USA > Missouri > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Missouri > Part 19
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James T. O'Bryan was well educated, having graduated from Mt. Pleasant College in the class of 1881. He followed farming in Silver Creek township from 1892 until 1902, and for six years of the time was justice of the peace of that township. He was solicitor for the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company and after moving to Huntsville in 1902, devoted him- self to the interest of that company. In 1906, he was a candidate for nomination for the office of probate judge of Randolph County but was defeated by the narrow margin of 28 votes. He stood high in the com- munity and had a wide acquaintance in Randolph County. He died Nov. 15, 1907, and his remains are buried in the Huntsville cemetery. James T. O'Bryan was married to Jennie Lee Bagby, Dec. 29, 1887. She was born in Moniteau township, Randolph County, above five miles northwest of Higbee, and was a daughter of Owen H. and Maria (Yager) Bagby who were pioneer settlers of Silver Creek township. Jennie Lee (Bagby) O'Bryan was one of ten children born to her parents, the others being as follow: Thomas J., William H., deceased; Zebulon P., Mrs. Mary Jackson, deceased; Mrs. Korine Shipp, deceased ; James W., Warsaw, Mo .; Benjamin F. and Walter H. The Bagby family was one of the very early pioneer families of central Missouri. Owen H. Bagby was born in Kentucky and came to Missouri with his parents who settled near Roanoke, Silver Creek township in 1827. He was a son of John Bagby. Maria (Yager) Bagby, wife of Owen H. Bagby, was born at Hampton Roads, Va. and came here
OWEN REDICK O'BRYAN
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with her parents at an early day and settled on the place where Thomas J. Bagby now lives. To John T. O'Bryan and wife were born the following children: Owen Redick, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mary Lee O'Con- ner, Huntsville, Mo. and Zebulon D., known as "Jack" of Huntsville, Mo.
Redick O'Bryan, grandfather of Owen Redick O'Bryan, of this review, was three times married and to his first marriage were born the follow- ing children: Rev. William F., deceased; Mrs. Flora Bradley, Yates, Mo., and Mrs. Adaline Randecker, of Booneville, Mo. After the death of his first wife, he married Mary Dennis who was the seventh of 19 children of Harrison Dennis and the following children were born to that marriage: Cornelia O'Bryan, deceased; James T. O'Bryan, deceased and Matie O'Bryan, deceased. To Redick O'Bryan's third marriage with Mrs. Eliza Dameron who was the mother of two children by her former marriage, William H. Dameron, deceased and Mrs. Julia D. Minor of St. Louis, were born the following children: John, deceased; Minnie, married Hon. Wil- liam T. Heathman, a former representative from Randolph County ; Milton S. O'Bryan, manager of the Harlan Tobacco Store, Moberly.
Owen Redick O'Bryan, the subject of this sketch was born June 12, 1890 and attended the White school district in Silver Creek township until he was 12 years old when he entered the Huntsville grade school and was graduated. Later, he took a course in the Moberly Commercial College and was graduated in 1908. He then entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company and the Express Company and one year later entered the Kansas City School of Law and also served a clerkship in Kansas City law offices and was admitted to the bar to practice in the state courts June 2, 1913, and admitted to the Federal courts May 19, 1914. Shortly after- wards, he made the race for the nomination for prosecuting attorney of Randolph County against Jerry M. Jeffries and F. E. Murrell. He carried every township in the county outside of Moberly, except Cairo, and was defeated by eight votes. In 1916, he made a second race for the nomina- tion of prosecuting attorney and during that campaign he made the promise that if the United States should become involved in the World War he would enlist. He had an opportunity to make his word good and he did, enlisting at Sedalia, Mo., May 13, 1917 and resigned his position as claim agent for the M. K. and T. railroad in order to enlist. After enlisting, he was sent to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri and assigned to the 16th Infantry and from there entrained to El Paso, Texas, but was ordered overseas be- fore reaching his destination. He was reassigned to Company A, 34th
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Infantry and after a brief period of training at Port Bliss he was detailed to district headquarters in July, 1917. Later he was given a furlough and returned home and on Oct. 4, 1917 he addressed the Old Settlers Reunion and on October 7th he argued a case in the Kansas Court of Appeals, being the first lawyer to appear before that court in uniform. December 13th he was transferred as battalion sergeant to headquarters of third division Camp Greene, Charlotte, N. C. He left Charlotte, March 7, 1918 and arrived at Camp Merritt the next day and embarked at Hoboken, N. J. on an old Austrian steamer which had been renamed "Martha Washington". He was then regimental sergeant major and commander of the guard every other day. At 12 o'clock on April 4th in the Bay of Biscay the convoy was attacked by German submarines and a running fight between the sub- marines and the United States chasers and convoys took place until the submarines were destroyed. The American fleet landed at Bordeaux, France, on April 4th. The third division then went into training quarters at Chateau Villian, 16 miles south of Chaumont, the A. E. F. Headquarters. On May 27th, the division was entrained under secret orders for the front lines and arrived at the Marne where they occupied 22 kilometers of front line to Ballou Woods on the left and extending to Charteves Sector which was being pressed by a minor German offensive which extended from Soissons to Reims. On July 14th the Germans launched their last offensive which continued for four days and gained an entrance south of the river. On July 20th the United States army started an offensive and drove the Germans back to the Vesle River. The third division was re- lieved August 14th and transferred to a recoupment area. This division lost 60 per cent of their men in the above engagement. Later they were ordered to the St. Mihiel salient, Sept. 5, 1918, and arrived in support of the 89th division. Sept. 13, Mr. O'Bryan was transferred to the 89th division headquarters which was relieved Oct. 6th and on Oct. 11th took a position in the Argonne Forest. After 30 days of hard fighting they were on the Meuse River, Nov. 11th when the armistice was signed. They then crossed Belgium and Luxemburg on the heels of the retreating Ger- man army. They remained there until May 13, 1918 when they entrained at Erodorf, Germany, for Brest, France and embarked for America by way of Plymouth, England and reached port at New York. Mr. O'Bryan was discharged at Camp Funston, Kan. June 13, 1919.
Mr. O'Bryan engaged in the practice of his profession after return- ing to Moberly and has a good practice. He is a capable young attorney
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and has a wide acquaintance in Moberly and Randolph County and stands high in the community. In addition to his general practice he is also assistant prosecuting attorney of Randolph County.
Mr. O'Bryan is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and holds membership in the first Baptist church at El Paso, Texas.
John R. Martin, better known as "Little Dick," president and founder of the Little Dick Clothing Company, which gets its title from Mr. Mar- tin's nickname, is one of Moberly's enterprising and successful business men and a descendant of one of Randolph County's honored pioneer families.
Mr. Martin has had a varied and successful career in the mercantile business. After obtaining a good education in the public schools of Ran- dolph County, he began as a clerk in the employ of Mitchell and Moppin, of Renick, Mo. Later he clerked for Clack and Parrish, Nevada, Mo. He was next employed by Donihue Brothers, Kirksville, Mo. He was then in the employ of O. J. Townsend, Unionville, Mo., for a time when he re- turned to Kirksville and took charge of the clothing department of the Sam Fickler Store. From there he came to Moberly and engaged in busi- ness, becoming the junior member of the firm of Burkholder and Sol Martin. Shortly afterwards he sold his interest in that firm and entered the employ of Frank B. Forney and later was employed by Henry Levy and Company. In 1897 he engaged in the clothing business under the firm name of the Little Dick Clothing Company and was the sole owner and proprietor of that business until 1911 when he sold a half interest to his brother, Forrest Martin, and since that time they have conducted the business under the original firm name and have met with success, and rank as one of the leading mercantile establishments of Moberly and Randolph County. They carry a. full line of men's and boy's clothing and furnishings and in the range of quality and price they rank with the leading retailers of the country. They carry a large stock and in the matter of style they are ready to meet the demands of their customers from the conservative to the most fastidious.
Mr. Martin was married November 9, 1893, to Miss Josie Jamison, of Kirksville, Mo. She is a daughter of Joseph G. Jamison, who is now deceased.
John R. Martin is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose.
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The Martin family is one of the pioneer families of Randolph County. John R., the subject of this sketch was born in Prairie township and is the son of Bailey and Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin, both natives of Ran- dolph County, the former of whom is now deceased and the latter resides on the old Martin homestead in Prairie township. A more extensive his- tory of this pioneer Randolph County family and its various members ap- pears in connection with the sketch of Forrest Martin in this volume.
John R. Martin has in his possession an interesting volume which is devoted to the history of the Martin family which was written by his brother, Prof. W. H. Martin, on the occasion of the golden wedding anni- versary of their parents. This event took place Feb. 18, 1902. Professor Martin presents the story of the Martin family and pays tribute to the worthy parents of this large family of thirteen children in a most able manner, which was read at the wedding anniversary. In this article he narrates the various characteristics of the thirteen children of Bailey Martin and in which he evinces unusually keen observation and a clear understanding of the individual traits of each member of the family.
The Martin family is one of the interesting pioneer families of Ran- dolph County and every member is a worthy descendant of worthy an- cestors.
Omar Martin, manager of the shoe department of the Wolff-Berger Company, has been identified with the commercial life of Moberly for the past 25 years and has an extensive acquaintance throughout Randolph County from his many years of dealing with the public.
Mr. Martin is a native son of this county and was born in Prairie township. He is a son of Bailey and Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin. The Martin family is one of the prominent pioneer families of Randolph County, a more complete history of which will be found in connection with the biographical sketches of John R. Martin and Forrest Martin, which appears in this volume.
Omar Martin was reared on the old Martin homestead in Prairie town- ship and attended the public schools of Prairie township and the Moberly High School. After leaving school he entered the employ of the Felden- heimer Dry Goods Company of Moberly and for 23 years was in the employ of that firm. In 1917 the Feldenheimer Dry Goods Company was succeeded by the Wolff-Berger Company and since that time Mr. Martin has been manager of the shoe department.
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Mr. Martin was united in marriage Sept. 11, 1900, with Miss Lucre- tia Grimes, of Moberly. She is a daughter of Washington and Virginia Grimes, pioneer settlers of Moberly, both of whom are now deceased. Washington Grimes settled here about the time that the town of Moberly was founded and spent the remainder of his life in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Martin now reside in the old Martin home at 319 Union avenue, where the Grimes family lived for many years and where Mrs. Martin was born.
To Mr. and Mrs. Omar Martin have been born two children: Bailey, ยท who was named after his paternal grandfather, is now a student in the Moberly High School and Virginia, who bears the name of her maternal grandmother, is at home with her parents.
Mr. Martin is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Joseph Davis Martin, of the Little Dick Clothing Company, Moberly, Mo., is a native of Randolph County. He was born in Prairie township, Feb. 23, 1868, and is the son of Bailey and Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin. A more detailed history of the Martin family appears in the sketches of John R. Martin and Forrest Martin, which will be found in this volume.
Joseph Davis Martin was reared to manhood on the Martin home farm in Prairie township and received his education in the public schools. He remained on the home farm, engaged in farming and stock raising until 1905, when he came to Moberly and since that time has been identified with the Little Dick Clothing Company.
Mr. Martin was united in marriage June 6, 1899, with Eureth J. Wirt, a daughter of James and Sallie (Hendrex) Wirt, of Prairie town- ship. James Wirt and his wife were pioneer settlers of Randolph County. Mr. Wirt was an early day plainsman, crossing the plains with ox teams in 1854. He kept in his possession during his lifetime a souvenir, a hunt- ing horn, which he made from a horn of one of the oxen which he drove on his trip to California. It is artistically designed and upon it is carved the figure of a dog. This heirloom is in Mr. Martin's possession and is prized very highly. James Wirt and his wife are both deceased.
To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph D. Martin have been born two children: Laura Loretta and Sallie Janice.
Mr. Martin is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is a Randolph County citizen of real worth. The Martin family home is at 900 Williams street, Moberly.
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Henry R. Terrill, of the firm of Terrill Brothers, which is composed of Henry R. and Vincent C. Terrill, is one of the well known and reliable retail shoe establishments in the city of Moberly and has an extensive patron- age. The Terrill Brothers have been engaged in business here for a number of years.
The Terrill family is one of the old substantial pioneer families of Randolph County and the various members of this family have been identified with the growth and development of this county for considerably more than half a century.
Henry R. Terrill, the senior member of the firm of Terrill Brothers, is a native of Randolph County and was born in Sugar Creek township, Dec. 3, 1869. He is a son of John R. and Ann (Roberts) Terrill. John R. Terrill came to Randolph County about 1854 when he was 18 years of age, and entered government land about two miles south of the present city of Moberly and this land is still owned by his descendants. Two of his brothers, James and Robert Green, served in the Confederate army and both were killed. James Terrill served with General Price and was killed and Robert Green was serving with General Morgan's command in Kentucky when he was killed.
John R. Terrill was a son of William Terrill, who came to Randolph County at the same time that his son, John R., came and owned an adjoining farm. He was a native of Kentucky and was in that state on a visit at the time of his death. His remains were brought back to Randolph County and buried in Oakland cemetery. John R. Terrill, father of Henry R., lived on the same farm in Randolph County for 50 years. He died in 1907. His wife preceded him in death several years, having died in 1875. Their remains are both interred in Oakland cemetery.
Henry R. Terrill was educated in the public schools and was grad- uated from the Moberly High School in 1890. He then entered the Mis- souri University at Columbia and was a student in that institution for three years, after which he was engaged in farming about one year. He then, in partnership with Joe W. Mullen, purchased the shoe business of Victor and Given in Moberly. Later he sold his interest to Mr. Mullen and engaged in farming for about four years. The present firm of Terrill Brothers was organized and they engaged in the retail shoe busi- ness which they have since continued and this firm is now one of the mercantile landmarks of Moberly.
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Henry R. Terrill was married in 1896 to Goldena Mounce, a daughter of A. M. and Martha (Morrison) Mounce of Moberly. A history of the Mounce family appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Terrill have been born the following children: John M., a graduate of the Moberly High School and now an employe in the Terrill Brothers' store; Mar- garet Ruth, also a graduate of the Moberly High School, is bookkeeper for Terrill Brothers' store; Mary Emma, a student in the Missouri Uni- versity ; Robert, Dorothy and Martha.
John M. Terrill, the eldest son of Henry R., was a student in the University of Missouri when the United States entered the World War, and in 1917 he enlisted in the Officers' Training School at Camp Han- cock, Ga., and was attached to the 15th Company, 3rd Battalion, and was stationed at Camp Hancock until the armistice was signed. After receiving his training he was retained at Camp Hancock as a military instructor and was in the service about one year. He is a member of the Theodore Bazan Post, No. 6.
Merritt A. Romans, of the bridge construction department of the Lynch-McDonald Construction Company, of Moberly, is one of the best practical bridge men in the state. He is a native of Missouri and was born in Callaway County, Oct. 14, 1873, a son of H. P. O. and Sarah Bell (Wilson) Romans. The father was also a native of Callaway County and was born in 1844. He died at Greely, Colo., in 1916, and the mother now resides at Salida, Colo., and is 68 years old. They were the parents of the following children: Charles Edwards, Kersey, Colo .; Merritt A., the subject of this sketch; Albert H. Loveland, Colo .; James P. Kersey, Colo .; Samuel A., Boise, Idaho; W. F., lives in Colorado, and Virginia E., married Alfred Owen, and they reside at Salida, Colo.
Merritt A. Romans was educated in the public schools and since he was 16 years of age has made his way in the world. He has had an extensive experience in bridge construction, first entering this line of work with the Wabash Railroad Company and for eight years was in the employ of that company, and for the last fifteen years has been with the Pan American Bridge Company. He travels and manages the construc- tion of the bridge department of the Lynch-McDonald Construction Com- pany.
Mr. Romans was married in October, 1900, to Miss Elizabeth Bu- chanan, of Trenton, Mo. She is a daughter of A. H. and Nannie (Hale) Buchanan, who now reside at Moberly. To Mr. and Mrs. Romans have
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been born two daughters: Elizabeth E. and Virginia M., both of whom are students in the Moberly High School. Mr. Roman is a member of the Knights and Ladies of Security and stands high in Moberly and Randolph County. The family residence is at 514 South Fourth street.
H. Frank Holman, public administrator of Randolph County, senior partner in the Peoples Steam Laundry and vice-president of the Moberly Chamber of Commerce is one of the well known and progressive citizens of Randolph County. Mr. Holman is a native of Randolph County and a descendant of one of the early prominent pioneer families of this part of the state. He was born in Chariton township, Randolph County, Feb. 12. 1861 and is a son of James M. and Margaret L. (Harlan) Holman.
James M. Holman was also a native of Randolph County, born in Chariton township, March 20, 1831. He was a son of Joseph Holman, who was a native of Kentucky and a pioneer of Chariton township, Ran- dolph County, where he settled at a very early date. James M. Holman died Nov. 18, 1907 and his remains are buried in Mt. Carmel cemetery. He spent his life in this county and was one of its successful citizens. He was a progressive farmer and stockman and influential in the county. Margaret L. (Harlan) Holman, his wife preceeded her husband in death a number of years. She died in 1887 and her remains are also buried in Mt. Carmel cemetery. They were the parents of seven children of whom H. Frank is the only one living. The others are Mrs. Martha J. Cobb, Mrs. Mary Foster, George I., Mrs. Sarah Thomas and two died in infancy. After the death of his first wife James M. Holman married Mrs. Bettie (Hurt) Powell and one son was born to this union, Payton Y. Holman, who lives in Chariton township.
H. Frank Holman was reared on his father's farm and educated in the public schools and for ten years was engaged in farming and stock rais- ing. In 1892 he came to Moberly and engaged in the real estate and in- surance business. Later he disposed of his business and went west on account of his wife's health and upon his return to Moberly in 1899 he engaged in the laundry business which he purchased from J. C. Irvin. This was a small concern at that time and had been started by S. S. San- ford who sold it to J. J. Stephens before J. C. Irvin owned it. This was the beginning of the Peoples Steam Laundry which has developed to its present proportions since Mr. Holman purchased it. The laundry was formerly operated in a building 25x75 feet and now occupies a building 100x120 feet, located on the corner of North Williams and Rollins streets
H. FRANK HOLMAN
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in what is known as the Holman building. This is one of the best equipped laundries in the country and does an extensive business. H. Frank Holman's son, James W., is a partner in the laundry business and is the superintendent.
For the past nine years H. Frank Holman has been engaged in road work. He is president of the Moberly Special Road District and has charge of the Moberly Road District. He is president of the North Mis- souri Cross State Highway from St. Louis to Kansas City via Moberly. The work so far has been confined largely to grading and bridge building. Mr. Holman has made a careful study of road improvement work and is working out some of the problems of this difficult question very satis- factorily and making splendid progress. He is now serving his third term as public administrator of Randolph County.
Mr. Holman has been twice married. His first wife, Miss Linda S. Vasse to whom he was married in 1887, died Nov. 23, 1898. Two chil- dren were born to this union, J. W., who is his father's partner in the Peoples Steam Laundry and Percey F., who was a railway brakeman and killed in an accident at Walsenburg, Colo. Mr. Holman was married the second time to Miss Minnie Guy, of Moberly, Mo., in 1908, and one child has been born to this union, Raymond G., who is nine years of age.
Mr. Holman is a member of the Presbyterian church and the Knights of Pythias Lodge. He is vice-president of the Moberly Chamber of Com- merce. He is one of the widely known progressive and enterprising citizens of Randolph County who stands ever ready to do his part to pro- mote the betterment and upbuilding of his native county and its institu- tions.
Frank Hartley Estill .- The Estill Floral Company of Moberly of which Frank Hartley Estill is the owner and manager, is one of the impor- tant industrial enterprises of this city. It was founded in 1906 by Mrs. Rebecca S. Estill, mother of Frank H. Estill. The greenhouses, of which there are seven, are located at 707 Gilman street. Seven of these houses are 16x90 feet and one of them is 30x100 feet. The com- pany has its own water system and the greenhouses occupy five acres of ground between Carpenter and Gilman streets and Fort street and the city limits. There is employed here a regular force of five men and during the summer season several more. This company does an extensive business in flowers, floral designs and plants and 90 per cent. of the business done by this concern is outside of the city of Moberly.
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Orders are filled from various towns and cities over a broad scope of territory.
Frank Hartley Estill is a veteran of the World War. He was reared in Moberly, educated in the public schools and was graduated from the Moberly High School in the class of 1910. Afterwards he attended the University of Missouri for two terms and since that time, except the time spent in the army during the World War, he has de- voted himself to the management of the Estill Floral Company.
Frank H. Estill is a son of H. V. and Rebecca S. (Hendricks) Estill. The father was born in Charleston, W. Va., Feb. 2, 1856, and died at Moberly Dec. 4, 1919. H. V. Estill came to Moberly from his native state about 1884. He was a civil engineer and for some time was in the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company. He installed the city water works of Moberly and for 20 years was superintendent of that depart- ment and resigned from that position in order to devote his attention to the floral business in which he was engaged for a number of years. Rebecca S. (Hendricks) Estill was born in old Milton, Randolph County, and was a descendant of one of the very early pioneer families of this county. She was a daughter of Capt. Stephen M. Hendricks, a Con- federate veteran who enlisted in Randolph County and served under General Sterling Price until the time of his death. He was killed at the battle of Corinth, Miss. John Dameron, great grandfather of Frank Hartley Estill, on the maternal side, was a pioneer merchant of Milton, Randolph County. He spent his life here and is buried in Oakland ceme- tery. Mrs. Estill died April 4, 1916, aged 54 years, and is buried in Oakland cemetery.
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