My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES T. PETTIT, merchant, Sarcoxie, was born in St. Joseph county, Mich., Nov. 4, 1840. His parents, John and Permelia Pettit, were natives respectively of the Empire State and New Jersey. Subject grew to manhood in the county of his nativity, engaged in agricultural pursuits and attending the common schools; completed his education in the Hillsdale College, at Hillsdale, Mich. After quitting school he engaged in teaching and farming for a time. Came to Jasper county in the fall of 1806, stopping about four months in Carthage; he then came to Sarcoxie and embarked in the mercantile business with Harry Hubbard, present county collector, under the firm name of Hubbard & Pettit. Eighteen months there after he purchased the entire interest and continued alone. In 1872 he built the present Sarcoxie mills; in the summer of 1874 he disposed of them to Mr. W. H. Perry for $9,000, and one year later he and Gilbert Schooling became their proprietors. Soon after they were again sold to J. P. Boyd, the present owner, and our subject has since given his attention principally to the mercantile business. At this writing he is engaged in constructing a large brick block on the northeast corner of the public square, which when completed will be the finest building in Sarcoxie. Mr. Pettit was married Dec. 14, 1808, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Moses and Louisa McKnight, of this county, but natives of Tennessee. From this union there are three children living: Ruth, born July 15, 1874; William, born July 2, 1876: and Charles, born Dec. 15, 1879. Three are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Pettit have a very pleasant home in Sarcoxie. She is a consistent member of the M. E. Church (South). Mr. P. is a man of excellent business qualifications. Energetic and enterprising, he is ever awake to the interests of state, county, and especially of the community in which he lives. He is a member of the Masonic order.