USA > Missouri > Cooper County > History of Cooper County, Missouri > Part 93
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W. G. Gilbreath is one of the prosperous and up-to-date farmers of Cooper County, and the owner of 200 fertile acres in Palestine township,
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about nine miles from Boonville. He was born in Cooper County, June 6, 1869, the son of H. F. Gilbreath and Catherine Gilbreath.
H. F. Gilbreath was born in Tennessee, Feb. 1, 1826, and died in Vernon County, Missouri, Jan. 26, 1888, and his remains were interred in New Salem Cemetery, in this county. His father, Hugh Gilbreath, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Virginia, March 10, 1781, and died in Cooper County, Jan. 21, 1852. The grand- mother, Flora (McDuffy) Gilbreath, the wife of Hugh Gilbreath, was born in Tennessee, and died in Cooper County in February, 1875. The remains of this couple were also interred in New Salem Cemetery.
W. G. Gilbreath's mother was the daughter of Robert and Hannah Carpenter. Robert Carpenter was born in Kentucky in 1798, and died in Cooper County, March, 1830. Hannah was born in North Carolina, Oct. 11, 1802, and died in Cooper County, Feb. 19, 1865. Mr. Gilbreath's family on both sides were among the oldest and most respected citizens of Missouri, and among the early settlers of Cooper County.
His grandparents, above mentioned, moved to Cooper County in 1827, and settled in Prairie Home township in what is known as the Newt Gilbreath farm. William M. Gilbreath and Newton A. Gilbreath, both deceased, were uncles of the subjects of this sketch. Mr. Gilbreath spent his early years upon a farm, and was educated in the public schools and at Brannock's College at Pleasant Hill, Mo. He was an officer at the Missouri Reform School in 1892, and served efficiently and satisfactorily in that capacity for two years under the superintendency of Colonel Drake. From 1897 he was deputy sheriff for four years under J. M. Rymel, and as such was active, vigilant, and competent, and it is safe to say that no former deputy or any succeeding one excelled him in the performance of his duties. He was married in 1900 to Miss Mary Waller, daughter of the late and lamented Judge John A. Waller, who was one of Cooper County's most esteemed citizens, having served the people of his county in responsible positions with credit and distinction.
Judge Waller was born in Kentucky, Nov. 19, 1826, and died in Cooper County, Jan. 6, 1915. Judge Waller's father, Benjamin R. Waller, was born in Kentucky in 1802, and settled in Cooper County in 1840. He departed this life in Cooper County in January, 1891. The wife of Ben- jamin Waller was Lucy (Harris) Waller, who was born in 1810 in Clark County, Ky., and died in Cooper County.
Mrs. W. G. Gilbreath's mother, the first wife of Judge Waller, he having been married twice, was Cordelia (Holladay) Waller, who was
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born in Clark County, Ky., Sept. 14, 1844, and died in Cooper County, Feb. 13, 1878. Cordelia's father was Waller Holladay, and was born in Clark County, Ky., March 17, 1797, and died in Cooper County, Oct. 11, 1876. He was married in 1843. It will thus be seen that Mrs. Gilbreath is a descendant of one of our oldest and best families.
W. G. Gilbreath was for a number of years the superintendent of the county infirmary, and rendered valuable service to the county in the building and establishment of the new infirmary; and with the assistance of his competent wife, raised it to a standard unsurpassed by any insti- tution of its kind in the state.
There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilbreath two children: Glen, 17 years of age, and Martha Lee, age 12.
Mr. Gilbreath is an active and enthusiastic Democrat, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a Free Mason. He is a gentleman of posi- tive connection, a staunch friend, dependable and worthy of the high esteem in which he is held.
Ray P. Cramer is one of Cooper County's progressive farmers and business men. He was born in Lamine township, Sept. 25, 1880, and is the son of G. A. Cramer, Jr., who was the son of G. A. Cramer. Ray Cramer's grandfather came from Holland to this country. The ship in which he came was wrecked and he was one of the few survivers. He located first in Pennsylvania, then moved to Kentucky, and from there came to Cooper County and settled here soon after the first Turleys, thought to be about 1814.
The land upon which Ray P. Cramer now lives was a part of the tract on which his grandfather settled. Mr. Cramer's grandfather on his mother's side was Frank Hill, who came from Cincinnati, Ohio, and located in Cooper County soon after the Civil War. The subject of this sketch is the owner of 102 acres of highly improved and well cultivated land and is situated two miles west of Lamine station in Lamine town- ship. He has spent his entire life in Cooper County, except about one year which he spent in Oklahoma. He was educated in the public schools of the county, and took a special commercial course at another institution. He was the organizer of the Boonville Oil and Gas Company at Okmulgee, Okla., and the Gilmer Oil Company of the same place, both of which are now consolidated and known as the Gilmer Oil Company. Mr. Cramer has been successful in the oil fields and upon property aforesaid has seven producing oil wells and two productive gas wells. He is the man- ager of this company, and has the absolute confidence of those who have
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invested with him. They are mostly local men, and as a testimony of their confidence and esteem, they presented him a few months ago with a handsome $250 Victrola.
Mr. Cramer was married to Lilly K. Wing, the daughter of D. W. Wing, one of the most substantial citizens of central Missouri. The father of D. W. Wing came to Missouri and settled in Cooper County about 1818. Three children were born of this marriage: David, age 14; W. Russell, age 13, and Catherine Lucile, age six. David has graduated from the eighth grade and next year is to enter the Kemper Military School of this city.
Mr. Cramer is a Democrat of high degree, a member of the Christian Church, an estimable citizen, popular with all who know him, and suc- cessful in his ventures.
Felix Victor, one of the leading clothiers of central Missouri, when a young man came to Mexico, Mo., in 1884, and clerked in the clothing store of Joseph and Victor Barth, under whose tutelage and training he learned thoroughly and in detail the clothing business. The Barths were exten- sive clothiers, having at the same time another store at Columbia, Mo. Mr. Victor served them for about nine years and came to Boonville, Sept. 2, 1893, and engaged in the clothing business with his brother, Adolph Victor, who had served his apprenticeship in the Barth store in Colum- bia, under the firm name of F. & A. Victor. This firm for seven years conducted their business on Main Street in the building now occupied by the Tanner Studio. The firm moved to the corner of Spring and Main Streets in 1900 to secure larger quarters, occupying the building then known as the Windsor Building. A few years thereafter they purchased nis building together with an adjoining building and wrecked the same and upon the lots erected a magnificent structure for their ever growing business. This building is a monument to the success and enterprise of the subject of this sketch. It is handsomely furnished and equipped, and has every convenient appointment required by the most up-to-date mer- cantile establishment. It is an honor and credit to Boonville and Cooper County, and doubtless has not its equal in the state outside of St. Louis and Kansas City. January, 1919, Adolph Victor retired from the firm and Felix, the subject of this sketch, became the sole proprietor. Mr. Victor has always prided himself upon the quality of his goods and completeness of his stock.
Mr. Victor was married Jan. 1, 1902, to Miss Ida Barth, daughter of Joseph Barth, now deceased. Mrs. Victor has taken pleasure in active leadership in all civic and social matters in the city.
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Clarence W. Atkinson, proprietor of an excellent farm in Palestine township and one of the best known farmers in that part of Cooper County, is a native of this county. He was born on a farm in Boonville township, Sept. 17, 1876, son of William and Sarah E. (Dickey) Atkinson, the former of whom is still living, now a resident of Boonville.
William Atkinson was born in Ohio County, Virginia, now in that part of the Old Dominion comprised in West Virginia, May 14, 1837, a son of John and Margaret (Trimble) Atkinson, Pennsylvanians and both mem- bers of old Colonial families. The Atkinsons in this country are of Scottish origin and the family was founded on this side before the days of the Revolution. March 5, 1863, William Atkinson married Sarah E. Dickey, who was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, Oct. 21, 1836, and whom he had known since the days of their childhood when they were playmates, and in 1865 he and his wife came to Missouri and located in Cooper County, settling on a farm which he bought in Boonville town- ship. He later moved to a farm near Prairie Lick and in 1881 bought a farm in Palestine township, where he continued to reside until his retire- ment in 1910. His wife died on Feb. 28, 1917, and in 1918 he moved to Boonville, where he is now living. To William and Sarah E. (Dickey) Atkinson were born five children, of whom three are still living, the sub- ject of this sketch having two brothers, Miller T. Atkinson, of Palestine township, and Charles S. Atkinson, of Boonville.
Reared on the farm, Clarence W. Atkinson has always followed agri- cultural pursuits and is now the owner of a well improved farm of 260 acres in Palestine township, where he is quite successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He received his schooling in the local district schools and as a young man took a part in the operations of the home farm, continuing thus engaged until in 1901 when he rented a farm and began operations on his own account. By hard work and good management he was enabled in Jan., 1909, to buy the farm on which he is now living. Since taking possession of that place Mr. Atkinson has made numerous improvements on the same and now has an admirable farm plant and is doing well. Politically, he is an independent republican. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church.
On April 14, 1904, Clarence W. Atkinson was united in marriage to Lydia H. Muntzel, who also was born in this county, and who died on July 10, 1918. To that union were born three children, Ruth E., John F. and Clarence W., Jr. (deceased). The late Mrs. Lydia H. Atkinson was born in Clarks Fork township, this county, April 30, 1881, and was thus but a little past 37 years of age at the time of her death. She was a member
1
MR. AND MRS. C. W. ATKINSON
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of one of the old families in Cooper County, the. Muntzels having been represented here since the days just following the close of the Civil War.
Dr. T. H. Winterbower was born on the Ohio River in Hardin County, Ky., July 25, 1848. He was graduated in medicine from the University of Kentucky at Louisville in 1869. After graduating he immediately came to Missouri to locate and selected Overton, in Saline township of this county, to practice his profession. He followed his profession and had an extensive practice in that part of the county until he moved to Boonville in 1906. He then became deputy county clerk, retiring from the practice of medicine. In 1909 he was the nominee of the Democratic party for probate judge of Cooper County and was elected to that office. He was again, in 1813, the nominee of that party and was again elected, holding the same two full terms of eight years. Dr. Winterbower was married in 1876 to Miss Belle Wooldridge. There were born of this marriage two children, Stanley, who is in business at Sapulpa, Okla., and Nellie, who lives with her father.
Dr. Winterbower's father came to Kentucky in the early days from Tennessee. His mother was born in Hardin County, Ky., and her maiden name was Nannie Hays. The Hays family were old settlers of Ken- tucky. Dr. Winterbower's wife was the daughter of Jesse Wooldridge and Susan Hays Wooldridge who were married in Kentucky and came to Missouri in the early days. Mrs. Winterbower died at Boonville in 1912.
Dr. Winterbower, in office, was known not only for his efficiency but for his universal affability and courtesy. As a physician he was capable and sympathetic. He has always taken a deep interest in politics and public affairs.
Alexander H. Stephens, Jr., who is a prosperous traveling salesman, was born May 7, 1894, at Boonville, Mo. His father, A. H. Stephens, is a son of James L. Stephens and is also a brother of Speed and ex-Gov- ernor Lon V. Stephens. His mother, Adda (Edgar) Stephens, is a daugh- ter of Russell L. Edgar, her mother being a member of the Spahr family. The Stephens, Edgars, and Spahrs are among the oldest families of Cooper County.
Alexander H. Stephens, Jr., was educated in the public schools of Boonville, attended the Kemper Military School two years and graduated in the academic course at Central College, Fayette, Mo. After grad- uating, he was for a short time associated with his father in the automo- bile business and in conducting a garage. In 1916 he accepted employ- ment from the Hine-Watt Manufacturing Company of Chicago as trav-
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eling salesman. His territory consists of the states of Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. He was married Jan. 6, 1919, to Miss Doris Eugenia Schmidt, the daughter of M. E. Schmidt, the son-in-law of the late la- mented ex-Lieutenant Governor James F. Gmelich.
Mr. Stephens is a young man who is hewing out his own fortune and is making success of his efforts. He has a pleasant manner and a pleas- ing address. He is known among his trade as being entirely dependable and is meeting with marked success.
Frank C. Brickey, one of the live wires among the young business. men of Boonville, was born July 22, 1893, at Festus, Mo. His father, F. W. Brickey, was born at Brickeys Landing, Mo., 75 years ago, and the father of F. W. Brickey, grandfather of the subject of this sketch,. was also born in Missouri, the Brickey stock originally coming from Virginia. John S. Brickey, the first circuit attorney of the circuit in which Cooper County was a part and who lived in Franklin, Mo., was a great-uncle of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Brickey's mother, Nettie E. (Davis) Brickey, was born in St. Louis, Mo., and is 58 years of age. She belongs to the old Davis family of Missouri.
Mr. Brickey graduated from the high school at Festus and then attended the Western Military Academy, Alton, Ill., and Central Col- lege, Fayette, Mo. After having spent about two years at Fayette, Mo., Mr. Brickey removed to Boonville in the fall of 1914, assumed charge of the agency for the sale of Ford cars in this section and conducted a sales and service station at the Viertel Garage. The following year he moved to the Stephen's Garage located in the Harriman building on Main Street, and in 1917, purchased the business of this garage. In 1919 he leased the Viertel Garage building above mentioned in order to give him more room for the rapidly expanding business. This building has 40,000 square feet and is by far the largest garage in central Missouri and on the first floor there is doubtless more floor space than in any other garage in the state. Here he handles the Ford cars and Ford tractors and reasonably anticipates, for the coming year, a business of $500,000.
In 1919, Mr. Brickey purchased the "Elkins & Elkins Garage" at Bunceton, Mo., as a Ford Sales and Service Station in that section of the county and is known as the "Bunceton Auto Company." The building in which he conducts this business is about 60x90 feet, and the business there is a thriving one. In the spring of 1918 he sold a one-half interest in the Bunceton Auto Company to J. H. Schlotzhauer, who from that. date became the active manager there.
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In the first part of the year 1918 Mr. Brickey purchased from Jacob Deck, the Lyric Theater (picture show) and soon thereafter sold a one- half interest in the same to the late Dr. A. C. Jacobs. This enterprise is now conducted by Mr. Brickey in conjunction with Mark Jacobs, brother of Dr. A. C. Jacobs. In May, 1919, he purchased the building known as the Stephen's Opera House in connection with Mr. Mark Jacobs and is now arranging for various improvements of this building. At the beginning of the World War he offered his service to his country and was selected as civilian instructor at the vocational training school at Colum- bia, Mo., and was made head instructor of Motor Mechanics, which po- sition he held for seven months, until the closing of the school. Decem- ber 15, 1918, he was appointed by the government to take charge and dispose of the equipment and material of the school which duty he per- formed in a most satisfactory manner to the government. He is now at Boonville, energetically and successfully conducting his various enter- prises.
Guy C. Million, associated with his father in the management of the Frederick Hotel of Boonville, was born July 22, 1878, in Chariton County, Mo. He is the son of W. R. Million and Martha A. (McCampbell) Million. W. R. Million is a veteran hotel man, having operated some of the most popular hotels of the state and is favorably and well known to the travel- ing public. Though never a candidate for office he takes a deep interest in Democratic politics in state as well as county affairs. Martha (Mc- Campbell) Million was born and reared in Chariton County, Mo., and her parents, Robert S. and Mary (Willis) McCampbell, were born and reared in Shelby County, Ky. They came to Missouri in 1858, making the trip in emigrant wagons.
Guy C. Million, the subject of the review, was educated in the public schools of Glasgow, and at Pritchett Institute. He spent five years in the drug business at Salisbury, Mo., and for four years was in the Hospital Department of the United States Navy and saw service in the Philippines, China and Japan. For the past 15 years, associated with his father, he has managed and conducted the famed Frederick Hotel at Boonville. As a host he has no superior in central Missouri, and is popular with the trading public. He is a Free Mason of high standing and rank, being a Past Master, Past High Priest, and Past Eminent Commander. He is a stewart of the M. E. Church, South, and in politics, a Democrat.
Sept. 28, 1903, Guy C. Million was married at Salisbury, Mo., to Miss Pensa Cola Dameron, who is the daughter of John T. and Josie
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(Lea) Dameron, and was born in Randolph County, Mo., and moved with her parents to Salisbury. She was educated in Salisbury Academy. Her grandfather, Judge A. G. Lea, was a prominent judge in north Missouri before the Civil War. Her father enlisted in the Civil War in the Confed- erate Army at the age of 15, who as well as her paternal grandfather, served through the Civil War, and was engaged in many important bat- tles. Her great-great-great-grandfather, Joseph Dameron, fought through the war of the Revolution, and was married to Sarah Ball, a first cousin of George Washington.
Mr. and Mrs. Guy C. Million have one child, Guy C. Jr., who was born Aug. 2, 1913.
C. H. Brokmeyer, who departed this life, aged 57, in Boonville, on Wednesday morning, July 23, 1902, was born in Hille, Westphalia, Ger- many, April 20, 1845. He came to the United States when about 20 years of age. After living in St. Louis and Jefferson City a short time, he moved to Bunceton and opened a tailor shop. Later he located at Boon- ville and in association with C. H. Heim engaged in the general merchan- dise business. This partnership continued two years when the interest of Heim was purchased by A. Schnedler. At the end of the year Mr. Brokmeyer became the sole owner and manager of the store and from this time he continued in the business until the date of his demise. Dur- ing his residence in Boonville, Mr. Brokmeyer built more than 60 dwell- ings. At the time of his death he was the owner of two store houses, the home property, and twelve residences.
Mr. Brokmeyer and Miss Hannah Otten were united in marriage in Boonville on Dec. 6, 1870, and seven children were born to this union, one having died in infancy. He left surviving him the widow, and six chil- dren, John, who married Miss Stella Yeater of Sedalia; Mrs. Emma Schott; Frank, who departed this life in his 40th year, Aug. 21, 1916, loved, respected, and honored, having a host of friends; William; Mrs. Sophia Page, and Henry, who married Miss Eva Cross of New Franklin, Mo.
Mr. Brokmeyer was a valuable and highly respected citizen of Boon- ville and was an active factor in every public enterprise and in the up- building of the city. He had a most pleasing disposition, a kind word for everyone, and always wore a smile. No deal or trade was too big for him to handle. He bought anything and was always willing to sell. He built up an enormous business and seemed to handle and manage the same with astonishing ease. In his death Boonville, as well as his fam- ily, suffered an irretrievable loss. His business has been continued by
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his wife under the able management of her three sons, Frank, William, and Henry. Frank having died, the management has devolved upon William and Henry, who have been successful in the enterprise and have continued the prosperity built up by their father in the mercantile busi- ness. They are the fortunate possessors of happy, kind, and accommo- dating dispositions and number their friends by the legion.
Dr. Paul Ashland Brickey is a brother of Frank C. Brickey whose sketch appears in this volume. He is therefore of the same parentage and genealogy. Dr. Brickey, the subject of this sketch, was born at Festus, Mo., where his father and mother now live, Feb. 17, 1895. He attended the public schools of Festus and took the high school course at that place after which he attended the Western Military Academy, Alton, Ill., for two years and graduated from the same. His father then sent him to Central College at Fayette where he spent two years in the pre- paratory medical course. Then he attended school at the St. Louis Uni- versity, School of Medicine, and was graduated from that institution in 1918. He served one year as intern at St. Mary's Hospital.
June 17, 1918, Dr. Brickey entered the service of his country and was sent to France as a first lieutenant in the Medical Corps with Base Hospital No. 112. He was stationed at Camp Pontanezen, Napoleon Barracks, Brest, France. Here he rendered valuable services as a physi- cian in relieving the pain and suffering of our soldier boys. He returned to the United States Feb. 17, 1919, and was discharged April 15. He is now commissioned in the Medical Reserve Corps.
Dr. Brickey was married Dec. 18, 1917, to Miss Grace Gildehaus whose father is a prosperous wholesale merchant of St. Louis.
Soon after his discharge from the service he located in Boonville and is now engaged in the practice of medicine. He is examiner for life insurance companies and is rapidly building up a remunerative practice. Dr. Brickey is thoroughly educated and in every respect well equipped and qualified for his chosen profession of medicine.
George H. Scholle, a merchant tailor of Boonville who also handles Victrolas and pianos, was born in Hanover, Germany, March 4, 1872. His parents were William and Mary (Schuerman) Scholle of the province of Hanover, who, as well as their parents before them were born in Han- over, Germany. William Scholle died in 1881. Mary Scholle, now about 82 years of age is yet living.
George H. Scholle came to the United States in 1890, when 18 years of age, and located at Sunmen, Ind., where he worked as a tailor for two
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years. Mr. Scholle learned the business of tailoring in Germany, serving an apprenticeship. From Indiana, Mr. Scholle went to Toledo, Ohio, where he remained until 1903 when he came to the Reform School for Boys at Boonville and for one year had charge of the tailoring depart- ment. From there he went to Versailles, Mo., where he remained four years. He then returned to the Reform School and under the superin- tendency of Col. Clark had charge of the tailoring department and in- structed the boys therein for three years. In 1915 Mr. Scholle opened his establishment in Boonville where he is now occupied as a merchant tailor and handles victrolas and musical instruments. His wife, Amanda (Unverferth) Scholle, was born in Pemberville, Ohio, in 1874. Her par- ents came from Germany. She and Mr. Scholle were married in Toledo, Ohio, where Mrs. Scholle's parents lived at that time. There were born of this union eight children: Albro, 23 years of age, is serving his coun- try in the Marines; Wilbur, 21, is assisting his father; Paul, 19, is also with his father; Alma, 17 years of age; Frederick, 13; Helen, 10; George, seven, and Bertha, four.
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