USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume II > Part 34
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Dr. Austin B. Allen received a good education, and early in life decided to become a medical practitioner, and set to work diligently to prepare him- self for this somewhat exacting profession. He studied medicine with his father until he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, from which he was graduated with an excellent record in 1877: he took post-graduate work in the Chicago Polyclinic Institute in 1897. He first began to practice in Barnard, Nodaway county, in 1877 and remained there nineteen years, during which time he enjoyed a very liberal practice and won a reputation which did not only reach to all parts of the county
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but to adjoining counties. Locating in Maryville, he has continued here in active practice for a period of fourteen years, and is very busy at all times with his numerous patients, taking a very high rank among his fellow-prac- titioners in northern Missouri.
Doctor Allen is treasurer of the Nodaway County Medical Society, and he is a member of the county and state medical societies. He is a member of the board of pension examiners. Fraternally he is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Republican, and has been a member of the school boards at Barnard and Maryville. He has been city physician of Maryville, and for a time was surgeon for the Wabash railroad. In religious matters he is a Methodist.
Doctor Allen married on October 24, 1878, Sallie McFarland, of Bar- nard. She is the daughter of John and Salena McFarland, and her birth occurred in Albia, Iowa, on February 9, 1861. This union has been blessed by the birth of two children, Dr. Fay A., who will practice with his father, and Mabel C., who is still a member of the home circle.
WILLIS JAY STAPLES.
Holding prestige among the successful business men of Nodaway county. Willis Jay Staples can claim to have had something to do with advancing the interests of Maryville, where he has maintained his home for many years. assisting in making this one of the important commercial centers of this section of the state. The study of such a life cannot fail of interest and in- centive, for at the same time he has established a reputation for lasting integ- rity and honor.
Mr. Staples was born October 27. 1854. in Chicago, and is the son of Thomas G. and Harriet L. (Chase) Staples. He was educated in the com- mon schools of Fayette county. Iowa, whither he moved when a boy and where he grew to manhood. When twenty-five years of age he came to Mary- ville, Missouri, in 1879, and took a position as agent for the Western Union Telegraph Company and the Pacific Express Company and he is still thus employed, having been very faithful in the discharge of his duties in this con- nection. 'In October. 1883. he became manager of the Bell Telephone Com- pany here and was very successful in extending its business. He is at present a partner in the well-known firm of the Staples Auto Company, which does an extensive business, selling Chalmers and Hudson machines.
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Mr. Staples was married in May, 1874. to Florence L. Axtell, of Wa- verly, lowa, where she was born, reared and educated and where her family have long been well known. To Mr. and Mrs. Staples two children have been born, Harold and Hattie. The latter married Raymond Protzman, of Mary- ville. Both these children received good educations.
Mr. Staples is a Republican in politics and fraternally he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
THOMAS ANDREW CUMMINS.
The biographies of successful men are instructive as guides and incentives to those whose careers are yet to be achieved. The examples they furnish of patient purpose and consecutive endeavor strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish. The gentleman whose life story herewith is briefly set forth is a conspicuous example of one who has lived to good pur- pose and achieved a definite degree of success in the special sphere to which his talents and energies have been devoted, being widely known in northwest- ern Missouri as an attorney of high rank. Thomas Andrew Cummins, of Maryville, is also known as a man of unshrinking integrity, rigid honesty. technical in his definitions of morality, unbending in his fidelity to them. championing the right with zeal and enthusiasm. As a counselor he is known as a man who is guarded in his expression of opinions, deliberate, wary and cautious in arriving at conclusions, seeking to attain a thorough knowledge of the cause before the administration of advice or the commencement of action. In the trial acts of the court room he is self-possessed and cool, not easily irritated or excited. and conducts his proceedings in hand with fairness to all parties concerned, strictly obeying the canons of courtesy to the court and the opposing counsel.
Mr. Cummins was born April 14, 1864. in Clark county. Ohio, and is the representative of an excellent old family, being the son of Christopher and Mary (McKenny) Cummins. Owing to the fact that a full sketch of the subject's parents appears elsewhere in this work under the caption of Chris- topher Cummins. it is not deemed necessary to repeat the same here.
Thomas A. Cummins was brought to Gentry county, Missouri, with his parents when five years of age, and there he grew to manhood and was edu- cated in the public schools, later attending the Christian Brothers College at
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St. Joseph, Missouri, where he made a good record for scholarship. He first turned his attention to farming in Gentry county and was very successful as a husbandman for a period of eight years. Then embarking in the drug business at Darlington, Missouri, he remained there three years, building up a very good trade. During this time he gratified an ambition of long standing by reading law at spare moments, and in 1898 he was duly admitted to the bar by examination. In 1900 he came to Maryville and opened an office and soon became a conspicuous member of the local bar, and now has a large and growing clientele, taking easily a position in the first ranks of Nodaway county attorneys. For the past three years he very ably and acceptably filled the office of city attorney, having been elected on the Democratic ticket, to which he has always been loyal.
In religious matters, Mr. Cummins is a Catholic, and fraternally, he be- longs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Catholic Foresters and the Knights of Columbus, enjoying the distinction of having been the first past grand knight of this order.
Mr. Cummins was married on October 22, 1888, to Hattie T. Gartin, a lady of refinement and the representative of a highly esteemed Gentry county family : she was born February 7, 1867. This union has been blessed by the birth of four children, namely: Lawrence M., who is assistant cashier of the bank at Worth, Missouri; Andrew C., Francis M. and Margarite, all members of the home circle, and constituting a mutually happy and socially popular family.
HARRY L. STINSON, D. D. S.
Not alone are they worthy of biographic honors who have moved along the loftier planes of action, but to an equal extent are they deserving who are of the rank and file of the world's workers, for they are not less the conservators of public prosperity and material advancement. Through all the gradations of life recognition should be had of true values, and then should full appreciation be manifested, for there can be no impropriety in scanning the acts of any man as they affect his public, social and business relations, if it be done justly. In the collection of material for the biograph- ical department of this publication there has been a constant aim to use a wise discrimination in regard to the selection of subjects and exclude none worthy of representation in these pages. Here will be found mention of
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worthy citizens of all vocations, and at this juncture it is permitted to offer a resume of the career of one of the well-known and highly-esteemed pro- fessional men of Maryville, where he has attained a high degree of success in his chosen field of labor and has also established a reputation for upright- ness in all the relations of life.
Harry L. Stinson, a dentist whose skill is second to none, was born July 17, 1874, on a farm in Kosciusko county, Indiana, the son of S. J. and Julia A. Stinson, a well-established old family of that county. The father is now deceased, and the mother resides in Los Angeles, California.
Dr. Harry L. Stinson was educated in Pierceton, Indiana. In 1891, when seventeen years of age. he came West and took up the study of den- tistry, studying with Doctor Allender in 1893. He graduated with an excel- lent record from the Western Dental College in 1898, and for two years he practiced with Dr. N. W. Templeton, then bought out Doctor Grigsby and has been in his present location in Maryville for the past ten years. He enjoys a lucrative patronage and is kept constantly busy, his patients coming from all parts of the county, and he never fails to give satisfaction in his work. He has a neat and well-equipped office and he holds a very high rank among his professional brethren of the state.
Doctor Stinson is a Republican, and fraternally he belongs to the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Northwest Missouri Dental Society.
FRANK E. ORCUTT.
Among the men of sterling qualities of character who have for many years occupied a conspicuous place in the esteem of the entire community, the subject of this sketch is deserving of mention. In the capacity of a con- tractor and builder, he has had much to do with the development and im- provement of this section of the state, and because of his sterling qualities of character and his business ability he enjoys the high regard of all who know him.
Frank E. Orcutt was born July 15. 1860. in Cassville, Wisconsin, and is a son of Henry and Laura Orcutt. The father was a native of Massa- chusetts, and in young manhood he went to Wisconsin, where he followed his trade, that of a shoemaker. He is now retired from active pursuits and, with his wife, is living at Edgewood, Iowa. He is a Republican in politics
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and a Congregationalist in religious belief. " To him and his wife were born four children, all of whom are living.
Frank Orcutt was educated in the public schools at Edgewood, Iowa, to which place the family had removed. When but sixteen years of age he apprenticed himself to learn the carpenter's trade. He was a conscientious workman and learned the trade thoroughly, being employed as a journey- man several years after he completed his apprenticeship. In 1883 he started in business for himself as a contractor at Rock Rapids, Iowa, remaining there four years. At the end of that time he went to Ulysses, Nebraska, where during the following seven years he was similarly engaged, with a fair measure of success. In 1893 Mr. Orcutt came to Maryville, Nodaway county, and has since been engaged in the contracting business here. He has taken high place in business circles here and has been a strong factor in the upbuilding of the city. He has made a specialty of building resi- dences, though he has built some of the largest buildings here, notably the Elks' Home and the Moore Brothers' lightning rod factory, both of which are splendid buildings of their respective types. Mr. Orcutt maintains at all times a personal supervision over the details of his work, and, being thor- oughly practical and experienced in every branch of the building business, he is qualified to construct a building as it should be done in every par- ticular. He takes a pardonable pride in the work which he has done, which stands as his strongest recommendation as a thoroughly competent and responsible contractor. He has constantly kept a large force of men in his employ, and has enjoyed his full share of the public patronage since coming to this city.
On June 24, 1885. Mr. Orcutt was married to Emma Shraff, who was born July 30, 1865. in Manchester. Iowa. the daughter of Samuel and Louise Shraff, their residence being at Edgewood at the time of her marriage. This union, which has been a most happy and congenial one, has been blessed by the birth of three children, namely: Alice M., a teacher in the Maryville schools ; Mary E., a teacher at Fairfax, Missouri, and Bernice. of Maryville.
Politically. Mr. Orcutt is a Republican, giving a thoughtful considera- tion to current public questions, though he is not in any sense a seeker after public office. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has taken the encampment degrees. He is a member of the Christian church, to which he gives a generous support. He is ever found in support of all worthy movements for the public good and is justly numbered among the leading and representative citizens of his community.
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CHARLES ADOLPH JENSEN.
Representing one of the oldest and best known families of Nodaway county, and a young man of enterprise and sterling worth, Charles Adolph Jensen is well entitled to notice among the substantial business men of Mary- ville and it is with much satisfaction that the story of his career and that of his honored father is accorded a place in these pages. He was born in Mary- ville, September 27. 1877. and is the only son of Adolph D. and Mary (Arnold) Jensen. The father was a native of Denmark, and was born in Copenhagen. May 19, 1849. His father, Peter Jensen, was a native of the same city, and his mother, Malfridur Svensdatter, a native of Iceland. It may not be out of place to state in this connection that the latter was a re- markably handsome woman, and her portrait now adorns the walls of a cele- brated museum of art in Paris as a representative of the most beautiful lady of Denmark. Adolph D. Jensen was reared and educated at his birthplace and early commenced the active duties of his chosen occupation. druggist. Deciding to avail himself of the opportunities offered in the new world for men with strong hands and helpful hearts, when coupled with energy and in- tegrity, he, in 1870, landed in America and at once commenced the battle of life without means. He worked at various occupations in as many places, husbanding all his resources until he was enabled to engage in business on his own account. He opened a store in Maryville in 1876, and not only se- cured the reputation of being safe, cautious and an obliging merchant, but. at the same time, by his skill and thorough knowledge of his business com- manded the unlimited confidence of his patrons. Mr. Jensen married Mary Arnold, a native of Canada. in 1876. They had one son, Charles Adolph. Adolph D. Jensen's death occurred on December 7. 1885.
Mary Arnold, the maiden name of the mother of Charles A. Jensen of this review, was born January 30, 1861, in Canada ; she is the daughter of Whitfield and Mary ( Fletcher) Arnold, natives of Maine, whose ancestors were among America's oldest settlers. Whitfield Arnold was born in Aroos- took county, Maine, in 1825. He was a farmer and moved to Canada, later came to Nodaway county. Missouri, in 1867, and he is still living on the land he purchased when he moved here. Mrs. Arnold died in this county. August 17, 1896. Mr. Arnold is a Republican and he and his wife were members of the Adventist church.
Charles A. Jensen, of this review, was educated in the public schools and the Maryville Seminary. He worked in the drug store three years and en- gaged in the commission business for several years. He embarked in busi- ness for himself in 1900, and now has a very extensive business in butter.
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eggs, poultry, hides, furs and wool. He is the largest buyer of raw furs in northern Missouri. He has been very successful in whatever he has turned his attention to and enjoys the confidence of a wide circle of friends and ac- quaintances. Politically he is a Republican, a Presbyterian and a Mason, being past worshipful master.
Mr. Jensen was married on September 25, 1906, to Elva B. McClurg, daughter of Thomas and Emma (Russell) McClurg. Thomas McClurg was born in Ireland in 1827 and came to America when about fifteen years old. He located in Nodaway county in 1874. and devoted his life to farming. His death occurred on November 12. 1909. He married Emma Russell in 1858 in Illinois. They reared ten children. Elva McClurg was born March 4, 1885. and she was educated in the Maryville schools. Mr. and Mrs. Jensen are the parents of one child, Ruth Louise, born November 16, 1909.
THOMAS J. PARLE.
That the plentitude of satiety is seldom attained in the affairs of life is to be considered a most beneficial deprivation, for where ambition is satisfied and every ultimate end is realized. if such be possible. apathy must follow. Effort would cease, accomplishment be prostrate and creative talent waste its energies in inactivity. The men who have pushed forward the wheels of progress have been those to whom satisfaction lies ever in the future, who have labored continuously, always finding in each transition stage an incentive to further effort. One of Nodaway county's citizens who has labored to accom- plish a high purpose in life is Thomas J. Parle. of Maryville, whose well directed efforts have gained for him a position of desired prominence in com- mercial circles and his energy and enterprise have been crowned by success.
Mr. Parle was born February 17, 1859, in county Wexford. Ireland, the son of Thomas and Mary (White) Parle. Thomas Parle was a mining engineer and he was reared and educated in his home country, coming to America in April, 1859. He came to the Middle states and found employ- ment at LaSalle, Illinois, for the Illinois Coal & Iron Company. After re- maining there for a time, he moved to Adams county. Iowa, and purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He came to Maryville. Missouri, in 1880 and purchased what was known as the George W. Airy farm, six and one-half miles west of Maryville, and there farmed successfully until his death, which occurred on January 5. 1902. He was known as a very devout Catholic and active in church affairs. In politics he was a Republican. In
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1858 he married Mary White in county Wexford, Ireland, of which country she was native and where she grew to womanhood and received her early education. Her death occurred on January 9, 1902.
To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Parle five children were born, two boys and three girls. namely : Thomas J., of this review; John, of Ft. Dodge, Iowa, is a farmer : Johanna is the wife of George Gaham. of Jackson township, Nod- away county ; Mary is the wife of John Gaham; Katherine is the wife of Charles Barman, of Polk township, this county.
Thomas J. Parle was educated in the public schools and the Christian Brothers School at LaSalle, Illinois, and he took a business course at Stan- berry, Missouri. After following various occupations until he was twenty- seven years of age and taking more or less interest in public and political affairs, he was elected sheriff, which office he served very faithfully for a per- iod of two years. He then came to Maryville and entered the clothing busi- ness, in which he continued two years. He was then elected chairman of the Republican central committee and for two years managed the affairs of the party in this county in a very creditable manner, wielding a potent influence in party affairs and becoming known as one of the ablest Republican leaders. Turning his attention to farming, he managed the old home place in this county until ten years ago. In 1900 he bought out the drug store of Moore & Goodson and has since been conducting the same, building up an extensive patronage with the city and county, maintaining one of the neatest and best located stores in the county and always keeping an up-to-date and carefully selected stock of goods, everything to be found in a modern drug store.
Mr. Parle has long been a great baseball fan, and is now ( 1910) manager of the Maryville team, in what is known as the "Mink League." He is a member of the Catholic church, the Yeomen and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Parle was married on January 24. 1892. to Julia Graham, of Jackson township, Nodaway county ; she was born in Pennsylvania, March 22, 1869. and this union has resulted in the birth of five children, four of whom are liv- ing. namely : May, Anna, Grace and Emmet F .. all in school.
ALBERT KUCHS.
One of the young and enthusiastic business men of Maryville is Albert Kuchs. He is yet a man young in years, but has for some time been identified with industrial enterprises of considerable scope and importance and the name which he bears has been one which has stood for progressiveness. He is a
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scion of one of the old and honored families of Nodaway county. He was born in this city. January 26, 1886, and is the son of Paul Richard and Helena (Kraus) Kuchs. The father was born in Reichenbach, Saxony, a province of the German empire, on March 29, 1851. He is the son of Carl F. Kuchs, who maintained a brick-yard and summer garden in the Fatherland: but winding up his business affairs there in 1869. he set sail for America, pene- trated to the West and for three years farmed in Kansas, moving from that state to Cleveland, Ohio, where his death occurred in 1880. Paul R. Kuchs was a wood-turner by trade, which he followed for some time, also worked on his father's farm in Kansas. He also traveled for A. Brenner, a wine- maker of Kansas. In 1882 he and Peter Quast started the Maryville Bottling Works, which has grown to large proportions and of which Mr. Kuchs is now the nominal head. He owns several residence properties, business blocks. etc. He is a stockholder in the Maryville National Bank and is president of the Maryville Electric Light & Power Company. He is well known in busi- ness circles and influential in the industrial life of the community. In relig- ious matters he is Lutheran. a Democrat in politics and a thirty-second-degree Mason, also belonging to the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks.
Paul R. Kuchs married Helena Kraus in 1883. She is the daughter of George Kraus, long a prominent citizen here. This union has resulted in the birth of four children. Albert, of this review : Paul. Katherine and Richard. all of Maryville.
Albert Kuchs was educated in the schools of Maryville and prepared him- self for a business career. He first began work in the Maryville Bottling Works and is now very worthily discharging the duties of secretary and man- ager of the same. He is also manager of the Empire theater. This popular and well patronized play-house, attractive in all its appointments and well managed at all times, is located one block east of the court house. It is recog- nized as one of the most beautiful opera houses in this part of the state in cities the size of Maryville. It has a seating capacity of nearly eleven hun- dred, has a large stage and is artistically decorated. Under the management of Mr. Kuchs some of the leading plays on the road during the past two years have been seen here. It has a large property room, well stocked, and com- fortable seats. When not playing attractions, the theater is used to give pic- ture shows which are seen by hundreds of patrons each evening.
Politically Mr. Kuchs is a Republican, a member of the Episcopal church, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He belongs to Nodaway Lodge. No. 470, Ancient Free and
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Accepted Masons; Owens Chapter, No. 96, Royal Arch Masons; Maryville Commandery, No. 41, Knights Templar; Molia Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; St. Joseph Lodge of Perfection, No. 6; St. Joseph Chapter Rose Croix, No. 4; Albert Pike Council of Kodosh, No. 4; St. Joseph Consistory, No. 4. In all of these orders Mr. Kuchs takes an abiding interest and is well known in lodge circles throughout the state.
WILLIAM ADAM MILLER.
In the list of Nodaway county's successful citizens and Maryville's pro- gressive business men William Adam Miller, of the well known "Bee Hive Shoe Store," occupies a prominent place. In his career there is much that is commendable, and his life forcibly illustrates what a young man of energy can accomplish when his plans are wisely laid and his actions governed by right principles, noble aims and high ideals.
Mr. Miller was born June 7. 1872, on a farm near Burlington, Iowa, the son of William S. and Harriet (Crighton) Miller, an influential family of that place. William S. Miller was born in St. Louis, Missouri, February II, 1847, the son of Adam and Elizabeth (Schmidt) Miller, both natives of Ger- many. Adam Miller was born in 1820 and in 1834 he came to America and settled in St. Louis, then moved to Lee county, Iowa, and in 1853 he moved to DesMoines. He was a Republican and took an active interest in politics. For some time he engaged in teaching and was an influential and well known man in the early history of that locality. His wife, Elizabeth Schmidt, came from Germany to America in 1836.
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