My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM H. FALLIS, groceryman, Joplin, Mo., was born in Trimble county, Ken., Dec. 22, 1838. His parents, John and Sarah S. (Stratton) Fallis, were also natives of the Blue-grass State. His father was born in Henry county August 26, 1810. His mother was born in the same county in 1816. They are now living in Joplin. Grandparents were natives of Virginia. During infancy our subject moved with his parents to Dearborn county, Ind., locating on a farm near Lawrenceburg. Five years later the family came to Missouri, locating in Gentry county. There our subject engaged in agricultural pursuits and attended the common school, receiving a liberal education. When fifteen years of age he went to St. Joseph and engaged as salesman for Messrs. Kay & Bailey, merchants. In the fall of 1858 he came south, stopping in Benton county, Ark., and for about twelve months he continued in the mercantile business at Bentonville. After this he returned to north Missouri and engaged in the same business at Bethany, Harrison county. In the summer of 1860 he enlisted in Company B, Missouri State Militia, Colonel Patton commanding, and served about one year. Participated in battles of Blue Mills, Lexington, and Pea Ridge. After the last named engagement his regiment disbanded, but being reorganized became a part of Little’s Brigade, Confederate Volunteers. The command then went to Memphis, Tennessee, and thence to Mississippi. Participated at Shiloh, Iuka, etc. Was shortly after discharged because of physical disabilities. He then went to northern Texas, where he joined his family. Then went to Colorado and engaged in keeping hotel and stage station at Camp Collins; afterwards in the same business at Cooper Creek, Wyoming, about one year. He then returned to Colorado, stopping for a time at Golden City, in the hotel business, and subsequently went to Denver and commenced freighting. Sometime later he re-crossed the plains to Nebraska City, Neb., and continued freighting until the winter of 1867. Then came to southwest Missouri, locating at Granby, Newton county, where he kept hotel and engaged in the grocery and stock business. In the spring of 1878 he moved to Pierce City and continued in the hotel business until coming here in the winter of 1871. For about one year he kept hotel, and in 1872 returned to Texas, where he commenced the milling business. Returned to Joplin in 1876 and engaged as traveling salesman for S. C. Henderson, wholesale grocer. Since he has been engaged in the grocery business, excepting a few months, during which he run a crusher at Short Creek. He is now engaged with P. Swartz. Mr. Fallis was married in Bethany, Mo., Nov. 15, 1859, to Miss Jennie R., daughter of Robert A. and Elizabeth (Bell) Hodge, formerly of Virginia. Mrs. Fallis was born in Ray county, Mo., July 14, 1847. From this union there have been two children, Cora E. and Willie Blanch. The former has been for some time a student of the Stephens Female College, Columbia, Mo. Mr. Fallis is a Knight of Pythias.