minister of the Christian denom-
ination. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin have been born two children: Martha
Maurine a student in Linwood College, and Doris Margaret, at home with
her parents.
Mr. Martin is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose and Modern Woodmen of America. He
is a substantial citizen and one of Moberly’s most progressive business
men.
Frank B. Wegs
Frank B. Wegs, owner and proprietor of the Moberly Cornice Works,
is one of the leading sheet metal workers and tinners and probably the old-
est in the business in Moberly, He is a native of Illinois and was born
in Brown County, Ill., May 16, 1872. His parents were John B. and
Catherine (Stark) Wegs, both of whom are deceased. The mother died
at Quincy, ILL 1907, and the father died in 1903, and their remains are
buried in St. Francis cemetery, Quincy, Ill. They were the parents of
the following children: Mrs. Louise Newman, deceased; Mrs. Gertrude
Rupp, Moberly, Mo.; Frank B., the subject of this sketch; Henry, Quincy,
Ill., and William, Quincy, Ill. The mother of these children was twice
married her first husband being a Mr. Karsteincr and three children
were born to that union: John and Barney, of Quincy, Ill., and Mrs. Liz-
zie Wegs, Mt. Sterling, Ill.
Frank B. Wegs was educated in the parochial schools at Mt. Sterling,
Ill., and he also attended the district schools. He has made his own
war in the world since he was 12 years of age. At the age of 15, he
began working at the tinner’s trade at Quincy. Ill., and 18 months
later he went to Monroe City, Mo., where he remained about a year.
In 1886 he came to Moberly and worked at the sheet-metal and tinner’s
trade for Ben Kanetnier for eleven years, after which he was engaged
in farming for eight years and in 1908 he bought Mr. Kanetnier’s business
and since that time has been engaged in business for himself at Moberly.
He does all kinds of sheet metal and wai-m air heating work. He owns
his own building which is located at 111 West Coates street and is
unusually well equipped to handle his line of work. His building was
destroyed by fire Jan. 18, 1911, when the OKeef building burned. Mr.
Wegs immediately rebuilt and on the 3rd of the following March, about
40 days from the date of the fire, he had rebuilt and his building was
ready for occupancy.
Mr. Wegs was married May 30 1894, to Miss Mary Stinkamp, a
daughter of Herman Stinkamp of Moberly, He is now deceased and
his widow lives in Moberly. To Mr. and Mrs. Wegs have been born eight
children as follows: Loretta, married Frank Davit, Moberly Hulda, mar-
ried Earnest Wingfield Moberly; Clarence, Mabel, Emil, Helen, Marie
and Regina, all residing at home with their parents. They have two
grandchildren, William Davit and James Wingfield.
Mr. Wegs is one of Moberly’s substantial business men.
Frank C McAfee
Frank C McAfee.—The McAfee Mill and Commission Company of
Moberly of which Frank C. McAfee is owner and proprietor, began busi-
ness in this city in 1896 and has been at its present location, the corner
of Clark and Rollins streets since 1908. There are ten men employed
in connection with this business which consists of dealing in grain and
grinding wheat, corn and feed cereals and also the manufacture of patent
stock foods. The mill has a capacity of about 25 barrels of flour and 100
barrels of meal daily. Besides the grinding and manufacturing a gen-
eral wholesale business is also carried on in flour, feed, hay and grain.
Frank C. McAfee, proprietor of the McAfee Mill and Commission
Company, was born in Lafayette County, April 11, 1875. He is the son
of George L. and Julia A. (Smith) McAfee, both of whom are now de-
ceased. George L. McAfee was born in Mercer County, Ky., in 1852
and came to Missouri in 1872, locating near Holliday, Monroe County.
There he was married to Julia A. Smith and moved to Lafayette County
when he returned to Monroe County where he died and is buried at
Paris. After his death his wife married Thomas E. Crow of Monroe
County and later came to Moberly where she died in 1917 and her remains
are buried in Oakland Cemetery. The children born to her second mar-
riage are William B. and Thomas E. junior both of whom are connected
with the McAfee Mill and Commission Company; Nellie E. married Ray
Coons of Houston, Texas and Isabell married Roy Prather of Kansas
City, who is with the Fidelity Trust Company of Kansas City.
Frank C. McAfee was educated in the public schools and the Moberly
High School and in 1896 organized the McAfee Mill and Commiasion Com-
pany and has conducted that business till the present time, This busi-
ness has expanded under his management until there are now eight
branches of the business located in various sections of the state. One
at Brunswick has an elevator capacity of 30,000 bushels. Their elevator
at Huntsville, which was completed in the fall of 1919, is strictly modern
and one of the best in the country, has a capacity of 10,000 bushels. The
Randolph Milling Company, a corporation owned by the McAfee family
has a daily capacity of 50 barrels of flour. The Holliday elevator was
completed in 1919 and has a capacity of 6,000 bushels. Frank C. McAfee’s
father, George L. McAfee, began farming in Monroe County years ago,
within a 100 yards of where this elevator now stands. The City Feed
Store of Paris, Mo., is a branch of the McAfee business and they also have
a store at Madison, Mo, and one at Jacksonville, F. C. McAfee also con-
ducts an automobile sales agency at 112 Rollins street, Moberly and
handles the Studebaker, ‘Cadillac and Brisco automobiles and also trucks
and tractors, This business was started in 1917 and in 1919, 63 cars
were sold. Mr. McAfee also owns valuable real estate interests in
Moberly and vicinity.
Mr. McAfee was maried April 21, 1898 to Miss Letha G. Smothers,
of Randolph County, a daughter of Daniel Smothers who is now deceased
and his widow resides in Moberly. To Mr. and Mrs. McAfee have been
born two children: Louise and Gertrude who reside at home with their
parents.
Mr. McAfee and his family are members of the Central Christian
church.
Frank Hartley EstilI
Frank Hartley EstilI.The Estill Floral Company of Moberly of which
Frank Hartley Estill is the owner and manager, is one of the impor
tant industrial enterprises of this city. It was founded in 1906 by
Mrs Rebecca S. Estill mother of Frank H Estill. The greenhouses, of
which there are seven, are located at 707 Gilman Street. Seven of
these house.s are 16x90 feet and one of them is 30 x100 feet. The corn-
pany has its own water system and the greenhouses OCCUpY five acres
of ground between Carpenter and Gilman streets and Fort Street and
the city limits. There is employed here a regular force of five men
and during the summer season several more. This company does an
extensive business in flowers floral designs and plants and 90 per cent.
of the business done by this concern is outside of the city of Moberly.
Orders are filled from various towns and cities over a broad scope of
territory.
Frank Hartley Estill is a veteran of the World War. He was
reared in Moberly, educated in the public schools and was graduated
from the Moberly High School in the class of 1910. Afterwards he
attended the University of Missouri for two terms and since that time,
except the time spent in the army during the World War, he has de-
voted himself to the management of the Estill Floral Company.
Frank H. Estill is a son of H. V. and Rebecca S. tHendricks) Estill.
The father was born in Charleston, W. Va., Feb. 2, 1856, and died at
Moberly Dec 4, 1919. H. V. Estill came to Moberly from his native
state about 1884. He was a civil engineer and for some time was in the
employ of the Wabash Railroad Company. He installed the city water
works of Moberly and for 20 years was superintendent of chat depart-
ment and resigned from that position in order to devote his attention
to the floral business in which he was engaged for a number of years.
Rebecca S. (Hendricks) Estill was born in old Milton, Randolph County,
and was a descendant of one of the very early pioneer families of this
county. She was a daughter of Capt. Stephen M Hendricks, a Con-
federate veteran who enlisted in Randolph County and served under
General Sterling Price until the time of his death. He was killed at
the hattie of Corinth, Miss. John Dameron, great grandfather of Frank
Hartley Estill, on the maternal side, was a pioneer merchant of Milton,
Randolph County. He spent his life here and is buried in Oakland ceme-
tery. Mrs. Estill died April 4, 1916, aged 54 years, and is buried in
Oakland cemetery.
July 24. 1918, Frank H. Estill enlisted in the United States army
at Moberly and was sent to Camp Funston for training and after three
months there he was transferred co Camp Mills, N. Y.. anti about Nov.
1 1918, he embarked for France, a member of Brigade Headquarters,
10th Field Artillery, with the rank of corporal. He then was stationed
at Camp DeSouge. near Bordeaux, where he was trained for service as
n wireless telegraph operator. After the armistice was signed he re-
mained in France until March, 1919, when he was returned to the United
States and received his honorable discharge at Camp Grant. Ill., March
31, 1919.
Mr. Estill is a member of the American Legion, Theodore Bazan
Post, and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Moberly Lodge No.344
He also holds membership in the Moberly Chamber of Commerce
and the Retail Merchants Association.He is one of the progressive
and enterprising young men of Moberly and has a wide business acquaintance
and many friends
Garfield A. Smith
Garfield A. Smith, of Moberly, is one of the widely known and suc-
cessful automobile dealers of the state. He handles the Maxwell, Chal-
mers, Oakland, Hupmobile cars, Sampson tractors, trucks, and has an
automobile repair business, service station and deals in accessories of
all kinds and also tires, Mr. Smith also represents the Almo Farm Power
and Lighting System. His office and garage is located at 523-525 West
Reed street. Moberly, with branches at Fayette, New Franklin and Hunts-
ville.
Garfield A. Smith was born in Macon County, Mo., Oct. 8, 1880.
His parents were George R. and Sarah M. (Ballenger) Smith, to whom
but two children were born, Garfield A., the subject of this sketch, and
Zelva, who married E. D. Houston, of Kansas City, Mo. The father also
was born in Macon County in 1857 and his parents were Kentuckians
and early settlers of this state. George R. Smith was a farmer and now
lives in retirement at Macon, Mo. Garfield A. Smith was reared on his
father’s farm and attended the district school in the winter time and
helped on the home farm in the summers. After finishing the public
schools of Macon County, he entered the State Normal School at Kirks-
ville, where he was graduated from the four year course in 1901. He
then taught school in the Macon County schools until 1903, when he
entered the mail service at Bevier, Mo. As this work did not take up
all his time, Mr. Smith accepted a position in a mercantile establishment
there until 1912. He then came to Moberly and engaged in the automo-
bile business. When he started out in life he had $34.00; his father
gave him a horse and this he sold for $35, which was his start. His
stock is now rated, conservatively, at $75,000.
On April 17, 1917, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Elgia L. Stokes,
a native of Cairo, Randolph County. She is a daughter of Thomas W.
and Janara (Brown) Stokes, natives of Missouri, now living in Moberly.
Mr. Stokes for many years was one of the successful farmers and stock
raisers of this section who has retired from active business.
Mr, Smith is a Democrat and he and Mrs. Smith are members of
the Christian church, and Mr. Smith is a member of the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks. Mr, Smith is a progressive and public spirited
citizen of Moberly and is recognized as one of the substantial business
men of Randolph County.
George P. Eddings
George P. Eddings, secretary and treasurer of the Randolph County
Trust Company, has been identified with the financial and banking inter-
ests of Randolph County for more than 15 years and during that time
has honestly won a high place in the esteem of the residents of this sec
tion, He is a native son of Randolph County, born on a farm four miles
southwest of Moberly, Dec. 16, 1880, He is the son of William and
Moline (Patton) Eddings, both in Moberly. For many years he was en-
gaged in farming and later lived in Moberly, where he was engaged in
the real estate business, but some ten years ago retired. Moline (Pat-
ton) Eddings was born on the same farm as her son, George P., in 1857,
and died in 1908 and was buried in Oakland Cemetery. She was the
daughter of George and Lucy Ann (Melton) Patton, both of whom were
born and spent their youth in Kentucky and after their marriage be-
came pioneer settlers of Salt Springs township, Randolph County, spend-
ing their lives there. Theopolis Eddings, George Eddings, paternal grand-
father, came to Kentucky and settled south of Huntsville on a farm at
a very early date and lived there until his death.
George P. Eddings received his educational advantages in the public
schools of Moberly, graduating from the high school in 1900 and the
next year entered the Bank of Moberly as a bookkeeper. He was rapidly
advanced from one position of trust to another so that when he resigned
from the bank in 1916 he was assistant cashier. For three years, follow-
ing his resignation, Mr. Eddings was engaged in the real estate business
here; then in association with Charles Hon, he became one of the prime
movers in the establishment and organization of the Randolph Trust
Company, becoming its secretary and treasurer when the company was
organized.
Aug. 21, 1911, Mr. Eddings married Miss Ethel Bradley, of Arm-
strong, Mo., the daughter of George and Lillie Bradley and one child
has been born to them, Moline Patton. The Eddings family home is at
629 South Williams street. Mr. Eddings is a Mason, He is progressive
and ever ready to help in the promotion of every movement that tends to
the development and improvement of Randolph County and the city of
Moberly.
Gustave Freysleben
Gustave Freysleben, who is successfully engaged in the meat busi-
ness at 209 Reed street is one of the well known and progressive business
men of Moberly. Mr. Freysleben began business in this city in 1902.
He came here from San Diego, Calif., where he had spent 32 years. He
came to Moberly an absolute stranger and by his straightforward methods
and fair dealings, it was not long until he had permanently established
himself in the business affairs of this city and had acquired an extensive
acquaintance.
Mr. Freysleben is a native of Illinois and a son of Gustave Freys-
leben, who in the prime of manhood, enlisted for service in the Union
Army during the Civil War, becoming a member of the 44th Illinois Volun
teer Infantry. He enlisted as a private and in the course ~of his military
career rose to the rank of major. During the last few months of the
war, he was severely wounded and returned to his home in Chicago where
he died shortly afterwards from the effect of his wounds. His wife died
about a year prior to the death of her husband. Gustave Freysleben, the
subject of this sketch, and three other children were left orphans. The
other three children were Fred, Louis and Elizabeth, whose present
whereabouts are unknown. Mr. Freysleben has made every effort in
years past to locate his brothers and sister through newspaper advertis-
ing and other efforts without avail.
Mr. Freysleben was about seven years old when his parents died
and when he was about ten years of age, he began work in a butcher shop
in Chicago at the corner of 12th street and Central avenue. He learned
the butcher business by hard work and close application to .the business.
Life came to him as a stern reality at an early age and he obtained a
good practical business education in the hard school of experience and
there laid the foundation for his subsequent successful career.
Mr. Freysleben was united in marriage at San Diego, Calif. in 1901
to Miss Katherine Held. She is a native of Moberly and a daughter of
the late John Held who was a well known prioeer citizen of Moberly and
Randolph County.
Mr. Freysleben has a pleasant home at 807 West Reed street. He
is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks. He is one of Moberly’s substantial citizens.
H. A. Grimes
H. A. Grimes, payroll clerk of the Wabash Railroad Company, is one
of the well and favorably known citizens of Moberly and a member of
one of the prominent pioneer families of Randolph County. He was born
just east of Moberly near the city limits Nov. 12, 1861 and is the son of
W. G. and Virginia F. (Terrill) Grimes both of whom are deceased.
W. G. Grimes was a native of Virginia and came to Missouri with
his parents who settled in Randolph County, east of Moberly where he
and his wife spent the remainder of their lives, W. G. Grimes was reared
to farm life and followed farming and the dairy business and also worked
at the carpenter trade. Later he conducted a grocery store in Moberly.
He died at the age of 77 years and his wife died at the age of 72 years.
They were the parents of the following children: H. A., the subject of
this sketch; Minta Grimes, who resides in Moberly; Mrs. Annie Garrett
lives in Monroe County, Mo.; Henrietta, died in infancy; James was a
locomotive engineer and died at Moberly at the age of 40 years; Mrs.
Lena L. Thackston, Moberly, Mo.; Lucretia, married Omar Martin.
H. A. Grimes was reared in Randolph County and educated in the
public schools and graduated from the Moberly High School in 1880.
He and W. A. Rothwell who is now deceased were the first two graduates
from the Moberly High School. Mr. Rothwell was later prominent in
the affairs of Randolph County and a leading Democrat of the state. He
served as chairman of the State Democratic Committee. At one time
he was a law partner of Alex H. Waller the editor of this history.
After completing school Mr. Grimes became a clerk in the clothin
store of A. B. Thompson and Company of Moberly and was in the employ
of that concern for 12 years. He then was employed by the Martin Clot
ing Company for a time and for two years clerked in a grocery store
He then served as constable and deputy sheriff for four years. In April
1904, he entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company as clerk
and timekeeper and in March, 1913, he was promoted to payroll clerk and
has held that position to the present time. Mr. Grimes is capable and
efficient and a conscientious employee.
Mr. Grimes was married in 1885 to Miss Betty Barnes of Moberly
who departed this life in February, 1913 and her remains are buried in
Oakland Cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Grimes were born two children:
Lena, married J. J. Dameron, of Kansas City, Mo., and they have one
child, Elizabeth Dameron; and Opal married l. E. McCabe, of Moberly,
Mo.
Mr. Grimes is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and
one of the well known and highly respected citizens of Randolph County.
H.Frank Holman
H.Frank Holman. public administrator of Randolph County, senior
partner in the Peoples steam Laundry and vice-president of the Moberly
Chamber of Commerce is one of the well known and progressive citizens
of Randolph County. Mr. Holman is a native of Randolph County and a
descendant of one of the early prominent pioneer families of this part
of the state. He was born in Chariton township, Randolph County, Feb.
12, 1861 and is a son of James M. and Margaret L. (Harlan) Holman.
James M. Holman was also a native of Randolph County, born in
Chariton township, March 20, 1551. He was a son of Joseph Holman,
who was a native of Kentucky and a pioneer of Chariton township, Ran-
dolph County, where he settled at a very early date. James M. Holman
died Nov. 18, 1907 and his remains are buried in Mt. Carmel cemetery.
He spent his life in this county and was one of its successful citizens.
He was a progressive farmer and stockman and influential in the county.
Margaret L. (Harlan) Holman, his wife preceeded her husband in death
a number of years. She died in 1887 and her remains are also buried in
Mt. Cannel cemetery. They were the parents of seven children of whom
H. Frank is the only one living. The others are Mrs. Martha J. Cobb,
Mrs. Mary Foster, George I.. Mrs. Sarah Thomas and two died in infancy.
After the death of his first wife James M. Holman married Mrs. Bettie
(Hurt) Powell and one son was born to this union, Payton Y. Holman
who lives in Chariton township.
H. Frank Holman was reared on his father’s farm and educated in the
public schools and for ten years was engaged in farming and stock rais-
ing. In 1892 he came to Moberly and engaged in the real estate and in-
surance business. Later he disposed of his business and went west on
account of his wife’s health and upon his return to Moberly in 1899 he
engaged in the laundry business which he purchased from J. C. Irvin.
This was a small concern at that time and had been started by S. S. San-
ford who sold it to J. J. Stephens before J. C. Irvin owned it. This was
the beginning of the Peoples Steam Laundry which has developed to itS
present pronortions since Mr. Holman purchased it. The laundry was
formerly operated in s building 25x75 feet and now occupies a building
100x120 feet, located on the corner of North Williams and Rollins streets
in what is known as the Holman building. This is one of the best
equipped laundries in the country and does an extensive business H.
Frank Holmans son, James W., is a partner in the laundry business and
is the superintendent.
For the past nine years H. Frank Holman has been engaged in road
work. He is president of the Moberly Special Road District and has
charge of the Moberly Road District. He is president of the North Mis-
souri Cross State Highway from St. Louis to Kansas City via Moberly.
The work so far has been confined largely to grading and bridge building.
Mr. Holman has made a careful study of road improvement work and is
working out some of the problems of this difficult question very satis-
factorily and making splendid progress. He is now serving his third
term as public administrator of Randolph County.
Mr. Holman has been twice married. His first wife, Miss Linda S.
Vasse to whom he was married in 1887, died Nov. 23, 1898. Two chil-
dren were born to this union J, W., who is his father’s partner in the
Peoples Steam Laundry and Percey F., who was a railway brakeman and
killed in an accident at Walsenburg, Colo Mr. Holman was married the
second time to Miss Minnie Guy. of Moberly, Mo., in 1908, and one child
has been born to this union, Raymond G., who is nine years of age.
Mr. Holman is a member of the Presbyterian church and the Knights
of Pythias Lodge. He is vice-president of the Moberly Chamber of Com-
merce. He is one of the widely known progressive and enterprising
citizens of Randolph County who stands ever ready to do his part to pro-
mote the betterment and upbuilding of his native county and its institu-
tions.
Hartley A. McCoy
Hartley A. McCoy, chief clerk to the master mechanic of the Wabash
Railroad at Moberly, Mo., is one of the well known and substantial citizens
of Randolph County. Mr. McCoy was born at Ottumwa, Iowa, Nov.8
1875, and is the son of Alexander Brown and Jennie Elizabeth Thomp
son) McCoy, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Tennesse
The mother was accidentally killed at the Coates street railroad crossing
in Moberly in 1903 and her remains rest in Oakland Cemetery and the
father of whom a sketch appears in this volume resides in Moberly.He
is now county judge of Randolph County from the western district.To
Alexander Brown and Jennie Elizabeth (Thompson) McCoy were born
the following children: Hartley A., the subject of this sketch, and Bertha
who married William Stephens, Sedalia, Mo.
Hartley A. McCoy came to Moberly with his parents and was edu-
cated in the public schools here. He has made his own way since he was
16 years old, beginning as an office boy in the general foreman’s office of
the Wabash machine shops at Moberly. He then served three years
apprenticeship as a pattern maker and then entered the master car’
builder’s office at Moberly in a clerical capacity and on Jan. 1, 1913, he
became chief clerk to the master mechanic and has since served in that
capacity. Mr. McCoy has had a vast amount of experience and is one of
the valued and trusted employees of the Wabash Railroad Company, hav-
ing been steadily in the employ of this company since 1891.
Mr. McCoy is a member of the National Union, Modern Woodmen of
America and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. McCoy and
his daughter, Louise, who is a graduate of the Moberly High School, re-
side with Mr. McCoy’s father at 320 Burkhart street, Moberly, Mo.
Henry R. Terrill
Henry R. Terrill, of the firm of Terrill Brothers, which is composed o
Henry R. and Vincent C. Terrill, is one of the well known and reliable retail
shoe establishments in the city of Moberly and has an extensive patron
age. The Terrill Brothers have been engaged in business here for
number of years
The Terrill family is one of the old substantial pioneer families of~
Randolph County and the various members of this family have been~
identified with the growth and development of this county for considerably~
more than half a century.
Henry R. Terrill, the senior member of the firm of Terrill Brothers,.’
is a native of Randolph County and was born in Sugar Creek township,
Dec. 3, 1869. He is a son of John R. and Ann (Roberts) Terrill. John
R. Terrill came to Randolph County about 1854 when he was 18 years of
age, and entered government land about two miles south of the present
city of Moberly and this land is still owned by his descendants. Two
of his brothers, James and Robert Green, served in the Confederate army
and both were killed. James Terrill served with General Price and was
killed and Robert Green was serving with General Morgan’s command in
Kentucky when he was killed.
John R. Terrill was a son of William Terrill, who came to Randolph
County at the same time that his son, John R., came and owned an
adjoining farm. He was a native of Kentucky and was in that state on
a visit at the time of his death. His remains were brought back to
Randolph County and buried in Oakland cemetery. John R. Terrill, father
of Henry R., lived on the same farm in Randolph County for 50 years.
He died in 1907. His wife preceded him in death several years, having
died in 1875. Their remains are both interred in Oakland cemetery.
Henry R. Terrill was educated in the public schools and was grad-
uated from the Moberly High School in 1890. He then entered the Mis-
souri University at Columbia and was a student in that institution for
three years. after which he was engaged in farming about one year.
He then, in partnership with Joe W Mullen, purchased the shoe business
of Victor and Given in Moberly. Later he sold his interest to Mr. Mullen
and engaged in farming for about four years. The present firm of
Terrill Brothers was organized and they engaged in the retail shoe busi-
ness which they have since continued and this firm is now one of the
mercantile landmarks of Moberly.
Henry R. Terrill was married in 1896 to Goldena Mounce, a daughter
of A. M. and Martha (Morrison) Mounce of Moberly. A history of the
Mounce family appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Terrill have
been born the following children: John M., a graduate of the Moberly
High School and now an .employee in the Terrill Brothers’ store; Mar-
garet Ruth, also a graduate of the Moberly High School, is bookkeeper
for Terrill Brothers’ store; Mary Emma, a student in the Missouri Uni-
versity; Robert, Dorothy and Martha.
John M. Terrill, the eldest son of Henry R., was a student in the
University of Missouri when the United States entered the World War,
and in 1917 he enlisted in the Officers’ Training School at Camp Han-
cock, Ga., and was attached to the 15th Company, 3rd Battalion, and
was stationed at Camp Hancock until the armistice was signed. After
receiving his training he was retained at Camp Hancock as a military
instructor and was in the service about one year. He is a member of
the Theodore Bazan Post No 6
Houston Mathews
Houston Mathews, now living retired at Moberly, is a native of Ran-
dolph County, and a member of one of the historic old pioneer families
of Missouri. He was born six miles east of Moberly in 1846, and is a son
of Peter H. and Etline (Calloway) Mathews. Etline Calloway belonged
to the Calloway family who settled at Old Franklin, Mo., with the Boones,
Bryants and Flanders family who were the first settlers in that locality.
When she was a child, Etline Calloway lived in the old fort which was
built at Old Franklin for protection against hostile Indians. She was
born in 1819 and died in 1905, and her remains were buried in Oakland
Cemetery.
Peter H. Mathews was born near Nashville, Tenn., in 1817. He was
a son of William Mathews, who was an officer in the War of 1812 and
served under General Jackson as a captain at the battle of New Orleans,
and he is buried in the same cemetery where Andrew Jackson was buried.
William Mathew’s father was a Revolutionary soldier and served under
Washington, William Mathews, grandfather of Houston Mathews, mar-
ried Betsey Hontas, who was a neice of Pocahontas. Dr. Tennessee
Mathews an uncle of Houston Mathews, who was born at Dixon Springs,
Smith County, Tenn., Oct. 12, 1810, and died Feb. 15, 1887, was a grand-
son of the Mathews who with the Emetts and O’Connels, were the found-
ers of the United Irishmen. His name was Alexander Mathews and he
settled at Jefferson City, Mo. and died there.
To Peter H. and Etline (Calloway) Mathews were born the following
children: J. G.,. was born in Tennessee and is now deceased; Ruth, died
in 1842; Mrs. Fannie Irons, Decatur, Ill. Houston, the subject of this
sketch; Mrs. Mary Weed, deceased; William, deceased; and Mrs.Mattie
Stidger, deceased.
Houston Mathews was reared in Randolph County and received his
education in an old log school house of the early day primitive type which
stood just east of Moberly for many years. When a boy Mr. Mathews
worked on farms, mills and followed lumbering and in 1866 he came to
Moberly. This was about the time the town was platted and the first
sale of lots was taking place. After that Mr. Mathews went to Texas
and in 1870 returned to Moberly. In 1875, he went to the Black Hills
and to California, returning to Moberly the same year. He then worked w
for Woods and Allen as a bartender for a time and in 1878 bought their -
business, which he conducted until July, 1918.
Mr, Mathews is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order
Elks.
I B Forney
I B Forney, proprietor of the I. B. Forney Ladies Ready to Wear
Clothing Store is one of the successful merchants of Moberly and con-
ducts one of the leading establishments of this section, dealing exclu-
siviley in ladies’ ready to wear garments. Mr. Forney has been engaged
in the mercantile business in Moberly for over 40 years, and during that
time has built tip a reputation which extends over a large scope of terri
tory and the name, Forney, means the last word in style and quality.
I. B. Forney was born at West Liberty, Ohio County, Va., March 14,
1861. He is a son of D. S. Forney and Henrietta (Beatty) Forney. -The~.
mother was born in Cambridge, Ohio, in 1836 and died in Moberly Mo.,
in 1872. D. S. Forney was a native of Virginia, born in 1834. lIe came
to Moberly in 1867; prior to that time he was a wool buyer in this section.
Here he engaged in the dry goods business which he conducted for a
number of years. He was one of the successful pioneer merchants of
Moberly and at the time of his death in 1912, he was the oldest merchant
in this city. He lived to the age of 78 years and his remains rest by the
side of his wife in Oakland Cemetery.
D S. Dorney was a son of Dr. D. S. Forney Sr., who was born in
Reistertown, Maryland, and died in Burlington, Ia. lie was a highly
educated man and a graduate of Yale, having received his (legree when
he was 21 years of age. He practice(l medicine for 70 years. his first
wife bore the maiden name of Buchanan an(l she was a niece ol President
James Buchanan. Their marriage ceremony was perfoimed by Rev.
Alexander Campbell, founder of the Christian church.
D S. Forney, father of I B. Forney, was not only a successful
merchant, but took an active part in the civic affairs of Moberly He
served three terms as mayor of this city and during that period much
public improvement was made, including a sewer system and water
works, as well as other improvements.
I. B. Forney is one of the following children born to his parents:
May Miller, deceased ; I. B., the subject of this sketch.; Mrs. Etta Ditty,
deceased; and Frank B. a merchant of Moberly.
I. B. Forney was educated in the public schools of Moberly and was
brought up in the mercantile business. He engaged in the dry goods
business for himself at Moberly in 1894, at his present location. Here
he continued in the general drygoods business until about 1918, when
he began to specialize in ladies’ ready to wear clothing and abandoned the
general drygoods business and has buit up an extensive business in this
particular line. He is a discriminating buyer and makes regular trips
to the eastern markets and manufacturers to purchase his stock and study
the styles and the I. B. Forney store can always be depended upon to
stand in the forefront in style as well as quality.
The store is located at 400 Reed Street and is equipped with the most
modern fixtures. Mr. Forney is the owner of the building, the first floor
which is occupied by his business and the upper floors is rented for
office purposes.
Mr. Forney was united in marriage Jan. 1, 1895 with Miss Ida Tredeman
of St. Louis, Mo., and two daughters have been born to this union:
Henrietta and Irene, both graduates of the Moberly High School.
Mr. Forney is a progressive business man and stands high in the community
Ira F. Harlan, M. D
Ira F. Harlan, M. D., former owner and manager of the Harlin Cigar
and Tobacco Company, located at 223 N. Clark street, Moberly, No., has
been one of the progressive and well known business men of this city for
over a decade and a half and during that period has earned a place H high
standing in the community. Doctor Harlan was born at Kirksville Mo.,
Oct. 2, 1871, the son of Ira G. and Nancy (Nicholas) Harlan, both natives
of Adair County, Mo., where they were reared, educated and later met
and married in 1868. Ira G. Harlan, after reaching maturity became a
merchant and was engaged in that business in Kirksville.
There were four children in the Harlan family: M. M., deceased; L.
E., working for the Missouri Pacific Railroad at Denver, Col D. R.,
Kellogg, Idaho, and Ira F., the subject of this review. The children spent
their childhood and early youth in Kirksville and attended the public
schools of that town and after Ira F. had completed his elementary edu-
cation he entered the Barnes Medical College, In 1897 he was granted
the degree of Doctor of Medicine from that institution, passed the state
medical examination, In the fall of the year opened an office at Stan-
bury, Mo., where he began the practice. Dr. Harlan built up a good
practice, but in 1904 he decided to come to Moberly and after locating
in this city entered upon a business closely associated with medicine, that
of drugs. The doctor opened a store at the corner of 4th and Reed
streets, where he soon became recognized as one of the leading business
men in his line. He carried an up-to-date stock, paid strict attention to
the prescription business, catered to the present day demands of a drug-
gist and had a satisfactory business. He sold his business to Rucker
Brothers in 1911. He then engaged in the retail and wholesale cigar
business. Doctor Harlan is on the road himself doing his own selling to
the retailers of this section, He is a man of genial presence, pays strict
attention to the business, has many good friends and is considered one
of the best commercial men of this section of the state. Year by year
his wholesale business grew and in 1920 he sold out and is moving to
California.
In 1902, Doctor Harlan married Miss Ethel G. Ross, of Stansbury,
Mo., the daughter of John A. and Martha (Howell) Ross. The father is
now deceased and the mother resides at Stanbury. Two children were
born to this union: Martha Ann, at home and Ross, who died in his 14th
year, Nov. 30, 1918.
Dr, Harlan is one of the popular men of Moberly who supports all
progressive movements, He is a Knights Templar Mason and a Shriner
and belongs to the Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the
Modern Woodmen, the Yeomen and the Travelers Protective Association.
He served as mayor of Moberly two terms. He was elected in 1915 on
the Democratic ticket. The present fire department was inaugurated
under his administration and additional improvements to city water
works made.
J B Jennings
J B Jennings Vice President of
Mechanics Savings Bank and one
of the well known bankers of
this section of the state was
born at West
Union, W. Va. and is the
son of Hiram and Emely
(Davis) Jennings, the
former a native of Pennsylvania
and the latter of Virginia.
Mr. Jennings is a descendant
of old Virginia stock, including
the Randolph and Davis
families. Hiram Jennings came to
Missouri with his family in 1874 and
settled at Moberly. Here he was
engaged in the dry goods and grocery
and lumber business during his
active business career and met with suc-
cess and during his time was one of
the substantial business men of this
section. He died in 1898 and his wife
died in 1895. Their remains are
buried in West Union, W. Va. They
were the parents of one other child
besides J. B. Clara, who is now
the widow of W. L. Irwin and resides in
Kansas City, Mo. Three brothers
are deceased: William, Howard, and
the youngest who died in infancy.
J. B. Jennings received his
education in the high school of Moberly
and in 1879 entered the Mechanics
Savings Bank and has been connected
with this institution continuously
until the present time. Nothwithstand
ing, Mr. Jenning’s career has has
been first of all that of a banker, he has
always found time to devote a portion
of his time to public and civic affairs
and take a good citizens interest
in the welfare of the community. He
served as treasurer of the city of
Moberly .for 18 years and for 12 years
was treasurer of the Moberly School
Board. He has been prominently
identified with the Missouri Banker’s
Association for a number of years
and at various ions times has served
as treasurer, vice-president and president
of that organization. He is a member
of the American Banker’s Associa-
tion and at the present time is a
member of the executive council of that
organization.
Mr. Jennings was married in 1896
to Miss Frances W. Wight, a daugh~
ter of James W., Sr. and Auleria
(Fullenwider) Wight, of Moberly. further
mention of whom is made in this volume.
To Mr. and Mrs. Jennings have
been born two children. The elder,
Howard Wight, age 21 years, is now
a student in the University of Colorado,
at Boulder, Cob. He began mili-
tary training at the age of 18 years
and when he was 21 years of age, he
was captain of Company 1 at Boulder,
Col The younger child, Frances
E. is at home with her parents.
Mr. Jenning’s home is located at 520 W
Rollins Street on the site of the
old Jennings home which was destroyed
by fire where his parents lived for 20 years.
J. E. Sanford
J. E. Sanford. proprietor of the New York Store, of Moberly, Mo.,
is one of the progressive and enterprising business men of Moberly and
Randolph County
The New York Store was founded in 1915 by J. E. Sanford and C. 0.
Selders. In 1920, Mr. Sanford purchased his partner’s interest and is
now the sole owner and proprietor. The New York Store is located at
309-311 West Reed street and occupies a frontage of 30 feet. This store
carries n full line of dry goods shoes, men’s furnishings. rugs and no-
tions Mr. Sanford aims to carry a popular price line of merchandise
which is appreciated by the buying public, and he has built up an exten-
sive mercantile bnsiness in comparatively a brief period.
.J. E. Sanford is a native Missourian he was born in Monroe County
in 1886, and is a son of Jack and Sallie Barker. Sanford. the former
is now deceased. and mother resides at Columbia. Mo After the death
of her first husband she married Henry Jackson.
J. E. Sanford is one of a family of three born to his parents. the
other two being Mrs. Nellie Marc, who now resides in Rismark. N. D
and Mrs. Pollie Shanklin, of Faixfax. Okla
Mr. Sanford married Miss Mae Hill, of Rochepoct, Mo.
Before engaging in the merchantile business and after completing
school, Mr. Sanford was engaged in teaching and followed that profession
for four years; he taught school at Branham, Monroe County, and later
at Granville, which was his last school, He was a successful teacher, but
the future possibilities of teaching as a profession did not appeal to
him and he accordingly turned to mercantile pursuits. His first mer-
cantile venture was at Centralia, Mo., which he later sold and came
to Moberly, where he and Mr. Selders founded the New York Store as
stated in a preceding paragraph.
Mr. Sanford is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons,
and is one of the substantial business men of Moberly.
James Thomas Cross
James Thomas Cross, of the J. T. Cross Lumber Company, is the
present mayor of the city of Moberly and a representative progressive
business man of Randolph County. He is a native of Randolph County
and a descendant of a pioneer family of this state. Mr. Cross was born
on a farm adjoining the town site of Clark, Mo., Aug. 6, 1856, and is a
son of William B. and Mary (Shores) Cross, both natives of Howard
County, Mo, William B. Cross was a son of John Cross, a Kentuckian,
who came to Missouri and settled in Howard County at a very early
day and spent the remainder of his life there. His remains are buried
in a private cemetery on the old Cross homestead near Armstrong, Mo.
William B. Cross grew to manhood in Howard County, and after his mar-
riage, settled on a farm in Randolph County near Clark, and he and
his wife spent the remainder of their lives in this county and their
remains are buried in Chapel Grove Cemetery.
William B. and Mary (Shores) Cross were the parents of the follow-
ing children: J. N., Modesto, Calif.; Mrs, Susan Martin, died at Clark,
Mo.; James Thomas, the subject of this sketch; Anna, died at age of 7
years; Clay, resides at Clark, Mo.; Mrs. Cornelia Trailkill, Clark, Mo.;
Mollie, married Dr. R. A. Wood, Clark, Mo.; Samuel, Clark, Mo.; Marvin,
Clark, Mo.; and Charles, died at the age of 16 years.
James T. Cross attended the public schools of his neighborhood and
then entered the Missouri University at Columbia, where he was grad-
uated in the class of 1881. He devoted a number of years to teaching
in early life and was recognized as one of the successful educators in
central Missouri. During this course of his career as teacher, he was
principal of the public schools at Renick, Sturgeon and Brunswick, Mo.
He then accepted the position as manager for the Flagg Lumber Com-
pany at Clark and New Franklin and was thus engaged until 1907. He
then came to Moberly and purchased the Eberhardt Lumber Yard, which
was located on North William street. Shortly afterwards, he bought
property on North Clark street and organized the J. T. Cross Lumber Com-
pany in partnership with R. L. Kingsbury, and they have conducted
the business to the present time and have met with unqualified success.
The J. T. Cross Lumber Company is one of the substantial business insti-
tutions of Randolph County and does an extensive business. Their offices
and lumber yard are located at 311 to 323 North Clark street. They
carry a large stock of lumber and various building materials, including
almost everything ordinarily required in the building trades.
May 28, 1893, James T. Cross was united in marriage with Miss
Cora Woods of Boone County, Mo. She is a ‘daughter of Robert and
Elizabeth Woods, the former of whom is now deceased and the mother
resides at Sturgeon, .Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Cross were born two children,
Harold and Hildah, twins, who died at the age of six months.
Mr. Cross has ever taken a commendable interest in public affairs
and while a resident of New Franklin he served as president of the school
board; also president of the building and loan association. In 1919, he
was elected mayor of Moberly, He is giving Moberly a good, clean busi-
ness administration—a business administration by a business man—
which is a refreshing condition in this age of a multitude of untried
theories and isms in municipal government.
Mr. Cross has a wide acquaintance in this section of the state and
ranks high. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge.
J W Bundridge
J W Brundridge president of the Farmers
and Merchants Bank of Moberly is a well
known and successful banker and has been
engaged in the banking business since
early manhood. He is a native of Missouri
and was born in Macon County, Oct. 30,
1881. He is the son of John C.
and Delana (Campbell) Bundridge, who
now reside at Bucklin, Mo. They
are the parents of two children, J, W.,
the subject of this sketch and V.
a sketch of whom appears in this volume.
J. W. Bundridge was educated in the public
schools, and after attend-
ing the Brookfield High School, he took
a course in the State Normal
School at Kirksville, Mo. and later
attended the Chillicothe Business Col
lege.
Mr. Bundridge began his banking career
shortly after leaving the
school at Browning, Mo. In 1905 he
organized the bank at New Boston,
Mo., and in 1910 he organized the
Citizens Bank at Bucklin, Mo. In 1913,
he disposed of his interests in the
Citizens Bank and organized the Farm-
ers and Merchants Bank of Moberly, Mo.,
to which he has since devoted his
attention and which is now one of the
successful financial institutions of
Randolph County.
Mr. Bundridge was married in May, 1905
to Miss Sylvia D. Burns of
City, Mo. She is a daughter of
George S. Burns, who is now de-
ceased as is also his wife. To Mr.
and Mrs. Bundbridge has been born one
son Eldon.
Mr. Bundridge is a member of the
Modern Woodmen of America and
Benevolent and Protective Elks.
Mr. Bundridge is essentially a banker
and has made an unqualified success in his
chosen field of endeavor.
JACK M Sandison
JACK M Sandison a member of the firm of Robuck-Sandison Whole
sale Grocery Company of Moberly, is a well known and progressive busi-
ness man of this city. He is a native son of Randolph County and was
born in Moberly July 30, 1879. He is the son of James and Mary (Mor-
rison) Sandison, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.
Jack M. Sandison was educated in the public schools of Moberly and
the Ohio State University at Columbus, Ohio. After completing school
he learned the science of ceramics, or the art of clay working He then
was engaged with his father in the manufacture of brick at Moberly for
a number of years. In 1915 he engaged in the wholesale grocery busi-
ness in partnership with Mr. Robuck and since that time has been success-
fully engaged in that business.
Mr. Sandison is a Republican and takes an active part in political
affairs; he has been his party’s candidate for state representative and
county assessor. He is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the
Mystic Shrine
Jacob S. Bowers,
Jacob S. Bowers, one of central Missouri’s well known and most
prosperous business men, who established a department store in Moberly
nearly 40 years ago, being the senior member of Bowers & Reis, was
born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1850 and died at Moberly in 1917, He was
reared and educated in the East and after his school days were over
engaged in merchandising, knowing that there were many good openings
in the newer country to the XVest, Mr. Bowers determined to locate there.
In partnership with Ira S. Reis, a company was formed which opened
the “Trade Palace” of Moberly in 1883 at the location still occupied by
the Bower’s department store. The store has a large frontage carrying
the street numbers of 210-214 Reed street, one of the finest locations in
the city, From the first the new concern met with a cordial response
from the residents of Moberly and the surrounding territory; business
grew, more lines were added and the Trade Palace became the center of
the retail trade for dry goods, men and womens furnishings and childrens
supplies of all kinds. Later carpets and drapery departments were added
to accommodate the growing trade until today the Palace is one of the
largest and most up-to-date department houses in the middle west. Open-
ing with a stock valued at $30,000 the business grew in such proportions
that today it is rated at more than $100,000.
In 1895 Jacob Bowers purchased the Reis interest in the concern and
since that time the business has been conducted under the firm name of
J. S. Bowers & Son. On the death of the senior member of the firm,
the junior member, William S. Bowers, succeeded his father as owner-
manager of the house and continued the same successful policies inaugur-
ated by his father. The widow of Jacob Bowers now resides at Long
Beach, Calif. From first coming to Moberly, Jacob Bowers began to take
an active part in the civic and communal life of the town. He was a man
of progressive ideas in his business and believed that these same prin-
ciples should be applied to the city administration, and did much toward
the development of the city of Moberly. For 20 years he served as a
member of the school board, being president and treasurer of the board
and was an incumbent of these positions at the time of his death. He
was an active, public spirited man, who lived up to the high standard he
set for an American citizen, was well known among the educators of the
state as a man who promoted all educational movements and had raised
the standards of the Moberly schools. During his life he won for him-
self the highest possible esteem from all who knew him, friends and
business associates alike. With his passing, Mr. Bowers left to his son
the example of an honorable and useful life; to his family the memory
of his loving care as a husband and father. His remains are buried in
Philadelphia Pa
Jacob C. Fleming
Jacob C. Fleming, president of the Moberly Foundry and Machine
Company, is one of the substantial business men of Moberly, and is a
the head of oneof the important industrial enterprises of this city. H
was born at Kewanee, Ill., April 27, 1860, and is a son of Thomas an
Janet (Simpson) Fleming, the former a native of England and the latte
of Scotland. They were the parents of the following children: Jennie,
now the widow of R. S. Crammer, and resides at Nevada, Mo.; Mary, mar
ried Thomas W. Vandivier, Nevada, Mo.; Jacob C., the subject of this
sketch; Ira M., Kansas City, Mo.; Cora I., widow of E. K. Atkinson,
Nevada, Mo.; Emma L., married A. L. Davis, Joplin, Mo.; Elizabeth A.,
married David Cravens, Lincoln, Neb.
Thomas Fleming came to America about 1854, and first settled at
McKeesport, Pa., where he was engaged in coal mining. About 1858 he
went to Kewanee, Ill., where he was living when the Civil War broke out.
He enlisted in 1862 in the Union Army and served until the close of the
war. He took part in a number of important engagements and was with
Sherman on his march to the sea and participated in the Grand Review
at Washington at the close of the war. After receiving his honorable
discharge from the army, he returned to Kewanee, where he operated
coal mines for a few years and in 1872 went to Fort Dodge, Ia. He was
engaged as superintendent of mines there for a time and in 1876 he went
to Chetopa, Kan. Here he continued his interest in the coal mining busi-
ness and had charge of coal mines in Missouri, Kansas and Indian Terr.
tory for the Osage Coal and Mining Company. About 1879, he removed
to Clinton, Mo. continuing with the same company and later went to
Nevada, Mo., where he spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1895
and his wife departed this life in 1916 and their remains are buried at
Nevada, Mo.
Jacob C. Fleming was educated in the public schools of Illinois, Iowa
and Kansas, and when he was 17 years of age, began life as a telegraph
operator in the employ of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway Com-
pany. In 1884, he took charge of the Osage Coal and Mining Company’s
store at Elliott, Randolph County, Mo. and later had charge of the opera-
tion of their coal mine there. In 1890, his father bought the coal mine
property there and Jacob C. had charge of the operation until 1905, when
practically all of the coal mines of Randolph County, were absorbed by
the Randolph-Macon Coal Company.
In 1906. Mr. Fleming came to Moberly when he and the other heirs
of the Thomas Fleming estate organized the Moberly Foundry and Ma-
chine Company. This company continued to do business as a partner-
ship until 1915, when it was incorporated with a capital stock of $21,000.
in 1917, the Thomas Fleming estate was settled and Jacob C. Fleming
continued the business. This company has been successfully operated
from the start and does an extensive business, their principal product
being railway castings and their entire product, practically, is bought by
the Wabash Railway Company. They do a general machine shop business
in addition to manufacturing heavy castings; they also manufacture coal
mine equipment and machinery, and employe about 18 men. The shop
is located at the corner of East Reed and Moulton streets.
Jacob C. Fleming was married in 1886 to Miss Nettie McClure of
Clinton, Mo. She is a daughter of William J. and Narcissa (Fike) Mc-
Clure, the former of whom is deceased, and Mrs. McClure makes her home
with her daughter, Mrs. Fleming. To Mr. and Mrs. Fleming have been
born the following children: Dr. Thomas S., Moberly, a sketch of whom
appears in this volume ; Jacob William, who is associated with his father;
Janet Elliott Fleming, in the employ of the Government at Washington,
D.C.
Mr. Fleming is a member of the Knights Templar Commandery of
Moberly. He has an extensive acquaintance in Moberly and Randolph
County and is one of the enterprising and substantial citizens of this
section.
James A. Fowler
James A. Fowler, a well known real estate dealer of Moberly with
offices in the Jennings Building is a native of Randolph County, He was
born six miles south of Moberly, Sept. 11, 1857 and is a son of Jesse and
Sarah M. (Hamilton) Fowler. Jesse Fowler was a native of Howard
County, born in 1828, the son of Elijah Fowler, a native of Boston, Mass.,
who came west in the early thirties and located near Burton, but shortly
afterwards, moved to Randolph County to a homestead, a claim of gov-
ernment land on which Oscar Fowler now lives. Jesse Fowler spent
nearly all his life on this farm in Randolph County. He died at the ad-
vanced age of 84 years and his remains are buried in the old Hamilton
cemetery which was entered by John Hamilton, the grandfather of James
A. Fowler. Jesse Fowler used to carry the corn on horseback to the
grist mill which was located a mile east of the present site of Highee.
After reaching the mill the horse was used as motive power to grind the
grain.John Hamilton, the grandfather of James A. Fowler, came to Ran-
dolph County in 1842, There were so few settlers at that period that
he knew every man in the county. He was a prosperous farmer and the
owner of 500 acres of land at the time of his death. Sarah (Hamilton)
Fowler was a native of Randolph County and was reared and educated
here. She died in 1882 and her remains are buried in the Hamilton ceme-
tery. There were six children in the Fowler family: Susan, the widow of
W. M. Garvin; James A., the subject of this sketch; Henry T., a farmer
near Evansville; Anna, now Mrs. Mesimer, of Moberly; J. H., also of
Moberly; Alice, now Mrs. Hamilton, of Moberly.
James A. Fowler was reared on the farm and attended the public
schools and after his school days were over, was engaged in farming until
1885 and in 1887 he engaged in the grocery business in Moberly. He
subsequently disposed of his store and entered the real estate and loan
business.
Mr. Fowler was first married to Miss Mahila J. Reed, who died in
1885. Three children were born to this union and the only one of whom
survives is Mrs. Lena Reynolds, of Moberly. In 1891, Mr. Fowler mar-
ried Miss Georgia A. Hill, of Moberly. She is a daughter of F. M. and
Elizabeth Hill, both deceased. F. M. Hill was a native of Lincoln, Mo.
He died at the age of 83 while his wife lived to he 85 years old. Mr.
Fowler takes an active part in local affairs and has served on the city
council of Moberly the past 12 years. He is a member of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and is one of the progressive citizens of
Moberly and Randolph County.
James C. Enslen,
James C. Enslen, a well-known passenger conductor of the Wabash
railroad, has been in the employ of this company for 30 years, and dur-
ing that time Moberly has been his home. He was born in Audrain
County, near Wellsville, Mo. He is the son of George W. and Mary J.
(Clayton) Enslen, George W. Enslen was also a native of Missouri,
born on a farm in Audrain County,’ where he was engaged in farming
throughout his active career. In later life he retired and moved to Wells-
ville, where he died, He was a descendant of very early pioneers of this
state. During the Civil War he served in the Missouri State Militia.
His wife, Mary J. Enslen, was born in Pike County, Mo., and was a
daughter of F. C. Clayton. She died in Moberly in 1908. They were the
parents of the following children: James C., the subject of this sketch;
Mrs, J. W. Ingram, Moberly; Lillie S., deceased, and J. W., lives in
Moberly.
James C. Enslen was reared on the home farm in Audrain County
and was educated in the public schools. He remained at home on the
farm until he was 21 years of age, when on account of failing health,
he went to California and followed ranch life for a time. In 1886, he
went to Colorado, where he began his railroad career as a brakeman
in the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad Company. Two years later he
went with the Denver and Rio Grande. In 1890, he returned to Missouri
and settled in Moberly, where he entered the employ of the Wabash
Railroad Company as brakeman. In 1892, he was promoted to freight
conductor and in 1899 was promoted to passenger conductor, a position
which he has held on this road for the past 21 years, and is now on
Moberly Division.
Mr. Enslen was married to Miss Mary E. Foster,. a native of Dallas
City, Ill., born Nov. 23, 1861, and is a daughter of John W. and Alvina
(Stewart) Foster. John W. Foster was a native of the state- of New
York. He was a Methodist minister and during the Civil War, served
as chaplain in the Union army and died while in the service. His wife,
Alvina (Stewart) Foster, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1840, and died
in Colorado in 1908. They were the parents of the following children:
Mary E., wife of James C. Enslen, the subject of this sketch; Frank,
Emma, George, Carol, Edith, deceased; and Mrs. Lillie Sheidow, of Kan-
sas City, Mo. Mrs. Enslen and Mrs. Sheidow are the only living mem-
bers of the family, Mr. and Mrs. Enslen have no children.
Mr. Enslen is a Republican and he and Mrs. Enslen are members
of the Presbyterian church. He holds membership in the Order of Rail-
way Conductors and is a Knights Templar Mason and belongs to the
Shrine, Ararat Temple, at Kansas City, Mo., and Mrs. Enslen is a mem-
ber of the Auxiliary of the Order of the Railway Conductors and the
Order of the Eastern Star.
James R. OBrian
James R. OBrian, truckman at the Wabash shops, Moberly, Mo., was
born• at Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Va., Sept. 20, 1870 and is a
son of Hugh and Mary E. (Kilby) O’Brian.
Hugh O’Brian came to Missouri with his. family in 1878 when James
R. of this review was only eight years old. They settled in Howard
County where the father bought a farm from Thomas Ray and here
he was engaged in farming and stock raising and met with success. He
and his wife both spent the remainder of their lives in Howard County.
His remains are buried in the Gilliard Church Cemetery and his wife is
buried at Bethel Church. They were the parents of the following chil
dren: James R., the subject of this sketch; William, Houston, Texas;
Emmet, Fort Worth, Texas; Earnest and Ed H., ‘twins, the former of
whom resides at Fort Worth, Texas and the latter on the home farm in
Howard County; and Mrs. Letlta Shaw, of Montrose, Ark.
James R. O’Brian was reared on the home farm in Howard County
and attended the Hocker School in Howard County and also studied under
Professor Cockrell at Fayette, Mo. He followed farming until Feb. 14,
1901 when he entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company and
for the past 12 years has been truck foreman in the shops of this com-
pany at Moberly and has under his charge from six to ten men. In 1919,
he was returned to truckman and is not foreman. Mr. O’Brian is an
efficient employee and a substantial representative citizen of Moberly.
He owns a comfortable modern home at 546 Johnson street where he and
his family reside.
Mr. O’Brian was married Dec. 19, 1893 to Miss Mattie Doherty of
Howard County, Mo. She is the daughter of Robert and Martha (Ball)
Doherty, who reside on their farm of 263 acres in Howard County. They
are the parents of the following children: Mrs. Mae Grapes; Mrs. Eula
Roberts; Mrs. Olde O’LBrian, all of whom reside in Howard County;
James R. O’Brian of this review and Richard Doherty who died in Sep
tember, 1905 and is buried at New Hope Church.
To Mr. and Mrs, James R. O’Brian have been born the
children: Ethel, married Earnest Myers of Fall City, Neb.; Orvil O’Brian
who is connected with the Exchange Bank of Kansas City, Mo.; and
Bell at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. O’Brian are members
the Knights and Ladies of Security and the Court of Honor and she is a
member of the Knights of the Maccabees and Mr. O’Brian holds member
ship in the B. R. C. of America.
James Sandison
James Sandison, a pioneer of Moberly who for many years was en-
gaged in contracting, is now living retired at his comfortable and pleasant
home at 902 West Gilman street, Moberly, Mo. Mr. Sandison was born at
New Mills of Keith, Scotland, Dec. 29, 1843. He is a son of William and
Jean (Dasson) Sandison, both natives of Scotland, the former being born
near the New Mills of Keith and the latter on the River Donn. The father
was a stone mason. The mother came to America when she was 52 years
of age and settled near Huntsville, Mo. She spent the remainder of her
life in Randolph County and died at the age of 92 years and her remains
are buried at Huntsville.
The following children were born to William and Jean (Dasson)
Sandison: William, died at Huntsville, Mo.; Mrs. Annie Simpson. Hunts
ville, Mo.; James, the subject of this sketch; Arthur, deceased; Charles,
deceased; Mrs. Mary Murray, Paducah, Ky.; Christena Bohn, Huntsville;
Jean, deceased; and two of the family, Jack and Helen, remained in Scot-
land.
Since coming to Randolph County, James Sandison has seen this sec-
tion of the country developed almost from the beginning. When he came
to Randolph County there were only three houses on the present site of
the city of Moberly. Since early manhood, Mr. Sandison has been engaged
in construction work and similar industrial enterprises and was a success-
ful contractor during his active career. He began constructing railroad
bridges for the Hannibal, Moberly and Central Railroad Company which
is now the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad. His last contract work
was for the Wabash Railroad Company at St. Louis where he did some
bridge work, built a roundhouse and constructed additional trackage to
accommodate the World’s Fair traffic. For several years Mr. Sandison
was also engaged in the manufacture of brick at Moberly and did an ex-
tensive business in this ]ine and at the same time carried on his general
contracting business. He frequently employed as many as 80 or 90 men
and kept his plant in operation continually. He was an extensive employer
of labor and never had any trouble with his employees. He sold his brick
plant in 1906 to the Metropolitan Paving and Brick Company of Canton,
Ohio, and that company still operates it. Mr. Sandison then retired.
In 1872, Mr. Sandison returned to Scotland and was married to Miss
Mary Morrison and brought his bride to Moberly. Mrs. Sandison’s mother,
Margaret Morrison, now resides with Mr. and Mrs. Sandison She came
to Moberly in 1881. She was born in Scotland Dec. 24,1827 and although
now in her 93rd year she is as keen and active as the average person many
years younger. She gets up every morning at six o’clock and during the
World War she did a great deal of knitting for the Red Cross. She has
the distinction of having had three grandsons in the World War. They
were John, Herbert and George Morrison, all of whom entered the army
from Arizona.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sandison have been born the following children:
James George, William, Jack, George and Arthur.
Mr. Sandison has been an extensive traveler during the course of his
career and has made 13 trips across the Atlantic Ocean. He was in Scot-
land when the World War broke out. He crossed the ocean four times on
the ill fated Lusitania and made his last return trip on the Aquitania.
For the last few years he and Mrs. Sandison made a trip north each sum
mer,including Canada and Alaska. He is a Randolph County citizen of
worth and is held in the highest esteem.
James Winter Wight
James Winter Wight, a prominent attorney
of Moberly who has been
successfully engaged in the practice
of law for the past 26 years is recog
nized as one of the able lawyers of
central Missouri. He is and has been
identified with the interests of
Randolph County in many ways and bears
the distinction of having served as
prosecuting attorney of Randolph
County longer than any other man
that ever held that office.
Mr. Wight is a native son of
Randolph County and is a member of
one of its old and distinguished
pioneer families, members of which played
a conspicuous part in the early settlement
and development of Missouri
which is more fully set forth in the
biographical sketch of James Frances
Wight, grandfather of James Winter Wight
which will be found
elsewhere in this volume. James Winter Wight
was born at Wightland in
Randolph County, July 1, 1869. He is the
only son born to James William
and Aurelia T. (Fullinwider) Wight, now
residents of the city of Moberly
and of whom more extensive mention
is made in this volume.
James W: Wight was reared in Randolph County
and received a good
preliminary education in the public schools
of this county. He then
entered Central College at Fayette, Mo.,
where he took a course, after
which he attended Washington University
in St. Louis and then attended
the University of Missouri at Columbia
where he was graduated from the
law department. While a student at
the latter institution he was awarded
the Stephens medal for oratory.
After completing his law course he was
admitted to practice at Moberly and since
that time has been actively engaged in the
practice and numbers among his clients some of
the leading men of affairs and business
institutions of this county. He is a close
student of the law and a capable trial lawyer.
Mr. Wight is a Democrat and has ever taken a
keen interest and active part in matters
pertaining to politics of a local, state and national
character. He first served as prosecuting attorney
of Randolph County by appointment from Gov. Joseph Folk
to fill out the unexpired term of
the late Harry LaMotte. After serving that
term he was elected to that office
for two terms in succession. He was again
elected to the office of
prosecuting attorney in 1916, serving one term
and thus he has served nearly
four full terms in the office of prosecuting
attorney which is the record
for long service in that office in
Randolph County. He made a good record
for all the years that he was
prosecuting attorney and he was
always fair, as well as fearless, in
the matter of law enforcement. While
Mr Wight has had a busy professional
career he has also been interested
other fields of endeavor and among other
things he has been interested
the management of the old homestead
of the Wight family in Randolph
county known as Wightiand.
This is a splendid estate consisting of 500
acres of valuable land.
Mr. Wight was united in marriage Dec. 1, 1892
with Miss Elma Smith,of
Palmyra, Mo., a daughter of John A. and Ellen
(Gardner) Smith. To Mr
and Mrs. Wight have been born three children:
Florence Loraine,married Paul Stephenson of
Moberly, Mo.; James Augustine, who is now a
student in Central College at Fayette, Mo.
and Francis Mildred, resides at
home with her parents in Moberly.
During the World War, Mr. Wight served
in the capacity of Government
Appeal Agent. He is a member of the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks, and he and
Mrs. Wight are members of the Methodist
Church South.
James William Wight
James William Wight, a prominent citizen of
Randolph County, now
retired at Moberly, is a native of
this county and is the only son
to James Francis Ratcliff Wight
and Frances Burton Wight. A
sketch of James Francis Ratcliff
Wight appears in this volume. James
Wight was born in Randolph County,
June 13, 1842, and has spent
all his life in his native county.
He was given more than ordinary
educational advantages. He attended
Mount Pleasant College in
Randolph County, graduating with the
highest honors of the class and being
chosen by the president of the school
from among the entire list to
deliver the valedictory address. Subsequently
he was again chosen to de-
liver an address about two years later,
at ‘which time he was awarded
the degree of Master of Arts. Mr. Wight’s
career as an active business
man was largely devoted to the beautiful
old country estate of Wightiand
in Randolph County.
An influential Democrat, he was elected
and served for eight years as
clerk of the Randolph County Court.
Mr. Wight is one of the prominent
laymen of the Southern Methodist Church
of the county, having served as
recording steward, church treasurer,
steward, district steward, Sunday
school, superintendent, member of the board
of trustees of church prop-
erty, chairman of said board of the church
in Moberly. He holds the office
of chairman of the board of trustees
at the present time. His only fra-
ternal or social relation is with the
Order of Good Templars.
On May 12, 1868, Mr. Wight was married
in Shelby County, Kentucky
to Aurelia Tevis Fullinwider. She was
educated at ScIence Hall, Shelby-
ville, Ky. Her parents were Henry Winter
and Jane Amanda (Shipman)
Fullinwider. Her grandfather Jacob Fullinwider
was born at Hagerstown,
Md., in 1767,. moved with his father to
Kentucky in 1783 and on the fron-
tier of Kentucky became noted as one of
the greaL Indian fighters. Later
he served in the last campaign of
Mad Anthony Wayne against the
Indians of the Northwest. Rev. Peter Fullinwider,
father of Jacob and
great grandfather of Mrs. Wight, settled at
Hagerstown, Md., in 1752.
He was a Reformed Presbyterian minister,
and one of the great desires
of his life was to preach the gospel
to the Indians. It was on this mission
that he sought the bordering countries
in the same year that peace was
declared between Great Britian and the
colonies and only a short time
after George Rogers Clarke and his
Virginia soldiers had conquered the
Ohio valley and made a permanent part
of the colonial possessions. Rev.
Peter Fuflinwider was a great power
for good during his generation, and
one of the most noted of the early ministers
of the gospel in the west.
He died in Shelby County in 1799 and was buried
under the house, safe
from Indian scalp-hunters.
The old bible which is now in possession
of one of the great grand-
daughters was brought from Switzerland in
1752, and was carried by him
in all his wanderings, wrapped in a buckskin,
taking part in many pic-
turesque incidents in his remarkable career.
To him it was the cherished
treasure of his heart. Although it weighed
30 pounds, it was carried on
horseback all over the country and from its
pages the little congregations,
of Wights, Rice’s and many of the other
forts were taught the gospeL
Many were the Indians that listened to
his translation from this book, for
he tried to study their language as far
as possible. In old age it was for
years his custom to sit at the table
and read from this cherished volume,
and daily he could be seen, his silvery
locks falling over his shoulders,
stooping over the book, enjoying its
promises and enraptured with its
beauties. One morning when his little
grandsons were tiny boys playing
about the room with their little sisters
and cousins, the venerable grand-
father was found to be dead with his face
in the old Bible. God hath
taken him thus, it was said.
There are two children of Mr. Wight
and wife: James Winter Wight,
further mention of whom is made in this
volume and Frances Amanda
Wight who was born at Wightland,
Randolph County, Oct. 7, 1876. She
received her education at Central Female
College at Lexington and was married to
john b jennings a sketch of whom
appears in this volume.
Jerry M. Jefferies
Jerry M. Jefferies, a well known and successful
attorney of Moberly,is a
native of Missouri and a descendant of one
of the early pioneer families of
this state. He is the son of William M.
and Sarah E. (Smallwood)
Jefferies, the former a native of Lewis County,
Mo., which is the same county
in which Jerry M. Jefferies, the subject of
this sketch, was born.The
mother is a native of Indiana.
Jerry Meridith, grandfather of the
subject of this sketch, was a native of
Faquier County, Va., and a pioneer
settler of Lewis County, Mo. When he
settled in that county, he entered
government land and spent the remainder
of his life there.
Jerry M. Jefferies received his
preliminary education in the public
schools of Lewis County and the
La Grange Baptist College. He then
entered the St. Louis Law School
and was graduated from that institution
in 1899. In 1900, he engaged in the
practice of his profession at Can-
ton, Mo. and was thus engaged
until 1910. He then came to Moberly and
took up the practice of law here
and was successful from the start. Dur-
ing the ten years that he has been
a resident of Randolph County, he has
built up a large practice, acquired
an extensive acquaintance and stands
high with the members of the legal
profession and the citizens of Randolph
County. Two years after coming to this
county, Mr. Jefferies was elected
prosecuting attorney and at the expiration
of his first term was re-elected
to succeed himself, serving in that
important office from 1913 to 1917.
James Francis Ratcliff Wight
James Francis Ratcliff Wight.Among the notable Randolph County
none has been more conspicuous for three generations in this
county since 1840 than the Wight family.
James Francis Ratcliff Wight, the founder of the Wight family in
Randolph County was born in Frankfort, Ky., May 26, 1819 and died
Oct. 26, 1905. He was a son of James and Sarah (Ratcliff) Wight.James
Wight was the founder of the Wight family in America. He was
born at Ormiston, near Edinburgh, Scotland, Feb. 24, 1789. In 1794 he
came to America with his parents, James and Jane ~(McConachee) Wight
and settled near Richmond, Va. He subsequently removed to Fleming
County, Ky., and then to Frankfort, in the same state, where he was
married Nov. 15, 1815, to Sarah Ratcliff and to them were born eight
children. While residing in Frankfort, James Wight was a cabinet work-
man and contractor and built the statehouse or capital. In 1836 he took
his family to Shelby County, Ky., and ever after lived as a farmer until
his death at the home of one of his daughters at Normal, Ill., April 22,
1871. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. His early education was
obtained in the common school of the country districts. He was a mem-
ber of the Methodist Church South and took much interest in church
affairs, giving liberally of his means to the support of the church and
benevolences.
Sarah (Ratcliff) Wight, wife of James Wight, was born in Richmond,
Va., May 10, 1790. She was the daughter of Francis Ratcliff, who was
born in Chesterfield County, Va., in 1755, and the maiden name of her
mother was Rebecca Bridges who was born in 1758. Frances Ratcliff
was a corporal in Capt. William Pierce’ s company in the First Artillery
Regiment of Continental troops, commanded by Col. Charles harrison
during the Revolutionary War. This regiment was assigned to the state
of Virginia, The records of the land office at Richmond, Va., show that
Francis Ratcliff was allowed the portion of land allotted the corporal of
the Continental line for three years service. Sarah Ratcliff received her
education in the common schools and was also a member of the Methodist
Church, South.
James Francis Ratcliff Wight married Anna Burton in Oldham
County, Ky., June 6, 1839. She died Sept. 3, 1843, leaving one child,
James William Wight who now resides in Moberly and a sketch of whom
appears in this volume. The second marriage of James Francis Ratcliff
Wight was to Harriet Amanda Head, Dec. 8, 1846. No children were the
born to this marriage. Mr. Wight was a farmer and stock raiser taking
much interest in fine horses and cattle and he was a promoter of agri-
cultural fairs. He owned about 1,000 acres of land in Randolph County
upon which he resided for more than 60 years and to which he had moved
from Shelby County, Ky., in the fall of 1840. He was a Methodist and
in politics a Whig, and as a member of that party he was elected to the
state legislature from Randolph County, which was then about equally
divided between Whigs and Democrats, in 1854. After the dissolution of
of the Whig party, he allied himself with the Democrats and again repre-
sented Randolph County in the legislature in 1876, defeating after a
spirited contest one of the most popular men of the county. During the
Civil War he was a strong Southern sympathizer, and while he did not
enlist as a soldier he rendered the cause much help by his counsel and
means. During that great conflict he had many interesting experiences
which tested the true metal of the man. While he was steadfast and
loyal to the cause in which he believed and the principles for which he
stood he was also fair and generous to its enemies. It has been well said
of him: The late Mr. Wight was a man of strict integrity, a close
observer of men and affairs, a good judge of human nature, wise in
council, and his advice was often sought in matters financial and judicial.
He was very charitable, having reared six orphan children.
Frances Ann (Burton) Wight, wife of James Frances Ratcliff Wight,
was born in Oldham County, Ky., Jan. 21, 1820 and was the daughter of
William and Ann Burton. She came with her widowed mother and hus-
band to Randolph County, in 1840. They made the trip in wagons, the
party consisting of eight white people and 30 negro slaves. In coming
through Illinois, a negro girl was kidnapped by Abolitionists which de-
tamed them several days. The mother of the kidnapped girl was frantic
with grief because of the kidnapping and wild with joy at the rescue.
JIM W Holman
Jim W. Holman, of the Peoples Steam Laundry, is one of the enter.
prising and successful citizens of Moberly and the Peoples Steam Laundry
occupies a position among the leading industrial institutions of this char-
acter in the state. The plant is located at 100 North Williams street and
is equipped with all modern machinery and appliances for handling a
general laundry business on a large scale. They employ 35 people and
have an extensive business. The Peoples Laundry has won a well merited
reputation for promptness and excellency of workmanship.
Jim W. Holman is a native of Moberly and a son of H. Frank and
Linda (St. Clair) Holman of Moberly. H. Frank Holman is also a native
of Randolph County snd is the senior partner of the Peoples Laundry
Company and founded the business in 1898. A sketch of him appears in
this volume.
Jim W. Holman was educated in the public schools of Moberly and at-
tended the Moberly High School. He later attended the Pritchett Col-
lege which was conducted by U. S. Hall, at Glasgow and afterwards at-
tended Westminster College at Fulton, Mo. After completing school in
1909 he entered the laundry business at Moberly in partnership with his
father and since that time has devoted his attention to that business.
Mr, Holman was united in marriage Sept. 30, 1915 with Miss Pearle
M. Wilhite of Blytheville, Ark. She is’ a daughter of John F. and Laura
Wilhite, the latter of whom is deceased and the father resides at Blythe-
ville, Ark.
Mr. and Mrs. Holman reside at• Urbandale, a suburb adjoining
Moberly, where Mr, Holman is also interested quite extensively in poultry
raising. For the past three years he has been a successful breeder of
single comb Rhode Island Red chickens, of the standard bred variety.
He now has about 135 hens, the breed of which is of the highest strain
obtainable, He is also a breeder of pure bred Pointer dogs which bring
a good price. He has sold dogs in all parts of the country.
Mr, Holman is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks and has a wide acquaintance in Randolph County where he stands
high.
John C Okeefe
John C. OKeefe president of the O’Keefe Brothers’ Grocery Com-
pany, of Moberly, is one of the progressive and enterprising business
men of Moberly and Randolph County, He was born in Susquehanna
County, Pa., Aug. 7, 1859, and is a son of William and Margaret
(O’Connel) OKeefe early settlers of Randolph County who are now
deceased and further mention of whom is made in connection with the
sketch of Arthur O’Keefe in this volume.
John C. O’Keefe came to Randolph County with his parents in 1862,
when he was about 3 years of age. The family first settled in Renick
and here John C. O’Keefe attended school during the winter terms and
worked in the stores of Renick in summer The first school which he
attended was held in a primitive log school house and he recalled Ben-
jamin Ashcomb as being a first teacher, a pioneer teacher of Randolph
County who died a few years ago and his widow now lives at Hunts..
ville
The O’Keefe family moved to Moberly in 1872, where the father
engaged in railroad work. Here Arthur O’Keefe engaged in retail gro-
cery business in 1879 and was joined by John C. later, The business
at first was conducted as a retail grocery, but later developed into a
wholesale grocery house. John C. was secretary and treasurer of the
company for a time and afterwards became president and has occupied
that Position to the present time. The OKeefe Brothers Grocery Com-
pany does an extensive business in this section of the state, their busi-
ness extending over eight counties, north of the Missouri River, in which
they are represented by six traveling salesmen. In 1919 their business
exceeded $800,000.
John C. O’Keefe was married June 16, 1897, to Miss Margaret G.
Haggerty a daughter of Frank and Mary (Cunningham) Haggerty of
Moberly. Frank Haggerty was one of the early settlers of Moberly and
one of the pioneer merchants of this city, He was born in Ireland in
1849 and came to America about 1867, first locating at Memphis Tenn.
In 1872, he came to Moberly and engaged in the grocery business He
was successful in business, public spirited and had much to do with the
development and upbuilding of Moberly. He built the Haggerty Opera
House which was the only opera house in Moberly for many years, it is
now known as the Lyric Hall, Mr. Haggerty was engaged in business
here until about 1910, and in 1914 went to California and now resides
in Los Angeles His wife died in 1883 and her remains were buried in
St. Mary’s Cemetery Moberiy.
To Mr. and Mrs. John C. OKeefe have been born the following
children: Mary Margaret, a student of Marymount College; John C.,
Jr., a student in Georgetown University; Helen, a student in Loretta
College, St. Louis, Mo.; Frank and Arthur, at home.
Mr. O’Keefe takes an active interest in local progressive movement
for the improvement and upbuilding of Moberly and was one of the
leading factors in the organization of the Moberly Commercial Club,
which later developed into the Chamber of Commerce. While he has
been interested and active in local affairs of a public nature, he has per-
sistently refused to become a candidate for city office of any kind, al-
though frequently urged to do so, He is a member of the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, the Country
Club, and the Chamber of Commerce.
John H Coates
John H. Coates, a descendant of one of the pioneer families of
Randolph County, that played an important part in the development and
settlement of this county anti central Missouri, is a native son of Moberly.
He was born Sept. 30, 1899 and is the son of T. D. and Eleanor (Yeager)
Coates, both of whom now live in Prairie township, Randolph County.
The father was born in Moberly in 1855 and is the son of Tunsel Coates,
a native of Kentucky and early settler of Sugar Creek township, this
county, where he died in 1919. Eleanor Yeager Coates was born near
Higbee, in 1864, was reared and educated in Randolph County and later
met her husband here, being married in the same locality.
John H. Coates was the only child of his parents. He attended the
public schools and after graduating from the high school in 1918, entered
the Student Army Training Corps of Central College, Fayette, Mo., Oct.
2, 1918 and remained there until Dec. 11, 1918, when the corps was dis-
banded, On his return to Moberly Mr. Coates resumed his position with
the Cross Lumber Company, as bookkeeper, an association which has
continued.
He is a member of the American Legion Theodore Bazan Post, of
Moberly.
John N Hamilton
John N Hamilton a prominent member
of the Randolph County Bar and a well
known attorney throughout Central
Missouri has been a prom
inent factor in the affairs of this
section for many years and has been
successful in the many fields of
endeavor to which he has given his atten-
tion. Mr. Hamilton is a native of
Randolph County and comes from a
family of prominent pioneers of this
state. He was born on a farm in
Prairie township, April 22, 1854,
and is a son of Dr. Thomas L. and
Cynthia A. (Christian) Hamilton.
Dr. Thomas L. Hamilton was born
in Williamson County, Tenn., May
17, 1825 and was a son of
Dr. John B. Hamilton and Nancy
(Campbell) Hamilton, natives
of Kentucky who lived near the
Tennessee state line,
near Mammoth Cave. The family
moved to Green, Ky. when Thomas L.
Hamilton was a child.
Dr. John B. Hamilton practiced
medicine in that
vicinity for many years and in
1846 came to Prairie township, Randolph
County, Mo. with his family and
later located in Gallatin, Mo. After the
death of Dr. John B. Hamilton’s
first wife, he married Caroline Sanders.
Dr. Thomas L. Hamilton received
a good preparatory education and early
in life began the study of medicine
under the direction of his father. He
took his first course of lectures
at the McDowell Medical Institute in the
winter of 1849-50. In 1850, he began
the practice of his profession near
Renick, Randolph County, and with
the exception of about three years,
spent at Davids and one year in
St. Louis County and about a year in
Huntsville, during the Civil War,
he was engaged in the practice in that
locality until his death in 1894.
In addition to his practice he was also
interested in the mercantile business
for a number of years and conducted
a drug and dry goods store. He took
a prominent part in local affairs of
his day and served as mayor of Renick
and was president of the school
board there.
Dr. Thomas L. Hamilton was married
Dec. 18, 1850 to Cynthia A.
Christian, daughter of N. B. and
Martha C. Christian and to that union the
following children were born:
Cora, married Rev. J. W. Terrill, president
of Mt. Pleasant College which was
located at Huntsville and they are both
now deceased; John N., the subject
of this sketch; William T., a farmer
and merchant of Randolph County;
Carrie E., married E. B. Pennington, of
Birmingham, Ala.; James P., president
of the Lozier-Rowe Abstract Com-
pany of Kansas City, Mo.; Ollie,
married Oscar Craig, who is now deceased
and left one child, Lawrence Craig
who is now a student in Drake Uni-
versity at Des Moines, Iowa, and
Ida F., who is now the widow of John
Davin and resides in Kansas City,
Mo. Dr. Hamilton was a Mason and a
member of the Christian church.
John N. Hamilton was reared in
Randolph County and educated in the
public schools and Mt. Pleasant
College at Huntsville. He then studied
law and was admitted to the bar in 1875.
He began his professional career
at Renick and in 1885, located at
Huntsville which has since been his
home. Notwithstanding the fact. that
Mr. Hamilton has always had a
large law practice, he is extensively
interested in other enterprises. On
Feb. 1, 1911 he purchased the
Huntsville Herald which is a .$10,000
corporation known as the
Hamilton Publishing Company .The Herald
is an influential newspaper of wide
circulation. Mr. Hamilton also organ-
ized and incorporated the Hamilton
Abstract Company. This company
was incorporated in 1909. He was also
one of the promoters and in-
corporation known as the Hamilton
Publishing Company. The Herald
incorporated and is president
and manager of the Hamilton estate, a
$50,000 corporation. He is the owner
of considerable real estate and
interested in other enterprises,
including the Hamilton and Company In-
surance agency.Mr. Hamilton was united
in marriage Dec. 6, 1897 with Miss Susan
C. Maupin, of Renick, Mo. She is a
daughter of L. D. and Nannie (Moore)
Maupin, natives of Monroe County,
Mo, where the father was a carpenter
and wagon maker.
Mr. Hamilton is a Democrat and is
prominent in the councils of his
party. In 1890 he was elected recorder
of deeds in Randolph County and
in 1894 was reelected to that office
and served two terms. He served as
city attorney of Huntsville for
four years. He is a member of the Knights
of Pythias and the Christian church.
John H Nebergall
John H. Nebergall, one of the oldest and most popular conductors
on the Wabash Railroad and the president of the Moberly Steam Laundry
Company, was born in Ross County, Ohio, June 24, 1854, the son of James
and Mary (Parker) Nebergall. They were the parents of four boys:James, deceased;
John, the subject of this review; Adam, of Carroll
County, Mo.; and George Franklin of St. Louis. The father was descended
from a long line of Pennsylvania ancestors. He was a farmer there, later
he went to Ohio and then to Illinois, where he became prosperous as a
farmer. Soon after the close of the Civil War he came to Missouri, locat-
ing on a farm in Carroll County, Dec. 25, 1867. He became one of the
recognized agriculturists of central Missouri and lived there until he re-
tired when he moved to Chillicothe, and died in 1886 at the age of 74
years Mrs. Nebergall was born near Indianapolis, Ind., and died 1868,
aged 55 years..
John H. Nebergall was reared on a farm and attended the district
school. When only 18 years old, Mr. Nebergall secured a position with the
construction company which was building one of the new lines of railroad
through this section. He was willing to do anything to make a start and
for a short time carried water and did anything he was called upon to do.
With headquarters in Moberly, he early became acquainted with this city
which since has been the scene of his financial successes. In 1873, Mr.
Nebergall became a brakeman on the Wabash Railroad. In 1875 he was
promoted to freight conductor and in 1884 he was promoted to passenger
conductor and today holds one of the important passenger runs on the
Wabash system from Moberly to Des Moines. Not confining all his
energies to one vocation, Mr. Nebergall studied the financial situation and
in 1890 invested in a laundry business in Moberly in association with R. J.
Gee. This partnership was dissolved in August, 1918 and Mr. Nebergall
in association with R. J. Gee incorporated the laundry with a capital stock
of $40,000. The business ran the first week about $55. Under their able
management this has been increased until it is a slack season when the
books do not show a turn over of more than $1,000 for each week of the
year. Today the Moberly Steam Laundry has one of the largest plants in
central Missouri. An up-to-date dry cleaning department is one of the
features of the business and gives excellent service.
Mr. Nebergall operates one of the finest cattle, horse and stock
ranches in Wallace County, Kan., which is incorporated with paid up capital
of $50,000. In addition to this place, Mr. Nebergall owns two sections of
valuable wheat and grazing land in Edwards County, Kan., where he raises
grain and carries on extensive dairying operations. He is also a stock-
holder in the Durbin Malleable Foundry Company, of St. Louis, which is
capitalized at $500,000 and being a patriotic citizen Mr. Nebergall has not
neglected the home industries as he is a stockholder in the Moberly Trust
Company. He is regarded as one of the substantial financiers of central
Missouri.
On Dec. 7, 1876, Mr. Nebergall was married to Miss Nellie Shumate,
Jackson County, Ohio, and to them four children have been born: Charles
C., in partnership with his father in the Gates Half Sole Tires and a bat-
tery service station, Moberly; Jeanette, married W. G. Price, of Des
Moines; Bessie, who married J. W. Faessler, of Moberly, and Lewis L., a
bookkeeper in Omaha.
Mr. Nebergall belongs to the Masonic Lodge and the Order of Railroad
Conductors. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church, and he
Is a Republican.
John R Martin
John R. Martin, better known as Little Dick, president and founder
of the Little Dick Clothing Company, which gets its title from Mr. Mar-
tin’s nickname, is one of Moberly’s enterprising and successful business
men and a descendant of one of Randolph County’s honored pioneer
families.
Mr. Martin has had a varied and successful career in the mercantile
business. After obtaining a good education in the public schools of Ran-
dolph County, he began as a clerk in the employ of Mitchell and Moppin,
of Renick, Mo. Later he clerked for Clack and Parrish, Nevada Mo. He
was next employed by Donihue Brothers, Kirksville, Mo. He was then in
the employ of 0. J. Townsend, Unionville, Mo., for a time when he re-
turned to Kirksville and took charge of the clothing department of the
Sam Fickler Store. From there he came to Moberly and engaged in busi-
ness, becoming the junior member of the firm of Burkholder and Sol
Martin. Shortly afterwards he sold his interest in that firm and entered
the employ of Frank B. Forney and later was employed by Henry Levy
and Company. In 1897 he engaged in the clothing business under the
firm name of the Little Dick Clothing Company and was the sole owner
and proprietor of that business until 1911 when he sold a half interest
to his brother, Forrest Martin, and since that time they have conducted
the business under the original firm name and have met with success,
and rank as one of the leading mercantile establishments of Moberly and
Randolph County. They carry a full line of men’s and boy’s clothing and
furnishings and in the range of quality and price they rank with the
leading retailers of the country. They carry a large stock and in the
matter of style they are ready to meet the demands of their customers
from the conservative to the most fastidious.
Mr. Martin was married November 9, 1893, to Miss Josie Jamison
of Kirksville, Mo. She is a daughter of Joseph G. Jamison, who is now deceased
John R. Martin is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order
Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose.
The Martin family is one of the pioneer families of Randolph County
John H., the subject of this sketch was born in Prairie township and is
the son of Bailey and Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin, both natives of Ran
dolph County the former of whom is now deceased and the latter resides
on the old Martin homestead in Prairie township. A more extensive his
tory of this pioneer Randolph County family and it’s various members
appears in connection with the sketch of Forrest Martin in this volume.
John R. Martin has in his possession an interesting volume which
is devoted to the history of the Martin family which was written by his
brother, Prof. W H. Martin, on the occasion of the golden wedding anni-
versary of their parents. This event took place Feb. 18, 1902. Professor
Martin presents the story of the Martin family and pays tribute to the
worthy parents of this large family of thirteen children in a most able -
manner, which was read at the wedding anniversary. In this article he
narrates the various characteristics of the thirteen children of Bailey
Martin and in which he evinces unusually keen observation and a clear
understanding of the individual traits of each member of the family.
The Martin family is one of the interesting pioneer families of Ran
dolph County and every member is a worthy descendant of worthy an-
cestors.
Joseph Davis Martin
Joseph Davis Martin, of the Little Dick Clothing Company, Moberly,
Mo., is a native of Randolph County. He was born in Prairie township,
Feb. 23, 1868, and is the son of Bailey and Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin.
A more detailed history of the Martin family appears in the sketches of
John R. Martin and Forrest Martin, which will be found in this volume.
Joseph Davis Martin was reared to manhood on the Martin home
farm in Prairie township and received his education in the public schools.
He remained on the home farm, engaged in farming and stock raising until
1905, when he came to Moberly and since that time has been identified
with the Little Dick Clothing Company.
Mr. Martin was united in marriage June 6, 1899, with Eureth J.
Wirt, a daughter of James and Sallie (Hendrex) Wirt, of Prairie town-
ship. James Wirt and his wife were pioneer settlers of Randolph County.
Mr. \Virt was an early day plainsman, crossing the plains with ox teams
in 1854. He kept in his possession during his lifetime a souvenir, a hunt-
ing horn, which he made from a horn of one of the oxen which he drove
on his trip to California. It is artistically designed and upon it is carved
the figure of a dog. This heirloom is in Mr. Martin’s possession and is
prized very highly. James Wirt and his wife are both deceased.
To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph D. Martin have been born two children:
Laura Loretta and Sallie Janice.
Mr Martin is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is
a Randolph County citizen of real worth. The Martin family home is
at 900 Williams street. Moberly.
Joseph F. O’Keefe
Joseph F. O’Keefe secretary of the O’Keefe Brothers Wholesale
Grocery Company, of Moberly, is one of the progressive business men of
Moberly and Randolph County. He was born at Davenport, Iowa, in
1864 and is the son of William and Margaret (O’Connell) O’Keefe, a more
extensive history of whom appears elsewhere in this volume.
Joseph F. OKeefe was educated in the public schools of Randolph
County and has spent his life in the grocery business in one capacity or
another. He began his experience in that business driving a delivery
wagon for the O’Keef e Brothers grocery, back in the days when this firm
conducted a retail grocery business, He now divides his time between
the office and outside as salesman.
Mr. O’Keefe is unmarried and resides with his sisters at 605 South
Fifth street, Moberly, Mo, He is a member of the Benevolent and Pro-
tective Order of Elks, He is a live business man and has an extensive
acquaintance throughout central Missouri.
Judge Frank B. Forney,
Judge Frank B. Forney, manager of the Forney Clothing Company,
and a member of the Board of County Judges of Randolph County. He
is a native of this county and was born on a farm six miles from Mober-
ly, and when he was two years of age his parents moved to Moberly.
He is the son of D, S. and Henrietta (Batty) Forney, the former a
native of Virginia, and the latter of Ohio. A more extensive review
of the Forney family history will be found in connection with the biogra-
phical sketch of I B. Forney, a brother of Frank B., which appears in
this volume.
Frank B. Forney was educated in the public schools of Moberly,
and began his mercantile career in his father’s store in Moberly, his
father being one of the pioneer merchants of This city, and was engaged
in business here for many years.
Frank B. Forney remained in his father’s store until 1890, when he
engaged in the clothing business at Moberly, and has continuously been
in that business to the present time, and the Forney Clothing Company
of today is the outgrowth of this humble beginning thirty years ago.
The Forney Clothing Company is one of the extensive commercial
enterprises of its kind in central Missouri. They deal in men’s and boys’
ready to wear clothing and furnishing goods, and few cities of the
size of Moberly have the advantage of such an extensive mercantile
establishment, which offers such a wide range in style and quality as
does the Forney Clothing Company. The business is located at 318-320
West Reed street. The building is owned by the company and has a
frontage of 30 feet and is 110 feet deep. There are two stories, the
upper one of which is used for storing the surplus stock, The com-
pany employs eight clerks, most of whom have been with the company
for several years. George Sours has been with the Forney Clothing
Company for 29 years; Arthur McCully, 14 years; Herbert Lamb, 11
years; Buckner Nave, 8 years; Arthur Grimes, 23 years; Ernest Ellin-
ger 7 years; Paul Eurton, 2 years; and Lowel Sours, who died in 1919,
had been with the company for 24 years.
Frank B. Forney was married in June, 1893, to Miss Myrtle Tucker,
of Mexico, Mo. She is a daughter of J. D. Tucker, who was a pioneer
merchant and capitalist of Mexico, Mo., and is now deceased. To Mr
and Mrs. Forney have been born the following children: Francis, a
student in the Moberly High School; Daniel, also a student in the Mob
erly High School; Dorothy and Betty, students in the ward school.
Mr. Forney is a ‘knights Templar Mason and a member of the
Mystic Shrine, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Forney is one of the substantial business men of Moberly, whose caro
has been a successful one. He has an extensive acquaintance through
out Randolph County, and Missouri.
In the spring of 1920, Mr. Forney was appointed to the office of
county judge by Governor Gardner to fill out an unexpired term, and career
he is giving the same careful attention to the public affairs of Ran
dolph County that he has to his private affairs. Judge Forney is a
member of Governor Gardner’s staff.
Lee Galbreath
Lee Galbreath, a leading druggist of Moberly, located at 109 East
Coates street is one of the progressive business men of Randolph County.
Mr. Galbreath is a native of this county, born in Prairie township, Nov.
19, 1867, He is a son of Robert P. and Sarah Agnes (Dulaney) Gal-
breath.
Robert P. Galbreath is also a native of Randolph County and was
born Nov. 19, 1844. He .was a son of James Gaibreath, a native of Vir-
ginia, who was among the very first settlers of Randolph County and
entered land in Prairie township where Robert P. was reared. He was
here long before Moberly was even thought of and was in attendance at
the first sale of city lots held in Moberly. Robert P. Galbreath served
in the Confederate Army during the Civil War for two years. His wife,
who bore the maiden name, Sarah Agnes Dulaney, was born in Audrain
County of pioneer parents. Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Galbreath reside at
218 S. Morley street, Moberly. They are the parents of the following
children: Lee, the subject of this sketch; Agnes, who died in infancy;
Lillian, married Alvin Walkup, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Lenos, Oklahoma
City, OkIa. and Addie married W. B. Blame, Moberly.
Lee Galbreath was reared on the home farm in Prairie township and
attended the public schools. He followed farming until 1900, when he
entered the drug business at Clark, Mo., and for 15 years successfully con-
ducted a drug store at that place. In 1915 he sold his Clark store to W.
G. Cleeton of Higbee. He then came to Moberly and purchased the J. B
Hubbard Drug Store and since that time has conducted the store at the
old stand, 109 East Coates street. He carries a complete line of drugs
and druggist’s sundries usually found in a first class drug store.
Mr. Galbreath was married Dec. 24, 1890 to Miss Mirian A. Owings
of Audrain County. She is a daughter of Richard and Joann Owings.
The mother is deceased and Mr. Owings resides at Clark, Mo. To Mr.
and Mrs. Galbreath has been born one son, Ray, who is 29 years old.
He married Nadine Marshal and they reside in Moberly.
Mr. Galbreath has always taken a commendable interest in local
institutions and public affairs and while a resident of Clark he served on
the city council and was also a member of the school board. In 1914, he
was a candidate for nomination for the office of probate judge and was
defeated by the narrow margin of 13 votes.
Leslie G Burklund
Leslie G Burklund a leading jeweler of Moberly who is proprieter of
one of Moberlys best jewelry stores located at 314 West Reed St
has been engaged in business at this location since May 4 1916.Mr
Burkland was born at Osage City Ks Apr 27 1887 and is the son of
Gus Burkland and Elizabeth (Robbins) Burklund both of whom are now
deceased.The father was a pioneer of Rock Island ILL and was a jeweler
by trade. He died at Osage City, Kan., in 1903. His wife who was a
native of Jacksonville, Ill., died at Osage City, Kan., in 1893 and their
remains are buried at Moline, Ill. They were the parents of two children:
Leslie G., whose name introduces this review and Almeda Burklund who
resides at Boise, Idaho.
Leslie G. Burklund received his education in the public schools of
Osage City, Kan., and in 1903 began an apprenticeship at the jewelers
and watchmakers trade at Moline ill., and afterwards worked at his
trade in Chicago and Kansas City, Mo., and in 1916 engaged in business
in Moberly. and since coming here has met with satisfactory success and
built up a large trade. He carries a very complete line of high grade
watches and jewelry and kindred articles usually found in a first class
jewelry store. He also handles Edison phonographs and records and
has built up an extensive trade in that line.
Mr. Burkiund was married Jan. 6, 1909 to Miss Helen Walsh of Kan-
sas City, Mo., a daughter of William Walsh who now resides in that city.
Mrs. Burkiund’s mother is deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Burklund have
been born one child, Betty.
Mr. Burklund is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks and since coming to Moberly he has acquired an extensive ac-
quaintance and ranks as one of the substantial and reliable business men
of this city.
John E. Lynch
John E. Lynch, president of the Bank of Moberly, and United States
marshal for the Eastern District of Missouri, has had an unusual and
successful career. Mr. Lynch was born in Randolph County, just nort
of Huntsville, Jan. 11, 1858, and is a son of Patrick and Amanda (Stevens)
Lynch.
Patrick Lynch was a native of County Carlow, Ireland, and was
born in 1818. He came to America in 1848, and the same year settled
in Randolph County near Roanoke, and a few years later, he removed
to a farm north of Huntsville. Here he resided until 1860, when he
came to the vicinity of what is now the city of Moberly, and during
the Civil War he cultivated a portion of the present site of Moberly,
and lived at what was known as old Allen, and after the war when
the railroad was being built the railroad company offered Mr. Lynch
and others an amount of land in Moberly equal to that which they owned
at old Allen. Mr. Lynch was the first to accept the proposition and
moved his residence to Moberly. The original town site of Moberly con-
sisted of 40 acres of land, and was bounded on the east by Morley
street, on the south by Wightman street, on the west by the alley be-
tween Clark and Williams street, and on the north by Union avenue.
Mr. Lynch’s house was located on block No. 12, and his barn was
located on block No. 7, where the Merchants Hotel now stands. After
the Wabaash shops were built, Patrick Lynch was employed by
that company, and spent the remainder of his life in Moberly. He died
in 1883. ‘Amanda (Stevens) Lynch, wife of Patrick Lynch was
tive of Virginia. She died at the age of 68 years, and her remains and
those of her husband are buried in St. Johns cemetery.
The children born to Patrick Lynch and wife are as follow: Thomas
Allen, was engineer on the Southern Pacific Railroad, and was killed
in a wreck at Centralia, Wash.; Richard Moberly, died in infancy;John
E., the subject of this sketch, and James C., Omaha, Neb.
John E. Lynch bears the distinction of being the oldest living
resident of the city of Moberly from the standpoint of continuous- Residence
here. He came here with his parents when a child, and here grew
to manhood, and since that time he has been closely identified with
the growth and development• of this city in many ways. He received
his education in such public schools as the town afforded in the early
days of its existence. When a boy his first work was driving team at
the construction of the Wabash shops here. He received $5.00 per week
for his labor. After that, he worked in the shops for three years,and
then was a fireman for three years. In 1880, he was elected Chief
of police of Moberly and served in that capacity for three years.this
was an early day in the history of Moberly, and like other new towns
of that epoch, the limited police force found itself confronted frequently
by duties that were difficult to perform. Mr. Lynch met all these
conditions and by his courage and capabilities always succeeded in
maintaining law and order. After having served three years as chief of
police, he was engaged by the city to run the city fire engine for two
years, when he was re-elected to the office of chief of police .and held
this position until 1894. He was then appointed United States marshall
for the Eastern District of Missouri by President Cleveland, and capa
bly discharged the duties of that office for a period of four years At
the expiration of that time Mr. Lynch began operating as a construc
tion contractor, and specialized in paving and sewer construction,and
was successfully engaged in this line of work until Aug. 15, 1914,when
he was appointed United States marshal for the Eastern District of
Missouri by President Wilson, and ~at the expiration of his four year
term in that office, he was reappointed and holds that position at the
present time.
Mr. Lynch was elected president of the Bank of Moberly in Febru
ary, 1916, and since that time has held that position, and in the capacity
of chief executive officer of this well known and substantial financial
institution, Mr. Lynch has evinced the same keen foresight and clear
judgment that hss characterized his successful career in other fields
of endeavor.
My Lynch was united in marriage in 1882 with Miss Mary A. Hall
of Truesdale, Warren County, Mo. She is a daughter of Denny and
Elizabeth Hall of that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Lynch have been born
the following children: George, chief deputy United States . marshal,
St. Louis, Mo.; John E Jr of the Lynch-McDonald Construction Com-
pany, of Moberly; Nellie, Grace, Frank, Lucille aud James Robert. The
latter served in the United States navy during the World War.
Mr. Lynch is a Democrat and for years has been active in the coun-
cils of his party in Randolph County and. Missouri. He has served two
terms as a member of the state legislature. He was a delegate to Demo-
cratic National Convention at Baltimore, which nominated Woodrow Wil-
son for president, and is recognized as one of the leading. Democrats
of the state. He has an extensive acquaintance and many friends, not
only in Randolph County, but throughout the state and country.
E.Bell Mahan
E.Bell Mahan, of the well known firm of Mahan and Son, funeral
directors of Moberly, Mo., is a native of this state and belongs to one of
the early pioneer families. He was born in Audrain County, about 15
miles southeast of Moberly, March 23, 1864, and is a son of John T. and
Elizabeth (Owings) Mahan. John T,Mahan was born in Boone County,
Mo., Feb. 2, 1828 and died near Paris, Mo., Aug. 8, 1914, and his remains
are buried at Moberly. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served
in the Union Army. His wife was a native of Kentucky and preceded
her husband death several years. They were the parents of the fol
lowing children: Mrs. Levina Crosswhite Monroe County, Mo.; B.D
a contractor, Annaconda, Mont.; James A., died at Ft. Worth, Texas
about 1914, at the age of 58 years; Walter, Anaconda, Mont.; Charles F
a farmer near Paris, Mo.; E. Bell, the subject of this sketch; Samuel
Anaconda, Mont.; Mrs. Emma Hobson, Kansas City, Mo.; Florence,died
in infancy; Cyrus, died in 1890, age 16 years.
E.Bell Mahan was educated in the public schools and engaged in
business at his present location in Moberly, Sept. 16, 1892. This firm was
also engaged in furniture business until Sept. 1, 1918 and since that time
they have been devoted exclusively to the undertaking business and are
recognized as one of the leading firms of funeral directors in this secti
on the state. The firm was originally, Van Cleave, Martin and Mahan
and on Jan. 1, 1910, Mr. Vancleave sold his interest to the other partners
and since April 1, 1920, the business has been conducted by Mr. Mahan
and Son at 211 North Clark street.
Mr. Mahan was married March 18, 1890, to Miss Francis King,a
daughter of Francis and Mary (Bunger) King, both natives of Kentucky
and now deceased. The father was killed shortly after the close of the
Civil War and the mother died in 1895 and their remains are buried
in Meade, Kentucky.
To Mr. and Mrs. Mahan have been born ‘the following children
Verna, married H. H. Stampes, Moberly, Missouri; Albert, a sketch of
whom follows this article; Eugenia, resides at home with her parents,
at 527 Logan Terrace.
Mr. Mahan is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks; Knights of Pythias; National Union; Knights and Ladies of Se-
curity and the Mystic Workers of the World. Mr. Mahan is progressive
and public spirited and takes a commendable interest in public affairs; he
has served as a member of the Moberly City Council.
Albert K. Mahan of Moberly, who is associated with his father, was
born in Moberly, July 11, 1894, and was reared and educated in the public
school of this city and graduated from the Moberly high school in the
class of 1913. After leaving school he was employed by the firm of Mar-
tin and Mahan until after the United States entered the World War On
May 25, 1918, he enlisted in the United States army and was sent to
Camp Dodge, Iowa. Later he was transferred to Camp Upton, New York,
and in Aug., 1918, he embarked for overseas, a member of Company M,
349th United States Infantry, and first landed on the other side at South-
ampton, England, and from there sailed to LeHarve, France, and after a
period of training was sent to sector Hute, Alsace, France, Oct. 17th, and
when the armistice was signed he was with his command about twenty
miles from Metz. After the signing of the armistice, he remained in
France for several months and reached the United States on May 30,
1919. He was then sent to Camp Zacharay Taylor, Ky., where he received
his honorable discharge June 12, 1919. He then returned to Moberly
and resumed his former position and became a partner with his father.
Albert Mahan is a member of the American Legion and is adjutant
of Theodore Bazan Post, No. 6, Moberly, Mo. He is also a member of the
Protective Order of Elks.
Major J Lilly
Major J. Lilly, a prominent member of
the Randolph County Bar who
is engaged in the practice of his
profession at Moberly, is a native of
Randolph County and a descendant of
one of the pioneer families of this
section of the state. He was born
in this county March 25, 1872, and is
the son of James Madison and Margaret
(Orr) Lilly.
James Madison Lilly was a native of
Kentucky, born in Oldham
County, Ky., in 1816. He came to
Missouri in 1836 and first settled in
Marion County, where he remained two
years. In 1838 he came to Ran-
dolph County, which has been the
home of the Lilly family to the present
time. James Madison Lilly followed
blacksmithing and also worked as a
stone mason. He was also engaged in
farming for a considerable time.
He died Aug. 8, 1900. His wife,
Margaret (Orr) Lilly, was born in Wash-
lngton County, Va., Jan. 2, 1835,
and died Sept. 15, 1903.
To James Madison and Margaret (Orr) Lilly,
were born the following
children: Charles W., a farmer
of Randolph County; Joseph, who form-
served as superintendent of the
public schools of Moberly Henry L.,
a farmer in Randolph County;
Nora, married Omer Hendricks of Monroe
County, Mo., and Major J., the
subject of this sketch.
Major J. Lilly was reared in
Randolph County and received his edu-
cation in the public schools and
the State Normal School at Kirksville, Mo.
He began his career as teacher in 1890.
He served as school commissioner of
Randolph County for two years, and at
the same time was engaged in teaching
in the Moberly public schools. Later
he served as superintendent
of public schools at Unionville, Mo.
In 1898 Mr. Lilly was elected clerk
of the Circuit Court in Randolph County,
and in 1902 he was re-elected to
that office, serving eight years in all.
During that time he studied law and
was admitted to the Bar in 1901.
At the expiration of his second term of
office, he engaged in the practice of law
and has successfully devoted himself to
his profession in this county for the last
20 years,and is regarded as one of the
foremost lawyers of this section of the State.
Mr. Lilly is a Democrat and stands
high in the councils of his party.
He has served two terms as a member
of the State Democratic Committee.
In 1918 he was a candidate in the
primary for judge of the Kansas City
Court of Appeals and was the second
in the list of four candidates.
Mr. Lilly was united in marriage
July .17, 1901, to Miss Irma Ragland
of Monroe County, Mo. She is a
daughter of Frank B. and Letitia (Bas-
sett) Ragland, the former of whom
is now deceased. He was identified
with the agricultural industries
of Monroe County for many years. To
Mr. and Mrs. Lilly have been born
two children: Margaret and Frank.
Mr. Lilly is a member of the
Presbyterian church and is a Knights
Templar Mason and a representative
to the Grand Lodge of Louisiana.
He is also a member of the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks, and
Past Exalted Ruler of Moberly Lodge
No 936
May J. Tedford
May J. Tedford, a well known and successful insurance men of
Moberly is s native of Randolph County and a descendant of some of the
very early pioneers of this section of the state, He was born in Sugar
Creek township, Feb. 22, 1869 and is a son of Frank and Mary Virginia
(Baird) Tedford.
J. Frank Tedford, was also born in Sugar Creek township March 28,
1843, a son of pioneer parents. During the Civil War he enlisted in the
Confederate army and served with General Price, Randolph County
been his home practically all his life. He furnished ties for the Wa
railroad when it was being constructed in this vicinity, He now resi
at 112 Kirby street, Moberly. His mother. Catherine Hannah Tedf
was a native of Tennessee and came to Randolph with her parents a
1807. They settled in what later became Sugar Creek township
were among the very first settlers of this part of the state. They w
the organizers of Sugar Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church, the
meeting being held in the home of Andrew Hannah, the father of Cat
erine (Hannah) Tedford. Andrew Hannah and his wife spent the
mainder of their lives in Randolph County, after coming here, and their
remains are buried in Sugar Creek Cemetery which perhaps is the oldest
regularly established cemetery in Randolph County.
Mary Virginia Baird, mother of May J. Tedford of this review, was
born in Pennsylvania in 1850 and came to Randolph County with her
parents, J. C. and Almina Baird who settled in Sugar Creek township-
shortly after the close of the Civil War, To J. Frank and Mary Virginia
(Baird) Tedford were born the following children: May J., the subject
of this sketch; Fred H., who is engaged in the hotel business at Kansas I
City; Allie, married N. C. Figley, of Los Angeles, Cal.
May J. Tedford received his education in the district schools of Sugar
Creek township and the Moberly. public schools, In 1893 he was elected
collector of the city of Moberly and reelected in 1895 and in 1897, serving
six years in that office, He was then engaged in farming and stock rais-
ing for four years when he engaged in the insurance business in Moberly
and since that time has successfully devoted himself to that field of
endeavor.
Mr. Tedford was married in 1899 to Mrs. Ida L. (Elses) Last, of
Moberly, Mo. They have one son, John Elsea, a student in the Moberly
High School.
Melvin N. Marshall
Melvin N. Marshall, chief of police of the city of Moberly, has been
a member of the police force of Moberly for the past ten~ years and
since 1917 has been chief of police, He is a fearless officer with a splen-
did record to his credit. Chief Marshall is a native of Randolph County
and a descendant of one of the honored pioneer families of Missouri.
He was horn in Prairie township, Randolph County, March 30, 1877, and
is a son of Rice and Kate (Harris) Marshall.
Rice Marshall was horn in Monroe County, Mo., in 1840. He was
a farmer and blacksmith and for a number of years conducted a black-
smith shop at Renick, Mo. He was a Civil War veteran, having served in
the Conferedate army under Gen. Sterling Price about three years and
was with his command in Louisiana when the war closed. He died in
1895 and his remains are buried in the Anderson cemetery in Prairie
township. Rice Marshall was son of Wiley Marshall, a Virginian who
came to Missouri at a very early date and settled in Monroe County.
He spent his latter years in Randolph County with his son and died in
Prairie township, where his remains are buried. Kate (Harris) Marshall,
mother of Melvin N. Marshall, was horn at Renick, Randolph County, in
1850, and now resides on South Williams street, Moberly. She is also
a descendant of a pioneer family of Randolph County. To Rice and
Kate (Harris) Marshall were horn the following children: Wiley, who
occupies the old home place in Prairie township; Claude, principal of
West Park school, Moberly; Etha, married Henry Owens, Huntsville;
Melvin N., the subject of this sketch and Fannie, married E. Noel, of
Oklahoma City, OkIa.
Melvin N. Marshall was reared on the home place of Randolph County
and received his early education in the public schools of the county and
attended the Moberly High School for three years. He then entered the
employ of the Wabash Railroad Company and in 1910 was appointed a
member of the Moberly police force and in 1917 was elected chief of
police, and has since capably served in that capacity.
Mr. Marshall was married in 1903 to Miss Anna McGinnis, of
Moberly. She is a daughter of Patrick and Martha (Haley) McGinnis.
Mrs. McGinnis died in 1915 and her remains are buried in Oakland ceme-
tery and Mr. McGinnis now resides in Moberly.
Chief Marshall is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
low’s, Modern Woodmen of America, Knights and Ladies of Security and
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, He is a capable and effi-
cient officer and a citizen of Moberly and Randolph County of high
standing.
Merritt A. Romans
Merritt A. Romans, of the bridge construction department of the
Lynch-McDonald Construction Company, of Moberly, is one of the best
practical bridge men in the state. He is a native of Missouri and was
born in Callaway County, Oct. 14, 1873, a son of H. P. 0. and Sarah
Bell (Wilson) Romans. The father was also a native of Callaway County
and was born in 1844. He died at Greely, Col in 1916, and the mother
now resides at Salida Cob., and is 68 years old. They were the parents
of the following children: Charles Edwards, Kersey, Colo Merritt A.,
the subject of this sketch; Albert H. Loveland, Cob.; James P. Kersey,
Colo Samuel A., Boise, Idaho; W. F., lives in Colorado, and Virginia E.,
married Alfred Owen, and they reside at Salida, Colo
Merritt A. Romans was educated in the public schools and since he
was 16 years of age has made his way in the world. He has had an
extensive experience in bridge construction, first entering this line of
work with the Wabash Railroad Company and for eight years was in the
employ of that company, and for the last fifteen years has been with the
Pan American Bridge Company. He travels and manages the construc-
tion of the bridge department of the Lynch-McDonald. Construction Com-
pany.
Mr. Romans was married in October, 1900, to Miss Elizabeth Bu-
chanan, of Trenton, Mo. She is a daughter of A. H. and Nannie (Hale)
Buchanan, who now reside at Moberly. To Mr. and Mrs. Romans have
been born two daughters: Elizabeth E. and Virginia M., both of whom
are students in the Moberly High school. Mr. Roman is a member of the
Knights and Ladies of Security and stands high in Moberly and Randolph
County. The family residence is at 514 south Fourth street.
Moberly Wholesale Grocery Company
Moberly Wholesale Grocery Company is one of the important com-
mercial institutions of the city of Moberly. This company is composed
of S. W. Creson, E. M. Allen and T. M. Bartee. Mr. Creson is president
of the company; Mr. Allen, the manager, and Mr. Bartee, treasurer. The
business is the outgrowth of the general mercantile business which was
conducted by Creson and Allen at Yate, Mo., from 1899 to 1912. Prior
to that time Mr. Creson had conducted a store at Yates since 1884. The
wholesale grocery business was started at Moberly in 1912 and since
that time the volume of business has gradually increased from year to
year and in 1919 the business of this concern amounted to shout three-
fourths of a million dollars.
The business of the Moberly Wholesale Grocery Company extends
over a radius of 75 miles from Moberly and the trade is looked after by
four traveling salesmen, The business is located on the corner of Coates
and Clark streets, Moberly, and occupies a building which has a frontagE
of 120 feet on Coates street and 130 feet on Clark street, and occupies two
floors, This is one of the business enterprises of which moberly is justly
proud and which adds no small amount of prestige to Moberly as a whole-
sale center.
Morris Bierman
Morris Bierman one of the younger generation of business men of
Moberly who takes an active part in the commercial life of the city as a
leading dealer in furniture and stoves, with a store at 113 North Wil-
liams street, which was established under the name of Hyman L. and
Rosa Bierman, both natives of Russia, where they were born, reared and
married. Morris Bierman was one of seven children born to his par-
ents. The others are: Samuel, of St. Louis; Mrs. Lizzie Wexler, of St.
Louis; Abe, also of that city; Jack, clerk of the city court of St. Louis;
and Isaac, his twin brother, also of St. Louis.
When Morris Bierman was six years old, his mother brought him
with the other children to the United States, as the father had proceeded
them some time and already had a home prepared for his family in St.
Louis, He attended the public schools of St. Louis. When his school
days were over he engaged in the furniture business with his father.
The business was established in December, 1914. From the first the new
enterprise met with success. Mr. Bierman carries a full line of furniture,
stoves and household furnishings. His stock is clean, well kept and he is
courteous and accommodating. He has built up a satisfactory and
profitable business. In 1916, Morris Bierman purchased his father
interest in the business and is now sole owner and manager.
Morris Bierman was married Feb. 25, 1906 to Miss Rebecca Schucart
of St. Louis, the daughter of Ralph Schucart who is deceased and 1
mother now resides at St. Lo uis. Three children have been born to this
union: Ruth, Ralph and Goldine, all of whom live with their parents at
the family home 1201 W. Franklin street.
Since first coming to Moberly, Mr. Bierman has taken an active part
in local affairs, He is a man of progressive ideas and believes that every
citizen should support the movements for the upbuilding and improve-
ment of the city where he expects to make his home, He is a member of
the Masonic Lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the l. G.
B. of St. Louis.
The Bierman family was well represented in the World War. Two
brothers, Abe and Isaac served in the National Army, Isaac was a mem-
ber of the 138th Infantry, 25th Division, under Lieutenant Theodore
Bazan and was wounded in the same engagement in which Lieutenant
Bazan was killed. He served overseas for 18 months and after the cessa
fing the service was assigned to the quartermaster’s department as pur-
tion of hostilities was honorably discharged. Abe Bierman, after enter-
chasing agent and also as interpreter of the French and Jewish languages
while in France. He served for two and a half years, being a member
the forces that were at the front in France and on his return to the
United States was honorably discharged from the army.
Omar Martin,
Omar Martin, manager of the shoe department of the Wolff-Berger
Company, has been identified with the commercial life of Moberly for the
past 25 years and has an extensive acquaintance throughout Randolph
County from his many years of dealing with the public.
Mr. Martin is a native son of this county and was born in Prairie
township. He is a son of Bailey and Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin, The
Martin family is one of the prominent pioneer families of Randolph
County, a more complete history of which will be found in connection with
the biographical sketches of John R. Martin and Forrest Martin, which
appears in this volume.
Omar Martin was reared on the old Martin homestead in Prairie town-
ship and attended the public schools of Prairie township and the Moberly
High School. After leaving school he entered the employ of the Felden-
heimer Dry Goods Company of Moberly and for 23 years was in the
employ of that firm. In 1917 the Feldenheimer Dry Goods Company was
succeeded by the Wolff-Berger Company and since that time Mr. Martin
has been manager of the shoe department.
Mr. Martin was united in marriage Sept. 11, 1900, with Miss Lucre-
tia Grimes, of Moberly. She is a daughtei of Washington and Virginia
Grimes, pioneer settlers of Moberly, both of whom are now deceased.
Washington Grimes settled here about the time that the town of Moberly
was founded and spent the remainder of his life in this city. Mr. and
Mrs. Martin now reside in the old Martin home at 319 Union avenue, where
the Grimes family lived for many years and where Mrs. Martin was born.
To Mr. and Mrs. Omar Martin have been born two children: Bailey,
who was named after his paternal grandfather, is now a student in the
Moberly High School and Virginia, who bears the name of her maternal
grandmother, is at home with her parents.
Mr. Martin is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks.
Dr Ottis O Ash M D
Ottis 0. Ash, M. D.Among the
professional men of Randolph
county none is more worthy of
being represented in its annals
than Dr. Ottis 0. Ash, a leading
physician and surgeon of Moberly.
For more than17 years he has lived
within the county’s borders, during
which time hehas been a prominent
factor in its social, civic and
professional affairs.Doctor Ash was
born in Monroe County, Mo., March 13,
1869, the son of W. P. and Hester
(Wilson) Ash, being the second of
12 children born to them.W. P. Ash
was born in the same house in Monroe
County, Mo., July 8,1843, and died
Feb. 11, 1913. He was a son of Robert
and Mary (KessInger) Ash, both born
near Lexington, Ky. They came to Missouri
at anearly day locating in Howard County,
later removing to Monroe County
where the grandfather was a farmer.
He died in 1875 at the advanced
age of 80 years, being survived by
his widow who lived to be nearly 100
years old. W. P. Ash was a farmer and
country merchant, who passed
all his days in Monroe County, now being
survived by his wife who was a
native of Shelby County, Mo. She now
resides at Madison, Mo. She is
the daughter of Frank and Julia (Rappwood)
Wilson, natives of Kentucky
who were among the earliest settlers
of this state as her father was one
of the first men to erect a gristmill
in this section, which was known as
the Wilson Mill.Doctor Ash attended
the district school near his home and
while yet a young boy began to clerk
in his father’s store. In 1877 he
entered the high school at Moberly,
finished there and then took a
two year course
at the State Normal School at
Warrensburg, Mo. Following this, he
taught school one year in the district
school of Salt River township, Ran-
dolph County, but as he had
determined upon a professional career, re-
signed in the spring and early in the
fall of 1890 entered Beaumont Hos
pital College. Two years later
he was granted a degree of Doctor of
Medicine and entered the Medical
Department of Washington University,
St. Louis, to take a higher course
in his profession, graduating there in
1894. He returned to his home and
began practice at the town of Ash,
Monroe County, which had been
named after his father who started the
postoffice of the village. Doctor
Ash remained in this location for ten
years, building up a good practice.
He gained the esteem and good will
of all the residents over a large
radius of the country as he was never
too busy or too tired to respond to
the call of the suffering. His sympa-
thetic manner, kind heart and abilities
won him many life long friends.
In 1902, Doctor Ash took a
post graduate course and a year later
came to Moberly and began practice
as he desired a wider field for his
efforts and has met with uniform
success and has an extensive practice.
He is a close student of his profession,
has a fine medical library and a
high reputation for skill and ability.
Doctor Ash is a Democrat and served
as city physician in 1904. He
is a Royal Arch Mason. On Nov. 30,
1904, Doctor Ash married Miss Mazie
Peterson who was born at Grand Island,
Neb., and they have one daughter,
Dorothy.Dr. Ash is now vice-president
of the Randolph County Trust, Mob-
erly, Mo.
Otto H. Fort,
Otto H. Fort, of the Fort Grocery Company, 119-121 East Coates
street, Moberly, was born at Danville, Mo., and is a son of William Bart-
lett and Jane (Welburn) Fort. The father was born in Audrain County,
Mo., Dec. 25, 1833, and died at Danville, Mo., in 1901. The mother was
born in Callaway County in 1839 and died at Danville, 1877. They were
the parents of the following children: Otto H., the subject of this sketch;
Thaddeus S., resides in Washington state; Jesse, deceased; Fred B., lives
in St. Louis, Mo.; Emil, was killed in an accident at LaPlata, Mo., Xug.
28, 1896; Mrs. Elvira Powell was the wife of Shelor F. Powell, of Dan-
ville, Mo., and is now deceased; Annie E., married J. C. Crause, Moberly,
Mo.
Otto H. Fort was educated in the public schools of Danville, Mo.,
and the Robinson College. He has made his own way since he was 15
years old, when he came to Moberly and took an office with l. B. Porter,
and engaged in the real estate and insurance business. He remained
with this firm until 1886, when he and J. L. Vroom bought out the firm
and two years later they dissolved partnership, Mr. Fort continuing the
business until 1892, when he disposed of his real estate business, and
went with a Mutual Life Insurance Company. He has successfully con-
tinued the insurance business until the present time. Oct. 20, 1919, Mr.
Fort engaged in the grocery business, in partnership with Howard E.
Brockman. However, he continued to carry on the insurance business.
Mr. Fort was married April 26, 1888 to Miss Mattie R. Burkholder,
daughter of Judge J. H. Burkholder, who was well known and prominent
in Moberly and Randolph County and who died in Kentucky about 1911
and his widow now resides in Tennessee. To Otto H. and )Lattie R.
(Burkholder) Fort was born one son, Harold, who was born June 3, 1890.
He was educated in Moberly and was graduated from the Moberly High
School. Mr. Fort’s first wife died March 13, 1903, and on Dec. 12, 1904,
he was married to Ollie Peirce, a daughter of John H. Peirce, of Moberly,
Mo., and to this union the following children were born: Virginia A.,
married H. E. Brockman of Moberly; Dorothy B. married John C. Goetze,
cashier in the Fort Grocery Store; Thelma M., married Willima E. Fennel,
Jr.; Loah Mae, a student in the Moberly High School, and Otto E.
Mr, Fort is a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Benevolent and Pro-
tective Order of Elks, and Knights of Pythias, The Fort Family are
members of the Episcopal church.
Owen Redick O’Bryan
Owen Redick O’Bryan, a well known and successful attorney of Mob-
erly and a veteran of the World War, is a native of Randolph county and
a member of one of the pioneer families of this section of Missouri. Mr.
O’Bryan was born in a one room log cabin, three miles southwest of Hunts-
ville, Mo., on the old O’Bryan homestead in Salt Spring township. He is
the son of James T. and Jennie Lee (Bagby) O’Bryan.
James T. O’Bryan was born in Chariton County, Mo. in 1860 and re-
moved to Randolph County with his parents who settled in Salt Spring
township when he was three years old. He was a son of Redick O’Bryan
who was born in Kentucky in 1820. Redick O’Bryan was prominent in
the early day affairs of Randolph County and served as justice of the
peace of Salt Spring township for many years. He was a deacon in the
Mt. Salem Baptist church. He died Dec. 25, 1893 and his remains are
buried in the O’Bryan cemetery which is located on the old O’Bryan place.
James T. O’Bryan was well educated, having graduated from Mt.
Pleasant College in the class of 1881. He followed farming in Silver Creek
township from 1892 until 1902, and for six years of the time was justice
of the peace of that township. He was solicitor for the Farmers Mutual
Insurance Company and after moving to Huntsville in 1902, devoted him-
self to the interest of that company. In 1906, he was a candidate for
nomination for the office of probate judge of Randolph County but was
defeated by the narrow margin of 28 votes. he stood high in the com
munity and had a wide acquaintance in Randolph County. He died Nov.
15, 1907, and his remains are buried in the Huntsville cemetery. James
T. O’Bryan was married to Jennie Lee Bagby, Dec. 29, 1887. She was
born in Moniteau township, Randolph County, above five miles northwest
of Higbee, and was a daughter of Owen H. and Maria (Yager) Bagby who
were pioneer settlers of Silver Creek township. Jennie Lee (Bagby)
O’Bryan was one of ten children born to her parents, the others being as
follow: Thomas J., William H., deceased; Zebulon P., Mrs. Mary Jackson,
deceased; Mrs. Korine Shipp, deceased; James W., Warsaw, Mo.; Benjamin
F. and Walter H. The Bagby family was one of the very early pioneer
families of central Missouri. Owen H. Bagby was born in Kentucky and
came to Missouri with his parents who settled near Roanoke, Silver Creek
township in 1827. He was a son of John Bagby. Maria (Yager) Bagby,
wife of Owen H. Bagby, was born at Hampton Roads, Va. and came here
with her parents at an early day and settled on the place where Thomas J.
Bagby now lives. To John T. O’Bryan and wife were born the following
children: Owen Redick, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mary Lee O’Con-
ner, Huntsville, Mo. and Zebulon D., known as “Jack” of Huntsville Mo.
Redick O’Bryan, grandfather of Owen Redick O’Bryan, of this review,
was three times married and to his first marriage. were born the follow-
ing children: Rev. William F., deceased; Mrs. Flora Bradley, Yates, Mo.,
and Mrs. Adaline Randecker, of Booneville, Mo. After the death of his
first wife, he married Mary Dennis who was the seventh of 19 children
of Harrison Dennis and the following children were born to that marriage:
Cornelia O’Bryan, deceased; James T. O’Bryan, deceased and Matie
O’Bryan, deceased. To Redick O’Bryan’s third marriage with Mrs. Eliza
Dameron who was the mother of two children by her former marriage,
William H. Dameron, deceased and Mrs. Julia D, Minor of St. Louis, were
born the following children: John, deceased; Minnie, married Hon. Wil-
Liam T. Heathman, a former representativefrom Randolph County; Milton
S. O’Bryan, manager of the Harlan Tobacco Store, Moberly.
Owen Redick O’Bryan, the subject of this sketch was born June 12,
1890 and attended the White school district in Silver Creek township until
he was 12 years old when he entered the Huntsville grade school and was
graduated. Later, he took a course in the Moberly Commercial College
and was graduated in 1908. He then entered the employ of the Wabash
Railroad Company and the Express Company and one year later entered
the Kansas City School of Law and also served a clerkship in Kansas City
law offices and was admitted to the bar to practice in the state courts June
2. 1913, and admitted to the Federal courts May 19, 1914. Shortly after-
wards, he made the race for the nomination for prosecuting attorney of
Randolph County against Jerry M. Jeifries and F. E. Murrell. He carried
every township in the county outside of Moberky, except Cairo, and was
defeated by eight votes. In 1916, he made a second race for the nomina-
tion of prosecuting attorney and during that campaign he made the promise
that if the United States should become involved in the World War he
would enlist. He had an opportunity to make his word good and he did,
enlisting at Sedalia, Mo., May 13, 1917 and resigned his position as claim
agent for the M. K. and T. railroad in order to enlist. After enlisting, he
was sent to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri and assigned to the 16th Infantry
and from there entrained to El Paso, Texas, but was ordered overseas be-
fore reaching his destination. He was reassigned to Company A, 34th
Infantry and after a brief period of training at Port Bliss he was detailed
to district headquarters in July, 1917. Later he was given a furlough and
returned home and on Oct. 4, 1917 he addressed the Old Settlers Reunion
and on October 7th he argued a case in the Kansas Court of Appeals, being
the first lawyer to appear before that court in uniform. December 13th
he was transferred as battalion sergeant to headquarters of third division
Camp Greene, Charlotte, N. C. He left Charlotte, March 7, 1918 and
arrived at Camp Merritt the next day and embarked at Hoboken, N. J. on
an old Austrian steamer which had been renamed “Martha Washington”.
He was then regimental sergeant major and commander of the guard every
other day. At 12 o’clock On April 4th in the Bay of Biscay the convoy
was attacked by German submarines and a running fight between the sub-
marines and the United States chasers and convoys took place until the
submarines were destroyed. The American fleet landed at Bordeaux.
France, on April 4th. The third division then went into training quarters
at Chateau Villian, 16 miles south of Chaumont, the A. E. F. Headquarters.
On May 27th, the division was entrained under secret orders for the front
lines and arrived at the Maine where they occupied 22 kilometers of front
line to Ballon Woods on the left and extending to Charteves Sector which
was being pressed by a minor German offensive which extended from
Soissons to Reims. On July 14th the Germans launched their last
offensive which continued for four days and gained an entrance south of
the river. On July 20th the United States army started an offensive and
drove the Germans back to the Vesle River, The third division was re-
lieved August 14th and transferred to a recoupment area. This division-
lost 60 per cent of their men in the above engagement. Later they were
ordered to the St. Mihiel salient, Sept. 5, 1918, and arrived in support of
the 89th division. Sept. 13, Mr. O’Bryan was transferred to the 89th
division headquarters which was relieved Oct. 6th and on Oct. 11th took
a position in the Argonne Forest. After 30 days of hard fighting they
were on the Meuse River, Nov. 11th when the armistice was signed. They
then crossed Belgium and Luxemburg on the heels of the retreating Ger-
man army. They remained there until May 13, 1918 when they entrained
at Erodorf, Germany, for Brest, Fiance and embarked for America by way
of Plymouth, England and reached port at New York. Mr. O’Bryan was
discharged at Camp Funston, Ran. June 13, 1919.
Mr. O’Bryan engaged in the practice of his profession after return-
ing to Moberly and has a good practice. He is a capable young attorney
and has a wide acquaintance in Moberly and Randolph County and stands
high in the community. In addition to his general practice he is also
assistant prosecuting attorney of Randolph County.
Mr. O’Bryan is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and holds
membership in the first Baptist church at El Paso, Texas.
Paul S. Witten,
Paul S. Witten, a veteran of the World War and the first commander
of Theodore Bazan Post, No. 6, American Legion, of which he is a charter
member, is a descendant of a prominent pioneer family of Missouri. He
was born in Moberly, Jan. 21, 1891, the son of Thomas R. and Laura E.
(Nichols) Witten.
Thomas R. Witten was born in Crundy County, Mo. and was killed
in a railroad accident at Benton City, Mo., Dec. 24, 1905, at the age of 44
years. He was a son of Samuel Witten, a Kentuckian, who came to Mis-
souri at a very early date and settled in Grundy County, where he entered
government land.
Laura E. (Nichols) Witten, mother of Paul S. Witten now resides
in Moberly. She is a descendant of one of the very early pioneer families
of Missouri. Her father served in the Mexican War under Colonel
Donaphin, having volunteered with the Missouri troops which were com-
manded by Donaphin, He was the standard bearer and the flag which
he carried in the Mexican War is now in possession of his descendants.
He was one of the first graduates of the University of Missouri. He
was a farmer and merchant and after the Civil War he was engaged in
business at Edinburgh, Mo.
Paul S. Witten is one of two sons born to his parents. The other
son, Guy, died at the age of 29 years and his remains and also the
father’s are buried in the Perry Cemetery at Trenton, Mo. Paul S. Wit-
ten was educated in the public schools and graduated from the Moberly
High School in 1909. He then entered the employ of Doctor Harlan, a
druggist of Moberly, and later was in the employ of W. 0. Baker, of
Centralia, Mo., and at the death of his brother he returned to Moberly
and was in the employ of John F. Curry for three years when he became
a partner in the business and had been thus interested for two years
when the United States entered the World War. Mr. Witten then sold
his interest in the business and on Dec. 14, 1917 he enlisted in the United
States Army and the Medical Corps at St. Louis, Mo, He was with the
Medical Supply Depot at St. Louis for a time when he was sent to New-
port News and after one months training was sent to France with Field
Medical Supply Company No. 9, arriving in France, Oct. 10, 1918. He
was stationed on the front at St. Mazaire, France, and then sent to Tours,
the S. 0. S. headquarters and from there to Gieviers and was stationed
at the latter place until May, 1919, when he was returned to the United
States and received his honorable discharge after being in the service
about 18 months. He returned to Moberly and shortly afterwards entered
the employ of the Taylor Music Company.
Mr. Witten is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks, the American Legion and is a Knights Templar Mason and a mem-
ber of the Sbrine, He is one of the progressive and enterprising men of
Randolph County.
Phares K. Weis
Phares K. Weis, who is successfully engaged
in the general insurance
business at Mober]y, is one of the progressive and enterprising younger
business men of this city. He is a native of Kentucky, born at Louisa,
Lawrence County, Ky., Jan. 7, 1885. He is the son of Dr. Francis W
Josephine (Evans) Weis. The father was born in Maysville, Ky.,
in 1852, and the mother is a native of Missouri, born at Armstrong,
Howard County in 1861. His parents were among the early settlers of
that section of the state.
Phares K. Weis and his brothers LeRoy D. who now resides at Chi-
cago, Ill. and Rolla L. who died in infancy, were the only children born
to their parents. Phares K. Weis was educated in the public schools of
Kentucky, West Virginia and Moberly. In early life he began the
printer’s trade on the Ashland Daily News, Ashland, Ky. Later he
worked on the Armstrong Herald, Armstrong, Mo., and in 1896 he came to
Moberly, and was employed on the Weekly Headlight for two years. He
then entered the employ of the Moberly Democrat and remained with that
paper for eight years and at the time of his resignation he was city
editor. He then worked on the Monitor for four years. He was a
charter member of the Moberlv Printers Union when he was sixteen
years old.
Mr. Weis began writing insurance in 1911 and since that rime has
graduallv added some of the best companies to his agency, until he now
represents a number of the best insurance companies of the country.
He represents practically every branch of insurance underwriting and
has built up an extensive business. His offices are located in the Moberly
Trust Building.
Mr. Weis was married in 1912 to Miss Harriet Turlev of Moberlv
Mo. She is a daughter of Thomas and Marie Turley. To Mr. and Mrs.
Weis have been born two children Mary Loraine and Phares K., Jr.
Mr. Weis takes an active part in all matters pertaining to the better-
ment and upbuilding of the community and for a time during the year
of 1919, he was acting secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, an organ-
ization in which he has taken a keen interest.
R. M. Allen
R. M. Allen manager of the Moberly Wholesale Grocery company,
is a native of Illinois, He was born in Opdyke, Jefferson County, and
is the son of Joshua P. and Alice M. (Jones) Allen, The father was a
a farmer by occupa
native of Illinois and died March 24, 1911, He was
tion. The mother now resides in Muskogee, OkIa. They Were the par-
entS of the following children: R. M., the subject of this sketch; Mrs.
Delila Littlepage Sillsbee, Texas; Jonathan P. Seminole, OkIa.; Mrs. Eva
E. Jones, Muskogee Okla E. J., Muskogee OkIa., and Nettle, married
W. G. Wilkinson, who is noW a government auditor in the service at
Fort Niagara, N. Y.
R. M. Allen attended the public schools in Illinois and after coming
to Missouri took a course in the Robinson Business College, at Sedalia,
Mo.and was graduated from that institution in 1895.He then entered
the employ of the chicago and Alton Railroad Company as telegrapher at
Higginaville, Mo. He served in that capacity until 1899. He then joined
Mr. Creson in the general mercantile business at Yates, Mo.,
and later in 1912 they abandoned the retail business and engaged in the whole-
sale grocery business at moberly, a more complete history of which iS
given elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. Allen was married May 17, 1899, to Miss Bertha A. Creson, of
Yates, Mo. She is a daughter of S, W, and Susan E. (Robb) CresOn.
A sketch of S. W. Creson appears in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Allen
reside at 419 South Fourth street, Moberly.
Randolph County Trust Company,
Randolph County Trust Company, one
of the leading banking and
commercial institutions of central Missouri,
was organized Aug. 18, 1919
and opened its doors for business Dec. 4, 1919,
with a paid up capital
stock of $100,000 and now has a surplus of $10,000
and deposits of
$275,000. Charles C. Hon is president, 0. 0. Ash,
vice-president and G.P.Eddings, secretary and treasurer.
The directors are the above officials
and T. C. Hall, E. F. Gutekunst, Virgil Packwood
and Clem Nelson.
Charles C. Hon, T. C. Hall and G. P. Eddings were
the moving spirits in
the organization of the trust company.
The trust company is housed
in a handsome building at the corner
of Williams and Reed streets.
Ray Galbreath
Ray Galbreath, one of the younger generation of the business and
professional men of Moberly, who owns and manages a drug store at 550
West Coates street, is a native of Missouri, born in Audrain County, Jan.
22, 1892, the son of Lee and Miriam (Owings) Galbreath, both of whom
now reside in Moberly, and Their biography appears in this volume. Ray
Galbreath attended the public schools of Clark, Mo. and after graduating
from the high school, entered the pharmacy department of the college at
Brunswick, Mo. He completed the required college course and in 1916
passed the examination of the State Board of Pharmacy and was ad-
mitted to practice, He at once secured a position with the H. & H. drug
store in Moberly and was working there when war was declared against
Germany.
Ray Galbreath enlisted July 3, 1917 in the medical department of the
110th Engineers, 35th Division, and as soon as his training was over
was sent overseas where he served in France for 30 days with the British
forces. He then was assigned to the French army for 60 days, when he
was transferred to the American First Army. Mr. Galbreath was doing
first aid work with the 35th Division and on Sept. 29,. 1918 the 110th
Engineers were ordered to the front line trenches where Mr. Galbreath
served with them. This division was under fire from the enemy from
Sept. 26th to Oct. 2nd and saw some of the most severe fighting of the
war. From this location in the first aid stations, he was continually
under shell fire and was most fortunate to escape without injury and with
his life. He was gassed on Sept. 30, 1918. He made an enviable record
in the danger zone by bravely attending to his duties in the advanced
lines and upon the battle field. He was at Luniville, France, when the
armistice was signed. He returned to the United States April 4, 1919
and was honorably discharged and mustered out of the service May 3,
1919, after almost two years of service in a foreign land.
Mr. Galbreath returned to Moberly and purchased the Mangus drug
store on Coates street, This is now both owned and managed by the
young druggist who has continued to carry on the same line of business
as his predecessor, handling all lines of high class drugs and all the allied
lines which the public has come to expect and demand today. Mr. Gal-
breath is a popular business man and has an extensive trade.
On Jan. 27, 1918, Mr. Galbreath married Miss Nadine Marshall, of
Moberly, the daughter of M. M. and Hattie (Kimbrough) Marshall, the
latter now deceased and the father lives in Moberly, Mr. Galbreath is a
charter member of Theodore Bazan Post, American Legion, of Moberly
and also belongs to the Maccabees.
Robert M. Rucker
Robert M. Rucker, of the firm of Rucker Brothers, leading drug-
gists of Moberly, is a native of Missouri He WaS born in Sturgeon, Mo.,
in 1881. and is the son of R. D. and Lula (Dusenbury) Rucker. R. D.
Rucker was born at Lynchburg Va., and for the past 35 years he has
been engaged iN the lumber business at Sturgeon, Mo. He came to
Boone County just after the close of the Civil War and was engaged in
farming and stock raising until he engaged in the lumber business at
Sturgeon, He is now 73 years of age and still active in business. Lula
(Dusenbury) Rucker was born in St. Louis and was a daughter of the
late Judge Dusenbury of that city She died in May, 1911, and her
remains are buried at Sturgeon.
To R. D. and Lula Dusenbury Rucker were born the following
children: Edward L., a member of the firm of Rucker Brothers, of
Moberly; F. M.. Sturgeon, Mo.; Robert M the subject of this sketch;
W. H., who died at the age of 27 years: and E. F., a traveling salesman,
who resides at Sturgeon, Mo.
Robert M. Rucker was educated in the public schools of Sturgeon
Mo., and then took a course in the St. Louis School of Pharmacy.He
then engaged in the drug business at Sturgeon and later was at Higbee
two years and at Huntsville six years. For the past eight years he has 1
been in Moberly and in all has had 25 years experience in the drug
business.
In 1911 Robert M. and his brother, Edward L. Rucker, suceeded
Doctor Harlan, who formerly conducted the drug store at 401 West
Reed street, Moberly, Mo, This is one of the well established and high
class drug stores of Moberly, and the Rucker Brothers are doing an
extensive business which has ever increased in volume since they engaged
in business here nine years ago. Their prescription department is com
plete, reliable and efficient. They carry a complete line of drugs and
druggist’s sundries and have a well equipped soda fountain in connection
The Rucker Brothers are both progressive and enterprising citizens and
rank among Moberly’s leatling business men. Order
Robert M. Ruckec is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the
mystic Shrine, Order of the Eastern Star and the Benevolent and Pro
tective Order of Elks.
Roy W. Edwards
Roy W. Edwards, a well known jeweler
of Moberly, and a veteran of
the World War, is a native of Nebraska.
He was born at Dubois, Neb.,
March 12, 1891, and is the son of
William Henry and Julia (Downs)
Edwards. William Henry Edwards was a
native of Newcastle, Pa. He
went to Nebraska when he was 21 years
of age, where he worked at his
trade, which was that of a jeweler
and watchmaker and spent the re-
mainder of his life there. He died Dec.
19, 1911, and his remains was
buried at Dubois, Neb. His wife was
a native of Connecticut and they
were married in Nebraska. She died
in 1890 and is also buried at Dubois.
Roy W. Edwards is one of the following
children born to his parents;
Andrew W., who served in the United States
navy in the Atlantic fleet,
enlisting in 1917, and served until
the close of the war, now residing at
Lincoln, Neb.; Chole, married Robert Whithorne,
and died at Vallejo,
Cal.; and Roy W., whose name introduces
this sketch.
Mr. Edwards was educated in the public
schools of Alva, Okla. and
the Northwestern Normal School. He learned
the trade of jeweler at
the Bradley Polytechnic at Peoria, Ill.,
and since 1910, he has worked
at that trade with the exception of the
period spent in the United States
Army during the World War. He enlisted at
Moberly, March 17, 1918,
in the 56th Engineers, and was sent to
Washington Barracks, Washington, D. C.
for training. His unit sailed for
France, July 8, 1918, and on
July 22, 1918, he landed at
Brest, France. After five weeks training,
near Paris, they were sent to the front
and spent 20 days on the front
line. Mr. Edwards was in searchlight work
and was stationed near the
Meuse at the time the armistice was signed.
He remained in France
until March 14, 1919, when he returned
to America and received his
honorable discharge at Camp Taylor, Ky.,
March 27, 1919, and is now
connected with the Burklund Jewelery Store at Moberly.
Mr. Edwards was married July 22, 1914
to Miss Estell J. Graft, of
Ashland, Ill. She is a daughter of
Frank Graff, of Ashland.
Mrs Edwards was a charter member of
Theodore Bazan Post, No. 6,
American Legion and was the first treasurer
of the local organization
and the second commander of the Post,
which position he holds at the
present time.He is a member of the
Knights of Pythias of Michigan
City, Ind and the Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons of Moberly. He is
a progressive young man and has a
wide acquaintance and many friends
in Moberly and Randolph County.
S. C. Stevenson,
S. C. Stevenson, senior member of the firm which compose the S. C.
Stevenson Monument Works of Moberly, is one of the enterprising and
progressive business men of Randolph County. Mr, Stevenson is a na-
tive of Missouri. He was born in Shelby County, December 30, 1868, and
is a son of Samuel J. and Emily C. (Calvert) Stevenson.
Samuel J, Stevenson was born in Woodford County, Ky., July 20,
1826. He was the son of William Stevenson and his mother’s maiden
name was Gardner. William Stevenson and his wife were both natives
of Kentucky. Samuel j. Stevenson came to Marion County with his
parents in 1830. He was about four years old when the family settled
in Marion County and was there reared to manhood. In 1850 he crossed
the plains to California and after remaining there about two years. he
returned to Marion County, Mo., where he remained until 1867, when
he removed to Shelby County and was engaged in farming there until
1880 when he retired and spent the remainder of his days in Shelbina.
He died in 1904. His wife, Emily C. Calvert, was born in Marion County,
Mo., in 1838, and died in 1911. She was a daughter of Ziba Calvert,
whose wife bore the maiden name of Ferguson and they were natives of
Virginia.
S. C. Stevenson is the fifth in order of birth in a family of eight
children born to his parents. He was educated in the public schools and
learned the marble and granite cutter’s trade at Shelbina, Mo., and
for six years was engaged in that business at Shelbina, In 1895 Mr.
Stevenson came to Moberly and succeeded the English Brothers and con-
ducted the business alone until 1912. His son Paul then became a part-
ner in the business, which has since been conducted under the firm
name of S. C. Stevenson Monument Works. Their place of business 11
located at 514 Reed street, and they employ three men to assist in the
work. They do an extensive business, and have a well equipped plant.
Their display room is 23x7O feet, and granite which is the product of the
best quarries throughout the United States is here displayed.
S. C. Stevenson was married to Miss Irene Martin. of Shelby County.
She was born Dec. 19, 1870, and is a daughter of W, P, and Martha
(McClintiC) Martin. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Steven-
son, Paul, who was born at Shelbina, Mo., Jan. 19, 1894. He was edu-
cated in the public schools and graduated from the Moberly High School
in the class of 1912, and since that time has been engaged in the monu-
ment business with his father, with whom he learned the trade. He
was married in 1915 to Miss Florence Wight, a daughter of J. W. Wight,
a prominent attorney of Moberly, a sketch of whom appears in this
volume.
Paul Stevenson is secretary-treasurer of the Missouri Retail Monu-
ment AssociatiOn, of which he was a charter member, he was elected
secretary-treasurer in 1917. This association now has 75 members.
S C Stevenson is a member of the Moberly Chamber of Commerce,
and holds membership in the independent Order of Odd Fellows and
Paul Stevenson is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
S W Creson,
S W Creson, president of the Moberly Wholesale Grocery Company,
is one of the substantial business men of Moberly. He is a native of
Missouri and was horn in Howard County, Jan. 27, 1853. He is a son
of Thomas H. and Caroline (Collier) Creson, Thomas H. Creson ‘was
horn in Surrey County, N. C., in 1823, and came to Missouri with his
parents when he was 14 years of age, in 1837. He was the son of
George Creson, who upon coming to Missouri, settled in the northern
part of Howard County, in Burton township, where he improved a farm
and spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1881. Thomas H. Creson,
like his father, was also a tiller of the soil. He bought and improved a
farm in Howard County and was engaged in farming and stock raising
throughout his active career, except during the period that he served in
the Civil War. During the course of that conflict he enlisted in the
Confederate army, under the standard of Gen. Sterling Price, and was
with Price’s command at Baton Rouge, La., when the war closed. He
then returned to St. Louis by steamboat and to Howard County, where
he resumed the peaceful pursuit of farming until the time of his death,
in 1885. His wife, Caroline (Collier) Creson, was born in St. Clair
County, Ill., in 1828, and died Oct. 17, 1859. They were the parents of
the following children: Mary L., Highee, Mo.; S. W., the subject of this
sketch; James M., Highee, Mo.; Eunice A., deceased; Mrs. Josephine
Bartee, deceased, and Rebecca L., deceased.
S.W. Creson was reared on the home farm in Howard County and
attended the public schools and in 1875-76 attended the States Normal
School at Kirksville. In early life he was engaged in teaching and for
nine years taught school in Howard and Randolph counties and was one
of the successful teachers of this time, He was also engaged in farm-
ing in Howard County while he was teaching. He then engaged as clerk
in the Grange Store at Yates, Mo., and after clerking there for three
years he purchased that business and successfully conducted a general
mercantile grocery business at Moberly, as is set forth elsewhere in this
volume.
May 27, 1877, S. W. Creson was united in marriage with Miss Susan
E. Robb, of Howard County, Mo. She is a daughter of Samuel and
Sarah E. (Lesley) Robb. Samuel Robb and his wife were pioneer set-
tlers of Howard County. He died March 10, 1876, at the age of 45 years
and his wife lived to the advanced age of 84 years and died in-March,
1919. His remains are buried in the cemetery at Log Chapel in Howard
County, and she is buried in the Sharon church cemetery in Howard
County. To Mr. and Mrs. George Creson have been horn one daughter,
Bertha A., who married R. M. Allen, secretary of the Moberly Wholesale
Grocery Company, a sketch of whom apepars in this volume.
Mr. Creson has not only been successful and active in a business
way, but during the course of his career he has always given public
affairs thoughtful consideration and a good citizen’s attention. He has.
served two terms in the State Legislature, including the session of 1901
and 1905, and never missed a roll call, He is a member of the Masonic.
Lodge.
Mr. Creson was one of the organizers of the Yates Savings Bank,
Yates, Mo., and was president of that bank until 1913, when he sold
his interests, He is the owner of 340 acres of valuable land just north
of Yates, Mo.
Samuel A. Magruder
Samuel A. Magruder, a former sheriff of Randolph County, who has
been a capable and efficient member of the Moberly police force, is a
native of Missouri, He was born in Shelby County, Aug. 23, 1862 and is
a son of S, A. and Virginia (Jacobs) Magruder, both natives of Culpeper,
Va. They came to Missouri with their respective parents and grew up
and were married in Shelby County and came to Moberly in 1887. They
are both now deceased and their remains are buried in Oakland Cemetery.
Samuel A. Magruder was educated in the public schools and came
to Moberly with his parents in 1887. He was employed in the freight
department of the Wabash railroad for about 14 years. In 1913, Mr.
Magruder was elected sheriff of Randolph County. He was a member of
the Moberly police force about eight years and has to his credit a splendid
record of faithful and efficient service, he resigning April 21, 1920. His
term of sheriff was characterized by the same high class service and
unswerving devotion to duty as he had given the police department of
Moberly.
Mr. Magruder was married in Monroe County in 1902 to Miss Noel
Glasscock, a daughter of Henry Glasscock, who is now deceased, as is
also his wife, To Mr. and Mrs. Magruder has been born one child, Naomi,
who resides at home with her parents.
Mr. Magruder is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons,
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose. He takes a prominent part
in political affairs and is one of the progressive citizens of Randolph
County. He has a wide acquaintance and by his courteous manner and
obliging methods has made many friends.
Solomon Milam Holbrook.
Solomon Milam Holbrook. deceased, was born in Tazewell County,
Va., Feb. 26, 1836, the son of Colbert and Nancy (Milam) Holbrook,
the former born in North Carolina in 1797, and the latter was born in
Tazewell County, Va., in 1813. They were married Dec. 25, 1833. Four
years later they came to Missouri and located on a farm near Moberly,
where their eight children were reared. Mr. Holbrook died in 1854 and
his widow died in 1894. Both were members of the Methodist church.
Mr. Holbrook spent his youth on his mother’s farm, and attended the
public schools. Oct. 11, 1859, he was married to Miss Lucy Jane Walden,
of Huntsville. She was the daughter of Zephaniah Walden, a well known
early settler of the county. Ten children were born to this union, who
became well known farmers and business men of this locality. Mr. Hol-
brook joined the Masonic order at Huntsville, when the Blue Lodge was
organized at Moberly he became a charter member here, transferring
from Huntsville.
In 1861, Mr. Holbrook enlisted in the Confederate army, served
under General Price, and later was transferred to Colonel Joe Shelby’s
cavalry, with which he remained until peace was declared. After return-
ing to Missouri, Mr. Holbrook became a prosperous farmer on land situated
lust south of White House curve. He joined the Methodist church when
n young man at Sugar Creek, until the Fourth Street Methodist church,
south, was organized at Moberly, when he became a charter member.
Mr. Holbrook stood high in his community for his kind heart, for he
was ever ready to give a helping hand to the needy and also for his
high integrity.
In 1881, Mr. Holbrook moved to Kansas, where he purchased a
ranch of three sections of land and resided there until his death, May
15. 1911. Many people believed that Mr. Holbrook was particularly
fortunate, but his success in life was due to his close application to his
vocation, executive ability and hard work, for he was a man of indomit-
able energy and steady industry at all times. For many years Mr.
Holbrook took an active part in the civic life of Moberly and its en-
virons, ever supporting every movement for the improvement and de-
velopment of this section and he followed the same plan of life in his
new home in Kansas.
T.R. Fiorita,
T.R. Fiorita, of Moberly, has had a successful business career and is
an example of what can be accomplished by thrift and industry, coupled
with the determination to succeed, He is a native of the Island of Sicily
and was born July 24, 1877. He is the son of Charles Fiorita who lived
for a time at Des Moines, Iowa, and was engaged in the wholesale fruit
business. He lived in Kansas City, Mo., where he died in 1916 and his
widow resides in that city.
T. R. Fiorita came to America with his parents who first located at
Des Moines, Iowa, He came to Moberly in June, 1899 and at that time,
just 21 years ago, his entire capital consisted of $71.00 He first engaged
in the fruit business and a short time afterwards added candies and ice
cream to his business, making his own candy and ice cream. About ten
years later he bought a saloon which he conducted until July 1, 1919.
During the course of his business career Mr. Fiorita worked hard and
saved his money which he invested carefully. He became prosperous
and today is an extensive land owner, besides the owner of valuable
property in the city of Moberly, including his residence and a business
block at 118 Reed street, He is the owner of about 1,200 acres of land,
685 acres at Clapper, 252 in Audrain County, near Mexico, and 240 acres
near Higbee, Randolph County. He leases two of his farms and has a
tenant on the other 685 acre place which he operates under his own
supervision. This place is well stocked and he is extensively engaged
in breeding registered Duroc Jersey hogs and registered Jersey cattle
and also conducts a dairy there.
Mr. Fiorita was united in marriage at Atlantic, Iowa, to Miss Ida M.
Sanford, a native of that place. To Mr. and Mrs. Fiorita have been born
two children: Nina, a student in Linwood College at St. Charles, Mo., and
Charles, who is at home with his parents.
Mr. Fiorita is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks and the Knights of Columbus.
Theodore B. Bazan
Theodore B. Bazan, in whose honor the American Legion, Post No. 6,
of Moberly, was named will long be remembered as one who gave his life~
to his country and died a heroic and self sacrificing death. He was born
at St. Joseph, Mo., July 29, 1895, and attended the parochial school there
for five years. After the family removed to Saline County he also at-
tended the parochial there and later at Salisbury, Mo. He then attended
the public schools of Clark and Moberly, graduating from the high school
at Moberly. He then entered the State University at Columbia, Mo.,
where he took the medical course for two years and when the United
States entered the World War he entered the Officer’s Training School at
Ft. Riley, Kan., in May, 1917, and after a period of training, he was com-
missioned a second lieutenant in August of the same year and assigned
for the 138th Infantry and on April 20, 1918, he was promoted to first
lieutenant. In May, 1918, he went to France with his command and was
stationed in Vosges Mountains, and also participated in the engagement
at Verdun. He also participated in the great drive in the Argonne Forest
and as that great battle raged on September 27th, he was mortally
wounded during the evening between six and ten o’clock. His death was
due to the explosion of a high power shell, which tore away the right
side of his abdomen. As he lay mortally wounded, a detail of soldiers
came to care for him, and he, knowing that he was mortally wounded,
and that he could not live long, requested the detail to not give him any
attention, but ordered them to direct their attention to others, less
severely wounded, that their lives might be saved, and while waiting
there, he died and was buried on the field of honor.
Theodore Fred Busch,
Theodore Fred Busch, a locomotive engineer on the Wabash Railroad,
has been in the employ of this company since 1897, and is one of its
trusted employees and a well known representative citizen of Moberly
and Randolph County. Mr. Busch was born in St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 27,
1873, and is a son of Ferdinand and Elizabeth Busch, both natives of
Germany.. The father was born in Calendhart and came to the United
States in early life, settling in St. Louis, Mo. He was a foundryman and
was employed with one company in St. Louis for 18 years. He died in
city in 1894, His wife came to this country when a young woman and
they were married in St. Louis. She died in St. Louis, March 10, 1915.
They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Clara Roenmeyer,
of St. Louis, Mo.; Theodore Fred, the subject of this sketch; and Joseph
and Fred, both of whom are now living in St. Louis.
Theodore Fred Busch was reared in the city of St. Louis and at-
tended the parochial schools. When he was 15 years of age, he began
work as press-boy in his uncle’s factory in St. Louis and was employed
there for a period of three years. He then entered the employ of the
Felber Machine Company and was with that concern for three years,
when he returned to the employ of his uncle, where he was engaged in
making chemical engines for a time. He then went to work for the
Meyrose Lamp Manufacturing Company, where he was employed until
1897, when he began his railroading career. He entered the employ
of the Wabash Railroad Company as fireman with headquarters at Mo-
berly. In 1903, he was promoted to freight engineer and has been en-
gaged in that capacity on the Wabash railroad to the present time and
during these years his home has been in Moberly.
Mr. Busch was married Oct. 10, 1900, at St. Charles, Mo., to Miss
Julia Etling, a daughter of Henry and Barbara (Kemp) Etling. Henry
Etling was born in St. Charles County, Mo., and belonged to a pioneer
family of that section. He was a cabinet maker and spent his life
in his native county, where he died in 1919, at the advanced age of 80
years. His wife was a native of Germany and came to this country
when 13 years old. She died in St. Charles, Mo., June 30, 1909. Mrs.
Busch is one of the following children born to her parents: John A.
Ferguson, Mo.; Daniel E., Lima, Ohio; Mrs. Sophie Boschert, St. Charles,
Mo.; Joseph H., St. Charles, Mo.; Mrs. Anna Schone, St. Charles, Mo.;
Mrs. Theodore F. Busch, of this review; Josephine, St. Charles; Clara,
St. Charles; and Lawrence, St. Charles. To Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Fred
Busch have been born one son, Marvin H., who was born in St. Charles,
Mo., Jan. 14, 1903, and is now a student in the Moberly High School.
Mr Busch is a member of the Brotherhood of the Locomotive Engi-
neers an(l the Knights of Columbus. The Busch family worship at the
Catholic church. Mrs. Busch is a member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the
Brotherhood of the Locomotive Engineers and the Busch family is well
and favorably known in Moberly.
Dr Thomas S Fleming
Dr Thomas S Fleming a well known and successful physician of
Moberly, is a native of Randolph County. He was born at Elliott, May 30,
1887, and is a son of Jacob C. and Nettie (McClure) Fleming, further
mention of whom is made in this volume.
Dr. Fleming received his preliminary education in the public schools
of Moberly, and was graduated from the Moberly High School in the class
of 1907. He then entered Missouri University at Columbia, Mo., where
he was graduated in 1911; he then attended St. Louis Medical Universit
and was graduated with a degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1913 After
serving two years as an intern in the city hospital at St. Louis, Mo., he
began the practice of his profession at Moberly, Jan. 1, 1915. Here h
was successfully engaged in the practice of his profession until the United
States entered the World War, when on June 2, 1917, he applied for a
commission in the medical corps of the United States army, and was com-
missioned as first lieutenant, and sent to Fort Riley, Kan., where he was
stationed until Jan. 1, 1918. He was then attached to the 65th Coast Ar-
tillery at San Francisco, Calif. In March, 1918, he set sail from San
Francisco with his unit for France. by way of the Panama Canal, and
arrived there with the 65th Coast Artillery, April 8, 1918. From that time
on he was with his command at the front, until the armistice was signed.
He returned to the United States in Jan., 1919, and shortly afterwards
resumed the practice of his profession at Moberly, where he has an exten-
sive and well established practice.
Dr. Fleming was united in marriage Oct. 3, 1917, with Eilleen Trenbie,
daughter of M. J. and Alma (Valendegham) Trenble, of Plattsburg, Mo.
To Dr. and Mrs. Fleming have been born one daughter, Shirley, who
was born June 27, 1919.
Dr. Fleming is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons,
and holds membership in the County, State and American Medical Asso-.
Ciation
V E Bundridge
V E Bundridge cashier of the Farmers and Merchants
Bank of Moberly was born in Linn County, Mo.,
July 28, 1890 and is the son of J. C.
and Delana (Campbell) Bundridge, now
residents of Bucklin, Mo.
V.E. Bundridge received his education in
the public schools, including a
course in the Brookfield High School.
Later he took a course in the
Chillicothe Business College and was graduated
from that institution in 1908
Since leaving school Mr. Bundridge has been
engaged in the banking
business. He was first connected with the
Citizens Bank of Bucklin, Mo.
He was also identified with banks of
Browning and Brookfield, Mo. In 1913
he assisted in the organization of the
Farmers and Merchants Bank
at Moberly and at the organization of this
institution he became assistant
cashier and on Dec. 1, 1919 he became
cashier of the bank and has capably
filled that position to the present time.
Although a young man, Mr.Bundridge has had
an extensive experience in the banking
business and is
qualified for the responsible position
which he holds.Mr. Bundridge was married
April 8, 1916 to Miss Mary Cecil Ingram,
of Moberly, Mo. She is a daughter
of J. W. and Martha (Enslen) Ingram,
of Moberly, Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Bundridge
has been born one daughter,
Martha Delana.
Mr. Bundridge is a member of the
Moberly Lodge, Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks and is the
present treasurer of the Moberly
Board of Education
W.R. Butler,
W.R. Butler, councilman from the fourth ward of Moberly and the
owner-manager of one of the leading grocery houses of the city, was born
in Adams County, Ill., Oct. 21, 1871. He is the son of W. J, and Eliza
Jane (Stevens) Butler, who came to Missouri in 1878 and located in Mon-
roe County and spent the remainder of their lives there. The mother
died in 1885 and the father lived to be a man of advanced age. He was
nearly 80 years old when he died. W. J. Butler enlisted in the Union
Army at the outbreak of the Civil War and served in Company I, 84th
Regiment throughout that memorable conflict, There were eight chil-
dren in the Butler family: C. L., of Moberly; W. A. and W. R. of this
review, also of Moberly; Walter and Solon also residents of this city, the
latter being connected with the Wabash Railroad; Jennie Carney, of St.
Louis; Bessie Roderman, of Dallas, Tex.; and Hester Freeman, of Flat
River, Mo.
W. R. Butler spent his boyhood and early youth in Monroe County,
Mo., was educated in the public schools there and after his school days
were over learned the barber’s trade, a vocation which he followed until
he reached his 29th year. In 1915 he engaged in the grocery business.
From first opening up his establishment here Mr. Butler met with a warm
response from the residents. He has built up a fine trade and is one of
the progressive and prosperous men of the city.
On April 9, 1886, Mr. Butler married Miss Anna Messerla, a native
of St. Louis County, Mo., the daughter of Lee and Margaret (Zimmer-
man) Messerla. Mrs. Butler has ever been an encouragement to her
husband in his business, takes a keen and practical interest in the grocery
business and is his capable and able assistant in the store.
From first locating in Moberly, Mr. Butler has taken an active and
interested part in civic affairs. He was elected a member of the city
council by ‘a big majority in 1916 and was reelected in 1918 and now is
serving his sixth year as a member of that body. At the present time
he is chairman of the committee on parks, public buildings and also
serves as a member of the cemetery board. Mr. Butler is a member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Rebeccas and maintains
a residence at 410 Johnson street and owns property at 401 Johnson
street, Moberly, Mo.
William F. Rohloff,
William F. Rohloff, superintendent of the Brown Shoe Company, fac.
tory No. 6, is at the head of one of the important manufacturing indus-
tries that is making of Moberly a recognized manufacturing center. This
plant has upon its pay roll 450 employees and is one of twelve factories
operated by the Brown Shoe Company in various cities of the middle
west and has been in operation here since 1906. At this writing the
daily output of branch No. 6 is about 2,700 pairs of shoes and from
200 to 300 pairs of boots daily and during the war there were manufac-
tured here over a half million pairs of canvas leggings for the gov-
ernment besides a vast number of service boots and shoes. the retail
price of which ranged from $4.50 to $25.00 per pair, and during the
war the company employed here about 500 persons. The present pay
roll is about $8,000 per week.
Mr. Rohloff, whose name introduces this review, is a practical shoe
man who has had a vast amount of experience in the manufacture of
shoes in various sections of the country. He is a native of Germany
and is a son of Frederick and Augusta ~Matzdorf) Rohloff. The father
is now deceased and the mother resides at Shawano, Wis. W F. Rohloff
received a good education in the public schools of Wisconsin and after-
wards took a course in law at the La Salle Institute of Chicago. He
began his career in shoe manufacturing when he was 11 years old in
the employ of the Shawano Boot and Shoe Company at Shawano, Wis.
From there he went to La Crosse, Wis., and was employed by the LaCrosse
Boot and Shoe Company for a number of years and worked in every
department of that factory. He then went to Milwaukee where he had
charge of a shoe factory for a time and then to Chicago and took charge
of the Pheonix Boot and Shoe Company at West Pullman. From there
he went to Kansas City with the Barton Br6thers Shbe Company. In
1909 he entered the employ of the Brown Shoe Company and for 11
vents has been in the employ of this company as foreman of various
factories and superintendent, having held a position of superintendent
of the Moberly factory No, 6 for the past three years. In addition to
knowing the art of manufacturing shoes and all the intricacies of this
business, Mr. Robloff is a capable executive and not only knows shoes,
but has a keen insight into human nature and understands men.
Mr. Rohloff was married in Indianapolis, Ind., in March, 1901, to
Miss Margaret Hollingsworth, He is a member of the Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons and the Chamber of Commerce.
William Sandison
William Sandison, of the firm of Robuck-Sandison, wholesale grocers
of Moberly was born at Huntsville, Mo Dec. 6, 1874. He is- the son of
James Sandison, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. William
Sandison was educated in the public schools of Moberly, including a course
in the Moberly High School. Later he took a course in business college
and for 17 years he was manager and superintendent of the Moberly Pav-
ing Brick Company. He continued with that company for several years
after the local plant was purchased and operated by the Metropolitan Pav
ing Brick Company. He resigned his position with that company in 19
and in February, 1917, he became associated with the Robuck-Sandison
Company.
Mr. Sandison was married to Miss Olive Chamblin of Paducah,Ky
She is a daughter of C. H. Chamblin who now resides at Carthage,
and whose wife is deceased. She bore the maiden name of Byers.
Mr. and Mrs Sandison have been born three children as follow: James
at Harvard University; Allie Jan ette and Gordon.
Mr. Sandison is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Maso
and is a Knights Templar.
William D. Scampton
William D. Scampton secretary and treasurer of the Milbank-Scamp-
ton Milling Company, is at the head of one of Moberly’s important in-
dustrial concerns, This company has been doing business here for over
20 years, and from 1899 until 1904 it was conducted by Milbank and
Scampton as a partnershihp and in 1904 was incorporated. The plant
is located at 318 North Clark street, the site having been purchased
from F. D. Crow. The mill building is 40x60 feet with an engine room
30x40. The building has two stories and a basement and there is also
a large warehouse, 50x50 feet, adjoining. The daily capacity is about
100 barrels of flour and 200 barrels of meal and is operated on a mer-
chant milling basis, scarcely any custom grinding being done.
William D. Scampton was born in Madison, Wis., in Dec. 12, 1863,
and is a son of D, J, and Anna E. (Hart) Scampton. The father died
in Madison, Wis., at the age of 63 years. after having spent his life
in that state. He served in the Union army during the Civil War, hav-
ing enlisted at Madison in Company E.. 47th Regiment, Wisconsin Volun-
tear Infantry. Upon the organization of his company he was first lieu-
tenant and during the course of his military career was promoted to cap-
tam and was serving in that capacity when the war closed. He served
about three years.
William D. Scampton was reared in Madison, Wis., and after receiv-
ing a good preliminary education in the public schools, he attended the
University of Wisconsin at Madison for two years. Shortly after leaving
the university he engaged in railroading, entering the employ of the
Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, and was thus employed until
1898. During the last ten years of his railroad experience he was a
locomotive engineer. In 1899 he engaged in the milling business at
Moberly in partnership with George Milbank and this partnership con-
tinued until the death of Mr. Milbank in 1904, when the business was
incorporated and since when has been operated as an incorporated com-
pany.
Mr Scampton was married Sept. 17, 1896, to Miss Lucy Milbank, of
Chillicothe, Mo. She is a daughter of George and Nellie Milbank, the
former a native of Essex, England, and the latter of Virginia, George
Milbank was the partner of Mr. Scampton in the milling business until
the time of his death. To George and Nellie Milbank were born the fol-
lowing children: J. T., Chillicothe; C. R., Kirksville; H. H., Wichita,
Kan.; Mrs, W. E. Crellin, Kansas City, Mo.; Mrs, T. F. Fulkerson, Kan-
sas City, Mo., and Mrs. William D. Scampton, of this review.
Mr. Scampton is a member of the Moberly Chamber of Commerce,
the T. P. A., and he is a Knights Templar Mason, He is one of the suc-
cessful business men of Moberly who has made substantial progress in
the business world.
William Hellensmith
William Hellensmith the well known owner and manager of the
grocery store located at 900 Franklin street, Moberly, has during the past
five years become well and favorably known in the city as one of its
progressive men. Through his careful attention to his business, courtesy
to his customers and from the high class of groceries and meats he carries
in stock he has built up a large business. Mr. Helleosmith is a native
Missourian, born near Prairie Hill, Chariton County. He is a son of
Martin and Bettie (Wilkey) Hellensmith the former a native of Illinois
and the latter of Chariton County, Mo. She was reared and educated
there and later met Mr. Hellensmith and they were married at her home
For about 10 years after his marriage, Mr. Hellensmith remained in busi
ness in Chariton County and came to Moberly in 1887, to take a position
with the Wabash Railroad in the car department where he has remained
for 33 years; he is one of the oldest employes of the shops in Moberly
There were eight children in the Hellensmith family: William, of this re
view; Louis, Frank, Carl, Edward, Martin, all of Moberly; Mabel, the wife
of Clayton Smith, and Sophia who married Marvin Dunnivent, also of c
Moberly.
William Hellenamith spent his boyhood days and early youth in
Moberly and attended the public schools. When his school days were past
he learned the moulder’s trade, a vocation in which he was employed for
14 years then entered the car department of the Wabash Railroad, where
he remained four years. During this time Mr. Hellenamith had saved
money and after spending so many years working for others decided to
engage in business for himself and in 1915 purchased his present store
from Nelson Elkins, where he carries a full line of stock and fancy
groceries and meats. From first entering upon this new enterprise, Mr.
Hellenamith met with marked success, due to his care of his stock, its
tasteful display and the courtesy with which his customers are treated
and today he is regarded as one of the most substantial business men of
the city.
On June 27, 1906, Mr. Hellensmith was married to Miss Clara Voth
of Moberly. She is the daughter of Henry and Minnie Voth; the former
is deceased and his widow now resides in Moberly. There were four chil-
dren in the Voth family, of whom Mrs. Helleosmith is the youngest. She
and her husband maintain a charming home at 1209 Bond street. Mr.
Hellensmith is a member of the National Union, the Security Benefit
Association, and the Missouri State Life Association.
Willard P Cave
Willard P. Cave, a leading member
of the Randolph County bar and
one of the well known attorneys
of this section of the state is a native
of Missouri and a decedent of
pioneers. Mr. Cave was born at Mexico,
Mo., and is a son of Frank and
Catherine (Galbreath) Cave. Frank Cave
was born at Columbia, Mo., and
was the son of William and Mary Cave,
pioneer settlers of Boone County, Mo.
William Cave was~a son of Richard
Cave who with a brother, William Cave,
came from Virginia and settled in
Boone County at a very early date.
They platted the original town ot
Smithland, which is now the city
of Columbia, Mo.
Frank Cave was reared in Boone County
, attending the University of
Missouri and was a graduate of that
institution. When the Civil War
broke out, he resided at Natchitoches
Parish, La., where he enlisted in the
Confederate Army and served throughout
the war. He died in Audrain
County, Mo., in 1880, and his wife
died in 1863 and her remains are buried
at Caddo, Parish, La.
Willard P. Cave was educated in the
public schools and in the Uni-
versity of Missouri, as were also
his father and son. Thus three genera-
tions of the Cave family are graduates
of that institution.
Willard P. Cave began the practice
of law in 1883 and since that time
has been successfully engaged in the
practice in the various state and
federal courts and has established
a reputation of being one of the able,
conscientious and fearless lawyers of
this section of Missouri.
Mr. Cave was first married to
Octavia Ficklin, a daughter of Prof.
Joseph and Penelope (Terrill) Ficklin,
ve died in 1892 at Moberly, Mo.
and her remains are
buried at Columbia, Mo. To Willard P.
and Octavia (Ficklin) Cave were
born two children as follows:
Catherine, married Malcolm McClellan of
Jacksonville, Fla., and Helen
married Homer Teachenor of Shelbina, Mo.
Mr. Cave was married the
second time in 1894 to Miss Fannie Lango
and to this union has been born
one son, Harold, who is a graduate
of the University of Missouri and now
taking a postgraduate course at Yale.
Harold Cave served in the World War,
first entering the service as a
member of an ambulance unit and
reached France considerably in advance
of the regular American Expeditionary Forces.
There were about 28
members of his unit and after reaching
Paris, they took a vote to decide
what they would do and 25 of the number,
including Harold Cave, voted to
volunteer to serve with the French Army
which they did. They served in
the sector between Soissons and Rheims
for the term of their enlistment.
Later Mr. Cave enlisted in the United
States navy where he was serving
when the armistice was signed.
He has received a letter of thanks and
a medal in appreciation of his services
from the French government.
Willard P. Cave has been identified
with the welfare and development
of Moberly and Randolph County for
nearly 40 years and during that
period has contributed much of his
time and talent to the betterment and
upbuilding of this city and county.
He has served four terms as mayor
of Moberly and his administrations
were successful epochs in the history
Moberly and marked for their progressiveness.
William P. O’Keefe
William P. O’Keefe, of the OKeefe Brothers Wholesale Grocery Com-
pany of Moberly, Mo. was born in Susquehanna County, Pa., Dec. 27, 1865
and is a son of William and Margaret (O’Connel]) O’Keefe, early settlers
of Randolph County both of whom are now deceased. A more extensive
history of the O’Keefe family appears in connection with the sketches of
Arthur O’Keefe and John C. O’Keefe in this volume.
William P. O’Keefe came to Randolph County with his parents when
he was a child and attended the public schools in tt.e vicinity of Renick
where the family first settled, and later in Moberly. He also took a com-
mercial course in S. M. Crawford’s Business College at Moberly. He
then learned the blacksmith trade in the Wabash railroad shops and in
1892 became identified with the O’Keefe Brothers Grocery Company and
since that time has been actively associated with that company.
Mr. O’Keefe was married in 1901 to Miss Eliza McKinna of St. Louis,
Mo. She is a daughter of John and Catherine MeKinna, the former of
whom is now deceased and the latter resides in St. Louis, The McKinnas
belong to some of the pioneer families of that City, To Mr. and Mrs.
OKeefe have been born four children as follows: Catherine, William,
Mary and Eleanor.
Mr. O’Keefe is a Democrat and takes a keen interest and an active
part in political matters, He is a member of the Knights of Columbus
and the Chamber of Commerce, and is recognized as one of Moberly’s
substantial and enterprising business men. The OKeefe home is located
at 615 S. Fifth street.
William J. Short and Bert Shearer
William J. Short and Bert Shearer, leading grocers of Moberly, rank
among the progressive and prosperous men of the city, with a store at 112
North 4th street, where they began business July 21, 1913.
William J. Short was born in Mexico in 1877, the son of Edward and
Anna (Walsh) Short, both natives of Ireland. In 1879, the Short family
located in Moberly as the father had accepted a position with the Wabash
Railroad Company and the parents spent the rest of their lives here and
are buried in St. Marys cemetery.
William J. Short attended the public schools of Moberly. He then
entered the Faessler machine shops, learned the trade of machinist and
remained with that concern for eight years. In 1909 he was elected col-
lector of the city of Moberly and was reelected in 1911, serving four years.
At the expiration of his term of office, Mr. Short engaged in the grocery
business with Mr. Shearer and has continued in the store to the present
time.
In 1904, Mr. Short married Miss Nora O’Connell, of Moberly. She is
daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Hurley) O’Connell, both natives of
Ireland. They came to Moberly in 1875 and Mr. O’Connell has taken an
active part in the development of this section. He helped build the first
telegraph line from Macon to Moberly. He was then employed by the
Wabash Railroad Company in the car department. He retired in 1918.
Mr. O’Connell was police judge of Moberly for six years, from 1907 to 1913,
and was a capable officer. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Short:
Edward and Wilbur, both at home.
Mr. Short has taken an active part in the civic life of M berly and
has prompted many of the progressive movements here, He is a member
of the Court of Honor, the Yeomen, the National Union and the Machinists’
Union, having served as financial secretary of the latter four years.
Willis Baugh
Willis Baugh, one of the younger business men of Moberly who holds
a responsible position with the Cross Lumber Company, is a native son
of Randolph County, born in Moberly, July 6, 1894, the son of Charles C.
and Lizzie (Hall) Baugh, who now live at 221’ 1/2 N. Clark street. The
father was born in Randolph County in 1873 and the mother in 1871. She
is the daughter of B. N. and Mary E. Hall, who live at Higginsville, Mo.
There were eight children in the Baugh family: Willis of this review
Willard, of Moberly; Ledoew, also of Moberly; Fern, who married Earl
Rittenhouse of Basin, Wyo.; Earl and Murrel, twins, the former at home
and the latter is in Mason City, Ia.; Charles and Orville, also in Moberly.
Willis Baugh spent his boyhood and youth in Moberly, was sent to
the public schools for his educational advantages and after his school days
were over took a position with the Cross Lumber Company. When war
was declared against Germany, he enlisted in the army on July 24, 1918
and was sent to Camp Funston for his training. Within a short time he8
was assigned to Headquarters Detachment, 10th Field Artillery and re-
mained in training until after the signing of the armistice, receiving his
honorable discharge Feb. 11, 1919, after having been in the service six
months, On his return to Moberly, Mr. Baugh again assumed his duties
with the Cross Lumber Company, an association which has since con-
tinued. Willard Baugh, Willis’ brother, was the second member of Com-
pany E, 70th Infantry, to enlist. He also was sent to Camp Funston,
having entered the army on the same day as his brother, He was dis-
charged Jan. 29, 1919 and is now employed at the Oakland cemetery.
Both the Baugh brothers are fine young men, patriotic and public spirited
who are an asset to the citizenship of any community.
William F. Mangus
William F. Mangus, one of the leading druggists of Moberly who has
been in business here for nearly a quarter of a century and who during
that time has done his part in the development of the city and its sur-
rounding territory. Mr. Mangus was born in the state of Louisiana in
1862, the son of Win. F. and Susan (Terry) Mangus, both natives of Ken-
tucky, who were married in Saline County, Mo., in 1858. Soon after
their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Mrs. Mangus went to Louisiana to live and
remained in the South until after the close of the Civil War. Mr. Mangus
enlisted in the Confederate Army and served until peace was declared.
He served under Gen. Joseph E. Johnson and was wounded in the right
leg by a minne ball at the Battle of Bull Run, but as soon as he was
discharged from the hospital he reenlisted and served until hostilities
closed. After this the family returned to Missouri, locating in Saline
County where they lived for many years. Mr. Mangus died in 1909 at
the age of 70 years, being survived by his wife who died in 1912 and both
are buried at Oakland cemetery. There were 10 children in the Mangus
family: Charles, of Florida; William F., of Moberly Taylor D., of Mob-
erly Monta. of Moberly; Louise, the wife of James Crossland, of Sedalia,
Mo.; Mary. who married Luther Stockton, of Perry, Okla.; Susan, now
Mrs. Jose Johnson, of Moberly; Ida, the widow of Mr. Boucher, of Birm-
ingham, Ala., and Daisy, who lives with her sister at Birmingham.
William F. Mangus was a small boy when his parents returned to
Missouri and he attended the public schools of Saline County and Cam-
bridge, graduating from the high school there. He then began to study
telegraphy and became an operator for the Chicago and Alton Railroad,
an association that continued for 11 years. Mr. Mangus was advanced
from one position of trust to another until he held a fine position with
the road but he desired to engage in an independent business for him-
self and in 1891 resigned from the road and opened a drug store at Clark,
Mo. He built up a good trade and being made a good offer by his brother,
sold the business to him after having lived in that city for six years.
Mr Mangus then located in Moberly where he has since conducted a drug
store and has built up an extensive trade.
On Nov. 23, 1887, Mr. Mangus was married to Miss Esther E. Hamil-
ton, of Moberly, the daughter of James Hamilton, a pioneer of the county
who died at the age of 74 years. The mother lives in Moberly. Two
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mangus: William Leon, who is em-
ploved by the Joh.n Deere Plow Companv of Kansas City, Mo., and Ethel
S., the wife of B. C. Stephens -of Moberly and they have two children,
Barney, Jr., and Martha, Mr. and Mrs. Mangus reside at 834 W. Reed
street. Mr. Mangus is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks.
William Henry Emerson
William Henry Emerson was a well known and prosperous business
man of Moberly for many years. He was born on a farm a half mile
east of Huntsville, on the Moberly road, passed his life in this county,
and died April 13, 1915, aged 70 years.
William H. Emerson’s parents were Simpson and Catharine (Owens)
Emerson, the former born in Randolph County, the son of James Emer-
son, who came to Missouri from Kentucky in 1827, was a pioneer set-
tler; the mother was also from Kentucky. She was the daughter of
Edward Owens, who located here in 1831 Mr. and Mrs. Emerson were
but children when their families came to Randolph County. There were
four children in the Emerson family: William H., deceased; Sarah Mar-
tha, also deceased; Mary Elizabeth, deceased; James E.
William H. Emerson spent his boyhood days on his mother’s farm,
near Moberly; his father died when he was 11 years old, He was given
the educational advantages obtainable here at that period and remained
at home until his 19th year when he enlisted in the Confederate army,
promptly showing his convictions by being one of the first youths of
the locality to enter the service, and remained in the army until peace
was declared. On returning to Missouri, Mr. Emerson reached Moberly
in time to attend the first sale of lots when the town-site of Moberly
was plotted, Sept. 27, 1866, and he was among the first purchasers. Mr.
Emerson had been converted at Sugar Creek Camp Meeting and joined
the church, but later transferred his membership to the Methodist church,
south, of which he was a faithful member all his life, He was a Mason,
having joined the Blue Lodge in Moberly, in 1868.
On April 23, 1874, Mr. Emerson was married to Miss Nancy Jane
Holbrook, of Randolph County, the daughter of Colbert and Nancy (Milam)
Holbrook, the former born m North Carolina in 1797, and the mother
was born in Tazeweli County, Vs., in 1913. They were married in 1833
and four years later came to Eandolph County, where they reared their
eight children. The father died in 1854 and the mother in 1894. Their
daughter, Nancy Jane, was born Aug. 13, 1850, and is still living. Mrs.
Emerson has for many years been one of the fine southern women who
is highly esteemed and has many warm friends in Moberly. She is a
consistent member of the Methodist church, south, as were her parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Emerson had one daughter, Nina Catharine, born, reared
and educated in Moberly, who in 1911 married M. H. Sullivan, one of the
well known and prosperous business men of Moberly, He was a native
of Illinois, born and reared in Springfield and came to Moberly to engage
in business some years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan take an active part
in the social and civic life of Moberly.
William S. Bowers,
William S. Bowers, the only child of Jacob S. Bowers, was born in
Union City, Ind., in 1882, and accompanied his parents when they. came
to Missouri a year later. He spent his boyhood and youth in Moberly
and attended the public schools and after graduating from the high
school entered the State University where he was graduated. After
leaving college, William Bowers returned to Moberly and became a part-
ner with his father in the mercantile business. He has made a phenom-
enal success. The store has a frontage of 75 feet, depth of 110 feet, has
two floors devoted entirely to retail display and 30 people are employed.
On June 24, 1903, Mr. Bowers married Miss Gertrude Rice of St.
Louis. She is the daughter of J. P. and Sophia Rice, of that city.Mr
Rice is now deceased and his widow lives in St. Louis. Three children
have been born to this union: Marion and twin sons, William and Wal
lace, all at home with their parents. Mr. Bowers has taken an active
part in the life of MoberLy and is progressive, He is a member of the
Chamber of Commerce, the Country Club, is first vice-president of
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Missouri and is also district
deputy of northern Missouri for that organization.
Yoder and Yoder
Yoder and Yoder. This firm consists of Dr, Samuel J. Yoder and
his wife, Dr. Delia Yoder, well-known chiropractors of Moberly, who
ha’.’e been engaged in the practice here since 1917. Dr. Samuel J
Yoder was born in McLean County, Ill., Aug. 26, 1866. He is a son
of Jonathan and Catherine (Balliman) Yoder, who now resides at Car
lock, Ill. The father is 80 years of age and the mother is 75 years old
Jonathan Yoder is a son of Samuel Yoder, who was a native of Penn
sylvania, and a pioneer in Ohio and Illinois.
The children born to Jonathan and Catherine (Balliman) Yoder are
as follow: Milo F., Gibson City, Ill.; John W., Danvers, Ill.; J. E Dan-
vers, Ill.; Judson, Danvers, Ill.; Carey, Danvers, Ill.; Chester L.. Ver-
non, Ill.; Minnie, married Albert Frey, Carlock. Ill.; Alice, married Fred
Spencer, Danvers, Ill.; Eura, married Herman Sthaly, Aurora. Feb., and
Dr. Samuel j., wbo was the second in order of birth
Dr. Samuel J. Yoder received a good education in the public schools
of Illinois and then the Palmer School at Davenport. Iowa, where he took
a chiropractic course. Doctor Yoder was married to Miss Delia S. Wil
hite, a native of Woodford County, Ill. She is a daughter of James
and Eliza J. (Sawyers) Wilbite, both of whom are deceased: the mother
died at the age of 37 at Summer, Ill., in 1876, and the father died in St.
Louis in March, 1918, at the age of 30 years. They were the parents
of the following children: Theodore S.. Decatur. Ill.: Leander C., Wich-
ita, Kan John A., Wichita, Han., and James Edwin, OFallon, Ill. After
the death of the mother of the above children. the father was married
again, and to that union were born the following children: Scott Wil-
hite, a county judge at Mt. Carmel, Ill.; Alice, married William Fulbright
St. Louis, Mo.; Emma S., married Bert Brown, of St. Francisville, ILL
The following children of James C. Wilhite are deceased, Hattie S. died
at the age of ten years; Rosander C., died in infancy; Lillie N., died at
the age of 18 years and Laura B., died at the age of six.
Doctor Yoder and his wife began practice in Davenport, iowa, and
in 1917 began the practice of their profession at Moberly and since estab—
lishing themselves here they have built up an extensive practiee. Doctor
Yoder says that chiropractics has to its credit from 85 to 90 per cent. of
recoveries of cases, a majority of which are of the so-called chronic na-
ture He says according to statistics taken during the flu epidemic that
only one case out of 861 was lost; that these statistics cover the entire
United States and were obtained from chiropractors throughout the coun
try bv Doctor E. J. Palmer. president of the Palmer School at Davenport,
Iowa, who sent out 10,000 cards to practicing chiropractors, and the sta-
tistics was compiled from these cards.
In connection w:th the Palmer School at Davenport, Iowa, a free
clinic is being conducted daily where from 1,200 to 1,500 patients are
being adjusted, and by this method the students obtain a knowledge of
giving spinal adjustments.
Since coming to Moberly Doctor Yoder and his wife have made many
friends and stand high in the community.