USA > Missouri > A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III > Part 57
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119
Doctor Gartside was reared in Illinois, attended the public schools, and was a student in the Jacksonville Business College at Jacksonville and had as a classmate William Jennings Bryan. Doctor Gartside graduated in medicine at the Physio-Medical College of Indianapolis in 1883, and since that year has practiced continuously with rising reputa- tion in Caldwell County.
In 1883, the year he located for practice in this community, Doctor Gartside married Ella F. Cadman, who was born in Mercer County, Illinois, and educated in the public schools of Illinois and Missouri. They are the parents of two sons and a daughter: Ralph E., who was educated in the State University at Columbia, is now connected with the Drovers National Bank in Kansas City; Harold H. is now getting started in business in St. Louis; Gayle Hamilton, the daughter, was educated in the Woman's College at Lexington, Missouri, and is now the wife of Tinsley Brown, Jr. Doctor Gartside has membership in Lodge No. 118, A. F. & A. M .; in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belongs to different medical societies, and whether as a physician or as a private citizen is one of the most genial of men and has hosts of friends in Caldwell County.
O. J. ADAMS. The achievement of such a position as O. J. Adams has attained in the legal circles of Caldwell County while still so young in years is typical of American grit and the true western spirit of enterprise. His only resource when he began active life was natural ability, but he possessed immense will power, and has been able to make the most of every opportunity which has arisen. Setting himself a high ideal, in a practical, common sense way he has directed his every effort towards its attainment, with the result that now in the strength and vigor of young manhood he has achieved a most gratifying success in his profession and is justly accounted one who will go far in his chosen line.
Mr. Adams was born at Macon, Missouri, August 26, 1888, and is a son of D. E. and Louisa (Bush) Adams. His father, one of the prominent and well-known attorneys of Hamilton, is known as one of the leaders of the Caldwell County bar, is a graduate of the Missouri State University, class of 1895, has been prosecuting attorney of Caldwell County for two terms and has represented his county one term in the Legislature. He married Louisa Bush, who was born here, a member of an old and honored family of Caldwell County, and three children have been born to them : O. J., of this review ; Bernard, who is an assistant instructor and student of the Rolla School of Mines, at Rolla, Missouri; and Leland, a student of the public schools.
1673
HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI
O. J. Adams grew up in Caldwell County and secured his early educa- tion in the public and high schools, following which he decided upon a career in the law and received a thorough preparation in the Missouri State University, completing the course in June, 1912. This training was largely gained through his own close study and close application, and he successfully passed the examination of the State Board of Examiners. He was admitted to the bar January 27, 1912, and in that year came to Kingston, where he has since continued in the enjoyment of a constantly increasing practice. Although Mr. Adams has been a general practitioner, he has given much attention to abstract and title law, and in addition to his professional duties carries on a successful abstract and title business, proving himself as able a business man as he is a lawyer. He has not ceased to be a student, and has at his command the large and valuable law library of 800 volumes which was formerly the property of the late C. S. Mclaughlin, of Kingston. He is an able, well-read attorney, an eloquent advocate, and a reliable counsellor. In his professional advice he is honor- able and honest, consulting in every way possible the interests of his clients, and is noted for the care and attention he devotes to every detail of whatever business may be entrusted to him. For some time he has been spoken of favorably for judicial position and in 1914 was a candidate for the office of probate judge of Caldwell County, being defeated by a small majority.
Mr. Adams was married July 2, 1913, to Miss Otie M. Frazier, a lady of excellent education and family, and daughter of the late Joseph Frazier of Caldwell County. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are consistent members of the Christian and Presbyterian churches, respectively. He is associated fraternally with the Masons at Kingston and the Knights of Pythias at Hamilton.
PERRY W. HAMPTON. Owner and editor of Hampton's Mercury at Kingston, Perry W. Hampton is one of the successful newspaper men of Northwest Missouri. To journalism he has brought talent which would enable him to succeed in lines of business much more remunerative, and during the last forty years has been through all the grades of service in the fourth estate, from printer's devil to editor and proprietor. Mr. Hampton is also one of the foremost republicans of Northwest Missouri, and for nineteen years held the office of postmaster at Kingston, having been first appointed by McKinley and serving through his administration, under Roosevelt and Taft until January 1, 1914, when relieved of office by the present administration. Hampton's Mercury is an influential journal in Caldwell County, and is probably as frequently quoted by the other papers of the state for its editorial opinions as any other country journal. Mr. Hampton was formerly engaged in the newspaper business and founded the Mercury at Mirabile in Caldwell County, and in 1895 moved it to Kingston. The Mercury is independent republican in politics, and follows the policy of treating all parties fairly. Its motto is "Home first and the world afterwards."
Perry W. Hampton was born in the city of St. Joseph, Missouri, February 1, 1856. His father was one of the pioneers of Northwest Missouri. In the early days he was employed at St. Joseph by the Studebakers, making wagons that were used in the overland freighting business from the Missouri River west to Denver and Salt Lake. Later for a time he was agent for the Studebaker Brothers at St. Joseph, handling their line of wagons, carriages and supplies, and was a carriage maker by trade. He later moved to Cameron, and remained one of the highly respected men of that city until his death. He was born in Barron County, Kentucky, of an old family of that state, and was eighty-four
1674
HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI
years of age at the time of his death. He located at Cameron in 1868. His wife was of an old Virginia family, and also died at Cameron. There were two sons and three daughters in the family.
Perry W. Hampton was two years of age when the family moved to Cameron, was educated in the public schools there, learned the printing trade as an office boy and all around worker, and it was as an expert in handling type and a competent printer that he made his start toward independent journalism. In 1884 Mr. Hampton moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, and was engaged in business there five years, returned to Cameron, and from there moved to Mirabile in Caldwell County, and in 1895 established the Kingston Mercury, of which he is editor and proprietor.
Mr. Hampton has always been a hard worker, knows his business thoroughly, and his competence has been joined with a genial personality that has brought him hosts of friends. He was married in Atchison, Kansas, in 1886 to Sarah Taylor, daughter of A. S. Taylor of Cameron. The Taylor family came from Missouri to New York State. Mr. Hampton has a son, Chester, at Lincoln, Nebraska, and Paul, a schoolboy of fourteen years of age. Mr. Hampton is affiliated with the lodge and Royal Arch Chapter of Masonry and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
JAMES TAIT. The incumbent of the office of postmaster at Polo, Mis- souri, since 1903, James Tait is one of the best known of Caldwell County's old residents, and has had a long and honorable career in busi- ness, in which he has won success through the possession of the qualities of industry, honesty and integrity. He was born in Scotland, in 1829, a member of a family noted for its sterling characteristics, and is a son of James and Mary (Davis) Tait.
The parents of Mr. Tait, accompanied by their seven children, emi- grated to the United States in 1840, and after a voyage of six weeks on the sailing vessel Sardus, landed at New York. Subsequently they removed to Syracuse, where they resided for three years and then went to Waterdown, County Wentworth, Ontario, Canada. At Duart, Kent County, the father built a mill for the manufacture of rakes, scythe swathes and cradles. His death took place at St. Thomas, Ontario, at the age of eighty-four years. James Tait received his education in the schools of Ontario, and grew up with his father's milling business, learning every detail thereof, and continuing to be connected with the Canada mill for a long period of years. He came to Missouri in 1890, when he located in Ray County, there building a mill at the town named in his honor, Taitville. Later Mr. Tait came to Polo, where he also built a mill and operated it with some success, then went to Mulhall, Oklahoma. At the latter place he built a mill and established a busi- ness which was conducted by his son, James Tait, Jr., but has since been sold. In 1902, during President Roosevelt's administration, Mr. Tait was appointed postmaster at Polo, and took charge of the duties of that office in February of that year. Originally a fourth-class office, under Mr. Tait's administration it has been advanced to third class, and now has four rural delivery routes, covering a territory of twenty-seven miles each. The present carriers are : E. L. Thomas, J. M. Clevenger, H. H. Hauser and William F. Achenbach. Mr. Tait's record as postmaster is an excellent one, and he has done much to improve the service. He is careful, painstaking and accommodating, patient and pleasant with those who have business at the office, and is naturally very popular with his fellow townspeople. A stalwart republican, he wields a distinct influence in his community. A well-preserved man, both in body and mind, he con- tinues to take an intelligent interest in all that affects the welfare of his
1675
HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI
community, and no movement is considered complete that does not have his name upon its list of supporters.
Mr. Tait was married at Chatham, Ontario, to Miss Mary A. Mc- Intyre, a member of a Highland Scotch family, and four children have been born to this union: James, Jr., of Blackwell, Oklahoma, who holds a responsible position with a flouring mill company; Martin, of Herrington, Kansas, a railroad man and train despatcher; Duncan M., connected with the State Department at Jefferson City, Missouri; and Miss Nan Tait.
DR. R. L. MOUNT. Among the medical fraternity of Northwest Mis- souri, Doctor Mount deserves a place of prominence on account of more than twenty years of active practice, in which time he has devoted him- self unselfishly and untiringly to the interests of a large patronage, both in town and country. Doctor Mount is now located at Polo, but for a number of years practiced at Mirabile.
Doctor Mount was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, July 21, 1867. His father, J. Mount, was a Tennessee farmer, during the Civil war saw active service in the Union army, and subsequently moved to North- west Missouri and continued an active and successful career as a farmer. He is now living at Braymer at the age of seventy-five. His wife's maiden name was Ellen E. Thornburgh, also of an old Tennessee family, a daughter of Samuel Thornburgh, who was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. J. Mount and wife were the parents of three sons and five daughters. The father in politics is a republican and a member of the Methodist Church, and has long been affiliated with the Grand Army Post.
Doctor Mount was four years of age when the family came to Northwest Missouri, grew up on a farm, developed his muscle by farm labor, and after securing his education in the public schools and in the Missouri Wesleyan College at Cameron, took up the study of medicine with Doctor Leeper at Braymer, and in 1891 graduated with honors from medical college. Doctor Mount practiced for eleven years at Mirabile, among the people who had known him from childhood, and has since enjoyed a large practice at Polo and vicinity. Doctor Mount is a student, keeps up with the advances in his profession, and is easily in the first rank of physicians and surgeons in Caldwell County.
Doctor Mount was married December 24, 1890, at Cowgill, Missouri, to Mary Hudson, a daughter of G. Hudson, now deceased, who came to Missouri from Indiana. Doctor Mount and wife have one son, Otto C., who is now twenty-one years of age and a graduate of the high school and a student in Columbia University. Doctor Mount is a republican in politics, and both in his profession and as a citizen is one of the popular men of Caldwell County. He has a modern home in Polo, a nine-room residence, and also a well-equipped office.
DR. F. H. HEALY. DR. ESTELLE D. HEALY. In the practice of osteopathy at Braymer, Dr. and Mrs. Healy, both of whom are graduates of the Still School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, have enjoyed unusual professional success, and have a large practice, both in the town and in a large tract of country surrounding Braymer.
Dr. F. H. Healy was born at Britt, Hancock County, Iowa. His father, E. P. Healy, who was born at Dayton, Ohio, lived for a time at Milton, Wisconsin, and thence came to Britt, Iowa, and is one of the prominent bankers of his state, being head of the Commercial State Bank of Britt. E. P. Healy married Lillie E. Hoxie, and they are the parents of two children, and the son, Walter H., lives in Duluth, Minne-
1676
HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI
sota. The father is a republican in politics, and a sterling business man and influential citizen.
Doctor F. H. Healy grew up in his native town of Britt, was educated in the public schools, finishing at the high school, was a student for a time in Racine, Wisconsin, spent two years in the University of Chicago, and was prepared for his profession by a thorough course lasting three years in the Still School of Osteopathy at Kirksville. During his college days Doctor Healy was noted in Missouri as a foot ball player, and played the position of fullback on his team, and won premier honors in the Missouri Valley Association.
Doctor Healy was married October 17, 1913, at New Hampton, Iowa, to Estelle D. Powell. Mrs. Healy is a graduate with the class of 1914 from the Still School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, and has proved a valuable assistant to her husband in their combined practice. Doctor Healy is affiliated with the Masonic order, both he and his wife having membership in the Eastern Star, and he has taken the Knight Templar degrees in the York Rite and belongs to the Temple of the Mystic Shrine at St. Joseph. He is also a member of the Theta Psi, and affiliates with Lodge No. 464, B. P. O. E.
IRA JAMES. Assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Bray- mer, Ira James has united with a capacity for commercial and financial service a genial personality and a thorough public spirit, and having applied his efforts to one line his concentration has placed him among the leading young business men of Caldwell County. The position of Mr. James in his community is further illustrated by the fact that in 1912 he was elected on the Citizens ticket mayor of his city, and since taking office has performed his duties with an energy that has meant much to this community in progressive improvements. Mr. James has been identified with the First National Bank for the past eleven years, and is one of the popular young bankers of Northwest Missouri.
Ira James was born at Dawn, in Livingston County, Missouri, April 9, 1881. His birthplace was a farm, where his father, J. J. James, is still living. The mother's maiden name was Mary Jones, a daughter of Robert Jones. She died in 1907. There were nine children, three sons and six daughters. One son, J. J. James, lives in Kansas City, and Will James is in the postal service.
Ira James was reared on a farm and a considerable part of his early experience was the varied duties of farm life. His education came from the country schools and from the Chillicothe Commercial College, and before taking up his work as a banker he taught school a time. Mr. James is careful and methodical, looks after his business at the bank with scrupulous care and diligence, and in the last seven or eight years has done much to build up the institution, in which he occupies an official position.
In 1911 Mr. James married Catherine E. Herndon, daughter of Joseph Herndon. Mr. James is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, No. 135, and with Lodge No. 203 of the Knights of Pythias, and his wife is a member of the Baptist Church. He has taken an active part for a number of years in the affairs of the republican party in Caldwell County, and is one of its spirited young leaders.
J. W. WETZEL. The rapid growth of the automobile interests of the country in recent years has created an industry which has given a wide field of opportunity and enterprise to many of the young men of the present generation who have a predilection for mechanics, and J. W. Wetzel of Braymer is one of those who has made the most of his oppor-
1677
HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI
tunities along these lines. He is proprietor of the leading garage of the town, and one of the best in its facilities and service in Northwest Mis- souri. The garage occupies a substantial brick block, 50 by 60 feet, with ample floor space and large quarters for fixtures and supplies. The principal machine handled through Mr. Wetzel's agency is the Buick, undoubtedly one of the best machines on the market at the present time. The garage building was erected in 1913, and is an addition to the business district of Braymer. Mr. Wetzel knows the automobile business in all its. details, is a natural mechanic, and having grown up and spent all his life in this community, has made it his ambition to serve the people with garage equipment and facilities equal to the best found in metropolitan centers.
J. W. Wetzel was born on a farm near Braymer in Carroll County, Missouri, a son of E. E. Wetzel. The father was a native of Germany, came to America, and after living at Dawn a time, moved to Carroll County, where he has been a successful and substantial farmer. E. E. Wetzel married Rachel Baxter, who was born in Missouri. They became the parents of six children, one son and five daughters.
J. W. Wetzel grew up on a farm, where he developed his muscle and got a hardy training for a broader career, was educated in the public schools, and graduated from the Braymer public schools with the class of 1906. He was in the hardware business for several years, and in that line got the training which has served him so well in his present pro- fession. Mr. Wetzel was married May 9, 1914, at Ludlow, Missouri, to Ora Lane, who was born at Black Oak, Missouri, a daughter of Charles Lane. Mr. Wetzel in politics is a republican.
GEORGE S. DOWELL, M. D. With residence at Braymer since 1900, Doctor Dowell has built up a substantial practice and is known as one of the able, earnest and popular representatives of the medical pro- fession in this section of Northwest Missouri. Partly to accommodate his own private practice and partly as a public institution of the town, Doctor Dowell has established a hospital at Braymer, has excellent equipment and trained assistants, and through his individual skill and these facilities has become one of the most successful physicians and surgeons in Caldwell County. Doctor Dowell graduated from the Kansas City College of Medicine in 1900, and at once began practice in . Braymer.
George S. Dowell was born in Livingston County, Missouri, on a farm, March 23, 1876. His father, John H. Dowell, was a farmer and stock man, a native of Meade County, Kentucky, and during the war between the states served as a Confederate soldier in the splendid cavalry organization commanded by Gen. Joe Wheeler. The father is still living, a resident of Chillicothe, Missouri. He married Elizabeth Simpson, a daughter of John Simpson, who came from Tennessee. She died in Chillicothe, Missouri, in 1909, at the age of sixty-eight. She was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In the family were five sons and one daughter. The daughter is Lora Wingo of Chillicothe, Missouri. Two of the other sons are physicians, Doctor Robert, now living retired at Los Angeles, California, and H. S., a physician in Nodaway County, Missouri. The father was an active democrat and a member of the Baptist Church.
Dr. George S. Dowell was reared on the home farm, was taught the value of earnest toil at an early age, and acquired an education partly in the public schools and partly in college. He took up the study of medicine under a brother, and in 1896 entered the Medical College at Kansas City and remained until graduating M. D. in 1900. A few years Vol. III-25
1678
HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI
after locating at Braymer Doctor Dowell constructed a building par- ticularly adapted for offices and a hospital, and now keeps a trained nurse and has accommodations for service in surgical cases much above those usually found in towns of this size. Doctor Dowell is an active member of the County and State Medical Society, affiliates with the Masonic and Knights of Pythias orders, and has been quite active in fraternal matters. For several years he served as a member of the Braymer school board.
In 1901 Doctor Dowell married Miss Bessie Moorman, a daughter of Laban F. Moorman, former citizen of Braymer, where her mother is still living. Doctor Dowell and wife have one child, Donald M., now eleven years of age. Doctor Dowell and wife are active members of the Baptist Church, while his wife is prominent in club work and in the Eastern Star. They occupy one of the comfortable homes of Bray- mer and are both willing workers for the improvement of Braymer as a good town in which to live.
II. A. SCHROEDER, M. D. One of the younger members of the medical fraternity in Caldwell County, Doctor Schroeder, in ability and in the extent of his patronage, ranks second to none of his competitors. He has brought to the active work of medicine and surgery an exceptional equipment, gained both from the schools and from the resources of his own mind and adaptability for his chosen vocation. Doctor Schroeder has practiced medicine and surgery at Braymer since 1900, having graduated in medicine the previous year.
Doctor Schroeder was born February 1, 1873, in Toledo, Tama County, Iowa, a son of Peter Schroeder, a prosperous land owner and merchant of Tama County. Peter Schroeder was a native of Germany, reared and educated in that country, served three years in the German army, was under the command of the famous Von Moltke, and in his native land married Antjie Reimers. Peter Schroeder is now living retired at the age of seventy-five. In politics he is a democrat and his church is the Lutheran. There were five children, three sons and two daughters. One son, Peter, is a graduate of the University of Iowa and a physician at Davenport.
Dr. H. A. Schroeder was educated in the public schools, finishing with the high school, and took up the study of medicine at Davenport under Dr. L. Hagenbach. Doctor Schroeder is proficient, both in the English and German languages, is a man of thorough scholarship, has followed out a broad line of reading and research, and is exceptionally equipped for his practice. Besides his general practice as a physician, Doctor Schroeder is local surgeon at Braymer for the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railroad.
Doctor Schroeder is a member of the county and state medical societies, has affiliations with the Masonic order, and represents in his profession a number of leading life insurance companies. He is a member of the United States Pension Examining Board.
LOUIS F. BLACKETER. As postmaster of Braymer since 1912, Mr. Blacketer has performed a large amount of useful public service for his home town and has managed the affairs of the office to the best advantage and convenience of the citizens. Mr. Blacketer has for a number of years been known to this section of Missouri as a merchant, and his family came to Missouri nearly sixty years ago. His appoint- ment as postmaster came in April, 1912, by President Taft. The office at Braymer is a third class office, but has business which places it as the second largest office in the County of Caldwell. There are six rural
1679
HISTORY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI
mail routes radiating from Braymer, and the carriers cover each day in the week 150 miles of highway leading out from Braymer. The mail is delivered into four counties, Caldwell, Ray, Carroll, and Livingston. Braymer postoffice occupies a well arranged building, 25 by 75 feet, with ample quarters for the local postoffice and the rural carriers. Mr. Blacketer has as his assistant postmaster Flora T. Blacketer, while Ralph F. Blacketer is clerk.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.