Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference, Vol. I, Part 19

Author: Conard, Howard Louis, ed. 1n
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: New York, Louisville [etc.] The Southern history company, Haldeman, Conard & co., proprietors
Number of Pages: 856

USA > Missouri > Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference, Vol. I > Part 19

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).

has so long held in connection with the insti- tution wherein he gained his education, to the interests of which he devotes his most zealous and intelligent effort.

Bacon, Henry D., merchant and bank- er, was born May 3, 1813, at East Granville. Massachusetts. While a youth he went to l fartford, Connecticut, where he found en- ployment in mercantile pursuits ; but his dar- ing and enterprising spirit suggested the West as a wider and better field for building his for- tune and entering on a career of usefulness. and in 1835 he came to St. Louis, where for a time he was engaged in the dry goods business. Subsequently he embarked in the iron trade. and continued in it until the year 1844, when he engaged in the flour business with his fa- ther-in-law. Daniel D. Page. In all these voca- tions he revealed a sagacity, energy and public spirit that marked him for a leader in the world of business, and, being a young man of exemplary and diligent habits and affable man- ners, he prospered in whatever business he en- gaged in and easily took position as a popular and influential citizen. In 1848 he, with his father-in-law, organized the banking house of Page & Bacon. Page himself was a wealthy and estimable old citizen, owning a large amount of real estate in the city, and this, to- gether with Bacon's admirable business habits. sound judgment and cordial bearing, inspired publie confidence in the house, and it began at once to build up an extensive and profitable business. St. Louis was an important outfit- ting point for army supplies in the Mexican War, and large amounts of Government money passed through it, establishing its credit and increasing its popularity in the West. In 1850 the house opened a branch in California, and this, too, became prosperous. It was an era of prosperity for St. Louis. That large Ger- man immigration which gave to the city a new and valuable element in its population began flowing in, and the vast movement overland to California was making the levee and streets animated with every kind of business. It is not strange that eredit was expanded beyond reasonable limits and that real estate buying

BAGBY.

and mortgaging was overdone. In 1854 the collapse came, and the house of Page, Bacon & Co., which had gone into the building of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, found itself crip- pled and was forced to suspend and wind up its business. Mr. Bacon subsequently re- moved to San Francisco and died there in the year 1896.

Bagby, Joseph David, a resident of western Missouri from 1835 until the time of his death, was born January 17, 1831, in Boone County, Kentucky, and died June 2, 1897, at his home in Independence, Missouri. He was the son of John and Charlotte (Hughes) Bag- by. The father was born in Virginia. January II, 1797, and died on the same day of 1842. The mother was born August 7, 1807, and died July 16, 1869. John Bagby came to Missouri in 1835 with his wife and two children, and lo- cated in Fort Osage Township, Jackson Coun- ty, where he spent the remainder of his days. The farm where he settled was in its prime- val condition, not one foot of it being cleared, and the entire surface wild and undeveloped. It was here that the subject of this sketch and his sister, Mary, who became the wife of James Calvert, a mechanic and merchant of Weston, Missouri, were reared. Joseph Bagby was educated in the common schools of Jackson County, Missouri, and at Chapel Hill College, that historic old institution, now removed, lo- cated in Lafayette County. He was sixteen years of age when he went with Taylor's army into Mexico, and made several trips across the plains with different wagon trains. It was aft- er this experience that he attended Chapel Hill College. In 1849 he became a victim of the gold fever, but the precious metal did not re- ward his labors liberally. He returned from California by way of Cape Horn and New York in 1852. Following this experience, he entered upon the business of stock-raising, and was very successful, at one time owning one of the finest herds of Shorthorn cattle in all the country tributary to Independence, near which city his fine farm was located. Mr. Bagby's sympathies were with the South in the unpleasant clash and bloody conflict be- tween the two sections of the country. Al- though he did not enlist in the Confederate Army, he participated in the memorable fight at Rock Creek, was a prisoner for a time at Fort Leavenworth, and suffered with many others of his views under the penalties of "Or-

der No. 11." Politically he was a Democrat, but did not allow ambition for office to con- sume his time, with the exception that upon one occasion the wishes of his friends prompted him to become a candidate for the office of county marshal. He affiliated with the Christian Church, of which organization his parents were mem- bers. Mrs. Bagby, who survives him, is a member of the Methodist Church South. He was a charter member of the Masonic lodge at Sibley, Missouri, and was also a member of the order of Knights of Pythias. Mr. Bagby was married December 18, 1866, to Miss Mary King, daughter of Jefferson V. and Virlinda (Fearn) King, of Covington, Kentucky. Her father was a native of Kentucky, was born April 11, 1806, and came to Missouri in 1872, settling at Independence. Mrs. King was born May 16, 1803. As a business man Mr. Bagby was aggressive and ambitious within the lines of honor. His experiences were of a varied sort, and are an index to the versatil- ity that was required in a man in order to sur- mount the obstacles and overcome the diffi- culties of pioneer days. He succeeded in worldly affairs by honorable methods, was a loyal supporter of public enterprises, and kept faith with the best interests of the great State where he chose to cast his lot at a time when her greatness was all hidden behind the veil of the uncertain future.

Bagby, Robert J., physician and sur- geon, was born in Howard County, Missouri, September 11, 1832. His father, John Bagby, was a native of Virginia and a soldier in the War of 1812. At the close of the war he set- tled in Kentucky, where he married Miss Mil- dred Ward, and in 1827 came to Howard County, Missouri, where he settled on a farm. On this farm Dr. R. J. Bagby's boyhood was spent. He attended the public schools of his neighborhood, and at the age of eighteen years he entered the Fayette High School, where he pursued his studies two years. He then taught school one year, and, having decided to become a physician, he studied a year with Dr. P. B. Childs and one year with Dr. Thomas J. Blake. He then spent the year 1854-5 in at- tendance at the St. Louis Medical College, when he returned to Roanoke and began prac- tice, which continued with slight interruptions until his death. The only interruption was one year, which he spent in practice in Chari-

BAGNELL-BAIN.

ton County, and again in the winter of 1862-3. when he attended again the St. Louis Medical College, and was graduated with the degree of doctor of medicine. The life of Dr. Bagby was closely identified for half a century with the growth. prosperity and history of the town of Roanoke. Recognized as one of the most successful practitioners in the county, he led a busy life in attendance to his professional du- ties, but for many years prior to his death he conducted a large drug and book store. In this he was ably assisted by his sons. He was devoted to his profession, and was an earnest friend and advocate of the cause of education. He gave all his children the advantages of the best schools and colleges. He built a beauti- ful home in Roanoke, and surrounded himself and family with all the comforts of life. In politics he was a Democrat, and was a member of the Masonic fraternity. Dr. Bagby was married May 12, 1856, to Miss Permelia Twy- man, a native of Virginia. Their children were William H., a druggist at Roanoke, and Walter N., a druggist at Armstrong. Mrs. Bagby died January 2, 1872. June 12, 1873, he married Miss Alice H. Twyman. Their children were Mabel C., wife of Captain Joseph Frazier, of the Fourteenth Infantry, United States Army ; J. Ward and Robert James Bag- by. Dr. Bagby died October 15, 1900, and at his death passed away one of Howard County's best citizens.

Bagnell .- A village in Miller County on the Osage River and the Jefferson City & Leb- anon branch of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. It was founded about 1882. It has a public school, Baptist Church, two hotels, a sawmill, a stone quarry near by and four stores. Pop- ulation in 1899 (estimated). 250.

Bailey, Thomas Jefferson, an early physician at Springfield, was born January 17. 1803, in Lincoln County, Kentucky. He studied medicine in his native State and there married Miss Harriet Sproul, with whom he removed to Ralls County, Missouri. In 1837 they settled at Springfield, where he came to be regarded as an excellent physician and model citizen. In politics he was a staunch Whig, and was in- strumental in the establishment of the "Whig" newspaper at Springfield in 1848. In 1860 he supported the Bell and Everett ticket. Dur- ing the Civil War he was an ardent Unionist : being too old to perform military service, he

devoted his means and influence in behalf of the government, standing side by side with Colonel John S. Phelps, Colonel Henry Shep- pard and other active patriots. When peace was restored he rendered effective aid in se- curing legislative support for building what is now the St. Louis & San Francisco Rail- way. He died April 17, 1869, leaving a large estate. He provided liberally for his wife, and left $4,000 to be apportioned among the eight slaves whom he owned when emancipation was proclaimed, and $5,000 for the erection of a monument to the memory of the Union sol- diers who fell in the battle of Springfield. His widow died in 1875. In her will she devised $5,000 toward the erection of a Baptist Church and $21,000 for the founding of a female sem- inary, but these designs were never effected, owing to failure on the part of the church to comply with the conditions of the will.

Bain, George, merchant and manufac- turer, was born May 5, 1836, in the ancient town of Stirling, Scotland, and died in St. Louis. October 22, 1891. His parents were Robert S. and Charlotte (Brown) Bain, and his father was the last of the governors of Stirling Castle, at one time a favorite abode of the kings of Scotland. His earlier education was obtained in a classical school in Stirling and completed at Montreal, Canada, to which city his parents removed when he was about fifteen years of age. After living at Montreal about three years, he went to Portland, Maine, his father's family having. in the meantime, removed to Picton, Canada, on the north shore of Lake Ontario, where the elder Bain oc- cupied a responsible position in the govern- ment service. At Portland George Bain became connected with an importing house, in which he filled a position of trust and re- sponsibility for two years. Leaving Port- land about the time he attained his majority, he came West as far as Chicago and estab- lished the commission house of Bain & Clark. which failed soon afterward as a result of the monetary panic of 1857. Immediately after the Civil War, in the year 1865, he came to St. Louis as the representative of a Chicago commission house to found a branch estab- lishment in that city. About the same time he also established a commission house in New Orleans, in which he became a partner. A year later he became a partner also in the St. Louis house, which conducted its business

BAIN-BAIRD.

under the firm name of Updike, Field & Co. In 1867 the connection between this and the Chicago house was severed, and the St. Louis firm became Updike, Bain & Co. Soon afterward Mr. Bain disposed of his interest in the New Orleans house and re- organized the St. Louis house, which then became George Bain & Co. Until 1870 the business was conducted under this name, and Mr. Bain was actively identified with the trade in the city as a commission mer- chant. In the year last named, however, he severed his connection with the commission house, and during the remaining years of his life was identified with the manufacture of flour in St. Louis, contributing in no small degree toward making it one of the great milling centers of the United States.

Bain, Oliver Green, lawyer, was born January 4, 1850, in Grundy County, Missouri, son of Jesse and Catherine (Ogeltree) Bain. The elder Bain was a well-to-do farmer, who came to this State from Ohio, in the year 1837. when Missouri was considered the "Far West." He settled on a farm six miles north of Tren- ton, where he prospered in a worldly way and continued to be engaged in agricultural pur- suits until his death, which occurred Septem- ber 22, 1895. The son grew up in Grundy County, where he divided his time between farmi labor and attendance at the district schools of the neighborhood, during the years of his early boyhood. He then completed his education in the public schools of Trenton, and began teaching school. For six years, from 1872 to 1878, he taught school during the winter months and farmed during the remain- der of the year. The bent of his mind, how- ever, was toward the law, and he set about fitting himself for that profession by borrowing law books and beginning a course of read- ing, which was carefully and systematically pursued during the years 1877 and 1878. Toward the close of the last named year, he was admitted to the bar and immediately afterward opened an office at Spickards in Grundy County, where he had his first expe- rience as a practitioner. A little later, he re- moved to Trenton, the county seat of his native county, where, by reason of his ability and high character, and without any adven- titious aids, he soon established himself in successful practice. He was prosecuting at- torney of Grundy County from 1884 to 1886,

and was twice re-elected thereafter, serving from 1890 to 1894. A natural fondness for the law and its practice has caused him to apply himself to professional labor with the zeal of a devotee, and, as a result, he has drawn about him a large clientele, and in the prime of life finds himself favored with a lucrative and con- stantly growing practice. He has had little ambition to hold public office and has never filled any public positions outside of those in the line of his profession. However, his in- terest in the conduct of public affairs is keen and, believing firmly in the principles of the Republican party, he has participated in many canvasses and is a much sought after campaign speaker. In 1873 Mr. Bain married Miss Rosa Brunson, and one son, now a promising young man, has been born to them.

Baird College .- An educational institu- tion founded by Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Baird, at Clinton, in 1885. The school was established on the scholarship plan, and the building is one of the best of its kind in the State. For twelve years Baird College was one of the leading schools for young ladies in the West, the aver- age enrollment being about 150. Through an unfortunate circumstance, the school was not opened during 1899-1900, but the citizens of Clinton expect it to be only a temporary suspension.

Baird, William T., banker and one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of Kirksville, was born in Carroll County, Ken- tucky, January 19, 1835, son of Barzilla Adams and Mary M. (Scanland) Baird. His father, who was born in Paris, Bourbon County, Ken- tucky in 1803, was a farmer and son of Thomas Baird, of North Carolina. The father of Thomas Baird was a native of Scotland, and in company with six brothers emigrated to the United States prior to the War of the Revolu- tion, and all settled in different parts of the country. The grandfather of William T. Baird took a prominent part in the Revolution- ary War, and after that struggle, moved, with his family, to Kentucky. His wife was Miss Mary Smith, of Scotch-Irish descent, and of the old Covenanter faith.

William T. Baird was reared on his father's farm, and was recognized as a first-rate hand in every kind of farm work, excelling in cradling wheat and splitting rails, two vocations in the old-time husbandry that have passed away.

100

BAIRD.

During the winter months he attended the district school. When he reached his majority, he engaged in teaching school, in Grant Coun- ty, Kentucky, and after a few months in this business came to Missouri, with the purpose of passing through the State to Kansas and making that State his permanent home. Land- ing at La Grange, he started to the West, but when he reached Kirksville found the roads so nearly impassable that he abandoned the jour- ney and settled down there-a step which neither he nor Kirksville has ever had occasion to regret. He arrived there March 21, 1857, and for the next seven months he taught school in Judge Ely's district, and four months in Wilson Township, and then en- gaged in partnership with Professor Nason, in the school at Kirksville ..

August 24, 1858, Mr. Baird married Martha C., daughter of Matthew P. Hannah. Soon thereafter he accepted a position as clerk for J. C. Thatcher, at $15 a month, and when his wages were raised to $20 he thought he was doing well. His wife was a most efficient aid, and rocked their first baby in a cradle impro- vised from a shoe box. Their eldest child, Frank H., is now a resident of Denver, Colo- rado, is a graduate of the Northern School of Osteopathy, and is engaged in the practice of his profession. He was married in 1880, to Helen F., daughter of N. Hunt, of Macon, Missouri. Ella died at the age of two years, and Aggie Myrtle at two months of age ; Alta Melone was educated in Missouri Valley Col- lege and graduated from the Academy and School of Music of that institution, and also took a course in vocal music in Chicago. She is now married to Mr. E. L. Belshe, and resides in Chicago. In 1859, Mr. Baird was employed to make out the tax books for Adair County. and the same fall, when a branch of the Bank of St. Louis was organized here, he was made clerk, and did all the janitor work as well. In 1863, he was appointed cashier, and continued to hold that position until the bank closed up its business in compliance with an act of the Legislature. In 1866 he took charge of the bank of Stebbins & Porter, and a year later, in partnership with S. Reed, bought out the bank. After a year his partner disposed of his interest to Melone & Epperson, of Macon, Missouri, and the new firm took the name of Baird, Melone & Co. It commanded the public confidence, and for ten years did an extensive and prosperous business, passing

safely through the severe crisis of 1873, and exhibiting proofs of prudent management, which increased its hold on the public. In 1878 Mr. Baird bought out the interest of his partners and conducted the business under the name of The Exchange Bank of W. T. Baird. In 1882 he organized the First National Bank of Kirksville, he being cashier, manager and principal owner. In 1894 the First Inter- national Bank, successor to the First National, was organized under State laws, and he became connected with it in same relation as above- in all these enterprises and relations display- ing a sagacity, judgment and probity that com- manded the respect of his fellow citizens, and made his name the surety of success in what- ever undertaking he identified himself with. He has served in many local offices in Kirks- ville, having been a member of the School Board, treasurer of the State Normal School twenty-five years, and for four years was acting county treasurer of Adair County, and treasurer of the city. Mr. Baird is a member and ruling elder of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church, and actively connected with its educational, missionary and church extension enterprises. He is a member of the Board of Publication located at Nashville, Tennessee, treasurer of the Synod of Missouri, member and vice president of the Board of Trustees of Missouri Valley College, and chairman of the finance committee managing the endowment fund. He is also a life member of the Ameri- can Bible Society, New York. The Missouri Valley College is one of the institutions of that church, ranking high in Missouri for its ad- mirable management, and the thoroughness of its instruction and discipline ; and perhaps the best evidence of Mr. Baird's friendship for that college and the position he occupies in the church was the action of the Board of Trustees in 1890, thanking him for the gift of $5,000, making $10,000 in all toward the endowment of the institution, and requesting him to nom- inate one of the chairs. In compliance with this request, he gave the name of Baird- Mitchell to the chair of Greek-associating with himself in that permanent honor Rev. J. B. Mitchell, D. D., the faithful pastor under whose ministrations he sat for eighteen years. A literary society in the college bears the name "Bairdean" in honor of him. Mr. Baird is as ready to do good in humble and small ways as well as in greater, and for over thirty-five years he has been superintendent of the Cumber-

Girl. Baker

101

BAKER.

land Presbyterian Sunday school in Kirks- ville.

Mr. Baird has been president of the Kirks- ville Commercial Club since its organization, an institution which has done much for the betterment of the city in many ways. The city is indebted to this club for the beautiful Oak- land Park, which has been purchased by the city, and just opened to the public. The club has raised and expended about $800 in im- provements in the park.

Baker, John Weldon, mining broker and promoter, was born February 8, 1866, at South English, Iowa. His parents were John Henry and Annie (Burner) Baker, both born in 1840, in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, where they were married in 1860, and lived until 1861, when they removed to Iowa; they now reside at Wellington, Kansas, where the father is engaged in a mercantile business. Their ancestors were natives of Holland or Germany, who immigrated to America in colonial days and settled in Pennsylvania. Thomas Baker, great-grandfather of our sub- ject, was a soldier in the War of 1812 ; he re- moved to Virginia, where his son, also named Thomas, worked as a wagonmaker, and upon his farm near Woodstock. The family is noted for longevity. Thomas Baker and wife, grandparents of J. Weldon Baker, died when more than sixty years of age ; the grand- parents on his maternal side died at the ages of eighty-five and ninety-four years respect- ively. J. Weldon Baker was reared upon a farm in Dickinson County, Kansas, and attended schools at various places in that State, com- pleting his education in the high school at Enterprise. In 1885 he and his father left the farm, and removed to Wakeeny, where they engaged in a real estate business. The son was admitted to practice in the United States Land Courts, and successfully managed more than five hundred contest cases through the land office at Wakeeny, Kansas. In 1886, in connection with his father, he platted the town of Quinter, in Gove County, Kansas, for a syndicate, and made his home at that place, engaged in the sale of town lots for the pro- prietors, and large tracts of railroad lands. He now experienced serious reverses. In 1888 occurred the failure of the Union Bank, of Fairmont, Nebraska, involving the loss of his entire fortune, which was deposited there, and the following year his home was broken up by

the death of his wife. In 1890 he traded for property, and removed to Pawnee City, Nebraska, where he was engaged for a time in the real estate business. He then returned to Kansas, locating at IHutchinson, where he followed the same business, and also published the "Real Estate Reporter." While so oc- cupied, he was elected state secretary and general organizer for the Kansas Real Estate and Immigration Association, a position which he occupied until February, 1892, when his removal to Galena necessitated his resignation. At the latter place, he became interested in zinc and lead mining, his operations not only proving satisfactory in a financial way, but affording him opportunity to gain valuable in- formation concerning practical mining opera- tions, and the resources and values of mineral lands. In 1807 he became associated with Colonel J. V. Pierce, and they opened a real estate and mine brokerage office. The follow- ing year he withdrew from this partnership. and with his brother, George T., formed the firm of J. W. Baker & Co., which entered upon business as mining brokers and pro- moters. In 1899 the firm moved their office to Joplin, where the larger field afforded them the opportunity for which they were peculiarly fitted by their long experience in mining affairs. Their relations to the banking and brokerage firm of Colley & Co., of Boston, New York and Providence, the largest dealers in zinc properties in the United States, whom they represent in this market, is the highest possible evidence of their expert ability, in- tegrity and financial responsibility. Their transactions are mainly confined to the sale of large mineral tracts, and the firm enjoy the distinction of having successfully managed a greater number of large transfers than any other house in the Joplin district, the aggregate value exceeding the vast sum of three million dollars during the first eight months of their dealings. In politics Mr. Baker is a pro- nounced Republican, holding to the financial and commercial principles of that party as affording the only substantial foundation for business enterprise and governmental stability. He is a member of the Christian Church, and of the Order of United Workmen. He was married December 30, 1886, to Miss Lillie A. Hill, of Randolph County, Indiana, who died childless, December 5. 1889, at Quinter, Kan- sas. March 27, 1895, he was married to Mrs. Ollie J. Dorsett, daughter of Judge and Mrs.

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.

Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference, Vol. I, Part 19

Author: Conard, Howard Louis, ed. 1n Publication date: 1901 Publisher: New York, Louisville [etc.] The Southern history company, Haldeman, Conard & co., proprietors Number of Pages: 856

Author: Conard, Howard Louis, ed. 1n
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: New York, Louisville [etc.] The Southern history company, Haldeman, Conard & co., proprietors
Number of Pages: 856