My Genealogy Hound

EVERETT B. QUISENBERRY. As an example of the advancement made during the past few years, we may cite the increasing attention paid to the stenographic reports of court proceedings, and to meet the demand there have come forward well equipped, intelligent and able young men, who are meeting with deserved success in this calling. Such a one is the subject of this notice, who holds the responsible position of court stenographer, and is one of the most popular gentlemen of Sedalia.

The Quisenberry family is of Scotch origin, but has been represented in this country since Colonial days. Our subject’s grandfather was a farmer by occupation, but at the outbreak of the Revolution laid down the implements of peace and, taking his gun, marched against the British, whom he assisted in defeating. Chesterfield C. Quisenberry, father of our subject, was born in Bowling Green, Ky., and in 1859 came to Missouri, settling near Columbia, Boone County, where Everett B. was born October 26, 1862. While living there, his attention was principally devoted to agriculture and stock-raising. In 1873 he took his family to Texas and settled in Sherman, where he was afterward engaged in farming and stock-raising. His death occurred in that city in 1880, when he was sixty years of age. In religious belief he was a Baptist.

The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Susannah M. Scaggs, was born in Warren County, Ky., and died in Texas in 1874, at the age of forty-four. Her father, Daniel Scaggs, was a miller in Kentucky, and rendered efficient service in defense of the colonies during the Revolution. She had eleven children, all of whom attained mature years, and nine are now living. Our subject, who was the ninth in order of birth, was reared on a farm in MLssouri until the age of eleven years, and meantime took a course in the Columbia public schools. In 1873 he accompanied his parents to Texas, and there, at the age of fourteen, he began to learn the trade of a carver and sculptor. Two years later he took a course in bookkeeping and shorthand, by mail, and graduated from the commercial college at Oswego, N. Y., at the age of seventeen. The ensuing two years were devoted to the marble business in Texas, and he then took a course in Bryant & Stratton’s Commercial College at St. Louis, perfecting himself in bookkeeping and stenography, and graduating in 1883. His first position was that of a court stenographer in Texas, in which capacity he was employed for two years. On his return to St. Louis he accepted a position with the American Cotton Oil Company, in whose employ he remained until he came to Sedalia in 1886.

After his arrival in this city, Mr. Quisenberry did the work of a court stenographer, and in the fall of 1887, when the law was passed creating such an office, he was appointed to the position by Judge Richard Field. There was a vast amount of work incident to the position, and much of it is of the greatest value. It is a place requiring keenness of comprehension and accuracy of work, for the slightest mistake would bring a train of disastrous consequences. It may be said of Mr. Quisenberry that his services have given the highest satisfaction, and his superior ability has enabled him to discharge all the duties of the office in a manner reflecting the greatest credit upon himself.

The high position which Mr. Quisenberry occupies in social circles is shared by his accomplished wife, a lady whose grace of manner and kindness of heart have won for her the friendship of both rich and poor. Miss Hattie C. Elliott, who became the wife of our subject in Sedalia, November 26, 1890, was born in this city, being a daughter of J. B. and Anna M. (Shields) Elliott. Her paternal grandfather, Maj. A. J. Elliott, a native of Virginia, and an early settler of Sedalia, held the rank of Major in the Confederate army. Her maternal grandfather. Gen. William Shields, was born in Boonville, Mo., became a banker in Lexington, this state, and later removed to St. Louis, where he served as City Auditor and continued to reside until his death. He was a General in the Confederate army, in which his two sons participated. One, a Colonel, fell in battle; the other, Capt. T. W., resides in St. Louis. Mrs. Elliott first married Capt. Daniel Trigg, of Lexington, Mo., who was killed during the Civil War; by her second marriage she had five children, Mrs. Quisenberry being the second. She received a good education in girlhood, and, being fond of good literature, keeps well posted concerning current topics as well as scientific subjects and works of note, whether fiction or history. Mr. and Mrs. Quisenberry are members of the Christian Church and active workers in the congregation at Sedalia. Socially the latter affiliates with the Daughters of the Revolution. One child, a son, George Elliott, blesses their marriage. In politics Mr. Quisenberry is a defender of Democratic principles, but the demands of his private affairs have been so engrossing as to preclude active participation in political matters.