Biographical Sketch of John M. Thrailkill, Johnson County, Missouri, Warrensburg Township >From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918. ********************************************************************** John M. Thrailkill, "The One Price Clothier," of Warrensburg, Missouri, was born in 1856 in Holt county, Missouri. He is the oldest of four children born to his parents, George W. and Elizabeth H. (Robinson) Thrailkill, the former, a native of Saline county, Missouri and the latter, of Kentucky. They were the parents of the following children: John M., the subject of this review; Edward, who died in December, 1915; Emma, the widow of James E. Rothford, of Greenfield, Missouri; and Joseph, who died in March, 1904. George W. Thrailkill was a son of James Thrailkill, a native of North Carolina, who came to Missouri when it was yet a territory. His death occurred in Saline county. His son, George W., was reared in Saline county and in later years resided in Holt county, Johnson county, Kansas and Jackson county, Missouri. He spent his life engaged in the pursuits of agriculture and his death occurred in 1897 at Kansas City, Missouri. In 1904, he was joined in death by his wife, whose death also occurred in Kansas City. In the public schools of Clay county, Missouri, John M. Thrailkill received his education. When only a lad of fifteen years of age, he began life for himself, his mercantile career beginning in December, 1878, when he accepted a position with the business establishment of Bullene Emery & Moore. He was later employed by the different firms, Burnham Hanna & Munger and Ely Walker & Company. For ten years, he was on the road as traveling salesman for these business firms. In September, 1889, Mr. Thrailkill resigned his position as traveling salesman and purchased one-half interest in the mercantile establishment of J. J. Abell & Brother, buying the brother's interest. This store was located at Nevada, Missouri. John M. Thrailkill was in business there two years and then went on the road again in the employ of Ely Walker & Company, for which firm he was salesman for one and a half years. January 1, 1894, he opened a clothing store at Lamar, which he successfully con- ducted for several years. He sold the store at Lamar in 1900 and left there in November of that year. February 23, 1901, John M. Thrailkill opened his present clothing store in Warrensburg, Missouri, his place of business being located at 109 and 111 North Holden street. He handles an excellent and complete line of men's and boys' wearing apparel and his store has a splendid reputation in this city, being considered one of the very best and most reliable. Mr. Thrailkill devotes his exclusive personal attention to his business in which he takes a keen interest. He himself works in the store and he employs three assistants and extra clerks for the Saturday trade, which is always exceedingly heavy. February 6, 1901, John M. Thrailkill and Florence E. Coleman were united in marriage. To them were born two children, both daughters: Marium Elizabeth, who was born September, 1904; and Beatrice Oleta, who was born January 21, 1910. The mother died January 1, 1914. Mr. Thrailkill remarried on March 16, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Thrailkill reside in Warrensburg at 117 Broad street. By his first marriage in Lamar, Missouri, Mr. Thrailkill has a son, George W., who was born August 24, 1895 in Lamar. He was educated in the city schools of Warrensburg. September 1, 1916 he enlisted in Company D, 2nd Missouri Infantry and served on the Mexican border under the com- mand of General Funston. George W. Thrailkill will join his company at Westplains, Missouri for service in the present world war, probably going to France. Young Thrailkill is one of Warrensburg's most popular and esteemed young men. In the Commercial Club in Warrensburg, John M. Thrailkill has been an active worker. For three years he was president of the organization. Mr. Thrailkill was chiefly instrumental in having the work of paving done on Market street, which was the nucleus of the splendid system of paved streets, for which this city is widely known throughout the state. He has always been active in church work and for many years prior to coming to Warrensburg was a member of the Baptist church, of which he has been deacon for the past sixteen years. Mr. Thrailkill is affiliated with the Warrensburg chapter and commandery of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and also with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Warrensburg. Politically, he is a Democrat. Mr. Thrailkill has countless friends in Johnson county. Possessing a plea- sing personality, kindly manners, and an established reputation for strictly honorable dealings, he ranks very high among the his business associates. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: <> Penny Harrell ====================================================================