Pettis County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1919 (part 1 of 14)

Biographical sketches

Louis M. Monsees. - An individual's place in history is decided by his achievements and the importance of his accomplishments is deter¬ mined by the benefits conferred upon his fellow men through his efforts. The citizen who engages in a decidedly useful vocation which is of real and lasting benefit to the county, State and nation at large and at the same time ahcieves a fame and reputation for himself which extends far beyond the borders of his home county and State, has done something worth while, and the record of his achievements should occupy a prom¬ inent place in the historical annals of his home county. Louis M. Monsees is a Pettis county citizen who has made his mark in the world, and whose efforts in behalf of the placing of the science of animal husbandry on a high plane has placed him in the front ranks of jack and mule breeders in the United States, and the world in general.

Louis M. Monsees, proprietor of Limestone Valley Farm, Pettis County, became interested in breeding jacks and jennets when yet a boy twelve years of age. When he became of age he embarked in the busi¬ ness with every atom of energy and ambition to spur him on to great achievements. Even when a youth, he was ambitious to become the greatest breeder of his class in the world. For years past, he has had the satisfaction of having realized this laudable ambition. Mr. Monsees began breeding with a single jack in 1870 and during the past forty-eight years has climbed to the top of the ladder in his specialty. Mr. Monsees' first sale of jacks and jennets was held in 1881, and brought a total of $8,490. From year to year, the volume of sales has increased until 1909, the total amount of his sales was $56,850. In 1910 the total of sales was $67,750. Buyers of these annual sales flock to Limestone Valley Farm from all parts of the United States and the Monsees sale is an event to be reckoned with each year. On October 21, 1918, the thirty-ninth an¬ nual sale was held at Limestone Valley Farm and this sale was largely attended. Thirty-five jacks and forty-five head of jennets, bred and raised on the farm, were placed on sale on this date and scores of buyers and hundreds of people were in attendance.

The Limestone Valley herd of jacks and jennets hold an unsur¬ passed record. It has always been the policy of Mr. Monsees to produce and mature the best stock obtainable, and he has followed the production of a type of jack and jennet as an individual, as a show animal, and as a breeder, which could not be beaten. The Limestone Valley herd has proven its worth, time and again, by its show records, and have been sold at public auction for record prices. It has produced the St. Louis World's Fair Grand Champion, Orphan Boy, Reg. No. 696; Limestone Monarch, Reg. No. 3254, twice Missouri State Fair Grand Champion, and reserve Grand Champion at San Francisco World's Fair. Mr. Monsees drew the largest check in 1904, at the St. Louis World's Fair, given as awards for exhibits of Limestone Valley jacks and jennies. He won more prizes and grand champion awards than all other exhibitors com¬ bined at the St. Louis World's Fair. He was awarded fifty prizes out of a total of fifty-three awards at St. Louis, and received thirty-three first awards out of thirty-six at San Francisco. Pettis County was thus placed in the front rank of stock breeding counties, and more money was won by Pettis County breeders than all other counties in Missouri. He won more premiums and awards at the St. Louis Fair than all other exhibitors. He repeated the performance at the San Francisco Exposi¬ tion, and has been repeating at all other great fairs held in the United States. He received every grand champion prize at St. Louis and animals bred from Limestone Valley stock won practically all awards, but two out of 420 head of animals exhibited.

Limestone Valley Farm, owned and operated by L. M. Monsees and Sons, consists of 700 acres of land upon which are located three farm dwellings, and two tenant houses. This farm is 189 miles west of St. Louis, ninety-nine miles east of Kansas City on the main line of the Mis¬ souri Pacific and the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railways, six miles east of Sedalia and two miles north of Smithton, Pettis County, Missouri. The farm is reached by excellent rock roads from Sedalia and Smithton. There are seven barns on the place, the main bam being 120x40 feet in dimensions, nearly all farm buildings being painted white. At this writ- ing, October, 1918, there are 100 head of thoroughbred jacks and jennets on the farm and there are bred from sixty to 100 head annually. Besides the proprietor, his three sturdy sons and two hired men are employed constantly in the farming operations. In addition to the Limestone Val¬ ley farm, Mr. Monsees has a half interest in 580 acres and also another 120 acre farm. The Limestone Valley farm is beautifully located and is appropriately named on account of the limestone soil predominating in the rolling areas, embraced in the confines of the farm. The white tone of the buildings and fencing against the deep green of the blue grass cov¬ ered fields makes an attractive picture, all this being the outcome of a boyhood dream which terminated in an insatiable ambition of the young man, grown to become the greatest mule man in the world. To Louis M. Monsees, more than any other citizen, is due the credit and honor of placing Pettis County and the State of Missouri in the front ranks of mule-producing sections. Missouri mules are famous the world over, and on the battle fields of Europe they have been of inestimable use and their sturdy qualities are unsurpassed. It is safe to assert that there is hardly a mule breeding locality in the United States but its herds can boast of the strains of Limestone Valley herd. In addition to the jacks and jennets produced on the farm, it is highly productive, large crops of grain being raised, and over two hundred hogs are produced and fattened annually for the markets. Mr. Monsees was formerly a successful horse breeder, but of late years has devoted all of his attention to the breeding of jacks and jennets and maintaining his herd upon the world renowned high plane upon which his efforts and intelligence has placed it.

Louis M. Monsees is a native born citizen of Pettis County. He was born November 20, 1858, the son of John H. and Lucinda (Momberg) Monsees, who were pioneer settlers of Pettis County. John H. Monsees was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1836 and died in 1908.

When nine years of age, John H. Monsees accompanied his father, Martin Monsees, to America and the family settled in Morgan County, Missouri. In 1850 they came to Pettis County and settled near Smithton, one mile south of the present location of Smithton. Martin Monsees en¬ tered free government land, also purchased land and spent the remainder of his days in farming pursuits. John H. Monsees prospered as a farmer and fruit grower, the science of horticulture being his hobby. As he grew older and his sons became able to do the farm work, he devoted practically all of his time to his fine orchards. In 1902 he went to Canada and took up land in that country in the hope of improving his health by a change of climate. He died in Canada in 1908. John H. and Lucinda (Momberg) Monsees were parents of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters: Mrs. Catherine Myers, deceased; Mrs. Martha Claggett, Brit¬ ish Columbia; Martin A., lives in Pettis County; Benjamin 0., Alberta, Canada; Mrs. Anna Glenn, Alberta, Canada; George H., Sedalia; William C., a dairyman, Cedar township ; Alonzo, British Columbia ; Ira, Melford, Saskatchewan, Canada ; Mrs. Flora Robertson, Alberta, Canada. The mother of these children was born in Morgan County, Missouri, in 1841. She was the daughter of Lewis Momberg, a native of Hanover, Germany, who immigrated to America and made a settlement in Morgan County in 1842, and came from Morgan to Pettis County where he be¬ came a prominent farmer and stockman. His father-in-law, Mr. Goetz, accompanied the Mombergs to this country. This Mr. Goetz lived to be¬ come the oldest man in the county or State, dying at the age of 104 years. Mrs. Lucinda Monsees makes her home with her son Louis M., at Lime¬ stone Valley Farm.

Louis M. Monsees, although a man of versatile attainments and wide knowledge, received no other education than that afforded by the district schools. He assisted his father on the home farm until such time as he felt it time to branch out for himself. He began his own career as a farmer on a forty-acre farm, three miles south of his present home. He improved this place and after a year's residence thereon he returned to his father's farm, and for the ensuing two years, he set out fruit trees and assisted his father in building up his orchard. He then lived on a farm two miles south of Smithton for two years. In 1886, he purchased the nucleus of his present large holdings, consisting of 110 acres of land, and has continued to add to his possessions, from year to year, as suc¬ cess has come to him in reward for his endeavors, as a farmer and breeder. Every improvement on Limestone Valley Farm has been placed there by the proprietor, and the farm has sixteen miles of hog tight wire fencing. When Mr. Monsees began his own career he had no money, but had a team of horses and a good and faithful wife who has worked with him side by side these many years and has continually encouraged him in all of his efforts.

Hyatt and has five children, Vivian, Shelby, Louis Hyatt, Albert J., and George A. D. 0. Monsees lives on Limestone Valley Farm, married Ethel Shy and has three sons, David and Robert, and Dan. Aundo Monsees died when four years old. Kalo, farmer, lives at home, was born in 1896. The mother of the foregoing children was born September 20, 1858, on a farm in Morgan County, a daughter of Richard and Christina (Schlutzhauer) Hastens, natives of Hanover, Germany, and Missouri, respec¬ tively. Richard Hastens was bom in 1819 and died in 1906. He immi¬ grated from Germany to America in 1842, settled in Pettis County, where he reared a family of eight daughters and two sons: Mrs. Catherine Bluhm, Smithton, Missouri; Rudolph, Nevada, Missouri; Mrs. Caroline Bohon, Smithton; Mrs. Rickey Monsees; Mrs. Clara Lugin, Smithton; Mrs. Anna Chapman, Chicago, Illinois; Mrs. Lottie Schlutzhauer, Pleas¬ ant Green, Missouri; Frank, Smithton, Missouri; Mrs. Maude Roberts, Martinsburg, Nebraska. Mrs. Christina Hastens was born in 1828 and died in 1871.

The Democratic party has always had the support of Mr. Monsees. For the past eight years, Mr. Monsees has been president of the Bureau of Agriculture in Pettis County, this county being the first in Missouri to secure the services of an agricultural expert to advise and assist the farmers of the county. Mr. Monsees was one of the warm supporters and organizers of the project to establish a farm bureau in Pettis county, and is one of the strongest exponents of better farming methods in Mis¬ souri. He is vice-president of the American Jack Stud Association and is president of the Pettis County Wolf and Fox Hunters Association. This association, or its members, breed thoroughbred fox hounds and hold fox and wolf hunts annually, as a sport and to rid the country of the wolves and foxes. Mr. Monsees has held several local offices and has been a persistent and consistent booster of Pettis county, and is always found in the forefront of all movements tending to promote the welfare of the people of his home county. He and the members of his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and his son Kalo is a church worker. He belongs to the Woodmen of the World and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Sedalia. It was through his influence that the great mule show was held at the State Fair grounds In 1911, when 317 head of splendid animals occupied a mile-long space in the parade held during the Fair. Genial, kindly, hospitable to the core, this Pettis County citizen is universally liked and esteemed by all who know him.

John T. Heard was born at Georgetown, in Pettis County, Missouri, October 29, 1840, and has always claimed Pettis County as his home. His father, George Heard, was the pioneer lawyer and school teacher in the county. He was born at Lancaster, Garrard County, Kentucky, June 22, 1809, and, coming with his mother, a widow, to Missouri Territory in 1817, was reared in Howard County, where, after being admitted to the bar, he resided till 1835, when he removed to Pettis County, and built the first dwelling house in Georgetown, the original county seat. In 1830, George Heard married Amanda Gray, daughter of John Gray, who, in 1817, removed from Lebanon, Washington County, Kentucky, where the daughter was born in January, 1810, to Boone County, Missouri, and en¬ tered the land and made his farm on the tract which is now the site of the town of Rocheport.

Located in Georgetown, George Heard began the practice of law, ana while waiting for clients, taught the first school ever opened in Pettis County. He continued in the practice of the law at that place until the county seat was removed to Sedalia, where, associated with his sons, John T. and George C. Heard, he remained in the practice until 1875, a period of more than forty years.

After attending the schools in Pettis County, John T. Heard entered the State University at Columbia, Missouri, and graduated from that in¬ stitution, in the irregular course, July 4, 1860, and later received therefrom the degree of Master of Science. In 1862 he was admitted to the Pettis County Bar, and, associated first with his father, and later with his brother G. C. Heard, he continued in the practice until 1876, when, on account ol impaired health he retired to engage in other business pursuits.

In 1872 he was elected as Representative of Pettis County in the Lower House of the Legislature, and in 1880, elected to the State Senate from the Sedalia District, and served as a member of that body until 1884, when he resigned to qualify as Representative in the National Congress from the Sixth District of Missouri, a position which he filled (from the 6th and 7th Districts) for ten years.

As a member of the National Democratic Convention which met in St. Louis in 1904, he represented the State of Missouri on the Committee on "Platform and Resolutions."

Company, from which position he retired in the latter year to give his exclusive attention to his private business affairs. Always ready to assist any enterprise to help develop the city and aid the community, he main¬ tains his connection with the City Chamber of Commerce, and other civic organizations of the city and county.

During the late European War he has been a member of "The State Council of Defense," and is an enthusiastic and liberal supporter of the Red Cross, and every other patriotic activity in the interest of "Winning the War."

Mr, Heard is a prominent Free Mason, having been made a member of Granite Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Sedalia, November 20, 1868 ; and a member of St. Omer Commandery, Knights Templar September 23, 1869, while it was acting under "Dispensation" - not having yet received its charter.

At this date, after the lapse of fifty years, John B. Gallie and Mr. Heard are the only known survivors of the membership of that body as it then existed.

Anthony D. Stanley, president and business manager of the Sedalia Democrat Company, is one of the well-known newspaper men of Missouri. He was born in Cole County, Missouri, in 1854, a son of Theodore and Martha (Goode) Stanley, the former a native of East Hartford, Connecticut, and the latter of Richmond, Virginia. The father came to Missouri in the early fifties and spent the remainder of his life in this state. He died at Pleasant Hill, Missouri, and his wife survived him a few years and died in Sedalia. They were the parents of three children, as follows: Mrs. B. C. Christopher, Kansas City, Missouri; Anthony D., the subject of this sketch; and Theodore, who resides in Paris, France.

Anthony D. Stanley was about seven years of age when his parents settled in Cass County, Missouri, and he was reared to manhood in that county. He was educated in the public schools, Kemper's Military Academy at Boonville and Bryant and Stratton's Business College, at Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Stanley was then engaged in the grain business in Kansas City, for a period of five years. In 1893, he came to Sedaila and since that time he has been engaged in the newspaper business here. He became manager and president of the Democrat Company in 1906, and has held that position to the present time. Thus Mr. Stanley has been an active factor in the newspaper business of Sedalia for a quarter of a century, and is recognized as a veteran in the field of journalism, who has made a suc¬ cess in this field of endeavor. The Sedalia Democrat Company publishes the "Daily Democrat" and the "Weekly Democrat." Both are high

Mr. Stanley was united in marriage in 1876, to Miss Alma Dewar, a native of Zanesville, Ohio, who at the time of her marriage resided at Solomon, Kansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Stanley have been bora three children as follows: Laura, married George H. Trader, Sedalia, Missouri; W. P., who is associated with the Sedalia "Democrat," Sedalia, Missouri; Ada Inge, who is also associated with the Sedalia "Democrat."

Politically, Mr. Stanley has always been a staunch supporter of the policies and principles of the Democratic party and in the broad field of his newspaper activities, has rendered invaluable service to his party. Mr. Stanley is a member of the Sedalia Board of Trade and as publisher of the "Democrat," is a member of the Associated Press, the American News¬ paper Association, and the Missouri Press Association. He is one . of Pettis County's foremost citizens.

Matthias Oakley Green. - Few men have had a more interesting or more varied career than M. 0. Green, pioneer, Smithton, Missouri. At the age of eighty years, when most men have given up active careers to live at ease during the remainder of life, Mr. Green is still vigorous mentally and physically and in possession of much of the energy which enabled him to rise to the first rank of stockmen and large land owners of the county. This indomitable character has made twTo fortunes in Pettis County during his long years of residence in this county. While still in middle life he suffered reverses which would have forever dis¬ couraged and weakened men of lesser fiber, but he again put his shoulder to the wheel and achieved another success while an old man in years. This interesting character was born in Suffolkshire, England, August 13, 1838. He is a son of Matthew and Mary (Dale) Green.

Matthew Green was a well-to-do citizen of England who came of an excellent English family. He was a coachmaker in his native land, the factory having been operated by several generations of the family, and even at this day, members of the Green family are making coaches in Suffolkshire. Matthew Green emigrated to America in 1843 and located at Peru, Illinois, after having farmed a tract of 160 acres in Marshall County, Illinois, for some time. He engaged in business at Peru, Illinois, following the trade of wheelwright and carriage maker. He became well-to-do and was rated as a wealthy man but suffered financial reverses because of his willingness to go security for friends who sought his as- sistance in various financial projects and through the dishonesty of his business partners. He remained in business until his death which oc¬ curred one month after the death of his wife, who fell a victim of cholera on July 28, 1853. Matthew and Maiy (Dale) Green were parents of thir¬ teen children, only four of whom survive: Robert George, born June 16, 1837, lives at Glen Elder, Kansas; Matthias Oakley, subject of this re¬ view; Mrs. Mahala Ann Dovenspiek, Libertyville, Iowa; Adelaide, wife of Benjamin Foster, Toluca, Illinois.

At the outset of his career when he was faced with the problem of earning his own way in the world, M. 0. Green willingly gave up his share of his father's estate, amounting to $700. This money went for the purpose of educating a beloved sister. When seven years of age, Mr. Green worked in the garden of a dear friend of his father. He was in the employ of a Mr. Jeager for a period of eleven years and it was during this time that he learned much from association with his em¬ ployer's family. Mr. Jeager was a wealthy and cultured English gentle¬ man who maintained a fine home and was a hunter and sportsman. He was well educated and he and his wife taught young Green many things which were of benefit to him in later life. Being youthful and impres¬ sionable and having the faculty of absorption he accumulated a store of knowledge and acquired a liberal education through constant contact with Mr. Jeager and his wife. He accompanied his benefactor on many hunting trips and thus learned the lore of the huntsman in a section of country which then abounded in wild game. Mr. Green's first definite employment was as a farm hand at $20 per year. He worked for three years and earned sixty dollars and then paid ten dollars of his savings toward defraying the expenses of a sister's funeral. During his fourth year as a farmer he bought three yearling calves, paying eleven dollars per head for them. It came time for him to begin doing for himself and he rented land, after becoming possessed of two teams and farm imple¬ ments. His first purchase of a farm was a tract of 160 acres at a cost of twenty dollars an acre. There was a "cut throat" mortgage on this land which must be paid in the following July. He succeeded in having the time limit of the mortgage extended to September. Mr. Green was forced to pay twenty per cent, interest on the mortgage. During his first year of tenure he raised a good crop of barley and harvested eighty acres of wheat and thus raised the $1,000 and over. During 1860 he raised 2,700 bushels of corn which he sold for thirteen cents per bushel and still managed to live and save money. When he came west, he owned 240 acres of farm land which he sold for $9,000. Fortified with this capital, he came to Missouri in 1866 and bought a four hundred acre tract north of Smithton in Bowling Green township, now the Louis Monsees place. He paid $10,000 for this fine farm and erected splendid buildings on the tract. He erected a fine brick house on this farm. The brick used in its construction were burned on the place. Mr. Green's farming operations during those early years of his career were carried on so extensively as to make the average farmer gasp with astonishment. No project was too large for him to undertake. His cattle and hog raising operations were on a large scale and the turn over of his live stock each year would run into the tens of thousands. Twenty-seven men were given constant employment on his large ranch, which was soon increased to over 1,800 acres in all. He operated fourteen mule teams and raised and fed live stock to the value of $10,000 to over $20,000 each year. In some years his com acreage would exceed 700 acres, and he raised over 5,000 bushels of wheat yearly. During some seasons he fed the wheat to cattle on account of the ravages of the weevil. Some years he would raise as high as 500 steers, 400 hogs, and 50 mules. During the course of his long and active career Mr. Green has given outright 200 acres of land to his daughter, and 160 acres to each of his two sons who are now extensive farmers and middle aged. At the present time he is owner of 746 acres of land, much of which is rich creek bottom land. He and his two sons own over 1,800 acres.

Mr. Green was first married on March 1, 1860, to Mary Bane, who died November 28, 1883, at the age of fifty-two years. The children born to this marriage were: Martha Jane, deceased, wife of George Nichols, Chillicothe, Missouri, who left three children: Oakley Matthias, Lincoln E., and Alta; George R., a prosperous farmer, living north of Smithton; Mary Ellen, wife of Emmet Meek, died in Smithton, leaving three chil¬ dren, Mary, Jessie and Eunice, deceased ; Frederick B., an extensive fanner living northwest of Smithton. Mr. Green's second marriage took place December 5, 1894, and was with Miss Laura Bertholf. Mrs. Laura Green was born in Lake Creek township, Pettis County, and is a daughter of Charles A. and Miranda Arabelle (Huffman) Bertholf.

Charles A. Bertholf was born in May, 1830, and died February 4, 1908. He was a well educated man and came of a very old Huguenot family who trace their ancestry back over seven hundred years. Charles

A. Bertholf was a native of New York who came to Missouri during the early fifties and entered free government land in Lake Creek township, paying the government's nominal price for 700 acres. He owned a curi¬ osity in those day, which was a white yoke of oxen. These oxen attracted attention wherever Mr. Bertholf drove them, and one time, when one of his rich relatives from Brooklyn was visiting him, he drove the visitor to Smithton behind these oxen so that his wealthy relative could take the train for New York. Miranda Arabelle Bertholf was born in 1854 and died in April, 1908. She was a native of Ohio. To Charles A. and Mi¬ randa Arabelle Bertholf were born twelve children: Mrs. Bertha Smith, Sedalia; Mrs. Louisa Green, of this sketch; Alonzo, living in Dakota; Walter, a carpenter of Sedalia; Mrs. Julia Akers, Sedalia; Mrs. Phoebe Shrike, Sedalia; Aaron, Beaver, Montana; Ambrose, died December 3, 1918, in South Dakota; Mrs. Sarah Hunter, Kansas City; Joseph, Charles and Harry live in Kansas. By a former marriage Mr. Bertholf had seven children, three of whom are living: Minnie lives in New York; Mrs. Louisa Farrell lives in Springfield, Illinois; Benjamin lives in Marshall, Missouri.

During his youthful days Mr. Green had what any boy would call a "bully time" and his whole life has been so lived that he has few regrets for past years. He hunted and trapped the wild game of the Illinois forests when a boy, and was taught the lore of the woods by his bene¬ factor, Mr. Jeager. Mr. Jeager maintained a kennel of fine hunting dogs and the boy Green had the care of these dogs. He learned how to shoot deer in the dark, and shot many prairie chickens on his hunting trips. Whenever he made a mistake in his hunting expeditions hs employer would roundly lecture him. Mr. Green bought land in Illinois at the low price of $7.00 per acre and this same land is now worth $250 an acre. He paid $3.00 an acre for Pettis County land which is now worth from $50 to $150 an acre. This aged gentleman still takes a keen interest in affairs, is a great reader, keeps abreast of the times and is an interest¬ ing conversationalist. He is one of the most interesting and best re¬ spected citizens of Pettis County at this day, and is one of the few remaining pioneers who have resided in this county over half a century.

While a Republican in politics, Mr. Green is very liberal in his po¬ litical views and has always been inclined to support individuals and prin¬ ciples regardless of party affiliations. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but has broad views of religious matters. He is a sober, industrious citizen whose sobriety during his long life has been one of his marked characteristics. Broad minded to a high degree, taking a kindly and liberal view of things as they are, he goes serenely along through life enjoying what it has to offer him to the utmost.

Hon. Hopkins B. Shain, judge of the Thirtieth Judicial District, has been a member of the Missouri bar for forty years. Judge Shain is a descendant of one of the very earliest pioneer families of this State. He was born in Macon County, Missouri, September 27, 1860, and is a son of Captain Ed C. Shain and Emily (Bristow) Shain, both natives of Macon County, Missouri.

Capt. Ed C. Shain is a son of William T. Shain and Elizabeth (Smoot) Shain. William T. Shain was a native of Virginia, who came to Missouri with his parents, Abraham Shain and Martha (Turpin) Shain, both natives of Virginia. Abraham Shain's father was a native of Ireland and settled in Virginia. William T. Shain, grandfather of Judge Shain, was the first deputy sheriff of Macon County after its organization, when that county extended from the Randolph County line to the Iowa state line. At that time the sheriff's office collected the taxes, and in making a trip of several weeks, engaged in the duty of tax collecting, William T. Shain returned to the county seat and reported the collection of nine dollars in money and several pelts which were accepted in lieu of cash. William T. Shain was a real pioneer of northern Missouri. He knew Daniel Boone and the Long¬ mans, Boone's associates, and was related to the latter. He was a soldier in the Blackhawk Indian War. He and his wife died in Macon.

Capt. Ed C. Shain was born in Macon County, Missouri, in 1836. In early life he followed farming. When the Civil War broke out, he volun¬ teered in the Union army and served throughout the war as captain of Company K, Forty-second Missouri Infantry. After the war he returned to Macon County and later engaged in the banking business at Clarence, Shelby County, until 1911, when he retired from active business and now resides at Atlanta, Macon county, and is spending his days in peace and quiet, after a successful and honorable career.

Emily (Bristow) Shain, mother of Judge Shain, was also a native of Macon County, Missouri, and a daughter of Wesley and Sarah (Cherry) Bristow, both natives of Kentucky. They were born in the vicinity of Louisville and were married in their native state. The Bristow family were early settlers in Kentucky and of English descent. Wesley Bristow's father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and the flint-lock musket which he carried is still in the possession of members of the family, and Judge Shain saw it and also the powder-horn, while on a visit to Oregon some years ago. Wesley Bristow's brother, Eli Bristow, who was several years his senior, went to Oregon at a very early day and was among the very earliest set¬ tlers of that state. He explored many sections of Oregon and named many of the mountain peaks, rivers, etc. He took up several hundred acres of land there and many of his descendants are now among the prominent citi¬ zens of that state.

Judge Shain is the only child born to his parents. His mother died when he was about two years of age. He was reared to manhood in Macon County and was educated in the public schools, Canton University at Canton, Missouri, and the State Normal School at Kirksville, Missouri, and was graduated from the latter institution in 1875. He then taught school, reading law between terms of school. He read law in the office of Judge James Ellison, who for over thirty years has been a member of the Kansas City Court of Appeals. Judge Shain was admitted to the bar in 1879 and immediately began the practice of his profession in Kansas City, Missouri, and continued the practice for three years. He then accepted a position as private attorney whose business interests required all his time until 1893. During that year, he entered the general practice again in Shelby County, Missouri. In the spring of 1899, he came to Sedalia and entered into a partnership with O. M. Barnette, under the firm name of Shain & Barnette This firm continued and was one of the leading law firms of Pettis County until 1911 when Judge Shain was elected judge of the Thir¬ tieth Judicial District, and in 1917 he was re-elected to that office and is now serving his second term.

Judge Shain was united in marriage in 1887 with Miss Kate L. Hackensmith. a native of Macon County, Missouri. She is a daughter of Matson and Louisa (McCoy) Hackensmith, both natives of Kentucky and early settlers in Macon county. They are both now deceased. To Judge and Mrs. Shain have been bora seven children as follows: Lucille E., married Captain William A. Beckemeyer, who was a prominent physician of Sedalia and is now a surgeon in the United States Army with the rank of captain, having enlisted shortly after war was declared; Ed C. Shain, who was studying art in Chicago when the United States declared war against Germany, enlisted at Chicago and served in the war as a member of the One Hundred Twenty-second Field Artillery, Thirty-third Division, which is now a part of the army of occupation in Germany ; Matson Hackensmith Shain, now serving in the United States Navy as chief yeoman of the

U. S. S. Mallory; Catherin L. died in infancy; Beatrice S., who is now a senior in the Sedalia High School ; William D., who is a junior in the Sedalia High School ; and Virginia, who is a student in the grade schools of Sedalia. Judge Shain has one grandchild, Marjorie Beckemeyer.

Judge Shain is a Democrat and a member of the Christian Church. He belongs to the Masonic Lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellow's and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Judge Shain is an able lawyer and in addition to being a close student of the law, all his life, he has had a vast experience at the bar. He possesses a keen logical mind and the judicial temperament which well qualify him for the important position which he holds.

E. G. Cassidy, president of the E. G. Cassidy Mercantile Company, vicepresident of the Sedalia Trust Company and president of the Cassidy Hotel Company, with various other interests in Sedalia, has been prominently identified with the development of this city for forty years. Mr. Cassidy is a native of Ireland and came to America with his father, M. S. Cassidy, when a boy, his mother having died when he was a baby. The father settled in McDonough County, Illinois, where he still resides and has now reached the advanced age of ninety years.

E. G. Cassidy, after receiving a good common scnool education, took a course in Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, in Chicago, Illinois, in 1867-1868. In 1879, Mr. Cassidy came to Sedalia and since that time has been an active factor in its upbuilding. Through his efforts and influence, outside capital has been induced to invest in enterprises here and for many years he has been a heavy investor himself in the industrial and commer¬ cial activity of Sedalia. He organized the Lemp's Ice & Refrigerator Com¬ pany and built the large ice plant which is located on West Main Street, when that section of the city was a waste of swampy land. This was in 1898 and Mr. Cassidy was president and general manager of that company which later acquired the Sedalia Ice & Cold Storage Company. Later they bought the Sedalia Electric Light Plant, Mr. Cassidy continuing as presi¬ dent and general manager of all the extensive interests of this company until they sold out to the Dougherty interests which now control them.

In addition to Mr. Cassidy's extensive industrial and commercial inter¬ ests, he is the owner of the Katy Building and the Cassidy Building, two of the most valuable business properties in Sedalia. He also owms a fine farm of 300 acres in Prairie Township which is devoted to stock and grain raising and in recent years has produced large quantities of wheat. Mr.

Cassidy is also a member of the firm of Cassidy & McGrath who carry on a general insurance business in the Katy Building. His business interests are the most varied and extensive of any man in the city of Sedalia. In 1895, Mr. Cassidy erected a large, handsome, modern residence on West Fifth Street, which is the finest home in Sedalia. It is a model of archi¬ tecture, finished in hard wood and luxuriously furnished. It could not be built today for twice its original cost.

Mr. Cassidy was married in 1879 to Miss Kate Rilley, a native of Pettis County, who was born about three miles north of the city of Sedalia. She is a daughter of John Rilley, who was one of the early settlers of Pettis County. To Mr. and Mrs. Cassidy has been bom one child, Catherin, now the wife of John McGrath of Sedalia.

Mr. Cassidy is a member of the Sacred Heart Church of Sedalia. His fraternal affiliations are with the Catholic Knights of America and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He has always supported the policies and principles of the Democratic party and since coming to Sedalia, has taken an active part and deep interest in political affairs, although he has never sought nor held public office. He has been a delegate to numerous State and county conventions and has always stood high in the counsels of his party.

Mr. Cassidy is not only progressive, but public spirited, and has not only invested extensively in Sedalia enterprises, but has contributed gen¬ erously to every worthy charitable, religious or patriotic movement. His career has been a successful one.

Paul Barnett, a prominent young attorney of Sedalia and the present prosecuting attorney of Pettis County, is a native of Sedalia. He was born August 15, 1888, and is a son of George W. and Virginia (Christy) Barnett. George W. Barnett is one of the leading attorneys of Pettis County and has practiced law here for many years. He was bora in the Licking River Valley, Kentucky. Virginia (Christy) Barnett is a native of Missouri. Her parents were Virginians and early settlers in this State.

To George W. and Virginia (Christy) Barnett were born seven chil¬ dren who are now living : Bruce, an attorney, Kansas City, Missouri ; Irene, married Edwin Evans, Sedalia, Missouri ; Carl, now dead ; George, an attor¬ ney, St. Louis, Missouri; Paul, the subject of this sketch; Philip, in the United States Army and at this writing is an instructor in the School of Arms at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma; and Lawrence, a sergeant of a Machine Gun Company One Hundred Thirty-ninth Infantry, Fifth Division, United States Army.

Paul Barnett was reared in Sedalia and attended the public schools and after graduating from the high school, attended the University of Mis¬ souri, at Columbia, Missouri. He then read law in his father's office and was admitted to the bar, December, 1912, and immediately entered into the practice of his profession to which he has since devoted himself. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Pettis County, November, 1916, and his present term expires January 1, 1919.

Mr. Barnett was married in September, 1913, to Miss Letonia Leece of Sedalia, Missouri. Mrs. Barnett was born and reared in Sedalia. To Mr. and Mrs. Barnett have been bora one child, Jane Christy.

Dr. Charles Talmage McConnell, extensive farmer and stockman, Houstonia, Missouri, was born in St. Louis, May 4, 1874. He is a son of John W. and Julia (Mixer) McConnell, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter a native of Montreal, Canada.

John W. McConnell was reared to manhood in Pennsylvania and became a railroad man. He worked his way upward through the ranks of his chosen vocation and became a conductor, following railroading for a long period of forty-eight years. He moved to Sedalia, Missouri, in 1872, and was in the employ of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, as train conductor until his death in 1896, at the age of sixty-five years. The last two years of his life were spent at Boonville, Missouri. Mrs. Julia McConnell died in Sedalia, in 1888. John W. and Julia McConnell were parents of four children: George, a railroad man at Hannibal, Mis¬ souri; Frank, a railroad man at Kansas City, Missouri; Dr. Charles Talmage, of this review; one child died in infancy.

Charles Talmage McConnell was educated primarily in the public and high schools of Sedalia. His collegiate education was obtained at Notre Dame University and the Kemper Military Academy at Boonville, after which he entered Missouri State Univeristy at Columbia and there pkirsued his first year's course in the science of medicine. He completed his medical education at Beaumont Hospital College at St. Louis and graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1899.

Doctor McConnell practiced his profession in St. Louis for one year and in 1900 he located in Houstonia where he practiced for a short time before taking charge of the large estate which is owned by Dr. and Mrs. McConnell. Doctor McConnell has charge of extensive farm land emyfcMs- &>,,»*// bracing over 1,500 acres. Three hundred and four acres of this land adjoin Houstonia on the east, 760 acres lie south of Houstonia, 333.5 acres lie near Mt. Leonard, Missouri, and 160 acres are located near Linn Creek in Cambria County. The tract comprising 304 acres was formerly owned by the Houstons and was purchased by Doctor McConnell from the Ferguson estate. This farm is one of the finest improved tracts in Missouri and is a modern farm plant in every respect. The tract of 760 acres .is the old Gibson home place, known formerly as the "Gibson-Glenn Farm," and this is well improved and adapted for stock raising, with silos and substantial barns. About half of the McConnell land is rented out to tenants. A tract of 335 acres, which is still held in fee simple by Doctor McConnell is located adjacent to Sedalia on the rock road and is also well improved. Doctor McConnell is a large feeder of cattle, 300 head being fattened for the markets each year on his farms. He raises and feeds from 800 to 1,000 head of hogs annually. Twenty men are em¬ ployed in season and twelve men with families are supported on the land. He has sown 720 acres to wheat for the season of 1919. An acreage of 600 acres harvested in 1918 made the great yield of 16,000 bushels or an average of twenty-seven bushels to the acre, a yield which was far above the average in Missouri. The land near Sedalia made twenty bushels to the acre and the Houstonia farm made the phenomenal yield of thirty bushels to the acre. Dr. McConnell usually raises each year about 500 acres of corn. It is conceded that the McConnell land is rated as the richest prairie soil in this section of Missouri and the proprietor believes thoroughly in the most modern methods of farming and soil conservation in his agricultural operations. Tractors are used in the heavy farm work and from twenty to thirty horses and mules are used, and the doctor operates the Farmers Elevator at Houstonia, which he owns in partnership with L. H. Stiles.

Doctor McConnell was married on December 15, 1898, to Miss Grace Mary Gibson, who was born in Pettis County, a daughter of Judge Will¬ iam Clay Gibson, one of the best known and highly honored pioneers of Pettis County. This marriage has been blessed with two children: Eugene, and Charles Talmage. Eugene Gibson was born December 15, 1900. He was a student in Missouri University at Columbia when he en¬ list in September of 1918 for service in the National Army. He was taking military training at Lawrenceville, New Jersey when war was declared against the Central European Powers by the United States, and upon entering the Missouri State University he immediately enrolled as a member of the Students Officers Training Corps. Charles Talmage, the youngest child, was born April 25, 1914. Doctor McConnell and family reside in one of the most beautiful, modern homes in western Missouri. This splendid recidence is one of which Houstonia people are justly proud. The lower story of the residence is built of brick and of a plan which combines beauty of architecture with solid comfort. The interior finish is all hardwood of a fine grain, and is of finished millwork which arrived ready for installation. Every part of the house was made accord¬ ing to previous design and ready to be fitted in place. The home is equipped with its own water, heating and electric plants. The father of Mrs. Grace Mary McConnell died when she was sixteen months old. A sketch of Judge William Clay Gibson appears in this volume.

Politically, Doctor McConnell is a Democrat. He and Mrs. McConnell are members of the Christian Church and are liberal supporters of relig¬ ious and worthy movements. He is a director of the Houstonia Bank. Doctor McConnell is affiliated with Blue Lodge No. 236, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Sedalia, the Mystic Shrine of Kansas City, Ararat Temple, and holds a membership in the Scottish Rite Masons of Kansas City. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Sedalia. Personally, Doctor McConnell is a well read, intelligent, progressive citizen of the best type, and he and Mrs. McConnell are well liked and highly regarded in Pettis County.

Claude Wilkerson, a prominent attorney of Sedalia, is a native of Mis¬ souri. Mr. Wilkerson was born at Carthage, Jasper County, Missouri, May 15, 1890. He is a son of James N. and Luzetta (Butcher) Wilkerson. Both parents are natives of Missouri and descendants of early pioneer families of this State. The father was born in Lafayette County and the mother in Benton county as was his father, John Wilkerson. The Wilkerson family came from Bedford County, Virginia to Missouri. A more extended his¬ tory of this family appears in this volume in connection with the sketch of James N. Wilkerson.

Claude Wilkerson is one of a family of three sons born to his parents as follows: Jesse, Sedalia, Missouri; Claude, the subject of this sketch; and Otto, who is now serving in the United States Navy, having enlisted in January, 1918.

Claude Wilkerson was about two years old when his parents settled in Sedalia. He was reared in this city and educated in the grade schools and the Sedalia High School, and later attended the University of Missouri and was admitted to the bar in 1911. Mr. Wilkerson immediately engaged in the practice of his profession in Sedalia and met with marked success in his chosen profession. He is one of the capable young lawyers of Pettis county and has built up a large and profitable practice. Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Wilkerson had one of the best law practices of any young attorney in Sedalia, he enlisted in the United States Army in the tank service, October 1, 1918. He served in the National Army at Camp Dix, New Jersey, until he received an honorable discharge from the service December 20, 1918.

On April 11, 1912, Claude Wilkerson was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth O'Bannon, of Sedalia, a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Pettis County. An extended review of the O'Bannon family appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilkerson have been born two children, Elizabeth and Mamie Lane.

Mr. Wilkerson is a member of the Woodmen of the World, the Benevo¬ lent and Protective Order of Elks, Yeomen, the Knights and Ladles of Security, Mystic Workers of the World, Woodmen Circle, Knights of the Maccabees and Brotherhood of Paperhangers and Decorators of America. He is a Democrat.

Mr. Wilkerson is not only a successful young attorney, but a progres¬ sive and public spirited citizen and stands ever ready to give his support and cooperation to any worthy move for the betterment and upbuilding of his city and county.

William Dillard O'Bannon, a prominent Sedalia attorney, is a native of Pettis County, and a descendant of one of the very first families to make a home in the then unsettled waste which is now Pettis County, just a cen¬ tury ago. William D. O'Bannon was bora near Hughesville, Pettis County, March 29, 1884, a son of Thomas H. and Mary (Dillard) O'Bannon. Thomas H. O'Bannon was bom near Georgetown, Missouri, March 10, 1850. He spent the early part of his life as a tiller of the soil and was later employed in the circulation department of the Sedalia "Daily Capital." He died February 5, 1911. Thomas H. O'Bannon was a son of Allen and Mary (Bird) O'Bannon. Allen O'Bannon was born in Pettis County near the old town of Pinhook, which has long ceased to exist, as a town. It was the first county seat of Pettis County. Allen O'Bannon was prominent in the early day affairs of Pettis county and the State. He served as a member of the State Legislature in 1876 and at one time was judge of the County Court.

Allen O'Bannon was the son of William O'Bannon, who settled in Pettis County, near the old town of Pinhook in 1818, and was one of the first six settlers in this county. He came from the blue grass district of Kentucky to this county, and spent the remainder of his life here.

Mary Elizabeth Dillard, the mother of William D. O'Bannon, was born in Cooper County, Missouri, a daughter of William and Nancy Virginia (Hughes) Dillard. Her father, William Dillard, was born in Cooper County, and spent the greater portion of his life in Pettis County and died in this county. His parents were early settlers in the vicinity of old Pilot Grove. His wife, Nancy Virginia (Hughes) Dillard was a native of Ten¬ nessee and came to Pettis County, Missouri, with her parents in 1830. Her parents both spent the remainder of their lives here, the father dying at the age of sixty-five years, and her mother at the age of eighty-five years. Nancy Elizabeth (Dillard) O'Bannon, mother of William D. O'Bannon, now resides in the city of Sedalia.

Thomas and Mary Elizabeth (Dillard) O'Bannon were the parents of the following children: William Dillard, the subject of this sketch; Mary Ann, Sedalia; Allen, Sedalia; Nancy Lucinda, married Willis Barnes Combs, Columbia, Missouri; and Elizabeth, married Claude Wilkerson, a Sedalia attorney, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. By a former marriage Thomas O'Bannon was the father of two sons: Fred W., Paonia, Colorado; Thomas F., who was killed in the Eden wreck on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad near Pueblo, Colorado, in 1904.

William D. O'Bannon was reared in LaMonte, Pettis County, and edu¬ cated in the public schools there and the Sedalia High School, from which he was graduated in the class of 1904. He then took a course in Hill's Business College. He was admitted to the bar in December, 1904, and since that time has been engaged in the practice of law in Sedalia. Mr. O'Bannon has served two terms as prosecuting attorney of Pettis County, from 1910 to 1914. During the World War he served as chairman of the Legal Advisory Board, under the Selective Service Act, and was active in patriotic war work of various kinds. Mr. O'Bannon was united in mar¬ riage November 20, 1907, with Miss Margaret Elaine May, daughter of William May, of Knob Noster, Missouri.

Mr. O'Bannon is an able lawyer and has an extensive clientage. He is a Democrat and is active in his party organization. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Pettis County Bar Asso¬ ciation.

Charles C. Evans, secretary and treasurer of the Sedalia Trust Com¬ pany, is one of the veteran financiers of this section of the State. Mr. Evans is a native of Missouri. He was born at Otterville, Cooper County, Missouri, October 11, 1861, a son of Edwin C. and Betty (Joplin) Evans. The father was a native of Washington, D. C., and the mother of Richmond, Virginia. When they first came to Missouri, they settled at Hawk Creek and later removed to Otterville and then to Boonville. They came to Pettis County in 1878. The father is now deceased and the mother resides in Sedalia in her eighty-fourth year.

Charles C. Evans received a good public school education. His first position was that of clerk in the auditor's office of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company, at Sedalia. He was thus employed when the road went into the hands of a receiver. He then went to St. Louis and was employed as general bookkeeper for a time. Later he entered the employ of the Missouri Pacific railway as a bookkeeper and afterwards re¬ turned to the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad.

In 1893, Mr. Evans entered the employe of the Missouri Trust Com¬ pany as assistant treasurer. This company occupied the same building at that time, which is now owned and occupied by the Sedalia Trust Company. Mr. Evans remained in the employ of the Missouri Trust Company in the capacity of assistant treasurer until 1901 when the Missouri Trust Com¬ pany removed to St. Louis. He then proceeded to organize the Sedalia Trust Company and became its first secretary and treasurer, a position which he has since held. This company opened its doors for business June 1, 1901, and since that time the business has gradually increased under the able management of Mr. Evans who has largely directed the policy of this institution and today it is one of the substantial financial institutions of the State. The first president of the Sedalia Trust Company was 0. A. Crandell, father-in-law of Mr. Evans. He died suddenly in Philadelphia, July 5, 1901, a little over a month after being elected president of the Sedalia Trust Company. He was succeeded by Hon. John T. Heard, who was succeeded by Dr. E. F. Yancey. The first vice-president was W. H. Howell, who was succeeded by E. G. Cassidy, who holds that position at present. The following are the present officers and directors of the Sedalia Trust Company: E. F. Yancey, president; E. G. Cassidy, vice-president; Charles C. Evans, secretary and treasurer; E. L. Zoering, assistant treas¬ urer. The other directors are W. J. Ferguson, L. P. Andrews, John W. Murphy, Otis W. Smith, Peter Pehl and C. C. Kelly.

The Sedalia Trust Company was organized with $100,000.00, one-half of which was paid up and in less than seven years the accumulated divi¬ dends enabled the company to issue $50,000.00 of paid-up stock and the present capital stock of the company is $100,000.00, all of which is paid up.

Charles C. Evans, the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage June 25, 1889, with Miss Emma C. Crandell, daughter of O. A. Crandell, of Sedalia, and three children have been born to this union: Edwin C., who is one of the proprietors of the Brown-Evans Manufacturing Company, Sedalia ; Catherene, who died at the age of three years ; and Clark S., who is six years of age. Mr. Evans is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Episcopal Church.

Newton P. Elmore, the well-known and popular county clerk of Pettis County, has been identified with this county over forty years. He is a na¬ tive of Kentucky, and was born in Warsaw, Gallatin County, Kentucky, January 4, 1859, a son of Oliver and Sallie M. (Payne) Elmore, both natives of Kentucky, the former of Owen County and the latter of Scott County. The Elmore family is of old Kentucky stock, and this branch came across the mountains from Virginia to Kentucky in the pioneer days of the latter State. The Payne family is also of old Virginia stock and were among the very earliest settlers of Kentucky. Sallie M. Payne's grandfather was the first of that family to settle in Kentucky and he helped survey that State in the early days when it was a vast unpeopled wilderness.

on a farm which is now owned by Newton P. Elmore, the subject of this sketch. Here the father followed farming and stock raising and met with success. During the latter few years of his life he lived retired. He was a substantial and valued citizen and a life-long Democrat. He and his wife were members of the Christian Church. They are both now deceased. They were the parents of the following children: Newton P., the subject of this sketch; Bettie, married A. K. Haggard, Sedalia, Missouri; J. E. lived in Imperial Valley, California; Emma, married James H. McCurdy, Hughesville, Missouri; Frank B., Chillicothe, Missouri; Oliver, deceased; Susie married 0. D. Jenkins, Nelson, Pettis County; and Sallie married Dr. J. E. Mitchel, Hughesville, Missouri.

Newton P. Elmore was about thirteen years old when he came to Pettis County with his parents, in 1872. He had attended the public schools in Kentucky before coming here and continued to attend school for some years after the family settled here, and obtained a very good common school education, which he has supplemented by extensive reading and close observation. Mr. Elmore is a student of men and events and is one of the well posted men of Pettis County. He was reared on a farm and made farming and stock raising his life occupation. He has been quite extensively engaged in stock raising, and has fed cattle for the market for a number of years. He now owns a splendid farm of 470 acres in Heath's Creek township. This is one of the valuable farms of Pettis County.

Mr. Elmore is a Democrat and since early manhood has taken an active interest in the welfare of his party and for years has been prominently identified with the local Democratic organization. In 1912, he was nomi¬ nated for the office of county clerk and elected for a term of two years, and at the expiration of his term of office, in 1914, he was re-elected for the term of four years. He has been a capable and conscientious public officer and has performed the duties of his office in a way that has given general satisfaction.

Mr Elmore was united in marriage May 15, 1894, with Miss Mary B. Spears, who belonged to one of the pioneer families of Cass County, who came to Missouri from Kentucky prior to the war. Mrs. Elmore's father, Dr. H. C. Spears, was practicing medicine in Cass County when Order No. 11 was issued, when he returned to Kentucky. To Newton P. and Mary B. (Spears) Elmore was bom one son, Newton S., bom September 4, 1896, married Marie Allen, daughter of Dr. Clay Allen of St. Louis, Missouri, and they now reside in Sedalia. He enlisted in August, 1918, in Casual Company B, Heavy Tank Artillery, and went to France for service with the National Army in September, 1918. Mrs. Mary B. Elmore died January 12, 1918, at the age of fifty-six years.

Mr. Elmore is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a member of the Chris¬ tian Church, in which his wife also held membership.

Judge William Clay Gibson. - Throughout the decade of the upbuild¬ ing and development of Pettis County, embracing the period from the early sixties to the eighties there is no name which stands higher in the annals of Pettis County than that of Judge William Clay Gibson. He was born in Farquier County, Virginia, in 1833, and died at his home near Houstonia in 1880. He was a son of Joseph and Marah (Jenkins) Gibson, both of whom were born and reared in Virginia. Further details of this family are given in the sketch of Edward B. Gibson of Sedalia.

W. C. Gibson left his old Virginia home in 1860, and located in Pettis County and engaged in farming and stock raising. Later, he became associated with his father-in-law, Joseph G. Gregg, as a partner. The firm was engaged extensively in the buying and selling of live stock and operated a large estate known as the "Gibson Glenn Farm." This farm was situated on the rolling prairie land in Houstonia and embraced 2,580 acres, well improved with a fine house and buildings.

On February 29, 1864, he was married to Miss Mollie H. Gregg. Three children were born of this union: Eugene C. Gibson, living in St. Louis, Missouri; William Hall Gibson, deceased; and Mrs. Grace Mary McConnell, wife of Dr. C. T. McConnell of Houstonia.

Mrs. Mollie H. Gibson was a daughter of Joseph G. Gregg, who was one of the prominent farmers and stockmen of Blackwater township, Pettis County. Joseph G. Gregg was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, in April, 1821, and was a son of John Gregg, also a native of Virginia. Mr. Gregg migrated to Pettis County, Missouri, in 1857, settled with his family in a log cabin, and began his career in Missouri with but seventyfive cents to his name. He rose from poverty to become one of the largest land owners in Pettis County and one of the most extensive live stock man in western Missouri. For many years, until the death of his son-inlaw, Judge W. C. Gibson, he and Mr. Gibson were partners in the live stock business and owners of the famous "Gibson-Glen Farm," a splendid estate of 2,580 acres. Mr. Gregg and Judge Gibson raised as high as

30,000 bushels of corn from 500 acres, 12,500 bushels of wheat from 500 acres, and kept about 1,200 acres in blue grass and meadows. They kept from 600 to 1,000 head of cattle, and fed in one season as high as 2,400 head of hogs. On April 9, 1846, Mr. Gregg married Miss M. A. Shepherd, a daughter of Humphrey Shepherd, a native of Virginia, who emigrated from his home State to Missouri in 1855, and resided in Pettis County until his death. The following children were bom to Joseph G. and Mary A. Gregg: Mrs. Mollie H. Gibson, John H., George W., Katie, Joseph J., and Oscar G.

William Clay Gibson was elected judge of the County Court of Pettis County in 1876. He was elected as presiding judge of the court in the fall of 1879, and held the office until his death.

His life was one of untiring industry and activity, and his hopes were ambitious ones, most of which he realized until death called him. Judge Gibson was one of the best respected men of his day in Pettis County, and one whose name will long be remembered as having con¬ tributed in large measure to the up-building and development of the county. Successful in agriculture, prominent in politics, a capable and zealous public official, in whom the people of the county held implicit trust, his life was well lived and worth while.

Fred A. Benz, who is engaged in the real estate and loan business in Sedalia, was bom in Morgan County, Missouri, July 31, 1869. He is a son of August and Elizabeth (Schnabel) Benz, the former a native of Germany, and the latter of Illinois. August Benz came to America in 1854 and was married in St. Louis, in 1860, to Miss Elizabeth Schnabel. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, he enlisted in the 5th U. S. Cavalry and was later transferred to the 4th Missouri Volunteers and served as captain in that regiment until the close of the war.

His regiment was attached to the Central Army Division which ope¬ rated in that section of the country included between St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee. When the war was over he was mustered out of service and honorably discharged at Rolla, Missouri.' Soon after the war he bought a farm near Lincoln, Missouri, on which he lived until 1880, when he removed to Lincoln and retired. He died there June 10, 1902, at the age of seventy-two years and now rests in the cemeteiy of that city. His widow now resides with a son in Portland, Oregon, and is in her seventyfifth year. They are the parents of the following children : Minnie E., Port¬ land, Oregon; George F., Tulsa, Oklahoma; Henry R., Portland, Oregon;

Fred A., the subject of this sketch; Louis, LaMonte, Missouri; William E., Bakersfield, California; James A., Bakersfield, California; and Samuel W., Groveton, Texas.

Of the Benz family the father and six sons were school teachers. Fred A. followed teaching for fifteen years, and in 1897 he located in Sedalia where he has since been engaged in the real estate business, with marked success.

Mr. Benz was united in marriage October 18, 1904, with Miss Susie M. Shively, a native of Pettis County and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George R. Shively. Mr. and Mrs. Benz have one son, George.

Mr. Benz is a Methodist in religion, and politically a staunch Republi¬ can; a keen student of affairs and a man of safe judgment and a valued citizen of Pettis County.

Dr. James Dillard Mitchell, a prominent dentist of Sedalia, who has an extensive practice and whose skill and ability in the great science of dentistry is widely recognized, is a native of Pettis County. Doctor Mitchell belongs to one of the pioneer families of Pettis County and Missouri. He was born at Hughesville, Pettis County, and is a son of James D. Mitchell and Mary K. (Ellis) Mitchell.

James D. Mitchell, the father of Doctor Mitchell, was a native of Cooper County, born in 1835, and died in 1908. He was a son of Fleming H. Mitchell, a native of Tennessee, who was a soldier in the War of 1812 and served under General Andrew Jackson at the battle of New Orleans. Fleming H. Mitchell settled in Cooper County, Missouri, in 1820 and pre¬ empted a farm there under the authority of a land warrant awarded to him for service in the War of 1812. He assisted in clearing the site of the pres¬ ent city of Boonville. He was prominent in the affairs of Cooper County and spent the latter part of his life near Hughesville, Pettis County, with his son, .James Dillard Mitchell. He died at the age of eighty years. James Dillard Mitchell settled in Hughesville township, Pettis County, in 1865 and became an extensive farmer and stock raiser, and in later life was a successful horticulturist. He was a successful apple grower. He was mar¬ ried in 1858 to Miss Mary K. Ellis, a native of Georgetown, Pettis County, and a daughter of William B. Ellis, who was sheriff of Pettis County during Civil War days. James D. Mitchell died at Hughesville in 1908, aged seventy-three years, and his widow now resides in Sedalia. They were the parents of ten children. Additional facts regarding the history of the Mitchell family will be found in the sketch of Dr. John Ellis Mitchell else¬ where in this volume.

Dr. James Dillard Mitchell was reared near Hughesville and attended the public schools in Hughesville and LaMonte and afterwards entered the University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, where he received his education, preparatory to the study of dentistry. He then entered the Western Dental College, Kansas City, Missouri, where he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. He immediately engaged in the practice of his profession in Sedalia where he has built up a large practice. His practice is of a general nature, including the broad fields of mechanical and surgical dentistry.

Doctor Mitchell was united in marriage, June 3, 1908, to Miss Ruby E. Davis, a native of Albany, Georgia. She is a daughter of Amos Pinkney Davis and Sallie (Williams) Davis, both natives of Georgia and members of prominent southern families. Amos Pinkney Davis was a Confederate veteran and also had several brothers who served in the Confederate army. His father was United States Congressman from Georgia several terms. Amos Pinkney Davis is now deceased and Mrs. Davis is a member of Doctor Mitchell's household in Sedalia.

Doctor Mitchell is a member of the National Dental Association, the Missouri State Dental Association and the Central District Dental Associa¬ tion. He also is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a Democrat. Mrs. Mitchell is a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Doctor and Mrs. Mitchell are widely known and highly esteemed in Sedalia and Pettis County.

R. P. Asbuiy, cashier of the Union Savings Bank, of Sedalia, has had a successful experience in the important field of banking for many years, and is one of the best posted men in Pettis County in this particular branch of business. Mr. Asbury wras born at Columbia, Boone County, Missouri, and is a son of J. S. and Mary L. (Waters) Asbury, both also natives of Boone County and descendants of early pioneer settlers of that section of the State. Both the Asbury and Waters families came from Kentucky to Missouri at a very early day and settled in Boone County. Calvin Asbury was a native of Kentucky and came to Boone County, Missouri, in 1824, with his bride. They came on horseback. He was the grandfather of R. P. Asbury, the subject of this sketch. The Asbury family is of English and Scotch origin. Three Asbury brothers settled in Virginia at a very early day, only one of whom remained in that State. One of the others went to Kentucky, and he is the direct ancestor of R. P. Asbury. The other brother was a prominent divine of the early days and became a Bishop. He was the founder of Asbury College, at Greencastle, Indiana, which is now knowTn as Purdue University. J. S. Asbury was a successful farmer and stockman and spent his life in Boone County, Missouri. He died January 31, 1917, aged seventy-seven years and his widow now resides in Columbia, Missouri.

R. P. Asbury is one of a family of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, born to his parents. They are all now living and prosperous. Mr. Asbury was reared in Boone County and was educated in the public schools of Columbia, the State Normal School at Kirksville and the Gem City Business College, at Quincy, Illinois. He taught school for four years and then entered the employ of the Columbia Savings Bank, at Columbia, Missouri, and remained with that institution for four years. He then or¬ ganized the Lewis County Exchange Bank, at Lewistown, Missouri, becom¬ ing cashier of this institution. He served in that capacity for seven years, when he disposed of his interest in that bank. He then organized the Fanners and Merchants National Bank at Salisbury, Missouri, and became cashier of that bank. In 1913 he sold his interest there and came to Sedalia, and invested in the Union Savings Bank and became its cashier Sep¬ tember 1, 1914, and has served in that capacity to the present time.

The Union Savings Bank, which is located on the corner of Fifth and Engineer Streets, is one of the progressive and substantial banking insti¬ tutions of Pettis County, and some of the best business men of Sedalia are identified with it. This bank was organized July 21, 1913. The first officers were S. M. Williams, president; Dr. W. M. Wheeler, vice-president; M. F. Ehlers, cashier; Sam V. McVey, secretary, and the other directors were A. J. White, Fred Gehlken and C. W. Estabrook. The only changes made in the personnel is that A. E. Leslie has succeeded Mr. Estabrook on the board of directors and R. P. Asbury succeeded Mr. Ehlers as cashier. Further mention is made of this bank elsewhere in this volume. It might be added here, however, that the growth of the business of this bank since its organization has been phenomenal.

Mr. Asbury was united in marriage in 1891 to Miss Allie M. Hubbard, of Centralia, Missouri, and two daughters have been born to this union: Era Leone, who received her education in Judson College at Marion, Ala¬ bama, where she specialized in music ; and Clara Louise, who is a student in the same institution.

Mr. Asbury is a Knights Templar Mason, a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a Democrat and he and his family are members of the Baptist Church of which he is a deacon.

John L. Sullivan, Secretary of the State of Missouri, was born in Sedalia, Missouri, October 14, 1877, son of Janies and Bridget Sullivan. He attended parochial schools as a boy, and was graduated from the Sedalia High School in the class of '97. In early youth he sold the local and metro¬ politan papers on the streets, before and after school hours, later engag¬ ing with the McGinleys as a clerk and delivery boy for their grocery store. After finishing high school he formed a partnership with his brother, in the retail cigar business, and is still interested in that business in a wholesale way.

In 1906 Mr. Sullivan was appointed deputy collector of Pettis County, under Emmet McClure, serving four years, after which he was elected to that office by the voters of Pettis County, and re-elected four years later, serving in all twelve years in the office. In 1916 he became a candidate before the Democrats of the State for the nomination for Secretary of the State of Missouri, winning over two opponents, and winning the election over his Republican opponent by a substantial majority. He is now (January, 1919) beginning the third year of his four-year term in that important office.

John L. Sullivan was married in Sedalia on June 24, 1908, to Miss Mary Catherine Lennartz, and of that union there are four children: John L., Jr., Mary Catherine, Helen Elizabeth and James Joseph.

Joseph Kain, proprietor of the Globe Clothing Store, is one of the pro¬ gressive merchants of Sedalia, and by his honesty and hard work has built up one of the important commercial enterprises of this city. The Globe Clothing Store is located at 105-07 West Main Street. The building has a frontage of fifty feet and is 110 feet deep, and here Mr. Kain carries a com¬ plete line of clothing, shoes and men's furnishing goods.

Joseph Kain is a native of Russia, born in 1875. He came to America in 1902, when he was twenty-seven years of age. He was engaged in busi¬ ness in his native land before coming to this country, and after coming here, he did not engage in business for himself for the first two years. He then engaged in the loan business and in 1906 engaged in business at 112 South Ohio Street. He then moved to 111 West Main and has occupied his present store since January 20, 1915. Mr. Kain is one of the reliable dealers of Sedalia and has developed a large business and by his straight¬ forward methods of dealing has won the confidence of the public. His is one of the busiest stores of Sedalia. He employs five clerks.

Mrs. Kain is a niece of M. Chasnoff, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Kain have been born the following children: Ester, a student in the Sedalia High School, now in her third year ; Dorothy, a student in the grade schools of Sedalia; Ned, Louise and Philip, students in the grade schools ; and Harold.

Mr. Kain is interested in other enterprises outside of the legitimate field of merchandising. He was one of the organizers of the C. & A. Oil Company, of which he is president. This company has many hundreds of acres of land under lease in Missouri and Kansas. They have drilled three wells on their Kansas property and every one is a producer.

Mr. Kain is a member of the I. 0. B. B. and in politics he is independ¬ ent. He votes for the man and not for political creeds. Mr. Kain has a pleasant home at 230 South Moniteau Street.

Thomas Rees Luckett. - It would seem that being superintendent of the public schools of Pettis County would furnish sufficient activity for a single individual of average ability, but in time of need and trial it is the citizen who possesses considerable more than the average ability of man¬ kind that responds to his country's needs and cheerfully shoulders addi¬ tional burdens in order that the public welfare may be rightfully safe¬ guarded. Supt. Thomas Rees Luckett is not only ably administering the public school system of Pettis County, but is serving as chairman of the County Council of Defense and is also the able and efficient County Food Administrator. Both of the latter important positions are filled by him without reward other than the satisfaction of serving his country in time of stress.

Thomas Rees Luckett was born on a farm in Pettis County, November 19, 1867. He is the son of Luther J. and Maria (Rees) Luckett, the former of whom was a native of Kentucky and the latter a native of Pettis county, Missouri. Luther J. Luckett was reared in Kentucky and in early manhood went to California in 1852, joining the great rush of gold seekers who braved the perils of crossing the plains. He remained on the Pacific Coast for several years and came to Pettis County, Missouri, in 1866. He settled permanently in Dresden township where he became owner of a splendid farm of 370 acres. During his long residence in this county he followed farming and stock raising successfully. Mr. Luckett died at his home near Dresden in 1896. His wife followed him in death in 1914 and both lie sleep¬ ing in Dresden Cemetery. Luther J. and Maria (Rees) Luckett were pa¬ rents of the following children: Thomas Rees, subject of this review;

William David, King City, California; Sallie, wife of J. Will Smith, Otterville, Missouri ; Jane Mitchell, died at the age of sixteen years ; Susan is the wife of Brig. General Rufus E. Longan, United States Army, Chief of Staff of Transportation in New York City; Catharine living in St. Louis; Jewel, wife of H. H. Hurst, Wichita, Kansas; Pearl, wife of Joseph R. Pile, Joplin, Missouri; Samuel M., head of the advertising department of the Pittsburg Leader, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The early education of Thomas Rees Luckett was obtained in the com¬ mon schools of his native township, and the Sedalia High School from which he graduated in 1885. After following the teaching profession for some years he went to California in 1889. He remained in that State until 1896 and then returned to Pettis County. After following the pursuit of agriculture for about three years he again engaged in teaching. He was elected to the position of superintendent of the Pettis County public schools in 1907 and has capably filled the position for the past eleven years. Mr. Luckett's conduct of the public school system has been such as to commend him to the people of Pettis County and no official enjoys a greater popu¬ larity than he in Pettis County.

Mr. Luckett was married in 1894 to Miss Annie M. Gilmore, a daugh¬ ter of John H. and Jennie (Quinn) Gilmore, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Annie M. Luckett was born in San Francisco and her marriage with Prof. Luckett took place in that city. John and Jennie Gilmore were parents of the following children: John H. of San Francisco, California; Mrs. Agnes Jones, San Francisco, California; Frances, wife of Major Robert Vickers, of the United States Army, formerly stationed at San Francisco, now in France.

To Thomas R. and Annie M. Luckett were born children as follows: Luther J., born in San Francisco, a private in the National Army, enlisted in June. 1917, and is a member of Company 355, Three Hundred and Four¬ teenth Sanitary Train, in overseas service in France; Thomas G., born in Sedalia, enlisted in the Regular Army in June, 1917, and is a member of Battery F, Nineteenth Field Artillery, American Expeditionary Forces in France; George, attending High School, also enlisted in the United States Service, was sent to St. Louis, but was rejected because he was only seven¬ teen years of age; Jenny M., a student in Sedalia High School; Jonaphine Alice is attending the public schools. Both Luther J. and Thomas G. Luckett are with the Army of Occupation in Germany. The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Luckett is located at 501 North Stewart Street.

Mr. Luckett is a Democrat in politics. He is a member of the Presby¬ terian Church and is fraternally affiliated with the Ancient Free and Ac¬ cepted Masons, Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, Wood¬ men of the World, Improved Order of Red Men, Knights and Ladies of Security.

Harvey D. Dow. - The career of Harvey D. Dow, attorney-at-law, former prosecuting attorney of Pettis County, and ex-member of the Missouri State Legislature, has been £ worthy and honorable one. As a native-born citizen of this county, whose father was a Union soldier, he has kept alive the traditions of his family, and has served in two wrars as an enlisted man. Mr. Dow is one of the rising professional men of Pettis County, who has the best interests of his home city and county at heart, and has ever been found in the forefront of all movements tending to advance the interests of the people among w'hom he was reared.

Harvey D. Dow was born on a farm adjoining the town of George¬ town, Pettis County, and is a son of Alexander and Louisa (Dill) Dow, the former of whom resides at Georgetown and the latter is deceased. Alexander Dow is one of the best-known and honored old settlers of Pettis County, who has reared a splendid family of sons and daughters, who occupy positions of prominence and substance in their communities. A biographical sketch of Alexander Dow is given elsewhere in this volume.

Mr. Dow attended the schools of his native village, and also graduated from the Sedalia High School. For one year prior to completing his education at Missouri University, he taught school in Pettis County wdth success. Entering Missouri University at Columbia, Missouri, he grad¬ uated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws with the class of 1898. While a student at the State University, he pursued a course of military train¬ ing in connection with his regular studies, and was there when the United States declared war against Spain. He joined a company of college men recruited from the students of the University, and enlisted as a private soldier in Company I, 5th Missouri Regiment, volunteer infantry, and was sent to Jefferson Barracks for outfitting. From the barracks his company was sent to the mobilization camp at Chickamauga, and thence to Camp Lexington, Kentucky. When mustered out, on November 9, 1898, his company was stationed at Fairmount Park, Kansas City. While serving his country in the field, Mr. Dow received his degree and was graduated with honors. Mr. Dow then returned home, and in 1903 he pursued a special course at the summer school of Harvard University, and in that same year he began the practice of law in Sedalia. His rise in the ranks of his chosen profession has been rapid, and Mr. Dow has a reputation for energetic and close application to the cases intrusted to his care.

His political career has been such as reflect honor and credit upon the name he bears. In 1906 he was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney of Pettis County, on the Republican ticket, and was again elected in 1908, and made a creditable and an excellent record as a diligent, active and conscientious prosecutor. In 1910, Mi\ Dow was elected as repre¬ sentative from Pettis County to the State Legislature, and served during the session of the Forty-sixth General Assembly.

On October 23, 1918, he received notice of his election to the Central Officers' Training School at Camp Pike, Arkansas, for service with the American army in the World War. He was accepted, and was inducted into the service on November 9, 1918. Mr. Dow was later discharged from the service and returned to Sedalia to again resume the practice of law.

Mr. Dow is interested in fanning and stock raising, and has a farm of 120 acres in Cedar township. Since he first began the study of law, in the office of Charles E. Yeater, now vice-Governor of the Philippines, later becoming Mr. Yeater's assistant in his office at Sedalia. Mr. Dow has taken a leading part in Pettis County affairs, and been prominently identified with the legal profession in this county. He has always been an advocate of good roads, and in all matters affecting the public welfare Mr. Dow has been active and influential, and has been much interested in charitable matters. Personally, he is an agreeable, sociable individual whose methods are direct and give evidence of pronounced ability and energy, and his friends are legion. Mr. Dow is a member of the Sedalia Library Board, Country Club, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks No. 125, Improved Order of Red Men, Knights and Ladies of Security, Masonic Orders, Consistory and Shrine, and is a member of the Legal Advisory Board, to render service in such capacity in war work for soldiers and soldiers' dependents and relatives.

C. C. Kelly, a prominent attorney of Sedalia, is one of the widely known members of the Missouri bar. Mr. Kelly was born at Knob Noster, Missouri, July 20, 1873, and is a son of Samuel G. and Belle (Dodds) Kelly. The father was born at Parkers Landing, Pennsylvania, and came to Mis¬ souri shortly after the Civil War. He settled at Knob Noster, Johnson County, and was one of the early attorneys of that section. He practiced law for a number of years at Knob Noster. He was an able lawyer and took an active interest in politics. He was a Republican and served three terms in the Missouri State Legislature, 1885-87-89. He was offered the nomination for Congress of this district several times but always declined to accept, and at one time he was urged to accept the nomination for Gov¬ ernor of Missouri on the Republican ticket but refused to run. He died in April, 1908. Belle (Dodds) Kelly, was born in Mason, Ohio. She departed this life, March 24, 1918, aged seventy years.

To Samuel G. and Belle (Dodds) Kelly) were born six children, four of whom are living as follows : Charles M. was engaged in the drug business at Knob Noster and died in 1900, aged twenty-nine years; C. C., the sub¬ ject of this sketch; George H., an attorney and member of the firm of Brewster, Kelly, Brewster & Buchholz, Kansas City, Missouri ; Dr. Samuel G. was a prominent physician in Sedalia and died at the age of thirty-five years; Jessie L. married Dr. W. E. Harral of St. Louis, Missouri; and Ada Marie, a teacher of French in the Sedalia High School.

C. C. Kelly was reared in Knob Noster and attended the pblic schools and later entered the State Normal School at Warrensburg where he was graduated in the "C" class of 1890. He then taught school in Johnson County for one year, after which he attended the Depauw University, at Greencastle, Indiana. He then entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he was graduated in the law class of 1896. Mr. Kelly then came to Sedalia and after being admitted to the bar of Missouri, began the practice of his profession at Sedalia, December 15, 1896. He established his first offices at the same place that he occupies today, in the Sedalia Trust Company building on the corner of Ohio and Fourth Streets. Mr. Kelly has built up an extensive practice and is one of the leading lawyers of Pettis county. He numbers among his clients many of the leading business men and institutions of Pettis County.

On March 1, 1905, Mr. Kelly was united in marriage with Miss Flor¬ ence Scott, a native of Pettis County and a daughter of H. B. Scott, who was a prominent farmer of Pettis county but is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Kelly have been born three children: William D., who died at the age of six weeks ; Robert C., aged ten ; and Jane Scott, aged five.

Mr. Kelly is a Repblican and takes an active interest in political affairs. He was elected city attorney of Sedalia in 1898 and re-elected to that office in 1900. In 1902 he was elected prosecuting attorney and re-elected to that office in 1904. As a public officer Mr. Kelly has always done his duty fear¬ lessly. He has many political friends in Pettis County in the Democratic as well as in the Republican party. He is a member of the Benevolent and

William Bennett Malone - The career of William Bennett Malone, pres¬ ident of the Sedalia Chamber of Commerce has been a successful one from the standpoint, of not only personal achievement, but in advancing the inter¬ ests of his home city in every possible manner as well. Occupying the im¬ portant position of president of the Chamber of Commerce, his opportuni¬ ties are great for assisting the progress and growth of the thriving city of Sedalia. His work in behalf of the city since taking up his residence here, has been such as to commend him to the large body of citizens. As man¬ ager of the New Business Department of the City Light and Traction Com¬ pany, his position in the commercial life of Sedalia is a leading and influ¬ ential one ; his activities in behalf of his home city have been unselfish and devoted to its progress along the better lines of development.

W. B. Malone was born in Beloit, Wisconsin, July 2, 1886. He is the son of Judge Booth M. Malone, a prominent jurist of Denver, Colorado. Judge Malone is a native of Mississippi and in his younger days cast his lot with the Western metropolis and has risen to a high position in the legal fraternity of the West. He has served both as district attorney and as district judge in Denver and has filled the positions with ability and distinction. His wife was Alma Bennett, prior to her marriage. She was a native of Beloit, Wisconsin, and departed this life in May, 1918. To Judge Booth M. and Alma Bennett Malone were born children as follows : Mrs. E. E. Lochridge, Springfield, Massachusetts; Mrs. E. G. Gaylord, Chicopee, Massachusetts; Mrs. Paul R. Jones, New York City, and William Bennett, subject of this review.

When W. B. Malone was six years of age his parents removed from Beloit, Wisconsin, to Denver, Colorado. He received his early education in the public and high schools of Denver and studied for two years in Beloit College at Beloit, Wisconsin. He then entered Yale University where he pursued a scientific course, graduating therefrom in 1909. He returned to Denver, after his graduation and for the ensuing three years was in the employ of the Knight-Campbell Music Company as manager of the collection and credit departments. Resigning this position in 1912, he located in Montgomery, Alabama, with the Montgomery Light and Water Power Company, owned by the Doherty interests. In January, 1914, he was transferred to Sedalia in charge of the New Business Department of the Doherty Company in this city.

Goldsmith, of Wheaton, Illinois, a daughter of Alfred G. and Ada Rowell Goldsmith, well-known residents of Wheaton, Illinois. One son has been born of this marriage, Booth Goldsmith Malone, born February 23, 1918.

Mr. Malone is a member of the Broadway Presbyterian Church. He is also an active Mason being eminent commander at St. Omar Commandary No. 11 of Sedalia for the year 1919. Mr. Malone is a Shriner also, havingbeen made a Noble of Ararat Temple, Kansas City, in May. 1915. October 1, 1917, Mr. Malone was elected president of the Sedalia Chamber of Com¬ merce, an aggressive body of Sedalia business and professional men. He was very successful in directing the organization during that year and greatly developed and broadened its activity and influence. In October, 1918, he was re-elected to serve a second term as president of the organiza¬ tion.

In all war activities during 1917 and 1918 Mr. Malone took an active and prominent part. He was chairman of the Sub-Regional District, com¬ prising the nine adjacent counties under the Federal War Resources Com¬ mittee. As County Director of Publicity of practically every campaign, or drive, he helped to make the fine record established by Pettis County by the fullness of its response to every call of the Government in the prosecu¬ tion of the war.

John D. Bohling, member of the widely known law firm of Lamm, Bohling & Lamm, Sedalia, Missouri, is a native son of Missouri. He was bom on a farm in Morgan County, Missouri, September 30, 1857, and is a son of Cord and Anna (Benke) Bohling, both of whom were natives of Germany. Cord Bohling was born in Germany in 1823, reared in his native country and there married. He immigrated to America in 1848, and settled in Morgan County, where he became a well-to-do tiller of the soil. He showed his love for his adopted country by enlisting in the Union army during the Civil War, and the severity of the exposure and the privations which he was compelled to undergo in the service were such that he was invalided home and died September 20, 1862. His wife sur¬ vived him many years and reared the family, dying in 1896, at the age of seventy-one years. The remains of Mr. and Mrs. Bohling are interred in the Henkin Cemetery, in Morgan County. There were six children bom to Cord and Anna Bohling, as follow: Sophia, died in infancy; Dr. Henry Bohling, died at the age of thirty-four years, near Stover, Missouri ; Her¬ man Bohling, farmer, Stover, Missouri; John D., subject of this review; Louis Bohling, a retired fanner, Stover, Missouri; Dr. Cord Bohling. Sedalia, Missouri.