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Note: I have found two different biographical sketches of John Edmund Waggener. The first came from the 1876 Atlas, of which John or Ed, as he was apparently known, was a patron. The second appears to have been written in about 1887-88, and seems to borrow on the information contained in the first. Rather than duplicating information, I have copied below the first part of the earlier biography, and the second part of the later one. Together they give a pretty good picture of Ed's life, up to about 1887. I will try to finish out what I know of the story of his later life after the second bio. The newspaper stories listed below seem to give some personal details of the life of John and his family during this time. He was clearly a prominent and esteemed member of the community, and from the rest of the records I have found, he seems to have remained prominent for the rest of his life. From the "Historical Atlas Map of Jefferson County, Mo." originally published by Brink, McDonaugh & Co. 1876; reprinted by the Jefferson County Historical Society in 1999, edited by Lisa K. Thompson: From the chapter titled "Biographical Sketches of Citizens of Jefferson County, Missouri, p.14: "J.E. Waggener., proprietor of the store at Rush Tower, and a young and enterprising business man of this part of the County, was born in Plattin Township within two miles of Rush Tower, on the twenty third of December, 1847. Mr. Waggener was raised in this neighborhood with the interests of which has been identified up to the present time. He had no better opportunities for instruction than were afforded by the ordinary schools of the vicinity. These were improved, however to the best of his ability, and furnished the means for gaining a fair education. At the age of nineteen, he took charge of the Oakland school, about a mile and a half south of his father's residence. He here taught two terms, winning success at the head of the school; and in 1868 became a clerk in the store at Rush Tower, then controlled by J.M. and B.F. England. He began business with them at a salary of twenty dollars a month, an amount which was gradually increased as he gained the confidence of the proprietors, and his services became valuable by his acquaintance with the large trade which the store was in possession. The partnership underwent various changes, and the store passed into several different hands, but Mr. Waggener was retained in charge by all the proprietors. In 1871, he obtained an interest in the store, and since November, 1875, the firm name has been J.E. Waggener & Company. His partner is Theodore Ehrichs, but the control of all the business has been under Mr. Waggener's personal supervision. As a merchant he is deservedly popular. At Rush Tower, as large amount of goods is probably sold for the size of the place as at any other point in Jefferson County, and he has retained control of this large trade by his willingness to oblige and accommodate, his personal popularity, and by the exercise of these qualities which always mark the energetic and successful businessman. All kinds of dry goods, groceries, and agricultural implements are kept constantly on hand; in short everything requires by an agricultural community. In the list of the biographies included in this work, Mr. Waggener's is almost the only case where we are unable to speak of the marriage of the subject of the history....." -------------------------- From "Biographies of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford and Gasconade Counties, Missouri, (originally written about 1887-88) Heritage Books,1995" (Courtesy of Christine Merseal): page 954 "..... In 1876 he married Miss Florence, daughter of Thomas L. and Mary Donnell, who are among the esteemed pioneers of Jefferson County, where Mrs. Waggener was born in 1855. She is an accomplished lady, and by her union to Mr. Waggener became the mother of four children, three now living: Oliver M., Thomas D. and Lillie Lee. In 1879 Mr. Waggener abandoned mercantile life, and removed to his farm of 170 acres, situated four miles southwest of Rush Tower, and known as the "Parker Farm." After living there three years his health became impaired, and he removed to Hematite, and again engaged in merchandising in partnership with B.C. Berry. In the spring of 1886 he returned to his farm, and soon after formed a partnership with J.S. Shannon, and has since been engaged in merchandising at Rush Tower, but lives on the farm, four miles away. He also has 120 acres two miles west of Rush Tower, which he holds for sale. (This is in the sections mentioned below, and which is adjacent to his parent's farm.) All of his property is the fruit of his own exertions. Mr. Waggener is a Democrat, and his first presidential vote was for Horace Seymour in 1868. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is the son of R. G. Waggener, a native of Culpeper County, Va...." --------------------- Continuing the story, four other children were born to Ed and Mary Florence: Richard Garnett (1889), Robert Roy (1891), William Lynn (1894) and Mary Florence (1897) Ed's wife Mary Florence died the day after giving birth to their youngest child. Although the youngest child was apparently raised by an aunt or aunts, Ed apparently raised the rest of his family to adulthood, by himself. Apparently sometime after 1888, he abandoned the retail business altogether and devoted himself entirely to farming. He is listed as a farmer in the 1900 and 1910 censuses in Plattin Township, and he is also listed as a farmer in Danby in the 1907 directory. According to the family, sometime before World War I, Ed rented a large tract of land on Big Island, adjacent to Commerce in Scott County, Missouri. He apparently initially took his youngest sons there during the summers, to farm and keep out of trouble. I know that two of the older boys, Thomas and Garnett, were in that area for the 1910 census. At some point he moved there and lived there in a house in Commerce, with his youngest son (William) Lynn. Ed is listed there in Commerce with Lynn in the 1920 census. The boys eventually left the area, but Ed apparently remained with son Lynn, who settled (and worked as a merchant) in the town of Sikeston, in Scott County, Missouri. Ed passed away there on January 15, 1927. He is buried with his wife Mary Florence in the Festus Methodist Cemetery, also know as the Gamel Cemetery, in Festus, Missouri. Rick Waggener ============== From the 1850 Federal Census of Jefferson County, Missouri; District 42; page 468-A; taken Oct. 16, 1850; John Edmund is listed with his family, #925: Waggener, Edmund; age-3, male, white, born- MO ============== From the 1860 Federal Census of Jefferson County, Missouri; Plattin Township, Avoca Post Office; taken October 14, 1860; household #84. John is listed with his parents and family: John E. Wagoner; age- 13, male, born- Missouri ============== From the 1870 Federal Census of Jefferson County, Missouri; Plattin Township, Hillsboro Post Office; taken June 6, 1870; John Edmund is listed with his parents and family in household #104: Waggoner, Edmund; age-22, male, white, clk. in dry goods store (ret.), born- MO ============= From Jefferson County, Missouri Marriage Records, posted on-line by Brian J. Oster; http://www.vienici.com/default.htm: Name: Waggener, J. E. Mr. Page: 150 County: Jefferson County Mr. J. E. Waggener and Miss Florence Donnell; married on 9 November 1876 by Geo. W. Hull, Minister at Thos. Donnell’s residence, Plattin Creek, Jefferson Co., Mo.; witness: N. F. Weaver ============ From the 1880 Federal Census of Jefferson County, Missouri, Plattin Township, taken June 18, 1880, household #254: Waggener, J. Edward; age- 33, male, head of household, married, farmer, born- MO, parents born- VA/ IL Waggener, Florence; age- 26, female, wife, married, works in house, born- MO, parents born- MO/ MO Waggener, Oliver; age- 9/12, male, son, (born February), born- MO, parents born- MO/ MO Beckett, Charles; age- 17, male, servant, works on farm, born- MO, parents born- MO/ MO (The household of John's parents is in the same township, household #219.) ============ From "The Jefferson Democrat" newspaper of Hillsboro, Jefferson, Missouri; sent to me courtesy of Charlotte Maness: ****** FRIDAY, 28 JULY 1876 - While at Rush Tower last week I learned that farmers in that vicinity have about a half crop of wheat. Oats pretty fair, and corn on the hills good. I found Messrs. J.E. WAGGENER & Co., of the Rush Tower store, doing a food fair trade for the time of the year. ****** FRIDAY, 11 AUGUST 1876 - The following are appointed as judges and clerks of the primary elections, two to act as judges the other as clerk: Rush Tower--J. Ed WAGGENER ****** FRIDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 1876 - Mr. Carlos DUMM, of Rush Tower, was visited a week or two by his brother from .P.Indiana;. His brother is a railroad engineer, and on his way down here he fell in with an acquaintance, --another engineer named Geo. NEWCOMB--who was out of employment and concluded to accompany Mr. DUMM on his visit. They arrived at Rush Tower on the 21st inst., and on the night of the 26th inst. Mr. DUMM was away from home, and gave NEWCOMB permission to occupy his room in his absence. On returning to his room next morning, DUMM unlocked his trunk and took out his pants to put on, and found that his gold watch, revolver, and $1.50 in silver were missing, and his visitor was also. A boat had landed at the Tower that night, and it was supposed that NEWCOMB had boarded it with his plunder. Ed. WAGGENER's watch was also taken the same night, and altogether the fellow made a good haul. WAGGENER's watch was worth about $100, and DUMM's had cost $175,and was a present to him by his friends. It had a presentation inscription engraved on it, which may possibly lead to its recovery. If the fellow did get on the boat, he must have secreted himself and slipped off at some way landing, as Mr. DUMM telegraphed to St. Louis before the boat arrived there, and had it searched. NEWCOMB is a fine looking man, about 5 feet 8 inches high and will weigh near 200 pounds. He has light hair and whiskers--chin whiskers and moustache. ****** FRIDAY, 17 NOVEMBER 1876 - Mr. J. Ed. WAGGENER and Miss Florence .i.DONNELL;, daughter of Thos. L. DONNELL, of Plattin, were married on Thursday evening of last week. It is hardly worth while to congratulate them, for they ought to be happy enough without it. ****** FRIDAY, 1 DECEMBER 1876 - PROBATE COURT PROCEEDINGS - Nov. Term, 1876 - Accounts were allowed against estates as follows: J. Ed. WAGGENER vs. John ARMSTRONG 20.79 ****** FRIDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 1878 - CORRESPONDENCE - C.C. FLETCHER, Esq. Sir: -- Regarding you as a man eminently qualified on account of your experience in financial matters, your educational attainments and sound judgment to properly discharge the duties of Presiding Justice of the County Court of this county, we respectfully request you to allow your name to be used in connection with the candidacy for that office, hereby pledging you that we will use all honorable means to secure your election. [Signed.] Included: J.E. SWINK John WAGGENER ****** FRIDAY, 2 AUGUST 1878 - The following is a condensed report of the various Democratic township meetings held in the county last Saturday: - Plattin Township -- C.F. LEE was chairman and Jas. ACKLEY secretary. The contest was between McCORMACK and BYRD for county judge, and the following McCORMACK men were elected delegates: C.F. LEE, Jas. ACKLEY, R.G. MADISON, Ed WAGGENER ****** FRIDAY, 14 APRIL 1882 - At the annual meeting of the County Board of Equalization of Jefferson County, Missouri, which met according to law, at Hillsboro, Mo., on Monday, April 3, 1882, and continued in session from day to day until April 7, 1882, the valuation by the Assessor of said County placed upon the following .c.lands and town lots was raised by Board; as stated below, to-wit: BARRY & WAGGENER 100 400 ****** FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1882 - PREMIUMS AWARDED AT THE JEFFERSON COUNTY FAIR Graded cow, 1 year J.E. WAGGENER Thorough-bred cow, J.E. WAGGENER Thorough-bred cow, 2 years J.E. WAGGENER ****** FRIDAY, 17 NOVEMBER 1882 - Quite a number of changes have taken place in our town within the past few weeks. A. ARNOLD of the "Brick Store" has removed with is family to Dakota. They are quite a loss to our community. Mr. ARNOLD was a "good fellow" and much thought of here. J.E. WAGGENER of Rush Tower purchased Mr. ARNOLD's interest in the store, and now occupies the second story as a dwelling. He and family are cordially welcomed here. H.M.C. ****** FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1 1882 - J.E. WAGGENER, having quit farming and gone to merchandising, will auction off his stock and farming utensils, at his farm near Rush tower, on Saturday, the 9th inst. He has some fine cattle, including a thoroughbred registered bull, and some excellent Berkshire and Poland China hogs. Those desiring good stock should not forget the time and place of sale. ****** FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1 1882 - Don't forget the sale of stock at J.E. WAGGENER's farm, Saturday, the 9th inst. He has some fine cattle and hogs to sell. ****** 1 APRIL 1885 - By the upsetting of Mr. ROSEGRANT's hack, on the road between Bailey's Station and Crystal City, one day last week, Ed. WAGGENER and his wife and children, were dumped unto the ground, Ed was hurt some. We are informed that his injuries are not serious, and that his wife and children escaped uninjured. ****** 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 ****** WEDNESDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 1887; - LIST OF CONVEYANCES; - Filed with the Recorder during the week ending on last Saturday. J.M. ENGLAND and wife, J. Ed WAGGENER and wife, Frank BRONDS and wife, Frank WAGGENER and Mary WAGGENER to W.H. WAGGENER, 40a sec11 tp38 r6 200.00 W.J. BELL to S.T. WAGGENER & Bro., lot in Festus 300.00 ****** Record of Old Settler's Reunions held in Jefferson County, Missouri OLD SETTLERS REUNION; Sat., Sept. 21, 1905 The nominating committee placed before the association the following names as the officers for the next year: R.G. Morgan, president; J. Ed Waggener, vice president; T.S. Byrd, secretary and treasurer; executive committee-J.A. Wilson, Big River; Elijah Burgess, Central; Eli F. Donnell, Joachim; Daniel Bonacre, Meramec; Louis Kleinschmidt, Plattin; Israel D. Waters, Rock; J.T. McMullin, Valle. ============== From "Hallemann's Interpretation of the 1876 Historical Atlas of Jefferson County, Missouri" Complied and edited by Dave Hallemann, published in 1998; and from the 1876 Jefferson County, Missouri Atlas: ****** "Waggener, J.E." is listed in the "Patrons" section as a "General Merchant." The location of his residence is listed as Township 40, Range 7 East, Section 31. This must be in or near the town of Rush Tower, apparently overlooking the Mississippi River. He is also listed as being born in the town of Rush Tower, in 1847. ****** "Waggener, J. Ed." is also listed in the Land Owners Section, as owning a parcel of 120 acres in Township 39, Range 6 East, Section 2. This tract is directly adjacent to the western edge of the main tract of land owned by his parents, Reuben and Mary Waggener. ============== From the book "Genealogy of the descendants of John Gar, or more particularly of his son Andreas Gaar, who emigrated from Bavaria to America in 1732," by John Wesley Garr and his son John Calhoun Garr; published in 1894: John is listed as person #5857 and Florence is listed as #12666. John is listed with his parent's family on page 112: _________________________________________________ Name Birth Death _________________________________________________ John E. Waggoner Dec. 23, 1846 Florence Donnell Oliver Martin Donnell Lilly Lee Richard Garnett Robert Roy --------------------------- At the time of the publishing of the book, in 1894, John is listed as living in Rush Tower, Jefferson County, Missouri. =============== From "Hallemann's Interpretation of the 1898 Historical Atlas of Jefferson County, Missouri" Complied and edited by Dave Hallemann, published in 1998: ****** "Waggener, J.E." is listed in the Land Owners section, as owning a parcel of 20 acres in Township 39, Range 7 east, section 5. It is also listed as being on a bluff, apparently overlooking the Mississippi River. This must be near the town of Rush Tower. ****** "Waggoner & Berry" are listed with 7 different parcels of land: 2 in township 39, range 6 east, section 5, of 181 acres and 300 acres; 2 in township 39, range 6 east, section 6, of 160 acres and 98.78 acres; 1 in township 39, range 6 east, section 7, with 241.47 acres; and 2 in township 40, range 6 east, section 32, of 210.47 acres and 155 acres. This must be the B.C. Berry who he was reported to have been in the merchandising business with in the 1880's. The parcels total about 1,347 acres, and must be all fairly close together and could be connected. These parcels are probably 1-2 miles due west and north of what was his parent's farm. I am assuming that these entries pertain to John, but it is possible that they pertain to his younger brother Stokley, or even another brother. ****** "Waggoner, J.E." is listed with 2 parcels of land in township 39, range 6 east. One of these is 129 acres in section 11, with a building. This was apparently listed in the 1876 atlas as being owned by John's father, and the building is probably a barn. The other one is 120 acres in section 2. This is the same parcel listed above as being owned by John in the 1876 atlas, and directly adjacent to what was his parent's farm. ******* "Waggoner, J.B." is also listed with 40 acres in township 39, range 6 east, section 11. I assume that this was a typo error of John's name, but it could be a typo of his brother Jesse David's name also. This parcel was near to what was the family farm, but apparently not part of it. ============== From the 1900 Federal Census in Jefferson County, Missouri, Plattin Township, District 57, page 5B, taken June 16, 1900; ancestory.com, Jefferson County, #57, image 10 of 16; Household #93, Family #95, no address listed: Waggener, John; head of household, male, born- Dec 1847, age- 52, widowed, born- Missouri, father born- Virginia, mother born- Kentucky, occupation- farmer, working, r/w's, owns home free, farm ----- Donnell; son, male, born- Sept 1881, age- 18, single, born- Missouri, parents born- Missouri, occupation, farm laborer, in school 4 months, r/w's ----- Lilly; daughter, female, born- Feb 1884, age- 16, single, born- Missouri, parents born- Missouri, at school for 6 months, r/w's ----- Garnett; son, male, born- July 1889, age- 10, single, born Missouri, parents born- Missouri, at school 6 months, r/w's ----- Roy; son, male, born- Sept 1891, age- 8, single, born- Missouri, parents born- Missouri, r/w's ----- Lynn; son, male, born- April 1894, age- 6, single, born- Missouri, parents born- Missouri (John Edmond's wife Mary had died about 3 years earlier. The baby, Mary Florence is not listed in the household.- RW) =============== From the Jefferson County, Missouri; Official Directory- 1907; Edited by Dave Hallemann; reprinted by Jefferson County Historical Society: Listed in Danby; "Waggener, J. E., farmer, r. School Dist. 1 of 1, p. o. Danby" Since Danby is near to Rush Tower, it seems possible that this is the property that was near John's parent's farm. =============== From the 1910 Federal Census of Jefferson County, Missouri; Plattin Township, district #36, page 8B, taken May 7, 1910, household #136; from ancestry.com, district #36, image 16 of 19: Waggener, John; head of household, male, age- 62, widowed, born- Missouri, father born- Virginia, mother born- Kentucky, occupation- farmer/ general farm, r/w's, owns home with mortgage, home is a farm ----- Lily L.; daughter, female, age- 27, single, born- Missouri, parents born- Missouri, occupation teacher/ public school, r/w's ----- Roy; son, male, age- 19, single, born- Missouri, parents born- Missouri, occupation- teacher/ public school, r/w's ----- Lynn W.; son, male, age- 16, born- Missouri, parents born- Missouri, occupation- laborer/ home farm, r/w's =============== In the Jefferson County Record, from Hillsboro, dated April 27, 1911, there is an administrators notice for a probate file of a Artie E. Pilliard, deceased. The administrator of the notice, dated April 13, 1911, is J. Ed Waggener. ============== Jack Waggener sent me this, written by his sister-in-law, Paula Waggener, wife of his brother Marion. Jack and Marion are sons of John Edmond's son Richard Garnett Waggener. I had asked Jack if he had heard any family stories about why John Edmond and his sons had moved to Scott County: "I think we heard this from Grandad (Richard Garnett Waggener)...We were told that after Granddad's mother died, their father bought or rented this land on Big Island near Commerce. He brought the boys down there in the summer time to farm and to keep them out of trouble. The old house where they lived is on one of the side streets. Granddad showed us this house. Mr. Waggener hired a Black man to come down and cook for them and take care of them. Also there was an old Black man that had worked on the farm. He came to see Grandad in Charleston one time. He told some funny stories about Granddad." =============== From the 1920 Federal Census of Commerce Township, Scott County, Missouri, district 186, sheet 1A, taken June 2 & 3, 1920, household 8; from ancestry.com, image 1 of 28. John and his son William Lynn are listed in the household of a Oral Cummings: Waggener, J. E.; lodger, male, age- 73, widowed, r/w's, born- Missouri, father born- Virginia, mother born- Illinois, occupation- none ------ Lynn; son, male, age- 24, single, r/w's, born- Missouri, parents born- Missouri, occupation- farmer/ general farm ============== John Edmond is buried with his wife Mary in the Festus Methodist Cemetery, aka the Gamel Cemetery, (off Lee Ave. in Festus near Highway A and Interstate 55). His headstone reads: John Ed Waggener 1846-1927 =============== I found John's death certificate posted on-line by the state of Missouri: Missouri State Board of Heath, Bureau of Vital Statistics Certificate of Death, #3618 Place of death: Scott County, Richland Township Name: Jno Edward Waggener Sex: male Race: white Marital status: widower Date of birth: Dec. 23, 1847 Age: 80 years, 22 days Occupation: farmer Birthplace: Jefferson Co., Mo. Name of father: unknown Birthplace of father: unknown Maiden name of mother: unknown Birthplace of mother: unknown Informant: Lynn Waggener Address: Sikeston, Mo. Date of death: Jany 15, 1927 Cause of death: senile ??? Place of burial: Festus, Mo Date of burial: 1/16 1927 ================ From Ancestry.com. U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012: Name: John Edmond Waggener Birth Date: 23 Dec 1847 Birth Place: Jefferson County, Missouri, USA Death Date: 15 Jan 1927 Death Place: Scott County, Missouri, USA Cemetery: Gamel Cemetery Burial or Cremation Place: Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri, USA Has Bio?: Y Spouse: Mary Florence Waggener Father: Reuben Garnett Waggener Mother: Mary Waggener Children: William Lynn Waggener Oliver Martin Waggener
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