History of Randolph County, Missouri, Part 23

Author: Waller, Alexander H
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 940

USA > Missouri > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Missouri > Part 23

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James T. Cross attended the public schools of his neighborhood and then entered the Missouri University at Columbia, where he was grad- uated in the class of 1881. He devoted a number of years to teaching in early life and was recognized as one of the successful educators in

J T. CROSS

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central Missouri. During this course of his career as teacher, he was principal of the public schools at Renick, Sturgeon and Brunswick, Mo. He then accepted the position as manager for the Flagg Lumber Com- pany at Clark and New Franklin and was thus engaged until 1907. He then came to Moberly and purchased the Eberhardt Lumber Yard, which was located on North William street. Shortly afterwards, he bought property on North Clark street and organized the J. T. Cross Lumber Com- pany in partnership with R. L. Kingsbury, and they have conducted the business to the present time and have met with unqualified success. The J. T. Cross Lumber Company is one of the substantial business insti- tutions of Randolph County and does an extensive business. Their offices and lumber yard are located at 311 to 323 North Clark street. They carry a large stock of lumber and various building materials, including almost everything ordinarily required in the building trades.

May .28, 1893, James T. Cross was united in marriage with Miss Cora Woods of Boone County, Mo. She is a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Woods, the former of whom is now deceased and the mother resides at Sturgeon, Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Cross were born two children, Harold and Hildah, twins, who died at the age of six months.

Mr. Cross has ever taken a commendable interest in public affairs and while a resident of New Franklin he served as president of the school board; also president of the building and loan association. In 1919, he was elected mayor of Moberly. He is giving Moberly a good, clean busi- ness administration-a business administration by a business man- which is a refreshing condition in this age of a multitude of untried theories and isms in municipal government.

Mr. Cross has a wide acquaintance in this section of the state and ranks high. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge.

James R. O'Brian, truckman at the Wabash shops, Moberly, Mo., was born at Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Va., Sept. 20, 1870 and is a' son of Hugh and Mary E. (Kilby) O'Brian.

Hugh O'Brian came to Missouri with his family in 1878 when James R. of this review was only eight years old. They settled in Howard County where the father bought a farm from Thomas Ray and here he was engaged in farming and stock raising and met with success. He and his wife both spent the remainder of their lives in Howard County. His remains are buried in the Gilliard Church Cemetery and his wife is buried at Bethel Church. They were the parents of the following chil-

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dren: James R., the subject of this sketch; William, Houston, Texas; Emmet, Fort Worth, Texas; Earnest and Ed H., twins, the former of whom resides at Fort Worth, Texas and the latter on the home farm in Howard County ; and Mrs. Letita Shaw, of Montrose, Ark.

James R. O'Brian was reared on the home farm in Howard County and attended the Hocker School in Howard County and also studied under Professor Cockrell at Fayette, Mo. He followed farming until Feb. 14, 1901 when he entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company and for the past 12 years has been truck foreman in the shops of this com- pany at Moberly and has under his charge from six to ten men. In 1919, he was returned to truckman and is not foreman. Mr. O'Brian is an efficient employee and a substantial representative citizen of Moberly. He owns a comfortable modern home at 546 Johnson street where he and his family reside.

Mr. O'Brian was married Dec. 19, 1893 to Miss Mattie Doherty of Howard County, Mo. She is the daughter of Robert and Martha (Ball) Doherty, who reside on their farm of 263 acres in Howard County. They are the parents of the following children: Mrs. Mae Graps; Mrs. Eula Roberts; Mrs. Olde O'Brian, all of whom reside in Howard County; Mrs. James R. O'Brian of this review and Richard Doherty who died in Sep- tember, 1905 and is buried at New Hope Church.

To Mr. and Mrs. James R. O'Brian have been born the following children: Ethel, married Earnest Myers of Fall City, Neb .; Orvil O'Brian who is connected with the Exchange Bank of Kansas City, Mo .; and Mary Bell at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brian are members of the Knights and Ladies of Security and the Court of Honor and she is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and Mr. O'Brian holds member- ship in the B. R. C. of America.

Hartley A. McCoy, chief clerk to the master mechanic of the Wabash Railroad at Moberly, Mo., is one of the well known and substantial citizens of Randolph County. Mr. McCoy was born at Ottumwa, Iowa, Nov. 8, 1875, and is the son of Alexander Brown and Jennie Elizabeth (Thomp- son) McCoy, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Tennessee. The mother was accidentally killed at the Coates street railroad crossing in Moberly in 1903 and her remains rest in Oakland Cemetery and the father of whom a sketch appears in this volume resides in Moberiy. He is now county judge of Randolph County from the western district. To Alexander Brown and Jennie Elizabeth (Thompson) McCoy were born

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the following children: Hartley A., the subject of this sketch, and Bertha who married William Stephens, Sedalia, Mo.

Hartley A. McCoy came to Moberly with his parents and was edu- cated in the public schools here. He has made his own way since he was 16 years old, beginning as an office boy in the general foreman's office of the Wabash machine shops at Moberly. He then served three years apprenticeship as a pattern maker and then entered the master car* builder's office at Moberly in a clerical capacity and on Jan. 1, 1913, he became chief clerk to the master mechanic and has since served in that capacity. Mr. McCoy has had a vast amount of experience and is one of the valued and trusted employees of the Wabash Railroad Company, hav- ing been steadily in the employ of this company since 1891.

Mr. McCoy is a member of the National Union, Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. McCoy and his daughter, Louise, who is a graduate of the Moberly High School, re- side with Mr. McCoy's father at 320 Burkhart street, Moberly, Mo.

H. A. Grimes, payroll clerk of the Wabash Railroad Company, is one of the well and favorably known citizens of Moberly and a member of one of the prominent pioneer families of Randolph County. He was born just east of Moberly near the city limits Nov. 12, 1861 and is the son of · W. G. and Virginia F. (Terrill) Grimes both of whom are deceased.

W. G. Grimes was a native of Virginia and came to Missouri with his parents who settled in Randolph County, east of Moberly where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. W. G. Grimes was reared to farm life and followed farming and the dairy business and also worked at the carpenter trade. Later he conducted a grocery store in Moberly. He died at the age of 77 years and his wife died at the age of 72 years. They were the parents of the following children: H. A., the subject of this sketch; Minta Grimes, who resides in Moberly; Mrs. Annie Garrett lives in Monroe County, Mo .; Henrietta, died in infancy; James was a locomotive engineer and died at Moberly at the age of 40 years; Mrs. Lena L. Thackston, Moberly, Mo .; Lucretia, married Omar Martin.

H. A. Grimes was reared in Randolph County and educated in the public schools and graduated from the Moberly High School in 1880. He and W. A. Rothwell who is now deceased were the first two graduates from the Moberly High School. Mr. Rothwell was later prominent in the affairs of Randolph County and a leading Democrat of the state. He served as chairman of the State Democratic Committee. At one time he was a law partner of Alex H. Waller the editor of this history.

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After completing school Mr. Grimes became a clerk in the clothing store of A. B. Thompson and Company of Moberly and was in the employ of that concern for 12 years. He then was employed by the Martin Cloth- ing Company for a time and for two years clerked in 'a grocery store. He then served as constable and deputy sheriff for four years. In April, 1904, he entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company as clerk and timekeeper and in March, 1913, he was promoted to payroll clerk and has held that position to the present time. Mr. Grimes is capable and efficient and a conscientious employee.

Mr. Grimes was married in 1885 to Miss Betty Barnes of Moberly who departed this life in February, 1913 and her remains are buried in Oakland Cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Grimes were born two children : Lena, married J. J. Dameron, of Kansas City, Mo., and they have one child, Elizabeth Dameron; and Opal married I. E. McCabe, of Moberly, Mo.

Mr. Grimes is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and one of the well known and highly respected citizens of Randolph County.

Paul S. Witten, a veteran of the World War and the first commander of Theodore Bazan Post, No. 6, American Legion, of which he is a charter member, is a descendant of a prominent pioneer family of Missouri. He was born in Moberly, Jan. 21, 1891, the son of Thomas R. and Laura E. (Nichols) Witten.

Thomas R. Witten was born in Grundy County, Mo. and was killed in a railroad accident at Benton City, Mo., Dec. 24, 1905, at the age of 44 years. He was a son of Samuel Witten, a Kentuckian, who came to Mis- souri at a very early date and settled in Grundy County, where he entered government land.

Laura E. (Nichols) Witten, mother of Paul S. Witten now resides in Moberly. She is a descendant of one of the very early pioneer families of Missouri. Her father served in the Mexican War under Colonel Donaphin, having volunteered with the Missouri troops which were com- manded by Donaphin. He was the standard bearer and the flag which he carried in the Mexican War is now in possession of his descendants. He was one of the first graduates of the University of Missouri. He was a farmer and merchant and after the Civil War he was engaged in business at Edinburgh, Mo.

Paul S. Witten is one of two sons born to his parents. The other son, Guy, died at the age of 29 years and his remains and also the

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father's are buried in the Perry Cemetery at Trenton, Mo. Paul S. Wit- ten was educated in the public schools and graduated from the Moberly High School in 1909. He then entered the employ of Doctor Harlan, a druggist of Moberly, and later was in the employ of W. O. Baker, of Centralia, Mo., and at the death of his brother he returned to Moberly and was in the employ of John F. Curry for three years when be became a partner in the business and had been thus interested for two years when the United States entered the World War. Mr. Witten then sold his interest in the business and on Dec. 14, 1917 he enlisted in the United States Army and the Medical Corps at St. Louis, Mo. He was with the Medical Supply Depot at St. Louis for a time when he was sent to New- port News and after one months training was sent to France with Field Medical Supply Company No. 9, arriving in France, Oct. 10, 1918. He was stationed on the front at St. Mazaire, France, and then sent to Tours, the S. O. S. headquarters and from there to Gieviers and was stationed at the latter place until May, 1919, when he was returned to the United States and received his honorable discharge after being in the service about 18 months. He returned to Moberly and shortly afterwards entered the employ of the Taylor Music Company.

Mr. Witten is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the American Legion and is a Knights Templar Mason and a mem- ber of the Shrine. He is one of the progressive and enterprising men of Randolph County.

A. W. Jones, of the firm of Jones and Hale Grocery Company, has been a resident of Moberly for 37 years and since 1919 has been in the grocery business with Mrs. Nellie B. Hale, his sister-in-law.

A. W. Jones was born in Howard County, Mo., Jan. 2, 1868 and was the only child born to Dr. George W. and Nancy (Lynch) Jones. Dr. George W. Jones, the father, was a native of Salem County, N. J., and his wife was born in Macon County, Mo. Doctor Jones came to Missouri in 1866, and settled near Bunker Hill, Howard County, where he lived until 1874, when he removed to Saline County, Mo. Seven years later he went to Cunningham, Chariton County and in 1883 the family settled in Moberly.

A. W. Jones was educated in the public schools of this state and in early life worked at his trade as coach painter for the Wabash Railroad Company for 13 years. He lost his eyesight in 1905 and shortly after- wards engaged in the grocery business. Notwithstanding the great

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handicap under which Mr. Jones labored he has been unusually successful in business and the firm is one of the prosperous and well conducted retail establishments of this city. The store is located at 1120 Myra street. Mr. Jones is assisted in the store by his wife and sister-in-law and Mrs. Hale and they handle a large volume of business. The store building is 20x75 feet and a barn 22x32 in the rear is utilized as a storage warehouse and the Jones residence is located next to the store. The Jones residence is one of the comfortable and well arranged homes of the city. It is equipped with all modern improvements and was built in 1915.

A. W. Jones was married Nov. 23, 1897, to Miss Rosa M. Neth of Moberly. She is a daughter of John and Mary (Gingrich) Neth, the former a native of Germany who came to America when he was 13 years of age and the latter a native of Pennsylvania. They were married in Hannibal, Mo., Nov. 28, 1869, and came to Moberly in 1871 and now reside in this city. John Neth was one of the first cigar manufacturers in Moberly. He engaged in manufacturing cigars here March 7, 1871 and during his active career did an extensive business. He made the famous "Moss Agate" cigar.

Joseph M. Gingrich, grandfather of Mrs. Jones, was also a pioneer settler of this city. He came here April 8, 1868 and was foreman of the first railroad repair shop here. The shop was located on the present site of the Young Mens Christian Association building. He bought the first musical instrument in Moberly. It was a melodeon and is now in the possession of his daughter, Mrs. John Neth. Mr. Gingrich died June 15, 1916.

Mrs. Rosa M. (Neth) Jones is one of the following children born to her parents: Rosa M., wife of A. W. Jones, of this review; Mrs. C. A. Woodington, Moberly; Mrs. W. P. Vandergrift, Moberly, Mo .; Mrs. G. G. Levick; Mrs. H. B. Hale; Mrs. Charles Kelly; John Neth; Mrs. James Sincoe and Mrs. Paul Hackett, all of whom reside in Moberly. To Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been born two children: Alline N. and Rosanna.

Leslie G. Burklund, a leading jeweler of Moberly who is proprietor of one of Moberly's best jewelry stores located at 314 West Reed street has been engaged in business at this location since May 4, 1916. Mr. Burklund was born at Osage City, Kan., April 27, 1887 and is the son of Gus Burklund and Elizabeth (Robbins) Burklund, both of whom are now deceased. The father was a pioneer of Rock Island, Ill., and was a jeweler

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by trade. He died at Osage City, Kan., in 1903. His wife who was a native of Jacksonville, Ill., died at Osage City, Kan., in 1893 and their remains are buried at Moline, Ill. They were the parents of two children : Leslie G., whose name introduces this review and Almeda Burklund who resides at Boise, Idaho.

Leslie G. Burklund received his education in the public schools of Osage City, Kan., and in 1903 began an apprenticeship at the jewelers and watchmakers trade at Moline, Ill., and afterwards worked at his trade in Chicago and Kansas City, Mo., and in 1916 engaged in business in Moberly and since coming here has met with satisfactory success and built up a large trade. He carries a very complete line of high grade watches and jewelry and kindred articles usually found in a first class jewelry store. He also handles Edison phonographs and records and has built up an extensive trade in that line.

Mr. Burklund was married Jan. 6, 1909 to Miss Helen Walsh of Kan- sas City, Mo., a daughter of William Walsh who now resides in that city. Mrs. Burklund's mother is deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Burklund have been born one child, Betty.

Mr. Burklund is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and since coming to Moberly he has acquired an extensive ac- quaintance and ranks as one of the substantial and reliable business men of this city.

Allen C. White, of the firm of Goddard-White & Company, wholesale automobile accessory dealers in Moberly, is a veteran of the World War, having served as sergeant. He is a son of Benjamin R. and Katie V. (Corbett) White, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. He was born in Moberly, July 22, 1890 and was reared in Moberly. After receiving a good preliminary education he took a course in the Military Academy at Columbia and later attended the University of Missouri, at Columbia, Mo. He then engaged in the automobile business at Moberly, later at Springfield, Ill. and was thus occupied when the United States entered the World War.

On May 23, 1917, Allen C. White enlisted at Moberly in the 4th Regi- ment, Missouri National Guard and shortly afterwards was sent to Nevada with his command when the Missouri National Guard was mobilized for service. From Nevada he went to Fort Sill, Okla. with the Missouri troops which was organized into the 35th Division. After about nine months training at Ft. Sill, on May 10, 1918, Mr. White went with

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the 110th Engineers overseas. They first operated with the British Army at Amiens and later with the French Army and were with the Division Engineers at the front. Mr. White participated in the battles of St. Mihiel and the Argonne Forest and saw some of the heaviest fighting of the war. On Sept. 29th, in the battle of the Meuse-Argonne Forest he was wounded, having been struck by a piece of an exploding shell. Although wounded and unable for service for ten days he remained with his command. He served as sergeant with his company and was mustered out May 3, 1919, after having served nearly two years, during which time he saw a great deal of severe fighting.

After his discharge from the army, Mr. White returned to Moberly and formed a partnership with Mr. W. F. Goddard under the firm name of Goddard-White & Company. They deal in automobile supplies and ac- cessories and carry a very complete line and have built up an extensive business. They are located at 107 North Williams street and have a floor space of 80x100 feet. Mr. White spends most of his time on the road in the interest of the business and they employ three other salesmen.

Mr. White is a member of the Masonic Lodge and a charter member of Theodore Bazan Post No. 6, American Legion. He is one of the progressive young business men of Moberly.

Garfield A. Smith, of Moberly, is one of the widely known and suc- cessful automobile dealers of the state. He handles the Maxwell, Chal- mers, Oakland, Hupmobile cars, Sampson tractors, trucks, and has an automobile repair business, service station and deals in accessories of all kinds and also tires. Mr. Smith also represents the Almo Farm Power and Lighting System. His office and garage is located at 523-525 West Reed street. Moberly, with branches at Fayette, New Franklin and Hunts- ville.

Garfield A. Smith was born in Macon County, Mo., Oct. 8, 1880. His parents were George R. and Sarah M. (Ballenger) Smith, to whom but two children were born, Garfield A., the subject of this sketch, and Zelva, who married E. D. Houston, of Kansas City, Mo. The father also was born in Macon County in 1857 and his parents were Kentuckians and early settlers of this state. George R. Smith was a farmer and now lives in retirement at Macon, Mo. Garfield A. Smith was reared on his father's farm and attended the district school in the winter time and helped on the home farm in the summers. After finishing the public

G A SMITH

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schools of Macon County, he entered the State Normal School at Kirks- ville, where he was graduated from the four year course in 1901. He then taught school in the Macon County schools until 1903, when he entered the mail service at Bevier, Mo. As this work did not take up all his time, Mr. Smith accepted a position in a mercantile establishment there until 1912. He then came to Moberly and engaged in the automo- bile business. When he started out in life he had $34.00; his father gave him a horse and this he sold for $35, which was his start. His stock is now rated, conservatively, at $75,000.

On April 17, 1917, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Elgia L. Stokes, a native of Cairo, Randolph County. She is. a daughter of Thomas W. and Janara (Brown) Stokes, natives of Missouri, now living in Moberly. Mr. Stokes for many years was one of the successful farmers and stock raisers of this section who has retired from active business.

Mr. Smith is a Democrat and he and Mrs. Smith are members of the Christian church, and Mr. Smith is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Smith is a progressive and public spirited citizen of Moberly and is recognized as one of the substantial business men of Randolph County.

Dr. L. A. Bazan, a well known physician and surgeon of Moberly is a native of Austria and was born May 12, 1862. He is the son of Thomas and Nellie (Tutaj) Bazan who now reside at St. Joseph, Mo. His father is in his 84th year and the mother is 77 years of age.

Doctor Bazan received an excellent education in his native land where he also read medicine. In 1881 he came to America and after being here for the brief period of six months, he had mastered the Eng- lish language so thoroughly that he was able to accept a position as an instructor in a business college. Doctor Bazan is not only a thorough scholar but he is especially skilled in languages and is capable of speak- ing and writing nine different languages. In 1886 he was a traveling salesman for the C. S. Goldsmith Shoe Company of Chicago. In 1889 he engaged in the practice of medicine in Chicago. Later he located in St. Joseph, Mo., where he was engaged in the practice until 1898. After which he practiced in Saline County four years and Chariton County four years and in 1906 he went to Renick then to Clark. In 1912 he came to Moberly where he has since been engaged in the practice of his pro- fession.

Doctor Bazan was married at Chicago, IlI., July 1, 1886, to Miss

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History of Randolph County, Missouri, Part 23

Author: Waller, Alexander H Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Topeka : Historical Publishing Company Number of Pages: 940

Author: Waller, Alexander H
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 940