My Genealogy Hound

DAVID C. PETTY, engineer, fire-pressure, Joplin water-works, was born in Rappahannock county, Va., Jan. 13, 1849. His parents, Coleman and Eliza (Dowden) Petty, were also natives of Virginia. His father was born in 1817, and his mother in 1819; they are now living at Cedar Post-office, Lafayette county, Mo. Their family consisted of twelve children: Fannie, David C., Elizabeth, Emma, Sarah, William, John, Charles, and Anna, now living; three, Lucy, Allie, and Belle, died in infancy. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and when seventeen years of age he crossed the plains to Wyoming and engaged for three years with a saw-mill, and while there he learned the trade of engineer. In 1870 he returned to Missouri, and engaged at his trade in Lafayette county. He came to Joplin in April, 1881, and continued at his trade, working for the Granby Company. He accepted his present position Nov. 28, 1881. Mr. Petty was married in Carroll county, Mo., April 23, 1874, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Esther (Brookhouser) Elderkin, of that county, but natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. P. was born in Jackson county, Ohio, Jan. 9, 1856. They have had three children: Esther E., born March 14, 1875, died July 31, 1877; Franklin A. C., born Jan. 9, 1878; and Dot, born Oct. 9, 1880.