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 65
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 65
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September 10, 1883, Theodore Youngs and
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Minnie L. Colbern, of this city, were united in marriage. The lady was born September 10, 1865, and received her higher education in the Central Female College at Lexington, and in the State Normal. A little son and daughter have been born to brighten the home of our subject and his estimable wife, namely: Grover, born De- cember 25, 1886; and Ella L., October 4, 1893. The son is named in honor of his great-uncle, Grover Youngs, of New Jersey, who served in the Revolutionary War. A treasured relic now in the possession of Theodore Youngs is a belt-clasp which was worn by this ancestor in the War for Independence, and which in turn will revert to young Grover. Fraternally our subject is a member of the Masonic order, having joined the same at Hallsville in 1881. The following year he took the chapter degree at Warrensburg and is now a Knight Templar.
D HARLES L. KECK. Much of the progress of a city depends upon the development of its manufacturing interests, and in Sedalia 110 one has contributed more to this line of indus- try than has our subject. Though a native of Ger- many, his home has been here since 1867, and he has been intimately identified with the growth and prosperity of the town. He is engaged in the manufacture of store, office and bank fixtures, and has supplied with the products of his factory the best buildings in Sedalia and the adjoining territory, covering a radius of more than one hun- dred miles.
Charles L. Keck was born near Freudenberg, Baden, Germany, June 26, 1840. His father, Michael, and grandfather, Joseph, were also pa- tives of that place, where the latter engaged in farming. The former, in addition to following the occupation of an agriculturist, was a dealer in fruits in Frankfort, conducting an extensive business, both wholesale and retail. His death occurred in Frankfort in 1889, when he was
eighty-two years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Maggie Kern, was born in Freud- enberg, and died when our subject was six years old. Both were Catholics in religious belief, and died in the faith of that church.
The seven children comprising the family of Michael Keck were named as follows: Michael, Jr., who still remains in Germany; Constantine, a resident of Henry County, Mo .; Catherine, who is living in Cooper County; Herman, who resides in the Fatherland; Charles L .; Margaretta, also in Germany; and Killion, who died in that coun- try. Our subject attended the common schools of Freudenberg in boyhood, and during the inter- vals of study he assisted his father in the fruit business. In 1867 he came to America and at once located in Sedalia, reaching this city with only $4 in his possession. After working in a brewery for a time, he opened a saloon on Main Street, where he remained for eight years, and later was similarly engaged on Ohio Street for four years.
Desiring to engage in a better business, Mr. Keck sold his saloon, and, forming a partnership with Joseph Dickman, under the firm name of Keck & Dickman, he commenced to manufacture show cases, office fixtures, church seats, fancy woodwork, etc. Two buildings are utilized, one for a store, the other for a factory, and the ma- chinery is run by steam power. The factory has a capacity for seventy-five employes, and the products are gaining a deserved reputation for accuracy of detail and excellence of finish.
At different times Mr. Keck has invested in real estate, and now owns considerable valuable property, including his neat residence on the cor- ner of Third and Washington Avenues. He is a Director in the Occidental Building and Loan Association, and has other important interests in Sedalia. In the Sacred Heart Catholic Church he is officiating as Trustee and Treasurer, and he belongs to the Catholic Knights of America. Po- litically he reserves for himself the right to vote for whom he deems best qualified for office, re- gardless of party ties. His marriage took place in Sedalia in 1873, his wife being Mrs. Clara (Fresh) Clegg, a native of Cole County, this state.
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Their seven children are named as follows: Ed- ward J., a graduate of the Sedalia High School, and now his father's assistant in the factory; Clara L. and Isabelle, who are accomplished and popular young ladies, Charles P., an employe of the Citizens' National Bank; Emily Z., Oscar P. and Lurina.
DWARD HURLEY. Perhaps no class of men deserve more credit for the upbuilding of our cities than do our real-estate men and contractors. Literally this is true, for not only do they lay out our towns, and persuade men from other cities to invest, but they erect the houses which they plan. To this class of men be- longs our subject, who has performed an important part in the growth and prosperity of Sedalia, and who has erected many of its beautiful buildings.
Our subject is a native of the Emerald Isle, and was born in County Roscommon in 1835, being one of five sons and three daughters who came to bless the union of Thomas and Mary (Maun- ion) Hurley. The father was an agriculturist by occupation, and both parents were natives of Ire- land. They lived long and useful lives, the fa- ther dying at the age of eighty-two years, and the mother when in her ninety-third year. Of the eight children in the parental family, two sons and two daughters still survive. Our subject was third in order of birth, and is the only one in America.
Mr. Hurley spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native land, and received his educa- tion in its private schools. When but sixteen years of age, however, he went to London, Eng- land, and apprenticed himself to a brick-layer of that city. There he remained until 1854, when, having mastered his trade and hearing of the great opportunities offered by America to young men who were willing to work, he decided to em- igrate to this country, and upon landing in New
York began at once to work at his trade. He continued to work at that business until 1858, at which time he went to Chicago and later to Peo- ria, where he engaged in contracting and build- ing. After some time spent in that city he re- moved to St. Louis, where he was similarly en- gaged.
March 2, 1872, our subject came to Sedalia and began in business here. Many of the substantial business blocks of the city bear evidence of his handiwork, and his taste is also demonstrated in the many private residences of the prominent cit- izens. Among the more imposing of the business blocks may be mentioned the Marien Building, and the Cassidy and Clooney Buildings, the Hur- ley Block (on East Third Street, with seventy feet front), and Hurley's Hall (located on the corner of Grand and Fifth Streets), his own fine residence and the Lamy Factory. The latter building is the largest in Sedalia, being 152x60 feet, three stories in height, with a basement. It was completed in less than sixty days on contract and is a remarkable piece of work. Besides his work in Sedalia, he has contracted for and erected many buildings in surrounding towns, being wide- ly known for his careful attention to the details of his work, and he employs about thirty men. He also deals quite extensively in real estate, doing a profitable business in that line. McEnroe & Hurley's Addition to Sedalia, which consists of a tract of five acres located in East Sedalia, was laid out by Mr. Hurley.
The marriage of our subject occurred in Chi- cago, and united him with Miss Catherine Hayes, also a native of Ireland. They have become the parents of seven children, named as follows: Etta, Edward, Emmett, Thomas, Stella, William and Austin. The children are all at home, and it seems indeed a very center of hospitality and good cheer.
Mr. Hurley is a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in which he is now serving as Trustee. He was for one term City Collector of Sedalia, and was one of the organizers of the Bank of Commerce, in which he now holds office as Director. He is also a prominent member of the Sedalia Catholic Benevolent Association, and
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has in fact served the public faithfully in every position to which he has been called. A Denio- crat in politics, he has for years been a member of the city and county committees, and is ever active in all measures for the good of his party. Socially he is identified with Equity Lodge No. 69, A. O. U. W.
DWIN CHALMERS EVANS, M. D., of Sedalia, has been engaged in practice for forty-four years and stands very high in his profession. For years he has made a specialty of ophthalmic and general surgery, and has gen- erally had more to do than he could well manage in this field alone. In politics he has always voted with the Democratic party, but has never cared to occupy public positions, and it was against his will that he was elected Mayor of Se- dalia in 1880. Once in that place, however, he did not neglect the duties of the office, but dis- charged them to the satisfaction of his constitu- ents and political opponents alike.
Our subject is a son of Dr. Thomas and Doro- thy (Chalmers) Evans, the latter being a direct descendant of the great Presbyterian divine, Dr. Chalmers, of Scotland. She was born in Balti- more, Md., and died in Missouri about 1834. Dr. Thomas Evans, a native of Washington, D. C., engaged in practice there until thirty years of age, when, in 1832, he removed to Boonville, Cooper County, Mo. He afterwards married a young widow, a Mrs. Joplin, who by her former marriage had a daughter, Betty. After practic- ing in Boonville until about 1838, Dr. Evans re- moved to a farm in the eastern part of Pettis County, where he bought about one thousand acres of wild land. He owned a large number of slaves, to whom he was a considerate and kind master at all times.
Dr. Edwin C. Evans was born in Washington, D. C., October 29, 1828, and was only six years of age when his mother died. His boyhood was
passed in Boonville, Mo., and on his father's farm in Pettis County. Of the nine children in the parental family he was the eldest, and when quite young his father employed him to make tinctures and pills, and also to help him in his general practice, which was very extensive. In 1852 young Evans went to St. Louis and took a course of medical lectures, graduating from the college in 1854, and practicing during the summers with his father.
Soon after taking his degree Dr. Evans married Betty Joplin, with whom he had grown up. She was born in Boonville, Mo., March 10, 1835, and was married June 6, 1854. The eldest child of the Doctor and his wife is Jessie E., wife of Will- iam M. Williams, a leading attorney of Boonville, Mo. Dollie, the next in the family, married H. H. Allen, Secretary and Manager of the Conti. mental Building and Loan Association of Missouri, and a resident of Kansas City. Thomas, the eld- est son, is married and has two children; he is a railroad engineer, having his headquarters at Marshall, Mo. Charles Clarke is Assistant Treas- urer of the Missouri Trust Company and lives in Sedalia. Mrs. Sue, wife of W. P. Woods, has one child and lives in St. Louis. Edwin Joplin is in- terested in the Building and Loan Association of Sedalia.
Soon after his marriage our subject settled in Otterville, Cooper County, Mo., where he prac- ticed for seven years. In the mean time, during the winter of 1857-58, he took a course of lectures at Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, Pa., and also pursued a special line of study in Wilde's Eye Hospital. In 1862 he moved to Boonville, where he practiced until 1873. During this time, however, in 1865, he went to New York City, and the following winter spent some time in Bellevue Medical College and Hospital and in the New York Ophthalmic College.
In order to give more attention to his special branches of surgery and to his chosen work as an oculist, the Doctor left his former general practice in Boonville and became a resident of Sedalia. His reputation, however, had preceded him, and he at once had a larger general practice than he cared to attend to. He is a member of the Pettis
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County Medical, the Missouri State Medical, and the American Medical Associations, in each of which societies he has the distinction of being the oldest member, and before all of these he has fre- quently read papers possessing great merit. His services have been called into requisition in many. of the most difficult surgical operations, and he made the first amputation successfully performed in Sedalia.
Although now in his sixty-seventh year the Doctor is well preserved and can stand with much unconcern a drive of sixty miles a day and then conduct a difficult and important operation. He commenced without a dollar of this world's goods, but now owns property in this city valued at from $20,000 to $25,000.
Fraternally Dr. Evans became a member of the Masonic order in 1864, has filled various chairs, and was Master of the lodge in Boonville the last year of his residence there. In 1854 he joined the Presbyterian Church at Otterville and is now an Elder in the Broadway Church of Se- dalia, to which his wife and two of his children also belong. He has been identified with the Young Men's Christian Association for a number of years, and always uses his influence for the elevation of his fellow-men.
HOMAS A. FOWLER, who occupies the responsible position of Circuit Clerk of Pet- tis County, is a leader in the ranks of the Democratic party, and was chosen a candidate for this position in 1886, and again in 1890. The first time he had a majority of six hundred and thirty-six votes, and at the election four years since he received a majority of six hundred and fifty votes. Several times he has served his party as a delegate to state and county conventions. He owns about three hundred acres of land near Smithiton, this county, and was engaged in its cultivation when, like Cincinnatus, he was called from the plow to serve the public.
Joseph S. Fowler, the father of our subject, was a native of Delaware and was of English de- scent, as his grandfather, who was Captain on a British vessel, was born in England. Joseph Fowler was nine years of age when, with his father, he moved to Kentucky, the latter's death occurring not long afterward. On reaching man's estate, J. S. Fowler married Annie Johnson, who was born and reared in Clark County, Ky. Their union was celebrated in October, 1818, and some seven years later they moved to Callaway Coun- ty, Mo., buying a piece of Government land, on which they lived but two years. Then, selling out, they purchased another tract of Government land in Boone County, Mo. In 1840 they emi- grated to Pettis County, where they eventually became the proprietors of five hundred acres. In this county the father's death occurred in Octo- ber, 1859, and about seven years later his widow returned to Boone County, where she bought a home and dwelt the remainder of her life. He was a life-long Democrat, and held the office of Justice of the Peace for three terms. He was reared in the Baptist faith, but in after years be- caine associated with the Christian Church.
Of the fifteen children born to Joseph S. and Annie Fowler, all lived past childhood, the young- est dying at the age of seventeen years. There were seven sons and eight daughters, only five of whom survive: Mrs. Hannah Woodruff March, of Boone County, this state; John S., who lives near this city; William, who is engaged in farm- ing and fruit-growing near Grant Station, Ore- gon; Benjamin, a farmer of Audrain County, Mo .; and our subject.
Thomas A. Fowler was born near Columbia, Boone County, November 19, 1834. He re- mained at home and took care of his mother un- til he was about twenty-nine years of age. In 1863 he went to Colorado, and a year later started for Montana, taking freight over the mountains. He was one of the first arrivals in Virginia City in the spring of 1864, and was near there when nine noted road agents were hung at one time, and about the same period occurred the hanging of the noted Jim Slade by a vigilance commit- tee. After three years spent in the mountains
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Mr. Fowler returned to this county, having saved enough money to give him a start in life. From that time until he was elected to the office he now occupies he was extensively engaged in buying and selling, shipping and feeding cattle and hogs, and in general agricultural pursuits on his large and handsome homestead.
February 22, 1883, Mr. Fowler married Alice Bohannon, a native of Smithton, this county, born February 28, 1856. She is a daughter of C. S. and Margaret (Ruby) Bohannon. Three children have been born to our worthy subject and wife, namely: Ruby, November 28, 1883; Maggie, July 4, 1886; and Anna, March 1, 1888.
For thirty years Mr. Fowler has been a mem- ber of the Masonic order, having joined the same at Otterville, and now holds membership with the Sedalia lodge. In September, 1894, he joined the Royal Tribe of Joseph. His first Presiden- tial ballot was cast for James Buchanan, and ever since then he has tendered his allegiance to the Democracy.
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NDREW P. ESPENSCHIED, a gallant vet- eran of the late Civil War, is one of the hon- ored old residents of Sedalia, having resided here for the past twenty years. During this time he has conducted a general insurance business, representing most of the important companies of the United States. Since 1894 he has been a member of the firm of Espenschied, Donohue & Hughes, with his office at No. 309 South Ohio Street.
The grandfather, Lewis Espenschied, was a na- tive of Germany, and was one of the first settlers in Wayne County, N. Y., his arrival there occur- ring in 1800. He was a very successful agricult- urist and was the proprietor of a very large farm. His son Andrew, our subject's father, was born in Wayne County, N. Y., and in youth learned the harness and saddlery business. For years he was a manufacturer of leather goods in Alton,
N. Y., and is now living a retired life there, being in his seventy-fourth year. His wife, who was formerly a Miss Catherine Roy, was of French descent and a native of the Empire State. Her death occurred in Alton, N. Y., in 1852, and sub- sequently the father married Harriett, daughter of Maj. Levi Swift, who won that title in the War of 1812, and whose father was a hero of the Colonial struggle for independence. By his first marriage Mr. Espenschied had three daughters and one son, and by the second union two sons, viz .: George, who is an attorney in New York; and Nicholas, now of Wayne County, Ind.
Our subject was born near Alton, N. Y , Jan- mary 11, 1845, and attended the public schools of that locality. Afterward he was a student in So- dus Academy and intended to enter college, but on account of the outbreak of the war changed his plans. Going to New York City, he entered the employ of his uncle, Nicholas Espenschied, a wealthy manufacturer, becoming his cashier and bookkeeper.
In 1863 Mr. Espenschied enlisted in defense of the Union and was assigned to Sherman's cav- alry, Custer's division, being placed in Company M, Third New Jersey Cavalry. He was dispatch- bearer and orderly at General Custer's headquar- ters for a time, and took part in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Petersburg, Cedar Creek and Fisher's Hill. He also took part in the Winchester Valley campaign and Sheridan's raid. At Cedar Creek a shell struck him, and though he was knocked from his horse his life was saved by his saber plate. The faithful animal stayed by his side until he was able to rise. Dur- ing his army life he had three horses shot under him, at Winchester a bullet passed through his cap, but although he had many narrow escapes, never suffered serious injury. August 2, 1865, he was honorably discharged and participated in the Grand Review at Washington.
Returning to New York City, our subject en- gaged in working for his uncle as cashier for about a year, when he came West, and for a time was in the insurance business at Holden, Mo., being state agent for the Security Fire Insurance Company of New York, and while living there
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was City Clerk for one term. He is now agent for the Continental of New York, the Insurance Company of North America, the Phoenix of Lon- don, the American of New Jersey, the Hanover of New York, and many others, besides being Adjuster for the National Fire Insurance Com- pany of Hartford for the states of Missouri and Kansas.
Our subject was married, in St. Louis, in 1871, to Louise Farrell, who was born in New Albany, Ind., and who was reared in St. Louis, her father, John Farrell, being one of the old residents of that city. Harry F., the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Espenschied, is a graduate of the Sedalia High School, and also attended Washington Uni- versity for one year. He is now special agent for the National Insurance Company of Hartford for the state of Illinois, with his headquarters in Chicago. Our subject is a member of the Ma- sonic order and belongs to George R. Smith Post, G. A. R. His ballot is deposited in favor of Democratic principles and candidates.
ILLIAM D. WALLACE is the genial pro- prietor of a general store located on Main Street, Sedalia. His establishment is well stocked with both new and second-hand goods, and he receives a liberal patronage from the peo- ple of the town and surrounding country. He is a jovial, public-spirited man, and attracts many customers to his counters by his considerate at- tention to their wants, and his honesty and integ- rity in all his dealings with them. A self-made and self-educated man, he deserves great credit for the energetic efforts which have brought him success.
The subject of this sketch was born October 31, 1845, in Warren County, Ill. His ancestors were among the early settlers of Kentucky, the first of the family to locate in that state being our subject's great-grandfather. The grandfather, Thomas Wallace, was a native of Kentucky, and
there grew to manhood and married. Our sub- ject's father, Robert Wallace, was likewise born in that state, and emigrated with his parents to Illinois in the year 1833. At that time the state was an almost trackless prairie, and many were the hardships which they were called upon to en- dure before they were able to reap the benefits of their labor. They located in Warren County, and there remained until the father's death, which occurred in 1860, at the age of sixty years. He lived a sincere Christian life, and was much be- loved. He was the father of eleven children.
After his father's death Robert Wallace contin- ued farming near Monmouth until 1866, then re- moved to Monroe County, Mo., where he again engaged in agricultural pursuits. Deciding to change his line of business, he went to Paris and there built a flourmill, continuing its operation for about four years. For one year afterward he was in Kansas, and then returned to the place owned by our subject, and remained two years. At the expiration of that time he went to Ken- tucky, where he was accidentally killed by the cars when sixty-one years old. He was a faith- ful minister of the Christian Church, and received his education entirely through his own efforts.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Catherine Claycomb. She was a native of Ken- tucky, and was the daughter of Frederick Clay- comb, a native of Scotland, who came to America in his youth, and married a woman of German parentage. He was a farmer in Kentucky, and emigrated to Warren County at an early date. They were the parents of fourteen children, and three of their family married members of the Wallace family. Catherine Wallace became the mother of six children, two of whom arrived at years of maturity, as follows: William D. and Jennie, the latter now Mrs. Smith, of Paris, Mo. The mother of this family also died when sixty- one years old.
Reared to manhood in Illinois, our subject re- ceived the rudiments of his education in its dis- trict schools, and later attended Abingdon Col- lege for one year. He afterward taught school for two terms, and then turned his attention to farming on the home place In 1866, as before
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stated, he came to Missouri and settled in Monroe County, where lie rented a farm and for one year was engaged in its cultivation. He later entered his father's inill, where he was employed for five years, and in 1876 came to Pettis County, remain- ing one year. The year following he operated a farm on the Saline County line, and then farmed for four years in Prairie Township. From there he came to Sedalia, becoming interested in the Enterprise Mill, which was operated by his father- in-law, John C. Kipper, and with which he was identified for two years. Subsequently he served as Deputy Constable for a period of three years, receiving his appointment from Mont Carns.
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