William D. Massey (born 19 March 1824)
-
In reply to:
Re: WIlliam D. Massey/Rountree
Colleen Schneider 2/03/02
Biographical Sketch of William Massey, Springfield, Greene County, MO, from the "History of Greene County, Missouri," St. Louis, MO, Western Historical Company, 1883" ..."This gentleman is the son of James and Faithful (Strickland) Massey, and was born March 19, 1824 in South Carolina. His parents moved to Middle Tennessee in 1825, and to Greene County, Missouri in 1835, and settled three miles east of Springfield. In 1838 William went to Fort Smith, Arkansas, and then to St. Louis, Missouri, and back to Springfield. In 1849 he again went to St. Louis where he remained three
years and then came back to Springfield, where he has been actively engaged in business ever since. He was one of the company that built the Metropolitan Hotel, and has also built several large stores upon the square. He has been city treasurer for two terms, and has always been prominently identified with the building interests of Springfield. Massey was married in 1845, to Almarinda C. Rountree, daughter of Joseph Rountree. That marriage was blest with seven children, four sons and three daughters. His first wife dying, he married Laura Oustott, by whom he had one son and one daughter. His father was born
in Ireland, and came to the United States when a child. During the Indian wars he was captain of a company. His wife died in 1837, and he died in 1864. They had nine children, but three of whom are now living, viz.: Mrs. McAdams, Mrs. Z. M. Rountree and William, who during the war, was a quartermaster in the Union army.