USA > Missouri > Johnson County > Portrait and biographical record of Johnson and Pettis counties, Missouri ; containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 14
USA > Missouri > Pettis County > Portrait and biographical record of Johnson and Pettis counties, Missouri ; containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 14
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tract plasterer until his deatlı. His wife, formerly Joanna Mellon, is still living in Sedalia, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Hulland is a char- ter member of the Royal Tribe of Joseph, belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees, and has passed all the chairs in Equity Lodge No. 26, A. O. U. W. He and his good wife are identified with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and are esteemed by the large circle of friends whom they have gathered around them during their long residence here.
A LBERT BODINE STITT is one of the worthy early settlers of Johnson County, having been the first Eastern man to locate in the region west of Warrensburg after the war. Having secured one hundred and eighty-two acres of land, he went to work with the energy and de- termination to succeed that insure success sooner or later. He was fortunate in securing for a wife a lady who has been a true helpmate, and to her he cheerfully accords a large share of the credit for his prosperity. Their pleasant home is always open for the entertainment of their many friends, and strangers as well find a cordial wel- come there.
A native of Fayette County, Ohio, born April 12, 1844, Mr. Stitt is one of eight children whose parents were James and Catherine (Ma- nary) Stitt. Three of the children are deceased. The father was born January 26, 1810, and grew to manhood on a farm. Early in life he learned the tailor's trade, and for years followed that trade successfully, and then, having mastered the carpenter's trade, devoted his time to that calling for some time. His declining years were passed quietly on a farm, his death occurring in Holden, Mo., March 27, 1890. Under his judicious train- ing his son Albert was reared and started in the right direction in the battle of life. His educa- tional advantages were somewhat limited, but
he made the best of his opportunities and is to- day a man of much more than ordinary informa- tion and general knowledge.
August 23, 1865, Mr. Stitt married Eliza Ellen Dyer. Her parents, Hugh C. and Mary Ann (Abernathy) Dyer, were honored pioneers of Ohio, but were natives of Virginia. At a very early period they left the Old Dominion on horse- back, making the entire journey to Ohio in that way. After his marriage Mr. Stitt and his bride started for Missouri, arriving here the following October. They at once settled in their present home, where they have long been classed among the leading citizens. The homestead, which is situated on section 22, township 47, range 27, is now all under cultivation, and each year goodly returns reward the fortunate owner.
Two children came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stitt, but only one survives. This promising youth, Edwin James, is now in his sixteenth year, and we predict for him a bright future. Mr. Stitt is affable and courteous in manner and makes friends of all with whom he comes in contact. In his political affiliations he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. A member of the Presbyterian Church, he bears an enviable reputation for his strict veracity and uprightness of character, and we are glad to ac- cord him a place among the honored old settlers of Johnson County.
G ICHARD M. OLMSTED has served for years as a member of the Sedalia Central Demo- cratic Committee from the Third Ward. In 1886 he was elected to serve as an Alderman front the same ward, and was Chairman of the Streets and Alleys and Cemetery Committees. After an interval of a year he was re-elected for another two-years term, and was Chairman of the Commit- tees on Streets and Alleys and Sewers. For two years he was out of office, but in 1893 was once
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more elected, and is now Chairman of the Sani- tary and Printing Committees, and is also a mem- ber of the one on streets and alleys. He was among the very first to advocate street pavement, and can always be found on the side of progress. In 1882 he started in business as a liveryman, be- ing a pioneer in this line, and has also been much interested in real estate-transactions.
At an early day the paternal grandfather brought his family as far West as Jersey County, Il1., from New York State. His son Richard, father of our subject, was a native of the Empire State, and in his early manhood operated a farmi near Jerseyville, I11., where he died when only twenty-eight years of age. His wife, who was a Miss Louisa Crab, afterward became the wife of P. S. Prentice. She was born in Knoxville, Tenn., and is a daughter of Joseph B. Crab, an early settler in Jersey County, Ill. He took part in the Black Hawk and Mexican Wars, and in 1853 went overland to Oregon, dying soon aft- er his arrival there. Mrs. Prentice resided in Jersey County until 1864, when she located in Macoupin County. After being a resident of Litchfield, I11., about ten years she came to Seda- lia, where she is now living, having reached her seventy-seventh year. She is a faithful and zeal- ous member of the Baptist Church. Of the four children by her first marriage, only two are liv- ing, our subject and S. H. The latter, who was in the Civil War, lives in Sedalia. By her mar- riage with Mr. Prentice she had four children.
R. M. Olmsted was born in Jersey County, I11., April 27, 1848, and received a district-school education. In 1864 he moved with his mother to Macoupin County, and a year later to Litchfield. His first employment was as a teamster, after which he entered the service of the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad as a brakeman, and was later promoted to be yardmaster. In 1871 he moved to the vicinity of Versailles, Mo., where he was engaged in farming about two years. In . 1873 he located in Sedalia and engaged in the teaming business for some seven years, gradually drifting into his present occupation. His livery barn at No. 313 Hancock Avenue is 45x90 feet in dimensions, and affords room for thirty horses.
In connection with his other business Mr. Olm- sted is the manager of a transfer line. From time to time he lias invested in real estate and owns seven residences, besides farmi lands.
In 1875 occurred the first marriage of Mr. Olinsted, the lady of his choice being Miss M. Bowlin, of that city. Her death occurred in Se- dalia, at which time she left two sons and a daughter, namely: Henry W., Bessie P. and Frederick. In 1887 our subject married Eudora Marvin, a native of this city. Mr. Olmsted is a member of Equity Lodge No. 26, A. O. U. W., belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees, and is also connected with the Woodmen of the World.
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EORGE U. BENNETT, M. D., a member of the medical fraternity of Kingsville, came to this place in 1889, and, opening an office, has made rapid progress in the estimation of those who have occasion to need his services. His father, Jacob Bennett, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, came to this state when a young man, and settled on a farm in Jackson County, on which he yet resides. He is a carpenter by trade, but for many years has devoted his entire time to agri- culture, and is now in his sixtieth year.
The mother of our subject, Mrs. Elizabeth (Cave) Bennett, only lived to be thirty-eight years old. She became the mother of five sons and one daughter. George U. was the eldest; John Price is engaged as a general merchant at Lone Jack, Mo .; Ella W. is deceased; Gains C. is bookkeeper in the bank at Kingsville; Charles makes his home in California; and Frank is en- gaged in farming with his father in Jackson County. Mrs. Bennett's parents were natives of North Carolina.
The second marriage of Jacob Bennett occurred in 1885, Ella Hunter becoming his wife. This union was blessed by the birth of six daughters, who are all living. George U., of this sketch, was born in Lone Jack, Jackson County, this
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state, July 24, 1858. He was reared on his fa- ther's farm, and when twenty years of age was enrolled as a student in the State Normal, but in order to pursue his studies there was obliged to teach school for a few months of each year.
For one year after completing his literary studies he worked for Ridnour & Baker, grocers in Kansas City, and while there learned consid- erable of the details of that business. His natural inclination led him soon after to study medicine, but in this undertaking he was greatly opposed by his parents, who did not consider him strong enough to follow the hand life of a physician. Although receiving no encouragement or advice from this source, he pressed forward, and enter- ing the medical department of the Western Re- serve College at Cleveland, Ohio, was graduated after a three-years course with the Class of '89. He then returned home and soon thereafter came to Kingsville, where he commenced practice.
Until the fall of 1894 he was interested in a drug store in this place, but at that time sold out in order to give his undivided attention to his in- creasing practice. For one term he filled the po- sition of Coroner.
Dr. Bennett was married to Miss Maggie Mc- Elvaine in 1890, and to them lias been born a daughter, Mabel. In politics our subject is a Democrat, and socially is a Mason, being Senior Warden of the lodge at Kingsville, and also be- longs to the Woodmen of the World. He is greatly interested in the work of the Christian Church, of which he is a member, and is also affiliated with the Medical Society of Southwest- ern Missouri, and the State Medical Society.
DWARD JOHN KIESLING. There are many accomplishments in life, the securing of which will ever bring honor and praise to the one who has faithfully won them; but the greatest honor will ever be due to the man who, beginning at the foot of the ladder, with no cap-
ital but strong arms and a courageous young heart, pushes his way onward and upward to success. Such a one is the subject of our sketch, for liis success is entirely due to the energy, per- severance and good judgment with which he has conducted his business enterprises.
In general blacksmithing, carriage and wagon manufacturing our subject has found a wide field for his labors, and has built up a large and lu- crative trade, receiving a liberal patronage from the citizens of Sedalia and surrounding towns. A native of Germany, he was born near Muenche- berg, Bavaria, June 4, 1863, and is a son of George and Margaret (Schmutzler) Kiesling, botlı of whom were natives of Germany. The father was a farmer in the Fatherland, in which country his death occurred. The mother was a Lutheran in religious belief, and had four chil- dren, three of whom are still living, our subject being the only one now in America.
Edward J. remained in his native land until reaching his fifteenth year, at which time, in" 1878, he came to America, here ineeting his brother John, who is now deceased. Locating in Cole County, Mo., our subject was employed on a farm for two years, and then apprenticed himself to learn the blacksmith's trade in West- phalia, Osage County, Mo., continuing in that capacity two years. In 1882 he came to Sedalia, working at his trade in connection with different establishments, and in 1885 bought the shop he now owns, beginning business for himself at blacksmithing and repairing. He was so suc- cessful in this line that he was enabled, in 1894, to begin the manufacture of wagons, carriages, sulk- ies, and, in fact, all vehicles on wheels. About fifteen men are employed and he superintends the business himself.
In Sedalia, in the year 1884, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Kiesling and Miss Bertha Maue, a native of Germany. To this union has been born a family of three children, George, Eddie and Walter. The family residence is at No. 312 North Prospect Avenue, and is the abode of hos- pitality and good cheer. Socially our subject is identified with the Woodmen of the World, and also belongs to the Sons of Herman. Politically
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he is a Republican, the principles of which party he supports with voice and ballot. He is a con- sistent member of the Lutheran Church, and gives generously to its support. Besides his manufacturing interests he is the owner of val- uable real estate, and in all respects has shown himself to be one who is worthy of emulation.
AMES H. CRAWFORD, the leading gen- eral merchant at Green Ridge, is not only a prominent and progressive business man of Pettis County, but has succeeded in establishing for himself a reputation for thorough integrity, enterprise and correctness, that is truly most de- sirable. He was born in Virginia, in 1855, and is the eldest member of the family of Baxter and Agnes Crawford, also natives of the Old Domin- ion, where they were reared and married. The father was identified with farming interests until the time of his decease, which occurred in Janua- ry, 1895. His estimable wife is still living, mak- ing her home with her youngest daughter in Virginia.
The boyhood of our subject was passed in the usual manner of farm lads, his time being divided between work and play and attending the district school. He continued to make his home under the parental roof for two years after reaching his majority, when he embarked in farming on his own account. He was thus employed in his na- tive state until 1884, when he came westward to Missouri, locating in Sedalia. His stay there was short, and six months later he changed his place of residence to Owsley, Johnson County, and for over four years was engaged in merchan- dising in that place. The outlook being very bright for his line of business in Green Ridge, he came hither, and now has the largest general store in the city, and indeed one of the largest in the county. He carries a full stock of the latest goods, and, his prices being popular, he is well patronized. Practical and progressive in his
ideas, in the management of his large business interests he manifests good judgment and those qualities which insure success.
James H. Crawford and Miss Anna H. Craig were united in marriage in 1882. The lady is the daughter of Kenerly and Mary J. (Clayton) Craig, natives of Virginia, in which state Mrs. Crawford was also born. Their union has re- sulted in the birth of three children, named re- spectively, Nellie, Willie and Marvin. Our sub- ject is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church South, while his estimable wife is a men- ber of the Baptist Church. He is a Democrat, politically, and is consequently opposed to mon- opolies. Although never seeking political hon- ors, he has nevertheless been prevailed upon to serve as a member of the Board of Councilmen, and is at present a member of that body.
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ERRITT YEATER, City Engineer of Se- dalia, is a very bright and promising young man, and already has achieved distinction as a civil engineer, surveyor and assayist. He was first appointed to the position he now holds in 1888, and served from that time until July 1, 1892, when he resigned. He was re-appointed on his return to this city in August, 1893, by Mayor Stevens, and since he has acted in this capacity has superintended and surveyed the laying of all the principal sewers in the city, and the paving of most of the important streets. He has platted several additions to the city, among these being South Park, Smith & Cotton's, R. L. Hale's, Arlington Heights and Baird & Metsker's, all of which are large additions, and he has also sur- veyed several smaller ones.
The great-great-grandfather of Merritt Yeater emigrated from Germany to Virginia, in which state his son, the next in line of descent, was born. He first moved to Kentucky, and later to Missouri, while it was still a territory, being one of the first settlers in the northern part of the
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state, and there he died at the age of sixty-six years. Charles H., grandfather of our subject, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., and for twenty years was a merchant in Osceola, St. Clair Coun- ty, Mo., in which place his death occurred in 1862, at the age of sixty years. He was a mem- ber of the Christian Church, and in political faith was a Democrat. His wife, Judith, was born in Kentucky, being a daughter of John Jamison, an early settler in Callaway County, Mo., and of English descent. Mrs. Yeater died when in her sixty-seventh year, and of her children three grew to maturity, namely: James J .; J. K., who was in the Sixteenth Missouri Infantry, Parsons' brigade, of the Confederate service; and Sarah, Mrs. Harrison, of Fayetteville, Ark.
James Jamison Yeater, father of our subject, was born in Troy, Lincoln County, Mo., Decem- ber 1, 1831, and when seven years of age moved with his parents to Callaway County. In 1841 he went to Osceola, where he attended the public and subscription schools, and then for a year he pursued his studies in Highland Academy, Jack- son County. From his boyhood he was trained to be a commercial man, and was in business with his father until 1857, when he started out on his own account in Osceola, continuing in trade until 1861. He was burned out by the Union army, and soon afterward enlisted on the Confederate side, being commissioned as Quartermaster and Commissary (with the rank of Captain) of the Tenth Missouri Cavalry. He took part in several battles and skirmishes in Missouri and Arkansas, but was never injured in the slightest way. In September, 1865, he came to Sedalia and was em- ployed in commercial pursuits until he retired, in 1886. For twenty years he was a Director in the Citizens' National Bank, and in the spring of 1893 was very influential in the organization of the Bank of Commerce, being made President of the institution from the start. Mr. Yeater was united in marriage with Sarah J. Ellis, who was born near Montpelier, Vt., and of their union were born four children, Chase, Merritt, Laura and Stella.
Merritt Yeater was born in Georgetown, Pettis County, March 1, 1868, and from the time he was
three years of age lived in Sedalia. He obtained his education in the public schools of this place, and graduated from the high school in 1881, after which he took an academic course in the State University at Columbia. In 1886 he received the . degrees of civil engineer and mechanical engineer from that university, after taking the required course in those branches. Then, going to St. Louis, he was for eight months chemist for the Western Steel Company, and later was assayer and chemist for the Gold King Mining and Mill- ing Company of Telluride, Colo. In a little less than a year he went to San Diego, Cal., working as a civil engineer, and then obtained a similar position in Texas on the Frisco Railroad.
In the spring of 1888 Mr. Yeater was appoint- ed City Engineer of Sedalia by Mayor Crawford, was re-appointed by him the following year, and in 1890-91-92 received his appointments from Mayor Stevens. On his resignation from the office in July, 1892, he went to Hannibal, Mo., taking a contract to build a reservoir holding forty million gallons for the Hannibal Waterworks Company. This task he completed satisfactorily at the end of nine months. He was next offered a position with the General Electric Company of Chicago, to survey and lay out the Intramural Railway at the World's Fair, and carried out his part of the contract. Afterward he laid a few sewers in that city, but in the early fall of 1893 returned to Sedalia, and was at once urged to re- sume his former position as City Engineer, and acceded to his friends' wishes. Like his father, he is a Democrat, and fraternally is a Knight of Pythias.
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ON. GEORGE L. FAULHABER, one of the most prominent citizens of Sedalia, is now serving as Treasurer of the Missouri Trust Company. He is public spirited, enter- prising and progressive, and has done much for the advancement of the city where he now makes his home. He was born in Kirch Brombach,
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Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, on the 6th day of April, 1838, and is a son of John H. Faulhaber, who was a native of the same place. His grand- father, Karl August Faulhaber, was also born in the same province, and there he had charge of the Grand Duke's forest. The family came originally from the French side of the Rhine, and were Lutherans in religious belief.
The father of our subject was engaged in the manufacture of furniture in Kirch Brombach, and the business there established is still conducted by a member of the family. His eldest brother was also a cabinet-maker by trade. Mr. Faulhaber wedded Catherine Zimmer, who was born near Offenthal, and a daughter of John M. and Susan- na (Zeigel) Zimmer. Her father was also a na- tive of Offenthal, where he engaged in the manu- facture of plush. To Mr. and Mrs. Faulhaber were born ten children, nine of whom grew to man and womanhood: Fritz, who died in Germany; Ernst and Catherine, who both passed away in Pittsburg, Pa .; Ernstine, now Mrs. Hoffman, of Mt. Carroll, I11 .; Lotta, Lizzette and Margaret, who all died in Allegheny, Pa .; Fredericka, a resi- dent of that city; and George L., the youngest of the family. The father departed this life in his native land in 1846, at the age of fifty-four years, and the mother's death occurred in May, 1851, at the age of fifty-six years.
The gentleman whose name heads this record graduated from the public schools of Germany at the age of twelve years, after which he came to America with a sister, in 1851. They left Meintz for Rotterdam and thence went to London. For ten weeks they were on the Atlantic, during which time they were lost in an ice-field, and as the wa- ter and provisions gave out they were nearly starved. At length they arrived safely in New York, whence they proceeded at once to Pittsburg, Pa., where Mr. Faulhaber worked with his broth- er until 1855, when he went to Chambersburg, Pa., and apprenticed himself to a chairmaker, with whom he remained twelve months, but dur- ing that time the man nearly starved him to death. He then boarded a schooner going down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans, and re- mained there until June, 1857, when he went to
St. Louis. In the following September, however, he secured a position with the United States Ex- press Company at Jefferson City, Mo., remaining with them for two years. He was then messen- ger on the stage lines from Tipton to Kansas City, Mo., and Leavenworth to Junction City, Kan. In April, 1862, he returned to Missouri and ran be- tween Sedalia and St. Louis, and also between St. Louis and Macon City. He then became agent for the United States Express Company at Sedalia, but resigned the following year and removed to Pleasant Gap, Bates County, where for two years he engaged in merchandising. At the end of that time he sold out and engaged in the express business, and was also Route Agent in north Mis- souri for the same company, with headquarters at St. Louis. Later, in 1867, he organized an ex- press company of his own, known as the Southern Express Company, of which he became proprietor and Superintendent, it having the stage lines in southwestern Missouri. The principal shipping lines were Sedalia, Springfield, Carthage and Ne- osho, and he carried on the business until 1868, when the railroads encroached on his territory.
In that year we again find Mr. Faulhaber back in the office of the United States Express Compa- ny at Sedalia, he remaining with them until 1891, when the Pacific Express Company came into control. With the latter firm he remained until the Ist of September, 1884, when he resigned to become Treasurer of the Missouri Trust Compa- ny, being the first to fill that office, and he has held the position ever since. The company was or- ganized in 1880, with a capital stock of $10,000, and is now doing the largest business of the kind in the state. The capital stock has been increased to $500,000, with $200,000 paid up; there is a surplus of $50,000, and undivided profits to the amount of $10,000. The company issue debent- ures and sell them anywhere, and also have a sav- ing department, and any sum from $1 draws five per cent. interest. Their present fine building was erected in 1887. Besides holding the office of Treasurer of this company, our subject is also a stockholder and Director.
On the 2d of January, 1861, in Jefferson City, Mo., Mr. Faulhaber married Miss Lillie Grim-
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shaw, a native of Leeds, England, and daughter of Jonathan Grimshaw, who was Division Super- intendent of the Midland Railroad in England. Af- ter coming to America her father located at St. Louis, where he became connected with the United States Express Company, and front 1858 to 1892 was agent at Jefferson City, when he resigned and his son Arthur became his successor. He then came to Sedalia, and is now connected with the Missouri Trust Company. His wife, who was formerly Eliza M. Toplam, died in Jefferson City in 1876. Mrs. Faulhaber was educated in St. Louis, and by her marriage has become the mother of six children. Katherine E., now Mrs. Houx, is a widow and resides with her father; George G. died in St. Louis; Gertrude is at home; Ernest A. is in the purchasing department of the Northern Pacific Railroad at St. Paul, Minn .; and Eda Margaret and Blanche Lillian, who are at home, complete the family.
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