MUSGROVE, William G - Lafayette Co, MO Biography Submitted for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Marilyn Ainsworth ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** Young's 1910 History of Lafayette County, MO - pages 678-679 William G. Musgrove was born near Lexington, Missouri, June 14, 1843. His father's family moved to that town about 1850. He attended Masonic College two or three years and began his newspaper career as carrier boy for the 'American Citizen' in 1856. William Musgrove, his father, died in 1857, and the 'Citizen' suspended publication. William G. Musgrove then went to work on the 'Expositer', and in 1858 went to Carrollton and worked for Ethan Allen on the 'Carrollton Democrat'. He returned to Lexington in March, 1861, and again worked on the 'Expositor' till the war broke out and the paper suspended publication. He went with the South, and after the battle of Springfield helped to print the reports of General Price and other officers. He and Ethan Allen printed the reports of General Price and other officers after the battle of Lexington, for which offense the type and material of the old 'Lexington Express', the private property of of J. M. Julian, was afterward confiscated. At the close of the war J.M. Julian, Ethan Allen and W. G. Musgrove, after considerable correspondence, agreed to meet at Lexington and start a Democratic newspaper, to be called the 'Caucasian'. An effort was made to buy the 'Express' from H.K. Davis, but the idea was soon abandoned, and a new outfit was purchased in St. Louis. the first issue of the 'Caucasian' was printed in April, 1865. In September, 1868, Mr. Musgrove sold his interest in the 'Caucasian' to Col. Peter Donan. Some time after that Donan and Allen bought the interest of Mr. Julian. The ownership of the paper changed frequently. After Donan & Allen, came Donan, Allen & Nesbitt; then Donan and Reavis; then Donan, Reavis & Donnan; then Musgrove and Allen; then Allen, Child & Musgrove. Then, about 1874, W. G. Musgrove became sole owner. In August, 1875, the 'Caucasian' and the 'Intelligencer' were consolidated, and Musgrove became owner of one-half of the stock. Alex A. Lesueur purchased the stock owned by David Groves, and became editor of the paper. In April, 1886, Musgrove sold his stock to Ethan Allen and went to Medicine Lodge, Kansas, where he bought a half-interest in the 'Index'. His partner, E.P. Caruthers, sold his interest in the paper to the Farmer's Alliance in 1890 and Musgrove conducted the paper in the interest of the Alliance movement, which was completely successful, and Republicanism in Kansas was given its first reverse. Mr. Musgrove was sent as a delegate to the national convention of the People's party at Cincinnati, which nominated Weaver for President, and was secretary of the Kansas delegation. In August, 1893, Mr. Musgrove reutrned to Lexington and relieved James E. Payne of the control of the 'Intelligencer', taking Hiram J. Groves as a partner. Shortly afterward Isaac G. Neale bought Musgrove's interest. About 1895 Musgrove & Cash bought the office from Groves & Neale, and shortly after that Mr. Cash sold his interest to Mr. Neale. Then Musgrove & Neale sold the plant to Lafayette W. Groves. Here the financial connection of W. G. Musgrove with the 'Intelligencer' ceased. Mr. Neale shortly afterward bought the office from Mr. Groves. Mr. Musgrove was married March 28, 1878, to Anna Elizabeth Drysdale. He joined the Christian church in 1867; while at Medicine Lodge he was chosen elder of the church there, and on his return to Lexington was again chosen as elder. He and his wife have made Kansas City, Missouri, their home since 1901.