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 75
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GEN. BACON MONTGOMERY.
Is the oldest member of the press of Pettis County, though still a man in the prime of mental and physical vigor, still in the harness after twenty- five years of newspaper work. During the war he was a Union soldier; made a splendid record, and attained the positions of Major of Volunteers and finally of Brigadier General of State militia. He started and ran the first paper in the county, in 1860, the Georgetown Independent. He is a practical printer. He had only a common school education, but his vig- orous common sense, his courage, his pride and enthusiasm in his profes- sion, his readiness and his ability to work, have made him one of the clear- est and most forcible writers of good English in Central Missouri, and as good a reporter for a daily paper as there is in the West. In a town like Sedalia, where the editors and reporters are all known as individuals, the character and abilities of the man lend character and tone to the paper. Gen. Montgomery has given life, tone and character to the Weekly Times, the Daily Bazoo and the Daily Democrat, while in the position of local editor. The writer has worked with him, shoulder to shoulder, and has been filled with pride in his profession when he saw Gen. Montgomery always bold on the side of right, and always ready for any task in the line
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of duty, no matter how hard, no matter what the hour, the weather or the difficulties of the task. At two o'clock in the morning, after eighteen hours of hard work, he will put on his rubber coat, buckle on a brace of navy revolvers, ride ten miles into the country at the head of a sheriff's posse in search of a murderer; help to capture'the criminal; ride back home, and have the paper out by six o'clock in the morning, with a col- umn account of the deed, which he wrote and in some cases assisted in setting up. He knows everybody; he sees everything; he knows how to tell what he sees; and he is never afraid to tell what he ought. Of the tasks that the editor and reporter must do, he can do them all well. He has gone through an amount of labor, physical and mental, that would kill ten "ordinary" men; but at forty-five years of age he has not a gray hair; he weighs 175 pounds; has an eye as clear as crystal and a com- plexion like a school girl. He is married and has several children, and was raised in Pettis County. He is good yet for fifteen years of work. He has been local editor of the Daily Democrat at intervals for the past seven years. During his retirement I. MacD. Demuth and Wm. H. Mugford were local editors.
PROF. WILLIAM H. MOORE, A. M.
The subject of this sketch is manager of the Sedalia Business College. He was born in Green County, Illinois, March 17, 1851. His father, Amos Moore, was a native of New Jersey, and now is a resident of Jersey County, Ill., and was one of the leading architects of that State and built the first house in Sacramento, Cal. The mother of Wm. H. Moore was a native of Ohio, whose ancestors dated back to Richard Lyman of Eng- land, who came to Plymouth in the Mayflower in the winter of 1620. Her maiden name was Clarisa Lyman. She died in the year 1875 at the age of seventy years. Wm. H. Moore entered the army as drummer boy when twelve years of age and served through the war. He was educated at the Illinois College, of Jackson. After he graduated in 1869 he came West and engaged in the wholesale grocery business in Neosho County, Kas., which he continued about two years. In 1874 he was em- ployed by the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad Company as Secre- tary of their law department, with office at Parsons, Kas. After remain- ing here some time he resigned his position and went to Salt Lake City, where he took charge of the books for one of the largest mining and smelting companies in the country. Here he remained till 1876, when he came to Sedalia and took charge of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad Company's general ledger. In 1879 he went to Leadville, Col., and was engaged as paymaster and general manager of the Georgetown and Leadville stage line. Mr. Moore has had a large experience in com- mercial business circles all his life. In 1880 he returned to Sedalia and in
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company with R. M. Fraker opened a general accountant's office, which proved to be a successful business. From this has grown the Sedalia Business College, which is elaborately noticed elsewhere. Mr. Moore was united in marriage Dec. 11, 1870, with Miss Josie Eller, of Indianapo- lis, Ind., daughter of Henry Eller of that city. They have one child --- Nettie. Mr. Moore is of the best families of this country-the Beechers and Lymans. He is a gentleman of good business tact, who makes his calling a success.
REUBEN H. MOSES.
County collector of Pettis County. Was born in Cuba, New York, in the year 1838. He remained in his native State until 1853, when he removed with his parents to Rockford, Ill. Here he engaged in contract- ing and building, which he followed until 1862, at which time he enlisted in the Federal army, First Illinois Cavalry, and served for two years, being one of an escort for Gen. Steele, a portion of the time. At the battle of Lexington, Mo., the regiment was captured, with the exception of Company K, and was mustered out by special order. He again entered the service as 1st Lieutenant of Co. C, 146 Illinois Infantry, and served until the close of the war in 1865. During the same year, (1865), he married Francis De La Mater, a native of Ohio, and by her has five children, of whom three are living: Sadie, Charles F. and Reuben H. In the winter of 1865-66, he came to Sedalia, where he resumed his occu- pation as contractor and builder, and in November, 1870, he was elected clerk of the court of Pettis County, serving two terms of four years each. January 1, 1879, he opened the boot and shoe house of Moses & Van Wagner, in which he is still interested. In November, 1880, he was again called to serve as a public officer, being elected to the office of County Collector of Pettis County. Reuben H. Moses has proved faithful to every trust; and as a public officer he has served the people well. His father, A. G. Moses, now deceased, was a native of New York State He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and also a member of the Congrega- tional Church of Sedalia.
CHARLES F. NEESON.
Proprietor of the city mills. Mr. Neeson was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1846. His father, Robert Neeson, still resides in the Old Country, aged 80 years. His mother, Susan, nee Gray, still lives. Charles Neeson came to America in 1870, locating in Cass County, Ill., and engaged in milling one year, after which he came to Cooper County, Mo., where he again engaged in milling until 1875, when he came to Sedalia and bought an interest in the Farmers Mill, where he has since been in business. Mr. Neeson was married in June, 1881, to Jane Franklin, of Sedalia. Mr. Neeson is a member of the I. O. O. F.
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CYRUS NEWKIRK.
President of the First National Bank, Sedalia, Mo. Mr. Newkirk was born in Brown County, Ohio, March 12, 1821. His father, Henry New- kirk, was also a native of Ohio, who died when the subject of this sketch was a boy. When he became a young man he engaged as clerk in an iron smelting works at Hanging Rock, Ohio. He continued in this business about eighteen years, soon having become a partner in the firm. During this time he superintended two of the largest iron manufactories in that district. He first met Col. A. D. Jaynes, who also became a partner with him in the Vinton furnace, in Vinton, which they sold in 1861. From 1861 to 1865, he was engaged in the mercantile business at his old home in Brown County, Ohio. In the summer of 1865, he came to Missouri and spent between three and four weeks looking for a location with a view of locating upon a site which was destined to become a great railroad center, and although Sedalia at this time was a small settlement, the wisdom of his choice in investing here . and bending his energies to the accomplishment of his favorite project is well attested. Soon after coming here Mr. Newkirk and Col. Jaynes established the First National Bank, of which Mr. Newkirk has been either president or cashier ever since. They immediately secured the old charter of the road known as the Tebo and Neosho Railroad, and organized a company which began building at Sedalia, in the direction of Ft. Scott. This is now the M., K. & T. R. R. These gentlemen were the prime movers in the enterprises which have resulted in making Sedalia the flourishing city and railroad center which it now is. He was married Dec. 19, 1849, to Rebecca Isaminger, a native of Ohio. They have six children, all living; Mary, the wife of S. S. Woodard, of Brook - field, Mo .; Emma, the wife of E. A. Philips, of Sedalia; Ida B., at Wellesly College, Mass .; Lucy, Alice and Albert. Mr. Newkirk has ever been identified with enterprises calculated to build up the city and county; a man held in high esteem by his neighbors and fellow citizens. Although well up in years, he is still actively engaged in business, devoting the most of his time to the bank of which he is president. He has amassed a handsome fortune, and were it not for his habits of industry formed in his younger years, could well afford to retire from an active business life. He owns an elegant residence property, on the corner of Ohio street and Broadway, which is among the finest in the city, and one which would do credit to a much larger place. In 1847, Col. Jaynes became treasurer of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, which demanded so much of his time that Mr. Newkirk now took the position of cashier, and Col. Jaynes that of president. They each retained these positions until the 19th of July, 1880, when Col. Jaynes ceased to be actively engaged in the
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bank, (although still interested in it,) and Mr. Newkirk was again chosen president, which position he has ever since retained.
GEO. B. NORTON.
Of the firm of Norton & Green, grocers and provision dealers. Was born in 1839, in Medina County, Ohio, and is the son of Birdsey B. Nor- ton, a native of Connecticut, who is still living at the old homestead in Medina County, having settled there in 1821, where George B., the sub- ject of this sketch, was born. His mother, whose maiden name was Emily M. Ward, was born in Canada, and died in the year of 1854. He was reared on a farm, receiving his early education in the district schools of that locality. He afterward attended Berea University, Ohio, after which he engaged in teaching school for some time. Young Norton completed his college course in 1859, and went to Wisconsin, where he engaged in the manufacture and sale of force pumps, which business he followed for three years. In the spring of 1872, he returned to his home in Ohio, and soon afterward enlisted in Company K, 103d Ohio Regiment Infantry. He was in active service until the close of the war, serving as Sergeant and Second Lieutenant, having been appointed about the close of the first year. He was soon after commissioned First Lieutenant, which he held till the close of the war, being most of the time in com- mand of the company. During his career as a soldier, Mr. Norton served under Generals Burnside and Sherman, taking part in the battle of Armstrong Hill, and also one at Greenville, Tenn., with the former, after which he was transferred to Gen. Sherman's command, and was with him during his campaign in Georgia. During his service in the war he escaped being taken prisoner, or severe bodily injury, although on many occasions his clothing was pierced by bullets, and at one time he lost the rim of his hat by a bullet passing through it and carrying it away. On Oct. 29, 1865, he was married to Miss Sarah R. Lamm, of Wayne County, O., and daughter of Phillip Lamm, of that place, and in November of the same year, accompanied by his wife, he came to Seda- lia. After a short residence here, Mr. Norton purchased a farm about four miles from Sedalia, where he was engaged in farming and school teach- ing until 1873, when he rented his farm and came to Sedalia, and for some time was engaged in selling family medicines and notions, traveling the greater part of his time through Southwest Missouri. In 1876, he entered the Co-operative Store as salesman, where he remained until 1879, when he and Mr. Chas. O. Green, his present partner, bought the store, and have ever since been identified as the leading retail grocers of Sedalia. Their store is situated on Ohio street, between Second and Third streets, and the stock of goods which they carry is not only one of the largest and most complete, but for quality and freshness their goods cannot be
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excelled by any house in Sedalia. Mr. Norton belongs to the prominent lodges of the city, and he and his wife are members of the Congrega- tional Church. Mrs. Norton conducts a large millinery establishment on Ohio street, between Main and Second streets, where she has a large assortment of millinery and fancy goods. They have two children, Willis C. and Lilian C.
JAMES M. OFFIELD.
Of J. M. Offield & Co., hardware merchants. Mr. Offield was born in 1842, in Polk County, Missouri. His father, Lewis D., a native of Vir- ginia, located in Polk County, Missouri, in 1837. His mother, Martha, nee Spicer, was a native of Tennessee. Mr. Offield's ancestry are of English descent. J. M. Offield was educated at Bolivar, Mo. He after- wards served as a salesman for some years. In 1865, he came to Sedalia, where he was ticket agent for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad two years. In 1867 he entered the grocery house of Messrs. Hall & Beiler, where he remained until 1873, when he went to Sherman, Texas, where he engaged in the wholesale grocery trade, until 1879, when he returned to Sedalia, and engaged in hardware trade, which he still con- tinues. In 1880 he built the large brick block at the corner of Second and Osage streets, which is one of the very finest in the city, where he has a very extensive stock of hardware. In 1881 Mr. R. T. Gentry became a partner with him in this house. Mr. Offield was married in 1866 to Allie B. Gentry, daughter of Major Wm. Gentry, of this county. They have two children, Gentry, James M., Jr. Mr. Offield is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, and Knights of Pythias. Mr. Offield is a prominent business man of this city, and his large trade is evidence of his enterprise. A cut of his elegant business block on the northwest corner of Osage and Second streets is found on page 423 of this volume.
RICHARD M. OLMSTED.
Of the firm of Olmsted & Jefferson, livery and feed stable. Mr. Olm- sted was born in 1849, in Jersey County, Ill. His father, Richard, was a native of New York State. His mother, Louisa, nee Crabb, a native of Tennessee. Richard M. began railroading when but a boy, and followed it for several years. In 1874, he came to Sedalia, and engaged in trans- fer business until the spring of 1882, when he, with his partner, built the large livery and sale stable, where they are now in business. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. He was married in 1876 to Mattie Bowlin, of Versailles, Mo. They have two children, Wilson H. and Bessie P.
DR. J. M. OVERSTREET.
Was born Feb. 4, 1830, in Mercer County, Kentucky. His father,
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Robert Overstreet, died at his old home in 1855. His mother, Jane, nee Lowrey, was a native of the same State, and died in 1879, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. His father served in the war of 1812, under General Harrison, and was a personal friend of the General. Dr. J. M. was educated in the schools of the County where he was born, and in 1850 began the study of medicine. He graduated from the University of Louisville, Ky., in 1854. He afterward emigrated to Missouri, locating in the neighborhood of Smithton, Pettis County, and engaged in the prac- tice of his profession. Here he remained but a short time, when he went to Monmouth, Ill., where he practiced medicine until the fall of 1860, when he returned to Smithton, where he remained until 1879, when he came to Sedalia, and here he has ever since remained. Dr. Overstreet was mar- ried in 1859 to Martha L. Philips, daughter of Rev. J. R. Philips, of Warren County, Ill. His wife died Sept. 9, 1880. She was a very worthy member of the Presbyterian Church in Warren County, Ill. She was buried in the Kirkwood Cemetery, Warren County, Ill. He has three children living, named respectively : Harry, now with Myres Bros., druggists, of Kansas City; Robert R., Carrie, deceased, and Lena B. Dr. Over- street is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in high standing.
COL. JOHN F. PHILIPS.
Was born, Dec. 31, 1834, in Boone County, Mo., on the homestead founded by his father in 1817. His father was John G. Philips, who was a native of Virginia. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and partici- pated in the battles of Tippecanoe and the Thames. After the war he settled in Kentucky, and married Mary Copeland in Mercer County, Ky. In 1817 they moved to Boone County, Mo., where he lived until his death in 1867. He was a mechanic and farmer, successful in business and respected and honored by all. The subject of this sketch was his young- est child. He was reared upon the farm, and attended the usual district schools. He was also a student at the State University at Columbia, Mo. From there he went to Centre College, Ky., where he graduated in 1855. Returning home he read law under Gen. John B. Clark, Sr., of Fayette, Mo. In 1856-7 he located at Georgetown, Pettis County, then the county seat, where he practiced law until the outbreak of the war. In 1857 he was married to Miss Fleecie Batterton, of Danville, Ky., of which marriage there were born two children, Emmet and Hortense. Emmet graduated at the alma mater of his father, under whom he read law and attended the Columbia Law School in the city of New York. He is now practicing his profession in Sedalia. Miss Hortense is now attending Mrs. Cuthbert's Seminary in St. Louis. The State Legislature of 1860-1 called a Convention of Delegates from the Senatorial Districts " to con- sider the relation of the State to the Federal Union." Mr. Philips was
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elected a member of that Convention, and although one of its youngest members he took rank in its deliberations as a debator and wise legisla- tor. In the war he warmly espoused the cause of the Union. He raised a regiment of cavalry and served through the war, commanding a brigade, part of the time, under Gens. Schofield and Pleasanton. In 1864, for gal- lant services in battle, he was appointed Brigadier General by Gov. Wil- lard P. Hall, and by Gen. Rosecrans placed in command of the District of Central Missouri, which position he held until mustered out in 1865. At the close of the war the Colonel resumed the practice of law at Sedalia, where he has ever since resided. In 1866 he and Judge Russell Hicks formed a partnership, and shortly afterward George H. Vest joined the firm, and he and Col. Philips continued together until lately, when Mr. Vest was elected to the Senate of the United States. As advocates they achieved a wide reputation and commanded all the practice they could do. In politics Col. Philips is a Democrat, and few men in Missouri have done more to lift high his party's standard than he. He opposed the Drake Constitution in 1865, canvassed with Gen. Blair in 1866; led the forlorn hope of the Democracy in his district for Congress in 1868, and through the disfranchisement of thousands of voters he was beaten, but his burning words of patriotism and invectives kindled a spirit that renewed the fight for this gallant leader, until in 1874 he was again nominated and triumph- antly elected to the Forty-Fourth Congress, in which he served with rare distinction. Many of his speeches show that he is a thoughtful scholar, of varied literary and practical information. Mr. P. was also a member of the Forty-Sixth Congress, and added much to his already large fame. Could he have been continued there he would have held such rank as to have reflected honor on his native State. He is one of the most attractive campaign speakers in his party, and his services are always in demand over the State. His literary attainments are rare. He has delivered sev- eral addresses before the colleges of Missouri and Masonic bodies that left pleasing and enduring impressions. In religion Col. P. is a Presby- terian. In 1877 he was a delegate from the United States to the Pan Presbyterian Convention at Edinburgh, Scotland. He then made a tour of the British Isles and the Continent of Europe, visiting their historic ruins and cities, courts and legislative bodies. He is now engaged in his pro- fession, and enjoys a practice second to few men in the State, and his re- peated successes at the bar indicate that he has a still brighter future.
EMMET E. PHILIPS.
Attorney at law. Is another of Sedalia's young and interprising attor- neys. He was born in Georgetown, Pettis County, Mo., March 2d, 1858, and is the son of Col. John F. Philips, whose biography appears on another page of this work. He was educated at the State University of
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Missouri, and Centre College of Danville, Kentucky, graduating from the latter in 1877. After he received his degree from this institution he com- menced the study of law in his father's office. He afterward attended Columbia Law School in New York and graduated from that institution in 1880. That young Philips is "a chip off the old block, " is shown by his perseverance and rapid progress in his chosen profession. Being a close student, temperate, and endowed with a quick perception, he has already taken a stand among the practitioners of law, which may well command the respect of that fraternity. He was married Jan. 31st, 1881, to Miss Jennie Sheldon of Sedalia, a native of Chicago, Ill., and a daughter of L. F. Sheldon of the Mutual Telegraph Company.
EUGENE L. PHIPPS.
The subject of this sketch was born Dec. 17, 1834, in Framingham, Mass. His father, Joseph Phipps, and mother were natives of the same town, as was also his grandfather. E. L. Phipps was reared and edu- cated in his native town, and at the age of seventeen years he went to Boston and was employed as salesman in a wholesale dry goods establish- ment of that city. He remained in that position about three years, after which he spent about four years in the west. He then went to New York City and was in the house of H. B. Claflin & Co., as salesman for fourteen years, and in 1871 he came to Sedalia and bought an interest in the wholesale boot and shoe store of W. S. Mackey. Here he remained until 1876, when he engaged in the grocery business, which he has con- tinued until the present time. Mr. Phipps is a member of the Knights of Pythias. The house of E. L. Phipps & Co. was opened in the spring of 1877. They purchased the large brick block on the corner of Ohio and Fourth streets, where they have ever since been engaged in business. The firm of E. L. Phipps & Co. keep a general provision and grocery store, and in connection with it a large and well assorted stock of queens- ware, and do a large and lucrative business.
DR. WILL H. PIETY.
Surgeon dentist. Dr. Piety is a native of Terre Haute, Indiana. His father, Aus. H. Piety, was a native of France, who came to America in 1840, and settled in Terre Haute, Ind., where he still resides. His mother . was a Ramsey, of French descent; but she was a native of Terre Haute, Ind. Dr. Piety was educated in his native town. In 1877, he took up the study of dentistry, under Dr. Preston A. Ames, of Baltimore, Md. After graduating he practiced in Terre Haute until March, 1881, when he came to Sedalia, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession.
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JOHN W. POHL.
Brick manufacturer. Mr. Pohl was born Oct. 19, 1851, in St. Louis, Mo. His father, B. B. Pohl, was a native of Germany. His mother, Margaret, nee Helling, was a native of Prussia. John W. Pohl was reared in St. Louis, where he was brought up to the brick making and contract- ing business. In 1867, his father removed to Jefferson City, where he and John engaged in contracting and brick making until 1875, when John W. came to Sedalia, where he has followed the same business since. He manufactures over one and a half millions of brick per annum. Mr. Pohl is a member of the Catholic Knights of America. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. He was married in 1878 to Jennie . Burt, of Sedalia, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, a daughter of John Burt, now of Sedalia. They have one child, Harry B.
THOMAS J. PORTER.
Of the firm of Dalby & Porter, wholesale grocers. Mr. Porter was born in 1835, in Fleming County, Kentucky. His father, John S. Porter, was a native of Kentucky, now a resident of Sedalia, in his seventieth year, and has all his life been an active business man until within the past few months. His mother, Elvira, nee VanCamp, is still living. She was a native of Kentucky, also. Thomas J. Porter was reared and educated in Lexington, Mo, graduating from Masonic College, Lexington; in 1853. He was for a time in the drug business in Lexington. Steamboated on the Missouri River, and was in various other kinds of employment until 1876, when he engaged as traveling salesman for J. M. Anderson & Co., wholesale grocers of St. Louis, where he remained until March, 1882, when he engaged in the wholesale grocery house of Dalby & Porter. Mr. Porter and his wife are members of the Christian Church. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W. He was married in 1859 to Miss Sallie Garoy, of Howard County, Mo. They have two children, Ella and Sallie.
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