My Genealogy Hound

Robert L. Christeson, general merchant, of Waynesville, Mo., and a native of Pulaski County, was born on the 29th of January, 1862, being a son of Robert L. Christeson, who was born in Adair County, Ky., in 1823. In 1829 he came to Pulaski County, Mo., with his father, Elisha Christeson, and located about six miles south of the county seat, on Roubideaux Creek. He died in 1862, and his wife, whose maiden name was Charlotte Tilley, died two years later. They were the parents of only one child, Robert L., whose name heads this sketch. After the death of his parents he was taken to rear by his grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Tilley, with whom he resided until he was fourteen years of age, and at that time began making his home with his guardian, W. L. Bradford, remaining with him until twenty years old. He attended the common schools in early life, and in 1878 entered Morrisville Institute, in Polk County, Mo., which he attended three years, graduating in 1881. The following year he worked on a farm, and in September, 1883, in company with W. A. Bates, began merchandising in Waynesville, but sold his interest to Mr. Bates nine months later, and in September of the same year purchased the entire stock, and took as a partner W. P. Skaggs, the firm being known as Skaggs & Christeson. September 19, 1887, they were burned out, with a loss of $5,000, but Mr. Christeson soon engaged in the same business on his own responsibility, and has since continued, meeting with good success. He has a large and select stock of goods, and as a consequence his enterprise is patronized largely by the town and county. October 2, 1887, he married Miss Jennie Coffman, a daughter of John and Mary Coffman. She was born in Kentucky in April, 1864, and died July 8, 1888, having borne one child, Lida. Mr. Christeson is a Master Mason, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, as was his wife.