CHAPTER XXVII (Part 73)
BIOGRAPHICAL
B. G. Phillips, a well-known and successful dry goods merchant of Clinton, is a native of Missouri. He was born near Maryville, Nodaway County, Missouri, February 10, 1867, a son of Samuel and Adeline (Myers) Phillips, the former a native of Indiana, and the latter of Jackson County, Missouri. Adeline Myers, was a daughter of B. G. Myers, who was a very early settler in western Missouri, locating in Jackson County about the time the Mormans were here, and when they were deported. During Samuel Phillips' active career, he was engaged in the mercantile business at Barnard, Missouri, and was regarded as a successful merchant. He died in 1917, aged eighty-three. His wife and the mother of B. G. Phillips preceded him in death a number of years, having departed this life in 1874. They were the parents of four children, three of whom are living: Charles C., Barnard, Missouri; Mrs. Gertrude Meislahn, Colorado Springs, Colorado; and B. G., the subject of this sketch.
B. G. Phillips was educated in the public schools and the Northwestern Normal School of Missouri. After finishing school, he engaged in clerking at Bernard, Missouri, and for twelve years was employed there. He then was a traveling salesman, following that vocation until 1900, when he came to Clinton and entered the employ of Lindley & Shackleford.
A few months later, he engaged in the dry goods business for himself, and has, to his credit, eighteen years of honorable and successful mercantile life in Clinton. Mr. Phillips began business on the north side of the square and during the course of his business career there, he has moved his place of business three times, each move having been made necessary by the growth and development of his business, which necessitated larger quarters. His store is still located on the north side in about the center of the block. His store building has a frontage of forty-two feet with a depth of one hundred feet. Mr. Phillips carries a complete line of dry goods, ladies' ready-to-wear garments and shoes. The Phillips mercantile establishment occupies the first and second floors, and there is no wasted space. He employs a corps of from nine to fifteen capable and courteous clerks, and the mercantile trinity of success: service, quality and square dealing, are the precepts of the Phillips store.
Mr. Phillips was united in marriage February 16, 1890, to Miss Alice Hurd, a native of Andrew County, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have been born two children: Ona, married Lester H. Stewart, Clinton, Missouri, and Samuel Everett, a member of the Medical Corps of the National Army, and at the time of this writing, he is stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas. Mr. Phillips is a Democrat and a member of the Fraternal Aid Society. He and Mrs. Phillips are members of the Christian Church.
Since the organization of the Clinton Commercial Club, he has been one of its active members and has ever been an advocate of improvement, and has been a member of the Executive Committee and an ardent and insistant worker for the betterment and up-building of Clinton and Henry County. He is an advocate of municipal improvement and good roads, and is ever ready to co-operate with any worthy enterprise. He believes in advertising; he is public spirited, and a stickler for square-toed business methods.
John J. Geraghty, who is engaged in the plumbing and heating business at Clinton, is a native of Missouri. He was born in St. Louis in 1860 and is a son of John and Bridget (Gray) Geraghty, both natives of Ireland. When a young man the father located in St. Louis, coming from New York City. The mother came to America when a young girl with her parents. The father followed steamboating on the Mississippi River, and was accidentally killed while thus engaged at the St. Louis docks. The mother died in St. Louis.
John J. Geraghty was one of two children born to his parents. The other, a twin brother, died in infancy. Mr. Geraghty was reared and educated in St. Louis and when seventeen years of age, began learning the plumber's trade and followed this line of work as a journeyman in St. Louis until 1886. He then came to Clinton in the employ of Hasler & Sherpy, and took charge of the plumbing department of their hardware store. When Mr. Geraghty came to Clinton, he had no intention of remaining here permanently, but at that time the big trades strike was on in St. Louis and Mr. Hasler was there looking for a plumber and upon meeting Mr. Geraghty, induced him to come to Clinton, as above stated. Mr. Geraghty remained with that concern for sixteen years, or until they sold out in 1902, at which time Mr. Geraghty bought their plumbing and heating department and Henry Baum, who was also in the employ of that company, in charge of the tinning department, took over that branch of the business and from that time until 1905, Mr. Geraghty and Mr. Baum continued their respective departments, although no partnership existed between them. In 1905, Mr. Geraghty required more space for his business and removed to his present place in the Cozart building, where he has since continued with his plumbing and heating business. Two of his sons who are plumbers, assist him.
Mr. Geraghty was married in June, 1885, to Miss Elizabeth Heffernan, a native of St. Louis and a daughter of Daniel and Bridget (O'Boyle) Heffernan, both natives of Ireland. To Mr. and Mrs. Geraghty have been born eight children, as follows: Catherine, married Ray Kuhn of St. Louis, and they have one child, Thelma; John, a plumber employed by his father; Elizabeth, employed in the Clinton National Bank; Frank, plumber, with his father; Josephine, married Paul Carney of Clinton; Ellen, Paul and Daniel, all at home.
Politically, Mr. Geraghty is a Democrat. He was appointed plumbing inspector for Clinton, but refused to serve in that capacity, although he promoted the adoption of a set of plumbing and sanitary rules which were adopted by the city of Clinton. These rules are known as the Memphis, Tennessee, rules, and Mr. Geraghty regards them as the best sanitary rules in the country. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective order of Elks, Knights of Columbus and the Woodmen of the World, and he and his family belong to the Catholic Church.
B. F. Wright, a successful grocer located on West Allen street in Clinton, is a native son of Missouri. He was born in Pettis County in 1864 and is a son of Jefferson and Martha J. (Emery) Wright, both also natives of Pettis County and descendants of Pioneer families of Missouri. The father died in Pettis County in the prime of life and his widow married Samuel Wilson, who is now deceased, and she resides in Duarte, California.
B. F. Wright was reared and educated in Pettis County and was engaged in farming and stock raising until 1900. In 1901, he came to Clinton and entered the employ of George Wert, and after remaining with him two years, he was employed by Charley Markle in his grocery and feed store for four years, William Leonard buying Markle's grocery. He still remained with the firm for four more years. In 1915, he engaged in the grocery business for himself at his present place of business on West Allen street. He began with limited capital and borrowed some, and gradually increased his stock. Although his aim has never been to carry an unusually large line, but by close attention to business and square dealing he has built up a large trade and prospered. Since engaging in business, he has built a comfortable residence, where he now resides, and also five other residences which he rents.
Mr. Wright was married in 1891 to Miss Millie May Roberts of Pettis County, Missouri. She is a daughter of Zachariah and Ella (Ramey) Roberts of Lamonte, Pettis County, Missouri. Mrs. Wright's parents are both deceased. The father died when Mrs. Wright was four years of age and her mother died eight years later. Thus Mrs. Wright was left an orphan at on early age. She was reared by an aunt, Mrs. E. K. Canaday. She received her education in the public school at Lamont, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have one little daughter, Laura Etta Wright, who is nine years of age.
Mr. and Mrs. Wright are deserving of the success which they have made of their mercantile venture. They strive to please their vast number of customers and from the continual growth of their business, the only conclusion is that their methods meet with public approval.
John R. and Luke W. Peckenpaugh, enterprising Clinton merchants who are engaged in the grocery and dry goods business on the southeast corner of the public square, are sons of Henry and Elizabeth (Bowen) Peckenpaugh, the former a native of Illinois and the mother of Henry County. Mrs. Henry Peckenpaugh is a daughter of Richard Bowen, a pioneer coal operator of Henry County, and the organizer of the Bowen Coal Company. He opened the first coal mine at Lewis Station, and later operated at Windsor. He is now living retired in Kansas City at the age of seventy-eight years.
Henry Peckenpaugh came from his native State, Illinois, to Missouri, just after the close of the Civil War. At the time of his tragic death, in 1899, he was thirty-five years of age. He was United States marshal, residence at McAllister, Oklahoma, and was killed while in the performance of his duty as an officer. While arresting two post office robbers, he was shot by one of them. He had arrested one and the other, who was secreted behind a telephone pole, shot Mr. Peckenpaugh in the back, the effect of which caused instant death. His widow now resides in Clinton.
To Henry and Elizabeth (Bowen) Peckenpaugh were born the following children: Mrs. C. E. Brown, Clinton; John Richard, engaged in the grocery and dry goods business in Clinton; Mrs. E. K. Roberts, Clinton; Mrs. George F. Jones, Omaha, Nebraska; Luke W., who is engaged in the dry goods and grocery business with his brother, John Richard.
Luke W. was born at McAllister, Oklahoma, February 11, 1897, and received his education in the public schools of Clinton. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is one of Clinton's well-known and popular young men.
John R. Peckenpaugh was educated in the public schools of Clinton, and began his mercantile career as a clerk in the store of S. Degan of Clinton, at the age of fourteen years. In 1911, he and his brother, Luke, engaged in their present business. They were first located on the south side of the square and moved to their present place in 1913. June 14, 1913, John R. Peckenpaugh was united in marriage with Miss Lura Hart of Clinton, and they have one child, Ada Elizabeth. Mr. Peckenpaugh is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Woodmen of the World.
The Peckenpaugh brothers are progressive and up-to-date merchants. They carry a first-class line of goods and their courteous manners and square dealings has won for them a generous portion of the patronage of Clinton.
