My Genealogy Hound

HON. MONTERVILLE CARNES, of Sedalia, was elected in the fall of 1890, on the Democratic ticket, as a Representative from the Sixth Congressional District to the State Legislature. He served on a number of very important committees, being Chairman of the one on State Militia, and a member of the Committees on Claims and Roads and Highways. In February, 1892, an extra session was called for the purpose of making an appropriation for the University of Missouri at Columbia, and Mr. Carnes introduced a bill having for its object the removal of that institution to Sedalia. It was passed in the House, but was defeated in the Senate. This bill, which would have proved greatly to the advantage of this city had it been passed, was warmly championed by our subject, who always takes great interest in whatever pertains to the welfare of this section. During the regular sessions he introduced a bill for the removal of the Capitol to Sedalia, but this measure was lost by three votes. Moreover, he presented the Militia Bill, by which $35,000 was appropriated for the State Militia. This was passed, as was also the bill for the discharge of administrators on thirty days’ notice. He nominated Joe R. Shelby for Door-keeper, he being duly elected, and also voted for United States Senator Vest. At present he is a member of the Democratic County Committee, and has often gone as a delegate to county and state conventions.

The birth of Mr. Carnes occurred in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 18, 1847. His father, William, and his grandfather, John Carnes, were both natives of Pennsylvania. The latter emigrated with his family to Cincinnati in 1804, took part in the Indian Wars, and cultivated a farm where the city is now situated. He was of German descent, and was a Lutheran in religious faith. William Carnes was reared in Cincinnati, and was a very successful merchant tailor. Politically he was a Whig, and served for two terms as City Treasurer of Cincinnati. In 1855, when about sixty years of age, he was murdered for his money while on his way home, his residence being in the suburbs. He was stabbed seven or eight times, and his body placed in a pool of water, but his murderers were never apprehended. His wife, Ellen, was a daughter of Andrew Campbell, a native of Virginia, and an early settler where Cincinnati now stands. For a number of years he was proprietor of a stage line which followed the Miami River. Mrs. Carnes was born in Cincinnati, and after her first husband’s death became the wife of William Edwards, since deceased. She came to this state at the same time as did our subject, and is now living at Brookfield, Mo., being about sixty-eight years of age. By her first union she had two children, only one of whom survives, but of the seven children born of her last marriage all but two are living. One of her sons, George H., was killed while switching trains in the yards in 1882; and Robert J. and J. B. are engineers on the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad.

The early days of Monterville Carnes were passed in the city of his birth. For a time he attended the George Street City School, but was early set to work. From the age of ten years he was employed at intervals in various lines, and when only eighteen years of age purchased a farm in Illinois, near Hume, Edgar County. This homestead, located in Young America Township, comprised eighty acres, and he continued to cultivate it until 1870, when he sold it. Coming to Pettis County, he invested in a farm of eighty acres lying in Heath Creek Township, and operated it for the next five years. He later sold out, and, coming to Sedalia, engaged in the coal and feed business on Main Street. At the end of two years he entered the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and until 1880 served as a car inspector; then for two years he acted as a policeman, having been appointed by Mayor E. C. Evans. In the fall of 1882 he was elected City Constable and served four years or two terms. In January, 1887, F. B. Drake, Superintendent of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, gave him the position of Depot Master at the Sedalia Union Depot, and in this position he has proved a capable and faithful official.

In this city the marriage of Mr. Carnes and Mattie A. Ledgewood took place April 24, 1879. The lady was born in Pulaski County, Mo., received a good education, and presides over her pleasant home at No. 219 East Pacific Street with grace and womanly dignity. Mr. and Mrs. Carnes are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and contribute liberally of their means to its support.

A member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Mr. Carnes is Past Grand Master Workman for the state of Missouri. He is also Past Manager of Camp No. 16, Woodmen of the World, is Chaplain of Central Lodge No. 4, National Reserves, is Master Workman of Amity Lodge No. 69, belongs to Queen City Grove No. 1 (auxiliary of the Woodmen of the World), and is identified with Mistletoe Lodge No. 23, Degree of Honor, auxiliary of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.