USA > Missouri > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Missouri > Part 27
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After receiving his education in his native state, Lewis Maupin en- gaged in the business of buying and selling of horses and mules. In 1897 he came to Independence and established his present flourishing business.
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Mr. Maupin has built up a splendid reputation as an honest and dependable dealer throughout this section of Missouri and handles hundreds of ani- mals yearly.
Mr. Maupin was married in 1880, in his native county, to Miss Rosa Dumm, who was also born and reared in Madison County, Ky. She died March 14, 1918, leaving two children, May, wife of Robert Knowles; and Claude, associated with his father in the business.
E. P. Burton .- The real estate firm of Burton and Corthell, with of- fices at 205 West Lexington street, Independence, is one of the leading real estate concerns of Jackson County. The firm does a general real estate, loan, insurance, bond and abstract business, and is noted for its stability and successful experience, covering 22 years in which it has existed. The business was first established in 1897 by E. P. Burton, and was incor- porated in 1913, with Mr. E. P. Burton as president and Mr. E. E. Corthell as secretary and treasurer. The fine business enjoyed by this well estab- lished enterprise has been built up by careful, conscientious business meth- ods and by thoroughness of attention to detail in the work done on behalf of clients. This firm is one of the most conservative financial institutions in Independence, and one of the most reliable-facts which are attested by the high prices of the stock in the company, which cannot be bought for $700 per share, it having at the time of organization a par value of $100 per share.
E. P. Burton was born March 2, 1876, on a farm in Jackson County, and is a member of one of the oldest of the Jackson County pioneer fami- lies. His father was Levi Burton, who was born in Saline County, Mis- souri, and came to Jackson County in 1866, locating on a farm northeast of Independence. He died in 1880. His wife was Bernica (Short) Burton, who was born in Edmondson County, Kentucky, in 1844, and accompanied her parents, James and Lucinda Short, to Jackson County in 1850. The Short family settled on a farm north of Independence. Mrs. Burton now resides four miles southeast of Independence.
The first home of James and Lucinda Short in this county was a two room log cabin, in which they resided for many years. The Shorts were Baptists and meetings were held in the Six Mile neighborhood. Baptizing was often done in the dead of winter, when ice covered the Blue, and it was necessary to chop a hole so that the ceremony could be performed accord- ing to rite. The cooking in the Short home was done in an old-fashioned fireplace ; the bread was baked in an iron oven or kettle, which was placed in the glowing coals. Mrs. Burton, mother of E. P. Burton, still has in her
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possession the old oven used in her pioneer home, and is ready and willing to donate the article to the County Historical Society whenever a place is provided for taking care of relics of this character.
The children born to Levi and Bernica Burton are as follow: James M. Burton, born June 6, 1869, lives in Blue township; E. P. Burton, of this review; Walter, died in 1916, at the age of 33 years; Robert, died in in- fancy ; Harry Morris, a son of E. H. Morris, who was the first husband of Bernica Short.
James and Lucinda Short had children as follow: James M. Short, E. W. Short and Foster Short, all deceased; Mrs. Bernica Burton, and Mrs. Joseph Eaton, who died in Oregon.
E. P. Burton was educated in the Lees Summit public schools, and also attended business college in Kansas City. He began to make his own way when 12 years of age. For the past 22 years Mr. Burton has been engaged in the real estate and loan and insurance business as stated above.
Mr. Burton was married in 1916 to Katherine Pitcher; of Kansas City, Mo., a daughter of Gilbert and Mary Elizabeth Pitcher, both of whom are deceased. Thomas Pitcher, grandfather of Mrs. Burton, came to Jackson County in 1826. He married Nancy Parrish, who came also from Ken- tucky in 1825. Thomas Pitcher gave the site for the first public schools established in Jackson County, and the school house of his old district is still known as the Pitcher School. The Smarts and McGees, after whom streets were named in Kansas City, were relatives of the Pitchers.
Mr. and Mrs. Burton reside at 317 South Osage street, Independence. Mr. Burton is a member of the Baptist Church and Mrs. Burton is a mem- ber of the Christian Church of this city. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and the Modern Woodmen of America.
Alfred G. Hausam, member of the grocery firm of Curran-Schulen- berg and Hausam, Independence, Mo., was born in St. Charles, Mo., Feb. 20, 1867, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Boelner) Hausam.
The father was born in Germany, settled in St. Charles County upon immigrating to America, and in 1886, came to Kansas City. He followed his profession of engineer in this city and died in 1895, at the age of 72 years. Mrs. Mary Hausam was born Sept. 18, 1827, and resides in Kansas City, one of the oldest women of the county, having attained the great age of 92 years, and is still active. The children of the Hausam family are: Mrs. Lucille Miller, deceased; Julia Hausam, Kansas City; Mrs. Alvina Gottschammer, Kansas City; Jacob G. Hausam, Kansas City; Alfred G. Hausam, of this review.
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Alfred G. Hausam received his education in the schools of St. Charles and St. Louis, where the family resided prior to coming to Kansas City. Since young manhood he has followed the grocery and meat business, and has charge of the meat market operated in connection with the store in which he is financially interested:
Mr. Hausam was married in 1897 to Emma P. Speck, a daughter of Martin and Susan (Mertischeimer) Speck, of Independence. Mrs. Hau- sam's father is a pioneer settler of Jackson County, coming here in the early forties, and now makes his home at 815 North Liberty street.
Three children have been born to Alfred G. and Emma P. Hausam, as follow: Alpha Marie, Roy Martin, and one child, Edward, who died in infancy.
Carl Foster .- On Aug. 1, 1918, the Foster Grocery Company began business on the west side of the square, succeeding E. B. Dooley. The Foster concern is operated on the "cash and carry" plan, which is rapidly finding favor with cash buyers in many cities of the country, inasmuch as the expense of delivery is eliminated and the cash buyer has the advantage of lower prices, which he would not obtain at a grocery where credit ac- counts are carried on the books. The cash buyer usually gets the wrong end of the deal where he trades at a place which extends credit to a large number of patrons who have their purchases delivered. He is assisting in paying for a delivery and credit system expense which is maintained for the accommodation of the other patrons. It would seem that most stores would find it a good plan to inaugarate a system of doing business where a cash purchaser would have the advantage of lower prices. Mr. Foster has gone the full length in this plan and sells only to cash purchasers who carry away their purchases. The large volume of trade enjoyed by the Foster establishment is ample evidence that the "cash and carry" store is meeting with popular favor.
Carl Foster, proprietor of the Foster Grocery Company, was born in Cass County, Missouri, Aug. 26, 1876. He is a son of Hamilton and Susan (Simms) Foster, the former of whom was a native of Ohio, and the latter a native of South Carolina. The Foster family resided in Cass County at the time of the beginning of the Civil War, and Hamilton Foster served with the Confederate forces. His family moved to Harrisonville and re- mained there until the war closed. Mr. Foster died in 1377, in Cass County. Mrs. Foster died in Benton County, Missouri, in 1894.
Carl Foster was reared in Cass County, and received his education in the Lees Summit High School. For four years he taught school in Jack-
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son County, and for four years following he was in the employ of the Peo- ples Union Mercantile Company in Independence. Later he was in the employ of King & Co., and their successors, King and Hughes, then worked for King and Horn Brothers, who were succeeded by Horn Brothers. In September, 1917, when Horn Brothers dissolved partnership, Mr. Foster went to Eldorado, Kan., with Horn and Johnson. Aug. 1, 1918, he returned to Independence and purchased the E. B. Dooley stock of groceries, as stated above.
Mr. Foster was married in November, 1902, to Elsie D. Mann, a daughter of J. A. and Edith Mann, residents of Independence. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have one son, Jesse Foster, born Aug. 14, 1903, a student in the high school. The Foster family residence is located at 721 North Lib- erty street. Mr. Foster is a member of the Woodmen of the World Lodge.
E. B. Dooley, proprietor of a well patronized grocery and meat mar- ket at 713 West Lexington street, Independence, Mo., was born in Indian- apolis, Ind. He is a son of John W. and Rose (Bell) Dooley, the former of whom was born in New York in 1850. He located in Indianapolis and fol- lowed his profession of stationery engineer in that city until 1882, when he came to Independence, and was employed in this city in the same capac- ity for nine years. He is now in the employ of the Hugh Matthew Ma- chine Shops, Kansas City, Mo. Mrs. Rose Dooley died June 15, 1919, and the remains are interred in Woodlawn cemetery. The children of the Dooley family are: E. B. Dooley, subject of this sketch ; May Dooley, liv- ing at the family home, 215 South Osage street; Lee, conducting a meat market on the west side of the square; Harry, also in the meat business with his brother. (The meat market conducted by Lee and Harry Dooley is operated in connection with the Foster Cash Grocery.) The two younger sons of the family are John and Frank Dooley, at home.
E. B. Dooley attended the public schools of Independence, and his first employment was in the F. E. Hall meat market, on the north side of the square. He received $4.00 per week, and was in Mr. Hall's employ for eight and a half years. Since that time he has been in business for himself. Mr. Dooley opened his present grocery and meat market at 213 West Lexington street, in September, 1918, and his store is stocked with a splendid line of eatables, staple and fancy groceries, and he has built up a fine patronage.
Mr. Dooley was married in January, 1906, to Miss Hattey Luff, of Independence, a daughter of Dr. Joseph and Jeanette (Parker) Luff, both of whom were born in Canada, and are now residing at 120 Pendleton ave- nue. One son has been born to this marriage, Roy, aged 12 years. Mr.
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Dooley was first married in 1898 with Miss Bessie Letter, who died in 1900, leaving a son, Frank Dooley, bookkeeper in the offices of the Kansas City Nut and Bolt Company. The Dooley home is at 124 Pendleton avenue.
Mr. Dooley is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Loyal Order of Moose. He has an interesting recollection of the first street transportation system inaugurated in Independence, between this city and Kansas City. The cars were drawn by a wheezy little locomotive, probably a discarded one from some eastern city. The little engine pulled the train of cars and its appearance on the streets provoked much curiosity, people flocking in crowds to the square to witness the phenomenon.
G. W. Nesbitt, grocer, 1307 Lexington street, Independence, is a na- tive of this city, born here Aug. 16, 1869. From his boyhood days he has made his own way in the world. His parents were Henry W. and Mary A. (Lucas) Nesbitt, the former of whom died in 1882, the latter departing this life in 1911.
Henry W. Nesbitt served with the Union army during the Civil War, and fought for the Union for two years, participating in the battles of Lexington and Independence. After his war service he went to Nebraska and after remaining there for a short time he returned to Independence via Wayne City. After a short residence of six years in Independence he removed to Illinois, and lived there for eight years. He then returned to Independence and resumed his trade of cabinet maker. His residence was built on Temple street, now the South River boulevard. His children are as follow: John A., in the employ of the Standard Oil Company, Sugar Creek; George W., of this review; Mrs. Alice Belle Wright, Independence; Mrs. Nellie R. Madison, deceased; Mrs. Melissa M. Nesbitt, deceased; Mrs. Bina J. Scott, Independence; Dora died in infancy.
The education of George W. Nesbitt was obtained in the public schools of Maroa, Ill., and Independence. Owing to the early death of his father, he found it necessary to go to work at an early age. Since he was 13 years of age George W. Nesbitt has been constantly employed. He first worked in the grocery store of A. T. Slack, on the south side of the square, working there for two years, the store being in charge of William A. No- land, a former school teacher. He received $10.00 per month for the first two years, and the pay went to the support of his widowed mother. He was then employed in the Duke and Sullivan grocery at a salary of $1.00 per day for two years, during his last month's service receiving $18.00 per week. Mr. Nesbitt has worked for Cunningham Brothers, Yowell and
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Lucas, and was manager of A. T. Slack's grocery. He also worked for W. S. Loar, and then with B. C. Loar, as partner, he purchased the Tim Pendle- ton grocery. One year later he sold out his interest to Loar.
For the next 11 years he was with the L. H. Fisher Silver Laundry and Towel Company. This employment kept him in close touch with the grocery business and the butchers of the city, and he learned the art of meat cutting while visiting with them. He was now ready to venture into busi- ness on his own account. He had no capital, but borrowed $150 to embark in the grocery business with W. T. Bozarth. Six months later he sold his half interest in this store for $450, and then remodeled the Carson grocery and was in business there for two years. He again sold out and estab- lished himself with a fine stock of goods in his present location, where he has built up a splendid trade. Mrs. Opal Gunder is his able assistant, book- keeper and cashier.
Mr. Nesbitt was married in June, 1888, to Rose M. Loar, a daughter of Judge W. S. Loar and Lucinda J. Loar, the former of whom is deceased. To this marriage there has been born the following children: Bessie, wife of Dr. Harold Bullard, of Independence; Madge L. Nesbitt; Opal, wife of J. Blaine Gunder; Clifford L., with the Thor Electrical Company, and George W., Jr., at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Nesbitt reside at 1505 West Walnut street, their home being located on ground which was pasture and served as playground for the boys of the neighborhood when Mr. Nesbitt was a youth. He is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Nesbitt has the distinction of having served as the first conductor of the first electric car operated from Kansas City to Independence, and for one and a half years he was conductor on the old Dunning line.
E. E. Corthell, secretary-treasurer of the Burton and Corthell Real Es- tate Company, Independence, Mo., was born in Union County, Illinois, Dec. 13, 1868. He is a son of Jonathan and Sarah J. (Lunt) Corthell, both of whom were natives of Maine, and the latter of whom is now living at 126 Pendleton avenue, aged 77 years. Jonathan Corthell died Jan. 14, 1908. The Corthell family came to Independence in 1890. E. E. Corthell, of this review, was the only child born to his parents.
E. E. Corthell was educated in the public schools and the Illinois State Normal School at Carbondale, Ill. After finishing his education he went to California and remained there for two years. In 1889 he came to Jack- son County, and for several years followed mechanical work. In 1912 he
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became a member of the real estate firm of Burton and Corthell, which was incorporated in 1913.
Mr. Corthell was married April 18, 1896, to Eliza Maude Click, of Cobden, Ill. This marriage has been blessed with one daughter, Helen May Corthell.
The Corthell residence is located at 126 Pendleton avenue. Mr. Cor- thell is an active member of the Reorganized Church of Latter-Day Saints in Independence.
William R. and Adron J. Randall, brick contractors and builders, 403 West Maple street, Independence, Mo., were born in this city and are the sons of William M. Randall, who was born in Jefferson County, W. Va., Oct. 3, 1827, a son of George and Mary (Wynkoop) Randall, both of whom were born and reared in Jefferson County, W. Va. Wm. R. Randall was born Oct. 20, 1860; Adron J. Randall was born Sept. 2, 1870.
William M. Randall married Rebecca E. Randall in Frederick County, Va., in April, 1852. Five years later they came westward to Independ- ence and resided here until death called them. William M. Randall was the pioneer brick contractor and builder in Independence. He erected all of the early brick buildings in this city, many of which are still standing and in use. Both he and Mrs. Randall were members of the Methodist Church, South, and Mr. Randall was a Knight Templar Mason and a mem- ber of the Royal Arch Chapter of Palestine Commandery. They were the parents of five children: George W. Randall, 904 West Blue street, Inde- pendence, Mo .; William R., born Oct. 20, 1860, a partner in the contract- ing business ; Joseph J., 409 West Lexington street; Luther Lee died in Au- gust, 1893, and Adron J., born Sept. 2, 1870; Mollie, died at the age of 13 years. William W. Randall died March 14, 1907; Mrs. Rebecca E. Ran- dall died Nov. 18, 1911.
The Randalls are members of an old and distinguished American family of colonial ancestry. The genealogy of William R. and Adron J. Randall can be traced backward in an unbroken line to Colonel Richard Townley, who took the oath of office as royal governor of Virginia colony, Feb. 28, 1684. His wife, Elizabeth Carteret Townley, was the widow of Sir Philip Carteret, to whom the Duke of York ceded all of the east half of the state of New Jersey in 1664. After his term of office expired, Colonel Townley removed to Elizabethtown, East Jersey, so named in honor of his wife. From this couple was descended Rebecca E. Randall who came with her husband, William M. Randall to Independence from Virginia in 1856.
JOSEPH BRIDGES.
MRS. LAURA BRIDGES.
WILLIAM R. RANDALL.
MRS. WILLIAM R. RANDALL.
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On June 17, 1902, Adron J. Randall married Mary Bridges. One child was born to this marriage: Adrian Bridges Randall, born June 17, 1907 and died Nov. 12, 1909. William R. Randall married Lillie Bridges on May 11, 1897. To the marriage of William R. and Lillie (Bridges) Randall have been born a son, William Joseph Randall. The brothers Randall reside at 403 West Maple street. Since their father's death, they have carried on the business of brick contracting and building and have achieved a splendid success in the business.
The Randalls have erected practically all of the more important brick and stone buildings in Jackson County and have built many large struc- tures in this section of the state. They erected the court house, the Junior High School, the Ott School, the Noland School, the Columbia School, St. Mary's Academy, the Presbyterian College, erected the Bap- tist church and rebuilt it, the Liberty St. Presbyterian Church, the H. M. Baile mansion, the Mercer residence, the Knox residence, the First Na- tional and the Chrisman Sawyer Bank of Independence. While the father, William M. Randall was living, the business was carried on in his name by his sons during his old age. Randall Brothers have erected the Bryant School, the William McCoy School, the Benton School, the Blue Springs School building, the Grain Valley School, the Sugar Creek school, the High School at Plattsburg, Lawson and Norbonne, the Pacific depot at Lees Summit and the Baptist church at Lathrop.
Mrs. Laura Elizabeth (Harris) Bridges, mother of Mrs. William R. and Mrs. Adron J. Randall, widow of Joseph P. Bridges, is one of the oldest pioneer women of Jackson County. She is a native of the county and was born on the farm now owned by the widow of Major Drumm, May 14, 1838. She is a daughter of Samuel and Jane (Hall) Harris, the former of whom was born in Richmond, Va., May 16, 1807 and died in this county, Nov. 6, 1854. Mrs. Jane (Hall) Harris was born in Rich- mond, Va., June 12, 1814, and died August 19, 1893. Samuel Harris entered land one and a half miles southeast of Independence in 1828, now known as the Drumm farm. He developed a farm of 160 acres upon which he resided until his death. His death was caused by a kick from a mule.
The children born to Samuel and Jane Hall Harris are as follow: Reuben A., died May 16, 1910; Mary E. Clark died July 31, 1919; Judy Ervin died May 6, 1897; Mrs. Laura Bridges of this review; Missouri Ann Bridges, born April 14, 1840, resides at Blue Springs ; William Henry, born May 14, 1842, died Feb. 23, 1868; Elizabeth, born Dec. 16, 1844, married
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Warren Welch and died March 2, 1899; Armilda J. Bridges, born April 30, 1847 and died June 20, 1874; James H., born Jan. 8, 1851, lives at Blue Springs, Mo .; John S., born Oct. 1, 1853 and died Jan. 8, 1856.
Samuel Harris and Jonathan Shepherd did all of the hewing of the timbers and assisted in the erection of the first court house in Jackson County. This old building now stands on the lot just west of the city hall. Reuben Harris, his brother, was serving as sheriff of the county at the time this court house was erected.
Laura E. (Harris) Bridges was educated in the Oldham school and was first married to M. V. B. Flannery, of the Hickman Mill neighborhood. Mr. Flannery was shot from ambush, June 29, 1864, in Texas, while serv- ing with the Confederate forces. His body was brought to the Texas home and buried at Johnson Station, Tarrant County, Texas. Mr. Flan- nery was born May 18, 1835. One son was born to this marriage, William V. Flannery, born March 20, 1861, and died in Independence, Aug. 24, 1918.
January 6, 1867, Mrs. Laura E. Flannery married Joseph P. Bridges who was born Nov. 1, 1832 and died March 24, 1904. The children born of this union are: Lillie B., wife of William R. Randall; and Mary J., wife of Adron J. Randall.
Joseph P. Bridges was twice married. His first wife was Sarah Ruth Tatum and to this union was born one son, William E. Bridges, born Dec. 23, 1859 and died Feb. 21, 1910, leaving a widow and five daughters: Mrs. Jessie McMahan, Mrs. Fred C. Wortman, Mrs. J. C. Potter, Miss Anna and Miss Kathryn Bridges, all residing in Independence.
When Order No. 11 was issued in 1863 by Gen. Thos. Ewing; call- ing for the evacuation of the western part of Missouri, the present Mrs. Bridges was living with her mother on the home farm near Independence, her home near Lees Summit having been burned Feb. 28, 1863 by the "White Rags", marauders from Andrew and De Kalb counties. Each of the men wore a white band or rag for his hat band, hence the name. On September 3, 1863, she and her sister, Mrs. Julia Irwin, with their children accompanied by 63 other families of the neighborhood left for Texas with their movable possessions loaded in 23 wagons. At Clinton, Mo., their horses were confiscated by Federal troops and they then pro- cured oxen. Mrs. Laura Flannery, then a young woman of 25 years, walked and drove the oxen the entire distance through Arkansas, Louisi- ana and up the Arkansas River valley to Boggy Depot and on into Texas, traveling a distance of over 1,000 miles to Tarrant County. They re-
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mained in Texas until the war closed. At Lone Jack, Mo., they had stocked up with 100 pounds of flour and as they left the town they heard the firing of guns about a half mile distant. It transpired that Federal troops from Kansas had killed a half dozen men belonging to the Hunter and Potter families. These victims were later buried in one grave.
Mrs. Bridges is an old school Baptist and has been a member of the church for the past 53 years. Joseph Bridges was widely known in Jackson County, took a great interest in politics and was intimately ac- quainted with the leaders in the political and civic affairs of the county. He never sought political office but was always ready and willing to assist his friends to political preferment. Mrs. Bridges is a splendid woman, one of the last of the true pioneer type of women to whom age has brought wisdom and who is loved and admired by all who know her. She is an authority on pioneer happenings and is frequently consulted by the news- papers and others who desire information regarding happenings in the old days.
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