My Genealogy Hound

Frank M. Gifford, deceased, was one of Knox County’s most eminent, honored and successful citizens, and had been a resident of Edina twelve years at the time of his death. He was born in Lincklaen, Chenango Co., N. Y., April 7, 1844, and was a son of Edwin and Eunice (Mead) Gifford. The father was a native of the same place, and the mother is still a resident of New York. Mr. Gifford came west April 7, 1868, when he was a young man, and became an agent for the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, at Hannibal, Macon and Palmyra, being one of their most trusted employees. While at Palmyra he married Miss Mattie G. Holtzclaw, a native of Marion County, Mo. In 1874 he moved to Edina, and became agent for the railroad, but soon bought out the lumber business of John Adams, of Quincy, and at the time of his death was one of the most extensive and prosperous lumber merchants in Northeast Missouri. After his death the lumber yard was purchased by Pugh & Slaughter, who now conduct the business. Later Mr. Gifford became a partner in the large saw milling and lumber business of Brooks, Cummings & Co., of Canton, Mo., and it was while attending to the duties imposed upon him by that business that he met his death, which occurred as follows: In company with the president of the Canton Saw Mill Company and his own son, Edwin, Mr. Gifford took passage one afternoon on the raft boat “Abner Gile” for a trip up the river, intending to go to Canton. While on the journey, and when coming out of his stateroom on the “ Texas,” he turned to close the door, and stepping backward his feet struck against the low railing, which threw him on the lower deck and into the water, when he immediately disappeared. A reward of $300 was offered for the recovery of his body by the president of the Canton Saw Mill Company, and it was shortly found in forty feet of water. The accident occurred just above Davenport, and it was the opinion of physicians that Mr. Gifford’s neck was broken in the fall. Besides the business above mentioned, Mr. Gifford was also interested, being a large stock holder, in the roller mills of Edina. He was one of Knox County’s most public-spirited and liberal-minded citizens, and was deeply interested in educational matters, having built the Edina Seminary from his own resources, guaranteeing the salary of the faculty as well. He was a prominent K. T., Kirksville Commandery. Mr. Gifford was a stanch Republican, but had never held any official position save that of mayor of Edina, and at the time of his death was a member of the city council. During the war he served as private in Company T, Twentieth Regiment, New York Cavalry. He was at one time a prominent candidate on the Republican ticket for the State Legislature, and ran far ahead of his ticket, but was defeated on account of the minority of his party in that region. His widow and four of the five children born to them are still living, the children being Edwin R., Mabel E., Judith S., Frank G. (deceased) and Lena B. Mrs. Gifford is still a resident of Edina, and retains her husband’s interest in the Canton Saw Mill Company. Mr. Gifford was a self-made man, and enjoyed the confidence of his fellow citizens to the highest degree, and left a large circle of friends, made in both business and social ways, to mourn their loss. He died June 11, 1886.