History of Saline County, Missouri, Part 84

Author: Missouri Historical Company, St. Louis, pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: St. Louis, Missouri historical company
Number of Pages: 1008

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J. P. KICE, of Maxey & Kice, grocers, P. O. Marshall. Was born in Lexington, Missouri, April 5, 1854, where he grew up, and was edu- cated in the state normal school at Warrensburg, Missouri. For five years, he worked at the harness trade. He spent the years 1877-8-9, in Dakota territory, Montana, Colorado and Arizona, in mining. In 1880 he returned to Missouri and engaged in the grocery business, and in 1881 located in Marshall, in this county, and entered into partnership with Mr. A. B. Maxey. He is one of the rising young business men of Marshall.

I. M. MOSSLER, of Mossler Brothers' clothing house, P. O., Mar- shall. Was born in Prussia, May 12, 1849, where he lived until fifteen years old, and was educated in the Gymnasium College. At the age of fifteen years, he went to Berlin and clerked one year, and in 1865 came to the United States and located at Indianapolis, Indiana, and clerked one year; then went to Hillsborough and clerked until 1871. He then went into the clothing business and continued until 1874; then returned to Indianap- olis, and engaged in business until 1877. In 1877 he returned to Hills- borough. In 1878, he came to this county and located in Marshall, and engaged in the clothing and gentlemen's furnishing goods business, under firm of Mossler Bros. They are now doing a large trade, and carry the

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largest stock of clothing of any house in the county. They also have a branch store in Taylorville, Illinois.

DR. M. T. CHASTAIN, physician, P. O., Marshall. Dr. Chastain was born in Logan county, Kentucky, May 13, 1839. Soon after, his parents moved to Christian county, Kentucky, where they lived until 1849, and then moved to Benton county, Missouri. They lived in Benton until 1857, and he was educated at Wilson's Academy in that county, and at Locust Grove Academy, in Christian county, Kentucky. He read medicine, and graduated at the University Medical College, New York. In April, 1863, he entered as a private in company F, 7th Missouri State Militia, and was soon after appointed assistant surgeon of the regiment, in which capacity he served until the regiment was mustered out March, 1865. In 1866 Dr. Chastain moved to this county and located in Marshall, for the practice of his profession, where he has since lived and practiced. For some years he was in partnership with Dr. Sam Smith, since dead. He has now taken into partnership his brother, recently graduated. From March, 1865, for some months, he was examining surgeon for the government for Pettis county. Dr. Chastain is a scientific physician, a genial, agreea- ble gentleman, and is very popular with all who know him. Amidst all the cares of a busy life, and the demands of an exacting profession, he has fouud time to take an active part in county politics, and to devote to literary pur- suits. Dr. Chastain was married in May, 1865, to Miss Lou Sandidge, daughter of J. W. Sandidge, of this county, who died in February, 1867. He was again married in October, 1870, to Miss Fratie Holland, daughter of Dr. W. S. Holland, of Marshall, Saline county. They have one child, Julia.

S. T. POTTER, saddle and harness maker, P. O., Marshall. Was born in Patrick county, Virginia, December 1, 1833, where he grew up and was educated. At the age of thirteen years he learned the saddle and harness trade, and worked at the trade in various places in Virginia and Indiana until 1855, when he moved to Lone Jack, Jackson county, Mis- souri, and remained there, engaged in his trade, until 1861. He then went back to Indiana, and went into business with some business men in Bloom- field, Indiana, and remained there until 1865. Returned to Lone Jack in 1865, and was appointed postmaster at that place; but resigned in 1866. In that year he came to this county and located in Marshall, and has since carried on an extensive and constantly growing saddlery and harness establishment, and is now doing a business that often reaches as high as $18,000 per annum. Mr. Potter is one of the directors of the Farmers savings bank. He is a public spirited gentleman, ever ready to use his means for the advancement of town and county, and has the confidence of the business community. He was married in 1860 to Miss L. Umbager,

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of Monroe county, Indiana, and has six children: Ella G., Charles, Fannie, William, Eddie, and Mamie.

DR. FISK ELGIN, physician, P. O., Marshall. Was born in Wash- ington county, Maryland, March 11, 1850, where he was brought up on a farm, and educated at the Maryland Agricultural College. In 1871 he came to St. Claire county, Illinois, and commenced the study of medicine under Dr. T. L. Miller. Attended the St. Louis Medical College, where he graduated March, 1877. In the same year, 1877, he came to this county, and located in Marshall, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession, and was one year secretary of the Saline County Medical Society. Dr. Elgin was married June 6, 1877, to Miss S. E. Bretelle, of St. Louis, Missouri, and has one child: Maggie J. Elgin.

J. A. MADDOX, P. O., Marshall. Was born in Warren county, · Ohio, April 16, 1834, where he grew to manhood. When but four years old his father died, and at the age of seven he went to work by the month on a farm, which he continued until twenty-two years of age, when he went to Clarksville, Clinton county, Ohio, and learned the saddle and harness trade, which business he carried on until 1871. In 1871 he moved to this county, and settled in Marshall, and engaged in the grocery business, in which he has continued to the present time, and is now doing a good business. Mr. Maddox had nothing when he began life, and has made all he is worth by his own exertions. He was married January 1, 1861, to Miss Harriet Nichols, of Clarksville, Ohio, and has had two children, only one, Charley F., living.

ED. R. PEMBERTON, P. O., Marshall. Was born in Saline county, Missouri, October 16, 1854, where he grew up on a farm and was educated in private school. In 1875 he came to Marshall, where he was employed as salesman in different stores, for several years. In 1878 he went into the agricultural implement business by himself. The next year, 1879, he went in with Sutherlin & McMahan, and in 1SS0 with McMahan alone, having one of the leading trades of the county. Mr. Pemberton is a young man of good moral character, and of good business qualifications.

MOSES LEVY, Levy Bros., dry goods and clothing, P. O., Marshall. Was born, June 13, 1847, in Prussia, where he lived until seventeen years of age. His early life was spent in a store, and in attending school; his parents died when he was only eight years old, and since that time he has made his own way in life. In 1864, he came to the United States, and spent that and the following year doing business in Macon City and Sedalia, Missouri. In the spring of 1866 he moved to this county, and located in Arrow Rock, where he engaged in general merchandise, and did an extensive business until 1873. In that year he moved to Marshall, and now carries on a large business, in two buildings, one a clothing and

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HISTORY OF SALINE COUNTY.

the other a general dry goods store. Levy Bros. have, besides their extensive establishment in Marshall, a store in Sedalia, Missouri, and one in Nevada, Missouri. Moses Levy is a young man of energy, good character, and excellent business qualifications.

JACK. T. WELLER, druggist, P. O., Marshall. Mr. Weller was born in Henderson, Henderson county, Kentucky, where he grew to man- hood, and commenced clerking in a drug store. His whole life has been spent in the drug business. In 1870 he went to St. Joseph, Missouri, and traveled for the wholesale firm of/Riddlesex & Hardy for two and one- half years; and in 1873 engaged with A. A. Miller, wholesale druggist, of St. Louis, and traveled for that house in Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Texas, Colorado, Arkansas, and the Indian territory until 1878. He then came to this county, and purchasing the drug establishment of H. D. Doak, deceased, he located in Marshall, and has since carried on the drug business, and is one of the leading drug houses in Marshall. Mr. Weller is a man of pluck and energy, and has made his own living since he was twelve years old, sometimes working for ten cents per day. He is a first-class business man, and a genial, polished gentleman.

THOMAS G. EHRNMAN, P. O., Marshall. Was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, May 30, 1819, where he was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1838, moved to Pickaway county, and farmed until 1848, when he engaged in the grocery business at Circleville, Ohio, which he continued until 1853, and during that time was a member of the city council. In 1853 he moved to Lee county, Iowa, and farmed there for seventeen years, working over 200 acres of land per annum; and was justice of the peace for three terms, and held the office of township asses- sor for several terms. In 1870 he moved to Marshall, in this county, where he has since resided, engaged in the grocery business. Mr. Ehrn- man has made his property by his own industry, perseverance and good management. He has been a member of the Presbyterian Church, O. S., since he was twenty years of age, and all of his children are members of the same church. He has also been a member of I. O. O. F. for twenty years. On the 29th of March, 1838, he was married to Miss Susannah Christy, of Pickaway county, Ohio, and has had ten children, nine of whom are living: John H., Minerva C., Luther C., Emanuel G., George A., Thomas C., William R., Arthur M., and Alice J. All of his children (except one, who lives in Nebraska), are living in Saline county.

WILLIAM MADISON WALKER, county collector, P. O., Mar- shall. Mr. W. M. Walker, the present collector of Saline county, was born in Smith county, Tennessee, October 22, 1833, coming to Miami with his parents when but three years old, and was raised on a farm in Moniteau county, in this state. His father, Samuel Walker, was born in 1798, in North Carolina; his grandfather, Edward Walker, was a native

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of Virginia, born about 1745, and was an orderly sergeant in the Revolu- tionary war, and was present at the battle of Cowpens. His father came from England. When a young man, Samuel Walker moved with his parents to Tennessee. Mrs. Agnes Walker, nee Bradford, the mother of William M., was born September 6, 1793, in Tennessee. Her father, Bocker Bradford, was born in Virginia, about 1750, and was also of Eng- lish descent and a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Nine children blessed the marriage of Samuel Walker and Agnes Bradford, (one of them dying in infancy). They moved to Moniteau county, Missouri, in 1836, and there spent the rest of their lives. She died October 11, 1857, and he June 16, 1865. At the age of twenty-two, December 20, 1855, William M. Walker was married to Miss May Isabel Garrett, of Saline county, where she was born, February 5, 1834. Her father was a native Virginian, and his father, Abel Garrett, of Scotch origin, was also a soldier of the Revolution. In 1859 William M. commenced farming for himself in Moniteau county, which he continued for six years, and then, in 1865, moved upon a farm in Saline county. After about four years, he moved to the neighborhood of Orearville. Industry, economy, perseverance and a genial disposition will readily account for the steady increase of his estate and of his influence in the county. In 1876 he was elected county collector in a hotly contested canvass, and the next year, 1877, he moved his family to the county seat, where he now resides. In 1878 he was re-elected, almost without opposition, and in 1880 was again elected, though there was a keen contest for the office this year. His election to the third term demonstrates the satisfaction he has given his constituents as collector of the county. His integrity is above suspicion, and the people can find no fault with him as an official. Mr. Walker is a Royal Arch Mason, a granger and a member of the Baptist Church, as are also Mrs. Walker and the two elder daughters. Seven children have been born to them, all living, as follows: Narcissa, born November 1, 1857; Mary Helen, born February 16, 1861; Samuel Lee, born August 19, 1862; William Madison, born September 26, 1866; Viola Belle, born April 16, 1869; Thomas Rooker, born August 15, 1870; Nannie S., born February 22, 1873.

REUBEN V. MONTAGUE, P. O., Marshall. Mr. Montague was born in Marengo county, Alabama, May 31, 1831. In 1846, moved with his parents to Brandon, Mississippi, and in 1848 to Madison Parish, Lou- isiana. He was raised on a plantation, and was educated at the Missis- sippi University, at Oxford, and at the Lebanon Law School, in Tennessee. He lived in Madison parish until 1862, when he had to leave on account of his union sentiments, and went to St. Louis, where he remained until May, 1863, and then went to Vicksburg, and entered with Grant's army, on the 4th of July. He remained at Vicksburg, in commission and cotton

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business, until 1868. He then came to Ralls county, Missouri, where he engaged in farming. In 1873, he moved to this county, and in 1874, located in his present business in Marshall. In March, 1868, he was . married to Miss Emma Hammet, of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Has six children living: Georgia, Robert V., Mickelborough L., Theodore H., May A., Hardeman C.

J. G. GOODWIN, P. O., Marshall. Was born in Lafayette county, Missouri, on the 26th of February, 1859, where he grew to manhood. His early life was passed in school, and at the State University at Colum- bia, Missouri. From 1878 to 1879 he clerked in the Waverly (Missouri) bank, one year, and in 1880 he graduated at Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York. In April, 1880, at the age of twenty-one, he purchased the grocery establishment of Capt. Mark Belt, in Marshall, Saline county, and largely increasing the stock, has since carried on a first class staple and fancy grocery, now one of the leading houses in Marshall. Mr. Goodwin continued the business alone until December, 1880, when he took in as partner Mr. Charles Buckner, of Monroe county, Missouri, an old fellow-student at the State University. Though but boys in years, these young gentlemen have proved themselves men of first class business ability, and able to cope with older heads. Mr. Good- win was married on the 5th ot April, 1881, to Miss Mary Webb, daughter of Dr. William Webb, of Lafayette county, Missouri, who was educated at the Baptist Female College, Lexington, Missouri.

C. F. ODELL, P. O., Marshall. Mr. Odell was born in this county, September 12, 1826, and is a son of Jerry Odell, one of the oldest settlers of the county, and the founder of the city of Marshall. He was raised on a farm, and was educated at the private schools. At the age of eighteen he clerked in a store, and continued it for a number of years. From 1848 to 1852 he was deputy sheriff. He then learned the carpen- ter's trade, which he followed for some years, then clerked for Patrick Flynn, in Marshall, and then entered into partnership with B. F. Bradford, in the undertaking business and cabinet making, in which occupation they are now the only establishment in Marshall, and are doing a remunerative business. Mr. Odell was married in 1855 to Miss Matilda Gregory, of Saline county, formerly of Tennessee, and has two children, William L. and Frank M.

JOHN R. CASON, sheriff, P. O., Marshall. Was born in De Soto county, Mississippi, March 29, 1843, where he was raised on a cotton plantation, and educated at North Mt. Pleasant, Mississippi. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the Pettis Rifles, 17th Mississippi infantry, C. S. A. Participated in the battles of Bull Run, Ball's Bluff, Yorktown, seven days' fight around Richmond, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Harper's Ferry, Antietam, Gettysburg, and Petersburg. He entered the ranks as.

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a private, and rose to the rank of captain, and was a brave and gallant soldier. After the war he returned to Mississippi, and in 1868 came to Marshall, in this county. From 1870 to 1878 he was continuously city marshal of Marshall. In 1878 he was elected sheriff of Saline county, and again elected in 1880, by a large majority in both elections, and has proved an excellent and popular sheriff. In 1866 he married Miss Sue M. Bryant, daughter of Major J. W. Bryant, of this county. They have had seven children, five living: Stella, Brooks, Willie B., Robert Bryant, and Dell.

DR. WILLIAM HARRISON, physician, P. O., Marshall. Dr. Har- rison was born in Fayette county, Ohio, July 8, 1850. In 1865 he came to Cooper county, Missouri, with his parents, and in 1866 moved to this county. He was raised on a farm and educated in the private schools. In 1871 he commenced the study of medicine, and graduated in the St. Louis Medical College in 1874, and he entered on the practice of his pro- fession in Marshall the same year, and has continued there ever since, and stands high in his profession.

C. M. BALDWIN, Justice & Co., livery, P. O., Marshall. Was born in Meigs county, Tennessee, October 23, 1841. When he was two years old, his parents moved to Lawrence county, Missouri, where he was raised and educated, and lived until 1865. In that year he went to Mon- tana, where he followed freighting for a year, and then came to Saline county, in 1866, and engaged in farming and stock-raising, until 1880, when he moved to Marshall, and in 1881, went into partnership with Mr. Justice in the livery business. He was married November 21, 1866, to Mrs. Mary Jane Wills, formerly a Miss Sandidge, of Boone county, Mis- souri.

WILLIAM H. REA, teacher, P. O., Marshall. Was born in Cooper county, Missouri, July 24, 1845. When he was five years old, his parents moved to Carroll county, Missouri, where he resided ten years. He was raised on a farm to the age of fifteen, and was educated at the Kemper high school, Booneville, Missouri. In 1861, he enlisted in company B, Hughes' regiment, M. S. G., and was in the battle of Lexington. Started south in December, 1861, in the body of recruits, under Colonel Robin- son, and was one of the few who escaped being captured at Blackwater, on the nineteenth of December, 1861. In the fall of 1862, he enlisted in company H., First Missouri cavalry, under Colonel Shelby, afterwards under Colonel B. F. Gordon; was in the battles of Coon Creek, Newtonia, Boston Mountains, Prairie Grove, Little Rock, Helena, Springfield, Hartsville, Cape Girardeau, and Marshall. He was taken prisoner at Marshall and held first in St. Louis, then in Rock Island, Illinois; and in June, 1864, was released on special pardon from President Lincoln. He then returned to Carroll eounty, and followed farming. Went back to

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school to the Kemper high school, in Booneville, and then engaged in teaching, which he has followed ever since, in Carroll, Lafayette and Saline counties. He came to Saline in 1873, and has since lived in this county. Mr. Rea was married March 7, 1870, to Miss Mollie H. Rea, daughter of Rev. P. G. Rea, a graduate of the Missouri Female College, Booneville, Missouri. They have four children: Edna G., Florence, and twins, Madie and Sadie.

A. J. RANSBERGER, P. O., Marshall. Was born in Washington county, Missouri, July 27, 1839. Soon after his birth his parents moved to Jefferson, and in 1855, moved to Moniteau county. In 1861, he joined the M. S. G. for six months, and was in the battle of Lexington. In 1864, he re-enlisted in Gen. Shelby's command, C. S. A., in which he served to the end of the war, participating in the engagements of that command. In 1867, he came to Marshall, in this county, and carried on his trade, that of blacksmithing. In 1871, he entered into partnership with Mr. Lantz, and established the business firm of Ransberger & Lantz, carriage and wagon makers, which they have carried on prosperously since. He was married December 3, 1873, to Miss Laura Neely, Wash- ington county, Missouri. They have had three children, two living now: Lester H., Frank E.

A. R. LANTZ, P. O., Marshall. Was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, January 31, 1844, where he was raised and educated. April, 1861, he enlisted in company E, 17th regiment Virginia cavalry, and was in the battles of Salt Pond Mountain, Lewisburg, Lynchburg, Narrow at New River, Salem, North Mountain, Hedge's Depot, where he was taken prisoner July 3, 1864, and was held prisoner for nine months, and exchanged March 18, 1865, and returned to Richmond, and surrendered a few months later. Returned to Rockingham county, and worked at his trade. In 1869 he came west, and located in Marshall, in this county, where he has since carried on his trade, carriage and wagon making. On the 4th of April, 1871, he married Miss Alice T. Piper, of Rocking- ham county; have had one child, who died at the age of six years.

G. C. FLETCHER, P. O., Marshall. Was born in Mason county, Kentucky, November 20, 1810, where he grew to manhood on a farm, and was educated in the Old Field schools of that early time. In 1830, he came to Pike county, Missouri, where he remained two years, and in 1832 came to this county, where he married Miss M. A. Hall, of Saline. ,He remained in this county for two years and then moved to Henry county, and engaged in merchandising, and lived there six years. In 1838, he moved to Lafayette county, located in Waverly, and engaged in manufacturing rope, bagging, etc. He was the first man to start a power loom in the state of Missouri. In 1845, his bagging establishment was burned. Mr. Fletcher then went to farming again,

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which he continued for several years. 1n 1870, he engaged in the bank- ing business, in Waverly, in the bank of which company he is now the president, and has been for many years. In 1879, the Farmer's Saving's Bank was moved from Waverly to Marshall, when Mr. Fletcher also moved to Marshall, and at the same time moved his dry goods store, G. C. F. Fletcher & Co., from Waverly to Marshall-and both bank and store have prospered since their removal. Mr. Fletcher has had eight children, three of whom are now living: John B., Thomas J. and Wil- liam H.

JAMES A. GORDON, P. O., Marshall. Was born in Lexington, Missouri, August 26, 1841, and was educated at the State University, Columbia, Missouri. In 1862 he enlisted in Shelby's command, and was in the battles of Coon Creek, Newtonia, Cane Hill, Poison Springs, Mark's Mill, Cape Girardeau, Saline River, Springfield, Hartsville, Helena, Prairie Grove, Clarendon, (where he was seriously wounded with a bullet in his lungs, which remains there to the present day). Was captured in hospital, and paroled. Returned to his command as soon as able, and served to the end of the war. Was in all the battles of Price's raid, and surrendered in 1865. Returned home and taught school until 1870. In 1870 he was elected cashier of the Farmers' Savings Bank, at Waverly, Missouri, and still holds the same position since the transfer of the bank to Marshall, in 1879. On the 29th of December, 1868, he was married to Miss E. M. Catron, of Lafayette county, Missouri, and has had three children, one of whom is now living: William C. Gordon.

SOLOMON K. SELIG, P. O., Marshall. Mr. Selig was born in the city of Lyons, France, January 18, 1850. In 1852, his parents came to the United States, and located in Philadelphia, where he was raised and educated in the city schools, and graduated in Bryant's Commercial Col- lege. In 1866, he moved to Chillicothe, Missouri, and engaged in mer- chandise. The next year went to Kansas City, and in 1868, moved to this county and located in Marshall, where he has continued to the pres- ent time, doing a large and constantly increasing business. During the last three years his sales have enlarged at an almost marvelous rate, and he is now doing the most extensive business in Marshall, and stands among the first merchants of Saline county. In March, 1874, he was married to Miss Clara Kaufman, of Indianapolis, Indiana, and has three children: Estella, Samuel, and Lawrence.

H. GROSSMAN, P. O., Marshall. Was born in Boone county, Mis- souri, May 5, 1846, where he was raised on a farm, and educated in the common schools, and followed farming up to 1876, when he went to Roche- port, Missouri, and engaged in the livery business. In 1879 he sold out in Rocheport and came to this county, and in 1880 located in Marshall, and went into the livery business. While he lived in Rocheport, he was town

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marshal one term, and also was a member of the town council one year. In 1864 he was married to Miss Martha Colbert, of Howard county, Mis- souri, and has six children, five now living: James, Carrie, Victoria, Leroy and Dimmitt.

ROBERT W. JAMES, P. O., Marshall. Was born in Logan county, Kentucky, July 1, 1838, where he was raised on a farm, and lived there until 1865. He is own cousin to the now famous, or rather notorious Jesse and Frank James. In December 23, 1865, he landed in Kansas City, Mis- souri, where he clerked in a store during the winter, and in the spring came to this county and settled at Salt Springs, where he farmed about five years, and then merchandised for five years in the town of Salt Springs. In June, 1880, he located in Marshall, and in October of the same year, engaged in the livery business, and March 1, 1881, he took in as partner, Mr. Gibbs. Mr. James also carries on a separate business, selling buggies, harness, etc. When he came to Missouri, in 1866, he had but $20, and has made all he has, which is considerable, by his own indus- try and good management. He was married May, 1868, to M. E. Deal, daughter of Capt. J. W. Deal, of Saline county, formerly of Vir- ginia. They have had six children, five of them now living: Edna L., Robert F., Howard P., Alpha O., Beula I.

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History of Saline County, Missouri, Part 84

Author: Missouri Historical Company, St. Louis, pub Publication date: 1881 Publisher: St. Louis, Missouri historical company Number of Pages: 1008

Author: Missouri Historical Company, St. Louis, pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: St. Louis, Missouri historical company
Number of Pages: 1008