USA > Missouri > Shelby County > General history of Shelby County, Missouri > Part 27
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JOSEPH A. DANIEL, D. D. S.
Dr. Joseph A. Daniel, who is a prom- inent dentist of Shelbina and making an excellent record and reputation in his
profession, is a native of this state and wholly a product of its institutions, hay- ing never lived out of it except when he was attending the dental college in pre- paration for his life work. He was born in Randolph county on September 8, 1877, and is a son of John S. and Elmyra V. (Hutton) Daniel, the former born in Kentucky in 1831 and the latter a native of Missouri. They were married in 1869 and became the parents of seven children, all of whom are living. They are: Rolla E., a resident of this county ; Elizabeth, wife of A. W. Meadows, of Clarence; Edgar J., also a resident of Clarence; William O., of Clarence, and Josephus, of Shelbina, twin brothers; Iva M., wife of Dr. Maddox, of Middle- grove. Monroe county; and Ora M., whose home is in Shelby county.
When the father was eighteen years old the siren voice of California was fill- ing the world with its golden music, and he, like many another adventurous spirit, was lured by it to the distant Pacifie slope, joining the hardy and hopeful band of argonauts who have passed into history as "the Forty-Niners," and whose daring journey across the track- less plains of our then unknown western world has taken its place high among the romantic and heroic episodes of all our history. The success Mr. Daniel achieved in the new eldorado has not been made a part of the record, but it was not enough to induce him to remain in the mining regions. He returned to his Ran- dolph county farm in due season and in 1884 moved to this county, where he has ever since remained and devoted his en- ergies to advanced and profitable farm- ing and stock raising on an extensive
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scale. He was the first man in Shelby county to handle mules in his farming operations, and through his example and success with them their use soon became general. He is not now actively engaged in farming, but is taking for the re- mainder of his days a needed and well- earned rest, living quietly amid the sub- stantial comforts of the home he has created and happy in the general regard and good will of his fellowmen. In poli- ties he has been a life-long Democrat, active in the service of his party and firmly holding on to its principles in spite of all new theories of government, heresies of politicians and vagaries of public sentiment. His religions connec- tion is with the seet known as the Chris- tians, with whom he has been long and faithfully affiliated.
Dr. Joseph A. Daniel grew to manhood on his father's farm and was educated in the public schools of Shelby county as a preparation for higher training, and this he obtained in a two years' course at the State Normal School at Kirksville. After leaving that institution he taught school in this county two years. In 1902 he entered the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, from which he was graduated in 1905. He began practicing the same summer at Shelbina as a partner of Dr. Thomas W. Lyell, and from then until now he has devoted himself wholly to his profession. He has been very successful and is regarded as one of the leading dentists of this portion of Missouri. By close study and judicions reflection he keeps in touch with all that is progres- sive and advanced in the profession, and his patrons can always rely on getting from him the best service which the
science of dentistry administered by skillful practice can give. He adheres to the Democratic party in polities and be- longs to the Christian church in religious association. On June 9, 1909, he was married to Miss Anna Blakey of Boul- der, Colorado. The doctor stands well in the community and is deserving of the general esteem he enjoys among all classes of the people.
JAMES F. ALLGAIER.
This prominent and influential citizen of Shelbina, who is at this time (1911) the mayor of the city, is descended from good old Pennsylvania Dutch stock, and has exemplified in his career all the sturdy and sterling qualities for business pursuits and reliable citizenship which are characteristic of the people from whom he sprung. His grandfather, George Allgaier, was born and reared in the sterling and substantial old city of Reading, Pennsylvania, and in his early manhood moved into what was then the wilderness of Kentucky, locating near what is now the city of Georgetown in that progressive and flourishing com- monwealth.
In that vicinity Mr. Allgaier's father, Michael S. Allgaier, was born on Jan- mary 1, 1828, and there he grew to man- hood and obtained such schooling as the frontier was able to furnish to its hardy and self-reliant children ; and later grad- nated from Bordstown College of Bords- town, Kentucky. In 1856 he did as his father had done in his early manhood, made his way into the farther West and helped to lay the foundations of a new empire remote from the centers of popu-
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lation and refinement. He came to Mis- sonri and planted his hopes in Platte county, where he carried on an extensive business as a wholesale and retail grocer until the beginning of the Civil war in 1861. Believing firmly as he did in the sovereignty of the states, and seeing in the political conditions of the time, as thousands besides him saw, a menace to that sovereignty, the call of the Sonth for volunteers to defend her institutions and political principles was to him a trumpet-toned command to duty, and lie at once enlisted in the Confederate army in Texas. He served in the same com- mand throughout the war, his services being confined almost wholly within that state. He belonged to what was known as the army of "Minutemen," and was under command of General .Joe Selby.
When the eanse he espoused went down into everlasting defeat at Appo- mattox, and its gory banners were for- ever furled from warlike strife, he re- turned to this state and took up his resi- dence in Monroe county, where he turned his attention to farming. In 1869 he moved to Clinton county, and there until 1893 he was actively engaged in culti- vating the soil and raising live stock. He was active in the public affairs of the county, as a good citizen always is, and in course of time was elected sheriff for three terms. His political force and capacity for official duties was so well known that he was also appointed at an- other time sergeant-at-arms of the Mis- souri house of representatives. For a number of years thereafter he lived eon- tentedly on his Clinton county farm and gave the general public the good service as an auctioneer throughout a wide ex-
tent of the surrounding country, lifting up his voice in this capacity in many counties and winning golden opinions everywhere for his excellent judgment and skill in exereising it in his public work.
In 1893 he moved to the city of St. Joseph, where he passed the remainder of his days, dying on August 2, 1908. He was twice married, first to Miss Harriet M. Anderson, a native of Kentucky, whom he espoused in about 1848. They had four children. Of these only one is living, James F. Allgaier, of Shelbina, the immediate subject of this brief re- view. The father's second marriage was with Miss Amanda M. Williams and oc- curred in May, 1859. They became the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living : Albert W., of Shelby county ; Sebastian A., of Chicago; John J., of Wichita Kansas ; Eugene A., of Buchanan county, this state ; Catherine, the wife of Daniel S. O'Haron, of Richmond, Mis- sonri; Mary A., the wife of Richard Rigney, of Shelbina ; and Michael Owens, of Sedalia, Missouri. In politics the father lived and died a Democrat of the old school. In religions belief and train- ing he was a Catholic. To his party and his church he was true and faithful, as he was to his family and every duty that ealled him to action.
James F. Allgaier was born at George- town, Kentucky, on September 21, 1853. When he was three years old he was brought by his parents to this state and became a resident of Platte county. He began his education in the district schools of that county, continued it in those of Monroe county and finished it in those of Clinton county. After leav-
GEN. J. WILLIAM TOWSON
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ing school he worked on his father's farm until 1881, acquiring strength of body and independence of spirit in its useful labors and from his continnal communion with nature, and also the self-reliance and resonreefulness which result from conditions that require every man to be ready for emergencies at a moment's notice. In 1881 he moved to this county and during the next three years followed farming and raising live stock on his own account. At the end of that period he took up his residence in Shelbina, where he clerked in a dry goods store for a short time, then en- gaged in the grocery trade for awhile. He grew tired of this line of merchandis- ing and sold his business in order that he might give his attention to the drug trade.
Mr. Allgaier has been active in pro- moting the welfare of the town, taking a broad view of its needs and employing all his energy to aid in providing for them. His busy brain and tireless hand have lent their force to every commend- able enterprise for improving the city and augmenting the comfort and con- venience of its people. He has shirked no duty and gone at nothing worthy of his attention in a half-hearted way. His value as a leading citizen is highly ap- preciated, and as an evidence of this fact he was elected mayor of the city in April, 1907, and is still filling the office with great credit to himself and decided bene- fit to the community. In polities he is a Democrat, in fraternal life a Modern Woodman and in religion a Catholic.
In addition to his regular mercantile industry Mr. Allgaier is extensively en- gaged in feeding cattle and hogs, ship-
ping large numbers of each to many dif- ferent parts of the country. He is also a stockholder and director of the Old Bank of Shelbina, the oldest bank in the county. On April 19, 1881, he was married to Miss Nancy E. Gaugh, a resi- dent of this county. She is an enthu- siastic second to his own generous in- telleetnal hospitality, cordially welcom- ing and entertaining any good sugges- tion, no matter where it comes from, and seeking to make the best of it for the good of the people around her. To- gether they interest themselves in all worthy undertakings whereby the moral, mental and social agencies of the com- munity may be increased in usefulness, augmented in power and rendered more serviceable. They do not say or think this of themselves, and perhaps their modesty may be offended by having it said of them by others. But it is true, nevertheless, and worthy of being re- corded here where the makers and build- ers of the community are commended ac- cording to the disposition they have shown and the work they have done.
GEN. J. WILLIAM TOWSON.
The history of Maryland is glorious in peace and war. Her Old Line batal- lions confronted the searlet uniform and glittering steel of Great Britain in the Revolution from Bunker Hill to York- town. In the Mexican war her gallant soldiery was conspicuous in winning some of the most spectacular victories of that short but deeisive confliet. And when the elonds of eivil strife burst with destructive fury over our nnhappy land in 1861, the valor of her arms and brav-
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ery of her sons were manifested on many a sanguinary field under both the Star Spangled Banner and the Stars and Bars. In the civic affairs of the country her statesmen have been farsighted, prudent and progressive. They stood by the Declaration of Independence with all their worldly possessions pledged to its support. It was their firm and far- seeing policy that gave to the country its immense public domain. And in all other publie matters they have been recorded on the side of right, justice and humanity.
Gen. J. William Towson, the interest- ing subject of this brief review, is a na- tive of Maryland, having been born in that state on March 2, 1839, near Will- iamsport, in Washington county. His parents were William and Louisa (Ham- me) Towson, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Virginia. The father was a merchant and then a farmer and passed the whole of his life in his native state, dying in the region hallowed by his labors in 1868. He was a son of Jacob T. Towson, who also was born and reared in Maryland, where he was an extensive landholder and planter, and also engaged extensively in mer- chandising, and where he dwelt from the beginning to the end of his life. He was a gentleman of prominence and in- fluence in the state, widely known throughout its extent and highly es- teemed by all classes of its people. He was of English ancestry but thoroughly imbed with the spirit of American in- stitutions and devotedly loyal to them according to his predilections and train- ing.
General Towson, the subject of this
sketch, grew to manhood and was edu- cated in Maryland, completing his scho- lastic training at schools in Baltimore. Ile began the battle of life for himself as a clerk in a wholesale drug store, and served in this capacity until the great Civil war called to its ranks the man- hood of the country to supply two mighty armies for fraternal and sectional strife. Following his convictions he went south -purely a volunteer-willing to offer up his life on the altar of his faith in defense of them. Mr. Towson enlisted in the Confederate army, commanded by the great military chieftain, Gen. Robert E. Lee, as a member of the renowned "Black Horse Troop" of the Fourth Virginia Cavalry. In this command he served to the end of the war, except for a period of about thirty days, when he was a prisoner, having been captured at Warrenton, Virginia, in May, 1863.
The command to which he was at- tached was that of Gen. Fitz Lee, one of the great fighting divisions of the Southi- ern army that fought its most memor- able conflicts between Washington and Richmond, the Confederate capital, bat- tling also at Gettysburg, Sharpsburg and elsewhere. He personally participated in many memorable engagements, such as Brandy Station, Raccoon Ford, Aldie, Hanover, Carlisle and the battle of Get- tysburg in Pennsylvania, the Wilder- ness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Yel- low Tavern, where the superb cavalry leader, Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, fell, Tra- villion Station, Winchester, the siege of Richmond by Grant, ending in the disas- trons conflict at Five Forks and the re- treat of what was left of that grand army of Robert E. Lee, known as "The
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Army of Northern Virginia." to Appo- mattox, where he surrendered it to Gen. Grant. The war over, he stayed in Vir- ginia and Maryland until March, 1866.
At the time last mentioned he came to Shelbina as land agent of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad. He has ever since been actively engaged in selling the lands of the railroad company and the real estate business on his own account, and has been very snecessful in his un- dertakings. Being a man of very ener- getie and versatile mental equipment, lie has also given attention to other lines of business, has been president of the Com- mercial Bank, vice-president of the Old Bank of Shelbina, serving it in that ca- pacity for a number of years, and is still one of its directors. All the affairs of the community of his home have had the benefit of his close and conscientious at- tention and the benefit of his intelligence in council concerning them and his enter- prise in promoting whatever was good for the people.
Politically Mr. Towson is a Democrat, and under all circumstances he has taken an active and serviceable interest in the affairs of his party. As one of its lead- ing members he was elected mayor of Shelbina at the first election after the incorporation of the municipality. He was knowing, courageons and indepen- dent in the performance of his official duties and gave the city an excellent ad- ministration of its affairs. His religions affiliation is with the Presbyterian elmurch and his fraternal allegiance is given to the Masonic order. In this fra- ternity he is prominent and well known all over the state. He holds the rank of Past Master in the Blue Lodge and has
ascended the mystie ladder of the craft through many of its more elevated di- visions; is a Knight Templar and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He keeps the memories of his military service alive by prominent membership in the order of United Confederate Veterans, in which he is now commander of the eastern half of Missouri, with the rank of brigadier-general.
Mr. Towson was first married in 1868 to Miss Gabie Combs, the nuptials being celebrated in Shelbina. Her life ended sadly in an accident on the railroad, April 13, 1890. His second marriage occurred October 20, 1891, and in this he became united with Miss Emma Mo- sher, who was born in Michigan. Mrs. Fowson entered the life eternal in July, 1910. They had no children of their own, but reared an adopted daughter, who is now Mrs. Clyde F. Lloyd, of Chicago.
For forty-three years Mr. Towson has been a resident of Shelbina and contrib- uted to its advancement and the substan- tial comfort and enduring welfare of its people. He is highly esteemed among them, being regarded as one of the lead- ing and most representative citizens of the community, and one of its most fruit- fnl factors in business, social and gen- eral life. Although he has reached the limit of human life as fixed by the sacred writer, he is still hale, vigorous and active, and continues his industrious contributions to the business progress of the community. The record of his peaceful enterprise is written in its de- velopment, and the foundation for ad- vancement that he has helped to build is such that it will be ereditable to and suf-
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ficient for any superstructure that may be reared upon it. Living in it during the formative part of its history, he has done well his part, and has thereby given to those who may come after him a fine example of fidelity, breadth of view and high class citizenship which is well worthy of all imitation.
THOMAS J. RICE.
For a full quarter of a century a resi- dent of Shelby county, and during more than a third of the time a citizen of Shel- bina, Thomas J. Rice has contributed his full share to the growth and develop- ment of this portion of the state and done well his duty as an active and in- dustrious factor for good among this people. He is a native of the state, born in Scotland county on November 7, 1858, and although portions of his life have been passed elsewhere, he has always been deeply interested in the state of his nativity and the enduring welfare of its people.
Mr. Rice is of Kentucky ancestry, his grandfather, Daniel C. Rice, having been born and reared in that state and hav- ing lived there many years. He is a son of Jackson A. and Margaret (Rose- borough) Rice, the former born in Hardin county, Kentucky, where his life began on December 25, 1835, and the lat- ter in Scotland county in this state. The father accompanied his parents to Mis- souri when he was but one year old and returned with them to Kentucky when he was four. The family remained in Kentucky three years, and in 1845 again became residents of Missouri, locating
in Scotland county, where the father conducted a flourishing business as a farmer and breeder of live stock, in which his son united with him as soon as he was old enough.
In 1860 the elder Mr. Rice went to California with an older brother. He was very successful in locating good claims in Colorado, having returned that far east after a short stay in California, and returned to this state in 1863 with money enough to buy a farm near that of his father in Scotland county. He took up his residence on this farm, but it brought him a trying existence. Not only was the country wild and unde- veloped, and therefore difficult to bring to cultivation and fruitfulness, but the state militia was exceedingly trouble- some during the Civil war. The force was out of commission and many of its members, realizing that they were not responsible to any definite authority, roamed at will and committed continual depredations on unprotected settlers. Horses and cattle were stolen and run off by them, outhouses and even dwel- lings and personal violence was some- times inflicted. The Rice family bore its troubles bravely, enduring the wrongs it suffered with fortitude if not always with patience and forbearance, and at length conditions greatly improved for it.
In 1867 the family moved to Clark county and located on a farm which it occupied and operated until 1903. when the father moved to Howell county, where he now resides. He was married in 1857 to Miss Margaret Roseborough, of Scotland county, this state. They be- came the parents of one child, their son,
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Thomas J., who is the immediate sub- Farmers' & Merchants' Bank, which is ject of this sketch. The father is an earnest Democrat in political faith and belongs to the Christian church. The mother died at the birth of our subject in 1858 and the father married a second time, his second wife being Ruhama Morrill who is still living. They had three sons and three daughters.
Thomas J. Rice attended the public schools in Scotland and Clark counties and also the Baptist College at Alex- andria, Missouri. Upon the completion of his education he went to Arkansas, where he remained five years, teaching school during the winter months and act- ing as private secretary for Robert Mc- Clelland, a wealthy cattle man, during the summers. At the end of the period mentioned he returned to Missouri and passed one year in Shelbina as a clerk and salesman for W. H. Dye, then one of the leading general merchants of the city. He next located on a farm near Shelbina, on which he dwelt eleven years. From that farm he moved to another near Lentner which he ocenpied and worked for five years. In August, 1901. he returned to Shelbina, and here he has ever since resided. He is now busily en- gaged in the real estate and fire insur- ance business, largely in behalf of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Association of Shelby county, of which he has been president since 1897.
Mr. Rice's interests are numerous and valuable. He is a large landowner, a stockholder in the Old Bank of Shelbina and connected with several other enter- prises of moment in themselves and highly beneficial to the community. He was also one of the founders of the
now the Shelbina National Bank, and one of its first stockholders and directors. He is a Democrat in politics and holds membership in the Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Order of Royal Neighbors fra- ternally. He is also an active and zeal- ons church worker, being steward of the congregation to which he belongs in the Methodist Episcopal church, Sonth.
On April 30, 1885, Mr. Rice was mar- ried to Miss Ida M. Freeland, of this county. They have had five children. three of whom are living. These are: Vivian, wife of P. G. Fox, of Shelbina; and Giles G. and Freeland R., who are living at home. Margaret died in 1909. Exemplifying in their daily lives all do- mestic and social attributes, and giving to those around them examples in every relation which are worthy of all imita- tion, Mr. and Mrs. Rice are justly re- garded as among the best and most esti- mable citizens of the county, and are uni- versally respected and admired as such.
WILLIAM H. GILLISPIE.
Actively engaged in a business of uni- versal interest and valne to all classes of the community, prominent in social, fraternal and church relations, and tak- ing always a good citizen's share of the burden of public affairs upon himself, William H. Gillispie, of Shelbina, is one of the leading and most serviceable men in the world of Shelby county life, and is universally esteemed as such. He was born in this state on June 24, 1875, a native of Monroe county, but comes of good old Kentucky stock. His grand-
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father, Angel Gillispie, was born and one of the wideawake and progressive reared in the Blue Grass state and in- men that give life and interest to the business and social life of Shelbina. The father was a devoted member of the Democratic party in whose principles he saw the best theory of government under our constitution, and in religious affairs adhered to the doctrines and teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. herited from his ancestors a decided ten- dency to adventure and conquest. The same spirit that led them to leave the older and more civilized sections of the country and brave the hardships and privations, the daily toils and nightly perils of frontier life in the wilds of Ken -. tneky, impelled him to turn his back upon the home of his youth, and in early man- hood become a pioneer in Missouri and hew out a pathway of progress in manly endeavor for himself in this then unset- tled country, which was still fraught with hazards that always lie beyond the boundaries of civilization.
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