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Felix La Force was born in Boone County, Missouri,
August 21, 1847, his parents, natives of Kentucky, being pioneer
settlers in that section. His education was received in the
district schools, and at the age of fifteen he commenced to earn his
own living, accepting a position as clerk in a dry goods store in
Columbia. He remained there for twenty years, working up to a
junior partnership.
In February, 1881, Mr. La Force came to
Kansas City, and in partnership with W. B. Grimes, W. S.
Woods, and
James H. Dayton founded the wholesale dry goods company of
Grimes, Woods, La Force & Co., and became its buyer and general
manager. In 1863 Mr. Grimes bought out his partners, but Mr. La
Force remained as buyer until 1885, when he joined with his brother,
Mr. W. B. La Force, in the banking and general brokerage business.
He is now in the general brokerage business by himself.
Mr. La Force was one of the early members of the
Kansas City Club, and has ever given freely of his time to public
movements. He was elected a member of the Convention Hall
Directorate in 1901 and re-elected in 1902. He is also a charter
member and director in the Union National Bank.
Mr. La Force married Miss Ella Estill, of
Howard County, Missouri, in February, 1881.
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