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Note: James Henry was the oldest son of his parents Reuben Garnett Waggener and Mary (Moore) Waggener. He was reportedly born on April 20, 1839 in Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky. He moved with his parents in 1841, to Rush Tower in Jefferson County, Missouri, and grew up on the family farm there. From the numerous stories and reports below, it is clear that he was a very prominent man in Jefferson County, and probably beyond. He served as the elected County Assessor from 1876 to 1878. He was elected to serve in the General Assembly of the State Legislature from 1878 to 1882. He seems to have served in a number of Court related positions, including as a member of the Board of Equalization, a member of the Board of Appeals, and later as the foreman of a Grand Jury. He seems to have remained active in the Democratic Party in Jefferson County, after his service in the legislature. In a number of the newspaper stories, he is identified as the Honorable J. H. Waggener. He is also described in different records as being a farmer, a surveyor, a Justice of the Peace, a Notary Public, and the Associate Editor of the "Watchman." According to Mary Lucetta Waggener and/or Lottie Halberstadt, he and his brothers Stokley and William Horace played a very prominent part in the founding of Festus, Missouri. They also said that the name of the town was chosen by James Henry. He is also described at one point as being the Street Commissioner of Festus. It is not quite clear where James Henry lived in Jefferson County. He is not listed as owning property in the 1876 atlas. He is listed as a "Rep. in Legislature," and in the home of his parents, for the 1880 census. He does seem to be listed as owning 20 acres near Rush Tower in the 1898 atlas, but there is no building listed on this property. In the 'Patrons' section of the 1898 atlas, he is listed as living in Festus. In a number of the newspaper stories he is described as "visiting" various locations in the county, and he seems to have spent time in Jefferson City, Missouri and Washington D. C. It seems most likely that he had some sort of a home in or near Festus. His nephew George Vest Waggener later in his life spoke about how he was particularly fond of his "Uncle Jim," who he remembered as a man of great intellect and learning. The impression he had as a boy was that Uncle Jim's house was the intellectual center of the surrounding community. He claimed that prominent citizens from all around the area would gather there regularly to debate the issues of the day, and that local, state, and even national politicians would sometimes seek out Uncle Jim's place to join in. It also does not appear from any of the records that James Henry ever married or had any children, but he apparently worked hard at being a good uncle for his nephews and nieces. My grandfather James Richard Waggener, Sr., another nephew, also spoke very fondly of his Uncle Jim. He mentioned how Uncle Jim paid a lot of attention to his family and helped them out financially. He talked about Jim was the Justice of the Peace in Festus and everyone called him "the Judge." He told a story how Uncle Jim took him and his sibling to the 1904 Worlds Fair in St. Louis, and that he remembered that experience vividly and fondly, 70 years later. I know that James Henry died in 1912, but do not know the exact date or location. It was apparently somewhere outside of Missouri. He is buried in the Gamel-Methodist Cemetery in Festus, with his mother and sister Mary Lily. Rick Waggener ================ From the 1850 Federal Census of Jefferson County, Missouri; District 42; page 468-A; taken Oct. 16, 1850; James was living with his family, #925: Waggener, James H.; age-11, male, white, born- KY, attending school =============== From the 1860 Federal Census of Jefferson County, Missouri; Plattin Township, Avoca Post Office; taken October 14, 1860; household #84. James is listed with his parents and family: James Wagoner; age- 21, male, occupation- farmer, born- Kentucky =============== From the 1870 Federal Census of Jefferson County, Missouri; Plattin Township, Hillsboro Post Office; taken June 6, 1870; James is still living in his parent's household #104: Waggoner, Jas. H.; age-26, male, white, school teacher, born- MO (James was actually 31 in 1870.) =============== From the 1880 Federal Census of Jefferson County, Missouri, Plattin Township, taken June 16, 1880, household #219. James is listed in the home of his parents and some siblings: Waggener, James H.; age- 41, male, son, Rep. in Legislature, born- KY, parents born- VA/ KY =============== The story of the founding and the eventual naming of the city Festus is an interesting one, as covered in the Howard C. Litton's book, "History of Jefferson County, Missouri and Festus, Missouri," Second Edition, May 1987. It seems pretty clear that James Henry and his younger brother Stokley played significant roles. The town of Festus was established on the Crystal City railroad, about one mile west of the glass works in Crystal City, in 1878. The first lots were laid out by W. J. Adams. Another part of the town was laid out in May 1883, by Alfred F. Sherlock, and named "Derby City." On February 8, 1887, a petition signed by John V. Haefner and 121 others, was presented to the county court whereupon the whole town, including Derby City was incorporated as a fourth class city, under the name and style of the "City of Festus," The Crystal Plate Glass Works had absolute control of Crystal City because it owned all the land and buildings east of the present Brierton Lane. Hence, no "saloon or dramshop was allowed to exist therein," and the company was considerably annoyed when popular watering places were established "just beyond the border." Some enterprising businessmen built saloons to quench the thirst generated by the terrific heat of the glass furnaces and a twelve-hour day, six days a week. This small community was called "Tanglefoot" because patrons of the saloons got their feet tangled in the underbrush while returning to their homes. As the town became populous, the inhabitants disowned the name of "Tanglefoot" and named the place "Limitville." This name was suggested by the fact that the eastern boundary of the town was the western boundary of the lands of the Crystal Plate Glass Works, and consequently, its expansion toward Crystal City was limited. The town was called "Limitville" until its name was changed to Festus. There are several stories of how the name of Festus came to be chosen. One story goes that Mrs. Elizabeth Posch, first businesswoman of the town, and James Waggener, a surveyor and justice of the peace, and others decided that "Tanglefoot" was undignified and decided to rename the town. They called it Festus because of their admiration for Festus J. Wade. Another story is that a group of citizens gathered in the first Waggener Company Store shortly after the town began to be more than a few scattered houses. They had applied for a post office and the government had stated that a name would have to be selected. Not wishing the town to become notorious for its large number of saloons, Mr. Waggener chose the name "Danby," which was not accepted because the post office department already had a post office registered under that name. Reportedly a traveling salesman produced a Gideon Bible, which he opened and pointed his finger at the name of the Roman General in Acts 25:22. Another similar version of this story named the above Mrs. Posch as the person finding the name Festus in this section of the bible. It is known that the post office was called Festus, while the town was still called Limitville. Stokley Waggener was the first postmaster of the post office, which he ran from a section of his Waggener Company Store. =============== From "The Jefferson Democrat" newspaper of Hillsboro, Jefferson, Missouri; sent to me courtesy of Charlotte Maness: ****** FRIDAY, 28 JULY 1876 - Mr. J.H. WAGGENER, of Plattin township, is a young man of good habits and splendid abilities, and has always been a true Democrat, working with a will for the party even when defeated by it, and will make a good Assessor, if the party should select him as its candidate for that office. He hails from a township that has never had much representation in the county offices, but that is no reason why it should be ignored in the future. ****** FRIDAY, 28 JULY 1876 - COUNTY COURT PROCEEDINGS - July Term, 1876 - Bill of J.H. WAGGENER and J.L. WEAVER, for securing wreck of Rush Tower bridge, was rejected, but it was ordered that they be permitted to take the lumber for their services. ****** FRIDAY, 17 NOVEMBER 1876 - The official count varies some little from our report of the election last week. The following are the majorities on the Congressional and County ticket: J.H. WAGGENER, Assessor 753 ****** FRIDAY, 9 MARCH 1877 - County court was in session Monday and Tuesday of last week. Bond of J.H. WAGGENER as Assessor, was approved. ****** FRIDAY, 20 JULY 1877 - Official Directory of Jefferson County. Included: Assessor J.H. WAGGENER Rush Tower ****** FRIDAY, 27 APRIL 1877 - COUNTY COURT - April Term, 1877 - Accounts were allowed against the county as follows: J.H. WAGGONER, member of Board of Equalization 15.00 ****** FRIDAY, 18 MAY 1877 - COUNTY COURT PROCEEDINGS - May Term 1877 - Demands were allowed against the county as follows: J.H. WAGGONER, member board of appeals 9.00 ****** FRIDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 1878 - The following accounts against the county were allowed by the Court and warrants issued, to-wit: Included: Jas. H. WAGGENER, assessing dogs 92.30 Jas. H. WAGGENER, making personal assess't 317.10 ****** FRIDAY, 24 MAY 1878 - Mr. WAGGENER has been induced to offer himself as a candidate for Representative. He is well qualified, understands the wants of the county, and is able to present his views in any assemblage. As a farmer he will represent the interests of our county, as its population is made up principally of farmer. ****** FRIDAY, 24 MAY 1878 - Hillsboro, Mo., May 15th, 1878 - James H. WAGGENER, Esq.: DEAR SIR: -- The undersigned citizens of Jefferson county, MO., having the utmost confidence in your honesty and integrity, and recognizing in you a special fitness for Representative in our next General Assembly, would respectfully solicit you to become a candidate at the ensuing election, and will give you our hearty encouragement and support. Very respectfully, Chas. PIPKIN, M.D., Sull. FRAZIER, Samuel EAKEN, Thos. J. WILEY, Alfred STEWART, C.W.S. VINYARD, Wm. CLARK, Geo. M. McCORMACK, Thornton JARVIS, James BURGESS, Thomas BYRNS, Wm. MOCKBEE, Thos. J. DONNELL, C.F. LEE, J.N. DRURY ****** FRIDAY, 9 AUGUST 1878 - COUNTY COURT - James IRWIN was appointed overseer of district No. 8, in place of J.H. WAGGENER -- resigned. ****** FRIDAY, 10 JANUARY 1879 - COUNTY COURT PROCEEDINGS - Special Term -- January 6th, 1879 - Assessor's books of 1879, as presented and filed, by Jas. H. WAGGENER, assessor, received. ***** FRIDAY, 10 JANUARY 1879 - COUNTY COURT PROCEEDINGS - Jas. H. WAGGENER allowed against, the State of Missouri for making assessment of 1879, $417.08. ****** FRIDAY, 10 JANUARY 1879 - COUNTY COURT PROCEEDINGS - Accounts allowed against the county as follows, to-wit: J.M. WAGGENER, assessor, making land and personal assessment 1879. 417.04 ****** FRIDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 1879. - COUNTY COURT PROCEEDINGS - J.H. WAGGENER was allowed out of dog fund for assessing dogs, $50. ****** FRIDAY, 1 AUGUST 1879 - COUNTY OFFICERS. Representative J.H. WAGGENER Rush Tower ****** FRIDAY, 5 MARCH 1880. - DETAILED STATEMENT of WITNESS AND JURY SCRIP issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Mo., for the year ending February 1st, 1880. Feb'y 11, 1879 J H WAGGENER, listing dogs 50.00 ****** FRIDAY, 9 JANUARY 1880 - The Hon. James H. WAGGENER has been seen around more than once. Some say he is electioneering, but if he is it is in regard to a question that one has to proceed with more cautiously than he does with politics. However we are not inclined to think he is so far gone on the question as some would have us believe. ****** FRIDAY, 26 MARCH 1880. - A meeting of the citizens of Central township is hereby called to meet at Hillsboro on Monday, the 5th day of April next, to consider the propriety of submitting to a vote a proposition to increase the rate of taxes for county revenue purposes, which in crease to be annually expended in building grave roads where most needed. Also to appoint a committee of three to confer with a like committee from the other townships in the county, to determine and decide upon the terms of the proposition to be submitted to the vote; as to the rate of per cent of increase and the line of roads upon which the same shall be expended. The following committees were appointed by the chair: For Valle township -- Willie WILLIAMS, C. WINSOR and A.P. LANDES; for Plattin township -- George McCORMACK, Louis KLEINSCHMIDT and James WAGGENER ****** FRIDAY, 2 JULY 1880. - Communications from Sulphur Springs and Vineland, also from Hon. James H. WAGGENER, are received and will be attended to next week. ****** FRIDAY, 9 JULY 1880. - DE SOTO ITEMS -- by H.S. JENKS - De Soto, Mo., July 6, 1880 - J.H. WAGGENER, our representative, was in town today. He is squarely on the "want to go again." We have no saw to grind but Messrs. W. and B. will undoubtedly have a lively race. ****** FRIDAY, 23 JULY 1880. - VICTORIA ITEMS - Victoria, Mo., July 21, 1880 - Hon. J.H. WAGGENER and Miss WEAVER, of Rush Tower, spent Saturday and Sunday in our place. James is not devoting his entire time to electioneering -- in politics at least. ****** FRIDAY, 28 APRIL 1882 - Hon. J.H. WAGGENER was in town Monday, and informed us that the wheat crop never looked so flattering before at this season of the year, as it does now in Plattin township. there are no signs yet of injurious insects. ****** FRIDAY, 14 JULY 1882 - The Jefferson County Normal opens tonight. Address by Hon. Saml. BYRNS and responded to by Hon. J.H. WAGGENER. the school will open under the supervision of Profs. RACE, of Mexico, Mo., and BUTLER of Steelville. County Commissioner M.C. JENNINGS is lending his entire attention to make it a success. ****** FRIDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 1882 - The Democratic County Convention was me as per call of committee, at the court house in Hillsboro, at 2 p.m., on Monday, September 4, 1882, for the purpose of nominating a county ticket. The convention was called to order by S. BYRNES, chairman of the committee, who called Jos. J. WILLIAMS to the chair and H. Ed. GREEN to act as temporary secretary. Valle: Messrs. J.H. WAGGENER, J.M. BAILEY and John O'FALLON were then placed in nomination for Representative, and all pledged themselves to support the nominees. Twenty-three ballots were taken before a nomination was made, O'FALLON receiving from 45 to 48 votes. BAILEY 35 to 45, and WAGGENER 19 to 10. ****** FRIDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 1883 - RUSH TOWER and OAKLAND - The Hon. J.H. WAGGENER is still at Jefferson City. We hope he will succeed in obtaining a good posish, for he deserves it for his untiring faithfulness. Not a lazy bone in "Robin's body." Go in, old fellow, and win, and let's have the pleasure of beholding your jovial countenance under a play hat once more. ****** WEDNESDAY, 25 APRIL 1883 - PROBATE COURT DOCKET - MAY TERM, 1883 - Probate Court Docket of Jefferson county, Missouri, to be begun and held in the town of Hillsboro, county and State aforesaid, on Monday, May 14, 1883, showing the names of estates, guardians, executors and administrators, and days of settlement. First Day, Monday, May 14th J.M. DRYBREAD, deceased, J.H. WAGGENER, adm ****** WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1883 - COUNTY COURT - Treasurer was ordered to loan $200 of school monies to John JOHNSTON, $150 to J.H. WAGGENER and $300 to Strickland MANESS. ****** WEDNESDAY, 10 OCTOBER 1883 - ORDER OF PUBLICATION - STATE OF MISSOURI - County of Jefferson - In the Probate court of said county - August term, 1883 - Estate of John M. DRYBRED, James M. WAGGENER, Administrator - Order of Publication. Now, comes James H. WAGGENER, Administrator of the estate of John M. DRYBRED, late of Jefferson county, deceased, and presents to the court ...... ****** WEDNESDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 1883 - COUNTY COURT - County court disposed of the following business at its last session. - Schoolfund mortgages of J.M. WAGGENER for $150, and Peter W. HAMRICK for $200, were examined and approved ****** WEDNESDAY, 16 APRIL 1884 - PROCEEDINGS of the Board of Equalization - At the annual meeting of the County Board of Equalization of Jefferson County, Missouri, which met, according to law, at Hillsboro, on the 7th day of April, 1884, the valuation by the Assessor of said county placed upon the following .c.list of lands and town lots;, was raised by said Board, in addition to the 5 per cent, raised by the State, as follows, to-wit: Owner's name From To W.B. KENNER 600 1000 J.H. WAGGENER 60 120 ****** WEDNESDAY, 14 MAY 1884 - RUSH TOWER - Hon. J.H. WAGGENER will be a firm supporter of CLARDY during the coming campaign. ****** WEDNESDAY, 28 MAY 1884 - There was a spirited triangular contest for the office of Recorder between E.F. HONEY of Hillsboro, A.J. PHILLIPS of Hematite and F.D. WATERS of Kimmswick. All three had numerously signed petitions and each sent a representative to Jefferson City to personally present the petition. Hon. Sam. BYRNS represented HONEY; Hon. J.H. WAGGENER went for PHILLIPS, and Col. John O'FALLON for WATERS. Mr. BYRNS carried the largest pole and brought home the persimmon - a commission for HONEY. The qualifications of all three of the applicants are first-class and the unlucky ones have the consolation of knowing that they were beaten by a worthy and competent young man. The appointment is only till next January, and they can all have a chance to try their strength before the people this Fall, if they so desire. ****** WEDNESDAY, 9 JULY 1884 - CENTRAL COMMITTEE - The Democratic county central committee met last Saturday. Present - R.W. McMULLIN, H. HOHENTHAL, James A. ACKELY and Leroy DOVER. Proxies were presented by J.F. GREEN for J. SALE, J.H. WAGGENER, for John N. CONN and T.B. MOSS for Dr. SPAULDING, all of whom were admitted. The following are the places designated for opening polls, and persons appointed as judges and clerks: Limitville - A.F. SHEARLOCK, W.B. KENNER and J.M. BAILEY. ****** WEDNESDAY, 2 JULY 1884 - A STATEMENT, Showing the Financial Condition of the Several School Funds of Jefferson County, Missouri, for the Fifteen Months, Ending July 1st, 1884. COUNTY SCHOOL FUND - Note due by J.H. WAGGENER 150.00 Interest due on same by J.H. WAGGENER, August 13, 1884 12.00 ****** WEDNESDAY, 7 JANUARY 1885 - James H. WAGGENER starts to-day for Washington City. We understand he has a position of some sort there, and we hope he will do well. We expect to hear from him occasionally. ****** WEDNESDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 1886 - We notice that James WAGGENER, the associate editor of the Watchman, looks rather sober. We do not know whether he contemplates matrimony or suicide, or both. Hematite, February 8, 1886. ****** WEDNESDAY, 12 MAY 1886 - Judge THOMAS opened Circuit court on Monday and empannelled a grand jury, consisting of J.H. WAGGENER, foreman ****** WEDNESDAY, 14 JULY 1886 - COUNTY COURT - Prosecuting attorney was ordered to enter releases of mortgages given by E.S. PYLE on five acres in section 2, township 39, range 4, and by J.H. WAGGENER on lot 4, block 8, Derby City. ****** WEDNESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 1887 - STATEMENT OF COUNTY WARRANTS - Issued by the County Court of Jefferson County, Missouri, for the year ending February 1, 1887: February 3, 1886; John WAGGENER, road tools 13.40 20 May 1886 J.H. WAGGENER, grand juror 17.80 ****** A STATEMENT - Showing the Financial Condition of the Several Schoolfunds of Jefferson County, Missouri, for the Year Ending July 1, 1887: Bills Receivable Due this Fund. J.H. WAGGENER 150.00 6.25 ****** WEDNESDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 1887 - DE SOTO - Hon. J.H. WAGGENER and Mr. E.E. WARD spent Sunday with their friends in DeSoto. ****** WEDNESDAY, 3 NOVEMBER 1887 - James H. WAGGENER paid our burgh a visit last Saturday. ****** WEDNESDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 1888 - MARRIED - A large number of the relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. J.M. ENGLAND assembled at their residence on last Wednesday evening, Sept. 12, to witness the marriage of their daughter, Maggie B. ENGLAND, to Mr. Jas. S. IRWIN........ The happy couple were the recipients of many elegant and costly presents; among them were a handsome bronze clock, gift of the bride's uncle, J.H. WAGGNER;.... (See the notes of James Henry's niece Margaret England for the whole wedding story.) ****** June 10, 1890- Under the title "Bills Receivable due the Several School Funds of Jefferson County, Missouri" there was an entry under "County School Fund": "J.H. Waggener $155.59." (This was apparently a school tax and I'm not clear on why James Henry apparently owed it and never seems to have paid it.) ============== From JEFFERSON COUNTY portion of GOODSPEED's HISTORY of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford, & Gasconade Counties, Missouri; Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1888: "James H. Waggoner" served as a Representative in the Legislature from 1879-81. ============== From a biography that Philip Waggener wrote about his father George Vest Waggener, dated December 1993. In this passage he is talking about memories that George had of his boyhood in Festus. George was born in 1885, so these memories would probably have been of the early 1890's.: "...He was particularly fond of his Uncle Jim, whom he remembered as a man of great intellect and learning. The impression he had as a boy was that Uncle Jim's house was the intellectual center of the surrounding community. He claimed that prominent citizens from all around the area would gather there regularly to debate the issues of the day, and that local, state, and even national politicians would sometimes seek out Uncle Jim's place to join in. ..." ============== From Howard C. Litton's book, "History of Jefferson County, Missouri and Festus, Missouri," Second Edition, May 1987: ******Page 49: Jim Waggener was street commissioner during C. E. Millers term as mayor. (This isn't dated but seems to be about 1900-1905.) ============== From the "Hallemann's Interpretation of 1898 Standard Atlas of Jefferson County, Misouri," compiled and edited by Dave Hallemann, 1995: ****** "Waggoner, Henry" is listed as a landowner of 20 acres in Township 39, Range 7 East, Section 4. The property is further described as "Bluffs," and there is no mention of a building on the property. This property must be just south of Rush Tower, along the bluffs above the Mississippi River. ****** "Waggener, J.H." is listed in the section of Atlas patrons. He is described as living in Festus and his occupation is listed as "Notary, Surveyor." He is also listed as having moved to Jefferson County in 1841. ============== ****** From Jefferson County Deeds, Volume 50, page 281; An indenture dated February 23, 1900 in Jefferson County, Missouri, in which Mary E. Waggener conveys to S. T. Waggener for the sum of $90: The deed is recorded on May 4, 1900 and notarized by, "J. H. Waggener, Notary Public." ============== From 1900 Federal Census of Jefferson County, Missouri, Joachim Township, District 54, Sheet 11, taken June 8, 1900, ); living on Second Street, apparently in Festus, but no house numbers given, household 198; from ancestry.com, image 21 of 26. James is listed in the household of his mother: ---- James H.; son, male, born- Apr 1839, age- 61, single, born- Kentucky, father born- Virginia, mother born- Illinois, occupation- Street Commissioner, r/w ============= From the 1910 Federal Census of the City of Festus, Joachim Township, Jefferson County, Missouri, district 33, sheet 16B, page 126, taken May 3, 1910, household 347; from genealogy.com. James is listed in the household of his youngest sister Mary Lillie: ------ James H.; brother, male, age- 71, single, born- Kentucky, father born- Missouri, mother born- Illinois, occupation- Notary/ Public, r/w's ============ James Henry is buried with his mother Mary and sister Lilly in the Gamel- Methodist Cemetery, in Festus, Missouri (off Lee Ave. near Highway A and Interstate 55). Their headstone reads: Mary Waggener Born Sept. 15, 1918 Died Jan. 1, 1904 Lilly Waggener 1857- 1937 James H. Waggener 1939- 1912 =========== I was unable to locate the death certificate for James in the State of Missouri, which makes me think that perhaps he died outside of the state of Missouri. -Rick Waggener
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