My Genealogy Hound

MARSHALL L. DeHAVEN. Of a large number of railroad men residing in Sedalia, few have been in the service for so long a period as has the subject of this notice, who is now employed as conductor on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, with headquarters in this city. His connection with railroading began in 1869, and it is worthy of special note that, during all the intervening years, neither he nor any man in his employ has ever been injured. At present he has charge of the through freight running between Sedalia, Mo., and Parsons, Kan.

The DeHaven family is of French origin, but several generations have been represented upon Old Dominion soil. The father of our subject, Barrick, was born in Frederick County, Va., April 18, 1818, being the son of Wesley DeHaven, a Virginian planter. While residing there he engaged in merchandising, and thence, in 1855, he came to Missouri, settling in Boonville, where he carried on a wholesale business for a short time. Later he settled upon a farm in Morgan County, and continued agricultural pursuits for a time, when he retired to private life. His closing years were spent in Sedalia, where he died February 4, 1894.

In 1847 Barrick DeHaven married Miss Albina Adams, a native of Frederick County, Va., and at present a resident of Cooper County, Mo. In religious belief she is a Presbyterian, and Mr. DeHaven was also a sincere member of that church. His political views led him into active co-operation with the Democratic party, and in the various communities where he resided he was a man of influence in that political organization. His family consisted of seven children, all but one of whom survive. Marshall L., the eldest of the number, was born near Martinsburg, Va., September 11, 1848. He was a mere child when the family came to Missouri, and his boyhood years were passed in Cooper and Morgan Counties, where he attended the district schools.

Starting out for himself in 1867, Mr. DeHaven took a trip to Kansas and spent one year in Oswego, that state, after which he went to St. Louis, Mo., and studied telegraphy in Bryant & Stratton’s Commercial College. However, he did not follow the occupation, though he mastered the science. In 1869 he came to Sedalia and secured a position as brakeman on the Missouri Pacific between Holden and Jefferson City, being on freight trains exclusively. In 1873 he went to his farm near Otterville, Mo., where he superintended the cultivation of the land for two years. On re-entering the railroad business, he became brakeman on the Missouri Pacific between Sedalia and Kansas City, and in 1879 was promoted to conductor, his run being between the same cities.

In 1887 Mr. DeHaven went to Chetopa, Kan., as night yardmaster for the Missouri Pacific, remaining in that place for eight months. Later, for a short time, he was conductor on the Mendon Branch, between Chetopa, Kan., and Nebraska. From there he went South to Houston, Tex., and accepted a position as conductor on the Houston, Galveston & Northern Railroad, his route being from Galveston to Palestine and return. Several months were spent in Texas, from which state he came back to Missouri and began braking on the Chicago & Alton, between Slater and Kansas City. Shortly afterward he entered the employ of the Santa Fe, running between Kansas City and Ft. Madison, and later was conductor on the Cincinnati, Jackson & Michigan, between Toledo and Allegan. This, however, being too far away from his home to be desirable, he returned to Missouri about 1889, and for a few months was brakeman on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas, after which he was made a conductor.

The marriage of Mr. DeHaven occurred in Knox County, Mo., in 1873, his wife being Miss Mattie White, who was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. They have had five children, of whom Mattie died in childhood. Four are living: Ernest, a brakeman on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas; Beatrice, Gertrude and Lavettie. The family residence is situated on Eleventh Street. Socially Mr. DeHaven is a Mason, and belongs to Granite Lodge. He is also connected with the Order of Railway Conductors. He is a liberal contributor to public enterprises and to the Baptist Church, of which his wife is a member. It has always been his aim to render careful, faithful and painstaking service in the interests of his superior officials, and he is recognized as one of the most efficient railroad men in the employ of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company.