”ADDISON SHACKLEFORD.
Addison Shackleford, a representative of one of the most prominent mercantile houses of the city, with a trade in wall paper that exceeds that of any other house here, was born in Cooper county, Missouri, October 26, 1867. His father, James E. Shackleford, was a native of Virginia, while the paternal grandfather of our subject was born in England. James E. Shackleford followed the occupation of farming and when a young man came to Missouri. He married Margaret Ann Ware and died when his son Addison was six years of age, while the mother died when he was seven years of age.
Addison Shackleford has since been dependent upon his own resources and whatever success he has achieved or enjoyed is attributable entirely to his own labors. He was educated in the country schools of Cooper county, Missouri, and came to Kansas City at the age of fifteen years, when he entered the employ of A. Filtin, proprietor of a wall paper store, with whom he continued for seven years. He then went to Denver, Colorado, where he secured a situation in a similar line, continuing in that city for four years. In 1893 he returned to Kansas City, where he worked at paper hanging until 1898, and then, with the capital he had acquired through his own industry and careful expenditure he engaged in business on his own account at No. 1227 Walnut street. He started operations on a small scale but from the beginning his trade has grown and in 1900 he opened a store at No. 1218 Walnut street, where he, conducted business until the 1st of December, 1905, when he removed to his present location. Upon his removal to 1218 Walnut street the business was incorporated with a capital of ten thousand dollars, which was afterward increased to twenty thousand, with ten thousand paid up. Mr. Shackleford owns ninety-five per cent of the stock and is president and manager of the company. There is now a large surplus and undivided profits, and, in fact, the business has enjoyed remarkable growth and the company is today handling a business which is at least twenty-five per cent greater than any other house of this character in the city. The history of this establishment is a record of orderly progression, resulting from well defined plans, careful management and unfaltering purpose. Straightforward business policy, reasonable prices and an earnest effort to please their customers have brought to the house a constantly growing trade that has enabled them to outdistance many who have started out ahead of them in the business race. The success of the establishment is attributable almost entirely to the efforts of Mr. Shackleford, who has at all times been the guiding spirit of the, concern, instituting the progressive measures which have resulted in making it the foremost establishment of this character in the, west.
On the 8th of May, 1890, Mr. Shackleford was married to Miss Laura E. Hopkins, of Kansas City, and to them have been born six children: Gertrude Lee, now seventeen years of age; Laura Myrtle, aged fifteen; Raymond Hopkins, fourteen; Addison Franklin, nine; Lola Bell, five; and Evelyn Clair, two years old. The two oldest daughters are now attending the Central high school. Like her husband Mrs. Shackleford is a member of the Baptist church and is an estimable lady who presides with gracious hospitality over the many attractive social functions which are features of their beautiful bome. In 1905 Mr. Shackleford erected his residence at No. 1109 Askew street, at a cast of six thousand and eight hundred dollars.
Mr. Shackleford is a prominent Mason, holding membership in the Mystic Shrine, and he, also belongs to the Benovelent and Protective Order of Elks. For two years he has been a deacon in the Bales Avenue Baptist church. In politics he is a republican. Deprived in youth of many of the advantages and opportunities which many boys enjoy, he has planned his own advancement and accomplished it in spite of difficulties and obstacles. He has not deviated from any course which his judgment has sanctioned as right between himself and his fellowmen, and his entire business career, crowned as it is with splendid success, will bear the closest scrutiny.”
Source: Kansas City, Missouri: Its History and Its People, 1808-1908, Vol. 3, by Carrie Westlake Whitney, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908, pages 389-90
