Holt County, Missouri - Chapter 26, 1917 (part 5 of 5)

The judge has always been a consistent Democrat and has been active in the service of his party. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Oregon and the Presbyterian church.

Judge E. Van Buskirk

nally from Holland and among the early Dutch settlers in America. E. Van Buskirk was born in Richland County, Ohio, February 25, 1822, and lived there until past 19 years of age. He was educated in the log cabin school house near the scene of his birth.

E. Van Buskirk, at the age of 20 years, came with an uncle, Daniel Van Buskirk, to Andrew County, where he found employment in the printing business, which he had learned in Knox and

Lorraine Counties, Ohio. He was connected with the first newspaper published in Andrew County, the Savannah Western Empire. He then went to Weston, Mo., where he became the publisher of the Weston Empire. That was in 1847. The following year he returned to Savannah and became the editor and publisher of the paper he had helped establish.

In the spring of 1852 Mr. Van Buskirk came to Oregon and the following year was elected clerk of the circuit court. He held this office for six years and was re-elected for another term. While in that office he had an excellent opportunity to study law and was admitted to the bar in 1865. For nine years he was in partnership with Daniel Zook. In the spring of 1874 he began practicing alone, and so continued until 1890 when he was stricken with paralysis and was compelled to retire. At this time his son, Alexander, was admitted to the bar and took up his father's work. A second stroke of appoplexy occurred August 15, 1895, which resulted in the death of Mr. Van Buskirk.

Previous to the Civil war he was a Benton Democrat and remained a Democrat all of his life. During the rebellion he was an uncompromising Union man and was elected a member of the Missouri State Convention, which convened in the early part of the year 1861, the purpose of which was "to consider the existing relations between the United States and the government and people of the State of Missouri," and what steps should be taken by Missouri. This convention held Missouri in the Union. Mr. Van Buskirk was widely known throughout the Platte Purchase and was prominently before the people, either as a public official or as an energetic and able lawyer. He was park commissioner in establishing the present beautiful Court Yard Park.

C. W. Nute does a general flour, feed and undertaking business and is one of the substantial business men of the town. He came to Holt County in 1869 and lived the first year near Oregon. Then he moved to Clay Township and bought a farm in section 20, south of Maitland. It was raw prairie land when he began, but he developed it into one of the best improved farms in that part of the county.

In February, 1886, Mr. Nute moved to Maitland and engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, which he continued for two years. Then he went into partnership with Joseph Hoblitzell, under the firm name of Hoblitzell & Nute. They did a good business in furniture, hardware and undertaking. This partnership continued for two years when Mr. Nute bought the interest of Mr. Hoblitzell and took as a partner Mr. James French, the style of the firm being changed to Nute & French. After five years Mr. French retired and Mr. Nute conducted the business alone for a year, when he traded the hardware department to Mose Caldwell for a farm in Gage County, Nebraska, near Beatrice, who ran that part of the business for six months, when he sold to Thomas Zachary and Wm. Randall, who ran it a year. At that time Mr. Hoblitzell bought the hardware stock and he and Mr. Nute again formed a partnership and ran the combined business as formerly under the firm name of Hoblitzell & Nute. After a year they sold the furniture part to Ed McNaul. A year later the hardware stock and fixtures were sold to the E. W. Gire Hardware Company and it was moved to Graham. At that time Mr. Nute took the undertaking department and with his son Charles began business under the name of C. W. Nute & Son.

C. W. Nute was' born in Elizavilie, Fleming County, Kentucky, March 2, 1850, and came to Holt County in 1869. He is the son of Charles G. and Elizabeth Nute. His father was a native of New York and his mother of Kentucky. Mr. Nute was married at Oregon, Mo., February 12, 1874, to Miss Alice Bartram, eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Bartram and who was born in Marion County, Ohio, April 2, 1850. They have four children : Charles, Grace, who married Bether Goodpasture ; Florence, who married Herman Gilfillan and Watt Nute. He is a member of the Fraternal Aid Union and was a delegate to the Supreme lodge that convened at Pasadena, Calif., July, 1915. He belongs to Masonic lodges and the United Brethren church.

Mr. Nute is also a member of the State Funeral Directors Association, and was treasurer of that organization in 1901 and a delegate that year to the National Funeral Directors Association in Atlanta, Ga. He has served two terms as mayor of Maitland and ten years as justice of the peace and still holds the office. He was elected police judge in April, 1916, and has served four terms as member of the school board.

David A. Gelvin

As an inspiration to the youth of the country the career of David A. Gelvin of Maitland stands out in bold relief when compared with many who have not the hustle, integrity and energy which Mr. Gelvin possesses. One of the wealthy men of Holt County he has made his way in the world from a beginning represented by practically nothing through no instrumentality but his own efforts. He has demonstrated what can be done by a proper mixture of hustle and perseverance. His example is well worth emulation by the youth of today who will be the grown men of tomorrow.

Mr. Gelvin was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, August 4, 1850. He came to Missouri in the spring of 1870, without means and in a strange land. He worked first on a farm three miles east of Oreeron for John Young, with whom he remained for one year. Then he farmed for himself two years, working among the neighbors during the winter months for his board.

In 1873 Mr. Gelvin went back to Pennsylvania, where his father died. Before coming to Missouri he showed the stuff of which he was made before he was hardly grown. When about 18 years old he worked on a railroad section, unloaded cars and did siimlar work. Then in order to increase his earnings he would saw wood in the evening, after his day's work at his regular employment was finished. His father had sold the farm and turned young David loose to shift for himself. Tried in the crucible of stern necessity he was not found lacking in any essential and there began the career of hard work and hustle to which he can now refer with justifiable pride.

Mr. Gelvin returned to Missouri in the fall of 1873 and the following year farmed on what is now known as the George Tritt farm and raised his first wheat crop on the ground where the Woodville church stands. In March, 1875, he moved to an eighty acre farm east of the Whig Valley Station. From this modest beginning he has extended his real estate holdings until he now has between 4,000 and 5,000 acres of fine Holt and Nodaway County land. He has so much faith in his native county that he has never sold but one quarter section and that was done in order to straighten out the boundary lines of his home ranch. He has one of the best blue grass farms to be found anywhere and each year strips from 6,000 to 10,000 bushels of seed which is sold in Paris, Ky. His home farm has been named Blue Grass Ranch, and contains 3,300 to 3,500 acres.

The start in the cattle business of which Mr. Gelvin has made a wonderful success was the purchase of a lousy calf from a man by the name of Fietz, near New Point. From that one calf has been developed one of the largest cattle feeding and shipping industries in the country. For forty years he has been shipping fat cattle and hogs. For many years he had the reputation of shipping more fat cattle to the Chicago market than any other local shipper. He began feeding cattle in 1876 and each year since has fed from one car to 1,500 head. He is now feeding 500 head of cattle and about 800 hogs.

During the years 1878 to 1880 Mr. Gelvin was in partnership with E. F. Weller in the live stock and merchandising business. This was at the time Mr. Weller located in Maitland. The store was subsequently sold to Brady & Ewing.

Mr. Gelvin has been twice married. The first time on November 19, 1874, to Miss Lizzie R. Hershner, who died May 21, 1895. To this union the following named children were born: Elsie, now Mrs. Dr. George H. Curfman, of Denver,

Colo. ; Cora May, now Mrs. George Stevenson, of Tarkio, Mo. ; Luella, now Mrs. Joseph Myers, of Maitland; Ernest, who married Miss Gladys Brumbaugh, and lives near Maitland; Katherine, wife of Walter Rankin, a grandson of David Rankin, of Tarkio; Ora Ruth, who is in college. Mr. Gelvin was married the second time February 6, 1896, to Miss Mary E. Myers, of Newville, Pa. To them has been born one child, Francis V.

Fraternally Mr. Gelvin is a Knights of Pythias ; religiously a Presbyterian and politically a Republican. He has also been the president of The Peoples Bank of Maitland from the date of its incorporation, December, 1895, to the present time.

Dr. Frank G. Beard

Dr. Frank G. Beard, one of the successful practitioners of Holt County, has in Maitland, a modern, exceptionally well appointed office, with the latest appliances for the treatment of the various ills with which the human family is afflicted.

Dr. Beard's career has been one of ambition and hard work. He has surmounted many obstacles and is now enjoying the success to which his untiring efforts entitle him. He was born in Cowley County, Kansas, December 11, 1886, and spent some time on a cattle ranch owned by his parents. He was married May 27, 1911, to Miss Frances McKee of Sheridan, Mo. He studied medicine in the medical department of the Valparaiso University, of Chicago, and was graduated from that institution in May, 1914.

The month following his graduation Dr. Beard was appointed city physician, police surgeon and health officer of the city of St. Joseph. He was the first police surgeon in that city and did good work in the revision of the city ordinances relating to the health department. In June, 1916, the office of health officer was created and he was named to fill it.

While in St. Joseph Dr. Beard did the first research work in America on the subject of scarlet fever vaccine. Since then it has been taken up nationally and is now being used extensively in New York. It was also used in Omaha successfully in an epidemic of scarlet fever there.

John Brittain Bridgemon

John Brittain Bridgemon, proprietor of an automobile agency and garage at Maitland, was born in Bigelow, Mo., October 8, 1884. He is the son of J. F. Bridgemon, of Bigelow, who was one of the pioneers in the development of that section of

The subject of this sketch was educated in the schools of Bigelow, supplemented by a course in the Kirksville State Normal and the Quincy, 111., business college. In 1904 he went to Craig and engaged in the hardware business and remained there three years. Then he engaged in a similar line of merchandising in Bigelow and in May, 1916, moved to Maitland, where he has one of the best appointed garages in the county.

Mr. Bridgemon was married April 11, 1905, to Miss Blanche Caldwell of Craig. They have one child, Edna. Mr. Bridgemon has memberships in the Woodmen of the World, Knights of Pythias and Masons. Religiously he is a member of the Christion church and politically his affiliations are with the Democratic party.

Dr. Strother B. Bragg

Dr. Strother B. Bragg, veterinary surgeon of Oregon, has been practicing there for about eight years, and with good success. He was born March 3, 1874, in Hickory Township, one mile west of New Point, on the farm his grandfather, Thomas S. Bragg homesteaded in 1845, and which is still in the family. Thomas S. Bragg was born in Virginia and was one of the men who made possible the speedy development of this section of Holt County. His wife was Rebecca Ann Hutchinson.

Dr. Strother B. Bragg is the son of William Thomas and Emma F. (Walker) Bragg. His father was born in Harrison, Ky., and his mother in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She is still living in Oregon. Her husband, William T. Bragg, died October 20, 1891, at the age of 47 years.

Dr. Bragg got his early education in the common schools, supplemented by a course in Spaldings Commercial College at Kansas City. His professional education was at the Western Veterinary College, in Kansas City. He was graduated from that institution in the spring of 1903. He first practiced at Fillmore, Mo., then at Maysville, Mo., and Robinson, Kans., before locating in Oregon. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen lodges.

Charles D. Zook

Charles D. Zook, of Oregon, has been identified with the business life of his home town as a banker and merchant for many years. He has been successful in business to the degree that he is now rated as one of the wealthiest men in Holt County. He has shown in many ways his public spirit in the affairs of the town in which he lives. He has often assisted people in their struggles to secure a home for themselves and their children. Evidence of his good business judgment and his fair dealing with his fellow man is found in the fact that he has never foreclosed a mortgage. His habit of doing business on business principles has endeared him to a large circle of friends.

His father and uncles were pioneers in business affairs in northwest Missouri and few names have more important association with large enterprises in this section of the state than Zook.

Levi Zook, father of Charles D. Zook, came from Marion County, Ohio, to northwest Missouri in 1842, only five years after the Platte Purchase had become a reality. In 1850 he engaged in the merchandising trade with his brother William Zook, who died in 1876. Levi Zook was the son of G. F. and Annie (Forney) Zook and was married in 1859 to Mary Von Lunen, who died November 21, 1864. Levi Zook died in Oregon in April, 1895.

Charles D. Zook was born in Oregon, July 24, 1860. His early education was received in the schools of his home town. He attended the Missouri University, 1879-1880. He then engaged in the retail merchandising business in Atchison County. Later he was with the banking firm of Zook & Thomas at Mound City. He sold his interests there and engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe business in Kansas City from 1885 to 1890. Since that time he has been in the banking business in Oregon, being president of the old established banking house of the Zook & Roecker Banking Company. Its cashier for a number of years was the late Albert Roecker. This is one of the oldest banking institutions in Northwest Missouri.

Mr. Zook also is one of the principal stock holders of the Byrne & Hammer Dry Goods Company, of Omaha, one of the largest wholesale houses in that city.

Mr. Zook was married February 19, 1884, to Miss Emma Curry, daughter of James and Mary Curry, early residents of Oregon. They have one daughter, Mary, the wife of Dr. S. B. Hibbard, of Kansas City. In politics Mr. Zook is a Democrat, but his activities have never been in the direction of seeking office for himself, but always for the benefit of the party organization. He was on the Democratic State Committee for one term. In 1911 Mr. Zook was appointed superintendent of the rebuilding of the Holt County Court House, a work that was accomplished in a thoroughly creditable manner, to the satisfaction of the County Court and the public in general. He has served as a member of the school board for a number of years.

Dr. Clyde B. Spangler

the Farmers' Bank. He is one of the close, observant students in his line and it is but natural that he should meet with success. None of the public affairs of the town were too complicated or bothersome for him and he gave of his time and efforts to make Maitland one of the best towns on earth. Dr. Spangler was born in Paris, 111., March 12, 1881. He attended the public schools of his native town and then gradauted from the high school there. For twTo years following his graduation he took some special work in the Eastern Illinois Normal School, at Charleston. In 1907 he went to Kirksville, Mo., and attended the American School of Osteopathy, graduating therefrom in 1911. He practiced in Greensburg, Ind., for a year and a half. Then he returned to Kirksville to pursue his studies further, thereby the better equipping himself for the practice of his profession.

The subject of this sketch is the son of Manford B. and Melle (Hutton) Spangler. He was married November 30, 1905, to Miss Lola E. McAchron, who was born in Mattoon, 111. They have one son, John Boyce. Fraternally Dr. Spangler is a member of the Masonic, Elks, Modern Woodmen, Woodmen of the World and Knights of Pythias lodges. He is a member of the Missouri State Osteopathic Association and the American Osteopathic Association. He is also a member and vice-president of the Northwest Missouri Osteopathic Association.

Charles D. Weller

Charles D. Weller, real estate, loans, fire, life and tornado insurance, is a native of Holt County. He was born January 13, 1882, in Maitland and has always lived in the town of his birth. He was educated in the Maitland schools and at the age of 18 years entered his father's bank - the Farmers' - where he was assistant cashier for a time. Later he was advanced to the office of cashier. After ten years of service he quit the banking business to engage in a general real estate and insurance business. He has offices over the Farmers' Bank. He does a large business in farm lands and town property, his sales averaging from $300,000 to a million dollars a year.

He is the son of Ernest F. and Ruth (Jenkins) Weller, who also reside in Maitland. The senior Weller is one of the pioneer bankers of this part of the country and a highly respected citizen.

Charles D. Weller was married in Maitland September 19, 1901, to Miss Pearl Summers, who was born in Maitland April 9, 1880, and who is the daughter of L. D. Summers, one of the old time druggists of the town. Mr. and Mrs. Weller have four children: Carol, Ruth, Ernestine, Charles D., Jr., and Joseph Kingsley. Mr. Weller is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, Elks, Woodmen of the World, Modern Woodmen and Fraternal Aid Association lodges. He has served on the town board and was a member and treasurer of the Maitland Fair Association when it was reorganized a few years ago.

It was through the efforts of Mr. Weller that the farm property in his neighborhood was increased in value from $75 to $100 per acre in 1910 to $125 to $200 an acre at the present time. He has made two big deals in real estate which are worthy of mention. In June, 1911, he sold the S. B. Hayzlett farm five miles south of Maitland containing 865 acres for $100,000. Included in the deal was a 2,000 acre farm in Dallas County, Missouri, for $5,000. The other deal was the O. D. Batman farm in trade with the Charles D. Lawrence farm, the consideration being $101,000. This was in April, 1915. Recently Mr. Weller sold 380 acres seven miles north of Maitland for $70,000.

Lee Smith

Lee Smith, one of the proprietors of the Smith Hardware Company, dealers in hardware, furniture, vehicles and farm implements is one of those men, the type of which no town has enough. The business with which he is identified occupies the double front brick building erected by J. M. Kenyon in 1904.

Lee Smit hwas born in Holt County, Missouri, on his father's farm in Clay Township July 2, 1890. He was educated in the Maitland high school and the University of Missouri. After finishing his education he spent a year and a half in South Dakota and Minnesota. Returning to Missouri he bought, on January 1. 1914, a half interest in the McNaul hardware store in Maitland and engaged in business using the firm name of McNaul & Smith. This partnership continued for two years when Mr. McNaul died. Mr. Smith and his father bought the interest of the deceased partner and the business has been continued as the Smith Hardware Company.

Lee Smith is a son of W. H. Smith, a native of Ohio and who came to Holt County about thirty years ago. He is yet living on his farm in Clay township.

Mr. Smith was married January 20, 1915, to Miss Ruth Metcalf, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Metcalf of Holt Countv. They have one son, Frederick, born April 2, 1916. Mr. Smith is a member of the Masonic lodge.

Earle Spellman

Earle Spellman, a native of Mound City, where he was born June 4, 1882, is the proprietor of the Spellman Restaurant in St. Joseph where he has been living for the past eleven years.

Spellman, who were prominent citizens of Mound City for many years. The senior Spellman first went there as a tinner to put the roof on the Mound City Mill. He liked the town so well that he decided to locate. Subsequently he was in the hardware business with J. M. Kenyon at Maitland; later he was in the same line of merchandising in Mound City. Afterward he was in the livery business there. He died in Mound City July 21, 1889. Mrs. Spellman is still living in Mound City.

Earle Spellman began his business career when a mere boy, and has made good. He did what he found to do in his home town and when yet a young fellow engaged as a news and laundry agent, and for one year ran the Mound City steam laundry. He entered the employ of the Bank of Mound City in 1901 and was bookkeeper there for four and a half years. In January, 1906, he went to St. Joseph and for two and a half years was assistant cashier for Swift & Co. He then went with the Standard Oil Company and served one year as bookkeeper and two years as traveling salesman.

In September, 1911, Mr. Spellman bought the Boston Lunch on Francis street and ran the place nearly three years. Then he ran a cafe at 418 Francis street and in December, 1915, opened his present place at 418 Felix street, two doors west of the Corby-Forsee Building, and is conducting a first class cafe.

Mr. Spellman was married June 25, 1913, to Anna Evans, who was born in Andrew County. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World, Court of Honor and Elks lodges.

Ira J. Alkire

Ira J. Alkire, school teacher and farmer, was born near Fortescue, May 31, 1883. He is the son of Will J. Alkire, a native of St. Charles County, Missouri, who came to Holt County in 1854. His wife was Martha J. Boyd, a native of Salem, Nebr. Ira is one of a family of five children all of whom were born in the county.

Ira J. Alkire attended the public schools in the community in which he was reared and finished his education in the Stanberry Normal School. After graduating from that institution he taught school for a while, but in recent years has been devoting himself to the occupation of farming.

He was married November 20, 1904, to Miss Ella Watts. They have an interesting family of three children. Fraternally Mr. Alkire is a member of the Masonic and Modern Woodmen lodges; religiously he is a Christian and politically his affiliations are with the Republican party.