INMAN FAMILY HISTORY

    The Inman family has been known in Moniteau County for many years as bricklayers.
    James Inman came to this vicinity from Tennessee and was among the very early settlers in Moniteau County. James was a farmer, but had a son John who was the first of a long line of bricklayers. John was born in Moniteau County, November, 1827. he volunteered in 1848 in a Missouri Company and was in active service during -- the Mexican War, participating in a number of noted battles of that war. John had two sons who also became bricklayers, Deck Inman and Benjamin Inman.
    Benjamin was born California, September 16, 1860, and was a leading figure in the building and building constructing industry in California and Central Missouri. Benjamin built many structures in Tipton, Sedalia, Warrensburg, Versailles, Eldon, Jefferson City, and numerous towns. For many years he contracted or worked on practically every brick building that went up in California. Those including the California High School, the Eitzen Mansion, the manholes for the sewer system, all the older churches except the Methodist church, which was done by his son Virgil Inman. For a number of years he owned and operated his own brick Yard near the east end of Main Street. When the Rock Island Railway was built, he did the brick work on all the depots from Belle, Missouri, to Raytown, Missouri. Benjamin also had sons who chose to follow their father's trade and became bricklayers. They were Virgil Inman, Roy Inman, who died at 25 years of age, and Albert Inman. Albert and Virgil Inman built many buildings and homes in California and central Missouri.
    Albert joined the Army during World War I, serving with Battery D, 12th Field Arty. which engaged in battles in France and Germany.
    A few buildings Albert worked on were: Municipal Light Plant, Elementary School, Assembly of God Church, and the Masonic Temple in Eldon including the laying of the stone of that building. Written by -- Granddaughter Carol Wallenneyer.