USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume II > Part 35
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William S. Miller, father of William A., of this review, was reared on the home farm and educated in the common schools. He began working in the fields when quite small and learned the meaning of hard work and strict discipline which in later life stood him in "good hand." He married Harriet A. Crighton on August 1, 1871, and they came to Maryville. Missouri, on March 1, 1893, and are now living one and one-half miles from Maryville, Mr. Miller being retired, enjoying the respite due old age and a man whose life has been one of labor and right living.
William A. Miller was educated in the common schools and at the high school at Morning Sun, Iowa, and at the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Illinois. In 1895 he came to Maryville and in connection with J. H. Becker purchased S. J. Butcher's shoe store and was successfully engaged
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in this business ten years. R. G. Sanders then purchased Becker's interest and the firm is now Miller & Sanders and their store is known as the "Bee Hive Shoe Store." It is rightly named, being one of the busiest places in Maryville, and is the mecca especially for visitors from the rural districts when trading here. The prestige of this firm is second to none and its busi- ness is rapidly increasing.
Mr. Miller is a Republican in politics, a member of the Christian church and of the Woodmen of the World. He was married March 30, 1897, to Effie Weber, of Wapello, Iowa. She was born May 13, 1876, of an excellent family, and is a lady of culture and refinement. This union has been graced by one child, Harriet Elizabeth.
ARTHUR B. CONDON.
There would be an important hiatus in the history of Maryville and Nod- away county should the Condon Brothers Printing Company fail to be men- tioned and something of the characteristics of the principal moving spirit of the same be mentioned. Arthur B. Condon is carrying on the various de- partments of his enterprise, assisted by his brother Thomas, with that dis- cretion and energy which are sure to find their natural sequence in definite success.
Arthur B. Condon was born October 22, 1885, in Maryville, Missouri, the son of Byron E. and Martha Condon, long highly respected citizens of this place. The father was born in 1850, in Mount Vernon, Ohio, where he grew to maturity and received his education and where he learned the print- er's trade and worked as journeyman for some time. He came to Mary- ville, Missouri, in 1870 and here became well known as one of the proprietors of the Nodaway Democrat, being associated with James Todd. He was also associated with B. A. Dunn in publishing the Republican, and the success of both papers was due in no small measure to his enterprise and well directed efforts. He was well known and one of the county's influential citizens for many years. He was a Republican in politics and was loyal in his support of its principles : he was a member of the Christian church. and fraternally he was a Mason.
Byron E. Condon and Martha Vaughn were married in 1880: the latter survives, Mr. Condon's death having occurred on the 28th of January, 1909. at the age of seventy years.
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Arthur B. Condon was educated in the Maryville public schools and he quite naturally followed his father's footsteps in the matter of business and when but a small boy learned the printer's trade in the office of the Nodaway Democrat. Seeking a wider experience and a fuller knowledge of the art preservative, he went to Chicago and there worked in a job office for three years. He returned to Maryville in 1908 and, with his brother Thomas, who is also an expert in this line of business, they established the Coudon Brothers Printing Company, which is one of the best known in this part of the state. although not so long established as many. But they have a modern and well equipped plant where prompt and accurate service is the motto : constantly their prestige has rapidly grown and they enjoy an extensive patronage. They make a specialty of high-grade commercial work, catalogues, book, special work, etc. They carry an excellent line of samples and satisfactory service is rendered, their plant enjoying a most enviable reputation with the local merchants.
Arthur B. Condon was married on January 31, 1907. to Edith Sloss. daughter of W. W. and Hulda Sloss, of Maryville, where this family has long been well established. To Mr. and Mrs. Condon two children have been born, Ethel Martha and George William.
FREDERICK WILLIAM VANDERSLOAT.
Another of the thrifty German-American citizens of Maryville, or more properly a native of the United States with a German ancestry, a man of characteristic twentieth-century enterprise and wholesome living is Frederick William Vandersloat. who was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, February I, 1863, the son of Ferdinand E. and Nancy ( Bronson) Vandersloat. The father was a butcher and came to Morgan county. Missouri, in 1865. In 1869 he moved to Holt county and engaged in the meat business. There he built up an extensive trade, and in 1908 moved to Howell county and again engaged in the meat business, where he now resides, living in retirement. He is a Republican in politics and a Presbyterian in religious matters. He was married to Nancy Bronson in 1860. while living in Wheeling, West Virginia. and to this union six children were born. The mother died in Holt county. Missouri, in 1906.
Frederick W. Vandersloat, after attending the common schools, began life by working on a farm, then learned the trade of meat cutter under his father,
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with whom he was associated for six years. He then engaged in business for himself at Mound City. Missouri, where he remained two years, then moved to Gallatin. this state, where he continued his line for three years; then he was in Pattonsburg and Holden, Missouri, one year at each place. After that he worked for his father at Mound City for three years : then he spent ten years in Maitland. His next move was to Colorado, where he remained three years. Then he came to Maryville, Missouri, and purchased the Heller meat market and is now successfully conducting the same, enjoying a very liberal patronage. He has a well located, neatly arranged and well equipped place of business and he carries everything in the meat line, and what he offers his customers is the best the market affords and at as reasonable prices as possible. He understands thoroughly his line and furnishes promptly what- ever kind of meat is called for. He enjoys a fine patronage and it is con- stantly growing. Mr. Vandersloat is a Republican and a member of the Christian church. He belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pyth- ias. He was married on July 3, 1891, to Alice Erhart, of Gallatin, Missouri, and this union has resulted in the birth of two children. Frederick Erhart and Eva Alene.
BAYARD TAYLOR WRAY AND SONS.
This firm is well known throughout Nodaway county as breeders of fine Poland-China hogs at Hopkins, but they reside in Union township. For a period of nine years their stock has found a ready market, growing from two to three hundred head annually. Although their hogs are greatly ad- mired by all, they are not exhibitors, but they ship to all parts of the United States, among their heaviest patrons being in Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Ne- braska, Kansas, Ohio and New Mexico. They have two sales annually, the annual sales often amounting to twenty-five hundred or three thousand dol- lars. "Peter Sterling." who is head of the herd, has a great reputation in Missouri and Nebraska: he is now ten years old and has carried off high honors as a breeder. These hogs are heavy boned, big type, weight as high as nine hundred and eighty-five pounds, but most of the best breed is kept at six hundred or six hundred and fifty pounds. "Longfellow Bill" is another big boar, probably the largest hog in Missouri; he could easily make one thousand pounds. A large part of their sale is to breeders, but they enjoy an extensive home patronage. The business of this firm has grown from a small beginning in 1901 to very large proportions. Their first public sale
Bayard INray and Family
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in 1903 amounted to only about nine hundred dollars, while the present sales will double that amount. They are extensive advertisers in breeders' and agricultural papers. They are also large market feeders of swine. They understand well how to handle hogs to the best advantage; their place has always been free from cholera and, in fact, singularly free from all diseases. Their stock is admired by all who see them. Outside of their specialty, the Wrays carry on general farming very successfully. They own one hundred and sixty acres of rich land and operate two hundred and seventy acres in addition to their home farm.
With Bayard T. Wray are his sons, Ernest O. and Arthur Irvin, also Albert Anderson and Theron G., the latter now a student in the Maryville Business College.
Bayard Taylor Wray was born in Polk township, seven miles northeast of Maryville, near Myrtle Tree church, on the old John Wray farm-the latter being the subject's grandfather-on January 10, 1862. He is the son of William W. and Sarah E. (Shelman) Wray, the latter the only sister of Adam Shelman. William W. Wray was the son of John and Sarah (Wise- man) Wray. John Wray came from Ohio to Iowa and to Nodaway county, Missouri, when Bayard T., of this review, was a child three years old. He located on a farm in Union township, within two miles of the present home of Bayard T. The mother died there on February 6, 1894. Six years later William W. returned to Ohio, where he married a second time, and he now resides at Zaleski, Vinton county, Ohio, retired. He sold the old farm to a son-in-law, A. D. New, but another son-in-law. G. G. New, now lives on the place. This place was reclaimed from its wild state by William W. Wray.
To Mr. and Mrs. William W. Wray ten children were born, eight sons and two daughters, all but one living in 1910. They are: Bayard T., of this review; Edward Percy, of Wray, Colorado: John Bertrand, of Valley Falls, Kansas: William N. is postmaster at Sheridan, Worth county ; Henry H. lives at Hopkins; George also lives at Hopkins; Wilbur W. died when twenty-two years old; Clara E. M. is the wife of A. D. New : Fred A. lives in Union township; Elizabeth Irene is the wife of G. G. New, living on the old homestead.
Bayard T. Wray remained at home until his marriage, on March 27. 1884, to Lorindo A. Wiley, daughter of James A. Wiley, of Pickering, this county ; she was reared on the farm and educated in the home schools and was eighteen years old when she married.
Mr. Wray began life as a farmer and his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres is part of his father's old home place. He remained on the
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home farm until five years ago when he came to the Samuel Lewis place, remaining there two years ; he has also spent three years on the Wiley home- stead.
The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wray: Victor H. lives at Orrsburg, this county; Edna married Joseph S. Leech and is living near Edgeley, North Dakota: Ernest O., Arthur I., Theron G. and Albert A. are partners with their father in the stock business; Viola, Sarah Caroline, Zeida Ann, Byron Bertrand, Lela, Elbert Taylor and Alma Grace, all at home.
JOHN ANDREW WALLACE.
One of Maryville's best known citizens is John Andrew Wallace, chief of police of this city and unquestionably one of the best officials the city has ever known, judging from his unblemished and praiseworthy record and his popularity with the general public. This statement is not made with a view to indulge in any undue flattery, but because facts warrant it, as those who know him best stand ready to attest.
Mr. Wallace was born on June 1. 1866, on a farm in Harrison county, Missouri, the son of John L. and Ellen (Dodge) Wallace. The father was born on November 26, 1837, on a farm in Macon county, Missouri, and there he grew to maturity and was educated. In 1871 he came to Nodaway county, settling on one hundred and six acres in Polk township, where he followed farming, which had been his chief occupation, until 1908, when he retired and moved into Maryville, locating on East Second street, where he is now enjoying the fruits of his early life of activity. Politically he is a Republican and a member of the Methodist church. He was married on July 4, 1861, to Ellen Dodge, of Kane county, Illinois. She was born January 6, 1846. Four- teen children were born to this union, eleven of whom are still living.
John A. Wallace, of this review, was reared on the home farm and edu- cated in the common schools. When twenty years of age he rented a farm and began life for himself, following this line of endeavor until 1895, in which year he moved to Maryville. He bought a restaurant and operated the same successfully for five months, then became special policeman until April, 1896. He was then appointed on the regular force, serving nearly five years at this in a very faithful manner and attracting the attention of party leaders by his conscientious discharge of duty at all times and he was singled out as the proper person to head the police department. Accordingly in 1900 he was
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elected chief of police and he has since held this position to the entire satis- faction of all, irrespective of party affiliations. His majority at the election in April, 1910, for re-election was two hundred and seventy-one, which is proof of his popularity. The second time he ran he was elected by a majority of four hundred and twenty-nine. He is loyal to the Republican party. He has been deputy sheriff for a period of nine years.
Mr. Wallace is a member of the Methodist church and the Knights of Pythias. On March 21, 1886, he was married to Alice Green. of Pickering. who was born December 19. 1869. This union has resulted in the birth of four children : Mary is the wife of William Edwards, manager of the Lin- ville Hotel at Maryville : Omar C. is agent and operator for the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy railroad at Parkville, Missouri: Florence E. is living at home; and Blanche is attending the local high school.
HAROLD JACOB VAN STEENBERGH.
One of the energetic business men of Maryville is Harold Jacob Van- Steenbergh, a native son, who has preferred to spend his life here at home. and he has always had deeply at heart the well being and improvement of the county, using his influence whenever possible for the promotion of enterprises calculated to be of lasting benefit to his fellow-men. besides taking a leading part in all movements for the advancement of the community along social. intellectual and moral lines. His birth occurred in Maryville on November 8. 1886. He is the son of Gideon Avery and Dora A. (Harriman) Van Steen- bergh, the father born August 15, 1852, in Ulster county, New York, the son of Jacob and Catherine (Rea) Van Steenbergh, the birth of Jacob having oc- curred in April, 1824. in Ulster county, New York : he was the son of John and Margaret (Tearce) VanSteenbergh. John was a farmer, owning eighty- five acres of land : his death occurred in March. 1852. Mrs. VanSteenbergh died in 1874 at the age of ninety-eight years. They reared ten children. Jacob VanSteenbergh, also a farmer by occupation. died October 6. 1892. having survived his wife forty years, her death having occurred on August 18. 1852.
Gideon A. VanSteenbergh lived on his father's farm until he was four- teen years old. He very early turned his attention to merchandising and for four years worked in a dry goods store at Newberg, New York, then for one year he worked in New York city. Believing that the west held greater op- portunities for him, he came to Denison, Iowa, and after learning the tailor's
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trade, came to Maryville, Missouri, September 18, 1882, and he has been suc- cessfully engaged in business here ever since. In 1908 he and his son formed a partnership under the firm name of VanSteenbergh & Son.
Gideon A. VanSteenbergh was married on January 22, 1874, to Dora MI Harriman, of Denison, Iowa. She is the daughter of Melvin and Lucinda Harriman, old pioneers of that place; their daughter, Dora M., was born on August 1, 1852. Two children have been born to this union, Harold Jacob and one deceased.
Gideon A. VanSteenbergh is a Democrat politically, a member of the Episcopal church, and fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Maccabees and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is well known and has the friendship of all with whom he has had dealings.
Harold J. VanSteenbergh grew to maturity in Maryville and was edu- cated in the local schools, graduating from the public schools in January, 1905. He was a good student and prepared himself for a teacher, but he taught only one year, this in the country, when, not finding the work of a peda- gogue entirely to his liking, he abandoned the same and went to Newton, Kansas, where he worked for the Santa Fe railroad six months. Returning to Maryville, he took a business course in the local business college, after which he formed a partnership with his father, having learned the tailor's trade while attending schools. This firm is doing an excellent business, which is constantly increasing, as general tailors, cleaners, pressers, etc., al- ways carrying an excellent line of samples and they have a neat and well equipped place of business.
Harold J. VanSteenbergh was married on November 26, 1908. to Elva Strawn, of Maryville. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
ROBERT ERVIN SNODGRASS.
One of the prompt. energetic and trustworthy business men of Maryville is Robert Ervin Snodgrass, who is well known throughout the northern half of Nodaway county as a hardware dealer, although he has not long been a resident of Maryville : however, his store has a most satisfactory patronage here, which is rapidly growing, his customers coming from all parts of the county and, never failing to receive courteous consideration and a fair deal. almost invariably return, remaining both his customers and his friends.
Mr. Snodgrass was born on February 15, 1862, on a farm near Clarinda,
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Iowa, the son of Robert and Nancy ( Matherly) Snodgrass. The father was born on March 1. 1818, on a farm in Indiana where he grew to maturity and received some education in the old-fashioned rural schools. He married Nancy Matherly on February 5, 1840, and they moved to Page county, Iowa, in 1845, remaining there until 1876, when they moved to Hopkins, Nodaway county, Missouri, Mr. Snodgrass being retired at that time. His death oc- curred on November 5. 1904, at an advanced age.
Nancy Matherly, wife of Robert Snodgrass, was born in Indiana, March II. 1824, the daughter of pioneers, and her death occurred on December 21. 1909. They were a highly respected people, and their family consisted of ten children, five of whom are now living. Robert Snodgrass was a Democrat and a member of the Christian church, being faithful in his support of the same.
Robert E. Snodgrass was reared on the home farm and when fourteen years of age accompanied his parents to Hopkins. He left school when nine- teen years of age and worked for W. S. Frayne in the hardware business in Hopkins, having decided to follow this line of business, and he was not long in learning the "ins and outs" of the same ; however, he next engaged in business with his brother, conducting a dry goods and grocery store. He then went to Pickering and maintained a lumber yard for a period of four- teen years. during which time he enjoyed a very satisfactory patronage. He also conducted a hardware store in connection with the same during the last five years he lived in Pickering. In 1905 he came to Maryville and he now conducts one of the best hardware stores in the county, which is well located on North Main street. carefully stocked with a modern line of goods, covering a varied and extensive line. He makes a specialty of quick meal stoves and ranges. "Round Oak" stoves and ranges, carrying a general line of hardware. tinware, builders' hardware, roofing, sporting goods, etc. Politically he is a Democrat, and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Snodgrass was married on December 4, 1892, to Roxanna Ewing. of Hopkins. daughter of Captain Ewing, a well known citizen and a survivor of the Mexican and Civil wars. Mrs. Snodgrass was born on January IT. 1862. This union has resulted in the birth of one child. Howard Ewing. who is now attending the Maryville schools.
JOHN DICKERSON RICHEY.
It is a well authenticated fact that success comes as a result of legitimate and well applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action when once decided upon. She is never known to smile upon the
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idler or dreamer and she never courts the loafer, and only those who have diligently sought her favor are crowned with her blessings. In briefly tracing the life history of John Dickerson Richey, well known in financial circles of Nodaway county and one of Maryville's loyal and representative citizens, it is plainly seen that the prosperity which he enjoys and the success he has attained in every relation of life, have been won by commendable qualities, and it is also his personal worth that has gained for him the high esteem of those who know him.
Mr. Richey was born May 16, 1872, in Cadiz, Harrison county, Ohio, the son of Robert G. and Susan C. (Dickerson) Richey. The father devoted his life to farming, and in the spring of 1885 he came to Maryville, Missouri, and after looking over the country roundabout, located on an eighty-acre tract west of the city where he established a very comfortable home and improved a neat and productive farm. In politics he was always a Democrat and in religious matters a Presbyterian.
John D. Richey was reared on the home farm, where he early in life learned the lessons of industry and fortitude, and he moved with his parents to Nodaway county, where, with the exception of some time spent away at school or in teaching, he has made his home up to the present. He was am- bitious to follow a business course or that of teaching, not finding the life of a husbandman entirely to his liking. He prepared himself very care- fully for his life work, having received an exceptionally good educa- tion. After passing through the common schools he took a thorough course in the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Illinois, having been graduated from that institution in 1897. He made a splendid record here, and after leaving the school room he began teaching at Crookston, Minnesota, where he remained one year. He then came to Maryville, Missouri, and clerked in the postoffice for eighteen months under Postmaster James Todd. He later re- turned to teaching and was employed for seven years in a business school at Birmingham, Alabama, where he gave eminent satisfaction to all concerned. Returning to Nodaway county, he accepted a position as cashier of the Nod- away Valley Bank, December 1, 1905, which position he has held to the pres- ent time. having proven to be a very popular and satisfactory employe of this old and substantial institution. Politically he is a Democrat and in religious matters a Presbyterian.
Mr. Richey was married on July 6, 1898. to Nellie E. Curfman, daugh- ter of Amon Curfman and wife, a well known family of Tarkio, Missouri. Mrs. Richey was called to her rest on July 2, 1905, leaving one child, Mary
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Margaret. On November 25, 1908. Mr. Richey was again married, his last wife being known in her maidenhood as Effie D. Bell, daughter of Albert E. Bell and wife, an influential Maryville family.
FELIX S. GRUNDY.
He of whom this sketch is written is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Missouri, in which state he has passed his entire life, and he is one of the successful and prominent citizens of Maryville, Nod- away county, where he is the leading plumber, being well known to the people of that vicinity as a man of clean business principles and public spirited, hav- ing attained prosperity through his own well-directed efforts.
Mr. Grundy was born November 14, 1869, in DeKalb county, Missouri, and is a son of Samuel H. and Sarah G. Grundy. These parents were na- tives of Kentucky, but were for many years well-known and successful farm- ers in Garrett county, this state, but in 1871 they removed to Maryville, where the father's death occurred about twenty-five years ago. His widow, who is now eighty-five years old, is making her home with her son, the subject of this sketch. The latter was reared by his parents and was given a good prac- tical common-school education. In 1871 he accompanied his parents to Nod- away county, and at the age of twenty years he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a plumber. in the employ of the city water company. After com- pleting his apprenticeship he formed a business partnership with W. A. Tin- dall, but for a number of years he has been in business on his own account and has met with splendid success in his line. He does all kinds of plumbing, steam, gas and hot water heating, etc., and his establishment, which is located on South Main street, is thoroughly fitted out with a complete line of sup- plies and machinery used in his business, including a full line of "Standard" goods. He is an expert workman in his line and he employs none but first- class plumbers, his constant aim being to turn out none but perfect work, the result being that he has given universal satisfaction to all who have patronized him.
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