The History of Pettis County, Missouri, including an authentic history of Sedalia, other towns and townships, together with biographical sketches, Part 64

Author: Demuth, I. MacDonald
Publication date: 1882]
Publisher: [n.p.
Number of Pages: 1154

USA > Missouri > Pettis County > The History of Pettis County, Missouri, including an authentic history of Sedalia, other towns and townships, together with biographical sketches > Part 64

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MISSOURI COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS' ASSOCIATON.

Organized March 4, 1880. Present membership 100. President, J. W. Kennedy; Secretary and Treasurer, Geo. Ferrell. The first organi- zation of commercial travelers in Sedalia, of which there are now over thirty, was a local organization, formed by and composed exclusively of Sedalia representatives of Sedalia wholesale houses. It was called the Sedalia Commercial Travelers' Association. The members who were instrumental in the formation of this first society were F. E. Hoffman, Henry Allen, S. S. Sherman, J. W. Kennedy, Geo. Ferrell, Jno. L. Hall, R. W. Wiley, J. W. Murphy, D. I. Holcomb, L. A. Ross, Seymour Lip- sis, Chas. Decklemeyer, Dan Hurlburt, Louis Schrader, Thos. Dugan. When it had gained strength, popularity, and efficiency on its own merits, the society was merged into the State organization, and became a branch of the Missouri Commercial Travelers' Association. In 1881 Henry W. Allen was sent as a delegate from this society to the meeting of the National Association.

CHAPTER XI .- THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE.

What Sedalia Has Done-What She Has-What She Expects to Do-And What She Will Have.

What Sedalia has done the previous chapters of this History will show. And her achievements are unsurpassed in the history of modern civiliza- tion in the west. Her last deeds are her best, for in the past two years and a half the city has built forty-five miles of railroad; successfully started a Street Railway, constructed a Water Works Reservoir at a cost of $10,000; gained the location of the General Railroad Hospital, and the Car Accountant's Office of the Missouri Pacific Railroad; has expended nearly two million dollars in general improvements and new

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HISTORY OF SEDALIA.

buildings; and has Macadamized nearly two miles of streets. A bill is now before Congress asking for an appropriation of $50,000 for the erection of a Postoffice building; a project is on hand for the construction of thirty-five miles of railroad to connect the city with the Chicago and Alton Railroad, which will produce a competition in freight and passenger rates with the Missouri Pacific line; hundreds of buildings are in course of construction, and with the present prospects of bountiful crops the general business of the city will be greater than ever before in her history.

What the city now has and what it has done in the past year is a suffi- cient evidence of its present condition and capacities.

Let the thoughtful reader and the clear headed business man consider first what the city has in general:

Sedalia has more business houses doing trade in their own store-rooms and upon their own unencumbered, unborrowed capital, than any other city of the same size in the State.

Sedalia has to-day a less number of untenanted buildings than any other city in the State of the same size.

Sedalia is already a railroad center, and by the legislation of the late Constitutional Convention, she is likely to continue so, without a rival:

Because hereafter no county can issue bonds to railroads for more than five per cent. of the value of her taxable property, which amounts to this: that railroads will only be aided by private subscription, consequently there will be few or no more roads built, and there will be no more rail- road centers.

The charter of the Pacific Railroad, which passes through Sedalia, provides that no machine shops of the company can be located anywhere else in the State than along the line of their road. Now the property on which the vast machine shops, round houses, coal chutes, etc., of the Pacific Road are now situated in St. Louis, is becoming.of such enormous value, that the company has for several years past been seriously agitating the removal of these enormous works to Sedalia.

Taking into account the unencumbered real estate, the small public debt of the city and county, the unborrowed capital invested in business, the moderate taxation, and this county has more real wealth than any other in Central Misouri.

Sedalia has not yet reached the highest point of prosperity, but is rapidly moving towards it, because new people are coming in every day, new farmers and mechanics, and more capital is being put into business houses and manufacturing interests, new banks are being started and additional newspapers founded.

Now let those who are interested in the city as property holders and business men, and those who are seeking new homes, new fields for busi-

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ness and new scenes of happiness, consider what the city has actually done in the past year of 1881.

Sedalia aspires to be the Capital of the State. She asks the honor, not as a beggar, but as one that demands her just rights. Her geographical position, her enterprise, wealth, beauty of location and accessibility by railroad, are all just and acknowledged facts in favor of this city, and the citizens seem inclined to continue to present their claims for the removal of the Capital until the question is submitted by a vote to the people of the State.

After the capital removal scheme, the next great purpose of the city is to enlarge and increase the manufacturing business, and make Sedalia a source of supplies for all the country within her business territory. The building of a railroad north to connect with the C. & A. R. R., is a pro- ject to be carried out in the near future. The erection of a great institu- tion of learning comes next in importance.

KRUSE & FREDERICK

MEAT MARKET.

GSW

DR. H.W.WOODMIGO

208

H.W.woop

H.W.WOOD

JAUO STORE

DRUG STORE

& W. ING. CO

BUSINESS HOUSE OF H. W. WOOD.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH SEDALIA.

Biographical Sketches.

All men cannot be great; each has his sphere, and the success of his life is to be measured by the manner in which he fills it. But men may be both true and good, may be morally great, for in true living there are no degrees of greatness-there is no respect to persons. It is not intended in the following pages to include all the several. and separate acts of a man's life, important or otherwise. The design is to give the merest out- line, for a complete review of the life and character of the person named, would be both unwarranted and without general value. The names which follow, for the most part, are those of men who have been or are now closely identified with the interests of the county and their respective townships. The sketches of many of the early settlers are found elsewhere in this volume; but to have given a sketch of every man in Pettis County would have been utterly impossible. If any have been omitted, who should have been represented, it was more the fault of them- selves or their friends than the publishers of this work. For the most part these have contributed to the enterprise which the publishers have been able to furnish the people. Great care has been taken to give the facts in these sketches as they were given to the historian, and if an occa- sional error is found, it is largely due to the incorrect statement of the one who dictated the sketch.

DR. D. T. ABELL.

Was a native of Brookfield County, Pa. His parental ancestors were natives of Massachusetts. His father, Daniel H., died in 1877, at the age of eighty-two years. His mother is still living and has attained the eightieth year of her age. Young Abell was educated at the Susque- hanna Collegiate Institute, and took his medical course at Homœ- opathic Medical College, Philadelphia, graduating in 1860. Dr. Abell, as an able and competent practitioner of medicine, is too well known in Pettis County to need special comment here. Commencing his practice in Athens, Pa., from thence he moved to Darlington, Wis., where he was appointed examining surgeon for pension applicants, a position which he now holds in Sedalia. He has an extensive practice, both in the city and country-one of the largest in the County or even Central Missouri. Dr. Abell is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Sedalia.

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HISTORY OF SEDALIA.

LOUIS G. ADDOR.

Dealer in watches, clocks, jewelry, etc. Was born in Switzerland, in St. Croix. His father, Victor Samuel Addor, died in the old country in 1872. His mother, Marie Nanette Jaccard, died in the old country in 1878. Louis G. was taught the watchmaking business in his boyhood, serving six year as apprentice in the old country. In 1861 he went to South America and entered a wholesale watch and jewelry house. Here he remained until 1865, when he came to this country, locating in St. Louis, and working in the large house of D. O. Jaccard & Co. Here he remained until 1868, when he went back to South America on account of his health. He remained until June, 1871, when he went to Europe and visited his old home and friends. He returned in the fall of the same year to the United States, and traveled in the South, looking for a loca- tion. During the winter of 1871-72 he located at Brownsville, Mo., where he engaged in business. He remained in Brownsville until the spring of 1873, when he came to Sedalia, and opened the large jewelry store which he now occupies. Mr. Addor is a thorough workman, making a specialty of repairing fine watches, of which he has a large assortment, also clocks, ·. jewelry, and everything in that line. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, of which, for several years, he has been treasurer.

CHARLES W. ALLEN.

Manager of the Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Machine Co., Sedalia. Mr. Allen was born in London, England, in 1845. His father, Charles W. Allen, and his mother, Isabel nee Thompson, came with their family to America in 1847. Charles was reared and educated in Illinois and Iowa. In 1862 he entered the Federal army, in Co. H, Sixty-eighth Ill. Regt., serving three months. In 1866 he came to Atchison, Kan., and the year following to Rockport, Mo., where he engaged in the sewing machine business, in connection with the Wheeler & Wilson Co. He remained in Northwestern Missouri with this Company until 1880, when he took charge of their business at St. Joseph, Mo., where he continued until 1882, when he came to Sedalia, where he keeps a full stock of these most excellent machines. Mr. Allen was married in 1866 to Miss Eutha A. Burke, of Pike Co., Ill. They have six children. Mr. Allen and his wife are mem- bers of the M. E. Church. He is also a member of the Masonic Fra- ternity.

THOMAS B. ANDERSON.

Formerly proprietor Sedalia Telephone Exchange. Was born in 1848, in Lawrence Co., Mo. His father, S. M. Anderson, was a native of Pennsylvania, who is now a resident of Sedalia, and seventy-four years of age. His mother, Emily, nec Owen, was a native of Virginia, still living.

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HISTORY OF SEDALIA.

Thomas B. was educated in Sedalia. Learned the jeweler's business, and in 1873 opened a jewelry store in the city; afterwards went to Spring- field, Mo., where he was in the same business two years, returning to Sedalia in 1878. In 1879 he obtained a charter for the Bell Telephone, and in December of the same year opened the first Telephone Exchange in Sedalia. This enterprise soon demanded all his time. He sold out his store, and has since devoted all his time to the telephone lines of which he is proprietor and manager. He was married in 1874 to Miss M. V. Tav- lor, a daughter of C. G. Taylor, the pioneer jeweler of Sedalia. They have three children, Rosa E., Mabel N. and Charles B. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members of the First Presbyterian Church.

JOHN F. ANTES.

Proprietor of the Capital Mills. Mr. Antes was born in 1830, in Pennsylvania. His father, Henry Antes, was a native of the same State. His mother, Catharina M. nec Forester, is a relative of Secretary Forester of Ireland. After growing to manhood, John F. engaged in the commission business, until 1849, when he went to Boston and was employed in a railroad office until 1853, when he went to Chicago, and was engaged in book-keeping until 1854, when he went to St. Louis, and began railroading, which he continued at various places until 1869, when he gave his whole attention to the Gas Works of Sedalia. In 1880, he sold out the Gas Works, and in 1881 bought the mill where he is now engaged in making flour. Mr. Antes is a live business man and has taken no small part in the upbuilding of Sedalia. He was married in 1863 to Lucy Dempsey, of Otterville. They have four childern, Catharina, John H., Marcius S. and Florence H. Mr. Antes has twice served as a member of the City Council of Sedalia, one year as chairman of the same.

J. H. ARMSTRONG.

Ticket Agent at the Fifth Street office of the M., K. & T. He is the son of H. J. Armstrong, a native of Kentucky, but who moved to Missouri in 1862, settling at Lexington, where he was engaged in the agricultural implement business in connection with a complete stock of hardware. The father disposing of his business at Lexington moved to Kansas City, in the year 1878, accepting a position with the Moline Plow Company. The subject of this sketch was born in Fleming County, Ky., Sept. 9th, 1855. He received his education partly in the schools of his native State, completing the same in the schools at Lexington, Mo. Mr. Armstrong in starting out in life accepted a position in his father's store at Lexington. After quitting the hardware business, he engaged in farming. The life of a farmer was not the business he wished to follow, and after he disposed of his buisness he moved to Sedalia and accepted a position as car-clerk in

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the M., K. & T. office, which position he still holds with that of ticket agent at the Fifth Street office of said road. Mr. Armstrong is a young man of considerable business ability, courteous in demeanor, and deservedly popular with his employers.

WILLIAM J. BAGBY.

Dealer in grocries, provisions, etc. Mr. Bagby was born in 1854, in Buckingham County, Virginia. His father, James M. Bagby, and his mother were both natives of Virginia. William J. Bagby early engaged in the grocery business as a clerk and traveling salesman and was con- stantly in the business until 1878, when he opened a store in Sedalia. In December, 1881, he removed to the new brick block on Osage street near the corner of Second street, where he has one of the largest and most beautiful rooms in the city, a cut of which appears on page 523. Mr. Bagby is a most excellent business man, and stands in the front rank of Sedalia's business men. He is a member of the K. P. He was married in 1880 to Carrie A. Barley, of Sedalia.

JOHN C. BARBER.

The social and genial superintendent of the car department of the M., K. & T. He is the son of Lonson Barber, a native of New York, who lived in St. Lawrence County, of that State, until his death, which occurred in the year 1854. The subject of this sketch was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., Dec. 12, 1845, and is the fifth child in a family of nine children. He received his education in the schools of his native State and Wisconsin. After completing his education he went to Whitewater, Wis., to learn the machinist's trade. He worked at his trade until the breaking out of the late war, when he enlisted in the United States service under Col. Maloney in the Thirteenth Wisconsin Infantry, serving in said service for four years and three months. He was with his regiment in the raid through Missouri and Kansas after the noted guerrillas Quantrell, Anderson and others. His regiment was afterwards ordered to the defense of Corinth, Columbus and Pea Ridge. Afterwards he was with his regiment at the second battle of Ft. Donelson, Hopkinsville, Clarks- ville and Nashville. About this time he was promoted to Maj. Gen. Rousseau's staff, which position he held for two years. He was through all of the battles in the Department of the Tennessee, which was com- manded by Gen. Rousseau, of which might be mentioned the battles of Pulaski, Athens, Florence, Stevenson, Ala., and Lookout Mountain. He also participated in the battles of Dalton, Snake Gap, Resaca and others. After peace had been declared he returned to his home in Wis- consin, and engaged at his trade in the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- road shops at Fon du Lac. He remained in the service of said company

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seven years. In the fall of 1871 he moved to Kansas, and accepted the position of foreman in the Kansas Pacific shops, remaining two and one- half years. Then he moved to St. Paul, Minn., and accepted a position in the St. Paul Pacific car shops. In the winter of 1874 Mr. Barber moved to Sedalia, and accepted the position of foreman of mechanics and machinery, in which position he remained for one and one-half years, when he was promoted to superintendent of car department of the M., K. & T. Railroad, which position he still holds. He was married, March, 1872, to Miss Fannie Craig, a native of Wisconsin. From this union there are three children, viz: Annie C., Franklin L. and Lee W.

CHARLES E. BARNETT.

The youngest person ever appointed to an official position in the city of Sedalia is the subject of this sketch. Charles E. Barnett is the son of R. W. Barnett, a native of Virginia, but who moved to Missouri in the spring of 1864 and settled at Sedalia, in which city he lives at the present time. The subject of this sketch was born in Fayette County, Ill., Aug. 8, 1860, and is the oldest child in a family of seven children. He received his primary education in the schools of this city. In the winter of 1871, he being eleven years old, engaged with J. West Goodwin, of the Bazoo, to learn the printing trade. He remained in the office of the Bazoo until the spring of 1882, excepting the summers of 1879 and 1880, when he took a trip through Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. When Mr. Barnett entered the Bazoo office he went in as an errand boy. He filled all the positions from errand boy up to city editor. He resigned his posi- tion with the Bazoo and accepted the editorship of the Independent, a campaign paper, through the influence of which paper, it is claimed, that most of the present city officers owe their election. After the election the paper suspended, and Mr. Barnett accepted an appointment from the present administration as city policeman, which position he holds at the present time. Mr. Barnett is a young man of intelligence, courteous and pleasant, and will make the city an excellent officer.

GEORGE W. BARNETT.

Attorney at law. Mr. Barnett was born in 1850, in Kentucky. His father; Amos Barnett, and his mother Elizabeth, nee Bramock, were natives of Kentucky, who located in Macon County, Mo., in 1856. George, the sub- ject of this sketch, was educated at Kirksville State Normal School, grad- uating in 1870. After teaching one year, he began the study of law. Being admitted to the bar in 1872, he began practice at Unionville, Mis- souri, where he remained until 1881, when he moved to Sedalia. While in Unionville he held the office of Superintendent of schools; also was prosecuting attorney six years. He was also mayor of the city. Since

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coming to Sedalia, Mr. Barnett was associated with W. L. Felix, until the latter's death in May, 1881. He was married in June, 1874, to Miss Jennie Christy. They have three children: Robert A., Irene L., and Carl H. Mr. Barnett and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

J. R. BARRETT.

One of Sedalia's most influential citizens is the subject of this sketch, J. R. Barrett. He has been identified with Sedalia almost since the city had its birth, and certainly no man has done more in his way to advance the material interests of the Queen City than he. Mr. Barrett is of English descent. His father, J. F. Barrett, was a native of Massachusetts, but at an early day moved to the State of New York, living in Washington County, of that State, until his death; he dying at the advanced age of eighty-eight. J. R. Barrett, the son, was the youngest child in a family of ten children, and was born in Washington County, N. Y., Feb. 26, 1834. He received his education principally in the schools of his native county. In the fall of 1850 Mr. Barrett, then being a youth of sixteen years, emi- grated to North Carolina, remaining about seven years, when he moved to Missouri, settling in St. Louis in the spring of 1837; here he remained until the year 1866, when he moved to Pettis County, locating at Sedalia, where he has since resided. Mr. Barrett was married, September, 1864, to Miss Ada Barnett, a daughter of Judge Richards Barnett, of Vicksburg, Mississippi. From this union there were four children, three of whom are yet living, viz: Richards B., Jonathan F. and Annie B. Mrs. Bar- rett dying, November, 1870, he was again married in November, 1877, to Mrs. T. N. McClaughry, a daughter of Stephen T. Neil, of Lafayette County, Mo. Mr. Barrett is a man of great business ability and was for many years connected with railroad interests. He was one of the orig- inal directors of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company, also a director in the M., K. & T. R. R., and one of the prime movers in the construc- tion of the Narrow Gauge Railroad, south to the coal fields. Mr. Barrett is also largely connected with the banking interests of this city. He has been for years a stockholder, and a director in the First National Bank of Sedalia. For the last few years Mr. Barrett has given his attention more particularly to the management of his extensive farm just west of the city. This is one of the finest estates in Pettis County, containing 700 acres, 300 of which lie within the city limits. This magnificent homestead lies at the western terminus of Broadway, and is approached by a wide avenue, on either side of which are two rows of shade trees. The residence is a fine large frame, surrounded with a beautiful lawn, shaded with maple and other trees. The gardens are beautiful and spacious, laid off in the most tasteful manner, provided with a number of hydrants and other conveniences. Mr. Barrett's farm is principally in

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blue grass pastures, upon which he grazes about 150 head of milch cows. He is engaged extensively in the dairy business, employing about fifteen men, who are engaged in caring for the stock and other work connected with the business. His dairy consists of all the latest improvements for the business. The barn is large and commodious, being divided into stalls, and will accommodate 140 head of cows. Mr. Barrett is one of the prime movers to get the capital removed to the Queen City, and he has made the State the generous offer of 100 acres of his beautiful lands adjoining the city, for the Capitol and other State buildings. A view of his resi- dence appears on page 447.

WILLIAM BARRETT.

He was born in 1818 in Hinsdale, N. H. His father, Elisha Barrett, was a native of Vermont, and died about the year 1824. His mother, Betsy, nee Tower, was born in Hinsdale, N. H., and died in 1876. The sub- ject of this sketch lived a considerable time in New York State, but in 1866 came to Missouri, where he has since resided. He was married to Miss Amanda Chapel, of Barrington, Mass. They have five children living, George W., Edward H., Maurice S., Carrie and Freddie L. Mr. Barrett has spent all his life as a machinist. Considerable attention has been given to his invention, the King Feed Cutter. Of the many good qualities claimed by its inventor the following is a brief synopsis: There is nothing about the machine that is liable to get out of order, and should it need repairing it could be done by a country blacksmith. It has not been the study of the inventor to see how much machinery could be made to work together to cut feed, but rather to dispense with all complication and make a machine in the simplest form. And having accomplished that object he feels warranted in making the offer of $10,000 for the right of the United States for a feed-cutter that can be constructed with less mate- rial and for less expense, and that will cut more hay, straw or corn fodder with less power applied, without any infringement upon his patent of Feb. S, 1881.

EDWARD H. BARRETT.

Of the firm of Barrett Bros., Novelty Works. He was born in 1850, in Berkshire County, Mass. He came with his father, William Barrett, to Sedalia in 1873. He was married to Miss Clara Tompkins, of Amboy, Ill., Nov. 1, 1877. Mrs. Barrett is a daughter of Stephen N. Tompkins. They have two children, Lottie and Walter. He and his worthy wife are members of the East Sedalia Baptist Church. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias.

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HISTORY OF SEDALIA.

MAURICE S. BARRETT.

Of the firm of Barrett Bros., Novelty Mills. The subject of this sketch was born in Rensellær County, N. Y., in 1852. His father, William Barrett, is a native of New Hampshire, who came to Sedalia in 1873, also Maurice S. and his brothers Edward H. and George W. coming with their father. In 1879 they built the Novelty Works on the corner of Second and Miller streets, where they have been engaged in manufac- turing doors, sash, blinds, and doing a general planing-mill business. They are also engaged in the manufacture of the King Feed Cutter, patented by their father in 1857, more particular mention of which is given in connection with the sketch of William Barrett. They make a specialty of the manufacture of this cutter, having established agencies in various parts of the State. Maurice S. is a member of the Congregational Church, where his superior talent for singing is manifested in the fine quartette choir of that organization.

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The History of Pettis County, Missouri, including an authentic history of Sedalia, other towns and townships, together with biographical sketches, Part 64

Author: Demuth, I. MacDonald Publication date: 1882] Publisher: [n.p. Number of Pages: 1154

Author: Demuth, I. MacDonald
Publication date: 1882]
Publisher: [n.p.
Number of Pages: 1154