My Genealogy Hound

Cody Brothers & Co., dealers in groceries and queensware, embrace John W. Cody, B. H. Cody and L. C. Cody. John W. Cody is the son of Curtis and Sarah (Cade) Cody, the parents being natives of North Carolina and Delaware, respectively. They lived in Fountain County, Ind., engaged in agricultural pursuits until October, 1839, at which time they immigrated to Scotland County, Mo., and settled on a tract of land situated six miles north of the present site of Memphis. In 1850 they sold out, and moved on a tract of 340 acres situated a mile and a half east of Memphis, where they remained until 1857, at which date they sold out and moved to Memphis, where they spent the winter and spring of 1858. They then moved on a farm where the father died in 1863, and where the mother continued until 1866, at which date she moved with her son, John W., to his farm, and there with her son and daughter remained until 1878. She then moved to Cowley County, Kas., to live with her daughter, and there she remained until her death in 1884. John W. was born December 22, 1831; received his education in the common district schools of Scotland County, Mo., and at the age of twenty went to California, where he engaged in gold mining for about three years. In 1854 he married Miss Mary H. Gunn, a native of Hennepin, Ill., born July 12, 1836, and the daughter of Thomas and Mildred (Baker) Gunn, and to them were born seven children, two being deceased. John W. made his property by his own efforts, and now owns 250 acres of land upon which he is residing, and also owns a portion of the grocery business. He is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce. He is a member of the F. & A. M., Memphis Lodge, No. 16, also A. O. U. W., No. 106, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. Byron H. was educated in Memphis, and first began in the mercantile business as a clerk about 1880. He continued to hold that position until he became a member of the present firm. June 4, 1885, he married Miss Cora K. Pitkin, daughter of H. G. Pitkin. B. H. Cody is a Democrat in politics, and is identified with the following fraternities: The F. & A. M., in the royal arch degree, K. of P., and A. O. U. W. Their present firm was organized in April, 1877. They have a full and selected stock of fancy groceries, queensware, flour, feed, provisions, etc., with an extensive country and city trade.