USA > Missouri > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Missouri > Part 57
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
Mr. Deskin comes from a family who won fame on the field of battle in the Revolutionary War in which his grandfather, Daniel Deskin. served with honor. The war records at Washington show that Daniel Deskin served as a private in Captain Thomas West's company in the 10th Vir- ginia Regiment which later became the 6th Virginia Regiment which was commanded by Col. Edward Stephens. Daniel Deskin enlisted June 20, 1777 for three years as drummer boy. He was mustered out of service at Camp Morristown, Dec. 9. 1779.
E. G. Deskin has served as councilman in Moberly. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and is a Republican. Mrs. Deskin is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
S. A. Michaels, now deceased, was for many years a well known and highly respected citizen of Moberly and Randolph County, and in his death which occurred April 9, 1919, this county lost an upright, honor- able and valued citizen. He was a native of Illinois, born Sept. 23, 1854. He was a son of I. G. L. and Margaret (Walker) Michaels. I. G. L. Michaels was born in Tennessee and came to Randolph County from Illinois in 1880. Later, he went to Alabama where he spent the re- mainder of his life. His wife was a native of Illinois and is now de- ceased. They were the parents of the following children: S. A., whose name introduces this review; W. G. lives in Illinois; R. F. went to Can- ada some years ago where he now resides; Mrs. A. A. Cowden lives in Illinois : Mrs. B. F. Lair, of Moberly, Mo .; Mrs. J. A. Stanturf, lives in Illinois and Mrs. A. E. Hurlbutt resides in Minnesota.
S. A. Michaels was reared on a farm in Illinois and received his edu- cation in the public schools. He came to Randolph County in 1880 and first settled on a farm in the vicinity of Moberly. In 1912, he moved to the city of Moberly with his family and entered the mail service as a mail carrier on Rural Route No. 5. He died in Moberly, April 9, 1919.
On April 14, 1886, S. A. Michaels and Miss Josephine Shirley were united in marriage. She is a native of Missouri and was born in Macon County, May 5, 1869 and is a daughter of John J. and Mary A. (Deskin) Shirley. John J. Shirley was for many years actively engaged in farm-
636
HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
ing and stock raising in Randolph County and was one of its representative citizens. He spent his life on his farm here after coming to Randolph County. His wife also died on the home farm in the county. To John J. Shirly and wife were born the following children: Edward S., who re- sides on the old homestead; Josephine, who married S. A. Michaels, the subject of this sketch; Ora, deceased, and Minnie died in infancy.
The following children were born to S. A. and Josephine (Shirley) Michaels: Ray, born Dec. 29, 1887 and died Feb. 8, 1913; Frank, born June 30, 1891 and is now in Idaho; Paul, born May 9, 1895, resides at Columbia Mo .; Lee, born March 5, 1897, lives in Detroit, Mich .; Dwight, born Feb. 27, 1900, resides in Moberly, and Nell, born Nov. 19, 1901, re- sides in Moberly.
Mr. Michaels was a Republican and a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Maccabees. Mrs. Michaels is a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union and is an interested and an active worker in the movements in that organization. The Michaels family is one of the widely known and highly respected families of Moberly and Randolph County.
Edward G. Cogley, a well known veteran passenger engineer of the Wabash Railroad has been identified with the interests of Moberly for many years. Mr. Cogley is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and was reared and educated in that city. He is a son of Thomas J. and Mary (Whalen) Cogley, both natives of Ireland who came to America in 1853 and settled in Cleveland, Ohio, and spent the remainder of their lives there. They were the parents of the following children: Miles L., a banker, who resides in Texas ; Mrs. Emma Bhrens of Kansas City, Mo. and Edward G., the subject of this sketch.
Edward G. Cogley began his career as a railroader in the employ of the New York Central Railroad Company in the capacity of locomotive fireman and was soon promoted to the position of engineer. Shortly after- wards he came to Missouri and settled at Sedalia. He was then employed on the Missouri Pacific Railroad as locomotive engineer for a time. That was when the St. Louis Union Station was located at the corner of Seventh and Popular streets and was not a very imposing structure. In December, 1882, Mr. Cogley came to Moberly and entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company and since that time has been employed by that company as a locomotive engineer. He is now in the passenger service and runs between Moberly and St. Louis. He is one of the
637
HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
thoroughly experienced railroad men of the country and has a long career to his credit as a careful and capable engineer and a conscientious em- ployee who has been faithful to his duty. During all these years he has never been censured for neglect of duty or any accident.
Since coming to Moberly, Mr. Cogley has made a number of invest- ments which have demonstrated his good judgment and vision of the future of Moberly. He has always had faith in the future of Moberly, and has been a consistent booster of this city almost since its beginning, and it can be truly said that today he takes pride in the development and achievement of his adopted city as it takes its place in the ranks of the leading cities of central Missouri. .
Mr. Cogley was married to Miss Honora Hayes, also a native of Cleveland and a daughter of Mortimer and Mary (Hickey) Hayes, both natives of County Limrick, Ireland. The father died in his native land and the mother came to the United States and settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where she died in 1885. They were the parents of the following chil- dren: Mary, Catherine, James, Bridget, John, Margaret, Honora and Mortimer. To Edward G. Cogley and wife were born six children as fol- low: Helen Frances, deceased; Cecelia, deceased; James, resides in Kan- sas City, Mo .; Mary G., deceased; Margaret Estella, married J. L. Ford, of Moberly, and Irene Augusta, deceased.
James Cogley, who is the only son living, born to Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Cogley, received his education in the public schools of Moberly and the Christian Brothers College at St. Louis. He is now employed by the Kansas City Pump Company, where he has charge of the general office work. He married Miss Ethel Gibbs, of Kansas City. Although Kansas City has been the scene of his business activity for a number of years, he retains a warm spot in his heart for Moberly, the home of his par- ents, and his many boyhood friends and associates here. He never misses spending his vacation, accompanied by his wife, in Moberly.
Mr. Cogley is a Republican, although he was a Democrat in his earlier career and supported the policies of that party up to the days of Bryan and free silver in 1896. He has never aspired to hold political office, although he takes a keen interest in public policies and affairs. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Mrs. Cogley is a member of the Ladies' Auxiliary of that organization. The Cogley family are members of the Catholic church.
638
HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
Richard L. Carter, Sr., of Moberly, is a Wabash passenger conductor and has been in the train service of this railroad for many years and is one of its thoroughly experienced railroad men. Mr. Carter is a native Missourian and belongs to a pioneer family of this state. He was born at Harrisonville, Cass County, Dec. 25, 1855, a son of Joseph H. and Juliet (Simpson) Carter.
. Joseph Carter was born at Culpeper Court House, Va., and early in life came to Missouri. He was conducting a hotel at Harrisonville when the Civil War broke out and when Order No. 11 was issued he went to Kansas City, where his slaves followed and he did the best that he could to provide for them, although under the circumstances they were forced to suffer many hardships. They depended upon him for support and after nearly a year's effort he found places of employment for all of them so that they could make their own living.
After locating in Kansas City, Joseph Carter engaged in the mer- chant tailoring business in the old Shannon building, at the north end of Main street, near the levee, which was the business district of Kansas City in 1862. Here Mr. Carter did a thriving business and soon became a member of the firm of Whitting and Carter and they did business in Kansas City for a number of years. He came to Momerly in 1886 and spent his last days with his son, Richard L. Carter. He died Oct. 28, 1889. Juliet (Simpson) Carter was a native of Kentucky and died in Kansas City, Mo. They were the parents of the following children: Joseph J., was one of the founders of the first newspapers published in Moberly, which is still known as the Monitor; Mrs. A. Pomeroy, of St. Louis, Mo .; Mrs. Della Godkin, deceased; J. W., an extensive stockman, San Antonio. Tex .; Dora, deceased; Richard L., the subject of this sketch ; Mrs. Mollie Flemming, Chicago, Ill.
Richard L. Carter has been engaged in the railroad business since he left school at the age of 16 years. He began his career selling tickets in the old union depot ticket office in Kansas City, Mo. After two years of employment there he entered the employ of the North Missouri rail- road, now known as the Wabash railroad as brakeman, and in 1880, he was promoted to freight conductor. In 1892 he was promoted to pas- senger conductor and since that time he has served in that capacity and Moberly has been his home for 42 years.
June 21, 1881, Richard L. Carter was united in marriage with Miss Margaret T. Kimmell, a daughter of B. L. and Catheryne (Campbell)
639
HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
Kimmell, natives of Johnstown, Pa., where the father was born Feb. 23, 1838. He was a soldier in the Civil War and after coming to Moberly he was engaged in the contracting and building business and he erected a number of the principal buildings of Moberly. He now lives in Arizona. His wife was born in Johnstown, Pa., March 27, 1833, and died in Kansas City, March 23, 1890. They were the parents of the following children : Adolph, a mining man of Colorado; Mrs. J. D. McKimm, Kansas City ; Mrs. Carter, of this review; Mrs. Edith R. Jones, deceased; Clarence A., Denver, Colo .; Bert F., was killed in an accident in the Wabash shops at Moberly in 1916; Leo F., Cleveland, Ohio, and Mrs. Bertha Jackson, of Kansas City, Mo.
To Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Carter have been born the following children: Margaret, deceased; Mrs. Robert Conlley, of St. Louis, Mo .; Edith R., deceased; Queenie N., deceased; Richard L., Jr., a sketch of whom appears in this volume; Dorsie, deceased; Mrs. McAtee and Ben, deceased.
Mr. Carter is a member of the Order of Railroad Conductors, and the auxiliary of that order and he also holds membership in the Knights of the Maccabees and the Elks. The Carter family are members of St. John's Catholic church of Moberly.
Nicholas Mathias, one of the old-time locomotive engineers of Mis- souri and a man who has been connected with railroading from the days when the first railroads were operated at Moberly, now lives retired in Moberly. Mr. Mathias was born in Lorraine, France, Aug. 25, 1840, the son of John and Mary (Kieffer) Mathias, the former born in the same province in 1800, was a soldier under the great Napoleon and because of his loyalty to the emperor was obliged to leave his native land. The mother was also a native of Lorraine. There were four children in the family: Mary, deceased; John, deceased; Nicholas, of this review, and Thomas, deceased.
The Mathias family made the trip from Lorraine across France to the coast by wagon, took passage on a sailing vessel for America, and after a long voyage landed at New Orleans. From there, they took a river steamer for the trip to St. Louis. They settled at Carondelet, Mo., a French village, in 1844, and the father at once began truck farm- ing and gardening, and spent the remainder of his life there. The chil- dren were sent to school in Carondelet, which was held in a log building with rude log benches as seats for the pupils.
.
640
HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
At the age of 16 Nicholas Mathias started to work on a steamboat as helper to the engineer, who in those days had to be a blacksmith as well. When the boat was laid up for repairs, Mr. Mathias went to Texas. Landing in Galveston, he remained a few days, then went to Beaumont, where he secured work with a construction gang of the Texas & New Orleans railroad, remaining with that corporation until the outbreak of the Civil War. Feeling was bitter against northern men and as he would not join the Confederate army, Mr. Mathias came back to St. Louis and at the age of 21 enlisted in the Union army April 18, 1861, being assigned to Battery K, First Missouri Artillery. He served under Gen- eral Sherman during practically the four years in the army. He took part in the engagements of Shiloh, Memphis, Nashville, Siege of Corinth. He was mustered out at the St. Louis Barracks Aug. 25, 1865, and soon after returned home and entered the employ of the Iron Mountain rail- road in the shops. Later he became a locomotive fireman and went to work for the Missouri Pacific railroad. After some time with that road, Mr. Mathias accepted a position with the Atlantic & Pacific railroad, which afterward became a part of the Frisco System and remained there two years before going with the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern, now the Wabash System. He was hired as engineer and was one of the trusted employees of the road, serving that corporation faithfully and well for 41 years before he retired.
On Oct. 1, 1866, Mr. Mathias was married to Miss Margaret Preston, of Carondelet, Mo., who was born in Utica, N. Y., and died in Moberly May 4, 1906. To this union were born the following children: Thomas, deceased; William, deceased; Harry, of Moberly, and Frederick J., also of Moberly.
Mr. Mathias is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Brother- hood of Locomotive Engineers and of the Catholic church. For nearly a half century he has been one of the substantial and representative citi- zens of the city and can recall the great changes and improvements in the country and in railroading since he first located here.
Clement H. Nelson, a well-known Wabash passenger engineer who has been identified with Moberly for the past 30 years, is a native of Arkansas. He was born in Benton County, March 22, 1873, and is a son of Robert M. and Catherine (Blackburn) Nelson. Robert M. Nelson was born at Harrisburg, Pa., Oct. 28, 1838. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the Union army and served as sergeant in the 14th Regi-
641
HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
ment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, until, on account of failing health, he was discharged from the service. After his military service he re- turned to Illinois and taught school for a time, when he came to Mis- souri and settled near Kansas City, where he continued teaching school until 1876. He then returned to Montgomery County, Ill., and engaged in the poultry business. He died at Greenville, Ill., March 19, 1917. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Blackburn, was born in Montgomery County, Ill., Feb. 8, 1841, and was a daughter of Richard H. and Tibitha (Vickers) Blackburn, both natives of Illinois. They were the parents of the following children: George M., Moberly; Richard, . lives in Oklahoma; Ella, married J. C. Luker, and lives in Minnesota ; Clement H., the subject of this sketch; Minnie, lives in Minnesota; Alfred, lives in Oklahoma; Clarence, deceased; Ernest, deceased, and Ina, de- ceased.
Clement H. Nelson was educated in the public schools of St. Louis and was graduated in 1889. He then took a course in a business college and was graduated in 1890. Mr. Nelson came to Moberly that year and was in the office of T. E. Butterly, master mechanic of the Wabash here at that time. Some time afterwards, Mr. Nelson was appointed general timekeeper and in 1892 he began firing on the Wabash railroad and in 1898, he was promoted to engineer. In 1904, he was promoted to pas- senger engineer, and has continued in that capacity until the present time. Mr. Nelson has a commendable record to his credit in running a locomotive on the Wabash road for 22 years.
Mr. Nelson has not only diligently applied himself to his chosen vocation, as a locomotive engineer, but he has been mindful of the duty which is imposed upon every good citizen in taking an interest in public affairs and commendable institutions. He has served on the Moberly school board for eight years, and for 12 years has been a member of the board of directors of the Young Men's Christian Association and he is also a director of the Randolph County Trust Company.
April 21, 1897, Mr. Nelson was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Dulany, a daughter of G. W. and Virginia J. (Martin) Dulany. G. W. Dulany was born in Monroe County, Mo., Aug. 27, 1836, and came to Moberly about a year after the town was founded. He was employed by the Wabash Railroad Company as foreman for several years and also served as city marshal of Moberly. He had charge of the burning of the brick which we used in building the Wabash shops here. He was a char-
642
HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
ter member of the Moberly Christian church and also held membership in the Maccabees Lodge. He died in Moberly Sept. 19, 1912. His wife was also a native of Monroe County, Mo., born Oct. 4, 1843, and now resides in Moberly in the old home place, which has been her home for fifty years. Mrs. Clement H. Nelson is one of five children born to her parents, the others being as follows: Cass F., Jacksonville, Fla .; Kean H., deceased; Mrs. E. Leonard, Moberly, Mo .; Kent, deceased. Mrs. Nel- son was born Oct. 9, 1874.
To Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have been born one son, Leonard L., who · was born Aug. 23, 1898, and was graduated from the Moberly High School in the class of 1917 and afterwards attended Drake University of Des Moines, Ia., and is now in the produce business at Moberly, Mo.
Mr. Nelson is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Commandery and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the Order of Foresters. He is a Republican and he and Mrs. Nelson are members of the Christian church of which he is an elder, and they are both members of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Mrs. Nelson is a member of the Daughters of the American Revo- lution.
Walter J. Shiflett, a well known and popular conductor on the Wabash Railroad, has been a resident of Moberly for the past 22 years. He was born at Charlottesville, Va., June 20, 1875, and is a son of Anfield and Barbara (Frazier) Shiflett, both natives of Charlottsville, Va.
Anfield Shiflett was born in 1838 and was engaged in farming when the Civil War broke out. He enlisted in the Confederate army at Rich- mond, Va., and served until the close of the war. After the war he returned to his old home at Charlottsville, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a highly respected man in the community where he was known and for a number of years served as justice of the peace of Charlottsville, Va. Barbara (Frazier) Shiflett was a daughter of Lelion and Barbara (Mallory) Frazier. She also spent her entire life in her na- tive town of Charlottsville, Va. They were the parents of the following children: Thomas, deceased; George, lives near Huntsville, Mo .; Mrs. Kate Shiflett, near Durvon, W. Va .; Barnard, near Huntsville, Mo .; Wal- ter J., the subject of this sketch; Robert, Huntsville; Deniza, Charlotts- ville, Va .; Anfield, Franklin, Ohio.
Walter J. Shiflett was reared on a farm in the vicinity of Charlottes- ville, Va., and attended the public schools; he began doing for himself
643
HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
at the age of 15 years. He began work in the railroad shops at Clifton Forge, Va., and remained there until 1898. He then came to Moberly and entered the employ .of the Wabash Railroad Company and worked in the shops here until 1902. He then engaged in the train service as brakeman, and was promoted to conductor in 1906, and since that time has been in the employ of this railroad in that capacity.
Mr. Shiflett was united in marriage with Miss Mary H. Burton, a daughter of William and Hester (Harlow) Burton, of Higbee, Mo. The father is now deceased and the mother resides at Higbee. They were the parents of the following children: Martha, Mrs. R. D. Embree, Hig- bee, Mo .; J. W., C. C., W. M., Mrs. Shiffett and Paul B. To Mr. and Mrs. Shiflett have been born one son, Walter Burton Shiflett, who was born in Moberly, June 18, 1902. He was educated in the public schools of Moberly and was graduated from the high school and is now employed as yard clerk for the Wabash railroad and resides with his parents of Moberly.
Walter J. Shiflett is a Democrat, a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Eastern Star, and the Order of Railway Conductors. He and Mrs. · Shiflett are members of the Presbyterian church, and she holds member- ship in the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Order of Railway Conductors. The Shiflett family are well known in Moberly and Randolph County and stand high in the community.
Charles E. Greasa, a Wabash locomotive engineer of Moberly, Mo., is a well known and highly respected citizen of this county which has been his home for the past 21 years. He is a native of Missouri, and was born at Rolla, Feb. 16, 1865. He is a son of Henry and Charlotte (Meyer) Greasa, both natives of Hanover, Germany, who came to the United States and first located at Rolla, where they settled in 1858, and later the family removed to St. Louis, where the mother now resides. The father served in the Union army under General Sigel. He was a govern- ment teamster and was killed while serving in the army in 1864.
Charles E. Greasa was the youngest of three children born to his parents, the others being Henry, who now resides in St. Louis, Mo., and Clara, who is deceased. Charles E. Greasa was reared in St. Louis and educated in the public schools of that city. When he was about 11 years of age, he began to learn the butcher's trade in St. Louis and followed that line of work until he was 16 years old, when he went to work in a railroad roundhouse, and four years later engaged in the butchering
644
HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY .
business for himself. He continued in that business until 1894, when he entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company as a locomotive fire- man and six years later he was promoted to engineer. Since that time he has been running an engine for the Wabash Railroad Company. He came to Moberly in 1899 which since has been his home and headquarters. He has a good record to his credit and is one of the trusted employees of the Wabash Railroad Company.
Mr. Greasa was married in 1892 to Miss Magelna Krallman and to this union have been born two children: Freda, who now resides at home with her parents and, Esther, who is studying in St. Louis to be a trained nurse.
Mr. Greasa is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Mrs. Greasa belongs to the Auxiliary of the Brotherhood of Locomo- tive Engineers, and they are both members of the Lutheran church. The Greasa family are well known and representative of the best citizens of Moberly and Randolph County.
Robert Willis Spragg, a well known and popular locomotive engineer of the Wabash railroad, who is engaged in the passenger service, has been identified with Moberly and the Wabash Railroad Company for the past 26 years. Mr. Spragg was born at St. Johns, New Brunswick, Oct. 14, 1862, and is a son of Hiram and Eliza (Connor) Spragg, both natives of New Brunswick. Hiram Spragg was born Jan. 9. 1832, and was reared to the occupation of farming and was married in New Brunswick and in 1866 came to the United States and engaged in farming, near Independence, Iowa, where he later bought a farm of 300 acres closer to Independence where his children could be given better educational advantages. Here he followed farming and stock raising for a number of years and was also engaged in stock buying and became very well- to-do. Later he retired from active participation in farming, but he still owns his farm which is being operated by one of his sons. He re- moved to San Diego, Calif., where he is now living retired. His wife was born at St. Johns, New Brunswick, July 7, 1842, and they were mar .. ried there. She died at Independence, Iowa, June 26, 1902. They were the parents of three children of whom Robert Willis Spragg of this review is the oldest. The others are: John F., who was killed in a rail- road accident on the Union Pacific Railroad, Feb. 16, 1891, and Percy A., who now has charge of the home place at Independence, Iowa.
Robert Willis Spragg received a good public school education at In- , dependence, Iowa, and remained on the home farm with his father until
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.