Shelby County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1911 (part 1 of 16)

Biographical sketches

I The late Dr. Philip Demmitt, whose death on November 23, 1898, at the age of seventy-one years cast a shadow over all of Shelby and the adjoining counties of this state, was one of the leadingphysicians and surgeons in this portion of the country, and also one of the most extensive and progressive farmers Shelby county has ever known and one of its most prominent and influential citizens, giving close and intelligent attention to public affairs and rendering the general public excellent service in various ways besides the advantages they derived from his professional work and his farming operations.

Dr. Dimmitt was born in Washington county, Kentucky, on December 11, 1824, and was a son of Judge Walter B. and Louisa (Hughes) Dimmitt, also Kentuckians by birth, the father having been, like the son, a native of Washington county. He was, however, reared and educated at Harrodsburg, in the adjoining county of Mercer, and for a time was assistant county clerk of that county, ater he returned to Washington county and served as sheriff there. In 1829 he moved his family to what is now Marion county, Missouri, arriving in this state and that portion of it before the government surveys were made. He made a wise selection of his location and preempted a large body of land, "on which he carried on extensively as a planter and general farmer. He also rose to prominence and influence in local affairs, served as county judge for a number of years, and was everywhere regarded as one of the most public-spirited and representative citizens of the section of the state in which he lived. His death occurred in 1849, and that of his widow, whom he married in Kentucky, in 1872.

The Dimmitt family was of French origin. Its progenitors in the United States came to this country at an early day and took up their residence in Marylaud. But the spirit of adventure and desire for better conditions in life and opportunity that brought them across the Atlantic led them to leave the older and more settled part of the country and seek a new home in Kentucky when that now great and progressive state was a part of our expansive frontier, and to brave the hazards and privations of pioneer life. The same spirit impelled the Doctor's parents to come to Missouri when it, too, was on the frontier, and repeat on its soil the performances and acliievemeuts of their forefathers on that of Kentucky.

members of the family in the New World, began his scholastic training in the primitive comitry schools of his boyhood and youth and completed it at Marion College. At the age of twentyone he began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. J. H. Kibby, of Palmyra, Missouri. After a sufficient preparatory course of reading he entered Missouri Medical College, and from that institution he was graduated in 1849. But he was not satisfied with his professional acquirements, even as a beginner, and after a practice covering a number of months he matriculated at the St. Louis Medical College, where he pursued a more extended course and from which he was graduated in 1852. During the next four years he practiced his profession at Monticello, in Lewis county. In 1856 he changed this to BoonvUle, Cooper county, where he remained four years.

But in the meantime he visited Shelby county in 1860 and bought a farm four miles northeast of Shelby^ulle, which became his final home and from it as a center he conducted a very active and extensive practice for a period of fourteen years in addition to farming on a very extensive scale. At the time alluded to the Doctor owned a number of slaves, and as he would neither sell nor hire any of them to other persons, he was obliged to keep them employed himself and he added to his lauded estate until at one ])eriod he and his sons fanned over 1,400 acres of land, and he was one of the busiest, most extensive and most successful cattle feeders in Shelby county, and by his progressive methods one of the most valued contributors to raising the standard of live stock in this portion of the state.

Still, large and exacting as were his farming and stock operations, they did not curtail his professional activity. He was universally considered the leading physician of Shelby county while he remained in active practice, which he did until he reached the age of fifty years, retiring in 1874. In that year he founded the Shelby County Savings Bank and became its cashier. Some years later this institution was converted into the private banking house of Cooper & Dimmitt, and as such it continued in business and flourished many years. For data concerning this banking institution see sketch of J. T. Cooper on another page of this volume.

On January .31, 1850, Dr. Dinuuitt was united in marriage with Mrs. C. F. (Agee) Henderson, the widow of Addison J. Henderson, and at the time of her marriage to the Doctor only twenty-two years old. They became the parents of six children, all of whom are living: Walter A., a leading farmer of this county, a sketch of whom will be found in this work; Frank, who is president of the Old Bank of Shelbina, and whose life story is also recorded in this volmne; Marvin, a banker in Chirence, this county; Prince, the president of The Bank of Shelbyville, an account of whose useful life adds to the interest and value of this history; Pope, who is a i-esident of the city of St. Louis ; and Lee, whose home is in Shelby county.

The mother of these children died on July 6, 1893, and the father, as has been stated, on November 23, 1898. He was united in a second marriage with Mrs.

Hattie Hillias, the ceremony being performed in 1897. She is still living. The Doctor's tirst wife was regarded as one of the most estimable ladies in the county. In fraternal life the Doctor was a Freemason and active in the order for a long time. Ilis religions affiliation was with the Methodist Episcopal ehnreh, South, and in its affairs he also took a zealous and serviceable part. In all the relations of life he was worthy and fully entitled to the high rank he held in tlie regard of the jieople as a man and citizen. In his profession he was highly cultivated and exhibited great practical skill. In business he was upright, conscientious and jirogressive, and in connection with public affairs and the general welfare of the people he was one of the most enterprising and far-seeing, as well as one of the most helpful and inspiring men in the community.

William H. Waeren

The late William H. Warren, who passed the greater part of his life of seventy-two years in this state and much of it in Shelby county, and whose death on September 7, 1898, was universally de- ]ilored, was one of the leading and most representative citizens of the state. He was prominent in business and social circles, dignified and adorned domestic life by the ]iractice of every manly virtue and took an active and heli)ful ]iart in building up and improving the city of his home.

^Ir. Warren was a native of Kentucky, born in the famous county of Bourbon on July 23, 1827. He was a son of William and Charlotte (Harrington) Warren. Thev were born and reared in Kentucky. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom are living. These are : Amanda, the wife of W. P. Sidner, of Clarence, this county; Nan, the wife of James Combs, of Los Angeles, California ; Georgiana, the wife of S. A. Sparks, of Blackwell, Oklahoma; and Sallie, the wife of J. T. Smith, of Monroe county, Missouri. In politics the father was a Democrat and in church affiliation a Baptist. He moved to Kentucky with his parents in his childhood and to Missouri in his early manhood. In this state he was profitably engaged in farming and raising live stock in Monroe and Marion counties until his death in 1872.

AVilliam H. Warren grew to manhood on his father's farm in Monroe county and ol)tained his education in the public schools near his home. The period of his childhood and youth was one of hardship, ])rivation and toil, for the country in which he was reared was still wild and imdeveloped, and to bring it to jiroductiveness and civilization required the energies of all who lived in it. His op- ]iortimities for schooling were therefore very limited and embraced in their scope only the rudimental l)ranches of scholastic training. But the i)urpose of Nature seemed to be to breed in our Western wilds a race of men rather than scholars, and fit it for conquest over the wide domain of fertility through which the savage denizens of the plain and forest were still roaming. And in doing this she was ]3reparing the children of her seeming neglect, but real providence and care, for any duty that might subsequently devolve ujion them. The demands of the time were for men of ca]:)acity in useful, in-actical affairs, and accordingly, after leaving school, Mr. Warren learned the carpenter trade, and for a number of years worked at it steadily. In this wa\ he acquired a warm and serviceable interest in the welfare of the people which he exhibited throughout all his later occupations.

Soon after he reached his maturity the voice of trade was heard loudly calling for recruits in the land and he hearkened to the call. He turned his attention to extensive dealing in tobacco and followed that for a period of sixteen years. He then became a lumber merchant, and during the next fifteen years devoted his energies and broadening capacities to supplying the needs of the people in materials for homes and the im})rovements they necessitated. When the hour was ripe for more extensive financial facilities, he became one of the founders of the Old Bank of Shelbina, with which he was connected until his death, giving it excellent service for a number of years as president and general director of its affairs.

He served three years in the Confederate army during the Civil war, being under the command of General Price, and participated in a number of important and sanguinary battles, from all of which he escaped without disaster, except, of course, the hardships and privations incident to the service.

In ]iolitics Mr. Warren was a life-long and consistent Democrat, and although he never held or sought public office for himself, his interest in the welfare of his state and country never faltered or was abated for a day of his long and useful life. Ho belonged to the Order of Odd Fellows and was a member of the Baptist church. On October 17, 1870, he united in marriage with ]\Iiss Lucy Lewis, of Monroe county, in this state. They had no childi-en, but reared the daughter of Patrick List, of Shelbina, whom they took into their home as an adopted child when she was four years old. In 1893 she was married to Senator George W. Humphrey, a brief account of whose life appears in this volume.

Mr. Warren died on September 7, 1898, full of years and of honor. His career was creditable to the citizenship of the count}'. His life was useful among its people. His example of upright and productive manhood had produced and is still producing good results in the activities of those who followed it, and when he passed away there was universal sorrow throughout his own and the adjoining counties. During all the years of his manhood he was a hard worker and a judicious and frugal man, and when he died he left a considerable estate for the enjoyment of his widow, who had helped him to win it. She is still living and has her home in Shelbina, where she is held in the highest esteem. She is now sixtyfour years old, but still hale, vigorous and active, and she exemplifies now, in her devotion to every worthy undertaking for the good of those who live around her the spirit of enter]:)rise and progress which has governed her through life, in this way keeping alive, in the most practical way, the memory of her esteemed husband and doing well her part as a useful member of society.

William W. Morgan

AVilliam W. Morgan is a member of a family well known and held in the highest esteem in Shelbina, M-here he was born on January 23, 1861. His ]-)arents were David and Mary E. (Williams) Morgan, the latter of whom is still living and has her home with him. A sketch of the life of the father will be found elsewhere in this work.

AVilliam grew to manhood in Shelbina and obtained his education in its schools, beginning it in the great university of the people, the district schools, and completing it at the Shelbina Collegiate Institute. After leaving school he went into business with his father, aiding him in conducting an extensive enterprise in the manufacture of wagons and dealings in vehicles of all kinds and general farming implements. He is still engaged in the same line of endeavor and doing well at the undertaking, having his brother, James H. Morgan, an account of whose life will be found elsewhere in this volume, associated with him. A\nien the partnership was formed the father was living and the firm name was D. Morgan & Sons. Although the father has been dead a number of years the sons still adhere to this name and do their trading under it.

Mr. Morgan has been very successful in business and has also risen to prominence in the public life of the community. He served six years as city clerk of Shelbina, giving the duties of the office careful attention and satisfying all classes of the people by his administration of it. In politics he is a pronounced and imwavering Democrat, active and zealous in the service of his ]iarty and enjoying the full confidence of its leaders and also of the rank and file. His church affiliation is with the Baptists, and fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order.

David Morgan, Jr

This gentleman is a worthy follower of his well known and highly esteemed father, the late David Morgan, of Shelbina, a brief account of whose useful life will be found elsewhere in this work. The younger David Morgan, who is the immediate subject of these paragraphs, was born at Shelbina on April 24, 1871. He grew to manliood in his father's home and was educated in the public schools of the village of his nativity and at Shelbina Collegiate Institute. After leaving the institute he pursued a special course of business training at the Southwestern Business College of Wichita, Kansas.

When he was twenty-two years of age he took up liis residence in Monroe county, this state, where for nine years he was actively and prosperously engaged in farming. He then moved to Shelbina and began operations as a real estate dealer, a line of business in which he is still engaged. He is also interested in the manufacture of concrete blocks for building, paving and other work of construction. In all his undertakings he has been eminently successful, rising to the first rank among the business men of Sbolbina and winning a wide and lasting popularity as a citizen.

Like his father and brothers, Mr. Morgan adheres to the Democratic party in politics and gives it his earnest support at all times. He is a member of the Christian church and belongs to the Order of Knights of Pythias. On January 23, 1893, he was married to Miss Clara Pearl Sears, a native of Monroe county, in this state. They have had seven children, all of whom are living. They are

Lucille Marie, Gladys Pearl, David Sears, Tbelma Xadine, Joseph "William Chilton, John Lyell and Anna Marian. The father is a very active man in behalf of the Tvelfare of the community and waraily supports every enterprise for its promotion.

James H. Moegan

Worthy son of a worthy sire, and true to the teaching and examples given him at the parental fireside, James H. Morgan is justly accounted one of the leading business men and best citizens of Sbelbina. He was born in that town on September 24, 1862, a son of the late David ^lorgan and brother of John R. Morgan, in a sketch of whom on another page of this volume a brief account of the father's life is given.

James H. Morgan grew to manhood and obtained his education in Shelbina, and after leaving school learned his trade as a blacksmith under the tuition of his father. In 1885 he and his brother AVilliam entered into partnership with their father under the iirm name of David ^lorgan & Sons, and together they conducted a flourishing business in manufacturing wagons and dealing in road vehicles of various kinds and farming implements of all kinds. The sons are still carrj'ing on the business under the old firm name, and their enterprise is one of the leaders of the kind in this part of the state. Their operations are extensive and profitable, and they give the business their whole attention, using every means at their command to expand their trade and fully satisfy their ]iatrons.

^fr. ^Morgan takes an active and intelligent interest in public affairs, ardently supporting the principles and candidates of the Democratic party. He is an Odd Fellow in fraternal relations, and a ver\' active and useful man in promoting all that makes for the betterment of the commimity, or contributes to the comfort or convenience of its people. He was married in ^lonroe county on Se])tember 11, 1894, to Miss Jennie Threlkeld, who was born and reared in this state. They have two children, their sons Harold and Clarence. Their home is a center of social culture and generous and grateful hospitality.

Avade Hampton Jones

This prominent and successful citizen and business man of Shelbina is a native of Missouri, and in several towns in the state has exemplified the lofty attributes of citizenship for which its people are noted. He was born at Humphreys, in Sullivan county, on Xovemlier 7, 1879, and is a son of Augustin and Rachel T. (Haley) Jones, both born and reared in this state. His grandfather, Gabriel Jones, was born in Virginia, and in 1831 came to Monroe county, ^lissouri, securing a farm near Clinton, where he was extensively engaged in farming and tobacco growing. During the war he recruited a company in Sullivan county, where he moved in 1840, for the Union army, but did not enter the service himself. He died in 1888 in Sullivan county.

The father of Wade H. Jones was for three years a merchant at Humphreys, and later gave his attention to farming and raising live stock on a large scale. He is now retired from active pursuits and living in jieace and the enjoyment of a high and wide spread reputation for all that is worthy and commendable in manhood and eitizeuship at Shelbina. He no longer works as he did with vigor and unceasing industry for many years, but still retains his interest in his farm and live stock industry.

In 1869 he was united in marriage with Miss Rachel T. Haley, who was, like himself, a native of Missouri. They liad .six children, five of whom are living: Gabriel, a resident of Denver, Colorado ; Charles A., who lives in Hmnphreys; AVilliam T., one of the prominent citizens of St. Louis; Susan A., the wife of J. H. "Wood, of Shelbina, a sketch of whose life will be found in this work, and Wade H. Although he is known to the 2ieople of the present day mainly as a man of peace and productive industry, he did not shirk what he conceived to be his duty when the political principles in which he believed were assailed with force and arms. "When the Civil war began to drench this unhappy country in fraternal blood he gave practical illustration to his faith by enlisting in the "Union army in 1861, in Company C, 18th Missouri Volunteer Infantry and preparing to offer up his life, if necessary, on the altar of his convictions. His sei'vice in the field of carnage was, however, soon ended. In the first year of the war he was so seriously injured that he was compelled to retire from the service and he was never thereafter able to resume his military post. He thereupon returned to his fai-m and stock breeding enterprise, and to them he devoted all the remaining years of his activity. He has been a lifelong Democrat in politics, a Freemason of many years standing in fraternal life and a zealous member of the Christian church in religious affiliation. He was a gentleman of great energy and activity during his years of business enterprise and very successful in everything he undertook.

His son, "Wade Hampton Jones, who was named in honor of the distinguished South Carolina cavalry leader in the Civil war who conducted, at Gettj^sburg, one of the most daring charges in all military history, was reared on the paternal homestead and obtained his education in the public schools, at the college at Humphreys and at the University of Missouri located at Columbia. After leaving the university he entered the banking business at Humphreys, where he remained a few years in successful use of his faculties according to his bent. In 1906 he moved to Gait, in Grundy county, and became cashier of the Gait State Bank in which he had acquired an interest. A few years later he sold his interests in the bank of Gait and bought one in the Shelbina National Bank, of Shelbina, Missouri. He became at once a director of this bank and accepted the position of cashier, which he filled with great credit to himself and satisfaction to the other ofificers and the patrons of the bank until the spring of 1910. He is also treasurer of the Jones Farming Company of Humphreys, which belongs to his father.

In political faith Mr. Jones is an ardent ^nd active Democrat. He has never yet sought office for himself, but has always taken a deep and helpful interest in the affairs of his party. In religious connection he is a memlier of the Christian church and in fraternal life

On August 28 he was joined in marriage with Miss Fay Hanly, a native of Missouri, who presides over their beautiful home in Shelbina with a grace and dignity which makes it one of the favorite social resorts of the town and gives it a wide renown and excellent reputation for refined and gracious hosiiitality. Mr. Jones is at this time (1911) but thirty-two years of age, and he has already risen to the iirst rank in the business life of the community. He is energetic, healthy, and wideawake. His alertness of vision and quickness of response leaves no opportunity unused for his advancement, and if a judgment can be predicated on his past with reference to his future, he is destined to become one of the leading and most substantial citizens of the county. All who know him look forward to a bright and useful career for him in the years to come, and all wish him success in every undertaking, for he is universally esteemed. He is at present engaged in wheat growing near Milford, Canada, having a section of land all under cultivation.

William A. Keid

Coming to Shelbina when it was only a country railroad station on the prairie, and spending thirty-two years of his useful life in helping to develop its latent resources, which bis penetrating eye enabled him to see and his business capacity enabled him to use for his own advantage and that of the people who followed his lead into this locality, tlie late William A. Reid was a potent factor in pushing foi-ward the progress and improvement of this jjortiou of the state of Missouri, and through his worth, enterprise and public services became one of its leading and most resj^ected citizens. He has left behind him a memory that everybody reveres and a record of fruitful work that all classes of the people are justly proud of.

The Old Dominion claims him as one of her native sons, he having been born in Rappahannock county, Virginia, on January 24-, 1829, the son of Alfred and Patsy (Rector) Reid, prosperous planters of that county, and held in the highest esteem by its people. His father was a farmer and passed his life in Virginia. He was the only son in a family of twenty-five children and he and his wife died in Fauquier county, Virginia.

The educational facilities surrounding Mr. Reid in his boyhood and youth were neither extensive nor advanced. His education in books was therefore limited and confined to the rudiments of scholastic acquirements. At the age of fifteen years he began the battle of life for himself as a clerk in a general store at Rectortown, in his native county, and there he remained until 1858, when he came to this countj' and located at what is now the city of Shelbina. Everything in the neighborhood in the way of development was but begim, but to his prophetic vision the region possessed great possibilities, and to bringing them into notice and service he sedulously devoted all his energies. He opened a general store in a small frame building on the north side of the railroad track, on a capital of $1,200. His beginning in business was on a small scale, and his progress for a time was slow and bv short advances.

William A. Reid

He had all the iucouvenieaces and difficulties of a new country remote from business centers and sources of supply to contend with, and these were often magnified by climatic conditions and other elements of obstruction.

But the man with whom Fortune Beemed to be toying, and at times trifling, was of a heroic mold and had great tenacity of purpose. He was also prudent and frugal, and knew how to manage his affairs so as to make every dollar of his capital and every day of his labor count to his advantage, until the time of his death, which occurred on April 29, 1890. Within three years after he opened his store and began his business career in this county, the Civil war broke out and placed the whole of this part of tiie country in a condition of great disturbance and uncertainty. Mr. Eeid, however, continued his business operations, in spite of the difficulties and dangers of the situation, and kept on triumphing in the very face of a fate that seemed adverse to his welfare.

Many times he was obliged to remove his stock and other valuables from place to place, and on one occasion took all he had to Quincy, Illinois. TMien Anderson raided the town in one of his forays Mr. Reid's store was one of the first to be plundered by the raiders, and he suffered heavily by their depredations. The disaster did not daunt him. He at once restocked his store and went on with his business. At various times during his mercantile operations in Shelbina he had his brother, Oscar Eeid, George T. Hill and P. H. List associated with him, but during the greater jiart of the time he was alone in business.

he always manifested the deepest and most serviceable interest in its welfare and the comfort and benefit of its people. He secured for the community its first postoffice and acted as postmaster from the opening of the office until the inauguration of President Lincoln in 1861. In 1866 his store, along with the greater part of the town, was destroyed by fire. He immediately rebuilt his store, putting up a modern brick building, which was about the first erected in the place, and is still one of its most substantial brick business structures.

After sixteen years of great activity and zeal in merchandising he grew tired of that line of business and sold his store in 187-1:. He then turned his attention to banking in partnership with Daniel Taylor under the firm name of Reid & Taylor. They were very successful and a few years after opening their bankinghouse merged the institution into a state bank. This also flourished and enjoj^ed the confidence of the whole county. This bank is now known as "The Old Bank of Shelbina", Mr. Reid being president of it at the time of his death. Mr. Reid was a careful and judicious investor as well as a wide-awake and progressive business man.

He was one of the few men who in making money never accjuired a love for it for its mere possession. Nothing escaped him in the way of a business opportunity, but he was as free in opening his hand for benevolent and other worthy purposes as he was alert and firm in closing it on a profitable business deal. He was at all times throughout his life warmly, sincerely and ]iractically interested in church work, and never withheld his help from any commendable un- dertaking- in this line of endeavor. Tlie first religious services ever held in Shelbina were conducted in his store, and he also originated the first Sunday school in the town and for many years served as its superintendent. The First Southern Methodist Episcopal church in the community was indebted almost wholly to him for its existence and the edifice in which the congregation worshiped. But he was far from being sectarian in his devotion to religious institutions. He aided generously all church organi zations in the city and county, no matter what denomination they belonged to.

On April 22, 1862, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Minter, a daughter of Dr. Antony and Jane (Bybe) Minter. Eight children were born of the union, five of whom are living: Jessie, now Mrs. A. R. Wherritt, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri; Lena, now Mrs. George H. Mansfield, of New Jersey; Margaret, still at home; Victor M., a leading business man of Shelbina ; Clifford L., engaged in business at Shelbina.

Mrs. Eeid, the mother of these children, is still living in Shelbina, where she continues, as far as possible, the church and charitable work begun by her husband, and where she enjoys the confidence, esteem and admiring regard of all the people. Her husband had the happy faculty of making his business highly successful without exciting the envy or ill will of his fellow men. And she has tlio o(|ually valuable gift of doing good witliout ostentation or having the loftiness of her motives called in question. Husband and wife are firmly enshrined in the regard and good will of the iieople as leading citizens of the

Albert F. Huggins

A valiant soldier during the Civil war, the marks of whose cruelty he still bears, an industrious potter for many years in Illinois and this state, and an active and successful politician, Albert F. Huggins, of Shelbina, has borne a faithful and serviceable part in many lines of endeavor and has won high and well deserved credit for himself in all. Yet, notwithstanding the adventures he has had, the sufferings he has undergone and the success he has won, he bears his excellent reputation modestly and claims no credit for himself beyond that of having performed with fidelity everj^ duty that has been assigned to him.

yir. Huggins was born in Parke county, Indiana, on February 3, 1843, and is a son of David F. and Nancy J. (Clendening) Huggins, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of North Carolina. The father obtained a district school education and worked at his trade as a potter to the end of his life. In 1852 lie moved from Indiana to Illinois, where he remained and kept his family until 1869. In that year he came to Missouri and located in Shelby county, taking up his residence at Lakenan. In that village he built a pottery which he conducted until he was killed in 1902. He was married to Miss Nancy J. Clendening, who was born and reared in North Carolina. They had six cliildren, three of whom are living: A. F. Huggins, of Shell)ina, the immediate subject of this brief memoir; Elizabeth, the wife of C. H. Ayers, of Lakenan ; and H. D. Huggins, a prominent resident of

His son, Albert F. Hug gins, was reared by the parental fireside and secured his education in the public schools, attending them in "Winchester, Illinois. Immediately upon leaving school he enlisted in the Union army as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Twentyninth Illinois Infantry, and was soon afterward at the front battling for the salvation of his country from dismemberment. He remained in the army three years, taking part in the spectacular march of General Sherman's command from Atlanta to the sea. At the battle of Resaea, Georgia, he received a severe wound and was taken from the battlefield to the field hospital at Chattanooga. From there he was transferred soon afterward to Nashville, and then to Louisville, and a little later to Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis, Missouri. But wounded and suffering though he was, he was not allowed to remain at this fourth halting place. He was taken to Camp Butler at Springfield, Illinois, from there to Quiney in the same state, and then to Chicago, where he was soon afterward transferred to the invalid corps, which was the Second battalion of the Veteran Reserve corps. He remained in Chicago many months, and was there when tlie remains of President Lincoln were brought to the city in 1865, a short time before his honorable discharge from military service, and his return to the pursuits of peaceful industry.

whole family moved to Missouri. For twenty years after that he was occupied in the manufacture of pottery at Lakenan, this coimty, iu association with his father. In 1890 he was appointed postmaster of Shelbiua by President Harrison, a position to which he was again appointed by President McKinley, and which he lost during the first term of President Roosevelt because of factional difficulties in the party. But he was once more appointed in President Roosevelt's second term, and is still filling the office.

Throughout the whole of his manhood Huggius has been a Republican in l^olitical faith and very active in the service of his party. He has at all times been a wheelhorse in the local party campaigns and has held many offices in county and state conventions. In fraternal life he is a Freemason of the Knights Templar and 32nd degree, an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias. He was married on February 2, 1870, to Miss Mary A. Ayers, of Whitehall, Illinois. They became the parents of four children, three of whom are living, as follows: Richard, a resident of Shelbina; Allie, who lives in St. Louis ; and Eva M., who is now Mrs. Shell D. Erwin, of Le Grande, Oregon.

Mr. Huggins has tlie esteem and good will of all who know him. He is regarded as an excellent citizen, a useful factor in the development and improvement of the community in which he lives, and a valuable addition to any social circle with which he mingles. No resident of Shelbina has a better reputation or a wider circle of admiring friends; and none is more deserving of the esteem of the people.

Dr. Jacob D. Smith

Doubly orphaned by the death of both his parents when he was but four years of age, Dr. Jacob D. Smith, of Shelbina, has largely been the architect of his own fortunes. His success in his profession proves that he has builded well and the universal esteem in which he is held establishes the fact that his life has been useful to others as well as profitable to himself.

Dr. Smith was born at Hannibal, ^Missouri, on January 25, 1849. His parents, Colombus and Maiy Smith, were natives of Kentucky but removed to Marion county, Missouri, in about 1838 or 1839. He was reared in the home of his imcle, Daniel Harris, of Quincy, Illinois, and was given every care and attention it was possible for a child to receive. He obtained his academic training by attending Soule's Academy and passing one year at the Quincy College. He began the study of medicine by private reading under the direction of a good physician and then attended Eush Medical College in Chicago, from whicli he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1870.

The doctor began his practice in Slielbyville in September, 1871, and remained there two years. In 1873 he moved to Shelbina and formed a partnership with Dr. E. N. Gerard, which continued about three years. Since its dissolution in 1876 he has been constantly in active general practice for himself, rising steadily in the confidence and esteem of the people and his ]irofpssional In-ethren, and building u]) au excellent reputation as a i)hysician and as a citizen of worth and great usefulness.

The life of a country physician in a new territory is necessarily one of privation and self-sacrifice. He belongs wholly to the public, and his services are in continual demand. The population is scattered and the calls cover many miles of travel eveiy day, often continuing into or even through the night. Leisure for rest, for recreation, for enjoyment, even for more advanced study in his work, is often totally denied him, or can be snatched only in fragments from more immediate and exacting claims upon his time and energies. Thus his life becomes a continual round of toil and selfimmolation on the altar of the public need and the general good of the community in which he lives and operates.

The experience was altogether a new one for Dr. Smith. From his childhood he had not been obliged to forego his own wishes for the comfort or welfare of others. But he accordingly accepted his daily consecration to the requirements of his fellows as a part of his destiny, and concerned himself mainly in discharging with fidelity and all the skill he could command the duties which were bofore him. This has been his habit and he has won the regard and good will of the whole county thereby. His practice is a large one and his patrons are representative in character and standing. He has also kept pace with the advance of his profession and is abreast with its latest thought and discovery. For even though a very busy man for many years, he has also been a studious one, and is well informed on all branches of his work, having taken post-graduate lee-

Socially he is agreeable and obliging, and this is an additional equipment for success in his practice and popularity among the people. He is a member of both county and state medical societies and holds membership in the National Medical Association. The doctor is local surgeon for the Burlington railroad and enjoys a wide acquaintance in Northern Missouri.

On February 20, 1873, he was married to Miss Ida M. Myers, of Palmyra, Missouri. The six children who have blessed and brightened their household are all living. They are: Mark H., a resident of Brookfield, ^Missouri; Madge G., the wife of B. T. AVillis, of Clarence, this state; Julia C, the widow of Dr. J. C. Settles, of Arkadelphia, Arkansas ; Bessie B., the wife of E. W. Jewett, of Shelbina ; Effie D. and Jo. The doctor is a Democrat in politics, a Baptist in religious faith and a Knight of Pythias in fraternal life.

Dr. Thomas W. Lyell, who is one of the leading dentists in Northern Missouri, is a scion of a distinguished family. He is a son of the late Thomas P. Lyell, a prominent citizen of this county, a brief account of whose useful and ins])iring life will be found in the biography of John R. Lyell, another son of the same household and a brother of the doctor. In his professional work and ]>rivate life the doctor worthily sustains the reputation of the family for intellectual supremacy, moral excellence and liigh-toned citizenship, with a progressive spirit that renders good service wherever the enduring welfare of the community is involved.

Dr. Lyell was born in Shelby county on October 18, 1871. When he was twelve years of age the family moved to Shelbina, and here he has ever since resided except during his absence at school. He began his academic training in the public schools of the town and the locality of his earlier home, and completed it at Central College, in Fayette, Missouri. In 1893 he began the study of dentistry, finding in it agreeable occupation for his faculties at the start and pursuing it with a diligence and interest which have never flagged. He was graduated from the Western Dental College in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1896, and at once entered upon the practice of his profession at Shelbina, where he is still actively engaged in it.

The science of dentistry is a progressive one and requires close and continued study to keep pace with its rapid advancement. Dr. Lyell has been all that the case requires in this respect and is well up in all departments of his work. He is master of the theories on which the science is based and has been developed, and is also a skillful, ready and resourceful practitioner. All that is latest and best in dentistry he has literally at his lingers' ends, his primary ambitions being to give his patrons the best ]iossible returns for the money they pay him and make himself a complete and unquestioned master of his business.

Although he is wedded to his professional work and makes it his chief concern, Dr. Lyell finds time to carefully consider and actively aid in promoting the general weal of the community. He is zealous in the support of every commeudable undertaking for the advancement and improvement of the city and county of his home, and deeply and intelligently interested in the public affairs of the state and the country. In political faith and allegiance he is a firm and faithful Democrat, giving his party and its candidates effective support altliough seeking none of the honors or emohunents of office for himself. Having interests in several farms in the county to the cultivation of which he gives a share of his personal attention, he is also useful in heljiing the agricultural interests of this portion of the state to higher and better development. His social rank in the community is among the highest, and his attention to social matters gives them tone and intensity of life, while his genial and captivating personality renders him a favorite in any cii-cles of which he is a part. His religious affiliation is with the M. E. Church South and his fraternal connection with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America.

On October 1, 1896, he united in marriage with Miss Mary Wilson, who was born and reared in this state. She presides over their ]ileasant home with grace and dignity, making it a favorite resort for their hosts of friends, who find it a center of social and intellectual culture and a summer region of refined and generous hospitality.

l^rofession, is a native of this state and wholly a product of its institutions, having never lived out of it except when he was attending the dental college in preparation for his life work. He was born in Randolph county on September 8, 1877, and is a son of John S. and Elmyra V. (Hutton) Daniel, the former born in Kentucky in 1831 and the latter a native of Missouri. They were married in 1869 and became the parents of seven children, all of whom are living. They are : Eolla E., a resident of this county; Elizabeth, wife of A. W. Meadows, of Clarence; Edgar J., also a resident of Clarence; William 0., of Clarence, and Josephus, of Shelbina, twin brothers; Iva M., wife of Dr. Maddox, of Middlegrove, Monroe county; and Ora M., whose home is in Shelby county.

When the father was eighteen years old the siren voice of California was filling the world with its golden music, and he, like many another adventurous spirit, was lured by it to the distant Pacific slope, joining the hardy and hopeful band of argonauts who have passed into history as "the Forty-Niners," and whose daring journey across the trackless plains of our then unknown western world has taken its ]3lace high among the romantic and heroic episodes of all our history. The success Mr. Daniel achieved in the new eldorado has not been made a part of the record, but it was not enough to induce him to remain in the mining regions. He returned to his Randolph county farm in due season and in 1884 moved to this county, where he has ever since remained and devoted his energies to advanced and profitable farming and stock raising on an extensive scale. He was the first man in Shelby county to handle mules in his farming operations, and through his example and success with them their use soon became general. He is not now actively engaged in farming, but is taking for the remainder of his days a needed and wellearned rest, living quietly amid the substantial comforts of the home he has created and happy in the general regard and good will of his fellowmen. In yiolitics he has been a life-long Democrat, active in the service of his party and firmly holditg on to its principles in spite of all new theories of government, heresies of politicians and vagaries of ])ublic sentiment. His religious connection is with the sect known as the Christians, with whom he has been long and faithfully affiliated.

Dr. Joseph A. Daniel grew to manhood on his father's farm and was educated in the public schools of Shelby county as a preparation for higher training, and this he obtained in a two years' course at the State Normal School at Kirksville. After leaving that institution he taught school in this county two years. In 1902 he entered the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, from which he was graduated in 1905. He began practicing the same summer at Shelbina as a ]>artner of Dr. Thomas W. Lyell, and from then until now he has devoted himself wholly to his ])rofession. He has been very successful and is regarded as one of the leading dentists of this portion of Missouri. By close study and -judicious reflection he keeps in touch with all that is progressive and advanced in the profession, and his patrons can always rely on getting from him the best service which the science of dentistry administered by skillful practice can give. He adheres to the Democratic party in politics and belongs to the Christian church in religious association. On June 9, 1909, he was married to Miss Anna Blakey of Boulder, Colorado. The doctor stands well in the community and is deserving of the general esteem he enjoys among all classes of the people.

James F. Allgaiee

This prominent and influential citizen of Shelbina, who is at this time (1911) the mayor of the city, is descended from good old Pennsylvania Dutch stock, and has exemplified in his career all the sturdy and sterling qualities for business pursuits and reliable citizenship which are characteristic of the people from whom he sprimg. His g r a n d f a t h e r, George Allgaier, was born and reared in the sterling and substantial old city of Eeading, Pennsylvania, and in his early manhood moved into what was then the wilderness of Kentucky, locating near what is now the city of Georgetown in that progressive and flourishing commonwealth.

In that vicinity Mr. Allgaier 's father, Michael S. Allgaier, was born on January 1, 1828, and there he grew to manhood and obtained such schooling as the frontier was able to furnish to its hardy and self-rehant children; and later graduated from Bordstown College of Bordstown, Kentuclcy. In 1856 he did as his father had done in his early manhood, made his way into the farther "West and helped to lay the foundations of a new empire remote from the centers of popu- lation and refinement. He came to Missouri and planted his hopes in Platte county, where he carried on an extensive business as a wholesale and i-etail grocer until the beginning of the Civil war in 1861. Believing firmly as he did in the sovereignty of the states, and seeing in the political conditions of the time, as thousands besides him saw, a menace to that sovereignty, the call of the South for volunteers to defend her institutions and political jjrinciples was to him a trumpet-toned command to duty, and he at once enlisted in the Confederate army in Texas. He served in the same command throughout the war, his services being confined almost wholly within that state. He belonged to what was known as the army of "Minutemen," and was under command of General Joe Selby.

Wlien the cause he espoused went down into everlasting defeat at Appomattox, and its gory banners were forever furled from warlike strife, he returned to this state and took up his residence in Monroe county, where he turned his attention to farming. In 1869 he moved to Clinton county, and there until 1893 he was actively engaged in cultivating the soil and raising live stock. He was active in the public affairs of the county, as a good citizen always is, and in course of time was elected sheriff for three terms. His political force and capacity for official duties was so well known that he was also appointed at another time sergeant-at-arms of the Missouri house of representatives. For a number of years thereafter he lived contentedly on his Clinton county farm and gave the general public the good service as an auctioneer throughout a wide extent of the surrounding coimtry, lifting up his voice in this capacity in many counties and winning golden opinions everywhere for his excellent judgment and skill in exercising it in his public work.

In 1893 he moved to the city of St. Josejah, where he passed the remainder of his days, dying on August 2, 1908. He was twice married, first to Miss Harriet M. Anderson, a native of Kentucky, whom he espoused in about 1848. They had four children. Of these only one is living, James F. Allgaier, of Shelbina, the immediate subject of this brief review. The father's second marriage was with Miss Amanda M. Williams and occurred in May, 1859. They became the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living : Albert W., of Shelby county ; Sebastian A., of Chicago; John J., of Wichita Kansas ; Eugene A., of Buchanan county, this state ; Catherine, the wife of Daniel S. O'Haron, of Richmond, Missouri; Mary A., the wife of Richard Rigney, of Shelbina ; and Michael Owens, of Sedalia, Missouri. In politics the father lived and died a Democrat of the old school. In religious belief and training he was a Catholic. To his party and his church he was true and faithful, as he was to his family and every duty that called him to action.

James F. Allgaier was born at Georgetown, Kentucky, on September 21, 1853. When he was three years old he was brought by his parents to this state and became a resident of Platte county. He began his education in the district schools of that county, continued it in those of Monroe county and finished it in those of Clinton county. After leav- ing school he worked on his father's fann until 1881, acquiring strength of body and independence of spirit in its useful labors and from his continual communion with nature, and also the self-reliance and resourcefulness which result from conditions that recjuire every man to be ready for emergencies at a moment's notice. In 1881 he moved to this county and during the next three years followed farming and raising live stock on his own account. At the end of that period he took up his residence in Shelbina, where he clerked in a dry goods store for a short time, then engaged in the grocery trade for awhile. He grew tired of this line of merchandising and sold his business in order that he might give his attention to the drug trade.

Mr. Allgaier has been active in promoting the welfare of the town, taking a broad view of its needs and employing all his energy to aid in providing for them. His busy brain and tireless hand have lent their force to every commendable enterprise for improving the city and augmenting the comfort and convenience of its people. He has shirked no duty and gone at nothing worthj' of his attention in a half-hearted way. His value as a leading citizen is highly appreciated, and as an evidence of this fact he was elected mayor of the city in April, 1907, and is still filling the office with great credit to himself and decided benefit to the community. In jiolitics he is a Democrat, in fraternal life a Modern Woodman and in religion a Catholic.

In addition to his regular mercantile industry Mr. Allgaier is extensively engaged in feeding cattle and hogs, shipping large numbers of each to many different parts of the country. He is also a stoclvholder and director of the Old Bank of Shelbina, the oldest bank in the county. On April 19, 1881, he was married to Miss Nancy E. Gaugh, a resident of this county. She is an enthusiastic second to his own generous intellectual hospitalitj', cordially welcoming and entertaining any good suggestion, no matter where it comes from, and seeking to make the best of it for the good of the people around her. Together they interest themselves in all worthy undertakings whereby the moral, mental and social agencies of the community may be increased in usefulness, augmented in power and rendered more serviceable. They do not say or think this of themselves, and perhaps their modesty may be offended by having it said of them by others. But it is true, nevertheless, and worthy of being recorded here where the makers and builders of the community are commended according to the disposition they have shown and the work they have done.

Gen. J. William Towson

The history of Maryland is glorious in peace and war. Her Old Line batallions confronted the scarlet uniform and glittering steel of Great Britain in the Eevolution from Bunker Hill to Yorktown. In the Mexican war her gallant soldiery was conspicuous in winningsome of the most spectacular victories of that short but decisive conflict. And when the clouds of civil strife burst with destructive fury over our unhappy land in 1861, the valor of her arms and brav- ery of her sons were manifested on many a sanguinary field under both the Star Spangled Banner and the Stars and Bars. In the civic affairs of the country her statesmen have been farsighted, prudent and progressive. They stood by the Declaration of Independence with all their worldly possessions pledged to its supi)ort. It was their firm and farseeing ijolicy that gave to the country its immense public domain. And in all other public matters they have been recorded on the side of right, justice and humanitJ^

Gen. J. William Towson, the interesting subject of this brief review, is a native of Maryland, having been born in that state on March 2, 1839, near Williamsport, in Washington county. His parents were William and Louisa (Hamme) Towson, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Virginia. The father was a merchant and then a farmer and passed the whole of his life in his native state, dying in the region hallowed by his labors in 1868. He was a son of Jacob T. Towson, who also was born and reared in ^laryland, where he was an extensive landholder and planter, and also engaged extensively in merchandising, and wliere he dwelt from the beginning to the end of his life. He was a gentleman of prominence and influence in the state, widely known throughout its extent and highly esteemed by all classes of its people. He was of English ancestry but thoroughly imbued with the spirit of American institutions and devotedly loyal to them according to his predilections and training.

sketch, grew to manhood and was educated in Maryland, completing his scholastic training at schools in Baltimore. He began the battle of life for himself as a clerk in a wholesale drug store, and served in this capacity until the great Civil war called to its ranks the manhood of the country to supply two mighty armies for fraternal and sectional strife. Following his convictions he went south - purely a volunteer - willing to offer up his life on the altar of his faith in defense of them. Mr. Towson enlisted in the Confederate army, commanded by the great military chieftain, Gen. Kobert E. Lee, as a member of the renowned "Black Horse Troop" of the Fourth Virginia Cavalry. In this command he served to the end of the war, except for a period of about thirty days, when he was a prisoner, having been captured at Warrenton, Virginia, in May, 1863.

The command to which he was attached was that of Gen. Fitz Lee, one of the great fighting divisions of the Southern army that fought its most memorable conflicts between Washington and Richmond, the Confederate cajntal, battling also at Gettysburg, Sharpsburg and elsewhere. He personally participated in many memorable engagements, such as Brandy Station, Eaccoon Ford, Aldie, Hanover, Carlisle and the battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Yellow Tavern, where the superb cavalry leader, Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, fell, Travillion Station, Winchestei*, the siege of Richmond by Grant, ending in the disastrous conflict at Five Forks and the retreat of what was left of that grand annv of Robert E. Lee, known as "The

Army of Northern Virginia." to A))pomattox, where he surrendered it to Gen. Grant. The war over, he stayed in Virginia and Maryland until March, 1866.

At the time last mentioned he came to Shelbina as land agent of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad. He has ever since been actively engaged in selling the lands of the railroad company and the real estate business on his own account, and has been very successful in his undertakings. Being a man of very energetic and versatile mental equi]inient, he has also given attention to other lines of business, has been president of the Commercial Bank, vice-president of the Old Bank of Shelbina, serving it in that capacity for a number of years, and is still one of its directors. All the affairs of the community of his home have had the benefit of his close and conscientious attention and the benefit of his intelligence in council concerning them and his enterprise in promoting whatever was good for the people.

Politically Mr. Towson is a Democrat, and under all circumstances he has taken an active and serviceable interest in the aft'airs of his party. As one of its leading members he was elected mayor of Shelbina at the first election aft6r the incorporation of the municipality. He was knowing, courageous and independent in the performance of his official duties and gave the city an excellent administration of its affairs. His religious affiliation is witli the Presbyterian church and his fraternal allegiance is given to the Masonic order. In this fraternity he is prominent and well known all over the state. He holds the rank of Past Master in the Blue Lodge and has ascended the mystic ladder of the craft through many of its more elevated divisions; is a Knight Templar and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He keeps the memories of his military service alive by prominent membership in the order of United Confederate A^eterans, in which he is now commander of the eastern half of Missouri, with the rank of brigadier-general .

Mr. Towson was first married in 1868 to Miss Gabie Combs, the nuptials being celebrated in Shelbina. Her life ended sadly in an accident on the railroad, April 13, 1890. His second marriage occurred October 20, 1891, and in this he became united with Miss Emma Mosher, who was born in Michigan. Mrs. Fowson entered the life eternal in July, 1910. They had no children of their own, but reared an adopted daughter, who is now Mrs. Clyde F. Lloyd, of Chicago.

For forty-three years Mr. Towson has been a resident of Shelbina and contributed to its advancement and the substantial comfort and enduring welfare of its people. He is highly esteemed among them, being regarded as one of the leading and most representative citizens of the community, and one of its most fruitful factors in business, social and general life. Although he has reached the limit of human life as fixed by the sacred writer, he is still hale, vigorous and active, and continues his industrious contributions to the business progress of the community. The record of his peaceful enterprise is written in its development, and the foundation for advancement that he has helped to build is such that it will be creditable to and suf- ficient for any superstructure that may be reared upon it. Living in it during the formative part of its history, he has done well his part, and has thereby given to those who may come after him a fine example of fidelity, breadth of view and high class citizenship which is well worthy of all imitation.

Thomas J. Eice

For a full quarter of a century a resident of Shelby county, and during more than a third of the tune a citizen of Shelbina, Thomas J. Rice has contributed his full share to the growth and development of this i)ortion of the state and done well his duty as an active and industrious factor for good among this people. He is a native of the state, born in Scotland county on November 7, 1858, and although portions of his life have been passed elsewhere, he has always been deeply interested in the state of his nativity and the enduring welfare of its people.

Mr. Eice is of Kentucky ancestry, his grandfather, Daniel C. Rice, having been born and reared in that state and having lived there many years. He is a son of Jackson A. and Margaret (Roseborough) Rice, the former born in Hardin county, Kentucky, where his life began on December 25, 1835, and the latter in Scotland county in this state. The father accompanied his parents to ]\Iissouri when ho was but one year old and returned with tliem to Kentucky when he was four. The family remained in Kentucky three years, and in 1845 again became residents of Missouri, locating in Scotland county, where the father conducted a flourishing business as a farmer and breeder of live stock, in which his son united with him as soon as he was old enough.

In 1860 the elder Mr. Rice went to California with an older brother. He was very successful in locating good claims in Colorado, having returned that far east after a short stay in California, and returned to this "state in 1863 with money enough to buy a farm near that of his father in Scotland county. He took up his residence on this farm, but it brought him a trying existence. Not only was the country wild and undeveloped, and therefore difficult to bring to cultivation and fruitfulness, but the state militia was exceedingly troublesome during the Civil war. The force was out of commission and many of its members, realizing that they were not responsible to any definite authority, roamed at will and committed continual depredations on unprotected settlers. Horses and cattle were stolen and run off by them, outhouses and even dwellings and personal violence was sometimes inflicted. The Rice family bore its troubles bravely, enduring the wrongs it suffered with fortitude if not always with patience and forbearance, and at length conditions greatly improved for it.

In 1867 the family moved to Clark county and located on a farm which it occupied and operated until 1903. when the father moved to Howell county, where he now resides. He was married in 1857 to Miss Margaret Roseborough, of Scotland county, this state. They became the parents of one child, their son.

Thomas J., who is the immediate subject of this sketch. The father is au earnest Democrat in political faith and belongs to the Christian church. The mother died at the birth of our subject in 1858 and the father married a second time, his second wife being Euliama Morrill who is still living. They had three sous and three daughters.

Thomas J. Eice attended the public schools in Scotland and Clark counties and also the Baptist College at Alexandria, Missouri. Upon the completion of his education he went to Arkansas, where he remained five years, teaching school during the winter months and acting as private secretary for Robert Mc- Clelland, a wealthy cattle man, during the summers. At the end of the period mentioned he returned to Missouri and passed one year in Shelbina as a clerk and salesman for W. H. Dye, then one of the leading general merchants of the city. He next located on a farm near Shelbina, on which he dwelt eleven years. From that farm he moved to another near Lentner which he occupied and worked for five years. In August, 1901, he returned to Shelbina, and here he has ever since resided. He is now busily engaged in the real estate and fire insurance business, largely in behalf of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Association of Shelby county, of which he has been president since 1897.

Mr. Rice's interests are numerous and valuable. He is a large landowner, a stockholder in the Old Bank of Shelbina and connected with several other enterprises of moment in themselves and highly beneficial to the community. He was also one of the founders of the

Farmers' & Merchants' Bank, which is now the Shelbina National Bank, and one of its first stockholders and directors. He is a Democrat in politics and holds membership in the Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Order of Royal Neighbors fraternally. He is also an active and zealous church worker, being steward of the congregation to which he belongs in the Methodist Episcopal church. South.

On April 30, 1885, Mr. Rice was married to Miss Ida M. Freeland, of this county. They have had five children, three of whom are living. These are: Vivian, wife of P. G. Fox, of Shelbina; and Giles G. and Freeland R., who are living at home. Margaret died in 1909. Exemplifying in their daily lives all domestic and social attributes, and giving to those around them examples in every relation which are worthy of all imitation, ]\tr. and Mrs. Rice are justly regarded as among the best and most estimable citizens of the county, and are universally respected and admired as such.

William H. Gillispie

Actively engaged in a business of universal interest and value to all classes of the community, prominent in social, fraternal and church relations, and taking always a good citizen's share of the burden of public affairs u]ion himself, AA'iUiam H. Gillispie, of Shelbina, is one of the leading and most serviceable men in the world of Shelby county life, and is universally esteemed as such. He was born in this state on June 24, 1875, a native of Monroe county, but comes of good old Kentuckv stock. His grand- father, Angel Gillispie, was born and reared in the Bhie Grass state and inherited from his ancestors a decided tendency to adventure and conquest. The same spirit that led them to leave the older and more civilized sections of the countrj^ and brave the hardships and privations, the daily toils and nightly perils of frontier life in the wilds of Kentucky, impelled him to turn his back upon the home of his youth, and in early manhood become a pioneer in Missouri and hew out a pathway of progress in manly endeavor for hunself in this then unsettled country, which was slill fraught with hazards that always lie beyond the boundaries of civilization.

Accordingly he gathered his household goods about him, bringing his family to what is now Missouri when his son, John W. Gillispie, the father of William H., who is the occasion of this writing, was but a child. On the virgin soil of our present state John W. Gillispie grew to manhood and obtained the limited extent of scholastic training that was then available in the wilderness. Upon reaching his maturity lie turned his attention to farming, and tliis proved to be his life's occupation, for he continued at it imtil his death in 1884. He was married in 1870 to Miss Alice Crow, of Monroe county, and they became the ])arents of six children, all of whom are living, and in various capacities contributing to the growth and develo])ment of the country. They are : Jacob C, who lives in Shelbina ; Maude, the wife of R. A. Threlkeld, of Rhelliy county; Edward, who is a prominent citizen of Monroe county; William H., of Shelbina; Elsie, who is living at home; and John M., who is also one of the wideawake and progressive men that give life and interest to the business and social life of Shelbina. The father was a devoted member of the Democratic party in whose ])rinciples he saw the best theory of government under our constitution, and in religious affairs adhered to the doctrines and teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church. South.

William H. Gillispie obtained his early education in the district schools of Monroe county and later attended a good business college at Hannibal, Missouri, from which he was graduated in 1895. When his preparation for the battle of life was completed he entered upon the struggle as a clerk for his uncle, Frank Crow, who carried on an extensive milling business at Shelbina, Missouri. He then passed three years as a clerk in the employ of Messrs. Smith & Bowling, leading merchants of Shelbina.

He had not yet found his proper bearings in business and continued in search of them. He next engaged in the real estate and abstract business in association with the present state senator from Shelbina, Hon. George W. Hmnphre^', whose life story is briefly recorded on another page of this volume. He remained with IMr. Humphrey until 1902, when he purchased the interest of the senator in the business and took in as new partners J. H. Wood and R. L. Thomas, the firm name being Wood, Thomas & Gillispie. This firm continued in business until 1907. In that year Mr, Wood sold his interest in the enterprise to his partners, and tiiey have since been conducting the business under the name and style of Thomas & Gillispie.

At all stages of the game Mr. Gillispie lias been successful aud prosperous. He owns considerable real estate in this county, in Kansas City, and in otlier parts of the state. He is widely and favorably known as a business man of integrity and intelligence, a citizen of great public spirit and progressiveness, aud a gentleman of social culture and genial disposition and manners. He is a Democrat in politics, an Odd Fellow and a Modern Woodman of America in fraternal relations and a member of the Methodist Ejiiscopal Church South in religious affiliation.

The city of Shelbina and the whole of the surrounding county are much indebted to him for his activity and stimulating example in the matter of improvement and development, and the people always expect to find him at the front in behalf of any worthy and commendable enterprise in which the welfare of the public is involved; and they are never disappointed in this respect. In addition to being active in such matters, he is also far-seeing and resourceful, and his aid is always valued whether it be given in coimsel or in zealous and productive service as a worker. His citizenship is elevated and elevating; his example is impressive and stimulating; his fidelitj' to duty is constant and effective. No man stands higher in the regard of the people and none deserves more in the w^ay of respect and good will.

John T. Gose

John T. Gose and George Gose are the sole surviving children of John S. Gose and Margaret A. Gose. They were born on what is known as the Gose farm, in Monroe county, Missouri, and one and one-half miles south of Shelbina. They lived on the farm until the death of their father in 1873, and then moved with their mother to Shelbina where they still live. Margaret A. Gose died in October, 1905.

John S. Gose was born in Virginia and was a son of Levi Gose and ]\Iary Gose, nee Davis. They came to this state in the thirties and settled in Monroe county.

Margaret A. Gose was a daughter of Angel Gillispie and Lucinda Gillispie, nee Spencer. Her father and mother were native Kentuckiaus and came to Monroe county soon after Missouri became a state. She was born on the old Gillispie place near Old Clinton, Monroe county, in 1834, and first married to William Lasley. C. H. Lasley, of Shelbina, is the only surviving child of this marriage.

John T. Gose was two years old when the family moved to Shelbina. He attended the public schools and the Shelbina Collegiate Institute, graduating in 1888. He spent one year in the mercantile business in Monroe City, Missouri, and then entered Central College at Fayette, Missouri, from which institution he received the degree of A.B. in 1894. The following year he held a scholarship in Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Tennessee, and in 1896 this institution conferred upon him the degree of A. M.

In the fall of 1896 he returned to Central College as professor of philosophy, but soon resigned this position to enter the ministry. He spent the next two years preaching in Keytesville, Missouri, and then resigned from the ministry to become a iiost graduate student in the

University of Chicago. From the University of Chicago he went to Culver Military Academy as professor of English and history. At the close of the school year he returned to Chicago and matriculated at the Illinois College of Law. This institution conferred upon him the degrees of LL.B., LL.M., and D.C.L., made him a professor iia the college and chose him, with its president, as delegate to the "Universal Congress of Lawyers and Jurists," at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

In 1903 he resigned his position in the law school to return to his native state to practice law. He located in St. Louis and was engaged in the active practice of law in that city until the fall of 1906 when he returned to Shelbina where he now lives and practices his profession.

Harry J. Libby

The law is a jealous mistress and exacts the utmost devotion and fidelity from her votaries. At the same time, she is generous and bestows her bounty with unstinted hand upon her deserving worshipers. Harry J. Libby, one of the leading lawyers of Shelby county, young man as he is yet, learned of her exactions early in the study of his profession and determined to meet the requirements, if assiduous effort and close application on his part would enable him to do it. He has paid his devotions at tiie shrine of Themis with the ardor of a zealot, and the goddess of his worsliip has rewarded his constancy with imperial generosity, enabling him to win high rank as a lawyer and prominence and influence as a citizen.

Mr. Libby was born at Laclede, Linn county, Missouri, on July 31, 1885, and is a son of Judge Oscar F. and Rebecca J. (Watson) Libby, the former a native of Minnesota and the latter of this state. The father was born in 1851 and is a member of the Pioneers' Society of his native state. He also was bred to the law and has been iu active general practice from the time of his admission to the bar, except during his service as district judge, which lasted a number of years. His professional studies were carried on iu Linn county, this state, of which he became a resident in 1868. He was admitted to practice in that county, and he is still living at Laclede and still engaged in conducting a large and remunerative practice. He is of English ancestry. The mother is also still living, and like her husband, stands high in the regard of all who have the benefit and pleasure of knowing and associating with her.

Their son, Harry J. Libby, began his scholastic training in the public schools of his native town and completed it at high school in Brookfield in the same county, from which he was graduated. He read law under the direction of his distinguished father, and was admitted to the bar of his native county in 1905. He at once began practicing in association with his father at Laclede, the firm name being 0. F. & H. J. Libby. But he was ambitious of making a reputation for himself unaided by family influence, and building his professional career ac- cording to his own design. Therefore, in 1907, he started out for himself in independent practice, removing to Clarence for the purpose. In October of the year last mentioned he changed his residence to Shelbiua, where he now enjoys a steadily inci'easing practice and is well established among the leading lawyers of the county.

Mr. Libby has taken nothing for granted and left nothing to chance in his professional work. He is well grounded - in the basic principles of the law, and has also made himself master of the interpretations the courts have made of it. In addition, he has studiously acquired freedom and fluency in speech and alertness and skill in the trial of cases, so that he is both a judicious counselor and an able and resourceful advocate. He is, besides, a gentleman of high character and culture, exemplifying in his intercourse with his professional brethren and the people generally all the bland amenities of life and an exalted sense of uprightness and personal integrity.

In the public affairs of the county he has manifested a helpful practical interest and a constant readiness to aid in promoting every worthy undertaking for the good of the people among whom his useful labors are performed. In politics he is allied with the Democratic partj^ and is one of the most resourceful and effective workers for the success of his party in all its campaigns. His fraternal connections are with the ^Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the IModern Woodmen of America. In each of these organizations lie takes an active

On October 21, 1909, Mr. Libby was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Belle Young, a native of Linn county, Missouri, and a daughter of Eobert and Emma (Bradley) Young. Her father, who is now deceased, was one of the most prominent and successful merchants of Brooklield, and one of the most highly respected and representative citizens of the county of his home. Mr. and Mrs. Libby are zealous and energetic members of the Christian church, sincerely devoted to its welfare and progress and earnest workers in the promotion of every phase of its useful activity. In all parts of Shelby county they are esteemed as among its leading citizens, and throughout a large extent of the surrounding country they are held in cordial and appreciative regard by all classes of the people.

William A. Maupin

Beginning life for himself as a farmer and breeder of superior strains of live stock, and forced by declining health to retire from pursuits so ardiious and exacting, William A. Maupin, of Shelbina, has nevertheless continued to fill an imiDortant place in the community and contribute essentially to its advancement and the substantial welfare of its peojjle. He is an extensive dealer in real estate of his own holdings and serves the Commercial Bank of Shelbiua as a stockholder and director.

dwelt on the soil and helped to promote the wealth and greatness of the Old Dominion for generations, keeping up in their daily lives the lofty standard of its citizenship and doing all in their power to dignify and adorn its domestic and social life. Mr. Maupin's grandfather, Thomas G. Maupin, left the home of his fathers when he was in the full maturity of his manhood, and came to the wilderness west of the Mississipi^i to aid in subduing it to civilization and found a new home and shrine for the family on the far frontier. He arrived in this state in 1832 and located in Monroe county, where at an advanced age he died on a farm he had redeemed from the waste and made fruitful and attractive.

His son, Wiliam H. Maupin, who was the father of "William A., was born in Virginia on May 20, 1816, and was sixteen years old when the family moved to this state. For a number of years he worked on his father's farm, helj)ing to break up the stubborn soil, and lending his assistance to the limit of liis powers in making it over into a comfortable and valuable home. In January, 1848, he was married to Miss Lizzie Maupin, who was a distant relative of the family and a native of Kentucky. The young couple settled at once on a farm of their own and began a useful and profitable career as farmei-s and live stock producer.s. They flourished in their enteri)rise, making steady gains in material substance <md winning their way to extensive popular ajjpreciation and approval. Fourteen children were born to them, and of the fourteen seven are living: Mary A., tlie wife of K. 0. Estill, of Kansas Oitv,

Missouri; Thomas C, a prominent citizen of Monroe county; Judge E. G. Maupin, of Shelbina; William A., also living in Shelbina; Minnie, the wife of E. J. King, of Shelbina ; Joseph F., of Shelbina; and Dr. Robert E., of Dwight, Illinois. The father gave his support through life to the Democratic party in political affairs and for long years was a devout and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. South. The mother of these children died December 19, 1878, and the father in 1888.

William A. Maupin obtained his education in the district schools of ^fonroe county, leaving the altars of Cadmus at an early age to engage in the struggle for advancement in life as a farmer and breeder of live stock. He continued his farming operations for a number of years until, as has been noted, the state of his health obliged him to seek a less active and exacting pursuit. He still retains his interest in his farm and live stock industry but does not give them his whole attention. He now resides in Shelbina and is an important factor in the business and social life of that city. His chief occupation is connected with the purchase and sale of real estate as a member of, or in conection with, the firm of Dennis & Mau]iin of Clovis, New Mexico. He has extensive holdings of his own and carries on an active and thriving business. He is also connected with the financial and mercantile activities of the community in other lines, being a stockholder in and one of the directors of the Commercial Rank of Shelbina, as has been stated, and having a part in the management of other frscal or mercantile concerns. He is also zeal- ous and industrious iu making investments for those who have capital and leading them to a wise use of their money, his judgment iu this respect being highly valued and generally relied on. He is active in the affairs of the county, state and nation as a Democrat of firm convictions and serviceable loyalty, and in the fraternal life around him as a Modern Woodnmn of America and a Knight of the Maccabees.

Mr. Maupin has been very successful in business and he stands high in the social world. On all sides he is regarded as a leading and representative citizen, and as such he enjoys the esteem and good will of the whole community. On October 8, 1886, he was married to Miss Carrie Morrison, of Monroe county. They have four children all of whom are living' at liome with their parents and adding ))rightness and hap]3iness to the domestic fireside. They are three sons, Howard 'S., now attending the Chicago Medical University ; James and Warren, and one daughter, Mildred.

For three generations this family has been a potential element in the development and progress of Missouri, and now that it is firmly planted on the soil of the state and become a part of its productive and advancing life, the increasing usefulness of its members in all social, political and religious relations, as time passes, may be counted upon for liigher achievements and more extensive results. That is the jn-omise embodied in its past and plainly shown in the present. For the children of the household are imbued with the spirit of their parents and are day ))y day exemplifying

John T. Cooper

Among the citizens of Shelby county, Missouri, from the beginning of its authentic history, none has stood higher in public esteem or been more entitled to universal regard tlian the late John T. Cooper, of Shelbyville, who l)ecame a resident of the county in 1846 and passed the remainder of his life in that city, ending a useful career as- a merchant, manufacturer, farmer, stockman and l)anker, which covered nearly fifty years there, on July 31, 1893, and was altogether successful in every particular, lie became master of every occupation in which he engaged and of every situation in which he found himself, and gave to this locality a fine example of the vigor, resourcefulness and self-reliance of American manhood.

Mr. Cooper was born in Scott county, Kentucky, on September 1, 1817, and was a sou of Samuel and Jane (Tarlton) Cooper, also natives of Kentucky. He came to Missouri in 18-12 and located in Paris, Monroe countj^ where he worked at his trade as a saddler and harness maker for a period of four years. He learned his trade in his native state and learned it well. He had also fine business ability, and this helped to develop and expand his usefulness to the communities in which he lived and his own IH-osperity. In 1846 he moved to Shelbyville, and here he founded his first saddlery and harness shop. He gave his business close and careful attention and, for a time, devoted himself exclusively to building- it up. It grew to great importance in this part of tlie state, having the advantages of early establishment, excellent management and first class reputation for the quality of its output in material and workmanship.

Having gained a foothold in the city and won substantial prosperity, ^Ir. Cooper turned his attention to farming and raising live stock as a side line for the employment of his surplus energy. He bought 1,000 acres of laud and on it conducted extensive operations in farming and raising stock. He gave special attention to raising mules, handling from 125 to 150 annually for a number of years with great success and profit. "\\Tien his three sons arrived at the necessary capacity and development to handle this business he turned it over to them, and from that time until his death gave his whole attention to his harness and saddlery business and a lively trade in real estate which he had worked up from a small beginning, and his banking interests.

He was one of the founders of the Shelby County Savings Bank, which was started in 1874, and one of tlie most potential factors in preparing the way for it. When it was organized he was elected president and as such conducted its affairs for several years. Then he and Mr. Dimmitt, his partner in another enterprise, bought all the stock of the institution and converted it into a private bank known as the Cooper & Dimmitt bank, to which for awhile he gave his whole energy, leaving the management of his harness trade to Julies Ritter. He was also a member of the firm of AV. A. Dimmitt & Co., dealers in carriages and other road vehicles. The Cooper & Dimmitt Bank was one of the soundest and best managed financial institutions in this part of the state and enjoyed a wide and exalted reputation in the business world.

Mr. Cooper was married on September 6, 1848, to Miss Frances Shambaugh, a native of Caroline county, Virginia. They had three children, their sons, Alonzo, John H. and David L., all residents of this county, where John and David died some years ago, leaving Alonzo the only survivor of the family. A sketch of his life will be found in this work. The father retired from active work a few years before his death, but to the end kept his finger on the pulse ' of all his business interests. i

From his boyhood James E. Eagsdale, of Sheibina, has mingled with the people of ]\Iissouri and been a pai't of the state's pi'oductive activity. He was born in Monroe county on April 23, 1841, and is a son of James and Sallie (Deaver) Ragsdale, natives of Kentucky. The father came to this state in 1830 and located in Monroe county, where he was extensively engaged in farming and raising live stock until his death on June 9, 1850. High hopes blazed his way into the wilderness and he was subsequently rewarded by their full fruition. Fortune did not jest with him, as she does with many, but gave him opportunity to secure her bounty if he was willing to pay the price she exacted in sacrifice, enduranc" and ]Kitient toil. She was dealing with sturdiness of character and deter-

Just one year after his arrival in the state the father was united in marriage with a lady of his choice, Miss Sallie Deaver, who was, like himself, "bred in old Kentucky'." They became the parents of seven children, four of whom are living - Martha E., wife of Isaac Greening, of Monroe county ; James E., a resident of Shelbina, and the subject of this record ; C. H. and Mary A., the wife of James A. Spencer, both living in this county. The father was a AVhig in political faith and allegiance and a member of the Christian church. He was successful in his farming and stock-raising o}jerations and became a man of considerable substance in a material way.

James E. Ragsdale was born to a boyhood and youth of privation and toil, as most of the offspring of the frontier are. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, taking his part in its labors and making the most of the slender opportunities for academic training which the district schools of the neighborhood afforded. Not only were their facilities very limited, but the terms during which tlioy wei'e in operation each year were short and confined to the winter months. For at all other seasons of the 3^ear all the available force in the community was required in the arduous work of conquering and fructifying the wilds and providing the means of subsistence for the daring adventurers who had braved their perils and stubborn inhospitality.

At the age of thirty-one "Sir. Ragsdale bought a farm of his own, beginning over again for himself the work of development and improvement he had so zealously assisted in for his father. On this farm he lived and carried on active operations in tilling the soil and raising live stock until 1902, when he sold the place and retired from active pursuits, taking up his residence in Shelbina. He did not, at this time, however, turn his back upon the duties of life, but only cut out the more laborious and exacting ones. He took an immediate interest in the business life of the community and became an important factor in carryingit on to greater development and more extensive operations. He is the vice president and one of the directors of the Shelbina National Bank and own* considerable real estate in and around the city, to the care of which he gives diligent attention.

He also takes a good citizen's part in the affairs of the city, county, state and nation, ardently supporting the Democratic party in political matters and working with zeal and effectiveness for the welfare of the Christian church, of which he has long been a prominent and useful member. In the social life of Shelbina and the county he and his family are also active and prominent, holding a high place in the regard of the people and showing that they deserve it by the interest they take in the welfare of those around them and the agencies that minister to their comfort, convenience and advancement.

On December 6, 1870, Mr. Ragsdale imited in marriage with Miss Mary E. Cox, who was born and reared in this state. They became the parents of eight children, six of whom are living - John W., of Kansas City, Missouri; Winnie, the wife of Edward Acliuff, of Gallatin, Missouri; James E. ; Sallie Belle, the wife of W. S. Eller, of Mexico, j\Iissouri ; Lelia M., the wife of Eipley Spencer, who lives in Shelby county ; and Mrs. Bird Estes, a resident of Shelbiua, who married Dr. Selsor, also of Shelbina, in the fall of 1910.

Mr. Eagsdale is nearing the limit of human "life fixed by the Psalmist, but he is yet hale, vigorous and energetic. Whether there be much or little of an earthly career vouchsafed to him yet, the sunset of his day is mild and benigiiant, and the retrospect of its period of toil and trial must be pleasing to him. For he has lived acceptably and usefully, and can now see blooming and bearing fruit around him the progress and development of a great commonwealtli to whose advancement he has essentially contributed, and many valued institutions which he has helped to foimd and has sustained and fostered with assiduous devotion and commendable generosity. He has lived for the community and its people, even while most industriously pushing forward his own fortunes, and their appreciation of his career is shown by the universal esteem with which thej' regard him and his family.

John S. Miles

From his youth John S. IMiles, who is now one of the leading merchants of Shelbina, has been connected with the mercantile life of the city. All the activities of his life in business have been given to that line of endeavor, and as he started in it with natural aptitude for its requirements and has had his faculties trained and developed in long experience, it is not surprising that he has succeeded and now stands in the front rank among the business men of this part of the state.