USA > Missouri > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Missouri > Part 41
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Doctor Cuppaidge was united in marriage in October, 1888, with Miss Blanch Ethel Hicklin, a daughter of William and Ellen Hicklin,
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of London, England. To Doctor and Mrs. Cuppaidge have been born two children: Constance Annie, who is a graduate nurse of St. Luke's Hospital, St. Louis, Mo., and spent 23 months in overseas service as nurse during the World War, and received a decoration from the Brit- ish government. The youngest daughter, Helen Violet, is a graduate of Washington University, where she received a fellowship and the degree of M. A. in 1919. She is now a teacher at Tulsa, Okla.
Doctor Cuppaidge is a Democrat and takes a live interest in mat- ters political as well as in public affairs in general. He was health commissioner of Moberly for 12 years and served on the State Board of Health for four and one-half years, a part of which time he was president of that organization. He served as a member of Governor Major's staff with the rank of colonel. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
John A. Melton, the well-known dealer in sporting goods, whose store is located at 527 West Reed street, is one of the progressive busi- ness men of Randolph County. He was born in Lafayette County, Mo., Feb. 3, 1881, and is the son of Isaac and Maggie (Chambers) Melton, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Kansas.
Isaac Melton was brought to Missouri by his parents when quite young, and after attaining manhood he was engaged in running a saw mill and threshing outfit. Later he bought and operated a farm and is now living retired. The mother died in 1892.
John A. Melton received his educational advantages in the public schools and when only 17 years old, began an independent career. His first work was in the south, picking cotton. where he remained two years. He then returned home and began to farm some of his father's land. In 1900 he obtained a position on the Missouri Pacific Railroad as stationary fireman at Nevada, Mo. Later he began firing a locomo- tive there and in 1901 came to Moberly to take a position as fireman on the Wabash railroad. Five years later he was promoted to engineer with a run out of Moberly and remained with that company until 1912. when he resigned and engaged in business here. He purchased a fine stock and soon became recognized as the leading merchant of Moberly in sporting goods and allied lines.
On Dec. 20, 1906, Mr. Melton was married to Miss Bernice Bow- den, of Randolph County. She is a daughter of James Bowden, a farmer of Sugar Creek township. Since first locating in Moberly, Mr. Melton
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has entered actively into the civic life of the city and is ever ready to assist and promote every movement that tends to the development and prosperity of Moberly and Randolph County.
He is a Republican and a member of the Masonic Lodge, the East- ern Star, and he is secretary of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi- neers. Mrs. Melton is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and she and Mr. Melton are members of the Methodist church.
Charles C. Nebergall, an extensive automobile accessory dealer of Moberly, is a native son of Randolph County. He was born in Moberly, Sept. 10, 1876, the son of John H. and Nellie. (Shumate) Nebergall, whose history appears in this volume.
Charles C. Nebergall attended the public schools of Moberly and after graduating from the high school, began his business career by accepting a position in the Moberly Steam Laundry of which his father was a part owner. For 19 years he was associated with this concern, but left in 1908 to take charge of the Dorn-Coloney Laundry at Colum- bia. Mo. For five years, Mr. Nebergall remained in Columbia, Mo., with the Dorn-Coloney Company. He built up the business and made many practical improvements in the plant. He then accepted a position with the Holman Laundry Company at Moberly. Returning to his native town, Mr. Nebergall rendered efficient service to this concern for four years when he and his father entered a new field by opening, in 1917, the Gates Half Sole Tire and Prest-O-Lite Battery Service Station and accessory store at 511 West Reed street. They at once began to have a good trade which has increased from year to year due to the con- sideration' and courtesy shown their patrons, their prompt fulfillment of business engagements and the high class of goods carried in the supply department.
On Nov. 6, 1901, Charles C. Nebergall married Miss Nellie Brinker- hoff, of Moberly. She is a daughter of D. W. and Mary E. (Lyons) Brinkerhoff, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively, and early settlers of Randolph County. Mr. Brinkerhoff was one of the first train dispatchers here. He is now deceased. Mrs. Brinkerhoff re- sides in Moberly. Four daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nebergall: Helen, a graduate of the Moberly High School, is at home; Louis, is a student at Drake University, Des Moines, Ia., heading her class of 254 pupils on all studies in 1919; Mildred and Florence at home attending school.
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Mr. Nebergall is a Republican and a progressive, public spirited citizen ever ready to assist in the development of the county and city of Moberly. Mr. and Mrs. Nebergall are members of the Baptist church.
Thomas H. Walton, secretary of the Walton Coal Company of Hig- bee, Mo., who is also interested in the mercantile and banking business in that place, is a native of lowa. He was born in Webster County, Jan. 28, 1874, a son of William and Elizabeth (Wonders) Walton.
William Walton was a native of England, born Sept. 5, 1844. When he was ten years of age he came to America with his parents and the family settled in Canada. When 21 years old William Walton went to Ohio and from there to Iowa. He was located in various places from that time until 1886, when he settled at Higbee, Mo., and engaged in the mining business. Here he organized two mining companies and dur- ing the remainder of his life he was interested in mining in this locality. He was also active in other fields of endeavor, and was one of the organizers of the Citizens Bank of Higbee and was the first president of that institution. He was a prominent factor in the life and develop- ment of Higbee during his career and was mayor of that city for a time. He died Jan. 17, 1918. Elizabeth (Wonders) Walton was born at La- Salle, Ill., April 11, 1851, and now resides at Higbee.
Thomas H. Walton was the second in order of birth of a family of seven children, born to his parents. He came to Higbee with his parents and attended the high school there and has practically been brought up in the mining business. In 1910 he became a stockholder in the Walton Coal Company and since that time has been a leading factor in that important industrial concern of Higbee. He is also a stock- holder and a member of the board of directors of the Citizens Bank. of Higbee.
Oct. 7, 1896, Thomas H. Walton was united in marriage with Miss Nettie M. Jackson, of Huntsville, Mo. She is a daughter of Terry C. and sallie (Turner) Jackson, both natives of Randolph County and descen- dants of pioneer families of this section. To Mr. and Mrs. Walton has been born one child: Thomas H., Jr., who is now a student in the Uni- versity of Missouri at Columbia.
Mr. Walton is a member of the Christian church and is an elder. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is independent in politics and was elected mayor of Hig-
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bee in 1894. He is a progressive citizen and one of the substantial busi- ness men of Randolph County.
James W. Marshall, vice-president of the Citizens Bank of Higbee, has been a leading business man of Randolph County for many years. His introduction to Higbee was as a merchant, but it was not long be- fore he became identified with mining industries and later his interests became engaged with banking affairs. He is a native son of Randolph County, born near Renick, Aug. 25, 1861, the son of John Dorsey and Susan M. (Martin) Marshall, the former a native of Virginia, born in Albermarle County, Va., Sept. 18. 1840, and died in Missouri, in 1914. John D. Marshall came to Misosuri with his parents, Wiley and Fannie Marshall, both natives of Virginia, in 1844, and settled in Prairie town- ship, Randolph County. They made the trip across the country in a prairie schooner, drawn by a team of oxen. They took up government land and established themselves on a farm. Susan Martin was a native of Randolph County and was reared, educated and married here. She was a daughter of James and Patsy (Hardin) Martin, natives of Ken- tucky, who were among the early settlers of this section. She died in 1909.
James W. Marshall was reared on his father's farm in Prairie town- ship and attended the district school. Later he took a commercial course in the Gem City Business College. After completing his school- ing, he returned to Missouri and accepted a position in a store, but in 1901, became auditor for the Elliot Coal Company, where he remained until 1907, when he went on the road as salesman for the coal company and two years later came to Higbee as auditor for the Northern Cen- tral Coal Company. In 1919, Mr. Marshall purchased a large block of stock of the Citizens Bank, becoming vice-president of the institution on Sept. 1, 1919.
On June 20, 1911, Mr. Marshall was married to Miss Fannie Jones, a native of Myers, Mo., the daughter of William and Diana (Bogie) Jones, both natives of Kentucky. William Jones and six of his brothers and his father served in the Civil War under John Morgan. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Marshall, William Dorsey, who resides at home. Mr. Marshall owns 14 acres of land within the corporate limits of Higbee. He is one of the progressive men who are taking an im- portant part in the development of Higbee and the county. He is a Democrat, and he and Mrs. Marshall are members of the Christian church. He is a Royal Arch Mason.
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Madison Mckinney, known to his friends and neighbors as "Mat" Mckinney, is a prominent stockman and farmer of Cairo township, who lives three miles northeast of Cairo. He is a native of Randolph County, born in this township in 1850, the son of Daniel and Eliza Brown Mc- Kinney, both natives of Kentucky who were reared, educated and married in their native state. In 1833, they came west.
Daniel Mckinney drove a wagon drawn by a team of oxen, while his wife who accompanied him on the trip, drove a carriage and team of horses. "Uncle Ben" Huntsman made the journey in their company, bringing his famous hounds along. The dogs frequently delayed the party by getting on the trail of deer and "Uncle Ben" would have to round up the hounds before the train could move on and sometimes he also got the deer. There was quite a large party of the Mckinney family who made the try together. Harrison and Miles Mckinney, brothers, and the mother all came to Missouri from their homes in Kentucky. Two sisters, Dorcas and Vienna Mckinney were the young women of the party. After reaching Randolph County, Daniel Mckinney entered land in Cairo town- ship. Most of them are now dead; Miles is buried at Union cemetery and the others at Liberty.
Madison Mckinney was reared in Cairo township, received his edu- cation in the log school house known as the Sherwin school, which stood on land now owned by George Halterman. Mr. Mckinney says, "I might have been a preacher if I hadn't driven ox teams so much as a boy." He recalls that the trading points of the early settlers were Old Milton and Huntsville; the women made the clothing for all the family even to the caps and jeans. Such were the conditions under which the pioneers lived.
Mr. Mckinney bought his present farm from B. H. Hutsell and it was known as the "Uncle Joe Darby place" as he came here in the early 30s and entered the land from the government. Today the Mckinney farm consists of 295 acres and is one of the best stock farms of the township with plenty of good water, a good modern residence, built in 1912, four barns one 14x36 foot silo and many other buildings for farm use.
In February, 1890, Mr. Mckinney was married to Miss Sallie G. Hagood, the daughter of John and Mary Hagood the former is deceased and the mother now resides in Salt River township at the age of 78. Mrs. McKinney died in February, 1903 and was buried at Liberty ceme- tery. To Mr. and Mrs. McKinney were born three children: Eula, Stan- ley and Temple, all at home.
"MAT" MCKINNEY
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When the United States entered the World War Stanley McKinney enlisted in November, 1917 and was sent to the Great Lakes Training Station, near Chicago and remained in the service about a year. He was just ready to be assigned to sea duty when trouble developed in his left arm and he was pronounced unfit to go and has not yet entirely recovered. He was discharged and returned home and with his brother Temple, is operating the home farm now that their father has retired from the active management of the place.
Mr. Mckinney is a man of high standing in his community. He has been a Democrat since he cast his first vote. He can tell many interest- ing occurrences and experiences of the early days in Missouri and now in his sunset years is enjoying the farm which he and his wife built up and improved.
George R. Rennolds, president of the Higbee Savings Bank of Hig- bee, Mo., is a native of Randolph County and has been prominently identified with the development of this section of the state for many years. He was born two and a half miles southeast of Higbee, Dec. 23, 1850, the son of John C. and Deliah Ann (Quisenberry) Rennolds.
John C. Rennolds was a native of Albermarle County, Va., born Dec. 9. 1805. His parents were born seven miles from Dublin, Ireland, where they spent their early youth and while still young came to the United States. George Rennold's paternal great grandfather, Thomas Rennolds, was a man of fine education and served as Lord Mayor of Dublin, and took an active part in the political life of his day. Deliah Ann Quisenberry was born near Winchester, Clark County, Ky., Dec. 19, 1813, and died in Missouri, Dec. 7, 1875. Mrs. Rennolds was reared and educated in her native state. Her father was born in Cologne, Ger- many. He was a hat manufacturer, and came to the United States, locating in Clark County, Ky., where he continued to work at his trade, also managing a farm until his death ..
John C. Rennolds was reared and educated in Virginia, where he early learned farm business in which he was engaged until 1826, when he came to Missouri and settled in Boone County. He took up land which he cleared and was engaged in farming there until 1832 when he went to Howard County, but two years later came to Randolph County, where he spent the rest of his days. He died March 26, 1875. He was engaged in raising fruit and tobacco after he came to this section of the state. He was one of the well-to-do and prominent men here for
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many years. To John C. Rennolds and wife were born the following children: James T., deceased; Elizabeth, married Jackson Brink, de- ceased; Jackson Q., deceased; Martha, who married John C. Moore, de- ceased ; William, deceased; Sarah F., the wife of N. Noland, deceased ; Mary B., the wife of J. B. Andrews, deceased; Henry G., deceased ; Deliah A., the widow of John B. Calhoun, resides in Texas; John M., of Fayette, Mo .; George R., the subject of this sketch; Cassie D., who married B. Pyle, was killed in 1878 by a tornado, and Catherine F., de- ceased.
George Rennolds was reared on his father's farm and attended the subscription schools, where he laid the foundation of a good practical education to which he has continued to add all his life by a wide range of reading. When only 13 years old he began to earn money for him- self, dropping corn for 25 cents a day; corn planters were unknown in his youth. As soon as he was old enough and his strength .permitted, Mr. Rennolds began to operate a farm for himself. He kept bachelor's hall, did his own cooking, washing and sewing, as well as the neces- sary farm work, but on account of ill health, he left the farm in 1876 and took a trip to Texas. Upon his return in 1877, Mr. Rennolds came to Higbee and with his brother, John M., he built the first house in Higbee before the town site was platted and from that time to the present has been the leading financial and business figure of the town. Soon after locating here, Mr. Rennolds engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, but he already saw that the rich farming land of this section was to become still more valuable and bought a farm, the nucleus of his later properties. In 1878 he began his broader financial career with the organization of what was called the Rennolds-Moss Railroad Tie Company. They had offices and two stores, one in Higbee and the other at McMullin, Mo. They soon began to take contracts, not only for fur- nishing ties for the railroads, but the actual construction of the roads for some of the new lines. The company contracted for furnishing all the ties, and also posts to fence the right of way of the Chicago & Alton Railroad from Louisiana to Kansas City, which was one of their most successful pieces of work. T. J. Moss was president of the concern and George Rennolds, vice-president, and J. M. Rennolds, secretary and treasurer. As their business grew, the tie company had contracts for the construction of several new lines of road running into Kansas City and also south to Dennison, Tex .. on what is now known as the Mis- souri. Kansas and Texas Railroad. As the scope of their operations
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broadened, T. J. Moss and Mr. Rennolds opened offices at Fayette, Higbee and St. Louis, to facilitate the handling of the varied lines in which they were engaged. Each year saw the business increasing to such an ex- tent throughout Missouri, Arkansas and Kentucky, that the company began to run steamboats on the Missouri River from St. Charles to De- Witt, and on the Mississippi River to Keokuk, Ia. In 1884, Mr. Ren- nolds disposed of his interest in the tie company and invested his money in land in Texas and Missouri. At one time he held 15,000 acres in ranching. He then sold practically all of his holdings in Texas and came to Higbee and became an operator in live stock, buying and selling live stock, shipping many car loads to Texas. He continued to hold his land in Randolph County, which today aggregates 600 acres of some of the finest land in central Missouri.
In 1889, Mr. Rennolds became the prime factor in the organization of the Citizens Bank, of Higbee, was made president of the institution and has served in that capacity for more than 30 years. Mr. Rennolds has not confined his energies to one field of endeavor, but has been inter- ested in varied fields of finance, as he is not only a banker, but a suc- cessful managing farmer, is director of the Bank of Moberly and holds stock in two trust companies of Kansas City. He is a Democrat and a member of the Christian church. He is a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner, belonging to lodges of Renick and Moberly. He is a member of the Commandery Chapter and is a Knights Templar.
On Oct. 2, 1883, Mr. Rennolds was married to Miss Kizzie Elizabeth Dysart, of Randolph County, the daughter of Nicholas and Euphemia (Givens) Dysart, natives of Kentucky, who were early settlers of How- ard County, Mo., settling there in 1818 and later removing to Randolph County where they were well known and prominent residents all their lives. Mr. Dysart was one of the early settlers and teachers of Howard County and in 1821 took the census, having to ride horseback to St. Louis to make the returns to the government. Mrs. Rennolds was the young- est of the nine children born to her parents. She was reared and edu- cated in Missouri. She died Oct. 6, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Rennolds had one child, Bennie L., the wife of Chester Odell, and they now live with Mr. Rennolds. Mrs. Odell is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Charles F. Burkhalter, a prominent physician and surgeon of Higbee, has practiced his profession in Randolph County for 25 years. He
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was born in Coopersburg, Pa., Oct. 28, 1867 and is a son of Edwin and Amanda E. (Cooper) Burkhalter and the oldest of three sons born to them. The other two are: Irvin J., residing at Wellsville, Mo., and Harry E., also of that town. The Burkhalter family left Pennsylvania in 1875, came west and located in St. Louis, but a year later settled near Wellsville, where the father engaged in farming. He spent his life there, becoming one of the prosperous farmers of that section. He died in 1915, aged 67 years. Mrs. Burkhalter is also a native of Pennsylvania and now resides at Wellsville, Mo., aged 71.
Dr. Burkhalter came to Missouri with his parents and spent his youth on his father's farm, attending the district school in the winter time and helping on the home place in the summer until his 19th year. After ob- ' taining a good preparatory education, he entered Washington University at St. Louis, Mo., in 1892 and was graduated in 1895 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Dr. Burkhalter soon engaged in practice at Vandalia, . Mo., where he remained three years and then located at Higbee, where he has been engaged in practice for a quarter of a century.
In 1895, Dr. Burkhalter was married to Miss Florence Stewart, of Wellsville, Mo., and to this union five children have been born: Frances, the wife of C. Warren, of Higbee; Toinette, who married C. C. Smith, a physician and now resides at home; Lucille, Evelyn Mae and Charlotte, all residing at home.
Dr. Burkhalter is a Republican and though he takes an active part in politics, has never had time to hold public office. With his family, he is a member of the Methodist Church, South, and his fraternal affiliations are with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mark Murphy, a well known retired merchant of Higbee, Mo., was for many years numbered among the substantial business men of Higbee and has been essentially the architect of his own fortune. When he entered upon his career, he was possessed of little save inherent ability and a determination to succeed and they have been sufficient, through their de- velopment to enable him to become a well-to-do merchant.
Mr. Murphy is a native of Ireland and was born Feb. 29, 1840. He is a son of Michael and Honora (Cline) Murphy, being the sixth of their ten children. The father was a farmer in his native land and spent his life in County Mayo, Ireland, while the mother came to America in 1854 to join her children. She died in Macoupin County, Ill., in 1889. In
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1849, Mark Murphy left Ireland for Manchester, England, where he started to learn the watchmaker's trade and in 1851 came to the United States, locating first in New York City, where he worked at the jewelry business. Subsequently he went to Canada as he had a sister there. After remaining some time in Canada, they all came to the States and Mr. Murphy engaged in farming in Illinois. Later he gave that up and secured a position with the Chicago & Alton Railroad as station agent and telegraph operator. He was advanced from one position to another for some years. He then engaged in business for himself as a grain merchant at Girard, Ill. From this start, he branched out, added a part- ner and purchased a stock of general merchandise, assisting in the man- agement of the store until 1879, when he went to Kansas City, Mo. At this time Mr. Murphy accepted a position in the freight office of the Chicago & Alton Railroad but a year later was assigned to Higbee as station agent of that railroad and for 11 years served in that capacity when he resigned his position to engage in merchandising. At first he opened a jewelry store, later added many lines and organized the business into a general department store which in turn developed into a business of which the hardware department was the principal feature. For nearly 30 years Mr. Murphy was the leading merchant of Higbee; he won and retained a place of high standing in the commercial life of this sec- tion of the state, by his integrity, sound business methods and his ability to make friends. In 1919, he retired from the active management of his business which he turned over to his grandson, Mark C. Murphy and now is enjoying a well earned respite from business cares. Mr. Murphy is a Democrat and served as mayor and alderman of Higbee. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic Lodge.
In 1861, Mark Murphy was married to Miss Martha Renfro, of Lin- coln County, Ky., who died in 1910, leaving two children: Martha L., now living with the father and Mark F. of Calloway, Mo.
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