USA > Missouri > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Missouri > Part 40
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George H. Sours, secretary and treasurer of the Forney Clothing Company of Moberly, is one of the progressive business men of this sec- tion. Mr. Sours was born in Montgomery, Mo., Jan. 13, 1875, the son of John and Catherine (McCabe) Sours, the former born in Rochester, N. Y., being the son of Dennis and Catherine Sours, natives of Germany,
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who came to the United States and located in Rochester in 1820, where they spent the remainder of their lives. John Sours was a bridge builder and came west at the age of 16, locating at Ironton, Mo., and had the distinction of building the first railroad bridge on the Iron Mountain railroad. He remained in Missouri for some years, when he went to Chicago to accept a position with the Illinois Central railroad. In 1859 he came to Moberly as an employee of the Wabash railroad, which was then known as the North Missouri railroad. Mr. Sours, after locating in Moberly, purchased some of the first town lots when the city was platted, and which occupied the space now known as Logan Terrace, running from South Fifth street to Epperson street, on Logan street. In addition he purchased several lots on East Rollins and West Coates streets, all of whom beecame very valuable later. He resided at 323 Ha- good street when he died.
Mr. Sours became superintendent of bridges and buildings for the Wabash railroad and was serving in this capacity when he fell from the bridge over the Grand River at Brunswick, Mo., and died from his in- juries in March, 1901. His wife was a native of Ypsilanti, Mich., the daughter of Michael and Catherine (Hamil) McCabe, natives of Ireland and Michigan, respectively. They came to Montgomery County, Mo., about 1855 and passed their lives in this state. There were ten chil- dren in the Sours family : William A. yard master for the Wabash railroad at Moberly ; John S., a sketch of whom appears in this volume; E. W., representing R. G. Dunn & Company, mercantile agents, in the City of Mexico, Mexico; Michael H., engaged in the insurance business at Macon, Ga .; Fonsie L., passenger conductor on the Wabash railroad, a sketch of whom appears in this volume; George, the subject of this sketch; Catherine, the wife of Patrick Short, of Moberly; Francis, de- ceased; Lowell, J., who for 20 years was in the employ and a member of the Forney Clothing Company, now deceased, and Roy S., was assigned to Company B, 349th Infantry, 88th Division, and sailed for overseas service in September, 1918, spent a year in France and was seven miles from the front when the armistice was signed. He was honorably dis- charged in June, 1919.
George Sours was reared in Moberly, being seven years of age when his parents settled here. He received his education in the public school, and finished in 1889 at the age of 17, and at once sought and obtained a position with the F. B. Forney Clothing Company. Here he worked
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up from one position of trust to another, until in 1905, when he bought stock in the company and became a member of the firm. Mr. Sours is secretary and treasurer of the company. He is a Democrat and a mem- ber of the St. John's Catholic church. Mr. Sours is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the National Union and the Elks, and is a director of the Bank of Moberly.
On Aug. 7, 1905, Mr. Sours and Miss Pearl Haynes, of Moberly, were united in marriage. Mrs. Sours' parents were Algernon and Louisa (Hall) Haynes, natives of Missouri. The father was general road master of the Wabash railroad and was in the employ of the company for more than 40 years. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sours: John S., Mary D., and Lydia L.
Rev. Ed Y. Keiter, minister of the Christian church, is a native son of Missouri and Randolph County, and was born in Chariton township, April 22, 1874. He is a son of Isaac T. and Frances (Light) Keiter. The father was a native of Frederick County, Va., born May 2, 1827, and died March 16, 1903. He came to this state in 1870 and located on a farm in Chariton township, where he was engaged in farming and stock raising all of his days. Frances Light was born July 16, 1839, and is living with her children and is very active for a woman of her advanced years.
Ed Y. Keiter spent his boyhood days on his father's farm. He was one of seven children born to his parents, the others being: Cilla, the wife of Alexander Butler, of Moberly; Ann S., who married S. C. Baker, of Renick; a child deceased; Susan, the wife of C. B. Dysart, of Moberly; Floyd G., an engineer on the Wabash railroad, lives in Mo- berly; and Lola, the wife of David Meyers, of Sugar Creek township, Randolph.
Ed Y. Keiter attended the district school, graduated from the high school in Moberly. He then entered the State Normal School at Kirks- ville, Mo., completing the course in the spring of 1893. In the fall of that year, he began his career as a teacher in the district schools of this county. He was a successful teacher and advanced from one school to another until he was offered and accepted the principalship of the Moberly High School in 1903. The following year he became superin- tendent of the Higbee school, holding this position until 1905, when he l'esigned to assume to the same duties at Clark, where he remained until 1908, leaving to go back to Renick. During this time, Mr. Keiter had also
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officiated as minister of the Christian church at Renick. In 1903 he had united with the Christian church at Higbee and a few months later was licensed to preach. Mr. Keiter was called to serve in various pulpits in dif- ferent parts of the county and recalls with a smile that the first marriage ceremony he performed was to marry two deaf mutes. His first funeral sermon was that of Mrs. Charles Ragsdale, one of the oldest living settlers of Randolph County. Mr. Keiter served as pastor of the Chris- tian church at Higbee in 1909-1910, and officiated in Hannibal, Mo., at the South Side Christian church from 1911 to 1913, when he came to Moberly, since which time he has preached in the Christian churches of Randolph County and also Macon County.
Mr. Keiter is a Republican and served as chaplain of the house of representatives of the 50th general assembly of Missouri in 1919. He has been active in politics in this locality. At the present time, Mr. Keiter is a candidate for congressman in the second district and will be nominated without opposition. Mr. Keiter's fraternal associations are with the Masonic Order, in which he stands high.
On April 24, 1901, Mr. Keiter was married to Miss Ersa Burton, a native of Higbee, the daughter of W. H. and Sue (Christian) Burton, both natives of this county. The mother now lives in Moberly. She was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Terrill) Christian, natives of Kentucky, who became very early settlers of Randolph County. Mrs. Keiter's father was a farmer nearly all his life; his father was Judge M. M. Burton, a well-known jurist of Missouri, whose father, also M. M. Burton, was the first man to settle north of Fayette. He brought a plow by ox team from Boonville to the homestead, where he settled in what is now Randolph County. The marks left by his dragging plow started what became known later as the Burton Trail, one of the famous early highways of this section of the state.
Three children have been born to the Rev. and Mrs. Keiter: Wil- liam E., Frances Sue, deceased, and Ed Y., Jr.
Louis E. Faessler, secretary and treasurer of the J. Faessler Manu- facturing Company of Moberly, is one of the younger generation of business men of Moberly and Randolph County. He is a native son of Moberly, born Aug. 17, 1881, the son of John and Christiana (Klore) Faessler, the former a native of Switzerland, born near Berne, July 25, 1838. When only 14 years of age John Faessler came to the United States to join his father, who was in St. Louis. Here he grew to man-
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hood. When the Wabash railroad was establishing its shops in Mo- berly, Mr. Faessler came here to accept a position in the tool depart- ment as he was an expert tool maker, one of the most important branches of a factory. As he accumulated capital, Mr. Faessler determined to establish himself in business as he foresaw a great future in manufac- turing and resigning from the railroad started the Faessler Manufac- turing Company, making boilers and machine tools. The concern flour- ished from the first and was conducted under his able direction until his death in 1899.
Louis E. Faessler was the second oldest of the children born to his parents. His boyhood days and youth were spent in Moberly. He at- tended the public schools and when old enough began work in his father's factory during his vacations, and while yet a boy in years, he had mas- tered the trade. Under his father's guidance, his natural ability had been carefully guided and independent thinking and working out prob- lems encouraged him so that he was able to suggest many improve- ments in the manufacturing and handling of the Faessler products. Shortly after his father's death, in 1899, Louis Faessler became one of the officers of the Faessler company, a position he has retained.
On May 4, 1915, Mr. Faessler was married to Miss Ruth Baker, a native of Moberly and a daughter of Rev. T. W. and Frances (Griffith) Baker, natives of Macon County, Mo. Mr. Baker was for many years a minister of the Presbyterian church and has now retired from active work in the ministry. His wife is deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Faessler are members of the Presbyterian church and he is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. While he takes no active part in political life, Mr. Faessler is a Republican. He is a representative of the type of pro- gressive young business men of Moberly.
Stokley P. Towles, M. D., a leading physician and surgeon of Mo- berly, has practiced within the county's borders for nearly a quarter of a century. He was born near Jacksonville, Randolph County, Mo., July 22, 1874, the son of George D. and Mary D. Towles, to whom three children were born: Dr. Stokey P., the subject of this sketch; Robert E., deceased, and Delia, the wife of F. F. Brock, who lives on the old homestead, near Jacksonville.
George D. Towles, the father, was also a native of Randolph County, born at Huntsville, July 7, 1855, being descended from a long line of
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Virginia ancestors. His father was a native of Lancaster County, Va. He came west at an early day, locating in Missouri, where he engaged in the contracting business, and was one of the men who took an active part in the founding and building of Huntsville, Mo., which was named after his wife's father, whose name was Hunt.
George D. Towles was reared on his father's farm near Cairo, re- ceived his education in the public schools of the county and after reach- ing manhood, engaged in farming. He was one of the substantial and prominent farmers and stock raisers of this section, where he spent his life. Mary Towles was also born on a homestead which her father entered from the government, spent her life in this country and died at the old home place in 1918, aged 64 years. The Towles family were members of the Baptist church, to which they contributed all their lives.
Dr. Towles spent his boyhood and youth on his father's farm, at- tended the district school, near his home, during the winter's and early began to assist his father and assume many duties around the farm. After completing his academic course and having laid the foundation for a higher education along special lines, Dr. Towles entered Keokuk Medical College, Keokuk, Ia., in the fall of 1895, and was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, March 15, 1898. He began the prac- . tice of his profession at Milton. Mo. Within two years he had built up a good practice. He then located at Jacksonville, in 1900, remained there cne year when he came to Moberly, which has remained the scene of his professional labors and successes to the present time. Dr. Towles has never ceased to be a student of the great science of medicine. He has a large practice and is one of Randolph County's foremost physicians.
On Sept. 28, 1899, Dr. Towles was married to Miss Anna M. Bur- ton, who was born near Milton, Mo. She is a daughter of Robert and Mollie (Scott) Burton. The father is now deceased, and the mother makes her home with her daughter. Mr. Burton was a farmer and one of the early settlers of Monroe County. Two children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Towles: Helen and Harold, both at home with their parents. The family are members of the Methodist church. Dr. Towles is a Democrat and a member of the Masonic Lodge. He has attained a high place in the ranks of the medical profession of Randolph County.
Patrick McDonald, one of the leading and progressive business men of Moberly, who is engaged in storage and transfer business, with offices
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at 529 West Coates street, was born in St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 17, 1854, the son of Thomas and Katherine (Kennedy) McDonald. When he was but 10 years old, his parents died and he can recollect little of their his- tory. He was reared by his uncle, Patrick Kennedy, who lived in Mis- souri, and spent the years from 1864 to 1873, under his uncle's roof, at- tending school until his sixteenth year.
In 1873, Mr. McDonald came to Moberly and learned the trade of sheet metal worker. . He worked in the Wabash shops at his trade for 17 years. Subsequently he accepted a position with the Union Pacific Railroad, but in 1886 returned to Moberly and again entered the Wa- bash shops. In 1892, he established a transfer business which he car- ried on until 1919, when he added the storage business. Mr. McDonald met with gratifying success from the first and his business has steadily increased.
Mr. McDonald is a Democrat and has taken an active part in civil affairs since coming to Moberly. In 1882, he was made chief of the fire department of the city, and on his return from the west some years later, served in the same capacity under Mayor Babcock. Later he was appointed to this office, serving under Alex H. Waller, editor of this history, while he was mayor from 1899 to 1901, and it was due to Mr. McDonald that the department was improved and equipped with modern fire fighting apparatus, as he was instrumental in securing the Hale Chemical Fire Wagon, the Swift Spray Nozzle and in getting the Sul- livan Snap Harness. In every movement for the improvement of the city, Mr. McDonald is a liberal donator of his time, energy and money.
On Dec. 5, 1878, Mr. McDonald was married to Miss Alice Furge- son, born near Fulton, Mo. She is a daughter of Swan and Mary (Coons) Furgeson, natives of Missouri and Kentucky, respectively. Seven chil- dren have been born to this union: Swan T., associated with the Lynch- McDonald Construction Company of Moberly; Lyman, foreman in the Wabash shops, Moberly; Austin B., in business with his father; Ray F., automobile salesman, Moberly; Eula Mae, the wife of George Penick, an employee of the Wabash railroad; Gladys B., stenographer for the Mc- Donald Transfer Company, Moberly, and Arthur F., is employed by the Wabash Railroad Company, Moberly, Mo.
Ray F. McDonald enlisted in the United States army April 29, 1918, trained at Camp Funston, then assigned to Company 3, 356th Infantry, 89th Division, was sent to France in June and there received his final
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training before being assigned to the medical corps. He aided in the front line trenches during hostilities, was transferred to Company L, 3rd Regiment, 89th Division and marched into Germany with the army of occupation, being discharged from the service in June, 1919, and at once returned home to Moberly and again took up the pursuits of peace.
Mr. McDonald is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. The McDonald family are well- known in Moberly, where they have many friends.
H. S. "Harry" McKinney, a prominent farmer and stock man and the owner and manager of Maple Grove Farm in Cairo township, Randolph County is the son of Daniel and Eliza (Brown) Mckinney, natives of Lin- coln County, Ky., who came to Missouri in 1833 and located in Cairo town- ship on the land now owned by H. S. "Harry" Mckinney. They were the parents of 11 children, nine of whom lived to be over 50 years of age. They were: Mrs. Sophia Brown, deceased; Hiram, deceased; Patsy Jane Campbell, deceased; Ann Mariah Huntsman, deceased; Willis E., deceased ; H. S., of this review; John F., of Cairo township; Madison, also of this township; Mrs. Belle Griffin, deceased; John and Susan Mary died in infancy.
H. S. "Harry" Mckinney was reared on his father's frontier farm and received his education in the public schools of his district. After that he began farming, which he has successfully followed ever since. The Maple Grove farm consists of 184 acres and 40 acres of timber north- east of the home place. Daniel Mckinney, the father, preempted 80 acres on which the H. S. Mckinney house stands, and a horse which H. S. McKinney's mother drove here from the old home in Kentucky paid for the piece of land. The horse had been a gift from her father and was as good as ready money in those days in the new country.
Maple Grove Farm is all improved and there are six good wells; a branch of Mud creek runs through the place and three good springs furnish an unfailing supply of water for the stock and Maple Grove Farm is con- sidered one of the best stock farms in this township. The soil is rich and productive and the land is kept in good condition by the able manage- ment of the owner. Mr. Mckinney has lived on his present place for more than 45 years and during all that time has been engaged in general farming and stock raising. His son, W. M. Mckinney, has a fine herd of Shorthorn cattle and his registered male which heads the herd is one of the best in the county. Mr. Mckinney also keeps registered Poland
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H. S. "HARRY" MCKINNEY AND FAMILY.
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China hogs and good grade of sheep. Each year he has about 50 spring lambs. The chickens on the farm are the light Brahmas. Mr. McKin- ney has placed most of the improvements on the farm. His home is modern and comfortable and the place is well kept up with three barns, 60x62 feet, for farm and stock use.
July 11, 1875, Mr. Mckinney married Miss Laura Bell Huntsman, a daughter of George M. and Euphemia (Campbell) Huntsman, pioneer set- tlers of Cairo township, and the following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mckinney: Willie M., now farming the home place; Alta, the wife of Robert Jett, of Cairo township; Maggie, the wife of Gilbert Dingman of Sturgeon, Mo., and a daughter who died in infancy. There are three grandchildren of whom Mr. and Mrs. Mckinney are very proud.
Willie M. Mckinney was born on the home place Nov. 29, 1876, was reared and educated in his local district. During his boyhood, Mr. Mc- Kinney had learned the practical side of farming and when his schooling was over began farming with his father and since his father gave up the active management of the farm has taken entire charge of it.
In 1905, Willie M. McKinney married Miss Stella Campbell, of Salt River township, the daughter of Samuel and Amanda Campbell, both de- ceased. Mrs. Mckinney has a sister Hattie, who is the wife of May Ed- wards of Salt River. A brother, Roy Campbell, lives at Corvallis, Ore.
H. S. Mckinney is a member of the Masonic Lodge and all the family are members of the Christian church. Father and son belong to Highland Grange. Mr. Mckinney was one of the organizers of the Liberty Christian church, having associated with him other prominent men of this locality. The first minister was James Valier and the church was dedicated by Rev. John McCune on July 8, 1894, with a membership of 40, which has increased to over 100. The edifice was erected by Dick Ridgway and is one of the best in the county.
Mr. Mckinney has been a lifelong Democrat and at this writing is a candidate for the nomination of judge of the county court for the eastern district of Randolph County.
Dr. Charles K. Dutton, a successful physician and surgeon and spe- cialist of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, of Moberly, Mo., is a native of this state. He was born in Warren County, Mo., March 12, 1870, the son of John Harrison, generally known as "Uncle Harry" and Elizabeth P. (McCulloch) Dutton. He was the tenth of their 13 chil- dren, 11 of whom grew to maturity. John Harrison Dutton was born
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in Montgomery County, Mo., Sept. 5, and was the son of Judge John Harrison Dutton, who was born in Charles County, Md., in 1784, and Mary (Bruin) Dutton, a native of Kentucky, whose parents were early settlers of Missouri. Judge Dutton came to Montgomery County, in 1817, became judge of the county court and was prominently identified with that section for many years.
John Harrison Dutton was reared, educated and married in Mont- gomery County, where he was engaged in farming for some years be- fore removing to Warren County, where he was a prominent farmer and stockman. During the Civil War he served in the state guards, but when peace was declared, returned to his farm where he spent the remainder of his days. He died in August, 1905.
Dr. Charles K. Dutton spent his boyhood on his father's farm. He attended the district school and after completing the elementary branches, entered Central Wesleyan College, at Warrenton, Mo., where he was graduated. He then taught school for four years when he entered the medical department of the University of Kentucky. After spending one year there, he entered the St. Louis Medical College, where he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1895. He then located at Calwood, Callaway County, Mo., where he remained about two and one-half years. In 1897 he took a post graduate course in Philadelphia, Pa., specializing in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. On his return to Missouri a year later, he came to Moberly, where he has since been engaged in practice with the exception of the year of 1902, which he spent at the famous London, England, ear and eye in- firmary in post graduate work.
On April 11, 1901, Dr. Dutton married Miss Rebecca Hammett, of . Randolph County, the daughter of J. W. and Mary A. (Haines) Ham- mett, both natives of Kentucky and now deceased. Mrs. Dutton died Feb. 21, 1916.
Doctor Dutton is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and has been a member of the Modern Woodmen of America for the past 25 years. He is a man who takes a keen interest in civic affairs, ever giving liberally to the support of all movements of the development and improvements of affairs and conditions of Randolph County and Moberly. He is an independent Democrat.
Dr. Godfrey O. Cuppaidge, a well known and successful physician and surgeon who has been engaged in the practice of his profession in
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Moberly and Randolph County for the past 24 years, is a native of Ire- land. He was born at Castle Rea, County Roscommon, and is a son of Dr. William and Annie (Oldfield) Cuppaidge and is the youngest of a family of four born to his parents. The father was an eminent physician in his native land and spent his life there in the practice of his profession. He was a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, where he received both his B. A. and M. D. degrees. The mother is also deceased. She spent her life in Ireland.
Dr. Godfrey O. Cuppaidge was educated in the Diocesan School of Tuam in County Galway and at Park Gate, Cheshire, England, and at the latter place he was a classmate of the celebrated Doctor Winfred Grenfell of Labrador, of deep sea fisheries fame. After receiving a thorough training in the classics and sciences, Doctor Cuppaidge en- tered the Royal College of Surgeons at Dublin, where he was graduated after a four years' course in 1882 with the degree of M. D. He then took a course in the Kings and Queens College of Physicians and Sur- geons and was graduated from that institution in 1883. The follow- ing year he came to America and engaged in the practice of his pro- fession at Morgan, Texas, remaining there until 1887. He then came to Missouri and located at Middle Grove, Monroe County, where he remained until 1896. He then came to Moberly and continued the practive of his profession with unqualified success until the United States troops were sent to the Mexican border in June, 1916. He had served in the Medical Corps in the Missouri National Guard since 1911, enter- ing the service with the rank of first lieutenant. In 1914 he was pro- moted to captain and in July, 1916, he was commissioned major and served on the border with that rank until demobilization took place. In 1917, when the United States entered the World War, he was called to the colors again with the 4th Missouri Infantry, afterwards 139th Infantry, part of the famous 35th Division, serving with it until Octu- ber. 1917, when he was ordered to take charge of the medical detach- ment of the 110th Engineers, part of the 35th Division. He was at Camp Doniphan, Okla., where he remained until March, 1918, when he received his honorable discharge from the service and returned to Mo- berly, where he resumed the practice of his profession to which he has since devoted himself.
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