USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume II > Part 4
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also a native of Kentucky and a farmer by occupation. The Professor's mother was Caroline A. Hunt, who was born in Randolph county, Indiana, and she is yet living. She and her husband are the parents of four children. namely: Mrs. E. R. Fantz is living three miles west of Skidmore: Alonzo lives near Skidmore, this county; J. B. lives in Atchison county, Missouri ; Prof. W. M., of this review, is the second in order of birth.
Professor Oakerson received part of his primary education in the com- mon schools of Randolph county, Indiana, and he came with his parents to Missouri in 1881, finishing his primary education in Atchison county ; he then took a course in the normal school at Stanberry, Missouri, and then entered the State Normal at Warrensburg, this state. He had early in life decided to become a teacher, and he taught several terms before finishing school and when he had finished school he began the profession in earnest and soon had an enviable local reputation as an instructor. He was principal of the Skid- more public schools for a period of five years. In 1905 he was elected county superintendent of schools of Nodaway county, and so faithfully did he per- form his duties that he was re-elected in 1907 and again in 1909, having been elected by popular vote. His continuance in this important office is evidence of his high standing in the county. The county supervision has been adopted since he has been in office. He was elected first as county school commis- sioner and county supervisors. Rural school examinations and rural gradua- tions have been adopted by him. also a uniform course of study for rural schools of the county. He introduced the teaching of agriculture in the rural schools and has done many things to uplift them and place the schools of this county on an equal footing with the best in the country. He holds a state life certificate in the state department of instruction. Last year he served as treasurer of the Missouri State Teachers' Association.
The Professor has remained single. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
As a teacher. Professor Oakerson has met with merited success and in his capacity of superintendent of county schools his record presents a series of successes and advancement such as few attain. He pursues his chosen calling with all the interest of an enthusiast, is thoroughly in harmony with the spirit of the work and has a proper conception of the dignity of the pro- fession to which his life and energies are so unselfishly devoted. A finished scholar, a polished gentleman and possessing the traits of character neces- sary to insure success, the services thus far rendered and the laurels gained
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bespeak for him a wider and more distinguished career of usefulness in years to come, should he see fit to continue the noble calling which he has hereto- fore followed with such signal and happy results.
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ARTHUR SILCOTT ROBEY.
In placing the name of Arthur Silcott Robey in the front rank of Maryville's business men, simple justice is done to a biographical fact, rec- ognized throughout Nodaway county by men at all familiar with his history. A man of judgment, discretion and a high order of business ability, he has managed his affairs with tactful success.
Mr. Robey was born at South Plymouth, Fayette county, Ohio. August 13. 1859, and is the son of Dr. D. L. and Mary (Smith) Robey. The father, a man of prominence in that locality, was born on November 20, 1828, in West Virginia, the son of Abraham and Sarah Ann ( Powelson) Robey. The birth of Abraham Robey occurred in West Virginia on June 22. 1797; he remained in his native community and died there on April 19, 1876. Sarah Ann Powelson was born November 22. 1808, in West Virginia and is still living in that state at the remarkable age of one hundred and two years. Dr. D. L. Robey studied medicine and practiced in Fayette county, Ohio, also Shelby county, Illinois, and was very successful in each place. He married Mary C. Smith, on July 15. 1852. She was born on July 22, 1830. This union resulted in the birth of ten children, nine of whom are living at this writing. The mother was called to her rest on May 5, 1875, and Doctor Robey survived her thirty-one years, dying in Shelby county, Illinois, Janu- ary 21, 1906, well known and highly respected.
Arthur S. Robey, of this review, received a good education in the common schools of his community, and in 1879 he came West and located in Mary- ville, Nodaway county. He taught school very successfully for six years, one year near Maryville, and five years near Quitman. While teaching here he attended the old seminary and graduated therefrom in 1880.
Giving up the profession of teaching, he formed a partnership with A. J. Walts, under the firm name of Robey & Walts, in the livery business and has been engaged in business at the same location ever since, enjoying a very liberal patronage. In 1895 Mr. Robey bought out Mr. Walts, and has since conducted the business alone. In 1896 he was burned out. but. nothing daunted, he became established again and now has thirty-one head of good horses and all proper equipment for carrying on a first-class business of this nature.
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Mr. Robey has long taken more or less interest in political affairs, and for a period of four years he served very acceptably as treasurer and trustee of Polk township, and he was deputy sheriff for six years. He is now chair- . man of the Democratic central committee, and was chairman of the city com- mittee for a period of fourteen years in succession. On April 5. 1910, he was elected mayor of Maryville and immediately entered upon his duties, making a most auspicious beginning and everyone, irrespective of party alignment, is well pleased with his selection to this important office. During his incum- bency he will doubtless accomplish much for the general uplift of the city and materially increase its prestige abroad.
Mr. Robey is a member of the Christian church, and fraternally, he be- longs to the Knights of Pythias. the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Maccabees.
Mayor Robey was married on March 21, 1886, to Cora C. Culverson, a prominent Maryville lady, who was born November 1, 1868, of an old and well established family at Bloomfield, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Robey have five living children, Otho L., manager of Western Union Telegraph Company at Anadarko, Oklahoma : Donald L., J. Russell, Paul C. and Lawrence La Verne. all at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Robey are well and favorably known to the people of Maryville and Nodaway county, where many years of their well ordered lives have been spent and where their hospitality, kindness, uprightness and loyalty to all modern movements looking to the general good of humanity have made them popular and won them scores of admiring friends.
CARLOS J. ALDERMAN.
In examining the life records of successful men, it will inevitably be found that indefatigable industry has constituted the basis of their advance- ment. True, there are other elements which enter in and conserve the further- ing of personal interests, -- perseverance, discrimination and mastering of ex- pedients,-but the foundation of all achievement is earnest, persistent labor. At the outset of his career Carlos J. Alderman recognized this fact, and he did not seek any royal road to the goal of prosperity and independence. but began to work earnestly and diligently to advance himself, and the result is that he is now numbered among the progressive, successful and influential
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business men of Maryville, being the well known proprietor of the Alderman Dry Goods Company, one of the leading mercantile establishments of Noda- way county.
Mr. Alderman was born in Morgan county, Ohio, April 1. 1863, and is the son of Eli and Mary (Joy) Alderman, an old and well-established family. well known over northwestern Missouri counties. Eli Alderman devoted his life to the mercantile business, and in 1865 came to Savannah, Andrew county, Missouri, and opened a store where he continued until his death, in 1902, having enjoyed an extensive trade in that community. He was a Re- publican in politics and. religiously, was a Methodist. He married Sarah Joy early in the fifties. She was also a native of Ohio, but spent most of her life in Missouri, dying in 1898. Three children were born to this union, two of whom are living. Marion H., of Savannah, Missouri, and Carlos J., of this review.
Carlos J. Alderman was educated in Savannah, this state, in which city he spent his boyhood days. Early in life he decided to follow in the foot- steps of his father and entered the mercantile field, beginning by clerking two years for his father at Savannah, and there learned much of the "ins and outs" of the business. He then formed a partnership known as Cook & Alder- man, which existed two years, when he bought Cook's interest and managed the store alone for three years when M. H. Alderman bought an interest. the firm changing to C. J. Alderman & Company. They continued to build up a large business, and in 1896 Carlos J. purchased the interest of his brother and opened a branch store in Maryville. He sold out at Savannah in 1898 to M. H. Alderman and devoted his attention exclusively to the Maryville store, which he still maintains and which, under his able and judicious man- agement, has grown to large proportions and enjoys a very liberal trade with the city and surrounding country. In February. 1899. this business was incor- porated as the Alderman Dry Goods Company. Carlos J. Alderman being president and manager and has continued to the present time as such. He carried a large, complete, up-to-date and carefully selected stock of goods, and his store is neatly and artistically arranged, being a favorite gathering place for visitors from the rural districts when in the county seat.
Mr. Alderman is a Republican politically, and in fraternal matters he is a Mason, belonging to the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine : he is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
The marriage of Carlos J. Alderman and Elizabeth Greenlee, of Andrew county, where her people are well and favorably known, occurred on Decem- ber 23. 1884. and this union has been blessed by the birth of two children, Meril J. and Harry O.
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GEORGE D. MOWRY.
Among the representative business men of Graham, Nodaway county, is the subject of this sketch, who is at present proprietor of a well known and popular drug store in Graham, and who is carrying on his line of business with that enterprise and discretion which are sure to find their sequel in def- inite success. A residence here of thirty-five years has but strengthened his hold on popular confidence and esteem and today he occupies an enviable standing among his fellow citizens. Mr. Mowry was born in the state of Maryland on April 23. 1845. and is a son of Daniel and Nancy ( Newcomer) Mowry, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father followed the pursuit of farming in his native state until 1855, when the family removed to Mercer county, Illinois, settling on a farm, where the parents spent the remainder of their days. Of their five children, four lived to maturity, their names being George D .. Charles M., Cornelia and Otho J.
George D. Mowry accompanied his parents on their removal to Mercer county. Illinois, and in the public schools of that locality he secured the greater part of his education. He remained there until the fall of 1870, when he came to Nodaway county, locating in Hughes township, where, until 1875, he was engaged in farming. In the latter year he left the farm and came to Graham, where he has since resided, having engaged in several business enterprises up to September. 1891, when he engaged in the drug business, to which he has since devoted his attention, with a gratifying measure of suc- cess. He carried a very complete line of drugs and a large and well selected stock of druggists' sundries and the side lines usually carried in up-to-date drug stores. Courteous and accommodating. he has commanded his full share of the public patronage and is numbered among Graham's leading busi- ยท ness men.
In December. 1865. in Mercer county, Illinois, Mr. Mowry was united in marriage with Rachael A. Long, who was born in Pennsylvania, though reared in Mercer and Rock Island counties, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Mowry are the parents of eight living children, namely : Eva M .. the wife of Robert Amber: Lena E., the wife of Charles Dickson: Maud P., the wife .of S. D. Lipton : Daniel N., Fred D. and Otto L. live in Graham: Frances I. is the wife of Fred E. Bryant : Morgan W .. of Graham: two died in infancy.
Politically. Mr. Mowry is a Democrat and has taken a keen interest in the public affairs of the locality where he resides. He was the candidate on the Democratic ticket for collector of Hughes township and was elected by a majority of six votes over his opponent, and he has a number of times
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been chosen a delegate to the county conventions of his party. All that has tended to the upbuilding and development of Hughes township has received the earnest endorsement of Mr. Mowry and his enterprise and influence have been active factors in the progress and prosperity of the town in which he lives. Fraternally, Mr. Mowry is an appreciative member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which order he has been a member since 1870. He enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout this section of the county and is well liked by all with whom he has been thrown in contact.
ALEXANDER A. SEARCY.
Success is not necessarily a matter of genius, as held by many, but rather the outcome of clear judgment, persistency and rightly applied energy. The successful man is he who plans his own advancement and accomplishes it in spite of opposition. Difficulties and obstacles will always disappear before determination and unfaltering energy, and, while the road to prosperity does not always seem plain, there can ever be found a path leading to the goal of one's hopes. Among those worthy sons of northern Missouri who had ambi- tions to excel in the battle of life is Alexander A. Searcy, who, although he had influential ancestors and enjoyed early advantages that many youths do not have. has gained his present prestige in the business world very largely through his own efforts and gained wide recognition in his chosen profession. architecture, one of the highest of the fine arts, through sheer force of his individuality, his reputation now being state wide, a truly deserving, self-made man.
Mr. Searcy was born in Clay county, Missouri. June 28. 1852, the son of Allen Searcy, who was a native of Louisville, Kentucky, born there in 1832, of a fine old Southern family. He came West when a young man, locat- ing in Clay county. Missouri, and in 1855 removed to Page county, Iowa. where he lived until his death, in 1903. at the age of seventy-one years. He was a man of many praiseworthy characteristics, a man in whom his ac- quaintances reposed the utmost confidence.
Reuben Searcy, paternal grandfather of Alexander A. Searcy, was also a native of Louisville, Kentucky, became well known as an able and influ- ential Baptist minister. He came to Clay county, Missouri, in later years. where he spent the balance of his life, dying at the remarkable age of one
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hundred and nine years ; his long life, which was fraught with a vast amount of good to his associates of the early days. was doubtless due in no small degree to his wholesome living: however, the Searcy family is noted for its longevity.
Jane Scoggans was the maiden name of the mother of Alexander A. Searcy ; she was born in Clay county. Missouri, and died thirty-two years ago, having met death in a tragic manner in a fire in Page county, Iowa.
To Mr. and Mrs. Allen Searcy eight children were born, four of whom are living, namely: Mrs. Lillie Roberts, of Creston, Iowa: W. P., of Los Angeles, California; George, of Idaho, and the subject.
Alexander A. Searcy grew to maturity in Page county, Iowa, and was educated at College Springs College. College Springs, Iowa. He applied himself very assiduously to his studies and received a very good education. He worked on the home farm until he was twenty-one years old. He attended public school only nine months and that was in a log school house.
The artistic temperament seized upon him very early and has dominated his whole life. When only nine years old he gave evidence of a marked tal- ent for building, from which time this innate quality increased with the years. When twenty-two years of age he built his first house in College Springs. Iowa. Three years later he went to Blanchard, that state, and was very actively engaged. building about one-half of that town. His next move was to Tarkio. Missouri, now a city of twenty-two hundred inhabitants, and he built seven-eighths of the town, having lived in Blanchard three years prior to his moving to Tarkio, and he remained in the last named place for a period of fourteen years. Then he came to Maryville and built the local light plant. Since then he has given up contracting and has devoted his attention to architecture and superintending. During this time he has built two hundred and eighty churches. He was architect and superintendent of the Mary- ville high school building, one of the best in the state. and he has designed many of the best residences in this city, including those of James B. Rob- inson, W. A. Rickenbrode, the Washington school and the Elks club build- ing. He is now building a fine church at Glenwood. Iowa, and has many other important contracts. His work is always satisfactory, being honestly and adroitly done, displaying an architectural ability second to none, and his services are in great demand. One of his best local jobs was the Nodaway County Infirmary. of which he was architect and superintendent of con- struction.
Mr. Searcy was married first. when twenty-one years of age. to Olevia Spear, a native of Pennsylvania, which union resulted in the birth of one
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daughter, now Mrs. George Bowman, of Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Two years after her marriage. Mr. Searcy's first wife was called to her rest. Five years later Mr. Searcy married Esther Spear, a cousin of his former wife. and this union resulted in the birth of the following children: Sadie is the wife of Melvin Duncan, of Kansas City : Retta, millinery trimmer, of Chicago : Orva is telephone operator at Jacksonville, Mississippi.
Mr. Searcy belongs to the Modern Woodmen and Mrs. Searcy is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Personally, Mr. Searcy is a man of pleasing address, alert, modern in his ideas, a good mixer, honorable and straightforward in his business meth- ods.
MOORE BROTHERS LIGHTNING ROD COMPANY.
One of the leading industrial enterprises of Maryville, Missouri, and one of which any community might well be proud and one that gained a prestige that is national in its scope and rapidly growing is the Moore Broth- ers Lightning Rod Company, a substantial corporation that finds a ready and extensive market for its goods in eleven states. The rapid rise and continued growth from a somewhat humble beginning of this company has been due to the superior qualities of the wares manufactured and the splendid business management exercised in its executive control. also by the straightforward and uniform honesty which has marked the every-day transactions of the company from the first. thereby winning and retaining the confidence of the business world.
The company is a close corporation, the stock being owned by the four Moore brothers and is officered as follows: D. C. Moore, president : E. V. Moore, vice-president : G. J. Moore, treasurer; J. L. Moore, secretary, all business men of rare acumen and foresight.
The company was originally organized in 1900 at Graham, Missouri, where the business was successfully launched and conducted until November. 1908, when better facilities for transportation and contact with the world of commerce was deemed advisable and the plant and offices were moved to Mary- ville, the company having been incorporated in 1906.
Their new factory building is a modern. handsome, three-story struc- ture located at Nos. 122-124 East Second street, Maryville, Missouri, and is one of the best in the city, having been completed in 1909. This is always a very busy place. the building being equipped with the best and latest designs
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in machinery, furnishings and all that goes to make up an attractive, twentieth- century manufacturing plant. Here is manufactured in immense quantities of pure, soft copper cable lightning rods, which are endorsed by insurance companies, which are without joints and which never rust : also static electric machines, vanes of all kinds, pure copper connectors, copper uprights, gal- vanized steel standards, copper loop fasteners, copper dispensers, glass balls. and ornaments of all kinds-in fact, everything needed for a first-class job of lightning rods. The plant is installed with ingenious machinery for the rapid manufacture of their wares and all this marvelous mechanism is the product of the inventive skill of the Moore brothers, their machinery as well as all of their devices being covered by letters patent, and here only first-class artisans are employed, the firm's motto being. "High standard in quality, and prompt service." No matter how many rush orders are received, all lightning rods and accessories are constructed with the same carefulness in workman- ship and attention that has won for all their goods the reputation of being the best. The ardent aim of the company has been to manufacture a lightning rod that would protect and outlive its purchaser, and it has been through great skill and heavy expense that they have been able to build machinery to pro- duce their famous pure soft copper cable lightning rod, which they are able to guarantee to be an absolute protection from lightning. This cable is so scientifically perfect that there is not one single weak point in it and which has many exclusive advantages, as has been attested by the thousands of users of the same.
The company constantly employs twenty-four traveling salesmen, selling to dealers, and an immense business is carried on over a wide range of territory. The company's sales were twelve thousand feet of cable the first business year. During the year 1909 the sales were over one million feet : early in the year 1910 they had advanced orders for over four hundred thousand feet. the prospects being good for the two million mark before the close of the year.
Besides the many patents which the company now holds, five additional patents are now pending. The company has a branch office in Peoria. Illinois, which also carries on an extensive business.
The greatest credit should be given the Moore brothers, owing to the fact that not so very many years ago, these four farmer boys started this line of business with practically no capital, four hundred dollars being the extent of their combined capital. Confident of their ultimate success. they gave pains- taking care to every detail in workmanship and gave their patrons high-grade service. all the work they turned out being high standard in quality. They always did a little more than they promised and did it a little better than
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they agreed to; this method has given them a reputation that may well be envied by other companies.
The Moore boys are son of Levozier and Jane C. ( Cappelier) Moore, the former a native of Ohio and the latter a native of Virginia, the father being of Irish ancestry and the mother of French and English descent. Lev- ozier Moore came to Missouri in 1868, locating in Andrew county, about three miles from Savannah. About one year later he moved to Hughes town- ship, Nodaway county, and located on the farm now owned by his four sons. the Moore brothers, of this review. Their father was a farmer all his life and was very successful in his chosen field of endeavor : his death occurred in 1880, at the age of fifty-two years, his widow surviving until 1905, dying at the age of seventy-four years. To Mr. and Mrs. Levozier Moore eight chil- dren were born, five of whom are living, the four sons mentioned above and a daughter, Mrs. Ruth S. Cryder, who is living in the southwest part of Nod- away county.
John L. Moore, the efficient secretary and manager of the company, was born on the parental farm and educated in the common schools. remaining on the home place until 1900, when he bought a farm in the same neighbor- hood and continued farm life until he engaged in the present business. He was married September 30. 1896, to Nellie E. Cryder, daughter of Frank Cryder, of Nodaway county, in which county she was born. To this union tive sons have been born, namely : Ernest, George. Vern, Ralph and Harold. John L. Moore is a Mason and he and his wife belong to the Methodist church.
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