The History of Pettis County, Missouri, History of Sedalia, Part 66

Author: Demuth, I. MacDonald
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: [n.p.]
Number of Pages: 1148

USA > Missouri > Pettis County > Sedalia > The History of Pettis County, Missouri, History of Sedalia > Part 66

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ANDREW G. BROWN.

One of the popular conductors of the Missouri Pacific, is the subject of this sketch. He is the son of Green Brown, a native of England, but who emigrated to the United States in an early day, settling in New York, but afterwards in 1849 moved to California and is supposed to have been killed by the Indians. The subject of this sketch was born Aug 25, 1849, in Paw Paw, Mich. He received his education from the schools of his native State. After quitting school he engaged in farming for a few years, then he learned the blacksmith trade, working at his trade for three years. Then he accepted a position as brakeman on the St. Louis & San Francisco R. R. Of Mr. Brown's railroad history we copy the fol- lowing complimentary notice from The Railroades, of November, 1881: " Mr. A. G. Brown, the retiring Grand Island Sentinel, is with the Missouri Pacific, and at present the Secretary of the Queen City Division, No. 60, Sedalia, Mo. Mr. Brown is young, energetic and active, very popular with a wide circle of acquaintances, and is decidedly one of the most val- uable members of the order. * * Mr. Brown has filled nearly every office in the Division, and all trusts con- fided to him have been faithfully executed. Though still young he has been railroading for twelve years, his first service having been performed on the St. Louis & San Francisco. At a later period he changed to the Missouri Pacific, and is at present in charge of a. passenger between Sedalia and Hannibal." He was married, March 26, 1874, to Miss Amelia Craft, a native of New York, but her residence was in Michigan at the

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time of her marriage. From this union there are two children, viz: Ada and Leah.

CHRIS. BRUNCKHORST.

Runs saw-mill and deals in walnut lumber. Mr. Brunckhorst was born in 1846 in Germany, where his parents lived and died. In November, 1866, he came to America, locating in Morgan County, Mo., where he taught a German school, and worked at various kinds of employment, but for the past few years has been in the saw-milling business. In 1881 he built the mill in East Sedalia, where he is now engaged, which has a capacity of over 1,000,000 feet per annum. Mr. Brunckhorst is a member of the I. O. O. F. He was married in 1872 to Friderika Slimbrink, of Benton County, Mo. They have four children, Katie, John, William, Frederick, and one deceased.

CHARLES W. BULLEN.

Assistant Cashier of Citizens National Bank, Sedalia. Is the son of Samuel H. Bullen, a native of Louisville, Ky., in which city the father lived until his death, which occurred July, 1870. The subject of this sketch was born in Louisville, Ky, Feb. 7, 1853, and received his edu- cation in the schools of his native city. In the winter of 1869, Mr. Bullen moved to Missouri, settling in the city of Sedalia, where he has since resided. He has been engaged in the banking business since his residence here. First he was connected with the Sedalia Savings Bank; but in May, 1872, the Citizens National Bank was organized and Mr. Bullen was elected its teller, and since has been promoted to assistant cashier, which position he still holds. Charles Bullen, for whom these few lines are intended, is a young man highly respected, possessing all of the qualities of a good bank officer. It can be truthfully said, that it is not age that makes men generous and valuable factors in social and business circles, nor indeed is it wealth and the miserly hoarding of money, nor is it the fact of being reared in the community that makes an officer of a bank most efficient and trustworthy.

E. V. BUCHANAN.

Assistant Postmaster, Sedalia, Mo. Mr. Buchanan was born, July 19, 1853, in Greenville, Ill. His father was a native of Kentucky. His mother, a native of Illinois. E. V., the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in Greenville, Ill. In 1869 he engaged in mercantile business where he remained until 1873. From this time until 1875, he was doing business at Hillsborough, Ill. In 1875 he went to Keokuk, Ia., where he remained until 1877. In 1878 he went to Clinton, Mo., where he was Assistant Postmaster one year, after which he returned to Green-

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ville, Ill., and sold goods until 1882, when he received the appointment of Assistant Postmaster of Sedalia, which position he now holds. Mr. Buchanan was married in 1879 to Alice V. Vest, of Greenville, Ill. They have one child, Georgia L. Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan are members of the M. E. Church.

JOHN BURKHART.

Manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes. Was born in December, 1846, in Switzerland. Nicholas, his father, emigrated to America with his family in 1853, locating in Ohio. He afterward came to Sedalia in 1866, and after working on the bench for fifty-five years died here in July, 1881. John, the subject of this sketch, was principally reared in Ohio, and in 1862, when but sixteen years of age, he enlisted in the Federal army in Company I, Seventy-Sixth Ohio Veteran Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Vicksburg, Shiloh, Pea Ridge, Milliken's Bend, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Ringgold, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, with Sherman on his march to the sea, and many other campaigns and battles during the war. He was wounded once or twice, but not seriously. After the close of the war he and his father's family moved to Sedalia, where he has ever since been engaged in the boot and shoe business. When a small boy, and again after the war, he worked on the bench until 1869, when he opened his store and began handling eastern goods. As his business increased he turned his whole attention to his store, and has, by strict attention and honorable dealings, accumulated until his stock of goods, in quantity and quality, is second to none in Sedalia. Mr. Burkhart keeps several workmen constantly employed in the manufacture of boots and shoes, for which he finds ready sale. Mr .. Burkhart was married in 1869 to Mary Hulland, of Sedalia, a daughter of Richard Hulland, one of the first settlers of the city, now deceased. In April, 1881, their oldest son Willie, was run over by a span of horses attatched to a carriage in the streets of Sedalia and instantly - killed. They have three children now living, Alice, Richard and an infant born Christmas, 1881.

JAMES MADISON BYLER.

Born, June 2, 1833, in Boonville, Cooper Co., Mo., eldest son of David C .. Byler, a native of North Carolina, who, at the age of seven years, with his father, Joseph Byler, came to Cooper County, Mo., in 1818. His mother was a native of Kentucky, who emigrated with her father, David Lilly, to said county in 1826, and settled near Boonville. His grand- fathers were among the pioneers of Missouri. In his early life especially, was much afflicted with sickness, having had six attacks of disease, more or less serious in their final effects, and has been the subject of ten acci-

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dents, leaving permanent effects in the shape of dislocations, fractures and partial paralysis, principally in the extremities, so that now he has neither perfect hand nor foot; but otherwise in good health. Received primary education in select and public schools, finishing in the Kemper Family School at Boonville, Mo., where he was a member as pupil, tutor and assistant teacher from 1848 to 1855. Having been educated for a teacher, he taught in Cooper County until 1857, when he went to Clinton, Henry County, Mo., where he established the first High School ever taught in that place, continuing until 1860, when, his health failing, he determined upon a more active life, and having at intervals before engaged in travel- ing agency and soliciting business, he located in September, 1860, in War- rensburg, Johnson County, Mo., soon after engaging in mercantile busi- ness in connection with several agencies. Was married, Dec. 24, 1858, at Clinton, Mo., by Rev. L. C. Marvin, to Miss Emma Shumway, late from New Hampshire, and a daughter of Royal Shumway, an old and highly esteemed citizen and merchant of Langdon, N. H. Her mother was Betsy Willard, a teacher, and also a native of New Hampshire. His wife was educated principally at the Merriden Institute in Vermont, and in music by Prof. Wyman, the well known musical author. By this mar- riage there have been born to them three sons and one daughter, all at home, and they are an honor to their anxious parents. The first year of the Rebellion, caused his financial ruin in Warrensburg, hence he retired to the schoolroom again, and in 1862 removed to Boon- ville, Mo., taught a select school for first year, and in 1863, together with the Rev. Buckner, founded and incorporated the Cooper Institute, a female college at that place. He occupied the chair of mathematics and natural sciences, as his special duty, otherwise co-assistant; Rev. Buckner, President, with the chair of English literature as his special duty, &c. At the close of the rebellion Mr. Byler retired from the Institute in poor health, telling his friends and patrons that he had determined to locate in the future great city of Central Missouri. Like many others he was considered over sanguine, but time has proven greater progress than was even then anticipated. He moved to Sedalia in May, 1865, and was employed for several months as bookkeeper and accountant by Laup- heimer & Bloess, wholesale and retail merchants, and for about one year taught an evening commercial school. In 1865 he formed a partnership with Dr. Logan Clark, in the real estate agency business, in which they were quite prosperous during the two years existence of their partner- ship, the Doctor then retiring to his farm. In 1866 Mr. Byler established the first real estate paper, and discontinued it in 1870. In 1867 he com- menced the compilation of a set of title abstract books for Pettis County, Mo., the first that was completed. He still continued in the real estate business, and in 1872, connecting with it, as a special feature, real estate

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loans, having made arrangements for an almost unlimited supply of eastern capital through brokers, for whom he invested several hundred 'thousands of dollars. Since engaging in real estate business he has sold millions of dollars worth of real estate, loaned hundreds of thousands of dollars, made thousands of abstracts of title, and perfected over 300 defective titles. Owing to general financial revolutions, Mr. Byler's leniency, generosity, free use of his name as surety, and through sickness and disabling accidents combined, his financial success has been much varied, and yet he lives to labor.

PROF. ANDREW S. CALDWELL.

Book-keeper with J. G. Allen. Mr. Caldwell was born, Sept. 15, 1853, in Hopkinsville, Ky. His father, Isaac, was a native of Kentucky, now a resident of Carlinville, Ill. His mother, Eva Stiles, was a native of Ken- tucky. Andrew was reared in Louisville, Ky., where he was educated. Graduating in 1868 from the High School, after which he graduated from the State Normal University, in 1876. He spent some years in teaching, and in 1879 came to Sedalia, and accepted the position of principal of Washington School for two years; was again elected, but resigned to take the position of book-keeper with the house of J. G. Allen, where he still remains. Mr Caldwell is a member of the Christian Church, also of the I. O. O. F.

DR. R. WILSON CARR.

Dr. Carr was born in Anne Arundel County, Md., March 3, 1831. His father, John Carr, was a descendant of the early settlers of Maryland, his ancestors having emigrated to this country with Leonard Calvert, brother of Lord Baltimore, in 1633. His grand uncle was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his father a soldier in the war of 1812, and was at the battle of North Point, which saved the city of Baltimore from the English. His family are now in the possession of landed property in Lower Maryland, which was granted to them at the settlement of the Territory, on which there now stands a house built over two hundred years ago, in which were born his ancestors down to the present genera- tion. The subject of our sketch was educated at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., after which he immediately commenced the study of medi- cine, and graduated at the University of Maryland, March 8, 1852. Before graduating in medicine he entered the Bayview Hospital, as resident physician, and remained there until the spring of 1853, when he emigrated to California, where he remained practicing his profession until the fall of 1856, when he went to Nicaragua and served as Surgeon with Gen. Walker, until the whole party were driven out of the country by the com- bined forces of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and San Salvador. He then

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returned to Baltimore, and in 1860 was appointed Chief Surgeon of Mary- land Militia, by Gov. Hicks, which he resigned in 1861, on account of his sympathy with the South when the civil war broke out. He remained in . Baltimore during the war, declining several offers to take a position in the United States Army, but on several occasions, as at Antietam and Gettys- burg, he served as volunteer surgeon, and at the latter place was surgeon in charge of the Confederates wounded, numbering some 2,500, for which he received some very complimentary notices from United States authori- ties for services rendered. In 1868-69-70-71, he was chief coroner for Baltimore City. Finally, Dr. Carr became dissatisfied with the old prac- tice of medicine, and adopted the homœopathic; but, having been educated in both schools of medicine and liberal in his views, believes there is good in each so-called system, and that there is error in each. He came to Sedalia in May, 1877, and now enjoys one of the best practices in the city. He makes a specialty of electro-therapeutics, and has made some brilliant cures in that branch of medicine. He belongs to the Protestant Episcopal Church, and is a vestryman in that church at this time. He is also a member of the Board of Health of the city of Sedalia. He is a Mason of high standing, having taken all the degrees in that Ancient Order many years ago. He is also a member and examining physician of the Orders of Knights of Pythias, Knights of Honor, and Knights and Ladies of Honor, in this city. He was married in 1857 to Miss Sue E. Johnson, of Baltimore, a descendant of the Johnsons of Frederick County, Md., a family of distinction in that State from its early settlement. The subject of this sketch enjoys a large and lucrative practice, which his long and successful experience, and his thorough knowledge of the profession so eminently merit.

ELISHA A. CARPENTER.

Grocer. Mr. Carpenter was born in 1846, in Windom County, Conn. His father, Lucius Carpenter, was also a native of Connecticut, as was also his father before him. His mother, Camelia, nee Day, was a native of the same place. E. A., the subject of this sketch, came to Michigan in 1868, where he engaged in merchandising about seven years, after which he railroaded about three years. In 1878 he came to Sedalia, and was on the M., K. & T. Railroad until 1880, when he took charge of the circula- tion of the Sedalia Democrat, which he still continues. In 1881 he started the store on East Fifth street, where he is now in business. Mr. Carpen- ter is a member of the I. O. O. F. He was married in 1875 to Miss Lulu McDonald, of Grand Rapids, Mich. They have three children, John G., Edith and Albert.

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WILLIAM W. CECIL.

Groceries and provisions. Mr. Cecil was born in 1815 in Montgomery "County, Va. His father, Philip Cecil, and his mother, Mary A., nee Wygal, were natives of Virginia. William, the subject of this sketch, with his parents, came to Saline County, Mo., in 1831. When about twelve years of age he had white swelling in his left leg, which has caused him to use a crutch ever since. During the war he lost his property, and in 1865 came to Sedalia a poor man; opened a small grocery here, which has steadily grown until he now ranks among the very foremost business men of Seda- lia. In 1881 he built the elegant two-story brick, which he now uses for his store, situated on East Main street. He was married in 1848 to Eliza- beth A. Foster.

CICERO M. A. CHANEY.

Cashier Pettis County Bank. Was born, May 14, 1833, in Virginia. His father, Parks J. Chaney, also a native of Virginia, emigrated to Callaway County, Mo., in the year 1838, where he lived until 1854; then moved to Pettis County, and died here in June, 1871. His mother was also born in Virginia, and died in 1868. Cicero, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, but notwithstanding the fact that he was employed most of his time there, he learned a trade. In 1867 he gave up the farm and devoted his time entirely to contracting and building, having moved to Sedalia. In 1870 he became a stockholder and director in the Central Missouri Banking and Savings Association, and has ever since been connected with the banking business. . In 1872 he was one of those who organized the Citizens National Bank at Sedalia, and was a member of the first board of directors. He retained this position until 1875, when he and others organized the Pettis County Bank, at which time he was chosen cashier, and has retained that position up to the present time. Mr. Chaney is a man of liberal means and is a member of the A. O. U. W. In 1853 Mr. Chaney was. married to Miss Elizabeth F. Ballew, a native of Kentucky, and daughter of Wm. Ballew, who located in Boone County at an early day, and died there in May, 1880. Mr. Chaney has five children living, David F., now a clothing merchant of Sedalia, Mary E., wife of L. L. Routan, of Holden, Roxanna L., Alice and John.

D. A. CLARKE.

Dealer in carpets, window shades, awnings, etc. Was born in Canada in 1851. His father, D. R. Clarke, was a native of Scotland, and died in 1879. D. A. Clarke, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in Canada, and learned the upholstering business in his boyhood. He followed this business in Canada until 1876 when he came to Sedalia, where he was employed in a carriage shop for a short time, when he took

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up his trade of upholstering. He continued this business until June, 1881, when he opened the large carpet store on Third street which he now occupies. This is the first and only house in Sedalia which carries this line of goods exclusively. His building is a handsome two-story brick, exclusively for his business, conveniently arranged, and is an orna- ment to the city. Mr. Clarke has a large stock of choice goods, embrac- ing all kinds of carpeting in both foreign and home designs, and has a large and growing trade. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Knights of Pythias; also the Encampment. He was married in 1879 to Miss Carrie Zullins, of Nevada, and they have two children, Don M. and Callie.

DR. LOGAN CLARK.

Dr. Clark was born Sept. 4, 1820, in Christian County, Ky. His father, John Clark, was a native of North Carolina, who settled in Kentucky at an early day, and was Clerk of the Court of Christian County, Ky., for many years. He died in Missouri in 1831. His mother, Betsey, nee Chrick, was a native of Kentucky. Dr. Logan Clark came with his parents to Callaway County, Mo., in 1824. He studied medicine in Lex- ington, ¡Ky., in 1844-45, after which he practiced medicine for fifteen years. At one time he was chosen to represent Johnson County, Mo., in the Legislature. In 1861 he came to Sedalia and entered the Federal Army as Surgeon of the Twenty-seventh Missouri Regiment, serving one year. After the war he engaged in real estate business in Sedalia, in which he was very successful. In 1877 he was elected Mayor of Sedalia. Dr. Clark is a member of the Masonic Fraternity. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. He was married in 1846 to Harriet E. Kid. They had one son, John C., now deceased.

THOMAS W. CLONEY.

Cashier Sedalia Savings Bank. Was born June, 1836, in Baltimore,. Md. His father was Thomas Cloney, a native of Ireland, and a grand- son of Gen. Cloney, of Irish fame, who died a number of years ago. Mr. Cloney, the subject of this sketch, came to Jefferson City, Mo., when but a child, and was there raised and educated. In 1855, in connection with a Mr. Crawford and Gen. Thos. L. Price, he engaged in the mercantile business, under the firm name of Cloney, Crawford & Co. They were extensively engaged in both the wholesale and retail, having their prin- cipal house in Jefferson City, and branch houses in Tipton, Syracuse, Otterville and Sedalia. They built a house on the first lot sold in Sedalia, where W. M. Moore's wholesale liquor house now stands. They con- tinued in business here until 1865, when the firm dissolved. Mr. Cloney was not actively engaged in business again until 1871, when he entered the Central Missouri Banking & Savings Association. Mr. Cloney is a.

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member of the Chapter, Lodge A. F. & A. M., in Sedalia. He has been married twice. First, to Miss Crawford, of Jefferson City, by whom he had two children, both now dead. His first wife died in 1857. In 1875 he married Mrs. Mary Hughes, eldest daughter of Maj. Wm. Gentry, of Pettis County.

JAMES M. CLUTE.

Was born in Picton, Canada, in 1846. His father, John S. Clute, was a native of Canada, of which place he is still a resident, and actively engaged in business as collector of customs. His mother, Mariah Wood, a cousin of Fernando Wood, died in 1881. James, the subject of this sketch, was brought up to mercantile pursuits, and in 1866, when but twenty years of age, embarked in business at his old home, on his own account, which he has very successfully followed ever since. He con- tinued in business here until 1869, when he went to Mt. Vernon, Ills., and engaged in business for about one year, in connection with a Mr. Ungent, now of St. Louis. Early in 1871, he sought a home farther west, and although Sedalia was then but a village, the wisdom of his choice is now manifest. Here he, in connection with Mr. T. Kehoe, under the firm name of James M. Clute & Co., engaged in the dry goods trade at their present stand, corner of Ohio and 4th streets, where they have one of the largest and most attractive store rooms in the city. They have a very large and well selected stock of goods, including everything usually found in such a house, with a large corps of polite and obliging assistants, and are doing a business second to none in their line in the city. Mr, Clute is a member of the Chapter Lodge of Masons. He was married in 1873 to Ella Saunders, of Cleveland, Ohio, a daughter of William Saunders, of that city. They have two children, both living, Mabel E., and Florence M. A cut of Mr. Clute's store appears on page 431.

MOSES S. CONNER.

Sheriff of Pettis County. Among the public spirited men of Pettis County, Moses S. Conner is a standard bearer. His father, James Con- ner, was a native of Kentucky, who died in Iowa in the year 1872. Moses S., the subject of this sketch, was born in Clark County, Kentucky, in 1825, and received the advantages of a good common school education. After he left school he followed the milling business for many years. In 1857 he moved to Missouri and located in Cooper County, where he resumed h's trade until 1873, when he moved to Sedalia, and was employed in the M., K. & T. round house for a time. In the spring of 1876 he was elected Constable of Sedalia township, which office he held until the fall of 1880, when he was elected Sheriff of Pettis County, which position he now holds. Moses S.

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Conner has filled the office of Sheriff with credit to himself and satisfaction to the people in general. He is a member of the Oriental Order, " Palm and Shell," and has received quite a number of collections of specimens from the " Holy Land," which are furnished to all members of that order. Mr. Conner and his wife are members of the M. E. Church South, in high standing. He was married in the year 1848 to Margaret F. Conkwright, of Clark County, Ky., and has five children, Jno. W., James S., Allen H., Frederick P. and Jeff D.

JOHN W. CONNER.

Recorder of Deeds. Was born in 1849, in Clark County, Ky. He is a son of M. S. Conner, Sheriff of Pettis County, whose biography appears in this work. John was educated in Cooper County, Mo. He learned civil engineering and was for several years connected with the M., K. & T. R. R., after which he was in the abstract business. until 1878, when he was appointed Deputy Recorder, under Captain Ritchey. During the feeble condition of Capt. R., the office has been entirely under the charge of Mr. Conner for several years. In the spring of 1882, Capt. R. resigned and Mr. Conner was appointed to fill the vacancy. Mr. Conner is a young man of more than ordinary ability, and makes an official of which Pettis County may well feel proud. Mr. Conner is a member of the Masonic Fraternity. He was married in 1871 to Mary E. Koontz, of Boonville, Mo., a daughter of Col. Joseph C. Koontz, one of the early settlers of that county. They have three children,! Lillie M., Leonard R. and Ida F.

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The History of Pettis County, Missouri, History of Sedalia, Part 66

Author: Demuth, I. MacDonald Publication date: 1882 Publisher: [n.p.] Number of Pages: 1148

Author: Demuth, I. MacDonald
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: [n.p.]
Number of Pages: 1148