Springfield-Greene
County LibraryEarly and Recent History and Genealogical Records
of Many of the Representative Citizens
L. W. PRESTON. L. W. Preston was born in Boyle county, Kentucky, July 13, 1860. He is a son of Francis A. and Mary (Sedore) Preston, both natives of Kentucky, the father born in 1832, and his death occurred in Springfield, Missouri, February 11, 1908. The mother was born in 1834, and her death occurred in this city on March 16, 1908. They thus ran a pretty even race on the highway of life, and were regarded by all who knew them as A fine old couple, hospitable, neighborly and likeable in every respect. They grew to maturity in Kentucky and received common school educations there. They were married near Nicholasville that state. Mr. Preston learned the blacksmith's trade in his youth, at which he became quite expert and which he followed all his life. He removed with his family from Boyle county, Kentucky, to Springfield, Missouri, in 1880, and here he followed his trade until his death. Politically, he was a Democrat. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His family consisted of eight children, three of whom are still living, namely: Nettie, Belle, Katherine and Bettie are all deceased; L. W., of this review; William, deceased; James L. lives in Springfield; and Edward N. also lives in this city.
L. W. Preston was twenty years of age when he left Kentucky. There he had grown up and received a common school education. When he first came here he worked for Jess & Sturdy in their carriage works for a while, and in 1884 he and his father opened a carriage and blacksmith shop at the present location, corner of Pickwick street and Patton alley, and it is thus the oldest established business of its kind in Springfield, is also one of the best and most favorably known. The firm's large, substantial, two-story brick building is modernly equipped with every appliance for turning out high-grade work, and a specialty is made of manufacturing wagons, but auto and carriage painting and general carriage repairing are done, and rubber tires are handled. Our subject learned the business under his father starting in with him when our subject was twenty-one years of age, and they worked together until the father's death. Only the best grade of material is handled by the firm, and only skilled workmen are employed. Prompt and first-class work is Mr. Preston's aim.
We quote the following from the Springfield Leader, under date of December 18, 1911: "One of the best known and most reliable establishments of its character in the city of Springfield is the L. W. Preston Carriage Company. L. W. Preston is the proprietor and manager of this concern, and he has been in the carriage manufacturing business since 1884 at his present stand. He is thoroughly conversant with all the details of the business, and has built up a large and flourishing trade. Mr. Preston is prepared to do all kinds of carriage repairing. He has four departments, the woodshop and the smithing departments being located on the ground floor, the painting and trimming departments on the second floor of his large establishment. He makes a specialty of manufacturing high-class delivery wagons, and has had quite a run on these in this vicinity. All work is under the immediate supervision of L. W. Preston, and is looked after by him in the most thorough and conscientious manner. Nothing but A No. 1 material is used in all work. Besides the work mentioned, Mr. Preston has built up an extensive trade on rubber tires; he also does all kinds of auto painting. His telephone number is 954."
Mr. Preston was married on March 20, 1890, in Springfield, to Eva E. Follett. She was born on March 17, 1869, in Michigan, and she is a daughter of ______ and Sarah A. (Orcutt) Follett. The mother was twice married. Mrs. Preston was brought to Springfield, Missouri, when young, and here she received her education in the high school. Her stepfather died soon after the family located in Springfield.
The union of our subject and wife has been without issue. The pleasant Preston residence is on Cherry street.
Politically, Mr. Preston is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
[1659-1660]
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y
Table of Contents | Keyword Search | Greene County History Home | Local History Home