My Genealogy Hound

S. B. Whitsett, dealer in general merchandise, Pacific, was born in Franklin County, Mo., in 1848. He obtained his early education at the common schools of the county, later attending, for a short time, the school of the Christian Brothers, at St. Louis, and spending one term at Steelville Academy, and two terms at St. James College, in Phelps County. With a small capital, he established business at his present location, in September, 1876, purchasing a small stock of goods of J. F. Withington. As a result of his energy and business ability his business has increased to its present lucrative proportions. He was married in 1876 to Miss Bettie Houston, a native of Du Page County, Ill., and a daughter of Hamilton and Mary (Dreyer) Houston. They are the parents of three children, Ida May, Jessie Maude and Mary Ethel. Mr. and Mrs. Whitsett are members of the Baptist Church, of which he is a deacon. He is a Democrat in politics, a Master Mason, a member of the A. O. U. W. and Select Knights, and also of the “Order of Chosen Friends.” His father, James Whitsett, has served as justice of the peace for nearly thirty years. S. B. Whitsett was the fourth in the family of six children of James and Mary (Keatley) Whitsett, natives, respectively, of North Carolina and Missouri.