USA > Missouri > Clay County > History of Clay County, Missouri > Part 25
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January 16, 1905, J. L. Dougherty became cashier, succeeding L. B. Dougherty who was elected vice-president. November 16, 1907, the capital stock was again increased, this time to $100,000.00. January 1, 1912, F. D. Hamilton became associated with the bank as assistant cashier and on January 1, 1916, B. B. Corbin resigned as assistant cashier, hav- ing held that position since June 4, 1908.
In the spring of 1915, the board of directors, feeling that their bank- ing home should be in keeping with the necessities and stability of their business, decided to make everything new except the kind of treatment which for years had been accorded their valued patrons. As a result, the substantial brick building, on the southeast corner of the square, which had formerly housed the Liberty Savings Association for years and had been the home of the Commercial Bank since 1902, was transformed into a metropolitan banking house, the entire first floor being converted into offices for the bank. The building was completely remodeled, includ- ing a substantial stone front which presents a magnificent appearance.
The main banking room is so arranged that customers find easy access to the four windows of the circular counter. A flood of light from the numerous windows, prompted one of the patrons of the bank to sug- gest, and, not inappropriately, that the bank easily dispenses sunshine in connection with its banking service. "Rich, but not expressed in fancy", might well be the description of the bank's complete equipment. The fixtures are of genuine South African mahogany with accompaniment of a twelve-inch base of Verde Antique and a forty-foot wainscoting of Colorado Yule, naturally veined which creates a beautiful design. This harmony surrounds the interior walls of the banking room. The presi- dent's office opens from the directors' room and the cashier's desk is on the left, as one enters the bank. Two large vaults of modern proof con- struction with all-steel shelving offer a secure depository for filing items and valuable papers. This bank is as complete in all its appointments and convenience for both the customers and employes as any other bank to be found in the country.
The present officers of the Commercial Bank are: James M. San- dusky, president; L. B. Dougherty, vice-president; J. L. Dougherty,
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cashier; and F. D. Hamilton, assistant cashier. The assistants in the bank are: Roland A. Main, Anna J. Hall, and Miss Doris Robinson. The Board of Directors are: J. L. Dougherty. F. D. Hamilton, Frank Hughes, James N. Sandusky, James S. Simrall, S. M. Woodson, T. J. Wornell, and C. E. Yancey.
The best conception of the growth and development of the Com- mercial Bank: can be obtained from the following figures: On January 1, 1867, the capital stock was $5,000.00 and the deposits $4.672.50; January 1, 1877, capital stock, $32,500.00, deposits, $61,403.86; January 1, 1887, - capital stock, $40.000.00, deposits, $155,486.30; January 1, 1897, capital stock, $75.000.00, deposits, $149,881.37; January 1, 1907, capital stock, $100,000.00. deposits $614,782.76; January 1, 1917, capital stock, $100,- 000.00, deposits $707,932.20. The deposits at the present time are over $1.000,000.00.
E. E. Kirkland, the present mayor of Liberty, Missouri, and a widely known and successful real estate and insurance man, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Scotland County, November 29, 1878, and is a son of Thomas and Bell (Greene) Kirkland. Thomas Kirkland was a native of Kentucky and came to Missouri with his parents at a very early day and settled in Scotland County. He grew to manhood in Scotland County and was engaged in farming and stock raising there for a number of years and now lives in Montana. Bell (Greene) Kirkland was a native of Virginia and came to Scotland County with her parents when she was a child. Her father, Judge Thomas Greene, was a pioneer of Scotland County and prominent in the early day affairs there. He was a country merchant and also a farmer. He served as county judge of Scotland County. Mrs. Kirkland died in Scotland County in 1913.
E. E. Kirkland was educated in the public schools and the high School at Memphis, Missouri. He then entered William Jewell College at Liberty, Missouri, where he was graduated in the class of 1904. After completing his college course, Mr. Kirkland engaged in the gent's furnish- ing business in partnership with M. A. Burch. This business association continued for six years, and in 1910 Mr. Kirkland sold his interest in the business to his partner and engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Liberty, Missouri. He has built up an extensive business and is a leader in his respective lines in Clay County.
E. E. KIRKLAND
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Since locating at Liberty, Mr. Kirkland has taken an active interest in the welfare and development of Liberty and Clay County. Ile was elected a member of the city council in 1910, serving two years. In 1917 he was elected mayor of Liberty and at the expiration of his term of office he was reelected, in April, 1919, and is now serving in that capacity. He has given the city a capable and efficient administration, and his , efforts in the direction of a clean city government is appreciated by the people, as was evinced by his reelection to the office of mayor. Mr. Kirk- land is also the present public administrator of Clay County, having been elected to that office in 1916 and was reelected in 1920.
In February, 1906, Mr. Kirkland was united in marriage with Miss Hazel Moore Adkins, a daughter of D. J. M. and Anna (Moore) Adkins. Mr. Adkins now resides in Kansas City, Missouri, and his wife is deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Kirkland have been born two children: Robert Greene and Earl Vance.
Mr. Kirkland is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He has an extensive acquaintance in Liberty and Clay County and is a substantial citizen.
William Canby Willmott, secretary and treasurer of the O. H. Corbin Milling Company of Liberty, Missouri, has been prominently identified with the business interests of Liberty and Clay County for many years, and is one of the successful men of affairs of this county. Mr. Willmott was born at Huntsville, Illinois, February 17, 1862, and is a son of W. W. and Mary (Breckenridge) Willmott. Mary J. Breckenridge was a mem- ber of the Breckenridge family of Kentucky and a second cousin of John C. Breckenridge, the well known statesman of a few years back.
W. W. Willmott removed from Kentucky to St. Louis in 1869, and was engaged in the wholesale eracker business there for three years. He then removed to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he purchased a sugar plantation which he operated until 1879. He then came to Clay County and engaged in farming near Liberty, and he and his wife both spent the remainder of their lives in this vicinity.
William C. Willmott was educated in the public schools of St. Louis, Hoeker's College at Lexington, Kentucky, Louisiana Agricultural and Mechanical College at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and William Jewell Col- lege at Liberty, Missouri. He came to Clay County with his parents and shortly afterwards his father purchased the McDonald Lumber Yard
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which they operated about eight years. In 1890 he became interested in the O. H. Corbin Milling Company and since that time he has served in the capacity of secretary, treasurer and manager of that institution.
Mr. Willmott was united in marrage, December 2, 1885, with Miss Emma Wymore, of Liberty, Missouri. She was a daughter of William H. Wymore, Jr. To Mr. and Mrs. Willmott have been born one son, Miller Edward, who was educated at William, Jewell College and the Rolla School of Mines, and is now a mining engineer at Tonopah, Nevada.
Mr. Willmott has always taken an active interest in local affairs and has served two terms as mayor of Liberty, having been elected the first time when he was only twenty-one years old. He also served as a member of the city council for many years.
The Willmott family is of old American stock and dates back to colonial times. Colonel Robert F. Willmott, great grandfather of Wil- liam C. Willmott, was an officer in the Revolutionary army and was a member of General Washington's staff. He spent his latter life in Ken- tucky and his remains were buried on the old Willmott homestead near Paris, Kentucky.
John Claude Coppinger, junior member of the law firm of Coppinger and Coppinger, of Liberty, Missouri, and the present prosecuting attorney of Clay County, is a native of this county. He was born at Excelsior Springs, Missouri, February 10, 1892, and is a son of Charles H. and Reba J. (Prather) Coppinger. Reba J. Prather was a daughter of John S. and Luella (Roberts) Prather, natives of Kentucky. John S. Prather was a pioneer of Moscow, Missouri, and established the first grist mill there and later he removed to Excelsior Springs and was one of the early set- tlers there. He was the first mayor of that town and spent the remainder of his life there. He died in 1914, and his wife departed this life in 1894 and their remains were buried in Crown Hill cemetery at ÆExcelsior Springs.
John Claude Coppinger received his preliminary education in the public schools of Excelsior Springs, and later attended the University of Missouri at Columbia. He then entered the University of Texas and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1914 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He then returned to Clay County and since that time he has been engaged in the practice of his profession.
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In 1917, Mr. Coppinger organized the Liberty Abstract and Title Company of which he is president. This company was incorporated with a capital stock of $10,000.00, and they have a complete set of new abstract books, embracing the complete records of Clay County titles.
Mr. Coppinger was elected prosecuting attorney of Clay County in 1918 and after capably filling that office for one term he was reelected in 1920.
Mr. Coppinger is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine and also holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a successful attorney and the firm of Coppinger and Coppinger has an extensive practice in this section of the state.
B. B. Corbin, president of the O. H. Corbin Milling Company, of Lib- erty, Missouri, is a native of Virginia. He was born April 8, 1847 and is a son of O. H. and Sarah A. (Petty) Corbin, who settled in Clay County in 1849 and spent the remainder of their lives here.
O. H. Corbin engaged in the milling business at Liberty in 1850, which was the beginning of the present milling business in this city which bears his name. The original mill was located on the south side of the St. Joseph and Hannibal railroad track. That building was destroyed by fire and later a new building was erected on the present site on Water and Mill streets. The O. H. Corbin Milling Company was incorporated in 1898 with a capital stock of $20,000.00. This mill has a capacity of 100 barrels of flour daily and is equipped with all modern milling machinery. A very high grade of flour is manufactured here which has won a wide reputation for its excellent quality. The company also manu- factures feed and general mill products and also conducts a retail coal business. O. H. Corbin, the founder of the business, was born September 10, 1820, and died September 2, 1892. His wife was born July 15, 1820, and died August 15, 1885.
To O. H. Corbin and wife were born the following children: Mary F. is a stockholder in the O. H. Corbin Milling Company and lives at Liberty, Missouri; W. H., who was also interested in the business and is now deceased; James M., was also interested in the business and died in 1820; B. B., the subject of this sketch; Benjamin F., Liberty, Missouri; George W., Liberty, Missouri; Laura E., Liberty, Missouri; Mrs. Adelaide Duncan, deceased; Herbert T., Berkley, California; and Mrs. Hattie B. Yancey, Chicago, Illinois.
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B. B. Corbin was about two years old when he was brought to Clay County by his parents. He was reared and educated in Liberty and began his business career as a clerk in a grocery store, and later worked in a woolen factory. He then served as deputy county clerk, and later entered the employ of the Liberty Savings Bank as bookkeeper. He then entered the employ of the Commercial Bank, remaining with that institu- tion for thirty-two years, when he took an active position with the O. H. Corbin Milling Company of which he had been a stockholder for several years.
Mr. Corbin was married December 21, 1886, to Miss Margaret Beau- champ, a daughter of John A. and Sydney (Owen) Beauchamp, both now deceased. John A. Beauchamp's father was one of the early white men to locate in this section of the country and for a number of years in the early history of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, he was the government Indian agent there. Mrs. Corbin died in 1889. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Corbin, one of whom died in infancy and the other at the age of sixteen months.
Mr. Corbin is a substantial business man and has an extensive ac- quaintance in Clay County. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
James S. Simrall, a well known and successful lawyer of Liberty, is a native of Clay County. He was born at Liberty, November 7, 1884, and is a son of Horatio F. and Martha J. (Denny) Simrall, further men- tion of whom is made in connection with the sketch of Ernest G. Simrall in this volume.
James S. Simrall was educated in the public schools of Liberty and attended the high school here. Later he entered William Jewell College and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1805. He then entered the Kansas City School of Law where he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1908 After being admitted to the bar, he engaged in the practice of his profession at Liberty to which he has since devoted himself with success. He was elected city attorney of Liberty in 1909 and served two years. In 1910, he was elected prosecuting attorney of Clay County and reelected for that office in 1912, serving four years. He served two years as clerk of the school board and was later elected a member of that body.
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Mr. Simrall was married July 25, 1911, to Miss Ruby Bell, a daughter of David E. and Alice R. (Cravens) Bell, the former of whom is now deceased and the mother resides at Liberty. David E. Bell was a successful farmer and stock raiser, although he was engaged in the hard- ware business for a time. He died in 1920. He was a son of Edwin Bell who was a very early pioneer settler in Clay County who settled near Missouri City, where he was engaged in farming. To James S. Simrall and wife have been born two children: Martha Jane and James S., Jr.
Mr. Simrall is vice-president and treasurer of the Clay County Ab- stract Company and he is a director of the Commercial Bank of Liberty, and also a member of the board of directors of the National Bank of North Kansas City. He is an able lawyer and ranks high in the legal profession of western Missouri.
Ernest G. Simrall, of Liberty, Missouri, is one of the able and suc- cessful lawyers of this section of the state. He is a son of Horatio and Mattie J. (Denny) Simrall.
Horatio H. Simrall was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, in 1845. After graduating from the University of Louisville, Kentucky, he came to Clay County, Missouri when a young man, and after teaching school about a year he engaged in the practice of law at Liherty, and for forty years was one of the successful lawyers of Clay County. He was a prominent Democrat and took an active part in political matters. He served as district committeeman and served as prosecuting attorney of Clay County. He served in the State Senate and was chairman of the judiciary committee of the Senate for two terms. During the time he was a member of the senate he succeeded in getting through some im- portant legislation some of which had to do with the reclamation of swamp lands. During the course of his practice at Liberty, he was in partnership for a time with Judge J. M. Sandusky, and later he was associated with Judge H. Trimble who is now judge in Kansas City. He died January 31, 1911, and his remains are buried at Liberty. His widow now resides at Liberty. Her father, John A. Denny, was a native of North Carolina and came to Liberty at a very early day. He was a dry goods merchant here for a number of years and was a highly respected citizen. He was a member of the Presbyterian church.
To Horatio F. Simrall and wife were born the following children:
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Denny, an attorney in Kansas City, Missouri; Horatio G., a dry goods merchant; James S., an attorney of Liberty, Missouri; Ernest G., the subject of this sketch; Riley, a mining engineer, Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
Ernest G. Simrall received his preparatory education in the public schools of Liberty and then entered William Jewell College where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in the class of 1908, and two years later received his Masters degree from that institution. He attended the Kansas City Law School where he was graduated in 1911 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He then engaged in the prac- tice of law at Liberty to which he has since devoted his attention with marked success. He has held the office of city attorney of Liberty, and also served as prosecuting attorney of Clay County for four years.
Mr. Simrall is secretary of the Clay County Abstract Company, a position which he has held for the past nine years. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Liberty and also holds membership in the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
L. A. Davidson, now living retired at Liberty, Missouri, after a suc- cessful career, is a native of Clay County. He was born in Gallatin township, November 1, 1842, and is a son of John K. and Lucy (Tillery) Davidson, both natives of Kentucky. John K. Davidson was born in Madison County, Kentucky, and his wife in Woodson County. He came to Clay County, Missouri, when a young man and died and was buried here. He died at the age of thirty-two years and his wife departed this life at the age of fifty-five years. At the time of his death, John K. Davidson was the owner of two hundred and ten acres of land in Gallatin township.
To John K. and Lucy (Tillery) Davidson were born the following children: Samuel A., served as a lieutenant in the Confederate army under General Sterling Price and died at Little Rock, Arkansas, while in the service: L. A., the subject of this sketch; Oscar, who owns a farm in Gallatin township and is now living retired at Kansas City, Missouri; and Mary Ann, who married Henry Haynes and is now deceased.
L. A. Davidson was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools ; he recalls as his first teacher, George Hughes, the father of Ralph Hughes, the present circuit judge of this district. In early life, Mr. Davidson engaged in farming and stock raising and fed stock extensively for the market. He met with success and continued his active career
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until he met with an accident which resulted in a broken leg and since that time he has been unable to actively engage in business and makes his home at the Major Hotel at Liberty.
Mr. Davidson was married about 1877 to Miss Fannie Reynolds, a daughter of John and Rebecca Reynolds of Liberty, Missouri. They are both now deceased and Mrs. Davidson died about 1882 and her remains are buried in the Davidson private cemetery. Two sons were born to L. A. Davidson and wife: O'Fallan, who resides on the home place, and Ralph A., a farmer and stockman of Liberty township; he married Gladys Cook, of Liberty, Missouri.
L. A. Davidson is one of the substantial and highly respected citizens of Clay County.
George E. Swan, proprietor of the Liberty Steam Laundry at Liberty, Missouri, is one of the progressive and enterprising business men of Clay County. He has had over twenty years' experience in the laudry busi- ness, during which time he has developed a business and built up an industry of which few towns of the size of Liberty can boast.
The Liberty Steam Laundry employs from fifteen to eighteen people and is equipped with all modern laundry machinery, with a view of turn- ing out high class work with the greatest possible speed. This laundry, not only serves the people of Liberty and the immediate vicinity, but. also work is sent here from various surrounding towns over a broad scope of territory. The building which houses the Liberty Steam Laundry is a three story brick structure 31 x 96 feet in dimensions and is located at. the corner of Missouri and Kansas streets.
George E. Swan was born in New York, March 31, 1877, and is a son of B. F. and Emma A. (Sheppard) Swan. B. F. Swan was also a native of New York and during the Civil War he served in the Union army and now resides at Urban, Missouri. His wife died in 1917. They were the parents of the following children: Ben, lives in Califarnia ; Ed, Liberty, Missouri; George F., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mary Ewing, Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. Winner Allen, Urban, Missouri ; and Frank, Haskill, Oklahoma.
George F. Swan was educated in the public schools of Liberty, Missouri, and entered the employ of Burnham, Hanna and Munger Dry- goods Company of Kansas City, Missouri, and was with that concern for seven years. He then engaged in the laundry business at Liberty and
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since that time has devoted himself to that industry and has met with success.
Mr. Swan was married in 1902 to Miss Genevieve Marshall, of Kan- sas City, Missouri. Three children have been born to this union: Imogene, Ernest and Marshall.
Mr. Swan is a substantial and public spirited citizen and stands high in Liberty and Clay County.
B. F. Hayes, of B. F. Hayes and Son, who conducts one of the leading restaurants of Liberty, where they are also engaged in the mercantile business, is a native of Clay County. B. F. Hayes was born in a log house at the corner of Main and Mill streets, Liberty, July 2, 1864, and is a son of Samuel and Susan Virginia (Estes) Hayes.
Samuel Hayes was a native of Virginia. He came to Clay County from Greenbrier County, Virginia, in 1858, and for a number of years was engaged in contracting and building at Liberty. He helped erect the present court house and also the old building of William Jewell College and many business buildings and residences at Liberty. He died at Liberty in June, 1917, and his wife died in May, 1920. She was a daughter of Fountain Estes, a Kentuckian, and an early settler at Liberty. He came here several years prior to the Civil War. Of the children born to Samuel and Susan Virginia (Estes) Hayes, the following are living: B. F., the subject of this sketch; L. L., a contractor of Liberty ; M. S., retired, Lib- erty, Missouri; R. W., is engaged in the restaurant business at Slater, Missouri ; Mrs. U. V. Samples, Oakland, California ; Mrs. Dora Hutchinson, Liberty, Missouri.
B. F. Hayes was reared at Liberty, Missouri, and attended the public schools. In early life he learned the trade of plasterer and brick layer and soon engaged in an independent career as a contractor and builder. He did a great deal of concrete work, including the building of side-walks, and today there is hardly a block in Liberty that does not bear his name on the walk. He was successfully engaged in the contracting business for thirty-six years, and on June 23, 1920, he engaged in his present business in partnership with his son, C. M. Hayes. Their restaurant and store is located on East Kansas street, and they have a large patronage.
B. F. Hayes was married to Miss Delila Dever, a native of Clay County, born near Missouri City. She is a daughter of George W. and Margaret Dever, natives of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Hayes have been born sixteen
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B. F. HAYES
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children, seven of whom are living, as follows: G. B., a contractor in Kansas City, Kansas; F. II., Bellevue, Missouri; C. M., who is engaged in business in partnership with his father at Liberty; Ora D., a student in William Jewell College; Agnes Dorothy, a graduate of the Liberty High School, and now engaged in teaching; Roxie, a student of the Liberty High School; and May, a student in the grade school. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes have six grandchildren: Marion, G. B., William B., Joellen, Philip, and David Hayes.
Mr. Hayes has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows for twenty-five years, and is a substantial business man.
Lonzo P. Sissom, the present capable and efficient sheriff of Clay County, is a native son of this county and a descendant of one of the early pioneer families of this section of Missouri. Mr. Sissom was born in Gallatin township, Clay County, within three miles of his present place in that township. He is a son of Isaiah and Dorkey Ann (Shanks) Sissom,
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