WILLIAM HOBLITZELL is a member of three of the leading business firms of Mound City, lumber, hardware and dry goods houses. He was born in Richland County, October 29, 1833. His father, Adrian Hoblitzell, was a native of Maryland, and his mother, formerly Elizabeth Dorland, was born in Pennsylvania.

In 1842 they moved to Missouri, and located in Platte County. William was there engaged in farming till 1844, when he came to Holt County, and shortly afterward he began clerking in a store. He has since been engaged in mercantile pursuits at different locations. In 1856 he was married to Miss Martha J. Burnett. They have two children, Nannie and Jennie. Mrs. H. was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, February 16, 1838. Her father, R. Burnett, was a native of Kentucky, and her mother, Nancy Burnett, nee Neal, of Tennessee.

Source: "History of Holt and Atchison Counties, 1882" transcribed by Karyn.


William HOBLITZELL, resident of Mound City, was born in Richland County, Ohio on October 29, 1833. His father, Adrian HOBLITZELL, was from Maryland and his mother, Elizabeth Dorland, was from Pennsyvania. In 1842, the family moved to Platte County, Missouri, engaged in farming there until 1844 when they moved to Holt Co. They settled first in the vicinity of Oregon and later moved into that town. William HOBLITZELL attended the common schools of Oregon, left the farm at age 18, and began clerking in a store at Oregon where he remained about 3 years. He has ever since been engaged in selling goods and has been actively connected with the merchandising interests of the county.

In 1855, he opened his own store at Brownville, Nebraska in partnership with J. T. WHITE. After running the store three or four years, he gave the store up and returned to clerking until 1861. He then moved back to Oregon and clerked in a store there. He came to Mound City in 1863 (the atlas shows 1853, but it must be a misprint, see James Allen biography) and for 6 months operated a store with James L. ALLEN, at that time the only store in Mound City. In 1864, he moved to St. Joseph where he clerked in a store.

Returning to Mound City, he opened a store in 1865 in partnership with B. B. FRAZER, now of St. Joseph. This partnership continued until 1873 when the interest of B. B. FRAZER was purchased by Mr. HOBLITZELL and T. D. FRAZER. This firm, in 1873 and 1874, operated a store at Bigelow where Mr. HOBLITZELL resided for about a year. The firm of S. B. Austin & Co., composed of Mr. HOBLITZELL and S. B. AUSTIN, was established at Mound City in Jan., 1875 and operates a large mercantile business which has helped give Mound City its reputation as a good business point. In connection with his brother, Mr. HOBLITZELL also operates the lumber business at Mound City and has a heavy trade in this business so important to the community. He was married in 1856 to Martha Jane Burnett of Oregon, Mo. He supports the Democrat party, but votes his principles on issues and candidates regardless of politics.

Source: "An Illustrated Historical Atlas Map, Holt County, MO," published by Brink, McDonough & Co., Philadelphia, 1877
Provided by Dave Roberts of Lyon County, Kentucky, a former Holt County resident.