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1. Title:   1930 United States Federal Census
Page:   Year: 1930; Census Place: Festus, Jefferson, Missouri; Roll: 1206; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 9; Image: 653.0; FHL microfilm: 2340941
Author:   Ancestry.com
Publication:   Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2002;
2. Title:   Missouri, Marriage Records, 1805-2002
Author:   Ancestry.com
Publication:   Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2007;
3. Title:   1870 United States Federal Census
Page:   Year: 1870; Census Place: Plattin, Jefferson, Missouri; Roll: M593_783; Page: 312B; Image: 629; Family History Library Film: 552282
Author:   Ancestry.com
Publication:   Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2009;
4. Title:   1850 United States Federal Census
Page:   Year: 1850; Census Place: District 42, Jefferson, Missouri; Roll: M432_402; Page: 468A; Image: 488
Author:   Ancestry.com
Publication:   Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2009;
5. Title:   1860 United States Federal Census
Page:   Year: 1860; Census Place: Plattin, Jefferson, Missouri; Roll: M653_626; Page: 480; Image: 12; Family History Library Film: 803626
Author:   Ancestry.com
Publication:   Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2009;
6. Title:   1910 United States Federal Census
Page:   Year: 1910; Census Place: Crystal, Jefferson, Missouri; Roll: T624_792; Page: 22B; Enumeration District: 0032; FHL microfilm: 1374805
Author:   Ancestry.com
Publication:   Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2006;
7. Title:   1920 United States Federal Census
Page:   Year: 1920; Census Place: Joachim, Jefferson, Missouri; Roll: T625_930; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 33; Image: 161
Author:   Ancestry.com
Publication:   Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2010;
8. Title:   1880 United States Federal Census
Page:   Year: 1880; Census Place: Joachim, Jefferson, Missouri; Roll: 695; Family History Film: 1254695; Page: 70B; Enumeration District: 192; Image: 0421
Author:   Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Publication:   Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2010;
9. Title:   1900 United States Federal Census
Page:   Year: 1900; Census Place: Joachim, Jefferson, Missouri; Roll: 867; Page: 26A; Enumeration District: 0053; FHL microfilm: 1240867
Author:   Ancestry.com
Publication:   Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2004;
10. Title:   Web: Missouri, Find A Grave Index, 1812-2012
Author:   Ancestry.com
Publication:   Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012;
11. Title:   Missouri, Wills and Probate Records, 1766-1988
Page:   Probate Records, 1822-1933; Index, 1869-1945; Author: Missouri. Probate Court (Jefferson County); Probate Place: Jefferson, Missouri
Author:   Ancestry.com
Publication:   Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2015;
12. Title:   U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
Author:   Ancestry.com
Publication:   Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012;

Notes
a. Note:   Stokely Thomas Waggener was the sixth of eleven children born to his parents Reuben Garnett Waggener and Mary (Moore) Waggener, on November 4, 1848. He almost certainly was born on their farm, which was located a few miles west of the town of Rush Tower, Missouri. He grew up there on his parent's farm. Stokely came to be a very prominent citizen of Jefferson County, Missouri, and his life is well documented in the records and stories I have listed below. He is described as living in Hillsboro in 1876, and being a "Deputy Collector." Two years later, in 1878, he established the "Waggener and Company" store," in what at the time was called Hanover or Bailey Station. This is just west of what became the City of Festus. Two years later in October of 1880, he moved the store to what was at the time called the Town of Limitville, but in 1887 become the City of Festus. The location of the original Festus store was at the corner of North Adams and North Fifth Streets. It is clear he played a significant role in the founding and development of the city. His store seems to have been a kind of landmark in the early years of the town, and there are a number of references to him expanding and remodeling the store and warehouse. In 1893 the store was moved to the 400 block of West Main Street. I have put together a collection of stories and information about the founding and naming of Festus, which I have included in the notes of Stokely's older brother James Henry. On December 14, 1881, Stokely married the widow Eleanor A. England (maiden name of Lee.) Eleanor had two sons from her previous marriage, Charles C. and Robert Sidney England, who were subsequently raised by her and Stokely. Stokely and Eleanor did not have had any children of their own. They lived the rest of their lives in Festus. In 1884, they are described as building a fine new house, which I believe was probably the house on West Main Street that they lived in for many years. In about 1883, a post office was established in Stokely's store, and Stokely became it's postmaster. It appears that the name given that post office, namely Festus, came to become the name of the town and eventual city. The store came to be called the "Waggener Company Story." In about 1884, Stokely was apparently joined in the store business by his youngest brother William Horace. They apparently remained in business together for a number of years, and they were both prominent business men in Festus for many years. Stokely seems to have acquired quite a bit of property. In the 1898 atlas he is listed as owning at least 850 acres, including most of what was his parent's farm. I do not know when Stokely eventually sold his parent's farm. He is listed on the 1920 census as a merchant and a farmer. It appears that he was still listed as the president of the "Waggener Company Store" in 1922, but it's hard to say how active he was at that point in the running of the store. I found an article stating that he and his brother Horace had sold the stock they owned in the store to his stepsons, Charles C. and Robert Sidney England in 1908. I found a newspaper story from 1911 reporting that he had turned over the running of the store to these two step-sons. On his death certificate it was noted that he stopped working in 1910. He appears to be retired on the 1930 census. I have been told that the store remained open in Festus until the late 1990's, or over 120 years after it's founding. Stokely died in St. Marys' Hospital in Richmond Heights, St. Louis County, Missouri on January 2, 1933. He is buried with his wife Eleanor, and his mother and a number of his siblings, in the Festus Methodist Cemetery in Festus (aka the Gamel Cemetery) Rick Waggener =========== From the 1850 Federal Census of Jefferson County, Missouri; District 42; page 468-A; taken Oct. 16, 1850; Stokley is listed with his family, #925: Waggener, Stokely; age-1, male, white, born- MO =========== From the 1860 Federal Census of Jefferson County, Missouri; Plattin Township, Avoca Post Office; taken October 14, 1860; household #84. Stokley is listed with his parents and family: Stokely Wagoner; age- 12, male, born- Missouri =========== From the 1870 Federal Census of Jefferson County, Missouri; Plattin Township, Hillsboro Post Office; taken June 6, 1870; Stokley is listed with his family in household #104: Waggoner, Stokes; age-21, male, white, works on farm, born-MO ========= 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, Stoke T." is listed in the "Patrons" section as being a "Deputy Collector of Jefferson County." His residence is listed as the town of Hillsboro, in Township 40, Range 4 East. Presumably this is some kind of Tax Collector. Stokley is also listed as having been born in Hillsboro, in 1848, although I do not believe this is accurate. There is no record in the atlas of Stokley owning any property. =========== From the "Hanover/ Bailey Station - Jefferson County, Missouri; Bailey/ Harrison/ England/ Donnell/ Waggener families By: Lisa K. Gendron In December of 1878, Stoke Waggener and Clark Berry bought the stock of Donnell and Company at the brick store in Hematite. The store, Waggener and Co., located at Hanover, was robbed in April, 1879 of five or six hundred dollars worth of goods. The building was a two story frame, with an outside stairway. The thieves got up into the upper story and made a hole through the floor and ceiling, through which they conveyed the goods, clothing, boots, shoes and a general assortment of dry goods. A $100 reward was offered for the capture of the thieves. Roe Whitehead and Clark Berry got on the track of one of the thieves and traced him to Maxville where he was caught and two valises of goods taken from him. The remainder of the goods was found stowed away in a culvert near Hanover. By October 1, 1880, the store had moved, and it was reported that the store of Stoke Waggener & Co. in Limitville was ready for the roof. On September 19, 1883, The Democrat stated that a new post office had been established at Limitville and was called Festus, with S.T. Waggener as postmaster. =========== From the 1880 Federal Census of Jefferson County, Missouri, Joachim Township, taken June 16, 1880, household #200: England, E. Ross; age- 30, male, head of household, married, farmer, born- MO, parents born- TN/ MO England, Elenor; age- 26, female, wife, keeps house, born- MO, parents born- NK/ NK England, Robert S.; age- 8, male, son, in school, born- MO, parents born- MO/ MO England, Charles, C.; age- 4/12, male, son, (born February), born- MO, parents born- MO/MO Ellis, Anna; age- 14, female, servant, at home, born- MO, parents born- MO/ MO Waggener, Stokly; age 31, male, boarder, sells dry goods, born- MO, parents born- KY/ KY (Enoch Ross England must have been a childhood friend of Stokely's. His family lived near to the home of his parents. Ross England reportedly killed himself in November of 1880. A little over a year later in December of 1881, Stokely married his widow, Eleanor (Lee) England. Stokley and Eleanor apparently had no children of their own, but raised Eleanor's two sons, Charles and Sidney. One can only assume that Stokely grew very close to these boys, as they later joined him in the running of the Waggener Company Store, and he eventually turned over the business to them. There was a story in the family, never verified to any extent, that Charles C. England was actually the biological son of Stokely and Eleanor. - RW) =========== From Jefferson County, Missouri Marriage Records, posted on-line by Brian J. Oster; http://www.vienici.com/default.htm: Name: Waggener, Stokely T. Page: 31 County: Jefferson County Stokely T. Waggener of Limitville, Jefferson Co., Mo. over 21; Ellen A. England of Limitville, Jefferson Co., Mo. over 18; 12 December 1881 license; married on 14 December 1881 by W. Addison Smith, V. D. M., MG at Crystal Station, Jefferson Co., Mo. ============== From "The Jefferson Democrat" newspaper of Hillsboro, Jefferson, Missouri; sent to me courtesy of Charlotte Maness: ****** FRIDAY, 26 MARCH 1875 - A detailed statement of County Warrants issued during the year ending February 28th, 1875; Oct. 20th, 1874 Stoke T. WAGGENER, services as registrar 15.00 ****** FRIDAY, 9 APRIL 1875 - The following are the Petit jurors -- Included - Joachim, S.T. WAGGONER ****** FRIDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 1876 - Mr. THOMAS, who superintended the fencing and repairing the Hillsboro grave yard, presents the following account of his receipts and disbursements, for the benefit of all concerned: John L. THOMAS in account with the Graveyard fund: To am't received of S.T. WAGGENER 2.50 ****** FRIDAY, 30 JANUARY 1880. - CIRCUIT COURT NOTES - S.T. WAGGENER was acquitted of the charge of selling liquor without license. ****** FRIDAY, 7 JANUARY 1881 - CRYSTAL CITY ITEMS - by "T" - On the evening of the 3d in WAGGENER's store, in Limitville, Jack VAUGHN, a well known white man, and Zeke WAGGONER, a colored man, got into a dispute in regard to an old saddle blanket, one word bringing on another until the he passed, when they concluded to fight a duel about it, with the following result: VAUGHN shot in the mouth with a No. 22 cartridge, knocking out two of his of his teeth and taking off part of his tongue--wounds otherwise probably not dangerous. WAGGONER two shots in the stomach with a No. 32 cartridge --wounds may prove fatal. (This was the Waggener store which was owned by Stokley. It seems possible that this Zeke Waggoner might have been a former slave of Stokley's father. The following two stories cover some of the subsequent developments of this duel. The city of Festus had just been formed several years earlier, and apparently was known by the name of Limitville at this time.) ****** FRIDAY, 14 JANUARY 1881 - WAGGENER -- or WHITENER -- the colored man who had the shooting match with Jack VAUGHN, died last Friday. VAUGHN is in a bad fix but is expected to get well. ****** FRIDAY, 4 MARCH 1881 - Jack VAUGHN was arrested and brought to jail last week, but was only in jail a day or two till he was bailed out--R.G. MADISON, S.T. WAGGENER and J.M, DAILY going his bond in the sum of $10.000. ****** FRIDAY, 4 MARCH 1881 - CRYSTAL CITY ITEMS - by "T" - One week ago the trees and bushes occupied the spot that is now adorned by a frame building of five or six buildings, belonging to a Mr. STRATTON. And Stoke WAGGENER has changed the second story of his store building into rooms, suitable rooms for a dwelling house, but he individually is not, for reasons best known to himself, keeping house. ****** FRIDAY, 25 MARCH 1881 - In our item some time since about Jack VAUGHN's bond, we omitted to state that H.C. BERRY was one of the bondsmen with Messrs. MADISON, BAILEY and WAGGENER (This was probably B.C. Berry, who became partners the next year or so with Stokley's brother John Edmond, in some kind of merchandising venture in Hematite. Also, Stokley is listed in the 1898 atlas as owning a piece of property with Mr. Berry.) ****** FRIDAY, 26 AUGUST 1881 - The following from a Crystal City correspondent was left over from last week: "We understand that Mr. Wm. FOSTER is about moving to St. Louis. He will have the wishes for his friends for his success. Our Catholic church at Limitville is approaching completion, and as soon as John HOWARD gets done plastering it, if he ever does, we will have you come and see our new abode. The project of building a new Union Protestant church has been abandoned, and all have about united and will accept a lot and build near WAGGENER's store." ****** FRIDAY, 28 OCTOBER 1881 - At Limitville, adjoining the Co's, land, quite a town has spring up since we last visited that locality. In addition to the numerous residences and boarding houses there are the stores of WAGGENER and HAEFNER & Co.--the latter probably carrying the largest stock of goods in the county, DESCHNER's blacksmith shop, BERING's bakery, HAGUE's meat shop, ADAMS' livery and feed stable. PARKER's grocery and AUBUCHON's and PARKER's saloons, and other businesses. ****** FRIDAY, 16 DECEMBER 1881 - Marriage licenses were issued by the recorder, Dec. 12, S.T. WAGGENER and Mrs. Ellen A. ENGLAND ****** FRIDAY, 16 DECEMBER 1881 - WAGGENER--ENGLAND.--At residence of Mrs. Cynthia DONNELL, near Hanover, Dec. 14, 1881, by Rev. W.A. SMITH. Mr. Stokley T. WAGGENER to Mrs. Ellen A. ENGLAND. It was our good fortune to be one of the score of friends invited in to witness the ceremony and partake of the elegant dinner which followed. The ceremony was performed in effective style, and the happy pair were warmly congratulated by the friends present. After dinner they started to St. Louis to complete their outfit for house keeping. We wish them a successful and happy future. ****** WEDNESDAY, 14 MARCH 1883 - COUNTY COURT - The following were drawn to serve as jurymen at the next term of Circuit court: - Grand Jurors, J.T. MOSS, F.J. ADAMS, Michael O'HARA, Jr., Elbert OGLE, S.T. WAGGENER, T.G. BRENT, Henry KOHR, Lee KUSLER(?), A.J. CREAN, Alfred STEWART, T.J. DONNELL, John C. CAPE: Petit jurors - Leander WILLIAMS, Milton BAKER, Austin FRAZIER, N.W. WELCH, W.G. MANION, S.S. WILEY, W.F. DONNELL, C.G. WARNE, W.B. KENNER, C.T. JARVIS, Frank WAGGENER ****** WEDNESDAY, 7 MARCH 1883 - CRYSTAL CITY and LIMITVILLE ITEMS - Stokes WAGGONER's new store is about completed. ****** WEDNESDAY, 16 MAY 1883 - S.T. WAGGENER has his new storehouse near Crystal City completed, and is now doing business in it. The building is one of the finest in the county, being of brick, 26 x 30 feet and well furnished. He has it stocked full with a choice assortment of new and seasonable goods of all kinds needed to supply the trade, and says he is selling for what he can get, and don't intend to be undersold by any house in the county. ****** WEDNESDAY, 16 MAY 1883 - CIRCUIT COURT NOTES - S.T. WAGGENER, selling goods on Sunday, fined five dollars. ****** WEDNESDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 1883 - A new post office has been established at Limitville and is called "Festus," with S.T. WAGGENER as postmaster. Subscribers who wish their papers directed to Festus will please notify us. (This seems to document the actual naming of the post office, which apparently led to the naming of the town as Festus. In these newspapers stories it continued to be called Limitville for some time.-RW) ****** WEDNESDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 1883 - CRYSTAL AND LIMITVILLE - A. LAROSE is putting up a large building for saloon and other purposes. Dr. BROSTS of Hematite is erecting an elegant house and office, opposite WAGGENER's store. Mr. WAGGENER has received his commission as postmaster. ****** WEDNESDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 1883 - CRYSTAL and LIMITVILLE - Stokes WAGGENER is building an addition to his store, which will be used as a wareroom. ****** WEDNESDAY, 2 JANUARY 1884 - CRYSTAL and LIMITVILLE - The foundation for a Presbyterian church at Limitville, opposite WAGGENER's old store, is nearly completed. It is understood that it is to be at the service of all Evangelical denominations when not used by Presbyterians. ****** WEDNESDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 1884 - PROBATE COURT - The following are the transactions of the Probate court, at its regular February term: Final settlements were made of the estates of - Demands were allowed as follows: S.T. WAGGENER vs.. Gas. ABERNATHY 3.70 S.T. WAGGENER vs.. G.T. VINYARD 19.75 ****** WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1884 - A CALL - Judge R. McCORMACK, Hematite, Mo. - DEAR SIR - We, the undersigned citizens and voters of Jefferson county, Mo., knowing you to be a man of firm integrity and honest principles, and believing, as we do, that you would honorably and faithfully represent the people of this county in our next Legislature, we respectfully ask you to allow us to use your name as the Democratic candidate for Representative, promising to give you our earnest and hearty support: Included: R. KENNER, W.H. WAGGENER S.T. WAGGENER (I believe by this time, Stokley's younger brother William Horace had joined him running the store in Festus. He would be the "Bro." listed in later stories.) ****** WEDNESDAY, 29 OCTOBER 1884 - James BRIERTON and S.T. WAGGENER have lately erected handsome residences in Limitville. ****** 1 APRIL 1885 - CRYSTAL and LIMITVILLE - S.T. WAGGENER & Bro. have everything torn down in their store, preparatory to a thorough renovation. It looks as though they intend to do business this year. ****** WEDNESDAY, 3 JUNE 1885 - WADING IN MUD - Upon arriving at Limitville we were agreeably surprised. We anticipated to find a small village with a number of hastily constructed cabins; but instead we found a town of about 1,500 population and nice substantial buildings. The only brick we noticed was Mr. WAGGENER's store, a large, commodious building, well filled with general merchandise...... ****** WEDNESDAY, 12 AUGUST 1885 - COUNTY COURT; - County court convened on Monday and adjourned on Wednesday of last week, after transacting the following: Report of survey of new road from Frank CANAPA's to Plattin bridge at Crystal City, was approved and W.A. GAMBLE, Charles G. WARNE and S.T. WAGGENER were approved to assess damages to land owners. ****** WEDNESDAY, 2 SEPTEMBER 1885 - Eleven new suits were filed with the Circuit clerk last Friday. ... S.T. WAGGENER vs. W. VINYARD for partition, ... ****** WEDNESDAY, 7 OCTOBER 1885 - COUNTY COURT - F. JENNI was appointed in place of S.T. WAGGENER, to act with W.A. GAMEL and C.G. WARNE, in assessing damages by location of road from CANAPA's to Plattin bridge at Crystal City, through lands of F. CANAPA, T.G. BRENT, Thomas HIGGINBOTHAM, Louis YATES, H. ORTON and Am. Plate Glass Co. ****** WEDNESDAY, 10 MARCH 1886 - CIRCUIT COURT; - S.T. WAGGENER vs William VINYARD, partition; order of sale made. ****** WEDNESDAY, 14 APRIL 1886 - BOARD of EQUALIZATION - Notice is hereby given that the County Board of Equalization of Jefferson County, Missouri, in session at Hillsboro, on the first Monday in April 1866, and following, raised the assessed valuation of lands and town lots in said county, for the year 1886, as follows: Owners Name Acres From To S.T. WAGGENER 30 200 ****** WEDNESDAY, 23 MARCH 1887 - LIST OF CONVEYANCES - Filed with the Recorder during the week ending on last Saturday: WAGGENER & Bro. to W.L. BOYER, lot in Festus 600.00 W.S. BOYER to WAGGENER & Bro. Lot in Festus 1,000.00 ****** WEDNESDAY, 30 MARCH 1887 - LIST OF CONVEYANCES; - Filed with the Recorder during the week ending on last Saturday; S.T. & W.H. WAGGENER to C.W. CHARLEVILLE, lot in Festus 75.00 ****** WEDNESDAY, 6 APRIL 1887 - CRYSTAL and FESTUS - The conservative side of our citizens held a private caucus, it is said, at WAGGENER's store, and placed a municipal ticket in the field, with F. BRICKEY as mayor, J.O. JOHNSTON and James BRIERTON as Alderman Second ward; Herman STEIN and Joseph PALMER, First ward, and "Old Man" FROST as Marshal. This aroused the ire of the other faction who style themselves "progressive," and among whom the K. of L. predominate. A meeting was called at Arlington Hall for the purpose of nominating an opposition ticket. ****** WEDNESDAY, 8 JUNE 1887 - LIST OF CONVEYANCES - Filed with the Recorder during the week ending on last Saturday: W.A. GAMEL to heirs of R.G. WAGGENER, rordway, sec 1 tp30 ran 6, 1.00 John H. GAMEL to S.T. WAGGENER, lot in survey 1948 20.00 J.M. ENGLAND to S.T. WAGGENER & Bro., four lots in Derby City, 75.00 John Y. BUREN to S.T. WAGGENER, lot in survey 1948 30.00 ****** 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 BRANDS 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 ****** WEDNESDAY, 4 JANUARY 1888 - LIST of CONVEYANCES - Filed with the Recorder during the week ending on last Saturday. Heirs of R.G. WAGGENER to ?.A. GAMEL, 17a, sec 4 tp 39 range 6 170.00 ****** WEDNESDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 1887 - COUNTY COURT - Overseer G.W. McCORMACK was ordered to cut out and open new road, as far as it in his district, from Rush Tower and Potosi road, in section 1, township 39, range 6, through lands of James IRWIN, R.G. WAGENER, John N. CONN, B.F. ENGLAND, Lucas BELAGAMBA and John BARTASTI, to Rush Tower road and near BARSATTI's field. ****** WEDNESDAY, 18 JANUARY 1888 - LIST of CONVEYANCES - Filed with the Recorder during the week ending on last Saturday. S.T. WAGGENER to J.C. CHILTON, lot in Festus 200.00 ****** WEDNESDAY, 30 MAY 1888 - LIST of CONVEYANCES - Filed with the Recorder during the week ending on last Saturday: S.T. WAGGENER to Reuben BROADHENT, lot in Festus 276.00 ****** WEDNESDAY, 4 JULY 1888 - LIST of CONVEYANCES - Filed with the Recorder during the week ending on last Saturday. Noah PARKS to S.T. WAGGENER, lot in Gamel's subdivision 200.00 ****** WEDNESDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 1888 - LIST of CONVEYANCES - Filed with the Recorder during the week ending on last Saturday. S.T. WAGGENER to Frank W. LANNING, lot in Derby City. 60.00 ****** WEDNESDAY, 5 DECEMBER 1888 - LIST of CONVEYANCES - Filed with the Recorder during the week ending on last Saturday. S.T. WAGGENER to John HOLDMAN, lot 12, GAMEL's subdivision 275.00 =========== From Jefferson Co., Missouri; MARRIAGE VOLUME 1 1881-1885: Stokely T. Waggener of Limitville, Jefferson Co., Mo. over 21 Ellen A. England of Limitville, Jefferson Co., Mo. over 18 12 December 1881 license married on 14 December 1881 by W. Addison Smith, V. D. M., MG at Crystal Station, Jefferson Co., Mo. ============ From the book "History of Jefferson County, Missouri and Festus, Missouri" by Howard C. Litton; Festus, Missouri; Second Edition, May 1987: ******Page 29: Stokely is mentioned as having been the first postmaster of Festus, and also in a business directory from 1888, probably from the later 1880's, of owning a General Store and a Lumberyard. ******Page 33: "S. T. Waggener was the first resident to own a horse and buggy merely for pleasure." ******Page 43 and 44: Jules Aubuchon, carpenter and early resident recounts history of Festus. He arrive in 1880, seven years before the city was chartered." The same year I came here, Stoke and Horace Waggener also came, so did Uncle Theodore Aubuchon" This was done at the 50th birthday of Festus. and he states he had been there for 57 years, and before it was called Festus. ******Page 53: " The exact date of the establishment of the Festus post office is not clearly remembered by those connected with it. Charles England, who is the step-son of the first postmaster, Stoke Waggener, believes it was in 1878, but is not sure. At any rate, it's a known fact that the post office preceded the incorporation of the town, before it was ever called Festus.. the first post office, under Stoke Waggener, now deceased, was located in the Waggener Store Company building in west Festus." ******Page 56: S.T. Waggener, W. H. Waggener were among the first board of directors of the Citizens Bank of Festus. --------------------------- *****Page 213, a story from THE FESTUS NEWS, JEFFERSON COUNTY, MO. (Abt. December 1913): Waggener Store Co.; Capital and Surplus, $65,000.; General Merchandise, Groceries, Dry Goods, Clothing, Hardware, Lumber, Cement, Coal, Hay, Grains and Mill Feeds of All Kinds. In the history of Festus we feel that there is one business concern in particular that is deserving of more than ordinary mention in the same, and that is the "Waggener Store Company." This is without any doubt, the largest and most popular trade emporium in south east Missouri. It is one of the pioneer concerns of Festus, being established in 1878. Its success has been brought about largely through the enterprising and persevering efforts of its officers and directors, all of whom are men of unusual business tact and integrity. The officers are: S. T. Waggener, President; R. S. England, Vice-President; H.E.Vaughn, Secretary-Treasurer; C. C. England, Manager and Director. These gentlemen are not only successful business men, but public spirited citizens as well who never fail to give aid and encouragement to any movement which has in view the advancement of Festus and vicinity. The building occupied is 8Ox8O feet in size, divided up in five departments in which the mammoth stock is conveniently and artistically arranged. Fifteen experienced sales people are employed to wait upon the extensive trade of this establishment. The stock contains everything in dry goods, clothing, shoes, notions, ladies and gents furnishings, groceries, hardware, lumber, mill work, building material, hay, grain and mill feed of all kinds. In the lumber department a large new lumber shed which is 6O x l25 feet in size plays an important part in this branch of, the business as it protects the stock and keeps it in first class shape. The management of the Waggener Store Company is known in the markets of the country as large and extensive buyers, buying direct from first hands, thus procuring rock- bottom prices which they give to their customers in the many rare bargains they are constantly offering the public and as a result this house has become a potent factor in reducing the high cost of living in this community. =========== 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: Stokley is listed as person #5858 and Elenor is listed as #12672. Stokley is listed with his parent's family on page 211: ___________________________________________ Name Birth Death ___________________________________________ Stokeley T. Waggoner Nov. 4, 1848 Eleanor Orea England Dec. 22, 1853 M.- Dec. 14, 1881- Mo., Jefferson At the time of the publishing of the book, 1894, Stokely is listed as living in Festus, Jeffeson County, Missouri. =========== From "Hallemann's Interpretation of the 1898 Historical Atlas of Jefferson County, Missouri" Complied and edited by Dave Hallemann, published in 1998: ****** "Waggoner, S.T." is listed with 5 parcels of land in township 39, range 6 east. The largest, 190.08 acres with a building in section 2, was the section of the family farm owned by his parents which contained the family farm house where Stokley was born and grew up in. Three other parcels were also part of his parents farm and listed in the 1876 atlas in his father's name: 99 acres in section 1, 80 acres in section 2, and 40 acres in section 3. The other parcel, 40 acres also in section 3, apparently was near to the family farm, but not directly adjacent. ****** "Wagonner, S.T." is listed with one other parcel of land in township 39, range 6 east. I am pretty sure this must also be Stokley. This parcel is probably directly adjacent to part of land listed as being owned by his father in 1876. That portion of what was the family farm, seems to be listed as being owned by Stokley's brother John Edmond Waggener in 1898. ****** "Waggoner, S.T." is listed with 41 acres and a building in township 40, range 6 east, section 7. This must be near to Festus. ****** "Wagoner, S." is listed with 10 acres in township 40, range 6 east, section 6. I am assuming that this pertains to Stokley and that it is also near Festus. ****** "Waggoner, S.T. & Berry, B.C." is listed with 125 acres in township 40, range 6 east, section 8. This parcel is also listed as being on Plattin Creek. B.C. Berry was described as some kind of a business partner of Stokley's older brother John Edmond in the 1880's. See the notes of John Edmond for this, as well as a number of entries in this same atlas for "Waggoner & Berry." There are 7 parcels of land listed totaling over 1,300 acres in townships 39 and 40, which I had assumed pertained to John Edmond, but may pertain to Stokley. ****** "Wagoner, S.T." is listed with 3 parcels of land in township 40, range 5 east. These are 23 acres in section 11, 90 acres in section 14, and 30 acres in section 23. The last entry also lists "Part Lots 3 & 4." These must be somewhat west of Festus, but probably not too far away. ============ The following record was sent to me by the Missouri State Archives: ****** 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: "All that part of a 39 acre tract of land in the East part of the North fractional half of fractional section 18 in Township 40 Range 6 East lying north of the county road leading from Hematite to Festus, the same having been conveyed to the said Mary E. Waggener, party of the first part by Harriet McMinn widow of Jerry McMinn deceased, Stella Francis, Munroe McMinn, and Jennie McMinn his wife by deed of even date herewith containing about ten acres." The deed is recorded on May 4, 1900. (I'm not quite clear on what this transaction is about. I assume that Mary is the wife of Frank Southern Waggener, but I suppose it could be his mother (although I have never seen a middle name or initial for her). Stokley must have been living in Festus at the time, as was his mother. In the 1900 census Frank and Mary are listed as living in St. Louis, and Frank is listed as having been unemployed for 6 months in the last year. -RW) ============= From the 1900 Federal Census of Joachim Township, Jefferson County, Missouri, district #53, sheet 26A, page 81, taken June 23, 1900, household #502; from genealogy.com: Wagoner, Stockey T.; head of household, male, born- November 1847, age- 52, married 18 years, born- Missouri, father born- Virginia, mother born- Illinois, occupation- merchant x farmer, r/w's, owns home free of mortgage, home is a farm ------ Allen A.; wife, female, born- December 1855, age- 44, married 18 years, mother of 2 children/ 2 children living, born- Missouri, father born- Kentucky, mother born- Misouri, r/w's England, Charles; step-son, male, born- February 1880, age- 20, born- Missouri, parents born- Missouri, occupation- Grocerie Salesman, r/w's ============ From the Jefferson County, Missouri; Official Directory- 1907; Edited by Dave Hallemann; reprinted by Jefferson County Historical Society: ****** In the listing for Festus: "Waggoner, S. T., r. near Festus, p. o. Festus" ****** Also in a listing of various businesses in Festus, the "Waggener Store Co., Main Street, Festus," is listed under the following different categories: Coal and Wood Dealers, Dry Goods, Clothing, Etc., Furniture, General Merchandise, Lumber Yards, and Tailors. ============= From the 1910 Federal Census of Joachim Township, Jefferson County, district 32, sheet 32B, page 99, taken May 4, 1910, household 7; from genealogy.com: Waggener, S. T.; head of household, male, age- 61, married 29 years, born- Missouri, father born- Virginia, mother born- Illinois, occupation- farmer, r/w's, owns home free of mortgage, home is a farm ------ Hellen; wife, female, age- 54, married 28 years, mother of 2 children/ 2 children living, born- Missouri, father born- Virginia, mother born- Missouri, occupation- none, r/w's England, Sidney; son, male, age- 38, single, born- Missouri, parents born- Missouri, occupation- Merchant/ family market, r/w's ------ Charles; son, male, age- 30, single, born- Missouri, parents born- Missouri, occupation- Merchant/ Family Market, r/w's ============= From the Jefferson County Record - dated March 16, 1911: ****** The WAGGENER store has changed management. Mr. WAGGENER has sold his interest to Sid and Charley ENGLAND and will retire from business, at least for a while until he takes a much needed rest and recuperates his health which has been declining for some time. Mr. WAGGENER informs us that he has had but three vacations during the thirty years he has been connected with the firm. ============= From the 1920 Federal Census of Jefferson County, Missouri, Joachim Township, City of Festus, Ward #4, District 11, Sheet # 8B, taken January 9, 1920: Waggener, S. T.; head of household, male, age- 70, reads/writes, born- Missouri, father born- Virginia, mother born- Tennessee, occupation- merchant & farmer ----- Ellen A.; wife, female, age- 65, reads/writes, born- Missouri, father born- Virginia, mother born- Missouri, occupation- none ========= I have a copy of a letter, given to me by Diana Waldsmith, and written to her grandmother Dorthy Alice Waggener by someone unknown. The letter, dated March 9, 1922, is written on letterhead paper for the "Waggener Store Company," described as, "General Merchandise, Wholesale and Retail Lumber, Festus, Missouri," It also lists, "Established 1878" and "Wholesale Lumber Office, Arcade Bldg., St. Louis, Missouri." At the top of the letterhead is listed, "S.T. Waggener, President." Stokely's niece, Mary Lucetta Waggener, described that, "Stokely and Horace (his younger brother) engaged in mercantile business there (Festus) for many years." If these dates are correct, the store was 46 years old in 1922. Also listed on the top is "Chas. C. England, Vice-President and Gen. Mgr." Stokely's wife Eleanor, was first married to Ross England, and she had 2 sons with him Charles and Sidney. This is this Charles England. He and his brother Sidney reportedly took over the store and lumber yard after Stokely. I found a newspaper story that mentioned that the store was still in business in 1937, and I have recently been told by a resident of the area that the store remained in business in Festus until the late 1990's. ============ From the 1930 Federal Census of Festus Town, 4th Ward, Jefferson County, Joachim Township, Missouri, district 50-9, sheet 4A, taken April 4, 1930, household #67, on West Main Street; from ancestry.com, image 7 of 20: Waggener, Stokley T.; head of household, owns home, home value- $5,700, owns a radio, male, age- 80, married, 32 years old at 1st marriage, r/w's, born- Missouri, father born- Virginia, mother born- Illinois, occupation- none ---- Ellen A.; wife/ H., female, age- 76, married, 18 years old at 1st marriage, r/w's, born- Missouri, father born- Virginia, mother born- Missouri, occupation- none =============== Bill Halberstadt sent me a newspaper clipping, apparently from the St. Louis Post- Dispatch. It shows a photo of Stokely and Eleanor sitting apparently in front of their house, and the caption reads, "Golden Wedding-- Mr. and Mrs. S. T. Waggener, Festus." This was apparently a celebration of their 50th Wedding Anniversary, which would have been in December of 1931.- RW =============== Bill Halberstadt also sent me a copy of the Stokely's obituary, transcribed below. The date or newspaper were not given, but it must be a newspaper from Festus and probably a day or so after his funeral: S. T. Waggener, Pioneer Business Man, Died Sun. In the death of S. T. Waggener, who passed away at St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Louis at 8:30 a.m., on Sunday, January 1, 1933, Festus and the community lost one of its old citizens and pioneer business men. He was born in Rush Tower, Mo., the son of Reuben and Mary Waggener and dwelt in Jefferson County his entire life. About fifty- three years ago he came to Festus after conducting a mercantile establishment at Bailey Station for about two years, the Festus store being located opposite the Presbyterian Church, which in that time stood at North Adams and N. Fifth Streets. The firm later changed its location to the present site of the National Guard Armory, where as Waggener Store Company, a general merchandise line and lumber was served to a large clientage and the deceased was president of the corporation for many years. The lumber company, pointed to as one of the large business institutions of this city continues to bear the name of its founder. The deceased retired from active business about twenty-five years ago and continued to reside at the family home on West Main Street, their residence for so many years. Mr. Waggener was highly esteemed as a citizen and by reason of his long business connections was one of the best known men in the community. His loss will be keenly felt by his family, his friends and the community and another prominent figure in the early history of Festus and surrounding territory has thus been removed from life. Stricken with his last fatal illness, he was removed to St. Mary’s Hospital, where he passed away Sunday, Jan. 1, 1933, at 8:30 a.m., at the age of 83 years, one month and 28 days. His remains were taken charge of by Duester and Vinyard, local undertakers and lay in state at the family residence until Tuesday, Jan. 3rd, at 2 p.m., when funeral services were conducted at the Festus Methodist Church, the Pastor, Rev. O.H. Duggins and Rev. T.E. Smith, former Pastor and during whose pastorate the deceased was admitted into the Fellowship of the Church, officiated. Rev. Duggins words were couched in language sublime and quotations therefrom were inspirational and allusions fitted truly the life of him that rested before the chancel. He related his visits to the home of the deceased whose Christianity was above reproach and who found solace in throes of deepest sufferings, in prayer. He was laid to rest in the Festus Methodist Cemetery. Those to mourn his loss are his bereaved widow, two sorrowing step sons, R.S. England and C.C. England, three brothers, W.H. Waggener and Frank S. Waggener of Festus and J.D. Waggener of Detroit, and one sister, Miss Lilly Waggener of Festus and we join with the community in extending heartfelt sympathy in this their hour of deepest sorrow. =============== I have obtained a copy of the probate file for Stokely, which contains almost 50 pages of information. Here is his will: Last Will and Testament of Stokely T. Waggener of Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri I, Stokely T. Waggener of Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri, being of sound mind and disposing memory so hereby make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made. First, I direct that my just debts, my funeral expenses and he expenses of my last illness be paid, and if possible out of my personal estate. Second, I remember my brother, Frank Waggener, and to him I give and bequeath the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000), to be paid to him by my executor in installments of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) per month, provided he live until he shall have received the whole of said One Thousand Dollars ($1,000). In case he should die before the full amount of the said One Thousand Dollars is fully paid to him, the remainder of said One Thousand Dollars shall revert to and become part of my estate. Third, I remember my nephews and nieces, children of my deceased sister, Elizabeth England, to-wit: R. E. England, W. R. England, Ruben England, Lettie England, Maggie Irwin, John England, Florence Weaver and Minnie Humphrey, and to them I give and bequeath the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) to be accepted by them as their full share of my whole estate, and to be divided among them share and share alike, and they shall receive no more. Fourth: I remember my nieces, children of my deceased sister, Alice Brand, to-wit: Lottie, Frankie and Blanche and to them I give and bequeath the sum of Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($750.00), to be accepted by them as their full share of my whole Estate and to be divided among them share and share alike, and they shall receive no more. Fifth: I remember my brother, Jesse Waggener, and to him I give nothing, but instead of that I give and bequeath to my sister-in-law, Anna Waggener, wife of my brother, Jesse Waggener, the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) to be paid to her by my executor either in one lump sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or in four equal semi-annual payments of Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($250.00) each, the manner of payment to be determined by my executor. Sixth: I remember my nephew, sons of my brother J. E. Waggener, deceased, to-wit: T. D. Waggener, Roy Waggener, Garnet Waggener and Lynn Waggener, and to them I give and bequeath the promissory note which I hold against them, to be accepted by them as their full share of my whole estate and they shall receive no more. Seventh: I remember my niece, Flodie Waggener, and to her I give and bequeath the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100), to be accepted by her as her full share of my whole estate and she shall receive no more. Eighth: I remember my niece, Mrs. Lilly Lucky, and to her I give and bequeath the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) to be accepted by her as her full share of my whole estate and she shall receive no more. Ninth: I remember my friend, Mrs. Hallie Jenkinson, and I have in mind her kindness, love and affection, and to her I give and bequeath the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), to be accepted by her as her full share of my whole estate. Tenth: I remember my sister, Lilly Waggener, and I direct my executor to pay such sums out of my estate as shall be sufficient to pay for one-half of the expenses necessary to provide reasonable comfort, care, support and maintenance in such manner and conditions as is suitable for her position in life and which she had been heretofore accustomed to enjoy. This bequest is made in this form because I have this day made this agreement with my brother, Horace Waggener, by which he has promised to pay the other on-half of said expenses necessary to so keep my said sister, Lilly Waggener. Eleventh: To the First Methodist Episcopal Church South of Festus, I give and bequeath the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), and it is my desire that said Church use said One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for the purpose of reducing the debt on said Church heretofore incurred by reason of erection of the church building, and it is my desire that said church accept said bequest and in consideration of the receipt of said money that said church relieve my beloved wife, Ellen A. Waggener of any further payments on said indebtedness. Twelfth: I remember my beloved wife, Ellen A. Waggener, and to her I give and bequeath the premises, including the house and all household and kitchen furniture, the contents of said house, where I now reside, the same being my dwelling , and three acres of land more or less. I also direct that my executor pay to my said wife One Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($150.00) per month from the income of my interests in the Waggener Store Company, and I also direct him to pay to my said wife the entire income from the remainder of my personal estate during her natural life. Thirteenth: I remember my step-son, Chas. C. England, and to him I give and bequest three-fifths (3/5) of my stock in the Waggener Store Company, subject to the payment of the One Hundred and Fifty Dollars per month to my beloved wife, Ellen A. Waggener. Fourteenth: I remember my step-son, R. S. England, and to him I give and bequeath two-fifths (2/5) of my stock in the Waggener Store Company, subject to the payment of the One Hundred and Fifty Dollars per month to my beloved wife, Ellen A. Waggener. This bequest is made subject to the provisions of Paragraph Twelve of this will, wherein I have given unto my beloved wife, Ellen A. Waggener, income from said stock to the amount of One Hundred and Fifty Dollars per month. It will be observed that I have given unto my step-son, Chas. C. England, a greater portion of my Estate that I have given unto my step-son, R. S. England, the reason that I have made this difference is because I have heretofore given unto my step-son, R. S. England, much money, benefits from my estate previous to this date. Fifteenth: All of the estate remaining after the death of my beloved wife, (not including the Waggener Store Company stock) I give and bequeath to my executor, Chas. C. England, for and to the use of the children of said Chas. C. England and Mabel England; said children to receive the same share and share alike, the proportionate part of each child's interest in said remainder is to be paid the said child when in the judgment of my said executor it will serve the best interests of said child. I hereby appoint my step-son, Chas. C. England, executor of this my last will and Testament, he to give such bond as the Probate Court shall direct, and I direct that my executor shall keep my Estate as near intact as he shall find it profitable to do so. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this the 19th day of December 1932. Signed: S.T. Waggener Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named Testator, Stokely T. Waggener, to be his Will and Testament, in the presence of us, who at his request, in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses hereto, this the 19th day of December 1932. Witnesses: C. E. Miller, J. W. Harbour, P.S. Terry ----------------------------------- A document titled Application for Probate of Will and Proof of Heirs, lists all the heirs of Stokely and their location: Ellen A. Waggener, Widow Frank Waggener (brother) Festus; W. H. Waggener (brother) Festus; Jesse D. Waggener (brother) Detroit; J Ed Waggener's (brother) children- J. H. Waggener, Roy Waggener, Garnett Waggener, and Lynn Waggener, Sikestrion, and Flodie Waggener and Lily Luckey, Lily Waggener (sister), Festus; Alice Brand's (sister) children, Lottie, Frankie and Blanch; Elizabeth England's (sister) children- R.E. England, W. R. England, Reuben England, Lottie England, Maggie Irwin, John England, Florence Weaver and Minnie Humphrey As noted, there are over 50 pages in the file and it is difficult to describe it all. The papers document the appraisal and distribution of the estate to the designated heirs as directed. Stokely had real estate and a fair amount of different kinds of stock, besides the Waggener Company store. It appears that the total value was over $20,000. The residue of the estate that was passed to Eleanor, besides the Waggener Company Store stock, eventually was passed on in 1958, to the four surviving daughters of Stokely's step-son Charles C. England. =============== I obtained a copy of Stokely from Jefferson County. Missouri State Board of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics Certificate of Death District #1170; File #3170 Place of death: St. Marys' Hospital, Richmond Heights, St. Louis County, Missouri Full name: Stokley T. Waggener Residence: Festus, Mo. Sex: male Color: white Marital status: married Spouse: Ellen Waggener Date of birth: November 4, 1848 Age: 84 years, 1 month, 27 days Occupation: Retired merchant/ General merchandise Date last worked: 1910 Birthplace: Jefferson County, Missouri Name of father: Reuben Waggener Birthplace: Virginia Maiden name of mother: Mary Moore Birthplace: Kentucky Informant: R. S. England Address: Festus, Mo. Date of death: January 2, 1933 Cause of death: static pneumonia Burial: Festus, Mo; 1/3/33 =============== Stokely and his wife Ellen are buried in the Festus Methodist Cemetery, AKA the Gamel Cemetery, (off Lee Ave. in Festus near Highway A and Interstate 55). Their headstone reads: Waggener Stokely T. 1850- 1933 Ellen A. 1853- 1945 (Stokely is buried near to the graves of his mother and a number of his siblings.-RW) =========== The following story was published in a book celebrating the centennial of the City of Festus, in 1987. It follows the story of the Waggener Store Company up at least to that point. Ellen King is a grand daughter of Charles England, and Jack King is her husband.: Page 10 The Oldest Family- Operated Business; by Ellen King It appears that the oldest continuously operated, family- owned business in the Twin City area is Waggener Store Company. It was begun in 1878 by Stokely and Horace Waggener under the name of S. T. Waggener & Brother. It was an old-time general store which sold groceries, building materials, and ready-to-wear. At that time the barter system was used. Farmers would bring in their cream and eggs to trade for merchandise. The original store was located at Bailey Station on the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern railroad, in the general unfortunately area of Hermatite. In about 1893 S. T. Waggener & Brother moved to the 400 block of Main Street into a large stucco building approximately 100 feet in length. General merchandise was still carried, and there was a lumber yard next door. As the years went by, more and more emphasis was given to the lumber and building materials business. In 1911, Charles C. England and Robert Sidney England, the stepsons of S. T. Waggener, joined the business and it incorporated. The name was changed to Waggener Store Company, which may people thought to be a rather strange name. What is a "store company?" Another way to think about it was that it was a store that was incorporated; hence the rather unusual name. Wallace R. Hancock, son-in-law of Charles England, joined the firm in 1945 and remains as its president. The store was moved from its Main Street location after the famous fire in November, 1958, on a windy Sunday afternoon at about 1 p.m. The cause of the fire was never determined. It was one of those events that one could never forget because of the size and intensity of the flames. One of the businesses that was connected to Waggener's was Overberg Paint Store. As it burned, flaming paint buckets came shooting out of the main fire, and onlookers heard explosions of varnish cans and other flammable materials. More than twenty-five fire departments were called to help battle the blaze. There were two gas stations just east of Waggener's and for awhile it was feared that the fire would reach them. The roofs of several buildings did ignite due to blowing embers from the fire. The fire was pretty well out by late afternoon but the remains smoldered for about a week. After the fire, it was decided that the business would be rebuilt in its present location in Crystal City because there would be much more room available for warehouse and shed storage. The present store opened in November 1959 and sells building materials to both retail and wholesale customers. Jack King, son-in-law of Mr. Hannock, joined the firm in 1976 and is currently its corporate secretary. He represents the fourth generation to be involved in the store's operation.


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