Rodolph R. Staples

As printed in 1910

RODOLPH R. STAPLES, SR.

In the collection of material for the biographical department of this work there has been a constant aim to use a wise discrimination in regard to the selection of subjects and to exclude none worthy of representation within its pages. Here will be found mention of worthy citizens of all vocations, and at this juncture we are permitted to offer a resume of the career of one of the substantial and honored citizens of Burlington Junction, Nod away township, where he has long maintained his home and where he has attained to an enviable position in the community.

R. R. Staples, Sr., who gave eminent satisfaction as mayor of Burlington Junction, 'was born near Sparta, Monroe county, Wisconsin, on December 23, 1854, and is descended from sterling Irish ancestry in the agnatic line, a remote ancestor, Thomas Staples, having been made a baron in 1628. The subject’s great-grandfather. Sergeant Abraham Staples, rendered valiant service to the colonies in the war of the Revolution and his death occurred at Mendon, Massachusetts, where, on October 31, 1877. a state was unveiled in his honor, the address being delivered by Rev. C. A. Staples, a descendant and a resident of Providence, Rhode Island. The subject's paternal grandfather, Job Staples, was a native of the state of Vermont, and for many years was a sailor on the high seas. The subject’s father, Abial Staples, who was born in Orange county. Vermont, married Abigail Ward, who was born in New Hampshire, the daughter of Benjamin Ward, a native of that state and of English descent. In 1847 Abial and Abigail Staples removed to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, going later to Monroe coun- IOI I ty, that state, where they remained until 1856. In that year they came by ox team to Gentry county, Missouri, and six years later they came to Nodaway county, locating near where Hopkins now stands. There the father remained until 1877. when he went to Colfax township, Atchison county, locating on a farm which is now owned by the subject of this sketch. There the father died in 1879, at the age of sixty-seven years. His wife survived him a few years, dying in 1883, at the age of sixty-seven years. They were consistent and active members of the Christian church and enjoyed the sincere respect of all who knew them.

R. R. Staples was reared under the parental roof and secured his education in the public schools of Gentry and Nodaway counties. He was reared to the life of a farmer and, under the directions of his father, he soon be came an expert judge of livestock. After the death of his father he continued the operation of the home farm, carrying on the raising and feeding of stock on the Grand View farm. He steadily pursued his way along these lines, meeting with well deserved success, and is now numbered among the big cattle dealers of this section of the state. He is the owner of five hundred and sixty acres of fine land, all under fence and either in cultivation or in grass. His efforts have been characterized by enterprise and progressive methods and as an up-to-date business man he is the equal of any of his com peers.

In 1901 Mr. Staples made a pleasure trip to Europe, being absent from home about five months, and on his return he devoted himself to farming in Atchison county, this state, where he resided until December, 1904, when he moved to Burlington Junction, where he now makes his home, though still maintaining an active supervision of his farming operations.

On April 9, 1876, Mr. Staples was united in marriage to Hannah Isabel Fine, a native of Fountain county, Indiana, and the daughter of Harrison and Elizabeth (Emerick) Fine, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Staples have been born four children, Arvilla L., Weltha J., Lester O. and Rodolph R., Jr. These children all reside at home excepting Lester, who is engaged in the operation of a farm six miles southwest of Burlington Junction. They were all educated at Tarkio College, Rodolph continuing his education at the Capital City Commercial College, at Des Moines, Iowa, graduating in 1909.

Politically Mr. Staples is a stanch supporter of the Republican party and has long taken an active part in public affairs, standing high in the councils of his party, having been delegate to a number of county, congressional and state conventions. In 1888 he was his party's nominee for the office of county judge and an unmistakable evidence of his popularity was the fact that he reduced the opposition majority from eighteen hundred to nine votes. In 1892 he was the nominee for the Legislature from Atchison county, be ing defeated by only two votes. In 1898 he was nominated for the position of county recorder and made a splendid race, being defeated again by a narrow margin. He served as mayor of the city of Burlington Junction and to the duties of this office he gave the same careful administration that has characterized his own business affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, having taken all the degrees of the York rite and those of the Scottish rite up to and including the thirty-second degree, being also a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His wife and two daughters are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, the daughters being also members of the Order of Daughters of Isis. Religiously. Mr. and Mrs. Staples are members of the United Brethren church, to which they give an earnest and liberal support. Mr. Staples is genial and courteous in his relations with his fellow-men, enjoys an extensive acquaintance throughout this and adjoining counties and is held in high esteem by all who know him.

As printed in Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.