The History of Pettis County, Missouri, History of Sedalia, Part 77

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 77

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whom he associates. Earnest and zealous as an advocate, he is, neverthe- less, courteous and respectful to his brother lawyers and younger mem- bers of his profession.

GEORGE H. SANFORD.

Of the firm of Ritter & Co., lumber dealers. Was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1824. His father, William Sanford, was a native of Maryland, and his mother a native of Pennsylvania. George H. was reared and edu- cated in Washington City, and at the age of sixteen years he went to Se- dalia with his uncle, John L. Sanford. He remained away from home six years. After he returned home he came West, and was for some time en- gaged in steamboating on the Mississippi River. In 1848 he came to Pike County, Ill., and engaged in grain speculation until 1873, at which time he removed to Havana, Ill., and was proprietor of a hotel for some time. In 1879 he came to Sedalia and bought the Jay Gould House, which he occu- pied until 1880, when he sold out the hotel and engaged in the grain busi- ness with the Hon. John T. Heard, of Sedalia. In the year 1881 Mr. San- ford bought an interest in the lumber yard owned by Col. R. Ritter, and in this business he is still engaged. He is a member of the Commandery, K. T. He was married in 1846 to Catherine A. Stallings, who died in 1863. By his first wife he has five children living, Mary E., Elizabeth V., William H., Maggie V., and Ida .; two deceased. He was again married in 1864 to Susan M. Hayes, of Pike County, Ill., a native of Massachu- setts, and they have three children, Eddie, now with Bullen, Carpenter & Co., Carrie, and Herbert. Mr. and Mrs. Sanford are prominent and highly respected members of the Congregational Church.

HERMAN SCHMITT.

The subject of our sketch was born in Prussia, September 5, 1841. He is the son of Mathias J. and Agnes Schmitt, who, with their family, Fred- rick, August and Herman, came over from Prussia in 1853, and settled in St. Louis, Mo. His father died in about one year after he arrived at St. Louis; his mother died in 1862. His sister married Rudolph Lungstras in St. Louis, where they now reside. His brother, August, lives at Cat Spring, Texas. Mr. Schmitt learned the saddlery trade in St. Louis, and worked at it until 1869; he then came to Sedalia and opened the Wine Hall on Main and Osage streets, where he remained until 1879, then sold his business and stock. In 1880 he opened his fine and commodious saloon, No. 104 Main street, near Ohio, where he keeps a good and orderly house, and has a lucrative business. He married Miss Lizzie Stickler, of St. Louis, Mo., by whom he has four children living, viz .: Ernest, born August 9, 1865; Selma, born September 3, 1870; Alexander, born March 29, 1878; Minnie, born November 14, 1875.

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ANDREW J. SCOW.

Is the son of Peter Scow, a native of Denmark. The subject of this sketch was born in Denmark, March 2, 1852, and is the third child in a family of seven children. He was educated in the schools of his native country. In the spring of 1872 Mr. Scow emigrated to America, settling at Jefferson City, Mo., where he engaged in railroading, first working with the work train; afterwards was given a position as brakeman on the Mis- souri Pacific Railroad. In this capacity he served the company for about four and a half years, when he was again promoted, this time to the posi- tion of conductor, which position he has faithfully filled for three and a half years, and still holds. He was married September 28, 1878, to Miss Bertha Fitschen, a native of Ohio. From this union there' were two children, only one of whom is now living, viz .: Adolph C. Mr. Scow is but a young man, but his faithfulness to his duties has made him popular with the higher officers of the road.

BENJAMIN F. SETTLES.

Mr. Settles was born in Bourbon County, Ky., in 1831. His father, John T., was a native of Kentucky also. His mother, Mary, nee Shrader, was a native of Kentucky also -- a niece of Daniel Boone. B. F., the sub- ject of this sketch, came to Pettis County in 1865, and engaged in farming until 1882, when he bought an interest in the store of Clopton Bros., where he is now in business. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. He was married in 1865 to Fannie L. Clopton, a native of Mis- souri, a daughter of Abner Clopton, one of the early settlers of this county.

VICTOR E. SHAW.

Attorney at law. Mr. Shaw is a native of Pettis County, Mo., and a son of B. J. Shaw, who settled in Pettis County in 1852. Victor was educated at Willamette University, Salem, Oregon, graduating in 1878, after which he entered law school at Ann Arbor, Mich., graduating in 1880. He immediately came to Sedalia and engaged in the practice of law. In May, 1880, he was appointed Notary Public. He is a young man of great promise and we predict for him a bright future.

DR. GEORGE L. SHEPARD.

Was born in July, 1842, in Westfield, Mass. His father, Lyman Shep- ard, was also born in the same town, where he now resides. His mother,. Emily Shepard, nee Hubbard, was born in Weathersfield, Conn. Dr. Shepard is a great grandson of Gen. Shepard, of the Revolutionary War. He was reared and educated at Westfield, Mass., where he spent his boyhood days. He was among the "boys in blue" during the long and bloody war, and was a participant in many of its battles and skirmishes,

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incidental to the four years of strife which followed the year 1861. After the war he attended the Ohio Dental College, where he graduated in the spring of 1866. For some time he practiced his profession in Indi- ana, afterward coming to Tipton, Mo., where for nine years he was engaged in the dental business, dividing his practice between Tipton and California, Mo. In 1876, Dr. Shepard came to Sedalia, where he has a large and increasing practice, and is esteemed very highly, both .as a gentleman and a practitioner. He was married March 6, 1868, to Miss Louisa Livings, of Indiana, and daughter of Everson Livings. They are consistent members of the Congregational Church, the doctor being a deacon. They have five children living.

JUDGE WILLIAM S. SHIRK.

Attorney at law. Mr. Shirk was born in 1843, in Franklin County, Pa. His father, Jacob Shirk, and his mother were natives of Pennsylvania. William S. Shirk, the subject of this sketch, was educated in Illinois. In 1863 he began the study of law, attending law school at Albany, New York, graduating in 1865, after which he came to Warsaw, Mo., and began the practice of Jaw. In 1878 he came to Sedalia, where he has ever since resided. From 1874 until 1877 Mr. Shirk was Judge of the Circuit Court of the Seventh Judicial District. He was also Prosecuting Attor- ney of that circuit for several years. Judge Shirk held various other, positions of trust, while a resident of Warsaw. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., also a Mason. He was married in St. Louis in 1868, to Miss Frances Hastain, of Henry County, Mo. They have three children, Bes- sie S., Maudie F. and William S.

BEDFORD SHOBE.

Grocer and provisions. Mr. Shobe was born in 1846, in Barren County, Ky. His father, Abel Shobe, came with the family to Pettis County, in 1848; died here in 1860. His mother, Martha, nee Anderson, is still living in this county. Here Bedford Shobe was reared on a farm. In 1876, he came to Sedalia and opened a grocery store, in which he has ever since been engaged. Mr. Shobe is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was married in 1868 to Susan Warren, a daughter of James Warren, one of the early settler of this county. They have one child living, James M., born Feb. 12, 1870; one deceased, Ida, died in March, 1877, aged four years.

ULYSSES F. SHORT.

Attorney at law. Mr. Short was born in Tennessee, in 1847. His father, Monroe Short, was a native of Ireland. His mother, Lucinda, nee Harrison, was a native of Tennessee. U. F. was educated at Oxford,

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Miss., and attended law school at Lebanon, Tenn., graduating in 1869. Previous to this he had served throughout the late war, under General Forrest, of the Confederate army. In 1869 he came to Sedalia, where he engaged in the practice of law. In 1876 he formed a partnership with Col. Snoddy. Mr. Short owns one of the finest and best improved farms in the county; having a residence which cost over $15,000. Mr. Short was married in 1871, to Miss Emma Major, of Pettis County, daughter of B. R. Major, one of the early settlers of this county. They have one child living, Franklin; one deceased. Mr. Short is a member of the A. O. U. W.

ROBERT J. SHY.

City Marshal of Sedalia. Was born in Marion County, Mo., in 1841. D. J. Shy, his father, was a native of Kentucky, and is now living in Pet- tis County. His mother, Mary Ann, nee Overstreet, was also a native of that State. Robert J., the subject of this sketch, was principally reared in Pettis County. He attended school when the ground was the floor, and split logs were used for seats. His early life was spent on a farm, but in 1876 he sold his farm and came to Sedalia, and served as Deputy Sher- iff under Lemuel Murray for four years and nine months, at the expiration of which time he was elected City Marshal of Sedalia, and is still acting in that capacity, and is pronounced by all an efficient officer and conscien- tious gentleman. Mr. Shy was married June 2, 1864, to Theresa Reed, of Pettis County, daughter of William Reed, now of Cooper County, Mo. They have four children, all girls, named respectively: Cora Lee, Eva Augusta, Lenora M., Daisy and one deceased, a son five months old.

JOSEPH D. SICHER.

One of Sedalia's most prosperous business men is the subject of this sketch, Joseph D. Sicher, of Austria. Joseph D. was born in Austria, March 21, 1842. When he was about ten years of age his father emigrated to America, landing at St. Louis; here the father located, and resided until his death. In the fall of 1862, the son, Joseph D., moved to Alton, Ill., where he remained for about ten years. Then in the spring of 1872 he moved to Sedalia, where he has since resided. Mr. Sicher first embarked in the hotel and confectionery business, in which business he is still engaged. His hotel building is situated on the corner of Ohio and Third streets, and is a large three-story building. No house in Central Missouri has a better reputation with the traveling public than the Sicher Hotel. Mr. Sicher has been prominently connected with many of the public enter- prises that have made Sedalia what she is to-day. He was the originator and one of the first men to take hold of the project of building a street rail- road, said road extending the whole length of Third street from the Mis-

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souri Pacific shops and offices in the east, to the park on the west. The line is in daily operation with a number of finely furnished cars. The Sicher Brothers own about two-thirds of the stock of said road. Another public enterprise with Mr. Sicher the prime-mover, was the establishment of the beautiful park in the western part of the city. The Brothers first bought fifty acres of land owned by Newkirk and Jaynes; this pasture (for that is about what it was) has been converted into one of the most beautiful resorts in the State. These ample grounds have been laid off in walks and drives; the whole grounds have been beautifully ornamented with maple and other forest trees. Mr. Sicher has built a fine large Park Hotel, which building he has furnished elegantly, and is used for parties, dancing, etc. Mr. Sicher has leased to the Fair Association these grounds, for a number of years, to be used by the Association a certain number of days in each year. The reader will find a complete description of these beautiful grounds in the city history, page 508. Mr. Sicher was married, May 11, 1875, to Miss Leyser, of Alton, Ill .; from this union there are two children, viz: Harry D. and Camille. In business affairs Mr. Sicher, though a young man, is looked upon as having no superior in the city. He is generous, and is highly esteemed by his many friends.

COMMODORE G. B. SIMONDS.

Mr. Simonds was born at Bristol, New Hampshire, August 12, 1819. His father, John T. Simonds, was also a native of New Hampshire, and resided in Bristol up to the time of his death, which occurred about the year 1848. Young G. B. Simonds received his education from the schools of his native State, and at the age of thirteen commenced to learn the machinist and engineer trade in the Lowell machine shops. He was made foreman at the age of eighteen, and on leaving this position he accepted that of engineer on the Columbia and Philadelphia Railroad. After leaving this road he accepted a position as master mechanic on the Hudson and Berkshire Railroad, then became superintendent of motive power machinery on the New York and New Haven Railroad, with residence at New Haven. In the summer of 1858, Mr. Simonds removed to Spring- field, Ill., and became superintendent of motive machinery of the Great Western Railroad of Illinois. Mr. Simonds entered the United States military service under Gen. Fremont in the summer of 1861, as Assistant Supervisor of Railways of the Western Department. In February, 1862, he was transferred to the Mississippi flotilla and accepted a position in the command of a squadron of mortar boats under Commodore Foote. He was engaged at the siege of Island No. 10, Fort Pillow and the capture of Memphis, but after his fleet was moved to Vicksburg, he was ordered back and was assigned the command of the Navy Yard, Memphis, Tenn., having command of the fort when no ranking officer's vessel was in port.

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In 1864 he resigned his command and returned to his family in New York. Coming west he established an Iron Rolling Mill, at Indianapolis, Ind. In Feb., 1871, he accepted a position as master mechanic on the Missouri Pacific Railway, and in April, 1873, removed his family to Sedalia, and built a fine residence on the southeast corner of Sixth street, and Wash- ington Avenue, now owned by Mr. Adam Ittel. He accepted and served as superintendent of motive machinery on the following roads: Hannibal and St. Joe, Cairo and St. Louis, Atlantic and Pacific. In the fall of 1881 he returned to his family in Sedalia, where he has since resided. October 15, 1845, he was married to Miss Rachel V. C. Clark, a native of Albany, N. Y. Their family consists of Sarah A., the eldest, and Mary E., now wife of A. H. Taylor, of Pike County, Ind. Mr. Simonds now resides on the corner of Osage street and Broadway. Heis a man of superior native ability and force of character, and obstacles that would have crushed others only served to strengthen his purpose, and lead him to success. His principle of sterling integrity is well known, and he is highly respected by all.

CHAS. W. SIMONS.

Dealer in furniture, and undertaker. Is a native of Clermont County, Ohio, where he was born in 1852. James Simons, his father, was also born in Ohio, and came with his family to Sedalia in 1871 and is still a resident of this place. Chas. W. began the furniture business in Sedalia, but afterward went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and served an apprenticeship in that business. After he had served his term as apprentice he came again to Sedalia and in 1878 he opened a shop here. His store is situated on Ohio, between Fifth and Sixth streets, where he keeps a very select stock of furniture, coffins, etc. He makes undertaking a speciality. He was married in June, 1881, to Katie Breden, of Sedalia, daughter of Thomas Breden, of Pettis County. Mr. Simons is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

ELISHA W. SINCLAIR.

Alderman of the Fourth Ward. Was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., in 1833. His father, Samuel Sinclair, was also a native of New York. His mother, Martha, nee Bucklen, was a native of Vermont. E. W., the sub- ject of this sketch, left his home at the age of sixteen and went to New York City, where he worked on the New York Tribune constantly for twenty-three years. During the war he spent two years in the South as agent for the Tribune. In the fall of 1873 he came to Pettis County and bought a large farm and spent six years in farming. In 1879 he came to Sedalia, where he has invested largely in real estate. In April, 1881, he was elected Alderman of the Fourth Ward. He was married in 1872 to Martha Gairy, of New Jersey. . They have one child, Linnie. He and

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his wife are members of the Congregational Church, of which he is also an officer.

HENRY C. SINNETT.

Attorney at law, Sedalia. Was born in Granville, Licking County, Ohio. His father, Allen Sinnett, settled in that State in 1805 and died in 1851. Mr. Sinnett's ancestors on both sides were French Huguenots driven from France and seeking liberty and life in a free land. Allen's father, James Sinnett, first settled in Ireland, and then emigrated to America, settling in Massachusetts. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and also in the War of 1812. The mother of the subject of our sketch was a native of Massachusetts, whose maiden name was Nancy Blanch- ard. Her father and mother were also driven from France by persecu- tion for their religious proclivities. Her father's name was Joseph Blanch- ard, who also was a Revolutionary soldier. In the War of 1812 he was largely interested in shipping and had six ships at sea, which were destroyed by the British. During this war his wife and family, who were living on an island off the coast of Maine, were compelled to flee from their home by the approach of the British, and escaped in an open boat to Belfast, nearly 500 miles distant by the route they were forced to take. Of the number thus escaping Nancy Blanchard was one. Henry C. was reared and educated in his native county, attending Granville Academy in his native town and also Denison University in Licking County, grad- uating from the former. He read law with Judge Buckingham and also Henry Stanburg, after which he attended Cincinnati Law School, gradu- ating from it with the class of 1861. He was admitted to practice the same year and located in Newark, Ohio, where he remained until 1865, in which year he came to Sedalia. Mr. Sinnett has met fine success as a practitioner. He has been practicing longer in Pettis County than any attorney in it with the exception of two, George Heard and O. A. Cran- dall. Mr. Sinnett was married in 1869 to Julia Leak, of Sedalia, but a native of Ohio. They have one child living, Harry B., aged eight years.

JUDGE JOHN GRAND-GIRARD SLOANE.

Was born on the 10th day of April, 1849, in the village of Mowrystown in Highland County, Ohio. Moved with his parents when but a year old to Winnebago County, Ill., where he spent the next fifteen years of his life on a farm. Although but fourteen years of age when the war began, too young to enter the service as a regular soldier, he accompanied his father, who was a captain in the Seventy-Fourth Illinois Volunteers, and bravely endured all the hardships and dangers of the march, camp and battle-field. Was in the Perryville and Stone River battles, and other engagements and campaigns. On his return from the war, he removed

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to Blackhawk County, Iowa, where he was engaged with his father in farming, until the autumn of 1867, when he came to Missouri, and soon after began the study of law. In the year 1869, he returned to Rockford, Ill., where he completed his studies and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of that State in June, 1870. He immediately returned to Missouri and opened an office at Windsor, Henry County, and was mar- ried in the autumn of the same year, to Miss Arthusa Whitney, daughter of Dr. Whitney, who resided near Windsor. Their children are Minnie, and an infant. In the spring of 1872, he removed to Sedalia and opened an office for the practice of his profession. In the autumn of the same year he was nominated by the Republican party as City Justice and elected when only twenty-two years of age. He occupied the posi- tion until the spring of 1876, when he was elected County Judge, which office he held until the expiration of his term. Judge Sloane gave the highest satisfaction as a judicial officer in both positions.After his term as County Judge had expired, he formed a co-partnership with Capt. L. L. Bridges, in the practice of law, which he continued until July, 1881, when in connection with his brother, W. A. Sloane, he bought out the Sedalia Times, which afterwards consolidated with the Sedalia Eagle, under the name of Eagle-Times, and of which paper he is now the editor and business manager. Judge Sloane obtained his education in the com- mon district schools of the country, and the high schools of Rockford, Ill., and Cedar Falls, Iowa. He is what is known as a self-made man, and for one of his years has been signally honored by the community in which, he lives. He is a staunch Republican. As an editor he is considered a thorough success, a faithful worker and judicious in all his writings, which show literary ability and a thorough insight of human nature and public affairs.

ANDREW V. SMALL, M. D.

Is a native of Lorraine, France, and in that place was reared and edu- cated. He commenced the study of medicine in the University of Paris, where he graduated in 1839. He afterward entered the French army as surgeon, serving seven years, a portion of the time in the African war. Upon leaving the French army in 1848, he emigrated to America, locat- ing in New Orleans. Here he remained until 1853, when he came to Jefferson City, Mo. At Jefferson City Dr. Small was recognized as a surgeon and physician of no small merit, and remained in that place with a large and growing practice until 1858, at which time he went to Spring- field, Mo. At the beginning of the rebellion in 1861, he entered the Con- federate army as Chief Surgeon of Gen. McBride's division. He served in this capacity until 1863, when he was appointed Medical Inspector of Gen. Bragg's command at Corinth, Miss., and was assigned President of the Examining Board of the District of Texas, with headquarters at San

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Antonio, where he remained until the close of the war. After the rebel- lion, Dr. Small left Texas and came to Lexington, Mo., and engaged in the practice of his profession until 1878, when he came to Sedalia. Although many other physicians and surgeons had established reputa- tions of long standing, Dr. Small's skill soon won for him a large practice, which has never deserted him, but has assumed such magnitude that it requires all his energy and will power to keep pace with his calls. It needs but a glance at the facts to see that Dr. Small has had opportunities to skill himself in his profession not often afforded American physicians, and it is not strange that he stands at the head of his profession. He has twice been married, having married in Europe and lost his wife in New Orleans. In 1855 he married Miss M. Parberry, of Jefferson City, Mo. By this union they have three children: Earnest J., now a stock raiser of New Mexico, Eddie N., graduate of Bellevue Medical College, N. Y., now practicing with his father, and Mary S.

DAVID H. SMITH.

Wholesale hardware, corner Main and Ohio streets. A business house was opened in 1866, by D. H. Smith and his brother, H. C. Smith. In 1869 H. C. Smith withdrew, and since that time Mr. D. H. Smith has con- tinued his business alone. In 1877 he built the three-story brick on the corner of Main and Ohio streets, which he has occupied since its comple- tion. This house commands a large wholesale trade, keeping two men on the road constantly, having the largest trade of any hardware house in the city. David H. Smith was born in October, 1835, in Clark County, O. His father, D. J. Smith, was born in Scotland, and died in Ohio in 1879, at the age of eighty-four years. His mother, Sarah, nee Cory, was a native of Ohio, but of English descent, and is still living on the old homestead, in the seventy-fourth year of her age. Mr. Smith was reared on a farm, but in 1858 he engaged in the fruit tree business. In 1862 he entered the Federal army, in the Commissary Department, where he remained for three years. In 1866 he came to Sedalia, and engaged in the hardware busi- ness, which he has followed ever since. David H. Smith began life with- out a dollar, and by honesty and industry he has won for himself the laurels which only such men deserve. Not only has he accumulated a fortune, but has taken his place among the foremost of Missouri's business men. He is now doing a business of $150,00 per annum. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Smith was married to Miss Laura Potter, of Greenville, O., in 1862, and by her has four children: Gertrude, who is at present attending school in Boston, Mass .; Jessie, Harry B. and George G. February 16, 1880, Mr. Smith was bereft of his wife. She was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church.

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The History of Pettis County, Missouri, History of Sedalia, Part 77

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