Appendix A
Biographical Notes 31 - 40

31.          Simeon F. Roderick.

The following biographical sketch of Simeon F. Roderick appeared a few years before the murder of Amos J. Stillwell in 1888 in The History of Marion County, Missouri, by E. F. Perkins, 1884, at p. 992:  

SIMEON F. RODERICK.  Mr. Roderick is a son of Simeon J. and Nancy D. (Clark) Roderick; his father, who was a native of Indiana, removed to Iowa Territory in 1835, and died in 1854.  His mother was a Kentuckian, and died in 1877.  He was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, November 6, 1839, and in 1849 moved with his parents to Burlington, Iowa.  After remaining there five years, they moved to Mount Pleasant, in the same State, where young Simeon learned the cooper trade, which he followed until the war began.  He enlisted at the first call and was commissioned a second lieutenant of Company F, First Iowa regiment, - three months’ men - and took part in the battle of Wilson’s Creek.  In 1862 he was commissioned captain of Company K, 19th Iowa Infantry.  His company was put in advance at the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, and out of 51 men 38 were killed or wounded, and he had twelve bullet holes in his coat.  He was at the siege of Vicksburg, and in 1863 was taken prisoner at Morganza, Louisiana, carried to Camp Tyler, Texas, where he was kept ten months.  When exchanged he was sent to New Orleans and served along the Gulf coast, and was at Mobile when the war closed.  He was in 26 engagements, and won the rank of major by his bravery and gallantry.  After the war he located in Hannibal, where he engaged in the grocery business, but afterward he went into blacksmithing and wagon and carriage making, and is doing a good business, employing a number of hands; he also deals largely in farm machinery.  In 1866 he married Miss Maggie Coughlin, of LaSalle, Illinois.  They have two children.  

The following note on the business of Simeon F. Roderick appears at p. 161 of The Mirror of Hannibal, C. P. Greene, 1905 (revised edition 1990):  

CARRIAGE REPOSITORIES.  Mr. S. F. Roderick, one of the city’s oldest business men, conducts the leading establishment in this line in the city, located at No. 408-420 North Main Street.  Mr. Roderick carries an immense line of the famous Staver vehicles and is considered to be one of the most trustworthy, honest and respected men of business in the city.  

Below is the residence of Simeon F. Roderick, located at 917 Center Street in Hannibal, which appears at p. 176 of The Mirror of Hannibal, C. P. Greene, 1905 (original edition):  
 

 

32.          Henry S. Elzea.

The following biographical sketch of Henry S. Elzea appeared a few years before the murder of Amos J. Stillwell in 1888 in The History of Marion County, Missouri, by E. F. Perkins, 1884, at p. 923:  

HENRY S. ELZEA.  This gentleman is a son of Samuel and Frances (Self) Elzea, natives of Virginia.  Both of his grandfathers served in the Revolution.  He was born in Warren county, Va., July 17, 1831.  When he was six years old his parents emigrated to Marion county, Mo., and two years after settled near Hannibal, where Mr. Elzea now resides.  Mr. Elzea was educated in the old frame school-house (also used for a church), which stood where the public square of Hannibal now is.  At the beginning of the war he enlisted in aid of the Confederate cause, and served in the Missouri State Guards for six months.  He participated in the battle of Lexington, where he performed a daring feat, driving a team with a load of hemp bales to near the enemy’s fort, to serve as a protection for the Confederate soldiers.  Over a thousand shots were fired at him, but he escaped unhurt.  After serving his time he did not re-enter the army, but went to Ohio, where he remained till the close of the war.  He then returned to his farm near Hannibal, where he has since resided.  Mr. Elzea is a Mason.  He is one of a family of twelve children, two of whom are dead.  His father died in 1851, aged 62 years; his mother died in 1881, aged 86 years.

 

33.                Wilson B. Pettibone.

Wilson B. Pettibone was a wealthy philanthropist in Hannibal in the early 1900s.  He donated the land for Riverview Park to the city of Hannibal, donated money for a major addition to Levering Hospital in its early years, and donated the land for Camp Oko Tipi near Saverton in Ralls County,  Missouri, just to name a few of his gifts for the benefit of the citizens of Hannibal and the surrounding area.

 

34.                Frederick Bassen.

The following biographical sketch of Frederick Bassen appears at p. 453 of The Mirror of Hannibal, C. P. Greene, 1905 (revised edition 1990):

FREDERICK BASSEN. Mr. Bassen was born in Helvesick, Hanover, Germany. He is a son of John Bassen, a farmer at Helvesick, Germany. He obtained a somewhat meager education in the public schools of his native country and settled in Hannibal, where he engaged at his trade, that of a journeyman shoemaker. He was at first under somewhat of a disadvantage, not having the slightest knowledge of the English language.  With inherent pluck and perseverance, however, he applied himself to the study of the language of his adopted country and before long was enabled to speak quite fluently.

He was formerly engaged in the boot and shoe business for about twenty-five years, until four years ago he then having disposed of his shoe business, Mr. Bassen established his present cigar and tobacco store at No. 106 Market Street.  Having an extensive acquaintance on the West Side and being popular and highly esteemed among all of his acquaintances, he met with a gratifying success, almost from the start and at present is enjoying a patronage second to none other of its character in that portion of the city.

On November 29, 1876, Mr. Bassen was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Harrig, daughter of Augess Harrig, a merchant of Quincy, Ill.  Their marriage has been blest by the birth of five children, B. L., Josephine, John N. B., Julius E., A. Wilhelmina and F. C., born respectively 1877, 1882, 1885, 1888, and 1891.

By his thrifty habits and careful and conservative manner of conducting his business affairs and as well his daily life, Mr. Bassen has become recognized as one of the most stable and influential citizens of that section of the city.  As a result of the many years in which he has been engaged in building up his business and winning the confidence of the people, he to-day is the recipient of a most lucrative patronage, which includes the best people of his neighborhood, and enjoys the esteem and regard of his entire acquaintance.

 

35.          George W. Dulany.

George W. Dulany was the son of  Daniel M. Dulany.  See biographical note 23 above on Daniel M. Dulany.

36.          Thomas Robinson.

The following biographical sketch of Thomas Robinson and his twin brother, Robert Robinson, appeared a few years before the murder of Amos J. Stillwell in 1888 in The History of Marion County, Missouri, by E. F. Perkins, 1884, at p. 992:  

THOMAS AND ROBERT ROBINSON.  These gentlemen are twin brothers, and sons of Robert and Ann (Sweeney) Robinson, both natives of Ireland.  They were born in County Cork, Ireland, June 24, 1848.  Their mother died at their birth, and their father died when they were only six years old.  They lived with an uncle until they were thirteen years of age, and were then bound for five years to learn painting and paper-hanging.  They served out their apprenticeship, and then worked at their trade two years, during which period they saved sufficient money to bring them to America.  They came to the United States in 1870, and worked one year in New York.  In 1871 they came to Hannibal, where they worked three years for White Bros.  They then started a paint store of their own, and two years later opened a paper store in connection.  They now carry a large stock of wall-paper, glass, painters’ and artists’ materials, and do an extensive wholesale and retail business, both in Missouri and Illinois.  They rank among the leading business men of Hannibal.  Thomas was married in 1876 to Miss Belle Ayres, daughter of John M. and Mary (Cook) Ayres, of Ralls county, Missouri.  They have three children.  Robert was married in 1881 to Miss Fannie Bowman, of Howard county, Missouri.  She is a daughter of W. H. Bowman, formerly of Kentucky.

 

The following note on the business of Thomas Robinson and his twin brother appears at p. 168 of The Mirror of Hannibal, C. P. Greene, 1905 (revised edition 1990):

  FURNITURE, WALL PAPER, PAINTS, OILS, ETC.  Messrs. Robinson Brothers conduct the city’s largest wall paper establishment, located at No. 118,120, and 122 South Main Street.  The building occupied by them is one of the most attractive in the city.  Besides doing an extensive wholesale and retail business in wall paper, paints and oils, Messrs. Robinson Brothers also conduct a finely appointed furniture store.  They carry a line of the highest grade goods  and keep a most extensive line to select from.  These gentlemen rank among Hannibal’s most influential and progressive citizens and have done much towards aiding to promote and better the city’s commercial future.

 

NOTE:  Charles L. Hickman, the “editor” of this private reprint of The Stillwell Murder, and his family lived from approximately 1955 to 1965 in the house located at 201 S. Fifth Street in Hannibal, which was built by, and was the former residence of,  Thomas Rosinson and his twin brother, Robert Robinson.

 

37.                Dr. F. W. Bush.

The following biographical sketch of Dr. F. W. Bush appeared a few years before the murder of Amos J. Stillwell in 1888 in The History of Marion County, Missouri, by E. F. Perkins, 1884, at p. 912:  

DR. F. W. BUSH.  Dr. Bush was born in Marion county, October 24, 1850.  He is a son of John and Mahala (Worthington) Bush, natives of Kentucky.  His father emigrated to Missouri in 1819, and located three miles northwest of where Hannibal is now situated; he died August 7, 1877.  Dr. Bush spent his childhood on a farm, and when seventeen years of age, entered the Christian University at Canton, Mo., where he pursued his studies for three years, devoting his last year chiefly to the study of medicine, which he continued for some time after, under Dr. John W. Hawkins, of Canton.  In the fall of 1874 he entered the Medical Department of the Michigan State University, at Ann Arbor, where he took one course in the science, and the following year completed his collegiate course, at the Missouri Medical College, in St. Louis, from which he graduated in 1876.  He then returned to Marion county and engaged in the practice of his profession.  Located at Palmyra in 1881, where he remained until in March, 1884, when he came to Hannibal, associating himself with Dr. Lacey.  He was married February 24, 1881, to Miss Hattie Ealy, daughter of Dr. J. H. and Maria (Buchanan) Ealy, of Palmyra. She was born in September, 1860.  They have one child, Marie, born May 29, 1882.  Dr. Bush, though comparatively a young man, is recognized as a physician of undoubted professional ability, and he has in a few years built up a good reputation.  Dr. and Mrs. Bush are both members of the Christian church, and the doctor belongs to the Triple Alliance.  John Bush was married June 23, 1825, to Margaret Garner, of Kentucky, who was born May, 1814, and died September 3, 1847.  He was afterwards married to Mrs. Mahala J. Davis, a daughter of Edward Worthington, of Clark county, Mo., and the mother of the subject hereof.

 

38.                George M. Harrison.

The following biographical sketch of George M. Harrison appeared a few years before the murder of Amos J. Stillwell in 1888 in The History of Marion County, Missouri, by E. F. Perkins, 1884, at p. 953:  

GEORGE M. HARRISON.  Mr. Harrison is a son of Judge William P., and Margaret (Morton) Harrison.  He was born in St. Louis, April 10th, 1841.  His parents moved to Hannibal in 1843, where he grew to manhood.  He was educated at St. Paul’s College, in Palmyra, and studied law with his father.  In 1861 he enlisted in Capt. Kneisley’s battery State troops (Confed.) for six months.  He was engaged in the battles of Wilson’s Creek, Boonville and Lexington.  When his time expired he enlisted in the First Missouri Battery, (Confederate) under Capt. John C. Landis, and served till the close of the war.  He was sergeant and had charge of one section of the battery.  He was in the battles of Elkhorn, Corinth, Iuka, Baker’s Creek, Black River, Vicksburg, and many others.  After the surrender of Vicksburg he was exchanged and participated in numerous engagements, under Gen. Joe Johnston, - at Resaca, Rome, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Nashville, and elsewhere.  At the close of the war he returned to Hannibal, and was admitted to the bar, where he has since practiced his profession.  As a criminal lawyer his practice is large.  He has filled the office of city attorney and has also been an alderman.  Mr. Harrison is a member of the A. O. U. W., and a Select Knight.  In 1865, he married Miss Elizabeth Bower, of Hannibal.  They have three children living.

 

39.          James Beauchamp “Champ” Clark.

The following information on James Beauchamp “Champ” Clark was obtained from the internet:

CLARK, James Beauchamp (Champ), (father of Joel Bennett Clark), a Representative from Missouri; born near Lawrenceburg, Anderson County, Ky., March 7, 1850; attended the common schools and Kentucky University at Lexington; was graduated from Bethany (W.Va.) College in 1873 and from Cincinnati Law School in 1875; president of Marshall College, Huntington, W.Va., in 1873 and 1874; admitted to the bar in 1875; edited a country newspaper and practiced law; moved to Bowling Green, Pike County, Mo., in 1876; city attorney of Louisiana, Mo., and Bowling Green, Mo., 1878-1881; deputy prosecuting attorney and prosecuting attorney of Pike County 1885-1889; member of the State house of representatives in 1889 and 1891; delegate to the Trans-Mississippi Congress at Denver in May 1891; elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-third Congress (March 4, 1893-March 3, 1895); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1894 to the Fifty-fourth Congress; elected to the Fifty-fifth and to the eleven succeeding Congresses and served from March 4, 1897, until his death; minority leader (Sixtieth and Sixty-first Congresses), Speaker of the House of Representatives (Sixty-second through Sixty-fifth Congresses), minority leader (Sixty-sixth Congress); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1920 to the Sixty-seventh Congress; chairman of the Democratic National Convention in 1904; died in Washington, D.C., on March 2, 1921; funeral services were held in the Hall of the House of Representatives; interment in City Cemetery, Bowling Green, Mo.

The portrait of Champ Clark below was found on the internet:

 

40.          George D. Clayton.

The following biographical sketch of George D. Clayton appears at p. 309 of The Mirror of Hannibal, C. P. Greene, 1905 (revised edition 1990):  

GEORGE D. CLAYTON.  Mr. Clayton was born in New London, Missouri, August 8, 1859.  He is a son of Charles F. and Anne E. (Hays) Clayton, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, who came to Missouri in 1832 and 1835, respectively.  Charles F. was a physician for many years, and had an extensive practice throughout Ralls and Marion Counties.  He removed to Hannibal in 1873, where he located permanently, though he had previously resided in Hannibal during the civil war.  He died July 12, 1883, aged 62 years.  His wife survived him, but  she in turn was called to the home beyond Feb. 23, 1905, aged 72 years.  They reared a family of seven children, all of whom survive.

George D. Clayton, our subject, was educated in the public schools of Hannibal and at the age of 17 began life for himself, securing employment as a clerk in one of the leading dry goods stores of this city.  On May 7, 1883, Mr. Clayton established his present business, that of fire and life insurance and real estate.  He is district agent for the ordinary department of the Prudential Life Insurance Company, and in the transaction of both the life and fire insurance business, Mr. Clayton has met with much well deserved success and is considered one of the leading and most prominent insurance men in this section.  He is secretary of the Home Savings and Loan Association, is a member of the board of control of the Levering Hospital, and a member of the board of directors of the Free Public Library.  Mr. Clayton is also one of the directors of the Hannibal Street Railway Company and has during his business career in this city been identified with many important municipal interests.

On April 12, 1887, Mr. Clayton was united in marriage to Miss Mamie Morrison, daughter of Hugh D. and Margaret E. Morrison, of St. Louis.  To Mr. and Mrs. Clayton have been born six children, by name Robert M., Charles Y., Margaret M., George D., Jr., Anne E. and William K.

In political matters Mr. Clayton has always followed the fortunes of the Democratic party, and has to the best of his ability endeavored to promote his party interests in his home city.  He is a leading and active member of the Retail Merchants’ Association and has accomplished a great deal in aiding to build up that association and as well in furthering the welfare of many important measures conducive to the best interests of the city as a whole.

Among his fellow citizens, Mr. Clayton is recognized as a business man of ability and by reason of his record as an interested citizen, enjoys the confidence of his fellow citizens and acquaintances, among whom he is held in the highest esteem.