USA > Missouri > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Missouri > Part 17
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James Winter Wight, a prominent attorney of Moberly who has been successfully engaged in the practice of law for the past 26 years is recog- nized as one of the able lawyers of central Missouri. He is and has been identified with the interests of Randolph County in many ways and bears the distinction of having served as prosecuting attorney of Randolph County longer than any other man that ever held that office.
Mr. Wight is a native son of Randolph County and is a member of one of its old and distinguished pioneer families, members of which played a conspicuous part in the early settlement and development of Missouri which is more fully set forth in the biographical sketch of James Frances Ratcliff Wight, grandfather of James Winter Wight which will be found elsewhere in this volume. James Winter Wight was born at Wightland in Randolph County, July 1, 1869. He is the only son born to James William and Aurelia T. (Fullinwider) Wight, now residents of the city of Moberly and of whom more extensive mention is made in this volume.
James W. Wight was reared in Randolph County and received a good preliminary education in the public schools of this county. He then entered Central College at Fayette, Mo., where he took a course, after which he attended Washington University in St. Louis and then attended the University of Missouri at Columbia where he was graduated from the law department. While a student at the latter institution he was awarded the Stephens medal for oratory. After completing his law course he was admitted to practice at Moberly and since that time has been actively
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engaged in the practice and numbers among his clients some of the leading men of affairs and business institutions of this county. He is a close student of the law and a capable trial lawyer.
Mr. Wight is a Democrat and has ever taken a keen interest and active part in matters pertaining to politics of a local, state and national character. He first served as prosecuting attorney of Randolph County by appointment from Gov. Joseph Folk to fill out the unexpired term of the late Harry LaMotte. After serving that term he was elected to that office for two terms in succession. He was again elected to the office of prosecuting attorney in 1916, serving one term and thus he has served nearly four full terms in the office of prosecuting attorney which is the record for long service in that office in Randolph County. He made a good record for all the years that he was prosecuting attorney and he was always fair, as well as fearless, in the matter of law enforcement. While Mr. Wight has had a busy professional career he has also been interested in other fields of endeavor and among other things he has been interested in the management of the old homestead of the Wight family in Randolph County, known as Wightland. This is a splendid estate consisting of 500 acres of valuable land.
Mr. Wight was united in marriage Dec. 1, 1892 with Miss Elma Smith, of Palmyra, Mo., a daughter of John A. and Ellen (Gardner) Smith. To Mr. and Mrs. Wight have been born three children: Florence Loraine, married Paul Stephenson of Moberly, Mo .; James Augustine, who is now a student in Central College at Fayette, Mo. and Francis Mildred, resides at home with her parents in Moberly.
During the World War, Mr. Wight served in the capacity of Govern- ment Appeal Agent. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he and Mrs. Wight are members of the Methodist Church, South.
James William Wight, a prominent citizen of Randolph County, now living retired at Moberly, is a native of this county and is the only son born to James Francis Ratcliff Wight and Frances and Burton Wight. A sketch of James Francis Ratcliff Wight appears in this volume. James William Wight was born in Randolph County, June 13, 1842, and has spent practically all his life in his native county. He was given more than ordinary educational advantages. He attended Mount Pleasant College in Randolph County, graduating with the highest honors of the class and being chosen by the president of the school from among the entire list to
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deliver the valedictory address. Subsequently he was again chosen to de- liver an address about two years later, at which time he was awarded the degree of Master of Arts. Mr. Wight's career as an active business man was largely devoted to the beautiful old country estate of Wightland in Randolph County.
An influential Democrat, he was elected and served for eight years as clerk of the Randolph County Court. Mr. Wight is one of the prominent laymen of the Southern Methodist Church of the county, having served as recording steward, church treasurer, steward, district steward, Sunday school, superintendent, member of the board of trustees of church prop- erty, chairman of said board of the church in Moberly. He holds the office of chairman of the board of trustees at the present time. His only fra- ternal or social relation is with the Order of Good Templars.
On May 12, 1868, Mr. Wight was married in Shelby County, Kentucky to Aurelia Tevis Fullinwider. She was educated at Science Hall, Shelby- ville, Ky. Her parents were Henry Winter and Jane Amanda (Shipman) Fullinwider. Her grandfather Jacob Fullinwider was born at Hagerstown, Md., in 1767, moved with his father to Kentucky in 1783 and on the fron- tier of Kentucky became noted as one of the great Indian fighters. Later he served in the last campaign of "Mad" Anthony Wayne against the Indians of the Northwest. Rev. Peter Fullinwider, father of Jacob and great grandfather of Mrs. Wight, settled at Hagerstown, Md., in 1852. He was a Reformed Presbyterian minister, and one of the great desires of his life was to preach the gospel to the Indians. It was on this mission that he sought the bordering countries in the same year that peace was declared between Great Britian and the colonies and only a short time after George Rogers Clarke and his Virginia soldiers had conquered the Ohio valley and made a permanent part of the colonial possessions. Rev. Peter Fullinwider was a great power for good during his generation, and one of the most noted of the early ministers of the gospel in the west. He died in Shelby County in 1799 and was buried under the house, safe from Indian scalp-hunters.
The old bible which is now in possession of one of the great grand- daughters was brought from Switzerland in 1752, and was carried by him in all his wanderings, wrapped in a buckskin, taking part in many pic- turesque incidents in his remarkable career. To him it was the cherished treasure of his heart. Although it weighed 30 pounds, it was carried on horseback all over the country and from its pages the little congregations,
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of Wights, Rice's and many of the other forts were taught the gospel. Many were the Indians that listened to his translation from this book, for he tried to study their language as far as possible. In old age it was for years his custom to sit at the table and read from this cherished volume, and daily he could be seen, his silvery locks falling over his shoulders, stooping over the book, enjoying its promises and enraptured with its beauties. One morning when his little grandsons were tiny boys playing about the room with their little sisters and cousins, the venerable grand- father was found to be dead with his face in the old Bible. "God hath taken him thus," it was said.
There are two children of Mr. Wight and wife: James Winter Wight, further mention of whom is made in this volume and Frances Amanda Wight who was born at Wightland, Randolph County, Oct. 7, 1876. She received her education at Central Female College at Lexington and was married to John B. Jennings, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.
Roy W. Edwards, a well known jeweler of Moberly, and a veteran of the World War, is a native of Nebraska. He was born at Dubois, Neb., March 12, 1891, and is the son of William Henry and Julia (Downs) Edwards. William Henry Edwards was a native of Newcastle, Pa. He went to Nebraska when he was 21 years of age, where he worked at his trade, which was that of a jeweler and watchmaker and spent the re- mainder of his life there. He died Dec. 19, 1911, and his remains was buried at Dubois, Neb. His wife was a native of Connecticut and they were married in Nebraska. She died in 1890 and is also buried at Dubois.
Roy W. Edwards is one of the following children born to his parents; Andrew W., who served in the United States navy in the Atlantic fleet, enlisting in 1917, and served until the close of the war, now residing at Lincoln, Neb .; Chole, married Robert Whithorne, and died at Vallejo, Cal .; and Roy W., whose name introduces this sketch.
Mr. Edwards was educated in the public schools of Alva, Okla. and the Northwestern Normal School. He learned the trade of jeweler at the Bradley Polytechnic at Peoria, Ill., and since 1910, he has worked at that trade with the exception of the period spent in the United States Army during the World War. He enlisted at Moberly, March 17, 1918, in the 56th Engineers, and was sent to Washington Barracks, Washing- ton, D. C. for training. His unit sailed for France, July 8, 1918, and on July 22, 1918, he landed at Brest, France. After five weeks training, near Paris, they were sent to the front and spent 20 days on the front
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line. Mr. Edwards was in searchlight work and was stationed near the Meuse at the time the armistice was signed. He remained in France until March 14, 1919, when he returned to America and received his honorable discharge at Camp Taylor, Ky., March 27, 1919, and is now connected with the Burklund Jewelery Store at Moberly.
Mr. Edwards was married July 22, 1914 to Miss Estell J. Graff, of Ashland, Ill. She is a daughter of Frank Graff, of Ashland.
Mr. Edwards was a charter member of Theodore Bazan Post, No. 6, American Legion and was the first treasurer of the local organization and the second commander of the Post, which position he holds at the present time. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Michigan City, Ind. and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Moberly. He is a progressive young man and has a wide acquaintance and many friends in Moberly and Randolph County.
John H. Nebergall, one of the oldest and most popular conductors on the Wabash Railroad and the president of the Moberly Steam Laundry Company, was born in Ross County, Ohio, June 24, 1854, the son of James and Mary (Parker) Nebergall. They were the parents of four boys: James, deceased; John, the subject of this review; Adam, of Carroll County, Mo .; and George Franklin of St. Louis. The father was descended from a long line of Pennsylvania ancestors. He was a farmer there, later he went to Ohio and then to Illinois, where he became prosperous as a farmer. Soon after the close of the Civil War he came to Missouri, locat- ing on a farm in Carroll County, Dec. 25, 1867. He became one of the recognized agriculturists of central Missouri and lived there until he re- tired, when he moved to Chillicothe, and died in 1886 at the age of 74 years. Mrs. Nebergall was born near Indianapolis, Ind., and died 1868, aged 55 years.
John H. Nebergall was reared on a farm and attended the district school. When only 18 years old, Mr. Nebergall secured a position with the construction company which was building one of the new lines of railroad through this section. He was willing to do anything to make a start and for a short time carried water and did anything he was called upon to do. With headquarters in Moberly, he early became acquainted with this city which since has been the scene of his financial successes. In 1873, Mr. Nebergall became a brakeman on the Wabash Railroad. In 1875 he was promoted to freight conductor and in 1884 he was promoted to passenger conductor and today holds one of the important passenger runs on the
JOHN H. NEBERGAI.I
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Wabash system from Moberly to Des Moines. Not confining all his energies to one vocation, Mr. Nebergall studied the financial situation and in 1890 invested in a laundry business in Moberly in association with R. J. Gee. This partnership was dissolved in August, 1918 and Mr. Nebergall in association with R. J. Gee incorporated the laundry with a capital stock of $40,000. The business ran the first week about $55. Under their able management this has been increased until it is a slack season when the books do not show a turn over of more than $1,000 for each week of the year. Today the Moberly Steam Laundry has one of the largest plants in central Missouri. An up-to-date dry cleaning department is one of the features of the business and gives excellent service.
Mr. Nebergall operates one of the finest cattle, horse and stock ranches in Wallace County, Kan., which is incorporated with paid up capital of $50,000. In addition to this place, Mr. Nebergall owns two sections of valuable wheat and grazing land in Edwards County, Kan., where he raises grain and carries on extensive dairying operations. He is also a stock- holder in the Durbin Malleable Foundry Company, of St. Louis, which is capitalized at $500,000 and being a patriotic citizen Mr. Nebergall has not neglected the home industries as he is a stockholder in the Moberly Trust Company. He is regarded as one of the substantial financiers of central Missouri.
On Dec. 7, 1876, Mr. Nebergall was married to Miss Nellie Shumate, Jackson County, Ohio, and to them four children have been born: Charles C., in partnership with his father in the Gates Half Sole Tires and a bat- tery service station, Moberly; Jeanette, married W. G. Price, of Des Moines; Bessie, who married J. W. Faessler, of Moberly, and Lewis L., a bookkeeper in Omaha.
Mr. Nebergall belongs to the Masonic Lodge and the Order of Railroad Conductors. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church, and he is a Republican.
James Francis Ratcliff Wight .- Among the notable Randolph County families none has been more conspicuous for three generations in this county since 1840 than the Wight family.
James Francis Ratcliff Wight, the founder of the Wight family in Randolph County was born in Frankfort, Ky., May 26, 1819 and died Oct. 26, 1905. He was a son of James and Sarah (Ratcliff) Wight. James Wight was the founder of the Wight family in America. He was born at Ormiston, near Edinburgh, Scotland, Feb. 24, 1789. In 1794 he
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came to America with his parents, James and Jane (McConachee) Wight and settled near Richmond, Va. He subsequently removed to Fleming County, Ky., and then to Frankfort, in the same state, where he was married Nov. 15, 1815, to Sarah Ratcliff and to them were born eight children. While residing in Frankfort, James Wight was a cabinet work- man and contractor and built the statehouse or capital. In 1836 he took his family to Shelby County, Ky., and ever after lived as a farmer until his death at the home of one of his daughters at Normal, Ill., April 22, 1871. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. His early education was obtained in the common school of the country districts. He was a mem- ber of the Methodist Church South and took much interest in church affairs, giving liberally of his means to the support of the church and benevolences.
Sarah (Ratcliff) Wight, wife of James Wight, was born in Richmond, Va., May 10, 1790. She was the daughter of Francis Ratcliff, who was born in Chesterfield County, Va., in 1755, and the maiden name of her mother was Rebecca Bridges who was born in 1758. Frances Ratcliff was a corporal in Capt. William Pierce's company in the First Artillery Regiment of Continental troops, commanded by Col. Charles Harrison during the Revolutionary War. This regiment was assigned to the state of Virginia. The records of the land office at Richmond, Va., show that. Francis Ratcliff was allowed the portion of land allotted the corporal of the Continental line for three years service. Sarah Ratcliff received her education in the common schools and was also a member of the Methodist Church, South.
James Francis Ratcliff Wight married Anna Burton in Oldham County, Ky., June 6, 1839. She died Sept. 3, 1843, leaving one child, James William Wight who now resides in Moberly and a sketch of whom appears in this volume. The second marriage of James Francis Ratcliff Wight was to Harriet Amanda Head, Dec. 8, 1846. No children were born to this marriage. Mr. Wight was a farmer and stock raiser taking much interest in fine horses and cattle and he was a promoter of agri- cultural fairs. He owned about 1,000 acres of land in Randolph County upon which he resided for more than 60 years and to which he had moved from Shelby County, Ky., in the fall of 1840. He was a Methodist and in politics a Whig, and as a member of that party he was elected to the state legislature from Randolph County, which was then about equally divided between Whigs and Democrats, in 1854. . After the dissolution
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of the Whig party, he allied himself with the Democrats and again repre- sented Randolph County in the legislature in 1876, defeating after a spirited contest one of the most popular men of the county. During the Civil War he was a strong Southern sympathizer, and while he did not enlist as a soldier he rendered the cause much help by his counsel and means. During that great conflict he had many interesting experiences which tested the true metal of the man. While he was steadfast and loyal to the cause in which he believed and the principles for which he stood he was also fair and generous to its enemies. It has been well said of him: "The late Mr. Wight was a man of strict integrity, a close observer of men and affairs, a good judge of human nature, wise in council, and his advice was often sought in matters financial and judicial. He was very charitable, having reared six orphan children."
Frances Ann (Burton) Wight, wife of James Frances Ratcliff Wight, was born in Oldham County, Ky., Jan. 21, 1820 and was the daughter of William and Ann Burton. She came with her widowed mother and hus- band to Randolph County, in 1840. They made the trip in wagons, the party consisting of eight white people and 30 negro slaves. In coming through Illinois, a negro girl was kidnapped by Abolitionists which de- tained them several days. The mother of the kidnapped girl was frantic with grief because of the kidnapping and wild with joy at the rescue.
Forrest Martin, secretary and treasurer of the Little Dick Clothing Company of Moberly, is a native son of Randolph County and a descendant of one of the very early pioneer families of this county. He was born in Prairie township May 8, 1877 and is the son of Bailey Martin and Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin. Bailey Martin was born in Prairie township, Randolph County, Aug. 8, 1827. He was reared to manhood in this county and followed farming and stock raising here all his life, and had a successful career. He died Dec. 24, 1908 and his remains are buried in the Davis Cemetery. He was the son of Henry Martin, a native of Ken- tucky who was a pioneer settler of Prairie township, when that town- ship included what is now Sugar Creek, Silver Creek and Salt Spring township. When he came here he entered government land, taking up about a section and this property is now owned by the Bailey Martin heirs. Henry Martin spent his entire life in Randolph County, after coming here and died about the age of 84 years. He was prominent in the early day affairs of this county and served as justice of the peace of Prairie township for a number of years.
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Bailey Martin was united in marriage in Prairie township, Feb. 18, 1852 with Miss Martha Ellen Davis. She was a daughter of Joseph and Permelia (Kirkpatrick) Davis who were also very early pioneer settlers in Prairie township. They were Kentuckians and drove through from that state to Randolph County on horseback. They both spent their lives in this county and their remains are buried in Davis Cemetery. Mrs. Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin is now 82 years of age and resides on the home place in Prairie township.
To Bailey and Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin were born 13 children, all of whom are living as follow: Mollie, married Lee Shirley, now de- ceased and she resides in Colorado; Ida, married T. S. Hines who is now deceased and she resides in Texas; Ella, widow of the late T. T. Patton, Moberly; Laura, married Noah Burkhead and lives in Prairie township; Prof. W. H. Kansas City, Mo .; J. R., president of the Little Dick Cloth- ing Company, Moberly ; Hannah, married J. J. Christian, Moberly ; Mattie, resides at home with her mother; J. D., with the Little Dick Clothing Company; Luther, agent for the Wabash Railroad Company at DeWitt, Mo .; Florence resides at home with her mother; Omar, manager of the Wolff-Berger Company, Moberly and Forrest, the subject of this sketch.
Forrest Martin was reared on the home farm and received his edu- cation in the public schools. He began his career as a clerk in Moberly and in 1907 he was elected county clerk of Randolph County and served in that capacity in a capable and efficient manner until 1911 when he bought a half interest in the Little Dick Clothing Company which nad been established by his brother J. R., in 1897 and since that time he has devoted himself to this business.
Mr. Martin was married July 1, 1900 to Miss Sallie G. Perkins, of Moberly, Mo., the marriage ceremony being performed at the home of the bride's grandmother, Mrs. Sallie Peeler at Rocheport, Mo. Mrs. Mar- tin is a daughter of Rev. G. A. Perkins, a minister of the Christian denom- ination. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin have been born two children: Martha Maurine a student in Linwood College, and Doris Margaret, at home with her parents.
Mr. Martin is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose and Modern Woodmen of America. He is a substantial citizen and one of Moberly's most progressive business men.
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Phares K. Weis, who is successfully engaged in the general insurance business at Moberly, is one of the progressive and enterprising younger business men of this city. He is a native of Kentucky, born at Louisa, Lawrence County, Ky., Jan. 7, 1885. He is the son of Dr. Francis W. and Josephine (Evans) Weis. The father was born in Maysville, Ky., in 1852, and the mother is a native of Missouri, born at Armstrong, Howard County in 1861. His parents were among the early settlers of that section of the state.
Phares K. Weis and his brothers LeRoy D. who now resides at Chi- cago, Ill. and Rolla L. who died in infancy, were the only children born to their parents. Phares K. Weis was educated in the public schools of Kentucky, West Virginia and Moberly. In early life he began the printer's trade on the Ashland Daily News, Ashland, Ky. Later he worked on the Armstrong Herald, Armstrong, Mo., and in 1896 he came to Moberly, and was employed on the Weekly Headlight for two years. He then entered the employ of the Moberly Democrat and remained with that paper for eight years and at the time of his resignation he was city editor. He then worked on the Monitor for four years. He was a charter member of the Moberly Printer's Union when he was sixteen years old.
Mr. Weis began writing insurance in 1911 and since that time has gradually added some of the best companies to his agency, until he now represents a number of the best insurance companies of the country. He represents practically every branch of insurance underwriting and has built up an extensive business. His offices are located in the Moberly Trust Building.
Mr. Weis was married in 1912 to Miss Harriet Turley of Moberly, Mo. She is a daughter of Thomas and Marie Turley. To Mr. and Mrs. Weis have been born two children: Mary Loraine and Phares K., Jr.
Mr. Weis takes an active part in all matters pertaining to the better- ment and upbuilding of the community and for a time during the year of 1919, he was acting secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, an organ- ization in which he has taken a keen interest.
I. B. Forney, proprietor of the I. B. Forney Ladies Ready to Wear Clothing Store is one of the successful merchants of Moberly and con- ducts one of the leading establishments of this section, dealing exclu- sively in ladies' ready to wear garments. Mr. Forney has been engaged in the mercantile business in Moberly for over 40 years, and during that
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time has built up a reputation which extends over a large scope of terri- tory and the name, Forney, means the last word in style and quality.
I. B. Forney was born at West Liberty, Ohio County, Va., March 14, 1861. He is a son of D. S. Forney and Henrietta (Beatty) Forney. The mother was born in Cambridge, Ohio, in 1836 and died in Moberly, Mo., in 1872. D. S. Forney was a native of Virginia, born in 1834. He came to Moberly in 1867; prior to that time he was a wool buyer in this section. Here he engaged in the dry goods business which he conducted for a number of years. He was one of the successful pioneer merchants of Moberly and at the time of his death in 1912, he was the oldest merchant in this city. He lived to the age of 78 years and his remains rest by the side of his wife in Oakland Cemetery.
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