man, and although it was impossible for him to take an active part in the strife, he gave substantial aid to the cause in more ways

He had served his country, however, in two Indian wars and in the Mexican War. He was elected to the position of great dignity and high honor-judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri-in 1872, and served with distinction until he resigned on account of failing health in the spring prior to his death, refusing to receive a salary from the State when incapacitated for work. Judge Vories was a man of high ideals and sterling characteristics. He disliked political intrigues and always stood for upright and fair methods, even at personal cost. A good illustration of his nature may be found in a recital of the facts that at one time he voluntarily withdrew from a congressional race on account of a factional fight in his party. Judge Vories was a Democrat of the old school. In 1845, when the Benton and antiBenton factions were engaged in perpetual strife, he was induced to run for Congress under the promise that upon him the oppos

ing factions would unite, and that harmony in the party would prevail. After he had accepted the nomination, however, the same bitterness in the ranks was manifest, and, in disgust, he withdrew from the race and refused to be considered a candidate for congressional honors.

Voter. One who has a right to vote at elections. In Missouri the person must be a male, twenty-one years of age, a citizen of the United States, or, if foreign born, must have declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States not less than one year or more than five years before he offers to vote; must have resided in the State one year, and in the county, city or town in which he offers to vote sixty days before the election. Persons who possess these qualifications are, allowed to vote at all elections by the people. the people. In cities where registration is required, the voter must also be registered. Paupers, prisoners, and officers, soldiers and marines in the regular army of the United States, are debarred from voting.

Wabash Railroad.-The Wabash Railroad comprises twenty-two corporations. Of 'the Eastern divisions the main line extends from Toledo, Ohio, to East St. Louis, Illinois, a distance of 604 miles. Subsequent to 1865 the North Missouri Railroad (which see) became a part of the Wabash system, which afterward acquired the Brunswick & Chillicothe Railroad, the St. Louis, Council Bluffs & Omaha Railroad, and accessory roads in Missouri and Iowa. The various roads were consolidated in 1879 under the name of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad. In 1880 it completed its St. LouisChicago line by securing the Chicago & Paducah, 165 miles, and in 1881 it completed its line between St. Louis and Detroit by securing the Detroit, Butler & St. Louis Railroad, 100 miles. After these successive acquisitions, the road passed through the hands of receivers, and was sold, October 21, 1889, the purchasers representing O. D. Ashley, T. H. Hubbard and Edgar T. WellsMr. Ashley being, in 1899, president, and Mr.

Wells vice president of the present Wabash Company. Subsequent to this sale, the system was further extended by completing the road from Montpelier, Ohio, to the IndianaIllinois State line, which gave the shortest connection between Chicago and Detroit, and in 1898, by leasing a line between Detroit and Buffalo. The Wabash, in 1899, presented a system 2,236 miles in extent, connecting St. Louis with Kansas City on the west, and with Chicago, Detroit, Toledo and Buffalo north and east. The general offices of the company have been, for many years, in St. Louis.

Waco. A town in Jasper County, on the St. Louis & San Francisco Railway, fifteen miles northwest of Carthage, the county seat. It has a school, a flourmill and distillery. In 1890 the population was 220. The town was platted in May, 1878, by Charles Fagerberg.

Waddell, Walter B., banker, was born August 19, 1864, in Lexington, Mis

souri. His parents were John W. and Elizabeth R. (Austin) Waddell. His grandfather, William B. Waddell, was a member of the firm of Russell, Majors & Waddell, the celebrated pioneer freighters of the West. William B. removed to Lafayette County, Missouri, in an early day, and for several years lived on a farm four miles south of Lexington, now owned by the subject of this sketch. He followed the business of farming and combined mercantile pursuits with it. A few years before the Civil War he moved into Lexington, and resided there during the war. John W. Waddell, the father of Walter B., was one of the most active business men of western Missouri. He was the first president of the Lexington Savings Bank, which was incorporated in 1869, and was a large property and land owner. He was also interested in manufacturing in Kansas City, was active in religious and school work, was trustee of William Jewell College, at Liberty, Missouri, and of the Baptist Female College at Lexington, Missouri, both of which he assisted very generously to maintain. He did not entertain political aspirations and held no public offices, although he helped to mould public opinion through an influential personality and high ideals, and was always found on the side of good government and true citizenship. During the early part of his life he was a Whig, but at about the time of the outbreak of the war he became a Democrat and held to that faith the rest of his days. He died in June, 1895, and his wife died in April, 1896, the son administering upon the affairs of the large estate. At the time of his mother's death, Walter B. Waddell was president of the Lexington Savings Bank, having been elected in January, 1896. He was then thirty-two years of age. Since January, 1897, he has been acting as cashier of the same banking institution. He is the holder of a comfortable fortune, being the owner of an elegant residence in Lexington, the beautiful new operahouse in Lexington, two substantial business houses, and a farm of 240 acres, well stocked with a fine herd of Hereford cattle. This farm has been owned by the Waddell family for three generations. Mr. Waddell was born in the family home in which he now resides, having purchased it shortly after his mother's death. He is held in popular esteem by the people of Lexington, and is noted for his public spirit, taking

an active interest in the affairs of church and school, and in all movements having a tendency toward the improvement of mankind, the growth of State interests and the welfare of Lexington and Lafayette County. He was educated in the schools of Lexington and at William Jewell College, Liberty, Missouri, and received thorough, practical training for the excellent business reputation which he has established during the years of his active connection with commercial affairs. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and is treasurer and trustee of the Baptist Female College at Lexington. Mr. Waddell has no political aspirations, his ambition being to prove a good, well rounded citizen of his town and State. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party. His reputation in banking circles establishes him as a careful, conservative business man, and this reputation is fully borne out by the popularity in which he is held at home.

Waddill, James Richard, lawyer, exSuperintendent of Insurance and ex-Congressman, was born November 22, 1842, in Springfield, Missouri, son of John Sevier and Sarah (Kellogg) Waddill, both natives of Tennessee, who settled in Missouri in 1836. His father was a lawyer of much prominence, well read and of much force of character. He served as circuit judge in the Rolla and Springfield Judicial Districts. His death occurred in 1880. Mr. Waddill's mother was a thoroughly practical home woman, devoted to the careful rearing of her family. She is yet living (1899) in the old homestead at Springfield, and, although in her ninety-second year, she enjoys good health and her mental faculties are unimpaired. The five children born to her are all living. The oldest son, General John B. Waddill, was Adjutant General of the State of Missouri under Governor Crittenden; Roswell S. is a wholesale clothing merchant in Springfield, Missouri, and James R., the subject of this sketch, is a practicing attorney in St. Louis. The daughters, Mrs. Mary S. Boyd and Mrs. John H. Gage, reside in Springfield, Missouri. James, the second son, received his education in Springfield, Missouri, in the public schools, and in the Springfield College. He then began reading law under the careful instruction of his father, but before he had finished the

fundamental works the Civil War began, interrupting all ordinary pursuits. After a time James, now grown to manhood, renewed his law studies under D. C. Dade, a capable attorney of Springfield, Missouri, and was admitted to the bar in March, 1864. He at once entered upon practice in the courts of that city and throughout the judicial district, and was so engaged until 1878. In 1881 he removed to Kansas City, and in that larger field found wider scope for the development of his abilities in his chosen profession, and he remained there until 1893, with the exception of eighteen months, during which time he made his residence on the border of Mexico, his removal thither being made necessary on account of the ill health of his wife. Upon her recovery Mr. Waddill located in St. Louis, in 1893, when he was appointed Superintendent of the Insurance Department of the State of Missouri under Governor Stone. Upon the expiration of his term of office in 1897 he resumed the general practice of his profession with James E. Hereford, Esq., as a partner, remaining so engaged until March, 1899, when he became senior member of the law firm of Waddill, Ellerbe & Hereford. Mr. Ellerbe had preceded Mr. Waddill as Superintendent of the Insurance Department of the State of Missouri, and Mr. Hereford had served as attorney for the Insurance Department. The gentlemen, thus associated, thoroughly equipped lawyers to begin with, in their combined knowledge derived from actual experience in all matters possibly connected with insurance, constituted a remarkably strong array of talent for the conduct of litigation arising under this head, and to this they devoted their special attention and effort. Later Mr. Waddill removed to Webb City, Missouri, where he continued the practice of his profession, and was interested. also in mining enterprises until his return to St. Louis in 1901. During the Civil War he made a creditable record as a soldier. April, 1861, he was among the first to respond to the call of President Lincoln for 75,000 men, enlisting in a company organized at Springfield, Missouri. The company performed garrison duty at that place and at Rolla, remaining in service for four months, although their term of enlistment called for but three months. He afterward re-enlisted as a private in the Eighth Missouri Cavalry

In

Regiment, and served in the arduous campaigns in Missouri and Arkansas, under the leadership of General Herron and General Steele, an incident of this service being the occupation of Little Rock, Arkansas. During a large part of this time Mr. Waddill held a commission as first lieutenant, and commanded his troop in frequent skirmishes and reconnaissances. In October, 1863, he was honorably discharged on account of disabilities incurred in the line of duty. His public service in civil life has been conspicuous. At various times, while a practicing attorney at Springfield, Missouri, he served as city attorney and district prosecuting attorney. In 1878 he was elected to the Fortysixth Congress from the Springfield District. The district was supposedly Republican, but the vote of that party was so divided between its own candidate, Charles G. Burton, of Nevada, and Judge Ritchey, Greenbacker, of Newtonia, as to make Mr. Waddill's candidacy successful. His service in Congress involved the most arduous labor. It occurred during the administration of President Hayes, when the country was greatly disturbed on account of the presence at the polls of United States marshals and military forces. Three sessions of the Forty-sixth Congress were held during these disturbed years. The district represented by Mr. Waddill comprised fourteen counties, and an unusual number of pension claims and much other personal business in the interest of his constituents made his labors outside of his public duties in the House very exacting. Upon the expiration of his term Mr. Waddill was renominated by acclamation, but the Republicans and Greenbackers effected a coalition, with Ira Haseltine as a candidate, and Mr. Waddill was defeated by a majority of 107 votes in a total of over 47,000. Mr. Waddill has always been a Democrat and an earnest and forcible advocate of the policies of his party before the people. He has long been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and was one of the official board of the Walnut Street Church in Kansas City under the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. John Mathews; he also occupied the same. position in the Centenary Church of St. Louis under the same eminent divine. He was married, in 1864, to Miss Rowena Emily Leedy, daughter of Josiah Leedy, a Virginian, who was a contractor and builder, and

erected the courthouse at Springfield, Missouri, and other public buildings in that region; his death occurred during the war. To Mr. and Mrs. Waddill have been born four children, all of whom are living.

Wade, Festus J., whose genius for the conduct of real estate business has caused him to become one of the most widely known of Western operators in real property, was born in St. Louis in 1860 and grew up in that city. In 1875 he embarked in the first business venture on his own account, engaging in the manufacture of cider. He then became clerk for a railroad contractor. In 1877 he became clerk in the city office of the St. Louis Fair Association. In 1883 the qualifications of which he had shown himself to be possessed received their first marked recognition in his appointment to the position of secretary of the Fair Association, which he held until December 31, 1886, and then resigned to accept a similar position with the August Gast Bank Note and Lithographic Company. He remained in the employ of the bank note company until July of 1888, but in the meantime he organized the real estate firm of L. E. Anderson & Co., succeeded in July, 1888, by the Anderson-Wade Realty Company. When this corporation was formed Mr. Wade resigned his position with the bank note and lithographic company, and since then has devoted all his time and attention to the real estate business. He has been the prime mover in inaugurating enterprises which have resulted in the erection in St. Louis, since the year 1890, of more than fifty buildings, among them being the Planters' Hotel, the Rialto Building, the Columbia and Republic office buildings, and the business houses occupied by the Hargadine-McKittrick Dry Goods Company, the Roberts-Johnson-Rand Shoe Company, and the Desnoyer Shoe Company.

Wade, William H., farmer, soldier and member of Congress, was born in Clark County, Ohio, November 3, 1835, and was raised on a farm, attending the common schools and Grove School Academy. April 17, 1861, when the Civil War began, he entered the Union Army and served until the end. In 1866 he came to Missouri and located in Greene County, and served two terms as a member of the Legislature for

that county. In 1884 he was elected to Congress as a Republican, and was re-elected twice in succession, serving in the Fortyninth, Fiftieth and Fifty-first Congresses. In his last election he received 16,480 votes to 13,601 for C. C. Matlock, Democrat, and 3,792 for F. P. Alter, Union Labor.

Waggoner, William H., miller, was born. November 13, 1839, in Perry County, Pennsylvania. His parents were both natives of the Keystone State and came from two of the oldest families of Pennsylvania. There were four sons in the family, three of whom served the Union cause in the Civil War. Peter Waggoner, the father, was one of the early and well known millers of his State, was a practical workman and a man of industrious habits and integrity. He removed to Independence, Missouri, in 1866, and, with his son, the subject of this sketch, purchased a mill and engaged in his chosen business. He died in 1894. W. H. Waggoner came to Missouri in 1865, during the summer months, and chose Independence as a desirable location. The old city mill, an ancient structure around which much interesting history was woven, was purchased by Waggoner & Son. This mill had been moved from a site distant from the town of Independence. It was one of the oldest mills in western Missouri, and farmers brought their grists to it from many miles around. After it had been placed in its new location it stood across the railroad tracks from where the present large mill stands. In 1875 a new mill was built. Peter Waggoner retired from active connection with the industry, and the son was associated with prominent capitalists of Independence. In 1883 the Waggoner-Gates Milling Company was incorporated, with the subject of this sketch as president. The other incorporators were Peter Waggoner, George P. Gates and Judge E. P. Gates. W. H. Waggoner bought the interest of Peter Waggoner, and these men, with C. C. Chiles, are still associated in the business, which is most profitable. The capacity of the old mill, owned by J. A. Overfelt, was fifty barrels a day. The growth of the industry is shown in the fact that the present capacity is 500 barrels a day. Mr. Waggoner is a practical, self-made man. He had limited educational advantages, attending only the common schools of his native county in

Pennsylvania. The world has been his school and he has learned its lessons well. He has prospered, is a stockholder and director in the Bank of Independence, and his home is one of the most comfortable residences in that city. On the lawn stands the historic old studio of George A. Bingham, an artist and orator whose voice was heard on the streets of Independence in fearless utterances during the war, and whose brush and fruitful mind created the noted painting which depicts the results of the memorable "Order No. II." The Waggoner residence was owned by Bingham, and the landmark is being preserved. The property was purchased by Mr. Waggoner in 1879. In politics he is a Republican, but has had little time for office holding, his experience along this line being limited to one term as alderman from the Fourth Ward of Independence. He was married, in 1882, to Elizabeth, a daughter of J. S. Fought, of Pennsylvania, and to this union five children, the oldest being thirteen years of age, have been born.

Wahl, John, was born April 15, 1832, in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and came with his parents to the United States in 1840. He was educated in St. Louis, and began business life as a clerk. In 1860 he embarked in business as junior member of the commission firm of Harlow & Wahl. Three years later Mr. Wahl purchased Mr. Harlow's interest and conducted the business under the name of John Wahl & Co. until 1864, when the admission of John Carpenter to the firm caused its name. to be changed to Wahl & Carpenter. The name of John Wahl & Co. was resumed in 1870, when Mr. Carpenter retired, Mr. Wahl purchasing his interest. In 1891 he incorporated this business as the John Wahl Commission Company. Mr. Wahl has since been the president of this corporation, its other officials being Henry Greve, vice president, and John B. Wahl, secretary and treasurer. For many years he has been known as one of the largest dealers in lead in the country. In 1867 he sold the first car load of pig lead shipped from the Joplin, Missouri, lead district. Mr. Wahl was a director and vice president of the German Savings Institution for many years, and October 16, 1898, he succeeded to the presidency. He has been a director in the Ameri

can Central Fire Insurance Company since 1861 and is its second vice president, has served as a director of the Merchants' Exchange for two terms, and was vice president of that body in 1877, and president in 1879. August 3, 1854, Mr. Wahl married Miss Elizabeth A. Braun, of Pike County, Missouri. Their children are John B. Wahl, who is now secretary and treasurer of the John Wahl Commission Company; Josephine, wife of Henry Greve, vice president of the same corporation; Bertha and Edwin Wahl, the last named of whom is also associated with

his father in business.

Wakenda.-An incorporated town in Carroll County, near the Missouri River, and on the Kansas City branch of the Wabash Railroad, eight miles southeast of Carrollton. It is also known as Eugene City. It has Baptist and Methodist Episcopal Churches, a public hall, a grain elevator, sawmill, two gristmills and about twenty stores and miscellaneous shops. Population, 1899 (estimated), 300.

Walbridge, Cyrus Packard, exMayor of St. Louis, was born July 20, 1849, in Madrid, New York, son of Rev. Orlo Judson and Maria Althea (Packard) Walbridge. He is a great-grandson of Asa Walbridge, who served in the Revolutionary Army during the struggle for American independence, and his grandfather, Franklin Walbridge, a Vermont farmer, was a soldier in the second war with Great Britain. In the maternal line, Mr. Walbridge is a descendant of William Hyde, who was one of the original settlers at Hartford, Connecticut, and one of the founders also of Norwich, Connecticut. The name of that worthy colonist appears on a monument erected at Norwich in honor of the founders of the place. The father of Cyrus P. Walbridge was a Methodist minister, and, as the circuit riding rules of the Methodist Church necessitated frequent removals of the family, the son did not enjoy the best educational advantages as a boy. His parents removed to northern Illinois in 1854, .and he obtained the rudiments of an education in the common schools of that State. In 1861 they went from Illinois to Minnesota, and established their home on a farm near Northfield. There Mr. Walbridge grew to manhood, dividing his time between farm labor and at