USA > Missouri > Buchanan County > The history of Buchanan County, Missouri > Part 90
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
T. Childs, he started the Evening News. This he afterwards sold to parties who changed it to the Tribune. In 1869, he was elected City Recorder, a position which he filled six years. He is now (1881) Deputy Circuit Clerk, and a very capable officer. In 1853, he married Miss Jane Lyon, daughter of A. B. Lyon, one of the old merchants of this city. They have six children living-Sally D., John H., Laura A., Betta L., Mary L. and Charles M. May 3, 1881, Sally D. married Professor Rich- ard M. Proctor, the distinguished astronomer and author of England, when they immediately left for their home in London, England. Louis M., their eldest son, married Miss Jennie Hundley, daughter of J. B. Hund- ley, and moved to Hastings, Nebraska, where he died in 1878, aged twenty-five years. Before going to Nebraska, he was for many years engaged as ticket agent in the Kansas City railroad office. While in Nebraska he was engaged in merchandising.
ISAAC B. THOMPSON,
was born in Pennsylvania, July 3d, 1838. Learned the marble business in Pennsylvania, and on coming to St. Joseph, in January, 1864, estab- lished himself there in that business, purchasing the shop of E. K. Bed- well, a representative marble worker in that city. This he has enlarged to meet the demands of his increasing trade. By his skill as an artist and the aid of the best workmen he is enabled to turn out a superior quality of work, as many of his beautiful monuments attest. He was elected councilman of the second ward in 1879, and also in 1881, and is among the most useful and intelligent aldermen on the board. As he is enterprising and successful in his own business, so he is in advancing the interests of the city, ably advocating those measures which are cal- culated to promote her advancement. Married Catherine Coleman, of Iowa, in January, 1865. They have four children living, Edgar, Charley, William and Minnie.
ROBERT H. THOMAS
was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, in 1839. In 1844, his father, Robert B. Thomas, moved to Jackson County, Missouri, and thence in 1846 to Buchanan County, where he bought a farm and raised his family to work. The country being new, the facilities for obtaining an educa- tion were limited. Robert H., however, succeeded in obtaining a com- mon school education. His father is one of the respected old settlers of the county, and was married to Miss Mary Ann Ewalt, of an old and highly respected family of Bourbon County, Kentucky. Not long since he moved to Platte County, Missouri, where he purchased a fine farm. Robert H. married in 1863, Miss Rebecca Foster, daughter of Thomas Foster, Esq., of Platte County. They have six children-Amon, John
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W., Emma, Henry L., Franklin Everett and Kelley. Mr. Thomas pur- chased a farm of 160 acres in Crawford Township, and for the past fifteen or twenty years has been improving this property and dealing largely in live stock. In 1880, he was elected by a large majority Sheriff of Buchanan County, a position the duties of which he continues (1881) to discharge with ability.
A. D. THOMAS,
carpenter, was born in Ross County, Ohio, January 9, 1825, and was reared and learned his trade principally in Sciota County. His father, Nathan, was a chairmaker by trade. In 1860, our subject moved to St. Louis, residing there until 1865, when he took up his abode in St. Joseph. For a number of years he was a burner of charcoal, was a contractor on the St. Joseph bridge, the St. Joseph & Denver City Railroad, and did a large amount of city work. Was married, in 1847, to Miss Ann M. Long, of Kentucky. They have four children, Kate, Rebecca, Rosa and Belle.
WILLIAM TIBBETTS,
of the firm of John Tibbetts & Son, contractors and builders. A well known builder of this city, and one who is deserving of special mention, is Mr. John Tibbetts. The city hall, and many of the imposing edifices in the city are specimens of his work. William, the subject of this sketch, was born in New York City, December 22, 1859. Was raised to manhood and educated in St. Joseph. He also became proficient in the trade of building brick structures and as a manager and contractor. Mr. John Tibbetts located here in 1860, and few contractors have con- tributed as much to the upbuilding of the city. Tibbetts & Son are thoroughly skilled workmen and have a large trade.
ELIAS TIMERSON,
engineer on the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad, is a native of New York, and was born in Auburn, October 22, 1841. He was educated in his native state, and at an early age became news agent on the New York Central Railroad. In 1863, he came to St. Joseph, and entered the employ of Luke Benham, as wagon master, and for seven years continued in this capacity, superintending freighting across the plains. We next find him in this city with the United States Express Company, as deliverer. The duties of this position he discharged satis- factorily to his employers and the public until 1870, when he commenced railroading on the K. C. St. Jo. & C. B., as brakeman. For some years he was conductor on a freight, then a fireman, and eventually engineer. Mr. Timerson fully realizes the responsibility which rests upon him, and
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
uses the utmost care and discretion in handling his locomotive. In 1875, Miss Dora Amos became his wife. They have two children, Delbert and Carrie. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and an Encampment member of the I. O. O. F.
W. G. TIRRELL,
proprietor of the Inter-Ocean boot and shoe store, was born in Wey- mouth, Massachusetts, September 18, 1847, and when quite young he was deprived of the care of a father by death. Came from Weymouth to Chicago, Illinois, where for a number of years he was engaged as. a salesman in the well known boot and shoe house of Bullock Bros. In 1872, he embarked in business in St. Louis, and in 1874 he came to St. Joseph and engaged in his present business, in which he has been emi- nently successful. His stock embraces the product of the leading and best manufacturers in his line, and the liberal treatment of his patrons and his fair dealing have secured for him a large and constantly increas- ing patronage.
W. J. TODD,
grocer, is a native of Andrew County, Missouri, and was born July 29. 1849. His father, Zaphnath Todd, was a native of Southern Missouri, and one of the first settlers of Andrew County, and was closely identified with its growth and prosperity until his death in August, 1878. W. J. was raised to manhood and educated in his native county, spending his boyhood days tilling the soil, with the exception of a short time spent in DeKalb County, where he was engaged in the general merchandise busi- ness, and followed farming in Andrew County, until 1880, when he engaged in trade in St. Joseph. In 1869, Miss Zarilda Thornton, of DeKalb County, became his wife. They have two children living, Edna and Nellie. Himself and family are active members of the Primitive Baptist Church.
MILTON TOOTLE,
a merchant whose name is so familiar throughout the West, Northwest and Southwest, was born in Ross County, Ohio, February 26, 1823, and received a good common school education in his youth. In 1836, his father removed to Jersey County, Illinois, and here the subject of our sketch commenced his mercantile experience, in which he has been so eminently successful. Entered the employ of Mr. George Smith, and in 1842 accompanied him to Savannah, Andrew County, Missouri. In 1844. Mr. Smith opened a store in Atchison County, of which Mr. Tootle had entire charge, and after remaining in this capacity one year he returned to Savannah, and took charge of the house at this place, Mr. Smith hav-
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ST. JOSEPH.
ing removed to St. Joseph. In 1848, he embarked in business for him- self in Oregon, Holt County, and here he evinced that tact, ingenuity, integrity and industry which have been marked features of his commer- cial life. In 1849, at the request of Mr. Smith, he came to St. Joseph, and was given an interest in the house that subsequently became Smith, Bedford & Tootle. Soon after this arrangement Mr. Smith died, and Mr. Tootle, in connection with his two brothers and W. G. Fairleigh, purchased the stock and commenced business, under the firm name of Tootles & Fairleigh. In a short time Mr. Tootle established dry goods houses in Omaha, Sioux City and Council Bluffs, the two former at the present time being among the prominent and successful houses in the West. In 1860, his brother Joseph died, and soon after his brother Thomas withdrew from the partnership. The business was conducted under the name of Tootle & Fairleigh until 1873, when Mr. Fairleigh withdrew his interest. Other partners were admitted, and the firm style became Tootle, Craig & Co., under which title it continued until 1877, when a change was again made, and the firm of Tootle, Hosea & Co. was formed, and are at the present time conducting a heavy trade. They have recently erected a building for their business that is one of the largest and most conveniently arranged houses in the country. Mr. Tootle is a man of active enterprise, and has done much to enlarge, improve and beautify the city of his residence. In 1872, he erected a costly and magnificent temple of amusement, known as Tootle's Opera House, a building which is a pride to St. Joseph, and would be a credit to any city of the East. Was married in January, 1866, to Miss Kate O'Neill, daughter of James L. O'Neill, at one time Cashier of the West- ern Bank of Missouri. Mr. Tootle's success in life is largely due to the care with which he has superintended and directed the minutest details of business, and the constant and close attention he has given to every- thing connected with his numerous enterprises. He has been especially fortunate in attracting and retaining faithful and capable employes, whom he has inspired with his own indomitable courage and perseverance. Is financially interested in many business houses in St. Joseph, and his connection with any enterprise is a sure guarantee of success. He is a liberal, public spirited and enterprising citizen. The name of Milton Tootle and St. Joseph are inseparable.
EDWIN TOOLE
was born on the 23d of February, 1808, in Shelby County, Kentucky, is now in his seventy-fourth year, and perhaps looks as young and feels as stout and active as most men at the age of fifty. Between the ages of eighteen and twenty-three he taught several schools in both Shelby and Henry Counties, and at Newcastle, in the latter county, studied law and
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
was admitted. to the bar when about twenty-four years of age. Was married to Lucinda S. Porter, at Owenton, Kentucky, on the memorable 12th of November, 1833, the night of which day will ever be remembered as of star shooting notoriety, or rather of meteoric showers. About the Ist of April, 1837, they left the State of Kentucky with two children-boys, one about three and the other about one year old-and embarked at Louis- ville for St. Louis by steamboat, thence up the Missouri River to Liberty Landing, at which place both of the children died and were there buried. They were detained at said landing some four or five weeks, and finally reached the point at which they located, at that time (10th of June, 1837) about two miles south of where the city of Savannah now stands. At that time there were not exceeding fifteen or twenty families within the limits of what now constitutes Andrew County, who had pre- ceded them, and most, if not all, of them were living in tents and camps, but the country began to fill up very rapidly, and all the country lying west and northwest of Clinton County, including what now forms Andrew, Holt, Nodaway, Atchison and possibly Buchanan Counties, being attached to Clinton County for civil and military purposes. He was, during the following fall or winter, elected as a justice of the peace of his township (Washington), which then included all the territory now forming Judge Kelley's circuit, and possibly no inconsiderable part of Judge Sherman's. Soon after this, however, Platte and Buchanan Counties were organized, and the terri- tory now constituting Andrew, Holt, etc., was attached to Buchanan, and orders for the election of county officers made and published. Although now a citizen of Buchanan County, yet living in the territory attached to her, Mr. T. became a candidate for the office of Clerk of the Circuit Court, and was elected, William Fowler at the same time being a candidate for both Circuit and County Clerk, and was elected to the latter. At the next succeeding session of the Legislature, Andrew County was organized, and not being a resident and citizen within the chartered limits of Buchanan County, and having no desire at that time to change his resi- dence for the sake of said office, he let it slide, feeling assured that the offices of both circuit and county clerkships in Andrew County were at his service, both of which he filled for many years, and resigned the former in the spring of 1858. Then removed to St. Joseph, where he resided until the spring of 1875, at which time he settled on a farm two miles east of Troy, in Kansas. In April, 1878, Mrs. T. died, and was buried in the cemetery at Troy, leaving him alone. In the month of August, following, he visited the city of Helena, Montana Territory, where he has two sons (E. W. and J. K.,) practicing law, and have been there engaged for a number of years. His two daughters (Mrs. Dr. Atchison and Mrs. R. P. Stout,) have, with their families, both followed him, and are settled there, and his two other sons (Ben. W. and C. B.,)
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may, ere long, do likewise. His youngest son (Oliver B.,) died at Hel- ena in October, 1877, of brain fever, soon after his admission to the bar. Mr. Toole is a man of large frame. He has all his life enjoyed excel- lent health, and now (1881), in the seventy-fourth year of his age, is as stout and active as most men of fifty. During the period of his long and active life no man has enjoyed a higher degree of respect and of personal popularity.
JUDGE W. C. TOOLE
was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, March 28, 1818. In 1834 he moved with his father to Alton, Illinois, where he continued to reside till the year 1838, when he went to Buchanan County, Missouri. In 1841 he married in Weston, Missouri, Miss E. Wiglesworth, of Greenup County, Kentucky, by whom he has had ten children, Kittie, Dickie, Octa- vius, Alice, William, Lizzie, Laura, Emma, Alpha, and Edwin. In 1848 Mr. Toole was admitted to the bar, and began the practice of law in St. Joseph. In 1852 he was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, a position which, after holding three years, he resigned. In 1856 he was appointed Register of the City of St. Joseph, and held the office unin- terruptedly for nine years. In 1864 he was elected City Recorder. This office he shortly after resigned, and during the same year was elected on the Republican ticket Circuit Clerk, serving in that capacity two years. In 1871 he was elected on the Liberal ticket Judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas, which office he continued to hold till its abolishment by the Legislature of 1875. Judge Toole first made his permanent home in St. Joseph in 1852. He has, in the years that have since elapsed, been prominently active in all public enterprises calculated to advance the interests of the city and county, and in the building of churches, school houses, and charitable institutions has ever been among the foremost to lend a helping hand.
JOHN TOWNSEND
was born in McLean County, Illinois, in 1837. In 1841, his father moved to this county. Young Townsend worked on the farm till fifteen years old, in the meantime acquiring a limited education. At fifteen he entered the store of I. & J. Curd, then one of the first firms who located here. He remained until Mr. Curd sold out and then, at the age of twenty-one, he went into the employ of Mr. McDonald, with whom he remained several years. He spent two years in Montana. Returning to St. Joseph, he commenced business in the spring of 1866, under the firm name of Townsend and Lowell. He finally purchased Mr. Lowell's interest, and Mr. William H. Wood engaged in partnership with him under the firm name of Townsend & Wood. In 1873, the firm of Bailey,
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
Townsend & Co. was formed, when they commenced the wholesale trade, continuing three years. Mr. Townsend then withdrew from the concern. After one year of recreation, in 1877, the present firm of Townsend, Wyatt & Co. was formed. This has become one of the leading retail dry goods houses of St. Joseph, being to St. Joseph what Stewart is to New York. Their sales having increased from $75,000 per year, to one quarter of a million. Mr. Townsend was also largely instrumental in establishing in 1875, the cracker and candy manufacturing house of F. L. Sommer & Co., of which he is one of the Co. This is one of the largest establishments of the kind in the West. Mr. Townsend commenced life without means, and with nothing but his good health, willing hands and hopeful heart, with which to pave his pathway to success. He has achieved an enviable reputation as a business man and public spirited citizen. He married Miss Anna R. Banes, of this city, in 1863. They have three children.
COL. FRANK M. TRACY,
present (1881) postmaster of St. Joseph, was born in Ralls County, Mis- souri, January 3, 1838. He is the fifth born and fourth son of a family of six sons and three daughters. His father, Lewis Tracy, long a repre- sentative citizen of St. Joseph, but now deceased, was a native of Jessa- mine County, Kentucky. His mother's maiden name was Sarah Krig- baum. She was also a native of Kentucky. In the sixth year of Frank's life his parents determined to move, and repaired to Platte City, Missouri, where they resided till March 12, 1347, when, moving to St. Joseph, he entered the office of the Gazette, then edited by General Eastin. Here he remained until he had mastered the art of printing. He then went to St. Louis, where he worked at his trade in the offices of Republican and the Democrat. In 1859 he established in St. Joseph, Missouri, the Free Democrat, an ably conducted journal, which he published success- fully till the breaking out of the civil war in 1861. At this period he moved to Kansas, where he enlisted in the First Kansas Infantry, in which service he was shortly after promoted to the grade of Second Lieutenant. He was afterwards transferred to Company I, of the same Regiment, with the rank of Captain. He was almost constantly in active service during the war of the Rebellion. At the battle of Wilson Creek he was severely wounded, being pierced through the right lung with a ball which he still carries in his body. On account of disability consequent on this wound he was mustered out of the service. Return- ing to Doniphan County, Kansas, he afterwards raised a regiment of militia, consisting of ten companies of infantry and two of cavalry, of which command he was commissioned Colonel. This regiment did efficient service during Price's raid. He continued in command till the
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close of the war, when he returned to Kansas, and settled in Troy, where he engaged in milling and merchandising. He is a member of Troy Lodge, No. 55, A. F. and A. M. In 1864 Colonel Tracy was elected to the office of Treasurer of Doniphan County. At the expiration of his term in 1866, he was again elected, serving with ability and to the unqualified satisfaction of his constituents. He subsequently filled by appointment, an ad interim term of the same office. In September, 1876, he moved to St. Joseph, and in company with others, purchased the Morning Herald, a journal long recognized as the leading Republi- can paper of the Northwest. The high character of this able sheet has since continued to be successfully maintained. In recognition of his services in behalf of his party, Colonel Tracy was appointed by Presi- dent Garfield, May 28, 1881, postmaster of St. Joseph, a position which he continues to fill to the satisfaction of all interested. June 30, 1862, he was married in Massachusetts to Miss Victoria Melvin, a native of Vermont. Their family includes one daughter, Veva Tracy.
LEWIS TRACY
was a pioneer in the settlement of Missouri, and one among the early residents of St. Joseph. Was born in Kentucky, in 1808, and married Miss Sarah Krigbaum, of the same state, and came to Missouri, settling in St. Louis when that place was comparatively a small town. From there he removed to New London, the county-seat of Ralls County, where he established himself in successful business ; but in 1842, shortly after the opening of the Platte Purchase to settlement, he removed to Platte City, conducting the same business, that of a cabinet maker, for five years, whence he came with his family to St. Joseph, arriving here March 12, 1847, and during the spring of the same year purchased a lot on the west side of Market Square, and erected thereon his furniture shop and sales- room. Up to this time the business of the town was altogether confined to Main Street, and Lewis Tracy's furniture shop was the first business establishment of any kind located east of Main Street. Lewis Tracy was elected Justice of the Peace shortly after he came to St. Joseph, which office he filled for twelve years, settling nearly all the cases of dispute arising between the citizens of Buchanan County during this time, and the writer is informed by an attorney who habitually practiced before him, that although his court was nearly continuous, cases being tried almost daily, his decisions were invariably sustained, not a single reversal having been made by the higher courts during the entire term of his official service. He was for several years one of the Town Trustees of St. Joseph, and was President of the Board. The subject of this sketch was a Democrat of the old school, and was a strong supporter of Thomas H. Benton. When the war of the rebellion was inaugurated, he said, " If
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
I must give up Democracy or the Union, I will give up Democracy." Five of his six sons did service in the Union army, the sixth and young- est being incapacitated by lameness. He made an effort himself to enlist under the first call for troops, but being over age, was rejected by the mustering officer. Undaunted, however, he succeeded in passing muster a few months later, upon the organization of the Tenth Regiment of Kansas Volunteers, which was recruited mainly in Doniphan County, in that state, and he passed through several hard-fought battles, among which were Cane Hill, Pea Ridge, etc. Was discharged after about two years' service, and later, in 1864, was called into active service again as Major of a Kansas militia regiment, of which his son, Frank M., was the Colonel. Lewis Tracy died at the residence of his son, John M., on a farm, near Elwood, Kansas, on October 21, 1864, his last sickness and that which caused his death being flux. He was a man of remarkable constitution, possessing great physical strength ; was very energetic, and made it the rule of his life "to never put off till to-morrow what can be done to-day." He was a member of the Christian Church and of the Masonic fraternity, and was honored and respected by all who knew him, and lived and died without a blemish on his character, having performed his duty to his family, to his neighbors and to his country faithfully and well. His family consisted of six sons and three daughters, all except one (his second daughter) now living, four sons and the two surviving daughters being at this time residents of St. Joseph, and two of his sons living in Kansas. Mrs. Sarah Tracy, his wife, died on March 12, 1858.
P. W. TRENT,
contractor and builder, was born in Patrick County, Virginia, where he was raised, educated and learned the trade he now pursues. This he followed in his native state until the spring of 1872, when he became a resident of St. Joseph. He is a mechanic of the highest type, possessing natural elements of ingenuity, and his record and progress in this city he may well be proud of.
A. TUCKER,
of the firm of Tucker Brothers, plain and ornamental plasterers, is a native of Morris County, New Jersey, and was born near Dover, in Feb- ruary, 1843. Was principally raised in Newark, and in 1862 enlisted in Company E, Eleventh New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, and was promoted to First Sergeant. Served to the close of the war, participating in the engagements of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and other notable battles. After the war he returned to New Jersey, and worked at his trade there and in New York until 1877, when he became a resi- dent of St. Joseph. During his sojourn here he has done the work on
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ST. JOSEPH.
some of the finest buildings in the city, such as those of R. L. McDonald, J. G. Englehart, J. W. Bailey, etc. Was married in 1871, to Miss Lizzie Hall, daughter of Prof. Hall, of the Polytechnic Institute, of Orange, New Jersey. They have three children-Willie, Harry and Clarence.
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