- A third steamer Cape Girardeau was christened 100 years ago (3/26/24)
- Cape Girardeau christens its namesake (3/19/24)
- The humanist philosophy of Lester Mondale (3/12/24)1
- Cape Osteopathic Hospital opens its doors (3/5/24)
- 8 killed and a million dollars damage done in 1924 tornado (2/27/24)1
- Jackson's militant priest, county recorder at odds over marriage licenses (2/20/24)
- Streaking fad comes to Cape (2/13/24)2
10th Anniversary Edition: Neelys Landing
Returning once more to The Daily Republican's 10th Anniversary Edition, we've landed at Neelys Landing, sometimes known as Neely's Landing. Just who this Neely person was, the edition doesn't say. Instead, it provides information on two businesses that call the landing home: W.A. Russell & Co., and Morton & Schenimann.
W.A. RUSSELL & CO., NEELYS LANDING
This business is as old as the town of Neelys Landing itself. From time immemorial this spot has been a trading point for the people up and down the Mississippi and out west as well as across in the Illinois bottoms. To name all the merchants that owned the business would be telling the history of the town itself, as the store was really the beginning of the town.
A full line of general merchandise is carried by this firm all the time, produce of all kinds is bought for cash or in exchange for goods. Here the neighboring farmers come and get their supplies, here they mingle with the fisherman who spends his days on the mighty Mississippi and lands occasionally to supply his larder and his wardrobe. Here lands the dweller in the bottoms on the other side to procure provisions and other articles for his home or to get his mail, as the store also contains the U.S. post office. Many and varied are the customers that frequent this place. The tie maker, the laborer in the government rock quarries, the hands on the river steamer, the railroader, and what not. But all find just what they want at the Russell store, and can buy at reasonable prices.
W.A. Russell
The senior member of the firm was born in Cape Girardeau County on the 12th day of March, 1860, and is the son of Elliott and Delilah E. (McCombs) Russell. William attended the public schools and the Oak Ridge high school, and lived the care-free life of a farmer boy, until he began to farm on his own account. In 1896 he came to Neelys Landing and bought the present business, with George W. Miller as partner. Four years later the two dissolved partnership and Mr. Russell conducted the business alone until his wife and son became partners.
Eighteen years ago he was appointed postmaster and still continues in that office. He has always Been a Democrat, is a member of the Modern Woodmen and of the Knights and Ladies of Security lodges. He has been a member of the school board for many years.
He and Mrs. Russell, who was formerly Emily A. Hines, were married on the 15th day of July, 1883. They have one son, Hines, who has become his father's able assistant and owns residence property, the store building and ground, an interest in an extensive rock quarry, and some farm land. He is a shrewd business man that is able to hold his own in any transaction with the best of them, he is congenial and a wholesome fellow.
H.E. Russell
Hines Russell was born on the 30th day of September, 1885. Not satisfied with a common school education he became a student in the Cape Girardeau Normal. Having finished there, he became and employee of the Frisco Railroad as timekeeper with an extra gang. In 1912 he returned to Neelys Landing and took an active part in the business of merchandising with his father.
He owns residence property and delights in plowing the waves of the Mississippi in a high-power gasoline launch.
He was married to Nora E. Fischer on March 10, 1912. The Russells are prominent in society and their home is always open to their friends. Hines is a Mason, a Modern Woodman, and a member of the Knights and Ladies of Security.
Morton & Schenimann, Neelys Landing
Between picturesque bluff sand steep banks of the Mississippi, cut in twain by the Frisco Railroad, lies the village of Neelys Landing, one of the oldest landings for river steamers in Cape Girardeau County. From this point millions of dollars' worth of goods have been hauled out in the adjacent territory, and from the produce and livestock have been shipped. Preeminent among the business establishments in the village is that of Morton & Schenimann, the senior partner in the business being
J.L. Morton.
Mr. Morton was born in Cape Girardeau County on the 13th day of October, 1850, and is the son of W.P. and Eliza (Abernathy) Morton. Having finished his education in the public schools of his home, he worked with his father on the farm, but later went to St. Louis, where he served as an apprentice in the trade of plasterers three years. Returning to his home county, he became a contractor, and as master plasterer worked all over the state of Missouri, but discontinued in that line of business and opened a general store in Fruitland in 1899, from whence he removed to Jackson. In 1909 he came to Neelys Landing, buying out the interest of J.H. Schenimann in the present firm, and has been the "old man" in that business since that time.
He and Mrs. Morton, who was Martha R. Hatcher before her marriage, were married in November, 1873, and they have two sons, J. Russell, and Charles M. Mr. Morton is a Democrat, a Mason, and also a member of the order of Maccabees.
D.A. Schenimann,
the other member of the above firm, is the son of Henry and Mary J. (Massey) Schenimann, and was born in Cape Girardeau County on the 9th of October, 1868. Having finished the public schools, he attended the Oak Ridge high school several terms and then became his father's helper on the farm. At the age of 23 he began to work in the mercantile business, also in a mill a while, and then, in 1895, became a partner of G.W. Schack in the mercantile establishment of Schack & Schenimann in Egypt Mills. In 1901 he moved his share of the stock of that firm to Neelys Landing, and entered the firm of J.C. Litzelfelner & Co. Later the firm became known as Schenimann & Brother, to change it name to that of Morton & Schenimann when Mr. Morton bought the interest of the junior member.
One the 16th day of April, 1899, he married Sophia Hahn, and three sons, Frederick R., Glenn O. and Norman R., and one daughter, Virginia Marie, are the result of their union. Mr. Schenimann owns residence property, also 500 acres of farm land. Politically he has always been a Democrat and in the course of years has become a member of the following lodges: Masons, Knights and Ladies of Security and of the Maccabees.
The firm of Morton & Schenimann is known throughout the eastern part of the county as one of unquestioned integrity and undoubted stability. They handle general merchandise, a full line of farm implements, lime, cement, grain, feed and provisions.
In 1949 The Missourian published a series of aerial photos and profiles of towns in the area. Neelys Landing was one of those featured.
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