USA > Missouri > Macon County > General history of Macon County, Missouri > Part 51
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The son grew to the age of fifteen in Ohio and obtained what edu- cation he was able to secure in the public schools of his native county. On leaving school he learned the blacksmith trade, but, while he worked at it a number of years, it was never satisfactory to him, and he gave his attention at times to other pursuits until 1872. He then learned another trade, that of cooper, and in 1878 engaged extensively in the manufacture of barrel hoops, in which he was successful, as he was in everything else he did.
But public affairs always interested this progressive and studions man, and he desired to have a more potential voice in them than work- ing at a mechanical trade or conducting a factory could give him. In 1892 he founded the La Plata Republican, and he has ever since been its proprietor, editor and publisher. The paper expresses his own political sentiments, which favor the Republican party, and stands loyally by the principles and nominees of that organization. It has great influence in the councils of the party and a strong hold on the regard and approval of the people in general. Mr. Weaver's own political activity has been marked and fruitful in many ways outside of the work of his paper, and has been long appreciated by his party associates. In 1887 and 1888 he served as deputy sheriff of the county, and also filled the office of constable and collector for two years. He is at this time (1909) secretary of the school board, and doing good work for the cause of public education.
Mr. Weaver's fraternal alliances are with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He is keeper of the records or secretary in each of the lodges to which he belongs, and his membership in them is valued for the distinction it gives them and the services he renders. Here, as everywhere else, in connection with anything that interests him, or in which he sees advantage to the community, he is earnest, active and
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energetic, putting all his powers in operation to secure the best possible results. He has been very successful and deserves great credit for every step of his advance. On June 25, 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss Minnie A. Zwick, a resident of Macon, and one of its popular young ladies at the time.
JAMES LEWIS BAITY.
As the owner and editor of one of the leading newspapers of Macon county, the Home Press, of La Plata, James Lewis Baity has a weighty responsibility and one that is unceasing in its pressure. He is expected to give true and clear expression to the feelings, wishes and opinions of the people of the town in reference to public affairs, local and gen- eral, to furnish his readers with information as to what is going on in the big world outside of their locality, and to present in his columns a graphic and satisfactory portrayal of the moral, intellectual, social and business life of the community for which he speaks.
For this onerous and exacting task Mr. Baity has had special preparation in his circumstances and his training. He is a native of La Plata and has passed all the years of his life, with very limited exceptions, among its people. He has mingled with them freely, in school as a boy and youth and in business and social circles as a man. He therefore knows them thoroughly and is familiar with all the springs of action that impel them to exertion and direct their course. He also knows the town and its activities well, and has for years been a part of its developing and improving energy. He is, moreover, deeply and intelligently interested in its welfare and wise to the ways in which it may best be promoted. With reference to public affairs he has had opportunity to acquire broad and comprehensive views and exact and extensive knowledge. He is faithful to the requirements and lays all his resources under tribute to meet them.
Mr. Baity was born in La Plata on July 11, 1871, and is a son of the late William D. and Frances E. (Owenbey) Baity, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Macon county, Missouri. The father came to Missouri a young man and took up his residence in this county, locat- ing in Richland township, near La Plata, where he followed farming for a livelihood until his death in 1893. His marriage with Miss Frances Owenbey occurred in 1859 and resulted in offspring numbering eleven, all but one of whom are living. The living children are: Maggie, the wife of W. B. Bragg; Rev. George P., of Kansas City, Missouri ; John E .; Cassie, the wife of N. L. Vanderlip, of Ellsworth, Towa; James Lewis, the immediate subject of this memoir ; Sarah, the wife of Emmett
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Johnson ; Herbert ; Frank M., who lives at Colorado Springs, Colorado ; Lottie L., who is a school teacher; and W. Harry. Their mother is still living and is now one of the oldest residents of La Plata.
James L. Baity was reared on his father's farm and obtained his education in the public schools of La Plata. When he left school he at once began to learn his trade as a printer, and he began at the bottom, entering a newspaper office as a printer's "devil," and from that hum- ble station working his way to the very top, and acquiring a thorough knowledge of the trade and all that belongs to the publication of a newspaper in his progress. In 1898 he bought the Home Press and is still conducting it with increasing credit and advantage to himself and benefit to the community.
In the affairs of the community Mr. Baity has had an earnest and helpful interest for many years. As a boy he yearned to see it progress- ing and developing in accordance with the spirit of the times, and as a man he has been very energetic and far-sighted in his efforts to give it the full measure of advancement embodied in the circumstances of the case. His political connection is with the Democratic party and is a warm and close one. He has served as a member and the treasurer of the county central committee of the party for ten years, and during every one of the ten has been both ardent and fruitful in his work for the organization, his contributions to its success involving both wisdom in the councils of the party and effective action in the labors of the campaign. In 1901 he was appointed oil inspector by Governor Dock- ery and was reappointed by Governor Falk, an office which he held during eight consecutive years, and in which he made an excellent record for ability and fidelity to duty.
So satisfactory have been his services to the party, and so mas- terly has been his capacity as an organizer, that it was deemed well to call him to higher fields of effert in this line, and in 1908 he was appointed assistant to Hon. James T. Lloyd, a distinguished member of the United States House of Representatives from this state, and the chairman of the national Democratic congressional committee, which had headquarters in Washington and Chicago.
Mr. Baity has not allowed his newspaper work and his political activity to absorb the whole of his time and energies. He has given helpful and valued attention to the social and fraternal life of the com- munity also. He is a member of the executive committee of the La Plata Commercial Club and belongs to the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. In each of these organizations he is potential in influence and assiduons in work, and in
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each his membership and the inspiration he imparts are highly appreci- ated. Whatever he does he does with all his might, his energy being restrained only by his judgment and yielding to no obstacle or difficulty. On December 27, 1896, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha M. Sanders, a native of La Plata like himself, and, like, him, too, well known and well esteemed by the residents of the town and county.
BASIL C. McDAVITT, M. D.
In an active professional service of over forty years rendered in one locality and under the searching observation of one people, a man is sure to show the material he is made of and the impulses and springs of action which control him. The people who have witnessed his daily walk and conversation for so long a period, involving great changes in conditions-seasons of sunshine and storm, strenuous political and social experiences, the turbulence of public passion and the calm of public indifference-will get his full measure and know just how to estimate his worth.
Dr. Basil C. MeDavitt, of La Plata, has passed this test in full, and the universal and high esteem in which he is now held proves con- clusively that it has only served to bring clearly into view his great force of character, his sterling and upright manhood and his unquailing courage as a citizen of prominence and influence. It has also demon- strated his ability and skill as a physician and surgeon, and shown that in his professional work, as in everything else, he is conscientiously enterprising and progressive and ready for any emergency.
Dr. MeDavitt was born on April 24, 1843, in Randolph county, Missouri, and is a son of Leo and Eva (Kirby) MeDavitt, natives of Kentucky, who came to Missouri many years ago, and here flourished as farmers, adding to the wealth and importance of the region in which they lived, and rearing eight of their nine children to maturity, training them up in the way they should go by every influence of discipline, precept and example available to them. The father was a school teacher in early life and continued his activity in that line of usefulness for some years after he began farming. He died in 1882 and the mother some years prior.
Their son, the Doctor, was reared on the family homestead in La Plata township and obtained his academic training in the local schools. He attended Rush Medical College in Chicago, and from that renowned institution he received the degree of M. D. in 1868. He at once entered upon his professional career at La Plata, and with that town as his headquarters he has ever since been busily engaged in a
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large and active general practice all over the surrounding country. His industry and fidelity, in which he buried all considerations of personal comfort and ideas of distinction for himself, have been of the greatest value to the people of this and adjoining counties, but his unselfishness and devotion to the general weal have not been wholly without reward in a material and worldly way. They have brought him eminence as a physician and skillful practitioner, and also a substantial competence in the way of worldly wealth. From every point of view his life has been a snecessful one, and wherever he is known it is so regarded and correspondingly appreciated.
When the gloom and terror of Civil war rested heavily on our unhappy country the Doctor took his place in the field and did his whole duty to his country, and in times of peace he has always borne a good eitizen's share of the burdens of civil and political life. He belongs to the Republican party and on all occasions renders it good service. He has two children, his sons W. A., who lives at Eher in this county, and Leo W., the postmaster at La Plata, a brief account of whose life will be found in this work. The Doctor is a thirty-second degree Freemason and takes a great interest in the work of the fra- ternity. He is a stockholder in the La Plata Savings Bank and one of its most constant and serviceable supporters.
LEO W. McDAVITT.
The interesting subject of these paragraphs is now and has been during the last six years holding a public office which brings him directly in contact with every class of the people and gives them inti- mate knowledge of his character and disposition. He is the postmaster of La Plata and is now serving his second term as sneh, having been first appointed in 1903. His service in this trying office has been satis- factory in a marked degree to the patrons of the office and has confirmed him in the regard and good will of the whole community. He stands among the people of the town with the universal testimony of all classes in his favor as one of its leading and most representative and useful citizens.
But it did not need the trying experiences of official station to give him this standing or win him popularity and esteem. He has passed the whole of his life to this time among this people, except a short period when he was away at college, and his record is an open book in their midst, known and read of all men. He was born at La Plata on Angust 31, 1877, and is one of the two sons of Dr. Basil C. MeDavitt, whose useful life is briefly chronieled elsewhere in this volume. The son
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began his education in the public schools of his native town and after- ward attended a good college at Fayette in Howard county. After completing the course at this institution he started in business as a druggist, being associated with F. B. Christie in conducting an excellent drug store with a large and appreciative trade for a period of three years.
On January 13, 1903, he was appointed postmaster of La Plata, and at the end of his first term was reappointed. He has devoted his whole time and energy to the duties of his office from the date of his first appointment, and has found this course a wise one. It has enabled him to give the patrons of the office and the government the best service possible under the circumstances, and brought him rich returns in com- mendations of his zeal and fidelity from both the people at home and the authorities in Washington. His political alliance is with the Repub- lican party and he is loyal and energetic in its service at all times, having the rare good fortune to work for it earnestly without offending the adhierents of the other leading party or provoking criticism in any quarter. This is because his party loyalty is expressed in judicious ways that no one can complain of, and it is effective in its results at the same time, a condition that is creditable to his judgment and prudence and does not reflect on his devotion to the canse.
In fraternal life Mr. MeDavitt is allied with the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic order. He is zealous and effective in his work for both and his membership is valued in each of the orders. At this time (1909) he is the worshipful master of his Masonic lodge at La Plata. In October, 1900, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Louise Biggs, a daughter of William J. Biggs, cashier of the La Plata Savings Bank, a sketch of whose life will be found in this volume. Mrs. Mc- Davitt was born and reared in La Plata and is held in high regard by the people of the town and throughout a large extent of the surround- ing country. She and her husband are the parents of two children, their daughters Clara Louise and Mary Elizabeth, who are the light and life of their pleasant home and a source of pride and pleasure to the hosts of friends of the family who frequent it, and have the benefit of its refined and generous hospitality.
FREDERICK W. GIESELMAN.
The largest and most metropolitan mercantile house in the city of Macon is that conducted by Mr. Giesehan, who is one of the honored and representative citizens of his native place and whose extensive establishment is not excelled by any of similar order in the state.
FREDERICK GIESELMAN
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except in the cities of St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield. He has shown rare energy and business aeumen and his career has not only been marked by large and definite accomplishment, but also by that sterling integrity of purpose which ever engenders popular con- fidence and esteem.
Mr. Gieselman was born in Macon, on the 14th of May, 1866, and is a son of Frederick W. and Caroline (Ottensmeyer) Gieselman, both of whom were born and reared in Mindenana, Oehnhansen, Germany, where they were reared and educated and where the father learned the tailor's trade in his youth. In harmony with the custom of his native land, Frederick W. Gieselman, Sr., entered the military service of Ger- many, and in this connection he attained to much distinction and received high official recognition. He became a commissioned officer in the German army, and was an active participant with the same in the war with Denmark. For gallantry and valor he received not only the iron cross and the gold cross, but also a special silver medal of honor presented by the emperor. In 1865 he secured leave of absence from the army and came to the United States. His purpose was to join the Union army, but by the time of his arrival the civil war was terminated. He became much impressed, however, with the attractions of America and decided here to establish a permanent home. He accordingly set- tled in St. Louis, Missouri, and later came to Macon, where he joined his brothers, and engaged in the merchant tailoring business. He built up a successful enterprise and continued his residence in Macon until his death, which occurred in 1891. He was a man of industry and of sterling character, and he held a secure place in the esteem of the com- munity which so long represented his home. His wife died in 1906, and they are survived by five sons and three daughters.
Frederick W. Gieselman, Jr., the immediate subject of this review, was reared to maturity in Macon, and after availing himself of the advantages of the public schools he pursued the study of German, French and other branches under the direction of a private tutor. When but thirteen years of age, however, he entered upon an apprentice- ship to the jeweler's trade, at which he served three years, at the expi- ration of which he was released from his apprenticeship, which had been arranged for a term of four years. lle then went to Bowling Green, this state, bnt shortly afterward went to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he remained one year. He then returned to Macon, where he was employed for the ensuing four years in the jewelry establishment of L. G. & G. J. Fox. In 1886, with a capital of only $81, Mr. Gieselman initiated his independent career as a business man. He opened a jew-
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elry store in Macon, and by energy and careful management he built up a large and prosperous business, in which he continued for a period of thirteen years, at the expiration of which he sold the same to his brother, Charles L., and became manager and treasurer of the Macon Shear Company, and with which he continued to be identified until impaired health compelled his retirement.
In 1901, after a period of rest and recuperation, Mr. Gieselman purchased the dry goods business of S. L. Brock and he has since greatly enlarged the scope of the enterprise. In 1906 he purchased the dry goods stock and business of J. H. Barely, and consolidated the same with his original establishment, which is thoroughly metropolitan in equipment, appointments and variety of stock in the various depart- ments. The building occupied is four floors, each seventy-five by one hundred feet in dimensions, and the entire space is ntilized by Mr. Gieselman, who here employs from twenty-five to forty salesfolk, accord- ing to the demands of the seasons. He has proven his ability to grasp and control affairs of broad scope and importance and has given to Macon and its people an establishment of which the largest cities might well be proud.
Mr. Gieselman is liberal and progressive as a citizen and ever shows a deep and abiding interest in all that concerns the welfare of his native city and county. Ile has been a valued member of the city conn- cil, and is now president of the board of public works. He has also rendered effective service as a member of the board of education. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, nationally. He is affiliated with the Masonie fraternity and the Knights of Pythias, and both he and his wife are communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church, being members of the parish of St. James Episcopal church.
In the year 1892 Mr. Gieselman was united in marriage to Miss Theodora Gellhans, of Macon, and they have two children, Leonard G. and Hortense.
LA PLATA SAVINGS BANK.
This valued and progressive financial institution was first opened as a private bank on November 16, 1876, with a capital stock of $10,000 and the following officers: President, Josiah Gates; cashier, George N. Sharp, and assistant cashier, William J. Biggs. These officers con- tinned to serve the bank in their several capacities as noted until 1879, when George N. Sharp was chosen president and William J. Biggs cashier.
On May 1, 1882, the institution was incorporated as the La Plata
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Savings Bank and the capital stock was increased to $15,000. The officers chosen at this time were: William T. Gilbreath, president ; James M. Irving, vice-president ; William J. Biggs, cashier, and E. L. Brown, assistant cashier. These gentlemen were all made directors and in addition Alonzo S. Ray, Josiah Gates and Henry C. Gates were made members of the board. In 1887 the capital stock was increased to $25,000, and on July 1, 1892, it was raised to $50,000, what it is at this time (1910). The present officers are: William T. Gilbreath, presi- dent ; Jolm T. Doneghy, vice-president; William J. Biggs, cashier; E. M. Gates, assistant cashier, and these gentlemen, with J. M. Irving, A. S. Ray and James I. Sears, directors.
The bank has a surplus of $10,000 and undivided profits amounting to over $6,000. It is the oldest banking house in Macon county, and for a period of two weeks in 1882 was the only one in the county open for business. It has always been conducted along safe and sane lines of prudent management and has never failed to pay its stockholders a dividend at the regular time. No form of wildcat speculation or rapid enrichment has ever veered its directors and officers from the straight course of upright, legitimate banking, or even tempted them to the slightest temporary expedient aside from the well recognized princi- ples of the banking business. The institution carries on a general banking business, including every form of accommodation for the public and profitable engagement within the limit of its scope, and does all with skill, good judgment and well directed enterprise. All its officers and directors take an active interest in its affairs, and it is due to their collective wisdom, general intelligence and extensive knowl- edge of financial affairs that the bank has prospered as it has. Their progressiveness is balanced with the conservatism of prudence, their enterprise is controlled by judicious restraint in direction and applica- tion, and their efforts to promote the interests of its stockholders and patrons are always made along channels of wholesome development and progress. At the same time the interest of the bank in the welfare of the community makes it liberal to the limit of safety, as is shown by its zeal and assistance in promoting all undertakings of worth in which that welfare is essentially involved.
It is due to William J. Biggs, the capable, courteous and skillful cashier of the institution, to say that much of its success is due to his work and influence in its behalf. Ile now has the distinction of being the oldest banker in Macon county, and on all sides he is accounted one of the best. Mr. Biggs has given this bank the best years of his life in faithful service and is justly entitled to feel proud of its success and
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progress. He has piloted it through several more or less severe panics, including that of 1895, in which so many banks throughout the country closed their doors never to open them again." The bank enjoys the full confidence of the people and every year shows a substantial increase in the number of its patrons, the amount of its deposits and the volume of its business, with a corresponding gain in the regard of the public.
William J. Biggs, the cashier, was born at Alexandria, Ohio, on January 24, 1846, and came to La Plata, Missouri, in 1866, when he was twenty years of age. For ten years after his arrival in this sec- tion of the country he was employed in various ways, and in 1876 was made assistant cashier of the La Plata Savings Bank, with which he has ever since been connected. The stockholders and officers of the bank were fortunate in securing his services, and he was also fortunate in being brought into association with a body of men so entirely in line with his own progressive ideas, and so ready to aid in applying them to the management of one of the most valned financial institutions in this part of the state. He has been cashier of the bank and the active manager of its affairs since 1882.
ROSCOE E. GOODDING.
Among the younger business men of La Plata who are giving life, enterprise and broad-minded progressiveness to the fiscal, industrial and mercantile affairs of the city and the surrounding country none stands higher in public estimation or has shown more substantial grounds for general esteem than Roscoe E. Goodding, cashier during the last six years of the Bank of La Plata. He has been tried in dif- ferent capacities and positions and been found competent and faithful in all. And in the social and general life of the connnnnity he has been and is a force for good that is constantly in action and always producing excellent results.
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