USA > Missouri > Pettis County > History of Pettis County, Missouri > Part 30
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Newton P. Elmore was about thirteen years old when he came to Pettis County with his parents, in 1872. He had attended the public schools in Kentucky before coming here and continued to attend school for some years after the family settled here, and obtained a very good common school education, which he has supplemented by extensive reading and close observation. Mr. Elmore is a student of men and events and is one of the well posted men of Pettis County. He was reared on a farm and made farming and stock raising his life occupation. He has been quite extensively engaged in stock raising, and has fed cattle for the market for a number of years. He now owns a splendid farm of 470 acres in Heath's Creek township. This is one of the valuable farms of Pettis County.
Mr. Elmore is a Democrat and since early manhood has taken an active interest in the welfare of his party and for years has been prominently identified with the local Democratic organization. In 1912, he was nomi- nated for the office of county clerk and elected for a term of two years, and at the expiration of his term of office, in 1914, he was re-elected for the term of four years. He has been a capable and conscientious public officer and has performed the duties of his office in a way that has given general satisfaction.
Mr. Elmore was united in marriage May 15, 1894, with Miss Mary B. Spears, who belonged to one of the pioneer families of Cass County, who came to Missouri from Kentucky prior to the war. Mrs. Elmore's father, Dr. H. C. Spears, was practicing medicine in Cass County when Order No. 11 was issued, when he returned to Kentucky. To Newton P. and Mary B. (Spears) Elmore was born one son, Newton S., born September 4, 1896, married Marie Allen, daughter of Dr. Clay Allen of St. Louis, Missouri, and
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they now reside in Sedalia. He enlisted in August, 1918, in Casual Company B, Heavy Tank Artillery, and went to France for service with the National Army in September, 1918. Mrs. Mary B. Elmore died January 12, 1918, at the age of fifty-six years.
Mr. Elmore is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a member of the Chris- tian Church, in which his wife also held membership.
Judge William Clay Gibson .- Throughout the decade of the upbuild- ing and development of Pettis County, embracing the period from the early sixties to the eighties there is no name which stands higher in the annals of Pettis County than that of Judge William Clay Gibson. He was born in Farquier County, Virginia, in 1833, and died at his home near Houstonia in 1880. He was a son of Joseph and Marah (Jenkins) Gibson, both of whom were born and reared in Virginia. Further details of this family are given in the sketch of Edward B. Gibson of Sedalia.
W. C. Gibson left his old Virginia home in 1860, and located in Pettis County and engaged in farming and stock raising. Later, he became associated with his father-in-law, Joseph G. Gregg, as a partner. The firm was engaged extensively in the buying and selling of live stock and operated a large estate known as the "Gibson Glenn Farm." This farm was situated on the rolling prairie land in Houstonia and embraced 2,580 acres, well improved with a fine house and buildings.
On February 29, 1864, he was married to Miss Mollie H. Gregg. Three children were born of this union: Eugene C. Gibson, living in St. Louis, Missouri; William Hall Gibson, deceased; and Mrs. Grace Mary McConnell, wife of Dr. C. T. McConnell of Houstonia.
Mrs. Mollie H. Gibson was a daughter of Joseph G. Gregg, who was one of the prominent farmers and stockmen of Blackwater township, Pettis County. Joseph G. Gregg was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, in April, 1821, and was a son of John Gregg, also a native of Virginia. Mr. Gregg migrated to Pettis County, Missouri, in 1857, settled with his family in a log cabin, and began his career in Missouri with but seventy- five cents to his name. He rose from poverty to become one of the largest land owners in Pettis County and one of the most extensive live stock man in western Missouri. For many years, until the death of his son-in- law, Judge W. C. Gibson, he and Mr. Gibson were partners in the live stock business and owners of the famous "Gibson-Glen Farm," a splendid estate of 2,580 acres. Mr. Gregg and Judge Gibson raised as high as
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30,000 bushels of corn from 500 acres, 12,500 bushels of wheat from 500 acres, and kept about 1,200 acres in blue grass and meadows. They kept from 600 to 1,000 head of cattle, and fed in one season as high as 2,400 head of hogs. On April 9, 1846, Mr. Gregg married Miss M. A. Shepherd, a daughter of Humphrey Shepherd, a native of Virginia, who emigrated from his home State to Missouri in 1855, and resided in Pettis County until his death. The following children were born to Joseph G. and Mary A. Gregg: Mrs. Mollie H. Gibson, John H., George W., Katie, Joseph J., and Oscar G.
William Clay Gibson was elected judge of the County Court of Pettis County in 1876. He was elected as presiding judge of the court in the fall of 1879, and held the office until his death.
His life was one of untiring industry and activity, and his hopes were ambitious ones, most of which he realized until death called him. Judge Gibson was one of the best respected men of his day in Pettis County, and one whose name will long be remembered as having con- tributed in large measure to the up-building and development of the county. Successful in agriculture, prominent in politics, a capable and zealous public official, in whom the people of the county held implicit trust, his life was well lived and worth while.
Fred A. Benz, who is engaged in the real estate and loan business in Sedalia, was born in Morgan County, Missouri, July 31, 1869. He is a son of August and Elizabeth (Schnabel) Benz, the former a native of Germany, and the latter of Illinois. August Benz came to America in 1854 and was married in St. Louis, in 1860, to Miss Elizabeth Schnabel. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, he enlisted in the 5th U. S. Cavalry and was later transferred to the 4th Missouri Volunteers and served as captain in that regiment until the close of the war.
His regiment was attached to the Central Army Division which ope- rated in that section of the country included between St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee. When the war was over he was mustered out of service and honorably discharged at Rolla, Missouri. Soon after the war he bought a farm near Lincoln, Missouri, on which he lived until 1880, when he removed to Lincoln and retired. He died there June 10, 1902, at the age of seventy-two years and now rests in the cemetery of that city. His widow now resides with a son in Portland, Oregon, and is in her seventy- fifth year. They are the parents of the following children : Minnie E., Port- land, Oregon; George F., Tulsa, Oklahoma; Henry R., Portland, Oregon;
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Fred A., the subject of this sketch; Louis, LaMonte, Missouri; William E., Bakersfield, California; James A., Bakersfield, California; and Samuel W., Groveton, Texas.
Of the Benz family the father and six sons were school teachers. Fred A. followed teaching for fifteen years, and in 1897 he located in Sedalia where he has since been engaged in the real estate business, with marked success.
Mr. Benz was united in marriage October 18, 1904, with Miss Susie M. Shively, a native of Pettis County and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George R. Shively. Mr. and Mrs. Benz have one son, George.
Mr. Benz is a Methodist in religion, and politically a staunch Republi- can; a keen student of affairs and a man of safe judgment and a valued citizen of Pettis County.
Dr. James Dillard Mitchell, a prominent dentist of Sedalia, who has an extensive practice and whose skill and ability in the great science of dentistry is widely recognized, is a native of Pettis County. Doctor Mitchell belongs to one of the pioneer families of Pettis County and Missouri. He was born at Hughesville, Pettis County, and is a son of James D. Mitchell and Mary K. (Ellis) Mitchell.
James D. Mitchell, the father of Doctor Mitchell, was a native of Cooper County, born in 1835, and died in 1908. He was a son of Fleming H. Mitchell, a native of Tennessee, who was a soldier in the War of 1812 and served under General Andrew Jackson at the battle of New Orleans. Fleming H. Mitchell settled in Cooper County, Missouri, in 1820 and pre- empted a farm there under the authority of a land warrant awarded to him for service in the War of 1812. He assisted in clearing the site of the pres- ent city of Boonville. He was prominent in the affairs of Cooper County and spent the latter part of his life near Hughesville, Pettis County, with his son, James Dillard Mitchell. He died at the age of eighty years. James Dillard Mitchell settled in Hughesville township, Pettis County, in 1865 and became an extensive farmer and stock raiser, and in later life was a successful horticulturist. He was a successful apple grower. He was mar- ried in 1858 to Miss Mary K. Ellis, a native of Georgetown, Pettis County, and a daughter of William B. Ellis, who was sheriff of Pettis County during Civil War days. James D. Mitchell died at Hughesville in 1908, aged seventy-three years, and his widow now resides in Sedalia. They were the parents of ten children. Additional facts regarding the history of the Mitchell family will be found in the sketch of Dr. John Ellis Mitchell else- where in this volume.
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Dr. James Dillard Mitchell was reared near Hughesville and attended the public schools in Hughesville and LaMonte and afterwards entered the University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, where he received his education, preparatory to the study of dentistry. He then entered the Western Dental College, Kansas City, Missouri, where he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. He immediately engaged in the practice of his profession in Sedalia where he has built up a large practice. His practice is of a general nature, including the broad fields of mechanical and surgical dentistry.
Doctor Mitchell was united in marriage, June 3, 1908, to Miss Ruby E. Davis, a native of Albany, Georgia. She is a daughter of Amos Pinkney Davis and Sallie (Williams) Davis, both natives of Georgia and members of prominent southern families. Amos Pinkney Davis was a Confederate veteran and also had several brothers who served in the Confederate army. His father was United States Congressman from Georgia several terms. Amos Pinkney Davis is now deceased and Mrs. Davis is a member of Doctor Mitchell's household in Sedalia.
Doctor Mitchell is a member of the National Dental Association, the Missouri State Dental Association and the Central District Dental Associa- tion. He also is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a Democrat. Mrs. Mitchell is a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Doctor and Mrs. Mitchell are widely known and highly esteemed in Sedalia and Pettis County.
R. P. Asbury, cashier of the Union Savings Bank, of Sedalia, has had a successful experience in the important field of banking for many years, and is one of the best posted men in Pettis County in this particular branch of business. Mr. Asbury was born at Columbia, Boone County, Missouri, and is a son of J. S. and Mary L. (Waters) Asbury, both also natives of Boone County and descendants of early pioneer settlers of that section of the State. Both the Asbury and Waters families came from Kentucky to Missouri at a very early day and settled in Boone County. Calvin Asbury was a native of Kentucky and came to Boone County, Missouri, in 1824, with his bride. They came on horseback. He was the grandfather of R. P. Asbury, the subject of this sketch. The Asbury family is of English and Scotch origin. Three Asbury brothers settled in Virginia at a very early day, only one of whom remained in that State. One of the others went to Kentucky, and he is the direct ancestor of R. P. Asbury. The other brother was a prominent divine of the early days and became a Bishop. He was the
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founder of Asbury College, at Greencastle, Indiana, which is now known as Purdue University. J. S. Asbury was a successful farmer and stockman and spent his life in Boone County, Missouri. He died January 31, 1917, aged seventy-seven years and his widow now resides in Columbia, Missouri.
R. P. Asbury is one of a family of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, born to his parents. They are all now living and prosperous. Mr. Asbury was reared in Boone County and was educated in the public schools of Columbia, the State Normal School at Kirksville and the Gem City Business College, at Quincy, Illinois. He taught school for four years and then entered the employ of the Columbia Savings Bank, at Columbia, Missouri, and remained with that institution for four years. He then or- ganized the Lewis County Exchange Bank, at Lewistown, Missouri, becom- ing cashier of this institution. He served in that capacity for seven years, when he disposed of his interest in that bank. He then organized the Farmers and Merchants National Bank at Salisbury, Missouri, and became cashier of that bank. In 1913 he sold his interest there and came to Se- dalia, and invested in the Union Savings Bank and became its cashier Sep- tember 1, 1914, and has served in that capacity to the present time.
The Union Savings Bank, which is located on the corner of Fifth and Engineer Streets, is one of the progressive and substantial banking insti- tutions of Pettis County, and some of the best business men of Sedalia are identified with it. This bank was organized July 21, 1913. The first officers were S. M. Williams, president; Dr. W. M. Wheeler, vice-president; M. F. Ehlers, cashier; Sam V. McVey, secretary, and the other directors were A. J. White, Fred Gehlken and C. W. Estabrook. The only changes made in the personnel is that A. E. Leslie has succeeded Mr. Estabrook on the board of directors and R. P. Asbury succeeded Mr. Ehlers as cashier. Further mention is made of this bank elsewhere in this volume. It might be added here, however, that the growth of the business of this bank since its organization has been phenomenal.
Mr. Asbury was united in marriage in 1891 to Miss Allie M. Hubbard, of Centralia, Missouri, and two daughters have been born to this union: Era Leone, who received her education in Judson College at Marion, Ala- bama, where she specialized in music ; and Clara Louise, who is a student in the same institution.
Mr. Asbury is a Knights Templar Mason, a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a Democrat and he and his family are members of the Baptist Church of which he is a deacon.
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John L. Sullivan, Secretary of the State of Missouri, was born in Sedalia, Missouri, October 14, 1877, son of James and Bridget Sullivan. He attended parochial schools as a boy, and was graduated from the Sedalia High School in the class of '97. In early youth he sold the local and metro- politan papers on the streets, before and after school hours, later engag- ing with the McGinleys as a clerk and delivery boy for their grocery store. After finishing high school he formed a partnership with his brother, in the retail cigar business, and is still interested in that business in a wholesale way.
In 1906 Mr. Sullivan was appointed deputy collector of Pettis County, under Emmet McClure, serving four years, after which he was elected to that office by the voters of Pettis County, and re-elected four years later, serving in all twelve years in the office. In 1916 he became a candidate before the Democrats of the State for the nomination for Secretary of the State of Missouri, winning over two opponents, and winning the election over his Republican opponent by a substantial majority. He is now (January, 1919) beginning the third year of his four-year term in that important office.
John L. Sullivan was married in Sedalia on June 24, 1908, to Miss Mary Catherine Lennartz, and of that union there are four children : John L., Jr., Mary Catherine, Helen Elizabeth and James Joseph.
Joseph Kain, proprietor of the Globe Clothing Store, is one of the pro- gressive merchants of Sedalia, and by his honesty and hard work has built up one of the important commercial enterprises of this city. The Globe Clothing Store is located at 105-07 West Main Street. The building has a frontage of fifty feet and is 110 feet deep, and here Mr. Kain carries a com- plete line of clothing, shoes and men's furnishing goods.
Joseph Kain is a native of Russia, born in 1875. He came to America in 1902, when he was twenty-seven years of age. He was engaged in busi- ness in his native land before coming to this country, and after coming here, he did not engage in business for himself for the first two years. He then engaged in the loan business and in 1906 engaged in business at 112 South Ohio Street. He then moved to 111 West Main and has occupied his present store since January 20, 1915. Mr. Kain is one of the reliable dealers of Sedalia and has developed a large business and by his straight- forward methods of dealing has won the confidence of the public. His is one of the busiest stores of Sedalia. He employs five clerks.
Mr. Kain was married to Miss Henrietta Chasnoff in his native land.
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Mrs. Kain is a niece of M. Chasnoff, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Kain have been born the following children: Ester, a student in the Sedalia High School, now in her third year; Dorothy, a student in the grade schools of Sedalia; Ned, Louise and Philip, students in the grade schools ; and Harold.
Mr. Kain is interested in other enterprises outside of the legitimate field of merchandising. He was one of the organizers of the C. & A. Oil Company, of which he is president. This company has many hundreds of acres of land under lease in Missouri and Kansas. They have drilled three wells on their Kansas property and every one is a producer.
Mr. Kain is a member of the I. O. B. B. and in politics he is independ- ent. He votes for the man and not for political creeds. Mr. Kain has a pleasant home at 230 South Moniteau Street.
Thomas Rees Luckett .- It would seem that being superintendent of the public schools of Pettis County would furnish sufficient activity for a single individual of average ability, but in time of need and trial it is the citizen who possesses considerable more than the average ability of man- kind that responds to his country's needs and cheerfully shoulders addi- tional burdens in order that the public welfare may be rightfully safe- guarded. Supt. Thomas Rees Luckett is not only ably administering the public school system of Pettis County, but is serving as chairman of the County Council of Defense and is also the able and efficient County Food Administrator. Both of the latter important positions are filled by him without reward other than the satisfaction of serving his country in time of stress.
Thomas Rees Luckett was born on a farm in Pettis County, November 19, 1867. He is the son of Luther J. and Maria (Rees) Luckett, the former of whom was a native of Kentucky and the latter a native of Pettis county, Missouri. Luther J. Luckett was reared in Kentucky and in early manhood went to California in 1852, joining the great rush of gold seekers who braved the perils of crossing the plains. He remained on the Pacific Coast for several years and came to Pettis County, Missouri, in 1866. He settled permanently in Dresden township where he became owner of a splendid farm of 370 acres. During his long residence in this county he followed farming and stock raising successfully. Mr. Luckett died at his home near Dresden in 1896. His wife followed him in death in 1914 and both lie sleep- ing in Dresden Cemetery. Luther J. and Maria (Rees) Luckett were pa- rents of the following children: Thomas Rees, subject of this review;
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William David, King City, California; Sallie, wife of J. Will Smith, Otter- ville, Missouri; Jane Mitchell, died at the age of sixteen years ; Susan is the wife of Brig. General Rufus E. Longan, United States Army, Chief of Staff of Transportation in New York City; Catharine living in St. Louis; Jewel, wife of H. H. Hurst, Wichita, Kansas; Pearl, wife of Joseph R. Pile, Joplin, Missouri; Samuel M., head of the advertising department of the Pittsburg Leader, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The early education of Thomas Rees Luckett was obtained in the com- mon schools of his native township, and the Sedalia High School from which he graduated in 1885. After following the teaching profession for some years he went to California in 1889. He remained in that State until 1896 and then returned to Pettis County. After following the pursuit of agriculture for about three years he again engaged in teaching. He was elected to the position of superintendent of the Pettis County public schools in 1907 and has capably filled the position for the past eleven years. Mr. Luckett's conduct of the public school system has been such as to commend him to the people of Pettis County and no official enjoys a greater popu- larity than he in Pettis County.
Mr. Luckett was married in 1894 to Miss Annie M. Gilmore, a daugh- ter of John H. and Jennie (Quinn) Gilmore, both of whom are deceased. Mrs.Annie M. Luckett was born in San Francisco and her marriage with Prof. Luckett took place in that city. John and Jennie Gilmore were parents of the following children : John H. of San Francisco, California ; Mrs. Agnes Jones, San Francisco, California; Frances, wife of Major Robert Vickers, of the United States Army, formerly stationed at San Francisco, now in France.
To Thomas R. and Annie M. Luckett were born children as follows: Luther J., born in San Francisco, a private in the National Army, enlisted in June, 1917, and is a member of Company 355, Three Hundred and Four- teenth Sanitary Train, in overseas service in France; Thomas G., born in Sedalia, enlisted in the Regular Army in June, 1917, and is a member of Battery F, Nineteenth Field Artillery, American Expeditionary Forces in France; George, attending High School, also enlisted in the United States Service, was sent to St. Louis, but was rejected because he was only seven- teen years of age; Jenny M., a student in Sedalia High School ; Jonaphine Alice is attending the public schools. Both Luther J. and Thomas G. Luckett are with the Army of Occupation in Germany. The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Luckett is located at 501 North Stewart Street.
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Mr. Luckett is a Democrat in politics. He is a member of the Presby- terian Church and is fraternally affiliated with the Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons, Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, Wood- men of the World, Improved Order of Red Men, Knights and Ladies of Security.
Harvey D. Dow .- The career of Harvey D. Dow, attorney-at-law, former prosecuting attorney of Pettis County, and ex-member of the Missouri State Legislature, has been a worthy and honorable one. As a native-born citizen of this county, whose father was a Union soldier, he has kept alive the traditions of his family, and has served in two wars as an enlisted man. Mr. Dow is one of the rising professional men of Pettis County, who has the best interests of his home city and county at heart, and has ever been found in the forefront of all movements tending to advance the interests of the people among whom he was reared.
Harvey D. Dow was born on a farm adjoining the town of George- town, Pettis County, and is a son of Alexander and Louisa (Dill) Dow, the former of whom resides at Georgetown and the latter is deceased. Alexander Dow is one of the best-known and honored old settlers of Pettis County, who has reared a splendid family of sons and daughters, who occupy positions of prominence and substance in their communities. A biographical sketch of Alexander Dow is given elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. Dow attended the schools of his native village, and also graduated from the Sedalia High School. For one year prior to completing his education at Missouri University, he taught school in Pettis County with success. Entering Missouri University at Columbia, Missouri, he grad- uated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws with the class of 1898. While a student at the State University, he pursued a course of military train- ing in connection with his regular studies, and was there when the United States declared war against Spain. He joined a company of college men recruited from the students of the University, and enlisted as a private soldier in Company I, 5th Missouri Regiment, volunteer infantry, and was sent to Jefferson Barracks for outfitting. From the barracks his company was sent to the mobilization camp at Chickamauga, and thence to Camp Lexington, Kentucky. When mustered out, on November 9, 1898, his company was stationed at Fairmount Park, Kansas City. While serving his country in the field, Mr. Dow received his degree and was graduated with honors. Mr. Dow then returned home, and in 1903 he pursued a special course at the summer school of Harvard University, and in that same year he began the practice of law in Sedalia. His rise
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