USA > Missouri > Livingston County > Past and present of Livingston County, Missouri : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 6
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
On the 2d of February, 1865, Mr. McMillen was united in mar- riage, at Utica, Missouri, to Miss Susan M. Stone, a daughter of John and Susan (Stover) Stone, the former one of the first settlers in Livingston county and afterward prominent in public life as county judge. He died in 1888, having survived his wife since 1883, and both are buried in the old Stone private burial ground on the high hill, near Utica. Mr. and Mrs. McMillen became the parents of ten children. The eldest, D. Edwin, died at the age of fourteen, having been drowned in Grand river, July 3, 1880. He is buried in the Stone cemetery. Cornelia became the wife of Robert E. Braden, of Utica. Lucy is a graduate of the Utica high school and makes her home with her parents. She is employed as assistant cashier of the Mooresville Savings Bank. Lillie married O. H. Matheson, an en- gineer on the Frisco line, with residence at Fort Scott, Kansas. Dr. Thomas McMillen is practicing dental surgery in Kansas City, Mis- souri. George is in partnership with his father in the management of the farm. Samuel is a practicing dentist in Rockport, Missouri.
71
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
Otis is well known as a dentist in Barnard, Missouri. Susan became the wife of C. W. Hawkins, a farmer of Green township. The youngest child born to this union is Florence, who became the wife of M. Reynolds, of Ottumwa, Iowa.
Mr. McMillen gives his allegiance to the democratic party and takes an active interest in public affairs, although he never seeks pub- lic office. He has attained the third degree in Masonry and his religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Baptist church. A residence in Livingston county covering a period of fifty-four years has made him well and favorably known here. During the years that have elapsed since his arrival he has gained prosperity as an agriculturist and prominence as a business man and has achieved also that true success which finds evidence in the respect and esteem of many friends.
REV. THOMAS G. PETREE.
Mercantile interests of Mooresville find a worthy representative in Rev. Thomas G. Petree, dealer in groceries, flour, feed and produce. He is senior partner in the firm of Petree & Son and is a thoroughly reliable, progressive and able business man, besides being well known as a minister of the Methodist church. He was born in Ray county, Missouri, July 27, 1856, and is a son of George and Martha W. (Kin- caid) Petree, the former for many years a prominent farmer of Ray county, who followed this occupation until the outbreak of the Civil war, at which time he volunteered and served until the close of hostilities, resuming his agricultural career after his discharge. He became well known in farming circles and also in political life as a consistent democrat and achieved wide popularity on account of his many fine qualities of mind and character. He passed away Septem- ber 9, 1901, and is buried in the Pleasant Hill cemetery. He had long survived his wife, her death having occurred on the Ist of Octo- ber, 1866. She is buried in the Kincaid burial ground in Ray county, Missouri.
Rev. Thomas G. Petree acquired his early education in the public schools of his native section. His life furnishes many examples of quiet courage, patience and determination, for he was hampered in his struggle for success by the loss of his leg in an accident which occurred when he was sixteen years of age. In spite of this he per-
72
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
severed in his efforts for an education, paying his own expenses through the Kirksville Normal School and the Hamilton Normal School and laying aside his books at the age of twenty, fully equipped for teaching. He followed this occupation for nine years and at the end of that time was ordained a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. He received his orders in 1888 and worked loyally, faith- fully and perseveringly in the cause of Christianity until 1902, when he was retired. In the same year he formed a partnership with his son under the firm name of Petree & Son and has since dealt in gro- ceries, flour, feed and produce, securing a liberal and representative patronage and making his influence felt in mercantile circles of the community.
Mr. Petree married, at Mooresville, February 24, 1881, Miss Ida L. Tomlin, a daughter of Michael and Eliza (Williams) Tomlin, the former at one time a prominent farmer of Livingston county. Both have passed away and are buried in Gaunt cemetery, near Moores- ville. Rev. and Mrs. Petree became the parents of three children, two of whom died in infancy. The other is a son, Thomas Culver, who is in partnership with his father.
Mr. Petree is a democrat in his political views and active and loyal in all matters of citizenship. At the present time he is serving as justice of the peace and is in the fourth year of his work as town- ship tax collector. He is well known in Mooresville and in various parts of Missouri, where he has resided for many years, during which time his genuine worth, his active life and his high principles have commended him to the good-will, trust and respect of all who are associated with him.
RAYMOND F. McNALLY.
Raymond F. McNally, cashier and a member of the board of directors of the Citizens National Bank of Chillicothe, is a native son of the city, born November 21, 1879. His father, Thomas McNally, came to Chillicothe in the late '6os and for many years engaged in the tie contracting business. Upon the organization of the Citizens National Bank in 1889, he was elected its presi- dent and served in this capacity until his death, which occurred in January, 1899. He was survived by his wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Ida Fitzpatrick. She was born in Canada, a
.
-
RAYMOND F. MONALLY
75
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
daughter of John Fitzpatrick, who was well known as a dealer in marble and monuments but is now retired. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McNally became the parents of five children: Raymond F., of this review; Thomas F., who is a lawyer in St. Louis; Mary Tully, who married A. L. Bernardin, Jr., of Evansville, Indiana; Kathleen Elizabeth, now Mrs. W. B. Finney, of Kan- sas City, Missouri; and Anna Louise, who makes her home with her mother in Chillicothe.
Raymond F. McNally was reared at home and acquired his early education in St. Columban's parish school, afterward matric- ulating at Christian Brothers College in St. Louis, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1898. Several years later, when he delivered the master's oration at the commencement exercises, the degree of A. M. was con- ferred upon him by his alma mater. In 1901 Mr. McNally was elected cashier of the Citizens National Bank, which position he still holds, acting also as a member of the board of directors. He is thoroughly conversant with the banking business in prin- ciple and detail and his capable management of the affairs of the Citizens National is manifest in its growing success. It is one of the reliable financial institutions of this part of the state, where it has gained a reputation for conservative care in the interests of its depositors. The official board is as follows : W. W. Edgerton, president; Joseph C. Minteer, vice president ; R. F. McNally, cashier; and J. M. Dunn, assistant cashier. The bank is a United States depository, and has a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. McNally has been chairman and secretary of this group in the Missouri Bankers Association and has been honored by several important committee assign- ments in it. In addition to his banking interests Mr. McNally is also serving as a director of the Chillicothe Chamber of Com- merce and the Chillicothe Factory Site Association, these con- nections indicating his interest in civic expansion and the force of his public spirit.
On the 23d of October, 1899, Mr. McNally was united in marriage in St. Louis to Miss Annabelle Quinn, of that city. Mrs. McNally's parents had moved to St. Louis a few years previous to the marriage, coming from Little Rock, Arkansas, which had been the family home for many years. Her father, J. P. Quinn, was a South Carolinan and later became a promi-
76
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
nent merchant in Little Rock. Mr. and Mrs. McNally have a son and a daughter, Raymond F., Jr., and Mary Gray.
Fraternally Mr. McNally is identified with the Knights of Columbus and has gained a position of prominence and distinc- tion in that organization. He was one of the charter members of the local council and was the first grand knight, serving after- ward as treasurer of the state council for four years and for two years as state deputy supreme knight. He is a member also of the Chillicothe lodge of Elks and St. Patrick's branch of the Western Catholic Union. Both he and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic church and in their lives exemplify the doctrines in which they believe. They are well known in Chilli- cothe and their hospitable home is the center of a charming circle of friends. Mr. McNally gives his influence and aid to all progressive public measures and is highly esteemed and respected in public as well as private relations.
OLIVER P. JACOBS.
Oliver P. Jacobs, a worthy representative of a pioneer family of Livingston county and today one of the progressive and successful agriculturists of Cream Ridge township, was born near Georgetown, Ohio, October 26, 1849. He is a son of John W. and Hannah (Hawk) Jacobs, who came to Livingston county in pioneer times. The father settled on a farm in Cream Ridge township when this section was a prairie wilderness and developed and improved his property for many years. He was a member of the Home Guard during the Civil war and attained a high place in the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens by reason of the upright and honorable qualities of his character and his straightforward and worthy life. He died December 1I, 1892, at the age of seventy years, and was survived by his wife until February 23, 1907. Both are buried in the Ward cemetery.
Oliver P. Jacobs acquired his education in the Ward school but attended only during the winter months, laying aside his books at the age of nineteen. From that time until he was twenty-one he assisted his father with the work of the homestead and then began his inde- pendent career, renting land until he was able to purchase a farm of seventy-eight acres. Upon this he remained for eighteen years, de-
77
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
veloping it along modern lines, but he finally sold the property and went to Oklahoma. There he carried on general farming upon a property of one hundred and sixty acres, which he held until 1903, in which year, after disposing of his Oklahoma interests, he returned to Missouri and bought one hundred and twenty acres on section I, Cream Ridge township, upon which he still resides. He raises grain but feeds the greater part of his crops to his fine herds of horses, cattle, swine and mules, being known as one of the most successful stockmen in this part of the state.
In Grundy county, Missouri, Mr. Jacobs was united in marriage on the IIth of December, 1873, to Miss Mary Rankin, a daughter of James and Margaret (Brown) Rankin, the former a pioneer in that section and a representative of an old Scotch family. He died May 3, 1892, at the age of seventy-three, and his wife survived him until June 2, 1894, she also having been seventy-three years of age at the time of her death. They are buried in the Stucker cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs became the parents of ten children, one of whom, Lena, died November 26, 1882, at the age of fourteen months. The others are: Margaret, who married William Swepston, a farmer residing in Trenton; Alice, the wife of Peter Howard, who is en- gaged in farming in Cream Ridge township; George, whose home is in Trenton; Frank, a farmer in Grundy county; Elmer, a machinist, who is assisting his father; Loren, also working on the home farm; and Myrtle, Ray and Vern, all of whom live at home.
Mr. Jacobs gives his allegiance to the progressive party and is active and public-spirited in matters of citizenship, having served as road overseer and director of the school board. In business life he is well known for his alert and enterprising spirit, his salient qualities and characteristics being such as always win an honorable success.
GUSTAVUS A. BERNARD.
Through a long period of active identification with mercantile and milling interests of Mooresville Gustavus A. Bernard holds the respect and confidence of all with whom he was associated and won a success which placed him in the front ranks of progressive and representative business men. His energy and industry in former years have been rewarded by a comfortable fortune, enabling him to spend the evening of his life in rest and retirement. Mr. Bernard has been
78
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
in Livingston county since 1877 but was born in Virginia, March 14, 1844. His parents were Silas G. and Lucinda (Pullen) Bernard, the former for many years county surveyor of Franklin county, Virginia, and also for two terms a member of the state legislature. He was very prominent in business circles of his section, where he owned a saw and grist mill, which he operated until his death, in 1875. He was survived by his wife until 1881 and both are buried in the same cemetery. The family on the paternal side is of French-German origin.
Gustavus A. Bernard acquired his education in the public schools of Franklin county, Virginia, and also in a private subscription school, attending during the winter months and spending his sum- mers working in his father's mill. He laid aside his books at the age of about twenty-two and in 1865 enlisted in the Seventh West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, serving until the close of the Civil war. After receiving his honorable discharge he came to Missouri and obtained employment in the Union mill on the Platte river. He resigned this position after three years and with a partner established himself in the grocery business at St. Joseph, an enterprise which he sold out after a short time. Returning to Virginia, he took charge of his father's mill, but after one year's able management returned to Missouri and settled in Savannah, where he spent three years in a mill. At the expiration of that time he went to Colorado and mined for twelve months, settling in Mooresville upon his return. Here he obtained a position in the Mooresville mill and held it until 1881, in which year he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, opening a wholesale and retail flour and feed store and finally adding a line of groceries. For twenty years he retained his active identifica- tion with this concern, conducting his store in a businesslike and able way along progressive lines and winning a large and representative patronage as a result of his courteous service, honorable business methods and reasonable prices. Mr. Bernard has lived retired in his pleasant home in Mooresville since 1902 and gives his time to the supervision of his valuable property interests.
Mr. Bernard married in Franklin county, Virginia, April 6, 1870, Miss Virginia P. Bennett, a daughter of Stephen and Mary Bennett, the former a prominent farmer and tobacco manufacturer. Both have passed away and are buried in the Bennett burial ground. Mr. and Mrs. Bernard became the parents of four children: James W., who died at the age of twenty months and is buried in the Hughes cemetery, Andrew county; Silas P., who passed away at the age of
79
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
four years and was laid to rest in the Mooresville cemetery; Mary E., whose death occurred when she was twenty-one years of age and is also buried in the Mooresville cemetery; and Verona P., who mar- ried George T. Walters, of Leasburg, Missouri.
Mr. Bernard formerly belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having passed through all the chairs of that organization, and he was for twenty years a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a republican in his political views and eminently public-spirited and active in all matters of citizenship. He served as mayor of Mooresville, giving to the city a straightforward, businesslike and progressive administration and accomplishing during his term of office much constructive work for the public welfare. He is recognized as an active force in matters pertaining to the general interests of the community and has a host of friends throughout Livingston county.
MARION RICHMOND JENKINS.
Marion Richmond Jenkins, inventor of the Jenkins hayrake and stacker, founder of the company which manufactures it and today one of the active factors in the industrial development and upbuild- ing of Chillicothe, is a native of Missouri, born in Audrain county, August 15, 1854, his father being Andrew J. Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins of this review acquired his education in the public schools of his native section and remained upon his father's farm until he was sev- enteen years of age. Believing, however, that business life offered him more advantages and better opportunities for success, he left the homestead and for four years engaged in railroad work as an operator and agent. After his marriage he moved to Browning, Mis- souri, in order to look after his farming interests in that section and during this period worked upon the hayrake and stacker which he was inventing. In 1880 he received his first patent from the gov- ernment and seven years later engaged in manufacturing at Browning, and in 1890 moved to Fort Madison in order to place the machine upon the market to the best advantage. He is a keen and resourceful business man and in the exploitation of his invention has displayed the acumen and shrewdness upon which his success is founded. He rented shops in Fort Madison, remaining there for two seasons, at the end of which time he returned to Browning, where he organized
80
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
the Jenkins Hayrake & Stacker Company in 1891. He established a factory there and remained until 1907, when the increasing expansion of his business and the volume of his sales obliged him to seek larger quarters. He moved to Chillicothe and here established his modern concrete and brick factory, one hundred and fifty by two hundred and twenty-five feet in dimensions and including shed room and all containing forty thousand feet of floor space. Under one roof are the woodworking shops, the paint shop, the foundry and ma- chine shops, engine rooms and offices, all separated by fireproof walls. The company has its own power plant and the machinery is run by electric motors, so arranged that any number can be operated inde- pendently. The business is well organized and the work reduced to a definite system and every department runs smoothly, showing the powerful control of an expert manager. These implements are sold in all states west of the Mississippi, and some east of it, and also in South America, Canada and New Mexico. As head of this great business Mr. Jenkins is a dominating factor in industrial circles of the city, where his executive force and comprehensive business ability have placed him in the front ranks of valued and useful citizens.
Mr. Jenkins was united in marriage in Linn county, Missouri, to Miss Birdie L. Seaman and to their union three children have been born : Seaman, who is engaged in railroad work; Max, who is in busi- ness with his father; and Roberta, who lives at home. Mr. Jenkins gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and his religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Baptist church. He has ever been a busy and active man and his well directed work has gained him notable and enviable success. Prosperous in his business connec- tions, respected and esteemed in social circles and public-spirited in his citizenship, he forms a valuable addition to the community in which he resides and where his work has been such an important force in development.
G. W. PURCELL.
G. W. Purcell, identified with agricultural interests of Livingston county as the owner of a farm of two hundred and ninety-five acres on sections 14, 15 and 23, Blue Mound township, makes his home in Chillicothe, where for some time he has lived retired. He is one of Missouri's native sons, born in Blue Mound township, January 15, 1849, his parents being Aaron T. and Elizabeth H. (Carr) Purcell.
81
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
The father came to Livingston county in pioneer times, making his home in this section in 1842 and becoming in the course of years promi- nent and successful in agricultural pursuits. He was also well known in local public affairs and served for many years as justice of the peace. He died March 1, 1902, and was survived by his wife until October, 1909. Both are buried in the Burner cemetery, near Blue Mound. The paternal branch of the family is of Scotch-Irish origin, but its representatives have been in America for several generations.
G. W. Purcell acquired his education in the district schools of his native section, attending only during the winter months and spending his summers assisting his father with the work of the farm. He laid aside his books at the age of twenty and after he had attained his majority began his independent agricultural career by purchasing a farm of forty acres in Blue Mound township, the nucleus of his pres- ent extensive tract. At times he added to this property and at times sold portions of it, but finally the dimensions of his farm were two hundred and ninety-five acres, all rich and arable land, lying on sec- tions 14, 15 and 23. At the time of the great gold discovery in the Klondike Mr. Purcell went to Alaska, but after a short stay in that region returned, having concluded that his greatest chance for success lay in following the occupation to which he had been reared. He re- sumed the cultivation of his homestead, engaging in general farming and stock-raising. During this time he was also interested in the real- estate business and controlled valuable property holdings in this and other sections of the state. He owns at the present time three hun- dred and twenty acres of improved land in Kansas. Since his retire- ment from active life Mr. Purcell has resided at No. 230 Williams street, Chillicothe, and has made his home a center of hospitality for his many friends.
Mr. Purcell married, in Chillicothe, on the 23d of February, 1876, Miss Mary A. Paris, a daughter of Thomas and Rebecca Paris, the former a retired farmer living in Blue Mound township. Mrs. Paris passed away in 1897 and is buried in Burner cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Purcell became the parents of eight children : John W., who is engaged in farming in southern Idaho; Edley W., who follows general agricul- tural pursuits in Blackfoot, Idaho; Marshall W., who is managing his father's farm; Ralph W., a farmer in Alberta, Canada; Bert W., a graduate of the Chillicothe Normal School, who also makes his resi- dence in Canada; Rex W., a student in the Chillicothe high school; Lula, the wife of Lewis Jones, a farmer in Blue Mound township; and
82
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
Mabel, who married George E. Burgard, a farmer in Fairview town- ship.
Mr. Purcell gives his political allegiance to the progressive party and has been three times judge of the western district. His record as an official and as a business man has been so honorable and upright that he has gained the confidence and good-will of all with whom he has been associated, winning during the course of his long and worthy career a large and representative circle of friends.
ELTON L. MARSHALL.
Elton L. Marshall, who enjoys the distinction of being the youngest prosecuting attorney in the state of Missouri, is now acceptably filling that position in Livingston county, having been elected on the progressive ticket in November, 1912. He is a keen, able and successful lawyer, a careful and progressive public official and is, therefore, well qualified by character and attain- ments to fill the responsible office which he holds. He is a native son of Livingston county, born in Avalon, July 29, 1887, his parents being Dr. Andrew and Maggie (Vaughan) Marshall. The father came from Canada in 1872. Having received his medical degree from the State University at Ann Arbor, he opened an office for the practice of his profession in Avalon and is today one of the prominent and successful physicians of that community.
Elton L. Marshall acquired his early education in the Avalon public schools and after completing the high-school course entered the State Normal School at Kirksville, Missouri, from which he received his degree. He spent some time thereafter teaching school, gaining a position of prominence and importance in this line of work and for one year was assistant superintendent of schools in New London, Missouri, and one year principal of schools in Bowling Green, before he was twenty-one years of age. He later attended the University of Missouri, receiving from that institution the degrees of A. B. and LL. B. and then abandoned his career as a teacher in order to give his time to his legal work, beginning his connection with law in Chillicothe, where his ability soon gained for him a large and representative patronage and won him also public recognition. In 1912 he was
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.