My Genealogy Hound

J. F. Whitacre, one of Kirksville’s successful business men, was born in Virginia, in 1854. He came to Missouri in 1879, and became a member of the firm of Robinson &Whitacre in March following. This firm was dissolved in 1883, and from that date our subject and his brother, E. S., owned the entire stock, consisting of dry goods, boosts, shoes, clothing, etc. They carry a stock of from $18,000 to $25,000, and employ four assistants. From 1885 to 1887 they had a branch store at Wilsontown in this county, but soon removed it to Memphis, Mo., where the brother now resides and conducts the business. John W., the paternal grandfather, was an Englishman, and on coming to America in his youth, located in Pennsylvania. He afterward bought land in Loudon County, Va., which is still in the possession of J. F.’s mother, and one of the younger children; it was on this place that James, the father, was born and reared, and spent his life in agricultural pursuits until his death in 1857. The maiden name of the mother above mentioned is Margaret A. Jackson. Their family consisting of five sons are distributed as follows: Samuel, died in Virginia at the age of twenty-nine years, and two others still live in that State, while the remainder are mentioned in this sketch. Mr. Whitacre and his brother are recognized as leading business men in their respective places, and are successful in all their operations.