Robert McMillen McCammon, the subject of this sketch, was born near Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee on Nov. 21, 1842. He was the son of William McCammon and Eliza E. (Pickel) McCammon, both natives of Tennessee. His father, William McCammon, a county official at the time, died in 1851, when Robert was but a small boy. The same autumn his mother and family removed to Monroe County, Tenn., and in 1856 they emigrated to Missouri locating in Gentry County.
Robert McCammon a farmer boy in pioneer times, but at the age of 17 began teaching school, which he continued for two years, one of the old contracts stipulates that his salary was due at the end of the term^ — pay- able in corn at 20c a bushel delivered at his mother's home. From 1861 to 1863 he enjoyed western life, roughing it in Western Iowa, in Nebraska, and Colorado, and in Northern Kansas. Next at St. Joseph, Mo., he spent a year with the wholesale house of Tootle, Fairleigh and Company, and a year with Lemon, Hosea and Co. After further experiments in varied activities, in 1868 he set up for himself in the mercantile business at Gentryville, Gentry County. Two years later he became a farmer in the same vicinity.
In 1872 at the age of 30 he was elected first collector of Gentry County, after that office was separated from the sheriff's office. He was re-elected in 1874, completing the four years with increasing popularity. From 1876 till 1880 Mr. McCammon was busy in various trading enterprises. During this period, Albany, the County seat, decided it was big enough to have a mayor, and R. M. McCammon was first to fill this office in 1878 and 1879. In 1880 he became a member of the dry goods firm of Peery and McCammon. Not long after he became assistant cashier in the Gentry County Bank.
In many ways Mr. McCammon was allied to the best interests of the County and its permanent progress. In 1902 he was elected Mayor of the City of Albany, and re-elected in 1904. During these four years the public square was paved with brick. After 19 years this work is a credit alike to the city administration, and to the contractors who laid the pavement. Also it was during Mr. McCammon's Mayorality that the conditions were adjusted which secured the Carnegie Public Library. Thus adding another splendid building to the permanent monuments of Albany's progress and prosperity. At no other time did Mr. McCammon's integrity, patience and diplomacy serve the city better. From 1884 till 1888 he was deputy County Clerk, a little later he was deputy Circuit Clerk for two years. From 1888 to 1890 he was in the abstract business with Wallace Hubbard, inside from the periods indicated he spent the time up to Jan. 1905, either as Assistant or as Cashier in the Gentry County Bank. He also filled many minor positions. He was Police Judge for the City of Albany for 25 years. He literally fell in the harness, being Public Administrator and Justice at the time of his passing. At the beginning of his last illness he remarked, "I have had a desk in Albany for over 46 years." The last months of his life were principally occupied in preparing a history of Gentry County, assisted by his eldest daughter, Mrs. Mary McCammon Hillman. After several weeks of severe suffering, the end came peacefully. He passed to his reward Jan. 29, 1922.
On Oct. 29, 1868, he married Miss Sarah J. Fitzgerald, with whom he had spent more than 58 years of wedded life. Seven children were born to them, two of whom, Martha Lou and Bathsheba G., are dead. The others are Mrs. Mary Hillman, of Albany ; David F., of King City ; Mrs. Anna Skiles, of near Sussex, Wyo. ; Robert M., of St. Joseph; and Mrs. Narcissa Holden, of Colorado Springs, Colo.
Mr. McCammon had been a manysided citizen of the town, especially during his more active and more prosperous days. No movement for the betterment of the conditions of the community was ever launched that he did not support with his time, energy and means. In the erection and advancement of the various churches, the public schools and colleges, promotion of the various civic, religious and social enterprises, he was always ready to help. Especially was this true of the work and life of the Presbyterian church herewith which he had been associated for so many years. His faith in the ultimate growth and of the mission of the church of his choice here has always been unbounded and during the dark days of the struggling congregation he more than anyone else, was responsible in holding the organization intact, realizing that brighter days would come, and he gave unstintedly of his means to further the cause. The beautiful new building now near completion is in a certain sense the result of his abiding faith in the ultimate outcome during the days others were less hopeful than he. For many years he had been a Mason, having been a member of the Blue Lodge, the Royal Arch chapter, the Knights Templar and the Eastern Star. He had been a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church for many years, a teacher in the Sunday School and a zealous and consistent
Christian.
HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES pages 1032-1033 Published 1922
Robert McCammon a farmer boy in pioneer times, but at the age of 17 began teaching school, which he continued for two years, one of the old contracts stipulates that his salary was due at the end of the term^ — pay- able in corn at 20c a bushel delivered at his mother's home. From 1861 to 1863 he enjoyed western life, roughing it in Western Iowa, in Nebraska, and Colorado, and in Northern Kansas. Next at St. Joseph, Mo., he spent a year with the wholesale house of Tootle, Fairleigh and Company, and a year with Lemon, Hosea and Co. After further experiments in varied activities, in 1868 he set up for himself in the mercantile business at Gentryville, Gentry County. Two years later he became a farmer in the same vicinity.
In 1872 at the age of 30 he was elected first collector of Gentry County, after that office was separated from the sheriff's office. He was re-elected in 1874, completing the four years with increasing popularity. From 1876 till 1880 Mr. McCammon was busy in various trading enterprises. During this period, Albany, the County seat, decided it was big enough to have a mayor, and R. M. McCammon was first to fill this office in 1878 and 1879. In 1880 he became a member of the dry goods firm of Peery and McCammon. Not long after he became assistant cashier in the Gentry County Bank.
In many ways Mr. McCammon was allied to the best interests of the County and its permanent progress. In 1902 he was elected Mayor of the City of Albany, and re-elected in 1904. During these four years the public square was paved with brick. After 19 years this work is a credit alike to the city administration, and to the contractors who laid the pavement. Also it was during Mr. McCammon's Mayorality that the conditions were adjusted which secured the Carnegie Public Library. Thus adding another splendid building to the permanent monuments of Albany's progress and prosperity. At no other time did Mr. McCammon's integrity, patience and diplomacy serve the city better. From 1884 till 1888 he was deputy County Clerk, a little later he was deputy Circuit Clerk for two years. From 1888 to 1890 he was in the abstract business with Wallace Hubbard, inside from the periods indicated he spent the time up to Jan. 1905, either as Assistant or as Cashier in the Gentry County Bank. He also filled many minor positions. He was Police Judge for the City of Albany for 25 years. He literally fell in the harness, being Public Administrator and Justice at the time of his passing. At the beginning of his last illness he remarked, "I have had a desk in Albany for over 46 years." The last months of his life were principally occupied in preparing a history of Gentry County, assisted by his eldest daughter, Mrs. Mary McCammon Hillman. After several weeks of severe suffering, the end came peacefully. He passed to his reward Jan. 29, 1922.
On Oct. 29, 1868, he married Miss Sarah J. Fitzgerald, with whom he had spent more than 58 years of wedded life. Seven children were born to them, two of whom, Martha Lou and Bathsheba G., are dead. The others are Mrs. Mary Hillman, of Albany ; David F., of King City ; Mrs. Anna Skiles, of near Sussex, Wyo. ; Robert M., of St. Joseph; and Mrs. Narcissa Holden, of Colorado Springs, Colo.
Mr. McCammon had been a manysided citizen of the town, especially during his more active and more prosperous days. No movement for the betterment of the conditions of the community was ever launched that he did not support with his time, energy and means. In the erection and advancement of the various churches, the public schools and colleges, promotion of the various civic, religious and social enterprises, he was always ready to help. Especially was this true of the work and life of the Presbyterian church herewith which he had been associated for so many years. His faith in the ultimate growth and of the mission of the church of his choice here has always been unbounded and during the dark days of the struggling congregation he more than anyone else, was responsible in holding the organization intact, realizing that brighter days would come, and he gave unstintedly of his means to further the cause. The beautiful new building now near completion is in a certain sense the result of his abiding faith in the ultimate outcome during the days others were less hopeful than he. For many years he had been a Mason, having been a member of the Blue Lodge, the Royal Arch chapter, the Knights Templar and the Eastern Star. He had been a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church for many years, a teacher in the Sunday School and a zealous and consistent
Christian.
HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES pages 1032-1033 Published 1922
Robert McMillen McCammon, the subject of this sketch, was born near Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee on Nov. 21, 1842. He was the son of William McCammon and Eliza E. (Pickel) McCammon, both natives of Tennessee. His father, William McCammon, a county official at the time, died in 1851, when Robert was but a small boy. The same autumn his mother and family removed to Monroe County, Tenn., and in 1856 they emigrated to Missouri locating in Gentry County.
Robert McCammon a farmer boy in pioneer times, but at the age of 17 began teaching school, which he continued for two years, one of the old contracts stipulates that his salary was due at the end of the term^ — pay- able in corn at 20c a bushel delivered at his mother's home. From 1861 to 1863 he enjoyed western life, roughing it in Western Iowa, in Nebraska, and Colorado, and in Northern Kansas. Next at St. Joseph, Mo., he spent a year with the wholesale house of Tootle, Fairleigh and Company, and a year with Lemon, Hosea and Co. After further experiments in varied activities, in 1868 he set up for himself in the mercantile business at Gentryville, Gentry County. Two years later he became a farmer in the same vicinity.
In 1872 at the age of 30 he was elected first collector of Gentry County, after that office was separated from the sheriff's office. He was re-elected in 1874, completing the four years with increasing popularity. From 1876 till 1880 Mr. McCammon was busy in various trading enterprises. During this period, Albany, the County seat, decided it was big enough to have a mayor, and R. M. McCammon was first to fill this office in 1878 and 1879. In 1880 he became a member of the dry goods firm of Peery and McCammon. Not long after he became assistant cashier in the Gentry County Bank.
In many ways Mr. McCammon was allied to the best interests of the County and its permanent progress. In 1902 he was elected Mayor of the City of Albany, and re-elected in 1904. During these four years the public square was paved with brick. After 19 years this work is a credit alike to the city administration, and to the contractors who laid the pavement. Also it was during Mr. McCammon's Mayorality that the conditions were adjusted which secured the Carnegie Public Library. Thus adding another splendid building to the permanent monuments of Albany's progress and prosperity. At no other time did Mr. McCammon's integrity, patience and diplomacy serve the city better. From 1884 till 1888 he was deputy County Clerk, a little later he was deputy Circuit Clerk for two years. From 1888 to 1890 he was in the abstract business with Wallace Hubbard, inside from the periods indicated he spent the time up to Jan. 1905, either as Assistant or as Cashier in the Gentry County Bank. He also filled many minor positions. He was Police Judge for the City of Albany for 25 years. He literally fell in the harness, being Public Administrator and Justice at the time of his passing. At the beginning of his last illness he remarked, "I have had a desk in Albany for over 46 years." The last months of his life were principally occupied in preparing a history of Gentry County, assisted by his eldest daughter, Mrs. Mary McCammon Hillman. After several weeks of severe suffering, the end came peacefully. He passed to his reward Jan. 29, 1922.
On Oct. 29, 1868, he married Miss Sarah J. Fitzgerald, with whom he had spent more than 58 years of wedded life. Seven children were born to them, two of whom, Martha Lou and Bathsheba G., are dead. The others are Mrs. Mary Hillman, of Albany ; David F., of King City ; Mrs. Anna Skiles, of near Sussex, Wyo. ; Robert M., of St. Joseph; and Mrs. Narcissa Holden, of Colorado Springs, Colo.
Mr. McCammon had been a manysided citizen of the town, especially during his more active and more prosperous days. No movement for the betterment of the conditions of the community was ever launched that he did not support with his time, energy and means. In the erection and advancement of the various churches, the public schools and colleges, promotion of the various civic, religious and social enterprises, he was always ready to help. Especially was this true of the work and life of the Presbyterian church herewith which he had been associated for so many years. His faith in the ultimate growth and of the mission of the church of his choice here has always been unbounded and during the dark days of the struggling congregation he more than anyone else, was responsible in holding the organization intact, realizing that brighter days would come, and he gave unstintedly of his means to further the cause. The beautiful new building now near completion is in a certain sense the result of his abiding faith in the ultimate outcome during the days others were less hopeful than he. For many years he had been a Mason, having been a member of the Blue Lodge, the Royal Arch chapter, the Knights Templar and the Eastern Star. He had been a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church for many years, a teacher in the Sunday School and a zealous and consistent
Christian.
HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES pages 1032-1033 Published 1922
Robert McCammon a farmer boy in pioneer times, but at the age of 17 began teaching school, which he continued for two years, one of the old contracts stipulates that his salary was due at the end of the term^ — pay- able in corn at 20c a bushel delivered at his mother's home. From 1861 to 1863 he enjoyed western life, roughing it in Western Iowa, in Nebraska, and Colorado, and in Northern Kansas. Next at St. Joseph, Mo., he spent a year with the wholesale house of Tootle, Fairleigh and Company, and a year with Lemon, Hosea and Co. After further experiments in varied activities, in 1868 he set up for himself in the mercantile business at Gentryville, Gentry County. Two years later he became a farmer in the same vicinity.
In 1872 at the age of 30 he was elected first collector of Gentry County, after that office was separated from the sheriff's office. He was re-elected in 1874, completing the four years with increasing popularity. From 1876 till 1880 Mr. McCammon was busy in various trading enterprises. During this period, Albany, the County seat, decided it was big enough to have a mayor, and R. M. McCammon was first to fill this office in 1878 and 1879. In 1880 he became a member of the dry goods firm of Peery and McCammon. Not long after he became assistant cashier in the Gentry County Bank.
In many ways Mr. McCammon was allied to the best interests of the County and its permanent progress. In 1902 he was elected Mayor of the City of Albany, and re-elected in 1904. During these four years the public square was paved with brick. After 19 years this work is a credit alike to the city administration, and to the contractors who laid the pavement. Also it was during Mr. McCammon's Mayorality that the conditions were adjusted which secured the Carnegie Public Library. Thus adding another splendid building to the permanent monuments of Albany's progress and prosperity. At no other time did Mr. McCammon's integrity, patience and diplomacy serve the city better. From 1884 till 1888 he was deputy County Clerk, a little later he was deputy Circuit Clerk for two years. From 1888 to 1890 he was in the abstract business with Wallace Hubbard, inside from the periods indicated he spent the time up to Jan. 1905, either as Assistant or as Cashier in the Gentry County Bank. He also filled many minor positions. He was Police Judge for the City of Albany for 25 years. He literally fell in the harness, being Public Administrator and Justice at the time of his passing. At the beginning of his last illness he remarked, "I have had a desk in Albany for over 46 years." The last months of his life were principally occupied in preparing a history of Gentry County, assisted by his eldest daughter, Mrs. Mary McCammon Hillman. After several weeks of severe suffering, the end came peacefully. He passed to his reward Jan. 29, 1922.
On Oct. 29, 1868, he married Miss Sarah J. Fitzgerald, with whom he had spent more than 58 years of wedded life. Seven children were born to them, two of whom, Martha Lou and Bathsheba G., are dead. The others are Mrs. Mary Hillman, of Albany ; David F., of King City ; Mrs. Anna Skiles, of near Sussex, Wyo. ; Robert M., of St. Joseph; and Mrs. Narcissa Holden, of Colorado Springs, Colo.
Mr. McCammon had been a manysided citizen of the town, especially during his more active and more prosperous days. No movement for the betterment of the conditions of the community was ever launched that he did not support with his time, energy and means. In the erection and advancement of the various churches, the public schools and colleges, promotion of the various civic, religious and social enterprises, he was always ready to help. Especially was this true of the work and life of the Presbyterian church herewith which he had been associated for so many years. His faith in the ultimate growth and of the mission of the church of his choice here has always been unbounded and during the dark days of the struggling congregation he more than anyone else, was responsible in holding the organization intact, realizing that brighter days would come, and he gave unstintedly of his means to further the cause. The beautiful new building now near completion is in a certain sense the result of his abiding faith in the ultimate outcome during the days others were less hopeful than he. For many years he had been a Mason, having been a member of the Blue Lodge, the Royal Arch chapter, the Knights Templar and the Eastern Star. He had been a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church for many years, a teacher in the Sunday School and a zealous and consistent
Christian.
HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES pages 1032-1033 Published 1922
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