My Genealogy Hound

W. S. Musgrave, senior member of the general mercantile firm of Musgrave & Rollins, who have been the successors of Morrison & Dodson since February, 1888, was born in 1847, and is a son of Bennett H. and Sarah (Nelson) Musgrave, natives of Jackson County, Tenn., the former’s birth occurring in 1803. Both were formerly married in Tennessee, and after coming to Pulaski County, Mo., lost their respective companions, and were afterward married. The mother died in 1871, and the father in 1864, on the Pacific Ocean, while en route to California, and was buried at sea. He was a farmer throughout life, and accumulated a considerable portion of this world’s goods. In 1850 he crossed the plains to California, where he was engaged in mining and farming for three years. At the latter date he returned home, and from 1856 to 1861 lived in Colley Hollow, on the St. Louis and Springfield road, where he kept a tavern known as the California House, which still bears that name. W. S. Musgrave, whose name heads this sketch, is the younger of two brothers; the elder, George, who was with his father at the time of his death, died in California about 1885. W. S. was educated in the common schools, and at the age of sixteen years began doing for himself. During the late war he drove Government teams, and in March, 1865, joined a company of Missouri Rangers for one year, but was mustered out in July of that year. After the war he farmed until 1880, and then came to Richland and became the owner of a hotel known as the Richland House, now known as the “Home.” A year later he discontinued this business and began clerking in the dry goods establishment of G. W. Morgan & Co., and at the same time ran a furniture store, continuing the latter business until 1888, when he sold out and engaged in his present occupation, the stock being valued at $6,000. January 30, 1868, he was married to Aggie, a daughter of Allen and Perlina Stevens, who were formerly of Adair County, Ky., but became early settlers of Pulaski County. Mrs. Musgrave, who was a worthy and consistent member of the Methodist Church, died on the 18th of July, 1888, leaving her husband and two sons and one daughter to mourn her loss. Mr. Musgrave is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for S. J. Tilden, in 1876, and has held the office of alderman. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., Lodge No. 212; Select Knights, Lodge No. 115, and is Worthy Master in the A. F. & A. M., Lodge No. 382.