My Genealogy Hound

MARMADUKE E. EMERSON. There is no greater pleasure for the hand and mind of the historian or biographer to perform than to record the life and achievements of a man who began life’s battles under adverse circumstances, and who, through his own unaided efforts, has secured the general acknowledgment of being an honest man and worthy citizen. Such a man is Mr. Emerson, who occupies the responsible position of foreman in the mammoth mills of the H. C. Cole Barrel Works, of Chester.

Our subject has always been a resident of this county, having been born in Chester March 14, 1847. He is the sixth child in order of birth in the family of Amos and Mary (Walker) Emerson, the former a native of Portland, Me. The father of our subject left home at the early age of sixteen, and going to Pittsburgh, Pa., joined the army and served as a soldier during the Black Hawk War. After that conflict he located in Edwardsville, this state, thence he moved to Chester, where he spent the rest of his days, following his trade of a cooper. His decease occurred in 1860. The Emerson family originally came from England, while on his mother’s side our subject is of Irish descent.

The maternal grandfather of our subject, Jackson Walker, came to America in an early day, and made his home in Florence, Ala., where Mrs. Emerson was born, and later the family moved to New Orleans, where she first met her husband, the father of our subject. Marmaduke received his education in the schools of Chester, and when old enough learned the trade of a cooper. He was a lad of twelve years when his father died, and at that early age he began the struggle of life on his own account.

Mr. Emerson worked as a journeyman cooper through various sections of Indiana, Missouri and Illinois, and in 1876 he entered the shop of H. C. Cole & Co., where he began work. He was very industrious and conscientious in his labors, and two years after beginning work with the company his efforts were rewarded, he being made foreman of the cooper shop. Wherever he goes, Mr. Emerson wins friends, and he holds a deserved high reputation throughout the city and among his fellow-workmen.

In 1876 our subject was married to Miss Mary J., daughter of D. S. and V. (Montroy) Lybarger, of Chester. Their union has been blessed by the birth of four children: Gladys Olivia, Ralph Waldo, Clyde Vivian and Earl Marmaduke. The last named is now deceased, passing away when three years of age. Mrs. Emerson is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and with her husband and family occupies a high place in the home community.

Our subject is wide awake and progressive, and takes quite an interest in political affairs, voting with the Democratic party. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace, and represented the first ward in the City Council for many terms. He is known as a public-spirited citizen, aiding generously in all matters of mutual welfare. Socially, Mr. Emerson is a charter member of Chester Lodge No. 57, I. O. O. F., and in that order has filled nearly all the chairs.