DeKalb County Missouri

G. Y. Crenshaw, a citizen of Maysville, and president of the De Kalb County Bank, was born in Gallatin County, Ill., on September 28, 1839. He is the son of William E. and Cassandra F. (Taylor) Crenshaw [see G. W. Crenshaw's sketch]. G. Y. was reared on the farm, and attended the Springfield schools. He began business as a live stock dealer in Sangamon County, Ill., where he remained until 1872. He then removed to St. Clair County, making his headquarters at East St. Louis, and engaged in stock shipping and farming for three years. In 1875 he removed to De Kalb County, and continued in the stock business until 1878, when he was elected clerk of the circuit court, and recorder. He was re-elected in 1882, filling the office eight years. At the organization of the De Kalb County Bank he was a stockholder and director. On February 1, 1886, when the bank was reorganized he was elected president. On November 16, 1876, he was united in marriage with Anna C. Holmes, who was born in Ohio in 1856. She is the daughter of John M. and Thursa Homes. They have had four children, three of whom are living. Mr. Crenshaw is a member of the Masonic lodge.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), pp. 556-557.

Chauncey W. Curtis, a well-known dealer in tin and hardware at Osborne, was born in Livingston County, Mich., on September 14, 1842. His parents were Lyman and Rachel (Chrispell) Curtis, who were of English and German descent, and natives of Vermont and New York, respectively. After their marriage they immigrated to Michigan, where the father worked at the carpenter’s trade in connection with farming. About 1860 they removed from Livingston County to Shiawassee County, where the mother died about 1866. She was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. About 1867 the father went to Northwest Indiana, where he lived three years, whence after living with his son, Chauncey W., two years, he removed to Logan County, Ohio, where he now resides. He was born January 29, 1806. He is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. The subject of this sketch is the third of five sons. He received a good practical education, and remained on his father’s farm until 1862, when he entered the United States service, and enlisted in Company H, Ninth Michigan Regiment of Infantry. Three months later he received a discharge on account of a wound, received at Newberg, Shiawassee Co., Mich. In December, 1863, he went to Elkhart County, Ind., and at Middlesbury served an apprenticeship at the tinner’s trade with O. O. & A. S. Prescott, until July, 1864. He then worked at his trade successively at Chattanooga, Tenn., Shiawassee County, Mich., and Middlebury, Ind. After two years he went to Hancock County, Ohio, and on March 28, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Icelid D. T. Blakely. Upon marrying he went into the tin and hardware business with his father-in-law, Stephen Blakely. They continued in business at different places until 1870, when Mr. Curtis opened up a tin and hardware store at Osborne. After four years he sold out to P. M. Hatch, and removed to Logan County, Ohio, and at Quincy he and a younger brother, E. F. Curtis, opened a general hardware store, which they controlled over four years. He then began his present business. He sustained a loss by fire in 1884, but after three months was doing business again. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have had two children: Edwin C., who died in infancy, and Zelora. Politically, he is a Republican, and at present is a magistrate. He and wife are worthy members of the Methodist Church.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), pp. 557-558.

W. F. Costello, a prominent young attorney of Maysville, and a member of the firm of Low & Costello, real estate and collecting agents, was born in Champaign City, Ill., on May 25, 1860. He was one of twin brothers born to James T. and Anna M. (Corchran) Costello. The father was born in Sandersville, Ga., about 1842, and was of Spanish descent. From Georgia, he removed to Greenfield, Hancock Co., Ind. He was an editor, and for a time edited the Hancock County Democrat. In 1865 he went to Leavenworth, Kas., where he was killed. The mother was born in Ireland in 1840, and immigrated to America in 1849. She now resides at Hamilton, Mo. W. F. came with his mother to Missouri in 1866, and located at Kingston, Caldwell County, where he was reared, and received a good education in the high school. He began the study of law at Hamilton, Mo., in the office of Dilley & Johnson. In 1883 he entered the law department of the University, Ann Arbor, Mich., graduating the next year. In the same year he immigrated to Idaho, and practiced his profession for twelve months. Returning home he remained six months, and in July, 1886, located in Maysville and resumed his practice.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), p. 556.