USA > Missouri > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Missouri > Part 73
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Mr. Epperly has taken a prominent part in local political affairs for many years. He is now constable of Chariton township and served as deputy sheriff under sheriff Joe Hogue. He is a Democrat and has at- tended a number of conventions, the most recent of which was the Demo- cratic State Convention which was held at Joplin in April, 1920, at which he was a delegate.
Claude D. Marshall, principal of the West Park School at Moberly is one of the well known and successful educators of central Missouri and is a descendant of pioneers of this section. He was born on a farm three and one-half miles south of Moberly, Oct. 29, 1874 and is a son of Rice R. and Kate Marshall.
Rice R. Marshall was a native of Virginia, born Feb. 14, 1840. He was a son of William D. Marshall who came to Missouri at an early date and first settled near Middlegrove and later removed to Renick and in 1867 settled on a farm south of Moberly. Rice R. Marshall was one of five brothers, four of whom lived near Renick: Horace, died at the age of 85 years; Dorsey, died at the age of 75; George, died at the age of 55; Rice R. and William Henry, another brother, went to Pendleton, Ore., where he died at the age of 60 years.
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Rice R. Marshall enlisted in the Confederate army during the Civil War at Renick, Mo. and served in Col. Pershing's regiment, General Price's dwvision and was with his command at Shreveport, La. at the surrender, after which he walked from there to his home in Randolph County. After the war he was engaged in farming and stock raising and spent the latter part of his life on his farm south of Moberly. He died in 1895 at the age of 70 years and his widow now resides in Moberly. They were mar- ried Sept. 26, 1866, the day that the town lots of Moberly were first placed on sale.
To Rice R. and Kate T. Marshall were born the following children: Wiley D., lives on the home farm; Claude D., the subject of this sketch : Etha, married H. T. Owens; Melvin N., of Moberly ; Fannie, married Exie Noel, Oklahoma City, Okla .; Tuck, a daughter who died at the age of three years and Jimmie who died at the age of three years.
Claude D. Marshall was educated in the public schools and was gradu- ated from the Moberly High School in the class of 1892. He then attended the State Normal School at Warrensburg and later the University of Mis- souri at Columbia. He taught his first school in the Vernon district, four miles south of Renick when he was 17 years old. He became principal of the Cairo school and in 1901 came to Moberly as principal of the West Paik school. Five years later he was transferred to Central School and then to East Park School. For the past six years he has been principal of the West Park School. He was elected County Superintendent of Schools of Randolph County in 1906 and at the expiration of his first term was reelected to that office, serving four years in all.
Professor Marshall was married June 23, 1897 to Miss Irma Mathers, a daughter of J. S. and Emma (Allen) Mathers. The father died Sept. 16, 1913 and his remains are buried in Oakland cemetery. He was born in Kingston, Pa. He was a miller by trade and came to Moberly in 1882 and worked at his trade here for several years. Mrs. Mathers is a native of England, born in 1850 and now resides at Denver, Colo. Mrs. Marshal! has two sisters living in Denver; Florence, married Charles McEnery and Elsie who is unmarried. To Mr. and Mrs. Marshall have been born two children : Alliene, a student at Christian College, Columbia, Mo., who was graduated from the Moberly High School in 1919 and Frank, a student in the Moberly schools.
Mr. Marshall is a member of the Library Board of Moberly and for the past 12 years has been a member of the County Text Book Board.
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Ben Levy, who was the founder of the Levy mercantile business in Moberly, was one of the pioneer business men of this city and he estab- lished the Ben Levy store here which is now known as the Henry Levy and Company store in 1870. He was born in Germany and came to America when he was about 15 years of age. He first settled in Indiana and in 1870 came to Moberly and was one of the leading factors in the business and commercial world here until the time of his death April 17, 1893.
Henry Levy, brother of Ben Levy, came to Moberly in 1881 and was associated with his brother in business here until the death of the latter in 1893, when he, in partnership with Mrs. Ben Levy continued the busi- ness which was established by his brother, until the time of his death which occurred in New York City, Feb. 23, 1918. Henry Levy was a pro- gressive public spirited and enterprising business man and was always alive to the best interests of Moberly. He was president of the Moberly Commercial Club for two terms and while he held that office the city of Moberly celebrated its 50th anniversary and the great success of this oc- casion was largely due to the efforts put forth by Mr. Levy. He was a good business man and a natural executive. He was a man of strong char- acter and pleasing personality. He was a prominent Mason and had an extensive acquaintance in the business world. He was never married but made his home with his brother's family in Moberly.
Ben Levy was married at Fort Wayne, Ind., Oct. 4. 1871 to Miss Flora Redelsheimer. Two children were born to this union: Mortimer B. and Isadore. Mortimer B. Levy was born in Moberly, May 27, 1876. After receiving a good preparatory education in the public schools of Moberly, he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Mich. where he was graduated in the class of 1899. He was admitted to the bar and in 1901 engaged in the practice of law at St. Louis and success- fully practiced his profession there until 1918 and since that time has been associated with the Henry Levy & Company business of Moberly. Isa- dore Levy was born in Moberly, April 30, 1873 and educated in the public schools here and for the past 30 years has been associated with the Henry Levy & Company mercantile establishment.
The Ben Levy store was first established on North Clark street where R. A. Curran's grocery store is now located. In 1875, a frame building which stood on the corner of Reed and Clark streets was de- stroyed by fire and Ben Levy contracted with Mr. Chandler to erect a
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two story brick building on that corner which he leased for two or three years when he purchased it and this has been the home of the Levy business for the past 45 years.
The Henry Levy Company which is located on the corner of Clark and Reed streets occupies a two story building and consists of three store rooms fronting on North Clark street. The first floor of the building houses three departments of the business: Men's and boys' ready to wear clothings and furnishings, dry goods and shoes. The second floor of the building is devoted to ladies, misses and childrens ready to wear gar- ments and millinery.
Much of the success of this great mercantile institution has been due to the devotion and efforts of Mrs. Ben Levy, who for a half a cen- tury has given her aid and counsel to the business and taken a real and sincere interest in the multitude of customers of this store. She is a capable business woman and at the same time possesses all the mother's traits of sympathy and charity.
Ben Levy, not only left those who were near and dear to him in com- fortable circumstances from a financial standpoint, but he left them rich in the inheritance of his good name and the esteem of friends and neighbors.
A. A. Arline, supervisor of construction for the Southwestern Bell · Telephone Company at Moberly, is a man who has had a varied experi- ence in the important field of telephone work and holds a position which means more to the public than the average person realizes. The South- western Bell Telephone Company has over 2,400 telephones in the Mob- erly exchange, 350 at Higbee and 500 others in the county which connect with this company's line. The Southwestern Bell Telephone Company bought out the local Moberly Company in 1910, which at that time had 900 phones in operation. This company now has over 21,095 miles of wires in Missouri north of the river which is over one-half of the tele- phone wire mileage of the state.
A. A. Arline was born in Decatur County, Ga. and is a son of H. F. Arline who was a native of Georgia and now resides at Bainbridge, that state. His wife was a native of Alabama and died in 1890 and her re- mains are buried at Climax, Ga.
A. A. Arline was educated in the public schools of the native state and remained on a farm until he reached maturity. He then worked at the lumber business in Georgia and Alabama until 1902 when he
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entered the employ of the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company of Texas as a laborer. Later he became lineman, local manager and traveling inspector and finally local manager at Orange, Tex., where he remained for two years. He then represented the company in various places in Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Mississippi and in March, 1916, came to Moberly, Mo., as construction foreman. One year later he was promoted' to supervisor of construction with headquarters at Mob- erly and has since served in that capacity. His territory includes the northern half of Missouri.
Mr. Arline was married in 1911 to Miss Tommie E. Webb, of Houston, Tex. She is a daughter of H. T. Webb of that city. To Mr. and Mrs. Arline have been born one son, A. A., Jr., born Dec. 11, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Arline reside at 826 West Rollins street.
Mr. Arline is a member of the Masonic Lodge, A. F. and A. M. Magnolia Lodge No. 60, Little Rock, Ark.
James Thomas O'Conner, of Clifton Hill, is a veteran of the World War who saw much active service during that great conflict. He was born near Huntsville, July 31, 1888 and is a son of James W. and Mary (Morrissy) O'Conner, both natives of Randolph County.
James W. O'Conner was born about five miles south of Huntsville, May 5, 1860 and is a son of Michael and Ann (Patterson) McGinnis O'Conner. The mother was a native of County Kilkinney, Ireland and the widow of Thomas McGinnis, an early settler of Randolph County. She died in June, 1914 and is buried in Mt. Salem cemetery and Michael O'Conner died in 1862 and is buried in Pleasant Grove cemetery. The children born to Michael O'Conner and wife were Michael, who now lives on the home place and James W.
James W. O'Conner grew to manhood in Randolph County and was educated in the public schools. He began life as a farmer and has been a successful farmer and stock raiser and for the past 14 years has re- sided in Clifton Hill and conducted his farm which is located one and one-half miles from town. James W. O'Conner was married Oct. 20, 1886 to Mary Morrissy, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Kitchen) Morrissy, pioneers of Chariton County. James Morrissy was a native of County Clare, Ireland and died June 20, 1870. His wife was a native of North Carolina, and a daughter of Stephen Kitchen who was an early settler in Central Missouri. She died Dec. 8, 1882 and she and her hus- band's remains are buried on the home farm. To James W. O'Conner
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and wife were born three children as follows: James Thomas, the sub- ject of this sketch; Anna Mabel, married O. B. Elsea, Moberly, Mo. and Alvin William, Huntsville, Mo.
James T. O'Conner was educated in the public schools of Clifton township and was engaged in farming. On Oct. 3, 1917 he enlisted in the United States army at Moberly, Mo. and became a member of the 30th Infantry, 3rd Division and was attached to a supply company. He took part with his command in some of the most severe engagements of the World War. He was in the St. Mihiel offensive, Sept. 12-16, 1918, the Meuse Argonne offensive from Sept. 30 to Oct. 27, 1918 and the Besle sector, Aug. 4, 5, 9, 1918 and after the armistice was signed, he was with the army of occupation in Germany. During the Argonne Forest offensive he was wounded by shrapnel in the right leg and still carries a piece of shrapnel in his right foot. He was also gassed. Before going overseas, while at Camp Kearney, Cal. in training, he met with an acci- dent which resulted in a broken leg. He remained with the army of occupation in Germany for several months after the armistice, when he was returned to Camp Taylor, Ky. and received his honorable discharge Aug. 28, 1919.
Mr. O'Conner's service as a member of a supply company was of a very hazardous character as the supply trains were always one of the chief objectives of the enemy fire. He has had horses killed while driv- ing them and on one occasion six men were killed at one time who were members of his command. He has a number of interesting souvenirs from the battlefields of France which were the scenes of his military experiences, including a number of photographs and he has in his posses- sion, a German trench knife, belt and flash light which were taken from a German officer in the Argonne Forrest in the last battle. Few soldiers of the World War have a better military record to their credit than James Thomas O'Conner.
Elliott Palmer, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Chariton town- ship who is the owner of a well improved farm of 200 acres, is a native of Canada. He was born in the Province of Ontario, Oct. 24, 1855 and is a son of William and Sarah Palmer who settled in Chariton township, Randolph County in 1869 and the father now resides in that township. A more extensive history will be found of the Palmer family in connection with the sketch of Shackel Palmer in this volume.
Elliot Palmer was about 14 years old when he came to Randolph County with his parents who settled on a farm about one-half mile north
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of where he now lives. He received most of his education in Canada where he attended school for six years, never missing a day except Sun- days and holidays. He also attended the public schools after coming to Randolph County. Mr. Palmer remained at home with his parents until he was 27 years old when he began farming and stock raising on his own account. In 1887 he bought his first land which consisted of a place of 40 acres. He has added to this and now owns 200 acres in one body in Chariton township. He has made many improvements, having built a good residence and two substantial barns. His is an ideal location for stock raising as well as general farming. The place is supplied with water from two springs which are supplemented by wells and ponds. He carries on general farming and also raises and feeds stock extensively. He raises Polled Angus cattle of a good grade. Duroc Jersey hogs, and standard bred White Leghorn chickens. Mr. Palmers' place is located ten miles north of Clifton Hill.
Mr. Palmer was married in 1888 to Miss Catherine Turner, a daughter of John and Elmira (Baker) Turner, early settlers of Randolph County and now deceased. John Turner was a native of Kentucky and his wife was born in Clifton township, Randolph County. They were the parents of the following children: George B., Clifton township; James B., Milan, Mo .; Charles, Chariton township; Catherine, married Elliot Palmer of this review; Lynch, clerk for the superior court at Newman, Ga .; Lillie, married Frank Fields, Omaha, Neb .; Lena, married J. G. Baker, Huntsville, Mo .; Mrs. Fannie Semple, deceased; Robert, deceased, and David, deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have been born the fol- lowing children: Bina, married R. S. Jerow, Meade, Kan .; Mary A., mar- ried Omer Ross, Bloomington, Mo .; Julia M., married Taylor Webster and they live in Kansas; Sarah F., married Ancel Lyedorff, Macon County, Mo .; Myra, George E. and Minnie reside at home with their parents.
Mr. Palmer is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons at Clifton Hill. He is a Democras and takes a keen interest in political matters. In 1906 he made the race for the nomination to the office of circuit clerk of Randolph County but was defeated. However he had the satisfaction of receiving every vote except one in his precinct at the primary which is good evidence of the esteem in which his neighbors who know him best regard him. He has been a notary public for a great many years, having received a commis- sion to that office from each of the last eight governors of Missouri. He
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is a highly respected citizen and one of the substantial men of Randolph County.
Thomas B. Whittaker, an extensive farmer and stockman of Chariton township, is a large land owner and one of the successful men of affairs of Randolph County. He is the owner of 902 acres, 200 of which is located in Randolph County and 702 acres in Chariton County. This is º one of the valuable farms in this section of Missouri. 300 acres of Mr. Whittaker's farm is upland, 300 acres second bottom land and about 300 acres first bottom land. Taken as a whole it is excellent land and very productive and well adapted to both general farming and stock raising. 250 acres is what might be called timber pasture land and 400 acres is under timothy and blue grass.
Mr. Whittaker employs up-to-date devices and modern methods and has a tractor on his place which is capable of plowing about ten acres per days. He will raise about 200 acres of corn the present season. A part of Mr. Whittaker's place is one of the historical old places of this section. It was the Judge W. A. Hall farm before it was purchased by Mr. Whittaker. This portion consists of 200 acres and is located in Ran- dolph County. The residence is a large brick structure of 12 rooms, two stories high and was built by Judge Hall before the Civil War. It is a very substantial building and is still an excellent state of preserva- tion. Mr. Hall, in addition to his general farming raises White Face Here- ford cattle and pure bred Shropshire sheep. He is an extensive feeder and buys large numbers of cattle which he fattens for the market.
Thomas B. Whittaker was born in Cheshire, England, near the city of Manchester, June 24, 1851 and is the son of Benjamin and Mary (Lunt) Whittaker, both natives of England and now deceased and their remains are buried in Jacksonville, Ill. The Whittaker family settled in Jackson- ville, Ill., in 1870, after having lived for some years in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Missouri. The father was a woolen mill operator.
Thomas B. Whittaker was one of a family of four children born to his parents and is the only one living. Those deceased are: Francis, Mrs. Sarah Irwin and Arthur. Thomas B. Whittaker was educated in the public schools and in early life worked in woolen mills in various capacities. When 15 years old, he began to learn the brass finishers trade and worked at that until he was 19 years old when he returned to the woolen mills and worked at that business in Jacksonville until 1871. He was married about that time and came to Chariton County, Mo., where
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he bought a farm and began clearing and improving it. However he worked at his trade in a woolen mill in St. Joseph, Mo. for four years to get money with which to improve his farm. When working at his trade of weaving, he was considered one of the highest class workmen. He specialized in weaving woolen cloth and had few, if any equals, in that art.
Mr. Whittaker was married in September, 1878 to Miss Hattie B. Brereton of Will County, Ill. She is a daughter of Joseph Brereton who is a highly respected pioneer settler of that section of Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Whittaker have been born the following children: Benjamin, died at the age of 24 years; Mabel died at the age of 14 years; Mary; Morris, further mention of whom is made below; Bessie, Nettie, Clarence, Wallace and Florence. Morris Whittaker, above mention, was a soldier in the World War having served as a member of a machine gun company in the 356th Infantry, 89th Division. He was in the service about 18 months, eight months of which he was in France. He was wounded Sept. 22, 1918 on the St. Mihiel drive about 12 days after the drive started. He was struck by a piece of shell which shattered his right arm and he spent three months in a hospital and has not yet fully recovered. All of the children were born in Chariton County, Mo., except Mary who was born in Illinois.
Mr. Whittaker is a substantial citizen whose industry and good judg- ment has been rewarded by success.
John B. Crews, chief of the fire department of Moberly, Mo., and one , of the best known men of Randolph County, was born in Prairie town- ship, Oct. 18, 1861. He is the son of Samuel T. and Sallie (Gaswaller) Crews.
Samuel T. Crews was a native of Howard County, Mo. and was reared, educated and married in Missouri. After attaining manhood, he engaged in farming in Randolph County and became well-to-do. Samuel T. and Sallie (Gaswaller) Crews were the parents of five children: Mattielene, married Joshua Wirt and is deceased; William C. C., a stationary engineer at Des Moines, Iowa; John B., the subject of this sketch; Margaret, mar- ried James Hubbard and is now deceased and Joseph S., a conductor on the Wabash Railroad, whose biography will be found on another page of this history.
John B. Crews was reared on his father's farm. He attended the district school until he was 15 years old when he came to Moberly with
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his parents in 1876 and attended the school on East Rollins street, at the same time working during vacations and on Saturdays. From 1876 to 1894, Mr. Crews was variously employed in Moberly, Mo. He understood horses and often was engaged to drive teams that proved difficult for less experienced men and this ability led' to his being offered by the city the position of driver in the fire department and for over 25 years he has served on the fire department of Moberly. He says that he has attended fires with equipment that ranges from the old two wheeled hose wagon to the present automobile power engine.
In 1907 Mr. Crews was appointed fire chief of the Moberly fire de- partment by Mayor R. R. Rothwell, a position which he has held since. Chief Crews is a capable man, wise in the handling of the men of the department, a good executive and always able to take advantage of every opportunity in fighting a fire.
On July 18, 1880, Mr. Crews was married to Miss Ida May Smith, a native of Illinois, the daughter of Benjamin Smith, an early settler of Monroe County, Mo. Four children have been born to this union: Jessie, married Ralph Fields, of Las Vegas, N. M .; Gussie, married High Hoff- . man, a real estate man at Chillicothe, Mo .; Alma, the wife of Frank Ger- ald, of Kansas City, Mo., and Ruth, the wife of James Ogden, of Moberly.
Chief Crews has acted independently all his life and it is but natural that he is an independent in his political views, voting for the man he believes to be the best fitted to serve the people. He and his wife are members of the Christian church and he is a member of the Modern Wood- men of America. Chief Crews has served the city of Moberly long and faithfully and it has been due to his capable administration that the fire department ranks high in central Missouri and the fire loss in Moberly is small.
Louis Klein, the owner and manager of one of the best known and most popular baking establishments of Moberly was born in the province of Alsace, Sept. 21, 1870, where he was reared and educated, but like so many of the young men of those provinces, he opposed military service to the German Empire and though young in years, he had thought much and when only 15 years of age he came to America and located in Mob- erly in 1885, where he was employed by A. Merke, a baker. Here he learned the baker's trade and was qualified to conduct all operation in a modern bakery. Later, Mr. Klein accepted a position as baker for D. Kelly and remained in that position for 12 years. In 1906, having ac-
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cumulated considerable capital, he started his first bakery on North Fourth street, where he met with marked success. Later he needed larger quarters and moved to 412 West Reed street. In time this too was out- grown by his business and he erected his present baking establishment.
In 1917, he erected his present building at 210-212 5th street which is equipped with the latest labor saving machinery to be had for a large plant. Today Mr. Klein employs 11 people in the bakery which is the largest establishment of its kind in central Missouri. He not only sup- plies local trade but ships his products in every direction from Moberly.
Mr. Klein was the first man in Moberly to install an electric motor in his plant and had the first electric business sign on Reed street and operated the first motor delivery in Moberly.
May 16, 1894, Mr. Klein was married to Miss Mary Moellering, of Quincy, Ill. and they have five children: Lulu, the wife of Roy Penland, of Sedalia, Mo., Arthur, associated with his father in business; Leona, at home, who has charge of the retail business of the firm; Robert and Helen, also at home.
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